Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of the YUCCA gene family in Brassica napus

Auxin is essential for plant growth and development,also closely related to plant architecture.YUCCA(YUC)proteins catalyse the rate-limiting step for endogenous auxin biosynthesis.In this study,we identified 57 Bn YUC genes in Brassica napus(rapeseed)genome,located on 17 chromosomes.Among them,A09 chromosome contained the most Bn YUCs as 6.Phylogenetic tree showed that all Bn YUC members were divided into 2 evolutionary clusters,including 7 sub-groups.Among the sub-groups,Clade I-C consisted 20 members,evolved independently from Arabidopsis thaliana,and motif 10 was unique.Genomic collinearity analysis showed that YUC collinear gene pairs widely existed in Brassica species,indicating that this family has a high retention rate in the evolution.Expression profile suggested that the Bn YUC family genes tended to express in specific growth/development stages as well as suffering stress/hormone treatments.It suggested that dominant expression of specific members existed with each development stage or treatment,indicating that each Bn YUC might have a clear division of work,and play a given biological function.This work was expected to build a basis for further study of the involvement of Bn YUC in growth,development and stress response.

Synthesis of zinc-based metal-organic framework as highly efficient photocatalyst for decomposition of organic dyes in aqueous solution

In the present work,a zinc-based metal-organic framework{[Zn(ddpd)_(0.5)(bipy)_(0.5)]·H_(2)O]}_(n)(1-Zn)(where ddpd=2,5-di(2',4'-dic arboxylphenyl)-1,4-difluorobenzene,bipy=4,4-bipyridine)was synthesized by a solvothermal method.Complex 1-Zn features a threedimensional(2,4,6)-connected network with{4^2.6^2.8^2}_(2){4^4.6^6.8^5}{6}topology.Meanwhile,without the assistance of other reagents,complex 1-Zn not only exhibited an exceeded 95%photodegradation efficiency for rhodamine B(Rh B),methyl blue(MB)and methyl orange(MO)within 40 min,but also showed high stability and recyclability.In addition,free radical quenching experiments and electron spin resonance(ESR)spectroscopy verified that the main active species in the photodegradation process were·O_(2)^(-)and OH,and a more indepth degradation mechanism was further elucidated by density functional theory(DFT)calculations.

Fine Structure of Scorpion Pectines for Odor Capture

The paper revealed the fine structure of the scorpion （Mesobuthus martensii） pectines and showed how the fine structure of the pecten influences odor flow. The first step of our investigation was to prove that scorpion pectines work as olfactory and this was done via experiments utilizing paraffin coverage. Subsequently, the location, morphology, section structure, and arrange- ment of the pectines were studied via stereomicroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy （SEM）. The fine structure of pecten comprises a comb-like structure with 24-30 knife-like teeth and thousands of micron bowl-like pecten sensilla in staggered arrangement on the surface of the tooth. Computational Fluid Dynamics （CFD） was applied to predict odor flow around the pecten via the relevant Reynolds numbers. The comb-like structure amplified the odor flow velocity similar to an amplifier, transporting the odor flow of increased velocity to the micron pecten sensilla, improving transport efficiency of the odor flow. The staggered arrangement of the pecten sensilla generated a vortex, improving contact duration between pecten sensilla and odorant molecules. Thus, the pecten fine structure was likely acting as an effective comb with non-smooth teeth for the transport and capture of odorant molecules.

Correlation of effective hepatic blood flow with liver pathology in patients with hepatitis B virus

Background and aims:Effective hepatic blood flow(EHBF)decreases with liver disease progression,and identifying liver pathology is critical for patients with liver disease.This study was designed to elucidate the correlation between EHBF and liver pathology and explore the potential of EHBF for predicting the degree of liver pathology.Methods:In this study,207 patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV)who underwent liver biopsy and indocyanine green(ICG)clearance tests were enrolled.EHBF was measured using the ICG clearance test,and liver tissue was histologically analyzed to determine the pathological stage according to the Scheuer scoring system.Demographic data,biochemical indexes,and FibroScan data were collected for statistical analysis.Results:EHBF levels decreased as the liver histological stages of inflammation and fibrosis increased(P<0.01).EHBF was significantly negatively associated with the levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase,alkaline phosphatase,aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index,fibrosis index based on the four factors,and liver stiffness measurement(P<0.05).The EHBF levels of patients without liver inflammation(G0)were significantly higher than those of patients with liver inflammation(G1e4)(P<0.001).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC)value for discriminating patients without liver inflammation was 0.827,and the optimal cutoff value was 0.936 L/min.The EHBF levels of patients with severe liver inflammation(G4)were significantly lower than those of patients with G0e3 liver inflammation(P<0.001).The AUROC value for discriminating patients with severe liver inflammation was 0.792,and the optimal cutoff value was 0.552 L/min.The EHBF levels of patients without liver fibrosis(S0)were significantly higher than those of patients with liver fibrosis(S1e4)(P<0.001).The AUROC value for discriminating patients without liver fibrosis was 0.633,and the optimal cutoff value was 1.173 L/min.The EHBF levels of patients with liver cirrhosis(S4)were significantly lower than those of patients with S0e3 liver fibrosis(P<0.001).The AUROC value for discriminating patients with liver cirrhosis(S4)was 0.630,and the optimal cutoff value was 0.562 L/min.Conclusions:EHBF levels and liver pathology are significantly correlated.EHBF could effectively reflect liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients infected with HBV,especially for patients without liver inflammation or liver fibrosis.

TRPC5 is essential in endothelium-dependent contraction of aorta from diet-induced obese mice

The role of the Ca^(2+)-permeable ion channel TRPC5 in regulating vasocontraction in obesity is poorly understood.Here,we investigated whether TRPC5 contributes to vascular dysfunction in obesity by promoting endothelium-dependent contraction via activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2(cPLA_(2))in the aortic endothelial cells of obese mice.Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation and contraction in the aorta were measured us-ing wire myography.PLA_(2)activity was measured by the fluorogenic PLA_(2)substrate Bis-BODIPY^(TM)FL C_(11)-PC.The intracellular Ca^(2+)level in response to acetylcholine was measured by Fluo-4 fluorescence.Endothelium-derived contracting factors were assessed by enzyme immunoassay.Diet-induced obesity(DIO)attenuated endothelium-dependent vasodilation,enhanced endothelium-dependent contraction(EDC),and increased the expression of TRPC5 in the mouse aorta.Activation of TRPC5 promoted EDC in the wild-type mouse aorta,whereas pharma-cological inhibition and genetic knockout of TRPC5 decreased EDC in the DIO mouse aorta.Moreover,cPLA_(2)phosphorylation and activity were higher in aortic endothelial cells from DIO mice,and this was attenuated by inhibition and knockout of TRPC5.Cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2)expression was increased in DIO mouse endothe-lium and was decreased by a TRPC5 inhibitor and knockout of TRPC5.Release of prostaglandins F_(2α(PGF_(2α)and E 2(PGE 2)was involved in TRPC5-regulated EDC in DIO mice.This study demonstrated that TRPC5 contributes to endothelial and vascular dysfunction and is involved in EDC through activation of cPLA_(2)and enhanced COX-2-PGF_(2α)/PGE_(2)levels in DIO mice.