Unveiling unique alternative splicing responses to low temperature in Zoysia japonica through ZjRTD1.0, a high-quality reference transcript dataset.

Inadequate reference databases in RNA-seq analysis can hinder data utilization and interpretation. In this study, we have successfully constructed a high-quality reference transcript dataset, ZjRTD1.0, for Zoysia japonica, a widely-used turfgrass with exceptional tolerance to various abiotic stress, including low temperatures and salinity. This dataset comprises 113,089 transcripts from 57,143 genes. BUSCO analysis demonstrates exceptional completeness (92.4%) in ZjRTD1.0, with reduced proportions of fragmented (3.3%) and missing (4.3%) orthologs compared to prior datasets. ZjRTD1.0 enables more precise analyses, including transcript quantification and alternative splicing assessments using public datasets, which identified a substantial number of differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) and differential alternative splicing (DAS) events, leading to several novel findings on Z. japonica's responses to abiotic stresses. First, spliceosome gene expression influenced alternative splicing significantly under abiotic stress, with a greater impact observed during low-temperature stress. Then, a significant positive correlation was found between the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding protein kinases and the frequency of DAS events, suggesting the role of protein phosphorylation in regulating alternative splicing. Additionally, our results suggest possible involvement of serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) in generating inclusion/exclusion isoforms under low-temperature stress. Furthermore, our investigation revealed a significantly enhanced overlap between DEGs and differentially alternatively spliced genes (DASGs) in response to low-temperature stress, suggesting a unique co-regulatory mechanism governing transcription and splicing in the context of low-temperature response. In conclusion, we have proven that ZjRTD1.0 will serve as a reliable and useful resource for future transcriptomic analyses in Z. japonica.

Effect of a vapor barrier in combination with active external rewarming for cold-stressed patients in a prehospital setting: a randomized, crossover field study.

BACKGROUND: Use of a vapor barrier in the prehospital care of cold-stressed or hypothermic patients aims to reduce evaporative heat loss and accelerate rewarming. The application of a vapor barrier is recommended in various guidelines, along with both insulating and wind/waterproof layers and an active external rewarming device; however, evidence of its effect is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of using a vapor barrier as the inner layer in the recommended "burrito" model for wrapping hypothermic patients in the field. METHODS: In this, randomized, crossover field study, 16 healthy volunteers wearing wet clothing were subjected to a 30-minute cooling period in a snow chamber before being wrapped in a model including an active heating source either with (intervention) or without (control) a vapor barrier. The mean skin temperature, core temperature, and humidity in the model were measured, and the shivering intensity and thermal comfort were assessed using a subjective questionnaire. The mean skin temperature was the primary outcome, whereas humidity and thermal comfort were the secondary outcomes. Primary outcome data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: We found a higher mean skin temperature in the intervention group than in the control group after approximately 25 min (p < 0.05), and this difference persisted for the rest of the 60-minute study period. The largest difference in mean skin temperature was 0.93 °C after 60 min. Humidity levels outside the vapor barrier were significantly higher in the control group than in the intervention group after 5 min. There were no significant differences in subjective comfort. However, there was a consistent trend toward increased comfort in the intervention group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a vapor barrier as the innermost layer in combination with an active external heat source leads to higher mean skin rewarming rates in patients wearing wet clothing who are at risk of accidental hypothermia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05779722.

The gut microbiota facilitate their host tolerance to extreme temperatures.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to extreme cold or heat temperature is one leading cause of weather-associated mortality and morbidity in animals. Emerging studies demonstrate that the microbiota residing in guts act as an integral factor required to modulate host tolerance to cold or heat exposure, but common and unique patterns of animal-temperature associations between cold and heat have not been simultaneously examined. Therefore, we attempted to investigate the roles of gut microbiota in modulating tolerance to cold or heat exposure in mice. RESULTS: The results showed that both cold and heat acutely change the body temperature of mice, but mice efficiently maintain their body temperature at conditions of chronic extreme temperatures. Mice adapt to extreme temperatures by adjusting body weight gain, food intake and energy harvest. Fascinatingly, 16 S rRNA sequencing shows that extreme temperatures result in a differential shift in the gut microbiota. Moreover, transplantation of the extreme-temperature microbiota is sufficient to enhance host tolerance to cold and heat, respectively. Metagenomic sequencing shows that the microbiota assists their hosts in resisting extreme temperatures through regulating the host insulin pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that the microbiota is a key factor orchestrating the overall energy homeostasis under extreme temperatures, providing an insight into the interaction and coevolution of hosts and gut microbiota.

The Role of ß3-Adrenergic Receptors in Cold-Induced Beige Adipocyte Production in Pigs.

After exposure to cold stress, animals enhance the production of beige adipocytes and expedite thermogenesis, leading to improved metabolic health. Although brown adipose tissue in rodents is primarily induced by ß3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) stimulation, the activation of major ß-adrenergic receptors (ADRBs) in pigs has been a topic of debate. To address this, we developed overexpression vectors for ADRB1, ADRB2, and ADRB3 and silenced the expression of these receptors to observe their effects on the adipogenic differentiation stages of porcine preadipocytes. Our investigation revealed that cold stress triggers the transformation of subcutaneous white adipose tissue to beige adipose tissue in pigs by modulating adrenergic receptor levels. Meanwhile, we found that ADRB3 promotes the transformation of white adipocytes into beige adipocytes. Notably, ADRB3 enhances the expression of beige adipose tissue marker genes, consequently influencing cellular respiration and metabolism by regulating lipolysis and mitochondrial expression. Therefore, ADRB3 may serve as a pivotal gene in animal husbandry and contribute to the improvement of cold intolerance in piglets.

Effect of physicochemical and microbiological factors on the development of viable but non-culturable and resuscitation states of Vibrio cholerae.

BACKGROUND: Vibrio cholerae can endure harsh environmental conditions by transitioning into viable but non-culturable (VBNC) form and resuscitate upon return of appropriate conditions. METHOD: In this study, we assessed the impact of physicochemical and microbiological factors, on the development of low temperature-induced VBNC state and subsequent recovery by temperature upshift. RESULTS: In estuarine water, Vibrio cholerae exhibits a slower decline in culturability over a period of 77 days as compared to 10 days in fresh water. When variable cell numbers from different growth phases were used for VBNC induction, it was observed that the higher inoculum size (106-107 cfu ml-1) from the late log phase culture appears to be crucial for entering the VBNC state. Conversely, starved cells could enter the VBNC state with an initial inoculum of 104-105 cfu ml-1, followed by resuscitation as well. The addition of glucose, GlcNAc and mannitol differentially affects progression into VBNC, while the addition of tryptone, yeast extract and casamino acid facilitated early entry into the VBNC state and shortened the length of the recovery period. CONCLUSION: Altogether these findings demonstrated that the ionic strength of water, inoculum size and the availability of nutrients played distinct roles during VBNC induction and resuscitation.

A critical review of the effectiveness of electric fans as a personal cooling intervention in hot weather and heatwaves.

Health agencies worldwide have historically cautioned that electric fans accelerate body-heat gain during hot weather and heatwaves (typically in air temperatures ≥35°C). However, guidance published since 2021 has suggested that fans can still cool the body in air temperatures up to 40°C by facilitating sweat evaporation, and therefore are an inexpensive yet sustainable alternative to air conditioning. In a critical analysis of the reports cited to support this claim, we found that although fan use improves sweat evaporation, these benefits are of insufficient magnitude to exert meaningful reductions in body core temperature in air temperatures exceeding 35°C. Health agencies should continue to advise against fan use in air temperatures higher than 35°C, especially for people with compromised sweating capacity (eg, adults aged 65 years or older). Improving access to ambient cooling strategies (eg, air conditioning or evaporative coolers) and minimising their economic and environmental costs through policy initiatives, efficient cooling technology, and combined use of low-cost personal interventions (eg, skin wetting or fan use) are crucial for climate adaptation.

Hypothalamic TRPM8 and TRPA1 ion channel genes in the regulation of temperature homeostasis at water balance changes.

The role of the hypothalamic cold-sensitive ion channels - transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in homeostatic systems of thermoregulation and water-salt balance - is not clear. The interaction of homeostatic systems of thermoregulation and water-salt balance without additional temperature load did not receive due attention, too. On the models of water-balance disturbance, we tried to elucidate some aspect of these problems. Body temperature (Tbody), O2 consumption, CO2 excretion, electrical muscle activity (EMA), temperature of tail skin (Ttail), plasma osmolality, as well as gene expression of hypothalamic TRPM8 and TRPA1 have been registered in rats of 3 groups: control; water-deprived (3 days under dry-eating); and hyperhydrated (6 days without dry food, drinking liquid 4 % sucrose). No relationship was observed between plasma osmolality and gene expression of Trpm8 and Trpa1. In water-deprived rats, the constriction of skin vessels, increased fat metabolism by 10 % and increased EMA by 48 % allowed the animals to maintain Tbody unchanged. The hyperhydrated rats did not develop sufficient mechanisms, and their Tbody decreased by 0.8 °C. The development of reactions was correlated with the expression of genes of thermosensitive ion channels in the anterior hypothalamus. Ttail had a direct correlation with the expression of the Trpm8 gene, whereas EMA directly correlated with the expression of the Trpa1 gene in water-deprived group. The obtained data attract attention from the point of view of management and correction of physiological functions by modulating the ion channel gene expression.

Experimental study on the effect of Coumarone resin on the performance of SBS-modified asphalt.

An inexpensive and high-performing solid Coumarone resin was added to Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer-modified asphalt to enhance its storage stability and road performance. To assess the effect of Coumarone resin dosage on the SBS-modified asphalt, a series of laboratory tests were conducted. The composite modified asphalt's segregation test was used to evaluate its storage stability, Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) and Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) tests were employed to investigate its high-temperature performance and permanent deformation resistance, and the Bending Beam Rheology (BBR) test was utilized to measure its low-temperature performance. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the composite modified asphalt's microstructure, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted to study the changes in chemical structure during the modification process. The results showed that Coumarone resin can improve the compatibility of SBS and asphalt, improve the high-temperature performance and deformation resistance of SBS-modified asphalt, and adding an appropriate amount of Coumarone resin can help enhance the low-temperature cracking resistance of modified asphalt. The optimal dosage of Coumarone resin recommended for SBS-modified asphalt performance enhancement is 2% under the test conditions, as determined by comparing the test results of samples with various dosages.

Projection of Mortality Burden Attributable to Nonoptimum Temperature with High Spatial Resolution in China.

The updated climate models provide projections at a fine scale, allowing us to estimate health risks due to future warming after accounting for spatial heterogeneity. Here, we utilized an ensemble of high-resolution (25 km) climate simulations and nationwide mortality data from 306 Chinese cities to estimate death anomalies attributable to future warming. Historical estimation (1986-2014) reveals that about 15.5% [95% empirical confidence interval (eCI):13.1%, 17.6%] of deaths are attributable to nonoptimal temperature, of which heat and cold corresponded to attributable fractions of 4.1% (eCI:2.4%, 5.5%) and 11.4% (eCI:10.7%, 12.1%), respectively. Under three climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585), the national average temperature was projected to increase by 1.45, 2.57, and 4.98 °C by the 2090s, respectively. The corresponding mortality fractions attributable to heat would be 6.5% (eCI:5.2%, 7.7%), 7.9% (eCI:6.3%, 9.4%), and 11.4% (eCI:9.2%, 13.3%). More than half of the attributable deaths due to future warming would occur in north China and cardiovascular mortality would increase more drastically than respiratory mortality. Our study shows that the increased heat-attributable mortality burden would outweigh the decreased cold-attributable burden even under a moderate climate change scenario across China. The results are helpful for national or local policymakers to better address the challenges of future warming.

RNA-Seq analysis reveals the mechanism in response to cold stress of peach cv 'Dingjiaba'.

BACKGROUND: 'Dingjiaba' is an important Prunus persica cultivar (cv) mainly grown in the Hexi corridor in northwest China, which has an inherited strong cold tolerance. OBJECTIVE: To compare the transcriptome and physiology data of leaves of cvs 'Dingjiaba' (D) and 'Kanoiwa' (K) following cold treatment at different time periods, in order to gain new insights into the mechanisms of cold adaptation in 'Dingjiaba'. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the transcriptomic and physiological data of leaves of D and K cvs exposed to 0 h (D0/K0), 2 h (D2/K2), 6 h (D6/K6) and 12 h (D12/K12) cold stress. RESULTS: Low temperature stress caused membrane damage and led to increased rate of electrolyte leakage and increased MDA content. Cold stress induced the accumulation of soluble sugars, soluble proteins and proline in leaves of both cvs, with a lower increase in K compared to D. Transcriptome analysis identified 4,631, 5,069, 5,662 and 3,886 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between D0 and K0, D2 and K2, D6 and K6 and D12 and K12, respectively. The differentially expressed genes significantly enriched in metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. We further validated the reliability of sequencing data of the RNA-Seq with Real-Time Quantitative PCR, which suggested that the expression trend of the RNA-Seq were same as RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide novel insights into a series of molecular mechanisms underlying physiological metabolism and defense. https://doi.org/10.54680/fr24210110312.

Uppermost global tree elevations are primarily limited by low temperature or insufficient moisture.

The impact of anthropogenic global warming has induced significant upward dispersal of trees to higher elevations at alpine treelines. Assessing vertical deviation from current uppermost tree distributions to potential treeline positions is crucial for understanding ecosystem responses to evolving global climate. However, due to data resolution constraints and research scale limitation, comprehending the global pattern of alpine treeline elevations and driving factors remains challenging. This study constructed a comprehensive quasi-observational dataset of uppermost tree distribution across global mountains using Google Earth imagery. Validating the isotherm of mean growing-season air temperature at 6.6 ± 0.3°C as the global indicator of thermal treeline, we found that around two-thirds of uppermost tree distribution records significantly deviated from it. Drought conditions constitute the primary driver in 51% of cases, followed by mountain elevation effect which indicates surface heat (27%). Our analyses underscore the multifaceted determinants of global patterns of alpine treeline, explaining divergent treeline responses to climate warming. Moisture, along with temperature and disturbance, plays the most fundamental roles in understanding global variation of alpine treeline elevation and forecasting alpine treeline response to ongoing global warming.

AnDREB5.1, a A5 group DREB gene from desert shrub Ammopiptanthus nanus, confers osmotic and cold stress tolerances in transgenic tobacco.

The Dehydration-Responsive Element Binding (DREB) subfamily of transcription factors plays crucial roles in plant abiotic stress response. Ammopiptanthus nanus (A. nanus) is an eremophyte exhibiting remarkable tolerance to environmental stress and DREB proteins may contribute to its tolerance to water deficit and low-temperature stress. In the present study, an A. nanus DREB A5 group transcription factor gene, AnDREB5.1, was isolated and characterized in terms of structure and function in abiotic stress tolerance. AnDREB5.1 protein is distributed in the nucleus, possesses transactivation capacity, and is capable of binding to DRE core cis-acting element. The transcription of AnDREB5.1 was induced under osmotic and cold stress. Tobacco seedlings overexpressing AnDREB5.1 displayed higher tolerance to cold stress, osmotic stress, and oxidative stress compared to wild-type tobacco (WT). Under osmotic and cold stress, overexpression of AnDREB5.1 increased antioxidant enzyme activity in tobacco leaves, inhibiting excessive elevation of ROS levels. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that overexpression of AnDREB5.1 raised the tolerance of transgenic tobacco seedlings to abiotic stress by regulating multiple genes, including antioxidant enzymes, transcription factors, and stress-tolerant related functional genes like NtCOR413 and NtLEA14. This study provides new evidence for understanding the potential roles of the DREB A5 subgroup members in plants.

Paleoclimate data assimilation with CLIMBER-X: An ensemble Kalman filter for the last deglaciation.

Using the climate model CLIMBER-X, we present an efficient method for assimilating the temporal evolution of surface temperatures for the last deglaciation covering the period 22000 to 6500 years before the present. The data assimilation methodology combines the data and the underlying dynamical principles governing the climate system to provide a state estimate of the system, which is better than that which could be obtained using just the data or the model alone. In applying an ensemble Kalman filter approach, we make use of the advances in the parallel data assimilation framework (PDAF), which provides parallel data assimilation functionality with a relatively small increase in computation time. We find that the data assimilation solution depends strongly on the background evolution of the decaying ice sheets rather than the assimilated temperatures. Two different ice sheet reconstructions result in a different deglacial meltwater history, affecting the large-scale ocean circulation and, consequently, the surface temperature. We find that the influence of data assimilation is more pronounced on regional scales than on the global mean. In particular, data assimilation has a stronger effect during millennial warming and cooling phases, such as the Bølling-Allerød and Younger Dryas, especially at high latitudes with heterogeneous temperature patterns. Our approach is a step toward a comprehensive paleo-reanalysis on multi-millennial time scales, including incorporating available paleoclimate data and accounting for their uncertainties in representing regional climates.

Fungal diversity present in snow sampled in summer in the north-west Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctica, assessed using metabarcoding.

We assessed the fungal diversity present in snow sampled during summer in the north-west Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, maritime Antarctica using a metabarcoding approach. A total of 586,693 fungal DNA reads were obtained and assigned to 203 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). The dominant phylum was Ascomycota, followed by Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota, Chytridiomycota and Mucoromycota. Penicillium sp., Pseudogymnoascus pannorum, Coniochaeta sp., Aspergillus sp., Antarctomyces sp., Phenoliferia sp., Cryolevonia sp., Camptobasidiaceae sp., Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Bannozyma yamatoana were assessed as abundant taxa. The snow fungal diversity indices were high but varied across the different locations sampled. Of the fungal ASVs detected, only 28 were present all sampling locations. The 116 fungal genera detected in the snow were dominated by saprotrophic taxa, followed by symbiotrophic and pathotrophic. Our data indicate that, despite the low temperature and oligotrophic conditions, snow can host a richer mycobiome than previously reported through traditional culturing studies. The snow mycobiome includes a complex diversity dominated by cosmopolitan, cold-adapted, psychrophilic and endemic taxa. While saprophytes dominate this community, a range of other functional groups are present.

Cold-active microbial enzymes and their biotechnological applications.

Microorganisms known as psychrophiles/psychrotrophs, which survive in cold climates, constitute majority of the biosphere on Earth. Their capability to produce cold-active enzymes along with other distinguishing characteristics allows them to survive in the cold environments. Due to the relative ease of large-scale production compared to enzymes from plants and animals, commercial uses of microbial enzyme are alluring. The ocean depths, polar, and alpine regions, which make up over 85% of the planet, are inhabited to cold ecosystems. Microbes living in these regions are important for their metabolic contribution to the ecosphere as well as for their enzymes, which may have potential industrial applications. Cold-adapted microorganisms are a possible source of cold-active enzymes that have high catalytic efficacy at low and moderate temperatures at which homologous mesophilic enzymes are not active. Cold-active enzymes can be used in a variety of biotechnological processes, including food processing, additives in the detergent and food industries, textile industry, waste-water treatment, biopulping, environmental bioremediation in cold climates, biotransformation, and molecular biology applications with great potential for energy savings. Genetically manipulated strains that are suitable for producing a particular cold-active enzyme would be crucial in a variety of industrial and biotechnological applications. The potential advantage of cold-adapted enzymes will probably lead to a greater annual market than for thermo-stable enzymes in the near future. This review includes latest updates on various microbial source of cold-active enzymes and their biotechnological applications.

[Identification and expression profiling of SAPK gene family members in Dendrobium officinale].

To investigate the potential roles of stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) gene family members in Dendrobium officinale, we employed multiple bioinformatics methods to identify the members of this family. The physicochemical properties, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationship, gene structure, and cis-acting elements of each D. officinale SAPK (DoSAPK) member were analyzed. In addition, their expression profiles in different tissues and under the low-temperature or salt stress treatment were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The results showed that D. officinale carried eight DoSAPK family members, which belonged to three groups (groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ). These genes were located on seven chromosomes, and there were two pairs of genes with replication. The DoSAPK members within the same group had similar gene structures, conserved motifs, and secondary structures. The cis-acting elements in the promoter regions of DoSAPK genes included abundant hormone and stress response elements. DoSAPK family members presented tissue-specific expression in D. officinale. Furthermore, they were differentially expressed under the low-temperature or salt stress treatment, which suggested that they might be involved in the responses to low-temperature and salt stress. Intriguingly, DoSAPK1 might play a role in the abiotic stress responses. The results laid a foundation for in-depth study of the members and roles of the DoSAPK gene family.

Effects of heat waves and cold spells on blood parameters: a cohort study of blood donors in Tianjin, China.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing occurrence of extreme temperature events due to climate change, the attention has been predominantly focused on the effects of heat waves and cold spells on morbidity and mortality. However, the influence of these temperature extremes on blood parameters has been overlooked. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study involving 2,752 adult blood donors in Tianjin, China, between January 18, 2013, and June 25, 2021. The generalized additive mixed model was used to investigate the effects and lagged effects of heat waves and cold spells on six blood parameters of blood donors, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), hematocrit (HCT), and platelet count (PLT). Subgroup analyses were stratified by sex, age, and BMI. RESULTS: Heat waves and cold spells are associated with changes in blood parameters, particularly HB and PLT. Heat waves increased HB and PLT, while cold spells increased HB and decreased PLT. The effect of heat waves is greater than that of cold spells. The largest effect of heat waves on HB and PLT occurred at lag1 with 2.6 g/L (95% CI: 1.76 to 3.45) and lag7 with 9.71 × 10^9/L (95% CI: 6.26 to 13.17), respectively, while the largest effect of cold spells on HB and PLT occurred at lag0 with 1.02 g/L (95% CI: 0.71 to 1.33) and lag2 with -3.85 × 10^9/L (95% CI: -5.00 to -2.70), respectively. In subgroup analysis, the effect of cold spells on ALT was greater in the 40-49 age group. CONCLUSION: We indicated that heat waves and cold spells can impact hemoglobin and platelet counts in the human body. These findings provide evidence linking heat waves or cold spells to diseases and may reduce health risks caused by extreme temperature events.

Construction of yield loss indicators for cold vortex, light-temperature-water combined stress during the flowering period of rice in Northeast China.

The construction of a yield loss evaluation index for the cold vortex type light-temperature-water composite adversity during rice flowering period in Northeast China is important for elucidating the impacts of cold vortex type composite disasters on rice yield loss in middle and high latitude areas. Moreover, it can provide meteorological support to ensure safe production of high-quality japonica rice in China and contribute to regional disaster reduction and efficiency improvement. By combining growth period data, meteorological data, and yield data, we delineated and constructed the composite stress occurrence index of cold vortex type light-temperature-water at the flowering stage of japonica. We analyzed the relationship between factors causing disasters and yield structure, as well as the relationship between different yield structures and yield by employing BP neural network method. We further dissected the processes involved in the causation of combined disasters. Based on the K-means clustering method and historical typical disaster years, we quantified the critical thresholds and disaster grades, and established an evaluation index and model for assessing yield loss caused by combined stress from cold vortex type light-temperature-water. Finally, we examined the spatial and temporal variations of low temperature, abundant rainfall, and reduced sunlight during the flowering period in the three provinces of Northeast China. Results showed that the critical thresholds for light, temperature, and water stress index during the flowering stage of mild, moderate, and severe cold vortex types were [0, 0.21), [0.21, 0.32), and [0.32, 0.64], respectively. The rates of yield loss were [0, 0.03), [0.03, 0.08), and [0.08, 0.096], respectively. Based on the verification results of a total of 751 samples in 11 random years from 1961 to 2020, the percentage of stations for which the production reduction grade, as calculated by the composite index developed in this study, aligning with the actual production reduction grade was 63.7%, consistently exceeding 58.0% annually. Moreover, the proportion of sites with a similarity or difference level of 1 stood at 88.3%, surpassing 85.0% in each year. The index could effectively assess the extent of rice yield loss caused by cold vortex disasters in Northeast China.

Transcriptomic analysis of hub genes regulating albinism in light- and temperature-sensitive albino tea cultivars 'Zhonghuang 1' and 'Zhonghuang 2'.

Albino tea cultivars have high economic value because their young leaves contain enhanced free amino acids that improve the quality and properties of tea. Zhonghuang 1 (ZH1) and Zhonghuang 2 (ZH2) are two such cultivars widely planted in China; however, the environmental factors and molecular mechanisms regulating their yellow-leaf phenotype remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that both ZH1 and ZH2 are light- and temperature-sensitive. Under natural sunlight and low-temperature conditions, their young shoots were yellow with decreased chlorophyll and an abnormal chloroplast ultrastructure. Conversely, young shoots were green with increased chlorophyll and a normal chloroplast ultrastructure under shading and high-temperature conditions. RNA-seq analysis was performed for high light and low light conditions, and pairwise comparisons identified genes exhibiting different light responses between albino and green-leaf cultivars, including transcription factors, cytochrome P450 genes, and heat shock proteins. Weighted gene coexpression network analyses of RNA-seq data identified the modules related to chlorophyll differences between cultivars. Genes involved in chloroplast biogenesis and development, light signaling, and JA biosynthesis and signaling were typically downregulated in albino cultivars, accompanied by a decrease in JA-ILE content in ZH2 during the albino period. Furthermore, we identified the hub genes that may regulate the yellow-leaf phenotype of ZH1 and ZH2, including CsGDC1, CsALB4, CsGUN4, and a TPR gene (TEA010575.1), which were related to chloroplast biogenesis. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying leaf color formation in albino tea cultivars.

Approach to the "Missing" Diarylsilylene: Formation, Characterization, and Intramolecular C-H Bond Activation of Blue Diarylsilylenes with Bulky Rind Groups.

The treatment of the bulky Rind-based dibromosilanes, (Rind)2SiBr2 (2) [Rind = 1,1,7,7-tetra-R1-3,3,5,5-tetra-R2-s-hydrindacen-4-yl: EMind (a: R1 = Et, R2 = Me) and Eind (b: R1 = R2 = Et)], with two equivalents of tBuLi in Et2O at low temperatures resulted in the formation of blue solutions derived from the diarylsilylenes, (Rind)2Si: (3). Upon warming the solutions above -20 °C, the blue color gradually faded, accompanying the decomposition of 3 and yielding cyclic hydrosilanes (4) via intramolecular C-H bond insertion at the Si(II) center. The molecular structures of the bulky Eind-based 3b and 4b were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Thus, at -20 °C, blue crystals were formed (Crystal-A), which were identified as mixed crystals of 3b and 4b. Additionally, colorless crystals of 4b as a singular component were isolated (Crystal-B), whose structure was also determined by an X-ray diffraction analysis. Although the isolation of 3 was difficult due to their thermally labile nature, their structural characteristics and electronic properties were discussed based on the experimental findings complemented by computational results. We also examined the hydrolysis of 3b to afford the silanol, (Eind)2SiH(OH) (5b).