An overview of pigment gland morphogenesis and its regulatory mechanism

Cotton has enormous economic potential,providing high-quality protein,oil,and fibre.But the comprehensive utilization of cottonseed is limited by the presence of pigment gland and its inclusion.Pigment gland is a common characteristic of Gossypium genus and its relatives,appearing as visible dark opaque dots in most tissues and organs of cotton plants.Secondary metabolites,such as gossypol,synthesized and stored in the cavities of pigment glands act as natural phytoalexins,but are toxic to humans and other monogastric animals.However,only a few cotton genes have been identified as being associated with pigment gland morphogenesis to date,and the developmental processes and regulatory mechanism involved in pigment gland formation remain largely unclear.Here,the research progress on the process of pigment gland morphogenesis and the genetic basis of cotton pigment glands is reviewed,for providing a theoretical basis for cultivating cotton with the ideal pigment gland trait.

Rice Grains from Slightly Saline Field Exhibited Unchanged Starch Physicochemical Properties but Enhanced Nutritional Values

This study aims to investigate grain quality and nutritional values of rice(Pokkali,a salt-tolerant cultivar;RD73,a new cultivar improved from KDML105 introgressed with Saltol QTL from Pokkali,and KDML105,a moderately salt-susceptible cultivar)grown under non-saline(0.04–0.87 dS/m)and slightly saline(1.08–4.83 dS/m)field conditions.The results revealed that salinity caused significant reduction in grain size but significant increments in reducing sugar and total protein contents in the grains.Nevertheless,the amounts of starch in the grains of KDML105 and Pokkali rice genotypes were unaffected by the stress.The starch granule size distribution was also unaffected by salinity.Interestingly,only starch from Pokkali was significantly diminished in amylose content,from 19.18%to 16.99%.Accordingly,parameters relating to starch gelatinization,retrogradation,and pasting properties of KDML105 and RD73 were unaffected by salinity;only Pokkali showed a significant increase in percentage of retrogradation along with a significant reduction in gelatinization enthalpy.In the saline field,total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in the grains of all rice cultivars tended to increase,particularly in Pokkali.On average,essential element contents in grains from the saline-treated plants showed a 33%,32%,32%,22%,20%,11%,and 10%increase in total P,N,K,Mg,Zn,Fe,and Ca content,respectively.Interestingly,total Fe content exhibited the greatest percentage of increments in KDML105(187%).Taken together,cultivation of rice in the slightly saline field did not alter its eating and cooking qualities,while enhanced some nutritional properties such as proteins,minerals,and secondary metabolites like phenolic compounds.

Research on Heredity of Coarse Ferrite Grains

The changes in austenite grain size of the specimens with coarse ferrite grains under different heat treatment process were investigated.The focus was on studying the effect of annealing on refining coarse ferrite grains,as well as the influence of the ferrite grain size on the main technical indicators of gas carburizing.The results show that coarse ferrite grains may not necessarily cause the coarse austenite grains,but may result in mixed austenite grains.After annealing treatment,the coarse ferrite grains can be significantly refined and homogenized.Moreover,the coarse ferrite grains have no significant effects on hardnessand intergranular oxidationof gas carburizing.

Understanding of Five Grains for YANG:a way to straighten Asians’dietary structure

According to the general opinion,grains should occupy the largest amount of human food each day,but this grain-based eating habit does not allow human life to be extended.Grains are high in carbohydrates and five commonly recognized plant hormones,namely auxin,gibberellin,cytokinin,abscisic acid,and ethylene.Through in-depth analysis of ancient books,it was found that five grains for support:support is a restriction,and it means the essence,which means that grains should be eaten less,and it is the essence of the least daily intake.To correctly understand the Chinese dietary concept of"five grains for support"is the basis for improving Asian dietary health and promoting Asian human health.

Construction of Vectors to Express Foreign Protein within Potato Starch Grains

[Objective] The aim is to study the construction of vectors expressing foreign protein in potato starch grains specifically, and provide some reference for solving industrialized core problem of high cost and low expression level of foreign protein. [Method] By using molecular biological techniques of RT-PCR and nested PCR, plant expression vector for the foreign protein locating in the potato starch grains was constructed. [ Result] Coding sequence （ GC20 ） of potato starch grains that was located and expressed by GBSSI promoter was cloned. Plant expression vector was screened out through connection, transformation and enzyme digestion identification. [ Conclusion] This result laid a foundation for further screening the foreign protein on the potato starch grains.

Phase-field simulation of forced flow effect on random preferred growth direction of multiple grains

The random distribution problem of dendrite preferred growth direction was settled by random grid method.This method was used to study the influence of forced laminar flow effect on multiple grains during solidification.Taking high pure succinonitrile （SCN） undercooled melt as an example,the forced laminar flow effect on multiple grains was studied by phase-field model of single grain which coupled with flow equations at non-isothermal condition.The simulation results show that the random grid method can reasonably settle the problem of random distribution and is more effective.When the solid fraction is relatively low,melt particles flow around the downstream side of dendrite,and the flow velocity between two dendrite arms becomes high.At the stage of solidification time less than 1800Δt,every dendrite grows freely;the upstream dendrites are stronger than the downstream ones.The higher the melt flow rate,the higher the solid fraction.However,when the solid fraction is relatively high,the dendrite arm intertwins and only a little residual melt which is not encapsulated can flow;the solid fraction will gradually tend to equal to solid fraction of melt without flow.

Research on Pollen Grains of Tetraploid Lines and Diploid Control Line of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Trev.) Vis.

[Objective] The aim was to study characters of pollen grains of tetraploid lines and diploid control line of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Trev.) Vis.,morphological characters,fertility of pollen grain and germination percentage of seeds. [Method] Pollen grains were prepared by sulphuric acid-acetyl oxide decomposition method. The lengths of polar axis and equatorial axis of pollen grains were determined with general optical microscope. The morphology of pollen grains was observed with SEM (scanning electron microscope) and the typical visual fields of 2 500× (or 2 000×),7 000× were taken pictures. [Result] Comparing with the diploid control line,the pollen grains of five tetraploid lines which were tested were different from the diploid line in morphology,sculpture,etc.. 4 of the 5 tested samples were significant larger than the diploid line in size and one was similar to the diploid line. [Conclusion] This research provided references for breeding tetraploid improved varieties of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Trev.) Vis. with good fertility and high germination percentage.

Ultrastructural Observation of Changes of Polysaccharide Grains in Dormant Shoots of Eucommia ulmoides

Cytochemical and ultrastructural studies indicated that compound spherical bodies observed near the sieve plate in the sieve tube members during the period of cambial dormancy in the shoots of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. were polysaccharide bodies different from the polysaccharide grains in other parenchyma cells in shoots, and were similar to cell walls in their staining properties. The compound spherical bodies occurred in the sieve elements during the period of cambial rest and disappeared in the sieve elements during the period of cambial quiescence and activity.

The autophagy gene ATG8 affects morphogenesis and oxidative stress tolerance in Sporisorium scitamineum

The basidiomycetous fungus Sporisorium scitamineum causes sugarcane smut that leads to severe economic losses in the major sugarcane growing areas in China,India and Brazil,etc.Autophagy is a conserved pathway in eukaryotes for bulk degradation and cellular recycling,and was shown to be important for fungal cell growth,development,and pathogenicity.However,physiological function of autophagy has not been studied in S.scitamineum.In this study,we identified a conserved Atg8 protein,named as SsAtg8 and characterized its function.Our results showed that autophagy was blocked in the ssatg8Δ mutant,in nitrogen starvation.The ssatg8Δ mutant formed pseudohypha frequently and was hypersensitive to oxidative stress.However,mating or filamenation was unaffected in the ssatg8Δ mutant in vitro.Overall we demonstrate that autophagy is dispensable for S.scitamineum mating/filamentation,while critical for oxidative stress tolerance and proper morphology in sporidial stage.

STUDIES ON THE CORtICAL MORPHOGENESIS DURINg CELL DIVISION IN HaLTErIA GRANDINELLA(MULLER, 1773)(CILIOPHORA,OLIGOTRICHIDA)

Morphogenesis during cell division was investigated in oligotrichous ciliate,Halteria grandinella utilizing protargol impregnated specimens. The cortical morphogenetical pattern of Hdteria grandinella is generally similar to that given by Faure-Fremiet. The prater inherits the parental adoral zone of membranelles (AZM) appar ently unchanged; in the opisthe the oral primordium develops de novo from a single AZM-anlage; somatic cirri for both the proter and opisthe are separately differentiated from 10 (seldom 9) cirral primordia that originate de novo from 10 latitudinal developmental anlagen. The anlage of paroral membrane of opisthe forms just to the right of the posterior end of the oral primordium. Each streak of cirral primordia develops 4 groups of basal body pairs: both of the anterior two consist of only one pair of basal bodies, on the contrary, each of the last two groups has 2 basal body pairs.

Changes in Cooking and Nutrition Qualities of Grains at Different Positions in a Rice Panicle under Different Nitrogen Levels

Cooking and nutrition qualities of grain are two of the most important aspects of rice quality. To understand the difference in cooking and nutrition qualities among the grains at different positions within a rice panicle, the distributions of gel consistency （GC）, amylose content （AC） and crude protein content （CPC） of grains in a panicle in association with different nitrogen levels （0, 120 and 240 k c/ha） were investigated by using two rice varieties, Yangdao 6 （indica） and Wuyujing 3 （japonica）. In general, the grains at the basal part of a panicle had lower GC and higher AC than those at the upper or middle part of a panicle. The 1^st grain on the secondary branch with earlier flowering exhibited the highest GC, whereas the 2nd grain on the primary branch with later flowering showed the highest AC. For Yangdao 6, CPC in the grains on the primary branches was lower at the middle part of a panicle than at the upper or basal part of a panicle. For Wuyujing 3, there were no significant differences in CPCs in the grains among the upper, middle and basal parts of a panicle. GC in the grains was increased, whereas AC was reduced from zero nitrogen application （ON） to low amount of nitrogen application （LN）, and the result was reversed from LN to medium amount of nitrogen application （MN）. CPC was increased with the increase in the amount of nitrogen application.

Changes in Activities of the Key Enzymes Related to Starch Synthesis in Rice Grains During Grain Filling and Their Relationships with the Filling Rate and Cooking Quality

With 10 rice cultivars (lines) as materials, the changes in activities of adenosine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase(ADPGPase), starch synthase (SSase) and starch branching enzyme (Q-enzyme) in the grains during grain filling, and theirrelationships with the filling rate, gel consistency (GC), alkali spreading value (ASV) and amylose content (AC) werestudied. The results showed that changes in activities of ADPGPase, SSase and Q-enzyme exhibited a single peak duringgrain filling, and the time of the activity peaks for the former two enzymes was earlier than that of the maximum grain-fillingrate (Tmax), and the time reaching the peak for Q-enzyme was synchronous with Tmax. The activities at early grain fillingstage, and the mean and maximum activities of each enzyme during grain filling period were positively and significantly orvery significantly correlated with the mean and maximum grain filling rate and starch content (mg grain-1) in the grains.Activities of ADPGPase at all grain filling stages and those of Q-enzyme at the early and mid filling stages were notsignificantly correlated the cooking quality (GC, ASV and AC). SSase activities at the early filling stage were significantlyand negatively correlated with GC and ASV, and positively correlated with AC. Activities of SSase at mid and late grainfilling stages and Q-enzyme at the late filling stage were significantly and positively correlated with GC and ASV, andnegatively correlated with AC. Spraying zeatin or abscisic acid at early grain filling stage could obviously regulate theactivities of ADPGPase, SSase and Q-enzyme in the grains.

Biochemical Changes Associated with Germinating Rice Grains and Germination Improvement

To determine biochemical changes during the germination of rice grains （Oryza sativa L. subsp, indica var. Mottaikaruppan） and to improve germination rate using gibberellic acid and surfactants [sodium dodecyl sulfate （SDS） （1.0 g/L） and Triton-X-100 （1.0 mL/L）], whole rice grains soaked in distilled water for 12 h at 30℃were germinated in the dark at 30℃ for five days. The highest germination rate （77.1%） was obtained on the 5th day. An increase in the content of reducing sugars from 7.3 to 58.1 mg/g DM （dry matter） was observed from the 1st day of germination. Free amino acids and soluble protein contents increased to 3.69 and 5.29 mg/g DM, respectively on the 5^th day of germination. Total protein content decreased from 100.5 to 91.0 g/kg DM during germination. Increases in amylolytic （1.1 to 190.0 U/g DM） and proteolytic （0 to 0.12 U/g DM） activities were observed during germination. Effects of different concentrations of gibberellic acid on the germination of rice grains were evaluated and 0.1 g/L was found to promote germination. When effects of gibberellic acid （0.1 g/L） and surfactants were evaluated individually and together, higher germination rate was observed in the control experiment （grains germinated in distilled water）, whereas giberellic acid and surfactants decreased the germination rate. Therefore, the flour obtained from the grains germinated for four days using distilled water to obtain high content of soluble materials and enzyme activities can be used in preparation of bakery items.

Isothermal Growth Kinetics of Ultra-fine Austenite Grains in a Nb-V-Ti Microalloyed Steel

Ultra-fine austenite grains with size of i-3 μm were prepared in a Nb-V-Ti steel through repetitive treatment of rapid heating and quenching. A model for the growth kinetics of these ultra-fine austenite grains was successfully created through successive 2 processes, and the activation energy Q for growth was estimated to be about 693.2 kJ/mol, which directly shows the inhibition effect of microalloy elements on the growth of ultra-fine austenite grains.

Formation and characterization of metallic iron grains in coal-based reduction of oolitic iron ore

To reveal the formation and characteristics of metallic iron grains in coal-based reduction, oolitic iron ore was isothermally re- duced in various reduction times at various reduction temperatures. The microstructure and size of the metallic iron phase were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and a Bgrimm process mineralogy analyzer. In the results, the re- duced Fe separates from the ore and forms metallic iron protuberances, and then the subsequent reduced Fe diffuses to the protuberances and grows into metallic iron grains. Most of the metallic iron grains exist in the quasi-spherical shape and inlaid in the slag matrix. The cumula- tive frequency of metallic iron grain size is markedly influenced by both reduction time and temperature. With increasing reduction temperature and time, the grain size of metallic iron obviously increases. According to the classical grain growth equation, the growth kinetic parameters, i.e., time exponent, growth activation energy, and pre-exponential constant, are estimated to be 1.3759 ± 0.0374, 103.18 kJ·mol^-1, and 922.05, respec- tively. Using these calculated parameters, a growth model is established to describe the growth behavior of metallic iron grains.

Morphogenesis,Anatomical Observation and Primary Genetic Analysis of a Multi-glume Floral Organ Mutant in Rice

A multi-glume （mg） mutant was obtained by screening the T-DNA inserted mutant pool. Anatomical observation revealed that the florets of the mutant showed elongated leafy paleas/lemmas and palea/lemma-like structures, just like multi-glumes. Among the 215 observed florets of the mutant, 14.27% were failed to produce pistil and stamens, 23.72% showed extra floret generated on the same rachilla, while 62.01% consisted of one to nine stamens and one to three pistils in a single floret. On the other hand, in some cases the transparent bulged vesile-like tissue could be observed at the basis of filament. The mutant showed glumaceous Iodicules, which prevented the florets from opening in natural conditions, while the absolute male and female sterility was an obvious character of the current mutant. Observation on the process of floral organ morphogenesis by a scanning electron microscopy （SEM） indicated that no phenotype difference in floret primordia was found between the wild-type and the mutant. Meanwhile, for the mutant, the beginning of stamen and pistil primordial differentiation was later than the wild type and the palea/lemma-like structure continued to differentiate after the formation of normal palea and lemma. Furthermore, in the mutant the asymmetrical division of floral primordial caused variation in the number of stamens and pistils. Therefore, the genetic analyses indicated that the mutation phenotype was a recessive trait controlled by a single gene and co-segregated with the T-DNA. Based on the phenotypic characteristics, it could be deduced that the mutant was the result of homeotic conversion from the function of the class E genes in ABCD model.

Monitoring Protein and Starch Accumulation in Wheat Grains with Leaf SPAD and Canopy Spectral Reflectance

The research was conducted to determine the relationships of protein and starch accumulation dynamics in grains of wheat to post-heading leaf SPAD values and canopy spectral reflectance. The results showed that leaf nitrogen accumulation was exponentially related to leaf SPAD values and linearly related to canopy spectral reflectance, and that there was negative linear relationship between leaf nitrogen accumulation and grain protein accumulation, but positive linear relationship between post-heading leaf nitrogen transloca-tion and grain protein accumulation at maturity. In addition, leaf SPAD values were parabolically related with and ratio indices R(l 500,610)and R(l 220,560)were exponentially related with protein and starch accumulation in grains. These results indicate that leaf SPAD values and canopy spectral reflectance should be good indicators of quality formation dynamics in wheat grains.

FACEts of mechanical regulation in the morphogenesis of craniofacial structures

During embryonic development,organs undergo distinct and programmed morphological changes as they develop into their functional forms.While genetics and biochemical signals are well recognized regulators of morphogenesis,mechanical forces and the physical properties of tissues are now emerging as integral parts of this process as well.These physical factors drive coordinated cell movements and reorganizations,shape and size changes,proliferation and differentiation,as well as gene expression changes,and ultimately sculpt any developing structure by guiding correct cellular architectures and compositions.In this review we focus on several craniofacial structures,including the tooth,the mandible,the palate,and the cranium.We discuss the spatiotemporal regulation of different mechanical cues at both the cellular and tissue scales during craniofacial development and examine how tissue mechanics control various aspects of cell biology and signaling to shape a developing craniofacial organ.

Identification of QTLs associated with cadmium concentration in rice grains

Cadmium（Cd） contamination in rice has been a hot topic of research because of its potential risk to human health. In this study, a double haploid（DH） population derived from Zhongjiazao 17（YK17）（an early-season indica cultivar）×D50（a tropical japonica cultivar） was used to identify quantitative trait loci（QTLs） associated with Cd concentration in brown rice（CCBR） and Cd concentration in milled rice（CCMR）. Continuous and wide variation for CCBR and CCMR were observed among the DH population. Correlation analysis revealed a positive and highly significant correlation between the two traits. A total of 18 QTLs for CCBR and 14 QTLs for CCMR were identified in five different pot and field trials. Two pairs of QTLs for CCBR（qCCBR2-1 and qCCBR2-2, qCCBR9-1 and qCCBR9-2） and one pair of QTLs for CCMR（qCCMR5-1 and qCCMR5-2） were detected in multiple trials. The alleles increasing CCBR at the qC CBR2-1/qC CBR2-2 and qC CBR9-1/qC CBR9-2 QTLs were contributed by YK17 and D50, respectively, whereas the D50 allele at the qCCMR5-1/qCCMR5-2 QTLs increased CCMR. Eight pairs of QTLs for CCBR and CCMR, qCCBR2-2 and qCCMR2-2, qCCBR3 and qCCMR3, qCCBR4-2 and qCCMR4-1, qCCBR4-3 and qCCMR4-2, qCCBR4-4 and qCCMR4-3, qCCBR5 and qCCMR5-2, qCCBR7 and qCCMR7, and qCCBR11-1 and qCCMR11-2, co-localized on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 11, respectively. For all of these QTL pairs, except qCCBR5/qCCMR5-2, the additive effects came from YK17. In addition, four CCMR QTLs showing significant additive×environment interaction and two pairs of CCMR QTLs with bi-allelic epistatic interactions were identified. The results of this study could facilitate marker-assisted selection of breeding rice varieties with low Cd accumulation in grain.

Hepatitis B virus morphogenesis

The hepatitis B virus （HBV） particle consists of an envelope containing three related surface proteins and probably lipid and an icosahedral nucleocapsid of approximately 30 nm diameter enclosing the viral DNA genome and DNA polymerase. The capsid is formed in the cytosol of the infected cell during packaging of an RNA pregenome replication complex by multiple copies of a 21-kDa C protein. The capsid gains the ability to bud during synthesis of the viral DNA genome by reverse transcription of the pregenome in the lumen of the particle. The three envelope proteins S, t4, and L shape a complex transmembrane fold at the endoplasmic reticulum, and form disulfide-linked homoand heterodimers. The transmembrane topology of a fraction of the large envelope protein L changes posttranslationally, therefore, the N terminal domain of L （preS） finally appears on both sides of the membrane. During budding at an intracellular membrane, a short linear domain in the cytosolic preS region interacts with binding sites on the capsid surface. The virions are subsequently secreted into the blood. In addition, the surface proteins can bud in the absence of capsids and form subviral lipoprotein particles of 20 nm diameter which are also secreted.