Marangoni interface self-assembly hybrid carbon nano-network for transparent conductive silicone rubber

Marangoni interface self-assembly hybrid carbon nano-network for transparent conductive silicone rubbe

Whole genome sequencing and analysis of Armillaria gallica Jzi34 symbiotic with Gastrodia elata

Abstract Background Armillaria species are plant pathogens, but a few Armillaria species can establish a symbiotic relationship with Gastrodia elata, a rootless and leafless orchid, that is used as a Chinese herbal medicine. Armillaria is a nutrient source for the growth of G. elata. However, there are few reports on the molecular mechanism of symbiosis between Armillaria species and G. elata. The genome sequencing and analysis of Armillaria symbiotic with G. elata would provide genomic information for further studying the molecular mechanism of symbiosis. Results The de novo genome assembly was performed with the PacBio Sequel platform and Illumina NovaSeq PE150 for the A. gallica Jzi34 strain, which was symbiotic with G. elata. Its genome assembly contained ~ 79.9 Mbp and consisted of 60 contigs with an N50 of 2,535,910 bp. There were only 4.1% repetitive sequences in the genome assembly. Functional annotation analysis revealed a total of 16,280 protein coding genes. Compared with the other five genomes of Armillaria, the carbohydrate enzyme gene family of the genome was significantly contracted, while it had the largest set of glycosyl transferase (GT) genes. It also had an expansion of auxiliary activity enzymes AA3-2 gene subfamily and cytochrome P450 genes. The synteny analysis result of P450 genes reveals that the evolutionary relationship of P450 proteins between A. gallica Jzi34 and other four Armillaria was complex. Conclusions These characteristics may be beneficial for establishing a symbiotic relationship with G. elata. These results explore the characteristics of A. gallica Jzi34 from a genomic perspective and provide an important genomic resource for further detailed study of Armillaria. This will help to further study the symbiotic mechanism between A. gallica and G. elata

EGF/EGFR upregulates and cooperates with Netrin-4 to protect glioblastoma cells from DNA damage-induced senescence

BackgroundGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant central nervous system tumor. Alkylating agent, temozolomide (TMZ), is currently the first-line chemotherapeutic agent for GBM. However, the sensitivity of GBM cells to TMZ is affected by many factors. And, several clinic trials, including co-administration of TMZ with other drugs, have failed in successful treatment of GBM. We have previously reported that Netrin-4 (NTN4), a laminin-like axon guidance protein, plays a protective role in GBM cell senescence upon TMZ-triggered DNA damage. However, the master regulator of NTN4 needs further elucidation. Epidermal growth factor/Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF/EGFR) can modulate the expression of various extracellular matrix related molecules, and prevent DNA damage in GBM cells. In this study, we investigated the relationship between EGF/EGFR signaling and NTN4, and explored their effect on therapeutic efficacy in GBM cells upon TMZ treatment.MethodsCo-expression analysis were performed by using the RNA sequencing data from NIH 934 cell lines and from single cell RNA sequencing data of GBM tumor. The co-expressing genes were used for GO enrichment and signaling pathway enrichment. mRNA expression of the target genes were quantified by qPCR, and cell senescence were investigated by Senescence-Associated Beta-Galactosidase Staining. Protein phosphorylation were observed and analyzed by immunoblotting. The RNA sequencing data and clinical information of TMZ treated patients were extracted from TCGA-glioblastoma project, and then used for Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.ResultsAnalysis of RNA sequencing data revealed a potential co-expression relationship between NTN4 and EGFR. GO enrichment of EGFR-correlated genes indicated that EGFR regulates GBM cells in a manner similar to that in central nervous system development and neural cell differentiation. Pathway analysis suggested that EGFR and its related genes contribute to cell adhesion, extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and caspase related signaling. We also show that EGF stimulates NTN4 expression in GBM cells and cooperates with NTN4 to attenuate GBM cell senescence induced by DNA damage, possibly via AKT and ERK. Clinical analysis showed that co-expression of EGFR and NTN4 significantly predicts poor survival in TMZ-treated GBM patients.ConclusionsThis study indicates that EGF/EGFR regulates and cooperates with NTN4 in DNA damage resistance in GBM. Therefore, our findings provide a potential therapeutic target for GBM.Peer reviewe

Effect of NAA on the growth of <i>A</i>. <i>gallica</i>.

(A) Morphology of A. gallica after 6, 12 and 18 days of growth. A. gallica were cultured on medium with NAA or without NAA (CK). Scale bar = 1 cm. (B) Dry weights of A. gallica in different culture times. The values are the means ± SE of three biological replicates. Asterisks indicate significant differences (* p < 0.05, ANOVA).</p

The Manganese Peroxidase Gene Family of <i>Trametes trogii</i>: Gene Identification and Expression Patterns Using Various Metal Ions under Different Culture Conditions

Manganese peroxidases (MnPs), gene family members of white-rot fungi, are necessary extracellular enzymes that degrade lignocellulose and xenobiotic aromatic pollutants. However, very little is known about the diversity and expression patterns of the MnP gene family in white-rot fungi, especially in contrast to laccases. Here, the gene and protein sequences of eight unique MnP genes of T. trogii S0301 were characterized. Based on the characteristics of gene sequence, all TtMnPs here belong to short-type hybrid MnP (type I) with an average protein length of 363 amino acids, 5–6 introns, and the presence of conserved cysteine residues. Furthermore, analysis of MnP activity showed that metal ions (Mn2+ and Cu2+) and static liquid culture significantly influenced MnP activity. A maximum MnP activity (>14.0 U/mL) toward 2,6-DMP was observed in static liquid culture after the addition of Mn2+ (1 mM) or Cu2+ (0.2 or 2 mM). Moreover, qPCR analysis showed that Mn2+ obviously upregulated the Group I MnP subfamily (T_trogii_09901, 09904, 09903, and 09906), while Cu2+ and H2O2, along with changing temperatures, mainly induced the Group II MnP subfamily (T_trogii_11984, 11971, 11985, and 11983), suggesting diverse functions of fungal MnPs in growth and development, stress response, etc. Our studies here systematically analyzed the gene structure, expression, and regulation of the TtMnP gene family in T. trogii, one of the important lignocellulose-degrading fungi, and these results extended our understanding of the diversity of the MnP gene family and helped to improve MnP production and appilications of Trametes strains and other white-rot fungi

Comparative analysis of visit and home blood pressure in a pilot trial on the effect of 18% sodium substitute salt on blood pressure

Abstract Aim to compare the home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and visit blood pressure monitoring in a clinical phase I single-arm pilot trial. The 18% sodium substitute salt was used in 43 hypertensives for 8 weeks, and visited once a week, while weekly visit blood (VBP) pressure, daily home blood pressure (HBP) and urine test results before and after intervention were collected. 43 hypertensive patients were recruited, 4 were lost. And enrolled 39 patients for analysis. The VBP were lower than morning HBP and night HBP (P < 0.05). And VBP was good correlated with morning BP (SBP: r = 0.692, P < 0.001, DBP: r = 0.789, P < 0.001) and night BP (SBP: r = 0.571, P < 0.001, DBP: r = 0.738, P < 0.001). The results of mixed linear model analysis showed that patients' visit SBP (− 11.4 mmHg, 95% CI: − 17.0 to − 5.7, P < 0.001), morning home SBP (− 10.0 mmHg, 95% CI: − 16.4 to − 3.6, P = 0.003) and night home SBP (− 10.2 mmHg, 95% CI: − 15.8 to − 4.6, P = 0.001) decreased significantly, after intervention. Both HBP and VBP showed that 18% substitute salt intervention could decrease the blood pressure of hypertensives. Medication led to VBP lower than HBP, but the two still had a good correlation. Trial registration: NCT03226327. Registered 21 July 2017—Retrospectively registered, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov

Expression of amino acid and nitrogen metabolism-related genes quantified by RNA-seq and qRT–PCR analyses.

The y-axis represents the log2 FPKM values of genes from RNA-seq data and relative gene expression levels analyzed by qRT–PCR. Error bars mean the Standard error for three replicates.</p

GO analysis of DEGs in <i>A</i>. <i>gallica</i> in response to NAA treatment at 5 and 10 h.

(A) GO enrichment analysis of downregulated DEGs; (B) GO enrichment analysis of upregulated DEGs.</p

DEGs associated with amino acid and nitrogen metabolism in <i>A</i>. <i>gallica</i> in response to NAA treatment.

DEGs associated with amino acid and nitrogen metabolism in A. gallica in response to NAA treatment.</p

KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs.

(A) KEGG enrichment analysis of downregulated DEGs; (B) KEGG enrichment analysis of upregulated DEGs. The Y-axis indicates the KEGG pathway, and the X-axis indicates the enrichment factor. The dot size represents the number of DEGs of the pathway, and the dot color indicates the q value.</p