Dynamically changing antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in granulomatosis with polyangiitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Granulomatosis with polyangiitis(GPA)is one of the most prevalent forms of the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis.GPA is characterized histologically by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation in addition to vasculitis.The diagnosis of GPA depends on clinical presentation,serological evidence of a positive ANCA,and/or histological evidence of necrotizing vasculitis or granulomatous destructive parenchymal inflammation.Cytoplasmic ANCA(c-ANCA)is positive in 65%-75% of GPA patients,accompanied by proteinase 3(PR3),the main target antigen of c-ANCA,another 5% of GPA patients had negative ANCA.CASE SUMMARY The patient,a 52-year-old male,presented with unexplained nasal congestion,tinnitus,and hearing loss.After a duration of 4 months experiencing these symptoms,the patient subsequently developed fever and headache.The imaging examination revealed the presence of bilateral auricular mastoiditis and partial paranasal sinusitis,and the ANCA results were negative.The anti-infective therapy proved to be ineffective,but the patient's symptoms and fever were quickly relieved after 1 wk of treatment with methylprednisolone 40 mg once a day.However,after continuous use of methylprednisolone tablets for 3 months,the patient experienced a recurrence of fever accompanied by right-sided migraine,positive c-ANCA and PR3,and increased total protein in cerebrospinal fluid.The and cyclophosphamide 0.8 g monthly,the patient experienced alleviation of fever and headache.Additionally,the ANCA levels became negative and there has been no recurrence.CONCLUSION For GPA patients with negative ANCA,there is a potential for early missed diagnosis.The integration of histopathological results and multidisciplinary communication plays a crucial role in facilitating ANCA-negative GPA.

Morphological and cytological assessments reveal pollen degradation causes pollen abortion in cotton cytoplasmic male sterility lines

Background Understanding the mechanism of male sterility is crucial for producing hybrid seeds and developing sterile germplasm resources.However,only a few cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS)lines of cotton have been produced due to several challenges,like inadequate variation of agronomic traits,incomplete sterility,weak resilience of restorer lines,and difficulty in combining strong dominance.Therefore,the morphological and cytological identification of CMS in cotton will facilitate hybrid breeding.Results Two F_(2) segregating populations of cotton were constructed from cytoplasmic male sterile lines(HaA and 01A,maternal)and restorer lines(HaR and 26R,paternal).Genetic analysis of these populations revealed a segregation ratio of 3:1 for fertile to sterile plants.Phenotypic analysis indicated no significant differences in traits of flower bud development between sterile and fertile plants.However,sterile plants exhibited smaller floral organs,shortened filament lengths,and anther atrophy on the flowering day in comparison with the fertile plants.When performed scanning electron microscopy(SEM),the two F_(2) populations revealed morphological variations in the anther epidermis.Cellular analysis showed no significant differences in pollen development before pollen maturation.Interestingly,between the pollen maturation and flowering stages,the tapetum layer of sterile plants degenerated prematurely,resulting in abnormal pollen grains and gradual pollen degradation.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that fertility-restoring genes are controlled by a single dominant gene.Sterile plants exhibit distinctive floral morphology,which is characterized by stamen atrophy and abnormal anthers.Pollen abortion occurs between pollen maturity and flowering,indicating that premature tapetum degradation may be the primary cause of pollen abortion.Overall,our study provides a theoretical basis for utilizing CMS in hybrid breeding and in-depth investigation of the dominant configuration of cotton hybrid combinations,mechanisms of sterility,and the role of sterile and restorer genes.

Potential regulatory mechanism and clinical significance of synaptotagmin binding cytoplasmic RNA interacting protein in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)causes many deaths worldwide.Synaptotagmin binding cytoplasmic RNA interacting protein(SYNCRIP)is an RNA-binding protein that plays an important role in multiple cancers by epigenetically targeting some genes.Our study will examine the expression,potential effect,biological function and clinical value of SYNCRIP in CRC.AIM To examine the expression,potential effect,biological function and clinical value METHODS The expression of SYNCRIP was examined by immunohistochemistry arrays and high-throughput data.The effect of SYNCRIP gene in CRC cell growth was evaluated by CRISPR-Cas9 technology.The target genes of SYNCRIP were calculated using various algorithms,and the molecular mechanism of SYNCRIP in CRC was explored by mutation analysis and pathway analysis.The clinical value of SYNCRIP in prognosis and radiotherapy was revealed via evidence-based medicine methods.RESULTS The protein and mRNA levels of SYNCRIP were both highly expressed in CRC samples compared to nontumorous tissue based on 330 immunohistochemistry arrays and 3640 CRC samples.Cells grew more slowly in eleven CRC cell lines after knocking out the SYNCRIP gene.SYNCRIP could epigenetically target genes to promote the occurrence and development of CRC by boosting the cell cycle and affecting the tumor microenvironment.In addition,CRC patients with high SYNCRIP expression are more sensitive to radiotherapy.CONCLUSION SYNCRIP is upregulated in CRC,and highly expressed SYNCRIP can accelerate CRC cell division by exerting its epigenetic regulatory effects.In addition,SYNCRIP is expected to become a potential biomarker to predict the effect of radiotherapy.

Animal models for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis:Are current models good enough?

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis(AAV)is a rare and severe systemic autoimmune disease characterized by pauci-immune necrotizing inflammation of small blood vessels.AAV involves multiple organ systems throughout the body.Our knowledge of the pathogenesis of AAV has increased considerably in recent years,involving cellular,molecular and genetic factors.Because of the controlled environment with no other confounding factors,animal models are beneficial for studying the mechanistic details of disease development and for providing novel therapeutic targets with fewer toxic side effects.However,the complexity and heterogeneity of AAV make it very difficult to establish a single animal model that can fully represent the entire clinical spectrum found in patients.The aim of this review is to overview the current status of animal models for AAV,outline the pros and cons of methods,and propose potential directions for future research.

Comprehensive analysis of prognostic value and immunotherapy prospect of brain cytoplasmic RNA1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND The expression of brain cytoplasmic RNA1(BCYRN1)is linked to the clinicopathology and prognosis of several types of cancers,among which hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most frequent types of cancer worldwide.AIM To explore the prognostic value and immunotherapeutic potential of BCYRN1 in HCC by bioinformatics and meta-analysis.METHODS Information was obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas database.First,the correlation between BCYRN1 expression and prognosis and clinicopathologic characteristics of HCC patients was explored.Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between BCYRN1 and HCC prognosis.Secondly,potential functions and pathways were explored by means of enrichment analysis of differentially-expressed genes.The relationships between BCYRN1 expression and tumor microenvironment,immune cell infiltration,immune checkpoint,drug sensitivity and immunotherapy effect were also investigated.Finally,three major databases were searched and used to conduct a meta-analysis on the relationship between BCYRN1 expression and patient prognosis.RESULTS BCYRN1 expression was significantly higher in HCC compared to normal tissues and was linked to a poor prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics.Enrichment analysis showed that BCYRN1 regulates the extracellular matrix and transmission of signaling molecules,participates in the metabolism of nutrients,such as proteins,and participates in tumor-related pathways.BCYRN1 expression was linked to the tumor microenvironment,immune cell infiltration,drug sensitivity and the efficacy of immunotherapy.Furthermore,the meta-analysis in this study showed that BCYRN1 overexpression was related to a worse outcome in HCC patients.CONCLUSION Overexpression of BCYRN1 relates to poor prognosis and may be a potential prognostic factor and immunotherapeutic target in HCC.

Myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis with headache and kidney involvement at presentation and with arthralgia at relapse:A case report

BACKGROUND Patients with proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis(AAV)experience different manifestations at the initial onset and relapse.However,such cases of different initial and relapse manifestations have not been reported in myeloperoxidase(MPO)-AAV patients.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of headache.Laboratory findings indicated nephrotic range proteinuria and microscopic hematuria,serum creatinine of 243μmol/L,anti-MPO antibody titer of>400 RU/mL,and positive perinuclearantineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody.Renal biopsy showed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis.The cerebrospinal fluid examination and brain magnetic resonance imaging did not show any abnormality.Therefore,MPO-AAV was diagnosed.Corticosteroids,plasmapheresis,and cyclophosphamide as induction therapy and mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)as maintenance therapy were administered.The patient’s headache disappeared;serum creatinine returned to normal;complete remission of microscopic hematuria and proteinuria was observed.Anti-MPO antibody titer reached normal limits after immunosuppressive treatment.Twenty-five months after stopping the immunosuppressive treatment,the patient relapsed with arthralgia,without neurological or renal involvement.The patient’s arthralgia improved after treatment with prednisone and MMF.CONCLUSION We have reported a rare case of MPO-AAV who initially presented with headache and kidney involvement.However,relapse presented with only arthralgia,which was completely different from the initial manifestations.This case suggests that AAV relapse should be highly suspected in MPO-AAV patients after remission,when clinical manifestations at relapse are different from those at onset.Prednisone and MMF may provide a good choice for refractory arthralgia during relapse in MPO-AAV patients.

Influential Factors of Restorer of New Cytoplasmic Male Sterile(NER) on Anther Culture

Some influential factors of anther culture were studied preliminarily by conducting anther culture of the restorers of new cytoplasmic male sterile （NER）. Several results were obtain from this experiment and they were listed as follow：① MS cultrure medium with such hormones as 2,4-D 2 mg/L,6-BA 0.5 mg/L, NAA 0.5 mg/L was the best suitable for callus induction of NER. ②The difference of induction rate was significantly different between different plant age groups. From the 110th day to 141th day,the induction rate was increased with the increase of age and the difference of induction rate reached 0.01 significant difference level. The induction rate reached the highest value in the 141th day then it declined gradually. ③The combined use of 2, 4-D and 6-BA with proper increase of 2,4-D was good for inducing callus. ④The green plantlet induction rate of NER was increased when the concentration of 6-BA increased from 2 mg/L to 4 mg/L. Adding ZT from 0.5 mg/L to 2 mg/L. 6-BA would led 2.47% increase of green plantlet olantlet induction rate.

RAPD and ISSR Markers of Fertility Restoring Gene for Aegilops kotschyi Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Wheat

LK783 was found to be a good fertility restorer for K-type male sterility of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). RAPD and ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat polymorphism) markers were employed to map the major restoring gene in LK783. Maintainer and restorer DNA pools were established using the extreme sterile and fertile plants among KJ5418A//911289/LK783 F 1 population, respectively. Four hundred and eighteen RAPD primers and 33 ISSR primers were used for screening polymorphisms between the two pools, and amplification bands using a RAPD primer of OPK18 and an ISSR primer of UBC-845 were found polymorphic between the two pools. Linkage analysis showed that OPK18 450 and UBC-845 800 were linked to the restoring gene in LK783. The distance between the restoring gene and OPK18 450 was (15.07±6.28) cM (centiMorgan), with the distance between the restoring gene and UBC-845 800 being (8.20±4.85) cM. The marker of UBC-845 800 was located on chromosome 1BS by amplifying nulli-tetrasomics and 1B ditelosomics of Chinese Spring with the primer of UBC-845, indicating that the restoring gene in LK783 was located on 1BS. The breeding for new fertility restorer lines of K-type cytoplasmic male sterility of wheat would be facilitated by using the two markers.

Studies on Contamination of Cytoplasm DNA and Its Control in Plant Chromosone Microdissection

染色体微切割和微克隆已成为复杂基因组研究的有效途径 ,但是操作过程中的核外DNA的污染一直是令人担心的问题。通过研究植物染色体微切割 (微分离 )和微切割的染色体DNA扩增过程中细胞质DNA的污染问题 ,表明目前常用的植物染色体微切割过程中 ,细胞质DNA的污染几乎难以避免 ,并提出了一个改进的降低细胞质DNA污染的方法 ,对如何控制细胞质DNA的污染进行了详细的讨论。

AFLP Analysis of Cytoplasmic Male-sterile Line and Its Maintainer Line of Pepper

[Objective] The aim of this study was to analyze the cytoplasmic male sterile line 21A and its maintainer line 21B of peppers by AFLP,and lay the foundation for further studies on molecular mechanism of the cytoplasmic male sterility in peppers.[Method] Cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS)line 21A and its maintainer line 21B were analyzed by AFLP to obtain the specific amplified fragments of cytoplasmic male sterile line 21A,while the specific amplified fragments were recovered or sequenced,and analyzed by BLAST...

Microtubule Structure and Male Sterility in a Gene-Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line of Rice, Zhen Shan 97A

Histological changes that occur during microsporogenesis are documented in a gene-cytoplasmic male sterile rice ( Oryza saliva L.) line, Zhen Shan 97A, its maintainer line, Zhen Shan 97B, and the restorer line, Ce64 of a Mine hybrid rice production system. In the restorer line, Ce64, the developing microsporocytes have dense cytoplasm and a distinct set of circumferential microtubules around the nucleus. Successive cytokinesis results in the formation of tetrads. The microtubules within the cells of tetrads and microspores radiate from the surface of the nucleus towards the outer edge of the cytoplasm. Subsequent pollen development is normal. During the course of microspore formation tubulin speckles can be found in the cytoplasm. The general pattern of development and microtubule organization in the maintainer lined Zhen Shan 97B, is similar to Ce64, except that a few more tubulin speckles appear during microspore formation. In the case of the mate sterile line, Zhen Shan 97A, a number of abnormalities can be discerned during early microsporogenesis. These include vacuoles forming within the developing microsporocyte and faintly stained microtubules with no defined distribution pattern. Prominent tubulin speckles are common within the cytoplasm. For those microsporocytes that undergo meiosis, no defined organizational patterns of microtubules can be found within the tetrad. All microspores abort soon after. Abnormalities and defects in microtubule organization observed in Zhen Shan 97A showed that complex interactions between the cytoplasm and the nucleus began at very early stage of microsporocyte development.

Preliminary Studies on the Effect of Photoperiod and Temperature on Male Fertility of a Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line in Wheat

[Objective] The study aimed to reveal the effect of photoperiod and temperature on male fertility of cytoplasmic male sterile line Vtai911289a in wheat and discuss the mechanism of male fertility alteration. [ Method ] The sowing-date tests and designed conditions were conducted during 2003 -2005. [ Result] Fertility of Vtai911289a, could alter under specific photoperiod and temperature conditions. Temperature is one of the main factors influencing male fertility of the male sterile lines. Vtai911289a, showed stable sterility under the condition of the mean of daily temperature at fertility sensitive stage lower than 19℃ and presented partial fertility when the mean of daily temperature at fertility sensitive stage lower than 20 - 22℃. Photoperiod to some extent affects the male fertility of Vtai911289a, long-day condition is helpful for the male fertility of the sterile line. [ Conclusion] The application of photoperiod temperature-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterile line in production has a higher safety than that of temperature sensitive sterile line.

Cytological Study on Zidao Type Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line-Yingxiang A

Anthers of male sterile line and its maintainer line of Zidao type rice, Yingxiang A and Yingxiang B were studied by cytological methods, such as F-KI staining, silver nitrate staining and paraffin sections, It is found that in Yingxiang A, there are some abnormalities in meiosis, represented by unequal division at the meiotic phase; the abortion of CMS line arises at the meiotic phase and is almost completed at the phase of monomicrospore, but only a tiny amount of aborted mi- crospores are observed; the abortion is complete and thorough, and none normal functional pollens are found; the morphology of aborted pollens is similar to that of typically aborted pollens; the tapetal cells still exist in anthers from the microsporocyte stage to the tetrad stage, but they are abnormally hyperplastic. However, in Yingxiang B, there are no abnormalities in meiosis at the meiotic phase; the tapetal cells exist in anthers before the tetrad stage, but they disappear completely when the pollen are mature. It is indicated that the abortion of CMS Yingxiang line mainly occurs at the meiotic phase, and is basically completed at the phase of monomicrospore. The abortion is probably caused by the abnormally hyperplastic tapetal cells. The abnormalities in tapetal cells may affect the normal development of pollens, resulting in the emergence of abortion. In addition, the abortion in Yingxiang A is complete and thorough, which is of great significance in hybrid breeding.

Development of Japonica Male Sterile Lines Integrating Cytoplasmic Male Sterility and Photosensitive Genic Male Sterility

Acknowledgement It has been previously established that the BT type of cytoplasmic male sterility （CMS） is induced by high temperatures, while photosensitive genic male sterility （PGMS） seed sets by low temperatures induce. In the current study, we have bred photosensitive cytoplasmic male sterility （PCMS） lines （2308SA and 2310SA） by crossing the CMS line with the PGMS japonica line with maintainer genes. The sterility of PCMS japonica was consequently controlled by two groups of male sterile genes resulting from the integration of PGMS and CMS genes. The results on plant fertility, at different sowing times, were as follows： （a） Under conditions of natural long-day photoperiod and at temperatures above 35~C, the PGMS gene regulated PCMS japonica sterility - the higher the temperature, the lower the pollen fertility. However, bagged seed sets of PCMS japonica, not exposed to high temperatures, induced the CMS seed set. （b） Exposure to long-day photoperiod and temperature conditions between 35℃ and the critical sterility inducing temperature of PGMS resulted in both PGMS and CMS gene controlled sterility of PCMS japonica, which exhibited stable characteristics. （c） When exposed to critical sterility inducing temperatures or short-day photoperiod and daily high temperatures below 32℃, the BT type of the CMS gene regulated PCMS sterility. Under these conditions, the PGMS gene rendered male sterility insusceptible to occasional cool summer days when this PCMS line, adopted for hybrid seed production, develops into panicle differentiation stage. The present study also investigated the fertility restoration, seed production and combining ability of PCMS japonica so as to optimize its use.

Preliminary Study on Transgenesis by Injecting Exogenous DNA into Zygote Cytoplasm of Buffalo

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of transgenesis by injecting exogenous DNA into zygote cytoplasm of Buffalo. [Method] Buffalo oocytes were randomly divided into two groups 20-22 h after in vitro maturation. One group of oocytes was introduced with about 7.5 pl of 50 μg/ml DNA solution containing linear EGFP fragment by cytoplasmic injection 7-10 h or 18-20 h after in vitro fertilization （IVF）; the other group of oocytes was introduced with mixture of a single buffalo sperm and about 7.5 pl of 50 μg/ml DNA solution containing linear EGFP fragment by cytoplasmic injection （generally called ICSI-Mediated Gene Transfer, ICSI-Tr）. Expression of exogenous DNA was observed and recorded during the process of embryonic development. [Result] Early embryonic gene expression efficiency and blastocyst gene expression efficiency in IVF injection group showed no significant difference compared with that in ICSI-Tr group （P0.05）. In addition, the cleavage rate and early embryonic gene expression efficiency in IVF injection group were significantly higher with injection at 7-10 h post IVF than that at 18-20 h post IVF （P0.05）. [Conclusion] These results indicate that transgenic buffalo embryos can be generated by injecting exogenous DNA into cytoplasm of IVF oocytes, and the optimal injection time is 7-10 h post IVF.

Improvement of in vitro Cytoplasmic Maturation of Denuded Porcine Oocytes by Coculture with Follicular Mural Granulosa Cells

[Objective] This study aimed to improve the in vitro maturation quality of denuded porcine oocytes and provide scientific basis for establishing a stable and efficient denuded oocyte culture system. [Method] The first polar body extrusion rate, oocyte glutathione （GSH） content, positive rate of brilliant cresyl blue （BCB） staining and development potential of activated oocytes or fertilized oocytes were employed as main indicators to investigate the effects of follicular mural granulosa cell （MGC） coculture on cytoplasmic maturation of cumulus cell-removal oocytes （Denuded Oocyte, DO）. [Result] According to in vitro maturation results, compared with DO group, the first polar body extrusion rate of porcine oocytes in DO＋MGC group was not significantly different, but the nuclear maturation process was improved and was more similar to that in COC （cumulus-oocyte complex） group. Detection of GSH content in mature oocytes showed that there was no significant difference between DO＋ MGC group （optical density of 1 053.67） and COC group （optical density of 1 426.00） or between DO＋MGC group and COC＋GC group （optical density of 1 541.00）, however, GSH content in mature oocytes of DO group （optical density of 724.67） was significantly lower than that of COC group and COC＋GC group （P0.05）. Detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase （G6PDH） activity showed that there was no significant difference in BCB positive oocyte rate between DO ＋MGC group （88.26% ） and COC group （92.75%） or between DO＋MGC group and DO group （82.86% ）, however, BCB positive oocyte rate of DO group was significantly lower than that of COC group （P0.05）. Furthermore, the cleavage rate and blastocyst rate of activated mature oocytes derived from DO ＋MGC group （94.98% and 43.67% , respectively） were significantly higher than those from DO group （52.54% and 8.97%, respectively） （P0.05）, and were not significantly different compared with those from COC group （97.11% and 38.30%, respectively）. In addition, the cleavage rate of fertilized oocytes derived from DO＋MGC group （72.65%） showed no significant difference compared with that from DO group （63.59%）, but the blastocyst rate of DO＋MGC group was significantly higher than that of DO group （9.88%） （P0.05）. [Conclusion] MGC coculture can significantly improve the in vitro cytoplasmic maturation quality of denuded porcine oocytes, thereby enhancing the subsequent developmental potential.

Establishment on Isolated Microspore Culture Optimized System for Restorer of New Cytoplasmic Male Sterile (NER) of Brassica napus L.

[Objective]The aim was to establish optimized system for NER isolated microspore culture of Brassica napus L.. [Method]Twenty varieties of NER of Brassica napus were grown under uncontrolled temperature and light conditions,and their isolated microspore from anthers were used as explants in vitro culture. The influencing factors of microspore culture were preliminarily studied. [Result]The difference of genotypes was important influencing factors to embryoid yield. The embryoid yield increased by supplementing with 6-BA and NAA,culturing in solid-liquid double layer medium with activated charcoal; The difference was not significant of embryoid yield between culturing in medium supplemented with colchicines and the CK. The rates of cotyledonous embryoids directly developed into normal plantlets increased through enriching with 0.1-0.2 mg/L NAA and being treated on slim illumination two days before being inducted into normal plantlets. [Conclusion]The technical system of microspore culture of restorer of new cytoplasmic male sterile （NER） was established,which and lays a foundation for accelerating genotype purification of NER introgressive line.

Cytological Mechanism of Cytoplasmic Inheritance in Pinus tabulaeformis: Ⅱ. Transmission of Male and Female Organelles During Fertilization and Proembryo Development

In an earlier report the ultrastructure and nucleoid organelles of male gamete in Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. have been described. Presently, the ultrastructure of the cytoplasm of the egg cell and pollen tube—immediately before fertilization and during cytoplasmic transmission of male gametophyte—has been described for the same species. The fate of parental plastids and mitochondria in the proembryo has also been followed. The mature egg cell contains a large amount of mitochondria, but seems to lack normal plastids. Most plastids have transformed into large inclusions. Apart from the large inclusions, there are abundant small inclusions and other organelles in the egg cell. During fertilization, pollen tube penetrates into the egg cell at the micropylar end and thereafter the contents are released. Plastid and mitochondrion of male origin are lacking near the fusing sperm_egg nuclei. The second sperm nucleus—not involved in karyogamy—remains at a site near the receptive vacuole. This nucleus is surrounded by large amount of male cytoplasm containing mixed organelles from the sperm cell, tube cell, and egg cell. At the free nuclear proembryo stage, organelles of male and female origin are visible in the perinucleus_cytoplasmic zone. Most of the mitochondria have the same morphological features as those in the egg cell. Some of the mitochondria appear to have originated from the sperm and tube cells. Plastids are most likely of male gametophyte origin because they have similar appearance as those of the sperm and tube cell. Large inclusions in the egg cell become vacuole_like. Paternal plastids have been incorporated into the neocytoplasm of the proembryo. In the cellular proembryo, maternal mitochondria are more abundant. Plastids resembling those of the sperm and tube cell are still present. These cytological results clearly show that in P. tabulaeformis, plastids are inherited paternally and mitochondria bipaternally. The cytological mechanism of plastid and mitochondrion inheritance in gymnosperm is discussed.

Cytological Mechanism of Cytoplasmic Inheritance in Pinus tabulaeformis: Ⅰ. Ultrastructural Aspects and Nucleoids of the Male Gametes

The cytological mechanism of plastid and mitochondrion inheritance in Pinus is an interesting research topic with only a limited number of published articles. The results indicate that the sperms of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. contain abundant plastids, mitochondria and organelle DNA. These data provide reliable cytological evidence of paternal plastid and mitochondrion inheritance in Pinus . The results are in line with the confirmed general rule of paternal plastid inheritance in Pinaceae. But whether mitochondria in sperm cells can be transmitted into the embryos is an issue needs further developmental studies. Another important finding is that contrary to earlier classification of the male gamete of Pinaceae into the male nuclei type, the results reveal that male gametes in Pinus tabulaeformis are actually cells. However, the sperm cells are only surrounded by plasma membranes without cell walls. The larger leading sperm cell in a pollen tube section is long in shape, with a large amount of cytoplasm; while the second sperm cell is smaller, round in shape and contains less cytoplasm. Whether this feature of the male gamete type could be considered as a representative characteristic of the family is discussed and further conclusions await more experimental evidences from studies on plants from different species.

Effect of drought stress on male fertility restoration in A3 CMS-inducing cytoplasm of sorghum

Use of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in hybrid breeding requires effective male fertility-restoring lines. In sorghum, very few restoring lines that can restore fertility in A_3 CMS have been reported. To identify the reasons for this deficiency, F_1 and F_2 hybrids of an A_3 CMS line crossed with the line IS1112C, a donor of fertility-restoring (Rf) genes for A_3 cytoplasm, and testcrosses of fertile plants to A_3CMS lines were grown under contrasting water availability regimes in dryland and irrigated field plots. In the irrigated plots the frequency of fertile plants in testcrosses was twice that in dryland plots (P < 0.05). Fertile plants from the F_2 family grown in the irrigated plots showed significantly higher restoration ability than fertile plants from the same family grown in dryland plots. F_3 plants from the F_2 family grown in irrigated plots yielded on average a sixfold higherfrequency of fertile plants in testcrosses than F_3 plants derived from dryland plots (P < 0.01).Fertility of testcross hybrids correlated negatively with air vapor pressure deficit (VPD) at flowering (r = - 0.96; P < 0.01) suggesting that VPD is a trigger for downregulation of Rf genes for A_3 cytoplasm.