Biology subjects

Gao, Z.-h.

Publications and source records attributed to Gao, Z.-h..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Plant Face: Machine learning decodes genetic, environmental and developmental imprints in leaf appearance

Leaf appearance is a crucial plant phenotype. However, traditional methods for extracting this information are inefficient, limiting its full utilization. Deep learning based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) enables us to capture previously inaccessible information from images. In this study, we made the surprising discovery that the leaf appearance of each individual plant is unique. Using deep learning, leaves from one plant could be efficiently distinguished from those of another plant of the same species and cultivar. We term this phenomenon the "Plant Face" and suggest the potential to develop a "plant face recognition system," analogous to human facial recognition. We also applied similar methods to study the relationship between leaflet appearance and their position on compound leaves, leaf bilateral symmetry, and differences in leaves from twining stems with different chirality. These results collectively indicate that plant genetic characteristics, growth conditions, and developmental features can be stored within their appearance. With appropriate decoding, leaf appearance is poised to play an increasingly important role in phenomics. SignificanceThe saying "no two leaves in the world are identical" holds philosophical significance, as such variation encompasses considerable contingency and randomness. Here, we assert that no two trees have identical leaves; meaning that even for plants of the same species and cultivar, the leaf morphology of each individual plant is distinct at the population level, even though single leaves may overlap in appearance. Genetic, environmental, and developmental information is recorded in some manner within the phenotypic appearance of leaves. With advancements in computational technologies like artificial intelligence, this information can now be decoded. HighlightsO_LIThe leaves of each individual plant are statistically unique. C_LIO_LIThe relationship between leaflet appearances in compound leaves hints at their developmental patterns. C_LIO_LILeaves are not necessarily bilaterally symmetric in a statistical sense. C_LIO_LILeaves from stems with different chirality (twining direction) exhibit distinct appearances. C_LI

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Individual bat viromes reveal the co-infection, spillover and emergence risk of potential zoonotic viruses

Bats are reservoir hosts for many zoonotic viruses. Despite this, relatively little is known about the diversity and abundance of viruses within bats at the level of individual animals, and hence the frequency of virus co-infection and inter-species transmission. Using an unbiased meta-transcriptomics approach we characterised the mammalian associated viruses present in 149 individual bats sampled from Yunnan province, China. This revealed a high frequency of virus co-infection and species spillover among the animals studied, with 12 viruses shared among different bat species, which in turn facilitates virus recombination and reassortment. Of note, we identified five viral species that are likely to be pathogenic to humans or livestock, including a novel recombinant SARS-like coronavirus that is closely related to both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, with only five amino acid differences between its receptor-binding domain sequence and that of the earliest sequences of SARS-CoV-2. Functional analysis predicts that this recombinant coronavirus can utilize the human ACE2 receptor such that it is likely to be of high zoonotic risk. Our study highlights the common occurrence of inter-species transmission and co-infection of bat viruses, as well as their implications for virus emergence.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Ectopic FVIII expression and misfolding in hepatocytes as a potential cause of human hepatocellular carcinoma

Hemophilia A gene therapy targets hepatocytes to express B domain deleted-(BDD) clotting factor VIII (FVIII) to permit viral encapsidation. Since BDD is prone to misfolding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ER protein misfolding in hepatocytes followed by high fat diet (HFD) can cause hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we studied how FVIII misfolding impacts HCC development using hepatocyte DNA delivery to express three proteins from the same parental vector: 1) well-folded cytosolic dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR); 2) BDD-FVIII, which is prone to misfolding in the ER; and 3) N6-FVIII which folds more efficiently than BDD-FVIII. One week after DNA delivery, when FVIII expression was undetectable, mice were fed HFD for 65 weeks. Remarkably, all mice that received BDD-FVIII vector developed liver tumors, whereas only 58% of mice that received N6 and no mice that received DHFR vector developed liver tumors, suggesting that the degree of protein misfolding in the ER increases predisposition to HCC in the context of a HFD and in the absence of viral transduction. Our findings raise concerns of ectopic BDD-FVIII expression in hepatocytes in the clinic, which poses risks independent of viral vector integration. Limited expression per hepatocyte and/or use of proteins that avoid misfolding may enhance safety. Graphical abstract O_FIG_DISPLAY_L [Figure 1] M_FIG_DISPLAY C_FIG_DISPLAY

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2020

The separation of Antler Polypeptide and its effects on the proliferation and osteogenetic differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The effects of antler polypeptide on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were investigated. Antler polypeptide was separated from Colla Cornus Cervi by ultrafiltration into different samples according to molecular weight: A (molecular weight <800 Da), B (molecular weight 800-1500 Da) and C (molecular weight >1500 Da). The content of antler polypeptide in A, B and C solutions were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of antler polypeptide at different concentrations on the proliferation, cell cycle, and osteogenesis of BMSCs were investigated. The highest cell proliferation rate (84.66%) was observed for antler polypeptide B at a concentration of 1.578 x 10-2 g/mL. Antler polypeptide B significantly promoted the proliferation of BMSCs with a proliferation index of 38.68%, which was significantly higher than that of the other groups. Antler polypeptide B significantly enhanced the activity of alkaline phosphatase in BMSCs compared to that of blank group (P <0.001). Antler polypeptide B increased the BMP7 protein expression in BMSCs. Our data suggested that antler polypeptide may promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2019

Infection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato of small mammals in Yunnan Province, China

BackgroundLyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferisensulato (BBSL) which is usually found in wild and domestic mammals worldwide. Human cases of B. burgdorferi infections have been identified in China, but little direct surveillance of potential rodent reservoirs has been performed in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Yunnan Province is a tropical area with a diverse topographic range and sustains a high biodiversity of small mammals that could potentially play an important role in the transmission of a variety of B. burgdorferigenospecies.\n\nMethods3659 small mammals were captured in 159 sample siteslocated 23 countries inYunnan Province and screened for BBSL infection by nested PCR based on 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer gene of BBSL.Univariate and multivariate forward stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to access the association between infections and related risk factors.\n\nResultsInfection with BBSL was confirmed in 3.99%(146/3659) of small mammals. Significant differences in prevalence rates of BBSL were observed at varying landscape types and altitudes.Small mammals in forested areas had higher prevalence rates than other landscape types as did small mammals found at altitudes greater than 2500 meters. The 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacergene revealed that there were 5 genotype of BBSL, including B. afzelii, B. burgdorferisensustricto, B.japonica, B.gariniiand B.valaisiana, which demonstrate the genetic diversity and regional distribution.\n\nConclusionsThere exists a wide distribution and genetic diversity of endemic BBSL in Southwestern China, warranting further investigations and monitoring of clinical disease in individuals presenting with symptoms of Lyme disease in these areas.\n\nAuthor summaryLyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (BBSL) which is usually found in wild and domestic mammals worldwide. Human cases of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infections have been identified in China, but little direct surveillance of potential rodent reservoirs has been performed in Southwestern China. This study documents potential small mammal reservoir hosts collected from a large of sample sites from different landscape types and altitudes, with PCR and sequencing identifying the wide distribution and genetic diversity of endemic Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Southwestern China. This was the first report that B. japonica was detected in Apodemus draco and Niviventer excelsior in China. This study adds to body of literature on Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in China. This work will provide insight regarding small mammals to target for surveillance and we access the association between gender, developmental stage of rodents, environmental landscape and altitude to better prevent human exposure.

epidemiology↗