Development and marker-trait relationships of functional markers for glutamine synthetase GS1 and GS2 homoeogenes in bread wheat.

GS1 and GS2 genes encode, respectively, the main cytosolic and the plastidic isoforms of glutamine synthetase (GS). In the present study, the wheat GS1 and GS2 homoeogenes located in the A, B and D genome chromosomes have been sequenced in a group of 15 bread wheat varieties including landraces, old commercial varieties and modern cultivars. Phenotypic characterization by multi-environment field trials detected significant effects of specific GS homoeogenes on three of the seven agronomic and grain quality traits analyzed. Based on the gene sequence polymorphisms found, biallelic molecular markers that could facilitate marker-assisted breeding were developed for genes GS1A, GS2A and GS2D. The remaining genes encoding main wheat GS were excluded because of being monomorphic (GS1D) or too polymorphic (GS1B and GS2B) in the sequencing panel varieties. A collection of 187 Spanish bread wheat landraces was genotyped for these gene-based molecular markers. Data analyses conducted with phenotypic records reported for this germplasm collection in López-Fernández et al. (Plants-Basel 10: 620, 2021) have revealed the beneficial influence of some individual alleles on thousand-kernel weight (TKW), kernels per spike (KS) and grain protein content. Furthermore, genetic interactions between GS1A, a cytosolic GS isoform coding gene, and GS2A or GS2D, plastidic GS enzyme coding genes, were found to affect TKW and KS. The finding that some alleles at one locus may mask the effect of positive alleles at hypostatic GS loci should be kept in mind if gene pyramiding strategies are attempted for the improvement of N-use efficiency-related traits. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-022-01354-0.

Microgeographic variation in early fitness traits of Pinus sylvestris from contrasting soils.

PREMISE: The possibility of fine-scale intraspecific adaptive divergence under gene flow is established by theoretical models and has been confirmed empirically in tree populations distributed along steep altitudinal clines or across extreme edaphic discontinuities. However, the possibility of microgeographic adaptive divergence due to less severe but more frequent kinds of soil variation is unclear. METHODS: In this study, we looked for evidence of local adaptation to calcareous versus siliceous soil types in two nearby Mediterranean Pinus sylvestris populations connected via pollen flow. Using a greenhouse experiment, we tested for variation in early (up to three years of age) seedling performance among open-pollinated maternal families originating from each edaphic provenance when experimentally grown on both types of natural local substrate. RESULTS: Although seedlings were clearly affected by the edaphic environment, exhibiting lower and slower emergence as well as higher mortality on the calcareous than in the siliceous substrate, neither the performance on each substrate nor the plasticity among substrates varied significantly with seedling edaphic provenance. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of local adaptation to a non-extreme edaphic discontinuity over a small spatial scale, at least during early stages of seedling establishment. Future studies on microgeographic soil-driven adaptation should consider long-term experiments to minimize maternal effects and allow a potentially delayed expression of edaphic adaptive divergence.

Genomic data and common garden experiments reveal climate-driven selection on ecophysiological traits in two Mediterranean oaks.

Improving our knowledge of how past climate-driven selection has acted on present-day trait population divergence is essential to understand local adaptation processes and improve our predictions of evolutionary trajectories in the face of altered selection pressures resulting from climate change. In this study, we investigated signals of selection on traits related to drought tolerance and growth rates in two Mediterranean oak species (Quercus faginea and Q. lusitanica) with contrasting distribution ranges and climatic niches. We genotyped 182 individuals from 24 natural populations of the two species using restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing and conducted a thorough functional characterization in 1602 seedlings from 21 populations cultivated in common garden experiments under contrasting watering treatments. Our genomic data revealed that both Q. faginea and Q. lusitanica have very weak population genetic structure, probably as a result of high rates of pollen-mediated gene flow among populations and large effective population sizes. In contrast, common garden experiments showed evidence of climate-driven divergent selection among populations on traits related to leaf morphology, physiology and growth in both species. Overall, our study suggests that climate is an important selective factor for Mediterranean oaks and that ecophysiological traits have evolved in drought-prone environments even in a context of very high rates of gene flow among populations.

Multi-trait genetic variation in resource-use strategies and phenotypic plasticity correlates with local climate across the range of a Mediterranean oak (Quercus faginea).

Resource-use strategies are hypothesized to evolve along climatic gradients. However, our understanding of the environmental factors driving divergent evolution of resource-use strategies and the relationship between trait genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity is far from complete. Using the Mediterranean tree Quercus faginea as study system, we tested the hypothesis that a conservative resource-use strategy with increased drought tolerance and reduced phenotypic plasticity has evolved in areas with longer and more severe dry seasons. We conducted a glasshouse experiment in which we measured leaf morphological, physiological, growth and allocation traits in seedlings from 10 range-wide climatically contrasting populations, grown under two different watering treatments. Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed a genetic gradient of resource-use strategies and phenotypic plasticity associated with provenance climate. In particular, populations from harsher (drier and colder) environments had more sclerophyllous leaves, lower growth rates, better physiological performance under dry conditions and reduced multi-trait phenotypic plasticity compared to populations from more mesic and milder environments. Our results suggest that contrasting precipitation and temperature regimes play an important role in the adaptive intraspecific evolution of multivariate phenotypes and their plasticity, resulting in coordinated morphology, physiology, growth and allometry according to alternative resource-use strategies.

Adaptive responses to temperature and precipitation variation at the early-life stages of Pinus sylvestris.

Early-stage fitness variation has been seldom evaluated at broad scales in forest tree species, despite the long tradition of studying climate-driven intraspecific genetic variation. In this study, we evaluated the role of climate in driving patterns of population differentiation at early-life stages in Pinus sylvestris and explored the fitness and growth consequences of seed transfer within the species range. We monitored seedling emergence, survival and growth over a 2-yr period in a multi-site common garden experiment which included 18 European populations and spanned 25° in latitude and 1700 m in elevation. Climate-fitness functions showed that populations exhibited higher seedling survival and growth at temperatures similar to their home environment, which is consistent with local adaptation. Northern populations experienced lower survival and growth at warmer sites, contrary to previous studies on later life stages. Seed mass was higher in populations from warmer areas and was positively associated with survival and growth at more southern sites. Finally, we did not detect a survival-growth trade-off; on the contrary, bigger seedlings exhibited higher survival probabilities under most climatic conditions. In conclusion, our results reveal that contrasting temperature regimes have played an important role in driving the divergent evolution of P. sylvestris populations at early-life stages.

Oral Health Policies to Tackle the Burden of Early Childhood Caries: A Review of 14 Countries/Regions.

Aim: Early childhood caries (ECC) has significant public health implications but has received inadequate global attention. There is limited information regarding the success of oral health policies implemented to address the challenges of ECC. This review aimed to summarize such policies to tackle ECC from different countries/regions. Method: Independent collaborators from 14 countries/regions (Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Thailand, UK, USA, and Venezuela) collected the data. The ECC status, dental workforce, oral health policies on ECC prevention in different countries/regions were summarized by each country. Results: The findings indicated that ECC prevalence varied in different countries/regions. The lowest prevalence of ECC among 5-year-old children was found in Nigeria (7%), and the highest was found in Indonesia (90%). The existing dental workforce and resources are limited in most countries. The smallest dentist to population ratio was reported by Nigeria at 1:48,400, whereas the highest ratio was in Brazil (1:600). Out of 14, three (21%) countries namely India, Venezuela and Cambodia had no national oral health policies addressing ECC and four (29%) countries (Cambodia, China, India, Venezuela) had no publicly funded dental care program for 0-5-year-old children. Water fluoridation is available in four countries/regions (Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, USA). Conclusion: ECC remains a global health challenge and dental workforce is limited. National/regional programs to tackle ECC are not yet prioritized in many countries/regions. Evidence to support demonstration projects is limited. Further research on the cost-effectiveness of interventions strategies is required for policymakers.

Selection patterns on early-life phenotypic traits in Pinus sylvestris are associated with precipitation and temperature along a climatic gradient in Europe.

Understanding the dynamics of selection is key to predicting the response of tree species to new environmental conditions in the current context of climate change. However, selection patterns acting on early recruitment stages and their climatic drivers remain largely unknown in most tree species, despite being a critical period of their life cycle. We measured phenotypic selection on Pinus sylvestris seed mass, emergence time and early growth rate over 2 yr in four common garden experiments established along the latitudinal gradient of the species in Europe. Significant phenotypic plasticity and among-population genetic variation were found for all measured phenotypic traits. Heat and drought negatively affected fitness in the southern sites, but heavy rainfalls also decreased early survival in middle latitudes. Climate-driven directional selection was found for higher seed mass and earlier emergence time, while the form of selection on seedling growth rates differed among sites and populations. Evidence of adaptive and maladaptive phenotypic plasticity was found for emergence time and early growth rate, respectively. Seed mass, emergence time and early growth rate have an adaptive role in the early stages of P. sylvestris and climate strongly influences the patterns of selection on these fitness-related traits.

Genetic variation in early fitness traits across European populations of silver birch (Betula pendula).

Given that the ecological niche of tree species is typically narrower for earlier life stages, intraspecific genetic variation at early fitness traits may greatly influence the adaptive response of tree populations to changing environmental conditions. In this study, we evaluated genetic variation in early fitness traits among 12 populations of Betula pendula from a wide latitudinal range in Europe (41-55°N). We first conducted a chamber experiment to test for population differences in germination and the effect of pre-chilling treatment on seed dormancy release. We then established three common gardens spread across the species latitudinal range in order to evaluate levels of quantitative genetic variation and genotype-by-environment interaction at different early life traits. Our results showed significant variation in chamber germination rates among populations (0-60 %), with southern populations exhibiting lower germination. Pre-chilling treatments did not generally improve germination success. Population seedling emergence rates in the field were correlated with chamber germination rates, though being an order of magnitude lower, with an average ranging from 0 to 1.3 % across gardens. Highly significant variation was found in field emergence rates among populations, and between seed-crop years within populations, but not among families within populations. Populations differed in seedling height, diameter, slenderness and budburst date, with significant among-family variation. Population latitude was positively associated with chamber germination rate and with seedling emergence rate in one of the central field sites. Overall, genetic, environmental and demographic factors seem to influence the observed high levels of variation in early fitness traits among B. pendula populations. Our results suggest limited regeneration capacity for the study species under drier conditions, but further field trials with sufficient replication over environments and seed crops will improve our understanding of its vulnerability to climate change.

[The prevalence of sensitization to cockroaches. Experience of an allergy service]. / Prevalencia de sensibilización a cucaracha. Experiencia de un servicio de alergia.

BACKGROUND: Allergy skin prick tests are important tools for the diagnosis of respiratory allergic diseases. Cockroach antigens have been identified as the cause of rhinitis, asthma, and other allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To show that the cockroach antigen participates in the cause of allergic diseases. METHODS: A retrolective and cross-sectional study was carried out, for which clinical records and history of atopy were reviewed; the results were obtained from blood biometry, nasal cytology, total IgE, and coproparasitoscopic serial tests. After prior informed consent, skin tests were applied in 3-74 year-old patients. RESULTS: 1,837 patients were studied; the prevalence of cutaneous reactivity to the cockroach antigen was of 17.90%; 56% of the patients had a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, and only 6% had been diagnosed with asthma and rhinitis. CONCLUSION: The application of the cockroach antigen in skin tests must be considered in the practice of all allergists.

Antecedentes: Las pruebas cutáneas por técnica de punción son herramientas importantes para el diagnóstico de la alergia respiratoria. Se han identificado los antígenos de las cucarachas como responsables del desarrollo de rinitis, asma y otras enfermedades alérgicas. Objetivo: Demostrar la participación del antígeno de cucaracha en enfermedades alérgicas. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrolectivo y transversal, para el cual se revisaron historias clínicas y los antecedentes de atopia; se recolectaron los resultados de biometría hemática, citología nasal, IgE total y estudio coproparasitoscópico seriado. Previo consentimiento informado se aplicaron pruebas cutáneas en pacientes de tres a 74 años. Resultados: Se estudiaron 1837 pacientes, la prevalencia de reactividad cutánea al antígeno de cucaracha fue de 17.90 %; 56 % de los pacientes tenía diagnóstico de rinitis alérgica y solo 6 %, de asma y rinitis. Conclusión: Se debe considerar la aplicación del antígeno de cucaracha en las pruebas cutáneas en la práctica del alergólogo.

Sense of coherence, burden and mental health in caregiving: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Informal caregiving is associated with a number of negative effects on carers' physical and psychological well-being. The salutogenic theory argues that sense of coherence (SOC) is an important factor in psychological adjustment to stress. The main aim of this study was to systematically review current evidence on the association between SOC, burden and mental health outcomes in informal carers. METHOD: A systematic search was carried out up to September 2017 in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCO), PsychInfo (OVID) and Scopus. Studies were included if they evaluated the relationship between sense of coherence and subjective caregiver burden and/or mental health outcomes, specifically symptoms of depression and anxiety. Meta-analyses were performed and subgroup analyses were carried out to explore if methodological factors influenced findings. RESULTS: Thirty-five studies were included in the meta-analysis, which provided 40 independent samples with 22 independent comparisons for subjective caregiver burden, 26 for symptoms of depression and 7 for symptoms of anxiety. Higher levels of SOC were associated with lower levels of subjective caregiver burden and better mental health outcomes. Publication bias did not change the estimate of the effect. LIMITATIONS: Most of the studies included in this review were cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that SOC is an important determinant of carer well-being and may protect carers from high levels of psychological distress and caregiver burden.

Radiographic Assessment of Dental Maturation in Children With Dental Agenesis.

BACKGROUND: Dental agenesis is the most common developmental anomaly in humans, frequently associated with disorders in dental development and maturation. AIM: The purpose of this study is to determine radiographic variations in dental maturation in a group of Venezuelan children with dental agenesis. STUDY DESIGN: 1,188 panoramic radiographs, from healthy patients ages 5 to 12 years old were studied for agenesis of permanent teeth. Dental maturation was assessed by relative eruption and dental age according to Nolla, comparing children affected with dental agenesis to a stratified control group selected from the same population, excluding children with premature loss of primary teeth in the left quadrants and unclear radiographs. Descriptive analysis, and differences between means and medians (Student t test, Kruskall-Wallis p=0.05) were performed. RESULTS: Medians for Nolla stages were similar between groups, with delay in tooth formation in the agenesis group for second molars (p<0.05) and maxillary lateral incisors and second premolars. Dental age was significantly underestimated for both groups, -0.89 (±0.78) for the control group and -1.20 (±0.95) for the study group. Tooth eruption was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Dental age was significantly delayed in Venezuelan children with dental agenesis, with variable significance for tooth formation of studied teeth.

Accuracy of dental age estimation in Venezuelan children: comparison of Demirjian and Willems methods.

Dental age is a somatic maturity indicator with importance in clinical and forensic dentistry. The purpose of this study is to compare the applicability of the Demirjian and Willems methods for dental age estimation in a group of Venezuelan children. Panoramic radiographs of 238 Venezuelan children aged 5-13 years were used to assess dental age using the methods described by Demirjian and Willems. Children with unclear panoramic radiographs, dental agenesis, and premature loss of primary teeth were excluded. Mean differences between dental age and chronological age by gender and age groups were estimated (ANOVA, Student tests p = 0.05). For the Demirjian method, the mean difference between dental age and chronological age was 0.62 +/- 0.93 years, statistically significant. The mean overestimation was lower for females than for males (females 0.56 +/- 0.96 years, males 0.67 +/- 0.93 years). For the Willems method, the mean difference between dental age and chronological age was 0.15 +/- 0.97 years, not statistically significant. Accuracy was significantly different between genders, performing best for females (females 0.01 +/- 0.96 years, males 0.29 +/- 0.96 years). The Willems method for age estimation was found to be more accurate than the Demirjian method in this sample of Venezuelan children.

Accuracy of dental age estimation in Venezuelan children: comparison of Demirjian and Willems methods

La edad dental es un indicador de la maduración somática con importancia tanto para la odontología clínica como forense. Este estudio tiene como objetivo comparar la aplicabilidad de los métodos propuestos por Demirjian y por Willems para la estimación de la edad dental en un grupo de niños Venezolanos. Fueron evaluadas 238 radiografías panorámicas de niños venezolanos con edades de 5 a 13 años, para determinar la edad dental utilizando los métodos de Demirjan y de Willems. Fueron excluidos casos con radiografías defectuosas, agenesia dental y pérdida prematura de dientes primarios. Las medias de las diferencias entre la edad dental y la edad cronológica fueron estimadas, distribuyendo por género y por grupo de edad. Fueron utilizadas las pruebas estadísticas ANOVA y T de Student (p=0,05). Para el método de Demirjian, la media de la diferencia entre la edad dental y la edad cronológica fue 0,62 ± 0,93 siendo estadísticamente significativa. La media de la sobrestimación para el género femenino fue menor que para el género masculino (hembras 0,56 ± 0,96 años; varones 0,67 ± 0,93 años). Para el método de Willems la diferencia entre la edad dental y la edad cronológica fue 0,15± 0,97 sin significancia estadística. La precisión de este método presentó variación estadísticamente significativa entre géneros (hembras 0,01 ± 0,96 años, varones (varones 0,29 ±0,96 años). El método de estimación de edad dental de Willems presentó mayor precisión para esta muestra de niños Venezolanos...

Accuracy of dental age estimation in Venezuelan children: comparison of Demirjian and Willems methods. / Accuracy of dental age estimation in Venezuelan children: comparison of Demirjian and Willems methods.

Dental age is a somatic maturity indicator with importance in clinical and forensic dentistry. The purpose of this study is to compare the applicability of the Demirjian and Willems methods for dental age estimation in a group of Venezuelan children. Panoramic radiographs of 238 Venezuelan children aged 5-13 years were used to assess dental age using the methods described by Demirjian and Willems. Children with unclear panoramic radiographs, dental agenesis, and premature loss of primary teeth were excluded. Mean differences between dental age and chronological age by gender and age groups were estimated (ANOVA, Student tests p = 0.05). For the Demirjian method, the mean difference between dental age and chronological age was 0.62 +/- 0.93 years, statistically significant. The mean overestimation was lower for females than for males (females 0.56 +/- 0.96 years, males 0.67 +/- 0.93 years). For the Willems method, the mean difference between dental age and chronological age was 0.15 +/- 0.97 years, not statistically significant. Accuracy was significantly different between genders, performing best for females (females 0.01 +/- 0.96 years, males 0.29 +/- 0.96 years). The Willems method for age estimation was found to be more accurate than the Demirjian method in this sample of Venezuelan children.

Efectividad de las intervenciones enfermeras en los estilos de vida en la prevención de enfermedades crónicas en el ámbito de la Atención Primaria de Salud / Effectiveness of nurse-delivered lifestyle interventions in primary health care in the prevention of chronic diseases

Mayoritariamente, las enfermeras en la Atención Primaria de Salud (APS) gestionan las enfermedades crónicas y realizan el consejo preventivo sobre los estilos de vida. Las bases de datos consultadas fueron: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE y Psych INFO. Se seleccionaron sistemáticamente los artículos que describían estudios controlados sobre intervenciones en los estilos de vida de las personas adultas proporcionadas por enfermeras en APS. Fueron analizados 31 artículos que describían 28 estudios cuyos resultados respecto al grupo control mostraron: 1) no existen diferencias cuando la intervención es realizada por la enfermera de APS en comparación con otros profesionales sanitarios también de APS (n=2); 2) el consejo impartido por la enfermera de APS fue más efectivo que el cribado de salud (n=10); 3) el consejo basado en las teorías del cambio conductual fue más efectivo que el no conductual cuando al menos se realizaron 3 sesiones (n=3). Las pruebas científicas apoyan la efectividad de las intervenciones en los estilos de vida realizadas por las enfermeras en APS ya que producen cambios positivos en los resultados asociados con la prevención de las enfermedades crónicas entre los que se incluyen: el peso, la presión arterial, el colesterol, las conductas alimentarias y de actividad física, la satisfacción del paciente, la preparación para el cambio y la calidad de vida. La fuerza de las recomendaciones es limitada debido al pequeño número de estudios dentro de cada grupo de comparación y el elevado riesgo de sesgo en la made los estudios (AU)

The matrix metalloproteinase 2-1575 gene polymorphism is associated with the risk of developing myocardial infarction in Mexican patients.

AIM: Was to evaluate the role of seven matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) polymorphisms in the genetic susceptibility to develop myocardial infarction in Mexican individuals. METHODS: Seven polymorphisms in the MMP genes were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays in 300 patients with myocardial infarction and 300 healthy unrelated controls. RESULTS: A similar distribution of MMP2-1306 (rs243865), MMP2-790 (rs243864), MMP2-735 (rs22850553), MMP7-153(rs11568819), MMP7-181(rs11568818), and MMP12-82(rs2276109) polymorphisms was observed in both studied groups. On the other hand, patients showed increased frequencies of MMP2-1575 A allele and AA genotype when compared to controls (pC= 0.001; OR= 1.58 and pC= 0.036; OR= 2.37, respectively). According to the dominant model, individuals with AG+AA genotypes had a 1.65-fold increased risk of developing the disease (p= 0.002). After adjusting for known risk factors, we found a significant contribution of gender, BMI, smoking habit, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension to the inheritance model. In this analysis, individuals with the-1575 AA genotype had a 4.23-fold increased risk of developing MI (p= 0.003). On the other hand, an association of the MMP12-82 polymorphism with the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) was observed. In our study, it was possible to distinguish two risk haplotypes and one protective haplotype for this disease in the MMP2 gene. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the MMP2-1575 (rs243866) gene polymorphism could be involved in the risk of developing myocardial infarction in Mexican individuals.

Radiographic study of prevalence and distribution of hypodontia in a pediatric orthodontic population in Venezuela.

PURPOSE: This study's purpose was to determine prevalence and distribution of hypodontia in a pediatric orthodontic population in Caracas, Venezuela. METHODS: A total of 607 dental records (radiographs, cast models, and photographs) from 5- to 11-year-old patients of an interceptive orthodontics clinic were studied for agenesis of permanent teeth. Patients with hypodontia of the third molars and syndromes of cleft lip or palate were excluded. Data were analyzed using t tests (=.05) and Pearson's chi-square (P=.001). RESULTS: Hypodontia affected 25 patients (∼4%): 13 with unique and 12 with multiple tooth agenesis. Females were more affected than males (1.5:1). A total of 40 teeth were missing: permanent maxillary lateral incisors (40%); mandibular second premolars (~23%); maxillary second premolars (15%); permanent mandibular lateral incisors (15%); and permanent mandibular second molars (~8%). The maxilla was more affected (55%) vs. the mandible (45%). Symmetrical hypodontia was exhibited by the maxilla, whereas the left premolar region was most affected in the mandible. CONCLUSION: The most affected tooth was the permanent maxillary lateral incisor, followed by the mandibular second premolar; symmetry was noted for hypodontia in the maxilla, and an inverse correlation was found between the maxillary and mandibular hypo- dontia. The overall results agree with other Latin American studies and differ from Caucasian or Asian populations.

[The effect of milk products consumption in mothers during breastfeeding]. / Efecto del consumo de lácteos en la composición de la leche materna humana.

BACKGROUND: Several studies indicate that milk products consumption by mothers during the nursing period induce colic in the newborns. However, when mothers interrupt milk consumption, the colic of the newborns disappears. OBJECTIVE: to analyze milk composition in Mexican women according to maternal milk products consumption. METHODS: Seven women were studied in puerperal period, three of them consumed milky products and four not. All were healthy; they gave a five cc milk sample, which was frozen until the moment of the analysis. A double dimension electrophoresis in polyacrilamide gels was carried out. The protein levels were determined by Lowry's method. Total lipid extraction and cromatography in thin plaque was carried out. Total carbohydrate content was quantified. RESULTS: No differences were found in protein electrophoresis neither in the chromatographic lipid analysis. Carbohydrate content was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Colic in newborn depends on the idiosyncrasy of each one, and not in the supposed induced modifications of milk products on maternal milk consumption.