Identification of candidate genes for Fusarium head blight resistance from QTLs using RIL population in wheat.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) stands out as one of the most devastating wheat diseases and leads to significantly grain yield losses and quality reductions in epidemic years. Exploring quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB resistance is a critical step for developing new FHB-resistant varieties. We previously constructed a genetic map of unigenes (UG-Map) according to the physical positions using a set of recombinant-inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross of 'TN18 × LM6' (TL-RILs). Here, the number of diseased spikelets (NDS) and relative disease index (RDI) for FHB resistance were investigated under four environments using TL-RILs, which were distributed across 13 chromosomes. A number of 36 candidate genes for NDS and RDI from of 19 stable QTLs were identified. The average number of candidate genes per QTL was 1.89, with 14 (73.7%), two (10.5%), and three (15.8%) QTLs including one, two, and 3-10 candidate genes, respectively. Among the 24 candidate genes annotated in the reference genome RefSeq v1.1, the homologous genes of seven candidate genes, including TraesCS4B02G227300 for QNds/Rdi-4BL-4553, TraesCS5B02G303200, TraesCS5B02G303300, TraesCS5B02G303700, TraesCS5B02G303800 and TraesCS5B02G304000 for QNds/Rdi-5BL-9509, and TraesCS7A02G568400 for QNds/Rdi-7AL-14499, were previously reported to be related to FHB resistance in wheat, barely or Brachypodium distachyon. These genes should be closely associated with FHB resistance in wheat. In addition, the homologous genes of five genes, including TraesCS1A02G037600LC for QNds-1AS-2225, TraesCS1D02G017800 and TraesCS1D02G017900 for QNds-1DS-527, TraesCS1D02G018000 for QRdi-1DS-575, and TraesCS4B02G227400 for QNds/Rdi-4BL-4553, were involved in plant defense responses against pathogens. These genes should be likely associated with FHB resistance in wheat.

A Case of Pernicious Anemia with Concurrent Beta-Thalassemia Minor.

Vitamin B12 is essential for various bodily functions, and its deficiency may cause hematological manifestations. We report a case of a previously healthy 65-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital with reduced sense of taste and painful tongue. The serum level of vitamin B12 was decreased. However, her complete blood count did not show any evidence of macrocytosis, instead, her mean corpuscular volume was low. Gene sequencing indicated an ß-thalassemia minor and that probably masked the megaloblastic features of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Effect of TiC on Microstructure and Properties of Wear-Resistant Mo2FeB2 Claddings.

Alloy blocks with different TiC content were designed, and Mo2FeB2 cermets were prepared by carbon arc surfacing process. The interaction law of TiC content and the microstructure, phase, composition, hardness and wear resistance of the cladding were studied in detail by the combination of experiment and theoretical analysis. On the other hand, the phase transition process of the weldpool is theoretically analyzed by thermodynamic calculation method. XRD test results show that in addition to Mo2FeB2 synthesized in situ, the cladding also forms phases such as TiC, CrB, MoB and Fe-Cr. The number of Mo2FeB2 hard phases gradually increases when TiC content varies from 0% to 15%. The average microhardness of the cladding with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% TiC was 992 HV0.5, 1035 HV0.5, 1018 HV0.5 and 689 HV0.5, respectively, with 5% TiC being the largest. Moreover, the cladding with 5% TiC content has excellent wear resistance, which is 14.6 times that of the substrate.

Effect of Rare Earth on Microstructure and Wear Resistance of In-Situ-Synthesized Mo2FeB2 Ceramics-Reinforced Fe-Based Cladding.

Mo2FeB2 ceramics-reinforced Fe-based cladding with various rare earth (RE) concentrations were prepared by the carbon arc surfacing process. The effects of RE content on the microstructure, phase composition, hardness and wear resistance of the cladding were systematically discussed. Meanwhile, the area fraction and grain size of Mo2FeB2 phase were exactly measured. Moreover, the refining mechanism of rare earth Y was analyzed. Results revealed that the claddings consisted of Mo2FeB2, FeCr, MoB and CrB. Adding the rare-earth Y decreased the grain sizes of Mo2FeB2 phase. Furthermore, grain-refining effects of Mo2FeB2 phase were significant when the RE content was 2% and hard phases evenly distributed in the cladding. In addition, the maximum microhardness value of claddings was about 1078 HV. The claddings with 2% RE contents had better wear resistance, which was equivalent to a sintered sample.

Comparison of Structure and Properties of Mo2FeB2-Based Cermets Prepared by Welding Metallurgy and Vacuum Sintering.

At present, most Mo2FeB2-based cermets are prepared by vacuum sintering. However, vacuum sintering is only suitable for ordinary cylinder and cuboid workpieces, and it is difficult to apply to large curved surface and large size workpieces. Therefore, in order to improve the flexibility of preparing Mo2FeB2 cermet, a flux cored wire with 70% filling rate, 304 stainless steel, 60 wt.% Mo powder and 40 wt.% FeB powder was prepared. Mo2FeB2 cermet was prepared by an arc cladding welding metallurgy method with flux cored wire. In this paper, the microstructure, phase evolution, hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of Mo2FeB2 cermets prepared by the vacuum sintering (VM-Mo2FeB2) and arc cladding welding metallurgy method (WM-Mo2FeB2) were systematically studied. The results show that VM-Mo2FeB2 is composed of Mo2FeB2 and γ-CrFeNi.WM-Mo2FeB2 is composed of Mo2FeB2, NiCrFe, MoCrFe and Cr2B3. The volume fraction of hard phase in WM-Mo2FeB2 is lower than that of VM-Mo2FeB2, and its hardness and corrosion resistance are also slightly lower than that of VM-Mo2FeB2, but there are obvious pores in the microstructure of VM-Mo2FeB2, which affects its properties. The results show that WM-Mo2FeB2 has good diffusion and metallurgical bonding with the matrix and has no obvious pores. The microstructure is compact and the wear resistance is better than that of VM-Mo2FeB2.