RNA-seq and phytohormone analysis reveals the culm color variation of Bambusa oldhamii Munro

Background The clumping bamboo Bambusa oldhamii Munro, known as “green bamboo”, is famous for its edible bamboo shoots and fast-growing timber. The green and yellow striped-culm B. oldhamii variety, named B. oldhamii f. revoluta W.T. Lin & J. Y. Lin, is an attractive system for researching the culm color variation of B. oldhamii. Methods Millions of clean reads were generated and assembled into 604,900 transcripts, and 383,278 unigenes were acquired with RNA-seq technology. The quantification of ABA, IAA, JA, GA1, GA3, GA4, and GA7 was performed using HPLC–MS/MS platforms. Results Differential expression analysis showed that 449 unigenes were differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 190 DEGs were downregulated and 259 DEGs were upregulated in B. oldhamii f. revoluta. Phytohormone contents, especially GA1 and GA7, were higher in B. oldhamii. Approximately 21 transcription factors (TFs) were differentially expressed between the two groups: the bZIP, MYB, and NF-YA transcription factor families had the most DEGs, indicating that those TFs play important roles in B. oldhamii culm color variation. RNA-seq data were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the selected genes; moreover, phytohormone contents, especially those of ABA, GA1 and GA7, were differentially accumulated between the groups. Our study provides a basal gene expression and phytohormone analysis of B. oldhamii culm color variation, which could provide a solid fundamental theory for investigating bamboo culm color variation.

The Geobiology of Bacteria Within the Extreme Conditions of Sidi El Hani Wetland, Eastern Tunisia

Extreme conditions in wetlands may be the niche of development of colonies of bacteria. In this chapter, the authors study the gnotobiology of moderate bacteria within the saline wetland of Sidi El Hani. In terms of geology, the coring within the sedimentary filling of the wetland shows color variation from white, grey, black to red related to the variability of bacteria species. On the other hand, in terms of microbiological investigations, isolates of bacteria show a variability from Gram+ to Gram-, from oxidase+ to oxidase-, from catalase+ to catalase-. This geobiological variability is related to radical change in climatic conditions. In doing so, the wetland of Sidi El Hani may record the climatic variability during the Late Holocene. On the other hand, it may be considered as terrestrial analogue with a development of extremophiles.

Cytological, Biochemical, and Transcriptomic Analyses of a Novel Yellow Leaf Variation in a Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae) SCBG COP15

The genus Paphiopedilum, belonging to the Orchidaceae, has high ornamental value. Leaf variations can considerably improve the economic and horticultural value of the orchids. In the study, a yellow leaf mutant of a Paphiopedilum hybrid named P. SCBG COP15 was identified during the in vitro plant culture process; however, little is known about their molecular mechanisms. For this, RNA-seq libraries were created and used for the transcriptomic profiling of P. SCBG COP15 and the yellow mutant. The Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoid contents in the yellow leaves decreased by approximately 75.99%, 76.92%, and 56.83%, respectively, relative to the green leaves. Decreased chloroplasts per cell and abnormal chloroplast ultrastructure were observed by electron microscopic investigation in yellowing leaves; photosynthetic characteristics and Chl fluorescence parameters were also decreased in the mutant. Altogether, 34,492 unigenes were annotated by BLASTX; 1,835 DEGs were identified, consisting of 697 upregulated and 1138 downregulated DEGs. HEMA, CRD, CAO, and CHLE, involved in Chl biosynthesis, were predicted to be key genes responsible for leaf yellow coloration. Our findings provide an essential genetic resource for understanding the molecular mechanism of leaf color variation and breeding new varieties of Paphiopedilum with increased horticultural value.

Impact and recent approaches of high-efficiency solar cell modules for PV-powered vehicles

Photovoltaic (PV)-powered vehicles are expected to play a critical role in a future carbon neutrality society because it has been reported that the vehicle integrated PVs (VIPVs) have great ability to reduce CO2 emission from the transport sector. Development of high-efficiency solar cell modules is very important for this end. In this paper, analytical results for impact of high-efficiency solar cell modules on increases in electric vehicle (EV) driving distance, reducing CO2 emission and saving charging cost of EV powered by PV are shown. The III-V triple-junction and Si tandem solar cell modules with an efficiency of more than 35% have potential of the EV driving distance of more than 30 km/day on average and more than 50 km/day on a clear day. The effects of temperature, partial shading, curved surface and color variation of solar cell modules upon output power of the VIPV are also briefly shown.

The Thickness and Opacity of Aesthetic Materials Influence the Restoration of Discolored Teeth

SUMMARY Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of thickness and opacity on the ability of composite resin and ceramic veneer restorations to mask discolored teeth. Methods: Ninety veneers were made of lithium disilicate ceramic, shades BL1 and 0 (IPS e.max Press, Ivoclar Vivadent), and 60 were made of composite resin, shade BL-L (IPS Empress Direct, Ivoclar Vivadent). The veneers measured 4 mm in width x 4 mm in length and had a thickness of 0.7, 1.0, or 1.2 mm. One hundred and fifty human premolars were selected to obtain 150 dental fragments with the following dimensions: 4 mm x 4 mm x 3 mm (width x length x thickness). The fragments were discolored, submitted to color measurement and randomly assigned to 15 groups (n=10) according to the type and opacity of the restorative material (IPS e.max Press: high translucency [HT], low translucency [LT], and medium opacity [MO]; IPS Empress Direct: dentin and enamel) and thickness of the veneers (0.7, 1.0, and 1.2 mm). After cementation of the ceramic or composite resin veneers using a translucent resin cement (RelyX veneer, 3M), a final color measurement was taken from each specimen and the total color variation (ΔE) was calculated by subtracting the initial and the final color measurement. The final lightness (L*) of the restored dental fragments was also calculated. Results: The highest ΔE values were observed for the LT and MO ceramic groups, followed by dentin composite resin. Regarding the different thicknesses of ceramic veneers, every 1.2-mm–thick group had higher values of ΔE, considering their respective opacities (p<0.05). The highest lightness values were found for the LT and MO ceramic veneers (thickness of 1.2 mm). Dentin-shade composite resins showed similar lightness values in all groups. Conclusion: The best thickness/opacity combinations for masking discolored dental substrates were LT and MO ceramic veneers with 1.2-mm thickness. Dentin-shade composite resin veneers with a thickness of 0.7–1.0 mm showed good ability to mask discolored dental substrates.

The status of Micronotus Hancock, 1902 species (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)

In this contribution, we focus on the status of the genus Micronotus and its four species. After this revision, the genus only includes two of the four species, being synonymized Micronotus dubius n. syn. under M. quadriundulatus; includes within the genus M. andeanum n. comb. (transferred from the genus Tetrix) and confirming the status of M. asperulus. Micronotus is redescribed, including additional characters, and a key is provided to identify the three species considered as valid. Micronotus caudatus, is located in the new genus Danielatettix n. gen., by differing from and not fitting the diagnostic characteristics of Micronotus or another known genus of Tetriginae. The color variation of Danielatettix caudatus n. comb. is documented, and under this species its synonymized: Paratettix attenuata n. syn., P. hastata n. syn. and P. ignobilis n. syn. Finally, the distribution of the studied species and the taxonomic panorama of Tetriginae in the Neotropics are discussed.

Rediscovering the rare short-winged unicorn katydid Toledopizia salesopolensis (Piza) (Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae) from South and Southeastern Brazil: First description of male and bioacoustics

Toledopizia Chamorro-Rengifo & Braun, 2010 is a poorly known monotypic genus of Copiphorini. The only known specimen is the female type of T. salesopolensis (Piza, 1980). In this contribution, we present an updated description of this species, describing the unknown male, and provide biological and bioacoustic data. We also describe color variation, update the distribution data, and extend the known distribution of the species to two localities in Paraná State and another two in São Paulo State.

Genome-Wide Identification of the MYB Gene Family in Cymbidiumensifolium and Its Expression Analysis in Different Flower Colors

MYB transcription factors of plants play important roles in flavonoid synthesis, aroma regulation, floral organ morphogenesis, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cymbidium ensifolium is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to Orchidaceae, with special flower colors and high ornamental value. In this study, a total of 136 CeMYB transcription factors were identified from the genome of C. ensifolium, including 27 1R-MYBs, 102 R2R3-MYBs, 2 3R-MYBs, 2 4R-MYBs, and 3 atypical MYBs. Through phylogenetic analysis in combination with MYB in Arabidopsis thaliana, 20 clusters were obtained, indicating that these CeMYBs may have a variety of biological functions. The 136 CeMYBs were distributed on 18 chromosomes, and the conserved domain analysis showed that they harbored typical amino acid sequence repeats. The motif prediction revealed that multiple conserved elements were mostly located in the N-terminal of CeMYBs, suggesting their functions to be relatively conserved. CeMYBs harbored introns ranging from 0 to 13 and contained a large number of stress- and hormone-responsive cis-acting elements in the promoter regions. The subcellular localization prediction demonstrated that most of CeMYBs were positioned in the nucleus. The analysis of the CeMYBs expression based on transcriptome data showed that CeMYB52, and CeMYB104 of the S6 subfamily may be the key genes leading to flower color variation. The results lay a foundation for the study of MYB transcription factors of C. ensifolium and provide valuable information for further investigations of the potential function of MYB genes in the process of anthocyanin biosynthesis.

A Simple and Ultrasensitive Colorimetric Biosensor for Anatoxin-a Based on Aptamer and Gold Nanoparticles

Here, we designed a simple, rapid, and ultrasensitive colorimetric aptasensor for detecting anatoxin-a (ATX-a). The sensor employs a DNA aptamer as the sensing element and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as probes. Adsorption of the aptamer onto the AuNP surface can protect AuNPs from aggregation in NaCl solution, thus maintaining their dispersion state. In the presence of ATX-a, the specific binding of the aptamer with ATX-a results in a conformational change in the aptamer, which facilitates AuNP aggregation and, consequently, a color change of AuNPs from red to blue in NaCl solution. This color variation is directly associated with ATX-a concentration and can be easily measured using a UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The absorbance variation is linearly proportional to ATX-a concentration across the concentration range of 10 pM to 200 nM, with a detection limit of 4.45 pM and high selectivity against other interferents. This strategy was successfully applied to the detection of ATX-a in lake water samples. Thus, the present aptasensor is a promising alternative method for the rapid detection of ATX-a in the environment.