Quantitative trait loci associated with soft wheat quality in a cross of good by moderate quality parents.

Information on the genetic control of the quality traits of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum) is essential for breeding. Our objective was to identify QTL associated with end-use quality. We developed 150 F4-derived lines from a cross of Pioneer 26R46 × SS550 and tested them in four environments. We measured flour yield (FY), softness equivalent (SE), test weight (TW), flour protein content (FP), alkaline water retention capacity (AWRC), and solvent retention capacity (SRC) of water (WA), lactic acid (LA), sucrose (SU), sodium carbonate (SO). Parents differed for nine traits, transgressive segregants were noted, and heritability was high (0.67 to 0.90) for all traits. We detected QTL distributed on eight genomic regions. The QTL with the greatest effects were located on chromosome 1A, 1B, and 6B with each affecting at least five of ten quality traits. Pioneer 26R46 is one of the best quality soft wheats. The large-effect QTL on 1A novel and accounted for much of the variation for AWRC (r2 = 0.26), SO (0.26) and SE (0.25), and FY (0.15) and may explain why Pioneer 26R46 has such superior quality. All alleles that increased a trait came from the parent with the highest trait value. This suggests that in any population that marker-assisted selection for these quality traits could be conducted by simply selecting for the alleles at key loci from the parent with the best phenotype without prior mapping.

Outer Retinal Tubulation in Subretinal Neovascularization Associated with Macular Telangiectasia Type 2.

PURPOSE: To describe characteristics of outer retinal tubulation (ORT) in eyes with subretinal neovascular membrane (SRNVM) associated with Macular Telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel type 2). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of longitudinal spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans of 46 eyes of 30 patients with SRNVM associated with MacTel type 2 was performed. To identify ORTs, each B-scan image of the macular cube (512 X 128) scan on the Cirrus® SD-OCT was reviewed. Changes in ORT characteristics, including location, size, reflectivity of the borders, and internal reflectivity, were noted during an average follow-up period of 18 months. RESULTS: Ten ORTs were detected in 7 of 46 eyes (15.2%); SRNVM showed no activity in six of these seven eyes. ORT was seen as round or ovoid hyporeflective spaces with hyperreflective borders, and measured 56 to 206 µm in height and 120 to 357 µm in width. An average of 1 bevacizumab injection (range: 0-2) was administered before at least one ORT was diagnosed. The mean interval between the last injection and detection of ORT was 10.2 months (range: 1-48 months). Over the 18-month follow-up period, ORTs were unchanged in four eyes, while in the remaining three eyes ORTs underwent structural changes. Five ORTs disappeared, four new ORTs appeared, and one ORT disappeared and reappeared. The size and the shape of ORT did not change, except in one case. CONCLUSION: Outer retinal tubulation can develop in eyes with MacTel type 2 associated SRNVM, with similar characteristics to ORT found in other degenerative diseases. ORTs may undergo dynamic structural modifications over time, with or without ongoing bevacizumab treatment.

OUTCOMES OF ANTI-VEGF THERAPY IN CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION AFTER MACULAR SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To report treatment outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) presenting after macular surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 7 eyes of 7 patients, who were diagnosed to have CNV after macular surgery and were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Collected data included demographic details; history of present illness; surgical procedure; and clinical examination including visual acuity at presentation and follow-up with imaging and management. Main outcome measures were resolution of CNV activity at the last follow-up. Secondary outcomes included change in visual acuity at final follow-up from baseline, number of injections, treatment free interval, and adverse events. RESULTS: Seven eyes of 7 patients (2 females and 5 males), which underwent macular surgery (4 macular hole repairs and 3 epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal), were included in this study. Two eyes had drusen at the time of surgery; however, five eyes had no preexisting conditions. Mean interval between surgery and CNV development was 21.07 ± 38.55 months (range, 2 months-9 years). All patients had undergone intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections (range, 2-15; mean number: 5.85) with one eye requiring additional photodynamic therapy (PDT) and focal laser. Visual acuity was unchanged with inactive CNV at the last visit in all eyes after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. The mean follow-up duration after the development of CNV was 35.5 months (range, 6.5 months-8 years). CONCLUSION: Choroidal neovascularization occurring after otherwise successful macular surgery is uncommon with unknown predisposing factors. This entity appears to have poor visual outcome with currently available anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Identification of milling and baking quality QTL in multiple soft wheat mapping populations.

KEY MESSAGE: Two mapping approaches were use to identify and validate milling and baking quality QTL in soft wheat. Two LG were consistently found important for multiple traits and we recommend the use marker-assisted selection on specific markers reported here. Wheat-derived food products require a range of characteristics. Identification and understanding of the genetic components controlling end-use quality of wheat is important for crop improvement. We assessed the underlying genetics controlling specific milling and baking quality parameters of soft wheat including flour yield, softness equivalent, flour protein, sucrose, sodium carbonate, water absorption and lactic acid, solvent retention capacities in a diversity panel and five bi-parental mapping populations. The populations were genotyped with SSR and DArT markers, with markers specific for the 1BL.1RS translocation and sucrose synthase gene. Association analysis and composite interval mapping were performed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL). High heritability was observed for each of the traits evaluated, trait correlations were consistent over populations, and transgressive segregants were common in all bi-parental populations. A total of 26 regions were identified as potential QTL in the diversity panel and 74 QTL were identified across all five bi-parental mapping populations. Collinearity of QTL from chromosomes 1B and 2B was observed across mapping populations and was consistent with results from the association analysis in the diversity panel. Multiple regression analysis showed the importance of the two 1B and 2B regions and marker-assisted selection for the favorable alleles at these regions should improve quality.