Pd NP-loaded covalent organic framework for pH-switched Pickering emulsion catalytic dechlorination.

Quinoline carboxylic acid-linked and Pd nanoparticle (NP)-loaded COF nanospheres were constructed via a three-component one-pot Doebner reaction and post-synthetic metalation. The obtained Pd@DhaTAPB-COOH solid stabilizer can greatly promote the pH-switched recyclable Pickering interfacial dechlorination reaction, which sheds light on the bright future of smart Pickering emulsion catalysis.

Agronomic, physiological and transcriptional characteristics provide insights into fatty acid biosynthesis in yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) during fruit ripening.

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is an oil-bearing tree species in northern China. In this study, we used yellowhorn from Heilongjiang to analyze the morphological and physiological changes of fruit development and conducted transcriptome sequencing. The results showed that the fruit experienced relatively slow growth from fertilization to DAF20 (20 days after flowering). From DAF40 to DAF60, the fruit entered an accelerated development stage, with a rapid increase in both transverse and longitudinal diameters, and the kernel contour developed completely at DAF40. From DAF60 to DAF80, the transverse and vertical diameters of the fruit developed slowly, and the overall measures remained stable until maturity. The soluble sugar, starch, and anthocyanin content gradually accumulated until reaching a peak at DAF80 and then rapidly decreased. RNA-seq analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the seed coat and kernel, implying that seed components have different metabolite accumulation mechanisms. During the stages of seed kernel development, k-means clustering separated the DEGs into eight sub-classes, indicating gene expression shifts during the fruit ripening process. In subclass 8, the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway was enriched, suggesting that this class was responsible for lipid accumulation in the kernel. WGCNA revealed ten tissue-specific modules for the 12 samples among 20 modules. We identified 54 fatty acid biosynthesis pathway genes across the genome, of which 14 was quantified and confirmed by RT-qPCR. Most genes in the plastid synthesis stage showed high expression during the DAF40-DAF60 period, while genes in the endoplasmic reticulum synthesis stage showed diverse expression patterns. EVM0012847 (KCS) and EVM0002968 (HCD) showed similar high expression in the early stages and low expression in the late stages. EVM0022385 (HCD) exhibited decreased expression from DAF40 to DAF60 and then increased from DAF60 to DAF100. EVM0000575 (KCS) was increasingly expressed from DAF40 to DAF60 and then decreased from DAF60 to DAF100. Finally, we identified transcription factors (TFs) (HB-other, bHLH and ARF) that were predicted to bind to fatty acid biosynthesis pathway genes with significant correlations. These results are conducive to promoting the transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism and the genetic improvement in terms of high lipid content of yellowhorn.

The double flower variant of yellowhorn is due to a LINE1 transposon-mediated insertion.

As essential organs of reproduction in angiosperms, flowers, and the genetic mechanisms of their development have been well characterized in many plant species but not in the woody tree yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium). Here, we focused on the double flower phenotype in yellowhorn, which has high ornamental value. We found a candidate C-class gene, AGAMOUS1 (XsAG1), through bovine serum albumin sequencing and genetics analysis with a Long Interpersed Nuclear Elements 1 (LINE1) transposable element fragment (Xsag1-LINE1-1) inserted into its second intron that caused a loss-of-C-function and therefore the double flower phenotype. In situ hybridization of XsAG1 and analysis of the expression levels of other ABC genes were used to identify differences between single- and double-flower development processes. These findings enrich our understanding of double flower formation in yellowhorn and provide evidence that transposon insertions into genes can reshape plant traits in forest trees.

A naturally-occurring phenomenon of flower color change during flower development in Xanthoceras sorbifolium.

Xanthoceras sorbifolium (yellowhorn) is originated in China and is a unique tree in northern China. Yellowhorn is very popular because of the gradual color change of its flower at different flower developmental stages. During flowering development, the color at the base of yellowhorn flower petals gradually changes from yellow to purple. The mechanism of this miraculous phenomenon is still unclear. Here we show that anthocyanin accumulation during flowering development is the main reason for this color change. RT-PCR results show that the expression level of a variety of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes changes in different flower developmental stages. Realtime results show that the expression changes of these anthocyanin biosynthesis genes are positively regulated by a cluster of R2R3-MYB transcription factor genes, XsMYB113s. Furthermore, the DNA methylation analysis showed that CHH methylation status on the transposon element near the XsMYB113-1 influence its transcript level during flowering development. Our results suggest that dynamic epigenetic regulation of the XsMYB113-1 leads to the accumulation of anthocyanins during yellowhorn flower color change. These findings reemphasize the role of epigenetic regulation in flower development and provide a foundation for further studies of epigenetic regulation in long-lived woody perennials.

Crack Evolution and Oxidation Failure Mechanism of a SiC-Ceramic Coating Reactively Sintered on Carbon/Carbon Composites.

A SiC ceramic coating was prepared on carbon/carbon composites by pack cementation. The phase composition and microstructure of the coated specimens were characterized using X-ray diffraction instrument and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the mass-loss percentage of the coated specimen was 9.5% after being oxidized for 20 h. The oxidation failure of the SiC ceramic coating at 1773 K was analysed by non-destructive X-ray computed tomography. The effective self-healing of cracks with widths below 12.7 µm introduced during the coating preparation process and generated while the specimens cooled down from the high oxidation temperature prevented the oxidation of carbon/carbon composites. X-ray computed tomography was used to obtain three-dimensional images revealing internal damage caused by spallation and open holes on the coating. Stress induced by heating and cooling caused the formation, growth and coalescence of cracks, which in turn led to exfoliation of the coating and subsequent failure of oxidation protection.

Acupuncture for overactive bladder in female adult: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating female adult with overactive bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After we excluded other causes for storage symptoms, a total of 240 consecutive female patients with overactive bladder were enrolled and completed all aspects of this prospective randomized controlled trial, of which 118 cases were randomly assigned to receive a weekly acupuncture treatment (intervention group), while the other 122 cases were given a pharmacological treatment of oral tolterodine tartrate 2 mg twice daily (control group) for 4 weeks. Data on urgency, incontinence, micturition frequency, nocturia episodes and voided volume were collected and statistically analyzed before and after 4 weekly acupuncture treatments or 4 weeks' pharmacological treatment using a 3-day micturition diary. RESULTS: The two groups of female patients with overactive bladder were given treatment with weekly acupuncture (n = 118), oral tolterodine tartrate (n = 122) for 4 weeks respectively. At weeks 4, subjects in both intervention and control groups had significant decreases in number of urinary urgency episodes, incontinence episodes, daytime frequency, nocturia episodes and increase in volume voided per micturition without a significant difference in the changes of overactive bladder symptoms between the groups. There were no serious adverse events during the study. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that acupuncture is safe with significant improvements in patient assessment of overactive bladder symptoms and may be considered a clinically alternative treatment for overactive bladder in female adult.

Gender-specific association of insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the nogo gene and chronic schizophrenia.

Nogo is a myelin-associated protein associated with neurite outgrowth and regeneration. A previous study has reported an association between an insertion/deletion polymorphism in schizophrenia. We tested for the distribution of the polymorphism and haplotypes of this and another insertion/deletion polymorphism in our population. We have also developed an assay combining allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to simultaneously type these two insertion/deletion polymorphisms. There was a statistically significant difference at the allelic level for both the CAA (chi2 = 4.378, df = 1, P value = 0.036) and TATC (chi2 = 5.807, df = 1, P = 0.016) polymorphisms in the female subgroup, but not in males. With our genotyping method, we also determined the molecular haplotype. Within the female gender, odds ratio is at 1.57 (95% CI 1.05-2.37) for CAACAA-TATC and 1.40 (95% CI 0.55-3.60) for CAA-TATC, the two at-risk haplotypes. Odds ratio is 0.63 (95% CI 0.42-0.93) for the protective wildtype haplotype CAA-TATCTATC. Further study of these two polymorphisms to investigate functional significance and confirm gender-specific association should be carried out.