Analysis of genome-wide association studies of low-temperature germination in Xian and Geng rice.

Rice is the leading global staple crop. Low temperatures pose negative impacts on rice's optimal growth and development. Rice cultivars acclimating to low temperatures exhibited improved seedling emergence under direct-seeded sowing conditions, yet little is known about the genes that regulate germination at low temperatures (LTG).

Effects of low-dose X-ray irradiation on activated macrophages and their possible signal pathways.

Low-dose irradiation (LDI) has been used in clinics to treat human diseases, including chronic inflammation. This study assessed the effects of LDI on the inflammatory response of activated mouse primary peritoneal macrophages, and the underlying signal pathways. Primary peritoneal macrophages were isolated from mice and then incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-coated Ti microparticles (Ti-positive control) with or without brief exposure to LDI (X-ray, 0.