Phenomic Selection for Hybrid Rapeseed Breeding.

Phenomic selection is a recent approach suggested as a low-cost, high-throughput alternative to genomic selection. Instead of using genetic markers, it employs spectral data to predict complex traits using equivalent statistical models. Phenomic selection has been shown to outperform genomic selection when using spectral data that was obtained within the same generation as the traits that were predicted. However, for hybrid breeding, the key question is whether spectral data from parental genotypes can be used to effectively predict traits in the hybrid generation. Here, we aimed to evaluate the potential of phenomic selection for hybrid rapeseed breeding. We performed predictions for various traits in a structured population of 410 test hybrids, grown in multiple environments, using near-infrared spectroscopy data obtained from harvested seeds of both the hybrids and their parental lines with different linear and nonlinear models. We found that phenomic selection within the hybrid generation outperformed genomic selection for seed yield and plant height, even when spectral data was collected at single locations, while being less affected by population structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate that phenomic prediction across generations is feasible, and selecting hybrids based on spectral data obtained from parental genotypes is competitive with genomic selection. We conclude that phenomic selection is a promising approach for rapeseed breeding that can be easily implemented without any additional costs or efforts as near-infrared spectroscopy is routinely assessed in rapeseed breeding.

The Postoperative Airway Compromise Score-First Steps to Developing a Postoperative Tool for the Assessment of Upper Airway-Related Complications Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute upper airway compromise is a rare but catastrophic complication after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. This study aims to develop a score to identify patients at risk of acute postoperative airway compromise (PAC). METHODS: Potential risk factors for acute PAC were selected by a modified Delphi process. Ten patients with acute PAC were identified of 1466 patients who underwent elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion between July 2014 and May 2019. A comparison group was created by a randomized selection process (non-PAC group). Factors associated with PAC and a P value of < 0.10 were entered into a logistic regression model and coefficients contributed to each risk factor's overall score. Calibration of the model was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Quantitative discrimination was calculated, and the final model was internally validated with bootstrap sampling. RESULTS: We identified 18 potential risk factors from our Delphi process, of which 6 factors demonstrated a significant association with airway compromise: age >65 years, current smoking status, American Society of Anesthesiologists class >2, history of a bleeding disorder, surgery of upper subaxial cervical spine (above C4), and duration of surgery >179 minutes. The final prediction model included 5 predictors with very strong performance characteristics. These 5 factors formed the PAC score, with a range from 0 to 100. A score of 20 yielded the greatest balance of sensitivity (80%) and specificity (88%). CONCLUSIONS: The acute PAC score demonstrates strong performance characteristics. The PAC score might help identify patients at risk of upper airway compromise caused by surgical site abnormalities.

haploMAGIC: Accurate phasing and detection of recombination in multiparental populations despite genotyping errors.

Recombination is a key mechanism in breeding for promoting genetic variability. Multiparental populations constitute an excellent platform for precise genotype phasing, identification of genome-wide crossovers, estimation of recombination frequencies and construction of recombination maps. Here, we introduce haploMAGIC, a pipeline to detect crossovers in multiparental populations with single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data by exploiting the pedigree relationships for accurate genotype phasing and inference of grandparental haplotypes. haploMAGIC applies filtering to prevent false positive crossovers due to genotyping errors, a common problem in high-throughput SNP analysis of complex plant genomes. Hence it discards haploblocks not reaching a specified minimum number of informative alleles. A performance analysis using populations simulated with AlphaSimR revealed that haploMAGIC improves upon existing methods of crossover detection in terms of recall and precision, most notably when genotyping error rates are high. Furthermore, we constructed recombination maps using haploMAGIC with high-resolution genotype data from two large multi-parental populations of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus). The results demonstrate the applicability of the pipeline in real-world scenarios and showed good correlations in recombination frequency compared with alternative software. Therefore, we propose haploMAGIC as an accurate tool at crossover detection with multiparental populations that shows robustness against genotyping errors.

Genomic prediction in Brassica napus: evaluating the benefit of imputed whole-genome sequencing data.

Advances in sequencing technology allow whole plant genomes to be sequenced with high quality. Combining genotypic and phenotypic data in genomic prediction helps breeders to select crossing partners in partially phenotyped populations. In plant breeding programs, the cost of sequencing entire breeding populations still exceeds available genotyping budgets. Hence, the method for genotyping is still mainly single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays; however, arrays are unable to assess the entire genome- and population-wide diversity. A compromise involves genotyping the entire population using an SNP array and a subset of the population with whole-genome sequencing. Both datasets can then be used to impute markers from whole-genome sequencing onto the entire population. Here, we evaluate whether imputation of whole-genome sequencing data enhances genomic predictions, using data from a nested association mapping population of rapeseed (Brassica napus). Employing two cross-validation schemes that mimic scenarios for the prediction of close and distant relatives, we show that imputed marker data do not significantly improve prediction accuracy, likely due to redundancy in relationship estimates and imputation errors. In simulation studies, only small improvements were observed, further corroborating the findings. We conclude that SNP arrays are already equipped with the information that is added by imputation through relationship and linkage disequilibrium.

Novel PHOTOPERIOD-1 gene variants associate with yield-related and root-angle traits in European bread wheat.

KEY MESSAGE: PHOTOPERIOD-1 homoeologous gene copies play a pivotal role in regulation of flowering time in wheat. Here, we show that their influence also extends to spike and shoot architecture and even impacts root development. The sequence diversity of three homoeologous copies of the PHOTOPERIOD-1 gene in European winter wheat was analyzed by Oxford Nanopore amplicon-based multiplex sequencing and molecular markers in a panel of 194 cultivars representing breeding progress over the past 5 decades. A strong, consistent association with an average 8% increase in grain yield was observed for the PpdA1-Hap1 haplotype across multiple environments. This haplotype was found to be linked in 51% of cultivars to the 2NS/2AS translocation, originally introduced from Aegilops ventricosa, which leads to an overestimation of its effect. However, even in cultivars without the 2NS/2AS translocation, PpdA1-Hap1 was significantly associated with increased grain yield, kernel per spike and kernel per m2 under optimal growth conditions, conferring a 4% yield advantage compared to haplotype PpdA1-Hap4. In contrast to Ppd-B1 and Ppd-D1, the Ppd-A1 gene exhibits novel structural variations and a high number of SNPs, highlighting the evolutionary changes that have occurred in this region over the course of wheat breeding history. Additionally, cultivars carrying the photoperiod-insensitive Ppd-D1a allele not only exhibit earlier heading, but also deeper roots compared to those with photoperiod-sensitive alleles under German conditions. PCR and KASP assays have been developed that can be effectively employed in marker-assisted breeding programs to introduce these favorable haplotypes.

Preventing Hump Recurrence in Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty: The Five Key Tenets.

SUMMARY: Preservation rhinoplasty has re-emerged over the past decade and continues to gain traction in the rhinoplasty community. Dorsal preservation rhinoplasty (DPR), one of the tenets of preservation rhinoplasty, centers on preservation of the native osseocartilaginous joint of the dorsum, with changes instead achieved through modification of the underlying septal cartilage and surrounding bony nasal pyramid. However, one complication unique to DPR is the phenomenon of hump recurrence, where tensile forces or memory lead to a recurrent convexity of the dorsal hump. Hump recurrence is the most common complication after DPR and often requires revisionary surgery. Accordingly, strategies to reduce the incidence of hump recurrence are highly sought after. In this article, we describe the senior author's main tenets of preventing hump recurrence in DPR, focusing on 1. Appropriate patient selection; 2. Addressing anatomic blocking points; 3. Adding mechanical fixation of the cartilaginous vault with suture techniques depending on the level of septal manipulation; 4. Applying a graduated approach to DPR procedural selection; and 5. Ancillary measures to control the shape of the nasal dorsum. Implementation of each of these five tenets is critical for modern rhinoplasty surgeons to reduce the incidence of hump recurrence in their preservation rhinoplasty practices.

Ongoing decision-making dilemma for treatment of de novo spinal infections: a comparison of the Spinal Infection Treatment Evaluation Score with the Spinal Instability Spondylodiscitis Score and Spine Instability Neoplastic Score.

OBJECTIVE: De novo spinal infections are an increasing medical problem. The decision-making for surgical or nonsurgical treatment for de novo spinal infections is often a non-evidence-based process and commonly a case-by-case decision by single physicians. A scoring system based on the latest evidence might help improve the decision-making process compared with other purely radiology-based scoring systems or the judgment of a single senior physician. METHODS: Patients older than 18 years with an infection of the spine who underwent nonsurgical or surgical treatment between 2019 and 2021 were identified. Clinical data for neurological status, pain, and existing comorbidities were gathered and transferred to an anonymous spreadsheet. Patients without an MR image and a CT scan of the affected spine region were excluded from the investigation. A multidisciplinary expert panel used the Spine Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS), Spinal Instability Spondylodiscitis Score (SISS), and Spinal Infection Treatment Evaluation Score (SITE Score), previously developed by the authors' group, on every clinical case. Each physician of the expert panel gave an individual treatment recommendation for surgical or nonsurgical treatment for each patient. Treatment recommendations formed the expert panel opinion, which was used to calculate predictive validities for each score. RESULTS: A total of 263 patients with spinal infections were identified. After the exclusion of doubled patients, patients without de novo infections, or those without CT and MRI scans, 123 patients remained for the investigation. Overall, 70.70% of patients were treated surgically and 29.30% were treated nonoperatively. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the SITE Score, SINS, and SISS were 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.95, p < 0.01), 0.65 (95% CI 0.91-0.83, p < 0.01), and 0.80 (95% CI 0.91-0.89, p < 0.01). In comparison with the expert panel decision, the SITE Score reached a sensitivity of 96.97% and a specificity of 81.90% for all included patients. For potentially unstable and unstable lesions, the SISS and the SINS yielded sensitivities of 84.42% and 64.07%, respectively, and specificities of 31.16% and 56.52%, respectively. The SITE Score showed higher overall sensitivity with 97.53% and a higher specificity for patients with epidural abscesses (75.00%) compared with potentially unstable and unstable lesions for the SINS and the SISS. The SITE Score showed a significantly higher agreement for the definitive treatment decision regarding the expert panel decision, compared with the decision by a single physician for patients with spondylodiscitis, discitis, or spinal osteomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: The SITE Score shows high sensitivity and specificity regarding the treatment recommendation by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The SITE Score shows higher predictive validity compared with radiology-based scoring systems or a single physician and demonstrates a high validity for patients with epidural abscesses.

Dead Space - The Final Frontier in Rhinoplasty: Review and 10 Key Recommendations.

SUMMARY: Mitigating dead space has been recognized as an essential step towards ensuring a more predictable and aesthetically pleasing outcome in rhinoplasty. The current body of literature leaves a discernible gap in offering a unified, systematic approach to dead space management in rhinoplasty. The aim of our article is to bridge this gap by presenting an integrative approach to surgical and post-surgical techniques.

Isolated Fibrous Dysplasia of the Bilateral Nasal Bones: Complex Management of the Bony Vault.

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign fibro-osseous process affecting the skeletal system, with resulting cystic and fibrous tissue expansion. Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia represents a small subset of monostotic disease, accounting for approximately 10%-25% of all such cases. Involvement of the frontal, temporal, and sphenoid bones has most commonly been described, with a limited number of reported cases citing disease isolated to the nasal bones. The case reported here is differentiated by the degree of expansion of the bilateral nasal bones and the required clinical management of the bony vault in the setting of gross nasal asymmetry.

Identifying Levels of Competency in Aesthetic Medicine: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2022, the US experienced a significant increase in demand for minimally invasive aesthetic procedures, underscoring its rising acceptance amidst an unregulated educational environment for practitioners. The absence of standardized educational pathways and quality control in aesthetic medicine, primarily provided by non-academic institutions, highlights a critical need for establishing educational standards to ensure practitioner competence and patient safety. OBJECTIVES: To identify levels of competency for the aesthetic practitioner and for necessary achievement milestones during the educational path from novice to expert injector. METHODS: A total of n = 386 international study participants responded to an online questionnaire regarding their experience in aesthetic medicine practice. The questionnaire comprised 58 questions focusing on professional data, the perceived difficulty of injection and risk for the occurrence of adverse events for specific facial regions in soft tissue filler and toxin injections. RESULTS: Regardless of medical specialty and experience level, an average of 3.85 (1.8) years, 786.4 (2,628) filler injections, and 549.9 (1,543) toxin injections was estimated to progress from novice to advanced injector, while an average of 6.10 (3.7) years, 1,842.2 (4,793) filler injections, and 1,308.5 (3,363) injections was estimated to advance from advanced to expert injector. The nose and the perioral region have been ranked as the facial regions most difficult to achieve a perfect aesthetic outcome and with the greatest risk for the occurrence of adverse events for filler and toxin injections, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes an educational framework in aesthetic medicine by defining the progression from novice to competent and expert injector levels, suggesting 4 years of practice and over 790 filler and 550 neuromodulator injections for competence, and at least 6 years with 1,840 filler and 1,310 neuromodulator injections for expertise. It also identifies critical facial regions for targeted treatments by different expertise levels.

"Efficacy and Safety of OnabotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of Platysma Prominence: A Randomized Phase 2 Dose-Ranging Study".

BACKGROUND: With aging, repetitive contraction of the platysma leads to an increase in platysma prominence (PP) characterized by the accentuation of vertical neck bands and blunting of the jawline's contour. METHODS: This multicenter, double-blind, phase 2 study evaluated onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) treatment in adults with Moderate to Severe PP. Participants were randomized to receive 1 treatment of onabotA low dose (LD), onabotA high dose (HD), or placebo, and were followed for 4 months. Efficacy endpoints were the achievement of a ≥ 1-grade improvement on both the left and right sides at Day 14 at maximum contraction as assessed by the investigator (primary) or by participants (secondary) using validated scales. Safety was evaluated throughout. RESULTS: Participants in the modified intent-to-treat population (N = 164) had a mean age of 50 years; 95.1% were female and 93.9% were White. The primary endpoint was met for both onabotA groups, with investigator-assessed ≥ 1-grade improvement in 77.8% (LD) and 88.2% (HD) vs 12.0% (placebo) of participants on Day 14 (P < 0.0001 vs placebo). Based on participant self-assessment, 75.9% (LD) and 88.2% (HD) vs 18.0% (placebo) achieved ≥ 1-grade improvement on Day 14 (P < 0.0001 vs placebo). Most treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were procedure-related, transient, and mild in severity. The most frequent onabotA-related AE was neck muscle weakness, reported in the HD group. CONCLUSIONS: OnabotA was effective in improving the appearance of PP based on both investigators' and participants' ratings. Treatment was well tolerated.

Creatine and pregnancy outcomes: a prospective cohort study of creatine metabolism in low-risk pregnant females.

BACKGROUND: Physiological adaptations during pregnancy alter nutrient and energy metabolism. Creatine may be important for maintaining cellular energy homeostasis throughout pregnancy. However, the impact of pregnancy on endogenous and exogenous creatine availability has never been comprehensively explored. OBJECTIVES: To undertake a prospective cohort study and determine the physiological ranges of creatine and associated metabolites throughout human pregnancy. METHODS: Females with a singleton low-risk pregnancy were recruited at an Australian health service. Maternal blood and urine were collected at 5-time points from 10-36 weeks of gestation, and cord blood and placental samples were collected at birth. Creatine and associated amino acids and metabolites of creatine synthesis were analyzed. Dietary data were captured to determine effects of exogenous creatine intake. Associations between creatine metabolism and neonatal growth parameters were examined. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-two females were included. Maternal plasma creatine remained stable throughout pregnancy [ß: -0.003 µM; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.07, 0.07; P = 0.94], though urinary creatine declined in late gestation (ß: 0.38 µM/mmol/L creatinine (CRN); 95% CI: -0.47, -0.29; P < 0.0001). Plasma guanidinoacetate (GAA; the precursor to creatine during endogenous synthesis) fell from 10-29 weeks of gestation before rising until birth (ß: -0.38 µM/mmol/L CRN; 95% CI: -0.47, -0.29; P < 0.0001). Urinary GAA followed an opposing pattern (ß: 2.52 µM/mmol/L CRN; 95% CI: 1.47, 3.58, P < 0.001). Animal protein intake was positively correlated with maternal plasma creatine until ∼32 weeks of gestation (ß: 0.07-0.18 µM; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.25; P ≤ 0.001). There were no links between creatine and neonatal growth, but increased urinary GAA in early pregnancy was associated with a slight reduction in head circumference at birth (ß: -0.01 cm; 95% CI: -0.02, -0.004; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Although maternal plasma creatine concentrations were highly conserved, creatine metabolism appears to adjust throughout pregnancy. An ability to maintain creatine concentrations through diet and shifts in endogenous synthesis may impact fetal growth. This trial was registered at [registry name] as ACTRN12618001558213.

The emerging role of biostimulators as an adjunct in facial rejuvenation: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Facial aging has long been an area of focus in esthetic surgery. It is the consequence of physiologic and environmental factors, with a trend toward non-surgical modalities. Although volume augmentation has long been a focus of non-surgical facial rejuvenation, there is emerging interest in the use of biostimulators to induce physiologic changes in the skin. This article aimed to provide an overview of this class of therapies. METHODS: A systematic review regarding the clinical use of biostimulatory agents including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) in facial rejuvenation was performed using PubMed databases. The protocol was developed following the preferred reporting for items for systematic reviews-protocols guidelines. Included studies matched predetermined criteria according to the employed intervention and outcomes. RESULTS: The systematic review was performed in September 2023, with the primary search yielding 464 articles. Abstract review resulted in 73 articles of potential relevance. Comprehensive review of the articles and manual reference checks were performed, independently, by 2 authors. This yielded a total of 45 articles that met the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increasing role for non-surgical modalities in facial rejuvenation. Biostimulatory agents may be used as an alternative, or act as an adjunct, to other non-surgical modalities. These agents induce physiologic changes that mitigate facial aging. There is limited, quantifiable data, which fully illustrate the effect in these products. Although these agents are known to illicit inflammatory changes, more controlled studies are needed to better elucidate the biostimulatory capacity of such non-surgical treatments.

The Seven Step Neck Lift Z-Plasty.

Patients with large amounts of neck skin redundancy who do not desire or are not candidates for traditional face and neck lifts can be managed with direct neck lifts. There are many existing surgical techniques to address central neck laxity. In this article, we aim to clarify our surgical technique in a clear video format to showcase how to address central neck laxity in seven steps with neck lift Z-plasty.

Effect of a QTL on wheat chromosome 5B associated with enhanced root dry mass on transpiration and nitrogen uptake under contrasting drought scenarios in wheat.

BACKGROUND: A sufficient nitrogen supply is crucial for high-quality wheat yields. However, the use of nitrogen fertilization can also negatively influence ecosystems due to leaching or volatile atmospheric emissions. Drought events, increasingly prevalent in many crop production areas, significantly impact nitrogen uptake. Breeding more efficient wheat varieties is necessary to achieve acceptable yields with limited nitrogen and water. Crop root systems play a crucial role as the primary organ for absorbing water and nutrients. To investigate the impact of an enhanced root system on nitrogen and water use efficiency in wheat under various irrigation conditions, this study conducted two experiments using precision phenotyping platforms for controlled drought stress treatment. Experiment 1 involved four contrasting winter wheat genotypes. It included the Chinese variety Ning0604, carrying a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 5B associated with a higher root dry biomass, and three elite German varieties, Elixer, Genius, and Leandrus. Experiment 2 compared near-isogenic lines (NIL) of the three elite varieties, each containing introgressions of the QTL on chromosome 5B linked to root dry mass. In both experiments, nitrogen partitioning was tracked via isotope discrimination after fertilization with 5 Atom % 15N-labeled KNO3-. RESULTS: In experiment 1 the quantification by 15N isotope discrimination revealed significantly (p < 0.05) higher nitrogen derived from fertilizer in the root organ for Ning0604 than those of the three German varieties. In experiment 2, two out of three NILs showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher uptake of N derived from fertilizer than their respective recipient line under well-watered conditions. Furthermore, significantly lower transpiration rates (p < 0.1) were observed in one NIL compared to its respective recipient. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the DroughtSpotter facility coupled with 15N tracer-based tracking of N uptake and remobilization extends the insight into the impact of genetically altered root biomass on wheat NUE and WUE under different water availability scenarios. The study shows the potential for how a modified genetic constitution of the locus on wheat chromosome 5B can reduce transpiration and enhance N uptake. The dependence of the observations on the recipient and water availability suggests a need for further research to investigate the interaction with genetic background traits.

A Multicenter Pilot Study of a Novel Allograft Adipose Matrix in Malar and Prejowl Volume Restoration.

Background: Allograft adipose matrix (AAM) offers a novel, off-the-shelf, and readily available natural option in the treatment of facial soft tissue volume and reconstructive deficits. AAM is a natural soft tissue supplement or replacement that can support cushioning and volume correction. A prospective multicenter pilot study evaluated AAM in facial volume restoration. Methods: Eleven women (mean age of 55.8 ±â€…10.9 y) with midface volume deficit were followed up for 24 weeks after AAM treatment in this institutional review board-approved multicenter pilot study. The clinical safety and efficacy of the AAM treatment were evaluated using clinical scales and three-dimensional quantitative facial photography. Results: AAM was safe to address facial volume deficits, with minor site-related adverse events and discomfort that resolved within 2-4 weeks. Observations also revealed facial volume improvements throughout the study with 91% positive responders. At week 24, the subject facial satisfaction scores revealed an 86% increase compared to baseline, along with a statistically significantly improved midface fullness compared to baseline. Conclusion: AAM offers a natural and safe option for midface volume restoration and supports overall satisfaction and volume improvements.

Clinical Applications of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

PURPOSE: Tranexamic Acid (TXA) has gained increasing recognition as a valuable pharmacologic agent within plastic surgery. This study reviews the scientific evidence regarding the use of TXA in the full range of plastic and reconstructive surgery to provide clinical recommendations regarding for safe and effective use in various plastic surgical procedures. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. An established appraisal process was used to rate the quality of articles (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology). RESULTS: Forty-five studies describing the use of TXA in plastic surgery were included. There is moderate-certainty evidence to support the use of intravenous administration of TXA in craniofacial surgery procedures to reduce blood-loss and transfusion requirements. There is high-certainty evidence to support the use of TXA in cosmetic surgery and intravenous administration in rhinoplasty procedures to reduce blood-loss. Further high-level studies are needed to determine TXA's effects on hematoma rates in facelift surgery and breast-related procedures. There is moderate-certainty evidence to support the use of TXA in burn care. Further studies are required to provide quantitative conclusions on the effects of TXA administration in microsurgery. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to date on the use of TXA in plastic surgery and the first to provide clinical recommendations. The literature highlights TXA's promising role in the fields of craniofacial surgery, cosmetic surgery and burn care. Standardized, objective measurements are required to provide quantitative conclusions regarding TXAs effects on ecchymoses and edema in cosmetic surgery procedures.