Quantitative trait loci mapping and candidate gene analysis of stoma-related traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) glumes.

The photosynthesis of wheat glumes makes important contributions to the yield. Stomata play a crucial role in regulating photosynthesis and transpiration in plants. However, the genetic base of wheat glume stomata is not fully understood. In this study, stomatal length (SL), stomatal width (SW), stomatal density (SD), potential conductance index (PCI) of stomata, stomatal area (SA), and stomatal relative area (SRA) were measured in different parts of wheat glumes from a doubled haploid (DH) population and their parents. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of these traits were anchored on a high-density genetic linkage map of the DH population. A total of 61 QTLs for stoma-related traits were mapped onto 16 chromosomes, and each one accounted for 3.63 to 19.02% of the phenotypic variations. Two QTL hotspots were detected in two marker intervals, AX-109400932∼AX-110985652 and AX-108972184∼AX-108752564, on chromosome 6A. Five possibly candidate genes (TraesCS6A02G105400, TraesCS6A02G106400, TraesCS6A02G115100, TraesCS6A02G115400, and TraesCS6A02G116200) for stoma-related traits of wheat glumes were screened out , according to their predicted expression levels in wheat glumes or spikes. The expression of these genes may be induced by a variety of abiotic stresses. These findings provide insights for cloning and functional characterization of stoma-related candidate genes in wheat glumes.

Short-term effects of distance training on peritoneal dialysis-related complications during the transmission control of COVID-19 epidemic in China.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of distance training on patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) during the transmission control of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CAPD patients from Xijing Hospital received a traditional training before the transmission control of COVID-19 epidemic, while they received a distance training dominated by WeChat and telephone during the transmission control of COVID-19 epidemic in China. Incidence and cure rate of PD-related peritonitis and catheter-related non-infectious complications were compared. All patients were followed up for 30 days from the date of complication. RESULTS: PD-related peritonitis, catheter displacement, and catheter occlusion had no significant difference, and the cure rate of PD-related peritonitis, catheter displacement, and catheter occlusion also had no significant difference in two comparisons despite the cure rate of PD-related peritonitis being slightly higher before (90.9%) than during (80%) the transmission control of COVID-19 epidemic. CONCLUSION: Distance training mode had a similar effect compared to the traditional training mode in the prevention and treatment of PD-related peritonitis and catheter-related non-infectious complications. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Distance training model is an effective training mode that can be implemented in a short time during the epidemic period of serious infectious diseases.

Risk Factors and Management of Catheter Malfunction During Urgent-Start Peritoneal Dialysis.

Background: Catheter malfunction is a common complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the risk factors and management of catheter malfunction in urgent-start PD. Methods: Patients who underwent urgent-start PD were divided into catheter-malfunction and control groups. Baseline demographic and laboratory data of the two groups were compared, and the risk factors for catheter malfunction were analyzed. Primary outcome measure was catheter survival, and the secondary outcomes were surgical complications and malfunction treatment. Results: Total of 700 patients was analyzed, among whom 143 (20.4%) experienced catheter malfunctions, specifically catheter migration (96, 67.1%), omental wrapping (36, 25.2%), and migration plus omental wrapping (11, 7.7%). Catheter survival time in the malfunction group (202.5 ± 479.4 days) was significantly shorter than that in the control group (1295.3 ± 637.0 days) (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed higher body mass index [hazard ratio (HR), 1.061; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.010-1.115; P = 0.018], lower surgeon count (HR, 1.083; 95% CI, 1.032-1.136; P = 0.001), and higher serum potassium (HR, 1.231; 95% CI, 1.041-1.494; P = 0.036) as independent risk factors for catheter malfunction, while older age (HR, 0.976, 95% CI, 0.962-0.991; P = 0.002) and colonic dialysis (HR, 0.384; 95% CI, 0.254-0.581; P < 0.001) as protective factors. Further subgroup analysis revealed a shorter catheter survival time in patients with younger age ( ≤ 40 years), higher serum potassium levels (≥5 mmol/L), while a longer catheter survival time in patients with colonic dialysis. PD tube and subcutaneous tunnel preservation was successful in 41 out of 44 patients with omental wrapping. All patients had good post-incision prognoses. Conclusions: Urgent-start PD is safe and effective for unplanned PD patients. Adequate pre-operative colonic dialysis and serum potassium level control are conducive in preventing catheter malfunction. Conservative treatment is effective in managing catheter migration alone, while preservation of the PD tube and the subcutaneous tunnel is effective for omental wrapping.