Potential functions of microRNAs in starch metabolism and development revealed by miRNA transcriptome profiling of cassava cultivars and their wild progenitor

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (approximately 21 nucleotide) non-coding RNAs that are key post-transcriptional gene regulators in eukaryotic organisms. More than 100 cassava miRNAs have been identified in a conservation analysis and a repertoire of cassava miRNAs have also been characterised by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in recent studies. Here, using NGS, we profiled small non-coding RNAs and mRNA genes in two cassava cultivars and their wild progenitor to identify and characterise miRNAs that are potentially involved in plant growth and starch biosynthesis. RESULTS: Six small RNA and six mRNA libraries from leaves and roots of the two cultivars, KU50 and Arg7, and their wild progenitor, W14, were subjected to NGS. Analysis of the sequencing data revealed 29 conserved miRNA families and 33 new miRNA families. Together, these miRNAs potentially targeted a total of 360 putative target genes. Whereas 16 miRNA families were highly expressed in cultivar leaves, another 13 miRNA families were highly expressed in storage roots of cultivars. Co-expression analysis revealed that the expression level of some targets had negative relationship with their corresponding miRNAs in storage roots and leaves; these targets included MYB33, ARF10, GRF1, RD19, APL2, NF-YA3 and SPL2, which are known to be involved in plant development, starch biosynthesis and response to environmental stimuli. CONCLUSION: The identified miRNAs, target mRNAs and target gene ontology annotation all shed light on the possible functions of miRNAs in Manihot species. The differential expression of miRNAs between cultivars and their wild progenitor, together with our analysis of GO annotation and confirmation of miRNA: target pairs, might provide insight into know the differences between wild progenitor and cultivated cassava. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-014-0355-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Shared decision-making in healthcare in mainland China: a scoping review

BackgroundShared decision-making (SDM) facilitates the participation of healthcare professionals and patients in treatment decisions. We conducted a scoping review to assess SDM’s current status in mainland China, referencing the Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF).MethodsOur review encompassed extensive searches across six English and four Chinese databases, and various gray literature until April 30, 2021. Results were synthesized using thematic analysis.ResultsOut of the 60 included studies, we identified three key themes based on the ODSF framework: decisional needs, decision support, and decisional outcomes. However, there appears to be a lack of comprehensive understanding of concepts related to decisional needs in China. Only a few studies have delved into feasibility, preference, choice, and outcome factors in the SDM process. Another challenge emerges from an absence of uniform standards for developing patient decision aids (PDAs). Furthermore, regarding health outcome indicators, their predominant focus remains on physiological needs.ConclusionSDM is in its infancy in mainland China. It is important to explore the concept and expression of decisional needs in the context of Chinese culture. Subsequent studies should focus on constructing a scientifically rigorous and systematic approach for the development of PDAs, and considering the adaptation of SDM steps to the clinical context in China during SDM implementation. Concurrently, The focus on health outcomes in Chinese SDM studies, driven by the unique healthcare resource landscape, underscores the necessity of prioritizing basic needs within limited resources.Systematic review registrationhttps://inplasy.com/?s=202130021

Examining the Association of Economic Development with Intercity Multimodal Transport Demand in China: A Focus on Spatial Autoregressive Analysis

Transportation is generally perceived as a catalyst for economic development. This has been highlighted in previous studies. However, less attention has been paid to examine the relationship between economy and transport demand by exploring spatially cross-sectional data, especially for countries with significant regional economic imbalance, like China. In this article, we assess the economic influence of intercity multimodal transport demand at the prefecture level in China. Spatial autoregressive regression models are used to examine the impact of transport demand on economy by deep analysis of transport modes (land, air, and water) and regions (eastern, central, and western). Through contrasting results from spatial lag model and spatial error model with those from the ordinary least square, this study finds that the estimation results can become more accurate by controlling for spatial autocorrelation, especially at the national level. Through rigorous analysis it is identified that except for water passenger traffic, all other intercity transport demand significantly contribute to a city’s economic development level in gross domestic product. In particular, air transport demands distribute more evenly and are estimated with the highest beta coefficients at both national and regional levels. In addition, the beta coefficients for land, air and water transportation are estimated with different magnitudes and significances at the national and regional levels. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on the relationship between intercity multimodal transport demand and economic development level. Findings from this paper provide planning makers with valid and efficient strategies to better develop the economy by leveraging the special “⊣” cluster pattern of economic development and the benefits of air transportation

Enhanced growth of halophyte plants in biochar-amended coastal soil: roles of nutrient availability and rhizosphere microbial modulation

International audienc

In-Situ Immobilization of H₅PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀ on Protonated Graphitic Carbon Nitride under Hydrothermal Conditions: A Highly Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for Hydroxylation of Benzene

A novel heterogeneous catalyst was prepared by in situ immobilization of H₅PMo₁₀V₂O₄₀ (PMo₁₀V₂) on protonated g-C₃N₄ (pg-C₃N₄) under hydrothermal conditions. The results of ζ potential, PL, FT-IR, XRD, and XPS indicated that PMo₁₀V₂ was immobilized on the protonated CNC of CN heterocycles. XPS and EPR confirmed the presence of V⁴⁺ in the catalyst due to electronic interaction between PMo₁₀V₂ and pg-C₃N₄. The textural and morphology properties of the catalyst were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, SEM, and TEM. PMo₁₀V₂/pg-C₃N₄ showed excellent catalytic performance with 25.8% benzene conversion and 99.7% selectivity to phenol in the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol. The excellent catalytic performance of PMo₁₀V₂/pg-C₃N₄ could be attributed to high dispersion of PMo₁₀V₂ on pg-C₃N₄, the presence of V⁵⁺/V⁴⁺ redox pairs, and the cooperative benzene-activation capability of g-C₃N₄. The PMo₁₀V₂/pg-C₃N₄ catalyst can be easily recycled without loss of activity

Radical polymerization and preliminary microbiological investigation of new polymer derived from myrtenol

A new methacrylic monomer derived from myrtenol, an essential oil possessing biocidal properties extracted from Myrtus communis L., was prepared in one step and named myrtenyl methacrylate. Conventional radical polymerization was performed in solution with 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) as thermal initiator in the temperature range 60-80 degrees C. Influences of reaction time, temperature and initiator concentration on monomer conversion and molar masses were studied. Controlled radical polymerization experiments were performed using the Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization techniques, leading to the formation of polymers with controlled molar masses and narrow molar mass distribution. Microbiological tests of these (macro)molecules were carried out using planktonic and adhesion tests with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in order to evaluate their antibacterial properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Variation of Genetic Diversity in a Rapidly Expanding Population of the Greater Long-Tailed Hamster (<em>Tscherskia triton</em>) as Revealed by Microsatellites

<div><p>Genetic diversity is essential for persistence of animal populations over both the short- and long-term. Previous studies suggest that genetic diversity may decrease with population decline due to genetic drift or inbreeding of small populations. For oscillating populations, there are some studies on the relationship between population density and genetic diversity, but these studies were based on short-term observation or in low-density phases. Evidence from rapidly expanding populations is lacking. In this study, genetic diversity of a rapidly expanding population of the Greater long-tailed hamsters during 1984–1990, in the Raoyang County of the North China Plain was studied using DNA microsatellite markers. Results show that genetic diversity was positively correlated with population density (as measured by % trap success), and the increase in population density was correlated with a decrease of genetic differentiation between the sub-population A and B. The genetic diversity tended to be higher in spring than in autumn. Variation in population density and genetic diversity are consistent between sub-population A and B. Such results suggest that dispersal is density- and season-dependent in a rapidly expanding population of the Greater long-tailed hamster. For typically solitary species, increasing population density can increase intra-specific attack, which is a driving force for dispersal. This situation is counterbalanced by decreasing population density caused by genetic drift or inbreeding as the result of small population size. Season is a major factor influencing population density and genetic diversity. Meanwhile, roads, used to be considered as geographical isolation, have less effect on genetic differentiation in a rapidly expanding population. Evidences suggest that gene flow (Nm) is positively correlated with population density, and it is significant higher in spring than that in autumn.</p> </div