Genomic Regions From an Iranian Landrace Increase Kernel Size in Durum Wheat

Kernel size and shape are important parameters determining the wheat profitability, being main determinants of yield and its technological quality. In this study, a segregating population of 118 recombinant inbred lines, derived from a cross between the Iranian durum landrace accession "Iran_249" and the Iranian durum cultivar "Zardak", was used to investigate durum wheat kernel morphology factors and their relationships with kernel weight, and to map the corresponding QTLs. A high density genetic map, based on wheat 90k iSelect Infinium SNP assay, comprising 6,195 markers, was developed and used to perform the QTL analysis for kernel length and width, traits related to kernel shape and weight, and heading date, using phenotypic data from three environments. Overall, a total of 31 different QTLs and 9 QTL interactions for kernel size, and 21 different QTLs and 5 QTL interactions for kernel shape were identified. The landrace Iran_249 contributed the allele with positive effect for most of the QTLs related to kernel length and kernel weight suggesting that the landrace might have considerable potential toward enhancing the existing gene pool for grain shape and size traits and for further yield improvement in wheat. The correlation among traits and co-localization of corresponding QTLs permitted to define 11 clusters suggesting causal relationships between simplest kernel size trait, like kernel length and width, and more complex secondary trait, like kernel shape and weight related traits. Lastly, the recent release of the T. durum reference genome sequence allowed to define the physical interval of our QTL/clusters and to hypothesize novel candidate genes inspecting the gene content of the genomic regions associated to target traits.

Limits for the central production of Theta+ and Xi(--)pentaquarks in 920-GeV pA collisions

We have searched for Theta+(1540) and Xi(--)(1862) pentaquark candidates in proton-induced reactions on C, Ti, and W targets at midrapidity and square root of s = 41.6 GeV. In 2 x 10(8) inelastic events we find no evidence for narrow (sigma approximately 5 MeV) signals in the Theta+ --> pK0(S) and Xi(--) --> Xi- pi- channels; our 95% C.L. upper limits (UL) for the inclusive production cross section times branching fraction B dsigma/dy/(y approximately 0) are (4-16) mub/N for a Theta+ mass between 1521 and 1555 MeV, and 2.5 mub/N for the Xi(--). The UL of the yield ratio of Theta+/Lambda(1520) < (3-12)% is significantly lower than model predictions. Our UL of B Xi(--)/Xi(1530)0 < 4% is at variance with the results that have provided the first evidence for the Xi(--).

[Role of dietary prevention in newborns at risk for atopy. Results of a follow-up study]

The Authors have studied the role of various preventing diet for a primary prophylaxis of allergy in 125 newborns at risk of atopy: 30 exclusively breast-fed, 50 hypoallergenic milk fed, 30 soy milk fed, and 15 with conventional milk formula. IgE values were determined at 5 days, 6 months, and 12 months of age, IgE values at 5 days were compared to newborns not at atopic risk. The clinical follow-up lasted 4 years. Total IgE values at 5 days were significantly higher in new-born at atopic risk. Only breast-feeding subjects had IgE normal values at six months. Allergic symptoms were observed in 14% of infants with a guided diet and in 53% of infants with a conventional diet. Breast fed subjects had atopic disorders in only 8% of cases, subjects with hypoallergenic formula in 12% while soja milk fed in 25%. The Authors stress the role of breast feeding in preventing allergic disorders in subjects at atopic risk or, when human milk misses, of a hypoallergenic formula, more than soy milk and conventional formula and confirm the possibility of diet and ambiental prophylaxis of allergy.

Protective effect of nedocromil sodium on the interleukin-1-induced production of interleukin-8 in human bronchial epithelial cells

Cellular constituents of the bronchial mucosa may participate in the recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to the inflamed airways through the generation of the neutrophil chemotactic peptide, interleukin-8 (IL-8). One important aspect of this interaction could be represented by the ability of pulmonary monokines, particularly IL-1, to induce gene expression of IL-8 in bronchial epithelial cells. In this study, we have evaluated the constitutive and IL-1-induced production of IL-8 by cultured human bronchial epithelial cells and examined the ability of the anti-inflammatory drug, nedocromil sodium, to inhibit the cytokine synthesis and release. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that IL-1 beta-treated human bronchial epithelial cells expressed appreciable levels of IL-8 mRNA during a period of 8 hours. This finding was associated with an increased release of immunoreactive IL-8 to the culture media, as assessed by specific ELISA. The bronchial epithelial cell-derived IL-8 demonstrated specific biologic activity, since the supernatants of stimulated bronchial epithelial cells possessed neutrophil chemotactic activity that could be inhibited by an antibody against human IL-8. Nedocromil sodium reduced the IL-1-induced release of IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner, but concentrations of the compounds, up to 10(-5) mol/L, did not affect the constitutive production of this cytokine.

Unstable translocations: a new case?

A female patient with Down syndrome due to unbalanced Robertsonian translocation (14;21) is reported. A different Robertsonian translocation involving a chromosome no. 14 was observed in her father, who was a carrier of a balanced Robertsonian t(13;14), while the maternal karyotype was normal. Hypotheses about the origin of the translocation in the daughter are discussed.

[A case of late neonatal hemorrhagic disease associated with intolerance for cow's milk proteins]

The authors describe a two months aged patient affected by cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) with serious haemorrhagic manifestations. As blood coagulative laboratory findings demonstrated a prolongation of P.T. and P.T.T. with a marked reduction of vitamin K-dependent factors only, the authors believe these bleeding manifestations secondary to a case of late haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Vitamin K treatment determined a rapid normalization of haemorrhagic symptoms and laboratory clotting tests, without any alteration of these ones during the patient's follow-up too. The authors suggest that blood coagulative pattern must be investigated in all CMPI cases, especially in the ones with a precocious onset of clinical symptoms. In the cases with vitamin K-dependent factors deficiency the treatment is immediately necessary, while in other cases a daily dietary supplementation or a vitamin K weekly or monthly injection could be enough in order to prevent any further vitamin K-dependent factors deficiency.

[Neonatal hypoxia and hemocoagulative changes]

Coagulation abnormalities with and without haemorrhagic manifestations have been frequently reported in newborn-infants affected by hypoxia. Particularly in postmature-infants and in those ones with acute asphyxia at birth, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) and cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD). A reduction of synthesis or a consumption of blood coagulation factors are the main causes of these abnormalities. The anomalies of platelet number and of their function, of haemostasis global tests, of coagulation factors and physiologic inhibitors levels, of fibrinogenesis and fibrinolysis are examined, including authors' studies and a review of literature too. The authors think platelet count, PT, PTT, fibrinogen, factor V and VIII, and PDF determinations are necessary laboratory investigations for newborn-infants with RDS or acute asphyxia for about the first week of life, because of the risk of consumption coagulopathy. In the other hypoxic newborns (IUGR, CCHD, postmature infants) platelets count, PT, PTT and serum PDF determinations could be enough in order to value any coagulation abnormalities presence.

[Platelet factor 4 levels in full-term newborns undergoing phototherapy]

PF4 levels and platelets counts were studied in a group of 15 term newborn infants before treatment and after 24-48-72 and 96 hours of phototherapy and in a control group of 10 babies. Unlike data found by other AA. in vitro and in preterm infants, our values show only minimal, not statistically significant, differences in PF4 levels and platelets counts between the two groups. The AA. believe that in term infants, with adequate weight for gestational age, proper phototherapy treatment does not cause any change in platelet function, owing to the thicker and more mature skin and to the better bone marrow compensation typical of term versus preterm infants.

[Transverse hemimelia of the lower right limb associated with sysmetrical malformations of the hands in a newborn infant]

The authors report a newborn infant affected by terminal transverse hemimelia of the right lower limb, associated with symmetric malformations of the hands, simulating the "amniotic bands syndrome". The symmetric hand anomalies and the presence of slight malformations of the left lower limb lead us to think that the etiology of this case is genetic, probably related to a new mutation.