Rice EIL1 interacts with OsIAAs to regulate auxin biosynthesis mediated by the tryptophan aminotransferase MHZ10/OsTAR2 during root ethylene responses.

Ethylene plays essential roles in adaptive growth of rice (Oryza sativa). Understanding of the crosstalk between ethylene and auxin (Aux) is limited in rice. Here, from an analysis of the root-specific ethylene-insensitive rice mutant mao hu zi 10 (mhz10), we identified the tryptophan aminotransferase (TAR) MHZ10/OsTAR2, which catalyzes the key step in indole-3-pyruvic acid-dependent Aux biosynthesis. Genetically, OsTAR2 acts downstream of ethylene signaling in root ethylene responses. ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 like1 (OsEIL1) directly activated OsTAR2 expression. Surprisingly, ethylene induction of OsTAR2 expression still required the Aux pathway. We also show that Os indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)1/9 and OsIAA21/31 physically interact with OsEIL1 and show promotive and repressive effects on OsEIL1-activated OsTAR2 promoter activity, respectively. These effects likely depend on their EAR motif-mediated histone acetylation/deacetylation modification. The special promoting activity of OsIAA1/9 on OsEIL1 may require both the EAR motifs and the flanking sequences for recruitment of histone acetyltransferase. The repressors OsIAA21/31 exhibit earlier degradation upon ethylene treatment than the activators OsIAA1/9 in a TIR1/AFB-dependent manner, allowing OsEIL1 activation by activators OsIAA1/9 for OsTAR2 expression and signal amplification. This study reveals a positive feedback regulation of ethylene signaling by Aux biosynthesis and highlights the crosstalk between ethylene and Aux pathways at a previously underappreciated level for root growth regulation in rice.

Actin-bundling protein fimbrin serves as a new auxin biosynthesis orchestrator in Arabidopsis root tips.

Plants delicately regulate endogenous auxin levels through the coordination of transport, biosynthesis, and inactivation, which is crucial for growth and development. While it is well-established that the actin cytoskeleton can regulate auxin levels by affecting polar transport, its potential role in auxin biosynthesis has remained largely unexplored. Using LC-MS/MS-based methods combined with fluorescent auxin marker detection, we observed a significant increase in root auxin levels upon deletion of the actin bundling proteins AtFIM4 and AtFIM5. Fluorescent observation, immunoblotting analysis, and biochemical approaches revealed that AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 affect the protein abundance of the key auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 in roots. AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 regulate the auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 at the protein level, with its degradation mediated by the 26S proteasome. This regulation modulates auxin synthesis and endogenous auxin levels in roots, consequently impacting root development. Based on these findings, we propose a molecular pathway centered on the 'actin cytoskeleton-26S proteasome-YUC8-auxin' axis that controls auxin levels. Our findings shed light on a new pathway through which plants regulate auxin synthesis. Moreover, this study illuminates a newfound role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating plant growth and development, particularly through its involvement in maintaining protein homeostasis via the 26S proteasome.

A pseudo-Double-Network Hydrogel Built upon Layered Double Hydroxides with Self-Strengthening Properties.

While great achievements have been made in the development of mechanically robust nanocomposite hydrogels, incorporating multiple interactions on the bases of two demensional inorganic cross-linkers to construct self-strengthening hydrogels has rarely been investigated. To this end, we propose here a new method for the coupling the dynamic covalent bonds and non-covalent interactions within a pseudo double-network system. The pseudo first network, formed through the Schiff Base reation between Tris-modified layered double hydroxides (Tris-LDHs) and oxidized dextran (ODex), is linked to the second network built upon non-covalent interactions between Tris-LDHs and poly(acrylamide-co-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propanesulfonate) (p-(AM-co-AMPS). The swelling and mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels have been investigated as a function of the ODex and AMPS contents. The as-prepared hydrogel can swell to 420 times of its original size and retain more than 99.9 wt.% of water. Mechanical tests show that the hydrogel can bear 90 % of compression and is able to be stretched to near 30 times of its original length. Cyclic tensile tests reveal that the hydrogels are capable of self-strengthening after mechanical training. The unique energy dissipation mechanism based on the dynamic covalent and non-covalent interactions is considered to be responsible for the outstanding swelling and mechanical performances.

Solvent-Free Fabrication of Anisotropic Microparticles with Precise 3D Shape Control Using Dipping-Based Micromolding.

We present an innovative solvent-free micromolding technique for rapidly fabricating complex polymer microparticles with three-dimensional (3D) shapes utilizing a surface tension-induced dipping process. Our fabrication process involves loading a photocurable solution into micromolds through mold dipping. The loaded solution, induced by surface tension, undergoes spatial deformation upon mold removal caused by surface forces, ultimately acquiring an anisotropic shape before photopolymerization. Results show that the amount of photocurable solution loaded depends on the degree of capillary penetration, which can be adjusted by varying the dipping time and mold height. It enables the production of polymer particles with precisely controlled 3D shapes without diluting them with volatile organic solvents. Sequential micromolding enables the spatial stacking of the polymer domain through a bottom-up approach, facilitating the creation of complex multicompartmental microparticles with independently controlled compartments. Finally, we demonstrated the successful simultaneous conjugation of multiple model-fluorescent proteins through the biofunctionalization of microparticles, indicating functional stability and effective conjugation of hydrophilic molecules such as proteins. We also extend our capacity to create bicompartmental microparticles with distinct functionalities in each compartment, revealing spatially controlled functional structures. In summary, these findings demonstrate a straightforward, rapid, and reliable method for producing highly uniform complex particles with precise control over the 3D shape and compartmentalization, all accomplished without the use of organic solvents.

Carbon nanosol promotes plant growth and broad-spectrum resistance.

Carbon nanosol (CNS) is a carbon-based nanomaterial capable of promoting plant growth while the underlying mechanism involved in this process remains unknown. This study demonstrates that CNS promotes rice seedling growth under restricted concentrations. Macroelement transporter mutants were investigated to further investigate the CNS-mediated promotion of rice seedling growth. The genetic and physiological findings revealed that nitrate transporter 1.1B (NRT1.1B) and ammonium transporter 1 (AMT1) mutants inhibited the CNS-induced growth development of rice seedlings, whereas potassium transporter (AKT1) and phosphate transporter 8 (PT8) did not exhibit any inhibitory effects. Further investigations demonstrated the inhibition of CNS-mediated growth promotion via glutamine synthetase 1;1 (gs1;1) mutants. Additionally, the administration of CNS resulted in enhanced accumulation of chlorophyll in plants, and the promotion of CNS-induced growth was inhibited by yellow-green leaf 8 (YGL8) mutants and the chlorophyll biosynthetic gene divinyl reductase (DVR) mutants. According to these findings, the CNS promotes plant growth by stimulating chlorophyll biosynthesis. Furthermore, the presence of CNS enhanced the ability of rice to withstand blast, sheath blight (ShB), and bacterial blight. The nrt1.1b, amt1, dvr, and ygl8 mutants did not exhibit a broad spectrum effect. The positive regulation of broad-spectrum resistance in rice by GS1;1 suggests the requirement of N assimilation for CNS-mediated broad-spectrum resistance. In addition, an in vitro assay demonstrated that CNS inhibits the growth of pathogens responsible for blast, ShB, and bacterial blight, namely Magnaporthe oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA, and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae, respectively. CNS application may also induce broad-spectrum resistance against bacterial and fungal pathogens, indicating that in addition to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, CNS application may also stimulate N assimilation. Collectively, the results indicate that CNS may be a potential nano-therapeutic agent for improved plant growth promotion while also providing broad-spectrum resistance.

Red-light receptor phytochrome B inhibits BZR1-NAC028-CAD8B signaling to negatively regulate rice resistance to sheath blight.

Phytochrome (Phy)-regulated light signalling plays important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, its function in rice defence against sheath blight disease (ShB) remains unclear. Here, we found that PhyB mutation or shade treatment promoted rice resistance to ShB, while resistance was reduced by PhyB overexpression. Further analysis showed that PhyB interacts with phytochrome-interacting factor-like 15 (PIL15), brassinazole resistant 1 (BZR1), and vascular plant one-zinc-finger 2 (VOZ2). Plants overexpressing PIL15 were more susceptible to ShB in contrast to bzr1-D-overexpressing plants compared with the wild-type, suggesting that PhyB may inhibit BZR1 to negatively regulate rice resistance to ShB. Although BZR1 is known to regulate brassinosteroid (BR) signalling, the observation that BR signalling negatively regulated resistance to ShB indicated an independent role for BZR1 in controlling rice resistance. It was also found that the BZR1 ligand NAC028 positively regulated resistance to ShB. RNA sequencing showed that cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 8B (CAD8B), involved in lignin biosynthesis was upregulated in both bzr1-D- and NAC028-overexpressing plants compared with the wild-type. Yeast-one hybrid, ChIP, and transactivation assays demonstrated that BZR1 and NAC028 activate CAD8B directly. Taken together, the analyses demonstrated that PhyB-mediated light signalling inhibits the BZR1-NAC028-CAD8B pathway to regulate rice resistance to ShB.

The GDSL Lipase MHZ11 Modulates Ethylene Signaling in Rice Roots.

Ethylene plays important roles in plant growth and development, but the regulation of ethylene signaling is largely unclear, especially in crops such as rice (Oryza sativa). Here, by analysis of the ethylene-insensitive mutant mao huzi 11 (mhz11), we identified the GDSL lipase MHZ11, which modulates ethylene signaling in rice roots. MHZ11 localized to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and has acyl-hydrolyzing activity. This activity affects the homeostasis of sterols in rice roots and is required for root ethylene response. MHZ11 overexpression caused constitutive ethylene response in roots. Genetically, MHZ11 acts with the ethylene receptor ETHYLENE RESPONSE SENSOR2 (OsERS2) upstream of CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE2 (OsCTR2) and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE2 (OsEIN2). The mhz11 mutant maintains more OsCTR2 in the phosphorylated form whereas MHZ11 overexpression promotes ethylene-mediated inhibition of OsCTR2 phosphorylation. MHZ11 colocalized with the ethylene receptor OsERS2, and its effect on OsCTR2 phosphorylation requires ethylene perception and initiation of ethylene signaling. The mhz11 mutant overaccumulated sterols and blocking sterol biosynthesis partially rescued the mhz11 ethylene response, likely by reducing receptor-OsCTR2 interaction and OsCTR2 phosphorylation. We propose that MHZ11 reduces sterol levels to impair receptor-OsCTR2 interactions and OsCTR2 phosphorylation for triggering ethylene signaling. Our study reveals a mechanism by which MHZ11 participates in ethylene signaling for regulation of root growth in rice.

Capsule-based colorimetric temperature monitoring system for customizable cold chain management.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting supply chain disruption have rekindled crucial needs for safe storage and transportation of essential items. Despite recent advances, existing temperature monitoring technologies for cold chain management fall short in reliability, cost, and flexibility toward customized cold chain management for various products with different required temperature. In this work, we report a novel capsule-based colorimetric temperature monitoring system with precise and readily tunable temperature ranges. Triple emulsion drop-based microfluidic technique enables rapid production of monodisperse microcapsules with an interstitial phase-change oil (PCO) layer with precise control over its dimension and composition. Liquid-solid phase transition of the PCO layer below its freezing point triggers the release of the encapsulated payload yielding drastic change in color, allowing user-friendly visual monitoring in a highly sensitive manner. Simple tuning of the PCO layer's compositions can further broaden the temperature range in a precisely controlled manner. The proposed simple scheme can readily be formulated to detect both temperature rise in the frozen environment and freeze detection as well as multiple temperature monitoring. Combined, these results support a significant step forward for the development of customizable colorimetric monitoring of a broad range of temperatures with precision.

Downregulation of autophagy by 12/15Lipoxygenase worsens the phenotype of an Alzheimer's disease mouse model with plaques, tangles, and memory impairments.

Among the different initiating events in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are some of the most iimportant. In the central nervous system, the 12/15Lipoxygenase (12/15LO) enzyme is the source of potent pro-oxidants and inflammatory lipid mediators. Previous works showed that this pathway is up-regulated in AD brains and that its pharmacological targeting modulates the phenotype of transgenic mouse models of the disease. Here we investigate the effect of brain 12/15LO gene delivery on the AD-like phenotype of a mouse model with plaques, tangles and behavioral deficits, the 3xTg mice. Compared with controls, mice over-expressing 12/15LO manifested an exacerbation of spatial learning and memory impairments, which was associated with significant increase in Aß formation and deposition, and accumulation of hyper-phosphorylated insoluble tau secondary to a down-regulation of autophagy. In addition, the same mice manifested a worsening of neuroinflammation and synaptic pathology. Taken together our study supports the hypothesis that the 12/15LO enzymatic pathway by impairing neuronal autophagy plays a functional role in exacerbating AD-related neuropathologies and cognitive impairments. It provides further critical preclinical evidence to justify developing and testing new and selective 12/15LO inhibitors for AD treatment.

Short-time acoustic and hydrodynamic cavitation improves dispersibility and functionality of pectin-rich biopolymers from citrus waste.

Pectin is a valuable biopolymer used as a natural, clean label additive for thickening and gelling. However, industry faces issues with dispersibility and stability of pectin formulations. To address these issues, the effect of short processing time (30-180 s) with hydrodynamic (HC) and acoustic cavitation (AC) on the dispersibility and gelling functionality of mandarin pectin-rich polysaccharide (M-PRP) was investigated. Short-time processing with HC and AC did not affect polymer composition. HC, but not AC, decreased polydispersity index (PDI) from 0.78 to 0.68 compared to the control. Electron and atomic force microscopy showed that HC and AC decreased aggregation of fibrous and matrix polymers. Both treatments increased apparent viscosity significantly from 0.059 Pa s to 0.30 Pa s at 10 -s. The pectin dispersions showed good gelling capacity upon addition of calcium (final conc. 35 mM). HC and AC treatments for 150 s led to gels that were 7 and 4 times stronger (as measured by peak force) than the control with more homogeneous, less porous structures. In conclusion, short-time HC and AC can improve the dispersibility and functionality of citrus pectin without affecting composition, and are promising technologies to facilitate the use of pectin in industry applications.

AtCPS V326M significantly affect the biosynthesis of gibberellins.

Gibberellins are a class of typical phytohormones, which regulate plant growth and development. The contents of gibberellins dramatically affect the morphology and biomass of plant. The encoding protein of copalyl diphosphate synthase gene (CPS) catalyzes the first-step in the biosynthetic pathway of gibberellins. The mutation in this gene may significantly affect the contents of gibberellins in plants. In this study, we found an EMS-triggered mutant, ga1-168, showing short roots, short hypocotyls, late flowering and dwarf. Map-based cloning revealed that the causal gene of ga1-168 was AtCPS-168, an allele of AtCPS gene. The encoding protein of AtCPS-168 was AtCPS V326M which was resulted from a single-point mutation (guanine to adenine at nucleotide 2768) of AtCPS gene. Protein domain analysis showed that V326 was located in the Terpene_synth domain. The allelism test demonstrated that AtCPS-168 was an allele of AtCPS gene. The transgenic complementation of ga1-168 indicated that AtCPS V326M led to the dwarf and bushy phenotype of ga1-168. The endogenous gibberellins contents analysis suggested that the gibberellins contents of ga1-168 were much lower than that of wild-type. The exogenous GA3 application assay uncovered that application of GA3 can complement the dwarf and bushy phenotype of ga1-168 caused by low endogenous gibberellins contents. Therefore, this study suggested that it is an elegant way to create the ideal plant architecture and height by site-directed mutating the gibberellin biosynthetic genes.

CBL-interacting protein kinase 31 regulates rice resistance to blast disease by modulating cellular potassium levels.

Rice blast disease caused by infection with Magnaporthe oryzae, a hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen, significantly reduces the yield production. However, the rice defense mechanism against blast disease remains elusive. To identify the genes involved in the regulation of rice defense to blast disease, dissociation (Ds) transposon tagging mutant lines were analyzed in terms of their response to M. oryzae isolate Guy11. Among them, CBL-interactingprotein kinase31 (CIPK31) mutants were more susceptible than wild-type plants to blast. The CIPK31 transcript was found to be insensitive to Guy11 infection, and the CIPK31-GFP was localized to the cytosol and nucleus. Overexpression of CIPK31 promoted rice defense to blast. Further analysis indicated that CIPK31 interacts with Calcineurin B-like 2 (CBL2) and CBL6 at the plasma membrane, and cbl2 mutants are more susceptible to blast compared with wild-type plants, suggesting that calcium signaling might partially through the CBL2-CIPK31 signaling regulate rice defense. Yeast two-hybrid results showed that AKT1-like (AKT1L), a potential potassium (K+) channel protein, interacted with CIPK31, and the K+ level was significantly lower in the cipk31 mutants than in the wild-type control. In addition, exogenous potassium application increased rice resistance to blast, suggesting that CIPK31 might interact with AKT1L to increase K+ uptake, thereby promoting resistance to blast. Taken together, the results presented here demonstrate that CBL2-CIPK31-AKT1L is a new signaling pathway that regulates rice defense to blast disease.

Differential diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia or influenza A pneumonia by clinical characteristics and laboratory findings.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia caused by the 2019 novel Coronavirus (COVID-2019) shares overlapping signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging features with influenza A pneumonia. We aimed to identify their clinical characteristics to help early diagnosis. METHODS: We retrospectively retrieved data for laboratory-confirmed patients admitted with COVID-19-induced or influenza A-induced pneumonia from electronic medical records in Ningbo First Hospital, China. We recorded patients' epidemiological and clinical features, as well as radiologic and laboratory findings. RESULTS: The median age of influenza A cohort was higher and it exhibited higher temperature and higher proportion of pleural effusion. COVID-19 cohort exhibited higher proportions of fatigue, diarrhea and ground-glass opacity and higher levels of lymphocyte percentage, absolute lymphocyte count, red-cell count, hemoglobin and albumin and presented lower levels of monocytes, c-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, serum creatinine. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that fatigue, ground-glass opacity, and higher level of albumin were independent risk factors for COVID-19 pneumonia, while older age, higher temperature, and higher level of monocyte count were independent risk factors for influenza A pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of COVID-19 pneumonia and influenza A pneumonia, fatigue, ground-glass opacity, and higher level of albumin tend to be helpful for diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, while older age, higher temperature, and higher level of monocyte count tend to be helpful for the diagnosis of influenza A pneumonia.

Gimesia benthica sp. nov., a planctomycete isolated from a deep-sea water sample of the Northwest Indian Ocean.

A Gram-stain-negative, stalked, oval-shaped and budding bacterial strain, designated E7T, was isolated from a deep-sea water sample collected from the Northwest Indian Ocean. The novel strain was strictly aerobic, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. It grew at 6-40 °C (optimum 30 °C) and pH 5.5-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5). The strain required 0.5-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3.0-5.0 %) for growth. Aesculin, starch, pectin and Tween 20 were hydrolysed. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain E7T showed the highest similarity with Gimesia maris DSM 8797T (97.5 %). The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain E7T and G. maris DSM 8797T were 78.0 and 19.3 %, respectively. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain E7T were C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PMME), phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine (PDME), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain E7T was 52.8 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic inference and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain E7T represents a novel species of the genus Gimesia, for which the name Gimesia benthica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E7T (=CGMCC 1.16119T=KCTC 72737T).

Halovulum marinum sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea water of the Indian Ocean, and emended description of the genus Halovulum.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by peritrichous flagella, oval to rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 2CG4T, was isolated from a deep-sea water sample collected from the Northwest Indian Ocean. The results of phylogenetic analysis of both 16S rRNA gene and RpoC protein sequences indicated that this strain was affiliated with the genus Halovulum in the Amaricoccus clade of the family Rhodobacteraceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria, sharing 95.3 % similarity at the 16S rRNA gene sequence level with the type strain of Halovulum dunhuangense YYQ-30T, the only species in the genus Halovulum. The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) of 2CG4T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/ or C18 : 1ω6c; 61.1 %) and cyclo-C19 : 0ω8c (15.6 %). The polar lipids of 2CG4T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol. The only isoprenoid quinone of 2CG4T was ubiquinone-10. The DNA G+C content of 2CG4T was determined to be 69.4 %. The central gene pufLM for the photosynthetic reaction was not detected. No growth occurred for 2CG4T in the absence of NaCl. On the basis of these data, it is concluded that the 2CG4T represents a novel species of the genus Halovulum, for which the name Halovulum marinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2CG4T (=CGMCC 1.16468T=JCM 32611T).

Histamine H1 receptor gene polymorphism acts as a biological indicator of the prediction of therapeutic efficacy in patients with allergic rhinitis in the Chinese Han population.

H1-antihistamine has been shown to be effective in treating patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), but its mechanism is still uncertain. We investigated effects of histamine H1 receptor (HRH1) gene polymorphisms on the efficacy of oral H1-antihistamine in perennial patients with AR caused by mites in the Chinese Han population for the first time. A total of 224 Han Chinese patients with AR and 165 Han Chinese healthy volunteers were selected. Genotype and allele frequency distribution of -17C/T in HRH1 gene in patients with AR, serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and specific IgE were detected. The clinical symptoms of patients with AR were evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS). Direct counting method was applied to calculate genotype and allele frequencies. Higher levels of serum ECP and total IgE were shown in the AR group. Moreover, patients with CT, TT, or CT+TT genotype increased the risk of AR incidence in the in the -17C/T site of HRH1, and CC genotype and CT+TT genotype were associated with gender, asthma, VAS score, total IgE level, and specific IgE level in patients with AR. In addition, oral administration of H1-antihistamines improves clinical symptoms of patients with AR. At last, patients with the CC genotype showed the increased efficacy of H1-antihistamines in patients with AR. Our study provides evidence that HRH1 gene polymorphisms may correlate with oral H1-antihistamine efficacy for the treatment of patients with AR, which can be used as a biological indicator of the prediction of therapeutic efficacy of patients with AR.

Microwave plasma assisted reduction synthesis of hexagonal cobalt nanosheets with enhanced electromagnetic performances.

In this study, we employed a microwave plasma assisted reduction (MPAR) method to prepare metallic nanoparticles with desirable morphology. Compared with the hydrogen thermal reduction technique, the MPAR technique could greatly maintain the original morphology of self-sacrificing precursors, as well as proving to be highly efficient, energy-saving and pollution-free. Taking ferromagnetic metallic Co as a forerunner, Co nanosheets with inerratic hexagonal morphology were successfully synthesized on a large scale uniformly. The lateral dimension of the achieved Co nanosheets is in the range of 3∼5 µm with tens of nanometers in thickness. The intact hexagonal flaky shape of Co nanosheets is beneficial for improving dielectric loss by increasing electric channels and interfacial polarization. Consequently, the minimum reflection loss could reach up to -71 dB at a thin thickness of 1.2 mm. Furthermore, the effective bandwidth (RL < -10 dB) could be achieved in a wide range of 2.8∼18 GHz by integrating the thickness from 5.0∼1.0 mm, which provides the possibility for applications in electromagnetic shielding and radar stealth fields. It is believed that the MPAR technique is suitable for designing and preparing novel microwave absorbers on the basis of appropriate precursors, providing new opportunities to acquire high-performance microwave absorbers in the future.

Ethylene responses in rice roots and coleoptiles are differentially regulated by a carotenoid isomerase-mediated abscisic acid pathway.

Ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA) act synergistically or antagonistically to regulate plant growth and development. ABA is derived from the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. Here, we analyzed the interplay among ethylene, carotenoid biogenesis, and ABA in rice (Oryza sativa) using the rice ethylene response mutant mhz5, which displays a reduced ethylene response in roots but an enhanced ethylene response in coleoptiles. We found that MHZ5 encodes a carotenoid isomerase and that the mutation in mhz5 blocks carotenoid biosynthesis, reduces ABA accumulation, and promotes ethylene production in etiolated seedlings. ABA can largely rescue the ethylene response of the mhz5 mutant. Ethylene induces MHZ5 expression, the production of neoxanthin, an ABA biosynthesis precursor, and ABA accumulation in roots. MHZ5 overexpression results in enhanced ethylene sensitivity in roots and reduced ethylene sensitivity in coleoptiles. Mutation or overexpression of MHZ5 also alters the expression of ethylene-responsive genes. Genetic studies revealed that the MHZ5-mediated ABA pathway acts downstream of ethylene signaling to inhibit root growth. The MHZ5-mediated ABA pathway likely acts upstream but negatively regulates ethylene signaling to control coleoptile growth. Our study reveals novel interactions among ethylene, carotenogenesis, and ABA and provides insight into improvements in agronomic traits and adaptive growth through the manipulation of these pathways in rice.

Hyphobacterium indicum sp. nov., isolated from deep seawater, and emended description of the genus Hyphobacterium.

A novel aerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain 2ED5T, was isolated from a deep seawater sample in the north-west Indian Ocean. Cells of the strain were oval- to rod-shaped, and motile by a polar flagellum or sessile by a prostheca. The strain formed creamy white colonies on 2216E marine agar plates. It grew at 10-40 °C (optimum 28 °C) and pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 6.0-7.0). The strain required 1-6 % (w/v) NaCl for growth and grew optimally in the presence of 2-3 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain 2ED5T was affiliated with the genus Hyphobacterium in the family Hyphomonadaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria, sharing 95.1 % similarity at the 16S rRNA gene sequence level with the type strain of Hyphobacterium vulgare, the only species in the genus Hyphobacterium. The major fatty acids of the strain were C18 : 1ω7c and iso-C17 : 1ω9c, and the polar lipids included monoglycosyl diglyceride, sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, glucuronopyranosyl diglyceride, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified glycolipid. The strain contained ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of the strain was 60.9 mol%. Based on the results of this polyphasic analysis, strain 2ED5T represents a novel species in the genus Hyphobacterium, for which the name Hyphobacterium indicum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2ED5T (=CGMCC 1.16466T=JCM 32612T).