157 research outputs found
Genome-wide identification, functional analysis and expression profiling of pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) sub-family in potato
The plant pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters has comprehensively been researched in relation to transport of antifungal agents and resistant pathogens. In our study, analyses of the whole family of PDR genes present in the potato genome were provided. This analysis resolves discrepancies of potato PDR proteins and provides an expression analysis of all annotated potato PDR genes based on RNA-seq data. The results indicate that the potato genome contains 76 encoding PDR proteins and that these genes show a specific expression patterns, both at the organ level and in response to various hormonal treatment. These data provide some clues for future molecular genetic analysis of this important subfamily of ABC transporters. In addition, potato PDR genes may also play some important roles in the transportation of antifungal agents and resistant pathogens.Keywords: ABC transporter, potato, pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR), RNA-seq.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(30), pp. 4722-472
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Familial multinodular goiter syndrome with papillary thyroid carcinomas: mutational analysis of the associated genes in 5 cases from 1 Chinese family
Background: Familial papillary thyroid cancer (fPTC) is recognized as a distinct entity only recently and no fPTC predisposing genes have been identified. Several potential regions and susceptibility loci for sporadic PTC have been reported. We aimed to evaluate the role of the reported susceptibility loci and potential risk genomic region in a Chinese familial multinodular goiter (fMNG) with PTC family. Methods: We sequenced the related risk genomic regions and analyzed the known PTC susceptibility loci in the Chinese family members who consented to join the study. These loci included (1) the point mutations of the BRAF and RET; (2) the possible susceptibility loci to sporadic PTC; and (3) the suggested potential fMNG syndrome with PTC risk region. Results: The members showed no mutations in the common susceptible BRAF and RET genomic region, although contained several different heterozygous alleles in the RET introns. All the members were homozygous for PTC risk alleles of rs966423 (C) at chromosome 2q35, rs2910164 (C) at chromosome 5q24 and rs2439302 (G) at chromosome 8p12; while carried no risk allele of rs4733616 (T) at chromosome 8q24, rs965513 (A) or rs1867277 (A) at chromosome 9q22 which were associated with radiation-related PTC. The frequency of the risk allele of rs944289 (T) but not that of rs116909374 (T) at chromosome 14q13 was increased in the MNG or PTC family members. Conclusions: Our work provided additional evidence to the genetic predisposition to a Chinese familial form of MNG with PTC. The family members carried quite a few risk alleles found in sporadic PTC; particularly, homozygous rs944289 (T) at chromosome 14q13 which was previously shown to be linked to a form of fMNG with PTC. Moreover, the genetic determinants of radiation-related PTC were not presented in this family
Container CT scanner: a solution for modular emergency radiology department during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period, container computed tomography (CT) scanners were developed and used for the first time in China to perform CT examinations for patients with clinically mild to moderate COVID-19 who did not need to be hospitalized for comprehensive treatment, but needed to be isolated in Fangcang shelter hospitals (also known as makeshift hospitals) to receive some supportive treatment. The container CT is a multidetector CT scanner installed within a radiation-protected stand-alone container (a detachable lead shielding room) that is deployed outside the makeshift hospital buildings. The container CT approach provided various medical institutions with the solution not only for rapid CT installation and high adaptability to site environments, but also for significantly minimizing the risk of cross-infection between radiological personnel and patients during CT examination in the pandemic. In this article, we described the typical setup of a container CT and how it worked for chest CT examinations in Wuhan city, the epicenter of COVID-19 outbreak
Fast Detection of the Emetic Toxin Cereulide in Cooked Rice and Dairy Products by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
A matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) method was developed for the rapid detection of the emetic toxin cereulide in cooked rice and dairy products. The splitting pattern of cereulide standard was analyzed, meanwhile, effects of matrix type, spotting methods, the type and dosage of matrix solvent, and laser intensity on the MS signal intensity of cereulide were investigated. Methodological validation and application to actual samples were conducted. As a result, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (HCCA) was chosen as the matrix and dispersed in a 1:1 acetonitrile-water mixture containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, and the matrix and the samples were sequentially spotted. In MALDI-TOF MS screening of foods using positive ion reflectron and linear modes at 70% laser intensity, the target ion peaks of ([M + Na]+ and [M + K]+) in cereulide were detected with stable signals, high intensity and good response repeatability. The results of methodological validation showed that good linear relationship was observed between the overlapping areas of [M + Na]+ and [M + K]+ peaks and cereulide concentration in the range from 5 to 100 ng/mL, with a correlation coefficients (r) greater than 0.99. The limits of detection (LOD) of [M + Na]+ and [M + K]+ were 3.0 and 5.0 ng/g, respectively; the recoveries of spiked rice and milk samples were ranged from 73.3% to 118.2%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.3% to 10.9% (n = 6). This method was characterized by rapidity, high accuracy, good sensitivity, and strong anti-interference ability, and was suitable for the detection of cereulide in cooked rice and dairy products without using any internal standard
Periodic elastic nanodomains in ultrathin tetrogonal-like BiFeO3 films
We present a synchrotron grazing incidence x-ray diffraction analysis of the
domain structure and polar symmetry of highly strained BiFeO3 thin films grown
on LaAlO3 substrate. We revealed the existence of periodic elastic nanodomains
in the pure tetragonal-like BFO ultrathin films down to a thickness of 6 nm. A
unique shear strain accommodation mechanism is disclosed. We further
demonstrated that the periodicity of the nanodomains increases with film
thickness but deviates from the classical Kittel's square root law in ultrathin
thickness regime (6 - 30 nm). Temperature-dependent experiments also reveal the
disappearance of periodic modulation above 90C due to a MC-MA structural phase
transition.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev.
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Activation of the helper NRC4 immune receptor forms a hexameric resistosome
Innate immune responses to microbial pathogens are regulated by intracellular receptors known as nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) in both the plant and animal kingdoms. Across plant innate immune systems, "helper" NLRs (hNLRs) work in coordination with "sensor" NLRs (sNLRs) to modulate disease resistance signaling pathways. Activation mechanisms of hNLRs based on structures are unknown. Our research reveals that the hNLR, known as NLR required for cell death 4 (NRC4), assembles into a hexameric resistosome upon activation by the sNLR Bs2 and the pathogenic effector AvrBs2. This conformational change triggers immune responses by facilitating the influx of calcium ions (Ca2+) into the cytosol. The activation mimic alleles of NRC2, NRC3, or NRC4 alone did not induce Ca2+ influx and cell death in animal cells, suggesting that unknown plant-specific factors regulate NRCs' activation in plants. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing plant immune responses
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