Explore the vast range of titles available.

Summary MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate the abundance and spatial–temporal accumulation of target mRNAs and indirectly regulate several plant processes. Transcriptional regulation of the genes encoding miRNAs (MIR genes) can be activated by numerous transcription factors, which themselves are regulated by other miRNAs. Fine‐tuning of MIR genes or miRNAs is a powerful biotechnological strategy to improve tolerance to abiotic or biotic stresses in crops of economic importance. Current approaches for miRNA fine‐tuning are based on the down‐ or up‐regulation of MIR gene transcription and the use of genetic engineering tools to manipulate the final concentration of these miRNAs in the cytoplasm. Transgenesis, cisgenesis, intragenesis, artificial MIR genes, endogenous and artificial target mimicry, MIR genes editing using Meganucleases, ZNF proteins, TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9 or CRISPR/Cpf1, CRISPR/dCas9 or dCpf1, CRISPR13a, topical delivery of miRNAs and epigenetic memory have been successfully explored to MIR gene or miRNA modulation and improve agronomic traits in several model or crop plants. However, advantages and drawbacks of each of these new biotechnological tools (NBTs) are still not well understood. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the biogenesis and role of miRNAs in response to abiotic or biotic stresses, we present critically the main NBTs used for the manipulation of MIR genes and miRNAs, we show current efforts and findings with the MIR genes and miRNAs modulation in plants, and we summarize the advantages and drawbacks of these NBTs and provide some alternatives to overcome. Finally, challenges and future perspectives to miRNA modulating in important crops are also discussed.

Purpose Knowledge management effects on business performances are of great importance for companies. Yet, they are still overlooked by current literature. Moreover, the use of methods for bibliometric reviews and content analysis reinforces the need for relevant work on the current state of knowledge management application. To this end, this study aims to identify the main barriers for the application of knowledge management in small and medium-sized enterprises. A research agenda is then proposed. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was performed using data collection, bibliometric analysis and content analysis' steps. The sample used in this study contained 45 papers. For the bibliometric analysis, the authors used the bibliometrix (in RStudio). The content analysis was then performed to infer barriers, factors of relevance and an agenda of questions for future research. Findings The authors found that using knowledge management techniques to optimize business performance results in competitive advantages for small and medium-sized companies. This study contributes to both practitioners and academics by providing a list of 19 barriers, 12 factors and 36 research questions related to knowledge management in small and medium-sized companies to develop future theoretical and practical studies. Originality/value This study demonstrates the propensity and interest of small and medium-sized companies in using knowledge management. However, some barriers might make it difficult to implement this approach.

The yield and protein content of soybean seeds are challenging traits for breeding since they have a negative correlation. To solve this issue, it is essential to understand the protein transport in soybean seeds. Here we performed an analysis of 3 datasets containing transcriptional data from soybean seeds and pods, without any treatment, aiming to select genes related to the transport of organic nitrogen compounds. We identified 69 transporters, and among them, seven were chosen to be validated by qRT-PCR. Seeds and pods of soybean cultivars BRS 232 and BRS 284, respectively, presenting higher and lower protein content, were assayed under normal growth condition. Results showed in BRS 232 soybean cultivar, a positive correlation between seed protein content and gene expression for five out of the seven genes analyzed. These nitrogen compounds transporters can play an essential role in the storage of proteins, thus increases the protein content of soybean seeds and contributes to the decrease the negative correlation between yield and protein content of soybean seeds.

The present study aimed to identify the relationship between lignin content in soybean pods, pod dehiscence rate, gene expression from phenylpropanoid pathway, cell wall lignification, and deterioration of seed due to weather. To evaluate the weathering deterioration, an experiment simulating 150 mm of rainfall was performed in greenhouse conditions. Gene expression was assessed by RT-qPCR. Results showed that soybean cultivars BRS Jiripoca and BRS 388 RR considered tolerant to weathering deterioration, presented higher levels of lignin content in pods. The data showed that dehiscence rate was neither a trait involved in weathering deterioration tolerance nor in lignin content in soybean pods. Lignin content and weathering deterioration were highly negatively correlated, probably due to changes in cell wall permeability to water accordingly to lignin level. Higher expression levels of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis and cell wall lignification were identified in both tolerant cultivars, however, with opposite expression profiles and in different developmental phases, suggesting a possible temporal strategy to cope with environmental adverse conditions.

Real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) expression analysis is a powerful analytical technique, but reliable results depend on the use of stable reference genes for proper normalization. This study proposed to test the expression stability of 13 candidate reference genes in Setaria viridis , a monocot species recently proposed as a new C4 model plant. Gene expression stability of these genes was assayed across different tissues and developmental stages of Setaria and under drought or aluminum stress. In general, our results showed Protein Kinase , RNA Binding Protein and SDH as the most stable genes. Moreover, pairwise analysis showed that two reference genes were sufficient to normalize the gene expression data under each condition. By contrast, GAPDH and ACT were the least stably expressed genes tested. Validation of suitable reference genes was carried out to profile the expression of P5CS and GolS during abiotic stress. In addition, normalization of gene expression of SuSy , involved in sugar metabolism, was assayed in the developmental dataset. This study provides a list of reliable reference genes for transcript normalization in S. viridis in different tissues and stages of development and under abiotic stresses, which will facilitate genetic studies in this monocot model plant.

Soybean is the primary source of vegetable protein and is used for various purposes, mainly to feed animals. This crop can have diverse seed coat colors, varying from yellow, black, brown, and green to bicolor. Black seed coat cultivars have already been assigned as favorable for both seed and grain production. Thus, this work aimed to identify genes associated with soybean seed quality by comparing the transcriptomes of soybean seeds with contrasting seed coat colors. The results from RNA-seq analyses were validated with real-time PCR using the cultivar BRS 715A (black seed coat) and the cultivars BRS 413 RR and DM 6563 IPRO (yellow seed coat). We found 318 genes differentially expressed in all cultivars (freshly harvested seeds and seeds stored in cold chamber). From the in silico analysis of the transcriptomes, the following genes were selected and validated with RT-qPCR: ACS1, ACSF3, CYP90A1, CYP710A1, HCT, CBL, and SAHH. These genes are genes induced in the black seed coat cultivar and are part of pathways responsible for ethylene, lipid, brassinosteroid, lignin, and sulfur amino acid biosynthesis. The BRSMG 715A gene has almost 4times more lignin than the yellow seed coat cultivars. These attributes are related to the BRSMG 715A cultivar’s higher seed quality, which translates to more longevity and resistance to moisture and mechanical damage. Future silencing studies may evaluate the knockout of these genes to better understand the biology of soybean seeds with black seed coat.

ABSTRACT Soybean, the main agricultural commodity of Brazil, is sensitive to deterioration during storage due to its high fatty acid content and fragile seed coat, especially under tropical conditions where high temperature and humidity accelerate this process. The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanisms that are altered during the storage of soybean seeds under uncontrolled environmental conditions. For this purpose, RNA-seq libraries were generated from freshly harvested soybean seeds (FHS) and seeds stored under uncontrolled conditions (UES). The total RNA from seeds of the cultivar BRS 413 was extracted and sequenced for gene expression analysis. Relative expression indicated 325 genes repressed in UES and 150 induced when comparing the genes in stored seeds to freshly harvested ones. Genes related to protein folding, carbohydrate metabolism, lipids, phytohormones, and transcription factors showed a significant reduction in their expression during the storage. Among the genes uniquely expressed in UES, alanine-glyoxylate transaminase (GGAT), cysteine synthase (CSase), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), thioredoxin peroxidase (Peroxiredoxin), cytochrome P450 and protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) stood out for making part of protective mechanisms against oxidative stress in plants. RESUMO A soja, principal commodity agrícola do Brasil, é sensível à deterioração durante o armazenamento devido ao seu alto teor de ácidos graxos e tegumento frágil, especialmente sob condições tropicais onde altas temperaturas e umidade aceleram esse processo. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar os mecanismos que são alterados durante o armazenamento de sementes de soja sob condições ambientais não controladas. Para isso, foram geradas bibliotecas de RNA-seq a partir de sementes de soja recém-colhidas (FHS) e sementes armazenadas em condições não controladas (UES). O RNA total das sementes da cultivar BRS 413 foi extraído e sequenciado para análise de expressão gênica. A expressão relativa indicou 325 genes reprimidos em UES e 150 induzidos ao comparar os genes nas sementes armazenadas com as recém-colhidas. Genes relacionados ao dobramento de proteínas, metabolismo de carboidratos, lipídios, fitohormônios e fatores de transcrição mostraram uma redução significativa em sua expressão durante o armazenamento. Entre os genes exclusivamente expressos em UES, alanina-glioxilato transaminase (GGAT), cisteína sintase (CSase), aldeído desidrogenase (ALDH), peroxidase tioredoxina (Peroxiredoxina), citocromo P450 e proteína fosfatase 2C (PP2C) se destacaram por fazerem parte de mecanismos de proteção contra o estresse oxidativo em plantas.

A systematic approach was employed with the objective of compiling updated and more promising information on the quality of soybean seeds, traits, treatments and analysis techniques. Among the 6,899 academic materials retrieved between 2017 and 2022, 57 of them were included in the study, separated into three groups: Group 1 - Theoretical materials addressing traits related to seed vigor, which can be used in biotechnological strategies and improvement of different species; Group 2 - Practical materials that apply techniques of treatment of soybean seeds; and Group 3 - Practical materials that apply techniques to evaluate vigor in soybean seeds. From the approach used, it was possible to observe that several genes, proteins and QTLs are associated with seed vigor. Seed treatment techniques focus on the use of biological and physical products, but there is a lack of studies validating these benefits in the field. Among the methods for evaluating the vigor of soybean seeds, the techniques of image analysis (visible light, LIBS, NIR, FTIR, FT-NIR, HSI-NIR, FHSI, Hyperspectral, Fluorescence spectral) and the use of software (Vigor-S®, SVIS®, SAPL®, IJCropSeed, Ilastik, VideometerLab®, MATLAB, ENVI®) stand out. Resumo: Foi realizada uma abordagem sistemática com o objetivo de compilar informações atualizadas e mais promissoras sobre a qualidade de sementes de soja, traits, tratamentos e técnicas de análise. Dentre 6.899 materiais acadêmicos recuperados, entre os anos de 2017 e 2022, 57 deles foram incluídos no estudo, sendo separados em três grupos: Grupo 1 - Materiais teóricos abordando traits relacionados ao vigor de sementes, que podem ser utilizados em estratégias biotecnológicas e de melhoramento de diferentes espécies; Grupo 2 - Materiais práticos que aplicam técnicas de tratamento de sementes de soja; e Grupo 3 - Materiais práticos que aplicam técnicas para avaliar o vigor em sementes de soja. A partir da abordagem realizada, foi possível observar que vários genes, proteínas e QTLs estão associados ao vigor das sementes. As técnicas de tratamento de sementes concentram-se no uso de produtos biológicos e físicos; porém, há carência de estudos validando esses benefícios em campo. Dentre os métodos para avaliação do vigor de sementes de soja, destacam-se as técnicas de análise de imagem (luz visível, LIBS, NIR, FTIR, FT-NIR, HSI-NIR, FHSI, Hiperespectral, Espectral de fluorescência) e o emprego de softwares (Vigor-S®, SVIS®, SAPL®, IJCropSeed, Ilastik, VideometerLab® MATLAB, ENVI®).

Histone mutations (H3 K27M, H3 G34R/V) are molecular features defining subtypes of paediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas (HGG) (diffuse midline glioma (DMG), H3 K27-altered, diffuse hemispheric glioma (DHG), H3 G34-mutant). The WHO classification recognises in exceptional cases, these mutations co-occur. We report one such case of a 2-year-old female presenting with neurological symptoms; MRI imaging identified a brainstem lesion which was biopsied. Histology showed diffusely infiltrating pleomorphic astrocytes, multinucleated cells, and conspicuous mitotic activity; the diagnosis was DMG, H3 K27-altered (immunohistochemistry: H3K27me3 loss, H3K27M positivity). DNA methylation profiling (Illumina EPIC BeadArrays, brain tumour classifier (MNP v12.5 R package)) classified the tumour as ‘DMG, H3 K27-altered’ (calibrated score = 0.99). Further molecular studies (whole exome, whole genome sequencing) revealed concurrent H3.1 K27M and G34R mutations (clonal, in the same reads) of H3C3 , FGF11 and PIK3CA somatic variants, and a pathogenic germline NBN variant. The RNAseq profile clustered with H3K27M-mutant tumours. A patient-derived cell culture was established enabling unbiased in vitro drug screening; no selective sensitivities were identified. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with sequencing (ChIP-seq; H3K27ac, H3K27me3, H3K36me3, RNApol2 marks) showed features in keeping with DMG H3 K27M-mutant tumours (H3K27ac loci including OLIG2 , IRX1/2 , PKDCC ). The patient was treated with adjuvant radiotherapy, but progressed and passed away 13 months post-diagnosis. This case is an exceptionally rare, complex variant of histone-mutant paediatric HGG, illustrating that the H3.1 K27M mutation demonstrates a dominance over the molecular and clinical profiles compared to G34R, and highlights the importance of broad molecular profiling to identify such examples for further study.