(-)-Loliolide is a general signal of plant stress that activates jasmonate-related responses.

The production of defensive metabolites in plants can be induced by signaling chemicals released by neighboring plants. Induction is mainly known from volatile aboveground signals, with belowground signals and their underlying mechanisms largely unknown. We demonstrate that (-)-loliolide triggers defensive metabolite responses to competitors, herbivores, and pathogens in seven plant species. We further explore the transcriptional responses of defensive pathways to verify the signaling role of (-)-loliolide in wheat and rice models with well-known defensive metabolites and gene systems. In response to biotic and abiotic stressors, (-)-loliolide is produced and secreted by roots. This, in turn, induces the production of defensive compounds including phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, benzoxazinoids, and cyanogenic glycosides, regardless of plant species. (-)-Loliolide also triggers the expression of defense-related genes, accompanied by an increase in the concentration of jasmonic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ). Transcriptome profiling and inhibitor incubation indicate that (-)-loliolide-induced defense responses are regulated through pathways mediated by jasmonic acid, H2 O2 , and Ca 2+ . These findings argue that (-)-loliolide functions as a common belowground signal mediating chemical defense in plants. Such perception-dependent plant chemical defenses will yield critical insights into belowground signaling interactions.

Root placement patterns in allelopathic plant-plant interactions.

Plants actively respond to their neighbors by altering root placement patterns. Neighbor-modulated root responses involve root detection and interactions mediated by root-secreted functional metabolites. However, chemically mediated root placement patterns and their underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We used an allelopathic wheat model system challenged with 60 target species to identify root placement responses in window rhizobox experiments. We then tested root responses and their biochemical mechanisms in incubation experiments involving the addition of activated carbon and functional metabolites with amyloplast staining and auxin localization in roots. Wheat and each target species demonstrated intrusive, avoidant or unresponsive root placement, resulting in a total of nine combined patterns. Root placement patterns were mediated by wheat allelochemicals and (-)-loliolide signaling of neighbor species. In particular, (-)-loliolide triggered wheat allelochemical production that altered root growth and placement, degraded starch grains in the root cap and induced uneven distribution of auxin in target species roots. Root placement patterns in wheat-neighbor interactions were perception dependent and species dependent. Signaling (-)-loliolide induced the production and release of wheat allelochemicals that modulated root placement patterns. Therefore, root placement patterns are generated by both signaling chemicals and allelochemicals in allelopathic plant-plant interactions.

Clinical Application of Chromosomal Microarray Analysis in Pregnant Women with Advanced Maternal Age and Fetuses with Ultrasonographic Soft Markers.

BACKGROUND In pregnant women with advanced maternal age (AMA) and fetuses with ultrasonographic (USG) soft markers it is always challenging to decide whether to implement chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) or not. It is unclear whether CMA should be used in the fetuses with isolated USG soft markers, and there is still a lack of extensive sample research. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 1521 cases in our research and divided them into 3 groups as follows: pregnant women with isolated AMA (group 1, n=633), pregnant women whose fetuses had isolated USG soft markers (group 2, n=750), and pregnant women with AMA whose fetuses had isolated USG soft markers (group 3, n=138). All pregnant women underwent prenatal ultrasound and amniocentesis, and fetal cells in the amniotic fluid were used for genetic analysis of CMA. All participants signed a written informed consent prior to CMA. RESULTS Abnormal findings were detected by CMA in 330 (21.70%) fetuses, including 37 (2.43%) clinically significant copy number variations (CNVs), 52 (3.42%) benign or likely benign CNVs, and 240 (15.78%) variants of unknown significance. The frequency of clinically significant CNVs in group 1 and group 2 were significantly lower than that in group 3 (2.37% and 2.0% vs 5.07%, P<0.01). More than a half (59.46%, 22/37) of the pregnant women decided to continue their pregnancy despite having a fetus diagnosed with clinically significant CNV. CONCLUSIONS CMA can increase the diagnostic yield of fetal chromosomal abnormality for pregnant women with isolated AMA or/and their fetuses had isolated USG soft markers.

Whole-Transcriptome RNA Sequencing Reveals Significant Differentially Expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs and Related Regulating Biological Pathways in the Peripheral Blood of COVID-19 Patients.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was initially identified in China and currently worldwide dispersed, resulting in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Notably, COVID-19 is characterized by systemic inflammation. However, the potential mechanisms of the "cytokine storm" of COVID-19 are still limited. In this study, fourteen peripheral blood samples from COVID-19 patients (n = 10) and healthy donors (n = 4) were collected to perform the whole-transcriptome sequencing. Lung tissues of COVID-19 patients (70%) presenting with ground-glass opacity. Also, the leukocytes and lymphocytes were significantly decreased in COVID-19 compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In total, 25,482 differentially expressed messenger RNAs (DE mRNA), 23 differentially expressed microRNAs (DE miRNA), and 410 differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (DE lncRNAs) were identified in the COVID-19 samples compared to the healthy controls. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that the upregulated DE mRNAs were mainly involved in antigen processing and presentation of endogenous antigen, positive regulation of T cell mediated cytotoxicity, and positive regulation of gamma-delta T cell activation. The downregulated DE mRNAs were mainly concentrated in the glycogen biosynthetic process. We also established the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of up/downregulated DE mRNAs and identified 4 modules. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that these module targets were associated with positive regulation of cytokine production, cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, leukocyte differentiation, and migration. A total of 6 hub genes were selected in the PPI module networks including AKT1, TNFRSF1B, FCGR2A, CXCL8, STAT3, and TLR2. Moreover, a competing endogenous RNA network showed the interactions between lncRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs. Our results highlight the potential pathogenesis of excessive cytokine production such as MSTRG.119845.30/hsa-miR-20a-5p/TNFRSF1B, MSTRG.119845.30/hsa-miR-29b-2-5p/FCGR2A, and MSTRG.106112.2/hsa-miR-6501-5p/STAT3 axis, which may also play an important role in the development of ground-glass opacity in COVID-19 patients. This study gives new insights into inflammation regulatory mechanisms of coding and noncoding RNAs in COVID-19, which may provide novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic avenues for COVID-19 patients.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Tibetan sheep breeds determined by whole genome resequencing.

Tibetan sheep is one of primitive Chinese sheep breeds, which achieved the divergence about 2500 years ago in Qinghai plateau region. According to different geographic conditions, especially altitudes, Tibetan sheep evolved into different breeds. In this study, we performed whole genome resequencing of 5 representative Tibetan sheep breeds. Comparative genomic analysis showed that they can be divided into different clades with a close genetic relationship. However, some genes with common selective regions were enriched for hypoxic adaptability in different breeds living at higher altitude, including GHR, BMP15, and CPLANE1. Furthermore, breed-specific selective regions about physical characteristics, especially wool growth, were found in genes such as BSND, USP24, NCAPG, and LCORL. This study could contribute to our understanding about trait formation and offer a reference for breeding of Tibetan sheep.

(-)-Loliolide, the most ubiquitous lactone, is involved in barnyardgrass-induced rice allelopathy.

Neighbor detection and allelochemical response are important mediators in plant-plant interactions. Although there is increasing knowledge about plant allelochemicals released in response to the presence of competitors and involved in neighbor-derived signaling, less is known about which signaling chemicals are responsible for the neighbor-induced allelochemical response. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that (-)-loliolide, a carotenoid metabolite, acts as a signaling chemical in barnyardgrass-rice allelopathic interactions. The production of the rice allelochemicals momilactone B and tricin was increased in the presence of five biotypes of barnyardgrass. (-)-Loliolide was found in all the biotypes of barnyardgrass and their root exudates and rhizosphere soils. There were significant positive relationships between rice allelochemicals and (-)-loliolide concentrations across the biotypes of barnyardgrass. Furthermore, (-)-loliolide elicited the production of momilactone B and tricin. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed regulatory activity of (-)-loliolide on the diterpenoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. The expression of key genes involved in the biosynthesis of momilactone B (CPS4, KSL4, and MAS) and tricin (CYP75B3 and CYP75B4) was up-regulated by (-)-loliolide. These findings suggest that (-)-loliolide acts as a signaling chemical and participates in barnyardgrass-rice allelopathic interactions. Allelopathic rice plants can detect competing barnyardgrass through the presence of this signaling chemical and respond by increasing levels of their allelochemicals to achieve an advantage for their own growth.

Role of Bm30kc6 gene in cell apoptosis and the silk gland degradation signaling pathway in Bombyx mori L.

Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death that is regulated by genes independently. The Bm30kc6 gene is a kind of small molecular lipoprotein about 30 kDa, expressed highly in the late stage of the silkworm hemolymph. Our study showed that overexpression of Bm30kc6 could decrease caspase-3 activation. Meanwhile, activation of caspase-3 increased when Bm30kc6 expression was disturbed by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Cell apoptosis was decreased when Bm30kc6 was overexpressed under UV treatment. The apoptosis rate induced by actinomycin D is similar to the trend by UV. It was inferred that Bm30kc6 has an inhibitory effect on the apoptosis of silkworm cells. The apoptosis-related genes, such as BmFadd, BmDredd, and BmDaxx were increased after overexpression of Bm30kc6 or decreased after interference of siRNA. It was speculated that there was an interactive relationship between Bm30kc6, BmDaxx, BmFadd, and BmDredd in the apoptosis signaling pathways. We investigated the transcription expression of the Bm30kc6 gene in different growth stages and tissues of the silkworm. The results showed that Bm30kc6 reached its peak in the hemolymph during the 6th to 7th days of the 5th instar, or in spinning post 24 h of the silk gland. In the silkworm BmN cells treated with caspase-3/7 inhibitor, the caspase-3 enzyme activity, and the expression levels of Bm30kc6, BmFadd, BmDredd, and BmDaxx were significantly reduced. The expression levels of Bm30kc6 increased sharply when silkworms were treated by molting hormone at Day 3 or 5 of the 5th instar. The results indicated that the expression of the Bm30kc6 gene was affected by the molting hormone and was likely to be its downstream target. In conclusion, the results suggest that the Bm30kc6 gene is involved in the regulation of the apoptotic signaling pathway and plays a role in the apoptotic process.

A New Dinuclear Cobalt Complex for Copolymerization of CO2 and Propylene Oxide: High Activity and Selectivity.

Based on the ligand H4Salen-8tBu (salen-4), a new dinuclear cobalt complex (salen-4)[Co(III)TFA]2 (salen-4 = 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldehyde-3,3'-diaminobiphenylamine; TFA = trifluoroacetic acid) has been firstly synthesized and characterized. It shows high catalytic activity for the copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), yielding regioregular poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) with little generation of propylene carbonate (PC) by-product. It has been found that (salen-4)[Co(III)TFA]2 shows higher activity at milder conditions, generating a polymer with maximum Mn of 293 kg/mol and a narrow molecular weight distribution PDI of 1.35. The influences of reaction time, CO2 pressure, reaction temperature, nature of the cocatalyst, catalyst dosage and substrate concentration on the molecular weight, yield and selectivity of the polymer were explored in detail. The results showed that the (salen-4)[Co(III)TFA]2/[PPN]TFA catalyst system demonstrated a remarkable TOF as high as 735 h-1. In addition, a hypothetical catalytic reaction mechanism was proposed based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the catalytic reaction results of the (salen-4)[Co(III)TFA]2.

Oncoprotein HBXIP induces PKM2 via transcription factor E2F1 to promote cell proliferation in ER-positive breast cancer.

We have reported that hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP, also termed LAMTOR5) can act as an oncogenic transcriptional co-activator to modulate gene expression, promoting breast cancer development. Pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme M2 (PKM2), encoded by PKM gene, has emerged as a key oncoprotein in breast cancer. Yet, the regulatory mechanism of PKM2 is still unexplored. Here, we report that HBXIP can upregulate PKM2 to accelerate proliferation of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry analysis using breast cancer tissue microarray uncovered a positive association between the expression of HBXIP and PKM2. We also discovered that PKM2 expression was positively related with HBXIP expression in clinical breast cancer patients by real-time PCR assay. Interestingly, in ER+ breast cancer cells, HBXIP was capable of upregulating PKM2 expression at mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner, as well as increasing the activity of PKM promoter. Mechanistically, HBXIP could stimulate PKM promoter through binding to the -779/-579 promoter region involving co-activation of E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1). In function, cell viability, EdU, colony formation, and xenograft tumor growth assays showed that HBXIP contributed to accelerating cell proliferation through PKM2 in ER+ breast cancer. Collectively, we conclude that HBXIP induces PKM2 through transcription factor E2F1 to facilitate ER+ breast cancer cell proliferation. We provide new evidence for the mechanism of transcription regulation of PKM2 in promotion of breast cancer progression.

Three vital RNA functions and interactions in the process of silk gland apoptosis in silkworm Bombyx mori.

The Silkworm Bombyx mori is an important insect in terms of economics and a model organism with a complete metamorphosis. The economic importance of silkworms is dependent on the functions of the silkgland, a specialized organ that synthesizes silk proteins. The silk gland undergoes massive degeneration during the larval to pupal stage, which involves in cell apoptosis. In this paper, high throughput sequencing was used to detect the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA), long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), and microRNA (miRNA) from silk glands of Day 3 in the fifth instar larvae (L5D3) and the spinning 36h (sp36h). We analyzed the Gene Ontology (GO) functions of target genes of the differentially expressed lncRNAs and miRNAs. We investigated the regulations of mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA on silk gland apoptosis in L5D3 and sp36h. In total, 10,947 lncRNAs were detected in the silk gland and the index number TCONS-00021360 lncRNA may be involved in the process of apoptosis. In addition, 344 miRNAs targeted 285 mRNAs were related to the death process under GO entry. The results indicated that miRNAs play an important role in the molecular regulation of the silk gland apoptosis compared with that of lncRNAs. Finally, we screened 746 lncRNAs and 20 miRNAs that might interact with BmDredd, and drew an interaction network among them.

Kin recognition in rice (Oryza sativa) lines.

Kin recognition is an important mediator of interactions within individuals of a species. Despite increasing evidence of kin recognition in natural plant populations, relatively little is known about kin recognition in crop species where numerous cultivars have been generated by artificial selection. We identified rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars with the ability for kin recognition from two sets of indica-inbred and indica-hybrid lines at different levels of genetic relatedness. We then assessed this ability among kin and nonkin and tested potential mechanisms in a series of controlled experiments and field trails. Rice cultivars with the ability for kin recognition were capable of detecting the presence of kin and nonkin and responded to them by altering root behavior and biomass allocation, particularly for grain yield. Furthermore, we assessed the role of root exudates and found a root-secreted nitrogen-rich allantoin component to be responsible for kin recognition in rice lines. Kin recognition in rice lines mediated by root exudates occurs in a cultivar-dependent manner. Rice cultivars with the ability for kin recognition may increase grain yield in the presence of kin. Such an improvement of grain yield by kin recognition of cultivar mixtures offers many implications and applications in rice production.

Natural Transmission of b2/b3 Subdeletion or Duplication to Expanded Y Chromosome Microdeletions.

BACKGROUND Y chromosome microdeletions are usually de novo mutations, but in several cases, transmission from fertile fathers to infertile sons has been reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS We report 3 cases of infertile patients who inherited expanded Y chromosome microdeletions from their fathers, who carried b2/b3 subdeletion or duplication. The karyotype was analyzed using G-banding. High-throughput sequencing was used to detect AZF region microdeletions. RESULTS Cytogenetic analysis showed a normal karyotype 46,XY in patient 1 (P1), patient 2 (P2), and their fathers (F1 and F2). Patient 3 (P3) and his father (F3) presented a karyotype of 46,XY,Yqh-. High-throughput sequencing for the AZF disclosed an identical b2/b3 subdeletion in the F1 and F2. P1 had an AZFc deletion that accounted for 3.5 Mb, and P2 had an AZFa+b+c microdeletion that accounted for 10.5 Mb. F3 had a b2/b3 duplication of 1.8Mb, but P3 had an AZFb+c deletion of 6.2 Mb. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that b2/b3 partial deletion or duplication can lead to structural instability in the Y chromosome and be a risk factor of complete deletion of AZFc or more expanded deletion during transmission.

New Coordination Complexes Based on the 2,6-bis[1-(Phenylimino)ethyl] Pyridine Ligand: Effective Catalysts for the Synthesis of Propylene Carbonates from Carbon Dioxide and Epoxides.

We aimed to develop new effective catalysts for the synthesis of propylene carbonate from propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. A kind of Mx+LClx coordination complex was fabricated based on the chelating tridentate ligand 2,6-bis[1-(phenylimino)ethyl] pyridine (L). The obtained products were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It was found that the catalytic activity of the complexes with different metal ions, the same ligand differed and co-catalyst, where the order of greatest to least catalytic activity was 2 > 3 > 1. The catalytic system composed of complex 2 and DMAP proved to have the better catalytic performance. The yields for complex 2 systems was 86.7% under the reaction conditions of 100 °C, 2.5 MPa, and 4 h. The TOF was 1026 h-¹ under the reaction conditions of 200 °C, 2.5 MPa, and 1 h. We also explored the influence of time, pressure, temperature, and reaction substrate concentration on the catalytic reactions. A hypothetical catalytic reaction mechanism is proposed based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the catalytic reaction results.

Lanthanide Germanate Cluster Organic Frameworks Based on {Ln8Ge12} Clusters: From One-Dimensional Chains to Two-Dimensional Layers and Three-Dimensional Frameworks.

Under hydrothermal conditions, six series of novel lanthanide (Ln) organogermanates (LnGs) [Ln8Ge12(µ3-O)24E12(H2O)16]·14H2O (Ln(3+) = Pr(3+), 1; Nd(3+), 2; Sm(3+), 3; Eu(3+), 4; Gd(3+), 5; one-dimensional (1-D) LnG cluster organic chain (LnGCOC)), {[Nd8Ge12(µ3-O)24E12(H2O)10](µ2-H2O)2[Nd8Ge12(µ3-O)24E12(H2O)16]}·18H2O (6, two-dimensional (2-D) planar LnG cluster organic layer (LnGCOL)), {[Ln2GeE(HO)2O(H2O)(CH3COO)2(CO3)]2[Ln8Ge12E12(µ3-O)24(H2O)10]}·6H2O (Ln(3+) = Pr(3+), 7; Nd(3+), 8; 2-D wave-shaped LnGCOL), [TbGeE(HO)2O(H2O)(pca)]2[Tb8Ge12E12(µ3-O)24(H2O)8]·10H2O (9, three-dimensional (3-D) LnG cluster organic framework (LnGCOF)), {([Nd(pza)2(H2O)2]2[Nd8Ge12E12(µ3-O)24(H2O)12])([Nd(pza)2]2[Nd8Ge12E12(Hpza)2(µ3-O)24(H2O)10])}·4OH·14H2O (10, 3-D LnGCOF), {[Nd8Ge12E12(µ3-O)24(H2O)10][Nd(pca)(pda)(H2O)]2}·12H2O (11, 3-D LnGCOF) and {[Nd8Ge12E12(µ3-O)24(H2O)10][Nd(pza)(pda)(H2O)]2}·12H2O (12, 3-D LnGCOF) (Hpca = 2-picolinic acid, H2pda = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, Hpza = 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid) were prepared by introducing the second auxiliary ligands into the organogermanate-lanthanide-oxide reaction system. The obtainment of these LnGs realized the utilization of the second auxiliary ligands inducing the assembly from 1-D LnGCOCs to 2-D LnGCOLs and 3-D LnGCOFs based on LnG cluster (LnGC) {Ln8Ge12E12(µ3-O)24(H2O)16}({Ln8Ge12}) units and Ln-organic complexes or organic ligand connectors. It should be noted that the well-organized structural constructions of 1-12 can be visualized as the gradual replacement of active water sites located at equatorial and polar positions on the hypothetical [Ln8Ge12(µ3-O)24E12(H2O)18] LnGC core with oxygen or nitrogen atoms from organic ligands. The solid-state luminescent properties of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8-12 have been investigated at room temperature.

Research Progress of Caspase in Endometriosis.

Endometriosis, a common chronic gynecological disease, refers to the presence and proliferation of endometrial tissue in locations other than the uterine cavity. Approximately 6 to 10% of the population of women of childbearing age are known to have endometriosis; the most common clinical signs are pelvic pain and infertility. Although endometriosis is a benign disease, it exhibits some typical features of malignant tumors, such as proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and recurrence. Endometriosis is considered a chronic, inflammatory, and estrogen-dependent disease, and multiple factors contribute to its occurrence and development. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of this disease. Some researchers believe that spontaneous apoptosis of the endometrium is critical in maintaining its normal structure and function, and abnormal apoptosis can promote the occurrence and development of endometriosis. Inflammation is another likely process in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Inflammation mediates the adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and invasion of ectopic lesions of endometriosis, primarily by regulating the function of immune cells and increasing the level of proinflammatory cytokines in body fluids. The ultimate initiators of apoptosis and inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis) are the caspase family proteases. In this article, we review the progress in recent years in caspase function as well as the possible role of these enzymes in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, indicating potential treatment strategies.

Fluorescent Carbon Dioxide-Based Polycarbonates Probe for Rapid Detection of Aniline in the Environment and Its Biomarkers in Urine.

Aniline compounds, as a class of widely used but highly toxic chemical raw materials, are increasingly being released and accumulated in the environment, posing serious threats to environmental safety and human health. Therefore, developing detection methods for aniline compounds is of particular significance. Herein, we synthesized the fluorescent third monomer cyano-stilbene epoxide M and ternary copolymerized it with carbon dioxide (CO2) and propylene oxide (PO) to synthesize carbon dioxide-based polycarbonate (PPCM) with fluorescence recognition functions, as well as excellent performance, for the first time. The results revealed that the PPCM fluorescent probe exhibited typical aggregation-induced luminescence properties and could be quenched by aniline compounds. The probe presented anti-interference-specific selectivity for aniline compounds, and the detection limit was 1.69 × 10-4 M. Moreover, it was found to be a highly sensitive aniline detection probe. At the same time, the aniline biomarker p-aminophenol in urine could also be detected, which could expand the potential applications of polymers in the fluorescence-sensing field.

Fe-TiO2-x/TiO2 S-scheme homojunction for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

CO2-to-high value-added chemicals via a photocatalytic route is of interest but strangled by the low efficiency. Herein, a novel Fe-TiO2-x/TiO2 S-scheme homojunction was designed and constructed by using a facile surface modification approach whereby oxygen vacancy (OV) and Fe introducing on the TiO2 nanorod surface. The as-synthesized Fe-TiO2-x/TiO2 S-scheme homojunction exhibits positive properties on promoting photocatalytic CO2 reduction: i) the nanorod structure provides numerous active sites and a radical charge transfer path; ii) the doped Fe and OV not only synergistically enhance light utilization but also promote CO2 adsorption; iii) the Fe-TiO2-x/TiO2 S-scheme homojunction benefits photoexcited charge separation and retains stronger redox capacity. Thanks to those good characters, the Fe-TiO2-x/TiO2 homojunction exhibits superior CO2 reduction performances with optimized CO/CH4 generation rates of 122/22 µmol g-1h-1 which exceed those of pure TiO2 by more than 9.4/7.3 folds and most currently reported catalytic systems. This manuscript develops a facile and universal approach to synthesize well-defined homojunction and may inspire the construction of other more high-efficiency photocatalysts toward CO2 reduction and beyond.

Impact of chromosomal heteromorphisms on reproductive failure and analysis of 38 heteromorphic pedigrees in Northeast China.

PURPOSE: To compare the frequency of chromosomal heteromorphisms in reproductive failure and fertile control individuals in Northeast China, and investigate the impact on reproductive failure METHODS: 1751 males and 1424 couples with reproductive failure (n = 4599) and 777 fertile control individuals in Northeast China were enrolled. Chromosome karyotype analysis was performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes with standard G-banding. Additionally, C-banding was performed with heterochromatin heteromorphisms, and NORs-banding with satellites/stalks variations. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) adopted for the amplification using nine specific sequence tagged sites (STS) were used to detect Y-chromosome microdeletions with Y chromosome variations (Yqh±). At the same time, 38 heteromorphic probands' family members were recalled for performing karyotype analysis and to be surveyed for their detailed reproductive history. RESULTS: The frequency of chromosomal heteromorphisms in reproductive failure patients (2.74 %, 126/4599) was of no statistically significant difference as compared with fertile control individuals (2.06 %, 16/777) (P > 0.05). Eight cases of Y variation (Yqh±) probands with Y-chromosomal microdeletions were detected among 44 reproductive failure patients and 6 fertile control men. In the 38 recalled families, the probands of fathers or mothers, even some of their brothers or sisters, had the same heteromorphic karyotypes as probands' despite that they didn't have any adverse reproductive history. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference in frequency of chromosomal heteromorphisms between reproductive failure and fertile control individuals in Northeast China. Males with Y variations (Yqh±) should be ordered Y-chromosomal microdeletions detection. Through the analysis of 38 recalled families, we can also conclude that chromosomal heteromorphisms were not the impact factors for reproductive failure.

Molecular epidemiological characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes strains involved in an outbreak of scarlet fever in China, 2011.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate molecular characterization of streptococcus pyogenes isolates involved in an outbreak of scarlet fever in China in 2011. METHODS: Seventy-four Streptococcal pyogenes involved in an outbreak of scarlet fever were isolated from pediatric patients in the areas with high incidence in China from May to August of 2011. Emm genotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), superantigen (SAg) genes and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling were analyzed for these isolates. RESULTS: A total of 4 different emm types were identified. Emm12 was the most prevalent type which contained four predominating PFGE patterns corresponding to four different virulence and superantigen profiles. Emm12 (79.7%) and emm1 (14.9%) accounted for approximately 94% of all the isolates. The speA gene was all negative in emm12 isolates and positive in emm1 isolates. All strains were resistant to erythromycin, and 89.4% of them were resistant to erythromycin, tracycline, and clindamycin simultaneously. CONCLUSION: Several highly diversified clones with a high macrolide resistance rate comprise a predominant proportion of circulating strains, though no new emm type was found in this outbreak. The data provide a baseline for further surveillance of scarlet fever, which may contribute to the explanation of the outbreak and development of a GAS vaccine in China.