PTENless means more

AbstractRecent studies indicate that certain key molecules that are vital for various developmental processes, such as Wnt, Shh, and Notch, cause cancer when dysregulated. PTEN, a tumor suppressor that antagonizes the PI3 kinase pathway, is the newest one on the list. The biological function of PTEN is evolutionarily conserved from C. elegans to humans, and the PTEN-controlled signaling pathway regulates cellular processes crucial for normal development, including cell proliferation, soma growth, cell death, and cell migration. In this review, we will focus on the function of PTEN in murine development and its role in regulating stem cell self-renewal and proliferation. We will summarize the organomegaly phenotypes associated with Pten tissue-specific deletion and discuss how PTEN controls organ size, a fundamental aspect of development. Last, we will review the role of PTEN in hormone-dependent, adult-onset mammary and prostate gland development

Characterization of a major quantitative trait locus on chromosome five for hundred-kernel weight of maize (Zea mays L)

Kernel weight is one of the most important components of grain yield and is controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs) derived from natural variations in maize. However, the molecular roles of QTLs in the regulation of kernel weight have not been fully elucidated. In this study, by using homozygous chromosome single segment substitu- tion lines Z22(SSSL-Z22) as base material, two F populations derived from a cross between elite maize inbred line Zheng58 and SSSL-Z22, were employed to map QTLs of kernel weight traits in two years at the same location. Out of four traits, 3 QTLs were detected in one of the two environments whereas 2 detected in both environments. Two major QTLs, qhkw5-3 for hundred-kernel weight and qkw5-3 for kernel width, were consistently detected in similar chromosome segment in different years. qhkw5-3 was mapped to Bin 5.06 flanked by the SSR markers SYM033 and SYM108 with a genetic interval of 8.8 cM, which made kernel size smaller. qkw5-3 was identified between SYM024 and SYM129 with a genetic interval of 13.9 cM. These results will help to promote the fine map- ping and cloning of the target gene and further develop linked markers to be used in marker-assisted breeding

Initial displacement as a risk factor for avascular necrosis of the femoral head in pediatric femoral neck fractures: a review of one hundred eight cases.

PURPOSE(#br)To evaluate the correlation between avascular necrosis (AVN) and the amount (severity) and direction (translation and angulation) of initial displacement of pediatric femoral neck fractures.(#br)METHODS(#br)We retrospectively reviewed 108 pediatric patients (mean age 10.3 ± 4.1 years) with femoral neck fractures. The amount of initial translation (T) and angulation (A) was measured on anteroposterior (AP; TAP% and AAP) and lateral (TL% and AL) radiographs. The direction of translation was determined on AP (medial or lateral) and lateral radiographs (anterior or posterior). Furthermore, the presence of a comminuted medial cortex on the AP pelvis radiograph was also recorded. Logistic regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, student’s t tests, and chi-square tests were used to evaluate the correlation between AVN and the severity and direction of displacement.(#br)RESULTS(#br)Twenty-eight out of 108 hips (25.9%) developed AVN of the femoral head. Logistical regression analysis indicated that TAP%, TL%, AAP, and AL were risk factors for AVN (P < 0.05). The analysis of ROC curves found that TAP% over 37.4% and TL% over 29% were the cut-off values for an increased incidence of AVN; similarly, AAP over 8° and AL over 18.6° were the cut-off values for an increased incidence of AVN. The amount of initial translation is a better predictor of AVN than angulation is; fractures with posterior translation (P = 0.002) and/or medial comminution had a significantly higher incidence of AVN (P = 0.005). The mean diagnostic accuracy of translation (74-75%) was significantly higher than that of angulation (65-66%).(#br)CONCLUSIONS(#br)Displacement severity and direction are important radiological parameters to be assessed in children with femoral neck fractures. Initial translation better predicts AVN than angulation does. Posterior translation and medial comminution are associated with an increased risk of AVN

Study on the Production Benefit of Large-scale Tobacco

The tobacco growers with the growing area of greater than or equal to 100 mu, have become an important subject of tobacco production in Weng'an County of Guizhou Province. Regulating and developing the production and business activities of large-scale tobacco growers, plays an important role in stabilizing tobacco production, reducing costs and increasing efficiency in Weng'an County. Through the field survey of large-scale growers' production activities, this article analyzes the input and output levels, and explores the key factors influencing benefit, in order to provide a basis for further regulating the tobacco growing practices and improving the flue-cured tobacco production benefit

New Approach to Oximes through Reduction of Nitro Compounds Enabled by Visible Light Photoredox Catalysis

A range of nitro compounds are smoothly reduced to their corresponding oximes under the synergistic effects of visible light irradiation, the Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ photocatalyst, Hünig’s base, Mg(ClO₄)₂ activation, and MeCN solvent. This remarkably mild and environmentally benign protocol, when orchestrated with classical Beckmann rearrangement, enables such high-value industrial feedstock as caprolactam to be readily accessed from simple precursor nitrocyclohexane

Gold Catalysis Coupled with Visible Light Stimulation: Syntheses of Functionalized Indoles

A judicious combination of Au-catalysis and synergistic visible-light stimulation formulates an exceptionally simple and mild reaction system capable of directly coupling anilines and alkynes to form multifunctionalized indoles

Ag-Carbenoid-Initiated Catalytic Hydration Cascades: Rapid Construction of Functionalized Bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes

Remarkable Ag-carbenoid-initiated enone cyclopropanation–hydrolytic fragmentation–competitive 1,2-vs-1,4 addition reaction cascades were uncovered on a range of propargylic esters tethered to cyclohexadienones, leading to the highly efficient and stereospecific construction of densely functionalized bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes under mild conditions