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Simple Summary: Mitigating the possible adverse environmental impacts caused by transgene flow from genetically engineered crops to their wild/weedy relatives is an ideal strategy for resolving biosafety problems. To explore a transgene mitigation system in rice, we edited the seed-shattering genes (SH4 and qSH1) of a weedy rice line with strong seed shattering. The results showed substantially reduced seed shattering in the gene-edited weedy rice lines. The single gene-edited weedy rice lines displayed an inconsistent reduction in seed size-related traits. Reduced seed shattering was closely linked with a lack of abscission layers and reduced abscisic acid (ABA). In addition, most examined genes that were closely associated with ABA biosynthesis, ABA signaling transduction, and cell wall hydrolysis were downregulated in the gene-edited weedy rice lines. These findings can assist in exploring the underlying mechanisms of reduced seed shattering in weedy rice plants, in addition to practical applications for mitigating environmental impacts caused by transgene flow and for controlling the infestation of weedy rice. Mitigating the function of acquired transgenes in crop wild/weedy relatives can provide an ideal strategy to reduce the possible undesired environmental impacts of pollen-mediated transgene flow from genetically engineered (GE) crops. To explore a transgene mitigation system in rice, we edited the seed-shattering genes, SH4 and qSH1, using a weedy rice line ("C9") that originally had strong seed shattering. We also analyzed seed size-related traits, the total genomic transcriptomic data, and RT-qPCR expression of the SH4 or qSH1 gene-edited and SH4/qSH1 gene-edited weedy rice lines. Substantially reduced seed shattering was observed in all gene-edited weedy rice lines. The single gene-edited weedy rice lines, either the SH4 or qSH1 gene, did not show a consistent reduction in their seed size-related traits. In addition, reduced seed shattering was closely linked with the weakness and absence of abscission layers and reduced abscisic acid (ABA). Additionally, the genes closely associated with ABA biosynthesis and signaling transduction, as well as cell-wall hydrolysis, were downregulated in all gene-edited weedy rice lines. These findings facilitate our deep insights into the underlying mechanisms of reduced seed shattering in plants in the rice genus Oryza. In addition, such a mitigating technology also has practical applications for reducing the potential adverse environmental impacts caused by transgene flow and for managing the infestation of weedy rice by acquiring the mitigator from GE rice cultivars through natural gene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small nucleolar RNA H/ACA Box 51 (SNORA51) is involved in progression of multiple cancers. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of SNORA51 in HCC and its clinical significance. A total of 136 patients with HCC who underwent surgery from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 were included. The expression of SNORA51 in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was compared using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and bioinformatics methods. Methylation of the SNORA51 promoter in cancer and adjacent tissues was compared using bioinformatics. The relationship between SNORA51 expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with HCC, in addition to prognosis, was analyzed. The expression of SNORA51 in HCC was significantly higher compared with that in adjacent tissues (P<0.05). starBase demonstrated that higher expression levels of SNORA51 were associated with a significantly worse prognosis of patients with HCC compared with those who had lower expression levels of SNORA51 (P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis using The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis Portal demonstrated that methylation of the SNORA51 promoter region in HCC was significantly decreased compared with adjacent tissues (P<0.05). A high expression of SNORA51 was significantly associated with portal vein tumor thrombus, vascular invasion and TNM stage (P<0.05). The median survival time of patients with high SNORA51 expression was significantly lower compared with those who had low SNORA51 expression (P<0.05). Both uni- and multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that SNORA51 expression was an independent risk factor that significantly worsened the prognosis of patients with HCC (P<0.05). The overexpression of SNORA51 in patients with HCC was significantly associated with a poor prognosis and may be related to the reduced methylation of the SNORA51 promoter region. Therefore, SNORA51 may be a promising biomarker for prediction of the prognosis of patients with HCC and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study on gene editing in Salvia miltiorrhiza, a plant used in Eastern medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases. The researchers developed a protoplast regeneration system for S. miltiorrhiza using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. They targeted seven transcription factor genes involved in the production of bioactive compounds in the plant. The study demonstrated high-efficiency gene editing and the regeneration of knockout plants, which could potentially enhance the contents of active compounds in medicinal plants. [Extracted from the article]

The plant architecture of higher plants is regulated through environmental and genetic factors, as well as phytohormones. Phytohormones play a critical role in regulating shoot branching. We determined the branching phenotype of D16 and N99-6, the content of strigolactones, the genetic expression level, and the interaction between auxin and strigolactones. We found that the branching development of the two soybean varieties under shading was significantly slower than that under normal light. The average branch length of N99-6 decreased by 40.9% after shading; however, the branch length of D16 was not significantly affected. Meanwhile, the branch formation rate in D16 was significantly higher than in N99-6. In addition, after shading treatment, the content of strigolactones in D16 and N99-6 axillary buds increased significantly, and the expression of phytochrome genes, PhyA and PhyB, showed opposite changes. However, strigolactone synthesis gene GmMAX4 and signal transduction gene GmMAX2 expression levels of D16 were lower than those of N99-6 after 24 h of shading. In addition, the application of strigolactone inhibitor TIS108 and auxin inhibitor NPA to soybean had no significant effect on the branch phenotype. The expression of the GmMAX2 gene was significantly up-regulated after the external application of the auxin analog, and the expression of auxin transporter gene GmPINI was significantly down-regulated after external application of the strigolactone analog under shade. In this study, we investigated the adverse effect of shade on soybean branching development, which may be due to the interaction of strigolactones with auxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With restricted usage of growth-promoting antibiotics, identifying alternative feed additives that both improve intestinal barrier function and reduce inflammation is the center to improve chickens' health. This study examined the effects of a microencapsulated feed additive containing citric acid, sorbic acids, thymol, and vanillin on intestinal barrier function and inflammation status. A total of 240 birds were assigned to either a commercial control diet or control diet supplemented with 500 g/MT of the microencapsulated additive product. Birds were raised by feeding a 2-phase diet (starter, d 1 to d 21; and grower, d 15 to d 42). Growth performance was recorded weekly. At d 21 and d 42, total gastrointestinal tract permeability was evaluated by FITC-dextran (FD4) oral gavage. Jejunum-specific barrier functions were evaluated by Ussing chamber. Intestinal gene expression of selected epithelial cell markers, tight junction (TJ) proteins, inflammatory cytokines, and endocannabinoid system (ECS) markers were determined by RT-PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t test. Results showed significant improvement of feed efficiency in the birds supplemented with the blend of organic acids and botanicals. At d 21, both oral and jejunal FD4 permeability were lower in the supplemented group. Jejunal transepithelial resistance was higher in the supplemented birds. At d 21, expression of TJs mRNA (CLDN1 and ZO2) was both upregulated in the jejunum and ileum of supplemented birds, while CLDN2 was downregulated in cecum. Proliferating cell marker SOX9 was higher expressed in jejunum and ceca. Goblet cell marker (MUC2) was upregulated, while Paneth cell marker (LYZ) was downregulated in the ileum. Proinflammatory cytokine expressions of IL1B, TNFA , and IFNG were downregulated in jejunum, while anti-inflammatory IL10 expression was higher in jejunum, ileum, cecum, and cecal tonsil. The ECS markers expressions were upregulated in most intestinal regions. Together, these results demonstrated that the blend of organic acids and botanical supplementation reduced inflammation, improved the TJs expression and intestinal barrier function, and thus improved chicken feed efficiency. The activated ECS may play a role in reducing intestinal tissue inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐H) subgroup of gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by a high tumor mutational burden, increased lymphocytic infiltration, and enhanced inflammatory cytokines. GC patients with MSI‐H status have a good response to immune checkpoint blockade management. However, heterogeneity within the subtype and the underlying mechanisms of shaping tumor microenvironments remain poorly understood. Methods: RNA expression levels and clinical parameters of GC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The data were analyzed using single‐sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA), univariate Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression, and Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. In addition, multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) was used in our clinical cohort for the tumor microenvironment study. Results: By ssGSEA and survival analysis, the EMT signaling pathway was identified as a representative pathway, which can stratify the patients with MSI‐H GC with significant survival predictive power. Then, a novel representative EMT‐related five‐gene signature (namely CALU, PCOLCE2, PLOD2, SGCD, and THBS2) was established from EMT signaling gene set, which sensitivity and specificity were further validated in the independent GEO database (GSE62254) cohort for disease outcome prediction. Based on public single‐cell data and in situ immunohistochemistry, we found that most of these five genes were abundantly expressed in cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Furthermore, patients with high or low risk divided by this five‐gene signature exhibited a strong correlation of the distinct patterns of tumor immune microenvironment. By mIHC staining of sections from 30 patients with MSI‐H status, we showed that the patients with better prognoses had the increased infiltration of CD8+ cells in the primary tumoral tissue. Conclusion: Our study developed a simple five‐gene signature for stratifying MSI‐H GC patients with survival predictive power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In our previous study, we indicated that scutellarin (SCU) induced an anticancer effect in A549 cells. However, whether SCU regulates the radiosensitivity of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its related mechanism is still unclear. Methods: In this study, we explored the anticancer effect induced by iodine‐125 (125I) and SCU at a sensitizing concentration in A549 and H1975 cells. Cellular apoptosis and proliferation were detected by flow cytometry, Bcl‐2/Bax expression level, cell cycle, CCK‐8, and EdU staining. A tumor model using nude mice was also carried out to investigate the combined effect of 125I and SCU in vivo. In addition, the expression level of AKT/mTOR pathway was detected to investigate whether it is linked to the anticancer effect of 125I and SCU. Results: SCU at a sensitizing concentration promoted the 125I‐induced apoptosis and antiproliferative effect in A549 and H1975 cells. Moreover, the same results were obtained in vivo. Based on our findings, the AKT/mTOR pathway was significantly downregulated after combined treatment with 125I and SCU. Conclusions: The results of our study suggested that SCU promotes the anticancer effects induced by 125I in NSCLC cells by downregulating the AKT/mTOR pathway and lays a foundation for future application of this combined treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]