Genome-Wide Association Study of Morpho-Physiological Traits in Aegilops tauschii to Broaden Wheat Genetic Diversity

Aegilops tauschii, the D-genome donor of bread wheat, is a storehouse of genetic diversity that can be used for wheat improvement. This species consists of two main lineages (TauL1 and TauL2) and one minor lineage (TauL3). Its morpho-physiological diversity is large, with adaptations to a wide ecological range. Identification of allelic diversity in Ae. tauschii is of utmost importance for efficient breeding and widening of the genetic base of wheat. This study aimed at identifying markers or genes associated with morpho-physiological traits in Ae. tauschii, and at understanding the difference in genetic diversity between the two main lineages. We performed genome-wide association studies of 11 morpho-physiological traits of 343 Ae. tauschii accessions representing the entire range of habitats using 34,829 DArTseq markers. We observed a wide range of morpho-physiological variation among all accessions. We identified 23 marker–trait associations (MTAs) in all accessions, 15 specific to TauL1 and eight specific to TauL2, suggesting independent evolution in each lineage. Some of the MTAs could be novel and have not been reported in bread wheat. The markers or genes identified in this study will help reveal the genes controlling the morpho-physiological traits in Ae. tauschii, and thus in bread wheat even if the plant morphology is different

Value of Admission HbA1c Level in Non-diabetic Patients With Unstable Angina

Introduction: There have been incompatible evidences about the prognostic value of HbA1c on the adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndrome. Also, these data are so limited in nondiabetic patients with unstable angina.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, HbA1c level of 231 nondiabetic patients admitted with unstable angina, was measured using high performance liquid affinity chromatography (HPLC) at admission. Then transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed for evaluation of ejection fraction (EF) using Simpson method.Results: Our data revealed that HbA1c was significantly higher in patients with EF≤ 50% in comparison with EF>50% group (P value=0.01).Conclusions: HbA1c may be a helpful prognostic marker in nondiabetic patients admitted in emergency department with diagnosis of unstable angina

Risk Factors for Colonization with S.aureus and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Among Health Care Workers in Al-Batool teaching hospital for maternity and children in Diyala, Iraq

Background: Staphylococcus aureus coloniza-tion for the human nose representing a challenge that requires a cope with host defense and competing resident microor-ganisms. Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for in-fection with S. au-reus and MRSA among health care workers (HCWs) in Al-Batool teaching hospital for maternity and children in Diyala, Iraq. Patients and Methods: A total of 27 swabs were taken from HCWs in Al-Batool teaching hospital for ma-ternity and chil-dren in Diyala, Iraq (ATHMC) Standard microbi-ological proce-dures were used for diagnosis of S. aureus and Methicillin Re-sistant Staphylo-coccus aureus (MRSA). Results: Significant corre-lation was report-ed between age   and colonization with S. aureus & MRSA. Inverse correlation was reported between education level and colonization with S. aureus and MRSA.  Signifi-cant correlation was reported be-tween acne and colonization with S. aureus. Signifi-cant correlation was reported be-tween sinusitis, years of experi-ence, contact with farm animals and colonization with S. aureus and MRSA. Significant correlation was reported between ward of duty and colonization with MRSA. Conclusion: Colonization with S. aureus and MRSA inversely correlated with younger age group, education level of HCWs. Colonization with S. aureus and MRSA correlated with sinusitis, years  of experience (5 -6); contact with farm animals. Colonization with S. aureus correlated with acne. Colonization with MRSA correlated with ward of duty at children care floor

Traits to Differentiate Lineages and Subspecies of Aegilops tauschii, the D Genome Progenitor Species of Bread Wheat

Aegilops tauschii Coss., the D genome donor of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), is the most promising resource used to broaden the genetic diversity of wheat. Taxonomical studies have classified Ae. tauschii into two subspecies, ssp. tauschii and ssp. strangulata. However, molecular analysis revealed three distantly related lineages, TauL1, TauL2 and TauL3. TauL1 and TauL3 includes the only ssp. tauschii, whereas TauL2 includes both subspecies. This study aimed to clarify the phylogeny of Ae. tauschii and to find the traits that can differentiate between TauL1, TauL2 and TauL3, or between ssp. tauschii and ssp. strangulata. We studied the genetic and morpho-physiological diversity in 293 accessions of Ae. tauschii, covering the entire range of the species. A total of 5880 high-quality SNPs derived from DArTseq were used for phylogenetic cluster analyses. As a result, we observed wide morpho-physiological variation in each lineage and subspecies. Despite this variation, no key traits can discriminate lineages or subspecies though some traits were significantly different. Of 124 accessions previously lacking the passport data, 66 were allocated to TauL1, 57 to TauL2, and one to TauL3

ADSORPTION OF PYRIDINE BY USING BN NANOTUBE: A DFT STUDY

ABSTRACT Electrical sensitivity of a boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) was examined toward C 5 H 5 N molecules by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level, and it was founding that the adsorption energy(E ad ) of pyridine on the pristine nanotube is about 17.0 kcal/mol, but when nanotube has been doped with Si and Al atoms, the adsorption energy(E ad ) and recovery time changed and the sensitivity of the nanotube as adsorbent of C 5 H 5 N molecule was increased. Calculations showed that when the nanotube is doping by Si, the adsorption energy is about -10.6kcal/mol and also the amount of HOMO/LUMO energy gap (E g ) will reduce significantly. Therefore when C 5 H 5 N molecule adsorption toward to BNNT, the nanotube has produced electrical signals and it seems the BNNT can be used as adsorbents for the sensors which are sensitive about C 5 H 5 N molecule

Computed Tomographic findings of maxillofacial SCC and Undifferentiated carcinoma

Abstract:Objectives: Tomographic findings contribute enormously to the accurate diagnosis of malignant lesions in due time and/or at imminent stages. This study investigates CT-scan findings of maxillofacial SCC and undifferentiated carcinoma.Study design:  CT images of 61 maxillofacial malignant tumors included 42 SCCs and 19 undifferentiated carcinomas were evaluated based on the location, internal density, border, bone destruction and expansion, periosteal reaction, emphysema, calcification, loss of facial and fat plane, and fat plane reticulation, by two expert radiologists separately. The data were analyzed, using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test.Results: Isodense/homogeneous (78.7%) and total heterogeneous enhancement (87.8%) appearance were the most common internal patterns detected before and after injection of contrast, respectively. There was a significant association between borders and pathology of our two lesions (p= 0.007).Conclusions: It is highly unlikely to diagnose the tumor histopathology based merely on its tomography patterns; however it is feasible to determine its aggressive nature.      Key words: Computed tomography, SCC, undifferentiated carcinoma, maxillofacial regio

Insight into the emerging role of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural and accessory proteins in modulation of multiple mechanisms of host innate defense

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is an extremely infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has become a major global health concern. The induction of a coordinated immune response is crucial to the elimination of any pathogenic infection. However, SARS-CoV-2 can modulate the host immune system to favor viral adaptation and persistence within the host. The virus can counteract type I interferon (IFN-I) production, attenuating IFN-I signaling pathway activation and disrupting antigen presentation. Simultaneously, SARS-CoV-2 infection can enhance apoptosis and the production of inflammatory mediators, which ultimately results in increased disease severity. SARS-CoV-2 produces an array of effector molecules, including nonstructural proteins (NSPs) and open-reading frames (ORFs) accessory proteins. We describe the complex molecular interplay of SARS-CoV-2 NSPs and accessory proteins with the host’s signaling mediating immune evasion in the current review. In addition, the crucial role played by immunomodulation therapy to address immune evasion is discussed. Thus, the current review can provide new directions for the development of vaccines and specific therapies

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2–4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease