OsCIPK2 mediated rice root microorganisms and metabolites to improve plant nitrogen uptake.

Crop roots are colonized by large numbers of microorganisms, collectively known as the root-microbiome, which modulate plant growth, development and contribute to elemental nutrient uptake. In conditions of nitrogen limitation, the over-expressed Calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinase 2 (OsCIPK2) gene with root-specific promoter (RC) has been shown to enhance growth and nitrogen uptake in rice. Analysis of root-associated bacteria through high-throughput sequencing revealed that OsCIPK2 has a significant impact on the diversity of the root microbial community under low nitrogen stress. The quantification of nifH gene expression demonstrated a significant enhancement in nitrogen-fixing capabilities in the roots of RC transgenetic rice. Synthetic microbial communities (SynCom) consisting of six nitrogen-fixing bacterial strains were observed to be enriched in the roots of RC, leading to a substantial improvement in rice growth and nitrogen uptake in nitrogen-deficient soils. Forty and twenty-three metabolites exhibiting differential abundance were identified in the roots and rhizosphere soils of RC transgenic rice compared to wild-type (WT) rice. These findings suggest that OSCIPK2 plays a role in restructuring the microbial community in the roots through the regulation of metabolite synthesis and secretion. Further experiments involving the exogenous addition of citric acid revealed that an optimal concentration of this compound facilitated the growth of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and substantially augmented their population in the soil, highlighting the importance of citric acid in promoting nitrogen fixation under conditions of low nitrogen availability. These findings suggest that OsCIPK2 plays a role in enhancing nitrogen uptake by rice plants from the soil by influencing the assembly of root microbial communities, thereby offering valuable insights for enhancing nitrogen utilization in rice cultivation.

Research status and prospect of ratoon rice in China under mechanically harvested condition.

The proportion and area of ratoon rice planting in China have been substantially increased, due to continuous improvement of rice breeding methods and consecutive innovation of cultivation technology, which has developed into one of rice planting modes with significant production efficiency. Combining the experience in research and practice, from the perspective of crop physiology and ecology, we reviewed the current situation and prospects of high-yielding formation and physiological mechanisms of ratoon rice. We focused on four key aspects: screening and breeding of ratoon rice cultivars and the classification; suitable stubble height for mechanically harvested ratoon rice, as well as water and fertilizer management; dry matter production and allocation in ratoon rice and the relationship with yield formation; regenerative activity and vigor of ratoon rice roots and their relationship with rhizosphere micro-ecological characteristics. As for the extending of mechanized low-cut stubbles ratoon rice technique, we should properly regulate the rhizosphere system, coordinate rhizosphere nutrient supply, germination of axillary buds, and tillering regeneration, to achieve the target of "four-high-one-low", that is high regeneration coefficient, high number of regeneration panicle, high harvest index, high yield, high quality, low-carbon and safe, aiming to improve the sustainability of ratoon rice industry.

Effect of Temperature and Radiation on Indica Rice Yield and Quality in Middle Rice Cropping System.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is cultivated in a wide range of climatic conditions, thereby inducing great variations in the rice growth, yield and quality. However, the comprehensive effects of temperature and solar radiation under different ecological regions on the rice growth, yield and quality are not well understood, especially in a middle rice cropping system. The rice growth, yield- and quality-related traits were investigated under different ecological regions. Among different areas, the days before the heading stage and after the heading stage of six cultivars ranged from 80 to 120 and from 30 to 50. The gaps of the grain yield, head rice rate, chalky grain rate and chalkiness level were about 1.2-52.4%, 1.0-3.0%, 2.7-12.7% and 0.3-4.5%, respectively. This study demonstrated that in these regions, temperature is a limiting factor compared with radiation. Moreover, the rice growth, yield and quality were closely associated with daily air (DT), maximum (MaT), minimum (MiT) and effective accumulated temperatures (EAT). An excellent rice growth, a high grain yield and an excellent quality could be achieved if the EAT was higher than 1592 °C·d and the MiT was lower than 23.1 °C before the heading stage, and if the DT, MiT and MaT were lower than 25.7 °C, 22.0 °C and 30 °C after the heading stage, respectively. These findings served as an important reference for optimizing cultivar selection for a specific area and determining suitable areas for a certain variety.

Case Report: Complete Maternal Uniparental Isodisomy of Chromosome 5 (iUPD(5)mat) With PCSK1 Nonsense Variant in an Infant With Recurrent Diarrhea.

Congenital diarrhea diseases are a heterogeneous group of conditions and are the major cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. Proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) deficiency has been associated with severe malabsorptive diarrhea, obesity, and certain endocrine abnormalities. We report an infant born to non-consanguineous parents who is diagnosed with PC1/3 deficiency due to nonsense homozygous variant (c.238 C>T, p.Arg80Ter) in the PCSK1 gene, identified by Trio-exome sequencing (Trio-ES). The baby girl presented with recurrent diarrhea, transient liver dysfunction and hypoglycemia. Trio-ES showed complete maternal uniparental isodisomy (iUPD) of chromosome 5. Our finding provides accurate genetic counseling to this family and expands the clinical spectrum of iUPD with pathogenic variants causing recessive disease.

Nitrate deficiency decreased photosynthesis and oxidation-reduction processes, but increased cellular transport, lignin biosynthesis and flavonoid metabolism revealed by RNA-Seq in Oryza sativa leaves.

Rice cultivar "Weiyou916" (Oryza sativa L. ssp. Indica) were cultured with control (10 mM NO3-) and nitrate deficient solution (0 mM NO3-) for four weeks. Nitrogen (N) deficiency significantly decreased the content of N and P, dry weight (DW) of the shoots and roots, but increased the ratio of root to shoot in O. sativa. N deficiency decreased the photosynthesis rate and the maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (Fv/Fm), however, increased the intercellular CO2 concentration and primary fluorescence (Fo). N deficiency significantly increased the production of H2O2 and membrane lipid peroxidation revealed as increased MDA content in O. sativa leaves. N deficiency significantly increased the contents of starch, sucrose, fructose, and malate, but did not change that of glucose and total soluble protein in O. sativa leaves. The accumulated carbohydrates and H2O2 might further accelerate biosynthesis of lignin in O. sativa leaves under N limitation. A total of 1635 genes showed differential expression in response to N deficiency revealed by Illumina sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that 195 DEGs were found to highly enrich in nine GO terms. Most of DEGs involved in photosynthesis, biosynthesis of ethylene and gibberellins were downregulated, whereas most of DEGs involved in cellular transport, lignin biosynthesis and flavonoid metabolism were upregulated by N deficiency in O. sativa leaves. Results of real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) further verified the RNA-Seq data. For the first time, DEGs involved oxygen-evolving complex, phosphorus response and lignin biosynthesis were identified in rice leaves. Our RNA-Seq data provided a global view of transcriptomic profile of principal processes implicated in the adaptation of N deficiency in O. sativa and shed light on the candidate direction in rice breeding for green and sustainable agriculture.

Polyethylene glycol 4000 treatment for children with constipation: A randomized comparative multicenter study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) for the treatment of constipation in children over 8 years of age. A total of 216 children from 7 hospitals were enrolled. A total of 105 patients received oral PEG 4000 (20 g/day) and 111 patients received oral lactulose (15 ml/day) for 2 weeks. The stool frequency, stool consistency and abdominal pain of the patients were monitored. In the PEG group, following one week and two weeks of treatment, the median weekly stool frequency improved from 2 times prior to treatment to 6 and 7 times, respectively, following treatment. The clinical remission rates of the PEG and lactulose groups following one week of treatment were 70.48 and 39.64%, respectively, and following two weeks of treatment were 72.38 and 41.44%, respectively. Abdominal pain disappeared in 74.6% of patients following two weeks of PEG 4000 treatment. No significant clinical adverse effects or abnormalities in the laboratory tests were observed in the two treatment groups. In conclusion, PEG 4000 is a safe and more effective drug compared to lactulose for the treatment of constipation in children.

Coordination and nursing care of pediatric patients undergoing double balloon enteroscopy.

AIM: To review safety, efficacy, and proper nursing care of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in pediatric patients with small intestinal disease. METHODS: Our study included 37 patients with abdominal pain, diarrhea, passage of blood in the stools, and other symptoms, who underwent DBE from December 2006 to July 2010. DBE was retrograde in 36 procedures, antegrade in six, and from both ends in five. The diagnostic significance and salient points in nursing care are discussed in this article. RESULTS: At least one lesion was discovered in 28 out of 37 patients, which yielded a positive diagnosis in 75.7% of cases. Good bowel preparation and skilled nursing care not only shortened the procedure time, but could also alleviate patient discomfort and enhance the quality of examination. No serious procedure-related complications were observed in any cases. CONCLUSION: DBE is a new modality of endoscopic procedure that improves the standard of diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases in children. Good nursing care is essential to the successful execution of the procedure.

[Clinical trial of cellulose in treatment of functional constipation in children].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of cellulose for the treatment of functional constipation in children. METHODS: A prospective, self-controlled, clinical trial using cellulose was conducted for 2 weeks in 34 children with functional constipation. The constipation symptoms and the characteristics of feces after the treatment were observed. RESULTS: The characteristics of feces and the constipation symptoms were improved significantly after the treatment. The total efficacy rate was 37% 3 days after treatment, 87% 7 days after treatment and 90% 14 days after treatment. The satisfactory rates of doctors and children's parents on the therapeutic effects were 57% and 63%, respectively. No adverse events, such as abdominal distention, pain or diarrhea, were observed during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cellulose is effective and safe in the treatment of functional constipation in children.

[Application of double balloon enteroscopy in pediatric patients].

OBJECTIVE: Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is already an established modality of investigation in adults though its use in children has not yet been widely practiced. This study aimed to explore the method and safety of pediatric DBE and to evaluate its clinical value and applicability in the pediatric age group. METHOD: During the period from December, 2006 to October, 2009 DBE was performed on a total of 22 patients (age 4 to 16 years) at the hospital. The indications included: gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic abdominal pain, suspected Crohn's disease and hypoalbuminemia. With the aid of a specially designed overtube, and the alternate inflation and deflation of the balloons at the tip of the endoscope and overtube, the enteroscope was advanced in the small intestine either antegrade or retrograde by telescoping the small intestine along its way. The range of intestine covered, pathology encountered, and tolerability of the examination by the subjects were recorded during the procedure. RESULT: A total of 25 DBE's were performed: antegrade in 3 and retrograde in 22. In 3 patients, both antegrade and retrograde enteroscopy was performed. All the procedures were performed under anesthesia. Inclusive of anesthesia and post-procedure recovery, each procedure took approximately 90 to 120 minutes. The pathology was identified in 18 out of 22 patients (81.82%), including: 7 cases of Crohn's disease, 3 of Meckel's diverticulum, combined ileal and colonic polyp in one, intestinal lymphangiectasis in one, amebiasis in one, small intestinal hemorrhage in 3 and non-specific ileitis in 2. No serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia, perforation or hemorrhage occurred and all patients tolerated the procedures well. CONCLUSION: DBE is a useful and feasible procedure in the pediatric patients. Young patients can tolerate the procedure well.

[cagA,vacA and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori isolated from children in Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cagA, vacA and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) isolated from children suffering from gastric and duodenal diseases in Shanghai and to explore a possible genotype-phenotype correlation. METHODS: From May 2007 to January 2008, 59 children were confirmed with Hp infection by gastroscopy. Biopsied specimens were taken from the gastric antrum. cagA, vacA and iceA genes were determined by PCR. The histological changes in the gastric mucosa were evaluated. The levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the gastric mucosa were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: cagA, vacAs1/m1, vacAs1/m2, iceA1 and iceA2 were found in 65%, 19%, 40%, 63% and 19% of H. pylori strains, respectively. Both iceA1 and iceA2 were detected in 9% of strains. There were no statistical differences in the distribution of various genotypes between the children with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. No association was observed between the genotypes and the degree of inflammation of gastric mucosa. There were no significant differences in levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the gastric mucosa infected by different genotypes of H. pylori strains. CONCLUSIONS: cagA/vacAs1/m2/iceA1 may be the commonest genotype combination of H.pylori in children from Shanghai. That there was no association between H.pylori genotypes and clinical variables suggests the potential role of host and environment factors in the development of clinical diseases at a later life.

[Forlax in the treatment of childhood constipation: a randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol 4000 (forlax) in the treatment of constipation in children over 8 years old. METHODS: This study was designed as a randomized, positive medicine (lactulose) controlled multicenter trial. A total of 216 children with constipation from 8-18 years old from 7 hospitals across China who were matched with a uniform entry criteria were enrolled in this study. The 216 patients were randomized to receive either oral forlax (20 g/d, n=105) or lactulose (15 mL/d, n=111) for 2 weeks. The therapeutic effects, including bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, clinical complete remission rate of constipation and abdominal symptoms, and the safety of forlax and lactulose were evaluated at 1 and 2 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The median weekly frequency of bowel movement in the forlax group increased by 4 and 5 times respectively after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, and increased by 3 and 4 times in the lactulose group (P < 0.05). The stool consistency of the two groups was both improved significantly after treatment. The Bristol score of stool consistency of the forlax and lactulose groups were 3.41+/-1.11 and 3.64+/-1.33 respectively (P < 0.05) after 1 week of treatment, and were 4.26+/-0.89 and 3.63+/-1.33 respectively (P < 0.05) after 2 weeks of treatment. The clinical complete remission rate of constipation in the forlax and lactulose groups was 70% and 40% respectively (P < 0.05) by week 1 of treatment, and that was 72% and 41% respectively (P < 0.05) by week 2 of treatment. Abdominal pain disappeared in 75% of patients in the forlax group but in only 57% in the lactulose group by week 2 of treatment (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events happened and no abnormalities were found in laboratory tests and physical examinations in the two groups after medication. CONCLUSIONS: Forlax is safe and effective in the treatment of constipation in children over 8 years old.

[Expression of Toll-like receptors in mononuclear cells from children with acute rotavirus diarrhea].

OBJECTIVE: Rotavirus is the single most common cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea in young children worldwide, but the pathogenesis and immunity against this disease are not completely understood. A prospective study was conducted to assess gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLR) in children with acute rotavirus diarrhea. METHODS: Seventy-five children with acute rotavirus diarrhea and 38 control children were enrolled in this study from Sep. 2004 to Jan. 2005. All the 75 patients had detailed records of clinical characteristics. Rotavirus antigen was detected by ELISA from stools. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated by Ficoll reagent and RNA was extracted by Trizol. The levels of mRNA for five TLRs in PBMC were examined by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Patients with acute rotavirus infection had elevated mean levels of TLR 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 mRNA expressions in PBMC within 3 days since onset of the disease, P less than 0.05. But only TLR 2, 3, 8 mRNA levels remained increased in patients within 7 or 14 days since onset (P less than 0.05). Mean levels of mRNA for TLR 4 in PBMC was higher in patients with more severe diarrhea including longer duration of diarrhea, more episodes of diarrhea per day and higher severity scores (P less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: Manifold TLR may play roles in the start-up and regulation of immune responses in children with acute rotavirus diarrhea. These findings will be helpful to further recognize immune response in Chinese children with rotavirus diarrhea and, consequently, may provide directions and insights that could prove critical to the prevention or treatment of this important disease.