Background: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), low muscle mass has been associated with several clinical outcomes such as low exercise capacity, hospital admission, and mortality. The Sarcopenia Index (SI) is a novel way to estimate muscle mass based on the ratio of serum creatinine (produced exclusively by muscle)/cystatin C (produced by all nucleated body cells). Objectives: This study aims to assess the SI in stable COPD outpatients, as compared with a healthy control group, to quantify its relationship with several important clinical features in COPD, and to study its potential usefulness to predict COPD exacerbations and hospital admissions. Methods: The SI was calculated in 18 healthy control subjects and 65 stable COPD outpatients were included in the study. Patients were prospectively followed for 1 year after being enrolled in the study. Results: COPD patients had a lower SI than controls, that is lower muscle mass. Furthermore, patients with a modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score ≥2, patients with a COPD Assessment Test score ≥10, and patients with a high risk of exacerbation had lower levels of SI compared with patients without these characteristics. SI correlated with FEV1 (r = 0.491, p < 0.001), the 6-min walking test (r = 0.560, p = 0.001), and the Fat-Free Mass Index (r = 0.431, p = 0.017). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional risk analysis showed that a low SI is an independent predictor of hospital admission in COPD outpatients followed for 1 year (HR 5.16, p = 0.025). Conclusions: The ratio serum creatinine/serum cystatin C correlates with several COPD characteristics, and it can be used to predict COPD hospitalization.

Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are susceptible to many diseases including fungal diseases such as soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS). Several studies reported SDS resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) on the soybean genome using different recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations and low density genetic linkage maps. High density exclusively single nucleotide polymorphisms-based (SNP-based) maps were not yet reported in soybean. The objectives of this study were (1) to construct a high density SNP-based genetic linkage map of soybean using the 'PI438489B' by 'Hamilton' (PIxH, n=50) recombinant inbred line population, and (2) to map QTL for SDS resistance using this high-density reliable genetic SNP-based map. The PI438489B by Hamilton high-density SNP-based genetic map was a high density map composed of 31 LGs, 648 SNPs, and covered 1,524.7 cM with an average of 2.37 cM between two adjacent SNP markers. Fourteen significant QTL were identified for SDS resistance using interval mapping (IM) and composite interval mapping (CIM) with LOD scores that ranged between 2.6 and 5.0. Twelve QTL were identified for foliar disease severity (FDS) and three QTL for root rot severity (RRS) of which one QTL underlain both FDS and RRS. The fourteen QTL were mapped onto ten separate chromosomes of the soybean genome. Seven of the intervals encompassing the QTL had been identified previously (on LGs C1, C2, D1b, G, L, N and O) associated with resistance to SDS but seven were novel (LGs A2 (2), B1, C2, D1a, D1b and O). We constructed the first PI438489B by Hamilton exclusively SNP-Based map and identified fourteen QTL that underlie SDS resistance including both resistances to foliar and root rot symptoms caused by Fusarium virguliforme infection. The QTL discovered here for SDS resistance could be useful to include in breeding programs in developing soybean cultivars resistant to SDS.

Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are susceptible to many diseases including fungal diseases such as soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS). Several studies reported SDS resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) on the soybean genome using different recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations and low density genetic linkage maps. High density exclusively single nucleotide polymorphisms-based (SNP-based) maps were not yet reported in soybean. The objectives of this study were (1) to construct a high density SNP-based genetic linkage map of soybean using the ‘PI438489B’ by ‘Hamilton’ (PIxH, n=50) recombinant inbred line population, and (2) to map QTL for SDS resistance using this high-density reliable genetic SNP-based map. The PI438489B by Hamilton high-density SNP-based genetic map was a high density map composed of 31 LGs, 648 SNPs, and covered 1,524.7 cM with an average of 2.37 cM between two adjacent SNP markers. Fourteen significant QTL were identified for SDS resistance using interval mapping (IM) and composite interval mapping (CIM) with LOD scores that ranged between 2.6 and 5.0. Twelve QTL were identified for foliar disease severity (FDS) and three QTL for root rot severity (RRS) of which one QTL underlain both FDS and RRS. The fourteen QTL were mapped onto ten separate chromosomes of the soybean genome. Seven of the intervals encompassing the QTL had been identified previously (on LGs C1, C2, D1b, G, L, N and O) associated with resistance to SDS but seven were novel (LGs A2 (2), B1, C2, D1a, D1b and O). We constructed the first PI438489B by Hamilton exclusively SNP-Based map and identified fourteen QTL that underlie SDS resistance including both resistances to foliar and root rot symptoms caused by Fusarium virguliforme infection. The QTL discovered here for SDS resistance could be useful to include in breeding programs in developing soybean cultivars resistant to SDS.

Soybean cyst nematode caused by Heterodera glycines Ichinohe is the most devastating pest in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Resistance to SCN is complex, polygenic, race and cultivar specific, and it is controlled by several quantitative trait loci (QTL). Our objective was to identify and map QTL for SCN resistance to races 3 (HG Type 0) and 5 (HG Type 2.5.7) using a high density SNP-based genetic linkage map based on the PI438489B by ‘Hamilton’ (PIxH, n=50) recombinant inbred line population. The PI438489B by Hamilton map contained 648 SNPs distributed on 31 LGs with coverage of 1,524.7 cM and an average distance of 2.35 cM between two markers (Kassem et al., 2011). Using interval mapping (IM) and composite interval mapping (CIM), eight QTL were identified for SCN resistance to races 3 and 5 on 7 different soybean chromosomes. Four QTL for resistance to SCN race 3 were identified and mapped on chromosomes 7, 13, 15, and 16. Similarly, four QTL for resistance to SCN race 5 were identified and mapped on chromosomes 5, 8, and 11. The QTL identified here will be highly beneficial in breeding programs to develop cultivars with resistance to both SCN races 3 and 5.

No abstract

Ectopic calcifications and even bone formation have been linked to GNAS gene mutations. A 51-year-old Caucasian female had been diagnosed of pseudo-pseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP) in 1989. She has always had normal serum parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus levels. A non-contrast computed tomography of the head was done in 2013 and it showed finely speckled subcutaneous calcifications in the high convexity of the head. Cutaneous exploration did not show any abnormality. We herein report an unusual case of late-onset scalp calcifications in a patient with PPHP.

Soybean cyst nematode caused by Heterodera glycines Ichinohe is the most devastating pest in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Resistance to SCN is complex, polygenic, race and cultivar specific, and it is controlled by several quantitative trait loci (QTL). Our objective was to identify and map QTL for SCN resistance to races 3 (HG Type 0) and 5 (HG Type 2.5.7) using a high density SNP-based genetic linkage map based on the PI438489B by 'Hamilton' (PIxH, n=50) recombinant inbred line population. The PI438489B by Hamilton map contained 648 SNPs distributed on 31 LGs with coverage of 1,524.7 cM and an average distance of 2.35 cM between two markers (Kassem et al., 2011). Using interval mapping (IM) and composite interval mapping (CIM), eight QTL were identified for SCN resistance to races 3 and 5 on 7 different soybean chromosomes. Four QTL for resistance to SCN race 3 were identified and mapped on chromosomes 7, 13, 15, and 16. Similarly, four QTL for resistance to SCN race 5 were identified and mapped on chromosomes 5, 8, and 11. The QTL identified here will be highly beneficial in breeding programs to develop cultivars with resistance to both SCN races 3 and 5.

No abstract