Development of a High-Density Linkage Map and Tagging Leaf Spot Resistance in Pearl Millet Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing Markers

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br; also Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone] is an important crop throughout the world but better genomic resources for this species are needed to facilitate crop improvement. Genome mapping studies are a prerequisite for tagging agronomically important traits. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) markers can be used to build high-density linkage maps, even in species lacking a reference genome. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population was developed from a cross between the lines ‘Tift 99D2B1’ and ‘Tift 454’. DNA from 186 RILs, the parents, and the F1 was used for 96-plex ApeKI GBS library development, which was further used for sequencing. The sequencing results showed that the average number of good reads per individual was 2.2 million, the pass filter rate was 88%, and the CV was 43%. High-quality GBS markers were developed with stringent filtering on sequence data from 179 RILs. The reference genetic map developed using 150 RILs contained 16,650 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 333,567 sequence tags spread across all seven chromosomes. The overall average density of SNP markers was 23.23 SNP/cM in the final map and 1.66 unique linkage bins per cM covering a total genetic distance of 716.7 cM. The linkage map was further validated for its utility by using it in mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for flowering time and resistance to Pyricularia leaf spot [Pyricularia grisea (Cke.) Sacc.]. This map is the densest yet reported for this crop and will be a valuable resource for the pearl millet community

Oncoplastic Breast Surgery-Common Complications and Management

The goal of oncoplastic procedures is to resect the breast cancer with negative histological margins while preserving the contour of the breast. Volume displacement and volume replacement oncoplastic procedures have different spectrum of complications. The most significant patient factors that affect outcome are smoking and high BMI, apart from the other comorbid conditions. Bleeding, hematoma and seroma are prevented by meticulous hemostasis and leaving a drain at the reconstructed site. Wound infection at surgical site can be prevented by administering pre-and intraoperative antibiotics routinely. Post-BCT deformity should be classified depending on the morphology and reconstructive choices. In such patients delayed partial breast reconstruction must be considered. Postoperative surveillance is an important approach to detect early recurrence, such that adequate measures can be taken. The effect of radiation therapy is different on the two categories of reconstruction methodologies—implants and flaps which are managed by local flaps and free tissue transfers. In general local and free flaps have few common complications like donor site morbidity, fat necrosis, breast and contour asymmetry, flap loss, contracture and scars, sensory loss and other complications specific to each type of flap. Even with the mentioned complications oncoplastic can be done safely, in most cases with low morbidity and complications resulting in excellent cosmetic results

Prospective analysis of 164 fires of da Vinci SureForm SmartFire stapler in oncological cases: Indian cohort of 76 consecutive cases

Background: The application of robotic staplers in surgeries has increased in recent years. Robotic platform enhances ability of the surgeon to directly control and manoeuvre staplers to achieve required angulation and sealing within the confines of the thorax and pelvis. Hence, in this study, we intended to learn the effectiveness of the SureForm™ SmartFire™ technology stapling system in various oncological procedures. Patients and Methods: Prospective study of 76 patients who underwent robotic-assisted total oesophagectomy, gastrectomies, hemicolectomies, low anterior resection/abdominoperineal resection and lobectomies/metastasectomy for respective malignancies for 16 months. Internal data log of the da Vinci surgical system for reload colour, reloads used, clamp attempts and staple fires used during each procedure along with patient's post-operative outcomes were recorded. Results: One hundred and sixty-four firings have been made in 76 cases, with the majority being green reloads (76.8%) and average reloads for radical cystectomy 3.5, lobectomies/metastasectomy 3.44 and oesophagectomy 2.55. None of the cases had incomplete firings and required force-fire activation. In forty per cent of cases, the robotic stapler had to pause for sequential compression and seal. Seventy per cent of anterior resection procedures had at least one firing >45° beyond the laparoscopy limit. Collectively 52% SureForm stapler fires in anterior resection with >45° angle of fire. None of the cases had bleed or leak. Conclusion: SureForm™ SmartFire™ robotic staplers can be used for various oncological surgeries with minimal peri-operative leak and bleeding and has better articulation in closed spaces. Further case-matched comparative studies with laparoscopic or handheld powered staplers would be required for useful operative decision-making and analyse the clinical outcomes

Clinical validation of an immunohistochemistry‐based CanAssist‐Breast test for distant recurrence prediction in hormone receptor‐positive breast cancer patients

Abstract CanAssist‐Breast (CAB) is an immunohistochemistry (IHC)‐based prognostic test for early‐stage Hormone Receptor (HR+)‐positive breast cancer patients. CAB uses a Support Vector Machine (SVM) trained algorithm which utilizes expression levels of five biomarkers (CD44, ABCC4, ABCC11, N‐Cadherin, and Pan‐Cadherin) and three clinical parameters such as tumor size, grade, and node status as inputs to generate a risk score and categorizes patients as low‐ or high‐risk for distant recurrence within 5 years of diagnosis. In this study, we present clinical validation of CAB. CAB was validated using a retrospective cohort of 857 patients. All patients were treated either with endocrine therapy or chemoendocrine therapy. Risk categorization by CAB was analyzed by calculating Distant Metastasis‐Free Survival (DMFS) and recurrence rates using Kaplan‐Meier survival curves. Multivariate analysis was performed to calculate Hazard ratios (HR) for CAB high‐risk vs low‐risk patients. The results showed that Distant Metastasis‐Free Survival (DMFS) was significantly different (P‐0.002) between low‐ (DMFS: 95%) and high‐risk (DMFS: 80%) categories in the endocrine therapy treated alone subgroup (n = 195) as well as in the total cohort (n = 857, low‐risk DMFS: 95%, high‐risk DMFS: 84%, P 74% of high Ki‐67 and IHC4 score intermediate‐risk zone patients into low‐risk category. Overall the data suggest that CAB can effectively predict risk of distant recurrence with clear dichotomous high‐ or low‐risk categorization