Remote-Sensing-Combined Haplotype Analysis Using Multi-Parental Advanced Generation Inter-Cross Lines Reveals Phenology QTLs for Canopy Height in Rice.

High-throughput phenotyping systems with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) enable observation of crop lines in the field. In this study, we show the ability of time-course monitoring of canopy height (CH) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and to characterise their pleiotropic effect on various traits. We generated a digital surface model from low-altitude UAV-captured colour digital images and investigated CH data of rice multi-parental advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) lines from tillering and heading to maturation.

Haplotype analysis from unmanned aerial vehicle imagery of rice MAGIC population for the trait dissection of biomass and plant architecture.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are popular tools for high-throughput phenotyping of crops in the field. However, their use for evaluation of individual lines is limited in crop breeding because research on what the UAV image data represent is still developing. Here, we investigated the connection between shoot biomass of rice plants and the vegetation fraction (VF) estimated from high-resolution orthomosaic images taken by a UAV 10 m above a field during the vegetative stage.

Root angle modifications by the homolog improve rice yields in saline paddy fields.

The root system architecture (RSA) of crops can affect their production, particularly in abiotic stress conditions, such as with drought, waterlogging, and salinity. Salinity is a growing problem worldwide that negatively impacts on crop productivity, and it is believed that yields could be improved if RSAs that enabled plants to avoid saline conditions were identified. Here, we have demonstrated, through the cloning and characterization of (), that a shallower root growth angle (RGA) could enhance rice yields in saline paddies.

Surveillance of panicle positions by unmanned aerial vehicle to reveal morphological features of rice.

Rice plant architecture affects biomass and grain yield. Thus, it is important to select rice genotypes with ideal plant architecture. High-throughput phenotyping by use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) allows all lines in a field to be observed in less time than with traditional procedures.

Discovery of QTL Alleles for Grain Shape in the Japan-MAGIC Rice Population Using Haplotype Information.

A majority of traits are determined by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) that can have pleiotropic effects. A multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population is well suited for genetically analyzing the effects of multiple QTL on traits of interest because it contains a higher number of QTL alleles than a biparental population. We previously produced the JAPAN-MAGIC (JAM) population, derived from eight rice ( L.

Haplotype-based allele mining in the Japan-MAGIC rice population.

Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) lines have broader genetic variation than bi-parental recombinant inbred lines. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) using high number of DNA polymorphisms such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is a popular tool for allele mining in MAGIC populations, in which the associations of phenotypes with SNPs are investigated; however, the effects of haplotypes from multiple founders on phenotypes are not considered. Here, we describe an improved method of allele mining using the newly developed Japan-MAGIC (JAM) population, which is derived from eight high-yielding rice cultivars in Japan.

Fine Mapping of and , Quantitative Trait Loci Increasing Root Length in Rice.

The volume that the root system can occupy is associated with the efficiency of water and nutrient uptake from soil. Genetic improvement of root length, which is a limiting factor for root distribution, is necessary for increasing crop production. In this report, we describe identification of two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for maximal root length, () on chromosome 2 and on chromosome 6, in cultivated rice ( L.

Efficacy of a leukotriene receptor antagonist for pediatric cedar pollen allergy complicated by asthma.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are identified as a monotherapy for asthma and allergic rhinitis; however, their use in children for treatment of these diseases has not been examined. Accordingly, the present study investigated the efficacy of pranlukast dry syrup for children with both pollinosis and asthma. The subjects were children receiving treatment for asthma who were also diagnosed with cedar pollen allergy.

Caregiver treatment satisfaction is improved together with children's asthma control: Prospective study for budesonide monotherapy in school-aged children with uncontrolled asthma symptoms.

Background: If asthmatic children cannot obtain sufficient control of their disease, not only do they suffer from asthma symptoms, but the daily life activities of their caregivers are also disrupted. We investigated the effectiveness of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for symptom control in previously ICS-untreated school-aged asthmatic children as well as caregiver treatment satisfaction (CTS).

Methods: A multicenter, open-label, single-arm study on 12-week ICS (budesonide Turbuhaler®) monotherapy was undertaken in subjects aged 5-15 years with bronchial asthma not treated with ICS during the previous 3 months.

QTLs underlying natural variation of root growth angle among rice cultivars with the same functional allele of DEEPER ROOTING 1.

Background: The functional allele of the rice gene DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1) increases the root growth angle (RGA). However, wide natural variation in RGA is observed among rice cultivars with the functional DRO1 allele. To elucidate genetic factors related to such variation, we quantitatively measured RGA using the basket method and analyzed quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for RGA in three F2 mapping populations derived from crosses between the large RGA-type cultivar Kinandang Patong and each of three accessions with varying RGA: Momiroman has small RGA and was used to produce the MoK-F2 population; Yumeaoba has intermediate RGA (YuK-F2 population); Tachisugata has large RGA (TaK-F2 population).

A QTL for root growth angle on rice chromosome 7 is involved in the genetic pathway of DEEPER ROOTING 1.

Background: Root growth angle (RGA) is an important trait that influences the ability of rice to avoid drought stress. DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1), which is a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for RGA, is responsible for the difference in RGA between the shallow-rooting cultivar IR64 and the deep-rooting cultivar Kinandang Patong. However, the RGA differences between these cultivars cannot be fully explained by DRO1.

Prophylactic effectiveness of suplatast tosilate in children with asthma symptoms in the autumn: a pilot study.

Background: Exacerbations of bronchial asthma usually occur in the autumn. To our knowledge, however, the effectiveness of drugs for preventing exacerbations of asthma in the autumn has not been studied previously, except for leukotriene receptor antagonists and Omalizmab.

Methods: This study compared the prophylactic effectiveness of suplatast tosilate with that of mequitazine in children with asthma symptoms, which is usually exacerbated in the autumn.

A major QTL controlling deep rooting on rice chromosome 4.

Drought is the most serious abiotic stress that hinders rice production under rainfed conditions. Breeding for deep rooting is a promising strategy to improve the root system architecture in shallow-rooting rice cultivars to avoid drought stress. We analysed the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the ratio of deep rooting (RDR) in three F₂ mapping populations derived from crosses between each of three shallow-rooting varieties ('ARC5955', 'Pinulupot1', and 'Tupa729') and a deep-rooting variety, 'Kinandang Patong'.

Control of root system architecture by DEEPER ROOTING 1 increases rice yield under drought conditions.

The genetic improvement of drought resistance is essential for stable and adequate crop production in drought-prone areas. Here we demonstrate that alteration of root system architecture improves drought avoidance through the cloning and characterization of DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1), a rice quantitative trait locus controlling root growth angle. DRO1 is negatively regulated by auxin and is involved in cell elongation in the root tip that causes asymmetric root growth and downward bending of the root in response to gravity.

Inhibition of common cold-induced aggravation of childhood asthma by leukotriene receptor antagonists.

Background: Virus infection is an important risk factor for aggravation of childhood asthma. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of drugs on aggravation of asthma induced by a common cold.

Methods: Asthma control was examined in a survey of 1,014 Japanese pediatric patients with bronchial asthma.

[Changes in treatment, symptoms and QOL of pediatric asthma patients at different ages for 7 years in Tochigi].

Background: A 7-year analysis of pediatric asthma in Tochigi was performed with the aim of improvement of future treatment.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by pediatric asthma patients and their parents who visited pediatric clinics or hospitals in Tochigi at the same period of year in 2002, 2006, and 2008. Changes in asthma symptoms and in the QOL of the patients and their parents were analyzed.

Development and validation of a nighttime sleep diary in asthmatic children.

The aim of this study was to derive a shorter version of the asthma diary, 'a nighttime sleep diary' from the traditional asthma diary (original version). The nighttime sleep diary mainly consisted of nighttime awakening that met the criteria of validity and practicality necessary for monitoring clinical control in infants and young children with asthma symptoms. Validation of the diary was performed in a 6-week prospective study of 40 children aged 6 months to 6 years treated with nebulized budesonide inhalation suspension or cromolyn sodium nebulized solution.

[Investigation of factors childhood asthma persisting into adulthood].

Background: A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the percentages of patients with childhood-onset asthma persisting into adulthood and adult-relapse asthma in the adult asthmatic population, and to identify the factors the childhood-onset asthma persisting into adulthood.

Methods: The questionnaire survey included 822 adult asthmatic patients who visited out patient clinic at Nishikata Hospital. The characteristics of the three groups of adult asthmatics, namely, the childhood-onset asthma persisting into adulthood, adult-onset asthma and adult-relapse asthma, were compared with those of a group of 153 pediatric asthma patients with remission (control group).