Genome-wide identification, characterization, evolution and expression analysis of the DIR gene family in potato (Solanum tuberosum).

The dirigent (DIR) gene is a key player in environmental stress response and has been identified in many multidimensional tube plant species. However, there are few studies on the StDIR gene in potato. In this study, we used genome-wide identification to identify 31 StDIR genes in potato. Among the 12 potato chromosomes, the StDIR gene was distributed on 11 chromosomes, among which the third chromosome did not have a family member, while the tenth chromosome had the most members with 11 members. 22 of the 31 StDIRs had a classical DIR gene structure, with one exon and no intron. The conserved DIR domain accounts for most of the proteins in the 27 StDIRs. The structure of the StDIR gene was analyzed and ten different motifs were detected. The StDIR gene was divided into three groups according to its phylogenetic relationship, and 22 duplicate genes were identified. In addition, four kinds of cis-acting elements were detected in all 31 StDIR promoter regions, most of which were associated with biotic and abiotic stress. The findings demonstrated that the StDIR gene exhibited specific responses to cold stress, salt stress, ABA, and drought stress. This study provides new candidate genes for improving potato's resistance to stress.

Optimization of surface enhanced Raman scattering performance based on Ag nanoparticle-modified vanadium-titanium nanorods with tunable nanogaps.

The combination of new noble metal nanomaterials and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology has become a new strategy to solve the problem of low sensitivity in the detection of traditional Chinese medicine. In this work, taking natural cicada wing (C.w.) as a template, by optimizing the magnetron sputtering experimental parameters for the growth of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on vanadium-titanium (V-Ti) nanorods, the nanogaps between the nanorods were effectively regulated and the Raman signal intensity of the Ag15/V-Ti20/C.w. substrate was improved. The proposed homogeneous nanostructure exhibited high SERS activity through the synergistic effect of the electromagnetic enhancement mechanism at the nanogaps between the Ag NPs modified V-Ti nanorods. The analytical enhancement factor (AEF) value was as high as 1.819 × 108, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 1 × 10-11 M for R6G. The large-scale distribution of regular electromagnetic enhancement "hot spots" ensured the good reproducibility with the relative standard deviation (RSD) value less than 7.31%. More importantly, the active compound of Artemisinin corresponded the pharmacological effect of Artemisia annua was screened out by SERS technology, and achieved a LOD of 0.01 mg/l. This reliable preparation technology was practically applicable to produce SERS-active substrates in detection of pharmacodynamic substance in traditional Chinese medicine.

Production of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Seed Tuber under Artificial LED Light Irradiation in Plant Factory.

Plant production in a plant factory is an innovative and smart idea to grow food anytime, anywhere, regardless of the outer environment. However, potato pre-basic seed tuber (PBST) production in a plant factory is a comparatively new initiative. Therefore, the aim of this study was to optimize the artificial LED light spectrum to produce PBST in a plant factory. Two potato varieties such as Golden king (V48) and Chungang (V41) were grown in soil substrate under different combination of artificial LED light combinations (such as red+blue+far-red, red+blue+white, blue+far-red, blue+white, red+far-red, and red+white) maintaining photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 100 mol m-2s-1, temperature 23/15 °C (day/night), and relative humidity 70%. The study revealed that, overall, potato plant growth (viz.; plant height, node number, leaf number, leaf length and width, fresh and dry weight) was enhanced by the red+far red light for both potato varieties. The total seed tuber number per plant was higher in red+blue+white light for V48, and red+far-red for V41. The fresh tuber weight was the highest in the red+blue+far-red light for V48 and red+blue+white for V41. The highest accumulated photosynthetic pigment (total Chlorophyll, Chlorophyll a, b and Carotenoid) was observed in red+blue+white light for both varieties. The total carbohydrate content and total sucrose content were higher in red+blue+far red and red +far red light treatment for V48 and V41, respectively. Finally, considering all factors, it is concluded that the red+blue+white light combination is deemed to be appropriate for the potato PBST production in plant factory conditions.

Lifeceramics-treated water reduces serum uric acid levels and improves hemorheological activity in hyperuricemic rats.

Lifeceramics (LC) is made of zeolite and oyster shell and is hypothesized to act as an anti-oxidative agent. In the present study, the effects of LC-treated water (LC water) on the concentration of serum uric acid (SUA) and the hemorheological parameters in male rats with hyperuricemia (HUA) was assessed. To prepare LC water, distilled water was mixed with LC particles. HUA was induced in rats by daily potassium oxonate (PO) injection (250 mg/kg). The PO-injected rats were separated into three different groups and were administered distilled water (PO rats), allopurinol [a xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitor] solution [PO + allopurinol (AP) rats] or LC water (PO+LC rats) by gavage. Control rats were intraperitoneally injected with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution and administered untreated distilled water by gavage. After injection and gavage for 5 weeks, the SUA concentration, hemorheology index and antioxidant index were measured. The SUA concentration and blood deformation index of the PO rats were significantly higher and lower, respectively, compared with the control rats. However, in the PO+LC rats, the SUA concentration and blood deformation index decreased and increased, respectively, to a level similar to that of the control as well as that in the PO+AP rats. Furthermore, the PO-induced increase in XOD activity was suppressed by combined treatment with LC water, resulting in a decrease in malondialdehyde concentration. These results suggest that LC water can reduce the SUA concentration, increase serum antioxidant activity and improve hemorheological activity in hyperuricemic rats.

[Research on Hemorheology in Rats with Acute Hyperuricemia].

Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for various diseases, but knowledge on acute hyperuricemia is still not sufficient. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of acute hyperuricemia on red blood cells from hemorheological point of view, and to provide the reference for clinical treatment. The rats were gavaged with 500 mg/kg hypoxanthine and intraperitoneally injected with 100 mg/kg oxonate to induce the model of acute hyperuricemia. The same volume of blood samples were drawn within time period of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 6 h, respectively, from the inner canthus of rats to measure the serum uric acid, hemorheological parameters and the malondialdehyde level. It was found that in each period of 1, 2 and 3 h, the rats had significantly higher levels of uric acid. The integrated deformation index and relax index were increased. The hemolysis rate was significantly reduced. The plasma malondialdehyde level was obviously decreased at the end of 2 h. The results suggested that short-term elevated uric acid could improve the hemorheological parameters and the lipid oxidative level in red blood cells.