1.
Integrated Genomic Strategies for Cereal Genetic Enhancement: Combining QTL and Association Mapping.
Daware, A, Parida, SK, Tyagi, AK
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). 2020;:15-25
Abstract
Identification of genetic basis for important agronomic traits is essential for marker-assisted crop improvement. Linkage mapping is one of the most popular approaches utilized for identification of major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) governing important agronomic traits in cereals. However, the identified QTLs usually span large genomic intervals and very few of these are subsequently fine mapped to single major effect gene. This hinders application of these QTLs in marker-aided breeding and crop genetic enhancement. On the contrary, association mapping, another popular approach for identification of QTLs, provides very high resolution but suffers from high level of false positives. Joint linkage-association analysis provides a way to combine advantages and avoid the pitfalls associated with both these methods. In this context, we recently developed MetaQTL specific regional association analysis and demonstrated its utility to rapidly narrow down previously identified QTL intervals to few candidate genes. Here, we describe the detailed step-by-step guide for performing MetaQTL specific regional association analysis to identify important genomic regions and underlying potential major effect genes governing traits of agronomic importance in cereals.
2.
Effects of cereal beta-glucan consumption on body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and total energy intake: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Rahmani, J, Miri, A, Černevičiūtė, R, Thompson, J, de Souza, NN, Sultana, R, Kord Varkaneh, H, Mousavi, SM, Hekmatdoost, A
Complementary therapies in medicine. 2019;:131-139
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE(S): Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and a common medical condition associated with a variety of chronic diseases. Cereal beta-glucans are soluble fibers with potential health benefits. A number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the effect of cereal beta-glucan consumption on weight, but these results have not been summarized in a meta-analysis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cereal beta-glucan consumption on body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and a total energy intake. METHODS Studies were identified using MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases. Screening of relevant articles and references was carried out until December 2018. There were no language restrictions. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using the Preferred Items for Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS Twenty eligible studies were identified and analyzed. Our study found a significant reduction in body weight and body mass index (BMI) following beta-glucan consumption (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -0.77 kg, 95% CI: -1.49, -0.04) and (WMD: -0.62 kg/cm2, 95% CI: -1.04, -0.21), respectively. There was no significant effect on waist circumference and energy intake. A subgroup analysis showed that a beta-glucan dose of ≥ 4 g/day lead to an increase in energy intake. CONCLUSION The findings of this study indicates that cereal beta-glucan consumption seems to decrease body weight and BMI, but has no effect on waist circumference and energy intake.