A novel member of miR169 family negatively regulates maize resistance against Bipolaris maydis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been confirmed to play important roles in plant defense response. However, the key maize miRNAs involved in the defense response against Bipolaris maydis are very limited. In this study, a novel member of the miR169 family in response to B. maydis, named zma-miR169s, was discovered and investigated. The expression levels of pre-miR169s and zma-miR169s were significantly repressed during B. maydis infection. CRISPR/Cas9-induced zma-miR169s mutant exhibited more resistance against B. maydis, whereas overexpression zma-miR169s enhanced susceptibility, supporting that zma-miR169s might play a negative role in maize resistance. Moreover, RNA-seq and GO analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were highly enriched in the oxidation-reduction process and plant hormone pathway. Hence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and plant hormone levels were further investigated. ROS detection confirmed that zma-miR169s mutant accumulated more ROS, while less ROS was detected in transgenic maize OE-miR169s. Furthermore, more remarkable changes in PR-1 expression levels and salicylic acid (SA) contents were detected in zma-miR169s mutant compared to wild-type and transgenic maize during B. maydis infection. Additionally, nuclear transcription factors (NF-YA1 and NF-YA13) were identified as targets regulated by zma-miR169s through the agrobacterium-mediated transient expression method. Overexpression of ZmNF-YA13 enhanced Arabidopsis resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. Taken together, our results suggest that zma-miR169s negatively regulate maize defense responses by influencing ROS accumulation and the SA-dependent signaling pathway.

Intense pulsed light therapy for ocular surface diseases.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-laser, high-intensity light source that has been shown to play a valuable role in dermatology and has been adopted in ophthalmology for treating meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). In this review, we discuss the mechanism of action of IPL, including its benefits in ophthalmology. IPL therapy has been shown to improve tear film stability, meibomian gland (MG) function, and subjective symptoms of ocular dryness in MGD patients. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that IPL therapy is beneficial for other ocular surface diseases, such as blepharitis and chalazia. Hence, it can be inferred that IPL has potential as a therapeutic modality in future applications. Large clinical and experimental trials are needed to exploit the full potential of IPL as a treatment for recurrent chalazia, Sjögren's syndrome, and other causes of dry eye disease (DED). This paper reviews the published literature related to the application of IPL for treating ocular surface diseases.

Element detection and segmentation of mathematical function graphs based on improved Mask R-CNN.

There are approximately 2.2 billion people around the world with varying degrees of visual impairments. Among them, individuals with severe visual impairments predominantly rely on hearing and touch to gather external information. At present, there are limited reading materials for the visually impaired, mostly in the form of audio or text, which cannot satisfy the needs for the visually impaired to comprehend graphical content. Although many scholars have devoted their efforts to investigating methods for converting visual images into tactile graphics, tactile graphic translation fails to meet the reading needs of visually impaired individuals due to image type diversity and limitations in image recognition technology. The primary goal of this paper is to enable the visually impaired to gain a greater understanding of the natural sciences by transforming images of mathematical functions into an electronic format for the production of tactile graphics. In an effort to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of graph element recognition and segmentation of function graphs, this paper proposes an MA Mask R-CNN model which utilizes MA ConvNeXt as its improved feature extraction backbone network and MA BiFPN as its improved feature fusion network. The MA ConvNeXt is a novel feature extraction network proposed in this paper, while the MA BiFPN is a novel feature fusion network introduced in this paper. This model combines the information of local relations, global relations and different channels to form an attention mechanism that is able to establish multiple connections, thus increasing the detection capability of the original Mask R-CNN model on slender and multi-type targets by combining a variety of multi-scale features. Finally, the experimental results show that MA Mask R-CNN attains an 89.6% mAP value for target detection and 72.3% mAP value for target segmentation in the instance segmentation of function graphs. This results in a 9% mAP improvement for target detection and 12.8% mAP improvement for target segmentation compared to the original Mask R-CNN.

Novel treatment of chalazion using light-guided-tip intense pulsed light.

We assessed the effectiveness of light-guided-tip intense pulsed light (IPL) with meibomian gland expression (MGX) in chalazion treatment. Ninety-five eyes with chalazion received a light-guided-tip IPL-MGX treatment (IPL-MGX group), and another 95 eyes with chalazion received incision with curettage treatment (Control group). Prior to IPL or incision, as well as 1 month after the final treatment, data were gathered pertaining to the lesion location and size, hyperemia, lesions regression or recurrence, and a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. The total size of the chalazia in the IPL-MGX group was significantly reduced after the final treatment, with an average resolution rate of 70.5%, which is comparable to excision surgery. A significant decrease in chalazion recurrence rate was apparent after treatment in the IPL-MGX group compared with control. Moreover, the IPL-MGX demonstrated significant advancements throughout noninvasive tear film breakup time (NIBUT) as well as meibum grade in comparison to baseline and those in the the Control group. The use of IPL-MGX was found to be an efficient therapy for reducing the size and recurring frequency of chalazia, as well as for improving the meibomian gland function. It may be considered as a first-line treatment for cases of primary or recurrent chalazia with inflammation.

A system based on machine learning for improving sleep.

Closed-loop auditory stimulation is one of the well-known and emerging sensory stimulation techniques, which achieves the purpose of sleep regulation by driving the EEG slow oscillation (SO, <1 Hz) through auditory stimulation. The main challenge is to accurately identify the stimulation timing and provide feedback in real-time, which has high requirements on the response time and recognition accuracy of the closed-loop auditory stimulation system. To reduce the impact of systematic errors on the regulation results, most traditional closed-loop auditory stimulation systems try to identify a single feature to determine the timing of stimulus delivery and reduce the system feedback delay by simplifying the calculation. Unlike existing closed-loop regulation systems that identify specific brain features, this paper proposes a closed-loop auditory stimulation sleep regulation system deploying machine learning. The process is: through online sleep real-time automatic staging, tracking the sleep stage to provide feedback quickly, and continuously offering external auditory stimulation at a specific SO phase. This paper uses this system to conduct sleep auditory stimulation regulation experiments on ten subjects. The experimental results show that the sleep closed-loop regulation system proposed in this paper can achieve consistency (effective for almost all subjects in the experiment) and immediate (taking effect immediately after stimulation) modulation effects on SOs. More importantly, the proposed method is superior to existing advanced methods. Therefore, the system designed in this paper has great potential to be more reliable and flexible in sleep regulation.

Structure Design and Characterization of 3D Printing System of Thermal Battery Electrode Ink Film.

In this paper, a 3D printing system for a thermal battery electrode ink film is set up and investigated based on the on-demand microdroplet ejection technology. The optimal structural dimensions of the spray chamber and metal membrane of the micronozzle are determined via simulation analysis. The workflow and functional requirements of the printing system are set up. The printing system includes a pretreatment system, piezoelectric micronozzle, motion control system, piezoelectric drive system, sealing system, and liquid conveying system. Different printing parameters are compared to obtain optimized printing parameters, which can be attributed to the optimal pattern of the film. The feasibility and controllability of 3D printing methods are verified by printing tests. The size and output speed of the droplets can be controlled by adjusting the amplitude and frequency of the driving waveform acting on the piezoelectric actuator. So, the required shape and thickness of the film can be achieved. An ink film in terms of nozzle diameter = 0.6 mm, printing height = 8 mm, wiring width = 1 mm, input voltage = 3 V and square wave signal frequency = 35 Hz can be achieved. The electrochemical performance of thin-film electrodes is crucial in thermal batteries. The voltage of the thermal battery reaches its peak and tends to flatten out at around 100 s when using this printed film. The electrical performance of the thermal batteries using the printed thin films is found to be stable. This stabilized voltage makes it applicable to thermal batteries.

Tetralactam macrocycle based indicator displacement assay for colorimetric and fluorometric dual-mode detection of urinary uric acid.

An indicator displacement assay for colorimetric and fluorometric dual-mode detection of urinary uric acid (UA) was constructed using a water-soluble naphthalene-based tetralactam macrocycle and the phenoxazine dye, resorufin (RF). The visual detection of UA levels of volunteers was successfully realized using modified paper assays, which could be used for the home monitoring of urinary UA.

Reporting and risk of bias of prediction models based on machine learning methods in preterm birth: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: There was limited evidence on the quality of reporting and methodological quality of prediction models using machine learning methods in preterm birth. This systematic review aimed to assess the reporting quality and risk of bias of a machine learning-based prediction model in preterm birth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review, searching the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disk, VIP Database, and WanFang Data from inception to September 27, 2021. Studies that developed (validated) a prediction model using machine learning methods in preterm birth were included. We used the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement and Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) to evaluate the reporting quality and the risk of bias of included studies, respectively. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics and visual plots. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (no. CRD 42022301623). RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria, with 24 development-only studies and 5 development-with-validation studies. Overall, TRIPOD adherence per study ranged from 17% to 79%, with a median adherence of 49%. The reporting of title, abstract, blinding of predictors, sample size justification, explanation of model, and model performance were mostly poor, with TRIPOD adherence ranging from 4% to 17%. For all included studies, 79% had a high overall risk of bias, and 21% had an unclear overall risk of bias. The analysis domain was most commonly rated as high risk of bias in included studies, mainly as a result of small effective sample size, selection of predictors based on univariable analysis, and lack of calibration evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Reporting and methodological quality of machine learning-based prediction models in preterm birth were poor. It is urgent to improve the design, conduct, and reporting of such studies to boost the application of machine learning-based prediction models in preterm birth in clinical practice.

Pseudorogneria libanotica Intraspecific Genetic Polymorphism Revealed by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Newly Identified Tandem Repeats and Wheat Single-Copy Gene Probes.

The genus Pseudoroegneria (Nevski) Löve (Triticeae, Poaceae) with its genome abbreviated 'St' accounts for more than 60% of perennial Triticeae species. The diploid species Psudoroegneria libanotica (2n = 14) contains the most ancient St genome. Therefore, investigating its chromosomes could provide some fundamental information required for subsequent studies of St genome evolution. Here, 24 wheat cDNA probes covering seven chromosome groups were mapped in P. libanotica to distinguish homoelogous chromosomes, and newly identified tandem repeats were performed to differentiate seven chromosome pairs. Using these probes, we investigated intraspecific population chromosomal polymorphism of P. libanotica. We found that (i) a duplicated fragment of the 5St long arm was inserted into the short arm of 2St; (ii) asymmetrical fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) hybridization signals among 2St, 5St, and 7St homologous chromosome pairs; and (iii) intraspecific population of polymorphism in P. libanotica. These observations established the integrated molecular karyotype of P. libanotica. Moreover, we suggested heterozygosity due to outcrossing habit and adaptation to the local climate of P. libanotica. Specifically, the generated STlib_96 and STlib_98 repeats showed no cross-hybridization signals with wheat chromosomes, suggesting that they are valuable for identifying alien chromosomes or introgressed fragments of wild relatives in wheat.

Comparative physiological and root transcriptome analysis of two annual ryegrass cultivars under drought stress.

Annual ryegrass is a widely cultivated forage grass with rapid growth and high productivity. However, drought is one of the abiotic stresses affecting ryegrass growth and quality. In this study, we compared the physiological and transcriptome responses of Chuansi No.1 (drought-tolerant, DT) and Double Barrel (drought-sensitive, DS) under drought stress simulated by PEG-6000 for 7 days. The results showed that Chuansi No. 1 had stronger physiological and biochemical parameters such as root properties, water content, osmotic adjustment ability and antioxidant ability. In addition, RNA-seq was used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of root drought resistance. We identified 8588 differentially expressed genes related to drought tolerance in root, which were mainly enriched in oxidation-reduction process, carbohydrate metabolic process, apoplast, arginine and proline metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. The expression levels of DEGs were consistent with physiological changes of ryegrass under drought stress. We found that genes related to sucrose and starch synthesis, root development, osmotic adjustment, ABA signal regulation and specifically up-regulated transcription factors such as WRKY41, WRKY51, ERF7, ERF109, ERF110, NAC43, NAC68, bHLH162 and bHLH148 in Chuansi No. 1 may be the reason for its higher drought tolerance. This study revealed the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms of root response to drought stress in ryegrass and provided some new candidate genes for breeding rye drought tolerant varieties.

Morphological, cytological, and molecular evidences for natural hybridization between Roegneria stricta and Roegneria turczaninovii (Triticeae: Poaceae).

Some plants with low fertility are morphologically intermediate between Roegneria stricta and Roegneria turczaninovii, and were suspected to be natural hybrids between these species. In this study, karyotype analysis showed that natural hybrids and their putative parents were tetraploids (2n = 4x = 28). Meiotic pairing in natural hybrids is more irregular than its putative parents. Results of genomic in situ hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization indicate that natural hybrids contain the same genome as their putative parents. The nuclear gene DNA meiotic recombinase 1 (DMC1) and the chloroplast gene rps16 of natural hybrids and their putative parents were analyzed for evidence of hybridization. The results from molecular data supported by morphology and cytology demonstrated that the plants represent natural hybrids between R. stricta and R. turczaninovii. The study is important for understanding species evolution in the genus since it demonstrates for the first time the existence of populations of natural homoploid hybrids in Roegneria. The study also reports for the first time that the composition of the genomic formula of R. turczaninovii is StY, confirming that the current taxonomic status is correct.

Confirmation of Natural Hybridization between Kengyilia (StStYYPP) and Campeiostachys (StStYYHH) (Triticeae: Poaceae) Based on Morphological and Molecular Cytogenetic Analyses.

Natural hybridization has been frequently observed in Triticeae; however, few studies have investigated the origin of natural intergeneric Triticeae hybrids. In the present study, we discovered three putative hybrid Triticeae plants in the Western Sichuan Plateau of China. Morphologically, the putative hybrids were intermediate between Kengyilia melanthera (2n = 6x = 42; StStYYPP) and Campeiostachys dahurica var. tangutorum (2n = 6x = 42; StStYYHH) with greater plant height and tiller number. Cytological analyses demonstrated that the hybrids were hexaploid with 42 chromosomes (2n = 6x = 42). At metaphase I, 12.10-12.58 bivalents and 13.81-14.18 univalents per cell were observed in the hybrid plants. Genomic in situ hybridization demonstrated that the hybrids had StStYYHP genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of Acc1 sequences indicated that the hybrids were closely related to K. melanthera and C. dahurica var. tangutorum. Our morphological, cytological, and molecular analyses indicate that these hexaploid natural hybrid plants may be hybrids of K. melanthera and C. dahurica var. tangutorum.

Characterization of Each St and Y Genome Chromosome of Roegneria grandis Based on Newly Developed FISH Markers.

The genera of the tribe Triticeae (family Poaceae), constituting many economically important plants with abundant genetic resources, carry genomes such as St, H, P, and Y. The genome symbol of Roegneria C. Koch (Triticeae) is StY. The St and Y genomes are crucial in Triticeae, and tetraploid StY species participate extensively in polyploid speciation. Characterization of St and Y nonhomologous chromosomes in StY-genome species could help understand variation in the chromosome structure and differentiation of StY-containing species. However, the high genetic affinity between St and Y genome and the deficiency of a complete set of StY nonhomologous probes limit the identification of St and Y genomes and variation of chromosome structures among Roegneria species. We aimed to identify St- and Y-enhanced repeat clusters and to study whether homoeologous chromosomes between St and Y genomes could be accurately identified due to high affinity. We employed comparative genome analyses to identify St- and Y-enhanced repeat clusters and generated a FISH-based karyotype of R. grandis (Keng), one of the taxonomically controversial StY species, for the first time. We explored 4 novel repeat clusters (StY_34, StY_107, StY_90, and StY_93), which could specifically identify individual St and Y nonhomologous chromosomes. The clusters StY_107 and StY_90 could identify St and Y addition/substitution chromosomes against common wheat genetic backgrounds. The chromosomes V_St, VII_St, I_Y, V_Y, and VII_Y displayed similar probe distribution patterns in the proximal region, indicating that the high affinity between St and Y genome might result from chromosome rearrangements or transposable element insertion among V_St/Y, VII_St/Y, and I_Y chromosomes during allopolyploidization. Our results can be used to employ FISH further to uncover the precise karyotype based on colinearity of Triticeae species by using the wheat karyotype as reference, to analyze diverse populations of the same species to understand the intraspecific structural changes, and to generate the karyotype of different StY-containing species to understand the interspecific chromosome variation.

[Determination of four protease inhibitors in chicken by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

A method was developed for the determination of four protease inhibitors (saquinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir and indinavir) in chicken using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted by shaking with 30% (v/v) acetonitrile aqueous solution (containing 1% (v/v) trichloroacetic acid), and purified by using mixed-mode cationic-exchanger (MCX) cartridges. The samples were separated on a Luna® C8 column (150 mm×2 mm, 3 µm) using 0.2% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution (containing 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate) and acetonitrile as the mobile phases with gradient elution. The determination was carried out by using an electrospray ion source in the positive and multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) modes. The calibration curves showed good linearities in the range of 0.1-20.0 µg/L, and the correlation coefficients (r2) were greater than 0.99. The limits of quantification (LOQs, S/N=10) of the four protease inhibitors varied from 0.20 µg/kg to 0.90 µg/kg. At the spiked levels of 1.0, 2.0, and 10.0 µg/kg, the average recoveries of the four protease inhibitors were ranging from 69.0% to 106.0%. The intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 2.2%-13.8% (n=6) and 3.6%-14.6% (n=3), respectively. The method is simple, efficient, sensitive and accurate, and it can be used to detect residues of saquinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir and indinavir in chicken.

[Effect of temperature on developmental duration of Amblyseius cucumeris].

With Polyphagotarsonemus latus as its prey, the developmental duration of Amblyseius cucumeris was 13.02, 9.61, 5.96, 5.26, 4.65, 4.78, and 5.80 days at 18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30, and 31 degrees C, respectively. The eggs of A. cucumeris could not hatch at 32 degrees C. The lower and upper developmental thresholds and the optimum developmental temperature of A. cucumeris from eggs to adults were 12.77 degrees C, 33.50 degrees C and 23.87 degrees C, respectively.