Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the regulator of chromosome condensation 1 gene family in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) is the world’s most widely cultivated crop and an important staple food for humans, accounting for one-fifth of calories consumed. Proteins encoded by the regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1) are highly conserved among eukaryotes and consist of seven repeated domains that fold into a seven-bladed propeller structure. In this study, a total of 76 RCC1 genes of bread wheat were identified via a genome-wide search, and their phylogenetic relationship, gene structure, protein-conserved domain, chromosome localization, conserved motif, and transcription factor binding sites were systematically analyzed using the bioinformatics approach to indicate the evolutionary and functional features of these genes. The expression patterns of 76 TaRCC1 family genes in wheat under various stresses were further analyzed, and RT-PCR verified that RCC1-3A (TraesCS3A02G362800), RCC1-3B (TraesCS3B02G395200), and RCC1-3D (TraesCS3D02G35650) were significantly induced by salt, cold, and drought stresses. Additionally, the co-expression network analysis and binding site prediction suggested that Myb-7B (TraesCS7B02G188000) and Myb-7D (TraesCS7D02G295400) may bind to the promoter of RCC1-3A/3B and upregulate their expression in response to abiotic stresses in wheat. The results have furthered our understanding of the wheat RCC1 family members and will provide important information for subsequent studies and the use of RCC1 genes in wheat

Crop Diversity for Yield Increase

Traditional farming practices suggest that cultivation of a mixture of crop species in the same field through temporal and spatial management may be advantageous in boosting yields and preventing disease, but evidence from large-scale field testing is limited. Increasing crop diversity through intercropping addresses the problem of increasing land utilization and crop productivity. In collaboration with farmers and extension personnel, we tested intercropping of tobacco, maize, sugarcane, potato, wheat and broad bean – either by relay cropping or by mixing crop species based on differences in their heights, and practiced these patterns on 15,302 hectares in ten counties in Yunnan Province, China. The results of observation plots within these areas showed that some combinations increased crop yields for the same season between 33.2 and 84.7% and reached a land equivalent ratio (LER) of between 1.31 and 1.84. This approach can be easily applied in developing countries, which is crucial in face of dwindling arable land and increasing food demand

Whole-genome resequencing of 472 Vitis accessions for grapevine diversity and demographic history analyses

Despite the importance of grapevine cultivation in human history and the economic values of cultivar improvement, large-scale genomic variation data are lacking. Here the authors resequence 472 Vitis accessions and use the identified genetic variations for domestication history, demography, and GWAS analyses

A new non-invasive procedure for refractory PPH after vaginal delivery and caesarean section

Worldwide, the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is ∼6% and it is the leading cause of maternal mortality. The present study introduces a non-invasive procedure called bilateral cervix apex clamping (BCAC) as a new treatment for refractory PPH. A total of 13 vaginal deliveries and 5 caesarean section patients received the BCAC procedure to stop bleeding. During the procedure, the anterior and posterior walls of the cervical apex were clamped using toothless ovum forceps from the left and right side. The procedure was terminated when the bleeding had nearly stopped without clamping. The success rate of the procedure was 94.4% (17/18) overall, and 92.3% for vaginal delivery and 100% in caesarean section patients. Only one case of vaginal delivery did we resort to exploratory laparotomy and hysterectomy as amniotic fluid embolism occurred. The time spent on the procedure was 2–4 min for vaginal delivery cases and 5–7 min for caesarean section patients. The blood loss reduced significantly after the procedure, before the BCAC and after it was 875(450) ml versus 100(80)ml (p < .0001). There was a reduction in the need for UAE (uterine artery embolisation) from 13 in 22,817 deliveries (2013–2015) to 0 in 18,212 deliveries (2016–2017 (p < .001). But no change in the rate of hysterectomy (5/22817 versus 5/18212) (p = .76). BCAC is a simple, easy, safe, effective and non-invasive procedure that can decrease bleeding in patients with PPH.Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The BCAC clamping procedure was first described in Russia 80 years ago as the Genkel–Tikanadze method. But a PUBMED search did not identify and previous studies published on use of the technique. What do the results of this study add? The results of this study show that the BCAC clamping procedure can reduce bleeding significantly in refractory postpartum haemorrhage, when the uterine body is well contracted. The procedure can be performed after both in vaginal delivery and caesarean section. It can also reduce the necessity for UAE and balloon tamponade. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? BCAC can be used after the failure of regular first line therapy for postpartum haemorrhage

Responses of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Communities to Elevation, Season, and Slope Aspect Variations in Subtropical Forests of Yunnan, China

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria play a significant role in tropical forest ecosystems. However, little is known about the comprehensive effects of altitude gradient (1000&ndash;2600 m), seasons (October, January, April, and July), and slope aspects (east and west) on the abundance and diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in subtropical forest. Q-PCR and PCR-DGGE methods were performed to explore the abundance and diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, respectively, in the Ailao Mountain subtropical forest. Our results showed that the abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria was highest in October and December, whereas it was lowest in April and July. Moreover, there was no difference in the total number of soil nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the eastern and western slopes. The diversity of soil nitrogen-fixing bacteria is higher at low and medium altitudes, but lower at high and medium altitudes with increasing altitude, and similar variation in the eastern and western slopes as well. Moreover, the most influential factors affecting the abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria was NH4+-N and herbal coverage, while those most affecting the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria were NH4+-N and NO3&minus;-N. In addition, permutational multivariate analysis demonstrated that the season had the greatest effects on the abundance of nitrogen-fixing, whereas altitude had the greatest effects on the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These findings provide evidence that the variation in nitrogen-fixing bacteria is affected by multiple factors (altitudes, seasons and slope aspects) in the subtropical forests of Yunnan, China

Different UV-B exposure times induce phenotypic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes in wine grape leaves

The Shangri-La region, located in southwest China, is known for its dry climate and intense UltraViolet (UV) radiation due to its high altitude. Research conducted in the past has demonstrated that UV radiation, particularly UV-B radiation, enhances plants' ability to withstand cold temperatures, diseases, and arid conditions. Indeed, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety, predominantly cultivated in Shangri-La where the UV intensity reaches 21–22w/m2, has displayed remarkable resilience in recent decades. However, the specific impact of UV-B radiation on Cabernet Sauvignon grape leaves has yet to be fully understood. Consequently, our objective is to investigate the influence of UV radiation on grapes grown at high altitudes. To gain insights into the short-term effects on grape leaves, we conducted a comprehensive investigation involving anatomical and photosynthetic changes. Additionally, we analyzed the transcriptomic and proteomic regulation associated with these changes following exposure to UV-B radiation at intensities ranging from 15–20w/m2 for durations of 3 and 7 days.The findings of our study demonstrated that exposure to UV-B radiation, particularly at intensities surpassing 10w/m2, led to noticeable changes in the morphology of epidermal and palisade tissue cells. Furthermore, after a 3-day exposure to UV-B, we observed an upregulation of proteins responsible for cytoskeletal organization and cell wall synthesis. Conversely, following a 7-day treatment, proteins associated with disease resistance and antioxidants showed increased expression. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a significant enrichment of proteins and genes linked to pathogen infection, defense mechanisms, and antioxidant processes. Overall, our research highlighted the positive impact of intense UV radiation at high altitudes on enhancing disease resistance and environmental adaptability in Cabernet Sauvignon grape plants

The Relationship between Endophytic Fungi of <i>Chimonanthus praecox</i> and Volatile Metabolites under Different Circadian Rhythms and Blooming Stages

Chimonanthus praecox is an aromatic plant that flowers in winter. The composition of the floral volatiles of C. praecox is influenced by different blooming stages, circadian rhythms and species. However, the relationship between floral volatiles and plant endophytic fungi has not received much research attention. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to compare and analyze the changes in the structure and diversity of the endophytic fungal communities in C. praecox under different circadian rhythms (7:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.) and in different blooming stages (unopened flowers and opened flowers). The endophytic fungi of C. praecox consisted of nine phyla, 34 classes, 79 orders, 181 families, 293 genera, and 397 species, and Ascomycota was the dominant phylum. Under a diurnal rhythm, the diversity (Chao1 and Shannon indices) of endophytic fungi gradually decreased in the unopened flowers, while an increasing and then decreasing trend was found for the opened flowers. In the different blooming stages, the endophytic fungal diversity was significantly higher at 7:00 a.m. in the unopened flowers compared to the opened flowers. Humidity was the key factors that significantly affected the endophytic fungal diversity and community. Moreover, 11 endophytic fungi were significantly positively or negatively correlated with seven floral volatiles. In conclusion, the community structure and diversity of endophytic fungi in C. praecox were affected by the different blooming stages and circadian rhythms, and a correlation effect related to floral volatiles was found, but there are other possible reasons that were not tested. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the interrelationships between endophytic fungi, floral volatiles, and environmental factors in C. praecox

Development and Application of EST-SSR Markers Related to Lead Stress Responses in Kenaf Based on Transcriptome Sequencing Data

Kenaf is an important bast fiber crop. In order to diversify the available kenaf simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers and generate markers potentially useful for kenaf breeding, we developed expression sequence tag simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) molecular markers based on lead-stressed kenaf transcriptome sequencing data and spliced unigene sequences. Additionally, the distribution of the SSRs in the transcriptome and the potential functions of the SSR-containing genes were determined. Moreover, SSR markers in the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were analyzed to screen for polymorphic markers, which were used to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of kenaf germplasm resources. The genetic diversity and population structure of 138 kenaf germplasm materials revealed that 22 EST-SSR markers could be used to distinguish the kenaf germplasms. The 22 EST-SSR markers enrich the kenaf molecular markers database and provide an important tool for future genetic improvement of kenaf resistance to lead stress