ABSTRACT
The high content of carotenoids, sugars, dry matter, vitamins and minerals makes the fruit of winter squash (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) a valuable fresh-market vegetable and an interesting material for the food industry. Due to their nutritional value, long shelf-life and health protective properties, winter squash fruits have gained increased interest from researchers in recent years. Despite these advantages, the genetic and genomic resources available for C. maxima are still limited. The aim of this study was to use the genetic mapping approach to map the ovary colour locus and to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for high carotenoid content and flesh colour. An F6 recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population was developed and used for evaluations of ovary colour, carotenoid content and fruit flesh colour. SSR markers and DArTseq genotyping-by-sequencing were used to construct an advanced genetic map that consisted of 1824 molecular markers distributed across linkage groups corresponding to 20 chromosomes of C. maxima. Total map length was 2208 cM and the average distance between markers was 1.21 cM. The locus affecting ovary colour was mapped at the end of chromosome 14. The identified QTLs for carotenoid content in the fruit and fruit flesh colour shared locations on chromosomes 2, 4 and 14. QTLs on chromosomes 2 and 4 were the most meaningful. A correlation was clearly confirmed between fruit flesh colour as described by the chroma value and carotenoid content in the fruit. A high-density genetic map of C. maxima with mapped loci for important fruit quality traits is a valuable resource for winter squash improvement programmes.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was the assessment of long-term repeatability of tilt-table test and parameters of heart rate variability analysis. Westminster protocol tilt-table test extended with nitroglycerin test was combined with analysis of heart rate variability. Five-minute intervals of ECG record were evaluated before and after the upright tilting, before syncope and 24-hour record was analysed. The test was performed in duplicate in 27 persons including 14 men (mean age 33 +/- 13.5) at interval of 29 +/- 13 months. The patients were then observed for 14 +/- 11.4 months. The study subjects were divided into groups with and without the recurrence of syncope. Repeatability was observed in 76.5% in positive test result and in 70% in negative test result. A low repeatability of positive test was observed. Blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability analysis parameters demonstrated a high repeatability during both tests. The recurrence of syncope was observed in 10 (37%) persons. The patients with both tilt tests positive, demonstrated recurrence of syncope two times more frequently what makes that the identification of the patients at risk for syncope return is easier.
Subject(s)
Head-Down Tilt/physiology , Syncope/diagnosis , Adult , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
The aim of the study was the assessment of selected inflammatory markers in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris, in comparison to patients with dyslipidemia without coronary artery disease. The study group included 61 patients (37-79 years old), divided into three subgroups: group I. 26 (43%) with unstable angina, group 2. 19 (26%) with stable angina, group III. 16 (26%) dyslipidemia without coronary artery disease. We measured serum levels of cytokines (IL-1B, IL-1Ra, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-alpha), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgE, IgM), fibrinogen. C-reactive protein and subclass of lymphocytes T CD4 and T CD8. In stable and unstable angina pectoris group we found lower percentage of T CD4, T CD8 and higher level of TNF-alpha. In unstable angina group the level of IL-1 beta was lower and the concentration of C-reactive protein, IgE was higher in comparison to group without coronary artery disease. Observed immunoregulatory disorders confirm immune mechanism in the origin of unstable angina pectoris.
