Decrease In Number Of Branches Research Articles

Genome-wide analysis of TCP transcription factor family in sunflower and identification of HaTCP1 involved in the regulation of shoot branching

BackgroundSunflower is an important ornamental plant, which can be used for fresh cut flowers and potted plants. Plant architecture regulation is an important agronomic operation in its cultivation and production. As an important aspect of plant architecture formation, shoot branching has become an important research direction of sunflower.ResultsTEOSINTE-BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factors are essential in regulating various development process. However, the role of TCPs in sunflowers has not yet been studied. This study, 34 HaTCP genes were identified and classified into three subfamilies based on the conservative domain and phylogenetic analysis. Most of the HaTCPs in the same subfamily displayed similar gene and motif structures. Promoter sequence analysis has demonstrated the presence of multiple stress and hormone-related cis-elements in the HaTCP family. Expression patterns of HaTCPs revealed several HaTCP genes expressed highest in buds and could respond to decapitation. Subcellular localization analysis showed that HaTCP1 was located in the nucleus. Paclobutrazol (PAC) and 1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) administration significantly delayed the formation of axillary buds after decapitation, and this suppression was partially accomplished by enhancing the expression of HaTCP1. Furthermore, HaTCP1 overexpressed in Arabidopsis caused a significant decrease in branch number, indicating that HaTCP1 played a key role in negatively regulating sunflower branching.ConclusionsThis study not only provided the systematic analysis for the HaTCP members, including classification, conserved domain and gene structure, expansion pattern of different tissues or after decapitation. But also studied the expression, subcellular localization and function of HaTCP1. These findings could lay a critical foundation for further exploring the functions of HaTCPs.

Intrinsic Mitochondrial Function Impacts the Outcomes of Metformin Treatment on Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Morphology in Aged Rat

Aging is the main risk factor for many costly, irreversible, and comorbid chronic diseases. The anti‐diabetic drug Metformin is being considered as an anti‐aging treatment although little is known about its effects in healthy individuals. Previous data from our lab suggest that metformin is beneficial to individuals that are relatively insulin resistant and may be detrimental to those who are insulin sensitive. We aimed to understand how intrinsic function of mitochondria affects metformin treatment outcomes in skeletal muscle. We hypothesized that the effects of metformin on skeletal muscle mitochondrial morphology and remodeling will differ based on intrinsic mitochondrial function. To test our hypothesis, we used the High‐Capacity Runner/Low‐Capacity Runner (HCR/LCR) rat model system which comprises two selectively bred lines of genetically heterogeneous rats that diverge for exercise capacity, cardiovascular risk factors, lifespan, and healthspan. In drinking water, we treated six HCR and four LCR male rats (age 18 months) with a dose of 100 mg/kg/day metformin for a week, followed by three weeks of 200 mg/kg/day. We included HCR and LCR control groups (n=5) for a total of four groups. A week prior to sacrifice, we initiated deuterium oxide (D2O) labeling to assess protein turnover and electroporated DNA constructs that encode for mitochondrial matrix‐targeted YFP and tdTomato‐tagged TOM20, a protein located on the mitochondrial outer membrane. We analyzed protein turnover in hindlimb muscles using GC‐MS, and prepared histological sections of the Tibialis Anterior (TA) muscle for further analysis of mitochondrial morphology. Normalized to tibial length, the mass of the gastrocnemius (‐16.6%) and plantaris (‐20.8%) muscles were lower in metformin treated HCR rats compared to untreated, while the normalized mass of the TA muscle was lower in both HCR (‐15%) and LCR (‐20.1%) metformin treated rats compared to control. There were no significant differences in mean fiber cross sectional area (CSA) of the TA muscle. We detected no significant differences in bulk protein synthesis of both the myofibrillar and mitochondrial fractions of the TA, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles. The number of mitochondrial branches observed in a cross section of TA fibers from metformin treated LCR rats were 30.5% lower compared to control LCR rats. However, mean CSA of each mitochondrial branch in metformin treated LCR rats increased by 82.8% compared to control LCR rats, which, together with the decrease in branch number, resulted in maintenance of the cumulative mitochondrial CSA in each fiber. Analysis based on mitochondrial sub‐populations showed that the subsarcolemmal mitochondrial population was more impacted than intermyofibrillar mitochondria. There were no significant differences in mitochondrial morphology in control vs metformin treated HCR rats. Our data supports our hypothesis that metformin has differential effects in skeletal muscle based on intrinsic mitochondrial function prior to treatment. Additional studies are needed to determine what impact these disparities have on the aging process.

Characterization of microvascular tortuosity in retinal vein occlusion utilizing optical coherence tomography angiography

We investigated the characteristics of microvessel tortuosity in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and their associations with visual outcomes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Thirty-four BRVO and 21 CRVO patients and 31 healthy subjects were included. From OCTA, the branch number (BN), mean branch length (BL), mean Euclidean length (EL), vessel density (VD) and vessel tortuosity (VT) were quantified. In BRVO eyes, compared with that in the controls, the affected area of the deep capillary plexus (DCP) showed a decreased BN and VD, an increased BL, and unchanged VT. The nonaffected area of the DCP showed decreases in BN, VD and VT. The affected area of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) showed higher VT. In CRVO eyes, the DCP showed a lower BN, VD and VT, while the SCP showed a lower BN and greater BL and EL. Improved visual acuity (VA) after 1 year in BRVO eyes was associated with decreases in BN, BL, VD and VT in the affected area in the DCP and lower VT in the nonaffected area of the SCP; in CRVO eyes, improved VA was associated with a higher BL and EL in the DCP. VT, BL, and EL may be new microvascular markers associated with changes in VA in BRVO and CRVO.

Exosome-Encapsulated MicroRNA-21 from Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Enhances Angiogenesis of Human Umbilical Venous Endothelial Cells by Targeting SPRY1.

ObjectiveEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) persists among the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Angiogenesis represents a crucial element necessitated for tumor growth and metastasis in ESCC. In this study, we aimed to study the effect of microRNA (miR)-21 on angiogenesis in ESCC and its underlying mechanism.Materials and MethodsInitially, the expression patterns of miR-21, SPRY1, and VEGF were determined in ESCC tissues and cells. The relationship between miR-21 and SPRY1 was identified using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Exosomes were subsequently isolated from the ESCC cells, followed by co-culture with the human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVEC proliferation and angiogenesis were determined by means of CCK-8, colony formation, and microtubule formation in vitro. Chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model and mouse xenograft model of ESCC cells were established to substantiate the function of miR-21 corresponding to the angiogenesis and tumor growth of ESCC, followed by microvascular density (MVD) evaluation.ResultsExpression patterns of miR-21 and VEGF were elevated, while the SPRY1 expression pattern was repressed in ESCC tissues and cells. The downregulation of miR-21 and exosome-derived miR-21 impeded the proliferation and angiogenesis in HUVECs. Our data revealed that miR-21 could negatively target SPRY1, and positively target VEGF. The downregulation of miR-21 could evidently encumber the angiogenesis and tumor growth of ESCC in vivo, as evidenced by the decrease in number of branches of the microvessels and MVD.ConclusionCollectively, ESCC cell-derived exosome containing miR-21 promotes the proliferation and angiogenesis of HUVECs via SPRY1 downregulation and VEGF upregulation.

Responses of Calyx Phytochemical Characteristic, Yield and Yield Components of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) to Different Sowing Dates and Densities

In order to evaluate the effects of sowing date and intra rows spacing on yield, yield components and some phytochemical characteristics in Roselle, a field experiment was conducted as a split plot layout based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Five sowing dates were considered as the main plots (11th and 30th of March, 14th of April, 5th and 22th of May) and three intra rows spacing were considered as the subplots (50, 75 and 100 cm). The results indicated that delayed sowing date significantly reduced plant height, number of bolls, number of branches per plant, calyx dry weight, calyx yield, seed yield and biomass yield. Plant height, calyx yield, seed yield and biomass yield were increased by reducing intra rows spacing. Reducing the intra rows spacing caused decrease in number of branches, number of bolls, seed weight, calyx and plant dry weights. Anthocyanin and vitamin C were significantly reduced by delaying in sowing date. Although sowing dates had no significant effect on total phenol but antioxidants were influenced by sowing date. Furthermore, intra rows spacing did not caused any significant effect on phytochemical traits of Roselle. Based on the obtained results, it seems sowing hibiscus tea in the late of March to mid-May and 50 cm intra rows spacing, under hot and dry climate condition would be suitable for increase the final yield of Roselle.

Effect of Corn-Induced Shading on Dry Matter Accumulation, Distribution, and Architecture of Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)

A fundamental component of modeling crop interference is the effect of understory photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) on weed architecture and growth. The effect of decreased PPFD on spaced redroot pigweed dry matter accumulation, distribution, and plant architecture was quantified by increasing corn density and delaying weed planting date. As canopy-transmitted PPFD declined, total dry matter accumulation decreased and relative dry matter distribution was greater to main-stem components than to branch components. Increased rectangularity in understory weed architecture was associated with a concomitant decrease in branch number. The proportion of leaf area and dry matter in the upper segment of the redroot pigweed increased as PPFD declined with increased corn density. Results suggest that changes in plant architecture, as influenced by canopy-transmitted PPFD, may be as important as those of total dry matter and leaf area when describing and predicting the effects of crop-weed interference.

Effects of chronic stress and exercise on age-related changes in end-plate architecture.

The effects of chronic stress (foot shock) or stress coupled with exercise (treadmill running) on age-related changes in nerve terminal branch number per end plate were examined in three physiologically different muscles, the diaphragm and two hindlimb muscles, the extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and the soleus, from 24- to 25-mo rats. End-plate structure was examined by use of a silver-gold impregnation of the axon and its terminal arborization and was compared with similar data obtained from 10- and 25-mo sedentary control animals. Stress from foot shock resulted in decreases of 30 and 23%, which are significant at the 0.05 level, in the mean number of nerve terminal branches per end plate in the fast-twitch EDL and diaphragm of 25-mo rats, respectively; a similar, but less dramatic decline in branch number was observed in the end plates of the slow-twitch soleus. Exercise superimposed on foot shock counteracted the decrease in branch number resulting from foot shock alone in the hindlimb muscles; in contrast, terminal branch number within the diaphragm end plates declined an additional 29% in the exercised group. Exercise plus shocking eliminated the significant age-related decrease in branch number in the soleus between the 10- and 25-mo animals; however, it produced a significant decrease in the diaphragm of the 25-mo compared with the 10-mo animals. There was a significant increase in the occurrence of sprouting nerve terminals in the EDL and soleus of exercise-shocked animals compared with 25-mo controls, thus counteracting the age-related decrease observed in the 25-mo compared with 10-mo control animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)