Comparative mapping of chalkiness components in rice using five populations across two environments

BACKGROUND: Chalkiness is a major constraint in rice production because it is one of the key factors determining grain quality (appearance, processing, milling, storing, eating, and cooking quality) and price. Its reduction is a major goal, and the primary purpose of this study was to dissect the genetic basis of grain chalkiness. Using five populations across two environments, we also sought to determine how many quantitative trait loci (QTL) can be consistently detected. We obtained an integrated genetic map using the data from five mapping populations and further confirmed the reliability of the identified QTL. RESULTS: A total of 79 QTL associated with six chalkiness traits (chalkiness rate, white core rate, white belly rate, chalkiness area, white core area, and white belly area) were mapped on 12 chromosomes using five populations (two doubled haploid lines and three recombinant inbred lines) across two environments (Hainan in 2004 and Wuhan in 2004). The final integrated map included 430 markers; 58.3% of the QTL clustered together (QTL clusters), 71.4% of the QTL clusters were identified in two or more populations, and 36.1% of the QTL were consistently detected in the two environments. The QTL could be detected again and showed dominance (qWBR1, qWBR8, qWBR12, and qCR5) or overdominance effects (qWCR7) for the rate of the white belly or white core, respectively, and all four QTL clusters derived from Zhenshan 97 controlling white belly rate were stably and reliably identified in an F(2) population. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified 79 QTL associated with six chalkiness traits using five populations across two environments and yielded an integrated genetic map, indicating most of the QTL clustered together and could be detected in different backgrounds. The identified QTL were stable and reliable in the F(2) population, and they may facilitate our understanding of the QTL related to chalkiness traits in different populations and various environments, the relationships among the various chalkiness QTL, and the genetic basis for chalkiness. Thus, our results may be immediately used for map-based cloning of important QTL and in marker-assisted breeding to improve grain quality in rice breeding

The serum soluble scavenger with 5 domains levels: A novel biomarker for individuals with heart failure

Background: We aimed to explore the relationship between the serum Soluble Scavenger with 5 Domains (SSC5D) levels and heart failure (HF).Methods and Results: We retrospectively enrolled 276 patients diagnosed with HF or normal during hospitalization in Shanghai General Hospital between September 2020 and December 2021. Previously published RNA sequencing data were re-analyzed to confirm the expression profile of SSC5D in failing and non-failing human and mouse heart tissues. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was used to quantify Ssc5d mRNA levels in murine heart tissue after myocardial infarction and transverse aortic constriction surgery. To understand the HF-induced secreted proteins profile, 1,755 secreted proteins were investigated using human dilated cardiomyopathy RNA-seq data, and the results indicated that SSC5D levels were significantly elevated in failing hearts compared to the non-failing. Using single-cell RNA sequencing data, we demonstrated that Ssc5d is predominantly expressed in cardiac fibroblasts. In a murine model of myocardial infarction or transverse aortic constriction, Ssc5d mRNA levels were markedly increased compared with those in the sham group. Similarly, serum SSC5D levels were considerably elevated in the HF group compared with the control group [15,789.35 (10,745.32–23,110.65) pg/mL, 95% CI (16,263.01–19,655.43) vs. 8,938.72 (6,154.97–12,778.81) pg/mL, 95% CI (9,337.50–11,142.93); p < 0.0001]. Moreover, serum SSC5D levels were positively correlated with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (R = 0.4, p = 7.9e-12) and inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (R = −0.46, p = 9.8e-16).Conclusion: We concluded that SSC5D was a specific response to HF. Serum SSC5D may function as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with HF

Discrete Meta-Simulation of Silage Based on RSM and GA-BP-GA Optimization Parameter Calibration

The EDEM software (Altair EDEM 2022.0 professional version 8.0.0) was used to create a discrete element model of silage to address the lack of silage evidence parameters and contact parameters between silage and conveying equipment when using the discrete element method to simulate and analyze crucial aspects of silage conveying and feeding. Physical tests and simulations were used to calibrate the significant parameters, and the silage stacking angle obtained from simulation and tests was then validated. The response value of the stacking angle (38.65°) obtained from the physical examination was used as the response value. The response surface (RSM) finding and the GA finding based on the genetic algorithm (GA) artificial neural network (BP) model were used to compare the significance parameters. The PB and steepest climb tests were used to screen the significant factors. Results indicate that the static friction coefficient between silage and silage, the rolling friction coefficient between silage and silage, and the static friction coefficient between silage and the steel body are significant factors affecting the stacking angle of numerical simulation; the parameter optimization effect of GA-BP-GA is superior to that of RSM; the optimal parameter combinations are as follows: 0.495, 0.194, and 0.420, respectively, and the simulated stacking angle is 39.1510°, which matches the empirical test result. The relative error between the simulated and stacking angles derived from the physical test was 1.3%. The results demonstrate that the silage model is reliable within the parameters derived from the calibration, and that the calibrated parameters can be used in other discrete element simulation studies of silage

Synthesis and characterization of novel rhenium (I) complexes with large Stokes shift for applications in organic electroluminescent devices

<p id="spar0010">Two novel tricarbonyl rhenium(I) (Re(I)) complexes with versatile building block (1,10-phenanthroline), i.e., Re-PPhen and Re-FPPhen (PPhen, 3,8-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; FPPhen, 3,8-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline), were designed, synthesized and structurally characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and mass spectroscopy. The photophysical properties of two complexes were investigated in detail. The absorption bands centered at ca. 255&ndash;350 and 380&ndash;550&nbsp;nm from two complexes were attributed to the ligand-centered &pi;&rarr;&pi;* electronic transition and the metal-to-ligand charge transfer d&pi;(Re)&rarr;&pi;*(ligand) (MLCT) transition, respectively. Re-PPhen and Re-FPPhen exhibited broad ³MLCT maximum emission around 572&ndash;580&nbsp;nm with the full width of half maximum of ca. 90&nbsp;nm. These complexes displayed a unique feature that was a remarkably high Stokes shift up to about 240&nbsp;nm. Both of two complexes showed high photoluminescence quantum efficiencies (0.11, 0.13) and short luminescent lifetimes (0.21, 0.16&nbsp;&mu;s), respectively. Re-PPhen and Re-FPPhen were thermally stable with high decomposition temperature in the range of 355&ndash;365&nbsp;&deg;C corresponding to 5% weight loss, indicating that two complexes were stable enough to be sublimated to fabricate organic electroluminescent devices. The electroluminescent devices based on doped Re-FPPhen complex showed very high luminance of 9293&nbsp;cd&nbsp;m^&minus;2 and reasonable luminance efficiency of 9.4&nbsp;cd&nbsp;A^&minus;1. All evidences showed that Re-PPhen and Re-FPPhen were potential candidates for applications in organic electroluminescent devices.</p><!--VALIDHTML--><hr /

Tailoring the tribology property and corrosion resistance of selective laser melted CoCrMo alloys by varying copper content

In this study, the cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys containing varying Cu contents (CCM-xCu, x  = 0, 2, 3, 4 wt%) were fabricated via the selected laser melting (SLM) method. The influences of Cu content on tribological performance and corrosion resistance were investigated. The 2 and 3 wt% Cu contributed to inhibiting the generation of the HCP phase, whereas the inhibitory effect was quite limited at 4 wt% Cu. Notably, 4 wt% Cu led to the formation of Cr-enrich precipitates in the matrix, which was partially coherent with the Cu nanoparticle. The corrosion resistance of the CCM alloy was enhanced as the 2 and 3 wt% Cu added into the CCM alloy, contrarily, which deteriorated when Cu content reached 4 wt%. For the CCM-2Cu and CCM-3Cu, Cr-precipitates played a major role in enhancing the wear resistance, while the Cu lubrication effect working in coordination with Cr-precipitates determined that for the CCM-4Cu. This study was expected to achieve better tribology and corrosion properties of SLM-produced CCM alloys by tailoring microstructure through the Cu element

Comparison of Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy with and without Foraminoplasty for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A 2-Year Follow-Up

Background. Both transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy with foraminoplasty (TF PELF) and transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy without foraminoplasty (TF PELD) were developed for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients. However, the safety and effectiveness between the TF PELF and TF PELD have not been investigated. Methods. Of the included 140 LDH patients, 62 patients received TF PELF (PELF group) and 78 patients received TF PELD (PELD group). The operation time, the duration of staying at the hospital, and complication incidences were recorded. All patients were followed up for 2 years, where low back and leg visual analogue scale (VAS) pain ratings and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared between the 2 groups before and after surgery. Modified Macnab criterion was estimated for all patients at postoperative 2 years. Results. There were no significant difference of the operation time, number of days staying at the hospital, and the incidence of complications between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Two cases in the PELF group and 1 case in the PELD group received a second surgery due to unrelieved symptoms postoperatively. Low back and leg VAS and ODI scores decreased in both groups after operation (P0.05). Six patients in the PELF group and 3 patients in the PELD group did not continue the follow-up; thus, only 131 patients completed Macnab evaluation. The satisfactory rate was reported as 80.4% in the PELF group and 90.7% in the PELD group (P>0.05). Conclusions. This study suggested that the safety and effectiveness of TF PELF are comparable to TF PELD for LDH patients

Exendin-4 Induces Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Migration Through Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages Polarization via PKA-STAT3 Signaling Pathway

Background/Aims: The synthesis and degradation processes involved in bone remodeling are critically regulated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The GLP-1 receptor agonist Exendin-4 is beneficial for osteoblast differentiation and increases the number of osteoblasts. Methods: We constructed an ovariectomized model to evaluate the impact of Exendin-4 on bone formation in osteoporosis. A macrophage-depleted model was also created to investigate the effect of macrophages on bone formation. Thirty-two female WT C57BL/6 mice (aged 3 months) were randomly assigned to a normal control group and four ovariectomized (OVX) subgroups: OVX + vehicle group, OVX + Exendin-4 (4.2 µg/kg/day) group, OVX + chloride phosphate liposome group and OVX + chloride phosphate liposome + Exendin-4 group. Results: In this study, we found that Exendin-4 not only increased the number of osteoblasts and decreased the number of osteoclasts, but also increased the number of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) at the bone surface. Moreover, we found that OVX mice treated with Exendin-4 increased TGF-β1 levels at the bone surface compared with that in OVX mice. Besides, Exendin-4 promoted the polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages into M2 subtype and increased TGF-β1 secretion by the M2 subtype. Finally, we found that Exendin-4 induced macrophage polarization via the cAMP-PKA-STAT3 signaling pathway. Conclusion: Exendin-4 promotes bone marrow-derived macrophage polarization to the M2 subtype and induces BMSC migration to the bone surface via PKA-STAT3 signaling