Impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on diabetes mellitus:A pre and post pandemic evaluation

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic caused by the novel beta coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)crippled the whole world and has resulted in large number of morbidity and mortality.The origin of the SARS-CoV-2 is still disputed.The risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is dependent on several risk factors as observed in many studies.The severity of the disease depends on many factors including the viral strain,host immunogenetics,environmental factors,host genetics,host nutritional status and presence of comorbidities like hypertension,diabetes,Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,cardiovascular disease,renal impairment.Diabetes is a metabolic disorder mainly characterized by hyperglycemia.Diabetic individuals are intrinsically prone to infections.SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with diabetes result inβ-cell damage and cytokine storm.Damage to the cells impairs the equilibrium of glucose,leading to hyperglycemia.The ensuing cytokine storm causes insulin resistance,especially in the muscles and liver,which also causes a hyperglycemic state.All of these increase the severity of COVID-19.Genetics also play pivotal role in disease pathogenesis.This review article focuses from the probable sources of coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 to its impacts on individuals with diabetes and host genetics in pre-and post-pandemic era.

Assessing genetic diversity of wild populations of Japanese flounderusing AFLP markers

Amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） analysis was used to evaluate the genetic diversity of four wild geographical populations of Japanese flounder （Paralichthys olivaceus）. A total of 775 loci （58.32% of which was polymorphic） in the range between 100 and 1 300 base pairs were detected from 110 individuals using seven primer combinations. The percentage of polymorphic loci detected by single primer combination for each population was calculated, ranging from 19.59% to 53.33%. Genetic similarities within and among the populations were calculated from the binary matrices of presence - absence. Phylogenetic tree of four populations was constructed by using the UPGMA method using PHYLIP Version 3.5. According to intrapopulation genetic similarities, CW population displayed the highest genetic diversity value and KY population had the lowest genetic diversity value. The distance between CW and CF populations was the farthest, which was possibly resulted from the farthest distance of Weihai of Shandong and Fujian of China compared with the geographical distance between other locations of populations. The subpopulation differentiation value （G.,） is 0. 356 5, showing a certain extent of differentiation among the four geographical populations. AFLP technology was confirmed to be an effective tool to assess within- and among-population genetic diversity of Japanese flounder. The present survey provided significant insights for research in the Japanese flounder breeding program.

Local records of long-term dynamics of bamboo gregarious flowering in northern Laos and regional synchronicity of Dendrocalamus membranaceus in two flowering sites

Bamboos are widely distributed in mainland Southeast Asia and have abundant biomass. They are characterized by prolonged vegetative growth and semelparity. Where bamboos are dominant, their synchronous flowering and death has a major impact on forest vegetation. Although the small-scale dynamics of this process have become clearer in recent years, the history, geographical scale and synchronicity of bamboo flowering over broad areas remains unknown. This study focused on the flowering history of six bamboo species, Bambusa tulda, Cephalostachyum virgatum, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus membranaceus, Indosasa sinica and Oxytenanthera parvifolia, over 40 years across a broad area of northern Laos. We also examined the synchronicity of flowering in D. membranaceus. We visited 49 villages in northern Laos and surveyed knowledgeable inhabitants about bamboo flowering history. The timing, scale and synchronicity of gregarious flowering varied among species. D. hamiltonii and D. membranaceus showed higher flowering synchronicity than other species. All the species except I. sinica had both sporadic and gregarious flowering traits, and showed conspicuous variability in their flowering scale. The flowering bamboo population at two gregarious flowering sites for D. membranaceus was surveyed. While thisspecies had the highest synchronicity in this study, its synchronicity was lower than other species in previous studies worldwide. We found that the gregarious flowering of bamboos in northern Laos over the last 40 years showed lower synchronicity than bamboo flowering reported in other areas of the world. The historical dynamics and scale of bamboo flowering must be further clarified to understand the vegetation composition of this area.

Effect of Grains of Paradise (GP) Extract Intake on Obesity and Sympathetic Nerve Activity

The methanol extract of grains of paradise (GP), the seed of Aframomum melegueta, which is distributed throughout West Africa, was administered during an animal breeding test. The extract suppressed body weight gain and decreased the weight of adipose tissues in breeding mice, with a greater effect on mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) than on those fed a normal diet (ND). Other significant effects of GP intake included increased serum triglyceride (TG) concentration and reduced hepatic total cholesterol (TC) and TG concentrations. GP intake markedly prevented fat accumulation and improved hepatic lipid metabolism in HFD-fed mice. In addition, GP extract at a dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight decreased sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in brown adipose tissue (BAT), while capsaicin, a major component of chili pepper, activated BAT SNA. This suggested that GP exerts a potential anti-obesity effect by a different mechanism from that of capsaicin.

Suppression of Fusarium Crown Rot and Increase in Several Free Amino Acids in Mycorrhizal Asparagus

Disease suppression of Fusarium crown rot and the changes in free amino acid contents in mycorrhizal asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L., cv. “Welcome”) plants were investigated. Sixteen weeks after arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF;Glomus intraradices) inoculation, mycorrhizal plants showed higher dry weight of shoots than non-mycorrhizal plants, and AMF colonization level in a root system reached up to 73.3%. Ten weeks after Fusarium proliferatum (Fp;N1-31, SUF1207) inoculation, control plants showed 100% incidence and high severity in the 2 Fp isolates. However, AMF plants showed lower severity than non-AMF plants in the 2 Fp isolates. Ten weeks after Fp (N1-31) inoculation, the increase in 7 constituents of amino acids (glutamine, arginine, aspartic acid, alanine, citrulline, GABA, glycine) in shoots, and 9 in roots (asparagine, arginine, threonine, serine, glutamine, citrulline, valine, GABA, histidine) occurred in AMF plants. From these findings, plant growth promotion and suppression of Fusarium crown rot occurred in mycorrhizal asparagus plants, and the disease tolerance was supposed to be associated with the symbiosis-specific increase in free amino acids.

Polygenic Heritability of Rose Root Rot Disease Resistance in Offspring of Rosa multiflora

Rose root rot disease caused by Pythium helicoides Drechsler has brought heavy damage to cut rose production in Japan,and it has became apparent that Rosa multiflora showed resistance to this disease.Roses have been bred by interspecies crossing with Rosa species including of R.multiflora,and many progenies of R.multiflora have been bred as determined cluster-flowered roses.However,the genetic architecture of this resistance remains.So,in this study,four kinds of R.multiflora and 21 rose cultivars that have been clarified in the cross-fertilization genealogy with R.multiflora were used as plant materials,and the inheritability of resistance to root rot disease was investigated.Four kinds of R.multiflora had all high resistance,and the resistance to root rot disease in R.multiflora was inherent characteristic of species.Five varieties not less than 50% in relatedness with R.multiflora were shown as varied ‘resistant’ and ‘moderately resistant’.Therefore,the inherent resistant characteristic in R.multiflora was not controlled by single major gene,and the resistibility in R.multiflora was not cytoplasmic but nuclear heredity.Although there was significant negative relation between relative root rot severity and relatedness with R.multiflora,the variance of relative root rot severity had tendency to expand as relatedness with R.multiflora reduced.This result,therefore,indicated that the contingency of resistance expression increased as the relatedness with R.multiflora was reduced.The varieties having low degree of relatedness with R.multiflora had similar relative root rot severity with R.multiflora.These results indicated that we would be able to select resistant roses from progenies crossed with R.multiflora.

Evaluation of genetic diversity and conservation priorities for Egyptian chickens

In this study, 21 microsatellite markers were used to genotype 196 Egyptian local chickens obtained from Fayoumi (n = 35), Dandarawy (n = 30), Baladi (n = 29), Sinai (n = 30), El-Salam (n = 36), and Golden Montazah (n = 36) strains. The results were compared to two pure commercial chicken populations reared in Japan-White Leghorn (n = 42) and Rhode Island Red (n = 43). A total of 162 alleles were observed, with an average of 7.7 alleles per locus. The average expected heterozygosity for the Egyptian chickens was 0.595. The closest pairwise Nei’s genetic distance was recorded between Sinai and Golden Montazah (0.038) and the smallest pairwise FST value (0.006) was observed between Baladi and Sinai. The most probable structure clustering of the eight studied populations was at K = 6. Baladi, Sinai and Golden Montazah strains were clustered together forming admixed mosaic cluster. Dandarawy ranked firstly and contributed the most to aggregate genetic diversity based on two prioritization methods. The information resulting from this study may be used as an initial guide to design further investigations for development of sustainable genetic improvement and conservation programs for the Egyptian chicken genetic resources.

Variability in total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant leaf pigments and foliage yield of vegetable amaranth

Twenty vegetable amaranth genotypes were evaluated for total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant leaf pigments, vitamins, and selection of suitable genotypes for extraction of juice in a randomized complete block design（RCBD） with three replications. Vegetable amaranth was rich in chlorophyll, β-cyanins, β-xanthins, betalains, carotene, ascorbic acid and total antioxidant. The genotypes VA14, VA16, VA18, VA15, and VA20 could be selected as amaranth vegtable varieties with high yields and abundance antioxidant leaf pigments and vitamins to produce juice. The genotypes VA13 and VA19 had above-average foliage yield and high antioxidant profiles while the genotypes VA2, VA3, VA9, VA11, VA12, and VA17 had a high antioxidant profiles and below-average foliage yield. These genotypes could be used as a donor parent for integration of potential high antioxidant profiles genes into other genotypes. The correlation study revealed a strong positive association among all the antioxidant leaf pigments, total antioxidant capacity and foliage yield. Selection based on total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant leaf pigments could economically viable to improve the yield potential of vegetable amaranth genotypes. Total carotene and ascorbic acid exhibited insignificant genotypic correlation with all the traits except total antioxidant capacity. This indicates that selection for antioxidant vitamins might be possible without compromising yield loss.

Establishment and Effects of Ginger and Kikyoto of a Haloperidol-Induced Dysphagia Model in Guinea Pigs

Dysphagia induces aspiration and causes aspiration pneumonia. There is no treatment for dysphagia fundamentally. Haloperidol reportedly induces dysphagia. In the present study, we established a haloperidol-induced dysphagia model in guinea pigs, and evaluated the effects of ginger, kikyoto, and a mixture of ginger and kikyoto on swallowing. Swallowing ability was evaluated using behavioral tests, computed tomography (CT), and videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing. To investigate the effect of ginger and kikyoto on swallowing, ginger, kikyoto, or a mixture of ginger and kikyoto was administered orally to guinea pigs with haloperidol-induced dysphagia. Effects of these compounds were evaluated with behavioral tests. Chronic administration of haloperidol reduced the number of swallows, as evaluated by the behavioral test and videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing. In our model, these compounds improved swallowing dysfunction. Our results suggest that this model might be useful in revealing the pathogenesis of dysphagia and evaluating compounds that might improve swallowing.

杂交籼稻花药基部开裂性状的遗传研究

通过3×2不完全双列杂交配制6个杂交籼稻组合,对和水稻开花期高温耐性相关的花药基部开裂长度和宽度(the length and width of basal dehiscence of anther,BDL,BDW)以及花药顶部开裂长度和宽度(length and width of apical dehiscence of anther,ADL,ADW)4个性状进行遗传分析。结果表明,实验材料的不同组合间花药基部开裂性状存在极显著差异。BDL、BDW和ADW的遗传中加性和非加性效应都很重要。BDW和ADW均以利用一般配合力为主,双亲互作对BDL和ADL具有重要作用。BDL、BDW和ADW的广义遗传力较高,适合于早代选择,而ADL受环境影响较大。显著相关存在与BDL和BDW及ADL间,通过对BDL的选择可以达到对BDW和ADL选择的目的。本研究加深了对水稻花药开裂性状遗传机理的了解。

TD70/Kasalath RIL群体定位水稻花药基部开裂长度QTL

利用花药基部开裂长度存在明显差异的粳稻品系TD70和籼稻品种Kasalath的重组自交系(包含240个系)为作图群体,对控制水稻花药基部开裂长度的QTL进行鉴定,并对水稻花药基部开裂长度和其他农艺性状进行相关性分析。利用Ici Mappingv3.4软件,运用复合区间作图法,以均匀分布于12条染色体的141个SSR标记进行花药基部开裂长度的QTL检测,共检测到2个QTL位点,其中q LDBT6位于第6染色体RM3和RM3628之间,LOD值3.23,贡献率6.18%,加性效应17.74%;q LDBT8位于第8染色体RM1376和RM4085之间,LOD值2.95,贡献率8.00%,加性效应20.09%,推测该区域与小穗不育有重要关系,有必要进一步研究。RIL群体的花药基部开裂长度与剑叶宽、千粒质量、粒长、粒宽、粒厚间存在极显著正相关,与抽穗期、株高、分蘖数、剑叶长、总粒数、结实率、抽穗当天最高温度、抽穗期平均温度、抽穗期间最高温度以及芒长之间不相关。

TD70/Kasalath RIL群体定位水稻花药基部开裂长度QTL（英文）

利用花药基部开裂长度存在明显差异的粳稻品种TD70和籼稻品种Kasalath的重组自交系(包含240个系)为作图群体,对控制水稻花药基部开裂长度的QTL进行鉴定,并对水稻花药基部开裂长度和其他农艺性状进行相关性分析。利用Ici Mappingv3.4软件,运用复合区间作图法,以均匀分布于12条染色体的141个SSR标记进行花药基部开裂长度的QTL检测,共检测到2个QTL位点。位于第6染色体RM3和RM3628之间的q LDBT6,LOD值3.23,贡献率6.18%,加性效应17.74%。q LDBT8位于第8染色体RM1376和RM4085之间,LOD值2.95,贡献率8.00%,加性效应20.09%,推测该区域与小穗不育有重要关系。RIL群体的花药基部开裂长度与剑叶宽、千粒质量、粒长、粒宽、粒厚间存在极显著正相关,与抽穗期、株高、分蘖数、剑叶长、总粒数、结实率和抽穗当天最高温度、抽穗期平均温度、抽穗期最高温度以及芒长之间不相关。

A Computer Program for Automatic Watering Based on Potential Evapotranspiration by Penman Method and Predicted Leaf Area in Miniature Pot Rose Production

In this study, we developed a computer program for automatic prediction of watering time point by considering the environmental factors such as solar radiation, air temperature and relative humidity based on the multiple linear regression equation of leaf area and Penman Method. The experiments were carried out for a year in two watering experimental plots, one of which was controlled by pF value, and the other by the computer program. After comparing the results of the two plots, the following findings were obtained. In the computer program plot, the observed and predicted values of both leaf area and evapotranspiration indicated significant correlation at the 1% level, which suggested that the computer program had high prediction accuracy. In addition, no significant difference was observed between the two experimental plots with respects to the plant height, plant diameter, leaf area, leaf number, fresh weight, and dry weight, which demonstrated that the plants in the computer program plot had normal growth. On the other hand, although the number of flower buds and flowering shoots showed higher values at the end of certain cultivations in the computer program plot than those in pF value plot, we proposed that it was due to the effect of cumulative daily solar radiation in the greenhouse, rather than the watering. Thus, we have reached the conclusion that the computer program for automatic prediction of watering time point developed by this study has high applicability in miniature pot rose production.

Changes in Secondary Metabolites and Free Amino Acid Content in Tomato with <i>Lamiaceae</i>Herbs Companion Planting

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of Lamiaceae herbs companion planting on growth and secondary metabolites changes in tomato plants. Furthermore, the free amino acid changes in tomato due to companion planting were also evaluated using tomato-basil companionship as a model. Four-week-old seedlings of tomato were grown in a pot containing autoclaved commercial soil with basil, peppermint and hyssop as a companion plant separately in different density. Four weeks after companion planting, tomato plants under 1:1 companionship with the herbs showed significant increase in dry weights of shoots compared to control. Higher density of the herbs on the other hand expressed a growth suppression on tomato possibly due to nutrient competition. By the LC-MS analysis, shikimic acid and apigenin were identified as the major secondary compounds found in tomato plants and 1:1 companionship with basil seemed to have a positive influence on their content in tomato shoots. On the other hand, in case of peppermint and hyssop, the increase was observed in all parts of tomato plants. In addition, promotion in several free amino acid contents was also observed in tomato plants with basil companion planting compared to control. Thus, tomato plants grown with herb companion planting in 1:1 ratio seems to have a positive impact on growth of tomato. This positive influence might be related to the increase in some secondary metabolites and changes in the free amino acids observed in this study.

Cowpea NAC1/NAC2 transcription factors improve growth and tolerance to drought and heat in transgenic cowpea through combined activation of photosynthetic and antioxidant mechanisms

NAC(NAM/ATAF1/2/CUC2)transcription factors are central switches of growth and stress responses in plants.However,unpredictable interspecies conservation of function and regulatory targets makes the well-studied NAC orthologs inapt for pulse engineering.The knowledge of suitable NAC candidates in hardy pulses like cowpea(Vigna unguiculata(L.)Walp.)is still in infancy,hence warrants immediate biotechnological intervention.Here,we showed that overexpression of two native NAC genes(VuNAC1and VuNAC2)promoted germinative,vegetative,and reproductive growth and conferred multiple abiotic stress tolerance in a commercial cowpea variety.The transgenic lines displayed increased leaf area,thicker stem,nodule-rich denser root system,early flowering,higher pod production(~3.2-fold and~2.1-fold),and greater seed weight(10.3%and 6.0%).In contrast,transient suppression of VuNAC1/2 caused severe growth retardation and flower inhibition.The overexpressor lines showed remarkable tolerance to major yielddeclining terminal stresses,such as drought,salinity,heat,and cold,and recovered growth and seed production by boosting photosynthetic activity,water use efficiency,membrane integrity,Na^(+)/K^(+)homeostasis,and antioxidant activity.The comparative transcriptome study indicated consolidated activation of genes involved in chloroplast development,photosynthetic complexes,cell division and expansion,cell wall biogenesis,nutrient uptake and metabolism,stress response,abscisic acid,and auxin signaling.Unlike their orthologs,VuNAC1/2 direct synergistic transcriptional tuning of stress and developmental signaling to avoid unwanted trade-offs.Their overexpression governs the favorable interplay of photosynthesis and reactive oxygen species regulation to improve stress recovery,nutritional sufficiency,biomass,and production.This unconventional balance of strong stress tolerance and agronomic quality is useful for translational crop research and molecular breeding of pulses.

Interaction between Allelochemicals and <i>Fusarium</i>Root Rot in Asparagus Seedlings Cultured <i>In Vitro</i>

The interaction between Fusarium root rot and 4 allelochemicals in asparagus seedlings was estimated in vitro to clarify the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in asparagus decline. In in vitro culture of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi (Foa) with or without addition of 4 allelochemicals (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, malic acid;0.01%, 0.1%, w/v) using Czapec-Dox media, Foa propagation was suppressed in all the treatments. The degree of suppression became higher in 0.1% than 0.01% among all the allelochemicals. As for the axenic culture of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L., “Welcome”) seedlings with the 4 allelochemicals, dry weight of both shoots and roots became lower compared to control in 0.1% and 0.01% of caffeic acid, 0.1% ferulic acid, 0.01% quercetin, only dry weight of shoots decreased in 0.1% malic acid. Two weeks after Foa inoculation with Foa-cultured PDA cubes in vitro, incidence of Fusarium root rot reached 100% in most of the plots. The severity of root rot increased in 0.01% and 0.1% caffeic acid, 0.1% ferulic acid, 0.1% malic acid compared to control. From these results, the 4 allelochemicals used in this study are supposed to suppress asparagus growth, and such growth reduction might enhance the disease severity of Fusarium root rot as an indirect effect. In addition, such effect might differ with the allelochemicals and concentrations in asparagus.

High REDOX RESPONSIVE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1 Levels Result in Accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Arabidopsis thaliana Shoots and Roots

Redox Responsive Transcription Factor1 （RRTF1） in Arabidopsis is rapidly and transiently upregulated by H202, as well as biotic- and abiotic-induced redox signals. RRTF1 is highly conserved in angio- sperms, but its physiological role remains elusive. Here we show that inactivation of RRTF1 restricts and overexpression promotes reactive oxygen species （ROS） accumulation in response to stress. Transgenic lines overexpressing RRTF1 are impaired in root and shoot development, light sensitive, and susceptible to Alternaria brassicae infection. These symptoms are diminished by the beneficial root endophyte Piriformospora indica, which reduces ROS accumulation locally in roots and systemi- cally in shoots, and by antioxidants and ROS inhibitors that scavenge ROS. More than 800 genes were detected in mature leaves and seedlings of transgenic lines overexpressing RRTF1; ∽40% of them have stress-, redox-, ROS-regulated-, ROS-scavenging-, defense-, cell death- and related functions. Bioinformatic analyses and in vitro DNA binding assays demonstrate that RRTF1 binds to GCC-box-like sequences in the promoter of RRTFl-responsive genes. Upregulation of RRTF1 by stress stimuli and H202 requires WRKY18/40/60. RRTF1 is co-regulated with the phylogenet- ically related RAP2.6, which contains a GCC-box-like sequence in its promoter, but transgenic lines overexpressing RAP2.6 do not accumulate higher ROS levels. RRTF1 also stimulates systemic ROS accumulation in distal non-stressed leaves. We conclude that the elevated levels of the highly conserved RRTF1 induce ROS accumulation in response to ROS and ROS-producing abiotic and biotic stress signals.