Cucumber glossy fruit 1 (CsGLF1) encodes the zinc finger protein 6 that regulates fruit glossiness by enhancing cuticular wax biosynthesis

Cucumber glossiness is an important visual quality trait that affects consumer choice.Accumulating evidence suggests that glossy trait is associated with cuticular wax accumulation.However,the molecular genetic mechanism controlling cucumber glossiness remains largely unknown.Here,we report the map-based cloning and functional characterization of CsGLF1,a locus that determines the glossy trait in cucumber.CsGLF1 encodes a homolog of the Cys_(2)His_(2)-like fold group(C2H2)-type zinc finger protein 6(ZFP6)and its deletion leads to glossier pericarp and decreased cuticular wax accumulation.Consistently,transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that a group of wax biosynthetic genes were downregulated when CsZFP6 was absent.Further,transient expression assay revealed that CsZFP6 acted as a transcription activator of cuticular wax biosynthetic genes.Taken together,our findings demonstrated a novel regulator of fruit glossiness,which will provide new insights into regulatory mechanism of fruit glossiness in cucumber.

A novel mutation in ROR2 led to the loss of function of ROR2 and inhibited the osteogenic differentiation capability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)

Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2(ROR2)has a vital role in osteogenesis.However,the mechanism underlying the regulation of ROR2 in osteogenic differentiation is still poorly comprehended.A previous study by our research group showed that a novel compound heterozygous ROR2 variation accounted for the autosomal recessive Robinow syndrome(ARRS).This study attempted to explore the impact of the ROR2:c.904C>T variant specifically on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.Methods:Coimmunoprecipitation(CoIP)-western blotting was carried out to identify the interaction between ROR2 and Wnt5a.Double-immunofluorescence staining was used for determining the expressions and co-localization of ROR2 and Wnt5a in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs).Western blot(WB)analysis and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were conducted to identify the expression levels of ROR2 in the BMSCs transfected with LV-shROR2 or LV-ROR2-c.904C>T.The alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity was detected,and Alizarin Red S staining was done for evaluating the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.RT-qPCR was employed to identify the expression of the sphingomyelin synthase 1(SMS1)mRNA in the BMSCs transfected with LV-shROR2 or LV-ROR2-c.904C>T and the mRNA expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2),osteocalcin(OCN),and osteopontin(OPN).WB was performed to confirm the protein expressions of extracellular regulated protein kinases1(ERK),P-ERK,Smad family member1/5/8(Smad1/5/8),P-Smad1/5/8,P-P38,P38,RUNX2,OCN,and OPN in the BMSCs transfected with LV-shROR2/LV-ROR2-c.904C>T and sphingomyelin(SM).Results:The ROR2:c.904C>T mutant altered the subcellular localization of the ROR2 protein,which caused an impaired interaction between ROR2 and Wnt5a.The depletion of ROR2 restricted the osteogenic differentiation capability of BMSCs and downregulated the expression of SMS1.SM treatment could reverse the inhibition of osteoblastic differentiation in ROR2-depleted BMSCs.Conclusion:The findings of this work revealed that the ROR2:c.904C>T variant led to the loss of function of ROR2,which impaired the interaction between ROR2 and Wnt5a and also controlled the osteogenic differentiation capability of BMSCs.Furthermore,SM was revealed to be engaged in the osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs regulated by ROR2,which renders SM a potential target in the therapy for ARRS.

Characteristics of the Late Quaternary right-lateral strike-slip movement of Bolokenu-Aqikekuduk fault in northern Tianshan Mountains,NW China

The characteristics of the Bolokenu-Aqikekuduk（Bo-A） fault,a right-lateral strike-slip fault that runs for more than 700 km long and obliquely cuts North Tianshan Mountains,are evaluated here based on remote sensing data,and through an analysis of the results from field investigations as well as climate-geomorphic events. The fault is composed of a western segment with a NW strike and an eastern segment with a NWW strike.The western segment is nearly 250 km long,extending northwestward into Kazakhstan with a right-lateral strike-slip rate of 5 mm/a.This domain consists of 4-5 rupture sections,with 3-4 deformation belts,caused by ancient or historical earthquakes,and suggesting the potential for the occurrence of further strong earthquakes（with M≈7.5） in future. The eastern segment of the fault shows a right-lateral strike-slip rate of 1-1.4 mm/a,with the development of 3-4 deformation belts caused by ancient or historical earthquakes,and with a potential for future strong earthquake with M≈7.0. A typical strain partitioning style in the compression area has developed between the intermontane BoA fault and the piedmont thrust structures of Northern Tianshan Mountains,under the effect of oblique compression,as indicated by the piedmont thrust structure and the strike-slip fault in the mountains.

Evaluation of menopausal status among breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea

Objective： In patients with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea （CIA）, the menopausal status is ambiguous anddifficult to evaluate. This study aimed to establish a discriminative model to predict and classify the menopausalstatus of breast cancer patients with CIA.Methods： This is a single center hospital-based study from 2013 to 2016. The menopausal age distribution andaccumulated incidence rate of CIA are described. Multivariate models were adjusted for established and potentialconfounding factors including age, serum concentration of estradiol （E2） and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）,feeding, pregnancy, parity, abortions, and body mass index （BMI）. The odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidenceinterval （95% CI） of different risk factors were estimated.Results： A total of 1,796 breast cancer patients were included in this study, among whom, 1,175 （65.42%） werepremenopausal patients and 621 （34.58%） were post-menopause patients. Five hundred and fifty patients wereincluded in CIA analysis, and a cumulative CIA rate of 81.64% was found in them. Age （OR： 1.856, 95% CI：1.732-1.990）, serum concentration of E2 （OR： 0.976, 95% CI： 0.972-0.980） and FSH （OR： 1.060, 95% CI：1.053-i.066）, and menarche age （OR： 1.074, 95% CI： 1.009-1.144） were found to be associated with the patients＇menopausal status. According to multivariate analysis, the discriminative model to predict the menopausal status isLogit （P）=-28.396＋0.536Age-0.014E2＋0.031FSH. The sensitivities for this model were higher than 85%, and itsspecificities were higher than 89%.Conclusions： The discriminative model obtained from this study for predicting menstrual state is important forpremenopausal patients with CIA. This model has high specificity and sensitivity and should be prudently used.

Novel Cathelicidins with Potent Antimicrobial,Biofilm Inhibitory,and Anti-inflammatory Activities from the Frog Fejervarya multistriata

Antimicrobial peptides（AMPs）,a class of gene-encoded peptides,are the first line of immune system to defense microbial invasions in multicellular organisms.Cathelicidins are an important family of AMPs that have been identified exclusively in vertebrates.However,up to now,cathelicidins from amphibians are poorly understood.In the present study,we reported the identification and characterization of two novel cathelicidins（FM-CATH1 and FMCATH2） from the frog Fejervarya multistriata.The c DNA sequences encoding FM-CATHs were successfully cloned from the constructed lung c DNA library of F.multistriata.Both of the c DNA sequences encoding FM-CATHs are 447 bp in length,and the deduced mature peptides of FM-CATHs are composed of 34 residues.Structural analysis indicated that FM-CATH1 and FM-CATH2 mainly assume amphipathic alpha-helical conformations.Antimicrobial and bacterial killing kinetic analysis indicated that both FM-CATH1 and FM-CATH2 possess potent,broad-spectrum and rapid antimicrobial potency.And cytoplasmic membrane permeabilization analysis indicated that FM-CATH1 and FMCATH2 kill bacteria by inducing the permeabilization of bacterial membrane.Besides direct antimicrobial activities,FM-CATHs also exhibited significant inhibitory effect on the formation of bacterial biofilms at low concentrations below 1×MIC.Furthermore,FM-CATH1 and FM-CATH2 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting LPS-induced transcription and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 in mouse peritoneal macrophages.Meanwhile,FM-CATHs showed relatively low cytotoxic activity against mammalian normal and tumor cell lines,and low hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes.In summary,the identification of FM-CATHs provides novel clues for our understanding of the roles of cathelicidins in amphibian immune systems.The potent antimicrobial,biofilm inhibitory,anti-inflammatory activities,and low cytotoxicity of FM-CATHs imply their great potential in novel antibiotics development.

Isolation and Identification of Root Rot Fungus of Astragalus membranaceus

The perennial root of Astragalus membranaceus is used as a medicine, while root rot is a main factor causing reduction of quality and commodity value of A. membranaceus . The screening and research of the pathogenic species and their characteristics could provide theoretical and practical basis for the control of this disease. A pathogenic strain was isolated and purified from the root part of four-year-old A. membranaceus , and identified by morphological and molecular biological methods as Fusarium oxysporum . This study will provide a theoretical basis for the research of the biological characteristics and control of F. oxysporum .

Geographically Distinct Expression Profile of Host Defense Peptides in the Skin of the Chinese Odorous Frog, Odorrana margaretae

Odorrana margaretae （Anura： Ranidae） is widely distributed in the southern provinces of China. Previously, 72 antimicrobial peptides （AMPs） belonging to 21 families were identified from the skin of O. margaretae, which were captured in the Hunan province. In the present study, five O. margaretae frogs were captured from the Guizhou province and a total of 28 cDNAs encoding 17 host defense peptides （HDPs） belonging to 14 families were cloned from the skin cDNA library of O. margaretae. Among the 17 HDPs, only one （brevinin-1-Omar5） had been characterized. The distinct HDP expression profiles for O. margaretae in the previous and present study may be attributed to the environmental differences between the sampling locations and the genetic divergence among O. margaretae populations. Besides, 11 of the 17 HDPs identified in the present study were novel for ranids. In order to understand their roles in host defense reactions, three HDPs （odorranain-H-OM1, odorranain-M-OM and ranatuerin-2-OM）, which possess low sequence similarity with the known amphibian HDPs, were selected for further chemical synthesis and functional analysis. Odorranain-H-OM1 showed direct antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Odorranain-M-OM exhibited concentration-dependent anti-oxidant activity. Ranatuerin-2-OM showed lectin-like activity and could strongly hemagglu -tinate human intact erythrocytes with or without the presence of Ca2＋. The diverse activities of HDPs implied that they may play different roles in host defense reactions of O. margaretae.

A double-layer heating method to generate high temperature in a two-stage multi-anvil apparatus

A new heating method is proposed to increase the cell temperature of the 6-8 type multi-anvil apparatus without reducing the volume of the sample chamber. The double-layer heater assembly (DHA) has two layers of heaters connected in parallel. The temperature of the cell was able to reach 2500 ℃ by using 0.025 mm rhenium foils, and the temperature limit was increased by 25% compared with that of the traditional single-layer assembly. The power-temperature relationships for these two assemblies with different sizes were calibrated by using W/Re thermocouple at 20 GPa. When the volume of samples was the same, the DHA not only attained higher temperature, but also kept the holding time longer, compared to the traditional assembly. The results of more than ten experiments showed that the new 10/4 DHA with a relatively large sample size (2 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height) can work stably with the center temperature of the sample cavity exceeding 2300 ℃ under the pressure of 20 GPa.

TiO_(2) nanofiber-supported copper nanoparticle catalysts for highly efficient methane conversion to C1 oxygenates under mild conditions

The selective oxidation of methane under mild conditions remains the“Holy Grail of Catalysis”.The key to activating methane and inhibiting over-oxidation of target oxygenates lies in designing active centers.Copper nanoparticles were loaded onto TiO_(2) nanofibers using the photo-deposition method.The resulting catalysts were found to effectively convert methane into C1 oxygenated products under mild conditions.Compared with previously reported catalysts,it delivers a superior performance of up to 2510.7 mmol·g_(Cu)^(-1)·h^(-1) productivity with a selectivity of around 100%at 80℃for 5 min.Microstructure characterizations and density functional theory(DFT)calculations indicate that TiO_(2) in the mixed phase of anatase and rutile significantly increases the Cu^(+)/CuO ratio of the supported Cu species,and this ratio is linearly related to the formation rate of oxygen-containing species.The CuI site promotes the generation of active O species from H_(2)O_(2) dissociation on Cu_(2)O(111).These active O species reduce the energy barrier for breaking the C-H bond of CH_(4),thus boosting the catalytic activity.The methane conversion mechanism was proposed as a methyl radical pathway to form CH_(3)OH and CH_(3)OOH,and then the generated CH_(3)OH is further oxidized to HOCH_(2)OOH.

三维打印光敏树脂牙列模型形态的长期稳定性研究

目的探讨自然光照与严格避光条件下三维打印光敏树脂牙列模型(简称树脂牙列模型)形态的长期稳定性。方法利用标准牙列模型数据,使用桌面三维打印机制作80副(共160个)树脂牙列模型,随机抽样分为自然光照组(40副共80个)与严格避光组(40副共80个)进行密闭储存。储存1、3、5、7、14、21、28、40、60、90 d(每组每个时间点各4副)后使用光学模型扫描仪获取树脂牙列模型三维数据,测量树脂牙列模型三维数据与标准牙列模型数据的均方根误差(root-mean-square error,RMSE),即树脂牙列模型表面平均形变量。选择3项线距指标(尖牙间宽度、第一磨牙间宽度和牙弓长度),测量树脂牙列模型三维数据与标准牙列模型数据3项线距指标的差值,比较不同光照条件、不同储存时间组线距指标差值的差异。结果储存90 d内96.9%(155/160)的树脂牙列模型RMSE值未超过0.1 mm。对于相同储存时间点,两组树脂牙列模型RMSE值差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。75.0%(360/480)线距指标测量值与标准模型数据差值的绝对值在0.2 mm内,0.1%(3/480)超过0.5 mm,总体范围为0~0.6 mm。结论三维打印光敏树脂牙列模型在自然光照与严格避光条件下密封储存的长期形态稳定性良好。

温和条件下催化甲烷氧化制甲醇研究进展

甲烷是燃料或化工生产中最丰富的碳基能源之一,将甲烷转化为液体或固体化学原料将成为全球能源供应的转折点.目前,许多催化此类反应的工作已有大量研究和报道.在这些反应中,甲烷选择性氧化制甲醇被认为是天然气就地价值化的一条有前途的途径.这使得甲烷低温选择性氧化制甲醇技术的发展变得非常迫切,本文综述了CH_(4)的活化和催化转化,指出了针对特定反应的催化剂的发展趋势.讨论了理想条件下甲烷氧化制取甲烷的反应研究以及Au-Pd合金类、ZSM-5类、MOFs类、单原子类等催化剂对甲烷氧化过程的影响及其催化转化机理.最后,对温和条件下催化甲烷氧化制甲醇催化剂未来发展提出了展望和挑战.

Synthesis of porous carbon from orange peel waste for effective volatile organic compounds adsorption: role of typical components

Volatile organic compounds have posed a serious threat to the environment and human health,which require urgent and effective removal.In recent years,the preparation of porous carbon from biomass waste for volatile organic compounds adsorption has attracted increasing attention as a very cost-effective and promising technology.In this study,porous carbon was synthesized from orange peel by urea-assisted hydrothermal carbonization and KOH activation.The role of typical components(cellulose,hemicellulose,and lignin)in pore development and volatile organic compounds adsorption was investigated.Among the three components,hemicellulose was the major contributor to high porosity and abundant micropores in porous carbon.Higher hemicellulose content led to more abundant–COOR,amine-N,and pyrrolic/pyridonic-N in the derived hydrochar,which were favorable for porosity formation during activation.In this case,the toluene adsorption capacity of the porous carbon improved from 382.8 to 485.3 mg·g^(–1).Unlike hemicellulose,cellulose reduced the>C=O,amine-N,and pyrrolic/pyridonic-N content of the hydrochar,which caused porosity deterioration and worse toluene adsorption performance.Lignin bestowed the hydrochar with slightly increased–COOR,pyrrolic/pyridonic-N,and graphitic-N,and reduced>C=O,resulting in comparatively poor porosity and more abundant micropores.In general,the obtained porous carbon possessed abundant micropores and high specific surface area,with the highest up to 2882 m^(2)·g^(–1).This study can provide guidance for selecting suitable biomass waste to synthesize porous carbon with better porosity for efficient volatile organic compounds adsorption.

抗癌肽的作用机制研究进展

近年来癌症的发生率和死亡率呈现逐渐上升的趋势,是威胁人类生命的主要疾病之一。抗癌肽(Anticancer peptides,ACPs)即具有抗肿瘤活性的生物活性肽,其广泛存在于多种生物体内,包括哺乳动物、两栖类动物、昆虫、植物和微生物等。抗癌肽在治疗肿瘤方面具有众多优势,如分子量低、结构简单、高抗癌活性、高选择性、较少的副作用、多种给药方式、不易引起多重耐药性等。文中结合本课题组相关工作,归纳了目前所发现的抗癌肽的作用机制,以期为新型肽类抗肿瘤药物的研发提供一定的方向。

青环海蛇抗菌肽Hc-CATH的分子设计及药效毒理优化

为获得分子量小、毒性低的抗感染多肽药物先导分子,以来源于青环海蛇的cathelicidin家族抗菌肽Hc-CATH为模板,设计了长度分别为16和15个氨基酸残基的改造体Hc-16和Hc-15,并通过CCK8实验、最小抑菌浓度(Minimal inhibitory concentration,MIC)实验、ELISA实验和生物膜干涉技术(Bio-layer interferometry,BLI),对其进行毒性、抗菌活性、抗炎活性及LPS中和活性筛选。结果显示,两种改造体中,Hc-16对包括临床耐药菌在内的病原体具有广谱抗菌活性,最小抑菌浓度仅为4.69μg/mL。同时抑制了LPS诱导的炎症因子TNF-α、IL-6的表达,显著降低感染诱发的炎症反应及细胞毒性。此外,构效关系研究表明C-、N-两端的苯丙氨酸在Hc-16抗菌抗炎活性中起着至关重要的作用。综上,Hc-16改造肽相比原模板具有更高的抗菌抗炎活性、更低的毒性以及更小的分子量,因而具有成本低、更好的成药性优势和较好的临床应用价值。

Fecal microbiota transplantation from young donor mice improves ovarian function in aged mice

Advanced maternal age is characterized by declines in the quantity and quality of oocytes in the ovaries,and the aging process is accompanied by changes in gut microbiota composition.However,little is known about the relationship between gut microbiota and ovarian aging.By using fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)to transplant material from young(5-week-old)into aged(42-week-old)mice,we find that the composition of gut microbiota in FMT-treated mice presents a“younger-like phenotype”and an increase of commensal bacteria,such as Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcaceae.Moreover,the FMT-treated mice show increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ.Fertility tests for assessing ovarian function reveal that the first litter size of female FMT-treated mice is significantly higher than that of the non-FMT group.Morphology analysis demonstrates a dramatic decrease in follicle atresia and apoptosis as well as an increase in cellular proliferation in the ovaries of the FMT-treated mice.Our results also show that FMT improves the immune microenvironment in aged ovaries,with decreased macrophages and macrophage-derived multinucleated giant cells(MNGCs).These results suggest that FMT from young donors could be a good choice for delaying ovarian aging.

The identification of PAX7 variants and a potential role of muscle development dysfunction in congenital scoliosis

Dear Editor,Congenital scoliosis(CS)is a spinal malformation charac-terized by failure of vertebral formation or segmentation,or a mix of these deformities,resulting in longitudinal and rotational imbalance,and affects 0.05-0.1%of new-borns(Wu et al.2015).It is generally understood that the development of CS has an underlying genetic basis.Specifically,genes related to somite regulation or osteo-genesis during embryonic development are believed to be responsible for the vertebral malformations observed in CS patients(Pourquie 2011).