Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals a key regulator ZmEREB14 affecting shoot apex development and yield formation in maize.

Shoot apical meristem (SAM) is the origin of aerial structure formation in the plant life cycle. However, the mechanisms underlying the maize SAM development are still obscure. Here, approximately 12 700 cells were captured from the 5-day-old shoot apex of maize using a high-throughput single-cell transcriptome sequencing.

Combining genome-wide association study and linkage mapping in the genetic dissection of amylose content in maize (Zea mays L.).

Integrated linkage and association analysis revealed genetic basis across multiple environments. The genes Zm00001d003102 and Zm00001d015905 were further verified to influence amylose content using gene-based association study. Maize kernel amylose is an important source of human food and industrial raw material.

A combination of QTL mapping and genome-wide association study revealed the key gene for husk number in maize.

Two key genes Zm00001d021232 and Zm00001d048138 were identified by QTL mapping and GWAS. Additionally, they were verified to be significantly associated with maize husk number (HN) using gene-based association study. As a by-product of maize production, maize husk is an important industrial raw material.

Kernel Bioassay Evaluation of Maize Ear Rot and Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Identifying Genetic Loci Associated with Resistance to Infection.

Gibberella ear rot (GER) caused by (teleomorph ) is one of the most destructive diseases in maize, which severely reduces yield and contaminates several potential mycotoxins in the grain. However, few efforts had been devoted to dissecting the genetic basis of maize GER resistance. In the present study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted in a maize association panel consisting of 303 diverse inbred lines.

Engineered Expression of Vip3A in Green Tissues as a Feasible Approach for the Control of Insect Pests in Maize.

Genetic engineering technology offers opportunities to improve many important agronomic traits in crops, including insect-resistance. However, genetically modified (GM) exogenous proteins in edible tissues of transgenic crops has become an issue of intense public concern. To advance the application of GM techniques in maize, a Cre/P-based strategy was developed for manipulating the transgenes in green tissues while locking them in non-green tissues.

Comparison of ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge and microspheres for hepatic arterioportal fistulas embolization in hepatic cellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatic arterioportal fistulas (APFs) are common in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, correlated with poor prognosis, APFs often complicate anti-tumor treatments, including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Aim: To compare the efficacy of ethanol-soaked gelatin sponges (ESG) and microspheres in the management of APFs and their impact on the prognosis of HCC.

Comprehensive analysis of transcriptional data on seed germination of two maize inbred lines under low-temperature conditions.

Seed germination directly affect maize yield and grain quality. Low-temperature reduces maize yield by affecting seed germination and seedling growth. However, the molecular mechanism of maize seed germination under low-temperature remains unclear.

A genome-wide co-expression network analysis revealed ZmNRAMP6-mediated regulatory pathway involved in maize tolerance to lead stress.

A metal transporter ZmNRAMP6 was identified by using a trait-associated co-expression network analysis at a genome-wide level. ZmNRAMP6 confers maize sensitivity to Pb by accumulating it to maize shoots. ZmNRAMP6 knockout detains Pb in roots, activates antioxidant enzymes, and improves Pb tolerance.

GWAS across multiple environments and WGCNA suggest the involvement of ZmARF23 in embryonic callus induction from immature maize embryos.

Combined GWAS, WGCNA, and gene-based association studies identified the co-expression network and hub genes for maize EC induction. ZmARF23 bound to ZmSAUR15 promoter and regulated its expression, affecting EC induction. Embryonic callus (EC) induction in immature maize embryos shows high genotype dependence, which limits the application of genetic transformation in transgenic breeding and gene function elucidation in maize.

Genome-Wide Association Study Discovers Novel Germplasm Resources and Genetic Loci with Resistance to Gibberella Ear Rot Caused by .

Gibberella ear rot (GER) in maize caused by is one of the most devastating maize diseases reducing grain yield and quality worldwide. The genetic bases of maize GER resistance remain largely unknown. Using artificial inoculation across multiple environments, the GER severity of an association panel consisting of 316 diverse inbred lines was observed with wide phenotypic variation.

Association studies of genes in a Pb response-associated network in maize (Zea mays L.) reveal that ZmPIP2;5 is involved in Pb tolerance.

Lead (Pb) in the soil affects the growth and development of plants and causes damages to the human body through the food chain. Here, we identified and cloned a Pb-tolerance gene ZmPIP2;5 based on a weighted gene co-expression network analysis and gene-based association studies. We showed that ZmPIP2;5 encodes a plasma membrane aquaporin and positively regulated Pb tolerance and accumulation in Arabidopsis and yeast.

An Integration of Linkage Mapping and GWAS Reveals the Key Genes for Ear Shank Length in Maize.

Ear shank length (ESL) has significant effects on grain yield and kernel dehydration rate in maize. Herein, linkage mapping and genome-wide association study were combined to reveal the genetic architecture of maize ESL. Sixteen quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified in the segregation population, among which five were repeatedly detected across multiple environments.

Neuro-emotions based on electroencephalograph response to different color plants in elderly people with and without cognitive impairment.

Background: Given the aging population, the quality of mental health of elderly people deserves special attention. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the difference of neuro-emotion based on EEG from the cognitively impaired elderly (CNE) and the cognitively normal elderly (CIE) participants viewing different color and (2) to determine which color has greater benefits for boosting their neuro-emotions.

Methods: The cognitive function of the participants was judged by using the revised Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale combined with the daily cognitive performance of the participants, and the participants were divided into the cognitive normal elderly (CNE) and the cognitive impairment elderly (CIE).

Association mapping uncovers maize regulating root system architecture and lead absorption under lead stress.

Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic contaminant to living organisms and the environment. Excessive Pb in soils affects crop yield and quality, thus threatening human health the food chain. Herein, we investigated Pb tolerance among a maize association panel using root bushiness (BSH) under Pb treatment as an indicator.

A Combination of QTL Mapping and GradedPool-Seq to Dissect Genetic Complexity for Gibberella Ear Rot Resistance in Maize Using an IBM Syn10 DH Population.

Gibberella ear rot (GER) caused by (teleomorph ) is one of the most devastating maize diseases that reduces grain yield and quality worldwide. Utilization of host genetic resistance has become one of the most suitable strategies to control GER. In this study, a set of 246 diverse inbred lines derived from the intermated B 73 × Mo 17 doubled haploid population (IBM Syn10 DH) were used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to GER.

Electroencephalography-Based Neuroemotional Responses in Cognitively Normal and Cognitively Impaired Elderly by Watching the with Fruits and without Fruits.

Background: The purpose of this study is to explore the difference between the indexes of neuro-emotion between the cognitively normal elderly (CNE) and cognitively impaired elderly (CIE) while viewing the with red fruit (F) and without red fruit (NF) to determine which kind of the would be more beneficial to the participants' neuro-emotions.

Methods: Nine CNE individuals and nine CIE individuals, ranging in age from 80-90 years old, participated in this study and signed the informed consent form before beginning the experiment. Six mood indicators (engagement, excitement, focus, interest, relaxation, and stress) were measured by an EEG headset during the participants' viewing of the NF, F, and NF + F.

Combined QTL Mapping across Multiple Environments and Co-Expression Network Analysis Identified Key Genes for Embryogenic Callus Induction from Immature Maize Embryos.

The ability of immature embryos to induce embryogenic callus (EC) is crucial for genetic transformation in maize, which is highly genotype-dependent. To dissect the genetic basis of maize EC induction, we conducted QTL mapping for four EC induction-related traits, the rate of embryogenic callus induction (REC), rate of shoot formation (RSF), length of shoot (LS), and diameter of callus (DC) under three environments by using an IBM Syn10 DH population derived from a cross of B73 and Mo17. These EC induction traits showed high broad-sense heritability (>80%), and significantly negative correlations were observed between REC and each of the other traits across multiple environments.

Joint GWAS and WGCNA uncover the genetic control of calcium accumulation under salt treatment in maize seedlings.

Soil salinization is an important factor threatening the yield and quality of maize. Ca plays a considerable role in regulating plant growth under salt stress. Herein, we examined the shoot Ca concentrations, root Ca concentrations, and transport coefficients of seedlings in an association panel composed of 305 maize inbred lines under normal and salt conditions.

Genome assembly of the Chinese maize elite inbred line RP125 and its EMS mutant collection provide new resources for maize genetics research and crop improvement.

Maize is an important crop worldwide, as well as a valuable model with vast genetic diversity. Accurate genome and annotation information for a wide range of inbred lines would provide valuable resources for crop improvement and pan-genome characterization. In this study, we generated a high-quality de novo genome assembly (contig N50 of 15.

GWAS and WGCNA uncover hub genes controlling salt tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings.

Two hub genes GRMZM2G075104 and GRMZM2G333183 involved in salt tolerance were identified by GWAS and WGCNA. Furthermore, they were verified to affect salt tolerance by candidate gene association analysis. Salt stress influences maize growth and development.

Genetic dissection of maize seedling traits in an IBM Syn10 DH population under the combined stress of lead and cadmium.

The heavy metals lead and cadmium have become important pollutants in the environment, which exert negative effects on plant morphology, growth and photosynthesis. It is particularly significant to uncover the genetic loci and the causal genes for lead and cadmium tolerance in plants. This study used an IBM Syn10 DH population to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling maize seedling tolerance to lead and cadmium by linkage mapping.