Mutation of Protoporphyrinogen IX Oxidase Gene Causes Spotted and Rolled Leaf and Its Overexpression Generates Herbicide Resistance in Rice.

Protoporphyrinogen IX (Protogen IX) oxidase (PPO) catalyzes the oxidation of Protogen IX to Proto IX. PPO is also the target site for diphenyl ether-type herbicides. In plants, there are two encoding genes, and .

, Encoding Iron-Sulfur Subunit SDH2-1 of Succinate Dehydrogenase, Affects Leaf Senescence and Grain Yield in Rice.

The iron-sulfur subunit (SDH2) of succinate dehydrogenase plays a key role in electron transport in plant mitochondria. However, it is yet unknown whether genes are involved in leaf senescence and yield formation. In this study, we isolated a late premature senescence mutant, , in rice ().

The implantation of a Nickel-Titanium shape memory alloy ameliorates vertebral body compression fractures: a cadaveric study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) shape memory alloy in the treatment of vertebral body compression fractures.

Methods: The experimental thoracic-lumbar fracture units were made with adult human fresh-frozen vertebral specimens. A total of 30 fresh-frozen vertebral units were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups: control group, percutaneous kyphoplasty group (PKP group), and percutaneous Ni-Ti shape memory alloys implant group (Ni-Ti implant group).

[Retrospective and comparative analysis of therapy for degenerative chronic discogenic low back pain with end plate Modic changes with discography and intradiscal injection blockage].

Objective: To evaluate the prognosticating effects of discography and intradiscal injection blockage for patients with degenerative chronic discogenic low back pain and end plate Modic changes when posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) was adopted.

Methods: Patients who received diagnostic discography for suspected degenerative discogenic low back pain were recruited. A total of 60 patients (42 males and 18 females) with positive discography and end plate Modic changes at a single level were enrolled in the study and allocated into Groups A and B: Group A was both positive sign of discography and negative sign of intradiscal injection blockage two weeks later, which further was subdivided into Group A1 (Modic I endplate change) and Group A2 (Modic II endplate change).

[A model of acute compression spinal cord injury by a mini-invasive expandable balloon in goats].

Objective: To establish a reproducible and manipulable model of acute spinal cord compression injury in large mammals so as to provide a technical and experimental platform for the repair and reconstruction of spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: A total of 15 adult male goats, weighting 35 - 45 kg, were selected. After intravenous anesthesia, a model of acute spinal cord compression injury was established with the balloon of kyphoplasty through mini-open laminotomy.

[Characterisation of a rice dwarf and twist leaf 1 (dtl1) mutant and fine mapping of DTL1 gene].

Plant height is one of the most important agronomic traits, which determines grain yield. By a largescale screening of our mutant population, we identified a dwarf with twisty leaf mutant (dwarf and twist leaf 1, dtl1). Besides dwarf with twisty leaf, dtl1 also showed reduced tiller number and sterile phenotypes.

[Utility of nickel-titanium shape memory alloys of vertebral body reduction fixator with assisted distraction bar].

Objective: To test the nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) shape memory alloys of vertebral body reduction fixator with assisted distraction bar for the treatment of traumatic and osteoporotic vertebral body fracture.

Methods: A Ni-Ti shape memory alloys of vertebral body reduction fixator with assisted distraction bar was implanted into the compressed fracture specimens through vertebral pedicle with the radiographic monitoring to reduce the collapsed endplate as well as distract the compressed vertebral fracture. Radiographic film and computed tomographic reconstruction technique were employed to evaluate the effects of reduction and distraction.

[An overview of flowering transition in higher plants].

In higher plant, flowering transition represents a crucial transition from the vegetative stage to the reproductive stage in life cycle. This process is controlled by both endogenous and environmental factors. In Arabidopsis thaliana, four pathways, photoperiod pathway, vernalization pathway, autonomous pathway, and GA pathway were involved in flowering control.