Surprisingly, the magnitude of heterosis has not changed during the hybrid era (Duvick, 1999), even though mean Although heterosis in maize (Zea mays L.) has been studied since commercial maize grain yield in the USA and Canada the early 1900s, very little is known about how heterosis affects the physiological components of grain yield. The objective of this study has substantially increased during this time (Troyer, 1990; was to quantify the physiological basis of heterosis for grain yield in Tollenaar and Wu, 1999). maize by examining maize hybrids and their parental inbred lines inAlthough several economically important crops beneterms of grain yield and its component processes, dry matter accumulafit from the manifestation of heterosis, both the genetic tion (DMA) at maturity, and the partitioning of DMA to the grain and physiological mechanisms underlying this phenom-(i.e., harvest index), as well as in terms of the physiological processes enon are still unexplained. Two major hypotheses have underlying those two components. The genetic material consisted of been proposed regarding the genetics underlying heter-12 maize hybrids and seven parental inbred lines. Experiments were osis: (i) dominance hypothesis and (ii) overdominance conducted from 2000 to 2002 at the Elora Research Station, ON, hypothesis. The dominance hypothesis attributes heter-Canada. Data were recorded on grain yield, DMA at four stages of osis to the accumulation of favorable dominant genes or development, harvest index, leaf area index (LAI), final leaf number, leaf width and length, rate of leaf appearance, stay green, ear number, masking of deleterious recessives in the hybrid. This thekernel number and weight, and number of days to silking and physio-ory is consistent with recent genomic evidence of differlogical maturity. Mean heterosis across the 3 yr was 167% for grain ences in genic content between maize inbred lines (Fu yield and 85 and 53% for its two component processes, DMA at and Dooner, 2002), and has been demonstrated as the maturity and harvest index, respectively. Results show that heterosis underlying cause of a heterotic response for grain yield for grain yield in maize can be attributed to (i) heterosis for DMA in a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping study (Grabefore silking, which results mainly from greater light interception ham et al., 1997). The other hypothesis, overdominance, due to increased leaf size; (ii) heterosis for DMA during the grainargues that the heterozygous combination of the alleles filling period, which results from greater light interception due to at a single locus is superior to either of the homozygous greater maximum LAI and increased stay green, and (iii) heterosis combinations. There is no direct evidence in support of for harvest index.

Five hundred milligrams per day quercetin supplementation for 8 weeks resulted in significant improvements in clinical symptoms, disease activity, hs-TNFα, and HAQ in women with RA.

With regard to the high prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in patients with SLE, it is of paramount importance to emphasize early detection of these lesions as a mean of diagnosis of disease and faster initiation of treatment.

Background Olfactory dysfunction has shown to accompany COVID-19. There are varying data regarding the exact frequency in the various study population. The outcome of the olfactory impairment is also not clearly defined. Objective To find the frequency of olfactory impairment and its outcome in hospitalized patients with positive swab test for COVID-19. Methods This is a prospective descriptive study of 100 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, randomly sampled, from February to March 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory findings were analyzed according to the olfactory loss or sinonasal symptoms. The olfactory impairment and sinonasal symptoms were evaluated by 9 Likert scale questions asked from the patients. Results Ninety-two patients completed the follow-up (means 20.1 (± 7.42) days). Twenty-two (23.91%) patients complained of olfactory loss and in 6 (6.52%) patients olfactory loss was the first symptom of the disease. The olfactory loss was reported to be completely resolved in all but one patient. Thirty-nine (42.39%) patients had notable sinonasal symptoms while rhinorrhea was the first symptom in 3 (3.26%). Fifteen patients (16.3%) had a taste impairment. Patients with sinonasal symptoms had a lower age (p = 0.01). There was no significant relation between olfactory loss and sinonasal symptoms (p = 0.07). Conclusions Sudden olfactory dysfunction and sinonasal symptoms have a considerable prevalence in patients with COVID-19. No significant association was noted between the sinonasal symptoms and the olfactory loss, which may suggest that other mechanisms beyond upper respiratory tract involvement are responsible for the olfactory loss.

with leaf CER, however, have been unsuccessful. The correlation between grain yield and leaf CER was not Heterosis for grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.) manifests itself significant in 64 maize inbred lines randomly derived through its effects on the components of grain yield, dry matter accumulation at maturity, harvest index, and its effects on physiological from Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (Crosbie et al., 1978b). processes underlying these components, such as leaf CO 2 exchange A significant 39% increase in grain yield after seven rate (CER). The objectives of this study were (i) to quantify the pattern cycles of recurrent selection for grain yield was not associof leaf CER throughout the grain-filling period in maize hybrids and ated with a change in leaf CER in the improved hybrid their parental inbred lines, and (ii) to determine the mode of inheri- (Facorede and Mock, 1978). Also, an 8% increase in leaf tance of leaf CER during the grain-filling period. Studies were per-

Background Data is limited on comparison of acute and chronic methotrexate (MTX) poisoning. Methotrexate is an anti-folate drug that may be prescribed in some malignant or chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of the current study was to compare signs and symptoms, complications, treatment and final outcome of acute and chronic MTX toxicity. Method In a retrospective study in a referral center between March 2010 and March 2018, all patients who had been referred with the history of MTX poisoning and hospitalized due to acute or chronic poisoning were evaluated and compared. Results Of the total 27 patients admitted during the study period, 13 had referred with acute (group 1; consumption of MTX for less than 7 days) and 14 had referred with chronic toxicity (group 2; consumption of MTX for more than 7 days). Mean age was significantly higher in the second group ( P < 0.001). Median total dose of MTX was similar between the groups ( P = 0.90). Mucosal ulcers and skin lesions ( P < 0.001 and 0.02, respectively) were the only symptoms significantly different between the two groups. Leukopenia ( P < 0.001), thrombocytopenia ( P < 0.001), and anemia ( P = 0.04) were significantly more common in the second group. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were also significantly higher in the second group of the patients ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.048). Median leucovorin administered dose was 200 mg [14, 480] versus 150 mg [75, 187] ( P = 0.69) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions Chronic MTX poisoning is more serious than acute toxicity and accompanies higher dermatologic, hematologic, and hepatic complications necessitating more aggressive treatments including administration of higher doses of leucovorin or bone marrow stimulants such as G-CSF. This may be attributable to the underlying diseases and features (including older ages) which predispose these patients to complications.

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare efficacy and safety of test-adalimumab (CinnoRA®, CinnaGen, Iran) to the innovator product (Humira®, AbbVie, USA) in adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial, a total of 136 patients with active RA were randomized to receive 40 mg subcutaneous injections of either CinnoRA® or Humira® every other week, while receiving methotrexate (15 mg/week), folic acid (1 mg/day), and prednisolone (7.5 mg/day) over a period of 24 weeks. Physical examinations, vital sign evaluations, and laboratory tests were conducted in patients at baseline and at 12-week and 24-week visits. The primary endpoint in this study was the proportion of patients achieving moderate and good disease activity score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR)-based European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response. The secondary endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for 20% (ACR20), 50% (ACR50), and 70% (ACR70) responses along with the disability index of health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and safety.ResultsPatients who were randomized to CinnoRA® or Humira® arms had comparable demographic information, laboratory results, and disease characteristics at baseline. The proportion of patients achieving good and moderate EULAR responses in the CinnoRA® group was non-inferior to the Humira® group at 12 and 24 weeks based on both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) populations (all p values >0.05). No significant difference was noted in the proportion of patients attaining ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 responses in the CinnoRA® and Humira® groups (all p values >0.05). Further, the difference in HAQ scores and safety outcome measures between treatment arms was not statistically significant.ConclusionCinnoRA® was shown to be non-inferior to Humira® in terms of efficacy at week 24 with a comparable safety profile to the reference product.Trial registrationIRCT.ir, IRCT2015030321315N1. Registered on 5 April 2015.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by progressive cutaneous and internal organ fibrosis. Orofacial manifestations of systemic sclerosis are extremely disabling and treatment options are limited. In this study, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of autologous fat grafting in the face of patients with systemic sclerosis. We enrolled 16 SSc patients suffering from facial sclerosis and limited mouth opening capacity. Autologous fat injection ranging from 15 to 40 ml was administered per patient, based on their face morphology. The patients were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after fat injection. Evaluations included mouth opening capacity, mouth handicap in systemic sclerosis (MHISS), Rodnan skin sclerosis score, skin biophysical properties using a sensitive biometrologic device with the assessment of cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT), volumizing and aesthetic effects based on pre- and posttreatment photographs, possible side effects, and global patient satisfaction. Clinical assessment showed autologous fat transfer significantly improved mouth opening capacity and the MHISS and Rodnan score of patients with facial scleroderma (p value <.001). The aesthetic and/or functional results of fat injection were satisfying to about 80% of the patients. The changes in CRRT values were not significant. Our findings support the possible therapeutic role of autologous fat grafting in improving facial scleroderma both in aesthetic and in functional aspects. This trial is registered with IRCT20180209038677N1.