Genetic analysis and population structure of wild and cultivated wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri Lind.) lines related to specific floral color

Background The wishbone flower or Torenia fournieri Lind., an annual from tropical Indochina and southern China, is a popular ornamental plant, and many interspecific (T. fournieri × T. concolor) hybrid lines have been bred for the international market. The cultivated lines show a pattern of genetic similarity that correlates with floral color which informs on future breeding strategies. This study aimed to perform genetic analysis and population structure of cultivated hybrid lines comparing with closely related T. concolor wild populations. Methods We applied the retrotransposon based iPBS marker system for genotyping of a total of 136 accessions from 17 lines/populations of Torenia. These included 15 cultivated lines of three series: Duchess (A, B, C); Kauai (D, E, F, G, H, I, J); Little Kiss (K, L, M, N, P) and two wild T. concolor populations (Q and R). PCR products from each individual were applied to estimate the genetic diversity and differentiation between lines/populations. Results Genotyping results showed a pattern of genetic variation differentiating the 17 lines/populations characterized by their specific floral colors. The final PCoA analysis, phylogenetic tree construction, and Bayesian population structural bar plot all showed a clear subdivision of lines/populations analysed. The 15 cultivated hybrid lines and the wild population Q that collected from a small area showed the lowest genetic variability while the other wild population R which sampled from a larger area had the highest genetic variability. Discussion The extremely low genetic variability of 15 cultivated lines indicated that individual line has similar reduction in diversity/heterozygosity from a bottleneck event, and each retained a similar (but different from each other) content of the wild genetic diversity. The genetic variance for the two wild T. concolor populations could be due to our varied sampling methods. The two wild populations (Q, R) and the cultivated hybrid lines (I, K, M, N, P) are genetically more closely related, but strong positive correlations presented in cultivated lines A, C, E, M, and N. These results could be used to guide future Torenia breeding. Conclusions The genetic variation and population structure found in our study showed that cultivated hybrid lines had similar reduction in diversity/heterozygosity from a bottleneck event and each line retained a similar (but different from each other) content of the wild genetic diversity, especially when strong phenotypic selection of floral color overlaps. Generally, environmental factors could induce transposon activation and generate genetic variability which enabled the acceleration of the evolutionary process of wild Torenia species. Our study revealed that wild Torenia populations sampled from broad geographic region represent stronger species strength with outstanding genetic diversity, but selective breeding targeting a specific floral color decreased such genetic variability

Division of “layer exploration unit” and high-efficiency exploration in mature exploration area

Abstract: To realize high-efficiency and sustainable exploration of the Jiyang depression at the stage of high exploration degree, a hydrocarbon accumulation-geological evaluation method is developed on the basis of current geologic knowledge and extent of fine exploration. The concept of “layer exploration unit” is proposed in the study, and it is defined as an exploration geological unit that has a relatively complete and unified tectonic system, sedimentary system and hydrocarbon migration & accumulation system in a tectonic layer or tectonic sublayer within a fault basin. Then, an approach to dividing and evaluating the “layer exploration unit” is developed. With this approach, the Jiyang depression is divided into 305 layer exploration units, thus helping realize precise and stereoscopic geological understanding and exploration deployment. Fine splitting of remaining resources and benefit evaluation of exploration targets are conducted by “layer exploration units”. As a result, 66 efficient “layer exploration units” in four major areas (i.e. Paleogene upper Es4−Dongying Formation, Neogene Minghuazhen Formation−Guantao Formation, Paleozoic buried-hill, and Paleogene Kongdian Formation−lower Es4) are determined as the targets for obtaining more reserves and breakthroughs in the short and medium term. Key words: Bohai Bay Basin, Jiyang depression, fault basin, mature exploration area, layer exploration unit, fine exploration, high-efficiency exploratio

Genetics of disc degeneration

Low back pain from degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the most common disorders seen in general and orthopaedic practices. DDD has been attributed to the accumulation of environmental factors, primarily mechanical insults and injuries, imposed on the “normal” aging changes. However, recent studies have shown an association between genetic influences and disc degeneration, with risk of developing DDD quoted to be increased up to six times that of the general population. It is likely that DDD is a complex, multifactorial disease determined by the interplay between gene(s) and the environment. This review focuses on the evidence for genetic disposition, the genes or biological processes that are implicated, and the need to consolidate resources and clarify phenotype definition to take advantage of the new technologies in genetic analysis to enhance our understanding of this condition

Recent developments in the role of DNA damage response and understanding its implications for new therapeutic approaches in Alzheimer's disease

The underlying molecular mechanisms associated with sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, are not yet fully understood. Adult neurons are post-mitotic cells that may need to survive for as long as the lifespan of the organism itself, they are exposed to DNA damaging stimuli and depend on DNA repair mechanisms for their survival. It is reasonable to hypothesize that inadequate repair of damaged DNA could eventually contribute to the neuronal and synaptic loss characteristic of AD. Recent work related to somatic mutations in neurons, DNA damage response (DDR), role of DNA repair in mitochondria, and cell cycle regulation has highlighted the multifactorial nature of AD. Over the past two decades, most of the clinical trials for AD treatment have targeted the formation of amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers and clearance of Aβ plaques. As far as we are aware, there are currently very few clinical trials in progress for AD treatment directly targeting enhancing DNA repair, rescuing failing mitochondria, or regulating neuronal apoptosis as the primary mechanism of action. This manuscript reviews recent developments regarding how excessive DNA damage and defective DNA repair may potentiate AD. The main purpose of the review is to contribute towards developing effective therapeutic interventions that can improve outcomes for AD patients

Microfluidics-Based Systems in Diagnosis of Alzheimer\u27s Disease and Biomimetic Modeling

Early detection and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) is essential for patient care and disease treatment. Microfluidic technology is emerging as an economical and versatile platform in disease detection and diagnosis. It can be conveniently integrated with nanotechnology and/or biological models for biomedical functional and pre-clinical treatment study. These strengths make it advantageous in disease biomarker detection and functional analysis against a wide range of biological backgrounds. This review highlights the recent developments and trends of microfluidic applications in AD research. The first part looks at the principles and methods for AD diagnostic biomarker detection and profiling. The second part discusses how microfluidic chips, especially organ-on-a-chip platforms, could be used as an independent approach and/or integrated with other technologies in AD biomimetic functional analysis

Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Deformation Beneath the Central Sunda Plate

The central Sunda plate, which forms the core of Southeast Asia, has been extensively studied based on analyses of data mainly from surface geological observations. In contrast, largely due to the limited coverage by seismic stations in the area, a number of key issues associated with mantle structure and dynamics remain enigmatic. These can possibly be constrained by investigating seismic azimuthal anisotropy in the upper mantle. Here we employ the shear wave splitting technique on three P-to-S converted phases from the core-mantle boundary (PKS, SKKS, and SKS) recorded by 11 stations to systematically explore the spatial variation of azimuthal anisotropy beneath the central Sunda plate. Most of the Malay Peninsula is revealed to possess mostly trench-perpendicular fast orientations that can be attributed to mantle flow induced by the Indo-Australian subduction. In addition, the central part of the Malay Peninsula is characterized by a 2-layered model of anisotropy, which is possibly associated with the joint effects of lithospheric fabrics and a slab tear-induced toroidal flow. Absolute plate motion (APM)-parallel anisotropy is observed in northern Borneo and the Nansha Block, where APM-driven simple shear in the transitional layer between the partially coupled lithosphere and asthenosphere is mostly responsible for the observed anisotropy. The APM-induced flow may be locally modified by a fossil slab segment beneath Sabah

Microfluidics-Based Systems in Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Biomimetic Modeling

Early detection and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is essential for patient care and disease treatment. Microfluidic technology is emerging as an economical and versatile platform in disease detection and diagnosis. It can be conveniently integrated with nanotechnology and/or biological models for biomedical functional and pre-clinical treatment study. These strengths make it advantageous in disease biomarker detection and functional analysis against a wide range of biological backgrounds. This review highlights the recent developments and trends of microfluidic applications in AD research. The first part looks at the principles and methods for AD diagnostic biomarker detection and profiling. The second part discusses how microfluidic chips, especially organ-on-a-chip platforms, could be used as an independent approach and/or integrated with other technologies in AD biomimetic functional analysis

Crustal Modifications Beneath the Central Sunda Plate Associated with the Indo-Australian Subduction and the Evolution of the South China Sea

To decipher possible crustal modifications associated with complex tectonics in SE Asia, we have conducted a systematic receiver function investigation beneath the central Sunda plate mainly including Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and part of the South China Sea (SCS). Well-determined observations from a total of 22 stations reveal a laterally heterogeneous crust with thickness ranging from 22.8 km to 39.1 km and Vp/Vs values varying from 1.68 to 2.12. An increasing pattern of Vp/Vs ratios towards the Sumatra fault and the Toba Caldera indicates significant modifications of crustal composition possibly due to melting from the Indo-Australian subduction. Crustal compositions beneath the Malay Peninsula are determined to be mostly felsic to intermediate rocks. Crustal thinning at the Sibumasu terrane relative to the East Malay block is revealed and may be attributed to joint effects of Late Paleogene rifting and a subsequent thermal anomaly. The southwards subduction of the hypothetical Proto-SCS may have contributed to the revealed magma intrusion and thinned crust beneath NW Borneo, and developed an accretionary setting at NE Borneo. The cessation of the Proto-SCS subduction further promotes collision between NE Borneo and Nansha block, which is supported by the observed crustal thickening. Thinned crust at the southern margin of the SCS basin is further confirmed as continental in origin and has been altered by possible post-spreading volcanisms

Crustal Structure and Subsidence Mechanisms of the Williston Basin: New Constraints from Receiver Function Imaging

Mechanisms responsible for the long-term subsidence of intracontinental basins such as the Williston Basin in North America remain enigmatic, partly due to the thick sedimentary layer commonly found in the basins that prevents reliably imaging the deep crustal and upper mantle structures using some of the most-commonly employed seismic methods such as receiver function analysis. In this study, we used receiver functions recorded by 274 USArray and other stations in the Williston Basin and adjacent areas to investigate the layered structure of the crust in the hydrocarbon-rich intracontinental basin. After the removal of strong reverberations on the receiver functions associated with a low-velocity sedimentary layer using a recently developed time-domain deconvolution approach, two positive arrivals representing downward increases of seismic velocities are imaged beneath the basin and the area to the west. The top interface has a depth of about 40 km at the depocenter of the basin, and gradually shallows eastward to about 30 km beneath the Superior Craton, and the deeper interface has a mean depth of about 65 km beneath the Williston Basin. The layer between the two interfaces may represent an eclogitized or garnet-rich lower crustal layer. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that continuous retrograde metamorphic reactions in the previously-thickened lower crust during the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogeny resulted in the subsidence of the intracontinental Williston Basin