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Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) and PDI-like proteins catalyze the oxidation and reduction in protein disulfide bonds, inhibit aggregation of misfolded proteins, and participate in isomerization and abiotic stress responses. The wild type 'duli' pear (Pyrus betulaefolia) is an important rootstock commonly used for commercial pear tree grafting in northern China. In this study, we identified 24 PDI genes, named PbPDIs, from the genome of 'duli' pear. With 12 homologous gene pairs, these 24 PbPDIs distribute on 12 of its 17 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis placed the 24 PbPDIs into four clades and eleven groups. Collinearity analysis of the PDIs between P. betulaefolia, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa revealed that the PbPDIs of 'duli' pear show a strong collinear relationship with those from Arabidopsis, a dicot; but a weak collinear relationship with those from rice, a monocot. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that most of the PbPDIs were upregulated by salt stress. Identification and expression analysis of 'duli' pear PbPDIs under salt stress conditions could provide useful information for further research in order to generate salt-resistant rootstock for pear grafting in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the fields of infectious disease diagnostics, microfluidic-based integrated technology systems have become a vital technology in enhancing the rapidity, accuracy, and portability of pathogen detection. These systems synergize microfluidic techniques with advanced molecular biology methods, including reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), have been successfully used to identify a diverse array of pathogens, including COVID-19, Ebola, Zika, and dengue fever. This review outlines the advances in pathogen detection, attributing them to the integration of microfluidic technology with traditional molecular biology methods and smartphone- and paper-based diagnostic assays. The cutting-edge diagnostic technologies are of critical importance for disease prevention and epidemic surveillance. Looking ahead, research is expected to focus on increasing detection sensitivity, streamlining testing processes, reducing costs, and enhancing the capability for remote data sharing. These improvements aim to achieve broader coverage and quicker response mechanisms, thereby constructing a more robust defense for global public health security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SW Songliao Basin is an extremely significant part of the giant sandstone uranium metallogenic belt in northern China. The Yaojia Formation is the most significant ore-bearing layer in the region. However, the poorly constrained sedimentology of the Yaojia Formation has substantially hindered the understanding of the basin and the exploration of uranium deposits within it. To determine the sedimentology, provenance, and tectonic setting of the Yaojia Formation in the study area, we conducted petrography, whole-rock geochemical analysis, and electron probe research. Based on the results of the study, it appears that the Yaojia Formation sandstone is predominantly composed of lithic sandstone and feldspar lithic sandstone. Uranium exists in two forms: as independent minerals and as adsorption uranium. Pitchblende is the most common independent uranium mineral, with small amounts of coffinite also occurring. The ratios of Sr/Ba, V/(V+Ni), V/Cr, Ni/Co, and (Cu+Mo)/Zn of the samples indicate that the Yaojia Formation was deposited in a sub- to oxygen-rich freshwater environment with a moderately stratified bottom water body and smooth circulation. The geochemical characteristics of the Yaojia Formation sandstones imply that they are primarily derived from felsic igneous rocks in the upper continental crust in active continental margin and continental island arc environments. According to geochemistry and previous detrital zircon U-Pb chronology studies, the Mesozoic and Late Paleozoic felsic igneous rocks of the southern Great Xing'an Mountains are the principal sources of the Yaojia Formation in the SW Songliao Basin. Besides providing sediments for the study area, the uranium-rich felsic igneous rocks in the source areas also represent a long-term, stable, and ideal source of uranium, suggesting substantial potential for uranium exploration in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]