RAPD-PCR analysis of some species of Euphorbia grown in University of Baghdad Campus in Jadiriyah

This study attempts to identify species of Euphorbia (Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia granulata and Euphorbia hirta) grown in University of Baghdad Campus in Jadiriyah and determine the genetic polymorphism among them by using DNA markers generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Total genomic DNA of species studied was extracted from dry seeds by using commercial kit. Molecular analysis was performed by using nine random markers in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) technique. RAPD-PCR analyses based on three primers A13, C05 and D20 gave results in term of amplification and polymorphisim for the four species studied. The genetic polymorphisms value of each primer was determined and ranged between 47 to 84%; primer A13 produced the highest percent of genetic polymorphism compared with primer C05. RAPD-PCR technique confirmed the isolation of the four species of Euphorbia obviously.Key words: Euphorbia spp., random markers in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR), monomorphic, polymorphic, random primers

Proliferation and rooting of wild cherry: The influence of cytokinin and auxin types and their concentration

Determination of the most optimal type and concentration of plant growth regulators as medium constituents is one of the most important aspects of successful micro propagation, among other in vitro factors. With the aim of optimization of in vitro multiplication of wild cherry, the effect of the following cytokinins was studied: 6-benzyladenine (BAP), 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP) and kinetin (Kin) at concentrations of 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg. l-1. Stem segments of seedlings from juvenile and adult materials were disinfected and grown on a Quoirin and Lepoivre (1977) (QL) medium without growth regulators for 4 weeks. Each material responded differently to the tested cytokinins. The use of 6-benzyladenine resulted in the highest percentage of sprouting, the development of shoots and the ratios of multiplication for two materials of Prunus avium L. In the next  experiment, seedlings from the juvenile and adult materials were grown on (MS2/5) medium in the presence of auxins indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), when compared with concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg. l-1. For the type of explants and its reactivity with the type and the concentration of auxin, significant differences among explants for root induction were observed. The adult material did not develop roots in any of the auxin and concentration used. In the case of the juvenile material, the IBA was distinguished from the other auxins tested and the highest induction of roots took place in 1mg. l-1. The most significant induction of cal characterizes, especially, the mediums containing the NAA followed by the IAA with concentrations of 2 and 4 mg. l-1, respectively, which block the emergence of the roots partly and decreases the rate of rooting thereafter. The highest average number of roots and the highest average length of roots were obtained with the IBA with 1 mg. l-1.Key words: Wild cherry tree, proliferation, cytokinins, rooting, auxins

Figurations of displacement in and beyond Jordan: empirical findings and reflections on protracted displacement and translocal connections of Syrian refugees

This working paper is based on the empirical research on translocal figurations of displacement of Syrians in Jordan. It contains methodological discussions, central findings and reflections on these findings. Drawing on the conceptual framework of the TRAFIG project, this paper explores the central research question of TRAFIG, namely "how are protractedness, dependency, and vulnerability related to the factors of local and translocal connectivity and mobility, and in turn, how can connectivity and mobility be utilized to enhance the self-reliance and strengthen the resilience of displaced people?" The paper presents findings from Jordan, where Syrian refugees have sought refuge in host communities. Syrian refugees' stay in Jordan has become increasingly protracted, with the durable solutions of return in safety and dignity, local integration and resettlement remaining out of reach for most. In this paper, we argue that Syrians are de facto integrated in Jordanian host communities due to shared language, religion and socio-cultural ties as a pragmatic strategy for dealing with uncertainty and protracted displacement. We found that family- and kin networks have proven vital in facilitating and protecting mobility out of Syria and within Jordan, even as these networks are strained due to physical and geographic distance, reliant upon aid and financial support and socio-economic stress in the local labour market. We see that Syrians experience uncertain futures in which their mobility aspirations are unrealised, economic prospects are reliant upon and highly competitive with others, and connectivity with the host community is strained and can be improved

شبكة العلاقات الأسرية وتطلعات اللاجئين السوريين في الانتقال: Family networks and Syrian refugees’ mobility aspirations

تتناقض فكرة تطلعات اللاجئين السوريين إلى الانتقال مع الفكرةَ العامة القائلة بأن هؤلاء اللاجئين «العالقين» في النزوح هم ضحايا سلبيون لا فاعليةَ لهم. وبالمقابل، فحتى في حالة غياب خيارات الانتقال البدني القابلة للتطبيق الفعلي، يمكن أن يظل اللاجئون يمّنون أنفسهم بـ «المُضِي قُدُماً» حتى وإن لم يكونوا مستطيعين على ذلك بدنيا. Syrian refugees’ aspirations to move contradict the notion that those refugees who are ‘stuck’ in displacement are passive victims without agency. Rather, in the absence of viable options for physical mobility, refugees may still engage in aspirations to ‘move on’ even when they are not able to do so physically

A phase 2a randomized clinical trial of intravenous vedolizumab for the treatment of steroid-refractory intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease

Steroid-refractory (SR) acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) remains a significant complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Systemic corticosteroids are first-line therapy for aGvHD, but apart from ruxolitinib, there are no approved treatments for SR aGvHD. Vedolizumab is approved for treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn\u27s disease, and may be effective for treatment of SR intestinal aGvHD. We conducted a phase 2a trial (NCT02993783) to evaluate the clinical efficacy, tolerability, and safety of vedolizumab 300 and 600 mg for SR intestinal aGvHD. This study was terminated before full enrollment was completed because early results failed to demonstrate positive proof-of-concept in efficacy. Before termination, 17 participants had enrolled and an early response in intestinal aGvHD was observed in 11 and eight participants at days 15 and 28, respectively. All adverse events observed were consistent with those expected in a population with SR intestinal aGvHD. Overall, vedolizumab did not meet the primary efficacy endpoint (overall response at day 28), likely owing to premature study drug discontinuation, lack of efficacy, and the competing risks inherent with a population with advanced SR intestinal aGvHD. Nevertheless, this study provides valuable insights into the considerations needed when conducting studies in patients with SR intestinal aGvHD

Thiotepa, busulfan and fludarabine compared to busulfan and cyclophosphamide as conditioning regimen for allogeneic stem cell transplant from matched siblings and unrelated donors for acute myeloid leukemia

Busulfan plus cyclophosphamide (BuCy) is the traditional conditioning regimen for allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) for young, fit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The thiotepa-busulfan-fludarabine (TBF) protocol has recently demonstrated promising outcome in cord blood and haploidentical SCT; however, there is limited evidence about this regimen in transplant from matched siblings (MSD) and unrelated donors (UD). We retrospectively compared outcomes of 2523 patients aged 18-50 with AML in remission, undergoing transplant from MSD or UD prepared with either TBF or BuCy conditioning. A 1:3 pair-matched analysis was performed: 146 patients receiving TBF were compared with 438 patients receiving BuCy. Relapse risk was significantly lower in the TBF when compared with BuCy group (HR 0.6, P =.02), while NRM did not differ. No significant difference was observed in LFS and OS between the two regimens. TBF was associated with a trend towards higher risk of grades III-IV aGVHD (HR 1.8, P =.06) and inferior cGVHD (HR 0.7, P =.04) when compared with BuCy. In patients undergoing transplant in first remission, the advantage for TBF in terms of relapse was more evident (HR 0.4, P =.02), leading to a trend for better LFS in favor of TBF (HR 0.7, P =.10), while OS did not differ between the two cohorts. In conclusion, TBF represents a valid myeloablative conditioning regimen providing significantly lower relapse and similar survival when compared with BuCy. Patients in first remission appear to gain the most from this protocol, as in this subgroup a tendency for better LFS was observed when compared with BuCy

Management of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Relapsing after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Study by the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapies

To find out prognostic factors and to investigate different therapeutic approaches, we report on 147 consecutive patients who relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Sixty-two patients underwent immunotherapy (IT group, second allo-HSCT or donor lymphocyte infusion), 39 received cytoreductive treatment alone (CRT group) and 46 were managed with palliative/supportive cares (PSC group). Two-year rates of overall survival (OS) were 32%, 6%, and 2% in the IT, CRT, and PSC groups, respectively (P < .001). In multivariate analysis, 4 factors adversely influenced 2-year rates of OS: history of acute graft-versus-host disease (hazard ratio [HR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26 to 2.67; P ¼ .002), relapse within 6 months (HR, 2.69; 95% CI, .82 to 3.98; P < .001), progression to acute myeloid leukemia (HR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.75 to 3.83; P < .001), and platelet count < 50 G/L at relapse (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.44; P ¼.007). A prognostic score based on those factors discriminated 2 risk groups with median OSs of 13.2 versus 2.4 months, respectively (P < .001). When propensity score, prognostic score, and treatment strategy were included in Cox model, immunotherapy was found to be an independent factor that favorably impacts OS (HR, .40; 95% CI, .26 to .63; P < .001). In conclusion, immunotherapy should be considered when possible for MDS patients relapsing after allo-HSCT