Significant Heritability Research Articles

Genetic Variability and Association Studies on Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper)

Aims: Low and static productivity (450–800 kg/ha) is one of the main obstacles in blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) crop. The low productivity is due to inadequate seed systems, a lack of access to genetic and genomic resources, and a lack of active breeding initiatives. Hence the present study was carried out to assess the variability and association among yield contributing traits for blackgram improvement programmes. Place and Duration of Study: The field study was carried out during 2019-2020 in V.O. Chidambaranar Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University at Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding. Study Design and Methodology: A total of 60 F4 progenies developed from the cross IC 436656 x KKB14045 in blackgram for the assessment of per se performance, genetic variability and association studies. Results: Based on the production of a single plant, seventeen offspring were determined to be promising. The traits viz., number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, and single plant yield showed high PCV and GCV, which indicated that there was a high level of genetic variability in the population. The variables of plant height, number of clusters / plant, number of pods/plant, and single plant yield showed significant heritability and high genetic advancement, indicating additive gene action. Single plant yield was positively and significantly correlated with the traits viz., plant height, number of clusters / plant, number of pods / plant, and number of seeds / pod. Therefore, choosing these characteristics is crucial to creating high yielding blackgram cultivars.

Estimates of microbiome heritability across hosts.

Microbiomes contribute to variation in many plant and animal traits, suggesting that microbiome-mediated traits could evolve through selection on the host. However, for such evolution to occur, microbiomes must exhibit sufficient heritability to contribute to host adaptation. Previous work has attempted to estimate the heritability of a variety of microbiome attributes. Here we show that most published estimates are limited to vertebrate and plant hosts, but significant heritability of microbiome attributes has been frequently reported. This indicates that microbiomes could evolve in response to host-level selection, but studies across a wider range of hosts are necessary before general conclusions can be made. We suggest future studies focus on standardizing heritability measurements for the purpose of meta-analyses and investigate the role of the environment in contributing to heritable microbiome variation. This could have important implications for the use of microbiomes in conservation, agriculture and medicine.

Abstract 4137682: Genome wide association study for residualized apolipoprotein B elucidates its role in coronary artery disease risk

Background: Recent studies have shown apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the principle atherogenic lipoproteins, to have greater predictive ability for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk over standard lipid parameters. Moreover, discordantly high ApoB relative to Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) has repeatedly been associated with increased CAD risk. Aim: Given the strong genetic effects of ApoB and LDLC, we sought to characterize the discordance between ApoB and LDLC by genetics to obtain mechanistic insights into this emerging risk factor. Method: We derived residualized-ApoB regressing ApoB on LDLC in European-like populations (N = 383,500) in the UK Biobank. Using residualized-ApoB as an outcome, we explored clinical associations and conducted genome wide association study (GWAS). Result: Residualized-ApoB only modestly correlated with ApoB and LDLC (Spearman’s rho = 0.248 and -0.0079 respectively). We observed increased residualized-ApoB in males and individuals with lipid lowering therapy. Increased residualized-ApoB was associated with increased risk for CAD [Odds Ratio; 1.25 (95% Confidence interval 1.23-1.27)] independent from LDLC, ApoB, and Triglycerides. By GWAS, we observed significant heritability for residualized-ApoB [h 2 = 12.3 (SE 0.012)] and 195 significantly associated genetic loci ( P < 5 × 10 -8 ). Only 59 of these lead variants were associated with ApoB or LDLC. We also found different effects in ApoB-related loci. For example, ApoB-increasing alleles at APOB (rs533617) and APOE (rs7412) loci increased residualized-ApoB but ApoB-increasing alleles at ABCG8 (rs4245791) and HAPLN4-TM6SF2 (rs150641967) loci decreased residualized-ApoB. Conclusions: Exploiting genetics, we determined significant heritability of residualized-ApoB which was partially correlated with ApoB/LDLC. We identified distinct effects of genetic variants on residualized-ApoB. Our results provide the clues for further precise understanding of regulatory mechanisms between ApoB and LDLC.

Abstract 4137518: The implications of polygenic versus phenotypic characterization of obesity for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health

Introduction: The overall amount and the distribution of body fat, proxied by body-mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), are two important measures of obesity and have significant polygenic heritability. We aimed to investigate whether polygenic scores (PGS) for these traits have additional predictive utility, beyond phenotypic characterization of obesity, for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health. Methods: We derived PGS for BMI (PGS BMI ) and WHR adjusted for BMI (PGS WHRadjBMI ) using PRS-CS-auto on summary statistics from ~700k individuals of European ancestry (EA) in the GIANT consortium and selecting ~1M common variants for each score. We conducted association analyses in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, a prospective cohort including 8,631 EA individuals with ascertainment of incident diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and heart failure. We used nested Cox models to measure the added predictive utility of PGS to BMI and WHR for incident CKM phenotypes. Results: The study cohort (age 54.4±5.7 years, 52.4% women, follow-up 24.5±7.6 years) had a baseline BMI of 26.4 kg/m 2 (median [IQR]; 21.6-29.6) and WHR of 0.94 (0.88-0.98). PGS BMI and PGS WHRadjBMI were associated with their phenotypes (partial R 2 ; BMI 0.11 and WHR 0.04, p <0.001), although with a large phenotypic variability across the distribution of PGS (IQR for 1 st and 10 th deciles of PGS; BMI 19.6-28.3 and 22.6-35.9, WHR 0.79-1.03 and 0.87-1.05). Anthropometric measures of obesity were associated with a wider gradient of risk compared to PGS for obesity–most notable for diabetes and cardiovascular phenotypes (Table 1a). Addition of PGS BMI and PGS WHRadjBMI to BMI and WHR resulted in limited improvement in risk discrimination across incident CKM phenotypes (Table 1b). Conclusions: Observed anthropometric measures of obesity are sufficient, and for certain conditions far superior, to capture the risk of incident CKM phenotypes. These findings suggest PGS for adiposity traits likely have limited clinical utility to refine risk stratification for CKM syndrome among middle aged adults.

Hyperspectral Leaf Reflectance Detects Interactive Genetic and Environmental Effects on Tree Phenotypes, Enabling Large-Scale Monitoring and Restoration Planning Under Climate Change.

Plants respond to rapid environmental change in ways that depend on both their genetic identity and their phenotypic plasticity, impacting their survival as well as associated ecosystems. However, genetic and environmental effects on phenotype are difficult to quantify across large spatial scales and through time. Leaf hyperspectral reflectance offers a potentially robust approach to map these effects from local to landscape levels. Using a handheld field spectrometer, we analyzed leaf-level hyperspectral reflectance of the foundation tree species Populus fremontii in wild populations and in three 6-year-old experimental common gardens spanning a steep climatic gradient. First, we show that genetic variation among populations and among clonal genotypes is detectable with leaf spectra, using both multivariate and univariate approaches. Spectra predicted population identity with 100% accuracy among trees in the wild, 87%-98% accuracy within a common garden, and 86% accuracy across different environments. Multiple spectral indices of plant health had significant heritability, with genotype accounting for 10%-23% of spectral variation within populations and 14%-48% of the variation across all populations. Second, we found gene by environment interactions leading to population-specific shifts in the spectral phenotype across common garden environments. Spectral indices indicate that genetically divergent populations made unique adjustments to their chlorophyll and water content in response to the same environmental stresses, so that detecting genetic identity is critical to predicting tree response to change. Third, spectral indicators of greenness and photosynthetic efficiency decreased when populations were transferred to growing environments with higher mean annual maximum temperatures relative to home conditions. This result suggests altered physiological strategies further from the conditions to which plants are locally adapted. Transfers to cooler environments had fewer negative effects, demonstrating that plant spectra show directionality in plant performance adjustments. Thus, leaf reflectance data can detect both local adaptation and plastic shifts in plant physiology, informing strategic restoration and conservation decisions by enabling high resolution tracking of genetic and phenotypic changes in response to climate change.

A Comprehensive Review on the Screening Models for the Pharmacological Assessment of Antipsychotic Drugs

Background: Psychosis is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by a profound disconnection from reality, manifesting in symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. The pathophysiology of psychosis is multifaceted, involving an interplay of neurobiological, genetic, and environmental factors. Neurobiologically, dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems particularly dopaminergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic pathways-plays a central role, with excessive dopaminergic activity linked to positive symptoms and glutamatergic dysfunction implicated in cognitive impairments. Genetic predisposition, evidenced by significant heritability and associations with specific genetic variants, intersects with environmental factors such as stress, trauma, and substance use to influence the onset and progression of psychosis. Cognitive disruptions, including deficits in attention, memory, and executive function, exacerbate the disorder’s impact. This phenomenon has led to short-term as well as long-term psychosocial and mental health implications for all. Objective: To determine the antipsychotic activity of pharmaceuticals, numerous antipsychotic screening models are available. Determining the optimal animal model for measuring antipsychotic activity is the primary goal of this study. Methods: A search for literature was carried out using several keywords, including "Antipsychotic," "In-vivo models," "In-vitro models," and "Behavior models," on the databases Science Direct and PubMed. For the purpose of obtaining the most appropriate articles to fulfil the goal of this review article, the search was customized by using the necessary filters. Results: Research and review articles based on neuroleptic screening models are available to determine the antipsychotic activity of novel pharmacological compounds. Conclusion: Following our research, we identified several helpful models for evaluating the antipsychotic activity of pharmaceuticals and proposed that combining invitro and in-vivo techniques with behavioral methodologies might yield the most appropriate results for our field of study.

Multivariate genetic analysis and diversity assessment in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) accessions

The present study was carried out during 2019 to 2022 at the Floriculture Research Station (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), Thovalai, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu to access the genetic variability in lotus accessions (Nelumbo nucifera) collected from 6 diverse locations. The research presents significant insights into the growth and flowering characteristics of these extraordinary aquatic plants and their adaptability to various environmental conditions. The analysis of mean performance showcases noteworthy variations in plant height, leaf dimensions, flowering time and the number of leaves, and flowers/plant across different collection sites, highlighting the profound influence of local environmental conditions on lotus growth. Lotus traits with significant genetic diversity and heritability, presenting opportunities for targeted selective breeding were identified. Principal component analysis uncovers key trait influencers, while cluster analysis categorizes accessions based on similarities, streamlining research and cultivation. Correlation and path analysis unveil relationships among lotus traits, enhancing our understanding of growth factors. D2 cluster composition reveals distinct groupings; Cluster I includes KNn1 and KNn5, Cluster II features KNn2, Cluster III comprises KNn6, Cluster IV contains KNn3, and Cluster V houses KNn4. Genetic divergence analysis identifies the number of flowers/plant as the primary driver of genetic diversity, emphasizing its importance for breeding. It underscores the need to consider both genetic and environmental factors in lotus cultivation and highlights the importance of targeted breeding efforts to unlock the full potential of lotus.

Bayesian approach to estimate variance components and genetic parameters of average daily gains and Kleiber ratios in crossbred cattle.

The present study aimed to estimate variance components and genetic parameters of the average daily gains from birth to 3-months (ADG1), 3- to 6-months (ADG2), 6- to 9-months (ADG3) and 9- to 12-months (ADG4) of age and corresponding Kleiber ratios (KR1, KR2, KR3 and KR4, respectively) in Jersey crossbred calves. Data for this study were collected from National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India during 2013 to 2021. Genetic parameters for the traits were estimated using Bayesian procedure through Gibbs sampling by fitting six animal models. The deviance information criterion (DIC) was employed to determine the most appropriate model for each trait under investigation. Direct heritability estimates for ADGs and KRs ranged from 0.19 (ADG3) to 0.59 (ADG2) and 0.14 (KR3) to 0.72 (KR1), respectively. Significant maternal heritability ( ) was observed for average daily gains (17-24%) and Kleiber ratios (13-18%) at different age intervals under the best model. Estimates of permanent environmental effects ( ) of dam for ADG1, ADG2, KR2 and KR4 were only 1-4% of the total phenotypic variance in this study. Large negative estimates of correlations, ranging from -0.87 to -0.98, between direct and maternal ) effects for ADGs and KRs (except KR3) at different age intervals were observed. Total heritability ( ) and maternal repeatability ) of the studied traits ranged 0.05-0.28 and 0.01-0.14, respectively. The moderate to high heritability estimates for all traits in this study indicate the possibility of genetic progress for these traits through selective breeding program.

Analysis of Genetic Variability, Heritability, and Genetic Advance for Yield-Associated Traits under High Temperature Stress in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The objective of this study was to examine the genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advancement in tomato plants (both parents and hybrids) in terms of their tolerance to high temperatures. The research was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (ICAR-IIVR) in Varanasi during the summer season of 2024 (February-May). In this study, a total of 23 tomato genotypes comprising 8 parent varieties and 15 hybrid crosses were cultivated using a completely randomized block design (CRBD). The ANOVA analysis indicated a notable level of genetic variability present in the genotypes for the traits under investigation. Both the phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation showed a higher PCV for all traits examined in relation to their respective GCV, highlighting the significant impact of environmental factors on the results. Significant heritability and genetic advance were noted for various traits, including average fruit weight, fruit quantity per plant, fruit setting, plant yield, anther tip burning, plant height, seed count per fruit, stigma exertion, crop duration, and pollen viability, underscoring their potential for genetic improvement in future research endeavors. Our research findings indicate that these characters are influenced by the cumulative effects of genes, highlighting the potential effectiveness of employing a selection method to enhance their tolerance to high temperatures in tomato plants.

Genetic variation in susceptibility of Phytophthora cinnamomi-infected holm oak in the absence or presence of severe drought

Abstract The evergreen oaks Quercus ilex and Quercus suber are exposed to widespread Phytophthora infestation in natural forests. To restore diseased forests, deploying trees less susceptible to combined stress is the most promising approach. We aimed to determine whether drought affects the susceptibility of Q. ilex and Q. suber seedlings to Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc) differently. Additionally, to provide scientific support for a genetic improvement program to reduce the susceptibility of holm oak to decline, genetic variation and heritability in susceptibility to Pc in Q. ilex in the absence or presence of drought were estimated. About 7000 seedlings of 66 Q. ilex and 9 Q. suber trees from the Extremadura region (Spain) were inoculated with Pc at age 1. The following year, half the experimental blocks were regularly watered and half were exposed to severe drought, and inoculated again with Pc. In the absence of drought, Q. ilex was more susceptible than Q. suber to Pc (mortality 97% and 59%, respectively), but in the presence of drought after Pc infection the species were equally susceptible (~97% plant mortality). It could therefore be expected that under the climate change scenarios predicted for the south of the Iberian Peninsula, offspring of Q. suber will be as compromised as offspring of Q. ilex to soil infestation by Pc. Significant additive genetic variation and heritability in the susceptibility of Q. ilex to combined Pc infection and drought were observed (hi2 = 0.46 for time to death of plants), indicating that breeding for tolerance to combined stress is possible. Family variance component estimates of time to death in Q. ilex were highest in the presence of drought, and genetic control of susceptibility in Q. ilex decreased over time as plant stress increased. This is the first study to define a production population against combined stress in oak.

Heritability of carotid intima-media thickness and inflammatory factors of atherosclerosis in a Chinese population

Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, has been found to be associated with incident stroke. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen have been demonstrated to be associated with atherosclerosis. Previous studies on heritability estimates of IMT, CRP, and fibrinogen among Chinese populations are limited. This study aims to estimate the heritability of these risk factors in residents who participated in the Taichung Community Health Study (TCHS) and their family members. A total of 2671 study subjects from 805 families were enrolled in the study, selected from a random sample of TCHS participants and their family members. CRP, and fibrinogen were obtained from each participant, and a questionnaire interview was conducted. cIMT was measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound and expressed as the mean of the maximum. Heritability estimates and the familial correlation of cIMT, CRP, and fibrinogen among family pairs were determined with SAGE software. With multivariate adjustments, significant heritability was found for cIMT (h2 = 0.26, P < 0.001), CRP (h2 = 0.34, P < 0.001), and fibrinogen (h2 = 0.48, P < 0.001). The intrafamilial correlation coefficients for the three indexes in the parent–offspring pairs were significant (P < 0.001) and ranged from 0.17 to 0.41. The full sibship correlations were also significant (P < 0.001) for the three indexes and ranged from 0.19 to 0.47. This study indicates that a moderate proportion of the variability in CRP, fibrinogen, and cIMT can be attributed to genetic factors in Chinese populations. The findings suggest that CRP is associated with cIMT, whereas no significant association exists between fibrinogen and cIMT.

Integrating genome-and transcriptome-wide association studies to uncover the host-microbiome interactions in bovine rumen methanogenesis.

The ruminal microbiota generates biogenic methane in ruminants. However, the role of host genetics in modifying ruminal microbiota-mediated methane emissions remains mysterious, which has severely hindered the emission control of this notorious greenhouse gas. Here, we uncover the host genetic basis of rumen microorganisms by genome-and transcriptome-wide association studies with matched genome, rumen transcriptome, and microbiome data from a cohort of 574 Holstein cattle. Heritability estimation revealed that approximately 70% of microbial taxa had significant heritability, but only 43 genetic variants with significant association with 22 microbial taxa were identified through a genome-wide association study (GWAS). In contrast, the transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) of rumen microbiota detected 28,260 significant gene-microbe associations, involving 210 taxa and 4652 unique genes. On average, host genetic factors explained approximately 28% of the microbial abundance variance, while rumen gene expression explained 43%. In addition, we highlighted that TWAS exhibits a strong advantage in detecting gene expression and phenotypic trait associations in direct effector organs. For methanogenic archaea, only one significant signal was detected by GWAS, whereas the TWAS obtained 1703 significant associated host genes. By combining multiple correlation analyses based on these host TWAS genes, rumen microbiota, and volatile fatty acids, we observed that substrate hydrogen metabolism is an essential factor linking host-microbe interactions in methanogenesis. Overall, these findings provide valuable guidelines for mitigating methane emissions through genetic regulation and microbial management strategies in ruminants.

Genetic and environmental determinants of Immunoglobulin G in kid serum and adult colostrum of dairy goats

Immune competence is a key factor in the health and resilience of dairy ruminants. The aim of this study was to study immunoglobulin G concentration in serum shortly after birth and in colostrum of lactating animals as proxy of passive immune transfer and colostrum quality, respectively, and thus provide new health and resilience indicators for selection. Data from 424 female kids and 203 primiparous goats, reared on an INRAE experimental farm, were analyzed. IgG concentration was measured in kid serum and goat colostrum, respectively, using the radial immunodiffusion technique. Linear models were used to identify factors of variation in serum and colostrum IgG concentration, and health events were monitored for 5 weeks after birth to measure the impact of passive immune transfer on kids' health. We found a significant effect of serum IgG level on hindquarters cleanliness score (as a proxy of digestive troubles) and nasal and ocular discharge. As expected, the absorption of IgG in the days following birth is essential to ensure the passive transfer of immunity from the mother to the youngster, and provide immune protection. Genetic parameters were estimated for serum IgG concentration in kids and for colostrum characteristics in primiparous goats. Heritability of serum IgG in kids was not significantly different from zero. This low value, with large SE, may be due to the limited sample size and large environmental variability likely not accounted for. Especially, we could not adjust for the amount of IgG that was ingested by the kid, which can have a significant effect on serum IgG and possibly on heritability estimates. Heritability of colostrum traits were moderate, with estimates of 0.25 (±0.16), 0.35 (±0.16), and 0.25 (±0.16) for IgG concentration, IgG mass and colostrum volume, respectively. Genetic correlations with milk production showed high standard errors due to small numbers. However, estimates suggest a negative genetic association between production and IgG concentration in colostrum (rg = -0.44 ± 0.33), probably linked to a positive association with total colostrum volume. The significant heritabilities that were estimated for the first time demonstrate the existence of genetic control of colostrum quality in goats, and open up opportunities for selection in this species.

Genotype-by-Environment Interactions in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Illness among Mexican Americans: The Role of Acculturation Stress.

This study examines the complex interplay of genetic and environmental interactions that shape chronic illness risk. Evidence is mounting for the role of genetic expression and the immune response in the pathogenesis of chronic disease. In the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, where 90% of the population is Mexican American, chronic illnesses (including obesity, diabetes, nonalcoholic liver disease, and depression) are reaching epidemic proportions. This study leverages an ongoing family study of the genetic determinants of risk for obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and depression in a Mexican American population. Data collected included blood pressure, BMI, hepatic transaminases, HbA1c, depression (BDI-II), acculturation/marginalization (ARSMA-II), and liver health as assessed by elastography. Heritability and genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions were analyzed, focusing on the marginalization/separation measure of the ARSMA-II. Significant heritabilities were found for traits such as HbA1c (h2 = 0.52), marginalization (h2 = 0.30), AST (h2 = 0.25), ALT (h2 = 0.41), and BMI (h2 = 0.55). Genotype-by-environment interactions were significant for HbA1c, AST/ALT ratio, BDI-II, and CAP, indicating that genetic factors interact with marginalization to influence these traits. This study found that acculturation stress exacerbates the genetic response to chronic illness. These findings underscore the importance of considering G×E interactions in understanding disease susceptibility and may inform targeted interventions for at-risk populations. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular pathways and replicate these findings in diverse populations.

Effects of anther-stigma position on cross-pollination efficiency in a hermaphroditic plant.

Evolution of cross-pollination efficiency depends on the genetic variation of flower traits, the pollen vector, and flower trait matching between pollen donors and recipients. Trait matching has been almost unexplored among nonheterostylous species, and we examined whether the match of anther length in pollen donors and stigma length in pollen recipients influences the efficiency of cross-pollination. To explore potential constraints for evolutionary response, we also quantified genetic variation and covariation among sepal length, petal length and width, stamen length, style length, and herkogamy. We created 58 experimental arrays of Turnera velutina that varied in the extent of mismatch in the position of anthers and stigmas between single-flowered plants. Genetic variation and correlations among flower traits were estimated under greenhouse conditions. Style length, but not herkogamy, influenced the efficiency of cross-pollination. Plants with stamen length that matched the style length of other plants were more efficient pollen donors, whereas those with the style protruding above the stamens of other plants were more efficient pollen recipients. Significant broad-sense heritability (0.22 > hB 2 < 0.42) and moderate genetic correlations (0.33 > r < 0.85) among floral traits were detected. Our results demonstrated that anther-stigma mismatch between flowers contributed to variation in the efficiency of cross-pollination. The genetic correlations between stamen length and other floral traits suggests that any change in cross-pollination efficiency would be driven by changes in style rather than in stamen length.

Familial Resemblance of Bone Health in Maternal Lineage Pairs and Triads: A Scoping Review.

Female bone health is influenced by familial resemblance, health parameters and maturational periods (puberty and menopause); this combination has been researched using familial multi-generational cross-sectional studies. This scoping review aimed to compile bone health research which uses sexually mature (grandmother-) mother-daughter pairs (and triads) and to determine the trends in its methodologies and familial comparisons. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews was used. Extraction included study and population characteristics, methodology (with an emphasis on imaging) and family-based results. Twenty-nine studies were included, and their generations were categorized into four developmental categories: late adolescent to young adult, pre-menopause, mixed-menopause, and post-menopause. Eleven different pair/triad combinations were observed; the most common was pre-menopausal daughters and post-menopausal mothers. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was the most utilized imaging modality, and the hip was the most imaged region of interest (ROI). Regardless of pairing, imaging modality and ROI, there was often a trend toward significant familial resemblance and heritability (h2 and h2L). This scoping review highlights the trends in bone health linked to familial resemblance, as well as the importance of menopause and late adolescence. This review compiles the commonalities and challenges within these studies to inform future research.

Bi-environmental evaluation of oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes for yield and nutritional traits under cold stress conditions using multivariate analysis

AbstractOat being a rabi/winter crop in Kashmir, experiences extremely low temperatures which has detrimental effects on its growth and development. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate a set of 130 oat genotypes in multi-location trials across temperate conditions of Kashmir valley from 2018 to 2022. From the preliminary data of 56 genotypes, including five checks, were selected and evaluated for nutritional and yield attributing traits under cold stress conditions at two locations. The results demonstrated significant genetic variation and high heritability for majority of traits, except for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and dry fodder. Positive correlations were observed between green fodder yield and other traits, indicating their potential for enhancing yield. Principal component analysis identified four principal components that accounted for 69.87% of the total variation. Cluster analysis categorized the genotypes into two main clusters and six sub-clusters. Frost damage assessment was conducted at tillering stage after the snow melted in late January 2021 and 2022 using cold tolerance rating scale and subsequently tested for chilling injury through an electrolyte leakage test. From field and lab data analysis, five most promising cold tolerant, nutritious and high-yielding genotypes were identified. These genotypes have significant potential for utilization in future breeding programmes to improve cold tolerance in cultivated oats within the Kashmir valley thus promoting agricultural productivity and sustainability. The outcomes also provide valuable insights into the genetic variation, heritability, genotype-by-environment interactions, correlations and cold tolerance of oat genotypes in Kashmir.

A scalable and robust variance components method reveals insights into the architecture of gene-environment interactions underlying complex traits

Understanding the contribution of gene-environment interactions (GxE) to complex trait variation can provide insights into disease mechanisms, explain sources of heritability, and improve genetic risk prediction. While large biobanks with genetic and deep phenotypic data hold promise for obtaining novel insights into GxE, our understanding of GxE architecture in complex traits remains limited. We introduce a method to estimate the proportion of trait variance explained by GxE (GxE heritability) and additive genetic effects (additive heritability) across the genome and within specific genomic annotations. We show that our method is accurate in simulations and computationally efficient for biobank-scale datasets. We applied our method to common array SNPs (MAF ≥1%), fifty quantitative traits, and four environmental variables (smoking, sex, age, and statin usage) in unrelated white British individuals in the UK Biobank. We found 68 trait-E pairs with significant genome-wide GxE heritability (p<0.05/200) with a ratio of GxE to additive heritability of ≈6.8% on average. Analyzing ≈8 million imputed SNPs (MAF ≥0.1%), we documented an approximate 28% increase in genome-wide GxE heritability compared to array SNPs. We partitioned GxE heritability across minor allele frequency (MAF) and local linkage disequilibrium (LD) values, revealing that, like additive allelic effects, GxE allelic effects tend to increase with decreasing MAF and LD. Analyzing GxE heritability near genes highly expressed in specific tissues, we find significant brain-specific enrichment for body mass index (BMI) and basal metabolic rate in the context of smoking and adipose-specific enrichment for waist-hip ratio (WHR) in the context of sex.

The Dopamine Hypothesis as a Causal Explanation of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, profoundly impacts individuals, families, and society, characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, speech, and motor behavior, as outlined in the DSM-5 criteria. Coined by Eugen Bleuler in 1911 to emphasize fragmented cognition, the term "schizophrenia" replaced Emile Kraepelin's "dementia praecox"(1908) reflecting its chronic nature, with an estimated prevalence of 1% in the general population and a significant heritability rate of around 79%. The dopamine hypothesis, central to schizophrenia research, suggests heightened dopaminergic transmission as a primary factor in its development, supported by the efficacy of antipsychotic drugs targeting dopamine receptors. However, recent studies have revealed complexities beyond dopamine dysfunction, including the glutamate hypothesis, which proposes deficits in glutamate activity as an alternative explanation. This essay critically evaluates the dopamine hypothesis within the broader biopsychosocial framework, emphasizing the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in schizophrenia etiology. Despite its foundational role, the dopamine hypothesis has limitations in fully clarifying the multifaceted nature of schizophrenia, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches integrating diverse perspectives and methodologies to enhance understanding of this complex disorder. Keywords: Dopamine Hypothesis, Schizophrenia, Mental Illness, Psychotic Symptoms, GENE x ENVIROMENT Interaction

The sound of fear is heritable

Abstract The nonlinearity and fear hypothesis predicts that highly aroused vocal mammals and birds produce vocalizations (notably alarm calls and screams) which contain a variety of non-linear phenomena (NLP). Such vocalizations often sound ‘noisy’ because vocal production systems are over-blown when animals are highly aroused. While much is known about the conditions under which animals produce vocalizations containing NLP, and how species respond to them, there is little research about the heritability of such behavioral traits. Using the quantitative genetic animal model, we estimated the genetic basis of ‘noise’ in alarm calls produced by females and found significant heritability in call entropy—our measure of the noisiness. About 9% of variance in noisiness can be accounted for by genetic differences. Taken together, these findings suggest that the degree to which marmots produce noisy calls is modestly heritable and can be thus subject to further evolution via natural selection.