Are we geared for the upcoming challenges by nCoV-19 or is it still grim news…?

The novel Corona Virus (nCoV-2019), clouded the entire world during the year 2020; with its emergence in December 2019 from Wuhan, China. The nCoV-19 is a novel variant of the Coronavirus family, with its predecessors been implicated for the pandemics of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV); that caused flu-like condition and respiratory distress symptoms [1-6]. The viral strain also intrudes on extra-pulmonary relevance; being involved with deranging immunity as evidenced by lymphopenia and a prolonged prothrombin time; it impacts cardiomyocytes and pancreatic tissue directly [7-11]. These implications of nCoV-19 does suggest a long-term relevance of the disease profile. The emergenceof nCoV-2019 was quick to gain a pandemic status worldwide. An immense shift in the influx of the type of patients was observed, that imparted a false impression of a reduction in cardiovascular and metabolic patient presentation; formerly that had been the majority engaging the worlds’ healthcare facility. But as the world prepares itself for a possible second wave of the n-CoV-19, a prudent approach would be to remind us of the history lessons from the previous corona-led pandemic, such as MERS and SARS. This editorial will emphasize on channeling our focus to nCoV-19 implications on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The pandemics of SARS-CoV during 2002-2003 and MERS-CoV in 2012 highlight the long term relevance of coronavirus to cardiac and metabolic disease pathologies, both during and in the aftermath of these pandemics [3]. The SARS-CoV had demonstrated an increase of cardiovascular problems by 44%, hyperlipidemia by 68% and diabetes mellitus by 60%, in people who had recovered from the viral attack [12, 13]. Likewise, MERS-CoV had also embarked an increase of cardiac disorders by 30% and hypertension by 50% and diabetes mellitus by 50% [3, 8, 9]. Published research on nCoV-19 has hinted for a similar rising trend of cardiovascular and metabolic complexities. An increase in cardiac troponin level is observed with increased cases of myocarditis and heart failure [14]. A 20% increase in the incidence of diabetes and a 40 % rise in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases is observed with nCoV-19 [8, 9]. Little do we comprehend that the involvement of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors could play havoc on endothelium, kidney, intestine, liver and any other organ [15]. The nCoV-19 has thrown a curveball to the realm of the worldwide health and financial setting. Even with the current economic predicament it does seems prudent to be prepared in advance for the long term consequences of this pandemic. The bigger question would be to, not just direct our efforts at countering the possible second wave of nCoV-19 but also for the possible chaos of cardiovascular and metabolic disease outfall, impacting the world health system.

Characterization of Wheat Germplasm Through Integrated Profiling Approaches

Wheat is the major nutrient source worldwide and has a crucial place in agriculture and economy of Pakistan. Characterization of wheat genetic resource is imperative for breeders in developing databases helpful for parental selections as presence of variance has primary significance with respect to plant breeding. In this view, 77 wheat genotypes collected from different agro-climatic zones of country were characterized for seed biochemical and nutritional quality traits, distribution of glutenin subunits, allelic variations in Xuhw89 locus for grain protein content and yield parameters followed by cluster, principal component (PCA) and correlation analysis. Seed biochemical analysis, revealed a significant variation (p < 0.05) in genotypes for nutritional potential. Genotypic sources were identified for better antioxidant potential i.e. Pavon (APX), Pasban-90 (CAT), IQBAL-2000 (POD), Manthar-2003 (SOD), Bhakkar-2000 (TPC), hydrolytic enzymes i.e. SH-2002 (amylase and ascorbic acid), Dharabi 2011 (esterase), NR-234 (protease), grain protein i.e. Faisalabad-2008 (salt soluble protein), TC-4928 (albumins), MEXI PAK (globulins) and sugars i.e. Saleem 2000, Punjab-96 (sugars and soluble protein). Dharabi-2011 with lowest amylase, MEKI-PAK with lowest reducing sugars and higher seed protien and AARI-2011 with lowest gluten have potential for health implications. Correlations in seed nutritional parameters were identified while genotypes were clustered in four groups with highest distance between cluster- II and III. However, genotypes grouped into five clusters based on yield related traits having maximum distance in cluster-II and IV with spike length as principal component of varibility. Based on divergence in single kernel characteristics, genotypes with highest protein (GA2002, 16.5%), moisture (Marvi, 16.5%), starch (9244, 11%), zeleny (AARI-2011, 54.1%), gluten (2006, 44%), kernel weight (TC-4928, 41.6±9.5mg), kernel diameter (Sassui, 2.91±0.32mm), hardness index (Punjab 201191±39%) were identified and grouped in five clusters. Kernel weight, diameter, moisture and starch content were principal components of variability. SDS-PAGE revealed 30 allelic combinations for high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) at Glu-1 loci involved in bread making quality. Maximum frequency of allele 1 was found in twenty nine genotypes at Glu-A1 locus while high proportion of subunit pairs 13+16 and 2+12 were detected in 33 and 32 genotypes at Glu-B1 as well as Glu-D1 locus respectively. Few rare alleles were also detected. The quality scores ranged from 4-10, while highest quality score (10) was more frequent (36.36%). Analysis of microsatellite (functional SSR marker) Xuhw89 locus for grain protein content showed that 42% genotypes carry 126+130-bp allele with relatively higher salt soluble proteins and globulin while remaining possessed a 126-bp allele with higher total soluble protein and albumin. In conclusion, revealed divergence in seed biochemical and quality traits, allelic distribution for HMW-GS and Xuhw89 locus for grain protein content and yield parameters in Pakistani wheat germplasm followed by detailed cluster, PCA and association analysis will help breeders in selecting genotypes with desirable traits and designing the breeding program for crop improvement.