Regulation Of Size Research Articles

OsIAA19, an Aux/IAA Family Gene, Involved in the Regulation of Seed-Specific Traits in Rice

The Aux/IAA family proteins, key components of the auxin signaling pathway, are plant-specific transcription factors with important roles in regulating a wide range of plant growth and developmental events. The Aux/IAA family genes have been extensively studied in Arabidopsis. However, most of the Aux/IAA family genes in rice have not been functionally studied. Only two IAA genes have been reported to be involved in the regulation of rice grain size. Grain size is a key factor affecting both rice yield and quality. Therefore, we selected an unreported IAA member, OsIAA19, based on bioinformatics analysis to investigate its potential role in grain size control. Our study showed that OsIAA19 was constitutively expressed in all tissues tested and that the encoding protein was nuclear localized. The osiaa19 mutants were then generated using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Agronomic trait analyses showed that the OsIAA19 mutation significantly increased rice grain length and weight, but had no significant effect on plant height, number of tillers, flag leaf length and width. In addition, the chalkiness of the osiaa19 mutant seeds also increased, but their eating and cooking quality (ECQ) was not altered. Finally, seed germination analysis showed that knocking out OsIAA19 slightly suppressed rice seed germination. These results suggest that OsIAA19 may specifically regulate rice seed-related traits, such as grain shape, rice chalkiness and seed germination. This study not only enriched the functional study of the Aux/IAA genes and the auxin signaling pathway in rice, but also provided valuable genetic resources for breeding elite rice varieties.

Recreational Anglers’ Specialization and Perception of Management Measures in Yucatan, Mexico

ABSTRACT Understanding anglers’ diversity can help to improve the effectiveness of governing recreational fisheries. Online and in situ surveys were applied to evaluate perceptions and preferences among anglers’ fishing frequency (occasional, regular, and frequent) as an indicator of their specialization in Yucatan, Mexico. Occasional anglers’ most reported fish species are associated with bottom fishing (non-selective), while regular and frequent with trolling and casting (selective). The primary fate of the catches was to preserve the sizes they considered large enough and release the small ones. Unlike occasional, the frequent does not consider overexploited species to be affected by this fishery. The fish size regulation was chosen as the most effective management measure among anglers of all specialization levels. The social and ecological context of the Yucatecan coast must be considered before introducing management measures, and resource managers must establish collaboration strategies with the most specialized anglers to promote best fishing practices.

Size regulation of Pt cocatalysts and its effect on the performance of photocatalytic CO2 transformation to CH4

Size regulation of Pt cocatalysts and its effect on the performance of photocatalytic CO2 transformation to CH4

Particle size control and performance analysis of the ammonium perchlorate-based molecular perovskite energetic material

To solve the problem of high mechanical sensitivity and difficulty in coating caused by large crystal particles of ammonium perchlorate-based molecular perovskite energetic material (H2dabco)[NH4(ClO4)3] (DAP-4), we conducted research on the particle size regulation and performance of it. Firstly, we determined the solubility of DAP-4 in six commonly used organic solvents using a static method. And based on this data, an UDAP-4 (D50 = 6.19 μm) was successfully prepared. The characterization results of UDAP-4 revealed that UDAP-4 exhibits a decrease in thermal decomposition peak temperature (Tp) by 19 °C compared to the raw material, along with an 87.92kJ/mol reduction in activation energy (Ea). The studies on different particle sizes indicate that UDAP-4 maintains good thermal stability while significantly enhancing safety performance. UDAP-4 shows an over 20J increase in impact sensitivity, and a 12N increase in minimum frictional load. And the smaller the particle size, the lower the sensitivity. These findings provide a reference for further secure applications of DAP-4 in an academic context.

The Ras-related nuclear GTPase RAN1 ensures pollen size and tube growth via maintaining actin cytoskeleton.

Controlling organ size in plants is a complex biological process influenced by various factors, including gene expression, genome ploidy, and environmental conditions. Despite its importance for plant growth and development, the mechanisms underlying organ size regulation remain unknown. Here, we investigated the role of RAN1, a member of the Ras-related nuclear GTPases family, in regulating pollen size. A RAN1 knockdown mutant (ran1-1) exhibited a significant reduction in pollen size, accompanied by impaired germination and reduced pollen tube growth. RAN1 mutation caused disruptions in actin filament organization such as aberrant structure of actin collar due to the dysregulation of actin-binding proteins expression. Furthermore, we identified the transcription activator SHB1 (SHORT HYPOCOTYL UNDER BLUE1), whose mutation showed similar but milder phenotypes in pollens compared to ran1-1. Genetic evidence suggested SHB1 acts downstream of RAN1. Transient expression assays in leaves showed that SHB1 was largely retained in the cytoplasm of the ran1-1 mutant, potentially affecting the expression of actin-binding proteins. These findings highlight the pivotal role of RAN1 in modulating pollen size and development, providing valuable insights into cell size regulation.

Correlation between female pronuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and number of chromosomes in mouse zygotic stage: implications for aneuploidy assessment in ART.

The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the pronuclear/cytoplasmic (PN/C) ratio and the number of chromosomes in mouse zygotes to understand the implications of pronuclear size regulation in early embryonic development. A combination of enucleation and aggregated chromosomes/chromatin (AC) transfer was utilized to create oocytes with varying numbers of chromosomes. Time-lapse imaging and immunofluorescence staining were employed to analyze pronuclear dynamics and chromosomal configurations. Higher chromosome numbers correspond to a larger PN/C ratio. Oocytes with a higher number of chromosomes exhibited larger pronuclei. The study underscores the complexity of pronuclear size regulation and its correlation with the number of chromosomes. The findings suggest potential applications in ART, where assessing the PN/C ratio could serve as a biomarker for zygote quality and aneuploidy.

Chemical Synthesis and Multihybridization of Small-Sized Hollow Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles Toward Advanced Theranostics.

ConspectusAs one of the most widely used nanomaterials, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have received extensive attraction due to their desirable physicochemical performances of high stability, large surface area, and tunable pore sizes. Besides, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized that silica-based nanoparticles are generally safe for biomedical applications. However, the poor biodegradation and inert Si-O-Si framework of inorganic MSNs severely impair their diverse biomedical applications. A promising strategy to improve the physicochemical properties of MSNs is the incorporation of functional organic moieties into their framework to construct mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MONs), which exhibit distinct advantages over traditional inorganic MSNs, such as adjustable organosilica framework, excellent biocompatibility, stimuli-responsive biodegradability, and even improved therapeutic effects. Moreover, the emerging hollow-structured MONs (HMONs) with an internal cavity can offer a large drug loading capacity and thus become increasingly attractive and promising theranostic nanoplatforms in biomedicine. In recent years, numerous studies have delved into establishing multifunctional HMONs with sizes ranging in diameters from 50 to 200 nm for desirable biological responses. With the gradual deepening of research, small-sized HMONs with diameters below 50 nm (sub-50 nm HMONs) demonstrate unparalleled advantages in extending blood circulation time, reducing the risk of vascular occlusion, and achieving high tumor accumulation, thus leading to a growing interest in the design, development, and translation of sub-50 nm HMONs. However, the mechanism of the chemical synthesis and structural regulation of sub-50 nm HMONs is still unclear, which is detrimental to further structural hybridization and surface functionalization.In this account, we will focus on the structural design, chemical synthesis, adjustable framework hybridization, multifunctional surface modification, and versatile biomedical applications of small-sized HMONs. First, we will illustrate the chemical approaches for controllable synthesis of HMONs and the underlying mechanism of particle size regulation below 50 nm. Subsequently, the basic principles and design strategies of multihybridization of sub-50 nm HMONs based on framework hybridization, surface modulation, and in situ polymerization will be systematically discussed. Through diverse functionalization strategies, a series of sub-50 nm multihybridized HMONs-based nanotheranostics are established, and their applications in multimodal biomedical imaging and highly efficient synergistic treatment of various diseases (e.g., cancer, glaucoma, bacterial infection, etc.) will be accounted. Finally, we will summarize the current status and potential challenges of HMONs in clinic trials, as well as provide a comprehensive outlook on the future development of sub-50 nm HMONs. These innovative sub-50 nm HMONs hold the potential to introduce novel theranostic modalities for a variety of systemic disorders and to advance smart promising nanomedicine in the near future.

Ordered mesoporous SiO2 as hemoperfusion adsorbents for enhanced selectivity of bilirubin removal from blood

Excessive bilirubin poses a significant risk factor in the progression of chronic liver disease. However, due to its nature as an albumin-bound toxin, bilirubin cannot be efficiently eliminated through conventional hemodialysis therapy or existing hemoperfusion adsorbents, presenting a challenge in selective removal. It is widely acknowledged that adjusting the pore properties of adsorbents can impact the adsorption efficiency of a hemoperfusion adsorbent. However, few studies have been working on improving the selectivity of bilirubin removal through precise regulation of pore size. In this paper, we aim to demonstrate that the selectivity of bilirubin removal can be achieved and enhanced by fine-tuning the pore size of ordered mesoporous materials. Ordered mesoporous SiO2 (OMS) is selected as the research object due to its highly organized and uniform porous structure, as well as its excellent biocompatibility. The results indicate that OMS nanoparticles with a pore diameter of 2.5 nm (OMS-2.5 nm) exhibit superior adsorption capacity for bilirubin in both pure and albumin-rich solutions, suggesting the potential for achieving efficient and selective bilirubin removal through pore size optimization. Furthermore, to demonstrate the feasibility of OMS nanoparticles in practical applications (i.e. their inheritability of selectivity), we engineered OMS nanoparticles into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microspheres, forming OMS/PVA composite microspheres. The incorporation of OMS nanoparticles significantly enhances the bilirubin adsorption capacity of PVA microspheres while simultaneously reducing their albumin adsorption. The excellent selective adsorption efficacy of OMS-2.5 nm is preserved in the composite microspheres, underscoring its potential therapeutic benefits for treating diseases with excessive bilirubin levels.

Physical constraints on the positions and dimensions of the zebrafish swim bladder by surrounding bones

AbstractPrecise regulation of organ size and position is crucial for optimal organ function. Since the swim bladder is primarily responsible for buoyancy in teleosts, early development and subsequent inflation of the swim bladder should be appropriately controlled with the body growth. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we show that the size and position of the swim bladder are physically constrained by the surrounding bones in zebrafish. Non‐invasive micro‐CT scanning revealed that the anterior edge of the swim bladder is largely attached to the os suspensorium, which is an ossicle extending medioventrally from the 4th centrum. Additionally, we observed that hoxc6a mutants, which lack the os suspensorium, exhibited an anterior projection of the swim bladder beyond the 4th vertebra. During the swim bladder development, we found that the counterclockwise rotation of the os suspensorium correlates with posterior regression of the swim bladder, suggesting that the os suspensorium pushes the swim bladder posteriorly into its proper position. Furthermore, our results revealed a close association between the posterior region of the swim bladder and the pleural ribs. In hoxaa cluster mutants with additional ribs, the swim bladder expanded posteriorly, accompanied by an enlarged body cavity. Taken together, our results demonstrate the importance of the surrounding bones in the robust regulation of swim bladder size and position in zebrafish.

The C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factor ZmDi19-7 regulates plant height and organ size by promoting cell size in maize.

The drought-induced protein 19 (Di19) gene family encodes a Cys2/His2 zinc-finger protein implicated in responses to diverse plant stressors. To date, potential roles of these proteins as transcription factors remain largely elusive in maize. Here, we show that ZmDi19-7 gene exerts pivotal functions in regulation of plant height and organ growth by modulating the cell size in maize. ZmDi19-7 physically interacts with ubiquitin receptor protein ZmDAR1b, which is indispensable in ubiquitination of ZmDi19-7 and affects its protein stability. Further genetic analysis demonstrated that ZmDAR1b act in a common pathway with ZmDi19-7 to regulate cell size in maize. ZmDi19-7, severing as a transcriptional factor, is significantly enriched in conserved DiBS element in the promoter region of ZmHSP22, ZmHSP18c, ZmSAUR25, ZmSAUR55, ZmSAUR7 and ZmXTH23 and orchestrates the expression of these genes involving in auxin-mediated cell expansion and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, our findings demonstrate that ZmDi19-7 is an important newfound component of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in regulation of plant height and organ size in maize. These discoveries highlight potential targets for the genetic improvement of maize in the future.

High-Throughput Measurement of Single-Fission Yeast Cell Volume Using Fluorescence Exclusion.

Cell volume is a critical parameter for the biology of living species and has an impact on virtually all cellular functions. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the regulation of cell size has been the focus of intense investigation, and mechanisms that couple size control with cell cycle progression have been identified. In fission yeast, cell length at division is generally used as a proxy for determining cell size. However, it only allows for an inaccurate evaluation of this critical parameter and neglects potential changes in cell morphology and diameter, which can strongly impact cell volume. Until recently, one of the major obstacles for studying the complexity of cell size regulation in fission yeast has been the lack of a robust method for high-throughput, direct measurement of single-cell volume. Here, we provide a comprehensive protocol for S. pombe cell volume determination based on the Fluorescence eXclusion method and microfluidics technologies. This approach makes it possible to reliably describe cell volume and its distribution in populations of fission yeast cells.

HERD IMMUNITY TO VACCINE PREVENTABLE INFECTIONS IN SAINT PETERSBURG AND THE LENINGRAD REGION: SEROLOGICAL STATUS OF MEASLES, MUMPS, AND RUBELLA

Abstract Specific measles, mumps, and rubella prevention has been the main prerequisite for a striking decline in the incidence of such infections in Russia. An increase in the percentage of seronegative individuals observed in recent years resulted in higher measles incidence being directly related to low herd immunity that accounts for a population protection solely under conditions of a high density of immunized individuals and their uniform distribution in the population. The number of immunized individuals may be estimated only while conducting seroepidemiological monitoring of herd immunity. Objective of the study: to assess a level of herd immunity in the St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region population against measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. Materials and methods. There were enrolled 6,774 residents into the study: volunteers aged from 1 to 70+ years. The representativeness of the surveyed cohort was ensured by using the Web application "Monitoring of herd immunity against socially significant infections", used at the stage of volunteer enrollment, by randomization and regulation of the sample size in age groups. Participants filled out a questionnaire and agreed to provide venous blood samples to assess IgG antibody levels against measles, mumps, and rubella viruses by using ELISA. Results. In September 2023, in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, herd immunity met the criterion for epidemiological well-being only with respect to rubella. In all age groups, the proportion of seronegative individuals did not exceed 15%, and most volunteers had high Ab levels, both after illness and vaccination. For measles and mumps, the criterion for epidemiological well-being is considered not to exceed more than 7% seronegative individuals. A sufficient level of measles seroprevalence was detected only in older age groups (≥60 years old). Sufficient mumps seroprevalence was not detected in any age group. The average population (St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region) seroprevalence magnitude for measles, rubella, and mumps viruses were 81.4%, 95.5%, and 78.4%, respectively. The problematic age groups with low measles seroprevalence (62.4–74.3%) were adolescents (12-17 yrs) and young adults (18-39 yrs). Most seropositive individuals vaccinated against measles had low Ab levels; high levels were noted mainly in older measles convalescent individuals. Low mumps seroprevalence (~70%) was more often observed among adults aged 18 to 49 years. The distribution of seroprevalence in various occupational group was relatively uniform, with some predominance of seropositivity among pensioners and schoolchildren. Conclusion. The system of specific prophylaxis for vaccine-preventable viral infections used in Russia has shown high efficacy and contributed to the formation of herd immunity, which for many years allowed to lower a risk of both sporadic and group infections to minimal levels. Currently, measles and mumps seroprevalence in the local population is maintained at insufficient level to ensure epidemiological well-being. This necessitates making appropriate management decisions and conducting additional preventive measures aimed at enhancing relevant herd immunity.

The Effect of Season and The Implications For Sustainable Fisheries on The Catch Results of Yellowfin Tuna In Indonesia

This study assessed the purse seine, handline and pole and line catches at PPS (Samudera Fishing Port Kendari) specifically targeting skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the Banda Sea. Although there has been a rise in tuna output over the past two years, the examination of fish size in September until November revealed substantial fluctuation. Additionally, the implementation of the moratorium policy had a detrimental effect. Ensuring the sustainability of fisheries in the Banda Sea, particularly for large pelagic fish like skipjack and yellowfin tuna, necessitates the implementation of adaptive management and selective fishing practices, with a particular focus on enforcing mesh size regulations. The aims of this study were to examine the patterns of tuna fisheries landing at PPS, specifically focusing on the sorts of catches made using purse seine, handline, and pole and line fishing methods. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the length frequency distribution of Thunnus albacares caught using purse seine, handline, and pole and line fishing gear. The methodology offers a thorough framework for eval_uating the sustainability of Thunnus albacares fisheries in PPS Kendari. Policymakers can develop effective management plans for long-term resource sustainability by assessing catch composition, productivity, and size distribution across various fishing gears. The analysis of this study conducted in September - November 2023 revealed that the fish catches varied in size, ranging from 13 cmFL to 124 cmFL.

Poly(bis(1‐methylpiperazin‐1‐ium‐amide) Nanofilm Composite Membrane with Nanochannel‑Enabled Microporous Structure and Enhanced Steric Hindrance for Magnesium/Lithium Separation

AbstractEfficient lithium/magnesium (Li+/Mg2+) separation attainment is fundamental to the extraction of lithium from brine by nanofiltration membrane separation process, which is essential for resource recovery and a circular water economy. However, for poly(piperazine‐amide) nanofilm composite membranes, the higher electronegativity affects the Mg2+ rejection and consequently Li+/Mg2+ separation performance. Manipulating the positive charge density and pore size regulation of the nanofiltration membranes are determinative of the Li+/Mg2+ separation performance improvement. Here, a new monomer 1,1′‐(hexane‐1,6‐diyl)bis(1‐methylpiperazin‐1‐ium) bromide containing bis‐quaternary ammonium cations is employed as a molecular building block to fabricate polyamide nanofilms via interfacial polymerization. The dual quaternary ammoniums and the rod‐shaped conformation of the monomer confer enhanced electropositivity, steric hindrance, loosely packed microporous network structure (pore diameter∼0.8–1.35 nm), and high free volume. The resultant membrane exhibits high water permeance of 28.34 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 with good Li+/Mg2+ selectivity of up to 76.9. In addition, the membrane also exhibits chlorine stability performance owing to the lack of the chlorine sensitive −NH groups in the formed tertiary amide structures. Computational insights on the structural properties, nanofilm formation, and transmembrane water and ion transport behaviors are provided. This study offers insightful theoretical and technological concepts to design and construct membrane materials for energy‐efficient separations.

New insights for the development of efficient DNA vaccines.

Despite the great potential of DNA vaccines for a broad range of applications, ranging from prevention of infections, over treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases to cancer immunotherapies, the implementation of such therapies for clinical treatment is far behind the expectations up to now. The main reason is the poor immunogenicity of DNA vaccines in humans. Consequently, the improvement of the performance of DNA vaccines invivo is required. This mini-review provides an overview of the current state of DNA vaccines and the various strategies to enhance the immunogenic potential of DNA vaccines, including (i) the optimization of the DNA construct itself regarding size, nuclear transfer and transcriptional regulation; (ii) the use of appropriate adjuvants; and (iii) improved delivery, for example, by careful choice of the administration route, physical methods such as electroporation and nanomaterials that may allow cell type-specific targeting. Moreover, combining nanoformulated DNA vaccines with other immunotherapies and prime-boost strategies may help to enhance success of treatment.

Exploring the Biomarkers and Potential Mechanisms of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Microglial Inflammatory Activation through P2X7 Receptors based on Transcriptome Sequencing.

This study aims to explore the potential mechanism by which Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/ A) inhibits microglial inflammatory activation through P2X7 receptors (P2X7R). BoNT/A is a promising analgesic drug, and previous studies have established that it alleviates Neuropathic Pain (NP) by inhibiting microglial inflammatory activation. This study examined the biomarkers and potential mechanisms by which BoNT/A relieves neuropathic pain by mediating microglial P2X7R and analyzing transcriptome sequencing data from mouse BV-2 microglial cells. The P2X7R agonist Bz-ATP was used to induce microglial inflammatory activation, whilst RNAseq technology was used to explore the biomarkers and potential mechanisms through which BoNT/A suppresses microglial inflammation. RNA sequencing was performed on three BV-2 cell samples treated with a P2X7R specific activator (Bz-ATP) and three BV-2 cell samples pre-treated with BoNT/A. Only data that successfully passed quality control measures were included in subsequent analysis. Initially, Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) were identified from BoNT/A and control samples, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Biomarkers were then identified by constructing a Protein- Protein Interaction (PPI) network and utilizing the CytoHubba plug-in in Cytoscape software. Lastly, enrichment analysis and regulatory network analysis were performed to elucidate the potential mechanism of BoNT/A in the treatment of NP. 93 DEGs related to the "cell component size regulation" GO term and enriched in the "axon guidance" KEGG pathway were identified. Subsequently, 6 biomarkers were identified, namely PTPRF, CHDH, CKM, Ky, Sema3b, and Sema3f, which were enriched in pathways related to biosynthesis and metabolism, disease progression, signal transduction, and organelle function, including the "ribosome" and "Wnt signaling pathway." Finally, a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNAs) network was constructed from 6 mRNAs, 66 miRNAs, and 31 lncRNAs, forming a complex relationship network. Six genes (PTPRF, Sema3b, Sema3f, CHDH, CKM, and Ky) were identified as biomarkers of microglial inflammatory activation following BoNT/A treatment. This finding may provide a valuable reference for the relief and treatment of neuropathic pain.

Contractile regulation of the glucocorticoid-sensitive transcriptome in young and aged skeletal muscle.

Elevated glucocorticoids alter the skeletal muscle transcriptome to induce a myopathy characterized by muscle atrophy, muscle weakness, and decreased metabolic function. These effects are more likely to occur and be more severe in aged muscles. Resistance exercise can blunt the development of glucocorticoid myopathy in young muscle, but the potential to oppose the signals initiating myopathy in aged muscle is unknown. To answer this, young (4-mo-old) and aged (24-to 25-mo-old) male C57BL/6 mice were randomized to receive either an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of dexamethasone (DEX; 2 mg/kg) or saline as a control. Two hours postinjections, the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of mice were subjected to unilateral high-force contractions. Muscles were harvested 4 h later. The glucocorticoid- and contraction-sensitive genes were determined by RNA sequencing. The number of glucocorticoid-sensitive genes was similar between young and aged muscle. Contractions opposed changes to more glucocorticoid-sensitive genes in aged muscle, with this outcome primarily occurring when hormone levels were elevated. Glucocorticoid-sensitive gene programs opposed by contractions were primarily related to metabolism in young mice and muscle size regulation and inflammation in aged mice. In silico analysis implied peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-1 (PPARG) contributed to the contraction-induced opposition of glucocorticoid-sensitive genes in aged muscle. Increasing PPARG expression in the TA of aged mice using adeno-associated virus serotype 9 partially counteracted the glucocorticoid-induced reduction in runt-related transcription factor 1 (Runx1) mRNA content, recapitulating the effects observed by contractions. Overall, these data contribute to our understanding of the contractile regulation of the glucocorticoid transcriptome in aged skeletal muscle.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We establish the extent to which muscle contractions oppose changes to the glucocorticoid-sensitive transcriptome in both young and aged muscle. We also identify peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) as a transcription factor likely contributing to contraction-induced opposition to the glucocorticoid transcriptome in aged muscle. Overall, these data contribute to our understanding of the contractile regulation of the glucocorticoid transcriptome.

Genome-Wide Association study for root system architecture traits in field soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Roots play a crucial role in plant development, serving to absorb water and nutrients from the soil while also providing structural stability. However, the impacts of global warming can impede root growth by altering soil conditions that hinder overall plant growth. To address this challenge, there is a need to screen and identify plant genotypes with superior Root System Architecture traits (RSA), that can be used for future breeding efforts in enhancing their resilience to these environmental changes. In this project, 500 mid to late-maturity soybean accessions were grown on blue blotting papers hydroponically with six replicates and assessed seven RSA traits. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) were carried out with root phenotypic data and SNP data from the SoySNP50K iSelect SNP BeadChip, using both the TASSEL 5.0 and FarmCPU techniques. A total of 26 significant SNP-trait correlations were discovered, with 11 SNPs on chromosome 13. After SNP selection, we identified 14 candidate genes within 100-kb regions flanking the SNPs, which are related to root architecture. Notably, Glyma.17G258700, which exhibited substantial differential expression in root tips and its Arabidopsis homolog, AT4G24190 (GRP94) is involved in the regulation of meristem size and organization. Other candidate genes includes Glyma.03G023000 and Glyma.13G273500 that are also play a key role in lateral root initiation and root meristem growth, respectively. These findings significantly contribute to the discovery of key genes associated with root system architecture, facilitating the breeding of resilient cultivars adaptable to changing climates.

Waterpipe size matters: the effect of waterpipe size on toxicant exposures and subjective experiences.

Waterpipe (WP) tobacco smoking remains popular among US young adults, yet specific regulations for WP devices are lacking. This study examines how WP device size (base volume and height) affects smoking behavior, toxicant exposures, and subjective experiences. Thirty-eight individuals who smoke WP aged 21 to 39 participated in a randomized crossover study. Each completed three 45-minute ad libitum smoking sessions using small, medium, and large WP sizes. Saliva nicotine and exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) were measured before and after smoking. Puff topography was recorded during sessions, and subjective smoking experiences were collected afterward. Significant differences were observed in saliva nicotine between the three WP sizes, with higher concentrations for the small WP relative to larger sizes (Ps<0.05). Exhaled CO was significantly higher after smoking the large WP compared to smaller sizes (Ps<0.05). Puff topography revealed significant differences and followed a dose-response pattern, with larger size associated with longer puff duration, greater smoke volume inhaled, and larger puff volume (Ps<0.05). The large WP was associated with enhanced subjective experiences for satisfaction and concentration compared to the small WP (Ps<0.05). WP size substantially impacts smoking experiences and exposures. Regulation of WP size should be essential in comprehensive tobacco control policies aimed at curbing WP use among young adults. These findings will aid in developing of WP size-specific standards to regulate the marketing and sales of WP devices. Such regulations should aim to minimize toxicant exposure by controlling the dimensions and design of WP components, which can significantly influence smoking behavior and toxicant intake. This study underscores the critical role of waterpipe (WP) size in shaping smoking behavior, experiences, and exposures among young adults.

A hierarchical porous Fe3O4-COOH@H-ZIF-67 composite as magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent for benzimidazole pesticides

A hierarchical porous structural magnetic zeolite imidazolate framework-67 composite (Fe3O4-COOH@H-ZIF-67) was prepared through directly mixing the H-ZIF-67 and glutaric anhydride functionalized Fe3O4 nanospheres, of which the H-ZIF-67 was synthesized through a double template pore size regulation method. The successful preparation of Fe3O4-COOH@H-ZIF-67 composite was confirmed based on the material characterization using different techniques. The prepared composite was applied in the efficient removal of four benzimidazole pesticides (BZDs) in water using magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) process. The results of static and dynamic adsorption experiments indicate that the adsorption of BZDs on Fe3O4-COOH@H-ZIF-67 follow pseudo-second-order kinetics, the Langmuir model fitted well with the adsorption data (R2 are all higher than 0.9969), and the maximum adsorption capacity for BZDs are 7.44–31.11 mg/g. Meanwhile, the adsorption mechanism study indicate that both hydrogen bonding and coordination play important roles during the adsorption process of BZDs. Finally, the developed MSPE method was combined with HPLC analysis and applied in the removal of BZDs from simulated pesticides wastewater. The removal rate was 82.76–96.18 %, and the treated samples met the requirements of the maximum residue limits of CBZ in the national standard GB 21523–2008. In addition, the adsorbent can be used at least three times and the extraction efficiency changed within 3 % after being stored in dry atmosphere at room temperature for 90 days. The results of this work manifested that Fe3O4-COOH@H-ZIF-67 composite can be used for removal and analysis of BZDs in complex samples.