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[Display omitted] IL-33 is a type 2 inflammatory cytokine that is elevated in the esophageal epithelium of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) subjects. We previously developed a mouse model of EoE dependent on constitutive overexpression of IL-33 from the esophageal epithelium (EoE33). Our objective was to develop an inducible, IL-33–dependent model of EoE and examine induction of EoE-associated pathology. We utilized a tetracycline-inducible system to express IL-33 in the esophagus by generating 2 transgenic mice. The first (iSophagus) expresses a reverse tetracycline transactivator from the esophageal epithelium. The second (TRE33) features a tetracycline response element driving expression of IL-33. When crossed, these mice generate an inducible model of EoE (iEoE33). Mice were administered doxycycline-infused chow for up to 2 weeks. Cytokines were assessed by ELISA or bead-based multiplex analysis. T cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Pathology was assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry for IL-33, eosinophil peroxidase, CD4, and Ki-67. iEoE33 was treated with steroids and crossed with IL-13−/− mice. Doxycycline-treated iEoE33 mice demonstrated expression of IL-33 in the esophageal epithelium, and esophageal pathology including eosinophilia, CD4+ cell infiltrate, basal zone hyperplasia, and dilated intercellular spaces. These findings became pronounced on day 7 of induction, were accompanied by weight loss and esophageal thickening, and were steroid responsive and IL-13 dependent. Inducible IL-33 expression in the esophageal epithelium elicited features pathognomonic of EoE. iEoE33 enables investigation of EoE disease mechanisms as well as initiation, progression, and resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly common inflammatory condition of the esophagus; however, the underlying immunologic mechanisms remain poorly understood. The epithelium-derived cytokine IL-33 is associated with type 2 immune responses and elevated in esophageal biopsy specimens from patients with EoE. We hypothesized that overexpression of IL-33 by the esophageal epithelium would promote the immunopathology of EoE. We evaluated the functional consequences of esophageal epithelial overexpression of a secreted and active form of IL-33 in a novel transgenic mouse, EoE33. EoE33 mice were analyzed for clinical and immunologic phenotypes. Esophageal contractility was assessed. Epithelial cytokine responses were analyzed in three-dimensional organoids. EoE33 phenotypes were further characterized in ST2−/−, eosinophil-deficient, and IL-13−/− mice. Finally, EoE33 mice were treated with dexamethasone. EoE33 mice displayed ST2-dependent, EoE-like pathology and failed to thrive. Esophageal tissue remodeling and inflammation included basal zone hyperplasia, eosinophilia, mast cells, and T H 2 cells. Marked increases in levels of type 2 cytokines, including IL-13, and molecules associated with immune responses and tissue remodeling were observed. Esophageal organoids suggested reactive epithelial changes. Genetic deletion of IL-13 in EoE33 mice abrogated pathologic changes in vivo. EoE33 mice were responsive to steroids. IL-33 overexpression by the esophageal epithelium generated immunopathology and clinical phenotypes resembling human EoE. IL-33 may play a pivotal role in the etiology of EoE by activating the IL-13 pathway. EoE33 mice are a robust experimental platform for mechanistic investigation and translational discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Myocardial Gal3 (galectin-3) expression is associated with cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Increased Gal3 portends susceptibility to heart failure and death. There are no data reporting the causative role of Gal3 to mediate cardiac fibro-inflammatory response and heart failure. METHODS: We developed a cardioselective Gal3 gain-of-function mouse (Gal3+/+) using a-myosin heavy chain promotor. We confirmed Gal3-transgene expression with real-time polymerase chain reaction and quantified cardiac/circulating Gal3 with Western blot and immunoassays. We used echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to measure cardiac volumes, function, and myocardial velocities. Ex vivo, we studied myocardial inflammation/fibrosis and downstream TGF (transforming growth factor) β1-mRNA expression. We examined the effects of acute myocardial ischemia in presence of excess Gal3 by inducing acute myocardial infarction in mice. Two subsets of mice including mice treated with N-acetyl-serylaspartyl-lysyl-proline (a Gal3-inhibitor) and mice with genetic Gal3 loss-of-function (Gal3-/-) were studied for comparative analysis of Gal3 function. RESULTS: Gal3+/+ mice had increased cardiac/circulating Gal3. Gal3+/+ mice showed excess pericardial fat pad, dilated ventricles and cardiac dysfunction, which was partly normalized by N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed reduced myocardial contractile velocities in Gal3+/+. The majority of Gal3+/+ mice did not survive acute myocardial infarction, and the survivors had profound cardiac dysfunction. Myocardial histology of Gal3+/+ mice showed macrophage/mast-cell infiltration, fibrosis and higher TGFβ1-mRNA expression, which were mitigated by both Gal3 gene deletion and N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline administration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that cardioselective Gal3 overexpression leads to multiple cardiac phenotypic defects including ventricular dilation and cardiac dysfunction. Pharmacological Gal3 inhibition conferred protective effects with reduction of inflammation and fibrosis. Our study highlights the importance of translational studies to counteract Gal3 function and prevent cardiac dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Gene therapy is a method of treatment of disease aimed at its molecular level. The progress of gene therapy, however, was as promising as it was tardy mainly due to the limitations in the resources and financial part of its development as well as owing to the rarity of most diseases it can offer its benefits to. The methods of gene therapy can vary depending on factors such as the physiology of tissue of interest, affinity of vectors to a certain type of cells, depth and accessibility of the tissue of interest, and size of the gene to be replaced or edited. The concept behind gene therapy has inspired scientists and clinicians alike leading to a rapid expansion of its clinical utility that has become so widespread to not only include diseases of monogenic origin, but also polygenic diseases, albeit not so commonly. This article delves into notable success stories of gene therapy which has been regarded as the beacon of medical novelty expected to blossom in the near future to provide a holistic, targeted, precise, and individualistic personalised-medicine as well as laying out the future hopes of gene therapy in the treatment of debilitating diseases such as solid tumours, AIDS, Tuberculosis, Diabetes Mellitus, psychiatric illnesses, which are still at a standstill, from a gene therapy point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM Brassica napus herbicide-resistant cultivars, along with the possibility of introgression with B. rapa , has led to the emergence of new weedy biotypes. In Argentina, in 2012, natural populations of transgenic (GM) glyphosate-resistant and non-GM AHAS-inhibiting resistant B. rapa were detected. The investigation of the pleiotropic effects between herbicide resistance and fitness in these biotypes can help determine the potential persistence of these resistances in agricultural fields. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the glyphosate transgene (GT73) and AHAS Trp574Leu mutation on B. rapa vegetative and reproductive traits. Fitness components were compared between susceptible (S) and resistant (R) populations in two trials in a common garden experiment. Each assay was performed in the spring and winter season. One trial was carried out using populations with homogeneous genetic background, and the other using populations with different genetic backgrounds. Plants grown during the winter season exhibited superior performance compared to those grown in spring. No differences were found between R and S biotypes in the parameters evaluated in populations with homogeneous genetic background, except for siliques per main inflorescence where the S biotype produced more siliques than the R, although this later compensated with more seeds per silique. When comparing R and S biotypes with different genetic backgrounds, no significant differences were found in the evaluated parameters. Therefore, glyphosate and AHAS-inhibiting resistances are likely to persist in Brassica rapa populations, even in the absence of herbicide selection pressure. [Display omitted] • We evaluated Fitness components in GM and non-GM herbicide resistance B. rapa. • Experiments with homogeneous and different genetic background populations. • No fitness cost in GM and non-GM herbicide resistance B. rapa was found. • Herbicide resistances genes can persist in Argentinean B. rapa populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human blood pressure salt sensitivity is associated with changes in urinary metabolites related to fumarase (Fh) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolism, and fumarase promotes NO production through an arginine regeneration pathway. We examined the role of the fumarase-NO pathway in the development of hypertension using genetically engineered rat models. Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats with heterozygous mutation of eNOS (endothelial NO synthase or Nos3; SS-Nos3+/-) were bred with SS rats with a hemizygous Fh transgene. SS-Nos3+/- rats without the Fh transgene (SS-Nos3+/-/Fh0/0) developed substantial hypertension with a mean arterial pressure of 134.2±3.7 mm Hg on a 0.4% NaCl diet and 178.0±3.5 mm Hg after 14 days on a 4% NaCl diet. Mean arterial pressure decreased remarkably to 123.1±1.4 mm Hg on 0.4% NaCl, and 143.3±1.5 mm Hg on 4% NaCl in SS-Nos3+/- rats with a Fh transgene (SS-Nos3+/-/Fh0/1), and proteinuria, renal fibrosis, and tubular casts were attenuated in SS-Nos3+/-/Fh0/1 rats compared with SS-Nos3+/-/Fh0/0 rats. eNOS protein abundance decreased in rats with the Nos3 heterozygous mutation, which was not influenced by Fh overexpression in rats on the 0.4% NaCl diet. However, the decrease in NO metabolite in the renal outer medulla of SS-Nos3+/-/Fh0/0 rats on the 0.4% NaCl diet was reversed in SS-Nos3+/-/Fh0/1 rats, and levels of L-arginine, but not the other 12 amino acids analyzed, were significantly higher in SS-Nos3+/-/Fh0/1 rats than in SS-Nos3+/+/Fh0/0 rats. In conclusion, fumarase has potent effects in restoring NO production and blunting the development of hypertension attributable to eNOS haploinsufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transiently existed high light (HL)-inducible proteins (HLIPs) or one-helix proteins (OHPs) in cyanobacteria and higher plants play essential roles in HL stress response. However, little is known about HLIPs in intertidal algae, which are periodically exposed to direct sunlight. We studied the changes and potential functions of one HLIP protein (NyHLIP1) in the typical resurrection intertidal red alga Neopyropia yezoensis. Although NyHLIP1 was degraded in a low light (LL) culture and induced by HL conditions, NyHLIP1 existed much longer than that in Cyanobacteria and higher plants, which was up to >240 h (10 days) in cultured samples after a 6-h HL induction. Furthermore, the photosynthetic parameter analysis showed that the F v /F m (maximum quantum yield of PSII), Y(II) (effective quantum yield of PSII), ETRII (electron transfer rates of PSII) and P700+ reduction rates were decreased, while Y(NO) (yield of non-regulated energy dissipation of PSII) was increased, in the two NyHLIP1 downregulated mutants (RNAi-type: Ri32; co-suppression-type: CS32) after HL treatment, which were all similar under LL condition. The D1 content in knockdown strains did not degrade after HL treatment compared with a noticeable degradation after 6-h HL treatment in WT. These results indicated that NyHLIP1 might play an important role in the response of photosystem, especially photosystem II, to HL stress in this resurrection intertidal red algae. • High light-inducible protein 1 of resurrection intertidal red algae (Neopyropia yezoensis) existed for long term after treated with high light. • NyHLIP1 knockdown mutants were constructed and studied. • NyHLIP1 showed an important role in high light response of Photosystem II in Neopyropia yezoensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ADAMTS2 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 2) is recognized as a metalloproteinase that promotes the cleavage of amino propeptides of types I, II, III, and V procollagens. However, the role of ADAMTS2 in the heart has not yet been defined. Herein, we observed the upregulated expression of ADAMTS2 in failing human hearts and hypertrophic murine hearts. Mice lacking ADAMTS2 display exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy on pressure overload-induced hypertrophic response, whereas mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of ADAMTS2 display alleviation of this detrimental phenotype. Consistent with these results, in vitro loss or gain of function experiments in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes confirmed that ADAMTS2 negatively regulates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in response to Ang II. Mechanistically, blockage of the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/AKT (protein kinase B)-dependent signaling pathway with specific inhibitors both in vivo and in vitro could rescue the aggravated hypertrophic response to the loss of ADAMTS2. Collectively, we propose that ADAMTS2 regulates the hypertrophic response through inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT-dependent signaling pathway. Because ADAMTS2 is an extracellular protein, it could be effectively manipulated using pharmacological means to modulate cardiac hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cre- loxP system is a powerful tool for genetic analysis of distinct cell lineages and tissue-specific gene knockout in animal models. VASA is specifically expressed in reproductive tissues, and is known to play important roles in spermatogenesis and germ-cell growth. In this study, Cre recombinase transgenic pigs under the control of the VASA promoter were generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Germ cell-specific expression of Cre recombinase in VASA-Cre transgenic pigs was shown by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. VASA-Cre transgenic pigs will be a useful tool for germ cell-specific gene knockout and a disease model for disorders of the reproductive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science / Zhongguo Shouyi Xuebao is the property of Chinese Society of Veterinary Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Agrobacterium has been widely used as a vector to create transgenic plants. Agrobacterium -mediated gene transfer is governed by various factors of bacterial, host and environmental origin. Applications of this technology include enhancement of plant tolerance to biotic/abiotic stresses, increased crop productivity, pest resistance, phytoremediation, production of biopharmaceuticals, and enhanced nutritional content of crop plants. Agrobacterium has been successfully used to transform various economically and horticulturally important monocot and dicot species by standard tissue culture and in planta transformation techniques. Moreover, a novel Agrobacterium T-DNA-derived nano-complex method has been developed which will be highly valuable for plant biology and biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red macroalga Neopyropia yezoensis is a model organism, and an economically important seaweed widely cultured in eastern Asian countries. Transgenic research on N. yezoensis is difficult and limited to reporter genes and selection markers due to the specificities of this species. In this study, plasmids were constructed to overexpress six one helix protein (OHP) coding genes in N. yezoensis, and four transgenic lines with high expression levels of the target genes were obtained. The photosynthetic parameters were determined and it was found that the overexpression of OHPs altered electron transport in photosystem I and photosystem II, which was indicated by the increased 1-qL values and decreased P700+ reduction rates. The results also showed that the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) kinetics in N. yezoensis could not be stimulated by high light (HL) treatment. Two of the four transgenic lines showed stimulated NPQ, and they did not exhibit an obvious increased ability to resist to HL, which was shown by the decreased F v/ F m values. The increased H 2 O 2 content and decreased peroxidase (POD) activity were considered the possible results of the overexpressed OHPs, and they were responsible for the enhanced NPQ and HL sensitivity in those two transgenic lines. • Overexpression of OHPs in Pyropia yezoensis were successfully achieved. • Overexpression of OHPs alter its P700+ reduction rate. • Two OHPs of Pyropia yezoensis participate in non-photochemical quenching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In higher plants, genetic transformation, which is part of the toolbox for the study of living organisms, had been reported only 30 years ago, boosting basic plant biology research, generating superior crops, and leading to the new discipline of plant biotechnology. Here, we review its principles and the corresponding molecular tools. In vitro regeneration, through somatic embryogenesis or organogenesis, is discussed because they are prerequisites for the subsequent Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transferred (T)-DNA or direct DNA transfer methods to produce transgenic plants. Important molecular components of the T-DNA are examined, such as selectable marker genes that allow the selection of transformed cells in tissue cultures and are used to follow the gene of interest in the next generations, and reporter genes that have been developed to visualize promoter activities, protein localizations, and protein-protein interactions. Genes of interest are assembled with promoters and termination signals in Escherichia coli by means of GATEWAY-derived binary vectors that represent the current versatile cloning tools. Finally, future promising developments in transgene technology are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The plasmid of pCDMARUBA-Hyg, which contained two insect-resistance genes, sbk (modified from Cry1A(c)) and sck (modified from CpTI), was transformed into an Agrobacterium EHA105 for infection of the calli of a super japonica rice Nanjing 45. Primarily, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection with the primers of sbk and sck genes, 42 positive transgenic plants that were marker-free and contained the two target genes were selected from 97 regenerated plants. Results of southern-blotting indicated that 23, 11, 5, 2 and 1 plants had one, two, three, four and five copies of the transformed genes, respectively. Analysis of reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Bt gene testing paper showed that 28 T3 generation plants derived from four transgenic plants having a single copy were insect-resistant. Feeding experiment with rice stem borer revealed that the insect resistance was greatly increased with the larva mortality ranging from 94% to 100%. In addition, among the transgenic plants, three T3 transgenic plants possessed some desirable characteristics for breeding and production, such as plant height, seed-setting rate, 1000-grain weight and larva mortality. The mechanism of insect resistance of Bt gene and its application in rice transgenic research were also briefly discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The LIM-domain containing transcription factor, Lhx1, is involved in the regulation of early gastrulation cell movements, kidney organogenesis and other processes in vertebrate model organisms. To follow the expression of this gene in live embryos, we created transgenic zebrafish expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of Ihx1a regulatory regions. Tg(Ihx1a:EGFP)pt303 recapitulates the expression of endogenous Ihx1a beginning at early gastrula stages through 72 hours of development with only few exceptions. In addition, over-expression of the Nodal ligand, ndr1, results in the concomitant expansion of the transgane and endogenous Ihx1a expression. Treatment of Tg(Ihx1a:EGFP)pt303 embryos with the small molecule SB-431542, an inhibitor of Nodal signaling, results in the loss of both transgene and endogenous Ihx1a expression. These experiments suggest that Tg(Ihx1a:EGFP)pt303 is regulated in a manner similar to endogenous Ihx1a. Therefore, this reporter can be utilized not only for monitoring Ihxla expression, but also for numerous applications, including chemical genetics screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Arthropod-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue virus afflict billions of people worldwide imposing major economic and social burdens. Control of such pathogens is mainly performed by vector management and treatment of affected individuals with drugs. The failure of these conventional approaches due to emergence of insecticide-resistant insects and drug-resistant parasites demonstrate the need of novel and efficacious control strategies to combat these diseases. Genetic modification (GM) of mosquito vectors to impair their ability to be infected and transmit pathogens has emerged as a new strategy to reduce transmission of many vector-borne diseases and deliver public health gains. Several advances in developing transgenic mosquitoes unable to transmit pathogens have gained support, some of them attempt to manipulate the naturally occurring endogenous refractory mechanisms, while others initiate the identification of an exogenous foreign gene which disrupt the pathogen development in insect vectors. Heterologous expression of transgenes under a native or heterologous promoter is important for the screening and effecting of the transgenic mosquitoes. The effect of the transgene on mosquito fitness is a crucial parameter influencing the success of this transgenic approach. This review examines these two aspects and describes the basic research work that has been accomplished towards understanding the complex relation between the parasite and its vector and focuses on recent advances and perspectives towards construction of transgenic mosquitoes refractory to vector-borne disease transmission. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We reported previously that targeted expression of rat prorenin to the liver under the control of the human alpha1-antitrypsin promoter increased plasma prorenin levels by several-hundred-fold in male transgenic rats and caused cardiac hypertrophy, severe renal lesions, and myocardial fibrosis by 20 weeks of age, despite normal blood pressure. We examined the evolution of the phenotype of male transgenic rats over 12 months and the effects of binephrectomy on the renin-angiotensin (Ang) system. Plasma prorenin levels were >1000-fold higher than in wild type littermates, whereas plasma and renal Ang II levels were no different from wild-type (WT) levels, and kidney renin levels were suppressed in transgenic rats. In contrast to our earlier report, transgenic rats had increased systolic blood pressure at 3 to 12 months of age, and only modest renal lesions and myocardial fibrosis were evident after 6 months of age. Binephrectomy reduced plasma renin activity and concentration and prorenin levels by 50% to 80% and Ang II levels by 90% in WT rats. By contrast, binephrectomy increased plasma renin activity and concentration and prorenin levels by 52.0-, 13.0-, and 5.8-fold, respectively, without change in Ang II levels in transgenic rats. We conclude that, in the animals studied in this report, elevated prorenin levels did not cause renal lesions or myocardial fibrosis during the first 6 months of age. Ang peptide formation consequent to the increased prorenin levels prevented reduction of Ang II levels after binephrectomy and was likely to have contributed to hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and suppression of kidney renin levels in these transgenic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In addition to weed control in direct seeding field of hybrid rice, herbicide resistance genes were used by Chinese scientists to increase and identify the purity of hybrid seeds, and to realize the mechanization of hybrid seed production. The elite restorer lines, such as Minghui 63, R752, T461, R402, D68 and E32 were transformed directly with herbicide resistance genes, in which D68 and E32 are restorer lines of two-line system and the others are of three-line system. Because almost all of important restorer lines are indica varieties and are recalcitrant in transformation, many herbicide resistant near-isogenic restorer lines were developed by sexual hybridization of indica and japonica varieties and backcross with indica restorer lines later, such as Ce 64, Minghui 63, Teqing, Milyang 46, R402 and 9311, in which 9311 is a restorer line of two-line system. The elite photoperiod-sensitive/thermo-sensitive genic male sterile lines, such as Pei''ai 64S, P88S, 4008S and 7001S, were transformed with herbicide resistance genes. A few herbicide resistant male sterile lines were developed through sexual hybridization and subsequently systemic selection, such as Bar1259S, Bar2172S, 05Z221A and 05Z227A. With the employment of herbicide resistant male sterile lines or herbicide resistant restorer lines, a few herbicide resistant hybrid rice combinations were developed, such as Xiang 125S/Bar 68-1 and Pei''ai 64S/Bar 9311. Based on herbicide resistance, the research was marching on to investigate the parental lines of hybrid rice with insect resistance, drought tolerance, etc. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Modern biotechnology, based on recombinant DNA techniques, has made it possible to introduce new traits with great potential for crop improvement. However, concerns about unintended effects of gene transformation that possibly threaten environment or consumer health have persuaded scientists to set up pre-release tests on genetically modified organisms. Assessment of ‘substantial equivalence’ concept that established by comparison of genetically modified organism with a comparator with a history of safe use could be the first step of a comprehensive risk assessment. Metabolite level is the richest in performance of changes which stem from genetic or environmental factors. Since assessment of all metabolites in detail is very costly and practically impossible, statistical evaluation of processed data of grain spectroscopic values could be a time and cost effective substitution for complex chemical analysis. To investigate the ability of multivariate statistical techniques in comparison of metabolomes as well as testing a method for such comparisons with available tools, a transgenic rice in combination with its traditionally bred parent were used as test material, and the discriminant analysis were applied as supervised method and principal component analysis as unsupervised classification method on the processed data which were extracted from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data of powdered rice and rice extraction and barley grain samples, of which the latter was considered as control. The results confirmed the capability of statistics, even with initial data processing applications in metabolome studies. Meanwhile, this study confirms that the supervised method results in more distinctive results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of IRBM is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Porcine liver proteome iTRAQ analysis enabled the confident identification of 880 proteins with a rate of false positive identifications of less than 5%. Proteins involved in energy metabolism, catabolism, protein biosynthesis, electron transport, and other oxidoreductase reactions were highly enriched confirming the central role of liver as the major chemical and energy factory. Comparative analysis with human and mouse liver proteomes demonstrated that 80% of proteins were common to all three liver proteomes. In addition, it was also demonstrated that both sex of the animal and introduction of a novel phytase transgene into the genome each affected around 5% of total liver proteome. After controlling the false discovery rate (FDR≤0.1) using the Storey q value only four proteins (EPHX1, CAT, PAH, ST13) were shown to be differentially expressed between genders (Males/Females) and two proteins (SELENBP2, TAGLN) were differentially expressed between two lines (Transgenic/Conventional pigs). Current analysis is the largest proteome analysis for pig and complements the more extensive human and mouse proteome projects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article details the application of naked DNA containing type I interferon (IFN) transgenes therapeutic approach that has been extensively used to restrain ocular herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 infection, for antagonizing vaginal HSV-2 infection. It shows that the application of IFN-α1, -α5, and -Β transgenes to vaginal mouse lumen 24 hours prior to HSV-2 infection reduces HSV-2 mediated mortality.

Abstract: Objective: To construct and identify recombinant plasmid p UIS3-BLC+. Methods: The cDNA of B-lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC) was amplified from the total RNA of spleen tissues by PCR method, and were inserted into plasmid of Plasmodium berghei with UIS3 knockout by digestion of restrictive endonuclease and T7 ligation. The recombinant plasmids were screened, and then underwent restriction enzymatic digestion and DNA sequencing. Then the confirmed plasmid was further transfected into COS-1 cells by lipofectamine and the BLC expression was tested by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: The cDNA of BLC gene was correctively amplified by RT-PCR and the recombinant plasmid p UIS3-BLC+ was constructed successfully, which was confirmed by restriction enzymatic digestion and DNA sequencing. RT-PCR and Western blotting also showed the BLC gene expression in COS-1 cells. Conclusions: The recombinant plasmid p UIS3-BLC+ has BLC expression in COS-1 cells, and is useful for further study on BLC transgene and UIS3 gene knockout in Plasmodium berghei. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The placenta is an organ vital to fetal development as well as the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy and plays a crucial role in developmental programming of the fetus. The mechanisms that link intrauterine milieu, fetal health and disease development later in life are poorly understood. Placenta-specific gene modulation, both by generating transgenic animals as well as by developing methods for in vivo genetic modifications is a growing area of interest as this approach provides the opportunity to investigate the role of particular genes or gene networks in regulating placental function and fetal growth. Furthermore, in vivo placental gene transfer may be adapted to treat humans in the future and could be used as an early intervention strategy for a wide range of pregnancy complications. This review is an overview of transposase-based methods available for both transgenic animal generation and in vivo placental gene modifications with an emphasis on piggyBac-based systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author comments on the article "Genetically Modified Crops: Risks and Promise," by Gordon Conway. He believes that the solutions to the problems of the 21st century, particularly with plant biotechnology will come from generalists like Gordon Conway. He thinks that Conway's recognition of that interconnectedness of genetically engineered crops to a global economy, to the biosphere's cycling of water and nutrients, to human tradition and culture, to their wild relatives by the potential to interbreed is the start of solutions to problems.