Enhancing the tolerance of crop plants to abiotic stresses such as drought has therefore proved to be somewhat elusive in terms of plant breeding. While many C-4 species have significant agronomic importance, most of the research effort on improving drought tolerance has focused on maize. Ideally, drought tolerance has to be achieved without

penalties in yield potential. Possibilities for success in this regard are highlighted by studies on maize hybrids performed over the last 70 years that have demonstrated that yield potential and enhanced stress tolerance are associated traits. However, while our understanding of the molecular mechanisms selleck chemical that enable plants to tolerate drought has increased considerably in recent years, there have been relatively GW2580 purchase few applications of DNA marker technologies in practical C-4 breeding programmes for improved stress tolerance. Moreover, until recently, targeted approaches to drought tolerance have concentrated largely on shoot parameters, particularly those associated with photosynthesis

and stay green phenotypes, rather than on root traits such as soil moisture capture for transpiration, root architecture, and improvement of effective use of water. These root traits are now increasingly considered as important targets for yield improvement in C-4 plants under drought stress. Similarly, the molecular mechanisms underpinning heterosis have considerable potential for exploitation in enhancing drought stress tolerance. While current evidence points to the crucial importance of root traits in drought tolerance in C-4 plants, shoot traits may also be important in maintaining high yields during

drought.”
“Background: In order to reduce the delays encountered through patient transfer, regional care models have been developed that directly transport subsets of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients to hospitals with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) facilities. Calgary is a Canadian city that implemented this type of model in 2004.

Methods: The study selleck chemicals population included 9768 AMI patients admitted to Calgary hospitals between 1997 and 2007. Administrative data were used to define patients who were directly admitted to the PCI hospital and those transferred there after initial admission to a hospital without specialized cardiac care. The differences in clinical characteristics and mortality trends of patients grouped by hospital delivery site and transfer practice are described.

Results: The proportion of patients directly admitted to a PCI hospital has increased with the implementation of a regional care model. Among patients admitted to non-PCI facilities, the patients who are transferred are younger, more likely to be male, have a shorter length of stay, and have lower proportions of several comorbid conditions.