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Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of MADS-box transcription factor gene family in <i>Perilla frutescens</i>
No full textMADS-box transcription factors are widely involved in the regulation of plant growth, developmental processes, and response to abiotic stresses. Perilla frutescens, a versatile plant, is not only used for food and medicine but also serves as an economical oil crop. However, the MADS-box transcription factor family in P. frutescens is still largely unexplored. In this study, a total of 93 PfMADS genes were identified in P. frutescens genome. These genes, including 37 Type I and 56 Type II members, were randomly distributed across 20 chromosomes and 2 scaffold regions. Type II PfMADS proteins were found to contain a greater number of motifs, indicating more complex structures and diverse functions. Expression analysis revealed that most PfMADS genes (more than 76 members) exhibited widely expression model in almost all tissues. The further analysis indicated that there was strong correlation between some MIKC (c)-type PfMADS genes and key genes involved in lipid synthesis and flavonoid metabolism, which implied that these PfMADS genes might play important regulatory role in the above two pathways. It was further verified that PfMADS47 can effectively mediate the regulation of lipid synthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii transformants. Using cis-acting element analysis and qRT-PCR technology, the potential functions of six MIKC (c)-type PfMADS genes in response to abiotic stresses, especially cold and drought, were studied. Altogether, this study is the first genome-wide analysis of PfMADS. This result further supports functional and evolutionary studies of PfMADS gene family and serves as a benchmark for related P. frutescens breeding studies
Improvement of the Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities of Benzimidazole-Chitosan Quaternary Ammonium Salt on Drug Delivery Nanogels
No full textThe present study focused on the design and preparation of acid-responsive benzimidazole-chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (BIMIXHAC) nanogels for a controlled, slow-release of Doxorubicin HCl (DOX.HCl). The BIMIXHAC was crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) using the ion crosslinking method. The method resulted in nanogels with low polydispersity index, small particle size, and positive zeta potential values, indicating the good stability of the nanogels. Compared to hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan-Doxorubicin HCl-sodium tripolyphosphate (HACC-D-TPP) nanogel, the benzimidazole-chitosan quaternary ammonium salt-Doxorubicin HCl-sodium tripolyphosphate (BIMIXHAC-D-TPP) nanogel show higher drug encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity (BIMIXHAC-D-TPP 93.17 +/- 0.27% and 31.17 +/- 0.09%), with acid-responsive release profiles and accelerated release in vitro. The hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan-sodium tripolyphosphate (HACC-TPP), and benzimidazole-chitosan quaternary ammonium salt-sodium tripolyphosphate (BIMIXHAC-TPP) nanogels demonstrated favorable antioxidant capability. The assay of cell viability, measured by the MTT assay, revealed that nanogels led to a significant reduction in the cell viability of two cancer cells: the human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A549) and the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Furthermore, the BIMIXHAC-D-TPP nanogel was 2.96 times less toxic than DOX.HCl to the mouse fibroblast cell line (L929). It was indicated that the BIMIXHAC-based nanogel with enhanced antioxidant and antitumor activities and acidic-responsive release could serve as a potential nanocarrier
Enhancing the sensitivity of polymeric membrane polycation-sensitive electrodes by surface modification of a polydopamine nanolayer
No full textIn this work, a potentiometric polyion sensing strategy based on the surface layer-enhanced transmembrane ion transfer is demonstrated. A polydopamine (PDA) nanolayer with negative charges is modified onto the surface of the polycation-sensitive electrode membrane and used to increase the ion fluxes from the sample phase to the membrane phase. Such modification can significantly improve the detection sensitivity of potentiometric polyion sensors through electrostatic interactions between the cationic targets and anionic PDA groups, which can effectively promote the accumulation of the targets in the boundary layer of the organic membrane phase. By using a thin membrane protamine-sensitive electrode as a model, the detection sensitivity of the PDA-coated electrode (55 mV/mu g & sdot;mL-1) is nearly five times higher than that of the unmodified electrode (12 mV/ mu g & sdot;mL-1). Moreover, the proposed surface PDA-modified polyion sensor can also be utilized as a general tool for sensitive detection of other polycationic targets and polyanionic species (e.g., the new cancer biomarker cell-free DNA). The proposed potentiometric sensing platform based on surface enhancement of ion transfer offers great potential for sensitive detection of various polyionic targets
Effects of seawater acidification and warming on morphometrics and biomineralization-related gene expression during embryo-larval development of a lightly-calcified echinoderm
No full textCO2-induced ocean acidification and warming pose ecological threats to marine life, especially calcifying species such as echinoderms, who rely on biomineralization for skeleton formation. However, previous studies on echinoderm calcification amid climate change had a strong bias towards heavily calcified echinoderms, with little research on lightly calcified ones, such as sea cucumbers. Here, we analyzed the embryo-larval development and their biomineralization-related gene expression of a lightly calcified echinoderm, the sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus), under experimental seawater acidification (OA) and/or warming (OW). Results showed that OA (- 0.37 units) delayed development and decreased body size (8.58-56.25 % and 0.36-19.66 % decreases in stage duration and body length, respectively), whereas OW (+3.1 degrees C) accelerated development and increased body size (33.99-55.28 % increase in stage duration and 2.44-14.41 % enlargement in body length). OW buffered the negative effects of OA on the development timing and body size of A. japonicus. Additionally, no target genes were expressed in the blastula stage, and only two biomineralization genes (colp3 alpha, cyp2) and five TFs (erg, tgif, foxN2/3, gata1/2/3, and tbr) were expressed throughout the embryo-larval development. Our findings suggest that the low calcification in A. japonicus larvae may be caused by biomineralization genes contraction, and low expression of those genes. Furthermore, this study indicated that seawater acidification and warming affect expression of biomineralization-related genes, and had an effect on body size and development rate during the embryo-larval stage in sea cucumbers. Our study is a first step toward a better understanding of the complexity of high pCO(2) on calcification and helpful for revealing the adaptive strategy of less-calcified echinoderms amid climate change
Biodiversity and distribution patterns of blooming jellyfish in the Bohai Sea revealed by eDNA metabarcoding
No full textBackgroundThe mass occurrence of scyphozoan jellyfish severely affects marine ecosystems and coastal economies, and the study of blooming jellyfish population dynamics has emerged in response. However, traditional ecological survey methods required for such research have difficulties in detecting cryptic life stages and surveying population dynamics owing to high spatiotemporal variations in their occurrence. The environmental DNA (eDNA) technique is an effective tool for overcoming these limitations.ResultsIn this study, we investigated the biodiversity and spatial distribution characteristics of blooming jellyfish in the Bohai Sea of China using an eDNA metabarcoding approach, which covered the surface, middle, and bottom seawater layers, and sediments. Six jellyfish taxa were identified, of which Aurelia coerulea, Nemopilema nomurai, and Cyanea nozakii were the most dominant. These three blooming jellyfish presented a marked vertical distribution pattern in the offshore regions. A. coerulea was mainly distributed in the surface layer, whereas C. nozakii and N. nomurai showed a upper-middle and middle-bottom aggregation, respectively. Horizontally, A. coerulea and C. nozakii were more abundant in the inshore regions, whereas N. nomurai was mainly distributed offshore. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between the eDNA of the three dominant blooming jellyfish species and temperature, salinity, and nutrients.ConclusionsOur study confirms the applicability of the eDNA approach to both biodiverstiy evaluation of blooming jellyfish and investigating their spatial distribution, and it can be used as a supplementary tool to traditional survey methods
Particle Size Distribution Slope Changes along the Yellow River Delta Observed from Sentinel 3A/B OLCI Images
No full textQuantitative estimates of particle size in estuaries and shelf areas are important to understand ocean ecology and biogeochemistry. Particle size can be characterized qualitatively from satellite observations of ocean color. As a typical marginal sea, the Yellow River Delta (YRD) with the Bohai Sea experiences a complex hydrodynamic environment. Here, we attempt to quantify the particle size distribution (PSD) slope (xi) based on its relationship with the particle backscattering exponent from Sentinel-3A/B OLCI. The PSD slope, xi displays temporal and spatial variability in the YRD with the Bohai Sea. Its value varies between 3 and 4, and typically exceeds 5 in offshore areas. The lowest value of xi occurs in the winter, indicating the presence of fine inorganic particles in the water, while high values are attained in the spring, when phytoplankton blooms increase the particle size. xi decreases near the river mouth because of the large sediment-laden discharge debouching into the sea. We detected a slight increase in xi when turbid waters were present in the period 2016-2022. Environmental factors, such as sea surface temperature, sea surface wave height, and wind, may control particle size and xi in the long term. Inorganic suspended particle matter is derived along the YRD using the magnitude of xi. The mean inorganic suspended particle matter area in winter approaches 23,900 km(2) when xi < 4.6. This study thoroughly characterizes variations in xi in the YRD with the Bohai Sea and clarifies the contributions of driving factors from human activities and climate change
Metabolomics revealed more deleterious toxicity induced by the combined exposure of ammonia and nitrite on<i> Ruditapes</i><i> philippinarum</i> compared to single exposure
No full textNH3-N and NO2-N always co-exist in the aquatic environment, but there is not a clear opinion on their joint toxicities to the molluscs. Presently, clams Ruditapes philippinarum were challenged by environmental concentrations of NH3-N and NO2-N, singly or in combination, and analyzed by metabolomics approaches, enzyme assays and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. Results showed that some same KEGG pathways with different enriched-metabolites were detected in the three exposed groups within one day, and completely different profiles of metabolites were found in the rest of the exposure period. The combined exposure induced heavier and more lasting toxicities to the clams compared with their single exposure. ACP activity and the number of secondary lysosomes were significantly increased after the combined exposure. The present study shed light on the joint-toxicity mechanism of NH3-N and NO2-N, and provided fundamental data for the toxicity research on inorganic nitrogen
Estuarine groundwater level response to and recovery from extreme precipitation events: Typhoon Lekima in the Yellow River Delta
No full textExtreme precipitation events (EPEs) are projected to become more frequent and intense due to global warming. Understanding how coastal groundwater levels respond to and recover from these severe events is important for estuarine ecosystems to adapt to global change. Numerical model and non-EPE scenario simulation were used to examine groundwater level recovery time (RT) after Super Typhoon Lekima, which triggered EPEs that resulted in groundwater rise and widespread flooding in the Yellow River Delta (YRD). The three-day rainfall during Lekima totaled 290.9 mm, equivalent to 50 % of the annual rainfall for 2019 (581.5 mm), leading to a general rise in groundwater levels. Groundwater recovery to EPE can be divided into two types: inland and coastal. The RT of groundwater levels in monitoring wells in inland areas ranged from 12 to 89 days, with an average of 56.2 days, and there was spatial variation. However, groundwater levels in monitoring wells close to the coast may not recover. Differences in recovery are reflected in the land-sea gradient, with RT gradually increasing from inland highlands to coastal depressions and lowlands. The results showed that inland aquifers were more resistant to EPEs, while coastal aquifers were less resistant. In addition, EPE can cause groundwater flooding, and areas at lower altitude and close to the sea are more sensitive to flooding. Estuarine groundwater and the ecological processes on which it depends are profoundly affected by the direct and legacy effects of EPEs, including salt contamination, widespread flooding, crop damage, and reduced biodiversity. The study of this event provides case support for the response of estuarine groundwater to EPEs, while highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring
Plasmonic nanomaterial-enhanced fluorescence and Raman sensors: Multifunctional platforms and applications
No full textPlasmonic nanomaterials could improve various optical performance including fluorescence emission, Raman scattering, infrared absorption, etc. Among them, plasmon-enhanced fluorescence (PEF) can realize highsensitivity sensing and super -resolution imaging quickly, but with inferior multiplexed detection capability. Surface -enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can offer fingerprint -like spectra for multiplexing, but its imaging speed and resolution are limited. The PEF-SERS integrated sensors could congregate their individual strengths while overcoming inherent weaknesses. Specifically, they can use fluorescence signals to rapidly screen out "suspicious" locations within numerous samples or a broad area, and then conduct multi -peak SERS measurements there to gather more detailed information. Besides, cross -verification of PEF and SERS results is possible to realize self -correction. Hence, many existing issues could be addressed including sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and multiplexing. Attracted by these superior advantages, we review here the interaction between plasmonic nanomaterials and fluorescence/Raman probes to explain enhancement mechanisms, the construction strategies for plasmonic substrates with better PEF-SERS performance, different modes for transforming analyte's information into measurable optical signals, as well as the main application in substance research, disease diagnosis, cell imaging, drug delivery. We believe, a deeper understanding of the state -of -arts of multifunctional plasmonic platforms could provide a generic guideline for their future development and practical application
SERS-based microdevices for use as <i>in vitro</i> diagnostic biosensors
No full textAdvances in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection have helped to overcome the limitations of traditional in vitro diagnostic methods, such as fluorescence and chemiluminescence, owing to its high sensitivity and multiplex detection capability. However, for the implementation of SERS detection technology in disease diagnosis, a SERS-based assay platform capable of analyzing clinical samples is essential. Moreover, infectious diseases like COVID-19 require the development of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic technologies that can rapidly and accurately determine infection status. As an effective assay platform, SERS-based bioassays utilize SERS nanotags labeled with protein or DNA receptors on Au or Ag nanoparticles, serving as highly sensitive optical probes. Additionally, a microdevice is necessary as an interface between the target biomolecules and SERS nanotags. This review aims to introduce various microdevices developed for SERS detection, available for POC diagnostics, including LFA strips, microfluidic chips, and microarray chips. Furthermore, the article presents research findings reported in the last 20 years for the SERS-based bioassay of various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious diseases. Finally, the prospects of SERS bioassays are discussed concerning the integration of SERS-based microdevices and portable Raman readers into POC systems, along with the utilization of artificial intelligence technology