Genetic variability, heritability and character association of grain yield and its components among selected genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.), Gezira State, Sudan

In the Sudan, the low yield of maize was mainly due to the use of low yielding land races and open-pollinated varieties. Hence, the current study was conducted to measure the extent of genotypic and phenotypic variability, genotypic performance, heritability, genotype x season interaction, and the magnitude of association among seed yield and its components of 10 maize genotypes. The experiment was carried out during the summer of 2017 and the winter of 2017/18, using a randomized complete block  design with three replicates, at the University of Gezira Farm, Wad Medani, Sudan. The characters measured were days to 50% tasseling and silking, plant and ear height, number of kernels per row and per ear, ear diameter, cob length, 100-kernels weight and grain yield. High significant phenotypic variability was detected for all the measured characters. Seasonal differences were also significant. High broad sense heritability estimates were recorded for 50% tasseling and silking and plant height while the rest of the characters showed moderate estimates. The study confirmed the fact that maize is a summer crop in central Sudan. In summer, the highest seed yield genotype was HSD 5158 (2609 kg/ha) and in winter was HSD 3538 (2285 kg/ha). Days to 50% tasseling and silking and plant height were significantly and positively correlated with yield and so recommended as selection criteria for seed yield improvement. It is recommended to grow genotypes HSD 5158 in summer and HSD 3538 in winter as well as genotypes VMH 4040, VMH 4102 and HSD 5007 in both seasons. Testing of these genotypes under different locations and seasons is suggested.              يعزى ضعف إنتاجية الذرة الشامية بالسودان لزراعة أصناف مفتوحة التلقيح وسلالات محلية ضعيفة الإنتاج. هدفت هذه الدراسة لقياس التباين الظاهري والوراثي ودرجة التوريث على المدى العريض وتفاعل الطراز الوراثي والموسم وارتباط إنتاج البذور ومكوناته. نفذت التجربة في صيف 2017 وشتاء 18/2017 بتصميم القطاعات العشوائية الكاملة بثلاث مكررات بمزرعة جامعة الجزيرة، واد مدني، السودان. الصفات التي  قيست هي : عدد الأيام لظهور 50% من الأزهار المذكرة والمؤنثة وطول النبات وارتفاع القندول وعدد بذور الصف والقندول ومحيط القندول وطول الكوز ووزن مائة حبة وإنتاج البذور. أظهرت النتائج اختلافاً معنوياً بين الطرز الوراثية لكل الصفات وفي الموسمين. تأثير الموسم كان معنوياً. سجلت قيم عالية لدرجة التوريث بالمعنى العريض لصفات 50% إزهار مذكر ومؤنث وطول النبات ولكن الصفات الأخرى أظهرت قيم وسطية. ثبت أن محصول الذرة الشامية في وسط السودان محصول صيفي. الطراز الذي أعطى أعلى إنتاجية صيفاً هو HSD 5158 (2609 كجم/هـ) وشتاءً  هو  HSD 3538 (2285 كجم/هـ). ارتبطت صفات الإزهار المؤنث والمذكر وطول النبات ارتباطاً موجباً ومعنوياً بالإنتاجية وعليه يمكن استعمالها كمؤشرات انتخاب لتحسين إنتاجية الحبوب. يوصى بزراعة الطراز HSD 5158  صيفاً والطراز HSD 3538 شتاءً والطرز VMH 4040 و VMH 4102 و HSD 5007 في الموسمين معاً. يوصى بزراعة هذه الطرز المقترحة في مواسم ومواقع متعددة لتأكيد النتائج. &nbsp

Saudi SCD patients’ symptoms and quality of life relative to the number of ED visits

Background Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) have significantly increased emergency department (ED) use compared to the general population. In Saudi Arabia, health care is free for all individuals and therefore has no bearing on increased ED visits. However, little is known about the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and frequency of acute care utilization in this patient population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 patients with SCD who attended the outpatient department at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through self-administered surveys, which included: demographics, SCD-related ED visits, clinical issues, and QoL levels. We assessed the ED use by asking for the number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month period. Results The self-report survey of ED visits was completed by 308 SCD patients. The median number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month time period (IQR) was four (2-7 visits). According to the unadjusted negative binomial model, the rate of SCD-related ED visits increased by (46, 39.3, 40, and 53.5 %) for patients with fever, skin redness with itching, swelling, and blood transfusion, respectively. Poor QoL tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education and poor general health positively influenced the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits by 50.2 %. The rate of SCD-related ED visits decreased by 1.4 % for every point increase in general health. Conclusion Saudi patients with sickle cell disease reported a wide range of SCD-related ED visits. It was estimated that six of 10 SCD patients had at least three ED visits within a 6-month period. Well education and poor general health resulted in an increase in the rate of SCD-related ED visits

Design, Synthesis and Investigation of Mefenamic Acid Containing Thiazolidine-4-one

Mefenamic acid and chloroacetyl chloride were mixed together to make 2-(2-chloro-N-(2,3-dimethylphenyl) acetamido) benzoic acid. The last compound prepared reacted with hydrazine hydrate to get 2-(N-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-2-hydrazineylacetamido) benzoic acid, Condensed substituted benzaldehydes were utilized to make Schiff bases; Through cyclization reactions with thioglycolic acid, these compounds were transformed into 2,3-disubstituted thiazolidine-4-one; and finally, all structures were described using FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and mass spectrometry

Optical properties and efficiency studies for Beta Vulgarize, Curcuma Longa and Vulgaris var. cicla dye sensitized solar cell

The sun light, that gives the clean, fleckless and cheap energy which is an environmental friend; becomes the demand and on-call of the researchers in the last century.  In this paper, the three natural dyes, namely; (Beta Vulgarize, Curcuma Longa and Vulgaris var. cicla) were successfully and swimmingly synthesized by dissolved in acetone solvent. The optical properties; absorbance, transmission, reflection, absorption coefficient and energy band gap were carefully and solicitously studied using ultra violet visible spectrometer UV.vis. The vibration modes for the three samples were also determined and delimited using Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy FTIR. The efficiency of dye sensitized solar cell DSSC was studied using and utilisation IV characteristic for three natural dyes  (Beta Vulgarize, Curcuma Longa and Vulgaris var. cicla), where the cell was fabricated and processed by coating a conducting proceeding substrate of (FTO) using titanium dioxide TiO2.  The power conversion efficiency was calculated and reckoned, which found to be [0.583, 0.539 and 0.285], respectively. The highest efficiency obtained from this DSSC sensitized by Beta Vulgarize which was 0.583%, and thus might be due to its concentrated, focussed dye and colour.&nbsp

Optical properties and efficiency studies for Beta Vulgarize, Curcuma Longa and Vulgaris var. cicla dye sensitized solar cell

The sun light, that gives the clean, fleckless and cheap energy which is an environmental friend; becomes the demand and on-call of the researchers in the last century.  In this paper, the three natural dyes, namely; (Beta Vulgarize, Curcuma Longa and Vulgaris var. cicla) were successfully and swimmingly synthesized by dissolved in acetone solvent. The optical properties; absorbance, transmission, reflection, absorption coefficient and energy band gap were carefully and solicitously studied using ultra violet visible spectrometer UV.vis. The vibration modes for the three samples were also determined and delimited using Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy FTIR. The efficiency of dye sensitized solar cell DSSC was studied using and utilisation IV characteristic for three natural dyes  (Beta Vulgarize, Curcuma Longa and Vulgaris var. cicla), where the cell was fabricated and processed by coating a conducting proceeding substrate of (FTO) using titanium dioxide TiO2.  The power conversion efficiency was calculated and reckoned, which found to be [0.583, 0.539 and 0.285], respectively. The highest efficiency obtained from this DSSC sensitized by Beta Vulgarize which was 0.583%, and thus might be due to its concentrated, focussed dye and colour.&nbsp

Screening of some sorghum genotypes for resistance to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis (= Contarinia) sorghicola Coqillet (diptera: Cecidomyiidae) under gedarif rainfed conditions

Preliminary experiments were conducted at Northern area, Gedarif State during seasons of 2002-03, 2006-07.Where as advanced trials during 2008/2009 to 2012/2013 at northern and Southern areas. The objective was to evaluate selected sorghum genotypes for sorghum midge resistance. A total of 3000 accessions were obtained from Gene Bank Resources. Resistant genotype, DJ 6514 (Resistant Check already released in 2007) was obtained from International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Result showed that the midge damage rating was significantly different among genotypes. The midge damage rating scores ranged between, 1.3- 8.6; 1.1- 9.2; 1.4- 9.0; 1.1 – 9.4; and 1.2- 9.2 for all seasons (2008/09; 2009/10; 2010/11; 2011/12 and 2012/13). However, the lowest midge damage rating was recorded by DJ 6514 (Resistant check), followed by P₁ 570162 (Hag Abbakar); GBM 30 (Early Feterita); Wad Baco; and Safra (1.4; 1.5; 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7), respectively. Genotypes, P₁ 570162 (Hag Abbakar); GBM 30 (Early Feterita); Wad Baco; Safra and Harerai showed lowest % yield loss and performed similar to the resistant check (14.2; 14.5; 14.5; 17.0 and 17.3%), respectively. The combined analysis showed that a significant difference was observed between genotypes. The genotypes were significantly different in panicle types, compact and semi-compact headed genotypes showed lower % glumes coverage (1.3- 4.5%), while semi-compact headed genotypes ranged between 5.5 – 7.8%. Genotypes, Wad Baco; P₁ 570162 (Hag Abbakar); GBM 30 (Early Feterita); Safra; Wad Ahmed; Harerai and Wad Akar showed the shortest glumes coverage (1.3; 1.3; 1.5; 1.5; 1.6; 1.7 and 1.8 %). Compact headed genotypes recorded lowest midge density (6.5 adults/ 5 heads), while the semi-compact headed genotypes were recorded 15.7 adults/ 5 heads compared with others types of heads

Multi-environmental evaluation of wheat tetraploid genotypes for agronomic traits under rainfed conditions in Syria

This study was conducted at Homs, Al-Swaida and Tartous, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria during 2016/2017 season. Seven wheat genotypes were planted under rainfed conditions in randomized complete block design with three replications. Studied traits were days to maturity, plant height, number of grain per spike, grain weight per spike, 1000 kernal weight and grain yield per plant to evaluate variance between genotypes and locations. Results showed existence of high variance between studied genotypes in all traits especially plant height. It resulted that genotype W45193 was significantly superior in grain yield per plant with an increasing rate of 69.62% comparing to control Sham 5. Also, it was significantly superior in spike numbers with an increasing rate of 53.53%, 57.24% compared to both controls Sham 3 and Sham 5, respectively. Genotype W45064 was significantly superior in grain weight per spike and 1000 kernal weight compare to both controls Sham 3 and Sham 5. W 45194 was significantly superior in 1000 kernal weight comparing to control Sham 5 (36.34, 31.16 g), respectively. Furthermore, all studied traits (except spike number per plant) were more significant in Tartous compare to both Homs and Al-Swaida

Сравнение показателей соотношений тромбоциты / лимфоциты и нейтрофилы / лимфоциты в качестве предикторов исхода COVID-19

Clinical presentation is an undependable prognostic indicator of COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019). So, a more objective predictor is needed to precisely evaluate and classify the prognosis. Immune dysregulation to lymphocytes, mainly T-lymphocytes, have been noticed between COVID-19 patients. The aim. This study was planned to determine the role of platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in assessment of COVID-19 prognosis. Methods. 70 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. All included patients underwent a consistent clinical, radiological and blood examination. Laboratory analysis was made by means of a commercially accessible kit. Blood cells ratios were computed by dividing their absolute counts. Results. Non-significant association was found between laboratory data and COVID-19 clinical severity. A significant association between CT classification and platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio (higher value in L type; p = 0.001) was detected. Platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio was significantly higher among intubated cases. However, Non-significant association was found between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and need of endotracheal intubation. Conclusion. Routine blood values are abnormal in patients with COVID-19. Platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio ratios could be used as more meaningful biomarker than other values in predicting the prognosis of COVID-19. LMR helpful in COVID-19 severity.Клиническая картина является ненадежным показателем прогноза исхода новой коронавирусной инфекции (НКИ), поэтому для точной оценки и классификации прогноза необходим более объективный прогнозирующий фактор. У пациентов, перенесших НКИ, отмечается нарушение регуляции иммунного ответа со стороны лимфоцитов, в основном Т-лимфоцитов. Целью исследования явилось определение роли показателей соотношений тромбоциты / лимфоциты и нейтрофилы / лимфоциты при оценке прогноза COVID-19. Материалы и методы. В исследование были включены госпитализированные пациенты (n = 70) с подтвержденным COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019). У всех пациентов проводились последовательное клиническое и рентгенологическое обследование и анализ крови. Лабораторные анализы выполнялись с помощью коммерческого набора. Соотношения показателей клеток крови рассчитывались путем деления их абсолютного количества. Результаты. Обнаружена незначимая связь между лабораторными показателями и степенью тяжести COVID-19. Выявлена значимая связь между степенью поражения легких по данным компьютерной томографии и показателем соотношения тромбоциты / лимфоциты (более высокое значение для L-типа; p = 0,001). У интубированных пациентов соотношение показателя тромбоциты / лимфоциты было значимо выше. Однако обнаружена незначимая связь между показателем соотношения нейтрофилы / лимфоциты и необходимостью интубации трахеи. Заключение. У пациентов с COVID-19 наблюдаются отклонения показателей рутинных анализов крови. Показатель соотношения тромбоциты / лимфоциты может служить биомаркером при прогнозировании течения COVID-19, а показатель соотношения лимфоциты / моноциты полезен при прогнозировании степени тяжести COVID-19

Natural adaptation and human selection of northeast African sheep genomes

African sheep manifest diverse but distinct physio-anatomical traits, which are the outcomes of natural- and human-driven selection. Here, we generated 34.8 million variants from 150 indigenous northeast African sheep genomes sequenced at an average depth of ∼54× for 130 samples (Ethiopia, Libya) and ∼20× for 20 samples (Sudan). These represented sheep from diverse environments, tail morphology and post-Neolithic introductions to Africa. Phylogenetic and model-based admixture analysis provided evidence of four genetic groups corresponding to altitudinal geographic origins, tail morphotypes and possible historical introduction and dispersal of the species into and across the continent. Running admixture at higher levels of K (6 ≤ K ≤ 25), revealed cryptic levels of genome intermixing as well as distinct genetic backgrounds in some populations. Comparative genomic analysis identified targets of selection that spanned conserved haplotype structures overlapping clusters of genes and gene families. These were related to hypoxia responses, ear morphology, caudal vertebrae and tail skeleton length, and tail fat-depot structures. Our findings provide novel insights underpinning morphological variation and response to human-driven selection and environmental adaptation in African indigenous sheep