Suppression of microRNA-320 Induces Cerebral Protection Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Targeting HMGB1/NF-kappaB Axis

MicroRNAs have been shown to potentially function in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. This study aimed to examine the expression of microRNA-320 (miR-320) in cerebral IR injury and its involvement in cerebral mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses by targeting the HMGB1/NF-kappaB axis. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion to simulate cerebral IR injury. The cerebral expression of miR-320 was assessed using qRT-PCR. Neurological function, cerebral infarct volume, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using relevant methods, including staining, fluorometry, and ELISA. HMGB1 expression was analyzed through Western blotting. The levels of miR-320, HMGB1, neurological deficits, and cerebral infarction were significantly higher after IR induction. Intracerebral overexpression of miR-320 resulted in substantial neurological deficits, increased infarct volume, elevated levels of 8-isoprostane, NF-kappaBp65, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and HMGB1 expression. It also promoted the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS levels while reducing MnSOD and GSH levels. Downregulation of miR-320 and inhibition of HMGB1 activity significantly reversed the outcomes of cerebral IR injury. MiR-320 plays a negative role in regulating cerebral inflammatory/oxidative reactions induced by IR injury by enhancing HMGB1 activity and modulating mitochondrial function.

Osteoporosis is associated with depression among older adults: a nationwide population-based study in the USA from 2005 to 2020

OBJECTIVES

The global prevalence of osteoporosis is rising, yet it is unclear whether people with osteoporosis have a higher risk of depression than those without osteoporosis.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

We used nationally representative data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2013-2014, and 2017-2020. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was based on the bone mineral density of the femoral neck measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Depression was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), with a score ≥5 as depressive symptoms and a score ≥10 as probable depression. We used logistic regression models to evaluate the association between osteoporosis and depressive symptoms and probable depression.

RESULTS

We included 11,603 adults (aged 50 years and older, 52.3% male) and observed 5.2% of them had osteoporosis. 31.9% of these osteoporotic people had depressive symptoms, and 10.0% had probable depression. Compared to participants without osteoporosis, those with osteoporosis were 1.73 times more likely to experience depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-2.50) and 1.91 times more likely to experience probable depression (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.02-3.59), after adjusting for sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, family income, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, and alcohol abuse. Moderate-to-vigorous activities mediated the associations between osteoporosis and depression and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoporosis is an independent risk factor for depression. This study highlights the need to evaluate the mental well-being of patients with osteoporosis in clinical and primary health care.

Safety and Efficacy of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Combined with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with Lung Metastases after Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with pulmonary metastases after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Twenty-five patients with lung metastases after OLT for HCC who underwent HFRT using helical tomotherapy concomitantly with TKIs (sorafenib or lenvatinib) were retrospectively. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), local control rate (LCR), objective response rate (ORR), and treatment-related side effects.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 35.5 months, with a median interval from OLT to lung metastasis of 15.3 months. The median PFS and OS were 9.9 and 32.7 months, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS and OS rates were 36.0%, 16.0%, and 12.0%, and 84.0%, 52.0%, and 20.0%, respectively. The LCR of pulmonary metastases at 1 year was 100%, whereas the two-year LCR was 76.9%. The 1- and 2- year ORRs were 95.2% and 69.2%, respectively, with no grade > 2 adverse events. Radiation pneumonitis was observed in 17 patients (68.0%). Grade 1 pneumonitis occurred in 15 patients (60.0%), and grade 2 pneumonitis occurred in 2 patients (8.0%).

CONCLUSION

The combination therapy of HFRT with TKIs is a feasible, safe, and promising approach in the treatment of pulmonary metastases for HCC after OLT.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Combined with Sintilimab in Patients with Recurrent or Oligometastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Phase II Clinical Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The anti-tumor activity and tolerability of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and PD-1 inhibitors have been illustrated in retrospective studies, but the results vary across a broad range. This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of SBRT combined with sintilimab in patients with recurrent or oligometastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS/METHODS

This trial involved patients with recurrent or oligometastatic HCC intravenously treated with SBRT plus sintilimab every 3 weeks for 12 months or until disease progression. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were enrolled from August 14, 2019, to August 23, 2021. The median treatment duration was 10.2 months. SBRT was delivered at a median dose of 54 in six fractions. The median follow-up time was 21.9 months, and 32 targeted lesions among 25 patients were evaluated for treatment response according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. The median PFS was 19.7 months, with PFS rates of 68% and 45.3% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) was not reached, with OS rates of 91.5% and 83.2% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The 1- and 2-year local control rate were 100% and 90.9%, respectively. The confirmed objective response rate and disease control rate was 96%, and 96%, respectively. Most adverse events were graded as 1 or 2, and grade 3 adverse events were observed in three patients.

CONCLUSION

SBRT plus sintilimab is an effective, well-tolerated treatment regimen for patients with recurrent or oligometastatic HCC.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Amino Acid Permeases Gene Family in Wheat and TaAAP1 Enhanced Salt Tolerance by Accumulating Ethylene

Amino acid permeases (AAPs) are proteins of the integral membrane that play important roles in plant growth, development, and responses to various stresses. The molecular functions of several AAPs were characterized in Arabidopsis and rice, but there is still limited information on wheat. Here, we identified 51 AAP genes (TaAAPs) in the wheat genome, classified into six groups based on phylogenetic and protein structures. The chromosome location and gene duplication analysis showed that gene duplication events played a crucial role in the expansion of the TaAAPs gene family. Collinearity relationship analysis revealed several orthologous AAPs between wheat and other species. Moreover, cis-element analysis of promoter regions and transcriptome data suggested that the TaAAPs can respond to salt stress. A TaAAP1 gene was selected and transformed in wheat. Overexpressing TaAAP1 enhanced salt tolerance by increasing the expression of ethylene synthesis genes (TaACS6/TaACS7/TaACS8) and accumulating more ethylene. The present study provides an overview of the AAP family in the wheat genome as well as information on systematics, phylogenetics, and gene duplication, and shows that overexpressing TaAAP1 enhances salt tolerance by regulating ethylene production. These results serve as a theoretical foundation for further functional studies on TaAAPs in the future.

Overexpression of Circ_0005585 Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury via Targeting MiR-16-5p

Circular RNAs are implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. In this work, we explored the modulation and potential mechanisms of action of circ_0005585 in ischemic stroke. Expression of circ_0005585 and miR-16-5p was assessed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR. Ischemic stroke was modeled in mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The infarct volume was assessed by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. Neurological deficits were evaluated according to Neurological Severity Score. The permeability of the blood-brain barrier was assessed by Evan's blue leakage and brain water content. Apoptosis in brain tissues was measured by the TUNEL test. Relative expression of apoptosis-related proteins was evaluated by Western blotting. The direct interaction between circ_0005585 and miR-16-5p was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The expression of circ_0005585 was lower in mice with MCAO. Lentivirus-mediated overexpression of circ_0005585 ameliorated the neurological deficits and decreased the infarction volume in MCAO mice. The brain water content and Evan's blue leakage through the blood-brain barrier were reduced. In addition, overexpression of circ_0005585 inhibited apoptosis in the cerebral tissues. Our results revealed direct interaction between circ_0005585 and miR-16-5p. Hence, circ_0005585 protects mouse brain during ischemic stroke by targeting miR-16-5p, which uncovers the pathogenesis of this pathology and opens new vitas for its therapy.

Predictive model for deep venous thrombosis caused by closed lower limb fracture after thromboprophylactic treatment

OBJECTIVE

Currently, there are still no convincing clinical models predicting closed lower extremity fracture-associated deep vein thrombosis in patients treated through thromboprophylactic methods. We aimed at using two retrospective cohorts to develop and externally verify a clinical prediction model for deep vein thrombosis in patients treated with anticoagulants after suffering closed lower extremity fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated the patients' pre- and post-operatively, to accurately determine the predictive power of the biomarkers and clinical risk factors. Two retrospective cohorts were used for the development and external verification of a pre-operative clinical prediction model (development: n = 2,253; verification: n = 833) and post-operative clinical prediction model (development: n = 1,422; verification: n = 449), respectively.

RESULTS

The C-indices were used to show the predicted incidence of objective thrombosis at the pre- and post-operative stage, which were then compared with the observed incidence of thrombosis in both cohorts. Biomarkers and clinical indicators were included in pre- and post-operative nomograms, which were adequately calibrated in both cohorts. The cross-validated C-indices of the pre- and post-operative clinical prediction models in the verification cohort were 0.706 (95% Cl, 0.67-0.74) and 0.875 (95% Cl, 0.84-0.91), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We present our findings of novel pre- and post-operative nomograms for the prediction of deep venous thrombosis in patients who received thromboprophylaxis after suffering closed lower extremity fractures.

Phosphorylation-mediated inactivation of C3H14 by MPK4 enhances bacterial-triggered immunity in Arabidopsis

Perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) triggers mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase 4 (MPK4)-mediated phosphorylation and induces downstream transcriptional reprogramming, but the mechanisms of the MPK4 defense pathway are poorly understood. Here, we showed that phosphorylation-mediated inactivation of the CCCH protein C3H14 by MPK4 positively regulates the immune response in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Compared with wild-type plants, loss-of-function mutations in C3H14 and its paralog C3H15 resulted in enhanced defense against Pst DC3000 in infected leaves and the development of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), whereas C3H14 or C3H15 overexpression enhanced susceptibility to this pathogen and failed to induce SAR. The functions of C3H14 in PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and SAR were dependent on MPK4-mediated phosphorylation. Challenge with Pst DC3000 or the flagellin peptide flg22 enhanced the phosphorylation of C3H14 by MPK4 in the cytoplasm, relieving C3H14-inhibited expression of PTI-related genes and attenuating C3H14-activated expression of its targets NIM1-INTERACTING1 (NIMIN1) and NIMIN2, two negative regulators of SAR. Salicylic acid (SA) affected the MPK4-C3H14-NIMIN1/2 cascades in immunity, but SA signaling mediated by the C3H14-NIMIN1/2 cascades was independent of MPK4 phosphorylation. Our study suggests that C3H14 might be a negative component of the MPK4 defense signaling pathway.

[The influence of sacroiliac joint reduction quality on the clinical effect of bionic reduction and internal fixation for pelvic ring injury]

Objective: To examine the influence of sacroiliac joint reduction quality on the clinical effect of bionic reduction and internal fixation for pelvic ring injury. Methods: From January 2014 to February 2019,the clinical data of 78 patients diagnosed with pelvic ring injury involving sacroiliac joints and treated with bionic reduction and internal fixation at Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University were retrospectively analyzed.There were 48 males and 30 females,aged (48.3±8.3)years (range:28 to 68 years).After bionic reduction and internal fixation,the patients were grouped according to the maximum displacement distance (d) of sacroiliac joint residual on the damaged side measured by CT examination. Patients with d≤5 mm were included in anatomical bionic reduction group,and patients with d>5 mm were included in non-anatomical bionic reduction group.In non-anatomical bionic reduction group,according to the direction of residual displacement,the patients were divided into separation displacement group and anterior-posterior displacement group. The X-ray examination was performed immediately and at the last follow-up after operation.If sacroiliac joint was relocated,or internal plant loosening,displacement,fracture and re-displacement of fracture,it was defined as internal fixation failure.Majeed pelvic fracture scoring system was used to evaluate the postoperative functional status of the two groups,and visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the postoperative pain.Comparison between groups was performed by completely random design ANOVA,χ² test,Fisher's exact test,Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: According to the CT examination,28 cases were included in anatomical bionic reduction group,and 50 cases were included in non-anatomical bionic reduction group.In non-anatomical bionic reduction group,27 cases were divided into separation displacement group and 23 cases were in anterior-posterior displacement group.There was no significant difference in general data among anatomical bionic reduction group,separation displacement group and anterior-posterior displacement group (P>0.05). The follow-up time was (37.8±6.6) months (range:25 to 51 months). At the last follow up,the excellent and good rate of Majeed score in anatomical bionic reduction group was 96.4%(27/28),which was better than that in separation displacement group(74.1%(20/27)) and anterior-posterior displacement group (30.4%(7/23)),the difference was statistically significant (Z=-6.479,P<0.01;Z=-6.256,P<0.01); and the good rate of the separation displacement group was better than that of the anterior-posterior displacement group(Z=-3.607,P<0.01).The VAS of anatomical bionic reduction group (17 cases with 0 point, 11 cases with 1 to 3 points) were lower than that of the displacement group (6 cases with 0 point,16 cases with 1 to 3 points,5 cases with 4 to 6 points) and anterior-posterior displacement group (3 cases with 0 point,7 cases with 1 to 3 points,13 cases with 4 to 6 points),the difference was statistically significant (Z=-3.515,P<0.01;Z=-3.506,P<0.01),and there was no difference between separation displacement group and anterior-posterior displacement group.Total of 8 cases of internal fixation failure occurred,and the failure rate of anatomical bionic reduction group (0,0/28) was lower than that of the separation displacement group (11.1%,3/27) and anterior-posterior displacement group (21.7%,5/23) (P=0.111,P=0.014),and there was no difference between separation displacement group and anterior-posterior displacement group(P=0.444). Conclusions: In the bionic reduction and internal fixation of pelvic fracture involving sacroiliac joint injury,the functional status,pain and internal fixation failure rate of patients with anatomical bionic reduction of sacroiliac joint are significantly better than those in the non-anatomical bionic reduction.The functional recovery of patients with separation displacement is better than that of the patients with anterior and posterior displacement.

[Effects of high-flow nasal oxygen combined with early extubation on the incidence of respiratory adverse events during emergence from general anesthesia in children undergoing adenoid-tonsillectomy]

Objective: To investigate the effects of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) combined with early extubation on the incidence of respiratory adverse events (RAE) during emergence from general anesthesia in children undergoing adenoid-tonsillectomy. Methods: From December 2021 to January 2022, 40 pediatric patients [21 males, 19 females, with a median age of 4 (4, 5) years] undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy in Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University were randomly divided into two groups: HFNO-assisted early extubation group (Group H, n=20) and conventional extubation group (Group C, n=20) by using a random number table. After entering the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), the patients in group H received humidified and heated oxygen (flow rate: 25 L/min) through a nasal cannula until their consciousness regained. After patient's spontaneous breathing resumed for 10 min, the oral endotracheal tube was removed. Patients in group C did not receive HFNO. The oral endotracheal tube was removed after the patient's spontaneous breathing resumed for at least 10 min with signs of tube intolerance, or 20 min without signs of tube intolerance. During the PACU stay, the incidence of RAE, the incidence of cough, the application rate of intensive care strategy, the time to extubation, the duration of PACU stay, and vital signs at spontaneous breathing resuming and extubation in each group were recorded. Results: In Group H, the total incidence of RAE [30% (6/20) vs 65% (13/20), P=0.027], the incidence of cough [10% (2/10) vs 45% (9/20), P=0.031] and the application rate of intensive care strategy [20% (4/20) vs 55% (11/20), P=0.048] during PACU stay was significantly lower, compared with those of Group C. Likewise, the time to extubation was significantly shorter [(33.4±4.5) min vs (42.7±5.3) min, P<0.001]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the duration of PACU stay, the vital signs at the time of spontaneous breathing resuming and extubation between the two groups (P>0.05), except that the end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (P_ETCO₂) at the time of extubation in group H was significantly higher than group C [(52.9±9.4) mmHg vs (48.9±3.1) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P<0.001]. Conclusion: HFNO combined with early extubation can significantly reduce the incidence of RAE in children undergoing adenoid-tonsillectomy during the emergence from general anesthesia.

The CCCH zinc finger protein C3H15 negatively regulates cell elongation by inhibiting brassinosteroid signaling

Plant CCCH proteins participate in the control of multiple developmental and adaptive processes, but the regulatory mechanisms underlying these processes are not well known. In this study, we showed that the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) CCCH protein C3H15 negatively regulates cell elongation by inhibiting brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. Genetic and biochemical evidence showed that C3H15 functions downstream of the receptor BR INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) as a negative regulator in the BR pathway. C3H15 is phosphorylated by the GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE 3 -like kinase BR-INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2) at Ser111 in the cytoplasm in the absence of BRs. Upon BR perception, C3H15 transcription is enhanced, and the phosphorylation of C3H15 by BIN2 is reduced. The dephosphorylated C3H15 protein accumulates in the nucleus, where C3H15 regulates transcription via G-rich elements (typically GGGAGA). C3H15 and BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1)/BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1), two central transcriptional regulators of BR signaling, directly suppress each other and share a number of BR-responsive target genes. Moreover, C3H15 antagonizes BZR1 and BES1 to regulate the expression of their shared cell elongation-associated target gene, SMALL AUXIN-UP RNA 15 (SAUR15). This study demonstrates that C3H15-mediated BR signaling may be parallel to, or even attenuate, the dominant BZR1 and BES1 signaling pathways to control cell elongation. This finding expands our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying BR-induced cell elongation in plants.

[Sensitization characteristics of Juniperus chinensis pollen in Beijing area]

Objective: To investigate the sensitization characteristics of Juniperus chinensis pollen in patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma in Beijing area, and to explore the characteristics of Juniper chinensis pollen sensitized population. Methods: Patients with suspected allergic rhinitis and/or asthma from January 2017 to December 2019 in the outpatient department of Allergy Department of Beijing Shijitan Hospital were selected in this study. Skin prick test (SPT) was performed with Juniper chinensis pollen allergen reagent to compare different age and disease allergen distribution, and to observe the sensitization characteristics of its population. All of the analyses were performed using SAS software version 9.4. Results: A total of 8 380 patients were enrolled in the end. The total positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen SPT reached 49.92% (4 183/8 380). The positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen SPT was highest in the 10-14 age group, reaching 60.99% (283/464). Compared with other age groups, there was a statistical difference (χ²=266.77, P<0.01). The SPT positive rate of patients aged less than 10 years increased with the increase of age, while the SPT positive rate of patients aged over 40 years decreased with the increase of age. Single Juniper chinensis pollen was less allergenic, accounting for about 25.05% (1 048/4 183), and the patients' age was (35.21±12.39) years. Regardless of single Juniper chinensis pollen or other pollen allergies, allergic rhinitis was the main disease. Among the patients with SPT positive Juniper chinensis pollen combined with other inhaled pollen allergens, willow pollen accounted for the first (74.99%). The positive rate of Juniper chinensis pollen was the highest in patients with single allergic rhinitis, accounting for 52.05% (3 797/7 295), and the rate in patients with single allergic asthma was the lowest, accounting for 17.49% (53/303), with statistically difference (χ²=138.99, P<0.01). Conclusions: Juniper chinensis pollen is highly sensitized in patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma in Beijing . The positive rate of SPT is highest among 10-14 age group, most of which showed strong positive reaction, and allergic rhinitis is more common in Juniper chinensis pollen sensitization diseases.

MYB42 inhibits hypocotyl cell elongation by coordinating brassinosteroid homeostasis and signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The precise control of brassinosteroid (BR) homeostasis and signalling is a prerequisite for hypocotyl cell elongation in plants. Arabidopsis MYB42 and its paralogue MYB85 were previously identified to be positive regulators of secondary cell wall formation during mature stages. Here, we aim to reveal the role of MYB42 and MYB85 in hypocotyl elongation during the seedling stage and clarify how MYB42 coordinates BR homeostasis and signalling to regulate this process.

METHODS

Histochemical analysis of proMYB42-GUS transgenic plants was used for determination of the MYB42 expression pattern. The MYB42, 85 overexpression, double mutant and some crossing lines were generated for phenotypic observation and transcriptome analysis. Transcription activation assays, quantitative PCR (qPCR), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) were conducted to determine the relationship of MYB42 and BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 (BZR1), a master switch activating BR signalling.

KEY RESULTS

MYB42 and MYB85 redundantly and negatively regulate hypocotyl cell elongation. They function in hypocotyl elongation by mediating BR signalling. MYB42 transcription was suppressed by BR treatment or in bzr1-1D (a gain-of-function mutant of BZR1), and mutation of both MYB42 and MYB85 enhanced the dwarf phenotype of the BR receptor mutant bri1-5. BZR1 directly repressed MYB42 expression in response to BR. Consistently, hypocotyl length of bzr1-1D was increased by simultaneous mutation of MYB42 and MYB85, but was reduced by overexpression of MYB42. Expression of a number of BR-regulated BZR1 (non-)targets associated with hypocotyl elongation was suppressed by MYB42, 85. Furthermore, MYB42 enlarged its action in BR signalling through feedback repression of BR accumulation and activation of DOGT1/UGT73C5, a BR-inactivating enzyme.

CONCLUSIONS

MYB42 inhibits hypocotyl elongation by coordinating BR homeostasis and signalling during primary growth. The present study shows an MYB42, 85-mediated multilevel system that contributes to fine regulation of BR-induced hypocotyl elongation.

Longitudinal investigations of anatomical and morphological development of the gastrointestinal tract in goats from colostrum to postweaning

The digestive tract development in goat kids around weaning is vital to the establishment of digestion and absorption function, growth, and health of adults. The objective was to explore the effects of age and solid feed on the anatomical and morphological development of the gastrointestinal tract of Laiwu Black goat kids. Forty-eight female Laiwu Black goats at 8 ages (1, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 d; 6 goats per group) were selected and killed for anatomical and morphological analysis. The goats experienced the following 4 diet phases: maternal colostrum (MC; d 1, d 7), maternal milk (MM; d 14, d 28), maternal milk plus solid diet (MMSD; d 42, d 56) and only solid diet (OSD; d 70, d 84). The body and carcass weights were not significantly changed during MC and MM phases but changed during the MMSD phase. The absolute growth of body and carcass weights were higher in the MMSD phase than in MM phase. In addition, the dressing percentage was the highest in the MMSD phase. The body size indices evolved progressively and increased over time. The percentage of internal and external organs to body weight decreased over time, whereas the percentage to complex stomach percentage increased. The rumen and omasum weight experienced synchronous absolute growth over time, especially in the OSD phase. In contrast, the absolute growth of the reticulum and abomasum was the highest in MMSD and MC phases, respectively. After weaning, the goats showed the highest papillae height, lamina propria, muscle layer thickness, and epithelial thickness. The OSD phase showed the highest colonic mucosa thickness, ileal villus height, and ileal muscle layer thickness. The crypt depth was higher in the MMSD phase than in the MM phase. Moreover, the crypt depth and muscle layer thickness of jejunum increased over time. Furthermore, duodenal crypt depth, muscle layer thickness, and epithelial thickness increased in the OSD phase compared with other stages. In conclusion, the histological investigation supports the improvement of the morphological development of the digestive tract and the growth performance in the solid feed phase. It is recommended to add solid food as early as 4 wk old.

A High-Throughput Screening System for Populus Wood-Associated Transcription Factors and Its Application to Lignin Regulation

Wood formation of trees is a complex and costly developmental process, whose regulatory network is involved in the protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. To detect such interactions in wood development, we developed a high-throughput screening system with 517 Gal4-AD-wood-associated transcription factors (TFs) library from Populus alba × P. glandulosa cv "84K." This system can be used for screening the upstream regulators and interacting proteins of targets by mating-based yeast-one hybrid (Y1H) and yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) method, respectively. Multiple regulatory modules of lignin biosynthesis were identified based on this Populus system. Five TFs interacted with the 500-bp promoter fragment of PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE 2 (PAL2), the first rate-limiting enzyme gene in the lignin biosynthesis pathway, and 10 TFs interacted with PaMYB4/LTF1, a key regulator of lignin biosynthesis. Some of these interactions were further validated by EMSA and BiFC assays. The TF-PaPAL2 promoter interaction and TF-PaMYB4 interaction revealed a complex mechanism governing the regulation of lignin synthesis in wood cells. Our high-throughput Y1H/Y2H screening system may be an efficient tool for studying regulatory network of wood formation in tree species.

Integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis reveals brassinosteroid-mediated regulation of cambium initiation and patterning in woody stem

Wood formation involves sequential developmental events requiring the coordination of multiple hormones. Brassinosteroids (BRs) play a key role in wood development, but little is known about the cellular and molecular processes that underlie wood formation in tree species. Here, we generated transgenic poplar lines with edited PdBRI1 genes, which are orthologs of Arabidopsis vascular-enriched BR receptors, and showed how inhibition of BR signaling influences wood development at the mRNA and/or proteome level. Six Populus PdBRI1 genes formed three gene pairs, each of which was highly expressed in basal stems. Simultaneous mutation of PdBRI1-1, -2, -3 and - 6, which are orthologs of the Arabidopsis vascular-enriched BR receptors BRI1, BRL1 and BRL3, resulted in severe growth defects. In particular, the stems of these mutant lines displayed a discontinuous cambial ring and patterning defects in derived secondary vascular tissues. Abnormal cambial formation within the cortical parenchyma was also observed in the stems of pdbri1-1;2;3;6. Transgenic poplar plants expressing edited versions of PdBRI1-1 or PdBRI1-1;2;6 exhibited phenotypic alterations in stem development at 4.5 months of growth, indicating that there is functional redundancy among these PdBRI1 genes. Integrated analysis of the transcriptome and proteome of pdbri1-1;2;3;6 stems revealed differential expression of a number of genes/proteins associated with wood development and hormones. Concordant (16%) and discordant (84%) regulation of mRNA and protein expression, including wood-associated mRNA/protein expression, was found in pdbri1-1;2;3;6 stems. This study found a dual role of BRs in procambial cell division and xylem differentiation and provides insights into the multiple layers of gene regulation that contribute to wood formation in Populus.

Mechanism of curcumin against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury based on the P13K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pharmacodynamic mechanism of curcumin against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury by regulating the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/rapamycin target protein (mTOR) signalling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated for 30 min and reperfused for 3 h to establish an ischaemia-reperfusion injury model. The electrocardiogram (ECG) detection of rats was performed, and the degree of myocardial infarction was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The expression levels of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and other related indicators were detected. The protein expressions of mTOR, phosphorylated (p)-mTOR, AKT and p-AKT were detected by Western blotting, whereas the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The results showed that compared with the model group, curcumin could improve the ECG findings, reduce the scope of myocardial infarction, reduce the expression levels of CK-MB, LDH, AST, MDA, NO and increase those of SOD and GSH. Curcumin can also down-regulate the expression of Bax and up-regulate the protein levels of Bcl2, p-mTOR and p-AKT (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that curcumin has a significant protective effect on myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway and inhibition of inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress.

[Incidence and trend of severe postpartum hemorrhage between 2016 and 2019 in China]

Objective: To investigate the incidence and trend of severe postpartum hemorrhage (sPPH) in China, and to provide basic data for the development and evaluation of sPPH prevention and control strategy. Methods: Obstetric data was extracted from annual national representative sampling surveys based on the National Clinical Improvement System. From 2016 to 2019, 2 978, 3 400, 4 576 and 4 594 maternity hospitals with sPPH cases were included for statistics. The annual incidence of sPPH was calculated according to province and type of medical institutions and generalized linear model was emplyed to identify the determinants affecting sPPH incidence. Results: In China, sPPH incidence increased from 0.62% in 2016 to 0.93% in 2018, and was 0.92% in 2019. Eighteen provinces had an inverted U-shaped trend of sPPH over time and most of them had the highest incidence in 2018; ten provinces had an upward trend of sPPH and 3 provinces had a U-shaped trend. In 2019, the top five provinces with the highest sPPH incidence were Yunnan (1.88%), Beijing (1.45%), Jiangsu (1.31%), Guizhou (1.26%), and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (1.22%); the top five provinces with the lowest incidence were Henan (0.55%), Jiangxi (0.60%), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (0.64%), Liaoning (0.64%) and Gansu (0.69%). In 2019, the sPPH incidence in different types of medical institutions were as follows: tertiary public general hospital (1.15%), tertiary public specialized hospital (1.02%), secondary public general hospital (0.81%), private hospital (0.61%) and secondary public specialized hospital (0.58%). sPPH incidence was positively associated with proportion of twin pregnancies, macrosomia, primipara, and puerpera aged ≥35 years in maternity hospitals (P<0.05). Conclusions: sPPH incidence generally showes an increasing trend from 2016 and is stable at a high level in recent two years in China. It is warranted to further strengthen the monitoring of postpartum hemorrhage, and improve the capability of hierarchical management and treatment in maternity institutions and regions, in order to reduce sPPH incidence and maternal mortality.