Leaf physiological and anatomical responses of two sympatric Paphiopedilum species to temperature

Paphiopedilum dianthum and P.micranthum are two endangered orchid species,with high ornamental and conservation values.They are sympatric species,but their leaf anatomical traits and flowering period have significant differences.However,it is unclear whether the differences in leaf structure of the two species will affect their adaptabilities to temperature.Here,we investigated the leaf photosynthetic,anatomical,and flowering traits of these two species at three sites with different temperatures(Kunming,16.7±0.2°C;Puer,17.7±0.2°C;Menglun,23.3±0.2°C)in southwest China.Compared with those at Puer and Kunming,the values of light-saturated photosynthetic rate(Pmax).stomatai conductance(gs),leaf thickness(LT),and stomatai density(SD)in both species were lower at Menglun.The values of Pmax,gs,仃,adaxial cuticle thickness(CTad)and SD in P.dianthum were higher than those of P.micranthum at the three sites.Compared with P.dianthum,there were no flowering plants of P.micranthum at Menglun.These results indicated that both species were less resistance to high temperature,and P.dianthum had a stronger adaptability to high-temperature than P.micranthum.Our findings can provide valuable information for the conservation and cultivation of Paphiopedilum species.

Similar mycorrhizal fungal communities associated with epiphytic and lithophytic orchids of Coelogyne corymbosa

Mycorrhizal fungi are essential for the growth and development of both epiphytic(growing on trees)and lithophytic(growing on rocks)orchids.Previous studies indicate that in lowland tropical areas,orchid mycorrhizal fungal compositions are correlated with the life form(i.e.,epiphytic,lithophytic,or terrestrial)of their host plants.We therefore tested if a similar correlation exists in an orchid distributed at higher elevations.Coelogyne corymbosa is an endangered ornamental orchid species that can be found as a lithophyte and epiphyte in subtropical to subalpine areas.Based on high-throughput sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer 2(ITS2)-rDNA region of mycorrhizae of C.corymbosa,we detected 73 putative mycorrhizal fungal Operational Taxonomic Units(OTUs).The OTUs of two dominant lineages(Cantharellales and Sebacinales)detected from C.corymbosa are phylogenetically different from those of other species within the genus Coelogyne,indicating that different orchid species prefer specific mycorrhizal fungi.We also found that the Non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS)plots of orchid mycorrhizal fungi were not clustered with life form,the variations among orchid mycorrhizal fungal communities of different life forms were not significant,and most of the OTUs detected from epiphytic individuals were shared by the lithophytic plants,suggesting that orchid mycorrhizal associations of C.corymbosa were not affected by life form.These findings provide novel insights into mycorrhizal associations with endangered ornamental orchids.

Differences in leaf physiological and morphological traits between Camellia japonica and Camellia reticulata

Plants of the genus Camellia are widely cultivated throughout the world as ornamentals because of their bright and large flowers.The widely cultivated varieties are mainly derived from the mutant lines and hybrid progenies of Camellia japonica Linn.and Camellia reticulata Lindl.While their geographical distributions and environmental adaptabilities are significantly different,no systematic comparison has been conducted between these two species.To investigate differences in how these plants have adapted to their environments,we measured photosynthesis and 20 leaf functional traits of C.japonica and C.reticulata grown under the same conditions.Compared with C.japonica,C.reticulata showed higher values for light saturation point,light-saturated photo synthetic rate,leaf dry mass per unit area and stomatal area,but lower values for apparent quantum efficiency,leaf size,stomatal density and leaf nitrogen content per unit mass.Stomatal area was positively correlated with light-saturated photosynthetic rate and light saturation point,but negatively correlated with stomatal density.The differences between C.reticulata and C.japonica were mainly reflected in their adaptations to light intensity and leaf morphological traits.C.reticulata is better adapted to high light intensity than C.japonica.This difference is related to the two species’ differing life fo rms.Thus,leaf morphological traits have played an important role in the light adaptation of C.reticulata and C.japonica,and might be first noticed and selected during the breeding process.These findings will contribute to the cultivation of camellia plants.

Folding rate prediction using complex network analysis for proteins with two- and three-state folding kinetics

It is a challenging task to investigate the different in- fluence of long-range and short-range interactions on two-state and three-state folding kinetics of protein. The networks of the 30 two-state proteins and 15 three-state proteins were constructed by complex networks analysis at three length scales: Protein Contact Networks, Long-range Interaction Networks and Short-range Interaction Networks. To uncover the relationship between structural properties and folding kinetics of the proteins, the correlations of protein network parameters with protein folding rate and topology parameters contact order were analyzed. The results show that Protein Contact Networks and Short-range Interaction Networks (for both two-state and three-state proteins) exhibit the “small-world” property and Long-range Interaction networks indicate “scale-free” behavior. Our results further indicate that all Protein Contact Networks and Short- range Interaction networks are assortative type. While some of Long-range Interaction Networks are of assortative type, the others are of disassortative type. For two-state proteins, the clustering coefficients of Short-range Interaction Networks show prominent correlation with folding rate and contact order. The assortativity coefficients of Short-range Interaction Networks also show remarkable correlation with folding rate and contact order. Similar correlations exist in Protein Contact Networks of three-state proteins. For two-state proteins, the correlation between contact order and folding rate is determined by the numbers of local contacts. Short- range interactions play a key role in determining the connecting trend among amino acids and they impact the folding rate of two-state proteins directly. For three-state proteins, the folding rate is determined by short-range and long-range interactions among residues together.

The Feasibility of Immobilization of Bioflocculant-producing Bacteria Using Mycelial Pellets as Biomass Carriers

Bioflocculant-producing bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens F2 and Bacillus sphaeicus F6 were immobilized onto mycelial pellets to investigate the bioflocculant-producing potential of this combined organism and the corresponding flocculating efficiency. The atomic force microscope ( AFM) images of mycelial surface indicate that the mycelia pellet can immobilize bioflocculant-producing bacteria F2 and F6 as a biomass carrier. The flocculating efficiency of bioflocculant produced by this combined organism was studied under the optimum flocculating conditions obtained by Response Surface Methodology ( RSM ) . The fermentation yield of the combined mycelial pellet is about 2. 6 g / L,which is higher than that of the free bacteria ( only 2. 2 g / L) . Flocculating efficiency of the combined mycelial pellet was comparable with that of bioflocculant generated by the free bacteria. The bioflocculant yield is enhanced and the flocculating efficiency of the co-culture is uninfluenced after immobilized with mycelial pellet as a carrier. In conclusion,the mycelial pellet is feasible as a biomass carrier for the immobilization of bioflocculant-producing bacteria.

Experience of VSD in the treatment of foot tophi rupture with severe infection wounds

Objective Investigate the clinical effects of Vacuum Sealing Drainage(VSD)in the treatment of 11 cases of foot tophi rupture with severely infected wounds.Methods From January 2017 to January 2019,11 patients with foot tophi rupture and severe infection were enrolled in our department.There were 9 males and 2 females,aged from 27 to 68 years old.All patients were treated with VSD after debridement.The treatment time was 7d-42d,with an average of 17d.Results All patients were followed up for 6 months after VSD treatment.All the wounds healed well without complications.Conclusion VSD is used to treat foot tophus rupture with severe infection of wounds.It is easy to operate and satisfactory in clinical results.

Structure-based simulations complemented by conventional all-atom simulations to provide new insights into the folding dynamics of human telomeric G-quadruplex

The hybrid atomistic structure-based model has been validated to be effective in investigation of G-quadruplex folding.In this study,we performed large-scale conventional all-atom simulations to complement the folding mechanism of human telomeric sequence Htel24 revealed by a multi-basin hybrid atomistic structure-based model.Firstly,the real time-scale of folding rate,which cannot be obtained from the structure-based simulations,was estimated directly by constructing a Markov state model.The results show that Htel24 may fold as fast as on the order of milliseconds when only considering the competition between the hybrid-1 and hybrid-2 G-quadruplex conformations.Secondly,in comparison with the results of structure-based simulations,more metastable states were identified to participate in the formation of hybrid-1 and hybrid-2 conformations.These findings suggest that coupling the hybrid atomistic structure-based model and the conventional all-atom model can provide more insights into the folding dynamics of DNA G-quadruplex.As a result,the multiscale computational framework adopted in this study may be useful to study complex processes of biomolecules involving large conformational changes.

Geometrical study on diseaserelated ncRNAs based on Z-curve method

The Z curve is a very useful method for visual-izing and analyzing DNA sequences. It is a three-dimensional space curve that constitutes a unique representation of a given DNA se-quence. It becomes more and more important to study non-coding regions in the recent years. Using Z curve method, 15 disease-related ncRNAs and some snoRNAs and miRNAs sequences are selected from the NONCODE database in this paper, which relate to Alzheimer Disease. The corresponding Z curves of the studied ncRNAs, sequences have been mapped and compared. The statistical features of the Z curves are ob-tained. These features indicate that the ncRNAs sequences playing same roles in the celluar process have almost the same Z-curves. And the base content in these sequences is almost same too.

Advances in research on factors of cranioauricular angle formation after auricular reconstruction

Objective To review the advances in research on factors of cranioauricular angle formation after auricular reconstruction.Methods The related literature concerning the main surgical methods and influencing factors for the ear elevation by Nataga method and dilated method was reviewed and summarized.Results The ear elevation by Nataga method and dilated method has achieved satisfactory clinical results.Although rapid prototyping technology and tissue engineering have developed rapidly,it is still some time before a beautiful and practical cranioauricular angle can be reconstructed.Conclusion The surgical programs for ear elevation by Nataga method and dilated method have been constantly improved in recent years,which provides a great deal of reference for obtaining a beautiful and practical cranioauricular angle.

Chlorophyll Fluorescence Detected Passively by Difference Reflectance Spectra of Wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） Leaf

The chlorophyll fluorescence （CF） signature emitted from vegetation provides an abundance of information regarding photosynthetics activity and has been used as a powerful tool to obtain physiological information of plant leaves in a non-invasive manner. CF is difficult to quantify because the CF signal is obscured by reflected light. In the present study, the apparent reflectance spectra of wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） leaves were measured under illuminations with and without filtering by three specially designed long-wave pass edge filters; the cut-off wavelengths of the three filters were 653.8, 678.2, and 694. l nm at 50% of maximum transmittance. The CF spectra could be derived as the reflectance difference spectra of the leaves under illuminations with and without the long wave pass edge filters. The ratio of the reflectance difference at 685 and 740 nm （Dif685/Dif740） was linear correlated with the CF parameters （maximal photochemical efficiency Fv/Fm, and the yield of quantum efficiency） measured by the modulated fluorometer. In addition, the ratio reflected the water stress status of the wheat leaf, which was very high when water deficiency was serious. This method provides a new approach for detecting CF and the physiological state of crops.

Full retroauricular skin and fascia expansion in microtia reconstruction:a single center experience of 166 cases

Aim:Ear reconstruction is a challenge for plastic and reconstructive surgeons.The ear requires sufficient skin coverage and a three-dimensional(3D)cartilage framework.In this paper,the authors present their 10-year experience in microtia reconstruction using tissue expansion and an autogenous rib cartilage framework.Methods:Ear reconstruction was performed in 3 operative stages.During the first procedure,a 50-80 mL kidney or cylinder-shaped expander was implanted deep to the subcutaneous fascia of the retroauricular mastoid region.Over a period of 3-5 months,the expander was filled to a final volume of 80-110 mL.In the next operation,the retroauricular fascia was eliminated or reserved following expander removal,and the autogenous costal cartilage framework was placed below the expanded skin flap.At the third and final stage,the earlobe transposition,tragus construction and conchal deepening were performed.Results:A total of 165 patients(166 ears)were reconstructed using tissue expansion and an autogenous rib cartilage framework.Complications included hematomas in 3 cases,expander exposure in 8 cases,cartilage exposure in 6 cases,infection and cartilage resorption in 2 cases,exposure of steel wire in 4 cases,and aseptic seroma in 2 cases.Follow-up ranging from 3 months to 5 years showed that 159 patients were satisfied with the reconstructed ear including size,location,projection,convolution,skin-colour matching,symmetry with opposite ear.Conclusion:Expansion of the retroauricular skin and fascia can provide sufficient non-hair-bearing skin and tissue for coverage of a three-dimensional costal cartilage framework.Avoidance and prompt treatment of complications are advised in order to obtain a satisfactory reconstruction of the ear.