Molluscicidal effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

Objective:To assess the molluscicidal effect of the eco-friendly green synthesized neem silver nanoparticles(neem-Ag NPs)against Biomphalaria alexandrina,the snail intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni,and their cercaricidal potential.Methods:Methanol extracts from neem fruits were used for green synthesis of neem-Ag NPs.The neem-Ag NPs were characterized using UV-visible absorption spectra,dynamic laser light scattering technique,and transmission electron microscopy.The potential molluscicidal effect against adult and juvenile Biomphalaria alexandrina and the effect of the sub-lethal concentration on hatching of snail eggs and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae were evaluated.Results:The surface plasmon resonance of neem-Ag NPs showed a sharp absorption peak atλ_(max)=518 nm together with multiple peaks.The hydrodynamic diameter was(77.15±34.53)nm,the polydispersity index(0.338±0.000)and the zeta-potential-14.07 mV.Moreover,transmission electron microscopy showed that the average size of the nanoparticles was(27±2)nm.Agglomeration was evident and a light-colored capping layer could be seen coating the nanoparticles.Juvenile snails(LC_(50):0.83 ppm)were more susceptible to neem-Ag NPs than adults(LC_(50):1.07 ppm).In addition,neem-Ag NPs and neem at LC_(50)concentrations inhibited the egg-hatching of snails and showed cercaricidal activity in a time-dependent manner.Conclusions:Neem-Ag NPs have lethal activities against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and their eggs,as well as Schistosoma mansoni cercariae.Hence,neem-Ag NPs could be a potential agent to control schistosomiasis.

Integrating microRNAs and mRNAs reveals the hormones synthesis and signal transduction of maize under different N rates

The effect of nitrogen(N)fertilizer on the development of maize kernels has yet to be fully explored.MicroRNA-mRNA analyses could help advance our understanding of how kernels respond to N.This study analyzed the morphological,physiological,and transcriptomic changes in maize kernels under different N rates(0,100,200,and 300 kg ha–1).The result showed that increasing N application significantly increased maize grains’fresh and dry weight until N reached 200 kg ha–1.Higher levels of indole-3-acetic acid,cytokinin,gibberellin,and a lower level of ethylene were associated with increased N applications.We obtained 31 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in hormone synthesis and transduction,and 9 DEGs were regulated by 14 differentially expressed microRNAs(DEMIs)in 26 pairs.The candidate DEGs and DEMIs provide valuable insight for manipulating grain filling under different N rates.

与小麦赤霉病抗性紧密连锁的基于AFLP片段的STS标记开发(英文)

DNA序列标签位点(STS)是一个操作简便和花费低的分子标记体系,将与某一性状密切连锁的AFLP(扩增片段长度多态性)片段转换成STS标记可直接用于分子育种工作中.本研究利用Ning 7840和Clark的重组自交系及AFLP技术,探测到一个与小麦赤霉病抗性紧密连锁的坐落在染色体3BS的主效数量特性位点(QTL),发现5个PstI-AFLP片段与该QTL显著关联;其中2个片段与赤霉病抗性达到50%左右的表型变异解析度,一个为35个碱基的相引相片段,另一个为222个碱基的相斥相片段.222个碱基的DNA片段被克隆和测序,发现11个克隆中含有5种不同的DNA序列,其中一种序列在5个克隆中完全一致,该序列被用来作为设计STS标记的DNA模板.经多次实验,开发出了一个共显性STS标记.该STS标记与原222个碱基的AFLP片段谱带(banding pattern)完全一致,具有鉴别小麦育种材料赤霉病抗病强弱和加速抗病育种进程的潜力.

模拟微重力对植物幼苗光合特性的影响(英文)

目的研究模拟微重力对植物幼苗光合特性的影响。方法采用 1π回转器模拟微重力并处理植物样品 1 2 0h。结果 1 )株高和叶片数有所增加 ;2 )草莓的叶绿素含量降低 47.5 % ,香石竹叶绿素含量增加4.3% ;3)回转后两种幼苗的叶绿素主要吸收峰位不变 ,而每个峰位吸收强度有所增加 ;4)两种幼苗的叶片快速荧光动力学参数 ,回转后除CA/Fo外 ,Fv/Fo ,Fv/Fm和T1 / 2 均有提高 ;5 )对照和处理的叶绿体的两个光系统间的激发能分配有差异。结论微重力对叶绿体的正常光合功能没有显著影响 ,故植物幼苗在微重力条件下可以正常生长。

Genetic Diversity of Wild Rice Species in Yunnan Province of China

Yunnan Province of China is one of the important centers for origin and evolution of cultivated rice worldwide. Wild rice is the ancestor of the cultivated rice. Many elite traits of wild rice have widened the genetic basis in cultivated rice. However, many populations of wild rice species have disappeared in the past few years. Therefore, the current status of wild rice resources should be updated and the genetic diversity of wild rice species should be examined for further germplasm preservation and utilization. Our investigations showed that the number of natural wild rice populations declined sharply in Yunnan Province during the past few years due to various reasons. Fortunately, one population of Oryza rufipogon, three of O officinalis and ten of O. granulata have been newly found in different ecological sites, which were confirmed by inter-simple sequence repeat （ISSR） marker analysis in this study. ISSR analysis and investigation of some important traits of nutritional values indicated that the genetic diversity of the currently existing wild rice resources in Yunnan is still rich. The demonstration of genetic diversity of wild rice by a combined use of geographical distribution, morphological traits, nutrition contents and ISSR markers would be helpful for the conservation and exploration of these important wild rice resources.

Redox active polymer metal chelates for use in flexible symmetrical supercapacitors:Cobalt-containing poly(acrylic acid)polymer electrolytes

The novel polymer metal chelate electrolytes(polychelates)were prepared by incorporation of cobalt sulfate(Co)into poly(acrylic acid)(PAA)host matrix.Quasi-solid state supercapacitor devices were fabricated using polychelates,PAA-Co X(X:3,5,7,and 10)where X represents the doping fraction(w/w)of Co in PAA.All polymer metal electrolytes were showed excellent bending-stretching properties,thermal stability and electrochemical durability with an optimum ionic conductivity of 3.15×10^(-4) S cm^(-1).Hierarchically porous activated carbon and nano-sized conductive carbon were used to form carbon composite symmetrical device electrodes.The electric double-layer capacitor(EDLC)and redox reactions of Co-incorporated polychelates at the interfaces of porous activated carbon provided an optimum specific capacitance of 341.33 F g^(-1) with a device of PAA-Co7,which is at least 15 times enhancement compared to the device of pristine PAA.The PAA-Co7 device also provided energy density of 21.25 Wh kg^(-1) at a power density of 117.69 W kg^(-1).A prolonged cyclic stability of the device exhibited superior capacitive performance after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles and the maintained 90%of its initial performance.In addition,the supercapacitor with a dimension of 1.5 cm×3 cm containing PAA-Co7 successfully operated the red-blue-green(RGB)LED light.

Occurrence and characterization of toxigenic Bacillus cereus in food and infant feces

Objective: To investigate the true incidence of Bacillus cereus(B. cereus) in food and children diarrhea cases. Methods: A total of 110 samples of various dairy products such as raw milk, long life pasteurized milk, yoghurt and infant powdered milk formulas, raw rice, and feces were examined for the presence of B. cereus by selective plating on mannitol-egg-yolk-polymyxin agar. Confirmation of B. cereus was carried out by biochemical tests and PCR. Identification of non-B. cereus isolates was carried out by 16 S r DNA sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was done by disk diffusion method.Results: Overall 35 samples(31.8%, n = 110) yielded Bacillus-like growth. Of which 19 samples(54.28%) were positive for B. cereus. All isolates were positive for enterotoxin production. No psychrotolerant B. cereus strains were detected in all samples. All B. cereus isolates were resistant to penicillin G, but susceptible to vancomycin, erythromycin and clindamycin. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the importance of including B. cereus in disease control and prevention programs, as well as in routine clinical and food quality control laboratories in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

SSR Marker Analysis on indica-japonica Differentiation of Natural Population of Oryza rufipogon in Yuanjiang, Yunnan Province

By using 19 pairs of primers that could identify two subspecies （indica and japonica） of cultivated rice （Oryza sativa L.）, the indica-japonica differentiation of 56 individuals from the natural population of common wild rice （Oryza rufipogon Griff.） in Yuanjiang was analyzed by SSR （microsatellite DNAs, or simple sequence repeat）. Of the 19 pairs of primers, 17 pairs （89.47%） could amplify only one kind of band type among all of the individuals, but primers RM251 and RM18 could amplify polymorphic band types. The bands amplified by 16 pairs of primers （84.21%） were identical to the indica-japonica diagnostic bands of relevant locus in cultivated rice, including 11 japonica-like loci and 4 indica-like loci. The bands amplified by the other three pairs of primers （RM18, RM202, RM205） were different from indica or japonica diagnostic bands of cultivated rice. The results showed that according to 19 loci analyzed, 84.21% of SSR loci in genomic DNA of common wild rice in Yuanjiang displayed indica-japonica differentiation and 13.79% of the loci still kept primitive, and most of the detected loci were homoaenetic in the natural population.

Human Nail Clippings as a Source of DNA for Genetic Studies

Blood samples have traditionally been used as the main source of DNA for genetic analysis. How-ever, this source can be difficult in terms of collection, transportation, and long-term storage. In this study, we investigated whether human nail clippings could be used as a source of DNA for SNP genotyping, null-allele detection, and whole-genome amplification. From extracted nail DNA, we achieved amplicons up to a length of ~400 bp and >96% concordance for SNP genotyping and 100% concordance for null-allele detection compared to DNA derived from matched blood sam-ples. For whole-genome amplification, OmniPlex performed better than Multiple Displacement Amplification with a success rate of 89.3% and 76.8% for SNP genotyping and null-allele detection, respectively. Concordance was ~98% for both methods. When combined with OmniPlex whole-genome amplification, human nail clippings could potentially be used as an alternative to whole blood as a less invasive and more convenient source of DNA for genotyping studies.

Construction of BAC Library for Egyptian Cotton Varieties

BAC library for the Egyptian cotton Gossypiumbarbadense Giza 70,Giza 86,and Giza 75varieties have been constructed andcharacterized.The isolation and purification ofhigh molecular weight DNA from nucleiembedded in agarose microbeads was an essentialpart of this work.Several experimentalparameters were investigated

Differentially expressed miRNAs in anthers may contribute to the fertility of a novel Brassica napus genic male sterile line CN12A

In Brassica napus L.(rapeseed),complete genic male sterility(GMS)plays an important role in the utilization of heterosis.Although microRNAs(miRNAs)play essential regulatory roles during bud development,knowledge of how GMS is regulated by miRNAs in rapeseed is rather limited.In this study,we obtained a novel recessive GMS system,CN12AB.The sterile line CN12A has defects in tapetal diferentiation and degradation.llumina sequencing was employed to examine the expression of miRNAs in the buds of CN12A and the fertile line CN12B.We identifed 85 known miRNAs and 120 novel miRNAs that were expressed during rapeseed anther development.When comparing the expression levels of miRNAs between CN12A and CN12B,19 and 18 known miRNAs were found to be difrentially expressed in 0.5--1.0 mm buds and in 2.5--3.0 mm buds,respectively.Among these,the expression levels of 14 miRNAs were higher and the levels of 23 miRNAs were lower in CN12A compared with CN12B.The predicted target genes of these iferentially expressed miRNAS encode protein kinases,F-box domain-containing proteins,MADS-box family proteins,SBP-box gene family members,HD ZIP proteins,floral homeotic protein APETAL A 2(AP2)。and nuclear factor Y,subunit A.These targets have previously been reported to be involved in pollen development and male sterility,suggesting that miRNAs might act as regulators of GMS in rapeseed anthers.Furthermore,RT-qPCR data suggest that one of the dffrentially expressed miRNAs,bna-miR159,plays a role in tapetal differentiation by regulating the expression of transcription factor BnMYB101 and participates in tapetal degradation and infuences callose degradation by manipulating the expression of BnA6.These findings contibute to our understanding of the roles of miRNAs during anther development and the occurrence of GMS in rapeseed.

BioAnalyzer: Bioinformatic Software of Routinely Used Tools for Analysis of Genomic Data

The massive extension in biological data induced a need for user-friendly bioinformatics tools could be used for routine biological data manipulation. Bioanalyzer is a simple analytical software implements a variety of tools to perform common data analysis on different biological data types and databases. Bioanalyzer provides general aspects of data analysis such as handling nucleotide data, fetching different data formats information, NGS quality control, data visualization, performing multiple sequence alignment and sequence BLAST. These tools accept common biological data formats and produce human-readable output files could be stored on local computer machines. Bioanalyzer has a user-friendly graphical user interface to simplify massive biological data analysis and consume less memory and processing power. Bioanalyzer source code was written through Python programming language which provides less memory usage and initial startup time. Bioanalyzer is a free and open source software, where its code could be modified, extended or integrated in different bioinformatics pipelines. Bioinformatics Produce huge data in FASTA and Genbank format which can be used to produce a lot of annotation information which can be done with Python programming language that open the door form bioinformatics tool due to their elasticity in data analysis and simplicity which inspire us to develop new multiple tool software able to manipulate FASTA and Genbank files. The goal Develop new software uses Genomic data files to produce annotated data. Software was written using python programming language and biopython packages.

Microbial Water Source for the Desert Plants

Finding water resources for the desert plants is one of the important research areas since it enables saving water resources.Bromus inermis plant was noticed to keep 5%of moisture in its rhizosphere zone;therefore,this study aimed to identify this source of water.Thirteen endophytic bacteria were isolated from the root of B.inermis and identified.Their specific respiration rate was determined.Alcaligenes faecalis showed the highest specific respiration rate.It is a facultative chemoautotrophic hydrogen-fixing bacterium that utilizes the hydrogen gas as energy source and the water is produced as an end product.The source of hydrogen gas for this bacterium is not only from air and soil gases but also from the hydrogen-producing bacteria such as Enterobacter spp.,which was among the isolated bacteria.The hydrogenases synthesizing genes(HoxC,HypA and HypB)were detected in most of the isolated bacteria and roots of four wild plants,out from 18 wild plant samples,epically the grains of the wild wheat plant.This result suggests that the hydrogen-fixing and hydrogen-producing bacteria transfer from the root through the plant to inhabit the grain/seeds.This can help the grain/seeds to germinate in drought environment.

SMN2拷贝数可预测急性或慢性脊髓性肌萎缩但不能解释家族内同胞的变异

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects motor neurons. It is caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN1). The SMN2 gene, which is the highly homologous SMN1 copy that is present in all the patients, is unable to prevent the disease. An SMN2 dosage method was applied to 45 patients with the three SMA types (I-III) and to four pairs of siblings with chronic SMA (II-III)and different phenotypes. Our results confirm that the SMN2 copy number plays a key role in predicting acute or chronic SMA. However, siblings with different SMA phenotypes show an identical SMN2 copy number and identical markers, indicating that the genetic background around the SMA locus is insufficient to account for the intrafamilial variability. In our results, age of onset appears to be the most important predictor of disease severity in affected members of the same family. Given that SMN2 is regarded as a target for potential pharmacological therapies in SMA, the identification of genetic factors other than the SMN genes is necessary to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease in order to implement additional therapeutic approaches.

Genetic Diversity in the Camel Tick <i>Hyalomma dromedarii</i>(Acari: Ixodidae) Based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) and Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR)

Hyalomma dromedarii ticks are important disease vectors to camels in the UAE and worldwide. Ticks can be identified using DNA-based techniques. In addition, such techniques could be utilized to study the intraspecific genetic diversity in tick populations. In this study, the genetic diversity of four H. dromedarii populations was investigated using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). The results showed that both of the aforementioned techniques produced similar grouping patterns. Moreover, they revealed that the four tick populations had high levels of genetic similarity. However, one population was slightly different from the three other populations. The current study demonstrated that H. dromedarii ticks in the UAE are very similar at the genetic level and that investigating more locations and screening larger numbers of ticks could reveal larger genetic differences.

Positive and Negative Environmental Effect of Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Wheat under Drought Stress

Nanoscience is a development concept in the field of agriculture. Water scarcity is one of the most serious stresses that restrict growth of plant. This search was done to value the positive and negative influence of ZnO nanoparticles on wheat plant growth under drought stress. A green synthesis technique was used to produce pollutant-free nano structures. A field experiment was carried out during successive season (2019/2020). NP-Zn-O was applied either by seed-soaking, foliar spraying, or both together applications. The dose of ZnO NPs was 100 mg/l. Data showed that drought stress reduced the grain and shoot wheat yield. The use of different forms of ZnO improved the grain and shoot wheat yield, these increases reached 1.16-, 1.54-fold that control. In addition, one of the other effects of Zn-O-NPs is to increase the levels of chlorophyll and proline antioxidants in plant tissues, as it is a cofactor for enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. The data suggest that the role of ZnO NPs is not only to improve plant growth and physiological parameters, but also to improve nutrient uptake and plant nutrient levels. In this regard, the use of zinc in the form of ZnO NPs has a positive effect on reducing the adverse effects of drought conditions and improving the nutritional quality of plants.

Using Environmentally Friendly Hydrogels to Alleviate the Negative Impact of Drought on Plant

The use of natural hydrogels in agriculture provides solutions to many problems without threatening the environment. This study aims to evaluate the potential impact of environmentally friendly hydrogels (pectin, starch and pectin + starch) in reducing the negative effects of drought stress on tomato yield and quality. Two different peels (orange peel and banana peel) are used to prepare environmentally friendly hydrogels. The water retention efficiency of hydrogels has been studied. Greenhouse experiment for tomato under drought stress was conducted during 2019. These hydrogels were used under several level of irrigation (100%, 75%, and 50% FC), soil without hydrogel was used as a control. The results showed that the eco-friendly hydrogels (starch, pectin, and pectin + starch) had capacity retention of water for a long time. The obtained data from the greenhouse experiment showed that the eco-friendly hydrogel showed a positive effect on retention of water and increase the soil moisture content compared to control. The highest increase was observed at pectin + starch treatment. This increase reached to 2.8-, 2.4- and 2.0-fold for 100%, 75% and 50% FC compared to the control. Eco- friendly hydrogel application under different drought conditions led to improve yield and quality of tomato fruits. Moreover, conversion of agricultural wastes to hydrogels and the use of these eco-friendly materials instead of synthetic hydrogels are necessary to utilize the limited natural resources and decrease the harmful impact of agricultural wastes on the environment and pave the way for the transition to a sustainable agriculture system.

Global wild rice germplasm resources conservation alliance:World Wild-Rice Wiring

Wild relatives of crop are key genetic resources serving as diversity reservoirs for crop improvement under changing environments.Rice(Oryza sativa)is one of the most important crops in the world,providing staple food for half of the world's population.Wild rice is thus a critical germplasm resource for sustained global food security,ensuring high production yields,improved quality,and stress resistance in the face of climate change.Wild rice is closely related to domesticated rice and has a rich genetic diversity and exceptional adaptability to extreme environments.It has played a pivotal role in the history of rice hybridization and has become a key resource for rice breeding programs.The identification of wild-type cytoplasmic male sterility resources paved the way for the achievement of the“three lines”goal in hybrid rice,leading to a significant increase in rice yields.In addition,the use of resistance alleles found in wild rice is making rice production more resilient to losses caused by environmental stresses.However,wild rice germplasm resources are threatened due to habitat destruction and other anthropogenic factors.At the same time,the lack of centralized distribution of wild rice has hampered the sharing of basic information on wild rice resources and the utilization and conservation of wild rice in each country,as well as collaboration among scientists.

Epigenetic regulation of TP53 is involved in prostate cancer radioresistance and DNA damage response signaling

External beam radiotherapy(RT)is a leading first-line therapy for prostate cancer(PCa),and,in recent years,significant advances have been accomplished.However,RT resistance can arise and result in long-term recurrence or disease progression in the worst-case scenario.Thus,making crucial the discovery of new targets for PCa radiosensitization.Herein,we generated a radioresistant PCa cell line,and found p53 to be highly expressed in radioresistant PCa cells,as well as in PCa patients with recurrent/disease progression submitted to RT.Mechanism dissection revealed that RT could promote p53 expression via epigenetic modulation.Specifically,a decrease of H3K27me3 occupancy at TP53 gene promoter,due to increased KDM6B activity,was observed in radioresistant PCa cells.Furthermore,p53 is essential for efficient DNA damage signaling response and cell recovery upon stress induction by prolonged fractionated irradiation.Remarkably,KDM6B inhibition by GSK-J4 significantly decreased p53 expression,consequently attenuating the radioresistant phenotype of PCa cells and hampering in vivo 3D tumor formation.Overall,this work contributes to improve the understanding of p53 as a mediator of signaling transduction in DNA damage repair,as well as the impact of epigenetic targeting for PCa radiosensitization.