ABSTRACT
Over the past decade, advances in plant genotyping have been critical in enabling the identification of genetic diversity, in understanding evolution, and in dissecting important traits in both crops and native plants. The widespread popularity of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has prompted significant improvements to SNP-based genotyping, including SNP arrays, genotyping by sequencing, and whole-genome resequencing. More recent approaches, including genotyping structural variants, utilizing pangenomes to capture species-wide genetic diversity and exploiting machine learning to analyze genotypic data sets, are pushing the boundaries of what plant genotyping can offer. In this chapter, we highlight these innovations and discuss how they will accelerate and advance future genotyping efforts.
Subject(s)
Genome, Plant , Genotyping Techniques , Genotype , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Crops, Agricultural/genetics , Polymorphism, Single NucleotideABSTRACT
The global demand for oilseeds is increasing along with the human population. The family of Brassicaceae crops are no exception, typically harvested as a valuable source of oil, rich in beneficial molecules important for human health. The global capacity for improving Brassica yield has steadily risen over the last 50 years, with the major crop Brassica napus (rapeseed, canola) production increasing to ~72 Gt in 2020. In contrast, the production of Brassica mustard crops has fluctuated, rarely improving in farming efficiency. The drastic increase in global yield of B. napus is largely due to the demand for a stable source of cooking oil. Furthermore, with the adoption of highly efficient farming techniques, yield enhancement programs, breeding programs, the integration of high-throughput phenotyping technology and establishing the underlying genetics, B. napus yields have increased by >450 fold since 1978. Yield stability has been improved with new management strategies targeting diseases and pests, as well as by understanding the complex interaction of environment, phenotype and genotype. This review assesses the global yield and yield stability of agriculturally important oilseed Brassica species and discusses how contemporary farming and genetic techniques have driven improvements.
ABSTRACT
The Ghost bat Macroderma gigas is a monotypic bat species that is endemic to northern Australia and named on the basis of the large size of its partially conjoined ears. It is the only carnivorous bat found in Australia and its conservation status is currently listed as Vulnerable. Here, we describe the complete mitochondrial genome of M. gigas and compare it to other vertebrates. The M. gigas circularized mitogenome was 16,661 bp and contained 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNAs and a control region (D-loop) of 1228 bp. Phylogenetic analysis of available entire mitogenomes reveals that Macroderma gigas is most closely related to the Indian false vampire bat Megaderma lyra in the family Megadermatidae (false vampire bats).
ABSTRACT
The Common Rock Rat Zyzomys argurus is an abundant small- to medium-sized Murid rodent that is endemic to Australia. It is a nocturnal mammal with a mostly herbivorous diet. This species is native to the wet/dry tropics of Northern Australia and can be identified from other rock rats on the basis of its small size and its tail length (which is at least equivalent to its head-body length). Here, we describe the complete mitochondrial genome of Z. argurus and compare it to other Rodentia. The Z. argurus circular mitogenome was 16,261 bp and contained 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNAs and a control region (D-loop) of 859 bp. Phylogenetic analysis of selected, published sequenced mitogenomes reveal it is most closely related to the Lakeland Downs mouse Leggadina lakedownensis in the order Rodentia.
ABSTRACT
In this announcement, we report the complete mitogenome of the vulnerable Crest-tailed Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda) (Krefft, 1867). The mitogenome was 17,085 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNAs and a 1583 bp variable control region (D-loop). The features of the D. cristicauda mitogenome are consistent with other vertebrate mitogenomes but, in contrast to other marsupials, appears to contain a functional tRNA-Lysine with a UUU anticodon. Phylogenetic analysis of available entire mitogenomes reveals it forms a cluster with other marsupials in the Dasyuromorphia order within the Australidelphian clade, being most closely related to the Northern Quoll and the Tasmanian Devil.
ABSTRACT
In Missouri, community-acquired pneumonia is the second leading cause of hospital admission in the Medicare population. Analysis of 1993 discharges revealed that more than 18,000 Medicare patients were admitted to acute care hospitals with a principal diagnosis of pneumonia. Statewide, the case fatality rate for these admissions was 9.6%, with an average length of stay of 8.2 days. Under the auspices of Medicare's Health Care Quality Improvement Program, the Missouri Patient Care Review Foundation (MPCRF) collaborated with five hospitals in the state on a project to enhance the outcomes and quality of care for patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia. Narrowing the focus to bacterial community-acquired pneumonia, the five hospitals agreed to collect data, for a specified period, on each Medicare patient admitted with this diagnosis. The hospitals were encouraged to implement recommended critical pathways and guidelines for the initial management and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. MPCRF assumed responsibility for data management activities for the project as well as production of feedback reports that were shared routinely with the hospitals. Although evaluation of the project continues, preliminary analysis of claims data for admissions occurring after process changes were implemented indicates that there has been improvement in the two outcome measures, patient mortality and length of stay. These results suggest that monitoring of key process indicators, coupled with ongoing analysis and feedback, has potential for facilitating positive change in the quality of care for patients with community acquired pneumonia.
