Magnetic metal-organic framework MIL-100 (Fe)/polyethyleneimine composite as an adsorbent for the magnetic solid-phase extraction of fungicides and their determination using HPLC-UV.

Fe3O4@MIL-100 (Fe)/PEI are used for the first time as an adsorbent material for the extraction of pesticide residues (epoxiconazole, flusilazole, tebuconazole, and triadimefon) from food matrices. The adsorbent proposed (Fe3O4@MIL-100(Fe)/PEI) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques to evaluate the properties of the sorbent. Then, the Fe3O4@MIL-100 (Fe)/PEI was employed for the quantification of the four triazole fungicides in fruits and vegetables (apple, orange, tomato, cabbage, and cucumber) using HPLC-UV for separation and detection. During the extraction process, the main parameters such as amount of adsorbent, extraction time, pH value, ionic strength, eluting solvent, and eluting volume were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, good linearity of this method was observed for all analytes, with correlation coefficients (R2) ≥ 0.9908. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.021-3.04 µg kg-1. The extraction recoveries of the four triazole fungicides varied from 73.9 to 109.4% with relative standard deviations (RSD) in the range 0.5 to 6.2%. Compared with other MOFs, the modification of Fe3O4@MIL-100 (Fe) with PEI shows high efficient adsorption due to the combined benefits of MIL-100 (Fe) and PEI. The material is easily synthesized, has good stability, and is of low cost.  Graphical abstract.

Protein phosphorylation differs significantly among ontogenetic phases in Malus seedlings.

BACKGROUND: Although protein phosphorylation is an important post-translational modification affecting protein function and metabolism, dynamic changes in this process during ontogenesis remain unexplored in woody angiosperms. METHODS: Phosphorylated proteins from leaves of three apple seedlings at juvenile, adult vegetative and reproductive stages were extracted and subjected to alkaline phosphatase pre-treatment. After separating the proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and phosphoprotein-specific Pro-Q Diamond staining, differentially expressed phosphoproteins were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. RESULTS: A total of 107 phosphorylated protein spots on nine gels (three ontogenetic phases × three seedlings) were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. The 55 spots of ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large-chain fragments varied significantly in protein abundance and degree of phosphorylation among ontogenetic phases. Abundances of the 27 spots corresponding to Rubisco activase declined between juvenile and reproductive phases. More extensively, phosphorylated ß-tubulin chain spots with lower isoelectric points were most abundant during juvenile and adult vegetative phases. CONCLUSIONS: Protein phosphorylation varied significantly during vegetative phase change and floral transition in apple seedlings. Most of the observed changes were consistent among seedlings and between hybrid populations.

Volatiles emitted from tea plants infested by Ectropis obliqua larvae are attractive to conspecific moths.

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles have been reported to play a role in the host-searching behavior of herbivores. However, next to nothing is known about the effect of volatiles emitted from tea plants infested by Ectropis obliqua larvae on the behavior of conspecific adults. Here, we found that tea plants infested by E. obliqua caterpillars for 24 h were more attractive to both virgin male and female E. obliqua adults than were intact, uninfested tea plants; moreover, mated female E. obliqua moths were more attracted by infested tea plants and preferentially oviposited on these plants, whereas male moths were repelled by infested plants once they had mated. Volatile analysis revealed that the herbivore infestation dramatically increased the emission of volatiles. Among these volatiles, 17 compounds elicited antennal responses from both male and female virginal moths. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, we found that 3 of the 17 chemicals, benzyl alcohol, (Z)-3-hexenyl hexanoate, and (Z)-3-hexenal, were attractive, but two compounds, linalool and benzyl nitril, were repellent to virgin male and female moths. One chemical, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, was attractive only to virgin males. Mated females were attracted by three compounds, (Z)-3-hexenyl hexanoate, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, and (Z)-3-hexenal; whereas mated males were repelled by (Z)-3-hexenol. The findings provide new insights into the interaction between tea plants and the herbivores, and may help scientists develop new measures with which to control E. obliqua.

Effects of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on sediment bacterial community.

Mangrove sediment is susceptible to anthropogenic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, the effects of PAHs on the bacterial diversity in mangrove sediment have been rarely studied. In the present study, the effects of three types of PAHs (Naphthalene, Fluorene, and Pyrene) at three doses on sediment microbial populations were investigated by using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). After 7 and 24 days of incubation of the three types of PAHs, markedly different patterns were observed in the bacterial communities. Overall, the diversity of bacterial community was suppressed before 7 days but was promoted after 24 days. Multidimensional scaling analysis suggested that the composition of bacterial communities after 7 days was distinctly distant from that after 24 days. Also despite a slight shift of bacterial abundance, the bacterial communities were relatively steady in these sediments after exposure to PAHs. In addition, DGGE suggested that the applications of three PAHs (especially PYR) had considerable effects on bacterial communities. For phylogenetic analysis, bacteria species belonging to Proteobacteria (α-, ß-, and γ-), Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, and Planctomycetes were changed dramatically after treatment with PAHs. These results suggest that PAHs play key roles in the change of bacterial community, which may be important for understanding the relationship between PAHs and sediment microbial ecology.

A New Ferroptosis-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Risk Model Predicts the Prognosis of Patients With Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Ferroptosis is a novel form of regulated cell death that involves in cancer progression. However, the role of ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this paper was to clarify the prognostic value of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs in PTC. Methods: The transcriptome data and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The correlation between ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and lncRNA was determined using Pearson correlation analysis. Multivariate Cox regression model (P < 0.01) was performed to establish a ferroptosis-related lncRNAs risk model. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, risk curve and nomograms were then performed to assess the accuracy and clinical applicability of prognostic models. The correlations between the prognosis model and clinicopathological variables, immune and m6A were analyzed. Finally, in vitro assays were performed to verify the role of LINC00900, LINC01614 and PARAL1 on the proliferation, migration and invasion in TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, as well as the relationship between three lncRNAs and ferroptosis. Results: A five-ferroptosis-related lncRNAs (PARAL1, LINC00900, DPH6-DT, LINC01614, LPP-AS2) risk model was constructed. Based on the risk score, samples were divided into the high- and low-risk groups. Patients in the low-risk group had better prognosis than those in high-risk group. Compared to traditional clinicopathological features, risk score was more accurate in predicting prognosis in patients with PTC. Additionally, the difference of immune cell, function and checkpoints was observed between two groups. Moreover, experiments showed that LINC00900 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion in TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, while LINC01614 and PARAL1 revealed opposite effects, all of which were related to ferroptosis. Conclusions: In summary, we identified a five-ferroptosis-related lncRNAs risk model to predict the prognosis of PTC. Furthermore, our study also revealed that LINC00900 functioned as a tumor suppressor lncRNA, LINC01614 and PARAL1 as an oncogenic lncRNA in PTC.

Heterologous functional analysis of the Malus xiaojinensis MxIRT1 gene and the His-box motif by expression in yeast.

Malus xiaojinensis is an important, iron-efficient rootstock germplasm. Iron uptake is an elaborately controlled process in plant roots, involving specialized transporters. MxIRT1, a Fe(II) transporter gene of M. xiaojinensis, is homologous to other iron transporters at the amino acid level. In the current study, the plasmid pYES2.0-MxIRT1, containing MxIRT1 cDNA, was constructed and transformed into yeast mutants. The results indicated that it could reverse the phenotype of yeast strain DEY1453, an iron uptake mutant. Complementation tests suggested that it might not be a specific transporter, as it was able to restore the phenotypes of other yeast mutant strains, including Mn, Cu and Zn uptake mutants. The functions of the critical histidine residues in the His-box of MxIRT1 were tested by transforming mutant yeast strain DEY1453 with different His residues altered by directed mutagenesis. The His-box of MxIRT1 was found to be necessary for iron transport, with different histidine residues (H(1-4)) playing different roles in the transport.

Induction of root Fe(lll) reductase activity and proton extrusion by iron deficiency is mediated by auxin-based systemic signalling in Malus xiaojinensis.

Iron is a critical cofactor for a number of metalloenzymes involved in respiration and photosynthesis, but plants often suffer from iron deficiency due to limited supplies of soluble iron in the soil. Iron deficiency induces a series of adaptive responses in various plant species, but the mechanisms by which they are triggered remain largely unknown. Using pH imaging and hormone localization techniques, it has been demonstrated here that root Fe(III) reductase activity and proton extrusion upon iron deficiency are up-regulated by systemic auxin signalling in a Fe-efficient woody plant, Malus xiaojinensis. Split-root experiments demonstrated that Fe-deprivation in a portion of the root system induced a dramatic increase in Fe(III) reductase activity and proton extrusion in the Fe-supplied portion, suggesting that the iron deficiency responses were mediated by a systemic signalling. Reciprocal grafting experiments of M. xiaojinensis with Malus baccata, a plant with no capability to produce the corresponding responses, indicate that the initiation of the systemic signalling is likely to be determined by roots rather than shoots. Iron deficiency induced a substantial increase in the IAA content in the shoot apex and supplying exogenous IAA analogues (NAA) to the shoot apex could mimic the iron deficiency to trigger the corresponding responses. Conversely, preventing IAA transport from shoot to roots blocked the iron deficiency responses. These results strongly indicate that the iron deficiency-induced physiological responses are mediated by systemic auxin signalling.

P2RY2 Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting YAP Phosphorylation and Reducing Mitochondrial Fission.

P2Y purinoceptor 2 (P2RY2) is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of P2RY2 on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its molecular mechanism. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats and OXYGEN and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model in PC12 cells were established. P2RY2 expressions in I/R injury model in vitro and in vivo were up-regulated. In the OGD/R group, ROS level, cyto-CytC and mitochondrial fission factors expressions and cell apoptosis were increased, while SOD activity, mito-CytC and mitochondrial fusion factors expressions were decreased. P2RY2 overexpression could reverse these results. Up-regulated P2RY2 expression decreased Yes-associated protein (YAP) phosphorylation level, promote the nuclear translocation of YAP, and inhibit cell apoptosis, which can be reversed by YAP inhibitor verteporfin. The addition of PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 could reverse the decrease of YAP phosphorylation level and cell apoptosis, and the increase of nuclear translocation caused by P2RY2 overexpression. Further in vivo studies validated that interference with P2RY2 increased the cerebral infarction area, decreased AKT expression, enhanced YAP phosphorylation, and inhibited the nuclear translocation of YAP. In conclusion, P2RY2 can alleviate cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting YAP phosphorylation and reducing mitochondrial fission.

Natural variations in a pectin acetylesterase gene, MdPAE10, contribute to prolonged apple fruit shelf life.

Room-temperature shelf life is a key factor in fresh market apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) quality and commercial value. To investigate the genetic and molecular mechanism underlying apple shelf life, quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified using bulked segregant analysis via sequencing (BSA-seq). Ethylene emission, flesh firmness, or crispness of apple fruit from 1,273 F1 plants of M. asiatica Nakai 'Zisai Pearl' × M. domestica 'Golden Delicious' were phenotyped prior to and during 6 wk of room-temperature storage. Segregation of ethylene emission and the flesh firmness or crispness traits was detected in the population. Thirteen QTL, including three major ones, were identified on chromosome 03, 08, and 16. A candidate gene encoding pectin acetylesterase, MdPAE10, from the QTL Z16.1 negatively affected fruit shelf life. A 379-bp deletion in the coding sequence of MdPAE10 disrupted its function. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the MdPAE10 promoter region reduced its transcription activity. These findings provided insight into the genetic control of fruit shelf life and can be potentially used in apple marker-assisted selection.

[Serrated lesions of colon and their malignant potential].

OBJECTIVE: To study the serrated lesions of colon and to compare the malignant potential between traditional serrated adenomas (TSA) and conventional adenomas (CAD). METHODS: A total of 5347 cases of colorectal polyps encountered in five regional hospitals during a five-year period were retrospectively reviewed. The serrated lesions were classified on the basis of histologic examination. One hundred and eighty-seven cases of CAD (including 160 cases of tubular adenoma and 27 cases of villous adenoma) and 36 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma were randomly selected as the controls. The degree of dysplasia and expressions of Ki-67, p53 and beta-catenin in TSA and CAD were compared. RESULTS: Amongst the 5347 colorectal polyps studied, 258 cases (4.8%) of serrated lesions were found, which included 112 cases (43.4%, 112/258) of hyperplastic polyp, 78 cases (30.2%, 78/258) of TSA and 26 cases (10.1%, 26/258) of sessile serrated adenoma. Sixty-two cases of TSA were identified from 3 hospitals, in which moderate dysplasia was found in 13 cases. High-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and ICA were found in 6 cases (9.6%). Compared with the 187 cases of CAD, moderate dysplasia were found in 27 cases and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive adenocarcinoma were found in 25 cases (13.3%, χ(2) = 19.373, P = 0.000). There was statistically significant difference between TSA and CAD in the degree of dysphasia. The expression of Ki-67, p53 and beta-catenin in TSA and CAD showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of serrated lesions is lower in northern Chinese population than that in Caucasians. TSA has obvious malignant potential; but the rate associated with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive adenocarcinoma is lower than that in CAD.

[Analysis of therapeutic effects of rural patients with hypertension by combination administration of low dosage of hydrochlorothiazide and nitrendipine].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of combination administration of hydrochlorothiazide and nitrendipine at low dosage in the treatment of rural hypertension patients. METHODS: By the method of cluster random sampling, 5292 primary hypertension patients from Fuxin, Liaoning Province were divided into health education group (control group) and drug intervention group in June 2006. The drug intervention group were treated with hydrochlorothiazide, nitrendipine and captopril by stepwise approach and we observe the antihypertensive effect of drug and the effect on the onset of stroke. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 15 months. At last, 308 patients were lost to follow-up (the lost follow-up rate was 5.8 percent). The 4984 in cohort, including 2530 of intervention group and 2454 of control group, had examination of all indicators. Through health education and drug intervention, the average blood pressure in drug intervention group decreased by 16.1/9.4 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) while the average blood pressure in control group decreased by 6.7/3.5 mm Hg. The control rate of blood pressure in drug intervention group was higher than control group (33.1% vs. 15.1%, P < 0.001). Through drug intervention, the morbidity risk of nonfatal stroke in drug intervention group decreased by 57.3% compared to control group, the total morbidity risk of stroke decreased by 59.4%. The results had significant statistical difference. And, the morbidity of severe hypopotassaemia (K(+) < 3.0 mmol/L) and diabetes mellitus had no significant statistical difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The low-cost antihypertensive program based on thiazide had good antihypertensive effect, high safety and good cost-effect ratio. The program could be used in rural areas of China.

Direct determination of atrazine residue on Chinese cabbage leaf using desorption electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry and its application for diagnosing atrazine drift phytotoxicity.

A method was developed for the determination of atrazine residue and phytotoxicity on a nontargeted plant, the Chinese cabbage. The analysis was done by desorption electrospray ionization combined with ion trap MS/MS. Within the range of 63.13 to 2525 pg/mm2 of atrazine on the specimen, the linear relationship of the average peak area of extracted product ion m/z 174 (y) versus the surface concentration of atrazine (x) was estimated as y = 5066.5x - 85779; r was 0.9994, with RSD between 3.37 and 26.17%. The LOQ of atrazine on the leaf surface was lower than 63.13 pg/mm2. The method is highly applicable to detect atrazine residue and evaluate atrazine phytotoxicity on Chinese cabbage leaf with good accuracy, selectivity, sensitivity, and specificity.

[Correlation between body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure in rural residents from west part of Liaoning Province].

OBJECTIVE: This study observed the association between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure level in rural residents from west Liaoning province. METHODS: This epidemiological study using stratified cluster random sampling was conducted from 2004 to 2006 in Fuxin County, Liaoning Province, 43,692 rural residents (21,680 males) aged 35-74 years old [(49. 8 +/-10.2) years] were surveyed. Database was established with the help of Epidata 3.1 software. RESULTS: In total 43,692 persons were surveyed, including 21,680 male (49.6%) and 22,012 female (50.4%). The average BMI and WC was (23.31 +/- 3.08) kg/m2 and (80.87 +/- 9.0) cm, respectively. No matter male or female, SBP started from 20 kg/m2, increased with the increase of BMI; DBP increased gradually with the increase of BMI; the prevalence of hypertension were significant differences among different BMI groups (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression show that in male, using the group with BMI, <18 kg/m2 as control, 28-30 kg/m2 group OR and 95% CI was 6.285 (4.612-8.566); in female, when BMI >22 kg/ m2 OR increased with the increasing of BMI. In male and female, both SBP and DBP, also the prevalence rate of hypertension increased gradually with the increase of WC (P < 0.001). No matter in male or female, when BMI <24 kg/m2, and WC male <85 cm, female WC <80 cm, the average blood pressure levels and prevalence of hypertension are the lowest; after adjusting for age and other risk factors, the prevalence rate of overweight and obesity for male with hypertension OR are 1.704 (1.592-1.825) and 3.710 (3.148 -4.371) , respectively, for female is 1.527 (1.428-1.632) and 3.014 (2.668-3.405), respectively. When the WC is higher than the standard, male and female hypertension risk OR and 95% CI are 1.231 (1.153-1.314) and 1.353 (1.269-1.442), respectively. CONCLUSION: Both BMI and WC are risk factors of hypertension.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment & control of hypertension in rural Liaoning province, China.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. In PR China, the prevalence of hypertension has substantially increased during the past four decades. Information on prevalence as well as awareness regarding treatment and prevention of hypertension is scarce particularly in rural settings. The objective of this study was therefore to estimate the prevalence and distribution of hypertension and to determine the status of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in the general rural adult population in northeast China. METHODS: During 2005--2007, in Liaoning province of northeast China a probability proportional to size sampling method was used to select a nationally representative sample. A total of 45,925 adults (aged > 35 yr) were examined. Three blood pressure measurements were obtained by trained observers using a standardized sphygmomanometer after a 5-minute sitting rest. Information on history of hypertension and use of antihypertensive medications was obtained. Hypertension was defined as a mean systolic blood pressure > 140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure > 90 mm Hg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. RESULTS: Overall, 37.8 per cent of the rural adult population from northeast China aged 35 to 85 yr had hypertension. Among hypertensives, only 29.5 per cent were aware of their high blood pressure, 20.2 per cent were taking antihypertension medication and 0.9 per cent achieved blood pressure control (< 140/90 mm Hg). Of all subjects, 43.9 per cent did not think that high blood pressure would endanger their lives. The reasons why not taking antihypertensive medication in hypertensives aware of having hypertension was 40.2 per cent for their lack of knowledge about the fatalness of hypertension and 32.3 per cent for financial straits. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that hypertension is highly prevalent in rural areas of northeast China. The percentages of those with hypertension who were aware, treated and controlled were unacceptably low. These results underscore the urgent need to take comprehensive controlling measures and improve the awareness of hypertension at the same time to control hypertension in rural population of Liaoning province.

Potential polyphenol markers of phase change in apple (Malus domestica).

In order to identify potential biochemical markers that can be used as indicators for phase change, the dynamics of polyphenolic compounds across apple seedlings (Malus domestica, Jonathan x Golden Delicious) were analyzed in this study by high performance liquid chromatography. Precocious flowering was induced by foliar sprays of plant growth regulators. Qualitative changes in the concentration of polyphenols were observed at node nos. 50, 80 and 120. Spontaneous and induced flowering was found at node nos. 122 and 77. It was reasonable to conclude that node no. 77 represented the point of transition between the juvenile phase and the adult vegetative phase, which was marked by the presence of phloridzin in the buds. The disappearance of myricitrin in the bark and the absence of caffeic acid in the aboveground tissues were qualitative markers of the reproductive phase, which was reached at node no. 122.

[Relationship between pulse pressure, pulse pressure index and prevalence of stroke among rural population in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between pulse pressure (PP), pulse pressure index (PPI), and stroke in rural areas. METHODS: 29970 people>or=35 years old in rural areas of Fuxin City, Liaoning Province, were selected by cluster multistage sampling. Blood pressure was measured. History of stroke was taken. SPSS11.5 statistical software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: (1) The prevalence of stroke was 2.48%. (2) The PP level of the stroke group was 65 mm Hg+/-19 mm Hg in men and 70 mm Hg+/-21 mm Hg in women; while the PP level of the non-stroke group was 52 mm Hg+/-14 mm Hg in men and 53 mm Hg+/-17 mm Hg in women. The PPI level of the stroke group was 0.40+/-0.08 in men and 0.42+/-0.08 in women; while the PPI of the non-stroke was 0.38+/-0.07 in men and 0.39+/-0.07 in women. The PP and PPI levels of the stroke group were significantly higher than those of the non-stroke group (both P<0.01). (2) The prevalence of stroke increased along with the increase of PP and PPI in both genders (both P<0.01). (3) Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the areas of PP and PPI under ROC curve was 0.720 (95% CI, 0.694-0.746) and 0.581 (95% CI, 0.553-0.610) in men when the optional cutoff was selected; and were 0.755 (95% CI, 0.727-0.784) and 0.681 (95% CI, 0.583-0.650) in women. The sensitivity in prediction of stroke of PP was higher than that of PPI; and the specificity in prediction of stroke of PP was lightly lower than that of PPI in men and was higher than that of PP in women. The area of PP under ROC curve was significantly larger than that of PPI (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: As risk factors of stroke, PP and PPI are associated with the prevalence of stroke. PP is superior to PPI in predicting the prevalence of stroke.

miR156 switches on vegetative phase change under the regulation of redox signals in apple seedlings.

In higher plants, miR156 regulates the vegetative phase change via the target SBP/SPL genes. The regulation of miR156 during ontogenetic processes is not fully understood. In the apple genome, of 31 putative MdMIR156 genes that encode pre-miR156, seven were dominantly expressed. However, the transcript levels of only MdMIR156a5 and MdMIR156a12 decreased significantly during the vegetative phase change, which was consistent with the mature miR156 level, indicating that miR156 is under transcriptional regulation. Leaf H2O2 content was higher in the adult phase than in the juvenile phase because of excess H2O2 accumulation in chloroplasts. When in vitro shoots were treated with menadione, diphenyleneiodonium, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid or buthionine sulphoximine, the expressions of MdMIR156a5, MdMIR156a12, and as well miR156 were coordinated with reduced glutathione (GSH) contents and glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio but not H2O2 contents. Alteration of miR156 expression level by MdMIR156a6-overexpressing or miR156-mimetic transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana did not cause a corresponding change in reactive oxygen species or GSH status. Collectively, the results indicate that the vegetative phase change in apple is controlled by the MdMIR156a5 and MdMIR156a12 transcriptional regulatory network in response to the plastid-nucleus redox signals, such as GSH.

A genome-wide analysis of the ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2/LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (AS2/LOB) gene family in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2/LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (AS2/LOB) genes are a family of plant specific transcription factors, which play an important role in the regulation of plant lateral organ development and metabolism. However, a genome-wide analysis of the AS2/LOB gene family is still not available for barley. In the present study, 24 AS2-like (ASL)/LOB domain (LBD) genes were identified based on the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genome sequence. A phylogenetic tree of ASL/LBD proteins from barley, Arabidopsis, maize, and rice was constructed. The ASL/LBD genes were classified into two classes, class I and class II, which were divided into five and two subgroups, respectively. Genes homologous in barley and Arabidopsis were analyzed. In addition, the structure and chromosomal locations of the genes were analyzed. Expression profiles indicated that barley HvASL/LBD genes exhibit a variety of expression patterns, suggesting that they are involved in various aspects of physiological and developmental processes. This genome-wide analysis of the barley AS2/LOB gene family contributes to our understanding of the functions of the AS2/LOB gene family.

The Chinese Mental Resilience Scale and its psychometric properties.

This study aimed to develop a Chinese Mental Resilience Scale. A total of 2500 healthy participants, in two representative samples of the Chinese population, were administered the scale. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlation analysis were used to obtain the relevant coefficients and verify the reliability and validity of the scale. Five factors were extracted: willpower, family support, optimism and self-confidence, problem solving, and interpersonal interaction, plus a lying subscale, which together accounted for 54 percent of the total variance. The Chinese Mental Resilience Scale demonstrated good psychometric properties. It can be used to evaluate the mental resilience level of general Chinese population.

Redox homeostasis and reactive oxygen species scavengers shift during ontogenetic phase changes in apple.

The change from juvenile to adult phase is a universal phenomenon in perennial plants such as apple. To validate the changes in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and scavenging during ontogenesis in apple seedlings, the H2O2 contents, its scavenging capacity, and the expression of related genes, as well as miR156 levels, were measured in leaf samples from different nodes in seedlings of 'Zisai Pearl' (Malus asiatica)×'Red Fuji' (M. domestica). Then in vitro shoots were treated with redox modulating chemicals to verify the response of miR156 to redox alteration. The expression of miR156 decreased gradually during ontogenesis, indicating a progressive loss of juvenility. During the phase changes, H2O2 and ascorbate contents, the ratio of ascorbate to dehydroascorbate, the ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase activities, and the expressions of some MdGR and MdAPX gene family members increased remarkably. However, the glutathione content and glutathione to glutathione disulfide ratio declined. In chemicals treated in vitro shoots, the changes in miR156 levels were coordinated with GSH contents and GSH/GSSG ratio but not H2O2 contents. Conclusively, the relative reductive thiol redox status is critical for the maintenance of juvenility and the reductive ascorbate redox environment was elevated and sustained during the reproductive phase.