University of the Philippines

About: University of the Philippines is a education organization based out in Quezon City, Philippines. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 4589 authors who have published 4437 publications receiving 114846 citations. The organization is also known as: UP.

Risk of Recurrent Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Childhood A Prospective International Study

Abstract: Background and Purpose— Published cohorts of children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in the 1990s to early 2000s reported 5-year cumulative recurrence rates approaching 20%. Since then, utilization of antithrombotic agents for secondary stroke prevention in children has increased. We sought to determine rates and predictors of recurrent stroke in the current era. Methods— The Vascular Effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke (VIPS) study enrolled 355 children with AIS at 37 international centers from 2009 to 2014 and followed them prospectively for recurrent stroke. Index and recurrent strokes underwent central review and confirmation, as well as central classification of causes of stroke, including arteriopathies. Other predictors were measured via parental interview or chart review. Results— Of the 355 children, 354 survived their acute index stroke, and 308 (87%) were treated with an antithrombotic medication. During a median follow-up of 2.0 years (interquartile range, 1.0–3.0), 40 children had a recurrent AIS, and none had a hemorrhagic stroke. The cumulative stroke recurrence rate was 6.8% (95% confidence interval, 4.6%–10%) at 1 month and 12% (8.5%–15%) at 1 year. The sole predictor of recurrence was the presence of an arteriopathy, which increased the risk of recurrence 5-fold when compared with an idiopathic AIS (hazard ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8–14). The 1-year recurrence rate was 32% (95% confidence interval, 18%–51%) for moyamoya, 25% (12%–48%) for transient cerebral arteriopathy, and 19% (8.5%–40%) for arterial dissection. Conclusions— Children with AIS, particularly those with arteriopathy, remain at high risk for recurrent AIS despite increased utilization of antithrombotic agents. Therapies directed at the arteriopathies themselves are needed.

DNA marker analysis of loci underlying resistance to soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe)

Abstract: Inheritance of resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is oligogenic and complex. DNA markers, such as restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), can be used to identify loci associated with complex genetic characters, including SCN resistance. To uncover these associations, 56 F 2 lines from a cross between a susceptible (M83-15) and a resistant (M85-1430) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] inbred line were mapped for DNA marker polymorphisms. F 3 lines derived from these F 3 individuals were assayed for SCN disease response in the greenhouse to a field isolate of SCN from Minnesota that tested as Race 3. The F 2 genotypic classes for each of 43 DNA markers were then contrasted with SCN disease response to identify marker loci associated with SCN resistance

Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency: Relationships with Grain Yield, Grain Protein, and Yield-Related Traits in Rice

Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) breeders have historically not included nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) as a selection criterion in breeding for cultivars, even though it has economic and ecological implications. This study examined the significance and magnitude of variation in N content, NUE, N translocation ratio (NTR), and grain protein concentration among diverse rice genotypes. Fifteen rice genotypes were studied representing the combinations of low and high levels of four yield-related traits: maximum number of tillers, grain mass, main culm panicle node number, and panicle mass. These genotypes included ‘Lemont’, ‘Teqing’, and 13 advance recombinant inbred genotypes obtained from a Lemont 3 Teqing cross. Field data were obtained from experiments conducted during two cropping seasons. Plant samples were analyzed for N concentration. There was significant variation in N content and NUE among genotypes. The genotype NUE means ranged from 25.3 to 63.9 kg grain kg 21 N in a square meter of plants (kg grain kg 21 N), with the top four NUE values ranging from 56.6 to 63.9 kg grain kg 21 N. Nitrogen content and NUE were not significantly correlated with each other, and they had significant positive direct effects on grain yield. Grain yield was positively correlated with NUE, N content, and NTR, whereas NTR was correlated with grain protein concentration. Plant breeders could use these significant correlations to their advantage in breeding for rice cultivars that not only produce high yield but also utilize N efficiently and produce grain with a higher protein concentration.

Arteriopathy diagnosis in childhood arterial ischemic stroke: results of the vascular effects of infection in pediatric stroke study.

Abstract: Background and Purpose—Although arteriopathies are the most common cause of childhood arterial ischemic stroke, and the strongest predictor of recurrent stroke, they are difficult to diagnose. We studied the role of clinical data and follow-up imaging in diagnosing cerebral and cervical arteriopathy in children with arterial ischemic stroke. Methods—Vascular effects of infection in pediatric stroke, an international prospective study, enrolled 355 cases of arterial ischemic stroke (age, 29 days to 18 years) at 39 centers. A neuroradiologist and stroke neurologist independently reviewed vascular imaging of the brain (mandatory for inclusion) and neck to establish a diagnosis of arteriopathy (definite, possible, or absent) in 3 steps: (1) baseline imaging alone; (2) plus clinical data; (3) plus follow-up imaging. A 4-person committee, including a second neuroradiologist and stroke neurologist, adjudicated disagreements. Using the final diagnosis as the gold standard, we calculated the sensitivity and specif...