Genome architecture and genetic diversity of allopolyploid okra (Abelmoschus esculentus).

The allopolyploid okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) unveiled telomeric repeats flanking distal gene-rich regions and short interstitial TTTAGGG telomeric repeats, possibly representing hallmarks of chromosomal speciation. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes organize into 5S clusters, distinct from the 18S-5.8S-28S units, indicating an S-type rRNA gene arrangement. The assembly, in line with cytogenetic and cytometry observations, identifies 65 chromosomes and a 1.45 Gb genome size estimate in a haploid sibling. The lack of aberrant meiotic configurations implies limited to no recombination among sub-genomes. k-mer distribution analysis reveals 75% has a diploid nature and 15% heterozygosity. The configurations of Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO), k-mer, and repeat clustering point to the presence of at least two sub-genomes one with 30 and the other with 35 chromosomes, indicating the allopolyploid nature of the okra genome. Over 130 000 putative genes, derived from mapped IsoSeq data and transcriptome data from public okra accessions, exhibit a low genetic diversity of one single nucleotide polymorphisms per 2.1 kbp. The genes are predominantly located at the distal chromosome ends, declining toward central scaffold domains. Long terminal repeat retrotransposons prevail in central domains, consistent with the observed pericentromeric heterochromatin and distal euchromatin. Disparities in paralogous gene counts suggest potential sub-genome differentiation implying possible sub-genome dominance. Amino acid query sequences of putative genes facilitated phenol biosynthesis pathway annotation. Comparison with manually curated reference KEGG pathways from related Malvaceae species reveals the genetic basis for putative enzyme coding genes that likely enable metabolic reactions involved in the biosynthesis of dietary and therapeutic compounds in okra.

Laccase-Treated Polystyrene Surfaces with Caffeic Acid, Dopamine, and L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine Substrates Facilitate the Proliferation of Melanocytes and Embryonal Carcinoma Cells NTERA-2.

This study presents the effects of treating polystyrene (PS) cell culture plastic with oxidoreductase enzyme laccase and the catechol substrates caffeic acid (CA), L-DOPA, and dopamine on the culturing of normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEMs) and human embryonal carcinoma cells (NTERA-2). The laccase-substrate treatment improved PS hydrophilicity and roughness, increasing NHEM and NTERA-2 adherence, proliferation, and NHEM melanogenesis to a level comparable with conventional plasma treatment. Cell adherence dynamics and proliferation were evaluated. The NHEM endpoint function was quantified by measuring melanin content. PS surfaces treated with laccase and its substrates demonstrated the forming of polymer-like structures. The surface texture roughness gradient and the peak curvature were higher on PS treated with a combination of laccase and substrates than laccase alone. The number of adherent NHEM and NTERA-2 was significantly higher than on the untreated surface. The proliferation of NHEM and NTERA-2 correspondingly increased on treated surfaces. NHEM melanin content was enhanced 6-10-fold on treated surfaces. In summary, laccase- and laccase-substrate-modified PS possess improved PS surface chemistry/hydrophilicity and altered roughness compared to untreated and plasma-treated surfaces, facilitating cellular adherence, subsequent proliferation, and exertion of the melanotic phenotype. The presented technology is easy to apply and creates a promising custom-made, substrate-based, cell-type-specific platform for both 2D and 3D cell culture.

Measurement of spectral averaged cross sections of capture reactions in the LR-0 reference neutron field.

Nuclear data evaluations are periodically updated to render state of the art of knowledge, and the independent validation experiments are still of interest of the community. Current work describes validation of selected capture reactions used for monitoring of thermal neutrons in mixed fields, as well as reactions responsible for activation of components exposed to neutron flux. The validation was performed also for reaction 50Cr (n,γ), which is very important reaction directly affecting criticality safety, because chromium is essential component of stainless steel used as structural component of the core baffle closely adjoining to nuclear fuel. Described experiments were performed in reference neutron field of the LR-0 reactor. The activation rate was derived by gamma spectrometry using well-characterized HPGe detector. It was found that the capture cross sections for the dosimetry reactions 23Na (n,γ), 58Fe (n,γ), and 59Co (n,γ) agreed well within 10 % with calculations in thermal and epithermal region, but larger discrepancy was found for the isotopes of tin.

Experimental validation of 23Na( γ, n)22Na cross section.

Photonuclear reactions are gaining importance due to their influence on the shielding and activation of components of widely spread accelerators. Therefore, there is a need for accurate data describing photonuclear reactions. The MT25 microtron operated at NPI was used for validation of cross section in the bremsstrahlung. The gold and copper activation foils with known cross sections were used as flux monitors. The bremsstrahlung spectra was simulated with Geant4 code and the spectral averaged cross section above 10MeV for reaction 23Na(γ, x)22Na was calculated. The experimental result was compared with data from the evaluated data libraries and EXFOR database. It was proved that the facility can be used for validation of cross sections and it was showed that all libraries overestimate the photon cross section on 23Na with the best results with data from JENDL-5 library.

The spectrum-averaged cross section investigation of 117Sn(n,n')117mSn and 67Zn(n,p)67Cu reactions.

The spectrum averaged cross sections (SACS) in standard neutron field, e.g. 252Cf(s.f.), is a preferable tool for cross section evaluation and validation. A set of reaction measurements with high energy thresholds was previously performed. The presented work focuses on lower energy threshold reactions, namely on the inelastic scattering of the tin foil, more specifically the reaction 117Sn(n,n')117mSn, and the zinc foil reaction, namely 67Zn(n,p)67Cu. These reactions are of special interest due to their intermediate energy range, which is essential in classical reactor dosimetry and fast reactor dosimetry. The experiments were carried out in a standard neutron field formed by 252Cf(s.f.) source in Rez. The experimental results were compared with calculations using MCNP6.2, ENDF/B-VII.1 transport library, and ENDF/B-VIII.0 and IRDFF-II cross section data library. Additionally, the calculations using CEA code DARWIN/PEPIN2 using JEFF-3.0/A were executed. The obtained experimental SACS of previously measured reactions were in good agreement with the SACS calculated using the IRDFF-II library. Additionally, the calculational reaction rate of 67Zn(n,p)67Cu was in accordance with the experimental data in case of ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data library. Moreover, the calculational results of 117Sn(n,n')117mSn obtained by DARWIN/PEPIN2 code (using JEFF-3.0/A nuclear data library) are closest to the experimental results.

Age-Dependent Signature of Serum Inflammatory Cytokines in Healthy Children and Young Adults.

The study of sensitive and specific biomarkers, such as blood inflammatory cytokines, could provide an answer to the challenges faced in the differential diagnosis of patients with systemic inflammation. Limited data exist on the impact of age on serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. We collected serum samples of 42 healthy children and young adults (1 month to 21 years). Serum levels of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), CXCL9, and CXCL10 were measured. Data were analyzed for three different age groups (<6, 6-17, and 18-21 years). IL-18, TNF-α, and CXCL9 values varied significantly according to age group. Median values of IL-18 and TNF-α decline with age, whereas CXCL9 and CXCL10 are lowest at 6-17 years. IL-1Ra is stable among age groups. In the majority of cases, IL-1ß and IL-6 are not measurable above the lower limit of quantification. A scoping literature review revealed highly variable data on IL-1Ra, IL-18, TNF-α, and CXCL10. For CXCL9, pediatric reference data are scarce. In conclusion, we report an age-dependent signature of multiple inflammatory cytokines measured in the serum of healthy children and young adults, suggesting the need to use age-specific reference values in future pediatric studies.