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Salinization of cultivated soils may result in either high salt levels or alkaline conditions, both of which stress crops and reduce performance. We sampled genotypes included in the Northeast China soybean germplasm population (NECSGP) to identify possible genes that affect tolerance to alkaline soil conditions. In this study, 361 soybean accessions collected in Northeast China were tested under 220 mM NaHCO3:Na2CO3 = 9:1 (pH = 9.8) to evaluate the alkali-tolerance (ATI) at the seedling stage in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang, China. The restricted two-stage multi-locus model genome-wide association study (RTM-GWAS) with gene–allele sequences as markers (6503 GASMs) based on simplified genome resequencing (RAD-sequencing) was accomplished. From this analysis, 132 main effect candidate genes with 359 alleles and 35 Gene × Environment genes with 103 alleles were identified, explaining 90.93% and 2.80% of the seedling alkali-tolerance phenotypic variation, respectively. Genetic variability of ATI in NECSGP was observed primarily within subpopulations, especially in ecoregion B, from which 80% of ATI-tolerant accessions were screened out. The biological functions of 132 candidate genes were classified into eight functional categories (defense response, substance transport, regulation, metabolism-related, substance synthesis, biological process, plant development, and unknown function). From the ATI gene–allele system, six key genes–alleles were identified as starting points for further study on understanding the ATI gene network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symptoms of AR patients were also worse after infection than pre-infection (Figures S1-S4 and Table S4). Besides, the "infected patients" involved were all patients who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and there was a lack of patients who died from infection or were still experiencing severe illness. We found that nasal and ear symptoms and most other symptoms of AR patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were more serious than those of non-AR patients. [Extracted from the article]

Synthetic biology's multiscale approaches to biosensing facilitate biological detection across diverse environments, leading to the development of advanced bio/electronic devices that convert biological events into electrical signals. Electrochemical biosensors are particularly promising due to their cost-effectiveness, ease of fabrication, and potential for miniaturization. Cell-free synthetic biology (CFSB) utilizes cell-free biological components to engineer and mimic the behavior, functions, and characteristics of cell systems, providing versatile approaches to bioengineering beyond cellular contexts. Engineering electrode surface with the principles of CFSB systems may represent a cutting-edge research direction for electrochemical biosensing, potentially solving bioanalytical issues of selectivity, sensitivity, and biocompatibility. This review highlights the latest trends in creating biosensing electrodes with CFSB components, as categorized by transcriptional, translational, and novel CFSB types. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and challenges of engineering CFSB components on electrode surfaces, aiming to inspire the future integration of CFSB technologies into electrochemical biosensing research. • Description of the role of cell-free synthetic biology (CFBS) system for bioelectronic surface engineering. • Categorizing and discussing advantages and challenges the CFSB systems for the development of electrochemical biosensors. • Providing new insights on biomolecular engineering of electrode surface for enhanced bioanalytical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant food resources in riparian zones provide efficient foraging sites for waterbirds. Herbivory is a key ecosystem process that has widely recognized effects on primary production and vegetation structure and composition. However, there is limited understanding of impacts of waterbird herbivory on riparian zone vegetation. In this study, a bird exclosure experiment with five levels of foraging intensities (no foraging, very little foraging, light foraging, moderate foraging and heavy foraging) was set up in Shengjin Lake to study the effects of waterbird foraging on the community structure of sedge meadows and individual traits of the dominant plant Carex thunbergii. Foraging intensity had little effect on community structure. The dry mass of C. thunbergii decreased with the increasing foraging time. Waterbird foraging reduced leaf dry mass under heavy foraging by 27.7% and root dry mass by 45.6% compared to CK (no foraging). Waterbird foraging increased allocation to shoot growth but had a weak effect on elemental allocation of C. thunbergii. The foraging intensity significantly affected the morphological traits of C. thunbergii. The results of structural equation modeling showed that RSR (root: shoot ratio represents the ratio of dry mass) and RL (root length) are key traits in driving the dry mass decline in the presence of bird foraging. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the adaptability of perennial herb plants to waterbird foraging and maintain the healthy development of wetland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the efficacy and safety of repeat hepatic resection and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma We retrieved and collected all relevant articles from the inception to 8 March 2020. After data extraction, we conducted meta-analysis and carried out the heterogeneity test, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias test to evaluate reliability A total of 12 studies with 1746 patients (rHR 837, RFA 909) were included. rHR was similar to RFA in a one-year overall survival rate (OS), while rHR was superior to RFA in 3- and 5-year OS and 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates (DFS), but the procedure-related complications of RFA were significantly less than those of rHR. Among the subgroups with Milan criteria, rHR was similar to RFA in 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and 1-year DFS, but superior to RFA in 3- and 5-year DFS. RFA is the first choice for recurrent HCC meeting Milan criteria. When it does not meet the Milan criteria, minimally invasive treatment should not be carried out at the cost of survival, and rHR should be the first choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our previous study have shown that the PSMD11 protein was an important survival factor for cancer cells except for its key role in regulation of assembly and activity of the 26S proteasome. To further investigate the role of PSMD11 in carcinogenesis, we constructed a conditional exon 5 floxed allele of PSMD11 (PSMD11flx) in mice. Results: It was found that homozygous PSMD11 flx/flx mice showed normal and exhibited a normal life span and fertility, and showed roughly equivalent expression of PSMD11 in various tissues, suggesting that the floxed allele maintained the wild-type function. Cre recombinase could induce efficient knockout of the floxed PSMD11 allele both in vitro and in vivo. Mice with constitutive single allele deletion of PSMD11 derived from intercrossing between PSMD11flx/flx and CMV-Cre mice were all viable and fertile, and showed apparent growth retardation, suggesting that PSMD11 played a significant role in the development of mice pre- or postnatally. No whole-body PSMD11 deficient embryos (PSMD11−/−) were identified in E7.5–8.5 embryos in uteros, indicating that double allele knockout of PSMD11 leads to early embryonic lethality. To avoid embryonic lethality produced by whole-body PSMD11 deletion, we further developed conditional PSMD11 global knockout mice with genotype Flp;FSF-R26CAG − CreERT2/+; PSMD11flx/flx, and demonstrated that PSMD11 could be depleted in a temporal and tissue-specific manner. Meanwhile, it was found that depletion of PSMD11 could induce massive apoptosis in MEFs. Conclusions: In summary, our data demonstrated that we have successfully generated a conditional knockout allele of PSMD11 in mice, and found that PSMD11 played a key role in early and postnatal development in mice, the PSMD11 flx/flx mice will be an invaluable tool to explore the functions of PSMD11 in development and diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are among the newest, cutting‐edge methods for the treatment of cancer. Currently, they primarily influence T cell adaptive immunotherapy targeting the PD‐1/PD‐L1 and CTLA‐4/B7 signalling pathways. These inhibitors fight cancer by reactivating the patient's own adaptive immune system, with good results in many cancers. With the discovery of the "Don't Eat Me" molecule, CD47, antibody‐based drugs that target the macrophage‐related innate immunosuppressive signalling pathway, CD47‐SIRPα, have been developed and have achieved stunning results in the laboratory and the clinic, but there remain unexplained instances of tumour immune escape. While investigating the immunological tolerance of cancer to anti‐CD47 antibodies, a second "Don't Eat Me" molecule on tumour cells, beta 2 microglobulin (β2m), a component of MHC class I, was described. Some tumour cells reduce their surface expression of MHC class I to escape T cell recognition. However, other tumour cells highly express β2m complexed with the MHC class I heavy chain to send a "Don't Eat Me" signal by binding to leucocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptor family B, member 1 (LILRB1) on macrophages, leading to a loss of immune surveillance. Investigating the mechanisms underlying this immunosuppressive MHC class I‐LILRB1 signalling axis in tumour‐associated macrophages will be useful in developing therapies to restore macrophage function and control MHC class I signalling in patient tumours. The goal is to promote adaptive immunity while suppressing the innate immune response to tumours. This work will identify new therapeutic targets for the development of pharmaceutical‐based tumour immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is widespread in animals, especially in lizards (Reptilia: Squamata), and is driven by fecundity selection, male–male competition, or other adaptive hypotheses. However, these selective pressures may vary through different life history periods; thus, it is essential to assess the relationship between growth and SSD. In this study, we tracked SSD dynamics between a "fading‐tail color skink" (blue tail skink whose tail is only blue during its juvenile stage: Plestiodon elegans) and a "nonfade color" tail skink (retains a blue tail throughout life: Plestiodon quadrilineatus) under a controlled experimental environment. We fitted growth curves of morphological traits (body mass, SVL, and TL) using three growth models (Logistic, Gompertz, and von Bertalanffy). We found that both skinks have male‐biased SSD as adults. Body mass has a higher goodness of fit (as represented by very high R2 values) using the von Bertalanffy model than the other two models. In contrast, SVL and TL for both skinks had higher goodness of fit when using the Gompertz model. Two lizards displayed divergent life history tactics: P. elegans grows faster, matures earlier (at 65 weeks), and presents an allometric growth rate, whereas P. quadrilineatus grows slower, matures later (at 106 weeks), and presents an isometric growth rate. Our findings imply that species‐ and sex‐specific trade‐offs in the allocation of energy to growth and reproduction may cause the growth patterns to diverge, ultimately resulting in the dissimilar patterns of SSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean seed hardness is an important quality character in soybean food processing. Both vegetable soybean and natto require soft seeds to achieve a desirable sensory experience and for effective processing. In this study, we used a texture analyzer to measure the seed hardness of Chinese mini core collection via two indexes over 4 years and found significant correlations among the seed hardness, seed oil content, and germplasm eco-region. Based on 1514 SNPs, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted using a mixed linear model (MLM). Seventeen SNPs were identified to be associated with seed hardness in at least two environments. Among them, one locus, designated Q-15-0087770, was associated with two indexes, and 13 putative genes were confirmed based on their annotations in SoyBase. This research provides new insights into advanced marker-assisted selections for breeding soybeans for seed hardness and oil content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: RNA silencing is one of the main defence mechanisms employed by plants to fight pathogens. p19 protein encoded by the tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSVp19) is known as a suppressor of RNA silencing via siRNA sequestration to prevent the assembly of RISC. To better understand the impact of TBSVp19 on silencing and its roles in Phytophthora pathogens, we used the transient expression assay in Nicotiana benthamiana and found that the leaves expressing TBSVp19 were more susceptible to Phytophthora parasitica. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TBSVp19‐mediated plant susceptibility in N. benthamiana is dependent on RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase 6 (RDR6). We also tested the role of RNA silencing in resistance of soybean hairy roots to Phytophthora. The lesion size induced by P. sojae on TBSVp19‐expressing soybean hairy roots was slightly, but significantly larger than GFP‐expressing soybean hairy roots. Finally, the Arabidopsis gene silencing mutants ago1‐27, zip‐1, sgs3‐11 and rdr6‐11 were also examined for their resistance to P. parasitica. The results clearly showed that resistance levels of the mutants were visibly reduced compared with the wild type. Taken together, these results suggest that the gene silencing system in plants is essential for resistance to Phytophthora pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global degradation and loss of natural wetlands, waterbirds have been increasingly using artificial wetlands as alternative habitats. However, waterbirds are facing various threats in these artificial wetlands, due to dramatic environmental changes induced by anthropogenic activities. Exploring the effects of these changes on the temporal dynamics of the waterbird communities can help understand how waterbirds adapt to environmental changes and thus formulate effective management and conservation plans. In this study, we carried out field surveys on waterbirds and environmental factors across 20 subsidence wetlands created by underground coal mining in the Huainan coal mining area in the breeding seasons of 2016 and 2021. We predicted that the waterbird assemblages (i.e., number of individuals, species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity, Pielou evenness and species composition) differed between the two years, and that these differences were correlated with the temporal changes in environmental factors. Across the surveyed wetlands, we recorded 26 waterbird species in 2016 and 23 in 2021. For individual wetlands, the number of waterbird individuals and species richness increased by 71.6% and 20.1%, respectively, over the five years, with no changes in Shannon–Wiener diversity and Pielou evenness. The overall increase in the number of bird individuals was mainly caused by an increase in vegetation gleaners and gulls that adapt well to anthropogenic activities. The species composition was significantly different between the two years, which was mainly caused by changes in the number of individuals of dominant species under influence of changes in human activities. For most wetlands, the temporal pairwise β -diversities could be explained by species turnover rather than nestedness, probably due to high mobility of waterbird species and dramatic changes in local environments. Our study suggests that waterbird communities could respond to environmental changes in subsidence wetlands, providing important implications for waterbird conservation in human-dominated artificial wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Strategy: A retrospective clinic study. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of conservative and surgical treatment for lumbosacral tuberculosis. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 53 patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis who were treated in our institution between January 2005 and January 2011. There were 29 males and 24 females with average ages of 37.53 ± 17.28 years (range 6–72 years). 11 patients were given only anti-TB drugs; the remainder underwent anterior debridement, interbody fusion with and without instrumentation, or one-stage anterior debridement combined with posterior instrumentation. Outcome data for these patients included neurologic status, lumbosacral angle, erythrocyte sedimentation rate value(ESR) and C-reactive protein value(CRP) were assessed before and after treatment. Results: The mean lumbosacral angles were 23.00°± 2.90°in the conservatively treated patients and 22.36°± 3.92o in the surgically treated patients. At the final follow-up, this had improved to 24.10o ± 2.96°in the conservatively treated patients and 28.13° ± 1.93°in the surgically treated patients (all P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences before and after treatment in terms of ESR and CRP (all P < 0.05). All patients achieved bone fusion. The mean follow-up period was 32.34 ± 8.13 months (range 18 to 55 months). The neurological deficit did not worsen in any of the patients. Conclusions: It has been proven that conservative and surgical treatments are safe and effective and produce good clinical outcomes for patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis. The advantages of operation include thoroughness of debridement, decompression of the spinal cord, and adequate spinal stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In agriculture, supplemental calcium was applied to alleviate plant growth and development inhibition causing by various stresses. However, calcium overload is toxic to plants, which may prevent the germination of seeds and reduce plant growth rates. Hsp90 is an important molecular chaperone distributing in all living organisms and a series of studies have shown that Hsp90 and Ca2+ have closely relationship. To better understanding the relationship between GmHsp90s and calcium stress, we conducted a series of experiments and reported in this research article. Methods: The study was performed by three techniques: 1) Quantitative RT-PCR with five GmHsp90 genes viz., GmHsp90A2, GmHsp90A4, GmHsp90B1, GmHsp90C1.1 and GmHsp90C2.1, 2) MDA, O2- and chlorophyll content assay of transgenic plants after calcium stress and 3) Phenotype analysis of transgenic plants in pod setting period after three days treatment of water or 80 mM CaCl2. Result: Quantitative RT-PCR with the five genes showed that they were all CaCl2 inducible. MDA, O2- and chlorophyll content assay showed that GmHsp90A2 and GmHsp90A4 transgenic lines significantly relieved the damage caused by CaCl2 and oxidative stress. The secondary stress damage, including the effect on plant height and pod setting rate, was also reduced in transgenic lines, especially GmHsp90B1 and GmHsp90C1.1 transgenic lines. Collectively, this study reveals the response of GmHsp90s to calcium and their potential function in coping with calcium stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triple-negative breast cancer has been classified as basal-like immune activated (BLIA), basal-like immune-suppressed (BLIS), and two other subtypes, suggesting potential immune therapeutic targets for basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). 2′-5′-Oligoadenylate synthetases (OASs), identified from differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BLIA and BLIS breast cancers (GSE76124), are involved in antiviral activity induced by interferons. However, the association between the four OASs and prognosis or tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) remains unclear. Expression, survival data, and immune correlations for OASs in BLBC were assessed using bioinformatics tools. We found that OASs were highly expressed in BLIA breast cancer. Survival analysis suggested that high transcriptional levels of OASs were associated with better overall survival, relapse-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival in patients with BLBC. Moreover, the prognostic value of OASs with respect to different clinicopathological factors, and especially according to lymph node metastasis, in patients with BLBC was further assessed. Our findings elucidated the expression, prognostic role, and effect of OASs in TIICs on BLBC, which might promote the development of OAS-targeted immunotherapy for BLBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an upper respiratory tract inflammation disease caused by IgE-mediated reactions against inhaled allergens. The incidence of AR is significantly increasing throughout the world. Hence, more specific, and sensitive gene biomarkers and understanding the underlying pathways are necessary to further explore the AR pathogenesis. Objective: To identify gene biomarkers in nasal mucosa and in blood from AR patients which could be used in AR diagnosis. Methods: The gene expression profiles of GSE43523 from nasal epithelial cells and GSE75011 from Th2-enriched CD4+ T cells in blood were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were conducted to investigate the functional changes of genes. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic values of the hub genes. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to validate the hub genes. Results: Significant differentially enriched gene signatures in AR patients were identified in nasal epithelial cells (n-DEGs) and in blood (t-DEGs). Signatures associated with axoneme, extracellular matrix, collagen fibril organization, cell motility, calcium ion binding, and so on were more enriched in n-DEGs, whereas signatures associated with TNF signaling pathway, detoxification of inorganic compound, and cellular response to corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulus were enriched in t-DEGs. In addition, we identified 8 hub genes and 14 hub genes from n-DEGs and t-DEGs, respectively. The combination of POSTN in nasal mucosa and PENK and CDC25A in blood was constructed with a good AR predicting performance. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve of 3 hub genes' combination was 0.98 for AR diagnosis. Conclusion: This study utilized gene expression profiles and RT-qPCR validation on nasal mucosa and blood from AR patients to investigate the potential biomarkers for AR diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield evaluation of breeding lines is the key to successful release of cultivars, which is becoming a serious issue due to soil heterogeneity in enlarged field tests. This study aimed at establishing plot-yield prediction models using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based hyperspectral remote sensing for yield-selection in large-scale soybean breeding programs. Three sets of soybean breeding lines (1103 in total) were tested in blocks-in-replication experiments for plot yield and canopy spectral reflectance on 454~950 nm bands at different growth stages using a UAV-based hyperspectral spectrometer (Cubert UHD185 Firefly). The four elements for plot-yield prediction model construction were studied respectively and concluded as: the suitable reflectance-sampling unit-size in a plot was its 20%–80% central part; normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and ration vegetation index (RVI) were the best combination of vegetation indices; the initial seed-filling stage (R5) was the best for a single stage prediction, while another was the best combination for a two growth-stage prediction; and multi-variate linear regression was suitable for plot-yield prediction. In model establishment for each material-set, a random half was used for modelling and another half for verification. Twenty-one two growth-stage two vegetation-index prediction models were established and compared for their modelling coefficient of determination (RM2) and root mean square error of the model (RMSEM), verification RV2 and RMSEV, and their sum RS2 and RMSES. Integrated with the coincidence rate between the model predicted and the practical yield-selection results, the models, MA1-2, MA4-2 and MA6-2, with coincidence rates of 56.8%, 58.5% and 52.4%, respectively, were chosen for yield-prediction in yield-test nurseries. The established model construction elements and methods can be used as local models for pre-harvest yield-selection and post-harvest integrated yield-selection in advanced breeding nurseries as well as yield potential prediction in plant-derived-line nurseries. Furthermore, multiple models can be used jointly for plot-yield prediction in soybean breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. We aimed to examine the differences of clinical characteristics between patients with ischemic stroke with active cancer and those without cancer to develop a clinical score for predicting the presence of occult cancer in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods. This retrospective study enrolled consecutive adult patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to our department between December 2017 and January 2019. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging characteristics were compared between patients with ischemic stroke with active cancer and those without cancer. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with active cancer. Subsequently, a predictive score was developed using the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves based on these independent factors. Finally, Bayesian decision theory was applied to calculate the posterior probability of active cancer for finding the best scoring system. Results. Fifty-three (6.63%) of 799 patients with ischemic stroke had active cancer. The absence of a history of hyperlipidemia (odds ratio OR = 0.17 , 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06–0.48, P < 0.01), elevated serum fibrinogen (OR = 1.72 , 95% CI: 1.33–2.22, P < 0.01) and D-dimer levels (OR = 1.43 , 95% CI: 1.24–1.64, P <0.01), and stroke of undetermined etiology (OR = 22.87 , 95% CI: 9.91–52.78, P < 0.01) were independently associated with active cancer. A clinical score based on the absence of hyperlipidemia, serum fibrinogen level of ≥4.00 g/L, and D-dimer level of ≥2.00 μg/mL predicted active cancer with an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.77–0.89, P < 0.01). The probability of active cancer was 59% at a supposed prevalence of 6.63%, if all three independent factors were present in a patient with ischemic stroke. Conclusions. We devised a clinical score to predict active cancer in patients with ischemic stroke based on the absence of a history of hyperlipidemia and elevated serum D-dimer and fibrinogen levels. The use of this score may allow for early intervention. Further research is needed to confirm the implementation of this score in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The microbiome plays a crucial role in odontogenic sinusitis (OS); however, the bacterial characteristics of the sinuses and connected dental regions in OS are poorly understood. In this study, nasal secretion samples were collected from 41 OS patients and 20 simple nasal septum deviation patients, and oral mucosa samples from dental regions were collected from 28 OS patients and 22 impacted tooth extraction patients. DNA was extracted, and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to explore the characteristics and structure of the microbiome in the sinuses and dental regions of OS patients. Results: The alpha diversity of the oral and nasal microbiomes in OS patients was higher than that in controls. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that oral samples clustered separately from nasal samples, and the beta diversity of oral and nasal samples in OS patients was higher than that in controls. The dominant phylum was Bacteroidetes in OS patients and Firmicutes in controls in both the oral and nasal cavity. The dominant genera in the oral microbiome and nasal microbiome of OS patients were similar, including Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas and Prevotella. Co-occurrence network analysis showed decreased microbial connectivity in the oral mucosa and nasal secretion samples of OS patients. Conclusions: Odontogenic infection promotes structural and functional disorders of the nasal microbiome in OS. The interaction of dominant pathogens in the nasal and oral regions may promote the development of OS. Our study provides the microbiological aetiology of the nasal and connected dental regions in OS and is expected to provide novel insights into the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, is a plant-parasitic nematode that feeds on the roots of soybean and most economically devastating pathogen of soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) worldwide. Host plant resistance is the most effective control method. To understand SCN resistance in different environments, two recombinant-inbred lines (RILs) populations NJ(RN)P7 (217 F lines) and JN(RN)P7 (248 F lines) were developed from the cross of the cultivars Peking × 7605 in Nanjing and Jinan, respectively, and examined in this study. Peking is resistant to SCN race 1 (HG types 2.5.7), while 7605 is highly susceptible. Chi-square test of frequency distribution of families' female index (FI) showed that resistance to SCN was significantly different between NJ(RN)P7 and JN(RN)P7 populations. Three recessive genes conditioned the inheritance of resistance to SCN race 1 in both populations, but significant difference was detected for the mean of FI on two populations (DM = −16.68, P < 0.01). This indicated that natural selection may affect resistance to SCN. By analysing the variation of phenotype, the genetic structure of the two populations was determined to be different. The inheritance and variation of resistance were confirmed by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. For the two populations, 10 SSR markers showed polymorphism of resistant and susceptible DNA bulks. Some markers associated with the resistance of SCN races 1, 2, 3 and 5, and two markers, Satt163 and Satt309, reportedly related to rgh1 were detected both in NJ(RN)P7 and JN(RN)P7 populations. The results support the view that a disease acts as a selective force on plant resistance characteristics, which may alter the relative fitness of resistance alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophthora root rot, caused by Phytophthora sojae (P. sojae), is one of the most devastating diseases limiting soybean production worldwide. microRNAs (miRNAs) play major roles in regulating plant defense against pathogens. To understand the roles of soybean miRNAs during P. sojae infection, we analyzed four small RNA libraries from two soybean germplasms before and after P. sojae isolate JS08-12 infection. The cultivar Nannong 10-1 was resistant to JS08-12, whereas the 06-070583 line was susceptible to JS08-12. In total, 528 known and 555 putative novel miRNAs in soybean were identified from 97 million reads; 74 known miRNAs and 75 novel miRNAs that might be specifically related to Nannong10-1 responses to P. sojae; and 55 known and 43 novel miRNAs expressed before and after infection in the susceptible line 06-070583. qRT-PCR provided similar miRNA expression patterns to those obtained by the small-RNA sequencing of the four libraries. Then, the potential target genes of these differentially expressed miRNA were predicted, which encoded transcriptional factors, resistance proteins and transporters. Finally, we focused on the targets of the three legume-specific miRNAs (gma-miR1508, gma-miR1509, and gma-miR1510) and charted the miRNA–target interactions and networks based on the published degradome data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence has shown that COVID-19 might be transmitted via the bioaerosol route.[4] To date, time series cohort focuses on pollen's effect on COVID-19 infection was lacking. A multicenter time series study on pollen exposure and COVID-19 infection in five cities in China Thus, a multiple-adjust generalized additive model (GAM) including meteorological factors with time series design is established. [Extracted from the article]

NAC transcription factors (TFs) could regulate drought stresses in plants; however, the function of NAC TFs in soybeans remains unclear. To unravel NAC TF function, we established that GmNAC12, a NAC TF from soybean (Glycine max), was involved in the manipulation of stress tolerance. The expression of GmNAC12 was significantly upregulated more than 10-fold under drought stress and more than threefold under abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene (ETH) treatment. In order to determine the function of GmNAC12 under drought stress conditions, we generated GmNAC12 overexpression and knockout lines. The present findings showed that under drought stress, the survival rate of GmNAC12 overexpression lines increased by more than 57% compared with wild-type plants, while the survival rate of GmNAC12 knockout lines decreased by at least 46%. Furthermore, a subcellular localisation analysis showed that the GmNAC12 protein is concentrated in the nucleus of the tobacco cell. In addition, we used a yeast two-hybrid assay to identify 185 proteins that interact with GmNAC12. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG analysis showed that GmNAC12 interaction proteins are related to chitin, chlorophyll, ubiquitin–protein transferase, and peroxidase activity. Hence, we have inferred that GmNAC12, as a key gene, could positively regulate soybean tolerance to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRR), caused by Phytophthora sojae is a destructive disease on soybean throughout the world. Utilization of resistance varieties is the most economical and environmentally safe method for controlling the disease. Up to now,21 resistance genes have been identified in soybean. However,only a few genes,such as Rpslc and Rpslk,were effectively resistant to populations of P. sojae in China,so to mine new resistance genes is necessary for the disease. Soybean cultivar ' Dafangliuyuezao ' has broad spectrum resistance to P. sojae, and is an elite resistance source for Phytophthora root rot of soybean. [Methods] A population of F2:3 lines derived from the cross of ' Dafangliuyuezao' x ' Aijiaozao' was developed for resistance genetic analysis and resistance gene mapping. Using hypocotyl inoculation method at the seedling stage in the glasshouse, the reaction to P. sojae isolate AH( virulence type 2,3a,3b,4,5), in 156 F2:3 lines were identified. [ Results] The segregation ratio in the population fit into 1:2:1 for homozygous resistant,segregating and homozygous susceptible,showing that the resistance of ' Dafangliuyuezao' to P. sojae strain AH is controlled by a single dominant gene,with the temporary name of RpsAH. On the basis of linkage analysis with SSR markers, RpsAH was located on molecular linkage group N,and flanked by Sat_166 with genetic distances 4.1 cM. [ Conclusions] The resistance to Phytophthora root rot is controlled by a single dominant gene,and the resistance gene RpsAH in' Dafangliuyuezao' was mapped on molecular linkage group N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant architecture traits are closely related to plant biomass, lodging, and photosynthetic efficiency, which in turn affect soybean yield. In this study, we investigated a Chinese soybean mini core collection consisting of 224 germplasm accessions for four plant architecture-related traits (plant height (PH), number of nodes on main stem (NN), branch number (BN), and stem diameter (DI)) under three environments and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) based on 1514 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A total of 41 SNPs were found to be significantly associated with PH, NN, BN, and DI in two or more environments. Among these SNPs, 15 were located in regions in which plant architecture-related QTLs had been reported in previous studies, and 26 were new genetic loci. In addition, 18 potential candidate genes for plant architecture-related traits were obtained by predicting the genes in the interval of four large-effect markers (BARC-017097-02199, Map-2213, BARC-014639-01604, and Map-2223). This research will help to illuminate the genetic basis of soybean plant architecture-related traits and accelerate the process of plant architecture breeding by molecular marker-assisted selection in soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies have revealed that the nasal microbiota in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is profoundly altered and is correlated with systemic inflammation. However, little is known regarding whether the microbiota can be utilized to predict nasal polyp recurrence. This study is aimed to determine whether altered nasal microbiota constituents could be used as biomarkers to predict CRSwNP recurrence. Methods: Nasal microbiota constituents were quantified and characterized using bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Selected features for least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression‐based predictors were the nasal microbiota community composition and CRSwNP patient clinical characteristics. The primary outcome was recurrence, which was determined post‐admission. Results: By distinguishing recurrence‐associated nasal microbiota taxa and exploiting the distinct nasal microbiota abundance between patients with recurrent and non‐recurrent CRSwNP, we developed a predictive classifier for the diagnosis of nasal polyps' recurrence with 91.4% accuracy. Conclusions: Key taxonomical features of the nasal microbiome could predict recurrence in CRSwNP patients. The nasal microbiome is an understudied source of clinical variation in CRSwNP and represents a novel therapeutic target for future prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: We finely map a novel resistance gene ( RpsJS ) to Phytophthora sojae in soybean. RpsJS was mapped in 138.9 kb region, including three NBS-LRR type predicted genes, on chromosome 18. Abstract: Phytophthora root rot (PRR) caused by Phytophthora sojae ( P. sojae) has been reported in most soybean-growing regions throughout the world. Development of PRR resistance varieties is the most economical and environmentally safe method for controlling this disease. Chinese soybean line Nannong 10-1 is resistant to many P. sojae isolates, and shows different reaction types to P. sojae isolates as compared with those with known Rps (Resistance to P. sojae) genes, which suggests that the line may carry novel Rps genes or alleles. A mapping population of 231 F individuals from the cross of Nannong 10-1 (Resistant, R) and 06-070583 (Susceptible, S) was used to map the Rps gene. The segregation fits a ratio of 3R:1S within F plants, indicating that resistance in Nannong 10-1 is controlled by a single dominant gene (designated as RpsJS). The results showed that RpsJS was mapped on soybean chromosome 18 (molecular linkage group G, MLG G) flanked by SSR (simple repeat sequences) markers BARCSOYSSR_18_1859 and SSRG60752K at a distance of 0.9 and 0.4 cm, respectively. Among the 14 genes annotated in this 138.9 kb region between the two markers, three genes ( Glyma18g51930, Glyma18g51950 and Glyma18g51960) are the nucleotide-binding site and a leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) type gene, which may be involved in recognizing the presence of pathogens and ultimately conferring resistance. Based on marker-assisted resistance spectrum analyses of RpsJS and the mapping results, we inferred that RpsJS was a novel gene or a new allele at the Rps4, Rps5 or Rps6 loci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) lymph node (LN) dissection, this study compared the postoperative complications and survival between modern two-field lymphadenectomy (MTL) and modified standard two-field lymphadenectomy (MSTL) by using the propensity score matching method. Methods: After generating propensity scores given the covariates of age, sex, tumor length, tumor location, tumor grade, and clinical stage, 254 patients with MTL were matched to 254 MSTL patients using the nearest available score matching. The LNs resected during MSTL were paraesophageal and preparatracheal LNs in the upper mediastinum, in addition to those resected during standard two-field lymphadenectomy. Results: RLN LNs were those most commonly affected by nodal metastasis in our series (26 %). Metastasis in RLN LNs was found in around 35, 25, and 20 % of patients with cancer in the upper, middle, and lower thoracic esophagus, respectively. LN metastasis was confined to the RLN region in 49 patients. Even 35 % of patients with pT1 tumors had positive RLN LNs. MTL increased the mean number of resected LNs when compared to MSTL (29 vs.15; p < 0.001). Recurrence was more frequent in those assigned MSTL than those assigned MTL ( p < 0.001). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate for MTL were 50.7 and 42 % compared to 35.3 and 28.2 % for MSTL (both p < 0.001), respectively. Postoperative complications were more frequent following MTL when compared to the MSTL. However, no statistically significant difference in postoperative complications was observed between the two groups. Conclusions: Adding the removal of RLN LNs might improve OS and DFS with acceptable morbidity for patients with ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) production is severely affected by soil salinization as an important crop. The discovery of salt stress-responsive genes is essential for soybean breeding. To our knowledge, cyclophilins (CYPs) play important roles in salt stresses in crops such as rice and cotton, except in soybean. This study cloned GmCYP2 from soybean salt-tolerant cultivar Suxie No. 1 and obtained ten stable transgenic soybean lines overexpressing GmCYP2 by Agrobacterium rhizogenes -mediated transformation. Two of the higher-expressing transgenic lines (OE1 and OE2) were used to compare salt tolerance with the wild type (WT). Under the salt stress, the chlorophyll content, the maximum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and actual photochemical quantum yield [Y(II)] of OE1 and OE2 lines were significantly higher than those of the WT. Meanwhile, the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the OE1 and OE2 lines was significantly lower than that in the WT. In addition, the Na+/K+ ratio was also significantly lower than that of the WT in leaves and roots. The results also confirmed that the salt tolerance of GmCYP2 -silencing soybean seedlings obtained by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) was reduced compared to the control. Subcellular localization showed that GmCYP2 was expressed in the plasma membrane and nucleus of Nicotiana benthamiana. RNA-seq results demonstrated that GmCYP2 is involved in key regulators of the ABA and Ca2+ signaling pathway. Yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and split-luciferase complementation assay demonstrated that GmCYP2 protein interacts with salt-associated halotolerance 3 (HAL3) protein. These results suggest that the GmCYP2 - GmHAL3 module enhances salt tolerance of soybean seedlings by maintaining the Na+/K+ ratio and good photosynthetic state and it may be involved in the ABA and Ca2+ signaling pathway. • GmCYP2 was a plasma membrane and nucleus-located cyclophilin. • Overexpression of GmCYP2 improves salt tolerance in soybean by maintaining photosynthetic and ionic homeostasis. • Soybean seedlings with GmCYP2 silenced by VIGS were salt-sensitive. • GmCYP2 interacts with the salt-related protein GmHAL3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered redox biology challenges all cells, with compensatory responses often determining a cell's fate. When 15 lipoxygenase 1 (15LO1), a lipid-peroxidizing enzyme abundant in asthmatic human airway epithelial cells (HAECs), binds phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1 (PEBP1), hydroperoxy-phospholipids, which drive ferroptotic cell death, are generated. Peroxidases, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), metabolize hydroperoxy-phospholipids to hydroxy derivatives to prevent ferroptotic death, but consume reduced glutathione (GSH). The cystine transporter SLC7A11 critically restores/maintains intracellular GSH. We hypothesized that high 15LO1, PEBP1, and GPX4 activity drives abnormal asthmatic redox biology, evidenced by lower bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and intraepithelial cell GSH:oxidized GSH (GSSG) ratios, to enhance type 2 (T2) inflammatory responses. GSH, GSSG (enzymatic assays), 15LO1, GPX4, SLC7A11, and T2 biomarkers (Western blot and RNA-Seq) were measured in asthmatic and healthy control (HC) cells and fluids, with siRNA knockdown as appropriate. GSSG was higher and GSH:GSSG lower in asthmatic compared with HC BAL fluid, while intracellular GSH was lower in asthma. In vitro, a T2 cytokine (IL-13) induced 15LO1 generation of hydroperoxy-phospholipids, which lowered intracellular GSH and increased extracellular GSSG. Lowering GSH further by inhibiting SLC7A11 enhanced T2 inflammatory protein expression and ferroptosis. Ex vivo, redox imbalances corresponded to 15LO1 and SLC7A11 expression, T2 biomarkers, and worsened clinical outcomes. Thus, 15LO1 pathway-induced redox biology perturbations worsen T2 inflammation and asthma control, supporting 15LO1 as a therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) has been disseminated globally as a photoperiod/temperature‐sensitive crop with extremely diverse days to flowering (DTF) and days to maturity (DTM) values. A population with 371 global varieties covering 13 geographic regions and 13 maturity groups (MGs) was analyzed for its DTF and DTM QTL‐allele constitution using restricted two‐stage multi‐locus genome‐wide association study (RTM‐GWAS). Genotypes with 20 701 genome‐wide SNPLDBs (single‐nucleotide polymorphism linkage disequilibrium blocks) containing 55 404 haplotypes were observed, and 52 DTF QTLs and 59 DTM QTLs (including 29 and 21 new ones) with 241 and 246 alleles (two to 13 per locus) were detected, explaining 84.8% and 74.4% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. The QTL‐allele matrix characterized with all QTL‐allele information of each variety in the global population was established and subsequently separated into geographic and MG set submatrices. Direct comparisons among them revealed that the genetic adaptation from the origin to geographic subpopulations was characterized by new allele/new locus emergence (mutation) but little allele exclusion (selection), while that from the primary MG set to emerged early and late MG sets was characterized by allele exclusion without allele emergence. The evolutionary changes involved mainly 72 DTF and 71 DTM alleles on 28 respective loci, 10–12 loci each with three to six alleles being most active. Further recombination potential for faster maturation (12–21 days) or slower maturation (14–56 days) supported allele convergence (recombination) as a constant genetic factor in addition to migration (inheritance). From the QTLs, 44 DTF and 36 DTM candidate genes were annotated and grouped respectively into nine biological processes, indicating multi‐functional DTF/DTM genes are involved in a complex gene network. In summary, we identified QTL‐alleles relatively thoroughly using RTM‐GWAS for direct matrix comparisons and subsequent analysis. Significance Statement: In global cultivated soybeans, covering 13 geographic regions and 13 maturity groups (MGs), 52 days to flowering (DTF) and 59 days to maturity (DTM) QTLs (including 29 and 21 new ones) with 241 and 246 alleles (multiple alleles per locus) were detected, respectively, using restricted two‐stage multi‐locus genome‐wide association study. Through direct comparisons of DTF/DTM QTL‐allele matrices among geographic subpopulations and MG sets for relative importance of evolutionary factors, the former were characterized by new allele emergence while the latter were characterized by old allele exclusion, in addition to inheritance and recombination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At its center of origin, the Chinese soybean germplasm pool (CSGP) consists of annual wild (WA), farmers' landrace (LR), and released cultivar (RC) populations. A representative sample (1,024 accessions) was studied for genetic dynamics of days to flowering (DTF) shortening in two evolutionary processes (WA→LR→RC and southern→northern) via direct comparisons of quantitative trait loci (QTL)–allele matrices among populations and subpopulations using a restricted two‐stage multilocus genome‐wide association analysis (RTM‐GWAS). In CSGP, 177 DTF QTL with 797 alleles explaining 95.1% phenotypic variation were identified and organized into a DTF QTL–allele matrix and its component submatrices. (i) Allele inheritance, emergence, exclusion. and recombination were major genetic drivers of DTF‐shortening for WA→LR→RC. (ii) Genetic drivers for southern→northern differed between wild and cultivated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], with less allele exclusion, more allele emergence, and slighter allele change in WA than in LR plus RC. (iii) The LR furthest south (LRIV) was recognized as the primitive LR subpopulation, as it had the most wild alleles and newly formed QTL and alleles. (iv) Combining the WA→LR→RC and southern→northern processes, the DTF shortening was divided into four periods: WASouth→WANorth, WASouth→LRSouth, LRSouth→LRNorth, and LR→RC; the per‐year allele change rate in LR→RC exceeded the others (backward in turn), and breeding effort accelerated allele emergence and exclusion (changed). (v) Out of 177 loci and 797 alleles, 83 and 207, respectively, changed in WA→LR→RC and southern→northern processes, especially eight new loci emerged in LR and RC; in total, 81 candidate genes were annotated and grouped into six flowering‐related biological processes. (vi) Further DTF shortening (4.2–11.1 d) in CSGP was predicted. This study comprehensively explored the evolutionary mechanism of DTF shortening in WA→LR→RC and southern→northern processes through QTL–allele matrix comparisons by using RTM‐GWAS. Core Ideas: In CSGP, 177 DTF QTLs with 797 alleles explaining 95.15% phenotypic variation were identified.83 QTL & 207 alleles changed in WA→LR→RC and southern→northern; eight new loci emerged in LR and RC.Allele inheritance, emergence, exclusion, and recombination played genetic drivers in WA→LR→RC.In southern→northern, genetic drivers played differently for DTF shortening in WA vs. LR plus RC.Further shortening potential of DTF (4.2–11.1 d) was predicted in CSGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is clinical evidence for impaired lung function in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients, which may be due to a high incidence of asthma comorbidity. The lung function characteristics of non‐asthmatic CRSwNP patients are not known. Small airway dysfunction (SAD) is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, whether SAD is detected in non‐asthmatic patients with CRSwNPs remains unclear. Objective: This study analysed the lung function of non‐asthmatic patients with CRSwNPs and evaluated its clinical relevance in CRSwNPs. Methods: The clinical data for 191 consecutive CRSwNP patients (73 asthmatic and 118 non‐asthmatic) and 30 control subjects were prospectively collected. The patients were followed up for at least 3 years (mean [standard deviation], 42.47 ± 8.38 months). Serum and tissue total IgE levels were measured in 95 and 93 patients, respectively. Tissue eosinophil counts were documented in 63 patients. Results: Non‐asthmatic CRSwNP patients had decreased forced expiratory flow at 75% of the FVC (FEF75) and FEF50 compared to the control subjects, and this difference was related to the severity of CRSwNP. The risk factors for impaired lung function in asthmatic and non‐asthmatic patients were duration of asthma and smoking. A multivariate logistic analysis showed that decreased FEF50 was associated with the recurrence of non‐asthmatic CRSwNPs. The lung function of CRSwNP patients negatively correlated with the degree of type‐2 inflammation, which was defined by the levels of Eos and IgE in polyp tissues and blood. The SAD of non‐asthmatic CRSwNP patients was related to serum IgE levels. Conclusions and clinical relevance: This study provides evidence that non‐asthmatic CRSwNP patients may have SAD, which correlated with the severity and recurrence of CRSwNP. The decreased lung function of patients with CRSwNP was related to the degree of type‐2 inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The beneficial functions of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) decline with decreased cell survival, limiting their therapeutic efficacy for myocardial infarction (MI). Irisin, a novel myokine which is cleaved from its precursor fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), is believed to be involved in a cardioprotective effect, but little was known on injured BM-MSCs and MI repair yet. Here, we investigated whether FNDC5 or irisin could improve the low viability of transplanted BM-MSCs and increase their therapeutic efficacy after MI. Methods: BM-MSCs, isolated from dual-reporter firefly luciferase and enhanced green fluorescent protein positive (Fluc+–eGFP+) transgenic mice, were exposed to normoxic condition and hypoxic stress for 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h, respectively. In addition, BM-MSCs were treated with irisin (20 nmol/L) and overexpression of FNDC5 (FNDC5-OV) in serum deprivation (H/SD) injury. Furthermore, BM-MSCs were engrafted into infarcted hearts with or without FNDC5-OV. Results: Hypoxic stress contributed to increased apoptosis, decreased cell viability, and paracrine effects of BM-MSCs while irisin or FNDC5-OV alleviated these injuries. Longitudinal in vivo bioluminescence imaging and immunofluorescence results illustrated that BM-MSCs with overexpression of FNDC5 treatment (FNDC5-MSCs) improved the survival of transplanted BM-MSCs, which ameliorated the increased apoptosis and decreased angiogenesis of BM-MSCs in vivo. Interestingly, FNDC5-OV elevated the secretion of exosomes in BM-MSCs. Furthermore, FNDC5-MSC therapy significantly reduced fibrosis and alleviated injured heart function. Conclusions: The present study indicated that irisin or FNDC5 improved BM-MSC engraftment and paracrine effects in infarcted hearts, which might provide a potential therapeutic target for MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: This population genetic study is characterized with direct comparisons of days to flowering QTL–allele matrices between newly evolved and originally old maturity groups of soybeans to explore its evolutionary dynamics using the RTM-GWAS procedure. The Northeast China (NEC) soybeans are the major germplasm source of modern soybean production in Americas (> 80% of the world total). NEC is a relatively new soybean area in China, expanded after its nomadic status in the seventeenth century. At nine sites of four ecoregions in NEC, 361 varieties were tested for their days to flowering (DTF), a geography-sensitive trait as an indicator for maturity groups (MGs). The DTF reduced obviously along with soybeans extended to higher latitudes, ranging in 41–83 days and MG 000-III. Using the RTM-GWAS (restricted two-stage multi-locus model genome-wide association study) procedure, 81 QTLs with 342 alleles were identified, accounting for 77.85% genetic contribution (R2 = 0.01–7.74%/locus), and other 20.75% (98.60–77.85%, h2 = 98.60%) genetic variation was due to a collective of unmapped QTLs. With soybeans northward, breeding effort made the original MG I–III evolved to MG 0-00-000. In direct comparisons of QTL–allele matrices among MGs, the genetic dynamics are identified with local exotic introduction/migration (58.48%) as the first and selection against/exclusion of positive alleles causing new recombination (40.64%) as the second, while only a few allele emergence/mutation happened (0.88%, limited in MG 0, not in MG 00-000). In new MG emergence, 24 QTLs with 19 candidate genes are the major sources. A genetic potential of further DTF shortening (13–21 days) is predicted for NEC population. The QTL detection in individual ecoregions showed various ecoregion-specific QTLs–alleles/genes after co-localization treatment (removing the random environment shifting ones). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northeast China (NEC) is a major soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production region in China, where the germplasm of American soybeans are mainly from. The main stem node number (MSN) is a trait related to plant type and yield potential. With the soybeans expanded to higher latitudes in NEC, earlier maturity groups (MG 0, MG 00, and MG 000) formed based on MG I + MG II (MG I+II), and correspondingly the MSN decreased. To explore the MSN quantitative trait locus (QTL)–allele constitution, 306 accessions from NEC were studied using the restricted two‐stage multilocus genome‐wide association study (RTM‐GWAS) procedure. In total, 76 MSN QTLs and 183 alleles were identified, with their genetic contribution about 0.04–9.83% per locus for a total of 65.63% for all loci. With the MSN reduction from MG I+II to MG 0, MG 00, and MG 000 (17.89 to 13.11), the changed alleles accounted for 28.42% of all alleles (6.56% for new allele emergence plus 21.86% for old allele exclusion), whereas the major part of the alleles were those inherited from MG I+II (71.58%). Thus in the evolution of MSN in the NEC soybean population, inheritance is the first genetic motivation, exclusion and selection (positive allele exclusion, 65.00%) is the second, emergence and mutation (negative allele emergence, 95.67%) is the third, and recombination among retained alleles is the fourth. A potential of 2–5 MSN improvement keeping the MG earliness was predicted, and 49 candidate genes were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis that lacks specific diagnostic markers. Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) is a member of the mucin family, a heterogeneous group of high molecular weight, heavily glycosylated proteins that could be either membrane-bound or secreted. This multi-central study is to evaluate the performance of serum MUC5AC in combination with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) for the diagnosis of PC in Asian. Methods: Sixty-one patients with PC (comprised of early pancreatic cancer [n = 30] and late pancreatic cancer [n = 31] patients), 29 benign control, 35 choledocholithiasis, 25 chronic pancreatitis, and 34 healthy controls, were recruited from two hospitals. Serum levels of MUC5AC were evaluated by commercial ELISA kits. CA19-9 was measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The cutoff value of MUC5AC was determined based on optimal sensitivity and specificity. Results: Serum MUC5AC in patients with PC (210.1 [100.5–423.8] ng/mL) presented higher levels than those in controls. The combined biomarker panel (MUC5AC and CA19-9) presented better performance and improved specificity to differentiate PC from controls (AUC 0.894; 95% CI (0.844–0.943), sensitivity 0.738, specificity 0.886) than CA19-9 (p = 0.043) or MUC5AC alone (p = 0.010); however, the latter two had no difference (p = 0.824). Conclusions: Serum MUC5AC is a potential biomarker for PC. The combination with CA19-9 presents improved specificity and better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The WRKY proteins are a superfamily of transcription factors and members play essential roles in the modulation of diverse physiological processes, such as growth, development, senescence and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the biological roles of the majority of the WRKY family members remains poorly understood in soybean relative to the research progress in model plants. Results: In this study, we identified and characterized GmWRKY40, which is a group IIc WRKY gene. Transient expression analysis revealed that the GmWRKY40 protein is located in the nucleus of plant cells. Expression of GmWRKY40 was strongly induced in soybean following infection with Phytophthora sojae, or treatment with methyl jasmonate, ethylene, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid. Furthermore, soybean hairy roots silencing GmWRKY40 enhanced susceptibility to P. sojae infection compared with empty vector transgenic roots. Moreover, suppression of GmWRKY40 decreased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modified the expression of several oxidation-related genes. Yeast two-hybrid experiment combined with RNA-seq analysis showed that GmWRKY40 interacted with 8 JAZ proteins with or without the WRKY domain or zinc-finger domain of GmWRKY40, suggesting there were different interaction patterns among these interacted proteins. Conclusions: Collectively, these results suggests that GmWRKY40 functions as a positive regulator in soybean plants response to P. sojae through modulating hydrogen peroxide accumulation and JA signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear male sterility (NMS) is a potential characteristic in crop recurrent selection and hybrid breeding. Mapping of nuclear male-sterile genes is key to utilizing NMS. Previously, we discovered a spontaneous soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) male-sterile female-fertile mutant NJS-13H, which was conferred by a single recessive gene, designated msNJ. In this study, the msNJ was mapped to Chromosome 10 (LG O), and narrowed down between two SSR (simple sequence repeats) markers, BARCSOYSSR_10_794 and BARCSOYSSR_10_819 using three heterozygote-derived segregating populations, i.e., (NJS-13H × NN1138-2)F2, (NJS-13H × N2899)F2 and (NJS-13H)SPAG (segregating populations in advanced generations). This region spans approximately 1.32 Mb, where 27 genes were annotated according to the soybean reference genome sequence (Wm82.a2.v1). Among them, four genes were recognized as candidate genes for msNJ. Comparing to the physical locations of all the known male-sterile loci, msNJ is demonstrated to be a new male-sterile locus. This result may help the utilization and cloning of the gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Transgenic soybean lines overexpressing GmHsp90A2 and with GmHsp90A2 knockout by the CRISPR/Cas9 system were obtained. • Heat shock protein 90A2 (GmHsp90A2) was identified as a positive regulator under heat stress in soybean. • GmHsp90A2 can interact with GmHsp90A1, and GmHsp90A1 may play a significant role in promoting GmHsp90A2 entry into nucleus. • Overexpression of GmHsp90A2 can reduce chlorophyll degradation and lipid peroxidation during heat stress. Heat shock protein 90 s (Hsp90s), one of the most conserved and abundant molecular chaperones, is an essential component of the protective stress response. A previous study reported at least 12 genes in the GmHs p90 s family in soybean and that GmHs p90 A2 overexpression enhanced thermotolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we investigate the roles of GmHsp90A2 in soybean by utilizing stable transgenic soybean lines overexpressing GmHs p90 A2 and mutant lines generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The results showed that compared with wild-type plants (WT) and empty vector control plants (VC), T 3 transgenic soybean plants overexpressing GmHs p90 A2 exhibited increased tolerance to heat stress through higher chlorophyll and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in plants. Conversely, reduced chlorophyll and increased MDA contents in T 2 homozygous GmHs p90 A2- knockout mutants indicated decreased tolerance to heat stress. GmHsp90A2 was found to interact with GmHsp90A1 in yeast two-hybrid assays. Furthermore, subcellular localization analyses revealed that GmHsp90A2 was localized to the cytoplasm and cell membrane; as shown by bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays, GmHsp90A2 interacted with GmHsp90A1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm and cell membrane. Hence, we conclude that GmHsp90A1 is able to bind to GmHsp90A2 to form a complex and that this complex enters the nucleus. In summary, GmHsp90A2 might respond to heat stress and positively regulate thermotolerance by interacting with GmHsp90A1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guangxi is one of the provinces having the highest notification rate of tuberculosis in China. However, spatial and temporal patterns and the association between environmental diversity and tuberculosis notification are still unclear. Objective: To detect the spatiotemporal pattern of tuberculosis notification rates from 2010 to 2016 and its potential association with ecological environmental factors in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, China. Methods: We performed a spatiotemporal analysis with prediction using time series analysis, Moran’s I global and local spatial autocorrelation statistics, and space-time scan statistics to detect temporal and spatial clusters of tuberculosis notifications in Guangxi between 2010 and 2016. Spatial panel models were employed to identify potential associating factors. Results: The number of reported cases peaked in spring and summer and decreased in autumn and winter. The predicted number of reported cases was 49,946 in 2017. Moran's I global statistics were greater than 0 (0.363–0.536) during the study period. The most significant hot spots were mainly located in the central area. The eastern area exhibited a low-low relation. By the space-time scanning, the clusters identified were similar to those of the local autocorrelation statistics, and were clustered toward the early part of 2016. Duration of sunshine, per capita gross domestic product, the treatment success rate of tuberculosis and participation rate of the new cooperative medical care insurance scheme in rural areas had a significant negative association with tuberculosis notification rates. Conclusion: The notification rate of tuberculosis in Guangxi remains high, with the highest notification cluster located in the central region. The notification rate is associated with economic level, treatment success rate and participation in the new cooperative medical care insurance scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is pathogenic to several acute and chronic diseases and executed via oxygenation of polyunsaturated phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) by 15-lipoxygenases (15-LO) that normally use free polyunsaturated fatty acids as substrates. Mechanisms of the altered 15-LO substrate specificity are enigmatic. We sought a common ferroptosis regulator for 15LO. We discovered that PEBP1, a scaffold protein inhibitor of protein kinase cascades, complexes with two 15LO isoforms, 15LO1 and 15LO2, and changes their substrate competence to generate hydroperoxy-PE. Inadequate reduction of hydroperoxy-PE due to insufficiency or dysfunction of a selenoperoxidase, GPX4, leads to ferroptosis. We demonstrated the importance of PEBP1-dependent regulatory mechanisms of ferroptotic death in airway epithelial cells in asthma, kidney epithelial cells in renal failure, and cortical and hippocampal neurons in brain trauma. As master regulators of ferroptotic cell death with profound implications for human disease, PEBP1/15LO complexes represent a new target for drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seedling drought stress is one of the most important constraints affecting soybean yield and quality. To unravel the molecular mechanisms under soybean drought tolerance, we conducted comprehensive comparative transcriptome analyses of drought-tolerant genotype Jindou 21 (JD) and drought-sensitive genotype Tianlong No.1 (N1) seedlings that had been exposed to drought treatment. A total of 6038 and 4112 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in drought-tolerant JD and drought-sensitive N1, respectively. Subsequent KEGG pathway analyses showed that numerous DEGs in JD are predominately involved in signal transduction pathways, including plant hormone signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Interestingly, JA and BR plant hormone signal transduction pathways were found specifically participating in drought-tolerant JD. Meanwhile, the differentially expressed CPKs, CIPKs, MAPKs, and MAP3Ks of calcium and MAPK signaling pathway were only identified in JD. The number of DEGs involved in transcription factors (TFs) is larger in JD than that of in N1. Moreover, some differently expressed transcriptional factor genes were only identified in drought-tolerant JD, including FAR1, RAV, LSD1, EIL, and HB-PHD. In addition, this study suggested that JD could respond to drought stress by regulating the cell wall remodeling and stress-related protein genes such as EXPs, CALSs, CBPs, BBXs, and RD22s. JD is more drought tolerant than N1 owing to more DEGs being involved in multiple signal transduction pathways (JA, BR, calcium, MAPK signaling pathway), stress-related TFs, and proteins. The above valuable genes and pathways will deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms under drought stress in soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The costs and benefits of group living are not evenly distributed among individuals that occupy different spatial positions within a group (central or peripheral). However, the definitions of central and peripheral positions may artificially mask the true dynamics of cost and benefit of individuals. Using wintering foraging Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) flocks as our study system, we measured individual spatial position within a flock as distance to the flock edge. First, we tested the effects of distance to edge on the antipredation cost and foraging benefit of individual goose using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). Flock size and number of neighbors and their interactions with distance to edge were included as fixed effects in GLMMs. Then we used piecewise regression to determine the threshold value of distance to edge to classify central and peripheral individuals. Our results indicated distance to edge significantly affected percent of time spent on vigilance (vigilance time), percent of time spent on foraging (foraging time) and intake rate (pecks/min), whereas other factors had no effects. We found that the critical distance that predicted changes in behavior was around 2.5 ​m. Birds 2.5 ​m or less from the edge of the group were more vigilant, and had less efficient foraging than more central individuals. Behavioral differences between central and peripheral individuals were more easily detected when the birds were classified by the method introduced in this study than by the traditional minimum convex polygon method. Our research provides researchers a dichotomous classification scheme that places individuals into peripheral and central positions from an individual's perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hsp90 is one of the most conserved and abundant molecular chaperones and is an essential component of the protective stress response; however, its roles in abiotic stress responses in soybean (Glycine max) remain obscure. Here, 12 GmHsp90 genes from soybean were identified and found to be expressed and to function differentially under abiotic stresses. The 12 GmHsp90 genes were isolated and named GmHsp90A1–GmHsp90A6, GmHsp90B1, GmHsp90B2, GmHsp90C1.1, GmHsp90C1.2, GmHsp90C2.1 and GmHsp90C2.2 based on their characteristics and high homology to other Hsp90s according to a new nomenclature system. Quantitative real-time PCR expression data revealed that all the genes exhibited higher transcript levels in leaves and could be strongly induced under heat, osmotic and salt stress but not cold stress. Overexpression of five typical genes (GmHsp90A2, GmHsp90A4, GmHsp90B1, GmHsp90C1.1 and GmHsp90C2.1) in Arabidopsis thaliana provided useful evidences that GmHsp90 genes can decrease damage of abiotic stresses. In addition, an abnormal accumulation of proline was detected in some transgenic Arabidopsis plants suggested overexpressing GmHsp90s may affect the synthesis and response system of proline. Our work represents a systematic determination of soybean genes encoding Hsp90s, and provides useful evidence that GmHsp90 genes function differently in response to abiotic stresses and may affect the synthesis and response system of proline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 2 figures and 4 tables Abstract Association mapping is a useful alternative to linkage mapping for the detection of marker-phenotype associations. The main objective of this study is to identify simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with the vegetable soybean quality traits of 100-pod weight, 100-seed weight, sucrose content and free amino acid content. The four quality traits were evaluated in 323 soybean cultivar accessions from China, and the 323 accessions were genotyped with 101 SSR markers. Analysis of population structure revealed two subgroups in the population. The mean linkage disequilibrium (LD) value ( D′) for all statistically significant loci pairs was 0.258. The decay of the LD based on the D′ value showed little change with the increasing genetic distance between pairs. A total of 79 marker-trait associations related to the four traits were identified, involving 44 different SSR markers. According to the results, the association analysis approach in this study can be an effective method for quantitative trait loci mapping and can help breeders to develop new strategies for improving vegetable soybean quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is one of the most important factors affecting plant growth and productivity. The previous results on drought tolerance (DT) genetic system in soybean indicated a complex of genes not only few ones were involved in the trait. This study is featured with a relatively thorough identification of QTL-allele/candidate-gene system using an efficient restricted two-stage multi-locus multi-allele genome-wide association study, on two comprehensive DT indicators, membership index values of relative plant weight (MPW) and height (MPH), instead of a single biological characteristic, in a large sample (564 accessions) of the Chinese cultivated soybean population (CCSP). Based on 24,694 multi-allele markers, 75 and 64 QTL with 261 and 207 alleles (2–12/locus) were detected for MPW and MPH, explaining 54.7% and 47.1% of phenotypic variance, respectively. The detected QTL-alleles were organized into a QTL-allele matrix for each indicator, indicating DT is a super-trait conferred by two (even more) QTL-allele systems of sub-traits. Each CCSP matrix was separated into landrace (LR) and released cultivar (RC) sub-matrices, which showed significant differentiation in QTL-allele constitutions, with 58 LR alleles excluded and 16 new ones emerged in RC. Using the matrices, optimal crosses with great DT transgressive recombinants were predicted. From the detected QTL, 177 candidate genes were annotated and validated with quantitative Real-time PCR, and grouped into nine categories, with ABA and stress responders as the major parts. The key point of the above results is the establishment of relatively full QTL-allele matrices composed of numerous gene functions jointly conferring DT, therefore, demonstrates the complexity of DT genetic system and potential of CCSP in DT breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GmNAC8 can respond to drought stress as well as stress-related hormones and is significantly upregulated under drought and hormone treatments. • Compared with WT plants, GmNAC8 overexpression lines exhibited drought tolerance, whereas GmNAC8 knockout lines were drought-sensitive. • Compared with WT plants, Overexpression of GmNAC8 exhibited significantly higher SOD activity and proline content during drought stress. • GmNAC8 physically interacts with GmDi19-3 in the nucleus, and GmDi19-3 is also a positive regulator in soybean under drought stress. NAC proteins represent one of the largest transcription factor (TF) families involved in the regulation of plant development and the response to abiotic stress. In the present study, we elucidated the detailed role of GmNAC8 in the regulation of drought stress tolerance in soybean. The GmNAC8 protein was localized in the nucleus, and expression of the GmNAC8 gene was significantly induced in response to drought, abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ETH) and salicylic acid (SA) treatments. Thus, we generated GmNAC8 overexpression (OE1 and OE2) and GmNAC8 knockout (KO1 and KO2) lines to determine the role of GmNAC8 in drought stress tolerance. Our results revealed that, compared with the wild type (WT) plant, GmNAC8 overexpression and GmNAC8 knockout lines exhibited significantly higher and lower drought tolerance, respectively. Furthermore, the SOD activity and proline content were significantly higher in the GmNAC8 overexpression lines and significantly lower in the GmNAC8 knockout lines than in the WT plants under drought stress. In addition, GmNAC8 protein was found to physically interact with the drought-induced protein GmDi19-3 in the nucleus. Moreover, the GmDi19-3 expression pattern showed the same trend as the GmNAC8 gene did under drought and hormone (ABA, ETH and SA) treatments, and GmDi19-3 overexpression lines (GmDi19-3 -OE9, GmDi19-3 -OE10 and GmDi19-3 -OE31) showed enhanced drought tolerance compared to that of the WT plants. Hence, the above results indicated that GmNAC8 acts as a positive regulator of drought tolerance in soybean and inferred that GmNAC8 probably functions by interacting with another positive regulatory protein, GmDi19-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Acknowledgement section of the original publication gave a wrong grant number. The correct Acknowledgement should read. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 100-pod fresh weight (PFW), 100-seed fresh weight (SFW), 100-seed dry weight (SDW) and moisture content of fresh seeds (MCFS) at the R6 stage are crucial factors for vegetable soybean yield. However, the genetic basis of yield at the R6 stage remains largely ambiguous in soybean. Results: To better understand the molecular mechanism underlying yield, we investigated four yield-related traits of 133 soybean landraces in two consecutive years and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 82,187 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The GWAS results revealed a total of 14, 15, 63 and 48 SNPs for PFW, SFW, SDW and MCFS, respectively. Among these markers, 35 SNPs were repeatedly identified in all evaluated environments (2015, 2016, and the average across the two years), and most co-localized with yield-related QTLs identified in previous studies. AX-90496773 and AX-90460290 were large-effect markers for PFW and MCFS, respectively. The two markers were stably identified in all environments and tagged to linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks. Six potential candidate genes were predicted in LD blocks; five of them showed significantly different expression levels between the extreme materials with large PFW or MCFS variation at the seed development stage. Therefore, the five genes Glyma.16g018200, Glyma.16g018300, Glyma.05g243400, Glyma.05g244100 and Glyma.05g245300 were regarded as candidate genes associated with PFW and MCFS. Conclusion: These results provide useful information for the development of functional markers and exploration of candidate genes in vegetable soybean high-yield breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seed hardness of vegetable soybean (VSB) is generally regarded as an important quality characteristic that contributes largely to its processing and mouthfeel. However, the genetic control of it is still a gray area. To identify the dynamic quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and detect the genetic relationship between seed hardness and growth period traits at the QTL level, conditional and unconditional QTL analyses were performed using a population of 184 recombinant inbred lines in 2015, 2016 and 2017. For seed hardness at stage 1 to stage 4 (W1-W4), 12 and 8 QTLs were identified by unconditional and conditional mapping, respectively. The comparative analyses between unconditional and conditional mapping uncovered three types of dynamic QTLs underlying seed hardness in the development of VSB. These results demonstrated that genes underlying seed hardness were actively expressed in the interval between stage 2 and stage 3, which was in parallel with the mass filling period in the development of soybean seeds. For seed hardness at R6 stage (W), 11 unconditional QTLs were detected. When W was conditioned on the number of days after sowing to R6 stage (DAS), the number of days after flowering to R6 stage (DAF) and flower time (FT), 11, 2, and 2 conditional QTLs were identified, respectively. Four types of unique QTLs distinguished the contributions of DAS, DAF and FT to the genetic effects of W. Of these, uqW.D1b-1 and uqW.A1-2 control W with independent of DAS or FT. Hence, they would be valuable for the selection softer seed lines, without the simultaneous depression of growth period traits even though there exist significant positive correlation between them. The loci identified by conditional and unconditional QTL analyses may be useful for the improvements of decreased seed hardness with the best balance of growth period through marker assisted selection (MAS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]