Genomic regions involved in the control of 1,000-kernel weight in wild relative-derived populations of durum wheat

Terminal drought is one of the most common and devastating climatic stress factors affecting durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) production worldwide. The wild relatives of this crop are deemed a vast potential source of useful alleles to adapt to this stress. A nested association mapping (NAM) panel was generated using as a recurrent parent the Moroccan variety 'Nachit' derived from Triticum dicoccoides and known for its large grain size. This was recombined to three top-performing lines derived from T. dicoccoides, T. araraticum, and Aegilops speltoides, for a total of 426 inbred progenies. This NAM was evaluated across eight environments (Syria, Lebanon, and Morocco) experiencing different degrees of terminal moisture stress over two crop seasons. Our results showed that drought stress caused on average 41% loss in yield and that 1,000-kernel weight (TKW) was the most important trait for adaptation to it. Genotyping with the 25K TraitGenetics array resulted in a consensus map of 1,678 polymorphic SNPs, spanning 1,723 cM aligned to the reference 'Svevo' genome assembly. Kinship distinguished the progenies in three clades matching the parent of origin. A total of 18 stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified as controlling various traits but independent from flowering time. The most significant genomic regions were named Q.ICD.NAM-04, Q.ICD.NAM-14, and Q.ICD.NAM-16. Allelic investigation in a second germplasm panel confirmed that carrying the positive allele at all three loci produced an average TKW advantage of 25.6% when field-tested under drought conditions. The underlying SNPs were converted to Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers and successfully validated in a third germplasm set, where they explained up to 19% of phenotypic variation for TKW under moisture stress. These findings confirm the identification of critical loci for drought adaptation derived from wild relatives that can now be readily exploited via molecular breeding.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice with respect to antibiotic use among pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Antibiotic resistance is a major health threat and efforts should be intensified to reduce its burden. Healthcare providers, especially pharmacists, can be actively involved in the reduction of antibiotic resistance. However, negative practices among pharmacists have been observed. This study evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among Jordanian pharmacy students.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire that was developed and distributed to Jordanian pharmacy students from five different universities. KAP scores were calculated, with students categorized into low and high levels based on each score mean.

RESULTS

A total of 890 pharmacy students completed the questionnaire. High positive response rate (PR%) for the majority of the knowledge items was observed, exceeding 60% in all knowledge items, and similar PR% was observed in attitude items. The variables significantly associated with attitude were age [OR=0.92 (95% CI 0.87: 0.98), p=0.01] and knowledge [OR=1.35 (95% CI 1.01:1.82), p=0.04], while knowledge was significantly associated with practice [OR=0.23 (95% CI 0.16:0.31), p<0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

Jordanian pharmacy students showed adequate KAP toward the use of antibiotics although several aspects of malpractice were identified. Hence, adequate knowledge about antibiotics among pharmacy students should be ensured as knowledge is associated with attitudes and practices.

The photoprotective properties of α-tocopherol phosphate against long-wave UVA1 (385 nm) radiation in keratinocytes in vitro

UVA1 radiation (340–400 nm), especially longwave UVA1 (> 370 nm), is often ignored when assessing sun protection due to its low sunburning potential, but it generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is poorly attenuated by sunscreens. This study aimed to investigate if α-tocopherol phosphate, (α-TP) a promising new antioxidant, could protect against long-wave UVA1 induced cell death and scavenge UVA1 induced ROS in a skin cell model. HaCaT keratinocyte cell viability (24 h) was assessed with Alamar Blue and Neutral Red assays. The metabolism of α-TP into α-T, assessed using mass spectrometry, and the compound's radical scavenging efficacy, assessed by the dichlorodihydrofluorescein (H2DCFDA) ROS detection assay, was monitored in HaCaTs. The mechanism of α-TP ROS scavenging was determined using non-cell based DPPH and ORAC assays. In HaCaT keratinocytes, irradiated with 226 J/cm² UVA1 in low-serum (2%, starved) cell culture medium, pretreatment with 80 µM α-TP significantly enhanced cell survival (88%, Alamar Blue) compared to control, whereas α-T pre-treatment had no effect survival (70%, Alamar Blue). Pre-treatment of cells with 100 μM α-TP or 100 μM α-T before 57 J/cm² UVA1 also significantly reduced ROS generation over 2 h (24.1% and 23.9% respectively) compared to the control and resulted in α-TP bioconversion into α-T. As α-TP displayed weak antioxidant activity in the cell-free assays thus its photoprotection was assigned to its bioconversion to α-T by cellular phosphatases. Through this mechanism α-TP prevented long-wave UVA1 induced cell death and scavenged UVA1 induced ROS in skin cells when added to the starved cell culture medium before UVA1 exposure by bioconversion into α-T.

Evaluation Genetic Variation and Diversity of Grain Yield and Quality Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes for Low Input NPK Fertilizers.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1049255/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Determination of genetic variance in a large number of rice genotypes is an effective strategy for increasing yield. The goal of this research was to determine the genetic variability, phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) coefficients of variation, broad-sense heritability, expected genetic advance and multivariate analysis for eight rice grain quality and yield traits, in twenty Egyptian and exotic genotypes under low NPK fertilizer input levels at RRTC, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt and evaluated across two successive seasons. Results revealed highly significant mean squares for all traits. High estimates of both PCV and GCV were detected for grain elongation followed by gelatinization temperature and head rice. High estimates of heritability were noted for grain length, grain shape, hulling, milling, head rice, amylose content, grain elongation and grain yield. Results revealed that highly significant differences among different genotypes were observed for studied characteristics under different NPK levels. Cluster results revealed that genotypes from the same origin or taxonomy type were clustered together. Diversity analysis showed four clusters. Cluster I and III had maximum genotypes (70%) and Cluster IV showed the highest mean values for studied traits. The results revealed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 65.6% of the diversity between genotypes investigated. These findings show that some genotypes have a lot of diversity, indicating an opportunity to breed for low-input genotypes without sacrificing grain production and quality. GZ10590-1-3-3-2 and IET1444, both of which have high grain yield, can be employed as hybrid parents and could help with further genetic research for reduced NPK input.

Spectrum of mutations underlying Propionic acidemia and further insight into a genotype-phenotype correlation for the common mutation in Saudi Arabia

Propionic acidemia (PA) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder. PA is characterized by deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme propionyl CoA carboxylase (PCC) that results in the accumulation of propionic acid. Alpha and beta subunits of the PCC enzyme are encoded by the PCCA and PCCB genes, respectively. Pathogenic variants in PCCA or PCCB disrupt the function of the PCC enzyme preventing the proper breakdown of certain amino acids and metabolites. To determine the frequency of pathogenic variants in PA in our population, 84 Saudi Arabian patients affected with PA were sequenced for both the PCCA and PCCB genes. We found that variants in PCCA accounted for 81% of our cohort (68 patients), while variants in PCCB only accounted for 19% (16 patients). In total, sixteen different sequence variants were detected in the study, where 7 were found in PCCA and 9 in PCCB. The pathogenic variant (c.425G > A; p.Gly142Asp) in PCCA is the most common cause of PA in our cohort and was found in 59 families (70.2%), followed by the frameshift variant (c.990dupT; p.E331Xfs*1) in PCCB that was found in 7 families (8.3%). The p.Gly142Asp missense variant is likely to be a founder pathogenic variant in patients of Saudi Arabian tribal origin and is associated with a severe phenotype. All variants were inherited in a homozygous state except for one family who was compound heterozygous. A total of 11 novel pathogenic variants were detected in this study thereby increasing the known spectrum of pathogenic variants in the PCCA and PCCB genes.

Phenotypic characterization of KCTD3-related developmental epileptic encephalopathy

The association between KCTD3 gene and neurogenetic disorders has only been published recently. In this report, we describe the clinical phenotype associated with 2 pathogenic variants in KCTD3 gene. Seven individuals (including one set of monozygotic twin) from 4 consanguineous families presented with developmental epileptic encephalopathy, global developmental delay, central hypotonia, progressive peripheral hypertonia, and variable dysmorphic facial features. Posterior fossa abnormalities (ranging from Dandy-Walker malformation to isolated hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis) were consistently observed in addition to other variable neuroradiological abnormalities such as hydrocephalus and abnormal brain myelination. One patient also had a multicystic kidney. Whole exome sequencing revealed 2 probably pathogenic homozygous variants in KCTD3 gene that fully segregated with the disease. KCTD3 gene belongs to a family of accessory subunits that regulate the biophysical properties of ion channels, and is highly expressed in the kidney and brain. In this largest series to date on KCTD3-mutated patients, we show that biallelic loss of function mutations in KCTD3 lead to a consistent phenotype of developmental epileptic encephalopathy and abnormal cerebellum on brain imaging.

Clinical genomics expands the morbid genome of intellectual disability and offers a high diagnostic yield

Intellectual disability (ID) is a measurable phenotypic consequence of genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we prospectively assessed the diagnostic yield of genomic tools (molecular karyotyping, multi-gene panel and exome sequencing) in a cohort of 337 ID subjects as a first-tier test and compared it with a standard clinical evaluation performed in parallel. Standard clinical evaluation suggested a diagnosis in 16% of cases (54/337) but only 70% of these (38/54) were subsequently confirmed. On the other hand, the genomic approach revealed a likely diagnosis in 58% (n=196). These included copy number variants in 14% (n=54, 15% are novel), and point mutations revealed by multi-gene panel and exome sequencing in the remaining 43% (1% were found to have Fragile-X). The identified point mutations were mostly recessive (n=117, 81%), consistent with the high consanguinity of the study cohort, but also X-linked (n=8, 6%) and de novo dominant (n=19, 13%). When applied directly on all cases with negative molecular karyotyping, the diagnostic yield of exome sequencing was 60% (77/129). Exome sequencing also identified likely pathogenic variants in three novel candidate genes (DENND5A, NEMF and DNHD1) each of which harbored independent homozygous mutations in patients with overlapping phenotypes. In addition, exome sequencing revealed de novo and recessive variants in 32 genes (MAMDC2, TUBAL3, CPNE6, KLHL24, USP2, PIP5K1A, UBE4A, TP53TG5, ATOH1, C16ORF90, SLC39A14, TRERF1, RGL1, CDH11, SYDE2, HIRA, FEZF2, PROCA1, PIANP, PLK2, QRFPR, AP3B2, NUDT2, UFC1, BTN3A2, TADA1, ARFGEF3, FAM160B1, ZMYM5, SLC45A1, ARHGAP33 and CAPS2), which we highlight as potential candidates on the basis of several lines of evidence, and one of these genes (SLC39A14) was biallelically inactivated in a potentially treatable form of hypermanganesemia and neurodegeneration. Finally, likely causal variants in previously published candidate genes were identified (ASTN1, HELZ, THOC6, WDR45B, ADRA2B and CLIP1), thus supporting their involvement in ID pathogenesis. Our results expand the morbid genome of ID and support the adoption of genomics as a first-tier test for individuals with ID.

Biodegradable/biocompatible coated metal implants for orthopedic applications

Biocompatible metals have been suggested as revolutionary biomaterials for bone-grafting therapies. Although metals and their alloys are widely and successfully used in producing biomedical implants due to their good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, they have a lack in bioactivity. Therefore coating of the metal surface with calcium phosphates (CaP) is a benign way to achieve well bioactivity and get controlled corrosion properties. The biocompatibility and bioactivity calcium phosphates (CaP) in bone growth were guided them to biomedical treatment of bone defects and fractures. Many techniques have been used for fabrication of CaP coatings on metal substrates such as magnesium and titanium. The present review will focus on the synthesis of CaP and their relative forms using different techniques especially electrochemical techniques. The latter has always been known of its unique way of optimizing the process parameters that led to a control in the structure and characteristics of the produced materials.

Maternal obesity and malnourishment exacerbate perinatal oxidative stress resulting in diabetogenic programming in F1 offspring

The effect of in-utero environment on fetal health and survival is long-lasting, and this is known as the fetal origin hypothesis. The oxidative stress state during gestation could play a pivotal role in fetal programming and development of diseases such as diabetes. In this study, we investigated the effect of intra-uterine obesity and malnutrition on oxidative stress markers in pancreatic and peripheral tissues of F1 offspring both prenatally and postnatally. Furthermore, the effect of postnatal diet on oxidative stress profile was evaluated. The results indicated that intra-uterine obesity and malnourishment significantly increased oxidative stress in F1 offspring. Moreover, the programming effect of obesity was more pronounced and protracted than malnutrition. The obesity-induced programming of offspring tissues was independent of high-caloric environment that the offspring endured; however, high-caloric diet potentiated its effect. In addition, pancreas and liver were the most affected tissues by fetal reprogramming both prenatally and postnatally. In conclusion, maternal obesity and malnutrition-induced oxidative stress could predispose offspring to insulin resistance and diabetes.

Endometriosis: a possible cause of right shoulder pain

Although endometriosis is a common condition it can present with a wide range of symptoms. We report a case of chronic right hypochondrial and shoulder pain which proved to be due to endometriosis.

Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy: a successful outcome

Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy is rare condition. We are reporting a case where the ectopic component was treated successfully laparoscopically and the intrauterine pregnancy continued to term uneventfully.

Recurrent angiomyofibroblastoma of the vagina: a case report

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a rare tumour of the superficial soft tissue of the pelvis and perineum. It is considered to be a slowly growing benign tumour. In the literature no evidence of recurrence has been reported up to eight years following local excision. We report a recurrent case of this tumour with no evidence of malignant transformation.

Abnormal cervical smears in adolescents: a ten-year comparative study of demographic criteria and management

OBJECTIVE

Comparison of the demographic criteria and management of adolescents and other age groups referred to a colposcopy clinic with abnormal smears.

METHODS

Retrospective study of newly referred cases to a colposcopy clinic in a UK district general hospital between 1996 and 2005.

RESULTS

Most of the sociodemographic and sexual factors associated with HPV infection and cervical cancer were more obvious among adolescents than older women. There was a comparable incidence of high-grade cervical lesions in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A policy is needed to deal with adolescents who are exposed to all the risk factors associated with the development of HPV infection and high-grade cervical lesions. This has become an important issue for discussion recently in the UK after raising the age of onset of cervical screening to 25.

Short communication: Consensus on the management of obstetric cholestasis: National UK survey

An anonymous questionnaire was sent to the lead consultant obstetricians and the midwives in charge of the antenatal clinics of all maternity units in UK to determine their current views on the diagnosis and management of obstetric cholestasis (OC). The response rate was 60%. Management policies were broadly similar and consistent with those recommended in the current literature. However, the survey highlighted areas for improvement. Based on the findings of this survey, a consensus view of the management of OC in UK is achievable.

Evaluation of the role of day assessment unit in the management of pregnancy induced hypertension

This study is based on an audit designed to investigate observance of the guideline on pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and referral to the day assessment unit (DAU) at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. The audit included 60 patients; all were first time referrals, over a period of 4 months in 2003. The main sources of cases were the community (50%), followed by the antenatal clinic (ANC) 47%. The majority (67%) were referred with hypertension. A total of 28% had suspected symptomatic pre-eclampsia. About 94% of the patients were at >or= 32 weeks' gestation. After assessment in the unit, it was found that about 47% had a diastolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg and 77% had no proteinuria. Nearly all the cases referred with symptoms were found to be asymptomatic on review. The laboratory investigations were normal in over 92% of cases. In spite of these findings, 65% of patients were followed-up in ANC and DAU. The audit showed the need for the local guideline.

Seasonal variation of the lipoidal matters and hypolipidaemic activity of the red alga Corallina officinalis L

The lipoidal matters of Corallina officinalis L. showed a seasonal nonsignificant quantitative variation. However, the fatty acids revealed a relative increase in the summer and winter, while unsaponifiable matter exhibited a slight increase in the spring. The GC/MS analysis of saponifiable and unsaponifiable matter of the algal samples collected in different seasons revealed that samples collected in the spring contained a low cholesterol content and high steroidal compounds as well as high polyunsaturated fatty acids. The alcohol extract, hexane extract and fatty acid fraction of this algal sample exhibited a significant hypolipidaemic activity. Also, two biologically active fractions of hydrocarbons were isolated by CC technique from the hexane fraction of C. officinalis L. and identified by GC/MS.

Antimicrobial components of some cruciferae plants (Diplotaxis harra Forsk. and Erucaria microcarpa Boiss.)

The total herb of Diplotaxis harra Forsk. on treatment with myrosinase produces isopropyl isothiocyanate and 3- butenyl isothiocyanate in addition to (the non-volatile) 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl isothiocyanate which could be obtained as 5-vinyl-2-oxazolidinethione (goitrin) and methyl 4-isothiocyanatobutyrate (Erypestrin). On treating Erucaria microcarpa Boiss, herb with myrosinase, it produces isopropyl isothiocyanate, butyl isothiocyanate and benzyl isothiocyanate in addition to the non-volatile 8-methylsulphinyloctyl isothiocyanate (hirsutin). The plant extracts contain high percentages of arachidonic and palmitic acids, nonadecane, cholesterol, stigmasterol and B-sitosterol. The volatile constituents of D. harra and E. microcarpa showed higher activity against yeasts than Gram +ve, Gram -ve bacteria and fungi. The nonmethylated fatty acids of the two herbs showed higher activity against Gram +ve and Gram -ve bacteria than yeasts and fungi.

Hepato-protective effect of daturaolone isolated from Solanum arundo

The triterpene daturaolone was isolated for the first time from Solanum arundo Mattei. The structure has been elucidated by comparison of MS and 1H NMR spectra with the reported literature data, and was confirmed by 13C NMR. The compound proved its potency in reducing the harmful effects or in maintaining the normal hepatic physiological mechanisms in both acute and chronic hepato-toxic induced liver damage in rats.

Fundamental frequency stability in functional dysphonia

Functional dysphonia is a term applied to voice disorders for which there is an absence of apparent structural change in the larynx. The aim of this work was to investigate how functional dysphonia may differ acoustically from other types of dysphonia. Fundamental frequency profiles for steady vowels were generated using a software program called GLIMPES (Glottal Imaging by Processing External Signals). The fundamental frequency variations were found to be unimodal in normal individuals. In contrast, the variations for dysphonic patients were sometimes bi-modal or multi-modal due to the presence of subharmonics or low-frequency modulations. The appearance of these patterns was generally related to the severity of the dysphonia rather than to its etiology.

Ultrastructural features of vocal fold nodules and polyps

Earlier investigation did not show any clear distinctive pathological features that differentiate vocal polyps from vocal nodules. The light microscopic distinctive features between the two lesions point in the direction of a more pronounced epithelial reaction and a more fibrous stromal change in vocal nodules. In the present study, 19 vocal polyps and 11 vocal nodules were subjected to ultrastructural examination aiming at finding distinctive features that may be pathognomic for each of these clinically distinct entities. The study was carried out by EM Philips 400 T. The results demonstrate that nodules showed epithelial changes in the form of gaping of the intercellular junctions and absence of the basal lamina in parts. These changes are less apparent in polyps, whereas the stromal changes are more pronounced and varied. The significance of these results and their interpretation are discussed.

The essential oil of Apium graveolens var. secalinum and its cercaricidal activity

The composition of the essential oil of the fresh aerial parts of Apium graveolens var. secalinum at its flowering stage, obtained from three different locations in Egypt, was investigated. The identification of the components of this oil was carried out by means of analytical GC and GC-MS. The main components in the oil are: alpha- and beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, cis-beta-ocimene, gamma-terpinene, cis-allo-ocimene, trans-farnesene, humulene, apiol, beta-selinene, senkyunolide and neocnidilide. Data concerning the relative concentrations of the main components of the different celery oil samples are given. The cercaricidal effect of the essential oil has been examined on cercariae, being one of the stages in the life cycles of Schistosoma mansoni, which causes schistosomiasis. The essential oil showed in addition to a cercaricidal effect also a chemotactic effect.

Action of creatinol-O-phosphate on the contractility changes evoked by hypoxia and ischemia in rat isolated heart

The effect of creatinol-O-phosphate (N-methyl-N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)guanidine O-phosphate, creatinolfosfate, Aplodan) pretreatment has been studied on the recovery of contractility of rat isolated heart after hypoxia or ischemia. In normoxia creatinol-O-phosphate (100 mumol/l) evoked a positive inotropic effect only when glucose was present in the physiological solution, it also evoked a slight negative chronotropic effect that was independent of glucose. When creatinol-O-phosphate was present during hypoxia, in the physiological solution, the recovery of the contraction after reoxygenation (in the absence of the drug) was improved in a dose-dependent manner. When creatinol-O-phosphate was present in the physiological solution before ischemia, the recovery of the contractility after reperfusion was higher than in controls; the presence of creatinol-O-phosphate during reperfusion after ischemia accelerated the recovery of contractility. The action of creatinol-O-phosphate on the recovery of cardiac contractility after ischemia was also observed in hearts partially protected with a cardioplegic solution. It is suggested that creatinol-O-phosphate could exert its cardioprotective effect by an action on anaerobic glycolysis.