Molecular diversity and functional dynamics in the central amygdala

The central amygdala (CeA) is crucial in integrating sensory and associative information to mediate adaptive responses to emotional stimuli. Recent advances in genetic techniques like optogenetics and chemogenetics have deepened our understanding of distinct neuronal populations within the CeA, particularly those involved in fear learning and memory consolidation. However, challenges remain due to overlapping genetic markers complicating neuron identification. Furthermore, a comprehensive understanding of molecularly defined cell types and their projection patterns, which are essential for elucidating functional roles, is still developing. Recent advancements in transcriptomics are starting to bridge these gaps, offering new insights into the functional dynamics of CeA neurons. In this review, we provide an overview of the expanding genetic markers for amygdala research, encompassing recent developments and current trends. We also discuss how novel transcriptomic approaches are redefining cell types in the CeA and setting the stage for comprehensive functional studies

Preparation, Structural Characterization and Biological Activity of Phosphorylated Polysaccharide from Undaria pinnatifida Suringar

The polysaccharide purified from Undaria pinnatifida Suringar was phosphorylated using phosphate as a cross-linking agent. The structure of the phosphorylated polysaccharide was characterized by ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), periodate oxidation and Smith degradation, Congo red test, β-elimination reaction, and iodine-potassium iodide test, and the free radical scavenging capacity and hypoglycemic activity of the raw and modified polysaccharide were evaluated. The results showed that the substitution degree of phosphate was 9.26, and the characteristic absorption peaks of P=O and P–O–C appeared at 1 216 and 886 cm-1, indicating that the phosphorylation modification was successful. The maximum relative molecular mass of the phosphorylated polysaccharide was 94.4 × 103. It had a triple-stranded helical structure and was composed of glucopyranose unis linked together by β-glycosidic bonds. The polysaccharide and amino acids were linked together mainly by –O– glycopeptide bonds. The main linkages between monosaccharides were 1→3, 1→2,1→4 and 1→6 glycosidic bonds, the molar ratio was 0.494:0.504:0.002, and the sugar chain had a branched structure. The scavenging capacity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical (O2-·) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) and the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the polysaccharide were significantly increased by 34.76%, 12.30%, 76.05% and 3.70% after the phosphorylation modification (P < 0.05), indicating that phosphorylation modification enhanced the free radical scavenging capacity and hypoglycemic activity of the polysaccharide from Undaria pinnatifida Suringar

Sulfated Modification and Bioactivity Analysis of Polysaccharide from Porphyra

The polysaccharides were obtained by microwave-assisted enzymatic extraction from Porphyra, and then modified by sulphate method. Single factor and orthogonal experiments were used to optimize the sulfated modification process of polysaccharides, which were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity changes of the polysaccharides modified by sulphate and chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method were also studied. Results showed that the optimal technology parameters were the ratio of solid to liquid 1:80 g/mL, the mass ratio of Porphyra polysaccharide to ammonium sulfate 10:9 g/g, reaction time 33 min, and the maximum degree of substitution was 2.94. FT-IR showed that the characteristic absorption peaks of sulfate radical group appeared near 801 and 1123 cm−1, and the possible substitution position of sulfate radical group was C-6. The sulfate modification could significantly improve the scavenging ability of DPPH, O2− and OH free radicals and the inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase activity of the polysaccharides (P<0.05). The antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity of the polysaccharides modified by sulphate method were both higher than that by chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method (P<0.05), indicating that sulphate method was applicable to modify the Porphyra polysaccharide. This study provides a theoretical basis for the further development of polysaccharides from Porphyra as a functional food

Effects of nitrogen application on seed yield, dry matter and nitrogen accumulation of Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.)

Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.) is a perennial and self-fertilizing forage grass that support animal husbandry and environmental sustenance in the world. In order to explore influence of nitrogen(N) application in Siberian wildrye seed production, the field experiments were conducted to evaluated the effect of different N treatments (of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg/hm2) on dry matter, N accumulation, transport and utilization, yield components and seed yield of Siberian wildrye DJ-01, which was generated and stored in our lab. The results showed that the 90 kg/hm2 group significantly improved Fertile tillers m−2, spikelets per fertile tiller, 1000-grain weight and seed yield. Furthermore, the seed yield of 90 kg/hm2 group reached 899.3 kg/hm2 and elevated 45.6% compared with 0(CK) group. Moreover, we found that Siberian wildrye exhibited more advantages in dry matter and N translocation. The increment of grain N depended on pre-anthesis dry matter translocation (Pre-DMT) and pre-anthesis N translocation (Pre-NT), but not post-anthesis dry matter accumulation (Post-DMA) and post-anthesis N uptake (Post-NU) to seed yield. With the increase of N, N partial productivity and N absorption efficiency gradually decreased. All data showed the 90 kg/hm2 had the best effects on seed yield components, seed yield, dry matter accumulation (DMA), N accumulation and N efficiency. These results provide an ideal strategy to expand the plant area of Siberian wildrye

Effects of nitrogen application on seed yield, dry matter and nitrogen accumulation of Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.)

Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.) is a perennial and self-fertilizing forage grass that support animal husbandry and environmental sustenance in the world. In order to explore influence of nitrogen(N) application in Siberian wildrye seed production, the field experiments were conducted to evaluated the effect of different N treatments (of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg/hm2) on dry matter, N accumulation, transport and utilization, yield components and seed yield of Siberian wildrye DJ-01, which was generated and stored in our lab. The results showed that the 90 kg/hm2 group significantly improved Fertile tillers m−2, spikelets per fertile tiller, 1000-grain weight and seed yield. Furthermore, the seed yield of 90 kg/hm2 group reached 899.3 kg/hm2 and elevated 45.6% compared with 0(CK) group. Moreover, we found that Siberian wildrye exhibited more advantages in dry matter and N translocation. The increment of grain N depended on pre-anthesis dry matter translocation (Pre-DMT) and pre-anthesis N translocation (Pre-NT), but not post-anthesis dry matter accumulation (Post-DMA) and post-anthesis N uptake (Post-NU) to seed yield. With the increase of N, N partial productivity and N absorption efficiency gradually decreased. All data showed the 90 kg/hm2 had the best effects on seed yield components, seed yield, dry matter accumulation (DMA), N accumulation and N efficiency. These results provide an ideal strategy to expand the plant area of Siberian wildrye

Single-frequency upconverted laser generation by phase summation

The phase summation effect in sum-frequency mixing process is utilized to avoid a nonlinearity obstacle in the power scaling of single-frequency visible or ultraviolet lasers. Two single-frequency fundamental lasers are spectrally broadened by phase modulation to suppress stimulated Brillouin scattering in fiber amplifier and achieve higher power. After sum-frequency mixing in a nonlinear optical crystal, the upconverted laser returns to single frequency due to phase summation, when the phase modulations on two fundamental lasers have a similar amplitude but opposite sign. The method was experimentally proved in a Raman fiber amplifier-based laser system, which generated a power-scalable sideband-free single-frequency 590 nm laser. The proposal manifests the importance of phase operation in wave-mixing processes for precision laser technology

iTRAQ-Based Differential Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Pathways Associated with Tigecycline Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii

Background/Aims: Acinetobacter baumannii is an aerobic and Gram-negative bacterial pathogen with high morbidity and mortality. It remains a serious public health problem arising from its multidrug-resistant and extensive antibiotic resistance spectrum. Methods: In the present study, iTRAQ coupled with 2D LC-MS/MS was used to evaluate the proteome in standard Acinetobacter baumannii standard strains and tigecycline-resistant strains. Results: A total of 3639 proteins were identified and 961 proteins were identified to be differentially expressed in tigecycline-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains compared to the standard strains. 506 (52.6%) proteins were up-regulated and 455 (47.4%) proteins were down-regulated. Based on the GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis, we concluded that most differentially expressed proteins were associated with stress responses, cellular component organization, proteins synthesis, degradation and function. Moreover, β-lactam resistance, the longevity regulating pathway and other related pathways were also involved in the regulation of tigecycline-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The differential expression of key proteins were evaluated by transcript analysis using quantitative RT-PCR. Conclusion: These results may provide new insights into the mechanisms of drug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii

Genome-Wide Analysis of Gene Expression Provides New Insights into Cold Responses in Thellungiella salsuginea

Low temperature is one of the major environmental stresses that affects plant growth and development, and leads to decrease in crop yield and quality. Thellungiella salsuginea (salt cress) exhibits high tolerance to chilling, is an appropriate model to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance. Here, we compared transcription changes in the roots and leaves of T. salsuginea under cold stress using RNA-seq. We identified 2,782 and 1,430 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leaves and roots upon cold treatment, respectively. The expression levels of some genes were validated by quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Among these DEGs, 159 (11.1%) genes in roots and 232 (8.3%) genes in leaves were annotated as various types of transcription factors. We found that five aquaporin genes (three TIPs, one PIPs, and one NIPs) responded to cold treatment. In addition, the expression of COR47, ICE1, and CBF1 genes of DREB1/CBF-dependent cold signaling pathway genes altered in response to low temperature. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these cold regulated genes were enriched in metabolism, photosynthesis, circadian rhythm, and transcriptional regulation. Our findings provided a complete picture of the regulatory network of cold stress response in T. salsuginea. These cold-responsive genes could be targeted for detail functional study and utilization in crop cold tolerance improvement