MicroRNA and mRNA expression profiling analysis revealed the regulation of plant height in Gossypium hirsutum

Novel miRNA identified in all libraries. (XLSX 12 kb

Marine environmental pollution and offshore aquaculture structure: Evidence from China

The marine environment pollution is becoming an important factor that restricts the sustainable development of mariculture in China. This study takes 10 Chinese coastal provinces (cities) as the study area, based on the rationalization and upgrading dimensions of industrial structure, and innovatively constructs an analytical framework of marine environmental pollution and offshore aquaculture structure to identify the intrinsic relationship between them; and introduces a spatial econometric model to alleviate the estimation bias caused by the public goods attribute of marine environment and improve the reliability of research conclusions. The results show that: (1) The rationalization of the offshore aquaculture structure in China is relatively weak, showing a “concentrated and contiguous” distribution pattern towards the developed aquaculture areas; at the same time, but the differences between regions are expanding; (2) The rationalization and upgrading of the offshore aquaculture structure are affected by the pollution of the marine environment. The degree of upgrading shows different trends; (3) There is a significant spatial adjacency and threshold effect of the negative impact of marine environmental pollution on offshore farming structure. However, due to the limitations of data, the accuracy of our data and the effectiveness of the measurement of industrial structure indicators still need to be improved. Therefore, governmental departments should consider the development of the surrounding areas as well as the pollution emission in the region, and jointly promote the optimization and adjustment of China’s offshore aquaculture structure through the construction of a coordinated management mechanism of marine pollution prevention and treatment

Mitofusin 2 Participates in Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Fusion Against Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury

BackgroundMitochondrial dynamics play a critical role in mitochondrial function. The mitofusin 2 (MFN2) gene encodes a mitochondrial membrane protein that participates in mitochondrial fusion to maintain and operate the mitochondrial network. Moreover, MFN2 is essential for mitophagy. In Ang II-induced cardiac remodeling, the combined effects of MFN2-mediated mitochondrial fusion and mitophagy are unclear. This study was designed to explore a novel strategy for preventing cardiomyocyte injury via modulation of mitochondrial dynamics.MethodsWe studied the function of MFN2 in mitochondrial fusion and mitophagy in Ang II-stimulated cardiomyocyte injury. Cardiomyocyte injury experiments, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes were performed. The mitochondrial morphology in cardiomyocytes was examined via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy. Autophagic levels in response to Ang II were examined by immunoblotting of autophagy-related proteins. Moreover, PINK1/MFN2/Parkin pathway-related proteins were examined.ResultsWith stimulation by Ang II, MFN2 expression was progressively reduced. MFN2 deficiency impaired mitochondrial quality, resulting in exacerbated mitochondrial damage induced by Ang II. The Ang II-induced increases in ROS production and apoptosis rate were alleviated by MFN2 overexpression. Moreover, MFN2 alleviated the Ang II-induced reduction in MMP. MFN2 promoted mitochondrial fusion, and MFN2 promoted Parkin translocation and phosphorylation, leading to mitochondrial autophagy. The effects of MFN2 overexpression were reversed by autophagy inhibitors.ConclusionMitofusin 2 promotes Parkin translocation and phosphorylation, leading to mitophagy to clear damaged mitochondria. However, the beneficial effects of MFN2 were reversed by autophagy inhibitors. Additionally, MFN2 participates in mitochondrial fusion to maintain mitochondrial quality. Thus, MFN2 participated in mitophagy and mitochondrial fusion against Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte injury

Role of APOBEC3F Gene Variation in HIV-1 Disease Progression and Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Human APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases are intrinsic resistance factors to HIV-1. However, HIV-1 encodes a viral infectivity factor (Vif) that degrades APOBEC3 proteins. In vitro APO-BEC3F (A3F) anti-HIV-1 activity is weaker than A3G but is partially resistant to Vif degradation unlike A3G. It is unknown whether A3F protein affects HIV-1 disease in vivo. To assess the effect of A3F gene on host susceptibility to HIV-acquisition and disease progression, we performed a genetic association study in six well-characterized HIV-1 natural cohorts. A common six-Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) haplotype of A3F tagged by a codon-changing variant (p. I231V, with allele (V) frequency of 48% in European Americans) was associated with significantly lower set-point viral load and slower rate of progression to AIDS (Relative Hazards (RH) = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.91) and delayed development of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) (RH = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.37-0.76). A validation study in the International Collaboration for the Genomics of HIV (ICGH) showed a consistent association with lower set-point viral load. An in vitro assay revealed that the A3F I231V variant may influence Vif mediated A3F degradation. Our results provide genetic epidemiological evidence that A3F modulates HIV-1/AIDS disease progression

hnRNP I Inhibits Notch Signaling and Regulates Intestinal Epithelial Homeostasis in the Zebrafish

Regulated intestinal stem cell proliferation and differentiation are required for normal intestinal homeostasis and repair after injury. The Notch signaling pathway plays fundamental roles in the intestinal epithelium. Despite the fact that Notch signaling maintains intestinal stem cells in a proliferative state and promotes absorptive cell differentiation in most species, it remains largely unclear how Notch signaling itself is precisely controlled during intestinal homeostasis. We characterized the intestinal phenotypes of brom bones, a zebrafish mutant carrying a nonsense mutation in hnRNP I. We found that the brom bones mutant displays a number of intestinal defects, including compromised secretory goblet cell differentiation, hyperproliferation, and enhanced apoptosis. These phenotypes are accompanied by a markedly elevated Notch signaling activity in the intestinal epithelium. When overexpressed, hnRNP I destabilizes the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and inhibits Notch signaling. This activity of hnRNP I is conserved from zebrafish to human. In addition, our biochemistry experiments demonstrate that the effect of hnRNP I on NICD turnover requires the C-terminal portion of the RAM domain of NICD. Our results demonstrate that hnRNP I is an evolutionarily conserved Notch inhibitor and plays an essential role in intestinal homeostasis

A temperature-cured dissolvable gelatin microsphere-based cell carrier for chondrocyte delivery in a hydrogel scaffolding system

In this study, a novel therapeutic cell delivery methodology in the form of hydrogel encapsulating cell-laden microspheres was developed and investigated. As a model cell for cartilage tissue engineering, chondrocytes were successfully encapsulated in gelatin-based microspheres (mostly of diameter 50–100 μm, centred at 75–100 μm) with high cell viability during the formation of microspheres via a water-in-oil single emulsion process under a low temperature without any chemical treatment. These cell-laden microspheres were then encapsulated in alginate-based hydrogel constructs. By elevating the temperature to 37 °C, the cell-laden microspheres were completely dissolved within 2 days, resulting in the same number of same-sized spherical cavities in hydrogel bulk, along with which the encapsulated cells were released from the microspheres and suspended inside the cavities to be cultivated for further development. In this cell delivery system, the microspheres played a dual role as both removable cell vehicles and porogens for creation of the intra-hydrogel cavities, in which the delivered cells were provided with both free living spaces and a better permeable environment. This temperature-cured dissolvable gelatin microsphere-based cell carrier (tDGMC) associating with cell-laden hydrogel scaffold was attempted and evaluated through WST-1, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, biochemical assays and various immunohistochemistry and histology stains. The results indicate that tDGMC technology can facilitate the delivery of chondrocytes, as a non-anchorage-dependent therapeutic cell, with significantly greater efficiency

Kinetics of the Leaching Process of an Australian Gibbsitic Bauxite by Hydrochloric Acid

Gibbsitic bauxite from Australia was leached by hydrochloric acid in this work. Analysis on kinetics for the extraction of Al2O3 was quantitatively studied. It was concluded that the hydrochloric acid leaching process of gibbsitic bauxite was controlled by chemical reaction. Moreover, the mechanism for the dissolution followed the equation, ln⁡k=39.44-1.66×104(1/T), with an apparent activation energy of 137.90 kJ/mol, according to the equation of k=Ae-Ea/RT. This work aims to provide a good theory support for the process control by using a new method of alumina production from the low grade bauxite

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis TH-1, a Candidate Biocontrol Bacterium from China

Bacillus velezensis TH-1 is a plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria with biocontrol potential that was isolated from the rhizosphere of Sophora tonkinensis Radix. Our previous results showed that strain TH-1 demonstrated effective biocontrol activity against root rot of Sophora tonkinensis Radix and bacterial wilt of ginger. Currently, only a few whole-genome sequences of biocontrol strains isolated from the rhizosphere of medicinal plants are available. We report, here, the complete genome sequence of B. velezensis TH-1. The size of TH-1 genome is 3,929,846 bp that consists of 3,900 genes with a total GC content of 46.48%. The strain TH-1 genome has 3,661 coding genes, 86 transfer RNAs, 27 ribosomal RNAs, and 16 small RNAs. Moreover, we identified nine gene clusters coding for the biosynthesis of antimicrobial compounds. The genomic information of TH-1 will provide resources for the study of biological control mechanisms and plant-microbe interactions. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license

A transduced living hyaline cartilage graft releasing transgenic stromal cell-derived factor-1 inducing endogenous stem cell homing in vivo

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), also known as a homing factor, is a potent chemokine that activates and directs mobilization, migration, and retention of certain cell species via systemic circulation. The responding homing cells largely consist of activated stem cells, so that, in case of tissue lesions, such SDF-1-induced cell migration may execute recruitment of endogenous stem cells to perform autoreparation and compensatory regeneration in situ. In this study, a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying SDF-1 transgene was constructed and applied to transduce a novel scaffold-free living hyaline cartilage graft (SDF-t-LhCG). As an engineered transgenic living tissue, SDF-t-LhCG is capable of continuously producing and releasing SDF-1 in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro trials were examined with ELISA, while the in vivo trials were subsequently performed via a subcutaneous implantation of SDF-t-LhCG in a nude mouse model, followed by series of biochemical and biological analyses. The results indicate that transgenic SDF-1 enhanced the presence of this chemokine in mouse's circulation system; in consequence, SDF-1-induced activation and recruitment of endogenous stem cells were also augmented in both peripheral blood and SDF-t-LhCG implant per se. These results were obtained via flow cytometry analyses on mouse blood samples and implanted SDF-t-LhCG samples, indicating an upregulation of the CXCR4+(SDF-1 receptor) cell population, accompanied by upregulation of the CD34+, CD44+, and Sca-1+ cell populations as well as a downregulation of the CD11b+ cell population. With the supply of SDF-1-recruited endogenous stem cells, enhanced chondrogenesis was observed in SDF-t-LhCG implants in situ.Published Versio

Formation of model hepatocellular aggregates in a hydrogel scaffold using degradable genipin crosslinked gelatin microspheres as cell carriers

Primary hepatocyte is probably the preferred cell for cell therapy in liver regeneration. However, its non-ideal proliferation capacity and rapid loss of phenotype during 2D culture compromises the quality and quantity of the transplanted hepatocytes, resulting in variable success rates of this treatment. Many studies have shown that the formation of 3D hepatocellular spheroids aids in the maintenance of liver-specific functions in hepatocytes. However, many of the methodologies employed require a sophisticated set-up or specialized equipment which makes it uneconomical to scale up for clinical applications. In this study, we have developed dual-functioning genipin crosslinked gelatin microspheres that serve as cell carriers as well as porogens for delivering the model cells and also for creating cavities. The cells were first seeded onto genipin crosslinked gelatin microspheres for attachment, followed by encapsulation in alginate hydrogel. Collagenase, MMP-9, was introduced either in the culture media or mixed with alginate precursor solution to allow microsphere degradation for creating cavities within the gel bulk. Accordingly, the cells proliferate within the cavities, forming hepatocellular aggregates while the alginate hydrogel serves as a confinement, restricting the size and the shape of the aggregates to the size of the cavities. In addition, the final hepatocellular aggregates could be harvested from the system by removing the alginate hydrogel via citrate treatment. Therefore, this versatile platform not only has the advantage of injectability and simplicity, the cellular aggregates generated are in a controlled size and shape and can be extracted from the system