Clinical Study on External Use of Chinese Medicine in Treating Children with Herpetic Stomatitis

Background: Pediatric herpetic stomatitis is a common pediatric disease, the course of the disease is about 1 - 2 weeks, and it usually occurs in 1 - 3 years old children, due to infection of herpes simplex virus I and onset. Objective: To observe the curative effect of Chinese medicine prescription (Yueshi, Zhongbai, Qingdai, Phelloderma phelloderma and glycyrrhiza) on children with herpetic stomatitis. Methods: 90 patients were divided into 2 groups by random number table method. 45 patients in the observation group were treated with traditional Chinese medicine, and 45 patients in the control group were treated with iodine glycerin. The total effective rate after treatment was compared between the two groups. Results: The total effective rate of the treatment group was 95.55%;the total effective rate of the control group was 71.11%;the total effective rate of the two groups after treatment was compared;the treatment group was significantly better than the control group;the difference was significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: The external use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of pediatric herpetic stomatitis has achieved good results, improving the condition of children, and significantly improving the clinical efficacy.

Evaluation of a Newly Developed Laser Pen as a Home Care Device for Pain Reduction of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (Preliminary Study)

Objective: The aim of this survey is to evaluate the effect of a new developed laser pen as a home care device for patients’ pain reduction with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Background data: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common and painful ulcers in the oral cavity. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been used successfully for reducing pain and healing time in comparison with corticosteroids and placebo in some studies. But these treatments are done in the clinics and it seems that there is no report of the laser treatment as a home care device up to this study. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized trial pilot study. Thirty patients with RAS were divided into three similar groups. The group one (n = 10) was treated with a diode laser, 660 nm, 40 mw, continuous wave, 1.2 J, 6 J/cm2, for five consecutive days (twice per day, 30 seconds each session). The second group (n = 10) was treated with a topical triamcinolone (adcortyl in orabase) ointment four times per day and the third group (n = 10) was treated with placebo (red light pen) the same way as Group 1. All the patients were evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after treatment on the consecutive days. The data was analysed by one way ANOVA and PostHoc tests. Results: The results show that the laser pen and triamcinolon in orabase ointment have similar results and both have better results than placebo in the control of the recurrent aphthous stomatitis pain (p value: 0.001). Conclusion: In this clinical pilot study the laser pen as a home care device seems to be useful for the treatment of RAS.

Diagnosis and Control of Swine Vesicular Stomatitis

Swine vesicular stomatitis is an acute, febrile, highly contagious zoonotic diseases caused by vesicular stomatitis virus （VSV）. Disease in affected pigs was typically characterized by vesicular lesions on the mouth, snout, oral mucosa, coronet and interdigital skin. The disease is endemic in the Americas, Europe and Africa and other places. As the foreign trade of animals and animal products increase, the risk of swine vesicular stomatitis spreading into our country also will be increased. Therefore, the accurate and timely diagnosis and control of swine vesicular stomatitis are critical and necessary.

Salivary cytokines and levels in denture stomatitis: An exploratory case-control study

We aimed to evaluate the microbial and inflammatory characteristics associated with Denture Stomatitis (DS) analyzing: l) Levels of salivary cytokines and cultivable C. albicans;2) DNA-DNA checkerboard on biofilm associated with mucosal tissue-bearing denture surfaces, 3) Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Thirty-two subjects were enrolled in the study with control (n = 17) and DS types II and III (n = 15) subjects. Samples were collected from unstimulated whole saliva, serum and swabs from denture surfaces. Salivary levels of inflammatory mediators and CRP were measured by multiplex. Samples from denture and mucosal surfaces were analyzed by DNA-DNA checkerboard. Saliva from DS subjects showed increase in IL-8 (p = 0.04) and IL-1β (p = 0.04) with trend for increase in IL-1β, TNFα and IL-6 levels. C. albicans higher counts in DS saliva (p = 0.03) showed association with elevated levels of IL-8 (p = 0.03) and IL-1α (p = 0.01). CRP levels were not different among groups (p = 0.74). DNA-DNA checkerboard analyses indicated typical periodontal pathogens below the detection threshold of 104 organisms on both denture and inflamed mucosal surfaces. The data suggest that DS is associated with elevation of salivary IL1 and IL-8 together with increased C. albicans. There was no evidence of systemic inflammation as measured by serum C-reactive protein levels.

The Local Immunity of the Oral Cavity in Women with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Associated with Urogenital Infection

This paper studied the dynamics of local immunity factors of the oral cavity in women with recurrent aphthous stomatitis against the background of urogenital infection. The research proves the maximum efficacy of hydroxyzine hydrochloride, aminodihydrophthalasindione sodium and Eplan used in multiple treatments of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in patients with urogenital infection as evidenced by a marked reduction in the coefficient of local immunity factors balance, which is observed as early as on day 7 of the therapy provided. Moreover, the findings show the growth of immunological parameters of oral fluid (lysozyme and SIgA), the normalization of the coefficient of local immunity factors balance in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in women with urogenital infection, the improvement being observed 3 months after the treatment suggesting a favorable local immunity of the oral cavity.

Necrotising stomatitis as a presenting symptom of HIV

Background: Necrotising Stomatitis is an uncommon oral infection associated with diminished systemic resistance (immunocompromised state) including HIV infection. Significant predisposing factors include poor oral hygiene, unusual life stress, recent illness (e.g. Measles), malnutrition, smoking and even inade- quate sleep. It occurs commonly in developing na-tions with poor living conditions. Objective: To present a case of severe Necrotising Stomatitis in a previously undiagnosed HIV Seropositive patient. Patient and method: This case report describes severe, rapidly spreading necrotising stomatitis in a 35 years old lady, the condition which led to her being diagnosed with HIV. The treatment modalities, challenges of man-agement and the differential diagnosis were discussed. Result: During the course of her management, pa-tient’s oral condition improved. However, later re-currence was seen due to severe anaemia caused by malnutrition and aggravated by Zidovudine antiret-roviral drug. Conclusions: There is need for interdis-ciplinary interactions between the dentists and the physicians managing HIV patients, to allow effective management and afford patient the best treatment.

Effects of Zingiber officinalis (WILLD.)ROSC.Membranes on minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized pragmatic trial

Objective:To evaluate the effects of dried ginger rhizome (DGR;Zingiber officinalis (WILLD.) ROSC.),prepared as a membrane,in minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (miRAS)treatment and explore its mechanism of action by detecting changes in levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in saliva.Methods:Fifty-nine miRAS patients were enrolled in this study.The number of participants in the dried ginger rhizome membrane (DGRM) group was 30,and 29 were in the placebo membrane (PM) group.Sixty sealed envelopes containing either type of membrane were coded randomly.Investigators and participants were blinded to group assignments.A visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain,follow-up information for healing time,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure the concentrations of EGF and TNF-α.Results:In terms of VAS,there was a significant difference between pre-and post-DGRM treatment (P <.001),but not so for the PM group (P >.05).A significant difference was observed in the healing time between the two groups (6.08 (2.712) vs.8.04 (2.142) days).The mean healing time in the DGRM group was shorter than that in the PM group (P <.05).In both groups,the salivary EGF concentration decreased significantly after treatment (P <.05),but the mean level in the DGRM group was significantly lower than that in the PM group (P <.05).The mean TNF-α level in both groups was increased significantly after treatment (P <.05),but patients who used DGRMs had a significantly lower level than that in the PM group (P <.05).Conclusion:The present study provides evidence that DGRMs are effective treatment for RAS.Dried ginger rhizome has obvious effects on pain relief,shortening of healing time,reducing the EGF level in saliva,and has an inhibitory effect on TNF-α release.

Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis by 100% Topical Pumpkin Seed Oil

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a major oral health problem, where its etiopathogenesis is not well understood. Accordingly, its therapy whether topical or systemic can induce clearance, but the relapse rate is high. Objective: To use 100% topical pumpkin seed oil in RAS as it has many actions as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Patients and Methods: This single, blind, clinical, therapeutic trial was conducted in the Department of Dermatology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, during February 2015-August 2016. Twenty-five patients with RAS were included in this work. After full history and clinical examination, the clinical diagnosis was established. Oral clinical manifestation index score (OCMI) was carried out before, during and after stopping therapy to assess the different parameters of this score. 100% Topical pumpkin seed oil was given two times daily for 3 months during which short term assessment for each patient was done by using OCMI before, after 4 days and after 8 days of therapy in addition to assessing the mean size of largest diameter of ulcers in each visit to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the therapy, while long term assessment of the OCMI was done every month for 3 months after starting of the therapy to evaluate the prophylactic effect of the therapy. After 3 months, pumpkin seed oil was stopped and assessment of OCMI was done monthly for another 3 months to evaluate the remission action of pumpkin seed oil. Results: Twenty-five patients were included in this study: 15 (60%) males and 10 (40%) females. While their ages ranged from 9 - 60 (27.48 ± 11.97) years. The mean of OCMI before pumpkin seed oil therapy was ranged from 9 - 15 (12.96 ± 1.42), while after the therapy the mean started to decline to lower level within 4 days of therapy and was statistically significant (p < 0.0001) and continued to decline significantly till the end of third month of therapy (p < 0.0001). The percent reduction was 79.30% after 4 days of therapy and 94.38% after 8 days of therapy. After stopping therapy, the mean of OCMI started to increase, but it is remained statistically highly significant (p < 0.0001) at the end of third months after stopping therapy when it is compared with baseline mean of OCMI. Conclusion: Pumpkin seed oil had an effective therapeutic and prophylactic action against RAS, in addition, it induced remission for at least 3 months after stopping therapy. No local or systemic side effects were observed during the course of therapy.

Adverse Effects of Morphine and Fentanyl for Stomatitis in Patients Receiving Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation—A Single Center Retrospective Analysis

Opioids are widely used as analgesics for oral mucositis in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Their main adverse events are nausea, vomiting, constipation, psychological symptoms, and respiratory depression. In our institute, continuous intravenous morphine was generally used until 2007, followed by intravenous fentanyl as the first-line agent because of its potential fewer adverse events. We retrospectively analyzed 99 patients who underwent allo-HCT in the University of Tsukuba Hospital from 2004 to 2009. Out of 99 patients, 64 were treated with opioids (morphine, 32 and fentanyl, 32). The attending physicians were in charge of providing stable pain control. Median age, sex, stem cell source, preparative regimen, and GVHD prophylaxis were similar in the two groups. There were no significant differences in psychological symptoms, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting in both groups. Defecation ratio (the days having a bowel movement/the days taking opioids) was 63% and 94% in the morphine and fentanyl group, respectively (P < 0.0001). The percentage of patients who needed to use purgative drugs was 25% and 6% in the morphine and fentanyl group, respectively (P = 0.04). It is suggested that fentanyl has less adverse effects on gastrointestinal movement and is safer than morphine when used for oral mucositis in allo-HCT.

Therapeutic Role of Isotretinoin in the Management of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (Single-Blind Controlled Therapeutic Study)

Background: Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAS) is a common oral disease where its etiopathogenesis is not well elucidated. There was no effective curative therapy for this disease. Isotretinoin has been recently used in the treatment of Behcet’s disease. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of isotretinoin in treating RAS and the long term remission of RAS. Patients and Methods: This single-blind controlled therapeutic study conducted in Department of Dermatology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital during February 2011-January 2012. Thirty patients with typical RAS were included in this work. Detailed history and full examination were done for all patients. They were given isotretinoin 20 mg orally once daily for three months to be seen on Day 14 firstly and then monthly to be assessed using the oral clinical manifestation index (OCMI). After isotretinoin was stopped three months later, patients were given placebo therapy for another 3 months. Results: The results of 30 treated patients were as follows: 17 (56.67%) males and 13 (43.33%) females with male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Their ages ranged from 12 - 60 (35.33 ± 12.06) years. The OCMI before isotretinoin therapy ranged from 7 - 17 (13.13 ± 2.55), while after therapy the mean started to decline to a lower level within the first 14 days (P = 0.103), and continued to decline significantly until the end of the first month of therapy (P = 0.023). Then the OCMI declined very significantly until the end of fourth month of therapy (P < 0.001). After that the mean started to increase until the end of the 5 months (with placebo) but it remained statistically significant compared with the baseline of mean of OCMI before treatment (P = 0.046). Then it continued to increase to become not significant at the end of 6 months of therapy (P = 0.107). Conclusion: Isotretinoin is an effective therapeutic and prophylactic promising remedy in treatment of RAS.

Identification and Functional Analysis of Serum Specific miRNAs in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients with Excess-heat or Yin-deficiency

Background:The treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)in recurrent aphthous stomatitis(RAS)based on syndrome differentiation has won the international acceptance,but the molecular mechanism of excess-heat syndrome and yin-deficiency syndrome of RAS remains unclear.Objective:To clarify specific microRNAs(miRNAs)and their functions in RAS patients with excess-heat or yin-deficiency.Methods:Serum samples were collected from patients meeting the RAS diagnostic criteria of excess-heat or yin-deficiency syndrome and healthy individuals.Core miRNAs were then identified under miRNA microarray anal-yses.Target prediction and bioinformatic analyses were carried out and gene-pathway-networks were visualized to better understand the relationship between different genes and pathways.Results:(1)90 individuals meeting the inclusion criteria were collected in this study.Among them,9 miRNAs were screened out in excess-heat syndrome group(EH group),with 1 upregulated and 8 downregulated.And four miRNAs(hsa-miR-20b-5p,hsa-miR-122-5p,hsa-miR-483-5p and hsa-miR-3197)were validated by real-time PCR method.14 miRNAs were screened out in yin-deficiency syndrome group(YD group)(7 upregulated and 7 downregulated).And hsa-miR-17-5p,hsa-miR-106-5p and hsa-miR-20b-5p were validated.(2)A total of 4,776 target genes were identified in EH group which enriched in GO categories including nervous system development and calcium ion binding and pathway such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and Calcium signaling pathway.10,172 target genes were identified in YD group which enriched GO categories included protein binding and positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter and pathway included MAPK signaling pathway and Ras signaling pathway.Conclusion:Hsa-miR-20b-5p in patients with RAS could act as the novel target for the classification of the syndrome.It is upregulated in RAS patients with excess-heat syndrome while downregulated in patients with yin-deficiency syndrome.The PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways and their related target genes may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of RAS with excess-heat syndrome or yin-deficiency syndrome,respectively.

A Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Based Vaccine Carrying Zika Virus Capsid Protein Protects Mice from Viral Infection

Dear Editor,Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that belongs to the Flavivirus family along with dengue virus (DENV),yellow fever virus, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus (Ming et al. 2016). ZIKV is a singlestranded positive-sense RNA virus encoding three structural proteins, including nucleocapsid protein C, prM/M,envelope glycoprotein E, and seven non-structural proteins.Since 2015.

Photosynthetic response dynamics in the invasive species Tithonia diversifolia and two co-occurring native shrub species under fluctuating light conditions

To determine the invasiveness of invasive plants,many studies have compared photosynthetic traits or strategies between invasive and native species.However,few studies have compared the photosynthetic dynamics between invasive and native species during light fluctuations.We compared photosynthetic induction,relaxation dynamics and leaf traits between the invasive species,Tithonia diversifolia and two native species,Clerodendrum bungei and Blumea balsamifera,in full-sun and shady habitats.The photosynthetic dynamics and leaf traits differed among species.T.diversifolia showed a slower induction speed and stomatal opening response but had higher average intrinsic water-use efficiency than the two native species in full-sun habitats.Thus,the slow induction response may be attributed to the longer stomatal length in T.diversifolia.Habitat had a significant effect on photosynthetic dynamics in T.diversifolia and B.balsamifera but not in C.bungei.In shady habitat,T.diversifolia had a faster photosynthetic induction response than in full-sun habitat,leading to a higher average stomatal conductance during photosynthetic induction in T.diversifolia than in the two native species.In contrast,B.balsamifera had a larger stomatal length and slower photosynthetic induction and relaxation response in shady habitat than in full-sun habitat,resulting in higher carbon gain during photosynthetic relaxation.Nevertheless,in both habitats,T.diversifolia had an overall higher carbon gain during light fluctuations than the two native species.Our results indicated that T.diversifolia can adopt more effective response strategies under fluctuating light environments to maximize carbon gain,which may contribute to its successful invasion.

Stomatal dynamics are regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and guard cell anatomy in nine true mangrove species

Stomatal regulation is critical for mangroves to survive in the hyper-saline intertidal zone where water stress is severe and water availability is highly fluctuant.However,very little is known about the stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit(VPD)in mangroves,and its co-ordination with stomatal morphology and leaf hydraulic traits.We measured the stomatal response to a step increase in VPD in situ,stomatal anatomy,leaf hydraulic vulnerability and pressure-volume traits in nine true mangrove species of five families and collected the data of genome size.We aimed to answer two questions:(1)Does stomatal morphology influence stomatal dynamics in response to a high VPD in mangroves?with a consideration of possible influence of genome size on stomatal morphology;and(2)do leaf hydraulic traits influence stomatal sensitivity to VPD in mangroves?We found that the stomata of mangrove plants were highly sensitive to a step rise in VPD and the stomatal responses were directly affected by stomatal anatomy and hydraulic traits.Smaller,denser stomata was correlated with faster stomatal closure at high VPD across the species of Rhizophoraceae,and stomata size negatively and vein density positively correlated with genome size.Less negative leaf osmotic pressure at the full turgor(πo)was related to higher operating steady-state stomatal conductance(gs);and a higher leaf capacitance(Cleaf)and more embolism resistant leaf xylem were associated with slower stomatal responses to an increase in VPD.In addition,stomatal responsiveness to VPD was indirectly affected by leaf morphological traits,which were affected by site salinity and consequently leaf water status.Our results demonstrate that mangroves display a unique relationship between genome size,stomatal size and vein packing,and that stomatal responsiveness to VPD is regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and stomatal morphology.Our work provides a quantitative framework to better understand of stomatal regulation in mangroves in an environment with high salinity and dynamic water availability.

Different hydraulic strategies under drought stress between Fraxinus mandshurica and Larix gmelinii seedlings

Persistent and severe drought induced by global climate change causes tree mortality mainly due to the hydraulic imbalance of conduit systems,but the magnitude of injury may be species dependent.A water-exclusion experiment was carried out on seedlings of two tree species with distinct characteristics,i.e.,Fraxinus mandshurica and Larix gmelinii to examine hydraulic responses of leaf,stem,and root to drought stress.The two species displayed different hydraulic strategies and related traits in response to drought stress.L.gmelinii reduced its leaf hydraulic conductance by quick stomatal closure and a slow decline in leaf water potential,with a more isohydric stomatal regulation to maintain its water status.In contrast,F.mandshurica was more anisohydric with a negative stomatal safety margin,exhibiting strong resistance to embolism in stem and leafstem segmentation of hydraulic vulnerability to preserve the hydraulic integrity of stem.These differences in hydraulic behaviors and traits between the two species in response to drought stress provide a potential mechanism for their coexistence in temperate forests,including which in the forest modeling would improve our prediction of tree growth and distribution under future climate change.

MdDGK3-like as a negative regulator participates in ALA-induced PP2AC to promote stomatal opening in apple leaves

5-Aminolevulinic acid(ALA)can inhibit abscisic acid(ABA)-induced stomatal closure.However,the molecular mechanism is unclear.In this study,we found that ALA upregulated the MdPP2AC expression and PP2A activity in the apple(Malus domestica Borkh.cv.‘Fuji’)leaves.With the promoter of MdPP2AC as bait,a diacylglycerol kinase MdDGK3-like was selected by the Yeast One Hybrid(Y1H)from the cDNA library of the epidermis of apple leaves treated by exogenous ALA.Additional to binding the promoter of MdPP2AC,MdDGK3-like was found to inhibit the transcription activity of MdPP2AC promoter,while ALA significantly eliminated the role of MdDGK3-like.In tobacco leaves,MdDGK3-like was localized in the nucleus of stomatal guard cells.Therefore,MdDGK3-like might act as a transcription factor negatively regulating MdPP2AC expression and causing stomatal closure.To further identify MdDGK3-like functions,several transiently transgenic apple leaves(including overexpression and interference)were established.The results revealed that overexpression of MdDGK3-like promoted stomatal closure by increasing Ca^(2+)and H_(2)O_(2)and decreasing flavonol levels in the guard cells.Conversely,MdDGK3-like(i)led the stomatal opening with lower levels of Ca^(2+)and H_(2)O_(2)but higher flavonols.Based on these,we proposed a new hypothesis that ALA up-regulated MdPP2AC expression via negatively regulating the expression of MdDGK3-like to up-regulate PP2A expression and the enzyme activity,which improved the stomatal aperture.Since it was the first time that MdDGK3-like was showed to act as a transcription factor,the proposed model provided a new insight onto the mechanisms of ALA-induced stomatal opening.

Gas flaring cause shifts in mesophyll and stomatal functional traits of Betula pubescens Ehrh.

In petroleum-producing territories of West Siberia(Russia),oil well gas flares have a thermal effect on nearby plant communities.Such communities can be used as models for studying plant acclimation to global warming.In the present study on the effect of the hydrothermal regime at the flare sites on mesophyll and stomatal functional traits of Betula pubescens,leaves were collected from trees at250 m(control site[CS]),200,150 and 100 m(maximum impact site[MIS])from a flare.From the CS to MIS site,the average annual air temperature increased by 0.5℃and bog water level decreased by 17 cm.On plants from the MIS,stomata were 16%smaller and density was 20%lower compared to those at the CS,resulting in lower maximum stomatal conductance in plants from the MIS(mean±SE:MIS 0.84±0.05 mol·m^(-2)s^(-1),CS 1.24±0.06 mol·m^(-2)s^(-1);F=12.6,P<0.01).Mesophyll cell volume was 1.9 times lower at MIS than at CS.Chloroplast numbers per cell also declined with distance from the flares,from 21(MIS)to18(CS;F=15.6,P<0.001),and chloroplast volume was 24%higher at the CS,whereas the number of mesophyll cells and chloroplasts numbers per unit leaf area were 1.9 and 1.8 times higher at the MIS than at the CS,respectively.As a result,leaves from the MIS had a large total mesophyll cell(Ames/A)and chloroplast(Achl/A)surface area per unit leaf area,resulting in a 46%increase in mesophyll conductance in plants from the MIS.Thus,structural changes in leaf epidermis consisted of a decrease in stomatal size and number,could lower transpiration losses with higher temperatures and less water.To compensate for the reduction in leaf conductance due to a decrease in stomatal conductance under these conditions,an increase in the number of mesophyll cells and chloroplasts per unit area provides a greater gas-exchange area and mesophyll conductance.

Ecophysiology and multivariate analysis for production of Tachigali vulgaris in Brazil:Influence of rainfall seasonality and fertilization

Studies on fertilization management of species native to the Amazon for energy plantations contribute to the diversity of species use and reduce biological risk due to the excessive use of clones or hybrids of Eucalyptus.This study evaluates the effect of precipitation seasonality and phosphorus and potassium fertilization on gas exchange in a Tachigali vulgaris plantation.Three levels of P(zero,65.2,130.4 kg ha^(-1))and three of K(zero,100.0,200.0 kg ha^(-1))were applied in a 3×3 factorial randomized block design.Gas exchange measurements were conducted in April and November 2018.In low rainfall,high irradiance period,photo synthetic rates were up to four times higher than in the high rainfall period,reaching 20.3μmol m^(-2)s^(-1)in the treatment with 130.4 g kg^(-1)of P and 100.0 g kg^(-1)of K.Factor analysis and principal component analysis reduced the initial eight gas exchange variables to two and three principal components in periods of high and low rainfall,respectively.The multivariate method used in this study readily identified variations in the variables as a function of rainfall,with high reliability in explaining the data set.

Variations in chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis in Setaria EMS mutants

Chlorophyll (Chl) content,especially Chl b content,and stomatal conductance (G_s) are the key factors affecting the net photosynthetic rate (P_n).Setaria italica,a diploid C_4 panicoid species with a simple genome and high transformation efficiency,has been widely accepted as a model in photosynthesis and drought-tolerance research.The current study characterized Chl content,G_s,and P_n of 48 Setaria mutants induced by ethyl methanesulfonate.A total of 24,34,and 35 mutants had significant variations in Chl content,G_s,and P_n,respectively.Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between increased G_s and increased P_n,and a weak correlation between decreased Chl b content and decreased P_n was also found.Remarkably,two mutants behaved with significantly decreased Chl b content but increased P_n compared to Yugu 1.Seven mutants behaved with significantly decreased G_s but did not decrease P_(n )compared to Yugu 1.The current study thus identified various genetic lines,further exploration of which would be beneficial to elucidate the relationship between Chl content,G_s,and P_n and the mechanism underlying why C_4 species are efficient at photosynthesis and water saving.