Blue-Emitting Zero-Dimensional Inorganic-Organic Hybrids Constructed from Beta-Diketonate Ligands and Bulky Organic Cations.

Two zero-dimensional inorganic-organic hybrids, namely, [C4mim][Cd(TCDPPA)3] (1) and [C4mpy][Cd(TCDPPA)3] (2), where (TCDPPA)- = 2,2,2-trichloro-N-(di(pyrrolidin-1-yl)phosphoryl)acetamide, (C4mim)+ = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, and (C4mpy)+ = 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium, have been synthesized via metathesis reactions and characterized systematically. These ionic cadmium-containing inorganic-organic hybrid compounds are assembled from a bulky organic cation and a complex anion constructed from the chelation of three TCDPPA ligands to one cadmium ion. These compounds possess wide band gaps and emit in the deep-blue region intensely with a quantum yield as high as 34.04%. The success of this work provides a new method for the design and fabrication of high-efficiency blue-emitting materials.

Full-length transcriptome sequencing reveals the molecular mechanism of potato seedlings responding to low-temperature.

BACKGROUND: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the world's most important crops, the cultivated potato is frost-sensitive, and low-temperature severely influences potato production. However, the mechanism by which potato responds to low-temperature stress is unclear. In this research, we apply a combination of second-generation sequencing and third-generation sequencing technologies to sequence full-length transcriptomes in low-temperature-sensitive cultivars to identify the important genes and main pathways related to low-temperature resistance. RESULTS: In this study, we obtained 41,016 high-quality transcripts, which included 15,189 putative new transcripts. Amongst them, we identified 11,665 open reading frames, 6085 simple sequence repeats out of the potato dataset. We used public available genomic contigs to analyze the gene features, simple sequence repeat, and alternative splicing event of 24,658 non-redundant transcript sequences, predicted the coding sequence and identified the alternative polyadenylation. We performed cluster analysis, GO, and KEGG functional analysis of 4518 genes that were differentially expressed between the different low-temperature treatments. We examined 36 transcription factor families and identified 542 transcription factors in the differentially expressed genes, and 64 transcription factors were found in the AP2 transcription factor family which was the most. We measured the malondialdehyde, soluble sugar, and proline contents and the expression genes changed associated with low temperature resistance in the low-temperature treated leaves. We also tentatively speculate that StLPIN10369.5 and StCDPK16 may play a central coordinating role in the response of potatoes to low temperature stress. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study provided the first large-scale full-length transcriptome sequencing of potato and will facilitate structure-function genetic and comparative genomics studies of this important crop.

[Genome-wide identification and analyses of 4CL gene families in Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd].

4-coumaric acid: coenzyme A ligase (4CL) gene is one of the key genes involved in the regulation of lignin metabolism and the synthesis of flavonoid and other secondary metabolites in plant, while the synthesized and polymerized lignin is deposited in cell walls and leads to thickening of secondary walls in some parenchyma cells and formation of stone cells. To better understand the variety and quantity of 4CL genes in Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd., we used the amino acid and cDNA databases of Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. genome to screen 4CL gene family, and analyzed their classification, evolutionary relationships, physical location, gene structure and conserved motif. Our results showed that 29 4CL genes were identified and preliminarily characterized, and these 4CL genes were distributed in all chromosomes except chromosomes 4, 8, 11, 12 and clustered on chromosomes 9 and 17 through gene location analysis. The relationship between 4CL gene structure and evolution was further determined by comparing gene structure and phylogenetic tree. These findings provide a basis for further analysis of 4CL gene function in Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.

Recent Advances and Outlook of Benzopyran Derivatives in the Discovery of Agricultural Chemicals.

Scaffold structures, new mechanisms of action, and targets present enormous challenges in the discovery of novel pesticides. The discovery of new scaffolds is the basis for the continuous development of modern agrochemicals. Identification of a good scaffold such as triazole, carbamate, methoxy acrylate, pyrazolamide, pyrido-pyrimidinone mesoionic, and bisamide often leads to the development of a new series of pesticides. In addition, pesticides with the same target, including the inhibitors of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), oxysterol-binding-protein, and p-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), may have the same or similar scaffold structure. Recent years have witnessed significant progress in the discovery of new pesticides using natural products as scaffolds or bridges. In recent years, there have been increasing reports on the application of natural benzopyran compounds in the discovery of new pesticides, especially osthole and coumarin. A systematic and comprehensive review of benzopyran active compounds in the discovery of new agricultural chemicals is helpful to promote the discussion and development of benzopyran active compounds. Therefore, this work systematically reviewed the research and application of benzopyran derivatives in the discovery of agricultural chemicals, summarized the antiviral, herbicidal, antibacterial, fungicidal, insecticidal, nematicidal and acaricidal activities of benzopyran active compounds, and discussed the structural-activity relationship and mechanism of action. In addition, some active fragments were recommended to further optimize the chemical structure of benzopyran active compounds based on reference information.

Nickel-Catalyzed Multicomponent Assembly of Alkynes toward α-CF3-Alkenes.

We disclose an efficient nickel catalytic system for expediting the coupling of alkynes with fluoroalkyl hydrazones and boronic acids, thus facilitating the synthesis of stereospecific α-fluoroalkyl-alkene derivatives. 3H-Pyrazoles might be involved as key intermediates through a nitrogen-releasing process, enabling subsequent coupling with boronic acids to afford 1,2-difunctional alkenes in a highly efficient and step-economical fashion. This tandem platform demonstrates broad functional group tolerance, including complex natural products and drug-like molecules.

Preparation of Mn-doped sludge biochar and its catalytic activity to persulfate for phenol removal.

In recent years, the increasing prevalence of phenolic pollutants emitted into the environment has posed severe hazards to ecosystems and living organisms. Consequently, there is an urgent need for a green and efficient method to address environmental pollution. This study utilized waste sludge as a precursor and employed a hydrothermal-calcination co-pyrolysis method to prepare manganese (Mn)-doped biochar composite material (Mn@SBC-HP). The material was used to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS) for the removal of phenol. The study investigated various factors (such as the type and amount of doping metal, pyrolysis temperature, catalyst dosage, PDS dosage, pH value, initial phenol concentration, inorganic anions, and salinity) affecting phenol removal and the mechanisms within the Mn@SBC-HP/PDS system. Results indicated that under optimal conditions, the Mn@SBC-HP/PDS system achieved 100% removal of 100 mg/L phenol within 180 min, with a TOC removal efficiency of 82.7%. Additionally, the phenol removal efficiency of the Mn@SBC-HP/PDS system remained above 90% over a wide pH range (3-9). Free radical quenching experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) results suggested that hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and sulfate radicals (SO4-) yed a role in the removal of phenol through radical pathways, with singlet oxygen (1O2) being the dominant non-radical pathway. The phenol removal efficiency remained above 90%, demonstrating the excellent adaptability of the Mn@SBC-HP/PDS system under the interference of coexisting inorganic anions or increased salinity. This study proposes an innovative method for the resource utilization of waste, creating metal-biochar composite catalysts for the remediation of water environments. It provides a new approach for the efficiency of organic pollutants in water environments.

Effects on stone cell development and lignin deposition in pears by different pollinators.

Introduction: The pear pulp is formed by the development of the ovary wall, which is the somatic cell of the female parent, and its genetic traits are identical to those of the female parent, so that its phenotypic traits should also be identical to those of the female parent. However, the pulp quality of most pears, especially the stone cell clusters (SCCs) number and degree of polymerization (DP), were significantly affected by the paternal type. Stone cells are formed by the deposition of lignin in parenchymal cell (PC) walls. Studies on the effect of pollination on lignin deposition and stone cell formation in pear fruit have not been reported. Methods: In this study, 'Dangshan Su' (P. bretschneideri Rehd.) was selected as the mother tree, while 'Yali' (P. bretschneideri Rehd.) and 'Wonhwang' (P. pyrifolia Nakai.) were used as the father trees to perform cross-pollination. We investigated the effects of different parents on SCCs number and DP, and lignin deposition by microscopic and ultramicroscopic observation. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the formation of SCCs proceeds was consistent in DY and DW, but the SCC number and DP in DY were higher than that in DW. Ultramicroscopy revealed that the lignification process of DY and DW were all from corner to rest regions of the compound middle lamella and the secondary wall, with lignin particles deposited along the cellulose microfibrils. They were alternatively arranged until they filled up the whole cell cavity to culminate in the formation of stone cells. However, the compactness of the wall layer of cell wall was significantly higher in DY than in DW. We also found that the pit of stone cell was predominantly single pit pair, they transported degraded material from the PCs that were beginning to lignify out of the cells. Stone cell formation and lignin deposition in pollinated pear fruit from different parents were consistent, but the DP of SCCs and the compactness of the wall layer were higher in DY than that in DW. Therefore, DY SCC had a higher ability to resist the expansion pressure of PC.

Genome-Wide Identification of 14-3-3 gene family reveals their diverse responses to abiotic stress by interacting with StABI5 in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).

The 14-3-3 genes are widely present in plants and participate in a wide range of cellular and physiological processes. In the current study, twelve 14-3-3s were identified from potato genome. According to phylogenetic evolutionary analysis, potato 14-3-3s were divided into ϵ and non-ϵ groups. Conserved motif and gene structure analysis displayed a distinct class-specific divergence between the ϵ group and non-ϵ group. Multiple sequence alignments and three-dimensional structure analysis of 14-3-3 proteins indicated all the members contained nine conservative antiparallel α-helices. The majority of 14-3-3s had transcript accumulation in each detected potato tissue, implying their regulatory roles across all stages of potato growth and development. Numerous cis-acting elements related to plant hormones and abiotic stress response were identified in the promoter region of potato 14-3-3s, and the transcription levels of these genes fluctuated to different degrees under exogenous ABA, salt and drought stress, indicating that potato 14-3-3s may be involved in different hormone signaling pathways and abiotic stress responses. In addition, eight potato 14-3-3s were shown to interact with StABI5, which further demonstrated that potato 14-3-3s were involved in the ABA-dependent signaling pathway. This study provides a reference for the identification of the 14-3-3 gene family in other plants, and provides important clues for cloning potential candidates in response to abiotic stresses in potato.

Two-dimensional layered lanthanide diphosphonates: synthesis, structures and sensing properties toward Fe3+ and Cr2O72.

A series of lanthanide diphosphonates, namely Ln(HL)(H2O)2 (Ln = Nd 1, Eu 2, Tb 3 and Er 4), have been synthesized from a semirigid diphosphonate ligand, (5-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(methylene)bisphosphonic acid (H4L). These lanthanide diphosphonates have been systematically characterized by using powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, TGA, IR, UV-vis absorption and luminescence techniques. The single-crystal XRD measurements revealed that these compounds all have two-dimensional layered crystal structures. Among these four compounds, 1, 2 and 4 are isostructural and crystallize in the P21/c space group, whereas compound 3 crystallizes in the P21 space group. These compounds display the characteristic emissions of the respective lanthanide ions. The sensing properties of compound 3 were investigated which revealed that it could be used as a luminescent probe for Fe3+ and Cr2O72- with good selectivity and sensitivity.

The Effect of Different Pollination on the Expression of Dangshan Su Pear MicroRNA.

The high-throughput sequencing of pear "Dangshan Su" × "Yali" (whose fruits lignin and stone cell content are high and quality is poor) and pear "Dangshan Su" × "Wonhwang" (whose fruits with low content of lignin and stone cell and the quality are better ) found that the expressions of these two miRNAs (pyr-1809 and pyr-novel-miR-144-3p) were significantly different; their corresponding target genes encode two kinds of laccase (Pbr018935.1 and Pbr003857.1). qRT-PCR results showed that these two enzymes are involved in the formation of lignin and stone cells and the existence of these two miRNAs has a negative effect on them. It was concluded that the effect of pollination on the development of stone cells may affect the synthesis of lignin, through the regulation of laccase controlled by miRNAs, and ultimately affect the formation of stone cell and fruit quality.

Comparison of the transcriptomic analysis between two Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) genotypes of different stone cells contents.

Stone cell content is thought to be one of the key determinants for fruit quality in pears. However, the molecular mechanism of stone cell development remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that the stone cell clusters (SCCs) distribution and area in 'Dangshan Su' (with abundant stone cells) were higher as compared to 'Lianglizaosu' (low stone cell content bud sport of 'Dangshan Su') based on the histochemical staining, and the correlations of lignin content with stone cell content and SCC area was significant. The fruits of 'Dangshan Su' and 'Lianglizaosu' at three different developmental stages (23 and 55 days after flowering and mature) were sampled for comparative transcriptome analysis to explore the metabolic pathways associated with stone cell development. A total of 42444 unigenes were obtained from two varieties, among which 7203 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparison of the six transcriptomes. Specifically, many DEGs associated with lignin biosynthesis were identified, including coumaroylquinate 3-monooxygenase (C3H), shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HCT), ferulate 5-hydroxylase (F5H), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and peroxidase (POD), as well as genes related to carbon metabolism, such as sorbitol dehydrogenase-like (SDH-like) and ATP-dependent 6-phosphofructokinase (ATP-PFK). At the peak of the stone cell content (55 days after flowering), the expression level of these genes in 'Dangshan Su' was significantly increased compared with 'Lianglizaosu', indicating that these genes were closely related to stone cell development. We validated the transcriptional levels of 33 DEGs using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The results were consistent with the transcriptome analysis, indicating the reliability of transcriptome data. In addition, subcellular localization analysis of three DEGs in lignin synthesis (PbC3H, PbF5H and PbPOD) revealed that these proteins are mainly distributed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of stone cell formation.

A novel terpyridine/benzofurazan hybrid fluorophore: metal sensing behavior and application.

Terpyridine/benzofurazan conjugation results in a new hybrid fluorophore of the colorimetric sensing ability for Fe(2+) and fluorimetric sensing ability for XII group cations. The improved emission properties and cell imaging ability imply it is a suitable platform to construct a fluorescent sensor for metal imaging in biological systems.