Comprehensive analysis of stress-activated protein kinase genes (OsSAPKs) in rice flowering time.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The rice SnRK2 members SAPK4, SAPK5, SAPK7 and SAPK10 are positive regulators involved in the regulation of rice flowering, while other single mutants exhibited no effect on rice flowering. The rice SnRK2 family, comprising 10 members known as SAPK (SnRK2-Associated Protein Kinase), is pivotal in the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway and crucial for various biological processes, such as drought resistance and salt tolerance. Additionally, these members have been implicated in the regulation of rice heading date, a key trait influencing planting area and yield. In this study, we utilized gene editing technology to create mutants in the Songjing 2 (SJ2) background, enabling a comprehensive analyze the role of each SAPK member in rice flowering. We found that SAPK1, SAPK2, and SAPK3 may not directly participate in the regulatory network of rice heading date, while SAPK4, SAPK5, and SAPK7 play positive roles in rice flowering regulation. Notably, polygene deletion resulted in an additive effect on delaying flowering. Our findings corroborate the previous studies indicating the positive regulatory role of SAPK10 in rice flowering, as evidenced by delayed flowering observed in sapk9/10 double mutants. Moving forward, our future research will focus on analyzing the molecular mechanisms underlying SAPKs involvement in rice flowering regulation, aiming to enhance our understanding of the rice heading date relationship network and lay a theoretical foundation for breeding efforts to alter rice ripening dates.

A novel functional allele of Ehd3 controls flowering time in rice.

Rice flowering time determines its geographical distribution and yield traits. As a short-day plant, rice can grow in the northern long-day conditions due to the functional mutations of many photosensitive genes. In this study, to identify novel genes or alleles that regulate flowering time in high latitude region, two cultivar, Dongnong 413 (DN413) and Yukimochi (XN) showing extreme early flowering were used for investigation. DN413 is around 4.0 days earlier than XN, and both cultivars can be grown in II (2500 â„ƒ-2700 â„ƒ) to III (2300 â„ƒ-2500 â„ƒ) accumulated temperature zones. We found that the two cultivars shared the same genotype of heading date genes, including Hd1/2/4/5/6/16/17/18, Ehd2, DTH2, SE5, Hd3a. Importantly, a novel Ehd3 allele characterized by a A1146C substitution was identified, which results in the E382D substitution, hereafter the 382 position E is defined as Hap_E and the 382 position D is defined as Hap_D. Association analysis showed that Hap_E is earlier flowering than Hap_D. Subsequently, we construct DN413 Hap_D line by three times back-crossing DN413 with XN, and found the heading date of DN413 Hap_D was 1.7-3.5 days later than DN413. Moreover, Hap_E and Hap_D of Ehd3 were transformed into ehd3 mutant, respectively, and the Ehd3pro:Ehd3D/ehd3 flowered later than that Ehd3pro:Ehd3E/ehd3 by around 4.3 days. Furthermore, we showed Ehd3 functions as a transcriptional suppressor and the substitution of Asp-382 lost the inhibition activity in protoplasts. Finally, a CAPS marker was developed and used for genotyping and marker assistant breeding. Collectively, we discovered a novel functional allele of Ehd3, which can used as a valuable breeding target. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-024-01472-x.

SAFB restricts contact domain boundaries associated with L1 chimeric transcription.

Long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) comprises 17% of the human genome, continuously generates genetic variations, and causes disease in certain cases. However, the regulation and function of L1 remain poorly understood. Here, we uncover that L1 can enrich RNA polymerase IIs (RNA Pol IIs), express L1 chimeric transcripts, and create contact domain boundaries in human cells. This impact of L1 is restricted by a nuclear matrix protein scaffold attachment factor B (SAFB) that recognizes transcriptionally active L1s by binding L1 transcripts to inhibit RNA Pol II enrichment. Acute inhibition of RNA Pol II transcription abolishes the domain boundaries associated with L1 chimeric transcripts, indicating a transcription-dependent mechanism. Deleting L1 impairs domain boundary formation, and L1 insertions during evolution have introduced species-specific domain boundaries. Our data show that L1 can create RNA Pol II-enriched regions that alter genome organization and that SAFB regulates L1 and RNA Pol II activity to preserve gene regulation.

OsPGL3A encodes a DYW-type pentatricopeptide repeat protein involved in chloroplast RNA processing and regulated chloroplast development.

The chloroplast serves as the primary site of photosynthesis, and its development plays a crucial role in regulating plant growth and morphogenesis. The Pentatricopeptide Repeat Sequence (PPR) proteins constitute a vast protein family that function in the post-transcriptional modification of RNA within plant organelles. In this study, we characterized mutant of rice with pale green leaves (pgl3a). The chlorophyll content of pgl3a at the seedling stage was significantly reduced compared to the wild type (WT). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and quantitative PCR analysis revealed that pgl3a exhibited aberrant chloroplast development compared to the wild type (WT), accompanied by significant alterations in gene expression levels associated with chloroplast development and photosynthesis. The Mutmap analysis revealed that a single base deletionin the coding region of Os03g0136700 in pgl3a. By employing CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing, two homozygous cr-pgl3a mutants were generated and exhibited a similar phenotype to pgl3a, thereby confirming that Os03g0136700 was responsible for pgl3a. Consequently, it was designated as OsPGL3A. OsPGL3A belongs to the DYW-type PPR protein family and is localized in chloroplasts. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the RNA editing efficiency of rps8-182 and rpoC2-4106, and the splicing efficiency of ycf3-1 were significantly decreased in pgl3a mutants compared to WT. Collectively, these results indicate that OsPGL3A plays a crucial role in chloroplast development by regulating the editing and splicing of chloroplast genes in rice. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-024-01468-7.

OsWRKY78 regulates panicle exsertion via gibberellin signaling pathway in rice.

Panicle exsertion is one of the crucial agronomic traits in rice (Oryza sativa). Shortening of panicle exsertion often leads to panicle enclosure and severely reduces seed production. Gibberellin (GA) plays important roles in regulating panicle exsertion. However, the underlying mechanism and the relative regulatory network remain elusive. Here, we characterized the oswrky78 mutant showing severe panicle enclosure, and found that the defect of oswrky78 is caused by decreased bioactive GA contents. Biochemical analysis demonstrates that OsWRKY78 can directly activate GA biosynthesis and indirectly suppress GA metabolism. Moreover, we found OsWRKY78 can interact with and be phosphorylated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase OsMAPK6, and this phosphorylation can enhance OsWRKY78 stability and is necessary for its biological function. Taken together, these results not only reveal the critical function of OsWRKY78, but also reveal its mechanism via mediating crosstalk between MAPK and the GA signaling pathway in regulating panicle exsertion.

The pathological roles and potential mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles and underlying mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: VEGFR-3 gene expression profiles in human gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) tissues were analysed using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Human GC cell lines and were used for in vitro studies. Mouse models of GC and distant metastasis were used for in vivo studies. Silencing of VEGFR-3 gene expression was achieved using small interfering RNA. RESULTS: VEGFR-3 gene expression was significantly elevated in GAC tissues and GC cells. Higher VEGFR-3 expression was positively correlated with more advanced stages and a greater number of metastatic lymph nodes. In vitro studies in GC cells showed that knockdown of VEGFR-3 gene expression significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration, but promoted apoptosis. In vivo investigations revealed that silencing of VEGFR-3 gene expression exhibited significant inhibition on tumour growth and metastasis. Further mechanistic studies showed that VEGFR-3 exerted its pathological roles by affecting the key molecules in the apoptotic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathways. CONCLUSION: The molecular pathways associated with VEGFR-3-mediated pathological effects could be targets in the development of novel approaches for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of GC.

Comparison of life cycle assessment between hydrogen production from silicon waste and alkaline water electrolysis.

With global warming becoming increasingly severe, environmental issues are receiving international attention. Crystalline silicon is an indispensable and important raw material for photovoltaic and semiconductor fields, but the cutting of crystalline silicon materials generates a large amount of silicon wastes. This article evaluates the environmental impact of a hydrogen production process using diamond-wire sawing silicon waste (DSSW) using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. For comparison, it was also analyzed the environmental impact of the alkaline water electrolysis (AEL) hydrogen production route. In the DSSW alkaline catalyzed hydrolysis (DACH) hydrogen production route, the hydrogen production stage accounts for the main contribution of nine environmental impact indexes, including GWP, PED, ADP, AP, EP, ODP, ET, HT-cancer, and HT-non cancer, exceeding 56 %. Whereas for the AEL route, the environmental impacts of the electrolytic cell manufacturing stage can be neglected, and the operating stage contributes almost all the environmental impacts, contributing more than 92 % to the twelve environmental impact indexes. Compared to the AEL route, the DACH route has higher environmental impacts, with GWP index reaching 87.78 kg CO2 -eq/kg H2, PED index reaching 1772.90 MJ/kg H2, and IWU index reaching 622.37 kg/kg H2 which are 2.85, 4.07 and 7.56 times higher than the former, respectively. Although the environmental impact of the DACH route is significant, most of its indirect impacts were caused by the use of raw materials, and the energy consumption and direct environmental impact are both low. The environmental impact of the AEL route is mainly indirect effects generated due to the use of electricity. If clean renewable energy sources (e.g., solar PV, hydropower, geothermal or biofuels), were used for the AEL route, all twelve environmental impact indexes would be significantly reduced.

Simple and complex coacervation in systems involving plant proteins.

Plant-based foods are gaining popularity as alternatives to meat and dairy products due to sustainability and health concerns. As a consequence, there is a renewed interest in the phase behaviour of plant proteins and of mixtures of plant proteins and polysaccharides, in particular in the cases where coacervation is found to occur, i.e., liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) into two phases, one of which is rich in biopolymers and one of which is poor in biopolymer. Here we review recent research into both simple and complex coacervation in systems involving plant proteins, and their applications in food- as well as other technologies, such as microencapsulation, microgel production, adhesives, biopolymer films, and more.

Efficacy of Qingpeng ointment (a Tibetan medicine) for acute gouty arthritis: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Qingpeng ointment (QPO), a Tibetan medicine for alleviating symptoms in individuals with acute gouty arthritis (AGA). METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved individuals with AGA whose joint pain, as measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10, was equal to or greater than 3. The participants were randomly assigned to either the QPO or the placebo group and received their respective treatments twice daily for seven consecutive days. In case of intolerable pain, the participants were allowed to use diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets as a rescue medicine. The primary outcomes measured were joint pain and swelling, while the secondary outcomes included joint mobility, redness, serum uric acid levels, C-reactive protein levels, and the amount of remaining rescue medicine. Any adverse events that occurred during the trial were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 203 cases were divided into two groups, with balanced baselines: 102 in the QPO group and 101 in the placebo group. For joint pain, differences between the groups were notable in the VAS scores [1.75 (0, 3.00) versus 2.00 (1.00, 3.50); P = 0.038], changes in VAS [5.00 (3.00, 6.00) versus 4.00 (2.00, 6.00); P = 0.036], and disappearance rate [26.47% compared to 15.84%; P = 0.046] after treatment. Concerning joint swelling, significant between-group differences were observed in the VAS scores [1.00 (0, 2.30) versus 2.00 (0.70, 3.00); P = 0.032] and disappearance rate [33.33% compared to 21.78%; P = 0.046] at treatment completion. The QPO group exhibited a statistically significant mobility improvement compared to the placebo group (P = 0.004). No significant differences were found in other secondary outcomes. Five patients, four from the QPO group and one from the other, encountered mild adverse events, primarily skin irritation. All of these cases were resolved after dosage reduction or discontinuation of the medication. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the placebo, QPO exhibits positive effects on AGA by alleviating pain, reducing swelling, and enhancing joint mobility, without causing significant adverse effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN34355813. Registered on 25/01/2021.

ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the origin of pTau-associated neurodegeneration in sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

In sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) specific regions, layers and neurons accumulate hyperphosphorylated Tau (pTau) and degenerate early while others remain unaffected even in advanced disease. ApoER2-Dab1 signaling suppresses Tau phosphorylation as part of a four-arm pathway that regulates lipoprotein internalization and the integrity of actin, microtubules, and synapses; however, the role of this pathway in sAD pathogenesis is not fully understood. We previously showed that multiple ApoER2-Dab1 pathway components including ApoE, Reelin, ApoER2, Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTauSer202/Thr205 and pPSD95Thr19 accumulate together within entorhinal-hippocampal terminal zones in sAD, and proposed a unifying hypothesis wherein disruption of this pathway underlies multiple aspects of sAD pathogenesis. However, it is not yet known whether ApoER2-Dab1 disruption can help explain the origin(s) and early progression of pTau pathology in sAD. In the present study, we applied in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to characterize ApoER2 expression and accumulation of ApoER2-Dab1 pathway components in five regions known to develop early pTau pathology in 64 rapidly autopsied cases spanning the clinicopathological spectrum of sAD. We found that (1) these selectively vulnerable neuron populations strongly express ApoER2; and (2) multiple ApoER2-Dab1 components representing all four arms of this pathway accumulate in abnormal neurons and neuritic plaques in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sAD cases and correlate with histological progression and cognitive deficits. Multiplex-IHC revealed that Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTauSer202/Thr205 and pPSD95Thr19 accumulate together within many of the same ApoER2-expressing neurons and in the immediate vicinity of ApoE/ApoJ-enriched extracellular plaques. Collective findings reveal that pTau is only one of many ApoER2-Dab1 pathway components that accumulate in multiple neuroanatomical sites in the earliest stages of sAD and provide support for the concept that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption drives pTau-associated neurodegeneration in human sAD.

Primary adenomatoid tumor of the adrenal gland: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Adenomatoid tumors are rare benign tumors, mainly involving the reproductive tract, such as the epididymis in men and the uterus and fallopian tubes in women. However, a few cases can occur outside the reproductive tract. Herein, we report a rare case of a primary adenomatoid tumor of the adrenal gland. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 50-year-old man underwent ultrasound examination and was found to have a right adrenal mass without elevated blood pressure, weakness after fatigue, frequent nocturnal urination urgency, pain, or a history of hematuria. The patient's general health was normal. Computed tomography revealed a polycystic mixed-density lesion in the right adrenal region, approximately 7.3 × 4.5 cm in size. DIAGNOSES: Based on the clinical information, morphological features, and immunohistochemistry results, a pathological diagnosis of primary adenomatoid tumor of the adrenal gland was made. INTERVENTION: Excision of the right adrenal gland and tumor through the 11 ribs. OUTCOMES: The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. LESSONS: Preventing misdiagnosis adenomatoid tumors with other types of adrenal gland tumors or metastatic tumors is imperative. Morphological and immunohistochemical features can help diagnose primary adenomatoid tumors of the adrenal gland.

OsMAPK6 positively regulates rice cold tolerance at seedling stage via phosphorylating and stabilizing OsICE1 and OsIPA1.

Rice is a chilling-sensitive plant, and extremely low temperatures seriously decrease rice production. Several genes involved in chilling stress have been reported in rice; however, the chilling signaling in rice remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the chilling tolerance phenotype of overexpression of constitutive active OsMAPK6 (CAMAPK6-OE) and OsMAPK6 mutant dsg1, and demonstrated that OsMAPK6 positively regulated rice chilling tolerance. It was shown that, under cold stress, the survival rate of dsg1 was significantly lower than that of WT, whereas CAMAPK6-OE display higher survival rate than WT. Physiological assays indicate that ion leakage and dead cell in dsg1 was much more severe than those in WT and CAMAPK6-OE. Consistently, expression of chilling responsive genes in dsg1, including OsCBFs and OsTPP1, was significantly lower than that of in WT and CAMAPK6-OE. Biochemical analyses revealed that chilling stress promotes phosphorylation of OsMAPK6. Besides, we found that OsMAPK6 interacts with and phosphorylates two key regulators in rice cold signaling, OsIPA1 and OsICE1, and then enhance their protein stability. Overall, our results revealed a cold-induced OsMAPK6-OsICE1/OsIPA1 signaling cascade by which OsMAPK6 was involved in rice chilling tolerance, which provides novel insights to understand rice cold response at seedling stage.

Warthin-like papillary renal cell carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Warthin-like papillary renal cell carcinoma (WPRCC) has been described as a rare pathological subtype of papillary renal cell carcinoma in the 2022 World Health Organization Classification of the Urinary and Male Reproductive System. Herein we report a case of WPRCC in the left kidney. CASE SUMMARY: Physical examination of a previously healthy 47-year-old woman revealed a lump in her left kidney, 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm in size. Based on the clinical information, imaging data, histmorphological features, and immunohistochemistry results, the pathological diagnosis was WPRCC in left kidney. CONCLUSION: Resection of the mass in the left kidney was performed and her postoperative course was uneventful.

Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Molecular Imaging of the Painful Knee.

Chronic knee pain is a common condition. Causes of knee pain include trauma, inflammation, and degeneration, but in many patients the pathophysiology remains unknown. Recent developments in advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and molecular imaging facilitate more in-depth research focused on the pathophysiology of chronic musculoskeletal pain and more specifically inflammation. The forthcoming new insights can help develop better targeted treatment, and some imaging techniques may even serve as imaging biomarkers for predicting and assessing treatment response in the future. This review highlights the latest developments in perfusion MRI, diffusion MRI, and molecular imaging with positron emission tomography/MRI and their application in the painful knee. The primary focus is synovial inflammation, also known as synovitis. Bone perfusion and bone metabolism are also addressed.

ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the origin of pTau-related neurodegeneration in sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) is not a global brain disease. Specific regions, layers and neurons degenerate early while others remain untouched even in advanced disease. The prevailing model used to explain this selective neurodegeneration-prion-like Tau spread-has key limitations and is not easily integrated with other defining sAD features. Instead, we propose that in humans Tau hyperphosphorylation occurs locally via disruption in ApoER2-Dab1 signaling and thus the presence of ApoER2 in neuronal membranes confers vulnerability to degeneration. Further, we propose that disruption of the Reelin/ApoE/ApoJ-ApoER2-Dab1-P85α-LIMK1-Tau-PSD95 (RAAAD-P-LTP) pathway induces deficits in memory and cognition by impeding neuronal lipoprotein internalization and destabilizing actin, microtubules, and synapses. This new model is based in part on our recent finding that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption is evident in entorhinal-hippocampal terminal zones in sAD. Here, we hypothesized that neurons that degenerate in the earliest stages of sAD (1) strongly express ApoER2 and (2) show evidence of ApoER2-Dab1 disruption through co-accumulation of multiple RAAAD-P-LTP components. METHODS: We applied in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to characterize ApoER2 expression and accumulation of RAAAD-P-LTP components in five regions that are prone to early pTau pathology in 64 rapidly autopsied cases spanning the clinicopathological spectrum of sAD. RESULTS: We found that: (1) selectively vulnerable neuron populations strongly express ApoER2; (2) numerous RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components accumulate in neuritic plaques and abnormal neurons; and (3) RAAAD-P-LTP components were higher in MCI and sAD cases and correlated with histological progression and cognitive deficits. Multiplex-IHC revealed that Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTau and pPSD95Thr19 accumulated together within dystrophic dendrites and soma of ApoER2-expressing neurons in the vicinity of ApoE/ApoJ-enriched extracellular plaques. These observations provide evidence for molecular derangements that can be traced back to ApoER2-Dab1 disruption, in each of the sampled regions, layers, and neuron populations that are prone to early pTau pathology. CONCLUSION: Findings support the RAAAD-P-LTP hypothesis, a unifying model that implicates dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the major driver of both pTau accumulation and neurodegeneration in sAD. This model provides a new conceptual framework to explain why specific neurons degenerate and identifies RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components as potential mechanism-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets for sAD.

ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the origin of pTau-related neurodegeneration in sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) is not a global brain disease. Specific regions, layers and neurons degenerate early while others remain untouched even in advanced disease. The prevailing model used to explain this selective neurodegeneration-prion-like Tau spread-has key limitations and is not easily integrated with other defining sAD features. Instead, we propose that in humans Tau hyperphosphorylation occurs locally via disruption in ApoER2-Dab1 signaling and thus the presence of ApoER2 in neuronal membranes confers vulnerability to degeneration. Further, we propose that disruption of the Reelin/ApoE/ApoJ-ApoER2-Dab1-P85α-LIMK1-Tau-PSD95 (RAAAD-P-LTP) pathway induces deficits in memory and cognition by impeding neuronal lipoprotein internalization and destabilizing actin, microtubules, and synapses. This new model is based in part on our recent finding that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption is evident in entorhinal-hippocampal terminal zones in sAD. Here, we hypothesized that neurons that degenerate in the earliest stages of sAD (1) strongly express ApoER2 and (2) show evidence of ApoER2-Dab1 disruption through co-accumulation of multiple RAAAD-P-LTP components. METHODS: We applied in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to characterize ApoER2 expression and accumulation of RAAAD-P-LTP components in five regions that are prone to early pTau pathology in 64 rapidly autopsied cases spanning the clinicopathological spectrum of sAD. RESULTS: We found that: (1) selectively vulnerable neuron populations strongly express ApoER2; (2) numerous RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components accumulate in neuritic plaques and abnormal neurons; and (3) RAAAD-P-LTP components were higher in MCI and sAD cases and correlated with histological progression and cognitive deficits. Multiplex-IHC revealed that Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTau and pPSD95Thr19 accumulated together within dystrophic dendrites and soma of ApoER2-expressing neurons in the vicinity of ApoE/ApoJ-enriched extracellular plaques. These observations provide evidence for molecular derangements that can be traced back to ApoER2-Dab1 disruption, in each of the sampled regions, layers, and neuron populations that are prone to early pTau pathology. CONCLUSION: Findings support the RAAAD-P-LTP hypothesis, a unifying model that implicates dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the major driver of both pTau accumulation and neurodegeneration in sAD. This model provides a new conceptual framework to explain why specific neurons degenerate and identifies RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components as potential mechanism-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets for sAD.

Phase-separation facilitated one-step fabrication of multiscale heterogeneous two-aqueous-phase gel.

Engineering heterogeneous hydrogels with distinct phases at various lengths, which resemble biological tissues with high complexity, remains challenging by existing fabricating techniques that require complicated procedures and are often only applicable at bulk scales. Here, inspired by ubiquitous phase separation phenomena in biology, we present a one-step fabrication method based on aqueous phase separation to construct two-aqueous-phase gels that comprise multiple phases with distinct physicochemical properties. The gels fabricated by this approach exhibit enhanced interfacial mechanics compared with their counterparts obtained from conventional layer-by-layer methods. Moreover, two-aqueous-phase gels with programmable structures and tunable physicochemical properties can be conveniently constructed by adjusting the polymer constituents, gelation conditions, and combining different fabrication techniques, such as 3D-printing. The versatility of our approach is demonstrated by mimicking the key features of several biological architectures at different lengths: macroscale muscle-tendon connections; mesoscale cell patterning; microscale molecular compartmentalization. The present work advances the fabrication approach for designing heterogeneous multifunctional materials for various technological and biomedical applications.

Genomic decoding of breeding history to guide breeding-by-design in rice.

Deciphering the intrinsic molecular logic of empirical crop breeding from a genomic perspective is a decisive prerequisite for breeding-by-design (BbD), but remains not well established. Here, we decoded the historical features of past rice breeding by phenotyping and haplotyping 546 accessions covering the majority of cultivars bred in the history of Northeast China (NEC). We revealed that three groups founded the genetic diversities in NEC rice with distinct evolution patterns and traced and verified the breeding footprints to known or genome-wide association study (GWAS)-detected quantitative trait loci (QTLs), or introgressions from indica sub-species with chronological changes in allele frequencies. Then we summarized a rice breeding trend/principle in NEC, and combined with the successful example in breeding and application of Zhongkefa5 to demonstrate the guiding value of our conclusion for BbD in practice. Our study provides a paradigm for decoding the breeding history of a specific crop to guide BbD, which may have implications in different crop breeding.