Evolution of the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Spain between March and November 2020: SEMI-COVID national registry

Objectives: Since the results of the RECOVERY trial, WHO recommendations about the use of corticosteroids (CTs) in COVID-19 have changed. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolutive use of CTs in Spain during the pandemic to assess the potential influence of new recommendations. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was conducted on adults hospitalised due to COVID-19 in Spain who were included in the SEMI-COVID- 19 Registry from March to November 2020. Results: CTs were used in 6053 (36.21%) of the included patients. The patients were older (mean (SD)) (69.6 (14.6) vs. 66.0 (16.8) years; p < 0.001), with hypertension (57.0% vs. 47.7%; p < 0.001), obesity (26.4% vs. 19.3%; p < 0.0001), and multimorbidity prevalence (20.6% vs. 16.1%; p < 0.001). These patients had higher values (mean (95% CI)) of C-reactive protein (CRP) (86 (32.7-160) vs. 49.3 (16-109) mg/dL; p < 0.001), ferritin (791 (393-1534) vs. 470 (236- 996) µg/dL; p < 0.001), D dimer (750 (430-1400) vs. 617 (345-1180) µg/dL; p < 0.001), and lower Sp02/Fi02 (266 (91.1) vs. 301 (101); p < 0.001). Since June 2020, there was an increment in the use of CTs (March vs. September; p < 0.001). Overall, 20% did not receive steroids, and 40% received less than 200 mg accumulated prednisone equivalent dose (APED). Severe patients are treated with higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%. Conclusions: Patients with greater comorbidity, severity, and inflammatory markers were those treated with CTs. In severe patients, there is a trend towards the use of higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%

The Gametophyte factor 1 (ga1) in Mexican commercial hybrids of maize [El Factor gametofítico-1 (ga1) en híbridos comerciales de maíz de México]

In this study we determined the allelic composition of the incompatibility locus ga1 (Gametophyte Factor-1), of 84 Mexican maize (Zea mays L.) commercial hybrids planted in tropical, subtropical and highland areas of México, plus seven races of maize with known allelic composition included as checks. P-3394 (ga1/ga1) and the single crosses between tropical and temperate inbreds, NC354 x W22-P4830 and NC354 x W22-P5270 (Ga1-S/Ga1-S), were used as testers. Commercial hybrids were grouped by public or private institution and differences among groups were determined based on ear seed set by means of two procedures, GLM and MIXED from the Statistical Analysis System. Allelic constitution within and among institutions was variable. Most materials were homozygous Ga1-m/Ga1-m (55%), while about 25% were homozygous ga1/ga1, and 20% were heterozygous Ga1-m/ga1. Allele Ga1-S was not found in any of the commercial hybrids tested

The Gametophyte factor 1 (ga1) in Mexican commercial hybrids of maize [El Factor gametofótico-1 (ga1) en híbridos comerciales de maíz de México]

In this study we determined the allelic composition of the incompatibility locus ga1 (Gametophyte Factor-1), of 84 Mexican maize (Zea mays L.) commercial hybrids planted in tropical, subtropical and highland areas of México, plus seven races of maize with known allelic composition included as checks. P-3394 (ga1/ga1) and the single crosses between tropical and temperate inbreds, NC354 x W22-P4830 and NC354 x W22-P5270 (Ga1-S/Ga1-S), were used as testers. Commercial hybrids were grouped by public or private institution and differences among groups were determined based on ear seed set by means of two procedures, GLM and MIXED from the Statistical Analysis System. Allelic constitution within and among institutions was variable. Most materials were homozygous Ga1-m/Ga1-m (55%), while about 25% were homozygous ga1/ga1, and 20% were heterozygous Ga1-m/ga1. Allele Ga1-S was not found in any of the commercial hybrids tested

Heterosis and combining ability among maize narrow-base populations

Nine narrow genetic base maize (Zea mays L.) populations from Jalisco, Mexico representing different germplasm and selection criteria were considered in this study. The nine populations and 36 population crosses were evaluated at three locations in 2004 and 2005 that included four subtropical and two tropical environments. The objective in this study was to identify crosses as prospective non-conventional hybrids and/or as heterotic patterns to develop inbred lines for hybrids, in Jalisco, Mexico. GARCNER and EBERHART (1966) model II was used to test average, specific, and variety heterosis for grain yield and other agronomic traits. Analysis of principal components, generation of biplot graphs, and cluster analysis were also done for populations and population crosses for all traits. Average heterosis for grain yield was 55% and some population crosses had grain yields comparable to commercial testers. The first two principal components explained 54.9% of total variation among populations and population crosses, and grain yield was the most important trait to differentiate among populations and population crosses. Population and population crosses were separate from each other. There were greater distances among populations than their crosses, which could be an indication of genetic diversity among populations because of germplasm origin and selection criteria imposed by breeding programs. Mexican Dent (MEDT), introduced from USA Corn Belt, was the most distant population to others and to population crosses, but it had good crosses to adapted populations for grain yield and earliness

Maize testers for gametophytic cross-incompatibility factors [Probadores de maíz para factores de incompatibilidad gametofítica]

In this study we analized the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines from different origins, and their crosses as testers, of two cross-incompatibility systems in maize: the gametophyte factor-1 (ga 1) and the Teosinte crossing barrier-1 (tcb1). Field experiments were conducted from 2003 to 2006 at Zapopan, Jalisco; at Las Garzas, in Guachinango, Jalisco; and at Tapachula, Navarit, all of them in México. Seven adapted subtropical inbred lines, three maize accessions with known allelic composition, five commercial hybrids from private institutions, and eleven inbred lines from USA were used. Genetic materials were grouped into three experiments to study the two cross-incompatibility systems. Seed set data was analyzed based on procedures GLM and MIXED of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Two single crosses homozygous for Ga1-S were identified as testers for the gametophyte factor-1 (NC354 × W22-P4830 and NC354 × W22-P5270); these crosses proved to have good stability and discrimination capacity. Accessions of the races Maíz Dulce, Dulcillo del Noroeste and Reventador, with Ga1-S allele, allowed the identification of testers for the gametophyte factor-1. No single crosses among adapted and temperate lines with the Tcb1-S allele were useful as testers for the Teosinte Incompatibility Complex

Maize testers for gametophytic cross-incompatibility factors [Probadores de maíz para factores de incompatibilidad gametofótica]

In this study we analized the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines from different origins, and their crosses as testers, of two cross-incompatibility systems in maize: the gametophyte factor-1 (ga 1) and the Teosinte crossing barrier-1 (tcb1). Field experiments were conducted from 2003 to 2006 at Zapopan, Jalisco; at Las Garzas, in Guachinango, Jalisco; and at Tapachula, Navarit, all of them in México. Seven adapted subtropical inbred lines, three maize accessions with known allelic composition, five commercial hybrids from private institutions, and eleven inbred lines from USA were used. Genetic materials were grouped into three experiments to study the two cross-incompatibility systems. Seed set data was analyzed based on procedures GLM and MIXED of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Two single crosses homozygous for Ga1-S were identified as testers for the gametophyte factor-1 (NC354 x W22-P4830 and NC354 x W22-P5270); these crosses proved to have good stability and discrimination capacity. Accessions of the races Maíz Dulce, Dulcillo del Noroeste and Reventador, with Ga1-S allele, allowed the identification of testers for the gametophyte factor-1. No single crosses among adapted and temperate lines with the Tcb1-S allele were useful as testers for the Teosinte Incompatibility Complex

Phenotipic relationships and heterosis among commercial hybrids and exotic germplasm of maize in Jalisco, México [Relaciones fenotópicas y heterosis entre híbridos comerciales y germoplasma exótico de maíz en Jalisco, México]

Maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs in central-western México have been using adapted genetic materials, mainly commercial hybrids, improved populations, and exotic materials introduced from other areas. In this study, phenotypic and genotypic relationships among adapted and exotic populations were measured to define the best way to use these materials in breeding programs. Multivariate analysis techniques (Biplot analysis) and cluster analysis applied to adapted and exotic materials and their crosses, were used with regard to agronomic traits and ear yield components. It was confirmed that grain yield is still the most important variable in the characterization of genetic materials, in combination with lodging, ear quality and descriptive variables of the maturity cycle (days to tassel and silking flowering). Cluster analysis, clearly separated the adapted from the exotic materials, with the exception of some of the high yielding exotic crosses ('Pob49 x P-3394', and 'Pob32 x P-3394'), which involved exotic materials with sub-tropical and tropical germplasm in their pedigree ('Pob32 x SynB73' and 'Pob49 x Pob32'), and crosses that possibly involved temperate materials ('A-7573 x P-3066'). In crosses of adapted x exotic materials, the combinations with 'SynB73' and 'P-3394' were located in the opposite group from the crosses with 'SynMo17' and 'Blanco de Ocho', while in the intermediate group predominated crosses with 'Pob49' and 'Pob32'

Agronomic and morphological characterization of native maizes from north-western México [Caracterización agronómica y morfológica de maíces nativos del noroccidente de México]

In this study we evaluated and characterized maize (Zea mays L.) landraces collected in north-western México in the States of Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán and Sinaloa. A total of 90 materials were evaluated at three locations of Jalisco in 2005, under rainfed conditions, for grain yield and other agronomic traits, using a rectangular lattice design 10 9 with three replications. Characterization was done in one location on 129 materials by means of 36 morphological traits and by using "biplot" and dendrograms graphs. The best accessions across environments for grain yield and some additional important traits were M05100 (Tabloncillo Perla), M05021 (Tabloncillo) and Tabloncillo BCi, but they were far away of the group where the cross representative of the Tabloncillo (JAL43 JAL263), and where most collections of Tabloncillo Perla races were located. Groups were defined mainly by altitude of the collection site; the best defined group was that of landraces classified as Mushito, collected at elevations generally higher than 2000 m; this group was distinguished by having higher values of kernel thickness and length of the main tassel branch. Accessions of races Tabloncillo y Tabloncillo Perla formed a group that was defined by their earliness and short plant height. The collections derived from hybrids advanced generations were related to collections of races Celaya and Tuxpeño. M05002 used as white grain to prepare specialty food ("pozole") was the best to the other accession of the Ancho and others of Elotes Occidentales, Elotero de Sinaloa y Bofo, used as "corn on the cob" and "pozole"

Agronomic and morphological characterization of native maizes from north-western México [Caracterización agronómica y morfológica de maíces nativos del noroccidente de México]

In this study we evaluated and characterized maize (Zea mays L.) landraces collected in north-western México in the States of Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán and Sinaloa. A total of 90 materials were evaluated at three locations of Jalisco in 2005, under rainfed conditions, for grain yield and other agronomic traits, using a rectangular lattice design 10 × 9 with three replications. Characterization was done in one location on 129 materials by means of 36 morphological traits and by using "biplot" and dendrograms graphs. The best accessions across environments for grain yield and some additional important traits were M05100 (Tabloncillo Perla), M05021 (Tabloncillo) and Tabloncillo BCi, but they were far away of the group where the cross representative of the Tabloncillo (JAL43 × JAL263), and where most collections of Tabloncillo Perla races were located. Groups were defined mainly by altitude of the collection site; the best defined group was that of landraces classified as Mushito, collected at elevations generally higher than 2000 m; this group was distinguished by having higher values of kernel thickness and length of the main tassel branch. Accessions of races Tabloncillo y Tabloncillo Perla formed a group that was defined by their earliness and short plant height. The collections derived from hybrids advanced generations were related to collections of races Celaya and Tuxpeño. M05002 used as white grain to prepare specialty food ("pozole") was the best to the other accession of the Ancho and others of Elotes Occidentales, Elotero de Sinaloa y Bofo, used as "corn on the cob" and "pozole"