Expression dynamics of phytochrome genes for the shade-avoidance response in densely direct-seeding rice

Because of labor shortages or resource scarcity, direct seeding is the preferred method for rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation, and it necessitates direct seeding at the current density. In this study, two density of direct seeding with high and normal density were selected to identify the genes involved in shade-avoidance syndrome. Phenotypic and gene expression analysis showed that densely direct seeding (DDS) causes a set of acclimation responses that either induce shade avoidance or toleration. When compared to normal direct seeding (NDS), plants cultivated by DDS exhibit constitutive shade-avoidance syndrome (SAS), in which the accompanying solar radiation drops rapidly from the middle leaf to the base leaf during flowering. Simulation of shade causes rapid reduction in phytochrome gene expression, changes in the expression of multiple miR156 or miR172 genes and photoperiod-related genes, all of which leads to early flowering and alterations in the plant architecture. Furthermore, DDS causes senescence by downregulating the expression of chloroplast synthesis-related genes throughout almost the entire stage. Our findings revealed that DDS is linked to SAS, which can be employed to breed density-tolerant rice varieties more easily and widely

论新加坡 “组屋” 的翻译功能及其社会属性的演变 = An analysis on the evolving functionalism and social qualities of “Zu Wu” in translation

在新加坡多元文化的社会语境中，翻译活动与各种社会因素之间相互影响、相互渗透，从而促进各族的文化与语言交流。翻译活动在特定的社会语境中能发挥一定程度的社会功能并且对社会发展具有强大的推动作用与影响力。同时，一个社会在经济、政治和文化上的发展也会对翻译活动施加压力与影响，使其在观念、内容和形式上受到制约。因此，两者在交流与碰撞之中相互依赖、相互制约。 “组屋”是新加坡特有的华文译词，与社会成员的生活息息相关，在新加坡公共住屋的历史发展过程中扮演著重要角色。该译词随著新加坡国家转型、公共住屋政策的改变在不同时期发挥不同的价值与功能。同时，新加坡社会在发展过程中赋予该译词特定的社会属性和意识形态，这一现象与新加坡社会的政治、文化及社会因素密切相关。 In Singapore’s multicultural context, translation activities and social factors are interrelated and interpenetrated, promoting multicultural and multilingual interactions. With the rise of Socio-translation studies, translation is able to perform specific functions in a particular social context and influence the development of the society to a substantial extent. Relatively, a society’s development in the economic, political and cultural aspect can cause pressure and influence on translation activities, causing it to be restrained in terms of concepts, contents and styles. Therefore, both factors can either complement or restrict each other during interaction. “Zu Wu” is a unique representative of Chinese vocabulary within Singapore’s social context. Although it has close ties with members of the society, there is limited level of sensitivity and understanding for this term. The term “ZuWu” has played an important role in Singapore’s Public Housing History. The evolving social functions of “Zu Wu” reflects specific social phenomenon and values during different developmental stages in Singapore’s society amidst national building and evolving Public Housing Policies. The term “Zu Wu” is also a form of rewriting produced with Singapore’s ideological and political constraints within its social context.Accepted versio

Restoring the Secretory Function of Irradiation-Damaged Salivary Gland by Administrating Deferoxamine in Mice

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>One of the major side effects of radiotherapy for treatments of the head and neck cancer is the radiation-induced dysfunction of salivary glands. The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of deferoxamine (DFO) to restore the secretory function of radiation-damaged salivary glands in mice.</p><p>Methods</p><p>DFO (50 mg/kg/d) was administered intraperitoneally in C₅₇BL/6 mice for 3 days before and/or after point-fixed irradiation (18 Gy) of submandibular glands. The total 55 mice were randomly divided into: (1) Normal group: mice received no treatment (n = 5); (2) Irradiation group (IR): mice only received irradiation (n = 5); (3) Pre-DFO group (D+IR) (n = 10); (4) Pre+Post DFO group (D+IR+D) (n = 10); (5) Post-DFO group (IR+D) (n = 10); (6) For each DFO-treated group, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 ml sterilized water alone (by which DFO was dissolved) for 3 days before and/or after irradiation, and served as control. Sham1: Pre-sterilized water group (n = 5); sham2: Pre+Post sterilized water group (n = 5); sham3: Post-sterilized water group (n = 5). The salivary flow rate (SFR) was assessed at 30^th, 60^th and 90^th day after irradiation, respectively. After 90 days, all mice were sacrificed and their submandibular glands were removed for further examinations.</p><p>Results</p><p>The salivary glands showed remarkable dysfunction and tissue damage after irradiation. DFO restored SFR in the irradiated glands to a level comparable to that in normal glands and angiogenesis in damaged tissue was greatly increased. DFO also increased the expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF while reduced apoptotic cells. Furthermore, Sca-1⁺cells were preserved in the salivary glands treated with DFO before IR.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Our results indicate DFO could prevent the radiation-induced dysfunction of salivary glands in mice. The mechanism of this protective effect may involve increased angiogenesis, reduced apoptosis of acinar cells and more preserved stem cells.</p></div

Analysis of apoptotic cells by TUNEL determination at 90^th day after irradiation.

<p>TUNEL assay of apoptotic cells in different groups. A: TUNEL-positive cells of submandibular gland tissue from each group. B: Ratio of TUNEL-positive cells to total nuclei (% per gland) between different groups. Sham1: Pre-sterilized water group; sham2: Pre+Post sterilized water group; sham3: Post-sterilized water group. Data is presented as means ± SEM. *: P<0.05 compared with normal group; **: P<0.05 between two individual groups.</p

Salivary flow rate (SFR) was calculated at 30^th, 60^th, and 90^th day after irradiation.

<p>Sham1: Pre-sterilized water group; sham2: Pre+Post sterilized water group; sham3: Post-sterilized water group. Data is presented as means ± SEM. *: P<0.05 compared with normal group; **: P<0.05 between two individual groups; ***: P>0.05 compared with normal group.</p

Detection of proliferating cells in submandibular gland tissue at 90^th day after irradiation.

<p>A: Immunohistochemical staining of PCNA from each group. Images of lower panel represent the higher magnification of the boxed area in corresponding images of upper panel. B: Surface area occupied by PCNA-positive cells (% per gland) between different groups. Sham1: Pre-sterilized water group; sham2: Pre+Post sterilized water group; sham3: Post-sterilized water group. Data is presented as means ± SEM. *: P<0.05 compared with normal group; **: P<0.05 between two individual groups.</p

DFO administration improved angiogenesis in irradiated tissue via activating HIF-1α-VEGF Pathway.

<p>A: Real-time PCR detection of VEGF expression 90 days after irradiation. B: Western-blot analysis of HIF-1α in tissues received DFO. Sham1: Pre-sterilized water group; sham2: Pre+Post sterilized water group; sham3: Post-sterilized water group. Data is presented as means ± SEM. *: P<0.05 compared with normal group; **: P<0.05 between two individual groups. C: HIF-1α in each group. Annotate: 1A represents D+IR group; 1B represents sham1; 2A represents IR+D group; 2B represents sham3; 3A represents D+IR+D group; 3B represents sham2; 4 represents IR; 5 represents normal group; β-Actin represents reference.</p

Schematic representation of the experimental design.

<p>Local 18 Gy irradiation of salivary glands was given before or/and after 3-day DFO treatment (50 mg/kg/d). Normal: no treatment; IR: only Irradiation group; D+IR: Pre-DFO group; sham1: Pre-sterilized water group; IR+D: Post-DFO group; sham3: Post-sterilized water group; D+IR+D: Pre+Post DFO group; sham2: Pre+Post sterilized water group; DFO: deferoxamine.</p

The weight of salivary gland harvested at 90^th day post irradiation.

<p>The weight of salivary gland shows no significant difference among individual groups. Sham1: Pre-sterilized water group; sham2: Pre+Post sterilized water group; sham3: Post-sterilized water group. Data is presented as means ± SEM. *: P<0.05 compared with normal group.</p