Selection of transformation-efficient barley genotypes based on TFA (transformation amenability) haplotype and higher resolution mapping of the TFA loci

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) cv. ‘Golden Promise’ is one of the most useful and well-studied cultivars for genetic manipulation. In a previous report, we identified several transformation amenability (TFA) loci responsible for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the F2 generation of immature embryos, derived from ‘Haruna Nijo’ × ‘Golden Promise,’ as explants. In this report, we describe higher density mapping of these TFA regions with additional SNP markers using the same transgenic plants. To demonstrate the robustness of transformability alleles at the TFA loci, we genotyped 202 doubled haploid progeny from the cross ‘Golden Promise’ × ‘Full Pint.’ Based on SNP genotype, we selected lines having ‘Golden Promise’ alleles at TFA loci and used them for transformation. Of the successfully transformed lines, DH120366 came the closest to achieving a level of transformation efficiency comparable to ‘Golden Promise.’ The results validate that the genetic substitution of TFA alleles from ‘Golden Promise’ can facilitate the development of transformation-efficient lines from recalcitrant barley cultivars

Barley <i>SIX-ROWED SPIKE3</i> encodes a putative Jumonji C-type H3K9me2/me3 demethylase that represses lateral spikelet fertility

The VRS genes of barley control the fertility of the lateral spikelets on the barley inflorescence. Here, Bull et al. show that VRS3 encodes a putative Jumonji C-type histone demethylase that regulates expression of other VRS genes, and genes involved in stress, hormone and sugar metabolism

APETALA2 control of barley internode elongation

Many plants dramatically elongate their stems during flowering, yet how this response is coordinated with the reproductive phase is unclear. We demonstrate that microRNA (miRNA) control of APETALA2 (AP2) is required for rapid, complete elongation of stem internodes in barley, especially of the final 'peduncle' internode directly underneath the inflorescence. Disrupted miR172 targeting of AP2 in the Zeo1.b barley mutant caused lower mitotic activity, delayed growth dynamics and premature lignification in the peduncle leading to fewer and shorter cells. Stage- and tissue-specific comparative transcriptomics between Zeo1.b and its parent cultivar showed reduced expression of proliferation-associated genes, ectopic expression of maturation-related genes and persistent, elevated expression of genes associated with jasmonate and stress responses. We further show that applying methyl jasmonate (MeJA) phenocopied the stem elongation of Zeo1.b, and that Zeo1.b itself was hypersensitive to inhibition by MeJA but less responsive to promotion by gibberellin. Taken together, we propose that miR172-mediated restriction of AP2 may modulate the jasmonate pathway to facilitate gibberellin-promoted stem growth during flowering

Characterisation of barley resistance to rhynchosporium on chromosome 6HS

Key Message: Major resistance gene to rhynchosporium, Rrs18, maps close to the telomere on the short arm of chromosome 6H in barley. Rhynchosporium or barley scald caused by a fungal pathogen Rhynchosporium commune is one of the most destructive and economically important diseases of barley in the world. Testing of Steptoe × Morex and CIho 3515 × Alexis doubled haploid populations has revealed a large effect QTL for resistance to R. commune close to the telomere on the short arm of chromosome 6H, present in both populations. Mapping markers flanking the QTL from both populations onto the 2017 Morex genome assembly revealed a rhynchosporium resistance locus independent of Rrs13 that we named Rrs18. The causal gene was fine mapped to an interval of 660 Kb using Steptoe × Morex backcross 1 S₂ and S₃ lines with molecular markers developed from Steptoe exome capture variant calling. Sequencing RNA from CIho 3515 and Alexis revealed that only 4 genes within the Rrs18 interval were transcribed in leaf tissue with a serine/threonine protein kinase being the most likely candidate for Rrs18.Max Coulter, Bianca Büttner, Kerstin Hofmann, Micha Bayer, Luke Ramsay, Günther Schweizer, Robbie Waugh, Mark E. Looseley, Anna Avrov

A Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Antibiotic Prophylaxis versus No Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Postoperative Infectious Complications for Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy

Objectives:. Individuals who volunteer to undergo hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) to help those needing renal transplants, face postoperative infection complications (POICs) risks for no corresponding clinical benefit. Prophylactic antibiotics often control POIC risk; however, there is no clear consensus on their use in HALDN. Considering the incidence of POICs, National Health Service (NHS) resource constraints, and antimicrobial stewardship priorities, a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was conducted to evaluate the economic impact of prophylactic antibiotic use in HALDN. Methods:. A CEA was conducted using data from the UK multicenter, double-blinded, randomized controlled POWAR (Prophylaxis of Wound Infections-antibiotics in Renal Donation) trial. The primary outcome was the cost per POIC avoided within 30 days post-HALDN. Effectiveness was defined as the absence of POICs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated in British pounds. Four sensitivity analyses examined variability in drug costs, length of stay, POIC severity, and cost thresholds. Results:. The ICER for antibiotic prophylaxis compared with no prophylaxis was –£4,709.71, indicating that prophylaxis was cost-saving. Sensitivity analyses under all 4 scenarios confirmed the robustness of this cost-saving finding under varying assumptions. Conclusion:. Antibiotic prophylaxis in HALDN is a cost-saving intervention. These findings support the need to review UK guidelines for antibiotic use in living donor renal transplant surgery, specifically regarding prophylactic measures for donors. Further clarification on whether HALDN should be classified as a ‘clean’ or ‘clean-contaminated’ procedure may enhance consistency in national practice and inform evidence-based antibiotic stewardship and policy aligned with NHS goals for safe and sustainable surgical care

Image-guided versus landmark-guided suprascapular nerve block for shoulder pain in rotator cuff tears: a systematic review

abstract: Background: Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) is a recognized treatment for chronic shoulder pain, including pain from rotator cuff tears. While it is purported that image-guided SSNB improve injection accuracy over landmark-guided techniques, the impact on clinical outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review compared image-guided vs. landmark-guided SSNB in patients with rotator cuff tears, evaluating efficacy, pain relief, functional improvement, complications, and duration of relief. Methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL (inception to April 2025) for prospective or retrospective studies comparing image-guided (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, or arthroscopic) to landmark-guided SSNB. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Data on pain outcomes, functional scores, complications, and duration of pain relief were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed for each study. Results: Thirty studies were included, comprising 25 randomized controlled trials, 2 nonrandomized prospective studies, and 3 retrospective studies, totaling 2,205 patients. Both image-guided and landmark-guided techniques significantly reduced pain and improved shoulder function, with pain reduction typically ranging from 3.2 to 5.5 points on a 0-10 visual analog scale at 48 hours postoperatively. There was no consistent evidence indicating superior clinical outcomes with image-guided techniques in terms of pain relief, functional improvement, complication rates, or duration of analgesia. Conclusion: Both image-guided and landmark-guided SSNB techniques provide effective pain relief and functional improvement in patients with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. Despite potential procedural advantages of image guidance, such as reduced needle repositioning and higher first-attempt success rates, these benefits did not translate into consistently superior clinical outcomes. This systematic review suggests landmark-guided SSNB offer similar outcomes to image-guided techniques, with implications for resource and expertise availability