Reduced Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer Affects the Carbon Metabolism of Leaves and Maintains the Number of Flowers in Coreopsis tinctoria

This study examined the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer reduction on the carbon (C) metabolism and yield of Coreopsis tinctoria. A two-year (2020–2021) hydroponic experiment was conducted in accordance with a randomized complete group design with five N levels [0.875 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N1), 1.750 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N2), 3.500 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N3), 7.000 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N4), and 14.000 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ (N5)] and three replications. The results showed that low N significantly affected the functional leaf weight, C metabolism, and flower bud (or flower) numbers of C. tinctoria at harvest. Lower-N levels, especially those of the N2 treatment, significantly increased Rubisco, sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), soluble acid invertase (SAI), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) activity and maintained the flower number of C. tinctoria. In addition, the balance of carbohydrates (sucrose, starch, glucose, and fructose) and ATP contents was more efficiently maintained under relatively low-N levels. These findings might suggest that reduced application of N fertilizer affects the C metabolism of leaves and maintains the number of flowers in Coreopsis tinctoria. Applying relatively low-N fertilizer levels is also a promising cultivation strategy for C. tinctoria.

     

Prognostic Implication of Human Papillomavirus Types and Species in Cervical Cancer Patients Undergoing Primary Treatment

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types are associated with cervical cancer. It is well established that individual HPV types vary in oncogenicity, but current data on their prognostic implication remain controversial. We examined the association between HPV types/species and the survival of 236 Chinese women aged 26–87 (mean 54.4) years after receiving primary treatment for cervical cancer. Overall, 45.8% were of FIGO stage I, 41.9% stage II, and 12.3% stage III. The four most prevalent types found were HPV-16 (60.2%), HPV-18 (21.6%), HPV-52 (11.9%), and HPV-58 (9.3%). Overall, 19.5% of patients had multiple-type infections, 78.4% harboured one or more alpha-9 species, and 28.8% harboured one or more alpha-7 species. After a median follow-up of 8.0 years, 156 (66.1%) patients survived. The 3-year overall survival rate was 75.5%. Factors independently associated with a poorer 3-year overall survival were age >60 years, tumour size >4 cm, lymph node involvement and treatment with radiotherapy+/-chemotherapy. Univariate analysis showed HPV-16 single-type infection was associated with a marginally poorer disease-specific survival (71.6% vs. 87.0%, HR: 1.71, 95% CI = 1.01–2.90), whereas non-HPV-16 alpha-9 species was associated with a better disease-specific survival (90.0% vs. 76.2%, HR: 0.36, 95% CI = 0.16–0.79). However, on multivariate analysis, HPV infection status irrespective of different grouping methods, including individual types, species, single-type or co-infection, did not carry any significant prognostic significance. In conclusion, we did not observe any association between infection with a particular HPV type/species and survival. An HPV type-based stratification in treatment and follow-up plan could not be recommended.     

The ontogeny of the vascular cambium inGinkgo biloba roots

Observation was made on early ontogeny of vascular cambium in the developing root ofGinkgo biloba L. After completion of root elongation, the vascular meristem gradually acquires cambial characteristics. Strips of the periclinal division of cells in transverse section are observed on the inner side of phloem when the primary xylem and phloem in the stele have been established. The strips are united into a continuous layer between phloem and xylem. In tangenital section, the procambium shows a homogeneous structure, which is initially composed of short cells with transverse end walls and subsequently, of long cells with tapering ends. Then, the procambium is organized into two systems of cells; axial strands of short cells with transverse end walls resulting from the sporadic transverse divisions of long cells, and long cells with tapering ends. Still later, the short cells are divided frequently in a trasverse plane exhibiting one or a few cells in width and several decades of cells in height, while the long cells are elongated. The frequency of transverse divisions of the short cells decreases in subsequent stages. Eventually, the short cells in axial strands are vertically separated from one another by the elongation of neighboring long cells and by the decrease in the frequency of transverse divisions of short cells themselves. Cambial initials occur in two forms; ray initials a few cells in height and one cell in width derived from the short cells, and fusiform initials with tapering ends derived from the long cells.     

The role of miR156/SPLs modules in Arabidopsis lateral root development

miR156 is an evolutionarily highly conserved miRNA in plants that defines an age‐dependent flowering pathway. The investigations thus far have largely, if not exclusively, confined to plant aerial organs. Root branching architecture is a major determinant of water and nutrients uptake for plants. We show here that MIR156 genes are differentially expressed in specific cells/tissues of lateral roots. Plants overexpressing miR156 produce more lateral roots whereas reducing miR156 levels leads to fewer lateral roots. We demonstrate that at least one representative from the three groups of miR156 targets SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE (SPL) genes: SPL3, SPL9 and SPL10 are involved in the repression of lateral root growth, with SPL10 playing a dominant role. In addition, both MIR156 and SPLs are responsive to auxin signaling suggesting that miR156/SPL modules might be involved in the proper timing of the lateral root developmental progression. Collectively, these results unravel a role for miR156/SPLs modules in lateral root development in Arabidopsis.     

Isolation and Characterization of Anti-Inflammatory Sorbicillinoids from the Mangrove-Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. DM815

Marine derived fungus has gained increasing ground in the discovery of novel lead compounds with potent biological activities including anti-inflammation. Here, we first report the characterization of one new sorbicillinoid ( 1 ) and fourteen known compounds ( 2 – 15 ) from the ethyl acetate (AcOEt) extract of a cultured mangrove derived fungus Penicillium sp. DM815 by UV, IR, HR ESI-Q-TOF MS, and NMR spectra. We then evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of eleven sorbicillinoids ( 1 – 11 ) using cultured macrophage RAW264.7 cells. The results show that compound 9 , and to a lesser degree compound 5 , significantly inhibited the Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Consistently, compounds 5 and 9 significantly reduced the level of nitric oxide (NO), the product of iNOS, induced by LPS. We further show that these two compounds dose-dependently inhibited LPS-triggered iNOS expression and NO production, but had no effect on proliferation of RAW264.7 cells in the presence of LPS. In conclusion, our study identifies novel and known sorbicillinoids as potent anti-inflammatory agents, holding the promise of developing novel anti-inflammation treatment in the future.     

The -2518A/G Polymorphism in the MCP-1 Gene and Tuberculosis Risk: A Meta-Analysis

Background

The -2518A/G polymorphism in the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene has been implicated in the susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB), but the results are not conclusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the -2518A/G polymorphism in the MCP-1 gene and the risk of tuberculosis by meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched Pubmed, Embase, CNKI and Wanfang databases, covering all studies until April 29^th, 2011. Statistical analyses were performed using the Revman4.2 and STATA10.0 software.

Results

A total of 5341 cases and 6075 controls in 13 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that the GG homozygote carriers had a 67% increased risk of TB compared with the A allele carriers (GG vs. GA+AA: OR = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.25–2.23, P = 0.0006). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant elevated risks were found in Asians and Latinos, but not in Africans (GG vs. GA+AA: OR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.19–2.70 and P = 0.005 for Asians; OR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.32–3.51 and P = 0.002 for Latinos; OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 0.45–3.64 and P = 0.65 for Africans).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggested that the -2518A/G polymorphism of MCP-1 gene would be a risk factor for TB in Asians and Latinos, while not in Africans.