Search

The genetic basis of soybean root system architecture (RSA) and the genetic relationship between shoot and RSA were revealed by integrating data from recombinant inbred population grafting and QTL mapping. Variations in root system architecture (RSA) affect the functions of roots and thus play vital roles in plant adaptations and agricultural productivity. The aim of this study was to unravel the genetic relationship between RSA traits and shoot-related traits in soybean. This study characterized RSA variability at seedling stage in a recombinant inbred population, derived from a cross between cultivated soybean C08 and wild soybean W05, and performed high-resolution quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. In total, 34 and 41 QTLs were detected for RSA-related and shoot-related traits, respectively, constituting eight QTL clusters. Significant QTL correspondence was found between shoot biomass and RSA-related traits, consistent with significant correlations between these phenotypes. RSA-related QTLs also overlapped with selection regions in the genome, suggesting the cultivar RSA could be a partial consequence of domestication. Using reciprocal grafting, we confirmed that shoot-derived signals affected root development and the effects were controlled by multiple loci. Meanwhile, RSA-related QTLs were found to co-localize with four soybean flowering-time loci. Consistent with the phenotypes of the parental lines of our RI population, diminishing the function of flowering controlling E1 family through RNA interference (RNAi) led to reduced root growth. This implies that the flowering time-related genes within the RSA-related QTLs are actually contributing to RSA. To conclude, this study identified the QTLs that determine RSA through controlling root growth indirectly via regulating shoot functions, and discovered superior alleles from wild soybean that could be used to improve the root structure in existing soybean cultivars.

The Wildsoydb DataHub is an integrated interface for biologists and breeders to access soybean genomic resources easily, allowing them to fully utilize the results of genomic research.

Yueming Zhang,1– 3 Ziyao Guo,1,2 Wen Zhang,3 Qinyuan Li,1,2 Yan Zhao,1,2 Zhili Wang,1,2 Zhengxiu Luo1,2 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory, Xi’an Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhengxiu Luo, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, Email luozhengxiu816@hospital.cqmu.edu.cnObjective: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the adverse effects of acute PM2.5 exposure on lung function in children.Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting, participants and measures: Eligible studies analyzing PM2.5 level and lung function in children were screened out. Effect estimates of PM2.5 measurements were quantified using random effect models. Heterogeneity was investigated with Q-test and I2 statistics. We also conducted meta-regression and sensitivity analysis to explore the sources of heterogeneity, such as different countries and asthmatic status. Subgroup analyses were conducted to determine the effects of acute PM2.5 exposure on children of different asthmatic status and in different countries.Results: A total of 11 studies with 4314 participants from Brazil, China and Japan were included finally. A 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5 was associated with a 1.74L/min (95% CI: − 2.68, − 0.90) decrease in peak expiratory flow (PEF). Since the asthmatic status and country could partly explain the heterogeneity, we conducted the subgroup analysis. Children with severe asthma were more susceptible to PM2.5 exposure (− 3.11 L/min per 10 μg/m3 increase, 95% CI − 4.54, − 1.67) than healthy children (− 1.61 L/min per 10 μg/m3 increase, 95% CI − 2.34, − 0.91). In the children of China, PEF decreased by 1.54 L/min (95% CI − 2.33, − 0.75) with a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure. In the children of Japan, PEF decreased by 2.65 L/min (95% CI − 3.82, − 1.48) with a 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5 exposure. In contrast, no statistic association was found between every 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5 and lung function in children of Brazil (− 0.38 L/min, 95% CI − 0.91, 0.15).Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the acute PM2.5 exposure exerted adverse impacts on children’s lung function, and children with severe asthma were more susceptible to the increase of PM2.5 exposure. The impacts of acute PM2.5 exposure varied across different countries.Keywords: particulate matter 2.5, PM2.5, children, peak expiratory flow, PEF, acute exposure, meta-analysis

With the emergence of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), intensive computation workload will be imposed to Industrial End Units (IEUs). By leveraging Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), the local computational tasks can be offloaded to servers deployed in mobile edge networks with low latency. This paper proposes the intelligent cost-and-energy-effective task offloading in the 5G and Wi-Fi 6 coexisting heterogeneous IIoT networks. The novel Joint Task Scheduling and Resource Allocation (JTSRA) approach comprises two parts: a Lyapunov optimization-based component to decide local task scheduling and computing power, and an online multi-agent reinforcement learning component together with a game theory-based algorithm to select offloading link and decide transmit power, respectively. Simulation results demonstrate the proposed approach holds obvious advantage over the compared ‘intuition’ and ‘cost optimal’ approaches in the efficiency of making comprehensive decision that improves energy efficiency and cost while controlling task delay in the multi-IEU and multi-access-node MEC systems.

This study aims to determine the genetic and clinical features of TARDBP-mutated patients in our cohort of Chinese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) combined with data in the literature.We performed TARDBP mutation screening in 1258 Chinese ALS patients, including 1204 sporadic ALS (sALS) and 54 familial ALS (fALS) patients. A systematic literature review was conducted by searching TARDBP-mutated patients from China in the online databases.In our cohort, the mutant frequency of TARDBP variants was 0.3% (4/1258), with two recurrent variants (p.G294V, p.G298V) and one novel variant (p.S332G) identified. Combining with data in the literature review, the TARDBP-mutant frequency in the Chinese population was 1.4% (83/5998), with 0.8% (46/5470) in sALS and 7.0% (37/528) in fALS. Most patients had limb onset (63.0%), with an average life expectancy of 4.3 years (range 0.5-13). Disease durations significantly differed (p = 0.002), with p.M337V showing the longest duration (80 months) and p.N378D showing the shortest duration (16.7 months).Our study found that TARDBP mutation was not rare in Chinese fALS patients. Different TARDBP mutations were associated with specific features in phenotypes.

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is a food and oil crop whose growth and yield are influenced by root and nodule development. In the present study, GmNMHC5 was found to promote the formation of nodules in overexpressing mutants. In contrast, the number of nodules in Gmnmhc5 edited with CRISPR/Cas9 decreased sharply. In 35S:GmNMHC5 mutants, expression levels of genes involved in nodulation were significantly up-regulated. Both in vitro and in vivo biochemical analyses showed that GmNMHC5 directly interacted with GmGAI (a DELLA protein), and the content of gibberellin 3 (GA3) in overexpressing mutants was lower than that in the wild type. These results revealed that GmNMHC5 participates in the classical GA signaling pathway, and may regulate the content of GA3 to match the optimal concentration required for nodule formation, thereby promoting nodulation by directly interacting with GmGAI. A model illustrating the mechanism by which GmNMHC5 promotes soybean nodulation is presented.

A comprehensive theoretical study on Cu-based single-atom alloys reveals their inherent structure–activity relationship relevant to performance in NRR.

Reducing the usage of Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great significance for the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Background: Congenital bronchobiliary fistula (CBBF) is a rare disease with abnormal connection between the biliary tract and the bronchus. The misdiagnosis rate of CBBF is high, delayed surgery may induce poor outcome. Case presentation: We reported a girl with CBBF who was confirmed via bronchoscopy and chest computed tomography (CT). The girl was 7-month-old admitted to the hospital with “recurrent pneumonia”. Bilirubin crystallization detection was positive in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). CT images showed the abnormal traffic between the biliary tract and the right main bronchus, the girl was diagnosed with CBBF and recovered after surgical operation. Literature search: A total of 27 cases were collected, 14 (51.8%) cases were diagnosed in the neonatal period, 9 (33.3%) patients were diagnosed in infancy. CBBF was more common in female (19/27, 70.3%). The specific manifestations were bilious sputum (24/27, 88.9%) and bilious vomiting (7/27, 22.2%). Recurrent pneumonia (9/27, 33.3%) was common clinical manifestations. The most abnormal fistula originates different location around the carina was right main bronchus (21/27, 77.8%). There were 23(85.2%) cases recovered after surgical operation and 4(14.8%) cases with severe comorbidities/complications died. Conclusions: CBBF should be suspected in infants with bilious sputum. Bronchoscopy plays crucial role in preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up. With early diagnosis and surgery, the prognosis is quite well for CBBF patients without severe biliary malformation and/or severe postoperative complications.

The fabrication of an organic-inorganic nanocomposite hydrogel platform with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and osteoinductive properties that mimic bone extracellular matrix composition, is decisive for the guiding bone development in orthopedic practice....

To investigate the factors that influence the occurrence of anorectal malformations (ARMs).From December 2018 to December 2019, 136 children treated for ARMs at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were included in the case group. The control group consisted of children with intussusception or perianal abscesses. A uniform questionnaire was filled by the parents of the enrolled children.The birth weight of the cases was significantly lower than that of the controls (p .01), and children with ARMs were more likely to be complicated with single umbilical artery (SUA) (p .001). Maternal upper respiratory tract infection (adjusted odds ratio [ORMaternal infection, anemia during pregnancy, and maternal hazardous substances exposure are possible risk factors for ARMs. Folic acid supplements and multivitamin can reduce the occurrence of ARMs. Meanwhile, paternal drug use may also be a risk factor for ARMs.

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) at ambient conditions is a promising route for ammonia (NH

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality across the globe. Although serum biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA-199) have been prevalently used as biomarkers in various cancers, they are neither very sensitive nor highly specific. Repeated tissue biopsies at different times of the disease can be uncomfortable for cancer patients. Additionally, the existence of tumor heterogeneity and the results of local biopsy provide limited information about the overall tumor biology. Against this backdrop, it is necessary to look for reliable and noninvasive biomarkers of CRC. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which depart from a primary tumor, enter the bloodstream, and imitate metastasis, have a great potential for precision medicine in patients with CRC. Various efficient CTC isolation platforms have been developed to capture and identify CTCs. The count of CTCs, as well as their biological characteristics and genomic heterogeneity, can be used for the early diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response in CRC. This study reviewed the existing CTC isolation techniques and their applications in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CRC. The study also presented their limitations and provided future research directions.

Organic and inorganic structure-directing agents (SDAs) impact Al distributions in zeolite, but the insights into how SDAs manipulate Al distribution have not been elucidated yet. Herein, the roles of different SDAs such as cyclohexylamine (CHA), hexamethylenimine (HMI), and Na+ in selective Al substitution of MCM-49 zeolite are investigated comprehensively by multinuclear solid-state NMR. The results demonstrate that MCM-49 synthesized with HMI shows relatively more T6 and T7 Al, while more T2 Al is observed using CHA. The formation of T2 Al in both MCM-49(HMI) and MCM-49(CHA) is derived from Na+, while protonated HMIs show bias in incorporation of T6 and T7 Al. Most HMIs are occluded in protonated status, and about half of CHAs are occluded in nonprotonated status. The close spatial proximity between nonprotonated CHAs and Na+ synergistically promotes the formation of zeolite structure, leading to more Na+ ions occluded in the zeolite channel with preferential T2 Al substitution.

This paper reviews the background of China’s decision to launch the “China Migrants Dynamic Survey” (CMDS), and examines the ideas and characteristics of CMDSs carried out annually from 2009 through 2018. The paper considers such aspects as project design, questionnaire design, sampling design, and survey implementation, and summarizes why it is necessary to carry out CMDS and the survey’s performance. Based on the need for information that drives migration surveys and research in the new era, and taking into account the experience gained from previous surveys, this paper attempts to set forth several issues that need to be taken into consideration in the design and implementation of future surveys of migrants.