ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome patterns among postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia， and to examine the correlations of lipid parameters with bone mineral density （BMD） and bone metabolism markers across common TCM syndrome patterns， thereby providing a clinical reference for individualized integrative traditional Chinese and western medicine interventions stratified according to TCM syndrome patterns. MethodsA multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal women aged 45-64 years with dyslipidemia. TCM syndromes were determined using a scale-based scoring method. BMD measurements were collected， and fasting venous blood samples were assayed for lipid parameters including total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and bone metabolism biomarkers including osteocalcin （OST）， total procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide （P1NP）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， bone-specific alkaline phosphatase （BALP）， β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen （β-CTX）， 25-hydroxyvitamin D ［25（OH）D］， and thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）. Chi-square tests were used to compare the distribution of dyslipidemia across different TCM syndromes. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between TCM syndrome patterns and dyslipidemia， as well as the correlations of lipid parameters with BMD and bone metabolism markers within each syndrome pattern. ResultsA total of 506 postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia were included， comprising 172 cases of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome （33.99%）， 163 cases of phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome （32.21%）， 118 cases of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome （23.32%）， 33 cases of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome （6.52%）， and 20 cases of yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity syndrome （3.95%）. Phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome was negatively correlated with TC abnormality （r=-0.120， P=0.007） and positively correlated with TG abnormality （r=0.246， P＜0.001）. Spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome were both negatively correlated with TG abnormality （r=-0.101， P=0.023； r=-0.116， P=0.009， respectively）. Further correlation analysis confirmed that phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome was negatively correlated with TC abnormality （r=-0.120） and significantly positively correlated with TG abnormality （r=0.246）. Both the spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome were negatively correlated with TG abnormality （r=-0.101 and r=-0.116， respectively）. In patients with phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome， HDL-C was negatively correlated with BMD at the left femoral neck （r=-0.178， P=0.023） and at left total hip （r=-0.190， P=0.015）. In patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome， TG was positively correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine （L1-L4） and left total hip （r=0.214， P=0.020； r=0.221， P=0.016， respectively）. More significant correlations were observed in patients with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome， TG was positively correlated with ALP （r=0.210， P=0.006）； TC was positively correlated with TSH and 25（OH）D （r=0.153， P=0.045； r= 0.231， P=0.002， respectively）； HDL-C was positively correlated with OST and 25（OH）D （r=0.156， P=0.040； r=0.228， P=0.003， respectively）； and LDL-C was positively correlated with TSH and 25（OH）D （r=0.156， P= 0.041； r=0.182， P=0.017， respectively）. In patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome， HDL-C was negatively correlated with TSH （r=-0.204， P=0.027）. ConclusionThe association between dyslipidemia and skeletal health in postmenopausal women varies across TCM syndromes. Lipid abnormalities in women with phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome or liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome are accompanied primarily by site-specific alterations in BMD， whereas those in women with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome are reflected mainly in changes in bone metabolism markers. These findings suggest that targeted intervention strategies should be developed according to TCM syndrome characteristics for postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome patterns among postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia， and to examine the correlations of lipid parameters with bone mineral density （BMD） and bone metabolism markers across common TCM syndrome patterns， thereby providing a clinical reference for individualized integrative traditional Chinese and western medicine interventions stratified according to TCM syndrome patterns. MethodsA multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal women aged 45-64 years with dyslipidemia. TCM syndromes were determined using a scale-based scoring method. BMD measurements were collected， and fasting venous blood samples were assayed for lipid parameters including total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and bone metabolism biomarkers including osteocalcin （OST）， total procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide （P1NP）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， bone-specific alkaline phosphatase （BALP）， β-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen （β-CTX）， 25-hydroxyvitamin D ［25（OH）D］， and thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）. Chi-square tests were used to compare the distribution of dyslipidemia across different TCM syndromes. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between TCM syndrome patterns and dyslipidemia， as well as the correlations of lipid parameters with BMD and bone metabolism markers within each syndrome pattern. ResultsA total of 506 postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia were included， comprising 172 cases of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome （33.99%）， 163 cases of phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome （32.21%）， 118 cases of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome （23.32%）， 33 cases of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome （6.52%）， and 20 cases of yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity syndrome （3.95%）. Phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome was negatively correlated with TC abnormality （r=-0.120， P=0.007） and positively correlated with TG abnormality （r=0.246， P＜0.001）. Spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome were both negatively correlated with TG abnormality （r=-0.101， P=0.023； r=-0.116， P=0.009， respectively）. Further correlation analysis confirmed that phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome was negatively correlated with TC abnormality （r=-0.120） and significantly positively correlated with TG abnormality （r=0.246）. Both the spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome were negatively correlated with TG abnormality （r=-0.101 and r=-0.116， respectively）. In patients with phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome， HDL-C was negatively correlated with BMD at the left femoral neck （r=-0.178， P=0.023） and at left total hip （r=-0.190， P=0.015）. In patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome， TG was positively correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine （L1-L4） and left total hip （r=0.214， P=0.020； r=0.221， P=0.016， respectively）. More significant correlations were observed in patients with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome， TG was positively correlated with ALP （r=0.210， P=0.006）； TC was positively correlated with TSH and 25（OH）D （r=0.153， P=0.045； r= 0.231， P=0.002， respectively）； HDL-C was positively correlated with OST and 25（OH）D （r=0.156， P=0.040； r=0.228， P=0.003， respectively）； and LDL-C was positively correlated with TSH and 25（OH）D （r=0.156， P= 0.041； r=0.182， P=0.017， respectively）. In patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome， HDL-C was negatively correlated with TSH （r=-0.204， P=0.027）. ConclusionThe association between dyslipidemia and skeletal health in postmenopausal women varies across TCM syndromes. Lipid abnormalities in women with phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome or liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome are accompanied primarily by site-specific alterations in BMD， whereas those in women with spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome are reflected mainly in changes in bone metabolism markers. These findings suggest that targeted intervention strategies should be developed according to TCM syndrome characteristics for postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia.

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of modified Danggui Shaoyaosan on acne based on the c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） pathway. MethodsA rat ear acne model was established in SD rats， and the rats were divided into a blank group， a model group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of modified Danggui Shaoyaosan （7.15， 14.30， 28.60 g·kg·d^-1）， with six rats in each group. After the administration for 14 consecutive days， morphological changes in the rats' auricles were observed， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to examine the pathological changes in the acne-affected ear tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the ear tissue. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of Caspase-3， B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， JNK， and p38 MAPK in the ear tissue. Additionally， Western blot analysis was conducted to assess the protein levels of Caspase-3， Bcl-2， Bax， JNK， and p38 MAPK in the ear tissue. The active components and key targets of modified Danggui Shaoyaosan in the treatment of acne were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Molecular docking was then employed to evaluate the interactions between the main active components and the key targets. ResultsThe results of the animal experiment demonstrated that compared with those in the blank group， rats in the model group exhibited redness， swelling， thickening， hardening， dryness， and roughness of the auricle. The surface showed sebaceous scales and desquamation， accompanied by acne-like lesions such as papule-like elevations or cysts. Histopathological changes included keratinization， epidermal thickening， dermal collagen fiber degeneration and necrosis， subcutaneous muscle degeneration and necrosis， inflammatory cell infiltration， and fibrous tissue proliferation. The mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， Caspase-3， Bax， JNK， and p38 MAPK were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while those of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. In comparison to the model group， the modified Danggui Shaoyaosan groups showed marked improvement in acne-like lesions of the auricle， with varying degrees of histopathological damage reduction. Additionally， the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， Caspase-3， Bax， JNK， and p38 MAPK in the tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while those of Bcl-2 were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that the key compounds in modified Danggui Shaoyaosan responsible for its effects in treating acne may include acacetin， kaempferol， luteolin， quercetin， wogonin， and baicalein. These compounds exerted their effects by modulating core targets such as TNF， IL-1β， Caspase-3， and Bcl-2， thereby alleviating inflammation and apoptosis and ultimately improving acne symptoms. ConclusionModified Danggui Shaoyaosan may exert its therapeutic effects on acne by inhibiting the activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK pathway， thereby alleviating inflammation and apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the predictive ability and clinical application value of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the benign and malignant differentiation and pathological type of pulmonary nodules, and to summarize clinical application experience. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with pulmonary nodules admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, from February 2016 to February 2025. Firstly, pulmonary nodules were divided into benign and non-benign groups, and the discriminative abilities of AI systems and clinicians were compared. Subsequently, lung nodules reported as precursor glandular lesions (PGL), microinvasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in postoperative pathological results were analyzed, comparing the efficacy of AI systems and clinicians in predicting the pathological type of pulmonary nodules. Results In the analysis of benign/non-benign pulmonary nodules, clinical data from a total of 638 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of which there were 257 males (10 patients and 1 patient of double and triple primary lesions, respectively) and 381 females (18 patients and 1 patient of double and triple primary lesions, respectively), with a median age of 55.0 (47.0, 61.0) years. Different lesions in the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Univariate analysis of the two groups of variables showed that, except for nodule location, the differences in the remaining variables were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, nodule type (subsolid pulmonary nodule), average density, spicule sign, and vascular convergence sign were independent influencing factors for non-benign pulmonary nodules, among which age, nodule type (subsolid pulmonary nodule), spicule sign, and vascular convergence sign were positively correlated with non-benign pulmonary nodules, while average density was negatively correlated with the occurrence of non-benign pulmonary nodules. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the malignancy risk value given by the AI system in predicting non-benign pulmonary nodules was 0.811, slightly lower than the 0.898 predicted by clinicians. In the PGL/MIA/IAC analysis, clinical data from a total of 411 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of which there were 149 males (8 patients of double primary lesions) and 262 females (17 patients of double primary lesions), with a median age of 56.0 (50.0, 61.0) years. Different lesions in the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Univariate analysis results showed that, except for gender, nodule location, and vascular convergence sign, the differences in the remaining variables among the three groups of PGL, MIA, and IAC patients were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multinomial multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the differences between the parameters in the PGL group and the MIA group were not statistically significant (P>0.05), and the maximum diameter and average density of the nodules were statistically different between the PGL and IAC groups (P<0.05), and were positively correlated with the occurrence of IAC as independent risk factors. The average AUC value, accuracy, recall rate, and F1 score of the AI system in predicting lung nodule pathological type were 0.807, 74.3%, 73.2%, and 68.5%, respectively, all better than the clinical physicians’ prediction of lung nodule pathological type indicators (0.782, 70.9%, 66.2%, and 63.7% respectively). The AUC value of the AI system in predicting IAC was 0.853, and the sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cutoff value were 0.643, 0.943, and 50.0%, respectively. Conclusion This AI system has demonstrated high clinical value in predicting the benign and malignant nature and pathological type of lung nodules, especially in predicting lung nodule pathological type, its ability has surpassed that of clinical physicians. With the optimization of algorithms and the adequate integration of multimodal data, it can better assist clinical physicians in formulating individualized diagnostic and treatment plans for patients with lung nodules.

Background: Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship. Methods: This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders. Results: The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively. Conclusions The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to use the digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO to assess the correlation between muscle tension，clinical characteristics， and traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndromes in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration ［also known as Wilson disease（WD）］. MethodsA total of 104 patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension（increased or decreased，hereinafter the same） who were hospitalized in the Brain Disease Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to November 2023 were selected，all of whom were subjected to TCM syndrome diagnosis and Myoton PRO for the measurement of F value of muscle tension，Goldstein， and UWDRS-N scales. The age of onset of the disease and disease duration were analyzed，and the differences and correlations of the above indexes in different TCM syndromes of WD were analyzed ResultsAmong the 104 patients with WD ，the phlegm and stasis syndrome was the most common（60 patients），followed by the damp-heat syndrome（33 patients），and the least common was the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome（11 patients）. The F value of the phlegm and stasis syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group（P<0.01）. The F value of the damp-heat syndrome group was higher than that of the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group（P<0.05），and the F value of the lower limbs of each group was higher than that of the upper limbs（P<0.01）. Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of the patients in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group were higher than those in the damp-heat syndrome group and the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference between the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores of patients in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group and the damp-heat syndrome group. Correlation analysis revealed that the age of onset and duration of the disease were positively correlated with the F values of the lower limbs（r=0.20，P<0.05，r=0.38，P<0.01）and had no significant correlation with those of the upper limbs. The F value levels of muscle tension of all limbs in the three groups of patients were positively correlated with the Goldstein and UWDRS-N scores（muscle tension of the upper limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group，r=0.36，P<0.01，r=0.42，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the phlegm and stasis syndrome group，r=0.70，P<0.01，r=0.60，P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group，r=0.64，P<0.01，r=0.53，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the damp-heat syndrome group，r=0.59，P<0.01，r=0.70，P<0.01. muscle tension of the upper limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group，r=0.70，P<0.01，r=0.74，P<0.01. muscle tension of the lower limbs in the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome group，r=0.85，P<0.01，r=0.62，P<0.01）. Conlusion： The digital muscle function assessment system Myoton PRO can objectively evaluate the muscle tension level of patients with WD accompanied by abnormal muscle tension. This level has significant differences among different TCM syndromes and can evaluate the patient's condition to some extent.

Objective: To investigate the distribution patterns and risk factors for multidrug-resistant bacterial pulmonary infections in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) undergoing flap reconstruction surgery, and to provide evidence for infection prevention and treatment in this population. Methods: This study was approved by the institutional medical ethics committee. We retrospectively analyzed sputum culture results, antimicrobial susceptibility testing data, and clinical records of 109 OSCC patients undergoing flap reconstruction. Chi-square tests were employed to identify pathogens and risk factors for multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) in postoperative pulmonary infections. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine MDR risk factors and establish a nomogram prediction model. The model’s discriminatory power, accuracy, and clinical utility were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: Among the 109 patients, 52 had negative sputum cultures and 57 tested positive, of whom 14 developed multidrug-resistant (MDR) pulmonary infections. Chi-square analysis revealed that blood transfusion, pre-existing pulmonary diseases, operation time ≥ 490 min, intraoperative blood loss ≥ 400 mL, and abnormal BMI were significant risk factors for postoperative MDR infections (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified pre-existing pulmonary diseases, intraoperative blood loss ≥ 400 mL, abnormal BMI, and operative duration ≥ 490 min as independent risk factors for MDR infections (P < 0.05). The nomogram prediction model for MDR infections demonstrated an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.874 (95% CI: 0.775-0.973). The calibration plot showed good agreement between predicted and observed outcomes. DCA indicated a net clinical benefit when the threshold probability for high-risk MDR infections ranged from 0.000 to 0.810. Common MDR pathogens included MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Conclusion Among OSCC patients undergoing flap reconstruction, MDR pulmonary infections were predominantly caused by gram-negative bacteria (including CRAB, MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae along with the gram-positive pathogen MRSA. Pre-existing pulmonary comorbidities, prolonged surgery duration (≥ 490 min), significant intraoperative blood loss (≥ 400 mL), and abnormal BMI were confirmed as independent risk factors for these MDR infections. The nomogram predictive model incorporating these four variables demonstrated clinically reliable accuracy in risk stratification for postoperative MDR pulmonary infections in this patient population.

Background: Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship. Methods: This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders. Results: The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively. Conclusions The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.

Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) has a long-standing history in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it has been widely used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), myocardial infarction, and heart failure. However, the potency of Aconitum alkaloids, the primary active components of Aconitum, also confers substantial toxicity. Therefore, assessing the efficacy and toxicity of these Aconitum alkaloids is crucial for ensuring clinical effectiveness and safety. Metabolomics, a quantitative method for analyzing low-molecular-weight metabolites involved in metabolic pathways, provides a comprehensive view of the metabolic state across multiple systems in vivo. This approach has become a vital investigative tool for facilitating the evaluation of their efficacy and toxicity, identifying potential sensitive biomarkers, and offering a promising avenue for elucidating the pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms underlying TCM. This review focuses on the applications of metabolomics in pharmacological and toxicological studies of Aconitum alkaloids in recent years and highlights the significant role of metabolomics in exploring compatibility detoxification and the mechanisms of TCM processing, aiming to identify more viable methods for characterizing toxic medicinal plants.
Aconitum/metabolism* ; Metabolomics/methods* ; Alkaloids/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Rice is the world's largest food crop, and its yield and quality are directly related to food security and human health. Grain size, as one of the important factors determining the rice yield, has been widely concerned by breeders and researchers for a long time. To decipher the regulatory mechanism of rice grain size, we obtained a multi-tiller, dwarf, and small-grain mutant htd1 by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutation from the Japonica rice cultivar 'Zhonghua 11' ('ZH11'). Genetic analysis indicated that the phenotype of htd1 was controlled by a single recessive gene. Using the mutation site map (Mutmap) method, we identified the candidate gene OsHTD1, which encoded a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase involved in the biosynthesis of strigolactone (SL). The SL content in htd1 was significantly lower than that in 'ZH11'. Cytological analysis showed that the grain size of the mutant decreased due to the reductions in the length and width of glume cells. The function of htd1 was further verified by the CRISPR/cas9 gene editing technology. The plants with the gene knockout exhibited similar grain size to the mutant. In addition, gene expression analysis showed that the expression levels of multiple grain size-related genes in the mutant changed significantly, suggesting that HTD1 may interact with other genes regulating grain size. This study provides a new theoretical basis for research on the regulatory mechanism of rice grain size and potential genetic resources for breeding the rice cultivars with high yields.
Oryza/growth & development* ; Mutation ; Edible Grain/growth & development* ; Alleles ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Dioxygenases/genetics* ; Lactones/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; Gene Editing ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Phenotype