Redness Research Articles

Comparative transcriptome analysis and transient assays revealed AaGST and AaBGAL, respectively, contribute to skin and flesh coloration in A. arguta

Actinidia arguta possesses different colors in the fruit skin and flesh, but the underlying mechanism has not yet been clarified. In this study, we conducted 36 samples RNA-seq to investigate the phenotypic expression of different fruit tissues (skin and flesh) in red and green A. arguta varieties during different coloring phases. GO and KEGG enrichment results of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) suggested that the red color of the skin and flesh was derived from anthocyanin transport and flesh softening, respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed MEyellow and MEblack modules significantly correlated with skin and flesh coloration, and two genes, Glutathione S-transferases (AaGST) and β-galactosidases (AaBGAL), were identified as hub genes involved in different tissue-specific coloration. Transient overexpression in apples and kiwifruits confirmed the role of AaGST and AaBGAL in color formation. Our results preliminarily explore the mechanism of red color formation in different A. arguta fruit tissues and provide novel insights into red color formation.

SN 2018is: A low-luminosity Type IIP supernova with narrow hydrogen emission lines at early phases

We present a comprehensive photometric and spectroscopic study of the Type IIP supernova (SN) 2018is. The V band luminosity and the expansion velocity at 50 days post-explosion are -15.1±0.2 mag (corrected for A_V=1.34 mag) and 1400 km s^-1, classifying it as a low-luminosity SN II. The recombination phase in the V band is shorter, lasting around 110 days, and exhibits a steeper decline (1.0 mag per 100 days) compared to most other low-luminosity SNe II. Additionally, the optical and near-infrared spectra display hydrogen emission lines that are strikingly narrow, even for this class. The Fe ii and Sc ii line velocities are at the lower end of the typical range for low-luminosity SNe II. Semi-analytical modelling of the bolometric light curve suggests an ejecta mass of ∼8 M_⊙, corresponding to a pre-supernova mass of ∼9.5 M_⊙, and an explosion energy of ∼0.40 times 10^51 erg. Hydrodynamical modelling further indicates that the progenitor had a zero-age main sequence mass of 9 M_⊙, coupled with a low explosion energy of 0.19 times 10^51 erg. The nebular spectrum reveals weak O i λλ6300,6364 lines, consistent with a moderate-mass progenitor, while features typical of Fe core-collapse events, such as He i C i and Fe i are indiscernible. However, the redder colours and low ratio of Ni to Fe abundance do not support an electron-capture scenario either. As a low-luminosity SN II with an atypically steep decline during the photospheric phase and remarkably narrow emission lines, SN 2018is contributes to the diversity observed within this population.

P-1980. Decoding the Complexity of Post COVID Conditions: Transcriptomic Analyses of Machine-Learning-Based Chronic Symptom Phenotypes

Abstract Background Post-COVID conditions (PCC, ‘Long COVID’) remain a military health concern, and symptom heterogeneity limits understanding of PCC pathogenesis. To address this, we used machine learning to define PCC phenotypes in Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries. Here, we extend these findings to identify early transcriptomic profiles which may predict the development of these distinct symptom-based PCC phenotypes. (A) Machine learning techniques identified three groups of participants based on chronic symptom-clustering. Radial charts display the distribution of post-COVID condition (PCC) symptoms. Each plot’s axes represent different symptoms, with the length of each spoke indicating symptom prevalence. Shorter spokes indicate lower prevalence, while longer spokes indicate higher prevalence. (B) Clinical and demographic characteristics of 154 military health system beneficiaries by identified symptom-clusters. (C) Schematic representation of pathway enrichment analysis using the differentially expressed signature and pathway databases. (D-E) Jaccard similarity analysis identifies the similarity of leading-edge pathways within each symptom-cluster phenotype, with a result close to 1 indicating high similarity and close to 0 indicating significant differences. (F) Network analysis depicts pathway interactions between each symptom-cluster phenotype, with larger nodes representing clusters and smaller nodes indicating individual pathways. Grey lines indicate associations between clusters and pathways, revealing both overlapping and distinct pathway sets. Upregulated and downregulated pathways are highlighted in red and blue, respectively. (G) Non-overlapping leading-edge pathways are identified, with the size of each pathway node corresponding to the normalized enrichment score (NES), with an upward arrow and red color indicates upregulation, while a downward arrow and blue color denotes downregulation. Methods The EPICC cohort study evaluates SARS-CoV-2 infection in MHS beneficiaries. PCC phenotypes were identified using symptom data; transcriptome profiling was performed on early post-infection blood samples from participants who did and did not develop 3-month symptom PCC phenotypes. Participants with pre-COVID comorbidities were excluded to delineate gene responses for PCC from pre-existing illnesses. Comparison of transcriptomic signatures associated with symptom clusters involved utilizing Reactome, KEGG, BioCarta, and Hallmark pathway enrichment analysis. Hypergeometric p-values and the Jaccard coefficient (JC) assess pathway distinctiveness between symptom clusters and those with no PCC. Results We analyzed 154 participants with no reported comorbidities (Fig. 1), who completed a symptom survey 3-months after a SARS-CoV-2 positive test, and who had an early blood sample (median: 36 days post-infection). Clustering analysis stratified 3 distinct PCC symptom clusters: Sensory, Fatigue/difficulty thinking, and Difficulty breathing/exercise intolerance. Transcriptomic analysis noted post-infection signatures which predicted the development of each cluster (JC: 0.18–0.28). Leading-edge pathways included cytokine signaling in the Sensory cluster (Normalized Enrichment Score, NES=16.16, P < 0.001), nervous system development in the Fatigue/difficulty thinking cluster (NES=10.23, P < 0.001), and MYC Targets V1 in the Difficulty thinking/exercise intolerance cluster (NES=8.89, P < 0.001). Conclusion Distinct symptom-based PCC phenotypes are associated with different early post-infection gene expression pathways. These findings inform mechanistic hypotheses and the development of PCC prediction tools. These methods may be applied for prediction of post-acute sequelae in other pathogens. Disclosures Timothy Burgess, MD, MPH, AstraZeneca: The IDCRP and HJF were funded to conduct an unrelated phase III COVID-19 monoclonal antibody immunoprophylaxis trial as part of US Govt COVID Response Simon Pollett, MBBS, AstraZeneca: The IDCRP and HJF were funded to conduct an unrelated phase III COVID-19 monoclonal antibody immunoprophylaxis trial as part of US Govt COVID Response

P-717. Genetic Analysis of A(H3N2) Influenza Viruses and Associations with Host Characteristics among Kaiser Permanente Northern California Adults during the 2018-2019 Season

Abstract Background Influenza A(H3N2) viruses exhibit significant genetic diversity and mutations may escape acquired host immunity, potentially triggering infections among vaccinees. This study aims to explore associations between genetic changes in A(H3N2) viruses and vaccinal status of their adult hosts vaccinated with quadrivalent attenuated standard dose (SD-IIV4) vaccine, with recombinant (RIV4) vaccine, or not vaccinated, alongside exploration of associations with other host demographics. Overview of virus and host populations characteristics. On the left part is shown the phylogenetic tree based on HA nucleotide sequences. On the right is displayed the clinical characteristics of the associated host population: from left to right, the columns represent age, sex, any comorbidities (asthma, diabetes, COPD, CHD), vaccination status in 2018/2019 season and vaccination status in the season just before, 2017/2018 season. Methods We conducted whole genome sequencing of 192 A(H3N2) viruses collected during the 2018/2019 season from Kaiser Permanente Northern California members aged 18-64 years vaccinated with either SD-IIV4 (n=89) or RIV4 (n=62) or unvaccinated (n=41) who developed a mild influenza disease. Additional host variables included age, sex, underlying medical conditions and previous season (2017/2018) vaccination status. Phylogenetic analyses were performed at nucleotide and amino acid level. Associations between specific mutations of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) and vaccine status were assessed by a) known antigenic drift mutations and b) agnostically, considering all mutations. Various clustering analyses were performed, including Multiple Component Analysis, Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components, and K-means. Observed number of amino acid distinct patterns by the vaccination status. Blue represents when all viruses sharing a similar amino acid pattern were identified in vaccinated hosts, and red color when not, i.e. both the unique patterns were found for viruses detected in vaccinated and unvaccinated hosts. A distinct pattern is defined here as a - unique - set of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase amino acids. Results Our sample set reflects the mismatch between circulating viruses and 2018/2019 vaccine composition (Figure 1). The observed viral genetic diversity among vaccinated individuals was higher than those who were unvaccinated (Figure 2): among 58 observed unique amino acid combinations, 64% were found solely in those vaccinated. The vaccine type administered was rarely associated with HA mutations known to trigger a drift: 1 in 44 (Figure 3). Relative frequencies of non-synonymous HA mutations per vaccine status of their associated host, per known risk of antigenic drift – from 0, no knowledge to 3,high known risk-. Risk of antigenic drift were the ones identified by FluSurver[3]. Red color of “T151K” tick highlights the fact this is the unique mutation where frequency in vaccinated and in unvaccinated sub-populations is statistically different (p-value=0.023). Conclusion Preliminary results revealed an increased frequency of mutations in the HA and NA genes of vaccinated cases relative to non-vaccinated cases. Holistic characterization of influenza viruses can help contextualize the effectiveness of influenza vaccines, especially in a season of substantial mismatch. Further analyses, including with robust sample size, could consolidate these findings, shedding light on the impact of viral mutations on host immune escape. Disclosures Ombeline Jollivet, MSc, Sanofi: Employee|Sanofi: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Sandra S. Chaves, MD, MSc, Sanofi: Employee|Sanofi: Employee|Sanofi: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company)|Sanofi: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Christophe Carré, PhD, Sanofi: Employee Nicola P. Klein, MD, PhD, CSL Seqirus: Grant/Research Support|GlaxoSmithKline: Grant/Research Support|Merck: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support|Sanofi Pasteur: Grant/Research Support Kamela Ng, PhD, Sanofi: Employee|Sanofi: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Ruvim Izikson, MD, MPH, Sanofi: Employee|Sanofi: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Heidi Kabler, MD, Sanofi: Employee|Sanofi: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Clotilde El Guerche-Séblain, PhD, Sanofi: Employee|Sanofi: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company)

Color Tuning and Efficiency Enhancement of Transparent c-Si Solar Cells with Ag/TiO2 Double Layer.

Transparent solar cells maximize installation space by being applicable to glass areas such as building windows and sunroofs, necessitating high power conversion efficiency (PCE), long-term stability, and aesthetic appeal. This study demonstrates the development of transparent crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells that exhibit vivid colors, enhanced PCE, and long-term stability. To achieve vivid coloration, a metal-oxide-based color filter with a single metal layer and TiO2 thin films, which show high transmittance, is integrated into the neutral-colored transparent c-Si solar cells. As a result, the proposed all-inorganic-based transparent solar cells exhibited red, green, and blue colors, achieved a high PCE of 15.3%, and demonstrated long-term stability for up to 1000 h by leveraging c-Si solar cells in conjunction with all inorganic color filters.

Microbe-assisted fabrication of circularly polarized luminescent bacterial cellulosic hybrids

The fabrications of circularly polarized luminescent (CPL) material are mainly based on the chemical and physical strategies. Controlled biosynthesis of CPL-active materials is beset with difficulties due to the lack of bioactive luminescent precursors and bio-reactors. Enlighted by microbe-assisted asymmetric biosynthesis, herein, we show the in situ bacterial fermentation of Komagataeibacter sucrofermentants to fabricate a series of bacterial cellulosic biofilms with CPL of green, orange, red, and near-infrared colors. This process can trigger CPL emission for CPL-silent glycosylated luminophores and amplify the glum of weak CPL-active luminophores up to a 10−2 scale. To confirm glycosidic bonds formation during the bacterial copolymerization process, we develop an assay utilizing the cellulase-catalyzed biodegradation of BC hybrids. More importantly, we achieve the information encryption and Fe3+ dual-channel detection based on hybrid bacterial cellulosic biofilms. Therefore, this study not only provides another vision for CPL materials preparation but also broadens the application of bacterial cellulosic hybrids.

Aromatic ring compounds with different conjugation degrees in a boronic acid matrix to realize multicolor phosphorescence for time division colorful multiplexing.

Long lifetime multicolor phosphorescence materials possess excellent optical properties and have important application prospects in the fields of advanced anti-counterfeiting and information encryption. However, realizing long lifetime and color-tunable room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) carbon dot (CD) materials has proved challenging. In this study, the organic precursor molecules 2-phenethylamine (2-Ph), 9-aminophenanthrene (9-Ph) and 1-aminopyrene (1-Py) with different degrees of conjugation were selected to synthesize RTP CD composites: 2-Ph@BA, 9-Ph@BA and 1-Py@BA were synthesized by mixing with a boric acid (BA) matrix under high temperature pyrolysis. During high temperature pyrolysis, CDs form effective covalent and hydrogen bonds with the BA matrix to promote RTP activity and obtain a stable triplet state, which suppresses nonradiative transitions and leads to long lifetime RTP. Besides, as the conjugation of the organic precursor molecules 2-Ph, 9-Ph and 1-Py gradually increases, it results in a gradual decrease of the triplet state energy T1. Thus, 2-Ph@BA, 9-Ph@BA and 1-Py@BA RTP emission showed a significant redshift, leading to green, yellow and red phosphorescence colors, respectively. Finally, RTP CD composites are used in information security and time division colorful multiplexing based on the synthesized samples with different phosphorescence colors and lifetimes.

A photodetector for red and green with balanced negative and positive photocurrent for imaging is realized

A dual-polarity, photovoltaic photodetector for red-green dual-wavelength detection is demonstrated, operating in the self-powered mode. It is based on a core-shell n-InGaN nanowire/p-Cu2O heterostructure with inner upward energy band bending and near surface downward energy band bending. This produces negative photocurrent for red light illumination and positive photocurrent for green light illumination. Balanced negative and positive photocurrents are obtained by optimizing the Cu2O layer thickness. The imaging capability is experimentally demonstrated for real-life red and green color recognition on a mobile phone display.

The role of four-dimensional flow MRI as an adjunct to endoscopy for predicting variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

Non-invasive approach other than conventional endoscopy could be effectively used for screening and monitoring esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB). To retrospectively investigate the role of four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an add-on tool to endoscopy for predicting EVB in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices (EVs). A cohort of 109 cirrhotic patients with EVs was divided into four groups: A = negative red color [RC] sign, no EVB, n = 60; B = negative RC sign, EVB, n = 13; C = positive RC sign, no EVB, n = 10; and D = positive RC sign, EVB, n = 26. All patients underwent laboratory assessments and 4D flow MRI using a 3-T scanner to analyze hemodynamic parameters within the main portal vein (PV), splenic vein, and superior mesenteric vein. Comparative analysis of 4D flow parameters among the groups was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test, and diagnostic accuracy was assessed through the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC). In the main PV, all 4D flow parameters were significantly lower in patients with a positive RC sign compared to those with a negative RC sign (P < 0.05). Patients with EVB had lower parameters than those without EVB (P < 0.05). The AUC values predicting actual variceal bleeding was 0.762 for endoscopy alone and 0.770-0.787 for 4D flow MRI. Integrating the endoscopic classification with the 4D flow MRI significantly improved the AUC value to 0.871 (P < 0.05). Four-dimensional flow MRI may be useful as an add-on tool to endoscopy for predicting actual bleeding in cirrhotic patients with EVs.

Evaluation of repellent effects of plant‐based essential oils, red dye, and kaolin on Asian citrus psyllid

AbstractThe Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), vector of the pathogen causing Huanglongbing disease, is currently the most devastating pest of citrus. Despite intensive control efforts, the disease continues to spread. Diaphorina citri typically relies on tactile, visual, and odor cues for host selection. By combining an irritant (kaolin clay), a visual masking (red or blue dye), and true odor repellents, we aim to repel D. citri from citrus trees. In laboratory conditions, we conducted closed‐cage bioassays to compare D. citri response to the following treatment combinations: (1) kaolin + food colorants (blue or red); (2) kaolin + odor repellents (thyme, lavender, fir, and coriander oil), and (3) kaolin + red food colorant + thyme oil. The red kaolin treatment exerted a greater deterrent effect on D. citri adults than the blue and uncolored kaolin treatments. We also observed an additive effect in terms of D. citri repellency with the combination of thyme oil and kaolin and, to a lesser extent, coriander oil and kaolin. However, the combination of lavender or fir oils and kaolin did not increase repellency against ACP as compared with kaolin alone. Thyme oil + red kaolin oil combinations induced similar ACP repellency to that of thyme oil + uncolored kaolin. Finally, fecundity was significantly reduced by the kaolin‐based treatments compared to the thyme oil treatment and control plants. Our findings suggested the possible use of red kaolin or the combination of thyme and kaolin as a means of reducing D. citri infestation in citrus.

Polarization-independent full-color holographic movie with a single metasurface free from crosstalk.

Metasurface holograms offer advantages, such as a wide viewing angle, compact size, and high resolution. However, projecting a full-color movie using a single hologram without polarization dependence has remained challenging. Here, we report a full-color dielectric metasurface holographic movie with a resolution of 512 × 512. Eight frames were multiplexed across blue (445 nm), green (532 nm), and red (633 nm) color channels, achieving a maximum reconstruction rate of 5.6 frames per second. The superposition of the three wavelengths was achieved by adjusting the resolution and position of each target image while maintaining a constant pitch of the meta-atoms. Additionally, we identified the positions of crosstalk images generated that occur due to fabrication errors and proposed and demonstrated conditions and corrections to ensure they do not overlap with the intended images. The superimposition of phase distributions for each wavelength was achieved using the least squares error method, based on a library of over 20,000 types of meta-atoms. These results are anticipated to advance the future development of three-dimensional metasurface holographic movies.

Colorimetric-based detection of enteric bacterial pathogens using chromogens-functionalized iron oxide-gold nanocomposites biosynthesized by Bacillus subtilis

Bio-functionalized nanomaterial has emerged as a promising technique for colorimetric detection of foodborne pathogens to promote food safety and quality. For this study, we evaluated the performance of novel chromogen-functionalized iron oxide-gold nanocomposites (Fe3O4-AuNCs) for colorimetric detection of enteric bacteria. Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) biosynthesized by Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) were monitored and characterized with UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and x-ray diffractometer (XRD). Fe3O4-AuNCs were formed using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-capped Fe3O4-NPs and polyethyleneimine (PEI)/polyethylene glycol (PEG)-immobilized AuNPs. Different functionalized-Fe3O4-AuNCs were derived from chromogens such as 2-Nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (2-NPGP), urea, and 2,3,5,-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC). The performances of the developed chromogens-functionalized Fe3O4-AuNCs were evaluated on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhi). Biosynthesized Fe3O4-NPs and AuNPs revealed 261 and 548 nm absorbance spectra with mean sizes of 72 and 118 nm, respectively. The EDX spectra revealed an increased percentage of elemental gold in Fe3O4-AuNCs linked by PEI than in Fe3O4-AuNCs linked by PEG (75.56%;61.40%). However, a reduced percentage of iron was observed in Fe3O4-AuNCs linked by PEI than in Fe3O4-AuNCs linked by PEG (7.40%;20.00%). The 2-NPGP-functionalized Fe3O4-AuNCs linked by PEI showed a light pale colour with S. aureus and a limit of detection (LOD) of 104 CFU/mL. Urea-functionalized Fe3O4-AuNCs linked by PEI/PEG had no colour change with the test pathogens. TTC-functionalized Fe3O4-AuNCs linked by PEI revealed an intense red colour with S. typhi and E. coli within 2 and 6 h, respectively, and a 108 CFU/mL LOD. This study showed that TTC-functionalized Fe3O4-AuNC linked by PEI is promising for detecting S. typhi and E. coli.

Spatial and Temporal Regulation of Flower Coloration in Cymbidium lowianum.

Flower color is a crucial trait that attracts pollinators and determines the ornamental value of floral crops. Cymbidium lowianum, one of the most important breeding parent of Cymbidium hybrids, has two flower morphs (normal and albino) that differ in flower lip color. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying flower color formation in C. lowianum are not well understood. In this study, comparative metabolomic analysis between normal and albino flower lip tissues indicated that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside content was significantly higher in red epichiles than in other lip tissues. This finding suggests that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside is responsible for color variation and differentiation in the lip in C. lowianum. We also found that red coloration in C. lowianum flower is correlated with high levels of F3'H expression; further, anthocyanins, carotenoids and chlorophyll coordinate to influence sepal and petal coloration during flower development. In transgenic Arabidopsis lines, overexpression of F3'H increased anthocyanin concentration, overexpression of BCH increased carotenoid concentration, whereas overexpression of HEMG and CHLI both increased chlorophyll concentration. Identification and assessment of several transcription factors revealed that MYB308-1 activates BCH, MYB111 and PIF4-2 activate HEMG and CHLI expression during flower development. Importantly, MYB14-1 shows interaction with PIF4-2, and appears to act as a connector between anthocyanin and chlorophyll biosynthesis by either activating F3'H expression or inhibiting CHLI expression. These results indicate that, in C. lowianum, variation in flower color and differentiation of lip color patterns are primarily regulated by the types and concentrations of flavonoids; further, carotenoids and chlorophyll also influence flower coloration during development.

EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTHOCYANIN AS A HEPATOPROTECTOR: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Exposure to free radicals can cause hepatotoxicity in liver cells. Hepatoprotectors are needed to prevent free radicals. The flavonoid group anthocyanin compounds, which give many plants purple, blue, and red colors, have antioxidant activity as hepatoprotectors. This study uses a systematic literature review to review the effectiveness of various plants containing anthocyanins as hepatoprotectors. Articles were searched using Google Scholar, PubMed, and NCBI with keywords such as "Anthocyanin compounds and Hepatoprotective effects" that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results obtained from 7 review articles show that several plants contain anthocyanins, such as bilberry and blackberry, Rosella, purple cabbage, butterfly pea flower, Aronia melanocarpa Elliot (AMA), red cabbage, and radish. The mechanisms in plants containing anthocyanins as hepatoprotective include antioxidant activity, inhibition of cytochrome enzymes, inhibition of inflammation, protein expression, and modulation of the apoptotic signal pathway. This review concludes that plants containing anthocyanins are effective as natural hepatoprotectors with various mechanisms.

A 6.49-Mb inversion associated with the purple embryo spot trait in potato

Abstract The embryo spot trait leads to a deep purple or reddish coloration at the base of the cotyledons of the embryo, visible on both sides of flat potato (Solanum tuberosum) seeds. This trait has long been used by potato researchers and breeders as a morphological marker during dihaploid induction. The formation of embryo spots reflects the accumulation of anthocyanins, but the genetic basis of this trait remains unclear. In this study, we mapped the embryo spot trait to a 6.78-Mb region at the end of chromosome 10 using an F2 population derived from a cross between spotted and spotless plants. The recombination rate in the candidate region is severely suppressed, posing challenges for the map-based cloning of the underlying gene and suggesting large-scale rearrangements in this region. A de novo genome assembly of the spotted individual and a comparative genomic analysis to the reference genome of spotless potato revealed a 6.49-Mb inversion present in the spotted plant genome. The left breakpoint of this inversion occurred in the promoter region of an R2R3 MYB transcription factor gene that is highly expressed in the cotyledon base of spotted embryos but is not expressed in that of spotless embryos. This study elucidated the genetic basis for embryo spot formation in potato and provides a foundation for future cloning of the causative gene.

Comparison of Pheromone Lures and Sticky Pad Color for Capturing Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has gained the status of major pest globally. Integrated pest management (IPM) consists of different control methods. This field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different pheromone-based traps to attract the male population and the potential of sticky pads of four different colors in capturing the adults in the absence of pheromone lures. The trials were conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021. The Delta trap with rubber septum type lure was significantly more attractive in both years, with mean number of capturing 76.0 and 86.17, as compared to polymer wax (32.83 and 28.2) and polymer vial (10.37 and 11.77), lures. The highest mean number of capturing of T. absoluta adults were noted as 17.93 and 21.73 with black color sticky trap without pheromone, whereas the lowest number of adults, i.e., 1.33 and 1.47, were captured during the first and second year of the study, respectively, with yellow color sticky traps. However, a significant difference was found in pheromone lures and among black, red, green, and yellow color sticky pads. Hence, Delta traps equipped with rubber septum pheromones lures and black colored sticky pads were more useful for the control of T. absoluta than any other colored sticky pads and pheromone lures alone. These findings could be helpful for the integrated management of T. absoluta.

DNA Methylation and Transcriptome Profiling Reveal the Role of the Antioxidant Pathway and Lipid Metabolism in Plectropomus leopardus Skin Color Formation.

Leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), possessing a distinct red body color, is an important species in commercial markets; however, the high ratio of black individuals under intensive cultivation has limited the commercial value of the species. To dissect the regulatory mechanisms underlying the red skin trait in P. leopardus, gene expression and DNA methylation modifications were compared between red and black skin tissues after astaxanthin treatment. Astaxanthin effectively increased the redness value a* and body weight. Multi-omics analyses revealed the crucial roles of pathways related to antioxidants and lipid metabolism, particularly "Tyrosine metabolism", "Melanogenesis", "Fatty acid metabolism", "Fatty acid elongation", and "Biosynthesis of unsaturated acids", in red skin coloration. A molecular network for the regulation of red skin coloration in P. leopardus was constructed, and pmel, tyr, tyrp1a, tyrp1b, dct, slc24a5, wnt1, acsl4, elovl1, elovl6l.1, elovl6l.2, and elovl7 were identified as key genes. Notably, pmel, acsl4, and elovl7 were negatively regulated by differential DNA methylation. Our results provide new insight into the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of body color variation, representing a significant step towards breeding for the red skin trait in P. leopardus.

The red colour in chinicuil (Comadia redtenbacheri (Hammerschmidt)) is due to rhodommatin pigment

Abstract In Mexico, Comadia redtenbacheri (Hammerschmidt) is called chinicuil or agave red worm which is highly appreciated since pre-Hispanic period and was considered a delicacy greatly accept by the Aztec. At present, chinicuil is highly valued not only for its culinary value but also as an ornamental in the mezcal industry, although it has not been possible to preserve its intense red colour. One reason for this is probably that the pigment responsible for the reddish coloration of the chinicuil has not yet been identified, making it difficult to find a possible alternative for its preservation. For this reason, the aim of this research was to elucidate the chemical structure of the pigment responsible for the reddish coloration of chinicuil in order to expand knowledge of its properties and offer alternatives for colour preservation.. According to the results of this study, the size is decisive for the colour of the larvae. The small larvae are white, while the large larvae are reddish in colour. The results of the colour characteristics of the larvae showed that the large larvae tend to have a reddish coloration, while a yellowness or white coloration is observed in the other larval sizes. The chromatographic UV-Vis profile of the pigment in the large larvae showed signals characteristic of the ommochromes, which was confirmed by the 1H NMR spectra, in which characteristic signals of the aromatic rings, glycosides, carboxyl and amine groups were detected. These results lead to the conclusion that the principal pigment that gives the chinicuil its red colour is rhodommatin.

Late Cretaceous aeolianites in South China: Implications for palaeowind systems and palaeoclimate

ABSTRACTDespite reports of palaeowind from aeolian deposits across several basins in South China, knowledge of the Late Cretaceous palaeowind system and its associated palaeoclimatic conditions in East Asia remains inadequate. To elucidate the palaeowind system, numerous Late Cretaceous sandstones from 15 basins in South China were studied. Sedimentary features such as reddish orange colour, large‐scale and high angle cross‐beddings, good sorting, Fe‐varnish and impact scars demonstrate that the studied sandstones are aeolian in origin. The widespread occurrence of the Late Cretaceous aeolian deposition in South China suggests extensive aridification at this time. Based on the reconstruction of bedform morphology and dune architecture, these aeolian deposits are identified as (superposed) individual barchan, compound barchans and compound transverse dunes. Over 3000 measurements, corrected for structural tilting, together with published data show a primary dip direction of 0° to 200°. These dip directions reflect palaeowind blowing‐towards directions of 40° to 160°, from which two dominant sets of north‐east ca 70° and south‐east ca 110° are identified. These prevailing wind directions are interpreted to reflect a large regional, perhaps continental‐scale, monsoon system set up by the topographic barrier created by the Cretaceous Coastal Mountain in East Asia. The record of aeolian dunes, spanning ca 90 to 80 Ma (Coniacian–early Campanian), provides insights into the transition from the greenhouse conditions of the mid‐Cretaceous into the cool climate of the Late Cretaceous.

The Status of Wild Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (C.C. Gmel.) Hegi) Populations in Georgia (South Caucasus).

Repeated expeditions across various regions of Georgia in the early 2000s led to the identification of 434 wild grapevine individuals (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris (C.C. Gmel.) Hegi) across 127 different sites, with 45% of these sites containing only a single vine and only 7% more than 9 vines. A total of 70 accessions were propagated in a germplasm collection, 41 of them were descripted from the ampelographic point of view and 32 from the phenological one. The geographical and ecological analysis confirmed that wild grapevines primarily grow in humid environments with warm and fully humid climates, often near rivers. They favor deep, fertile, and evolved soils, mainly alluvial and cinnamonic types (80%), with a marginal presence on strongly eroded soils. Their main natural vegetations are forests and open woodlands, with some individuals in the Southeast found in steppes. The altitudinal range spans from 0 to 1200 m, with 80% of vines distributed between 400 and 900 m. The phenological analysis revealed significant differences among the accessions but no difference among populations, with only a slight variation in bud-break timing, indicating a high level of synchronicity overall. Flowering timing proved to be the most uniform stage, suggesting minimal environmental pressure on genetic adaptation. The mature leaf morphology exhibited significant polymorphism, though leaves were generally three- or five-lobed, weak-wrinkling, and -blistering, with a low density of hairs. Bunch and berry morphology were more uniform. Bunches were consistently very small, cylindrical, and never dense or winged. Berries were also very small, mostly globular, always blue-black in color, and non-aromatic. A striking feature was the frequency of red flesh coloration, which ranged from weak to strong, with uncolored flesh being rare. The Georgian population of wild grapevines was found to be fragmented, often consisting of scattered single individuals or small groups. Therefore, we believe it is urgent for Georgia to implement specific protection measures to preserve this vital genetic resource.