Seed germination and seedling growth of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties as influenced by different levels of sodium chloride

This experiment was conducted in the laboratory of plantation crops/Faculty of Agriculture/University Putra Malaysia in 2015 to evaluate salinity effects on seed germination percentage and some seedling growth traits of eight bread wheat cultivars and genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.). Salinity treatments were measured (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mM sodium chloride). Distilled water was added to control treatment for each cultivar for comparison. Data regarding germination percentage, water uptake (%), plumule and radicle length (cm), strong seed index and salt tolerance index were counted. Based on salt tolerance index, only one genotype (G8) fell in the tolerant class; three accessions (G1, G6 and G10) were moderately salt tolerant; one genotype (G2) was moderately salt susceptible and three accessions (Abo-Graib, Forat and Dijla) were salt susceptible. Results showed that increasing concentration of NaCl solution resulted in the gradual reduction in all studied parameters in all wheat varieties and genotypes. The G8 genotype showed significant superiority on the other genotypes and varieties in all traits above which can be used as an improved genotype against salt stress in breeding programmes, while the Abo-Graib gave the lowest rate under the probability level of significance of 0.05. These were positively and significantly (P≤0.01) correlated between the traits studied under six concentrations (mM) of NaCl stress except the relationship between germination percentage and each of water uptake, plumule length, radicle length, while strong seed index was positively but not significantly correleted. Whereas the correlation was positive and significant (P≤0.05) between water uptake and plumule length, radicle length and strong seed index

Effectiveness of some integrated disease management factors (IDM) on Fusarium wilt infected tomato

The study was conducted to investigate efficacy of Integrated disease management (IDM) viz., solarized soil, Trichoderma harzianum, spent mushroom compost and carbendazim on growth characteristics of infected tomato by Fusarial wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici) under pots conditions in the Bio-net house during 2013-2014. Seven treatments and five replicates were taken up in completed randomized design. Maximum shoot length, fresh and dry shoot weight were noticed in T4 (solarized soil+ Spent mushroom compost+ T. harzianum) 118.10 cm, 67.25 and 42.20 g respectively as compared to T. harzianum or spent mushroom compost that alone treated plants. Maximum root length, fresh and dry root weight were also recorded in T4 (solarized soil+ spent mushroom compost+ T. harzianum) 28.35 cm, 4.65 and 2.55 g respectively. The yield of tomato plants was significantly increased in T6 (tomato plant alone without Fusarium oxysporum) 170.15 g/plant followed by T4 137.52 g/plant as compared with T0- Fusarium oxysporum alone and T1- Solarized soil + Fusarium oxysporum 0.0 g

Surveillance the occurrence of black stem rust disease Ug 99 on different wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum.L) and evaluation of their growth characteristics in the fields of Diyala province, Iraq

Abstract Five wheat cultivars (8/172, 8/70, Tammuz/4, Guard and 124) were planted in the field at the Baladrooz district, Diyala province, Iraq during winter season 2011 to monitor the emergence of Ug 99 on different wheat cultivars and evaluate their performance under similar conditions in the field. The experimental unit consisted of 15 plots in area 25 m2 for each plot according to randomized complete block design. Results showed all cultivars of wheat were not exposure to infection by the black stem rust disease (Ug 99), cultivar of 8/172 gave the highest number of spikes /m2, weight of grains /m2 (g) and weight of grains /25 m2 (g) from another treatments which recorded (401.0, 601.5g and 15037.5 g) respectively. Wheat cultivars of Tammuz/4 and 124 gave the highest total weight of 50 plants which recorded (140 g), whereas Tammuz/4 surpassed other treatments in plant height (79 cm) and 124 cultivar was superior from other treatments in weight of 1000 grains (36.3 g)

Correlation and regression analysis in sorghum under different levels of nitrogen

An experiment was conducted with sorghum varieties and different levels of nitrogen to study the correlation between traits and to study the effect of these traits on grain yield to define which traits can be considered as selection criteria for yield improvement in sorghum. A factorial irrigated field experiment was carried out in R.C.B.D. layout with three replications in Iraq, four sorghum varieties (AlKhir, Enkath, Kafir, and Rabeh) were planted under three levels of nitrogen (80,100,120) kg/h manually in 2016 at two sites. After harvest, correlation and regression analysis were studied between grain yield as the dependent variable and each of the following traits as independent variables (dry and green fodder weight, leaf area index, plant height, stem diameter, grain number and grain weight, nitrogen level). Results showed that all studied traits except grain weight were highly significantly correlated with grain yield, and about 35% of variation in grain yield could be explained by the level of nitrogen fertilizer, and also showed that plant height and dry and green fodder weight were the major contributors towards grain yield since these traits explained about (57, 52, 50)% respectively of the variation of grain yield, followed by stem diameter and grain number then leaf area index, which might be a good traits to breeders for developing high yielding cultivars in sorghum

Gene action and some genetic parameters for grain yield, its components and growth traits of corn in full diallel cross

The objective of this study was to quantify gene action and some genetic parameters for grain yield, its components and other traits of six varietal hybrids and its parents (AM-145 (A), AM-153 (B) and AM-200 (C) obtained from Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq). All hybrids and their parental entries in full diallel cross were tested at Al-Gharraf suburb, 25 Km north of Al-Nasyria City, Iraq during fall 2013 in RCBD with three replications according to Griffing's fixed model, method for grain yield, its components and other agronomic traits. Gene action, general and specific combining abilities and broad and narrow sense heritability were estimated. Results showed significant differences among entries for almost all traits except ears/plant, and kernels weight. In addition to GCA and SCA significant variances, GCA variances were more important than SCA variances for all traits except ears/plant, which resulting the more importance of the additive genetic effects. SCA variances suggesting the importance the effects of non-additive effects for ears/plant which demonstrating entries could produce prolificacy plants. Additive genetic variances reflect its importance for all traits except female flowering and grain yield/plant. In general, the dominance degree average for all traits except grain yield/plant showed the over dominant effect and the narrow sense heritability ranged between 0.44-0.64 for female flowering and grain yield, respectively. Grain yield/plant ranged between 97.54- 68.44 g for B x A and C x B, respectively. Cytoplasmic heredity revealed its importance studying for all traits and 2GCA/SCA estimates ranged between 1.86 and 35.9 for ears/plant and female flowering, respectively.&nbsp

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Performance of crosses and development of doubled haploid lines in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for salt tolerance

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important staple food crop for the world population. Despite its importance, the crop productivity is often affected by salinity stress. This study aimed to develop sodium chloride (NaCl) tolerant doubled haploid wheat using anther culture technique. The effect of different concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 and 250 mM) on seed germination and selected seedling growth traits of eight wheat genotypes was evaluated. The G1, G2, G6, G8, and G10 were classified as salt tolerant while Abo- Graib, Forat and, Dijla genotypes were salt susceptible. Increasing concentration of NaCl solution led to the gradual reduction in the seed germination percentage, and seedling growth traits. The three salt susceptible and one high salt tolerant genotypes (G8) were selected for crossing to obtain a total of six crosses. The agronomic performance of the six F1 crosses was investigated under 0, 50, 100, 150 mM of NaCl. For all, grain yield exhibited positive correlation with spikes number/plant, grains number per spike and weight of 1000 grain. Abo- Graib×G8, Forat×G8, and Dijla×G8 showed superiority in grain yield (7.3 g/plant, 7.4 g/plant and 6 g/plant, respectively) under high concentration of NaCl (100 mM) related to the spikes number/plant, grains number per spike and the 1000 grain weight. Investigation on callus induction from anther culture of the F1 progenies was performed. All F1 produced a high percentage of callus (47.9%) when subjected to 33°C + chemical pre-treatment for 48 hours followed by culturing on CHB3 induction medium containing Myo-inositol (300 mg/L), L-glutamine (993.5 mg/L) and 2 mg/L of both 2, 4-D and kinetin. The F1 produced good percentage (45.6%) of green plants and the lowest percentage (6.8%) of albino plants after growing on R9 regeneration medium containing 0.076 mg/L CuSO4.5H2O and 90000 mg/L maltose following the pre-treatment of the anther with heat + chemical and culturing on CHB3 callus induction medium. Abo-Graib×G8 displayed the highest ability for callus induction and green plants production (82.3% and 81.3%, respectively) and the lowest percentage of albino plants (2%). The 883 regenerated plants from the F1, 646 were green and 237 were albino plants. Among the green plants, 281 grew to maturity. Thirty-nine lines were fertile and their seeds were grown for developing salt tolerant doubled haploid lines. Haploid plant's chromosomes were doubled under colchicine treatment (0.2%) with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (2%) and 2-3 drops of Tween-20 for 4 hours at room temperature. The doubling of chromosomes was validated using a fluorescent microscope. Thirty-nine doubled haploid lines were evaluated under 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM of NaCl in the greenhouse. The doubled haploid lines DH6 obtained from (Abo-Graib×G8), DH8 (Forat×G8) and DH6 (Dijla×G8) showed a high performance due to their superiority in leaves K+ content, K+/Na+ ratio, the spikes number, grains number, and the decrease in leaves Na+ content. Taken together, it can be concluded that through anther culture, doubled haploid lines that displayed high yielding trait were developed for future exploitation