GbLMI1 over-expression improves cotton aboveground vegetative growth

Leaves are the main organ for photosynthesis and organic synthesis in cotton.Leaf shape has important effects on photosynthetic efficiency and canopy formation,thereby affecting cotton yield.Previous studies have shown that LMI1(LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY1)is the main gene regulating leaf shape.In this study,the LMI1 gene was inserted into the 35S promoter expression vector,and cotton plants overexpressing LMI1(OE)were obtained through genetic transformation.Statistical analysis of the biological traits of the T_(1) and T_(2) populations showed that compared to the wild type(WT),OE plants had significantly larger leaves,thicker stems and significantly greater dry weight.Furthermore,plant sections of the main vein and petiole showed that the numbers of cells in those tissues of OE plants were significantly greater.In addition,RNA-seq analysis revealed the differential expression of genes related to gibberellin synthesis and NAC gene family(genes containing the NAC domain)between the OE and WT plants,suggesting that LMI1 is involved in secondary wall formation and cell proliferation,which promotes stem thickening.Moreover,Gene Ontology(GO)analysis revealed enrichment in the terms of calcium ion binding,and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analysis showed enrichment in the terms of fatty acid degradation,phosphatidylinositol signal transduction system,and c AMP(cyclic adenosine monophosphate)signal pathway.These results suggested that LMI1 OE plants are responsive to gibberellin hormone signals,and have altered messenger signals(c AMP,Ca^(2+))which amplify this function,to promote stronger aboveground vegetative growth.This study found the LMI1 greatly increased the vegetative growth in cotton,which is the basic requirement for higher yield.

Metabolic reprogramming: a new option for the treatment of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injuries impose a notably economic burden on society,mainly because of the severe after-effects they cause.Despite the ongoing development of various therapies for spinal cord injuries,their effectiveness remains unsatisfactory.However,a deeper understanding of metabolism has opened up a new therapeutic opportunity in the form of metabolic reprogramming.In this review,we explore the metabolic changes that occur during spinal cord injuries,their consequences,and the therapeutic tools available for metabolic reprogramming.Normal spinal cord metabolism is characterized by independent cellular metabolism and intercellular metabolic coupling.However,spinal cord injury results in metabolic disorders that include disturbances in glucose metabolism,lipid metabolism,and mitochondrial dysfunction.These metabolic disturbances lead to corresponding pathological changes,including the failure of axonal regeneration,the accumulation of scarring,and the activation of microglia.To rescue spinal cord injury at the metabolic level,potential metabolic reprogramming approaches have emerged,including replenishing metabolic substrates,reconstituting metabolic couplings,and targeting mitochondrial therapies to alter cell fate.The available evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming holds great promise as a next-generation approach for the treatment of spinal cord injury.To further advance the metabolic treatment of the spinal cord injury,future efforts should focus on a deeper understanding of neurometabolism,the development of more advanced metabolomics technologies,and the design of highly effective metabolic interventions.

Three decades and beyond:Breeding,biotech breakthroughs and future of China's GM insect-resistant cotton

Cotton(Gossypium spp.)is a pivotal crop in the global textile industry,providing essential natural fibers.Additionally,cottonseed offers significant value as a source of oil and as feed for livestock(Huang et al.2021;Wen et al.2023).The sector,dependent on cotton,features a comprehensive value chain extending from the processing of fibers to the production of finished textiles,and it employs tens of millions of individuals(Dorward et al.1970).

Increased lateral root formation by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of arginase genes in cotton

Proper development of plant roots is critical for primary physiological functions,including water and nutrient absorption and uptake,physical support,and carbohydrate storage（Zhang et al.,2010）.Crop root systems act as the key organ for sensing and response to abiotic and biotic stresses.

A bioactive injectable self-healing anti-inflammatory hydrogel with ultralong extracellular vesicles release synergistically enhances motor functional recovery of spinal cord injury

The repair and motor functional recovery after spinal cord injury(SCI)remains a worldwide challenge.The inflammatory microenvironment is one of main obstacles on inhibiting the recovery of SCI.Using mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)derived extracellular vesicles to replace MSCs transplantation and mimic cell paracrine secretions provides a potential strategy for microenvironment regulation.However,the effective preservation and controlled release of extracellular vesicles in the injured spinal cord tissue are still not satisfied.Herein,we fabricated an injectable adhesive anti-inflammatory F127-polycitrate-polyethyleneimine hydrogel(FE)with sustainable and long term extracellular vesicle release(FE@EVs)for improving motor functional recovery after SCI.The orthotopic injection of FE@EVs hydrogel could encapsulate extracellular vesicles on the injured spinal cord,thereby synergistically induce efficient integrated regulation through suppressing fibrotic scar formation,reducing inflammatory reaction,promoting remyelination and axonal regeneration.This study showed that combining extracellular vesicles into bioactive multifunctional hydrogel should have great potential in achieving satisfactory locomotor recovery of central nervous system diseases.

Injectable kartogenin and apocynin loaded micelle enhances the alleviation of intervertebral disc degeneration by adipose-derived stem cell

Cell transplantation has been proved the promising therapeutic effects on intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD).However,the increased levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the degenerated region will impede the efficiency of human adipose-derived stem cells(human ADSCs)transplantation therapy.It inhibits human ADSCs proliferation,and increases human ADSCs apoptosis.Herein,we firstly devised a novel amphiphilic copolymer PEG-PAPO,which could self-assemble into a nanosized micelle and load lipophilic kartogenin(KGN),as a single complex(PAKM).It was an injectable esterase-responsive micelle,and showed controlled release ability of KGN and apocynin(APO).Oxidative stimulation promoted the esterase activity in human ADSCs,which accelerate degradation of esterase-responsive micelle.Compared its monomer,the PAKM micelle possessed better bioactivities,which were attributed to their synergistic effect.It enhanced the viability,autophagic activation(P62,LC3 II),ECM-related transcription factor(SOX9),and ECM(Collagen II,Aggrecan)maintenance in human ADSCs.Furthermore,it is demonstrated that the injection of PAKM with human ADSCs yielded higher disc height and water content in rats.Therefore,PAKM micelles perform promoting cell survival and differentiation effects,and may be a potential therapeutic agent for IVDD.

A conductive supramolecular hydrogel creates ideal endogenous niches to promote spinal cord injury repair

The current effective method for treatment of spinal cord injury(SCI)is to reconstruct the biological microenvironment by filling the injured cavity area and increasing neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells(NSCs)to repair SCI.However,the method is characterized by several challenges including irregular wounds,and mechanical and electrical mismatch of the material-tissue interface.In the current study,a unique and facile agarose/gelatin/polypyrrole(Aga/Gel/PPy,AGP3)hydrogel with similar conductivity and modulus as the spinal cord was developed by altering the concentration of Aga and PPy.The gelation occurred through non-covalent interactions,and the physically crosslinked features made the AGP3 hydrogels injectable.In vitro cultures showed that AGP3 hydrogel exhibited excellent biocompatibility,and promoted differentiation of NSCs toward neurons whereas it inhibited over-proliferation of astrocytes.The in vivo implanted AGP3 hydrogel completely covered the tissue defects and reduced injured cavity areas.In vivo studies further showed that the AGP3 hydrogel provided a biocompatible microenvironment for promoting endogenous neurogenesis rather than glial fibrosis formation,resulting in significant functional recovery.RNA sequencing analysis further indicated that AGP3 hydrogel significantly modulated expression of neurogenesis-related genes through intracellular Ca2+signaling cascades.Overall,this supramolecular strategy produces AGP3 hydrogel that can be used as favorable biomaterials for SCI repair by filling the cavity and imitating the physiological properties of the spinal cord.

A backbone parent contributes core genomic architecture to pedigree breeding of early-season indica rice

Due to the capacity to deliver favorable target traits to offspring via breeder selection,backbone parents carrying accumulated favorable agronomic traits have been used widely in breeding programs in crop species,such as rice,wheat,cotton,and maize(Zhou et al.,2016;Fradgley et al.,2019;Li et al.,2019;Ma et al.,2019;Han et al.,2020).It is estimated that 3656(~70%)of the major Chinese rice varieties released from the year 1950e2008 were found to be derived from as few as 35 backbone parents(Tang et al.,2012).Large-scale genome sequencing of diverse rice accessions has been emerged as a promising technology for the identification of key genomic regions or loci under selection during rice domestication(Huang et al.,2012;Wang et al.,2018)and genetic improvement(Xie et al.,2015).On the other hand,sequence information derived from breeding pedigrees could also help to unravel how favorable genomic regions were transmitted from parents to their offspring,as demonstrated by the researches on the pedigrees of the wellknown rice varieties Minghui 63 and Huanghuazhan(Zhou et al.,2016;Chen et al.,2017;Huang et al.,2018).These researches enhanced the understanding of the cumulative effects of beneficial alleles at limited loci in selected offspring varieties.A few examples include IPA1,Gn1a,GW5,GS3,and GS5 for high grain yield,Waxy for good grain eating quality,and Xa21 for high adversity adaptability.

Significant Improvement of Cotton Verticillium Wilt Resistance by Manipulating the Expression of Gastrodia Anlffungal Proteins

Dear Editor Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb. is the most destructive disease in cotton-growing areas around the world. The infection significantly reduces cotton yield and fiber quality due to leaf chlorosis, necrosis or wilting, leaf or boll abscission, and even plant death. The losses may reach up to 80% of lint cotton yield （Wei et al., 2015）.