Development of a high quantum yield probe for detection of mitochondrial G-quadruplexes in live cells based on fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

Mitochondrial G-quadruplexes are components that are potentially involved in regulating mitochondrial function and play crucial roles in the replication and transcription of mitochondrial genes. Consequently, it is imperative to develop probes that can detect mitochondrial G-quadruplexes to understand their functions and mechanisms. In this study, a triphenylamine fluorescent probe, TPPE, which has excellent cytocompatibility and does not affect the natural state of G-quadruplexes, was designed and demonstrated to localize primarily to the mitochondria.

Thermally Annealed High-Aspect-Ratio ZIF-8 Nanoplates-Incorporated Mixed Matrix Membranes for Improved H/CO Selectivity.

The main challenge in the preparation of MOF-based mixed matrix membranes is to construct a good interface morphology to improve the gas separation performance and stability of the membranes. Herein, high-aspect-ratio ZIF-8 nanoplates for H/CO separation membranes were synthesized by direct template conversion. The ZIF-8 nanoplates were prepared with the commercial Matrimid polymer to form MMMs by the flat scraping method.

Exploration of electrochemical behavior of Sb-based porous carbon composites anode for sodium-ion batteries.

Sb-based materials are considered as promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their excellent sodium storage capacities and suitable potentials. However, the Sb-based anodes usually suffer from intense volume expansion and severe pulverization during the alloying-dealloying process, resulting in poor cycling performance. Herein, a composite anode with Sb/SbO nanoparticles embedded in N-doped porous carbon is prepared by the gas-solid dual template method.

Identification of genomic regions controlling spikelet degeneration under FRIZZLE PANICLE (FZP) defect genetic background in rice.

The FZP gene plays a critical role in the formation of lateral branches and spikelets in rice panicle architecture. This study investigates the qSBN7 allele, a hypomorphic variant of FZP, and its influence on panicle architectures in different genetic backgrounds. We evaluated two backcross inbred lines (BILs), BC5_TCS10 and BC3_TCS10, each possessing the homozygous qSBN7 allele but demonstrating differing degrees of spikelet degeneration.

An MgO passivation layer and hydrotalcite derived spinel CoAlO synergically promote photoelectrochemical water oxidation conducted using BiVO-based photoanodes.

MCoO co-catalysed photoanodes with high potential for improvement in PEC water-oxidizing properties are reported. However, it is difficult to control the recombination of photogenerated carriers at the interface between the catalyst and cocatalyst. Here, an ultra-thin MgO passivation layer was introduced into the MCoO/BiVO coupling system to construct a ternary composite photoanode CoAlO/MgO/BiVO.

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) water extract alleviates palmitate-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 hepatocytes via the activation of IRS1/PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 and GSK-3β signaling pathway.

Background: Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is a typical element of a traditional Mediterranean diet and has potential health advantages for insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aims to evaluate the effect and underlying mechanism of artichoke water extract (AWE) on palmitate (PA)-induced IR in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells.

Non-monotone Exponential Time (NEXT) Model for the Longitudinal Trend of a Continuous Outcome in Clinical Trials.

The dose-response curve has been studied extensively for decades. However, most of these methods ignore intermediate measurements of the response variable and only use the measurement at the endpoint. In early phase trials, it is crucial to utilize all available data due to the smaller sample size.

Theoretical evaluation of the effect of bimetallic Au-based alloy catalysts on initial N electroreduction pathways.

Theoretical studies on the effect of bimetallic Au-based alloy catalysts on initial N electroreduction pathways at the present simulated electrode/aqueous interfaces based on DFT calculations are conducted in this work. The calculated results indicate that the alloying of Au with the transition metals Ni, Pd, Pt, Ru and Ta can facilitate the activation of N molecules in the presence of the electrode/aqueous interface, which may be derived from the kinetic overpotential of the outer Helmholtz plane. The N reduction pathway may be adsorption strength-dependent on N, in which the incorporation of transition metals with a strong chemical affinity for N molecules may lead to a dissociative mechanism the initial NN bond cleavage pathway, whereas the incorporation of transition metals with medium N binding strength may make N reduction proceed by the associative mechanism the initial NH formation pathway.

Cervical optical coherence tomography image classification based on contrastive self-supervised texture learning.

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) seriously affects the health of the female reproductive system. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) emerged as a noninvasive, high-resolution imaging technology for cervical disease detection. However, OCT image annotation is knowledge-intensive and time-consuming, which impedes the training process of deep-learning-based classification models.

New Insights on Volatile Components of Cultivated in Taiwan.

Vanilla () is a precious natural flavoring that is commonly used throughout the world. In the past, all vanilla used in Taiwan was imported; however, recent breakthroughs in cultivation and processing technology have allowed Taiwan to produce its own supply of vanilla. In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with GC-FID and GC-MS was used to analyze the volatile components of vanilla from different origins produced in Taiwan under different cultivation and processing conditions.

Asymbiotic germination of Vanilla planifolia in relation to the timing of seed collection and seed pretreatments.

Background: Vanilla planifolia is an important tropical orchid for production of natural vanilla flavor. Traditionally, V. planifolia is propagated by stem cuttings, which produces identical genotype that are sensitive to virulent pathogens.

A Novel Variation in the () Gene Promoter Improves Grain Number and Yield in Rice.

Secondary branch number per panicle plays a crucial role in regulating grain number and yield in rice. Here, we report the positional cloning and functional characterization for (), a quantitative trait locus affecting secondary branch per panicle and grain number. Our research revealed that the causative variants of are located in the distal promoter region of (), a gene previously associated with the repression of axillary meristem development in rice spikelets.

Assessment of Genetic Differentiation and Linkage Disequilibrium in Using Genome-Wide High-Density SNP Markers.

To mine new favorable alleles for tomato breeding, we investigated the feasibility of utilizing as a diverse panel of genome-wide association study through the restriction site-associated DNA sequencing technique. Previous attempts to conduct genome-wide association studies using were impeded by an inability to correct for population stratification and by lack of high-density markers to address the issue of rapid linkage disequilibrium decay. In the current study, a set of 24,330 SNPs was identified using 99 accessions from the Tomato Genetic Resource Center.

A Bayesian statistical analysis of stochastic phenotypic plasticity model of cancer cells.

The phenotypic plasticity of cancer cells has received special attention in recent years. Even though related models have been widely studied in terms of mathematical properties, a thorough statistical analysis on parameter estimation and model selection is still very lacking. In this study, we present a Bayesian approach which is devised to deal with the data sets containing both mean and variance information of relative frequencies of cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Chromosome-level assembly, genetic and physical mapping of Phalaenopsis aphrodite genome provides new insights into species adaptation and resources for orchid breeding.

The Orchidaceae is a diverse and ecologically important plant family. Approximately 69% of all orchid species are epiphytes, which provide diverse microhabitats for many small animals and fungi in the canopy of tropical rainforests. Moreover, many orchids are of economic importance as food flavourings or ornamental plants.

Genetic mapping of the locus, a QTL controlling secondary branch number per panicle in rice.

Secondary branch number (SBN) is an important component affecting spikelet number per panicle (SPP) and yield in rice. During recurrent backcross breeding, four BCF populations derived from the high-yield donor parent IR65598-112-2 and the recurrent parent Tainan 13 (a local cultivar) showed discontinuous variations of SPP and SBN within populations. Genetic analysis of 92 BCF individuals suggested that both SPP and SBN are controlled by a single recessive allele.

Reassessment of QTLs for late blight resistance in the tomato accession L3708 using a restriction site associated DNA (RAD) linkage map and highly aggressive isolates of Phytophthora infestans.

Tomato late blight caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary is a major threat to tomato production in cool and wet environments. Intensified outbreaks of late blight have been observed globally from the 1980s, and are associated with migration of new and more aggressive populations of P.

High-resolution genetic mapping and candidate gene identification of the SLP1 locus that controls glume development in rice.

Stunted lemma palea 1 (slp1) is a rice mutant that displays dwarfism, shortened inflorescence lengths, severely degenerated lemmas/paleas, and sterility. The SLP1 locus was mapped between markers RM447 and D275 in the distal region of the long arm of chromosome 8, using the F2 progeny derived from the cross between the Slp1/slp1 mutant (Oryza sativa subsp. japonica) and the variety Taichung Native 1 (TN1, O.

The sweet potato sporamin promoter confers high-level phytase expression and improves organic phosphorus acquisition and tuber yield of transgenic potato.

The sweet potato sporamin promoter was used to control the expression in transgenic potato of the E. coli appA gene, which encodes a bifunctional enzyme exhibiting both acid phosphatase and phytase activities. The sporamin promoter was highly active in leaves, stems and different size tubers of transgenic potato, with levels of phytase expression ranging from 3.

Changes in regulation of a transcription factor lead to autogamy in cultivated tomatoes.

We report the cloning of Style2.1, the major quantitative trait locus responsible for a key floral attribute (style length) associated with the evolution of self-pollination in cultivated tomatoes. The gene encodes a putative transcription factor that regulates cell elongation in developing styles.

High-resolution mapping and functional analysis of se2.1: a major stigma exsertion quantitative trait locus associated with the evolution from allogamy to autogamy in the genus Lycopersicon.

The degree to which stigmas are exserted above the stamen in flowers is a key determinant of cross-pollination (and hence allogamy) in many plant species. Most species in the genus Lycopersicon are obligate or facultative outcrossers and bear flowers with highly exserted stigmas. In contrast, the cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) bears flowers with flush or inserted stigmas promoting self-fertilization.

A simple formula useful for positional cloning.

We derive a formula for the distribution of the length T of the recombination interval containing a target gene and using N gametes in a region where R kilobases correspond to 1 cM. The formula can be used to calculate the number of meiotic events required to narrow a target gene down to a specific interval size and hence should be useful for planning positional cloning experiments. The predictions of this formula agree well with the results from a number of published experiments in Arabidopsis.