Proton Relay for the Rate Enhancement of Electrochemical Hydrogen Reactions at Heterogeneous Interfaces.

Proton transfer is critically important to many electrocatalytic reactions, and directed proton delivery could open new avenues for the design of electrocatalysts. However, although this approach has been successful in molecular electrocatalysis, proton transfer has not received the same attention in heterogeneous electrocatalyst design. Here, we report that a metal oxide proton relay can be built within heterogeneous electrocatalyst architectures and improves the kinetics of electrochemical hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions. The volcano-type relationship between activity enhancement and pKa of amine additives confirms this improvement; we observe maximum rate enhancement when the pKa of a proton relay matches the pH of the electrolyte solution. Density-functional-theory-based reactivity studies reveal a decreased proton transfer energy barrier with a metal oxide proton relay. These findings demonstrate the possibility of controlling the proton delivery and enhancing the reaction kinetics by tuning the chemical properties and structures at heterogeneous interfaces.

Dual-function C2H2-type zinc-finger transcription factor GmZFP7 contributes to isoflavone accumulation in soybean.

Isoflavones are a class of secondary metabolites produced by legumes and play important roles in human health and plant stress tolerance. The C2H2 zinc-finger transcription factor (TF) functions in plant stress tolerance, but little is known about its function in isoflavone regulation in soybean (Glycine max). Here, we report a C2H2 zinc-finger TF gene, GmZFP7, which regulates isoflavone accumulation in soybean. Overexpressing GmZFP7 increased the isoflavone concentration in both transgenic hairy roots and plants. By contrast, silencing GmZFP7 expression significantly reduced isoflavone levels. Metabolomic and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that GmZFP7 can increase the flux of the phenylpropanoid pathway. Furthermore, dual-luciferase and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that GmZFP7 regulates isoflavone accumulation by influencing the expression of Isoflavone synthase 2 (GmIFS2) and Flavanone 3 ß-hydroxylase 1 (GmF3H1). In this study, we demonstrate that GmZFP7 contributes to isoflavone accumulation by regulating the expression of the gateway enzymes (GmIFS2 and GmF3H1) of competing phenylpropanoid pathway branches to direct the metabolic flux into isoflavone. A haplotype analysis indicated that important natural variations were present in GmZFP7 promoters, with P-Hap1 and P-Hap3 being the elite haplotypes. Our findings provide insight into how GmZFP7 regulates the phenylpropanoid pathway and enhances soybean isoflavone content.

Identification of genes for seed isoflavones based on bulk segregant analysis sequencing in soybean natural population.

KEY MESSAGE: We identified four hub genes for isoflavone biosynthesis based on BSA-seq and WGCNA methods and validated that GmIE3-1 positively contribute to isoflavone accumulation in soybean. Soybean isoflavones are secondary metabolites of great interest owing to their beneficial impact on human health. Herein, we profiled the seed isoflavone content by HPLC in 1551 soybean accessions grown in two locations for two years and constructed two extreme pools with high (4065.1 µg g-1) and low (1427.23 µg g-1) isoflavone contents to identify candidate genes involved in isoflavone biosynthesis pathways using bulk segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) approach. The results showed that the average sequencing depths were 50.3× and 65.7× in high and low pools, respectively. A total of 23,626 polymorphic SNPs and 5299 InDels were detected between both pools and 1492 genes with different variations were identified. Based on differential genes in BSA-seq and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), four hub genes, Glyma.06G290400 (designated as GmIE3-1), Glyma.01G239200, Glyma.01G241500, Glyma.13G256100 were identified, encoding E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, arm repeat protein interacting with ABF2, zinc metallopeptidase EGY3, and dynamin-related protein 3A, respectively. The allelic variation in GmIE3-1 showed a significant influence on isoflavone accumulation. The virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and RNAi hairy root transformation of GmIE3-1 revealed partial suppression of this gene could cause a significant decrease (P < 0.0001) of total isoflavone content, suggesting GmIE3-1 is a positive regulator for isoflavones. The present study demonstrated that the BSA-seq approach combined with WGCNA, VIGS and hairy root transformation can efficiently identify isoflavone candidate genes in soybean natural population.

Identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for seed folate content in soybean.

KEY MESSAGE: From 61 QTL mapped, a stable QTL cluster of 992 kb was discovered on chromosome 5 for folate content and a putative candidate gene, Glyma.05G237500, was identified. Folate (vitamin B9) is one of the most essential micronutrients whose deficiencies lead to various health defects in humans. Herein, we mapped the quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying seed folate content in soybean using recombinant inbred lines developed from cultivars, ZH35 and ZH13, across four environments. We identified 61 QTL on 12 chromosomes through composite interval mapping, with phenotypic variance values ranging from 1.68 to 24.68%. A major-effect QTL cluster (qFo-05) was found on chromosome 5, spanning 992 kb and containing 134 genes. Through gene annotation and single-locus haplotyping analysis of qFo-05 in a natural soybean population, we identified seven candidate genes significantly associated with 5MTHF and total folate content in multiple environments. RNA-seq analysis showed a unique expression pattern of a hemerythrin RING zinc finger gene, Glyma.05G237500, between both parental cultivars during seed development, which suggest the gene might regulate folate content in soybean. This is the first study to investigate QTL underlying folate content in soybean and provides new insight for molecular breeding to improve folate content in soybean.

Identification of characteristic aroma compounds for spicy in Iris lactea var. chinensis.

Iris lactea var. chinensis (Fisch.) Koidz has a unique floral fragrance that differs from that of other Iris spp.; however, its characteristic aroma composition remains unknown. This study aimed to identify the floral fragrance components of I. lactea var. chinensis during different flowering stages using headspace solid-phase microextraction in conjunction with gas chromatography mass spectrometry, electronic nose, and sensory evaluation. During the three flowering phases (bud stage, bloom stage, and decay stage), 70 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including 13 aldehydes, 13 esters, 11 alcohols, 10 alkanes, 8 ketones, 7 terpenes, 7 benzenoids, and 1 nitrogenous compound, were identified. According to principal component analysis, the primary VOCs were (-)-pinene, ß-irone, methyl heptenone, phenylethanol, hexanol, and 2-pinene. A comparison of the differential VOCs across the different flowering stages using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that 3-carene appeared only in the bud stage, whereas hexanol, ethyl caprate, ethyl caproate, linalool, (-)-pinene, and 2-pinene appeared or were present at significantly increased levels during the bloom stage. The phenylethanol, methyl heptenone, 3-methylheptane, and ß-irone reached a peak in the decay stage. The odor activity value and sensory evaluation suggested that "spicy" is the most typical odor of I. lactea var. chinensis, mainly due to 2-methoxy-3-sec-butylpyrazine, which is rare in floral fragrances.

Testosterone supplementation improves estrogen synthesis of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) granulosa cells.

Granulosa cells (GCs) synthesize estrogens needed for follicular growth. However, the effects of androgen on estrogen production in buffalo GCs remain unclear. In this study, the impacts of testosterone on estrogen synthesis in buffalo GCs were examined. The results showed that testosterone that was added to cell medium at a concentration of 10-7 mol/L and applied to GCs for 48 or 72 h enhanced the estrogen synthesis of buffalo GCs. This study provides a theoretical basis for further exploration of ovarian endocrine mechanism for steroidogenesis.

Vasorin deficiency leads to cardiac hypertrophy by targeting MYL7 in young mice.

Vasorin (VASN) is an important transmembrane protein associated with development and disease. However, it is not clear whether the death of mice with VASN deficiency (VASN-/- ) is related to cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this research was to ascertain whether VASN induces pathological cardiac hypertrophy by targeting myosin light chain 7 (MYL7). VASN-/- mice were produced by CRISPR/Cas9 technology and inbreeding. PCR amplification, electrophoresis, real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to confirm VASN deficiency. Cardiac hypertrophy was examined by blood tests, histological analysis and real-time PCR, and key downstream factors were identified by RNA sequencing and real-time PCR. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy analysis were used to confirm the downregulation of MYL7 production and cardiac structural changes. Our results showed that sudden death of VASN-/- mice occurred 21-28 days after birth. The obvious increases in cardiovascular risk, heart weight and myocardial volume and the upregulation of hypertrophy marker gene expression indicated that cardiac hypertrophy may be the cause of death in young VASN-/- mice. Transcriptome analysis revealed that VASN deficiency led to MYL7 downregulation, which induced myocardial structure abnormalities and disorders. Our results revealed a pathological phenomenon in which VASN deficiency may lead to cardiac hypertrophy by downregulating MYL7 production. However, more research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

The pheromone affects reproductive physiology and behavior by regulating hormone in juvenile mice.

Pheromones could promote hormone secretions and regulate sexual behavior. It was unclear whether multiparous pheromone could induce variations in puberty. The aim was to ascertain whether pheromone in urine of multiparous females induced central precocious puberty (CPP) in juvenile C57BL/6J females. The precocious puberty was examined by vaginal smear, lordosis reaction, HE stain, and ELISA analysis. Results suggested that the first vaginal opening and the first estrus were significantly earlier. The time interval of the first vaginal opening and estrus was significantly shortened. It was interesting that the first estrus was significantly correlated with the first vaginal opening and the time interval of the first estrus. In the first estrus, female lordosis reaction, the number of mature follicles, and the weight of the ovary and uterus significantly increased. The level of luteinizing hormones also significantly increased. Thus, multiparous pheromone can regulate sex hormone to induce CPP in juvenile C57BL/6J females.

Vasorin contributes to lung injury via FABP4-mediated inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Lung injury caused by pulmonary inflammation is one of the main manifestations of respiratory diseases. Vasorin (VASN) is a cell-surface glycoprotein encoded by the VASN gene and is expressed in the lungs of developing mouse foetuses. Previous research has revealed that VASN is associated with many diseases. However, its exact function in the lungs and the underlying mechanism remain poorly understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in lung disease caused by VASN deficiency, a VASN gene knockout (VASN-/-) model was established. The pathological changes in the lungs of VASN-/- mice were similar to those in a lung injury experimental mouse model. We further analysed the transcriptomes of the lungs of VASN-/- mice and wild-type mice. Genes in twenty-four signalling pathways were enriched in the lungs of VASN-/- mice, among which PPAR signalling pathway genes (3 genes, FABP4, Plin1, AdipoQ, were upregulated, while apoA5 was downregulated) were found to be closely related to lung injury. The most significantly changed lung injury-related gene, FABP4, was selected for further verification. The mRNA and protein levels of FABP4 were significantly increased in the lungs of VASN-/- mice, as were the mRNA and protein levels of the inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that these data provide molecular evidence for the regulatory role of VASN in inflammation in the context of lung injury.

Sugar Blowing-Induced Porous Cobalt Phosphide/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanostructures with Enhanced Electrochemical Oxidation Performance toward Water and Other Small Molecules.

Rational design of high active and robust nonprecious metal catalysts with excellent catalytic efficiency in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is extremely vital for making the water splitting process more energy efficient and economical. Among these noble metal-free catalysts, transition-metal-based nanomaterials are considered as one of the most promising OER catalysts due to their relatively low-cost intrinsic activities, high abundance, and diversity in terms of structure and morphology. Herein, a facile sugar-blowing technique and low-temperature phosphorization are reported to generate 3D self-supported metal involved carbon nanostructures, which are termed as Co2 P@Co/nitrogen-doped carbon (Co2 P@Co/N-C). By capitalizing on the 3D porous nanostructures with high surface area, homogeneously dispersed active sites, the intimate interaction between active sites, and 3D N-doped carbon, the resultant Co2 P@Co/N-C exhibits satisfying OER performance superior to CoO@Co/N-C, delivering 10 mA cm-2 at overpotential of 0.32 V. It is worth noting that in contrast to the substantial current density loss of RuO2 , Co2 P@Co/N-C shows much enhanced catalytic activity during the stability test and a 1.8-fold increase in current density is observed after stability test. Furthermore, the obtained Co2 P@Co/N-C can also be served as an excellent nonprecious metal catalyst for methanol and glucose electrooxidation in alkaline media, further extending their potential applications.

High-resolution mapping of QTL for fatty acid composition in soybean using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing.

KEY MESSAGE: We constructed a high-density linkage map comprising 3541 markers developed by specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing, and identified 26 stable QTL including nine novel loci, for fatty acid composition in soybean. Soybean oil quality and stability are mainly determined by the fatty acid composition of the seed. In the present study, we constructed a high-density genetic linkage map using 200 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between cultivated soybean varieties Luheidou2 and Nanhuizao, and SNP markers developed by specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq). This map comprises 3541 markers on 20 linkage groups and spans a genetic distance of 2534.42 cM, with an average distance of 0.72 cM between adjacent markers. Inclusive composite interval mapping revealed 26 stable QTL for five fatty acids, explaining 0.4-37.0% of the phenotypic variance for individual fatty acids across environments. Of these QTL, nine are novel loci (qLA1, qLNA2_1, qPA4_1, qLA4_1, qPA6_1, qSA12_1, qPA16_1, qOA18_1, and qFA19_1). These stable QTL harbor three fatty acid biosynthesis genes (GmFabG, GmACP, and GmFAD8), and 66 genes encoding lipid-related transcription factors. These stable QTL and tightly linked SNP markers can be used for marker-assisted selection in soybean breeding programs.

Key Roles of Lewis Acid-Base Pairs on ZnxZryOz in Direct Ethanol/Acetone to Isobutene Conversion.

The effects of surface acidity on the cascade ethanol-to-isobutene conversion were studied using ZnxZryOz catalysts. The ethanol-to-isobutene reaction was found to be limited by the secondary reaction of the key intermediate, acetone, namely the acetone-to-isobutene reaction. Although the catalysts with coexisting Brønsted acidity could catalyze the rate-limiting acetone-to-isobutene reaction, the presence of Brønsted acidity is also detrimental. First, secondary isobutene isomerization is favored, producing a mixture of butene isomers. Second, undesired polymerization and coke formation prevail, leading to rapid catalyst deactivation. Most importantly, both steady-state and kinetic reaction studies as well as FTIR analysis of adsorbed acetone-d6 and D2O unambiguously showed that a highly active and selective nature of balanced Lewis acid-base pairs was masked by the coexisting Brønsted acidity in the aldolization and self-deoxygenation of acetone to isobutene. As a result, ZnxZryOz catalysts with only Lewis acid-base pairs were discovered, on which nearly a theoretical selectivity to isobutene (∼ 88.9%) was successfully achieved, which has never been reported before. Moreover, the absence of Brønsted acidity in such ZnxZryOz catalysts also eliminates the side isobutene isomerization and undesired polymerization/coke reactions, resulting in the production of high purity isobutene with significantly improved catalyst stability (<2% activity loss after 200 h time-on-stream). This work not only demonstrates a balanced Lewis acid-base pair for the highly active and selective cascade ethanol-to-isobutene reaction but also sheds light on the rational design of selective and robust acid-base catalyst for C-C coupling via aldolization reaction.

Catalytic fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass.

Increasing energy demand, especially in the transportation sector, and soaring CO2 emissions necessitate the exploitation of renewable sources of energy. Despite the large variety of new energy carriers, liquid hydrocarbon still appears to be the most attractive and feasible form of transportation fuel taking into account the energy density, stability and existing infrastructure. Biomass is an abundant, renewable source of energy; however, utilizing it in a cost-effective way is still a substantial challenge. Lignocellulose is composed of three major biopolymers, namely cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Fast pyrolysis of biomass is recognized as an efficient and feasible process to selectively convert lignocellulose into a liquid fuel-bio-oil. However bio-oil from fast pyrolysis contains a large amount of oxygen, distributed in hundreds of oxygenates. These oxygenates are the cause of many negative properties, such as low heating value, high corrosiveness, high viscosity, and instability; they also greatly limit the application of bio-oil particularly as transportation fuel. Hydrocarbons derived from biomass are most attractive because of their high energy density and compatibility with the existing infrastructure. Thus, converting lignocellulose into transportation fuels via catalytic fast pyrolysis has attracted much attention. Many studies related to catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass have been published. The main challenge of this process is the development of active and stable catalysts that can deal with a large variety of decomposition intermediates from lignocellulose. This review starts with the current understanding of the chemistry in fast pyrolysis of lignocellulose and focuses on the development of catalysts in catalytic fast pyrolysis. Recent progress in the experimental studies on catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass is also summarized with the emphasis on bio-oil yields and quality.

Construction of a high-density genetic map based on large-scale markers developed by specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) and its application to QTL analysis for isoflavone content in Glycine max.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping is an efficient approach to discover the genetic architecture underlying complex quantitative traits. However, the low density of molecular markers in genetic maps has limited the efficiency and accuracy of QTL mapping. In this study, specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq), a new high-throughput strategy for large-scale SNP discovery and genotyping based on next generation sequencing (NGS), was employed to construct a high-density soybean genetic map using recombinant inbred lines (RILs, Luheidou2×Nanhuizao, F5:8). With this map, the consistent QTLs for isoflavone content across various environments were identified. RESULTS: In total, 23 Gb of data containing 87,604,858 pair-end reads were obtained. The average coverage for each SLAF marker was 11.20-fold for the female parent, 12.51-fold for the male parent, and an average of 3.98-fold for individual RILs. Among the 116,216 high-quality SLAFs obtained, 9,948 were polymorphic. The final map consisted of 5,785 SLAFs on 20 linkage groups (LGs) and spanned 2,255.18 cM in genome size with an average distance of 0.43 cM between adjacent markers. Comparative genomic analysis revealed a relatively high collinearity of 20 LGs with the soybean reference genome. Based on this map, 41 QTLs were identified that contributed to the isoflavone content. The high efficiency and accuracy of this map were evidenced by the discovery of genes encoding isoflavone biosynthetic enzymes within these loci. Moreover, 11 of these 41 QTLs (including six novel loci) were associated with isoflavone content across multiple environments. One of them, qIF20-2, contributed to a majority of isoflavone components across various environments and explained a high amount of phenotypic variance (8.7%-35.3%). This represents a novel major QTL underlying isoflavone content across various environments in soybean. CONCLUSIONS: Herein, we reported a high-density genetic map for soybean. This map exhibited high resolution and accuracy. It will facilitate the identification of genes and QTLs underlying essential agronomic traits in soybean. The novel major QTL for isoflavone content is useful not only for further study on the genetic basis of isoflavone accumulation, but also for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in soybean breeding in the future.

Isoflavone Content of Soybean Cultivars from Maturity Group 0 to VI Grown in Northern and Southern China.

Soybean isoflavone content has long been considered to be a desirable trait to target in selection programs for their contribution to human health and plant defense systems. The objective of this study was to determine isoflavone concentrations of various soybean cultivars from maturity groups 0 to VI grown in various environments and to analyze their relationship to other important seed characters. Forty soybean cultivars were grown in replicated trials at Wuhan and Beijing of China in 2009/2010 and their individual and total isoflavone concentrations were determined by HPLC. Their yield and quality traits were also concurrently analyzed. The isoflavone components had abundant genetic variation in soybean seed, with a range of coefficient variation from 45.01% to 69.61%. Moreover, individual and total isoflavone concentrations were significantly affected by cultivar, maturity group, site and year. Total isoflavone concentration ranged from 551.15 to 7584.07 µg g-1, and averaged 2972.64 µg g-1 across environments and cultivars. There was a similar trend regarding the isoflavone contents, in which a lower isoflavone concentration was generally presented in early rather than late maturing soybean cultivars. In spite of significant cultivar × year × site interactions, cultivars with consistently high or low isoflavone concentrations across environments were identified, indicating that a genetic factor plays the most important role for isoflavone accumulation. The total isoflavone concentration had significant positive correlations with plant height, effective branches, pods per plant, seeds per plant, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, while significant negative correlations with oleic acid and oil content, indicating that isoflavone concentration can be predicted as being associated with other desirable seed characteristics.

Testosterone Supplementation Promotes Estrogen Synthesis of Buffalo Cumulus Cells Surrounding In Vitro-Matured Oocytes.

Cumulus cells (CCs) synthesize estrogens that are essential for follicular development. However, the effects of androgen on estrogen production in buffalo CCs remain unknown. In the present study, the impacts of testosterone on estrogen synthesis of buffalo CCs surrounding in vitro-matured oocytes were investigated. The results showed that testosterone supplementation improved both the expression levels of estrogen synthesis-related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1, and 17ß-HSD) and the secretion levels of estradiol in buffalo CCs surrounding in vitro-matured oocytes. Furthermore, testosterone treatment enhanced the sensitivity of buffalo CCs surrounding in vitro-matured oocytes to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This study indicated that testosterone supplementation promoted the estrogen synthesis of buffalo CCs surrounding in vitro-matured oocytes mainly through strengthening the responsiveness of CCs to FSH. The present study serves as a foundation of acquiring high-quality recipient oocytes for buffalo somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Confined dual Lewis acid centers for selective cascade C-C coupling and deoxygenation.

The selective formation of C-C bonds, coupled with effective removal of oxygen, plays a crucial role in the process of upgrading biomass-derived oxygenates into fuels and chemicals. However, co-feeding reactants with water is sometimes necessary to assist binding sites in catalytic reactions, thereby achieving desirable performance. Here, we report the design of a CeSnBeta catalyst featuring dual Lewis acidic sites for the efficient production of isobutene from acetone via C-C coupling followed by deoxygenation. By incorporating Ce species onto SnBeta, which was synthesized through liquid-phase grafting of dealuminated Beta, we created confined dual Lewis acidic centers within Beta zeolites. The cooperative action of Ce species and framework Sn sites within this confined environment enabled selective catalysis of the acetone-to-isobutene cascade reactions, showcasing enhanced stability even without the presence of water.

A Mesoporous Silica-Loaded Multi-Functional Hydrogel Enhanced Tendon Healing via Immunomodulatory and Pro-Regenerative Effects.

Tendon injuries are pervasive orthopedic injuries encountered by the general population. Nonetheless, recovery after severe injuries, such as Achilles tendon injury, is limited. Consequently, there is a pressing need to devise interventions, including biomaterials, that foster tendon healing. Regrettably, tissue engineering treatments have faced obstacles in crafting appropriate tissue scaffolds and efficacious nanomedical approaches. To surmount these hurdles, an innovative injectable hydrogel (CP@SiO2), comprising puerarin and chitosan through in situ self-assembly, is pioneered while concurrently delivering mesoporous silica nanoparticles for tendon healing. In this research, CP@SiO2 hydrogel is employed for the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries, conducting extensive in vivo and in vitro experiments to evaluate its efficacy. This reults demonstrates that CP@SiO2 hydrogel enhances the proliferation and differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells, and mitigates inflammation through the modulation of macrophage polarization. Furthermore, using histological and behavioral analyses, it is found that CP@SiO2 hydrogel can improve the histological and biomechanical properties of injured tendons. This findings indicate that this multifaceted injectable CP@SiO2 hydrogel constitutes a suitable bioactive material for tendon repair and presents a promising new strategy for the clinical management of tendon injuries.

Bimetallic catalysts for hydrogen generation.

Research interest in bimetallic catalysts is mainly due to their tunable chemical/physical properties by a number of parameters like composition and morphostructure. In catalysis, numerous bimetallic catalysts have been shown to exhibit unique properties which are distinct from those of their monometallic counterparts. To meet the growing energy demand while mitigating the environmental concerns, numerous endeavors have been made to seek green and sustainable energy resources, among which hydrogen has been identified as the most promising one with bimetallic catalysts playing important roles. This tutorial review intends to summarize recent progress in bimetallic catalysts for hydrogen production, specifically focusing on that of reforming technologies as well as the relevant processes like water-gas shift (WGS) and CO preferential oxidation (PROX), and emphasizing on the fundamental understanding of the nature of catalytic sites responsible for generating high purity hydrogen and minimizing carbon monoxide formation. Meanwhile, some important synthesis and characterization methods of bimetallic catalysts developed so far are also summarized.

Hypoxia enhances steroidogenic competence of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) granulosa cells.

Granulosa cells (GCs) synthesize estrogens needed for follicular growth. However, the effects of hypoxia on steroidogenesis in buffalo GCs remain unclear. In this study, the impacts of hypoxic conditions (5% oxygen) on estrogen synthesis in buffalo GCs were examined. The results showed that hypoxia improved both the expression levels of estrogen synthesis-related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1, and 3ß-HSD) and the secretion levels of estradiol in buffalo GCs. Hypoxic conditions promoted the sensitivity of buffalo GCs to FSH. Furthermore, inhibition of cAMP/PKA signaling pathway (H89, a cAMP/PKA signaling pathway inhibitor) reduced both the expression levels of estrogen synthesis-related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1, and 3ß-HSD) and the secretion levels of estradiol in hypoxia-cultured buffalo GCs. Besides, inhibition of cAMP/PKA signaling pathway lowered the responsiveness of buffalo GCs to FSH under hypoxic conditions. The present study indicated that hypoxia enhanced the steroidogenic competence of buffalo GCs principal by affecting cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and subsequent sensitivity of GCs to FSH.