Variability in Leaf Color Induced by Chlorophyll Deficiency: Transcriptional Changes in Bamboo Leaves.

The diversity of leaf characteristics, particularly leaf color, underscores a pivotal area of inquiry within plant science. The synthesis and functionality of chlorophyll, crucial for photosynthesis, largely dictate leaf coloration, with varying concentrations imparting different shades of green. Complex gene interactions regulate the synthesis and degradation of chlorophyll, and disruptions in these pathways can result in abnormal chlorophyll production, thereby affecting leaf pigmentation. This study focuses on Bambusa multiplex f. silverstripe, a natural variant distinguished by a spectrum of leaf colors, such as green, white, and green-white, attributed to genetic variations influencing gene expression. By examining the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying chlorophyll anomalies and genetic factors in Silverstripe, this research sheds light on the intricate gene interactions and regulatory networks that contribute to leaf color diversity. The investigation includes the measurement of photosynthetic pigments and nutrient concentrations across different leaf color types, alongside transcriptomic analyses for identifying differentially expressed genes. The role of key genes in pathways such as ALA biosynthesis, chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthesis, and sugar metabolism is explored, offering critical insights for advancing research and plant breeding practices.

Identification and characterization of the cupin_1 domain-containing proteins in ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus) and their potential role in rhizome sprouting.

Cupin_1 domain-containing protein (CDP) family, which is a member of the cupin superfamily with the most diverse functions in plants, has been found to be involved in hormone pathways that are closely related to rhizome sprouting (RS), a vital form of asexual reproduction in plants. Ma bamboo is a typical clumping bamboo, which mainly reproduces by RS. In this study, we identified and characterized 53 Dendrocalamus latiflorus CDP genes and divided them into seven subfamilies. Comparing the genetic structures among subfamilies showed a relatively conserved gene structure within each subfamily, and the number of cupin_1 domains affected the conservation among D. latiflorus CDP genes. Gene collinearity results showed that segmental duplication and tandem duplication both contributed to the expansion of D. latiflorus CDP genes, and lineage-specific gene duplication was an important factor influencing the evolution of CDP genes. Expression patterns showed that CDP genes generally had higher expression levels in germinating underground buds, indicating that they might play important roles in promoting shoot sprouting. Transcription factor binding site prediction and co-expression network analysis indicated that D. latiflorus CDPs were regulated by a large number of transcription factors, and collectively participated in rhizome buds and shoot development. This study significantly provided new insights into the evolutionary patterns and molecular functions of CDP genes, and laid a foundation for further studying the regulatory mechanisms of plant rhizome sprouting.

[Ecological network construction and optimization in Foshan City, China]. / 佛山市生态网络构建及优化.

Under the background of rapid urbanization, the problem of fragmented habitat patches in economically developed areas is particularly prominent, where biodiversity is seriously threa-tened. Therefore, the construction of ecological network is an important measure to connect habitat patches and protect biological habitats. We extracted ecological source areas of Foshan City by using the connectivity index and morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA). Potential ecological corridors were identified based on InVEST model and minimal cumulative resistance (MCR). Combining the radiation channels extracted from hydrological analysis to build an ecological network in Foshan City. The ecological network was optimized by adding ecological source areas, stepping stones, and identifying fracture points. Finally, the network before and after optimization was evalua-ted from the aspects of both structure and function based on network analysis method and circuit theory. The results showed that ecological network in Foshan City was composed of 10 ecological source areas, 8 important corridors, 37 general corridors, and 11 radiation channels. After optimization, 7 new ecological source areas, 17 planning corridors, 13 stepping stones, and 80 fracture points were added. After optimization, the ecological network closure, the line rate index and the connection degree index were 0.59, 1.94, and 0.73, respectively. The maximum current density increased from 1.39 to 9.66 after optimization, indicating that the optimized ecological network structure was more perfect and highly connective.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Gigantochloa verticillata (Bambusodae).

Gigantochloa verticillata is produced in Mengla and Jinghong, Yunnan Province, China, and cultivated in Hong Kong. Vietnam, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia are distributed and cultivated. We determined the complete chloroplast genome sequence for G. verticillata using Illumina sequencing data. The complete chloroplast sequence is 139,489 bp, including large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,062 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,877 bp, and a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 21,775 bp. Plastid genome contain 132 genes, 85 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 23 chloroplast genomes indicates that G. verticillata is closely related to Dendrocalamus latiflorus in Bambusodae.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Bambusa pervariabilis (Bambusodae).

Bambusa pervariabilis is mostly produced in south China; usually cultivated on the banks of the rivers and near villages. We determined the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of B. pervariabilis using Illumina sequencing data. The complete cp sequence is 139,393 bp, include large single-copy (LSC) region of 82,969 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,874 bp, a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 21,775 bp. Plastid genome contain 132 genes, 85 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 28 cp genomes indicates that B. pervariabilis is closely related to Bambusa multiplex in Bambusodae.

Synthesis and characterization of luminescent SiO2 @Eu(phen-Si) core-shell nanospheres.

Four core-shell structured nanometre luminescent composites with different kernel sizes and different shell layer thicknesses (SiO2(500) @Eu (phen-Si)(50) , SiO2(500) @Eu (phen-Si)(15) , SiO2(250) @Eu (phen-Si)(5) and SiO2(250) @Eu (phen-Si)(10) ) were made by changing synthesis conditions. Here, initial subscript numbers in parentheses refer to the particle size of the SiO2 core, whereas the final subscript numbers in parentheses refer to shell layer thickness. In these composites, silica spheres of 500 nm or 250 nm were identified as the core. The shell layer was composited of silicon, 1,10-phenanthroline and europium perchlorate, abbreviated as Eu(phen-Si); the chemical formula of phen-Si was phen-N-(CONH (CH2 )Si(OCH2 CH3 )3 )2 . The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and infrared spectroscopy. The monodispersed spherical SiO2 showed characteristics of a regular microstructure and a smooth surface, as well as the advantage of dispersity, shown by SEM. The Eu(phen-Si) complex was able to self-assemble into monodispersed SiO2 spheres, as seen using TEM. Fluorescence spectra indicated that the four composites had excellent luminescence properties. Furthermore, composites composed of a SiO2 core and a 250 nm kernel size exhibited stronger fluorescence than 500 nm kernel-sized composites. Fluorescence properties were affected by shell thickness: the thicker the shell, the greater the fluorescence intensity. For the four composites, quantum yield values and fluorescence lifetime corresponded to fluorescence emission intensity data as quantum yield values and fluorescence lifetime were higher, and luminescence properties increased.

Preparation, characterization and luminescence properties of core-shell ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)•L.

Two novel core-shell structure ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)·L(L:dipy/phen) nanometre luminescence materials were prepared by ternary terbium complexes Tb(MABA-Si)·L2·(ClO4)3·2H2O shell grafted onto the surface of SiO2 microspheres. And corresponding ternary terbium complexes were synthesized using (CONH(CH2)3Si(OCH2CH3)3)2 (denoted as MABA-Si) as first ligand and L as second ligand coordinated with terbium perchlorate. The as-synthesized products were characterized by means of IR spectra, 1HNMR, element analysis, molar conductivity, SEM and TEM. It was found that the first ligand MABA-Si of terbium ternary complex hydrolysed to generate the Si-OH and the Si-OH condensate with the Si-OH on the surface of SiO2 microspheres; then ligand MABA-Si grafted onto the surface of SiO2 microspheres. The diameter of SiO2 core of SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)·L was approximately 600 nm. Interestingly, the luminescence properties demonstrate that the two core-shell structure ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)Tb(MABA-Si)·L(dipy/phen) exhibit strong emission intensities, which are 2.49 and 3.35 times higher than that of the corresponding complexes Tb(MABA-Si)·L2·(ClO4)3·2H2O, respectively. Luminescence decay curves show that core-shell structure ternary terbium composites have longer lifetime. Excellent luminescence properties enable the core-shell materials to have potential applications in medicine, industry, luminescent fibres and various biomaterials fields.

Synthesis, characterization and luminescence of europium perchlorate with MABA-Si complex and coating structure SiO2 @Eu(MABA-Si) luminescence nanoparticles.

This article reports a novel category of coating structure SiO2 @Eu(MABA-Si) luminescence nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of a unique organic shell, composed of perchlorate europium(III) complex, and an inorganic core, composed of silica. The binary complex Eu(MABA-Si)3 ·(ClO4 )3 ·5H2 O was synthesized using HOOCC6 H4 N(CONH(CH2 )3 Si(OCH2 CH3 )3 )2 (MABA-Si) and was used as a ligand. Furthermore, the as-prepared silica NPs were successfully coated with the -Si(OCH2 CH3 )3 group of MABA-Si to form Si-O-Si chemical bonds by means of the hydrolyzation of MABA-Si. The binary complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity and coordination titration analysis. The results indicated that the composition of the binary complex was Eu(MABA-Si)3 ·(ClO4 )3 ·5H2 O. Coating structure SiO2 @Eu(MABA-Si) NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared (IR) spectra. Based on the SEM and TEM measurements, the diameter of core-SiO2 particles was ~400 and 600 nm, and the thickness of the cladding layer Eu(MABA-Si) was ~20 nm. In the binary complex Eu(MABA-Si)3 ·(ClO4 )3 ·5H2 O, the fluorescence spectra illustrated that the energy of the ligand MABA-Si transferred to the energy level for the excitation state of europium(III) ion. Coating structure SiO2 @Eu(MABA-Si) NPs exhibited intense red luminescence compared with the binary complex. The fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence quantum efficiency of the binary complex and of the coating structure NPs were also calculated. The way in which the size of core-SiO2 spheres influences the luminescence was also studied. Moreover, the luminescent mechanisms of the complex were studied and explained.

Fatsioside A­induced apoptotic death of HepG2 cells requires activation of AMP­activated protein kinase.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant types of human primary tumor and has a poor prognosis, therefore, the development of novel therapeutic modalities is necessary. Fatsioside A is a novel baccharane­type triterpenoid glycoside, which is extracted from the fruits of Fatsia japonica. Previous data has revealed that fatsioside A can exert growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and induce apoptosis in human glioma cells. However, no detailed investigations have been performed to determine its action on human hepatocellular cells, and the exact mechanisms underlying the induction of apoptosis remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticancer effect of fatsioside A in the HepG2 human HCC cell line, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms by focusing on the AMP­activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling cascade. The results of the present study demonstrated that fatsioside A induced apoptotic death of the human HepG2 HCC cells, which was associated with a marked activation of AMPK and increased expression of the downstream acetyl­CoA carboxylase carboxylase. Inhibition of AMPK by RNA interference or by its inhibitor, compound C, suppressed fatsioside A­induced caspase­3 cleavage and apoptosis in the HepG2 cells, while AICAR, the AMPK activator, elicited marked cytotoxic effects. Together, these results suggested that fatsioside A­induced apoptotic death requires AMPK activation in HepG2 cells.

Fluorescence emission mechanism and fluorescence properties of ternary Tb(III) complex with diphenyl sulphoxide and bipyridine.

A novel ternary complex, TbL(5) L'(ClO(4))(3) · 3H(2)O, two binary complexes, TbL(7) (ClO(4))(3) · 3H(2)O and TbL'(3.5) (ClO(4))(3) · 4H(2)O has been synthesized (using diphenyl sulphoxide as the first ligand L, bipyridine as the second ligand L'). Their composition was analysed by element analysis, coordination titration, IR spectra and (1) H-NMR, and the fluorescence emission mechanism, fluorescence intensities and phosphorescence spectra were also investigated by comparison. It was shown that the ternary rare-earth complex showed stronger fluorescence intensities than the binary rare-earth complexes in such material. The strongest characteristic fluorescence emission intensity of the ternary system was 8.23 times, 3.58 times as strong as that of the binary systems TbL(7) (ClO(4))(3) · 3H(2)O and TbL'(3.5) (ClO(4))(3) · 4H(2)O, respectively. By fluorescence analysis it was found that both diphenyl sulphoxide and bipyridine could sensitize the fluorescence intensities of rare-earth ions. In particular, in the ternary rare-earth complex, introduction of bipyridine was of benefit to the fluorescence properties of Tb(III).

[Effects of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) on the photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Tripterygium wilfordii seedlings exposed to low temperature].

Taking one year-old Tripterygium wilfordii cutting seedlings as test materials, this paper studied the effects of foliar spraying 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg x L(-1) of abscisic acid (ABA) on the leaf photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of the seedlings under low temperature stress. Spraying 20 mg x L(-1) of ABA increased the cold- resistance of the seedlings significantly, manifesting in the slowing down of the decrease amplitudes of leaf net photosynthetic rate (P(n)), transpiration rate (T(r)), stomatal conductance (g(s)), and intercellular CO2 concentration (C(i)) and the increase of photosynthetic capacity. After 6 days exposure to low temperature, the initial fluorescence (F(o)) decreased with increasing concentration of applied ABA, the maximum fluorescence (F(m)) and maximal photochemical yield (F(v)/F(m)) increased, the actual photochemical efficiency of system II (phi(PSII)) and photochemical quenching coefficient (q(P)) increased after an initial decrease, and the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (q(N)) showed a 'decreasing-increasing-decreasing' trend. The P(n), g(s), q(P), F(m), and F(v)/F(m) reached their peak values at 20 mg x L(-1) of ABA. In all treatments, with the increase of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), the relative electron transport rate (rETR) increased first and decreased then, reached the peak when the PAR was 395 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1), and the peak value of the rETR in treatments 25 and 20 mg x L(-1) of ABA was 17.1% and 5.2% higher than that of the control, respectively. The light response curves of the psi(PSII) decreased with increasing PAR, whereas those of q(N) performed in adverse.

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of lanthanide (III) perchlorate complexes with naphthyl-naphthalinesulphonylpropyl sulfoxide.

A ligand with double sulfinyl groups, naphthyl-naphthalinesulphonylpropyl sulfoxide(dinaphthyl disulfoxide, L), was synthesized by a new method and its several lanthanide (III) complexes were synthesized and characterized by element analysis, molar conductivity, coordination titration analysis, IR, TG-DTA, (1)HNMR and UV spectra. The composition of these complexes, were RE(2)(ClO(4))(6).(L)(5).nH(2)O (RE = La, Nd, Eu, Tb, Yb, n = 2 approximately 6, L = C(10)H(7)SOC(3)H(6)SOC(10)H(7)). The fluorescent spectra illustrated that the Eu (III) complex had an excellent luminescence. It was supposed that the ligand was benefited for transferring the energy from ligand to the excitation state energy level ((5)D(0)) of Eu (III). The Tb (III) complex displayed weak luminescence, which attributed to low energy transferring efficiency between the average triplet state energy level of ligand and the excited state ((5)D(4)) of Tb (III). So the Eu (III) complex displayed a good antenna effect for luminescence. The phosphorescence spectra and the relationship between fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence intensity were also discussed.