Variation, correlation and heritability of interest characters for selection of African eggplant

The eggplant ( Solanum aethiopicum ) is the species of the Solanum genus, whose geographical distribution is broadest. It is grown throughout tropical Africa, and includes three groups of cultivars commonly called African or indigenous eggplant. Kumba group or “bitter eggplant” is an important Solanaceous vegetable crop in Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to determine genetic variability, strength of association and level of heritability among agronomic interest traits. Phenotypic and genotypic variations and heritability of 14 traits were estimated in 61 accessions at Institut de Développement Rural (IDR), Gampela in Burkina Faso. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were observed for fruit diameter, number of seeds per fruit, fruit weight, leaf blade length and width, and height at flowering. In addition, genetic and phenotypic variances were high for the number of seed, fruit weight, plant height at flowering and days to 50% flowering. High heritability estimates were recorded for all traits. Fruit weight showed a positive association with fruit diameter and thickness. The fifty percent flowering cycle registered positive correlations with plant height and fruit diameter. Fruit number showed a negative association with fruit weight and diameter, and 50% flowering cyle.

Pathogenicity and phenotypic sulfadiazine resistance of Toxoplasma gondii isolates obtained from livestock in northeastern Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii is the causative protozoan agent of toxoplasmosis, which is a common infection that is widely distributed worldwide. Studies revealed stronger clonal strains in North America and Europe and genetic diversity in South American strains. Our study aimed to differentiate the pathogenicity and sulfadiazine resistance of three T. gondii isolates obtained from livestock intended for human consumption. The cytopathic effects of the T. gondii isolates were evaluated. The pathogenicity was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using a CS3 marker and in a rodent model in vivo. Phenotypic sulfadiazine resistance was measured using a kinetic curve of drug activity in Swiss mice. IgM and IgG were measured by ELISA, and the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene sequence was analysed. The cytopathic effects and the PCR-RFLP profiles from chickens indicated a different infection source. The Ck3 isolate displayed more cytopathic effects in vitro than the Ck2 and ME49 strains. Additionally, the Ck2 isolate induced a differential humoral immune response compared to ME49. The Ck3 and Pg1 isolates, but not the Ck2 isolate, showed sulfadiazine resistance in the sensitivity assay. We did not find any DHPS gene polymorphisms in the mouse samples. These atypical pathogenicity and sulfadiazine resistance profiles were not previously reported and served as a warning to local health authorities.

Use of BARD scoring system in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients and its correlation with ultrasonographic grading in Gizan, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of the BARD scoring system in Saudi non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients attending Gizan General Hospital and to identify the clinical variables associated with advanced fibrosis. . Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 120 patients aged ≥ 18 years who attended the Ultrasound Department of Gizan General Hospital, Gizan, Saudi Arabia, during January – June 2013. BARD scoring system comprised the following variables: body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 = 1 point, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio ≥ 0.8 = 2 points, and type 2 diabetes mellitus = 1 point. Results: Patients with advanced fibrosis were older (55.0 years) than patients with no/mild fibrosis (48.6 years), albeit not significantly so. A higher BMI was associated with advanced fibrosis in males, females and all study participants (p = 0.013, 0.016 and 0.001, respectively). Advanced fibrosis was more common in older patients with a higher weight to height ratio. Logistic regression suggested that age ≥ 50 years was associated with a 2.52-fold increase in the risk of advanced fibrosis, but this did not have a significant clinical impact (p = 0.087). BMI > 28 was associated with a 26.73-fold increased risk of advanced fibrosis, while AST/ALT ≥ 0.8 was associated with an 18.46-fold increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis (p = 0.002 and 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: The major risk factors for advanced fibrosis using BARD scoring system in patients with NAFLD were old age, BMI > 28, and AST/ALT ≥ 0.8. In addition, grade 3 ultrasonographic fatty liver significantly correlated with advanced fibrosis.

Serum levels of lycopene, beta-carotene, and retinol and their correlation with sperm DNA damage in normospermic and infertile men

Background: Oxidative stress in reproductive system leads to sperm DNA damage and sperm membrane lipid peroxidation and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of male infertility, especially in idiopathic cases. Antioxidants such as carotenoids function against free radical damages. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of lycopene, beta-carotene and retinol in serum and their relationship with sperm DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in infertile and normospermic males. Materials and Methods: Sixty two infertile men and 71 normospermic men participated in this study. Blood and semen samples were collected from all subjects. Sperm DNA damage was measured using TUNEL method. Carotenoids, retinol, and malonedildehyde in serum were also determined. Results: DNA fragmentation was higher in infertile group comparing to control group. Serum levels of lycopene, beta-carotene and, vitamin A in infertile men were significantly lower than normospermic men (p< 0.001, =0.005, and =0.003 respectively). While serum MDA was not significantly different between two groups, MDA in seminal plasma of infertile men was significantly higher than control group (p< 0.001). Conclusion: We concluded that lycopene, beta-carotene, and retinol can reduce sperm DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation through their antioxidant effect. Therefore the DNA fragmentation assay and determination of antioxidants factors such as lycopene, beta-carotene and retinol, along with sperm analysis can be useful in diagnosis and treatment of men with idiopathic infertility.

Diversity and path coefficient analysis of Southern African maize hybrids

Detailed knowledge on genetic diversity among germplasm is important for hybrid maize ( Zea mays L.) breeding. The objective of the study was to determine genetic diversity in widely grown hybrids in Southern Africa, and compare effectiveness of phenotypic analysis models for determining genetic distances between hybrids. Fifty hybrids were evaluated at one site with two replicates. The experiment was a randomized complete block design. Phenotypic and genotypic data were analyzed using SAS and Power Marker respectively. There was significant (p < 0.01) variation and diversity among hybrid brands but small within brand clusters. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) ranged from 0.07 to 0.38 with an average of 0.34 and genetic distance ranged from 0.08 to 0.50 with an average of 0.43. SAH23 and SAH21 (0.48) and SAH33 and SAH3 (0.47) were the most distantly related hybrids. Both single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and phenotypic data models were effective for discriminating genotypes according to genetic distance. SNP markers revealed nine clusters of hybrids. The 12-trait phenotypic analysis model, revealed eight clusters at 85%, while the five-trait model revealed six clusters. Path analysis revealed significant direct and indirect effects of secondary traits on yield. Plant height and ear height were negatively correlated with grain yield meaning shorter hybrids gave high yield. Ear weight, days to anthesis, and number of ears had highest positive direct effects on yield. These traits can provide good selection index for high yielding maize hybrids. Results confirmed that diversity of hybrids is small within brands and also confirm that phenotypic trait models are effective for discriminating hybrids.