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Objectives: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) plays an important role in providing temporary life support for patients with severe cardiac or pulmonary failure, but requires strict anticoagulation and monitoring. This network meta‐analysis systematically explored the most effective anticoagulation and monitoring strategies for patients receiving ECMO. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to January 31, 2023, for studies comparing unfractionated heparin (UFH), argatroban (Arg), bivalirudin (Biv), and/or nafamostat mesylate (NM) in patients receiving ECMO. The primary outcomes included device‐related thrombosis, patient‐related thrombosis, and major bleeding events. The secondary outcomes included ECMO survival, ECMO duration, and in‐hospital mortality. Results: A total of 2522 patients from 23 trials were included in the study. Biv was associated with a decreased risk of device‐related thrombosis (odd ratio [OR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33–0.84) compared with UFH, whereas NM (OR 2.2, 95% CI: 0.24–65.0) and Arg (OR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.43–2.0) did not reduce the risk of device‐related thrombosis compared with UFH. Biv was superior to Arg in decreasing the risk of device‐related thrombosis (OR 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03–0.51). Biv reduced the risk of patient‐related thrombosis compared with UFH (OR 0.44, 95% CI: 0.18–0.85); NM (OR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.14–3.3) and Arg (OR 3.1, 95% CI: 0.94–12.0) did not decrease risk of patient‐related thrombosis compared with UFH. No significant difference was observed in the risk of major bleeding between three alternatives and UFH: Biv (OR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.23–1.3), Arg (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 0.34–5.8), and NM (OR 0.60, 95% CI: 0.13–2.6). NM showed a reduced risk of in‐hospital mortality compared with UFH (OR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.091–0.77), whereas Arg (OR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.15–1.2) and Biv (OR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.52–1.1) did not decrease risk of in‐hospital mortality. Conclusions: Compared with UFH and Arg, Biv reduces the risk of thrombosis and appears to be a better choice for patients requiring ECMO. NM was associated with a reduced risk of in‐hospital mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important economic crop, and cotton fiber is one of the longest plant cells, which provides an ideal model for the study of cell elongation and secondary cell wall synthesis. Cotton fiber length is regulated by a variety of transcription factors (TF) and their target genes; however, the mechanism of fiber elongation mediated by transcriptional regulatory networks is still unclear to a large extent. Here, we used a comparative assay for transposase‐accessible chromatin with high‐throughput sequencing (ATAC‐seq) assay and RNA‐seq analysis to identify fiber elongation transcription factors and genes using the short‐fiber mutant ligon linless‐2 (Li2) and wild type (WT). A total of 499 differential target genes were identified and GO analysis shows that differential genes are mainly involved in plant secondary wall synthesis and microtubule‐binding processes. Analysis of the genomic regions preferentially accessible (Peak) has identified a number of overrepresented TF‐binding motifs, highlighting sets of TFs that are important for cotton fiber development. Using ATAC‐seq and RNA‐seq data, we have constructed a functional regulatory network of each TF regulatory target gene and also the network pattern of TF regulating differential target genes. Further, to obtain the genes related to fiber length, the differential target genes were combined with FLGWAS data to identify the genes highly related to fiber length. Our work provides new insights into cotton fiber elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nocardia seriolae has been identified as the causative agent of fish nocardiosis, resulting in serious economic losses in aquaculture. With an aim to screen potential candidates for vaccine development against N. seriolae , the in vivo -induced genes of N. seriolae in hybrid snakehead (Channa maculate ♀ × Channa argus ♂) model were profiled via in vivo -induced antigen technology (IVIAT) in the present study, and 6 in vivo -induced genes were identified as follows: IS701 family transposase (is701), membrane protein insertase YidC (yidC), ergothioneine biosynthesis glutamate-cysteine ligase (egtA), molybdopterin respectively-dependent oxidoreductase (mol), phosphoketolase family protein (Ppl), hypothetical protein 6747 (hp6747). Additionally, the yidC was inserted into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-myc-his-A to construct a DNA vaccine named as pcDNA-YidC to evaluate immunoprotection in hybrid snakehead after artificial challenge with N. serioale. Results showed that the transcription of yidC was detected in spleen, trunk kidney, muscle and liver in vaccinated fish, suggesting that this antigenic gene can be recombinantly expressed in fish. Meanwhile, indexes of humoral immunity were evaluated in the vaccinated fish through assessing specific-antibody IgM and serum enzyme activities, including lysozyme (LZM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP). Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that pcDNA-YidC DNA vaccine could notably enhance the expression of immune-related genes (CD4 、 CD8α 、 MHCIIα 、 TNFα 、 IL-1β and MHCIα) in 4 tissues (spleen, trunk kidney, muscle and liver) of the vaccinated fish. Finally, an immuno-protection with a relative survival rate of 65.71 % was displayed in vaccinated fish in comparison to the control groups. Taken together, these results indicate that pcDNA-YidC DNA vaccine could boost strong immune responses in hybrid snakehead and show preferably protective efficacy against N. seriolae , indicating that IVIAT is a helpful strategy to screen the highly immunogenic antigens for vaccine development against fish nocardiosis. • Six antigenic genes of Nocardia seriolae were screened via IVIAT technology. • The pcDNA-yidC was constructed and used as DNA vaccine to induce immune responses. • The trials of pcDNA-yidC DNA vaccine could provide 65.71 % RPS. • IVIAT can be used as a strategy to study the antigenic genes for vaccine development against N. seriolae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nocardia seriolae, a Gram‐positive bacterium, is the main pathogen of fish nocardiosis. Protein NlpC/P60 is a cell‐wall peptidase and a potential virulence factor of N. seriolae. Subcellular localization research revealed that both NlpC/P60‐GFP and NlpC/P60Δsig‐GFP fusion proteins were evenly distributed in the whole cell of fathead minnow (FHM) cells. Furthermore, typical apoptotic features, such as nuclear pyrosis and apoptotic bodies, were observed in the transfected FHM cells and grouper spleen cells by the overexpression of protein NlpC/P60. Then, quantitative assays of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) value, caspase‐3 activity and apoptosis‐related gene (Bax, BNIP3, TNF1 and TNF6) mRNA expression were conducted. The results showed that ΔΨm was decreased, caspase‐3 was significantly activated, and the mRNA expression of pro‐apoptotic genes (Bax and BNIP3) and tumour necrosis factors (TNF1 and TNF6) was up‐regulated in NlpC/P60‐overexpressed cells. Taken together, the results indicated that the protein NlpC/P60 of N. seriolae might involve in apoptosis regulation. This study may lay the foundation for further study on the function of N. seriolae NlpC/P60 and promote the understanding of the virulence factors and pathogenic mechanism of N. seriolae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the parameters of bridle towed systems in preliminary design and describe the configuration and dynamic behavior of bridle cables during tow-ship changes its speed and course, a tug-cable-barge coupling motion model for bridle towed system is proposed. The governing equation of towing bridle was established based on finite difference method and the six-degrees-of-freedom equations of motion for tug and barge were adopted according to the MMG modeling theory. The dynamic coupling boundary conditions for bridle towed system are derived. The steady- state motion parameters of towing bridle were confirmed by double bisection method. The equations of towing bridle are solved by Newton iteration method. Tug and barge motion equations are solved by Runge-Kutta method. The computing results indicate that the model and algorithm in this paper can be used to predict the configuration and dynamic behavior, and determine the parameters in preliminary design of bridle towed systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GhZAT family genes play an important role in cotton stress resistance. • 44 GhZAT genes were identified in G. hirsutum. • 16 GhZAT genes generally responded to NaCl and ABA stress. • GhZAT6 play an important role in salt resistance of cotton. High salt environments can induce stress in different plants. The genes containing the ZAT domain constitute a family that belongs to a branch of the C 2 H 2 family, which plays a vital role in responding to abiotic stresses. In this study, we identified 169 ZAT genes from seven plant species, including 44 ZAT genes from G. hirsutum. Phylogenetic tree analysis divided ZAT genes in six groups with conserved gene structure, protein motifs. Two C 2 H 2 domains and an EAR domain and even chromosomal distribution on At and Dt sub-genome chromosomes of G. hirsutum was observed. GhZAT6 was primarily expressed in the root tissue and responded to NaCl and ABA treatments. Subcellular localization found that GhZAT6 was located in the nucleus and demonstrated transactivation activity during a transactivation activity assay. Arabidopsis transgenic lines overexpressing the GhZAT6 gene showed salt tolerance and grew more vigorously than WT on MS medium supplemented with 100 mmol NaCl. Additionally, the silencing of the GhZAT6 gene in cotton plants showed more obvious leaf wilting than the control plants, which were subjected to 400 mmol NaCl treatment. Next, the expressions of GhAPX1 , GhFSD1 , GhFSD2 , and GhSOS3 were significantly lower in the GhZAT6- silenced plants treated with NaCl than the control. Based on these findings, GhZAT6 may be involved in the ABA pathway and mediate salt stress tolerance by regulating ROS-related gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the authors used the theory of cooperation and competition to identify conditions that promote student team innovation. Through an investigation of student teams in Beijing, China, the authors found that teams with cooperative goals engaged in open-minded, constructive controversy, whereas teams with independent goals avoided open discussion. Teams with a high level of constructive controversy rated themselves as innovative and loyal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For peanut, the lack of stable cytological markers is a barrier to tracking specific chromosomes, elucidating the genetic relationships between genomes and identifying chromosomal variations. Chromosome mapping using single-copy oligonucleotide (oligo) probe libraries has unique advantages for identifying homologous chromosomes and chromosomal rearrangements. In this study, we developed two whole-chromosome single-copy oligo probe libraries, LS-7A and LS-8A, based on the reference genome sequences of chromosomes 7A and 8A of Arachis duranensis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed that the libraries could specifically paint chromosomes 7 and 8. In addition, sequential FISH and electronic localization of LS-7A and LS-8A in A. duranensis (AA) and A. ipaensis (BB) showed that chromosomes 7A and 8A contained translocations and inversions relative to chromosomes 7B and 8B. Analysis of the chromosomes of wild Arachis species using LS-8A confirmed that this library could accurately and effectively identify A genome species. Finally, LS-7A and LS-8A were used to paint the chromosomes of interspecific hybrids and their progenies, which verified the authenticity of the interspecific hybrids and identified a disomic addition line. This study provides a model for developing specific oligo probes to identify the structural variations of other chromosomes in Arachis and demonstrates the practical utility of LS-7A and LS-8A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical model considering the seabed friction is developed to investigate the dynamic behavior of anchor cable in this paper. In the model, the anchor cable was divided into hanging and lying parts. The governing equations of hanging and lying anchor cables were established respectively based on finite difference method and coupled according to the boundary conditions. The coupled equations of anchor cable were solved by Newton iteration and the static anchor cable parameters used for the initial values were confirmed by double bisection method. To illustrate the reasonability and validity of the model, several simulations of vessel sway in wind with different time and space step sizes and different seabed friction coefficients were presented. The simulation results show that anchor cable snap load is 3–5 times of average tension, the variation of anchor cable bearing is 2 times of ship heading, and the sway amplitude of the ship's center of gravity is about one times of ship length. Compared with the experimental data, the model and algorithm in this paper can successfully provide the realistic prediction of the dynamic tension and configuration of anchor cable, and can be used as a reference for anchoring operation. Farther, this paper found out that the normal seabed friction coefficient has considerable impact on the cable tension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamic endopeptidases (Glu), belonging to the class of serine proteases, are a subfamily of chymotrypsin‐like proteolytic enzymes, which are regarded as important virulence factors in bacteria. However, the roles of glutamic endopeptidases of Nocardia seriolae in pathogenic process still remain uncertain. Here, a glutamic endopeptidase homolog from N. seriolae (GluNS) was cloned and its function was elucidated. GluNS encoded a 414‐aa protein which shared 93% identity to N. concava. In the phylogenetic tree, the glutamic endopeptidases of genus Nocardia clustered together firstly and then clustered with Streptomyces species. Moreover, GluNS was identified to be a secreted protein of N. seriolae and localized in the mitochondria of FHM cells. The transient overexpression of GluNS significantly induced increase in caspase‐3 activity and decrease in ΔΨm values in FHM cells. The number of apoptotic bodies was remarkably higher than that in control group. Taken together, GluNS overexpression induced apoptotic characteristics in FHM cells. This study provided new insights into the function of glutamic endopeptidase from N. seriolae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Fish nocardiosis is a chronic systemic granulomatous disease, and Nocardia seriolae is the main pathogen. The pathogenesis and virulence factors of N. seriolae are not fully understood. Secreted superoxide dismutase (SOD) may be a virulence factor found by a comparative bioinformatics analysis of the whole genome sequence of N. seriolae and the virulence factor database (VFDB). In order to determine the subcellular localization and study the preliminary function of SOD from N. seriolae (NsSOD), gene cloning, secreted protein identification, subcellular localization in fish cells, and apoptosis detection of NsSOD were carried out in this study. Subcellular localization research revealed that NsSOD‐GFP fusion proteins were evenly distributed in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, apoptotic bodies were observed in the transfected FHM cells by the overexpression of protein NsSOD. Then, assays of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) value, caspase‐3 activity and apoptosis‐related genes (Bax, Bid, Bad and Bcl‐2) mRNA expression were conducted. The results showed that ΔΨm was decreased, and caspase‐3 was significantly activated. The mRNA expression of the Bad gene showed significant up‐regulated expression at 24 h.p.t., while Bid and Bax genes showed significant up‐regulated expression at 72 and 96 h.p.t. and anti‐apoptotic gene (Bcl‐2) was down‐regulated in NsSOD overexpressed cells. Taken together, the results indicated that the protein NsSOD might be involved in apoptosis regulation. This study may lay the foundations for further studies on the function of NsSOD and promote the understanding of the virulence factors and the pathogenic mechanisms of N. seriolae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new multimodel computational framework for optimal control of aeroacoustic noise is presented using a near-field compressible Navier-Stokes solver coupled with a far-field linearized Euler solver, both based on a discontinuous Galerkin formulation. In this approach, the coupling of near- and far-field domains is achieved by weakly enforcing continuity of normal fluxes across a coupling surface that encloses all nonlinearities and noise sources. For optimal control, gradient information is obtained by the solution of an appropriate adjoint problem that involves the propagation of adjoint information from the far field to the near field. This computational framework is applied to study optimal boundary control of blade-vortex interaction, which is a significant noise source for helicopters on approach to landing. In the prototype problem presented here, the noise propagated toward the ground is reduced by 12 dB, demonstrating the potential of an optimization-based approach to blade-vortex interaction noise control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 5 studies, we investigated the relation between regulatory focus and the tendency to copy a role model's managing behavior after one experiences this behavior as its recipient and later takes on the same managing role. Because enacting role-related behaviors fulfills interpersonal norms that fit prevention concerns, we predicted a stronger tendency to copy among individuals with a stronger prevention focus on duties and obligations ("oughts") but not among those with a stronger promotion focus on aspirations and advancements (ideals). We also predicted that individuals with a stronger prevention focus would tend to copy a managing behavior regardless of their earlier hedonic experience with this behavior as its recipient. These predictions were first supported in 2 experimental studies, where a stronger prevention focus was measured as a chronic disposition (Study 1) and experimentally induced as a temporary state (Study 2). Further, we tested the mechanism underlying the relation between stronger prevention and stronger copying and found that concerns about the normativeness, but not the effectiveness, of a managing behavior motivated copying for individuals with a strong prevention focus (Studies 3 and 4). We generalized these experimental results to the field by surveying a sample of superior-subordinate dyads in real world organizations (Study 5). Across all studies, we found that individuals with a stronger prevention focus tend to copy more a role model's managing behavior—independent of their hedonic satisfaction with the behavior as its recipient and their perception of its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokinin (CK) is an important plant hormone that promotes plant cell division and differentiation, and participates in salt response under osmotic stress. LOGs (LONELY GUY) are CK-activating enzymes involved in CK synthesis. The LOG gene family has not been comprehensively characterized in cotton. In this study we identified 151 LOG genes from nine plant species, including 28 LOG genes in Gossypium hirsutum. Phylogenetic analysis divided LOG genes into three groups. Exon/intron structures and protein motifs of GhLOG genes were highly conserved. Synteny analysis revealed that several gene loci were highly conserved between the A and D sub-genomes of G. hirsutum with purifying selection pressure during evolution. Expression profiles showed that most LOG genes were constitutively expressed in eight different tissues. Furthermore, LOG genes can be regulated by abiotic stresses and phytohormone treatments. Moreover, subcellular localization revealed that GhLOG3_At resides inside the cell membrane. Overexpression of GhLOG3 enhanced salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of GhLOG3_At in cotton enhanced sensitivity of plants to salt stress with increased H 2 O 2 contents and decreased chlorophyll and proline (PRO) activity. Our results suggested that GhLOG3_At induces salt stress tolerance in cotton, and provides a basis for the use of CK synthesis genes to regulate cotton growth and stress resistance. • This study identified 151 LOG genes, including 28 LOG genes in G. hirsutum. • Gene loci were highly conserved between the A and D sub-genomes of G. hirsutum. • LOG genes can be regulated by abiotic stresses and phytohormone treatments. • Overexpression of GhLOG3 enhanced salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. • VIGS of GhLOG3_At in cotton enhanced sensitivity of plants to salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish nocardiosis is a widespread chronic granulomatous disease in aquatic environment, which was particularly caused by Nocardia seriolae. The phage shock protein A (PspA) and tellurium resistance protein D (TerD) were identified to be the immunodominant antigens of the wild-type N. seriolae strain ZJ0503 in our previous study. In an attempt to develop effective DNA vaccines against this pathogen, PspA and TerD were used as candidates to ligate with pcDNA3.1-Flag plasmids, respectively. In addition, the abilities of these two DNA vaccines to elicit various immune responses in hybrid snakehead and supply protective efficacy against artificial challenge with N. seriolae were determined in the present study. The results showed that intramuscular injection with pcDNA-PspA and pcDNA-TerD did not exhibit cytotoxic activities in hybrid snakehead via histopathological examination. Besides, hybrid snakehead immunization with pcDNA-PspA and pcDNA-TerD could increase several non-specific immune paraments in serum, including LYZ, POD, ACP, AKP and SOD activities. Meanwhile, the pcDNA-TerD DNA vaccine could induce strongly specific antibody (IgM) titer in hybrid snakehead with a relative percent of survival (RPS) value of 83.14% against N. seriolae , while that of pcDNA-PspA DNA vaccine was displayed comparably low IgM titer with RPS value of 57.83%. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR assays presented that the expression of immune-related genes (MHCIα , MHCIIα , CD4 , CD8α , IL-1β and TNFα) were up-regulated to various degrees after vaccination with pcDNA-PspA or pcDNA-TerD, indicating that these two DNA vaccines were able to boost humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in hybrid snakehead. Taken together, both the pcDNA-PspA and pcDNA-TerD DNA vaccines were proved to be safe, immunogenic and effective in protecting hybrid snakehead against N. seriolae infection, which can promote the development and application of DNA vaccines to control fish nocardiosis in aquaculture. • Two DNA vaccines were prepared by utilizing the ribosomal proteins (PspA and TerD) as antigens for treatment of fish nocardiosis. • Both DNA vaccines not only did not exhibit cytotoxic activities but also could boost the innate, humoral and cellular immune response in hybrid snakehead. • Two DNA vaccines show highly protective efficacy against N. seriolae infection in hybrid snakehead with relative percentage survival (RPS) of 57.83% and 83.14%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish nocardiosis is a chronic granulomatous bacterial disease and three pathogens have been reported so far, including Nocardia asteroids , N. seriolae and N. salmonicida. However, the absence of antigen markers is a bottleneck for developing effective vaccines against fish nocardiosis. In this study, the antigenicity of whole-cell protein of these three pathogenic Nocardia species were profiled by immunoproteomic analysis and 7 common immunogenic proteins were identified as follows: molecular chaperone DnaK (DnaK), molecular chaperone GroEL (GroEL), 30 S ribosomal protein S1 (RpsA), TerD family protein (TerD), FHA domain-containing protein (FHA), 50 S ribosomal protein L7/L12 (RplL) and PspA/IM30 family protein (PspA). Furthermore, the DNA vaccine encoding FHA gene against fish nocardiosis was developed and its efficacy was investigated in hybrid snakehead. The results suggested that it needed at least 7 d to transport pcDNA-FHA DNA vaccine from injected muscle to head kidney, spleen and liver and stimulate host's immune system for later protection. In addition, non-specific immunity paraments (serum lysozyme (LYZ), peroxidase (POD), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities), specific antibody (IgM) titers production and immune-related genes (MHCIα , MHCIIα , CD4 , CD8α , IL-1β and TNFα) were used to evaluate the immune response induced in pcDNA-FHA vaccinated hybrid snakehead, it proved that all these mentioned immune activities were significantly enhanced after immunization. The results also showed hybrid snakehead vaccinated with pcDNA-FHA had higher survival rate (79.33%) compared with the controls after challenge with N. seriolae , indicating that the pcDNA-FHA DNA vaccine can supply immune protection against N. seriolae infection. Taken together, this study may warrant further development of these common immunogenic proteins as the antigens for vaccine or diagnosis and facilitate the prevention and treatment of fish nocardiosis. Image 1 • The antigenicity of whole-cell protein of three pathogenic Nocardia species (Nocardia serioale , N. asteroids , N. salmonicida) were profiled by immunoproteomic analysis. • The 7 common immunogenic proteins of three pathogenic Nocardia species were identified. • A DNA vaccine was prepared by applying one of the common immunogenic proteins (FHA) as antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is an important cash crop producing both fiber and oilseed, the yield and quality of which are severely affected by Verticillium wilt primarily caused by Verticillium dahliae infection. In this study, a cotton root expressed gene, GhPAS1, that encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor (TF), was significantly induced by Verticillium dahliae in cotton variety ZM24. Further investigation suggested that GhPAS1 may play a pivotal role in Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton, whereby the genetic attenuation of GhPAS1 resulted in a raised susceptibility to Verticillium dahliae ; and conversely, overexpression of GhPAS1 in ZM24 significantly ameliorated the infection symptoms. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the expression of numerous ethylene - responsive factors (ERFs) genes and genes involved in lignin biosynthesis and plant defense were upregulated in cotton plants overexpressing GhPAS1 in response to Verticillium dahlia infection. Moreover, using dual-luciferase assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, GhPAS1 was shown to specifically enhance the promoter activities of GhERF5 , GhERF14 , GhPER42 , GhPER64 , and GhRPS5 , among which GhERF14 and GhPER64 , are directly related to Verticillium wilt resistance. Overall, these findings demonstrate that GhPAS1 plays a vital role in conferring Verticillium wilt resistance by regulating specific members of ERFs , as well as the genes involved in lignin biosynthesis and plant defense, providing new insights into the underlying mechanism of Verticillium wilt resistance and devising novel breeding and biotechnological strategies to enhance disease resistance in cotton. • GhPAS1 participates in the early defense response of cotton to Verticillium wilt. • Silencing of GhPAS1 decreased cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt. • Overexpression of GhPAS1 improves resistance to Verticillium wilt in cotton. • GhPAS1 functions by regulating ERF , lignin biosynthetic and defense genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of linarin from Flos chrysanthemi indici by ethanol was investigated. Two modeling techniques, response surface methodology and artificial neural network, were adopted to optimize the process parameters, such as, ethanol concentration, extraction period, extraction frequency, and solvent to material ratio. We showed that both methods provided good predictions, but artificial neural network provided a better and more accurate result. The optimum process parameters include, ethanol concentration of 74%, extraction period of 2 h, extraction three times, solvent to material ratio of 12 mL/g. The experiment yield of linarin was 90.5% that deviated less than 1.6% from that obtained by predicted result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: TCP transcription factors (TF) are indispensable for the normal functioning of plant growth and development. This study identified and performed phylogenetic analysis on 218 TCP genes in four cotton species. We also observed conserved exon-intron structures and protein motif distribution patterns in GhTCP genes. GhTCP62 was enriched in the axillary bud, indicating that it plays a role in branching. GhTCP62 is a nuclear-localized TF, the overexpression of which decreases the number of cauline-leaf branches and rosette-leaf branches in Arabidopsis. Additionally, the expression levels of HB21 and HB40 genes increased in plants with GhTCP62 overexpression, demonstrating that GhTCP62 could regulate branching by regulating HB21 and HB40. Collectively, the GhTCP62 TF located in the nucleus was highly enriched in the axillary buds, and GhTCP62 overexpression lines demonstrated fewer rosette-leaf branches and cauline-leaf branches, indicating that GhTCP62 regulates branching in Arabidopsis. TEOSINTE-BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factors play an essential role in regulating various physiological and biochemical functions during plant growth. However, the function of TCP transcription factors in G. hirsutum has not yet been studied. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification and correlation analysis of the TCP transcription factor family in G. hirsutum. We identified 72 non-redundant GhTCP genes and divided them into seven subfamilies, based on phylogenetic analysis. Most GhTCP genes in the same subfamily displayed similar exon and intron structures and featured highly conserved motif structures in their subfamily. Additionally, the pattern of chromosomal distribution demonstrated that GhTCP genes were unevenly distributed on 24 out of 26 chromosomes, and that fragment replication was the main replication event of GhTCP genes. In TB1 sub-family genes, GhTCP62 was highly expressed in the axillary buds, suggesting that GhTCP62 significantly affected cotton branching. Additionally, subcellular localization results indicated that GhTCP62 is located in the nucleus and possesses typical transcription factor characteristics. The overexpression of GhTCP62 in Arabidopsis resulted in fewer rosette-leaf branches and cauline-leaf branches. Furthermore, the increased expression of HB21 and HB40 genes in Arabidopsis plants overexpressing GhTCP62 suggests that GhTCP62 may regulate branching by positively regulating HB21 and HB40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]