Characterization and development of 56 EST-SSR markers derived from the transcriptome of Odontobutis potamophila.

Expressed sequence tags (ETSs) are the sources of microsatellite development. In this study, we isolated and characterized microsatellite markers for Odontobutis potamophila by using Illumina RNA-sequencing. We sequenced a large number of ESTs and screened 200 potential microsatellites. Consequently, a total of 56 novel polymorphic microsatellite repeat markers were identified in thirty-two individuals from a wild population area (Jiande, Zhejiang Province, China). The number of alleles per locus varied from two to eight, the observed heterozygosity (HO) ranged from 0.03571 to 0.9375, and the expected heterozygosity (HE) ranged from 0.14326 to 0.81549. The average number of alleles, HO, and HE were 5.0, 0.4467, and 0.5518, respectively. By the calculation, the range of polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.1177-0.8492. Most of the loci showed moderate or high polymorphism. These newly developed EST-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers would serve as an efficient tool for analyzing population connectivity and provide sufficient information for genetic diversity research, parentage, and molecular breeding of O. potamophila and other fishes with similar genetic relationship.

Molecular dynamics simulations of end-grafted centipede-like polymers with stiff charged side chains.

We use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate centipede-like polymers with stiff charged side chains, end-grafted to a planar wall. The effect of the grafting density and the Bjerrum length on the conformational behaviour of the brush is examined in detail. In addition, we make a comparison of centipede-like polyelectrolyte (CPE) brushes with neutral centipede-like polymer (NCP) and linear polyelectrolyte (LPE) brushes. At weak electrostatic interaction, the main chains of the CPE chains adopt a strongly stretched conformation, and the monomer density profiles of side chains exhibit a clear oscillatory behaviour. With increasing Bjerrum length, the CPE brush undergoes a collapse transition. Compared to the CPE brushes, the counterion condensation effect is stronger for the LPE brushes, regardless of whether the electrostatic interaction is weak or strong and of whether the grafting density is low or high. Additionally, it is shown that the architecture of the grafted chains makes a weak contribution to the counterion condensation at strong electrostatic interaction. We also find that the electrostatic repulsion between charged side chains can enhance the stiffness of the main chains and thus limit the range of movement of the free-end monomers.

Boron deficiency alters cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and affects the cell wall components of pollen tubes in Malus domestica.

Boron (B) is essential for normal plant growth, including pollen tube growth. B deficiency influences various physiological and metabolic processes in plants. However, the underlying mechanism of B deficiency in pollen tube growth is not sufficiently understood. In the present research, the influence of B deficiency on apple (Malus domestica) pollen tube growth was studied and the possible regulatory mechanism evaluated. Apple pollen grains were cultured under different concentrations of B. Scanning ion-selective electrode technique, fluorescence labelling and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis were used to detect calcium ion flux, cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+ ]cyt), actin filaments and cell wall components of pollen tubes. B deficiency inhibited apple pollen germination and induced retardation of tube growth. B deficiency increased extracellular Ca2+ influx and thus led to increased [Ca2+ ]cyt in the pollen tube tip. In addition, B deficiency modified actin filament arrangement at the pollen tube apex. B deficiency also altered the deposition of pollen tube wall components. Clear differences were not observed in the distribution patterns of cellulose and callose between control and B deficiency treated pollen tubes. However, B deficiency affected distribution patterns of pectin and arabinogalactan proteins (AGP). Clear ring-like signals of pectins and AGP on control pollen tubes varied according to B deficiency. B deficiency further decreased acid pectins, esterified pectins and AGP content at the tip of the pollen tube, which were supported by changes in chemical composition of the tube walls. B appears to have an active role in pollen tube growth by affecting [Ca2+ ]cyt, actin filament assembly and pectin and AGP deposition in the pollen tube. These findings provide valuable information that enhances our current understanding of the mechanism regulating pollen tube growth.

Electric field modification of magnetism in Au/La2/3Ba1/3MnO3/Pt device.

The La2/3Ba1/3MnO3 film is deposited in a CMOS-compatible Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate with the oxygen pressure of 10 Pa for investigating magnetoelectric effect. Bipolar resistive switching effect with excellent endurance and retention is observed in this Au/La2/3Ba1/3MnO3/Pt device. Through this effect, a significant nonvolatile change of magnetization is obtained in this device as well. The change of magnetization can be understood by the break and repair of the -Mn(3+)-O(2-)-Mn(4+)- chains induced by the electric field through the oxygen vacancies migration. The resistance and magnetization of the Au/La2/3Ba1/3MnO3/Pt device can be simultaneously manipulated by the electric field, which makes it to be a promising candidate for the multifunctional memory devices.

A region-matching method for pulse transit time estimation: potential for improving the accuracy in determining carotid femoral pulse wave velocity.

Carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is the 'gold standard' for assessment of arterial stiffness. The reliability of cfPWV measurement depends on the estimation of pulse transit time (PTT). This study aimed to validate a region-matching method for determining PTT and cfPWV against the existing 'foot-to-foot' methods. A cohort of 81 subjects (33 males and 48 females) aged 25-80 (45.1±15.7 years) were studied. PTTs were estimated by the region matching and 'foot-to-foot' methods ('diastole minimum', 'maximum first derivative', 'maximum second derivative' and 'tangent intersection' methods) with manual identification as the reference method and were subsequently used to calculate cfPWV. In a subgroup of 30 individuals, the measurements were repeated after 1 h. There were excellent correlations between cfPWV obtained by the reference method and all the estimated methods (r>0.9, P<0.001 for all), except the diastole minimum method (r=0.793, P<0.001). The region-matching method yielded cfPWV with a better accuracy (mean difference=-0.161 m s(-1), limits of agreement: -0.79 to 0.46 m s(-1)) and repeatability (mean difference=-0.228 m s(-1), intraclass correlation coefficient=0.957) comparing with the 'foot-to-foot' methods. These results demonstrate that the proposed region-matching method is more accurate and suitable for PTT estimation and cfPWV measurement.

Electric field manipulation of magnetic and transport properties in SrRuO3/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 heterostructure.

The electric field manipulation of magnetic properties is currently of great interest for the opportunities provided in low-energy-consuming spintronics devices. Here, we report the effect of electric field on magnetic and transport properties of the ferromagnetic SrRuO(3) film which is epitaxially grown on Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O3-PbTiO(3) ferroelectric substrate. With the application of electric field on the substrate, the magnetization, Curie temperature and resistivity of SrRuO(3) are effectively modified. The mechanism of the electric field manipulation of these properties is ascribed to the rotations of RuO6 oxygen octahedra caused by the electric-field-induced strain, which changes the overlap and hybridization between the Ru 4d orbitals and O 2p orbitals, resulting in the modification of the magnetic and electronic properties.