SummaryCrop architecture parameters such as tiller number, angle and plant height are important agronomic traits that have been considered for breeding programmes. Auxin distribution within the plant has long been recognized to alter architecture. The rice (Oryza sativa L.) genome contains 12 putative PIN genes encoding auxin efflux transporters, including four PIN1 and one PIN2 genes. Here, we report that over-expression of OsPIN2 through a transgenic approach in rice (Japonica cv. Nipponbare) led to a shorter plant height, more tillers and a larger tiller angle when compared with wild type (WT). The expression patterns of the auxin reporter DR5::GUS and quantification of auxin distribution showed that OsPIN2 over-expression increased auxin transport from the shoot to the root-shoot junction, resulting in a non-tissue-specific accumulation of more free auxin at the root-shoot junction relative to WT. Over-expression of OsPIN2 enhanced auxin transport from shoots to roots, but did not alter the polar auxin pattern in the roots. Transgenic plants were less sensitive to N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid, an auxin transport inhibitor, than WT in their root growth. OsPIN2-over-expressing plants had suppressed the expression of a gravitropism-related gene OsLazy1 in the shoots, but unaltered expression of OsPIN1b and OsTAC1, which were reported as tiller angle controllers in rice. The data suggest that OsPIN2 has a distinct auxin-dependent regulation pathway together with OsPIN1b and OsTAC1 controlling rice shoot architecture. Altering OsPIN2 expression by genetic transformation can be directly used for modifying rice architecture.

HighlightNO generated by nitrate reductase plays a pivotal role in improving N-use efficiency by increasing lateral root initiation and inorganic N uptake, representing a strategy for rice to adapt to fluctuating nitrate supply.

Objective. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between time in range (TIR), a new metric of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. A total of 349 individuals with T2DM were enrolled in this study. Evaluating by the standard cardiac autonomic reflex tests (CARTs), there were 228 diabetic individuals without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (without confirmed CAN) including absent CAN (n=83 cases) and early CAN (n=145 cases) and 121 diabetic individuals complicated with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) including definite CAN (n=109 cases) and severe CAN (n=12 cases). All patients underwent 3-day CGM. TIR is defined as the time percent during a 24-hour period when the glucose is in the range of 3.9-10 mmol/L. The Spearman analysis was used to analyze the correlation between TIR and CART parameters, total CAN score. The logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationship between TIR and CAN by adjusting for the age, duration of diabetes, sex, lipid situation, serum creatinine, body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1c (%), and other glycemic variability (GV) metrics. Results. The total presence of CAN was 34.67% (definite CAN 31.23% and severe CAN 3.44%). Patients with more severe CAN had lower TIR (P<0.001). With increasing quartiles of TIR, the presence of CAN by severity declined (P<0.05). TIR is inversely correlated with total score of CAN (P<0.001) and positively associated with heart rate variation during the lying to standing, Valsalva maneuver, and deep breathing (P<0.05). The logistic regression found a robust association between TIR and CAN independent of HbA1c and GV metrics. Conclusion. TIR is associated with the presence of CAN independent of HbA1c and GV metrics in Chinese type 2 diabetes.

The results indicate that higher NO3(-) responsiveness is associated with greater auxin accumulation in the LR zone and is strongly related to a higher rate of LR initiation in the cultivar 'Nanguang'.