Variability of Gene Expression After Polyhaploidization in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Interspecific hybridization has a much greater effect than chromosome doubling on gene expression; however, the associations between homeologous gene expression changes and polyhaploidization had rarely been addressed. In this study, cDNA–single strand conformation polymorphism analysis was applied to measure the expression of 30 homeologous transcripts in naturally occurring haploid (ABD, 2n = 21) and its polyploid maternal parent Yumai 21A (AABBDD, 2n = 42) in wheat. Only one gene (TC251989) showed preferentially silenced homoeoalleles in haploids. Further analyses of 24 single-copy genes known to be silenced in the root and/or leaf also found no evidence of homeologous silencing in 1-month-old haploids and two ESTs (BF484100 and BF473379) exhibit different expression patterns between 4-month-old haploids and hexaploids. Global analysis of the gene expression patterns using the Affymetrix GeneChip showed that of the 55,052 genes probed, only about 0.11% in the shoots and 0.25% in the roots were activated by polyhaploidization. The results demonstrate that activation and silencing of homoeoalleles were not widespread in haploid seedlings

Polymorphisms of the bovine chemokine receptor-like 1 gene and their associations with meat quality traits in Qinchuan cattle ( Bos taurus )

Background: We investigated the polymorphisms of the bovine chemokine receptor-like 1(CMKLR1) gene. The coding region of CMKLR1 was screened in Qinchuan cattle by PCR-RFLP technology. Results: In this study, we discovered two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (264G > C and 762C > T) in the coding region of the CMKLR1 gene. Hence, we described the BmgT120l and Pdm1 PCR-RFLP methods for detecting the 64G > C and 762C > T mutations, respectively. PCR-RFLP and sequencing were used to analyze the two loci of CMKLR1 gene in 324 individuals, which were randomly selected from breeding populations. Furthermore, meat quality traits in another 80 Qinchuan individuals were analyzed by the comparison between the genotypes and their phenotypic data. Conclusions: The results showed that the G264C SNP and C762T SNP of bovine CMKLR1 were significantly associated with backfat thickness (BFT) and water holding capacity (WHC), respectively

Modulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells on microglia in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke accounts for 70–80% of all stroke cases. Immunity plays an important role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Microglia are the first line of defense in the central nervous system. Microglial functions are largely dependent on their pro-inflammatory (M1-like) or anti-inflammatory (M2-like) phenotype. Modulating neuroinflammation via targeting microglia polarization toward anti-inflammatory phenotype might be a novel treatment for ischemic stroke. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have been demonstrated to modulate microglia activation and phenotype polarization. In this review, we summarize the physiological characteristics and functions of microglia in the healthy brain, the activation and polarization of microglia in stroke brain, the effects of MSC/MSC-EVs on the activation of MSC in vitro and in vivo, and possible underlying mechanisms, providing evidence for a possible novel therapeutics for the treatment of ischemic stroke

Experimental study of dexamethasone-loaded hollow hydroxyapatite microspheres applied to direct pulp capping of rat molars

BackgroundDexamethasone (DEX) exerts anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects. Hydroxyapatite is commonly used in bone repair due to its osteoconductivity, osseointegration, and osteogenesis induction. Hollow hydroxyapatite (HHAM) is often used as a drug carrier.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the histological responses of exposed dental pulp when dexamethasone-loaded nanohydroxyapatite microspheres (DHHAM) were used as a direct capping agent.MethodsCavities were created in the left maxillary first molar of Wistar rats and filled with Dycal, HHAM, and DHHAM. No drug was administered to the control group. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the procedure. The molars were extracted for fixation, demineralization, dehydration, embedding, and sectioning. H&E staining was performed to detect the formation of reparative dentin. H&E and CD45 immunohistochemical staining were performed to detect pulp inflammation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess the expressions of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP-1), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β.ResultsThe results of H&E and CD45 immunohistochemical staining showed that the degree of inflammation in the DHHAM group was less than that in the Control and HHAM groups at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after capping of the rat molar teeth (p<0.01). The H&E staining showed that the percentage of reparative dentin formed in the DHHAM group was higher than that in the Control, HHAM (p<0.001), and Dycal groups (p<0.01) at 1 and 2 weeks, and was significantly higher than that in the Control group (p<0.001) and the HHAM group (p<0.01) at 4 weeks. The immunohistochemical staining showed a lower range and intensity of expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and high expression levels of DMP-1 in the DHHAM group at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after pulp capping relative to the Control group.ConclusionsDHHAM significantly inhibited the progression of inflammation and promoted reparative dentin formation

Hybrid Neurons in a MicroRNA Mutant Are Putative Evolutionary Intermediates in Insect CO_2 Sensory Systems

Carbon dioxide (CO_2) elicits different olfactory behaviors across species. In Drosophila, neurons that detect CO_2 are located in the antenna, form connections in a ventral glomerulus in the antennal lobe, and mediate avoidance. By contrast, in the mosquito these neurons are in the maxillary palps (MPs), connect to medial sites, and promote attraction. We found in Drosophila that loss of a microRNA, miR-279, leads to formation of CO_2 neurons in the MPs. miR-279 acts through down-regulation of the transcription factor Nerfin-1. The ectopic neurons are hybrid cells. They express CO_2 receptors and form connections characteristic of CO_2 neurons, while exhibiting wiring and receptor characteristics of MP olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). We propose that this hybrid ORN reveals a cellular intermediate in the evolution of species-specific behaviors elicited by CO_2

Effects of atmospheric pressure air plasma pretreatment on the seed germination and early growth of andrographis paniculata

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate whether air plasma can change the seed germination characteristics, seedling emergence, as well as biochemical reactivity, in Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata) seedlings by modifying the seed coat and finding a beneficial treatment dose. Eight treatment doses and one control were used to conduct electrical conductivity determination, a germination test, a seedling emergence test and a biochemical assay. The results showed that after being treated with air plasma excited at 5950 V for 10 s, the permeability of the seeds was improved significantly, resulting in the acceleration of seed germination and seedling emergence. In the meantime, the catalase activity and catalase isoenzyme expression were also improved, while the malondialdehyde content in the seedlings was decreased (which means greater counteraction with environmental stress). After being treated with 4250 V for 10 s and 5950 V for 20 s, the seed germination was enhanced, but without an obvious change in seedling emergence. However, after treatment with 3400 V for 20 s and 5100 V for 10 s, the permeability of the seeds was decreased, resulting in a delay in seedling emergence. These results indicate that air plasma can change the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Andrographis paniculata seeds by modifying the seed coat, combined with the effects of the active plasma species, and that different treating doses have different effects

TGF-β1-Mediated Leukocyte Cell-Derived Chemotaxin 2 Is Associated With Liver Fibrosis in Biliary Atresia

ObjectiveBiliary atresia (BA) presents as a severe infantile cholangiopathy disease, characterized by progressive liver fibrosis and the resulting poor prognosis. Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) was proposed as the key gene associated with hepatic fibrosis in BA, but the molecular mechanism is unclear. This study aims to investigate the function of LECT2 in BA.MethodsA total of 53 patients were enrolled in this study; 36 patients with BA, and 17 control patients with cholestasis, including congenital biliary dilations, biliary hypoplasia, and inspissated bile syndrome. The role of LECT2 in BA was analyzed using histological and cytological tests. The correlation between LECT2 and infiltrating immune cells was further analyzed by bioinformatics. The analyses were conducted using correlational analyses and ROC curves.ResultsLECT2 was highly expressed in infants with BA and positively related with fibrosis (0.1644 ± 0.0608 vs. 0.0779 ± 0.0053, p < 0.0001; rs = 0.85, p < 0.0001). Serum levels of LECT2 showed high distinguishing features for patients with BA having an AUC of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.90–1.00). CD163 was highly expressed in the aggravation of fibrosis (0.158 ± 0.062 vs. 0.29 ± 0.078, p < 0.0001), and the expression of LECT2 was positively correlated with the accumulation of CD163+ macrophages (r = 0.48, p = 0.003). The bioinformatic analysis also showed that LECT2 was positively correlated with macrophage M2 (r = 0.34, p = 0.03). TGF-β1 and CD163 colocalized to the portal area in the livers of patients with BA. Moreover, TGF-β1 upregulated the expression of LECT2.ConclusionLECT2 is highly expressed in both BA liver tissue and serum, and serum LECT2 is a potential diagnostic biomarker of BA. Meanwhile, TGF-β1 is secreted by macrophages to regulate LECT2 associated with BA liver fibrosis