METHODS: Genetic diversity was assessed using 20 SSR markers, and the parental lines were grouped into five clusters based on the Unweighted Pair Group Method of Arithmetic Means (UPGMA). Heterosis was examined through yield and yield-related traits among parents and hybrids.
RESULTS: Polymorphisms were detected in eight out of the twenty SSR markers across the parental lines. Notably, a high genetic distance was observed between some parents. The analysis of yield and yield-related traits demonstrated significant heterosis over mid, superior, and standard parents, particularly in fruit yield per plant. Two crosses (RKML-26 X PPC and RKML1 X PPC) displayed substantial heterosis over mid and better parents, respectively. However, the positive correlation between genetic distance and heterosis was only up to a certain threshold; moderate genetic distance often resulted in higher heterosis compared to very high genetic distance.
DISCUSSION: These findings emphasize the critical role of parental selection in hybrid breeding programs. The results contribute to the understanding of the relationship between genetic distance and heterosis, and it is suggested that future research should delve into the genetic mechanisms that drive heterosis and the effect of genetic distance variance on heterosis. The insights drawn from this study can be harnessed to enhance crop yield and economic value in breeding programs.
METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science through August 2024 for randomized controlled trials evaluating ensifentrine in COPD patients over a minimum of four weeks. Data extraction and screening utilized Knowledge software, and meta-analyses were performed using R v4.4 with a random-effects model.
RESULTS: From 206 studies identified, four met our inclusion criteria. Ensifentrine improved FEV1 significantly at a dose of 3 mg (LS mean difference: 40.90 mL; 95% CI: 19.65-62.15). It also improved dyspnea as measured by the Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI) (LS mean difference: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.61-1.21) and quality of life according to the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire-C (SGRQ-C) scores (LS mean difference: -1.92; 95% CI: -3.28 to -0.55). Safety profiles were comparable between the ensifentrine and placebo groups, with no significant increase in treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.94-1.10).
CONCLUSION: Ensifentrine significantly enhances lung function, reduces dyspnea, and improves quality of life in COPD patients, especially at a 3 mg dose. These benefits, coupled with a stable safety profile, support its use as an adjunctive therapy in COPD management.