Molecular identification of S-alleles associated with self-incompatibility in apple (Malus spp.) genotypes

Gametophytic self-incompatibility, governed by the S-locus in apple (Malus spp.) plays a vital role for pollination and fruit set. The identification and cloning of RNases has enabled the use of molecular techniques to characterize Sgenotypes in apple cultivars. To identify the S-alleles associated with self-incompatibility, allele specific primers were tested using PCR, evaluating eight apple genotypes. A total of 6 pollen incompatibility groups in apple genotypes were identified among eight accessions by PCR based S-allele typing analysis. Eight putative S-alleles (S1, S2, S7, S19, S21, S23, S24 and S26) were identified with S1S7, S1S23, S1S24, S2S26, S19S24 diploid and S1S21S24 triploid combinations that had not previously been identified from apple cultivars. The molecular allele typing system of Sgenotypes based on PCR is a useful and rapid method for identifying new S-alleles and incompatibility groups in apple and the present results enabled the characterization of eight apple cultivars with respect to S-allele composition which is an important and preliminary step for pollination management and hybridization in apple breeding programmes

Proximal major limb amputations – a retrospective analysis of 45 oncological cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Proximal major limb amputations due to malignant tumors have become rare but are still a valuable treatment option in palliation and in some cases can even cure. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse outcome in those patients, including the postoperative course, survival, pain, quality of life, and prosthesis usage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data of 45 consecutive patients was acquired from patient's charts and contact to patients, and general practitioners. Patients with interscapulothoracic amputation (n = 14), shoulder disarticulation (n = 13), hemipelvectomy (n = 3) or hip disarticulation (n = 15) were included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The rate of proximal major limb amputations in patients treated for sarcoma was 2.3% (37 out of 1597). Survival for all patients was 42.9% after one year and 12.7% after five years. Survival was significantly better in patients with complete tumor resections. Postoperative chemotherapy and radiation did not prolong survival. Eighteen percent of the patients with malignant disease developed local recurrence. In 44%, postoperative complications were observed. Different modalities of postoperative pain management and the site of the amputation had no significant influence on long-term pain assessment and quality of life. Eighty-seven percent suffered from phantom pain, 15.6% considered their quality of life worse than before the operation. Thirty-two percent of the patients who received a prosthesis used it regularly.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Proximal major limb amputations severely interfere with patients' body function and are the last, albeit valuable, option within the treatment concept of extremity malignancies or severe infections. Besides short survival, high complication rates, and postoperative pain, patients' quality of life can be improved for the time they have remaining.</p

Effect of Inclusion of Different Levels of Duckweed (Lemna minor) on the Performance of Broiler Chicken

Background: Duckweed is a monocotyledon species of the family Lemnaceae. It is a small floating aquatic plant that grows very well on stagnant ponds and is commonly found throughout tropical countries in natural ponds, lakes and flooded rice fields. Duckweed has high crude protein content and a well-balanced amino acid profile and is also a good source of vitamins and minerals. Duckweed at different levels was utilized in the diet of broiler chicken to study their performance. Methods: One hundred and fifty day old broiler chicks of one week old were distributed randomly into five treatment groups viz T1: (Control), T2: 5% Duckweed without enzyme, T3: 5% Duckweed with enzyme, T4:10% Duckweed without enzyme and T5 :10% Duckweed with enzyme having 30 chicks in each groups with three replicates of 10 chicks each. Result: The Duckweed contains 20.33% crude protein, 3.10% ether extract, 18.06% crude fibre, 2.80% calcium, 1.10% phosphorous and 1660.77 ME (Kcal/ Kg). Significantly (P£0.05) higher body weight was recorded in T1 (1889.67±13.28g) and T3 (1878.65±2.02g) groups followed by T2 (1831.67±3.51g), T5 (1798.31±1.76 g) and T4 (1728.63±2.60 g) groups, respectively. The average daily body weight gain was ranged between 37.87 to 41.66 g. The cumulative feed consumption was recorded to be highest in T1 (3050.13±14.01) and lowest in T4 (2943.17±8.54g) group. The Cumulative FCR was significantly (P£0.05) better (1.74±0.01) in T1 and T3 groups in comparison to T2 (1.78±0.01), T4 (1.85± 0.01) and T5 (1.78± 0.04) groups. Total 3.3% mortality was recorded in all treatment groups except T3 group in which there was no mortality during entire experimental period.</jats:p

​Productive Performance and Economics of Broiler Chicken Fed Heat Treated Sheep Manure based Diets Supplemented with Enzyme

Background: Feed is the single largest input which accounts for 60-70% of the total cost of poultry production. Sheep manure is an unconventional feed relatively high in protein and energy levels and can be used in poultry diet to reduce the cost of production. Inclusion of exogenous enzymes will improve its nutritional value as it contains relatively high fibre and utilization by birds. The performance of broiler chicken fed with heat treated sheep manure (HSM) based diets supplement with or without enzyme was studied. Methods: 210 broiler chicks were randomly distributed to five groups viz. T1 (Control), T2: 5% HSM without enzyme, T3: 5% HSM with enzyme, T4: 10% HSM without enzyme and T5: 10% HSM with enzyme containing 42 chicks in each group having three replicates of 14 chicks each. Result: The chemical composition of HSM like Dry matter, Organic matter, Crude protein, Ether extract, Crude fibre, Total ash, NFE, Calcium and Phosphorus were estimated as 90.15±1.85, 71.88±1.62, 15.24±1.23, 4.22±0.86, 17.09±0.92, 28.12±1.32, 35.33±1.28, 1.15±0.08 and 0.48±0.03%. The ME (Kcal/kg) was 1565.33. The final body weight at 6 weeks of age was highest in T3 (1998.25±13.29g) and lowest in T4 (1949.22± 15.14 g). The cumulative feed conversion ratio ranged between 1.79 ± 0.083 in T1 to 1.83 ± 0.078 in T4. The cost of production per kg live weight was highest (Rs. 89.78) in T1 and lowest (Rs. 83.76) in T5 group. The benefit cost ratio was 1.14, 1.17, 1.19, 1.20 and 1.22 for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups respectively. </jats:p

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Not AvailableThirty-six apple cultivars representing Malus domestica Borkh. were evaluated for diversity in fruit quality. Colour traits ‘L’, ‘b’ and ‘Tint’ were positively correlated with TSS and fruit size. ‘a’ values showed negative correlation with TSS but was positively correlated with fruit firmness. ‘L’ values ranged from 32.66 (Well Spur) to 76.48 (Super more Gold). Negative ‘a’ value was observed for Orange Val (-5.17), Snow Drift (-1.67) and Green sleeves (-7.70) indicating that these cultivars are green in colour at the time of harvesting. The ‘b’ values ranged from 6.86 (King Hacious) to 52.18 (Supermore Gold) indicating that these cultivars are yellow in colour and none blue. Positive ‘Tint’ value (2.36) was observed in Green sleeves cultivar and rest of the cultivars showed negative value. Fruit firmness ranged from 26.00(Starkrimson Gold) to 90.85 RI (Top Red) and TSS from 11.80°B (Razakwari) to 20.03°B (Salvapobedetalian).Principal component analysis showed that first three components with Eigen values were able to explain more than 78% of total variation. PC1, PC2 and PC3 accounted for 37, 28 and 13% respectively, of the trait variability. Cluster analysis distinguished all the cultivars into five distinctgroups/clusters and one cultivar Starkrimson Gold does notform the part of any cluster. Cluster analysis also revealedthe importance of fruit weight and fruit firmness forgrouping of apple cultivars while as TSS was found to have no significant role in grouping. The PCA and clustering analysis in this study indicated a high level of diversity in the apple cultivars. The present study is useful for identifying the apple cultivars with desirable fruit quality traits useful for commercialization and crop improvement through breeding.Not Availabl