Detecting the QTL-Allele System of Seed Oil Traits Using Multi-Locus Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Population Characterization and Optimal Cross Prediction in Soybean

Soybean is one of the world's major vegetative oil sources, while oleic acid and linolenic acid content are the major quality traits of soybean oil. The restricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association analysis (RTM-GWAS), characterized with error and false-positive control, has provided a potential approach for a relatively thorough detection of whole-genome QTL-alleles. The Chinese soybean landrace population (CSLRP) composed of 366 accessions was tested under four environments to identify the QTL-allele constitution of seed oil, oleic acid and linolenic acid content (SOC, OAC, and LAC). Using RTM-GWAS with 29,119 SNPLDBs (SNP linkage disequilibrium blocks) as genomic markers, 50, 98, and 50 QTLs with 136, 283, and 154 alleles (2–9 per locus) were detected, with their contribution 82.52, 90.31, and 83.86% to phenotypic variance, corresponding to their heritability 91.29, 90.97, and 90.24% for SOC, OAC, and LAC, respectively. The RTM-GWAS was shown to be more powerful and efficient than previous single-locus model GWAS procedures. For each trait, the detected QTL-alleles were organized into a QTL-allele matrix as the population genetic constitution. From which the genetic differentiation among 6 eco-populations was characterized as significant allele frequency differentiation on 28, 56, and 30 loci for the three traits, respectively. The QTL-allele matrices were also used for genomic selection for optimal crosses, which predicted transgressive potential up to 24.76, 40.30, and 2.37% for the respective traits, respectively. From the detected major QTLs, 38, 27, and 25 candidate genes were annotated for the respective traits, and two common QTL covering eight genes were identified for further study

Effects of the Root System Architecture of <i>Pinus taeda</i> and <i>Phyllostachys edulis</i> on the Index of Hydrological Connectivity in Subtropical Forest Ecosystems

The hydrological connectivity below the soil surface can influence the forest structure and function, especially soil and plant productivity. However, few studies have determined the changes in the hydrological connectivity below the soil surface with increasing soil depth and have quantified the effects of root systems on the hydrological connectivity in forest ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated the index of the hydrological connectivity (IHC) below the soil surface using a field dye tracing method and compared the difference in the index of hydrological connectivity in two subtropical forest stands (i.e., pine trees [SS] and bamboo [ZL]). We analyzed the interactions between the parameters of root system architecture and the index of hydrological connectivity. Back propagation (BP) neural networks were used to quantify which parameter can contribute the most relative importance to the changes of the IHC. The results revealed that the maximum value of the index of hydrological connectivity occurs at the soil surface, and it exhibits a non-linear decreasing trend with increasing soil depth. The parameters of root system architecture (root length, root projected area, root surface area, root volume, and root biomass) were rich in the top soil layers (0–20 cm) in the two sites. Those parameters were positively correlated with the IHC and the root length had the largest positive influence on the hydrological connectivity. Furthermore, we found that root system architecture with different root diameters had different degrees of influence on the index of hydrological connectivity. The very fine root systems (0 p < 0.01). The results of this study provide more information for the assessment of the hydrological connectivity below the soil surface and a better understanding of the effects of root systems in soil hydrology within the rhizosphere

Quantification of Root Systems and Soil Macropore Networks Association to Soil Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity in Forested Wetland Soils

Understanding the relationship between root systems, soil macropore networks, and soil hydraulic properties is important to better assess ecosystem health. In this study, treatments were performed in forested wetland soils with different vegetation densities, i.e., large (LWa) and small communities (LWb) of reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.). At each plot, three undisturbed PVC cylinders (10 cm in diameter and 50 cm in height) were obtained, and X-ray microtomography (μCT) scanning was used to determine the root and macropore architectures. Results showed that the values of total root length and total root volume at LWa were significantly larger than those at LWb (p p < 0.05), whereas mean macropore length, mean macropore branch length, and mean macropore tortuosity at LWb were larger than those at LWa. Total root length and total root volume were positively correlated with soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. Imaged macroporosity, macropore volume, macropore length density, macropore node density, macropore branch density, mean macropore surface area, mean macropore diameter, and mean macropore volume were positively correlated with soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, whereas mean macropore length, mean macropore branch length, and mean macropore tortuosity were negatively correlated with soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. In conclusion, root systems and soil macropore networks constitute a complex synthesis inside soil environments, and together affect soil hydrological responses

Application of soil quality index to determine the effects of different vegetation types on soil quality in the Yellow River Delta wetland

Assessment of soil quality in different vegetation types of wetland ecosystems is essential for soil functioning, such as nutrient cycling and vegetation growth, particularly the maintenance of wetland ecosystem sustainability. Wetland degradation can extremely influence soil quality. However, prediction of soil quality in terms of soil quality index in wetland soils remains obscure. In this study with the fundamental goal to assess soil quality, we have intended to assemble a range of soil quality indicators to characterize the soil quality index (SQI). The minimum data set (MDS) from the Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the SQI. With such objectives, three vegetation types: Robinia pseudoacacia community (tree), Tamarix chinensis community (bush), and Suaeda salsa community (grass) were selected in the Yellow River Delta wetland, eastern of China. A total of 108 soil samples [3 sites (tree, bush and grass)—3 field plots—3 replicates—4 soil depth layers: 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm] were collected for laboratory analyses. This study showed that there were high variations in soil physical and chemical properties among the three sites. Soil organic carbon (SOC), silt, clay, and pH at tree site, total soil porosity (TSP), soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and soil bulk density (SBD) at bush site, and total soil porosity (TSP), silt, and soil electronic conductivity (SEC) at grass site were retained in the MDS. SOC and TSP were the key soil quality indicators. The values of the SQI at 0–10 cm soil depth at all three sites (2.236, 0.895, and 2.573 respectively) were the highest compared with other soil depths, indicating the best soil quality in the upper soil layers (0–10 cm). The values of the SQI at 0–10 cm soil depth at both tree site and grass site were similar, and they were higher than those at bush site. At tree site, the values of the SQI decreased with increasing soil depth, which indicated that soil quality became worse with depth. At bush site, the values of the SQI decreased with increasing soil depth (0–40 cm), while the values increased at 40–60 cm depth, indicating better soil quality in the deeper soil layers (40–60 cm). At grass site, the values of the SQI at 10–20 cm and 40–60 cm soil depth were lower than those at 20–40 cm soil depth, indicating better soil quality at 20–40 cm soil depth. It is concluded that the SQI can be compared more accurately in different vegetation types of wetland ecosystems based on its simplicity and quantitative flexibility. These findings are of importance because the assessment of the SQI allows to quantify different vegetation effects on soil quality

Minimally Invasive Concepts in Treating Synchronous Liver Metastases Rectal Cancer Patients: Report of Six Cases

Background Rectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases (SLM) is common in clinical practice. However, the application of conventional natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) and NOSES with specimen extraction via stoma/hepatectomy incision in the special population is rarely explored. Case report Six SLM rectal cancer patients were treated with simultaneous surgical resection and the specimens were extracted via anal/stoma/hepatectomy incision. Respectively, intraoperative and postoperative data, anal function 3 months after surgery and long-term prognosis were reviewed. Results Intraoperative and postoperative data and anal function were reliable for the six cases. Only one patient died of brain and bone metastases at 84 months after surgery and the other five patients were alive at their last follow-up. Conclusions Simultaneous surgical resection with the concept of conventional NOSES and NOSES with specimen extraction via stoma/hepatectomy incision is safety for SLM rectal patients

Effects of fine root length density and root biomass on soil preferential flow in forest ecosystems

Aim of study: The study was conducted to characterize the impacts of plant roots systems (e.g., root length density and root biomass) on soil preferential flow in forest ecosystems. Area of study: The study was carried out in Jiufeng National Forest Park, Beijing, China. Material and methods: The flow patterns were measured by field dye tracing experiments. Different species (Sophora japonica Linn,Platycladus orientalis Franco, Quercus dentata Thunb)were quantified in two replicates, and 12 soil depth were applied. Plant roots were sampled in the sieving methods. Root length density and root biomass were measured by WinRHIZO. Dye coverage was implied in the image analysis, and maximum depth of dye infiltration by direct measurement. Main results: Root length density and root biomass decreased with the increasing distance from soil surface, and root length density was 81.6% higher in preferential pathways than in soil matrix, and 66.7% for root biomass with respect to all experimental plots. Plant roots were densely distributed in the upper soil layers. Dye coverage was almost 100% in the upper 5-10 cm, but then decreased rapidly with soil depth. Root length density and root biomass were different from species: Platycladus orientalis Franco > Quercus dentata Thunb > Sophora japonica Linn. Research highlights: The results indicated that fine roots systems had strong effects on soil preferential flow, particularly root channels enhancing nutrition transport across soil profiles in forest dynamics

Characteristics of flow production and sediment production of &lt;i&gt;Pinus tabulaeformis&lt;/i&gt; through artificial rainfall simulation

Deshoulières François. La cathédrale carolingienne de Chartres. In: Bulletin Monumental, tome 91, n°3, année 1932. p. 441

Study on Yield and Traits of Different Maize Varieties in Chuxiong Prefecture

The new maize variety test was conducted to select fine varieties suitable for the ecological environment in Chuxiong Prefecture and speed up the variety upgrading. The results showed that Yunrui 392, Yunrui 407 and Yunrui 7 had good comprehensive traits, great lodging resistance, stable yield and good disease resistance, and their yield was 9531.3, 9312.5 and 9250.0 kg/ha, respectively, close to the yield of control variety Beiyu 16, indicating that the yield potential was large and they could be planted in Chuxiong to replace the varieties with low yield and poor resistance

Identification and expression of IL-1β in the endangered Dabry’s sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus)

Dabry’s sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus), mainly distributed in the upper Yangtze River, is considered as a rare and endangered species in China. To date, its innate immune system remains largely undetermined. In the present study, we identified an interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) gene with a 6-exon/5-intron structure from Dabry’s sturgeon. The predicted protein sequence has a typical IL-1 family signature, containing 12 β-strands and no signal peptide. Although the predicted amino acid sequence encoded by the IL-1β gene had low sequence identity and similarity to other fish IL-1βs, the Dabry's sturgeon IL-1 β protein clustered together with proteins from other fish IL-1β type II group homologous proteins. The different expression levels of the IL-1β gene in various embryonic developmental stages implied that IL-1β might be subject to maternal transmission and mediate embryonic development. Tissue distribution analysis revealed that the IL-1β was ubiquitously expressed (especially in the skin and gill), suggesting that the IL-1β could play a vital role in the first immune barrier under normal conditions. Transcriptional analysis indicated that the IL-1β gene transcription levels in spleen leukocytes following polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation were 3-fold and 12-fold higher than those in the control, respectively. The different IL-1β gene responses to poly I:C and LPS suggested differences in defense mechanisms against viruses and bacteria in Dabry’s sturgeon