Identification of environmentally stable QTL for resistance against Leptosphaeria maculans in oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

© The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.Phoma stem canker, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, is a disease of world-wide importance on oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mediated resistance against L. maculans in B. napus is considered to be race non-specific and potentially durable. Identification and evaluation of QTL for resistance to L. maculans is important for breeding oilseed rape cultivars with durable resistance. An oilseed rape mapping population was used to detect QTL for resistance against L. maculans in five winter oilseed rape field experiments under different environments. A total of 17 QTL involved in ‘field’ quantitative resistance against L. maculans were detected and collectively explained 51% of the phenotypic variation. The number of QTL detected in each experiment ranged from two to nine and individual QTL explained 2 to 25% of the phenotypic variation. QTL × environment interaction analysis suggested that six of these QTL were less sensitive to environmental factors, so they were considered to be stable QTL. Markers linked to these stable QTL will be valuable for selection to breed for effective resistance against L. maculans in different environments, which will contribute to sustainable management of the disease.Peer reviewe

Rare Earth-Activated Silica-Based Nanocomposites

Two different kinds of rare earth-activated glass-based nanocomposite photonic materials, which allow to tailor the spectroscopic properties of rare-earth ions: (i) Er3+-activated SiO2-HfO2 waveguide glass ceramic, and (ii) core-shell-like structures of Er3+-activated silica spheres obtained by a seed growth method, are presented

Selective Phenotyping Traits Related to Multiple Stress and Drought Response in Dry Bean

Abiotic stress tolerance in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is complex. Increased population sizes are contributing to finding QTL conditioning stress response but phenotyping has not kept pace with high throughput genotyping for such studies. Our objectives were to determine effectiveness of 20 most tolerant and 20 most susceptible lines representing phenotypic extremes from a RIL population (‘Buster’ x \u27Roza’ [BR]) to facilitate examination of 19 traits for relevance to stress response and to validate existing QTL conditioning stress response. Using phenotypic extremes tested across multiple trials, eight of the 19 traits were clearly associated with drought stress. Pod wall ratio (PW), plant biomass by weight or a visual rating, and greenness index (NDVI) were most associated with seed yield (SY) under stress followed by phenology traits. The phenotypic extreme lines were also useful for validating QTL previously identified in the whole RIL population conditioning SY, seed weight (SW) and days to flower (DF), harvest maturity (HM), and seed fill (DSF). New QTL were identified for biomass, PW, and NDVI which co-segregated with major QTL for seed yield SY1.1BR and SY2.1BR. The preliminary finding of NDVI 1.1BR supports aerial imaging in larger genetic populations geared toward QTL analysis of stress response. In summary, phenotypic extremes helped sort through traits relevant to stress response in the Buster x Roza RIL population and verified the effect of two major QTL in response to terminal drought

EFFICACY OF PLANT EXTRACT ON PERFORMANCE AND MORPHOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL PATTERNS OF DIGESTIVE TRACT WALL IN CHICKENS

On-axis deep tow side scan sonar data are used together with off-axis bathymetric data to investigate the temporal variations of the accretion processes at the ultra-slow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge. Differences in the length and height of the axial volcanic ridges and various degrees of deformation of these volcanic constructions are observed in side scan sonar images of the ridge segments. We interpret these differences as stages in an evolutionary life cycle of axial volcanic ridge development, including periods of volcanic construction and periods of tectonic dismemberment. Using off-axis bathymetric data, we identify numerous abyssal hills with a homogeneous size for each segment. These abyssal hills all display an asymmetric shape, with a steep faulted scarp facing toward the axis and a gentle dipping volcanic slope facing away. We suggest that these hills are remnants of old split axial volcanic ridges that have been transported onto the flanks and that they result from successive periods of magmatic construction and tectonic dismemberment, i.e., a magmato-tectonic cycle. We observe that large abyssal hills are in ridge sections of thicker crust, whereas smaller abyssal hills are in ridge sections of thinner crust. This suggests that the magma supply controls the size of abyssal hills. The abyssal hills in ridge sections of thinner crust are regularly spaced, indicating that the magmato-tectonic cycle is a pseudoperiodic process that lasts ~0.4 m.y., about 4 to 6 times shorter than in ridge sections of thicker crust. We suggest that the regularity of the abyssal hills pattern is related to the persistence of a nearly constant magma supply beneath long-lived segments. By contrast, when magma supply strongly decreases and becomes highly discontinuous, regular abyssal hills patterns are no longer observed

Protocole de fabrication par voie colloïdalede cristaux photoniques 3D

session 7 " Cristaux photoniques "National audienceNous présentons ici les détails d'un processus sol-gel utilisé pour synthétiser des sphères de silice, en portant une attention particulière aux conditions expérimentales permettant de contrôler leur taille. Nous avons élaboré un protocole dans le but d'obtenir des microsphères avec une faible dispersion, et démontré que de larges domaines cristallins ordonnés d'opale synthétique montrant une " stop band " peuvent être produits en quelques jours par déposition verticale et sédimentation assistée par évaporation. La microscopie électronique à balayage a été employée pour caractériser les échantillons. Des mesures de réflexion et transmission ont été effectuées pour mettre en évidence la haute qualité des opales réalisées

Well dispersed fractal aggregates as filler in polymer-silica nanocomposites: long range effects in rheology

We are presenting a new method of processing polystyrene-silica nanocomposites, which results in a very well-defined dispersion of small primary aggregates (assembly of 15 nanoparticles of 10 nm diameter) in the matrix. The process is based on a high boiling point solvent, in which the nanoparticles are well dispersed, and controlled evaporation. The filler's fine network structure is determined over a wide range of sizes, using a combination of Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM). The mechanical response of the nanocomposite material is investigated both for small (ARES oscillatory shear and Dynamical Mechanical Analysis) and large deformations (uniaxial traction), as a function of the concentration of the particles. We can investigate the structure-property correlations for the two main reinforcement effects: the filler network contribution, and a filler-polymer matrix effect. Above a silica volume fraction threshold, we see a divergence of the modulus correlated to the build up of a connected network. Below the threshold, we obtain a new additional elastic contribution of much longer terminal time than the matrix. Since aggregates are separated by at least 60 nm, this new filler-matrix contribution cannot be described solely with the concept of glassy layer (2nm)

The Use of a Compression Device as an Alternative to Hand-Sewn and Stapled Colorectal Anastomoses: Is Three a Crowd?

BackgroundThe NiTi CAR™ 27 is a newer device that uses compression to create an anastomosis. An analysis of this device in the creation of colorectal anastomoses in humans has yet to be reported in the USA.MethodsA non-randomized, prospective pilot study of the NiTi CAR™ 27 device in patients undergoing a left-sided colectomy between March 2008 and August 2009 was performed.ResultsTwenty-three patients (9 men and 14 women) underwent a left-sided colectomy and compression anastomosis with the CAR™ 27 device. Minor morbidities, 3 of 23 (13%) patients, included one small postoperative abscess requiring antibiotics alone and two postoperative anastomotic strictures requiring balloon dilation. Major morbidities, 1 of 23 (4%) patients, included a partial anastomotic dehiscence/leak requiring surgical dismantling of the anastomosis and diversion.ConclusionThe CAR™ 27 device shows promise as a safe and effective alternative for the creation of colorectal anastomoses. However, studies in a larger patient population are warranted to demonstrate equivalence of this device

A proprietary black cumin oil extract (Nigella sativa) (BlaQmax®) modulates stress-sleep-immunity axis safely: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

ObjectiveStress, sleep, and immunity are important interdependent factors that play critical roles in the maintenance of health. It has been established that stress can affect sleep, and the quality and duration of sleep significantly impact immunity. However, single drugs capable of targeting these factors are limited because of their multi-targeting mechanisms. The present study investigated the influence of a proprietary thymoquinone-rich black cumin oil extract (BCO-5) in modulating stress, sleep, and immunity.MethodsA randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study was carried out on healthy volunteers with self-reported non-refreshing sleep issues (n = 72), followed by supplementation with BCO-5/placebo at 200  mg/day for 90  days. Validated questionnaires, PSQI and PSS, were employed for monitoring sleep and stress respectively, along with the measurement of cortisol and melatonin levels. Immunity markers were analyzed at the end of the study.ResultsIn the BCO-5 group, 70% of the participants reported satisfaction with their sleep pattern on day 7 and 79% on day 14. Additionally, both inter- and intra- group analyses of the total PSQI scores and component scores (sleep latency, duration, efficiency, quality, and daytime dysfunction) on days 45 and 90 showed the effectiveness of BCO-5 in the improvement of sleep (p < 0.05). PSS-14 analysis revealed a significant reduction in stress, upon both intra (p < 0.001) and inter-group (p < 0.001) comparisons. The observed reduction in stress among the BCO-5 group, with respect to the placebo, was significant with an effect size of 1.19 by the end of the study (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was also observed between improved sleep and reduced stress as evident from PSQI and PSS. Furthermore, there was a significant modulation in melatonin, cortisol, and orexin levels. Hematological/immunological parameters further revealed the immunomodulatory effects of BCO-5.ConclusionBCO-5 significantly modulated the stress-sleep-immunity axis with no side effects and restored restful sleep

Comparison of length-frequency versus statolith age analysis of Uroteuthis (Photololigo) singhalensis in eastern Arabian Sea

Loliginid squids are a commercially important group of neritic squids in the coastal marine waters in tropical and temperate regions around the world and are valuable resources in many areas. Uroteuthis (Photololigo) singhalensis is listed among the commercial species of loliginid squid exploited from the China Sea to the eastern Arabian Sea. Though this species is distributed from western Pacific to the Indian Ocean from the Andaman Sea, the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea and the eastern African coasts, there is little information on the life cycle of this species throughout its distributional range. The objective of this study is to determine the length-weight relationship, age and growth of U. (P.) singhalensis off eastern Arabian Sea. Most earlier estimates of growth in tropical squids are derived from length frequency analysis. The accuracy and precision of squid growth estimates have been enhanced by using statolith increment analysis, hence statolith increment is used to determine age and individual growth rate of squid off the eastern Arabian Sea. Further, the comparison of the length frequency analysis with statolith ageing techniques is attempted

Development of high-throughput methods to screen disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-1 in oilseed rape

Background: Rhizoctonia solani (Kühn) is a soil-borne, necrotrophic fungus causing damping off, root rot and stem canker in many cultivated plants worldwide. Oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) is the primary host for anastomosis group (AG) 2-1 of R. solani causing pre- and post-emergence damping-off resulting in death of seedlings and impaired crop establishment. Presently, there are no known resistant OSR genotypes and the main methods for disease control are fungicide seed treatments and cultural practices. The identification of sources of resistance for crop breeding is essential for sustainable management of the disease. However, a high-throughput, reliable screening method for resistance traits is required. The aim of this work was to develop a low cost, rapid screening method for disease phenotyping and identification of resistance traits. Results: Four growth systems were developed and tested: (1) nutrient media plates, (2) compost trays, (3) light expanded clay aggregate (LECA) trays, and (4) a hydroponic pouch and wick system. Seedlings were inoculated with virulent AG 2-1 to cause damping-off disease and grown for a period of 4–10 days. Visual disease assessments were carried out or disease was estimated through image analysis using ImageJ. Conclusion: Inoculation of LECA was the most suitable method for phenotyping disease caused by R. solani AG 2-1 as it enabled the detection of differences in disease severity among OSR genotypes within a short time period whilst allowing measurements to be conducted on whole plants. This system is expected to facilitate identification of resistant germplasm