GhCKX14 responding to drought stress by modulating antioxi-dative enzyme activity in Gossypium hirsutum compared to CKX family genes.

BACKGROUND: Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) plays a vital role in response to abiotic stress through modulating the antioxidant enzyme activities. Nevertheless, the biological function of the CKX gene family has yet to be reported in cotton. RESULT: In this study, a total of 27 GhCKXs were identified by the genome-wide investigation and distributed across 18 chromosomes. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that CKX genes were clustered into four clades, and most gene expansions originated from segmental duplications. The CKXs gene structure and motif analysis displayed remarkably well conserved among the four groups. Moreover, the cis-acting elements related to the abiotic stress, hormones, and light response were identified within the promoter regions of GhCKXs. Transcriptome data and RT-qPCR showed that GhCKX genes demonstrated higher expression levels in various tissues and were involved in cotton's abiotic stress and phytohormone response. The protein-protein interaction network indicates that the CKX family probably participated in redox regulation, including oxidoreduction or ATP levels, to mediate plant growth and development. Functionally identified via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) found that the GhCKX14 gene improved drought resistance by modulating the antioxidant-related activitie. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the CKX gene family members were analyzed by bioinformatics, and validates the response of GhCKX gene to various phytohormone treatment and abiotic stresses. Our findings established the foundation of GhCKXs in responding to abiotic stress and GhCKX14 in regulating drought resistance in cotton.

Comprehensive identification and functional characterization of GhpPLA gene family in reproductive organ development.

BACKGROUND: Phospholipases As (PLAs) are acyl hydrolases that catalyze the release of free fatty acids in phospholipids and play multiple functions in plant growth and development. The three families of PLAs are: PLA1, PLA2 (sPLA), and patatin-related PLA (pPLA). The diverse functions that pPLAs play in the growth and development of a broad range of plants have been demonstrated by prior studies. METHODS: Genome-wide analysis of the pPLA gene family and screening of genes for expression verification and gene silencing verification were conducted. Additionally, pollen vitality testing, analysis of the pollen expression pattern, and the detection of POD, SOD, CAT, MDA, and H2O2 were performed. RESULT: In this study, 294 pPLAs were identified from 13 plant species, including 46 GhpPLAs that were divided into three subfamilies (I-III). Expression patterns showed that the majority of GhpPLAs were preferentially expressed in the petal, pistil, anther, and ovule, among other reproductive organs. Particularly, GhpPLA23 and GhpPLA44, were found to be potentially important for the reproductive development of G. hirsutum. Functional validation was demonstrated by VIGS which showed that reduced expression levels of GhpPLA23 and GhpPLA44 in the silenced plants were associated with a decrease in pollen activity. Moreover, a substantial shift in ROS and ROS scavengers and a considerable increase in POD, CAT, SOD, and other physiological parameters was found out in these silenced plants. Our results provide plausibility to the hypothesis that GhpPLA23 and GhpPLA44 had a major developmental impact on cotton reproductive systems. These results also suggest that pPLAs are important for G. hirsutum's reproductive development and suggest that they could be employed as potential genes for haploid induction. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present research indicate that pPLA genes are essential for the development of floral organs and sperm cells in cotton. Consequently, this family might be important for the reproductive development of cotton and possibly for inducing the plant develop haploid progeny.

The bidirectional relationship between sarcopenia and disability in China: a longitudinal study from CHARLS.

Objectives: Sarcopenia and disability represent significant concerns impacting the health of older people. This study aimed to explore the bidirectional relationship between sarcopenia and disability in Chinese older people. Methods: This study recruited older people ≥60 years old from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. In phase I, the study analyzed the relation between disability and subsequent sarcopenia using multinomial logistic regression models. Conversely, in phase II, the study assessed whether sarcopenia was associated with future disability using binary logistic regression models. Results: In phase I, 65 (16.80%) new cases of possible sarcopenia, 18 (4.65%) cases of sarcopenia, and 9 (2.33%) cases of severe sarcopenia were observed in the disabled older people and 282 (10.96%) new cases of possible sarcopenia, 97 (3.77%) cases of sarcopenia, 35 (1.36%) cases of severe sarcopenia were observed in the older people without disability. The OR (95% CI) for sarcopenia in older disabled individuals compared to those without disability was 1.61 (1.25-2.07). Adjusting for all covariates in 2011, the OR (95% CI) value for disabled individuals vs. those without disability was 1.35 (1.02-1.79). Subgroup analyses showed that disabled participants aged < 80 years were more likely to have sarcopenia (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.07-1.89), and the risk of sarcopenia did not differ significantly between sex subgroups. In phase II, 114 cases (33.83%) in the possible sarcopenia patients, 85 cases (28.91%) in the sarcopenia patients, 23 cases (35.94%) in the severe sarcopenia patients, and 501 cases (16.10%) in the individuals without sarcopenia showed symptoms of disability. The OR (95% CI) for disability was 2.66 (2.08-3.40) in the possible sarcopenia patients, 2.12 (1.62-2.77) in the sarcopenia patients, and 2.92 (1.74-4.91) in the severe sarcopenia patients compared with the no sarcopenia patients. After adjusting for all covariates in 2011, the OR (95% CI) values were 2.21 (1.70-2.85) in the possible sarcopenia patients, 1.58 (1.14-2.19) in the sarcopenia patients, and 1.99 (1.14-3.49) in the severe sarcopenia patients, as compared to the older people without sarcopenia. Subgroup analyses showed that compared with men, women with possible sarcopenia had a higher risk of disability (OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.98-3.97). In addition, participants aged < 80 years with sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia s were more likely to have disability (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.52-2.98; OR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.60-5.54). Conclusion: The occurrence of disability increase the risk of sarcopenia in the older people, and baseline sarcopenia predicts the future disability in older people.

Effect of tank-mixed adjuvant on the behavior of chlorantraniliprole and difenoconazole in soil.

In this study, both laboratory and field studies were performed to analyze the effect of the presence of tank-mixed methylated plant oil adjuvant on the adsorption and degradation of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) and difenoconazole (DIF) in soil. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms experiments were conducted according to the equilibrium oscillation method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, soil contact angle, and zeta potential were used to research the interaction mechanism of adsorption. Fluorescence excitation emission matrix (FEEM) measurements were conducted to characterize soil dissolved organic matter. Field experiment was conducted to investigate the degradation of CAP and DIF combined with adjuvant. DIF exhibited a significantly higher Freundlich maximum adsorption capacity than CAP, which is consistent with the higher octanol-water partition coefficient of DIF. The sorption of CAP and DIF under laboratory conditions was significantly increased with the presence of adjuvant. Soils with high humic acids have strong adsorption capacity and contribute to significant adsorption of CAP and DIF. The half-lives of CAP and DIF tested in fluvo-aquic soil under field conditions were slightly reduced by the adjuvant. Adjuvant reduced the Groundwater Ubiquity Score (GUS) indices of CAP from 1.51 to 1.31, whereas that of DIF from 0.39 to 0.25. Combination between the pesticides and soil molecules can be enhanced, thereby promoting the adsorption and degradation of CAP and DIF in soil, and further reducing their potential to leach into groundwater when 0.1% methylated plant oil adjuvant was mixed and applied.

Uptake, Translocation, and Terminal Residue of Chlorantraniliprole and Difenoconazole in Rice: Effect of the Mixed-Application with Adjuvant.

Plant oil adjuvants are widely used to improve the utilization rate of pesticides. In this study, the uptake, translocation, and terminal residue of chlorantraniliprole and difenoconazole spraying with plant oil adjuvant in rice (Oryza sativa L.) were evaluated. After being mixed with the tank-mixed plant oil adjuvant, the cuticular wax of rice leaf was destroyed, which decreased the hydrophobicity of the rice leaf and facilitated the wetting, spreading, and penetration of pesticides onto the rice leaf. Additionally, the adjuvant promoted the translocation of difenoconazole from leaves to stems, but had little effect on the translocation of difenoconazole from leaves to roots, while inhibiting chlorantraniliprole translocation. Although adjuvant increased the initial deposition of chlorantraniliprole and difenoconazole on rice, the terminal residue was not significantly affected. The findings can promote the safe use of chlorantraniliprole and difenoconazole in rice production, especially when used with plant oil adjuvants. In the future, studies on more rice cultivars will be necessary to determine the generality of the conclusions.

Integrating environmental carry capacity based on pesticide risk assessment in soil management: A case study for China.

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture and can pose risks to soil health and environmental quality. This study assessed the occurrence, distribution, ecological risk, and environmental carrying capacity of 56 currently used pesticides and three metabolites in agricultural soils of Horqin Left Middle Banner, a typical Northeast China agricultural area. 29 pesticides were detected, with atrazine, clothianidin, and propiconazole the most common. Clothianidin and difenoconazole were high-risk to non-target organisms according to risk-toxicity exposure ratio and risk quotient approaches. This study provides a comprehensive and improvement framework for pesticide soil environmental carrying capacity (SECC) assessment and soil quality protection early warning. The SECC model showed no pesticides surpassed the soil carrying capacity threshold under the current application pattern. Five pesticides (clothianidin, difenoconazole, propiconazole, atrazine, and imidacloprid) may reach the threshold within 10 years, requiring pesticide reduction and soil quality monitoring. An early warning system based on SECC values and cumulative amounts of pesticides predicted that clothianidin may exceed the threshold within 0.1 years. These pesticides should be prioritized for management and regulation to prevent soil environmental degradation. The findings can help inform policymakers and stakeholders on pesticide management and sustainable agricultural development in Horqin Left Middle Banner and similar regions.

Evolutionary Relationships and Divergence of Filamin Gene Family Involved in Development and Stress in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Filamin protein is characterized by an N-terminal actin-binding domain that is followed by 24 Ig (immunoglobulin)-like repeats, which act as hubs for interactions with a variety of proteins. In humans, this family has been found to be involved in cancer cell invasion and metastasis and can be involved in a variety of growth signal transduction processes, but it is less studied in plants. Therefore, in this study, 54 Filamin gene family members from 23 plant species were investigated and divided into two subfamilies: FLMN and GEX2. Subcellular localization showed that most of the Filamin gene family members were located in the cell membrane. A total of 47 Filamin gene pairs were identified, most of which were whole-genome copies. Through the analyses of cis-acting elements, expression patterns and quantitative fluorescence, it was found that GH_ A02G0519 and GH_ D02G0539 are mainly expressed in the reproductive organs of upland cotton, and their interacting proteins are also related to the fertilization process, whereas GH_A02G0216 and GH_D02G0235 were related to stress. Thus, it is speculated that two genes of the GEX2 subfamily (GH_A02G0519 and GH_D02G0539) may be involved in the reproductive development of cotton and may affect the fertilization process of cotton. This study provides a theoretical basis for the further study of the cotton Filamin gene family.

Genome-wide Characterization of the JmjC Domain-Containing Histone Demethylase Gene Family Reveals GhJMJ24 and GhJMJ49 Involving in Somatic Embryogenesis Process in Cotton.

The Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-containing protein family, an important family of histone demethylase in plants, can directly reverse histone methylation and play important roles in various growth and development processes. In the present study, 51 JmjC genes (GhJMJs) were identified by genome-wide analysis in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), which can be categorized into six distinct groups by phylogenetic analysis. Extensive syntenic relationship events were found between G. hirsutum and Theobroma cacao. We have further explored the putative molecular regulatory mechanisms of the JmjC gene family in cotton. GhJMJ24 and GhJMJ49 were both preferentially expressed in embryogenic callus compared to nonembryogenic callus in cotton tissue culture, which might be regulated by transcription factors and microRNAs to some extent. Further experiments indicated that GhJMJ24 and GhJMJ49 might interact with SUVH4, SUVH6, DDM1, CMT3, and CMT1 in the nucleus, potentially in association with demethylation of H3K9me2. Taken together, our results provide a foundation for future research on the biological functions of GhJMJ genes in cotton, especially in somatic embryogenesis in cotton tissue culture, which is crucial for the regeneration of transgenic plants.