Genetic divergence and evaluation of yield potential of Jatropha curcas accessions collected from Peninsular Malaysia

Widening of the narrow genetic base of Jatropha curcas through germplasm collection, diversity study and evaluation is needed to bring about much needed improvement in its seed yield and oil content. This study was carried out to profile the divergence patterns of 45 Jatropha curcas from three populations (Kelantan, Selangor and Terengganu) and to evaluate their yield over a period of three years. Eleven (11) morphological traits together with ISSR markers were used in this study. The percentage of polymorphism for the ISSR markers among the three populations was very high, ranging from 90.38-100%. Shannon information index (I) and expected heterozygosity (He) were found to be highest in the Kelantan population, at 0.58 and 0.40 respectively. Genetic differentiation (Analysis of molecular variance) expressed as fixation index (0.46) revealed that variations within the population accounted for about 100% of the total variation. Interestingly, the cluster analysis based on molecular and morphological traits, as presented in the dendrogram, grouped the 45 accessions into seven and five clusters respectively. For morphological traits, variability in terms of coefficient of variation (CV) was very high, as much as 53.19 and 51 % in total number of seeds and oil yield/ha. Small differences were seen between phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation (≤ 10%) for the yield trait. Broad sense heritability for virtually all the yield and yield components was very high (≥ 67.8). Accessions B-01- 03, D-01-06, T-01-06, B-06-02 have been identified and recommended for further evaluation under field conditions before they are chosen for future breeding programmes for seed yield and oil improvement

BRI1 controls vascular cell fate in the <i>Arabidopsis</i> root through RLP44 and phytosulfokine signaling.

Multicellularity arose independently in plants and animals, but invariably requires a robust determination and maintenance of cell fate that is adaptive to the environment. This is exemplified by the highly specialized water- and nutrient-conducting cells of the plant vasculature, the organization of which is already prepatterned close to the stem-cell niche, but can be modified according to extrinsic cues. Here, we show that the hormone receptor BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) is required for root vascular cell-fate maintenance, as BRI1 mutants show ectopic xylem in procambial position. However, this phenotype seems unrelated to canonical brassinosteroid signaling outputs. Instead, BRI1 is required for the expression and function of its interacting partner RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN 44 (RLP44), which, in turn, associates with the receptor for the peptide hormone phytosulfokine (PSK). We show that PSK signaling is required for the maintenance of procambial cell identity and quantitatively controlled by RLP44, which promotes complex formation between the PSK receptor and its coreceptor. Mimicking the loss of RLP44, PSK-related mutants show ectopic xylem in the position of the procambium, whereas &lt;i&gt;rlp44&lt;/i&gt; is rescued by exogenous PSK. Based on these findings, we propose that RLP44 controls cell fate by connecting BRI1 and PSK signaling, providing a mechanistic framework for the dynamic balancing of signaling mediated by the plethora of plant receptor-like kinases at the plasma membrane

Calculations Predict That Carbon Tunneling Allows the Degenerate Cope Rearrangement of Semibullvalene to Occur Rapidly at Cryogenic Temperatures

Article on calculations predicting that carbon tunneling allows the degenerate cope rearrangement of semibullvalene to occur rapidly at cryogenic temperatures

A Determinant of the Effectiveness of Performance-based Budgeting Implementation and Budget Absorption in Regional Government of Bengkulu Province

This study aimed to find out the effect of understanding, training, external pressure and organizational commitment on the effectiveness of performance-based budgeting implementation and budget absorption in the Regional Government of Bengkulu Province. This study was based on the importance of information on performance-based budgeting and budget absorption. The samples taken were from 17 Regional Apparatus Organizations in the Regional Government of Bengkulu Province with a questionnaire that could be researched totalling 90 respondents. The technique of collecting data was using quantitative data by distributing questionnaires and giving them to each respondent with the criteria of having an interest in compiling, using and reporting budget realization or executing the budget from the Regional Government. Hypothesis testing used Smart PLS 3.3. The results of hypothesis testing showed that understanding and training had a significant effect on the effectiveness of performance-based budgeting implementation and had a positive effect on budget absorption. Meanwhile, the external pressure variable had a significant influence on the budget absorption variable but had a negative effect on the effectiveness of performance-based budgeting implementation. In the organizational commitment and effectiveness of performance-based budgeting implementation variables, it had a negative or no significant effect on budget absorption

Dietary habits and the presence and degree of asymptomatic diverticular disease by magnetic resonance imaging in a Western population: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND: Despite the worldwide burden of diverticular disease, the connections between diverticular disease and dietary habits remain poorly understood, particularly in an asymptomatic representative sample. We investigated the association between asymptomatic diverticular disease as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dietary habits in a Western study cohort. METHODS: Participants from a cross-sectional sample of a population-based cohort study underwent whole-body 3T-MRI including an isotropic VIBE-Dixon sequence. The presence and extent of diverticular disease was assessed in blinded fashion. Habitual dietary intake was recorded using a blended approach, applying 24-h food lists and a food-frequency questionnaire. Traditional cardiometabolic risk factors were obtained by interviews and medical examination. Univariate and multivariate associations were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 308 subjects were included in this analysis (56% male, 56.4 ± 9.1 years). 39.9% had any form of diverticular disease and 15.3% had advanced asymptomatic diverticular disease. After adjustment for age, sex and total energy intake a higher intake of fiber and vegetables was associated with a lower odds for asymptomatic diverticular disease (fiber: OR 0.68 95% CI [0.48, 0.95]; vegetables: OR 0.72 95% CI [0.53, 0.97]) and an increased intake of meat was associated with an approximately two-fold higher odds for advanced asymptomatic diverticular disease (OR 1.84 95% CI [1.13, 2.99]). However, after additional adjustment for body-mass-index (BMI), alcohol consumption, smoking behavior and physical activity only a high fiber and vegetables intake remained significantly associated with lower odds of asymptomatic diverticular disease. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a high-fiber diet and increased intake of vegetables is associated with lower odds of having asymptomatic diverticular disease, independent of age, sex, total energy intake, BMI and other life-style factors. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12986-021-00599-4

Serum insulin is associated with right ventricle function parameters and lung volumes in subjects free of cardiovascular disease.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Even impaired levels of glucose and insulin might harm organ function prior to diabetes onset. Whether serum glucose or insulin plays a direct role in cardiac dysfunction or lung volume reduction remains unclear. The aim was to investigate the relationship between glucose and insulin with the right ventricle and lung volumes within KORA-MRI FF4 study. Methods: From the KORA-MRI FF4 cohort study 337 subjects (mean age 55.7 ± 9.1 years; 43% women) underwent a whole-body 3T MRI scan. Cardiac parameters derived from a cine-steady-state free precession sequence using cvi42. MRI-based lung volumes derived semi-automatically using an in-house algorithm. Fasting serum glucose, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA index were calculated in all study subjects. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between glucose and insulin levels with right ventricle volumes and lung volumes adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: In univariate and multivariate-adjusted models, high serum insulin was inversely associated with end-diastolic volume (β = −12.43, P &lt; 0.001), end-systolic volume (β = −7.12, P &lt; 0.001), stroke volume (β = −5.32, P &lt; 0.001), but not with ejection fraction. The association remained significant after additional adjustment for lung volumes. Similarly, serum insulin was inversely associated with lung volume (β = −0.15, P = 0.04). Sensitivity analysis confirmed results after excluding subjects with known diabetes. Conclusions: Serum insulin was inversely associated with right ventricle function and lung volumes in subjects from the general population free of cardiovascular disease, suggesting that increased insulin levels may contribute to subclinical cardiopulmonary circulation impairment

Quantification of left atrial size and function in cardiac MR in correlation to non-gated MR and cardiovascular risk factors in subjects without cardiovascular disease: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the comparability of gated and non-gated measurements of the left atrial (LA) area and function and their association with cardiovascular risk factors have not been firmly established. METHODS: 3-Tesla MRIs were performed on 400 subjects enrolled in the KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region) MRI study. The LA maximum and minimum sizes were segmented in gated CINE four-chamber sequences (LAmax and LAmin) and non-gated T1 VIBE-Dixon (NGLA). The area-based LA function was defined as LAaf = (LAmax - LAmin)/LAmax. Inter-and intra-reader reliability tests were performed (n = 31). Linear regression analyses were conducted to link LA size and function with cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Data from 378 subjects were included in the analysis (mean age: 56.3 years, 57.7 % male). The measurements were highly reproducible (all intraclass correlation coefficients ≥ 0.98). The average LAmax was 19.6 ± 4.5 cm2, LAmin 11.9 ± 3.5 cm2, NGLA 16.8 ± 4 cm2 and LAaf 40 ± 9%. In regression analysis, hypertension was significantly associated with larger gated LAmax (β = 1.30), LAmin (β = 1.07), and non-gated NGLA (β = 0.94, all p ≤ 0.037). Increasing age was inversely associated with LAaf (β = -1.93, p &lt; 0.001). CONCLUSION: LA enlargement, as measured in gated and non-gated CMR is associated with hypertension, while the area-based LA function decreases with age

Association between adipose tissue depots and dyslipidemia: The KORA-MRI population-based study.

Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), however, whether adipose tissue relates to dyslipidemia, and consequently to cardiovascular events remains unknown. Thus, we investigated the association of adipose tissue with circulating lipoproteins and triglycerides (TG) in subjects without CVD. 384 participants from the KORA-MRI study (mean age 56.2 ± 9.2 years; 41.9% female) underwent whole-body 3T-MRI. Visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) derived from T1-DIXON-sequence using a semi-automatic algorithm. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and TG were measured. Linear regression was applied to examine the relationships between adipose tissue, circulating lipoproteins, and TG, adjusting for risk factors. VAT was associated with total cholesterol (per SD increase) (ß = 0.39, p &lt; 0.001). Total adipose tissue (TAT) and VAT were inversely associated with HDL (ß = −0.09, p = 0.009; ß = −0.14, p &lt; 0.001), and positively associated with LDL (ß = 0.32, p &lt; 0.001; ß = 0.37, p &lt; 0.001). All adipose tissues were associated with TG (ß = 0.20, p &lt; 0.001; ß = 0.27, p &lt; 0.001; ß = 0.11, p = 0.004). Stratified analysis by sex and body mass index (BMI) was confirmatory in women and in individuals with BMI &lt; 30. Our results suggest that adipose tissue plays an important role in increasing CVD risk independent of BMI, whereas gender imbalance may be explained by accurate characterization and quantification of adipose tissue

Association of MRI-based adrenal gland volume and impaired glucose metabolism in a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to asses adrenal gland volume by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to study its role as an indirect marker of impaired glucose metabolism and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation in a population-based cohort. METHODS: Asymptomatic participants were enrolled in a nested case-control study and underwent a 3-T MRI, including T1w-VIBE-Dixon sequences. For assessment of adrenal gland volume, adrenal glands were manually segmented in a blinded fashion. Impaired glucose metabolism was determined using fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance test. Cardiometabolic risk factors were also obtained. Inter- and intrareader reliability as well as univariate and multivariate associations were derived. RESULTS: Among 375 subjects included in the analysis (58.5% male, 56.1 ± 9.1 years), 25.3% participants had prediabetes and 13.6% had type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Total adrenal gland volume was 11.2 ± 4.2 ml, and differed significantly between impaired glucose metabolism and healthy controls with largest total adrenal gland volume in T2DM (healthy controls: 10.0 ± 3.9 ml, prediabetes: 12.5 ± 3.8 ml, T2DM: 13.9 ± 4.6 ml; p&lt;0.001). In multivariate analysis, association of T2DM and increased adrenal gland volume was independent of age, sex, hypertension, triglycerides and body mass index (BMI), but was attenuated in subjects with prediabetes after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSIONS: T2DM is significantly associated with increased adrenal gland volume by MRI in an asymptomatic cohort, independent of age, sex, dyslipidemia, hypertension and BMI. Adrenal gland volume may represent an indirect marker of impaired glucose metabolism and HPA axis dysfunction