Use of near-isogenic wheat lines to determine glutenin and gliadin composition and funtionality in flour tortillas

The synthesis of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin, low molecular weight glutenin and gliadin proteins are controlled by nine major loci present in wheat chromosomes. The loci Glu A1, Glu B1, Glu D1 and Gli A1, Gli B1, Gli D1 and Gli 2 and their allelic variants play important roles in determining the functional properties of wheat flour. This study focused on understanding the functionality of these protein subunits with respect to tortilla quality for use in developing varieties with ideal tortilla baking quality. Near-isogenic wheat lines in which one or more of these loci were absent or deleted were used in the study. These lines were analyzed using SSR primers to verify the chromosome deletions. A standard SDS PAGE gel and a Lab on Chip Capillary Electrophoresis method were used to confirm the protein composition of the deletion lines. Tortillas were prepared from each deletion line and the parent lines used to derive the deletion lines, and tortilla quality evaluations were analyzed. The analysis has revealed that elimination of certain HMW glutenins results in gain of function both for tortilla diameters and overall tortilla quality. The deletion line possessing 17+18 at Glu B1 and deletions in Glu A1 and Glu D1 had a gain of function in tortilla diameter, yet tortilla stability was compromised. The deletion line possessing Glu A1, Glu D1 (1,5+10) and a deletion in Glu B1 improved both the diameters and stability of the tortillas. Presence of subunits 5+10 is important for maintaining tortilla stability. Deletions in gliadin monomeric proteins also affected the tortilla diameters and stability

Defining the Molecular and Physiological Role of Leaf Cuticular Waxes in Reproductive Stage Heat Tolerane in Wheat

In wheat, cooler canopies have been associated with yield under high temperature stress. The objectives of this study were, i) to understand the role of leaf cuticular waxes as physiological adaptive mechanisms during reproductive stage high temperature stress ii) define quantitative trait loci (QTL) regulating leaf cuticular waxes and determine its link with the QTL for reproductive stage heat tolerance iii) define stable QTL associated with leaf cuticular waxes and yield stability across environments. For the first objective, thirteen wheat cultivars were subjected to a 2-day heat treatment at 38 degrees C at 10 days after pollination (DAP). Leaf cuticular waxes, canopy temperature depression and stomatal conductance were estimated during high temperature stress. At maturity the percent reduction in yield components in each cultivar was calculated. The wheat cultivars 'Kauz' and 'Halberd' had significantly high leaf cuticular wax content of 2.91mg/dm^-2 and 2.36mg/dm^-2 respectively and cooler canopies. Leaf cuticular waxes were significantly correlated with leaf temperature depression and reduction in yield components. A set of 121 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population derived from the cross of heat tolerant wheat cultivar 'Halberd' and heat susceptible wheat cultivar 'Karl 92' was utilized for QTL mapping. The RIL population received a 2-day short-term high temperature stress at 38°C at 10DAP in 2008 and a long-term high temperature stress at 38 degrees C from 10DAP until maturity in 2009 in the greenhouse. The RIL population was also planted in College Station, Texas in 2009 and 2010 and in Uvalde, Texas in 2010. Leaf cuticular wax was estimated at 10DAP and leaf/spike temperatures were recorded during grain filling. Yield components were estimated after harvest. Heat susceptibility indexes for main spike yield components were estimated in the greenhouse. Overall ten significant QTL were identified for leaf cuticular waxes each explaining 8-19 percent of the variation respectively. Stable QTL for leaf cuticular waxes were located on chromosome 5A and 1B and co-localized with QTL for leaf/spike temperature depression and HSI for kernel weight and single kernel weight of main spike. Another QTL on chromosome 1B contributed by Karl92 was found in the greenhouse and field environments and co-localized with a previously identified QTL on 1B for spike non-glaucousness. The results suggest that leaf cuticular waxes may reduce leaf temperatures and improve adaptation during high temperature stress

Salivary Metabolomics for Oral Precancerous Lesions: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity, primarily associated with the consumption of areca nut products and other risk factors. Early and accurate diagnosis of OSMF is crucial to prevent its progression to oral cancer. In recent years, the field of metabolomics has gained momentum as a promising approach for disease detection and monitoring. Salivary metabolomics, a non-invasive and easily accessible diagnostic tool, has shown potential in identifying biomarkers associated with various oral diseases, including OSMF. This review synthesizes current literature on the application of salivary metabolomics in the context of OSMF detection. The review encompasses a comprehensive analysis of studies conducted over the past decade, highlighting advancements in analytical techniques, metabolomic profiling, and identified biomarkers linked to OSMF progression. The primary objective of this review is to provide a critical assessment of the feasibility and reliability of salivary metabolomics as a diagnostic tool for OSMF, along with its potential to differentiate OSMF from other oral disorders. In conclusion, salivary metabolomics holds great promise in revolutionizing OSMF detection through the identification of reliable biomarkers and the development of robust diagnostic models. However, challenges such as sample variability, validation of biomarkers, and standardization need to be addressed before its widespread clinical implementation. This review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the current status, challenges, and future directions of salivary metabolomics in the realm of OSMF detection, emphasizing its potential impact on early intervention and improved patient outcomes

Differences on the Wheat Trait Preferences Between Women and Men from the Same Household

Public breeding programs rarely consider farmers' needs and preferences, especially gender based preferences, in developing improved varieties for farmers. Our research examined how personal, household, agronomic and ecological characteristics of wheat-growers in Bihar, India, affect female and male farmers' wheat trait choices. A total of 1,003 households with both male and female from the same household were interviewed. The results imply that gender influences the preferences for wheat traits. Some traits are favored by both men and women, however in other instances there are striking disparities. Men chose wheat varieties that are well adapted to extreme climate conditions, have a higher grain yield, and produce chapatis with a superior taste, while women preferred wheat types with superior chapati making quality, higher grain yield, and high market prices. Other socioeconomic, agronomic, cultural, and geolocation factors also had a considerable impact on trait preferences. These human dimensions of traits preferred by women and men farmers may be considered when selecting combinations of traits to develop breeding product profiles for certain market segments

The role of life events in obsessive-compulsive disorders

Background: A small number of studies are available to assess the role of stressful life events (SLEs) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The previous studies have reported contradictory results and they have methodological limitations. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of our study are (i) to find out the frequency of life events in patients with OCD in comparison to their matched healthy controls and (ii) to find out the impact of life events on the severity of the disorder. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients fulfilling Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, 5th edition (DSM-V) criteria of OCD were rated with Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES). A group of 60 normal controls were also rated on PSLES. Finally, both groups were compared in terms of life events. Results: The frequency of life events, past 1 year (t=5.307, P=0.006) and lifetime (t=11.527, P<0.001), were significantly higher in the patient group in comparison to controls. PSLES scores showed a significant correlation with Y-BOCS total scores, Y-BOCS obsession scores, and HAM-A scores. There was a positive correlation between past 1 year PSLES score and HAM-D scores. Step-wise linear regression analysis showed PSLES scores significantly positively predicted Y-BOCS total score, Y-BOCS obsession score, and Y-BOCS compulsion score. Conclusion: Life events were significantly more frequent in OCD patients both past 1 year and lifetime, as compared to healthy controls. The severity of obsessive compulsive symptoms was found to be directly proportional to the number of SLEs experienced in the past 1 year and lifetime

Gender, social, household, and ecological factors influencing wheat trait preferences among the women and men farmers in India

The goal of public breeding programs is to develop and disseminate improved varieties to farmers. This strategy aims at providing farming communities with superior crop varieties than they are growing. However, the strategy rarely considers the needs and preferences of farmers, especially gendered preferences, failing to solve real field problems by addressing the differences and inequalities prevalent in the farming communities. Our research examines how personal, household, agronomic and ecological characteristics of wheat growers in Bihar, India’s eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains, affect women and men’s wheat trait choices. Data were obtained from 1,003 households where both male and female respondents from the same household were interviewed. We accounted for 23 traits of wheat from a careful assessment of production, environment, cooking quality, market demand, and esthetic criteria. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine women’s and men’s trait preferences. The results imply that gender influences the preferences of wheat traits. Some traits are favored by both women and men, however, in other instances, there are striking disparities. For example, men choose wheat varieties that are well adapted to extreme climate conditions, have a higher grain yield, and produce chapati with a superior taste, while women prefer wheat types with superior chapati making quality, higher grain yield, and high market prices. Other socioeconomic, agronomic, cultural, and geolocational factors have a considerable impact on trait preferences. These human dimensions of traits preferred by women and men farmers are important for trait combinations to develop breeding product profiles for certain market segments

Effects of glutenins (Glu-1 and Glu-3) allelic variation on dough properties and bread-making quality of CIMMYT bread wheat breeding lines

Wheat dough characteristics and end-use quality are strongly influenced by the amount and specific composition of the glutenins, the major components of gluten. Such proteins are divided into high-molecular-weight glutenins, encoded by the Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 loci; and low-molecular-weight glutenins, encoded by the Glu-A3, Glu-B3 and Glu-D3 loci. Allelic variation at each of these loci has been associated with changes in wheat functionality. However, most of the studies conducted so far included a relatively limited number of genotypes. Also for this reason, it is still unclear which locus contributes more to dough characteristics and how important are the interactions between the glutenin loci. To try to answer these questions, the quality data of 4623 grain samples derived from 2550 genotypes and generated across 10 years at the CIMMYT bread wheat breeding program, was used to estimate the effect of the glutenin loci and their interactions on gluten quality and bread-making potential. Gluten strength was the trait more strongly influenced by glutenin variations, with the Glu-B1, Glu-D1 and Glu-B3 loci having the greatest effect. Among the glutenin alleles, Glu-A1a, Glu-A1b, Glu-B1al, Glu-B1i, Glu-B1f, Glu-D1d, Glu-A3b, Glu-A3d, Glu-A3f, Glu-B3c and Glu-B3d were associated in general with greater gluten strength, good extensibility and higher bread loaf volume. Differently, alleles Glu-A1c, Glu-B1a, Glu-B1d, Glu-D1a, Glu-A3e and Glu-B3j were associated with an overall poor quality. Glutenin interactions were significantly associated with most of the analyzed quality traits even if their influence was often lower compared to the effect of the single glutenin loci. This is probably the largest study ever done on the effects of the glutenins on wheat quality. The results obtained confirm the importance of such proteins on wheat quality variation and corroborate the usefulness of determining the glutenin profile to improve the selection efficiency for wheat quality in breeding programs

Breeding increases grain yield, zinc, and iron, supporting enhanced wheat biofortification

Estimation of the rate of genetic gain over time allows quantification of breeding progress. Here we report on the rate of grain yield and zinc (Zn) concentration increase over 11 yr of targeted wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) biofortification breeding at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Data from yield trials evaluated across multiple locations in South Asia and beyond showed that average annual increases in grain yield potential of ∼1.5% and 0.9% per year gains for grain Zn and Fe concentrations. Across locations in all countries, mean yields of the five highest-yielding entries showed an annual gain of 109 kg ha−1 yr−1 in yield and 0.3 mg kg−1 for grain Fe and Zn as well as 0.66 g for the yield component thousand-grain weight. There was a strong positive correlation between Fe and Zn (r =.42) across locations, whereas no genetic no correlation was observed between grain yield and Zn (r =.05) across locations. Despite the slight negative relationship between yield and Zn, through targeted crossing and development of large segregating populations we were able to identify transgressive segregants combining increased yield and Zn concentrations. Significant differences between lines for grain micronutrient concentrations were detected, and significant location effects on grain Zn and Fe concentrations were observed. These results demonstrate that continuous and simultaneous genetic gain for grain yield and concentrations of Fe and Zn is possible in elite spring bread wheat lines with potential to deliver global impact through identification of superior parents for use by national breeding programs and the release of biofortified wheat cultivars

Dissecting the genetic architecture of phenology affecting adaptation of spring bread wheat genotypes to the major wheat-producing zones in India

Spring bread wheat adaptation to diverse environments is supported by various traits such as phenology and plant architecture. A large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) was designed to investigate and dissect the genetic architecture of phenology affecting adaptation. It used 48 datasets from 4,680 spring wheat lines. For 8 years (2014–2021), these lines were evaluated for days to heading (DH) and maturity (DM) at three sites: Jabalpur, Ludhiana, and Samastipur (Pusa), which represent the three major Indian wheat-producing zones: the Central Zone (CZ), North-Western Plain Zone (NWPZ), and North-Eastern Plain Zone (NEPZ), respectively. Ludhiana had the highest mean DH of 103.8 days and DM of 148.6 days, whereas Jabalpur had the lowest mean DH of 77.7 days and DM of 121.6 days. We identified 119 markers significantly associated with DH and DM on chromosomes 5B (76), 2B (18), 7D (10), 4D (8), 5A (1), 6B (4), 7B (1), and 3D (1). Our results clearly indicated the importance of the photoperiod-associated gene (Ppd-B1) for adaptation to the NWPZ and the Vrn-B1 gene for adaptation to the NEPZ and CZ. A maximum variation of 21.1 and 14% was explained by markers 2B_56134146 and 5B_574145576 linked to the Ppd-B1 and Vrn-B1 genes, respectively, indicating their significant role in regulating DH and DM. The results provide important insights into the genomic regions associated with the two phenological traits that influence adaptation to the major wheat-producing zones in India