De novo assembly and transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes relevant to variegation in hawthorn flowers

Wei Ji,Wei Zhao,Rong‑Chen Liu,Xiao‑Bo Jiao,Kai Han,Zhong‑Yi Yang,Mei‑Ying Gao,Rui Ren,Xiu‑Juan Fan,Ming‑Xia Yang 한국식물생명공학회 2019 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.13 No.6

Flower color variegation has been observed in many plant species. However, pink flowers on the white-blooming hawthorn trees found by our group earlier have never been reported. To better understand the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in variegated hawthorn flowers, white and pink flowers at different developmental stages (S1 and S2) underwent transcriptome sequencing separately. Approximately 34.28 Gb of high-quality data were obtained and assembled into 100,013 unigenes with an average length of 706.93 bp. These unigenes were further subjected to functional annotation and biochemical pathway analysis, and DEGs of two types of hawthorn flowers at different developmental stages were studied. Based on the enrichment analysis of DEGs, eight anthocyanin-modified enzyme genes or other enzyme genes that indirectly affect anthocyanin synthesis (5AT, 3GGT , and AI, β-Glu, two Aux/IAAs, two PODs), eight structural genes (UFGT, DFR, CHI, two F3Hs, and three PALs), and three transcription factors (one MYB and two bHLHs) were also identified. We randomly selected 15 genes, and the trends in the expression levels of these genes in the organs of white and pink flowers at different developmental stages were verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Mass sequence data obtained by RNA-seq of variegated hawthorn flowers provided basic sequence information and a unique opportunity to uncover the genetic mechanisms under-lying flower color variegation.

Appropriate nitrogen application enhances saponin synthesis and growth mediated by optimizing root nutrient uptake ability

Wei, Wei,Ye, Chen,Huang, Hui-Chuan,Yang, Min,Mei, Xin-Yue,Du, Fei,He, Xia-Hong,Zhu, Shu-Sheng,Liu, Yi-Xiang The Korean Society of Ginseng 2020 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.44 No.4

Background: Cultivation of medicinal crops, which synthesize hundreds of substances for curative functions, was focused on the synthesis of secondary metabolites rather than biomass accumulation. Nutrition is an important restrict factor for plant growth and secondary metabolites, but little attention has been given to the plasticity of nutrient uptake and secondary metabolites synthesis response to soil nitrogen (N) change. Methods: Two year-field experiments of Sanqi (Panax notoginseng), which can synthesize a high level of saponin in cells, were conducted to study the effects of N application on the temporal dynamics of biomass, nutrient absorption, root architecture and the relationships between these parameters and saponin synthesis. Results: Increasing N fertilizer rates could improve the dry matter yields and nutrient absorption ability through increasing the maximum daily growth (or nutrient uptake) rate. Under suitable N level (225 kg/ha N), Sanqi restricted the root length and surface and enhanced the root diameter and N uptake rate per root length (NURI) to promote nutrient absorption, but the opposite status of Sanqi root architecture and NURI was found when soil N was deficient. Furthermore, increasing N rates could promote the accumulation of saponin in roots through improving the NURI, which showed a significant positive relationship with the content of saponin in the taproots. Conclusion: Appropriate N fertilizer rates could optimize both root architecture and nutrient uptake efficiency, then promote both the accumulation of dry matter and the synthesis of saponins.

Terbium Tetra-Sulfosalicylate Complex as Quantitative Luminescent Sensing of Chromate Ions with High Selectivity and Sensitivity

Wei Yang,Jinfeng Xia,Guohong Zhou,Tianxi Hu,Danwang Ye,Danyu Jiang,Qiang Li 대한화학회 2019 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.40 No.5

In this study, a terbium(?) complex, Tb(SSA)4 (SSA?=?sulfosalicylate), was synthesized and employed to detect toxic chromate anion (CrO42?) as a visually identifiable probe. Luminescence investigations confirmed that the Tb complex is an excellent probe with high selectivity, high sensitivity (I0/I100 ?M = 9.5), and a low detection limit (2.8???10?8 M), targeting CrO42? in aqueous solution. The simple fluorescence-based probe can be quickly and easily prepared, and enables the reliable, visual detection of CrO42? ion in daily applications.

Development and Validation of 18F-FDG PET/CT-Based Multivariable Clinical Prediction Models for the Identification of Malignancy-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Yang Xu,Lu Xia,Liu Jun,Kan Ying,Wang Wei,Zhang Shuxin,Liu Lei,Li Jixia,Yang Jigang 대한영상의학회 2022 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.23 No.4

Objective: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT is often used for detecting malignancy in patients with newly diagnosed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), with acceptable sensitivity but relatively low specificity. The aim of this study was to improve the diagnostic ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT in identifying malignancy in patients with HLH by combining 18F-FDG PET/CT and clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: Ninety-seven patients (age ≥ 14 years) with secondary HLH were retrospectively reviewed and divided into the derivation (n = 71) and validation (n = 26) cohorts according to admission time. In the derivation cohort, 22 patients had malignancy-associated HLH (M-HLH) and 49 patients had non-malignancy-associated HLH (NM-HLH). Data on pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT and laboratory results were collected. The variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Pearson’s chi-square test, and a nomogram for predicting M-HLH was constructed using multivariable binary logistic regression. The predictors were also ranked using decision-tree analysis. The nomogram and decision tree were validated in the validation cohort (10 patients with M-HLH and 16 patients with NM-HLH). Results: The ratio of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the lymph nodes to that of the mediastinum, the ratio of the SUVmax of bone lesions or bone marrow to that of the mediastinum, and age were selected for constructing the model. The nomogram showed good performance in predicting M-HLH in the validation cohort, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.875 (95% confidence interval, 0.686–0.971). At an appropriate cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying M-HLH were 90% (9/10) and 68.8% (11/16), respectively. The decision tree integrating the same variables showed 70% (7/10) sensitivity and 93.8% (15/16) specificity for identifying M-HLH. In comparison, visual analysis of 18F-FDG PET/CT images demonstrated 100% (10/10) sensitivity and 12.5% (2/16) specificity. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT may be a practical technique for identifying M-HLH. The model constructed using 18F-FDG PET/CT features and age was able to detect malignancy with better accuracy than visual analysis of 18F-FDG PET/CT images.

Balloon dilation of epidermolysis bullosa-related esophageal strictures: A report of two cases

Wei-Zhong Zhou,Jing-Guo Xia,Zheng-Qiang Yang,Chun-Gao Zhou,Lin-Bo Zhao,Sheng Liu,Hai Bin Shi 소화기인터벤션의학회 2018 International journal of gastrointestinal interven Vol.7 No.3

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a very rare inherited disease featured with skin blistering resulting from minor trauma. Sometimes the esophageal mucosa could also be involved, which leads to esophageal strictures. Here we report two cases of EB-related esophageal strictures who were successfully treated with esophageal balloon dilations. The two cases with EB had severe dysphagia. Clinical examination showed signs of malnutrition, skin blisters and loss of toenails due to EB. They underwent careful fluoroscopic balloon dilation with 10- and 16-mm-sized balloon catheters, respectively. They could ingest soft and some solid foods after the procedure and maintained during the 20 months and 16 months follow-up periods.

Balloon dilation of epidermolysis bullosa-related esophageal strictures: A report of two cases

Wei-Zhong Zhou,Jing-Guo Xia,Zheng-Qiang Yang,Chun-Gao Zhou,Lin-Bo Zhao,Sheng Liu,Hai Bin Shi 소화기인터벤션의학회 2018 Gastrointestinal Intervention Vol.7 No.3

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a very rare inherited disease featured with skin blistering resulting from minor trauma. Sometimes the esophageal mucosa could also be involved, which leads to esophageal strictures. Here we report two cases of EB-related esophageal strictures who were successfully treated with esophageal balloon dilations. The two cases with EB had severe dysphagia. Clinical examination showed signs of malnutrition, skin blisters and loss of toenails due to EB. They underwent careful fluoroscopic balloon dilation with 10- and 16-mm-sized balloon catheters, respectively. They could ingest soft and some solid foods after the procedure and maintained during the 20 months and 16 months follow-up periods.

Ginsenoside Rg5 promotes wound healing in diabetes by reducing the negative regulation of SLC7A11 on the efferocytosis of dendritic cells

Wei Xia,Zongdong Zhu,Song Xiang,Yi Yang 고려인삼학회 2023 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.47 No.6

Background: ginsenoside Rg5 is a rare ginsenoside with known hypoglycemic effects in diabetic mice. This study aimed to explore the effects of ginsenoside Rg5 on skin wound-healing in the Leprdb/db mutant(db/db) mice (C57BL/KsJ background) model and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Seven-week-old male C57BL/6J, SLC7A11-knockout (KO), the littermate wild-type (WT), and db/db mice were used for in vivo and ex vivo studies. Results: Ginsenoside Rg5 provided through oral gavage in db/db mice significantly alleviated the abundanceof apoptotic cells in the wound areas and facilitated skin wound healing. 50 mM ginsenoside Rg5treatment nearly doubled the efferocytotic capability of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs)from db/db mice. It also reduced NF-kB p65 and SLC7A11 expression in the wounded areas of db/db micedose-dependently. Ginsenoside Rg5 physically interacted with SLC7A11 and suppressed the cystineuptake and glutamate secretion of BMDCs from db/db and SLC7A11-WT mice but not in BMDCs fromSLC7A11-KO mice. In BMDCs and conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s), ginsenoside Rg5 reducedtheir glycose storage and enhanced anaerobic glycolysis. Glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor CP-91149almost abolished the effect of ginsenoside Rg5 on promoting efferocytosis. Conclusion: ginsenosideRg5 can suppress the expression of SLC7A11 and inhibit its activity via physical binding. These effectscollectively alleviate the negative regulations of SLC7A11 on anaerobic glycolysis, which fuels theefferocytosis of dendritic cells. Therefore, ginsenoside Rg5 has a potential adjuvant therapeutic reagent tosupport patients with wound-healing problems, such as diabetic foot ulcers.

Preparation and thermo-mechanical properties of heat-resistant epoxy/silica hybrid materials

Yang, Peng,Wang, Guoqing,Xia, Xue,Takezawa, Yoshitaka,Wang, Haitao,Yamada, Shinji,Du, Qiangguo,Zhong, Wei Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2008 Polymer engineering and science Vol.48 No.6

<P>Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) based epoxy/silica hybrid materials filled with various amounts of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and silica nanoparticles were prepared, using 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) as curing agent. The obtained hybrid materials were analyzed by means of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicated that the introduction of GPTMS and silica nanoparticles had synergistic effect. The addition of GPTMS not only ameliorated the compatibility between silica and the epoxy matrix but also increased the crosslinking density of the epoxy system; meanwhile the nano-silica further reinforced the inorganic network of the hybrid system. Consequently, the hybrid materials showed much improved heat-resistant properties. The storage modulus of the hybrid systems showed no obvious decrement in the glass transition region and kept at a high value even in the temperature region up to 300°C. The integral thermal stability of the resulting hybrid materials was also improved compared with the corresponding pure epoxy resin. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.</P>

Overview of research on three pine species in Jiangxi province, China

Wei Ding,Cheng Zhou,Chun-Xia Yang 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2018 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 학술대회 Vol.2018 No.09

Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) is a native tree species unique to south China. It has the advantages of fast growth, high yield, strong adaptability and leanness-resistant, and it is an important tree species for timber and rosin. In the aspect of tree breeding, our institute has carried out studies on provenance, genetic variation of forest stand and individual plant at different levels, interaction between provenance and environment, stability and adaptability of provenance, and selected a series of superior varieties suitable for paper making, rosin tapping and insect resistance. In the aspect of forest cultivation, the study on reforming low efficiency stands of masson pine in red soil low hilly areas and the cultivation model of combination of wood and rosin using was carried out. In the aspect of disease and insect control, the method of inducing wood and injecting dry drug and releasing natural enemy insects was developed to control pine wilt disease, and the prevention rate has reached more than 90%. Both of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) were successful species introduced from abroad, especially the species of slash pine, which is widely planted and promoted in our province. Like the masson pine, slash pine and loblolly pine are both important tree species for timber and rosin with high economic benefits. In our institute, we have carried out research on the breeding of slash pine and loblolly pine building materials, and explored the suitable cultivation mode of building materials. The selection of the improved varieties on high-yield rosin and high-yield wood & rosin of slash pine and loblolly pine was carried out, and the second-generation seed orchard of high-yield rosin was established, and the seed orchard was successfully dwarfed. Since 2015, our institute has introduced more than 100 superior families of slash pine and loblolly pine from the United States, and collected more than 200 high-generation genetic resources of slash pine and loblolly pine from inside and outside the province, and built testing forests from different families and resource collection fields. Research on asexual reproduction techniques of slash pine and loblolly pine such as cutting, grafting and somatic embryo induction has been carried out, and some phased research results have been obtained.

Development of a dual-mode energy-resolved neutron imaging detector: High spatial resolution and large field of view

Yang Wenqin,Zhou Jianrong,Yang Jianqing,Jiang Xingfen,Tan Jinhao,Zhu Lin,Zhou Xiaojuan,Xia Yuanguang,Yu Li,Wang Xiuku,Teng Haiyun,Li Jiajie,Qiu Yongxiang,Shen Peixun,Wang Songlin,Wei Yadong,Song Yusho 한국원자력학회 2024 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.56 No.7

Energy-resolved neutron imaging is an effective way to investigate the internal structure and residual stress of materials. Different sample sizes have varying requirements for the detector’s imaging field of view (FOV) and spatial resolution. Therefore, a dual-mode energy-resolved neutron imaging detector was developed, which mainly consisted of a neutron scintillator screen, a mirror, imaging lenses, and a time-stamping optical fast camera. This detector could operate in a large FOV mode or a high spatial resolution mode. To evaluate the performance of the detector, the neutron wavelength spectra and the multiple spatial resolution tests were conducted at CSNS. The results demonstrated that the detector accurately measured the neutron wavelength spectra selected by a bandwidth chopper. The best spatial resolution was about 20 μm in high spatial resolution mode after event reconstruction, and a FOV of 45.0 mm × 45.0 mm was obtained in large FOV mode. The feasibility was validated to change the spatial resolution and FOV by replacing the scintillator screen and adjusting the lens magnification.