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The flower-meristem-identity gene APETALA2(AP2),one of class-A genes, is involved in the establishment of the floral meristem and the forming of sepals and petals. Codon usage bias (CUB) identifies differences among species, meanwhile dynamic analysis of base composition can identify the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary relationships of a specific gene. In this study, eight coding sequences (CDS) of AP2gene were selected from different plant species using the GenBank database. Their nucleotide composition (GC content), genetic index, relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) and relative codon usage bias (RCUB) were calculated with R Software to compare codon bias and base composition dynamics of AP2gene codon usage patterns in different plant species. The results showed that the usage of AP2gene codons from different plant species were influened by GC bias, especially GC3s. Overall, base composition analysis indicated that the usage frequency of codon AT in the gene coding sequence was higher than GC among AP2gene CDS from different plant species. Furthermore, most AP2gene CDSs ended with AT; AGA, GCU and UGU had relatively high RSCU values as the most dominant codon; the usage characteristic of the AP2gene codon in Malus domesticawas similar to that of Vitis vinifera; Paeonia lactiflorawas similar to Paeonia suffruticosaand Solanum lycopersicumwas similar to Petunia×hybrida.There was a moderate preference in the usage of AP2gene codon among different plant species from relatively low frequency of optimal codon (Fop) values and high effective number of codons (ENC) value. This study has revealed the usage characteristics of the AP2gene codon from the comparision of AP2gene codon preference and base dynamics in different plant species and provide a platform for further study towards transgenic engineering and codon optimization.

Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is a key enzyme that converts yellow chalcone to colorless naringenin, playing an important regulatory role in color formation of ornamental flowers. We determined the coding sequence of CHIin herbaceous peony using rapid-amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technology, and subsequently detected the expression pattern of CHIin the inner and outer petals at different developmental stages using qRT-PCR. We cloned the upstream promoter sequences of CHIusing genome walking technology and predicted the location of CpG islands and 5′ truncation. In addition, we constructed five dual-luciferase reporter gene carriers and detected the promoter activities of different fragments. Our results showed that the full-length cDNA sequence of CHIwas 898 bp, and the 5′-upstream core promoter was located at −1651 to −2050 bp region, where contained one CpG island (−1897 to −2010 bp) and several important binding sites of transcription factor, such as Sp1, serum response factor (SRF), activating protein (AP)-2alpha and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)alpha. Expression results showed that the expression of CHIat different developmental stages was generally higher in inner petals than those in outer petals, and the maximum at the bud stage (S1). Thus, this study will provide theoretical basis for an in-depth study of CHIgene function and expression regulation.

Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactifloraPall.) is a famous flower with medicinal values, and its flowers have a number of medicinal constituents, especially flavonoids. In this study, a P. lactifloracultivar with double colors including white outer-petal and yellow inner-petal was used as the experimental materials to perform the qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids by high-performance liquid chromatograph-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSn) and investigate the expression patterns of flavonoid biosynthetic genes using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). The results showed that the colors of both petals gradually weakened with flower development. Moreover, one main anthocyanin composition (peonidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside) and five main anthoxanthin compositions (kaempferol di-hexo-side, kaempferol-3-O-malonylglucoside-7-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside) were found in the both, differing significantly in their peak areas only. Total anthocyanin, anthoxanthin and flavonoid contents in white outer-petal and yellow inner-petal gradually decreased during flower development, and were consistently higher in white outer-petal. Furthermore, the expression patterns of nine structural genes in P. lactifloraflavonoid biosynthetic pathway showed that the expression levels of phenylalanine ammonialyase gene (PIPAL), chalcone synthase gene (PICHS), flavanone 3-hydroxylase gene (PIF3H), anthocyanidin synthase gene (PIANS) and UDP-glucoside: flavonoid 5-O-glucosyltransferase gene (PIF5GT) in two petals basically presented declined tendencies, and transcription levels of PIPAL, PICHS, PIANS, PIF3GTand PIF5GTalso tended to be higher in white outer-petal, which was correlated with their flavonoid contents. These results would lay a solid foundation for the exploration and utilization of flavonoid resources in P. lactifloraflowers.

Herein, we describe a Brønsted-acid-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of 1,3-diols with alkynes through a hydroalkoxylation/hydrolysis process. The reaction leads to the atom-economical synthesis of valuable chiral β-amino alcohols under mild reaction conditions. Further synthetic transformations based on the β-amino alcohol moiety provide divergent approaches toward chiral N-containing heterocycles.

Transition-metal-catalyzed Si–H bond insertion reactions are generally limited to stabilized diazo compounds. An efficient copper-catalyzed Si–H bond insertion reaction of N-propargyl ynamides with hydrosilanes is described, allowing practical and atom-economic construction of valuable organosilanes in generally moderate to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. Notably, this reaction constitutes a new method of Si–H bond insertion reaction involving vinyl cations as key intermediates.

Background. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common disease with high morbidity and mortality around the world. The aim of this research was to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which may serve as potential therapeutic targets or new biomarkers in AMI. Methods. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, three gene expression profiles (GSE775, GSE19322, and GSE97494) were downloaded. To identify the DEGs, integrated bioinformatics analysis and robust rank aggregation (RRA) method were applied. These DEGs were performed through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses by using Clusterprofiler package. In order to explore the correlation between these DEGs, the interaction network of protein-protein internet (PPI) was constructed using the STRING database. Utilizing the MCODE plug-in of Cytoscape, the module analysis was performed. Utilizing the cytoHubba plug-in, the hub genes were screened out. Results. 57 DEGs in total were identified, including 2 down- and 55 upregulated genes. These DEGs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and so on. The module analysis filtered out 18 key genes, including Cxcl5, Arg1, Cxcl1, Spp1, Selp, Ptx3, Tnfaip6, Mmp8, Serpine1, Ptgs2, Il6, Il1r2, Il1b, Ccl3, Ccr1, Hmox1, Cxcl2, and Ccl2. Ccr1 was the most fundamental gene in PPI network. 4 hub genes in total were identified, including Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Cxcl5, and Mmp8. Conclusion. This study may provide credible molecular biomarkers in terms of screening, diagnosis, and prognosis for AMI. Meanwhile, it also serves as a basis for exploring new therapeutic target for AMI.

Two hundred fifty-seven patients with acute leukemia were admitted into our hospital on 346 occasions. There were 433 episodes of infection, with an average of 1.25 episodes per hospitalization; 126 patients (49.0%) died. Infection was the major predisposing factor and cause of death. The incidence of infection increased significantly with prolonged duration of hospitalization, the degree of granulocytopenia, the degree of chemotherapeutic failure, and the use of glucocorticoids. Pulmonary infection (17.3%) was the most common type of infection. Septicemia (12.0%) was also common and was associated with high mortality (71.2%). Of 22 patients with perirectal abscess, 10 had septicemia. Gram-negative bacilli were responsible for 66.1% of laboratory-documented bacterial infections. For the treatment of infection, empiric use of an aminoglycoside combined with either an antipseudomonal penicillin or a cephalosporin at the first sign of infection was emphasized. Antibiotic administration should be continued for at least 7 days after the patient's temperature becomes normal.