Proteomic analysis of maize grain development using iTRAQ reveals temporal programs of diverse metabolic processes

Total proteins identified in maize grains (XLSX 745 kb

Gold nanoplatform for near-infrared light-activated radio-photothermal gas therapy in breast cancer

Although radiotherapy is one of the most common treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), it frequently has unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes due to the radiation resistance of tumor tissues. Therefore, a synergistic strategy is urgently needed to increase therapeutic responses and prolong patient survival. Herein, we constructed gold nanocages (GNCs) loaded with a hyperpyrexia-sensitive nitric oxide (NO) donor (thiolate cupferron) to integrate extrinsic radiosensitization, local photothermal therapy, and near-infrared-activated NO gas therapy. The resulting nanoplatform (GNCs@NO) showed a high photothermal conversion efficiency, which induced the death of cancer cells and facilitated rapid NO release in tumor tissues. The radiosensitizing efficacy of GNCs@NO was further demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, the released NO reacted with the reactive oxide species induced by radiotherapy to produce more toxic reactive nitrogen species, exerting a synergistic effect to improve anticancer efficacy. Thus, GNCs@NO demonstrated excellent effects as a combination therapy with few adverse effects. Our work proposes a promising nanoplatform for the radio/photothermal/gas treatment of TNBC

Enhanced terahertz sensitivity for glucose detection with a hydrogel platform embedded with Au nanoparticles

We presented a strategy for enhancing the sensitivity of terahertz glucose sensing with a hydrogel platform pre-embedded with Au nanoparticles. Physiological-level glucose solutions ranging from 0 to 0.8 mg/mL were measured and the extracted absorption coefficients can be clearly distinguished compared to traditional terahertz time domain spectroscopy performed directly on aqueous solutions. Further, Isotherm models were applied to successfully describe the relationship between the absorption coefficient and the glucose concentration (R2 = 0.9977). Finally, the origin of the sensitivity enhancement was investigated and verified to be the pH change induced by the catalysis of Au nanoparticles to glucose oxidation

The BR signaling pathway regulates primary root development and drought stress response by suppressing the expression of PLT1 and PLT2 in Arabidopsis thaliana

IntroductionWith the warming global climate, drought stress has become an important abiotic stress factor limiting plant growth and crop yield. As the most rapidly drought-sensing organs of plants, roots undergo a series of changes to enhance their ability to absorb water, but the molecular mechanism is unclear.Results and methodsIn this study, we found that PLT1 and PLT2, two important transcription factors of root development in Arabidopsis thaliana, are involved in the plant response to drought and are inhibited by BR signaling. PLT1- and PLT2-overexpressing plants showed greater drought tolerance than wild-type plants. Furthermore, we found that BZR1 could bind to the promoter of PLT1 and inhibit its transcriptional activity in vitro and in vivo. PLT1 and PLT2 were regulated by BR signaling in root development and PLT2 could partially rescue the drought sensitivity of bes1-D. In addition, RNA-seq data analysis showed that BR-regulated root genes and PLT1/2 target genes were also regulated by drought; for example, CIPK3, RCI2A, PCaP1, PIP1;5, ERF61 were downregulated by drought and PLT1/2 but upregulated by BR treatment; AAP4, WRKY60, and AT5G19970 were downregulated by PLT1/2 but upregulated by drought and BR treatment; and RGL2 was upregulated by drought and PLT1/2 but downregulated by BR treatment.DiscussionOur findings not only reveal the mechanism by which BR signaling coordinates root growth and drought tolerance by suppressing the expression of PLT1 and PLT2 but also elucidates the relationship between drought and root development. The current study thus provides an important theoretical basis for the improvement of crop yield under drought conditions

Sleeping Bear Dunes Bay to Bay Hiking and Kayaking Trail

The Bay to Bay Trail Masters Project focused on the planning of a 35 mile hiking and paddling trail along the shoreline of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Bay to Bay Trail is named such because it would extend from Good Harbor Bay south to Platte Bay. The project was sponsored by the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Michigan Office of the National Park Service and The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. The team’s process included research into similar trails, field investigations and analyses, and development of a conceptual design for the trail that includes alternative trail routes, campgrounds, and kayak launch sites. The team gauged interest in the trail and gathered input through interviews with local outfitters and user groups. In addition, perspectives on paddlers’ and hikers’ preferences on trail qualities and amenities were gathered through a set of surveys. Finally, a campground matrix was created to assess and evaluate potential campground sites along the trail. The team’s survey and interview findings, maps of trail, campground, and launch site alternatives will be used in the Environmental Assessment of the trail. The water trail and kayak launch site data and analysis will directly benefit Michigan’s contribution to the Lake Michigan Water Trail: a four-state effort to create a contiguous water trail around the perimeter of Lake Michigan. Conceptual designs of the campgrounds, launch sites, and trail signage will be used in public meetings. Additionally, the team created mock-ups for a website and brochure to be used by Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Park. In sum, the project will aid in the actualization of a dual water/hiking trail: an unprecedented recreational feature in Michigan.Master of ScienceNatural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106546/1/SleepingBearDunes_BayToBayTrail.pd

N-phosphorylation of amino acids by trimetaphosphate in aqueous solution-learning from prebiotic synthesis

Inspired by a reactivity study between sodium trimetaphosphate (P(3)m) and amino acids in prebiotic chemistry, a one-step reaction with efficient purification procedure in aqueous media has been developed for the synthesis of N-phosphono-amino acids (NPAA). P(3)m was used to phosphorylate amino acids to NPAA with yields of 60 similar to 91%. The by-products, inorganic polyphosphates, were recycled to regenerate the phosphorylation reagent P(3)m.Ministry of Science and Technology [2006DFA43030]; Chinese National Natural Science Foundation [20572061, 20732004

FHL2 inhibits the activated osteoclast in a TRAF6-dependent manner

TNF receptor–associated factor 6 (TRAF6) associates with the cytoplasmic domain of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK). This event is central to normal osteoclastogenesis. We discovered that TRAF6 also interacts with FHL2 (four and a half LIM domain 2), a LIM domain–only protein that functions as a transcriptional coactivator or corepressor in a cell-type–specific manner. FHL2 mRNA and protein are undetectable in marrow macrophages and increase pari passu with osteoclast differentiation in vitro. FHL2 inhibits TRAF6-induced NF-κB activity in wild-type osteoclast precursors and, in keeping with its role as a suppressor of TRAF6-mediated RANK signaling, TRAF6/RANK association is enhanced in FHL2(–/–) osteoclasts. FHL2 overexpression delays RANK ligand–induced (RANKL-induced) osteoclast formation and cytoskeletal organization. Interestingly, osteoclast-residing FHL2 is not detectable in naive wild-type mice, in vivo, but is abundant in those treated with RANKL and following induction of inflammatory arthritis. Reflecting increased RANKL sensitivity, osteoclasts generated from FHL2(–/–) mice reach maturation and optimally organize their cytoskeleton earlier than their wild-type counterparts. As a consequence, FHL2(–/–) osteoclasts are hyperresorptive, and mice lacking the protein undergo enhanced RANKL and inflammatory arthritis–stimulated bone loss. FHL2 is, therefore, an antiosteoclastogenic molecule exerting its effect by attenuating TRAF6-mediated RANK signaling