Changes in Gut Microbiota Linked to a Reduction in Systolic Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Fed an Extra Virgin Olive Oil-Enriched Diet

Fat type in diet is responsible for specific changes in gut microbiota (GM). Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been shown to be beneficial for blood pressure and to produce effects on GM. To analyze the cause-effect relationship between intestinal microbial changes and blood pressure, we studied the effect of EVOO on fecal microbiota and systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR were fed either an enriched EVOO diet or a standard diet for a period of 12 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the microbial profiles in the feces were studied in both groups by using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Real-time PCR was used to quantify the selected bacterial groups. The results demonstrated significant differences when using Lactobacillus (p<0.05), clostridia XIV (p<0.01) and universal (p<0.05) primers. A significant (r=?0.475; p=0.04) inverse correlation between the abundance of clostridia XIV and SBP, which depends on the type of diet, was also observed. Finally, the results suggested an increase in the microbial diversity of the feces of the animals fed the EVOO diet. These results strongly connect the pattern of GM in SHR fed a diet enriched with EVOO to the lower levels of SBP observed in these animals at the end of the feeding period.     

Effects of Blackcurrant and Dietary Fibers on Large Intestinal Health Biomarkers in Rats

This study examined the effects of anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract and dietary fibers individually and their combinations on biomarkers of large intestinal health in rats. After six weeks of feeding, rats fed diets with blackcurrant gained significantly less body weight and reduced their food intake resulting in a lower food efficiency compared with those rats fed control diets. Combining dietary fiber (apple or broccoli) with blackcurrant in the diet was more effective in reducing the body weight gain and food intake. Cecal bacterial populations and short-chain fatty acids differed between the experimental diets. Blackcurrants significantly altered the bacterial populations by increasing the abundance of Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas group and Lactobacillus spp., while decreasing the abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Clostridium perfringens. Propionic acid concentrations were increased by the diets with blackcurrant. Butyric acid concentrations were increased by dietary fiber supplementation. Dietary fiber increased the number of goblet cells in the colon. Diets with blackcurrant were more effective in altering the biomarkers of large intestinal health than those without blackcurrant.     

Study on oil adsorption/desorption kinetics and polymer network parameters of poly(lauryl methacrylate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

In the present work, oil adsorption, desorption, and resorption of poly(lauryl methacrylate-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) P(LMA-co-HEMA) were evaluated with different oils by a gravimetric method. Adsorption kinetics were modeled using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations. Polymer network parameters of P(LMA-co-HEMA) regarding average molecular weight (Mc) between two crosslink piontss can be calculated by oil absorbency at equilibrium (Q _e ), the solubility parameter (δ) and polymer-solvent interaction parameter (χ) with Flory-Huggins relation. The results showed pseudo-second-order model has a better fit to the oil adsorption kinetic data The desorption can be analyzed by fitting a prediction of exponential-like decay to the deswelling curves. A typical oil desorption exhibited two stages: a burst release driven by concentration gradient, and a slow release controlled by diffusion and the elastic recovery of polymer networks. For reusability, the resorption behavior of P(LMA-co-HEMA) was also investigated. It was worth noting that oil resorption was faster than the first adsorption due to potential passages. Moreover, the adsorption capacity was not significantly changed after regeneration.     

Preparation and Properties of Poly(lactic Acid)/PLA-<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>-ABS Blends

PLA/PLA-g-ABS blends were prepared and evaluated for mechanical properties performance. Firstly, carboxylic acid functionalized ABS particles were synthesized by grafting polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) onto ABS particle surface using potassium persulfate as an initiator. The reaction was followed by FTIR analysis. The resultant carboxylated ABS was melt mixed with virgin PLA in an internal mixer to obtain PLA/PLA-g-ABS blends. The obtained PLA/PLA-g-ABS blends were subject to injection molding to obtain specimens for testing evaluation. It was found that impact resistance values significantly outperformed neat PLA by 60 %, 87 %, and 150 % for PLA/PLA-g-ABS 10 wt%, PLA/PLA-g-ABS 20 wt%, and PLA/PLA-g-ABS 30 wt%, respectively. A significant increase in impact strength was contributable to ABS rubber which exhibited even dispersion and good interfacial adhesion. The impact strength was dependent on the percent loading of PLAg-ABS; the more the PLA/PLA-g-ABS the higher the impact strength value. In a similar manner, tensile strength increases when loaded with PLA/PLA-g-ABS albeit at lesser effect. Considering the percent elongation, a massive increase in percent elongation was recorded in case of PLA/PLA-g-ABS 20 wt% and PLA/PLA-g-ABS 30 wt%, implying that these blends were extremely flexible and tough when compared to neat PLA, control, and PLA/PLA-g-ABS 10 wt%.     

Nutritional Value of Commercial Protein-Rich Plant Products

The goal of this work was to analyze nutritional value of various minimally processed commercial products of plant protein sources such as faba bean (Vicia faba), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), rapeseed press cake (Brassica rapa/napus subsp. Oleifera), flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), oil hemp seed (Cannabis sativa), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). Basic composition and various nutritional components like amino acids, sugars, minerals, and dietary fiber were determined. Nearly all the samples studied could be considered as good sources of essential amino acids, minerals and dietary fiber. The highest content of crude protein (over 30 g/100 g DW) was found in faba bean, blue lupin and rapeseed press cake. The total amount of essential amino acids (EAA) ranged from 25.8 g/16 g N in oil hemp hulls to 41.5 g/16 g N in pearled quinoa. All the samples studied have a nutritionally favorable composition with significant health benefit potential. Processing (dehulling or pearling) affected greatly to the contents of analyzed nutrients.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acrocomia aculeata</Emphasis> Kernel Oil on Adiposity in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

The macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is native of tropical America and is found mostly in the Cerrados and Pantanal biomes. The fruits provide an oily pulp, rich in long chain fatty acids, and a kernel that encompass more than 50% of lipids rich in medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). Based on biochemical and nutritional evidences MCFA is readily catabolized and can reduce body fat accumulation. In this study, an animal model was employed to evaluate the effect of Acrocomia aculeata kernel oil (AKO) on the blood glucose level and the fatty acid deposit in the epididymal adipose tissue. The A. aculeata kernel oil obtained by cold pressing presented suitable quality as edible oil. Its fatty acid profile indicates high concentration of MCFA, mainly lauric, capric and caprilic. Type 2 diabetic rats fed with that kernel oil showed reduction of blood glucose level in comparison with the diabetic control group. Acrocomia aculeata kernel oil showed hypoglycemic effect. A small fraction of total dietary medium chain fatty acid was accumulated in the epididymal adipose tissue of rats fed with AKO at both low and high doses and caprilic acid did not deposit at all.     

Effective Management of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phthorimaea operculella</Emphasis> (Zeller) Using PVA Nanofibers Loaded with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinnamomum zeylanicum</Emphasis> Essential Oil

Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is one of the most common insect pests of cultivated potato in tropical and subtropical regions. In this research, a potential strategy to improve the insecticidal activity of plant essential oils for the effective management of P. operculella was studied. The insecticidal and residual effects of nanofiber oil (NFO) and pure essential oil (PEO) of Cinnamomum zeylanicum were assessed on PTM under laboratory conditions. The nanofibers were made by the electrospinning method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer. The morphological characteristics of the nanofibers were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The chemical constituents of cinnamon essential oil (EO) were detected by GC/MS. Fumigant toxicity of NFO and PEO were evaluated on different growth stages (egg, male and female adults) of P. operculella. SEM and FTIR analyses confirmed the presence of EO on the nanofiber structure. The yield of the EO from C. zelanicum on the nanofibers was 1.86%. GC/MS analysis showed that cinnamaldehyde was the primary constituent (69.88%) of cinnamon EO. LC₅₀ values of C. zelanicum EO and NFO were 4.92 and 1.76 μl/l air for eggs, 0.444 and 0.212 μl/l air for female adults, and 0.424 and 0.192 μl/l air for male adults, respectively. Fumigant bioassays revealed that NFO was more toxic than C. zeylanicum oil against at all stages of P. operculella. The residual effect of PEO and NFO was evaluated against the egg stage of the P. operculella. NFO lost insecticidal effectiveness 47 days after application, while the efficacy of PEO decreased 15 days after application. Our results suggest that NFO of C. zeylanicum can be used as an effective new tool for the management of P. operculella.     

Colorimetric Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus</Emphasis> Beverages and their Potential Antioxidant Properties

In food industry, roselle beverages and their subproducts could be functional ingredients since they are an excellent source of bioactive compounds with improved performance due to their important anthocyanins content. The aim of this study was to analyze anthocyanin content and antioxidant properties of aqueous infusions elaborated with color contrasting Hibiscus materials and design a mathematical model in order to predict color-composition relationship. Color measurements of beverages from roselle (Negra, Sudan and Rosa) were made by transmission spectrophotometry, anthocyanins quantification was determined by HPLC, and antioxidant potential was evaluated by in vitro methods (ABTS and FRAP assays). Beverages prepared with particle size minor of 250 μm presented until 4- and 2- times more anthocyanins content and antioxidant capacity respectively, in comparison to beverages prepared with powders with particle size major of 750 μm. Positive correlations among pigments composition and color parameters were found (p?<?0.05), showing that anthocyanins content, antioxidant capacity, C*_ab and h_ab values increased in relation with the smallest particle size of flours. Also, mathematical models were stablished to predict anthocyanin content (r?≥?0.97) and antioxidant capacity (r?≥?0.89) from color data; we propose equations for quick estimation of the antioxidant capacity in the Hibiscus beverages with high anthocyanin content. The obtained models could be an important tool to be used in food industry for pigment characterization or functional compounds with potential health benefits.     

In Vitro Colonic Fermentation and Glycemic Response of Different Kinds of Unripe Banana Flour

This work aimed to study the in vitro colonic fermentation profile of unavailable carbohydrates of two different kinds of unripe banana flour and to evaluate their postprandial glycemic responses. The unripe banana mass (UBM), obtained from the cooked pulp of unripe bananas (Musa acuminata, Nanicão variety), and the unripe banana starch (UBS), obtained from isolated starch of unripe banana, plantain type (Musa paradisiaca) in natura, were studied. The fermentability of the flours was evaluated by different parameters, using rat inoculum, as well as the glycemic response produced after the ingestion by healthy volunteers. The flours presented high concentration of unavailable carbohydrates, which varied in the content of resistant starch, dietary fiber and indigestible fraction (IF). The in vitro colonic fermentation of the flours was high, 98% for the UBS and 75% for the UBM when expressed by the total amount of SCFA such as acetate, butyrate and propionate in relation to lactulose. The increase in the area under the glycemic curve after ingestion of the flours was 90% lower for the UBS and 40% lower for the UBM than the increase produced after bread intake. These characteristics highlight the potential of UBM and UBS as functional ingredients. However, in vivo studies are necessary in order to evaluate the possible benefic effects of the fermentation on intestinal health.     

Antioxidant Properties of Extracts Obtained from Raw,Dry-roasted,and Oil-roasted US Peanuts of Commercial Importance

Raw, skinless peanut kernels from US commercial production lines were dry- and oil-roasted according to standard industrial practices. Eighty percent (v/v) methanolic extracts from the peanut cultivars were prepared and characterized by RP-HPLC: five predominant compounds were found comprising free p-coumaric acid and potential p-coumaric acid derivatives, as elucidated by DAD-UV spectra with comparisons to those of commercial standards. A Spanish high-oleic peanut possessed the greatest naturally-occurring level of p-coumaric acid and its derivatives, followed by a high-oleic Runner, a normal Runner, and a Virginia peanut. Upon thermal processing, p-coumaric acid was liberated at the expense of its derivatives according to the relationship: oil roasting > dry roasting > raw. A high-oleic Runner exhibited the greatest increase (～785%) in free p-coumaric acid levels after oil roasting. For many of the samples from the 2007 crop, processing increased the TPC and antioxidant capacities in the order of raw < dry roast < oil roast, but results were cultivar dependent. Oil-roasted peanuts were more effective at scavenging O₂ ^●- than their dry-roasted counterparts, as determined by a photochemiluminescence assay. Overall findings indicate that although thermal processing altered the composition of peanut kernel antioxidants, TPC values and radical-scavenging activities are preserved. Depending on peanut type, cultivar, and harvest date, enhanced antioxidant capacities can result.     

Genome-wide association study and candidate gene analysis of rice cadmium accumulation in grain in a diverse rice collection

Background

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice followed by transfer to the food chain causes severe health problems in humans. Breeding of low Cd accumulation varieties is one of the most economical ways to solve the problem. However, information on the identity of rice germplasm with low Cd accumulation is limited, particularly in indica, and the genetic basis of Cd accumulation in rice is not well understood.

Results

Screening of 312 diverse rice accessions revealed that the grain Cd concentrations of these rice accessions ranged from 0.12 to 1.23?mg/kg, with 24 accessions less than 0.20?mg/kg. Three of the 24 accessions belong to indica. Japonica accumulated significantly less Cd than indica (p < 0.001), while tropical japonica accumulated significantly less Cd than temperate japonica (p < 0.01). GWAS in all accessions identified 14 QTLs for Cd accumulation, with 7 identified in indica and 7 identified in japonica subpopulations. No common QTL was identified between indica and japonica. The previously identified genes (OsHMA3, OsNRAMP1, and OsNRAMP5) from japonica were colocalized with QTLs identified in japonica instead of indica. Expression analysis of OsNRAMP2, the candidate gene of the novel QTL (qCd3–2) identified in the present study, demonstrated that OsNRAMP2 was mainly induced in the shoots of high Cd accumulation accessions after Cd treatment. Four amino acid differences were found in the open reading frame of OsNRAMP2 between high and low Cd accumulation accessions. The allele from low Cd accumulation accessions significantly increased the Cd sensitivity and accumulation in yeast. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated OsNRAMP2 expressed in the tonoplast of rice protoplast.

Conclusion

The results suggest that grain Cd concentrations are significantly different among subgroups, with Cd concentrations decreasing from indica to temperate japonica to tropical japonica. However, considerable variations exist within subgroups. The fact that no common QTL was identified between indica and japonica implies that there is a different genetic basis for determining Cd accumulation between indica and japonica, or that some QTLs for Cd accumulation in rice are subspecies-specific. Through further integrated analysis, it is speculated that OsNRAMP2 could be a novel functional gene associated with Cd accumulation in rice.

     

Fabrication,Characterization and Antimicrobial property of natural TTOLs/CS composite sponges

The essential oil liposomes, a kind of ecological friendly natural antibacterial agents, have good bactericidal effect. In the present study, tea tree oil liposomes (TTOLs) were prepared by the thin-membrane hydration method with sonication, and then were blended with chitosan (CS) to successfully fabricate novel TTOLs/CS composite sponges by freeze-dried method. Through the scanning electron microscope (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and performance tests, it was found that the material had good water absorption, water retention and water vapor permeability due to the high porosity. Furthermore, the incorporation of TTOLs in the CS-based sponges significantly improved the microbicidel effect of the sponges against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans (C. albicans). Killing log values of TTOLs/CS composite sponges against bacteria and fungi reached over 3. According to the microbial clearance test, propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence test and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation, the results indicated on one hand that TTOLs/CS composite sponges adsorbed and intercepted microbial cells through the internal pore and surface charge, and on the other hand that they could destroy bacterial intercellular substance, disperse cell colony and damage the integrity of cell membrane, finally leading to the death of microbial cells. In summary, TTOLs/CS composite sponges had great potential to be used as antimicrobial materials in the field of food, cosmetics, medicine, biomedical and biochemical engineering.     

Drought forecasting using ANFIS- a case study in drought prone area of Vietnam

Drought occurs throughout the world, affecting people more than any other major natural hazards. An important requirement for mitigating the impact of drought is an effective method of forecasting future drought events. This study investigated the applicability of Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for drought forecasting and quantitative value of drought indices, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Khanhhoa Province Vietnam with three meteorological stations was selected as the study area. The sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) events at NinoW and Nino4 zones were selected as input variables to forecast drought. Fifteen ANFIS forecasting models for SPI/SPEI (1, 3, 6, and 12 months) were trained and tested. The results show the performance of the ANFIS forecasting models for SPI/SPEI of all stations is equivalent and most ANFIS forecasting models for SPEI are better than SPI; the performance of the ANFIS forecasting models for SPI/SPEI-12 is better than other ANFIS models for SPI/SPEI-1 to SPI/SPEI-6; the models with high performance are M10–M13; model with the highest performance is M12 model. The results of this research showed that ANFIS forecasting models with SSTAs events as input variables can forecast longer term than SPI and precipitation as input variables. The ANFIS forecasting model with SSTA events as input variables can be successfully applied and provide high accuracy and reliability for drought forecasting.     

Characterization of the surface properties of cellulosic fibers in fibrous and ground forms by IGC and contact angle measurements

Surface properties of fibrous and ground cotton and linen were investigated by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and the contact angle with different liquids was also measured on fabrics composed of both fibers. Results proved that dispersion component of surface tension (γ _s ^d ) determined by IGC depends not only on the surface energy, but also on several factors influencing the adsorbability of probe molecules on the cellulosic substrates. For cotton samples, the trapping of n-alkanes among waxy molecules in the outer layer of fibers can be presumed. This effect results in larger γ _s ^d for cotton fibers than for linen in spite of the higher wettability of the linen fabrics. Besides the surface energy and trapping effects, the grinding also influences the γ _s ^d values. Specific enthalpy of adsorption (ΔH _A ^ab ) of polar probes could be determined on all linen samples, but only on the ground cotton sample. Lewis acid-base character calculated for linen and ground cotton samples depends on the same effects as the γ _s ^d does. The similar ΔH _A ^ab values of chloroform (acidic) and THF (basic) measured on each of the samples support the conclusion that the surface character is amphoteric, which is also proved by the high ΔH _A ^ab values of the amphoteric ethyl acetate and acetone probes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus persica</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">platycarpa</Emphasis> (Tabacchiera Peach): Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Pulp,Peel and Seed Ethanolic Extracts

A comparative analysis of ethanol extracts from peel, pulp and seed of Prunus persica var. platycarpa (Tabacchiera peach) was done. The total phenol, flavonoid and carotenoid content as well as the antioxidant properties by using different in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, Fe-chelating, β-carotene bleaching test) were evaluated. Pulp extract was subjected to liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid were identified as main constituents. Pulp extract was characterized by the highest total phytonutrients content and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in all in vitro assays (IC₅₀ values of 2.2 μg/mL after 60 min of incubation by using β-carotene bleaching test and 2.9 μg/mL by using Fe-chelating assay). Overall, the obtained results suggest that P. persica var. platycarpa displays a good antioxidant activity and its consumption could be promoted.     

Identification of resistant germplasm containing novel resistance genes at or tightly linked to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pi2/9</Emphasis> locus conferring broad-spectrum resistance against rice blast

Background

The rice Pi2/9 locus harbors multiple resistance (R) genes each controlling broad-spectrum resistance against diverse isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae, a fungal pathogen causing devastating blast disease to rice. Identification of more resistance germplasm containing novel R genes at or tightly linked to the Pi2/9 locus would promote breeding of resistance rice cultivars.

Results

In this study, we aim to identify resistant germplasm containing novel R genes at or tightly linked to the Pi2/9 locus using a molecular marker, designated as Pi2/9-RH (Pi2/9 resistant haplotype), developed from the 5′ portion of the Pi2 sequence which was conserved only in the rice lines containing functional Pi2/9 alleles. DNA analysis using Pi2/9-RH identified 24 positive lines in 55 shortlisted landraces which showed resistance to 4 rice blast isolates. Analysis of partial sequences of the full-length cDNAs of Pi2/9 homologues resulted in the clustering of these 24 lines into 5 haplotypes each containing different Pi2/9 homologues which were designated as Pi2/9-A5, ?A15, ?A42, ?A53, and -A54. Interestingly, Pi2/9-A5 and Pi2/9-A54 are identical to Piz-t and Pi2, respectively. To validate the association of other three novel Pi2/9 homologues with the blast resistance, monogenic lines at BC₃F₃ generation were generated by marker assisted backcrossing (MABC). Resistance assessment of the derived monogenic lines in both the greenhouse and the field hotspot indicated that they all controlled broad-spectrum resistance against rice blast. Moreover, genetic analysis revealed that the blast resistance of these three monogenic lines was co-segregated with Pi2/9-RH, suggesting that the Pi2/9 locus or tightly linked loci could be responsible for the resistance.

Conclusion

The newly developed marker Pi2/9-RH could be used as a potentially diagnostic marker for the quick identification of resistant donors containing functional Pi2/9 alleles or unknown linked R genes. The three new monogenic lines containing the Pi2/9 introgression segment could be used as valuable materials for disease assessment and resistance donors in breeding program.

     

Natural Dyeing of Wool by Madder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubia tinctorum L</Emphasis>.) Root Extract Using Tannin-based Biomordants: Colorimetric,Fastness and Tensile Assay

In this work, the natural dyeing behavior of woollen yarn with madder (Rubia tinctorum L.) root extract was studied. The effects of different tannin-rich plants (Rhus coriaria, Eucalyptus, Terminalia chebula, Quercus castaneifolia, Pomegranate) extract as biomordants and alum (as a chemical mordant) with two mordanting procedures (pre- and metamordanting) on color characteristics of the dyed samples were also investigated. The CIEDE2000 values, color strength (K/S), washing fastness and tensile property of the mordanted and dyed samples were assessed. Visually, a range of hues from orange to brownish-red were obtained. In general, pre-biomordanted samples with Rhus coriaria (10 %owf), Eucalyptus (10 %owf), Terminalia chebula (5 %owf), Quercus castaneifolia (5 %owf) and Pomegranate (5 %owf) showed almost the same color difference (ΔE₀₀) and wash fastness values compared to those treated with 3 %owf alum. Finally, it was concluded from the comparative studies that the biomordants have good potential to be considered as alternatives to the common chemical mordants.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">GNS4</Emphasis>, a novel allele of <Emphasis Type="Italic">DWARF11</Emphasis>, regulates grain number and grain size in a high-yield rice variety

Background

Rice plays an extremely important role in food safety because it feeds more than half of the world’s population. Rice grain yield depends on biomass and the harvest index. An important strategy to break through the rice grain yield ceiling is to increase the biological yield. Therefore, genes associated with organ size are important targets for rice breeding.

Results

We characterized a rice mutant gns4 (grain number and size on chromosome 4) with reduced organ size, fewer grains per panicle, and smaller grains compared with those of WT. Map-based cloning indicated that the GNS4 gene, encoding a cytochrome P450 protein, is a novel allele of DWARF11 (D11). A single nucleotide polymorphism (deletion) in the promoter region of GNS4 reduced its expression level in the mutant, leading to reduced grain number and smaller grains. Morphological and cellular analyses suggested that GNS4 positively regulates grain size by promoting cell elongation. Overexpression of GNS4 significantly increased organ size, 1000-grain weight, and panicle size, and subsequently enhanced grain yields in both the Nipponbare and Wuyunjing7 (a high-yielding cultivar) backgrounds. These results suggest that GNS4 is key target gene with possible applications in rice yield breeding.

Conclusion

GNS4 was identified as a positive regulator of grain number and grain size in rice. Increasing the expression level of this gene in a high-yielding rice variety enhanced grain yield. GNS4 can be targeted in breeding programs to increase yields.