Targeted mutations of BnPAP2 lead to a yellow seed coat in Brassica napus L.

The yellow seed trait is preferred by breeders for its potential to improve the seed quality and commercial value of Brassica napus.In the present study,we produced yellow seed mutants using a CRISPR/Cas9 system when the two BnPAP2 homologs were knocked out.Histochemical staining of the seed coat demonstrated that proanthocyanidin accumulation was significantly reduced in the pap2 double mutants and decreased specifically in the endothelial and palisade layer cells of the seed coat.Transcriptomic and metabolite profiling analysis suggested that disruption of the BnPAP2 genes could reduce the expression of structural and regulated genes in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways.The broad suppression of these genes might hinder proanthocyanidin accumulation during seed development,and thereby causing the yellow seed trait in B.napus.These results indicate that BnPAP2 might play a vital role in the regulatory network controlling proanthocyanidin accumulation.

Research on Corporate Social Responsibility Evaluation Based on Improved CRITIC-TOPSIS—A Case Study of Listed Companies in China’s Pharmaceutical Distribution Industry

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has garnered considerable attention from countries, institutions, enterprises and social groups. However, the lack of research on CSR evaluation system for industries has impeded its development and construction across various industries. Therefore, given the close association of pharmaceutical distribution enterprises with personal health, there exists a pressing need to explore the CSR in this domain. This paper establishes a CSR evaluation index system for pharmaceutical distribution enterprises, employing a combination of documentary analysis and in-depth interviews. This index system comprises 7 CSR criterion layers (e.g., responsible governance and employee responsibility) and 56 index layers. 25 listed companies in China’s pharmaceutical distribution industry are chosen as research objects, and this study also establishes an evaluation model for the CSR of pharmaceutical distribution companies through the improved Criteria Importance Though Intercrieria Correlation (CRITIC) method combined with The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The empirical analysis reveals that the responsible governance criterion layer and the social development criterion layer demonstrate the best performance, while the supplier, customer and patient responsibility criterion layer exhibit the worst performance.

Functional characterization of two flavone synthase Ⅱ members in citrus

Polymethoxylated flavones(PMFs),the main form of flavones in citrus,are derived from the flavone branch of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway.Flavone synthases(FNSs)are enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of flavones from flavanones.However,the FNS in citrus has not been characterized yet.Here,we identified two type II FNSs,designated CitFNSII-1 and CitFNSII-2,based on phylogenetics and transcriptome analysis.Both recombinant CitFNSII-1 and CitFNSII-2 proteins directly converted naringenin,pinocembrin,and liquiritigenin to the corresponding flavones in yeast.In addition,transient overexpression of CitFNSII-1 and CitFNSII-2,respectively,in citrus peel significantly enhanced the accumulation of total PMFs,while virus-induced CitFNSII-1 and CitFNSII-2 genes silencing simultaneously significantly reduced the expression levels of both genes and total PMF content in citrus seedlings.CitFNSII-1 and CitFNSII-2 presented distinct expression patterns in different cultivars as well as different developmental stages.Methyl salicylate(MeSA)treatment reduced the CitFNSII-2 expression as well as the PMFs content in the peel of Citrus sinensis fruit but did not affect the CitFNSII-1 expression.These results indicated that both CitFNSII-1 and CitFNSII-2 participated in the flavone biosynthesis in citrus while the regulatory mechanism governing their expression might be specific.Our findings improved the understanding of the PMFs biosynthesis pathway in citrus and laid the foundation for further investigation on flavone synthesis regulation.

Phytoremediation Potential of Three Species of Macrophytes for Nitrate in Contaminated Water

Three species of aquatic plants (Scirpus validus, Phragmites australis and Acorus calamus) were used as experimental materials to study their capacity to purify contaminated water and their effects on water pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). The water was contaminated with different concentrations of nitrate (5 mg/L, 15 mg/L and 25 mg/L). The results indicated that the concentration of nitrate, species of aquatic plant and their interaction significantly impacted denitrification (P = 0.00). Under the same concentrations, the three species of aquatic plants provided varying degrees of purification. Acorus calamus provided effective purification under all three concentrations of nitrate wastewater, with removal percentages of 87.73%, 83.80% and 86.72% for nitrate concentrations of 5 mg/L, 15 mg/L and 25 mg/L, respectively. In terms of the purification ability by unit fresh weight, Acorus calamus exhibited the worst purification capacity, whereas the capacities of Scirpus validus and Phragmites australis were higher. The purification capacity of Scirpus validus for the three concentrations was as follows: 0.08 mg/(L·g FW), 0.29 mg/(L·g FW), and 0.51 mg/(L·g FW). The capacity of Phragmites australis was 0.07 mg/(L·g FW), 0.25 mg/(L·g FW), and 0.53 mg/(L·g FW). The capacity of Acorus calamus was 0.04 mg/(L·g FW), 0.12 mg/(L·g FW), and 0.21 mg/(L·g FW). Under increased concentrations of nitrate, the three species of aquatic plants exhibited various degrees of increased purification capacity. Under the different concentrations of nitrate, the three species exhibited the same trends with respect to water pH and DO, increasing first and then falling. The pH remained at approximately 7.5, and the DO fell to 4.0 mg/L. A comprehensive analysis reveals that Acorus calamus provides excellent nitrate purification, although by unit fresh weight, both Scirpus validus and Phragmites australis provide superior purification capacity.

C2-phenyl-substituted benzimidazolium-based covalent organic framework as efficient catalyst for CO_(2) conversion without solvents,metals,and cocatalysts

Covalent organic frameworks(COFs) are a potential platform for carbon dioxide(CO_(2)) conversion owing to their periodic permanent porosity,adjustable structure,and chemical stability.For good catalytic performance in CO_(2) conversion,collaborative multifunctions should be strategically integrated into the catalytic system design and construction.In this study,a four-in-one high-efficiency catalyst was synthesized and tested for CO_(2) cycloaddition to form cyclic carbonate.The obtained Tp-MPB-BrCOF had a high nitrogen content,which enhanced its CO_(2) affinity through substantial Lewis acid-base or dipole-quadrupole interactions;moreover,the acid(protons transferring from oxygen(–OH) to nitrogen(–NH)),hydrogen bond donor(hydroxyl group),and Br-(nucleophile group) served as three active sites,further improving the catalyst activity.These results provide a basis for designing efficient and stable CO_(2)-conversion catalysts.

Gravity Drainage Visualization Experimental Study of Heavy Oil Reservoirs

Liaohe oilfield gravity drainage assisted steam flooding of heavy oil reservoir has made significant development effect, but the drain rule of condensate is unclear in the process of development. Heavy oil drainage microscopic visualization experimental study of using core model of glass etching, drainage process simulation of heavy oil reservoir and its influence factors were analyzed. Its method turns the drainage process of images into computer numerical signal through the image acquisition system, intuitive display flow pattern of drainage, and analyses the influence of homogeneity and the pressure differential regulation of drainage through the experimental data. The experiment results show that condensate around the steam chamber has a corresponding drainage channel, not uniform or diarrhea in the gravity drainage assisted steam flooding process. At the beginning of the drainage channels formation, the instantaneous drainage amount along with the change of pressure difference is not obvious. Instantaneous drainage amount increases with increasing pressure difference in the medium term. It tends to be stable in the later. The time of drainage channels to form homogeneous core is earlier than heterogeneous core. After the drainage channel, differential effects on heterogeneous core than homogeneous core of instantaneous drainage water.

Isolation and Functional Characterization of a B3 Transcription Factor Gene <i>FUSCA3</i>Involved in Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance in Wheat

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) reduces yields and grain quality, resulting in seriously economic losses in wheat. It has been showed that PHS is significantly correlated to seed dormancy levels. FUSCA3 (FUS3) gene is considered to be the key regulator of seed dormancy. However, little information is available about the function of FUS3 gene (TaFUS3) in wheat. In this study, three homologous genes were identified in wheat grain, and their functions were investigated by gene silencing. Three full-length DNA (3477, 3534 and 3501 bp) and cDNA (1015, 1012 and 1015 bp) sequences encoding a B3 transcription factor, designated TaFUS3-3A, TaFUS3-3B and TaFUS3-3D, were first isolated from common wheat. The transcription of three TaFUS3 genes in seed development and germination process was detected. TaFUS3-3B and TaFUS3-3D had similar expression profiles, and high levels of gene transcripts were detected in seeds at 25 DAP (days after pollination) and after 24 h of imbibition. However, the transcription of TaFUS3-3A was not detected. Silencing of TaFUS3 in common wheat spikes resulted in increased seed germination and PHS. Compared with wild-type, the TaFUS3-silenced plants showed increased expression of genes related to GA biosynthesis and ABA metabolism, and decreased expression of genes associated with ABA biosynthesis. Moreover, silencing of TaFUS3 in wheat plants led to a decrease in embryo sensitivity to ABA and changed the expression of genes involved in ABA signal transduction. The results of gene silencing indicated that TaFUS3 plays a positive role in wheat seed dormancy and PHS-resistance, which might be associated with ABA, GA level and signal transduction.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Highly Absorbent Foam Dressings Based on Silver Zirconium Phosphate via IC50 Value

In this study, we, for the first time, tried to apply IC50 values (inhibitory concentration estimated to affect the endpoint in question by 50%) in the MTT colorimetric assay to investigate the cytotoxic effects of highly absorbent foam dressings based on silver zirconium phosphate, a newly nano-based matrix. Our results showed that silver released from dressings based on silver zirconium phosphate attributed mainly to highly cytotoxic to L929 cells cultured with MEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum. In addition, we have also compared the IC50 values among different dilutions of AgNO3 solution, silver based dressing extracts and material reference control (ZDEC) extracts using the optimized MTT assay, along with characterizing the silver content in the dressing extracts using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results have shown that the IC50 values of AgNO50 solution, silver based dressing extracts and ZDEC extracts are 3.5 μg/mL, 3.8 μg/mL and 8.4%, respectively. And there exist some good agreements between qualitative and quantitative evaluation method as well. In conclusion, our study has led to the view that the IC50 value is a promising quantitative index for screening cytotoxicity with regard to silver based dressings.

纵向政府间信息不对称如何缓解?--以脱贫攻坚为例

信息不对称是我国纵向间政府关系的重要特征。研究以脱贫攻坚背景下的纵向政府间信息沟通为例,分析纵向政府间信息不对称现象的缓解机制,通过实地调研和二手资料收集等方法阐释了缓解纵向政府间信息不对称的四种信息沟通机制,全景展示脱贫攻坚期间科层制结构和议程设置的变化。研究发现,目前科层系统中存在四类信息的上下流动:一是下派干部实现扶贫标准的沟通;二是下派干部分级反馈资源需求信息;三是地方政府在变通执行中探知上级给予的政策空间;四是上级政府允许基层政府表达工作意图。信息的流动呈现出一种“控制性沟通”的机制,由于精准扶贫带来的持续高问责压力,促使各级官员信息沟通的意愿和方式发生改变,最终使我国纵向政府间信息不对称现象得以缓解。研究为科层制内部信息不对称的缓解提供新的理论解释和研究视角,同时也为科层制变化对信息不对称的影响提供实证研究证据,增强了对科层制内部信息沟通机制的理解。

敲降VPS28基因对中国荷斯坦奶牛乳脂合成的调控

本课题组前期通过GWAS研究,发现VPS28基因在荷斯坦奶牛乳腺组织中特异性高表达,且其5′-UTR的突变位点–58C>T与乳脂性状关联,但其对乳脂性状的调控机理尚未明确。本研究为了明确VPS28基因及其突变位点–58C>T对乳脂的调控机理,首先利用启动子活性分析检测突变位点–58C>T对VPS28基因的影响,发现该突变位点显著降低VPS28基因启动子活性;然后利用RNA干扰技术敲降奶牛原代乳腺上皮细胞中VPS28基因表达量,检测VPS28通路和乳脂合成相关基因mRNA表达量以及细胞中脂肪滴形态,分析结果发现敲降VPS28基因可降低泛素化-溶酶体和泛素化-蛋白酶体通路基因和乳脂合成相关基因的表达量,并提高细胞中甘油三酯的合成,预示VPS28基因可能通过泛素化-溶酶体和泛素化-蛋白酶体途径调控乳脂生成。本研究结果在转录组水平揭示VPS28基因对乳脂合成的调控机制,为奶牛乳脂性状的分子育种研究提供参考依据。

Draft genome sequence of cauliflower(Brassica oleracea L.var.botrytis)provides new insights into the C genome in Brassica species

Cauliflower is an important variety of Brassica oleracea and is planted worldwide.Here,the high-quality genome sequence of cauliflower was reported.The assembled cauliflower genome was 584.60 Mb in size,with a contig N50 of 2.11 Mb,and contained 47,772 genes;56.65%of the genome was composed of repetitive sequences.Among these sequences,long terminal repeats(LTRs)were the most abundant(32.71%of the genome),followed by transposable elements(TEs)(12.62%).Comparative genomic analysis confirmed that after an ancient paleohexaploidy(γ)event,cauliflower underwent two whole-genome duplication(WGD)events shared with Arabidopsis and an additional whole-genome triplication(WGT)event shared with other Brassica species.The present cultivated cauliflower diverged from the ancestral B.oleracea species~3.0 million years ago(Mya).The speciation of cauliflower(~2.0 Mya)was later than that of B.oleracea L.var.capitata(approximately 2.6 Mya)and other Brassica species(over 2.0 Mya).Chromosome no.03 of cauliflower shared the most syntenic blocks with the A,B,and C genomes of Brassica species and its eight other chromosomes,implying that chromosome no.03 might be the most ancient one in the cauliflower genome,which was consistent with the chromosome being inherited from the common ancestor of Brassica species.In addition,2,718 specific genes,228 expanded genes,2 contracted genes,and 1,065 positively selected genes in cauliflower were identified and functionally annotated.These findings provide new insights into the genomic diversity of Brassica species and serve as a valuable reference for molecular breeding of cauliflower.

Structural and functional properties of hydrolyzed/glycosylated ovalbumin under spray drying and microwave freeze drying

Ovalbumin(OVA),the main protein in egg white,affects most of the functional properties of egg white protein in food processing.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of spray drying(SD)and microwave freeze drying(MFD)on the preparation of hydrolyzed/glycosylated ovalbumin(HGOVA)and provide useful information on the applications of egg protein powders in the food industry.Results demonstrated that the structure of HGOVA was considerably changed,and its functional properties were improved compared with those of native OVA.SD and MFD processing did not lead to dissociation of HGOVA subunits.SD-HGOVA exhibited higher protein solubility,emulsifying activity,foaming capacities,and gel hardness than MFD-HGOVA.However,MFD-HGOVA was better than the SD-HGOVA in terms of color,emulsion stability,foam stability,water/oil absorption capacity,and thermal stability.Selection of an appropriate drying method could enhance the potential applications of HGOVA in the food industry.

Transcriptome analysis of purple pigment formation in Colocasia esculenta

Taro(Colocasia esculenta(L.)Schott)is an important crop in Africa,Southeast Asia,and subtropics and is used as a food and medicine.The purple color pigmentation is an appealing character in taro.We sampled taro corms of the cultivar‘Lipu Taro’at four developmental stages,including LPYS1(without purple pigment,50 days of development(DOD)),LPYS2(very few purple pigments,75 DOD),LPYS3(moderate purple pigments,115 DOD)and LPYS4(high purple pigments,205 DOD).The purpose of our study was to identify the key genes underpinning the purple pigmentation in taro based on RNA-sequencing.Through RNA-Seq,6453 differentially expressed transcripts(DETs)were identified between purple and non-purple pigmented samples.We identified 41 and 12 flavonoid and anthocyanin related DETs transcripts,respectively.These DETs were upregulated at LPYS2,LPYS3,and LPYS4 as compared to LPYS1,indicating their positive contribution to the color formation in taro.Moreover,we identified several DETs encoding for transcription factors,including MYB and bHLH,known to be major regulators of structural genes involved in the flavonoid-anthocyanin pathway.Finally,we reported several plant hormones(ethylene,auxin,gibberellin,jasmonic acid,and cytokinin)related DETs,which are predicted to play important roles in the corm coloration.Different regulation of transcripts representing the flavonoid-anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway,plant hormone transduction pathway,and transcription factors may have key roles in purple pigmentation in taro.Our findings will facilitate future research on improving the quality and appeal of taro.

泛素化途径在奶牛乳脂生成过程中的调控作用

泛素化途径是真核细胞中主要的蛋白质降解途径,其中泛素–蛋白酶体途径主要降解细胞质中的蛋白,溶酶体途径主要降解细胞膜蛋白。研究表明,泛素化途径在奶牛乳腺上皮细胞脂肪酸合成过程中起着关键的调控作用。在脂肪酸摄取过程中,泛素化途径调控异常可导致细胞膜上脂肪酸转运蛋白的泛素化降解受阻,使脂肪酸转运增强,进而增加奶牛乳脂的生成。本文综述了泛素化途径在奶牛乳脂生成过程中对相关蛋白的调控作用,以期为奶牛乳脂性状后续相关研究提供参考和新的思路。

Optimization of Suspension Culture Conditions for Hairy Roots of Aconitum coreanum(Levl.) Raipaics

[ Objective] This study aimed to establish an optimized suspension culture for hairy roots of Aconitum coreanum （Levi.） Raipaics. [ Method ] Hairy root of Aconitum coreanum （ Levl. ） Raipaics A0489 was selected as experimental material, to screen the optimal medium for suspension culture. [ Result] Aconitum coreanum （Levl.） Raipaics hairy roots showed different growth conditions in various liquid medium; salt concentration, nitrogen content, sugar content, rotation speed and room temperature had great influences on the growth of Aconitum coreanum （Levi.） Raipaics hairy roots. [ Conclusion] The optimal suspension culture system for Aconitum coreanum （ Levi. ） Raipaics hairy roots was established ： B5 was used as basic medium, culture temperature was 20℃ under dark conditions, rotation speed was 140 r/m in the first 15 d and 110 r/m in the latter 15 d.

Chromatograph Skeleton Components of Feng-flavor Baijiu during Different Production Stages

Production of Feng-flavor baijiu includes six stages(first fermented stage,second fermented stage,third fermented stage,normal fermented stage and quitting fermented stage,ending of fermented stage).Each stage of the base liquor has its own style.The main chromatogram structure components were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC),to explore the characteristics of base baijiu during different production stages,which can provide a reference for classification storage and body design of baijiu.

Influence of sub-bandgap illumination on space charge distribution in CdZnTe detector

The space charge accumulation in CdZnTe crystals seriously affects the performance of high-flux pulse detectors.The influence of sub-bandgap illumination on the space charge distribution and device performance in CdZnTe crystals were studied theoretically by Silvaco TCAD software simulation.The sub-bandgap illumination with a wavelength of 890 nm and intensity of 8×10−8 W/cm2 were used in the simulation to explore the space charge distribution and internal electric field distribution in CdZnTe crystals.The simulation results show that the deep level occupation faction is manipulated by the sub-bandgap illumination,thus space charge concentration can be reduced under the bias voltage of 500 V.A flat electric field distribution is obtained,which significantly improves the charge collection efficiency of the CdZnTe detector.Meanwhile,premised on the high resistivity of CdZnTe crystal,the space charge concentration in the crystal can be further reduced with the wavelength of 850 nm and intensity of 1×10−7 W/cm2 illumination.The electric field distribution is flatter and the carrier collection efficiency of the device can be improved more effectively.

Facile Fabrication of Ag Nanocrystals Encapsulated in Nitrogen-doped Fibrous Carbon as an Efficient Catalyst for Lithium Oxygen Batteries

A facile synthesis of Ag nanocrystals encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon fiber(NCF)is proposed,based on the simultaneous reaction between pyrrole and Ag^(+)ions in an aqueous solvent followed by a heat treatment.The as-prepared Ag/NCF demonstrated superior catalytic behavior toward ORR and OER.Besides improved cycling stability,a much lower discharge/charge gap of 0.89 V(vs Li/Li^(+))compared with 1.38 V for NCF cathode with a fixed capacity of 500 m Ah g^(-1)was obtained in lithium oxygen batteries.The introduction of Ag crystals into NCF facilitates the oxygen reduction reaction/oxygen evolution reaction kinetics.X-ray diffraction analysis coupled with Raman spectroscopy confirmed that Ag/NCF cathode could reversibly catalyze Li_(2)O_(2)formation and decomposition.The NCF matrix offers a conductive network to realize rapid mass transfer and the encapsulated Ag nanocrystals supplied effective catalytic active sites.The combined action between both contributes to the superior electrocatalytic performance.

Expression and subcellular localization of a novel gene <i>Bm-X</i>of the silkworm, <i>Bombyx mori</i>

According to the large-scale sequencing of cDNA library from silkworm pupae, the cDNA of a novel gene with blank research background was identified and temporarily named Bm-X. The length of this cDNA is 778 bp. We obtained its ORF for further study by bioinformatics analysis. It is 444 bp and encodes 147 amino acid residues, with a predicted molecular weight (MW) of 16.4 kD and an isoelectric point (pI) of 3.69. In this study, we successfully constructed a recombinant plasmid pET-28a(+)-Bm-X and expressed it in Escherichia coli. We used the fusion protein rBm-X which purified by Niaffinity chromatography to produce polyclonal antibodies against Bm-X for Western blot analysis. The analysis revealed that Bm-X was expressed in the larval midgut, the epidermis and the silk gland. In addition, the subcellular localization analysis of silkworm ovary epithelial cells (BmN cells) showed that Bm-X protein was located both in cytoplasm and nucleus, and the signal was stronger in cytoplasm than in nucleus. Our findings indicate that Bm-X gene is a novel species-specificity gene and its expression product can be detected in tissues of the fifth silkworm instar larvae and BmN cells.

Research of Drainage Gas Recovery Technology in Gas Wells

Drainage gas recovery technology is the main method of gas recovery process in gas field, which has domestically and internationally been the main gas recovery processing measure in later stage of gas field production. In this context, produced water or condensate liquid will not be carried out of pit shaft by natural gas with the gradual drop of gas reservoir pressure and natural gas flow velocity, thus they will remain in pit shaft and form the so-called “gas well gathered liquid”. This fluid severely affects natural gas output and leads to the decline of oil field economic benefits, thus drainage gas recovery measure must be taken to increase gas well or even gas field output. It becomes the primary problem to be solved to select the best drainage gas recovery measure which can maximize gas field benefits and optimize gas well safety.