A microsatellite marker for yellow rust resistance in wheat

Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was used to identify molecular markers associated with yellow rust disease resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). DNAs isolated from the selected yellow rust tolerant and susceptible F-2 individuals derived from a cross between yellow rust resistant and susceptible wheat genotypes were used to established a "tolerant" and a "susceptible" DNA pool. The BSA was then performed on these DNA pools using 230 markers that were previously mapped onto the individual wheat chromosomes. One of the SSR markers (Xgwm382) located on chromosome group 2 (A, B, D genomes) was present in the resistant parent and the resistant bulk but not in the susceptible parent and the susceptible bulk, suggesting that this marker is linked to a yellow rust resistance gene. The presence of Xgwm382 was also tested in 108 additional wheat genotypes differing in yellow rust resistance. This analysis showed that 81% of the wheat genotypes known to be yellow rust resistant had the Xgwm382 marker, further suggesting that the presence of this marker correlates with yellow rust resistance in diverse wheat germplasm. Therefore, Xgwm382 could be useful for marker assisted selection of yellow rust resistances genotypes in wheat breeding programs

A novel method for pain control: infiltration free local anesthesia technique (INFLATE) for transrectal prostatic biopsy using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Purpose: To describe a novel method for the control of pain during prostate biopsies, infiltration free local anesthesia technique (INFLATE) for transrectal prostatic biopsies with no further needle insertions for local anesthetic infiltration. Methods: A total of 138 men with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels and/or abnormal digital rectal examination findings were included in the study. Of the patients, 73 were assigned to the INFLATE group and 65 to the TRUS-PNB group. Demographic data, PSA levels, findings of digital rectal examinations, and multiparametric prostatic magnetic resonance imaging were recorded. In the INFLATE group, a two-channel TENStem eco basic device with two electrodes was used for pain control during the biopsy. For the TRUS-PNB group, 60 mg lidocaine gel was given intrarectally in addition to infiltration of a prilocaine and bupivacaine mixture (5 mL of 2% prilocaine + 5 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine). Pain perception was assessed using a linear numeric rating scale. Results: The mean ages, BMIs, prostate volumes, and PSA levels were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Of the 56 participants with prostate adenocarcinoma, 28 were in the INFLATE group, and 28 were in the TRUS-PNB group with a 40.6% overall cancer detection rate. The mean preoperative and post-operative pain scores during probe insertion, biopsy and post-biopsy were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study confirmed that INFLATE for transrectal prostate biopsy using a TENS device could safely and effectively be used for pain control with the advantage of two fewer needle attempts with no increase in significant complications. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V

The effect of atorvastatin on penile intracavernosal pressure and cavernosal morphology in normocholesterolemic rats

Objective: A debate is open on the effects of lipid-lowering drugs on sexual function. We aimed to investigate the effect of atorvastatin use on penile intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and cavernosal morphology. Material and methods: Fourteen mature male Sprague-Dawley-rats were randomly assigned to either the control group (which received standard food and water ad libitum) or the atorvastatin group (which received standard food, water, and statin) for twelwe weeks. At the end of the study, ICPs were measured with cavernosometry. Penectomy specimens were histologically examined. Results: The following mean values were obtained for the control and atorvastatin groups, respectively: pre-study body weights (350±16.9 g and 331.4±24.9 g); post-study body weights (356±18 g and 368±22.5 g (p>0.05); ICPs at 5 V (5.96±5.16 mmHg and 2.11±1.22 mmHg (p=0.07)); ICPs at 10 V (18.28±14.1 mmHg and 5.56±5.58 mmHg) (p=0.09); testosterone (1.23±0.78 and 0.78±0.58 mmol/dL) (p=0.39); blood glucose (151±22 mg/dL and 168.6±16.2 mg/dL) (p=0.12); triglyceride (93.4±19.8 mg/dL and 52.1±18.6 mg/ dL) (p=0.01); total cholesterol (50.2±7.2 mg/dL and 47.7±6.6 mg/dL) (p=0.51); and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (10.0±4.4 mg/dL and 3.5±2.1 mg/dL) (p=0.01). The mean collagen thickness was similar (p=0.09); but the mean elastin thickness increased in the atorvastatin group (p=0.01). Conclusion: The present study showed that the use of atorvastatin reduced the intracavernosal pressure in 10 V stimulation, and minimally decreased testosterone levels in rats, within a short period of time. When statin treatment is considered for its protective properties on cardiovascular system or for its lipid-lowering effect. It should be kept in mind that atorvastatin may also adversely contribute to erectile dysfunction. © 2019 by Turkish Association of Urology

The effect of an antifibrotic agent, pirfenidone, on penile erectile function in an experimental rat model of ischemic priapism

To date, no effective medical approach for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to ischemic priapism (IP) has been described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antioxidant effects of pirfenidone (PFD) on cavernosal tissue in a rat model of IP. Forty-eight male albino rats aged 8–10 months, with mean weights of 410 ± 18.6 g were randomized into four groups (n = 12 in each group): no IP (group 1); IP for 1 h, followed by intracavernosal pressure (ICP) measurements using electrical cavernous nerve stimulation (CNS) (group 2); IP for 1 h, followed by ICP measurements using electrical CNS 6 weeks later (group 3); and IP for 1 h, oral PFD (30 mg/kg once daily) treatment by oral gavage, followed by ICP measurements using electrical CNS 6 weeks later (group 4). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione levels were measured spectrophotometrically. In a histological evaluation, cavernosal collagen/smooth muscle ratios were calculated. The intracavernosal pressure values of group 1 were higher than those of groups 2 and 3 (p 0.05). The mean MDA level was significantly higher in group 3, as compared with that in group 4 (p = 0.004). The mean collagen/smooth muscle ratio in groups 1–4 was 24%, 42%, 65%, and 48%, respectively. Physiological, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations of the PFD effect on cavernosal tissue in a rat model of IP were the strengths and the lack of molecular and immunohistochemical analysis were the limitations of this study. In this study, we examined the effects of PFD on cavernosal tissue in a rat model of IP. We found that PFD reduced cavernosal fibrotic activity and improved erectile function. We conclude that PFD may represent a new treatment option in IP treatment. © 2019, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited