Facile preparation of Fe/N-based biomass porous carbon composite towards enhancing the thermal decomposition of DAP-4

Fe/N-based biomass porous carbon composite(Fe/N-p Carbon) was prepared by a facile high-temperature carbonization method from biomass,and the effect of Fe/N-p Carbon on the thermal decomposition of energetic molecular perovskite-based material DAP-4 was studied.Biomass porous carbonaceous materials was considered as the micro/nano support layers for in situ deposition of Fe/N precursors.Fe/Np Carbon was prepared simply by the high-temperature carbonization method.It was found that it showed the inherent catalysis properties for thermal decomposition of DAP-4.The heat release of DAP-4/Fe/N-p Carbon by DSC curves tested had increased slightly,compared from DAP-4/Fe/N-p Carbon-0.The decomposition temperature peak of DAP-4 at the presence of Fe/N-p Carbon had reduced by 79°C from384.4°C(pure DAP-4) to 305.4°C(DAP-4/Fe/N-p Carbon-3).The apparent activation energy of DAP-4thermal decomposition also had decreased by 29.1 J/mol.The possible catalytic decomposition mechanism of DAP-4 with Fe/N-p Carbon was proposed.

Effects of vacuum magnetic field region on the compact torus trajectory in a tokamak plasma

The trajectory of the compact torus(CT)within a tokamak discharge is crucial to fueling.In this study,we developed a penetration model with a vacuum magnetic field region to accurately determine CT trajectories in tokamak discharges.This model was used to calculate the trajectory and penetration parameters of CT injections by applying both perpendicular and tangential injection schemes in both HL-2A and ITER tokamaks.For perpendicular injection along the tokamak's major radius direction from the outboard,CTs with the same injection parameters exhibited a 0.08 reduction in relative penetration depth when injected into HL-2A and a 0.13reduction when injected into ITER geometry when considering the vacuum magnetic field region compared with cases where this region was not considered.In addition,we proposed an optimization method for determining the CT's initial injection velocity to accurately calculate the initial injection velocity of CTs for central fueling in tokamaks.Furthermore,this paper discusses schemes for the tangential injection of CT into tokamak discharges.The optimal injection angle and CT magnetic moment direction for injection into both HL-2A and ITER were determined through numerical simulations.Finally,the kinetic energy loss occurring when the CT penetrated the vacuum magnetic field region in ITER was reduced byΔEk=975.08 J by optimizing the injection angle for the CT injected into ITER.These results provide valuable insights for optimizing injection angles in fusion experiments.Our model closely represents actual experimental scenarios and can assist the design of CT parameters.

Polarimeter–interferometer diagnostic using terahertz solid-state sources for fluctuation measurements on Keda Torus e Xperiment(KTX)

A multi-channel polarimeter-interferometer has been developed on the Keda Torus eXperiment(KTX)for the study of equilibrium dynamics and internal magnetic fluctuations.A three-wave technique based on terahertz solid-state sources(-650 GHz)is applied for simultaneous measurements of electron density and Faraday rotation angle.The output power of the microwave source is 2 mW.Faraday rotation effect using a rotating wave plate is tested with phase noise less than 0.8°,and the density phase noise is less than 0.9°.Measurement of Faraday rotation angle and density for discharges on KTX have demonstrated high sensitivity to internal MHD activities.

算力网络中的数据安全与防护策略

算力网络作为一种集成计算资源的网络,其数据安全与防护对于保护用户隐私和数据完整性至关重要。通过分析算力网络数据面临的安全风险,包括数据泄露与隐私保护风险、网络攻击与数据篡改威胁以及数据传输与存储中的安全漏洞,提出相应的数据安全防护策略,包括身份验证与访问控制、数据加密与安全传输以及威胁检测与应急响应等,以建立强大的数据安全体系。

A Review of Research on Handwritten Chinese Character Recognition with Multi-Feature Fusion

This paper analyzes the progress of handwritten Chinese character recognition technology,from two perspectives:traditional recognition methods and deep learning-based recognition methods.Firstly,the complexity of Chinese character recognition is pointed out,including its numerous categories,complex structure,and the problem of similar characters,especially the variability of handwritten Chinese characters.Subsequently,recognition methods based on feature optimization,model optimization,and fusion techniques are highlighted.The fusion studies between feature optimization and model improvement are further explored,and these studies further enhance the recognition effect through complementary advantages.Finally,the article summarizes the current challenges of Chinese character recognition technology,including accuracy improvement,model complexity,and real-time problems,and looks forward to future research directions.

超边界约束条件下异形件排样问题的求解算法研究

针对超边界约束条件,提出了板材动态边界搜索的处理策略,然后以临界多边形(NFP)为基础,同时引入无碰撞区域(CFR)的概念,以保证排样方案的可行性,在综合考虑零件之间的重合率和BL(bottom left)策略,以及CFR可能退化为点或线段的情况之后,提出基于CFR的混合启发式定位算法。在上述零件定位算法的基础上,采用遗传算法对零件排样顺序进行优化以解决超边界约束排样问题,并通过实例验证了所提算法的有效性。

石墨烯/多壁碳纳米管复配改性对天然橡胶复合材料应变传感性能的影响

通过溶液共混法将不同配比的石墨烯/多壁碳纳米管(GE/MWCNT)添加到天然橡胶(NR)中,制备了具有电阻-应变响应特性的GE/MWCNT/NR复合材料。利用场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)表征了纳米碳填料在NR基体中的分散情况,研究了不同GE和MWCNT配比对材料力电性能的影响规律,通过傅里叶变化红外光谱分析了NR复合材料中纳米碳填料与基体之间的相互作用。结果表明,GE与MWCNT以及橡胶分子链之间的结合力促进了填料在基体中的分散,使复合材料的电阻/应变响应稳定性、灵敏性以及单调性明显优于不含GE的材料,并确定了GE与MWCNT复配比为1:1时,材料各项性能最优。

Thermal decomposition effect of MgCo_(2)O_(4)nanosheets on ammonium perchlorate-based energetic molecular perovskites

Energetic molecular perovskites have attracted widespread attention in the fields of energy materials due to their high detonation performance.In this work,we reported the effect of MgCo_(2)O_(4) nanosheets on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate(NH_(4)ClO_(4),AP)-based energetic molecular perovskites(AP-based energetic molecular perovskites).The morphology and structure of the MgCo_(2)O_(4) nanosheets were characterized.And their catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition of AP-based energetic molecular perovskites(H_2pz)[NH_(4)(ClO_(4))_(3)](PAP-4),(H_2dabco)[NH_(4)(ClO_(4))_(3)](DAP-4),(H_2mpz)[NH_(4)(ClO_(4))_(3)](PAP-M_(4)),and (H_2hpz)[NH_(4)(ClO_(4))_(3)](PAP-H_(4)) was analyzed.The results showed that MgCo_(2)O_(4) nanosheets had excellent intrinsically catalytic performance towards enhancing the thermal decomposition of AP-based energetic molecular perovskites.After adding MgCo_(2)O_(4) nanosheets,the thermal decomposition peak temperatures of PAP-4,DAP-4,PAP-M_(4),and PAP-H_(4) had been reduced by35.7℃,48.4℃,37.9℃,and 43.6℃,respectively.And the activation energy(Ea)of the thermal decomposition of AP-based energetic molecular perovskites had been reduced,the Eaof PAP-H_(4) decreased by 46.4 kJ/mol at most among them.The catalytic mechanism of MgCo_(2)O_(4) nanosheets for AP-based energetic molecular perovskites is analyzed.This work provides a reference for the future application of AP-based energetic molecular perovskites.

Combustion behavior and mechanism of molecular perovskite energetic material DAP-4-based composites with metal fuel Al

Combined with the oxidizer anions and fuel cations,molecular perovskite energetic materials show a good potential.In this work,the combustion behavior and mechanism of metal fuel aluminium(Al)with molecular perovskite energetic material(H_(2)dabco)[NH4(ClO_(4))_(3)](DAP-4)as a high-energy oxidant was investigated.The DAP-4 based composites with metal fuel Al were designed and fabricated by the different mass ratios.Results showed that DAP-4 exhibits a good oxygen-supplied capacity for enhancing the combustion performance of Al.The maximum combustion heat of DAP-4/Al-3 at the Al/O mass ratio of 38:62 is up to 10,412 J/g in the inert gas,which is higher than those of other ratios and the mixtures of other energetic materials and Al.The evolution of pressure output,pressurization rate,and flame temperature was monitored for DAP-4/Al with different mass ratios.Composites DAP-4/Al/F were characterized by burning rates.The combustion reaction mechanism of metal fuel Al with DAP-4 as a high-energy oxidant was provided.DAP-4 was ignited firstly and released acid and oxidizing gases,which corroded Al_(2)O_(3)shells on Al particle surfaces and accelerated the combustion reaction with Al to release a lot of energy.This work offered a new idea that molecular perovskite energetic materials have great potential in the high-energy Al-based solid rocket propellants.

南海西南次海盆的地热流特征与分析

为系统地了解南海西南次海盆的地热流特征,本文通过对研究区及邻域地热流数据的补充采集、收集整理和统计分析,获得了87个有效的地热流数据、一批热导率和生热率的地热参数资料,地热流测点在空间上覆盖了整个区域.研究区的地热流数据分布结果表明,西南次海盆热流密度的平均值为98.1±14.8mW·m^(-2),洋陆过渡带为103.6±19.4mW·m^(-2),南沙岛礁区和西部陆缘分别为79.0±15.5mW·m^(-2)和78.3±15.6mW·m^(-2).研究区表层沉积物热导率的平均值0.86±0.06 W·mK^(-1),生热率的平均值1.11±0.17μW·m^(-3),海底温度的平均值为2.43±0.01℃.综合海底地形地貌、地质与地球物理资料,认为研究区的热流特征在空间上具有一定的分布规律,表现为:(1)洋盆区测点的热流密度平均值高于两侧陆缘;(2)东南缘洋陆过渡带上测点的地热流密度值高于邻近海盆和南沙岛礁区的测点,而西北缘这种特征不明显;(3)西北翼的热流密度值总体比东南翼高;(4)沿着古扩张中心方向,西南次海盆热流值具有自东北向西南端方向逐步增大的趋势,表明海盆区同时存在着洋中脊与大陆裂谷两种不同的热状态,西南段裂谷热流值比东北段洋中脊高.对西南次海盆沉积物的热导率和生热率值参数的测量及数据空间分析可见,这两种热参数的空间分布无明显规律性,可能与海盆形成之后复杂的沉积环境相关.根据热流-洋壳年龄之间的关系,在西南次海盆东北段26个测站数据中,发现靠近古扩张中心的数据与理论值呈负偏移,而远离古扩张中心的数据呈正偏移,此现象是海盆内地热流数据受不同类型的地下流体影响所致.

Circular RNA circVAPA promotes chemotherapy drug resistance in gastric cancer progression by regulating miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a prevalent malignancy,leading to a high incidence of cancer-associated death.Cisplatin(DDP)-based chemotherapy is the principal therapy for clinical GC treatment,but DDP resistance is a severe clinical challenge and the mechanism remains poorly understood.Circular RNAs(circRNAs)have been identified to play crucial roles in modulating the chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells.AIM To explore the effect of circVAPA on chemotherapy resistance during GC progression.METHODS The effect of circVAPA on GC progression and chemotherapy resistance was analyzed by MTT assay,colony formation assay,Transwell assay,wound healing assay,and flow cytometry analysis in GC cells and DDP resistant GC cell lines,and tumorigenicity analysis in nude mice in vivo.The mechanism was investigated by luciferase reporter assay,quantitative real-time PCR,and Western blot analysis.RESULTS CircVAPA expression was up-regulated in clinical GC tissues compared with normal samples.CircVAPA depletion inhibited proliferation,migration,and invasion and increased apoptosis of GC cells.The expression of circVAPA,STAT3,and STAT3 downstream genes was elevated in DDP resistant SGC7901/DDP cell lines.CircVAPA knockdown attenuated the DDP resistance of GC cells.Mechanically,circVAPA was able to sponge miR-125b-5p,and miR-125b-5p could target STAT3 in the GC cells.MiR-125b-5p inhibitor reversed circVAPA depletion-enhanced inhibitory effect of DDP on GC cells,and STAT3 knockdown blocked circVAPA overexpression-induced proliferation of DDPtreated SGC7901/DDP cells.The depletion of STAT3 and miR-125b-5p inhibitor reversed circVAPA depletion-induced GC cell apoptosis.Functionally,circVAPA contributed to the tumor growth of SGC7901/DDP cells in vivo.CONCLUSION CircVAPA promotes chemotherapy resistance and malignant progression in GC by miR-125b-5p/STAT3 signaling.Our findings present novel insights into the mechanism by which circVAPA regulates chemotherapy resistance of GC cells.CircVAPA and miR-125b-5p may be considered as the potential targets for GC therapy.

Histone methyltransferases and demethylases:regulators in balancing osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） are characterized by their self-renewing capacity and differentiation potential into multiple tissues. Thus, management of the differentiation capacities of MSCs is important for MSC-based regenerative medicine, such as craniofacial bone regeneration, and in new treatments for metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis. In recent years, histone modification has been a growing topic in the field of MSC lineage specification, in which the Su（var）3-9, enhancer-of-zeste, trithorax （SET） domain-containing family and the Jumonji C （JmjC） domain-containing family represent the major histone lysine methyltransferases （KMTs） and histone lysine demethylases （KDMs）, respectively. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms by which SET domain-containine KMTs and JmiC domain-containinlz KDMs balance the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Retrospective evaluation of lymphatic and blood vessel invasion and Borrmann types in advanced proximal gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The Borrmann classification system is used to describe the macroscopic appearance of advanced gastric cancer,and Borrmann typeⅣdisease is independently associated with a poor prognosis.AIM To evaluate the prognostic significance of lymphatic and/or blood vessel invasion(LBVI)combined with the Borrmann type in advanced proximal gastric cancer(APGC).METHODS The clinicopathological and survival data of 440 patients with APGC who underwent curative surgery between 2005 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS In these 440 patients,LBVI+status was associated with Borrmann typeⅣ,low histological grade,large tumor size,and advanced pT and pN status.The 5-year survival rate of LBVI+patients was significantly lower than that of LBVI– patients,although LBVI was not an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis.No significant difference in the prognosis of patients with Borrmann typeⅢ/LBVI+disease and patients with Borrmann typeⅣdisease was observed.Therefore,we proposed a revised Borrmann typeⅣ(r-BorⅣ)as Borrmann typeⅢplus LBVI+,and found that r-BorⅣwas associated with poor prognosis in patients with APGC,which outweighed the prognostic significance of pT status.CONCLUSION LBVI is related to the prognosis of APGC,but is not an independent prognostic factor.LBVI status can be used to differentiate Borrmann typesⅢandⅣ,and the same approach can be used to treat r-BorⅣand Borrmann typeⅣ.

ZBP1(DAI/DLM-1) promotes osteogenic differentiation while inhibiting adipogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells through a positive feedback loop of Wnt/β-catenin signaling

The lineage specification of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells(MSCs) is tightly regulated by a wide range of factors. Recently, the versatile functions of ZBP1(also known as DAI or DLM-1) have been reported in the blood circulation and immune systems.However, the biological function of ZBP1 during the lineage specification of MSCs is still unknown. In the present study, we found that ZBP1 was upregulated during osteogenesis but downregulated during adipogenesis in mouse bone marrow-derived MSCs(m BMSCs). ZBP1 was highly expressed in osteoblasts but expressed at a relatively low level in marrow adipocytes. Knockdown of ZBP1 inhibited alkaline phosphataseactivity, extracellular matrix mineralization, and osteogenesis-related gene expression in vitro and reduced ectopic bone formation in vivo. Knockdown of ZBP1 also promoted adipogenesis in MSCs in vitro. Conversely, the overexpression of ZBP1 increased the osteogenesis but suppressed the adipogenesis of MSCs. When the expression of ZBP1 was rescued, the osteogenic capacity of ZBP1-depleted m BMSCs was restored at both the molecular and phenotypic levels.Furthermore, we demonstrated that ZBP1, a newly identified target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, was required for β-catenin translocation into nuclei. Collectively, our results indicate that ZBP1 is a novel regulator of bone and fat transdifferentiation via Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

AFF1 and AFF4 differentially regulate the osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs

AFF1 and AFF4 belong to the AFF （AF4/FMR2） family of proteins, which function as scaffolding proteins linking two different transcription elongation factors, positive elongation factor b （P-TEFb） and ELL1/2, in super elongation complexes （SECs）. Both AFF1 and AFF4 regulate gene transcription through elongation and chromatln remodeling. However, their function in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） is unknown. In this study, we show that small interfering RNA （siRNA）-mediated depletion of AFF1 in human MSCs leads to increased alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity, enhanced mineralization and upregulated expression of osteogenic-related genes. On the contrary, depletion of AFF4 significantly inhibits the osteogenic potential of MSCs. In addition, we confirm that overexpression of AFF1 and AFF4 differentially affects osteogenic differentiation in vitro and MSC-mediated bone formation in vivo. Mechanistically, we find that AFFI regulates the expression of DKK1 via binding to its promoter region. Depletion of DKK1 in HA-AFFl-overexpressing MSCs abrogates the impairment of osteogenic differentiation. Moreover, we detect that AFF4 is enriched in the promoter region of ID1. AFF4 knockdown blunts the BRE luciferase activity, SP7 expression and ALP activity induced by BMP2 treatment. In conclusion, our data indicate that AFF1 and AFF4 differentially regulate the osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs.AFF1 and AFF4 belong to the AFF （AF4/FMR2） family of proteins, which function as scaffolding proteins linking two different transcription elongation factors, positive elongation factor b （P-TEFb） and ELL1/2, in super elongation complexes （SECs）. Both AFFI and AFF4 regulate gene transcription through elongation and chromatln remodeling. However, their function in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） is unknown. In this study, we show that small interfering RNA （siRNA）-mediated depletion of AFF1 in human MSCs leads to increased alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity, enhanced mineralization and upregulated expression of osteogenic-related genes. On the contrary, depletion of AFF4 significantly inhibits the osteogenic potential of MSCs. In addition, we confirm that overexpression of AFF1 and AFF4 differentially affects osteogenic differentiation in vitro and MSC-mediated bone formation in vivo. Mechanistically, we find that AFFI regulates the expression of DKK1 via binding to its promoter region. Depletion of DKK1 in HA-AFFl-overexpressing MSCs abrogates the impairment of osteogenic differentiation. Moreover, we detect that AFF4 is enriched in the promoter region of ID1. AFF4 knockdown blunts the BRE luciferase activity, SP7 expression and ALP activity induced by BMP2 treatment. In conclusion, our data indicate that AFF1 and AFF4 differentially regulate the osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs.

Reduced microRNA-451 expression in eutopic endometrium contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis

BACKGROUND Endometriosis (EMs) is a chronic and recurrent,but benign,disease in women of reproductive age,and EMs patients have a high risk of developing gynecological tumors and autoimmune disorders.The etiology of EMs is not clear.Certain genetic markers in the eutopic endometrium are key in the pathogenesis of EMs.MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in several biological processes,such as cell proliferation,differentiation,and apoptosis.MiR-451 is interesting,as it acts as a tumor suppressor and is relevant to the poor prognosis of cancers.AIM To evaluate the expression levels and role of miR-451 in the eutopic endometrium and predict possible targets of miR-451 and related signaling pathways.METHODS Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate miR-451 expression in cultured cell lines as well as in pathologic tissues from 40 patients with EMs and 20 donors with no history of the disease (controls).Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometric assays were performed to determine cell proliferation and survival rates after transfection with miR-451 mimics and siRNAs.MiR-451 targets were predicted using miRDB and miRcode target-predicting databases.RESULTS We observed lower miR-451 levels in eutopic endometrial tissues from patients with EMs than in control tissues,and this difference was not related to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine stage.Ectopic overexpression of miR-451 in eutopic cells induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation.SiRNA-mediated miR-451 knockdown reversed these effects.Using miRDB and miRcode,we identified 12 potential miR-451 target genes.We hypothesize that the expression of YWHAZ,OSR1,TTN,and CDKN2D may be regulated by miR- 451 and be involved in disease pathogenesis.CONCLUSION Reduced miR-451 expression in the eutopic endometrium contributes to the pathogenesis of EMs by promoting cell proliferation and reducing apoptosis.Thus,miR-451 is a novel biomarker for EMs.YWHAZ,OSR1,TTN,and CDKN2D are potential target genes of miR-451 and may have key roles in this disease.

The ERα/KDM6B regulatory axis modulates osteogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent public health burden associated with an increased risk of bone fracture, particularly in aging women. Estrogen, an important medicinal component for the preventative and therapeutic treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, induces osteogenesis by activating the estrogen receptor signaling pathway and upregulating the expression of osteogenic genes, such as bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs). The epigenetic regulation of estrogen-mediated osteogenesis,however, is still unclear. In this report, we found that estrogen significantly induced the expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6B(KDM6B) and that KDM6B depletion by shRNAs led to a significant reduction in the osteogenic potential of DMSCs.Mechanistically, upon estrogen stimulation, estrogen receptor-α(ERα) was recruited to the KDM6B promoter, directly enhancing KDM6B expression. Subsequently, KDM6B was recruited to the BMP2 and HOXC6 promoters, resulting in the removal of H3K27me3 marks and activating the transcription of BMP2 and HOXC6, the master genes of osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, we found that estrogen enhanced DMSC osteogenesis during calvarial bone regeneration and that estrogen’s pro-osteogenic effect was dependent on KDM6B in vivo. Taken together, our results demonstrate the vital role of the ERα/KDM6B regulatory axis in the epigenetic regulation of the estrogen-dependent osteogenic response.

The Modification on the Discreteness of Park-Ang Damage Index Based on Bayesian Methodology

The discreteness is a common deficiency which impedes damage indices' practical application. It is caused by the arbitrary linear combination and some missing necessary variables. In order to deal with this problem,the correction term was added to the widely cited Park-Ang damage index. The unknown parameters in the correction term were obtained by the maximum likelihood estimation of these parameters' posterior distributions updated through Bayesian methodology. And the specimens for Bayesian updating were selected from PEER column database and Kawashima Earthquake Engineering Laboratory. Through model simplification process,a simplified modification was adopted,which has improved its goodness of fit to the experimental data. It has been found that the concrete core area and cross sectional area ratio,the longitudinal reinforcement ratio and the damage concentration factor are the critical variables affecting the error of the original damage index.

Loss of KDM4B impairs osteogenic differentiation of OMSCs and promotes oral bone aging

Aging of craniofacial skeleton significantly impairs the repair and regeneration of trauma-induced bony defects,and complicates dental treatment outcomes.Age-related alveolar bone loss could be attributed to decreased progenitor pool through senescence,imbalance in bone metabolism and bone-fat ratio.Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from oral bones(OMSCs)have distinct lineage propensities and characteristics compared to MSCs from long bones,and are more suited for craniofacial regeneration.However,the effect of epigenetic modifications regulating OMSC differentiation and senescence in aging has not yet been investigated.In this study,we found that the histone demethylase KDM4B plays an essential role in regulating the osteogenesis of OMSCs and oral bone aging.Loss of KDM4B in OMSCs leads to inhibition of osteogenesis.Moreover,KDM4B loss promoted adipogenesis and OMSC senescence which further impairs bone-fat balance in the mandible.Together,our data suggest that KDM4B may underpin the molecular mechanisms of OMSC fate determination and alveolar bone homeostasis in skeletal aging,and present as a promising therapeutic target for addressing craniofacial skeletal defects associated with age-related deteriorations.

Transcriptome Analysis of Ten-DPA Fiber in an Upland Cotton (<i>Gossypium hirsutum</i>) Line with Improved Fiber Traits from Phytochrome A1 RNAi Plants

Silencing phytochrome A1 gene (PHYA1) by RNA interference in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 312) had generated PHYA1 RNAi lines with improved fiber quality (longer, stronger and finer fiber). To reveal molecular mechanisms that govern fiber development with positive fiber traits, a study of global gene expression profiling of 10-DPA fibers in a PHYA1 RNAi line and its parent Coker 312 was conducted by high-throughput RNA sequencing. A comparative analysis of transcriptomes between the two lines had identified 142 genes that were differentially expressed in the 10-DPA fiber of the RNAi line. Gene Ontology analysis showed that these differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in metabolic pathways, heterocyclic/organic cyclic compound binding and multiple enzyme activities, and cell structures which were reported to play important roles in fiber development. Twenty-eight KEGG pathways were mapped for the 142 genes, and the pathways related to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and pyruvate metabolism were the most abundant and followed by cytochrome P450-involved pathways, suggesting that fiber improvement could be through the regulation of proteins involved in cytochrome P450 pathways. Genes encoding WRKY transcription factors, sucrose synthase, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase hydrolase, udp-glucuronate: xylan alpha-glucuronosyltransferase, and genes involved in lipid metabolism and ABA/brassinosteroid signal transduction pathways were found differentially expressed in the RNAi line. These genes have direct impacts on cotton fiber quality. The results of this study elucidate molecular signatures and possible mechanisms of fiber improvement in the background of PHYA1 RNAi in cotton and should help for future fine-tuning and programming of cotton fiber development.