Genomic technologies have been used to improve cultivated crop species.

A segregating F 2 population was developed from a winter and spring type cross to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling root vigor and days to flowering in canola (Brassica napus). About 3090 polymorphic SNPs derived from genotyping by sequencing were used to develop a linkage map. A final linkage map was constructed with 658 SNPs at LOD 4. One QTL, NRV (Napus Root Vigor) was identified on chromosome A01 (24.7 Mbp) for root vigor explaining 16.3% of the phenotypic variation. GBF Interacting Protein 1 (GIP1) and SAUR-like family proteins are the two candidate genes related to root growth and development identified within this QTL region. Two QTL, DTF1 and DTF2, were identified for days to flowering, accounting for 21.7% and 15% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. DTF1 was assigned on chromosome C08 (9.43 Mbp) and two putative candidate genes, Light Regulated WD1 (LWD1) and FLOWERING BHLH 1 (FBH1) were identified within this QTL region. For DTF2, three putative candidate genes A. thaliana CENTRORDIALIS (ATC), Tetracopeptide Repeat (TPR), and Poly A Binding protein 3 (PAB3) were identified on the chromosome C04 (14.56 Mbp).

Root system in canola (Brassica napus L.) varies largely in different growth habit types. A study was conducted with five winter and five spring types of canola germplasm. The objective was to identify the gradual change of root traits at different growth habits stages under controlled and water stressed conditions. Two experiments, controlled and water stressed, were conducted in a greenhouse. Data on different root traits were collected at 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after planting. In controlled experiment, no significant difference was observed for root traits between winter and spring types at 30 days after planting. However, significant variations were appeared for taproot length (F = 10.17***) and root dry weight (F = 16.96***) between winter and spring types at 40 days after planting. All other root parameters such as basal taproot diameter (F = 22.14***), bottom taproot diameter (F = 4.59*), primary root branches (F = 78.70***) and root vigor (F = 47.18***) were significantly higher in the winter types compared to those of the spring types at 60 days after planting. Growth pattern curves indicated that all the root traits of spring types increased in a steady fashion, where the root traits of winter types increased rapidly after 40 days of planting. In water stressed experiment, the water stress was applied from 20 to 60 days after planting, and data was taken at 60 days after planting. All the root parameters except taproot length were significantly (P < 0.001) lower in the stressed spring and winter plants compared to the control plants. The root growth reduction in stressed winter type germplasms was higher. Basal taproot diameter, bottom taproot diameter, primary root branches, root vigor, and root dry weight were decreased by 43%, 63%, 19%, 31% and 53%, respectively in stressed winter type plants. In contrast, the root growth reduction of the spring type germplasms were relatively lower. This study indicated that winter type canola generates vigorous root system in comparison to spring types under normal growing conditions, but ceases its root growth rate more than the spring types under water stressed conditions.

The objective of our study is to determine the surgical outcome, effectiveness and the complications of computer tomography guided drainage of pancreatic abscesses. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Setting: Tertiary care hospital in Karachi Pakistan. Period: Three years from November 2012 to October 2015. Methods: The patient population consisted of all those patients who were diagnosed as a case of pancreatic abscess both clinically and on radiographic analysis, and who had to have the computer tomography guided percutaneous drainage of the abscess. The drained fluid was sent for histopathologic and cytological analysis, and a drain was placed in the pancreatic tissue for further collection of the discharge material. Patients were followed for up to 40 days post operatively, and various complications were noted. Results: The patient population consisted of n=550 patients of acute pancreatitis, out of which n=30 (5.45%) were diagnosed cases of pancreatic abscess, out of these patients n=5 (16.67%) were males and n=25 (83.33%) were females, and the mean age of patients was 44 +/-11 years. In n=24 (80%) of patients the abscess resolved completely in 20 to 40 days. N=5 (20%) of patients had complications and had to undergo laparotomy. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, the computer tomographic guided drainage of the pancreatic abscess is a very safe and effective procedure for the treatment of pancreatic abscess. The rate of complications is low, and patients show swift recovery post operatively.

Impact of transgenic cotton containing Cry 1Ac (Bt cotton) has been witnessed in term of reduced insecticide use and enhanced cotton production, are compelling factors for its rapid adoption worldwide. Though Bt cotton has been released for cultivation based on the biosafety data generated mostly by the developer, and the information on its safe use are yet meager. Hence additional studies are needed to support the food safety issues by developing different cases with independent Bt-cotton genotypes. In the present study, seed and leaves of IR-NIBGE-901 (containing Bt gene) were fed to rabbits over a period of 90 days as to know 1) non-target mammalian food-safety and 2) primary effect as feed to domestic animals. During the course of study, all rabbits both in treated and control groups grew well without any marked differences in appearance, food/water intake or gain in body weight. Similarly, no differences were observed in complete blood composition, liver enzymes, random blood sugar or cholesterol. Necropsy, at the conclusion of the study revealed neither pathological symptoms in any of the rabbits tested nor histopathological abnormalities in liver and kidney. Potential genotoxicity to liver and kidney cells at the DNA level was measured first time by comet assay. Tail like structures following electrophoresis of extracted DNA in agarose gels (indicative of genetic damage) was not observed among the treated or control groups. This study suggests that Bt cotton in the diet has no adverse effect on growth and development of rabbits as one of examples for mammals.