Fine mapping of a linkage peak with integration of lipid traits identifies novel coronary artery disease genes on chromosome 5

Coronary artery disease (CAD), and one of its intermediate risk factors, dyslipidemia, possess a demonstrable genetic component, although the genetic architecture is incompletely defined. We previously reported a linkage peak on chromosome 5q31-33 for early-onset CAD where the strength of evidence for linkage was increased in families with higher mean low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Therefore, we sought to fine-map the peak using association mapping of LDL-C as an intermediate disease-related trait to further define the etiology of this linkage peak. The study populations consisted of 1908 individuals from the CATHGEN biorepository of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization; 254 families (N = 827 individuals) from the GENECARD familial study of early-onset CAD; and 162 aorta samples harvested from deceased donors. Linkage disequilibrium-tagged SNPs were selected with an average of one SNP per 20 kb for 126.6-160.2 MB (region of highest linkage) and less dense spacing (one SNP per 50 kb) for the flanking regions (117.7-126.6 and 160.2-167.5 MB) and genotyped on all samples using a custom Illumina array. Association analysis of each SNP with LDL-C was performed using multivariable linear regression (CATHGEN) and the quantitative trait transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT; GENECARD). SNPs associated with the intermediate quantitative trait, LDL-C, were then assessed for association with CAD (i.e., a qualitative phenotype) using linkage and association in the presence of linkage (APL; GENECARD) and logistic regression (CATHGEN and aortas)

WATER USE AND YIELD OF BASIL AS INFLUENCED BY DRIP IRRIGATION LEVELS AND MULCHING

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the popular herbs with culinary importance in the Virgin Islands. Local herb growers traditionally water their crops with sprinkler cans and garden hoses. This method results in inefficient use of water, a scarce resource in the Virgin Islands. A field experiment was conducted in 1994 to determine the minimum requirement and efficient use of irrigation water for basil. Basil was grown in plots with and without mulch and drip-irrigated at various levels to maintain soil moisture tensions of 2 0 , 4 0 and 60kPa. A black fabric weed barrier ground cover was used in mulched plots. A rainfed plot without mulch was included as a control. Total fresh basil yield was highest (42.3 t/ha) in plots with no mulch and irrigated to maintain soil moisture at 40 kPa. Yield from this treatment was significantly different from other treatments except treatments irrigated at a soil moisture of 20 kPa with and without mulch. Similar results were obtained with leaf fresh yield. Yields from all drip-irrigated plots were significantly higher than the control. Total plant dry matter yield (5.79 t/ha) was highest in the treatment irrigated at 40 kPa without mulch, but was not significantly different from other treatments except the control. Water use was highest in the treatment irrigated at a soil moisture of 20 kPa with no mulch and lowest in the mulched plots irrigated at a soil moisture of 60 kPa. Mulching reduced water use of basil by 50%. Water use efficiency was highest when basil was irrigated to a soil moisture of 60 kPa combined with mulching. For this treatment water cost to produce a kilogram of fresh basil was US$1.97 compared with$5.76 when basil was irrigated at soil moisture of 20 kPa without mulch. This study shows that basil can be grown with minimum irrigation water equivalent to soil moisture of 60 kPa with mulch. At this level, water use is reduced and efficiency is improved

ORGANIC AND SYNTHETIC MULCHES AFFECT YIELD OF BASIL UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION

Yields of most vegetable crops have been improved by the beneficial effects of drip irrigation and mulching. The use of these crop management techniques reduces water use, increases water-use efficiency and improves yield and quality of vegetable crops. These benefits are significant in the Virgin Islands where water is a major limiting resource in crop production. Field experiments were conducted in 1991 and 1993 to evaluate the effects of organic and synthetic mulches on yield of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under drip irrigation. Basil was grown in plots with organic (compost or straw) and synthetic (black plastic or black fabric) mulches. A no-mulch control plot was also included. All plots were dripirrigated to maintain soil moisture tension at 30 kPa. In 1991, total plant fresh and leaf fresh and dry weights were highest in the compost mulch treatment. Fresh and dry basil yields in plots with black plastic mulch were almost identical with those in compost mulch, but did not differ from other treatments. In 1993, total plant and leaf fresh yields from plots under organic mulches were significantly higher than yields from plots with synthetic mulches. All mulch treatments resulted in lower water use, increased water use efficiency and lower weed population than the control (bare soil). Organic mulches reduced surface soil temperature by 2 to 5 °C. This study demonstrates the potential of organic mulches for improving production of herbs in the Virgin Islands

Effect of gingival fibroblasts and ultrasound on dogs′ root resorption during orthodontic treatment

Objectives: To investigate the effect of using osteogenic induced gingival fibroblasts (OIGFs) and low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on root resorption lacunae volume and cementum thickness in beagle dogs that received orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods: Seven beagle dogs were used, from which gingival cells (GCs) were obtained and were induced osteogenically to produce OIGFs. Each third and fourth premolar was randomly assigned to one of the five groups, namely, LIPUS, OIGFs, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), OIGFs + LIPUS, and control. All groups received 4 weeks of bodily tooth movement, then LIPUS-treated groups received LIPUS for 20 min/day for 4 weeks, and OIGFs groups received an injection of OIGFs near the root apex. Microcomputed tomography analysis was used to calculate root resorption lacunae volume and histomorphometric analysis was performed to measure the cementum thickness of each root at 3 root levels on compression and tension sides. Results: There was no significant difference in resorption volume between the treatment groups. OIGFs + LIPUS increased cementum thickness (P > 0.05) in third premolars near the apex, and LIPUS increased cementum thickness (P > 0.05) in fourth premolars near the apex. Furthermore, BMP2 increased cementum thickness at the coronal third at the compression side. Conclusion: OIGFs, LIPUS, and BMP-2 can be potential treatments for orthodontically induced root resorption, however, improvements in experimental design and treatment parameters are required to further investigate these repair modalities

Effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation vs surgical aortic valve replacement on all-cause mortality in patients with aortic stenosis

Importance: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement and is the treatment of choice for patients at high operative risk. The role of TAVI in patients at lower risk is unclear. Objective: To determine whether TAVI is noninferior to surgery in patients at moderately increased operative risk. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this randomized clinical trial conducted at 34 UK centers, 913 patients aged 70 years or older with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis and moderately increased operative risk due to age or comorbidity were enrolled between April 2014 and April 2018 and followed up through April 2019. Interventions: TAVI using any valve with a CE mark (indicating conformity of the valve with all legal and safety requirements for sale throughout the European Economic Area) and any access route (n = 458) or surgical aortic valve replacement (surgery; n = 455). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 1 year. The primary hypothesis was that TAVI was noninferior to surgery, with a noninferiority margin of 5% for the upper limit of the 1-sided 97.5% CI for the absolute between-group difference in mortality. There were 36 secondary outcomes (30 reported herein), including duration of hospital stay, major bleeding events, vascular complications, conduction disturbance requiring pacemaker implantation, and aortic regurgitation. Results: Among 913 patients randomized (median age, 81 years [IQR, 78 to 84 years]; 424 [46%] were female; median Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score, 2.6% [IQR, 2.0% to 3.4%]), 912 (99.9%) completed follow-up and were included in the noninferiority analysis. At 1 year, there were 21 deaths (4.6%) in the TAVI group and 30 deaths (6.6%) in the surgery group, with an adjusted absolute risk difference of −2.0% (1-sided 97.5% CI, −∞ to 1.2%; P < .001 for noninferiority). Of 30 prespecified secondary outcomes reported herein, 24 showed no significant difference at 1 year. TAVI was associated with significantly shorter postprocedural hospitalization (median of 3 days [IQR, 2 to 5 days] vs 8 days [IQR, 6 to 13 days] in the surgery group). At 1 year, there were significantly fewer major bleeding events after TAVI compared with surgery (7.2% vs 20.2%, respectively; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.33 [95% CI, 0.24 to 0.45]) but significantly more vascular complications (10.3% vs 2.4%; adjusted HR, 4.42 [95% CI, 2.54 to 7.71]), conduction disturbances requiring pacemaker implantation (14.2% vs 7.3%; adjusted HR, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.43 to 2.94]), and mild (38.3% vs 11.7%) or moderate (2.3% vs 0.6%) aortic regurgitation (adjusted odds ratio for mild, moderate, or severe [no instance of severe reported] aortic regurgitation combined vs none, 4.89 [95% CI, 3.08 to 7.75]). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients aged 70 years or older with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis and moderately increased operative risk, TAVI was noninferior to surgery with respect to all-cause mortality at 1 year. Trial Registration: isrctn.com Identifier: ISRCTN57819173