A Novel Mutation of the NARROW LEAF 1 Gene Adversely Affects Plant Architecture in Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Plant architecture is critical for enhancing the adaptability and productivity of crop plants. Mutants with an altered plant architecture allow researchers to elucidate the genetic network and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we characterized a novel nal1 rice mutant with short height, small panicle, and narrow and thick deep green leaves that was identified from a cross between a rice cultivar and a weedy rice accession. Bulked segregant analysis coupled with genome re-sequencing and cosegregation analysis revealed that the overall mutant phenotype was caused by a 1395-bp deletion spanning over the last two exons including the transcriptional end site of the nal1 gene. This deletion resulted in chimeric transcripts involving nal1 and the adjacent gene, which were validated by a reference-guided assembly of transcripts followed by PCR amplification. A comparative transcriptome analysis of the mutant and the wild-type rice revealed 263 differentially expressed genes involved in cell division, cell expansion, photosynthesis, reproduction, and gibberellin (GA) and brassinosteroids (BR) signaling pathways, suggesting the important regulatory role of nal1. Our study indicated that nal1 controls plant architecture through the regulation of genes involved in the photosynthetic apparatus, cell cycle, and GA and BR signaling pathways.

Genetic variation and possible origins of weedy rice found in California.

Control of weeds in cultivated crops is a pivotal component in successful crop production allowing higher yield and higher quality. In rice-growing regions worldwide, weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea Rosh.) is a weed related to cultivated rice which infests rice fields. With populations across the globe evolving a suite of phenotypic traits characteristic of weeds and of cultivated rice, varying hypotheses exist on the origin of weedy rice. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity and possible origin of weedy rice in California using 98 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and an Rc gene-specific marker. By employing phylogenetic clustering analysis, we show that four to five genetically distinct biotypes of weedy rice exist in California. Analysis of population structure and genetic distance among individuals reveals diverse evolutionary origins of California weedy rice biotypes, with ancestry derived from indica, aus, and japonica cultivated rice as well as possible contributions from weedy rice from the southern United States and wild rice. Because this diverse parentage primarily consists of weedy, wild, and cultivated rice not found in California, most existing weedy rice biotypes likely originated outside California.

Genetic interaction involving photoperiod-responsive Hd1 promotes early flowering under long-day conditions in rice.

Although flowering in rice has been extensively investigated, few studies focused on genetic interactions. Flowering evaluation of two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations involving photo-insensitive rice cultivars, Bengal and Cypress, and a weedy rice accession, PSRR-1, under natural long-day (LD) conditions, revealed six to ten quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and a major QTL interaction. In addition to the validation of several previously cloned genes using an introgression lines (IL) population of PSRR-1, a few novel QTLs were also discovered. Analysis of the marker profiles of the advanced backcross lines revealed that Hd1 allele of PSRR-1 was responsible for the photoperiodic response in the near-isogenic lines (NILs) developed in both cultivar backgrounds. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic data of the NILs, and NIL mapping population and the transcript abundance of key flowering pathway genes, we conclude that Hd1 and its interaction with a novel gene other than Ghd7 play an important role in controlling flowering under LD conditions. Our study demonstrates the important role of genetic interaction that regulates flowering time in rice and the need for further investigation to exploit it for breeding adaptable rice varieties.

Identification and validation of QTLs for seedling salinity tolerance in introgression lines of a salt tolerant rice landrace 'Pokkali'.

Salinity is a major threat to rice production worldwide. Several studies have been conducted to elucidate the molecular basis of salinity tolerance in rice. However, the genetic information such as quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and molecular markers, emanating from these studies, were rarely exploited for marker-assisted breeding. To better understand salinity tolerance and to validate previously reported QTLs at seedling stage, a set of introgression lines (ILs) of a salt tolerant donor line 'Pokkali' developed in a susceptible high yielding rice cultivar 'Bengal' background was evaluated for several morphological and physiological traits under salt stress. Both SSR and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) derived SNP markers were utilized to characterize the ILs and identify QTLs for traits related to salinity tolerance. A total of eighteen and thirty-two QTLs were detected using SSR and SNP markers, respectively. At least fourteen QTLs detected in the RIL population developed from the same cross were validated in IL population. Analysis of phenotypic responses, genomic composition, and QTLs present in the tolerant ILs suggested that the mechanisms of tolerance could be Na+ dilution in leaves, vacuolar Na+ compartmentation, and possibly synthesis of compatible solutes. Our results emphasize the use of salt injury score (SIS) QTLs in marker-assisted breeding to improve salinity tolerance. The tolerant lines identified in this study will serve as improved breeding materials for transferring salinity tolerance without the undesirable traits of Pokkali. Additionally, the lines will be useful for fine mapping and map-based cloning of genes responsible for salinity tolerance.

Molecular Dissection of Seedling Salinity Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Using a High-Density GBS-Based SNP Linkage Map.

BACKGROUND: Salinity is one of the many abiotic stresses limiting rice production worldwide. Several studies were conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for traits associated to salinity tolerance. However, due to large confidence interval for the position of QTLs, utility of reported QTLs and the associated markers has been limited in rice breeding programs. The main objective of this study is to construct a high-density rice genetic map for identification QTLs and candidate genes for salinity tolerance at seedling stage. RESULTS: We evaluated a population of 187 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from a cross between Bengal and Pokkali for nine traits related to salinity tolerance. A total of 9303 SNP markers generated by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were mapped to 2817 recombination points. The genetic map had a total map length of 1650 cM with an average resolution of 0.59 cM between markers. For nine traits, a total of 85 additive QTLs were identified, of which, 16 were large-effect QTLs and the rest were small-effect QTLs. The average interval size of QTL was about 132 kilo base pairs (Kb). Eleven of the 85 additive QTLs validated 14 reported QTLs for shoot potassium concentration, sodium-potassium ratio, salt injury score, plant height, and shoot dry weight. Epistatic QTL mapping identified several pairs of QTLs that significantly contributed to the variation of traits. The QTL for high shoot K+ concentration was mapped near the qSKC1 region. However, candidate genes within the QTL interval were a CC-NBS-LRR protein, three uncharacterized genes, and transposable elements. Additionally, many QTLs flanked small chromosomal intervals containing few candidate genes. Annotation of the genes located within QTL intervals indicated that ion transporters, osmotic regulators, transcription factors, and protein kinases may play essential role in various salt tolerance mechanisms. CONCLUSION: The saturation of SNP markers in our linkage map increased the resolution of QTL mapping. Our study offers new insights on salinity tolerance and presents useful candidate genes that will help in marker-assisted gene pyramiding to develop salt tolerant rice varieties.

A Chromosome Segment Substitution Library of Weedy Rice for Genetic Dissection of Complex Agronomic and Domestication Traits.

Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are a powerful alternative for locating quantitative trait loci (QTL), analyzing gene interactions, and providing starting materials for map-based cloning projects. We report the development and characterization of a CSSL library of a U.S. weedy rice accession 'PSRR-1' with genome-wide coverage in an adapted rice cultivar 'Bengal' background. The majority of the CSSLs carried a single defined weedy rice segment with an average introgression segment of 2.8 % of the donor genome. QTL mapping results for several agronomic and domestication traits from the CSSL population were compared with those obtained from two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations involving the same weedy rice accession. There was congruence of major effect QTLs between both types of populations, but new and additional QTLs were detected in the CSSL population. Although, three major effect QTLs for plant height were detected on chromosomes 1, 4, and 8 in the CSSL population, the latter two escaped detection in both RIL populations. Since this was observed for many traits, epistasis may play a major role for the phenotypic variation observed in weedy rice. High levels of shattering and seed dormancy in weedy rice might result from an accumulation of many small effect QTLs. Several CSSLs with desirable agronomic traits (e.g. longer panicles, longer grains, and higher seed weight) identified in this study could be useful for rice breeding. Since weedy rice is a reservoir of genes for many weedy and agronomic attributes, the CSSL library will serve as a valuable resource to discover latent genetic diversity for improving crop productivity and understanding the plant domestication process through cloning and characterization of the underlying genes.

Genetic variation in Southern USA rice genotypes for seedling salinity tolerance.

The success of a rice breeding program in developing salt tolerant varieties depends on genetic variation and the salt stress response of adapted and donor rice germplasm. In this study, we used a combination of morphological and physiological traits in multivariate analyses to elucidate the phenotypic and genetic variation in salinity tolerance of 30 Southern USA rice genotypes, along with 19 donor genotypes with varying degree of tolerance. Significant genotypic variation and correlations were found among the salt injury score (SIS), ion leakage, chlorophyll reduction, shoot length reduction, shoot K(+) concentration, and shoot Na(+)/K(+) ratio. Using these parameters, the combined methods of cluster analysis and discriminant analysis validated the salinity response of known genotypes and classified most of the USA varieties into sensitive groups, except for three and seven varieties placed in the tolerant and moderately tolerant groups, respectively. Discriminant function and MANOVA delineated the differences in tolerance and suggested no differences between sensitive and highly sensitive (HS) groups. DNA profiling using simple sequence repeat markers showed narrow genetic diversity among USA genotypes. However, the overall genetic clustering was mostly due to subspecies and grain type differentiation and not by varietal grouping based on salinity tolerance. Among the donor genotypes, Nona Bokra, Pokkali, and its derived breeding lines remained the donors of choice for improving salinity tolerance during the seedling stage. However, due to undesirable agronomic attributes and photosensitivity of these donors, alternative genotypes such as TCCP266, Geumgangbyeo, and R609 are recommended as useful and novel sources of salinity tolerance for USA rice breeding programs.

Gene expression responses to Rice tungro spherical virus in susceptible and resistant near-isogenic rice plants.

Rice cultivar Taichung Native 1 (TN1) is susceptible to Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV). TW16 is a backcross line developed between TN1 and RTSV-resistant cultivar Utri Merah. RTSV accumulation in TW16 was significantly lower than in TN1, although both TN1 and TW16 remained asymptomatic. We compared the gene expression profiles of TN1 and TW16 infected by RTSV to identify the gene expression patterns accompanying the accumulation and suppression of RTSV. About 11% and 12% of the genes in the entire genome were found differentially expressed by RTSV in TN1 and TW16, respectively. About 30% of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected commonly in both TN1 and TW16. DEGs related to development and stress response processes were significantly overrepresented in both TN1 and TW16. Evident differences in gene expression between TN1 and TW16 instigated by RTSV included (1) suppression of more genes for development-related transcription factors in TW16; (2) activation of more genes for development-related peptide hormone RALF in TN1; (3) TN1- and TW16-specific regulation of genes for jasmonate synthesis and pathway, and genes for stress-related transcription factors such as WRKY, SNAC, and AP2-EREBP; (4) activation of more genes for glutathione S-transferase in TW16; (5) activation of more heat shock protein genes in TN1; and (6) suppression of more genes for Golden2-like transcription factors involved in plastid development in TN1. The results suggest that a significant number of defense and development-related genes are still regulated in asymptomatic plants even with a very low level of RTSV, and that the TN1- and TW16-specific gene regulations might be associated with regulation of RTSV accumulation in the plants.

[Workers in primary health care and partner violence against women]. / Profesionales de atención primaria de Madrid y violencia de pareja hacia la mujer en el año 2012.

BACKGROUND: Morbidity associated to partner violence against women (PVAW) justify these patients repeated visits to Health Services. Primary Care is the ideal place for detectión and first aid, due to its easy accesibility and continuated assistance. Nevertheless, numbers show important difficulties to achieve this goal. Our aim is to find out the level of knowledge, opinions, awareness about organizacional barriers and improvement proposals suggested by the workers of primary care. METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive study using an anonymous and voluntary survey during the months of August and September 2010, targeted to all professionals who perform their work in a Primary Care Area of Madrid. We made a descriptive analysis of variables and used chi(2) to compare the answers. RESULTS: Answer rate is 170 (21.4%). There are stereotypes regarding battered woman and perpetrador. 118 (70.7%) professionals believe that this is a major problem and 154 (91.7%) that usually goes unnoticed. 91 (55.2%) know their legal commitments. 73 (51.8%) think that there are organizational barriers, among them: the burden of care 50(29%), lack of specific training 40(23.5), lack of knowledge about the procedure to be followed 20(11.8%) and about the professional responsabilities 12 (7%). CONCLUSIONS: All profesional categoríes showed an average level of knowledge, except for social workers that was high. Primary Care workers think that PVAW is an important issue that usually goes unnoticed. Half of them know the legal commitments o detección. There are organizacional barriers and stereotypes.

Profesionales de atención primaria de Madrid y violencia de pareja hacia la mujer en el año 2010 / Workers in primary health care and partner violence against women

Fundamentos: La morbilidad asociada a la violencia de pareja hacia la mujer (VPHM) justifica que sus víctimas acudan reiteradamente a los centros de salud. La accesibilidad y continuidad asistencial hacen de la atención primaria (AP) el lugar idóneo para su detección y primer abordaje. Sin embargo, los datos reflejan las dificultades de los/as profesionales para lograr este fin. El objetivo es analizar el nivel de conocimientos, opiniones, barreras organizativas percibidas y propuestas de mejora de los profesionales de AP. Método: Estudio transversal descriptivo realizado mediante una encuesta anónima y autoadministrada durante los meses de agosto y septiembre de 2010, dirigida a todos/as profesionales de AP del área 8 de Madrid. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de variables y la X2 para comparar las respuestas obtenidas. Resultados: Tasa de respuesta 170 (21,4%). 118 (70,7%) profesionales creen que este es un problema importante y 154(91,7%) que habitualmente pasa desapercibido. 91(55,2%) conocen las obligaciones legales que tienen cuando la detectan. 73(51,8%) piensan que existen barreras organizativas. Entre ellas: presión asistencial 50(29%), falta de formación específica 40(23,5%), desconocimiento del procedimiento a seguir 20(11,8%) y de las competencias de cada profesional 12(7%). Conclusiones: El nivel de conocimientos medio para todas las categorías profesionales estudiadas, excepto para trabajo social que es alto. Los/as profesionales de AP consideran que la VPHM es un problema importante que pasa desapercibido. La mitad de ellos/as conocen las obligaciones legales que conlleva la detección. Existen barreras organizativas y estereotipos(AU)

Background: Morbidity associated to partner violence against women (PVAW) justify these patients repeated visits to Health Services. Primary Care is the ideal place for detectión and first aid, due to its easy accesibility and continuated assistance. Nevertheless, numbers show important difficulties to achieve this goal. Our aimis to find out the level of knowledge, opinions, awareness about organizacional barriers and improvement proposals suggested by the workers of primary care. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study using an anonymous and voluntary survey during the months of August and September 2010, targeted to all professionals who performtheir work in a Primary Care Area of Madrid. We made a descriptive analysis of variables and used chi2 to compare the answers. Results: Answer rate is 170 (21.4%). There are stereotypes regarding battered woman and perpetrador. 118 (70.7%) professionals believe that this is a major problem and 154 (91.7%) that usually goes unnoticed. 91 (55.2%) know their legal commitments. 73 (51.8%) think that there are organizational barriers, among them: the burden of care 50(29%), lack of specific training 40(23.5), lack of knowledge about the procedure to be followed 20(11.8%) and about the professional responsabilities 12 (7%). Conclusions: All profesional categoríes showed an average level of knowledge, except for social workers that was high. Primary Care workers think that PVAWis an important issue that usually goes unnoticed. Half of them know the legal commitments o detección. There are organizacional barriers and stereotypes(AU)

Estado actual en Cuba del control del tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales / Control of treatment with oral anticoagulants in Cuba: current status

OBJETIVOS: Describir las características básicas actuales del empleo del tratamiento con anticoagulante oral, así como del proceso de su monitoreo en varios centros hospitalarios de Cuba.MÉTODOS: Se encuestaron 23 instituciones acerca de la utilización de los anticoagulantes orales, los procedimientos de laboratorio para su monitorización y el conocimiento sobre las unidades de control de esta terapéutica. Se calculó, para un año, la incidencia y la prevalencia del tratamiento en el Instituto Nacional de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular (INACV).RESULTADOS: Los centros que dieron respuesta a la encuesta (N = 15; 65,2 por ciento) empleaban el tratamiento anticoagulante oral de acuerdo con las normativas de este. Cuatro centros consideraban subutilizado su uso; en 13 (56,2 por ciento) se realizaba control de laboratorio con el uso de tromboplastina comercial de índice de sensibilidad internacional (ISI) conocido, aunque ninguno participaba en sistemas de control de calidad externo, ni efectuaban control de calidad terapéutico. Solo en tres hospitales se expresaban los resultados en razón internacional normalizada (INR) y calculaban el tiempo de protrombina normal medio como testigo. El 73,3 por ciento de las instituciones conocían acerca de las unidades de control de este tratamiento. Se encontró diversidad intercentro en los resultados del tiempo de protrombina para un mismo plasma, al utilizar dos tromboplastinas de diferente ISI. La incidencia de pacientes con tratamiento anticoagulante fue de 0,5 por ciento y la prevalencia de 12,8 por ciento. CONCLUSIONES: El control del tratamiento anticoagulante oral en el país presentó dificultades en la estandarización de los laboratorios y en el control clínico-terapéutico. La prevalencia de pacientes con dicho tratamiento en el INACV resultó ser elevada si se tiene en cuenta la casuística atendida de forma ambulatoria(AU)

OBJECTIVES: To describe the current basic features related to the use of oral anticoagulant treatment, as well as its monitoring process in some Cuban hospital center. METHODS: Twenty three institutions were polled on the use of oral anticoagulant agents, the laboratory procedures for its monitoring and the knowledge on the control units of this therapeutics. In the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (NIAVS) the incidence and the prevalence for a year were estimated. RESULTS: The centers that gave response to survey (N = 15; 65,2 percent) applied the oral anticoagulant treatment according to its regulations. Four centers considered that it use was not total; in 13 (56,2 percent) a laboratory control was carried out using commercial thromboplastin of known International Sensitivity Index (ISI), although neither was involved in control systems of external quality nor made a therapeutic quality control. Only in three hospitals results were expressed in standardized international account (INA) and estimated the normal mean prothrombin time as test. The 73,3 percent of institutions knew on control units of this treatment. Inter-center there was diversity in results of prothrombin time for same plasma using two thromboplastin of different ISI. Incidence of patients with anticoagulant treatment was of 0,5 percent and the prevalence of 12,8 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The control of oral anticoagulant treatment in our country had difficulties in standardization of laboratories and in the clinical-therapeutical control. The prevalence of patients under this treatment in the NIAVS was high if we take into account the casuistics seen in ambulatory way(AU)

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in a gene for translation initiation factor (eIF4G) of rice (Oryza sativa) associated with resistance to Rice tungro spherical virus.

Rice tungro disease (RTD) is a serious constraint to rice production in South and Southeast Asia. RTD is caused by Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) and Rice tungro bacilliform virus. Rice cv. Utri Merah is resistant to RTSV. To identify the gene or genes involved in RTSV resistance, the association of genotypic and phenotypic variations for RTSV resistance was examined in backcross populations derived from Utri Merah and rice germplasm with known RTSV resistance. Genetic analysis revealed that resistance to RTSV in Utri Merah was controlled by a single recessive gene (tsv1) mapped within an approximately 200-kb region between 22.05 and 22.25 Mb of chromosome 7. A gene for putative translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G(tsv1)) was found in the tsv1 region. Comparison of eIF4G(tsv1) gene sequences among susceptible and resistant plants suggested the association of RTSV resistance with one of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites found in exon 9 of the gene. Examination of the SNP site in the eIF4G(tsv1) gene among various rice plants resistant and susceptible to RTSV corroborated the association of SNP or deletions in codons for Val(1060-1061) of the predicted eIF4G(tsv1) with RTSV resistance in rice.

Estandarización del laboratorio para la creación de una unidad de control del tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales / Laboratory standardization for the creation of a control unit of oral anticoagulants treatment

OBJETIVO: Desarrollar las bases para garantizar la estandarización del laboratorio con el fin de obtener calidad técnica en la fase analítica del control del tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales. Los tiempos de protrombina se realizaron mediante el método manual y el automatizado, con el uso de dos coagulómetros y del reactivo Thrombotest. El control de calidad se realizó con el empleo de plasma anticoagulado comercial AK y plasma anticoagulado obtenido en el laboratorio. Se realizaron pruebas de repetibilidad y reproducibilidad y se determinó el valor de referencia de la Razón Internacional Normalizada, así como el porcentaje de actividad de coagulación. Se calibró localmente el reactivo Thrombotest, con el uso de plasmas liofilizados con los coagulómetros. Se confeccionaron las curvas de referencia y se calculó de forma gráfica su ensibilidad. Los tiempos de protrombina fueron expresados en términos de Razón Internacional Normalizada. Se demostró precisión y exactitud en las determinaciones. La calibración del reactivo Thrombotest demostró su elevada sensibilidad calculada localmente. Se introdujo la forma correcta de expresión de los resultados del tiempo de protrombina, así como se estandarizó el uso de un reactivo de alta sensibilidad, necesario para el control del tratamiento con cumarínicos. Se introdujo un sistema adecuado de control de calidad interno(AU)

OBJECTIVE: To develop the bases for to guarantee the laboratory standardization to obtain the technique quality in the analytical phase of oral anticoagulants treatment control. The prothrombin times were performed by manual and automated method using two coagulometers and the reactant Thrombotest. The quality control was performed using the commercial AK anticoagulation plasma and the anticoagulation plasma obtained in laboratory. Tests of reproducibility and repeatability were carried out and the reference value of the Standardization International Ratio, as well as the coagulation activity percentage. The reactant Thrombotest was locally calibrated using the lyophilization plasmas using the coagulometers. The reference curves were plotted and its sensitivity was graphically estimated. The prothrombin times were expressed in terms of the Standardized International Ratio. The accuracy and precision were demonstrated in the determinations. The calibration of reactant Thrombotest showed its locally estimated high sensitivity. The correct way of prothrombin time results expression was introduced, and the standardization of use of a high sensitivity reactant needed for treatment control of coumarin anticoagulants, as well as a appropriate system of internal quality control(AU)

Suppression of two tungro viruses in rice by separable traits originating from cultivar Utri Merah.

Rice tungro disease (RTD) is caused by Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) and Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) transmitted by green leafhoppers. Rice cv. Utri Merah is highly resistant to RTD. To define the RTD resistance of Utri Merah, near-isogenic lines (NIL, BC(5) or BC(6)) developed from Utri Merah and susceptible cv. Taichung Native 1 (TN1) were evaluated for reactions to RTSV and RTBV. TW16 is an NIL (BC(5)) resistant to RTD. RTBV was able to infect both TN1 and TW16 but the levels of RTBV were usually significantly lower in TW16 than in TN1. Infection of RTSV was confirmed in TN1 by a serological test but not in TW16. However, the global gene-expression pattern in an RTSV-resistant NIL (BC(6)), TW16-69, inoculated with RTSV indicated that RTSV can also infect the resistant NIL. Infection of RTSV in TW16 was later confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction but the level of RTSV was considerably lower in TW16 than in TN1. Examination for virus accumulation in another NIL (BC(6)), TW16-1029, indicated that all plants of TW16-1029 were resistant to RTSV, whereas the resistance to RTBV and symptom severity were segregating among the individual plants of TW16-1029. Collectively, these results suggest that RTD resistance of Utri Merah involves suppression of interacting RTSV and RTBV but the suppression trait for RTSV and for RTBV is inherited separately.

Comparative sequence analyses of the major quantitative trait locus phosphorus uptake 1 (Pup1) reveal a complex genetic structure.

The phosphorus uptake 1 (Pup1) locus was identified as a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for tolerance of phosphorus deficiency in rice. Near-isogenic lines with the Pup1 region from tolerant donor parent Kasalath typically show threefold higher phosphorus uptake and grain yield in phosphorus-deficient field trials than the intolerant parent Nipponbare. In this study, we report the fine mapping of the Pup1 locus to the long arm of chromosome 12 (15.31-15.47 Mb). Genes in the region were initially identified on the basis of the Nipponbare reference genome, but did not reveal any obvious candidate genes related to phosphorus uptake. Kasalath BAC clones were therefore sequenced and revealed a 278-kbp sequence significantly different from the syntenic regions in Nipponbare (145 kb) and in the indica reference genome of 93-11 (742 kbp). Size differences are caused by large insertions or deletions (INDELs), and an exceptionally large number of retrotransposon and transposon-related elements (TEs) present in all three sequences (45%-54%). About 46 kb of the Kasalath sequence did not align with the entire Nipponbare genome, and only three Nipponbare genes (fatty acid alpha-dioxygenase, dirigent protein and aspartic proteinase) are highly conserved in Kasalath. Two Nipponbare genes (expressed proteins) might have evolved by at least three TE integrations in an ancestor gene that is still present in Kasalath. Several predicted Kasalath genes are novel or unknown genes that are mainly located within INDEL regions. Our results highlight the importance of sequencing QTL regions in the respective donor parent, as important genes might not be present in the current reference genomes.

Valor del cerclaje en el tratamiento de la incompetencia itsmico cervical y su efectividad en la amenaza del parto prematuro / Value of cerclage in the treatment of the isthmical cervical incompetence and its effectiveness in the impending premature delivery

En esta investigación nos propusimos poner de manifiesto el valor del cerclaje en el tratamiento de la IIC y su efectividad en la amenaza de parto prematuro. El estudio se realizó retrospectivamente en 40 pacientes aseguradas en el Instituto Maternidad "San Rafael", en Santo Domingo, de 1988. El 80// (32 casos) de las pacientes presentaron IIC y el 20// (8 casos) habían presentado amenaza de parto prematuro en algunos de sus partos. Solo el 6// (2 casos) tenían historia de partos distócicos y un 13// (4 casos) presentaron historias de dilataciones forzadas en cérvix. En la historia obstétrica y neonatal previo al cerclaje se obtuvo un 24// (33 niños vivos frente a un 76// -102- productos muertos). De 56 embarazos estudiados en las mismas pacientes luego de practicado el cerclaje se pudo comprobar que los abortos se redujeron a 0//, los partos inmaduros a 3//, los partos preterminos vivos a 18// y los preterminos muertos a 0//; los recién nacidos a término se elevaron a un 79//. En síntesis de las 56 gestas analizadas 96.4// de neonatos nacieron vivos (54 niños) y solo un 4// (2 niños) nacieron muertos. La historia obstétrica neonatal de las 8 pacientes que solo tuvieron amenaza de parto prematuro en uno de sus partos habiendo tenido partos normales, mostró que pudieron llevar su embarazo a un feliz término