Induced Mutation: Creating Genetic Diversity in Plants

Genetic diversity is the variation occurred in genetic information, which depends on frequency and diversity of alleles among individuals within a population or a species. This phenomenon, which is also a part of the evolution process, allows the organisms to adapt to changing conditions and to survive. Populations with high allelic variability are more easily adaptable to changing environmental conditions. However, nowadays, constant use of populations with certain characters in the plant breeding and the uniformity of consumer demands are among one of the causes of genetic erosion. Loss of genetic diversity within a species can lead to loss of useful properties for human beings. If stress conditions such as disease or drought occur, the ability of a population to survive by adapting to this new condition is dependent on the presence of individuals carrying gene alleles that need to adapt to these conditions

Primary Adrenal Failure due to Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Background. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) characterized by thrombosis and abortus may rarely cause primary adrenal failure. Case Presentations. A 34-year-old male presented with hypotension, hypoglycemia, hyperpigmentation on his skin and oral mucosa, scars on both legs, and loss of consciousness. In laboratory examinations, hyponatremia (135 mmol/L), hyperpotassemia (6 mmol/L), and thrombocytopenia (83 K/µL) were determined. Cortisol (1.91 µg/dL) and adrenocorticotropic (550 pg/mL) hormone levels were also evaluated. The patient was hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute adrenal crisis due to primary adrenal insufficiency. A Doppler ultrasound revealed venous thrombosis. The patient was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome after the detection of venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated aPTT, and anticardiolipin antibody levels. Anticoagulation treatment was started for antiphospholipid syndrome. The patient is now following up with hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone, and warfarin sodium. Conclusion. Antiphospholipid syndrome is a rare reason for adrenal failure. Antiphospholipid syndrome should be suspected if patients have morbidity secondary to venous-arterial thrombosis

Salt and heavy metal stress responses and metal uptake potentials of some leafy vegetables

Abstract Abiotic stress conditions caused by increasing anthropogenic activities over the years necessitate using marginal waters in agricultural irrigation and pose a risk to public health by causing salt stress and heavy metal pollution in the soil. The study exposed rocket (Eruca sativa L.), cress (Lepidium sativum L.), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill.) plants to heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Cr at rates of 300, 140, 75, 300, 3, and 100 mg kg−1, respectively) and salt stress (3, 6, and 9 dS m−1). Both stress conditions affected plant growth negatively. Biomass losses reaching 88% occurred in the rocket, which was determined to be more sensitive to salt stress than heavy metal stress. In parsley, on the other hand, it was determined that the above‐ground organs were more affected by salt stress, but the negative effect of heavy metal stress on the roots was higher than salt stress. In cress, the cultivars produced different responses to stress factors. The Zeybek cultivar was more affected by salt stress, and Bahargülü was more affected by heavy metal stress. In general, an increase in macro‐ and micronutrients was found under stress conditions. In addition, it was determined that the plants were hyper‐accumulative in terms of lead absorption and were sorted as cress > parsley > rocket in terms of metal uptake. According to these findings, these plants should be grown taking into account the lead values in the soil, and consumers should be aware that they are a group of vegetables that accumulate lead

Should human chorionic gonadotropine treatment increase thyroid volume?

Objective Our aim was to investigate the thyroid function tests and thyroid volume differences among males with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) who take androgen replacement treatment (ART). Materials and methods Forty-four male with IHH with a mean age 33.2 (18-54), diagnosed in Endocrinology and Metabolism Department between September 2013 and September 2014 and 40 healthy male control with a mean age 27.77 (18-55) were involved to study. Patient group was divided to testosterone-treated patients (n = 19) and human chorionic gonadotropine (hCG)-treated patients (n = 25). Patient group was compared in terms of total testosterone, thyroid function tests [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4)] and thyroid volume, before and 6 months after treatment. Patient group was compared with control group as well. Results When we compared the patient group with the control group, there was no significant difference for age, Body mass index, TSH, fT4 and thyroid volume between two groups before treatment. There was no difference in terms of TSH, but fT4, testosterone levels and thyroid volume were significantly higher after treatment, when the patient group was compared before and after treatment (p 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between testosterone levels with TSH, fT4 and thyroid volume (r = 0.09, p = 0.32; r = 0.14, p = 0.11; r = 0.15, p = 0.09, respectively). Conclusion Our study showed that ART increases the thyroid volume especially in hCG-treated patients. Therefore, we suggest that thyroid volume changes should be followed up in hCG-treated patients

Integration of Extra-Large-Seeded and Double-Podded Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A large seed size in the kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is important in the market not only due to its high price but also for its superior seedling vigor. The double-podded chickpea has a considerable yield and stability advantage over the single-podded chickpea. The study aimed at (i) integrating extra-large-seeded and double-podded traits in the kabuli chickpea, (ii) increasing variation by transgressive segregations and (iii) estimating the heritability of the 100-seed weight along with important agro-morphological traits in F2 and F3 populations. For these objectives, the large-seeded chickpea, Sierra, having a single pod and unifoliolate leaves, was crossed with the small-seeded CA 2969, having double pods and imparipinnate leaves. The inheritance pattern of the extra-large-seeded trait was polygenically controlled by partial dominant alleles. Transgressive segregations were found for all agro-morphological traits. Some progeny with 100-seed weights of ≥55 g and two pods had larger seed sizes than those of the best parents. As outputs of the epistatic effect of the double-podded gene in certain genetic backgrounds, three or more flowers or pods were found in some progeny. Progeny having imparipinnate leaves or two or more pods should be considered in breeding, since they had higher numbers of pods and seeds per plant and seed yields than their counterparts

Does insulin resistance increase thyroid volume in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome?

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the effect of gonadotropin, sex hormone levels and insulin resistance (IR) on thyroid functions and thyroid volume (TV) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Subjects and methods 69 new diagnosed PCOS patients (age 24.82 ± 6.17) and 56 healthy control female (age 26.69 ± 5.25) were involved to the study. Fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone levels and urine iodine were measured in all participants. Thyroid and pelvic ultrasound were performed in all participants. Results Insulin, HOMA-IR, LH, E2 and TV were higher in PCOS group (p 0.05). There was a negative correlation between E2 and TSH (p < 0.05) and a positive correlation between TSH and TV (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between TV and LH, insulin, HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study showed that TV was increased in patients with insulin resistance but differences in TSH and LH levels may affect TV changes as well

Assessment of Subclinical Cardiac Alterations and Atrial Electromechanical Delay by Tissue Doppler Echocardiography in Patients with Nonfunctioning Adrenal Incidentaloma

Abstract Background: Majority of the incidentally discovered adrenal masses, called adrenal incidentaloma (AI), are nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas. The appropriate management of AI is still a matter debate, so it is necessary to investigate their associated morbidity. However, data regarding morphological and functional cardiac alterations are limited in this group. Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess cardiac structural and functional characteristics and atrial conduction properties in patients with nonfunctioning AI. Methods: Thirty patients with nonfunctioning AI and 46 properly matched control subjects were included in the study. After hormonal and biochemical analysis, all participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography to obtain systolic and diastolic parameters of both ventricles, in addition to atrial conduction times by tissue Doppler echocardiography. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, Chicago, IL, United States) statistics, version 17.0 for Windows. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Left ventricular (LV) mass index and LV myocardial performance index were significantly increased in AI group. Among atrial conduction times, both intra- and interatrial electromechanical delays were significantly prolonged in patients with nonfunctioning AI. Other laboratory and echocardiographic findings were similar between groups. Conclusion: Our study revealed that intra- and inter-atrial conduction times were prolonged, and LV mass index was increased in patients with nonfunctioning AI. These findings may be markers of subclinical cardiac involvement and tendency to cardiovascular complications. Close follow-up is necessary for individuals with nonfunctioning AI for their increased cardiovascular risk

Comparison of Early Total Thyroidectomy with Antithyroid Treatment in Patients with Moderate-Severe Graves' Orbitopathy: A Randomized Prospective Trial

Background: The optimal therapeutic choice for Graves' hyperthyroidism in the presence of moderate-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO) remains controversial. Objectives: We aimed to compare GO course in patients with moderate-severe GO treated with early total thyroidectomy (TTx) versus antithyroid drug (ATD) regimens, in a prospective, randomized manner. Methods: Forty-two patients with moderate-severe GO were enrolled. A total of 4.5 g of pulse corticosteroids were given intravenously to all patients before randomization. Patients in the first group were given TTx, whereas patients in the second group were treated with ATDs. TSH was kept between 0.4 and 1 mIU/l. The clinical course of GO was evaluated with proptosis, lid aperture, clinical activity score (CAS), and diplopia. Results: Eighteen and 24 patients were randomized to the TTx and ATD groups, respectively. Thyroid autoantibodies decreased significantly, and there were significant improvements in proptosis, lid aperture, and CAS in the TTx group. While in the ATD group the decrement in thyroid autoantibodies was not significant, there were significant improvements in proptosis and CAS. When the TTx group was compared with the ATD group, anti-TPO, anti-Tg, and TSH-receptor antibodies were significantly decreased in the TTx group (p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference with respect to proptosis, lid aperture, CAS, and diplopia between the two groups during a median (min.-max.) follow-up period of 60 months (36-72). Conclusion: Although no definitive conclusions could be drawn from the study, mainly due to limited power, early TTx and the ATD treatment regimens, followed by intravenous pulse corticosteroid therapy, seemed to be equally effective on the course of GO in this relatively small group of patients with moderate-severe GO during a median (min.-max.) follow-up period of 60 months (36-72). (C) 2016 European Thyroid Association Published by S. Karger AG, Base