Genetic association of stomatal traits and yield in wheat grown in low rainfall environments

Published: 4 July 2016Background: In wheat, grain filling is closely related to flag leaf characteristics and function. Stomata are specialized leaf epidermal cells which regulate photosynthetic CO2 uptake and water loss by transpiration. Understanding the mechanisms controlling stomatal size, and their opening under drought, is critical to reduce plant water loss and maintain a high photosynthetic rate which ultimately leads to elevated yield. We applied a leaf imprinting method for rapid and non-destructive phenotyping to explore genetic variation and identify quantitative traits loci (QTL) for stomatal traits in wheat grown under greenhouse and field conditions. Results: The genetics of stomatal traits on the adaxial surface of the flag leaf was investigated using 146 double haploid lines derived from a cross between two Australian lines of Triticum aestivum, RAC875 and Kukri. The drought tolerant line RAC875 showed numerous small stomata in contrast to Kukri. Significant differences between the lines were observed for stomatal densitity and size related traits. A negative correlation was found between stomatal size and density, reflecting a compensatory relationship between these traits to maintain total pore area per unit leaf surface area. QTL were identified for stomatal traits on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2B, and 7A under field and controlled conditions. Most importantly some of these loci overlap with QTL on chromosome 7A that control kernel number per spike, normalized difference vegetation index, harvest index and yield in the same population. Conclusions: In this first study to decifer genetic relationships between wheat stomatal traits and yield in response to water deficit, no significant correlations were observed among yield and stomatal traits under field conditions. However we found some overlaps between QTL for stomatal traits and yield across environments. This suggested that stomatal traits could be an underlying mechanism increasing yield at specific loci and used as a proxy to track a target QTL in recombinant lines. This finding is a step-forward in understanding the function of these loci and identifying candidate genes to accelerate positional cloning of yield QTL in wheat under drought.Fahimeh Shahinnia, Julien Le Roy, Benjamin Laborde, Beata Sznajder, Priyanka Kalambettu, Saba Mahjourimajd, Joanne Tilbrook and Delphine Fleur

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous quantitation of human nuclear, mitochondrial, and male Y-chromosome DNA: Application in human identification

Human forensic casework requires sensitive quantitation of human nuclear (nDNA), mitochondrial (mtDNA), and male Y-chromosome DNA from complex biomaterials. Although many such systems are commercially available, no system is capable of simultaneously quantifying all three targets in a single reaction. Most available methods either are not multiplex compatible or lack human specificity. Here, we report the development of a comprehensive set of human-specific, target-specific multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for DNA quantitation. Using TaqMan-MGB probes, our duplex qPCR for nDNA/mtDNA had a linear quantitation range of 100 ng to 1 pg, and our triplex qPCR assay for nDNA/mtDNA/male Y DNA had a linear range of 100-0.1 ng. Human specificity was demonstrated by the accurate detection of 0.05 and 5% human DNA from a complex source of starting templates. Target specificity was confirmed by the lack of cross-amplification among targets. A high-throughput alternative for human gender determination was also developed by multiplexing the male Y primer/probe set with an X-chromosome-based system. Background cross-amplification with DNA templates derived from 14 other species was negligible aside from the male Y assay which produced spurious amplifications from other nonhuman primate templates. Mainstream application of these assays will undoubtedly benefit forensic genomics. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Is there still a place for Achilles tendon lengthening?

Patients with diabetes and ankle equinus are at particularly high risk for forefoot ulceration because of the development of high forefoot pressures. Stiffness in the triceps surae muscles and tendons are thought to be largely responsible for equinus in patients with diabetes and underpins the surgical rationale for Achilles tendon lengthening (ATL) procedures to alleviate this deformity and reduce ulcer risk. The established/traditional surgical approach is the triple hemisection along the length of the Achilles tendon. Although the percutaneous approach has been successful in achieving increases in ankle dorsiflexion >30°, the tendon rupture risk has led to some surgeons looking at alternative approaches. The gastrocnemius aponeurosis may be considered as an alternative because of the Achilles tendon’s poor blood supply. ATL procedures are a balance between achieving adequate tendon lengthening and minimizing tendon rupture risk during or after surgery. After ATL surgery, the first 7 days should involve reduced loading and protected range of motion to avoid rupture, after which gradual reintroduction to loading should be encouraged to increase tendon strength. In summary, there is a moderate level of evidence to support surgical intervention for ankle joint equinus in patients with diabetes and forefoot ulceration that is non-responsive to other conservative treatments. Areas of caution for ATL procedures include the risk for overcorrection, tendon rupture and the tendon’s poor blood supply. Further prospective randomized control trials are required to confirm the benefits of ATL procedures over conservative care and the most optimal anatomical sites for surgical intervention.

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Ryhiner-Kartensammlung / 8 Carte pour servir au voyage de M. de Surville capitaine de vaisseaux

dressé sur ses mémoires par M. de LabordeNullmeridiane: Paris, FerroWahrscheinliches Ursprungswerk: Atlas zur "Histoire abrégée de la mer du Sud" (Paris, 1791

Ryhiner-Kartensammlung / 9 Carte d'une partie de la Mer du Sud avec des détails sur les princip.les isles de cette mer

par M. de LabordeMit 47 Nebenkarten unten rechts und oben linksNullmeridiane: Paris, FerroWahrscheinliches Ursprungswerk: Atlas zur "Histoire abrégée de la mer du Sud" (Paris, 1791

Ryhiner-Kartensammlung / 4 Carte generale de la Suisse

par un voyageur françois [i.e. Jean Benjamin de Laborde] ; ecrit par BeauvaisNullmeridian: ParisUrsprungswerk: Band 1 der "Lettres sur la Suisse, adressées à Mad. M. par un voyageur françois en 1781" (Genève, 1783

Lettres sur la Suisse, adressées à Madame de M.*** par un voyageur françois en 1781 : On y a joint une carte générale de la Suisse et des glaciers de Faucigny, la plus exacte qui ait encore paru, ainsi qu'un plan de Versoi, & un plan des souterrains des salines de Bévieux

[Jean Benjamin de Laborde]Bd. 1: 271 Seiten, 1 Faltkarte, 1 Falttafel ; Bd. 2: 282 Seiten, [1] Blatt, 1 FalttafelHandschriftliches Exlibris: "L. Wüthrich Zürich, 24.11.1973" Exemplar der ETH-BI

Choix de chansons

mises en musique par de La Borde ; ornées d'estampes par J. M. MoreauTome 1: [1] Bl., 154 S., [2] Bl. 1 Taf., 153 S., [1] Bl. ; tome 2: [1] Bl., 1 Taf., 150 S., [2] Bl., 1 Taf. 150 S., [3] Bl.Exlibrisetikette: "Legat Dr. Max Doerner Orselina" 010615017_0001 Exemplar der ETH-BI

Ryhiner-Kartensammlung / 43-45 Carte du théatre de la guerre en Orient

publiée par E. Mentelle membre de l'Institut national des sciences, professeur aux ecoles centrale du dép.t de la Seine et P.G. Chanlaire associé à l'entreprise de la grande carte de France, l'un des auteurs de l'Atlas nationalTitel, bildliche Darstellung und Vermerk zur Kartengrundlage oben Mitte ("N.a Le fond de cette carte est de feu J. B. Laborde, ...")Nebenkarten unten links ("Route de Siré à Gondar et à Tcherkin", 15 x 10 cm) und unten rechts ("Route de Gondar aux sources du Nil", 17 x 11 cm)Nullmeridiane: Ferro, Pari