Terminal Buds Research Articles

Identification of Olea europaea CBF/DREB1 Family Genes in Abnormal Temperature Stress Response

Olea europaea, native to the Mediterranean region, has been widely cultivated for the nutritional content of its fruits and leaves. To adapt to climates beyond the Mediterranean, research on the climatic adaptation of O. europaea is urgently needed. Therefore, in this study, the CBF/DREB1 family genes in olives, which are related to cold tolerance, were genome-wide characterized. In total, four OeCBFs were screened; their open reading frame (ORF) were 552~684 bp in length, the encoded proteins were 20,786.60~25,235.16 Da, with 183~227 amino acids, and the theoretical isoelectric point (pI) were 4.91~9.13. The transcription of four OeCBFs was significantly different in olive tissues, especially OeCBF2 and OeCBF4, which were substantially more highly-expressed in aboveground tissues (terminal buds, young leaves, old leaves, and stems) than in underground tissues (thick and fine roots). Exposed to cold stress, OeCBF2 and OeCBF4 were up-regulated more obviously in olive leaves and stems, while OeCBF3 was induced to higher levels in the roots, implying the adaptation potential of the OeCBFs to low temperature stress. A comparison of the expression of the four OeCBFs in two varieties, Picholine (more tolerant to the other one) and Arbequina, found that the expression of OeCBFs was higher in most tissues of Picholine than that of Arbequina. When exposed to cold stress, the expression of the OeCBFs was also higher in the leaves and roots of Picholine than in Arbequina, further confirming the correlation between OeCBFs and cold tolerance of olive trees. This study not only deepens our understanding of the CBF gene family in olives, but also provides significant genetic information for olive breeding and improvement.

Tree Nut Crop Response to Simulated Florpyrauxifen-benzyl and Triclopyr Herbicide Drift

California is the nation’s primary producer of almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, and an important producer of rice. Because of California’s diverse cropping systems, off-target herbicide drift can be a considerable problem, particularly from aerial applications that are commonly used in flooded rice production systems. Triclopyr is an auxin-mimic type herbicide that has been commonly used in rice for many years for control of broadleaf weeds and the industry is familiar with symptoms of off-target triclopyr drift. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a newly registered auxin-mimic herbicide in California rice with activity on key weeds and is being rapidly adopted. Although symptoms typically are similar among auxinic herbicides, it is important to understand subtle differences and risks among these herbicides as stewardship for newly registered products. This research was conducted in 2020 and 2021 to determine the relative sensitivity of almond, pistachio, and walnut trees to simulated drift rates of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and triclopyr as well as characterize and compare symptoms caused by these two herbicides. The fractional herbicide rates tested were 1/200X, 1/100X, 1/33X, and 1/10X of the florpyrauxifen-benzyl use rate of 29.4 g·ha−1 a.i. and 1/200X, 1/100X, and 1/33X of the triclopyr use rate of 420.3 g·ha−1 a.e. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl and triclopyr herbicides were applied directly to one side of the canopy of 1- to 2-year-old almond, pistachio, and walnut trees. The general symptoms of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and triclopyr were chlorosis, chlorotic spots, leaf curling, leaf narrowing, leaf distortion, leaf malformation, leaf crinkling, shoot curling, stem coloring, stunting, terminal bud death, and twisting. The florpyrauxifen-benzyl and triclopyr injury symptoms were compared at the same fractional rates and found to be similar to each other. The herbicide injury was observed on the entire pistachio canopy, particularly on developing leaves and terminal buds. In contrast, injury symptoms on almond and walnut were more apparent on the side of the canopy to which the herbicides were applied. Symptom severity peaked at 14 days after treatment with the 1/10X florpyrauxifen-benzyl rate, when the visible injury was 16%, 48%, and 78% on almond, walnut, and pistachio, respectively. Although almond and walnut symptoms from the 1/10X florpyrauxifen-benzyl rate remained visible longer than all other treatments, all trees gradually recovered throughout the growing season. In contrast, pistachio trees did not recover fully and had injury symptoms that persisted for the remainder of the treatment year and at leaf-out the following spring. When drift occurs, it is typically at rates below 1/100X up to 1/33X of herbicide use rates. This research suggested that proper herbicide drift management practices and application precautions are likely to minimize the risk of significant injury from florpyrauxifen-benzyl drift to almond and walnut because of low injury symptoms at the typical drift rates. However, extra precautions may be needed if there are nearby pistachio orchards.

Whole mount preparation and analysis of rabbit mammary gland

The mammary gland undergoes dynamic structural and compositional changes throughout life, influenced significantly by hormonal fluctuations and environmental factors. From embryonic development through menopause, this tissue adapts to accommodate phases such as postnatal expansion, pregnancy-induced lactation, and post-weaning involution. Hormones, growth factors, cytokines, and exogenous factors regulate these innate processes, affecting mammary epithelial cell proliferation and sensitivity, particularly in terminal end buds (TEB) and lobules, which are highly susceptible to endocrine disruption. Rodent models have provided invaluable insights into mammary gland biology, yet differences exist compared to human development, prompting the exploration of alternative models like rabbits. Additionally, there is momentum to move away from the use of nonhuman primates in safety assessments, increasing the need for evaluation tools for all tissues in the rabbit model. Rabbit mammary glands exhibit similarities to humans, making them promising for studying breast biology and pathology. However, protocols for whole-mount analysis of rabbit mammary glands are lacking due to the technical challenges of working with thicker tissue than rodent mammary glands. Here, we developed a methodology modified from rodent studies for preparing and analyzing rabbit mammary gland whole mounts, which is essential for advancing research in mammary gland biology and understanding the effects of hormonal and toxicant-induced disruption of mammary gland growth and function.

RhLHY-RhTPPF-Tre6P Inhibits Flowering in Rosa hybrida Under Insufficient Light by Regulating Sugar Distribution.

Light is crucial for flower bud development in plants, serving as both signal and energy source. However, the mechanisms by which daylength and light intensity regulate flowering in modern roses remain unclear. In Rosa hybrida 'Carola', insufficient light delays flowering and reduces the sugar content in terminal buds. RNA sequencing identified the Trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase F (RhTPPF) gene as a key responder to insufficient light, modulating Tre6P metabolism. Overexpression of RhTPPF in rose calli enhanced sugar accumulation and suppressed the synthesis of RhCO/FT. In tobacco, overexpression of RhTPPF delayed the transition from vegetative growth to flowering, while silencing RhTPPF in roses accelerated flowering. Silencing RhTPPF in roses elevated trehalose-6-phosphate (Tre6P) levels and decreased trehalose. Transcriptome data showed that the expression level of RhTPPF was highly correlated with the circadian rhythm gene LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (RhLHY). Yeast one-hybrid assays, dual luciferase assays and EMSA revealed that RhLHY directly binds to the RhTPPF promoters. Overexpression of RhLHY suppressed flowering, while silencing RhLHY promoted flowering. Furthermore, altering the expression of RhLHY influenced Tre6P synthesis and the expression of sucrose-related transport genes. These findings suggest a RhLHY-RhTPPF-Tre6P regulatory module that maintains sugar balance and inhibits flower formation under reduced light conditions by modulating sugar distribution.

Loss of tyrosine 211 phosphorylation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) enhances postnatal mammary gland development.

The intricately orchestrated progression of mammary tissue development involves the precise coordination of gland differentiation and cellular proliferation. Nevertheless, the understanding of the role and regulatory mechanisms governing the DNA replication machinery in mammary gland development remains limited. Given the essential role of DNA replication in the viability of living cells, any genetic disturbance to its replicative function, in any form, will impede organ development. This circumstance poses a technical challenge in elucidating the potential function of cell proliferation in mammary morphogenesis. PCNA is crucial in DNA replication, playing a pivotal role in the development of complete eukaryotic organisms. The phosphorylation of PCNA at tyrosine 211 (Y211) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in supporting replication forks and, consequently, cell proliferation. Therefore, the utilization of a knock-in mouse model, wherein the Y211 residue of PCNA is replaced with phenylalanine (211F), presents an opportunity to evaluate the impact of reduced cell proliferation potential on mammary gland development. Interestingly, the lack of Y211 phosphorylation did not significantly impact the rates of proliferation or cell death in the mammary gland. In contrast, the absence of Y211PCNA led to an increased, rather than reduced, growth of the mammary gland. This was evident in assessments of gland length and the number of terminal end buds (TEBs) in both postnatal and virgin mammary glands. Notably, this observation correlated with an elevation in tissue stemness within the 211F glands compared to the WT glands. Additionally, it was consistent with the greater body weight gains observed in 211F pups compared to WT pups during the weaning period. Our findings unveil an unexpected aspect that may carry significance for mammary development. This newfound is associated with the regulation of a central component within the DNA replication machinery, providing insights into the intricate interplay governing mammary tissue expansion.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the BZR gene family in Zanthoxylum armatum DC and functional analysis of ZaBZR1 in drought tolerance.

In this study, six ZaBZRs were identified in Zanthoxylum armatum DC, and all the ZaBZRs were upregulated by abscisic acid (ABA) and drought. Overexpression of ZaBZR1 enhanced the drought tolerance of transgenic Nicotiana benthamian. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a pivotal class of sterol hormones in plants that play a crucial role in plant growth and development. BZR (brassinazole resistant) is a crucial transcription factor in the signal transduction pathway of BRs. However, the BZR gene family members have not yet been identified in Zanthoxylum armatum DC. In this study, six members of the ZaBZR family were identified by bioinformatic methods. All six ZaBZRs exhibited multiple phosphorylation sites. Phylogenetic and collinearity analyses revealed a closest relationship between ZaBZRs and ZbBZRs located on the B subgenomes. Expression analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of ZaBZRs in Z. armatum, and their promoter regions contained cis-acting elements associated with hormone response and stress induction. Additionally, all six ZaBZRs showed upregulation upon treatment after abscisic acid (ABA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), indicating their participation in drought response. Subsequently, we conducted an extensive investigation of ZaBZR1. ZaBZR1 showed the highest expression in the root, followed by the stem and terminal bud. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that ZaBZR1 is present in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Overexpression of ZaBZR1 in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana improved seed germination rate and root growth under drought conditions, reducing water loss rates compared to wild-type plants. Furthermore, ZaBZR1 increased proline content (PRO) and decreased malondialdehyde content (MDA), indicating improved tolerance to drought-induced oxidative stress. The transgenic plants also showed a reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Importantly, ZaBZR1 up-regulated the expression of drought-related genes such as NbP5CS1, NbDREB2A, and NbWRKY44. These findings highlight the potential of ZaBZR1 as a candidate gene for enhancing drought resistance in transgenic N. benthamiana and provide insight into the function of ZaBZRs in Z. armatum.

Subacute tributyltin exposure alters the development and morphology of mammary glands in association with CYP19A1 expression in female rats

Tributyltin (TBT) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) related to reproductive dysfunctions. However, few studies have investigated the effects of TBT exposure on mammary gland development. Thus, we assessed whether subacute TBT exposure causes irregularities in mammary gland development. We administered TBT (100 and 1,000 ng/kg/day for 30 days) to female rats from postnatal day (PND) 25 to PND 55, and mammary gland development, morphology, inflammation, collagen deposition, and protein expression were evaluated. Abnormal mammary gland development was observed in both TBT groups. Specifically, TBT exposure reduced the number of terminal end buds (TEBs), type 1 (AB1) alveolar buds, and type 2 (AB2) alveolar buds. An increase in the lobule and differentiation (DF) 2 score was found in the mammary glands of TBT rats. TBT exposure increased mammary gland blood vessels, mast cell numbers, and collagen deposition. Additionally, both TBT rats exhibited intraductal hyperplasia and TEB-like structures. An increase in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1) - positive cells was observed in the mammary glands of TBT rats. A strong negative correlation was observed between CYP19A1- positive cells and TEB number. In addition, CYP19A1 - positive cells were positively correlated with mammary gland TEB-like structure, ductal hyperplasia, inflammation, and collagen deposition. Thus, these data suggest that TBT exposure impairs mammary gland development through the modulation of CYP19A1 signaling pathways in female rats.

Функциональные характеристики почек возобновления Нeracleum sosnowskyi Manden. в период подготовки к перезимовке

Based on the study of the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Heracleum sosnowskyi buds we identified functional adaptations during the preparation of plants for overwintering. The freezing point of water in the buds tissues was –12 оC in October, while maintaining high water content (more than 80%). Buds has a relatively high efficiency of respiration at low positive temperatures (2–5 оC), which favors morphogenesis processes in the shoot vegetative cone in autumn. During the preparation for overwintering the buds accumulated osmoregulators – soluble sugars, free amino acids, including proline. A relatively high level of cytokinin growth hormones was found in the buds tissues. This contributes to morphogenesis processes and increases plant cold tolerance. We found that in December the abscisic acid (a growth inhibitor and resting hormone) content increases and the level of cytokinins decrease. Heracleum sosnowskyi formed buds differing in the photosynthetic pigments content. Buds with green scale leaves accumulated the greatest amount of chlorophylls and carotenoids, while those with red-brown and yellow ones accumulated the least. The carotenoids accumulation in the green buds tissues protects the formed photosynthetic apparatus at low positive temperatures in autumn. The results on the functional state of H. sosnowskyi terminal buds in natural populations indicate the absence of deep dormancy in plants, and morphogenesis processes in meristems tissues are limited by winter temperatures.

Comparative effects of two elicitors on the essential oil biosynthesis of simulated hail-damaged rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér. cv. ‘BOURBON’)

Extreme abiotic stress factors such as hail, defoliation, salinity, and moisture stress can affect the biosynthesis of essential oils. To mitigate this, most commercial farmers globally use agricultural crop insurance; however, this is not the case for most smallholder and emerging farmers in southern Africa, as agricultural insurance tends to be expensive when included in the production system. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the comparative effects between two elicitors: abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on essential oil biosynthesis of simulated hail-damaged rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.) as an alternative strategy to improve the essential oil biosynthesis following severe hail damage of rose geranium. The study was conducted in a 72 m2 temperature-controlled greenhouse, using a 4 x 2 factorial treatment design arranged in a randomized complete block design. Treatments comprised four levels of two elicitors at 75 µM (ABA), 150 μM (ABA), 10 mM (MeJA), and 20 mM (MeJA), applied in two different application periods (daily application for either 7 or 14 days). The simulation of hail damage was through 100% defoliation, with decapitation of the terminal buds. A significant interaction was observed between the elicitor treatment, and length of the period of application on essential oil yield (mass), where the highest yield was observed when MeJA (10 mM) was applied for seven consecutive days compared to the 14-day treatment. Geraniol esters were partially improved by the application of MeJA at 10 mM. Application of the two elicitors improved citronellol, geraniol, and linalool, regardless of the length of the period of application. The citronellol to geraniol ratio, a determining factor of essential oil quality, was 2.7:1 when MeJA was applied at 10 mM, significantly better than any application level of ABA. Therefore, it could be concluded that the application of MeJA at 10 mM may improve the essential oil biosynthesis of hail-damaged rose geranium plants compared to ABA at any level, and this may be adopted as a possible mitigating strategy by the emerging farmers and growers in southern Africa for improving the biosynthesis of rose geranium post hail damage. On the other hand, where growers are interested in higher contents of linalool and citronellol, ABA may be used at any level. Key words: Defoliation, essential oil, yield, phytohormone, citronellol, geraniol, linalool

MIKC type MADS-box transcription factor LcSVP2 is involved in dormancy regulation of the terminal buds in evergreen perennial litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.).

SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP), a member of the MADS-box transcription factor family, has been reported to regulate bud dormancy in deciduous perennial plants. Previously, three LcSVPs (LcSVP1, LcSVP2 and LcSVP3) were identified from litchi genome, and LcSVP2 was highly expressed in the terminal buds of litchi during growth cessation or dormancy stages and down-regulated during growth stages. In this study, the role of LcSVP2 in governing litchi bud dormancy was examined. LcSVP2 was highly expressed in the shoots, especially in the terminal buds at growth cessation stage, whereas low expression was showed in roots, female flowers and seeds. LcSVP2 was found to be located in the nucleus and have transcription inhibitory activity. Overexpression of LcSVP2 in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in a later flowering phenotype compared to the wild-type control. Silencing LcSVP2 in growing litchi terminal buds delayed re-entry of dormancy, resulting in significantly lower dormancy rate. The treatment also significantly up-regulated litchi FLOWERING LOCUS T2 (LcFT2). Further study indicates that LcSVP2 interacts with an AP2-type transcription factor, SMALL ORGAN SIZE1 (LcSMOS1). Silencing LcSMOS1 promoted budbreak and delayed bud dormancy. Abscisic acid (200mg/L), which enforced bud dormancy, induced a short-term increase in the expression of LcSVP2 and LcSMOS1. Our study reveals that LcSVP2 may play a crucial role, likely together with LcSMOS1, in dormancy onset of the terminal bud and may also serve as a flowering repressor in evergreen perennial litchi.

The basement membrane regulates the cellular localization and the cytoplasmic interactome of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in mammary epithelial cells.

The Hippo pathway, a signaling cascade involved in the regulation of organ size and several other processes, acts as a conduit between extracellular matrix (ECM) cues and cellular responses. We asked whether the basement membrane (BM),a specialized ECM component known to induce quiescence and differentiation in mammary epithelial cells, would regulate the localization, activity, and interactome of YAP, a Hippo pathway effector. To address this question, we used a broad range of experimental approaches, including 2D and 3D cultures of both mouse and human mammary epithelial cells, as well as the developing mouse mammary gland. In contrast to malignant cells, nontumoral cells cultured with a reconstituted BM (rBM)displayed higher concentrations of YAP in the cytoplasm. Incidentally, when in the nucleus of rBM-treated cells, YAP resided preferentially at the nuclear periphery. In agreement with our cell culture experiments, YAP exhibited cytoplasmic predominance in ductal cells of developing mammary epithelia, where a denser BM is found. Conversely, terminal end bud (TEB)cells with a thinner BM displayed higher nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratios of YAP. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that genes regulated by YAP were overrepresented in the transcriptomes of microdissected TEBs. Consistently, mouse epithelial cells exposed to the rBM expressed lower levels of YAP-regulated genes, although the protein level of YAP and Hippo components were slightly altered by the treatment. Mass spectrometry analysis identified a differential set of proteins interacting with YAP in cytoplasmic fractions of mouse epithelial cells in the absence or presence of rBM. In untreated cells, YAP interactants were enriched in processes related to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, whereas in cells exposed to rBM YAP interactants were mainly key proteins related to amino acid, amino sugar, and carbohydrate metabolism. Collectively, we unraveled that the BM induces YAP translocation or retention in the cytoplasm of nontumoral epithelial cells and that in the cytoplasm YAP seems to undertake novel functions in metabolic pathways.

Developmental events in the mandibular salivary gland of Indian sheep (Ovis aries): Morphological and histochemical studies.

At 22nd day of fetal development, the primordial anlage of mandibular gland was first noticed as a solid epithelial bud from oral epithelium. The terminal buds were arranged in the form of clusters with undifferentiated epithelial cells and terminated in a bulb like structure in 28-day-old fetus. The lumenization and branching of the main cord was noticed at 35th day. The primary septa, which divide the glandular mass into lobes was observed from 53rd day onwards which resulted in the formation of distinct lobulation at 58th day. At 61st day, the capsule formation was initiated by the aggregation of mesenchymal tissue. The terminal tubules differentiated to form the secretory end pieces and the tubular portion leads to the formation of intercalated and striated ducts at 98th day. Predominantly mucous types of acinar cells were seen from 108th day onwards. The number of lobules increased with steep increase in parenchyma from 128th day onwards. Micrometrical studies revealed that the mean diameter of acinar cells and all ducts was increased with the advancement of age and the significant differences were observed between groups. Localization of acidic and neutral mucopolysaccharides was observed in mucous cells and goblet cells. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The primordial anlage of mandibular salivary gland was seen at 22nd day. Lobulation of gland was appeared at 53rd day of development, however; it was completed at 58th day. At 98th day, the terminal tubules differentiated to form the secretory end pieces. The parenchyma of the gland showed predominantly mucous type of cells from 108th day onwards. Myoepithelial cells were first appeared as flattened basal cells initially around the developing acinar cells at 132nd day. Localization of acidic as well as neutral mucopolysaccharides was observed in mucous cells and goblet cells. Fine lipid droplets were observed in intralobular as well as interlobular connective tissue, however; phospholipids were observed in the cell membrane of secretory cells and ducts.

Cloning and functional verification of the CmHSP17.9 gene from chrysanthemum.

Small molecular heat shock proteins (sHSPs) belong to the HSP family of molecular chaperones. Under high-temperature stress, they can prevent the aggregation of irreversible proteins and maintain the folding of denatured proteins to enhance heat resistance. In this study, the CmHSP17.9-1 and CmHSP17.9-2 genes, which were cloned from chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum×morifolium 'Jinba') by homologous cloning, had a complete open reading frame of 480 bp each, encoding 159 amino acids. The protein subcellular localization analysis showed that CmHSP17.9-1 and CmHSP17.9-2 were located in the cytoplasm and mostly aggregated in granules, especially around the nucleus. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the relative expression level of the CmHSP17.9-1 and CmHSP17.9-2 genes was highest in the terminal buds of the chrysanthemum, followed by the leaves. CmHSP17.9-1 and CmHSP17.9-2 overex-pression vectors were constructed and used to transform the chrysanthemum; overexpression of these genes led to the chrysanthemum phenotypes being less affected by high-temperature, and the antioxidant capacity was enhanced. The results showed that chrysanthemum with overex-pression of the CmHSP17.9-1 and CmHSP17.9-2 genes had stronger tolerance than the wild type chrysanthemum after high-temperature treatment or some degree of heat exercise, and overex-pression of the CmHSP17.9-1 gene led to stronger heat resistance than that of the CmHSP17.9-2 gene, providing an important theoretical basis for the subsequent molecular breeding and pro-duction applications of chrysanthemum.

Chimeric mutations in grapevine ENHANCED DISEASE RESISTANCE1 improve resistance to powdery mildew without growth penalty.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) incurs severe quality degradation and yield loss from powdery mildew, a major fungal disease caused by Erysiphe necator. ENHANCED DISEASE RESISTANCE1 (EDR1), a Raf-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, negatively regulates defense responses against powdery mildew in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, little is known about the role of the putatively orthologous EDR1 gene in grapevine. In this study, we obtained grapevine VviEDR1-edited lines using CRISPR/Cas9. Plantlets containing homozygous and bi-allelic indels in VviEDR1 developed leaf lesions shortly after transplanting into the soil and died at the seedling stage. Transgenic plants expressing wild-type VviEDR1 and mutant Vviedr1 alleles as chimera (designated as VviEDR1-chi) developed normally and displayed enhanced resistance to powdery mildew. Interestingly, VviEDR1-chi plants maintained a spatiotemporally distinctive pattern of VviEDR1 mutagenesis: while almost no mutations were detected from terminal buds, ensuring normal function of the apical meristem, mutations occurred in young leaves and increased as leaves matured, resulting in resistance to powdery mildew. Further analysis showed that the resistance observed in VviEDR1-chi plants was associated with callose deposition, increased production of salicylic acid and ethylene, H2O2 production and accumulation, and host cell death. Surprisingly, no growth penalty was observed with VviEDR1-chi plants. Hence, this study demonstrated a role of VviEDR1 in the negative regulation of resistance to powdery mildew in grapevine and provided an avenue for engineering powdery mildew resistance in grapevine.

Thripidae pest species community identification and population genetic diversity analyses of 2 dominant thrips in cotton fields of China.

Thrips are devastating pests for various crops, and they can rasp tender leaves, terminal buds, and flowers, which specifically causing huge economic losses to cotton production. However, there is very little knowledge about the species composition of thrips in mainland China, as well as the genetic structure of the thrips populations, particularly in the cotton-producing regions. In this study, thrips were collected from 40 geographical locations at 8 different provinces which representing majority cotton-producing belts in China, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequence was used to identify species composition and evaluate the genetic diversity of collected thrips individuals. Based on experimental results proven that overall, 10 and 8 species of thrips were identified in seedling and flowering stage respectively, which is corresponding dominant species are Thrip tabaci (Lindeman) and Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom). Genetically, 24 haplotypes were identified in 310 T. tabaci individuals from 10 locations, and 263 haplotypes were detected in 1,861 F. intonsa individuals from 40 locations. Hap1 (T. tabaci) is the most widely distributed haplotype among all the T. tabaci samples. Likewise, Hap 2 is the most widely distributed and abundant haplotype among all samples of F. intonsa. The genetic differentiation degrees of T. tabaci between SXYC population and other 9 populations were high, but its gene flow in these 10 regions was relatively low, which might be due to geographical barriers. The Mantel tests showed no correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance of the 2 thrip species. Demographic analysis results showed that both T. tabaci and F. intonsa experienced population expansion in China. Taken together, this study identifies the species composition of thrips in major cotton-producing regions at different growth periods and evaluates effects of geomorphology on the geographical distribution of haplotypes of dominant thrips T. tabaci and F. intonsa.

Anti-inflammatory activity of doum palm fruit extract used in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a frequent health concern in men over the age of 50. It is characterized by an increase in the size of the prostate, which can lead to urinary issues. In the past, the treatment of BPH was limited to surgery. However, the introduction of drugs such as Permixon, based on saw palmetto extract, has revolutionized the management of this disease. This natural plant extract is effective in relieving the symptoms of BPH and can also slow the progression of the disease. The Algerian population consumes several plants for this purpose, such as nettle, galangal, pumpkin seeds, and doum palm. The doum palm (Chamaerops humilis) is a bushy plant with fan leaves that is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. The terminal bud of this species is edible, however the doum palm has been appreciated by several societies throughout time for its multiple traditional uses and is primarily exploited for its fibers. In addition, this plant has aroused growing interest for its properties, especially in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the doum palm by the protein denaturation method comparing it to Permixon extracts and corticosteroids in order to valorize this species and confirm its traditional use. Material and Methods: The fruits of Chamaerops humilis L. were dried, powdered, and extracted with aqueous water then screened by various chemical tests. The anti-inflammatory activity was estimated after dilution of each extract using the human serum albumin. Results: When evaluating the anti-inflammatory effect, we observed that the fruit extract exhibited significantly higher activity, with an IC50 of 446,02 mg/mL, too close to that of Permixon (IC50= 423.17 μg/mL) and exceeding that of corticosteroids (IC50= 602,21 mg/mL). All three extracts clearly demonstrated their ability to reduce inflammation. Conclusion: The aqueous extract was found to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent. These results offer promising novel perspectives in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases, especially benign prostatic hyperplasia. Keywords: anti-inflammatory activity, benign prostatic hyperplasia, doum palm, Permixon, secondary active metabolites.

Revisiting phase change: Ontogenetic and physiological ageing in vegetative propagation

For centuries, stem cuttings harvested from sexually mature trees have been recognized to be more difficult to root than those from juvenile shoots. This has been poorly understood and attributed to a combination of ontogenetic and physiological ageing. The recent suggestion that micro-RNA may play a key role in phase change has stimulated a re-examination of some old data that identified pre-severance light x nutrient interactions affecting the rooting ability of stem cuttings. This was linked to vigorous growth and active photosynthesis without constraint from accumulated starch. Support for the prime importance of physiological factors was also obtained when seeking to induce physiological youth in the crowns of ontogenetically mature trees by the induction of roots within the tree crown. Meanwhile, at the other end of the phase change spectrum, floral initiation occurred when the opposite set of environmental conditions prevailed so that growth was stunted, and carbohydrates accumulated in leaves and stems. A re-examination of this literature suggests that rooting ability is driven at the level of an individual leaf and internode emerging from the terminal bud affecting both morphological and physiological activity. In contrast, flowering occurs when internode elongation and assimilate mobilization were hindered. It is therefore suggested that the concepts of juvenility and ageing are not relevant to vegetative propagation and should instead be replaced by physiological and morphological ‘fitness’ to root.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Nuclear factor-YC Genes in the Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis) and Functional Identification of CsNF-YC6.

Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is a class of transcription factors consisting of NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC subunits, which are widely distributed in eukaryotes. The NF-YC subunit regulates plant growth and development and plays an important role in the response to stresses. However, there are few reports on this gene subfamily in tea plants. In this study, nine CsNF-YC genes were identified in the genome of 'Longjing 43'. Their phylogeny, gene structure, promoter cis-acting elements, motifs and chromosomal localization of these gene were analyzed. Tissue expression characterization revealed that most of the CsNF-YCs were expressed at low levels in the terminal buds and at relatively high levels in the flowers and roots. CsNF-YC genes responded significantly to gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. We further focused on CsNF-YC6 because it may be involved in the growth and development of tea plants and the regulation of response to abiotic stresses. The CsNF-YC6 protein is localized in the nucleus. Arabidopsis that overexpressed CsNF-YC6 (CsNF-YC6-OE) showed increased seed germination and increased root length under ABA and GA treatments. In addition, the number of cauline leaves, stem lengths and silique numbers were significantly higher in overexpressing Arabidopsis lines than wild type under long-day growth conditions, and CsNF-YC6 promoted primary root growth and increased flowering in Arabidopsis. qPCR analysis showed that in CsNF-YC6-OE lines, flowering pathway-related genes were transcribed at higher levels than wild type. The investigation of the CsNF-YC gene has unveiled that CsNF-YC6 plays a pivotal role in plant growth, root and flower development, as well as responses to abiotic stress.

How searcher shoots grow and branch in mature liana mats: the case of Merremia boisiana.

The proliferation of vigorous lianas usually forms liana canopies over the crowns of host trees and liana mats on the ground of open areas or large forest gaps. While research on liana canopies has increased significantly in recent decades, our understanding of liana mats remains limited. Merremia boisiana (Convolvulaceae), a fast-growing liana, forms mature liana mats that can persist for decades, characterized by numerous upright searcher shoots that extend from the liana mats in search of supports. However, the reasons behind the proliferation of these searchers, as well as their growth and branching patterns in mature liana mats that lack support, are not well understood. We hypothesize that searchers are an inevitable phase in the growth rhythm of M. boisiana within these mature liana mats. We tested our hypothesis by tracking the lifespan and status of M. boisiana searchers during the early, middle, and late periods of the year. Our findings reveal the following: (1) M. boisiana searchers exhibit apical dominance and have a short lifespan; over 95% of searchers lost their terminal buds within two months during the early period, while it took only one month during the middle and late periods. (2) The original lateral buds of the searchers also have a limited lifespan, yet the nodes can sprout new lateral buds after the loss of their originals. (3) With the withering of terminal buds, the total number of lateral shoots decreased, while the quantity of long lateral shoots (≥ 50 cm) and their elongation rates increased. (4) Each surviving segment of a searcher typically develops one or two long lateral shoots, none of which grow into searchers. We conclude that the shoots of M. boisiana in mature liana mats periodically alternate between searchers and stolons, collectively forming a zigzag branching system. The high rate of lateral bud resprouting may facilitate the rapid recovery of mature liana mats early in the year, while the reduced lifespan of searchers and limited number of long lateral shoots represent effective strategies for M. boisiana, balancing the investment and risk associated with foraging in mature liana mats.

Development of the Mammary Gland in Mouse: A Whole-Mount Microscopic Analysis.

The mammary gland undergoes functional, developmental, and structural changes that are essential for lactation and reproductive processes. An overview of such unique tissue can offer clearer insights into mammary development and tumorigenesis. Compared to traditional methods, mouse mammary gland whole mount is a pivotal technique that provides three-dimensional structural perspectives on gland morphology and developmental stages, offering an inexpensive and accessible approach. This protocol outlines the tissue isolation of the mouse mammary gland and provides detailed instructions for whole-mount staining and analysis. Mammary gland tissues are carefully dissected from euthanized mice and stained with Carmine Alum to highlight the ductal structures, enabling detailed visualization of the branching patterns and morphological changes. Light microscopy is used to capture a panoramic image of the stained mammary gland, enabling the quantitative analysis of terminal end buds (TEBs) and bifurcated TEBs to further investigate mammary gland remodeling. This method can provide invaluable insights, particularly in the study of mammary gland morphogenesis and tumorigenesis, underscoring its significance in both basic research and clinical applications. Key features • Monitor mammary gland development within 2 days using whole-mount staining.