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Mo1.33C i-MXene nanosheets and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate multifunctional hybrid smart fiber is fabricated with an easily scalable spinning approach and can be used for both supercapacitors and electrochemical transistors.

Seed density per silique (SDPS) and valid silique length (VSL) are two important yield-influencing traits in rapeseed. SDPS has a direct or indirect effect on rapeseed yield through its effect on seed per silique. In this study, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for SDPS was detected on chromosome A09 using the QTL-seq approach and confirmed via linkage analysis in the mapping population obtained from 4263 × 3001 cross. Furthermore, one major QTL for SDPS (qSD.A9-1) was mapped to a 401.8 kb genomic interval between SSR markers Nys9A190 and Nys9A531. In the same genomic region, a QTL (qSL.A9) linked to VSL was also detected. The phenotypic variation of qSD.A9-1 and qSL.A9 was 53.1% and 47.6%, respectively. Results of the additive and dominant effects demonstrated that the expression of genes controlling SDPS and VSL were derived from a different parent in this population. Subsequently, we identified 56 genes that included 45 specific genes with exonic (splicing) variants. Further analysis identified specific genes containing mutations that may be related to seed density as well as silique length. These genes could be used for further studies to understand the details of these traits of rapeseed.

Rapeseed is the third leading source of edible oil in the world. Genic male sterility (GMS) lines provide crucial material for harnessing heterosis for rapeseed. GMS lines have been widely used successfully for rapeseed hybrid production. The physiological and molecular mechanism of pollen development in GMS lines of rapeseed (

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and carbonitrides, called MXenes, with metallic conductivity and hydrophilic surfaces, show great promise as electrode materials for supercapacitors. ...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes play vital roles in crops. However, the genetic variations in miRNA-targeted sites that affect miRNA cleavage efficiency and their correlations with agronomic traits in crops remain unexplored. On the basis of a genome-wide DNA re-sequencing of 210 elite rapeseed (Brassica napus) accessions, we identified the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (INDELs) in miRNA-targeted sites complementary to miRNAs. Variant calling revealed 7.14 million SNPs and 2.89 million INDELs throughout the genomes of 210 rapeseed accessions. Furthermore, we detected 330 SNPs and 79 INDELs in 357 miRNA target sites, of which 33.50% were rare variants. We also analyzed the correlation between the genetic variations in miRNA target sites and 12 rapeseed agronomic traits. Eleven SNPs in miRNA target sites were significantly correlated with phenotypes in three consecutive years. More specifically, three correlated SNPs within the miRNA-binding regions of BnSPL9-3, BnSPL13-2, and BnCUC1-2 were in the loci associated with the branch angle, seed weight, and silique number, respectively; expression profiling suggested that the variation at these 3 miRNA target sites significantly affected the expression level of the corresponding target genes. Taken together, the results of this study provide researchers and breeders with a global view of the genetic variations in miRNA-targeted sites in rapeseed and reveal the potential effects of these genetic variations on elite agronomic traits.

Background Brassica napus is the third leading source of edible oil in the world. Genic male sterility (GMS) lines provide crucial material for harnessing heterosis for rapeseed. GMS lines have been used successfully for rapeseed hybrid production in China. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in various plant growth, development, and stress response processes. However, reports on miRNAs that regulate the pollen development of GMS lines in B. napus are few. Results In this study, 12 small RNA and transcriptome libraries were constructed and sequenced for the flower buds from the fertile and sterile lines of two recessive GMS (RGMS) lines, namely, “6251AB” and “6284AB”. At the same time, 12 small RNA and transcriptome libraries were also constructed and sequenced for the flower buds from the fertile and sterile lines of two dominant GMS (DGMS) lines, namely, “4001AB” and “4006AB”. Based on the results, 46 known miRNAs, 27 novel miRNAs on the other arm of known pre-miRNAs, and 44 new conserved miRNAs were identified. Thirty-five pairs of novel miRNA-3p/miRNA-5p were found. Among all the identified miRNAs, fifteen differentially expressed miRNAs with over 1.5-fold change between flower buds of sterile and fertile lines were identified, including six differentially expressed miRNAs between “4001A” and “4001B”, two differentially expressed miRNAs between “4006A” and “4006B”, four differentially expressed miRNAs between “6251A” and “6251B”, and ten differentially expressed miRNAs between “6284A” and “6284B”. The correlation analysis of small RNA and transcriptome sequencing was conducted. And 257 candidate target genes were predicted for the 15 differentially expressed miRNAs. The results of 5′ modified RACE indicated that BnaA09g48720D, BnaA09g11120D, and BnaCnng51960D were cleaved by bna-miR398a-3p, bna-miR158-3p and bna-miR159a, respectively. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, miR159 was chosen to analyze its function. Overexpression of bna-miR159 in Arabidopsis resulted in decreased seed setting rate, and shortened siliques, illustrating that miR159 may regulate the fertility and silique development in rapeseed. Conclusions Our findings provide an overview of miRNAs that are potentially involved in GMS and pollen development. New information on miRNAs and their related target genes are provided to exploit the GMS mechanism and reveal the miRNA networks in B. napus.

Given the breadth of currently arising opportunities and concerns associated with nanoparticles for biomedical imaging, various types of nanoparticles have been widely exploited, especially for cellular/subcellular level probing. However, most currently reported nanoparticles either have inefficient delivery into cells or lack specificity for intracellular destinations. The absence of well-defined nanoplatforms remains a critical challenge hindering practical nano-based bio-imaging. Herein, the authors elaborate on a tailorable membrane-penetrating nanoplatform as a carrier with encapsulated actives and decorated surfaces to tackle the above-mentioned issues. The tunable contents in such a versatile nanoplatform offer huge flexibility to reach the expected properties and functions. Aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) is applied to achieve sought-after photophysical properties, specific targeting moieties are installed to give high affinity towards different desired organelles, and critical grafting of cell-penetrating cyclic disulfides (CPCDs) to promote cellular uptake efficiency without sacrificing the specificity. Hereafter, to validate its practicability, the tailored nano products are successfully applied to track the dynamic correlation between mitochondria and lysosomes during autophagy. The authors believe that the strategy and described materials can facilitate the development of functional nanomaterials for various life science applications. Funding Agencies|STINT Joint China-Sweden Mobility Project [CH2017-7243]; Swedish Research Council (VR)Swedish Research Council [VR 2019-02409, 2020-05437]; China Scholarship Council (CSC)China Scholarship Council; Science and Technology Development Fund, Macau SAR [019/2017/AMJ, 0114/2019/A2]; Carl Tryggers Stiftelse [CTS 19:379]; Swedish Government strategic faculty grant in material science (SFO, MATLIU) in Advanced Functional Materials (AFM) (VR) [Dnr. 5.1-2015-5959]; Centre in Nano Science and technology at LiTH (CeNano); LiU Cancer network at Linkoping University

Conventional methods for gene function study in Brassica campestris have lots of drawbacks, which greatly hinder the identification of important genes' functions and molecular breeding. The clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system is a versatile tool for genome editing that has been widely utilized in many plant species and has many advantages over conventional methods for gene function study. However, the application of CRISPR/Cas9 system in B. campestris remains unreported. The pectin-methylesterase genes Bra003491, Bra007665, and Bra014410 were selected as the targets of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. A single-targeting vector and a multitargeting vector were constructed. Different types of mutations were detected in T0 generation through Agrobacterium transformation. The mutation rate of the three designed sgRNA seeds varied from 20 to 56%. Although the majority of T0 mutants were chimeric, four homozygous mutants were identified. Transformation with the multitargeting vector generated one line with a large fragment deletion and one line with mutations in two target genes. Mutations in Bra003491 were stable and inherited by T1 and T2 generations. Nine mutants which did not contain T-DNA insertions were also obtained. No mutations were detected in predicted potential off-target sites. Our work demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9 system is efficient on single and multiplex genome editing without off-targeting in B. campestris and that the mutations are stable and inheritable. Our results may greatly facilitate gene functional studies and the molecular breeding of B. campestris and other plants.

Restricted by the energy gap rule, near-infrared (NIR) luminescent materials face great challenges. Here, we report a newly designed and synthesized organic molecule, 5,5′-([1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c...

To explore the low temperature germination characteristics of rapeseed, 8 main cultivars were selected for germination experiments in incubators at 20℃, 16℃, 12℃ and 8℃, respectively, to measure and analyze the germination potential, germination rate, root length, bud length, etc. The results showed that there was significant difference in the germination potential of tested rapeseeds at temperatures. And the low temperature of 8℃ was significantly reduced the germination potential. With the decrease of germination temperature, the growth of roots and buds were inhibited significantly. There were significant differences both in temperatures and varieties. The germination potential, root length and bud length could be used as the main index to evaluate seed germination of rapeseed under low temperature. In addition, to screen varieties suitable for spring sowing as green manure, the spring sowing test was carried out. The study found that the fresh grass yield of “Huyouzao No.1” was 1712.53 kg/m 2 , which was much higher than other 7 varieties. Its relative root length was second only to “Huyou17” and its relative bud length next to “Huyoufei No.1” at 8℃, respectively. The results can provide a reference for early spring sowing of rapeseed as green manure.

Intracellular lipid metabolism occurs in lipid droplets (LDs), which is critical to the survival of cells. Imaging LDs is an intuitive way to understand their physiology in live cells. However, this is limited by the availability of specific probes that can properly visualize LDs in vivo. Here, an LDs-specific red-emitting probe is proposed to address this need, which is not merely with an ultrahigh signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and a large Stokes shift (up to 214 nm) but also with superior resistance to photobleaching. The probe has been successfully applied to real-time tracking of intracellular LDs behaviors, including fusion, migration, and lipophagy processes. We deem that the proposed probe here offers a new possibility for deeper understanding of LDs-associated behaviors, elucidation of their roles and mechanisms in cellular metabolism, and determination of the transition between adaptive lipid storage and lipotoxicity as well. Funding Agencies|STINT Joint China - Sweden Mobility Project Program [CH2017-7243]; National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of China [21775001, 21705001]; China Scholarship Council (CSC)China Scholarship Council; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council [VR 2019-02409]; Swedish Government Strategic Faculty Grant in Material Science (SFO, MATLIU) in Advanced Functional Materials (AFM) [5.1-20155959]; Centre in Nano Science and Nano Technology at LiTH (CeNano); LiU Cancer network at Linkoping University

In order to locate candidate genes related to flowering time, and to provide a basis for genetic improvement and flowering time of Brassica campestris , a natural population composed of 110 B. campestris was used as research materials. Flowering investigation and resequencing were performed on them. The high-quality SNP set obtained by resequencing was used for population evolutionary tree analysis, principal component analysis, population genetic structure analysis and a genome-wide association analysis. The observation results showed there were wide differences in flowering time between different types of B. campestris . The results of population structure analysis showed that 110 materials could be divided into two subgroups. The distribution within each phylogenetic tree was relatively concentrated, and the distribution between different subgroups was closely related to the geographical origin of the material. Genome-wide association analysis revealed that the average LD of the whole B. campestris attenuated LD was 19 kb, and 4 signal sites significantly associated with the flowering schedule type were obtained. Functional annotation was performed on related genes in a certain region upstream and downstream of the physical location of the four associated candidate sites, and 9 candidate transcripts related to flowering time were screened. Further analysis revealed that 9 transcripts contained a total of 4 candidate genes, which were homologous genes of Arabidopsis LOL1 , CAT5 and FAD8 . The results of this study could provide some theoretical basis and clues for obtaining candidate genes related to flowering time of B. campestris and using them to regulate flowering and genetic improvement.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an important oil crop with a huge genome. This study used next generation sequencing technology to develop SSR markers in rapeseed. A total of 213,876 sequence reads were obtained in 58.8 Mb. For these reads, 21,523 SSRs were recovered from 18,575 microsatellites sequences and 8,964 SSR primer pairs were identified. Di- and mono-nucleotides were the most abundant, accounting for 47.5% and 30.7% of all SSRs, respectively. A total of 8,776 SSRs were designed from contigs and 100 SSR primers were tested for validation of SSR locus amplification. Nearly all (94%) of the markers were found to produce clear amplicons and to be reproducible. For these markers, forty-three SSRs showed polymorphic bands in eight rapeseed accessions. Thirty-four SSRs were then applied to 78 rapeseed accessions from China to evaluate the genetic diversity. Result showed that the allele number varied from two to seven, with a mean value of 3.59. The effective allele number of ranged from 1.14 to 3.25, with an average of 2.09. The average values of observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity were 0.54 and 0.49, respectively. The Nei’s gene diversity varied from 0.12 to 0.69, with a mean value of 0.48. Resulting of the markers testing showed that the identified genome-wide SSRs were useful in rapeseed genetic studies, including genetic diversity, QTL mapping and marker-assisted selection for breeding.

A redox active polymer network film containing donor–node–acceptor (D–n–A) units was prepared by using the electropolymerization (EP) of the precursor (4Cz–4Cl–PBI). The polymer film was characterized by the UV–vis absorption, FT-IR, SEM, XRD and electrochemical techniques. The precursor contains phenyl connected two carbazoles (D) linked by the two sp3 N-nodes on both sides of a tetrachloro-substituted PBI (A). The two N-nodes block the conjugation between D and A units, resulting in an independent redox activity (from D and A) and doping behaviors. This novel concept of the D–n–A polymer effectively increases the conductivity and stability of the n-doped state. The EP film can be prepared on ITO and flexible electrodes with large area, smooth surface morphology, controllable thickness, and nanoporous structure. Notably, the polymer network film showed ambipolar doping characteristics, with high capacitance (both n- and p-doped states). These properties are very suitable to construct ambipolar electrodes...

Pyridal[2,1,3]thiadiazole (PT) is an analogue of benzo[1,2,5]thiadiazole (BT), which is a common acceptor in charge transfer (CT) chromophores. Compared with BT, PT is more electron-deficient and less sterically hindered. Herein we demonstrate the effect of using PT as proto-acceptor in the design of D–A type NIR emitting materials. The compound p-TPA-PT-CN was synthesized, which combines PT with the donor triphenylamine (TPA) and cyano-substituent (CN), and shows NIR emission at ∼700 nm with a high PL efficiency of 0.3 in both solution and solid state. The strong D–A interaction within p-TPA-PT-CN results in a low energy charge-transfer state. The pyridine nitrogen of PT reduces the steric hindrance between PT and the adjacent TPA donor segment, resulting in increased planarity and strong mixing (hybridization) of CT and π–π states (HLCT). Such strong mixing contributes towards a higher luminous efficiency. The OLEDs fabricated with p-TPA-PT-CN as the emitting layer exhibited an EQE of 1.47% and Lmax = 640 cd m−2, which are amongst the highest values reported for NIR-OLED devices.

The twist angle and rotation freedom between the donor (D) and acceptor (A) in D–A materials plays an important role in their photophysical properties. Here, the authors select the asymmetric acceptor pyridal[2,1,3]thiadiazole (PT) to construct two D–A isomers (p-TPA-PT and d-TPA-PT) with different twist angle and rotation freedom due to the donor triphenylamine (TPA) proximal or distal to N-atom (pyridyl), as well as a symmetric bis-triphenylamine-substituted compound DTPA-PT for their investigation. On the basis of experimental and theoretical analysis, the authors have explained how the difference in twist-angle and freedom of rotation affects the photophysical properties of these materials. The p-TPA-PT has small twist angles with a relative large kr, however, the more freedom of rotation of the D–A bond causes larger knr, which is comparable to the kr, and thus a lower photoluminescence (PL) efficiency is obtained in the doped film. Although the d-TPA-PT has relative large twist angles with low kr, the suppressed rotation of the DA bond significantly reduces knr, resulting in more competitive kr when compared with the p-TPA-PT, consequently relatively higher PL efficiency is observed. The DTPA-PT, combination of p-TPA-PT and d-TPA-PT, shows highest kr, much larger than its knr, therefore shows highest PL efficiency. As a result, the DTPA-PT based organic light emitting diode (OLED) shows beautiful deep-red emission, maximum external quantum efficiency of 3.87%, Lmax = 12 000 cd m−2, which is among the best deep-red OLED devices.

Different compared to optoelectronics based on electron transformation, ion transport plays important roles in electrochromic applications. To improve ion transport properties, a novel poly(3,4-dioxythiophene) dimer (PM-BTE) was electropolymerized by an alkoxyl connected 3,4-dioxythiophene dimer and fully characterized. The PM-BTE soft nano-networks exhibit excellent electrochromic properties, which show reversible oxidization and reduction accompanied from dark blue to brown yellow, have an optical contrast ΔT = 38.8%, coloration efficiencies of 263.5 cm2 C−1 at 900 nm, low switching voltages and a response of time 1.8 s, with excellent stability and colour persistence. The electrochromic performance is well promoted compared with that of PEDOT (one-fold in coloration efficiency and 60% in response time for the best), which was found to be a result of the as formed PM-BTE films showing a soft nano-network and providing a compatible ion transport channel.

Table S1. Primers for expression analysis of qRT-PCR, cDNA cloning of HTT2, and identification of HPT gene in transgenic plants. (DOCX 20 kb)

An innovative approach for sensitive and simple electrochemical detection of non-electroactive organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) was described in this report. The novel strategy emphasized the fabrication of an oxime-based sensor via attaching pralidoxime (PAM) on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) modified glassy carbon electrode. The introduction of GQDs significantly increased the effective electrode area, and then enlarged the immobilization quantity of PAM. Thus, the oxidation current of PAM was obviously increased. Relying on the nucleophilic substitution reaction between oxime and OPs, fenthion was detected using PAM as the electroactive probe. Under optimum conditions, the difference of oxidation current of PAM was proportional to fenthion concentration over the range from 1.0 × 10 −11 M to 5.0 × 10 −7 M with a detection limit of 6.8 × 10 −12 M (S/N = 3). Moreover, the favorable detection performance in water and soil samples heralded the promising applications in on-site OPs detection.

Fertilization is controlled by a complex gene regulatory network. To study the fertilization mechanism, we determined time courses of the four developmental stages of fertilization in Chinese cabbage pak-choi (Brassica campestris subsp. chinensis) by cytological observation. We then used the Arabidopsis ATH1 microarray to characterize the gene expression profiles of pollinated and unpollinated pistils in B. campestris subsp. chinensis. The result showed 44 up-regulated genes and 33 down-regulated genes in pollinated pistils compared with unpollinated pistils. Gene ontology analysis identified 20% of the up-regulated genes as belonging to the category of cell wall metabolism. We compared the up-regulated genes in pollinated pistils with previously identified pollen development related genes. Ten genes were found to be in common, which were termed as continuously expressed genes, in the two processes in the present article. Their expression patterns during pollen development and fertilization processes were then verified by RT–PCR. One of the continuously expressed genes, the homologous gene of At3g01270 in B. campestris subsp. chinensis, was confirmed as specifically expressed in microspores and pollinated pistils by using in situ hybridization. The potential biological functions of the other continuously expressed genes were also discussed.

Brassica campestris pectate lyase-like 9 (BcPLL9) was previously identified as a differentially expressed gene both in buds during late pollen developmental stage and in pistils during fertilization in Chinese cabbage. To characterize the gene's function, antisense-RNA lines of BcPLL9 (bcpll9) were constructed in Chinese cabbage. Self- and cross-fertilization experiments harvested half seed yields when bcpll9 lines were used as pollen donors. In vivo and in vitro pollen germination assays showed that nearly half of the pollen tubes in bcpll9 were irregular with shorter length and uneven surface. Aniline blue staining identified abnormal accumulation of a specific bright blue unknown material in the bcpll9 pollen portion. Scanning electron microscopy observation verified the abnormal outthrust material to be near the pollen germinal furrows. Transmission electron microscopy observation revealed the internal endintine layer was overdeveloped and predominantly occupied the intine. This abnormally formed intine likely induced the wavy structure and growth arrest of the pollen tube in half of the bcpll9 pollen grains, which resulted in less seed yields. Collectively, this study presented a novel PLL gene that has an important function in B. campestris intine formation.

Background microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, noncoding, small RNAs that have essential regulatory functions in plant growth, development, and stress response processes. However, limited information is available about their functions in sexual reproduction of flowering plants. Pollen development is an important process in the life cycle of a flowering plant and is a major factor that affects the yield and quality of crop seeds. Results This study aims to identify miRNAs involved in pollen development. Two independent small RNA libraries were constructed from the flower buds of the male sterile line (Bcajh97-01A) and male fertile line (Bcajh97-01B) of Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis. The libraries were subjected to high-throughput sequencing by using the Illumina Solexa system. Eight novel miRNAs on the other arm of known pre-miRNAs, 54 new conserved miRNAs, and 8 novel miRNA members were identified. Twenty-five pairs of novel miRNA/miRNA* were found. Among all the identified miRNAs, 18 differentially expressed miRNAs with over two-fold change between flower buds of male sterile line (Bcajh97-01A) and male fertile line (Bcajh97-01B) were identified. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that most of the differentially expressed miRNAs were preferentially expressed in flower buds of the male fertile line (Bcajh97-01B). Degradome analysis showed that a total of 15 genes were predicted to be the targets of seven miRNAs. Conclusions Our findings provide an overview of potential miRNAs involved in pollen development and interactions between miRNAs and their corresponding targets, which may provide important clues on the function of miRNAs in pollen development.