Association of the 894G>T polymorphism in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene with risk of acute myocardial infarction

Background: This study was designed to investigate the association of the 894G>T polymorphism in the eNOS gene with risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) on coronary angiography, and in-hospital mortality after AMI. Methods: We studied 1602 consecutive patients who were enrolled in the GEMIG study. The control group was comprised by 727 individuals, who were randomly selected from the general adult population. Results: The prevalence of the Asp298 variant of eNOS was not found to be significantly and independently associated with risk of AMI (RR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.77–1.51, P = 0.663), extent of CAD on angiography (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 0.63–2.23, P = 0.605) and in-hospital mortality (RR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.29–4.04, P = 0.908). Conclusion: In contrast to previous reports, homozygosity for the Asp298 variant of the 894G>T polymorphism in the eNOS gene was not found to be associated with risk of AMI, extent of CAD and in-hospital mortality after AM

CMH 101 HYBRID SUNFLOWER

A sunflower (Helianthus annuus var. macracarpa (D.C.) Ck11.) was developed by Agriculture Canada Research Station at Morden, Manitoba. It is a single cross hybrid (CM 400 × CM 469 Rf) employing the cytoplasmic male sterility–fertility restorer system. In Manitoba, CM 101 has exceeded Saturn in yield by 9% with 1.1% units higher seed oil content. CMH 100 has good rust resistance and is less susceptible to lodging than the open-pollinated cultivars. </jats:p

VARIABILITY IN HULL CONTENT, KERNEL OIL CONTENT, AND WHOLE SEED OIL CONTENT OF SUNFLOWER HYBRIDS AND PARENTAL LINES

Thirty-five sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids and seven parental lines were analyzed for hull and oil content. The hull content varied from 21.6 to 28.2% in the hybrids. The oil content varied from 59.8 to 64.6% in the kernel and from 42.5 to 50.3% in the whole seed. The variation of these characters was even greater in the parental lines. Hull content was negatively correlated with both kernel and whole seed oil content and with seed weight. Oil content of the kernel was positively correlated with oil content of the whole seed. Some variation in ease of dehulling was observed using a barley pearler. </jats:p

Performance comparison of single and three-way crosses in sunflower

Single and three-way crosses of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids were compared for yield and oil content by testing two groups of hybrids for 2 years. In the first group, the difference in yield and oil content between the two types was not significant, and in the second group the difference in yield was not significant. The oil content of the single crosses in the second group was 7 g kg−1 higher. The coefficient of variability for yield was similar in the two types of hybrids in both groups, indicating no difference in stability.Key words: Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., single crosses, three-way crosses, oil content, achene yield </jats:p

SATURN SUNFLOWER

An early maturing, open-pollinated sunflower cultivar, Saturn, has been licensed for Canada and is expected to replace Krasnodarets in Manitoba. Saturn outyields Krasnodarets by 4.5% and equals Peredovik and has a slightly higher oil content. It is similar to Krasnodarets in disease reaction and plant type. </jats:p

WATER RELATIONS IN WHEAT LEAVES AS SCREENING TESTS FOR DROUGHT RESISTANCE

Relative saturation deficit, water content and water retention ability of wheat leaves were investigated as possible tests for drought resistance. The drought tolerant Pitic 62 showed the lowest relative saturation deficit at low soil moisture stress but not at high soil moisture stress. Water content was highest in Pitic 62 throughout the soil moisture range. Analysis of individual plants from a population of Pitic 62 and ACEF-125 and their hybrid showed a greater differential between the genotypes for water content than for relative saturation deficit. Selection was effective for water content but not for relative saturation deficit. Water retention ability after a 24-h drying period varied considerably among the five cultivars examined, with Pitic 62 and Pelissier being the best water retainers. Position of leaf and stage of maturity affected water retention ability. Pitic 62 appeared to contribute the dominant genes for water retention ability and water content in a hybrid from a cross with ACEF-125. </jats:p

CORONA SUNFLOWER

Corona is an early, dwarf oilseed sunflower developed by the Agriculture Canada Research Stations, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Morden, Manitoba. In Saskatchewan and Alberta on southern Dark Brown and Black soils, the cultivar has exceeded Krasnodarets in seed yield and oil content. The cultivar is adapted to solid seeding at plant populations of 60,000–70,000 plants/ha. </jats:p