The complete mitochondrial genome of (Anura: Bufonidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of was reported in the present research by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 17,189 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two ribosome RNA genes, and one D-loop region. All gene conformations were consistent with the gene arrangement in vertebrates.

The complete mitochondrial genome of (Serpentes: Colubridae).

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total genome size is 17,168 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions (D-loops). Most of the genes of .

The complete mitochondrial genome of (Testudines: Trionychidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of was determined by shotgun sequencing. The total length of mitogenome is 16,593 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 1 control region. Most of the genes of .

Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA via SI-eRAFT and in Situ Metalization Dual-Signal Amplification.

In this work, we report a new amplification strategy based on electrochemically mediated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (eRAFT) and in situ metalization for electrochemical detection of DNA. First, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes were immobilized on the surface of the gold electrode, and when they hybridized with the target DNA, the chain transfer agent (CTA), 4-cyano-4-(phenylcarbonothioylthio)pentanoic acid (CPAD), of RAFT was connected to the PNA/DNA heteroduplex formed by the coordination bonding of Zr. Then glycosyloxyethyl methacrylates (GEMA) were assembled on the surface of the electrode by electrochemically mediated surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-eRAFT) to form a polymer-containing sugar glucose.

A three-dimensional metal-organic framework for a guest-free ultra-low dielectric material.

A three-dimensional metal-organic framework compound [NH(CH)][Zn(bpdc)]·3DMF (1) shows two step dielectric relaxation and its guest-free framework (1') possesses an ultra-low value of 1.80 (at 100 kHz, it is the lowest value for MOFs reported to date) over a wide temperature range and high thermal stability.

Rapid determination of lignosulfonate depolymerization products by advanced polymer chromatography.

Depolymerized lignin products are very complex mixtures. Based on a depolymerization solution of commercially available sodium lignosulfonate under mild conditions, a fast and efficient method for the separation and direct characterization of the degree and efficiency of the acid-catalyzed depolymerization of lignin was developed in this study. Using an ultraviolet detector, the depolymerized lignosulfonate products were well separated and characterized according to the relative molar mass distribution on an advanced polymer chromatographic system with three ethylene-bridged hybrid columns having small pore sizes (45 Å) in series and tetrahydrofuran as the mobile phase.

Functional responses of smaller and larger diatoms to gradual CO rise.

Diatoms and other phytoplankton groups are exposed to abrupt changes in pCO, in waters in upwelling areas, near CO seeps, or during their blooms; or to more gradual pCO rise through anthropogenic CO emissions. Gradual CO rises have, however, rarely been included in ocean acidification (OA) studies. We therefore compared how small (Thalassiosira pseudonana) and larger (Thalassiosira weissflogii) diatom cell isolates respond to gradual pCO rises from 180 to 1000 μatm in steps of ~40 μatm with 5-10 generations at each step, and whether their responses to gradual pCO rise differ when compared to an abrupt pCO rise imposed from ambient 400 directly to 1000 μatm.

Membrane-Penetrating Carbon Quantum Dots for Imaging Nucleic Acid Structures in Live Organisms.

The dynamics of DNA and RNA structures in live cells are important for understanding cell behaviors, such as transcription activity, protein expression, cell apoptosis, and hereditary disease, but are challenging to monitor in live organisms in real time. The difficulty is largely due to the lack of photostable imaging probes that can distinguish between DNA and RNA, and more importantly, are capable of crossing multiple membrane barriers ranging from the cell/organelle to the tissue/organ level. We report the discovery of a cationic carbon quantum dot (cQD) probe that emits spectrally distinguishable fluorescence upon binding with double-stranded DNA and single-stranded RNA in live cells, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of DNA and RNA localization and motion.

Effective photodynamic therapy of polymer hydrogel on tumor cells prepared using methylene blue sensitized mesoporous titania nanocrystal.

A novel hydrogel shell on cancer cells was prepared via in situ photopolymerization of polyethyleneglycol diacrylate (PEGDA) using methylene blue (MB) sensitized mesoporous titania nanocrystal for effective photodynamic therapy (PDT). TiO in this system served as an effective photosensitizer and initiator for the formation of hydrogel, also can protect the MB from being degraded into an inactive form. While MB was used as a significant photosensitive additive to improve the photochemistry effects of TiO and widen its optical response area to near infrared region (660-900 nm).

[Characterization of overall biopharmaceutical properties of traditional Chinese medicine components based on identification of representational components].

Preformulation research, an in-depth research for pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties of raw materials, has been widely used in the field of chemical drugs. Although traditional Chinese medicine components (TCMCs) are the basic units in Chinese medicine preparation, the properties characterization of these components is still in an exploratory stage, because empiricism and blindness are still present in the development of the Chinese medicine preparations. TCMCs, a complex multi-component system, is very difficult to be analyzed in details.

Floral nectar chitinase is a potential marker for monofloral honey botanical origin authentication: A case study from loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.).

Honey, as a commercial product, is a target of adulteration through inappropriate production practices and deliberate mislabelling of botanical origin. Floral nectar protein could be a good marker for determining the source flowers of honey, especially monofloral honeys. Here, nectar and monofloral honey from Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.

[Determination of the relative molecular mass distribution of the ultrafiltration fractionation product of lignosulfonate by advanced polymer chromatography].

The effects of testing conditions, such as pH and ionic strength of the mobile phase, on the relative molecular mass obtained by advanced polymer chromatography (APC) were investigated systematically. The non-size exclusion effects were discussed for lignosulfonate and its ultrafiltration fractionation product. The relative molecular mass distribution of lignosulfo-nate was well-characterized by an APC system using three columns in series, with a 10 μ L injection volume and 0.

Four complete mitochondrial genomes of living wild-type chinese giant salamander (Amphibia: Cryptobranchidae).

The Chinese giant salamander (CGS), (Amphibian, Caudata, Cryptobranchidae), is endemic to China. After overhunting in the 1990's, it is very difficult to find the CGS in the wild. Due to mating disorder, the captive breeding population is genetically confounded.

NeuN-Specific Fluorescent Probe Revealing Neuronal Nuclei Protein and Nuclear Acids Association in Living Neurons under STED Nanoscopy.

Neuronal nuclei (NeuN) protein is a key RNA-associated protein to guide the transcription of RNA and regulate mRNA splicing in neurons. However, the lack of effective labeling and tracking method has hindered the elucidation of the biological mechanism of NeuN operation in living neurons to understand correlated central nervous system disorders. Here, we report a molecular probe that can be inserted into a neighboring hydrophobic-hydrophilic region in NeuN, which upon binding becomes capable of emitting light in red region.

Comparative genomic investigation of high-elevation adaptation in ectothermic snakes.

Several previous genomic studies have focused on adaptation to high elevations, but these investigations have been largely limited to endotherms. Snakes of the genus are endemic to the Tibetan plateau and therefore present an opportunity to study high-elevation adaptations in ectotherms. Here, we report the de novo assembly of the genome of a Tibetan hot-spring snake () and then compare its genome to the genomes of the other two species of , as well as to the genomes of two related species of snakes that occur at lower elevations.

Synthesis of core-shell N-TiO@CuO with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance.

In this paper, a core-shell N-TiO@CuO nanomaterial with increased visible light photocatalytic activity was successfully synthesized using a simple method. By synthesizing ammonium titanyl oxalate as a precursor, N-doped TiO can be prepared, then the core-shell structure of N-TiO@CuO with a catalyst loading of Cu on its surface was prepared using a precipitation method. It was characterized in detail using XRD, TEM, BET, XPS and H-TPR, while its photocatalytic activity was evaluated using the probe reaction of the degradation of methyl orange.

The Chinese giant salamander exemplifies the hidden extinction of cryptic species.

Overexploitation, habitat destruction, human-driven climate change and disease spread are resulting in the extinction of innumerable species, with amphibians being hit harder than most other groups [1]. Few species of amphibians are widespread, and those that are often represent complexes of multiple cryptic species. This is especially true for range-restricted salamanders [2].

Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of gambogic acid-loaded layer-by-layer self-assembled micelles.

This study aimed to develop a novel type of multilayer micelle using protamine (PRM) and hyaluronic acid (HA) for the delivery of gambogic acid (GA). GA-loaded micelles (GA-M) were simply andrapidly prepared using lecithin/solutol HS15 using a film-dispersion method. PRM and HA were added in sequence to form layer-by-layer self-assembled micelles (HA-PRM-GA-M), in which particle size, zeta potential, particle morphology, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release were investigated.

Detoxification of U(VI) by Paecilomyces catenlannulatus investigated by batch, XANES and EXAFS techniques.

Paecilomyces catenlannulatus (P. catenlannulatus) as a genus of entomogenous fungus presented a variety of surface reactive groups by batch characterizations. The detoxification of U(VI) by P.

Enhanced lead and cadmium removal using biochar-supported hydrated manganese oxide (HMO) nanoparticles: Behavior and mechanism.

Hydrated manganese oxide (HMO) nanoparticles were impregnated into a peanut shell-derived biochar (BC) to obtain a remarkable nanocomposite adsorbent, HMO-BC, which overcomes the technical barriers of singly applying either HMO or BC in practical heavy metal-containing wastewater treatment. HMO-BC can effectively sequestrate Pb(II) and Cd(II) in a wide pH range of 3-7 and exhibited more preferable sorption than bare BC in the presence of high-level competing cations. BC also significantly lowered the Mn leaching at acidic pH.

[Metabolism of paeoniflorin by rat intestinal flora in vitro].

In order to clarify the effect of intestinal flora on the absorption and metabolism of paeoniflorin in vivo, the metabolism of paeoniflorin by rat intestinal flora was studied under the in vitro anaerobic condition. Paeoniflorin was incubated with rat anaerobic intestinal flora for 48 h, and UPLC was used to detect the changes of paeoniflorin at different incubation time points under the following chromatographic conditions：WelchromTM C₁₈ chromatographic column (4.6 mm×100 mm, 5 μm), with 0.

Transcriptome sequencing reveals potential mechanisms of diapause preparation in bivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae).

In the bivoltine strain of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, embryonic diapause is induced transgenerationally as a maternal effect. Progeny diapause ability is determined by the environmental condition such as temperature and lightness that mothers experience during their own embryonic development. Diapause preparation is a crucial phase of this process; diapause-destined individuals undergo a series of preparatory events before the entry into developmental arrest.