Background and Aims Plant roots growing underground are critical for soil resource acquisition, anchorage and plant-environment interactions. In wheat (Triticum aestivum), however, the target root traits to improve yield potential still remain largely unknown. This study aimed to identify traits of seedling root system architecture (RSA) associated with yield and yield components in 226 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between the bread wheat Triticum aestivum 'Forno' (small, wide root system) and spelt Triticum spelta 'Oberkulmer' (large, narrow root system). Methods A 'pouch and wick' high-throughput phenotyping pipeline was used to determine the RSA traits of 13day-old RIL seedlings. Two field experiments and one glasshouse experiment were carried out to investigate the yield, yield components and phenology, followed by identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Key Results There was substantial variation in RSA traits between genotypes. Seminal root number and total root length were both positively associated with grains m-2 , grains per spike, above-ground biomass m-2 and grain yield. More seminal roots and longer total root length were also associated with delayed maturity and extended grain filling, likely to be a consequence of more grains being defined before anthesis. Additionally, the maximum width of the root system displayed positive relationships with spikes m-2 , grains m-2 and grain yield. Ten RILs selected for the longest total roots exhibited the same effects on yield and phenology as described above, compared with the ten lines with the shortest total roots. Genetic analysis revealed 38 QTLs for the RSA, and QTL coincidence between the root and yield traits was frequently observed, indicating tightly linked genes or pleiotropy, which concurs with the results of phenotypic correlation analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the Forno  Oberkulmer population, it is proposed that vigorous early root growth, particularly more seminal roots and longer total root length, is important to improve yield potential, and should be incorporated into wheat ideotypes in breeding.

Introduction We studied perinatal health of first born children by mother's abortion history in Finland with good abortion and birth services and relatively few abortions. Methods Nationwide registers covering all births and induced abortions were used. All first time mothers in Birth Register (1996e2008) were linked to Abortion Register (1983e2008). The perinatal health of children was compared by the number of mother's abortions adjusting by logistic regression for mothers' age, civil status, socioeconomic status, urbanity and smoking. Results Of the 300 858 mothers, 22 860 (7.6%) had one, 2681 (0.9%) two, 542 (0.2%) three or more abortions. Of abortions, 88% were surgical, 91% were made <12 weeks, and most were made for social reasons. Compared to mothers with no previous abortion, perinatal health problems (preterm birth, low birth weight, low Apgar score 0e6, perinatal death) were not more common among mothers having had one abortion, but were among mothers having had 3+ abortions. Results on preterm birth (adjusted OR for <28 weeks 2.41 and for <37 weeks 1.34) and on low birth weight (<1500 g 1.92, <2500 g 1.42) were statistically significant. Among women having two previous abortions very preterm (<28 weeks, OR 1.45) and low Apgar scores (OR 1.10) were increased, but not statistically significantly. Conclusions One previous abortion did not increase perinatal problems at first birth, but three or more did; two were in between. This may be due to mothers' characteristics not controlled for or due to sequel of repeated abortions. Research in the US particularly has contributed to a lot of what is known about the difficulties that linguistic minorities face in accessing and using health services. Studies need to be conducted in Canada to refine and improve knowledge on the matter. The literature is virtually unanimous that seniors do not enjoy the same level of health as the general population. Canadian studies have found that the health status of seniors declines with increasing age as more health issues are reported. This has also been linked to health services use by seniors aged 65 and over accounting for over 47% of total healthcare cost increase. The 2006 Canadian post-census Survey on the Vitality of Official-Language Minorities (SVOLM) carried out by Statistics Canada is used as well as the 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). The SVOLM helps assess factors associated with the self-rated health of minority Francophone seniors. The CCHS helps complement the SVOLM and allows for comparability with the general population. Descriptive, univariate and multivariable analyses such as ordinary and binary logistic regression are carried out. Through a social marketing approach, the results of the quantitative analyses (which are currently being carried out) will help engage dialogue with the community, educators, policy makers, health practitioners, and the healthcare system in order to help inform and shape policy with regards to health services access and utilisation in the province of Saskatchewan...

HOME REMEDIESHome remedies can be explained according to medicinal definition as 'simply prepared medication or tonic often of unproven effectiveness administered without prescription or professional supervision'. Home remedies also named as ''folk remedy" can be identified as traditional therapy often utilizing natural products as nutritional supplements or as physical measures. Home remedies come with their effective ness supported by familial, local, or

Purpose : Plant nitrogen use efficiency can be increased by improving N uptake efficiency (NUpE). Root system architecture of the plant plays a vital role in uptaking water and nutrients including N. The present study was conducted to compare root architectural traits of different wheat species at early seedling development and vegetative growth stage while plant nitrogen uptake at vegetative and mature stages under controlled environment.Research Method : Ten genotypes belong to four wheat species; einkorn, emmer, spelt and modern bread wheat were compared. Growth pouches were used to develop root systems of seedlings and images were analysed by using RootNav software. Root charcteristics and above-graound growth at vegetative growth phase was studied using semi-hydrophonic system where WinRhizo software was used to analyse root images. Finally, glasshouse pot experiment was conducted to calculate NUpE at maturity.Findings : The highest number of seminal roots, total root length and wider tip angle of seminal root were recorded in emmer. However, total root length was not significantly different from spelt cv. Oberkulmer. Genotypes with narrow and wide tip angles of seminal roots produced deep and shallow seedling root systems, respectively. Positive relationship between root traits and nitrogen uptake at the vegetative growth stage was found. Fertiliser NUpE of ancient wheat species varied significantly among genotypes where emmer recorded the highest value followed by spelt, bread wheat and einkorn.Originality/ Value : Wheat species varied for seedling root system architecture. Emmer had wide and shallow seedling root systems while having high NUpE at maturity. It suggests the importance of a well-spred shallow root system to uptake N fertiliser rapidly before leached down. Further, emmer is an ancient wheat species with an ability to uptake N efficiently which suggests that when bread wheat was selected for high yield, favourable root traits related to NUpE might be neglected. Favourable root traits in emmer related to NUpE could be introduced to bread wheat through the direct crossing or creating synthetic wheat.