8 research outputs found
Identification of glucosinolate profile in Brassica oleracea for quantitative trait locus mapping
No full textGlucosinolates are a group of secondary plant metabolites, which have been shown to play important roles in human health and nutrition. Identification of novel genes or regulators of expression are important for optimising the glucosinolate composition of Brassica crops. This project aimed to develop a HPLC based methodology for quantifying these compounds within Brassica leaf material and to use this to map Quantitative Trait Loci for individual glucosinolates within Brassica oleracea mapping populations. Glucosinolates were analysed using an optimized HPLC-UV method developed in this study for complete separation of desulfated glucosinolates with high resolution for quantification measurements. The reproducibility of the desulfation reaction was improved for robust enzymatic reaction of sulfatase. A data dependent MS and MS/MS methodology was developed to confidently identify seven glucosinolates in the 89 AGDH plant lines distributed between aliphatic and indolic glucosinolate, with different combinations from the parental plants A12DHd and GDDH33. For the quantitative measurements of glucosinolates, an optimized level of glucotropaeolin was used as an internal standard (IS1). In addition, we have demonstrated the first use of a second internal standard (IS2) to significantly improve the reproducibility of the quantitative measurements. Aliphatic glucosinolates were predominant over indolic glucosinolates, where progoitrin has the highest abundance. This methodology was then used to identify Quantitative Trait Loci for individual glucosinolates and for key points in their biosynthesis. A major gene effect was found near the top of B. oleracea LG9 associated with aliphatic glucosinolate synthesis. In addition other Quantitative Trait Loci were identified which corresponded with previous work by other groups and to which individual gene function could be attributed. A number of novel Quantitative Trait Loci were also found which control the synthesis of glucosinolates distributed on the nine chromosomes of C genome. A combination of the quantitative data and genetic analysis of glucosinolate profiles was used to infer the existence of factors at distinct loci and associated these with specific steps in the biosynthesis pathway of glucosinolates in B. oleracea. The assignment of genes or gene regulator functions to Quantitative Trait Loci identified in this study was consistent with known positions of Brassica candidate genes and collinear regions of the Arabidopsis genome. Consequently, this information can be applied to other Brassica species for breeding vegetable crops with modified glucosinolate profiles.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceJāmiʻat al-ʻUlūm al-Taṭbīqīyah al-Ahlīyah [Applied Sciences University, Private (Amman, Jordan)]GBUnited Kingdo
Identification of glucosinolate profile in Brassica oleracea for quantitative trait locus mapping
No full textGlucosinolates are a group of secondary plant metabolites, which have been shown
to play important roles in human health and nutrition. Identification of novel genes or
regulators of expression are important for optimising the glucosinolate composition
of Brassica crops. This project aimed to develop a HPLC based methodology for
quantifying these compounds within Brassica leaf material and to use this to map
Quantitative Trait Loci for individual glucosinolates within Brassica oleracea
mapping populations. Glucosinolates were analysed using an optimized HPLC-UV
method developed in this study for complete separation of desulfated glucosinolates
with high resolution for quantification measurements. The reproducibility of the
desulfation reaction was improved for robust enzymatic reaction of sulfatase. A data
dependent MS and MS/MS methodology was developed to confidently identify seven
glucosinolates in the 89 AGDH plant lines distributed between aliphatic and indolic
glucosinolate, with different combinations from the parental plants A12DHd and
GDDH33. For the quantitative measurements of glucosinolates, an optimized level of
glucotropaeolin was used as an internal standard (IS1). In addition, we have
demonstrated the first use of a second internal standard (IS2) to significantly
improve the reproducibility of the quantitative measurements. Aliphatic
glucosinolates were predominant over indolic glucosinolates, where progoitrin has
the highest abundance.
This methodology was then used to identify Quantitative Trait Loci for individual
glucosinolates and for key points in their biosynthesis. A major gene effect was
found near the top of B. oleracea LG9 associated with aliphatic glucosinolate
synthesis. In addition other Quantitative Trait Loci were identified which
corresponded with previous work by other groups and to which individual gene
function could be attributed. A number of novel Quantitative Trait Loci were also
found which control the synthesis of glucosinolates distributed on the nine
chromosomes of C genome. A combination of the quantitative data and genetic
analysis of glucosinolate profiles was used to infer the existence of factors at distinct
loci and associated these with specific steps in the biosynthesis pathway of
glucosinolates in B. oleracea. The assignment of genes or gene regulator functions to
Quantitative Trait Loci identified in this study was consistent with known positions
of Brassica candidate genes and collinear regions of the Arabidopsis genome.
Consequently, this information can be applied to other Brassica species for breeding
vegetable crops with modified glucosinolate profiles
In vitro evaluation of the antioxidant, anti-Propioni bacterium acne and antityrosinase effects of Equisetum ramosissimum (Jordanian horsetail)
No full textPurpose: The investigation of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. (Equisetaceae) extracts for total phenolic content, potential antioxidant properties, and antibacterial activity against Propioni bacterium acne and antityrosinase effects.Methods: The aerial parts of the E. ramosissimum from Jordan were extracted by maceration and Soxhlet methods, using solvents of different polarities. The composition of the extracts were qualitatively screened using standard phytochemical tests. Quantitatively, total phenolic content (mg/mL, equivalent to gallic acid), ABTS free radical scavenging activity (IC50), anti-P. acne (MIC and MBC), and tyrosinase inhibitory effects (IC50) were also determined.Results: The aqueous-methanol Soxhlet extract contained the highest total phenolic content (0.675 mg/mL gallic acid equivalents). Besides, phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins in the aqueous methanol Soxhlet extract, contributing to the antioxidant (IC50 = 0.125) and antityrosinase (IC50 = 1.125) effects. This extract also showed potent antimicrobial effects against P. acne (MIC = 6.250 mg/mL; MBC = 12.500 mg/mL). Other extracts, including ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, showed lower total phenolic content with moderate and weak biological activity.Conclusion: E. ramosissimum is a promising plant species to be considered for antioxidant, antiacne, and antityrosinase effects. However, further testing (including invivo, histological examination, and highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis) is necessary to understand more about its mechanisms of action.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Anti-Propioni bacterium acne, Antityrosinase, Equisetum ramosissimum, Total phenolic content, Jordanian horsetai
An optimized method for profiling glucosinolate content in brassica enabling plant line selection and quantitative trait locus mapping
No full textExploring the cost-effectiveness of high versus low perioperative fraction of inspired oxygen in the prevention of surgical site infections among abdominal surgery patients in three low- and middle-income countries
No full textBackground: This study assessed the potential cost-effectiveness of high (80–100%) vs low (21–35%) fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) at preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) after abdominal surgery in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Methods: Decision-analytic models were constructed using best available evidence sourced from unbundled data of an ongoing pilot trial assessing the effectiveness of high FiO2, published literature, and a cost survey in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Effectiveness was measured as percentage of SSIs at 30 days after surgery, a healthcare perspective was adopted, and costs were reported in US dollars (216 compared with 6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −1) difference in costs. In India, the average cost for high FiO2 was 195 for low FiO2 leading to a −15 to −1164 compared with 93 (95% CI: −65) difference in costs. The high FiO2 arm had few SSIs, 7.33% compared with 8.38% for low FiO2, leading to a −1.05 (95% CI: −1.14 to −0.90) percentage point reduction in SSIs. Conclusion: High FiO2 could be cost-effective at preventing SSIs in the three countries but further data from large clinical trials are required to confirm this. © 2023 The Author
Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries
No full textBackground: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures. Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge. Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to sideeffects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (β coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and lowand middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not. Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely
Mapping artificial intelligence adoption in hepatology practice and research: challenges and opportunities in MENA region
No full textBackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly relevant to hepatology, yet real-world adoption in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is uncertain. We assessed awareness, use, perceived value, barriers, and policy priorities among hepatology clinicians in the region.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey targeted hepatologists and gastroenterologists across 17 MENA countries. The survey assessed clinical and research applications of AI, perceived benefits, clinical and research use, barriers, ethical considerations, and institutional readiness. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were performed.ResultsOf 285 invited professionals, 236 completed the survey (response rate: 82.8%). While 73.2% recognized the transformative potential of AI, only 14.4% used AI tools daily, primarily for imaging analysis and disease prediction. AI tools were used in research by 39.8% of respondents, mainly for data analysis, manuscript writing assistance, and predictive modeling. Major barriers included inadequate training (60.6%), limited AI tool access (53%), and insufficient infrastructure (53%). Ethical concerns focused on data privacy, diagnostic accuracy, and over-reliance on automation. Despite these challenges, 70.3% expressed strong interest in AI training., and 43.6% anticipating routine clinical integration within 1–3 years.ConclusionMENA hepatologists are optimistic about AI but report limited routine use and substantial readiness gaps. Priorities include scalable training, interoperable infrastructure and standards, clear governance with human-in-the-loop safeguards, and region-specific validation to enable safe, equitable implementation
EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI): study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial
No full textIntroduction More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI.Methods and analysis EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI.Ethics and dissemination EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials.Trial registration number NCT04165369
