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Colloidal stability of modified graphene oxide (GO) is fundamental for its practical applications. Meanwhile, most of the investigations mainly focused on the nanosheets modified by a certain amount of modifiers and neglected the effects of the modification degree, which could vary the physical and chemical properties of modified GO and significantly affect its stability in solution. To the best of our knowledge, this study initially investigated the impact of modification degrees on the colloidal stability of graphene-based amphiphilic Janus nanosheets (JGO) via both experimental and theoretical approaches. The prepared JGO, asymmetrically grafted by dodecylamine, exhibited a direct relation between the modification degree and nanosheet thickness, refractive index, electrostatic properties, hydrophobicity, and the ultimate colloidal stability. In addition, the ionic strength imposed distinctive influences on the aggregation behavior of JGO. Based on the comparison between experimental results and theoretical calculation, it was revealed that the JGO should be modeled as two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets in pure water and be treated as 3D spherical particles in electrolyte solutions for the prediction with the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory.

Background: Osteoporosis, characterized by bone loss, usually occurs with the increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation. H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1 cells are commonly used for the study of osteoblastic activities, which play a crucial role in bone formation. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Phosphocreatine (PCr) on the osteoblastic activities in H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1 cells and elaborate on the possible molecular mechanism. Methods: The Osteoprotegerin (OPG)/Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand (RANKL) ratio and osteogenic markers were detected to investigate the effects of PCr on osteoblastic activities, and the osteoblastic apoptosis was detected using Hochest staining. Moreover, oxidative stress, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) generation and the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), Forkhead Box O 1 (FOXO1) and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Γ Coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) were also examined to uncover the possible molecular mechanism in H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1 cells. Result: The results showed that PCr promoted the osteoblastic differentiation by increasing the expression levels of osteogenic markers of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), as well as increased the OPG/RANKL ratio and suppressed the osteoblastic apoptosis in H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, treatment with PCr suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) over-generation and promoted the ATP production as well as increased the PGC-1α, FOXO1 and SIRT1 protein expression levels in H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1 cells. Conclusion: PCr treatment could promote osteoblastic activities via suppressing oxidative stress and increasing the ATP generation in H2O2-induced MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, the positive effects of PCr on osteoblasts might be regulated by SIRT1/FOXO1/ PGC-1α signaling pathway.

In order to effectively improve the anti-attenuation, anti-noise and anti-impedance change capabilities of the low-voltage narrowband power line carrier communication unit, reduce the carrier signal coupling attenuation, and highly fidelity signal power encoded and modulated by the carrier chip, an improved high-speed power line carrier communication transceiver circuit is designed. Using 303.13kHz~357.81kHz as sub-carrier signal frequency can effectively avoid the random noise generated by high-power power electronic equipment and household appliances below 35kHz. At the same time, to prevent the frequency crosstalk of power line carrier products with 270kHz and 421kHz as the center frequency, the Y-coupling capacitor and sixth order Butterworth band-pass filter circuit are used to design the signal receiving and transmitting circuit of the communication unit to isolate unwanted signals. The experimental simulation of the designed circuit is carried out on the circuit simulation software Multisim 12. The results show that the designed power line carrier communication transceiver circuit can effectively control the signal coupling attenuation within 4dB, and the filtering of unwanted signals can also reach 41.7dB, which has good application value.

Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is an allotetraploid crop planted in Asia, Africa, and America for edible oil and protein. To explore the origins and consequences of tetraploidy, we sequenced the allotetraploid A. hypogaea genome and compared it with the related diploid Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaensis genomes. We annotated 39 888 A-subgenome genes and 41 526 B-subgenome genes in allotetraploid peanut. The A. hypogaea subgenomes have evolved asymmetrically, with the B subgenome resembling the ancestral state and the A subgenome undergoing more gene disruption, loss, conversion, and transposable element proliferation, and having reduced gene expression during seed development despite lacking genome-wide expression dominance. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses identified more than 2 500 oil metabolism-related genes and revealed that most of them show altered expression early in seed development while their expression ceases during desiccation, presenting a comprehensive map of peanut lipid biosynthesis. The availability of these genomic resources will facilitate a better understanding of the complex genome architecture, agronomically and economically important genes, and genetic improvement of peanut.

Cluster of differentiation (CD) 38, a major enzyme for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) degradation, plays a key role in inflammation. Meanwhile, intracellular NAD+ decline is also associated with inflammatory responses. However, whether CD38 activation is involved in gouty inflammation has not been elucidated. The present study aimed to clarify the role of CD38 in monosodium urate crystals (MSU)-triggered inflammatory responses. The results showed that MSU crystals increased the protein expression of CD38 in time- and concentration-dependent manner in THP-1 macrophages and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Moreover, intracellular NAD+ levels were reduced by MSU crystals along with the increased IL-1β release. However, CD38 inhibition by 78c elevated intracellular NAD+ levels and suppressed IL-1β release in MSU crystals-treated THP-1 macrophages and BMDMs. Interestingly, CD38 inhibition without significant elevation of intracellular NAD+ also decreased IL-1β release driven by MSU crystals in THP-1 macrophages. In conclusion, the present study revealed that MSU crystals could activate CD38 with the ensuing intracellular NAD+ decline to promote inflammatory responses in THP-1 macrophages and BMDMs, while CD38 inhibition could suppress MSU crystals-triggered inflammatory responses, indicating that CD38 is a potential therapeutic target for gout.

Osteoporosis, characterized by bone loss, usually occurs with the increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation. HThis study aimed to investigate the effects of Phosphocreatine (PCr) on the osteoblastic activities in HThe Osteoprotegerin (OPG)/Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand (RANKL) ratio and osteogenic markers were detected to investigate the effects of PCr on osteoblastic activities, and the osteoblastic apoptosis was detected using Hochest staining. Moreover, oxidative stress, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) generation and the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), Forkhead Box O 1 (FOXO1) and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Γ Coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) were also examined to uncover the possible molecular mechanism in HThe results showed that PCr promoted the osteoblastic differentiation by increasing the expression levels of osteogenic markers of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), as well as increased the OPG/RANKL ratio and suppressed the osteoblastic apoptosis in HPCr treatment could promote osteoblastic activities via suppressing oxidative stress and increasing the ATP generation in H

A first creation of high oleic acid peanut varieties by using transcription activator-like effecter nucleases (TALENs) mediated targeted mutagenesis of Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (FAD2). Transcription activator like effector nucleases (TALENs), which allow the precise editing of DNA, have already been developed and applied for genome engineering in diverse organisms. However, they are scarcely used in higher plant study and crop improvement, especially in allopolyploid plants. In the present study, we aimed to create targeted mutagenesis by TALENs in peanut. Targeted mutations in the conserved coding sequence of Arachis hypogaea fatty acid desaturase 2 (AhFAD2) were created by TALENs. Genetic stability of AhFAD2 mutations was identified by DNA sequencing in up to 9.52 and 4.11% of the regeneration plants at two different targeted sites, respectively. Mutation frequencies among AhFAD2 mutant lines were significantly correlated to oleic acid accumulation. Genetically, stable individuals of positive mutant lines displayed a 0.5-2 fold increase in the oleic acid content compared with non-transgenic controls. This finding suggested that TALEN-mediated targeted mutagenesis could increase the oleic acid content in edible peanut oil. Furthermore, this was the first report on peanut genome editing event, and the obtained high oleic mutants could serve for peanut breeding project.

Background Microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), represent important DNA variations that are widely distributed across the entire plant genome and can be used to develop SSR markers, which can then be used to conduct genetic analyses and molecular breeding. Cultivated peanut (A. hypogaea L.), an important oil crop worldwide, is an allotetraploid (AABB, 2n = 4× = 40) plant species. Because of its complex genome, genomic marker development has been very challenging. However, sequencing of cultivated peanut genome allowed us to develop genomic markers and construct a high-density physical map. Results A total of 8,329,496 SSRs were identified, including 3,772,653, 4,414,961, and 141,882 SSRs that were distributed in subgenome A, B, and nine scaffolds, respectively. Based on the flanking sequences of the identified SSRs, a total of 973,984 newly developed SSR markers were developed in subgenome A (462,267), B (489,394), and nine scaffolds (22,323), with an average density of 392.45 markers per Mb. In silico PCR evaluation showed that an average of 88.32% of the SSR markers generated only one in silico-specific product in two tetraploid A. hypogaea varieties, Tifrunner and Shitouqi. A total of 39,599 common SSR markers were identified among the two A. hypogaea varieties and two progenitors, A. duranensis and A. ipaensis. Additionally, an amplification effectiveness of 44.15% was observed by real PCR validation. Moreover, a total of 1276 public SSR loci were integrated with the newly developed SSR markers. Finally, a previously known leaf spot quantitative trait locus (QTL), qLLS_T13_A05_7, was determined to be in a 1.448-Mb region on chromosome A05. In this region, a total of 819 newly developed SSR markers were located and 108 candidate genes were detected. Conclusions The availability of these newly developed and public SSR markers both provide a large number of molecular markers that could potentially be used to enhance the process of trait genetic analyses and improve molecular breeding strategies for cultivated peanut.

Peanut or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a legume of South American origin, has high seed oil content (45–56%) and is a staple crop in semiarid tropical and subtropical regions, partially because of drought tolerance conferred by its geocarpic reproductive strategy. We present a draft genome of the peanut A-genome progenitor, Arachis duranensis, and 50,324 protein-coding gene models. Patterns of gene duplication suggest the peanut lineage has been affected by at least three polyploidizations since the origin of eudicots. Resequencing of synthetic Arachis tetraploids reveals extensive gene conversion in only three seed-to-seed generations since their formation by human hands, indicating that this process begins virtually immediately following polyploid formation. Expansion of some specific gene families suggests roles in the unusual subterranean fructification of Arachis. For example, the S1Fa-like transcription factor family has 126 Arachis members, in contrast to no more than five members in other examined plant species, and is more highly expressed in roots and etiolated seedlings than green leaves. The A. duranensis genome provides a major source of candidate genes for fructification, oil biosynthesis, and allergens, expanding knowledge of understudied areas of plant biology and human health impacts of plants, informing peanut genetic improvement and aiding deeper sequencing of Arachis diversity.

Additional file 2: Figure S1. Chromosome-wide distribution of SSRs in A. hypogaea cv. Fuhuasheng genome. Figure S2. Number of SSR repeat motifs. Figure S3. Abundance of the top 30 different types of SSR motifs. Figure S4. Number (A) and percentage (B) of different types of SSR markers. Figure S5. Summary of SSR types of the developed SSR markers. Figure S6. Product size of 188 SSR markers tested by PCR amplification. Figure S7. Number of loci in the public SSR markers as determined by e-PCR remapping. Figure S8. Comparison of known QTLs in genetic and physical maps.

In the original article, there was an error. The link of sequencing data was not attached in Supplementary Material section. A correction has been made to the Supplementary Material section: The genome assembly and annotation data were deposited in the DRYAD digital repository (https://datadryad.org/). All the data can be downloaded from DRYAD by searching for doi: 10.5061/dryad.hm5vs13 or by directly accessing the link: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.hm5vs13. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.

A characteristic feature of peanut is the subterranean fructification, geocarpy, in which the gynophore ('peg'), a specialized organ that transitions from upward growth habit to downward outgrowth upon fertilization, drives the developing pod into the soil for subsequent development underground. As a step towards understanding this phenomenon, we explore the developmental dynamics of the peanut pod transcriptome at 11 successive stages. We identified 110 217 transcripts across developmental stages and quantified their abundance along a pod developmental gradient in pod wall. We found that the majority of transcripts were differentially expressed along the developmental gradient as well as identified temporal programs of gene expression, including hundreds of transcription factors. Thought to be an adaptation to particularly harsh subterranean environments, both up- and down-regulated gene sets in pod wall were enriched for response to a broad array of stimuli, like gravity, light and subterranean environmental factors. We also identified hundreds of transcripts associated with gravitropism and photomorphogenesis, which may be involved in the geocarpy. Collectively, this study forms a transcriptional baseline for geocarpy in peanut as well as provides a considerable body of evidence that transcriptional regulation in peanut aerial and subterranean fruits is complex.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), an important leguminous crop, is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Peanut is an allotetraploid, having A and B subgenomes that maybe have originated in its diploid progenitors Arachis duranensis (A-genome) and Arachis ipaensis (B-genome), respectively. We previously sequenced the former and here present the draft genome of the latter, expanding our knowledge of the unique biology of Arachis. The assembled genome of A. ipaensis is ~1.39 Gb with 39,704 predicted protein-encoding genes. A gene family analysis revealed that the FAR1 family may be involved in regulating peanut special fruit development. Genomic evolutionary analyses estimated that the two progenitors diverged ~3.3 million years ago and suggested that A. ipaensis experienced a whole-genome duplication event after the divergence of Glycine max. We identified a set of disease resistance-related genes and candidate genes for biological nitrogen fixation. In particular, two and four homologous genes that may be involved in the regulation of nodule development were obtained from A. ipaensis and A. duranensis, respectively. We outline a comprehensive network involved in drought adaptation. Additionally, we analyzed the metabolic pathways involved in oil biosynthesis and found genes related to fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis. Importantly, three new FAD2 homologous genes were identified from A. ipaensis and one was completely homologous at the amino acid level with FAD2 from A. hypogaea. The availability of the A. ipaensis and A. duranensis genomic assemblies will advance our knowledge of the peanut genome.

Figure S2. Distribution of different loci on each linkage group of the integrated consensus map. (DOCX 422â kb)

Figure S3. Enrichment analysis of gene ontology terms for the candidate genes for yield and late leaf spot. (DOCX 174â kb)

Figure S1. Distribution of all the initial QTLs on the linkage groups of the integrated consensus map. (DOCX 671â kb)

Transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers have attracted extensive attention because of their rich physical and chemical properties and wide applications. In this work, we systematically investigate the electronic properties of tin dichalcogenide monolayers (SnX2, X = S, Se, and Te) and the effects of hydrogenation and tension by first-principles calculations based on the density-functional theory. We find that a pure SnX2 monolayer can be an intrinsic semiconductor or metal depending on the Sn–X bonding state. Hydrogenation can transfer its conductivity from a narrow-band semiconductor or a metal to wide-band semiconductor. We further show that a monolayer with a tunable band gap and even metallic characteristics can be achieved by applying tension. We predict that these tin-based dichalcogenide monolayers with controllable multi-functions may be employed in nanodevices and sensors.

This study aimed to demonstrate that organic anion transporters (OATs) mediate the drug-drug interaction (DDI) between piperacillin and tazobactam. After co-administration with piperacillin in rats, the AUC of tazobactam in plasma was significantly increased, and t1/2β was prolonged with significant reduction in plasma clearance, renal clearance and cumulative urinary excretion. In rat and human kidney slices, probenecid, p-aminohippurate and benzylpenicillin inhibited the uptake of piperacillin and tazobactam. Piperacillin significantly inhibited the uptake of tazobactam. Moreover, the uptakes of piperacillin, tazobactam and sulbactam in hOAT1/3-HEK293 cells were significantly higher compared with mock-HEK293 cells, respectively. Piperacillin significantly inhibited the uptake of tazobactam in hOAT1/3-HEK293 cells. The Km values of tazobactam (431 ± 67 μM for hOAT1, 377 ± 63 μM for hOAT3) were significantly higher than those of piperacillin (37 ± 5 μM for hOAT1, 172 ± 28 μM for hOAT3). This suggested that piperacillin has a stronger affinity to hOAT1/3 than tazobactam. Meanwhile, the Km values of tazobactam were increased in the presence of piperacillin with unchanged Vmax. This indicated that piperacillin inhibited the uptake of tazobactam in a competitive manner. In conclusion, piperacillin and tazobactam are the substrates of hOAT1/3, and OAT1/3 mediate the DDI between piperacillin and tazobactam.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most susceptible host crops to Aspergillus flavus invasion and subsequent aflatoxin contamination. In this report, a new member of PR10 family putative resistant gene (designated as ARAhPR10, No. EU661964.1) encoding a PR10 protein was isolated and characterized. Analysis of qRT-PCR showed that the expression of ARAhPR10 was induced by pre-harvested A. flavus infection, but no significant difference was observed between resistant genotype “GT-C20” and susceptible genotype “Yueyou 7”. Seven transgenic peanut lines expressing the ARAhPR10 gene under the control of 35S promoter were obtained using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method. Real time RT-PCR results showed that the expression level of the ARAhPR10 was significantly higher and the A. flavus infection and aflatoxin content were significantly lower in seeds of transgenic lines than that of the wild type. A significant negative correlation between ARAhPR10 expression at transcript level and seeds aflatoxin production was observed. Combining the previous results, it is suggested that ARAhPR10 expression play an important role in peanut host resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin producing.

Molecular genetic maps of crop species can be used in a variety of ways in breeding and genomic research such as identification and mapping of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for morphological, physiological and economic traits of crop species. However, a comprehensive genetic linkage map for cultivated peanut has not yet been developed due to the extremely low frequency of DNA polymorphism in cultivated peanut. In this study, 142 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Yueyou 13 and Zhenzhuhei were used as mapping population in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). A total 652 pairs of genomic-SSR primer and 392 pairs of EST-SSR primer were used to detect the polymorphisms between the two parents. 141 SSR primer pairs, 127 genomic-SSR and 14 EST-SSR ones, which can be used to detect polymorphisms between the two parents, were selected to analyze the RILs population. Thus, a linkage genetic map which consists of 131 SSR loci in 20 linkage groups, with a coverage of 679 cM and an average of 6.12 cM of inter-maker distance was constructed. The putative functions of 12 EST-SSR markers located on the map were analyzed. Eleven showed homology to gene sequences deposited in GenBank. This is the first report of construction of a comprehensive genetic map with SSR markers in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The map presented here will provide a genetic framework for mapping the qualitative and quantitative trait in peanut.