Transcription factor OsbZIP49 controls tiller angle and plant architecture through the induction of indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetases in rice

Tiller angle is an important determinant of plant architecture in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Auxins play a critical role in determining plant architecture; however, the underlying metabolic and signaling mechanisms are still largely unknown. In this study, we have identified a member of the bZIP family of TGA class transcription factors, OsbZIP49, that participates in the regulation of plant architecture and is specifically expressed in gravity-sensing tissues, including the shoot base, nodes and lamina joints. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsbZIP49 displayed a tiller-spreading phenotype with reduced plant height and internode lengths. In contrast, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of OsbZIP49 resulted in a compact architecture. Follow-up studies indicated that the effects of OsbZIP49 on tiller angles are mediated through changes in shoot gravitropic responses. Additionally, we provide evidence that OsbZIP49 activates the expression of indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetases OsGH3-2 and OsGH3-13 by directly binding to TGACG motifs located within the promoters of both genes. Increased GH3-catalyzed conjugation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in rice transformants overexpressing OsbZIP49 resulted in the increased accumulation of IAA-Asp and IAA-Glu, and a reduction in local free auxin, tryptamine and IAA-Glc levels. Exogenous IAA or naphthylacetic acid (NAA) partially restored shoot gravitropic responses in OsbZIP49-overexpressing plants. Knockout of OsbZIP49 led to reduced expression of both OsGH3-2 and OsGH3-13 within the shoot base, and increased accumulation of IAA and increased OsIAA20 expression levels were observed in transformants following gravistimulation. Taken together, the present results reveal the role transcription factor OsbZIP49 plays in determining plant architecture, primarily due to its influence on local auxin homeostasis.

Downregulation of a Dorsal Root Ganglion-Specifically Enriched Long Noncoding RNA is Required for Neuropathic Pain by Negatively Regulating RALY-Triggered Ehmt2 Expression

Nerve injury-induced maladaptive changes of gene expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons contribute to neuropathic pain. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of gene expression. Here, a conserved lncRNA is reported, named DRG-specifically enriched lncRNA (DS-lncRNA) for its high expression in DRG neurons. Peripheral nerve injury downregulates DS-lncRNA in injured DRG due, in part, to silencing of POU domain, class 4, transcription factor 3, a transcription factor that interacts with the DS-lncRNA gene promoter. Rescuing DS-lncRNA downregulation blocks nerve injury-induced increases in the transcriptional cofactor RALY-triggered DRG Ehmt2 mRNA and its encoding G9a protein, reverses the G9a-controlled downregulation of opioid receptors and Kcna2 in injured DRG, and attenuates nerve injury-induced pain hypersensitivities in male mice. Conversely, DS-lncRNA downregulation increases RALY-triggered Ehmt2/G9a expression and correspondingly decreases opioid receptor and Kcna2 expression in DRG, leading to neuropathic pain symptoms in male mice in the absence of nerve injury. Mechanistically, downregulated DS-lncRNA promotes more binding of increased RALY to RNA polymerase II and the Ehmt2 gene promoter and enhances Ehmt2 transcription in injured DRG. Thus, downregulation of DS-lncRNA likely contributes to neuropathic pain by negatively regulating the expression of RALY-triggered Ehmt2/G9a, a key neuropathic pain player, in DRG neurons.

Reactive-oxygen-species-scavenging nanomaterials for resolving inflammation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate multiple physiological functions; however, the over-accumulation of ROS causes premature aging and/or death and is associated with various inflammatory conditions. Nevertheless, there are limited clinical treatment options that are currently available. The good news is that owing to the considerable advances in nanoscience, multiple types of nanomaterials with unique ROS-scavenging abilities that influence the temporospatial dynamic behaviors of ROS in biological systems have been developed. This has led to the emergence of next-generation nanomaterial-controlled strategies aimed at ameliorating ROS-related inflammatory conditions. Accordingly, herein we reviewed recent progress in research on nanotherapy based on ROS scavenging. The underlying mechanisms of the employed nanomaterials are emphasized. Furthermore, important issues in developing cross-disciplinary nanomedicine-based strategies for ROS-based inflammatory conditions are discussed. Our review of this increasing interdisciplinary field will benefit ongoing studies and clinical applications of nanomedicine based on ROS scavenging.

Doppler-based predictive model for methotrexate resistance in low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia with myometrial invasion: prospective study of 147 patients

OBJECTIVES

This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the vascularization characteristics of low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) using Doppler imaging and to develop a predictive model for resistance to methotrexate (MTX).

METHODS

Patients with low-risk GTN receiving primary MTX treatment were enrolled from the Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China, from September 2012 to August 2018. The primary endpoint was to develop and internally validate a predictive model for resistance to MTX therapy in these patients. In the training set, clinical features and Doppler hemodynamic parameters before MTX therapy were analyzed using logistic regression to identify independent predictors of MTX resistance, which were integrated into the model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation in the training dataset and internal validation in an independent-sample test dataset.

RESULTS

The entire imaging protocol was completed by 147 eligible patients, of which 110 comprised the training set and 37 the test set. In the training set, cases with myometrial invasion (81.8%; 90/110) showed vascular-enriched areas in the myometrium and high velocity and low impedance ratios of the uterine artery (UtA) compared to cases without myometrial invasion (18.2%; 20/110). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, time-averaged mean velocity in UtA (UtA-TAmean) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score were identified as independent predictors (P = 0.009 and P = 0.043, respectively) of MTX resistance. The Doppler-based predictive model, developed based on the 90 cases with myometrial invasion, was y = -2.95332 + 0.41696 × FIGO score + 0.03551 × UtA-TAmean. The model showed an area under the curve of 0.757 (95% CI, 0.653-0.862) and the optimal cut-off value was 0.50622, which had 45.2% sensitivity and 96.6% specificity. The model stratified patients with low-risk GTN into low (< 10%), intermediate (10-90%) and high (> 90%) probability of MTX resistance, based on the threshold values of -1.59544 and 0.10046. The model had an accuracy of 74.4% (95% CI, 64.5-82.3%) in the cross-validation and 72.7% (95% CI, 55.8-84.9%) in the internal validation.

CONCLUSIONS

The Doppler-based predictive model, combining a non-invasive marker of tumor vascularity with the FIGO scoring system, can differentiate cases with low from those with high probability of developing MTX resistance and therefore has the potential to guide treatment options in patients with low-risk GTN and myometrial invasion. © 2020 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In vivo assembly of the sorgoleone biosynthetic pathway and its impact on agroinfiltrated leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana

Sorgoleone, a hydrophobic compound exuded from root hair cells of Sorghum spp., accounts for much of the allelopathic activity of the genus. The enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of this compound have been identified and functionally characterized. Here, we report the successful assembly of the biosynthetic pathway and the significant impact of in vivo synthesized sorgoleone on the heterologous host Nicotiana benthamiana. A multigene DNA construct was prepared for the expression of genes required for sorgoleone biosynthesis in planta and deployed in N. benthamiana leaf tissues via Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression. RNA-sequencing was conducted to investigate the effects of sorgoleone, via expression of its biosynthesis pathway, on host gene expression. The production of sorgoleone in agroinfiltrated leaves as detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) resulted in the formation of necrotic lesions, indicating that the compound caused severe phytotoxicity to these tissues. RNA-sequencing profiling revealed significant changes in gene expression in the leaf tissues expressing the pathway during the formation of sorgoleone-induced necrotic lesions. Transcriptome analysis suggested that the compound produced in vivo impaired the photosynthetic system as a result of downregulated gene expression for the photosynthesis apparatus and elevated expression of proteasomal genes which may play a major role in the phytotoxicity of sorgoleone.

Nitrogen-Centered Radical-Mediated Cascade Amidoglycosylation of Glycals

A nitrogen-centered radical-mediated strategy for preparing 1,2-trans-2-amino-2-deoxyglycosides in one step was established. The cascade amidoglycosylation was initiated by a benzenesulfonimide radical generated from NFSI under the catalytic reduction of TEMPO. The benzenesulfonimide radical was electrophilically added to the glycals, and then the resulting glycosidic radical was converted to oxocarbenium upon oxidation by TEMPO⁺, which enabled the following anomeric specific glycosylation.

Akebia saponin E, as a novel PIKfyve inhibitor, induces lysosome-associated cytoplasmic vacuolation to inhibit proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy with increasing mortality in China. Screening and identifying effective anticancer compounds from active traditional Chinese herbs for HCC are in demand. Akebia trifoliata (Thunb) Koidz, with pharmacological anti-HCC activities in clinical, has been shown in previous research. In the present research, we elucidated a potential anticancer effect of Akebia saponin E (ASE), which is isolated from the immature seeds of Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz, and revealed that ASE could induce severe expanded vacuoles in HCC cells. But the potential mechanism of vacuole-formation and the anti-HCC effects by ASE remain uncover.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

To elucidate the potential mechanism of vacuole-formation and the proliferation inhibition effects by ASE in HCC cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MTT assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect cell viability. Immunofluorescence analysis was used to examine the biomarkers of endomembrane. Cells were infected with tandem mRFP-GFP-LC3 lentivirus to assess autophagy flux. RNA-seq was conducted to analyze the genome-wide transcriptional between treatment cell groups. In vitro PIKfyve kinase assay is detected by the ADP-Glo^TM Kinase Assay Kit.

RESULTS

ASE could inhibit the proliferation of HCC with severe expanded vacuoles in vitro, and could significantly reduce the size and weight of xenograft tumor in vivo. Further, the vacuoles induced by ASE were aberrant enlarged lysosomes instead of autophagosome or autolysosomes. With cytoplasmic vacuolation, ASE induced a mTOR-independent TFEB activation for lysosomal biogenesis and a decrement of cholesterol levels in HCC cells. Furthermore, ASE could reduce the activity of PIKfyve (phosphoinositide kinase containing a FYVE-type finger), causing aberrant lysosomal biogenesis and cholesterol dyshomeostasis which triggered the expanded vacuole formation.

CONCLUSION

ASE can prospectively inhibit the kinase activity of PIKfyve to induce lysosome-associated cytoplasmic vacuolation, and may be utilized as an alternative candidate to treat human HCC.

Chichibabin pyridinium synthesis via oxidative decarboxylation of photoexcited α-enamine acids

A visible light-induced decarboxylative Chichibabin pyridinium synthesis between α-amino acids and aldehydes was developed. When the in situ generated α-enamine acids were photoexcited, they were oxidized by aerobic oxygen to give radical cation species. After decarboxylation and further oxidation, the generated iminium undergoes Chichibabin cyclization to afford pyridiniums. This photochemical protocol enables the synthesis of various tetra-substituted pyridiniums and related natural products in one-step.

Central Endothelin-1 Confers Analgesia by Triggering Spinal Neuronal Histone Deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) Nuclear Exclusion in Peripheral Neuropathic Pain in Mice

The rationale of spinal administration of endothelin-1(ET-1) mediated anti-nociceptive effect has not been elucidated. ET-1 is reported to promote nuclear effluxion of histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) in myocytes, and spinal HDAC5 is implicated in modulation of pain processing. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether central ET-1 plays an anti-nociceptive role by facilitating spinal HDAC5 nuclear shuttling under neuropathic pain. Here, we demonstrate that upregulating spinal ET-1 attenuated the nociception induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation surgery and this analgesic effect mediated by ET-1 was attenuated by intrathecal injection of endothelin A receptor selective inhibitor (BQ123) or by blocking the exportation of nuclear HDAC5 by adeno-associated viruses targeting neuronal HDAC5 (AVV-HDAC5 S259/498A Mutant). Notably, ET-1 administration increased spinal glutamate acid decarboxylases (GAD65/67) expression via initiating HDAC5 nuclear exportation and increased the acetylation of histone 3 at lysine 9 (Acetyl-H3K9) in the promotor regions of spinal Gad1 and Gad2 genes. This was reversed by blocking endothelin A receptor function or by inhibiting the spinal neuronal nuclear exportation of HDAC5. Therefore, inducing spinal GABAergic neuronal HDAC5 nuclear exportation may be a novel therapeutic approach for managing neuropathic pain. PERSPECTIVE: Neuropathic pain is intractable in a clinical setting, and epigenetic regulation is considered to contribute to this processing. Characterizing the anti-nociceptive effect of ET-1 and investigating the associated epigenetic mechanisms in animal models may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies and targets for treating neuropathic pain.

Upregulation of miR-146b promotes porcine ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis by attenuating CYP19A1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21- to 24-nucleotide long small noncoding RNAs, which play an important role in follicular atresia and granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis in the mammalian ovary. Here, we report that miR-146b, a conserved and ovary-enriched miRNA, modulates estradiol (E2) secretion, GC apoptosis, and follicular atresia in pigs. Genome-wide analysis and quantitative real-time PCR revealed that miR-146b was significantly upregulated during follicular atresia, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting showed that miR-146b functioned as a proapoptotic factor to induce GC apoptosis. MicroRNA-mRNA network analysis and luciferase reporter assays showed that CYP19A1, the pivotal enzyme for E2 synthesis signaling, was directly targeted by miR-146b. Furthermore, miR-146b interacted with the 3'untranslated region of CYP19A1 to prevent translation, thereby regulating CYP19A1-mediated E2 secretion and GC apoptosis. However, miR-146b was not regulated by the transcription factor SMAD4 or oxidative stress, both of which are critical regulators of CYP19A1. We, thus, conclude that miR-146b is a novel epigenetic factor regulating GC functions, follicular development, and female reproduction.

[Value of ALBI grade on precised estimation liver reserve function of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma]

Précised liver reserve function estimation is of great significance for predicting the survival time, post-hepatectomy liver failure and individualized comprehensive treatment strategies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Currently, the widely used Child-Pugh (CP) classification and indocyanine green 15-minute retention rate (ICGR 15) have certain flaws and limitations. The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grading especially makes up for the deficiency of CP classification, and can provide an objective, simple, accurate and evidence-based method to estimate and guide the liver reserve function of HCC patients. This paper follows up and summarizes the research progress of ALBI grading estimation at home and abroad on liver reserve function of HCC patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Houttuynia Eye Drops Atomization Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-Related Dry Eye Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Houttuynia eye drops (a Chinese traditional medicine) atomization treatment in meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-related dry eye disease (DED) patients. Methods: A total of 240 eligible patients diagnosed with MGD-related DED were assigned either Houttuynia eye drops or placebo for atomization once daily for four weeks in a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Primary outcome evaluations used included eye symptom score (using the Chinese Dry Eye Questionnaire), meibum quality, and tear break-up time (TBUT), while safety evaluations included adverse events (AEs), visual acuity, and intraocular pressure monitoring. Indicators were measured at baseline as well as one week, two weeks, and four weeks after treatment. Results: Primary outcome measures of the Houttuynia group were improved compared with their placebo counterparts following four-week treatment. Eye symptom scores were significantly reduced relative to the baseline in the Houttuynia group (mean ± standard error of the mean, 9.00 ± 0.61) compared with the placebo group (6.29 ± 0.55; p = 0.0018). Reduction in meibum quality score in the Houttuynia group (0.91 ± 0.10) was also significantly higher compared with the placebo group (0.57 ± 0.10; p = 0.0091), while TBUT in the treatment group (6.30 ± 0.22) was also longer than in the latter (5.60 ± 0.24; p = 0.0192). No medication-related adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Atomization treatment with Houttuynia eye drops is both clinically and statistically effective for the treatment of mild to moderate MGD-related DED patients. This approach is generally safe and was tolerated well by patients.

Proving the Mode of Action of Phytotoxic Phytochemicals

Knowledge of the mode of action of an allelochemical can be valuable for several reasons, such as proving and elucidating the role of the compound in nature and evaluating its potential utility as a pesticide. However, discovery of the molecular target site of a natural phytotoxin can be challenging. Because of this, we know little about the molecular targets of relatively few allelochemicals. It is much simpler to describe the secondary effects of these compounds, and, as a result, there is much information about these effects, which usually tell us little about the mode of action. This review describes the many approaches to molecular target site discovery, with an attempt to point out the pitfalls of each approach. Clues from molecular structure, phenotypic effects, physiological effects, omics studies, genetic approaches, and use of artificial intelligence are discussed. All these approaches can be confounded if the phytotoxin has more than one molecular target at similar concentrations or is a prophytotoxin, requiring structural alteration to create an active compound. Unequivocal determination of the molecular target site requires proof of activity on the function of the target protein and proof that a resistant form of the target protein confers resistance to the target organism.

The association between napping and the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Background

Napping is a habit prevalent worldwide and occurs from an early age. Some sleep specialists have suggested it as a potential public health tool due to the prevalence of sleep disorder. However, the association between napping and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality remains unclear.

Purpose

To assess the association between napping and the risk of CVD and all-cause mortality.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases from inception through December 2019 for prospective cohort studies investigating the association between napping and the risk of CVD and/or all-cause mortality. Overall estimates were calculated using random effect models with inverse variance weighting. Dose-response meta-analysis was performed using restricted cubic spline models. The results were reported as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 313651 participants (57.8% female, 38.9% took naps) from 20 cohort studies were included in the analysis. Overall, pooled analysis detected no association between daytime nap and CVD (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.99–1.28). However, in subgroup analysis including only participants who were female (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.09–1.58), older (age&gt;65 years) (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.07–1.72), or took a longer nap (nap time&gt;60 minutes) (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05–1.63), napping was significantly associated with a higher risk of CVD comparing to not napping. All-cause mortality was associated with napping overall (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.12–1.26), and effect sizes were even more pronounced in females (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.13–1.31), older participants (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.11–1.45) and those who took a long nap (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.12–1.47). Furthermore, after stratifying participants by night sleep time (&lt;6 and &gt;6h/day), no significant association was detected except those who slept &gt;6h/day at night and took a long nap (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.24). Dose-response analysis showed a J-curve relation between nap time and CVD (Figure 1). The HR decreased from 0 to 25 min/day, followed by a sharp increase in the risk at longer times. A positive linear relationship between nap time and all-cause mortality was also observed.

Conclusion

Long napping over 60 minutes per day is associated with increased risks of CVD and all-cause mortality. Night sleep duration may play a role in the relation between napping and all-cause mortality. Further, large-scale prospective cohort studies need to confirm our conclusion and investigate the underlying mechanisms driving these associations.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Survey report on keratoplasty in China: A 5-year review from 2014 to 2018

To provide the general information on corneal transplantation (CT) in China, China Cornea Society designed a questionnaire on CT from 2014 to 2018 and entrusted it to 31 committee members for implementation of the survey nationwide. This article presents the results of the survey and compares the indicators used in the survey and those in the annual statistical report released by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). The number of corneal transplantations completed by the 64 hospitals from 2014 to 2018 was respectively 5377, 6394, 7595, 8270 and 8980, totally 36,616 (22,959 male and 13,657 female). The five largest hospitals by the number of corneal transplantations completed 15,994 surgeries in total, accounting for 43.68% of all the surgeries performed in the 64 hospitals. The most common indication for corneal transplantations was corneal leukoma (7683, 20.98%), followed by bacterial keratitis (4209, 11.49%), corneal dystrophies (4189, 11.44%), keratoconus (3578, 9.77%) and corneal perforation (2839, 7.75%). The main surgical techniques were penetrating keratoplasty (PK) (19,896, 54.34%), anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) (13,869, 37.88%). The proportion of PK decreased from 57.97% in 2014 to 52.88% in 2018 while the proportion of ALK increased from 36.04% in 2014 to 37.92% in 2018. The geographical distribution of keratoplasties performed in China is unbalanced. PK and ALK were the main techniques of CT and corneal leukoma, bacterial keratitis and corneal dystrophies were the main indications for CT in China.

ROS/NF-κB Signaling Pathway-Mediated Transcriptional Activation of TRIM37 Promotes HBV-Associated Hepatic Fibrosis

Hepatic fibrosis is an inflammatory response that leads to liver cirrhosis in the most advanced condition. Liver cirrhosis is a leading cause of deaths associated with liver diseases; hence, understanding the underlying mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis is critical to develop effective therapies. Tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins have been shown to be involved in liver fibrosis; however, the exact role of several TRIM proteins in this process remained unexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of TRIM37 in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatic fibrosis. We analyzed TRIM37 expression in hepatic fibrosis patients and performed functional and mechanistic studies in tissue culture and mouse models to identify the role of TRIM37 in hepatic fibrosis. We found an increased expression of TRIM37 in hepatic fibrosis patients. Mechanistically, we showed that TRIM37 physically interacts with SMAD7 and promotes ubiquitination-mediated degradation of SMAD7, and that SMAD7 is a key mediator of TRM37-induced hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, we showed nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is necessary for the transcriptional induction of TRIM37 during HBV infection. Our study shows TRIM37 as an important promoter of HBV-associated hepatic fibrosis.

Germinal peptide eye drops promote corneal wound healing and decrease inflammation after alkali injury

Germinal peptide is being developed to treat corneal injuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate its effect on corneal epithelial cells in vitro and its ability to promote healing in an alkali injury model in vivo. Cultured rabbit corneal epithelial cells were treated with germinal peptide at three concentrations. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed and compared with the effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rh-EGF). In vivo, the corneas of New Zealand albino rabbits were chemically burned with 1 mol/l NaOH for 30 s. The injured eyes were topically treated with germinal peptide (10, 20, and 40 μg/ml), rh-EGF, or phosphate-buffered saline thrice daily. At fixed time points post injury, the healing of the cornea and its histopathology were evaluated. There was no difference in the effect of germinal peptide on cultured cell proliferation. However, cell migration was significantly higher than that in the control groups, with germinal peptide at concentrations of 20 and 40 μg/ml being the most efficacious. In vivo, 20 and 40 μg/ml germinal peptide significantly alleviated corneal opacity and edema. By day 21, the areas of corneal neovascularization in the germinal peptide-treated groups were smaller than those in the rh-EGF and control groups. The repaired corneas in the germinal peptide- and rh-EGF-treated groups also had more corneal epithelial layers and fewer inflammatory cells than the controls. Germinal peptide may be developed as a novel topical treatment agent for corneal wound healing in clinical settings.

Assessing the impact of drinking water iodine concentrations on the iodine intake of Chinese pregnant women living in areas with restricted iodized salt supply

PURPOSE

The supply of non-iodized salt and the water improvement project have been conducted to reduce the iodine concentration in drinking water in areas with elevated water iodine. We aimed to assess the impact of water iodine concentration (WIC) on the iodine intake of pregnant women in areas with restricted iodized salt supply, and determine the cutoff values of WIC in areas with non-iodized salt supply.

METHODS

Overall, 534 pregnant women who attended routine antenatal outpatient visits in Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Gaoqing County were recruited. The 24-h urine iodine excretion (UIE) in 534 samples and the iodine concentration in 534 drinking water samples were estimated. Urinary iodine excretion, daily iodine intake, and daily iodine intake from drinking water (WII) were calculated. The relationship between WIC and daily iodine take was analyzed.

RESULTS

The median WIC, spot urine iodine concentration (UIC), and 24-h UIE were 17 (6, 226) μg/L, 145 (88, 267) μg/L, and 190 (110, 390) μg/day, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between WIC and UIE (R² = 0.265, p < 0.001) and UIC (R² = 0.261, p < 0.001). The contribution rate of WII to total iodine intake increased from 3.0% in the group with WIC of < 10 μg/L to 45.7% in the group with WIC of 50-99 μg/L.

CONCLUSION

The iodine content in drinking water is the major iodine source in pregnant women living in high-water iodine areas where iodized salt supply is restricted. The contribution rate of daily iodine intake from drinking water increases with the increase in water iodine concentration.

Transcriptome and binding data indicate that citral inhibits single strand DNA-binding proteins

The mechanism of phytotoxicity of citral was probed in Arabidopsis thaliana using RNA-Seq and in silico binding analyses. Inhibition of growth by 50% by citral downregulated transcription of 9156 and 5541 genes in roots and shoots, respectively, after 1 h. Only 56 and 62 genes in roots and shoots, respectively, were upregulated. In the shoots, the downregulation increased at 3 h (6239 genes downregulated, vs 66 upregulated). Of all genes affected in roots at 1 h (time of greatest effect), 7.69% of affected genes were for nucleic acid binding functions. Genes for single strand DNA binding proteins (SSBP) WHY1, WHY 2 and WHY3 were strongly downregulated in the shoot up until 12 h after citral exposure. Effects were strong in the root at just 1 h after the treatment and then at 12 and 24 h. Similar effects occurred with the transcription factors MYC-2, ANAC and SCR-SHR, which were also significantly downregulated for the first hour of treatment, and downregulation occurred again after 12 and 24 h treatment. Downregulation of ANAC in the first hour of treatment was significantly (P < 0.0001) decreased more than eight times compared to the control. In silico molecular docking analysis suggests binding of citral isomers to the SSBPs WHY1, WHY2, and WHY3, as well as with other transcription factors such as MYC-2, ANAC and SCR-SHR. Such effects could account for the profound and unusual effects of citral on downregulation of gene transcription.

Broadband, millimeter-wave antireflection coatings for large-format, cryogenic aluminum oxide optics

We present two prescriptions for broadband ($ {\sim} 77 - 252\;{\rm GHz} $), millimeter-wave antireflection coatings for cryogenic, sintered polycrystalline aluminum oxide optics: one for large-format (700 mm diameter) planar and plano-convex elements, the other for densely packed arrays of quasi-optical elements-in our case, 5 mm diameter half-spheres (called "lenslets"). The coatings comprise three layers of commercially available, polytetrafluoroethylene-based, dielectric sheet material. The lenslet coating is molded to fit the 150 mm diameter arrays directly, while the large-diameter lenses are coated using a tiled approach. We review the fabrication processes for both prescriptions, then discuss laboratory measurements of their transmittance and reflectance. In addition, we present the inferred refractive indices and loss tangents for the coating materials and the aluminum oxide substrate. We find that at 150 GHz and 300 K the large-format coating sample achieves $ (97 \pm 2)\% $ transmittance, and the lenslet coating sample achieves $ (94 \pm 3)\% $ transmittance.