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Introduction: Despite the need for continued support for children with disabilities and their families, COVID-19 has made the support difficult. Telenursing can monitor daily life and support from a remote location, continuously and at a low cost. However, there are few practical reports on its use in children with disabilities., Objective: This scoping review aims to summarize the published literature on telenursing for children with disabilities in home care settings., Methods: We included studies involving children (0-18 years of age) with disabilities and their families and specified telecommunication assessment, monitoring, and intervention such as tele-education, teleconsultation and telementoring involving nurses via information communication technologies. We included studies that used any design written in English or Japanese. A comprehensive search was conducted on March 14, 2021 using six databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, PsycINFO, and Ichushi Web. Two or more reviewers individually screened eligible studies according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. Data on the characteristics of the included studies, telecommunications technology interventions, and children with disabilities were mapped in tables., Results: Eleven studies, published between 2003 and 2020, met the inclusion criteria. Only one study used the term "telenursing," while others used "telehealth" and other terms, which involved multidisciplinary support such as physicians and social workers in addition to nurses. Although there were various types of telecommunications technology interventions, they were categorized as consultation, healthcare provision, monitoring, and education. Most studies have examined telecommunication technology interventions by healthcare professionals, including nurses. Five studies focused on children with medical complexities, and two focused on children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including developmental delays. There is insufficient information on telecommunications technology interventions, especially assessment tools, trigger points, and the status of the target population., Conclusion: This scoping review aimed to map the published literature on telenursing for children with disabilities and their families in home care settings. Available evidence indicates a lack of research focusing on the implementation of telecommunications for children with disabilities and their families. Further research is required to assess the effects of telecommunications technology interventions. Additionally, they should provide information for implementing telecommunication technology safety., Scoping Review Registration: Figshare (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21747047.v1)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2025 Nishigaki, Yamaji, Adachi, Kamei, Kobayashi, Kakazu and Yonekura.)

Background : Income is a key determinant of well-being; however, its effects are often nonlinear. In Japan, working women face unique limitations to their well-being, including substantial gender wage gaps, caregiving responsibilities, and female-specific health conditions. This study aimed to investigate the association between income and well-being, with a focus on potential nonlinear patterns and effect modification with various factors. Methods : A nationwide survey of 10,000 working women aged 20-64 years was conducted in Japan in 2023. Well-being was assessed using four items from the Office for National Statistics-4 questionnaire, each rated on a 0-10 Likert scale. Tobit regression models were used to assess the association between household income and well-being after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors. Results : Annual household income was positively associated with well-being in women earning up to 8-10 million JPY annually, beyond which the effect was attenuated. Women with mental health issues or insomnia reported significantly lower well-being scores regardless of their income level ( p < 0.05). Marital status and caregiving responsibilities had moderate effects, whereas having more children diminished the positive effect of income among higher-income households earning over 8 million JPY annually. Conclusions : This study highlights the need for integrated policies that address both economic disparities and health-related challenges to improve the well-being of working women in Japan. Targeted interventions focusing on female-specific health conditions are particularly important.

This study aims to delineate the characteristics and clinical trajectories of suicide attempts and self-harm, and its gender and age differences among children. This nationwide retrospective cross-sectional study utilized data extracted from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database spanning 2016 to 2017. Children aged 7-17 years admitted to acute care hospitals for suicide attempts and self-harm, were identified. Patient characteristics included age, gender, suicide method, and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Trajectory information included the duration of hospital stay, admission ward, psychiatric/psychological interventions, in-hospital mortality, and healthcare expenditure. Data analysis encompassed 1,704 children hospitalized for suicide attempts and self-harm. Among these, 49.4% were junior high school age, 69.0% for female, and 28.4% for underweight. Overdose emerged as the most prevalent method for suicide attempts and self-harm (49.9%). Notably, 66.0% did not receive a diagnosis of any mental illness, and 56.3% did not undergo psychiatric/psychological care during their hospitalization. Boys were more likely to use high-lethality suicide methods, such as hanging ( p < 0.001), and die during hospitalization ( p < 0.001). Conversely, girls were more likely to use low-lethality suicide methods, such as drug overdose ( p < 0.001), and receive psychiatric/psychological intervention during hospitalization ( p = 0.015). Children aged 7-12 years were more likely to use high-lethality suicide methods, such as hanging ( p < 0.001), and be diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( p < 0.001) and less likely to receive psychiatric/psychological intervention ( p = 0.005) compared with other age groups. These findings suggest the importance of developing gender and age sensitive health policies, systems, and interventions to prevent child suicide., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (2024, National Center for Global Health and Medicine.)

Plants accumulate silicon to protect them from biotic and abiotic stresses. Especially in rice (Oryza sativa), a typical Si-accumulator, tremendous Si accumulation is indispensable for healthy growth and productivity. Here, we report a shoot-expressed signaling protein, Shoot-Silicon-Signal (SSS), an exceptional homolog of the flowering hormone "florigen" differentiated in Poaceae. SSS transcript is only detected in the shoot, whereas the SSS protein is also detected in the root and phloem sap. When Si is supplied from the root, the SSS transcript rapidly decreases, and then the SSS protein disappears. In sss mutants, root Si uptake and expression of Si transporters are decreased to a basal level regardless of the Si supply. The grain yield of the mutants is decreased to 1/3 due to insufficient Si accumulation. Thus, SSS is a key phloem-mobile protein for integrating root Si uptake and shoot Si accumulation underlying the terrestrial adaptation strategy of grasses., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Demographic changes and a low birth rate have led to a workforce shortage in Japan. To address this issue, the government has promoted engagement of female employment. However, increased female employment can impact women's health. Using Internet of Things (IoT) and apps to manage women's health has gained attention, but few studies have focused on working women., Objective: This study aimed to clarify the current situation of working women and their use of IoT or apps to manage their health., Methods: A large-scale, nationwide internet survey was conducted among 10,000 female participants aged from 20 years to 64 years in Japan. Participants were recruited from a marketing research company's active survey panel of 5.24 million members. The survey included questions about health status, sociodemographic factors, psychological characteristics, and the use of IoT or apps for health management. We compared perceived health status and reasons for current IoT use using t tests and assessed participant characteristics that predicted IoT use using the C5.0 decision tree algorithm. Ethical approval was granted by St. Luke's International University., Results: Among participants, 14.6% (1455/10,000) currently used IoT or apps, 7% (695/10,000) used them previously, and 78.5% (7850/10,000) had never used them. Current users (42.7 years old) were older than past users (39.7 years old). Discrepancies were observed between participants' perceived health problems and the purpose for using IoT or apps, with 21.3% (2130/10,000) of all women reporting they experienced menstrual symptoms or disorders but only 3.5% (347/10,000) used IoT or apps to manage the same symptom. On the other hand, current users were more likely to use IoT or apps to manage nutrition-related problems such as underweight or obesity (405/1455, 27.8%). Device use was highest among current users, with 87.3% (1270/1455) using smartphones, 19.7% (287/1455) using smartwatches, and 13.3% (194/1455) using PCs. Decision tree analysis identified 6 clusters, the largest consisting of 81.6% (5323/6523) of non-IoT users who did not exercise regularly, while pregnant women were more likely to use IoT or apps., Conclusions: Our findings highlight the idea that woman with particular health problems (ie, menstrual symptoms or disorders and premenstrual syndrome) have lower use of IoT or apps, suggesting an unmet need for IoT and apps in specific areas., (©Kirio Sasayama, Etsuko Nishimura, Noyuri Yamaji, Erika Ota, Hisateru Tachimori, Ataru Igarashi, Naoko Arata, Daisuke Yoneoka, Eiko Saito. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org), 31.07.2024.)

Iron (Fe) needs to be delivered to different organs and tissues of above-ground parts for playing its multiple physiological functions once it is taken up by the roots. However, the mechanisms underlying Fe distribution are poorly understood. We functionally characterized OsOPT7, a member of oligo peptide transporter family in terms of expression patterns, localization, transport activity and phenotypic analysis of knockdown lines. OsOPT7 was highly expressed in the nodes, especially in the uppermost node I, and its expression was upregulated by Fe-deficiency. OsOPT7 transports ferrous iron into the cells coupled with proton. Immunostaining revealed that OsOPT7 is mainly localized in the xylem parenchyma cells of the enlarged vascular bundles in the nodes and vascular tissues in the leaves. Knockdown of OsOPT7 did not affect the Fe uptake, but altered Fe distribution; less Fe was distributed to the new leaf, upper nodes and developing panicle, but more Fe was distributed to the old leaves. Furthermore, knockdown of OsOPT7 also resulted in less Fe distribution to the leaf sheath, but more Fe to the leaf blade. Taken together, OsOPT7 is involved in the xylem unloading of Fe for both long-distance distribution to the developing organs and local distribution within the leaf in rice., (© 2024 The Authors New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)

To play essential roles of manganese (Mn) in plant growth and development, it needs to be transported to different organs and tissues after uptake. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Mn distribution between different tissues are poorly understood. We functionally characterized a member of rice natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP) family, OsNramp5 in terms of its tissue specificity of gene expression, cell-specificity of protein localization, phenotypic analysis of leaf growth and response to Mn fluctuations. OsNramp5 is highly expressed in the leaf sheath. Immunostaining revealed that OsNramp5 is polarly localized at the proximal side of xylem parenchyma cells of the leaf sheath. Both the gene expression and protein abundance of OsNramp5 are unaffected by different Mn concentrations. Knockout of OsNramp5 decreased the distribution of Mn to the leaf sheath, but increased the distribution to the leaf blade at both low and high Mn supplies, resulting in reduced growth of leaf sheath. Furthermore, expression of OsNramp5 under the control of root-specific promoter in osnramp5 mutant complemented Mn uptake, but could not complement Mn distribution to the leaf sheath. These results indicate that OsNramp5 expressed in the leaf sheath plays an important role in unloading Mn from the xylem for the local distribution in rice., (© 2023 The Authors New Phytologist © 2023 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Rice is a staple food for half of the world's population, but it is a poor dietary source of calcium (Ca) due to the low concentration. It is an important issue to boost Ca concentration in this grain to improve Ca deficiency risk, but the mechanisms underlying Ca accumulation are poorly understood. Here, we obtained a rice (Oryza sativa) mutant with high shoot Ca accumulation. The mutant exhibited 26%-53% higher Ca in shoots than did wild-type rice (WT) at different Ca supplies. Ca concentration in the xylem sap was 36% higher in the mutant than in the WT. There was no difference in agronomic traits between the WT and mutant, but the mutant showed 25% higher Ca in the polished grain compared with the WT. Map-based cloning combined with a complementation test revealed that the mutant phenotype was caused by an 18-bp deletion of a gene, OsK5.2, belonging to the Shaker-like K + channel family. OsK5.2 was highly expressed in the mature region of the roots and its expression in the roots was not affected by Ca levels, but upregulated by low K. Immunostaining showed that OsK5.2 was mainly expressed in the pericycle of the roots. Taken together, our results revealed a novel role for OsK5.2 in Ca translocation in rice, and will be a good target for Ca biofortification in rice., (© 2023 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.)

Objective: Effective communication about cancer with children is a significant challenge for healthcare professionals and families. This study aimed to create a picture book as a tool for facilitating communication about cancer and to assess its feasibility. It also demonstrated the use of mixed methods and convergent designs for intervention development., Methods: The study included healthcare professionals ( n = 14), children without cancer (aged 4-8 years; n = 21) and their families ( n = 18), as well as children with various types of cancer, undergoing maintenance therapy or follow-up (aged 4-12 years; n = 3) and their families ( n = 3). Quantitative and qualitative data were separately analyzed, and meta-inferences were made using a joint display. The picture book was refined based on feedback from healthcare professionals, and a similar iterative process was carried out with children and their families., Results: Over 85% of the participants considered the picture book, along with a side book, feasible. The picture book was found to be helpful for discussing the topic of cancer with children. It also significantly improved the knowledge of children without cancer ( P  < 0.01). Most children expressed interest in reading it and believed it was useful for talking to others about cancer. However, some concerns were raised regarding the context and expressions in the picture book., Conclusions: This study successfully assessed the feasibility of the developed picture book using a mixed methods approach, offering valuable insights into its implementation and refinement. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of its use and gather user feedback., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Silicon (Si) is the most abundant mineral element in the earth's crust. Some plants actively accumulate Si as amorphous silica (phytoliths), which can protect plants from stresses. Here, we report a gene (SIET4) that is required for the proper accumulation and cell-specific deposition of Si in rice and show that it is essential for normal growth. SIET4 is constitutively expressed in leaves and encodes a Si transporter. SlET4 polarly localizes at the distal side of epidermal cells and cells surrounding the bulliform cells (motor cells) of the leaf blade, where Si is deposited. Knockout of SIET4 leads to the death of rice in the presence but not absence of Si. Further analysis shows that SIET4 knockout induces abnormal Si deposition in mesophyll cells and the induction of hundreds of genes related to various stress responses. These results indicate that SIET4 is required for the proper export of Si from leaf cells to the leaf surface and for the healthy growth of rice on land., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Rice grain is a poor dietary source of zinc (Zn) but the primary source of cadmium (Cd) for humans; however, the molecular mechanisms for their accumulation in rice grain remain incompletely understood. This study functionally characterized a tonoplast-localized transporter, OsMTP1. OsMTP1 was preferentially expressed in the roots, aleurone layer, and embryo of seeds. OsMTP1 knockout decreased Zn concentration in the root cell sap, roots, aleurone layer and embryo, and subsequently increased Zn concentration in shoots and polished rice (endosperm) without yield penalty. OsMTP1 haplotype analysis revealed elite alleles associated with increased Zn level in polished rice, mostly because of the decreased OsMTP1 transcripts. OsMTP1 expression in yeast enhanced Zn tolerance but did not affect that of Cd. While OsMTP1 knockout resulted in decreased uptake, translocation and accumulation of Cd in plant and rice grain, which could be attributed to the indirect effects of altered Zn accumulation. Our results suggest that rice OsMTP1 primarily functions as a tonoplast-localized transporter for sequestrating Zn into vacuole. OsMTP1 knockout elevated Zn concentration but prevented Cd deposition in polished rice without yield penalty. Thus, OsMTP1 is a candidate gene for enhancing Zn level and reducing Cd level in rice grains., (© 2023 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2023 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Silicon (Si) is important for stable and high yields in rice (Oryza sativa), a typical Si hyperaccumulator. The high Si accumulation is achieved by the cooperation of 2 Si transporters, LOW SILICON 1 (OsLsi1) and OsLsi2, which are polarly localized in cells of the root exodermis and endodermis. However, the mechanism underlying their polar localization is unknown. Here, we identified amino acid residues critical for the polar localization of OsLsi1. Deletion of both N- and C-terminal regions resulted in the loss of its polar localization. Furthermore, the deletion of the C-terminus inhibited its trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane. Detailed site-directed mutagenesis analysis showed that Ile18 at the N-terminal region and Ile285 at the C-terminal region were essential for the polar localization of OsLsi1. Moreover, a cluster of positively charged residues at the C-terminal region is also required for polar localization. Phosphorylation and Lys modifications of OsLsi1 are unlikely to be involved in its polar localization. Finally, we showed that the polar localization of OsLsi1 is required for the efficient uptake of Si. Our study not only identified critical residues required for the polar localization of OsLsi1, but also provided experimental evidence for the importance of transporter polarity for efficient nutrient uptake., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement. All authors state no conflict of interest concerning this paper., (© American Society of Plant Biologists 2023. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Introduction: The evaluation of hospital performance often receives great attention. Hospitals refer to patient ratings to undertake quality-improvement activities. However, little is known about the factors that contribute the most to these patient ratings. This study aimed to investigate the association of relevant factors, such as doctors' and nurses' performance, with patients' ratings of hospitals, using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS Ⓡ ) questionnaire., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who were hospitalized in Japan, from January 2020 to September 2021. Patients' hospital rating scale scores between 0 and 10 were collected and dichotomized. A score of 8 or higher was defined as a high rating. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between patients' ratings of the hospital and other items in the HCAHPS Ⓡ questionnaire., Results: The frequency of patients' high and poor hospital ratings were 207 (69%) and 93 (31%), respectively, of 300 respondents. A significant association was observed for the patient's age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.04), doctor's communication (AOR: 10.47; 95% CI: 3.17-34.58), and discharge planning (AOR: 3.53; 95% CI: 1.96-6.36) with a positive patient rating of the hospital., Conclusions: An emphasis on doctor communication and discharge planning is essential in improving patients' ratings of hospitals. Further research is needed to determine the factors that contribute the most to patients' ratings of hospitals., Competing Interests: None, (Copyright © Japan Medical Association.)

Background: Women often experience many unique health issues and conditions throughout their working lives. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated digital devices that can enable data exchanges over a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. The usage of applications and IoT in improving women's health has recently increased worldwide. However, there has been no consensus on the effectiveness of IoT in improving women's health outcomes., Objective: This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) aims to assess and synthesize the role of apps and the IoT in improving women's health and to identify the ranking of interventions for ensuring better results for each stated outcome., Methods: Our systematic review and NMA will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook. We will comprehensively search the following electronic databases: PubMed (including MEDLINE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (ie, CINAHL), PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry, along with other resources to identify relevant randomized controlled trials that have assessed the effects of various apps and the IoT with regard to improving working-aged women's health in high-income countries. We will segment and analyze the results of the included studies based on age categories (women undergoing a preconception period, those undergoing gestational and postpartum periods, and menopausal and pre- and postmenopausal women) and the medical history (women who have a specific medical condition-eg, cancer or diabetes-and women who do not have them) separately. Two independent reviewers will perform the study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Our primary outcomes include health status, well-being, and quality of life. We will perform pairwise meta-analysis and NMA to estimate the direct, indirect, and relative effects of apps and the IoT on women's health outcomes. We will also assess the hierarchy of interventions, statistical inconsistencies, and certainties of evidence for each outcome., Results: We plan to conduct the search in January 2023 and are currently discussing search strategies with the literature search specialists. The final report is planned for submission to a peer-reviewed journal in September 2023., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this review will be the first to identify the ranking of IoT intervention for ensuring working-aged women's health outcomes. These findings may be of great use to researchers, policy makers, and others with an interest in the field., Trial Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42022384620; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display&#95;record.php?RecordID=384620., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/45178., (©Noyuri Yamaji, Aya Nitamizu, Etsuko Nishimura, Daichi Suzuki, Kiriko Sasayama, Md. Obaidur Rahman, Eiko Saito, Daisuke Yoneoka, Erika Ota. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 04.04.2023.)

This systematic review aimed to identify the benefits and possible harms of tocolytic therapy for preterm labour management in the context of pregnant women with extremely preterm birth, multiple gestations, or growth-restricted foetuses. A comprehensive search using MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and the WHO Global Index Medicus databases was conducted from 10 to 15 July 2021. We included randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies that assessed the effects of tocolysis compared with placebo or no treatment. We found 744 reports and, finally, nine studies (three randomized controlled trials and six cohort studies) pertaining to women with <28 weeks of gestation were included. No eligible studies were identified among women with a multiple pregnancy or a growth-restricted foetus. A meta-analysis of the trial data showed that there were no clear differences in perinatal death nor for a delay in birth. Non-randomized evidence showed that tocolysis delayed birth by 7 days, though there was no clear difference for preterm birth. In summary, it remains unclear whether tocolytic therapy for inhibiting preterm labour is beneficial for these subgroups of women and their newborns. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials and observational studies are needed to address the lack of evidence regarding tocolytic agents in these populations.

Aim: The aims of the study were to synthesize the role of technology-based healthcare interventions (TBIs) and to identify the most effective interventions for the best functional maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes among low-risk pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)., Design: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA)., Methods: We will perform a comprehensive search in electronic databases and other resources to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Our primary outcomes include proportion of recommended antenatal care visits, skilled delivery care, postnatal care visits and exclusive breastfeeding practices. We will use pairwise random-effects meta-analysis and NMAs to estimate direct, indirect and relative effects using the relevant intervention classifications for each outcome separately. We plan to assess hierarchy of interventions, statistical inconsistency and certainty of evidence., Results: This review will compare the effectiveness of different form of TBIs on a comprehensive range of MCH outcomes and will provide the outcome-specific reliable evidence of the most effective interventions on improving MCH in LMICs. The review findings will guide researchers, stakeholders or policymakers on the potential use of TBIs in the given contexts that could achieve the best functional MCH outcomes in LMICs., (© 2022 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Bonding is crucial to perinatal mental health. Despite an extensive body of literature on maternal bonding, few studies have focused on paternal bonding. This scoping review aimed to clarify the current state of the concept of paternal-infant/fetus bonding. The eligibility criteria were drawn from the population concept and context elements to answer the following questions: "what is paternal bonding?" and "what are the constructs of the concept of paternal bonding?" The review comprised 39 studies. Paternal bonding was associated with both positive and negative paternal behavior and thought and may be determined based on fathers' beliefs and rearing history. Most studies showed that father-child interaction is one of the factors promoting paternal bonding. However, fathers generally felt more distant from their babies post-delivery than mothers. Only a few studies originally defined paternal bonding; most relied on the definitions of maternal bonding. We found different descriptions lacking consensus. Few studies examined the differences between paternal and maternal bonding. No consensus exists on the concept, constructs, and assessment of paternal bonding. The causal relationship between paternal bonding and other variables is unexplored. Future studies should explore fathers' perspectives and experiences, focusing on the unknown aspects of paternal bonding identified in this review.

Background: Although communication tools might guide healthcare professionals in communicating with children about cancer, it is unclear what kind of tools are used. This scoping review aimed to map the communication tools used in cancer communication among children with cancer, families, and healthcare professionals., Methods: A comprehensive search using PubMed (including MEDLINE), Embase, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and CINAHL was conducted on 1 August 2021. We mapped communication tools and their impacts., Results: We included 25 studies (9 experimental studies and 16 feasibility studies) of 29 reports and found 21 communication tools. There was a lack of communication tools that were (1) accessible and validated, (2) designed for healthcare professionals, (3) targeted children, families, and healthcare professionals, and (4) were designed to meet the needs of children and families. Experimental studies showed that the communication tools improved children's knowledge and psychological outcomes (e.g., health locus of control, quality of life, self-efficacy)., Conclusion: We mapped communication tools and identified areas that needed further research, including a lack of tools to guide healthcare professionals and share information with children and families. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate these communication tools. Moreover, it is necessary to investigate how communication tools support children, families, and healthcare professionals.

Glycosyltransferases (GTs) form a large family in plants and are important enzymes for the synthesis of various polysaccharides, but only a few members have been functionally characterized. Here, through mutant screening with gene mapping, we found that an Oryza sativa (rice) mutant with a short-root phenotype was caused by a frame-shift mutation of a gene (OsGT14;1) belonging to the glycosyltransferase gene family 14. Further analysis indicated that the mutant also had a brittle culm and produced lower grain yield compared with wild-type rice, but the roots showed similar root structure and function in terms of the uptake of mineral nutrients. OsGT14;1 was broadly expressed in all organs throughout the entire growth period, with a relatively high expression in the roots, stems, node I and husk. Furthermore, OsGT14;1 was expressed in all tissues of these organs. Subcellular observation revealed that OsGT14;1 encoded a Golgi-localized protein. Mutation of OsGT14;1 resulted in decreased cellulose content and increased hemicellulose, but did not alter pectin in the cell wall of roots and shoots. The knockout of OsGT14;1 did not affect the tolerance to toxic mineral elements, including Al, As, Cd and salt stress, but did increase the sensitivity to low pH. Taken together, OsGT14;1 located at the Golgi is required for growth of both roots and shoots in rice through affecting cellulose synthesis., (© 2022 Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Despite the potential benefits of effective communication, telling a child that they have a life-threatening condition is one of the most daunting challenges. This study aimed to explore the information needs of children with leukemia from the perspectives of children and their parents at the time of diagnosis., Methods: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews with children diagnosed with leukemia between seven and 13 years old (n = 7) and their parents (n = 9). Children and parents' interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis., Results: We identified three themes for the information needs of children with leukemia, 1) beginning to cope, 2) avoiding disclosure - protecting child, and 3) informational support. The children and their parents needed to receive understandable information at the best time to cope with cancer. However, the children and parents expressed different views about children's information needs. The children needed clear information about the disease, treatment, hospitalization, and the benefits of hospitalization from the time of diagnosis. In contrast, the parents felt they should not tell their children about the disease if they were in shock by their child's cancer diagnosis. Moreover, the parents believed that information that would be incomprehensible to the child and distress should be avoided to protect their children., Conclusions: While the information needs of children with leukemia are varied, children and their parents need the information to cope with cancer. However, if the parents believe that the information would be distressful, they might manage communication with their children. Healthcare professionals should explore the motivations behind parents' attitudes against communication with children and confront conflict. Healthcare professionals also should communicate with the children and their parents to understand their information needs and respect children's views., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The essential micronutrient manganese (Mn) in plants regulates multiple biological processes including photosynthesis and oxidative stress. Some Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Proteins (NRAMPs) have been reported to play critical roles in Mn uptake and reutilization in low Mn conditions. NRAMP6 was demonstrated to regulate cadmium tolerance and iron utilization in Arabidopsis. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether NRAMP6 plays a role in Mn nutrition. Here, we report that NRAMP6 cooperates with NRAMP1 in Mn utilization. Mutation of NRAMP6 in nramp1 but not in a wild-type background reduces root growth and Mn translocation from the roots to shoots under Mn deficient conditions. Grafting experiments revealed that NRAMP6 expression in both the roots and shoots is required for root growth and Mn translocation under Mn deficiency. We also showed that NRAMP1 could replace NRAMP6 to sustain root growth under Mn deficiency, but not vice versa. Mn deficiency does not affect the transcript level of NRAMP6, but is able to increase and decrease the protein accumulation of NRAMP6 in roots and shoots, respectively. Furthermore, NRAMP6 can be localized to both the plasma membrane and endomembranes including the endoplasmic reticulum, and Mn deficiency enhances the localization of NRAMP6 to the plasma membrane in Arabidopsis plants. NRAMP6 could rescue the defective growth of the yeast mutant Δsmf2, which is deficient in endomembrane Mn transport. Our results reveal the important role of NRAMP6 in Mn nutrition and in the long-distance signaling between the roots and shoots under Mn deficient conditions., (© 2022 Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Silicon (Si) is an important nutrient required for sustainable and high production of rice and its uptake is mediated by a pair of influx (OsLsi1)-efflux (OsLsi2) transporters showing polar localization. However, the mechanisms underlying their polarity are unknown. Here, we revealed that the polarity of the Si transporters depends on cell types. The polar localization of both OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 was not altered by Si supply, but their protein abundance was reduced. Double immunostaining showed that localization of OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 was separated at the edge of the lateral polar domain by Casparian strips in the endodermis, whereas they were slightly overlapped at the transversal side of the exodermis. When OsLsi1 was ectopically expressed in the shoots, it showed polar localization at the xylem parenchyma cells of the basal node and leaf sheath, but not at the phloem companion cells. Ectopic expression of non-polar Si transporters, barley HvLsi2 and maize ZmLsi2 in rice, resulted in their polar localization at the proximal side. The polar localization of OsLsi1 and OsLsi2 was not altered by inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) by dominant-negative induction of dynamin-related protein1A and knockout of mu subunit of adaptor protein 2 complex, although the knockout mutants of OsAP2M gene showed dwarf phenotype. These results indicate that CME is not required for the polar localization of Si transporters. Taken together, our results indicate that CME-independent machinery controls the polar localization of Si transporters in exodermis, endodermis of root cells and xylem parenchyma cells., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Grains are the major sink of phosphorus (P) in cereal crops, accounting for 60-85% of total plant P, but the mechanisms underlying P loading into the grains are poorly understood. We functionally characterized a transporter gene required for the distribution of P to the grains in barley (Hordeum vulgare), HvSPDT (SULTR-like phosphorus distribution transporter). HvSPDT encoded a plasma membrane-localized Pi/H + cotransporter. It was mainly expressed in the nodes at both the vegetative and reproductive stages. Furthermore, its expression was induced by inorganic phosphate (Pi) deficiency. In the nodes, HvSPDT was expressed in both the xylem and phloem region of enlarged and diffuse vascular bundles. Knockout of HvSPDT decreased the distribution of P to new leaves, but increased the distribution to old leaves at the vegetative growth stage under low P supply. However, knockout of HvSPDT did not alter the redistribution of P from old to young organs. At the reproductive stage, knockout of HvSPDT significantly decreased P allocation to the grains, resulting in a considerable reduction in grain yield, especially under P-limited conditions. Our results indicate that node-based HvSPDT plays a crucial role in loading P into barley grains through preferentially distributing P from the xylem and further to the phloem., (© 2022 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2022 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Background: The poor coverage of essential maternal services, such as antenatal care (ANC) and skilled delivery care utilization, accounts for higher maternal and infant mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although mobile health (mHealth) interventions could potentially improve the service utilization in resource-limited settings, their effectiveness remains unclear., Objective: This review aimed to summarize the effect of mHealth interventions on improving the uptake of ANC visits, skilled birth attendance at the time of delivery, and facility delivery among pregnant women in LMICs., Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search on 9 electronic databases and other resources from inception to October 2020. We included individual randomized controlled trials and cluster randomized controlled trials that assessed the effectiveness of mHealth interventions for improving perinatal health care utilization among healthy pregnant women in LMICs. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis and estimated the pooled effect size by using risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs. In addition, 2 reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias of the included studies by using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the certainty of the evidence by using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach., Results: A total of 9 studies (10 articles) that randomized 10,348 pregnant women (n=6254, 60.44% in the intervention group; n=4094, 39.56% in the control group) were included in this synthesis. The pooled estimates showed a positive effect of mHealth interventions on improving 4 or more ANC visit utilizations among pregnant women in LMICs, irrespective of the direction of interventions (1-way communications: RR 2.14, 95% CI 1.76-2.60, I 2 =36%, 2 studies, moderate certainty; 2-way communications: RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08-1.27, I 2 =59%, 3 studies, low certainty). Only 2-way mHealth interventions were effective in improving the use of skilled birth attendance during delivery (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.14-1.33, I 2 =0%, 2 studies, moderate certainty), but the effects were unclear for 1-way mHealth interventions (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.97-1.10, I 2 =73%, 3 studies, very low certainty) when compared with standard care. For facility delivery, the interventions were effective in settings where fewer pregnant women used facility delivery (RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.30-2.19, I 2 =36%, 2 studies, moderate certainty); however, the effects were unclear in settings where most pregnant women already used facility delivery (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.97-1.04, I 2 =0%, 1 study, low certainty)., Conclusions: mHealth interventions may contribute to improving ANC and skilled delivery care utilization among pregnant women in LMICs. However, more studies are required to improve their reproducibility and efficiency or strengthen the evidence of different forms of mHealth interventions because of the considerable heterogeneity observed in the meta-analyses., Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020210813; https://tinyurl.com/2n7ny9a7., (©Md Obaidur Rahman, Noyuri Yamaji, Yasuko Nagamatsu, Erika Ota. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 22.04.2022.)

Rice is able to accumulate high concentrations of silicon (Si) in the shoots, and this ability is required for the mitigation of abiotic and biotic stresses. Although transporters for Si uptake have been identified, a transporter for the xylem loading of Si has not been found. We functionally characterized a Si transporter, OsLsi3, in terms of tissue-specific localization, knockout line phenotype and mathematic simulation. OsLsi3 was shown to be an efflux Si transporter. OsLsi3 was mainly expressed in the mature root region, and its expression was downregulated by Si. Immunostaining with a specific antibody showed that OsLsi3 was localized to the pericycle in the roots, without polarity. However, when it was expressed under the control of the OsLsi2 promoter, OsLsi3 became polarly localized to the proximal side of both the exodermis and endodermis. Knockout of this gene resulted in decreased Si uptake and concentration in the xylem sap under low Si supply, but not under high Si supply. Mathematical modeling showed that localization of OsLsi3 to the pericycle accounts for c. 30% of the total Si loading to the xylem under low Si concentrations. In summary, OsLsi3 was involved in the xylem loading of Si in rice roots, which is required for the efficient root-to-shoot translocation of Si., (© 2022 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2022 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, while its deficiency in crops and humans is a global problem that affects both crop productivity and human health. Since plants and humans differ in their Zn requirements, it is crucial to balance plant nutrition and human nutrition for Zn. In this review, we focus on the transport system of Zn from soil to grain in rice (Oryza sativa), which is a major dietary source of Zn for people subsiding on rice-based diets. We describe transporters belonging to the different families that are involved in the uptake, vacuolar sequestration, root-to-shoot translocation, and distribution of Zn, and discuss their mechanisms of regulation. We give examples for enhancing Zn accumulation and bioavailability in rice grains through the manipulation of genes that are highly expressed in the nodes, where Zn is deposited at high concentrations. Finally, we provide our perspectives on breeding rice cultivars with both increased tolerance to Zn-deficiency stress and high Zn density in the grains., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Uptake of boron (B) in rice (Oryza sativa) is mediated by the Low silicon rice 1 (OsLsi1) channel, belonging to the NOD26-like intrinsic protein III subgroup, and the efflux transporter B transporter 1 (OsBOR1). However, it is unknown how these transporters cooperate for B uptake and how they are regulated in response to B fluctuations. Here, we examined the response of these two transporters to environmental B changes at the transcriptional and posttranslational level. OsBOR1 showed polar localization at the proximal side of both the exodermis and endodermis of mature root region, forming an efficient uptake system with OsLsi1 polarly localized at the distal side of the same cell layers. Expression of OsBOR1 and OsLsi1 was unaffected by B deficiency and excess. However, although OsLsi1 protein did not respond to high B at the protein level, OsBOR1 was degraded in response to high B within hours, which was accompanied with a significant decrease of total B uptake. The high B-induced degradation of OsBOR1 was inhibited in the presence of MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, without disturbance of the polar localization. In contrast, neither the high B-induced degradation of OsBOR1 nor its polarity was affected by induced expression of dominant-negative mutated dynamin-related protein 1A (OsDRP1AK47A) or knockout of the mu subunit (AP2M) of adaptor protein-2 complex, suggesting that clathrin-mediated endocytosis is not involved in OsBOR1 degradation and polar localization. These results indicate that, in contrast to Arabidopsis thaliana, rice has a distinct regulatory mechanism for B uptake through clathrin-independent degradation of OsBOR1 in response to high B., (© American Society of Plant Biologists 2021. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The roots of many plant species contain large amounts of pectin and it contributes to the formation of the rhizosphere. In the present study, the relationship between the root-tip pectin content and aluminium (Al) tolerance in wild-type (WT) and demethylesterified pectin degradation enzyme gene overexpressor ( OsPG2 -FOX) rice lines was compared. OsPG2 -FOX rice showed reduced pectin content in roots, even under control conditions; Al treatment reduced root elongation and the pectin content in the root elongation zone. Wild-type rice showed more pectin accumulation in the root elongation zone after Al treatment. Relative to WT rice, OsPG2 -FOX rice showed more Al accumulation in the root elongation zone. These results indicate that the amount of pectin influences Al tolerance and that the distribution of pectin in the root elongation zone inhibits Al accumulation in rice roots. Pectin accumulation in cell walls in the root elongation zone may play a role in protecting rice plants from the Al-induced inhibition of root elongation by regulating pectin distribution., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company.)

Introduction: Despite the potential benefits of effective communication, telling children about cancer, unpredictable and life-threatening conditions is challenging. This study aimed to summarise the communication tools used in cancer communication among children with cancer, caregivers and healthcare professionals., Methods and Analysis: We will conduct a scoping review following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews checklist. We will search PubMed (including MEDLINE), Embase, CENTRAL, PsycINFO and CINAHL. We will include the qualitative and quantitative studies that reported the communication tools that tell a child diagnosed with cancer about the cancer-related information. We will summarise the communication tools and the impacts of the tools., Ethics and Dissemination: Formal ethical approval is not required, as primary data will not be collected in this study. The findings of this study will be disseminated through the presentation at the conference and publication in a peer-reviewed journal., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Observing chromosomes is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, and chromosomes have been analyzed manually for many years. In the last decade, automated acquisition systems for microscopic images have advanced dramatically due to advances in their controlling computer systems, and nowadays, it is possible to automatically acquire sets of tiling-images consisting of large number, more than 1000, of images from large areas of specimens. However, there has been no simple and inexpensive system to efficiently select images containing mitotic cells among these images. In this paper, a classification system of chromosomal images by deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) that can be easily handled by non-data scientists was applied. With this system, models suitable for our own samples could be easily built on a Macintosh computer with Create ML. As examples, models constructed by learning using chromosome images derived from various plant species were able to classify images containing mitotic cells among samples from plant species not used for learning in addition to samples from the species used. The system also worked for cells in tissue sections and tetrads. Since this system is inexpensive and can be easily trained via deep learning using scientists' own samples, it can be used not only for chromosomal image analysis but also for analysis of other biology-related images., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Silicon (Si), the most abundant mineral element in the earth's crust, is taken up by plant roots in the form of silicic acid through Low silicon rice 1 (Lsi1). Lsi1 belongs to the Nodulin 26-like intrinsic protein subfamily in aquaporin and shows high selectivity for silicic acid. To uncover the structural basis for this high selectivity, here we show the crystal structure of the rice Lsi1 at a resolution of 1.8 Å. The structure reveals transmembrane helical orientations different from other aquaporins, characterized by a unique, widely opened, and hydrophilic selectivity filter (SF) composed of five residues. Our structural, functional, and theoretical investigations provide a solid structural basis for the Si uptake mechanism in plants, which will contribute to secure and sustainable rice production by manipulating Lsi1 selectivity for different metalloids., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) can accumulate high manganese (Mn) in the shoots through uptake by the roots, which consist of crown roots, lateral roots and root hairs. We investigated the role of lateral roots and root hairs in Mn and cadmium (Cd) uptake by using two indica rice mutants defective in formation of lateral roots (osiaa11) and root hairs (osrhl1). The uptake of Mn and Cd in osiaa11 was significantly lower than that in wild type 'Kasalath', but there was no difference between wild type and osrhl1. Furthermore, a kinetic study showed that Mn uptake in osiaa11 was much lower than that in wild type and osrhl1 across a wide range of Mn concentrations. The role of lateral roots in Mn and Cd uptake was further confirmed in a japonica rice mutant defective in lateral root formation. We found that expression of Mn transporter gene Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 5 (OsNRAMP5), but not of Metal Tolerance Protein 9 (OsMTP9), was lower in osiaa11 than in wild type; however, there were no differences between osrhl1 and the wild type. Immunostaining showed that OsNRAMP5 and OsMTP9 were localized in the exodermis and endodermis of crown roots and lateral roots, but not in the root hairs. Taken together, our results indicate that lateral roots, but not root hairs, play an important role in high Mn and Cd uptake in rice., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Root length is an important root parameter directly related to the uptake of water and nutrients. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling root length are still not fully understood. Here, we isolated a short-root mutant of rice, dice2 (defective in cell elongation 2). The cell length and meristem size of the roots were decreased in dice2, but the root function in terms of mineral element uptake, root cell width, and root anatomy were hardly altered compared with wild-type (WT) rice. The root growth defect in dice2 could be partially rescued by high temperature. Map-based cloning combined with a complementation test revealed that the short-root phenotype was caused by a nonsense mutation in a gene which was annotated to encode Lysine Ketoglutarate Reductase Trans-Splicing related 1 (OsLKRT1). OsLKRT1, encoding a cytosol-localized protein, was expressed in all cells of the root tip and elongation region as well as the shoot. RNA-seq analysis showed that there was no difference between dice2 and the WT in the expression level of genes involved in root development identified so far. These results indicate that OsLKRT1 is involved in a novel pathway required for root cell elongation in rice, although its exact role remains to be further investigated., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Anaemia is a prevalent health problem worldwide. Some types are preventable or controllable with iron supplementation (pills or drops), fortification (sprinkles or powders containing iron added to food) or improvements to dietary diversity and quality (e.g. education or counselling)., Objectives: To summarise the evidence from systematic reviews regarding the benefits or harms of nutrition-specific interventions for preventing and controlling anaemia in anaemic or non-anaemic, apparently healthy populations throughout the life cycle., Methods: In August 2020, we searched MEDLINE, Embase and 10 other databases for systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in anaemic or non-anaemic, apparently healthy populations. We followed standard Cochrane methodology, extracting GRADE ratings where provided. The primary outcomes were haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, anaemia, and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA); secondary outcomes were iron deficiency (ID), severe anaemia and adverse effects (e.g. diarrhoea, vomiting)., Main Results: We included 75 systematic reviews, 33 of which provided GRADE assessments; these varied between high and very low. Infants (6 to 23 months; 13 reviews) Iron supplementation increased Hb levels and reduced the risk of anaemia and IDA in two reviews. Iron fortification of milk or cereals, multiple-micronutrient powder (MMNP), home fortification of complementary foods, and supplementary feeding increased Hb levels and reduced the risk of anaemia in six reviews. In one review, lipid-based nutrient supplementation (LNS) reduced the risk of anaemia. In another, caterpillar cereal increased Hb levels and IDA prevalence. Food-based strategies (red meat and fortified cow's milk, beef) showed no evidence of a difference (1 review). Preschool and school-aged children (2 to 10 years; 8 reviews) Daily or intermittent iron supplementation increased Hb levels and reduced the risk of anaemia and ID in two reviews. One review found no evidence of difference in Hb levels, but an increased risk of anaemia and ID for the intermittent regime. All suggested that zinc plus iron supplementation versus zinc alone, multiple-micronutrient (MMN)-fortified beverage versus control, and point-of-use fortification of food with iron-containing micronutrient powder (MNP) versus placebo or no intervention may increase Hb levels and reduce the risk of anaemia and ID. Fortified dairy products and cereal food showed no evidence of a difference on the incidence of anaemia (1 review). Adolescent children (11 to 18 years; 4 reviews) Compared with no supplementation or placebo, five types of iron supplementation may increase Hb levels and reduce the risk of anaemia (3 reviews). One review on prevention found no evidence of a difference in anaemia incidence on iron supplementation with or without folic acid, but Hb levels increased. Another suggested that nutritional supplementation and counselling reduced IDA. One review comparing MMN fortification with no fortification observed no evidence of a difference in Hb levels. Non-pregnant women of reproductive age (19 to 49 years; 5 reviews) Two reviews suggested that iron therapy (oral, intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM)) increased Hb levels; one showed that iron folic acid supplementation reduced anaemia incidence; and another that daily iron supplementation with or without folic acid or vitamin C increased Hb levels and reduced the risk of anaemia and ID. No review reported interventions related to fortification or dietary diversity and quality. Pregnant women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years; 23 reviews) One review apiece suggested that: daily iron supplementation with or without folic acid increased Hb levels in the third trimester or at delivery and in the postpartum period, and reduced the risk of anaemia, IDA and ID in the third trimester or at delivery; intermittent iron supplementation had no effect on Hb levels and IDA, but increased the risk of anaemia at or near term and ID, and reduced the risk of side effects; vitamin A supplementation alone versus placebo, no intervention or other micronutrient might increase maternal Hb levels and reduce the risk of maternal anaemia; MMN with iron and folic acid versus placebo reduced the risk of anaemia; supplementation with oral bovine lactoferrin versus oral ferrous iron preparations increased Hb levels and reduced gastrointestinal side effects; MNP for point-of-use fortification of food versus iron and folic acid supplementation might decrease Hb levels at 32 weeks' gestation and increase the risk of anaemia; and LNS versus iron or folic acid and MMN increased the risk of anaemia. Mixed population (all ages; 22 reviews) Iron supplementation versus placebo or control increased Hb levels in healthy children, adults, and elderly people (4 reviews). Hb levels appeared to increase and risk of anaemia and ID decrease in two reviews investigating MMN fortification versus placebo or no treatment, iron fortified flour versus control, double fortified salt versus iodine only fortified salt, and rice fortification with iron alone or in combination with other micronutrients versus unfortified rice or no intervention. Each review suggested that fortified versus non-fortified condiments or noodles, fortified (sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate; NaFeEDTA) versus non-fortified soy sauce, and double-fortified salt versus control salt may increase Hb concentration and reduce the risk of anaemia. One review indicated that Hb levels increased for children who were anaemic or had IDA and received iron supplementation, and decreased for those who received dietary interventions. Another assessed the effects of foods prepared in iron pots, and found higher Hb levels in children with low-risk malaria status in two trials, but no difference when comparing food prepared in non-cast iron pots in a high-risk malaria endemicity mixed population. There was no evidence of a difference for adverse effects. Anaemia and malaria prevalence were rarely reported. No review focused on women aged 50 to 65 years plus or men (19 to 65 years plus)., Authors' Conclusions: Compared to no treatment, daily iron supplementation may increase Hb levels and reduce the risk of anaemia and IDA in infants, preschool and school-aged children and pregnant and non-pregnant women. Iron fortification of foods in infants and use of iron pots with children may have prophylactic benefits for malaria endemicity low-risk populations. In any age group, only a limited number of reviews assessed interventions to improve dietary diversity and quality. Future trials should assess the effects of these types of interventions, and consider the requirements of different populations., (Copyright © 2021 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element for plant growth and development, but transporters required for Mn uptake have only been identified in a few plant species. Here, we functionally characterized a member of the natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (Nramps) family, FeNramp5 in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), which is known as a species well adapted to acidic soils. FeNramp5 was mainly expressed in the roots, and its expression was upregulated by the deficiency of Mn and Fe. Furthermore, spatial and tissue-specific expression analysis showed that FeNramp5 was expressed in all tissues of the basal root regions. FeNramp5-GFP protein was localized to the plasma membrane when transiently expressed in buckwheat leaf protoplast. FeNramp5 showed the transport activity for Mn2+ and Cd2+ but not for Fe2+ when expressed in yeast. Furthermore, the transport activity for Mn2+ was higher in yeast expressing FeNramp5 than in yeast expressing AtNramp1. FeNramp5 was also able to complement the phenotype of Arabidopsis atnramp1 mutant in terms of the growth and accumulation of Mn and Cd. The absolute expression level of AtNramp1 was comparable to that of FeNramp5 in the roots, but buckwheat accumulated higher Mn than Arabidopsis when grown under the same condition. Further analysis showed that at least motif B in FeNramp5 seems important for its high transport activity for Mn. These results indicate that FeNramp5 is a transporter for the uptake of Mn and Cd and its higher transport activity for Mn is probably associated with higher Mn accumulation in buckwheat., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Iron (Fe) from rice grains is an important source of dietary intake; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for loading of Fe to the grains are poorly understood. We functionally characterized a vacuolar iron transporter gene, OsVIT2 in terms of expression pattern, cellular localization, and mutant phenotypes. OsVIT2 was expressed in the parenchyma cell bridges of nodes, in the mestome sheath of leaf sheath and aleurone of the caryopsis. Mutation of OsVIT2 resulted in decreased Fe distribution to the leaf sheath, nodes, and aleurone, but increased Fe to the leaf blade and grains. Furthermore, Fe was heavily deposited in the parenchyma cell bridges, mestome sheath and aleurone in the wild-type rice, but this accumulation was decreased in the knockout lines. Conversely, heavier deposition of Fe was observed in the embryo and endosperm of the grains of knockout lines compared with the wild-type rice, resulting in increased Fe accumulation in the polished rice without yield penalty. These results indicate that OsVIT2 is involved in the distribution of Fe to the grains through sequestering Fe into vacuoles in mestome sheath, nodes, and aleurone layer and that knockout of this gene provides a potential way for Fe biofortification without yield penalty., (© 2021 The Authors New Phytologist © 2021 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Boron (B) is essential for growth and development, with the B requirement differing depending on the particular organs and tissues, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the preferential distribution of B to different tissues are poorly understood. We investigated the role of a rice gene (OsBOR1) encoding a B efflux transporter in the distribution of B to different tissues under different B supplies. OsBOR1 was highly expressed in the nodes at all growth stages. The OsBOR1 protein shows polar localization at the distal side of bundle sheath cells in nodes and xylem parenchyma cells of elongating leaf sheath, but in the mature leaf sheath and blade at the proximal side of bundle sheath cells. Furthermore, the expression of OsBOR1 was not affected by external B fluctuations, but the OsBOR1 protein was gradually degraded in response to high B. Knockout of this gene altered B distribution, decreasing the distribution of B to new leaves and panicles but increasing B distribution to old leaves. These results indicate that OsBOR1 expressed in nodes and leaf sheath is involved in the preferential distribution of B to different tissues in rice. Furthermore, the OsBOR1 undergoes degradation in response to high B for fine regulation of B distribution to different tissues., (© 2021 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2021 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Tiller number is one of the most important agronomic traits that determine rice (Oryza sativa) yield. Active growth of tiller bud (TB) requires high amount of mineral nutrients; however, the mechanism underlying the distribution of mineral nutrients to TB with low transpiration is unknown. Here, we found that the distribution of Zn to TB is mediated by OsZIP4, one of the ZIP (ZRT, IRT-like protein) family members. The expression of OsZIP4 was highly detected in TB and nodes, and was induced by Zn deficiency. Immunostaining analysis revealed that OsZIP4 was mainly expressed in phloem of diffuse vascular bundles in the nodes and the axillary meristem. The mutation of OsZIP4 did not affect the total Zn uptake, but altered Zn distribution; less Zn was delivered to TB and new leaf, but more Zn was retained in the basal stems at the vegetative growth stage. Bioimaging analysis showed that the mutant aberrantly accumulated Zn in enlarged and transit vascular bundles of the basal node, whereas in wild-type high accumulation of Zn was observed in the meristem part. At the reproductive stage, mutation of OsZIP4 resulted in delayed panicle development, which is associated with decreased Zn distribution to the panicles. Collectively, OsZIP4 is involved in transporting Zn to the phloem of diffuse vascular bundles in the nodes for subsequent distribution to TBs and other developing tissues. It also plays a role in transporting Zn to meristem cells in the TBs., (© 2020 Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A rice node is a hub for distribution of mineral elements; however, most genes highly expressed in the node have not been functionally characterized. Transcriptomic analysis of a rice node revealed that two metallothionein genes, OsMT2b and OsMT2c, were highly expressed in the node I. We functionally characterized these genes in terms of gene expression pattern, cellular and subcellular localization, phenotypic analysis of the single and double knockout mutants and metal-binding ability. Both OsMT2b and OsMT2c were mainly and constitutively expressed in the phloem region of enlarged and diffuse vascular bundles in the nodes and of the anther. Knockout of either OsMT2b or OsMT2c increased zinc (Zn) accumulation in the nodes, but decreased Zn distribution to the panicle, resulting in decreased grain yield. A double mutant, osmt2bmt2c, showed further negative effects on the Zn distribution and grain yield. By contrast, knockout of OsMT2b had a small effect on copper (Cu) accumulation. Both OsMT2b and OsMT2c showed binding ability with Zn, whereas only OsMT2b showed binding ability with Cu in yeast. Our results suggest that both OsMT2b and OsMT2c play an important role mainly in the distribution of Zn to grain through chelation and subsequent transport of Zn in the phloem in rice., (© 2020 The Authors New Phytologist © 2020 New Phytologist Trust.)

About 60-85% of total phosphorus (P) in cereal crops is finally allocated to seeds, where it is required for seed development, germination and early growth. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying P allocation to seeds. Here, we found that two members (OsPHO1;1 and OsPHO1;2) of the PHO1 gene family are involved in the distribution of P to seeds in rice. Both OsPHO1;1 and OsPHO1;2 were localized to the plasma membrane and showed influx transport activities for inorganic phosphate. At the reproductive stage, both OsPHO1;1 and OsPHO1;2 showed higher expression in node I, the uppermost node connecting to the panicle. OsPHO1;1 was mainly localized at the phloem region of diffuse vascular bundles (DVBs) of node I, while OsPHO1;2 was expressed in the xylem parenchyma cells of the enlarged vascular bundles (EVBs). In addition, they were also expressed in the ovular vascular trace, the outer layer of the inner integument (OsPHO1;1) and in the nucellar epidermis (OsPHO1;2) of caryopses. Knockout of OsPHO1;2, as well as OsPHO1;1 to a lesser extent, decreased the distribution of P to the seed, resulting in decreased seed size and delayed germination. Taken together, OsPHO1;2 expressed in node I is responsible for the unloading of P from the xylem of EVBs, while OsPHO1;1 is involved in reloading P into the phloem of DVBs for subsequent allocation of P to seeds. Furthermore, OsPHO1;1 and OsPHO1;2 expression in the caryopsis is important for delivering P from the maternal tissues to the filial tissues for seed development., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Zinc (Zn) is an important essential micronutrient for plants and humans; however, the exact transporter responsible for root zinc uptake from soil has not been identified. Here, we found that OsZIP9, a member of the ZRT-IRT-related protein, is involved in Zn uptake in rice ( Oryza sativa ) under Zn-limited conditions. OsZIP9 was mainly localized to the plasma membrane and showed transport activity for Zn in yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ). Expression pattern analysis showed that OsZIP9 was mainly expressed in the roots throughout all growth stages and its expression was upregulated by Zn-deficiency. Furthermore, OsZIP9 was expressed in the exodermis and endodermis of root mature regions. For plants grown in a hydroponic solution with low Zn concentration, knockout of OsZIP9 significantly reduced plant growth, which was accompanied by decreased Zn concentrations in both the root and shoot. However, plant growth and Zn accumulation did not differ between knockout lines and wild-type rice under Zn-sufficient conditions. When grown in soil, Zn concentrations in the shoots and grains of knockout lines were decreased to half of wild-type rice, whereas the concentrations of other mineral nutrients were not altered. A short-term kinetic experiment with stable isotope 67 Zn showed that 67 Zn uptake in knockout lines was much lower than that in wild-type rice. Combined, these results indicate that OsZIP9 localized at the root exodermis and endodermis functions as an influx transporter of Zn and contributes to Zn uptake under Zn-limited conditions in rice., (© 2020 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.)

Both plants and humans require mineral elements for their healthy growth and development. Mineral elements in the soil are taken up by the plant roots and transported to the edible parts for human consumption through various different transporters. An ideal future crop for human health should be rich in essential mineral elements but with less toxic elements in the edible parts. However, due to the great difference in the numbers and amounts of mineral elements required between plants and humans, it is a challenge to balance plant growth and nutrient requirement for humans. In this article, we mainly focus on the transport system of mineral elements from soil to grain in rice, a staple food for half of the world's population, and discuss recent progress on the underlying genetic and physiological mechanisms. Examples are given for silicon, zinc, and iron essential/beneficial for both plants and humans, selenium and iodine only essential for humans, and toxic cadmium and arsenic for all organisms. Manipulation of some transporters for these elements, especially those localized in the node for allocation of mineral elements to the grain, has been successful in generating rice with higher density and bioavailability of essential elements but with less accumulation of toxic elements. We provide our perspectives toward breeding future crops for human health., (Copyright © 2020 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Climate change will increase frequency of drought and flooding, which threaten global crop productivity and food security. Rice (Oryza sativa) is unique in that it is able to grow in both flooded and upland conditions, which have large differences in the concentrations and chemical forms of mineral elements available to plants. To comprehensively understand the mechanisms of rice for coping with different water status, we performed ionomics and transcriptomics analysis of the roots, nodes and leaves of rice grown in flooded and upland conditions. Focusing the analysis on genes encoding proteins involved in transport functions for mineral elements, it was found that, although rice plants maintained similar levels of each element in the shoots for optimal growth, different transporters for mineral elements were utilised for nitrogen, iron, copper and zinc to deal with different soil water conditions. For example, under flooded conditions, rice roots take up nitrogen using transporters for both ammonium (OsAMT1/2) and nitrate (OsNPF2.4, OsNRT1.1A and OsNRT2.3), whereas under upland conditions, nitrogen uptake is mediated by different nitrate transporters (OsNRT1.1B and OsNRT1.5A). This study shows that rice possesses plastic transport systems for mineral elements in response to different water conditions (upland and flooding)., (© 2019 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2019 New Phytologist Trust.)

Information about the positioning of individual loci in the nucleus and the status of epigenetic modifications at these loci in each cell contained in plant tissue increases our understanding of how cells in a tissue coordinate gene expression. To obtain such information, a less damaging method of visualizing DNA in tissue that can be used with immunohistochemistry is required. Recently, a less damaging DNA visualization method using the CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/associated caspase 9) system, named RNA-guided endonuclease-in situ labeling (RGEN-ISL), was reported. This system made it possible to visualize a target DNA locus in a nucleus fixed on a glass slide with a set of simple operations, but it could not be applied to cells in plant tissues. In this work, we have developed a modified RGEN-ISL method with decrosslinking that made it possible to simultaneously detect the DNA loci and immunohistochemistry signals, including histone modification, in various types of plant tissues and species., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.)