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Background and Aims: Bunch bagging is a grapevine canopy management strategy to protect bunches from light, heat stress and disease pressure. The aim of this study was to unveil the effects of timing and duration of bunch bagging on grape volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the transcriptomic and metabolic levels. Methods and Results: Seven bunch bagging treatments of varying timing and duration were implemented with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Regardless of timing and duration, bagging significantly reduced nerol, benzaldehyde, benzeneacetaldehyde and p‐cymene, and increased the concentration of phenol and 3,5‐dimethylbenzaldehyde. The decrease of nerol by bagging was associated with the down‐regulation of the gene encoding glycosyltransferase14 at veraison. Bagging and re‐exposing bunches at the preharvest stage inhibited and benefited the accumulation of C6 alcohols. Furthermore, we infer that the higher concentration of total benzenoids in all bagged berries was due to the down‐regulated expression of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis genes. The concentration of the dominant norisoprenoid, β‐damascenone, was not impacted by bunch bagging from veraison to harvest and was increased by bagging from veraison to post‐veraison. All other treatments, however, reduced this compound, which was due to a lower concentration of β‐carotene and lutein, and the down‐regulation of VviCCD4a and VviCCD4b. Conclusions: Both timing and duration of bunch bagging can affect biosynthesis and accumulation of VOCs. Significance of the Study: Insights from this study provide new knowledge on bunch bagging, as well as information regarding the sensitivity of VOCs to light and the timing of light exposure during grape ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Various studies have shown that aberrant expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) has a pivotal role in multifarious cancers. However, the role of circRNAs in hepatoblastoma (HB) is not clearly understood. In the present study, we attempted to explore the underlying mechanism of hsa_cric_0000594 in HB along with its clinical importance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our research, the expression pattern of hsa_circ_0000594 in HB tissues and matched normal liver tissues was determined by in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR. Proliferation, viability, migration, and apoptosis of HB cell lines were detected via Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, transwell, and flow cytometry assays. The interaction of hsa_circ_0000594 with miR-217 was investigated by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: Expression levels of hsa_circ_0000594 were significantly upregulated in HB tissues compared with those in paired normal liver tissues and showed a clear association with the subtype of HB. The knockdown of hsa_circ_0000594 inhibited the malignant phenotype of HB. Bioinformatics analysis suggests that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) may serve as a target gene of miR-217. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanically, hsa_circ_0000594 was identified to have a critical role in HB development through the hsa_circ_0000594/mir-217/SIRT1 regulatory axis, which might become a novel diagnostic marker and potential therapeutic target in HB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we established and characterized a cell line derived from the kidney of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), which is an important freshwater aquaculture species. The cell line was designated as MPK and subcultured for more than 70 passages in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 28°C. MPK had a modal diploid chromosome number of 48. Moreover, a transient MPK transfection efficiency was up to 18% using a green fluorescent protein plasmid by a modified electroporation. In addition, the MPK cells showed susceptibility to spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), as demonstrated by the presence of severe cytopathic effects (CPEs) and increased viral RNA. Unexpectedly, the MPK cells expressed pluripotency‐associated genes such as nanog, oct4 and vasa, indicating that these are possibly adult stem cells. Taken together, we have established a stable cell line from kidney that may potentially be utilized as an in vitro platform for genetic modifications and host–pathogen analysis in black carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Zaoheibao' (a red tetraploid hybrid) and 'Wuhecuibao' (a white triploid hybrid) grapes have been obtained from Guibao♀ (diploid, Vitis vinifera) x Zaomeigui♂ (diploid, V. vinifera) and Guibao♀ (diploid, V. vinifera) x Wuhebaijixin♂ (triploid, V. vinifera) respectively. Aroma characterisation of the two new table grape cultivars was firstly done by the investigation of volatile compounds. The influence of greenhouse cultivation and vintage on berry aroma was studied as well. The results showed that linalool, decanal, β-damascenone, hexanal and (E)-2-hexenal were the main volatile compounds of the two cultivars, which meant that the floral, fruity and sweet odour were prominent, followed by the herbaceous aroma. Greenhouse cultivation enhanced herbaceous odour in both 'Wuhecuibao' and 'Zaoheibao' berries, and reduced the floral aroma, contributed mainly by β-damascenone, in 'Wuhecuibao', and the sweet aroma, represented mainly by linalool, in 'Zaoheibao'. The concentrations of the main aroma compounds were greatly affected by vintage and the intensity of sensorial perception was correspondingly changed, but varietal odour attributes were not significantly altered. These results will not only help promote the cultivation and popularisation of these cultivars, but also will provide valuable data for the use of these cultivars in future breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: In an effort to protect the development of the icewine production industry, this study aimed to find indicators to distinguish between authentic and non-authentic icewines. Methods and Results: Fully ripened berries were used to prepare three types of high-sugar grape juices: naturally frozen juice, refrigerator-frozen juice and concentrated juice. The content of phenolic acids and flavan-3-ols in the samples before and after fermentation was assayed. Significant differences were found in the individual level of most phenolic acids and flavan-3-ols except chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid and (−)-epicatechin among the three types of high-sugar juices. At the end of fermentation, there were significant differences in the wines, not attributable to the influence of yeasts. Conclusions: Vanillic acid, caffeic acid, (−)-epigallocatechin gallate, gentisic acid and syringic acid may be used as indicators of authentic icewine. Significance of the Study: This work provides a basis for distinguishing authentic icewine and controlling icewine quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship of H2O2 and jasmonic acid (JA) in wound-induced defense response was investigated in the leaves of pea ( Pisum sativum L.) plants. The results showed that both wounding and JA treatment led to a significant increase in activities of plasma membrane NADPH oxidase and phenylalanine ammonialyase. However, such an increase was blocked by the pretreatment with plasma membrane NADPH oxidase inhibitors, Oscavengers, or H2O2 scavenger, implying that H2O2 functions downstream of JA. Furthermore, wounding treatment activated two key enzymes of JA biosynthesis, lipoxygenase and allene oxide synthase, while JA biosynthetic inhibitors impaired the wounding-induced H2O2 burst. Thus, it is suggested that H2O2 burst depends on JA production in plant wounding response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proanthocyanidins are a group of oligomeric or polymeric flavan-3-ols that are highly significant contributors to astringency in grapes and wines. An orthogonal L9(3)4 test was adopted to determine the optimal extraction conditions and acid-catalysis cleavage of proanthocyanidins in the presence of excess phloroglucinol. The qualitative and quantitative analyses were done using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The results showed that the maximum extraction was obtained using 0.3 mol/L of HCl and 0.005 g of ascorbic acid with incubation at 70°C for 20 min. The precision and accuracy of this method were acceptable. The composition of free flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins in the skins of 'Marselan' grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) was investigated. (-)-Epigallocatechin was found to be the most abundant free flavan-3-ol monomer and terminal subunits, whereas the extension subunits were mainly (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate in the early developmental stages, and primarily (-)-epigallocatechin and (-)-epicatechin in the middle and late stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. This study focuses on the effects of Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) NNT-AS1 on breast cancer cell growth and metastasis. Fifty-six pairs of breast cancer (BC) tissues and matched paracarcinoma tissues were obtained. The BC cell lines and normal human breast cell line were employed. NNT-AS1 in BC cells was knocked down by shRNA. Cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8), colony formation assay, cell cycle analysis, cell apoptosis analysis, cound healing assay, Transwell assay, cioinformatics analysis, Western blot analysis and Xenograft model were used. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay indicated that expression of NNT-AS1 was obviously upregulated in breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues (n=56). Knockdown of NNT-AS1 could attenuate breast cancer cell viability, proliferation, invasion and migration, as well as promote cell apoptosis and induce cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. ZFP36 was directly combined with NNT-AS1, and silencing of ZFP36 could rescue tumor suppression role by downregulating NNT-AS1 on cell proliferation and metastasis. Knockdown of NNT-AS1 could suppress cell growth and metastasis via interacting with ZFP36 in vivo. This study demonstrated that knockdown of NNT-AS1 had tumor-suppressive effect on breast cancer progression and metastasis via interacting with ZFP36 in vitro and in vivo, which provides a new insight into the treatment and prognosis evaluation of breast cancer., (Copyright 2020 Biolife Sas. www.biolifesas.org.)