Polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) are gene clusters that orchestrate the breakdown of a specific glycan, encode cell surface polysaccharide binding proteins, outer membrane transport proteins, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and transcription factors. Bacteroidetes are highly abundant in rumen and are considered as efficient degraders of polysaccharides, which can use PULs to arrange the detection, sequestration, digestion of complex carbohydrates. Effective improvement of the rumen function and excavation of high-performance enzymes by Bacteroidetes will be significantly informed by a holistic understanding of the mechanisms of PULs. This paper introduces the mode of action and regulatory mechanism of PULs, reviews the latest developments in rumen PULs research, and is aimed at providing the theoretical basis for the strengthening of PULs study and the application of PULs in microorganism modification and bioenergy development.

Plant ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxidase (Rubisco) has two activities, and the one is carboxylation to assimilate CO₂ to produce food for the biosphere, and the other one is oxidation to generate toxic 2-phosphoglycolate to commit the photorespiration pathway. For C₃ plants, about 1/3 assimilation products of photosynthesis are used for photorespiration. However, knocking out photorespiration genes directly is unable to improve plant biomass, but also induces lethal phenotypes in most cases. Reasonable optimization of the photorespiration pathway has the potential of large improvements in plant biomass and crop productivity. Here, we review the function and gene loop of the photorespiration pathway, and discuss the approaches to engineer and optimize this pathway to increase crop yields.

A novel multiple target plasmid (MTP) molecule that satisfies the identification of specific transgenic soybean transformants in China was constructed. Fourteen transformants approved for import into China and four ones unauthorized but have important application prospects, were chosen as the targets. The transformants’ specific sequences described in corresponding national detection standard and the detection sequence of the soybean endogenous reference gene Lectin were properly arranged and spliced, and then was inserted to linearized pUC18 plasmid to produce a multi-target plasmid pDDID-1905. Among the insertion sequences, plenty of restriction endonuclease recognition sites were dispersed uniquely, which could be used for later revision and/or update of the plasmid. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection targeted on the 19 inserted sequences was performed to verify the utility of the plasmid. The results showed that all target sequences were successfully amplified and the products met the expected sizes, which indicated that the multi-target plasmid pDDID-1905 suitable for the identification of 18 transgenic transformants was constructed. Due to the widest target coverage of pDDID-1905, it will greatly simplify the cumbersome preparation of positive materials for identifying these transgenic soybean transformants and their derivates.

5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has been used as a plant growth regulator and can affect physiochemical processes, including carbon fixation and nutrient assimilation. Here, we investigated the effect of ALA on sulfur metabolism and glucosinolate (GSL) biosynthesis in rape (Brassica napus L.) seedlings, which were treated with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/L ALA supplemented in a Hoagland solution. After 28 d of treatment, the effect of ALA on thiol and GSL contents and transcriptional profile of associated genes was analyzed. Results showed that low ALA concentrations increased cysteine, GSL, and total soluble thiol contents, and upregulated expression of genes such as BnSULTR1.1, BnSULTR2.2,and BnAPK1 that regulate sulfur uptake and metabolism. ALA also increased the GSL content, particularly the aliphatic GSLs, due to the improvement of sulfur metabolism and assimilation to methionine. Other GSLs biosynthesis stages, such as desulfo-GSL glycosylation, were also significantly improved by the ALA applications as indicated by the increased expression of BnUGT74B1 and BnUGT74C1. High ALA concentrations negatively affected sulfur metabolism and GSL synthesis by inflicting photo-oxidative stress that damaged cellular components. Moderate ALA concentrations promoted sulfur acquisition, assimilation, and GSL biosynthesis.

In order to reduce the adverse effects of soil desiccation on apple production and provide scientific support for apple cultivation in Weibei dry plateau, taking apple orchard with vigorous stock dense-planting in full bearing age as a control, the soil moisture contents of dwarfing stock and semi-dwarfing stock dense-planting orchards with same tree age and same fruit yields were adjusted to the same level in the 0-300 cm soil layer before germination stage, and the soil moisture contents in different soil layers in different orchards were monitored regularly. The result showed that the soil moisture content in the 0-300 cm soil layer in the dwarfing stock dense-planting orchard was higher than that in the semi-dwarfing stock dense-planting orchard, and that of in the semi-dwarfing stock dense-planting orchard was higher than that in the vigorous stock dense-planting orchard, and the gap between different orchards gradually increased from spring to autumn. The soil evapotranspiration of the dwarfing stock dense-planting, semi-dwarfing stock dense-planting and vigorous stock dense-planting orchards were 4.51, 46.37 and 92.70 mm higher than that of the precipitation in the same period during the monitoring period (from March to November in 2016), respectively; as such, they were －18.06, 22.35 and 65.34 mm higher during the growth period of apple trees (from April to October in 2016), respectively, which indicated that the vigorous stock dense-planting pattern increased the soil desiccation. The water use efficiency of dwarfing stock dense-planting and semi-dwarfing stock dense-planting orchards increased by 14.98% and 9.58%, respectively. In a sum, dwarfing stock dense-planting and semi-dwarfing stock dense-planting patterns could not only slow down the soil desiccation, but also could increase soil water use efficiency and production value, so dwarfing and semi-dwarfing stock dense-planting patterns should be popularized in Weibei dry plateau.

In order to define accurately the different flower phenotypes of lotus, a colorimeter was used to measure the various flower colors of 66 lotus cultivars. A numerical taxonomical study of flower colors was carried out by cluster analysis and ISCC-NBS method of designating colors. The results showed that the classification results obtained by cluster analysis could not fully represent the classification characteristics of lotus flowers; however, the ISCC-NBS method of designating colors was preferably corresponded with CIELab color system. According to the standard, all colors were divided into six groups (yellow, white, light pink, moderate pink, pink purple and red), and the numbers of white and moderate pink samples were more, accounting for 22.72% and 24.24% of the total number of samples. Each color group had correspondence with the L^*, a^*, b^* values of CIELab coordinate, so the quantitative description of the color of different lotus cultivars could be realized. What’s more, the flower colors of the lotus cultivars were various and the color differences of different color systems were significant. Although there was a negative correlation between the lightness value and chroma value of the lotus flower phenotype as a whole, it was clearly divided into two groups in the two-dimensional coordinates of the lightness value and chroma value. The first group contained yellow and white groups; and the second group contained light pink, moderate pink, pink purple and red groups. In conclusion, the combination of instrument color measurement and ISCC-NBS method of designating colors can more accurately define the classification of lotus flower color, which provides a theoretical basis for the identification of lotus cultivars and flower color breeding.

With the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the ornamental value, ecological adaptability and growth characteristics of eight varieties of crape myrtle with color leaves were evaluated comprehensively, which helping to select out the best varieties adapting to Nantong area in Jiangsu Province. The results showed that the weight value of leaf color is the largest, followed by flower color, which are important indexes to evaluate the ornamental value of crape myrtle. The weight values of overall form and fruit were auxiliary indexes of ornamental evaluation. Resistance to pests and diseases and wet resistance were important indexes to evaluate the adaptability of crape myrtle. Growth rate was also a key factor for successful introduction. Through the comprehensive analysis model, three crape myrtles with color leaves belonged to grade Ⅰ level, including ‘Blush’, ‘Red Hot’ and ‘Crimson Red’, among which ‘Blush’ was especially the best of all.

In this experiment, the biochemical components of 18 white tea samples with different grades, three-year-aging and compressed treatments or not from Fujian Province were tested and compared. At the same time, the umami, bitterness and astringency of white tea samples were graded by the method of taste equivalent quantification evaluation. Based on the above results, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to screen the main biochemical components related to each taste; furthermore, evaluation models were established. The results showed that the average amount of tea polyphenols and amino acids in Baihaoyinzhen (BHYZ) samples were 20.14% and 5.42%, respectively. With the decrease of white tea grade, the contents of tea polyphenols, ester catechin and gallic acid decreased, while the flavone content increased. Amino acids and caffeine contents were similar in BHYZ and Baimudan (BMD), but significantly higher than those in Shoumei (SM) white tea. In aged white tea, the contents of amino acids, soluble sugar, tea polyphenols, ester catechin and gallic acid in compressed aged white tea were lower than those in loose aged white tea. For quantitative evaluation of the umami, BHYZ got the highest score, and BMD had the higher scores in umami, astringency and bitterness. For SM, all taste scores were the lowest. The umami and astringency scores of aged white tea were lower than those of new white tea, and the umami score of the compressed aged white teas further declined. Overall, this study provides consumers with a scientific method to understand the quality of white tea, enriches the biochemical theory for white tea, and provides a theoretical basis for the promotion of white tea.

With the coastal saline-alkali soil as the research object, we carried out a soil column leaching experiment by using desulfurized gypsum, calcium superphosphate, biochar, coal cinder and polymaleic anhydride, all with concentration gradients of 1%, 1.5% and 2%, without adding soil ameliorants as controls. The effects of different ameliorants on salinization characteristics and soil quality of coastal saline-alkali soil in eastern Zhejiang were studied, and the suitable ameliorants for the improvement of coastal saline-alkali soil were selected. The results showed that: 1) In the 0-10 cm soil layer after eluting, 1% coal cinder and 2% polymaleic anhydride had the most significant improvement effect for decreasing soil pH. The improvements of soil electric conductivity (EC) and salinity were the most significant in the 1.5% and 2% biochar treatments. The EC decreased by 93.75% and 84.72% compared with the CK, and the salinity decreased by 55.44% and 44.04% compared with the CK. 2) Soil sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) decreased when the ameliorants were added, among which the 2% coal cinder, 2% polymaleic anhydride, 1.5% calcium superphosphate had the most significant improvement effect. 3) Soil chemical properties and fertility could be improved by the 2% calcium superphosphate, 2% biochar, 2% polymaleic anhydride. 4) Different ameliorants had different leaching efficiencies for salt-based cations: 1% and 1.5% calcium superphosphate could significantly reduce potassium, calcium and magnesium ion contents in the soil, respectively; 1% coal cinder had the best effect on sodium and potassium ion contents in the leaching soil; 1.5% and 2% biochars significantly reduced sodium and magnesium ion contents in the soil, respectively; and 1% and 2% polymaleic anhydride significantly reduced sodium and calcium, magnesium ion contents in the soil, respectively. In conclusion, 1.5% polymaleic anhydride, 1.5% or 2% biochar have the best effect of desalting and fertilizing on the coastal saline-alkali soil in eastern Zhejiang.

Fifty sows with similar body mass, parity and due dates were selected and randomly divided into five groups with five replicates per group and two sows per replicate. The sows in the control group were fed on a basal diet, and those in the experimental groups were fed on the basal diet supplemented with 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun. extract, respectively, from the 30th day of gestation to the 25th day of lactation in order to investigate the effects of C. kwangtungensis extract on reproductive performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity and intestinal flora of sows. The results showed as follows: 1) Compared with the control group, dietary 50 and 100 mg/kg C. kwangtungensis extract significantly increased the birth body mass, and dietary 100 and 150 mg/kg C. kwangtungensis extract significantly increased the birth litter body mass, and dietary 150 mg/kg C. kwangtungensis extract significantly increased the weaning body mass and weaning litter body mass of piglets (P＜0.05); 2) C. kwangtungensis extract could improve serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) content of sows at mid-gestation, farrowing and weaning stages with different degrees; 3) C. kwangtungensis extract could reduce the levels of serum inflammatory cytokine including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) of sows at mid-gestation, farrowing and weaning stages with different degrees; 4) C. kwangtungensis extract could significantly increase the beneficial bacterial amounts of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the sows, and dietary 100 mg/kg and above C. kwangtungensis extract significantly reduced the amount of intestinal Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens (P＜0.05); 5）by establishing quadratic regression curves, the optimal addition range of C. kwangtungensis extract in the sows was 121-165 mg/kg. In conclusion, the recommended optimal addition range of C. kwangtungensis extract in the sows is 121-165 mg/kg to improve reproductive performance and serum antioxidant level, alleviate postpartum inflammatory reaction, and optimize intestinal flora structure.

Taking Mytilus coruscus as the research object and using hexavalent chromium [Cr(Ⅵ)] standard substance as the poisoning reagent, the content of chromium (Cr) in M. coruscus with the same speciation was compared, and the speciation of Cr at different time nodes was monitored, and the transformation of Cr(Ⅵ) in M. coruscus was discussed. The results showed that the trivalent chromium [Cr(Ⅲ)] and organic Cr were confirmed as the two main states of Cr in M. coruscus by using Cr(Ⅵ) standard substance as the poisoning reagent, with percentages of 21.0%-29.9% for Cr(Ⅲ), and 70.1%-79.0% for organic Cr. Cr(Ⅵ) could not be stable in M. coruscus. In the exposure experiment,accumulation of Cr(Ⅵ) in M.coruscus in vivo was converted into Cr(Ⅲ) and organic Cr, resulting in the contents of total Cr, Cr(Ⅲ) and organic Cr increased significantly. With the increase of Cr content in M. coruscus, the conversion rate of total Cr, Cr(Ⅲ) and organic Cr decreased gradually, as well as the content growth rate. When the enrichment tended to equilibrium, the Cr content increased nearly stagnation, and the conversion rates of total Cr, Cr(Ⅲ) and organic Cr decreased significantly, and the proportion of organic Cr to Cr(Ⅲ) continued to increase.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of DQA2 gene in yak was analyzed via genomic DNA pooled amplification and directly sequencing, and further the influence of SNP sites on the secondary structures of mRNA and protein of DQA2 gene were predicted and analyzed by bioinformatic software. The results showed that the polymorphism of DQA2 gene in yak was high, and 14 SNP sites were detected. Only one SNP site was located on the intron 1, while 13 SNP sites were located on exon regions. Nine SNP sites were missense mutations, which resulted in changes in corresponding amino acids. The results of secondary structure prediction showed that eight SNP sites increased the stability of secondary structure of mRNA, and four SNP sites reduced the stability of secondary structure of mRNA. The SNP sites of missense mutation changed the secondary structure of DQA2 protein in yak. The proportion of random coil was the highest, followed by extended strand, and β-turn was the lowest among components of protein secondary structure before and after mutation. The results can provide basic data for further research on yak major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene and theoretical basis for screening the molecular markers of yak disease resistance.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of mastitic milk-derived exosomes on the viability and innate immune function of bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs), with the aim to understand the role of exosomes in the pathogenesis of mastitis. Primary MECs were stimulated with heat-killed mastitis causing bacteria (Escherichia coli) for 24 h and subjected to RNA-sequencing and gene ontology (GO) functional classification analysis. It was found that 21 differential expression genes between pathogen-stimulated cells and normal cells were enriched in the cellular component “extracellular vesicular exosome” (GO: 0070062), suggesting that infection may alter the physiological function of exosomes derived from host cells. Based on this finding, MECs were stimulated with the exosomes derived from normal milk (N-exo) and mastitic milk (M-exo), respectively, for 24 h. The cells cultured in the exosome-depleted medium were served as the controls. The cell viability was determined by methyl-thiazol-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the MECs was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The results showed that the exosomes derived from normal milk (N-exo) had no effect on the MEC viability, and those isolated from mastitic milk (M-exo) led to a significant reduction in the cell viability. The exosomes derived from both sources had no effect on the expression of IL-8 and TNF-α. However, the normal milk-derived exosomes significantly induced the expression of IL-1β; in contrast, the exosomes derived from mastitic milk failed to stimulate IL-1β expression. The above results suggest that the exosomes present in milk in the process of udder infection might reduce MEC viability and mediate the formation of a microenvironment favoring the immune escape of pathogens. Thus, it is very likely that exosomes contribute to the pathogenesis of mastitis by helping spread the infection in udder.