Extreme trait GWAS (Et-GWAS): Unraveling rare variants in the 3,000 rice genome

Identifying high-impact, rare genetic variants associated with specific traits is crucial for crop improvement. The 3,010 rice genome (3K RG) dataset offers a valuable resource for discovering genomic regions with potential applications in crop breeding. We used Extreme Trait GWAS (Et-GWAS), employing bulk pooling and allele frequency measurement to efficiently extract rare variants from the 3K RG. This innovative approach facilitates the detection of associations between genetic variants and target traits, concentrating and quantifying rare alleles. In our study, on grain yield under drought stress, Et-GWAS successfully identified five key genes (OsPP2C11, OsK5.2, OsIRO2, OsPEX1, and OsPWA1) known for enhancing yield under drought. In addition, we examined the overlap of our results with previously reported qDTY-QTLs and observed that OsUCH1 and OsUCH2 genes were located within qDTY2.2 We compared Et-GWAS with conventional GWAS, finding it effectively capturing most candidate genes associated with the target trait. Validation with resistant starch showed similar results. To enhance user-friendliness, we developed a GUI for Et-GWAS; https://et-gwas.shinyapps.io/Et-GWAS/.

Marker-assisted forward breeding to develop a drought-, bacterial-leaf-blight-, and blast-resistant rice cultivar

Among the different challenges related to rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation, drought, bacterial leaf blight (BLB), and blast are the key stresses that significantly affect grain yield (GY) in rice. To ameliorate this issue, marker-assisted forward breeding (MAFB) coupled with a simultaneous crossing approach was used to combine three drought tolerant quantitative trait loci (QTL)-qDTY_1.1 , qDTY_3.1 , and qDTY_12.1 -four BLB genes-Xa4, xa5, xa13, and Xa21-and one blast-resistance gene, Pi9, in the elite rice cultivar Lalat. The introgression lines (ILs) developed in the current study were phenotypically screened for drought, BLB, and blast resistance at the F₇ -F₈ generation. Under the reproductive stage (RS) drought stress, the yield advantage of ILs, with major-effect QTL (qDTY) over elite parent Lalat, ranges from 9 to 124% in DS2019 and from 7 to 175% in WS2019. The selected ILs were highly resistant to BLB, with lesion lengths ranging from 1.3 to 3.0 cm and blast scores ranging from 1 to 3. ILs that were tolerant to RS drought, resistant to BLB, and blast disease and had similar or higher yields than Lalat were analyzed for grain quality. Six ILs were found to have similar grain quality characteristics to Lalat including hulling, milling, head rice recovery (HRR), chalkiness, alkali spreading value (ASV), and amylose content (AC). This study showed that MAFB, together with simultaneous crossing, would be an effective strategy to rapidly combine multiple stresses in rice. The ILs developed in this study could help to ensure yield sustainability in rainfed environments or be used as genetic material in future breeding programs.

Efficacy and Safety of COX-2 Inhibitors in the Clinical Management of Arthritis: Mini Review

In the clinical management of arthritis, the choice of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) remains confusing and controversial. A common practice on the choice of NSAID in clinical management of arthritis is the risk benefit ratio. The main objective of this review is to addresses the main arguments for the pharmacological and clinical use of COX-2 inhibitors in relation to nonselective NSAIDs for the clinical management of arthritis. This review concluded that, both NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors are equally effective and are associated with increased risk of GI, renal, and CV, adverse effects. Complete understanding of the patient's comorbid conditions and concomitant medications, coupled with precise monitoring during the treatment, may help to decrease the threat of adverse effects induced by nonselective NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors.

Formulation and in vitro-in vivo evaluation of ketoprofen-loaded albumin microspheres for intramuscular administration

The objective of this work was to prepare and evaluate ketoprofen-loaded albumin microspheres for intramuscular administration. Microspheres were prepared by emulsion cross-linking method using a 2(3) factorial design and the effect of different factors on entrapment efficiency was determined. Microspheres were evaluated for entrapment efficiency, percentage yield, particle size and release behaviour. Selected formulations were then tested by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Further they were analysed for residual solvents, syringeability and stability. Microspheres were then sterilized and bioavailability studies were carried out in New Zealand white rabbits. The physical characteristics of microspheres showed that they were suitable for IM administration. The sterilization technique adopted was adequate to maintain sterility. In vivo studies showed increase in C(max), AUC, t(1/2) and MRT (p < 0.05) administered in the form of microspheres. MRT of ketoprofen was almost 3.2-times in the form of microspheres. From these results it was concluded that the developed albumin microspheres of ketoprofen is a potential delivery system for once-a-day intramuscular administration.

Clinical evaluation of 5-fluorouracil from transdermal patches on EAC and DLA cell-induced tumors in mice

The aim of the present study was formulate and clinically evaluate 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) transdermal patches. Cytotoxicity was measured by exposing cell suspensions to increasing concentrations of drug from 10-100 microg/ml and performing viable cell counts by the trypan blue exclusion method. Results confirmed 100 infinity g/ml and 50 microg/ ml of 5-FU to be cytotoxic to EAC and DLA cells. In mice, increase in the life span (ILS) by 87.1% with a maximum survival time of 30.5+/-1.87 days was found with EAC cell-induced tumors, with an ILS of 88.1% and a maximum survival time of 39.5+/-1.87 days for DLA cell-induced lesions with 5-FU transdermal patches. The results were statistically significant (p<0.01) compared to untreated controls. Pharmacokinetic studies in rabbits showed a t1/2 of 29+/-6 min, a Cmax (ng/ml) of 978.23, an AUC0-infinity (ng/ml/h) of 1213.73 +/-14 and a Tmax (h) of 0.5. 5-FU from transdermal patches exhibited a half-life of 95+/-0.5 min, a Cmax (ng/ml) of 863.25, an AUC0-infinity (ng/ml/h) of 1567+/-36 and a Tmax (h) of 1.5. Velcro protection jackets proved suitable in this study to stop mice licking, scratching and rubbing applied patches.