Constituting approximately 10% of flowering plant species, orchids (Orchidaceae) display unique flower morphologies, possess an extraordinary diversity in lifestyle, and have successfully colonized ...almost every habitat on Earth. Here we report the draft genome sequence of Apostasia shenzhenica, a representative of one of two genera that form a sister lineage to the rest of the Orchidaceae, providing a reference for inferring the genome content and structure of the most recent common ancestor of all extant orchids and improving our understanding of their origins and evolution. In addition, we present transcriptome data for representatives of Vanilloideae, Cypripedioideae and Orchidoideae, and novel third-generation genome data for two species of Epidendroideae, covering all five orchid subfamilies. A. shenzhenica shows clear evidence of a whole-genome duplication, which is shared by all orchids and occurred shortly before their divergence. Comparisons between A. shenzhenica and other orchids and angiosperms also permitted the reconstruction of an ancestral orchid gene toolkit. We identify new gene families, gene family expansions and contractions, and changes within MADS-box gene classes, which control a diverse suite of developmental processes, during orchid evolution. This study sheds new light on the genetic mechanisms underpinning key orchid innovations, including the development of the labellum and gynostemium, pollinia, and seeds without endosperm, as well as the evolution of epiphytism; reveals relationships between the Orchidaceae subfamilies; and helps clarify the evolutionary history of orchids within the angiosperms.
As one of the most common liver disorders worldwide, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) begins with the abnormal accumulation of triglyceride (TG) in the liver and can lead to inflammation and ...fibrosis. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 was reported to promote NAFLD progress. However, its molecular mechanism in NAFLD was not fully clear. In vitro cellular model of NAFLD was established with BRL3A cell treated by free fatty acid (FFA). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was carried out to assess cell proliferation. The expression of mRNA and protein of inflammation and fibrosis in BRL3A cell was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to predict and validate the interaction between NEAT1 and miR-506 as well as GLI3 and miR-506. NEAT1 was upregulated while miR-506 was downregulated in the progression of NAFLD. Meanwhile, NEAT1 and miR-506 were proved to regulate fibrosis, inflammatory response, and lipid metabolism. Knockdown of NEAT1 inhibited GLI3 expression and promoted miR-506 expression, Overexpression of miR-506 inhibited NEAT1 and GLI3 expression. Moreover, dual-luciferase reporter assays proved that miR-506 could bind to NEAT1 and GLI3, whereas NEAT1 could sponge miR-506 to regulate GLI3 expression. lncRNA NEAT1 could regulate fibrosis, inflammatory response, and lipid metabolism via the miR-506/GLI3 axis as a ceRNA, which is a novel mechanistic role in the regulation of NAFLD. These results provide a new potential treatment target for NAFLD.
Background
Diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia have not been established in Chinese. This study established criteria based on the L3‐skeletal muscle index (L3‐SMI) and assessed its value for outcomes ...predicting in cirrhotic Chinese patients.
Methods
Totally 911 subjects who underwent a CT scan at two centres were enrolled in Cohort 1 (394 male and 417 female subjects, aged 20–80 years). The data of those subjects younger than 60 years (365 male and 296 female subjects) were used to determine the reference intervals of the L3‐SMI and its influencing factors. Cohort 2 consisted of 480 patients (286 male and 184 female patients) from three centres, and their data were used to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and evaluate the value of L3‐SMI for predicting the prognosis and complications of cirrhosis.
Results
Age and sex had the greatest effects on the L3‐SMI (P < 0.001). The L3‐SMI scores were clearly higher in male patients than in female patients (52.94 ± 8.41 vs. 38.91 ± 5.65 cm2/m2, P < 0.001) and sharply declined in subjects aged ≥ 60 years. Based on the mean −1.28 × SD among adults aged < 60 years, the L3‐SMI cut‐off value for sarcopenia was 44.77 cm2/m2 in male patients and 32.50 cm2/m2 in female patients. Using these values, 22.5% of the cirrhotic patients (28.7% of male patients and 11.9% of female patients) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Compared with non‐sarcopenia individuals, sarcopenia patients had lower body mass index (21.28 ± 3.01 vs. 24.09 ± 3.39 kg/m2, P < 0.001) and serum albumin levels (31.54 ± 5.93 vs. 32.93 ± 5.95 g/L, P = 0.032), longer prothrombin times (16.39 ± 3.05 vs. 15.71 ± 3.20 s, P = 0.049), higher total bilirubin concentrations (41.33 ± 57.38 vs. 32.52 ± 31.48 μmol/L, P = 0.039), worse liver function (Child–Pugh score, 8.05 ± 2.11 vs. 7.32 ± 2.05, P = 0.001), higher prevalence of cirrhosis‐related complications (81.82% vs. 62.24%, P < 0.001) and mortality (30.68% vs. 11.22%, P < 0.001). Overall survival was significantly lower in the sarcopenia group risk ratio (RR) = 2.643, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.646–4.244, P < 0.001, accompanied with an increased cumulative incidence of ascites (RR = 1.827, 95% CI 1.259–2.651, P = 0.002), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (RR = 3.331, 95% CI 1.404–7.903, P = 0.006), hepatic encephalopathy (RR = 1.962, 95% CI 1.070–3.600, P = 0.029), and upper gastrointestinal varices (RR = 2.138, 95% CI 1.319–3.466, P = 0.002). Subgroup analysis showed sarcopenia shortened the survival of the patients with Model For End‐Stage Liver Disease score > 14 (RR = 4.310, 95% CI 2.091–8.882, P < 0.001) or Child–Pugh C (RR = 3.081, 95% CI 1.516–6.260, P = 0.002).
Conclusions
Sarcopenia is a common comorbidity of cirrhosis and can be used to predict cirrhosis‐related complications and the prognosis.
S.Jin Zeng, G.D.Tang & Miao Liao,
(Apocynaceae) from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular evidence. Its deeply cordate to reniform leaves and ...campanulate, large flowers show that it is a member of former
Wall., which has been included in
L.. It is different from all former
species by the broadly ovate corolla lobes, purple-red corolla and connivent corona tip slightly exceeding the corolla throat. Meanwhile,
G.D.Tang & Miao Liao,
is proposed as replacement name for
Y.Wan, which was considered a synonym of
(Blume) Liede & Khanum but is here reinstated as a distinct species because of significant morphological differences.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) starts with the abnormal accumulation of lipids in the liver. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) was reported to ...modulate hepatic metabolic homeostasis in NAFLD. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of NAFLD.
To establish a NAFLD cellular model, HepG2 cells and LO2 cells were treated with 1 mM free fatty acids (FFAs) for 24 h. NEAT1, miRNA (miR)-139-5p, c-Jun and sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) were evaluated using qPCR. The protein levels of c-Jun, SREBP1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) were determined using western blotting. Moreover, Oil Red O staining was employed to assess lipid accumulation. In addition, a kit assay was performed to evaluate TG levels. Finally, the interactions among NEAT1, miR-139-5p, c-Jun and SREBP1c were identified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay.
NEAT1, c-Jun and SREBP1c expression was markedly elevated, while miR-139-5p expression was reduced in the NAFLD cellular model. NEAT1 knockdown restrained lipid accumulation in the NAFLD cellular model by directly targeting miR-139-5p. Moreover, miR-139-5p overexpression suppressed lipid accumulation by directly suppressing c-Jun expression. In addition, c-Jun silencing suppressed lipid accumulation by directly targeting SREBP1c. Finally, miR-139-5p inhibition mitigated the inhibitory effect of sh-NEAT1 on lipid accumulation.
NEAT1 aggravated FFA-induced lipid accumulation in hepatocytes by regulating the c-Jun/SREBP1c axis by sponging miR-139-5p, indicating the potential of NEAT1 as a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD.
Purpose： To investigate the usefulness of three-dimensional （3D） printing in complex spinal surgery. Methods： The study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015 in Shenzhen Second Peoples＇ ...Hospital and 4 cases of complex severe spinal disorders were selected from our department. Among them one patient combined with congenital scoliosis, one with atlas neoplasm, one with atlantoaxial dislocation, and the rest one with atlantoaxial fracture-dislocation. The data of the diseased region was collected from computerized tomography scans for 3D digital reconstruction and rapid prototyping to prepare photosensitive resin models, which were applied in the treatment of these cases. Results： The use of 3D models reduced operating time and intraoperative blood loss as well as the risk of postoperative complications. Furthermore, no pedicle penetrations or screw misplacement occurred according to the postoperative planar radiographic images. Conclusion： The tactile models from 3D printing allow direct observation and measurement, helping the orthopedists to have accurate morphometric information to provide personalized surgical planning and better communication with the patient and coworkers. Moreover, the photosensitive resin models can also guide the actual surgery with the drilling of pedicle screws and safe resection of tumor.
Diabetes is a recognized high-risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, in which macroautophagy/autophagy is emerging to play essential roles. The retention of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ...particles in subendothelial space following transcytosis across the endothelium is the initial step of atherosclerosis. Here, we identified that high glucose could promote atherosclerosis by stimulating transcytosis of LDL. By inhibiting AMPK-MTOR-PIK3C3 pathway, high glucose suppresses the CAV-CAVIN-LC3B-mediated autophagic degradation of CAV1; therefore, more CAV1 is accumulated in the cytosol and utilized to form more caveolae in the cell membrane and facilitates the LDL transcytosis across endothelial cells. For a proof of concept, higher levels of lipids were accumulated in the subendothelial space of umbilical venous walls from pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), compared to those of pregnant women without GDM. Our results reveal that high glucose stimulates LDL transcytosis by a novel CAV1-CAVIN1-LC3B signaling-mediated autophagic degradation pathway.
3-MA: 3-methyladenine; ACTB: actin beta; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; Bafi: bafilomycin A
1
; CAV1: caveolin-1; CAVIN1: caveolae associated protein 1; CSD: the CAV1 scaffolding domain; GDM: gestational diabetes mellitus; IMD: intramembrane domain; LIR: LC3-interacting region; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule- associated protein 1 light chain 3; MFI: mean fluorescence intensity; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; PIK3C3/VPS34: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1.
Molecular phylogeny based on complete plastid genomes indicates that a previously unknown but locally common bamboo from limestone areas near the border of China and Vietnam is a member of a strongly ...supported monophyletic Ampelocalamus (Poaceae: Bambusoideae). Hence, Ampelocalamus sinovietnamensis sp. nov. is described. It is similar to A. actinotrichus in having culm leaf sheaths with long oral setae and relatively large foliage leaf blades that are up to 4 cm wide, but is easily distinguished from the latter by its mid‐culm branch complement with one central dominant branch elongating to reiterate the culm and one to three lateral slender branches, ovate‐elliptic culm buds, glabrous culm internodes, culm leaves with densely strigose and brown papillate‐hirsute sheaths that are much longer than the internodes and shortly ciliolate inner ligules with 0.2–0.3 mm long ciliae, and foliage leaves with glabrous blades, more or less strigose sheaths and shortly ciliolate inner ligules with ca 0.1 mm long ciliae.
Bredia reniformis, a new species of Melastomataceae from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. Bredia reniformis is similar to B. plagiopetala (C. Chen) R. C. Zhou & Ying Liu and B. gracilis ...(Hand.‐Mazz.) Diels by having axillary inflorescences and flowers with eight isomorphic stamens, but differs from the latter two in having glandular‐puberulous indumentum, reniform calyx lobes and shortly falcate yellowish anthers with obconical dorsal appendages.
Coronary artery disease can be quantified by measuring the fat attenuation index (FAI).
To explore the correlations between FAI, high-risk plaque and the degree of coronary artery stenosis.
The ...clinical data of patients with coronary atherosclerosis who underwent a coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography examination between July 2020 and June 2023 were selected for retrospective analysis. These patients were classified into a high-risk plaque group and non-high-risk plaque group according to the presence of CT high-risk plaque. The diagnostic value of FAI and FAI combined with the degree of stenosis was evaluated for CT high-risk plaque.
Differences in age, body mass index, smoking history, FAI and the degree of stenosis between the two groups were statistically significant (all P< 0.05). The results of a binary logistic regression analysis revealed that FAI (odds ratio (OR): 1.131, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.101-1.173, P< 0.001) and the degree of stenosis (OR: 1.021, 95% CI: 1.012-1.107, P< 0.001) were risk factors for high-risk plaque.
The FAI can be used to monitor the inflammation level of the coronary artery; the higher the FAI is, the higher the risk of plaque and degree of stenosis.
PDF
