Abstract Introduction: Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and its dose is closely related to aging. Telomere length (TL) is a unique heritable trait, and emerging as a biomarker of aging, health and disease. Telomerase RNA component (TERC) plays an important role in maintaining TL. We proposed a hypothesis that propofol dose in general anesthesia can be predicted by measuring TL before operation, which greatly reduced the risk of anesthesia, especially the elderly. Methods: The association between the propofol dose in anesthesia induction and: TL in the DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes; body weight; sex; difference of the Bispectral Index (BIS) before and after anesthesia induction in patients was evaluated by multivariable linear regression analyses. The mutation at the 5’end or 3’end of TERC was detected. We recruited 100 patients of elective surgery. Results: We found that propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated significantly with TL (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), body weight (r = 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p= 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p = 0.004), and difference of BIS before and after anesthesia induction (r = 0.85, p = 0.029). By comparing the absolute values of standardized regression coefficients (0.58, 0.21, 0.19, and 0.12) of the four variables, it can be seen that TL contributes the most to the propofol dose in anesthesia induction. However, the mutation at the 5’ end or 3’ end of TERC was not found. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that the propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated with genetically determined TL. TL may be a promising predictor of the propofol dose, which is beneficial to improve the safety of anesthesia and reduce perioperative complications.

Resumo: O envelhecimento da semente durante o armazenamento ou transporte pode afetar o rendimento e o custo da produção agrícola. O milho doce é um mutante natural com fraca vitalidade da semente durante o armazenamento. Neste estudo, mostramos que a dinâmica do nível de hormônio endógeno de sementes de milho doce recém-colhidas e envelhecidas foi diferente durante o processo de geminação precoce. A análise transcriptômica revelou vários novos transcritos durante o estágio inicial da germinação do milho doce nas vias de transdução de sinal e processamento de RNA. O perfil transcriptômico comparativo revelou que a expressão de muitos genes foi ativada mais cedo nas sementes envelhecidas do que nas recém-colhidas. As análises funcionais mostraram que, como duas redes principais, a sinalização de hormônios vegetais e as vias de defesa eram diferentes entre sementes de milho doce recém-colhidas e envelhecidas. As vias de sinalização de auxina, citocinina, giberelina, ácido salicílico e ácido jasmônico foram ativadas mais cedo nas sementes envelhecidas do que nas recém-colhidas no primeiro dia após a embebição. Esses resultados forneceram conhecimento para a compreensão do processo de envelhecimento de sementes de milho doce e vários genes candidatos ao estudo genético do mecanismo de envelhecimento de sementes. Resumo agrícola recémcolhidas recém colhidas precoce RNA recémcolhidas. colhidas. principais auxina citocinina giberelina embebição

Abstract: Seed ageing during storage or shipping can affect the yield and cost of agricultural production. Sweet corn is a naturally mutated corn cultivar with weak seed vitality during storage. In this study, we have shown that endogenous hormone level dynamics of fresh and aged sweet corn seeds were different during early geminating process. Transcriptomic assembling uncovered several novel transcripts during early stage of sweet corn germination in signal transduction and RNA processing pathways. Comparative transcriptomic profiling revealed that expression of many genes was activated earlier in aged seeds than fresh ones. Functional analyses showed that, as two major networks, plant hormone signaling and defense pathways were different between fresh and aged sweet corn seeds. Auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signaling pathways were activated earlier in aged seeds than fresh ones on the first day after imbibition. These results provided knowledge for understanding the ageing process of sweet corn seeds and several candidate genes for genetic study of seed ageing mechanism. Abstract production networks Auxin cytokinin gibberellin imbibition mechanism

Teosinte branched 1/cycloidea/proliferating cell factor 1 (TCP) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors playing crucial roles in various biological processes, such as leaf development, flower symmetry, shoot branching and senescence. However, no comprehensive analysis of the TCP gene family has been reported in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L). Herein, a total of 15 TCP family members were identified in the genome of grapevine, located on eight of the 19 chromosomes. Phylogenetic and structural analyses showed that the VvTCPs were classified into two groups, designated as Class I and Class II. The Class II genes were further divided into two subclasses, the CIN subclass and the CYC/TB1 subclass. Genes belonging to the same subclass shared similar gene structures, conserved domains and motifs. Real-time PCR showed that almost all members of Class II exhibited organ-specific expression patterns, while members of Class I and the CIN Class were ubiquitously expressed in all the tissues examined, indicating multiple roles in the development of different grapevine organs. In addition, many members were strongly modulated by abiotic (cold, heat, drought) and biotic (downy mildew and powdery mildew infection) stresses, suggesting important and diverse regulatory roles in adverse conditions and plant immunity. The comprehensive in silico analysis of the grapevine TCP transcription factor family gives us some references to potential functions in grapevine development and stress responses.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In the present study, we determined whether the effect of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on diabetic cardiomyopathy was associated with its impact on oxidative stress. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and heterozygous superoxide dismutase (SOD2+/-) knockout mice were administered APS. The hemodynamics, cardiac ultrastructure, and the apoptosis, necrosis and proliferation of cardiomyocytes were assessed to evaluate the effect of APS on diabetic and oxidative cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, H2O2 formation, oxidative stress/damage, and SOD activity in cardiomyocytes were evaluated to determine the effects of APS on cardiac oxidative stress. APS therapy improved hemodynamics and myocardial ultrastructure with reduced apoptosis/necrosis, and enhanced proliferation in cardiomyocytes from both STZ-induced diabetic mice and heterozygous SOD2+/- knockout mice. In addition, APS therapy reduced H2O2 formation and oxidative stress/damage, and enhanced SOD activity in both groups of mice. Our findings suggest that APS had benefits in diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may be partly associated with its impact on cardiac oxidative stress.