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SUMMARY: Rhus chinensis Mill., an economically valuable Anacardiaceae species, is parasitized by the galling aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis, resulting in the formation of the Chinese gallnut (CG). Here, we report a chromosomal‐level genome assembly of R. chinensis, with a total size of 389.40 Mb and scaffold N50 of 23.02 Mb. Comparative genomic and transcriptome analysis revealed that the enhanced structure of CG and nutritional metabolism contribute to improving the adaptability of R. chinensis to S. chinensis by supporting CG and galling aphid growth. CG was observed to be abundant in hydrolysable tannins (HT), particularly gallotannin and its isomers. Tandem repeat clusters of dehydroquinate dehydratase/shikimate dehydrogenase (DQD/SDH) and serine carboxypeptidase‐like (SCPL) and their homologs involved in HT production were determined as specific to HT‐rich species. The functional differentiation of DQD/SDH tandem duplicate genes and the significant contraction in the phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) gene family contributed to the accumulation of gallic acid and HT while minimizing the production of shikimic acid, flavonoids, and condensed tannins in CG. Furthermore, we identified one UDP glucosyltransferase (UGT84A), three carboxylesterase (CXE), and six SCPL genes from conserved tandem repeat clusters that are involved in gallotannin biosynthesis and hydrolysis in CG. We then constructed a regulatory network of these genes based on co‐expression and transcription factor motif analysis. Our findings provide a genomic resource for the exploration of the underlying mechanisms of plant‐galling insect interaction and highlight the importance of the functional divergence of tandem duplicate genes in the accumulation of secondary metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the capacity building of research and practical skills of postgraduates majoring in pathogen biology, a “co-tutors”training mode was developed. The first tutor was mainly responsible for the theoretical education and scientific research training, and the second tutor is mainly responsible for the training of students'practical skills.The mode was combined with a “closed-loop” quality control system to supervise the training of g postgraduates along with high-quality papers. This training program supported capacity building of research and practial skills.

BACKGROUND Owing to their small particle size, good stability against photobleaching, high fluorescence stability, tunable fluorescence emission, easy surface functionalization, low toxicity and excellent biocompatibility, carbon dot (CD) has been widely applied in many fields including catalyst, cell imaging, drug delivery, fluorescence detection and photoelectronic devices. In recent years, synthetic methods for preparing high-performance fluorescent CD using different raw materials have attracted much attention. In addition, detection of trace metal ions by a fluorescent probe has been rapidly developed and widely used. The fluorescent probe can be constructed thus:the CD directly interact with the target analyte, the CD modified by the specific ligand interact with the target analyte, and the CD forming a complex with other substances interact with the target analyte. OBJECTIVES To provide references for researchers to synthesize CD and construct fluorescent probes based on CD for the determination of trace metal ions in complex samples. METHODS The optical properties and synthetic raw materials of CD were described. The process and characteristics of the commonly used top-down and bottom-up methods were summarized. The application progress of fluorescent probes constructed by the three interaction modes between CD and target analytes for the determination of biochemical reaction ions, Fe3+, Zn2+ and Cu2+, and other heavy metal ions such as Hg2+, As3+, Pb2+, Cr6+ and Cd2+ were reviewed. RESULTS Different raw materials had been utilized for synthesizing CD with different properties. The prepared CD were used to construct fluorescent probes for the determination of micro metal ions with high selectivity and sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Further research on the determination mechanisms, development of new detection modes, construction of fluorescent probes for specific metal ions and sample components, and establishment of analytical methods, which can be applied to complex samples are the challenges and development orientation of the fluorescent probes based on CD.

Two new cyclotrypyamine alkaloids equisetinines A and B, as well as three known alkaloids (3–5) were isolated from the stems of Ephedra equisetina Bunge. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined by interpretation of their electronic circular dichroism. Anti-asthmatic activities of compounds were evaluated by releasing β-Hex in C48/80-induced RBL-2H3 cells, and compound 5 exhibited significant anti-asthmatic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]