bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of erythropoietin on osteoblast in the tooth extraction socket in mice periodontitis model
Authors: Bae Ju-Eun , Hwang Sung-Min , Aryal Yam Prasad , Kim Tae-Young , Sohn Wern-Joo , An Seo-Young , Kim Ji-Youn , An Chang-Hyeon , Lee Youngkyun , Kim Yong-Gun , Park Jin-Woo , Lee Jae-Mok , Kim Jae-Young , Suh Jo-Young
Published: October 2022

Periodontitis is an excessive inflammatory event in tooth-supporting tissues and can cause tooth loss. We used erythropoietin (EPO), which has been reported to play an important role in bone healing and modulation of angiogenesis, as a therapeutic agent in vivo and in vitro experimental models to analyze its effect on periodontitis. First, EPO was applied to in vitro MC3T3-E1 cells and human periodontal ligament fibroblast (hPDLF) cells to examine its function in altered cellular events and gene expression patterns. In vitro cultivation of MC3T3-E1 and hPDLF cells with 10 IU/ml EPO at 24 and 48 h showed an obvious increase in cell proliferation. Interestingly, EPO treatment altered the expression of osteogenesis-related molecules, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteocalcin (OC) in MC3T3-E1 cells but not in hPDLF cells. In particular, MC3T3-E1 cells showed increased expression of ALP, BMP-2, and OC on day 5, while hPDLF cells showed increased expression of BMP-2, and OC on day 14. Based on the in vitro examination, we evaluated the effect of EPO on bone formation using an experimentally-induced animal periodontitis model. After the induction of periodontitis in the maxillary left second M, 10 IU/ml of EPO was locally applied to the extraction tooth sockets. Histomorphological examination using Masson’s trichrome (MTC) staining showed facilitated bone formation in the EPO-treated groups after 14 days. Similarly, stronger positive reactions against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OC) were detected in the EPO-treated group compared to the control. Meanwhile, myeloperoxidase, an inflammatory marker, was decreased in the EPO-treated group on days 1 and 5. Overall, EPO facilitates bone healing and regeneration through altered signaling regulation and modulation of inflammation in the osteoblast cell lineage and to a lesser extent in hPDLF cells.
Sec61 complex/translocon: The role of an atypical ER Ca2+-leak channel in health and disease
Authors: Parys Jan B. , Van Coppenolle Fabien
Published: October 2022

The heterotrimeric Sec61 protein complex forms the functional core of the so-called translocon that forms an aqueous channel in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The primary role of the Sec61 complex is to allow protein import in the ER during translation. Surprisingly, a completely different function in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis has emerged for the Sec61 complex, and the latter is now accepted as one of the major Ca2+-leak pathways of the ER. In this review, we first discuss the structure of the Sec61 complex and focus on the pharmacology and regulation of the Sec61 complex as a Ca2+-leak channel. Subsequently, we will pay particular attention to pathologies that are linked to Sec61 mutations, such as plasma cell deficiency and congenital neutropenia. Finally, we will explore the relevance of the Sec61 complex as a Ca2+-leak channel in various pathophysiological (ER stress, apoptosis, ischemia-reperfusion) and pathological (type 2 diabetes, cancer) settings.
Effects of the dietary zinc source and vitamin E level on live weight and carcass yield and meat quality in male broilers reared under chronic cyclic heat stress conditions in the finisher phase
Authors: De Grande Annatachja , Ducatelle Richard , Leleu Saskia , Rapp Christof , Torres Cibele , Petracci Massimiliano , De Smet Stefaan , Michiels Joris , Haesebrouck Freddy , Van Immerseel Filip , Delezie Evelyne
Published: October 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the interaction of the zinc source (ZnSO4 vs. zinc amino acid complex) and vitamin E level (50 IU/kg vs. 100 IU/kg) on meat yield and quality in broilers subjected to chronic cyclic heat stress in the finisher phase. A total of 1224 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly distributed among four dietary treatments. Each treatment contained nine replicates of 34 birds, housed in floor pens in a temperature- and lighting-controlled room. Treatments were organized in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: two sources of zinc, 60 mg/kg of Zn as ZnSO4 or 60 mg/kg of Zn as zinc amino acid complexes (ZnAA), combined with two levels of vitamin E (50 or 100 IU/kg). From day 28 until day 37 (finisher phase), all birds were subjected to chronic cyclic heat stress (32 ± 2°C for 6 h daily). In the present study, it was observed that replacing ZnSO4 with ZnAA increased breast meat weight and yield of broilers reared under chronic cyclic heat stress conditions, whereas total slaughter yield was not affected. Moreover, it was observed that replacing ZnSO4 with ZnAA resulted in breast meat with a lower drip and thawing loss and a higher marinade uptake. In conclusion, replacing ZnSO4 with more readily available ZnAA can improve breast meat yield and increase the water-holding capacity of breast meat of broilers exposed to chronic cyclic heat stress at the end of the production cycle. However, as no thermoneutral group was included in the present study, the observed effects of the zinc source cannot be generalized as a solution for heat stress. Moreover, the beneficial effects of ZnAA on breast meat yield and quality seem to be independent of the vitamin E level, and increasing vitamin E level has no additional beneficial effects.
Field-scale rice yield estimation based on UAV-based MiniSAR data with Ku band and modified water-cloud model of panicle layer at panicle stage
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Wang Shuli , Wang Hongxiang , Liu Long , Li Zhenjin , Zhu Yuandong , Wang Kai
Published: October 2022

Scientific and accurate estimation of rice yield is of great significance to food security protection and agricultural economic development. Due to the weak penetration of high frequency microwave band, most of the backscattering comes from the rice canopy, and the backscattering coefficient is highly correlated with panicle weight, which provides a basis for inversion of wet biomass of rice ear. To solve the problem of rice yield estimation at the field scale, based on the traditional water cloud model, a modified water-cloud model based on panicle layer and the radar data with Ku band was constructed to estimate rice yield at panicle stage. The wet weight of rice ear scattering model and grain number per rice ear scattering model were constructed at field scale for rice yield estimation. In this paper, the functional area of grain production in Xiashe Village, Xin'an Town, Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, China was taken as the study area. For the first time, the MiniSAR radar system carried by DJI M600 UAV was used in September 2019 to obtain the SAR data with Ku band under polarization HH of the study area as the data source. Then the rice yield was estimated by using the newly constructed modified water-cloud model based on panicle layer. The field investigation was carried out simultaneously for verification. The study results show: the accuracies of the inversion results of wet weight of rice ear scattering model and grain number per rice ear scattering model in parcel B were 95.03% and 94.15%; and the accuracies of wet weight of rice ear scattering model and grain number per rice ear scattering model in parcel C+D+E were over 91.8%. In addition, different growth stages had effects on yield estimation accuracy. For rice at fully mature, the yield estimation accuracies of wet weight of ear and grain number per ear were basically similar, both exceeding 94%. For rice at grouting stage, the yield estimation accuracy of wet weight of ear was 92.7%, better than that of grain number per ear. It was proved that it can effectively estimate rice yield using the modified water-cloud model based on panicle layer constructed in this paper at panicle stage at field scale.
Genome-wide characterization of soybean RALF genes and their expression responses to Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Liu Yuhan , Chen Yuhui , Jiang Hengke , Shui Zhaowei , Zhong Yujun , Shang Jing , Yang Hui , Sun Xin , Du Junbo
Published: October 2022

RALFs (RAPID ALKALINIZATION FACTORs) are small peptides required for plant growth, development and immunity. RALF has recently been discovered to regulate plant resistance to fungal infection. However, little is known in crops, particularly in soybean. Here, 27 RALFs were identified in the genome of Glycine max. All Glycine max RALFs (GmRALFs) and 34 Arabidopsis RALFs were classified into 12 clades via the phylogenetic analyses. Gene structures, conserved motifs, chromosome distribution and cis-elements were analyzed in this study. Furthermore, 18 GmRALFs were found in response to Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) infection in soybean and to have distinct expression patterns. Among them, secretory function of two GmRALFs were identified, and three GmRALFs were detected to interact with FERONIA in Glycine max (GmFERONIA, GmFER). Our current study systematically identified and characterized GmRALFs in the soybean genome, laying a groundwork for further functional analyses and soybean breeding.
Lead exposure dose-dependently affects oxidative stress, AsA-GSH, photosynthesis, and mineral content in pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.)
Authors: Tan Zhanming , Wu Cuiyun , Xuan Zhengying , Cheng Yunxia , Xiong Renci , Su Zhihang , Wang Desheng
Published: October 2022

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal pollutant and negatively affects agriculture and ecosystems. Pb can cause oxidative stress and abnormal plant growth. The ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle mainly exists in chloroplasts and resists oxidative stress, scavenges reactive oxygen radicals, and maintains normal photosynthesis. However, the dosage related effects of Pb on pakchoi photosynthesis, via oxidative stress and the AsA-GSH system, remains unclear. In this study, various Pb dosage stress models were tested (low: 300 mg/kg; medium: 600 mg/kg; high: 900 mg/kg). Pb stress induced a dose-dependent increase in Pb content in pakchoi leaves (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis showed that Se, B, and Pb were significantly and negatively correlated. Pb stress also increased MDA content and decreased antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC activities (P < 0.05). We also found that Vc content, as well as the GSH/GSSG ratio, decreased. Additionally, Pb stress destroyed chloroplast structure, decreased photosynthesis indicators Pn, Tr, Gs, Ci and VPD, and attenuated Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo (P < 0.05). In the high-dose group, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids decreased significantly, while the expression of chloroplast development genes (GLK, GLN2) decreased (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that Pb stress leads to dosage-dependent, aberrant photosynthesis by inhibiting the AsA-GSH system in pakchoi. This study expands the Pb toxicology research field and provides indications for screening antagonists.
UAV imaging and deep learning based method for predicting residual film in cotton field plough layer
Authors: Qiu Fasong , Zhai Zhiqiang , Li Yulin , Yang Jiankang , Wang Haiyuan , Zhang Ruoyu
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a method for predicting residual film content in the cotton field plough layer based on UAV imaging and deep learning was proposed to solve the issues of high labour intensity, low efficiency, and high cost of traditional methods for residual film content monitoring. Images of residual film on soil surface in the cotton field were collected by UAV, and residual film content in the plough layer was obtained by manual sampling. Based on the three deep learning frameworks of LinkNet, FCN, and DeepLabv3, a model for segmenting residual film from the cotton field image was built. After comparing the segmentation results, DeepLabv3 was determined to be the best model for segmenting residual film, and then the area of residual film was obtained. In addition, a linear regression prediction model between the residual film coverage area on the cotton field surface and the residual film content in the plough layer was built. The results showed that the correlation coefficient (R2), root mean square error, and average relative error of the prediction of residual film content in the plough layer were 0.83, 0.48, and 11.06%, respectively. It indicates that a quick and accurate prediction of residual film content in the cotton field plough layer can be realized based on UAV imaging and deep learning. This study provides certain technical support for monitoring and evaluating residual film pollution in the cotton field plough layer.
Mapping and selection of downy mildew resistance in spinach cv. whale by low coverage whole genome sequencing
Authors: Bhattarai Gehendra , Olaoye Dotun , Mou Beiquan , Correll James C. , Shi Ainong
Published: October 2022

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a popular leafy vegetable crop and commercial production is centered in California and Arizona in the US. The oomycete Peronospora effusa causes the most important disease in spinach, downy mildew. A total of nineteen races of P. effusa are known, with more than 15 documented in the last three decades, and the regular emergence of new races is continually overcoming the genetic resistance to the pathogen. This study aimed to finely map the downy mildew resistance locus RPF3 in spinach, identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with the resistance, refine the candidate genes responsible for the resistance, and evaluate the prediction performance using multiple machine learning genomic prediction (GP) methods. Segregating progeny population developed from a cross of resistant cultivar Whale and susceptible cultivar Viroflay to race 5 of P. effusa was inoculated under greenhouse conditions to determine downy mildew disease response across the panel. The progeny panel and the parents were resequenced at low coverage (1x) to identify genome wide SNP markers. Association analysis was performed using disease response phenotype data and SNP markers in TASSEL, GAPIT, and GENESIS programs and mapped the race 5 resistance loci (RPF3) to 1.25 and 2.73 Mb of Monoe-Viroflay chromosome 3 with the associated SNP in the 1.25 Mb region was 0.9 Kb from the NBS-LRR gene SOV3g001250. The RPF3 locus in the 1.22-1.23 Mb region of Sp75 chromosome 3 is 2.41-3.65 Kb from the gene Spo12821 annotated as NBS-LRR disease resistance protein. This study extended our understanding of the genetic basis of downy mildew resistance in spinach cultivar Whale and mapped the RPF3 resistance loci close to the NBS-LRR gene providing a target to pursue functional validation. Three SNP markers efficiently selected resistance based on multiple genomic selection (GS) models. The results from this study have added new genomic resources, generated an informed basis of the RPF3 locus resistant to spinach downy mildew pathogen, and developed markers and prediction methods to select resistant lines.
Mutation of barley HvPDIL5-1 improves resistance to yellow mosaic virus disease without growth or yield penalties
Authors: Cheng Chunyuan , Kan Jinhong , Li Shanshan , Jiang Congcong , He Xiaoyan , Shen Huiquan , Xu Rugen , Li Boqun , Feng Zongyun , Yang Ping
Published: October 2022

The soil-borne yellow mosaic virus disease, which is caused by the bymoviruses barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and/or barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV), seriously threatens winter barley production in Europe and East Asia. Both viruses are transmitted by the soil-borne plasmodiophorid Polymyxa graminis and are difficult to eliminate through chemical or physical measures in the field, making breeding for resistant cultivars the optimal strategy for disease control. The resistance locus rym1/11 was cloned encoding the host factor gene Protein Disulfide Isomerase Like 5-1 (PDIL5-1), whose loss-of-function variants confer broad-spectrum resistance to multiple strains of BaMMV/BaYMV. Most resistance-conferring variants have been identified in six-rowed barley landraces/historic cultivars, and their introgression into modern two-rowed malting cultivars is difficult because PDIL5-1 is located in a peri-centromeric region with suppressed recombination. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to modify PDIL5-1 in the BaYMV/BaMMV-susceptible elite malting barley cv. ‘Golden Promise’ and obtained the mutants pdil5-1-a and pdil5-1-b. PDIL5-1 in the pdil5-1-a mutant encodes a protein lacking a cysteine residue, and pdil5-1-b contains a protein-coding frameshift. Both mutants were completely resistant to BaYMV. The knockout mutant pdil5-1-b showed complete BaMMV resistance, while pdil5-1-a showed decreased viral accumulation but no disease symptoms if compared to ‘Golden Promise’. Both PDIL5-1 edited lines, as well as the previously produced EMS-induced pdil5-1 mutant ‘10253-1-5’ in the elite malting barley cv. ‘Barke’ background, displayed no growth or yield penalties in garden experiments or bymovirus-free field trials. Line ‘10253-1-5’ showed improved resistance and yield performance compared to the wild-type and its sibling line when grown in infectious fields. Therefore, genome editing of the host factor gene PDIL5-1 could facilitate the breeding of barley varieties with resistance to bymoviruses.
Response of yield and quality of giant embryo rice to nitrogen application and analysis of lipid-lowering effect
Authors: Hu Mingming , Chen Guangyi , Peng Ligong , Li Congmei , He Xingmei , Zhang Qiuqiu , Yang Hong , Liang Chaode , Kuang Hudong , Lan Yan , Li Tian
Published: October 2022

Giant embryo rice is known as a highly nutritious functional rice because it is rich in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has various regulatory functions in the human body. To study the response of giant embryo rice yield and quality to nitrogen (N) application, and to verify the effect of giant embryo brown rice on alleviating hyperlipidemia in rats. In this study, field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 using the giant embryo rice varietiers J20 (japonica) and Koshihikari (japonica) rice as experimental materials and five N levels, 0 (N0), 90 (N1), 135 (N2), 180 (N3) and 225 (N4) kg ha-1. The results showed that the yield of both varieties increased with increasing N and the maximum values were observed under the N2 treatment. As more N was gradually applied, the brown rice rate, milled rice rate, head rice rate and GABA content of both varieties first increased and then decreased, while the chalky grain rate and chalkiness showed the opposite trend. The optimal values of these indexes were observed under the N2 treatment. The peak viscosity and breakdown value of J20 decreased, while its setback value and pasting temperature increased with increasing N. In contrast, Koshihikari showed the opposite trend. The protein content and protein component contents of both varieties showed an increasing trend with increasing N, among which gliadin was the most sensitive protein component to N fertilizer. Animal experiments results showed that J20 brown rice could significantly slow the rate of weight gain of rats, reduce serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Therefore, increasing N could effectively enhance J20 yield and improve processing, appearance and nutritional quality but decrease cooking and eating quality. The brown rice J20 had the effect of slowing the rate of weight gain and reducing the hyperlipidemia level of rats, the optimal N application rate for achieving high yield, high quality and good functional characteristics in the giant embryo rice J20 was 135 kg ha-1. These findings will provide a theoretical and technical foundation for the popularization and application of giant embryo rice in the future.
SgNramp1, a plasma membrane-localized transporter, involves in manganese uptake in Stylosanthes guianensis
Authors: Zou Xiaoyan , Huang Rui , Wang Linjie , Wang Guihua , Miao Ye , Rao Idupulapati , Liu Guodao , Chen Zhijian
Published: October 2022

Transporters belonging to the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp) family play important roles in metal uptake and homeostasis. Although Nramp members have been functionally characterized in plants, the role of Nramp in the important tropical forage legume Stylosanthes guianensis (stylo) is largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the responses of Nramp genes to metal stresses and investigate its metal transport activity in stylo. Five SgNramp genes were identified from stylo. Expression analysis showed that SgNramp genes exhibited tissue preferential expressions and diverse responses to metal stresses, especially for manganese (Mn), suggesting the involvement of SgNramps in the response of stylo to metal stresses. Of the five SgNramps, SgNramp1 displayed the highest expression in stylo roots. A close correlation between SgNramp1 expression and root Mn concentration was observed among nine stylo cultivars under Mn limited condition. The higher expression of SgNramp1 was correlated with a high Mn uptake in stylo. Subsequent subcellular localization analysis showed that SgNramp1 was localized to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, heterologous expression of SgNramp1 complemented the phenotype of the Mn uptake-defective yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant Δsmf1. Mn concentration in the yeast cells expressing SgNramp1 was higher than that of the empty vector control, suggesting the transport activity of SgNramp1 for Mn in yeast. Taken together, this study reveals that SgNramp1 is a plasma membrane–localized transporter responsible for Mn uptake in stylo.
Physiological and transcriptomic analysis uncovers salinity stress mechanisms in a facultative crassulacean acid metabolism plant Dendrobium officinale
Authors: Zhang Mingze , Liu Nan , Teixeira da Silva Jaime A. , Liu Xuncheng , Deng Rufang , Yao Yuxian , Duan Jun , He Chunmei
Published: October 2022

Dendrobium officinale is a precious medicinal Chinese herb that employs facultative crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and has a high degree of abiotic stress tolerance, but the molecular mechanism underlying the response of this orchid to abiotic stresses is poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the root microstructure of D. officinale plantlets and verified the presence of chloroplasts by transmission electron microscopy. To obtain a more comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanism underlying their tolerance to abiotic stress, we performed whole‐transcriptome sequencing of the roots of 10-month-old plantlets exposed to salt (NaCl) treatment in a time‐course experiment (0, 4 and 12 h). The total of 7376 differentially expressed genes that were identified were grouped into three clusters (P < 0.05). Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the expression of genes related to hormone (such as auxins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, ethylene and jasmonic acid) biosynthesis and response, as well as the expression of genes related to photosynthesis, amino acid and flavonoid metabolism, and the SOS pathway, were either up- or down-regulated after salt treatment. Additionally, we identified an up-regulated WRKY transcription factor, DoWRKY69, whose ectopic expression in Arabidopsis promoted seed germination under salt tress. Collectively, our findings provide a greater understanding of the salt stress response mechanisms in the roots of a facultative CAM plant. A number of candidate genes that were discovered may help plants to cope with salt stress when introduced via genetic engineering.
Characterization of physiological and antioxidant responses in Run1Ren1 Vitis vinifera plants during Erysiphe necator attack
Authors: Sosa-Zuniga Viviana , Martínez-Barradas Vera , Espinoza Carmen , Tighe-Neira Ricardo , Valenzuela Álvaro Vidal , Inostroza-Blancheteau Claudio , Arce-Johnson Patricio
Published: October 2022

Grapevine is a fruit crop of major significance worldwide. Fungal attacks are one of the most relevant factors affecting grapevine yield and fruit quality, and powdery mildew caused byErysiphe necatoris one of the most harmful fungal diseases for this fruit-bearing species. Incorporating resistance genes such asRun1andRen1in new vine selections offers a sustainable alternative to control the disease. These combined loci produce an immune response that prevents the development of the disease. However, to date studies are lacking concerning whether this response generates alterations in the physiological and antioxidant parameters of resistant plants in the presence of the fungus or if it has an associated energy cost. Therefore, the main goal of our research was to determine ifRun1Ren1plants present alterations in their physiological and biochemical parameters in the presence of the fungus. To achieve this target, a previously characterized resistantRun1Ren1genotype and the susceptible Carménère cultivar were analyzed. We evaluated photochemical parameters (Fv’/Fm’, ΦPSII and ETR), net photosynthesis (Pn), photosynthetic pigments, transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), oxidative stress parameters (MDA), antioxidant activity, and phenols. Our results show that the physiological parameters ofRun1Ren1plants were not negatively affected by the fungus at 10 days post-inoculation, contrasting with alterations observed in the susceptible plants. Therefore, we propose that the resistance response triggered byRun1Ren1is physiologically and biochemically advantageous to grapevines by preventing the development of powdery mildew infection.
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB03 augmented tall fescue growth by regulating phytohormone and nutrient homeostasis under nitrogen deficiency
Authors: Wang Qian , Ou Er-Ling , Wang Pu-Chang , Chen Ying , Wang Zi-Yuan , Wang Zhi-Wei , Fang Xiang-Wen , Zhang Jin-Lin
Published: October 2022

Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth and development. Soil microorganisms have been used to curb the imbalance between the limited content of natural environmental nitrogen and the pollution caused by increasing nitrogen fertilizer use in ecologically fragile areas. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB03 has been shown to confer growth promotion and abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. This study provided a new insight into the role of the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium B. amyloliquefaciens GB03 as an initiator of defense against nitrogen deficiency in non-leguminous grass tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Two-week-old seedlings of tall fescue were grown with or without GB03 for 4 weeks under total nitrogen (3.75 mM NO3-) or low nitrogen (0.25 mM NO3-) treatment. Growth parameters, chlorophyll content, endogenous total nitrogen, total phosphorus content, and phytohormone content, including those of auxin indole-3-acetic acid, cytokinin, gibberellic acid, and abscisic acid, were determined at the time of harvest. Tall fescue grown in GB03-inoculated soil was more robust than the non-inoculated controls with respect to plant height, root length, plant biomass, chlorophyll concentration, and nutrient (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) contents under total nitrogen treatment. GB03 increased indole acetic acid content by 24.7%, whereas decreased cytokinin and abscisic acid contents by 28.4% and 26.9%, respectively, under a total nitrogen level. Remarkably, GB03 increased indole acetic acid content by more than 80% and inhibited abscisic acid production by nearly 70% under a low nitrogen level. These results showed, for the first time, that GB03 played a crucial role in mediating NO3–dependent regulation of tall fescue growth and development, especially revealing the mechanism of soil bacteria improve resistance to nitrogen deficiency stress in non-nitrogen-fixing species.
Genetic basis and principal component analysis in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown under water deficit condition
Authors: Ullah Aziz , Shakeel Amir , Ahmed Hafiz Ghulam Muhu-Din , Naeem Muhammad , Ali Muhammad , Shah Adnan Noor , Wang Lichen , Jaremko Mariusz , Abdelsalam Nader R. , Ghareeb Rehab Y. , Hasan Mohamed E.
Published: October 2022

Cotton is considered as the main crop in the agricultural sector of Pakistan. Water deficiency in this region in recent years has reduced the chances of high yields of cotton. Selection and creation of high-yielding varieties of cotton, even in water deficit conditions, is one of urgent tasks of today. For this purpose, 40 diverse genotypes of upland cotton were screened in normal and water deficit conditions in triplicate arrangement under split plot in a randomized complete block design. All the genotypes showed significant difference under both water regimes. Ten upland cotton accessions were screened out as water deficit tolerant (VH-144, IUB-212, MNH-886, VH-295, IR-3701, AA-802, NIAB-111, NS-121, FH-113, and FH-142) and five as water deficit sensitive (IR-3, CIM-443, FH-1000, MNH-147, and S-12) based on seed cotton yield and stress susceptibility index. These tolerant and sensitive genotypes were crossed in line × tester mating design. For further evaluation of genetic material, the seed of 50 F1 crosses and their 15 parents were field planted under normal and water deficit conditions during next cotton growing season. Traits related to yield under the study showed significant variations among the accessions and their half sibs. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) exhibited that total variation exhibited by factors 1 and factor 2 were 55.55 and 41.95%, respectively. PCA transformed the variables into three factors, and only two factors (F1 and F2) had eigenvalue > 1. The degree of dominance revealed that all parameters were highly influenced by non-additive gene action under both water regimes. Furthermore, the line VH-295 and tester CIM-443 had better yield performance under water deficit stress. The cross-combinations, viz., VH-144 × S-12, NIAB-111 × IR-3, and VH-295 × MNH-147, were the best for yield contributing traits. These combinations may be helpful for germplasm enhancement on large scale under water scarcity. All the studied traits have non-additive types of gene action suggesting the usage of these genotypes in cotton hybrid development program against water deficit tolerance.
Exploiting the drought tolerance of wild Elymus species for bread wheat improvement
Authors: Khan Ajab , Ali Ahmad , Ullah Zahid , Ali Iftikhar , Kaushik Prashant , Alyemeni Mohammed Nasser , Rasheed Awais , Sher Hassan
Published: October 2022

Crop wild resources are excellent sources of new genetic variation for resilience against climate extremes. However, detailed characterization of the desirable phenotypes is essential before using these crop wild resources in breeding programs. This current study was, therefore, conducted to investigate the water stress responses of eight wild Elymus species and two wheat cultivars. The experiment was carried out under varying levels of osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol and progressive water stress through different field capacities. Water stress significantly reduced both physiological and biochemical traits compared to control, ranging from 7.1% (protein content) to 34.5% (chlorophyll) under moderate stress and 9.1–45.8% under severe stress. The anatomical features were also affected under progressive water stress, including a reduction in xylem vessel diameter (7.92 and 16.50%), phloem length (4.36 and 7.18%), vascular bundle length (3.09 and 6.04%), and ground tissue thickness (2.36 and 5.52%), respectively. Conclusively, Elymus borianus (endemic to Swat, Pakistan), E. russelli, E. caninus, E. longioristatus, and E. dauhuricus outperformed the check wheat cultivar, Pirsabak 2005, which is a rainfed variety. The results revealed that Elymus species belonging to the tertiary gene pool of bread wheat could be an excellent drought tolerance source for use in a breeding program.
Classification of 17 species Aegilops using DNA barcoding and SNPs, reveals gene flow among Aegilops biuncialis, Aegilops juvenalis, and Aegilops columnaris
Authors: Wang Xiaohan , Yoo Eunae , Lee Seungbum , Cho Gyu-Taek , Lee Gi-An , Yi Jung Yoon , Du Xiaoxuan , Han Seahee , Hyun Do Yoon , Ro Nayoung , Kim Kyung-Min
Published: October 2022

Rapid changes in agricultural environments caused by global warming pose a major challenge to food production and safety. Common wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a hexaploid plant (AABBDD) that shares large numbers of quantitative traits and resistance genes with B and D genomes of Aegilops species, which are responsible for several metabolic functions and biosynthetic processes, particularly in plant adaptation to biotic as well as abiotic stresses. Comparatively, the abundance of the Aegilops gene pool is much higher than that of Triticum. Therefore, we used four universal DNA barcodes for plants (ITS2, matK, rbcL, and psbM-petN) to construct a phylogenetic tree to classify the genus Aegilops. Fourteen species were distinguished among a total of 17 representative species. Aegilops biuncialis, Aegilops juvenalis, and Aegilops umbellulata could not be grouped into any of the clusters in the phylogenetic tree, indicating that these three species could not be distinguished by four DNA barcodes. Therefore, from 2408 SNPs obtained using genotyping by sequencing (GBS), we manually screened 30 SNPs that could be potentially used to classify these three species. The results of gene flow and genetic differentiation index (Fst) showed that the genetic differentiation among the three species was small, and there was bidirectional horizontal gene transfer between the three species, which was consistent with our results that the three species were difficult to classify by DNA barcode.
Two triphosphate tunnel metalloenzymes from apple exhibit adenylyl cyclase activity
Authors: Yuan Ye , Liu Zhiguo , Wang Lili , Wang Lixin , Chen Shuangjiang , Niu Yahong , Zhao Xin , Liu Ping , Liu Mengjun
Published: October 2022

Adenylyl cyclase (AC) is the key catalytic enzyme for the synthesis of 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Various ACs have been identified in microorganisms and mammals, but studies on plant ACs are still limited. No AC in woody plants has been reported until now. Based on the information on HpAC1, three enzymes were screened out from the woody fruit tree apple, and two of them (MdTTM1 and MdTTM2) were verified and confirmed to display AC activity. Interestingly, in the apple genome, these two genes were annotated as triphosphate tunnel metalloenzymes (TTMs) which were widely found in three superkingdoms of life with multiple substrate specificities and enzymatic activities, especially triphosphate hydrolase. In addition, the predicted structures of these two proteins were parallel, especially of the catalytic tunnel, including conserved domains, motifs, and folded structures. Their tertiary structures exhibited classic TTM properties, like the characteristic EXEXK motif and β-stranded anti-parallel tunnel capable of coordinating divalent cations. Moreover, MdTTM2 and HpAC1 displayed powerful hydrolase activity to triphosphate and restricted AC activity. All of these findings showed that MdTTMs had hydrolysis and AC activity, which could provide new solid evidence for AC distribution in woody plants as well as insights into the relationship between ACs and TTMs.
Somatic embryogenesis of Arabica coffee in temporary immersion culture: Advances, limitations, and perspectives for mass propagation of selected genotypes
Authors: Aguilar María Elena , Wang Xiao-yang , Escalona Maritza , Yan Lin , Huang Li-fang
Published: October 2022

Culture in temporary immersion systems (TIS) is a valuable tool for the semi-automation of high frequency somatic embryogenesis of coffee. This system allows the intermittent exposure of explants to liquid medium in cycles of specific frequency and duration of immersion with renewal of the culture atmosphere in each cycle. TIS have revolutionized somatic embryogenesis of coffee plants as an alternative for scaling up and reducing costs associated with labor-intensive solid media culture. In Central America, somatic embryogenesis is employed on a commercial scale to produce F1 Coffea arabica hybrids. In Asia and Africa, somatic embryogenesis is used for the multiplication of selected genotypes of C. arabica and C.canephora. Somatic embryogenesis of coffee plants is considered a model system for woody species due to its biological versatility and low frequency of somaclonal variation. Nevertheless, the success of somatic embryogenesis for mass propagation of coffee plants depends on the development, optimization, and transfer of complementary technologies. Temporary immersion using the RITA® bioreactor is, so far, the best complementary tool for somatic embryogenesis of Arabica coffee for a single recipient with simple changes in liquid media. Likewise, high volume bioreactors, such as 10-L glass BIT® and 10-L flexible disposable plastic bags, have been successfully used for somatic embryogenesis of other coffee species. These bioreactors allow the manipulation of thousands of embryos under semi-automated conditions. The protocols, advantages, and benefits of this technology have been well documented for organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis pathways. However, adaptation in commercial laboratories requires technical and logistical adjustments based on the biological response of the cultures as well as the costs of implementation and production. This review presents the historical and present background of TIS and its commercial application and, in particular, pertinent information regarding temporary immersion culture for C. arabica somatic embryogenesis. The main limitations of this technology, such as hyperhydricity, asynchrony, and developmental abnormalities, are examined, and a critical analysis of current knowledge regarding physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of the plant response to temporary immersion is offered. Further, perspectives are provided for understanding and solving the morpho-physiological problems associated with temporary immersion culture of coffee plants.

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Comparing the EMS adopter and EMS non-adopter organizations in achieving sustainable business goals
Authors: Wang Yizhou , Rehmani Mahmood , Ashraf Muhammad Raees , Farheen Nazia , Irshad Huda
Published: October 2022

The corporate sector has paid attention to the concept of sustainable development since the emergence of this concept in the late 1980s and the adoption of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) by many organizations is the initiative of these organizations’ exact dimensions. The focus of this research is to compare the status of EMS adopter and EMS non-adopter organizations in terms of Environmental Performance, Occupational health and safety performance, Employee Satisfaction, Operational Improvement and competitive advantage. The overall environmental performance of EMS adopter companies was approximately two times higher than non-EMS adopter companies. EMS adopter organizations’ performance was almost two times better than non-EMS adopter organizations regarding occupational health and safety. The overall Employee Satisfaction level at non-EMS adopter organizations was about three times better than at EMS adopter organizations. The EMS adopter organizations were found to have about three times performance regarding operational improvement. Regarding the competitive advantage gained by the EMS adopter companies compared to the non-EMS adopter organizations, no significant difference was observed between these two categories of organizations. However, The EMS adopter organizations seem to have a slight competitive advantage over non-adopter companies.
The mediating role of sexually selected traits in the association of androgynous tendencies with lower sexual activeness among Chinese youths
Authors: Zhao Shuangyu , Guo Fuyu , Hee Jia Yi , Tang Kun
Published: October 2022

Androgynous tendencies and persistently low fertility rates have been observed in many countries, causing major social concerns. The theory of sexual selection suggests a possible mechanism between androgyny and decreased sexual activeness, as masculinity and femininity constitute an important aspect of reproductive strategies. This theory has also been proven by evolutionary and societal evidence. Therefore, we investigate the association between masculinity and femininity with sexual activeness, as well as the influence of gender-role conformity on the frequency of sexual intercourse through sexually selected traits among 42,492 Chinese youths. Sexual activeness was measured using sexual attitudes, experience, behaviors, and pleasure. Mediation analysis was employed to investigate the effects of sexually selected traits on the association between masculinity and femininity with sexual activeness, and gender-role conformity with the frequency of sexual intercourse. Low sexual activeness was found to be associated with low gender-role conformity. Our findings also suggest that physical attractiveness, sexual motivation, and interpersonal relationships may mediate the association between sexual activeness and gender-role conformity, supporting the males-compete/females-choose model.
Do stressful life events impact long-term well-being? Annual change in well-being following different life events compared to matched controls
Authors: Howard Chloe , Overall Nickola C. , Sibley Chris G.
Published: October 2022

Available longitudinal evidence suggests that personal growth following adversity may not be as prevalent as suggested in cross-sectional research. Firm conclusions regarding resiliency versus post-traumatic growth following adverse events are further tempered by the restricted range of outcomes assessed when examining resilience, the focus on specific adverse events or cumulative adversity scores that hinder comparisons between event types, and the relative scarcity of analyses including matched control groups. The current study addresses these gaps by leveraging longitudinal panel data comparing annual change in well-being from 2018 to 2019 for people who experienced a major life stressor relative to propensity score matched controls who did not experience such stressors over the same period. Moreover, independent comparisons are conducted across three distinct event categories: traumatic interpersonal events (Nmatched pairs = 1,030), job loss (Nmatched pairs = 1,361), and birth (Nmatched pairs = 1,225), and five self-reported well-being indicators: life satisfaction, felt belongingness, self-esteem, meaning in life, and gratitude. Results indicate that people’s well-being (across all five indicators) remained consistent over the year in independent analyses of samples experiencing each of the three types of events, and did not differ from matched controls. These findings indicate high population levels of psychological resilience, in the sense that people did not decrease in annual well-being following various life events. These findings also fail to detect significant evidence for possible post-traumatic growth, insofar as such growth might relate to a broad range of different aspects of well-being.
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of procrastination assessment scale for students
Authors: Yip Michael C. W. , Chung Olive L. L.
Published: October 2022

The procrastination assessment scale for students (PASS) has been used widely in evaluating the patterns of university students’ procrastination on academic tasks and their procrastination behavior. The present study validated the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the PASS (PASS-C) by recruiting two representative independent sample of Hong Kong Chinese university students (S1 used in the EFA study: 506; S2 used in the CFA study: 506). The results confirmed that this modified Chinese version is a valid and appropriate tool to assess university students’ procrastination tendencies in Chinese educational settings.
Why do employees commit fraud? Theory, measurement, and validation
Authors: Lin Bin , Huang Junqin , Liao Youliang , Liu Shanmin , Zhou Haiyan
Published: October 2022

Previous research on corporate governance has extensively explored the motives of corporate fraud. However, this research has paid little attention to employees, the real executors of fraud, resulting in the psychological and behavioral decision-making process of employees who commit fraud in enterprises becoming a “black box” that has not yet been opened. Based on the theory of planned behavior, our study integrates the existing research findings on driving factors of employee fraud and anti-fraud practical experience, extracts the key factors of employee fraud motive, and develops a multidimensional scale of employee fraud motive. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) generates three subscales, comprising 14 items, measuring attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control of employee fraud motive. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supports the reliability, discriminant validity and convergent validity of the new scale. The multiple regression results show that the score of employee fraud motive is positively correlated with the amount of employee fraud occurrence, indicating that the predictive validity of the scale holds. Overall, the scale developed in our study displays good reliability and validity, and is worth spreading.
Managing in the new normal: Positive management practices elicit higher goal attainment, goal commitment, and perceived task efficacy than traditional management practices in remote work settings. An experimental study
Authors: Monzani Lucas , Mateu Guillermo , Ripoll Pilar , Lira Eva , Peiro José María
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 global pandemic will likely change how organizations conduct business. For example, a white paper from McKinsey claims that flexible and remote work arrangements (e.g., “working-from-home”) will become increasingly frequent in the “new normal” that will follow the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work is motivated by the premise that in a post-pandemic workplace, traditional management practices like unilaterally assigning goals and displaying contingent rewarding behaviors will likely be replaced by positive management practices. In this context, positive management practices include allowing employees to self-set their goals and displaying authentic leadership behaviors while managing them. However, whether these positive management practices are more efficient in sustaining performance is unknown. Our study benchmarked positive management practices against traditional management practices in a remote work environment, using three individual performance metrics: goal attainment, goal commitment, and perceived task efficacy. In a panel laboratory experiment consisting of a baseline measurement and two work sessions, we randomly assigned participants to an authentic vs. transactional leadership condition (amateur actor recording) and one of three possible goal-setting types (assigned, self-set, “do-your-best”). Our results show that participants in the authentic leadership × self-set goals condition outperformed all other experimental conditions. Further, a post hoc analysis revealed a serial mediation effect of (a) goal attainment and (b) goal commitment at time 1 on perceived task efficacy reports at time 2.
Anna Livia Plurabelle’s normless interactions in Finnegans Wake
Authors: Farahmandian Hamid , Jian-qing Zhang
Published: October 2022

The complex structure and characterization of James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake present a normless environment for its female characters, specifically Anna Livia Plurabelle (ALP). This paper explores ALP’s normlessness in her social interactions using Karen Horney’s theory of neurosis as a methodological device to reveal ALP’s detached personality. Horney considers normlessness a trend of “Moving Away from People,” also known as a detached personality. According to Horney, “self-sufficiency,” “perfection,” and “narrow limits in life” are the three neurotic factors that produce a detached personality, all of which are apparent in ALP’s personality. In this novel, ALP is portrayed as neurotic to demonstrate her dependence on men and how she coopts male power in favor of her needs.