Effects of mercury contaminated rice from typical chemical plant area in China on nitric oxide changes and c-fos expression of rats brain

China is one of countries with the highest mercury production in the world. The Guizhou Province in Southwestern China is currently one of the world's most important mercury production areas. In order to study the neurotoxicity of rice from Qingzhen Chemical Plant area and probe into the signal transduction molecular mechanism of injury in rat brain stimulation by mercury contaminated rice. The rats were exposed to mercury contaminated rice for 20 d. Both of the measurements of NO and NOS were processed according to the protocol of the kit. The effect of Hg contaminated rice on the expression of c-fos mRNA in rat brain and the expression of c-FOS protein in cortex, hippocampus were observed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunocytochemical methods. The results showed the neural transmitter NO and NOS in brain were significantly change between exposure groups and control group; the mercury polluted rice induced significantly the expression of c-fos mRNA; the c-FOS positive cells in hippocampus and cortex of exposure groups were significant different from control group(p<0.01). It could be concluded that nitric oxide was involved in mercury contaminated rice induced immediate early gene c-fos expressions in the rat brain. Through food chain, local ecosystem and health of local people iave been deteriorated seriously by mercury. This serious situation will last a long period. In order to alleviate mercury pollution, more work needs to do.

Effects of electroacupuncture on c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and brain of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND： Visceral hypersensitivity is the main cause of irritable bowel syndrome, c-Fos is a marker of visceral hypersensitivity in the central nervous system. Electroacupuncture can relieve chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats, but the mechanism is still unknown. OBJECTIVE： To identify c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity, and to test the effects of electroacupuncture on pain sensitivity in rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the Animal E：~perimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from January to April, 2007. MATERIALS： A total of 24 neonatal, male, Sprague Dawley rats, aged five days old, were equally and randomly assigned into a normal group, a model group, and an electroacupuncture group. Rabbit anti-rat c-Fos antibody and Evision secondary antibody kits （Sigma, USA）, diaminobenzidine kit （Dako, Denmark）, and an LD202H electroacupuncture apparatus （Huawei, Beijing, China） were used in this study. METHODS： Neonatal rats from the model and electroacupuncture groups were used to establish rat models of chronic visceral hypersensitivity by the saccule stimulation method. After model establishment, 0.25 mm diameter electric needles were inserted into Tianshu （ST 25） and Shangjuxu （ST37） at a depth of approximately 0.5 cm, with an square wave （alternating current frequency at 100/20 Hz, amplitude ranged 0.2-0.6 ms, intensity at 1 mA） once for 20 minutes, once a day, for seven days. Rats in the normal and model groups were not treated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Following 7 days of treatment, c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry. After the first electroacupuncture treatment, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores were investigated to evaluate the pain threshold for chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats. RESULTS： Visceral hypersensitivity increased c-Fos staining （P 〈 0.05）, and electroacupuncture significantly decreased the number of these cells to near normal levels （P 〉 0.05）. Abdominal withdrawal reflex scores were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture and normal groups than in the model group （P 〈 0.05） and were similar between the electroacupuncture and normal groups （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Electroacupuncture decreases c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex and increases pain threshold in a chronic visceral hypersensitivity model in rats.

Acupuncture therapy for experimental stomach ulcer and c-Fos expression in rats

AIM: To determine the role of acupuncture therapy in treating experimental gastric ulcer in rats.METHODS: Twenty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (pre-acupuncture group; acupuncture group; paradistance-acupuncture group;and control group), and pre-acupuncture, paradistanceacupuncture, and control groups received 5 μL acetic acid (200 mL/L HAc) injection after a same course of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment (4 Hz, 0.6 mA, 0.45 ms,45 min for 4 d). The rats in these three groups recovered within 4 d. The acupuncture group received EA therapy for 4 d, after HAc injection. The stomach was dissected to compare the pathological structures of ulcer. Also c-Fos activation in the nuclei of solitary tract (NTS) was observed under microscope after regular immunohistochemistry staining of brain stem sections.RESULTS: The number of ulcers was different among the four groups, especially between control group and paradistance-acupuncture group or pre-acupuncture group. In the latter group, the number of ulcers was much less. The gastric ulcer area was consistent with the histopathological results, indicating that pre-acupuncture had an obvious therapeutic effect on gastric ulcers.Acupuncture had a very modest effect and paradistanceacupuncture had no effect on gastric ulcers. No therapeutic effect was found in the control group. Fos-Li neurons in NTS induced by noxious gastric ulcer showed a significant difference between pre-acupuncture and control groups.CONCLUSION: Acupuncture before ulceration can obviously alleviate ulcer. The production of c-Fos proves that the vagus nerve mediates the induction of c-Fos in nuclei of solitary tract following experimental ulceration,suggesting that parasympathetic afferents promote the process of noxious visceral stimulation.

c-Fos expression within the L_5 spinal cord dorsal horn after spinal nerve ligation in rats Is intraplantar administration of glutamate different from intrathecal administration?

BACKGROUND： Injection of glutamate （Glu） in normal animals can cause neuronal c-Fos expression; however, whether Glu can induce spinal neuronal c-Fos expression in pain models is unclear. OBJECTIVE： To examine the effects of intraplantar and intrathecal injection of Glu on c-Fos expression in the L5 spinal cord dorsal horn Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Ⅲ/Ⅳ layers after spinal nerve ligation, and to study the effects of the N-methyI-D-aspartic acid （NMDA） receptor antagonist, D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate （D-AP5）, and a selective group I mGluR antagonist, 7-hydroyiminocyclo propan[a]chromen-lacarboxylic acid ethyl ester （cpccoEt）. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled animal study was performed at the Department of Pharmacology, Oral Anatomy, and Neurobiology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, from December 2005 to December 2006. MATERIALS： Glu （5 μmol）, D-AP5 （50 nmot） and cpccoEt （250 nmol） were provided by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Osaka, Japan, and diluted in saline （50 μL）. The pH of all solutions was adjusted to 7.4. METHODS： Twelve rats were randomly divided into sham operation （n = 6） and spinal nerve ligation （SNL; n = 6） groups for behavioral assessments of neuropathic pain after ligation surgery of the left L5-6 nerve segment. Another 60 rats were randomly divided into sham operation, SNL, saline-intraplantar, saline-intrathecal, Glu-intraplantar, Glu-intrathecal, D-AP5-intrathecal, Glu-D-AP5-intrathecal, cpccoEt-intrathecal, and Glu-cpccoEt-intrathecal groups, with 6 rats in each group. All groups except sham operation group received a similar SNL. On day 14, rats received a 50-μL injection of saline, Glu, D-AP5, and/or cpccoEt into the left intraplantar or intrathecal L5-4 segments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The number of c-Fos positive neurons in both Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Ⅲ/Ⅳ spinal layers at L6 was observed using immunohistochemistry 2 hours after administration. RESULTS： （1） SNL increased the level of c-Fos expression in two sides of the spinal cord, particularly on Ⅲ/Ⅳ spinal layers of the ligated side. （2） Intraplantar or intrathecal administration of saline significantly increased the c-Fos labeled neurons in Ⅰ/Ⅱ spinal layers of the ligated side, compared with SNL alone （P 〈 0.01）. （3） Intraplantar Glu （5 μmol） increased the number of c-Fos positive neurons in Ⅰ/Ⅱ spinal layers compared with intraplantar saline （P〈 0.01）. （4） The number of c-Fos neurons in Ⅰ/Ⅱ spinal layers on both the ipsilateral and contralateral side after intraplantar Glu was lower than intrathecal Glu （P〈 0.01）, with a 3-fold higher induction by intrathecal Glu. （5） Co-administration of D-AP5 or cpccoEt reduced the effects of intrathecal Glu （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Intrathecal Glu increases c-Fos expression more than intraplantar Glu. Antagonists of NMDA and group I mGluRs block this effect.

Tegaserod inhibits noxious rectal distention induced responses and limbic system c-Fos expression in rats with visceral hypersensitivity

AIM: To examine the effects of tegaserod, a serotonin(5-HT) 4 receptor partial agonist, on abdominal withdrawalreflex (AWR) to rectal distention (RD) and c-Fos expressionin limbic system.METHODS: Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats randomlyreceived colonic irritation by acetic acid from postnatal day8 to d 21 as a visceral hypersensitive model (group H) or byintrarectal saline as a control group (group C). When theybecame adults, rectal distention (RD) was performed by aballoon (6F; Fogarty arterial embolectomy catheter; length,20 mm; diameter, 2 mm) which was rapidly inflated withincreasing volumes of saline (0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mL) for 20 sat five-minute intervals. Five subgroups of group H (H-saline,H-vehicle, H-Teg0.1, H-Teg0.3 and H-Tegl.0) were injectedrandomly with saline, vehicle (1-methyl-2-thpyrrolidone) ortegaserod at doses of 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg ip, respectively.Two subgroups of group C (C-Saline and C-Tegl.0) wereinjected with saline or tegaserod (1.0 mg/kg) ip. RD wasperformed 10 rain after injection, AWR was recorded andc-Fos expression in limbic system was analyzed quantitativelyby immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: Compared to saline, tegaserod significantlyinhibited AWR in group H (0.4 mL: from 2.0 to 0.5; 0.8 mL:from 3.5 to 1.5; 1.2 mL: from 4.0 to 3.0, P<0.01), but hadno significant effect on group C. Tegaserod dose-dependentlyattenuated the number of c-Fos positive neurons in limbicstructures, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) showed thegreatest attenuation. In group H, tegaserod (1.0 mg/kg)resulted in a significant overall decrease to 57% of H-saline(283+41 vs 162+16, P<0.01), in ACC to 42% of H-saline(72+10 vs31+8, P<0.01). In group C, tegaserod (1.0 mg/kg)resulted in an overall decrease to 77% of C-saline (214+13vs 164+22, P<0.01), in ACC to 65% of C-saline (48+8 vs31+7, P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Tegaserod inhibits the response to rectaldistention in rats with visceral hypersensitivity and dose-dependently attenuates c-Fos expression in limbic system,especially in anterior cingulate cortex.

Protection of 3'-methoxy-puerarin against focal brain ischemia and its association with c-fos expression

The present study established a rat model of focal brain ischemia by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery covered with FeCl3, and investigated the protective effect of 3＇-methoxy-puerarin. Hippocampal and cortical c-fos gene expression was determined using in situ hybridization. Results showed that 3＇-methoxy-puerarin reduced neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarcted zone and water content of brain tissues, dramatically increased the activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the ischemia zone of the hippocampus, increased the activity of catalase in the cortex, decreased lipid peroxide and lactic acid contents in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, and down-regulated c-fos gene expression in brain ischemic rats. Results demonstrated that 3＇-methoxy-puerarin exhibited cerebroprotective effects against focal brain ischemia, which involved c-fos gene expression.

四神丸对腹泻型肠易激综合征大鼠结肠MCT、c-fos表达的影响

目的观察四神丸对腹泻型肠易激综合征(IBS-D)模型大鼠结肠MCT、c-fos表达的影响。方法将40只大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、匹维溴铵组(15.23 mg/kg)和四神丸组(7.32 mg/kg),每组10只,采用番泻叶灌胃联合避水应激法造模,灌胃给药14 d后,观察一般状态,测定体质量、粪便含水量和AWR评分,ELISA法检测血清MCT、c-fos水平,免疫组织化学法、Western blot法分别检测结肠组织MCT、c-fos蛋白定位及表达,RT-qPCR法检测结肠组织MCT、c-fos mRNA表达。结果与模型组比较,四神丸组和匹维溴铵组大鼠一般状态明显好转,体质量升高(P<0.01),粪便含水量、AWR评分以及血清中MCT、c-fos水平均降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),结肠组织MCT、c-fos蛋白及mRNA表达均降低(P<0.05,P<0.01);四神丸组结肠组织MCT蛋白表达及c-fos蛋白表达均低于匹维溴铵组(P<0.05)。结论四神丸对IBS-D大鼠内脏敏感的保护机制可能与调节结肠肥大细胞活化指标MCT、c-fos的表达有关。

艾灸对创伤后应激障碍小鼠行为学及下丘脑外侧区c-fos的影响及c-fos与行为学的相关性分析

目的观察艾灸“内关”“阳陵泉”对创伤后应激障碍(post traumatic stress disorder,PTSD)小鼠行为及小鼠下丘脑外侧区c-fos表达的影响。方法将C57小鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、艾灸组,每组6只。模型组、艾灸组采用改良的单次长时间应激和电刺激(single prolonged stress and electrical stimulation,SPS&S)方法复制PTSD模型。艾灸组予艾灸“内关”“阳陵泉”连续干预7 d。利用旷场实验、高架十字迷宫实验和条件性恐惧测试实验检测小鼠行为,采用免疫荧光检测小鼠下丘脑外侧区c-fos的表达水平。结果与正常组比较,模型组小鼠体质量,旷场实验中央场时间、中央场距离显著减少(P<0.05),高架十字迷宫实验开臂进入次数和时间均显著减少(P<0.05);条件性恐惧测试实验中,背景恐惧和声音恐惧的冻结时间均显著增加(P<0.05);小鼠下丘脑外侧区c-fos表达水平显著升高(P<0.05)。与模型组比较,艾灸组小鼠体质量,旷场实验中央场时间、中央场距离显著增加(P<0.05),高架十字迷宫实验开臂进入次数和时间均显著增加(P<0.05);条件性恐惧测试实验中,背景恐惧和声音恐惧的冻结时间均显著减少(P<0.05);小鼠下丘脑外侧区c-fos表达水平显著降低(P<0.05)。结论艾灸“内关”“阳陵泉”穴能够显著改善PTSD小鼠焦虑抑郁样行为,其机制可能与调节下丘脑外侧区的c-fos表达有关。

电针心经穴位对急性心肌缺血模型大鼠内侧隔核白细胞介素-2、JunB蛋白及c-fos表达水平的影响

目的观察电针心经对急性心肌缺血(acute myocardial ischemia,AMI)大鼠内侧隔核白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-2水平、JunB蛋白及c-fos表达水平的影响,探究内侧隔核在针刺抗AMI中的作用及机制。方法将大鼠分为伪手术组、模型组和电针组,每组6只;结扎冠状动脉左前降支复制AMI大鼠模型;电针组大鼠选取手少阴心经“神门—通里”段进行干预,每次30 min,每日1次,连续电针3 d,刺激电流为1 mA,频率为2 Hz;伪手术组、模型组大鼠不进行电针干预。采用ELISA法检测大鼠大脑内侧隔核IL-2水平,Western blot法检测大鼠大脑内侧隔核区JunB蛋白表达水平,免疫荧光法检测大鼠大脑内侧隔核区c-fos免疫反应阳性神经元表达水平。结果与伪手术组比较,模型组大鼠大脑内侧隔核区IL-2、JunB蛋白水平显著升高(P<0.05),c-fos免疫反应阳性神经元数和平均吸光度(optical density,OD)值显著增加(P<0.05);与模型组比较,电针组大鼠大脑内侧隔核区IL-2、JunB蛋白水平显著降低(P<0.05),c-fos免疫反应阳性神经元数和平均OD值显著减少(P<0.05)。结论内侧隔核参与电针心经抗AMI的作用,其机制可能与电针降低大脑内侧隔核区IL-2、JunB蛋白及c-fos表达水平有关。

Astrocytic endothelin-1 overexpression impairs learning and memory ability in ischemic stroke via altered hippocampal neurogenesis and lipid metabolism

Vascular etiology is the second most prevalent cause of cognitive impairment globally.Endothelin-1,which is produced and secreted by endothelial cells and astrocytes,is implicated in the pathogenesis of stroke.However,the way in which changes in astrocytic endothelin-1 lead to poststroke cognitive deficits following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion is not well understood.Here,using mice in which astrocytic endothelin-1 was overexpressed,we found that the selective overexpression of endothelin-1 by astrocytic cells led to ischemic stroke-related dementia(1 hour of ischemia;7 days,28 days,or 3 months of reperfusion).We also revealed that astrocytic endothelin-1 overexpression contributed to the role of neural stem cell proliferation but impaired neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus after middle cerebral artery occlusion.Comprehensive proteome profiles and western blot analysis confirmed that levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein and peroxiredoxin 6,which were differentially expressed in the brain,were significantly increased in mice with astrocytic endothelin-1 overexpression in comparison with wild-type mice 28 days after ischemic stroke.Moreover,the levels of the enriched differentially expressed proteins were closely related to lipid metabolism,as indicated by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry nontargeted metabolite profiling of brain tissues showed that astrocytic endothelin-1 overexpression altered lipid metabolism products such as glycerol phosphatidylcholine,sphingomyelin,and phosphatidic acid.Overall,this study demonstrates that astrocytic endothelin-1 overexpression can impair hippocampal neurogenesis and that it is correlated with lipid metabolism in poststroke cognitive dysfunction.

骨疏康干预破骨细胞:激活核因子E2相关因子2调控c-Fos/NFATc1通路

背景:已有研究表明,骨疏康通过调节核苷酸、氨基酸代谢和免疫机制影响骨骼代谢,目前骨疏康治疗骨质疏松症的机制研究主要聚焦于调控成骨细胞,对破骨细胞的关注较少。目的:以RAW 264.7细胞为实验对象,从破骨细胞角度探讨骨疏康治疗骨质疏松症的机制。方法:取8周龄雌性SD大鼠24只,采用随机数字表法分为4组(n=6),3个实验组分别灌胃给予1,2,4 g/kg的骨疏康药液(2次/d),对照组灌胃给予等量蒸馏水(2次/d),连续灌胃7 d后抽取大鼠主动脉血,离心收集血清,同组血清合并,获得低、中、高浓度的骨疏康含药血清及正常血清,进行后续实验。①将RAW 264.7细胞分6组培养:对照组加入正常血清,低、中、高浓度组分别加入低、中、高浓度的骨疏康含药血清,Nrf2抑制剂组加入核因子E2相关因子2(nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2,Nrf2)抑制剂ML385,Nrf2激活剂组加入Nrf2激活剂t-BHQ,采用CCK8法检测细胞相对活性。②将第3代RAW 264.7细胞分5组培养:空白对照组加入正常血清,破骨组加入核因子κB受体活化因子配体(receptor activator of nuclear factorκB ligand,RANKL),低、中、高浓度组在加入RANKL的基础上分别加入低、中、高浓度的骨疏康含药血清,培养5 d后进行抗酒石酸酸性磷酸染色。③将RAW 264.7细胞分5组培养:空白对照组加入正常血清,破骨组加入正常血清与RANKL,高浓度+破骨组加入RANKL+高浓度骨疏康含药血清,破骨+Nrf2激动剂组加入RANKL+t-BHQ,高浓度+破骨+Nrf2抑制剂组加入RANKL+高浓度骨疏康含药血清+ML385,培养5 d后进行Western Blot与活性氧含量检测。结果与结论:①CCK8检测结果显示,骨疏康含药血清及Nrf2抑制剂、激动剂对RAW 264.7细胞活力无明显影响;②抗酒石酸酸性磷酸染色结果显示,骨疏康含药血清呈浓度依赖性抑制破骨细胞的分化;③Western Blot与活性氧含量检测结果显示,与空白对照组比较,破骨组Nrf2蛋白表达降低(P<0.05),c-Fos、NFATc1蛋白表达与活性氧含量升高(P<0.05);与破骨组比较,高浓度+破骨组、破骨+Nrf2激动剂组、高浓度+破骨+Nrf2抑制剂组Nrf2蛋白表达升高、活性氧含量降低(P<0.05),高浓度+破骨组、破骨+Nrf2激动剂组c-Fos、NFATc1蛋白表达降低(P<0.05);与高浓度+破骨组比较,高浓度+破骨+Nrf2抑制剂组Nrf2蛋白表达降低(P<0.05),活性氧含量升高(P<0.05);④结果表明,骨疏康通过激活Nrf2减少活性氧生成,进而抑制下游c-Fos/NFATc1通路表达和破骨细胞分化。

Decoding Retinoblastoma: Differential Gene Expression

Background: Retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular pediatric cancer, presents complexities in its genetic landscape that necessitate a deeper understanding for improved therapeutic interventions. This study leverages computational tools to dissect the differential gene expression profiles in retinoblastoma. Methods: Employing an in silico approach, we analyzed gene expression data from public repositories by applying rigorous statistical models, including limma and de seq 2, for identifying differentially expressed genes DEGs. Our findings were validated through cross-referencing with independent datasets and existing literature. We further employed functional annotation and pathway analysis to elucidate the biological significance of these DEGs. Results: Our computational analysis confirmed the dysregulation of key retinoblastoma-associated genes. In comparison to normal retinal tissue, RB1 exhibited a 2.5-fold increase in expression (adjusted p Conclusions: Our analysis reinforces the critical genetic alterations known in retinoblastoma and unveils new avenues for research into the disease’s molecular basis. The discovery of chemoresistance markers and immune-related genes opens potential pathways for personalized treatment strategies. The study’s outcomes emphasize the power of in silico analyses in unraveling complex cancer genomics.

Effects of pyraclostrobin on growth,oxidative stress,and gene expression in relation to stress and ATP-binding cassette transporters in Tetrahymena thermophila

Pyraclostrobin(PYR),a widely used fungicide,has negative effects on fish and algae,but its toxicity in protozoa remains unclear.In this study,the effects of PYR on the growth,oxidative stress,and gene expression related to stress and ATP-binding cassette(ABC)transporters in Tetrahymena thermophila were investigated.The result showed that the 96-h IC_(50)of PYR against T.thermophila was 17.2 mg/L.Moreover,PYR inhibited the growth of T.thermophila in concentration-or time-dependent manner.A morphological study revealed that the shape and size of T.thermophila changed,and damage of cell membrane surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy after 96 h of PYR exposure.The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)increased throughout the experiment.In contrast,the glutathione(GSH)content was increased at 24 h and 48 h of exposure and decreased at 96 h.Moreover,a significant increase in malondialdehyde(MDA)level was observed in T.thermophila after96 h of exposure.Furthermore,PYR upregulated the HSP703,HSP705,GPx2,and ABAC15 gene expression in the 0.1–5-mg/L groups and downregulated the HSP704,HSP90,TGR,and ABCC52 mRNA levels at 96 h of exposure.These results suggest that PYR may exert adverse effects on T.thermophila by inducing oxidative stress and changing the gene expression related to ABC transporters and stress,which may enrich the understanding of the toxicity mechanism of PYR in aquatic organisms and provide reference data for aquatic ecological risk assessments.

Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of photosystem II(PsbX)gene family in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Background Photosystem II(PSII)constitutes an intricate assembly of protein pigments,featuring extrinsic and intrinsic polypeptides within the photosynthetic membrane.The low-molecular-weight transmembrane protein PsbX has been identified in PSII,which is associated with the oxygen-evolving complex.The expression of PsbX gene protein is regulated by light.PsbX’s central role involves the regulation of PSII,facilitating the binding of quinone molecules to the Qb(PsbA)site,and it additionally plays a crucial role in optimizing the efficiency of photosynthesis.Despite these insights,a comprehensive understanding of the PsbX gene’s functions has remained elusive.Results In this study,we identified ten PsbX genes in Gossypium hirsutum L.The phylogenetic analysis results showed that 40 genes from nine species were classified into one clade.The resulting sequence logos exhibited substantial conservation across the N and C terminals at multiple sites among all Gossypium species.Furthermore,the ortholo-gous/paralogous,Ka/Ks ratio revealed that cotton PsbX genes subjected to positive as well as purifying selection pressure might lead to limited divergence,which resulted in the whole genome and segmental duplication.The expression patterns of GhPsbX genes exhibited variations across specific tissues,as indicated by the analysis.Moreover,the expression of GhPsbX genes could potentially be regulated in response to salt,intense light,and drought stresses.Therefore,GhPsbX genes may play a significant role in the modulation of photosynthesis under adverse abiotic conditions.Conclusion We examined the structure and function of PsbX gene family very first by using comparative genom-ics and systems biology approaches in cotton.It seems that PsbX gene family plays a vital role during the growth and development of cotton under stress conditions.Collectively,the results of this study provide basic information to unveil the molecular and physiological function of PsbX genes of cotton plants.

老年心肌梗死患者外周血单个核细胞中c-fos c-myc表达及临床意义

目的分析老年心肌梗死(MI)患者外周血单个核细胞中c-fos与c-myc表达,并探讨二者与老年MI的关系。方法将78例老年MI患者设为研究1组,73例稳定型心绞痛患者设为研究2组,同期纳入74名健康体检志愿者作为对照组。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测三组被试者外周血单个核细胞中c-fos、c-myc水平。采用Pearson法分析c-fos、c-myc与血糖、高密度脂蛋白、三酰甘油的相关性,采用Logistic回归分析探讨MI预后的影响因素。结果研究1组被试者血糖水平高于对照组,三酰甘油水平及c-fos、c-myc水平高于研究2组和对照组,高密度脂蛋白水平低于研究2组和对照组;研究2组被试者高密度脂蛋白水平低于对照组,c-fos、c-myc水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。MI患者外周血单个核细胞中c-fos、c-myc水平与血糖、三酰甘油水平均呈正相关(P<0.01),与高密度脂蛋白呈负相关(P<0.01)。预后不良组患者c-fos、c-myc水平、三酰甘油水平高于预后良好组(P<0.01)。Logistic回归分析结果显示,c-fos、c-myc是影响MI患者预后不良的危险因素(P<0.01)。结论老年MI患者外周血单个核细胞中c-fos、c-myc呈高表达,二者与MI病情发展密切相关,c-fos、c-myc对预测老年MI不良预后具有一定的作用。

A Novel Deep Learning-Based Model for Classification of Wheat Gene Expression

Deep learning(DL)plays a critical role in processing and converting data into knowledge and decisions.DL technologies have been applied in a variety of applications,including image,video,and genome sequence analysis.In deep learning the most widely utilized architecture is Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN)are taught discriminatory traits in a supervised environment.In comparison to other classic neural networks,CNN makes use of a limited number of artificial neurons,therefore it is ideal for the recognition and processing of wheat gene sequences.Wheat is an essential crop of cereals for people around the world.Wheat Genotypes identification has an impact on the possible development of many countries in the agricultural sector.In quantitative genetics prediction of genetic values is a central issue.Wheat is an allohexaploid(AABBDD)with three distinct genomes.The sizes of the wheat genome are quite large compared to many other kinds and the availability of a diversity of genetic knowledge and normal structure at breeding lines of wheat,Therefore,genome sequence approaches based on techniques of Artificial Intelligence(AI)are necessary.This paper focuses on using the Wheat genome sequence will assist wheat producers in making better use of their genetic resources and managing genetic variation in their breeding program,as well as propose a novel model based on deep learning for offering a fundamental overview of genomic prediction theory and current constraints.In this paper,the hyperparameters of the network are optimized in the CNN to decrease the requirement for manual search and enhance network performance using a new proposed model built on an optimization algorithm and Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN).

Expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 is positively correlated with the autophagy level in colon cancer

BACKGROUND Cyclin-dependent kinase 9(CDK9)expression and autophagy in colorectal cancer(CRC)tissues has not been widely studied.CDK9,a key regulator of transcription,may influence the occurrence and progression of CRC.The expression of auto-phagy-related genes BECN1 and drug resistance factor ABCG2 may also play a role in CRC.Under normal physiological conditions,autophagy can inhibit tumorigenesis,but once a tumor forms,autophagy may promote tumor growth.Therefore,understanding the relationship between autophagy and cancer,partic-ularly how autophagy promotes tumor growth after its formation,is a key motivation for this research.AIM To investigate the relationship between CDK9 expression and autophagy in CRC,assess differences in autophagy between left and right colon cancer,and analyze the associations of autophagy-related genes with clinical features and prognosis.METHODS We collected tumor tissues and paracarcinoma tissues from colon cancer patients with liver metastasis to observe the level of autophagy in tissues with high levels of CDK9 and low levels of CDK9.We also collected primary tissue from left and right colon cancer patients with liver metastasis to compare the autophagy levels and the expression of BECN1 and ABCG2 in the tumor and paracarcinoma tissues.RESULTS The incidence of autophagy and the expression of BECN1 and ABCG2 were different in left and right colon cancer,and autophagy might be involved in the occurrence of chemotherapy resistance.Further analysis of the rela-tionship between the expression of autophagy-related genes CDK9,ABCG2,and BECN1 and the clinical features and prognosis of colorectal cancer showed that the high expression of CDK9 indicated a poor prognosis in colorectal cancer.CONCLUSION This study laid the foundation for further research on the combination of CDK9 inhibitors and autophagy inhibitors in the treatment of patients with CRC.

The Influence of Aerial Exposure on Sea Anemones Aulactinia veratra Mucin Genes Expression Using the RNA Sequencing

Mucin genes are the main component of mucus. The sea anemone species, Aulactinia veratra (Phylum Cnidaria) contains different types of mucin genes. In the intertidal zone, A. veratra is found to be exposed to air during the low tide and produces large quantities of mucus as an external covering. The relation between low tide and mucus secretion is still unclear, and what is the role of mucin during arial exposure is not yet investigated. This study hypothesised that the mucin genes in A. veratra would have significantly high expression in response to aerial exposure. Therefore, the aim of current study was to examine and analyses the response of A. veratra mucins in response to an experiment involving three hours of aerial exposure. To achieve this, aim the RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to examine the expression profile of A. veratra mucin genes in response to aerial exposure. The generated results have shown that, Mucin4-like and mucin5B-like were up-regulated in response to the three hours of aerial exposure in A. veratra. This finding shows a significant role of mucin5B-like and mucin4-like genes in response to air stress at low tide. The data generated from this study could be used in conjunction with future mucin gene studies of sea anemones and other cnidarians to compare A. veratra mucin gene expression results across time, and to extend our understanding of mucin stress response in this phylum.

High patatin like phospholipase domain containing 8 expression as a biomarker for poor prognosis of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Patatin like phospholipase domain containing 8(PNPLA8)has been shown to play a significant role in various cancer entities.Previous studies have focused on its roles as an antioxidant and in lipid peroxidation.However,the role of PNPLA8 in colorectal cancer(CRC)progression is unclear.AIM To explore the prognostic effects of PNPLA8 expression in CRC.METHODS A retrospective cohort containing 751 consecutive CRC patients was enrolled.PNPLA8 expression in tumor samples was evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining and semi-quantitated with immunoreactive scores.CRC patients were divided into high and low PNPLA8 expression groups based on the cut-off va-lues,which were calculated by X-tile software.The prognostic value of PNPLA8 was identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.The over-all survival(OS)rates of CRC patients in the study cohort were compared with Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-rank test.RESULTS PNPLA8 expression was significantly associated with distant metastases in our cohort(P=0.048).CRC patients with high PNPLA8 expression indicated poor OS(median OS=35.3,P=0.005).CRC patients with a higher PNPLA8 expression at either stage I and II or stage III and IV had statistically significant shorter OS.For patients with left-sided colon and rectal cancer,the survival curves of two PN-PLA8-expression groups showed statistically significant differences.Multivariate analysis also confirmed that high PNPLA8 expression was an independent prog-nostic factor for overall survival(hazard ratio HR=1.328,95%CI:1.016-1.734,P=0.038).

Establishment of a prognosis predictive model for liver cancer based on expression of genes involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway

BACKGROUND The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway(UPP)has been proven to play important roles in cancer.AIM To investigate the prognostic significance of genes involved in the UPP and develop a predictive model for liver cancer based on the expression of these genes.METHODS In this study,UPP-related E1,E2,E3,deubiquitylating enzyme,and proteasome gene sets were obtained from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database,aiming to screen the prognostic genes using univariate and multivariate regression analysis and develop a prognosis predictive model based RESULTS Five genes(including autophagy related 10,proteasome 20S subunit alpha 8,proteasome 20S subunit beta 2,ubiquitin specific peptidase 17 like family member 2,and ubiquitin specific peptidase 8)were proven significantly correlated with prognosis and used to develop a prognosis predictive model for liver cancer.Among training,validation,and Gene Expression Omnibus sets,the overall survival differed significantly between the high-risk and low-risk groups.The expression of the five genes was significantly associated with immunocyte infiltration,tumor stage,and postoperative recurrence.A total of 111 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified between the high-risk and low-risk groups and they were enriched in 20 and 5 gene ontology and KEGG pathways.Cell division cycle 20,Kelch repeat and BTB domain containing 11,and DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 4 like 2 were the DEGs in the E3 gene set that correlated with survival.CONCLUSION We have constructed a prognosis predictive model in patients with liver cancer,which contains five genes that associate with immunocyte infiltration,tumor stage,and postoperative recurrence.