Potentials of molecular based breeding to enhance drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The ability of plant to sustain itself in limited water conditions is crucial in the world of agriculture. To breed for drought tolerance in wheat, it is essential to clearly understand drought tolerant mechanisms. Conventional breeding is time consuming and labor intensive being inefficient with low heritability traits like drought tolerance. Recent progress made in the field of genomics enabling us to access genes linked with drought tolerance has enhanced our understanding of this complex phenomenon. The purpose of this review paper was to briefly overview the accomplishments in molecular breeding for drought tolerance in wheat. Thus, by knowing the genetics of drought tolerance and identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked with DNA markers will help wheat breeders to develop high yielding drought tolerant cultivars.Key words: Triticum aestivum L, drought tolerance, QTLs, marker assisted selection (MAS)

Prevalence of Australians exposed to potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines: a population-based cohort study

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are leading causes of death and people with cancer are at higher risk of developing CVD than the general population. Many cancer medicines have cardiotoxic effects but the size of the population exposed to these potentially cardiotoxic medicines is not known. We aimed to determine the prevalence of exposure to potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines in Australia. Methods: We identified potentially cardiotoxic systemic cancer medicines through searching the literature and registered product information documents. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Australians dispensed potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines between 2005 and 2021, calculating age-standardised annual prevalence rates of people alive with exposure to a potentially cardiotoxic medicine during or prior to each year of the study period. Findings: We identified 108,175 people dispensed at least one potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicine; median age, 64 (IQR: 52–74); 57% female. Overall prevalence increased from 49 (95%CI: 48.7–49.3)/10,000 to 232 (95%CI: 231.4–232.6)/10,000 over the study period; 61 (95%CI: 60.5–61.5)/10,000 to 293 (95%CI: 292.1–293.9)/10,000 for females; and 39 (95%CI: 38.6–39.4)/10,000 to 169 (95%CI: 168.3–169.7)/10,000 for males. People alive five years following first exposure increased from 29 (95%CI: 28.8–29.2)/10,000 to 134 (95%CI: 133.6–134.4)/10,000; and from 22 (95%CI: 21.8–22.2)/10,000 to 76 (95%CI: 75.7–76.3)/10,000 for those alive at least 10 years following first exposure. Most people were exposed to only one potentially cardiotoxic medicine, rates of which increased from 39 (95%CI: 38.7–39.3)/10,000 in 2005 to 131 (95%CI: 130.6–131.4)/10,000 in 2021. Interpretation: The number of people exposed to efficacious yet potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines in Australia is growing. Our findings can support the development of service planning and create awareness about the magnitude of cancer treatment-related cardiotoxicities. Funding: NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Fellowship

Environmental Factors in the Relapse and Recurrence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease:A Review of the Literature

The causes of relapse in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are largely unknown. This paper reviews the epidemiological and clinical data on how medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogens and antibiotics), lifestyle factors (smoking, psychological stress, diet and air pollution) may precipitate clinical relapses and recurrence. Potential biological mechanisms include: increasing thrombotic tendency, imbalances in prostaglandin synthesis, alterations in the composition of gut microbiota, and mucosal damage causing increased permeability

Effect of ultrapure lipopolysaccharides derived from diverse bacterial species on the modulation of platelet activation

Platelets are small circulating blood cells that play essential roles in the maintenance of haemostasis via blood clotting. However, they also play critical roles in the regulation of innate immune responses. Inflammatory receptors, specifically Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, have been reported to modify platelet reactivity. A plethora of studies have reported controversial functions of TLR4 in the modulation of platelet function using various chemotypes and preparations of its ligand, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The method of preparation of LPS may explain these discrepancies however this is not fully understood. Hence, to determine the impact of LPS on platelet activation, we used ultrapure preparations of LPS from Escherichia coli (LPSEC), Salmonella minnesota (LPSSM), and Rhodobacter sphaeroides (LPSRS) and examined their actions under diverse experimental conditions in human platelets. LPSEC did not affect platelet activation markers such as inside-out signalling to integrin IIb3 or P-selectin exposure upon agonist-induced activation in platelet-rich plasma or whole blood whereas LPSSM and LPSRS inhibited platelet activation under specific conditions at supraphysiological concentrations. Overall, our data demonstrate that platelet activation is not largely influenced by any of the ultrapure LPS chemotypes used in this study on their own except under certain conditions

Effect of Blend of Essential Oils on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, Intestinal Morphology, Serum Biochemistry, and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a blend of essential oils from eucalyptus, citrus, bromohexene HCl, thymole and camphor on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, intestinal morphology, serum biochemistry, and immune response of broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old chicks were divided into four groups, each with six replicates containing ten birds. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design (CRD). Different concentrations of the oil blend (0mL/kg, 0.15mL/kg, 0.30mL/kg and 0.45mL/kg) were added to the diet. The findings showed that, in comparison to the other groups, the birds that were given a blend of essential oils at concentrations of 0.30 and 0.45 mL/kg showed improved weight gain, feed efficiency, carcass yield, villus height, crypt depth, and greater immune response against Newcastle disease vaccination (p<0.05). Nonetheless, there was no statistically significant difference in the yields of the breast and thighs, feed consumption, mortality, weights of the liver, wing, heart, and gizzard, or abdominal fat between the treatments. The addition of a blend of essential oils at the doses of 0.30 and 0.45 mL/kg significantly lowered the pH of the meat in comparison to the other groups (p<0.05). All blood biochemical markers, including total serum protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and uric acid, revealed no variations between the treatments. In conclusion, adding 0.30mL/kg of a blend of essential oils to broiler diets may be the optimum level to improve overall performance without adversely affecting the blood biochemical profile

Forest biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services

Forests are critical habitats for biodiversity and they are also essential for the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services that are important to human well-being. There is increasing evidence that biodiversity contributes to forest ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. Here we provide a review of forest ecosystem services including biomass production, habitat provisioning services, pollination, seed dispersal, resistance to wind storms, fire regulation and mitigation, pest regulation of native and invading insects, carbon sequestration, and cultural ecosystem services, in relation to forest type, structure and diversity. We also consider relationships between forest biodiversity and multifunctionality, and trade-offs among ecosystem services. We compare the concepts of ecosystem processes, functions and services to clarify their definitions. Our review of published studies indicates a lack of empirical studies that establish quantitative and causal relationships between forest biodiversity and many important ecosystem services. The literature is highly skewed; studies on provisioning of nutrition and energy, and on cultural services, delivered by mixed-species forests are under-represented. Planted forests offer ample opportunity for optimising their composition and diversity because replanting after harvesting is a recurring process. Planting mixed-species forests should be given more consideration as they are likely to provide a wider range of ecosystem services within the forest and for adjacent land uses. This review also serves as the introduction to this special issue of Biodiversity and Conservation on various aspects of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services