Vascular Bundle Characteristics of Different Rice Variety Treated with Nitrogen Fertilizers and Its Relation to Stem Assimilates Allocation and Grain Yield

The vascular bundle plays a vital role in photoassimilates transportation in rice. However, the vascular bundle characteristics of basal internode and its relationship with stem assimilates allocation and yield remain unclear. In this study, experiments with four different types of rice varieties subjected to three nitrogen application levels were conducted. The results showed that large vascular bundles (LVB) and small vascular bundles (SVB)-related traits of basal internode exhibited genotypic differences. Indica-japonica hybrid varieties had the highest number of cross sectional areas and phloem areas of LVB and SVB, thus the highest stem nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) translocation, grain filling percentage and grain yield, followed by indica hybrid varieties and indica conventional varieties, and those were the lowest in japonica conventional varieties. The LVB and SVB related traits were significantly and positively correlated with stem NSC translocation, grain filling percentage and grain yield, respectively These results suggested that improving the characteristics of basal internodes was beneficial to enhance stem NSC translocation and consequently increase grain yield. Nitrogen application increased LVB and SVB related traits. Therefore, varieties with developed vascular bundles of basal internodes and cultivation techniques for improving vascular bundle related traits should be considered as the effective route for increasing grain yield

Vascular Bundle Characteristics of Different Rice Variety Treated with Nitrogen Fertilizers and Its Relation to Stem Assimilates Allocation and Grain Yield

The vascular bundle plays a vital role in photoassimilates transportation in rice. However, the vascular bundle characteristics of basal internode and its relationship with stem assimilates allocation and yield remain unclear. In this study, experiments with four different types of rice varieties subjected to three nitrogen application levels were conducted. The results showed that large vascular bundles (LVB) and small vascular bundles (SVB)-related traits of basal internode exhibited genotypic differences. Indica-japonica hybrid varieties had the highest number of cross sectional areas and phloem areas of LVB and SVB, thus the highest stem nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) translocation, grain filling percentage and grain yield, followed by indica hybrid varieties and indica conventional varieties, and those were the lowest in japonica conventional varieties. The LVB and SVB related traits were significantly and positively correlated with stem NSC translocation, grain filling percentage and grain yield, respectively These results suggested that improving the characteristics of basal internodes was beneficial to enhance stem NSC translocation and consequently increase grain yield. Nitrogen application increased LVB and SVB related traits. Therefore, varieties with developed vascular bundles of basal internodes and cultivation techniques for improving vascular bundle related traits should be considered as the effective route for increasing grain yield

Induction of Mast Cell Accumulation by Tryptase via a Protease Activated Receptor-2 and ICAM-1 Dependent Mechanism

Mast cells are primary effector cells of allergy, and recruitment of mast cells in involved tissue is one of the key events in allergic inflammation. Tryptase is the most abundant secretory product of mast cells, but little is known of its influence on mast cell accumulation. Using mouse peritoneal model, cell migration assay, and flow cytometry analysis, we investigated role of tryptase in recruiting mast cells. The results showed that tryptase induced up to 6.7-fold increase in mast cell numbers in mouse peritoneum following injection. Inhibitors of tryptase, an antagonist of PAR-2 FSLLRY-NH2, and pretreatment of mice with anti-ICAM-1, anti-CD11a, and anti-CD18 antibodies dramatically diminished tryptase induced mast cell accumulation. On the other hand, PAR-2 agonist peptides SLIGRL-NH2 and tc-LIGRLO-NH2 provoked mast cell accumulation following injection. These implicate that tryptase induced mast cell accumulation is dependent on its enzymatic activity, activation of PAR-2, and interaction between ICAM-1 and LFA-1. Moreover, induction of trans-endothelium migration of mast cells in vitro indicates that tryptase acts as a chemoattractant. In conclusion, provocation of mast cell accumulation by mast cell tryptase suggests a novel self-amplification mechanism of mast cell accumulation. Mast cell stabilizers as well as PAR-2 antagonist agents may be useful for treatment of allergic reactions

Altered Expression of IFN-λ2 in Allergic Airway Disorders and Identification of Its Cell Origins

This study investigated the expression levels of interferon- (IFN-) λ2 in peripheral blood and tissues. The results showed that the levels of IFN-λ2 were elevated by 17.9% and 14.2% in the plasma of allergic rhinitis (AR) and combined rhinitis with asthma (AR + AS), which was positively correlated with the level of tryptase but negatively correlated with the level of IL-10. IFN-λ2 was predominately expressed in the CD16+ cells and CD14+ cells in healthy control subjects (HC) but upregulated only in CD8+ cells of AR and in eosinophils of asthma. It was observed that approximately 6.6% and 7.0% dispersed tonsil cells and 5.8% and 0.44% dispersed lung cells are IFN-λ2+ mast cells and macrophages. Moreover, tryptase and agonist peptides of PAR-2 induced enhanced IFN-λ2 mRNA expression in A549 cells. In conclusion, the elevated levels of IFN-λ2 in the plasma of AR and AR + AS indicate that IFN-λ2 is likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic airway disorders. The potential origins of the elevated plasma IFN-λ2 include mast cells, macrophages, and epithelial cells in tissues, neutrophils, monocytes, CD8+ T cells, and eosinophils in peripheral blood. Development of IFN-λ2 related therapy may help to treat or prevent allergic airway disorders

The clinical utility and costs of whole-genome sequencing to detect cancer susceptibility variants—a multi-site prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Many families and individuals do not meet criteria for a known hereditary cancer syndrome but display unusual clusters of cancers. These families may carry pathogenic variants in cancer predisposition genes and be at higher risk for developing cancer. Methods This multi-centre prospective study recruited 195 cancer-affected participants suspected to have a hereditary cancer syndrome for whom previous clinical targeted genetic testing was either not informative or not available. To identify pathogenic disease-causing variants explaining participant presentation, germline whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and a comprehensive cancer virtual gene panel analysis were undertaken. Results Pathogenic variants consistent with the presenting cancer(s) were identified in 5.1% (10/195) of participants and pathogenic variants considered secondary findings with potential risk management implications were identified in another 9.7% (19/195) of participants. Health economic analysis estimated the marginal cost per case with an actionable variant was significantly lower for upfront WGS with virtual panel ($8744AUD) compared to standard testing followed by WGS ($24,894AUD). Financial analysis suggests that national adoption of diagnostic WGS testing would require a ninefold increase in government annual expenditure compared to conventional testing. Conclusions These findings make a case for replacing conventional testing with WGS to deliver clinically important benefits for cancer patients and families. The uptake of such an approach will depend on the perspectives of different payers on affordability