Developmental Processes Research Articles

ERECTA Modulates Seed Germination and Fruit Development via Auxin Signaling in Tomato.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) breeding for improved fruit quality emphasizes selecting for desirable taste and characteristics, as well as enhancing disease resistance and yield. Seed germination is the initial step in the plant life cycle and directly affects crop productivity and yield. ERECTA (ER) is a receptor-like kinase (RLK) family protein known for its involvement in diverse developmental processes. We characterized a Micro-Tom EMS mutant designated as a knock-out mutant of sler. Our research reveals that SlER plays a central role in controlling critical traits such as inflorescence development, seed number, and seed germination. The elevation in auxin levels and alterations in the expression of ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 3 (ABI3) and ABI5 in sler seeds compared to the WT indicate that SlER modulates seed germination via auxin and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling. Additionally, we detected an increase in auxin content in the sler ovary and changes in the expression of auxin synthesis genes YUCCA flavin monooxygenases 1 (YUC1), YUC4, YUC5, and YUC6 as well as auxin response genes AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 5 (ARF5) and ARF7, suggesting that SlER regulates fruit development via auxin signaling.

Hypoxia delays steroid-induced developmental maturation in Drosophila by suppressing EGF signaling.

Animals often grow and develop in unpredictable environments where factors like food availability, temperature, and oxygen levels can fluctuate dramatically. To ensure proper sexual maturation into adulthood, juvenile animals need to adapt their growth and developmental rates to these fluctuating environmental conditions. Failure to do so can result in impaired maturation and incorrect body size. Here we describe a mechanism by which Drosophila larvae adapt their development in low oxygen (hypoxia). During normal development, larvae grow and increase in mass until they reach critical weight (CW), after which point a neuroendocrine circuit triggers the production of the steroid hormone ecdysone from the prothoracic gland (PG), which promotes maturation to the pupal stage. However, when raised in hypoxia (5% oxygen), larvae slow their growth and delay their maturation to the pupal stage. We find that, although hypoxia delays the attainment of CW, the maturation delay occurs mainly because of hypoxia acting late in development to suppress ecdysone production. This suppression operates through a distinct mechanism from nutrient deprivation, occurs independently of HIF-1 alpha and does not involve dilp8 or modulation of Ptth, the main neuropeptide that initiates ecdysone production in the PG. Instead, we find that hypoxia lowers the expression of the EGF ligand, spitz, and that the delay in maturation occurs due to reduced EGFR/ERK signaling in the PG. Our study sheds light on how animals can adjust their development rate in response to changing oxygen levels in their environment. Given that hypoxia is a feature of both normal physiology and many diseases, our findings have important implications for understanding how low oxygen levels may impact animal development in both normal and pathological situations.

The System of Analysis for Mitosis and Meiosis

In cellular biology, mitosis and meiosis are essential processes that control cell division and genetic transmission. Numerous disciplines, including developmental biology, genetics, and cancer research, depend on an understanding of these processes. An innovative method for examining these processes is the Mitosis and Meiosis Analysis System (MMAS), which uses artificial intelligence (AI) methods for automated image analysis. An overview of MMAS, including its history, elements, and uses, is given in this paper. We go over how to accurately detect, classify, and quantify mitotic and meiotic events from microscopy images by integrating machine learning models, deep learning frameworks, and advanced image processing algorithms into MMAS. In addition, we discuss how MMAS is used in developmental biology, genetics, and cancer research, among other fields of cellular biology study. By automating image analysis and offering insightful information about cellular dynamics, MMAS is a potent tool that can speed up cellular biology research and deepen our understanding of basic biological processes.

The System of Analysis for Mitosis and Meiosis

In cellular biology, mitosis and meiosis are essential processes that control cell division and genetic transmission. Numerous disciplines, including developmental biology, genetics, and cancer research, depend on an understanding of these processes. An innovative method for examining these processes is the Mitosis and Meiosis Analysis System (MMAS), which uses artificial intelligence (AI) methods for automated image analysis. An overview of MMAS, including its history, elements, and uses, is given in this paper. We go over how to accurately detect, classify, and quantify mitotic and meiotic events from microscopy images by integrating machine learning models, deep learning frameworks, and advanced image processing algorithms into MMAS. In addition, we discuss how MMAS is used in developmental biology, genetics, and cancer research, among other fields of cellular biology study. By automating image analysis and offering insightful information about cellular dynamics, MMAS is a potent tool that can speed up cellular biology research and deepen our understanding of basic biological processes.

Incompatibility-driven growth and size control during development

Size regulation in living organisms is a major unsolved problem in developmental biology. This is due to the intrinsic complexity of biological growth, which simultaneously involves genetic, biochemical, and mechanical factors. In this article, we propose a novel theoretical framework that explores the role of incompatibility, the geometric source of residual stress in a growing body, as a possible regulator of size termination during development. We explore this paradigm both at the level of a model 2D cell, and at the level of continuous tissues. After establishing a parallel between incompatibility and the shape parameter of vertex models, we show that incompatibility-driven growth leads to size control in a model 2D cell. We then extend the same paradigm to the level of continuous bodies, where incompatibility is measured by the Ricci curvature of the growth tensor. By using the model 2D cell as a template, we now derive an evolutionary law for the growth tensor with curvature fixed at a physiological value. When the analysis is specialised to radial symmetry (discs and spheres), this model captures the salient features observed in Drosophila wing discs and multicellular spheroids: these systems have a target size and build up residual stresses that cause the tissue to open in response to a radial cut, with the cut edges curling outward. The theory proposed in this work suggests that incompatibility in a growing biological tissue is potentially controllable at the cell level, and that incompatibility-driven growth provides an effective method of controlling global information (stress, size) through local geometric controls.

Commentary in light of current findings on Roode et al., Developmental Biology (2012) Human hypoblast formation is not dependent on FGF signalling

Commentary in light of current findings on Roode et al., Developmental Biology (2012) Human hypoblast formation is not dependent on FGF signalling

Prevalence of childhood stunting and determinants in low and lower-middle income African countries: Evidence from standard demographic and health survey.

Undernutrition poses a significant global public health challenge, adversely affecting childhood cognitive and physical development while increasing the risk of disease and mortality. Stunting, characterized by impaired growth and development in children due to insufficient psychological stimulation, frequent infections, and inadequate nutrition, remains a critical issue. Although economic growth alone cannot fully address the prevalence of stunting, there exists a robust correlation between a country's income level and childhood stunting rates. Countries with higher incomes tend to have lower rates of childhood stunting. Notably, while childhood stunting is declining worldwide, it remains persistent in Africa. Consequently, this study aims to assess the prevalence of childhood stunting and its determinants in low- and lower-middle-income African countries. This study conducted a secondary analysis of standard demographic and health surveys in low- and lower-middle-income African countries spanning the period from 2010 to 2022. The analysis included a total sample of 204,214 weighted children under the age of five years. To identify the determinants of stunting, we employed a multilevel mixed-effect model, considering the three levels of variables. The measures of association (fixed effect) were determined using the adjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval. Significance was declared when the association between the outcome variable and the explanatory variable had a p-value less than 0.05. In low and lower-middle-income African countries, 31.28% of children under five years old experience stunting, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 31.08% to 31.48%. The results from a multilevel mixed-effect analysis revealed that 24 months or more of age of child, male gender, low and high birth weight, low and high maternal BMI, no and low maternal education, low household wealth index, multiple (twin or triplet) births, rural residence, and low income of countries were significantly associated with childhood stunting. Stunting among children under five years of age in low- and lower-middle-income African countries was relatively high. Individual, community, and country-level factors were statistically associated with childhood stunting. Equally importantly, with child, maternal, and community factors of stunting, the income of countries needs to be considered in providing nutritional interventions to mitigate childhood stunting in Africa.

Circadian rhythm response and its effect on photosynthetic characteristics of the Lhcb family genes in tea plant

BackgroundThe circadian clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, is responsible for predicting daily and seasonal changes in the environment, and adjusting various physiological and developmental processes to the appropriate times during plant growth and development. The circadian clock controls the expression of the Lhcb gene, which encodes the chlorophyll a/b binding protein. However, the roles of the Lhcb gene in tea plant remain unclear.ResultsIn this study, a total of 16 CsLhcb genes were identified based on the tea plant genome, which were distributed on 8 chromosomes of the tea plant. The promoter regions of CsLhcb genes have a variety of cis-acting elements including hormonal, abiotic stress responses and light response elements. The CsLhcb family genes are involved in the light response process in tea plant. The photosynthetic parameter of tea leaves showed rhythmic changes during the two photoperiod periods (48 h). Stomata are basically open during the day and closed at night. Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that most of the CsLhcb family genes were highly expressed during the day, but were less expressed at night.ConclusionsResults indicated that CsLhcb genes were involved in the circadian clock process of tea plant, it also provided potential references for further understanding of the function of CsLhcb gene family in tea plant.

Exotic swarming dynamics of high-dimensional swarmalators.

Swarmalators are oscillators that can swarm as well as sync via a dynamic balance between their spatial proximity and phase similarity. Swarmalator models employed so far in the literature comprise only one-dimensional phase variables to represent the intrinsic dynamics of the natural collectives. Nevertheless, the latter can indeed be represented more realistically by high-dimensional phase variables. For instance, the alignment of velocity vectors in a school of fish or a flock of birds can be more realistically set up in three-dimensional space, while the alignment of opinion formation in population dynamics could be multidimensional, in general. We present a generalized D-dimensional swarmalator model, which more accurately captures self-organizing behaviors of a plethora of real-world collectives by self-adaptation of high-dimensional spatial and phase variables. For a more sensible visualization and interpretation of the results, we restrict our simulations to three-dimensional spatial and phase variables. Our model provides a framework for modeling complicated processes such as flocking, schooling of fish, cell sorting during embryonic development, residential segregation, and opinion dynamics in social groups. We demonstrate its versatility by capturing the maneuvers of a school of fish, qualitatively and quantitatively, by a suitable extension of the original model to incorporate appropriate features besides a gallery of its intrinsic self-organizations for various interactions. We expect the proposed high-dimensional swarmalator model to be potentially useful in describing swarming systems and programmable and reconfigurable collectives in a wide range of disciplines, including the physics of active matter, developmental biology, sociology, and engineering.

Mary Frances Lyon. 15 May 1925 — 25 December 2014

Mary Lyon was a central figure in twentieth-century mouse genetics. She is best known for the phenomenon that bears her name, ‘Lyonization’ or X chromosome inactivation, the process whereby one of the two X chromosomes in female mammals becomes heterochromatic and genetically inert, resulting in dosage compensation for X-linked genes between XX females and XY males. Her work on the t -complex, developing the concept of responder and distorter loci in the mouse, led to fundamental insights into non-Mendelian inheritance in mammals and exemplifies her exceptionally clear thinking. Her broader work in mouse genetics helped to lay the foundations for the widespread use of the mouse as an essential model organism in molecular medicine, cell and developmental biology and deciphering the function of the human genome.

Functional analysis of a wheat class III peroxidase gene, TaPer12-3A, in seed dormancy and germination

BackgroundClass III peroxidases (PODs) perform crucial functions in various developmental processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, their roles in wheat seed dormancy (SD) and germination remain elusive.ResultsHere, we identified a wheat class III POD gene, named TaPer12-3A, based on transcriptome data and expression analysis. TaPer12-3A showed decreasing and increasing expression trends with SD acquisition and release, respectively. It was highly expressed in wheat seeds and localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm. Germination tests were performed using the transgenic Arabidopsis and rice lines as well as wheat mutant mutagenized with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) in Jing 411 (J411) background. These results indicated that TaPer12-3A negatively regulated SD and positively mediated germination. Further studies showed that TaPer12-3A maintained H2O2 homeostasis by scavenging excess H2O2 and participated in the biosynthesis and catabolism pathways of gibberellic acid and abscisic acid to regulate SD and germination.ConclusionThese findings not only provide new insights for future functional analysis of TaPer12-3A in regulating wheat SD and germination but also provide a target gene for breeding wheat varieties with high pre-harvest sprouting resistance by gene editing technology.

Transcription of microRNAs is regulated by developmental signaling pathways and transcription factors.

In early embryonic development, the cross-regulation of transcription factors and signaling pathways are critical in mediating developmental and physiological processes. Additionally, many studies have shown the importance of post-transcriptional regulation of signaling and network components mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs); however, how miRNAs are transcriptionally regulated is poorly understood. miRNAs are critical fine-tuners of many biological processes and their dysregulation leads to a variety of diseases and developmental defects. Previously, we have shown that miRNAs are dynamically expressed throughout sea urchin development, suggesting that miRNAs are likely to be under transcriptional regulation. Here, we used pharmacological inhibitors, genetic constructs, and loss-of-function reagents to assess the impact of key signaling pathways (Wnt, Nodal, MAPK, Sonic Hedgehog, Delta/Notch, VEGF, and BMP) and transcription factors (Alx1, Ets1/2, and Tbr) on the transcript levels of the evolutionarily conserved miR-1, miR-31, miR-92 and miR-124; the invertebrate-specific miR-71; and the echinoderm-specific miR-2002, miR-2007, and miR-2012. We also used computational methods to identify potential transcription factor binding sites of these miRNAs. Lists of binding motifs for transcription factors (TFs) were acquired from the MEME-Suite Motif Database and used as inputs for the algorithm FIMO (Find Individual Motif Occurrences), which detects short nucleotide motifs within larger sequences. Based on experimental data on miRNA expression in conjunction with bioinformatic predictions, we propose that the transcription factors Tbr, Alx1, and Ets1 regulate SpmiR-1, SpmiR-31, and SpmiR-71, respectively. We additionally observed significant effects on miRNA levels as a result of perturbations to Wnt, Nodal, MAPK, and Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathways, while no significant change on miRNA levels were observed with perturbations to Delta/Notch, VEGF, or BMP signaling pathways. Overall, this study provides insights into the transcriptional regulation of miRNAs by signaling pathways and transcription factors and contribute to our overall understanding of the genetic regulation of developmental processes.

LAFL Factors in Seed Development and Phase Transitions.

Development is a chain reaction in which one event leads to another until the completion of a life cycle. Phase transitions are milestone events in the cycle of life. LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1), ABA INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3), FUSCA3 (FUS3), and LEC2 proteins, collectively known as LAFL, are master transcription factors (TFs) regulating seed and other developmental processes. Since the initial characterization of the LAFL genes (44, 71, 98-100), more than three decades of active research has generated tremendous amounts of knowledge about these TFs, whose roles in seed development and germination have been comprehensively reviewed (63, 43, 65, 81). Recent advances in cell biology and genetic and genomic tools have allowed the characterization of the LAFL regulatory networks in previously challenging tissues at a higher throughput and resolution in reference species and crops. In this review, we provide a holistic perspective by integrating advances at the epigenetic, transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and protein levels to exemplify the spatiotemporal regulation of the LAFL networks in Arabidopsis seed development and phase transitions, and we briefly discuss the evolution of these TF networks.

A phylogenetic method linking nucleotide substitution rates to rates of continuous trait evolution.

Genomes contain conserved non-coding sequences that perform important biological functions, such as gene regulation. We present a phylogenetic method, PhyloAcc-C, that associates nucleotide substitution rates with changes in a continuous trait of interest. The method takes as input a multiple sequence alignment of conserved elements, continuous trait data observed in extant species, and a background phylogeny and substitution process. Gibbs sampling is used to assign rate categories (background, conserved, accelerated) to lineages and explore whether the assigned rate categories are associated with increases or decreases in the rate of trait evolution. We test our method using simulations and then illustrate its application using mammalian body size and lifespan data previously analyzed with respect to protein coding genes. Like other studies, we find processes such as tumor suppression, telomere maintenance, and p53 regulation to be related to changes in longevity and body size. In addition, we also find that skeletal genes, and developmental processes, such as sprouting angiogenesis, are relevant.

Developing Sex: From Recremental Semen to Developmental Endocrinology.

During the 1890s, animal development became associated with glandular activity, with profound implications for pediatric nosology and treatment. The significance of this endocrinological turn of developmental physiology and pathophysiology in part hinges on an often-overlooked continuity with ubiquitous early modern medical thought concerning semen as a recrementitious (reabsorbed) nutrient or stimulant. Mid-19th-century interests in adult sexual physiology were increasingly nerve-centered and antihumoral. Scattered empirical, particularly veterinarian, interests in gonadal developmental functions failed to moderate these explanatory trends. While Brown-Séquard's rejuvenation experiments still offered no clear starting point for a developmental endocrinology, in 1892 Gaston Variot and Paul Bezançon more explicitly deduced a testicular developmental endocrinological function from various observations on testicular ectopy and a local form of animal "demi-castration." Ensuing interest in thethyroid, thethymus and in thetesticles led to various working conceptions of their respective and putatively reciprocal developmental properties, including the idea of a thyroid-testis axis. From 1896, the pubertal affliction of chlorosis became the subject of multiple opotherapeutic approaches, providing an experimental basis for theories of ovarian internal secretion. Polyglandular therapy, piloted for divergent developmental conditions, remained routine until the 1930s despite the biological inefficacy of many endocrine products.

A physical fitness-evaluation system for outstanding Chinese male boxers.

We sought to create a system to evaluate the physical fitness of outstanding Chinese male boxers that included an evaluation index, fitness level criteria, and modeling. This system was then used to assess athletes' physical fitness and development. Documentation, expert interviews, questionnaires, measurements, and statistical analyses were used in this study. The physical fitness evaluation system included the following three components: (1) body shape indexes (n = 4) including the backhand upper arm circumference differential, finger span height, Cottrell index, and pelvic width/shoulder width × 100; (2) body function indexes (n = 4) including relative maximum anaerobic power, relative maximal oxygen uptake, and creatine kinase and testosterone concentrations; and (3) athletic quality indexes (n = 9) including the speed strength index, the backhand straight punch strength, 3-min cumulative punching force, backhand straight punch reaction time, backhand straight punch speed, 30-m sprint, 9-min double shake jump rope, 1-min double shake jump rope, and sitting forward bend tests. A five-point grading system to evaluate physical fitness was established and an evaluation model was proposed. The reference values were determined to be objective and effective using a back substitution process. Individual and differential assessments reflected the athletes' level of physical fitness. The critical values were established under the best and worst conditions and the optimal values were found to be valid and effective.

Self-esteem as a risk factor of anxiety in senior high school students

BackgroundAdolescence is a dynamic period of significant physical, emotional, and cognitive development, where individuals shape their identities and influence their mental health. Being vulnerable to various risk factors, including anxiety, adolescents often face mental disorders that can affect their overall well-being. With anxiety being a major concern in the global context as well as in Indonesia, this study aimed to determine self-esteem as a risk factor of developing anxiety among senior high school students. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 162 senior high school students, using proportionate stratified cluster simple random sampling. Data were collected through the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale questionnaires to measure self-esteem and anxiety levels, respectively. The full score for self-esteem was 10–40 points. The higher the score, the greater the self-esteem. Data was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. ResultsThe research findings indicate that adolescents experiencing anxiety amount to 51.9% and most of them indicated high self-esteem (61.1%). Multiple logistic regression test showed that low self-esteem (OR=2.21; 95% CI: 1.15-4.24) was the most influential risk factor of anxiety. However, there were no significant associations between anxiety and demographic factors such as gender, grade level, major of study, and parental income. ConclusionMost senior high school students experience anxiety, and lower self-esteem was the most influential risk factor of anxiety. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to boost self-esteem as a preventive measure against anxiety among senior high school students.

The Father of The Kindergarten Small Class Involved in The Investigation of Family Education

Family is a small world composed of children and parents. In the family, parents have a important impact on the physical and mental development of young children through interaction and education with young children. In this study, the father of kindergarten class was surveyed, and the questionnaire survey was conducted in the parenting of the father in M Garden. He found that his father had gradually participated in family education, but due to his own family structure, his father less participated in the activities of young children. According to the problems found, relevant suggestions are made: father needs to change the awareness of education and improve the level of parenting; strengthen the guidance function of kindergarten; society must broaden his father's learning channels and improve his father's education level.

The Dilemma of China's Basic Education and the Prominence of the Value of Educational Games

This paper focuses on the challenges faced by China's basic education in the era of digital entertainment, especially points out the harm of online game addiction to the healthy growth of teenagers, and reveals the universality of this problem by citing statistical data. With the prosperity of digital entertainment industry, the phenomenon of teenagers' excessive addiction to games is particularly prominent, especially in the context of epidemic situation, which is closely related to mental illness. Therefore, the society calls for the establishment and improvement of the anti-addiction mechanism and mental health intervention measures, and at the same time advocates the transformation of the game industry and develops functional games with educational significance. School education has negative functions in the process of adapting to social development, such as overemphasizing short-term results and regularization, which may lead to the suppression of students' personality and innovative spirit. Educators learn from the intrinsic attributes and values of games, and actively promote the development and application of educational games, with a view to enhancing students' intrinsic motivation through gamification learning, realizing entertaining and promoting their all-round physical and mental development.

Julian Hart Lewis. 12 August 1946 — 30 April 2014

Julian Hart Lewis was an outstanding embryologist and mathematical biologist whose breadth of interests and skills helped re-establish the importance of quantitative thinking to modern molecular developmental biology. He was most interested in the fundamental question of how the single-celled fertilized egg generates many different types of cells (e.g. nerves, skin, muscle) at the correct time and arranged in the right place. This remarkable generation of complexity is fundamental to an understanding of how animals develop and how this is orchestrated by their genes. Julian was exceptional in combining a ‘feel’ for biological questions and the ability to utilize rigorous and revealing mathematical models. He was also an outstanding mentor, writer and polymath, who was ahead of his time in breaching historical barriers between different scientific disciplines.