Genetic diversity of maize (Zea mays) accessions revealed by random amplifi ed polymorphic DNA markers

In the present study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to assess genetic diversity of the maize genotypes. Five arbitrary random primers were used to determine RAPD polymorphism in the set of 20 maize genotypes. Amplification of genomic DNA of 20 genotypes, using RAPD analysis, yielded 33 fragments, with an average of 6.60 polymorphic fragments per primer. Number of amplified fragments ranged from 5 (OPA-02, OPB-08) to 10 (OPA-13), with the size of amplicons ranging from 250 to 2000 bp. The polymorphic information content value ranged from 0.751 (OPD-02) to 0.872 (OPA-13), with an average of 0.781 and diversity index value varied from 0.718 (OPB-08) to 0.874 (OPA-13) with an average of 0.790. The dendrogram based on hierarchical cluster analysis using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) algorithm was prepared. A dendrogram based on UPGMA analysis separated 20 maize genotypes into two clusters. RAPD markers are useful in the assessment of maize diversity, the detection of the duplicate sample in genotypes collection, and the selection of a core collection to enhance the efficiency of genotypes management for use in maize breeding and conservation.Â

Evaluation of molecular diversity of new castor lines (Ricinus communis L.) using random amplifi ed polymorphic DNA markers

The aim of this work was to detect genetic variability among the set of 32 castor genotypes using five random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Amplification of genomic DNA of 32 genotypes, using RAPD analysis, yielded 41 fragments, with an average of 8.20 polymorphic fragments per primer. Number of amplified fragments ranged from 5 to 11, with the size of amplicons varied from 100 to 1200 bp. The polymorphic information content value ranged from 0.598 (RLZ 9) to 0.811 (RLZ 6) with an average of 0.746 and diversity index value ranged from0.557 (RLZ 9) to 0.889 (RLZ 7) with an average of 0.784. The dendrogram based on hierarchical cluster analysis using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average algorithm was prepared

AVE0991, a nonpeptide angiotensin 1-7 receptor agonist, improves glucose metabolism in the skeletal muscle of obese zucker rats : possible involvement of prooxidant/antioxidant mechanisms

Angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7) enhances insulin signaling and glucose transport activity in the skeletal muscle. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of AVE0991, a nonpeptide Mas receptor agonist, on the metabolic parameters, expression of RAS components and markers of oxidative stress, and insulin signaling in the skeletal morbidly obese rats. 33-week-old male obese Zucker rats were treated with vehicle and AVE0991 (0.5 mg/kg BW/day) via osmotic minipumps for two weeks. Gene expressions were determined by qPCR and/or Western blot analysis in musculus quadriceps. The enzymatic activities were detected flourometrically (aminopeptidase A) or by colorimetric assay kit (protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B). Administration of AVE0991 enhanced insulin signaling cascade in the skeletal muscle, reflected by improved whole-body glucose tolerance. It has been shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) have insulin-mimetic action in muscle. The expression of renin receptor, transcription factor PLZF, and prooxidant genes was upregulated by AVE0991 accompanied by elevated expression of genes coding enzymes with antioxidant action. Our results show that AVE0991 administration activates genes involved in both ROS generation and clearance establishing a new prooxidant/antioxidant balance on a higher level, which might contribute to the improved insulin signaling pathway and glucose tolerance of obese Zucker rats

Detection of Genetic Relationships among Spring and Winter Triticale (x Triticosecale Witt.) and Rye Cultivars (Secale cereale L.) by Using Retrotransposon-based Markers

Peer reviewe

Running and Physical Activity in an Air-Polluted Environment: The Biomechanical and Musculoskeletal Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study 4HAIE (Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment—Program 4)

Far too little attention has been paid to health effects of air pollution and physical (in)activity on musculoskeletal health. The purpose of the Healthy aging in industrial environment study (4HAIE) is to investigate the potential impact of physical activity in highly polluted air on musculoskeletal health. A total of 1500 active runners and inactive controls aged 18–65 will be recruited. The sample will be recruited using quota sampling based on location (the most air-polluted region in EU and a control region), age, sex, and activity status. Participants will complete online questionnaires and undergo a two-day baseline laboratory assessment, including biomechanical, physiological, psychological testing, and magnetic resonance imaging. Throughout one-year, physical activity data will be collected through Fitbit monitors, along with data regarding the incidence of injuries, air pollution, psychological factors, and behavior collected through a custom developed mobile application. Herein, we introduce a biomechanical and musculoskeletal protocol to investigate musculoskeletal and neuro-mechanical health in this 4HAIE cohort, including a design for controlling for physiological and psychological injury factors. In the current ongoing project, we hypothesize that there will be interactions of environmental, biomechanical, physiological, and psychosocial variables and that these interactions will cause musculoskeletal diseases/protection

BIOMECHANICS IN THE 4HAIE STUDY: AIR POLLUTION AND MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH - AN UPDATE

The overall purpose of the 4HAIE study was to assess the influence of the interaction between air pollution and biomechanical, physiological and psychosocial factors on the incidence of injuries, health and well-being. A total of 1,500 active runners and inactive controls aged 18-65 will be recruited. Herein, we describe the biomechanical study design with data examples to investigate musculoskeletal and neuro-mechanics health in different air quality regions

GPR180 is a component of TGFβ signalling that promotes thermogenic adipocyte function and mediates the metabolic effects of the adipocyte-secreted factor CTHRC1

Activation of thermogenic brown and beige adipocytes is considered as a strategy to improve metabolic control. Here, we identify GPR180 as a receptor regulating brown and beige adipocyte function and whole-body glucose homeostasis, whose expression in humans is associated with improved metabolic control. We demonstrate that GPR180 is not a GPCR but a component of the TGF beta signalling pathway and regulates the activity of the TGF beta receptor complex through SMAD3 phosphorylation. In addition, using genetic and pharmacological tools, we provide evidence that GPR180 is required to manifest Collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) action to regulate brown and beige adipocyte activity and glucose homeostasis. In this work, we show that CTHRC1/GPR180 signalling integrates into the TGF beta signalling as an alternative axis to fine-tune and achieve low-grade activation of the pathway to prevent pathophysiological response while contributing to control of glucose and energy metabolism.Activation of thermogenic adipocytes is a strategy to combat metabolic diseases. Here the authors report that GPR180 is a component of TGF beta signalling that promotes thermogenic adipocyte function and mediates the metabolic effects of the adipocyte-secreted factor CTHRC1, and contributes to the regulation of glucose and energy metabolism