Genetic analysis of phytoene synthase 1 (Psy1) gene function and regulation in common wheat

Transcriptome details for three transgenic lines with the most significantly reduced YPC and non-transformed controls. (DOCX 18 kb

Wip1-dependent modulation of macrophage migration and phagocytosis

Macrophage accumulation within the vascular wall is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Controlling macrophage conversion into foam cells remains a major challenge for treatment of atherosclerotic diseases. Here, we show that Wip1, a member of the PP2C family of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases, modulates macrophage migration and phagocytosis associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation. Wip1 deficiency increases migratory and phagocytic activities of the macrophage under stress conditions. Enhanced migration of Wip1-/- macrophages is mediated by Rac1-GTPase and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways. Elevated phagocytic ability of Wip1-/- macrophages is linked to CD36 plasma membrane recruitment that is regulated by AMPK activity. Our study identifies Wip1 as an intrinsic negative regulator of macrophage chemotaxis. We propose that Wip1-dependent control of macrophage function may provide avenues for preventing or eliminating plaque formation in atherosclerosis

Individual and combined effects of octreotide and terlipressin on hepatic venous pressure gradient in cirrhotic patients

ObjectiveThe administration of octreotide, as well as terlipressin, is a routine treatment for acute variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of octreotide, terlipressin, and their combination on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in cirrhotic patients. MethodsThe study enrolled 49 cirrhotic patients with varicose veins who were hospitalized at the Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University during January 2011 to April 2014. The patients were divided into three groups: group A (octreotide alone), group B (terlipressin alone), and group C (the combination). Group A: Octreotide was administered via intravenous injection of 1.0 mg within 1 min followed by intravenous pumping at 25 μg/h, and HVPG was measured before drug administration and at 1, 5, 10, and 15 min after the start of octreotide injection. Group B: Terlipressin was administered by intravenous injection of 1 mg within 2 min, and HVPG was measured before drug administration and at 10, 20, and 30 min after the start of terlipressin injection. Group C: First, octreotide was administered and HVPG was measured as performed for group A; then, terlipressin was given and HVPG was measured as performed for group B. Data were statistically analyzed using the t test, analysis of variance, and chi-square test. ResultsIn group A, HVPG was significantly decreased at different time points after octreotide injection (t=13173, P＜0.001; t=5.364, P＜0.001; t=3.894, P=0.001; t=4.160, P＜0.001), but no significant differences were found between 5, 10, and 15 min (all P>0.05). In group B, HVPG was significantly decreased at 20 min after terlipressin injection (t=4.062, P=0.002),with significant difference between 20 and 30 min (t=4.022, P=0.002). In group C, HVPG was further decreased at 20 min after terlipressin injection (t=4.926, P＜0.001), with no significant difference between 20 and 30 min (t=1.733, P=0.101). A better effect was achieved in group C than in groups A and B (F=10.423, P＜0.05). ConclusionContinuous octreotide injection rapidly reduces HVPG in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension, but HVPG gradually increases to a stable level in a short period. Terlipressin injection also reduces HVPG but works more slowly than octreotide. Terlipressin injection after octreotide further reduces HVPG, indicating a better combined effect of the drugs than individual ones

Food Subsidies: Incentive Benefit and Competitive Design

Firstly, the evolution process of grain subsidy policy in China was introduced. In the first stage, the nation carried out grain policy of unified purchase and sale. In the second stage, the nation carried out price subsidy for grain purchasing. In the third stage, the nation carried out direct subsidy for grain production. Secondly, the incentive mechanism of grain subsidy was analyzed under two conditions based on the basic hypotheses. Under the condition of complete information, the effects of grain subsidy policy are optimal. Under the condition of information asymmetry, there are two cases. Grain subsidy policy shows zero effect when information is completely opaque. When information is translucence, the effect of the policy will be suboptimal due to the problem of adverse selection. The adjustment design for incentive mechanism of subsidy was made in order to improve the effects of subsidy policy. The grain production choice of farmers was also analyzed according to evaluation function of farmers’ achievements. Finally, the causes why the productive positivity of farmers was not improved with the development of economy and society were discussed

Food Subsidies: Incentive Benefit and Competitive Design

Firstly, the evolution process of grain subsidy policy in China was introduced. In the first stage, the nation carried out grain policy of unified purchase and sale. In the second stage, the nation carried out price subsidy for grain purchasing. In the third stage, the nation carried out direct subsidy for grain production. Secondly, the incentive mechanism of grain subsidy was analyzed under two conditions based on the basic hypotheses. Under the condition of complete information, the effects of grain subsidy policy are optimal. Under the condition of information asymmetry, there are two cases. Grain subsidy policy shows zero effect when information is completely opaque. When information is translucence, the effect of the policy will be suboptimal due to the problem of adverse selection. The adjustment design for incentive mechanism of subsidy was made in order to improve the effects of subsidy policy. The grain production choice of farmers was also analyzed according to evaluation function of farmers’ achievements. Finally, the causes why the productive positivity of farmers was not improved with the development of economy and society were discussed.Grain subsidy, Incentive efficiency, Competitive design, China, Agricultural and Food Policy,

The Peripherin Gene Regulates the Migration of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Wuzhishan Mini Pigs

Increasing the migratory capacity of the implanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a major challenge in developing successful cell transplantation therapies. Nevertheless, the regulatory factors involved in the migration of BMMSCs remain largely unknown. In this study, we studied the role of the peripherin (PRPH) gene in regulating the ability of Wuzhishan mini pig (WZSP) BMMSCs to migrate in vitro. Four different shRNA vectors directed against PRPH were designed and transfected into BMMSCs. The vector with the best interference effect was chosen to be used in the following experiments. The expression level of PRPH in BMMSCs was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis. The migration capacity of the BMMSCs was estimated using a scratch assay, a transwell in vitro migration model assay, and filamentous actin staining. The results showed that shRNA-mediated knockdown of the expression of the PRPH gene in BMMSCs reduced the ability of these cells to migrate. Overall, these results illustrate that the PRPH gene regulates the migration of BMMSCs in the WZSP

Lidar Technology Based on Fiber System and its Application

The sodium atom existed in the metal layer of the earth’s atmosphere has a high atomic number density and a large scattering cross section. Sodium layer can act as a good tracer for atmospheric detection in the middle and lower-thermosphere (MLT) region. The sodium fluorescence lidar uses ultrashort pulsed laser to excite sodium atoms, which enabling simultaneous detection of wind and temperature in the middle and upper atmosphere. This paper reports on the development of sodium fluorescence laser radar in recent years, especially the integration of fiber-coupled optical switches and fiber-coupled acousto-optic frequency modulation technologies, which greatly improved the stability and reliability of lidar system and reduced the maintenance of lidar operation, laying a good foundation for the application of lidar observations under harsh environments. This technology has been applied to the sodium wind/temperature lidar in Yangbajing, Tibet and has been running stably for a long time

Cj0440c Affects Flagella Formation and In Vivo Colonization of Erythromycin-Susceptible and -Resistant Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common foodborne pathogen worldwide. A putative transcriptional regulator, Cj0440c, was up-regulated in the erythromycin-resistant C. jejuni, however, the precise role of Cj0440c is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine the biological functions of Cj0440c. The Cj0440c isogenic mutants were constructed from erythromycin-susceptible C. jejuni NCTC 11168 (S) and -resistant C. jejuni 68-ER (R), designating as SM and RM, respectively. The isogenic Cj0440c mutants (SM and RM) and parental strains (S and R) were subjected to microarray and qRT-PCR analysis to examine the transcriptional profile changes contributed by Cj0440c. The antimicrobial susceptibility, flagellar morphology, in vitro growth and in vivo colonization in chickens were carried out to analyze the biological function of Cj0440c. The results showed that 17 genes were down-regulated in SM compared to S, while 9 genes were down-regulated in RM compared to R. The genes with transcriptional change were mainly involved in flagella biosynthesis and assembly. Using transmission electron microscopy, we found that the filaments were impaired in SM and lost in RM. The chicken colonization experiments showed that Cj0440c mutants (SM and RM) had reduced colonization ability in chickens when compared with corresponding parental strains (S and R). In conclusion, Cj0440c regulates flagella biosynthesis and assembly, and consequently affect the in vivo colonization of erythromycin-susceptible and -resistant C. jejuni

Enhancement of grain number per spike by RNA interference of cytokinin oxidase 2 gene in bread wheat

Abstract Background This study aimed to validate the function of CKX gene on grain numbers in wheat. Methods we constructed and transformed a RNA interference expression vector of TaCKX2.4 in bread wheat line NB1. Southern blotting analysis was used to select transgenic plants with single copy. The expression of TaCKX2.4 gene was estimated by Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Finally, the relation between expression of TaCKX2.4 gene and grain numbers was validated. Results Totally, 20 positive independent events were obtained. Homozygous lines from 5 events with a single copy of transformed gene each were selected to evaluate the expression of TaCKX2.4 and grain numbers per spike in T3 generation. Compared with the control NB1, the average grain numbers per spike significantly increased by 12.6%, 8.3%, 6.5% and 5.8% in the T3 lines JW39-3A, JW1-2B, JW1-1A and JW5-1A, respectively. Conclusion Our study indicated that the expression level of TaCKX2.4 was negatively correlated with the grain number per spike, indicating that the reduced expression of TaCKX2.4 increased grain numbers per spike in wheat