Distribution and Length-weight Relationships of Glyptosternoid Fishes in the Drung River Basin, Yunnan

Glyptosternoid fishes are a group of sisorid catfishes living in torrents of rivers mainly originating from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Based on our survey in the Drung River Basin, seven collecting sites were investigated and 271 glyptosternoid fishes caught belong to three species （Pareuchiloglanis kamengensis, Exostoma labiatum and Oreoglanis mocropterus）. Features of the distribution of the three catfishes were assessed. More individuals of E. labiatum were caught in the lower reaches of the Drung River with fast water velocity and it might be more adapted to a torrent habitat. The relationships between standard length （L） and weight （W） for P. kamengensis, E. labiatum and O. macropterus were also studied, and the parameter b of the L-W relationship （W = aL^b） ranged between 2. 8201 and 3. 0131. From the present study, all the three catfish species grow allometrically and the growth type of E. labiatum is the closest to a symmetrical one.

QTL-Seq Identified a Major QTL for Grain Length and Weight in Rice Using Near Isogenic F_2 Population

Mapping and isolation of quantitative trait loci(QTLs)or genes controlling grain size or weight is very important to uncover the molecular mechanisms of seed development and crop breeding.To identify the QTLs controlling grain size and weight,we developed a near isogenic line F_2(NIL-F_2)population,which was derived from a residual heterozygous plant in an F_7 generation of recombinant inbred line(RIL).With the completion of more than 30×whole genome re-sequencing of the parents,two DNA bulks for large and small grains,a total of 58.94 Gb clean nucleotide data were generated.A total of455 262 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)between the parents were identified to perform bulked QTL-seq.A candidate genomic region containing SNPs strongly associated with grain length and weight was identified from 15 to 20 Mb on chromosome 5.We designated the major QTL in the candidate region as q TGW5.3.Then,q TGW5.3 was further validated with PCR-based conventional QTL mapping method through developing simple sequence repeat and Insertion/Deletion markers in the F_2 population.Furthermore,recombinants and the progeny tests delimited the candidate region of q TGW5.3 to 1.13 Mb,flanked by HX5009(15.15 Mb)and HX5003(16.28 Mb).A set of NILs,selected from the F_2 population,was developed to evaluate the genetic effect of q TGW5.3.Significant QTL effects were detected on grain length,grain width and 1000-grain weight of H12-29 allele with 1.14 mm,-0.11 mm and 3.11 g,which explained 99.64%,95.51%and 97.32%of the phenotypic variations,respectively.

Poaceae Orthologs of Rice OsSGL,DUF1645 Domain-Containing Genes,Positively Regulate Drought Tolerance,Grain Length and Weight in Rice

Grain yield is a polygenic trait that can be influenced by environmental factors and genetic compositions at all plant growth stages.Currently,the molecular mechanisms behind the coordination of the interaction between grain yield-related traits remain unknown.In this study,we characterized the function of four STRESS_tolerance and GRAIN_LENGTH(Os SGL)Poaceae ortholog genes that are transcribed into DUF1645 domain-containing proteins in relation to the grain length,grain weight,and drought stress-tolerance of rice.The transgenic plants with overexpressing or heterologous high levels of Poaceae OsSGL ortholog genes exhibited longer grain size than the wild type plants.Larger cells were seen in panicles of the four transgenic lines with paraffin sectioning and scanning electron microscopy analyses.In addition,four Poaceae OsSGL ortholog genes positively affected the drought tolerance of rice.Four transgenic plants displayed higher resistance to drought stress at the seedling and vegetative stages.RNA-sequencing and qRT-PCR results indicated that over-or heterologous-expression of four Poaceae OsSGL ortholog genes also affected the transcriptome of rice plants.These genes may play a role in auxin and cytokinin biosynthesis and their transduction pathways.Taken together,these results suggested that the four OsSGL orthologs have a conserved function in the regulation of stress-tolerance and cell growth by modulating hormonal biosynthesis and signaling.

Obesity and weight loss could alter the properties of adipose stem cells?

The discovery that adipose tissue represents an interesting source of multipotent stem cells has led to many studies exploring the clinical potential of these cells in cell-based therapies. Recent advances in understanding the secretory capacity of adipose tissue and the role of adipokines in the development of obesity and associated disorders have added a new dimension to the study of adipose tissue biology in normal and diseased states. Subcutaneous adipose tissue forms the interface between the clinical application of regenerative medicine and the establishment of the pathological condition of obesity. These two facets of adipose tissue should be understood as potentially related phenomena. Because of the functional characteristics of adipose stem cells, these cells represent a fundamental tool for understanding how these two facets are interconnected and could be important for therapeutic applications. In fact, adipose tissue stem cells have multiple functions in obesity related to adipogenic, angiogenic and secretory capacities. In addition, we have also previously described a predominance of larger blood vessels and an adipogenic memory in the subcutaneous adipose tissue after massive weight loss subsequent to bariatric surgery(ex-obese patients). Understanding the reversibility of the behavior of adipose stem cells in obeses and in weight loss is relevant to both physiological studies and the potential use of these cells in regenerative medicine.

Dynamic genetic analysis for body weight and main length ratio in turbot Scophthalmus maximus

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of body width(BW)to body length(BL)ratio(BW/BL)and of body weight traits(BWT)in turbot,and to elucidate the genetic mechanism of the two traits during ontogeny by dynamic genetic analysis.From 3 to 27 months,BW,BL and BWT of each communally stocked fish were measured every 3 months.The BW/BL ratio was measured at different sampling ages.A twotrait animal model was used for genetic evaluation of traits.The results showed that the heritability values of BW/BL ratio ranged from 0.2168 to 0.3148,corresponding to moderate heritability.The BWT heritability values ranged from 0.2702 to 0.3479 corresponding to moderate heritability.The heritability of BW/BL ratio was lower than that of BWT,except at 3 months of age.Genetic correlation between BW/BL ratio and BWT decreased throughout the measurement period.Genetic correlations were higher than the phenotypic correlations.The current results for estimating genetic parameters demonstrate that the BW/BL ratio could be used as a phenotypic marker of fast-growing turbot,and the BW/BL ratio and BWT could be improved simultaneously through selective breeding.

Characterization of mean stem density,fibre length and lignin from two Acacia species and their hybrid

The objective of this study was to compare the wood properties related to wood pulp quality of two widely planted Acacia species viz.Acacia mangium Willd.and Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn.Ex Benth.and their hybrid.Acid insoluble lignin content(Klason),mean stem density and fibre length differed considerably among the species and hybrids.A.mangium possessed a high percent of lignin content compared to A.auriculiformis and the Acacia hybrid.However,mean stem density of A.auriculiformis was higher than A.mangium and the hybrid.Fibre length of heartwood tissues was generally shorter than that of sapwood tissues.The hybrid had longer fibres than the parent species.Lignin was negatively correlated with mean stem density.Generally,the wood properties of the hybrid were superior to its parent species.The significant intraspecific variation observed for wood properties of Acacia species could be used in breeding superior hybrids combining desirable traits of the two species.Considering thedifficulty involved in accurately measuring the lignin content compared to mean stem density,selection for plants with low lignin content can be achieved by indirect selection of high mean stem density.

Genetic Analysis of Weight per Fruit and Fruit Length in Bitter Gourd

[Objectives]The paper was to verify the genetic mechanism of weight per fruit and fruit length in bitter gourd and to provide guidance for formulating breeding strategy.[Methods]In this study,a cross was made between CN19-1 and Thai4-6,and a Fsegregation population was also constructed.The genetic characteristics of weight per fruit and fruit length were analyzed by employing major gene plus polygene mixed genetic model.[Results]The weight per fruit and fruit length showed continuous distribution in Fsegregation population.The optimal model for weight per fruit and fruit length was the same(A-1 model).The major gene additive effect value of weight per fruit was 46.1474,the dominant effect value was-46.1005,and the major gene heritability was 52.47%.The major gene additive effect value of fruit length was 2.456,the dominant effect value was-2.455,and the major gene heritability was 52.52%.The results showed that weight per fruit and fruit length were mainly controlled by a pair of major genes.[Conclusions]This study can provide a theoretical basis for bitter gourd breeding.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation of aplastic anemia by relative with mutations and normal telomere length: A case report

BACKGROUND Immunosuppressive therapy and matched sibling donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(MSD-HSCT)are the preferred treatments for aplastic anemia(AA).CASE SUMMARY In this report,we describe a 43-year-old male patient with severe AA who carried BRIP1(also known as FANCJ),TINF2,and TCIRG1 mutations.Screening of the family pedigree revealed the same TINF2 mutation in his mother and older brother,with his older brother also carrying the BRIP1 variant and demonstrating normal telomere length and hematopoietic function.The patient was successfully treated with oral cyclosporine A,eltrombopag,and acetylcysteine,achieving remission 4 years after receiving MSD-HSCT from his older brother.CONCLUSION This case provides a valuable clinical reference for individuals with suspected pathogenic gene mutations,normal telomere length,and hematopoietic function,highlighting them as potential donors for patients with AA.

Identification of microRNAs and messenger RNAs involved in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction using integrated bioinformatics analysis

In recent years,a large number of differentially expressed genes have been identified in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell(hUMSC)transplants for the treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction.These genes are involved in various biochemical processes,but the role of microRNAs(miRNAs)in this process is still unclear.From the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,we downloaded two microarray datasets for GSE78731(messenger RNA(mRNA)profile)and GSE97532(miRNA profile).The differentially expressed genes screened were compared between the hUMSC group and the middle cerebral artery occlusion group.Gene ontology enrichment and pathway enrichment analyses were subsequently conducted using the online Database for Annotation,Visualization,and Integrated Discovery.Identified genes were applied to perform weighted gene co-suppression analyses,to establish a weighted co-expression network model.Furthermore,the protein-protein interaction network for differentially expressed genes from turquoise modules was built using Cytoscape(version 3.40)and the most highly correlated subnetwork was extracted from the protein-protein interaction network using the MCODE plugin.The predicted target genes for differentially expressed miRNAs were also identified using the online database starBase v3.0.A total of 3698 differentially expressed genes were identified.Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that differentially expressed genes that are related to hUMSC treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction are involved in endocytosis and inflammatory responses.We identified 12 differentially expressed miRNAs in middle cerebral artery occlusion rats after hUMSC treatment,and these differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in signaling in inflammatory pathways,such as in the regulation of neutrophil migration.In conclusion,we have identified a number of differentially expressed genes and differentially expressed mRNAs,miRNA-mRNAs,and signaling pathways involved in the hUMSC treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction.Bioinformatics and interaction analyses can provide novel clues for further research into hUMSC treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction.

Fine-Mapping of qTGW1.2a, a Quantitative Trait Locus for 1000-Grain Weight in Rice

Thousand-grain weight (TGW) is a key component of grain yield in rice. This study was conducted to validate and fine-map qTGW1.2a, a quantitative trait locus for grain weight and grain size previously located in a 933.6-kb region on the long arm of rice chromosome 1. Firstly, three residual heterozygotes (RHs) were selected from a BC2F11 population of the indica rice cross Zhenshan 97 (ZS97)///ZS97//ZS97/Milyang 46. The heterozygous segments in these RHs were arranged successively in physical positions, forming one set of sequential residual heterozygotes (SeqRHs). In each of the populations derived, non-recombinant homozygotes were identified to produce near isogenic lines (NILs) comprising the two homozygous genotypes. The NILs were tested for grain weight, grain length and grain width. QTL analyses for the three traits were performed. Then, the updated QTL location was followed for a new run of SeqRHs identification-NIL development-QTL mapping. Altogether, 11 NIL populations derived from four sets of SeqRHs were developed and used. qTGW1.2a was finally delimitated into a 77.5-kb region containing 13 annotated genes. In the six populations segregating this QTL, which were in four generations and were tested across four years, the allelic direction of qTGW1.2a remained consistent and the genetic effects were stable. For TGW, the additive effects ranged from 0.23 to 0.38 g and the proportions of phenotypic variance explained ranged from 26.15% to 41.65%. These results provide a good foundation for the cloning and functional analysis of qTGW1.2a.

Fine mapping of qTGW10-20.8, a QTL having important contribution to grain weight variation in rice

Grain weight is one of themost important determinants of grain yield in rice.In this study,QTL analysis for grain weight,grain length,and grainwidthwas performed using populations derived from crosses between major parental lines of three-line indica hybrid rice.A total of 27 QTL for grain weight were detected using three recombinant inbred line populations derived from the crosses Teqing/IRBB lines,Zhenshan 97/Milyang 46,and Xieqingzao/Milyang 46.Of these,10 were found in only a single population and the other 17 in two or all three populations.Nine of the 17 common QTL were located in regions where no QTL associated with grain weight have been cloned and onewas selected for fine-mapping.Eight populations segregating in an isogenic background were derived from one F7 residual heterozygote of Teqing/IRBB52.The target QTL,qTGW10-20.8 controlling grain weight,grain length,and grain width,was localized to a 70.7-kb region flanked by InDel markers Te20811 and Te20882 on the long arm of chromosome 10.The QTL region contains seven annotated genes,ofwhich six encode proteins with known functional domains and one encodes a hypothetical protein.One of the genes,Os10g0536100 encoding the MIKC-type MADS-box protein OsMADS56,is the most likely candidate for qTGW10-20.8.These results provide a basis for cloning qTGW10-20.8,which has an important contribution to grain weight variation in rice.

Relationship Between Beak Morphological Variables and Body Size and Mantle Length of Male and Female Argentine Shortfin Squid(Illex argentinus)

Beak of cephalopod is an important hard tissue. Understanding the morphology of beak can yield critical infor- mation on the role of cephalopods in the ecosystem. The south patagonic stock of the Argentine shortfin squid, Illex argentinus, is not only one of the most important fishing targets, but also one of the most important species in the marine eco-system of the southwest Atlantic. A total of 430 samples ofL argentinus, including 229 females 103-346mm in mantle length （ML） and 201 males 140-298mm in ML, were collected from the area off the Exclusive Economic Zone of Argentinean waters by Chinese squid jigging vessels during February to May 2007. The morphology of their beaks was evaluated. The relationships between beak morphological variables and ML differed significantly among males and females. They could be best described by loga- rithmic functions for females and linear functions for males except for upper wing length （UWL） and lower rostrum length （LRL）, which followed exponential functions in their relationships with ML. The results showed the sexual dimorphism in the relationship between ML and beak morphology for the south patagonic stock ofL argentinus. However, no significant differ- ence was found between males and females in the relationships of beak morphological variables （except for UWL） versus body weight （BW）, suggesting that the relationship between beak morphological variables and BW can be used for estimating the biomass consumed by their predators.

Pathological and MR-DWI study of the acute hepatic injury model after stem cell transplantation

AIM： To investigate apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values as an indication of reconditioning of acute hepatic injury （AHI） after allogeneic mononuclear bone marrow cell （MBMC） transplantation. METHODS： Three groups were used in our study： a cell transplantation group （n = 21）, transplantation control group （n = 21） and normal control group （n = 10）. AHI model rabbits in the cell transplantation group were injected with 5 mL of MBMC suspension at multiple sites in the liver and the transplantation controls were injected with 5 mL D-Hanks solution. At the end of the 1st, 2nd and 4th wk, 7 rabbits were randomly selected from the cell transplantation group and trans- plantation control group for magnetic resonance diffu- sion-weighted imaging （MR-DWI） and measurement of the mean ADC values of injured livers. After MR-DWI examination, the rabbits were sacrificed and the livers subjected to pathological examination. Ten healthy rab- bits from the normal control group were used for MR- DWI examination and measurement of the mean ADC value of normal liver. RESULTS： At all time points, the liver pathological scores from the cell transplantation group were significantly lower than those in the transplantation control group （27.14± 1.46 vs 69.29± 6.16, 22.29 ± 2.29 vs 57.00± 1.53, 19.00 ± 2.31 vs 51.86 ± 6.04, P = 0.000）. The mean ADC values of the cell transplantation group were significantly higher than the transplantation con- trol group （（1.07± 0.07） ×10^-3 mm2/s vs （0.69 ± 0.05） ×10^-3 mm2/s, （1.41± 0.04） ×10^-3 mm2/s vs （0.84± 0.03） ×10^-3 mm2/s, （1.68 ± 0.04） ×10^-3 mm2/s vs （0.86± 0.04） ×10^-3 mm2/s, P = 0.000）. The pathological scores of the cell transplantation group and transplantation control group gradually decreased. However, their mean ADC values gradually increased to near that of the normal control. At the end of the 1st wk, the mean ADC values of the cell transplantation group and transplantation control group were significantly lower than those of the normal control group [（1.07 ± 0.07） ×10^-3 mm2/s vs （± 0.03） ×10^-3 mm2/s, （0.69± 0.05） ×10^-3 mm2/s vs （1.76 ± 0.03） ×10^-3 mm2/s, P = 0.000]. At any 2 time points, the pathological scores and the mean ADC values of the cell transplantation group were significantly different （P = 0.000）. At the end of the 1st wk, the pathological scores and the mean ADC values of the transplantation control group were significantly different from those at the end of the 2nd and 4th wk （P = 0.000）. However, there was no significant difference between the 2nd and 4th wk （P = 0.073 and 0.473, respectively）. The coefficient of correlation between the pathological score and the mean ADC value in the cell transplantation group was -0.883 （P = 0.000） and -0.762 （P = 0.000） in the transplantation control group. CONCLUSION： Tracking the longitudinally dynamic change in the mean ADC value of the AHI liver may reflect hepatic injury reconditioning after allogeneic MBMC transplantation.

Identification and validation of major QTL for grain size and weight in bread wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)

Grain size and weight are key components of wheat yield.Exploitation of major underlying quantitative trait loci(QTL)can improve yield potential in wheat breeding.A recombinant inbred line(RIL)population was constructed to detect QTL for thousand-grain weight(TGW),grain length(GL)and grain width(GW)across eight environments.Genomic regions associated with grain size and grain weight were identified on chromosomes 4A and 6A using bulked segregant exome sequencing(BSE-Seq)analysis.After constructing genetic maps,six major QTL detected in at least four individual environments and in best linear unbiased estimator(BLUE)datasets,explained 7.50%-23.45%of the phenotypic variation.Except for QGl.cib-4A,the other five QTL were co-located in two regions,namely QTgw/Gw.cib-4A and QTgw/Gw/Gl.cib-6A.Interactions of these QTL were analyzed.Unlike QTgw/Gw/Gl.cib-6A,QTgw/Gw.cib-4A and QGl.cib-4A had no effect on grain number per spike(GNS).The QTL were validated in a second cross using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR(KASP)markers.Since QTgw/Gw.cib-4A was probably a novel locus,it and the KASP markers reported here can be used in wheat breeding.TraesCS4A03G0191200 was predicted to be potential candidate gene for QTgw/Gw.cib-4A based on the sequence differences,spatiotemporal expression patterns,gene annotation and haplotype analysis.Our findings will be useful for fine mapping and for marker-assisted selection in wheat grain yield improvement.

Distribution and Quantity of Root Systems of Field-Grown Erianthus and Napier Grass

Cellulosic bioethanol produced from non-edible plants reduces potential food-fuel competition and, as such, is receiving increasing attention. In the raw material production of cellulosic bioethanol, the aboveground biomass of plants is entirely harvested;consequently, the plant roots represent the major source of organic matter incorporated into the soil. We selected Erianthus and Napier grass as the raw materials for cultivation in Asia. However, information about whether these 2 species provide sufficient root volume to sustain soil fertility is limited. Therefore, we examined the spatial distribution of the roots of these 2 plants, and quantified root mass and length. Erianthus and Napier grass were either grown in fields or greenhouses in Tokyo (Japan) and Lampung (Indonesia), and then their roots were exposed from adjacent soil profiles. Both species developed large, deep roots, penetrating 2.0-2.6 m deep into the soil. Root depth indexes showed that the roots of both species penetrated much deeper into the soil compared to monocot crop species, being more comparable to dicot species. Erianthus developed a root mass and length of 384-850 g·m-2 and 28.8-35.8 km·m-2, while the values for Napier grass were 183-448 g·m-2 and 15.6-43.6 km·m-2, respectively. These values exceeded the maximum values previously recorded for common crop species. Our study confirmed that Erianthus and Napier grass develop deep root systems, with substantially large biomass;hence, we suggest that both plants supply root biomass in large quantities, representing possible major sources of soil organic matter.

Identification of key genes controlling cancer stem cell characteristics in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Self-renewal of gastric cancer stem cells(GCSCs)is considered to be the underlying cause of the metastasis,drug resistance,and recurrence of gastric cancer(GC).AIM To characterize the expression of stem cell-related genes in GC.METHODS RNA sequencing results and clinical data for gastric adenoma and adenocarcinoma samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database,and the results of the GC mRNA expression-based stemness index(mRNAsi)were analyzed.Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was then used to find modules of interest and their key genes.Survival analysis of key genes was performed using the online tool Kaplan-Meier Plotter,and the online database Oncomine was used to assess the expression of key genes in GC.RESULTS mRNAsi was significantly upregulated in GC tissues compared to normal gastric tissues(P<0.0001).A total of 16 modules were obtained from the gene coexpression network;the brown module was most positively correlated with mRNAsi.Sixteen key genes(BUB1,BUB1 B,NCAPH,KIF14,RACGAP1,RAD54 L,TPX2,KIF15,KIF18 B,CENPF,TTK,KIF4 A,SGOL2,PLK4,XRCC2,a n d C1 orf112)were identified in the brown module.The functional and pathway enrichment analyses showed that the key genes were significantly enriched in the spindle cellular component,the sister chromatid segregation biological process,the motor activity molecular function,and the cell cycle and homologous recombination pathways.Survival analysis and Oncomine analysis revealed that the prognosis of patients with GC and the expression of three genes(RAD54 L,TPX2,and XRCC2)were consistently related.CONCLUSION Sixteen key genes are primarily associated with stem cell self-renewal and cell proliferation characteristics.RAD54 L,TPX2,and XRCC2 are the most likely therapeutic targets for inhibiting the stemness characteristics of GC cells.

Experimental study on stemming effect in rock blasting

Based on the blasting theory and stress wave theory, stemming mechanism and movement of stemmed material in rock blasting were analyzed and the calculation expression of stemming lengths was deduced. The blasting experiment with different stemming lengths was carried out and the results show that the theoretical stemming length, which is 0.73 ~ 0.8 time of burden, is in the range of the experiential length, which is O. 63 - O. 88 time of burden. The blasting results of field experiments with theoretical stemming length are satisfactory, which shows the theoretical derivation and analysis are correct and reliable. The results will supply rock blasting with the theoretical gist of parameters design.

Development of a Procedure to Maximize Production of Hardy Rootstocks of Citrus Using Stem Cuttings

Shoots of Citrus sp. Kuharske were used to develop protocols for rooting reportedly HLB resistance rootstocks under intermittent mist. Investigated were shoot maturity, nodes per cutting, leaves per cutting, effects of buds, auxin concentrations and auxin solvent. Shoot maturity was most influential for success, with cuttings taken below the first 30 cm of active terminal growth producing greater root generation. Use of a thickening agent (Natrosal) to dilute the commercial auxin was second most in importance for rooting success. Root mass increased with increasing number of leaves. Cutting stems between nodes or below the lowest bud were inconsequential. To produce maximum number of viable cuttings, single node-single leaf cuttings were preferred. Single bud cuttings produced one shoot after rooting. This was adventitious since multi-node cuttings usually sprouted new shoots that would need to be removed before budded. Evaluation of the best combination of auxin and cutting-related attributes were evaluated with four additional common rootstocks in June 2016. Rooting was 100% successful. A quick dip (0.5 s) in a 7500 ppm solution of Dip&Gro produced the most root generation in six weeks for all rootstocks. Root quantity varied by rootstock.