STAMENLESS1 activates SUPERWOMAN 1 and FLORAL ORGAN NUMBER 1 to control floral organ identities and meristem fate in rice.

Floral patterns are unique to rice and contribute significantly to its reproductive success. SL1 encodes a C2H2 transcription factor that plays a critical role in flower development in rice, but the molecular mechanism regulated by it remains poorly understood. Here, we describe interactions of the SL1 with floral homeotic genes, SPW1, and DL in specifying floral organ identities and floral meristem fate. First, the sl1 spw1 double mutant exhibited a stamen-to-pistil transition similar to that of sl1, spw1, suggesting that SL1 and SPW1 may located in the same pathway regulating stamen development. Expression analysis revealed that SL1 is located upstream of SPW1 to maintain its high level of expression and that SPW1, in turn, activates the B-class genes OsMADS2 and OsMADS4 to suppress DL expression indirectly. Secondly, sl1 dl displayed a severe loss of floral meristem determinacy and produced amorphous tissues in the third/fourth whorl. Expression analysis revealed that the meristem identity gene OSH1 was ectopically expressed in sl1 dl in the fourth whorl, suggesting that SL1 and DL synergistically terminate the floral meristem fate. Another meristem identity gene, FON1, was significantly decreased in expression in sl1 background mutants, suggesting that SL1 may directly activate its expression to regulate floral meristem fate. Finally, molecular evidence supported the direct genomic binding of SL1 to SPW1 and FON1 and the subsequent activation of their expression. In conclusion, we present a model to illustrate the roles of SL1, SPW1, and DL in floral organ specification and regulation of floral meristem fate in rice.

[Diagnostic Value of Ultrasound for Thyroid Nodules With a Spoke-Wheel Blood Flow Pattern].

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound for thyroid nodules with a spoke-wheel blood flow pattern.Methods The clinical data of the patients with thyroid nodules presenting a spoke-wheel blood flow pattern examined by ultrasound were collected,and the gray-scale ultrasound features of the nodules were recorded.The diagnostic performance of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System by American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS),Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS),and combined specific indicators for the thyroid nodules with a spoke-wheel blood flow pattern was evaluated by comparison with the pathological results,which was regarded as the gold standard.Results A total of 64 patients with thyroid nodules were finally included,including 47 patients with malignant nodules and 17 patients with benign nodules.In addition to the general ultrasound features,central scar mostly appeared in malignant nodules (χ2=5.968,P=0.015),while central coarse calcification was more common in benign nodules (χ2=10.899,P=0.001).After the combination of central scar and central gross calcification,the diagnostic performance of ACR TI-RADS and C-TIRADS was improved (both P<0.001).Conclusions When the thyroid nodule shows a spoke-wheel blood flow pattern,one should be cautious of the possibility of malignancy.Combining central scar and central coarse calcification can improve the accuracy of ultrasonic diagnosis.

Immunoglobulin G4 in eosinophilic esophagitis: Immune complex formation and correlation with disease activity.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown deposition of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and food proteins in the esophageal mucosa of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) patients. Our aims were to assess whether co-localization of IgG4 and major cow's milk proteins (CMPs) was associated with EoE disease activity and to investigate the proteins enriched in proximity to IgG4 deposits. METHODS: This study included adult subjects with EoE (n = 13) and non-EoE controls (n = 5). Esophageal biopsies were immunofluorescence stained for IgG4 and CMPs. Co-localization in paired samples from active disease and remission was assessed and compared to controls. The proteome surrounding IgG4 deposits was evaluated by the novel technique, AutoSTOMP. IgG4-food protein interactions were confirmed with co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. RESULTS: IgG4-CMP co-localization was higher in the active EoE group compared to paired remission samples (Bos d 4, p = .02; Bos d 5, p = .002; Bos d 8, p = .002). Co-localization was also significantly higher in the active EoE group compared to non-EoE controls (Bos d 4, p = .0013; Bos d 5, p = .0007; Bos d 8, p = .0013). AutoSTOMP identified eosinophil-derived proteins (PRG 2 and 3, EPX, RNASE3) and calpain-14 in IgG4-enriched areas. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry confirmed IgG4 binding to multiple food allergens. CONCLUSION: These findings further contribute to the understanding of the interaction of IgG4 with food antigens as it relates to EoE disease activity. These data strongly suggest the immune complex formation of IgG4 and major cow's milk proteins. These immune complexes may have a potential role in the pathophysiology of EoE by contributing to eosinophil activation and disease progression.

Discovery of novel aminosaccharide-based sulfonamide derivatives as potential carbonic anhydrase II inhibitors.

In this paper, a new class of novel sulfonamides incorporating aminosaccharide tails were designed and synthesized based on the sugar-tail approach. Then, all the novel compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against three carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoenzymes (hCA I, hCA II and hCA IX). Interestingly, effective inhibition of these three CA isoforms were observed, especially the glaucoma associated isoform hCA II. It is worth noting that these glycoconjugated sulfonamide derivatives also showed better CA inhibitory effects compared to the initial segment carzenide. Among them, compound 8d was the most effective inhibitor with IC50 of 60 nM against hCA II. Subsequent physicochemical properties studies showed that all compounds have good water solubility and neutral pH values in solutions. And these important physicochemical properties make target compounds acquire obvious advantages in the preparation of topical and nonirritating antiglaucoma drugs. Moreover, the target compounds showed lower corneal cytotoxicity than acetazolamide (AAZ) and good metabolic stability in vitro. In addition, molecular docking studies confirmed the interactions between aminosaccharide fragment and hydrophilic subpocket of hCA II active site were crucial for the enhanced CA inhibitory activity. Taken together, these results suggested 8d would be a promising lead compound for the development of topical antiglaucoma CAIs.

Automated Spatially Targeted Optical Microproteomics (autoSTOMP) to Determine Protein Complexity of Subcellular Structures.

Spatially targeted optical microproteomics (STOMP) is a method to study region-specific protein complexity in primary cells and tissue samples. STOMP uses a confocal microscope to visualize structures of interest and to tag the proteins within those structures by a photodriven cross-linking reaction so that they can be affinity purified and identified by mass spectrometry (eLife 2015, 4, e09579). However, the use of a custom photo-cross-linker and the requirement for extensive user intervention during sample tagging have posed barriers to the utilization of STOMP. To address these limitations, we built automated STOMP (autoSTOMP) which uses a customizable code in SikuliX to coordinate image capture and cross-linking functions in Zeiss Zen Black with image processing in FIJI. To increase protocol accessibility, we implemented a commercially available biotin-benzophenone photo-cross-linking and purification protocol. Here we demonstrate that autoSTOMP can efficiently label, purify, and identify proteins belonging to 1-2 µm structures in primary human foreskin fibroblasts or mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells infected with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (Tg). AutoSTOMP can easily be adapted to address a range of research questions using Zeiss Zen Black microscopy systems and LC-MS protocols that are standard in many research cores.

Transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for adenomyosis: preliminary results.

Purpose: Adenomyosis is a relatively common disease among women of childbearing age. A minimally invasive alternative technique with low risks, faster recovery and decreased side effects is desired. We hypothesized that percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) under laparoscopic guidance would substantially reduce the risk of collateral thermal damage to the intestinal tract and relieve the pelvic adhesions. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided PMWA for the treatment of adenomyosis.Materials and methods: From May 2015 to October 2017, a total of 70 patients with symptomatic adenomyosis who underwent transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided PMWA were included in this study. The technical efficacy and complications of PMWA were assessed. Meanwhile, the uterine volume, lesion volume, symptom severity score (SSS) and visual analog scale (VAS) score before PMWA and at 1, 6 and 12 months after PMWA were recorded.Results: PMWA was successfully performed with transvaginal ultrasound guidance and laparoscope assistance in all patients. No major complication was found after PMWA in any patients. The uterine volume, lesion volume, SSS and VAS were all decreased significantly at follow-up (p < .01).Conclusion: Transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided PMWA, which significantly decreased the uterine volume, lesion volume, SSS and VAS score, is a feasible minimally invasive technique for the treatment of adenomyosis.

Diversity-oriented synthesis of pyrazoles derivatives from flavones and isoflavones leads to the discovery of promising reversal agents of fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans.

Diversity-oriented synthesis of derivatives of natural products is an important approach for the discovery of novel drugs. In this paper, a series of novel 3,4-diaryl-1H-pyrazoles and 3,5-diaryl-1H-pyrazoles derivatives were synthesized through the one-pot reaction of flavones and isoflavones with the hydrazine hydrate and substituted hydrazine hydrate. Some of these novel compounds exhibited antifungal effects against Candida albicans SC5314, and displayed more potent inhibitory activities against the efflux-pump-deficient strain DSY654. In addition, compounds 25, 28 and 32a displayed outstanding reversal activity of azole resistance against clinical azole-resistant Candida albicans in combination with fluconazole (FLC), with FICI values ranging from 0.012 to 0.141. The preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) of these compounds was also discussed. In conclusion, this study provides several novel agents that displayed potent antifungal activities alone or together with fluconazole, which makes progress for development of antifungal drugs.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3-positive B cells link interleukin-17 inflammation to protumorigenic macrophage polarization in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: B cells consistently represent abundant cellular components in tumors; however, direct evidence supporting a role for B cells in the immunopathogenesis of human cancers is lacking, as is specific knowledge of their trafficking mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3-positive (CXCR3(+)) B cells constitute approximately 45% of B-cell infiltrate in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and that their levels are positively correlated with early recurrence of HCC. These cells selectively accumulate at the invading edge of HCC and undergo further somatic hypermutation and immunoglobulin G-secreting plasma cell differentiation. Proinflammatory interleukin-17(+) cells are important for the induction of epithelial cell-derived CXCR3 ligands CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11, which subsequently promote the sequential recruitment and further maturation of CXCR3(+) B cells. More importantly, we provide evidence that CXCR3(+) B cells, but not their CXCR3(-) counterparts, may operate in immunoglobulin G-dependent pathways to induce M2b macrophage polarization in human HCC. Depletion of B cells significantly suppresses M2b polarization and the protumorigenic activity of tumor-associated macrophages and restores the production of antitumorigenic interleukin-12 by those cells in vivo. CONCLUSION: Selective recruitment of CXCR3(+) B cells bridges proinflammatory interleukin-17 response and protumorigenic macrophage polarization in the tumor milieu, and blocking CXCR3(+) B-cell migration or function may help defeat HCC.

[EMD Time-Frequency Analysis of Raman Spectrum and NIR].

This paper analyzes the Raman spectrum and Near Infrared Spectrum (NIR) with time-frequency method. The empirical mode decomposition spectrum becomes intrinsic mode functions, which the proportion calculation reveals the Raman spectral energy is uniform distributed in each component, while the NIR's low order intrinsic mode functions only undertakes fewer primary spectroscopic effective information. Both the real spectrum and numerical experiments show that the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) regard Raman spectrum as the amplitude-modulated signal, which possessed with high frequency adsorption property; and EMD regards NIR as the frequency-modulated signal, which could be preferably realized high frequency narrow-band demodulation during first-order intrinsic mode functions. The first-order intrinsic mode functions Hilbert transform reveals that during the period of empirical mode decomposes Raman spectrum, modal aliasing happened. Through further analysis of corn leaf's NIR in time-frequency domain, after EMD, the first and second orders components of low energy are cut off, and reconstruct spectral signal by using the remaining intrinsic mode functions, the root-mean-square error is 1.001 1, and the correlation coefficient is 0.981 3, both of these two indexes indicated higher accuracy in re-construction; the decomposition trend term indicates the absorbency is ascending along with the decreasing to wave length in the near-infrared light wave band; and the Hilbert transform of characteristic modal component displays, 657 cm⁻¹ is the specific frequency by the corn leaf stress spectrum, which could be regarded as characteristic frequency for identification.

[Adaptive "3R" De-Noising Algorithm Based on Near Infrared Bi-Spectrum].

Adaptive de-noising algorithm is proposed based on transmission spectrum and absorption spectrum of near infrared. Near infrared transmission spectrum and absorption spectrum collected synchronously are decomposed into intrinsic mode functions by ensemble empirical mode decomposition; the intrinsic mode function is a single frequency component. Correlations between intrinsic mode functions and transmission spectrum, absorption spectrum were calculated, and the correlation between intrinsic mode functions of transmission spectrum and absorption spectrum was also computed. The results show that the intrinsic mode function with minimum correlation coefficient should be noise component. The self-correlation of this intrinsic mode function was analyzed to judge whether the intrinsic mode function is noise. IF the self-correlation is very large at the midpoint and is zero or very small at the other point of the spectrum, then the intrinsic mode function is noise component for judgment, based on which "3R" algorithm is named to judge whether the intrinsic mode function is noise component. Removing noise component, constructing spectral signal and circulating the previous decomposition was conducted, and the noise reduction process was ended until it did not meet the "3R" rule. To do experiment on the simulated spectrum with noise, the effect of de-noising with "3R" algorithm is better than EMD and EEMD low pass filter, and it is not so good as wavelet decomposition. In the real spectrum testing, the model was established between spectra treated by above methods with chlorophyll on three layers. BP neural network, and the model de-noised by "3R" method has the biggest correlation coefficient and prediction coefficient, but the smallest correction standard error and prediction standard error. "3R" method's effects on the peak position and peak intensity of spectrum are the smallest among the four kinds of de-noising methods. Experiments show that the "3R" algorithm based on bi-spectrum can be used for near infrared spectra de-nosing without presetting the number of iterations, there is no need to consider layers of decomposition, also no need of basis function, and the adaptability is very strong.

Impacts of drought stress on soluble carbohydrates and respiratory enzymes in fruit body of Auricularia auricula.

In order to study the survival mechanisms to drought stress for fruit body of Auricularia auricula, soluble carbohydrates and respiratory enzymes were investigated. Fruit bodies were exposed to sunlight and were naturally dehydrated. Samples were taken at different levels of water loss (0%, 10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) to measure the content of soluble sugars and polysaccharides. The activities of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), combined glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), were also determined. The results showed that with the increase in water loss, soluble sugars and MDH activity declined, whereas the activities of G-6-PDH and 6-PGDH increased. Soluble polysaccharides content and PGI activity decreased with water loss up to 30% and increased afterwards. These results suggested that the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), as demonstrated by activities of G-6-PDH and 6-PGDH, could be one of the mechanisms for survival during drought stress in the fruit body of A. auricula. Moreover, soluble polysaccharides may play a part in protecting the fruit body in further drought stress.

Immune reconstitution after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers the benefits of rapid and nearly universal donor availability and has been accepted worldwide as an alternative treatment for patients with hematologic malignancies who do not have a completely HLA-matched sibling or who require urgent transplantation. Unfortunately, serious infections and leukemia relapse resulting from slow immune reconstitution remain the 2 most frequent causes of mortality in patients undergoing haploidentical HSCT, particularly in those receiving extensively T cell-depleted megadose CD34(+) allografts. This review summarizes advances in immune recovery after haploidentical HSCT, focusing on the immune subsets likely to have the greatest impact on clinical outcomes. The progress made in accelerating immune reconstitution using different strategies after haploidentical HSCT is also discussed. It is our belief that a predictive immune subset-guided strategy to improve immune recovery might represent a future clinical direction.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system inhibitors increase the serum level of complement component 4 in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) inhibitors on complement component 4 (C4) serum levels in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: A total of 423 patients diagnosed with IgAN at Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, China, between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021 were divided into two groups, a RAAS inhibitor group and a non-RAAS inhibitor group, for comparative analysis. RESULTS: The RAAS inhibitor group exhibited significantly increased C4 and eGFR levels and had a higher proportion of patients with hypertension compared with the non-RAAS inhibitor group. Serum C4 levels were positively correlated with 24-hour urine protein, serum C3 levels and blood uric acid levels but negatively correlated with eGFR levels. In addition, serum C4 levels were positively correlated with the severity of mesangial hypercellularity and interstitial/tubular injury. Through prognostic analysis, serum C4 was identified as an independent risk factor for the progression of IgAN. CONCLUSION: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system inhibitors can increase serum C4 levels in patients with IgAN and may represent an independent risk factor for disease progression.

Further screening of SNP loci of eggshell translucency related genes and evaluation of genetic effects.

Eggshell translucency is a widespread issue in the field of egg quality. Previous research has established that the heritability of eggshell translucency is relatively low or moderate. Scientists have also successfully identified SNP loci related to eggshell translucency on different chromosomes by using gene chips and single-variant GWAS. However, the specific impact of single or multiple genes on the trait of eggshell translucency remains unknown. In an effort to investigate this, we examined 170 SNPs associated with eggshell translucency obtained by our research group. We selected 966 half-sibling laying hens from 2 generations in 3 pure lines: Dwarf Layer-White, Rhode Island Red-White Strain, and Rhode Island Red. Eggs were collected from each hen over a period of 5 consecutive days, and eggshell translucency was measured using a grading method in which the hens were divided into 2 groups: an opaque group and a translucent group. We collected blood samples from the laying hens and extracted DNA. Time of flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) was used for genotyping to identify SNP loci that influence the trait of eggshell translucency. The results of our analysis revealed that using TOF-MS in 3 chicken strains, we were able to eliminate loci with low gene polymorphism, genetic effect contribution less than 1%, and deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Ultimately, 5 SNPs (Affx-50362599, rs15050262, rs312943734, rs316121113, and rs317389181) were identified on chromosomes 1, 5, and 19. Additionally, nine candidate genes (DCN, BTG1, ZFP92, POU2F1, NUCB2, FTL, GGNBP2, ACACA, and TADA2A) were found to be associated with these SNPs. No linkage disequilibrium relationship was observed between the 2 pairs of SNP loci on chromosomes 1 and 19. Based on previous studies on the formation mechanism of eggshell translucency, we hypothesize that NUCB2, FTL, and ACACA genes may be affecting the eggshell structure through different mechanisms, such as increase the water permeability or make thin of eggshell membrane, which promote moisture or part of other egg contents and ultimately lead to the formation of eggshell translucency. These findings validate and identify five SNP loci that regulate the translucency trait, and provide molecular markers for breeding non-translucent populations. Furthermore, this study serves as a reference for further investigation of the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying eggshell translucency.

Influence of Ocular Biometric Parameters on Intraocular Lens Position: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of ocular biometric parameters on intraocular lens (IOL) tilt and decentration after cataract surgery. METHODS: Patients scheduled for cataract surgery were screened for inclusion in this prospective cohort study. Tilt and decentration of the crystalline lens and IOL were measured using the CASIA2 (Tomey). Anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and axial length (AL) were preoperatively measured by the IOLMaster 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). Multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of ocular biometric parameters on IOL tilt and decentration after cataract surgery. RESULTS: In total, 191 eyes of 120 patients were included. Age was positively correlated with IOL tilt, whereas ACD and AL were negatively correlated with IOL tilt. A strong positive correlation was found between preoperative crystalline lenses and postoperative IOLs in tilt magnitude (r = 0.769, P < .001) and tilt direction (r = 0.688, P < .001). A positive correlation was found between preoperative and postoperative lens decentration magnitude and decentration direction. Greater postoperative IOL tilt and decentration were significantly associated with greater preoperative crystalline lens tilt (P < .001) and decentration (P = .027). CONCLUSIONS: IOL tilt was greater in older patients. Shorter AL and shallower ACD contributed to greater IOL tilt. The tilt and decentration of the IOL will be greater in patients with greater tilt and decentration of the crystalline lens. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(7):e438-e444.].

Comparative Analysis of the Ultrastructure, Bubble Pores, and Composition of Eggshells of Dwarf Layer-White and Guinea Fowl.

The decrease in eggshell quality seriously affects production efficiency. Guinea fowl (GF) eggs possess strong eggshells because of their unique crystal structure, and few systematic studies have compared laying hen and GF eggs. Sixty eggs were collected from both 40-week-old Dwarf Layer-White (DWL-White) laying hens and GF, and the eggshell quality, ultrastructure, bubble pores, and composition were measured. The results showed that the DWL-White eggs had a higher egg weight and a lower eggshell strength, strength per unit weight, thickness, and ratio than the GF eggs (p < 0.01). There were differences in the mammillary layer thickness ratio, the effective layer thickness ratio, the quantity of bubble pores (QBPs), the ratio of the sum of the area of bubble pores to the area of the eggshell in each image (ARBE), and the average area of bubble pores (AABPs) between the DWL-White and GF eggs (p < 0.01). The composition analysis demonstrated that there were differences in the organic matter, inorganic matter, calcium, and phosphorus between the DWL-White and GF eggs (p < 0.01). There were positive associations between the mammillary knob number in the image and the QBPs and ARBE and a negative correlation with the AABPs in the DWL-White eggs (p < 0.01). This study observed distinctions that offer new insights into enhancing eggshell quality.

Toxoplasma gondii infection supports the infiltration of T cells into brain tumors.

Few T cells infiltrate into primary brain tumors, fundamentally hampering the effectiveness of immunotherapy. We hypothesized that Toxoplasma gondii, a microorganism that naturally elicits a Th1 response in the brain, can promote T cell infiltration into brain tumors despite their immune suppressive microenvironment. Using a mouse genetic model for medulloblastoma, we found that T. gondii infection induced the infiltration of activatable T cells into the tumor mass and led to myeloid cell reprogramming toward a T cell-supportive state, without causing severe health issues in mice. The study provides a concrete foundation for future studies to take advantage of the immune modulatory capacity of T. gondii to facilitate brain tumor immunotherapy.

iNOS is necessary for GBP-mediated T. gondii clearance in murine macrophages via vacuole nitration and intravacuolar network collapse.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite of rodents and humans. Interferon-inducible guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are mediators of T. gondii clearance, however, this mechanism is incomplete. Here, using automated spatially targeted optical micro proteomics we demonstrate that inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) is highly enriched at GBP2+ parasitophorous vacuoles (PV) in murine macrophages. iNOS expression in macrophages is necessary to limit T. gondii load in vivo and in vitro. Although iNOS activity is dispensable for GBP2 recruitment and PV membrane ruffling; parasites can replicate, egress and shed GBP2 when iNOS is inhibited. T. gondii clearance by iNOS requires nitric oxide, leading to nitration of the PV and collapse of the intravacuolar network of membranes in a chromosome 3 GBP-dependent manner. We conclude that reactive nitrogen species generated by iNOS cooperate with GBPs to target distinct structures in the PV that are necessary for optimal parasite clearance in macrophages.

Biochemical characterization of NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase from Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806.

Microcystis aeruginosa is the key symptom of water eutrophication and produces persistent microcystins. Our special attention was paid to the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) of M. aeruginosa (MaIDH) because it plays important roles in energy and biosynthesis metabolisms and its catalytic product 2-oxoglutarate provides the carbon skeleton for ammonium assimilation and also constitutes a signaling molecule of nitrogen starvation in cyanobacteria. Sequence alignment showed that MaIDH shared significant sequence identity with IDHs from other cyanobacteria (>80 %) and other bacteria (>45 %). The subunit molecular weight of MaIDH was determined to be 52.6 kDa by filtration chromatography, suggesting MaIDH is a typical homodimer. The purified recombinant MaIDH was completely NADP(+)-dependent and no NAD(+)-linked activity was detectable. The K m values for NADP(+) were 32.24 and 71.71 µM with Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) as a sole divalent cation, and DL-isocitrate linked K m values were 32.56 µM (Mg(2+)) and 124.3 µM (Mn(2+)), respectively. As compared with Mn(2+), MaIDH showed about 2.5-times and 4-times higher affinities (1/K m) to NADP(+) and DL-isocitrate with Mg(2+). The optimum activity of MaIDH was found at pH 7.5, and its optimum temperature was 45 °C (Mn(2+)) and 50 °C (Mg(2+)). Heat-inactivation studies showed that heat treatment for 20 min at 45 °C caused a 50 % loss of enzyme activity. MaIDH was completely divalent cation dependent as other typical dimeric IDHs and Mn(2+) was its best activator. Our study is expected to give a better understanding of primary metabolic enzymes in M. aeruginosa. This would provide useful basic information for the research of controlling the blue-green algae blooms through biological techniques.

[EEMD de-noising adaptively in Raman spectroscopy].

It is well known that the second generation wavelet is the best de-noising means, but the result of de-noising depends on how to set up the basis function, decomposition layers and threshold parameters. Without parameter setting empirical mode decomposition (EMD) decomposes the signal into intrinsic mode functions (IMF), then structuring IMF filter and the de-noising process is adaptive. It is worth noting that the signal and the noise are mixed together in very high frequency, that is to say that there has been mode overlap, and what happened will affect the de-noising effect. It was found that ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) decomposes Raman spectrum into the signal and the noise effectively avoiding from mode overlap in high frequency in the experiments, and it is similar with wavelet in de-nosing effect fortunately. At first, a period of non-linear and non-smooth bean greases Raman spectrum was decomposed by EMD in the paper, there was mode overlap, but the authors have got clear characteristic components by EEMD. Secondly noisy spectrum was processed by fast Fourier transform (FFT), wave-let, EMD and EEMD independently, and signal to noise ratio, root mean square error and correlation coefficient indicate that FFT is the worse means in high frequency de-noising than EMD, and the appropriate wavelet is similar with EEMD in de-noising result, but the de-noising process of EEMD is adaptive. In the last section, a brief research direction of the spectrum study method in time frequency field and noise properties criterion on IMF are given for the future.