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Gibberellin (GA) functions in plant growth and development. However, genes involved in the biosynthesis and regulation of GA in crop plants are poorly understood. We isolated the mutant gad5-1(GA-Associated Dwarf 5), characterized by dwarfing, short internodes, and dark green and short leaves. Map-based gene cloning and allelic verification confirmed that ZmGAD5encodes ent-kaurenoic acid oxidase (KAO), which catalyzes KA (ent-kaurenoic acid) to GA12 conversion during GA biosynthesis in maize. ZmGAD5 is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and is present in multiple maize organs. In gad5-1, the expression of ZmGAD5is severely reduced, and the levels of the direct substrate of KAO, KA, is increased, leading to a reduction in GA content. The abnormal phenotype of gad5-1was restored by exogenous application of GA3. The biomass, plant height, and levels of GA12and GA3in transgenic Arabidopsisoverexpressing ZmGAD5were increased in comparison with the corresponding controls Col-0. These findings deepen our understanding of genes involved in GA biosynthesis, and could lead to the development of maize lines with improved architecture and higher planting-density tolerance.

Background: Perceived portion size norms (typical perception of how much of a given food individuals choose to eat at a single occasion) may have shifted towards larger sizes due to the ubiquity of large serving sizes. However, there is a lack of validated tools to assess such norms for energy-dense and nutrient-poor discretionary foods. This study aimed to develop and validate an online tool to examine the perceived portion size norms of discretionary foods. Methods: An online image-series tool of 15 commonly consumed discretionary foods was developed, with eight successive portion size options included for each food. Using a randomised-crossover design, adult consumers (18–65 years) completed the validation study in a laboratory session (April-May 2022) by reporting their perceived portion size norms for each food twice, once based on food images on a computer and another time based on equivalent real food portion size options at food stations in the laboratory. Agreement between methods for each test food was examined using cross-classification and intra-class correlation (ICC). Results: A sample of 114 subjects were recruited (mean age 24.8 years). Cross-classification indicated >90% of selections were matched in the same or adjacent portion size option. ICC was 0.85 across all foods, demonstrating a good level of agreement. Conclusion: This novel online image-series tool developed to examine perceived portion size norms of discretionary foods showed good agreement with equivalent real food portion size options and may be valuable to investigate perceived portion size norms of common discretionary foods in future studies.

The clinical presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) differs between patients from developed and developing countries. In China, the clinical pattern has changed over the past few decades. Our aim was to elucidate general changes in the clinical characteristics of PHPT from 2010 to 2021. We enrolled 343 patients with PHPT at the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China, from January 2010 to May 2021, including both surgical and non-surgical patients. Patients were divided into two subgroups, 2010–2016 (group A, n= 152) and 2017–2021 (group B, n= 191), based on the time span. We compared clinical manifestations and laboratory result data between these two groups. The mean patient age was 52.59 ± 13.55 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:2.54. Of the 343 patients, 183 (53.35%) had symptomatic PHPT; bone pain, urolithiasis, and fatigue were the most common symptoms. Post-operative pathology showed that 96.20% of the patients had parathyroid adenoma, whereas 2.41% had parathyroid carcinoma. Great changes occurred between 2010 and 2021; the percentage of patients with asymptomatic PHPT (aPHPT) increased from 36.18% in group A to 54.97% in group B. Moreover, patients in group B showed significantly lower serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, and urinary phosphate levels but higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels than those in group A. Clinical presentations in group B were also milder. In conclusion, the clinical characteristics of Chinese PHPT patients changed dramatically from 2010 to 2021, with asymptomatic PHPT (aPHPT becoming the predominant type over the last 3 years.

Biological applications of nanomaterials as delivery carriers have been embedded in traditional biomedical research for decades. Despite lagging behind, recent significant breakthroughs in the use of nanocarriers as tools for plant biotechnology have created great interest. In this Perspective, we review the outstanding recent works in nanocarrier-mediated plant transformation and its agricultural applications. We analyze the chemical and physical properties of nanocarriers determining their uptake efficiency and transport throughout the plant body. This perspective reviews and explores the customized design of “smart” nanocarriers for revolutionizing plant biotechnology in transformation and in agricultural applications, and discusses the challenges and tactical approaches for adapting biomedical nanocarriers for these purposes

Alkali-salinity exerts severe osmotic, ionic, and high-pH stresses to plants. To understand the alkali-salinity responsive mechanisms underlying photosynthetic modulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, physiological and diverse quantitative proteomics analyses of alkaligrass (Puccinellia tenuiflora) under Na2CO3stresswere conducted. In addition, Western blot, real-time PCR, and transgenic techniques were applied to validate the proteomic results and test the functions of the Na2CO3-responsive proteins. A total of 104 and 102 Na2CO3-responsive proteins were identified in leaves and chloroplasts, respectively. In addition, 84 Na2CO3-responsive phosphoproteins were identified, including 56 new phosphorylation sites in 56 phosphoproteins from chloroplasts, which are crucial for the regulation of photosynthesis, ion transport, signal transduction, and energy homeostasis. A full-length PtFBAencoding an alkaligrass chloroplastic fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) was overexpressed in wild-type cells of cyanobacterium Synechocystissp. Strain PCC 6803, leading to enhanced Na2CO3tolerance. All these results indicate that thermal dissipation, state transition, cyclic electron transport, photorespiration, repair of photosystem (PS) II, PSI activity, and ROS homeostasis were altered in response to Na2CO3stress, which help to improve our understanding of the Na2CO3-responsive mechanisms in halophytes.

Alkali-salinity exerts severe osmotic, ionic, and high-pH stresses to plants. To understand the alkali-salinity responsive mechanisms underlying photosynthetic modulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, physiological and diverse quantitative proteomics analyses of alkaligrass (Puccinellia tenuiflora) under Na2CO3stresswere conducted. In addition, Western blot, real-time PCR, and transgenic techniques were applied to validate the proteomic results and test the functions of the Na2CO3-responsive proteins. A total of 104 and 102 Na2CO3-responsive proteins were identified in leaves and chloroplasts, respectively. In addition, 84 Na2CO3-responsive phosphoproteins were identified, including 56 new phosphorylation sites in 56 phosphoproteins from chloroplasts, which are crucial for the regulation of photosynthesis, ion transport, signal transduction, and energy homeostasis. A full-length PtFBAencoding an alkaligrass chloroplastic fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) was overexpressed in wild-type cells of cyanobacterium Synechocystissp. Strain PCC 6803, leading to enhanced Na2CO3tolerance. All these results indicate that thermal dissipation, state transition, cyclic electron transport, photorespiration, repair of photosystem (PS) II, PSI activity, and ROS homeostasis were altered in response to Na2CO3stress, which help to improve our understanding of the Na2CO3-responsive mechanisms in halophytes.

ABSTRACTThe main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the initial pH values of the buffer on photo-fermentation biohydrogen production. Hydrogen production and the kinetics of it under different initial pH values were analyzed. Effects of initial pH values on reducing sugar consumption, hydrogen production rate, and byproduct production were evaluated at initial pH values of 5–7. The results showed that initial pH values of phosphate buffer had a significant effect on biohydrogen production via photo-fermentation. With the initial pH value of phosphate buffer at 6.0, the cumulative hydrogen production reached its maximum, 569.6 mL. The maximum hydrogen production rate was 23.96 mL/h at the initial pH value of 6.5. With the initial pH values at 5.0 and 7.5, the maximum hydrogen production rates were becoming lower, only 5.59 mL/h and 5.42 mL/h, respectively. And with the increase in pH values, the peak period of hydrogen production was gradually delayed, indicating that the alkaline environment had a negative effect on the ability of photosynthetic bacteria. This study revealed the influence of phosphate buffer initial pH values on the biohydrogen production via photo-fermentation and aimed to provide a scientific reference for further improving the theory and technology for biohydrogen production from biomass.

Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) aircraft is promoted as one of the most possible layouts to achieve more sustainable civil aviation. Due to the non-circular cross-section of the center-body, a bulge deformation forms over the upper surface of the body under the coupled loads of the internal pressurization of the cabin and the aerodynamic bending moments of the wing, which reduces the lift-to-drag ratio of BWB aircraft. Under a limited deformation, the relationship between the aerodynamic performance and the structural weight needs to be studied. In this work, the effects of stiffness constraints on the center-body deformation, structural weight of the airframe and aerodynamic performance were investigated by using an analytical model of the Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure (PRSEUS) for the airframe and the computational fluid dynamics method, respectively. The results show that as the stiffness constraint increases, the spacings between the rod stringers and the frame stiffeners decrease, and the structural weight increases inversely. A 5.2% reduction of the lift-to-drag ratio is encountered at cruise for a medium deformation design of 42.8 mm/m. A higher aerodynamic penalty is suffered when the stiffness constraint is further released. The final deformation criterion is different when the weight vector of the aerodynamic performance and structural weight is different.

ABSTRACTAsparagus (Asparagus officinalis) has several traits that make it a useful model for cytogenetic studies, however, few studies of the meiosis process have been made in asparagus. Here, we present in detail an atlas of male meiosis in asparagus, from preleptotene to telophase II. The meiosis process in asparagus is largely similar to those of the well-characterized model plants Arabidopsis thaliana, Zea mays, and Oryza sativa. However, most asparagus prophase I meiotic chromosomes show a strongly aggregated morphology, and this phenotype persists through the pachytene stage, highlighting a property in the control of chromosome migration and distribution in asparagus. Further, we observed no obvious banding of autofluorescent dots between divided nuclei of asparagus meiocytes, as one would expect in Arabidopsis. This description of wild-type asparagus meiosis will serve as a reference for the analyses of meiotic mutants, as well as for comparative studies among difference species.Abbreviations: DAPI: 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; FISH: fluorescence in situhybridization; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PMC: pollen mother cell; SEM: Scanning Electron Microscope

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) nanosensors based on metallic nanohole arrays have been widely reported to detect binding interactions in biological specimens. A simple and effective method for constructing nanoscale arrays is essential for the development of SPR nanosensors. In this work, we report a one-step method to fabricate nanohole arrays by thermal nanoimprinting in the matrix of IPS (Intermediate Polymer Stamp). No additional etching process or supporting substrate is required. The preparation process is simple, time-saving and compatible for roll-to-roll process, potentially allowing mass production. Moreover, the nanohole arrays were integrated into detection platform as SPR sensors to investigate different types of biological binding interactions. The results demonstrate that our one-step method can be used to efficiently fabricate large-area and uniform nanohole arrays for biochemical sensing.

In the cover of article number 20210002, Chun-Peng Song and colleagues revealed an illustration of how plant biotechnology could potentially revitalize and thrive when presented with the dynamic interplay with nanotechnology.

Weather is essential for building energy simulation and energy efficient retrofitting since building energy use is highly weather-dependent. Weather data provided by EnergyPlus weather (EPW) data or generated by urban climate stations are used in most simulation tools. However, weather varies temporally and spatially, and the gaps may exist in the typical-year weather, weather from peri-urban areas, and local actual weather. This paper compares three types of weather datasets, from EPW data, from an urban climate station (STATION), and from long-term measurement with a local micro-climate station at Southeast University (SEU) campus. Results show there are significant gaps between the three weather datasets and compared with the STATION and EPW data, the average temperature in the micro-climate (SEU) is higher by 1.2 °C and 2.2 °C, respectively. The cooling degree day in SEU weather data is 20.4% and 40.8% higher, with heating degree day 15.7% and 26.3% lower. Comparing average relative humidity shows a big difference of 18.3% and 22.1% between SEU, STATION and EPW, and the former is comparatively lower than the latter two and no clear correlated trend. The SEU weather data has 23.1% more solar radiation hours than STATION weather data. As for wind speed, the average wind speed in the SEU weather data is lower by 1.14m/s and 1.29m/s, respectively, when compared with the STATION and EPW data. This study could be the reference for different trials for energy performance dynamic simulation for building energy analysis.

Pathogen entry into host tissues is a critical and first step in infections. In plants, the lateral roots (LRs) are a potential entry and colonization site for pathogens. Here, using a GFP-labeled pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringaepv. tomatostrain DC3000 (PtoDC3000), we observe that virulent PtoDC3000 invades plants through emerged LRs in Arabidopsis. PtoDC3000 strongly induced LR formation, a process that was dependent on the AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR7 (ARF7)/ARF19-LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES-DOMAIN (LBD) regulatory module. We show that salicylic acid (SA) represses LR formation, and several mutants defective in SA signaling are also involved in Pto DC3000-induced LR development. Significantly, ARF7, a well-documented positive regulator of LR development, directly represses the transcription of PR1and PR2to promote LR development. This study indicates that ARF7-mediated auxin signaling antagonizes with SA signaling to control bacterial infection through the regulation of LR development.