Abiotic stresses, such as salinity, greatly threaten the growth and productivity of plants. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important food crops, as well as a monocot model for genomic ...research. To obtain a global view of the molecular response to salinity stress, we conducted a leaf transcriptome analysis on rice seedlings. Two cultivars of rice subspecies indica, including the salt-tolerant genotype Xian156 and the salt-sensitive genotype IR28, were used in the present study. Eighteen RNA libraries were obtained from these two genotypes at three timepoints (0 h, 48 h and 72 h) after applying salinity stress. We obtained the reference-guided assembly of the rice transcriptome, which resulted in 1,375 novel genes, including 1,371 annotated genes. A comparative analysis between genotypes and time points showed 5,273 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 286 DEGs were only found in the tolerant genotype. The Disease resistance response protein 206 and TIFY 10 A were differentially expressed, which were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. The differentially expressed genes identified through the mRNA transcriptome, along with the structure, provide a revealing insight into rice molecular response to salinity stress and underlie the salinity tolerance mechanism between genotypes.
Grain size and shape are important components determining rice grain yield, and they are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Here, we report the cloning and functional characterization of a ...major grain length QTL, qGL3 , which encodes a putative protein phosphatase with Kelch-like repeat domain (OsPPKL1). We found a rare allele qgl3 that leads to a long grain phenotype by an aspartate-to-glutamate transition in a conserved AVLDT motif of the second Kelch domain in OsPPKL1. The rice genome has other two OsPPKL1 homologs, OsPPKL2 and OsPPKL3 . Transgenic studies showed that OsPPKL1 and OsPPKL3 function as negative regulators of grain length, whereas OsPPKL2 as a positive regulator. The Kelch domains are essential for the OsPPKL1 biological function. Field trials showed that the application of the qgl3 allele could significantly increase grain yield in both inbred and hybrid rice varieties, due to its favorable effect on grain length, filling, and weight.
In recent years, global warming and intense human activity have been responsible for significantly altering vegetation dynamics on the Mongolian Plateau. Understanding the long-term vegetation ...dynamics in this region is important to assess the impact of these changes on the local ecosystem. Long-term (1982–2015), satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) datasets were used to analyse the spatio-temporal patterns of vegetation activities using linear regression and the breaks for additive season and trend methods. The links between these patterns and changes in temperature, precipitation (PRE), soil moisture (SM), and anthropogenic activity were determined using partial correlation analysis, the residual trends method, and a stepwise multiple regression model. The most significant results indicated that air temperature and potential evapotranspiration increased significantly, while the SM and PRE had markedly decreased over the past 34 years. The NDVI dataset included 71.16% of pixels showing an increase in temperature and evaporation during the growing season, particularly in eastern Mongolia and the southern border of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous region, China. The proportion indicating the breakpoint of vegetation dynamics was 71.34% of pixels, and the trend breakpoints mainly occurred in 1993, 2003, and 2010. The cumulative effects of PRE and SM in the middle period, coupled with the short-term effects of temperature and potential evapotranspiration, have had positive effects on vegetation greening. Anthropogenic factors appear to have positively impacted vegetation dynamics, as shown in 81.21% of pixels. We consider rapid economic growth, PRE, and SM to be the main driving factors in Inner Mongolia. PRE was the main climatic factor, and combined human and livestock populations were the primary anthropogenic factors influencing vegetation dynamics in Mongolia. This study is important in promoting the continued use of green projects to address environmental change in the Mongolian Plateau.
Root nitrate uptake adjusts to the plant's nitrogen demand for growth. Here, we report that OsMADS57, a MADS-box transcription factor, modulates nitrate translocation from rice (
) roots to shoots ...under low-nitrate conditions.
is abundantly expressed in xylem parenchyma cells of root stele and is induced by nitrate. Compared with wild-type rice plants supplied with 0.2 mM nitrate,
mutants had 31% less xylem loading of nitrate, while overexpression lines had 2-fold higher levels. Shoot-root
N content ratios were 40% lower in the mutants and 76% higher in the overexpression lines. Rapid NO
root influx experiments showed that mutation of
did not affect root nitrate uptake. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR analysis of
nitrate transporter genes showed that after 5 min in 0.2 mM nitrate, only
(a vascular-specific high-affinity nitrate transporter) had reduced (by two-thirds) expression levels. At 60 min of nitrate treatment, lower expression levels were also observed for three additional
genes (
). Conversely, in the overexpression lines, four
genes had much higher expression profiles at all time points tested. As previously reported,
functions in nitrate translocation, indicating the possible interaction between
and
Yeast one-hybrid and transient expression assays demonstrated that OsMADS57 binds to the CArG motif (CATTTTATAG) within the
promoter. Moreover, seminal root elongation was inhibited in
mutants, which may be associated with higher auxin levels in and auxin polar transport to root tips of mutant plants. Taken together, these results suggest that OsMADS57 has a role in regulating nitrate translocation from root to shoot via OsNRT2.3a.
Tropical cyclones (TCs) have devastating impacts and are responsible for significant damage. Consequently, for TC-induced direct economic loss (DEL) attribution all factors associated with risk (i.e. ...hazard, exposure and vulnerability) must be examined. This research quantifies the relationship between TC-induced DELs and maximum wind speed, asset value and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita using a regression model with TC records from 2000 to 2015 for China's mainland area. The coefficient of the maximum wind speed term indicates that a doubling of the maximum wind speed increases DELs by 225% 97%, 435% when the other two variables are held constant. The coefficient of the asset value term indicates that a doubling of asset value exposed to TCs increases DELs by 79% 58%, 103%; thus, if hazard and vulnerability are assumed to be constant in the future, then a dramatic escalation in TC-induced DELs will occur given the increase in asset value, suggesting that TC-prone areas with rapid urbanization and wealth accumulation will inevitably be subject to higher risk. Reducing the asset value exposure via land-use planning, for example, is important for decreasing TC risk. The coefficient of GDP per capita term indicates that a doubling in GDP per capita could decrease DELs by 54% 39%, 66%. Because accumulated assets constantly increase people's demand for improved security, stakeholders must invest in risk identification, early warning systems, emergency management and other effective prevention measures with increasing income to reduce vulnerability. This research aims to quantitatively connect TC risk (expected DELs, specifically) to physical and socioeconomic drivers and emphasizes how human dimensions could contribute to TC risk. Moreover, the model can be used to estimate TC risk under climate change and future socioeconomic development in the context of China.
Accurate exposure estimation is essential for seismic risk assessment. Recent rapid urbanization and economic growth in China have led to massive spatiotemporal changes in both the asset value and ...GDP exposed to seismic hazards. Using available GDP data, the asset value dataset produced by Wu et al (2014a) and spatial disaggregation technology, gridded maps of GDP and asset value are overlaid with the latest seismic map to investigate spatiotemporal changes in economic exposure in the most seismically hazardous areas (MSHAs) in China in 1990, 2000 and 2010. We found that 15.4% of China's asset value and 14.1% of China's GDP were located in MSHAs in 2010, and the asset value and GDP exposed to MSHAs reached 15.9 trillion CNY and 6.2 trillion CNY, respectively, with average annual rates of increase of 14.4% and 11.3% over the two decades. The evidence of increased exposure provides valuable information regarding whom or what risk managers should give the most attention based on the economic exposure changes in earthquake-prone areas of China. Notably, the North China seismic belt, which is associated with the largest economic exposure to earthquakes and a rapidly increasing rate of economic exposure compared to those in other seismic belts, and the Qinghai-Tibet seismic belt, which has the highest earthquake occurrence, are two seismic belts of interest. A more detailed study is required to determine the relationship between increased economic exposure and earthquake disaster losses combined with hazard level and vulnerability.
Abstract
X-ray detectors must be operated at minimal doses to reduce radiation health risks during X-ray security examination or medical inspection, therefore requiring high sensitivity and low ...detection limits. Although organolead trihalide perovskites have rapidly emerged as promising candidates for X-ray detection due to their low cost and remarkable performance, these materials threaten the safety of the human body and environment due to the presence of lead. Here we present the realization of highly sensitive X-ray detectors based on an environmentally friendly solution-grown thick BiI/BiI
3
/BiI (Bi
x
I
y
) van der Waals heterostructure. The devices exhibit anisotropic X-ray detection response with a sensitivity up to 4.3 × 10
4
μC Gy
−1
cm
−2
and a detection limit as low as 34 nGy s
−1
. At the same time, our Bi
x
I
y
detectors demonstrate high environmental and hard radiation stabilities. Our work motivates the search for new van der Waals heterostructure classes to realize high-performance X-ray detectors and other optoelectronic devices without employing toxic elements.
Extremity liposarcoma represents 25% of extremity soft tissue sarcoma and has a better prognosis than liposarcoma occurring in other anatomic sites. The purpose of this study was to develop two ...nomograms for predicting the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with extremity liposarcoma.
A total of 2170 patients diagnosed with primary extremity liposarcoma between 2004 and 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to explore the independent prognostic factors and establish two nomograms. The area under the curve (AUC), C-index, calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), Kaplan-Meier analysis, and subgroup analyses were used to evaluate the nomograms.
Six variables were identified as independent prognostic factors for both OS and CSS. In the training cohort, the AUCs of the OS nomogram were 0.842, 0.841, and 0.823 for predicting 3-, 5-, and 8-year OS, respectively, while the AUCs of the CSS nomogram were 0.889, 0.884, and 0.859 for predicting 3-, 5-, and 8-year CSS, respectively. Calibration plots and DCA revealed that the nomogram had a satisfactory ability to predict OS and CSS. The above results were also observed in the validation cohort. In addition, the C-indices of both nomograms were significantly higher than those of all independent prognostic factors in both the training and validation cohorts. Stratification of the patients into high- and low-risk groups highlighted the differences in prognosis between the two groups in the training and validation cohorts.
Age, sex, tumor size, grade, M stage, and surgery status were confirmed as independent prognostic variables for both OS and CSS in extremity liposarcoma patients. Two nomograms based on the above variables were established to provide more accurate individual survival predictions for extremity liposarcoma patients and to help physicians make appropriate clinical decisions.
Bone metastasis (BM) is one of the common sites of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the prognosis of BM patients is worse than patients without it. Our study aimed to identify predictors and ...prognostic factors of BM in HCC patients and develop two nomograms to quantify the risk of BM and the prognosis of HCC patients with BM.
We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who were diagnosed as HCC between 2010 and 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Independent predictors for BM from HCC patients were determined by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Independent prognostic factors for HCC patients with BM were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Two nomograms were established and evaluated by calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).
Nine thousand and forty-seven patients were included. The independent risk factors of BM in newly diagnosed HCC patients are sex, grade, T stage, and N stage. The independent prognostic factors for HCC patients with BM are radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and lung metastasis. The AUC of diagnostic nomogram were 0.726 in the training set and 0.629 in the testing set. For the prognostic nomogram, the AUCs of 6-, 9-, and 12-months were 0.753, 0.799, and 0.732 in the training set and 0.698, 0.770, and 0.823 in the validation set. The calibration curve and DCA indicated the good performance of the nomogram.
Two nomograms were established to predict the incidence of BM in HCC patients and the prognosis of HCC patients with BM, respectively. Both nomograms have satisfactory accuracy, and clinical utility may benefit for clinical decision-making.
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. These diseases are linked with mitochondrial dysfunction, most likely as a consequence of excessive formation of ...mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). Sirtuin3 (SIRT3), a key mitochondrial NAD
-dependent deacetylase, is critical responsible for mitochondrial functional homeostasis and is highly associated with neuropathology. However, the role of SIRT3 in regulating MAM coupling remains unknown.
Streptozotocin-injected diabetic mice and high glucose-treated SH-SY5Y cells were established as the animal and cellular models, respectively. SIRT3 expression was up-regulated in vivo using an adeno-associated virus in mouse hippocampus and in vitro using a recombinant lentivirus vector. Cognitive function was evaluated using behavioural tests. Hippocampus injury was assessed using Golgi and Nissl staining. Apoptosis was analysed using western blotting and TUNEL assay. Mitochondrial function was detected using flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy. The mechanisms were investigated using co-immunoprecipitation of VDAC1-GRP75-IP3R complex, fluorescence imaging of ER and mitochondrial co-localisation and transmission electron microscopy of structural analysis of MAMs.
Our results demonstrated that SIRT3 expression was significantly reduced in high glucose-treated SH-SY5Y cells and hippocampal tissues from diabetic mice. Further, up-regulating SIRT3 alleviated hippocampus injuries and cognitive impairment in diabetic mice and mitigated mitochondrial Ca
overload-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Mechanistically, MAM formation was enhanced under high glucose conditions, which was reversed by genetic up-regulation of SIRT3 via reduced interaction of the VDAC1-GRP75-IP3R complex in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we investigated the therapeutic effects of pharmacological activation of SIRT3 in diabetic mice via honokiol treatment, which exhibited similar effects to our genetic interventions.
In summary, our findings suggest that SIRT3 ameliorates cognitive impairment in diabetic mice by limiting aberrant MAM formation. Furthermore, targeting the activation of SIRT3 by honokiol provides a promising therapeutic candidate for diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction. Overall, our study suggests a novel role of SIRT3 in regulating MAM coupling and indicates that SIRT3-targeted therapies are promising for diabetic dementia patients.
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