Photochemical Povarov-type Reactions: Electron Donor-Acceptor Photoactivation by Visible Light.

This report investigates the mechanism of photochemical Povarov-type reactions of ,-dialkylanilines and maleimides in polar solvents (DMF or dioxane) in the presence of light. Fundamental aspects of the electron donor-acceptor (EDA) photoactivation pathway proposed to underpin this chemistry are examined through integrated experimental and computational studies. This approach provided evidence supporting the involvement of an EDA complex in facilitating this chemistry via a reaction mechanism that does not involve a triplet manifold.

Exogenous glutathione can alleviate chromium toxicity in kenaf by activating antioxidant system and regulating DNA methylation.

Glutathione (GSH) participates in plant response to heavy metals (HMs) stress, however, the epigenetic regulating mechanisms of GSH in HMs detoxification remains unclear. In this study, to reveal the potential epigenetic regulating mechanisms, kenaf seedlings were treated with/without GSH under chromium (Cr) stress. A comprehensive physiological, genome-wide DNA methylation and gene functional analysis were performed.

Amomum tsaoko DRM1 regulate seed germination and improve heat tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Seed dormancy and germination are critical to medicinal plant reproduction. Dormancy-associated gene (DRM1) has been involved in the regulation of dormancy in Arabidopsis meristematic tissues or organs. However, research on molecular functions and regulations of DRM1 in Amomum tsaoko, an important medicinal plant, is rare.

The post-discharge coping difficulty of puerperal women in a middle and low-income tourist city during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, the incidence of mental health problems in perinatal women has been high, and particularly prominent in China which was the first country affected by COVID-19. This paper aims to investigate the current situation and the related factors of maternal coping difficulties after discharge during COVID-19.

Methods: General information questionnaires (the Perinatal Maternal Health Literacy Scale, Postpartum Social Support Scale and Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form) were used to investigate 226 puerperal women in the third week of puerperium.

Transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal the potential mechanism of seed dormancy release in Amomum tsaoko during warm stratification.

Background: In Amomum tsaoko breeding, the low germination rate is the major limitation for their large-scale reproduction. We found that warm stratification was an effective treatment to break the seed dormancy of A. tsaoko prior to sowing and could be an important component of improving breeding programs.

Integrated Methylome and Transcriptome Analysis Provides Insights into the DNA Methylation Underlying the Mechanism of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Kenaf ( L.).

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is widely exploited in hybrid seed production. Kenaf is an important fiber crop with high heterosis. The molecular mechanism of kenaf CMS remains unclear, particularly in terms of DNA methylation.

Rhenium-catalysed reactions in chemical synthesis: selected case studies.

This Perspective presents and discusses a selection of examples that reinforce the enabling and distinctive reactivity provided by homogeneous rhenium catalysis in chemical synthesis. Specifically, the ability for lower oxidation state rhenium-carbonyl catalysts to engage alkyne, allene, and enol substrates in various carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions is highlighted. The inherent capacity of Lewis acidic, higher oxidation state oxorhenium catalysts to facilitate the transposition/isomerisation of allyl alcohols and attendant functionalisation reaction cascades is also showcased.

Photoactive Metal Carbonyl Complexes Bearing N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Synthesis, Characterization, and Viability as Photoredox Catalysts.

This report details the synthesis and characterization of a small family of previously unreported, structurally related chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, and iron complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene and carbonyl supporting ligands. These complexes have the general form [ML(CO)X] or [ML(CO)], where X = CO or Br and L = 1-phenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene. Where possible, the solid-state, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photophysical properties of these molecules were studied using a combination of experiment and theory.

Integrated Methylome and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal the Molecular Mechanism by Which DNA Methylation Regulates Kenaf Flowering.

DNA methylation regulates key biological processes in plants. In this study, kenaf seedlings were pretreated with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) (at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 400, and 600 μM), and the results showed that pretreatment with 200 μM 5-azaC promoted flowering most effectively. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, phytohormone, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and starch contents were determined, and genome-wide DNA methylation and transcriptome analyses were performed on anthers pretreated with 200 μM 5-azaC (5-azaC200) or with no 5-azaC (control conditions; 5-azaC0).

[Selection of q RT-PCR reference genes for Amomum tsaoko seeds during dormancy release].

Freshly collected seeds of Amomum tsaoko demonstrate obvious dormancy. Therefore, the selection of stable reference genes during seed dormancy release is very important for the subsequent functional research of related genes. In this study, ten commonly used reference genes(GAPDH, 40S, actin, tubulin, EIF4A-9, EIF2α, UBC, UBCE2, 60S, and UBQ) were selected as candidates for quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) of the embryo samples of A.

5-azacytidine pre-treatment alters DNA methylation levels and induces genes responsive to salt stress in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.).

Soil salinization is becoming a major threat to the sustainable development of global agriculture. Kenaf is an industrial fiber crop with high tolerance to salt stress and could be used for soil phytoremediation. However, the molecular mechanism of kenaf salt tolerance remains largely unknown.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals key genes and pathways in two different cadmium tolerance kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) cultivars.

Soil cadmium (Cd) contamination has become a massive environmental problem. Kenaf is an industrial fiber crop with high tolerance to heavy metals and could be potentially used for soil phytoremediation. However, the molecular mechanism of Cd in kenaf tolerance remains largely unknown.

A comprehensive integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses to reveal key genes and essential metabolic pathways involved in CMS in kenaf.

Numbers of critical genes and pathways were found from the levels of transcriptome and metabolome, which were useful information for understanding of kenaf CMS mechanism. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait in higher plants that leads to the inability to produce or release functional pollen. However, there is lack of comprehensive studies to reveal the molecular basis of CMS occurrence in kenaf.

The medical application of terahertz technology in non-invasive detection of cells and tissues: opportunities and challenges.

Terahertz (THz = 10 Hz) spectroscopy has shown great potential in biomedical research due to its unique features, such as the non-invasive and label-free identification of living cells and medical imaging. In this review, we summarized the advantages and progresses achieved in THz spectroscopy technology for blood cell detection, cancer cell characterization, bacterial identification and biological tissue discrimination, further introducing THz imaging systems and its progress in tissue imaging. We also highlighted the biological effects of THz radiation during its biological applications and the existing challenges and strategies to accelerate future clinical applications.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering method for the identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using positively charged silver nanoparticles.

The article describes a SERS-based method for diagnosis of bacterial infections. Positively charged silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were employed for identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is found that AgNPs undergo self-assembly on the surface of bacteria via electrostatic aggregation.

Polymeric micelles with dual thermal and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsiveness for inflammatory cancer cell delivery.

Background: The object of this study was to develop a thermally and reactive oxygen species-responsive nanocarrier system for cancer therapy.

Results: PPS-PNIPAm block copolymer was designed and synthesised using a combination of living anionic ring-opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization. The synthesized polymer formed micellar aggregates in water and demonstrated dual responsiveness towards temperature and oxidants.

Development of an Extended-Release Formulation for Apremilast and a Level A in Vitro-in Vivo Correlation Study in Beagle Dogs.

The primary objective of the present study was to develop extended-release matrix formulations of apremilast for the oral delivery and to study their in vitro and in vivo correlation. Five extended-release formulations containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) as the retarding excipient with different release rate of apremilast were prepared. Dissolution tests of all the formulated tablets were performed in water, pH 4.

Synthesis of Carbazolequinones by Formal [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Arynes and 2-Aminoquinones.

A formal cycloaddition reaction for the synthesis of biologically and pharmaceutically important carbazolequinones via the annulation of aminoquinones with arynes has been developed. This practical and metal-free cascade reaction proceeds through successive C-C/C-N bond formations. Moreover, this novel method has been utilized for the concise synthesis of bioactive murrayaquinone A and koeniginequinone B and their analogues.

[Cloning and expression analysis of GGPPS gene from Panax notoginseng].

According to the transcriptome dataset of Panax notoginseng, the key geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase gene (GGPPS) in terpenoid backbone biosynthesis was selected to be cloned. Using specific primer pairs combining with RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) technique, the full-length cDNA sequence with 1 203 bp, which containing a 1 035 bp open reading frame, was cloned and named as PnGGPPS. The corresponding full-length DNA sequence contained 2 370 bp, consisted of 1 intron and 2 exons.

[Effect of Nutrient Solution in Soilless Cultivation on Growth, Antioxidase Activities and Amino Acid Contents of Nervilia fordii].

Objective: To select the best formula for soilless cultivation of Nervilia fordii.

Methods: Four different formulas of nutrient solution on growth,antioxidase activities and amino acid contents were investigated.

Results: The concentration of 1/2 lettuce nutrient solution formula was the most propitious for the growth of Nervilia fordii, the antioxidase activities and amino acid contents were increased in the treatment of nutrient solution,and the highest amino acid content was observed in 1/2 dose of green leafy vegetables nutrient solution formula.

[Cloning and functional characterization of pathogenesis-related PR10-1 gene in Panax notoginseng].

With homology cloning approaches coupling with RACE (rapid-amplification of cDNA ends) techniques, the full-length coding sequence of pathogenesis-related protein PR10-1 with differential expression was cloned from the total RNA of the root of Panax notoginseng, and its function was explored furtherly. As a result, the longest 465 bp ORF (named as PnPR10-1 with the Accession No. KJ741402 in GenBank) was detected from the cloned sequence with full-length of cDNA of 863 bp.

[Molecular identification of geminivirus inducing vein yellowing in Abelmoschus manihot].

Objective: The virus isolate H was identified by molecular biology,it was collected from Abelmoschus manihot plant showing leaf curl,yellow vein symptoms in Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plant.

Methods: The virus isolate H was observed in electron micrograph, and conformed detected by PCR using universal primer pair for the genus Geminivirus.

Results: The results indicated that all sequences homologous to the specific fragment belonged to the genus Begomovirus of the family Geminiviridae.

[Antagonism of Trichoderma spp. to fungi caused root rot of Sophora tonkinensis].

Objective: To study the antagonism of Trichoderma spp. to fungi S9(Fusarium solani)which caused root rot of Sophora tonkinensis and discuss the further develop prospects of microbial biological control in soil-borne diseases on Chinese herbal medicines.

Methods: Antagonism of H2 (Trichoderma harsianum), M6 (Trichoderma viride) and K1 (Trichoderma koningii) to Fusarium solani were researched by growth rate and confront culture.

[Identification of pathogens causing root rot of Sophora tonkinensis].

Objective: To identify the pathogens what caused of root rot, it can provide method of theoretical gist of integrated pest management of these kinds of diseases in the future.

Methods: Pathogens from rotten root of Sophora tonkinensis were isolated by tissue isolation. Their morphological characteristics were observed and rDNA-ITS sequence were sequenced, then analyzed by Blast in GenBank.