The effect of pesticide application on QTLs controlling traits in Barley

Among cereals, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ranks fourth in consumption worldwide. Among barley breeding goals, one can refer to gene mapping, studying their inheritance, and saturated genetic linkage maps. Problems with pesticide applications include reduced genetic diversity, reduced nitrogen fixation, and destruction of the habitat of especially endangered species. The effect of pesticide application on the emergence of QTLs expressing traits in experimental barley was investigated using 104 barley F2:4 families from Badia × Kavir cross. A total of 25 QTLs were mapped for all traits. In nonusing pesticides, 12 QTLs were identified for peduncle length, stem diameter, flag leaf length, and awn length. It was found that qFL-4 has major effects on flag leaf length. For using the pesticide, 13 QTLs were detected that QTLs related to stem diameter, grain weight, flag leaf length explained a high percentage of phenotypic variation. The results of this study showed that pesticide application affects the expression of some genes in barley. Besides, major-effect trait-controller QTLs and their associated markers can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs

Substance Abuse and its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Southeast of Iran

Background: The data on the prevalence of substance abuse in Iranian pregnant women is scarce in the current literature. This study investigated the prevalence of and the factors associated with substance abuse among pregnant women, and compared self-reported use with urine test results. Methods: This cross-sectional study included data for 2000 pregnant women admitted to a tertiary care hospital in the southeast of Iran. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics and the patterns of substance use. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with opiate use. A subsample (200 women) was randomly selected to provide urine samples for toxicological screening. Findings: The lifetime prevalence of substance abuse and tobacco smoking was 15% and 31%, respectively. Overall, 3.3% of the participants reported using at least one substance during the previous month. One third of pregnant women reported using substances as a home remedy for treatment of pregnancy related health problems. Overall, 23% of the urine screening tests were positive. The agreement between self-reported substance abuse and the results of the urine tests was poor. Factors associated with opiates use in pregnant women were age at the first pregnancy of less than 20 years, living in rural areas, unwanted pregnancy, lack of healthcare during pregnancy, and having a spouse and/or first-degree family member with substance abuse. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of substance abuse among the studied women. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach to provide preventive educational programs during pregnancy, and interviews and urinary screening of all pregnant women is recommended

Detection of QTLs controlling field blast resistance in rice (Oryza sative L.)

Abstract In order to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling blast resistance, mapping population of 192 F 2:3 families derived from the cross of two Iranian rice varieties Tarom Mahalli (TAM) an blast-susceptible cultivar and the blast resistance cultivar, Khazar (KHZ) were developed. A SSR linkage map covering 1231.50cM of rice was constructed using 74 polymorphic SSR markers. In total, seven independent QTLs were detected through composite interval mapping to be associated with resistance against field blast on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 11. Theses QTLs explained relatively high phenotypic variance of blast resistance and could be considered to use in marker assisted selection (MAS) programs for improving aromatic and susceptible varietyies

Resistance of canola cultivars affect life table parameters of Nysius cymoides (Spinola) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

A life table can be used as an important and appropriate tool to evaluate the susceptibility or resistance level of different host plant cultivars to insect pests. In the current study, we determined the suitability or inferiority of five different canola cultivars (Hayula420, Hayula401, Hayula50, Hayula60, RGS) to Nysius cymoides, under laboratory conditions. Data were analysed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. Nysius cymoides which fed on Hayula420 had the longest nymphal period, while those which fed on Hayula50 had the shortest nymphal period. Developmental times (sum of incubation and nymphal periods) was longest for those which fe d on Hayula420 and the shortest for those which fed on Hayula50. The adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total pre-oviposition period (TPOP), mean fecundity, and adult longevity of adults reared on different canola cultivars showed significant differences. The highest and lowest net reproductive rates (R0) were obtained for those which fed on Hayula420 (11.40 offspring per individual) and Hayula401 (5.47 offspring per individual), respectively. The highest value (0.0395 d-1) for the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was obtained for those which fed on Hayula 60 cultivar and the lowest value (0.0261 d-1) for those which fed on Hayula401 cultivar. The shortest and longest mean generation times (T) were obtained for those which fed on RGS and H401 cultivars, respectively. The lowest and highest values of life expectancy (exj) were obtained for those which fed on RGS and Hayula420 cultivars, respectively. The results showed that Hayula401 and RGS were not susceptible cultivars to N. cymoides. These cultivars showed higher resistance to N. cymoides, while Hayula60, Hayula420, and Hayula50 were found to be suitable cultivars but with lower resistance to N. cymoides, respectively

The prognostic value of lymph node ratio in survival of head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most prevalent type of cancers in the world. Due to its relatively high rate of recurrence, the prognosis of patients is poor and the survival rate is low; therefore, identifying the prognostic factors is considered necessary for better treatment. Materials and Methods: This historical cohort study was conducted on 201 patients diagnosed with aerodigestive SCC who underwent surgery and lymph node dissection. We determined the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and locoregional failure-free survival (LFFS). We noticed an association between LNR and survival by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Hazard ratio (HR) of LNR was determined by Cox's regression model. Results: Two hundred and one patients entered this study after their medical histories were evaluated. The mean of lymph node count and LNR was 14.30 (±9.50) and 0.12 (±0.23), respectively. Eighty patients (39.80%) experienced recurrence of SCC. Five-year OS, DFS, and LFFS were 32%, 21%, and 64%, respectively. The median of OS was 40.70 months and 30.11 months in patients with LNR of ≤0.06 and >0.06, respectively (P 0.06 was found to be a significant prognostic factor for lower OS of patients with HNSCC (HR = 2.11 [1.10, 4.40]; P = 0.04). DFS was not significantly different among patients with LNR ≤0.06 and patients with LNR >0.06 (P = 0.9). However, LFFS was slightly different among two groups (HR = 2.04 [0.90–4.80]; P 0.06. Further investigations with larger sample sizes are recommended

Resistance of canola cultivars affect life table parameters of Nysius cymoides (Spinola) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

A life table can be used as an important and appropriate tool to evaluate the susceptibility or resistance level of different host plant cultivars to insect pests. In the current study, we determined the suitability or inferiority of five different canola cultivars (Hayula420, Hayula401, Hayula50, Hayula60, RGS) to Nysius cymoides, under laboratory conditions. Data were analysed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. Nysius cymoides which fed on Hayula420 had the longest nymphal period, while those which fed on Hayula50 had the shortest nymphal period. Developmental times (sum of incubation and nymphal periods) was longest for those which fe d on Hayula420 and the shortest for those which fed on Hayula50. The adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total pre-oviposition period (TPOP), mean fecundity, and adult longevity of adults reared on different canola cultivars showed significant differences. The highest and lowest net reproductive rates (R0) were obtained for those which fed on Hayula420 (11.40 offspring per individual) and Hayula401 (5.47 offspring per individual), respectively. The highest value (0.0395 d–1) for the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was obtained for those which fed on Hayula 60 cultivar and the lowest value (0.0261 d–1) for those which fed on Hayula401 cultivar. The shortest and longest mean generation times (T) were obtained for those which fed on RGS and H401 cultivars, respectively. The lowest and highest values of life expectancy (exj) were obtained for those which fed on RGS and Hayula420 cultivars, respectively. The results showed that Hayula401 and RGS were not susceptible cultivars to N. cymoides. These cultivars showed higher resistance to N. cymoides, while Hayula60, Hayula420, and Hayula50 were found to be suitable cultivars but with lower resistance to N. cymoides, respectively