Genetic diversity among wild pomegranate (Punica granatum) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir region of Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), one of the most important tropical fruits in Azad Jammu and Kashmir regions of Pakistan, is highly valued for its nutrition and medicinal purposes. Although pomegranate is native to this region, the genetic diversity among wild pomegranate accessions is currently unknown. Such information would be vital for germplasm conservation and breeding efforts. In the current study, genetic diversity among forty-eight wild pomegranate accessions collected from different agro-ecological zones of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was assessed using 41 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. RESULTS: The markers revealed 303 alleles averaging 7.39 alleles per marker. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.12 (PGCT093B) to 0.88 (Pom006), with a mean of 0.54. The average genetic distance (GD) across all genotypes was 0.52, and was lowest between Chattar Class and Thorar genotypes (GD = 0.27), but highest between Khun Bandway and Akhor Ban (GD = 0.74). A neighbor-joining dendrogram separated the genotypes into three major clusters, with further sub-clustering within each cluster. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results presented here show significant genetic diversity among wild pomegranate accessions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir region of Pakistan. These accessions present a valuable genetic resource to breeding and cultivar improvement programs within the region.

Association between perceived family functionality and teenage pregnancies

Background@#Teenage pregnancy is a public health concern because of its increasing incidence and its dire consequences. Numerous studies document the role of family in initiating sexual activity and teenage pregnancy, but there is a lack of studies that assess the effects of families and peers on teenage sexual behavior in the Philippines.@*Objective@#To determine the association between perceived family functionality as measured by the Family APGAR and teenage pregnancy in selected barangays in District 2, Quezon City, Philippines@*Methodology@#The study enrolled 233 women who are residents of Barangays Commonwealth and Payatas in Quezon City. Cases consisted of 133 women aged 18 to 24 years at the time of the interview who have become pregnant in 2011-2016, while they were 13 to 19 years old, while controls (N=100) were similar but had never been pregnant before age 20. Consecutive respondents who consented to participate in the study were enrolled and interviewed using the Filipino version of the Family APGAR. Respondents were then classified as having functional or dysfunctional families. Odds ratio was computed to determine the relationship between family functionality and teenage pregnancy.@*Results@#Family dysfunction based on the Family APGAR score was significantly associated with increased risk of teenage pregnancy with an OR 16.69, 1.93-144 (p=0.010) along with having both parents as caregivers with an OR of 29.69, 2.46-345, and teenage pregnancy in the mother with an OR of 15.87, 2.006-125.@*Conclusion@#Perception of dysfunction in the family based on the Family APGAR score, having both parents as caregivers and teenage pregnancy in the mother are associated with teenage pregnancy. Future researches should investigate the interactions of these factors but targeting family functionality may be key to curbing teenage pregnancies.

Compilation of an informative microsatellite set for genetic characterisation of East African finger millet (Eleusine coracana)

Background Genetic diversity of finger millet (Eleusine coracana), a nutritious neglected staple cereal in Africa and South Asia is largely uncharacterized. This study analysed 82 published SSR markers for finger millet across 10 diverse accessions to compile an informative set for genetic characterisation. Extensive optimization compared single samples with bulked leaf or bulked DNA samples for capturing within accession genetic diversity. The markers were evaluated to determine (1) how efficiently they amplified target loci during high-throughput genotyping with a generic PCR protocol, (2) ease of scoring PCR products and (3) polymorphism and ability to discern genetic diversity within the tested finger millet germplasm. Results Across 88 samples, the 52 markers that worked well amplified 274 alleles, ranging from 2 to 14 per locus with a mean of 4.89. Major allele frequency ranged from 0.18 to 0.93 with a mean of 0.57. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) ranged from 0.13 to 0.88 with a mean of 0.5 and availability varied between 64 and 100% with a mean of 92.8%. Heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 1.0, with a mean of 0.26. Discussion Five individual samples from an accession captured the largest number of alleles per locus compared to the four different bulked sampling strategies but this difference was not significant. The identified set comprised 20 markers: UGEP24, UGEP53, UGEP84, UGEP27, UGEP98, UGEP95, UGEP64, UGEP33, UGEP67, UGEP106, UGEP110, UGEP57, UGEP96, UGEP66, UGEP46, UGEP79, UGEP20, UGEP12, UGEP73 and UGEP5 and was since used to assess East African finger millet genetic diversity in two separate studies.

Functional Reconstruction of a Combined Tendocutaneous Defect of the Achilles Using a Segmental Rectus Femoris Myofascial Construct: A Viable Alternative

The composite anterolateral thigh flap with vascularized fascia lata has emerged as a workhorse at our institution for complex Achilles defects requiring both tendon and soft tissue reconstruction. Safe elevation of this flap, however, is occasionally challenged by absent or inadequate perforators supplying the anterolateral thigh. When discovered intraoperatively, alternative options derived from the same vascular network can be pursued. We present the case of a 74-year-old male who underwent composite Achilles defect reconstruction using a segmental rectus femoris myofascial free flap. Following graduated rehabilitation, postoperatively, the patient resumed full activity and was able to ambulate on his tip-toes. At 1-year follow-up, active total range of motion of the reconstructed ankle exceeded 85% of the unaffected side, and donor site morbidity was negligible. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and Short Form-36 scores improved by 78.8% and 28.8%, respectively, compared to preoperative baseline assessments. Based on our findings, we advocate for use of the combined rectus femoris myofascial free flap as a rescue option for reconstructing composite Achilles tendon/posterior leg defects in the setting of inadequate anterolateral thigh perforators. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe use of this flap for such an indication.