A multi-locus linear mixed model methodology for detecting small-effect QTLs for quantitative traits in MAGIC, NAM, and ROAM populations.

Although multi-parent populations (MPPs) integrate the advantages of linkage and association mapping populations in the genetic dissection of complex traits and especially combine genetic analysis with crop breeding, it is difficult to detect small-effect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for complex traits in multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC), nested association mapping (NAM), and random-open-parent association mapping (ROAM) populations. To address this issue, here we proposed a multi-locus linear mixed model method, namely mppQTL, to detect QTLs, especially small-effect QTLs, in these MPPs. The new method includes two steps.

The effect of several activated biochars on Cd immobilization and microbial community composition during in-situ remediation of heavy metal contaminated sediment.

Chemical activation and microwave assisted activation were adopted to modify biochar. Activated biochars were characterized by SEM, BET, FTIR, XRD and XPS. Raw biochar, activated biochars and commercial activated carbon were compared as remediation strategies for sediment from the Xiangjiang River containing 14.

PID1 in adipocytes modulates whole-body glucose homeostasis.

The novel obesity-associated protein Phosphotyrosine Interaction Domain containing 1 (PID1) inhibits insulin-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in vitro. In this study, we generated fat tissue-specific aP2-PID1 transgenic (aP2-PID1) mice and PID1 knockout (PID1) mice to explore how PID1 affects glucose metabolism in vivo. We observed insulin resistance and impaired insulin-PI3K/Akt signaling in aP2-PID1 mice.

GM13133 is a negative regulator in mouse white adipocytes differentiation and drives the characteristics of brown adipocytes.

Obesity is tightly associated with the disturbance of white adipose tissue storing excess energy. Thermogenic adipocytes (brown and beige) exert a critical role of oxidizing nutrients at the high rates through non-shivering thermogenesis. The recruitment of brown characteristics in white adipocytes, termed browning, has been considered as a promising strategy for treating obesity and associated metabolic complications.

Two new phenylpropanoid glycosides from the roots of Aruncus sylvester.

Two new phenylpropanoid glycosides, 1,3,4-tri-O-(E)-caffeoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and 1,4-di-O-(E)-caffeoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), along with four known phenylpropanoid glycosides (3-6), were isolated from the roots of Aruncus sylvester. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using various spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed significant scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radicals with IC50 values of 110 and 258 μM (ascorbic acid: IC50 = 574 μM).