Dyella lipolytica sp. nov., a lipolytic bacterium isolated from lower subtropical forest soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, yellow-pigmented, non-spore-forming, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain DHOB07T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the lower subtropical forest of the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, Guangdong Province, PR China (23° 10' N 112° 31' E). Strain DHOB07T grew at 10-37 °C, pH 4-7 and 0-0.5 % (w/v) NaCl, with an optimum at 28 °C, pH 5-5.

Olivibacter flavus sp. nov., a novel endophytic bacterium isolated from the root of Camellia sinensis.

A novel Gram-negative rod, endophytic bacterium, designated strain TMCC 8258, was isolated from the root of Camellia sinensis collected from Puer, south-west China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain belongs to the family Sphingobacteriaceae and a neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree suggested that strain TMCC 8258 formed a cluster with the type strain of Olivibacter ginsengisoli (showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.8%).

Glycomyces xinjiangensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a hypersaline habitat.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated XHU 5301, was isolated from a hypersaline habitat, China. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain positive and the optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 7-9% (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on an almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain XHU 5301 showed that the organism was most closely related to Glycomyces halotolerans TRM 40137 (96.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common complex disease resulting from the interaction of multiple environmental and genetic factors. To assess the potential relationship of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) rs699947 C>A, rs3025039 C>T and rs2010963 G>C polymorphisms with CHD risk, a comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted. A systematic search of EMBASE and PubMed online database for publications on VEGFA polymorphisms and risk of CHD was carried out.

PPARGC1A rs3736265 G>A polymorphism is associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and fasting plasma glucose level.

It has been reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 (PPARGC1) family (e.g. PPARGC1A and PPARGC1B) are key agents in the development and pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

XPG gene polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility: evidence from 47 studies.

Xeroderma pigmentosum group G (XPG) is a single-strand-specific DNA endonuclease that functions in the nucleotide excision repair pathway. Genetic variations in XPG gene can alter the DNA repair capacity of this enzyme. We evaluated the associations between six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in XPG (rs1047768 T>C, rs2296147 T>C, rs2227869 G>C, rs2094258 C>T, rs751402 C>T, and rs873601 G>A) and cancer risk.

CdS:Mn quantum dot-functionalized g-CN nanohybrids as signal-generation tags for photoelectrochemical immunoassay of prostate specific antigen coupling DNAzyme concatamer with enzymatic biocatalytic precipitation.

A new photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor based on Mn-doped CdS quantum dots (CdS:Mn QDs) on g-CN nanosheets was developed for the sensitive detection of prostate specific antibody (PSA) in biological fluids. The signal derived from the as-synthesized Cd:Mn QDs-functionalized g-CN nanohybrids via a hydrothermal method and was amplified through DNAzyme concatamers on gold nanoparticles accompanying enzymatic biocatalytic precipitation. Experimental results by UV-vis absorption spectra and photoluminescence revealed that CdS:Mn QDs/g-CN nanohybrids exhibited higher photocurrent than those of CdS:Mn QDs and g-CN alone.

Functional Diversification of Kaurene Synthase-Like Genes in .

-kaurene diterpenoids are the largest group of known diterpenoids. Among them, oridonin is accumulated in the leaves, and is the most frequently studied compound because of its antitumor and antibacterial activities. We have identified five copalyl diphosphate synthase (CPS) and six kaurene synthase-like (KSL) genes by transcriptome profiling of leaves.

Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Investigation of Charge Trapping in Carbon Nitrides Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation.

Carbon nitride (g-CN) as a benchmark polymer photocatalyst is attracting significant research interest because of its visible light photocatalytic performance combined with good stability and facile synthesis. However, little is known about the fundamental photophysical processes of g-CN, which are key to explain and promote photoactivity. Using time-resolved absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies, we have investigated the photophysics of a series of carbon nitrides on time scales ranging from femtoseconds to seconds.

Gain-of-function EGLN1 prolyl hydroxylase (PHD2 D4E:C127S) in combination with EPAS1 (HIF-2α) polymorphism lowers hemoglobin concentration in Tibetan highlanders.

Unlabelled: Tibetans have lived at high altitude for generations and are thought to be genetically adapted to hypoxic environments. Most are protected from hypoxia-induced polycythemia, and a haplotype of EPAS1, encoding hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-2α), has been associated with lower hemoglobin levels. We earlier reported a Tibetan-specific EGLN1 haplotype encoding PHD2 which abrogates HIF augmentation in hypoxia.

Modified mRNA Vaccines Protect against Zika Virus Infection.

The emergence of ZIKV infection has prompted a global effort to develop safe and effective vaccines. We engineered a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulated modified mRNA vaccine encoding wild-type or variant ZIKV structural genes and tested immunogenicity and protection in mice. Two doses of modified mRNA LNPs encoding prM-E genes that produced virus-like particles resulted in high neutralizing antibody titers (∼1/100,000) that protected against ZIKV infection and conferred sterilizing immunity.

A Variant in the Precursor of MicroRNA-146a is Responsible for Development of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Prostatitis via Targeting NOS1.

BACKGROUND The morbidity of erectile dysfunction (ED) has been found to be substantially increased in patients with chronic prostatitis (CP). Accumulating evidence shows that single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in pre-miRNA or mature microRNA may affect the processing of microRNA (miRNA) and alter the expression of the miRNA, as well as its target gene. In this study we investigated the association between rs2910164 G/C polymorphism and risk of ED in patients with CP, as well as the underlying molecular mechanism.

Fast Photoelectron Transfer in (C)-CN Plane Heterostructural Nanosheets for Overall Water Splitting.

Direct and efficient photocatalytic water splitting is critical for sustainable conversion and storage of renewable solar energy. Here, we propose a conceptual design of two-dimensional CN-based in-plane heterostructure to achieve fast spatial transfer of photoexcited electrons for realizing highly efficient and spontaneous overall water splitting. This unique plane heterostructural carbon ring (C)-CN nanosheet can synchronously expedite electron-hole pair separation and promote photoelectron transport through the local in-plane π-conjugated electric field, synergistically elongating the photocarrier diffusion length and lifetime by 10 times relative to those achieved with pristine g-CN.

Diurnal and Seasonal Variations in the Net Ecosystem CO2 Exchange of a Pasture in the Three-River Source Region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange between the atmosphere and grassland ecosystems is very important for the global carbon balance. To assess the CO2 flux and its relationship to environmental factors, the eddy covariance method was used to evaluate the diurnal cycle and seasonal pattern of the net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) of a cultivated pasture in the Three-River Source Region (TRSR) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau from January 1 to December 31, 2008. The diurnal variations in the NEE and ecosystem respiration (Re) during the growing season exhibited single-peak patterns, the maximum and minimum CO2 uptake observed during the noon hours and night; and the maximum and minimum Re took place in the afternoon and early morning, respectively.

Deinococcus malanensis sp. nov., isolated from radiation-polluted soil.

A Gram-staining positive, non-spore forming, short rod-shaped and coccus-shaped, non-motile, pink-colored, gamma- and UV-resistant strain, designated T93 was isolated from soil of Malan area in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Northwest China. The taxonomic position of the new isolate was determined using a polyphasic approach. Strain T93 shared the highest 16 S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Deinococcus deserti VCD115 (97.

The transcriptional regulatory network mediated by banana (Musa acuminata) dehydration-responsive element binding (MaDREB) transcription factors in fruit ripening.

Fruit ripening is a complex, genetically programmed process involving the action of critical transcription factors (TFs). Despite the established significance of dehydration-responsive element binding (DREB) TFs in plant abiotic stress responses, the involvement of DREBs in fruit ripening is yet to be determined. Here, we identified four genes encoding ripening-regulated DREB TFs in banana (Musa acuminata), MaDREB1, MaDREB2, MaDREB3, and MaDREB4, and demonstrated that they play regulatory roles in fruit ripening.

Synthesis of Pd/Au bimetallic nanoparticle-loaded ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for highly efficientcatalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol.

Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) applied in heterogeneous catalysis have attracted considerable attention due to their highly efficient catalytic performance. Pd/Au bimetallic NPs were successfully decorated on the ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-CN-N) by a facile one-pot deposition reduction method. The obtained results show that Pd/Au NPs with average diameter around 8nm are homogeneously dispersed on the surface of unmodified g-CN-N.

Spirosoma soli sp. nov., isolated from biological soil crusts.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile, pale-yellow bacterial strain was isolated from biological soil crusts collected in the desert of Kubuqi, Inner Mongolia of China, designated MIMBbqt12T. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain MIMBbqt12T was 49.5 mol%.

Phenotypes and cellular effects of GJB1 mutations causing CMT1X in a cohort of 226 Chinese CMT families.

The aim of this study is to explore the phenotypic and genotypic features of X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease in the mainland of China and to study the cellular effects of six novel Gap junction protein beta-1 variants. We identified 25 missense and 1 non-sense mutations of GJB1 in 31 unrelated families out of 226 CMT families. The frequency of GJB1 mutations was 13.

Variations in () contribute to the diversity of the panicle trait in high-yielding rice varieties in northern China.

Rice is one of mankind's major food staples, and the erect panicle architecture in rice is an important morphological improvement. The () locus corresponds with the formation of erect panicles and has been widely used in rice breeding. However, the genetic diversity of remains narrow.

The complete genome of Dietzia timorensis ID05-A0528 revealed the genetic basis for its saline-alkali tolerance.

The type strain Dietzia timorensis ID05-A0528, was reported to be able to survive in the highly saline and alkaline environments with diverse carbon sources. In order to more pertinently understand the genetic mechanisms of its environmental tolerance and crude oil emulsification, we reported the complete genome sequence of the strain in the study. The genome contains only one circular chromosome, with the total size of 3,607,892 bps, and the G+C content of this strain is 65.

Photochemical CO reduction using structurally controlled g-CN.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) synthesised from a urea precursor is an excellent CO reduction photocatalyst using [Co(bpy)] as a co-catalyst. A five-fold increase in activity for the highly polymerised urea derived g-CN is achieved compared to alternative precursors. Transient absorption, time-resolved and steady-state emission studies indicate that the enhanced activity is related to both an increased driving force for photoelectron transfer and a greater availability of photogenerated charges.

Carboxylicivirga flava sp. nov., isolated from marine surface sediment.

A novel bacterial strain, designated Q15T, was isolated from sediments obtained from the Bohai Sea in China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells of strain Q15T were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic rods that produced circular, flat, orange colonies. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that Q15T was affiliated with the genus Carboxylicivirga in the family Marinilabiliaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes.

Glycomyces lacisalsi sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a hypersaline habitat.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated XHU 5089T, was isolated from a hypersaline habitat in China. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and the optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 1-3 % (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on the almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain XHU 5089T showed that the organism was related most closely to Glycomyces albusTRM 49136T (97.