QTL-seq analysis identified the genomic regions of plant height and days to heading in high-latitude rice

Introduction: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most extensive crops in the world. China’s Heilongjiang Province is the northernmost rice-growing region in the world. However, rice cultivars suitable for growth in low-latitude regions may not mature normally due to their distinct climate and short frost-free period. It is necessary to precisely determine the frost-free period for each region to make the best use of the rice growth stage so as to ensure the maturity and yield of different rice cultivars in Heilongjiang Province. The time span of the heading stage is a key parameter for evaluating the adaptability of a rice cultivar to a specific rice-growing region. Given the above facts, it is of high importance to study the associated genes and sites controlling days to heading (DH) and plant height (PH) of rice in Heilongjiang Province. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) combined with high-throughput sequencing can effectively exclude interferences from background genomic differences, making it suitable for analyzing the associated sites of complex agronomic traits in early generations.Methods: In this study, an F3 segregating population was obtained by crossing two main cultivars that are grown under different temperatures and day-light conditions in Heilongjiang. Two pools of extreme phenotypes were built for the DH and PH of the population. For SNP and InDel variants obtained from whole-genome resequencing in the pools, an association analysis was performed using the Euclidean distance (ED) algorithm and the SNP/InDel index algorithm.Results: The intersection of SNP and InDel regions associated with the phenotypes was considered to obtain the final associated sites. After excluding interferences from the cloned genes on chromosomes 2 and 7, a total length of 6.34 Mb on chromosomes 1, 3, and 10 and 3.16 Mb on chromosomes 1 and 10 were left associated with PH and DH, respectively. Then, we performed a gene annotation analysis for candidate genes in the remaining regions using multiple genome annotation databases. Our research provides basic data for subsequent gene mapping and cloning.Discussion: By mining more genetic loci associated with the days to heading and plant height of rice, we may provide abundant genetic resources for refined molecular breeding in Heilongjiang Province

Structural, Surface, and Optical Properties of AlN Thin Films Grown on Different Substrates by PEALD

Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition was employed to grow aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films on Si (100), Si (111), and c-plane sapphire substrates at 250 °C. Trimethylaluminum and Ar/N2/H2 plasma were utilized as Al and N precursors, respectively. The properties of AlN thin films grown on various substrates were comparatively analyzed. The investigation revealed that the as-grown AlN thin films exhibit a hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferred c-axis orientation and were polycrystalline, regardless of the substrates. The sharp AlN/substrate interfaces of the as-grown AlN are indicated by the clearly resolved Kiessig fringes measured through X-ray reflectivity. The surface morphology analysis indicated that the AlN grown on sapphire displays the largest crystal grain size and surface roughness value. Additionally, AlN/Si (100) shows the highest refractive index at a wavelength of 532 nm. Compared to AlN/sapphire, AlN/Si has a lower wavelength with an extinction coefficient of zero, indicating that AlN/Si has higher transmittance in the visible range. Overall, the study offers valuable insights into the properties of AlN thin films and their potential applications in optoelectronic devices, and provides a new technical idea for realizing high-quality AlN thin films with sharp AlN/substrate interfaces and smooth surfaces

In vivo effects of mid-myocardial pacing on transmural dispersion of repolarization and conduction in canines

In our previous in vitro study mid-myocardial relative to epicardial pacing decreased transmural dispersion of depolarization (TDR) and prevented ventricular arrhythmia. We therefore hypothesized that in vivo mid-myocardial pacing in canines has a similar effect. Using custom-made electrodes, monophasic action potentials were simultaneously recorded in vivo from left ventricular epicardial (Epi), mid-myocardial (Mid) and endocardial (Endo) layers of canines (n = 12). TDR was significantly increased at Epi (44.6 ± 6. 4 ms, 14.2 ± 5.1 ms, and 13.8 ± 5.4 ms for Epi, Mid and Endo pacing, respectively, P < 0.001), and similarly at Mid and Endo pacing (P = 0.855). This result was reproducible after ibutilide administration (n = 12). TDR was augmented at each layer pacing and significantly increased at Epi (78.1 ± 15.9 ms, 46.8 ± 16.0 ms, and 46.5 ± 15.2 ms for Epi, Mid, and Endo pacing, respectively, P < 0.001), but was similar at Endo and Mid pacing (P = 0.965). TDR at 3 cm from left ventricular apex pacing site was similar between Mid and Endo pacing, and still significantly increased at Epi pacing. At 3 cm distance, the first activation myocardium was still the epicardium at Epi, while sequence transformed from mid-myocardium to endocardium at Mid pacing. Mid as compared to Epi pacing significantly decreases TDR and remains this advantage on the distant myocardium away from the pacing site

In vivo effects of mid-myocardial pacing on transmural dispersion of repolarization and conduction in canines

Objective: In our previous in vitro study mid-myocardial relative to epicardial pacing decreased transmural dispersion of depolarization (TDR) and prevented ventricular arrhythmia. We therefore hypothesized that in vivo mid-myocardial pacing in canines has a similar effect. Methods and results: Using custom-made electrodes, monophasic action potentials were simultaneously recorded in vivo from left ventricular epicardial (Epi), mid-myocardial (Mid) and endocardial (Endo) layers of canines (n = 12). TDR was significantly increased at Epi (44.6 ± 6. 4 ms; 14.2 ± 5.1 ms; and 13.8 ± 5.4 ms for Epi, Mid and Endo pacing, respectively; P < 0.001), and similarly at Mid and Endo pacing (P = 0.855). This result was reproducible after ibutilide administration (n = 12). TDR was augmented at each layer pacing and significantly increased at Epi (78.1 ± 15.9 ms; 46.8 ± 16.0 ms; and 46.5 ± 15.2 ms for Epi, Mid, and Endo pacing, respectively; P < 0.001), but was similar at Endo and Mid pacing (P = 0.965). TDR at 3 cm from left ventricular apex pacing site was similar between Mid and Endo pacing, and still significantly increased at Epi pacing. At 3 cm distance, the first activation myocardium was still the epicardium at Epi, while sequence transformed from mid-myocardium to endocardium at Mid pacing. Conclusion: Mid as compared to Epi pacing significantly decreases TDR and remains this advantage on the distant myocardium away from the pacing site

Effects of <i>Rhizopus</i>-<i>arrhizus</i>-31-Assisted Pretreatment on the Extraction and Bioactivity of Total Flavonoids from <i>Hibiscus manihot</i> L.

The Hibiscus manihot L. (HML) Medic, an edible hibiscus of the Malvaceae family, is abundant with flavonoids. The study investigated how Rhizopus-arrhizus-31-assisted pretreatment affects the extraction and bioactivity of flavonoids from HML. The fiber structure of the fermented flavonoid sample (RFF) appears looser, more porous, and more disordered than the unfermented flavonoid sample (RUF). RFF demonstrates milder conditions and yields higher extraction rates. According to the Box–Behnken response surface optimization experiment, the optimal conditions for RFF include a material–liquid ratio of 1:41 g/mL, a 2 h extraction time, a 57% ethanol concentration, and an extraction temperature of 800 °C, resulting in a 3.69% extraction yield, which is 39.25% higher than that of RUF. Additionally, RFF exhibits greater activity than RUF in the radical-scavenging system. The IC50 values for DPPH, OH, and ABTS radicals are 83.43 μg/mL and 82.62 μg/mL, 208.38 μg/mL and 175.99 μg/mL, and 108.59 μg/mL and 75.39 μg/mL for RUF and RFF, respectively. UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of the active components in the HML flavonoid sample revealed significant differences in the chromatograms of RUF and RFF, indicating that biofermentation led to substantial changes in composition and content from HML

Vascular endothelium is the basic way for stem cells to treat erectile dysfunction: a bibliometric study

Abstract Vascular endothelial is considered to be a key factor in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). The purpose is to reveal the research trend of the field of ED and vascular endothelium. In addition, the goal is to discover the role and mechanism of vascular endothelium in ED. Bibliometrics and visualization methods based on CiteSpace were selected. We conducted the co-authorship analysis of countries, institutions and authors, co-occurrence analysis of keywords, and co-citation analysis of literature and authors through CiteSpace 6.1.R3. 1431 articles from Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) were included in the analysis from 1991 to 2022. We found some influential and cutting-edge nodes in each map, including countries, institutions, authors, articles, etc. Stem cell, therapy, oxidative stress, cavernous nerve injury, radical prostatectomy, fibrosis, erectile function, mesenchymal stem cell, and apoptosis may be hot keywords. In conclusion, the efficacy and mechanisms of stem cells and their derivatives in the treatment of diabetes (DM) ED and cavernous nerve injury (CNI) ED are the future research trends. Stem cells therapy for ED is a hot spot in this field, which side notes that stem cells may work mainly through improving endothelial function. Vascular endothelial cells and VEGF may repair nerve and cavernous smooth muscle directly or indirectly, and finally polish up erectile function

Simulation of Light-Trapping Characteristics of Self-Assembled Nano-Ridges in Ternary Organic Film

The presence of self-assembled nano-ridged (SANR) structures in PTB7-Th:PC70BM:PC60BM ternary organic blend film with the specific component ratio was experimentally clarified, and the light-trapping effect of the SANR structures was demonstrated. On this basis, the light-trapping characteristics of the PTB7-Th:PC70BM:PC60BM ternary blend film with the SANR structures were investigated by using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm. The results showed that the SANR structures have a light-trapping effect, which can effectively reduce the transmittance and reflectance of the incident photons at the specific wavelengths and thus exhibit stronger photon absorption, especially for the photons in the wavelength range of 550&ndash;650 nm. The light-trapping effect of the SANR structures does not depend on the direction of photon incidence, and the active layer traps the photons incident from both its top and bottom. The dimensional variation of the SANR has a significant effect on the light-trapping characteristics of the active layer, and the effect caused by the height variation is overwhelmingly superior compared with that of the width variation. In addition, the higher the density of the SANR, the more significant the light-trapping effect of the active layer. This work provides a theoretical basis for the further experimental enhancement of the photon absorption capacity of the PTB7-Th:PC70BM:PC60BM active layer with SANR structures

Table1_QTL-seq analysis identified the genomic regions of plant height and days to heading in high-latitude rice.DOCX

Introduction: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most extensive crops in the world. China’s Heilongjiang Province is the northernmost rice-growing region in the world. However, rice cultivars suitable for growth in low-latitude regions may not mature normally due to their distinct climate and short frost-free period. It is necessary to precisely determine the frost-free period for each region to make the best use of the rice growth stage so as to ensure the maturity and yield of different rice cultivars in Heilongjiang Province. The time span of the heading stage is a key parameter for evaluating the adaptability of a rice cultivar to a specific rice-growing region. Given the above facts, it is of high importance to study the associated genes and sites controlling days to heading (DH) and plant height (PH) of rice in Heilongjiang Province. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) combined with high-throughput sequencing can effectively exclude interferences from background genomic differences, making it suitable for analyzing the associated sites of complex agronomic traits in early generations.Methods: In this study, an F3 segregating population was obtained by crossing two main cultivars that are grown under different temperatures and day-light conditions in Heilongjiang. Two pools of extreme phenotypes were built for the DH and PH of the population. For SNP and InDel variants obtained from whole-genome resequencing in the pools, an association analysis was performed using the Euclidean distance (ED) algorithm and the SNP/InDel index algorithm.Results: The intersection of SNP and InDel regions associated with the phenotypes was considered to obtain the final associated sites. After excluding interferences from the cloned genes on chromosomes 2 and 7, a total length of 6.34 Mb on chromosomes 1, 3, and 10 and 3.16 Mb on chromosomes 1 and 10 were left associated with PH and DH, respectively. Then, we performed a gene annotation analysis for candidate genes in the remaining regions using multiple genome annotation databases. Our research provides basic data for subsequent gene mapping and cloning.Discussion: By mining more genetic loci associated with the days to heading and plant height of rice, we may provide abundant genetic resources for refined molecular breeding in Heilongjiang Province.</p

Table2_QTL-seq analysis identified the genomic regions of plant height and days to heading in high-latitude rice.xlsx

Introduction: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most extensive crops in the world. China’s Heilongjiang Province is the northernmost rice-growing region in the world. However, rice cultivars suitable for growth in low-latitude regions may not mature normally due to their distinct climate and short frost-free period. It is necessary to precisely determine the frost-free period for each region to make the best use of the rice growth stage so as to ensure the maturity and yield of different rice cultivars in Heilongjiang Province. The time span of the heading stage is a key parameter for evaluating the adaptability of a rice cultivar to a specific rice-growing region. Given the above facts, it is of high importance to study the associated genes and sites controlling days to heading (DH) and plant height (PH) of rice in Heilongjiang Province. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) combined with high-throughput sequencing can effectively exclude interferences from background genomic differences, making it suitable for analyzing the associated sites of complex agronomic traits in early generations.Methods: In this study, an F3 segregating population was obtained by crossing two main cultivars that are grown under different temperatures and day-light conditions in Heilongjiang. Two pools of extreme phenotypes were built for the DH and PH of the population. For SNP and InDel variants obtained from whole-genome resequencing in the pools, an association analysis was performed using the Euclidean distance (ED) algorithm and the SNP/InDel index algorithm.Results: The intersection of SNP and InDel regions associated with the phenotypes was considered to obtain the final associated sites. After excluding interferences from the cloned genes on chromosomes 2 and 7, a total length of 6.34 Mb on chromosomes 1, 3, and 10 and 3.16 Mb on chromosomes 1 and 10 were left associated with PH and DH, respectively. Then, we performed a gene annotation analysis for candidate genes in the remaining regions using multiple genome annotation databases. Our research provides basic data for subsequent gene mapping and cloning.Discussion: By mining more genetic loci associated with the days to heading and plant height of rice, we may provide abundant genetic resources for refined molecular breeding in Heilongjiang Province.</p