Valorization of Camellia oleifera oil processing byproducts to value-added chemicals and biobased materials: A critical review

The C.oleifera oil processing industry generates large amounts of solid wastes,including C.oleifera shell(COS)and C.oleifera cake(COC).Distinct from generally acknowledged lignocellulosic biomass(corn stover,bamboo,birch,etc.),Camellia wastes contain diverse bioactive substances in addition to the abundant lignocellulosic components,and thus,the biorefinery utilization of C.oleifera processing byproducts involves complicated processing technologies.This reviewfirst summarizes various technologies for extracting and converting the main components in C.oleifera oil processing byproducts into value-added chemicals and biobased materials,as well as their potential applications.Microwave,ultrasound,and Soxhlet extractions are compared for the extraction of functional bioactive components(tannin,flavonoid,saponin,etc.),while solvothermal conversion and pyrolysis are discussed for the conversion of lignocellulosic components into value-added chemicals.The application areas of these chemicals according to their properties are introduced in detail,including utilizing antioxidant and anti-in-flammatory properties of the bioactive substances for the specific application,as well as drop-in chemicals for the substitution of unrenewable fossil fuel-derived products.In addition to chemical production,biochar fabricated from COS and its applications in thefields of adsorption,supercapacitor,soil remediation and wood composites are comprehensively reviewed and discussed.Finally,based on the compositions and structural characteristics of C.oleifera byproducts,the development of full-component valorization strategies and the expansion of the appli-cationfields are proposed.

Alcohol solvent effect on the self-assembly behaviors of lignin oligomers

The interactions between lignin oligomers and solvents determine the behaviors of lignin oligomers self-assembling into uniform lignin nanoparticles(LNPs).Herein,several alcohol solvents,which readily interact with the lignin oligomers,were adopted to study their effects during solvent shifting process for LNPs’production.The lignin oligomers with widely distributed molecular weight and abundant guaiacyl units were extracted from wood waste(mainly consists of pine wood),exerting outstanding self-assembly capability.Uniform and spherical LNPs were generated in H_(2)O-n-propanol cosolvent,whereas irregular LNPs were obtained in H_(2)O-methanol cosolvent.The unsatisfactory self-assembly performance of the lignin oligomers in H_(2)O-methanol cosolvent could be attributed to two aspects.On one hand,for the initial dissolution state,the distinguishing Hansen solubility parameter and polarity between methanol solvent and lignin oligomers resulted in the poor dispersion of the lignin oligomers.On the other hand,strong hydrogen bonds between methanol solvent and lignin oligomers during solvent shifting process,hindered the interactions among the lignin oligomers for self-assembly.

Effect of Sijunzi Decoction on the Myonuclear Domain of Rat Soleus in Spleen Qi Deficiency

Objective: To study the mechanism of Sijunzi decoction treating limb weakness in spleen Qi deficiency (SQD) based on the myonuclear domain (MND) theory. Methods: 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal group, SQD model group (model group), SQD+ still water group (SW group) and SQD+ Sijunzi decoction group (CM group), 10 rats each group;Grip-Strength Meter was used to measure limb grip strength;transmission electron microscope was employed to observe the ultrastructural changes of the myofibers, Image Pro 6.0 was used to measure the myonuclear numbers, cross-section area (CSA) and then their ratios (the MND sizes) were calculated, immunofluorescence assay was chosen to test the expressions of paired box gene 7 (Pax7) and myogenic differentiation antigen (MyoD). Results: Compared with those in the normal group, limb grip strength was decreased, sarcomeres were abnormal, and all the myonuclear numbers, CSA and MND sizes were reduced, but the Pax7+ cell numbers were increased, significantly, in the model and SW groups;Compared with those in the model and SW groups, limb grip strength was increased, sarcomeres were basically normal, the myonuclear number and CSA were both greater, and the Pax7+ and MyoD+ cell numbers were both increased, significantly, in the CM group. Conclusion: Sijunzi decoction might increase the myonuclear number by activating the MSCs to treat limb weakness in SQD.

Robust Consensus Tracking Control of Uncertain Multi-Agent Systems With Local Disturbance Rejection

In this paper,a new distributed consensus tracking protocol incorporating local disturbance rejection is devised for a multi-agent system with heterogeneous dynamic uncertainties and disturbances over a directed graph.It is of two-degree-of-freedom nature.Specifically,a robust distributed controller is designed for consensus tracking,while a local disturbance estimator is designed for each agent without requiring the input channel information of disturbances.The condition for asymptotic disturbance rejection is derived.Moreover,even when the disturbance model is not exactly known,the developed method also provides good disturbance-rejection performance.Then,a robust stabilization condition with less conservativeness is derived for the whole multi-agent system.Further,a design algorithm is given.Finally,comparisons with the conventional one-degree-of-freedombased distributed disturbance-rejection method for mismatched disturbances and the distributed extended-state observer for matched disturbances validate the developed method.

Makinoella parva,a new species of the genus Makinoella(Oocystaceae,Trebouxiophyceae,Chlorophyta)

Makinoella Okada is a genus of coccoid green algae belonging to the family Oocystaceae with typical morphological characteristics.Reports to date included only one type species.Since the genus is rarely reported,there is a lack of taxonomic research.In this study,17 strains of this genus were collected from several different places in China,and their taxonomic studies were conducted based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis.The phylogenetic results based on the analysis of ITS,chloroplast genes rbc L and tuf A showed that the genus was divided into two branches.One of the branches comprised newly collected algae.Compensatory base changes(CBCs)and hemi-compensatory base changes(hemi-CBCs)within the secondary structure of the ITS-2 confirmed the branches as two species.Compared with the type species of Makinoella tosaensis,the cell size of this new branch was only about 50%,and included 2-4 colonial cells.Therefore,based on the smaller cell size,simpler colony composition,independent phylogenetic position and CBCs and hemi-CBCs,we suggest that the new clade should be designated as a new taxon of Makinoella,namely Makinoella parva.Among the four molecular markers using in this study,the rbc L and newly introduced ITS are recommended for species separation,which can help further studies to revise the species and generic concepts of the family.

Geographical distribution of Batrachospermaceae genera in Asia and its environmental factors

Batrachospermaceae is an important group of freshwater red algae.Available data of the latitude,longitude,and environmental factors on Batrachospermaceae distribution in Asia were analyzed to understand the geographical distribution of Batrachospermaceae genera in Asia.Statistical analyses,including one-way ANOVA,correlation analysis,stepwise regression analysis,principal component analysis,and linear discriminant analysis were conducted to characterize variation in geographical distribution and growth environment.Results reveal high variation in geographical distribution and growth environment among different Batrachospermaceae genera in Asia.Specifically,correlations between latitude and all environmental factors exclusive of altitude are significant,and longitude is significantly correlated with all environmental factors except for average relative humidity.The geographical distribution and growth environment of different Batrachospermaceae genera significantly differed.Altitude,maximum temperature,average temperature,minimum temperature,average relative humidity,average wind speed,maximum wind speed,and atmospheric pressure all contributed to explaining differences in the geographical distribution of Batrachospermaceae genera.Combining the results of correlation analysis,stepwise regression analysis,and principal component analysis,all environmental factors contributed to the different geographical distribution of Batrachospermum,Paludicola,Sheathia,Sirodotia,and Remainder(the rest),all environmental factors but atmospheric pressure contributed to the different geographical distribution of Kumanoa,and all environmental factors but average wind speed and maximum wind speed contributed to the different geographical distribution of Virescentia.However,the correlation between these significantly related environmental factors and taxa is not necessarily causative,and many other environmental factors,such as temperature,pH,conductivity,shading,current velocity,dissolved oxygen,hardness,substrata types,and nutrients etc.,are likely to have an important impact on the geographical distribution of taxa,which is an important topic for future research.

Comparison and phylogeny on mitochondrial genome of marine and freshwater taxa of genus Hildenbrandia(Florideophyceae,Rhodophyta)

Hildenbrandia is an early diverged lineage in Florideophyceae,Rhodophyta.The species diversity of this genus is still unresolved due to the simple morphology and limited molecular information.The mitochondrial genome of freshwater H.jigongshanensis was determined in this study.The freshwater H.jigongshanensis had a larger mitochondrial genome than the marine H.rubra and GC content was higher.Collinear alignment structure was observed between the mitochondrial genomes of H.jigongshanensis and H.rubra,except for one block that was encoded on the complement strand.More introns were found in mitochondrial genome of H.jigongshanensis than in H.rubra,and H.jigongshanensis shares the common feature with Bangiophyceae that two introns were distributed in cox1.Comparison of mitochondrial genome organization suggests that H.jigongshanensis preserves characters that could be hypothetically more similar to the ancestor of Bangiophyceae and Florideophyceae,which differ with previous studies based on chloroplast,and nuclear markers.More mitochondrial genomes and phylogenetic analyses combing nuclear,chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes are needed to clarify this discrepancy.Mitochondrion-based phylogeny in this study resulted in better solution at both the deep and recent derived nodes than single-gene phylogenies.Most protein-coding genes between H.jigongshanensis and H.rubra were identical except atp8,which was present in H.jigongshanensis while absent from H.rubra.This finding follows the trend that high Ka/Ks ratio genes are more frequently lost than low Ka/Ks ratio ones in red algae.

Identification of novel salt stress-responsive microRNAs through sequencing and bioinformatic analysis in a unique halophilic Dunaliella salina strain

Dunaliella salina is a classic halophilic alga.However,its molecular mechanisms in response to high salinity at the post transcriptional level remain unknown.A unique halophilic alga strain,DS-CN1,was screened from four D.salina strains via cell biological,physiological,and biochemical methods.High-throughput sequencing of small RNAs(sRNAs)of DS-CN1 in culture medium containing 3.42-mol/L NaCl(SS group)or 0.05-mol/L NaCl(CO group)was performed on the BGISEQ-500 platform.The annotation and sequences of D.salina sRNAs were profiled.Altogether,44 novel salt stress-responsive microRNAs(miRNAs)with a relatively high C content,with the majority of them being 24 nt in length,were identified and characterized in DS-CN1.Twenty-one differentially expressed miRNAs(DEMs)in SS and CO were screened via bioinformatic analysis.A total of 319 putative salt stress-related genes targeted(104 overlapping genes)by novel miRNAs in this alga were screened based on our previous transcriptome sequencing research.Furthermore,these target genes were classified and enriched by GO and KEGG pathway analysis.Moreover,5 novel DEMs(dsa-mir3,dsa-mir16,dsa-mir17,and dsa-mir26 were significantly upregulated,and dsa-mir40 was significantly downregulated)and their corresponding 10 target genes involved in the 6 significantly enriched metabolic pathways were verified by quantitative real-time PCR.Next,their regulatory relationships were comprehensively analyzed.Lastly,a unique salt stress response metabolic network was constructed based on the novel DEM-target gene pairs.Taken together,our results suggest that 44 novel salt stress-responsive microRNAs were identified,and 4 of them might play important roles in D.salina upon salinity stress and contribute to clarify its distinctive halophilic feature.Our study will shed light on the regulatory mechanisms of salt stress responses.

Research Progress of Tung Oil/UV Photocomposite Curing Material

Tung oil(TO)/ultraviolet(UV)photo-composite curing material possesses the characteristics of low curing temperature,low material shrinkage and low environmental pollution.Accordingly,this material must be developed and utilized with the conjugated double bonds contained in the long chain of the main structure(α-tung acid)molecules in the refined TO.The aforementioned material can be chemically modified using a variety of chemical methods to develop a new TO-based UV photocurable material due to its unique chemical properties.This work reviews the research progress of TO/UV photo-composite curing materials in recent years.Firstly,the chemical structure and application of TO and UV Photocatalysis Technology were briefly introduced.Secondly,the research status of novel TO/UV photo-composite curing materials developed by the Diels-Alder reaction was discussed.The method and curing effect of the UVcuring system constructed by other chemically modified TO were also discussed.Thereafter,the application of TO in industrial production is introduced from four directions:the application of TO in biodiesel,the application in synthetic resin,the application in self-healing coating and microcapsules and other applications.Finally,the research and application prospects of TO/UV photo-composite curing materials were presented.

Current status of diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer in China-Analyses of Chinese Bladder Cancer Consortium database

Objective:To investigate current status of diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer in China.Methods:A database was generated by Chinese Bladder Cancer Consortium(CBCC).From January 2007 to December 2012,14,260 cases from 44 CBCC centers were included.Data of diagnosis,treatment and pathology were collected.Results:The average age was 63.5 year-old and most patients were male(84.3%).The most common histologic types were urothelial carcinoma(91.4%),adenocarcinoma(1.8%),and squamous carcinoma(1.9%).According to 1973 and 2004 WHO grading system,42.0%,41.0%,and 17.0% of patients were grade 1,2,and 3,and 16.0%,48.7%,and 35.3% of patients were papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential,low,and high grade,respectively.Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)and muscle invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)were 25.2% and 74.1%,respectively(0.8% not clear).Carcinoma in situ was only 2.4%.Most patients were diagnosed by white-light cystoscopy with biopsy(74.3%).Fluorescence and narrow band imaging cystoscopy had additional detection rate of 1.0% and 4.0%,respectively.Diagnostic transurethral resection(TUR)provided detection rate of 16.9%.Most NMIBCs were treated with TUR(89.2%).After initial TUR,2.6%accepted second TUR,and 45.7%,69.9%,and 58.7% accepted immediate,induced,and maintenance chemotherapy instillation,respectively.Most MIBCs were treated with radical cystectomy(RC,59.7%).Laparoscopic RCs were 35.1%,while open RC 63.4%.Extended and standard pelvic lymph node dissection were 7% and 66%,respectively.Three most common urinary diversions were orthotopic neobladder(44%),ileal conduit(31%),and ureterocutaneostomy(23%).Only 2.3% of patients accepted neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and only 18%of T3 and T4 patients accepted adjuvant chemotherapy.Conclusion:Disease characteristics are similar to international reports,while differences of diagnosis and treatment exist.This study can provide evidences for revisions of the guideline on bladder cancer in China.

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Donglufang porphyry-skarn Mo-Cu deposit in the southern Yidun Terrane and their geological significances

The newly-discovered Donglufang Moe Cu porphyry-skarn deposit is located in the southern Yidun Terrane, southeast Tibet, with more than 80 million tonnes(Mt) of reserves(grading 0.15 wt.% Mo and0.48 wt.% Cu) hosted in Triassic strata and Late Cretaceous granodiorite porphyry. Ree Os dating of molybdenum ore yielded a weighted mean age of 84.9 ± 1.0 Ma and an isochron age of 85.2 ± 0.6 Ma.LA-ICP-MS Ue Pb dating of zircons from the granodiorite porphyry yielded206 Pb/238 U ages ranging from 87.4 Ma to 84.2 Ma with a weighted mean206 Pb/238 U age of 85.1 ±0.5 Ma, indicating a temporal linkage between granitic magmatism and Moe Cu mineralization. Geochemical analyses show that the granodiorite porphyries are I-type granites with Si O_2 contents of 64.3 -66.7 wt.%. These rocks are typically metaluminous with high K_2 O/Na_2 O ratios, low Mg O(1.32 -1.56 wt.%), Cr(5.6 -12.9 ppm), Ni(3.79 -10.81 ppm), Mg#(43 -52) values, and high Sr(304 -844 ppm), Sr/Y(21.2 -50.8) and La/Yb ratios(37.0 -60.1). They are enriched in light rare-earth elements(LREE) relative to heavy rare-earth elements(HREE), with slightly negative Eu anomalies, and are enriched in Th, U and large ion lithophile elements(LILE, e.g., K and Rb), and depleted in high field strength elements(HFSE, e.g., Nb, Ta, P and Ti). They also show negative zircon εHf(t) values(-6.7 to -2.3) and negative whole rock εNd(t) values(à5.2 to-4.3), as well as old Hfe Nd model ages, indicating the magmas were derived from a thickened ancient lower crust within the garneteamphibolite facies. Considering the tectonic evolution of the Yidun Terrane, geochemical characteristics of granodiorite porphyry, and the ages of mineralization obtained in this study. We suggest that the Donglufang deposit was formed in a post-collisional setting, which has a genetic relationship with the emplacement of the granodiorite porphyry. The present study provide key information for the exploration of the Late Cretaceous metallogeny in the Yidun Terrane.

MoS_(2)-Decorated/Integrated Carbon Fiber:Phase Engineering Well-Regulated Microwave Absorber

Phase engineering is an important strategy to modulate the electronic structure of molybdenum disulfide(MoS_(2)).MoS_(2)-based composites are usually used for the electromagnetic wave(EMW)absorber,but the effect of different phases on the EMW absorbing performance,such as 1T and 2H phase,is still not studied.In this work,micro-1T/2H MoS_(2) is achieved via a facile one-step hydrother-mal route,in which the 1T phase is induced by the intercalation of guest molecules and ions.The EMW absorption mechanism of single MoS_(2) is revealed by presenting a comparative study between 1T/2H MoS_(2) and 2H MoS_(2).As a result,1T/2H MoS_(2) with the matrix loading of 15%exhibits excellent microwave absorption property than 2H MoS_(2).Furthermore,taking the advantage of 1T/2H MoS_(2),a flexible EMW absorbers that ultrathin 1T/2H MoS_(2)grown on the carbon fiber also performs outstanding performance only with the matrix loading of 5%.This work offers necessary reference to improve microwave absorption performance by phase engineering and design a new type of flexible electromagnetic wave absorption material to apply for the portable microwave absorption electronic devices.

Numerical Analyses of Idealized Total Cavopulmonary Connection Physiologies with Single and Bilateral Superior Vena Cava Assisted by an Axial Blood Pump

Our study evaluated the hemodynamic performance of an axial flow blood pump surgically implanted in idealized total cavopulmonary connection(TCPC)models.This blood pump was designed to augment pressure from the inferior vena cava(IVC)to the pulmonary circulation.Two Fontan procedures with single and bilateral superior vena cava(SVC)were compared to fit the mechanical supported TCPC physiologies.Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)analyses of two Pump-TCPC models were performed in the analyses.Pressure-flow characteristics,energy efficiency,fluid streamlines,hemolysis and thrombosis analyses were implemented.Numerical simulations indicate that the pump produces pressure generations of 1 mm to 24 mm Hg for rotational speeds ranging from 2000 RPM to 5000 RPM and flow rates of 2 LPM to 4 LPM.Two surgical models incorporated with the pump were found to be insignificant in pressure augmentation and energy boost.The risk assessment of blood trauma and thrombosis generation was evaluated representatively through blood damage index(BDI),particle resident time(PRT)and relative resistant time(RRT).The hemolysis and thrombosis analyses declare the advantage of the pump supported bilateral SVC surgical scheme in balancing flow distribution and reducing the risk of endothelial cell destruction and trauma generation.

Neglectella glomerata sp.nov.,a new species and implications for the systematics of the genus Neglectella(Oocystaceae,Trebouxiophyceae,Chlorophyta)

The genus Neglectella Vodenicarov&Benderliev has a morphology similar to the well-known genus Oocystis,except for the numerous chloroplasts stacked in the surface layer of the cell.Neglectella subsequently experienced complex taxonomy changes with members being transferred in and out,and five species are now accepted.In this study,a new alga with morphology corresponding to this genus was collected in China and successfully cultured in laboratory.Morphological observations in light microscopy and transmission electronic microscopy(TEM)and phylogenetic analyses revealed that it is a new species,described here as Neglectella glomerata sp.nov.It differed from other Neglectella species due to a morphological difference in its unique mucilaginous colony with a large number of cells,multiple pyrenoids in each chloroplast,smaller cell size,and more elongated cell shape.Phylogenetic analyses placed this alga in the subfamily Eremosphaeroideae of the family Oocystaceae and showed its close relationship with Neglectella peisonis.Further morphological comparisons combined with phylogenetic results revealed three different morphological types in Neglectella.The new type represented by our new species may represent a transitional morphology in intermediate taxonomic position between the other two types.The diversity of morphological types in Neglectella suggests that further unknown species of this genus are likely to be discovered in the future.More collections and DNA sequence data will be needed in the future for this genus.

Phylogenetic, evolutionary, and biogeographic origin of the genus Sheathia (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta)

The genus Sheathia consists of over 20 species primarily distributed in Asia,Europe,Oceania,North America,and Africa.However,the origin and evolution of this genus remain unclear.Two gametophyte stage specimens(SAS18052 and SAS18523)and two“Chantransia”stage specimens(YTS19161 and YTS19017)were collected from Shanxi and Henan Provinces in China,respectively.Based on morphological data,isolates YTS19161 and YTS19017 were similar to Audouinella pygmaea,whereas the morphological characteristics of SAS18052 and SAS18523 were in good agreement with the circumscription description of S.longipedicellata.Molecular sequences of rbc L,COI-5P,and psb A were used to investigate the phylogenetic,evolutionary,and biogeographic origin of the genus Sheathia.The three molecular markers supported that the two gametophyte stage specimens belong to S.longipedicellata,while the isolates YTS19161 and YTS19017 were the“Chantransia”of S.longipedicellata.Ancestral area reconstruction and divergence time estimation speculated that Sheathia originated in North America,a portion of the Pangaea at approximately 328.07-184.73 million years ago(Ma).Our relaxed molecular clock analysis suggests that the Florideophyceae diverged approximately 741.04(894.36-631.70)Ma.The major divergences in this class involved the emergence of Nemaliophycidae[ca.662.01(779.83-580.51)Ma],and the split of orders Batrachospermales and Thoreales[ca.456.10(552.80-367.88)Ma].

Seasonal co-occurrence patterns of bacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton and the ecological response in urban aquatic ecosystem

Microorganisms play a key role in aquatic ecosystems.Recent studies show that keystone taxa in microbial community could change the community structure and function.However,most previous studies focus on abundant taxa but neglected low abundant ones.To clarify the seasonal variation of bacterial and microalgal communities and understand their synergistic adaptation to diff erent environmental factors,we studied the bacterial and eukaryotic phytoplankton communities in Fenhe River that runs through Taiyuan City,central China,and their seasonal co-occurrence patterns using 16S and 18S rDNA sequencing.Results indicate that positive interaction of eukaryotic phytoplankton network was more active than negative one except winter,indicating that the cooperation(symbiotic phenomenon in which phytoplankton are interdependent and mutually benefi cial)among them could improve the adaption of microbial community to the local environmental changes and maintain the stability of microbial network.The main genera that identifi ed as keystone taxa in bacterial network were Salinivibrio and Sphingopyxis of Proteobacteria and they could respond to the variation of nitrite and make use of it,while those that identifi ed as keystone taxa in eukaryotic phytoplankton network were Pseudoschroederia and Nannochloris,and they were more susceptible to nitrate and phosphate.Mychonastes and Cryptomonas were closely related to water temperature.However,the loss of the co-occurrence by environmental factor changes aff ected the stability of network structure.This study provided a reference for analyzing relationship between bacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton and revealing potential importance of keystone taxa in similar ecological domains in carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorus dynamics.

Affinities offreshwater“Chantransia”stage algae(Rhodophyta)from China based on molecular and morphological analyses

Twelve putative"Chantransia"isolates were collected from six locations across Hubei,Shanxi,Guizhou,and Henan Provinces in China.Their morphological characters were evaluated via the Ward’s method of hierarchical cluster analysis in SPSS software to classify phylogenetic relationships among the isolates.The morphological data revealed that isolate HN31(called group"MALL")was distinct from the other specimens being macroscopic with large vegetative cells and monosporangia(>20μm in diameter).The 11 other isolates were grouped into three clusters,corresponding to the species Audouinella tenella,A.hermannii,and A.pygmaea.The morphological"Chantransia"stage of the species,reportedly belonging to the orders Batrachospermales,Thoreales,and the phylogenetically distant genus Audouinella,are very similar,resulting in the di fficulty to distinguish them based just on morphology.Therefore,molecular analysis of rbc L,UPA,and COI-5 P was conducted to infer the phylogenetic position of all isolates in this study.All"A.tenella"and"A.hermannii"sequences belong to order Batrachospermales,while the isolate HN31 was the"Chantransia"of Thorea hispida.The six other specimens varied morphologically,but they were within the circumscription of"A.pygmaea".All three molecular markers show that all"pygmaea"isolates also represent the"Chantransia"of T.hispida.Furthermore,results from this investigation proposed a new species—Sheathia qinyuanensis,corresponding to the isolates QY1 and QY2.

Transcriptome profile of Dunaliella salina in Yuncheng Salt Lake reveals salt-stress-related genes under diff erent salinity stresses

Salt stress is an abiotic stress to plants in especially saline lakes.Dunaliella,a halophilic microalga distributed throughout salt lakes and seas,can respond to different salinity stresses by regulating the expression of some genes.However,these genes and their function and biological processes involved remain unclear.Profi ling these salt-stress-related genes in a high-salt-tolerant Dunaliella species will help clarify the salt tolerance machinery of Dunaliella.Three D.salina_YC salt-stress groups were tested under low(0.51 mol/L),moderate(1.03 mol/L),and high(3.42 mol/L)NaCl concentrations and one control group under very low(0.05 mol/L)NaCl concentration and 3 transcriptome results that were deep sequenced and de novo assembled were obtained per group.Twelve high-quality RNA-seq libraries with 46585 upregulated and 47805 downregulated unigenes were found.Relative to the control,188 common differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were screened and divided into four clusters in expression pattern.Fifteen of them annotated in the significant enriched Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)were validated via qPCR.Their qPCR-based relative expression patterns were similar to their RNA-seq-based patterns.Two significant DEGs,the geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase coding gene(1876-bp cDNA)and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase coding gene(2968-bp cDNA),were cloned and analyzed in silico.The total lipid content,superoxide dismutase specific activity,and betacarotene content of D.salina_YC increased gradually with increasing salinity.In addition,the expression of 11 validated genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis/degradation,active oxygen or carotenoid metabolisms showed significant changes.In addition,algal photochemical efficiency was diminished with increasing salinity,as well as the expression of 4 photosynthesis-related genes.These results could help clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying D.salina responses to the Yuncheng Salt Lake environment and lay a foundation for further utilization of this algal resource.

Expression Imbalance of Cholinergic M₂and M₃Receptors Contributes to the Motility Reduction of the Small Intestine in Spleen Qi Deficiency

Objective: To study roles of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors in the motility reduction of small intestine (SI) in spleen qi deficiency. Methods: 16 male SD rats were randomly divided in the control group and spleen qi deficiency group (model group)—8 rats each group;spleen qi deficiency model of the improper diet and overfatigue was established;the SI propelling rate (SIPR) was used to evaluate the SI motility;ELISA was used to measure concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) in the SI tissue;immohistochemistry was employed to detect expressions of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors. Results: Compared with those in the control group, SIPR was reduced;expression of M2 receptors was increased;and expression of M3 receptors and concentrations of cAMP and PKA were decreased, significantly, in the model group. Conclusions: Expression imbalance of cholinergic M2 and M3 receptors might contribute to the motility reduction of the SI in spleen qi deficiency.

Correlation between expression of two transforming growth factor-beta 1 receptors and microvascular density in a rat model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury

The effects of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） are currently controversial. Whether TGF-β1 promotes or inhibits revascularization under different conditions remains poorly understood. Based on previous studies, the current experiment established rat models of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury （IRI）, and demonstrated that pathological and functional damage was also increased after IRI. The most serious damage was observed at 3 days after reperfusion, at which time microvascular density fell to its lowest level. Soon afterwards, microvascular density increased, new collateral circulation was gradually established at 4 to 7 days after reperfusion, and pathological damage and neurological deficits were improved. TGF-β1, activin receptor-like kinase 5 （ALK5） mRNA and protein expression levels increased gradually over time. In contrast, ALK1 mRNA and protein expression decreased over the same period. A significant negative correlation was detected between microvascular density and expression of the ALK5 gene transcript. There was no correlation between microvascular density and ALK1 gene transcriptional expression following cerebral IRI in a rat model. These findings suggest that ALK5, rather than ALK1, is the critical receptor in the TGF-β1 signal pathways after cerebral IRI.