Transforming fusions of FGFR and TACC genes in human glioblastoma

The brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most lethal forms of human cancer. Here, we report that a small subset of GBMs (3.1%; 3 of 97 tumors examined) harbors oncogenic chromosomal translocations that fuse in-frame the tyrosine kinase coding domains of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) genes (FGFR1 or FGFR3) to the transforming acidic coiled-coil (TACC) coding domains of TACC1 or TACC3, respectively. The FGFR-TACC fusion protein displays oncogenic activity when introduced into astrocytes or stereotactically transduced in the mouse brain. The fusion protein, which localizes to mitotic spindle poles, has constitutive kinase activity and induces mitotic and chromosomal segregation defects and triggers aneuploidy. Inhibition of FGFR kinase corrects the aneuploidy, and oral administration of an FGFR inhibitor prolongs survival of mice harboring intracranial FGFR3-TACC3-initiated glioma. FGFR-TACC fusions could potentially identify a subset of GBM patients who would benefit from targeted FGFR kinase inhibition.     

Collection of plant genetic resources in Italy, 1987

Summary After finishing a six years' program for exploring and collecting plant genetic resources in South Italy in 1986, these activities were extended to central parts of the country in September 1987 jointly by staff members of the Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, and the Zentralinstitut für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben. A major part of the Abruzzi area has been covered. 165 samples, mainly of cereals, grain legumes and vegetables, could be collected. This material represents variable land-races. Two accessions ofTriticum dicoccon are especially worth mentioning.

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Sammlung pflanzlicher genetischer Ressourcen in Italien 1987

Zusammenfassung Nach Beendigung eines sechsjährigen Programms zum Studium und zur Sammlung pflanzlicher genetischer Ressourcen in Süditalien im Jahre 1986, wurden diese Aktivitäten im September 1987 gemeinsam von Mitarbeitern des Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, und des Zentralinstitus für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben, in mittleren Landesteilen fortgesetzt. Ein großer Teil des Abruzzi-Gebietes wurde erfaßt. 165 Proben, vor allem von Getreiden, Körnerleguminosen und Gemüsen, konnten gesammelt werden. Dieses Material setzt sich aus variablen Landsorten zusammen. Zwei Proben vonTriticum dicoccon sind besonders erwähnenswert.

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1987

1986 , . . 165 , , — , . . Triticum dicoccon .

     

Tuber yield, water and fertilizer productivity in early potato as affected by a combination of irrigation and fertilization

Excessive amounts of irrigation water and fertilizers are often utilized for early potato cultivation in the Mediterranean basin. Given that water is expensive and limited in the semi-arid areas and that fertilizers above a threshold level often prove inefficacious for production purposes but still risk nitrate and phosphorous pollution of groundwater, it is crucial to provide an adequate irrigation and fertilization management. With the aim of achieving an appropriate combination of irrigation water and nutrient application in cultivation management of a potato crop in a Mediterranean environment, a 2-year experiment was conducted in Sicily (South Italy). The combined effects of 3 levels of irrigation (irrigation only at plant emergence, 50% and 100% of the maximum evapotranspiration - ETM) and 3 levels of mineral fertilization (low: 50, 25 and 75 kg ha⁻¹, medium: 100, 50 and 150 kg ha⁻¹ and high: 300, 100 and 450 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O) were studied on the tuber yield and yield components, on both water irrigation and fertilizer productivity and on the plant source/sink (canopy/tubers dry weight) ratio. The results show a marked interaction between level of irrigation and level of fertilization on tuber yield, on Irrigation Water Productivity and on fertilizer productivity of the potato crop. We found that the treatments based on 50% ETM and a medium level of fertilization represent a valid compromise in early potato cultivation management. Compared to the high combination levels of irrigation and fertilization, this treatment entails a negligible reduction in tuber yield to save 90 mm ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of irrigation water and 200, 50 and 300 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O, respectively, with notable economic savings for farmers compared to the spendings that are usually made.     

Collection of plant genetic resources in South Italy, 1988

Summary Exploration and collection of plant genetic resources were continued in South Italy in 1988. Parts of the regions Campania, Basilicata and Apulia were covered in September jointly by staff members of the Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, and the Zentralinstitut für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben. 164 samples, mainly of vegetables and grain legumes, have been collected. Worth mentioning are land-races of tomatoes,Brassica spp. andVigna unguiculata. As a part of the collecting area has been explored for the second time after eight years, the effects of genetic erosion could be observed. A map summarizes the itineraries of the ten joint collecting missions in South Italy.

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Sammlung pflanzlicher genetischer Ressourcen in Süditalien 1988

Zusammenfassung Die Exploration und Sammlung pflanzlicher genetischer Ressourcen wurden 1988 in Süditalien fortgesetzt. Im September wurden Teile der Regionen Campania, Basilicata und Apulia gemeinsam von Mitarbeitern des Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, und des Zentralinstituts für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben, erfaßt. 164 Proben, besonders von Gemüsen und Körnerleguminosen, wurden gesammelt. Erwähnenswert sind Landsorten von Tomaten, Kohlarten undVigna unguiculata. Da ein Teil des Sammelgebietes im Abstand von acht Jahren ein zweites Mal in die Exploration einbezogen wurde, konnte das Wirken der Generosion verfolgt werden.Die Reiserouten der zehn gemeinsamen Sammelreisen in Süditalien werden zusammenfassend in einer Karte dargestellt.

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1988

1988. . . () (). 164 . . , Vigna unguiculata. 8 . .

     

Botryosphaeriaceae species causing canker and dieback of English walnut (Juglans regia) in Italy

English walnut (Juglans regia) is an important nut crop worldwide and is currently considered emerging in Italy. Botryosphaeriaceae fungi cause symptoms including cankers, discoloration and dieback, and several species are reported across the world on walnut. In this study, symptomatic trees from an orchard in Southern Italy showing branch dieback, cankers, wood discoloration and gummosis were surveyed. Three different fungi from the Botryosphaeriaceae were consistently isolated from symptomatic tissues. Representative isolates were characterized using morphological and molecular approaches based on conidial morphology, optimum growth temperature and the comparison of DNA sequence data from the ITS, tef1‐α and tub2 loci. Three species were identified: Botryosphaeria dothidea, Neofusicoccum mediterraneum and Neofusicoccum parvum. Pathogenicity tests on detached fruits and potted plants showed that all three species were pathogenic. To our knowledge, this is the first report of these Botryosphaeriaceae species causing canker and dieback on English walnut in Italy.