A review and analysis of agricultural support policies in OECD countries (1995-2015)

Supporting the agricultural sector is a topic that has been discussed for many years in the world and has been the governments’ focus more than other economic sectors for many reasons, such as the nature of the agricultural sector, higher risk than other sectors, food security and nutrition and so on. Accordingly, the support of agricultural sector by different countries has varied depending on its importance in different countries of the world. The present study reviews and analyzes important policy changes, assessments, and recommendations in the context of the research in order to evaluate agricultural support policies in the member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), including Turkey, Korea and Japan. In this study, the latest agricultural policies in OECD countries are examined through measuring the parameters of agricultural support policies and using library studies. According to the studies, the OECD uses indicators such as Producer Support Estimate (PSE), Market Price Support (MPS), Producer Nominal Protection Coefficient (Producer NPC), Producer Nominal Assistance Coefficient (NACP), Consumer Support Estimate (CSE), General Services Support Estimate (GSSE), Total Support Estimate (TSE), and other related indicators to measure and classify the agricultural support based on a comprehensive system

Determining heritability, reliability anD stability of grain yielD anD yielD-relateD components in Durum wheat (TriTicum durum l.)-607 Agricultural Academy

abstract KaRimizadeh, R., m. mohammadi, m. aRmion, m. K. Shefazadeh and h. ChalajouR, 2012. determining heritability, reliability and stability of grain yield and yield-related components in durum wheat (Triticum durum l.). Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., The major objectives of the study were to (1) evaluate genotypic yield performances of eighteen durum wheat genotypes, (2) determine their reliability and stability parameters and (3) estimate variance components and heritability of yield and yield-related traits. eighteen durum wheat genotypes were evaluated in two conditions (rainfed and well watered) in ilam and Gachsaran agricultural research stations of iran during from 2009 to 2011 to identify patterns of genotype by environment interactions and their stabilities in terms of seed yield and yield-related components. Seed yield and its components are affected by plant genotype and environmental conditions. There were significant differences between genotypes of one or two years at each location for all the traits. Significant differences among years or between conditions were obtained in terms of all traits. Genotypes x environment interactions at all the traits were highly significant. Thus, the stabilities of eighteen durum wheat genotypes were different for all the traits. according to the stability parameters, G6 and G12 genotypes were stable for grain yield. Genotypes, Ga//2*Chen/ alTaR84 and ShaG_26/SniTan were considered as having high adaptability to both rainfed and irrigated conditions while ouaSeRl -1(G5) and oSSl-1/4/mRBSh/3/RaBi//GS/CR/5/ hna (G8) were considered as having low adaptability to both rainfed and irrigated conditions. The estimates of heritability values with limited phenotypic variance definition were 0. 006, 0.163, -0.025, 0.396, 0.327, 0.346 and -0.075 for grain yield, plant height, test weight, thousand kernel weight, peduncle length, spike length, and number of grains per spike ranged respectively. The heritability with complete phenotypic variance definition were 0.001, 0.025, -0.006, 0.040, 0.114, 0.164 and -0.024 for the same traits, respectively. moderate or low heritability values estimated for all the traits showed that family selection method could be used instead of individual selection in the breeding programs for improving grain yield and its components

Reconstruction of pulmonary artery with porcine small intestinal submucosa in a lamb surgical model: Viability and growth potential

ObjectivesThis study investigated the time-dependent remodeling and growth potential of porcine small intestine submucosa as a biomaterial for the reconstruction of pulmonary arteries in a lamb model.MethodsLeft pulmonary arteries were partially replaced with small intestine submucosal biomaterial in 6 lambs. Two animals each were humanely killed at 1, 3, and 6 months. Computed tomographic angiography, macroscopic examination of the implanted patch, and microscopic analysis of tissue explants were performed.ResultsAll animals survived without complications. Patency and arborization of the pulmonary arteries were detected 6 months after implantation. There was no macroscopic narrowing or aneurysm formation in the patch area. The luminal appearance of the patch was similar to the intimal layer of the adjacent native pulmonary artery. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the luminal surface of the patch was covered by confluent cells. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed endothelialization of the luminal side of the patch in all of the explanted patches. The presence of smooth muscle cells in the medial layer was confirmed at all time points; however, expression of elastin, growth of the muscular layer, and complete degradation of patch material were detectable only after 6 months. The presence of c-Kit–positive cells suggests migration of multipotent cells into the patch, which may play a role in remodeling the small intestine submucosal biomaterial.ConclusionsOur data confirmed that remodeling and growth potential of the small intestine submucosal biomaterial are time dependent. Additional experiments are required to investigate the stability of the patch material over a longer period

PD-L1/PD-1 axis as a potent therapeutic target in breast cancer

Although both the incidence and the mortality rate of breast cancer is rising, there is no potent and practical option for the treatment of these patients, particularly in advanced stages. One of the most critical challenges for treatment is the presence of complicated and extensive tumor escape mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment. Immune checkpoint molecules are of the main immunosuppressive mechanisms used by cancerous cells to block anti-cancer immune responses. Among these molecules, PD-1 (Programmed cell death) and PD-L1 (programmed cell death-ligand 1) have been considered as worthy therapeutic targets for breast cancer therapy. In this review, we intend to discuss the immunobiology and signaling of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and highlight its importance as a worthy therapeutic target in breast cancer. We believe that the prognostic value of PD-L1 depends on the breast cancer subtype. Moreover, the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 targeting with immune-stimulating vaccines can be considered as an effective therapeutic strategy in breast cancer