Optimal NH4 + /NO3 - ratios enhance the shade tolerance of soybean seedlings under low light conditions.

In the maize-soybean intercropping system, shade is the major chronic restraint that affects normal growth of soybean. Different spatial patterns of this system affect the microclimate of soybean through shading from maize plants. However, the negative impacts of shading stress can be mitigated by providing optimal ratios of different fertilizers. Therefore, to test this hypothesis, soybean plants were grown under different light conditions (normal light or shade) to evaluate the response to varying NH4 + /NO3 - ratios. Seeds of soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Nan-99-6) were grown in nutrient solution with a total concentration of 5 mM N using different NH4 + /NO3 - ratios (T0  = 0:0, T1  = 0:100, T2  = 25:75, T3  = 50:50 and T4  = 75:25) for 40 days in a greenhouse at PPFD 320.95 µmol m-2  s-1 (low light) or 967.53 µmol m-2  s-1 (normal light). Under low light, growth and photosynthesis of soybean seedlings significantly decreased as compared to normal light conditions. However, the optimal ratios of NH4 + / NO3 - improved growth and photosynthesis of soybean seedlings under both light conditions. Our results indicated that soybean seedlings supplied with optimal NH4 + /NO3 - ratios (25:75 and 50:50) have maximum biomass yield, chlorophyll pigments, leaf gas exchange, photochemical activity and root growth as compared to low and high NH4 + /NO3 - ratios (T1 and T4 ). High ratios of NH4 + /NO3 - (T4 ) resulted in reduced plant growth due to nutrient accumulation in plant tissues; therefore, we suggest that optimal ratios of NH4 + /NO3 - (T2 and T3 ) can enhance the shade tolerance of soybean seedlings.

[Expression and clinical significance of DNAJB11 in epithelial ovarian cancer].

Objective: To study the expression of DNAJB11 protein in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues and its clinical significance. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to examine DNAJB11 expressions in 105 tissue specimens of ovarian epithelial carcinoma, 23 normal ovarian tissues, 17 tissues of benign tumor, and 13 tissues of of borderline tumor. The correlations between protein expression and clinicopathological factors were analyzed by Chi square test.The correlations between protein expression and survival were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Results: Positive expression of DNAJB11 protein was observed in 0.0% in normal ovary and benign tumor, 7.69% in borderline tumor, and 78.10% in epithelial ovarian cancer, respectively. Positive expression of DNAJB11 protein was significantly higher than the rest of the ovarian tissues and normal ovarian tissues (P<0.001).Higher expression of DNAJB11 was more prevalent in tissues from patients with advanced FIGO stages, high serum CA125, poor histological differentiation, and serous cancer. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that higher expression of DNAJB11 was significantly associated with poor disease-free survival and overall survival.Multivariate survival analysis revealed that strong positive expression of DNAJB11 was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival and overall survival. Conclusion: DNAJB11 may play a role in tumorigenesis and progression of epithelial ovarian cancer.Strong positive expression of DNAJB11 was an independent prognostic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer.