FaesPI, a Fagopyrum esculentum PISTILLATA ortholog, is involved only in stamen development

Zheng-Wu Fang,Xue-Ping Li,Xiao-Fang Li,Zhi-Xiong Liu 한국식물학회 2015 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.58 No.2

Arabidopsis thaliana PISTILLATA (PI) and Antirrhinum majus GLOBOSA (GLO), encoding B function MADS-box transcription factors specifying petal and stamen identity, have been intensively studied. To identify the possible roles of GLO/PI-like genes in regulating floral development in species without petals, we isolated and identified a PI ortholog from Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat, Polygonaceae), a multi-food-use pseudocereal with healing benefits. Protein sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis grouped FaesPI into the GLO/PI lineage. Expression analysis suggested that FaesPI was expressed only in developing stamens, distinguishing it from PI and GLO that were expressed in developing petals and stamens. Moreover, ectopic expression of FaesPI rescued stamen development without complementation of petal development in an Arabidopsis pi mutant. Our results suggest that FaesPI is involved only in stamen development in buckwheat. These results also suggest that FaesPI holds potential application for biotechnical engineering to establish a male sterile line of F. esculentum.

The use of a simple flow cytometry method for rapid detection of spores in probiotic Bacillus licheniformis-containing tablets

Xiao-Ling Zheng,Zhi-Qiang Xiong,Jie-Qun Wu 한국식품과학회 2017 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.26 No.1

Detection of the number of vegetative cells and endospores is necessary for quality control during the production of orally administered probiotic Bacillus licheniformis-containing tablets (BCT). However, there is no standard method for the rapid detection of vegetative cells and endospores in China. In this study, a simple flow cytometry (FCM) method was used to monitor the population dynamics of BCT. Using a specific fluorescent stain, SYBR green I, flow cytometric analysis could easily differentiate two morphological states of B. licheniformis. Compared with plate count assay (PCA) for determining the number of vegetative cells and endospores, the percentage of endospores determined by FCM was ~10% higher than that by PCA. Advantages of the FCM method over conventional methods include lower labor work, shorter detection time, and higher accuracy. Therefore, this simple FCM method could be a practical tool for monitoring quality control during the production of probiotic BCT

Isolation and characterization of the C-class MADS-box gene from the distylous pseudo-cereal Fagopyrum esculentum

Lai-Yun Li,Zheng-Wu Fang,Xiao-Fang Li,Zhi-Xiong Liu 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.2

In the model species Arabidopsis thaliana, the floral homeotic C-class gene AGAMOUS (AG) specifies reproductive organ (stamen and carpels) identity and floral meristem determinacy. Gene function analyses in other core eudicots species reveal functional conservation, subfunctionalization and function switch of the C-lineage in this clade. To identify the possible roles of AG-like genes in regulating floral development in distylous species with dimorphic flowers (pin and thrum) and the C function evolution, we isolated and identified an AG ortholog from Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat, Family Polygonaceae), an early diverging species of core eudicots preceding the rosids-asterids split. Protein sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis grouped FaesAG into the euAG lineage. Expression analysis suggested that FaesAG expressed exclusively in developing stamens and gynoecium of pin and thrum flowers. Moreover, FaesAG expression reached a high level in both pin and thrum flowers at the time when the stamens were undergoing rapidly increased in size and microspore mother cells were in meiosis. FaesAG was able to substitute for the endogenous AG gene in specifying stamen and carpel identity and in an Arabidopsis ag-1 mutant. Ectopic expression of FaesAG led to very early flowering, and produced a misshapen inflorescence and abnormal flowers in which sepals had converted into carpels and petals were converted to stamens. Our results confirmed establishment of the complete C-function of the AG orthologous gene preceding the rosids-asterids split, despite the distinct floral traits present in early- and late-diverging lineages of core eudicot angiosperms.

A Novel Natural Dye Derivative for Natural Fabric Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Dyeing Technology

Jinsong Wu,Hongjuan Zhao,Mingyue Wang,Weiru Zhi,Xiaoqing Xiong,Laijiu Zheng 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.11

The supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) dyeing technology is a green dyeing technology, and the usage ofnatural dye makes SC-CO2 dyeing technology safer and more environment-friendly. Nevertheless, after using natural dye inSC-CO2 dyeing, the color depth and fastness of dyed natural fabric are poor. In this study, alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groupswere grafted onto alizarin, which is a natural dye, to elevate the color depths and fastness of alizarin-derivative-dyed naturalfabric. The results demonstrate that the color depths of alkyl-alizarin-dyed and hydroxyalkyl-alizarin-dyed natural fabricswere increased. This has to do with the increase in the solubilities of alkyl alizarin and hydroxyalkyl alizarin in SC-CO2. Thehydroxybutyl-alizarin-dyed wool displayed the best color depth (K/S value: 6.44). And the hydroxyalkyl-alizarin-dyednatural fabric showed good washing fastness and rubbing fastness (about 4-5 level), because that hydroxyalkyl alizarin couldbe linked by a covalent bond to the natural fabric.

Vasodilation Effect of 2-benzyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3, 4-dihydroisoquinolin- 1-one

Wei-Qi,Yong-Xiao Cao,Zhi-Zheng Xiong,Ting-Ting Chen,Xiao-Yan Gao,Hang Yu,San-Qi Zhang 대한약학회 2012 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.35 No.8

A 2-Benzyl-5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3, 4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-one (ZC2) is a newly synthesized isoquinolinone compound. Its effect on vasodilation was evaluated in the present study. Isometric tension of rat artery rings was recorded by a sensitive myography system in vitro. The results showed that ZC2 relaxed rat mesenteric arteries pre-contracted by KCl, phenylephrine and 9, 11- dideoxy- 11α, 9α-epoxymethano-prostaglandin F2α (U46619), and abdominal aorta pre-contracted by KCl in a concentration-dependent manner. The ZC2-induced vasodilation was not affected by an endothelium denudation. ZC2 rightwards shifted the concentration-contraction curves, induced by KCl, phenylephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in a non-parallel manner, which suggests that the vasodilation effects are most likely via voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) and receptor-operated calcium channel (ROCC). Moreover, in Ca2+-free medium, ZC2 concentration-dependently depressed the vasoconstrictions induced by phenylephrine and CaCl2, and decreased a contractile response induced by caffeine, which indicates a role of extracellular Ca2+ influx inhibition through VDCC and ROCC, and intracellular Ca2+ release from Ca2+ store via the ryanodine receptors. Glibenclamide did not affect the vasodilation induced by ZC2, suggesting that ATP sensitive potassium channel is not involved in the vasodilation. The results indicate that ZC2 induces vasodilation by inhibiting the VDCC and ROCC, and receptormediated Ca2+ influx and release. The inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ release may be mediated via the ryanodine receptors.

Cancer Registration in the Peoples Republic of China

Wei, Kuang-Rong,Chen, Wan-Qing,Zhang, Si-Wei,Liang, Zhi-Heng,Zheng, Rong-Shou,Ou, Zhi-Xiong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

The current situation of cancer registration in China was systematically reviewed. So far, cancer registration in China has been making a great progress in the following aspects: the number of cancer registries and covered population have increased dramatically; a registration network has been established and completed gradually; regulations and rules improved remarkably; more attention is being paid by every level of government; a lot of registration software has been created and financial support ensured. However, we are still facing some problems and challenges, such as no stable groups of registrars, shortage of training opportunities, poor data quality, insufficient utilization and lack of multidisciplinary mechanisms, so that the cancer registration system still needs to be enhanced and improved. Along with the development of economy, science and information technology, methods and patterns of cancer registration is changing. It is to be expected that cancer registration will be automatic, nationwide and integrated with community healthcare in the near future.