Search

Whether the calyx tube of the Korla fragrant pear falls off seriously affects the fruit quality. ‘Xinnonglinxiang’ is a mutant variety of the Korla fragrant pear, which has a high calyx removal rate under natural conditions, and calyx tube fall seriously affects the fruit quality. The mechanism behind the high calyx removal rate of ‘Xinnonglinxiang’ remains unclear; thus, Korla fragrant pear (PT) and ‘Xinnonglinxiang’ (YB) with different degrees of calyx abscission were used as examples and the abscission areas of calyx tubes were collected in the early (21 April), middle (23 April), and late (25 April) shedding stages to explore the regulatory mechanism behind the abscission. The combination of the results of physiological, cytological, and transcriptomic methods indicated the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the middle of shedding. GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis showed that the expression levels of genes related to the CEL (cellulase) and PG (polygalacturonase) activity functional pathways differed significantly in the two varieties during the three periods, whereas Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly concentrated in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway in all three periods. The expression levels of genes related to the plant hormone signal transduction pathway differed significantly for the two varieties during calyx shedding. Five gene modules were obtained using Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), and transcriptome data were correlated with five physiological index values. Two key modules that highly correlated with the Eth (ethylene) response were then screened, and 20 core genes were identified, with IRX10, IRX9, and OXI1 likely the hub genes that are involved in the regulation of calyx shedding in the YB variety. The obtained results provide reliable data for the screening of candidate genes for calyx shedding and analysis of the regulatory mechanism behind a high calyx shedding rate, providing a theoretical basis upon which the calyx shedding rate of fruits can be improved through genetic improvement.

Objectives Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome. Atypical membranous nephropathy (aMN) is a new type of nephropathy in China, characterized by a ‘full-house’ on immunofluorescent examination, that is IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C1q positive, but without clinical evidence of a secondary cause. Phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) was the major target antigens in iMN patients. Activation of the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) pathway plays a vital role in the development of MN. Our objective was to investigate the role of PLA2R and MBL in the pathogenesis of iMN and aMN.Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study using propensity score matching by age, gender, and eGFR. All clinical, laboratory data, and follow-up data of the patients were collected. Serum levels of anti-PLA2R antibodies and MBL were tested.Results Finally, 30 iMN patients and 30 aMN patients were included, and 20 healthy controls were retrospectively collected in this study. The 24 h proteinuria level was higher and serum albumin was lower in anti-PLA2R (+) patients than in anti-PLA2R (−) patients in both iMN and aMN groups. In aMN patients, MBL levels were significantly higher in anti-PLA2R (+) patients than in anti-PLA2R (−) patients (p = .045). The serum level of anti-PLA2R positively correlated with no-remission in both iMN and aMN groups.Conclusions The complement lectin pathway has an association with the development of MN, especially in patients with positive anti-PLA2R antibodies. Serum MBL cannot differentiate between the two diseases. Serum MBL levels are not associated with clinical manifestations, nor with prognosis.

Abstract Background Membranous nephropathy (MN) is mainly classified into idiopathic MN (iMN) and secondary MN in etiology. In recent years, a new kind of membranous nephropathy, atypical membranous nephropathy (aMN) which shows “full house” in immunofluorescence but without definite etiology was paid more attention. In a single center cohort, the renal outcomes of iMN and aMN were compared. Methods iMN and aMN patients were selected from renal pathology databank from January 2006 to December 2015. Patients’ demographics, laboratory values, induction regimens and patients’ responses were recorded. Specially, creatinine, eGFR, albumin and 24 h urinary protein excretion were recorded at 6th month after the induction of immunosuppressive (IS) treatment and at the end of follow up. Complete proteinuria remission was defined as urinary protein 50 % from the baseline. The primary outcome was worsening renal function, defined as a 30 % or more decrease in eGFR or end-stage renal disease (eGFR

Agarwood is a highly valuable fragrant wood of Aquilaria spp. (Thymelaeaceae) which has been widely utilized in traditional medicine, religious rites, and cultural activities. This study summarizes a review on the identification of Aquilaria cultivars, volatile and non-volatile phytochemicals, pharmacological uses, and agarwood grading system to determine its quality, and different agarwood induction methods. Due to the highly demanding and depleted natural resources, the research on agarwood is still insufficient, and it has broad research and development prospects in many industries. However, due to the significant scientific nature of agarwood application, developing high-quality products and drugs from agarwood have become highly important, while no one has discussed in detail the phytochemicals uses and provided a summary until now. The main phytochemicals of agarwood include terpenoids, dominated by sesquiterpenes. For centuries, terpenoids have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and have been shown to possess various pharmacological properties, including bacteriostatic, antibacterial, sedation, analgesia, anti-inflammation, anti-asthmatic, hypoglycemic, antidepressant, and many others. Alongside biological activity screening, phytochemical advances and pharmacological research have also made certain progress. Therefore, this review discusses the research progress of agarwood in recent years and provides a reference basis for further study of Aquilaria plants and agarwood.

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of growth and development of Armeniaca dasycarpa (Ehrh.) Borkh fruit, thus providing the theoretical basis for cultivation and breeding of good-quality and high-yield A. dasycarpa. [Method] With A. dasycarpa cultivar Yechengzixing as the experimental material, P. cerasifera Ehrh cultivar Huangguoyingtaoli and A. vulgaris Lam. cultivars Luopuhongdaike, Wanshujianali and Kuchetuoyong as control, the vertical diameter, horizontal diameter and fresh weight of fruit and embryos were measured every 7 d during the growth and development period. [Result] The result showed that the whole fruit growth period of Yechengzixing, lasted 93 d from the end of flowering to fruit maturity. The dynamics of fruit vertical diameter, horizontal diameter and fresh weight of Yechengzixing presented "rapid-slow-rapid" double S-shaped curves. The whole fruit growth period of Yechengzixing could be divided approximately into three stages : first rapid growth stage, slow growth stage and second rapid growth stage, which lasted 29, 42 and 21 d, respectively. Daily increment of fruit vertical diameter and horizontal diameter of Yechengzixing reached the maximum at the first rapid growth stage, while daily increment of fruit fresh weight reached the maximum at the second rapid growth stage. The dynamics of vertical diameter, horizontal diameter and fresh weight of Yechengzixing embryos presented S-shaped curves. Fruit growth and development dynamics of the tested materials presented double S-shaped curves. The whole fruit growth period of Yechengzixing, Huangguoyingtaoli and three apricot cultivars lasted 93, 119 and 77-98 d, respectively. Thus, the duration of fruit growth period of Yechengzixing was 26 d shorter than that of Huangguoyingtaoli and exhibited no significant difference compared with three apricot cultivars. The duration of each growth stage and daily increment of Yechengzixing fruit had no significant difference compared with three apricot cultivars. Moreover, Huangguoyingtaoli had a longer slow growth stage and lower daily increment than Yechengzixing. [Conclusion] The whole fruit growth period, duration of each growth stage and daily increment of Yechengzixing exhibited no significant difference compared with three apricot cultivars but varied remarkably compared with Huangguoyingtaoli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aim was to explore the photosynthetic characteristics of Turpan grapes under high temperature and strong light conditions. [Method] Using six grape varieties as experimental materials, the photosynthesis and fluorescence parameters of the grape varieties under high temperature and high light were determined. [Result] The results showed that Thompson Seedless showed strong selfprotection ability on the photosynthetic mechanism in the adversity, and lower photo inhibition on photosynthesis under high temperature and high light than other varieties in which Crimson Seedless was second place. Otherwise the damage on photosynthetic mechanism of Kyoho and Red Globe under the adversity environment is more dipper than the other varieties, and poor self-protection ability. [Conclusion] Thompson Seedless and Crimson Seedless had a strong adaptability for high temperature and strong light. But the adaptability of Kyoho and Red Globe were relatively poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aim of this study was to explore the differences in photosynthetic characteristics of Korla fragrant pear among different planting densities, providing a basis for the improvement of fruit yield and quality of Korla fragrant pear in production. [Method] The net photosynthetic rates, photoresponse curves and CO2 response curves of Korla fragrant pear under six different planting densities were determined using Li-6400XT portable photosynthesis system. [Result] There were significant differences in photosynthetic parameters of Korla fragrant pear among six different planting densities. The net photosynthetic rate of Korla fragrant pear was highest under the planting density of 4.0 m × 6.0 m. At the planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m, when the light intensity reached 1 800 μmol/(m2.s), the net photosynthetic rate of Korla fragrant pear reached the peak [19.326 μmol/(m2.s)], and the apparent quantum yield, carboxylation efficiency and dark respiration rate all reached the maximum values; at the planting density of 6.0 m×7.0 m, Korla fragrant pear showed lower light compensation point and CO2 compensation point, but higher light saturation point. At the planting density of 3.0 m×5.0 m, Korla fragrant pear had higher light saturation point. [Conclusion] Among the six different planting densities, Korla fragrant pear with planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m showed the highest net photosynthetic rate. It suggested that Korla fragrant pear, at the planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m, had stronger utilization capacity for low light and low-concentration CO2. Therefore, the Korla fragrant pear with the planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m has the highest photosynthesis efficiency, and the planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m is the most ideal planting density for Korla fragrant pear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]