LC-HRMS Based Non-Targeted Metabolomic Profiling of Wheat (<I>Triticum aestivum</I>L.) under Post-Anthesis Drought Stress

Drought stress at the reproductive stage causes severe damage to productivity of wheat. However, little is known about the metabolites associated with drought tolerance. The objectives of this study were to elucidate changes in metabolite levels in wheat under drought, and to identify potential metabolites associated with drought stress through untargeted metabolomic profiling using a liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)-based technique called Isotopic Ratio Outlier Analysis. Metabolomic analysis was performed on flag leaves of drought-stressed and control (well-watered) plants after 18 days of post-anthesis drought stress at three-hour intervals over a 24-hour period. Out of 723 peaks detected in leaves, 221 were identified as known metabolites. Sixty known metabolites were identified as important metabolites by 3 different methods, PLS-DA, RF and SAM. The most pronounced accumulation due to drought stress was demonstrated by tryptophan, proline, pipecolate and linamarin, whereas the most pronounced decrease was demonstrated by serine, trehalose, N-acetyl-glutamic acid, DIBOA-glucoside etc. Three different patterns of metabolite accumulation were observed over 24-hour period. The increased accumulated metabolites remained higher during all 8 time points in drought stressed leaves. On the contrary, metabolites that showed decreased level remained significantly lower during all or the most time points. However, the levels of some decreased metabolites were lower during the day, but higher during night in drought stressed leaves. Both univariate and multivariate analyses predicted that N-acetyl-glutamic acid, proline, pipecolate, linamarin, tryptophan, and DIBOA-glucoside could be potential metabolite biomarkers, and their levels could serve as indicators of drought tolerance in wheat.

Parental awareness on myopia prevention and control among 350 children

AIM:To understand the current situation of parental perspectives,knowledge,and practices concerning myopia prevention and control for both pre-and school-aged children.METHODS:This study was a cross-sectional survey that involved children aged 0 to 15y and their parents.Participants were required to respond to an online questionnaire by scanning a quick response(QR)code.The questionnaire consisted of 25 tick-box questions and was open to response from December 22,2022,to January 5,2023.The dioptric traits of the children,the visual status and educational background of the parents,the parental perspectives towards myopia and its risks,and the parents’knowledge and practices related to myopia prevention and control were recorded and measured.The Chi-square test and binomial logistic regression were used for statistics.RESULTS:Totally 350 parents responded to the questionnaire.The prevalence and severity of myopia among the surveyed children exhibited a positive correlation with advancing age(P<0.001 and P=0.004,respectively).Nearly half of parents with myopic children considered myopia did not pose any health threat and could be effectively corrected(P<0.001).Parents who held master’s or doctoral degree demonstrated a better understanding of children’s vision standards for each age group(P=0.001),and 31.63% of them could undergo initial vision screening for their children during the age of 0 to 3y while parents with bachelor’s degree(34.04%)and below(32.43%)mainly initiated the vision examination for their children at the age of 4 to 6y(P=0.05).Parents with master’s or doctoral degree also exhibited more rational practices concerning outdoor time(P=0.048)and sleep time(P=0.044).No other significant discrepancy among the different educational groups in additional conceptions of myopia,such as hyperopia reserve,axis length,and corneal curvature alterations.Most parents preferred to employ conventional interventions,such as enhancing indoor lighting condition(80.00%)and ensuring appropriate reading posture and distance(71.71%).CONCLUSION:The current status of parental knowledge and practices about myopia prevention and control remains outdated and deficient.The administrative department should implement efficacious and adaptable measures to enhance parental awareness and foster their commitment towards myopia prevention and control.

Pre-and post-selected measurements with coupling-strength-dependent modulation

Pre-and post-selected(PPS) measurement, especially the weak PPS measurement, has been proved to be a useful tool for measuring extremely tiny physical parameters. However, it is difficult to retain both the attainable highest measurement sensitivity and precision with the increase of the parameter to be measured. Here, a modulated PPS measurement scheme based on coupling-strength-dependent modulation is presented with the highest sensitivity and precision retained for an arbitrary coupling strength. This idea is demonstrated by comparing the modulated PPS measurement scheme with the standard PPS measurement scheme in the case of unbalanced input meter. By using the Fisher information metric, we derive the optimal pre-and post-selected states, as well as the optimal coupling-strength-dependent modulation without any restriction on the coupling strength. We also give the specific strategy of performing the modulated PPS measurement scheme, which may promote practical application of this scheme in precision metrology.

Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci for Post-Anthesis Dry Matter Accumulation in Wheat

Post-anthesis photoassimilation is very important for wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） grain filling. The aim of the present study was to map quantitative trait loci （QTL） for post-anthesis dry matter accumulation （DMA）. A set of 120 doubled haploid （DH） lines, derived from winter wheat varieties Hanxuan 10 and Lumai 14, was grown under field conditions in two consecutive growing seasons during 2002-2004 in Beijing. Post-anthesis DMA per culm and related traits, including flag leaf greenness （FLG） and flag leaf weight （FLW; dry weight per flag leaf） at flowering, and grain weight per ear （GWE） were investigated. All traits segregated continuously in the DH population in both trials. The DMA was significantly and positively correlated with GWE, with the correlation coefficients being 0.79 and 0.66 in the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 growing seasons （both P〈0.01）, suggesting the importance of DMA in grain filling. Further correlation analysis showed that FLW was more closely correlated with DMA and GWE than FLG in both growing seasons, indicating that FLW was more important than FLG in influencing DMA and GWE. In total, 30 QTLs for these four traits were mapped and distributed on 10 chromosomes. Phenotypic variations explained by an individual QTL were in the range 5.8%-21.3%, 5.9%-17.2%, 5.1%-18.1%, and 5.6%-16.2% for FLG, FLW, DMA, and GWE, respectively. Eight QTLs for DMA were detected, of which four （on chromosome arms 2AS, 4BL, 5AS, and 7AS） were linked with QTLs for GWE; two （on chromosome arms 5BL and 7BL） coincided with QTLs for FLW. These results may provide useful information for developing marker-assisted selection for the improvement of DMA.

Analysis of groundwater level trend in Jakham River Basin of Southern Rajasthan

Groundwater accounts for about half of the water use for irrigation in India.The fluctuation pattern of the groundwater level is examined by observing rainfall replenishment and monitoring wells.The southern part of Rajasthan has experienced abrupt changes in rainfall and has been highly dependent on groundwater over decades.This study presents the impact of over-dependence on groundwater usage for irrigation and other purposes,spatially and temporally.Hence,the objective of this study is to examine the groundwater level trend by using statistical analysis and geospatial technique.Rainfall factor was also studied in groundwater level fluctuation during 2009-2019.To analyze the influence of each well during recharge or withdrawal of groundwater,thiessien polygonswere generated from them.In the Jakham River basin,75 wells have been identified for water level trend study using the Mann-Kendall statistical test.The statistics of trend analysis show that 15%wells are experiencing water level decline in pre-monsoon,while very low percentage of wells have such trend during post-monsoon season.The average rate of water level decline is 0.245 m/a in pre-monsoon and 0.05 m/a in post-monsoon.The aquifer recharge potential is also decreasing by year.it is expected that such type of studies will help the policy makers to adopt advanced management practices to ensure sustainable groundwater resource management.

High-Capacity Transport Associated with Pre- and Post-Haulage in Intermodal Road-Rail Transport

This paper develops a model for analyzing the potential of longer and heavier vehicles (LHVs) related to pre- and post-haulage in the intermodal rail-road transport chain (IRT). The paper considers the combined economic and emission costs among three different transport networks including intermodal rail-road transport with current Swedish regulatory framework for trucks, intermodal rail-road transport with LHVs, and direct-road transport. The objective is to analyse the potential of high-capacity transport associated with pre- and post-haulage for enhancing the competitiveness of intermodal transport from a full-costs perspective. The model developed is applied to a Swedish context and case study. Research findings reveal that the break-even of the IRT compared to the direct road transport could be significantly lowered, which suggests the LHVs contribute to exploring the market of IRT over smaller flows.

Effects of Irrigation Schedules on Photosynthetic Carbon Assimilation of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in North China Plain:from Leaf to Population

A field experiment was conducted to elucidate the regulation mechanism of different irrigation schedules on population photosynthetic of winter wheat. The experiment included five irrigation schedules, such as no irrigation （W0）, irrigation once at jointing （W1j） or at booting （W1b）, irrigation twice at jointing and booting （W2）, and irrigation three times at jointing, booting and grain-filling （W3） and three planting densities, such as 180 （D1）, 300 （D2） and 450 （D3） seedlings per square meter. The results indicated that irrigation significantly improved population photosynthesis. The relationship between population photosynthesis and irrigation time/volume was to some extent parabolic. Improvements in population photosynthesis （resulting from more irrigation time/volume） were mainly related to increase in leaf area index and population light interception. Population photosynthesis exhibited a significantly negative correlation with canopy light transmittance. Population photosynthesis at grain filling stage was significantly positively correlated with dry matter accumulation at post-anthesis and grain yield. Main effects and partial correlation analysis showed that population photosynthesis of W0, W1j, W1b and W3 were regulated by canopy light transmittance and leaf area. On the other hand, population photosynthesis of W2 was mainly influenced by flag leaf photosynthetic rate. On this basis, planting 300 seedlings per square meter was the optimum combination. The combination of W2D2 increased population photosynthesis during mid-late growth stages and extended high population photosynthesis duration, which ultimately increased grain yield.

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on zinc uptake,translocation and accumulation in winter wheat during whole plant growth stages

Although arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)could play important roles in zinc(Zn)uptake in host plants,the effects of AMF on Zn uptake and transport in winter wheat during the whole growth stages remain unclear.A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae(Fm)and Claroideoglomus etunicatum(Ce)on Zn absorption,transport,and accumulation in winter wheat growing in soils spiked with different Zn levels(0,2.5,and 25 mg kg^(-1)).The results showed that there was a significant correlation between mycorrhizal colonization rate and Zn absorption efficiency in winter wheat roots during the post-anthesis period,but there was no significant correlation during the pre-anthesis period.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly increased Zn concentrations(0.56–1.58 times)in wheat grains under 0 mg kg^(-1)Zn level,but decreased Zn concentrations in wheat grains under 25 mg kg^(-1)Zn level.Additionally,at the filling and maturity stages,AMF increased Zn absorption rate and the contribution of root Zn uptake to grain Zn by 3–14 and 0.36–0.64 times,respectively,under 0 mg kg^(-1)Zn level and 0.21–1.02 and 0.27–0.37 times,respectively,under 2.5 mg kg^(-1)Zn level.However,AMF decreased root Zn absorption rate(0.32–0.61 times)and increased the contribution of Zn remobilization in vegetative tissues to grain Zn(1.69–2.01 times)under 25 mg kg^(-1)Zn level.This study would complement the mechanisms and effects of AMF on Zn absorption and transport in winter wheat and provide a potential method for the application of AMF to enrich wheat grain Zn.

Long-term Efficacy of Pulmonary Artery Desnervation Treatment in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction:A Subgroup Analysis of 3-year Results From the PADN-5 Study

Objective:The Pulmonary Arterial Denervation in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With the Left Heart Failure(PADN-5)study proved that pulmonary artery denervation(PADN)is associated with significant improvements in hemodynamic and clinical outcomes in patients with combined pre-and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension(CpcPH).This study aimed to assess the 3-year clinical results of PADN in patients who had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)developing into CpcPH(HFpEF-CpcPH).Methods:In this post hoc analysis of the PADN-5 trial,38 patients with HFpEF were included in screening out of 98 patients with CpcPH who were randomly assigned to treatment with sildenafil and sham PADN(sham PADN(plus sildenafil)group,abbreviated as sham group)or PADN(PADN group).HFpEF in the PADN-5 trial was defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction≥50%,and CpcPH was defined as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure≥25 mmHg,a pulmonary arterial wedge pressure>15 mmHg,and a pulmonary vascular resistance>3.0 WU.The changes in the 6-minute walk distance(6-MWD)and the plasma concentration of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)at 6-month and 3-year follow-up,as well as the clinical endpoint of the occurrence of clinical worsening,defined as cardiopulmonary-related death,rehospitalization,or heart or lung transplantation at 3-year follow-up were examined.Results:Thirty-eight patients with HFpEF-CpcPH were assigned to the PADN group(n=19)or the sham group(n=19).At the 6-month follow-up,6-MWD(433(275,580)m vs.342(161,552)m),and reductions in NT-proBNP(−47%(−99%,331%)vs.−12%(−82%,54%))were significantly improved in the PADN group(all P<0.05).Over the 3-year follow-up period,PADN treatment resulted in marked increases in 6-MWD(450(186,510)m vs.348(135,435)m)and reductions in NT-proBNP(−55%(−99%,38%)vs.−10%(−80%,95%))(all P<0.05).Clinical worsening was experienced by 12 patients(63%)in the sham group,but by only 5 patients(26%)in the PADN group(hazard ratio=0.149,95%confidence interval:0.038–0.584,P=0.006).The 6-MWD and PADN treatments were independent predictors of clinical deterioration in patients with HFpEF-CpcPH.Conclusions:PADN therapy is associated with improvements in exercise capacity and clinical outcomes.PADN therapy may have a potential role in patients with HFpEF-CpcPH for whom current treatment options are limited.

ROLE OF TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN PRE-AND POST-PERCUTANEOUS BALLOON MITRAL VALVULOPLASTY

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was performed in 33 consecutive patients with both rheumatic mitral stenosis and chronic atrial fibrillation to evaluate tfae usefulness of this technique for the detection of left atrial thrombi, mitral regurgitation before percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty and iatrogenic atrial septal defect after the procedure. TEE correctly identified thrombi in 10 (30%) patients and significant mitral regurgitation in 5 patients who underwent surgical intervention. The remaining 18 patients underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty without evidence of systemic embolic event and obtained adequate outcome. Transesophageal color doppler echocardiography demostrated left-o-ight shunting flow through atrial septum in 5 of 7(71%) patients 3 days after the procedure and repeated TEE in 2 of these 5 patients showed no shunting after 6 months. In conclusion, TEE plays a definite role in the selection of patients for balloon mitral valvuloplasty and assessment of iatrogenic atrial septal defect.