Genome-wide association studies in apple reveal loci of large effect controlling apple polyphenols

Apples are a nutritious food source with significant amounts of polyphenols that contribute to human health and wellbeing,primarily as dietary antioxidants.Although numerous pre-and post-harvest factors can affect the composition of polyphenols in apples,genetics is presumed to play a major role because polyphenol concentration varies dramatically among apple cultivars.Here we investigated the genetic architecture of apple polyphenols by combining high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)data with~100,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)from two diverse apple populations.We found that polyphenols can vary in concentration by up to two orders of magnitude across cultivars,and that this dramatic variation was often predictable using genetic markers and frequently controlled by a small number of large effect genetic loci.Using GWAS,we identified candidate genes for the production of quercitrin,epicatechin,catechin,chlorogenic acid,4-O-caffeoylquinic acid and procyanidins B1,B2,and C1.Our observation that a relatively simple genetic architecture underlies the dramatic variation of key polyphenols in apples suggests that breeders may be able to improve the nutritional value of apples through markerassisted breeding or gene editing.

Study on the Pharmacological Identification of Polygonum capitatum

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish a microscopic identification method of Polygonum capitatum Buch.Ham.ex D.Don.[Methods]The cross sections were identified by microscopic identification.[Results]The stem cross section of P.capitatum is round-like,and shows pericyclic fibers forming a ring,strongly lignified,many vascular bundles,and a hollow pith part.There are many starch granules in the powder,and single granules are more common;and fibers are mostly bundled or scattered,lignified or non-lignified,and calcium oxalate cluster crystals are common.There are many pollen grains,obtuse triangular or round-like,and some of them have three germination apertures.They have fine thorn-like protrusions on the outer wall,the surface of which has reticulate carvings.[Conclusions]The results of microscopic identification are reliable and can be used as the basis for identification of P.capitatum.

N_(2)和CO_(2)气氛下菱镁矿热分解的动力学机理

为解决轻烧氧化镁回转窑能耗高、环保性差、生产效率低的问题,研究者提出了新型焙烧炉,其具有良好的节能潜力,为了进一步优化结构及生产过程,需要更深入地了解菱镁矿的热分解动力学特性。本研究基于菱镁矿焙烧工业实际生产中炉窑内气相成分考虑,采用TG-DTA热分析技术研究了菱镁矿在N_(2)和CO_(2)气氛下的热分解动力学行为。结果表明,菱镁矿在N_(2)气氛下的热分解动力学过程先后经历相边界反应收缩柱状机理和随机成核生长机理两个阶段,而CO_(2)气氛下的动力学过程包含三个阶段,涉及随机成核生长机理和相边界反应收缩球状机理两种机理模式。进一步分析认为CO_(2)对菱镁矿热分解过程的影响具有双面性,一方面使反应活化能增大,增高分解反应温度;另一方面能诱导产物CO_(2)成核生长,使分解反应速率对温度的变化更加敏感。本研究揭示了N_(2)和CO_(2)气氛下菱镁矿热分解的动力学机理,对优化新型焙烧炉提供了数据支持,具有重要的工程应用前景,也能够为进一步的研究提供参考,推动菱镁矿加工领域的技术进步和持续性发展。

Verification of Bacteroidales 16S rRNA markers as a complementary tool for detecting swine fecal pollution in the Yangtze Delta

To correctly assess and properly manage the public health risks associated with exposure to contaminated water,it is necessary to identify the source of fecal pollution in a watershed.In this study,we evaluated the efficacy of our two previously developed real time-quantitative PCR(qPCR)assays for the detection of swine-associated Bacteroidales genetic markers(gene 1-38,gene 3-53)in the Yangtze Delta watershed of southeastern China.The results indicated that the gene 1-38 and 3-53 markers exhibited high accuracy(92.5%,91.7%conditional probability,respectively)in detecting Bacteroidales spp.in water samples.According to binary logistic regression(BLR),these two swine-associated markers were well correlated(P<0.05)with fecal indicators(Escherichia coli and Enterococci spp.)and zoonotic pathogens(E.coli O157:H7,Salmonella spp.and Campylobacter spp.)in water samples.In contrast,concentrations of conventional fecal indicator bacteria(FIB)were not correlated with zoonotic pathogens,suggesting that they are noneffective at detecting fecal pollution events.Collectively,the results obtained in this study demonstrated that a swinetargeted qPCR assay based on two Bacteroidales genes markers(gene 1-38,gene 3-53)could be a useful tool in determining the swine-associated impacts of fecal contamination in a watershed.

A direct,sensitive and high-throughput genus and species-specific molecular assay for large-scale malaria screening

Background:Infectious disease diagnostics often requires sensitive molecular assays that identify at both genus and species levels.For large scale screening,such as malaria screening for elimination,diagnostic assay can be a challenge,as both the throughput and cost of the assay must be considered.The requirement of nucleic acid extraction hampers the throughput of most molecular assays.Co-amplification of multiple species or multiplex identification either can result in missed diagnosis or are too costly for large-scale screening.A genus-and species-specific diagnostic assay with simplified procedure,high sensitivity and throughput is still needed.This study aimed to develop a sensitive and high-throughput approach for large-scale infectious disease screening.Methods:We developed multi-section Capture and Ligation Probe PCR(mCLIP-PCR)for the direct detection of RNA without extraction and reverse transcription.Multiple tailed sandwich hybridization probes were used to bind at genus-and species-specific sections of the target RNA to cooperatively capture the target onto a 96-well plate.After enzymatic ligation of the bound probes,a single-stranded DNA formed at each section with distinct tail sequence at the ends.They were separately PCR-amplified with primers corresponding to tail sequences for genus or species identification.We applied the method to the active screening ofPlasmodium infections of 4,580 asymptomatic dried blood spot samples collected in malaria endemic areas and compared the results with standard qPCR using linear regression.Results:With multi-section cooperative capture but separate amplification strategy,we accurately identified genusPlasmodium and speciesP.falciparum andP.vivax without RNA extraction,with favorable sensitivities among the published reports.In the active screening,our method identified all 53 positive infections including two mixed infections,and twoP.vivax infections that were missed by standard qPCR.Conclusions:mCLIP-PCR provides a sensitive and high-throughput approach to large-scale infectious disease screening with low cost and labor,making it a valuable tool for malaria elimination in endemic region.

Traumatic extracranial internal carotid-jugular fistula leading to serious injury: a case report in forensic assessment

Extracranial carotid artery injuries may produce severe haemorrhage,cerebral damage or arteriovenous fistula.Examples of traumatic extracranial carotid-jugular fistula are not frequently reported,especially in forensic medicine.We report a controversial case of an extracranial internal carotid-jugular fistula resulting from a stab wound to the neck.The degree of the injury was classified under“The Standard of Human Body Injury Assessment(2014)”(SIA)in China by forensic examiners.We believe this case report will provide information for the forensic assessment of similar cases.