Genome-wide analysis of LysM gene family members and their expression in response to Colletotrichum fructicola infection in Octoploid strawberry(Fragaria × ananassa)

The cultivated octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is an economically important fruit that is planted worldwide. The lysin motif (LysM) protein family is composed of the major class of plant pattern recognition receptors, which play important roles in sensing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and subsequently triggers downstream plant immunity. In the present study, a comprehensive, genome-wide analysis of F. × ananassa LysM (FaLysM) genes was performed to investigate gene structures, phylogenic relationships, chromosome location, collinear relationships, transcription factor binding sites, and protein model analysis. We aimed to identify the LysM genes involved in the defense against plant pathogens. A total of 14 FaLysM genes were identified in the F. × ananassa genome and divided into 2 subgroups (LYP and LYK) on the basis of the phylogenetic analysis. The Ka/Ks ratio for the duplicated pair of most FaLysM genes was less than 1, which indicates that the selection pressure was mostly subject to the purifying selection during evolution. The protein model analysis revealed that FaLysM2-10 contain conserved mode of chitin binding, which suggest the potential role of FaLysM2-10 in pathogen perception and plant immunity. The RNA-Seq results showed the differential regulation of 14 FaLysM genes in response to Colletotrichum fructicola infection, implying the complex interaction between C. fructicola and strawberry. Knockout of candidate effector gene CfLysM2, which was previously proved to be highly expressed during C. fructicola infection, resulted in the up-regulation of six FaLysM genes (FaLysM1, FaLysM2, FaLysM3, FaLysM7, FaLysM8, and FaLysM12), indicating the competitive relations between CfLysM2 and FaLysM genes. Overall, this study provides fundamental information on the roles of LysM proteins in octoploid strawberry and its interaction with C. fructicola, laying useful information for further investigation on the C. fructicola-strawberry interaction and strawberry resistance breeding

Genome-wide identification and comprehensive analysis reveal potential roles of long non-coding RNAs in fruit development of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

IntroductionBlueberries have a high antioxidant content and are produced as healthy food worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a type of regulatory RNAs that play a variety of roles in plants. Nonetheless, information on lncRNAs and their functions during blueberry fruit development is scarce in public databases.MethodsIn the present study, we performed genome-wide identification of lncRNAs in a southern highbush blueberry using strand-specific RNA sequencing (ssRNA-Seq). Differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) and their potential target genes were analyzed at four stages of fruit development. Cis-regulatory DE-lncRNAs were predicted using co-localization analysis.ResultsThese findings included a total of 25,036 lncRNAs from 17,801 loci. Blueberry lncRNAs had shorter transcript lengths, smaller open reading frame (ORF) sizes, fewer exons, and fewer isoforms than protein-coding RNAs, as well as lower expression levels and higher stage-specificity during fruit development. A total of 105 DE-lncRNAs were identified among the comparison group of PAD vs. CUP, 443 DE-lncRNAs were detected when comparing CUP with PINK fruits, and 285 DE-lncRNAs were revealed when comparing PINK and BLUE fruits. According to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotation, target genes of DE-lncRNAs were primarily enriched in the “Autophagy-other”, “DNA replication”, “Endocytosis”, ‘photosynthesis’ and ‘chlorophyll metabolism’ pathways, suggesting that lncRNAs may pay potential roles in fruit expansion and ripening. Moreover, several lncRNAs have been proposed as cis-regulators of the key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. MSTRG.107242.6, and its putative target gene, BTB/POZ and TAZ domain-containing protein, might play critical roles in anthocyanin accumulation in blueberries.DiscussionThese findings highlight the regulatory function of lncRNAs and aid in elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying blueberry fruit growth

Performance Research on Heat Pump Using Blends of R744 with Eco-friendly Working Fluid

In order to protect the environment and save energy, new refrigerants with zero ozone depleting potential, low global warming potential have been investigated by more and more researches to substitute HCFCs/ HFCs for eco-friendly workin

Synthesis and properties of La-doped CaFe2As2 single crystals with Tc = 42.7 K

Large single crystals of La-doped CaFe2As2 were successfully synthesized by the FeAs self-flux method. The x-ray diffraction patterns suggest high crystalline quality and c-axis orientation. By substitution of trivalent La3+ ions for divalent Ca2+, the resistivity anomaly in the parent compound CaFe2As2 is completely suppressed and a superconducting transition reaches the value of 42.7 K, which is higher than that of about 30 K reported in Saha S. R. et al., arXiv:1105.4798v1. The upper critical field has been determined with the magnetic field along ab-plane and c-axis, yielding an anisotropy of about 3.3.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Superconducting properties of FeSe wires and tapes prepared by gas diffusion technique

Superconducting FeSe in the form of wires and tapes were successfully fabricated using a novel gas diffusion procedure. Structural analysis by mean of x-ray diffraction shows that themain phase of tetragonal PbO-type FeSe was obtained by this synthesis method. The zero resistivity transition temperature of the FeSe was confirmed to be 9.3 K. The critical current density as high as 137 A/cm^2 (4 K, self field) has been observed. The results suggest that the diffusion procedure is promising in preparing high-quality FeSe wires and tapes.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, Supercond. Sci. Technol. accepte

Superconducting properties of SmO1-xFxFeAs wires with Tc = 52 K prepared by the powder-in-tube method

We demonstrate that Ta sheathed SmO1-xFxFeAs wires were successfully fabricated by the powder-in-tube (PIT) method for the first time. Structural analysis by mean of x-ray diffraction shows that the main phase of SmO1-xFxFeAs was obtained by this synthesis method. The transition temperature of the SmO0.65F0.35FeAs wires was confirmed to be as high as 52 K. Based on magnetization measurements, it is found that a globe current can flow on macroscopic sample dimensions with Jc of ~3.9x10^3 A/cm^2 at 5 K and self field, while a high Jc about 2x10^5 A/cm^2 is observed within the grains, suggesting that a significant improvement in the globle Jc is possible. It should be noted that the Jc exhibits a very weak field dependence behavior. Furthermore, the upper critical fields (Hc2) determined according to the Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg formula are (T= 0 K) = 120 T, indicating a very encouraging application of the new superconductors.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat