Genetic Component Effects of Two Loci on Seed Dormancy, Awn, Low-Temperature Germination, Plant Height, and Flowering Time in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Seed dormancy (SD) is an adaptive trait of both ecological and agricultural importance. Cereal crops have been selected for reduced SD to promote germination, which also caused the pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) problem in crop production. The previous research identified a set of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for SD, including qSD1- 2 and qSD8, in the conspecific weedy and cultivated rice (Oryza sativa). qSD1-2 carries a dormancy-enhancing allele from the cultivated rice and has a pleiotropic effect on plant height. qSD8 carries a dormancy-enhancing allele from the weedy rice and tightly links to qAL8 for awn length. The objectives of this research were: 1) to assemble the qSD1-2 and qSD8 alleles in the same genetic background as isogenic lines for fundamental research; and 2) to evaluate additive (a) and dominance (d) and epistatic (i) effects of these two loci on germination ability and its associated traits for use of the QTL alleles to breed cultivars resistant to PHS. Single plants that are heterozygous for the qSD1-2 and qSD8 regions were selected from the BC1F1 to BC1F5 generations of a backcross (BC) to synchronize the genetic background. From the BC1F6 generation all the nine digenic genotypes for the two loci were identified as isogenic lines (ILs). A total of 144 plants for the nine ILs were grown in a greenhouse, and evaluated for SD by a standard germination test (30°C) at 0 and 10 days of after-ripening (DAR), low-temperature (15°C) germination (LTG) ability, plant height, flowering time and percentage of awned seeds per panicle. QTL analysis confirmed the effects of qSD1-2 on SD and plant height, and the associations of qSD8 with the SD and awn traits. The analysis also identified new effects of the two QTL regions on LTG and flowering time, and the qSD8 region on plant height. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the qSD1-2 and qSD8 loci influence the SD and flowering time traits by their main (a and/or d) effects, and the plant height and LTG traits by both main and epistatic effects. The regression analysis also revealed that qSD1- 2 had no effect, while qSD8 alone had only a small effect (6.5%) on the awn trait. This research provided new data to support the coevolution of SD with the adaptive traits awn, plant height, flowering time and LTG. The four homozygotes for the qSD1-2 and qSD8 loci were purified as a set of ILs. These lines are valuable for mapbased cloning qSD8 and for research molecular mechanisms regulating the SD development/release in the model system of rice. The dormancy-enhancing allele at qSD1-2 is common in rice semidwarf cultivars. The estimated genetic component effects suggest that an addition of the dormancy-enhancing allele at qSD8 to the genetic background of a semidwarf variety could reduce germination significantly (11% due to the additive effect). However, this addition may cause short-awned seeds, reduce LTG (8%), but have little influence on plant height and flowering time

The effect of breast-feeding duration on bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women: a population-based study

Alcelik, Aytekin/0000-0002-3156-1076WOS: 000292798400018PubMed: 22295033Introduction: In the present study, we investigated the effects of breast-feeding time on bone mineral density (BMD) later in life. Material and methods: The current study was based on a retrospective analysis of 586 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 60.8 years, who were screened for osteoporosis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). They were classified into 4 groups with respect to the duration of their breast-feeding as never (group 1), 1-24 months (group 2), 25-60 months (group 3), or > 60 months (group 4). Bone mineral density results for the femur neck and lumbar spine were classified into 3 groups according to WHO criteria as normal (T score > -1.0 SD), osteopenia (T score -1.0 to -2.5 SD), and osteoporosis (T score < -2.5 SD). Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T score < -1.0 SD) were considered as having low bone mass (LBM). Results: We found a correlation between duration of lactation and femur BMD or spine BMD in the study population (r = 0.116, p < 0.005; r = -0.151, p = 0.001, respectively). Significant differences were found between femur BMD and spine BMD of groups in one-way ANOVA analysis (p = 0.025, p = 0.005, respectively). Additionally, when compared with the other three groups, group 4 was older and had longer duration of menopause (p < 0.01). In logistic regression analysis, age and body mass index were found as independent risk factors of LBM [odds ratio: 1.084 (95% CI 1.031-1.141); odds ratio: 0.896 (95% CI 0.859-0.935)], while duration of lactation was not found as an independent predictor of LBM. Conclusions: In this study, we have found that changes of bone metabolism during lactation had no effect on postmenopausal BMD measured by DXA. Consequently, it can be suggested that long breast-feeding duration is not a risk factor for low bone mass later in life

Relationship between blood pressure levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women

WOS: 000290915100012PubMed: 22291766Introduction: We investigated the association between bone mineral density (BMD) detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric (DXA) method and blood pressure (BP) in a large sample of postmenopausal women. Material and methods: The current study was based on a retrospective analysis of 586 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 60.8 +/- 8.8 years, who were screened for osteopenia or osteoporosis by DXA. Patients with hypertension (HT, n = 306) were compared with normotensive (NT, n = 290) individuals. Bone mineral density results for the femur neck and spine were classified into 3 groups according to World Health Organization criteria: normal (T score > -1.0 SD), osteopenia (T score -1.0 to -2.5 SD) and osteoporosis (T score <-2.5 SD). Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis (T score < -1.0 SD) were grouped as having low bone mass (LBM). Results: There were no significant differences in femur T score, femur BMD, femur Z score, spinal T score, spinal BMD and spinal Z score between hypertensive and normotensive groups. The group of patients with low bone mass calculated from femur T scores had higher age, systolic BP, duration of hypertension and duration of menopause, but lower BMI. Similarly, patients with low spine BMD had higher age and duration of menopause, but lower BMI. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between systolic BP and femur BMD and T score values. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension is an independent predictor of spinal osteopenia and osteoporosis. Conclusions: The presence of hypertension is an independent predictor of spinal low bone density in Turkish women after menopause

Chronic hepatitis B associated with hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, necroinflammation and fibrosis.

Background: The effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on fatty liver disease is unclear.. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the viral and host causes of fatty liver in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This study included 88 CHB patients of which 17 were not treated. Liver biopsy was performed in each patient. Group 1 included those with hepatic steatosis (n=28) and group 2 those without hepatic steatosis. The groups were compared in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), Homeostasis Model Assessment- Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), viral load, biochemical parameters and histological findings. Patients in group 1 were subdivided according to the degree of steatosis as follows: grade 1 (15 patients, 53.6%), grade 2 (6 patients, 21.4%),and grade 3 (7 patients, 25%). Results: In group 1 (n=28), mean age, BMI, cholesterol, and HOMA-IR were found to be significantly higher than in group 2 (n=60). There were no significant differences in the positivity of viral load, HbeAg, treatment, fibrosis and other laboratory parameters between the two groups. HOMA-IR was the only independent predictive factor of liver steatosis in patients with CHB in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Hepatic steatosis in CHB patients was associated with host metabolic factors

MIR376A is a regulator of starvation-induced autophagy

Background: Autophagy is a vesicular trafficking process responsible for the degradation of long-lived, misfolded or abnormal proteins, as well as damaged or surplus organelles. Abnormalities of the autophagic activity may result in the accumulation of protein aggregates, organelle dysfunction, and autophagy disorders were associated with various diseases. Hence, mechanisms of autophagy regulation are under exploration. Methods: Over-expression of hsa-miR-376a1 (shortly MIR376A) was performed to evaluate its effects on autophagy. Autophagy-related targets of the miRNA were predicted using Microcosm Targets and MIRanda bioinformatics tools and experimentally validated. Endogenous miRNA was blocked using antagomirs and the effects on target expression and autophagy were analyzed. Luciferase tests were performed to confirm that 3’ UTR sequences in target genes were functional. Differential expression of MIR376A and the related MIR376B was compared using TaqMan quantitative PCR. Results: Here, we demonstrated that, a microRNA (miRNA) from the DlkI/Gtl2 gene cluster, MIR376A, played an important role in autophagy regulation. We showed that, amino acid and serum starvation-induced autophagy was blocked by MIR376A overexpression in MCF-7 and Huh-7 cells. MIR376A shared the same seed sequence and had overlapping targets with MIR376B, and similarly blocked the expression of key autophagy proteins ATG4C and BECN1 (Beclin 1). Indeed, 3’ UTR sequences in the mRNA of these autophagy proteins were responsive to MIR376A in luciferase assays. Antagomir tests showed that, endogenous MIR376A was participating to the control of ATG4C and BECN1 transcript and protein levels. Moreover, blockage of endogenous MIR376A accelerated starvation-induced autophagic activity. Interestingly, MIR376A and MIR376B levels were increased with different kinetics in response to starvation stress and tissue-specific level differences were also observed, pointing out to an overlapping but miRNA-specific biological role. Conclusions: Our findings underline the importance of miRNAs encoded by the DlkI/Gtl2 gene cluster in stress-response control mechanisms, and introduce MIR376A as a new regulator of autophagy

Intraperitoneal drain placement and outcomes after elective colorectal surgery: international matched, prospective, cohort study

Despite current guidelines, intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery remains widespread. Drains were not associated with earlier detection of intraperitoneal collections, but were associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of surgical-site infections.Background Many surgeons routinely place intraperitoneal drains after elective colorectal surgery. However, enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines recommend against their routine use owing to a lack of clear clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe international variation in intraperitoneal drain placement and the safety of this practice. Methods COMPASS (COMPlicAted intra-abdominal collectionS after colorectal Surgery) was a prospective, international, cohort study which enrolled consecutive adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery (February to March 2020). The primary outcome was the rate of intraperitoneal drain placement. Secondary outcomes included: rate and time to diagnosis of postoperative intraperitoneal collections; rate of surgical site infections (SSIs); time to discharge; and 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade at least III). After propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the independent association of the secondary outcomes with drain placement. Results Overall, 1805 patients from 22 countries were included (798 women, 44.2 per cent; median age 67.0 years). The drain insertion rate was 51.9 per cent (937 patients). After matching, drains were not associated with reduced rates (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. 0.79 to 2.23; P = 0.287) or earlier detection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 0.33 to 2.31; P = 0.780) of collections. Although not associated with worse major postoperative complications (OR 1.09, 0.68 to 1.75; P = 0.709), drains were associated with delayed hospital discharge (HR 0.58, 0.52 to 0.66; P &lt; 0.001) and an increased risk of SSIs (OR 2.47, 1.50 to 4.05; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion Intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery is not associated with earlier detection of postoperative collections, but prolongs hospital stay and increases SSI risk

Determinants of first-term attrition for enlisted and officer selected Marine Corps reservists

This study examines the factors that correlate with first-term attrition of enlisted Marines and officers in the Selected Marine CorpsReserve (SMCR). The data for this study were provided by Headquarters Marine CorpsManpower and Reserve Affairs for fiscal years 2001 through 2014. We create two separate multivariate models to identify the causes of attrition for both populations. The enlisted personnel model used finds that rank and education have the greatest effect on the attrition behavior of enlisted Marines, while the Armed Forces Qualification Test scores and waiver have the least effect. For officers, rank has the greatest effect on the attrition probability, while age and unit type variables have the least effects. Numerous other variables under different categories were found to have significant effects on Marine SMCR attrition behavior. Some variables have different effects on each population, such as marital status. This variable is associated with higher attrition rates for enlisted personnel, while it decreases the attrition probability of officers. Other variables in this category include Physical Fitness Test scores, unit type, and number of dependents.http://archive.org/details/determinantsoffi1094545267Captain, Turkish Army1st Lt, Turkish Gendarmerie General CommandApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Subacutely Formed Bezoar Resulting from Accidentally Ingested Industrial Material

Bezoars are the most common foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical manifestations vary depending on the location of the bezoar, from no symptoms to acute abdominal syndrome. The ingestion of cling film, which is used for preserving food, may lead to a mechanical obstruction of the gut, especially at the second portion of the duodenal segment, and could manifest with abdominal pain, epigastric distress, nausea, vomiting, and fullness. We report the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with gastric outlet obstruction after accidentally ingesting cling film. He completely recovered after it was endoscopically removed. Cling film is not toxic but has erosive effects. Endoscopic removal of such material is recommended. Moreover, psychiatric intervention and management is imperative to prevent recurrence in such cases

Shear Bond Strength Of Orthodontic Brackets Bonded Using Conventional Vs One And Two Step Self-Etching/Adhesive Systems

Objective: To assess and compare the effects of one- and two-step self-etching primer and adhesive with conventional acid-etching and bonding system on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets. Materials and Methods: The one-step self-etching primer and adhesive used was Clearfil tri-S bond, the two-step fluoride-releasing antibacterial self-etching primer and adhesive was Clearfil Protect Bond, and the fluoride-releasing conventional acid-etching and bonding system was Kurasper F Bond. Brackets were bonded to defect-free human premolars (n = 14 per group) according to each manufacturer's recommendations by using light-cured bracket adhesive Kurasper F Paste with a light-emitting diode of a light-curing unit. The specimens were stored in deionized water at 37 degrees C for 48 hours and then tested in shear with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min until the brackets debonded. The mode of failure of the brackets was determined by a modified adhesive remnant index. Results: Mean shear bond strength values were 9.00 MPa for Kurasper F Bond, 9.55 MPa for Clearfil Protect Bond, and 9.48 MPa for Clearfil tri-S Bond. One-way analysis of variance detected no statistically significant difference among groups (P = .98, P > .05). The predominant failure for the three groups was at the bracket-adhesive interface leaving less than 25% of the adhesive on the bracket base. Conclusions: One-step self-etching adhesive and two-step fluoride-releasing antibacterial self-etching adhesive have sufficient mechanical properties for the bonding of orthodontic brackets.Wo