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.

Extracts from Chinese Seabuckthorn Berry Have Antimicrobial Activity in vitro

Chinese seabuckthorn berry contains functional components. The berry was extracted by ethanol-water solution. MTT assay and growth rate method were applied to determine antibacterial ability in vitro of the extract solution. The antibacterial and antifungal assay indicated that the extract exhibited different degree of inhibitory activity. The result showed that the extract at a concentration of 1 250 mg/L had the maximum inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Inhibitory effect against B. subtilis was much larger than that against the other two bacterial species. MIC values(minimum inhibitory concentration) of the extract on three bacterial species were 5 000, 1 250, and 1 000 mg/L respectively. IC_(50)(50% inhibiting concentration) evaluation of Trichoderma viride, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium expansum, and Vintage Red indicated that the berry had the strongest inhibitory effect against P. expansum(5 520 mg/L), while it had the weakest inhibitory effect against R. stolonifer(18 870 mg/L). The results proved that seabuckthorn berry had highly effective and comprehensive antimicrobial function.

Anterior limb lesions in bilateral internal capsules and memory function in patients with refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have shown that lesions in the anterior limb of the internal capsule contribute to obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder （OCD）. However, few reports have addressed the effects of lesions in the anterior limb of the internal capsule on cognition, learning, and memory functions in patients with refractory OCD. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the degree of damage to memory tasks in refractory OCD patients following lesions to the anterior limb of the internal capsule. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A case-controlled, observational study was performed at the Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, China from May 2007 to March 2008. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 10 refractory OCD patients were admitted to the Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, China from May 2007 to March 2008 and were recruited for this study. The OCD patients were of equal gender, with an average age of （25.1 ± 9.6） years. An additional 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled from a community of Shanghai City as controls; they were of equal gender and aged （25.1 ± 8.6） years. METHODS： A total of 10 refractory OCD patients were subjected to lesions in the anterior limbs of the bilateral internal capsules. Wechsler Memory Scale-Chinese Revision （WMS-CR, as a task of explicit memory） and the Nissen Version （serial reaction time task） software （SRTT, as a task of implicit memory） were applied to determine memory functions and learning performance in pre- and post-operative OCD patients and controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： WMS scores, reaction time in SRTT, and Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale scores were measured in pre- and post-operative OCD patients and controls. RESULTS： Compared to controls, the pre-operative OCD patients exhibited reduced memory task scores （P = 0.005）, whereas scores for reciting numbers of backwards digits were greater （P = 0.000）. Figure recall and associative memory were less in OCD patients at 1 week following surgery than in the pre-operative OCD patients （P = 0.042, P = 0.002, respectively）. Reaction time in implicit SRTT was significantly longer in pre-operative OCD patients compared with controls and post-operative OCD patients （P = 0.01, P = 0.03, respectively）. These results suggested ameliorated SRTT following neurosurgery. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale results revealed significantly improved OCD following lesions in the internal capsule （P = 0.04）. Some post-operative OCD patients suffered from deficits in short-term memory and implicit memory. CONCLUSION： Lesions in anterior limbs of bilateral internal capsules improve obsessive- compulsive symptoms and implicit memory in OCD patients, but result in aggravated short-term memory deficits.

SNP-based identification of QTL for resistance to black point caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana in bread wheat

Black point disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is a problem in wheat production worldwide.We aimed to identify major quantitative trait loci(QTL)for resistance to black point and develop molecular markers for marker-assisted selection(MAS).A recombinant inbred line(RIL)population derived from a cross between Wanyuanbai 1(susceptible)and SN4143(resistant)was evaluated for black point response at three locations during two years under artificial inoculation with B.sorokiniana,providing data for six environments.Thirty resistant and 30 susceptible RILs were selected to form resistant and susceptible bulks,respectively,that were genotyped by the wheat 660 K SNP array;685 singlenucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were identified,among which 385(56.2%)and 115(16.8%)were located on chromosomes 4 A and 2 B,respectively.Bulked segregant RNA-Seq analysis identified candidate regions on chromosomes 4 A(4.60–40.28 Mb)and 5 A(1.22–48.47 Mb).Genetic linkage maps were constructed for chromosomes 2 B,4 A,and 5 A using 59 polymorphic d CAPS and SSR markers.Finally,two QTL,designated QBB.hau-4 A and QBB.hau-5 A,were detected on chromosomes 4 A and 5 A,respectively.The resistance allele of QBB.hau-4 A was derived from SN4143,and that of QBB.hau-5 A came from Wanyuanbai 1.QBB.hau-4 A with a large and consistent effect(15.1%)is likely to be a new locus for black point resistance.The markers linked to QBB.hau-4 A and QBB.hau-5 A have potential application in MASbased breeding.

On the‘ENGO+focal firm’governance strategies of pollution of small and medium suppliers

Presently,the environmental pollution problem,especially that of the small and medium-sized enterprises,has become a bottleneck restricting the high-quality development of China’s economy.It is imperative to accelerate the construction of a collaborative governance system with multiple subject participation.The behavior modes of Environmental Non-governmental Organizations(ENGOs),a key player in environmental care,in collaborating with core enterprises to control pollution from small and medium-sized suppliers should be explored.Therefore,we constructed a collaborative governance system consisting of ENGOs,focal firms and small and medium-sized suppliers.Then a two-stage game model was established to analyze the strategies of the governance system.Specifically,we studied the collaborative green cooperation strategy and antagonistic pressure supervision strategy between ENGOs and focal firms,analyzed factors influencing the strategic choices of each subject,and gave the advantages of the cooperation strategies through further comparisons.The results showed that:Under the cooperation strategy,ENGOs provided knowledge of environmental protection to the focal firms,then both the audit efforts of focal firms and the environmental protection efforts of small and medium-sized suppliers were effectively improved.Since ENGOs could not fully obtain the pollution information of small and medium-sized suppliers or accurately trace it from their downstream focal firms,it was difficult to drive the supply chain’s endogenous governance by this external monitoring of ENGOs,making the effect of pressure supervision strategy limited.The effectiveness of green cooperation strategy was positively correlated with the knowledge absorption capacity of focal firms,the unit product revenue,and the focal firms'violation penalties for small and medium-sized suppliers.When ENGOs'violation penalties for small and medium-sized suppliers were higher,or the reputation loss of focal firms was higher,more unfavorable conditions of green cooperation strategy could be achieved.Accordingly,ENGOs should choose to cooperate with focal firms with strong knowledge absorption ability and high profit per product;focal firms should learn environmental protection knowledge to improve the screening standards and review capabilities,and promote the achievement of green cooperation strategy conditions by strengthening active information disclosure;the government should promote the collaboration between ENGOs and focal firms by issuing environmental guidelines.

Comparative assessment of phenolics,antioxidant and antiproliferative activities between Hippophae rhamnoides ssp.sinensis and H.tibetana leaf in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Hippophae rhamnoides ssp.sinensis(Rha)and H.tibetana(Tib)are two species of sea buckthorn which distribute in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Our results showed that both sea buckthorn leaf exhibited high total phenolic and flavonoid content,and Rha leaf showed much higher level.In addition,66 phenolic compounds were detected,belonging to classes of benzoic acid derivatives,flavonols,flavanols,flavanones,and so on.Classes of benzoic acid derivatives and flavonols were most abundant,among them ellagic acid and rutin were the most and second abundant phenols.Besides,methyl gallate,2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid,4-hydroxybenzoic acid,gentisic acid,narcissin,astragalin,nicotiflorin,prunin,procyanidin B3,cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside chloride,delphinidin 3-glucoside,gallocatechin,taxifolin,aromadendrin and trans-3,3′,4′,5,5′,7-Hexahydroxyflavanone were the first time to be identified in SBT leaf.Furthermore,significant free radical scavenging effects of ABTS and DPPH,ferric reducing antioxidant ability,cellular antioxidant properties and anti-proliferation activity against HepG2 cells were observed in the aqueous ethanol extracts of sea buckthorn leaf.While Rha showed stronger inhibitory effects,which might due to the higher content of total phenolic and flavonoid profiles.Our finding clearly supported that Rha leaf as a wild and non-pollution plant could be a better choice as a healthy food resource.