MicroRNA-451 from Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Inhibits Alveolar Macrophage Autophagy via Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway to Attenuate Burn-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats

Objective Our previous studies established that microRNA(miR)-451 from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(hUC-MSC-Exos)alleviates acute lung injury(ALI).This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which miR-451 in hUC-MSC-Exos reduces ALI by modulating macrophage autophagy.Methods Exosomes were isolated from hUC-MSCs.Severe burn-induced ALI rat models were treated with hUC-MSC-Exos carrying the miR-451 inhibitor.Hematoxylin-eosin staining evaluated inflammatory injury.Enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay measured lipopolysaccharide(LPS),tumor necrosis factor-α,and interleukin-1βlevels.qRT-PCR detected miR-451 and tuberous sclerosis complex 1(TSC1)expressions.The regulatory role of miR-451 on TSC1 was determined using a dual-luciferase reporter system.Western blotting determined TSC1 and proteins related to the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway and autophagy.Immunofluorescence analysis was conducted to examine exosomes phagocytosis in alveolar macrophages and autophagy level.Results hUC-MSC-Exos with miR-451 inhibitor reduced burn-induced ALI and promoted macrophage autophagy.MiR-451 could be transferred from hUC-MSCs to alveolar macrophages via exosomes and directly targeted TSC1.Inhibiting miR-451 in hUC-MSC-Exos elevated TSC1 expression and inactivated the mTOR pathway in alveolar macrophages.Silencing TSC1 activated mTOR signaling and inhibited autophagy,while TSC1 knockdown reversed the autophagy from the miR-451 inhibitor-induced.Conclusion miR-451 from hUC-MSC exosomes improves ALI by suppressing alveolar macrophage autophagy through modulation of the TSC1/mTOR pathway,providing a potential therapeutic strategy for ALI.

Nutritional and Sensory Properties of Penne-Type Pasta Based on Cereals (Oryza sativa (L.), Digitaria exilis, Pennicetum glaucum), Tubers (Ipomoea batata, Manihot esculenta Crantz), and a Legume (Vigna unguiculata (L.))

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and sensory characteristics of penne-type pasta produced from locally sourced cereals, tubers, and legumes. To achieve this, we formulated four different types of pasta with varying levels of incorporation ranging from 10 to 50% cereals such as millet, fonio, and rice, tubers such as manioc and sweet potato, and legumes such as cowpea. The results showed that the incorporation of local products considerably improved the nutrient content of penne without being rejected by consumers. Sensory analysis showed that the best results were obtained with mixtures of sweet potato, cowpea, and wheat, as well as with rice, manioc, cowpea, and sample wheat. These results are of great importance to manufacturers in a world where developing nutritious and attractive food products is a crucial challenge.

Tuberous sclerosis complex combined with primary lymphedema:A case report

BACKGROUND Tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)and primary lymphedema(PLE)are both rare diseases,and it is even rarer for both to occur in the same patient.In this work,we have provided a detailed description of a patient's clinical presentation,imaging findings,and treatment.And a retrospective analysis was conducted on 14 published relevant case reports.CASE SUMMARY A 16-year-old male came to our hospital for treatment due to right lower limb swelling.This swelling is already present from birth.The patient’s memory had been progressively declining.Seizures had occurred 1 year prior at an unknown frequency.The patient was diagnosed with TSC combined with PLE through multimodal imaging examination:Computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,and lymphoscintigraphy.The patient underwent liposuction.The swelling of the patient's right lower limb significantly improved after surgery.Epilepsy did not occur.after taking antiepileptic drugs and sirolimus.CONCLUSION TSC with PLE is a rare and systemic disease.Imaging can detect lesions of this disease,which are important for diagnosis and treatment.

Production of Yam Tubers Using Seed Tubers from Vitroplants Regenerated from Aerial Stems in the Yam Species Dioscorea alata (L.) and Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata (L. & P.) in Côte d’Ivoire

The aim of this study is to produce large quantities of yam tubers in the field from seed tubers derived from vitroplants regenerated from aerial stem cuttings and farmers’ tuber seeds. Seed tubers from ten yam cultivars, including five from Dioscorea alata (cDa083, cDa053, cDa115, cDa150 and cDa266) and five from Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata (cDr015, cDr027, cDr150, cDr206 and cDr148) with distinct agro-morphological characteristics, were used as material. A completely randomized block design with 3 replications was used. In each block, all cultivars and seed types were represented. When put into cultivation, the tubers produced by the vitroplants all germinated and gave 100% healthy plants, compared with 86% to 100% healthy plants for the seed tubers produced by the farmers. Yields per hectare ranged from 10 to 25 tonnes for seed tubers produced by in vitro plants, and from 4 to 9 tons for seed tubers produced by farmers. Seed tubers from vitroplants can therefore be recommended to farmers as a solution to the problem of seed tuber unavailability.

块菌(Tuber)在六盘山的分布及其生态学意义

2019—2020年,调查六盘山地下真菌资源,采集到块菌属(Tuber)标本12份。通过宏微观形态特征及DNA序列特征的比较分析,新采集到的块菌标本分别被鉴定为假喜马拉雅块菌(T.pseudohimalayense)、历山块菌(T.lishanense)和脐凹块菌(T.umbilicatum),其中假喜马拉雅块菌具有极高的经济价值。基于采集的标本,补充描述该3种块菌的形态学特征,对其分类地位和地理分布进行讨论,拓宽块菌在中国的地理分布区域的认识,补充块菌在该地区的标本记录及相关生态学资料。该研究首次确认六盘山分布有丰富的块菌资源,发现块菌新的重要分布区域,对完善中国块菌资源多样性、生物地理学和生态学的研究具有重要意义。

StOFP20 regulates tuber shape and interacts with TONNEAU1 Recruiting Motif proteins in potato

The OVATE family proteins(OFPs) are plant-specific proteins that modulate diverse aspects of plant growth and development. In tomato, OFP20 has been shown to interact with TONNEAU1 Recruiting Motif(TRM) proteins to regulate fruit shape. In this study, we demonstrated that the mutation of StOFP20 caused a shift from round to oval shaped tubers in a diploid accession C151, supporting the role of StOFP20 in controlling tuber shape. Its expression reached a maximum in the tuber initiation stage and then decreased as the tuber develops. To help elucidate the mechanism of tuber shape regulation by StOFP20, 27 TONNEAU1 Recruiting Motif(TRM) proteins were identified and 23 of them were successfully amplified in C151. A yeast two-hybrid assay identified three TRM proteins that interacted with StOFP20, which was confirmed by firefly luciferase complementation in tobacco leaves. The OVATE domain was indispensable for the interactions, while the necessity of the M10 motif in TRM proteins varied among the interactions between StOFP20 and the three TRMs. In summary, both StOFP20 and SlOFP20 directed interactions with TRM proteins, but the corresponding interactants were not completely consistent, implying that they exert regulatory roles through mechanisms that are only partially overlapping.

Effect of Saline Aquaculture Effluent on Salt-Tolerant Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) in a Semi-Arid Coastal Area of China

An experiment with six treatments: CK1 (rainfed), CK2 (irrigated with freshwater), and 4 treatments of saline aquaculture effluent blended with brackish groundwater at different ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 (v/v) was carried out during 2004 to assess the effect of saline aquaculture effluent on plant growth and soil properties in the Laizhou region, Shandong Province, China and to determine an optimal salinity threshold for aquaculture effluent. Cumulative evapotranspiration for the saline aquaculture effluent irrigation and non-irrigation treatments was lower than that for the freshwater irrigation treatment. Soil electrical conductivity was higher with respect to saline aquaculture effluent irrigation treatment compared to that with respect to non-irrigation or freshwater irrigation treatment. For Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), in comparison to the freshwater treatment, plant height and aboveground biomass for the 1:3 and 1:4 treatments were constrained, whereas stem width and root biomass were enhanced. Concomitantly, higher tuber yield was obtained for the 1:3 and 1:4 treatments compared to that for CK1 and 1:1 treatments. Nitrogen and phosphorus were higher in tubers of the 1:4 treatment. This study demonstrated that saline aquaculture effluent could be used successfully to irrigate Jerusalem artichoke with higher tuber yield and nutrient removal.

虎奶菇Pleurotus tuber-regium深层发酵的研究

报道了虎奶菇Pleurotus tuber-regium深层发酵的最适培养基和摇瓶发酵条件。试验结果表明,Pleurotus tuber-regium对单糖、双糖、多糖和糖醇都有一定的利用,但葡萄糖、麦芽糖等对菌丝生长效果较好;酵母粉、黄豆饼粉等蛋白质含量高的氮源对菌丝的生长较为有利;通过L9(34)正交试验确定了Pleurotus tuber-regium发酵的最适培养基为:5%葡萄糖,0.4%酵母粉,0.1%KH2PO4,0.3%MgSO4.7H2O,0.001%VB1及微量NaCl;一定浓度内Na+对菌丝体生长有促进效果。最适的摇瓶发酵条件为:培养基起始pH7.0,培养温度32℃,接种量15%,摇床转速150r/min,250mL三角瓶最适装液量为70mL,发酵周期为6d。

抑癌基因TSC2相关蛋白tuberin在肺癌组织中表达及临床意义的初步研究

目的通过检测TSC2编码蛋白tuberin在肺癌组织和相应正常肺组织中的表达水平,初步探讨其与临床病理特征的关系。方法收集肺癌组织标本及相应癌旁正常肺组织标本各60例,Western-Blot法检测标本中tuberin和β-actin蛋白含量,采用凝胶成像分析系统测定tuberin带与β-actin带的灰度值,以比值表示TSC2蛋白表达水平,比值大则表明组织中TSC2表达高。结果60例肺癌组织标本中,tuberin阳性表达率为40.0%(24例),相应癌旁正常组织tuberin阳性表达率为93.3%(58例),二者差异有统计学意义(μ=6.278,P<0.01)。肺癌组织中tuberin阳性表达的患者,其正常肺黏膜组织tuberin均呈阳性表达;且肺癌组织tuberin表达水平较相应正常肺黏膜组织降低,二者差异有统计学意义(t=3.766,P<0.05)。Tuberin的表达水平及表达阳性率与患者年龄、性别、肺癌病理类型、分化程度、肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移无关。结论Tuberin的表达水平及表达阳性率与肺癌发生密切相关。

The Key Factors Affecting Tuber Development of Potato in vitro and the Relation with Protein Fractions

According to previous analysis, some properties bounding up with tuber yield were investigated. The results showed that tuber average weight, plastid Mg2 + -ATPase activity, plastid Ca2 + -ATPase activity, mitochondria Mg2 + -ATPase activity, total soluble protein content, tuber average diameter, and Q-enzyme activity were important factors determining the tuber yield. The linear regression equation was:Y = 0.5211 + 0.0595X(1)+0.8389X(2) +0.0882X(3) -0.0073X(4) +0.1449X(5) +0.3510X(6) +0.0031X(7) -0.00003X(8) + 0.3412X(9) + 0.0127X(10) + 0.2904X(ll) + 0.0570X(12) + 0.0159X(13) + 0.3585X(14) + 0.0134X(15) - 0.1012X(16). At the same time, the relation between several important properties and soluble protein fractions were analyzed.

Investigation on the Appropriate Dose of ^(60)Co-γ Irradiation for Tubers of Purple Sweet Potato

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the appropriate dose of 60^Co-γ irradiation for tubers of purple sweet potato.[Methods] The tubers of two purple sweet potato varieties Xuzi L-7 and Yuenanzi were used as experimental materials,and treated with 60^Co-γ irradiation at different doses（0,25,50,75,100,125 and 150 Gy） to determine the emergence rate,number of emerged seedlings per tuber and fresh weight per seedling.[Results] After the 60^Co-γ irradiation at different doses,the emergence period of tubers was postponed while the emergence rate,number of emerged seedlings per tuber and fresh weight per plant were decreased,and the differences between different varieties and different irradiation doses reached significance level.Compared with the control,the emergence period of tubers at irradiation doses above 25 Gy were postponed by 2,3,5,6 and 12 d,respectively.[Conclusion] The half lethal dose（LD50） of Xuzi L-7 was 66.73 Gy,and that of Yuenanzi was 74.96 Gy.

Comparison of the Effects of H_2O_2 and Salicylic Acid on Alternative Respiratory Pathway in Aged Potato Tuber Slices

The influences of exogenous H 2O 2 and salicylic acid (SA) treatments on the alternative respiratory pathway (ARP) in aged potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber slices were compared. The results showed that both H 2O 2(5.0 mmol/L) and SA (0.1 mmol/L) treatments had a significant inducing effect on ARP capacity (V alt ) and its ratio to total respiration (V alt /V t) in potato slices aged for 24 h. With a monoclonal antibody against the alternative oxidase (AOX), Western blotting results showed that both H 2O 2 and SA treatments increased the AOX expression levels in aged potato tuber slices. However, the results of oxygen isotope discrimination experiments showed that H 2O 2 had no influence on the in vivo ARP activity (ρV alt ) and its contribution to V t(expressed as ρV alt /V t) in potato slices aged for 24 h, but SA had a significant influence on the ρV alt and ρV alt /V t values of the aged potato tuber slices. These results indicate that there are differences between the effects of H 2O 2 and SA on ARP in plant tissues. Both of them possess the ability to induce ARP capacity through inducing AOX expression. However, SA can simultaneously stimulate the operation of ARP, but H 2O 2 can not.

Effects of Agrobacterial<i>rol</i>-Genes on the Thermodynamic and Structural Features of Starches Extracted from Potato Microtubers

Wild-type potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants and their transformants harboring agrobacterial rolB or rolC genes under control of the patatin class I promoter were cultured in vitro. These plants were used as a source of single-node stem cuttings. The structure of native starch in tubers formed on cuttings was determined using methods of X-ray scattering and differential scanning microcalorimetry (DSC). It was found that in starch from tubers of rolB plants the melting temperature of crystalline lamella was lower and their thickness was less than that in wild-type potato. In tubers of rolC plants starch differed from starch in wild-type plants by a higher melting temperature, reduced melting enthalpy, and a greater thickness of crystalline lamellae. The melting of starch from tubers of rolC plants proceeded as the melting of two independent crystalline structures with melting temperatures of 338.0°K and 342.8°K. Overall data show that starches of different structure can be obtained by using transgenic approach.

Osmotic Regulation and Viability during Storage of Potato Microtubers Obtained in Vitro

Dehydration,viability,proline,sucrose and glucose concentrations were evaluated on green and white microtubers during storage at two different temperatures.After 10 months at 4℃,the green and white microtubers showed shrinkage with a dry weight loss of 3.91%and 3.15%.Both,the green and white microtubers at 4℃ presented an enhanced sprouting after storage.At 23℃,the green microtubers lost the lowest quantity in dry weight(0.8%)and white microtubers lost 2.2%.This behavior is possibly related to the increase in the thickness of the peridermis observed in green microtubers or to the osmotic regulation mediated principally by the observed concentrations of proline and glucose but not sucrose.The best storage conditions for potato microtubers obtained in vitro were at 4℃ for green or white microtubers for up to 10 months with little loss of viability.

Preliminary Findings on Yield Response of Potatoes （Solanum tuberosum） to Umostart Super Zn （11.46,0 ＋ 2 Zn ＋ Humates）

Field trials to determine the yield response of potatoes to Umostart Super Zn （USZ） fertilizer （11.46.0 ＋ 2 Zn ＋ Humates） were carried out in 2004 using the cultivar Tigoni. During the long rains season, the treatments included USZ at 15 kg ha^-1 at planting; 30 kg ha^-1 split into 15 kg ha^-1 at planting and 15 kg ha^-1 during final earthing-up; 30 kg ha^-1 at planting; and 45 kg ha^-1 at planting. Treatments during the short rains included USZ at 30 kg ha^-1 split into 15 kg ha^-1 at planting and 15 kg ha^-1 during final earthing-up; 30 kg ha^-1 at planting; 40 kg ha^-1 at planting; 50 kg ha^-1 at planting; 50 kg ha^-1 split into 25 kg ha^-1 at planting and 25 kg ha^-1 during final earthing-up; and 60 kg ha^-1 at planting. USZ was contrasted with Diammonium phosphate （DAP） fertilizer （18：46：0） at 300 kg ha^-1 and 500 kg ha^-1 applied at planting and a control in which no fertilizer was applied. The DAP 300 kg ha^-1 treatment was however, not included during the long rains season. The highest tuber yields among the USZ treatments were obtained in plots treated with 45 kg ha^-1 （27.11 t ha^-1） during the long rains and 60 kg ha^-1 （55.17 t ha^-1） during the short rains season. Application of USZ resulted in a yield increase of at least 3.90 and 19.06 t ha^-1 during the long and short rains seasons respectively.

β-Amylase Is Predominantly Localized to Plastids in the Developing Tuberous Root of Sweet Potato

Starch degradation in cells is closely associated with cereal seed germination, photosynthesis in leaves, carbohydrate storage in tuber and tuberous roots, and fleshy fruit development. Based on previously reported in vitro assays, β amylase is considered as one of the key enzymes catalyzing starch breakdown, but up to date its role in starch breakdown in living cells remains unclear because the enzyme was shown often extrachloroplastic in living cells. Recently we have shown for the first time that β_amylase is predominantly immuno_localized to plastids in living cells of developing apple fruit. But it remains to know whether this model of β_amylase compartmentation is more widespread in plant living cells. The present experiment, conducted in tuberous root of sweet potato ( Ipomea batatas Lam. cv. Xushu 18) and via immunogold electron_microscopy technique, showed that β amylase visualized by gold particles was predominantly localized in plastids especially at periphery of starch granules, but the gold particles were scarcely found in other subcellular compartments, indicating that the enzyme is subcellularly compartmented in the same zone as its starch substrates. The density of gold particles (β amylase) in plastids was increasing during growing season, but the predominantly plastid_distributed pattern of β amylase in cells was shown unchanged throughout the tuberous root development. These data prove that the enzyme is compartmented in its functional sites, and so provide evidence to support the possible widespread biological function of the enzyme in catalyzing starch breakdown in plant living cells or at least in living cells of plant storage organs.

干燥方法对印度块菌(Tuber indicum)品质的影响

为了解不同干燥方法对印度块菌干后品质及微观结构的影响,本研究采用热风干燥、真空冷冻干燥方法对印度块菌进行处理,以感官品质(色泽、质构)、复水特性、营养成分(还原糖、总蛋白、维生素C、总黄酮)及微观结构为评价指标,评价干燥方法对印度块菌品质的影响,并利用低场核磁共振技术研究干燥处理期间水分的迁移率和分布。结果表明,与热风干燥比,真空冷冻干燥产品L~*高,a~*低,能够较好维持产品色泽,热风干燥产品褐变严重,且真空冷冻干燥产品硬度低,脆性高。真空冷冻干燥产品复水比及复水速率显著高于热风干燥产品(P<0.05),干燥10 min后,冷冻干燥复水比值为3.00,显著高于热风干燥(2.26)(P<0.05),冷冻干燥复水速率(0.30 min^-1)显著高于热风干燥(0.22 min^-1)(P<0.05)。与新鲜样品比,两种干燥产品中总蛋白含量无显著变化,维生素C、还原糖及总黄酮保留量显著降低(P<0.05);与热风干燥产品比,真空冷冻干燥产品维生素C、还原糖及总黄酮保留量显著高于热风干燥产品(P<0.05)。低场核磁共振分析表明,冷冻干燥组T23水分信号强度衰减速率高于热风干燥组,说明真空冷冻干燥效率更高。扫描电镜观察微观结构发现热风干燥产品细胞组织收缩、塌陷且结构很致密,真空冷冻干燥产品呈现多孔结构。综合分析,干燥对印度块菌干制品的营养及品质影响较大,真空冷冻干燥更适合印度块菌产品的干燥加工,本研究为提高印度块菌干制品加工品质提供理论依据。

Effect of processing on the alkaloids in Aconitum tubers by HPLC-TOF/MS

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015, only processed Aconitum tubers can be clinically applied, and the effect of processing is unclear. This research aimed to explore the effect of processing on cardiac efficacy of alkaloids in Aconitum tubers. First, the chemical ingredients in unprocessed and processed Aconitum tubers were identified and compared by using high performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HPLC-TOF/MS) and multivariate pattern recognition methods. Then the representative alkaloids in Aconitum tubers, aconitine, benzoylaconine, and aconine, which belong to diester-diterpenoid alkaloids,monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids, and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids, respectively, were selected for further validation of attenuated mechanism. Subsequent pharmacological experiments with aconitine, benzoylaconine,and aconine in SD rats were used to validate the effect of processing on cardiac functions. After processing the Aconitum tubers, it was found that the contents of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids were reduced, and those of monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids were increased, suggesting that diesterditerpenoid alkaloids were transformed into monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids.Through further decocting the aconitine in boiling water, it was confirmed that the three alkaloids could be progressively transformed. Pharmacological experiments with aconitine, benzoylaconine, and aconine in SD rats showed that aconitine at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg and aconine at a dose of 10 mg/kg enhanced the cardiac function, while benzoylaconine at a dose of 2 mg/kg weakened the cardiac function. The effect of processing is attributed to the transformation of the most toxic diester-diterpenoid alkaloids into less toxic monoesterditerpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids.

A New Ceramide from the Ascomycete Tuber indicum

A new C-18 phytosphingosine derivative (1) was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Tuber indicum. Its structure was established as (2S, 3S, 4R, 2R)-2-N-(2-hydroxytricosano- yl)-octadecan-1, 3, 4-triol by spectral and chemical methods.

Effect of vernalization on tuberization and flowering in the Tibetan turnip is associated with changes in the expression of FLC homologues

The turnip(Brassica rapa var. rapa) is a biennial crop that is planted in late summer/early fall and forms fleshy tubers for food in temperate regions. The harvested tubers then overwinter and are planted again the next spring for flowering and seeds. FLOWERING LOCUS C(FLC) is a MADS-box transcription factor that acts as a major repressor of floral transition by suppressing the flowering promoters FT and SOC1. Here we show that vernalization effectively represses tuber formation and promotes flowering in Tibetan turnip. We functionally characterized four FLC homologues(BrrFLC1,FLC2, FLC3, and FLC5), and found that BrrFLC2 and BrrFLC1 play a major role in repressing flowering in turnip and in transgenic Arabidopsis. In contrast, tuber formation was correlated with BrrFLC1 expression in the hypocotyl and was repressed under cold treatment following the quantitative downregulation of BrrFLC1. Grafting experiments of non-vernalized and vernalized turnips revealed that vernalization independently suppressed tuberization in the tuber or hypocotyl of the rootstock or scion, which occurred in parallel with the reduction in BrrFLC1 activity. Together, our results demonstrate that the Tibetan turnip is highly responsive to cold exposure, which is associated with the expression levels of BrrFLC genes.