A Resource for Inactivation of MicroRNAs Using Short Tandem Target Mimic Technology in Model and Crop Plants

microRNAs (miRNAs)are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that bind to mRNAs and target them for cleavage and/or translational repression,leading to gene silencing.We previously developed short tandem target mimic (STTM)technology to deactivate endogenous miRNAs in Arabidopsis.Here,we created hundreds of STTMs that target both conserved and species-specific miRNAs in Arabidopsis,tomato,rice,and maize,providing a resource for the functional interrogation of miRNAs.We not only revealed the functions of several miRNAs in plant development,but also demonstrated that tissue-specific inactivation of a few miRNAs in rice leads to an increase in grain size without adversely affecting overall plant growth and development.RNA-seq and small RNAseq analyses of STTM156/157 and STTM165/166 transgenic plants revealed the roles of these miRNAs in plant hormone biosynthesis and activation,secondary metabolism,and ion-channel activity-associated electrophysiology,demonstrating that STTM technology is an effective approach for studying miRNA functions.To facilitate the study and application of STTM transgenic plants and to provide a useful platform for storing and sharing of information about miRNA-regulated gene networks,we have established an online Genome Browser (https://blossom.ffr.mtu.edu/designindex2.php) to display the transcriptomic and miRNAomic changes in STTMinduced miRNA knockdown plants.

Autonomic Regulation of the Cardiovascular System: Diseases,Treatments, and Novel Approaches

The autonomic nervous system(ANS)integrates the involuntary physiological activities of visceral organs that are vital for survival.In particular,the ANS controls heart rate,blood pressure,breathing,gastrointestinal contraction and secretion,and electrolyte and fluid homeostasis.Many studies have focused on understanding the neural mechanisms of autonomic dysfunction or neuropathy in pathophysiological states including hypertension,heart failure.

Gut Microbiota and Short Chain Fatty Acids:Influence on the Autonomic Nervous System

Reaching across multiple fields of focus,spanning from periodontistry to gastroenterology to neurobiology to behavior,interest in the influence of the microbiome in human physiology and pathology has risen over the past few decades.Microbiota co-exist in and on humans forming an evolutionarily symbiotic biological unit,a halobiont,in which disruptions in the relationship can occur through genomic alterations and mutations[1],The human microbiome consists of bacteria,viruses,fungi,and protozoans that contribute 450 times more genes to this relationship and slightly outnumber human host cells[2,3].The bacteria in the gastrointestinal(GI)tract are of the most interest and exist within five phyla:Bacteroidetes,Firmicutes,Pro-teobacteria,Actinobacteria,and Verrucomicrobi&.Within the Verrucomicrobia an interesting bacterium has emerged.

Polydopamine and collagen coated micro-grated polydimethylsiloxane for human mesenchymal stem cell culture

Natural tissues contain highly organized cellular architecture.One of the major challenges in tissue engineering is to develop engineered tissue constructs that promote cellular growth in physiological directionality.To address this issue,micro-patterned polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)substrates have been widely used in cell sheet engineering due to their low microfabrication cost,higher stability,excellent biocompatibility,and most importantly,ability to guide cellular growth and patterning.However,the current methods for PDMS surface modification either require a complicated procedure or generate a non-uniform surface coating,leading to the production of poor-quality cell layers.A simple and efficient surface coating method is critically needed to improve the uniformity and quality of the generated cell layers.Herein,a fast,simple and inexpensive surface coating method was analyzed for its ability to uniformly coat polydopamine(PD)with or without collagen on micro-grated PDMS substrates without altering essential surface topographical features.Topographical feature,stiffness and cytotoxicity of these PD and/or collagen based surface coatings were further analyzed.Results showed that the PD-based coating method facilitated aligned and uniform cell growth,therefore holds great promise for cell sheet engineering as well as completely biological tissue biomanufacturing.

Elevated L-lactate Promotes Major Cellular Pathologies Associated with Neurodegenerative Diseases

Dear Editor,Small,short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)(acetic acid,propionic acid,and butyric acid:conjugate bases,acetate,propionate,and butyrate)as well as the alpha-hydroxy acid,L-lactic acid(conjugate base,L-lactate)are important energy substrates and signaling molecules in the central nervous system(CNS)[1,2].L-lactic acid is produced by glycolysis[3]and gut microbes[4]and is released in large quantities during exercise[5].