Towards the Development, Maintenance and Standardized Phenotypic Characterization of Single-Seed-Descent Genetic Resources for Chickpea.

Here we present the approach used to develop the INCREASE "Intelligent Chickpea" Collections, from analysis of the information on the life history and population structure of chickpea germplasm, the availability of genomic and genetic resources, the identification of key phenotypic traits and methodologies to characterize chickpea. We present two phenotypic protocols within H2O20 Project INCREASE to characterize, develop, and maintain chickpea single-seed-descent (SSD) line collections. Such protocols and related genetic resource data from the project will be available for the legume community to apply the standardized approaches to develop Chickpea Intelligent Collections further or for multiplication/seed-increase purposes.

Effective homocysteine-lowering vitamin B treatment in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for atherosclerosis, is frequently detected in patients with renal failure. Vitamin B supplementation reduces but rarely normalizes homocysteine (Hcy) levels in hemodialysis patients. There are no data about the effects of vitamin B therapy on Hcy levels in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Effects of folic acid treatment on homocysteine levels and vascular disease in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. These patients frequently have hyperhomocysteinemia, a putative risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Treatment with folate, B6 and B12 partially reduces hyperhomocysteinemia.