Pleiotropic Effect Analysis and Marker Development for Grain Zinc and Iron Concentrations in Spring wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the main food crops in the world and a primary source of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in the human body. The genetic mechanisms underlying related traits have been clarified, thereby providing a molecular theoretical foundation for the development of germplasm resources. In this study, 23,536 high-quality DArT markers were used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) of grain Zn (GZn) and grain Fe (GFe) concentrations in recombinant inbred lines from Avocet/Chilero. A total of 17 QTLs located on chromosomes 1BL, 2BL, 3BL, 4AL, 4BS, 5AL, 5DL, 6AS, 6BS, 6DS, and 7AS accounted for 0.38–16.62% of the phenotypic variance. QGZn.haust-4AL, QGZn.haust-7AS.1, and QGFe.haust-6BS were detected on chromosomes 4AL, 6BS, and 7AS, accounting for 10.63–16.62% of the phenotypic variance. Four stable QTLs, QGZn.haust-4AL, QGFe.haust-1BL, QGFe.haust-4AL, and QGFe.haust-5DL were located on chromosomes 1BL, 4AL, and 5DL. Three pleiotropic effects locus for GZn and GFe concentrations were located on chromosomes 1BL, 4AL, and 5DL. Two high-throughput Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR markers were developed by closely linking single nucleotide polymorphisms on chromosomes 4AL and 5DL, which were validated by a germplasm panel. Therefore, it is the most important that quantitative trait loci and KASP marker for grain zinc and iron concentrations were developed for utilizing in marker-assisted breeding and biofortification of wheat grain in breeding programs.

QTL Mapping for Pumpkin Fruit Traits Using a GBS-based High-density Genetic Map

Pumpkin is a popular vegetable crop and exhibits a broad diversity in fruit shape and size. Fruit-related traits are the decisive factors determining consumer acceptance and market value of pumpkin cultivar. As a result, deciphering the genetic basis of fruit-related traits is of great importance for pumpkin breeding. To address this problem, a F2 population was generated by two Cucurbita moschata inbred lines with contrasting fruit shapes and genotyping-by-sequencing approach were used to construct a high-density genetic map and localize the QTLs underlying the fruit-related traits in this study. The results showed that a high-quality genetic map was constructed for pumpkin, which comprised of 2413 bins and spanned a total length of 2252.10 cM with an average genetic distance of 0.94 cM. A total of 30 significant QTLs with moderate or small effects were identified for 7 fruit-related traits, including fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit shape index, fruit weight, fruit flesh thickness, seed cavity size, and total soluble solids content. Co-locations and close locations were observed between the QTLs underlying different traits, demonstrating that pleiotropic effect plays an important role in genetic control of fruit-related traits. The identified QTLs provide valuable information for further fine mapping of the related genes and pumpkin breeding programs with the aim of improving fruit quality.

Strategy of implementing aerobic exercise as a pleiotropic effect in cancer patients with a history of administration cardiotoxic agents: a systematic review

The development of health science, with the discovery of a type of treatment to reduce mortality due to cancer, namely using chemotherapy agents such as anthracycline and trastuzumab. From the number of studies that have been done, the types of drugs such as anthracycline and trastuzumab have a cardiotoxic effect which is often associated with decreased heart-lung function and the incidence of cardiomyopathy. Exercise is reported to have a pleiotropic effect. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize evidence from the application of pleiotropic exercise in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with cardiotoxic agents. The search was performed according to the recommended reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Obtained an accumulation of 2397 articles from PubMed and Google Scholar (2016-2020), which were assisted by the PICO search engine. The article was reviewed by the author within sorting using inclusion and exclusion criteria and obtained 28 articles accordingly. Aerobic exercise has pleiotropic effects by stimulating antioxidants and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, reducing pro-apoptosis molecular signaling, stimulating myofilament, facilitating concentric cardia hypertrophy remodeling, and changing cardiac metabolism via adenosine monophosphate (amp) with kinase-mediated. Pretreatment aerobic exercise with minimal supervised 30-min exercise sessions 3 times/week for ≥12 weeks effectively reduce the risk of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy (CRC). Aerobic exercise has a significant pleiotropic effect in patients undergoing chemotherapy with cardiotoxic agents.

Vitamin D in periodontology

Generalized periodontitis is one of the most common dental diseases that can lead to tooth mobility and tooth loss. Plaque is main etiological factor, but periodontitis is a multifactorial disease. There are data on the effect of vitamin D levels on generalized periodontitis. Vitamin D has a pleiotropic effect by affecting various links in the pathogenesis of generalized periodontitis. Stimulating the secretion of antimicrobial peptides, vitamin D increases local immunity and adversely affects periodontal pathogens; modulating the immune system, it affects inflammation in periodontal tissues and the immune response; increasing the absorption of calcium and reducing the release of parathyroid hormone, vitamin D stimulates bone mineralization. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency worldwide indicates the relevance of studying its effects on the human body in general and the oral cavity in particular.

Dissecting of the Deterioration in Eating Quality for Erect Panicle (Ep) Type High Yield Japonica Super Rice in Northest China

Ep type is an important morphological improvement (following dwarf breeding and ideal plant type) to adapt to super high yield breeding of rice, which shows a pleiotropic effect in increasing grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in rice. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether Ep has adverse effects on eating quality and its regulatory of increasing nitrogen uptake and assimilation. In this study, we developed a pair of near-isogenic lines (NILs) of dep1 (NIL-Ep, NIL-Non Ep) in the Liaogeng 5 (LG5) and Akihikari (AKI) backgrounds. Here, we report that rice plants NIL-Ep have more grain numbers per panicle in middle to bottom spike positions than plants NIL-non Ep. This part of increased grain not only is the key factor to increase the yield, but also is the reason to reduce the eating quality. The content of prolamin and glutelin in the grain increased significantly, which resulted in higher hardness and worse viscosity of rice after cooking. Additionally, the activity of several essential enzymes catalyzing nitrogen metabolism is higher in the NIL-Ep line than in NIL-non Ep line, especially from the mid to late grain filling stage. Based on these results, we conclude that Ep positively regulates grain protein accumulation primarily through enhance the activity of enzyme enroll nitrogen assimilation and redistribution during the mid to late grain-filling stage, resulting in excessive accumulation of grain protein and decreased the quality of eating.

AdpA Positively Regulates Morphological Differentiation and Chloramphenicol Biosynthesis in Streptomyces venezuelae

Streptomyces are well-known producers of valuable secondary metabolites which include a large variety of antibiotics and important model organisms for developmental studies in multicellular bacteria. The conserved transcriptional regulator AdpA of Streptomyces exerts a pleiotropic effect on cellular processes, including the morphological differentiation and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.

Response of physiological parameters in Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis teratomas transformed with rolB oncogene

Background Plant transformation with rol oncogenes derived from wild strains of Rhizobium rhizogenes is a popular biotechnology tool. Transformation effects depend on the type of rol gene, expression level, and the number of gene copies incorporated into the plant’s genomic DNA. Although rol oncogenes are known as inducers of plant secondary metabolism, little is known about the physiological response of plants subjected to transformation. Results In this study, the physiological consequences of rolB oncogene incorporation into the DNA of Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis was evaluated at the level of primary and secondary metabolism. Examination of the teratoma (transformed shoots) cultures of two different clones (K and L) showed two different strategies for dealing with the presence of the rolB gene. Clone K showed an increased ratio of free fatty acids to lipids, superoxide dismutase activity, synthesis of the oxidised form of glutathione, and total pool of glutathione and carotenoids, in comparison to non-transformed plants (control). Clone L was characterised by increased accumulation of malondialdehyde, proline, activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, total pool of glutathione, ratio of reduced form of glutathione to oxidised form, and accumulation of selected phenolic acids. Moreover, clone L had an enhanced ratio of total triglycerides to lipids and accumulated saccharose, fructose, glucose, and tyrosine. Conclusions This study showed that plant transformation with the rolB oncogene derived from R. rhizogenes induces a pleiotropic effect in plant tissue after transformation. Examination of D. muscipula plant in the context of transformation with wild strains of R. rhizogenes can be a new source of knowledge about primary and secondary metabolites in transgenic organisms.

The Effect of Levosimendan on Phosphine-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Biochemical and Histopathological Assessment

Background Aluminum phosphide (AlP) toxicity is associated with a high risk of death due to heart, liver, and kidney failure as the target organs. Phosphine gas released due to the ingestion is the main factor involved in the multi-organ failure with various mechanisms. Levosimendan (LEV) is a calcium sensitizer with a pleiotropic effect on multiple organs. This study aimed to investigate whether LEV can alleviate AlP-induced nephrotoxicity in the rat model. Method Six groups included control group (almond oil only), sole LEV group (48 µg/kg), AlP group (LD50=10 µg/kg), and the poisoned groups treated with LEV at doses of 12, 24, and 48 µg/kg 30 min after AlP gavage. After 24 hours of treatment, serum and kidney samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Result Biochemical analysis of the AlP group showed that the activity of complexes I, II, and IV was significantly reduced, while the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), lactate, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity significantly increased. Also, AlP reduced live renal cells and elevated necrosis. However, the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were not affected by the poisoning. LEV co-treatment could increase mitochondrial complex activity and reduce MPO activity, LPO, ROS, and lactate levels. Additionally, the histopathological analysis showed the detrimental effects of AlP on kidney tissue, which was mitigated by LEV administration. Conclusion Our findings showed that LEV can potentially improve oxidative stress, imbalance in the redox status, necrosis, and pathological injuries in kidney tissue following AlP-poisoning.