Short Stalk Research Articles

Thermospermine Is an Evolutionarily Ancestral Phytohormone Required for Organ Development and Stress Responses in Marchantia Polymorpha.

Thermospermine suppresses auxin-inducible xylem differentiation, whereas its structural isomer, spermine, is involved in stress responses in angiosperms. The thermospermine synthase, ACAULIS5 (ACL5), is conserved from algae to land plants, but its physiological functions remain elusive in non-vascular plants. Here, we focused on MpACL5, a gene in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, that rescued the dwarf phenotype of the acl5 mutant in Arabidopsis. In the Mpacl5 mutants generated by genome editing, severe growth retardation was observed in the vegetative organ, thallus, and the sexual reproductive organ, gametangiophore. The mutant gametangiophores exhibited remarkable morphological defects such as short stalks, fasciation and indeterminate growth. Two gametangiophores fused together, and new gametangiophores were often initiated from the old ones. Furthermore, Mpacl5 showed altered responses to heat and salt stresses. Given the absence of spermine in bryophytes, these results suggest that thermospermine has a dual primordial function in organ development and stress responses in M. polymorpha. The stress response function may have eventually been assigned to spermine during land plant evolution.

The new normal: What does maths and stats support and teaching look like post pandemic?

The workshop “The new normal: What does maths and stats support and teaching look like post pandemic?” took place on the 1st of December 2022 and discussed the changes to mathematics and statistics support since the lifting of restrictions after the pandemic. The event consisted of five short talks where presenters explored the changes that had occurred to mathematics and statistics support at their institutions and concluded with a discussion on how to effectively combine online and face-to-face support and how to increase engagement in all forms of support. This report summarises the talks and discussion, concluding with some thoughts on the changes still required and how we can support each other.

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ГЕНОФОНДА ПШЕНИЧНО-РЖАНОГО АМФИДИПЛОИДА МИРОВОЙ КОЛЛЕКЦИИ ВИР В УСЛОВИЯХ РСО-АЛАНИЯ

The paper presents the data of the results on the study of the comparative characteristics of varieties of winter triticale of local and foreign breeding in the conditions of the Russian Federation. Varietal samples of winter triticale from the world collection of the All-Russian Institute of Plant Breeding named after N. I. Vavilov (VIR) have been studied according to a complex of economically valuable features. The sources of high grain productivity, short stalk, resistance to ear fusarium, etc. are highlighted. A collection of source material for the breeding of winter triticale varieties adapted to the conditions of the foothill zone of the North Caucasus has been created. The VIR Winter triticale collection is represented by 36 samples from Russia, including: Rostov region 5, Voronezh Region 1, Leningrad Region 6, Dagestan 17, Krasnodar Territory 7, as well as from Azerbaijan 1, Kazakhstan 1, Poland 4, France 3, Czech Republic 1, Switzerland 4, Bulgaria 4, Germany 1, Sweden 1, Hungary 1, USA 2, Ukraine 1. The highest value of the ear length was noted in the samples: Rarity, Garnet, PRAG 559, Adasa, Topaz. On average, the length value of winter triticale samples was 10.5 cm. The grain weight of an ear is a complex feature that characterizes the mass of one grain and the total number of grains in the ear. By weight of grain from one ear, Topaz – 2.8 g, Yasha, Adas, Diamond – 2.7 g are distinguished from winter triticale samples. The lowest grain weight from one ear in ATPL samples is 1.5 g, Vocalise and Makar – 1.7 g. By weight of 1000 grains, the best result in Legion samples is 49.3 g, Ratne – 49.0 g, Adas – 48.8 g . Cultivars with a complex or separate economically valuable features have been identified from the collection material of winter triticale: Knyaz (Russia), Kunak (Russia), Bogdo (Russia), Ramzai (Russia), PRAG 531 (Russia), Hortenso (Poland), Moderato (Poland), Zenit Odessa (Ukraine), Pawo (Poland), Varvara (Russia), GR-16-2 (Russia) and others.

First Record of a New Species of Green Lacewings Chrysopa niki n. sp. in Syria

Kawas, H. and A. Basheer. 2024. First Record of a New Species of Green Lacewings Chrysopa niki n. sp. in Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 241-244. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001230 A field survey was conducted in several public and private gardens in Rif Damascus governorate during 2022. Adults of green lacewings (Chrysopidae) were collected as important elements in biological control programs, from pomegranate, Punica granatum L. (Family: Lythraceae), common jasmine, Jasminum officinale L. (Family: Oleaceae) and Viburnum tinus L. (Family: Adoxaceae). Collected insects were examined microscopically and compared with the global classification keys and confirmed the presence of the species Chrysopa niki n. sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopoidea) for the first time in Syria. A few biological data were studied for adults collected in July 2022 from the same plant hosts mentioned above, placed in containers in breeding cages and fed on sugar solution under laboratory conditions at a temperature of 22- 24˚C and a relative humidity of 60±10%. Insects were medium in size, the body elongated, gray in color, the body length ranged between 10 and 14 mm, wingspan ranged between 20 and 28 mm, the antennae were long and thin (threadlike). Wings were translucent, shiny, emerald bluish, multi-veined. The female laid eggs alone on the lower surface and the edges of the leaves. The eggs were elongated, cylindrical, light green in color that turns to bluish green then to gray before hatching, with a short stalk around 9 mm long. Some newly emerged larvae fed on unhatched eggs. The hatching period ranged from 3 to 5 days. Adults age ranged between 21 and 42 days, the number of eggs laid/female was 32-112 eggs, and the hatching rate ranged between 40 and 80%. Keywords: Chrysopidae, Chrysopa niki n. sp., biological data, Syria

CHEP 2023: Preface to the Proceedings

The 26th International Conference on Computing in High Energy and Nuclear Physics (CHEP), organized by Jefferson Lab, took place in Norfolk, Virginia from 5–11 May 2023. The conference attracted 581 registered participants from 28 different countries. There were scientific presentations made over the 5 days of the conference. These were divided between 20 long talks and 2 keynotes, which were presented in plenary sessions; 450+ short talks, which were presented in parallel sessions; and 140+ posters split over two dedicated sessions.

RESTORE VISION: Novel advanced and repurposed therapeutics for vision restoration in a group of severe rare ocular diseases – Short introductory talk

Rare Eye Diseases (REDs) collectively represent a major cause of visual impairment and blindness for children and young adults in Europe. But importantly, REDs also affect adults and the aging population. Defective wound healing at the cornea and ocular surface, excessive inflammation, nerve degeneration, stem cell dysfunction, and aberrant vessel ingrowth are the common denominators in many REDs, representing a critical medical problem and an area of unmet medical need. The onset and progression of many REDs are characterized by common pathophysiologic mechanisms. The goal of many research groups is to disrupt these aberrant mechanisms with the aim of making therapy more effective. Current management is often prohibitively expensive, has low efficacy and leads to debilitating side effects, pointing to a critical medical problem and area of unmet medical need.Here, we will briefly introduce the RESTORE VISION project, which has been recently funded by the European Commission and brings together actors from across the full value chain: 6 leading research institutions, 3 SMEs and a European patient organization. The project will take a ground‐breaking approach to improve eye health by verifying disease pathomechanisms, using cutting‐edge models for each rare disease to test novel and repurposed compounds and determine drug mechanisms of action, formulating compounds as safe eye drop suspensions or subconjunctival drugs, and performing several first‐in‐human trials of novel therapies.

矮杆冬小麦新品种盈亿166原种种子生产技术规程

矮杆冬小麦新品种盈亿166原种种子生产技术规程

Knudsenia Flavoparmeliarum: A new Genus and Species of Lichenicolous Fungus Growing on Flavoparmelia Caperata and Flavopunctelia Flaventior (Parmeliaceae) from India

A new parasitic lichenicolous fungus Knudsenia, with the type species, K. flavoparmeliarum, growing on the thallus of the corticolous lichen Flavoparmelia caperata in subalpine and alpine regions of Central Himalaya (Uttarakhand, India) is described, illustrated, and compared with other morphologically similar lichenicolous fungi. It is characterised by having inconspicuous galls; stromatic ascomata with sterile brownish black to black tissue which is K+ majenta, N–, I–; hymenial gel K/I–; exciple evident; paraphyses simple to sparsely branched, apically not pigmented; asci bitunicate, elongate, clavate to subcylindrical with an indistinct ocular chamber with a very short stalk, 8-spored, K/I+ reddish brown; ascospores hyaline, spherical to ellipsoid at maturity, simple to rarely 1-pseudoseptate [(9.0–)9.5–10.5–11.5(–12.0) × (1.0–)1.2–1.5–2.0(–2.5) µm], I–, perispore absent. Since the species lacks molecular data, hence, it was tentatively placed in the family Planistromellaceae pending further studies.

Girl Talk and Hold Music

In this article, the author visits filmmaker Wu Tsang's 2015 short film Girl Talk at the New Museum in New York. The film's documentation of a dance, the author's fieldwork in the museum, and Tsang's cinematography evidence how feminine boyhood and trans girlhood are better supported in the music, conversation, and dance of what the author calls “girlfriend performance.” Against the violence of adult-authored accounts of trans feminine childhood, this article argues that children's friends should tell the story of trans feminine childhood instead. The author examines Tsang's film for its depiction of friendship in queer and trans feminine childhood and develops a transfeminist educational theatre exercise inspired by its repertoire of conviviality—of “girl talk and hold music”—for applied theatre artists, drama educators, and art therapists working with queer and trans youth, specifically feminine boys and transgender girls, and their friends.

Short Talks

Short Talks
 
 Esra Nalbat
 Sezen Güntekin Ergün
 Deniz Cansen Kahraman
 Ece Akhan Güzelcan
 Adouda Adjiri
 Öykü Gönül Geyik
 Dilara Kamer Çolak
 Süreyya Bozkurt et al.
 Ece Gumusoglu-Acar et al.
 Mehmet Sarımahmut & Serap Çelikler
 Pinar Siyah

Colleters in leaves of Mespilus germanica L. (Rosaceae): Micromorphology, histochemistry and fluorescence

New data on the micromorphology, histochemistry, and fluorescence of colleters on leaf structures at different stages of development (leaf blade, stipules, and petiole) of Mespilus germanica L. are presented. Colleters are found on the tips of the teeth of both young and mature leaf blades and stipules, less often on the petioles. The leaf veins approach the leaf tooth, but no vascularization was found in the colleter. On leaf structures inside the bud, young colleters were observed in the form of finger-shaped or rounded outgrowths consisting of isodiametric cells. Mature colleters are multicellular secretory structures that have a head on a short stalk. The central part of the head consists of densely packed parenchymal cells, which are surrounded by radially elongated palisade-like secretory cells covered with a cuticle. The main secretion process of the colleter falls on the period of active growth of leaf structures. The secreted substances accumulated in the intercellular spaces of the palisade-like cells of the head and then were released outside in the form of translucent vesicles. The secretion products were released when the cuticle was ruptured and spread over the surface of the head and tooth of the leaf blade and stipules. After the end of secretion, the sizes of the head of the colleter decreased, and an abscission zone appeared in the cells of the colleter stalk, along the border of which a fracture occurred when the head fell off. Histochemical analysis of the contents of the colleter showed the presence of polysaccharides, especially at a young age, substances of a phenolic nature and lipids at a more mature age. In the fluorescence spectrum of young leaf colleter secretion, a peak at 671–672 nm was observed upon excitation at 405 and 473 nm. The obtained data on Mespilus germanica L. colleter can be used in the taxonomy of Pyrinae and Rosaceae.

Study of the breeding forms of emmer wheat (<i>Triticum dicoccum</i> (Schrank) Schuebl.)

The results of the study of economically useful features of the plants of the semi-naked emmer wheat breeding lines (Triticum dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl.) with purple pericarp coloring of grain are presented. Seven breeding lines F9, created by two-step hybridization of the purple-grain durum wheat with naked and awnless emmer, and five breeding samples of seminaked emmer wheat were studied. In the field experiments, plants were selected for selection valuable traits. Phenological observations, structural analysis, and evaluation of the quantitative traits of the plants of emmer wheat breeding forms with purple grain coloration were carried out from 2020 to 2022. Two-way analysis of variance showed significant factors - the breeding lines and the years of study. In the course of the study, it was found that for further breeding work, emmer wheat lines carrying a combination of economically important traits are of value. Short-stalked purple-grain form 27-1 is resistant to lodging, the yield of the grain - 80 %, the weight of 1000 grains – 34–37 g. Line 27–12 has grains with purple color, high grain-unit value of about 800 g/l and good grain productivity for emmer wheat reaching 400 g/m2. Purple emmer line 31–16 has a good bushiness (3–4 pieces), short stalk (71–74 cm), high lodging resistance (4–5 points) and grain threshing capacity (80 %). From 2021 to 2022, the same studies were conducted with emmer wheat from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). The selection line of emmer wheat 41/14 was distinguished by the high indicator of threshed grains (85 %). The main disadvantages of the established forms of emmer wheat with purple-colored grains still remain relatively low grain yield, insufficiently strong ear shank, not complete grinding of the grain from the flowering glumes and husks. However, further breeding work can improve these traits, as well as increase the grain yield, the weight of 1000 grains and a more complete release of the grain from the chaff during threshing.

Abstract A015: Injury-associated transcriptional state transitions in early renal carcinogenesis

Abstract This abstract is being presented as a short talk in the scientific program. A full abstract is printed in the Proffered Abstracts section (PR002) of the Conference Program/Proceedings. Citation Format: Shoko Hirosue, Jianfeng Ge, Leticia Castillon, Paulo Rodrigues, Dóra Bihary, Alyson Speed, Ludovic Wesolowski, Veronica Caraffini, Anne Y. Warren, Grant D. Stewart, Sarah J. Welsh, Thomas J. Mitchell, Athena Matakidou, Fatemeh S. Seyednasrollah, Shamith A. Samarajiwa, Sakari Vanharanta. Injury-associated transcriptional state transitions in early renal carcinogenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Kidney Cancer Research; 2023 Jun 24-27; Austin, Texas. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(16 Suppl):Abstract nr A015.

Abstract B016: SETD2 safeguards the genome against isochromosome formation

Abstract This abstract is being presented as a short talk in the scientific program. A full abstract is printed in the Proffered Abstracts section (PR012) of the Conference Program/Proceedings. Citation Format: Frank M. Mason, Anteneh T. Tebeje, Emily S. Kounlavong, Rashmi Dahiya, Logan Vlach, Tiffany Guess, Ruhee Dere, Ryoma Ohi, Peter Ly, Cheryl L. Walker, W. Kimryn Rathmell. SETD2 safeguards the genome against isochromosome formation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Kidney Cancer Research; 2023 Jun 24-27; Austin, Texas. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(16 Suppl):Abstract nr B016.

Abstract A019: Development and characterization of novel pre-clinical models of SFPQ-TFE3-driven renal cell carcinoma

Abstract This abstract is being presented as a short talk in the scientific program. A full abstract is printed in the Proffered Abstracts section (PR001) of the Conference Program/Proceedings. Citation Format: Adrianna Amaral de Aragao Mendes, Hans Liu, Juhyung Woo, Kaushal Asrani, Avi Rosenberg, Pedram Argani, Tamara Lotan. Development and characterization of novel pre-clinical models of SFPQ-TFE3-driven renal cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Kidney Cancer Research; 2023 Jun 24-27; Austin, Texas. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(16 Suppl):Abstract nr A019.

New genus of Lumbriculidae (Annelida, Clitellata) from a karst spring in the Cantabrian Mountains, northern Spain.

The groundwater worms of the family Lumbriculidae exhibit high diversity and endemism in southern Europe. All stygobiont lumbriculid species known so far in this region belong to six genera. In the present study, a new stygobiont lumbriculid Fendia cantabrica n. gen. n. sp. is described, mainly based on distinct characteristics of the male duct structure. The male duct is semiprosoporous and the spermathecae (two pairs) are postatrial, starting in the ovarian segment. These characteristics are shared with only two lumbriculid genera: the Nearctic Eremidrilus and Holarctic Trichodrilus. The new genus is clearly distinguished from the former by the absence of proboscis, and from both genera by a remarkably complex structure of the atrium: a very strong musculature organized in several crossed layers, a protrusible penis with a singular hydrostatic skeleton, and two prostate glands, which join separately to the atrial ampulla by short stalks.

STUDENT’S DIFFICULTIES IN LISTENING TOEIC TEST OF SEMESTER II (MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS) AT THE STATE POLYTECHNIC BENGKALIS

Toeic test is one of the requirements to graduate at State Polytechnic Bengkalis. To pass in Toeic test, some of students get difficulties to pass the passing grade. The aim of this study is to find out students’ difficulties in listening to Toeic tests and how to overcome the problem. This study found that students’ ability in listening comprehension on Toeic test was average category from 11 students by 36.7%. Then students ‘difficulties in Toeic tests Picture description (used similar sound answered agree by 50%), question response (the speech rate answered agree by 53.3%), short conversation (unfamiliar word answered strongly agree by 53.5%), short talks (can easily miss the text answered agree by 43.3%).

The Foliar Anatomy and Micromorphology of Cyphostemma hypoleucum (Vitaceae).

Cyphostemma hypoleucum (Harv.) Desc. ex Wild & R.B. Drumm is a perennial climber, indigenous to Southern Africa, and belongs to the Vitaceae. Although there have been many studies of Vitaceae micromorphology, only a few taxa have been described in detail. This study aimed to characterize the micro-morphology of the leaf indumentum and determining its possible functions. Stereo microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to produce images. Micrographs of stereomicroscopy and SEM showed the presence of non-glandular trichomes. In addition, pearl glands were observed on the abaxial surface using a stereo microscope and SEM. These were characterized by a short stalk and a spherical- shaped head. The density of trichomes decreased on both surfaces of leaves as the leaf expanded. Idioblasts that contained raphide crystals were also detected in tissues. The results obtained from various microscopy techniques confirmed that non-glandular trichomes serve as the main external appendages of the leaves. Additionally, their functions may include serving as a mechanical barrier against environmental factors such as low humidity, intense light, elevated temperatures, as well as herbivory and insect oviposition. Our results may also be added to the existing body of knowledge with regard to microscopic research and taxonomic applications.

Preface to the 9th Biennial COAST Conference: Harnessing Technology and Biomedicine for Personalized Orthodontics.

The Consortium on Orthodontic Advances in Science and Technology (COAST) convened for its 9th biennial conference titled 'Harnessing Technology and Biomedicine for Personalized Orthodontics' to explore cutting-edge craniofacial research towards building the foundations for precision care in orthodontics. Seventy-five faculty, scholars, private practitioners, industry, residents and students met at the UCLA Arrowhead Lodge on 6-9 November 2022 for networking, scientific presentations and facilitated discussions. Thirty-three speakers provided state-of-the-art, evidence-based scientific and perspective updates in craniofacial and orthodontic-related fields. The overall format included an Education Innovation Award Faculty Development Career Enrichment (FaCE) workshop focused on faculty career development, three lunch and learns, keynote or short talks and poster presentations. The 2022 COAST Conference was organized thematically to include (a) genes, cells and environment in craniofacial development and abnormalities; (b) precision modulation of tooth movement, retention and facial growth; (c) applications of artificial intelligence in craniofacial health; (d) precision approaches to Sleep Medicine, OSA and TMJ therapies; and (e) precision technologies and appliances. The collective advances in orthodontics and science represented in the manuscripts of this issue fulfil our goal of laying solid foundations for personalized orthodontics. Participants elevated the need for stronger industry-academic research partnerships to leverage knowledge gained from large datasets with treatment approaches and outcomes; systematizing the potential of big data including through multi-omics and artificial intelligence approaches; refining the genotype: phenotype correlation to create biotechnology that will rescue inherited dental and craniofacial defects; evolving studies of tooth movement, sleep apnoea and TMD treatment to accurately measure dysfunction and treatment successes; and maximizing the integration of newer orthodontic devices and digital workflows. Technological advances combined with those in biomedicine and machine learning are rapidly changing the delivery of health care including that in orthodontics. These advances promise to lead to enhanced customization, efficiencies and outcomes of patient care in routine orthodontic problems and in severe craniofacial problems, OSA and TMD.

Report on the FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 1st International Molecular Biosciences PhD and Postdoc Conference.

The FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE 1st International Molecular Biosciences PhD and Postdoc Conference was held in Seville, Spain, from the 16-18th of November 2022. Nearly 300 participants from all over the globe were welcomed by the host institution, the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS). Following the theme "The perfect tandem: How technology expands the frontiers of biomedicine", the Scientific Symposium of the conference hosted eight world-renowned keynote speakers who presented their work in one of the four sessions: Innovation, Basic Research, Translational and Clinical Research, and Computational Biology and Artificial Intelligence. Participants had the chance to present their research to their peers: more than 200 posters were presented during the dedicated poster sessions and 19 selected PhD students and postdocs presented their work as short talks. The Career Day featured a wide range of workshops fully devoted to trainees' professional development, as well as a job fair and career chats with professionals to discuss future perspectives. Besides, several outreach activities were organised before and during the conference to engage with the general public and bring science closer to society. The success of this conference will be followed by the next FEBS-IUBMB-ENABLE conferences in Cologne, Germany, in 2023 and Singapore in 2024.