Effects of different protein cross-linking degrees on physicochemical and subsequent thermal gelling properties of silver carp myofibrillar proteins sol subjected to freeze-thaw cycles.

Knowledge regarding the denaturation process and control methods for depolymerized sol-state myofibrillar proteins (MPs) during freezing remains scant. This study investigated the effects of protein cross-linking treatment before freezing on physicochemical and subsequent gelation properties of MPs sol subjected to freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. Results indicated that after five F-T cycles, cross-linked MPs sols showed increased high molecular weight polymers and bound water (T21a and T21b) mobility, suggesting enhanced protein-protein interactions at the expense of protein-water interactions. Upon heating after F-T cycles, gels formed from cross-linked sols exhibited significantly higher hardness, springiness, and cooking loss (P < 0.05), alongside more contracted gel networks. Correlation analysis revealed that the formation and properties of thermal gel after freezing closely relate to changes in molecular conformation and chemical bonds of cross-linked MPs sol during freezing. This study provides new insights into regulating the freezing stability and post-thawed thermal processing properties of sol-based surimi products.

Uncovering quality changes of surimi-sol based products subjected to freeze-thaw process: The potential role of oxidative modification on salt-dissolved myofibrillar protein aggregation and gelling properties.

Frozen surimi quality generally correlates with oxidation, but impacts of protein oxidation on salt-dissolved myofibrillar protein (MP) sol in surimi remain unclear. Hence, physicochemical and gelling properties of MP sol with different oxidation degrees were investigated subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. Results showed that mild oxidation (≤1 mmol/L) improved unfrozen MP gel quality with lowest cooking loss (3.29 %) and highest hardness (829.76 N). Whereas, oxidized sol suffering freeze-thawing degenerated severely, showing reduction of 23.85 % of salt soluble protein contents with H2O2 concentrations of 10 mmol/L. Shearing before heating influenced gelling properties of freeze-thawed sol, depending on oxidation levels. Oxidized gel with shearing displayed disorganized network structures, whereas gel without shearing displayed relatively complete appearances without holes under high oxidation condition (10 mmol/L). Overall, freeze-thaw process aggravated denaturation extents of MP sol subjected to oxidation, further causing high water loss and yellow color of heat-induced gel, especially to gel with shearing.

Large Nonlinear Transverse Conductivity and Berry Curvature in KTaO3 Based Two-Dimensional Electron Gas.

Two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at oxide interfaces exhibits various exotic properties stemming from interfacial inversion and symmetry breaking. In this work, we report large nonlinear transverse conductivities in the LaAlO3/KTaO3 interface 2DEG under zero magnetic field. Skew scattering was identified as the dominant origin based on the cubic scaling of nonlinear transverse conductivity with linear longitudinal conductivity and 3-fold symmetry. Moreover, gate-tunable nonlinear transport with pronounced peak and dip was observed and reproduced by our theoretical calculation. These results indicate the presence of Berry curvature hotspots and thus a large Berry curvature triplet at the oxide interface. Our theoretical calculations confirm the existence of large Berry curvatures from the avoided crossing of multiple 5d-orbit bands, orders of magnitude larger than that in transition-metal dichalcogenides. Nonlinear transport offers a new pathway to probe the Berry curvature at oxide interfaces and facilitates new applications in oxide nonlinear electronics.

Fine Mapping the Soybean Mosaic Virus Resistance Gene in Soybean Cultivar Heinong 84 and Development of CAPS Markers for Rapid Identification.

Heinong 84 is one of the major soybean varieties growing in Northeast China, and is resistant to the infection of all strains of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) in the region including the most prevalent strain, N3. However, the resistance gene(s) in Heinong 84 and the resistant mechanism are still elusive. In this study, genetic and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based bulk segregation analysis (BSA) were performed to map the resistance gene using a segregation population from the cross of Heinong 84 and a susceptible cultivar to strain N3, Zhonghuang 13. Results show that the resistance of Heinong 84 is controlled by a dominant gene on chromosome 13. Further analyses suggest that the resistance gene in Heinong 84 is probably an allele of Rsv1. Finally, two pairs of single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP)-based primers that are tightly cosegregated with the resistance gene were designed for rapidly identifying resistant progenies in breeding via the cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) assay.

Pulsed laser deposition of large-sized superlattice films with high uniformity.

Oxide superlattices often exhibit emergent physical properties that are desirable for future information device applications. The most common growth technique for fabrication of oxide superlattices is pulsed laser deposition (PLD), which is convenient yet powerful for the growth of various oxide superlattices. However, the sample size prepared by PLD is rather small confined by the plasmon plume, which greatly limits its potential for device applications. Here, we design a PLD system that is capable of fabricating large-sized oxide superlattices with high uniformity. Specifically, during growth, the laser beam scans the target surface by combining the pitch and yaw angle rotation of the high reflective mirror and the linear motion of the focus lens. A SiC susceptor is placed in between the sample holder and the substrate to improve the large area infrared heating efficiency. Using such a system, droplet-free 10 × 10 mm2 [(LSMO)12/(PCMO)6]7 superlattices are epitaxially grown with the same period of superlattices across the whole sample areas. The high uniformity of the superlattices is further illustrated by near identical physical properties of all regions of the superlattice films. The present PLD system can be used to grow various kinds of oxide superlattices with the area size as large as 2 in., which is highly useful for device applications of oxides.

[Comparative analysis and research on composition of mulberry-sourced medicinal materials by fingerprint division total statistical moment method and information entropy].

The present work is to analyze the HPLC fingerprints of mulberry-sourced materials(Mori Ramulus, Mori Folium, Muri Cortex, Mori Fructus) using the fingerprint division total statistical moment method and information entropy, and to study the diffe-rences of the chemical components and the overall characteristics of the imprinting template in different parts of mulberry-sourced medicinal materials, so as to provide the basis for finding the effective substances in response to "homologous and different effect" of mulberry(Morus alba). The fingerprints of 24 batches of mulberry-related materials, such as Mori Ramulus, Mori Folium, Muri Cortex, Mori Fructus, were established, and the similarities and differences of the fingerprints were analyzed by calculating the division total statistical moment parameters and information entropy. The AUC_T, MCRT_T, VCRT_T and H values of 24 batches of mulberry-sourced materials were less than 0.05, with significant difference. Among them, all samples showed absorption peaks within 3-11, and 20-24 min, indicating that the four types had the identical or similar chemical composition in the same time period. After 34 min, none of the four types showed absorption peaks. Greater VCRT_T value of the fingerprints of the four kinds was observed at the retention time ranges of 3-4, 16-18, 25-27, and 31-32 min, indicating that the components of the four kinds were significantly different in these time periods; and VCRT_T value of the mulberry was significantly higher than that of the other three kinds of medicinal materials at the retention time windows of 3-4 and 15-17 min; the VCRT_T value of the mulberry white skin was significantly higher at the time windows of 8-10 and 28-30 min; the VCRT_T value of all four kinds was significantly higher within 21-23 min, indicating that the four herbs contain the same or similar components in the chromatogram during this period, but there may be significant differences between the content and the proportion. In addition, the information entropy of mulberry branches is the largest at 7-12, 23-27 min, and that of mulberry fruits is the largest at 2-8 min, which indicates that the components of mulberry branches and mulberry fruits respond greatly in the corresponding period of time, which is also the main peak period of their chemical components. For the chemical components and corresponding efficacy here. The results showed that there are significant differences in the components and contents of mulberry-sourced medicinal materials. The division total statistical moment and information entropy of the total amount of segments can be used to analyze the differences in the components of "homology and different effects", which could provide a more comprehensive analysis method for the determination of quality markers.

Dasatinib, paclitaxel, and carboplatin in women with advanced-stage or recurrent endometrial cancer: A pilot clinical and translational study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of dasatinib therapy on EphA2 signaling in cancers of women with measurable (biopsy amenable) advanced-stage, chemo-naïve primary or recurrent endometrial cancer. Preliminary efficacy was also assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a pilot study of single-agent dasatinib lead-in, followed by triplet dasatinib, paclitaxel, and carboplatin. We measured the downstream effectors of EphA2 signaling in pre- and post-dasatinib treatment biopsy tissue samples; we also determined the severity of adverse events and patients' progression-free survival and overall survival durations. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were recruited and given dasatinib (150 mg orally daily for 14 days), followed by paclitaxel, carboplatin and dasatinib (daily) for six cycles (21-day cycles). Seventeen patients were evaluable for toxicity and 11 patients for response. A reverse phase protein array and proximity ligation assay revealed that CRAF/BRAF dimerization, caveolin-1 level, and Notch pathway signaling were predictive of response and resistance to dasatinib. Overall, the objective response rate was 45% (95% CI: 17%-77%), with median progression-free survival duration of 10.5 months and median overall survival duration of 30.4 months. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (76%), thrombocytopenia (53%), anemia (53%), and fatigue (12%). CONCLUSIONS: Caveolin-1 expression, in combination with CRAF/BRAF heterodimerization, is associated with resistance to EphA2 targeting by dasatinib. The triplet combination showed interesting clinical activity in endometrial cancer with acceptable toxicity. Pretreatment with dasatinib may accentuate combination therapy toxicity.

Preparation and Properties of Cationic Gelatin Cross-Linked with Tannin.

A kind of biomaterial with antibacterial and mechanical properties was prepared using gelatin (GE) as a raw material. GE was modified by antibacterial epoxy quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) and then cross-linked with tannic acid (TA). Analysis of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that the cationic group was grafted onto GE by reaction of the amino of GE with the epoxy of QAS, and the cross-linking occurred between the amino of GE and the active groups of TA under alkaline conditions. The cross-linking degree was determined by the fluorescence method via a derivative reaction of fluorescamin. The influence of the cross-linking degree on the physical and chemical properties of the GE film was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mechanical testing. The results showed that the modified GE film formed a compact cross-linking structure, and its thermostability and mechanical properties were improved with increasing cross-linking degree. The in vitro antibacterial rate of the cross-linked cationic GE film to Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) reached 95.83% and 100% respectively, and the in vitro cell relative growth rate (RGR) of HeLa cells cultured in the extracted leachate of the cross-linked cationic GE film exceeded 85%, which illustrated that the modified GE film had excellent antibacterial activity and biocompatibility.

Construction of a High-Density Linkage Map and QTL Fine Mapping for Growth- and Sex-Related Traits in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

A high-density genetic linkage map is of particular importance in the fine mapping for important economic traits and whole genome assembly in aquaculture species. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), a species native to North America, is one of the most important commercial freshwater fish in the world. Outside of the United States, China has become the major producer and consumer of channel catfish after experiencing rapid development in the past three decades. In this study, based on restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq), a high-density genetic linkage map of channel catfish was constructed by using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a F1 family composed of 156 offspring and their two parental individuals. A total of 4,768 SNPs were assigned to 29 linkage groups (LGs), and the length of the linkage map reached 2,480.25 centiMorgans (cM) with an average distance of 0.55 cM between loci. Based on this genetic linkage map, 223 genomic scaffolds were anchored to the 29 LGs of channel catfish, and a total length of 704.66 Mb was assembled. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and genome-wide association analysis identified 10 QTLs of sex-related and six QTLs of growth-related traits at LG17 and LG28, respectively. Candidate genes associated with sex dimorphism, including spata2, spata5, sf3, zbtb38, and fox, were identified within QTL intervals on the LG17. A sex-linked marker with simple sequence repeats (SSR) in zbtb38 gene of the LG17 was validated for practical verification of sex in the channel catfish. Thus, the LG17 was considered as a sex-related LG. Potential growth-related genes were also identified, including important regulators such as megf9, npffr1, and gas1. In a word, we constructed the high-density genetic linkage map and developed the sex-linked marker in channel catfish, which are important genetic resources for future marker-assisted selection (MAS) of this economically important teleost.

High-quality genome assembly of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus.

BACKGROUND: The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), a species native to North America, is one of the most important commercial freshwater fish in the world, especially in the United States' aquaculture industry. Since its introduction into China in 1984, both cultivation area and yield of this species have been dramatically increased such that China is now the leading producer of channel catfish. To aid genomic research in this species, data sets such as genetic linkage groups, long-insert libraries, physical maps, bacterial artificial clones (BAC) end sequences (BES), transcriptome assemblies, and reference genome sequences have been generated. Here, using diverse assembly methods, we provide a comparable high-quality genome assembly for a channel catfish from a breeding stock inbred in China for more than three generations, which was originally imported to China from North America. FINDINGS: Approximately 201.6 gigabases (Gb) of genome reads were sequenced by the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. Subsequently, we generated high quality, cost-effective and easily assembled sequences of the channel catfish genome with a scaffold N50 of 7.2 Mb and 95.6 % completeness. We also predicted that the channel catfish genome contains 21,556 protein-coding genes and 275.3 Mb (megabase pairs) of repetitive sequences. CONCLUSIONS: We report a high-quality genome assembly of the channel catfish, which is comparable to a recent report of the "Coco" channel catfish. These generated genome data could be used as an initial platform for molecular breeding to obtain novel catfish varieties using genomic approaches.

Draft genome of the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis.

BACKGROUND: The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is one of the most studied and economically important crustaceans in China. Its transition from a swimming to a crawling method of movement during early development, anadromous migration during growth, and catadromous migration during breeding have been attractive features for research. However, knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms that regulate these processes is still very limited. FINDINGS: A total of 258.8 gigabases (Gb) of raw reads from whole-genome sequencing of the crab were generated by the Illumina HiSeq2000 platform. The final genome assembly (1.12 Gb), about 67.5 % of the estimated genome size (1.66 Gb), is composed of 17,553 scaffolds (>2 kb) with an N50 of 224 kb. We identified 14,436 genes using AUGUSTUS, of which 7,549 were shown to have significant supporting evidence using the GLEAN pipeline. This gene number is much greater than that of the horseshoe crab, and the annotation completeness, as evaluated by CEGMA, reached 66.9 %. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first genome sequencing, assembly, and annotation of the Chinese mitten crab. The assembled draft genome will provide a valuable resource for the study of essential developmental processes and genetic determination of important traits of the Chinese mitten crab, and also for investigating crustacean evolution.