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

Synthetic biology, recognized as one of the most revolutionary interdisciplinary fields in the 21st century, has established innovative strategies for the genetic improvement of rice through the integration of multidisciplinary technologies including genome editing, genetic circuit design, metabolic engineering, and artificial intelligence. This review systematically summarizes recent research advancements and breakthrough achievements in the application of synthetic biology in the genetic improvement of rice, focusing on three critical domains: yield improvement, nutritional quality fortification, and reinforcement of disease resistance and abiotic stress tolerance. It elucidates that synthetic biology enables precise genomic and metabolic pathway engineering through modular, standard, and systematic approaches, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional breeding methods characterized by prolonged cycles and restricted trait modification capabilities. The implementation of synthetic biology has facilitated synergistic improvement of multi-traits, thereby providing critical technical references for developing elite rice cultivars with superior productivity and nutritional value. These technological breakthroughs hold significant implications for ensuring global food security and promoting green and sustainable development of agriculture.
Oryza/growth & development* ; Synthetic Biology/methods* ; Metabolic Engineering ; Plant Breeding/methods* ; Gene Editing ; Genetic Engineering/methods* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics* ; Disease Resistance/genetics*

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), as a thermophilic crop, is highly susceptible to cold stress during its growth process. Chilling injury at the plumule stage and seedling stage often affects the morphological development and leads to yield reduction of rice. The exploration and utilization of cold tolerance genes are among the most direct and effective approaches to address cold stress in rice. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with cold tolerance at plumule and seedling stages, in this study, we measured the seedling rates and survived seedling rates of the indica rice cultivar 'HZ', the japonica cultivar 'Nekken2', and their 120 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) under cold stress. A previously constructed high-density genetic linkage map was used for the mapping of the QTLs conferring cold tolerance at the plumule and seedling stages. A total of 4 QTLs for plumule-stage cold tolerance and 9 QTLs for seedling-stage cold tolerance were detected, with the maximum limit of detection reaching 5.20. Notably, a genetically overlapping QTL for both plumule and seedling stages was identified on chromosome 8, spanning a physical interval of 24 432 953-25 295 129 bp. Candidate genes within the detected QTL intervals were screened, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to analyze the gene expression during the plumule and seedling stages. The results revealed that LOC_Os03g06570, LOC_Os03g07100, LOC_Os06g08280, LOC_Os08g38440, LOC_Os08g39100, and LOC_Os08g39540 exhibited significantly differential expression between the parental lines. These genes were either significantly downregulated or upregulated under cold stress. Among them, the first three gene (LOC_Os03g06570, LOC_Os03g07100, and LOC_Os06g08280) were hypothesized to be key candidates regulating the cold tolerance of rice seedlings, while the latter three genes (LOC_Os08g38440, LOC_Os08g39100, and LOC_Os08g39540) were identified as comprehensive regulators of cold tolerance during both plumule and seedling stages. These findings lay a foundation for the fine mapping and cloning of cold tolerance genes at the plumule and seedling stages, providing valuable insights for breeding cold-tolerant rice varieties.
Quantitative Trait Loci/genetics* ; Oryza/growth & development* ; Seedlings/growth & development* ; Cold Temperature ; Chromosome Mapping ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant

Excavating the quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with rice cooking quality, analyzing candidate genes, and improving cooking quality-associated traits of rice varieties by genetic breeding can effectively improve the taste of rice. In this study, we used the indica rice HZ, the japonica rice Nekken2 and 120 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) populations constructed from them as experimental materials to measure the gelatinization temperature (GT), gel consistency (GC) and amylose content (AC) of rice at the maturity stage. We combined the high-density genetic map for QTL mapping. A total of 26 QTLs associated with rice cooking quality (1 QTL associated with GT, 13 QTLs associated with GC, and 12 QTLs associated with AC) were detected, among which the highest likelihood of odd (LOD) value reached 30.24. The expression levels of candidate genes in the localization interval were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and it was found that the expression levels of six genes were significantly different from that in parents. It was speculated that the high expression of LOC_Os04g20270 and LOC_Os11g40100 may greatly increase the GC of rice, while the high expression of LOC_Os01g04920 and LOC_Os02g17500 and the low expression of LOC_Os03g02650 and LOC_Os05g25840 may reduce the AC. The results lay a molecular foundation for the cultivation of new high-quality rice varieties, and provide important genetic resources for revealing the molecular regulation mechanism of rice cooking quality.
Quantitative Trait Loci ; Oryza/genetics* ; Plant Breeding ; Cooking ; Genetic Association Studies

[Objective]To investigate the difference of ultrasound characteristics between pure mucinous carcinoma(PMC)and fibroadenoma(FA)of the breast.[Methods]Ultrasound data of 50 continuous patients with breast PMC from January 2012 to January 2021 and 100 continuous patients with breast FA from June 2018 to January 2019 in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively reviewed.The ultrasound characteristics of the two groups were evaluated according to the 2013 BI-RADS Ultrasound Atlas,and the differences in age,maximum diameter and ultrasound characteristics between the two groups were compared.[Results]The median age of PMC patients was 47 years and that of FA patients was 33 years.The age of PMC patients was higher than that of the FA group,and the differ-ence between the two groups of patients was statistically significant(P<0.001).The median maximum diameter of PMC pa-tients was 2.4 cm,which was greater than that of the FA group(1.8 cm),and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.001).Of the PMC,70%(35/50)were irregular,82%(41/50)were parallel to the skin,92%(46/50)had no circum-scribed margin,72%(36/50)were hypoechoic,and 68%(34/50)had enhanced posterior echo.Of the FA,69%(69/100)were oval or round,98%(98/100)were parallel to the skin,54%(54/100)had circumscribed margin,98%(98/100)were hypoechoic,and 75%(75/100)had no posterior features.The differences in the above ultrasound characteris-tics between the PMC and FA groups were statistically significant(P<0.001,P=0.001,P<0.001,P<0.001,P<0.001).There was no significant difference between calcifications and blood flow.[Conclusions]Compared with the FA group,pa-tients with PMC are older and the diameter of the lesions are larger.On ultrasound,the morphology and margin of most breast PMC still show the growth characteristics of invasive cancer.Meanwhile,the posterior echo of PMC is enhanced,which is a unique manifestation.

Objective:To explore a simple and effective method to improve the facial shape coordination for patients.Methods:From May 2015 to May 2020, 36 female patients (aged 24-32 years, mean 26.8 years) who were required to change face shape were enrolled in Zhengzhou Mylike Medical Cosmetology Hospital to improve face shape by adjusting frontaI arch width combined with autologous high-density fat transplantation.Results:Thirty-three patients (91.7%) were satisfied (31 satisfied, 2 basically satisfied). Three patients were not satisfied with the filling effect, and two of them were satisfied after the second filling (3 months after operation). 35 of the 36 patients were satisfied, accounting for 97.2%, only 1 case was dissatisfied. No other compIications such as fat liquefaction were observed. The mean morphological surface index of patients was 90.2 before operation and 88.1 after operation, showing significant improvement.Conclusions:Autologous high density fat transplantation is a good method to adjust the coordination of the frontal arch.

Objective:To compare the role and efficacy of serum Helicobacter pylori ( HP) antibody combined with pepsinogen (PG) (ABC method), serum PG combined with gastrin-17 (G-17) (new ABC method) and a new gastric cancer screening scoring system for early gastric cancer screening in healthy people. Methods:Serological examinations were performed on healthy people who underwent physical examination and gastroscopy at the Physical Examination Center of Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021. The population were divided into low-risk population, medium-risk population and high-risk population based on the above three primary screening methods for gastric cancer. Using gastroscopy and biopsy pathology as the gold standard, the ratio of each risk stratification and the detection rate of gastric cancer of the three screening methods were calculated. Advantages and disadvantages of the three methods were evaluated.Results:A total of 3 199 people who completed physical examination and gastroscopy were included in the study. Ten cases (0.31%) of esophageal cancer were detected by endoscopy, all of whom were early esophageal cancer. Thirty-seven cases (1.16%) of gastric cancer were detected,and the detection rate of early gastric cancer was 86.49%(32/37). The three gastric cancer screening methods were used to evaluate the risk of gastric cancer. According to ABC method, there were 1 853 cases (7.92%) in the low-risk group, 1 339 cases (41.86%) in the medium-risk group, and 7 cases (0.22%) in the high-risk group. The detection rates of gastric cancer were 0.97% (18/1 853), 1.42% (19/1 339), and 0.00%, respectively. According to the new ABC method, there were 2 362 cases (73.84%) in the low-risk group, 804 cases (25.13%) in the medium-risk group, and 33 cases (1.03%) in the high-risk group. The detection rates of gastric cancer were 1.14% (27/2 362), 1.24% (10/804), and 0.00%, respectively. According to the new gastric cancer screening scoring system, there were 1 448 cases (45.26%) in the low-risk group, 1 213 cases (37.92%) in the medium-risk group and 538 cases (16.82%) in the high-risk group. The detection rates of gastric cancer were 0.28% (4/1 448), 1.32% (16/1 213) and 3.16% (17/538), respectively. The detection rate of gastric cancer in the medium- and high-risk groups in total was significantly higher than that in the low-risk group with significant difference ( χ 2=17.935, P<0.001). The ROC curve showed that the AUC of the ABC method, the new ABC method and the new gastric cancer screening scoring system were 0.546, 0.503 and 0.760, respectively. The AUC of the new gastric cancer screening scoring system was significantly higher than those of the ABC method and the new ABC method, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.001). Conclusion:The detection rate of gastric cancer in the medium- and high-risk groups of the new gastric cancer screening scoring system is higher than that of the low-risk group, and the missed diagnosis rate of the new gastric cancer screening scoring system is lower than those of the ABC method and the new ABC method. The screening score is of high value for early gastric cancer screening in the healthy population.

Objective:To make the facial rejuvenation of autologous fat transplantation more consistent with facial aesthetic morphology toimprove the therapeutic effect.Methods:From December 2017 to May 2020, Zhengzhou Mylike Medical Cosmetic Hospital received autologous high density fat filling treatment for 425 female patients aged 18-55 years, with an average age of 32.7 years. Autologous high density fat face transplantation was performed according to the aesthetic zoning of the forehead and topic.Results:Three months after the operation, 376 patients were satisfied with the effect of one filling, 49 patients were not satisfied, 45 of them received two supplementary injections. 376 cases were satisfied with the appearance after the first operation, with a satisfactory rate of 88.5%. After two fillings, a total of 420 cases were satisfied, with a total satisfactory rate of 98.8%. The total effective rate was 100%. There were no serious postoperative complications.Conclusions:The facial rejuvenation treatment according to the aesthetic division of frontal and topographical area combined with autologous high density fat transplantation has a natural postoperative appearance and high satisfactory rate.

With the development of surgical instruments and improved surgical techniques, more and more patients with low rectal cancer can get the effect of the radical cure while preserving the anus. Still, nearly 60%-90% of patients will undergo low anterior resection after surgery Syndrome (down anterior resection syndrome, LARS) LARS can seriously affect patients′ quality of life after surgery. This article will explain the concept, symptoms, possible pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment measures of LARS and provide help for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of LARS.

Objective:To explore the efficiency of a new scoring system of gastric cancer screening for early gastric cancer in health examination population.Methods:The risk score of gastric cancer was assessed based on the new scoring system in health examination population. A notice for further gastroscopy was sent to the medium-risk and high-risk people. Gastroscopy was performed on those who agreed to undergo the examination.Results:From January to April 2019, a total of 5 357 people in health system visited the Physical Examination Center of Shanghai Songjiang Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University for health examination. Seven hundred and forty people were classified as medium- and high-risk groups by the new screening system, 576 in medium-risk group, and 164 in high-risk group. Among them, 131 cases (17.70%) came for further gastroscopy, of whom 91 (69.47%) were in the medium-risk group and 40 (30.53%) in the high-risk group. After gastroscopy, 4 cases of gastric cancer and 1 case of esophageal cancer were detected, and both were early cancer. In the medium-risk group, 2 cases (2/91, 2.20%) of early gastric cancer and 1 case (1/91, 1.10%) of early esophageal cancer were found. In the high-risk group, 2 cases (2/40, 5.00%)of early gastric cancer were found. The tumor detection rate of high-risk group (5.00%) was higher than that of medium-risk group (3.30%), but there was no significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Risk stratification with the new scoring system of gastric cancer screening can improve the detection rate of early gastric cancer.