Plastid structure and carotenogenic gene expression in red- and white-fleshed loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruits

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) can be sorted into red- and white-fleshed cultivars. The flesh of Luoyangqing (LYQ, red-fleshed) appears red-orange because of a high content of carotenoids while the flesh of Baisha (BS, white-fleshed) appears ivory white due to a lack of carotenoid accumulation. The carotenoid content in the peel and flesh of LYQ was approximately 68 μg g−1 and 13 μg g−1 fresh weight (FW), respectively, and for BS 19 μg g−1 and 0.27 μg g−1 FW. The mRNA levels of 15 carotenogenesis-related genes were analysed during fruit development and ripening. After the breaker stage (S4), the mRNA levels of phytoene synthase 1 (PSY1) and chromoplast-specific lycopene β-cyclase (CYCB) were higher in the peel, and CYCB and β-carotene hydroxylase (BCH) mRNAs were higher in the flesh of LYQ, compared with BS. Plastid morphogenesis during fruit ripening was also studied. The ultrastructure of plastids in the peel of BS changed less than in LYQ during fruit development. Two different chromoplast shapes were observed in the cells of LYQ peel and flesh at the fully ripe stage. Carotenoids were incorporated in the globules in chromoplasts of LYQ and BS peel but were in a crystalline form in the chromoplasts of LYQ flesh. However, no chromoplast structure was found in the cells of fully ripe BS fruit flesh. The mRNA level of plastid lipid-associated protein (PAP) in the peel and flesh of LYQ was over five times higher than in BS peel and flesh. In conclusion, the lower carotenoid content in BS fruit was associated with the lower mRNA levels of PSY1, CYCB, and BCH; however, the failure to develop normal chromoplasts in BS flesh is the most convincing explanation for the lack of carotenoid accumulation. The expression of PAP was well correlated with chromoplast numbers and carotenoid accumulation, suggesting its possible role in chromoplast biogenesis or interconversion of loquat fruit

Mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells to improve solid organ transplant outcome: lessons from the initial clinical trials

National Institutes of Health [5U19AI050864-10, U01DK089538, 5U42RR016603-08S1, 1DP2DK 083096-01, 1R01EB008009-02, 5R01DK059993-06, 1 R21 DK076098-01, 1 U01 DK70460-02, 5R01DK25802-24, 5R01DK56953-05]; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International [17-2012-361, 17-2010-5, 4-2008-811, 6-39017G1, 4-2004-361, 4-2000-947]; The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust; American Diabetes Association [7-13-IN-32]; University of Miami Interdisciplinary Research Development Initiative; Diabetes Research Institute Foundation; Converge Biotech; Fujian Province Key Science Research Project [2009Y4001]; Fujian Province Key Laboratory [2008J1006]Purpose of reviewDiscuss the recent progress on the clinical use of mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells (MSC) in solid organ transplantation (SOT).Recent findingsTissue repair and immunomodulatory properties have been recognized for MSC obtained from different human tissues. MSC-based therapy has been proposed to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury and to promote immune tolerance. The results of recent clinical trial support the safety and promising effects of autologous and allogeneic MSC in SOT. Collectively, the use of MSC in recipients of living donor kidney transplantation was associated with improved graft function, reduced rejection, ability to omit induction and/or lower maintenance immunosuppression regimen, as well as to treat rejection episodes.SummaryWe are living in very exciting times with the implementation of novel clinical trials aimed at establishing safety, feasibility and efficacy of cellular therapies including MSC to improve SOT outcomes. The results of the initial clinical trials support the safety of MSC-based therapy and justifying cautious optimism for the immediate future

Smoking, Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in a Large Cohort of Chinese Men with 15 Years Follow-up

Background: To examine the joint effects of smoking and blood pressure on the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a cohort of Chinese men. Methods: This study followed a cohort of 213,221 men over 40 years of age who were recruited from 45 district/counties across China between 1990–1991, and whose cause-specific mortality was examined for 15 years, up to 31 December 2005. We calculated hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and stroke mortality for the combined sets of smoking status and blood pressure levels using the Cox proportional hazard model, adjusting for potential individual-level and contextual-level risk factors. Results: During the 15 years of follow-up, 52,795 deaths occurred, including 18,833 deaths from CVD, 3744 deaths from IHD, and 11,288 deaths from stroke. The risk of mortality from CVD, IHD, and stroke increased significantly, with increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and with more pack years of smoking. Compared with never-smokers with normal blood pressure, the hazard ratios and 95% CI of CVD, IHD, and stroke mortality for those who smoked over 20 pack years with hypertension were remarkably increased to 2.30 (95% CI: 2.12–2.50), 1.78 (95% CI: 1.48–2.14), and 2.74 (95% CI: 2.45–3.07), respectively. Conclusion: There was a combined effect on the risk of CVD, IHD, and stroke mortality between smoking and hypertension. The joint efforts on smoking cessation and lowered blood pressure should be made to prevent cardiovascular disease mortality in Chinese men

Tunable Fluorescence-Responsive Double Hydrophilic Block Polymers Induced by the Formation of Pseudopolyrotaxanes with Cucurbit[7]Uril

There is an urgent need for new strategies that allow the simultaneous detection and control of drug delivery. By making use of supramolecular host-guest interactions, a kind of pseudopolyrotaxanes, as a visualizable nanoscale drug carrier has been constructed by self-assembly of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-quaternized poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (mPEG-b-QP4VP) using 4-(chloromethyl)benzonitrile. Simple addition of CB[7] into an aqueous solution of mPEG-b-QP4VP resulted in noncovalent attachment of CB[7] to 4-cyanobenzyl-containing polymers, transforming the nonemissive mPEG-b-QP4VP micelles into highly fluorescent micelles. These pseudopolyrotaxanes micelles exhibited remarkable supramolecular assembly-induced emission enhancement and excellent biocompatibility, showing great potential for bioimaging applications. In addition, the efficient cellular uptake of the developed pseudopolyrotaxanes micelles loaded with the anticancer drug doxorubicin was a promising platform for simultaneous cell imaging and drug delivery, thereby widening their application in cancer theranostics

Closeby Habitable Exoplanet Survey (CHES). I. Astrometric Noise and Planetary Detection Efficiency Due to Stellar Spots and Faculae

The Closeby Habitable Exoplanet Survey (CHES) is dedicated to the astrometric exploration for habitable-zone Earth-like planets orbiting solar-type stars in close proximity, achieving unprecedented microarcsecond precision. Given the elevated precision, meticulous consideration of photocenter jitters induced by stellar activity becomes imperative. This study endeavors to model the stellar activity of solar-type stars, compute astrometric noise, and delineate the detection limits of habitable planets within the astrometric domain. Simulations were conducted for identified primary targets of CHES, involving the generation of simulated observed data for astrometry and photometry, accounting for the impact of stellar activity. Estimation of activity levels in our sample was achieved through chromospheric activity indices, revealing that over 90% of the stars exhibited photocenter jitters below 1 μ as. Notably, certain proximate stars, such as α Cen A and B, displayed more discernible noise arising from stellar activity. Subsequent tests were performed to evaluate detection performance, unveiling that stellar activity tends to have a less pronounced impact on planetary detectability for the majority of the stars. Approximately 95% of the targets demonstrated a detection efficiency exceeding 80%. However, for several cold stars, e.g., HD 32450 and HD 21531, with the habitable zones close to the stars, a reduction in detection efficiency was observed. These findings offer invaluable insights into the intricate interplay between stellar activity and astrometric precision, significantly advancing our understanding in the search for habitable planets

New lanthanide-based complexes constructed from cucurbit[6]uril: Synthesis, structures and properties

<p>Three lanthanide-based complexes, {Gd₂(H₂O)₁₀(CB[6])₂}·CB[6]·6Cl·12H₂O (<b>1</b>), {[Gd₂(H₂O)₈CB[6]₂]·(CuCl₄)·4Cl·46H₂O}_n (<b>2</b>), and {Dy₂(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₁₀(CB[6])}·4NO₃·14H₂O (<b>3</b>) (CB[6] = cucurbit[6]uril), were prepared with cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]). These complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and magnetization measurements. Crystallographic results showed that <b>1</b> and <b>3</b> are dinuclear and crystallize in the triclinic space group <i>P</i>ī, whereas <b>2</b> is a 1-D zigzag supramolecular chain that crystallizes in the monoclinic system in <i>C</i>2/<i>c</i>. The results indicated that temperature has a big effect on the supramolecular assemblies and a different structure inducer also leads to the formation of different coordination polymers. Frequency dependence in the ac susceptibility signals was observed in <b>3</b>.</p