Comparing time-series transcriptomes between chilling-resistant and -susceptible rice reveals potential transcription factors responding to chilling stress

Low temperature is one of the most important environmental factors that inhibits rice growth and grain yield. Transcription factors (TFs) play crucial roles in chilling acclimation by regulating gene expression. However, transcriptional dynamics and key regulators responding to low temperature remain largely unclear in rice. In this study, a transcriptome-based comparative analysis was performed to explore genome-wide gene expression profiles between a chilling-resistant cultivar DC90 and a chilling-susceptible cultivar 9311 at a series of time points under low temperature treatment and recovery condition. A total of 3,590 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two cultivars were determined and divided into 12 co-expression modules. Meanwhile, several biological processes participating in the chilling response such as abscisic acid (ABA) responses, water deprivation, protein metabolic processes, and transcription regulator activities were revealed. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), 15 hub TFs involved in chilling conditions were identified. Further, we used the gene regulatory network (GRN) to evaluate the top 50 TFs, which might have potential roles responding to chilling stress. Finally, five TFs, including a C-repeat binding factor (OsCBF3), a zinc finger-homeodomain protein (OsZHD8), a tandem zinc finger protein (OsTZF1), carbon starved anther (CSA), and indeterminate gametophyte1 (OsIG1) were identified as crucial candidates responsible for chilling resistance in rice. This study deepens our understanding in the gene regulation networks of chilling stress in rice and offers potential gene resources for breeding climate-resilient crops.

Single-incision lift laparoscopic appendicectomy: A less expensive technique easy to learn

Appendicectomy is the most common abdominal operation performed on an emergency basis in most parts of the world. The laparoscopic technique has many advantages over conventional open surgery especially in women and obese patients. A further improved version introduced recently is using a single-incision (SILS). Inducing a pneumoperitoneum, as a necessary precondition of laparoscopic procedures, represents a restriction of the surgeon’s freedom of movement and can lead to typical though rare complications. Gasless laparoscopic surgery has most of the advantages of laparoscopic surgery without many of the disadvantages. It is also less expensive, and can be combined with regional anaesthesia. Furthermore, fewer disposable materials are necessary. We describe a series of single umbilical incision gasless laparoscopic appendicectomies performed in rural areas of India.