Genome-wide scanning to identify and validate single nucleotide polymorphism markers associated with drought tolerance in spring wheat seedlings

Unlike other growth stages of wheat, very few studies on drought tolerance have been done at the seedling stage, and this is due to the complexity and sensitivity of this stage to drought stress resulting from climate change. As a result, the drought tolerance of wheat seedlings is poorly understood and very few genes associated with drought tolerance at this stage were identified. To address this challenge, a set of 172 spring wheat genotypes representing 20 different countries was evaluated under drought stress at the seedling stage. Drought stress was applied on all tested genotypes by water withholding for 13 days. Two types of traits, namely morphological and physiological traits were scored on the leaves of all tested genotypes. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) is one of the effective genetic analysis methods that was used to identify target single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and candidate genes for later use in marker-assisted selection. The tested plant materials were genotyped using 25k Infinium iSelect array (25K) (herein after it will be identified as 25K) (for 172 genotypes) and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) (for 103 genotypes), respectively. The results of genotyping revealed 21,093 25K and 11,362 GBS-SNPs, which were used to perform GWAS analysis for all scored traits. The results of GWAS revealed that 131 and 55 significant SNPs were controlling morphological and physiological traits, respectively. Moreover, a total of eight and seven SNP markers were found to be associated with more than one morphological and physiological trait under drought stress, respectively. Remarkably, 10 significant SNPs found in this study were previously reported for their association with drought tolerance in wheat. Out of the 10 validated SNP markers, four SNPs were associated with drought at the seedling stage, while the remaining six SNPs were associated with drought stress at the reproductive stage. Moreover, the results of gene enrichment revealed 18 and six pathways as highly significant biological and molecular pathways, respectively. The selection based on drought-tolerant alleles revealed 15 genotypes with the highest number of different drought-tolerant alleles. These genotypes can be used as candidate parents in future breeding programs to produce highly drought-tolerant genotypes with high genetic diversity. Our findings in this study provide novel markers and useful information on the genetic basis of drought tolerance at early growth stages.

Integrating social determinants of health in medical education: a bibliometric analysis study

OBJECTIVES

Social determinants of health (SDH) are the prevalent enablers of health among populations, and integrating them in medical education will advance clinical care by integrating social and economic risk data into medical diagnosis and treatment. Despite the numerous publications on SDH and medical education, the publication trends are not known. The study aims to analyse publication trends in integrating SDH into medical education and the corresponding thematic areas.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a bibliometric analysis study.

METHODS

Bibliometric was used. Data from Scopus databases from January 2006 to June 2023 were retrieved with no language restriction. VOSviewer software was used for analysis. Bibliographic coupling was used to identify the clusters of published literature on the integration of SDH into medical education, followed by the analysis of annual distribution and growth trends, authors and co-author relationships and collaborations.

RESULTS

A total of 1047 articles were retrieved. The annual research publication exhibited a swift surge in the studies conducted during the reviewed period. Five clusters of information were derived: relating to curriculum development, community engagement and service-learning, stakeholder collaborations, development of assessment methods and tools for SDH, and the impact of integrating SDH into medical education.

CONCLUSION

Bibliometric analysis has revealed a growing trend in the field of integrating SDH into medical education, and the study has highlighted the research impact through bibliographic coupling by identifying the five thematic areas. This study lays a foundation for advancing knowledge on what has been published and possible areas for improvement in the integration of SDH into medical education.

Regulation of uterus and placenta remodeling under high estradiol levels in gestational diabetes mellitus models†

The present study aimed to investigate the regulation of placentas and uterus remodeling and involvement of estradiol in gestational diabetes mellitus. To achieve this, we established in vitro and in vivo models for gestational diabetes mellitus placentas by culturing human placental choriocarcinoma cells (BeWo) under hyperglycemic concentration and treating pregnant rats with streptozotocin. We evaluated the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins. The expression of the anti-angiogenic factor, excess placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 was increased in our in vitro gestational diabetes mellitus model compared with the control. Moreover, the expressions of placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and the von Willebrand factor were also significantly elevated in the placenta of streptozotocin-treated rats. These data indicate the disruption of angiogenesis in the gestational diabetes mellitus placentas. The expression levels of connexin 43, a component of the gap junction and collagen type I alpha 2 chain, a component of the extracellular matrix, were decreased in the gestational diabetes mellitus uterus. These results suggest that uterus decidualization and placental angiogenesis are inhibited in gestational diabetes mellitus rats. Our results also showed upregulation of the expression of genes regulating estradiol synthesis as well as estrogen receptors in vivo models. Accordingly, the concentration of estradiol measured in the culture medium under hyperglycemic conditions, as well as in the serum and placenta of the streptozotocin-treated rats, was significantly elevated compared with the control groups. These results suggest that the dysregulated remodeling of the placenta and uterus may result in the elevation of estradiol and its signaling pathway in the gestational diabetes mellitus animal model to maintain pregnancy.

Screening Spring Wheat Genotypes for TaDreb-B1 and Fehw3 Genes under Severe Drought Stress at the Germination Stage Using KASP Technology

Drought stress is a major yield-limiting factor throughout the world in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), causing losses of up to 80% of the total yield. The identification of factors affecting drought stress tolerance in the seedling stage is especially important to increase adaptation and accelerate the grain yield potential. In the current study, 41 spring wheat genotypes were tested for their tolerance to drought at the germination stage under two different polyethylene glycol concentrations (PEG) of 25% and 30%. For this purpose, twenty seedlings from each genotype were evaluated in triplicate with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a controlled growth chamber. The following nine parameters were recorded: germination pace (GP), germination percentage (G%), number of roots (NR), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot-root length ratio (SRR), fresh biomass weight (FBW), dry biomass weight (DBW), and water content (WC). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) among the genotypes, treatments (PEG25%, PEG30%) and genotypes × treatment interaction, for all traits. The broad-sense heritability (H2) estimates were very high in both concentrations. They ranged from 89.4 to 98.9% under PEG25% and from 70.8 to 98.7% under PEG30%. Citr15314 (Afghanistan) was among the best performing genotypes under both concentrations for most of the germination traits. Two KASP markers for TaDreb-B1 and Fehw3 genes were used to screen all genotypes and to study the effect of these on drought tolerance at the germination stage. All genotypes with Fehw3 (only) showed a better performance for most traits under both concentrations compared to other genotypes having TaDreb-B1 or having both genes. To our knowledge, this work is the first report showing the effect of the two genes on germination traits under severe drought stress conditions.

Genetic and morpho-physiological analyses of the tolerance and recovery mechanisms in seedling stage spring wheat under drought stress

Drought is one of the complex abiotic stresses that affect the growth and production of wheat in arid and semiarid countries. In this study, a set of 172 diverse spring wheat genotypes from 20 different countries were assessed under drought stress at the seedling stage. Besides seedling length, two types of traits were recorded, namely: tolerance traits (days to wilting, leaf wilting, and the sum of leaf wilting), and recovery traits (days to regrowth, regrowth biomass, and drought survival rate). In addition, tolerance index, recovery index, and drought tolerance index (DTI) were estimated to select the most drought tolerant genotypes. Moreover, leaf protein content (P), amino acid (AM), proline content (PRO), glucose (G), fructose (F), and total soluble carbohydrates (TSC) were measured under control and drought conditions to study the changes in each physiological trait due to drought stress. All genotypes showed a high significant genetic variation in all the physio-morphological traits scored under drought stress. High phenotypic and genotypic correlations were found among all seedling morphological traits. Among the studied indices, the drought tolerance index (DTI) had the highest phenotypic and genotypic correlations with all tolerance and recovery traits. The broad-sense heritability (H²) estimates were high for morphological traits (83.85–92.27), while the physiological traits ranged from 96.41 to 98.68 under the control conditions and from 97.13 to 99.99 under drought stress. The averages of the physiological traits (proteins, amino acids, proline, glucose, fructose, and total soluble carbohydrates) denoted under drought stress were higher than those recorded under well-watered conditions except for proteins. In this regard, amino acids, glucose, and total soluble carbohydrates had a significant correlation with all morphological traits. The selection for drought tolerance revealed 10 tolerant genotypes from different countries (8 genotypes from Egypt, one from Morocco, and one from the United States). These selected genotypes were screened for the presence of nine specific TaDREB1 alleles. Six primers were polymorphic among the selected genotypes. Genetic diversity among the selected genotypes was investigated using 21,450 SNP markers. The results of the study shed light on the different mechanisms for drought tolerance that wheat plants use to tolerate and survive under drought stress. The genetic analysis performed in this study suggested the most suitable genotypes for selective breeding at the seedling stage under water deficit.

Differential Expressions of Aquaporin Subtypes in the Adult Mouse Testis

Many efforts have been made to study the expression of aquaporins (AQP) in the mammalian reproductive system, but there are not enough data available regarding their localized expression to fully understand their specific roles in male reproduction. The present study investigated the expression and localization patterns of different AQP subtypes in the adult mouse testes and testicular spermatozoa using an immunofluorescence assay. All the studied AQPs were expressed in the testes and revealed subtype-specific patterns in the intensity and localization depending on the cell types of the testes. AQP7 was the most abundant and intensive AQP subtype in the seminiferous tubules, expressing in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells as well as all stages of germ cells, especially the spermatids and testicular spermatozoa. The expression pattern of AQP3 was similar to that of AQP7, but with higher expression in the basal and lower adluminal compartments rather than the upper adluminalcompartment. AQP8 expression was limited to the spermatogonia and Leydig cells whereas AQP9 expression was exclusive to tails of the testicular spermatozoa and elongated spermatids. Taken together, the abundance and distribution of the AQPs across the different cell types in the testes indicating to their relavance in spermatogenesis, as well as in sperm maturation, transition, and function.

Inhibitory effects and underlying mechanisms of Artemisia capillaris essential oil on melanogenesis in the B16F10 cell line

The present study investigated the anti-melanogenic activity of 10 essential oils using the B16F10 cell model. Initially, a wide range of concentrations of these essential oils were screened in order to determine their toxicity levels. The assigned non-toxic concentrations of the tested essential oils were then used to evaluate their effects on melanogenesis. The effects of the essential oils with potent anti-melanogenic activity on cell proliferation, protection against H₂O₂-induced cell death and the expression of certain melanogenesis-related genes, including MITF, tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2 were also evaluated. The results revealed that the essential oils extracted from Citrus unshiu, Juniperus chinensis L., Zanthoxylum piperitum and Artemisia capillaris (A. capillaris) inhibited melanogenesis. However, among these four extracts, only A. capillaris extract enhanced cell proliferation, exhibited anti-H₂O₂ activities and decreased the expression level of TRP-1. It was demonstrated that A. capillaris extract inhibited melanin synthesis via the downregulation of the TRP-1 translational level. These essential oil extracts, particularly that of A. capillaris, may thus be used as natural anti-melanogenic agents for therapeutic purposes and in the cosmetic industry for skin whitening effects with beneficial proliferative properties. However, further studies using in vivo models are required to validate these findings and to examine the effects of these extracts on various molecular pathways.

Mechanical Properties of Bisacryl-, Composite-, and Ceramic-resin Restorative Materials

OBJECTIVE

Resin-based materials used in restorative dentistry are introduced at a fast pace with limited knowledge about their properties. Comparing properties of these materials from different restorative categories is lacking but can help the clinician in material selection. This study aimed to compare mechanical properties and wear resistance of bis-acryl-, composite-, and ceramic-resin restorative materials.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Bisacryl-resin (Bis-R, LuxaCrown, DMG), composite-resin (Com-R, Filtek Supreme Ultra, 3M Oral Care), and ceramic-resin (Cer-R, Enamic, VITA Zahnfabrik) specimens were prepared for mechanical tests: fracture toughness (FT) with and without initial thermomechanical loading using a mastication simulator, flexural strength (FS), and flexural modulus (FM), compressive strength (CS), and volumetric wear loss measurement. The datasets for FT and wear resistance were each analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by pairwise comparisons or Tukey testing as appropriate. The datasets for FS, FM, and CS were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test.

RESULTS

Analysis of FS, FM, and CS showed significant differences between materials, with all pairwise comparisons between materials showing significance. Analysis of FT resulted in a significant interaction between the material and treatment, with analysis of wear loss showing a significant interaction between the material and the number of cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

Cer-R demonstrated superior FT, CS, and wear resistance compared to Bis-R and Comp-R materials. Fracture toughness of Bis-R increased after thermomechanical loading.

Cross-talk between apelin and vasopressin in response to different osmotic stimuli in type 2 diabetic rats

Apelin, a peptide hormone that has been linked to insulin resistance, obesity and glucose metabolism, coexists with arginine vasopressin (AVP) in hypothalamic magnocellular neurons that control body fluid homeostasis. The significant correlation between serum glucose and serum osmolarity in uncontrolled DM indicates the need for adequate compensation, but how apelin and AVP contribute to this is still unsettled. This study aims to investigate the interaction between apelin and AVP in osmotic regulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to explore the underlying mechanism. Forty-eight adult male albino rats were divided into six groups: control (isotonic, ip 0.9% NaCl; hypotonic, ip distilled water; hypertonic, ip 2% NaCl) groups and T2DM (isotonic, hypotonic, hypertonic) groups. Serum levels of AVP, apelin, Na, glucose, serum and urine osmolarity were measured; kidney samples were taken for Aquaporin 2 channels (AQP2) and epithelial sodium channel gamma subunit (ENaCγ) gene expression. Hypothalamic tissue sections were used for immunohistochemical staining of apelin and AVP. Both in control and diabetic groups serum apelin, showed a significant negative correlation with serum AVP (r=-0.533, p≤ 0.001). Serum apelin and AVP were inversely proportional to their hypothalamic protein expression. Serum apelin and AVP were significantly higher in diabetic rats (P= 0.001) yet their percentage change in response to hypo and hyper-osmotic stimuli (1.5±0.7, -0.34±0.15 and -0.38±0.13, 1.95±0.36, respectively) was less pronounced when compared to control rats (3.28±0.52, -0.59±0.12 and -0.45±0.13, 2.58±0.93, respectively). Na and ENaCγ levels significantly increased in hypertonic rats, while AQP2 gene expression significantly increased in hypotonic rats. Both apelin and AVP reacted to osmotic stimuli in T2DM but with less sensitivity than in control rats. In spite of its abnormal increased levels in diabetic rats, apelin maintained its role through counteracting AVP action.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin can alter the sex ratio of embryos with decreased viability of Y spermatozoa in mice

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a reproductive and developmental toxicant that can alter the sex ratio of offspring (proportion of male offspring). We hypothesized that the alteration of sex ratio is associated with sex chromosome ratio of live spermatozoa affected by exposure to TCDD. After exposure to TCDD we analyzed simultaneously sperm sex chromosome constitution and viability, and evaluated sperm sex chromosome ratio association with embryo sex ratio in mice. Short-term exposure to TCDD affects the decreased sperm motility and viability, and the increased acrosome reaction. Interestingly, Y spermatozoa survived shorter than X spermatozoa at high concentrations of TCDD. Moreover, the decreased sex ratio of embryos was associated with the short lifespan of Y spermatozoa. Our results suggest that TCDD may affect the fertility of Y spermatozoa more than X spermatozoa. Further studies are needed to compare the difference of fertilizing capability between X and Y spermatozoa by the effect of TCDD.

N-acetylcysteine versus progesterone on the cisplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin-induced peripheral nerve neurotoxicity (CIPN) is the main obstacle in cisplatin treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the modulatory effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and progesterone on CIPN, because there are scarce literature data on the protective effect of the proge-sterone on the CIPN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: control, cisplatin-treated, concomitant cisplatin-treated and NAC-treated, and concomitant cisplatin-treated and progesterone-treated. Electron microscopic, immunohistochemical, real time polymerase chain reaction and histomorphome-tric analysis; oxidative/antioxidative markers (MDA/GSH and SOD), neurotoxic/ neuroprotective markers (iNOS/nNOS), inflammatory mediators (TNF-a and NF-kB) and BAX were done.

RESULTS

The myelin sheath in the cisplatin-treated group elucidated infolding. The myelin was disfigured, degenerated, and extensively split with areas of focal loss. The axoplasm was atrophic. Ballooning and vacuolations of the mitochon-dria with alterations of Remak bundles structures were observed. Fewer of these changes were noted in the NAC and progesterone-treated groups. Decrease of the antioxidant SOD and GSH (81% and 64%) and increase of the oxidant MDA (9 folds), increment of the neurotoxic iNOS (1.9 folds) and decrement of the neuroprotective nNOS (64%) and elevation of the inflammatory mediators' TNF-a and NF-kB (8.3 and 11 folds) in the cisplatin-treated group. Increase of the antioxidant SOD (1.3 and 2.5 folds) and GSH (120% and 79%) and decrease of the oxidant MDA (69% and 88%), decrement of the neurotoxic iNOS (56% and 68%) and increment of the neuroprotective nNOS (1.6 and one folds) and elevation of the inflammatory mediators' TNF-a and NF-kB were observed in the NAC and progesterone-treated groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The toxic effect of CIPN might be attributed to either oxidative or severe inflammatory stress. Progesterone is efficient in ameliorating these effects; however, NAC is better. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 234-245).

Molecular Characterization of Fusarium Solani Degrades a Mixture of Low and High Molecular Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Objectives:

This study evaluates the ability of a non-white rot fungus strain, HESHAM-1, to degrade a mixture of low (naphthalene and phenanthrene) and high (chrysene and benzo(a)pyrene) molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (LMW and HMW PAHs).

Methods:

Strain HESHAM-1 was isolated from oil polluted soil by enrichment method using phenanthrene as the sole source of carbon and energy. The strain showed the ability to tolerate and degrade a mixture of both low and high molecular weight PAHs. In the presences of LMW-PAHs (naphthalene and phenanthrene) as co-substrate, chrysene and benzo(a)pyrene (HMW-PAHs) were, respectively degraded by the fungus strain HESHAM-1 which was confirmed by GC-MS analyses.

Results:

The degradation rate was found as 84.82% for naphthalene, 40.09% for phenanthrene, 57.84% for chrysene and 71.06% for benzo(a)pyrene at the end of 10 days. This is the first report describing the biodegradation of a mixture of four PAH compounds by non-white rot fungus strain HESHAM-1 isolated from Egyptian oil-polluted soil. The fungus strain HESHAM-1 was identified by morphological characteristics and molecular genetics technique based on PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) of the rDNA region and intervening 5.8S rRNA gene. Blast result and phylogenetic analysis of gene sequencing suggested that strain HESHAM-1 was closely related toFusarium solaniwith 100% sequence identity.

Conclusion:

The present study clearly demonstrates that, strain HESHAM-1 could be used to remove the crude oil from the environment.

Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with a Prosthetic Mechanical Heart Valve

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy is associated with several cardiocirculatory changes that can significantly impact underlying cardiac disease. These changes include an increase in cardiac output, sodium, and water retention leading to blood volume expansion, and reductions in systemic vascular resistance and systemic blood pressure. In addition, pregnancy results in a hypercoagulable state that increases the risk of thromboembolic complications.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to assess the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves (PHVs).

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study that included 100 pregnant patients with cardiac mechanical valve prostheses on anticoagulant therapy. The main maternal outcomes included thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications, prosthetic valve thrombosis, and acute decompensated heart failure. Fetal outcomes included miscarriage, fetal death, live birth, small-for-gestational age, and warfarin embryopathy. The relationship between the following were observed:

– Maternal and fetal complications and the site of the replaced valve (mitral, aortic, or double)

– Maternal and fetal complications and warfarin dosage (≤5 mg, >5 mg)

– Maternal and fetal complications and the type of anticoagulation administered during the first trimester

RESULTS

This study included 60 patients (60%) with mitral valve replacement (MVR), 22 patients (22%) with aortic valve replacement (AVR), and 18 patients (18%) with double valve replacement (DVR). A total of 65 patients (65%) received >5 mg of oral anticoagulant (warfarin), 33 patients (33%) received ≤5 mg of warfarin, and 2 patients (2%) received low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH; enoxaparin sodium) throughout the pregnancy. A total of 17 patients (17%) received oral anticoagulant (warfarin) during the first trimester: 9 patients received a daily warfarin dose of >5 mg while the remaining 8 patients received a daily dose of ≤5 mg. Twenty-eight patients (28%) received subcutaneous (SC) heparin calcium and 53 patients (53%) received SC LMWH (enoxaparin sodium). Prosthetic valve thrombosis occurred more frequently in patients with MVR (P = 0.008). Postpartum hemorrhage was more common in patients with aortic valve prostheses than in patients with mitral valve prostheses (P = 0.005). The incidence of perinatal death was higher in patients with AVR (P = 0.014). The incidence of live birth was higher in patients with DVR (P = 0.012). The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was higher in patients who received a daily dose of >5 mg of warfarin than in patients who received ≤5 mg of warfarin (P = 0.05). The incidence of spontaneous abortion was also higher in patients receiving >5 mg of warfarin (P ≤ 0.001), while the incidence of live births was higher in patients receiving ≤5 mg of warfarin (P = 0.008). There was a statistically significant difference between the anticoagulant received during the first trimester and cardiac outcomes. Specifically, patients on heparin developed more heart failure (P = 0.008), arrhythmias (P = 0.008), and endocarditis (P = 0.016). There was a statistically significant relationship between heparin shifts during the first trimester and spontaneous abortion (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Warfarin use during the first trimester is safer for the mother but is associated with more fetal loss, especially in doses that exceed 5 mg. The incidence of maternal complications is greater in women who receive LMWH or unfractionated heparin during the first trimester, especially prosthetic valve thrombosis, although the fetal outcome is better because heparin does not cross the placenta.

Solar drying of whole mint plant under natural and forced convection

Two identical prototype solar dryers (direct and indirect) having the same dimensions were used to dry whole mint. Both prototypes were operated under natural and forced convection modes. In the case of the later one the ambient air was entered the dryer with the velocity of 4.2 m s⁻¹. The effect of flow mode and the type of solar dryers on the drying kinetics of whole mint were investigated. Ten empirical models were used to fit the drying curves; nine of them represented well the solar drying behavior of mint. The results indicated that drying of mint under different operating conditions occurred in the falling rate period, where no constant rate period of drying was observed. Also, the obtained data revealed that the drying rate of mint under forced convection was higher than that of mint under natural convection, especially during first hours of drying (first day). The values of the effective diffusivity coefficient for the mint drying ranged between 1.2 × 10⁻¹¹ and 1.33 × 10⁻¹¹ m² s⁻¹.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A polymorphism and risk of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus viremia in kidney allograft recipients

BACKGROUND

Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) causes Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman's disease in immunocompromised patients including allograft recipients. Detection of KSHV DNA in blood, as well as host genetic polymorphisms has been found to be associated with an increased risk for KS. We investigated an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene region and KSHV viremia in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

In total, 152 KTR who have survived kidney transplantation for at least 6 months were included in the study. KSHV viremia was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping of SNPs in the VEGFA region was performed by PCR and direct sequencing, as well as by restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

KSHV DNA was detected in 28.9% (n = 44) of the study population. The A-allele at position C172A VEGFA gene promoter region was found to be associated with KSHV viremia (odd ratio [OR] = 4.8, P = 0.005). In addition, the G-allele at position C+405G in the 5'-untranslated region was associated with KSHV viremia in women, but not in men (OR = 3.98, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest an association of VEGFA polymorphisms with KSHV viremia among KTR in this study population. A limitation of our study is that the results can only be predicated for patients 6 months after kidney transplantation and should be validated in another cohort with larger sample size.

Metabolomic profiling and antioxidant activity of some Acacia species

Metabolomic profiling of different parts (leaves, flowers and pods) of Acacia species (Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal and Acacia laeta) was evaluated. The multivariate data analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to differentiate the distribution of plant metabolites among different species or different organs of the same species. A. nilotica was characterized with a high content of saponins and A. seyal was characterized with high contents of proteins, phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins. A. laeta had a higher content of carbohydrates than A. nilotica and A. seyal. On the basis of these results, total antioxidant capacity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and reducing power of the methanolic extracts of studied parts were evaluated. A. nilotica and A. seyal extracts showed less inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) compared to A. laeta extracts which means that these two species have the strongest radical scavenging activity whereas A. laeta extracts have the lowest radical scavenging activity. A positive correlation between saponins and flavonoids with total antioxidant capacity and DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed. Based on these results, the potentiality of these plants as antioxidants was discussed.

Impact of an educational programme on knowledge, beliefs, practices and expectations about care among adolescent glaucoma patients in Cairo

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of an educational programme on knowledge, beliefs, practices and expectations towards glaucoma and eye care among adolescent patients with glaucoma. A purposive sample of 50 patients with glaucoma aged 12-18 years, attending ophthalmology outpatient clinics in Cairo, Egypt, were given an educational programme focusing on information about glaucoma, correcting patients' incorrect beliefs and expectations, and demonstrations and retraining about eye care. A range of tools was used to assess patients before and after the programme: questionnaire, observation checklist, physical assessment sheet, childrens' depression scale, children manifest anxiety scale, self-esteem inventory and patients' expectations scale. The programme significantly improved patients' knowledge and beliefs about glaucoma and their practices and expectations concerning eye care. Innovative educational programmes about eye diseases are needed to improve patients' knowledge and practices.

Capacitation status of stored boar spermatozoa is related to litter size of sows

Semen parameters can be considered useful predictors of sperm fertility. The objective of this study was to address the question of whether differences in in vivo fertility after the use of different ejaculates could be predicted using sperm kinematics, capacitation status, and sperm penetration ability under commercial pig production conditions. The percentage of capacitated sperm, as assessed by chlortetracycline (CTC) staining, was positively correlated with litter size (p<0.01). Our data suggest that litter size increases in proportion to the number of capacitated spermatozoa. When all semen parameters (kinematics, sperm capacitation status, and sperm penetration ability) and litter size were included in a multiple linear regression analysis, significant associations were found between the percentage of capacitated sperm (B-type), the sperm fertility index as assessed by a sperm penetration assay (SPA), and litter size. This relationship between capacitated sperm and litter size, however, was more predictive for smaller litter groups than larger ones. We found that the percentage of B-type sperm was significantly correlated with historic average litter size. However, there was no significant correlation between the percentage of B-type sperm and historic farrowing rates. To determine the normal range for B-type sperm, the lower limits were established as 30% for small litters (<8 piglets) and 35% for large litters. The overall accuracy of the assay was 92% and 83% for small and large litters, respectively. These results indicate that capacitation status as measured by CTC staining is a useful predictor of sperm fertility, equivalent to SPA. Moreover, original capacitation status exhibited better predictive ability for small litters than for large ones. Therefore, subfertile boars can be identified primarily by capacitation status.

Study of the relationship between electrical and magnetic properties and Jahn-Teller distortion in R(0.7)Ca(0.3)Mn(0.95)Fe(0.05)O(3) perovskites

In this work structural, magnetic and electrical properties of R(0.7)Ca(0.3)Mn(0.95)Fe(0.05)O(3) (R = Pr and Nd) perovskite manganites are presented. Structural characterization of these compounds shows that both have orthorhombic (Pbnm) phase. The Mössbauer spectra show clear evidence of the local structural distortion of the Mn(Fe)O(6) octahedron on the basis of non-zero nuclear quadrupole interactions for high-spin Fe(3+) ions. It was found that the local structural distortion decreases significantly on replacing Pr(3+) by Nd(3+). This replacement dependence of the Jahn-Teller coupling strength estimated from the Mössbauer results was found to be consistent with the electrical and magnetic properties.