Seed yield of simple and tri-linear corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids for the mexican humid tropics

The objective of the work was to evaluate the agronomic performance and seed yield of tropical corn (Zea mays L.) of single and tri-linear crosses. In the spring-summer of 2015 and 2016, two essays were established in the states of Veracruz and Tabasco, Mexico. In the first essay, a group of 12 single crosses was evaluated, and in the second, a group of 18 tri-linear crosses was evaluated. In both essays, the treatments were distributed under a completely randomized block design with three replicates in 5 m long, two-row plots and 0.8 m between rows, with an initial population density of 62.500 plants ha-1. Within the simple cross trial, hybrids HE-3W, COMERCIAL 1, LT-164xLT-165, and HE-1W presented seed yields above the general mean (3384 kg ha-1). Within this outstanding group is the LT-164xLT-165 cross, which participates as a female parent in the formation of the recently released commercial hybrid H-567. In the tri-linear crosses essay, a group of varieties and hybrids including H-567, (LT-164xLT-165) xLT-156, (LT-164xLT-165) xLT-155, (LT-154xLT-155) xLT-165, VS-536, H-520, VS-563, (LT-154xLT-155) xLT-170, (LT-171xLT-172) xLT-156, (LT-164xLT-165) xLT-164, and (LT-171xLT-172) xLT-170 recorded seed yields of 6669.8, 6515.4, 6498.6, 6431.1, 6260, 6024.7, 5935.4, 5664.3, 5580.8, and 5527.1 kg ha-1, respectively. The LT-154, LT-155, and LT-156 lines are common as a male and female parent, suggesting a good genetic combination. The prevailing environmental conditions during the development of the experiments did not significantly influence the productivity of the crosses. There is genetic variability that can be used to continue developing lines, open pollination varieties, and corn hybrids.

BZR1 Regulates Brassinosteroid-Mediated Activation of AMT1;2 in Rice

Although it is known that brassinosteroids (BRs) play pleiotropic roles in plant growth and development, their roles in plant nutrient uptake remain unknown. Here, we hypothesized that BRs directly regulate ammonium uptake by activating the expression of rice AMT1-type genes. Exogenous BR treatment upregulated both AMT1;1 and AMT1;2 expression, while this induction was impaired in the BR-receptor gene BRI1 mutant d61-1. We then focused on brassinazole-resistant 1 (BZR1), a central hub of the BR signaling pathway, demonstrating the important role of this signaling pathway in regulating AMT1 expression and rice roots NH4+ uptake. The results showed that BR-induced expression of AMT1;2 was suppressed in BZR1 RNAi plants but was increased in bzr1-D, a gain-of-function BZR1 mutant. Further EMSA and ChIP analyses showed that BZR1 bound directly to the BRRE motif located in the promoter region of AMT1;2. Moreover, cellular ammonium contents, 15NH4+ uptake, and the regulatory effect of methyl-ammonium on root growth are strongly dependent on the levels of BZR1. Overexpression lines of BRI1 and BZR1 and Genetic combination of them mutants showed that BZR1 activates AMT1;2 expression downstream of BRI1. In conclusion, the findings suggest that BRs regulation of NH4+ uptake in rice involves transcription regulation of ammonium transporters.

Clinical case of combined genetic pathology in a patient

Family hypercholesterolemia (HSX) is a form of genetically deterministic increase in blood lipid levels associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease, usually at a young age. HSX is a common genetic disease found in the general population in most countries in 1:500 people. Clinically xantomas are found in achilles tendor and wrist flexors, lipoid arc of the cornea, concentration of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins is 4.911.6 mmol/l. Gilberts syndrome is a hereditary benign hyperbilirubinium, associated with a decrease in the functional activity of the liver enzyme uridinfosfat-glucuronosil transferase. Clinically, this syndrome appers in intermittent jaundice, which is provoked by physical activity, consumption of alcoholic beverages, insulation and an increase in the level of indirect bilirubin within 20100 micromol/ml. The article presents a rare clinical case of genetic combination of HSC SSC and Gilbert syndrome a young patient has and discusses the elevated bilirubin levels protective role in the atherosclerosis progression in Gilbert syndrome.

Aortic root dilation in a child with Marfan syndrome and mosaic Turner syndrome

Patients with a known genetic cause of aortic root dilation usually have a single underlying aetiology, either a single gene defect as in Marfan syndrome or chromosomal anomaly as in Turner syndrome. However, it is possible, although unlikely, for a patient to inherit multiple independent risk factors for aortic root dilation. We describe such a patient, who inherited Marfan syndrome and a very unusual form of mosaic Turner syndrome. Long-term follow-up of this patient may provide insight into the natural history of this unique genetic combination.

Nutrients’ and Antinutrients’ Seed Content in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Lines Carrying Mutations Affecting Seed Composition

Lectins, phytic acid and condensed tannins exert major antinutritional effects in common bean when grains are consumed as a staple food. In addition, phaseolin, i.e., the major storage protein of the bean seed, is marginally digested when introduced in the raw form. Our breeding target was to adjust the nutrient/antinutrient balance of the bean seed for obtaining a plant food with improved nutritional value for human consumption. In this study, the seeds of twelve phytohaemagglutinin-E-free bean lines carrying the mutations low phytic acid, phytohaemagglutinin-L-free, α-Amylase inhibitors-free, phaseolin-free, and reduced amount of condensed tannins, introgressed and differently combined in seven genetic groups, were analyzed for their nutrient composition. Inedited characteristics, such as a strong positive correlation (+0.839**) between the genetic combination “Absence of phaseolin + Presence of the α-Amylase Inhibitors” and the amount of “accumulated iron and zinc”, were detected. Three lines carrying this genetic combination showed a much higher iron content than the baseline (+22.4%) and one of them in particular, achieved high level (+29.1%; 91.37 µg g−1) without any specific breeding intervention. If confirmed by scientific verification, the association of these genetic traits might be usefully exploited for raising iron and zinc seed content in a bean biofortification breeding program.

A Study on ACE, ACTN3, and VDR Genes Polymorphism in Thai Weightlifters

In order to excel in sport, apart from the correct training, the genetic combination of an individual may also be a factor in making an elite athlete. Weightlifting, as a popular sport, has a unique bio-mechanism dealing with muscle performance. The current study investigated the polymorphisms of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), the a-actinin-3 (ACTN3), and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes (individually or in combination) in Thai weightlifters. A total of 117 male and female national and junior Thai weightlifters, and 99 healthy sedentary people were recruited for this study. Genotyping was analyzed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). When compared to the junior and non-athletes group, the genotype and allele frequencies of ACE (DD), ACTN3 (RR), and VDR (ff) were more frequent in both male and female national weightlifters. In addition, the genotype combinations between ACE (DD) + VDR (ff), ACE (DD) + ACTN3 RR, and ACTN3 RR + VDR ff presented highly in both genders of national weightlifters. Taken together, our results suggest that the ACTN3 and VDR genotype, individually or in combination, may influence muscle performance in weightlifters, appearing to significantly contribute to better weightlifting performance.