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SNP Genotyping for Purity Assessment of a Forage Oat (Avena sativa L.) Variety from Colombia
Get PDFSingle nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers have multiple applications in plant breeding of small grains. They are used for the selection of divergent parents, the identification of genetic variants and marker-assisted selection. However, the use of SNPs in varietal purity assessment is under-reported, especially for multi-line varieties from the public sector. In the case of variety evaluation, these genetic markers are tools for maintaining varietal distinctness, uniformity and stability needed for cultivar release of multi-line or pure-line varieties of inbred crops. The objective of this research was to evaluate the purity and relationships of one original (AV-25) and two multi-line sub-populations (AV25-T and AV25-S) of the inbreeding species, oats (Avena sativa L.). Both sub-populations could be useful as forages in the central highland region of Colombia (\u3e2000 masl), such as in the departments of Boyacá and Cundinamarca, even though they were derived from an original composite mixture widely used in the mountainsides of the southern department of Nariño named Avena 25. Representative single plant selections (SPS) from the two sub-populations were grown together with SPS harvests from off-type plants (early and late) and plants from the original AV25 composite mixture, to determine their genetic similarity. Plants were genotyped by DNA extraction of a plateful of 96 individual plant samples and SNPs were detected for an Illumina Infinium 6K Chip assay. The data were used for the analysis of genetic structure and population relationships. The grouping observed based on the genetic data indicated that AV25-T and AV25-S were homogeneous populations and somewhat divergent in their genetic profile compared to the original AV25-C mix. In addition, to the two commercial, certified oat varieties (Cajicá and Cayuse) were different from these. The early and late selections were probable contaminants and could be discarded. We concluded that the use of SNP markers is an appropriate tool for ensuring genetic purity of oat varieties
The Impact of Media on the Sexual Self-Concept of Black Women
No full textBlack women’s sexuality has been researched for several decades and has provided a growing field of study in the area of Black women’s sexual experiences. One of the challenges that research in this field faced was a deficit-based focus. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between media exposure to stereotypical images and its impact upon the sexual self-concept of Black women while contributing to a sex-positive focus on Black women’s sexuality. Sexual self-concept is an important multidimensional construct that describes an individual’s overall view of themselves as a sexual person. Utilizing a Black Feminist Thought and Intersectionality framework, this research study addressed one aim; to examine the association between media exposure and level of one’s sexual self-concept. This quantitative cross-sectional study used data gathered from 128 Black identified women ages 18 and older. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS and revealed there was no significant relationship between the variables. This research expanded the body of knowledge from a sex-positive lens in the field of Black women’s sexuality. Implications for future research are discussed
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Soil Biogeochemical Characteristics Under Nitrogen Fertilization in Bioenergy Croplands
No full textSoil biogeochemical properties such as moisture, pH, dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC, DON), and extracellular enzyme activities are important soil health indices. Yet their spatiotemporal patterns have been rarely examined in bioenergy croplands such as switchgrass (SG) and gamagrass (GG). Nitrogen (N) fertilization affects these variables’ dynamics and consequently influences soil carbon (C) and N sequestration. This study was to investigate effects of N fertilization and bioenergy crop type on spatiotemporal dynamics of these characteristics and evaluate whether soil glycosidases mediated soil C and N sequestration under N fertilization. A spatially explicit design and sampling strategy (288 samples at 0-10cm) were employed in a fertilization experiment with zero, low and high N input (NN, LN and HN: 0, 84, and 168 kg N ha−1 yr-1 urea, respectively) in SG and GG croplands. The forementioned soil biogeochemical properties and N, P-acquisition glycosidase activities were quantified. Formerly published data of C-acquisition glycosidases, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were also integrated. Results showed that LN significantly increased DOC while HN significantly increased BX, LAP, SOC and TN in SG. Significant positive correlations of LAP and SOC, TN were also discovered in SG. Spatial heterogeneity of biogeochemical properties and glycosidase activities were generally elevated by nitrogen fertilization, with GG generally higher than SG. Collectively, this study informed generally low sensitivity of soil biogeochemical features to fertilizer amendments in bioenergy croplands, yet it also suggested that glycosidase LAP facilitated soil C and N sequestration under intensive N fertilization in SG soil
Improving Nursery Crop Production Using Sustainable Approaches for Disease Management
No full textPhytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora nicotianae was major limitation faced by nursery growers in Buxus sempervirens. Treatments that effectively reduced Phytophthora root rot in boxwood were pyraclostrobin, ametoctradin + dimethomorph, and oxathiapiprolin in greenhouse and pyraclostrobin, oxathiapiprolin, mefenoxam, fluzapyroxad and combination nitrogen, potash, and Trichoderma spp. in field. Biofumigants such as yellow mustard, mighty mustard, amara mustard, oriental mustard and arugula lowered Phytophthora disease severity and pathogen recovery. In commercial nurseries, lowered disease severity and pathogen recovery were observed from biofumigated soil with natural P. nicotianae presence and reintroduction of the pathogen. Colony count was higher for Pseudomonas and lower for Fusarium and Rhizoctonia in biofumigated soil compared to the non-biofumigated soil in all experiments. Root and crown rot of oakleaf hydrangea were observed as a problem in some Tennessee nurseries. Fusarium oxysporum was identified as causal organism based on morphological and molecular analysis. Treatments that effectively reduced Fusarium root rot were mefentrifluconazole, the low rate (1.09 mL/L) of difenoconazole + pydiflumetofen, and the high rate (1.32 mL/L) of isofetamid and the high rate (1.64 g/L) of ningnanmycin. Fifteen different hydrangea cultivars were tested to determine the resistance against F. oxysporum. Root rot severity, pathogen recovery, fusaric acid and mannitol concentration were assessed from roots. Results indicate no cultivars were resistant to F. oxysporum. Cultivars from H. arborescens, H. macrophylla and H. paniculata were less susceptible compared to cultivars from H. quercifolia. Among H. quercifolia, cultivars Snowflake, John Wayne and Alice were less susceptible
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG): New Therapeutic Perspectives for Neuroprotection, Aging, and Neuroinflammation for the Modern Age
Get PDFAlzheimer\u27s and Parkinson’s diseases are the two most common forms of neurodegenerative diseases. The exact etiology of these disorders is not well known; however, environmental, molecular, and genetic influences play a major role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Using Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as the archetype, the pathological findings include the aggregation of Amyloid Beta (Aβ) peptides, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic degradation caused by inflammation, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cerebrovascular dysregulation. This review highlights the neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG): the medicinal component of green tea, a known nutraceutical that has shown promise in modulating AD progression due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging abilities. This report also re-examines the current literature and provides innovative approaches for EGCG to be used as a preventive measure to alleviate AD and other neurodegenerative disorders
The SGLT2 Inhibitor Canagliflozin Reduces Androgen Receptor Expression and Nuclear Localization of Beta-Catenin in Human Prostate Cancer Cells
Get PDFDrugs that inhibit the protein sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) are commonly used in the United States to treat type 2 diabetes. Recent studies suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce growth of lung, liver, and breast cancer cells in vitro. Therefore, administration of SGLT2 inhibitors may also limit the growth of malignant tumors. Previous work from our laboratory has shown that one SGLT2 inhibitor, canagliflozin, reduces the proliferation of C4-2B cells, a castration-resistant human prostate cancer cell line. Concentrations of canagliflozin that reduce proliferation also lower levels of the androgen receptor (AR), a protein known to promote growth of prostate cancers. The goal of this study was to define the mechanism by which canagliflozin lowers AR protein levels. Since canagliflozin induces phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), we initially investigated the effect of the AMPK pathway on this response. AMPK is a kinase that regulates cellular energy homeostasis. Western blot analyses demonstrated that the AMPK -within the C4-2B cells. This suggests the AMPK pathway does not significantly contribute to these reductions in AR. We next explored whether canagliflozin might alter localization of beta-catenin, a transcription factor known to increase AR expression. Western blotting showed that canagliflozin reduces the amount of nuclear beta-catenin and AR within C4-2B cells. These data suggest that reductions in beta-catenin signaling may be the mechanism by which canagliflozin lowers AR in prostate cancer cells
Anticancer and Antibacterial Activity of Peganum Harmala and Haloxylon Salicornicum Leaves Extracts
No full textCancer continues to be a significant risk factor in public health across the globe, responsible for roughly 9.8 million deaths in 2018 (Makena et al., 2018). Some of the most prevalent types of cancer that have been recorded include breast, prostate, leukemia, thyroid, lung, and liver cancer, among others. Antibiotic resistance is also a worldwide concern, not only cancer. This has happened because of microorganisms\u27 expansion, development, and endurance (Davies, 2010). A natural source that has been discovered to have therapeutic medicinal properties against human diseases is Peganum harmala and Haloxylon salicornicum plants. Various concentrations of P. harmala and H. salicornicum were obtained for the purpose of experimenting. The anticancer activity of P. harmala and H. salicornicum was studied using the crystal violet method, the Lipid Peroxidation Assay, and the Caspase 3 Assay techniques. The Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Test was used to determine the antibacterial activity of P. harmala and H. salicornicum against 33 bacterial isolates on various mediums. The findings indicate that P. harmala and H. salicornicum have anticancer potential against the cancer cell lines A549 and PC3. They also have antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the antibiotic action is regulated by the kind of medium used
Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.): A Study on Its Phytochemicals and Macromolecules
No full textHempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) has been used since ancient times, but its scientific properties and functionalities are under-studied. In this study, Hempseed (Variety Futura 75) was studied for its antioxidant properties, along with extraction, isolation, physicochemical and functional characterization of its macromolecules, namely protein and polysaccharides. Hempseed was evaluated for its total phenolics, flavonoids, cannabinoids, terpenoids, and antioxidant capacities compared to flaxseed. The extraction efficiency of hempseed protein has been improved by introducing ball milling as a pre-treatment. The protein was evaluated for molecular weight distribution, emulsion forming properties and functional properties such as solubility and surface hydrophobicity. The ball-milled protein has shown improved emulsion forming capacity and stability as compared to the conventional extraction method. The hempseed polysaccharides were extracted from defatted hempseed meal after protein extraction. The extraction method of polysaccharides was optimized to obtain a higher yield. The extracted polysaccharides were evaluated for its physical and chemical properties such as molecular weight distribution, size and shape, uronic acid and total sugar contents. Besides, the emulsification properties were also determined to estimate its functional applications. The functional properties of protein such as surface tension, zeta-potential, emulsion stability and droplet size were enhanced due to ball milling pre-treatment. The polysaccharides improved the emulsion stability during freeze-thaw cycles and heat treatment on creaming stability. Hence, it can be concluded that, both hempseed protein and polysaccharides are promising potential food ingredients for applications in various food developments