Genome-wide identification and comparative analysis of YABBY transcription factors in oil tea and tea tree.

The plant-specific transcription factor gene family, YABBY, plays an important role in plant development and stress response. Although YABBY genes have been identified in numerous species, a comprehensive characterization of YABBYs in tea tree and oil tea has been lacking. In this study, ten and three YABBY genes were identified in Camellia sinensis and C. oleifera, respectively. YABBY proteins could be divided into five subfamilies. Most YABBY genes in the same clade had similar structures and conserved motifs. Protein evolutionary analysis revealed that FIL/YAB3 displayed high conservation in all positions, followed by INO, YAB2, YAB5, and CRC. Specific site analysis suggested that the YABBY family was polyphyletic during the evolution. Compared to C. oleifera, two segmentally duplicated gene pairs were formed in C. sinensis during recent WGD events generated 30.69 and 45.08 Mya, respectively. Cis-acting element indicated that most YABBY genes contain box4, ARE, and MYB elements. A total of 120 SSR loci were found within CsYABBYs, consisting of six types, while 48 SSR loci were identified within CoYABBY, consisting of three types. Transcriptome results revealed that CRC and INO clades were specifically expressed in floral organs. The expression of CsYABBY10 and CsYABBY5 was significantly up-regulated under drought and salt treatments, respectively, as confirmed by qRT-PCR. CoYABBY genes were more susceptible to salt stress, as CoYABBY3 increased by about 15-fold. Furthermore, functional differentiation may have occurred in duplicated genes. These discoveries provide important information for further research on YABBYs in tea tree and oil tea. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03940-9.

A sequentially triggered DNA nanocapsule for targeted drug delivery based on pH-responsive i-motif and tumor cell-specific aptamer.

Targeted drug delivery with minor off-target effects is urgently needed for precise cancer treatments. Here, a sequentially triggered strategy based on double targeting elements is designed to meet this purpose. By using an acidic pH-responsive i-motif DNA and a tumor cell-specific aptamer as targeting elements, a smart dual-targeted DNA nanocapsule (ZBI5-DOX) was constructed. ZBI5-DOX can be firstly triggered by acidic pH, and then bind to target cells via aptamer recognition and thus targeted release of the carried DOX chemotherapeutics. With this smart DNA nanocapsule, the carried DOX could be precisely delivered to target SMMC-7721 tumor cells in acidic conditions. After drug treatments, selective cytotoxicity of the DNA nanocapsule was successfully achieved. Meanwhile, the DNA nanocapsule had a specific inhibition effect on target cell migration and invasion. Therefore, this sequentially triggered strategy may provide deep insight into the next generation of targeted drug delivery.

Multicenter retrospective analysis of the risk factors for delayed neurological sequelae after acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed neurological sequelae (DNS) is a devastating consequence following acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This study aims at exploring the independent predictors of DNS in patients with CO exposure. METHODS: Data of patients with diagnosis of CO poisoning was retrospectively collected and reviewed in 5 regional medical facilities. Patients were classified into the DNS group and non-DNS group according to clinical findings during a follow-up period of 6 months. Demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, clinical manifestations, and treatment strategies were compared to identify possible correlative factors. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors of DNS. RESULTS: We screened 1129 patients and enrolled 326 cases (158 males, average age 44.56 ± 16.08 years) in the analysis. Thirty-seven (11.35%) developed DNS at a median interval of 33 days. Uni-variable analysis identified older age, higher body mass index, hypertension, loss of consciousness, longer CO exposure, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on-site/at emergency room, and elevation of lactate as relevant factors for DNS; while multivariable logistic regression revealed that older age (OR = 1.11; p < 0.001), longer duration of CO exposure (OR = 1.54; p = 0.023), GCS on-site (OR = 2.06; p < 0.001), and GCS at emergency room (OR = 1.33; p = 0.048) were independent predictors for DNS. CONCLUSIONS: Our multicenter study demonstrated older age, longer duration of CO exposure, and GCS score were independent predictors of DNS in COP patients. GCS scored on-site might be a more sensitive and specific parameter compared with GCS evaluated at the emergency room. Further prospective studies in a larger patient cohort are warranted to draw a comprehensive conclusion.

[Synthesis and characterization of non fluorescent ZnS nano clusters].

Zinc sulfide nano clusters were synthesized and characterized. A kind of method using zinc sulfide nanoparticles cluster cation exchange reaction(CX) to detect trace biological molecules was established. Non fluorescent ZnS nanoparticles (NCCs) were synthesized and characterized. The property of nano clusters directly influences the detection results. Through transmission electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction, nano clusters which could quickly release a mass of Zn2+ from rapid cation exchange reaction were known to be porous and generate fluorescence signal under the action of zinc reagent. The external crystal arranges loosely compared to the internal, which is conducive to rapid cation exchange, and the crystal size is related to heating time. It was demonstrated that the smallest nanocluster had a relative large surface area and higher cationic exchange efficiency through the determination of the specific surface area of nano clusters for detecting surface area and pore size. Three methods (acid dissolution method, cation exchange and micro wave aided by cation exchange) which effected Zn2+ release performance were experimented. It turned out that microwave auxiliary cation exchange method had high SNR, simple operation, and could be used in zinc sulfide nanoparticle immunoassay. Having compared the relations between the release efficiency, target binding force of ZnZ2+ and its average diameter, the results show that the nano cluster size of 44 nm exhibits the highest cation exchange efficiency. All these features make the ZnS nanocluster cation exchange amplifier to be a highly sensitive, fairly biocompatible, low-cost and environment friendly detection tool in the detection of biomolecules.

ARP2/3 complex-mediated actin dynamics is required for hydrogen peroxide-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis.

Multiple cellular events like dynamic actin reorganization and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production were demonstrated to be involved in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced stomatal closure. However, the relationship between them as well as the underlying mechanisms remains poorly understood. Here, we showed that H(2)O(2) generation is indispensable for ABA induction of actin reorganization in guard cells of Arabidopsis that requires the presence of ARP2/3 complex. H(2)O(2) -induced stomatal closure was delayed in the mutants of arpc4 and arpc5, and the rate of actin reorganization was slowed down in arpc4 and arpc5 in response to H(2)O(2), suggesting that ARP2/3-mediated actin nucleation is required for H(2)O(2) -induced actin cytoskeleton remodelling. Furthermore, the expression of H(2)O(2) biosynthetic related gene AtrbohD and the accumulation of H(2)O(2) was delayed in response to ABA in arpc4 and arpc5, demonstrating that misregulated actin dynamics affects H(2)O(2) production upon ABA treatment. These results support a possible causal relation between the production of H(2)O(2) and actin dynamics in ABA-mediated guard cell signalling: ABA triggers H(2)O(2) generation that causes the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton partially mediated by ARP2/3 complex, and ARP2/3 complex-mediated actin dynamics may feedback regulate H(2)O(2) production.