Though Verticillium dahliae is an asexually reproducing fungus, it is considered heterothallic owing to the presence of only one of the two mating-type idiomorphs (MAT1-1 or MAT1-2) in individual isolates. But sexual reproduction has never been observed either in nature or in the laboratory. All of the genomic information in the literature thus far has therefore come from studies on isolates carrying only the MAT1-2 idiomorph. Herein, we sequenced and compared high-quality reference genomes of MAT1-1 strain S011 and MAT1-2 strain S023 obtained from the same sunflower field. The two genomic sequences displayed high synteny, and encoded similar number genes, a similarity especially notable among pathogenicity-related genes. Homolog analysis between these two genomes revealed that 80% of encoded genes are highly conserved (95% identity and coverage), but only 20% of the single copy genes were identical. These novel genome resources will support the analysis of the structure and function of the two idiomorphs and provide valuable tools to elucidate the evolution and potential mechanisms of sexual reproduction in V. dahliae.
The high-density-dependent phase change from solitary to gregarious individuals in locusts is a typical example of phenotypic plasticity. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not clear. In this study, first, Oedaleus asiaticus were treated with high-density population stress and then analyzed by Illumina sequencing on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the body color change to identify the stage-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the identified DEGs revealed their role in metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the expression patterns of the nine key DEGs were studied in detail; this showed that the material change in locusts began on the third day of the high-density treatment, with the number of DEGs being the largest, indicating the importance of this period in the phase transition. In addition, the phenotypic change involved several key genes of important regulatory pathways, possibly working in a complex network. Phenotypic plasticity in locusts is multifactorial, involving multilevel material network interactions. This study improves the mechanistic understanding of phenotypic variation in insects at the genetic level.
Bovine endometrium undergoes various physiological and histological changes that are necessary for blastocyst implantation during oestrous cycle. From pro-oestrus to late-oestrus, endometrium thickens gradually for implantation preparation and exhibits remarkable capacity for self-repair after uterine lining shedding while implantation does not occur. The prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) secretion pattern is synchronized with endometrial growth during oestrous cycles in bovine endometrium; however, limited information is available regarding the association between PGE2 secretion and endometrial growth. In this study, the concentration (10-9 to 10-5 M) and time effect (2-36 hr) of PGE2 treatment on a series of growth factors are essential for endometrial growth including connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) mRNA and protein expression, and proliferation of epithelial and fibroblast cells was investigated in bovine endometrial explants in vitro. The results indicated that PGE2 at concentration about 10-7 to 10-5 M could up-regulate CTGF, FGF-2, IL-8, MMP-2, TGF-β1, VEGFA mRNA and protein expression, and could induce the proliferation of epithelial and fibroblast cells and reduce the proapoptotic factor (caspase-3) expression in bovine endometrial explants in vitro. These results collectively improved the possibility of PGE2 functions in endometrial growth during oestrous cycles.
Using time domain reflectometry (TDR) technology, waste moisture content variation in aerobic and anaerobic landfill of MSW was monitored, in order to study its disciplinarian. The results showed that volume moisture content of waste increased with landfill time and water holding capacity of waste improved continuously. The correlation of water quantity and moisture content was positive in early aerobic landfill, but it became negative later. In anaerobic landfill, moisture content variation was caused by settlement and compression of MSW. TDR readings and waste material-based volume moisture content had a good correlation. The maximum error between them is about +/- 5% in aerobic landfill and +/- 2% in anaerobic landfill. TDR technology is applicable to measure moisture content in practical landfill engineering.
Phenotypic determination of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is very important for diagnosis and treatment, but sometimes this procedure needs further genetic evaluation. Whole-genome sequencing plays a critical role in deciphering and advancing our understanding of bacterial evolution, transmission, and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was performed on nineteen clinically extraintestinal Escherichia coli isolates from chicken, cows and swine and showing different antimicrobial susceptibility. A total of 44 different genes conferring resistance to 11 classes of antimicrobials were detected in 15 of 19 E. coli isolates (78.9%), and 22 types of plasmids were detected in 15/19 (78.9%) isolates. In addition, whole-genome sequencing of these 19 isolates identified 111 potential virulence factors, and 53 of these VFDB-annotated genes were carried by all these 19 isolates. Twelve different virulence genes were identified while the most frequent ones were gad (glutamate decarboxylase), iss (increased serum survival) and lpfA (long polar fimbriae). All isolates harbored at least one of the virulence genes. The findings from comparative genomic analyses of the 19 diverse E. coli isolates in this study provided insights into molecular basis of the rising multi-drug resistance in E. coli.
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