Integrated genome-wide association and transcriptomic analysis to identify receptor kinase genes to stripe rust resistance in wheat germplasm from southwestern China.

Stripe rust of wheat, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most important diseases of wheat worldwide. Identification of new and elite Pst-resistance loci or genes has the potential to enhance overall resistance to this pathogen. Here, we conducted an integrated genome-wide association study (GWAS) and transcriptomic analysis to screen for loci associated with resistance to stripe rust in 335 accessions from Yunnan, including 311 landraces and 24 cultivars. Based on the environmental phenotype, we identified 113 protein kinases significantly associated with Pst resistance using mixed linear model (MLM) and generalized linear model (GLM) models. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that 52 of 113 protein kinases identified by GWAS were up and down regulated in response to Pst infection. Among these genes, a total of 15 receptor kinase genes were identified associated with Pst resistance. 11 candidate genes were newly discovered in Yunnan wheat germplasm. Our results revealed that resistance alleles to stripe rust were accumulated in Yunnan wheat germplasm, implying direct or indirect selection for improving stripe rust resistance in elite wheat breeding programs.

Identification of adult resistant genes to stripe rust in wheat from southwestern China based on GWAS and WGCNA analysis.

KEY MESSAGE: In this study, genome-wide association studies combined with transcriptome data analysis were utilized to reveal potential candidate genes for stripe rust resistance in wheat, providing a basis for screening wheat varieties for stripe rust resistance. Wheat stripe rust, which is caused by the wheat stripe rust fungus (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, Pst) is one of the world's most devastating diseases of wheat. Genetic resistance is the most effective strategy for controlling diseases. Although wheat stripe rust resistance genes have been identified to date, only a few of them confer strong and broad-spectrum resistance. Here, the resistance of 335 wheat germplasm resources (mainly wheat landraces) from southwestern China to wheat stripe rust was evaluated at the adult stage. Combined genome-wide association study (GWAS) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) based on RNA sequencing from stripe rust resistant accession Y0337 and susceptible accession Y0402, five candidate resistance genes to wheat stripe rust (TraesCS1B02G170200, TraesCS2D02G181000, TraesCS4B02G117200, TraesCS6A02G189300, and TraesCS3A02G122300) were identified. The transcription level analyses showed that these five genes were significantly differentially expressed between resistant and susceptible accessions post inoculation with Pst at different times. These candidate genes could be experimentally transformed to validate and manipulate fungal resistance, which is beneficial for the development of the wheat cultivars resistant to stripe rust.

Characterization of the starch molecular structure of wheat varying in the content of resistant starch.

Resistant starch (RS) is the total amount of starch that is incompletely or not digested and absorbed in the small intestine. It plays a role similar to dietary fibre with beneficial effects for human health. In this study, the RS content of 129 wheat accessions was determined, and the relationship between the several starch physical properties and resistant starch content were analyzed. By comparing the total starch content, amylose starch content, starch chain length distribution, starch crystallization type, starch branching degree, and starch granule morphology between the high RS and low RS content wheat accessions, it was found that the amylose content and RS content were significantly positively correlated. However, in the range of chain length fb 3 (DP ≥ 37), there was a significant negative correlation between amylopectin content and RS content. The surface of starch granules became increasingly smooth as the content of RS increased.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Chinese Pregnant Women in the Third Trimester Based on Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms: A Complex Network Analysis.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is the result of complex interactions between many different factors. But few studies to date have explored the structure of HRQOL. This study aimed to investigate the complex inter-relationship between HRQOL and influencing factors using network analysis. In all, 624 Chinese pregnant women in third trimester were recruited through recruiting sampling. We used regularized network analysis to create a complex network. The relationship with mother-in-law was the most central node followed by relationship with partner. We found the comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms using network analysis. Physical- and mental-related quality of life were a "bridge node" connecting psychological factors with physiologic factors. The present network analysis highlights the strong link between relationship with mother-in-law or partner and HRQOL, which is also a unique phenomenon under Chinese culture. This analysis provides key variables for future intervention or improvement of pregnant women' HRQOL.

Relations between Stress and Quality of Life among Women in Late Pregnancy: The Parallel Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Quality.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the parallel multiple mediators of depressive symptoms and sleep quality in the relations between stress and physical health-related quality of life (PHQOL)/mental health-related quality of life (MHQOL) among the women in late pregnancy. METHODS: Of 1120 pregnant women participated in the cross-sectional study which consisted of Perceived Stress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and MOS 12-item Short Form Health Survey. Parallel multiple mediator models were used to analyze the relations between stress, depressive symptoms, sleep quality and PHQOL/MHQOL. RESULTS: The effect of perceived stress on PHQOL was partially through the indirect path of sleep quality (ß=-0.061). But in the model for MHQOL, depressive symptoms and sleep quality played parallel mediators, and the indirect path effect of depressive symptoms (ß=-0.179) was higher than sleep quality (ß=-0.029). CONCLUSION: The findings contributed to the understanding about the influential mechanism of stress on PHQOL/MHQOL. And it reminded the importance of sleep quality and depressive symptoms for improving QOL in late pregnancy.

Prevalence of and factors related to anxiety and depression symptoms among married patients with gynecological malignancies in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among married patients with gynecological malignancies in China and then explores factors related to anxiety and depression. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2016 to July 2017 in Jilin Province. A total of 394 married patients with gynecological malignancies completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between influencing factors of anxiety and depression. Back propagation neural networks (BP neural networks) were used to examine the ranking of these influencing factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 79.95% and 94.16% in married patients with gynecological malignancies. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that patients' anxiety showed significant relationships with low income, frequency of chemotherapy, diagnostic results and low sleep quality(P < 0.05), and patients' depression showed significant relationships with low quality sleep and frequency of chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Using BP neural networks, the order of importance of these factors in influencing anxiety, from high to low, was determined to be sleep quality, frequency of chemotherapy, monthly income, diagnostic results, age and fertility demand. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to reduce anxiety and depression in these patients by improving sleep quality and clinical treatment.

Association between parental marital conflict and Internet addiction: A moderated mediation analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effect of parental marital conflict on Internet addiction has been well-established; however, little is known regarding the underlying mechanism of this effect. The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effect of depression and anxiety, as well as the role of peer attachment as a moderator in this relation between parental marital conflict and Internet addiction. METHODS: The moderated mediation analysis was tested using data from a cross-sectional sample of 2259 high school students who completed questionnaires regarding marital conflict, depression, anxiety, peer attachment and Internet addiction. RESULTS: The results indicated that the effect of parental marital conflict on Internet addiction was mediated by depression and anxiety. In addition, peer attachment moderated the association between parental marital conflict and depression/anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: This study helps to elucidate the mechanism underlying the association between parental marital conflict and Internet addiction.

Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Behaviors among College Students in Northeastern China: a Cross-Sectional Study.

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviors among college students in Jilin Province, China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2016, using a self-reported questionnaire. Convenience sampling method was used to select college students as participants. The analysis was based on a sample of 730 college students. We use multivariate logistic model to determine the risk factors of suicidal behaviors.The prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicidal plan, suicidal attempts were respectively 13.2%, 3.3% and 3.4%. After controlling for the potential confounding factors, history of family psychiatric illness, depression and quality of life were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Besides, suicidal plan was predicted significantly by not living together with university roommates and depression. In terms of suicidal attempts, not living together with university roommates and history of family psychiatric illness were its risk factors. Comprehensive interventions regarding aims at risk factors may be critical as effective strategies to protect college students from suicide.

The influence of alexithymia on mobile phone addiction: The role of depression, anxiety and stress.

BACKGROUND: Alexithymia is an important predictor of mobile phone addiction. Enhancing and improving college students' mental health can reduce the rate of mobile phone addiction. However, it is not clear about the role of depression, anxiety and stress in the relationship between college students' alexithymia and mobile phone addiction. METHODS: A total of 1105 college students were tested with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and the Mobile Phone Addiction Index. RESULTS: An individual's level of alexithymia was significantly correlated with depression, anxiety, stress and mobile phone addiction. Alexithymia had a significantly positive prediction effect on mobile phone addiction, and depression, anxiety, and stress on mobile phone are positive predictors. Depression, anxiety or stress had partially mediating effects between alexithymia and mobile phone addiction. Alexithymia not only directly had a positively impact on mobile phone addiction, but both also had an indirect effect on mobile phone addiction through depression, anxiety or stress. LIMITATIONS: Limitations included sampling method and modest sample size, self-report measures, and unmeasured potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Alexithymia is an important correlate of mobile phone addiction, and depression, anxiety or stress is an important mediator in this relationship.

A comparative study of negative life events and depressive symptoms among healthy older adults and older adults with chronic disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to study internal relations and functionary mechanism between social support, coping style, negative life events and depressive symptoms and compare these relations in healthy older adults and older adults with chronic disease. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015. In total, 1,264 older adults with chronic disease and 749 healthy older adults participated in this investigation which consist of socio-demographic characters, negative life events, social support, coping style and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The path and direction of variable function in healthy older adults were inconsistent with older adults with chronic disease. Older adults with chronic disease had more severe depressive symptoms and negative life events, and lower social support and positive coping style. Negative life events, subjective support, positive coping style and negative coping style were significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Objective support may weaken the influence of negative life events on depressive symptoms in chronic disease group. Utilization of support and positive coping style worsen the effect of negative life events on depressive symptoms in healthy older adults. CONCLUSION: This study implied that to improve their mental health, attention should be paid to the role of biological, psychological and social stress factors and its inherent law of interaction.

The influence of resilience on mental health: The role of general well-being.

BACKGROUND: Nurses are suffering from increasing stress, and nursing is recognized as one of the most stressful job. Their mental health problems are serious and worthy of attention. AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between resilience and mental health and general well-being among nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2014, using a self-reported questionnaire. Participants were asked to complete the measure of resilience, mental health, and general well-being. The method of randomly cluster sampling was used to select nurses as participants. A survey of 365 nurses was conducted to test the hypothesized model. RESULTS: This study showed that resilience, mental health, and general well-being correlated with each other. General well-being was an effective predictor of resilience and mental health, whereas it both can moderate and mediate the relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to increase nurses' general well-being could enhance their resilience and reduce mental health problems. It is important to improve the mental health of nurses and maintain the professional values that ensure career sustainability.