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SUMMARY: Maize is one of the world's most important staple crops, yet its production is increasingly threatened by the rising frequency of high‐temperature stress (HTS). To investigate the genetic basis of anther thermotolerance under field conditions, we performed linkage and association analysis to identify HTS response quantitative trait loci (QTL) using three recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations and an association panel containing 375 diverse maize inbred lines. These analyses resulted in the identification of 16 co‐located large QTL intervals. Among the 37 candidate genes identified in these QTL intervals, five have rice or Arabidopsis homologs known to influence pollen and filament development. Notably, one of the candidate genes, ZmDUP707, has been subject to selection pressure during breeding. Its expression is suppressed by HTS, leading to pollen abortion and barren seeds. We also identified several additional candidate genes potentially underly QTL previously reported by other researchers. Taken together, our results provide a pool of valuable candidate genes that could be employed by future breeding programs aiming at enhancing maize HTS tolerance. Significance Statement: Our research will provide a pool of valuable candidate genes that could be employed by future breeding programs aiming at enhancing maize HTS tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA (miRNA), a type of non-coding RNA, is crucial for controlling gene expression. Among the various miRNA families, miR166 stands out as a highly conserved group found in both model and crop plants. It plays a key role in regulating a wide range of developmental and environmental responses. In this review, we explore the diverse sequences of MIR166s in major crops and discuss the important regulatory functions of miR166 in plant growth and stress responses. Additionally, we summarize how miR166 interacts with other miRNAs and highlight the potential for enhancing agronomic traits by manipulating the expression of miR166 and its targeted HD-ZIP III genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brace root architecture is a critical determinant of maize's stalk anchorage and nutrition uptake, influencing root lodging resistance, stress tolerance, and plant growth. To identify the key microRNAs (miRNAs) in control of maize brace root growth, we performed small RNA sequencing using brace root samples at emergence and growth stages. We focused on the genetic modulation of brace root development in maize through manipulation of miR390 and its downstream regulated auxin response factors (ARFs). In the present study, miR167, miR166, miR172, and miR390 were identified to be involved in maize brace root growth in inbred line B73. Utilizing short tandem target mimic (STTM) technology, we further developed maize lines with reduced miR390 expression and analyzed their root architecture compared to wild-type controls. Our findings show that STTM390 maize lines exhibit enhanced brace root length and increased whorl numbers. Gene expression analyses revealed that the suppression of miR390 leads to upregulation of its downstream regulated ARF genes, specifically ZmARF11 and ZmARF26, which may significantly alter root architecture. Additionally, loss-of-function mutants for ZmARF11 and ZmARF26 were characterized to further confirm the role of these genes in brace root growth. These results demonstrate that miR390, ZmARF11, and ZmARF26 play crucial roles in regulating maize brace root growth; the involved complicated molecular mechanisms need to be further explored. This study provides a genetic basis for breeding maize varieties with improved lodging resistance and adaptability to diverse agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have prepared several NaLaMgWO6:Dy3+, Tb3+ phosphors using a high-temperature solid-phase method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) were used to analyze the physical phase and luminescent characteristics of these materials. Our results showed that in the NaLaMgWO6:xDy3+ phosphor, an ideal doping concentration of x = 8.0 mol% was discovered, which gave off a noticeably yellowish emission band. In NaLaMgWO6:yTb3+ phosphor, the optimal doping concentration of Tb3+ ions were y = 10 mol%. Dy3+ and Tb3+ singly doped phosphors showed significant yellow and green emission at 574 nm and 547 nm, corresponding to the 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 transitions of Dy3+ and the 5D4 → 7F5 transitions of Tb3+, respectively. In the NaLaMgWO6:Dy3+, Tb3+ phosphor, energy transfer was observed, and the mechanism behind it was thoroughly described. Furthermore, the color of the NaLaMgWO6 phosphor could be adjusted from yellowish to greenish by varying the Dy3+/Tb3+ ratio in concentration. These findings demonstrate that co-doped NaLaMgWO6 phosphors containing Dy3+and Tb3+ hold great potential for use in gadgets with fluorescent displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three immunizing haptens of bisphenol A (BPA), including two new haptens, were used to produce highly sensitive and specific polyclonal antibodies. The spacer arms of haptens for coupling to the protein carrier were located at different positions in BPA, and different length spacer arms were tested. Highly sensitive polyclonal antibodies were obtained and characterized using indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA). Under optimized conditions, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of the best polyclonal antibody was 2.1 mg·L−1, based on coating heterogeneous antigens, and this optimal polyclonal antibody was highly sensitive toward BPA and displayed negligible cross-reactivity with bisphenol B and bisphenol E. A sensitive icELISA method utilizing the polyclonal antibody was developed for the determination of BPA in milk. In spiked samples (5, 10 and 20 mg·L−1), the recovery ranged from 80% to 102% with a coefficient of variation (CV) value below 15.8%. The limit of detection of icELISA was 1.95 mg·L−1. These results indicate that the icELISA method is suitable for the detection of BPA in milk.