Accelerating the domestication of trees using genomic selection: accuracy of prediction models across ages and environments.

• Genomic selection is increasingly considered vital to accelerate genetic improvement. However, it is unknown how accurate genomic selection prediction models remain when used across environments and ages. This knowledge is critical for breeders to apply this strategy in genetic improvement. • Here, we evaluated the utility of genomic selection in a Pinus taeda population of c. 800 individuals clonally replicated and grown on four sites, and genotyped for 4825 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Prediction models were estimated for diameter and height at multiple ages using genomic random regression best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP). • Accuracies of prediction models ranged from 0.65 to 0.75 for diameter, and 0.63 to 0.74 for height. The selection efficiency per unit time was estimated as 53-112% higher using genomic selection compared with phenotypic selection, assuming a reduction of 50% in the breeding cycle. Accuracies remained high across environments as long as they were used within the same breeding zone. However, models generated at early ages did not perform well to predict phenotypes at age 6 yr. • These results demonstrate the feasibility and remarkable gain that can be achieved by incorporating genomic selection in breeding programs, as long as models are used at the relevant selection age and within the breeding zone in which they were estimated.

Influence of chronic ethanol consumption on the muscarinic cholinergic control of rat pancreatic acinar cells.

There are a number of hypothetical explanations for the actions of ethanol on the exocrine pancreas; among them, the cholinergic hypothesis has received special attention. According to this hypothesis, chronic alcohol consumption induces alterations in the control of exocrine pancreatic function resulting in cholinergic hyperstimulation of pancreatic acinar cells and their muscarinic receptors. Our aim was to investigate the cholinergic control of pancreatic enzyme secretion and the number and affinity of muscarinic receptors in the pancreatic acinar cells of rats subjected to chronic ethanol ingestion. We also investigated whether a high-fibre diet modifies the actions of ethanol on these aspects of the exocrine pancreatic function. Four groups of rats received either a standard or a high fibre diet, and either water or 20% (v/v) ethanol. After 6 months of treatment, isolated pancreatic acini were used for the determination of carbachol-stimulated amylase secretion and for the analysis of muscarinic receptors, using 1-[N-methyl-3H]scopolamine as a radioligand. Neither chronic ethanol intake nor a high fibre diet caused any apparent alteration in pancreatic histology, neither did them modify plasmatic amylase levels. Chronic alcoholization resulted in a significant increase in the amylase released from pancreatic acini in response to carbachol stimulation, but it did not affect either the number or the affinity of pancreatic acinar muscarinic receptors. The actions of ethanol are not significantly modified by the simultaneous consumption of a high fibre diet.

[Typhoid fever in children under 2 years of age]. / La fiebre tifoidea en el niño menor de dos años.

Out of 130 children under 12 years of age with a diagnosis of typhoid fever, nine were under two years of age; the youngest was five months old. Six patients were males and the most frequent findings were: high fever, poor physical condition, vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition, dehydration, meteorism, liver and spleen enlargement, cough, bleeding disorders and central nervous system abnormalities which were suggestive of sepsis. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed in all patients through the isolation of Salmonella typhi in blood cultures. The Widal reaction showed higher than 1/160 "O" and "H" agglutinin titers in five out of six patients in which it was performed. Neutrophilia was observed in all cases, with a shift to the left in five of them. Anemia was present in all of them. The following complications were found: hepatitis (1 case), hepatitis and meningitis (1 case), bronchopneumonia (1 case), and bleeding abnormalities (4 cases). Two of the patients died; the deaths were attributed to late diagnosis and insufficient antibiotic treatment.

La fiebre tifoidea en el nino menor de dos anos. / Typhoid fever in children less than 2 years old

De 130 ninos menores de 12 anos con diagnostico de fiebre tifoidea, se hallaron 9 ninos menores de dos anos, siendo el de menor edad 5 meses. Seis pacientes fueron del sexo masculino y los hallazgos mas frecuentes fueron: fiebre elevada, mal estado general, vomitos, diarrea, desnutricion, deshidratacion, meteorismo, hepato y esplenomegalia, tos, manifestaciones hemorragiparas y del sistema nervioso central. Dichas manifestaciones clinicas fueron muy sugestivas de una sepsis. El diagnostico clinico fue confirmado en todos los pacientes por el aislamiento de Salmonella typhi en el hemocultivo. La reaccion de Widal mostro titulos de aglutininas "O" y "H" mayores de 1/160 en 5 de 6 pacientes en quienes fue realizado. La neutrofilia fue observada en todos los pacientes. Las siguientes complicaciones fueron halladas: hepatitis (1 caso), hepatitis y meningitis (1 caso), bronconeumonia (1 caso) y trastornos hemorragiparos (4 casos). Dos de los pacientes murieron y esto fue atribuido a diagnostico tardio y a tratamiento antibiotico insuficiente