qRT-PCR validation of differential transcription identified by RNA-Seq.

<p>Each column represents an average of three replicates, and bars indicate SEs.</p

Transcription patterns of stress-regulated genes in the maize PR, CR and SR.

<p>(A) The total number of genes regulated by salinity stress in the three types of root. (B) Cluster analysis of salinity-regulated genes. Red indicates that the gene has a higher expression level in the salt-treated samples; green indicates that the gene has a lower expression in the salt-treated samples, and gray indicates that the gene has no expression in at least one sample. (C) The number of genes responding to salinity stress in each root type.</p

Enhanced Dentin-Like Mineralized Tissue Formation by AdShh-Transfected Human Dental Pulp Cells and Porous Calcium Phosphate Cement

<div><p>The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) on human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) and the potential of complexes with Shh gene modified hDPCs and porous calcium phosphate cement (CPC) for mineralized tissue formation. hDPCs were cultured and transfected with adenoviral mediated human Shh gene (AdShh). Overexpression of Shh and cell proliferation was tested by real-time PCR analysis, western blotting analysis, and MTT analysis, respectively. The odontoblastic differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and real-time PCR analysis on markers of Patched-1 (Ptc-1), Smoothened (Smo), Gli 1, Gli 2, Gli 3, osteocalcin (OCN), dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). Finally, AdShh-transfected hDPCs were combined with porous CPC and placed subcutaneously in nude mice for 8 and 12 weeks, while AdEGFP-transfected and untransfected hDPCs were treated as control groups. Results indicated that Shh could promote proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of hDPCs, while Shh/Gli 1 signaling pathway played a key role in this process. Importantly, more mineralized tissue formation was observed in combination with AdShh transfected hDPCs and porous CPC, moreover, the mineralized tissue exhibited dentin-like features such as structures similar to dentin-pulp complex and the positive staining for DSPP protein similar to the tooth tissue. These results suggested that the constructs with AdShh-transfected hDPCs and porous CPC might be a better alternative for dental tissue regeneration.</p></div

Functional classification (GO) of salinity-regulated genes in the maize PR, CR and SR.

<p>Functional classification (GO) of salinity-regulated genes in the maize PR, CR and SR.</p

Comparative Transcriptome Profiling of the Maize Primary, Crown and Seminal Root in Response to Salinity Stress

<div><p>Soil salinity is a major constraint to crop growth and yield. The primary and lateral roots of <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> are known to respond differentially to a number of environmental stresses, including salinity. Although the maize root system as a whole is known to be sensitive to salinity, whether or not different structural root systems show differential growth responses to salinity stress has not yet been investigated. The maize primary root (PR) was more tolerant of salinity stress than either the crown root (CR) or the seminal root (SR). To understand the molecular mechanism of these differential growth responses, RNA-Seq analysis was conducted on cDNA prepared from the PR, CR and SR of plants either non-stressed or exposed to 100 mM NaCl for 24 h. A set of 444 genes were shown to be regulated by salinity stress, and the transcription pattern of a number of genes associated with the plant salinity stress response differed markedly between the various types of root. The pattern of transcription of the salinity-regulated genes was shown to be very diverse in the various root types. The differential transcription of these genes such as transcription factors, and the accumulation of compatible solutes such as soluble sugars probably underlie the differential growth responses to salinity stress of the three types of roots in maize.</p></div

Sensitivity of the three types of maize roots to the salt treatment.

<p>(A) and (B) The relative elongation rate of the three types of maize roots after 24 h and 72 h exposure in 100 mM NaCl. Different letters represent significant difference at <i>p</i>< 0.05 (Duncan’s multiple range test; data are represented as mean ± SEs; three biological repeats). (C) The root morphology of PR, SR, CR with lengths of approximately 6 to 10 cm treated with 0 and 100 mM NaCl for72 h. Experiments were repeated three times with similar results. Bar = 2.0 cm.</p

Pathway analysis (KEGG) of salinity-regulated genes in the maize PR, CR and SR.

<p>Pathway analysis (KEGG) of salinity-regulated genes in the maize PR, CR and SR.</p

Summary of mapping result.

<p>Summary of mapping result.</p

Immunohistochemistry analysis.

<p>Immunohistochemistry assay for DSPP protein on the samples for group B (A), group C (B), and group D (C) at 12 week time point. The samples of human bone (D) and tooth (E) tissues were treated as control groups. (×400).</p

SEM analysis.

<p>SEM evaluation of porous CPC showing an average pore diameter of 300–500 µm (A, B). After cultured for 1 day, untransfected (C) and AdShh-transfected hDPCs (D) were attached and spread well on the surface of two scaffolds. At day 4, untransfected (E) and AdShh-transfected (F) hDPCs grew well and reached approximately confluence. (A, ×50; B, ×100; C–D, ×5000; E–F, ×2000).</p