Linkage mapping and genomic prediction of grain quality traits in tropical maize (Zea mays L.).

The suboptimal productivity of maize systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a pressing issue, with far-reaching implications for food security, nutrition, and livelihood sustainability within the affected smallholder farming communities. Dissecting the genetic basis of grain protein, starch and oil content can increase our understanding of the governing genetic systems, improve the efficacy of future breeding schemes and optimize the end-use quality of tropical maize. Here, four bi-parental maize populations were evaluated in field trials in Kenya and genotyped with mid-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Genotypic (G), environmental (E) and G×E variations were found to be significant for all grain quality traits. Broad sense heritabilities exhibited substantial variation (0.18-0.68). Linkage mapping identified multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the studied grain quality traits: 13, 7, 33, 8 and 2 QTLs for oil content, protein content, starch content, grain texture and kernel weight, respectively. The co-localization of QTLs identified in our research suggests the presence of shared genetic factors or pleiotropic effects, implying that specific genomic regions influence the expression of multiple grain quality traits simultaneously. Genomic prediction accuracies were moderate to high for the studied traits. Our findings highlight the polygenic nature of grain quality traits and demonstrate the potential of genomic selection to enhance genetic gains in maize breeding. Furthermore, the identified genomic regions and single nucleotide polymorphism markers can serve as the groundwork for investigating candidate genes that regulate grain quality traits in tropical maize. This, in turn, can facilitate the implementation of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding programs focused on improving grain nutrient levels.

Simulated drought stress unravels differential response and different mechanisms of drought tolerance in newly developed tropical field corn inbreds.

Corn is one of the most important cereal crops in the world with highest yield potential. Nevertheless, its potential productivity is constrained by the occurrences of drought stress worldwide. Besides, in the era of climate change, frequent occurrences of severe droughts are predicted. The present investigation was carried out at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad in split plot design to study response of twenty-eight new corn inbreds under drought free (well-watered) conditions and drought simulated by withholding irrigation from 40 to 75 DAS to create water stress. Significant differences among the corn inbreds, moisture treatments and interaction between inbreds were observed for morpho-physiological, yield and yield components indicating differential response of corn inbreds. The inbreds CAL 1426-2 (higher RWC, SLW& wax and lower ASI), PDM 4641(higher SLW, proline, & wax, and lower ASI) and GPM 114 (higher proline & wax, and lower ASI) were drought tolerant. These inbreds are having higher production potential (>5.0 t/ha) under moisture stress condition with less per cent reduction (<24.4%) over non-moisture stress condition and hence are putative candidates for developing drought tolerant hybrids suitable for rainfed ecosystem besides using them in population improvement program to combine different drought tolerant mechanisms to evolve highly potent drought tolerant inbreds. The results of the study suggested that proline content, wax content, anthesis silking interval, relative water content can be better surrogate traits to identify drought tolerant inbreds in corn.

Comparative Study of Improvement of Nasal Symptoms Following Septoplasty with Partial Inferior Turbinectomy Versus Septoplasty Alone in Adults by NOSE Scale: A Prospective Study.

To compare the symptomatic improvement of nasal symptoms following septoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy (groups A) versus septoplasty alone (groups B) and to assess the improvement of nasal symptoms in both surgical groups before and after surgery by NOSE scale. This Tertiary Hospital based study was carried out between August 2012 and April 2014. 60 cases with septal deviation and contralateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale for evaluating nasal symptoms. Patients were alternatively divided into two surgical groups, group A. Septoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy and group B septoplasty alone. Post-operative patient's symptoms evaluated by NOSE scale at 1, 3 and 6 months. Data analysed using tables, graph and percentage and test of significance like paired t test, Friedman test, Chi square test used. Post operative improvement following both group A septoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy and group B in those undergoing septoplasty alone was highly significant (p < 0.001) at post-op 1, 3 and 6 months subjectively. When both groups were compared those undergoing partial inferior turbinectomy surgery with septoplasty had highly significant results (p < 0.001) for subjective assessment by NOSE scale. This study showed that hypertrophied turbinate need to be addressed in chronic cases of nasal obstruction with deviated nasal septum and contralateral turbinate hypertrophy. partial inferior turbinectomy should be done in addition to septoplasty, its highly effective modality for the treatment of nasal obstruction in patients with deviated nasal septum. NOSE score can be used as a subjective tool for symptomatic measurement of patients with nasal obstruction.

Comprehensive review on oral disintegrating films.

Fast-dissolving drug-delivery systems were first developed in the late 1970s as an alternative to tablets, capsules, and syrups for pediatric and geriatric patients who experience difficulties swallowing traditional oral solid dosage forms. In response to this need, a variety of orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formats were commercialized, which disintegrate within 1 min when placed in the mouth without drinking water or chewing. Oral drug delivery technology has improved from conventional dosage forms to modified release dosage forms to ODT to the recent oral disintegrating films (ODF). Oral disintegrating film or strip that employs a water dissolving polymer which allows the dosage form to quickly hydrate by saliva, adhere to mucosa, and disintegrate within a few seconds, dissolve and releases medication for oromucosal absorption when placed on the tongue or oral cavity. Oral strip technology provides an alternate route for drugs with first pass metabolism. This review give details of materials used in ODF, manufacturing aspects, technologies, evaluation tests and marketed products.