RESUMEN
The airport and its surrounding areas are home to a variety of pollution sources, and air pollution is a recognized health concern for local populated regions. Submicron particulate matter (PM1 with an aerodynamic diameter of <1 mm) is a typical pollutant at airports, and the enrichment of heavy metals (HMs) in PM1 poses a great threat to human health. To comprehensively assess the source-specific health effects of PM1-bound HMs in an airport community, PM1 filter samples were collected around the Tianjin Binhai International Airport for 12 h during the daytime and nighttime, both in the spring and summer, and 10 selected HMs (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) were analyzed. The indicatory elements of aircraft emissions were certified as Zn and Pb, which accounted for more than 60% of the sum concentration of detected HMs. The health risks assessment showed that the total non-cancer risks (TNCRs) of PM1-bound HMs were 0.28 in the spring and 0.23 in the summer, which are lower than the safety level determined by the USEPA, and the total cancer risk (TCR) was 2.37 × 10-5 in the spring and 2.42 × 10-5 in the summer, implying that there were non-negligible cancer risks in the Tianjin Airport Community. After source apportionment with EF values and PMF model, four factors have been determined in both seasons. Consequently, the source-specific health risks were also evaluated by combining the PMF model with the health risk assessment model. For non-cancer risk, industrial sources containing high concentrations of Mn were the top contributors in both spring (50.4%) and summer (44.2%), while coal combustion with high loads of As and Cd posed the highest cancer risk in both seasons. From the perspective of health risk management, targeted management and control strategies should be adopted for industrial emissions and coal combustion in the Tianjin Airport Community.
RESUMEN
Human early embryonic development is the cornerstone of a healthy baby. Abnormal early embryonic development may lead to developmental and pregnancy-related disorders. Accordingly, understanding the developmental events and mechanisms of human early embryonic development is very important. However, attempts to reveal these events and mechanisms are greatly hindered by the extreme inaccessibility of in vivo early human embryos. Fortunately, the emergence of in vitro culture (IVC) systems for mammalian embryos provides an alternative strategy. In recent years, different two-dimensional and three-dimensional IVC systems have been developed for human embryos. Ethical limitations restrict the IVC of human embryos beyond 14 days, which makes non-human primate embryos an ideal model for studying primate developmental events. Different culture systems have supported the development of monkey embryos to days postfertilization 14 and 25, respectively. The successful recapitulation of in vivo developmental events by these IVC embryos has greatly enriched our understanding of human early embryonic development, which undoubtedly helps us to develop possible strategies to predict or treat various gestation-related diseases and birth defects. In this protocol, we establish different two-dimensional and three-dimensional IVC systems for primate embryos, provide step-by-step culture procedures and notes, and summarize the advantages and limitations of different culture systems. Replicating this protocol requires a moderate level of experience in mammalian embryo IVC, and the embryo culture requires strict adherence to the procedures we have described.
RESUMEN
The LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) protein, named for its LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (LOB) domain, is a member of a class of specific transcription factors commonly found in plants and is absent from all other groups of organisms. LBD TFs have been systematically identified in about 35 plant species and are involved in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development. However, research on the signaling network and regulatory functions of LBD TFs is insufficient, and only a few members have been studied. Moreover, a comprehensive review of these existing studies is lacking. In this review, the structure, regulatory mechanism and function of LBD TFs in recent years were reviewed in order to better understand the role of LBD TFs in plant growth and development, and to provide a new perspective for the follow-up study of LBD TFs.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de Plantas , Factores de Transcripción , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Dominios Proteicos , Desarrollo de la Planta , Plantas/metabolismo , Plantas/genéticaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation. Huashanshen dripping pills (HSS) are commonly utilized for relieving asthma, relieving cough, and expelling phlegm. At present, the molecular mechanism against airway inflammation remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and molecular dynamic simulation were used to predict the therapeutic pathways of HSS for asthma. The ovalbumin-induced mouse model was used to further validate the prediction by RT-qPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and related methods. KEY FINDINGS: The findings indicate that HSS improves lung function and relieves lung inflammation by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration around the bronchus and reducing eosinophilic counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In addition, it lowers the levels of inflammatory cytokines and the expression levels of interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13 mRNA. HSS also inhibits the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 protein. CONCLUSIONS: All results suggested that HSS can decrease airway inflammation in asthmatic mice by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. This finding will shed light on how it can be used to treat asthma.
RESUMEN
This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
RESUMEN
Traditional π-conjugated luminescent macromolecules typically suffer from aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) and high cytotoxicity, and they require complex synthetic processes. In contrast, nonconventional luminescent macromolecules (NCLMs) with nonconjugated structures possess excellent biocompatibility, ease of preparation, unique luminescence behavior, and emerging applications in optoelectronics, biology, and medicine. NCLMs are currently believed to produce inherent luminescence due to through-space conjugation of overlapping electron orbitals in solid/aggregate states. However, as experimental facts continue to exceed expectations or even overturn some previous assumptions, there is still controversy about the detailed luminous mechanism of NCLMs, and extensive studies are needed to further explore the mechanism. This Perspective highlights recent progress in NCLMs and classifies and summarizes these advances from the viewpoint of molecular design, mechanism exploration, applications, and challenges and prospects. The aim is to provide guidance and inspiration for the huge fundamental and practical potential of NCLMs.
RESUMEN
Herein, a covalent organic framework (SO3-COF) containing sulfonic acid groups has been developed on the surface of alumina by a one-step method, labeled as SO3-COF@Al2O3. The experimental results show that SO3-COF@Al2O3 can effectively inhibit the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfide (LiPSs) in LSBs after loading the active material sulfur, and exhibits better cycling behavior than the initial polymer SO3-COF. The initial discharge specific capacity of this electrode material at 0.05C is as high as 1141 mA h g-1, and the capacity can be maintained at 466 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles with a capacity decay rate of 0.08% per cycle.
RESUMEN
Two-dimensional porphyrin-based covalent-organic frameworks (2D-por-COFs) have gained significant attention as attractive platforms for efficient solar light conversion into hydrogen production. Herein, it is found that introducing transition metal zinc and polyethylene glycol (PEG) into 2D-por-COFs can effectively improve the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of ZnPor-COF is 2.82 times higher than that of H2Por-COF. Moreover, ZnPor-COF@PEG has the highest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency, which is 1.31 and 3.7 times that of pristine ZnPor-COF and H2Por-COF, respectively. The filling of PEG makes the layered structure of COFs more stable. PEG reduces the distortion and deformation of the carbon skeleton after the experiment of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The layered stacking and crystallization of 2D-por-COFs are also enhanced. Meanwhile, the presence of PEG also accelerates the transfer of excited electrons and enhances the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity. This strategy will provide valuable insights into the design of 2D-por-COFs as efficient solid photocatalysts for solar-driven hydrogen production.
RESUMEN
Disease recurrence perception plays a key role in disease management and subsequent disease recurrence prevention. However, there are no specific tools for assessing disease recurrence perception in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by alternating remission and recurrence. To develop and validate an instrument for measuring disease recurrence perception of patients with IBD, the study was conducted in two steps: (1) instrument development and (2) psychometric tests. A total of 623 patients with IBD participated in the study. The common sense model of illness self-regulation (CSM) was used as a framework for instrument development. The administered version contained 48 items intended to be relevant to at least one of the six dimensions of the model. Based on preliminary analyzes, 12 items were deleted leaving 36 items for more detailed psychometric and factor analyzes. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total 36-item instrument was 0.915. The content validity indexes at item and scale levels were satisfactory. The test-retest reliability of the total instrument was 0.870. Exploratory principal components analysis (n = 278) was used to identify six components congruent with intended CSM constructs that accounted for 62.6% of total item variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 345) found acceptable fit for the six factor measurement model (χ2/df = 1.999, GFI = 0.846, NFI = 0.855, IFI = 0.922, TLI = 0.910, CFI = 0.921, RMSEA = 0.054). Overall, the DRPSIBD demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity to warrant further development as a measure of disease recurrence perception of patients with IBD.
RESUMEN
To investigate the association between T2DM and IBD by bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to clarify the casual relationship. Independent genetic variants for T2DM and IBD were selected as instruments from published genome-wide association studies (GWAS), mainly in European ancestry. Instrumental variables (IVs) associated with T2DM and IBD were extracted separately from the largest GWAS meta-analysis. MR analyses included inverse variance weighting, weighted median estimator, MR Egger regression, and sensitivity analyses with Steiger filtering and MR PRESSO. In the data samples for Ulcerative colitis (UC) (6968 cases, 20,464 controls) and Crohn's disease (CD) (5956 cases, 14,927 controls), there was a negative causal relationship between T2DM and UC [IVW, OR/95%CI: 0.882/(0.826,0.942), p < 0.001]. However, the causal relationships between T2DM and CD, UC and T2DM, CD and T2DM were not significant, and the p value measured by the IVW method was ≥ 0.05. All SNPs showed no significant horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05). The results of the bidirectional MR Study suggest that T2DM has a negative causal effect on UC, which provides implications for clinical treatment decisions in IBD patients with T2DM. The findings do not support a causal relationship between T2DM and CD, UC and T2DM, or CD and T2DM, and the impact of IBD on T2DM needs further investigation.
Asunto(s)
Colitis Ulcerosa , Enfermedad de Crohn , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Enfermedades Inflamatorias del Intestino , Humanos , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/genética , Estudio de Asociación del Genoma Completo , Análisis de la Aleatorización Mendeliana , Enfermedades Inflamatorias del Intestino/genética , Colitis Ulcerosa/genética , Enfermedad de Crohn/genéticaRESUMEN
Dragon's blood, the red resin derived from the wounded Dracaena, is a precious traditional medicine used by different culture. Dracaena cochinchinensis is one of the main species of Dracaena, and is the endangered medicinal plants in China. The vulnerable status severely limits the medicinal value and wide application of dragon's blood. Therefore, it's essential to analyze the mechanisms that form dragon's blood in order to increase artificial production. To clarify the mechanisms forming dragon's blood, understanding gene expression in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway is the foundation. However, reference genes of D. cochinchinensis haven't been analyzed. In this study, expression profiles of seven commonly used housekeeping genes (Actin, α-EF, UBC, ß-tubulin, 18S, GAPDH, His) were evaluated by using quantitative real-time PCR combined with the algorithms geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder. On the basis of overall stability ranking, the best reference genes were the combinations ß-tubulin +UBC for wounded stems and α-EF +18S + Actin for different organs. Reliability of the recommended reference genes was validated by normalizing relative expression of two key enzyme genes PAL1 and CHI1 in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. The results provide a foundation to study gene expression in future research on D. cochinchinensis or other Dracaena.
Asunto(s)
Actinas , Dracaena , Tubulina (Proteína) , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Extractos Vegetales , FlavonoidesRESUMEN
Purpose: To identify the distinct profiles of psychosocial adaptation of Chinese inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and the predictive factors. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional survey method was used to recruit 263 IBD patients who were treated in a tertiary hospital in Shandong Province from July 2022 to April 2023. The general information questionnaire, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Psychosocial Adaptation Questionnaire, Resilience Scale for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Chinese Benefit Finding Scale, and Stigma Scale for Chronic Illnesses, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire and Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Disk were used as the instruments for investigation. Latent profile analysis was conducted with the six dimensions of the IBD Psychosocial Adaptation Questionnaire as the explicit indicators. The predictors of profile membership were analyzed by multinomial logistic regressions. Results: Four profiles of psychosocial adaptation in IBD patients were identified: Low level psychosocial adaptation (14.1%), Medium level psychosocial adaptation - High body image distress (25.5%), Medium level psychosocial adaptation - Low body image distress (30.0%) and High level psychosocial adaptation (30.4%). Compared with Low level psychosocial adaptation group, High level psychosocial adaptation group had a higher level of positive cognition (OR=2.930, 95%IC 0.017-0.305, p< 0.001) and overall psychological resilience (OR=1.832, 95%IC 0.000-0.016, p < 0.001), more health behaviors (OR= 2.520, 95%IC 0.191-1.358, p=0.001), a lower level of internal stigma (OR=0.135, 95%IC 0.043-0.420, p < 0.001) and overall stigma (OR=0.010, 95%IC 0.003-0.118, p=0.001), less acceptance-resignation coping style (OR=0.055, 95%IC 0.209-3.200, p < 0.001) and lower disease burden (OR=0.407, 95%IC 0.298-0.698, p=0.006). Conclusion: About a half of IBD patients had a medium level of psychosocial adaptation. Psychological resilience, benefit finding, stigma, medical coping styles and disease burden predicted psychosocial adaptation profiles. Healthcare providers need to focus on the heterogeneity of psychosocial adaptation of IBD patients and formulate personalized intervention programs for patients with different profiles to improve their psychosocial adaptation.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To explore the prognostic effects of previous cancer history on patients with major salivary gland cancer (SGC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: SGC patients with (sec-SGC) and without (one-SGC) a previous cancer from the SEER database were identified. Cox proportional hazards regression (CoxPH) models were used to compare the prognosis between sec-SGC and one-SGC patients. Subgroup analyses for sec-SGC patients by gender, previous cancer types, previous cancer histology, and cancer diagnosis interval (CDI) were performed. Two CoxPH models were constructed to distinguish sec-SGC patients with different prognostic risks. RESULTS: 9098 SGC patients were enrolled. Overall, sec-SGC patients (adjusted HR [aHR] = 1.26, p < 0.001), especially those with a CDI ≤ 5 years (aHR = 1.47, p < 0.001), had worse overall survival (OS) than one-SGC patients. In subgroup analysis, only sec-SGC patients with a previous head and neck cancer who were female (aHR = 2.38, p = 0.005), with a CDI ≤ 5 years (aHR = 1.65, p = 0.007) or with a previous squamous cell carcinoma (aHR = 6.52, p < 0.001) had worse OS. Our models successfully differentiated all sec-SGC patients into high-, intermediate- and low-risk groups with different prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Sec-SGC patients with different previous cancer types, gender, CDI and previous cancer histology had varied prognosis. The models we constructed could help differentiate the prognosis of sec-SGC patients with different risks.
Asunto(s)
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello , Neoplasias de las Glándulas Salivales , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Pronóstico , Neoplasias de las Glándulas Salivales/patología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologíaRESUMEN
Bioretention systems are one of the most widely used stormwater control measures for urban runoff treatment. However, stable and effective dissolved nutrient treatment by bioretention systems is often challenged by complicated stormwater conditions. In this study, pyrite-only (PO), pyrite-biochar (PB), pyrite-woodchip (PW), and pyrite-woodchip-biochar mixed (M) bioretention systems were established to study the feasibility of improving both stability and efficiency in bioretention system via multi-media interaction. PB, PW, and M all showed enhanced dissolved nitrogen and/or phosphorus removal compared to PO, with M demonstrating the highest efficiency and stability under different antecedent drying durations (ADD), pollutant levels, and prolonged precipitation depth. The total dissolved nitrogen and dissolved phosphorus removal in M ranged between 64%-86% and 80%-95%, respectively, with limited organic matter and iron leaching. Pore water, microbial community, and material analysis collectively indicate that pyrite, woodchip, and biochar synergistically facilitated multiple nutrient treatment processes and protected each other against by-product leaching. Pyrite-woodchip interaction greatly increased nitrate removal by facilitating mixotrophic denitrification, while biochar further enhanced ammonium adsorption and expanded the denitrification area. The Fe3+ generated by pyrite aerobic oxidation was adsorbed on the biochar surface and potentially formed a Fe-biochar composite layer, which not only reduced Fe3+-induced pyrite excessive oxidation but also potentially increased organic matter adsorption. Fe (oxyhydr)oxides intermediate product formed by pyrite oxidation, in return, controlled the phosphorus and organic matter leaching from biochar and woodchip. Overall, this study demonstrates that multi-media interaction may enable bioretention systems to achieve stable and effective urban runoff treatment.
Asunto(s)
Carbón Orgánico , Hierro , Nitrógeno , Sulfuros , Nitrógeno/análisis , Fósforo/análisis , LluviaRESUMEN
The development of single-component materials with low cytotoxicity and multichannel fluorescence imaging capability is a research hotspot. In the present work, highly electron-deficient pyrazine monomers were covalently connected into a polyurethane backbone using addition polymerization with terminal poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether units containing a high density of electron pairs. Thereby, an amphiphilic polyurethane-pyrazine (PUP) derivative has been synthesized. The polymer displays cluster-induced emission through compact inter- and/or intramolecular noncovalent interactions and extensive through-space electron coupling and delocalization. Molecular rigidity facilitates red-shifted emission. Based on hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions and excitation dependence emission at low concentrations, PUP has been self-assembled into fluorescent nanoparticles (PUP NPs) without additional surfactant. PUP NPs have been used for cellular multicolor imaging to provide a variety of switchable colors on demand. This work provides a simple molecular design for environmentally sustainable, luminescent materials with excellent photophysical properties, biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and color modulation.
Asunto(s)
Polietilenglicoles , Poliuretanos , Polietilenglicoles/química , Polímeros/química , PirazinasRESUMEN
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To develop a noninvasive predictive model based on patients with infertility for identifying minimal or mild endometriosis. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A total of consecutive 1365 patients with infertility who underwent laparoscopy between January 2013 and August 2020 were divided into a training set (n = 910) for developing the predictive model and a validation set (n = 455) to confirm the model's prediction efficiency. The patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio. INTERVENTIONS: Sensitivities, specificities, area under the curve, the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test, Net Reclassification Improvement index, and Integrated Discrimination Improvement index were evaluated in the training set to select the optimum model. In the validation set, the model's discriminations, calibrations, and clinical use were tested for validation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the training set, there were 587 patients with minimal or mild endometriosis and 323 patients without endometriosis. The combination of clinical parameters in the model was evaluated for both statistical and clinical significance. The best-performing model ultimately included body mass index, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, uterosacral tenderness, and serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125). The nomogram based on this model demonstrated sensitivities of 87.7% and 93.3%, specificities of 68.6% and 66.4%, and area under the curve of 0.84 (95% confidence interval 0.81-0.87) and 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.80-0.89) for the training and validation sets, respectively. Calibration curves and decision curve analyses also indicated that the model had good calibration and clinical value. Uterosacral tenderness emerged as the most valuable predictor. CONCLUSION: This study successfully developed a predictive model with high accuracy in identifying infertile women with minimal or mild endometriosis based on clinical characteristics, signs, and cost-effective blood tests. This model would assist clinicians in screening infertile women for minimal or mild endometriosis, thereby facilitating early diagnosis and treatment.
Asunto(s)
Endometriosis , Infertilidad Femenina , Laparoscopía , Femenino , Humanos , Infertilidad Femenina/diagnóstico , Infertilidad Femenina/etiología , Endometriosis/complicaciones , Endometriosis/diagnóstico , Endometriosis/cirugía , Estudios Retrospectivos , DismenorreaRESUMEN
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. This study explored whether quercetin (Que) exerts neuroprotective effects in a rat model of HIBD. A total of 36 seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, Que, HI, and HI + Que groups. The Rice method was used to establish HIBD in HI and HI + Que rats, which were treated with hypoxia (oxygen concentration of 8%) for 2 h after ligation of the left common carotid artery. The rats in the HI + Que group were intraperitoneally injected with Que (30 mg/kg) 1 h before hypoxia, and the rats in the Que group were only injected with the same amount of Que. Brain tissues were harvested 24 h postoperation and assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay; relative gene and protein levels were evaluated by RT-qPCR, IHC, or western blot (WB) assay. Brain tissue morphologies were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); LC3B protein levels were assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Escape latencies and platform crossing times were significantly improved (p < .05) in HI + Que groups; infarct volume significantly decreased (p < .001), whereas the numbers of autophagic bodies and apoptotic cells increased and decreased, respectively. Meanwhile, NLRX1, ATG7, and Beclin1 expressions were significantly upregulated, and mTOR and TIM23 expressions, LC3B protein level, and LC 3II/LC 3I ratio were significantly downregulated. Que exerted neuroprotective effects in a rat model of HIBD by regulating NLRX1 and autophagy.
RESUMEN
In this study, a new cobalt-based metal-organic framework (JLNU-500), [Co2(OH)(PBA)(AIP)]·3DMA·0.75H2O (4-(pyridin-4-yl) benzoic acid (HPBA), 5-aminoisophthalic acid (H2AIP) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA)), was fabricated using a solvothermal method. JLNU-500 has 3D network architecture with 1D nanopore channels. The prepared JLNU-500 can activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for Rhodamine B (RhB) dye decolorization. Interestingly, catalyst JLNU-500 exhibited high efficiency for PMS activation, and nearly 100% (above 99.8%) removal of RhB with a high concentration (50.0 mg L-1, 100 mL) was achieved within 6 min. The reaction rate constant of the JLNU-500/PMS system was 1.02 min-1 calculated based on the pseudo-first-order kinetics, which is higher than that of the other reported catalysts. Furthermore, the factors, which could influence PMS activation were also investigated, such as PMS dosage, catalyst dosage, pollutant RhB concentration, reaction temperature and solution pH. More importantly, the radical trapping experiments ferreted out that sulfate (SO4Ë-) and hydroxyl (ËOH) radicals were the dominating oxidants in the removal of RhB. Moreover, the possible degradation mechanism was elucidated. This study provides new prospects for fabricating new MOFs that can potentially be employed for high-efficiency catalytic oxidation as heterogeneous catalysts.
RESUMEN
The study of aggregate formation and its controllable effect on luminescence behavior has a far-reaching influence in establishing a universal aggregation photophysical mechanism. In this paper, we obtained clusters with different extents of aggregation by heat-induced or light-triggered aggregation of a new polyurethane derivative (PUE). The controllable regulation of multicolor fluorescence of a single (nondoped) polymeric material is realized. The luminescence behavior of PUE varies with microscopic control of the aggregation structure. Compared with the powder state, the enhanced atom-atom and group-group interactions of PUE-gel effectively limit the nonradiative transitions in the excited state and result in a red-shift in emission. This work avoids complex organic synthesis and demonstrates a simple strategy to induce aggregation and regulate the emitting color of macromolecules, providing a template for developing new materials for multicolor fluorescence. In addition, a pattern was constructed with encryption, anticounterfeiting, and information transmission functions which provide a proof-of-concept demonstration of the practical potential of PUE as a smart material.
RESUMEN
Sesquiterpenes are characteristic components and important quality criterions for agarwood. Although sesquiterpenes are well-known to be biosynthesized by sesquiterpene synthases (TPSs), to date, only a few TPS genes involved in agarwood formation have been reported. Here, two new TPS genes, namely, TPS9 and TPS12, were isolated from Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg, and their functions were examined in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), with farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) as the substrate of the corresponding enzyme activities. They were both identified as a multiproduct enzymes. After incubation with FPP, TPS9 liberated ß-farnesene and cis-sesquisabinene hydrate as main products, with cedrol and another unidentified sesquiterpene as minor products. TPS12 catalyzes the formation of ß-farnesene, nerolidol, γ-eudesmol, and hinesol. After incubation with GPP, TPS9 generated citronellol and geraniol as main products, with seven minor products. TPS12 converted GPP into four monoterpenes, with citral as the main product, and three minor products. Both TPS9 and TPS12 showed much higher expression in the two major tissues emitting floral volatiles: flowers and agarwood. Further, RT-PCR analysis showed TPS9 and TPS12 are typical genes mainly expressed during later stages of stress response, which is better known than that of chromone derivatives. This study will advance our understanding of agarwood formation and provide a solid theoretical foundation for clarifying its mechanism in A. sinensis.