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The relationship between the leaf nitrogen content (LNC) and hyperspectral remote sensing imagery (HYP) was determined to construct an estimation model of the LNC of drip-irrigated sugar beets, aiming to [...]

MicroRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of various human malignant tumors. This study aims to explore the role of miR-513b-5p in the malignant proliferation of retinoblastoma (RB) cells and its potential molecular mechanisms. The function-gain and function-loss experiments were performed in Weri-RB1 cells using miR-513b-5 mimics and inhibitors. miR-513b-5p mimics inhibited the proliferation and clone formation and promoted apoptosis of Weri-RB1 cells. In contrast, the miR-513b-5p inhibitor promoted the proliferation and clone formation of Weri-RB1 cells and inhibited cell apoptosis. miR-513b-5p can directly bind to the 3′UTR region of TRIB1 mRNA, and inhibit its protein expression. Overexpression of TRIB1 promoted the proliferation and cloning of Weri-RB1 cells but inhibited their apoptosis. The knockdown of TRIB1 inhibited the proliferation and clone formation of Weri-RB1 cells and promoted cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-513b-5p mimics neutralized the effects of TRIB1 overexpression on the proliferation and apoptosis of Weri-RB1 cells. Finally, miR-513b-5p can inhibit the phosphorylation level of AKT, mTOR, and p70, while TRIB1 played the opposite role. miR-513b-5p inhibits the malignant proliferation of Weri-RB1 cells by repressing the expression of TRIB1. miR-513b-5p and TRIB1 may be the biomarkers and/or key targets for clinical diagnosis and treatment of RB.

Neohelicomyces species are a group of helicosporous hyphomycetes with the potential to produce secondary metabolites. During our investigation of helicosporous fungi, six collections were isolated from both terrestrial and freshwater habitats in Guizhou Province, China. Based on multigene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, tef1α and rpb2), coupled with morphological data, three new Neohelicomyces species, viz. N. guizhouensis, N. helicosporus and N. hydei were established. A list of accepted Neohelicomyces species with molecular data was provided. The strain of Neohelicomyces pallidus (UAMH 10535) was synonymised under N. denticulatus based on molecular data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Solid sampling technology applied in soil sample measurement has the limitation of sample size, and cannot be applied to the mainstream element analysis instrument. OBJECTIVES To determine the trace elements by smashing soil samples to micron scale by high-speed grinding technology and under the action of a dispersant. METHODS The ultra-fine grinding technology of soil samples was systematically studied. The sample was crushed to micron level in a few minutes in an ethanol medium. The prepared solid suspension was directly measured by ICP-MS, avoiding blockage of pneumatic atomizers. RESULTS The determination of the reference materials shows that the solid suspension still has interference when the particle size is 6.8μm. By adding a small amount of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid to modify the solid suspension, the solid particle size was reduced and thereby the impact of the sample size was reduced. The 13 trace elements of lithium, beryllium, vanadium, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, rubidium, strontium, cadmium, cesium, barium and lead were successfully determined by ICP-MS. Accuracy experiment showed that the maximum relative error is 10.5%±3% and most of the elements have a relative error less than 5%. The precision experiment showed that most elements have a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 5.4%. CONCLUSIONS The determination results meet the requirements of DZ/G 0130-2006 'Test of Geology and Mineral Resources Quality Management Standards'.

BACKGROUND: Artificial selection played an important role in the origin of modern Glycine max cultivars from the wild soybean Glycine soja. To elucidate the consequences of artificial selection accompanying the domestication and modern improvement of soybean, 25 new and 30 published whole-genome re-sequencing accessions, which represent wild, domesticated landrace, and Chinese elite soybean populations were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 5,102,244 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 707,969 insertion/deletions were identified. Among the SNPs detected, 25.5% were not described previously. We found that artificial selection during domestication led to more pronounced reduction in the genetic diversity of soybean than the switch from landraces to elite cultivars. Only a small proportion (2.99%) of the whole genomic regions appear to be affected by artificial selection for preferred agricultural traits. The selection regions were not distributed randomly or uniformly throughout the genome. Instead, clusters of selection hotspots in certain genomic regions were observed. Moreover, a set of candidate genes (4.38% of the total annotated genes) significantly affected by selection underlying soybean domestication and genetic improvement were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Given the uniqueness of the soybean germplasm sequenced, this study drew a clear picture of human-mediated evolution of the soybean genomes. The genomic resources and information provided by this study would also facilitate the discovery of genes/loci underlying agronomically important traits.

BACKGROUND The reductive environment of uranium is the most important influencing factor of uranium mineralization. The study of various redox markers in interlayer oxidation bands is of great significance for finding interlayer oxidation zone sandstone-type uranium deposits. OBJECTIVES The reduction experiments were carried out on reducing materials commonly found in sandstone-type uranium deposits such as ferrous, sulfide, pyrite, ilmenite, humic acid, biogas, and hydrogen. The reduction capacity of ferrous ion, sulfur ion, pyrite and other reduction factors at room temperature and pressure was studied. METHODS By polarography and spectrophotometry experiments to determine U(Ⅵ) and U(Ⅳ) content respectively. Their reduction capacity was analyzed. RESULTS Iron ion and sulfur ion had strong reducing properties, andhumic acid had certain reducing properties. Such as pyrite, ilmenite experiment in different acidity and sage green sandstone water soaking experiments showed that the soaked solution of gray-green sandstone contained a certain amount of ferrous ions, and there was no sulfur ion. CONCLUSIONS These ferrous ions were the main reason for the strong reducibility of gray-green sandstone. It also indicated that the gray-green sandstone was one of the most important factors in the subsequent mineralization of sandstone type uranium deposit in Ordos area.

This paper focuses on utilizing mixed salts to create a synergistic effect, particularly at lower temperatures. In this study, lithium tetrafluoroborate(LiBF4) and lithium difluoro (oxalic acid) borate (LiODFB) were added to an electrolyte consisting of ethyl carbonate (EC), propylidene carbonate (PC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and ethyl acetate (EA) using LiCoO2 as cathode material. The electrochemical properties of the obtained electrolyte were evaluated by various analytical techniques. Analysis of electrical conductivity showed that there is a certain relationship between solution conductivity and electrolyte composition and temperature. The capacity and cycle stability of LiCoO2 positive electrode in different electrolyte systems and at different temperatures were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge–discharge cycle, and impedance test. The surface properties of LiCoO2 cathode after cycling were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that at − 20 °C, the first discharge specific capacity at 0.1C rate is 110.6 mAh/g, and the capacity retention rate of 100th cycle is 89.96%. The results of SEM morphology of the electrode before and after cycling show that too much or more LiODFB can form a thick or sparse CEI film, and the mixed salt 0.7 M LiBF4/0.3 M LiODFB-based electrolyte can form a uniform and dense CEI film that protects the electrode and prevents electrolyte decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]