Genetic diversity,population structure and differentiation of rice species from Niger and their potential for rice genetic resources conservation and enhancement

Rice genetic resources conservation and evaluation is crucial to ensure germplasm sources for further crop breeding. We conducted a wide collection of Oryza species in Niger and characterize its diversity with microsatellites (or simple sequence repeats, SSR). The aims of this research were to get a better understanding of the extent of genetic diversity, its structure and partition within rice eco-geographical zones of Niger. There were 264 accessions found in farmers’ and other fields: 173 O. sativa (Asia’s rice), 65 O. glaberrima (Africa’s rice), 25 O. barthii, and 1 O. longistaminata (weedy perennial rice), which were genotyped with 18 SSR. A total of 178 alleles were detected, with a mean of 9.89 alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content was 0.65 and heterozygosity was estimated as 0.14. Two main well-differentiate genotypic groups, which correspond to Asian and African rice species, were identified. The SSR set divided the Asia’s rice group (solely indica) into irrigated and floating rice, with rainfed lowland rice in between. The African rice species group was composed of O. glaberrima, O. longistaminata and O. barthii accessions, but without any clear genetic differentiation among them likely due admixtures within the samples of O. barthii. Five accessions that could be natural interspecific hybrids were too admixed for assigning them to any of the two well-differentiated groups. The partitioning of the overall diversity showed that maximum variation was within genotypic groups and subgroups or cropping ecologies, rather than between eco-geographical zones. The eco-geographical distribution of the diversity suggests germplasm exchange in Niger. Next-steps for conserving rice and crop wild relatives in Niger could be taken using the findings of this research.     

Long-term treatment with standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) attenuates cognitive deficits and hippocampal neuron loss in a gerbil model of vascular dementia

The standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba EGb 761 has been used to reduce cognitive dysfunction. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of postischemic oral treatment with EGb 761 in a model of vascular dementia in gerbils. Daily oral posttreatment with EGb 761 led to a significant recovery of spatial memory assessed by the object location test, inhibited the decrease in plasma SOD activity and protected the hippocampal CA1 neurons, even when administered after the insult. These data provide further evidence for the therapeutic potential of EGb 761 in the treatment of vascular dementia.     

High resistance to rice yellow mottle virus in two cultivated rice cultivars is correlated with failure of cell to cell movement

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) accumulation in protoplasts and whole plants was investigated in two highly resistant cultivars, Tog5681 (Oryza glaberrima) and Gigante (Oryza sativa). Three susceptible cultivars, i.e. one O. glaberrima Tog5673 and two O. sativa (IR64, Ac. 2428), and a partially resistant cultivar (Azucena) were used as control. After inoculation, accumulation of coat protein (CP) and viral RNA were monitored on protoplasts, inoculated leaves, sheaths of inoculated leaves and newly infected leaves by serological and Northern blot analysis. Viral RNA accumulated to a similar extent in protoplasts from all cultivars studied. In contrast, three distinct in planta behaviors were noted. In susceptible plants (IR64, Tog5673 and Ac. 2428), there was high CP and RNA accumulation at 5 d.p.i. in whole plants, suggesting that cell to cell and vascular movements occurred before 5 d.p.i. in inoculated leaves. The second behavior concerned Azucena, which showed a delay (around 7 d.p.i.) of viral accumulation in inoculated leaves. The third behavior involved the highly resistant cultivars Tog5681 and Gigante. CP and viral RNA were not detected in these cultivars. The comparison of viral accumulation in protoplasts and plants suggested that resistance of the highly resistant cultivars Tog5681 (O. glaberrima) and Gigante (O. sativa) was not due to the inhibition of virus replication but rather to the failure of cell to cell movement.     

Major phenolic compounds in olive oil modulate bone loss in an ovariectomy/inflammation experimental model

This study was conducted to determine whether the daily consumption for 84 days of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, the main olive oil phenolic compounds, and olive oil mill wastewater (OMWW), a byproduct of olive oil production, rich in micronutrients, may improve bone loss in ovariectomized rats (an experimental model of postmenopausal osteoporosis) and in ovariectomized rats with granulomatosis inflammation (a model set up for senile osteoporosis). As expected, an induced chronic inflammation provoked further bone loss at total, metaphyseal, and diaphyseal sites in ovariectomized rats. Tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol prevented this osteopenia by increasing bone formation ( p < 0.05), probably because of their antioxidant properties. The two doses of OMWW extracts had the same protective effect on bone ( p < 0.05), whereas OMWW did not reverse established osteopenia. In conclusion, polyphenol consumption seems to be an interesting way to prevent bone loss.