Genetic evaluation for understanding combining ability effects and Heterotic grouping in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Combining ability of the genotypes/lines is a major factor in planning the breeding programme and for development of Heterotic hybrids. In the present study, twenty maize inbred lines were crossed to three diverse testers CM-111, GPM-549 and GPM-581 and the resultant F1 hybrids were evaluated in an alpha lattice design. General combining ability of lines which is representation of additive gene action was found to be significant for all the quantitative traits. Specific combining ability which is indication of non-additive gene action was found to be significant for the traits number of kernel rows per cob, number of kernels per row, cob girth, cob length, test weight and grain yield. Lines VL-058725, VL-1018527 and VL-108723 produced heterotic hybrids in cross combination with any of the tester due to their high GCA effects. Whereas, the lines VL-0536, SNL-1574 and VL-109086 interacted positively with their testers thus producing heterotic hybrids with high positive SCA. GGE biplot analysis was helpful in visualizing the combining ability effects and identify heterotic pattern among theinbred lines. Heterotic grouping based on SCA and mean grain yield was able to classify thirteen of the twenty inbred lines into two distinct heterotic groups i.e., Heterotic group A and B consisting of six and seven lines respectively. Heterotic group A consisted of lines with high GCA whereas, heterotic group B with low GCA lines. SCA effect showed significant positive correlation with all the quantitative traits and played a prominent role in determining the performance of hybrids, thus indicating the importance of non-additive gene action in developingheterotic hybrids

Drug package inserts: how accessible is the information?

Background: Information given in drug package inserts is often not easily accessible by patients and practitioners. Presentation of important information in an easily accessible manner fulfills the very purpose of inserts. In the present study, accessibility of important information in drug package inserts is evaluated.Methods: We evaluated 110 package inserts. Accessibility to important information was noted under following headings: use of box, use of special/bigger font or color, use of table of contents and information in front sheet. Each of these parameters was given a point. Cumulative accessibility score of more than three considered as accessible. Provision of toll free numbers and internet addresses of the companies noted.Results: Information in inserts regarding posology, method of administration, precautions under special conditions, contraindications, pharmacokinetics, interactions, pregnancy and lactation, driving, and machine use precautions were adequate and orderly in most. Only seven drug inserts mentioned important information with special font/different color. 18 drug inserts had used boxes. About 13 inserts used bigger font size for revealing important information. We observed a mean accessible score was 0.37 a insert. Only two inserts carried toll free numbers.Conclusion: Important information in drug package inserts is not easily accessible. Display of toll free numbers and internet addresses for queries and reporting adverse drug reactions is highly recommended

A prospective comparative study of efficacy of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone combination therapy versus VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) regimen in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Background: Lenalidomide plus Dexamethasone (Len-Dex) and VAD (Vincristine, Doxorubicin and Dexamethasone) regimen are the two common drug therapies employed in the treatment of Multiple myeloma.Objectives: To compare the efficacy of Len-Dex versus VAD regimen based on complete remission achieved with treatment in newly diagnosed cases of multiple myeloma in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala.Methods: Eighty patients (forty in each group) of newly diagnosed cases of multiple myeloma, who were willing to give the informed consent, were included in the study. Patients were allocated by the treating physician to two groups; one group was given Len-Dex (lenalidomide + dexamethasone) regimen and the other VAD (Vincristine, Adriamycin, Dexamethasone) regimen. A total of six cycles were given for both groups. Their baseline investigations and follow up investigations were collected at regular intervals, based on these values, the outcome was classified as partial remission and complete remission and the results were compared and analyzed.Results: Among the forty patients in each group, 17 (38%) on VAD regimen and 28 (62%) on Len-Dex regimen achieved complete remission. The statistical analysis was done using chi square test (χ2= 6.13, df= 1, p= 0.01) which showed statistically significant difference.Conclusions: The study showed that the efficacy of Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone (Len-Dex) combination therapy is clearly higher than that of VAD regimen among the study population. The overall efficacy of Len-Dex combination is 70% and that of VAD regimen is only 42.5%

Genetic correlates of longevity and selected age-related phenotypes: a genome-wide association study in the Framingham Study

BACKGROUND: Family studies and heritability estimates provide evidence for a genetic contribution to variation in the human life span. METHODS:We conducted a genome wide association study (Affymetrix 100K SNP GeneChip) for longevity-related traits in a community-based sample. We report on 5 longevity and aging traits in up to 1345 Framingham Study participants from 330 families. Multivariable-adjusted residuals were computed using appropriate models (Cox proportional hazards, logistic, or linear regression) and the residuals from these models were used to test for association with qualifying SNPs (70, 987 autosomal SNPs with genotypic call rate [greater than or equal to]80%, minor allele frequency [greater than or equal to]10%, Hardy-Weinberg test p [greater than or equal to] 0.001).RESULTS:In family-based association test (FBAT) models, 8 SNPs in two regions approximately 500 kb apart on chromosome 1 (physical positions 73,091,610 and 73, 527,652) were associated with age at death (p-value < 10-5). The two sets of SNPs were in high linkage disequilibrium (minimum r2 = 0.58). The top 30 SNPs for generalized estimating equation (GEE) tests of association with age at death included rs10507486 (p = 0.0001) and rs4943794 (p = 0.0002), SNPs intronic to FOXO1A, a gene implicated in lifespan extension in animal models. FBAT models identified 7 SNPs and GEE models identified 9 SNPs associated with both age at death and morbidity-free survival at age 65 including rs2374983 near PON1. In the analysis of selected candidate genes, SNP associations (FBAT or GEE p-value < 0.01) were identified for age at death in or near the following genes: FOXO1A, GAPDH, KL, LEPR, PON1, PSEN1, SOD2, and WRN. Top ranked SNP associations in the GEE model for age at natural menopause included rs6910534 (p = 0.00003) near FOXO3a and rs3751591 (p = 0.00006) in CYP19A1. Results of all longevity phenotype-genotype associations for all autosomal SNPs are web posted at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/gap/cgi-bin/study.cgi?id=phs000007. CONCLUSION: Longevity and aging traits are associated with SNPs on the Affymetrix 100K GeneChip. None of the associations achieved genome-wide significance. These data generate hypotheses and serve as a resource for replication as more genes and biologic pathways are proposed as contributing to longevity and healthy aging

Genetic Correlates of Brain Aging on MRI and Cognitive Test Measures: A Genome-Wide Association and Linkage Analysis in the Framingham Study

BACKGROUND: Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive tests can identify heritable endophenotypes associated with an increased risk of developing stroke, dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We conducted a genome-wide association (GWA) and linkage analysis exploring the genetic basis of these endophenotypes in a community-based sample. METHODS: A total of 705 stroke- and dementia-free Framingham participants (age 62 +9 yrs, 50% male) who underwent volumetric brain MRI and cognitive testing (1999–2002) were genotyped. We used linear models adjusting for first degree relationships via generalized estimating equations (GEE) and family based association tests (FBAT) in additive models to relate qualifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, 70,987 autosomal on Affymetrix 100K Human Gene Chip with minor allele frequency ≥ 0.10, genotypic call rate ≥ 0.80, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium p-value ≥ 0.001) to multivariable-adjusted residuals of 9 MRI measures including total cerebral brain (TCBV), lobar, ventricular and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes, and 6 cognitive factors/tests assessing verbal and visuospatial memory, visual scanning and motor speed, reading, abstract reasoning and naming. We determined multipoint identity-by-descent utilizing 10,592 informative SNPs and 613 short tandem repeats and used variance component analyses to compute LOD scores. RESULTS: The strongest gene-phenotype association in FBAT analyses was between SORL1 (rs1131497; p = 3.2 × 10-6) and abstract reasoning, and in GEE analyses between CDH4 (rs1970546; p = 3.7 × 10-8) and TCBV. SORL1 plays a role in amyloid precursor protein processing and has been associated with the risk of AD. Among the 50 strongest associations (25 each by GEE and FBAT) were other biologically interesting genes. Polymorphisms within 28 of 163 candidate genes for stroke, AD and memory impairment were associated with the endophenotypes studied at p < 0.001. We confirmed our previously reported linkage of WMH on chromosome 4 and describe linkage of reading performance to a marker on chromosome 18 (GATA11A06), previously linked to dyslexia (LOD scores = 2.2 and 5.1). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that genes associated with clinical neurological disease also have detectable effects on subclinical phenotypes. These hypothesis generating data illustrate the use of an unbiased approach to discover novel pathways that may be involved in brain aging, and could be used to replicate observations made in other studies.National Institutes of Health National Center for Research Resources Shared Instrumentation grant (ISI0RR163736-01A1); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study (N01-HC-25195); National Institute of Aging (5R01-AG08122, 5R01-AG16495); National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (5R01-NS17950

Cloud Based Vehicle Parking System for Anonymous Place Using Internet of Things

The intention of our project is to create a smart parking system for smart cities and malls to find a parking space that is well suited to their respective aspects. That is, it can help in finding either the nearest spot or the best one. Thus the algorithm increases the efficiency of the cloud based system and hence develops a network architecture based on internet of things. We have also successfully implemented the proposed system in the real world

Ultraconformable Temporary Tattoo Electrodes for Electrophysiology

Electrically interfacing the skin for monitoring personal health condition is the basis of skin-contact electrophysiology. In the clinical practice the use of stiff and bulky pregelled or dry electrodes, in contrast to the soft body tissues, imposes severe restrictions to user comfort and mobility while limiting clinical applications. Here, in this work dry, unperceivable temporary tattoo electrodes are presented. Customized single or multielectrode arrays are readily fabricated by inkjet printing of conducting polymer onto commercial decal transfer paper, which allows for easy transfer on the user's skin. Conformal adhesion to the skin is provided thanks to their ultralow thickness (&lt;1 µm). Tattoo electrode–skin contact impedance is characterized on short- (1 h) and long-term (48 h) and compared with standard pregelled and dry electrodes. The viability in electrophysiology is validated by surface electromyography and electrocardiography recordings on various locations on limbs and face. A novel concept of tattoo as perforable skin-contact electrode, through which hairs can grow, is demonstrated, thus permitting to envision very long-term recordings on areas with high hair density. The proposed materials and patterning strategy make this technology amenable for large-scale production of low-cost sensing devices

Midlife vascular risk factors and risk of incident dementia:Longitudinal cohort and Mendelian randomization analyses in the UK Biobank

Introduction Midlife clustering of vascular risk factors has been associated with late-life dementia, but causal effects of individual biological and lifestyle factors remain largely unknown. Methods Among 229,976 individuals (mean follow-up 9 years), we explored whether midlife cardiovascular health measured by Life's Simple 7 (LS7) is associated with incident all-cause dementia and whether the individual components of the score are causally associated with dementia. Results Adherence to the biological metrics of LS7 (blood pressure, cholesterol, glycemic status) was associated with lower incident dementia risk (hazard ratio = 0.93 per 1-point increase, 95% confidence interval [CI;0.89-0.96]). In contrast, there was no association between the composite LS7 score and the lifestyle subscore (smoking, body mass index, diet, physical activity) and incident dementia. In Mendelian randomization analyses, genetically elevated blood pressure was associated with higher risk of dementia (odds ratio = 1.31 per one-standard deviation increase, 95% CI [1.05-1.60]). Discussion These findings underscore the importance of blood pressure control in midlife to mitigate dementia risk

Chloridobis(ethyl­enediamine-κ2 N,N′)(n-pentyl­amine-κN)cobalt(III) dichloride monhydrate

The title complex, [CoCl(C5H13N)(C2H8N2)2]Cl2·H2O, comprises one chloridobis(ethyl­enediamine)(n-pentyl­amine)cobalt(III) cation, two chloride counter-anions and a water mol­ecule. The CoIII atom of the complex is hexa­coordinated by five N and one Cl atoms. The five N atoms are from two chelating ethyl­enediamine and one n-pentyl­amine ligands. Neighbouring cations and anions are connected by N—H⋯Cl and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to each other and also to the water mol­ecule