Proof of concept to unmask the breeding value of genetic resources of barley (Hordeum vulgare) with a hybrid strategy

Broadening the genetic base of elite breeding programmes is crucial for further breeding success. The absence of major adaption genes, however, often masks the grain yield breeding value of genetic resources. We assessed the ability of a hybrid strategy to provide unbiased performance estimates of 21 barley genetic resources. By crossing them to elite tester lines, 25 three-way hybrids were produced and evaluated together with a part of their parents and eight elite hybrids for important agronomic traits in replicated field trials in four environments. The phenotypic data analyses revealed that the hybrid strategy facilitated to identify promising resources by substantially improving lodging resistance. Combining genotypic data for 5,562 SNPs with the phenotypic data highlighted the potential to boost the diversity of the elite breeding pool via targeted introgression of genetic resources into the male and female heterotic pools. We propose an application of the hybrid strategy for genetic resources of entire genebank collections and to use genome-wide predictions to support a targeted choice of accessions with high value for barley breeding.     

Detection of a novel papillomavirus in pigmented plaques of four pugs

Pugs are predisposed to the development of deeply pigmented, slightly elevated hyperkeratotic noncancerous plaques. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a papillomavirus (PV)-like DNA fragment from such lesions suggested that PV may be responsible for them, although the predicted virus has not yet been identified. The goal of the present study was to make use of pigmented plaques from four pugs to identify and sequence the predicted virus. Taking advantage of the circular nature of PV DNA, the entire viral genome was amplified by rolling circle amplification and restriction enzyme analysis disclosed the same pattern in all four cases. Sequencing of one of the amplificates revealed a novel canine PV, termed CPV4, related to the recently described CPV3 but clearly distinct from canine oral PV and CPV2. Thus, a novel canine PV and a method for its future diagnosis are described.     

The concentrations of K,Rb and Cs in spruce needles (Picea abies Karst.) and in the associated soils

The elemental concentrations of K, Rb and Cs were determined in needles from individual spruce trees as a function of the needle age class. The concentrations are highest in current year's needles and decrease smoothly in older needles, approaching a constant value. Rb and Cs show similar behaviour, whereas that of K differs in so far as its relative decrease with time is less pronounced. Intra- and intersite variation of the needle concentrations are largest for Cs and smallest for K. Individual trees show a highly significant correlation between the log (Cs) and log (Rb) values. Total soil concentrations were determined at 9 sites with different parent material. Intra- and intersite variations of K are comparable for soils and for needles, whereas those for Rb and Cs are much smaller for soils than for needles. All three elements are correlated in soil samples. There is no close connection between soil and needle concentrations at the various sites. However, the results suggest that needle concentrations of Rb and Cs, but not of K, are strongly dependent on the sorption properties of the associated soils.     

Bemerkenswerte Vitalitätsschwächung und Holzzersetzung an Rot-Buchen (Fagus sylvatica) durch den weitgehend unbekannten Schlauchpilz Hypoxylon cohaerens

In the years 2005 and 2006 several declining and recently died beech trees were investigated in a large city park in Dresden. The ascomycete Hypoxylon cohaerens, who is exclusively characterized as a saprophytic fungus by literature, was identified as a conspicuous cause of the disease. The symptoms of the infection, the morphologically and physiologically characteristics of the fungus in situ and in vitro as well as the factors of predisposition are presented in the article. Since H. cohaerens attains pathological importance and can be mistaken for some other ascomycetes, the distinguishing marks to related species are described. The changed importance of the fungus is evaluated for practice.     

Discrete coding of reward probability and uncertainty by dopamine neurons

Uncertainty is critical in the measure of information and in assessing the accuracy of predictions. It is determined by probability P, being maximal at P = 0.5 and decreasing at higher and lower probabilities. Using distinct stimuli to indicate the probability of reward, we found that the phasic activation of dopamine neurons varied monotonically across the full range of probabilities, supporting past claims that this response codes the discrepancy between predicted and actual reward. In contrast, a previously unobserved response covaried with uncertainty and consisted of a gradual increase in activity until the potential time of reward. The coding of uncertainty suggests a possible role for dopamine signals in attention-based learning and risk-taking behavior.     

A case of a canine pigmented plaque associated with the presence of a Chi-papillomavirus

The seven fully described canine papillomaviruses (CPVs) have been allocated by sequence comparison and other genetic features into three phylogenetic clades. This largely reflects clinical findings, so each sequence of a newly discovered CPV in combination with clinical and pathological details is a valuable piece of evidence. We hypothesize that the genomic sequence of a new CPV can help to predict clinical features and progression, and that this can be tested in subsequent cases. In this case, a 2-year-old female dachshund-mix presented with papillomatosis clinically and histologically characterized as pigmented viral plaques. PCRs using primers evaluated for CPVs successfully amplified papillomavirus (PV) DNA. Sequencing of the products revealed an unknown PV putatively belonging to the PV genus Chi. Rolling circle amplification was used to amplify the entire viral genome. Sequencing revealed a novel PV, designated as CPV8, which was most closely related (63% homology) to the recently discovered CPV4. CPV4 is associated with benign pigmented plaques in pugs. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequences of four viral genes showed that the novel virus was closest to CPV3, CPV4 and CPV5. The presence of viral DNA was confirmed in the lesions by in situ hybridization using specific probes. CPV8 may consequently be regarded as the fourth member of the Chi-papillomavirus genus. All viruses belonging to this genus induce pigmented plaques in dogs. These findings support the hypothesis that genomic sequences can be useful in predicting the clinical features of CPV infection.     

Development of a tandem repeat-based multilocus typing system distinguishing Babesia bovis geographic isolates

Mini- and microsatellite sequences have proven to be excellent tools for the differentiation of strains and populations in several protozoan parasites due to their high variability. In the present work we have searched the genome of the tick-transmitted bovine hemoprotozoon Babesia bovis for tandem repeats (TRs) that could be useful for a multilocus typing system. Hundred and nineteen sequences were shortlisted and tested in five common B. bovis reference isolates originating from distinct geographic locations of North and South America: Texas, USA (T2Bo), Mexico (RAD and Mo7), and Santa Fe and Salta, Argentina (R1A and S2P, respectively). Satellite sequences were PCR-amplified using specific primers, separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, visualized by silver staining and sized. Fourteen TR sequences could be reliably amplified in all isolates and displayed length polymorphism. All primers used were specific for B. bovis and did not amplify genomic DNA from the bovine host or from Babesia bigemina, the principal co-infecting bovine parasite in the Americas, allowing their future use in field surveys. The 14 satellite markers identified are distributed throughout the four chromosomes of B. bovis as follows: chromosome 1 (n = 3), chromosome 2 (n = 2), chromosome 3 (n = 5), and chromosome 4 (n = 4). Within the five B. bovis isolates we identified nine satellite marker loci with two alleles, three with three alleles, one with four and another with five alleles. In comparison to Theileria parva, a bovine hemoprotozoan that pertains to the same piroplasmida order and owns a genome of similar size, the number of polymorphic TRs and the average number of alleles per TR locus seem to be significantly reduced in the B. bovis genome. Furthermore, the ratio of micro- to minisatellites in both B. bovis and T. parva is considerably lower than in other eukaryotes, as confirmed by bioinformatic analysis. The multilocus genotype of the five B. bovis isolates was assessed and the genetic distance between each other determined followed by cluster analysis based on neighbor joining. The resulting phenogram showed that B. bovis isolates segregated into three clusters according to their geographic origin. The presented marker system is suitable to explore various parameters of B. bovis populations such as genetic diversity, infection dynamics and their structure under different epidemiological situations, which are of crucial importance for improved control strategies.     

Rohstoff Bastfaser

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine allgemeine Bestimmung des Begriffs der Bastfaser gegeben und erörtert, welche Besonderheiten sich daraus für die Gewinnung und technische Verwertung des Rohstoffs herausstellen. Dabei wird besonders auf die aus neuerer Forschung sich ergebenden Unterschiede in der Behandlung und die Überwindung gewisser bekannter Schwierigkeiten hingewiesen wie z.B. Qualitäten und damit Verwendungsmöglichkeiten die beachtet sein wollen, sich aber heute wohl schon frühzeitig am Material auftretend erweisen. Auf solche Weise kann dem Rohstoff jetzt eine bessere Würdigung je nach seiner Art zu teil werden.

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La fibre de liber comme matiére premiére

Resumé L'auteur donne une définition de la fibre de liber, dont les particularités donnent la possibilité de son utilisation comme matière première. Il parle aussi des différences dans l'utilisation résultant des recherches récentes et de la nécessité de surmonter certaines difficultés bien connues, comme les différents degrés de qualité et la manière de l'utilisation, qu'on doit prendre en considération, mais qui se revèlent dès le debut dans la matière. De cette façon la matière première pourrait être mieux appréciée.

     

Herpesviruses: balance in power and powers imbalanced

The first veterinary herpesvirus symposium, organized under the patronage of the European Society for Veterinary Virology (ESVV) and the Swiss Societies for Microbiology (SGM-SSM), was held at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, on 22nd and 23rd of March 2001. The congress was divided into six sessions. The first session was dedicated to introductory lectures towards the main topics of the symposium, namely pathogenesis, immune response, and gene therapy. Session 2 was committed to new insights into herpesvirus-related gene therapy and vaccination. Specific and general aspects of the immune response against herpesviruses were presented in session 3, while session 4 was dedicated to virus replication. Session 5 was dedicated to a variety of poster presentations. Finally, session 6 revealed new insight into the pathogenesis of different herpesviruses. The present article summarizes the contributions and draws a new view of the herpesviruses. The herpesviruses have apparently found a multi-dimensionally balanced position between the powers of "cytopathogenicity" and "tumorigenicity" on one hand and "immunogenicity" and "tolerogenicity" on the other hand. As long as the different powers stay in balance, no or little clinical disease may be expected in association with herpesvirus infections. However, unbalanced actions of those powers may lead to disease.