Multidimensional scaling for divergence analysis in pepper

Pepper plants of the genus Capsicum present wide genetic variability for phenotypical characters. The joint analysis of quantitative and qualitative characters is a more complete indicator to identify the existing variability in populations of plants. This work aimed to evaluate the genetic divergence within F3 populations of Capsicum annuum L. through the multidimensional scaling based on the joint analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. The work was developed in at the Center of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba, state of Paraíba, Brazil. Eight populations of an F3 generation were employed, performing the characterization of 36 qualitative and quantitative characteristics. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with eight treatments and 50 replications. The non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) was performed based on Gower’s dissimilarity matrixes. Dispersion diagrams were built to present the nMDS solutions in the bidimensional space. The nMDS mapping was efficient on estimating divergence within populations with Kruskal’s Stress below 20%. The internal uniformity presented by populations P-4, P-5, P-6, P-7, and P-8 is an indicator that the genotypes of these populations are suitable to be used in future genetic breeding programs of ornamental peppers. Conversely, populations P-1, P-2, and P-3 presented the greatest dispersion, characterizing phenotypical variability. The multidimensional scaling was efficient to estimate the genetic divergence among and within F3 populations of ornamental pepper

Caractérisation phénotypique du néré (Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don, Fabaceae) dans trois types de savane de Côte d’Ivoire

Afin de préserver les nombreux biens et services fournis par Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don, Fabaceae, il est fondamental de connaître la variabilité phénotypique de l’espèce pour sa domestication. L’objectif de cette étude est de déterminer des caractères morphologiques permettant d’identifier des arbres-plus dans les savanes de Côte d’Ivoire. La variabilité phénotypique d’arbres distants d’au moins 100 m des trois types de savane a été étudiée à travers 22 caractères quantitatifs relatifs aux troncs, feuilles, fruits et graines. La matrice de données obtenue a été analysée avec différents tests tels que MANOVA suivie de ANOVA 1, AFD et la CAH. Les paramètres permettant de distinguer les arbres selon leur origine sont : hauteur totale d’arbre, épaisseur graine, poids de graine et pulpe par fruit, longueur du fruit, longueur et épaisseur du pédicelle, longueur et épaisseur du pédoncule. Les arbres en savane guinéenne ont de longs et épais pédoncules, des pédicelles épais et de longs fruits. Les arbres en savane sub-soudanaise sont hauts avec des graines et pédicelles épais, un poids de graine et de pulpe par fruit en moyenne élevé alors que les arbres en savane soudanaise sont hauts avec un long pédoncule. Mots clés: Parkia biglobosa, néré, variabilité phénotypique, conservation, savane. English Title: Phenotypical caracterization of african locust bean (Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don, Fabaceae) from three savannahs types in Côte d’Ivoire To preserve goods and services provided by Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don, Fabaceae, it is essential to know the phenotypical variability of this species for domestication purpose. The objective of this study is to define morphological discriminant traits to identify tree-plus in the savannahs from Côte d'Ivoire. The phenotypical variability of trees distant at least 100 m from three types of savannah was studied through 22 quantitative traits related to trunks, leaves, fruits and seeds. Matrix data was analyzed with different tests such as MANOVA followed by ANOVA 1, AFD and CAH. Traits that allow distinguishing trees according to their origin are: total height, seed thickness, seed and pulp weight per fruit, fruit length, pedicel length and thickness, peduncle length and thickness. In the Guinean savannah, trees have long and thick peduncles, thick pedicels and long fruits. In Sub-Sudanese savannah, trees are tall with thick seeds and pedicels, high seeds and pulp weight per fruit while Sudanese savannah trees are tall with a long peduncle. Keywords: Parkia biglobosa, locust bean, phenotypical variability, conservation, savannah.

The Value of Imagistics in Early Diagnosis of Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a multisystemic genetic disorder with high phenotypical variability. Its progress frequently brings along autism (61%), epilepsy, intellectual disability (45%), and neurocognitive impairment (Gipson and Johnston, 2017). We are considering the case of an infant suspected with tuberous sclerosis complex by imagistic investigation in the prenatal period. The pre- and postnatal ultrasound, fetal MRI, ophthalmoscopy, and dermatological and neurological examinations were used for diagnosis and follow-up. The seven major and minor criteria were regarded as sufficient for accurate diagnosis.

Building the differences: a case for the ground tissue patterning in plants

A key question in biology is to understand how interspecies morphological diversities originate. Plant roots present a huge interspecific phenotypical variability, mostly because roots largely contribute to adaptation to different kinds of soils. One example is the interspecific cortex layer number variability, spanning from one to several. Here, we review the latest advances in the understanding of the mechanisms expanding and/or restricting cortical layer number in Arabidopsis thaliana and their involvement in cortex pattern variability among multi-cortical layered species such as Cardamine hirsuta or Oryza sativa .

New approach to phenotypic variability and karyotype-phenotype correlation in Turner syndrome

Phenotypic variability of Turner syndrome (TS) challenges clinicians, and undiagnosed mosaicism may lead to conflicting results of karyotype-phenotype correlations. This study assessed the extent of phenotypic variability and investigated the presence of karyotype-phenotype correlations.The sample comprised 80 patients with ≥50 cells analyzed in karyotype. Twenty were 45,X/46,X,+mar; three groups of 20 patients were constructed by matching those girls with the nearest-aged patient with 45,X, 45,X/46,XX and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) or 46,X,i(Xq) karyotype.Data were obtained on height z-score, dysmorphic features, echocardiogram and urinary system sonography. The number of dysmorphic features ranged from one to 16 and was not correlated to age at diagnosis or height. The groups did not differ in height, number of dysmorphic features, cardiovascular and urinary system anomalies and frequency of any specific feature, except for short fourth metacarpal.Wide phenotypical variability of TS may be objectively described and its clinical picture is not correlated to karyotype.