Atrachinenins D-S, novel meroterpenoids with geranyl hydroquinone moiety from Atractylodes chinensis by the LC/MS-based molecular decoy and targeted isolation.

To mine fascinating molecules from the rhizomes of Atractylodes chinensis, the known molecular formula of atrachinenin A was used as a bait to search LC-HRMS data in different subfractions. Sixteen new meroterpenoids, atrachinenins D-S (1-16) including three unprecedented carbon skeletons (1-5) and eleven new oxygen-bridged hybrids (6-16) were obtained by the targeted isolation. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by the spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity of NO production and compounds 1, 4, 8, and 13 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity. The proposed biosynthetic pathways of 1-5 were also discussed.

P2X7 receptor-mediated depression-like reactions arising in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex.

Major depressive disorder is a frequent and debilitating psychiatric disease. We have shown in some of the acute animal models of major depressive disorder (tail suspension test and forced swim test) that depression-like behavior can be aggravated in mice by the microinjection into the medial prefrontal cortex of the P2X7R agonistic adenosine 5'-triphosphate or its structural analog dibenzoyl-ATP, and these effects can be reversed by the P2X7R antagonistic JNJ-47965567. When measuring tail suspension test, the prolongation of immobility time by the P2YR agonist adenosine 5'-[ß-thio]diphosphate and the reduction of the adenosine 5'-(γ-thio)triphosphate effect by P2Y1R (MRS 2179) or P2Y12R (PSB 0739) antagonists, but not by JNJ-47965567, all suggest the involvement of P2YRs. In order to elucidate the localization of the modulatory P2X7Rs in the brain, we recorded current responses to dibenzoyl-ATP in layer V astrocytes and pyramidal neurons of medial prefrontal cortex brain slices by the whole-cell patch-clamp procedure; the current amplitudes were not altered in preparations taken from tail suspension test or foot shock-treated mice. The release of adenosine 5'-triphosphate was decreased by foot shock, although not by tail suspension test both in the hippocampus and PFC. In conclusion, we suggest, that in the medial prefrontal cortex, acute stressful stimuli cause supersensitivity of P2X7Rs facilitating the learned helplessness reaction.

Ectopic over-expression of HaFT-1, a 14-3-3 protein from Haloxylon ammodendron, enhances acquired thermotolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Haloxylon ammodendron, an important shrub utilized for afforestation in desert areas, can withstand harsh ecological conditions such as drought, high salt and extreme heat. A better understanding of the stress adaptation mechanisms of H. ammodendron is vital for ecological improvement in desert areas. In this study, the role of the H. ammodendron 14-3-3 protein HaFT-1 in thermotolerance was investigated. qRT-PCR analysis showed that heat stress (HS) priming (the first HS) enhanced the expression of HaFT-1 during the second HS and subsequent recovery phase. The subcellular localization of YFP-HaFT-1 fusion protein was mainly detected in cytoplasm. HaFT-1 overexpression increased the germination rate of transgenic Arabidopsis seeds, and the survival rate of HaFT-1 overexpression seedlings was higher than that of wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis after priming-and-triggering and non-primed control treatments. Cell death staining showed that HaFT-1 overexpression lines exhibited significantly reduced cell death during HS compared to WT. Transcriptome analysis showed that genes associated with energy generation, protein metabolism, proline metabolism, autophagy, chlorophyll metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging were important to the thermotolerance of HS-primed HaFT-1 transgenic plants. Growth physiology analysis indicated that priming-and-triggering treatment of Arabidopsis seedlings overexpressing HaFT-1 increased proline content and strengthened ROS scavenging activity. These results demonstrated that overexpression of HaFT-1 increased not only HS priming but also tolerance to the second HS of transgenic Arabidopsis, suggesting that HaFT-1 is a positive regulator in acquired thermotolerance.

Extended characterization of IL-33/ST2 as a predictor for wound age determination in skin wound tissue samples of humans and mice.

Interleukin (IL)-33, an important inflammatory cytokine, is highly expressed in skin wound tissue and serum of humans and mice, and plays an essential role in the process of skin wound healing (SWH) dependent on the IL-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) pathway. However, whether IL-33 and ST2 themselves, as well as their interaction, can be applied for skin wound age determination in forensic practice remains incompletely characterized. Human skin samples with injured intervals of a few minutes to 24 hours (hs) and mouse skin samples with injured intervals of 1 h to 14 days (ds) were collected. Herein, the results demonstrated that IL-33 and ST2 are increased in the human skin wounds, and that in mice skin wounds, there is an increase over time, with IL-33 expression peaking at 24 hs and 10 ds, and ST2 expression peaking at 12 hs and 7 ds. Notably, the relative quantity of IL-33 and ST2 proteins < 0.35 suggested a wound age of 3 hs; their relative quantity > 1.0 suggested a wound age of 24 hs post-mouse skin wounds. In addition, immunofluorescent staining results showed that IL-33 and ST2 were consistently expressed in the cytoplasm of F4/80-positive macrophages and CD31-positive vascular endothelial cells with or without skin wounds, whereas nuclear localization of IL-33 was absent in α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts with skin wounds. Interestingly, IL-33 administration facilitated the wound area closure by increasing the proliferation of cytokeratin (K) 14 -positive keratinocytes and vimentin-positive fibroblasts. In contrast, treating with its antagonist (i.e., anti-IL-33) or receptor antagonist (e.g., anti-ST2) exacerbated the aforementioned pathological changes. Moreover, treatment with IL-33 combined with anti-IL-33 or anti-ST2 reversed the effect of IL-33 on facilitating skin wound closure, suggesting that IL-33 administration facilitated skin wound closure through the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway. Collectively, these findings indicate that the detection of IL-33/ST2 might be a reliable biomarker for the determination of skin wound age in forensic practice.

Di- and Triterpenoids from the Rhizomes of Isodon amethystoides and Their Anti-inflammatory Activities.

Amethystoidesic acid (1), a triterpenoid with an unprecedented 5/6/6/6 tetracyclic skeleton, and six undescribed diterpenoids, amethystoidins A-F (2-7), were isolated from the rhizomes of Isodon amethystoides along with 31 known di- and triterpenoids (8-38). Their structures were fully elucidated via extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compound 1 is the first example of a triterpenoid possessing a rare ring system (5/6/6/6) derived from a contracted A-ring and the 18,19-seco-E-ring of ursolic acid. Compounds 6, 16, 21, 22, 24, and 27 significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, which could be partly mediated by the downregulation of LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression.

A novel oxoisoaporphine-type alkaloid from the rhizome of Menispermum dauricum.

A phytochemical investigation of Menispermum dauricum led to the isolation of five oxoisoaporphine-type alkaloids (1-5) and five aporphine-type alkaloids (6-10), including a novel oxoisoaporphine-type alkaloid: menispeimin A (1). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic studies including MS, 1 D and 2 D NMR, and confirmed by comparing with literature data. Among them, alkaloids 4-10 were obtained for the first time from Menispermum genus. Natural products 2, 4 and 6 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against A549, Bel-7402 and MCF-7 cell lines.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals a Potential Regulatory Network for Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.).

Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) lines are widely used breeding materials in cruciferous crops and play important roles in heterosis utilization; however, the sterility mechanism remains unclear. To investigate the microspore development process and gene expression changes after the introduction of orf138 and Rfo, cytological observation and transcriptome analysis were performed using a maintainer line, an Ogura CMS line, and a restorer line. Semithin sections of microspores at different developmental stages showed that the degradation of tapetal cells began at the tetrad stage in the Ogura CMS line, while it occurred at the bicellular microspore stage to the tricellular microspore stage in the maintainer and restorer lines. Therefore, early degradation of tapetal cells may be the cause of pollen abortion. Transcriptome analysis results showed that a total of 1287 DEGs had consistent expression trends in the maintainer line and restorer line, but were significantly up- or down-regulated in the Ogura CMS line, indicating that they may be closely related to pollen abortion. Functional annotation showed that the 1287 core DEGs included a large number of genes related to pollen development, oxidative phosphorylation, carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. In addition, further verification elucidated that down-regulated expression of genes related to energy metabolism led to decreased ATP content and excessive ROS accumulation in the anthers of Ogura CMS. Based on these results, we propose a transcriptome-mediated induction and regulatory network for cabbage Ogura CMS. Our research provides new insights into the mechanism of pollen abortion and fertility restoration in Ogura CMS.

Abnormal lipid droplets accumulation induced cognitive deficits in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome mice via JNK/SREBP/ACC pathway but not through PDP1/PDC pathway.

The mechanisms of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced cognitive deficits remain unclear. Here, our study found that about 3 months CIH treatment induced lipid droplets (LDs) accumulation in hippocampal nerve and glia cells of C57BL/6 mice, and caused severe neuro damage including neuron lesions, neuroblast (NB) apoptosis and abnormal glial activation. Studies have shown that the neuronal metabolism disorders might contribute to the CIH induced-hippocampal impairment. Mechanistically, the results showed that pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E1ɑ subunit (PDHA1) and the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) activator pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase 1 (PDP1) did not noticeable change after intermittent hypoxia. Consistent with those results, the level of Acetyl-CoA in hippocampus did not significantly change after CIH exposure. Interestingly, we found that CIH produced large quantities of ROS, which activated the JNK/SREBP/ACC pathway in nerve and glia cells. ACC catalyzed the carboxylation of Acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA and then more lipid acids were synthesized, which finally caused aberrant LDs accumulation. Therefore, the JNK/SREBP/ACC pathway played a crucial role in the cognitive deficits caused by LDs accumulation after CIH exposure. Additionally, LDs were peroxidized by the high level of ROS under CIH conditions. Together, lipid metabolic disorders contributed to nerve and glia cells damage, which ultimately caused behavioral dysfunction. An active component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, SMND-309, dramatically alleviated these injuries and improved cognitive deficits of CIH mice.

Involvement of P2X7 receptors in chronic pain disorders.

Chronic pain is caused by cellular damage with an obligatory inflammatory component. In response to noxious stimuli, high levels of ATP leave according to their concentration gradient, the intracellular space through discontinuities generated in the plasma membrane or diffusion through pannexin-1 hemichannels, and activate P2X7Rs localized at peripheral and central immune cells. Because of the involvement of P2X7Rs in immune functions and especially the initiation of macrophage/microglial and astrocytic secretion of cytokines, chemokines, prostaglandins, proteases, reactive oxygen, and nitrogen species as well as the excitotoxic glutamate/ATP, this receptor type has a key role in chronic pain processes. Microglia are equipped with a battery of pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from bacterial infections or danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as ATP. The co-stimulation of these receptors leads to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) release. In the present review, we invite you to a journey through inflammatory and neuropathic pain, primary headache, and regulation of morphine analgesic tolerance, in the pathophysiology of which P2X7Rs are centrally involved. P2X7R bearing microglia and astrocyte-like cells playing eminent roles in chronic pain will be also discussed.

Phelliribsin B: A New Styrylpyrone Derivative from the Medicinal Fungus Phellinus ribis.

A novel styrylpyrone derivative, named phelliribsin B (1), as well as four biogenetically related known compounds, phellifuropyranone A (2), inoscavin C (3), inoscavin A (4), and inoscavin D (5) were separated and purified from the medicinal fungus Phellinus ribis. The structure of phelliribsin B was determined by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration was assigned by experimental and calculated ECD data. Additionally, the plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also proposed. Compound 1 showed moderately cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and SKOV-3 tumor cell lines with IC50 values of 32.71 and 57.89 µM, respectively. Based on the results of cytotoxicity against HepG2 tumor cells, the structure-activity relationship of compounds 1-4 with similar skeletons was discussed. The styrylpyrone derivatives with similar skeletons have moderately cytotoxic activity and have the potential to play an important role in the anti-tumor treatment.

Mechanism and Utilization of Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Cruciferae Crops.

Hybrid production using lines with cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has become an important way to utilize heterosis in vegetables. Ogura CMS, with the advantages of complete pollen abortion, ease of transfer and a progeny sterility rate reaching 100%, is widely used in cruciferous crop breeding. The mapping, cloning, mechanism and application of Ogura CMS and fertility restorer genes in Brassica napus, Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea and other cruciferous crops are reviewed herein, and the existing problems and future research directions in the application of Ogura CMS are discussed.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Key Genes and Pathways Associated with the Petal Color Formation in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata).

Petal color is an important agronomic trait in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata). Although the key gene BoCCD4 has been functionally characterized, the underlying molecular regulatory mechanism of petal color formation in cabbage is still unclear. In this study, we applied the transcriptome analysis of yellow petals from the cabbage inbred line YL-1 and white petals from the Chinese kale inbred line A192-1 and the BoCCD4-overexpressing transgenic line YF-2 (YL-1 background), which revealed 1928 DEGs common to both the A192-1 vs. YL-1 and the YL-1 vs. YF-2 comparison groups. One key enzyme-encoding gene, BoAAO3, and two key TF-encoding genes, Bo2g151880 (WRKY) and Bo3g024180 (SBP), related to carotenoid biosynthesis were significantly up-regulated in both the A192-1 and YF-2 petals, which was consistent with the expression pattern of BoCCD4. We speculate that these key genes may interact with BoCCD4 to jointly regulate carotenoid biosynthesis in cabbage petals. This study provides new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanism underlying petal color formation in cabbage.

High, in Contrast to Low Levels of Acute Stress Induce Depressive-like Behavior by Involving Astrocytic, in Addition to Microglial P2X7 Receptors in the Rodent Hippocampus.

Extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in the brain is suggested to be an etiological factor of major depressive disorder (MDD). It has been assumed that stress-released ATP stimulates P2X7 receptors (Rs) at the microglia, thereby causing neuroinflammation; however, other central nervous system (CNS) cell types such as astrocytes also possess P2X7Rs. In order to elucidate the possible involvement of the MDD-relevant hippocampal astrocytes in the development of a depressive-like state, we used various behavioral tests (tail suspension test [TST], forced swim test [FST], restraint stress, inescapable foot shock, unpredictable chronic mild stress [UCMS]), as well as fluorescence immunohistochemistry, and patch-clamp electrophysiology in wild-type (WT) and genetically manipulated rodents. The TST and FST resulted in learned helplessness manifested as a prolongation of the immobility time, while inescapable foot shock caused lower sucrose consumption as a sign of anhedonia. We confirmed the participation of P2X7Rs in the development of the depressive-like behaviors in all forms of acute (TST, FST, foot shock) and chronic stress (UCMS) in the rodent models used. Further, pharmacological agonists and antagonists acted in a different manner in rats and mice due to their diverse potencies at the respective receptor orthologs. In hippocampal slices of mice and rats, only foot shock increased the current responses to locally applied dibenzoyl-ATP (Bz-ATP) in CA1 astrocytes; in contrast, TST and restraint depressed these responses. Following stressful stimuli, immunohistochemistry demonstrated an increased co-localization of P2X7Rs with a microglial marker, but no change in co-localization with an astroglial marker. Pharmacological damage to the microglia and astroglia has proven the significance of the microglia for mediating all types of depression-like behavioral reactions, while the astroglia participated only in reactions induced by strong stressors, such as foot shock. Because, in addition to acute stressors, their chronic counterparts induce a depressive-like state in rodents via P2X7R activation, we suggest that our data may have relevance for the etiology of MDD in humans.

Cascading effects of benthic fish impede reinstatement of clear water conditions in lakes: A mesocosm study.

In shallow eutrophic lakes, submersed macrophytes are essential for maintaining a clear water state, and they are affected markedly by fishes directly through herbivory and indirectly by fish-invertebrate-periphyton complexity, a pathway that presently is not well understood in subtropical lakes but probably vital to lake managements. We conducted a mesocosm study involving benthic fish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), snails (Radix swinhoei) and submersed macrophyte (Vallisneria natans), aiming to examine whether benthic fish is detrimental to reestablishment of clear-water macrophyte-dominated state in eutrophic degraded lakes. In addition, we aimed to investigate the cascading effect that benthic fish might have on periphyton and phytoplankton and to what extent snails can alleviate this effect. Our results showed that benthic fish promoted nutrient release from the sediment and thereby facilitated the growth of phytoplankton and periphyton, leading to reduced growth of submerged macrophytes due to shading. Snails consumed the periphyton attached on the leaves of macrophytes, thereby being beneficial to the plant growth, albeit it could not fully counteract the adverse effects from benthic fish. The water quality indicators in terms of nutrients concentrations, phytoplankton biomass and light extinction coefficient along the water column was affected primarily by benthic fish, followed by macrophytes and snails. To target a clear-water condition, the water quality was best at the presence of macrophytes alone or in combination with snails, and worst at the presence of benthic fish. Our results implied that the removal of benthic fish should be a useful ecological restoration method for rehabilitation of submersed macrophytes and water quality improvement in subtropic, eutrophic, shallow lakes following external nutrient loading reduction.

Map-based cloning and promoter variation analysis of the lobed leaf gene BoLMI1a in ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala).

BACKGROUND: Leaf shape is an important agronomic trait in ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala). Although some leaf shape-related genes have been reported in ornamental kale, the detailed mechanism underlying leaf shape formation is still unclear. Here, we report a lobed-leaf trait in ornamental kale, aiming to analyze its inheritance and identify the strong candidate gene. RESULTS: Genetic analysis of F2 and BC1 populations demonstrate that the lobed-leaf trait in ornamental kale is controlled by a single dominant gene, termed BoLl-1 (Brassica oleracea lobed-leaf). By performing whole-genome resequencing and linkage analyses, the BoLl-1 gene was finely mapped to a 127-kb interval on chromosome C09 flanked by SNP markers SL4 and SL6, with genetic distances of 0.6 cM and 0.6 cM, respectively. Based on annotations of the genes within this interval, Bo9g181710, an orthologous gene of LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY 1 (LMI1) in Arabidopsis, was predicted as the candidate for BoLl-1, and was renamed BoLMI1a. The expression level of BoLMI1a in lobed-leaf parent 18Q2513 was significantly higher compared with unlobed-leaf parent 18Q2515. Sequence analysis of the parental alleles revealed no sequence variations in the coding sequence of BoLMI1a, whereas a 1737-bp deletion, a 92-bp insertion and an SNP were identified within the BoLMI1a promoter region of parent 18Q2513. Verification analyses with BoLMI1a-specific markers corresponding to the promoter variations revealed that the variations were present only in the lobed-leaf ornamental kale inbred lines. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a lobed-leaf gene BoLMI1a, which was fine-mapped to a 127-kb fragment. Three variations were identified in the promoter region of BoLMI1a. The transcription level of BoLMI1a between the two parents exhibited great difference, providing new insight into the molecular mechanism underlying leaf shape formation in ornamental kale.

Inherent P2X7 Receptors Regulate Macrophage Functions during Inflammatory Diseases.

Macrophages are mononuclear phagocytes which derive either from blood-borne monocytes or reside as resident macrophages in peripheral (Kupffer cells of the liver, marginal zone macrophages of the spleen, alveolar macrophages of the lung) and central tissue (microglia). They occur as M1 (pro-inflammatory; classic) or M2 (anti-inflammatory; alternatively activated) phenotypes. Macrophages possess P2X7 receptors (Rs) which respond to high concentrations of extracellular ATP under pathological conditions by allowing the non-selective fluxes of cations (Na+, Ca2+, K+). Activation of P2X7Rs by still higher concentrations of ATP, especially after repetitive agonist application, leads to the opening of membrane pores permeable to ~900 Da molecules. For this effect an interaction of the P2X7R with a range of other membrane channels (e.g., P2X4R, transient receptor potential A1 [TRPA1], pannexin-1 hemichannel, ANO6 chloride channel) is required. Macrophage-localized P2X7Rs have to be co-activated with the lipopolysaccharide-sensitive toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in order to induce the formation of the inflammasome 3 (NLRP3), which then activates the pro-interleukin-1ß (pro-IL-1ß)-degrading caspase-1 to lead to IL-1ß release. Moreover, inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, sepsis, etc.) are generated downstream of the P2X7R-induced upregulation of intracellular second messengers (e.g., phospholipase A2, p38 mitogen-activated kinase, and rho G proteins). In conclusion, P2X7Rs at macrophages appear to be important targets to preserve immune homeostasis with possible therapeutic consequences.

Organelle Comparative Genome Analysis Reveals Novel Alloplasmic Male Sterility with orf112 in Brassica oleracea L.

B. oleracea Ogura CMS is an alloplasmic male-sterile line introduced from radish by interspecific hybridization and protoplast fusion. The introduction of alien cytoplasm resulted in many undesirable traits, which affected the yield of hybrids. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the composition and reduce the content of alien cytoplasm in B. oleracea Ogura CMS. In the present study, we sequenced, assembled, and compared the organelle genomes of Ogura CMS cabbage and its maintainer line. The chloroplast genome of Ogura-type cabbage was completely derived from normal-type cabbage, whereas the mitochondrial genome was recombined from normal-type cabbage and Ogura-type radish. Nine unique regions derived from radish were identified in the mitochondrial genome of Ogura-type cabbage, and the total length of these nine regions was 35,618 bp, accounting for 13.84% of the mitochondrial genome. Using 32 alloplasmic markers designed according to the sequences of these nine regions, one novel sterile source with less alien cytoplasm was discovered among 305 materials and named Bel CMS. The size of the alien cytoplasm in Bel CMS was 21,587 bp, accounting for 8.93% of its mtDNA, which was much less than that in Ogura CMS. Most importantly, the sterility gene orf138 was replaced by orf112, which had a 78-bp deletion, in Bel CMS. Interestingly, Bel CMS cabbage also maintained 100% sterility, although orf112 had 26 fewer amino acids than orf138. Field phenotypic observation showed that Bel CMS was an excellent sterile source with stable 100% sterility and no withered buds at the early flowering stage, which could replace Ogura CMS in cabbage heterosis utilization.

[A Review of the State of Purinergic Signaling and Psychological Stress].

Purinergic signaling is involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes. Psychological stress, as an inharmonious state in response to stressors, is closely related to the function or dysfunction of purinergic signaling. Abnormal expression of ATP interceptors caused by stress leads to psychological stress-related diseases, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. Recent studies demonstrate that a complex network of purinergic signaling (such as ATP, adenosine and P2X2R, P2X3R, P2X4R, P2X7R, A1R, A2AR) plays a key role in psychological stress, but the specific mechanism remains to be further studied. And few studies focus on the application of ATP real-time detecting to psychological stress animal models, so the specific biological role of ATP in the process of stress is still unknown. This review will summarize the relationship between purinergic signaling and psychological stress and propose to apply the duplicate ATP real-time detection technology and purinergic compounds on psychological stress research in order to provide novel potential targets for the treatment of stress-related diseases.

[Mental health status of primary school students during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic and its influencing factors].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mental health status of primary school students and the factors influencing the mental health status during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. METHODS: Online questionnaire surveys were conducted among 3 600 primary school students aged 6-12 years in Jilin Province, China in April, 2020 (during the epidemic) and 3 089 primary school students in September, 2020 (during the regular epidemic prevention and control). The general information and the data related to the Mental Health Scale for Child and Adolescent were collected by the questionnaire surveys. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors influencing the mental health status of the students during the epidemic. RESULTS: The students during the epidemic had a significantly poorer mental health status in the emotional experience and volitional behavior than those during the regular epidemic prevention and control (P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the risk of psychological problems of the students decreased with age (OR=0.895). The girls were at a higher risk of psychological problems than boys (OR=1.453). The students with father's and mother's charater between irritability and gentle were at a lower risk of psychological problems (OR=0.496 and 0.470 respectively). The students from a family with a parental education style of a combination of encouraging and scolding were at a lower risk of psychological problems (OR=0.263). The students from a single-parent family or an extended family were at a higher risk of psychological problems (OR=2.995 and 3.446 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 epidemic has a certain impact on emotional experience and volitional behavior of primary school students. During the epidemic, particular attention should be paid to the mental health of primary school students, especially girls, younger students, and students from single-parent families, extended families or families with impatient parents and improper parental education.

Creation of fertility-restored materials for Ogura CMS in Brassica oleracea by introducing Rfo gene from Brassica napus via an allotriploid strategy.

KEY MESSAGE: Ogura CMS fertility-restored materials, with 18 chromosomes, normal seed setting, stable fertility and closer genetic background to the parent Chinese kale, were successfully developed in B. oleracea via a triploid strategy for the first time. Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is the most widely used sterile type in seed production for commercial hybrids of Brassica oleracea vegetables. However, the natural Ogura CMS restorer line has not been found in B. oleracea crops. In this study, the triploid strategy was used with the aim to create euploid B. oleracea progenies with the Rfo gene. The allotriploid AAC hybrid YL2 was used as a male parent to backcross with Ogura CMS Chinese kale. After successive backcrosses, the BC2 Rfo-positive individual 16CMSF2-11 and its BC3 progenies, with 18 chromosomes, were developed, which were morphologically identical to the parent Chinese kale. Compared with F1 and BC1 plants, it showed stable fertility performance, and regular meiosis behavior and could produce seeds normally under natural pollination. The genomic composition analysis of Rfo-positive progenies by using molecular markers showed that more than 87% of the C-genome components of BC3 Rfo-progenies recovered to the parent Chinese kale, while most or all of the An-genome segments were lost in 16CMSF2-11 and its progenies. The results suggested that the genetic background of Rfo-positive individuals was closer to that of the parent Chinese kale along with backcrossing. Hereof, the Ogura CMS fertility-restored materials of Chinese kale were successfully created via triploid strategy for the first time, providing a bridge for utilizing the Ogura CMS B. oleracea germplasm in the future. Moreover, our study indicates that the triploid strategy is effective for transferring genes from B. napus into B. oleracea.