Physiological responses and transcriptomic analysis of StCPD gene overexpression in potato under salt stresses

IntroductionThe potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), one of the most vital food crops worldwide, is sensitive to salinity. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are crucial in tolerance to various abiotic stresses. The constitutive photomorphogenesis and dwarf (CPD) gene encodes C-3 oxidase, which is a rate-limiting enzyme that controls the synthesis of BRs.MethodsIn this study, we used StCPD gene overexpression (T) and un-transgenic (NT) plants obtained from our former research to illustrate adaptive resistance to salt stress at levels of phenotype; cell ultrastructure, physiology, and biochemistry; hormone; and transcription.ResultsResults showed the accumulation of 2,4-epibrassionolide (EBL) in T potatoes. We found that under high salt situations, the changed Na+/K+ transporter gene expression was linked with the prevalent ionic responses in T plants, which led to lower concentrations of K+ and higher concentrations of Na+ in leaves. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data elucidated that gene expressions in NT and T plants were significantly changed with 200-mM NaCl treatment for 24 h and 48 h, compared with the 0-h treatment. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to the regulation of BR-related gene expression, pigment metabolism process, light and action, and plant hormone signal transduction.DiscussionThese findings suggested that StCPD gene overexpression can alleviate the damage caused by salt stress and enhance the salt resistance of potato plantlets. Our study provides an essential reference for further research on BR regulation of plant molecular mechanisms in potatoes with stress tolerance

MUC13 negatively regulates tight junction proteins and intestinal epithelial barrier integrity via Protein Kinase C

Regulation and adaptation of intestinal epithelial barrier function is essential for human health. The transmembrane mucin MUC13 is an abundant intestinal glycoprotein with important functions for mucosal maintenance that are not yet completely understood. We demonstrate that in intestinal epithelial monolayers MUC13 localized to both the apical surface and the tight junction (TJ) region on the lateral membrane. MUC13 deletion resulted in increased transepithelial resistance (TEER) and reduced translocation of small solutes. TJ proteins including claudins and occludin were highly increased in membrane fractions of MUC13 knockout cells. Removal of the MUC13 cytoplasmic tail (CT) also altered TJ composition but did not result in increased TEER. The increased buildup of TJ complexes in ΔMUC13 and MUC13-ΔCT cells was dependent on PKC, which is in line with a predicted PKC motif in the MUC13 cytoplasmic tail. The responsible PKC member might be PKCδ based on elevated protein levels in the absence of MUC13. Our results identify MUC13 as a central player in TJ complex stability and intestinal barrier permeability

Human conjunctiva organoids to study ocular surface homeostasis and disease

The conjunctival epithelium covering the eye contains two main cell types: mucus-producing goblet cells and water-secreting keratinocytes, which present mucins on their apical surface. Here, we describe long-term expanding organoids and air-liquid interface representing mouse and human conjunctiva. A single-cell RNA expression atlas of primary and cultured human conjunctiva reveals that keratinocytes express multiple antimicrobial peptides and identifies conjunctival tuft cells. IL-4/-13 exposure increases goblet and tuft cell differentiation and drastically modifies the conjunctiva secretome. Human NGFR+ basal cells are identified as bipotent conjunctiva stem cells. Conjunctival cultures can be infected by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), human adenovirus 8 (hAdV8), and SARS-CoV-2. HSV1 infection was reversed by acyclovir addition, whereas hAdV8 infection, which lacks an approved drug therapy, was inhibited by cidofovir. We document transcriptional programs induced by HSV1 and hAdV8. Finally, conjunctival organoids can be transplanted. Together, human conjunctiva organoid cultures enable the study of conjunctival (patho)-physiology.</p

The use of global transcriptional analysis to reveal the biological and cellular events involved in distinct development phases of Trichophyton rubrum conidial germination

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conidia are considered to be the primary cause of infections by <it>Trichophyton rubrum</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have developed a cDNA microarray containing 10250 ESTs to monitor the transcriptional strategy of conidial germination. A total of 1561 genes that had their expression levels specially altered in the process were obtained and hierarchically clustered with respect to their expression profiles. By functional analysis, we provided a global view of an important biological system related to conidial germination, including characterization of the pattern of gene expression at sequential developmental phases, and changes of gene expression profiles corresponding to morphological transitions. We matched the EST sequences to GO terms in the <it>Saccharomyces </it>Genome Database (SGD). A number of homologues of <it>Saccharomyces cerevisiae </it>genes related to signalling pathways and some important cellular processes were found to be involved in <it>T. rubrum </it>germination. These genes and signalling pathways may play roles in distinct steps, such as activating conidial germination, maintenance of isotropic growth, establishment of cell polarity and morphological transitions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results may provide insights into molecular mechanisms of conidial germination at the cell level, and may enhance our understanding of regulation of gene expression related to the morphological construction of <it>T. rubrum</it>.</p

One-stop stroke management platform reduces workflow times in patients receiving mechanical thrombectomy

Background and purposeClinical outcome in patients who received thrombectomy treatment is time-dependent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the one-stop stroke management (OSSM) platform in reducing in-hospital workflow times in patients receiving thrombectomy compared with the traditional model.MethodsThe data of patients who received thrombectomy treatment through the OSSM platform and traditional protocol transshipment pathway were retrospectively analyzed and compared. The treatment-related time interval and the clinical outcome of the two groups were also assessed and compared. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time from door to groin puncture (DPT).ResultsThere were 196 patients in the OSSM group and 210 patients in the control group, in which they were treated by the traditional approach. The mean DPT was significantly shorter in the OSSM group than in the control group (76 vs. 122 min; P &lt; 0.001). The percentages of good clinical outcomes at the 90-day time point of the two groups were comparable (P = 0.110). A total of 121 patients in the OSSM group and 124 patients in the control group arrived at the hospital within 360 min from symptom onset. The mean DPT and time from symptom onset to recanalization (ORT) were significantly shorter in the OSSM group than in the control group. Finally, a higher rate of good functional outcomes was achieved in the OSSM group than in the control group (53.71 vs. 40.32%; P = 0.036).ConclusionCompared to the traditional transfer model, the OSSM transfer model significantly reduced the in-hospital delay in patients with acute stroke receiving thrombectomy treatment. This novel model significantly improved the clinical outcomes of patients presenting within the first 6 h after symptom onset

Insight-HXMT observations of Swift J0243.6+6124 during its 2017-2018 outburst

The recently discovered neutron star transient Swift J0243.6+6124 has been monitored by {\it the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope} ({\it Insight-\rm HXMT). Based on the obtained data, we investigate the broadband spectrum of the source throughout the outburst. We estimate the broadband flux of the source and search for possible cyclotron line in the broadband spectrum. No evidence of line-like features is, however, found up to $\rm 150~keV$. In the absence of any cyclotron line in its energy spectrum, we estimate the magnetic field of the source based on the observed spin evolution of the neutron star by applying two accretion torque models. In both cases, we get consistent results with $B\rm \sim 10^{13}~G$, $D\rm \sim 6~kpc$ and peak luminosity of $\rm >10^{39}~erg~s^{-1}$ which makes the source the first Galactic ultraluminous X-ray source hosting a neutron star.Comment: publishe

Overview to the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (Insight-HXMT) Satellite

As China's first X-ray astronomical satellite, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), which was dubbed as Insight-HXMT after the launch on June 15, 2017, is a wide-band (1-250 keV) slat-collimator-based X-ray astronomy satellite with the capability of all-sky monitoring in 0.2-3 MeV. It was designed to perform pointing, scanning and gamma-ray burst (GRB) observations and, based on the Direct Demodulation Method (DDM), the image of the scanned sky region can be reconstructed. Here we give an overview of the mission and its progresses, including payload, core sciences, ground calibration/facility, ground segment, data archive, software, in-orbit performance, calibration, background model, observations and some preliminary results.Comment: 29 pages, 40 figures, 6 tables, to appear in Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1910.0443

Real-time Monitoring for the Next Core-Collapse Supernova in JUNO

Core-collapse supernova (CCSN) is one of the most energetic astrophysical events in the Universe. The early and prompt detection of neutrinos before (pre-SN) and during the SN burst is a unique opportunity to realize the multi-messenger observation of the CCSN events. In this work, we describe the monitoring concept and present the sensitivity of the system to the pre-SN and SN neutrinos at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), which is a 20 kton liquid scintillator detector under construction in South China. The real-time monitoring system is designed with both the prompt monitors on the electronic board and online monitors at the data acquisition stage, in order to ensure both the alert speed and alert coverage of progenitor stars. By assuming a false alert rate of 1 per year, this monitoring system can be sensitive to the pre-SN neutrinos up to the distance of about 1.6 (0.9) kpc and SN neutrinos up to about 370 (360) kpc for a progenitor mass of 30$M_{\odot}$ for the case of normal (inverted) mass ordering. The pointing ability of the CCSN is evaluated by using the accumulated event anisotropy of the inverse beta decay interactions from pre-SN or SN neutrinos, which, along with the early alert, can play important roles for the followup multi-messenger observations of the next Galactic or nearby extragalactic CCSN.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figure