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The wheat stem rust fungus, Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), race TTKSK and related races pose a serious threat to world wheat production. Knowing the effectiveness of wheat stem rust resistance (Sr) genes against Pgt race TTKSK is fundamental in mitigating this threat through resistance breeding. Sr15 was previously identified as being ineffective against Pgt race TTKSK. Here, multirace disease phenotyping data, linkage analyses, allelism testing and haplotype analyses are presented to support the conclusion that Sr15 is effective against Pgt race TTKSK. Resistance to race TTKSK was mapped to Sr15 in a biparental population. Thirty‐two accessions with Sr15 displayed seedling resistance phenotypes against race TTKSK. However, these accessions were susceptible as seedlings at high temperatures (22–25 °C), consistent with previous reports that the interaction between avirulent Pgt isolates and Sr15 is temperature‐sensitive. Markers STS638, wri4 and KASP_IWB30995 were found to predict the presence of Sr15, suggesting the utility of these assays for marker‐assisted selection in breeding programmes. The effectiveness of Sr15 to specific Pgt races and temperatures makes it a less‐desirable TTKSK‐effective gene. Wheat lines assayed as resistant to race TTKSK at the seedling stage may possess Sr15 and breeders should be aware of the limitations of Sr15 for conferring stem rust resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emphasis on eliminating deprivation and poverty on the one hand and expanding insurance services on the other, confirms the fact that the concept of insurance has a key role for economic planners and policymakers in achieving the goal of reducing income inequality. The efforts made in the present study are aimed at improving the position of insurance in this field. In this regard, the impact of the insurance penetration coefficient on income inequality in 30 provinces of Iran during 2011-2015 has been calculated using the dynamic panel data in a basic model and two scenarios (based on human development index and insurance penetration coefficient). The results show that inflation has a positive effect on the Gini coefficient and consequently increases income inequality. However, per capita income index and insurance penetration coefficient have a negative effect on the Gini coefficient and lead to a decrease in income inequality. Furthermore, the effect of this factor on the Gini coefficient in provinces varies depending on the level of human development and insurance penetration coefficient level. So first, there is a significant difference in the extent of the influence of insurance penetration coefficient on the Gini coefficient in two groups of provinces in terms of human development level, so that an increase in the level of human development reinforces the effect of the insurance penetration coefficient on reducing income inequality. Second, there is a significant difference in the magnitude of the impact of insurance penetration coefficient on the Gini coefficient in the two groups of provinces in terms of insurance penetration coefficient level; Thus, by increasing the size of the insurance penetration coefficient, the influence of the insurance penetration coefficient on reducing income inequality is strengthened.

Aluminium toxicity is an important abiotic factor limiting the growth and yield of oat plants (Avena sativa L.) and other cultivated species. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the response of oat cultivars at the reproductive stage to aluminium under acid soil conditions and to compare with the responses observed at seedling stage under hydroponic conditions. In the soil, the damage to the above-ground part of the plant was estimated by the morphological response to aluminium, shoot length, shoot dry mass and plant height and, to the below-ground part of the plant as the length of roots and root dry mass. In hydroponics, the primary root regrowth was used to define the level of tolerance. The comparison of the results obtained in acid soil with those obtained in hydroponics demonstrated that both conditions produced essentially the same responses. The use of hydroponic solution can be a valuable tool for phenotyping large populations, especially useful for breeding programmes located in regions were aluminium is not present at toxic levels in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc (Zn) can be considered the primal micronutrient for the corn culture (Zea mays L.), being, its use, widespread in Brazil and the world, however, studies correlating levels and sources of this element are needed to provide better recommendations for each region and soil type, and thus enable the better use of fertilizers on farms. The objective of this study it was evaluate the effect of different sources and levels of Zn applied in corn for the western region of Paraná. This way, it was studied the behavior of eight sources and four levels of Zn on the productivity, yield components and leaf contents of Zn of corn plants in a Rhodic Eutrudox. Significant differences among the sources and levels in the availability of Zn for plants and among levels for productivity was founded. For yield components the treatments had no effect. This way, under the experiment conditions, the fertilization with Zn provides increase of the income for the corn crop, however, levels greater than 4.0 kg ha-1 are not justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Este trabalho foi conduzido objetivando identificar características morfo-fisiológicas de milho que se correlacionam com seu crescimento inicial, para determinar sua importância no rendimento de grãos. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Lages, SC, nos anos agrícolas de 1998/99 e 1999/00. Em 1998/99 avaliaram-se os híbridos C901, AS 3601, C 505, AS 3466 e AS 32 e em 1999/00 os híbridos C909, AS 3601, DINA 500, AS 3466 e AS 32. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. O crescimento inicial foi avaliado através de seis coletas semanais, da emergência até o estádio de dez folhas expandidas. Em cada coleta, determinou-se a área foliar, índice de área foliar (IAF), acúmulo de massa seca, taxa de crescimento celular (TCC) e taxa de expansão celular (TEC). O híbrido AS 3601 apresentou maior área foliar, IAF e TEC do que os demais híbridos em 1998/99. No segundo ano agrícola, o híbrido AS 3466 destacou-se dos demais em acúmulo de massa seca e TCC. Não foram registradas diferenças significativas no rendimento de grãos dos híbridos testados nas duas estações de crescimento. Houve baixa correlação entre os parâmetros de crescimento inicial e o rendimento de grãos da cultura do milho. Já as variáveis utilizadas para estimar o crescimento inicial (MS, área foliar, TEC, IAF e TCC) se correlacionaram positivamente.

Alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) often results in production of mRNA isoforms with either longer or shorter 3' UTRs from the same genetic locus, potentially impacting mRNA translation, localization, and stability. Developmentally regulated APA can thus make major contributions to cell type-specific gene expression programs as cells differentiate. During Drosophila spermatogenesis, ∼500 genes undergo APA when proliferating spermatogonia differentiate into spermatocytes, producing transcripts with shortened 3' UTRs, leading to profound stage-specific changes in the proteins expressed. The molecular mechanisms that specify usage of upstream polyadenylation sites in spermatocytes are thus key to understanding the changes in cell state. Here, we show that upregulation of PCF11 and Cbc, the two components of cleavage factor II (CFII), orchestrates APA during Drosophila spermatogenesis. Knockdown of PCF11 or cbc in spermatocytes caused dysregulation of APA, with many transcripts normally cleaved at a proximal site in spermatocytes now cleaved at their distal site, as in spermatogonia. Forced overexpression of CFII components in spermatogonia switched cleavage of some transcripts to the proximal site normally used in spermatocytes. Our findings reveal a developmental mechanism where changes in expression of specific cleavage factors can direct cell type-specific APA at selected genes., (© 2024 Gallicchio et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.)

Purpose: The induction of retinal progenitor cell (RPC) proliferation is a strategy that holds promise for alleviating retinal degeneration. However, the mechanisms that can stimulate RPC proliferation during repair remain unclear. Xenopus tailbud embryos successfully regrow functional eyes within 5 days after ablation, and this process requires increased RPC proliferation. This model facilitates identification of mechanisms that can drive in vivo reparative RPC proliferation. This study assesses the role of the essential H + pump, V-ATPase, in promoting stem cell proliferation. Methods: Pharmacological and molecular loss of function studies were performed to determine the requirement for V-ATPase during embryonic eye regrowth. The resultant eye phenotypes were examined using histology and antibody markers. Misexpression of a yeast H + pump was used to test whether the requirement for V-ATPase in regrowth is dependent on its H + pump function. Results: V-ATPase inhibition blocked eye regrowth. Regrowth-incompetent eyes resulting from V-ATPase inhibition contained the normal complement of tissues but were much smaller. V-ATPase inhibition caused a significant reduction in reparative RPC proliferation but did not alter differentiation and patterning. Modulation of V-ATPase activity did not affect apoptosis, a process known to be required for eye regrowth. Finally, increasing H + pump activity was sufficient to induce regrowth. Conclusions: V-ATPase is required for eye regrowth. These results reveal a key role for V-ATPase in activating regenerative RPC proliferation and expansion during successful eye regrowth.

We present the complete chloroplast genome sequence of an endophytic Ostreobium sp. isolated from a 19th-century coralline red algal specimen from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The chloroplast genome is 84,848 bp in length, contains 114 genes, and has a high level of gene synteny to other Ostreobiaceae., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Mutations in the ferroportin (FPN) gene SLC40A1 alter iron recycling and cause disturbances in iron homeostasis. The variants of TMPRSS6 contribute to the development of iron deficiencies. In this study, we determined the role of FPN and TMPRSS6 gene polymorphisms in the modulation of iron homeostasis based on biochemical parameters. PCR analysis and sequencing were performed to determine the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) SLC40A1 c.44−24G>C (rs1439816), SLC40A1 c.663T>C (rs2304704), and TMPRSS6 c.2207T>C (rs855791). Hemoglobin concentration and iron status were determined by standard procedures. We studied 79 iron-loaded individuals for SLC40A1 polymorphisms. Interestingly, 35/79 individuals with SLC40A1 SNPs also carried a TMPRSS6 c.2207T>C polymorphism. The biochemical values of the iron overloaded individuals were compared to those of the individuals carrying TMPRSS6 SNPs and the healthy individuals (wild-type group). The ferritin concentration, transferrin saturation % (TS%), and hemoglobin concentration were significantly higher in the participants with FPN SNPs than in the other three groups. The ferritin concentration and TS% were higher in participants with both SLC40A1 and TMPRSS6 SNPs than in the TMPRSS6 and wild-type groups, while hemoglobin concentration was significantly higher than that in the TMPRSS6 SNP group only. The participants with TMPRSS6 SNPs had significantly lower ferritin concentration, TS%, and hemoglobin concentration than all the other groups. SLC40A1 and TMPRSS6 SNPs might act in the opposite direction, preventing the development of severe iron overload, and the modulation of the iron status by TMPRSS6 SNPs might provide protection.

Background and Aim: Dysregulation of iron metabolism and hyper-inflammation are two key points in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since high hepcidin levels and low serum iron can predict COVID-19 severity and mortality, we decided to investigate iron metabolism and inflammatory response in 32 COVID-19 adult patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 defined by a positive result of RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab, and admitted to an Italian emergency department for acute respiratory failure at different degree., Methods: Patients were stratified in 3 groups based on PaO2/FiO2 ratio at admission: 13 (41%) were normoxemic at rest and suffered from exertional dyspnea (group 1); 14 (44%) had a mild respiratory failure (group 2), and 5 (15%) a severe hypoxiemia (group 3)., Results: White blood cells were significantly higher in group 3, while lymphocytes and hemoglobin were significantly reduced. Serum iron, transferrin saturation, non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) and ferritin were significantly increased in group 2. All the groups showed high hepcidin levels, but in group 3 this parameter was significantly altered. It is noteworthy that in group 1 inflammatory and oxidative indices were both within the normal range., Conclusions: We are aware that our study has some limitations, the small number of enrolled patients and the short period of data collection, but few works have been performed in the Emergency Room. However, we strongly believe that our results confirm the pivotal role of both iron metabolism dysregulation and hyper-inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of tissue and organ damage in COVID-19 patients.

Partial deficiency of the last enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway, namely, ferrochelatase (FECH), is responsible for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) in humans. This disorder is characterized by painful skin photosensitivity, due to excessive protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) production in erythrocytes. Although several papers report the presence of iron deficiency anemia in about 50% of EPP patients, there is still no a conclusive explanation of the why this occurs. In the present work, we explored hematological indices and iron status in 20 unrelated Italian EPP patients in order to propose a new hypothesis. Our data show that microcytosis is present in EPP patients also in the absence of anemia and iron deficiency with a link between PPIX accumulation and reduced MCV, probably indicating an indirect condition of heme deficiency. Patients studied had a downward shift of iron parameters due to increased hepcidin concentrations only in a state of repleted iron stores. Interestingly, hemoglobin synthesis was not limited by iron supply except in cases with further iron loss, in which concomitantly increased soluble transferrin (Tf) receptor (sTfR) levels were detected. The mechanisms involved in the iron uptake downregulation in EPP remain unclear, and the role of PPIX accumulation in microcytosis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Graziadei, Duca, Granata, De Luca, De Giovanni, Brancaleoni, Nava and Di Pierro.)

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked recessive hemolytic anemia caused by mutations in G6PD gene. The distribution and frequency of genetic variants differ depending on ethnicity and geographical areas. Because of new migrations different variants are now present in Europe. This retrospective study aims to identify variants among the G6PD deficient subjects referred since 2004 to IRCCS Ca' Granda Foundation Hospital in Milan. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (2004-2008), group 2 (2009-2013), and group 3 (2014-2018). During 15 years a significant decrease of the Mediterranean and an important increase of the African, Asian, and uncommon variants (classified as Others) have been observed. Three new mutations were found: in group 2 heterozygosity for c.[1454G > A] (Gly485Asp) in an adult female with severe anemia, high bilirubin levels and G6PD activity of 0,69 (IU/gHb) and heterozygosity for c.[584A > G] (Gln195Arg) in an elderly woman of Italian origin showing only anemia and enzymatic activity of 1,54 (IU/gHb) were detected. In group 3 hemizygosity for c.[670A > T] (Ile224Phe) in an adult Chinese man without anemia but with total absence of G6PD activity was found. These data reflect the appearance of uncommon G6PD mutations in northern Italy, probably due to new migrations, as consequence G6PD characterization becomes a diagnostic issue., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Diabetes has brought several health problems; one of the most common is the amputation of the lower limb, for which the development of low-cost lower limb prostheses has taken on an important role to allow people with these injuries to continue independently with their lives. This paper proposes developing a transfemoral prosthesis for a 47-year-old patient with a weight of 100kg and a height of 1.80m. The approach shows the kinematic model of the four-bar mechanism of the knee, following the Denavith-Hartenberg method, and the calculation of the knee angle curve and the gait with the help of OpenSim. Consequently, it is shown the design of the parts of the prosthesis done in Autodesk Fusion 360 and their optimization by a lattice in Creo software. Finally, the stress simulations in Ansys with the materials previously selected in CES EduPack are presented.

Introduction: Across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minorities. How ethnicity affects Indigenous peoples in Mexico is unclear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the mortality associated with ethnicity, particularly of Indigenous peoples, in a large sample of patients with COVID-19 in Mexico., Methods: We used open access data from the Mexican Ministry of Health, which includes data of all confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. We used descriptive statistics to compare differences among different groups of patients. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios while adjusting for confounders., Results: From February 28 to August 3, 2020, a total of 416546 adult patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. Among these, 4178 were Indigenous peoples. Among all patients with COVID-19, whether hospitalized or not, a higher proportion of Indigenous peoples died compared to non-Indigenous people (16.5% vs 11.1%, respectively). Among hospitalized patients, a higher proportion of Indigenous peoples died (37.1%) compared to non-Indigenous peoples (36.3%). Deaths outside the hospital were also higher among Indigenous peoples (3.7% vs 1.7%). A higher proportion of Indigenous peoples died in both the private and public health care sectors. The adjusted odds ratio for COVID-19 mortality among Indigenous peoples with COVID-19 was 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.24). The adjusted odds ratio for COVID-19 mortality among Indigenous peoples with COVID-19 was higher among those who received only ambulatory care (1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.92)., Discussion: In this large sample of patients with COVID-19, the findings suggest that Indigenous peoples in Mexico have a higher risk of death from COVID-19, especially outside the hospital. These findings suggest Indigenous peoples lack access to care more so than non-Indigenous people during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

β-thalassemia is a hereditary disorder caused by defective production of β-globin chains of hemoglobin (Hb) that leads to an increased α/β globins ratio with subsequent free α-globins. Alpha globin excess causes oxidative stress, red blood cells membrane damage, premature death of late-stage erythroid precursors, resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis. The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily signaling acts on biological processes, such as cell quiescence, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and migration, and plays an essential role in regulating the hematopoiesis. This pathway can lose its physiologic regulation in pathologic conditions, leading to anemia and ineffective erythropoiesis. Activin receptor-ligand trap molecules such as Sotatercept and Luspatercept downregulate the TGF-β pathway, thus inhibiting the Smad2/3 cascade and alleviating anemia in patients with β-thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. In this review, we describe in extenso the TGF-β pathway, as well as the molecular and biological basis of activin receptors ligand traps, focusing on their role in various β-thalassemia experimental models. The most recent results from clinical trials on sotatercept and luspatercept will also be reviewed., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no conflict of Interest.

Early diagnosis and positive outcomes of retinoblastoma in childhood have been positively correlated with the economic wealth of high-income countries (HICs) worldwide. Adequate curability and survival rates, adherence to treatment, presence of poor prognostic initial clinical signs, and metastatic disease at diagnosis appear to have a less favorable picture in low-income countries (LICs). However, this is not always the case. An example is Argentina, where disease-free survival rates of retinoblastoma are notably higher than expected when taking into consideration its economic situation. Unfortunately, as in other Latin American LICs, retinoblastoma outcomes in Mexico are worrisome. Interestingly, the Human Development Index (HDI) in Mexico varies widely between its different geographical regions. While in some states, the HDI resembles those of high-income countries, and in others, the opposite is observed. A unifying picture of Mexico's developmental status, health resources, indicators, and other factors possibly influencing outcomes in retinoblastoma is currently unavailable. The present review explores the previously mentioned factors in Mexico and compares them to other countries. Additionally, it recommends solutions or enhancements where possible., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Lucas A. Garza-Garza et al.)