BaRTv1.0: an improved barley reference transcript dataset to determine accurate changes in the barley transcriptome using RNA-seq.

BACKGROUND: The time required to analyse RNA-seq data varies considerably, due to discrete steps for computational assembly, quantification of gene expression and splicing analysis. Recent fast non-alignment tools such as Kallisto and Salmon overcome these problems, but these tools require a high quality, comprehensive reference transcripts dataset (RTD), which are rarely available in plants. RESULTS: A high-quality, non-redundant barley gene RTD and database (Barley Reference Transcripts - BaRTv1.0) has been generated. BaRTv1.0, was constructed from a range of tissues, cultivars and abiotic treatments and transcripts assembled and aligned to the barley cv. Morex reference genome (Mascher et al. Nature; 544: 427-433, 2017). Full-length cDNAs from the barley variety Haruna nijo (Matsumoto et al. Plant Physiol; 156: 20-28, 2011) determined transcript coverage, and high-resolution RT-PCR validated alternatively spliced (AS) transcripts of 86 genes in five different organs and tissue. These methods were used as benchmarks to select an optimal barley RTD. BaRTv1.0-Quantification of Alternatively Spliced Isoforms (QUASI) was also made to overcome inaccurate quantification due to variation in 5' and 3' UTR ends of transcripts. BaRTv1.0-QUASI was used for accurate transcript quantification of RNA-seq data of five barley organs/tissues. This analysis identified 20,972 significant differentially expressed genes, 2791 differentially alternatively spliced genes and 2768 transcripts with differential transcript usage. CONCLUSION: A high confidence barley reference transcript dataset consisting of 60,444 genes with 177,240 transcripts has been generated. Compared to current barley transcripts, BaRTv1.0 transcripts are generally longer, have less fragmentation and improved gene models that are well supported by splice junction reads. Precise transcript quantification using BaRTv1.0 allows routine analysis of gene expression and AS.

Plant lignin content altered by soil microbial community.

Questions have been raised in various fields of research about the consequences of plants with modified lignin production. As a result of their roles in nutrient cycling and plant diversity, plant-soil interactions should be a major focus of ecological studies on lignin-modified plants. However, most studies have been decomposition studies conducted in a single soil or in sterile soil. Thus, we understand little about plant-soil interactions in living lignin-modified plants. In lignin mutants of three different barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars and their corresponding wild-types associated with three different soil microbial communities, we asked: do plant-soil microbiome interactions influence the lignin content of plants?; does a mutation in lignin production alter the outcome of plant-soil microbiome interactions?; does the outcome of plant-soil microbiome interactions depend on host genotype or the presence of a mutation altering lignin production? In roots, the soil community explained 6% of the variation in lignin content, but, in shoots, the soil community explained 21% of the variation in lignin content and was the only factor influencing lignin content. Neither genotype nor mutations in lignin production explained associations with fungi. Lignin content changes in response to a plant's soil microbial community, and may be a defensive response to particular components of the soil community.

Eye Adult Changes in Thought (Eye ACT) Study: Design and Report on the Inaugural Cohort.

Background: Conflicting research on retinal biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) is likely related to limited sample sizes, study design, and protocol differences. Objective: The prospective Eye Adult Changes in Thought (Eye ACT) seeks to address these gaps. Methods: Eye ACT participants are recruited from ACT, an ongoing cohort of dementia-free, older adults followed biennially until AD/ADRD, and undergo visual function and retinal imaging assessment either in clinic or at home. Results: 330 participants were recruited as of 03/2023. Compared to ACT participants not in Eye ACT (N = 1868), Eye ACT participants (N = 330) are younger (mean age: 70.3 versus 71.2, p = 0.014), newer to ACT (median ACT visits since baseline: 3 versus 4, p < 0.001), have more years of education (17.7 versus 16.2, p < 0.001) and had lower rates of visual impairment (12% versus 22%, p < 0.001). Compared to those seen in clinic (N = 300), Eye ACT participants seen at home (N = 30) are older (77.2 versus 74.9, p = 0.015), more frequently female (60% versus 49%, p = 0.026), and have significantly worse visual acuity (71.1 versus 78.9 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, p < 0.001) and contrast sensitivity (-1.9 versus -2.1 mean log units at 3 cycles per degree, p = 0.002). Cognitive scores and retinal imaging measurements are similar between the two groups. Conclusions: Participants assessed at home had significantly worse visual function than those seen in clinic. By including these participants, Eye ACT provides a unique longitudinal cohort for evaluating potential retinal biomarkers of dementia.

Uptake and speciation of Zn and Pb by Miscanthus grown in contaminated soils.

The uptake by and distribution of Zn and Pb within a novel seed-based Miscanthus hybrid grown in contaminated soil was assessed. Results from juvenile plants in a pot-trial was compared with data for mature biomass of the same species harvested during a field-trial. Both Zn and Pb uptake by juvenile plants were observed to increase in proportion to the soil concentrations. Both Zn and Pb accumulation differed between leaf and stem structures, and both were different in the mature biomass compared with juvenile plants. Analysis of X-Ray Absorption Fine Structures (XAFS) revealed different Zn speciation in stems and leaves, and differences in Zn speciation with plant maturity. Sulfur ligands consistent with the presence of cysteine rich metallothioneins (MT) and phytochelatin (PC) complexes were the dominant Zn species in juvenile plant leaves, together with octahedral O/N species typified by Zn-malate. Sulfur ligands were also prevalent in stems from juvenile plants, but predominant O/N speciation shifted towards tetrahedral coordination. In contrast, tetrahedral Zn coordination with O/N species predominated in the mature biomass crop. The XAFS spectra for the mature biomass were consistent with Zn being retained within cell walls as pectin and/or phosphate complexes.

Assessment of Drought and Zinc Stress Tolerance of Novel Miscanthus Hybrids and Arundo donax Clones Using Physiological, Biochemical, and Morphological Traits.

High-yield potential perennial crops, such as Miscanthus spp. and Arundo donax are amongst the most promising sources of sustainable biomass for bioproducts and bioenergy. Although several studies assessed the agronomic performance of these species on diverse marginal lands, research to date on drought and zinc (Zn) resistance is scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the drought and Zn stress tolerance of seven novel Miscanthus hybrids and seven Arundo clones originating from different parts of Italy. We subjected both species to severe drought (less than 30%), and Zn stress (400 mg/kg-1 of ZnSO4) separately, after one month of growth. All plants were harvested after 28 days of stress, and the relative drought and Zn stress tolerance were determined by using a set of morpho-physio-biochemical and biomass attributes in relation to stress tolerance indices (STI). Principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and stress tolerance indices (STI) were performed for each morpho-physio-biochemical and biomass parameters and showed significant relative differences among the seven genotypes of both crops. Heatmaps of these indices showed how the different genotypes clustered into four groups. Considering PCA ranking value, Miscanthus hybrid GRC10 (8.11) and Arundo clone PC1 (11.34) had the highest-ranking value under both stresses indicating these hybrids and clones are the most tolerant to drought and Zn stress. In contrast, hybrid GRC3 (-3.33 lowest ranking value) and clone CT2 (-5.84) were found to be the most sensitive to both drought and Zn stress.

Development and validation of patient diabetes knowledge questionnaire (PDKQ).

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of diabetes knowledge plays a pivotal role in identifying and addressing patients' knowledge gaps. The implementation of a standardized diabetes knowledge assessment tool is important to ensure consistent scoring and facilitating the development of effective and standardized education programs. AIM: To develop and validate a patient diabetes knowledge questionnaire (PDKQ) to assess knowledge of diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: The development of the PDKQ questionnaire involved three phases: item development, content validation, and reliability testing. In the item development phase, the initial draft of the PDKQ, comprising a multiple-choice answer questionnaire was developed. The content validation phase comprised two stages. Firstly, ten experts participated in the expert validation process, followed by face validation involving six patients. In the final phase, test-retest analysis was performed among diabetes mellitus patients to assess reliability. RESULTS: The first draft of PDKQ consisted of 11 patient characteristics items and 37 items of multiple choices questions. During the expert validation, three items were eliminated due to low clarity, and an additional six items were removed as they were deemed irrelevant or unimportant. During the face validation, three patients' characteristic items and eight multiple-choice questions were excluded due to a content validity index of less than 0.83. In the test-retest phase, 36 subjects responded to 8 items pertaining to patients' characteristics and 20 multiple-choice questions. The test-retest analysis yielded an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88, indicating good reliability. CONCLUSION: The 20-item PDKQ is a reliable and robust tool in assessing the knowledge of diabetes mellitus patients in Malaysia. Its implementation allows standardized assessment of diabetic patients' knowledge levels, enabling targeted interventions to empower patients and optimize diabetes care practices.

Novel Miscanthus hybrids: Modelling productivity on marginal land in Europe using dynamics of canopy development determined by light interception.

New biomass crop hybrids for bioeconomic expansion require yield projections to determine their potential for strategic land use planning in the face of global challenges. Our biomass growth simulation incorporates radiation interception and conversion efficiency. Models often use leaf area to predict interception which is demanding to determine accurately, so instead we use low-cost rapid light interception measurements using a simple laboratory-made line ceptometer and relate the dynamics of canopy closure to thermal time, and to measurements of biomass. We apply the model to project the European biomass potentials of new market-ready hybrids for 2020-2030. Field measurements are easier to collect, the calibration is seasonally dynamic and reduces influence of weather variation between field sites. The model obtained is conservative, being calibrated by crops of varying establishment and varying maturity on less productive (marginal) land. This results in conservative projections of miscanthus hybrids for 2020-2030 based on 10% land use conversion of the least (productive) grassland and arable for farm diversification, which show a European potential of 80.7-89.7 Mt year-1 biomass, with potential for 1.2-1.3 EJ year-1 energy and 36.3-40.3 Mt year-1 carbon capture, with seeded Miscanthus sacchariflorus × sinensis displaying highest yield potential. Simulated biomass projections must be viewed in light of the field measurements on less productive land with high soil water deficits. We are attempting to model the results from an ambitious and novel project combining new hybrids across Europe with agronomy which has not been perfected on less productive sites. Nevertheless, at the time of energy sourcing issues, seed-propagated miscanthus hybrids for the upscaled provision of bioenergy offer an alternative source of renewable energy. If European countries provide incentives for growers to invest, seeded hybrids can improve product availability and biomass yields over the current commercial miscanthus variety.

Expanding the Miscanthus market in the UK: Growers in profile and experience, benefits and drawbacks of the bioenergy crop.

To achieve net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050 as set out by the 2019 amendment to the 2008 UK Climate Change Act, a major shift towards renewable energy is needed. This includes the development of new methods along with improving and upscaling existing technologies. One example of new methods in bioenergy is developing new Miscanthus cultivars for electricity generation via thermal power station furnaces. Miscanthus is still relatively new compared with other agriculture practices, so market assessments and improvements are needed to reduce the barriers to entry for prospective growers. This publication provides a profile of UK Miscanthus growers and their businesses, their experiences of benefits and drawbacks of the crop, and what they see as potential barriers to entry for prospective farmers. A survey of current Miscanthus growers in England and Wales was conducted and indicated that most farmers were content with the crop and that its environmental and economic benefits were noted. However, it was evident that with a geographically limited UK market, growers wanted to see a better distribution of biomass processing stations to reduce the ongoing costs of transport. With growing demand for renewables, including bio-energy sources, it was determined important to provide information and support for stable farming operations and to incentivise the adoption of Miscanthus. Such incentives include ongoing development of new cultivars, focussing on traits such as production potential and stressor resilience, and growers indicated preference for an annual planting grant. These developments are predicted to further improve the crop's profit margin, making it a more cost-effective crop for farmers. Sensitively managed Miscanthus also has the potential to contribute to carbon sequestration, soil health, and aspects of farmland biodiversity. Incentivising such management in government land-based environmental schemes would offer additional income streams and help to promote environmental positive crop planting.

Linked gene networks involved in nitrogen and carbon metabolism and levels of water-soluble carbohydrate accumulation in wheat stems.

High levels of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) provide an important source of stored assimilate for grain filling in wheat. To better understand the interaction between carbohydrate metabolism and other metabolic processes associated with the WSC trait, a genome-wide expression analysis was performed using eight field-grown lines from the high and low phenotypic tails of a wheat population segregating for WSC and the Affymetrix wheat genome array. The 259 differentially expressed probe sets could be assigned to 26 functional category bins, as defined using MapMan software. There were major differences in the categories to which the differentially expressed probe sets were assigned; for example, probe sets upregulated in high relative to low WSC lines were assigned to category bins such as amino acid metabolism, protein degradation and transport and to be involved in starch synthesis-related processes (carbohydrate metabolism bin), whereas downregulated probe sets were assigned to cell wall-related bins, amino acid synthesis and stress and were involved in sucrose breakdown. Using the set of differentially expressed genes as input, chemical-protein network analyses demonstrated a linkage between starch and N metabolism via pyridoxal phosphate. Twelve C and N metabolism-related genes were selected for analysis of their expression response to varying N and water treatments in the field in the four high and four low WSC progeny lines; the two nitrogen/amino acid metabolism genes demonstrated a consistent negative association between their level of expression and level of WSC. Our results suggest that the assimilation of nitrogen into amino acids is an important factor that influences the levels of WSC in the stems of field-grown wheat.

Associations Between Retinal Artery/Vein Occlusions and Risk of Vascular Dementia.

BACKGROUND: Vascular disease is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia in older adults. Retinal artery/vein occlusion (RAVO) is an ophthalmic complication of systemic vascular pathology. Whether there are associations between RAVO and dementia risk is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether RAVOs are associated with an increased risk of developing vascular dementia or AD. METHODS: Data from Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study participants were analyzed. This prospective, population-based cohort study followed older adults (age ≥65 years) who were dementia-free at enrollment for development of vascular dementia or AD based on research criteria. RAVO diagnoses were extracted from electronic medical records. Cox-regression survival analyses were stratified by APOEɛ4 genotype and adjusted for demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: On review of 41,216 person-years (4,743 participants), 266 (5.6%) experienced RAVO. APOEɛ4 carriers who developed RAVO had greater than four-fold higher risk for developing vascular dementia (Hazard Ratio [HR] 4.54, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.86, 11.10, p = 0.001). When including other cerebrovascular disease (history of carotid endarterectomy or transient ischemic attack) in the model, the risk was three-fold higher (HR 3.06, 95% CI 1.23, 7.62). No other conditions evaluated in the secondary analyses were found to confound this relationship. There was no effect in non-APOEɛ4 carriers (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.37, 2.80). There were no significant associations between RAVO and AD in either APOE group. CONCLUSION: Older dementia-free patients who present with RAVO and carry the APOEɛ4 allele appear to be at higher risk for vascular dementia.

Ethylene insensitivity conferred by a mutated Arabidopsis ethylene receptor gene alters nodulation in transgenic Lotus japonicus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transgenics are used to demonstrate a causal relationship between ethylene insensitivity of a seedling legume plant, the level of ethylene receptor gene expression, lateral root growth and Mesorhizobium loti-induced nodule initiation. METHODS: Lotus japonicus plants expressing the dominant etr1-1 allele of the Arabidopsis thaliana gene encoding a well-characterized mutated ethylene receptor were created by stable Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation. Single insertion, homozygous lines were characterized for symbiotic properties. KEY RESULTS: Transgenic plants were ethylene insensitive as judged by the lack of the 'Triple Response', and their continued ability to grow and nodulate in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid; an ethylene precursor). Transgenic plants with high insensitivity to ACC had significantly fewer lateral roots and exhibited increased nodulation while showing no altered nitrate sensitivity or lack of systemic autoregulation. Whereas ACC-insensitive shoot growth and nodulation were observed in transformants, root growth was inhibited similarly to the wild type. Increased nodulation was caused by increased infection and a seven-fold increase in nodules developing between xylem poles. Bacteroid numbers per symbiosome increased about 1.7-fold in ethylene-insensitive plants. CONCLUSIONS: The study further demonstrates multiple roles for ethylene in nodule initiation by influencing root cell infections and radial positioning, independent of autoregulation and nitrate inhibition of nodulation.

Myocilin Mutations in Patients With Normal-Tension Glaucoma.

Importance: Mutations in the myocilin (MYOC) gene are the most common molecularly defined cause of primary open-angle glaucoma that typically occurs in patients with high intraocular pressures (IOP). One MYOC mutation, p.Gln368Ter, has been associated with as many as 1.6% of primary open-angle glaucoma cases that had a mean maximum recorded IOP of 30 mm Hg. However, to our knowledge, the role of the p.Gln368Ter mutation in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) with an IOP of 21 mm Hg or lower has not been investigated. Objective: To evaluate the role of the p.Gln368Ter MYOC mutation in patients with NTG. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this case-control study of the prevalence of the p.Gln368Ter mutation in patients with NTG, cohort 1 was composed of 772 patients with NTG and 2152 controls from the United States (Iowa, Minnesota, and New York) and England and cohort 2 was composed of 561 patients with NTG and 2606 controls from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the NEIGHBORHOOD consortium. Genotyping was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction that was confirmed with Sanger sequencing, the imputation of genome-wide association study data, or an analysis of whole-exome sequence data. Data analysis occurred between April 2007 and April 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: Comparison of the frequency of the p.Gln368Ter MYOC mutation between NTG cases and controls with the Fisher exact test. Results: Of 6091 total participants, 3346 (54.9%) were women and 5799 (95.2%) were white. We detected the p.Gln368Ter mutation in 7 of 772 patients with NTG (0.91%) and 7 of 2152 controls (0.33%) in cohort 1 (P = .03). In cohort 2, we detected the p.Gln368Ter mutation in 4 of 561 patients with NTG (0.71%) and 10 of 2606 controls (0.38%; P = .15). When the cohorts were analyzed as a group, the p.Gln368Ter mutation was associated with NTG (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 0.98-5.3; P = .04). Conclusions and Relevance: In cohorts 1 and 2, the p.Gln368Ter mutation in MYOC was found in patients with IOPs that were 21 mm Hg or lower (NTG), although at a frequency that is lower than previously detected in patients with higher IOP. These data suggest that the p.Gln368Ter mutation may be associated with glaucoma in patients with normal IOPs as well as in patients with IOPs that are greater than 21 mm Hg.

Modified conjunctival flap as a primary procedure for nontraumatic acute corneal perforation.

OBJECTIVE: Appropriate management of nontraumatic acute corneal perforation is always a challenge even with the many advances in surgical materials and techniques. We reported the outcomes of a case series of acute corneal perforation repair using a newly modified conjunctival flap with amniotic membrane transplant (AMT), fibrin glue, and a bandage soft contact lens (BCL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13 consecutive referral cases with nontraumatic acute corneal perforation at the University of Washington were reviewed. All open globes were repaired by a combined surgery with a modified conjunctival flap, AMT, fibrin glue, and BCL. Visual acuity, a slit lamp examination, and the patient-reported pain level were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. Subsequent corneal surgeries to improve visual function were also reviewed. RESULTS: All ocular surfaces of the 13 eyes were stable at postoperative follow-up. Eleven of the 13 patients had the same or worse visual acuity 1 week postoperatively. Nine of the 13 patients achieved better vision 6 months postoperatively. None of the patients developed perioperative or postoperative complications. Five patients with good visual potential underwent further corneal surgeries, including Boston keratoprosthesis and penetrating keratoplasty. The average referral distance was 217 miles and the median number of follow-up visits within 6 months was 4. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a modified conjunctival flap, AMT, fibrin glue, and a BCL could provide a temporary method to stabilize and secure the integrity of the globe as well as the ocular surface after a nontraumatic acute corneal perforation. This approach allows easy follow-up and preserves the eye for future corneal surgery under optimal conditions.

Resident-performed laser peripheral iridotomy in primary angle closure, primary angle closure suspects, and primary angle closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the power use and complication frequency of resident-performed laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 196 eyes from 103 patients who underwent neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser iridotomy performed by resident physicians from January 1, 2010 through April 30, 2015 at a university-based county hospital was done. All patients were treated for primary angle closure, primary angle closure suspects, and primary angle closure glaucoma. Data were collected on pre- and post-laser intraocular pressure (IOP), ethnicity, laser parameters and complications. Mean power use and frequency of complications were evaluated. Complications included elevated post-laser IOP at 30-45 minutes (≥8 mmHg), hyphema, aborted procedures, and lasering non-iris structures. The number of repeated LPI procedures, was also recorded. RESULTS: Mean total power used for all residents was 78.2±68.7 mJ per eye. Power use by first-year trainees was significantly higher than second- and third-year trainees (103.5±75.5 mJ versus 73.7±73.8 mJ and 67.2±56.4 mJ, respectively, p=0.011). Complications included hyphema or microhyphema in 17.9% (35/196), IOP spikes in 5.1% (10/196), aborted procedures in 1.1% (3/196) and lasering non-iris structures in 0.5% (1/196). LPI was repeated in 22.4% of cases (44/196) with higher incidence of repeat LPI among non-Caucasian compared to the Caucasian subjects (p=0.02). Complication rates did not differ with increased training (p=0.16). CONCLUSION: Total power used for LPI decreased with increased resident training, while the complication rate did not differ significantly among resident classes. Complication rates were comparable to rates reported in the literature for attending-performed LPIs.

Harnessing Finger Millet to Combat Calcium Deficiency in Humans: Challenges and Prospects.

Humans require more than 20 mineral elements for healthy body function. Calcium (Ca), one of the essential macromineral, is required in relatively large quantities in the diet for maintaining a sound overall health. Young children, pregnant and nursing women in marginalized and poorest regions of the world, are at highest risk of Ca malnutrition. Elderly population is another group of people most commonly affected by Ca deficiency mainly in the form of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Improved dietary intake of Ca may be the most cost-effective way to meet such deficiencies. Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.], a crop with inherently higher Ca content in its grain, is an excellent candidate for understanding genetic mechanisms associated with Ca accumulation in grain crops. Such knowledge will also contribute toward increasing Ca contents in other staple crops consumed on daily basis using plant-breeding (also known as biofortification) methods. However, developing Ca-biofortified finger millet to reach nutritional acceptability faces various challenges. These include identifying and translating the high grain Ca content to an adequately bioavailable form so as to have a positive impact on Ca malnutrition. In this review, we assess some recent advancements and challenges for enrichment of its Ca value and present possible inter-disciplinary prospects for advancing the actual impact of Ca-biofortified finger millet.

Optical coherence tomography based microangiography as a non-invasive imaging modality for early detection of choroido-neovascular membrane in choroidal rupture.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate and identify early microvascular changes in patient with choroidal rupture using optical coherence tomography (OCT) based microangiography (OMAG). CASE DESCRIPTION: One patient (one eye) with confirmed diagnosis of choroidal rupture after sustained ocular blunt trauma underwent OMAG imaging. OMAG was performed by Zeiss spectral domain OCT-angiography prototype using a "6.5 mm × 6.5 mm" field of view around macular region. The resulting images were presented into bilayers: the retinal layer and the choroidal layer. DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION: Choroidal rupture sites were easily shown on OMAG images with clear evidence of multiple breaks in Bruch's membrane involving macula and the region superior to nerve. OMAG provided detailed vascular network patterns in the areas of choroidal rupture, showing a concern for choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The OMAG demonstrated cross sectional area to visualize CNV location relative to the other layers of the retina, identifying functional blood vessels through the lesion. The patient's progress was followed using OMAG. CONCLUSION: The images provided by OMAG give detailed microvascular findings about the macula and adjacent retinal region along with the underlying choroidal alternations. In our case, details of the architecture and vascular flow of CNVM in choroidal rupture was delivered by OMAG, which were used to follow the progression of the disease progression. Further studies are needed to assess the role of quantitative and qualitative OCT microangiography in the evaluation and treatment of choroidal rupture.

Optical coherence tomography based microangiography findings in hydroxychloroquine toxicity.

Optical coherence tomography based microangiography (OMAG) is a new, non-invasive imaging modality capable of providing three dimentional (3D) retinal and choroidal microvascular maps without a need for exogenous dye. In this study, we evaluated the retinal and choroidal microvascular architecture of the macula in a patient with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) toxicity using OMAG. Detailed microvascular information of the retina and the underlying choroid showed loss of parafoveal outer retinal vasculature with sparing of the central fovea vasculature.

Dietary Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes: How Millet Comes to Help.

Diabetes has become a highly problematic and increasingly prevalent disease world-wide. It has contributed toward 1.5 million deaths in 2012. Management techniques for diabetes prevention in high-risk as well as in affected individuals, beside medication, are mainly through changes in lifestyle and dietary regulation. Particularly, diet can have a great influence on life quality for those that suffer from, as well as those at risk of, diabetes. As such, considerations on nutritional aspects are required to be made to include in dietary intervention. This review aims to give an overview on the general consensus of current dietary and nutritional recommendation for diabetics. In light of such recommendation, the use of plant breeding, conventional as well as more recently developed molecular marker-based breeding and biofortification, are discussed in designing crops with desired characteristics. While there are various recommendations available, dietary choices are restricted by availability due to geo-, political-, or economical- considerations. This particularly holds true for countries such as India, where 65 million people (up from 50 million in 2010) are currently diabetic and their numbers are rising at an alarming rate. Millets are one of the most abundant crops grown in India as well as in Africa, providing a staple food source for many poorest of the poor communities in these countries. The potentials of millets as a dietary component to combat the increasing prevalence of global diabetes are highlighted in this review.

Abiotic stress upregulated TaZFP34 represses the expression of type-B response regulator and SHY2 genes and enhances root to shoot ratio in wheat.

Q-type C2H2 zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are plant-specific DNA-binding proteins containing a conserved QALGGH motif. This study investigated the function of abiotic stress-inducible and predominantly root-expressed Triticum aestivum ZFPs (TaZFP22, TaZFP34 and TaZFP46) with a focus on TaZFP34. Expression of TaZFP34 in roots was upregulated by high salinity, dehydration, oxidative and cold stresses. Overexpression of TaZFP34 in wheat roots resulted in an increased root-to-shoot ratio, a phenomenon observed during plant adaptation to drying soil. Expression of a number of genes which are potentially involved in modulating root growth was significantly altered in the roots of TaZFP34 overexpressing lines. In particular, the transcript levels of TaRR12B, TaRR12D and TaSHY2 that are homologues of known negative regulators of root growth were significantly reduced. Expression of shoot growth-related genes, such as GA3-ox and expansins, was downregulated in the transgenic shoots. TaZFP34 bound to (C/G)AGT(G/A)-like elements in the promoters of TaZFP34 down-regulated TaRR12D and TaSHY2 and transrepressed the reporter gene expression driven by TaRR12D and TaSHY2 promoters. Expression of the above reporter genes was also repressed by TaZFP46 and TaZFP22. These data suggest that TaZFP34 is a transcriptional repressor and is involved in modulating the root-to-shoot ratio.

Accelerometer measured physical activity and the integrity of the anterior visual pathway in multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To examine the associations among objectively-measured physical activity with the optical coherence tomography (OCT) metrics of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and total macular volume (TMV) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Eighty four participants with MS, without ocular disease or high myopia underwent a neurological examination for Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scoring, followed by OCT. Participants then wore an accelerometer during the waking hours of a 7-day period to objectively measure physical activity as steps/day. RESULTS: Mean RNFL thickness for the sample was 91.46µm (SD=15.0), and mean TMV was 6.61mm(3) (SD=0.5). The mean score from the accelerometer was 4287 steps/day (SD=2563). Steps/day was significantly associated with both RNFL thickness (Wald χ(2)=46.48, p<0.001) and TMV (Wald χ(2)=1798.27, p<0.001). After controlling for sex, MS subtype, disease duration, disability, and visual function, steps/day was significantly associated with TMV (Wald χ(2)=58.93, p<0.001), but not RNFL (Wald χ(2)=0.001, p=0.973). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity was associated with integrity of the anterior visual pathway, assessed by OCT, in persons with MS, and this association was independent of sex, MS subtype, disease duration, disability, and visual function. Researchers should consider examining the causal nature of the association between physical activity and markers of the visual system in MS.