China University of Mining & Technology

Rice yield is directly influenced by spikelet number, a trait governed by both genetic and hormonal regulatory pathways. In this study, we demonstrate that GNA, a GRAS family transcription factor, acts as a key positive regulator of spikelet development in rice. Through map-based cloning, transgenic manipulation, and molecular assays, we show that GNA enhances grain number per panicle by repressing OsCKX2, a cytokinin oxidase gene responsible for cytokinin degradation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase activity assays, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) confirm that GNA directly binds to the OsCKX2 promoter, suppressing its transcription and thereby elevating endogenous cytokinin levels. Notably, GNA physically interacts with DEP1/dep1, and this interaction further enhances the GNA-mediated repression of OsCKX2. Overexpression of GNA significantly increases spikelet number, pedicel branching, and grain yield per plant, accompanied by the activation of cytokinin-responsive genes. These findings reveal a previously uncharacterized DEP1-GNA-OsCKX2 regulatory module that links G-protein signaling with cytokinin signaling and panicle morphogenesis, providing a promising genetic target for rice yield improvement and molecular breeding.

To explore the genetic value and clinical management strategies for subsequent pregnancies in women with a history of adverse obstetric outcomes.

204 pregnant women with a history of adverse obstetric outcomes, including spontaneous abortions and/or offspring with developmental anomalies, were retrospectively enrolled. The subjects were categorized into four groups based on the adverse characteristics of previous obstetric histories: inborn developmental anomalies group (IDAG, n = 53), genetic anomalies group (GAG, n = 35), composite group (CG, n = 52), and unknown etiology group (UEG, n = 64). In the subsequent pregnancy, the following strategies were conducted: ① All the fetuses underwent standardized ultrasound screening; ② Invasive fetal prenatal diagnosis were performed, including karyotyping (n = 204), copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq, n = 161) and whole exome sequencing (WES, n = 11); ③ Dynamic ultrasound assessments and clinical follow-ups of pregnancy outcomes ranging from six months to six years were carried; ④ Fetal outcomes and maternal clinical characteristics among the different groups were further compared.

① Mean maternal age was not significant among four groups, however, the median gravidity and the median number of spontaneous abortion in UEG were the highest (p < 0.05). ② 8.33% (17/204) fetal genetic anomalies in subsequent pregnancy were found with abnormal chromosomes and 13.04% (21/161) anomalies were found by CNV-seq, among which 12 were investigated additionally. However, no significant difference was in the detection rate (DR) of karyotypes or CNVs among four groups. ③ 13 (6.37%, 13/204) fetuses presented abnormal ultrasonic manifestations accompanied with CNVs or pathogenic genes, and the DR of 9.38% (6/64) in abnormal manifestations of UEG was the highest. ④ 17 (8.33%, 17/204) chose termination and the survivors' growth and development were normal in the follow-ups from six months to six years.

Prenatal genetic diagnosis should be recommended for all subsequent pregnancies of families with adverse obstetric history. In addition, dynamic ultrasound and follow-up management are essential for clinicians to optimize neonatal outcomes.

Wide-temperature applications of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are severely limited by the sluggish ion insertion/diffusion kinetics of conversion-type anodes. Quantum-sized transition metal dichalcogenides possess unique advantages of charge delocalization and enrich uncoordinated electrons and short-range transfer kinetics, which are crucial to achieve rapid low-temperature charge transfer and high-temperature interface stability. Herein, a quantum-scale FeS2 loaded on three-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene skeletons (FeS2 QD/MXene) fabricated as SIBs anode, demonstrating impressive performance under wide-temperature conditions (− 35 to 65 °C). The theoretical calculations combined with experimental characterization interprets that the unsaturated coordination edges of FeS2 QD can induce delocalized electronic regions, which reduces electrostatic potential and significantly facilitates efficient Na+ diffusion across a broad temperature range. Moreover, the Ti3C2 skeleton reinforces structural integrity via Fe–O–Ti bonding, while enabling excellent dispersion of FeS2 QD. As expected, FeS2 QD/MXene anode harvests capacities of 255.2 and 424.9 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 under − 35 and 65 °C, and the energy density of FeS2 QD/MXene//NVP full cell can reach to 162.4 Wh kg−1 at − 35 °C, highlighting its practical potential for wide-temperatures conditions. This work extends the uncoordinated regions induced by quantum-size effects for exceptional Na+ ion storage and diffusion performance at wide-temperatures environment.