Short Days Research Articles

Functional inhibition of deep brain non-visual opsins facilitates acute long day induction of reproductive recrudescence in male Japanese quail

For nearly a century, we have known that brain photoreceptors regulate avian seasonal biology. Two photopigments, vertebrate ancient opsin (VA) and neuropsin (OPN5), provide possible molecular substrates for these photoreceptor pathways. VA fulfills many criteria for providing light input to the reproductive response, but a functional link has yet to be demonstrated. This study examined the role of VA and OPN5 in the avian photoperiodic response of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Non-breeding male quail were housed under short days (6L:18D) and received an intracerebroventricular infusion of adeno-associated viral vectors with shRNAi that selectively inhibited either VA or OPN5. An empty viral vector acted as a control. Quail were then photostimulated (16L:8D) to stimulate gonadal growth. Two long days significantly increased pituitary thyrotrophin-stimulating hormone β-subunit (TSHβ) and luteinizing hormone β-subunit (LHβ) mRNA of VA shRNAi treated quail compared to controls. Furthermore, at one week there was a significant increase, compared to controls, in both hypothalamic gonadotrophin releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) mRNA and paired testicular mass in VA shRNAi birds. Opn5 shRNAi facilitated the photoinduced increase in TSHβ mRNA at 2 days, but no other differences were identified compared to controls. Contrary to our expectations, the silencing of deep brain photoreceptors enhanced the response of the reproductive axis to photostimulation rather than preventing it. In addition, we show that VA opsin plays a dominant role in the light-dependent neuroendocrine control of seasonal reproduction in birds. Together our findings suggest the photoperiodic response involves at least two photoreceptor types and populations working together with VA opsin playing a dominant role.

Blood transcriptome of Rasa Aragonesa rams with different sexual behavior phenotype reveals CRYL1 and SORCS2 as genes associated with this trait.

Reproductive fitness of rams is seasonal, showing the highest libido during short days coinciding with the ovarian cyclicity resumption in the ewe. However, the remarkable variation in sexual behavior between rams impair farm efficiency and profitability. Intending to identify in vivo sexual behavior biomarkers that may aid farmers to select active rams, transcriptome profiling of blood was carried out by analyzing samples from 6 sexually active (A) and 6 nonactive (NA) Rasa Aragonesa rams using RNA-Seq technique. A total of 14,078 genes were expressed in blood but only four genes were differentially expressed (FDR < 0.10) in the A vs. NA rams comparison. The genes, acrosin inhibitor 1 (ENSOARG00020023278) and SORCS2, were upregulated (log2FC > 1) in active rams, whereas the CRYL1 and immunoglobulin lambda-1 light chain isoform X47 (ENSOARG00020025518) genes were downregulated (log2FC < -1) in this same group. Gene set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) identified 428 signaling pathways, predominantly related to biological processes. The lysosome pathway (GO:0005764) was the most enriched, and may affect fertility and sexual behavior, given the crucial role played by lysosomes in steroidogenesis, being the SORCS2 gene related to this signaling pathway. Furthermore, the enriched positive regulation of ERK1 and ERK2 cascade (GO:0070374) pathway is associated with reproductive phenotypes such as fertility via modulation of hypothalamic regulation and GnRH-mediated production of pituitary gonadotropins. Furthermore, external side of plasma membrane (GO:0009897), fibrillar center (GO:0001650), focal adhesion (GO:0005925), and lamellipodium (GO:0030027) pathways were also enriched, suggesting that some molecules of these pathways might also be involved in rams' sexual behavior. These results provide new clues for understanding the molecular regulation of sexual behavior in rams. Further investigations will be needed to confirm the functions of SORCS2 and CRYL1 in relation to sexual behavior.

Выбор сортов картофеля при возделывании двух урожаев в Центральном Нечерноземье

The development of potato plants when cultivating two crops occurs in a short period. In this case, field conditions change and do not repeat over time. Crop formation when cultivating two crops in the Central Non-Black Earth Region finds itself in different growing conditions: the first harvest falls on long days and moderate temperatures, as well as sometimes returning frosts, the second harvest falls on short days and high temperatures, as well as lack of moisture. The purpose of our research was to substantiate the choice of varieties for cultivating two crops. The research was carried out at the Research and Production Center Vegetable Experimental Station of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education RSAU-MAA named after C.A. Timiryazev, Moscow and at the Central Experimental Station of the All-Russian Research Institute of Agrochemistry Barybino, Moscow Region, 2017‑2022. The experiment was carried out using the method of random placement of plots. Planting density – 47.6 thousand plants per 1 hectare. Sprouted tubers were used for planting during the first planting of the large fraction; during the second planting, the middle fraction was germinated with the addition of dry hydrogel. The second planting was carried out in the vacant space after the first planting had been cleared. The cultivation technology is standard. Cleaning took place at the beginning of July and at the end of September. As a result of the study ni different climatic conditions, it was revealed that planting of 1 crop should be carried out with ultra-early ripening varieties (Riviera) and for 2 crops with mid-early and mid-ripening varieties (Udacha).

Constraints on Moon's Orbit 3.2 Billion Years Ago From Tidal Bundle Data

AbstractThe angular momentum of the Earth‐Moon system was initially dominated by Earth's rotation with a short solar day of around 5 hr duration. Since then, Earth gradually transferred angular momentum through tidal friction to the orbit of the Moon, resulting in an increasing orbital radius and a deceleration of Earth's rotation. Geologic observations of tidal deposits can be used to verify and constrain models of lunar orbital evolution. In this work we reexamine the oldest tidal record suitable for analysis from the Moodies Group, South Africa, with an age of 3.22 billion years. Time frequency analysis of the series of thicknesses of the sandstone‐shale layers yields a periodicity of 15.0 layers, taking into account the possibility of missing laminae. Assuming a mixed tidal system, the duration of two neap‐spring‐neap cycles was 30.0 lunar days for dominant semidiurnal or 30.0 sidereal days for dominant diurnal tides. We derive the relationship between this observation and the past Earth‐Moon distance and re‐visit related published work. We find that the Earth‐Moon distance 3.2 billion years ago was about 70% of today's value. The Archean solar day was around 13 hr long. The ratio of solar to lunar tide‐raising torque controls the leakage of angular momentum from the Earth‐Moon system, but deviation from the assumed ratio of 0.211 results in only moderate changes. A duration of a postulated 21‐hr atmospheric resonance shorter than 200 million years would be consistent with our observation; it would significantly alter the Earth‐Moon distance.

Lithuanian river ice detection and automated classification using machine-learning methods

In regions susceptible to river freezing and flooding, river ice detection is a priority. Localization of ice jams and ice drift zones could mean a faster and better response to possible flooding areas, and classification of river ice could help better predict freezing and thawing conditions that hinder the use of commercial and recreational river transport. As many freezing-prone rivers are located in regions with short winter days and common cloud cover, the use of optical sensors can be very limited, therefore, the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) – a microwave imaging radar – is more applicable. In this article, Sentinel-1 SAR C-band imagery is used to create derivate texture rasters, which are analyzed, compared with known optical imagery and then considered for river ice detection and discrimination. These results are compared in terms of their effectiveness for river ice discrimination, and the most useful methods are selected. The chosen methods are then compared in an experimental machine-learning model capable of detecting and classifying ice and water. Various machine-learning approaches (both classical and deep-learning) are considered and compared, and the best models are selected. The purpose of this research is to analyze the capability of texture rasters, calculated from a gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), to discriminate river ice. Texture rasters have recently been applied for river ice classification by de Roda Husman et al. (de Roda Husman et al. 2021), but included only three metrics. This research aims to expand on this knowledge by comparing eight metrics instead of three, as well as including an experiment with a deep-learning model. The results demonstrate that in machine-learning experiments, only one texture measure out of eight (GLCM Mean calculation) is able to discriminate river ice better than discrimination from a standard SAR backscatter intensity image (the baseline).

A base substitution in OsphyC disturbs its Interaction with OsphyB and affects flowering time and chlorophyll synthesis in rice

BackgroundPhytochromes are important photoreceptors in plants, and play essential roles in photomorphogenesis. The functions of PhyA and PhyB in plants have been fully analyzed, while those of PhyC in plant are not well understood.ResultsA rice mutant, late heading date 3 (lhd3), was characterized, and the gene LHD3 was identified with a map-based cloning strategy. LHD3 encodes phytochrome C in rice. Animo acid substitution in OsphyC disrupted its interaction with OsphyB or itself, restraining functional forms of homodimer or heterodimer formation. Compared with wild-type plants, the lhd3 mutant exhibited delayed flowering under both LD (long-day) and SD (short-day) conditions, and delayed flowering time was positively associated with the day length via the Ehd1 pathway. In addition, lhd3 showed a pale-green-leaf phenotype and a slower chlorophyll synthesis rate during the greening process. The transcription patterns of many key genes involved in photoperiod-mediated flowering and chlorophyll synthesis were altered in lhd3.ConclusionThe dimerization of OsPhyC is important for its functions in the regulation of chlorophyll synthesis and heading. Our findings will facilitate efforts to further elucidate the function and mechanism of OsphyC and during light signal transduction in rice.

Экзогенная регуляция фенотипического проявления признака фотопериодической чувствительности у сои

Soybean is a photoperiodically highly sensitive, short-day plant. There are practically no genes and gene complexes of photoperiodic neutrality in the soybean gene pool. This greatly limits the optimal day lengths and latitudinal ranges of cultivation of the vast majority of soybean varieties. Therefore, the task of neutralizing the negative impact of suboptimal, first of all, shortened day lengths on soybeans is of global importance. The purpose of these studies was to study the possibility of exogenous neutralization of photoperiodic sensitivity of soybeans by using gibberellin solutions on vegetative plants in order to prolong the period of their vegetative growth, the formation of additional nodes of beans and seeds, providing an increase in yield against the background of suboptimal, shortened day lengths. The research was carried out in 2019–2022 at the V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops (VNIIMK), Krasnodar, on soybean varieties Puma, Barguzin, Vita and Slavia. Based on the theory of hormonal regulation of flowering by M.H. Chil-akhyan we developed a method for exogenous regu-lation of a genetically determined trait of high photoperiodic sensitivity of soybeans to shortened day lengths. The most sensitive to exogenous regulation of photoperiodic sensitivity stage of soybean ontogeny – the 4th trifoliate leaf (ontogeny stage V4) was established by treating plants with a solution of gibberellin. The most active concentration of gibberellin aqueous solutions was determined – 0.003%, the application of which to soybean leaves, at the stage of ontogenesis V4, causes prolongation of vegetative plant growth, formation of additional nodes, beans and seeds. Exogenous phytohormonal prolongation of vegetative growth increases the yield of photoperiodically sensitive soybean varieties when they are grown under conditions of shortened day lengths, including in second summer crops after harvesting winter crops.

Photoperiodic-dependent histomorphological changes in the excurrent duct system of helmeted guinea fowl subjected to short day (8L:16D), long-day (16L:8D) light/dark cycles and exogenous melatonin

In the present study, the influence of varying photoperiods [short day light 8L:16D, long day light 16L;8D] and exogeneous melatonin on the excurrent duct system of male helmeted guinea fowl was investigated using histo-morphological and histometric approaches. A total of twenty-eight (28) guinea fowl birds were randomly divided into Group I: Short daylight (SD; 8 HL), Group II: (SD +1mg/kg melatonin; 8 HL+ Mel), Group III: Long daylight (LD; 16 HL) and Group IV: (LD +1mg/kg; 16 HL + Mel)] and comprises of seven birds (n=7) per group. At the end of the 8 weeks of experimentation, the excurrent ducts were excised and processed for routine histological examination and the variations in histo-morphometrical parameters were determined using the GIMP2 software. Histologically, apart from the moderate cellular degeneration observed in efferent duct epithelia of the SD subgroups: (8 HL and 8 HL + Mel), there was remarkable spermatozoa presence in the lumens of the epididymal duct and ductus deferens of both 16 HL and 16 HL + Mel groups. The histo-morphometric data (luminal, ductal diameters and epithelial heights) were significantly increased (p <0.05) in the excurrent ducts of guinea fowl exposed to 16 HL and 16 HL + Mel, as compared to other groups. There was significant decrease (p <0.05) in stereocilia height (SH) in 16 HL compared to 8 HL sub-groups of lower segments. Although, a non-significant (p >0.05) increase in SH was observed in melatonin-treated groups, regardless of photoperiod. Taken together, these sets of data from this study indicate the importance of artificial light and exogenous melatonin in the control of seasonality of reproduction and which could be used to influence the reproductive cycle of the guinea fowl.

Reproductive Management in Goat Breeding

Goats belong to the „short day breeders“ group of seasonal polyoestrous animals. In the temperate climate zone, their season lasts from mid-summer till mid-autumn, being regulated by epiphysis’ melatonine secretion, as well as by genetics and environment factors. Therefore, the presence of goat milk and dairy products, as well as goat meat, at the food market, is exclusively seasonal. In order to provide goat food products throughout the whole year, reproductive herd management should be established. This paper presents a brief overview of the methods of reproductive management in dairy goat herds (natural mating and artificial insemination, hormonal and nonhormonal synchronization methods and embryo production and transfer). Proposed protocols are consisted of light treatment, male effect and timed artificial insemination which could be combined with or without injection of prostaglandin. Application of reproductive and breeding programs allow efficient diffusion of desirable genetic traits in a selection program.

OsFLZ2 interacts with OsMADS51 to fine-tune rice flowering time.

Flowering time is an important agronomic trait affecting crop yield. FCS-LIKE ZINC FINGER (FLZ) proteins are plant-specific regulatory proteins that are involved in multiple biological processes. However, their roles in plant flowering time control have not been clarified. Here, we report that OsFLZ2 is a negative regulator of rice flowering time. OsFLZ2 delays flowering by repressing the expression of key floral integrator genes. Biochemical assays showed OsFLZ2 physically interacts with OsMADS51, a flowering activator under short-day (SD) conditions. Both OsFLZ2 and OsMADS51 are highly expressed in rice leaves before floral transition under natural SD conditions, and their proteins are colocalized in the nucleus. Co-expression of OsFLZ2 can destabilize OsMADS51 and weaken its transcriptional activation of the downstream target gene Early heading date 1 (Ehd1). Taken together, these results indicate that OsFLZ2 can interfere with the function of OsMADS51 to fine-tune rice flowering time.

ANALISIS KINERJA LALU LINTAS JL. RAYA MR. MOCH. ICHSAN, KOTA SEMARANG (DEPAN PINTU KELUAR MASUK RS. PERMATA MEDIKA)

Semarang is one of the metropolitan. Traffic on Jl. Raya Mr Moch. Ichsan in front of the Permata Medika hospital, which is fairly crowded, is due to the influence of the hospital's activities. Many activities are seen at the entrance and exit of the hospital, including crossing. The purpose of this study was to analyze traffic performance, determine the factors that hinder traffic flow, determine the volume, travel time, and vehicle delay time due to u-turns at the median opening in front of the hospital entrance. Medical Gems. Traffic volume data collection was carried out for 3 days, namely weekdays, short days. and holidays using the 2014 PKJI method (referring to the reference to the 1997 MKJI basic rules). The results of the observations obtained are that the total current is 6201 cur/hour with the side resistance weight being at a moderate level. By following the 2014 PKJI guidelines, we get the adjustment values ​​for Free Flow Speed ​​(VB) = 61 km/hour and Capacity (C) = 7128 skr/hour. With a value of DJ = 0.869 cur/hour, it is at LOS level E which according to PKJI 2014 (referring to the reference to the 1997 MKJI basic rules) the level of road service is above the average for the maximum service level, namely levels A to D with a degree of saturation value of 0.00 - 0.84. Strict action from the relevant officers is needed by controlling existing traffic signs such as parking is prohibited in order to maximize the function of the existing road capacity.

Evaluating Antibiotic Use in a Veterans Affairs Skilled Nursing Facility.

Objective To examine antibiotic use in long-term care residents at a VA skilled nursing facility. Design Quality improvement project. Setting Long-term care residents admitted to the Community Living Center of a Midwestern VA medical center. Patients Inclusion criteria were long-term care residents admitted to the VA skilled nursing facility who were prescribed an oral (including via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube) antibiotic from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. Residents were excluded if they were admitted for hospice care, rehabilitation, or short-term skilled nursing. Residents were also excluded if they were on intravenous or topical antibiotics. Results Fifty-six unique antibiotic courses consisting of 13 different antibiotics were evaluated. Median days of therapy per 1,000 resident days was 39.7 overall, for quarter 1 was 51, quarter 2 was 42, quarter 3 was 49.3, and quarter 4 was 17.5. Average antibiotic days of therapy was 7.6 days. Fluoroquinolones comprised 26.8% of the courses, followed by beta-lactamase inhibitors at 25%. Of the 56 courses, 85.7% were found to have appropriate dose/frequency, while 73.2% had appropriate duration. No reports of Clostridioides difficile infection were noted. Thirty-one antibiotic courses had cultures obtained, of which 29 did not deescalate therapy. Of these, 5 (17.2%) were indicated for de-escalation. Conclusion Antibiotic use in this skilled nursing facility have opportunities for intervention, including reducing fluoroquinolone use, optimizing de-escalation, and shortening days of therapy. The implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship monitoring program within the long-term care setting could assist in maximizing therapy while reducing antibiotic exposure.

Inclusive Technology Performance Evaluation in the Production of Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter)

Different management practices likely to enhance teff production are used in Ethiopia, however, evidence on their relative performance is little studied or unavailable. This on-farm experiment was conducted to assess the performance of different management practices for teff productivity, profitability, and acceptability in subtropical districts of North East Amhara. Four trial treatments (viz., IKIM, IBIM, LBIM, and LBFM) were laid out in an unreplicated simple block considering farmers as replication during the main cropping seasons of 2019 and 2020. Tukey’s (HSD) test following one-way ANOVA, partial budget analysis, and weighted matrix ranking were used to explain the significance level, profitability, and preference traits, respectively. Results presented a significant ( p ≤ 0.01) treatment difference across districts in days to maturity, grain, and biomass yields. Among treatments, IKIM had short maturity days at Sekota (94), Dehana (105), and Lasta (95) districts. The grain yields were on average 1.75 ton ha−1, 1.45 ton ha−1, and 1.63 ton ha−1 at Sekota, Dehana, and Lasta districts, respectively. The lowest grain yields of 0.70 ton ha−1, 0.58 ton ha−1, and 0.63 ton ha−1 were recorded from LBFM. Despite the higher total variable costs, IKIM was gainful having 51400 ETB, 40579 ETB, and 46928 ETB net benefits at Sekota, Dehana, and Lasta districts, respectively. The MRR showed that a marginal profit of 13.77, 9.76, and 9.23 ETB was gained per each 1.00 ETB investment for shifting the practice (LBFM to IKIM). Therefore, we recommend IKIM as best management practice for consistent teff production in similar agroecological conditions.

Identification of two quantitative genes controlling soybean flowering using bulked-segregant analysis and genetic mapping.

Photoperiod responsiveness is important to soybean production potential and adaptation to local environments. Varieties from temperate regions generally mature early and exhibit extremely low yield when grown under inductive short-day (SD) conditions. The long-juvenile (LJ) trait is essentially a reduction and has been introduced into soybean cultivars to improve yield in tropical environments. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based bulked segregant analysis (BSA) to simultaneously map qualitative genes controlling the LJ trait in soybean. We identified two genomic regions on scaffold_32 and chromosome 18 harboring loci LJ32 and LJ18, respectively. Further, we identified LJ32 on the 228.7-kb scaffold_32 as the soybean pseudo-response-regulator gene Tof11 and LJ18 on a 301-kb region of chromosome 18 as a novel PROTEIN FLOWERING LOCUS T-RELATED gene, Glyma.18G298800. Natural variants of both genes contribute to LJ trait regulation in tropical regions. The molecular identification and functional characterization of Tof11 and LJ18 will enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the LJ trait and provide useful genetic resources for soybean molecular breeding in tropical regions.

Photoperiodic Regulation of Tuber Enlargement in Water Yam

In tuberous crops, tuber enlargement is one of the most important target traits for yield formation. It has long been known that tuber growth in yams is enhanced by short-day (SD) conditions, but the mechanism of tuber enlargement remains unknown. Here, we analyzed the photoperiodic regulation of tuber enlargement in water yam (Dioscorea alata L.). The photoperiod experiments in seedlings showed that tuber enlargement is initiated under SD conditions (≤10 h daylength) within 20 days of treatment. DaFT2, a FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT)-like gene, was upregulated in SD and downregulated in long-day (LD) conditions in tubers, suggesting that DaFT2 promotes tuber enlargement. DaFT1, the other FT-like gene, was significantly upregulated only in the leaves under LD, and its expression pattern was opposite to that of DaFT2 in the tubers. A night-break experiment showed that tuber growth was inhibited by red light in the dark period. These results suggest that the tuber enlargement of water yam is completely dependent on the photoperiod and that it involves an FT gene-mediated mechanism in response to the SD condition by red light sensing.

Blue Light Supplemented at Intervals in Long-Day Conditions Intervenes in Photoperiodic Flowering, Photosynthesis, and Antioxidant Properties in Chrysanthemums.

The flowering of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), inhibited by long-day lighting, can be reversed with a short period of low supplemental blue light (S-BL). Both flowering and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging processes are primarily driven by sugars created by photosynthetic carbon assimilation. In addition, the antioxidant ability potentially affects flowering in photoperiod- and/or circadian rhythm-dependent manners. This indicates that there is an interactive relationship among blue (B) light, photosynthetic efficiency, sugar accumulation, and antioxidant ability in flowering regulation. Here, 4 h of 30 μmol·m-2·s-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) S-BL was applied at the end of a 13-h long-day period (LD13 + 4B) at different intervals during 60 days of experimental duration. The five experimental groups were named according to the actual number of days of S-BL and their intervals: applied once every day, "60 days-(LD13 + 4B) (100.0%)"; once every other day, "30 days-(LD13 + 4B) (50.0%)"; once every three days, "15 days-(LD13 + 4B) (25.0%)"; once every five days, "10 days-(LD13 + 4B) (16.7%)"; and once every seven days, "7 days-(LD13 + 4B) (11.7%)". Two non-S-BL control groups were also included: 60 10-h short days (60 days-SD10) and 13-h long days (60 days-LD13). At the harvest stage, varying degrees of flowering were observed except in "60 days-LD13" and "7 days-(LD13 + 4B) (11.7%)". The number of flowers increased and the flower buds appeared earlier as the proportion of S-BL days increased in LD13 conditions, although the "60 days-SD10" gave the earliest flowering. The proportion of initial, pivotal, and optimal flowering was 16.7% ("10 days-(LD13 + 4B)"), 50.0% ("30 days-(LD13 + 4B)"), and 100.0% ("60 days-(LD13 + 4B)"), respectively. Meanwhile, a series of physiological parameters such as the production of enzymatic or non-enzymatic antioxidants, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, enzyme activities, and carbohydrate accumulation were significantly improved by "30 days-(LD13 + 4B) (50.0%)" as a turning point until the peaks appeared in "60 days-(LD13 + 4B) (100.0%)", as well as the expression of florigenic or anti-florigenic and some antioxidant-synthetic genes. Furthermore, the results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that S-BL days positively regulated flowering, photosynthesis, carbohydrate accumulation, and antioxidant production. In aggregate, the pivotal and optimal proportions of S-BL days to reconcile the relationship among flowering, photosynthetic carbon assimilation, and antioxidant ability were 50.0% and 100.0%, respectively. However, there are still significant gaps to be filled in order to determine the specific involvement of blue light and antioxidant abilities in flowering regulation.

Overexpression of two CONSTANS-like 2 (MiCOL2) genes from mango delays flowering and enhances tolerance to abiotic stress in transgenic Arabidopsis

The CO/COL gene family plays an important role in regulating photoperiod-dependent flowering time in plants. In this study, two COL2 gene homologs, MiCOL2A and MiCOL2B, were isolated from ‘SiJiMi’ mango, and their expression patterns and functions were characterized. The MiCOL2A and MiCOL2B genes both belonged to the group Ⅰ of CO/COL gene family. MiCOL2A and MiCOL2B exhibited distinct circadian rhythms and were highly expressed in leaves during the flowering induction period. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that MiCOL2A and MiCOL2B are localized in the nucleus. The overexpression of MiCOL2A and MiCOL2B significantly delayed flowering time in Arabidopsis under both long-day (LD) and short-day (SD) conditions. The MiCOL2A and MiCOL2B overexpression Arabidopsis plants exhibited more tolerance to slat and drought stress after abiotic stress treatments, with greater ROS scavenging capacity and protective enzyme activity, less cell damage and death and higher expression of stress response genes than wild type plants. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis showed that MiCOL2A and MiCOL2B interacted with several stress-related proteins, including zinc finger protein 4 (MiZFP4), MYB30-INTERACTING E3 LIGASE 1 (MiMIEL1) and RING zinc finger protein 34 (MiRZFP34). The results indicate that MiCOL2A and MiCOL2B are not only involved in flowering time but also play a positive role in abiotic stress responses in plants.

Donors of ultra-earliness for spring common wheat breeding

Knowledge of productivity and genetic control of the rate of ultra-early lines development will facilitate their use in breeding of common wheat Tritium aestivum L. for high adaptive capacity. The research focused on ultra-early lines Rico (k-65588), Rimax (k-67257) (progeny of F3 Rico × ‘Max’, k-57181), Fori 1-8 line series (progeny of F4 ‘Photon’ × Rico) and Rifor 1-13 (progeny of F7-8 Rico × ‘Forlani Roberto’), as well as on the accessions ‘Photon’ (k-55696) and ‘Forlani Roberto’ (k-42641). The varieties ‘Leningradskaya 6’ (k-64900) and ‘Leningradskaya 97’ (k-62935) were used as standards in VIR, and ‘Chelyaba 2’ (k-64379) was used in Сhelyabinsk ARI. The alleles of Vrn and Ppd genes were identified by PCR using the published allele-specific primers. Responses to vernalization (30 days at 3°C) and to a short 12-hour day were determined according to the VIR guidelines. The ultra-earliness of common wheat lines is associated with the presence of dominant alleles Vrn-A1, Vrn-B1, Vrn-D1, Ppd-B1, Ppd-D1, and possibly Eps. The shortest emergence-to-heading period at two experimental locations was noted for Rico (39.9 ± 1.49 days), which is 14.8 ± 1.22 days earlier than the development of region-adapted varieties. The Rico genotype contains Vrn-A1, Vrn-B1, Vrn-D1, Ppd-B1 and Ppd-D1. In the Rimax genotype, different alleles of the Ppd-D1 and Vrn-B1 genes were found, possibly being a result of recombination processes in Rico × ‘Max’ hybrids. Under a short photoperiod (12 hours), the Rico and Rimax genes can interact in a cumulative polymeric mode, which is not the case in long-day environments. Unlike other Rifor lines, Rifor 4 and Rifor 5, as well as ‘Forlani Roberto’, have a recessive vrn-A1a allele. However, Rifor 4 and Rifor 5 do not respond to vernalization, while ‘Forlani Roberto’ is responsive to this factor. The absence of response to vernalization in Rifor 4 and Rifor 5 possessing the recessive vrn-A1a allele is possibly provided by a complex of modifier genes along with the dominant Vrn-D1 gene, which was formed during recombination in F7-8 Rico × ‘Forlani Roberto’ hybrids. Recombinants of spring common wheat, combining ultra-earliness and relatively high ear productivity, have been identified. Grain yield per 1 m2 of new ultra-early lines in some years can reach 90% of that of the ‘Leningradskaya 97’. It is expedient to use ultra-early lines as donors of high-rate development in common wheat breeding, considering genetic peculiarities of the source lines.

Trajectories of reported sleep duration associate with early childhood cognitive development.

Examine how different trajectories of reported sleep duration associate with early childhood cognition. Caregiver-reported sleep duration data (n = 330) were collected using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months and Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire at 54 months. Multiple group-based day-, night-, and/or total sleep trajectories were derived-each differing in duration and variability. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III (Bayley-III) and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test- 2 (KBIT-2) were used to assess cognition at 24 and 54 months, respectively. Compared to short variable night sleep trajectory, long consistent night sleep trajectory was associated with higher scores on Bayley-III (cognition and language), while moderate/long consistent night sleep trajectories were associated with higher KBIT-2 (verbal and composite) scores. Children with a long consistent total sleep trajectory had higher Bayley-III (cognition and expressive language) and KBIT-2 (verbal and composite) scores compared to children with a short variable total sleep trajectory. Moderate consistent total sleep trajectory was associated with higher Bayley-III language and KBIT-2 verbal scores relative to the short variable total trajectory. Children with a long variable day sleep had lower Bayley-III (cognition and fine motor) and KBIT-2 (verbal and composite) scores compared to children with a short consistent day sleep trajectory. Longer and more consistent night- and total sleep trajectories, and a short day sleep trajectory in early childhood were associated with better cognition at 2 and 4.5 years.

Histomorphological changes between short and long days in ovary guanacos (Lama guanicoe).

This is the first morpho-histological comparison of guanaco ovaries between reproductive (long-days) and non-reproductive (short-days) seasons, and oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) detection. Different stages of follicle development were found in the cortical area, but no corpus luteum was detected. The size and frequency of antral follicles and large atretic follicles were higher in long-day ovaries than short-days, consistent with ovarian activity in this season. Differential expression of ERα and ERβ was observed in follicles at different stages of development between short and long days. These data reveal histological and molecular differences between reproductive and non-reproductive seasons of guanaco ovaries.