Abstract Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait that derives from the inability to produce functional pollen in higher plants. CMS results from recombination of the mitochondrial genome. However, understanding of the molecular mechanism of CMS in pepper is limited. In this study, comparative transcriptomic analyses were performed using a near-isogenic CMS line 14A (CMS-14A) and a maintainer line 14B (ML-14B) as experimental materials. A total of 17,349 differentially expressed genes were detected between CMS-14A and ML-14B at the PMC meiosis stage. Among them, six unigenes associated with CMS and 108 unigenes involved in energy metabolism were identified. The gene orf165 was found in CMS-14A. When orf165 was introduced into ML-14B, almost 30% of transgenic plants were CMS. In addition, orf165 expression in transgenic CMS plants resulted in abnormal function of some genes involved in energy metabolism. When orf165 in transgenic CMS plant was silenced, the resulted orf165-silenced plant was male fertile and the expression patterns of some genes associated with energy metabolism were similar to ML-14B. Thus, we confirmed that orf165 influenced CMS in pepper.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da hemodiálise, diálise peritoneal e transplante renal na qualidade de vida de pacientes na última fase da doença renal terminal (ESRD), bem como analisar os fatores influentes. MÉTODOS: Um total de 162 pacientes de ESRD receberam hemodiálise de manutenção, diálise peritoneal ambulatorial contínua e transplante renal de fevereiro de 2017 a março de 2018 em nosso hospital. Eles foram divididos em grupo de hemodiálise, grupo de diálise peritoneal e grupo de transplante renal. Foram analisados os dados clínicos de base, índices-chave e os fatores ambientais, como nível educacional, estado civil, emprego, padrão residencial, renda e gasto familiar. A qualidade de vida foi avaliada pelo uso da escala de forma reduzida de 36 itens (SF-36), que reflete o Resumo da Escala Física (PCS) e o Resumo dos Componentes Mentais (PCS). Análise unidirecional de variações e análise de regressão logística múltipla foram realizadas para analisar os fatores que influenciam a qualidade de vida. RESULTADOS: O grupo de transplante renal teve os maiores pontos médios em todas as dimensões da escala SF-36. Os pontos PCS e MCS desse grupo foram mais altos que os dos grupos de hemodiálise e diálise peritoneal. Além disso, o grupo de diálise peritoneal teve pontos mais altos em funcionamento físico, função física, dor corporal, saúde geral, saúde mental, PCS e MCS do que os do grupo de hemodiálise. Idade, HGB, GLU e ALP foram os principais fatores que influenciaram a PCS. Idade, nível educacional, padrão residencial, gastos em medicamentos e renda mensal per capita afetaram principalmente o MCS. CONCLUSÃO: Quanto à qualidade de vida, o transplante renal é melhor que a diálise peritoneal e a hemodiálise.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and renal transplantation on the quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and analyze the influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 162 ESRD patients who received maintenance hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and renal transplantation from February 2017 to March 2018 in our hospital were divided into a hemodialysis group, a peritoneal dialysis group, and a renal transplantation group. The baseline clinical data, serum indices, as well as environmental factors such as education level, marital status, work, residential pattern, household income, and expenditure were recorded. The quality of life was assessed using the short-form 36-item (SF-36) scale reflecting the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). One-way analysis of variance and logistic stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed to analyze the factors influencing the quality of life. RESULTS: The renal transplantation group had the highest average scores for all dimensions of the SF-36 scale. The PCS and MCS scores of this group were higher than those of the hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis groups. The peritoneal dialysis group had higher scores for physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, mental health, PCS, and MCS than those of the hemodialysis group. Age, HGB, GLU, and ALP were the main factors influencing PCS. Age, education level, residential pattern, medication expenditure, and monthly per capita income mainly affected MCS. CONCLUSION: In terms of quality of life, renal transplantation is superior to peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.

Abstract The measurement of gene expression can provide important information about gene function and the molecular basis for developmental processes. We analyzed the transcriptomes at three different developmental stages of pepper flower [sporogenous cell division, stage (B1); pollen mother cell meiosis, stage (B2); and open flower (B3)]. In the cDNA libraries for B1, B2, and B3: 82718, 77061, and 91491 unigenes were assembled, respectively. A total of 34,445 unigene sequences and 128 pathways were annotated by KEGG pathway analysis. Several genes associated with nectar biosynthesis and nectary development were identified, and 8,955, 12,182, and 23,667 DEGs were identified in the B2 vs B1, B3 vs B1, and B3 vs. B2 comparisons. DEGs were involved in various metabolic processes, including flower development, nectar biosynthesis, and nectary development. According to the RNA-seq data, all 13 selected DEGs showed similar expression patterns after q-PCR analysis. Sucrose-phosphatase, galactinol-sucrose galactosyltransferase, and sucrose synthase played very important roles in nectar biosynthesis, and CRABS CLAW could potentially be involved in mediating nectary development. A significant number of simple sequence repeat and single nucleotide polymorphism markers were predicted in the Capsicum annuum sequences. The new results provide valuable genetic information about flower development in pepper.

ABSTRACT Tillage systems can influence C sequestration by changing aggregate formation and C distribution within the aggregate. This study was undertaken to explore the impact of no-tillage without straw (NT-S) and with straw (NT+S), and moldboard plow without straw (MP-S) and with straw (MP+S), on soil aggregation and aggregate-associated C after six years of double rice planting in a Hydragric Anthrosol in Guangxi, southwest of China. Soil samples of 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.20 and 0.20-0.30 m layers were wet-sieved and divided into four aggregate-size classes, >2 mm, 2.00-0.25 mm, 0.25-0.053 and <0.053 mm, respectively, for measuring aggregate associated C and humic and fulvic acids. Results showed that the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in bulk soil was 40.2-51.1 % higher in the 0.00-0.05 m layer and 11.3-17.0 % lower in the 0.05-0.20 m layer in NT system (NT+S and NT-S) compared to the MP system (MP+S and MP-S), respectively. However, no statistical difference was found across the whole 0.00-0.30 m layer. The NT system increased the proportion of >2 mm aggregate fraction and reduced the proportion of <0.053 mm aggregates in both 0.00-0.05 and 0.05-0.20 m layers. The SOC concentration, SOC stock and humic and fulvic acids within the >0.25 mm macroaggregate fraction also significantly increased in the 0.00-0.5 m layer in NT system. However, those within the 2.00-0.25 mm aggregate fraction were significantly reduced in the 0.05-0.200 m layer under NT system. Straw incorporation increased not only the SOC stock in bulk soil, but also the proportion of macroaggregate, aggregate associated with SOC and humic and fulvic acids concentration within the aggregate. The effect of straw on C sequestration might be dependent on the location of straw incorporation. In conclusion, the NT system increased the total SOC accumulation and humic and fulvic acids within macroaggregates, thus contributing to C sequestration in the 0.00-0.05 m layer.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content plays an important role in meat quality. Many genes involved in lipid and energy metabolism were identified as candidate genes for IMF deposition, since genetic polymorphisms within these genes were associated with IMF content. However, there is less information on the expression levels of these genes in the muscle tissue. This study aimed at investigating the expression levels of sterol regulating element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT-1), heart-fatty acids binding protein (H-FABP), leptin receptor (LEPR) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) genes and proteins in two divergent Banna mini-pig inbred lines (BMIL). A similar growth performance was found in both the fat and the lean BMIL. The fat meat and IMF content in the fat BMIL were significantly higher than in the lean BMIL, but the lean meat content was lower. The serum triacylglycerol (TAG) and free fatty acid (FFA) contents were significantly higher in the fat than in the lean BMIL. The expression levels of SREBP-1c, DGAT-1 and H-FABP genes and proteins in fat BMIL were increased compared to the lean BMIL. However, the expression levels of LEPR and MC4R genes and proteins were lower.