Genomics and molecular markers for rice grain quality: a review

Rice grain quality is a benchmark of rice breeding success. Current rice breeding programs consider grain characteristics that are preferred by consumers in the rice value chain. Specific traits of quality that suit the demands of stakeholders must be targeted before, during and after breeding of new varieties. Therefore, screening tools that are environmentally independent, cheap, robust and easy to use, such as molecular markers, are needed to facilitate timely and accurate selection of traits. As a multifaceted overall phenotype and consisting of several parameters ranging from physical, textural, aroma and increasingly nutritional properties, the selection for quality has not only become about which trait(s) to focus on but is rather an issue of the combination of traits that can be incorporated into a dream variety. The more traits that are available, the more markers we need to capture these traits and feed them into the breeding and selection pipelines. This chapter reviews progress made on genomics and the molecular markers developed for quality traits of rice grains. In addition, this chapter presents the increasing need for novel phenotypes in the form of metabolites that can be traced back to the genome of rice

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is the most common cranio-facial pain syndrome, with an incidence of up to 5 in 100,000. Long-term medical treatment is commonly required, with up to 10% of cases suffering adverse drug-related events. In 1951, Lars Leksell pioneered the application of stereotactic irradiation for the treatment of TN, which may now achieve up to 90% pain control at 1 year and 60% at 3-5 years. Radiosurgical treatment targets either the nerve\u2019s emergence (the root entry zone) or the retrogasserian portion of the nerve (pars triangularis). Targeting the latter may reduce the risk of complications, but requires a higher maximum dose to obtain optimal results. Generally speaking, radiosurgical treatment achieves optimal results in patients receiving high doses of radiations ranging from 70 to 90 Gy. Hypoesthesia and facial numbness are frequently observed after high-dose trigeminal irradiation. Mild hypoesthesia is acceptable and is considered by many an efficacy endpoint of the procedure. Bothersome facial numbness is relatively rare. Sensitive trigeminal disturbances and paresthesia after treatment have been reported to range respectively 6%\u201354% and 0%\u201317%. The prescribed dose and brainstem-delivered dose are correlated with the subsequent rate of sensitive trigeminal disturbances. CyberKnife frameless non-isocentric radiosurgery is an emerging and non-invasive treatment for TN. Because of the non-isocentric geometry of radiation beams delivery, CyberKnife technique offers the possibility of homogeneous irradiation of an extended segment of the trigeminal nerve, so introducing some new concepts for the radiosurgical treatment of TN. Clinical results of CyberKnife radiosurgery seems to be satisfactory. We here review the basics of radiosurgery for TN and present a detailed analysis of the technique using the CyberKnife frameless system

Lab-on-a-chip : a component view

Miniaturization is being increasingly applied to biological and chemical analysis processes. Lab-on-a-chip systems are direct creation of the advancement in the miniaturization of these processes. They offer a host of exciting applications in several areas including clinical diagnostics, food and environmental analysis, and drug discovery and delivery studies. This paper reviews lab-on-a-chip systems from their components perspective. It provides a categorization of the standard functional components found in lab-on-a-chip devices together with an overview of the latest trends and developments related to lab-on-a-chip technologies and their application in nanobiotechnology. The functional components include: injector, transporter, preparator, mixer, reactor, separator, detector, controller, and power supply. The components are represented by appropriate symbols allowing designers to present their lab-on-a-chip products in a standard manner. Definition and role of each functional component are included and complemented with examples of existing work. Through the approach presented in this paper, it is hoped that modularity and technology transfer in lab-on-a-chip systems can be further facilitated and their application in nanobiotechnology be expanded.<br /