Survey for viruses affecting maize along the major grain transport route between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa

European Journal of Plant Pathology - The recent introduction of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and spread of the resulting maize lethal necrosis disease (MLN) in East Africa presents a threat...     

Molecular diagnostics for the sigatoka disease complex of banana

ABSTRACT The Sigatoka disease complex of banana involves three related ascomycetous fungi, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, M. musicola, and M. eumusae. The exact distribution of these three species and their disease epidemiology remain unclear, because their symptoms and life cycles are rather similar. Disease diagnosis in the Mycosphaerella complex of banana is based on the presence of host symptoms and fungal fruiting structures, which hamper preventive management strategies. In the present study, we have developed rapid and robust species-specific molecular-based diagnostic tools for detection and quantification of M. fijiensis, M. musicola, and M. eumusae. Conventional species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were developed based on the actin gene that detected DNA at as little as 100, 1, and 10 pg/mul from M. fijiensis, M. musicola, and M. eumusae, respectively. Furthermore, TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR assays were developed based on the beta-tubulin gene and detected quantities of DNA as low as 1 pg/mul for each Mycosphaerella sp. from pure cultures and DNA at 1.6 pg/mul per milligram of dry leaf tissue for M. fijiensis that was validated using naturally infected banana leaves.     

Absorption, translocation and metabolism of metamitron in Chenopodium album

BACKGROUND: In recent years, common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) populations from sugar beet fields in different European countries have responded as resistant to the as‐triazinone metamitron. The populations have been found to have the same D1 point mutation as known for atrazine‐resistant biotypes (Ser₂₆₄ to Gly). However, pot experiments revealed that metamitron resistance is not as clear‐cut as observed with triazine resistance in the past. The objectives of this study were to clarify the absorption, translocation and metabolic fate of metamitron in C. album. RESULTS: Root absorption and foliar absorption experiments showed minor differences in absorption, translocation and metabolism of metamitron between the susceptible and resistant C. album populations. A rapid metabolism in the C. album populations was observed when metamitron was absorbed by the roots. The primary products of metamitron metabolism were identified as deamino‐metamitron and metamitron‐N‐glucoside. PABA, known to inhibit the deamination of metribuzin, did not alter the metabolism of metamitron, and nor did the cytochrome P450 inhibitor PBO. However, inhibition of metamitron metabolism in the presence of the cytochrome P450 inhibitor ABT was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Metamitron metabolism in C. album may act as a basic tolerance mechanism, which can be important in circumstances favouring this degradation pathway. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Triazole fungicides and the selection of resistance to medical triazoles in the opportunistic mould Aspergillus fumigatus

Azole resistance is an emerging problem in the opportunistic mould Aspergillus fumigatus. The triazoles are the most important agents for the management of Aspergillus diseases in humans. Selection for acquired resistance may occur in the hospital setting through exposure to high doses of azoles during azole therapy, but evidence is accumulating that A. fumigatus may become resistant to medical triazoles through environmental exposure to fungicides. The recovery of A. fumigatus isolates resistant to the medical triazoles from azole‐naive patients as well as from the environment strongly indicates an environmental route of resistance selection. Molecule alignment studies have identified five fungicides that share a very similar molecule structure with the medical triazoles, and thus may have selected for mechanisms that confer resistance to both groups of compounds. It is important to explore further the presumed fungicide‐driven route of resistance selection in order to implement effective preventive measures as the prevalence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus continues to increase and causes major challenges in the management of azole‐resistant Aspergillus diseases. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Detection of synovial macrophages in the joint capsule of dogs with naturally occurring rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that the densities of macrophages in the synovial membranes and capsules of stifle joints in dogs with ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments are greater than those of normal joints and that those densities in affected joints are positively correlated with the chronicity and severity of the disease. ANIMALS: 17 dogs with naturally occurring rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament and 5 healthy control dogs. PROCEDURE: All dogs underwent orthopedic and radiographic evaluations. In affected dogs, duration of clinical signs was used as an indicator of disease chronicity and the severity of osteoarthritis in the stifle joint was determined radiographically. Joint capsule specimens were evaluated histologically; macrophages, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were identified by use of immunocytochemical techniques. RESULTS: Compared with unaffected joints, macrophage density was increased in all affected joints. Duration of disease was significantly associated with radiographic severity of osteoarthritis and synovial macrophage density. Synovial macrophage density was significantly associated with severity of osteoarthritis and with the presence of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that synovial macrophages may be involved in the development of pathologic changes (including osteophyte formation) in the stifle joints of dogs with osteoarthritis secondary to rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. Determination of the importance of synovial macrophages in the development of changes in osteoarthritic joints may result in new treatment strategies that involve elimination of the deleterious effects of those cells.     

Synteny in Toxigenic Fusarium Species: The Fumonisin Gene Cluster and the Mating Type Region as Examples

A comparative genomic approach was used to study the mating type locus and the gene cluster involved in toxin production (fumonisin) in Fusarium proliferatum, a pathogen with a wide host range and a complex toxin profile. A BAC library, generated from F. proliferatum isolate ITEM 2287, was used to identify chromosomal regions flanking the mating type locus and the gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of fumonisin. These regions were sequenced and compared with corresponding sequences in other ascomycetes. The results demonstrated that the level of synteny between ascomycetes can vary greatly for different genomic regions and that the level of similarity of genes within a region can also fluctuate strongly. Synteny was found in the regions flanking the mating type idiomorph among ascomycetes that supposedly diverged 280 million years ago. The fumonisin gene clusters of F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides were completely syntenic but absent in F. graminearum. The regions flanking the fumonisin gene clusters were highly dissimilar between F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides, whereas they formed a continuous region in F. graminearum. This indicates that the fumonisin gene cluster has been inserted at different genome locations in both species. Surprisingly low similarity was found between the corresponding genes within the fumonisin cluster of F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides, compared to other genomic sequences indicative for two independent acquisition events from distinct genetic sources. The results demonstrate the power of comparative genomics for gene annotation and for studies on the evolution of genes, gene-clusters and species.     

Invertebrates Minimize Accumulation of Metals and Metalloids in Contaminated Environments

Many studies were conducted measuring the lethal concentration of pollutants by using a contaminated solution or polluted sediments. Considering the impact of polluted food on mortality and uptake quantity of invertebrate shredders in batch cultures, little is known about, e.g. uranium and cadmium. Consequently, we investigated in situ the impact of metal and metalloid polluted food and water on Gammarus pulex L. under nature-like conditions. In contrast to other publications, a very low mortality rate of the invertebrates was found. Furthermore, fixation of elements by G. pulex was shown to be low compared to initial concentrations. Fixation of non essential metals and metalloids is shown to take place mainly on the surface of the invertebrates. This is deduced from easy desorption of a relevant amount of fixed metals and metalloids. It is concluded that the accumulation of metals and metalloids in situ under nature-like conditions within the food web via invertebrate shredders is very low. The invertebrates seem to minimize the uptake of non essential elements in the presence of nutrient-rich food even in habitats with higher contamination levels. Hence, invertebrates seem to be adapted to higher contamination levels in their favourable habitats.     

Massive phytoplankton blooms under Arctic sea ice

Phytoplankton blooms over Arctic Ocean continental shelves are thought to be restricted to waters free of sea ice. Here, we document a massive phytoplankton bloom beneath fully consolidated pack ice far from the ice edge in the Chukchi Sea, where light transmission has increased in recent decades because of thinning ice cover and proliferation of melt ponds. The bloom was characterized by high diatom biomass and rates of growth and primary production. Evidence suggests that under-ice phytoplankton blooms may be more widespread over nutrient-rich Arctic continental shelves and that satellite-based estimates of annual primary production in these waters may be underestimated by up to 10-fold.