Dissecting the Genetic Architecture of Morphological Traits in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the most essential oil crops in the world. Several component traits, including flowering time, plant height, stem diameter, seed weight, and kernel weight, determine sunflower seed and oil yield. Although the genetic mechanisms governing the variation of these yield-related traits have been studied using various approaches, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have not been widely applied to sunflowers. In this study, a set of 342 sunflower accessions was evaluated in 2019 and 2020 using an incomplete randomized block design, and GWAS was conducted utilizing two complementary approaches: the mixed linear model (MLM) and the fixed and random model circulating probability unification (farmCPU) model by fitting 226,779 high-quality SNPs. As a result, GWAS identified a number of trait-associated SNPs. Those SNPs were located close to several genes that may serve as a basis for further molecular characterization and provide promising targets for sunflower yield improvement.

Genomic investigation of 18,421 lines reveals the genetic architecture of rice.

Understanding how numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) shape phenotypic variation is an important question in genetics. To address this, we established a permanent population of 18,421 (18K) rice lines with reduced population structure. We generated reference-level genome assemblies of the founders and genotyped all 18K-rice lines through whole-genome sequencing. Through high-resolution mapping, 96 high-quality candidate genes contributing to variation in 16 traits were identified, including OsMADS22 and OsFTL1 verified as causal genes for panicle number and heading date, respectively. We identified epistatic QTL pairs and constructed a genetic interaction network with 19 genes serving as hubs. Overall, 170 masking epistasis pairs were characterized, serving as an important factor contributing to genetic background effects across diverse varieties. The work provides a basis to guide grain yield and quality improvements in rice.

Functional Study of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase A in Penicillium oxalicum.

Signaling pathways play a crucial role in regulating cellulase production. The pathway mediated by signaling proteins plays a crucial role in understanding how cellulase expression is regulated. In this study, using affinity purification of ClrB, we have identified sixteen proteins that potentially interact with ClrB. One of the proteins, the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PoPKA-C), is an important component of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Knocking out PoPKA-C resulted in significant decreases in the growth, glucose utilization, and cellulose hydrolysis ability of the mutant strain. Furthermore, the cellulase activity and gene transcription levels were significantly reduced in the ΔPoPKA-C mutant, while the expression activity of CreA, a transcriptional regulator of carbon metabolism repression, was notably increased. Additionally, deletion of PoPKA-C also led to earlier timing of conidia production. The expression levels of key transcription factor genes stuA and brlA, which are involved in the production of the conidia, showed significant enhancement in the ΔPoPKA-C mutant. These findings highlight the involvement of PoPKA-C in mycelial development, conidiation, and the regulation of cellulase expression. The functional analysis of PoPKA-C provides insights into the mechanism of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in cellulase expression in filamentous fungi and has significant implications for the development of high-yielding cellulase strains.

Carbazole alkaloids isolated from the branch and leaf extracts of Clausena lansium / 中国天然药物

The present study carried out a phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the branches and leaves of Clausena lansium and afforded nine carbazole alkaloids (compounds 1-9) including two new carbazole alkaloids, claulansiums A and B (compounds 1 and 2). The new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (MS, NMR, IR, and UV) and the known compounds were identified by comparing spectroscopic data with those reported in literature. All the isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against A549 and Hela cancer cell lines. Our results showed that compounds 2-6 exhibited varying degrees of cytotoxicity to cancer cells, with IC values ranging from 8.67 to 98.89 μmol·L.

Carbazole alkaloids isolated from the branch and leaf extracts of Clausena lansium / 中国天然药物

The present study carried out a phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the branches and leaves of Clausena lansium and afforded nine carbazole alkaloids (compounds 1-9) including two new carbazole alkaloids, claulansiums A and B (compounds 1 and 2). The new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (MS, NMR, IR, and UV) and the known compounds were identified by comparing spectroscopic data with those reported in literature. All the isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against A549 and Hela cancer cell lines. Our results showed that compounds 2-6 exhibited varying degrees of cytotoxicity to cancer cells, with IC values ranging from 8.67 to 98.89 μmol·L.

Efficacy of half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy for central serous chorioretinophathy in patients aged above 45 / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy for central serous chorioretinophathy (CSC) in patients aged above 45 years old.METHODS:Thirty-two eyes of 30 patients aged above 45 years old with central serous chorioretinophathy were included,and all the eyes received half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT).Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA),central macular thickness (CMT) and subretinal fluids absorption (SRF) were measured before and after treatment (1,3 and 6mo).RESULTS:The rate of SRF absorbing completely was 44％ at 1mo,63％ at 3mo and 75％ at 6mo.The difference in cure rate of the three time points was statistically significant (x2 =6.621,P=0.037).All the patients were divided into two groups according to the duration,patients in Group A were treated less than 6mo,Group B were ≥6mo.The mean LogMAR BCVA in the two groups were respectively 0.6149±0.4117 and 0.8167±0.4370 before treatment and the mean CMT were 409.47±129.422μ m and 395.82 ± 153.756μm before treatment.The difference between the two groups in the LogMAR BCVA was not statistically significant (F=0.303,P=0.823),but the time difference within the subjects was statistically significant (F=32.837,P＜ 0.001).In Group A,the differences of the LogMAR BCVA at pre-treatment,1 mo and 3mo was all statistically significant (P＜ 0.05),but the differences of the LogMAR BCVA at 3mo and 6mo was not statistically significant (t =2.024,P =0.063).In Group B,the differences of the LogMAR BCVA at any two time points were all statistically significant (P＜ 0.05).The difference between the two groups in the CMT was not statistically significant (F=0.064,P=0.978),but the time difference within the subjects was statistically significant (F=26.447,P＜0.001).In Group A,the differences of the CMT at any two time points were all statistically significant (P＜0.05).So were in Group B (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Half-dose verteporfin PDT was effective in treating CSC aged above 45 years old,it still could improve BCVA and subretinal fluids absorption.