scholarly journals The Latest Studies on Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)-an Emerging Horticultural Model Plant

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 3680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongyuan Lin ◽  
Cheng Zhang ◽  
Dingding Cao ◽  
Rebecca Njeri Damaris ◽  
Pingfang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Nelumbo Nucifera ◽  
Transformation System ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Model Plant ◽  
Laboratory Operation ◽  
Horticultural Plant ◽  
Shed Light

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a perennial aquatic basal eudicot belonging to a small family Nelumbonaceace, which contains only one genus with two species. It is an important horticultural plant, with its uses ranging from ornamental, nutritional to medicinal values, and has been widely used, especially in Southeast Asia. Recently, the lotus obtained a lot of attention from the scientific community. An increasing number of research papers focusing on it have been published, which have shed light on the mysteries of this species. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the latest advancement of studies on the lotus, including phylogeny, genomics and the molecular mechanisms underlying its unique properties, its economic important traits, and so on. Meanwhile, current limitations in the research of the lotus were addressed, and the potential prospective were proposed as well. We believe that the lotus will be an important model plant in horticulture with the generation of germplasm suitable for laboratory operation and the establishment of a regeneration and transformation system.

scholarly journals Advances in the Molecular Mechanisms of Abscisic Acid and Gibberellins Functions in Plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 6080
Author(s):  
Víctor Quesada
Keyword(s):  
Abscisic Acid ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Research Papers

In this special issue entitled, “Advances in the Molecular Mechanisms of Abscisic Acid and Gibberellins Functions in Plants”, eight articles are collected, with five reviews and three original research papers, which broadly cover different topics on the abscisic acid (ABA) field and, to a lesser extent, on gibberellins (GAs) research [...]

scholarly journals The Landscape of microRNAs in βCell: Between Phenotype Maintenance and Protection

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 803
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Emanuela Grieco ◽  
Noemi Brusco ◽  
Giada Licata ◽  
Daniela Fignani ◽  
Caterina Formichi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Chronic Hyperglycaemia ◽  
Shed Light

Diabetes mellitus is a group of heterogeneous metabolic disorders characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia mainly due to pancreatic β cell death and/or dysfunction, caused by several types of stress such as glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity and inflammation. Different patho-physiological mechanisms driving β cell response to these stresses are tightly regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of negative regulators of gene expression, involved in pathogenic mechanisms occurring in diabetes and in its complications. In this review, we aim to shed light on the most important miRNAs regulating the maintenance and the robustness of β cell identity, as well as on those miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of the two main forms of diabetes mellitus, i.e., type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, we acknowledge that the understanding of miRNAs-regulated molecular mechanisms is fundamental in order to develop specific and effective strategies based on miRNAs as therapeutic targets, employing innovative molecules.

Publishing Productivity in Sport Psychology 1970–2000: An Exploratory Examination of the Lotka-Price Law

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Baker ◽  
Jennifer Robertson-Wilson ◽  
Whitney Sedgwick
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Scientific Productivity ◽  
Eminent Scientist ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Limited Support ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Shed Light

The current study examined whether the distribution of published research papers in the field of sport psychology followed the Lotka-Price Law of scientific productivity. All authors who had published articles in five sport psychology journals from 1970 to 2000 were considered. The impact of those authors was determined by the total number of published papers in all journals. Results provided limited support for the Lotka-Price Law; however, it appeared that the field of sport psychology was less elitist than other fields. Although these findings suggest that productivity in this field is similar to that in other fields of science, more research is needed to shed light on the role of the eminent scientist and the average researcher in the advancement of knowledge in sport psychology.

Activity and Phylogenetics of the Broadly Occurring Family of Microbial Nep1-Like Proteins

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 367-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Seidl ◽  
Guido Van den Ackerveken
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Plant Immunity ◽  
Taxonomic Distribution ◽  
Outer Leaflet ◽  
Molecular Patterns ◽  
Shed Light

Necrosis- and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like proteins (NLP) have an extremely broad taxonomic distribution; they occur in bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes. NLPs come in two forms, those that are cytotoxic to eudicot plants and those that are noncytotoxic. Cytotoxic NLPs bind to glycosyl inositol phosphoryl ceramide (GIPC) sphingolipids that are abundant in the outer leaflet of plant plasma membranes. Binding allows the NLP to become cytolytic in eudicots but not monocots. The function of noncytotoxic NLPs remains enigmatic, but the expansion of NLP genes in oomycete genomes suggests they are important. Several plant species have evolved the capacity to recognize NLPs as molecular patterns and trigger plant immunity, e.g., Arabidopsis thaliana detects nlp peptides via the receptor-like protein RLP23. In this review, we provide a historical perspective from discovery to understanding of molecular mechanisms and describe the latest developments in the NLP field to shed light on these fascinating microbial proteins.

scholarly journals Function and Benefits of Natural Competence in Cyanobacteria: From Ecology to Targeted Manipulation

Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Alexandra M. Schirmacher ◽  
Sayali S. Hanamghar ◽  
Julie A. Z. Zedler
Keyword(s):  
Photosynthetic Bacteria ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Natural Competence ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Cyanobacterial Species ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Foreign Dna ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Globally Distributed ◽  
Shed Light

Natural competence is the ability of a cell to actively take up and incorporate foreign DNA in its own genome. This trait is widespread and ecologically significant within the prokaryotic kingdom. Here we look at natural competence in cyanobacteria, a group of globally distributed oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. Many cyanobacterial species appear to have the genetic potential to be naturally competent, however, this ability has only been demonstrated in a few species. Reasons for this might be due to a high variety of largely uncharacterised competence inducers and a lack of understanding the ecological context of natural competence in cyanobacteria. To shed light on these questions, we describe what is known about the molecular mechanisms of natural competence in cyanobacteria and analyse how widespread this trait might be based on available genomic datasets. Potential regulators of natural competence and what benefits or drawbacks may derive from taking up foreign DNA are discussed. Overall, many unknowns about natural competence in cyanobacteria remain to be unravelled. A better understanding of underlying mechanisms and how to manipulate these, can aid the implementation of cyanobacteria as sustainable production chassis.

scholarly journals Recent advancements in PARP inhibitors-based targeted cancer therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-201
Author(s):  
Ping Zhou ◽  
Justin Wang ◽  
Daniel Mishail ◽  
Cun-Yu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Synthetic Lethality ◽  
Parp Inhibitors ◽  
Targeted Cancer Therapy ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Crucial Issue ◽  
New Class ◽  
Fda Approval ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are a new class of agents with unparalleled clinical achievement for driving synthetic lethality in BRCA-deficient cancers. Recent FDA approval of PARPi has motivated clinical trials centered around the optimization of PARPi-associated therapies in a variety of BRCA-deficient cancers. This review highlights recent advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms of PARP ‘trapping’ and synthetic lethality. Particular attention is placed on the potential extension of PARPi therapies from BRCA-deficient patients to populations with other homologous recombination-deficient backgrounds, and common characteristics of PARPi and non-homologous end-joining have been elucidated. The synergistic antitumor effect of combining PARPi with various immune checkpoint blockades has been explored to evaluate the potential of combination therapy in attaining greater therapeutic outcome. This has shed light onto the differing classifications of PARPi as well as the factors that result in altered PARPi activity. Lastly, acquired chemoresistance is a crucial issue for clinical application of PARPi. The molecular mechanisms underlying PARPi resistance and potential overcoming strategies are discussed.

scholarly journals Glycan-decorated protocells: novel features for rebuilding cellular processes

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 20180084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Omidvar ◽  
Winfried Römer
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Lipid Vesicles ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Membrane Systems ◽  
Biophysical Characterization ◽  
Characterization Methods ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Shed Light

In synthetic biology approaches, lipid vesicles are widely used as protocell models. While many compounds have been encapsulated in vesicles (e.g. DNA, cytoskeleton and enzymes), the incorporation of glycocalyx components in the lipid bilayer has attracted much less attention so far. In recent years, glycoconjugates have been integrated in the membrane of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). These minimal membrane systems have largely contributed to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of cellular processes. In this review, we first introduce several preparation and biophysical characterization methods of GUVs. Then, we highlight specific applications of protocells investigating glycolipid-mediated endocytosis of toxins, viruses and bacteria. In addition, we delineate how prototissues have been assembled from glycan-decorated protocells by using lectin-mediated cross-linking of opposed glycoreceptors (e.g. glycolipids and glycopeptides). In future applications, glycan-decorated protocells might be useful for investigating cell–cell interactions (e.g. adhesion and communication). We also speculate about the implication of lectin–glycoreceptor interactions in membrane fusion processes.

scholarly journals Zebrafish and Medaka: Two Teleost Models of T-Cell and Thymic Development

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baubak Bajoghli ◽  
Advaita M. Dick ◽  
Annisa Claasen ◽  
Larissa Doll ◽  
Narges Aghaallaei
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
T Cell Development ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Direct Visualization ◽  
Thymic Development ◽  
The Past ◽  
Shed Light

Over the past two decades, studies have demonstrated that several features of T-cell and thymic development are conserved from teleosts to mammals. In particular, works using zebrafish (Danio rerio) and medaka (Oryzias latipes) have shed light on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these biological processes. In particular, the ease of noninvasive in vivo imaging of these species enables direct visualization of all events associated with these processes, which are, in mice, technically very demanding. In this review, we focus on defining the similarities and differences between zebrafish and medaka in T-cell development and thymus organogenesis; and highlight their advantages as two complementary model systems for T-cell immunobiology and modeling of human diseases.

scholarly journals Transcription Profiles Reveal the Regulatory Synthesis of Phenols during the Development of Lotus Rhizome (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn)

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 2735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Min ◽  
Yinqiu Bao ◽  
Baixue Zhou ◽  
Yang Yi ◽  
Limei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Phenolic Compound ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Pentose Phosphate ◽  
Nelumbo Nucifera ◽  
Biosynthesis Pathway

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) is a wetland vegetable famous for its nutritional and medicinal value. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites that play important roles in the browning of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, and chemical constituents are extracted from lotus for medicine due to their high antioxidant activity. Studies have explored in depth the changes in phenolic compounds during browning, while little is known about their synthesis during the formation of lotus rhizome. In this study, transcriptomic analyses of six samples were performed during lotus rhizome formation using a high-throughput tag sequencing technique. About 23 million high-quality reads were generated, and 92.14% of the data was mapped to the reference genome. The samples were divided into two stages, and we identified 23,475 genes in total, 689 of which were involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. A complex genetic crosstalk-regulated network involved in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds was found during the development of lotus rhizome, and 25 genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, 18 genes in the pentose phosphate pathway, and 30 genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were highly expressed. The expression patterns of key enzymes assigned to the synthesis of phenolic compounds were analyzed. Moreover, several differentially expressed genes required for phenolic compound biosynthesis detected by comparative transcriptomic analysis were verified through qRT-PCR. This work lays a foundation for future studies on the molecular mechanisms of phenolic compound biosynthesis during rhizome formation.

scholarly journals How EFL Learners Fill in the Blanks of an X-test: Think-Aloud Protocol

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Hamid Ashraf ◽  
Mona Tabatabaee Yazdi ◽  
Aynaz Samir
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Think Aloud ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
English Instruction ◽  
Shed Light

Since SLA literature remains researchers unaware of the mental processes involved in the X-Test taking (in contrast to C-Test which there are plenty of available related studies), this article aims at exploring cognitive strategies that EFL learners may use while answering an English X-test, which like the C-Test has been modified, adapted and used in many research papers. To this aim, thirty EFL respondents from Mashhad, Iran, were randomly asked to answer a reliable and valid X-test. All of them participated in introspective methods of think-aloud and retrospective interviews during and after the test administration. To analyze the data only the exact word scoring procedure was employed. The results showed participants used various cognitive strategies in taking the X-Test. It was also revealed that respondents experienced more strategies when filling out an X-Test comparing to related literature of C-test, which could be an indicator of the importance job of cognition in X-Test taking. It is hoped that the article can shed light on the underling cognitive strategies that English language learners’ use, and provide a chance for educators who want to better understand the learners’ cognitive processes in order to assist them identify problems and improve their English instruction.

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