The fundamental role of DELLA protein and regulatory mechanism during plant growth and development

Gibberellins (GAs) play a major role in a variety of key plant development processes, especially in promoting seed germination, stem and root growth, and fruit development. DELLA proteins are the core elements in GA signal transduction pathway, which exist in the plant nucleus and belong to the GRAS protein family. DELLA proteins negatively regulate the GA signaling pathway and biosynthesis, inhibiting plant growth. DELLA proteins can also interact with F-box, PIFS, ROS, SCLl3 and other proteins to enhance plant response to various adverse environmental influences such as drought, low and high temperature, heavy metal stresses. In addition, DELLA proteins can also partially regulate plant growth and development through interacting plant hormones such as ABA (abscisic acid), CK (cytokinin), ET (ethylene), BR (brassinosteroid) and JA (jasmine). This review summarized the basic characteristics of DELLA proteins, the transduction of hormone and environmental signals, as well as the regulation of plant growth and developments. DELLA proteins have broad application prospects in modern agricultural production in the future, but the molecular mechanism of DELLA proteins regulating plant growth and development are still unclear, and needs further study

The use of COLD-PCR and pyrosequencing for sensitive detection of EGFR T790M mutation

A sensitive and convenient method for the detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) would be desirable to guide treatment strategy. Consequently, studies have focused on sensitive characterization of EGFR T790M mutation. Herein, two methods of co-amplification at lower denaturation temperature PCR (COLD-PCR) and pyrosequencing were combined (COLDPCR/ pyrosequencing) for detecting EGFR T790M mutation. Evaluation of mutation-containing dilutions revealed that the sensitivities of COLD-PCR/pyrosequencing and conventional PCR/pyrosequencing assays for the detection of the T790M mutation were 0.1 and 5%, respectively, indicating a 50-fold increase in sensitivity. When the T790M mutation in 20 clinical NSCLC samples who had relapsed under firstgeneration EGFR TKI were further determined using COLD-PCR/pyrosequencing and conventional PCR/pyrosequencing, the detection rates were 35% (7/20) and 25% (5/20), respectively. All patients who were positive for the T790M mutation with conventional PCR/pyrosequencing were also found to be positive with COLD-PCR/pyrosequencing. The discordant cases were 2 samples with no T790M mutation detected with conventional PCR/pyrosequencing, but which were positive with COLD-PCR/pyrosequencing. COLD-PCR/pyrosequencing is a sensitive and cost-effective tool for detecting the T790M mutation which will permit an improvement of therapeutic management

Whole transcriptome analysis reveals non-coding RNA's competing endogenous gene pairs as novel form of motifs in serous ovarian cancer

Publisher Copyright: © 2022The non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulation appears to be associated to the diagnosis and targeted therapy of complex diseases. Motifs of non-coding RNAs and genes in the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network would probably contribute to the accurate prediction of serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC). We conducted a microarray study profiling the whole transcriptomes of eight human SOCs and eight controls and constructed a ceRNA network including mRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Novel form of motifs (mRNA-ncRNA-mRNA) were identified from the ceRNA network and defined as non-coding RNA's competing endogenous gene pairs (ceGPs), using a proposed method denoised individualized pair analysis of gene expression (deiPAGE). 18 cricRNA's ceGPs (cceGPs) were identified from multiple cohorts and were fused as an indicator (SOC index) for SOC discrimination, which carried a high predictive capacity in independent cohorts. SOC index was negatively correlated with the CD8+/CD4+ ratio in tumour-infiltration, reflecting the migration and growth of tumour cells in ovarian cancer progression. Moreover, most of the RNAs in SOC index were experimentally validated involved in ovarian cancer development. Our results elucidate the discriminative capability of SOC index and suggest that the novel competing endogenous motifs play important roles in expression regulation and could be potential target for investigating ovarian cancer mechanism or its therapy.Peer reviewe

Targeting oncogenic miR-335 inhibits growth and invasion of malignant astrocytoma cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Astrocytomas are the most common and aggressive brain tumors characterized by their highly invasive growth. Gain of chromosome 7 with a hot spot at 7q32 appears to be the most prominent aberration in astrocytoma. Previously reports have shown that microRNA-335 (miR-335) resided on chromosome 7q32 is deregulated in many cancers; however, the biological function of miR-335 in astrocytoma has yet to be elucidated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We report that miR-335 acts as a tumor promoter in conferring tumorigenic features such as growth and invasion on malignant astrocytoma. The miR-335 level is highly elevated in C6 astrocytoma cells and human malignant astrocytomas. Ectopic expression of miR-335 in C6 cells dramatically enhances cell viability, colony-forming ability and invasiveness. Conversely, delivery of antagonist specific for miR-335 (antagomir-335) to C6 cells results in growth arrest, cell apoptosis, invasion repression and marked regression of astrocytoma xenografts. Further investigation reveals that miR-335 targets disheveled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1(Daam1) at posttranscriptional level. Moreover, silencing of endogenous Daam1 (siDaam1) could mimic the oncogenic effects of miR-335 and reverse the growth arrest, proapoptotic and invasion repression effects induced by antagomir-335. Notably, the oncogenic effects of miR-335 and siDAAM1 together with anti-tumor effects of antagomir-335 are also confirmed in human astrocytoma U87-MG cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest an oncogenic role of miR-335 and shed new lights on the therapy of malignant astrocytomas by targeting miR-335.</p

StMAPK1 functions as a thermos-tolerant gene in regulating heat stress tolerance in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Background and aimsMitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been reported to respond to various stimuli including heat stress. This research aimed to investigate whether StMAPK1 is implicated in the transduction of the heat stress signal to adapt heat stress as a thermos-tolerant gene.Materials and methodsPotato plants were cultivated under mild (30°C) and acute (35°C) heat stress conditions to analyze mRNA expression of StMAPKs and physiological indicators. StMAPK1 was up-regulated and down-regulated by transfection. Subcellular localization of StMAPK1 protein was observed by fluorescence microscope. The transgenic potato plants were assayed for physiological indexes, photosynthesis, cellular membrane integrity, and heat stress response gene expression.ResultsHeat stress altered the expression prolife of StMAPKs. StMAPK1 overexpression changed the physiological characteristics and phenotypes of potato plants under heat stresses. StMAPK1 mediates photosynthesis and maintains membrane integrity of potato plants in response to heat stress. Stress response genes (StP5CS, StCAT, StSOD, and StPOD) in potato plants were altered by StMAPK1 dysregulation. mRNA expression of heat stress genes (StHSP90, StHSP70, StHSP20, and StHSFA3) was affected by StMAPK1.ConclusionsStMAPK1 overexpression increases the heat-tolerant capacity of potato plants at the morphological, physiological, molecular, and genetic levels

Corrigendum to: The TianQin project: current progress on science and technology

In the originally published version, this manuscript included an error related to indicating the corresponding author within the author list. This has now been corrected online to reflect the fact that author Jun Luo is the corresponding author of the article

Laparoscopic inguinal ligament suspension versus laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common health problem. The lifetime risk of undergoing surgery for prolapse is 11%. POP significantly affects the effects on quality of life and activities of daily living. Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) has been viewed as the gold standard treatment for women with POP who desire reconstructive surgery. However, LSC is associated with technical difficulties, resulting in a long learning curve and operative time. Recently, our team introduced a new laparoscopic technique of inguinal ligament suspension (LILS) and had confirmed its safety and efficacy in treating vaginal vault prolapse. As a new surgical technique for POP, a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing the LILS with the standard technique of LSC is necessary. Therefore, we will conduct a trial. Methods The trial is a randomized controlled trial. It compares LILS with LSC in women with stage 2 or higher uterine prolapse. The primary outcomes of this study are perioperative parameters, including surgical time, blood loss, intraoperative complications, and hospital stay as well as surgical anatomical results using the pelvic organ prolapse questionnaire (POP-Q) classification at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and annually till 5 years after surgery. Secondary outcomes are subjective improvement in urogenital symptoms and quality of life, postoperative complications, postoperative recovery, sexual functioning, and cost-effectiveness at each follow-up point. Validated questionnaires will be used and the data will be analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Based on an objective success rate of 90%, a noninferiority margin of 15%, and a dropout of 20%, 107 patients are needed in each arm to prove the hypothesis with a 95% confidence interval. Discussion The trial is a randomized controlled, multicenter, noninferiority trial that will provide evidence whether the efficacy and safety of LILS is noninferior to LSC in women with symptomatic stage 2 or higher uterine prolapse. Trial registration China Trial Register (CTR): ChiCTR-INR-15007408. Registered on 9 November 2015

Flange Climb Derailment Criteria and Wheel/Rail Profile Management and Maintenance Guidelines for Transit Operations

This report includes the results of a research task carried out under Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Project D-7, Joint Rail Transit-Related Research with the Association of American Railroads/Transportation Technology Center, Inc. The report includes flange climb derailment criteria for transit vehicles that include lateral-to-vertical (L/V) ratio limits and a corresponding flange-climb-distance limit, and it offers guidance that transit agencies can follow in their wheel and rail maintenance practices. This report should be of interest to engineers involved in the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of rail transit systems

Do Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification Examination Ba and D Guide the Selection of Operation for Severe Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Purpose: To determine whether the preoperative Ba and D point could help to guide the choice of surgical procedure for POP. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study included 250 subjects with anterior/apical defect from January 2012 to June 2015. All subjects underwent a complete preoperative evaluation and completed 12 months of follow-up. Based on the connection of preoperative Ba and D point of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q), patients were assigned two groups: 137 patients who underwent anterior vaginal repair with mesh (AVM) and 113 patients who underwent AVM combined with sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF). The primary outcomes were anatomical cure and recurrence rate of both procedures. Secondary outcomes were prolapse symptom, quality of life and sexual function based upon validated questionnaires. The complications were also recorded in both groups. Results: Both groups were homogeneous preoperatively. The anatomical success rates for the anterior, apical and posterior vaginal compartments were 99.2%, 97.0% and 97.7% in the AVM group, respectively. For patients who underwent AVM-SSLF, the anatomical success rates for the anterior, apical and posterior compartments were 96.1%, 98.1% and 98.1%, respectively. The recurrence for both techniques was low. Both procedures presented a significant improvement with regard to postoperative quality of life (QOL), prolapse symptoms, and sexual function after 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: The preoperative Ba and D point correlated with surgical choice for the treatment of anterior/apical prolapse, which further decided the surgical outcomes for prolapse support