Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Ecol Lett 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.

C photosynthesis is a complex trait that boosts productivity in warm environments. Paradoxically, it evolved independently in numerous plant lineages, despite requiring specialised leaf anatomy. The anatomical modifications underlying C evolution have previously been evaluated through interspecific comparisons, which capture numerous changes besides those needed for C functionality. Read More

Plant Physiol Biochem 2018 Dec 11;135:194-205. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Vytautas Magnus University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Vileikos St. 8-223, LT-44404, Kaunas, Lithuania.

The initial aim of this study was to evaluate an effect of elevated CO concentration and air temperature (future climate) and O pollution on mono- and mixed-culture grown summer rape (Brassica napus L.) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.). Read More

Water Res 2018 Dec 6;150:418-430. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. Electronic address:

Accurate source identification is critical for optimizing water pollution control strategies. Although the dual stable isotope (N-NO/O-NO) approach has been widely applied for differentiating riverine nitrogen (N) sources, the relatively short-term (<1 yr) N-NO/O-NO records typically used in previous studies often hinders rigorous assessment due to high temporal variability associated with watershed N dynamics. Estimated contributions of legacy N sources in soils and groundwater to riverine N export by modeling approaches in many previous studies also lack validation from complementary information, such as multiple stable isotopes. Read More

Environ Pollut 2018 Dec 7;246:303-310. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 491 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.

The marine environment is complex, and it is desirable to have measurements for seawater samples collected at the early stage after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident to determine the impact of Fukushima-derived radionuclides on this environment. Here Pu isotopes in seawater collected 33-163 km from the FDNPP site at the very early stage after the accident were determined (May 2011, within two months after the accident). The distribution and temporal variation of Pu and Pu were studied. Read More

Environ Pollut 2018 Dec 3;246:264-273. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China; Beijing Innovation Consortium of Agriculture Research System, Beijing, 100193, China. Electronic address:

Many crops are produced using soil fumigation and chemical pesticides to control soil-borne fungi and bacterial diseases, nematodes and weeds. Fumigation of soil, however, may alter its ability to adsorb, degrade and volatilize pesticides, which can then change the potential for pesticides to leach into groundwater. Soil adsorption kinetics, Freundlich isothermal adsorption and pesticide degradation techniques were used to determine the potential for pesticides to pollute groundwater in fumigated soil. Read More

J Environ Radioact 2018 Dec 14;198:1-10. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Integrated Sciences, Area of Applied Physics, University of Huelva, 21071, Huelva, Spain; Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, 21071, Huelva, Spain.

Be, Pb and PM levels in surface air have been simultaneously measured at two sampling sites in the southern Iberian Peninsula for a period of two years. Each site covers one different meteorological area of the Guadalquivir valley, from the mouth (Huelva) to the middle point (Cordoba). The objective of the present study is to analyse the spatial variability of both natural radionuclides, and to identify and characterise the meteorological patterns associated with similar and different surface concentration levels in this complex region. Read More

Curr Opin Biotechnol 2018 Dec 14;56:187-192. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Forest Biotechnology Group, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States. Electronic address:

The pathway of monolignol biosynthesis involves many components interacting in a metabolic grid to regulate the supply and ratios of monolignols for lignification. The complexity of the pathway challenges any intuitive prediction of the output without mathematical modeling. Several models have been presented to quantify the metabolic flux for monolignol biosynthesis and the regulation of lignin content, composition, and structure in plant cell walls. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Dec 11;219:740-747. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing 210014, PR China. Electronic address:

Cadmium (Cd) and benzo [a]pyrene (BaP) often co-occur in the environment, and the critical body residue of organisms is used as an indicator of the toxic effects of contaminants. However, little is known about their distributions and toxicities when pollution of Cd and BaP are combined. Semi-static solution culture experiment was used to study the impacts of BaP on the subcellular distribution of the toxic metal Cd in the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Dec 6;219:695-703. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

UNESCO UNITWIN/WiCop Department of Physical-Chemistry, University of Cádiz, Campus Río de San Pedro, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.

A passive treatment plant, located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (Huelva, Southwest Spain), was designed for acid mine drainage remediation. Since its installation, the improvement of water quality in terms of hydrochemical composition has been demonstrated successfully. However, according to the Water Framework Directive, the treated effluent must have ecological values for potential living. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Dec 8;219:684-694. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, Université de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France.

In some locations, artisanal and small-scale gold-mining (ASGM) represents a significant source of anthropogenic Hg to freshwater environments. The Hg released from ASGM can contaminate aquatic fauna and pose health risks to downstream populations. Total Hg (THg) concentrations, speciation, and isotopic compositions were analyzed in water, suspended particulate matter, soil, and bottom sediment samples from pristine areas and in places of active and legacy gold mining along the Oyapock River (French Guiana) and its tributaries. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Dec 10;219:678-683. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil.

Chlorantraniliprole (CAP) is a reduced risk insecticide, which used as seed treatment in many crops. However, CAP residues can contaminate pollen and nectar, becoming a potential risk to beneficial arthropods. The aims of this study were to (1) determine the non-target effects of CAP seed treatment of cotton on Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) over two generations, and (2) assess the ability of the lady beetles to avoid plants grown from treated seeds. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2018 Dec 14;170:502-512. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China. Electronic address:

Bamboos are considered as potential plants for phytoremediation. However, the mechanisms of EDTA-assisted bamboo for lead (Pb) control has not been described. The objective of this study was to examine the tolerance and behaviors of Pb to screen bamboos for Pb-contaminated soil and to explore the effects of EDTA on their phytoremediation. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbohydrates, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China. Electronic address:

To investigate the effect and mechanism of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) on the germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), we conducted systematic research on the impact of different concentrations (1-100 μg/mL) of CSNPs and chitosan (CS). The result of energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that adsorption of CSNPs on the surface of wheat seeds was higher than that of CS. Read More

J Virol Methods 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Applied Sciences University of Isparta, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, 32260, Isparta, Turkey.

A graft inoculation method coupled with RT-qPCR was developed for monitoring ToCV infection in tomato plants. Ten seed-grown tomato seedlings were graft inoculated with phloem tissue-containing stem segments from a ToCV-infected tomato plants. Another group of tomato seedling were grafted with similar stem segments from a healthy tomato plant as mock inoculated control. Read More

Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Departamento de Botânica,Campus Universitário, S/N, C.P. 345 Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil. Electronic address:

It is not unanimous among scientists if there is beauty in science. Some deny it. Mental clarity of conclusions when captured in simple looking equations is mathematical beauty. Read More

Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Center for Biotechnology and Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), P.O. Box 15005, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil. Electronic address:

Species of Eucalyptus are some of the most planted trees in the world, providing fiber, cellulose, energy, and wood for construction and furniture in renewable fashion, with the added advantage of fixing large amounts of atmospheric carbon. The efficiency of eucalypts in forestry relies mostly on the clonal propagation of selected genotypes both as pure species and interspecific hybrids. The formation of new roots from cambium tissues at the base of cuttings, referred to as adventitious rooting (AR), is essential for accomplishing clonal propagation successfully. Read More

Mol Plant Pathol 2019 Jan;20(1):3-7

Institute for Biology I, Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, 52056, Germany.

Chem Biodivers 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Univesity of Saskatchewan, Dept. of Chemistry, 110 Science Place, S7N 5C9, Saskatoon, CANADA.

Leaves of the plant species Isatis indigotica Fort. (Chinese woad) produce the metabolites tryptanthrin, indirubin and N-formylanthranilic acid upon spraying with an aq. solution of copper chloride but not after spraying with water. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0202238. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.

Protein extracts obtained from cells or tissues often require removal of interfering substances for the preparation of high-quality protein samples in proteomic analysis. A number of protein extraction methods have been applied to various biological samples. TCA/acetone precipitation and phenol extraction, a common method of protein extraction, is thought to minimize protein degradation and activity of proteases as well as reduce contaminants like salts and polyphenols. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0202829. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, Hainan, China.

Bactrocera cucurbitae (melon flies) are prominent invasive pests in southern China. To screen for a stable reference gene in melon flies suitable for comparing tissue samples subjected to different conditions in four categories (temperature, insect stage, days of age and gender), the expression of 12 candidate reference genes under different treatment conditions was analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results obtained from a comprehensive analysis with geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and RefFinder software showed that the most stable reference gene was RPL60, and the least stable reference gene was actin-5. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0208607. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Coral Reef Ecology and Optics Laboratory (CREOL), Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), St. George's, Bermuda.

The most important source of energy to tropical shallow water coral reefs is light, the transformation of which ultimately limits reef biomass and growth. Therefore, measurements of productivity (primary production, P) for benthic reef organisms and communities are critical to understand reef functioning. Short-term (minutes to hours) P measurements of reef photosynthesizers virtually always produce the classic hyperbolic tangent (or similar) P-E (irradiance) relationship, with P rapidly rising to a saturation point as E increases. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0209149. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Institute of Botany, the Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czech Republic.

Insects represent one of the most abundant groups of herbivores, and many of them have significant impacts on the dynamics of plant populations. As insects are very sensitive to changes in climatic conditions, we hypothesize that their effects on plant population dynamics will depend on climatic conditions. Knowledge of the variation in herbivore effects on plant population dynamics is, however, still rather sparse. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0208732. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a key gasotransmitter in agriculture and has been reported to increase the growth of plants in the first two weeks and to mitigate the effects of environmental stressors. GYY-4137 is widely used in these studies because it slowly releases H2S, but there is disagreement as to whether it requires enzymes to release H2S. In this article we describe the release of H2S in water without enzymes and that it releases H2S faster in organic solvents than in water or when mixed in topsoil. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0209281. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Plant Biology and Soil Science, Faculty of Biology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.

Tall wheatgrass [Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus (Podp.) Melderis] is a perennial forage grass cultivated in dry, saline or alkaline environments. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0208196. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), DPS Marg, New Delhi, India.

Spot blotch (SB) caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, is one of the most important diseases of wheat in the eastern part of south Asia causing considerable yield loss to the wheat crop. There is an urgent need to identify genetic loci closely associated with resistance to this pathogen for developing resistant cultivars. Hence, genomic regions responsible for SB resistance were searched using a wheat association mapping initiative (WAMI) panel involving 287 spring wheat genotypes of different origin. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, Germany.

Objectives: In Antiquity, colchicine was used as a poison and as a remedy for Podagra. Research so far has revealed that the physician Alexander of Tralles was the first who used it in the 6th century AD. Alexander recommended a plant he called "Hermodaktylon", which takes off the pain in the feet immediately. Read More

Waste Manag Res 2018 Dec 17:734242X18816800. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

TUHH - Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Waste Resources Management, Hamburg, Germany.

Finding the optimum operational conditions (mainly temperature and stirring) inside the fermenters is crucial in the field of anaerobic digestion. This study was conducted to contribute to the research area of anaerobic digestion process optimization and is an example for other biogas plants to improve efficiency. The research aimed at finding the optimum operational conditions in a large-scale biogas plant located in Lower Saxony, Germany, which started operation in 2011. Read More

Chem Biodivers 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria, AUSTRIA.

In the course of this project 133 plants were evaluated on their ability to inhibit tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanogenesis. The screening was performed by means of a HPTLC autographic assay resulting in the selection of three plants, Asplenium trichomanes, Pinus uncinata subsp. uncinata, and Scutellaria altissima, with promising tyrosinase inhibiting activities. Read More

Plant J 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.

Separating male and female sex organs is one of the main strategies used to maintain genetic diversity within a species. However, the genetic determinants and their regulatory mechanisms have been identified in only a few species. In dioecious persimmons, the homeodomain transcription factor, MeGI, which is the target of a Y chromosome-encoded small-RNA, OGI, can determine floral sexuality. Read More

J Appl Microbiol 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Plant Ecology and Environmental Sciences, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India.

Aims: The aims of the study were to (1) isolate and characterize arsenic tolerant bacterial strains (2) study the plant growth promoting (PGP) traits (3) explore their bioremediation potential.

Methods And Results: Indigenous arsenic hypertolerant bacterial isolates NM02 and NM03 were screened as they were capable of growing at 150 mmol l As (V) and 70 mmol l As (III). They were identified on the basis of morphological, physiological and biochemical parameter and 16sDNA sequence as Bacillus flexus and Acinetobacter junii, respectively. Read More

New Phytol 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.

Lycophytes are a key group for understanding vascular plant evolution. Lycophyte plastomes are highly distinct, indicating a dynamic evolutionary history, but detailed evaluation is hindered by the limited availability of sequences. Eight diverse plastomes were sequenced to assess variation in structure and functional content across lycophytes. Read More

Biotechnol Bioeng 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory, National Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Rational design is an important tool for sculpting functional and stability properties of proteins and its potential can be much magnified when combined with in vitro and natural evolutionary diversity. Herein, we report the structure-guided design of a xylose-releasing exo-β-1,4-xylanase from an inactive member of glycoside hydrolase family 43 (GH43). Structural analysis revealed a non-conserved substitution (Lys ) that results in the disruption of the hydrogen bond network that supports catalysis. Read More

Nat Biotechnol 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, USA.

We present an extension of the Minimum Information about any (x) Sequence (MIxS) standard for reporting sequences of uncultivated virus genomes. Minimum Information about an Uncultivated Virus Genome (MIUViG) standards were developed within the Genomic Standards Consortium framework and include virus origin, genome quality, genome annotation, taxonomic classification, biogeographic distribution and in silico host prediction. Community-wide adoption of MIUViG standards, which complement the Minimum Information about a Single Amplified Genome (MISAG) and Metagenome-Assembled Genome (MIMAG) standards for uncultivated bacteria and archaea, will improve the reporting of uncultivated virus genomes in public databases. Read More

Microbiology 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

1​Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California - Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.

Microbial sulfate reduction (SR) by sulfate-reducing micro-organisms (SRM) is a primary environmental mechanism of anaerobic organic matter mineralization, and as such influences carbon and sulfur cycling in many natural and engineered environments. In industrial systems, SR results in the generation of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic, corrosive gas with adverse human health effects and significant economic and environmental consequences. Therefore, there has been considerable interest in developing strategies for mitigating hydrogen sulfide production, and several specific inhibitors of SRM have been identified and characterized. Read More

J Agric Food Chem 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Key Laboratory of Plant Resources , Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100093 , China.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a central regulator for various developmental processes and responses to abiotic stresses in plants. However, its practical application in controlling water loss of postharvest produces is largely restrained. Herein, the present study reported that two ABA-mimicking ligands, AM1 and AMF4, markedly reduced water loss by promoting stomatal closure and effectively alleviated weight loss in spinach. Read More

Mol Microbiol 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Zhejiang University-Edinburgh University (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Road, Haining, Zhejiang, 314400, P. R. China.

With the recently awarded Nobel Prize to the inventor of Phage Display, George Smith, the technique has once more gained attention. However, one should not forget about the biology behind the method. Almost always ignored is how the structure of this bacterial virus is assembled. Read More

Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department Of Chemistry, Faculty of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Poland.

Phenolic acids are secondary plant metabolites belonging to polyphenol classes, widely spread throughout the plant kingdom. The name "phenolic acids", in general, describes phenols that possess one carboxylic acid functionality and they could be divided into three major subclasses: hydroxybenzoic, hydroxycinnamic and hydroxyphenylacetic acids. The great interest in phenolic acids is associated with their high potential for food preservation (antioxidant and antimicrobial activity) and, last but not least, high therapeutic potential. Read More

J Psychoactive Drugs 2018 Dec 15:1-9. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

a Centre for Drug Research , Universiti Sains Malaysia , Penang , Malaysia.

Kratom or Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) is a medicinal plant of Southeast Asia. As a result of its opioid-like effects, it remains unknown whether consumption of kratom tea is associated with impaired cognitive function. Read More

Plant J 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

The Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and The Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, School of Medicine. Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 Rollins St, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA.

Systemic acquired acclimation (SAA) plays a key role in optimizing growth and preventing damages associated with fluctuating or abrupt changes in the plant environment. To be effective, SAA has to occur at a rapid rate and depend on rapid signaling pathways that transmit signals from affected tissues to all parts of the plant. Although recent studies identified several different rapid systemic signaling pathways that could mediate SAA, very little is known about the extent of their involvement in mediating transcriptomic responses. Read More

Ecol Lett 2019 Jan 22;22(1):159-169. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.

Climate warming affects plant physiology through genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity, but little is known about how these mechanisms influence ecosystem processes. We used three elevation gradients and a reciprocal transplant experiment to show that temperature causes genetic change in the sedge Eriophorum vaginatum. We demonstrate that plants originating from warmer climate produce fewer secondary compounds, grow faster and accelerate carbon dioxide (CO ) release to the atmosphere. Read More

Environ Microbiol Rep 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Department of Biology, Universitetsparken 15, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Social insects owe their ecological success to the division of labour between castes, but associations between microbial community compositions, castes with different tasks, and diets have not been extensively explored. Fungus-growing termites associate with fungi to degrade plant material, complemented by diverse gut microbial communities. Here we explore whether division of labour and accompanying dietary differences between fungus-growing termite castes are linked to gut bacterial community structure. Read More

Pest Manag Sci 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Campo Experimental Villarino S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Argentina.

Background: The evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds is one of the most important concerns of the global agriculture. Amaranthus hybridus L. is a competitive weed for summer crops in South America. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Henan Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) has been implicated as a tumor suppressor gene in several human cancer types. However, little is known regarding its involvement and potential mechanism in human breast cancer. In this study, we explored the effect of MEG3 on the growth of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 in vitro and in vivo, and sought to elucidate the potential signaling mechanisms. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2018 Nov 22:e12786. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

To assess the possible clinical implication of Dragon's Blood in dermatology, a PubMed search was conducted using the keyword "Dragon's Blood," "Croton lechleri," and more. Dragon's Blood from C. lechleri is an Amazonian medicinal plant with a characteristic red sap. Read More

Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Biodiversity Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Bentley Delivery Centre, Locked Bag 104, Western Australia, 6983.

The study of climate-driven effects on seed traits such as germination has gained momentum over the past decade as the impact of global warming becomes more apparent on the health and survival of plant diversity. Seed response to warming was evaluated in a suite of short-range endemic species from the biodiverse Greenstone Belt of southern Western Australia. The temperature dimensions for germination in 20 woody perennials were identified using small un-replicated samples over 6 weeks on a temperature gradient plate (constant and fluctuating temperatures between 5 and 40 °C). Read More

Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology & Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603, Limassol, Cyprus.

Vitamin E is a general term used to describe a group of eight lipophilic compounds known as tocochromanols. These vitamin E variants are chemically categorized into two classes formed by α-, β-, γ-, and δ- tocopherols and tocotrienols isoforms, respectively. The present study describes the concurrent regulation of genes and metabolites orchestrating vitamin E biosynthesis in olive drupes of five distinctive Greek olive cultivars. Read More

Plant J 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.

Plant pyruvate decarboxylases (PDC) catalyze the decarboxylation of pyruvate to form acetaldehyde and CO and are well known to play a key role in energy supply via fermentative metabolism in oxygen-limiting conditions. In addition to their role in fermentation, plant PDCs have also been hypothesized to be involved in aroma formation, although to date there was no direct biochemical evidence for this function. We investigated the role of PDCs in fruit volatile biosynthesis, and identified a melon pyruvate decarboxylase, PDC1, which is highly expressed in ripe fruit. Read More

Plant J 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.

Root hair, the special type of tubular-shaped cell, outgrows from root epidermal cell and plays important roles in the acquisition of nutrient and water, as well as the interactions with biotic and abiotic stresses. Studies in the model plant Arabidopsis have revealed that the root-hair initiation and elongation are hierarchically regulated by a group of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs). However, knowledge regarding the regulatory pathways of these bHLH-TFs in controlling root hair growth remains limited. Read More

New Phytol 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

School of Life Sciences and School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.

Organ size in plants is controlled by the interaction between genotype and the environment. Seed size, an important agronomic trait, largely determines yield and is an important focus of research. However, the genetic components underpinning natural variation of seed size in undomesticated species remain largely unidentified. Read More

New Phytol 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People's Republic of China.

Unlike in animals, sperm in flowering plants are immotile and they are embraced as passive cargoes by a pollen tube which embarks on a long journey in the pistil to deliver them to the female gametophyte for fertilization. How the pollen tube switches from a rapid polarized growth towards its target to an abrupt disintegration for sperm cell release inside the female gametophyte has been puzzling. Recent studies showed that members of the Catharanthus roseus RLK1-like (CrRLK1L) receptor kinase family and their ligands, 5-kDa cysteine-rich peptides rapid alkalinization factors (RALFs), engage in an intricate balancing act involving autocrine and paracrine signaling to maintain pollen tube growth and induce timely tube rupture at the spatially confined pollen tube-female gametophyte interface. Read More