Inter-subfamily cybrid plants between wheat and maize, Zeawheat: Production via an in vitro fertilization system, genome composition, and photosynthetic type.

Introducing genetic resources from distantly related plants is necessary to provide novel traits to crops. However, wide hybridization between wheat and other plants is limited by the elimination of non-wheat chromosomes during the development of interspecific zygotes. In this study, we produced allopolyploid wheat-maize hybrid zygotes with various gamete combinations using an in vitro fertilization system, and monitored their developmental profiles.

Genetic diversity and structure of Asian cowpea germplasm.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp., 2n = 2x = 22) is a vital dryland legume crop, renowned for its affordable dietary protein and essential nutrients for humans and animals.

Genetic variation and genome-wide association analysis of nitrogen use efficiency-related traits under combined heat and nitrogen-deficient stress in an -derived wheat population.

Heat stress and nitrogen (N) deficiency increasingly limit global wheat ( L.) yields, highlighting the need to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) under combined stresses for sustainable production. We assessed 145 multiple-synthetic-derivative (MSD) lines, carrying alleles from diverse , crossed and backcrossed into 'Norin 61', together with three checks across six field environments combining heat stress and either optimal (86 kg N ha¹; HS-HN) or zero (HS-LN) N supply in central Sudan.

Enriched grain minerals in Aegilops tauschii-derived common wheat population under heat-stress environments.

In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an important source of dietary minerals, heat stress during the grain filling stage negatively affects grain yield and quality. Wheat grain mineral content has been primarily evaluated under optimum conditions; little information is available on the genetic variations and loci involved in mineral accumulation under heat stress.

Dosimetric impact of stopping power for human bone porosity with dual-energy computed tomography in scanned carbon-ion therapy treatment planning.

Few reports have documented how the accuracy of stopping power ratio (SPR) prediction for porous bone tissue affects the dose distribution of scanned carbon-ion beam therapy. The estimated SPR based on single-energy computed tomography (SECT) and dual-energy CT (DECT) were compared for the femur of a Rando phantom which simulates the porosity of human bone, NEOBONE which is the hydroxyapatite synthetic bone substitute, and soft tissue samples. Dose differences between SECT and DECT were evaluated for a scanned carbon-ion therapy treatment plan for the Rando phantom.

Centromere sequence-independent but biased loading of subgenome-specific CENH3 variants in allopolyploid Arabidopsis suecica.

Centromeric nucleosomes are determined by the replacement of the canonical histone H3 with the centromere-specific histone H3 (CENH3) variant. Little is known about the centromere organization in allopolyploid species where different subgenome-specific CENH3s and subgenome-specific centromeric sequences coexist. Here, we analyzed the transcription and centromeric localization of subgenome-specific CENH3 variants in the allopolyploid species Arabidopsis suecica.

Genomic analysis of a spontaneous unifoliate mutant reveals gene candidates associated with compound leaf development in Vigna unguiculata [L] Walp.

Molecular mechanisms which underpin compound leaf development in some legumes have been reported, but there is no previous study on the molecular genetic control of compound leaf formation in Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), an important dryland legume of African origin. In most studied species with compound leaves, class 1 KNOTTED-LIKE HOMEOBOX genes expressed in developing leaf primordia sustain morphogenetic activity, allowing leaf dissection and the development of leaflets. Other genes, such as, SINGLE LEAFLET1 in Medicago truncatula and Trifoliate in Solanum lycopersicum, are also implicated in regulating compound leaf patterning.

Prognostic analysis of radiation-induced liver damage following carbon-ion radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Radiation-induced liver damage (RILD) occasionally occurs following carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for liver tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in patients with impaired liver function disease. However, the associated risk factors remain unknown. The present study aimed to determine the risk factors of RILD after CIRT.

Genome and transcriptome analyses reveal genes involved in the formation of fine ridges on petal epidermal cells in Hibiscus trionum.

Hibiscus trionum, commonly known as the 'Flower of an Hour', is an easily cultivated plant in the Malvaceae family that is widespread in tropical and temperate regions, including drylands. The purple base part of its petal exhibits structural colour due to the fine ridges on the epidermal cell surface, and the molecular mechanism of ridge formation has been actively investigated. We performed genome sequencing of H.

CRISPR-FISH: A CRISPR/Cas9-Based In Situ Labeling Method.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been widely used to visualize target DNA sequences in fixed chromosome samples by denaturing the dsDNA to allow complementary probe hybridization, thus damaging the chromatin structure by harsh treatments. To overcome this limitation, a CRISPR/Cas9-based in situ labeling method was developed, termed CRISPR-FISH. This method is also known as RNA-guided endonuclease-in situ labeling (RGEN-ISL).

Holocentromeres can consist of merely a few megabase-sized satellite arrays.

The centromere is the chromosome region where microtubules attach during cell division. In contrast to monocentric chromosomes with one centromere, holocentric species usually distribute hundreds of centromere units along the entire chromatid. We assembled the chromosome-scale reference genome and analyzed the holocentromere and (epi)genome organization of the lilioid Chionographis japonica.

Chemical emasculation in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) and dicotyledonous model species using trifluoromethanesulfonamide (TFMSA).

Hybridization plays an indispensable role in creating the diversity associated with plant evolution and genetic improvement of crops. Production of hybrids requires control of pollination and avoidance of self-pollination for species that are predominantly autogamous. Hand emasculation, male sterility genes or male gametocides have been used in several plant species to induce pollen sterility.

Cowpea speed breeding using regulated growth chamber conditions and seeds of oven-dried immature pods potentially accommodates eight generations per year.

Background: Cowpea is a dryland crop with potential to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is mostly produced and consumed. Contemporary plant improvement technologies, including genome editing, marker-assisted selection, and optimized transformation protocols, are being deployed to improve cowpea characteristics. Integrating speed breeding with these technologies would accelerate genetic gain in cowpea breeding.

Development and regeneration of wheat-rice hybrid zygotes produced by in vitro fertilization system.

Hybridization plays a decisive role in the evolution and diversification of angiosperms. However, the mechanisms of wide hybridization remain open because pre- and post-fertilization barriers limit the production and development of inter-subfamily/intergeneric zygotes, respectively. We examined hybridization between wheat and rice using an in vitro fertilization (IVF) system to bypass these barriers.

The Evolutionary Dynamics of Repetitive DNA and Its Impact on the Genome Diversification in the Genus .

Polyploidization is an evolutionary event leading to structural changes of the genome(s), particularly allopolyploidization, which combines different genomes of distinct species. The tetraploid species, , is assumed an allopolyploid species formed by hybridization between diploid and . The repeat profiles of , , and their relatives were compared to elucidate the repeats' role in shaping their genomes.

Unequal contribution of two paralogous CENH3 variants in cowpea centromere function.

In most diploids the centromere-specific histone H3 (CENH3), the assembly site of active centromeres, is encoded by a single copy gene. Persistance of two CENH3 paralogs in diploids species raises the possibility of subfunctionalization. Here we analysed both CENH3 genes of the  diploid dryland crop cowpea.

Heat Sensing and Lipid Reprograming as a Signaling Switch for Heat Stress Responses in Wheat.

Temperature is an essential physical factor that affects the plant life cycle. Almost all plant species have evolved a robust signal transduction system that enables them to sense changes in the surrounding temperature, relay this message and accordingly adjust their metabolism and cellular functions to avoid heat stress-related damage. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), being a cool-season crop, is very sensitive to heat stress.

Application and prospects of CRISPR/Cas9-based methods to trace defined genomic sequences in living and fixed plant cells.

The 3D organization of chromatin plays an important role in genome stability and many other pivotal biological programs. Therefore, the establishment of imaging methods, which enable us to study the dynamics of chromatin in living cells, is necessary. Although primary live cell imaging methods were a breakthrough, there is a need to develop more specific labeling techniques.

CRISPR/Cas9-Based RGEN-ISL Allows the Simultaneous and Specific Visualization of Proteins, DNA Repeats, and Sites of DNA Replication.

Visualizing the spatiotemporal organization of the genome will improve our understanding of how chromatin structure and function are intertwined. Here, we describe a further development of the CRISPR/Cas9-based RNA-guided endonuclease-in situ labeling (RGEN-ISL) method. RGEN-ISL allowed the differentiation between vertebrate-type (TTAGGG)n and Arabidopsis-type (TTTAGGG)n telomere repeats.

RNA-guided endonuclease - in situ labelling (RGEN-ISL): a fast CRISPR/Cas9-based method to label genomic sequences in various species.

Visualising the spatio-temporal organisation of the genome will improve our understanding of how chromatin structure and function are intertwined. We developed a tool to visualise defined genomic sequences in fixed nuclei and chromosomes based on a two-part guide RNA with a recombinant Cas9 endonuclease complex. This method does not require any special construct or transformation method.

[Three-Dimensional Dosimetry of Carbon Ion Beams by Gel Dosimeters].

A three-dimensional dosimetry method is strongly required in the dose distribution measurement of a patient QA of a heavy ion therapy. Nanocomposite Fricke gel dosimeters are the most possible candidate for this purpose. Experimental dose distribution measurements were carried out using a scanning irradiation port of Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center.

A histological examination of spinal reconstruction using a frozen bone autograft.

Our aim was to compare the process of bone formation after reconstruction of the vertebral body using a titanium cage with either a liquid nitrogen-treated (frozen) bone autograft or non-treated fresh bone autograft. Twelve canine beagles underwent anterior reconstruction of the 5th lumbar vertebrae using a titanium cage and bone autograft. Bone formation was compared across four experimental groups: fresh bone autograft groups, with animals sacrificed at either 8 or 16 weeks post-reconstruction, and liquid nitrogen-treated (frozen) bone autograft groups, with animals again sacrificed at either 8 or 16 weeks post-reconstruction.

Evaluation of the accuracy and clinical practicality of a calculation system for patient positional displacement in carbon ion radiotherapy at five sites.

Purpose: We developed a system for calculating patient positional displacement between digital radiography images (DRs) and digitally reconstructed radiography images (DRRs) to reduce patient radiation exposure, minimize individual differences between radiological technologists in patient positioning, and decrease positioning time. The accuracy of this system at five sites was evaluated with clinical data from cancer patients. The dependence of calculation accuracy on the size of the region of interest (ROI) and initial position was evaluated for clinical use.