Molecular markers are increasingly being deployed to accelerate genetic gain in crop plants. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of a mid-density genotyping panel for molecular ...applications in cowpea breeding. A core set of 2,602 targeted diversity array technology (DArTag) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was designed from an existing 51,128 Cowpea iSelect Consortium Array. The panel’s usefulness was assessed using 376 genotypes from different populations of known genetic backgrounds. The panel was informative, with over 78% of SNPs exceeding a minor allele frequency of 0.20. The panel decoded three stratifications in the constituted population, as was expected. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay was correctly depicted as slower in a biparental subset than in other populations. A known flower and seed coat color gene region was located on chromosome Vu07, suggesting that the mid-density panel may be used to hypothesize genomic regions underlying target traits in cowpea. Unexpected heterozygosity was detected in some lines and highly among F1 progenies, divulging the panel’s potential application in germplasm purity and hybridity verification. The study unveils the potential of an excellent genomic resource that can be tapped to enhance the development of improved cowpea cultivars.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Cassava is crucial for food security of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. The crop has great potential to contribute to African development and is increasing its income-earning potential for ...small-scale farmers and related value chains on the continent. Therefore, it is critical to increase cassava production, as well as its quality attributes. Technological innovations offer great potential to drive this envisioned change. This paper highlights genomic tools and resources available in cassava. The paper also provides a glimpse of how these resources have been used to screen and understand the pattern of cassava genetic diversity on the continent. Here, we reviewed the approaches currently used for phenotyping cassava traits, highlighting the methodologies used to link genotypic and phenotypic information, dissect the genetics architecture of key cassava traits, and identify quantitative trait loci/markers significantly associated with those traits. Additionally, we examined how knowledge acquired is utilized to contribute to crop improvement. We explored major approaches applied in the field of molecular breeding for cassava, their promises, and limitations. We also examined the role of national agricultural research systems as key partners for sustainable cassava production.
Key message
The integration of new technologies into public plant breeding programs can make a powerful step change in agricultural productivity when aligned with principles of quantitative and ...Mendelian genetics.
The breeder’s equation is the foundational application of quantitative genetics to crop improvement. Guided by the variables that describe response to selection, emerging breeding technologies can make a powerful step change in the effectiveness of public breeding programs. The most promising innovations for increasing the rate of genetic gain without greatly increasing program size appear to be related to reducing breeding cycle time, which is likely to require the implementation of parent selection on non-inbred progeny, rapid generation advance, and genomic selection. These are complex processes and will require breeding organizations to adopt a culture of continuous optimization and improvement. To enable this, research managers will need to consider and proactively manage the, accountability, strategy, and resource allocations of breeding teams. This must be combined with thoughtful management of elite genetic variation and a clear separation between the parental selection process and product development and advancement process. With an abundance of new technologies available, breeding teams need to evaluate carefully the impact of any new technology on selection intensity, selection accuracy, and breeding cycle length relative to its cost of deployment. Finally breeding data management systems need to be well designed to support selection decisions and novel approaches to accelerate breeding cycles need to be routinely evaluated and deployed.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Abstract
The CGIAR crop improvement (CI) programs, unlike commercial CI programs, which are mainly geared to profit though meeting farmers’ needs, are charged with meeting multiple objectives with ...target populations that include both farmers and the community at large. We compiled the opinions from >30 experts in the private and public sector on key strategies, methodologies, and activities that could the help CGIAR meet the challenges of providing farmers with improved varieties while simultaneously meeting the goals of: (i) nutrition, health, and food security; (ii) poverty reduction, livelihoods, and jobs; (iii) gender equality, youth, and inclusion; (iv) climate adaptation and mitigation; and (v) environmental health and biodiversity. We review the crop improvement processes starting with crop choice, moving through to breeding objectives, production of potential new varieties, selection, and finally adoption by farmers. The importance of multidisciplinary teams working towards common objectives is stressed as a key factor to success. The role of the distinct disciplines, actors, and their interactions throughout the process from crop choice through to adoption by farmers is discussed and illustrated.
This document arose from the urgent need to join forces (across nations and research disciplines) and stand together to improve the prospects for the most vulnerable population on the globe whose well-being depends on agricultural production. Here, we learn from the past, and draft future strategic guidelines that will facilitate efforts of the CGIAR institutions (https://www.cgiar.org/) to enhance the livelihoods of the less privileged through crop improvement.
Fiber elongation (ability to stretch before breaking) is one of the key components in determining overall yarn quality. Elongation in U.S. upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.) has remained largely ...neglected due to: absence of monetary incentives for growers to produce high elongation cotton; lack of research interests among breeders; and absence of a reliable fiber testing system for elongation. This study was conducted to determine the genetics of cotton fiber elongation via a diallel and generation means analysis (GMA). Findings from this study should lay the foundation for future breeding work in cotton fiber elongation. Of the seven distinctive upland parents used for the diallel study, general combining ability was far more prominent than specific combing ability for fiber elongation. Cultivar PSC 355 and Dever experimental line were the two parents identified as good combiners for fiber elongation in this study. The slight negative correlation between fiber elongation and strength remained true. Highly significant negative correlation was observed between fiber upper half mean length and elongation. Both Stelometer and HVI elongation measurements correlated well with values of 0.85 and 0.82 in 2010 and 2011, respectively. For the six families used in the GMA analysis, additive genetic control was prevalent over dominance effect. Based on the scaling test, no significant epistatic interaction was detected for fiber elongation. As expected, additive variance constituted a much larger portion of total genetic variation in fiber elongation than the dominance variance. On average, larger numbers of effective factor were identified in fiber elongation than all other fiber traits tested, suggesting that parents used in the GMA study are carrying different genetic materials/loci for fiber elongation. Considerable gains in fiber elongation may be achieved by selectively crossing these materials in a pure-line breeding scheme while holding other important fiber traits constant.
Fiber elongation (ability to stretch before breaking) is one of the key components in determining overall yarn quality. Elongation in U.S. upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.) has remained largely ...neglected due to: absence of monetary incentives for growers to produce high elongation cotton; lack of research interests among breeders; and absence of a reliable fiber testing system for elongation. This study was conducted to determine the genetics of cotton fiber elongation via a diallel and generation means analysis (GMA). Findings from this study should lay the foundation for future breeding work in cotton fiber elongation.
Of the seven distinctive upland parents used for the diallel study, general combining ability was far more prominent than specific combing ability for fiber elongation. Cultivar PSC 355 and Dever experimental line were the two parents identified as good combiners for fiber elongation in this study. The slight negative correlation between fiber elongation and strength remained true. Highly significant negative correlation was observed between fiber upper half mean length and elongation. Both Stelometer and HVI elongation measurements correlated well with values of 0.85 and 0.82 in 2010 and 2011, respectively. For the six families used in the GMA analysis, additive genetic control was prevalent over dominance effect. Based on the scaling test, no significant epistatic interaction was detected for fiber elongation. As expected, additive variance constituted a much larger portion of total genetic variation in fiber elongation than the dominance variance. On average, larger numbers of effective factor were identified in fiber elongation than all other fiber traits tested, suggesting that parents used in the GMA study are carrying different genetic materials/ loci for fiber elongation. Considerable gains in fiber elongation may be achieved by selectively crossing these materials in a pure-line breeding scheme while holding other important fiber traits constant.
Considering time-consuming, cost-related limitations of laboratory-based HbA1c testing and follow-up clinic visits for diabetes management, it is important to explore alternative care models which ...incorporate point-of-care testing for HbA1c to monitor glycaemic control and related management.
Therefore, we adopted an implementation perspective to conduct one group pre- and post-intervention feasibility pilot assessing feasibility, acceptability and satisfaction with conducting home HbA1c test by patients with type 2 diabetes coupled with telemonitoring and teleconsultations (i.e., the Primary Technology Enhanced Care (PTEC) Home HbA1c Testing (HAT) Programme) in Singaporean primary care setting. The secondary objective was to compare the HbA1c, blood pressure and primary care visits at the end or during intervention, vs. 6 months before. Adult patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c ≤ 8% without any diabetes complications and having phone compatibility were recruited. Data was collected via patient self-reports and electronic medical records extraction. While summary statistics and paired t-test were computed for quantitative data, open-ended feedback was analysed using content analysis.
A total of 33 participants completed the intervention out of 37 (33/37 = 89%) recruited from 73 eligible (37/73 = 51%). Most were either 51 to 60 years old (46.9%) or more than 60 years (37.5%), with more males (53.1%) and majority Chinese (93.8%). Majority (81.3%) felt that home HbA1c testing was beneficial with most commonly reported benefit of not having a clinic visit. A key finding was the average of diabetes-related visits being significantly lower post-intervention with comparable HbA1c values pre- and post-intervention. The most commonly reported challenge was using Bluetooth to transmit the reading (43.7%), followed by having too many steps to remember (28.1%). While participants reported being overall satisfied with the intervention, only 22% were willing to pay for it.
Our findings support home HbA1c testing by patients coupled with telemonitoring and teleconsultations. Following are practical recommendations for the implementation scaling phase: offering PTEC HAT Programme to suitable patients who are self-motivated and have adequate digital literacy, provision of adequate educational and training support, sending reminders and exploring enabling manual submission of HbA1c readings considering Bluetooth-related challenges.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
The administration of intravenous cangrelor at reperfusion achieves faster onset of platelet P2Y12 inhibition than oral ticagrelor and has been shown to reduce myocardial infarct (MI) size in the ...pre-clinical setting. We hypothesized that the administration of cangrelor at reperfusion will reduce MI size and prevent microvascular obstruction (MVO) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).
This was a Phase 2, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial conducted between November 2017 to November 2021 in six cardiac centers in Singapore (NCT03102723). Patients were randomized to receive either cangrelor or placeboinitiated prior to the PPCI procedure on top of oral ticagrelor. The key exclusion criteria included: presenting <6 hours of symptom onset, prior MI and stroke or transient ischemic attack; on concomitant oral anticoagulants; and a contraindication for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The primary efficacy endpoint was acute MI size by CMR within the first week expressed as percentage of the left ventricle mass ( %LVmass). MVO was identified as areas of dark core of hypoenhancement within areas of late gadolinium enhancement. The primary safety endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC)-defined major bleeding in the first 48 hours. Continuous variables were compared by Mann-Whitney U test reported as median (1
quartile- 3
quartile) and categorical variables were compared by Fisher's exact test. A 2-sided P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Of 209 recruited patients, 164 patients (78% ) completed the acute CMR scan. There were no significant differences in acute MI size placebo: 14.9 (7.3 - 22.6) %LVmass versus cangrelor: 16.3 (9.9 - 24.4)%LVmass, P=0.40 or the incidence placebo: 48% versus cangrelor: 47%, P=0.99 and extent of MVO placebo:1.63 (0.60 - 4.65)%LVmass versus cangrelor: 1.18 (0.53 - 3.37)%LVmass, P=0.46 between placebo and cangrelor despite a two-fold decrease in platelet reactivity with cangrelor. There were no BARC-defined major bleeding events in either group in the first 48 hours.
Cangrelor administered at time of PPCI did not reduce acute MI size or prevent MVO in STEMI patients given oral ticagrelor despite a significant reduction of platelet reactivity during the PCI procedure.
In managing hypertension, monotherapy and sometimes a combination of more than one agent are used to achieve blood pressure (BP) control. The objective of this prospective, observational, ...multi-centre study was to assess the level of BP control in patients receiving one or more anti-hypertensive drugs in private medical centres in Malaysia according to the treatment regimens (monotherapy, free drug combinations and single pill combinations).
Data were collected through medical records and interview sessions with patients on current pharmacotherapy for hypertension management at baseline and 2-3 months later. Results are expressed as mean ± SD for continuous data and as frequencies and percentages for categorical data.
Among 182 recruited patients, 89 (49%) achieved BP control by the end of the study. Majority (62/89) patients were on single-pill (monotherapy or SPC) antihypertensives. Majority (63/89) required more than two antihypertensives to achieve BP control.
Both SPC and free drug combination antihypertensives reduced BPs, but physicians preferred SPC to improve BP control and increase treatment compliance.
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