miR396b/GRF6 module contributes to salt tolerance in rice

Salinity, as one of the most challenging environmental factors restraining crop growth and yield, poses a severe threat to global food security. To address the rising food demand, it is urgent to develop crop varieties with enhanced yield and greater salt tolerance by delving into genes associated with salt tolerance and high-yield traits. MiR396b/GRF6 module has previously been demonstrated to increase rice yield by shaping the inflorescence architecture. In this study, we revealed that miR396b/GRF6 module can significantly improve salt tolerance of rice. In comparison with the wild type, the survival rate of MIM396 and OE-GRF6 transgenic lines increased by 48.0% and 74.4%, respectively. Concurrent with the increased salt tolerance, the transgenic plants exhibited reduced H2 O2 accumulation and elevated activities of ROS-scavenging enzymes (CAT, SOD and POD). Furthermore, we identified ZNF9, a negative regulator of rice salt tolerance, as directly binding to the promoter of miR396b to modulate the expression of miR396b/GRF6. Combined transcriptome and ChIP-seq analysis showed that MYB3R serves as the downstream target of miR396b/GRF6 in response to salt tolerance, and overexpression of MYB3R significantly enhanced salt tolerance. In conclusion, this study elucidated the potential mechanism underlying the response of the miR396b/GRF6 network to salt stress in rice. These findings offer a valuable genetic resource for the molecular breeding of high-yield rice varieties endowed with stronger salt tolerance.

Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence. The azimuthal angle dependence of the polarization follows the vorticity pattern expected due to elliptic and triangular anisotropic flow, and qualitatively disagrees with most hydrodynamic model calculations based on thermal vorticity and shear induced contributions. The model results based on one of existing implementations of the shear contribution lead to a correct azimuthal angle dependence, but predict centrality and p_{T} dependence that still disagree with experimental measurements. Thus, our results provide stringent constraints on the thermal vorticity and shear-induced contributions to hyperon polarization. Comparison to previous measurements at RHIC and the LHC for the second-order harmonic results shows little dependence on the collision system size and collision energy.

Measurements of the Elliptic and Triangular Azimuthal Anisotropies in Central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The elliptic (v_{2}) and triangular (v_{3}) azimuthal anisotropy coefficients in central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au, and p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV are measured as a function of transverse momentum (p_{T}) at midrapidity (|η|<0.9), via the azimuthal angular correlation between two particles both at |η|<0.9. While the v_{2}(p_{T}) values depend on the colliding systems, the v_{3}(p_{T}) values are system independent within the uncertainties, suggesting an influence on eccentricity from subnucleonic fluctuations in these small-sized systems. These results also provide stringent constraints for the hydrodynamic modeling of these systems.

Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report here the first observation of directed flow (v_{1}) of the hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165×10^{6} events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 _{Λ}^{3}H and 5200 _{Λ}^{4}H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels. We observe that these hypernuclei exhibit significant directed flow. Comparing to that of light nuclei, it is found that the midrapidity v_{1} slopes of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H follow baryon number scaling, implying that the coalescence is the dominant mechanism for these hypernuclei production in the 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The nuclear compound yield ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity (dN_{ch}/dη) and follows a scaling behavior. The dN_{ch}/dη dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3σ and 3.4σ, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1σ. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller p_{T} acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, μ_{B}≤110  MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μ_{B}∼750  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing μ_{B}∼24  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and higher collision energies.

Favorable QTLs from Oryza longistaminata improve rice drought resistance

BACKGROUND

Drought is the major abiotic stress to rice grain production under unpredictable changing climatic environments. Wild rice of O. longistaminata show diverse responses and strong tolerance to stress environments. In order to identify whether the O. longistaminata can improve the rice drought resistance or not, a BIL population of 143 BC₂F₂₀ lines derived from the cross between the cultivar rice 9311 and O. longistaminata were assessed under stress of 20% PEG6000.

RESULTS

In total, 28 QTLs related to drought resistance based on eight agronomic traits of seedlings were identified. Of which, thirteen QTLs including two QTLs for leaf drying, one QTL for leaf rolling, one QTL for leaf number, five QTLs for dry weight of root, two QTLs for dry weight of shoot, one QTL for maximum root length and two QTLs for maximum shoot length were derived from O. longistaminata. What's more, qDWR8.1 for dry weight of root was repeatedly detected and fine-mapped to an interval about 36.2 Kb. The unique allele of MH08g0242800 annotated as ATP-dependent Clp protease proteolytic subunit from O. longistaminata was suggested as the candidate gene for drought resistance. Further, six representative BIL lines were stably characterized showing significantly stronger drought resistance than 9311 based on principle component analysis, they each contained 2 ~ 5 QTLs including qDWR8.1 from O. longistaminata.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, our results indicate that the QTLs from O. longistaminata can effectively enhance the drought tolerance of rice, showing great potential value in breeding of elite rice varieties, which will lay a novel insight into the genetic network for drought tolerance of rice.

Creation of Elite Rice with High-Yield, Superior-Quality and High Resistance to Brown Planthopper Based on Molecular Design

Breeding rice (Oryza sativa L.) with high yield, superior quality, desired grain shape and high resistance is the goal of breeding to meet the needs of current consumers. It is usually hard to combine multiple complex traits based on traditional breeding methods because they are frequently antagonistic to each other. However, molecular design breeding, as a novel breeding method, is an optional alternative to this challenge. To demonstrate molecular design breeding, 15 favorable genes from five parent lines were pyramided together to develop elite rice with high-yield, superior-quality, desired grain shape and high resistance to brown planthopper (BPH). The parental lines were 9311, the recurrent parent, carrying APO1, Ghd7, Ghd8 and Gn1a for high yield, GS3 and qSW5 for grain shape, and Wx and ALK for eating and cooking quality; 1880 with Gn8.1 for large panicles; Luo-Yu-Xiang carrying GW7 for grain shape and SBE3, SSIV2 and SSIII for eating and cooking quality; Luoyang6 with Bph6 and Luoyang9 with Bph9 for BPH resistance. After careful screening for the 15 targeted genes, desired phenotype and maximum genetic background from 9311, three molecular design lines with desired phenotypes, named as MD1 (Molecular design 1), MD2 and MD3 were developed. MD3 carried all 15 targeted genes, and MD1 and MD2 had 14 of the 15 targeted genes. Only SBE3 was not introgressed into MD1 and MD2 but this had minimal impact on the gel consistency and alkali spreading value. These newly bred lines exhibited higher yield potential, better grain quality with slender grains, low amylose content, high gel consistency and alkali spreading value, and higher BPH resistance compared to the parent 9311. In this study, we successfully created three novel rice lines with high yield, superior quality and improved BPH resistance by rational molecular design. Our results demonstrate molecular design is a powerful strategy to improve multiple complex traits and will provide a reference for the future commercial rice improvement.

Flupentixol/melitracen for chronic refractory cough after treatment failure with other neuromodulators

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin and baclofen are recommended for the treatment of chronic refractory cough (CRC). We investigated the efficacy of flupentixol/melitracen in patients unresponsive to these neuromodulators.METHODS: A total of 101 patients with CRC who failed to respond to gabapentin and baclofen were recruited, and treated with flupentixol/melitracen. The prevalence of cough resolution and changes in the Cough Symptom Score (CSS), cough thresholds to capsaicin, Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire (HARQ), Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 were evaluated after treatment.RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients (97.0%) completed the study. The overall successful cough resolution rate was 62.4% (63/101). Cough resolution was accompanied by an obvious decrease in the CSS and HARQ score and a remarkable increase in cough thresholds to capsaicin challenge and LCQ score, whereas anxiety and depression scores did not change significantly. The prevalence of adverse effects (e.g., insomnia and dizziness) was 21.8%. The prevalence of cough recurrence within 2 weeks after treatment cessation was 17.8%.CONCLUSION: Flupentixol/melitracen may be an efficacious option for CRC unresponsive to other neuromodulators.

Fas-associated factor 1 plays a negative regulatory role in the antibacterial immunity of Locusta migratoria

Insect immune responses are precisely regulated to maintain immune balance. In this study, the Fas-associated factor 1 (FAF1) gene of Locusta migratoria manilensis, a homologue of the caspar gene that functions as a specific negative regulator in the antibacterial immunity pathway, was cloned. Gene expression analysis showed that FAF1 was expressed throughout the developmental stages and in all tested tissues, but its transcription levels varied significantly. Thus, FAF1 appears to be tightly regulated and is probably involved in multiple physiological processes. In addition, the antimicrobial peptide gene prolixicin was cloned and characterized. After bacterial challenge, prolixicin was rapidly up-regulated, whereas FAF1 was markedly down-regulated. This result was consistent with the observation that prolixicin was hyperactivated when FAF1 was suppressed by RNA interference. Moreover, after bacterial infection, the survival rate of FAF1-knockdown locusts was much higher than that of the wild-type. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that FAF1 shares a similar function as caspar in Drosophila and may be involved in the negative regulation of antibacterial immunity in locusts.

[Distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive fibres in the temporomandibular joint of rat]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive (CGRP-LI) nerve fibres in rat's temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

METHODS

The avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method and image analysis were employed to detect CGRP-LI nerve fibres in frozen sections of TMJs in eight rats.

RESULTS

CGRP-LI nerve fibres were plentifully distributed in TMJs except the central disc band and bone, mainly in the periphery of blood vessels, especially arteries. Density: anterior disc attachment and capsule, (454.6 +/- 72.8) mm(2); posterior portion, (302.7 +/- 43.4) mm(2); lateral portion, (240.2 +/- 23.6) mm(2); medial portion, (229.6 +/- 25.0)mm(2); and peripheral portion of disc, (202.4 +/- 35.2) mm(2).

CONCLUSION

CGRP-LI nerve fibres were widely distributed in rat TMJ and were a part of trigeminal sensory nerve. Density was highest in anterior disc attachment and capsule.

The SH2-SH2-SH3 domain of phospholipase C-gamma1 directly binds to translational elongation factor-1alpha

Phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) is a lipase that hydrolyzes PIP2 to generate two second messengers, IP3 and DAG. By using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified the translational elongation factor-1alpha (EF-1alpha) as a binding protein of PLC-gamma1 from the human B-lymphocyte library. Direct interaction between EF-1alpha and PLC-gamma1 was confirmed by the in vitro binding experiment using purified PLC-gamma1. Furthermore, from the in vitro binding experiment, we could demonstrate that the carboxyl terminal region of EF-1alpha is involved in the interaction with PLC-gamma1, and that both SH2 and SH3 domains of PLC-gamma1 are required for the interaction with EF-1alpha. In vivo interaction between EF-1alpha and PLC-gamma1 was confirmed by the immunoprecipitation experiment using anti-EF-1alpha antibody. The interaction between EF-1alpha and PLC-gamma1 was enhanced by EGF-treatment. Taken together, we suggest that EF-1alpha might play a role in PLC-gamma1-mediated signal transduction.

Estimation of PC12 cell numbers with acid phosphatase assay and mitochondrial dehydrogenase assay: dopamine interferes with assay based on tetrazolium

Both the acid-phosphatase and mitochondrial dehydrogenase assay have been used to quantify cell numbers. The commonly used acid-phosphatase assay uses p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate, while the mitochondrial dehydrogenase assay is based on the conversion of tetrazolium to formazan. Our experimental results showed that the former assay was more sensitive in detecting small numbers of PC12 cells (200-10,000 cells/well), whereas the latter was useful for larger numbers of cells (2000-40,000 cells/well). The number of PC12 cells decreased after dopamine treatment, according to the acid-phosphatase assay and by direct cell counts under a light microscope. However, the optical densities measured by the mitochondrial dehydrogenase assay increased after dopamine treatment. We tried to clarify discrepancies between the two assays, since dopamine is an important neurotransmitter and both assays are commonly used to estimate cell numbers. To elucidate the interference between dopamine and tetrazolium salt, cell-free control experiments were performed. Dopamine and other catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) reacted with tetrazolium and, thus, produced a false positive reaction in the assay. We therefore conclude that the tetrazolium assay is not a suitable method for evaluating the number of catecholamine-treated cells, while the acid-phosphatase assay is reliable and sensitive.

Glutathione protects PC12 cells from ascorbate- and dopamine-induced apoptosis

The role of reduced glutathione (GSH) on ascorbate- and dopamine-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was investigated. Ascorbate is a potent reducing agent and is thus expected to protect against dopamine-induced apoptosis. However, we found that both ascorbate and dopamine killed PC12 cells and ascorbate enhanced dopamine-induced toxicity. The EC50 of cell toxicity induced by ascorbate, dopamine and dopamine plus 0.1 mM ascorbate during 24-h treatment were 0.93+/-0.15 mM, 0.18+/-0.05 mM and 0.13+/-0.04 mM, respectively. When the medium contained 10 mM GSH, the EC50 increased approximately three- and sevenfold for ascorbate and dopamine, respectively. With increased treatment duration, no further toxic effects of ascorbate or dopamine were observed. The GSH synthesis inhibitor, DL-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), induced cell toxicity and potentiated the toxic effects of ascorbate and dopamine, suggesting that endogenous GSH participates in protecting against basal oxidative stress. We conclude that both ascorbate and dopamine induce apoptosis in PC12 cells and further that GSH protects them from apoptosis. This study indicates that the toxic effects of ascorbate are potentially due to an oxidative mechanism, similar to that induced by dopamine.

Dopamine requires ascorbic acid to be the prolactin release-inhibiting factor

A high concentration of dopamine (10(-6) mol/l) inhibited prolactin release for < 60 min during a 2-h perifusion period by use of primary cultured pituitary cells. However, when dopamine (10(-6) mol/l) and control medium were alternately perifused, dopamine inhibited prolactin release for a longer period, indicating that the inability of dopamine to sustain an inhibitory action is likely caused by decreased sensitivity of the lactotrophs to dopamine. When 3 x 10(-7) mol/l dopamine was perifused, prolactin release was inhibited for only 15 min, and the rate of prolactin release was decreased to a nadir by addition of ascorbic acid (10(-4) mol/l) 15 min after the start of dopamine perifusion. Dopamine decreased density of dopamine D2 receptors, and ascorbic acid inhibited the receptor downregulation in GH4ZR7 cells. These results support our hypothesis that dopamine requires a supplementary agent to be the prolactin release-inhibiting factor and that the supplementary agent is ascorbic acid.

[Effects of different lowdoses of aspirin on platelet activation and the number of platelets in the patients with coronary heart disease]

The number of alpha-granule membrane protein 140 (GMP-140) molecules was detected by using specific monoclonal antibodies (125I-SZ-51) against GMP-140 in three groups of patients with unstable angina treated with aspirin 50 mg (n = 27), 150 mg (n = 26) and 300 mg (n = 30) a day before and 7 days after treatment. The number of platelets was counted by using the routine method. The results indicated that the number of GMP-140 molecules decreased significantly and the number of platelets increased significantly after treatment with aspirin. With the increase of aspirin dosage the degree of these two changes increased (P < 0.01, both) too. When 300 mg of aspirin was used, the number of GMP-140 molecules was lower than that in a control group of healthy subjects (P < 0.005) and the number of platelets reached that of the control group (P > 0.05). There was no difference on the immediate side effects when these three dosages of aspirin were used. The authors of the opinion are that it is rational to use 300 mg of aspirin to treat patients with unstable angina at the beginning.