Genetic Engineering for Enhancing Sugarcane Tolerance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses.

Sugarcane, a vital cash crop, contributes significantly to the world's sugar supply and raw materials for biofuel production, playing a significant role in the global sugar industry. However, sustainable productivity is severely hampered by biotic and abiotic stressors. Genetic engineering has been used to transfer useful genes into sugarcane plants to improve desirable traits and has emerged as a basic and applied research method to maintain growth and productivity under different adverse environmental conditions. However, the use of transgenic approaches remains contentious and requires rigorous experimental methods to address biosafety challenges. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) mediated genome editing technology is growing rapidly and may revolutionize sugarcane production. This review aims to explore innovative genetic engineering techniques and their successful application in developing sugarcane cultivars with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses to produce superior sugarcane cultivars.

Photoperiodic and lighting treatments for flowering control and its genetic regulation in sugarcane breeding.

Improvement of sugarcane is hampered due to its narrow genetic base, and the difficulty in synchronizing flowering further hinders the exploitation of the genetic potential of available germplasm resources. Therefore, the continuous evaluation and optimization of flowering control and induction techniques are vital for sugarcane improvement. In view of this, the review was conducted to investigate the current understanding of photoperiodic and lighting treatment effects on sugarcane flowering and its genetic regulation. Photoperiod facilities have made a significant contribution to flowering control in sugarcane; however, inductive photoperiods are still unknown for some genotypes, and some intended crosses are still impossible to produce because of unresponsive varieties. The effectiveness of lower red/far-red ratios in promoting sugarcane flowering has been widely understood. Furthermore, there is vast potential for utilizing blue, red, and far-red light wavelengths in the flowering control of sugarcane. In this context, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) remain efficient sources of light. Therefore, the combined use of photoperiod regimes with different light wavelengths and optimization of such treatment combinations might help to control and induce flowering in sugarcane parental clones. In sugarcane, FLOWERING LOCUS T (ScFT) orthologues from ScFT1 to ScFT13 have been identified, and interestingly, ScFT3 has evidently been identified as a floral inducer in sugarcane. However, independent assessments of different FT-like gene family members are recommended to comprehensively understand their role in the regulation of flowering. Similarly, we believe this review provides substantial information that is vital for the manipulation of flowering and exploitation of germplasm resources in sugarcane breeding.

Robust, Fully Biodegradable Films of Polyesters Realized by In Situ Formation of an Interconnected Multi-Nanolayer Structure under Extensional Flow.

Multilayer structures are not only applied to manipulate properties of synthetic polymer materials such as rainbow films and barrier films but also widely discovered in natural materials like nacre. In this work, in situ formation of an interconnected multi-nanolayer (IMN) structure in poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) cocontinuous blends is designed by an extensional flow field during a "casting-thermal stretching" process, combining the properties of two components to a large extent. Hierarchical structures including phase morphology, crystal structure, and lamellar crystals in IMN films have been revealed, which clearly identifies the crucial role of extensional flow. The oriented PBAT phase in the IMN structure can be beneficial to the epitaxial growth of PBS crystals onto the PBAT nanolayers, thus improving interfacial adhesions. Furthermore, intense extensional stress can also promote crystallinity and thicken the lamellar structure. Given such distinct features in the fully biodegradable films, a simultaneous enhancement in tear strength, tensile strength, and puncture resistance has been achieved. To the best of our knowledge, the tear strength of IMN films about 285.9 kN/m is the highest level in the previous works of this system. Moreover, the proposed fabrication way of the IMN structure is facile and scalable, which is highly expected to be an efficient strategy for development of structured biodegradable polymers with excellent comprehensive properties.

Extensional Stress-Induced Ductility of Poly(l-lactide) Films: Role of the Entangled Network in Amorphous Regions.

The relationship between the density of the entangled amorphous network and the ductility of oriented poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) films is explored based on the preferential hydrolysis of the amorphous regions in phosphate buffer solution (PBS). PLLA films with a balance of ductility and stiffness have been prepared by the "casting-annealing stretching" based on mechanical rejuvenation, and the structural evolution and mechanical properties at different hydrolysis durations have been identified. Various stages are found during the transition of ductility to brittleness for hydrolyzed PLLA films. First, the elongation at break for hydrolyzed PLLA films remains unchanged in the first stage of hydrolysis and then gradually decreases. Eventually, the films turn to be brittle in the third stage. The strain-hardening modulus (GR) of the hydrolyzed films is utilized to reflect the density of the entangled amorphous network, and a gradual decrease of GR with hydrolysis time indicates the decisive role of the amorphous entanglement network in the mechanical rejuvenation-induced ductility of PLLA. The quantitative relationship between the entangled amorphous network and the stress-induced ductility of PLLA films is revealed. The dependence of deformation behavior on entangled amorphous network density is closely correlated to activated primary structure during deformation. The intact chain network plays a crucial role in sufficiently activating the primary structure to yield and disentanglement during the subsequent necking. These findings could advance the understanding of the PLLA's ductility induced by mechanical rejuvenation and offer guidance for awakening the intrinsic toughness of PLLA.

School canteen construction and canteen meal provision from 2012 to 2017 in schools under the National Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Eudcation Students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze changes of school canteen construction and canteen meal provision in surveilled schools after the initiation of the National Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Student (NNIPRCES), therefore to provide data basis for improving efficacy of school canteen meals.@*Methods@#From 2012 to 2017, among the 699 trial counties in 22 provinces under NNIPRCES, at least 10% of elementary schools and middle schools with each food supply model (canteen meals, enterprise meals, and family meals) were randomly selected in each county in each year. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect school canteen construction and meal provision information. The sample size were around 8 000 to 11 000 schools every year.@*Results@#From 2012 to 2017, the proportion of schools that have canteens only, have both canteen and dining room, as well as those have canteen and dining room with tables and chairs significantly increased with years(χ 2=3 043.95, 6 383.85, 6 731.17, P<0.01). The proportion of schools having canteen increased from 59.5% in 2012 to 87.0% in 2017. The proportion of schools with canteen providing breakfast, lunch or dinner varied across years(χ 2=51.85, 144.96, 189.19, P<0.01). The varieties of food groups of three meals all significantly increased during 2012, 2014 and 2017(χ 2=702.30, 892.38, 550.55, P<0.01). The canteen construction indicators, proportion of canteens providing three meals, and food groups included in three meals all significantly differed between elementary schools and middle schools, also between schools of central area and western area(P<0.05). The changing patterns with year were significantly different in elementary schools and middle schools, and in schools of central area and western area(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#After the implementation of NNIPRCES, canteen construction and food variety in canteen meals significantly improved during 2012 to 2017. However, there are still gaps between changes of canteen construction and canteen meal provision. It is necessary to overcome obstacles to further increase the proportion of schools with canteen offering meals and the variety of food of meals.

Milk consumption and associated factors in the Nutrition Improvement Programme for Rural Compulsory Education Students in 2016 / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate milk consumption and associated factors in the national pilot counties of Nutrition Improvement Programme for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NIPRCES) in 2016, and to provide basic data for milk consumption improvement.@*Methods@#Two primary and middle schools in each county were selected randomly from 50 key monitoring counties in 22 provinces in NIPRCES by three food supply modes (school-based, company-based, and others). Then 1 or 2 classes in each grade were selected randomly from grade 3 or above and junior schools. A total of 25 948 students were collected, milk consumption and related factors were investigated through student questionnaires.@*Results@#Among the students surveyed, the proportion of students drank 1 to 3 packs of milk every week was highest (45.4%), only 29.1% students drank 4 or more packets of milk per week. The proportion of children in grades 3 and 4 who drank 4 or more packets of milk per week (35.7%) was higher than that of children in grades 5 and 6 (31.8%) and junior school (22.5%)(P<0.01). The proportion of boys who drank 4 or more packs of milk per week (30.7%) was higher than girls (27.5%) (P<0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that boys, primary school students in grades 3 to 6, non-resident students, students with both parents or one parent at home, students who had more meals per day, students who had breakfast every day, students who took snacks or drank beverages once or more per day, students who drank 4 or more cups of boiled water were more likely to drink 4 or more packs of milk each week.@*Conclusion@#Students in poor rural areas in China lack access to milk. It is recommended that targeted measures should be taken to encourage and promote rural students to drink enough milk.

Effects of sertraline on executive function and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the antidepressant sertraline on executive function and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. MATERIAL/METHODS: We assigned 122 patients with stage III or IV cancer to the depressed group (DG, n=86) or the non-depressed group (NG, n=36). All subjects were given supportive treatment and patients in the DG received additional antidepressant treatment. RESULTS: There were significant differences in total scores of the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), performance in the Wisconsin card sorting test, and SF-36 domains. After antidepressant treatment, the level of depression and anxiety decreased significantly in the DG, but was still significantly higher than in the NG. Low executive function was enhanced in the DG, but a worsening executive function was found in total errors in the NG (-2.3±3.8) (P<0.05). The dimensions of SF-36 in physical functioning (PF), role limitations-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role limitations-emotional (RE), and mental health (MH) were decreased significantly at baseline in the DG compared to the NG (P<0.01). After 12-week Sertraline treatment, improvement in the DG in factors VT, SF, RE, and MH were more powerful than in the NG (P<0.05). HAMA, HAMD, and VAS scores and tumor stage were significantly correlated to any one dimension of quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is an important cause of decreased quality of life and executive function in patients with advanced cancer. The antidepressant sertraline can improve the executive function and quality of life, which may be helpful in the clinical practice of cancer treatment.

Toward stronger transcrystalline layers in poly(L-lactic acid)/natural fiber biocomposites with the aid of an accelerator of chain mobility.

Formation of transcrystalline layer probably enhances the interfacial adhesion of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)/natural fiber biocomposites as confirmed by this work. We found that a crystallization accelerator, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), improved chain mobility of PLLA and thus enhanced the growth kinetics of ramie fiber-induced transcrystallinity (TC). The direct observation of polarized optical microscopy during isothermal crystallization revealed that large-sized TC with rapid growth was produced after adding PEG. It could be exemplified by the case at 125 °C that the growth rate of TC developed in PLLA10 (containing 10 wt % PEG) achieved 6.1 µm/min, which was nearly triple that of pure PLLA (2.1 µm/min). And interestingly enough, spherulitic nucleation proceeding was largely restricted because it was difficult to fulfill the critical size for stable nuclei due to the increased chain mobility. Meanwhile, combining the effective nucleation activity of ramie fibers and acceleration virtue of PEG offered the chance to form prevailing TC texture, instead of rich spherulites dominated in pure PLLA. The local structure (including lamellar structure and molecular orientation) of transcrystalline layers was further determined, which indicated that TC presented α crystal form and random lamellar packing derived from the moderate nucleating ability. To our surprise, the single fiber reinforced composite samples containing prevailing TC textures achieved remarkably higher strength compared to that of pure PLLA samples with poorly developed transcrystalline layers, as demonstrated by the single-fiber pull-out test.

Wuling Capsule promotes hippocampal neurogenesis by improving expression of connexin 43 in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Wuling Capsule, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on hippocampal neurogenesis by examining the expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and connexin 43 (Cx43) in rats with depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CMS), and thereby to explore its antidepressant mechanism. METHODS: Forty-five adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n=15), untreated group (n=15) and Wuling group (n=15). All rats except those in the control group were subjected to 3-week CMS to induce depression. At the same time Wuling Capsule was daily added to the diet of the rats in the Wuling group at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for 21 days. The degree of depression was determined by sucrose preference test. BDNF expression and neurogenesis were tested by using immunohistochemical staining with BDNF and 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) antibodies; and the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cx43 in hippocampus were examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. RESULTS: The numbers of BDNF-positive neurons and BrdU-positive particles in dentate gyrus (DG) were significantly decreased in CMS rats as compared with the normal rats, and the same changes were found in Cx43 mRNA and protein expressions. After Wuling Capsule treatment, the depressed behaviors were improved. Moreover, the reduced expression levels of Cx43 mRNA and protein and fewer newborn neurons induced by CMS were recovered to the normal levels. However, BDNF-positive cells remained low in DG. CONCLUSION: Wuling Capsule can improve the low hippocampal neurogenesis in rats subjected to CMS and the antidepressant effects are related to enhancing the Cx43 expression but not through BDNF mediation.

[Changes of encephalic contents of neuropeptides in rats with vascular dementia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of encephalic contents of somatostatin (SS) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rats with vascular dementia. METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: vascular dementia group (VDMG), sham operation group (SOG) and control group (CG). The vascular dementia model was established by permanent bilateral vertebral artery occlusion through electric coagulation and shut-off the bilateral carotid arteries. The remember behavior of animals was tested and the contents of SS and AVP in various encephalic region (frontal cortex, temporal lobe, hippocampus, cerebral ganglion and corpora striatum) were determined with radioimmunoassay. RESULT: During the 15-day-long remembering test, the frequency of making mistakes in the VDMG was higher remarkably than that in SOG and CG (P<0.05); and the relative contents of SS were decreased in frontal area cortex, temporal lobe, hippocampus, cerebral ganglion and corpora striatum (P<0.01), while decrease of AVP contents was only detected in temporal lobe and corpora striatum (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The disturbance of learning and memory function might be associated with SS and AVP after multiple cerebral infarction in the animals.