Potential Application of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Delaying Aging for Mice

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is one of the popular treatment modalities allowing to boost the proliferation, differentiation, and migratory activity of cells, which might be a powerful strategy for anti-aging. Seeking a novel setup for LIPUS would benefit the development of ultrasound therapeutics. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Here, we proposed a novel underwater exposure setup of LIPUS. C57BL/6 mice were reared in the designated age-groups, which consisted of a middle-aged group (12–14 months) and an old-age group (20–23 months). The age-related changes of body composition, imbalance of energy supply and demand, imbalance of signal network maintaining internal stability, and representative phenotypes of neurodegeneration and neuroplasticity with the presence and absence of underwater LIPUS in middle-aged and aged groups were evaluated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The results showed that there were obvious aging changes, imbalance of energy supply and demand, imbalance of signal network maintaining homeostasis, neurodegeneration, and damage of neural plasticity in the middle-aged and aged group with or without the LIPUS. Although middle-aged group and aged group responded differently to LIPUS, they mostly generated positive results in relieving bone loss, improving ovarian structure, regulated immune system, and enhanced endurance ability, which should have declined over age. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> These findings indicate that underwater extracorporeal LIPUS exposure could be employed as single or combined anti-aging strategies that generated positive outcomes against the process of aging.

Bioinformatic analysis of the gene expression profile in muscle atrophy after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is often accompanied by muscle atrophy; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy following SCI were investigated. The GSE45550 gene expression profile of control (before SCI) and experimental (14 days following SCI) groups, consisting of Sprague–Dawley rat soleus muscle (n = 6 per group), was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and then differentially expressed gene (DEG) identification and Gene Ontology, pathway, pathway network, and gene signal network analyses were performed. A total of 925 differentially expressed genes, 149 biological processes, and 55 pathways were screened. In the pathway network analysis, the 10 most important pathways were citrate cycle (TCA cycle), pyruvate metabolism, MAPK signalling pathway, fatty acid degradation, propanoate metabolism, apoptosis, focal adhesion, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, Wnt signalling, and cancer pathways. In the gene signal network analysis, the 10 most important genes were Acat1, Acadvl, Acaa2, Hadhb, Acss1, Oxct1, Hadha, Hadh, Acaca, and Cpt1b. Thus, we screened the key genes and pathways that may be involved in muscle atrophy after SCI and provided support for finding valuable markers for this disease.

Design of electric power emergency communication system based on multi-network integration

Natural disasters and emergencies generally pose serious threats to power facilities. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an efficient electric power emergency communication (EPEC) system. Existing systems based on a single network carrier (for example,4G, satellite, and Wi-Fi) may not meet the requirements of complex environments. We design a new EPEC system based on multi-network convergence technology by integrating the above three network carriers. It overcomes the limitations of single network carrier and improves the efficiency of power emergency communication. The test results show that the system can improve the transmission line bandwidth, automatically switch to the optimal signal network, and guarantee the security and stability of data transmission.

MicroRNA Omics Analysis of Camellia sinesis Pollen Tubes in Response to Low-Temperature and Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) as a momentous signal molecule participates in plant reproductive development and responds to various abiotic stresses. Here, the inhibitory effects of the NO-dominated signal network on the pollen tube growth of Camellia sinensis under low temperature (LT) were studied by microRNA (miRNA) omics analysis. The results showed that 77 and 71 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were induced by LT and NO treatment, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that DEM target genes related to microtubules and actin were enriched uniquely under LT treatment, while DEM target genes related to redox process were enriched uniquely under NO treatment. In addition, the target genes of miRNA co-regulated by LT and NO are only located on the cell membrane and cell wall, and most of them are enriched in metal ion binding and/or transport and cell wall organization. Furthermore, DEM and its target genes related to metal ion binding/transport, redox process, actin, cell wall organization and carbohydrate metabolism were identified and quantified by functional analysis and qRT-PCR. In conclusion, miRNA omics analysis provides a complex signal network regulated by NO-mediated miRNA, which changes cell structure and component distribution by adjusting Ca2+ gradient, thus affecting the polar growth of the C. sinensis pollen tube tip under LT.

Transcriptome and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Regulatory Networks Controlling Maize Stomatal Development in Response to Blue Light

(1) Background: Blue light is important for the formation of maize stomata, but the signal network remains unclear. (2) Methods: We replaced red light with blue light in an experiment and provided a complementary regulatory network for the stomatal development of maize by using transcriptome and metabolomics analysis. (3) Results: Exposure to blue light led to 1296 differentially expressed genes and 419 differential metabolites. Transcriptome comparisons and correlation signaling network analysis detected 55 genes, and identified 6 genes that work in the regulation of the HY5 module and MAPK cascade, that interact with PTI1, COI1, MPK2, and MPK3, in response to the substitution of blue light in environmental adaptation and signaling transduction pathways. Metabolomics analysis showed that two genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism participate in stomatal development. Their signaling sites located on the PHI1 and MPK2 sites of the MAPK cascade respond to blue light signaling. (4) Conclusions: Blue light remarkably changed the transcriptional signal transduction and metabolism of metabolites, and eight obtained genes worked in the HY5 module and MAPK cascade.

Frost Stress Tolerances and Cut Roses: A Review

In order to meet the challenges of providing food to the ever increasing population of the world, there is an insistent need to boost crop yield. Unfortunately, the production of agriculture decreasing due to various environmental factors including frost and cold are very important, especially in winter. Indeed, frost is the most important abiotic problem and one of the doctrine limiting factors affecting plant growth and development in winter. Despite various obvious symptoms under frost stress, the yellowing of leaves, weak germination, curling of leaves, decreased rate of cell swelling and wilting, reduced flower opening, curling of petals leads to the cells death. This severe damage is largely due to the sensitive drying associated with freezing during frost. In addition, signal transduction is to switch on frost response genes and transcription factors to mediating stress tolerance, thus underline mechanism of frost stress and genes involve in the frost/cold stress signal network is very important for plant growth and development. In present review, plant significances in daily life and issues related to abiotic stresses such as frost and cold tolerance mechanisms are discussed.

Transcriptome and metabolomic analyses reveal regulatory networks and key genes controlling maize stomatal development in response to blue light

Background: Blue light is helpful in the formation of maize stomata, but the signal network is still unclear. We replaced red light with blue light in an experiment, and provided a complementary regulatory network for the stomatal development of maize by using transcriptome and metabolomic analyses. Results: The blue light led to 1296 differentially expressed genes and 419 different metabolites. Transcriptome comparisons and correlation signaling network analysis detected and identified 55 and 6 key genes, respectively, which regulate the responses of stomata to the substituted blue light in environmental adaption and signaling transduction pathways. Two genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism participate in stomatal development as identified by transcriptome and metabolomic analyses. Conclusions: Blue light remarkably changed the network signal transduction and metabolites, and the new genes played important role in the formation of maize stomatal development network.