1.Molecular Mapping and Functional Analysis of Phenotype-determining Genes for Mendelian Traits in Pea
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2447-2461
Mendel established the laws and laid the foundation of modern genetics through his famous hybridization experiments on seven pairs of classic traits in the garden pea (Pisum sativum). However, the molecular bases underlying these traits have only come into sharp focus in recent years. Leveraging advances in traditional map-based cloning, TILLING, long-read resequencing, population genetics, and GWAS, this article synthesizes current knowledge of ten genes governing seven traits—plant height, seed shape, flower color, seed color, pod color, pod morphology, and flower position—by summarizing each gene’s identity, chromosomal localization, and functional pathway. For plant height, the classical Le locus corresponds to PsGA3ox1, which encodes a gibberellin 3β-hydroxylase. Mutations at Le impede the biosynthesis of the bioactive hormone GA1, and the resulting deficiency leads to a dwarf or reduced-stature phenotype. Seed shape is determined by R, identified as PsSBEI (starch-branching enzyme I). Insertion of a transposable element into R restricts amylopectin synthesis, perturbing endosperm starch architecture and resulting in the wrinkled seeds noted by Mendel. Flower color is specified by the coordinated action of A (a bHLH transcription factor) and A2 (a WD40 scaffold). Together, they assemble the canonical MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) regulatory complex, which co-activates structural genes in the anthocyanin pathway to determine pigment accumulation and floral hue. Seed color is governed by I, which encodes PsSGR (STAY-GREEN), a magnesium dechelatase that catalyzes a key step in chlorophyll catabolism. Loss-of-function alleles at I block chlorophyll degradation, yielding “stay-green” seeds in which chlorophyll persists beyond normal developmental stages. Pod coloration maps to Gp, corresponding to ChlG (chlorophyll synthase). Either direct loss of ChlG function or readthrough-fusion transcriptional interference caused by a large upstream deletion suppresses chlorophyll biosynthesis in developing pods, resulting in the yellow-pod phenotype. Pod morphology depends on two convergent regulatory pathways. The P gene, PsCLE41, signals through the P-PXY-WOX/NAC axis to promote vascular differentiation and secondary-wall programs, while V encodes PsMYB26, a transcription factor that drives secondary wall thickening in fiber cells. Acting in concert, these modules ensure robust secondary-wall deposition in the fiber layer lining the inner pod wall; disruption of either component compromises wall thickening and leads to pleated or wrinkled pods. Flower position (inflorescence determinacy at the shoot apex) is controlled by FA, identified as PsCIK, which participates in the CLAVATA-WUSCHEL (CLV-WUS) feedback circuit that maintains shoot apical meristem homeostasis. Mutations in FA destabilize this self-regulatory loop and promote terminal flowers at the apex. The expressivity of this determinacy phenotype is further modulated by a recessive modifier, Mfa, which fine-tunes the outcome in the fa background. Across these loci, convergent evidence highlights the central role of structural variation in generating the classical Mendelian phenotypes. Building on this clarified molecular landscape, we outline practical implications for quality improvement and the deliberate “design” of traits. Looking ahead, we envisage a next generation of legume genetic improvement anchored on three mutually reinforcing pillars: high-quality reference genomes to deliver contiguous, structurally faithful assemblies; comprehensive pan-genomes to capture presence/absence variation and structural polymorphism across germplasm; and precise gene editing to target coding, regulatory, and structural features alike. Together, these tools chart a path toward mechanism-based breeding, enabling purposeful, design-driven trait improvement in peas and, by extension, other legumes.
2.Cost-effectiveness of angiographic quantitative flow ratio-guided coronary intervention: A multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial.
Yanyan ZHAO ; Changdong GUAN ; Yang WANG ; Zening JIN ; Bo YU ; Guosheng FU ; Yundai CHEN ; Lijun GUO ; Xinkai QU ; Yaojun ZHANG ; Kefei DOU ; Yongjian WU ; Weixian YANG ; Shengxian TU ; Javier ESCANED ; William F FEARON ; Shubin QIAO ; David J COHEN ; Harlan M KRUMHOLZ ; Bo XU ; Lei SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1186-1193
BACKGROUND:
The FAVOR (Comparison of Quantitative Flow Ratio Guided and Angiography Guided Percutaneous Intervention in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease) III China trial demonstrated that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) lesion selection using quantitative flow ratio (QFR) measurement, a novel angiography-based approach for estimating fractional flow reserve, improved two-year clinical outcomes compared with standard angiography guidance. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of QFR-guided PCI from the perspective of the current Chinese healthcare system.
METHODS:
This study is a pre-specified analysis of the FAVOR III China trial, which included 3825 patients randomized between December 25, 2018, and January 19, 2020, from 26 centers in China. Patients with stable or unstable angina pectoris or those ≥72 hours post-myocardial infarction who had at least one lesion with a diameter stenosis between 50% and 90% in a coronary artery with a ≥2.5 mm reference vessel diameter by visual assessment were randomized to a QFR-guided strategy or an angiography-guided strategy with 1:1 ratio. During the two-year follow-up, data were collected on clinical outcomes, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), estimated costs of index procedure hospitalization, outpatient cardiovascular medication use, and rehospitalization due to major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The primary analysis calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) as the cost per MACCE avoided. An ICER of ¥10,000/MACCE event avoided was considered economically attractive in China.
RESULTS:
At two years, the QFR-guided group demonstrated a reduced rate of MACCE compared to the angiography-guided group (10.8% vs . 14.7%, P <0.01). Total two-year costs were similar between the groups (¥50,803 ± 21,121 vs . ¥50,685 ± 23,495, P = 0.87). The ICER for the QFR-guided strategy was ¥3055 per MACCE avoided, and the probability of QFR being economically attractive was 64% at a willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥10,000/MACCE avoided. Sensitivity analysis showed that QFR-guided PCI would become cost-saving if the cost of QFR were below ¥3682 (current cost: ¥3800). Cost-utility analysis yielded an ICER of ¥56,163 per QALY gained, with a 53% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥85,000 per QALY gained.
CONCLUSION:
In patients undergoing PCI, a QFR-guided strategy appears economically attractive compared to angiographic guidance from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03656848.
Humans
;
Cost-Benefit Analysis
;
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Coronary Angiography/methods*
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Coronary Artery Disease/surgery*
;
Quality-Adjusted Life Years
;
Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial/physiology*
3.Research Progress on Enzyme-free Blood Glucose Sensor.
Jin-Jiang JIN ; Ju-Chao ZOU ; Hong LIU ; Yong-Hua CHU ; Guo-Hua HUI
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2022;46(3):296-301
Blood glucose monitoring is of great significance to diabetic patients, and the development of rapid, accurate and real-time glucose detection technology has become a research hotspot nowadays. This study introduces the concept and classification of the enzyme-free glucose sensor, expounds enzymefree glucose sensor electrode characterization methods and the application progress of different materials in enzyme-free blood glucose sensors. Meanwhile, some problems of enzyme-free glucose sensor existing in the current research and its future application prospects also will be discussed.
Blood Glucose
;
Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring
;
Electrodes
;
Glucose
;
Humans
;
Monitoring, Physiologic
4.Literature analysis of adverse drug reactions induced by sintilimab
Feifei ZHAO ; N Ma LI ; Nan YANG ; In Lij MAO ; Jingxia CHEN ; Feng GUO
China Pharmacy 2022;33(16):2012-2016
OBJEC TIVE To investigate the status and clinical characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADRs)induced by sintilimab in order to provide references for clinical rational drug use. METHODS The cases of ADR induced by sintilimab were retrieved from the databases of PubMed ,Embase,CNKI,VIP and Wanfang. RESULTS A total of 32 literature were included , involving 33 patients among which there were 25 males(75.76%)and 8 females(24.24%). The incidence of ADRs was higher in patients aged over 40 years(81.82%). The dose of sintilimab was the drug instructions recommended dose (200 mg)for 30 patients and 100 mg for a patient. The earliest ADR occurred 1 h after the first medication ,the latest ADR occurred after 14 cycles of sintilimab. The 27 cases suffered from ADR cases (81.82%)within 4 months after medication ,and no reports of ADR occurred after 12 months of medication. The major manifestations of ADR were myocarditis ,diabetes mellitus ,checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis(CIP),cytokine release syndrome (CRS)and hypothyroid myopathy (HM),etc. CRS and HM belonged to ADRs not recorded in the drug instructions. The 29 cases of recovery and 4 deaths occurred after symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSIONS ADR caused by sintilimab often occurs within 4 months after treatment ,and it is high in males and patients over 40 years old. In clinical application of sintilimab ,attention should be paid to the occurrence of myocarditis ,diabetes mellitus ,CIP,as well as CRS and HM not recorded in the drug instructions.
7.Infestation and distribution of chigger mites on Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) in Yunnan Province, Southwest China
Ding, F. ; Guo, X.G. ; Song, W.Y. ; Fan, R. ; Zhao, C.F. ; Mao, K.Y. ; Zhang, Z.W. ; Peng, P.Y. ; Lin, H. ; Dong, W.G. ; Qian, T.J. ; Yang, Z.H. ; Zou, Y.J.
Tropical Biomedicine 2021;38(No.1):111-121
Chigger mites is a group of arthropods and some of them are vectors of scrub typhus. As a
common synanthropic rodent species, the Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) often harbors lots of
ectoparasites including chigger mites. According to some “data mining” strategies, the present
study took the advantage of the abundant original data from a long-term field ecological
investigation between 2001 and 2015 to make a detailed analysis of chigger mites on
R. norvegicus in Yunnan Province, Southwest of China. From 18 of 33 investigated counties,
only 1414 chigger mites were collected from 1113 Brown rats with relatively low infestations.
The 1414 individual chigger mites were identified as comprising 61 species, 11 genera and
2 subfamilies of the family Trombiculidae with a high species diversity (S=61, H’=3.13). Of 61
mite species, there were four main species, Walchia ewingi, Ascoschoengastia indica, W. koi and
A. rattinorvegici, which accounted for 44.41% of the total mites. All the chigger mites were of
aggregated distribution among different individuals of R. norvegicus. The Brown rats in the
outdoor habitats harbored much more individuals and species of chigger mites with a
higher mean abundance (MA=1.46) and mean intensity (MI=12.53) than in the indoor habitats
(P<0.05). The overall infestation of the rats was significantly higher in the mountainous
landscapes than in the flatland landscapes (P<0.001). The species similarity (Css) of the
mites on the male and female rats reached 64.44% with sex biased infestations. The male
rats harbored more species and individuals of the mites than the female rats. The adult rats
harbored more species and individuals of the mites than the juvenile rats. The species
abundance distribution of the mites was successfully fitted by Preston’s lognormal model
with S
^
(R)=15e–[0.31(R–1)]2
(α=0.31, R2=0.95). On the basis of fitting the theoretical curve by Preston’s
model, the total mite species on R. norvegicus was estimated to be 86 species, and 25 rare
mite species were missed in the sampling field investigation. The curve tendency of the
species-plot relationship indicates that R. norvegicus have a great potential to harbor many
species of chigger mites, and more species of the mites would be collected if more rats are
sampled.
8.Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulates proliferation of stem/progenitor cells: what we need to know to translate basic science research into clinical applications.
Yan TAN ; Yang GUO ; Amanda B REED-MALDONADO ; Zheng LI ; Guiting LIN ; Shu-Jie XIA ; Tom F LUE
Asian Journal of Andrology 2021;23(6):602-610
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a promising therapy that has been increasingly explored in basic research and clinical applications. LIPUS is an appealing therapeutic option as it is a noninvasive treatment that has many advantages, including no risk of infection or tissue damage and no known adverse reactions. LIPUS has been shown to have many benefits including promotion of tissue healing, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration; inhibition of inflammation and pain relief; and stimulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The biophysical mechanisms of LIPUS remain unclear and the studies are ongoing. In recent years, more and more research has focused on the relationship between LIPUS and stem/progenitor cells. A comprehensive search of the PubMed and Embase databases to July 2020 was performed. LIPUS has many effects on stem cells. Studies show that LIPUS can stimulate stem cells in vitro; promote stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration; maintain stem cell activity; alleviate the problems of insufficient seed cell source, differentiation, and maturation; and circumvent the low efficiency of stem cell transplantation. The mechanisms involved in the effects of LIPUS are not fully understood, but the effects demonstrated in studies thus far have been favorable. Much additional research is needed before LIPUS can progress from basic science research to large-scale clinical dissemination and application.
Cell Proliferation
;
Humans
;
Signal Transduction
;
Stem Cells/radiation effects*
;
Ultrasonic Therapy/methods*
;
Ultrasonic Waves
9.NOGEA: A Network-oriented Gene Entropy Approach for Dissecting Disease Comorbidity and Drug Repositioning
Guo ZIHU ; Fu YINGXUE ; Huang CHAO ; Zheng CHUNLI ; Wu ZIYIN ; Chen XUETONG ; Gao SHUO ; Ma YAOHUA ; Shahen MOHAMED ; Li YAN ; Tu PENGFEI ; Zhu JINGBO ; Wang ZHENZHONG ; Xiao WEI ; Wang YONGHUA
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics 2021;19(4):549-564
Rapid development of high-throughput technologies has permitted the identification of an increasing number of disease-associated genes (DAGs), which are important for understanding disease initiation and developing precision therapeutics. However, DAGs often contain large amounts of redundant or false positive information, leading to difficulties in quantifying and prioritizing potential relationships between these DAGs and human diseases. In this study, a network-oriented gene entropy approach (NOGEA) is proposed for accurately inferring master genes that contribute to specific diseases by quantitatively calculating their perturbation abilities on directed disease-specific gene networks. In addition, we confirmed that the master genes identified by NOGEA have a high reliability for predicting disease-specific initiation events and progression risk. Master genes may also be used to extract the underlying information of different diseases, thus revealing mechanisms of disease comorbidity. More importantly, approved therapeutic targets are topologically localized in a small neighborhood of master genes in the interactome network, which provides a new way for predicting drug-disease associations. Through this method, 11 old drugs were newly identified and predicted to be effective for treating pancreatic cancer and then validated by in vitro experiments. Collectively, the NOGEA was useful for identifying master genes that control disease initiation and co-occurrence, thus providing a valuable strategy for drug efficacy screening and re-positioning. NOGEA codes are publicly available at https://github.com/guozihuaa/NOGEA.
10. Molecular Mechanism of Selective Binding of Pharmacodynamic Active BVOCs Substance Group with Bovine β-Lactoglobulin
Qing-Teng ZHOU ; Ming GUO ; Zhi-Yan HU ; Jie-Li ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2021;37(9):1205-1219
Headspace-solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) were used to analyze the interaction between the β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) and the botany volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from pomelo peel to screen out the pharmacodynamic active BVOCs substance group. The selective binding effect between β-LG and BVOCs was analyzed by quantitative recovery of BVOCs, and the binding parameters were calculated. Then, the molecular model of BVOCs binding with β-LG was established by molecular docking and spectroscopic method, and the molecular mechanism of interaction between pharmacodynamic active BVOCs and β-LG was discussed from the perspective of omics. The results showed that dipentene (Dt), linalylacetate (La) and nootkatone (Nt) of BVOCs were selected by HS-SPME/GC-MS by the interaction of β-LG and BVOCs substance group. Parameter calculation showed that β-LG had the strongest affinity with Nt, but the binding force was not strong, and the affinity for La was the weakest. The affinity of β-LG to Dt was weak, but the binding force was the strongest, with a binding rate of 54. 66%, indicating that the selective binding strength of β-LG with the pharmacodynamic active BVOCs depended on the chemical structure of BVOCs molecules. The β-LG preferred to bind to the aldehyde and ketone BVOCs molecules containing carbonyl oxygen structure. The molecular model of β-LG and BVOCs group (Dt, La, Nt) was established to evaluate the binding position of BVOCs group (Dt, La, Nt) on β-LG. The loosening, extension and conformational change of β-LG secondary structure caused by the introduction of BVOCs are the result of van der Waals force, hydro-phobicity and hydrogen bonding. This study provides a new method for screening pharmacodynamic active BVOCs from the perspective of whole substance group of BVOCs, and provides a useful reference for investigating the binding mechanism between pharmacodynamic active BVOCs and functional protein molecules from the perspective of omics.


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