Biology subjects

Ren, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Ren, T..

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

Effects of chronic dietary hexavalent chromium on bioaccumulation and immune responses in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicus (3.54 {+/-} 0.01 g of wet weight) were exposed to five concentrations of dietary hexavalent chromium [0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg Cr6+/kg dry weight] amended with K2Cr2O7 for 30 days. The bioaccumulation and immune responses [antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT); hydrolytic enzymes: acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP)] of sea cucumbers were subsequently evaluated. This study found that the order of Cr accumulation in the experimental tissues was respiratory tree > intestine > body wall. Significantly lower SOD activities occurred in the 400 mg/kg group compared to that in the control group. Higher dietary Cr6+ exposure (400 and 800 mg Cr6+ /kg dry weight) did not negatively alter the CAT activities, but significantly inhibited CAT activities in 100 mg/kg group, compared to control group. ACP activities in groups 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg were significantly lower than those in control group, while no significant differences occurred in AKP activities among groups. The present study provides important information into the bioaccumulation and immune responses of the sea cucumber A. japonicus in response to chronic dietary Cr6+ exposure.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2020

Dix-seq: An integrated pipeline for fast amplicon data analysis

The amplicon derived from 16S rRNA genes, 18S rRNA genes, internal transcribed spacer sequences or other functional genes can be used to infer and evaluate microbial diversity or functional gene diversity. With the development of sequencing technologies, large amounts of amplicon data were generated. Several different software or pipelines had been developed for amplicon data analyses. However, most current software/pipelines require multistep and advanced programming skills. Moreover, they are often complex and time-consuming. Here, we introduced an integrated pipeline named Dix-seq for high-throughput amplicon sequence data processing (https://github.com/jameslz/dix-seq). Dix-seq integrates several different amplicon analysis algorithms and software for diversity analyses of multiple samples. Dix-seq analyzes amplicon sequences efficiently, and exports abundant visual results automatically with only one command in Linux environment. In summary, Dix-seq enables the common/advanced users to generate amplicon analysis results easily and offers a versatile and convenient tool for researchers.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2018

Prospects for enhancing leaf photosynthetic capacity by manipulating mesophyll cell morphology

Leaves are beautifully specialized organs designed to maximize the use of light and CO2 for photosynthesis. Engineering leaf anatomy therefore brings great potential to enhance photosynthetic capacity. Here we review the effect of the dominant leaf anatomical traits on leaf photosynthesis and confirm that a high chloroplast surface area exposed to intercellular airspace per unit leaf area (Sc) is critical for efficient photosynthesis. The possibility of improving Sc through appropriately increasing mesophyll cell density is further analyzed. The potential influences of modifying mesophyll cell morphology on CO2 diffusion, light distribution within the leaf, and other physiological processes are also discussed. Some potential target genes regulating leaf mesophyll cell proliferation and expansion are explored. Indeed, more comprehensive research is needed to understand how manipulating mesophyll cell morphology through editing the potential target genes impact leaf photosynthetic capacity and related physiological processes. This will pinpoint the targets for engineering leaf anatomy to maximize photosynthetic capacity.\n\nHighlightCell morphology in leaves affects photosynthesis by controlling CO2 diffusion and light distribution. Recent work has uncovered genes that control cell size, shape, and number paving the way improved photosynthesis.

plant biology↗