A new intra-specific and high-resolution genetic map of eggplant based on a ril population, and location of QTLS related to plant anthocyanin pigmentation and seed vigour

Eggplant is the second most important solanaceous berry-producing crop after tomato. Despite mapping studies based on bi-parental progenies and GWAS approaches having been performed, an eggplant intraspecific high-resolution map is still lacking. We developed a RIL population from the intraspecific cross ‘305E40’, (androgenetic introgressed line carrying the locus Rfo-Sa1 conferring Fusarium resistance) x ‘67/3’ (breeding line whose genome sequence was recently released). One hundred and sixty-three RILs were genotyped by a genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) approach, which allowed us to identify 10,361 polymorphic sites. Overall, 267 Gb of sequencing data were generated and ~773 M Illumina paired end (PE) reads were mapped against the reference sequence. A new linkage map was developed, including 7249 SNPs assigned to the 12 chromosomes and spanning 2169.23 cM, with iaci@liberoan average distance of 0.4 cM between adjacent markers. This was used to elucidate the genetic bases of seven traits related to anthocyanin content in different organs recorded in three locations as well as seed vigor. Overall, from 7 to 17 QTLs (at least one major QTL) were identified for each trait. These results demonstrate that our newly developed map supplies valuable information for QTL fine mapping, candidate gene identification, and the development of molecular markers for marker assisted selection (MAS) of favorable alleles

The Cost Of Ocular Diseases In Italy: Assessment Of Blindness Prevention’s Effects On Public Spending

Purpose. The most important purpose is to assess by a trial and error method the financial effects of efficient prevention programmes in our country. The study provides an empiric evidence that Government could reduce public spending thorough investments in projects of prevention about visual care. Materials and methods. Authors focus on the economic impact of four eye diseases that are the major cause of blindness (90%) and for this reason they were classificated as ‘diseases of social importance’ (DSI from hereforth) according to the WHO: Age – related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), Cataract. Authors use a three-stage approach in order to estimate the impact of blindness prevention on public accounts: 1. Calculation of aggregate costs of the DSI in Italy; 2. Use of the estimated figures in the first stage of the alanysis to estimate the individual average costs; 3. Use of the estimated figures in the second stage of the analysis to run a simulation in capital budgeting comparing the costs associated with taking one of two possible choices: investing or not in a blindness prevention programme. Discussion: Authors simulate the economic effects of the adoption of a blindness prevention campaign and compare them to the calculated costs of blindness. This comparison was based on the creation of decision trees, which are typically used for the optimisation of investment portfolios, combined with another decision technique: the Net Present Value (NPV)