Search

Global climate change‐caused drought stress, high temperatures and other extreme weather profoundly impact plant growth and development, restricting sustainable crop production. To cope with various environmental stimuli, plants can optimize the opening and closing of stomata to balance CO2 uptake for photosynthesis and water loss from leaves. Guard cells perceive and integrate various signals to adjust stomatal pores through turgor pressure regulation. Molecular mechanisms and signaling networks underlying the stomatal movements in response to environmental stresses have been extensively studied and elucidated. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of stomatal movements mediated by abscisic acid, light, CO2, reactive oxygen species, pathogens, temperature, and other phytohormones. We discussed the significance of elucidating the integrative mechanisms that regulate stomatal movements in helping design smart crops with enhanced water use efficiency and resilience in a climate‐changing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The inflorescences of Solanaceae are unique and complex, which has led to long‐standing disputes over floral symmetry mainly due to different interpretations of the cyme‐like inflorescence structure. The main disagreements have been over how the phyllomes associated with the flower were arranged relative to the inflorescence axis especially during early flower initiation. Methods: Here we investigated the evolution of inflorescences in Solanaceae by analyzing inflorescence structure in the context of phylogeny using ancestral state reconstruction (ASR) to determine the evolutionary transitions between loosely arranged and tightly clustered inflorescences and between monochasial‐like and dichasial‐like cymes. We also reconstructed two‐ and three‐dimensional models for 12 solanaceous species that represent both inflorescence and phylogenetic diversity in the family. Results: Our results indicate that the most recent common ancestor of Solanaceae had a loosely arranged and monochasial‐like cyme, while tightly clustered inflorescences and dichasial‐like cymes were derived. Compared to the known process of scorpioid cyme evolution, Solanaceae achieved their scorpioid cyme‐like inflorescences through a previously undescribed way. Along the pedicel, the two flower‐preceding prophylls are not in the typical transverse position of dicotyledonous plants; they frequently have axillary buds, and the main inflorescence axis continues in a sympodial fashion. As a result, the plane of symmetry of the flower is 36° from the median, and the inflorescence axis and the two flower‐preceding prophylls are symmetrically located along that plane. Conclusions: A better understanding of the morphological evolution of solanaceous inflorescence structure helped clarify the floral symmetry of Solanaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tulasu pluton is located in the northeast of the Tulasu Basin, North Tianshan, which is composed of three rock types including quartz diorite porphyry, pyroxene diorite porphyry, and granite. Zircon U‐Pb dating indicates that the quartz diorite porphyry and pyroxene diorite porphyry were crystallized in the Late Devonian (with ages at 360.3 ± 7.8 and 375.4 ± 6.2 Ma, respectively), while the granitic rocks was formed in the Late Carboniferous (at 305.9 ± 5.9 Ma), suggesting that the Tulasu pluton was the product of two magmatic episodes. The Late Devonian quartz diorite and pyroxene diorite porphyry are metaluminous and belong to calc‐alkaline to high‐K calc‐alkaline series. Quartz diorite porphyry and pyroxene diorite porphyry are characterized by the prominent enrichment in LILEs, such as Rb, Th, U, and K, and depletion in HFSEs, such as Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, which is similar to typical subduction‐related arc magma. The εHf(t) values of quartz diorite porphyry and pyroxene diorite porphyry are +4.5–+8.8 and +2.0–+6.4, respectively, indicating that they are derived from depleted mantle wedge. Their TDM2 ages are 814–1,087 Ma and 955–1,227 Ma, respectively, which shows that the Mesoproterozoic to the Neoproterozoic crustal materials were involved. Their high Ba/La (10.26–17.92), low Th/Yb (1.96–5.80), and relatively low Ce/Th (3.16–7.34) and Ba/Th (18.29–38.92) ratios indicate that they were probably produced by partial melting of depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab‐derived aqueous fluids, with involvement of subducted sediment. Geochemical characteristics indicate that the Late Devonian dioritic magma was generated in an arc‐related tectonic setting. The Late Carboniferous granitic rocks were composed of granodiorite porphyry and granite porphyry. The granodiorite porphyry samples are high‐K calc‐alkaline and peraluminous, while the granite porphyry samples are in the boundary zones of shoshonite and high‐K calc‐alkaline, as well as metaluminous and weakly peraluminous. Granodiorite porphyry shows features of I‐type granite, while granite porphyry has the characteristics of A‐type granite. High 176Hf/177Hf ratios (0.282600–0.282833) and εHf(t) values (+0.4–+8.7) indicate that granitic rocks have affinities with both depleted mantle and crust. Geochemical characteristics suggest that the Late Carboniferous granitic magma was formed in post‐collisional setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Respiration in leaves and the continued elevation in the atmospheric CO2 concentration cause CO2‐mediated reduction in stomatal pore apertures. Several mutants have been isolated for which stomatal responses to both abscisic acid (ABA) and CO2 are simultaneously defective. However, there are only few mutations that impair the stomatal response to elevated CO2, but not to ABA. Such mutants are invaluable in unraveling the molecular mechanisms of early CO2 signal transduction in guard cells. Recently, mutations in the mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase, MPK12, have been shown to partially impair CO2‐induced stomatal closure. Here, we show that mpk12 plants, in which MPK4 is stably silenced specifically in guard cells (mpk12 mpk4GC homozygous double‐mutants), completely lack CO2‐induced stomatal responses and have impaired activation of guard cell S‐type anion channels in response to elevated CO2/bicarbonate. However, ABA‐induced stomatal closure, S‐type anion channel activation and ABA‐induced marker gene expression remain intact in the mpk12 mpk4GC double‐mutants. These findings suggest that MPK12 and MPK4 act very early in CO2 signaling, upstream of, or parallel to the convergence of CO2 and ABA signal transduction. The activities of MPK4 and MPK12 protein kinases were not directly modulated by CO2/bicarbonate in vitro, suggesting that they are not direct CO2/bicarbonate sensors. Further data indicate that MPK4 and MPK12 have distinguishable roles in Arabidopsis and that the previously suggested role of RHC1 in stomatal CO2 signaling is minor, whereas MPK4 and MPK12 act as key components of early stomatal CO2 signal transduction. Significance statement: We show that MPK4 and MPK12 are required for CO2‐triggered stomatal responses but not for ABA‐induced stomatal closure. These results suggest that these two MAP kinases function upstream of the convergence of CO2 and ABA signaling. However, activities of MPK4 and MPK12 were not modulated by CO2/bicarbonate and, thus, direct HCO3−/CO2 sensing mechanisms remain to be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Intracellular malate–starch interconversion plays an important role in stomatal movements. We investigated whether malate or oxaloacetate from the cytosolic membrane side regulate anion channels in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis thaliana guard cells. Physiological concentrations of cytosolic malate have been reported in the range of 0.4–3 mM in leaf cells. Guard cell patch clamp and two‐electrode oocyte voltage‐clamp experiments were pursued. We show that a concentration of 1 mM cytosolic malate greatly activates S‐type anion channels in Arabidopsis thaliana guard cells. Interestingly, 1 mM cytosolic oxaloacetate also activates S‐type anion channels. Malate activation was abrogated at 10 mM malate and in SLAC1 anion channel mutant alleles. Interestingly, malate activation of S‐type anion currents was disrupted at below resting cytosolic‐free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]cyt), suggesting a key role for basal [Ca2+]cyt signaling. Cytosolic malate was not able to directly activate or enhance SLAC1‐mediated anion currents in Xenopus oocytes, whereas in positive controls, cytosolic NaHCO3 enhanced SLAC1 activity, suggesting that malate may not directly modulate SLAC1. Cytosolic malate activation of S‐type anion currents was impaired in ost1 and in cpk5/6/11/23 quadruple mutant guard cells. Together these findings show that these cytosolic organic anions function in guard cell ‘plasma membrane’ ion channel regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Direct control of protein level enables rapid and efficient analyses of gene functions in crops. Previously, we developed the RDDK‐Shield1 (Shld1) system in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana for direct modulation of protein stabilization using a synthetic small molecule. However, it was unclear whether this system is applicable to economically important crops. In this study, we show that the RDDK‐Shld1 system enables rapid and tunable control of protein levels in rice and wheat. Accumulation of RDDK fusion proteins can be reversibly and spatio‐temporally controlled by the synthetic small‐molecule Shld1. Moreover, RDDK‐Bar and RDDK‐Pid3 fusions confer herbicide and rice blast resistance, respectively, in a Shld1‐dependent manner. Therefore, the RDDK‐Shld1 system provides a reversible and tunable technique for controlling protein functions and conditional expression of transgenes in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Observations of floral ontogeny indicated that floral organ initiation in pentapetalous flowers most commonly results in a median-abaxial (MAB) petal during early development, a median-adaxial (MAD) petal being less common. Such different patterns of floral organ initiation might be linked with different morphologies of floral zygomorphy that have evolved in Asteridae. Here, we provide the first study of zygomorphy in pentapetalous angiosperms placed in a phylogenetic framework, the goal being to find if the different patterns of floral organ initiation are connected with particular patterns of zygomorphy. METHODS: We analyzed patterns of floral organ initiation and displays of zygomorphy, extracted from floral diagrams representing 405 taxa in 330 genera, covering 83% of orders (30 out of 36) and 37% of families (116 out of 313) in core eudicots in the context of a phylogeny using ancestral state reconstructions. KEY RESULTS: The MAB petal initiation is the ancestral state of the pattern of floral organ initiation in pentapetalous angiosperms. Taxa with MAD petal initiation represent ∼30 independent origins from the ancestral MAB initiation. There are distinct developmental processes that give rise to zygomorphy in different lineages of pentapetalous angiosperms, closely related lineages being likely to share similar developmental processes. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that development indeed constrains the processes that give rise to floral zygomorphy, while phylogenetic distance allows relaxation of these constraints, which provides novel insights on the role that development plays in the evolution of floral zygomorphy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Solanaceae, a group dominated by actinomorphic-flowered species, floral zygomorphy is frequently observed among the early-branching clades. Morphological studies indicated that a zygomorphic androecium is much more common than a zygomorphic corolla in the family. Ontogenic studies suggested the evolution of floral zygomorphy in these two whorls is independent. Here, we have examined the evolution of floral symmetry in the androecium and corolla in Solanaceae. The character states of floral symmetry were assembled for androecium and corolla separately, and ancestral state reconstructions were carried out at both the genus and species levels for Solanaceae and its outgroups. Correlation tests were performed to determine whether the presence of floral zygomorphy in the androecium and corolla is correlated. The ancestral state reconstructions suggest the flower of the most recent common ancestor of Solanaceae is likely zygomorphic in the androecium but actinomorphic in the corolla. Multiple losses and gains of floral zygomorphy in androecium and corolla explain the existing pattern of floral symmetry in Solanaceae. A significant positive correlation between the possession of floral zygomorphy in the androecium and corolla of Solanaceae was detected. Floral zygomorphy likely has evolved in androecium and corolla along separate evolutionary trajectories, and zygomorphy in the androecium may be a precursor for the many gains of zygomorphy in the corolla in Solanaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Letter proposes a new scheme to eliminate the bit‐line leakage current of static random access memory. The proposed scheme utilises a four‐input sense amplifier to amplify the voltages of self‐compared bit‐line pairs. The bit‐lines of the proposed structure have no series capacitances and are directly connected to the sense amplifier input. By this way, read delay and error caused by the leakage current of bit‐lines will be eliminated. Simulation results in SMIC 28 nm CMOS process design kits show that the proposed scheme has better stability and can decrease delay time by 41.1% at 0.9 V supply voltage compared with the X‐Calibration technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concomitant occurrence of 8q duplication and 13q deletion is the first to be detected by noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to date. Through case analysis, we could provide a clinical approach to pregnant women with chromosomal abnormalities revealed by NIPT. The combination of traditional karyotype and copy number variation sequencing (CNV‐seq) could better locate the abnormal chromosomal region and further identify the source of fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Simultaneously, we evaluated the fetal morphology by ultrasound examination. The karyotype of the fetus was 46,XY,der(13)t(8;13)(q22;q32)mat and CNV‐seq results showed that there was an approximately 45.26‐Mb duplication in 8q22.2‐q24.3 (101040001–146 300 000) and an approximately 9.54‐Mb deletion in 13q33.2‐q34 (105560001–115 100 000). Prenatal ultrasound revealed the fetal structural abnormalities presented with hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, a flat nose, echogenic bowel and absent gallbladder. Herein, we consider that combination detection of traditional karyotyping, CNV‐seq and ultrasonography provides a valuable method for pregnant women with abnormal NIPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supramolecular self‐assembly stands for the spontaneous aggregation of small organic compounds or polymers into ordered structures at any scale. When being induced by inherent molecular chiral centers or ambient asymmetric factors, asymmetric spatial arrangement between building units shall occur, which is defined as supramolecular chirality. Except for molecular design, utilizing external stimulus factors to tune supramolecular chirality is a promising approach. In this Concept article, we particularly discuss the important role of solvents in manipulating the chirality of self‐assembled systems. The impact of solvents on the chirality is generally based on three properties of solvents, i.e. chirality, polarity, and active coassembly with building blocks. Molecular self‐assembly in chiral solvents could undergo the chirality transfer, exhibiting a chiral induction effect. Solvent polarity often determines intermolecular orientation. As a consequence, those building blocks with both polar and apolar segments might change their chirality depending on the solvent polarity. We elaborate the active participation of solvent molecules into ordered structures together with building blocks, where solvents and building blocks exhibit a coassembly manner. By specific treatments such as heating and cooling, solvents could be released or re‐entrapped, allowing a smart control over supramolecular chirality. The solvent effect in manipulating two‐dimensional chiral self‐assemblies is then discussed. The perspective and future development in this research field are presented at last. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The ~140 species of Lonicera are characterized by variously fused leaves, bracteoles, and ovaries, making it a model system for studying the evolution and development of organ fusion. However, previous phylogenetic analyses, based mainly on chloroplast DNA markers, have yielded uncertain and conflicting results. A well‐supported phylogeny of Lonicera will allow us to trace the evolutionary history of organ fusion. Methods: We inferred the phylogeny of Lonicera using restriction site–associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq), sampling all major clades and 18 of the 23 subsections. This provided the basis for inferring the evolution of five fusion‐related traits. Results: RADSeq data yielded a well‐resolved and well‐supported phylogeny. The two traditionally recognized subgenera (Periclymenum and Chamaecerasus), three of the four sections (Isoxylosteum, Coeloxylosteum, and Nintooa), and half of the subsections sampled were recovered as monophyletic. However, the large and heterogeneous section Isika was strongly supported as paraphyletic. Nintooa, a clade of ~22 mostly vine‐forming species, including L. japonica, was recovered in a novel position, raising the possibility of cytonuclear discordance. We document the parallel evolution of fused leaves, bracteoles, and ovaries, with rare reversals. Most strikingly, complete cupules, in which four fused bracteoles completely enclose two unfused ovaries, arose at least three times. Surprisingly, these appear to have evolved directly from ancestors with free bracteoles instead of partial cupules. Conclusions: We provide the most comprehensive and well‐supported phylogeny of Lonicera to date. Our inference of multiple evolutionary shifts in organ fusion provides a solid foundation for in depth developmental and functional analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Drought is a major environmental stress that threatens crop production. Therefore, identification of genes involved in drought stress response is of vital importance to decipher the molecular mechanism of stress signal transduction and breed drought tolerance crops, especially for maize.Clade A PP2C phosphatases are core abscisic acid (ABA) signaling components, regulating ABA signal transduction and drought response. However, the roles of other clade PP2Cs in drought resistance remain largely unknown. Here, we discovered a clade F PP2C, ZmPP84, that negatively regulates drought tolerance by screening a transgenic overexpression maize library.Quantitative RT‐PCR indicates that the transcription of ZmPP84 is suppressed by drought stress. We identified that ZmMEK1, a member of the MAPKK family, interacts with ZmPP84 by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis. Additionally, we found that ZmPP84 can dephosphorylate ZmMEK1 and repress its kinase activity on the downstream substrate kinase ZmSIMK1, while ZmSIMK1 is able to phosphorylate S‐type anion channel ZmSLAC1 at S146 and T520 in vitro. Mutations of S146 and T520 to phosphomimetic aspartate could activate ZmSLAC1 currents in Xenopus oocytes.Taken together, our study suggests that ZmPP84 is a negative regulator of drought stress response that inhibits stomatal closure through dephosphorylating ZmMEK1, thereby repressing ZmMEK1–ZmSIMK1 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests and grasslands play a significant role in global nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, while a sophisticated model is missing to interpret the microbial processes involved in N2O production and consumption in these ecosystems. A new N2O emission model, MicN model, was developed for natural forest and grassland ecosystems by integrating with Integrated BIosphere Simulator (IBIS). This new model includes four major N2O correlated processes: autotrophic nitrification, heterotrophic nitrification, nitrifier denitrification and denitrifier denitrification. Thirty‐nine observation sites, including various forest and grassland ecosystem types, were selected to calibrate and validate IBIS‐MicN model. The IBIS‐MicN model explained 89% and 85% of observed daily variability in N2O emission for all calibration and validation sites, respectively. In addition, the model successfully predicted the concentrations of two important intermediates (i.e., ammonium and nitrate) for N2O production at nine validation sites. Compared with Forest‐DNDC model, IBIS‐MicN model performed better in simulating N2O emission, soil NH4+ and NO3−concentrations. At site scale, the simulated N2O emissions by IBIS‐MicN model positively correlated with annual mean soil temperature and annual precipitation, but negatively correlated with soil pH. This study provides an alternative model to estimate global N2O emission from natural forest and grassland ecosystems and to investigate corresponding environmental regulations. Plain Language Summary: A new process‐based model (IBIS‐MicN model) was developed to estimate N2O emission from forest and grassland ecosystems. Four microbial processes, autotrophic nitrification, heterotrophic nitrification, nitrifier denitrification and denitrifier denitrification, were considered in the new model. In addition, IBIS‐MicN model depicted the related microbial dynamics and simulated intermediate products (i.e., ammonium and nitrate) of N2O production. The model reproduced the magnitude and seasonality of ammonium, nitrate and N2O emission at 39 global observation sites very well, which implying the robust model structure and performance for reproducing soil N2O emission. We then analyzed the response of N2O emissions to meteorological and environmental variables, including air temperature, precipitation and soil pH. Key Points: The new model simulated four major N2O related processes and the microbial dynamics related to N2O production and consumptionThe IBIS‐MicN model explained 89% and 85% of observed daily variability in N2O emission at calibration and validation sitesThe new model performed better than Forest‐DNDC model for reproducing the observed daily N2O emission, and concentration of NH4+ and NO3− at site‐scale [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a subclass of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) detected within mammalian tissues and cells. However, its regulatory role during the proliferation phase of rat liver regeneration (LR) remains unreported. This study was designed to explore their regulatory mechanisms in cell proliferation of LR. The circRNA expression profile was detected by high‐throughput sequencing. It was indicated that 260 circRNAs were differentially expressed during the proliferation phase of rat LR. Among them, circ‐14723 displayed a significantly differential expression. We further explored its regulatory mechanism in rat hepatocytes (BRL‐3A cells). First, EdU, flow cytometry and western blot (WB) indicated that knocking down circ‐14723 inhibited BRL‐3A cells proliferation. Second, RNA‐Pulldown and dual‐luciferase report assay showed that circ‐14723 could sponge rno‐miR‐16‐5p. At last, WB showed that the reported target genes of rno‐miR‐16‐5p, CCND1, and CCNE1 were downregulated after knocking down circ‐14723. In conclusion, we found that circ‐14723 exerted a critical role in G1/S arrest to promote cell proliferation via rno‐miR‐16‐5p/CCND1 and CCNE1 axis in rat LR. This finding further revealed the regulatory mechanisms of circRNA on cell proliferation of LR, and might provide a potential target for clinical problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals can activate inflammatory cytokines by triggering inflammasomes, which cause damage to the adhered epithelium, a dysfunctional microenvironment and even renal failure. However, a comprehensive and in‐depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of these crystals on damage and cytokine function in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) remains limited and to be explored. Materials and Methods: We detected the pyroptosis of TECs induced after exposure to CaOx crystals and demonstrated the significance of cytokine activation in the subsequent inflammatory processes through a proteomic study. We then conducted animal and cell experiments to verify relevant mechanisms through morphological, protein, histological and biochemical approaches. Human serum samples were further tested to help explain the pathophysiological mechanism of H3 relaxin. Results: We verified that crystal‐induced extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) upregulation via the membrane purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R) promotes ROS generation and thereby activates NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated interleukin‐1β/18 maturation and gasdermin D cleavage. Human recombinant relaxin‐3 (H3 relaxin) can act on the transmembrane receptor RXFP1 to produce cAMP and subsequently improves crystal‐derived damage via ATP consumption. Additionally, endogenous relaxin‐3 was found to be elevated in patients with renal calculus and can thus serve as a biomarker. Conclusions: Our results provide previously unidentified mechanistic insights into CaOx crystal‐induced inflammatory pyroptotic damage and H3 relaxin‐mediated anti‐inflammatory protection and thus suggest a series of potential therapeutic targets and methods for but not limited to nephrocalcinosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructural evolution and tribological characteristics of a laser additive manufactured 12CrNi2V steel heat‐treated with four conditions are thoroughly studied to provide beneficial guidance to the prospective application of additive manufactured Cr–Ni–V steels. First, the four conditions of heat treatments are identified via a differential scanning calorimeter test. Subsequently, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and electron backscattering diffraction are performed to characterize the morphologies, phase composition, and crystallographic textures of the experimental specimens. The microhardness and tribology tests are then conducted. Experimental results illustrate that the homogeneity of the microstructure is a significant factor in determining the tribological characteristic, which is mainly controlled by the type and distribution of the carbides. The heat treatments adopted in this work can remarkably modify the laser‐induced microstructural inhomogeneity, thereby promoting the tribological characteristic of the steel. Furthermore, the specimen tempered at 620 °C demonstrates an excellent combination of microhardness and toughness. Therefore, it is concluded that 620 °C is the optimal tempering temperature for the laser additive manufactured 12CrNi2V steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, FeCrNiBSiMox (x = 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) stainless steels were successfully prepared using a laser melting deposition technology, with the aim to investigate the effect of Mo content on microstructure and corrosion behaviors. The results showed that the as‐deposited specimens were composed mostly of α‐Fe and a small amount of (Cr, Mo)7C3, and (Cr, Mo)7C3 existed in the inter‐dendritic (ID) region. As the Mo content increased, grain refinement could be clearly observed, and the area of the ID region increased from 27% to 54%. The low‐angle boundaries accounted for 60–70% of the grain boundaries of the as‐deposited specimens. Increasing the content of Mo improved the microhardness of the as‐deposited specimens from 652 HV to 813 HV. The corrosion current density of the as‐deposited specimens with the Mo mass fractions of 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5% were 1.37 × 10−6, 1.02 × 10−7, 6.19 × 10−7, and 3.06 × 10−7 A/cm2, respectively. The as‐deposited specimen with Mo content of 1.5% had lower cumulative erosion loss and erosion loss rate than other as‐deposited specimens. The FeCrNiBSiMox (x = 1.5) specimen exhibited excellent resistance to electrochemical corrosion and cavitation erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the key role of renal fibrosis in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is well known, the causes of renal fibrosis are not fully clarified. In this study, interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF‐1), a mammalian transcription factor, was highly expressed in fibrotic kidney of CKD patients. Concordantly, the expression level of IRF‐1 was significantly elevated in the kidney of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and Adriamycin nephropathy (ADR) mice. In tubular epithelial cells, overexpression of IRF‐1 could induce profibrotic markers expression, which accompanied by dramatic downregulation of Klotho, an important inhibitor of renal fibrosis. Luciferase reporter analysis and ChIP assay revealed that IRF‐1 repressed Klotho expression by downregulation of C/EBP‐β, which regulates Klotho gene transcription via directly binding to its promoter. Further investigation showed that tumor necrosis factor‐alpha may be an important inducement for the increase of IRF‐1 in tubular epithelial cells after UUO and genetic deletion of IRF‐1 attenuated renal fibrosis in UUO mice. Hence, these findings demonstrate that IRF‐1 contributes to the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis by downregulation of Klotho, and suppresses IRF‐1 may be a potential therapeutic target for CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Produce of hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) materials that process hierarchical structure, high specific surface area and large pore volume is still a global challenge. Here we develop a novel sample two‐step activation method, which introduces Ca(OH)2 at the first step to produce the meso‐macro porous structure and KOH at the second step to create micropores, to synthesize hierarchical porous carbon using tannin extract as processor. Benefited from this method, the synthesized HPC exhibits the specific surface area of 1996.9 cm2 g−1, pore volume of 1.09 cm3 g−1, and hierarchical porous structure with micro‐meso‐macro pores. The prepared HPC with well‐developed mesopores and micropores can provides ideal channels for ion diffusion with low migration resistances, enabling an excellent power density and cycling stability for supercapacitors, and it exhibits the specific capacitance of 248 F g−1 at 5 A g−1 and maintained at 228 F g−1 at 20 A g−1. Tannin extract is cheap, easy to obtain and environmentally friendly, combined with the excellent electrochemical performances and the well‐developed two‐step method, provides a new idea for the preparation of HPC for high performance supercapacitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We conducted an infrared thermal imaging‐based genetic screen to identify Arabidopsis mutants displaying aberrant stomatal behavior in response to elevated concentrations of CO2. This approach resulted in the isolation of a novel allele of the Arabidopsis BIG locus (At3g02260) that we have called CO2insensitive 1 (cis1). BIG mutants are compromised in elevated CO2‐induced stomatal closure and bicarbonate activation of S‐type anion channel currents. In contrast with the wild‐type, they fail to exhibit reductions in stomatal density and index when grown in elevated CO2. However, like the wild‐type, BIG mutants display inhibition of stomatal opening when exposed to elevated CO2. BIG mutants also display wild‐type stomatal aperture responses to the closure‐inducing stimulus abscisic acid (ABA). Our results indicate that BIG is a signaling component involved in the elevated CO2‐mediated control of stomatal development. In the control of stomatal aperture by CO2, BIG is only required in elevated CO2‐induced closure and not in the inhibition of stomatal opening by this environmental signal. These data show that, at the molecular level, the CO2‐mediated inhibition of opening and promotion of stomatal closure signaling pathways are separable and BIG represents a distinguishing element in these two CO2‐mediated responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bioinformatics approaches are widely used to evaluate the prospects of novel protein sources in bioactive peptide research. Edible cyanobacteria are considered as potential protein precursors. However, the abundance of unicellular cyanobacterial proteins is largely unknown and highly dynamic according to the cultivation conditions, which need to be considered in this research field. The objective of this work was to evaluate the protein abundance of Arthrospira platensis, as well as to map the bioactive peptide sequences from the high‐abundance proteins of the A. platensis proteome. RESULTS: The high‐abundance proteins of the A. platensis proteome were identified with a high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry‐based method. A total of 593 proteins were detected and quantified. The occurrence frequency of the bioactive peptides in A. platensis proteome was calculated according to the amino acid sequences via the bioinformatics approaches. Further in silico digested by trypsin, pepsin and chymotrypsin, these proteins liberated 78, 99, and 96 bioactive peptides, respectively. In each case, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors were enriched. CONCLUSION: This work will help rationally design the protocols for cyanobacterial cultivation, protein pre‐treatment and peptide separation, and further produce more peptides with specific functions. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]