SummaryCotton is widely cultivated globally because it provides natural fibre for the textile industry and human use. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/genes associated with fibre quality and yield, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed in upland cotton. A consensus map covering the whole genome was constructed with three types of markers (8295 markers, 5197.17 centimorgans (cM)). Six fibre yield and quality traits were evaluated in 17 environments, and 983 QTLs were identified, 198 of which were stable and mainly distributed on chromosomes 4, 6, 7, 13, 21 and 25. Thirty‐seven QTL clusters were identified, in which 92.8% of paired traits with significant medium or high positive correlations had the same QTL additive effect directions, and all of the paired traits with significant medium or high negative correlations had opposite additive effect directions. In total, 1297 genes were discovered in the QTL clusters, 414 of which were expressed in two RNA‐Seq data sets. Many genes were discovered, 23 of which were promising candidates. Six important QTL clusters that included both fibre quality and yield traits were identified with opposite additive effect directions, and those on chromosome 13 (qClu‐chr13‐2) could increase fibre quality but reduce yield; this result was validated in a natural population using three markers. These data could provide information about the genetic basis of cotton fibre quality and yield and help cotton breeders to improve fibre quality and yield simultaneously.

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging is a noninvasive technique that provides numerous advantages for the realtime in vivo monitoring of biological information in living subjects without the use of ionizing radiation. Near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dyes are widely used as fluorescent imaging probes. These fluorescent dyes remarkably decrease the interference caused by the self-absorption of substances and autofluorescence, increase detection selectivity and sensitivity, and reduce damage to the human body. Thus, they are beneficial for bioassays. Indole heptamethine cyanine dyes are widely investigated in the field of near-infrared fluorescence imaging. They are mainly composed of indole heterocyclics, heptamethine chains, and N-substituent side chains. With indole heptamethine cyanine dyes as the parent, introducing reactive groups to the parent compounds or changing their structures can make fluorescent probes have different functions like labeling protein and tumor, detecting intracellular metal cations, which has become the hotspot in the field of fluorescence imaging of biological research. Therefore, this study reviewed the applications of indole heptamethine cyanine fluorescent probes to metal cation detection, pH, molecules, tumor imaging, and protein in vivo. The distribution, imaging results, and metabolism of the probes in vivo and in vitro were described. The biological application trends and existing problems of fluorescent probes were discussed.

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Mixing cultures induces the biosynthesis of laccase in mixed cells, produces signal molecules, and regulates the production of mixed-cell metabolites. The fungal strain, which promotes laccase production, has been isolated and screened from the host bamboos of endophytic fungi and identified as Phoma sp. BZJ6. When the culture medium is mainly composed of soluble starch, yeast extract, and Phoma sp., the laccase output can reach 4,680 U/L. Nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were found to promote the regulation of laccase synthesis. Plasma membrane NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors and NO-specific quenchers can inhibit not only the accumulation of ROS induced and NO synthesis but also the biosynthesis of laccase. The results indicate that the accumulation of superoxide anion radical (O2 −) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced by the mixed culture was partially dependent on NO. The mixed culture can also reduce the biomass, increase the synthesis of total phenolics and flavonoids, and enhance the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone isomerase. This phenomenon is probably the result of the activated phenylpropanoids–flavonoid pathway. Results confirmed that the mixture culture is advantageous for laccase production and revealed that NO, O2 −, and H2O2 are necessary signal molecules to induce laccase synthesis.

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Near-infrared fluorescence imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of major diseases by virtue of its high sensitivity and specificity. However, compared with the traditional NIR-I (700∼900 nm) fluorescence imaging, NIR-II (900∼1400 nm) fluorescence imaging has the advantages of higher tissue penetration depth and higher imaging signal-to-noise ratio in vivo imaging studies. The review focuses on the development of NIR-II fluorescent probes in recent years, classifies and discusses the activable NIR-II fluorescent probes, and systematically introduces the microenvironment-responsive fluorescent probes. The research results of redox activated probes, pH activated probes, hypoxic activated probes, enzyme activated probes, viscosity activated probes, ATP and metal ion activated probes in the field of biological applications are included. Finally, the development prospect of NIR-II fluorescent probe is prospected.