Bridging agro-science and human nutrition: zinc nanoparticles and biochar as catalysts for enhanced crop productivity and biofortification.

The integration of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) with biochar offers a transformative approach to sustainable agriculture by enhancing plant productivity and human nutrition. This combination improves soil health, optimizes nutrient uptake, and increases resilience to environmental stressors, leading to superior crop performance. Our literature review shows that combining Zn NPs with biochar significantly boosts the crop nutrient composition, including proteins, vitamins, sugars, and secondary metabolites. This enhancement improves the plant tolerance to environmental challenges, crop quality, and shelf life. This technique addresses the global issue of Zn deficiency by biofortifying food crops with increased Zn levels, such as mung beans, lettuce, tomatoes, wheat, maize, rice, citrus, apples, and microgreens. Additionally, Zn NPs and biochar improve soil properties by enhancing water retention, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and microbial activity, making soils more fertile and productive. The porous structure of biochar facilitates the slow and sustained release of Zn, ensuring its bioavailability over extended periods and reducing the need for frequent fertilizer applications. This synergy promotes sustainable agricultural practices and reduces the environmental footprint of the traditional farming methods. However, potential ecological risks such as biomagnification, nanoparticle accumulation, and toxicity require careful consideration. Comprehensive risk assessments and management strategies are essential to ensure that agricultural benefits do not compromise the environmental or human health. Future research should focus on sustainable practices for deploying Zn NPs in agriculture, balancing food security and ecological integrity and positioning this approach as a viable solution for nutrient-efficient and sustainable agriculture.

A high-quality genome assembly reveals adaptations underlying glossy, wax-coated leaves in the heat-tolerant wild raspberry Rubus leucanthus.

With glossy, wax-coated leaves, Rubus leucanthus is one of the few heat-tolerant wild raspberry trees. To ascertain the underlying mechanism of heat tolerance, we generated a high-quality genome assembly with a genome size of 230.9 Mb and 24,918 protein-coding genes. Significantly expanded gene families were enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway and the circadian rhythm-plant pathway, enabling survival in subtropical areas by accumulating protective flavonoids and modifying photoperiodic responses. In contrast, plant-pathogen interaction and MAPK signaling involved in response to pathogens were significantly contracted. The well-known heat response elements (HSP70, HSP90, and HSFs) were reduced in R. leucanthus compared to two other heat-intolerant species, R. chingii and R. occidentalis, with transcriptome profiles further demonstrating their dispensable roles in heat stress response. At the same time, three significantly positively selected genes in the pathway of cuticular wax biosynthesis were identified, and may contribute to the glossy, wax-coated leaves of R. leucanthus. The thick, leathery, waxy leaves protect R. leucanthus against pathogens and herbivores, supported by the reduced R gene repertoire in R. leucanthus (355) compared to R. chingii (376) and R. occidentalis (449). Our study provides some insights into adaptive divergence between R. leucanthus and other raspberry species on heat tolerance.

[Corrigendum] Hispolon inhibits breast cancer cell migration by reversal of epithelial­to­mesenchymal transition via suppressing the ROS/ERK/Slug/E­cadherin pathway.

Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, with the cell migration assay data shown in Fig. 7 on p. 901, the "TPA" and "TPA + U0126" panels were strikingly similar, such that data which were intended to show the results from differently performed experiments had apparently been derived from the same original source. In addition, it was noted that the "TPA + hispolon" and "TPA + NAC" data panels in Fig. 4B on p. 899 contained overlapping sections. Thirdly, a data panel was shared between Figs. 1 and 4, although this was intentional on the part of the authors as the same experiment was being portrayed in these figures.  The authors were able to re­examine their original data files, and realized that errors were made in asssembling Figs. 4B and 7. The revised versions of Figs. 4 and 7, now containing the correct data for the "TPA + NAC" experiment in Fig. 4B and the Control ("Ctrl") experiment in Fig. 7, are shown on the next two pages. The authors wish to emphasize that the corrections made to these figures do not affect the overall conclusions reported in the paper, and they are grateful to the Editor of Oncology Reports for allowing them the opportunity to publish this corrigendum. All the authors agree to the publication of this corrigendum, and also apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 35: 896­904, 2016; DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4445].

Genome-Wide Analyses of MADS-Box Genes Reveal Their Involvement in Seed Development and Oil Accumulation of Tea-Oil Tree (Camellia oleifera).

The seeds of Camellia oleifera produce high amount of oil, which can be broadly used in the fields of food, industry, and medicine. However, the molecular regulation mechanisms of seed development and oil accumulation in C. oleifera are unclear. In this study, evolutionary and expression analyses of the MADS-box gene family were performed across the C. oleifera genome for the first time. A total of 86 MADS-box genes (ColMADS) were identified, including 60 M-type and 26 MIKC members. More gene duplication events occurred in M-type subfamily (6) than that in MIKC subfamily (2), and SEP-like genes were lost from the MIKCC clade. Furthermore, 8, 15, and 17 differentially expressed ColMADS genes (DEGs) were detected between three developmental stages of seed (S1/S2, S2/S3, and S1/S3), respectively. Among these DEGs, the STK-like ColMADS12 and TT16-like ColMADS17 were highly expressed during the seed formation (S1 and S2), agreeing with their predicted functions to positively regulate the seed organogenesis and oil accumulation. While ColMADS57 and ColMADS07 showed increasing expression level with the seed maturation (S2 and S3), conforming to their potential roles in promoting the seed ripening. In all, these results revealed a critical role of MADS-box genes in the C. oleifera seed development and oil accumulation, which will contribute to the future molecular breeding of C. oleifera.

Stepwise increase of fidaxomicin in an engineered heterologous host Streptomyces albus through multi-level metabolic engineering.

The anti-Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) drug fidaxomicin is a natural polyketide metabolite mainly produced by Micromonosporaceae, such as Actinoplanes deccanensis, Dactylosporangium aurantiacum, and Micromonospora echinospora. In the present study, we employed a stepwise strategy by combining heterologous expression, chassis construction, promoter engineering, activator and transporters overexpression, and optimization of fermentation media for high-level production of fidaxomicin. The maximum yield of 384 mg/L fidaxomicin was achieved with engineered Streptomyces albus D7-VHb in 5 L-tank bioreactor, and it was approximately 15-fold higher than the native strain Actinoplanes deccanensis YP-1 with higher strain stability and growth rate. This study developed an enhanced chassis strain, and for the first time, achieved the heterologous synthesis of fidaxomicin through a combinatorial metabolic engineering strategy.

Divergence of Phyllosphere Microbial Community Assemblies and Components of Volatile Organic Compounds between the Invasive Sphagneticola trilobata, the Native Sphagneticola calendulacea and Their Hybrids, and Its Implications for Invasiveness.

Closely-related plant groups with distinct microbiomes, chemistries and ecological characteristics represent tractable models to explore mechanisms shaping species spread, competitive dynamics and community assembly at the interface of native and introduced ranges. We investigated phyllosphere microbial communities, volatile organic compound (VOC) compositions, and potential interactions among introduced S. trilobata, native S. calendulacea and their hybrid in South China. S. trilobata exhibited higher α diversity but significantly different community composition compared to the native and hybrid groups. However, S. calendulacea and the hybrid shared certain microbial taxa, suggesting potential gene flow or co-existence. The potent antimicrobial VOC profile of S. trilobata, including unique compounds like p-cymene (13.33%), likely contributes to its invasion success. The hybrid's intermediate microbial and VOC profiles suggest possible consequences for species distribution, genetic exchange, and community assembly in heterogeneous environments. This hybrid deserves further study as both an opportunity for and threat to diversity maintenance. These differentiating yet connected plant groups provide insight into ecological and evolutionary dynamics shaping microbiome structure, species co-occurrence and competitive outcomes during biological exchange and habitat transformation. An interdisciplinary approach combining chemical and microbial ecology may reveal mechanisms underlying community stability and change, informing management of species spread in a globalized world.

YOLO SSPD: a small target cotton boll detection model during the boll-spitting period based on space-to-depth convolution.

Introduction: Cotton yield estimation is crucial in the agricultural process, where the accuracy of boll detection during the flocculation period significantly influences yield estimations in cotton fields. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are frequently employed for plant detection and counting due to their cost-effectiveness and adaptability. Methods: Addressing the challenges of small target cotton bolls and low resolution of UAVs, this paper introduces a method based on the YOLO v8 framework for transfer learning, named YOLO small-scale pyramid depth-aware detection (SSPD). The method combines space-to-depth and non-strided convolution (SPD-Conv) and a small target detector head, and also integrates a simple, parameter-free attentional mechanism (SimAM) that significantly improves target boll detection accuracy. Results: The YOLO SSPD achieved a boll detection accuracy of 0.874 on UAV-scale imagery. It also recorded a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.86, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 12.38 and a relative root mean square error (RRMSE) of 11.19% for boll counts. Discussion: The findings indicate that YOLO SSPD can significantly improve the accuracy of cotton boll detection on UAV imagery, thereby supporting the cotton production process. This method offers a robust solution for high-precision cotton monitoring, enhancing the reliability of cotton yield estimates.

Rational construction of a high-quality and high-efficiency biosynthetic system and fermentation optimization for A82846B based on combinatorial strategies in Amycolatopsis orientalis.

BACKGROUND: Oritavancin is a new generation of semi-synthetic glycopeptide antibiotics against Gram-positive bacteria, which served as the first and only antibiotic with a single-dose therapeutic regimen to treat ABSSSI. A naturally occurring glycopeptide A82846B is the direct precursor of oritavancin. However, its application has been hampered by low yields and homologous impurities. This study established a multi-step combinatorial strategy to rationally construct a high-quality and high-efficiency biosynthesis system for A82846B and systematically optimize its fermentation process to break through the bottleneck of microbial fermentation production. RESULTS: Firstly, based on the genome sequencing and analysis, we deleted putative competitive pathways and constructed a better A82846B-producing strain with a cleaner metabolic background, increasing A82846B production from 92 to 174 mg/L. Subsequently, the PhiC31 integrase system was introduced based on the CRISPR-Cas12a system. Then, the fermentation level of A82846B was improved to 226 mg/L by over-expressing the pathway-specific regulator StrR via the constructed PhiC31 system. Furthermore, overexpressing glycosyl-synthesis gene evaE enhanced the production to 332 mg/L due to the great conversion of the intermediate to target product. Finally, the scale-up production of A82846B reached 725 mg/L in a 15 L fermenter under fermentation optimization, which is the highest reported yield of A82846B without the generation of homologous impurities. CONCLUSION: Under approaches including blocking competitive pathways, inserting site-specific recombination system, overexpressing regulator, overexpressing glycosyl-synthesis gene and optimizing fermentation process, a multi-step combinatorial strategy for the high-level production of A82846B was developed, constructing a high-producing strain AO-6. The combinatorial strategies employed here can be widely applied to improve the fermentation level of other microbial secondary metabolites, providing a reference for constructing an efficient microbial cell factory for high-value natural products.

Comparative Analysis of Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Rubus in China: Hypervariable Regions and Phylogenetic Relationships.

With more than 200 species of native Rubus, China is considered a center of diversity for this genus. Due to a paucity of molecular markers, the phylogenetic relationships for this genus are poorly understood. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the plastomes of 22 out of 204 Chinese Rubus species (including varieties) from three of the eight sections reported in China, i.e., the sections Chamaebatus, Idaeobatus, and Malachobatus. Plastomes were annotated and comparatively analyzed with the inclusion of two published plastomes. The plastomes of all 24 Rubus species were composed of a large single-copy region (LSC), a small single-copy region (SSC), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs), and ranged in length from 155,464 to 156,506 bp. We identified 112 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 29 transfer RNAs, and four ribosomal RNAs. With highly consistent gene order, these Rubus plastomes showed strong collinearity, and no significant changes in IR boundaries were noted. Nine divergent hotspots were identified based on nucleotide polymorphism analysis: trnH-psbA, trnK-rps16, rps16-trnQ-psbK, petN-psbM, trnT-trnL, petA-psbJ, rpl16 intron, ndhF-trnL, and ycf1. Based on whole plastome sequences, we obtained a clearer phylogenetic understanding of these Rubus species. All sampled Rubus species formed a monophyletic group; however, sections Idaeobatus and Malachobatus were polyphyletic. These data and analyses demonstrate the phylogenetic utility of plastomes for systematic research within Rubus.

De novo genome assembly and population genomics of a shrub tree Barthea barthei (Hance) krass provide insights into the adaptive color variations.

Flower color is a classic example of an ecologically important trait under selection in plants. Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying shifts in flower color can provide key insights into ecological speciation. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of flower color divergence in Barthea barthei, a shrub tree species exhibiting natural variation in flower color. We assembled a high-quality genome assembly for B. barthei with a contig N50 of 2.39 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 16.21 Mb. The assembly was annotated with 46,430 protein-coding genes and 1,560 non-coding RNAs. Genome synteny analysis revealed two recent tetraploidization events in B. barthei, estimated to have occurred at approximately 17 and 63 million years ago. These tetraploidization events resulted in massive duplicated gene content, with over 70% of genes retained in collinear blocks. Gene family members of the core regulators of the MBW complex were significantly expanded in B. barthei compared to Arabidopsis, suggesting that these duplications may have provided raw genetic material for the evolution of novel regulatory interactions and the diversification of anthocyanin pigmentation. Transcriptome profiling of B. barthei flowers revealed differential expression of 9 transcription factors related to anthocyanin biosynthesis between the two ecotypes. Six of these differentially expressed transcription factors were identified as high-confidence candidates for adaptive evolution based on positive selection signals. This study provides insights into the genetic basis of flower color divergence and the evolutionary mechanisms underlying ecological adaptation in plants.

Modeling refined differences of cortical folding patterns via spatial, morphological, and temporal fusion representations.

The gyrus, a pivotal cortical folding pattern, is essential for integrating brain structure-function. This study focuses on 2-Hinge and 3-Hinge folds, characterized by the gyral convergence from various directions. Existing voxel-level studies may not adequately capture the precise spatial relationships within cortical folding patterns, especially when relying solely on local cortical characteristics due to their variable shapes and homogeneous frequency-specific features. To overcome these challenges, we introduced a novel model that combines spatial distribution, morphological structure, and functional magnetic resonance imaging data. We utilized spatio-morphological residual representations to enhance and extract subtle variations in cortical spatial distribution and morphological structure during blood oxygenation, integrating these with functional magnetic resonance imaging embeddings using self-attention for spatio-morphological-temporal representations. Testing these representations for identifying cortical folding patterns, including sulci, gyri, 2-Hinge, and 2-Hinge folds, and evaluating the impact of phenotypic data (e.g. stimulus) on recognition, our experimental results demonstrate the model's superior performance, revealing significant differences in cortical folding patterns under various stimulus. These differences are also evident in the characteristics of sulci and gyri folds between genders, with 3-Hinge showing more variations. Our findings indicate that our representations of cortical folding patterns could serve as biomarkers for understanding brain structure-function correlations.

Effect of Modified Biochar Prepared by Co-pyrolysis of MgO on Phosphate Adsorption Performance and Seed Germination.

Biochar is currently used as a phosphate adsorbent in water and subsequently as a soil amendment. In this study, modified biochar was prepared directly by co-pyrolysis of MgO and rice straw, and a preliminary ecotoxicological assessment was performed before the application of modified biochar to soil. The effects of single factors, such as pyrolysis temperature, dosage, pH, and coexisting ions, on phosphate adsorption performance were investigated. In addition, after phosphate adsorption, the effects of modified biochar leachate on the germination of corn and rice seeds were examined. The results showed that phosphate adsorption by the modified biochar first increased and then decreased as the pyrolysis temperature increased, with modified biochar prepared at 800 °C showing the greatest adsorption. In addition, a comprehensive cost analysis showed that the best phosphate adsorption effect of modified biochar was achieved at a dosage of 0.10 g and a solution pH of 3. In contrast, the presence of competitive coexisting ions, Cl- , NO3 - , CO3 2- , and SO4 2- , reduced the phosphate adsorption capacity of the modified biochar. The adsorption kinetics results revealed that the process of phosphate adsorption by the modified biochar was more in line with the pseudo-second-order model and dominated by chemisorption. Moreover, the adsorption isotherm results indicated that the process was more in line with the Langmuir model and dominated by monomolecular layer adsorption, with a maximum adsorption of 217.54 mg/g. Subsequent seed germination tests showed that phosphate-adsorbed modified biochar leachate had no significant effect on the germination rate of corn seeds, whereas it improved the germination rate of rice seeds. Together, these results provide guidance for the application of modified biochar firstly as an adsorbent of phosphate and subsequently as a soil remediator.

A Novel Low-Pressure Robotic Glove Based on CT-Optimized Finger Joint Kinematic Model for Long-Term Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients.

Wearing robotic gloves has become increasingly crucial for hand rehabilitation in stroke patients. However, traditional robotic gloves can exert additional pressure on the hand, such as prolonged use leading to poor blood circulation and muscle stiffness. To address these concerns, this work analyzes the finger kinematic model based on computerized tomography (CT) images of human hands, and designs a low-pressure robotic glove that conforms to finger kinematic characteristics. Firstly, physiological data on finger joint flexion and extension were collected through CT scans. The equivalent rotation centers of finger joints were obtained using the SURF and RANSAC algorithms. Furthermore, the trajectory of finger joint end and the correlation equation of finger joint motion were fitted, and a comprehensive finger kinematic model was established. Based on this finger kinematic model, a novel under-actuated exoskeleton mechanism was designed using a human-machine integration approach. The novel robotic glove fully aligns with the equivalent rotation centers and natural motion trajectories of the fingers, exerting minimal and evenly distributed dynamic pressure on the fingers, with a theoretical static pressure value of zero. Experiments involving gripping everyday objects demonstrated that the novel robotic glove significantly reduces the overall pressure on the fingers during grasping compared to the pneumatic glove and the traditional exoskeleton robotic glove. It is suitable for long-term use by stroke patients for rehabilitation training.

Integrative Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis to Reveal Red Leaf Coloration in Shiya Tea (Adinandra nitida).

BACKGROUND: Adinandra nitida, commonly known as Shiya tea, is a healthcare drink enriched in several phenolic acids and flavonoids, with a purple-red leaf variety possessing a unique flavor and a higher economic value. However, the mechanisms underlying leaf coloration and senescence discoloration remain unknown. METHODS: Here, we compared both varieties of A. nitida (purple-red leaf, RL, and green leaf, GL) at two stages of development. To make sure the difference in leaf color in these four groups, several indexes, leaf colorimetric differences, H2O2 content in leaf cells, and antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)) were measured. With the integration of metabolome and transcriptome becoming a trend, metabolites in four groups were detected using an Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) system, and the transcriptome was performed after the extraction of RNA in samples. Afterward, the activities of laccase (LAC) and peroxidase (POD) were measured for further analysis. RESULTS: The deeper or discoloration of leaf color was not caused by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress because the H2O2 content was similar for each group. And the SOD and CAT activities improved significantly in young leaves, especially RL_young. Metabolome data showed a large shift in four groups. By focusing on the variation of flavonoids and 1079 metabolites detected in both varieties, along with the accumulation of flavonoids and tannins, proanthocyanins (PAs) were mostly accumulated in young RL. Differential analysis of expressed genes (DEGs) revealed six genes associated with leaf discoloration as hub factors, of which ANRs (ANR1 and ANR2) were positively correlated with the accumulation of PA in RL. CONCLUSIONS: Using integrate analysis of metabolome and transcriptome, our results revealed that six structural genes found in proanthocyanin biosynthesis, two reductases (ANR), two oxidative polymerases (POD64, LAC17) and two TFs (bHLH3 and MYB4) related to biosynthesis and polymerization of proanthocyanins were associated with not only the difference of GL and RL but also the faded coloration in two RL groups (RL_young and RL_old), which provided a foundation for further research on an understanding of the regulatory genes and the enzymes specific for proanthocyanidin biosynthesis, facilitating the genetic engineering of crops for beneficial metabolite accumulation.

Transcriptional regulation of the fidaxomicin gene cluster and cellular development in Actinoplanes deccanensis YP-1 by the pleiotropic regulator MtrA.

IMPORTANCE: Cascade regulation networks are almost present in various kinds of microorganisms, but locating and systematically elucidating specific pleiotropic regulators related to a certain gene cluster can be a tricky problem. Here, based on the promoter of the fidaxomicin pathway-specific regulator FadR1, we utilized a "DNA to Proteins" affinity purification method and captured a global regulator MtrA, which positively regulates fidaxomicin biosynthesis. In the mtrA overexpressed strain, the production of fidaxomicin was improved by 37% compared to the native strain. Then, we combined the "Protein to DNAs" affinity purification method (DAP-seq) with the results of RNA-seq and systematically elucidated the primary and secondary metabolic processes in which MtrA directly or indirectly participates. Thus, our work brought up a new way to improve fidaxomicin production from the perspective of global regulation and analyzed the regulatory mechanism of MtrA. Meanwhile, we provided a novel methodology for the research of cascade regulation networks and vital secondary metabolites.

The power of magnesium: unlocking the potential for increased yield, quality, and stress tolerance of horticultural crops.

Magnesium (Mg2+) is pivotal for the vitality, yield, and quality of horticultural crops. Central to plant physiology, Mg2+ powers photosynthesis as an integral component of chlorophyll, bolstering growth and biomass accumulation. Beyond basic growth, it critically affects crop quality factors, from chlorophyll synthesis to taste, texture, and shelf life. However, Mg2 + deficiency can cripple yields and impede plant development. Magnesium Transporters (MGTs) orchestrate Mg2+ dynamics, with notable variations observed in horticultural species such as Cucumis sativus, Citrullus lanatus, and Citrus sinensis. Furthermore, Mg2+ is key in fortifying plants against environmental stressors and diseases by reinforcing cell walls and spurring the synthesis of defense substances. A burgeoning area of research is the application of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs), which, owing to their nanoscale size and high reactivity, optimize nutrient uptake, and enhance plant growth and stress resilience. Concurrently, modern breeding techniques provide insights into Mg2+ dynamics to develop crops with improved Mg2+ efficiency and resilience to deficiency. Effective Mg2+ management through soil tests, balanced fertilization, and pH adjustments holds promise for maximizing crop health, productivity, and sustainability. This review unravels the nuanced intricacies of Mg2+ in plant physiology and genetics, and its interplay with external factors, serving as a cornerstone for those keen on harnessing its potential for horticultural excellence.

Daptomycin production enhancement by ARTP mutagenesis and fermentation optimization in Streptomyces roseosporus.

AIMS: We evaluated whether the randomness of mutation breeding can be regulated through a double-reporter system. We hope that by establishing a new precursor feeding strategy, the production capacity of industrial microorganisms after pilot scale-up can be further improved. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the industrial strain Streptomyces roseosporus L2796 was used as the starter strain for daptomycin production, and a double-reporter system with the kanamycin resistance gene Neo and the chromogenic gene gusA was constructed to screen for high-yield strain L2201 through atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP). Furthermore, the composition of the culture medium and the parameters of precursor replenishment were optimized, resulting in a significant enhancement of the daptomycin yield of the mutant strain L2201(752.67 mg/l). CONCLUSIONS: This study successfully screened a high-yield strain of daptomycin through a double-reporter system combined with ARTP mutation. The expression level of two reporter genes can evaluate the strength of dptEp promoter, which can stimulate the expression level of dptE in the biosynthesis of daptomycin, thus producing more daptomycin. The developed multi-stage feeding rate strategy provides a novel way to increase daptomycin in industrial fermentation.

A Novel Zn2Cys6 Transcription Factor, TopC, Positively Regulates Trichodin A and Asperpyridone A Biosynthesis in Tolypocladium ophioglossoides.

Asperpyridone A represents an unusual class of pyridone alkaloids with demonstrated potential for hypoglycemic activity, primarily by promoting glucose consumption in HepG2 cells. Trichodin A, initially isolated from the marine fungus Trichoderma sp. strain MF106, exhibits notable antibiotic activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Despite their pharmacological significance, the regulatory mechanisms governing their biosynthesis have remained elusive. In this investigation, we initiated the activation of a latent gene cluster, denoted as "top", through the overexpression of the Zn2Cys6 transcription factor TopC in Tolypocladium ophioglossoides. The activation of the top cluster led to the biosynthesis of asperpyridone A, pyridoxatin, and trichodin A. Our study also elucidated that the regulator TopC exerts precise control over the biosynthesis of asperpyridone A and trichodin A through the detection of protein-nucleic acid interactions. Moreover, by complementing these findings with gene deletions involving topA and topH, we proposed a comprehensive biosynthesis pathway for asperpyridone A and trichodin A in T. ophioglossoides.

Combining Vis-NIR and NIR Spectral Imaging Techniques with Data Fusion for Rapid and Nondestructive Multi-Quality Detection of Cherry Tomatoes.

Firmness, soluble solid content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) are characteristic substances for evaluating the quality of cherry tomatoes. In this paper, a hyper spectral imaging (HSI) system using visible/near-infrared (Vis-NIR) and near-infrared (NIR) was proposed to detect the key qualities of cherry tomatoes. The effects of individual spectral information and fused spectral information in the detection of different qualities were compared for firmness, SSC and TA of cherry tomatoes. Data layer fusion combined with multiple machine learning methods including principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector regression (SVR) and back propagation neural network (BP) is used for model training. The results show that for firmness, SSC and TA, the determination coefficient R2 of the multi-quality prediction model established by Vis-NIR spectra is higher than that of NIR spectra. The R2 of the best model obtained by SSC and TA fusion band is greater than 0.9, and that of the best model obtained by the firmness fusion band is greater than 0.85. It is better to use the spectral bands after information fusion for nondestructive quality detection of cherry tomatoes. This study shows that hyperspectral imaging technology can be used for the nondestructive detection of multiple qualities of cherry tomatoes, and the method based on the fusion of two spectra has a better prediction effect for the rapid detection of multiple qualities of cherry tomatoes compared with a single spectrum. This study can provide certain technical support for the rapid nondestructive detection of multiple qualities in other melons and fruits.

From rosin to novel bio-based silicone rubber: a review.

Rosin is a characteristic natural renewable resource. In view of the unique hydrogenated phenanthrene ring skeleton structure of rosin, it can be designed and synthesized to modify silicone rubber for improving its mechanical properties, thermal stability, and other properties. In this paper, the research progress of silicone rubber modified by rosin and its derivatives is reviewed, including internal or surface modification of room temperature or high temperature vulcanized silicone rubber. The different chemical modifications and polymerization pathways to obtain bio-based silicone rubber (e.g. rosin-based silicone cross-linking agent, filler compound rosin-based silicone cross-linking agent, rosin-based polymer, and rosin quaternary ammonium salt bifunctional antibacterial coating) are discussed and its research prospect is reviewed. Overall, the present review article will provide a quantitative experimental basis for rosin to produce bio-renewable multifunctional silicone rubber to increase our level of understanding of the behavior of this important class of silicone rubber and other similar bio-based polymers.