Transcriptomics analysis of field-droughted pear () reveals potential drought stress genes and metabolic pathways.

Drought acts as a major abiotic stress that hinders plant growth and crop productivity. It is critical, as such, to discern the molecular response of plants to drought in order to enhance agricultural yields under droughts as they occur with increasing frequency. Pear trees are among the most crucial deciduous fruit trees worldwide, and yet the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance in field-grown pear remain unclear.

Changes of bioactive components and antioxidant potential during fruit development of Prunus humilis Bunge.

Dynamic changes in flavonoid, total phenol, and antioxidant potential in different Prunus humilis accessions during fruit development stages were studied in order to provide a reference for the optimum harvest time for flavonoid extraction. 'Nongda 4', 'Nongda 5', 'DS-1' and '02-16' were selected as plant materials to determine the content of flavonoid, total phenol and antioxidant indices during six fruit development stages. Changes in total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenol content (TPC) in different accessions of P.

Transcriptome survey and expression analysis reveals the adaptive mechanism of 'Yulu Xiang' Pear in response to long-term drought stress.

Pear is one of the most important economic fruits worldwide. The productivity is often negatively affected by drought disaster, but the effects and adaptive mechanism of pear in response to drought stress has not been well understood at the gene transcription levels. Using Illumina HiSeq 2500, the transcriptome from 'Yulu Xiang' Pear leaves were sequenced and analyzed to evaluate the effects of long-term drought stress on the expression of genes in different biosynthetic pathways.

Fruit quality and antioxidant potential of Prunus humilis Bunge accessions.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the fruit quality of Prunus humilis and identify cultivars that could provide superior human health benefits. We measured the basic characteristics, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacities of 137 P. humilis accessions.

Response of gas-exchange characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence to acute sulfur dioxide exposure in landscape plants.

To explore the toxicity and action mechanism of acute sulfur dioxide (SO) on urban landscape plants, a simulated SO stress environment by using fumigation chamber involving increasing SO concentration (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 mg m) was carried out among three species. After 72 h of exposure, SO-induced oxidative damage indicated by electrolyte leakage increased with higher dose of SO. Meanwhile, SO decreased the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid and increased the contents of sulfur.

Proteome analysis reveals a strong correlation between olfaction and pollen foraging preference in honeybees.

To gain a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of pollen foraging preference, we characterized the proteomes of antennae and brains of bees foraging on pear and rapeseed flowers, and the volatile compounds from nectar, anther, and inflorescence of both plants. Bees foraging on the pollen of the two plants have shaped the distinct proteome arsenals in the antenna and brain to drive olfactory and brain function. In antennae, bees foraging on pear (PA) pollen pathways associated with protein metabolism were induced to synthesize new proteins for modulation of synaptic structures via stabilizing and consolidating specific memory traces.

Label-free fluorescent aptasensor berberine-based strategy for ultrasensitive detection of Hg ion.

A label-free fluorescent aptasensing platform was fabricated and a simple and rapid method to detect Hg ion in aqueous solution was put forward by means of berberine and Hg ion-aptamer are as the fluorescence probe and the recognition element, respectively. Various factors including the concentration of berberine, Hg ion and Hg ion-aptamer, pH effect and the reaction time were investigated in detail. Under the optimal experimental conditions, in the sensing system, the fluorescence intensity changes displayed a calibration response for Hg ion in the range of 0.

The defense potential of glutathione-ascorbate dependent detoxification pathway to sulfur dioxide exposure in Tagetes erecta.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure is associated with increased risk of various damages to plants. However, little is known about the defense response in ornamental plants. In this study, an artificial fumigation protocol was carried out to study the defense potential of the glutathione (GSH)-ascorbate (AsA) dependent detoxification pathway to SO2 exposure in Tagetes erecta.