Lanying Chen^1,2, Qiumei Quan^3,*, Yunxiang Li³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.3, pp. 551-566, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.048103

Abstract Mediated by pollen flow, natural hybridization is deemed a crucial factor that propels speciation in floral plants. Despite the fact that the diversity of Epimedium species is concentrated mainly in Southwestern China, the potential impact of interspecific pollination on natural hybridization has yet to be empirically scrutinized. To explore this, we studied the flowering period and the visitors of flowers in three frequently overlapping Epimedium species at Jinchengshan National Forest Park, located in Nanchong, Sichuan Province. Additionally, we performed a series of pollination experiments to examine breeding systems and hybrid compatibility. Morphologically, Epimedium pubescens and Epimedium wushanense are clearly distinct… More >

John Freddy Gelves-Díaz^1,*, Ludovic Dorkis², Richard Monroy-Sepúlveda¹, Sandra Rozo-Rincón¹, Yebrail Alexis Romero-Arcos¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.10, pp. 3769-3787, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.029270

Abstract Secondary lignocellulosic biomass has proved to be useful as an energy source through its oxidation by means of combustion processes. In accordance with the above, in this paper, we wanted to study the ash from urban pruning residues that are generated in cities in the Neotropics. Species such as Licania tomentosa, Azadirachta indica, Ficus benjamina, Terminalia catappa, Leucaena leucocephala, Prosopis juliflora and Pithecellobium dulce were selected because they have been previously studied and showed potential for thermal energy generation. These materials were calcined in an oxidizing atmosphere and characterized by X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy with microchemistry, BET… More > Graphic Abstract

John Freddy Gelves Díaz^1,*, Ludovic Dorkis², Richard Monroy-Sepúlveda¹, Sandra Rozo-Rincón¹, Gabriel de Jesús Camargo Vargas³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.9, pp. 3547-3566, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.029267

Abstract The material associated with tree pruning in a city in the Colombian neotropics was characterized in order to determine its energy potential. The species studied for their relevance in the territory were Prosopis juliflora, Licania tomentosa, Terminalia catappa, Azadirachta indica, Pithecellobium dulce, Ficus benjamina and Leucaena leucocephala. Moisture content, bulk density, hygroscopic response, elemental chemical analysis, proximal analysis, calorific value, ease of ignition and combustion, thermogravimetric and heat flow analysis, steam generation capacity, and qualitative analysis of gases (mass spectrometry) were determined. The results that were obtained show high initial moisture contents that vary between 37% and 67% and a… More > Graphic Abstract

Zhipeng Sheng, Yuting Luan, Cong Xu, Jun Tao^*, Daqiu Zhao^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.3, pp. 801-814, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.024953

Abstract Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), as a high-end cut flower in the international market, has high ornamental and medicinal values. But in Northern China, drought is a major environmental factor influencing the growth and development of P. lactiflora. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) can evaluate gene expression levels under different stress conditions, and stable internal reference is the key for qRT-PCR. At present, there is no systematic screening of internal reference for correcting gene expressions of P. lactiflora in response to drought stress. In this study, 10 candidate genes [ubiquitin (UBQ2), UBQ1, elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α), Histidine (His), eukaryotic… More >

SEHRISH ABBAS¹, BUSHRA UZAIR^1,*, MAISRA AZHAR BUTT¹, FARID MENAA², BARKAT A. KHAN^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.2, pp. 245-260, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025311

Abstract The association of gut microflora and human health is being increasingly recognized, and the impact of gut microflora on the host is well characterized, including the body’s energy metabolism and immune system maintenance. Several human diseases, including metabolic, autoimmune, obesity, hypothyroidism, and intestinal disorders, are closely associated with gut dysbiosis. Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively utilized in numerous fields due to their distinctive, attractive physicochemical properties. Estimation of the potential impacts of NPs, with a high number of microorganisms inside the human body (microbiota) and its genomes (microbiome), represents one of the most important aspects of nano-toxicology. This review article… More > Graphic Abstract

Jiayou Liu, Lian Ding, Xue Zhang, Song Li, Yunxiao Guan, Diwen Jia, Aiping Song, Jiafu Jiang, Fadi Chen^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.2, pp. 311-331, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2022.023896

Abstract Chrysanthemum morifolium, an ornamental crop with diverse forms of inflorescence, is a good model for studying flower development in Asteraceae. However, the genetic background is complex and the mechanisms of regulating flower development are still unclear. Here, we identified two natural mutant lines of chrysanthemum and named them M1 and M2 according to the severity of the phenotype. Both lines showed defects in petal identity, and the petals of the M1 line had a mild phenotype: partially loss of petal identity and conversion of petals into green, leaf-like organs. The M2 line had severe phenotypes: in addition to severe petal… More >

YUNHUI ZHOU, YAJIE LIU, WENNA ZHAO, FEI CHEN, YUDAN WANG, CHUNXUE YANG

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.11, pp. 2465-2474, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.021016

Abstract Salinization has led to the deterioration of the ecological environment, affected the growth of plants, and hindered the development of agriculture and forestry. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, as important soil microorganisms, play significant physiological and ecological roles in promoting plant nutrient absorption and improving soil structure. Puccinellia tenuiflora (Turcz.) Scribn. et Merr. in Songnen saline-alkaline grassland was selected as the research object to observe AM fungal colonization of the roots and explore the species and diversity of AM fungi in symbiotic association with P. tenuiflora. This study showed that AM fungi colonized in P. tenuiflora roots and formed a typical… More >

EUN NA¹, SUN YOUNG LIM^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.9, pp. 2101-2109, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.019807

Abstract We investigated the diversity and composition of microflora in feces of Lycopus lucidus Turcz.-fed mice. In addition, we evaluated the production of major cytokines (Interleukin-6 and -10) which are related to inflammation and fatty acid composition of several tissues. 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing-based microbiome taxonomic profiling analysis was performed utilizing the EzBioCloud data base. Male mice fed on L. lucidus showed a significantly reduced number of lactic acid bacteria and coliform in the feces compared with the control group (p < 0.05). 16S rDNA sequencing analysis of fecal samples showed that L. lucidus supplementation decreased the community of harmful microflora… More >

Yanqing Wu^1,2, Jiao Liu¹, Yuhan Tang², Daqiu Zhao², Jun Tao^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.91, No.9, pp. 2005-2016, 2022, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2022.021062

Abstract The ornamental and commercial values of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) are directly related to its flower pattern. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the type formation of P. lactiflora flowers have not been studied in great detail. Previous studies identified, using integrated multipleomics analysis, revealed that APETALA2 (AP2) is an important candidate gene that modulates type formation of P. lactiflora flowers. To further reveal the expression mechanism of AP2 in P. lactiflora petals, we examined the profile of AP2 expression in the inner and outer petals of ‘ZiFengyu’ at various developmental stages using qRT-PCR and BSP+Miseq methylation analysis. Based on… More >

Yanqing Wu^1,2, Jiao Liu¹, Daqiu Zhao², Jun Tao^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.91, No.9, pp. 2017-2032, 2022, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2022.020643

Abstract Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is an important ornamental plant worldwide. In its natural state, P. lactiflora often manifests traits like rapidly elongating internodal growth, loose plant types, and soft inflorescence stems. However, very little has been known about the measures for controlling these traits. This study investigated the effect of applying paclobutrazol (PBZ) on the plant growth and flower quality in P. lactiflora. The results indicated that PBZ application reduced the plant height (8.05%), plant crown width (14.72%), and leaf area (10.90%), but increased the leaf thickness (18.18%) and stem diameter (over 11%) in P. lactiflora. Meanwhile, PBZ application… More >