Genetic diversity and pathotype determination of Colletotrichum sublineolum isolates causing anthracnose in sorghum

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) based genetic diversity was analyzed for 232 Colletotrichum sublineolum isolates collected between 2002 and 2004 from three geographically distinct regions of Texas, and from Arkansas, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. Results revealed significant levels of polymorphism (59%) among the isolates. Even so, genetic similarity between isolates was high, ranging from 0.78 to 1.00. Clustering of similar isolates did not correlate with either geographic origin or year of collection. Pathotypes of 20 of the isolates were determined using 14 sorghum lines previously used in Brazil and the United States and 4 from Sudan. Seventeen new pathotypes were established from the 18 isolates that gave uniform and consistent reactions on all host differentials over 2?years of greenhouse testing. Differentials BTx378 and QL3 were resistant to all isolates while BTx623 and TAM428 were universally susceptible both years. Each of these lines had shown differential responses in prior studies indicating that the pathogen population has sufficient diversity to adapt rapidly to changes in resistant host lines deployed. When the 2-step pathotype classification scheme was used, the 18 isolates examined in this study were placed in four pathotype groups (A, C, D and G), which would further then be separated into ten distinct pathotypes. Common sets of differentials and a standardized nomenclature will allow for comparison to be made among pathotypes of C. sublineolum detected from different regions and also could help direct planting of appropriate sorghum lines and aid in the development of more durable forms of resistance.     

Design and evolution of new catalytic activity with an existing protein scaffold

The design of enzymes with new functions and properties has long been a goal in protein engineering. Here, we report a strategy to change the catalytic activity of an existing protein scaffold. This was achieved by simultaneous incorporation and adjustment of functional elements through insertion, deletion, and substitution of several active site loops, followed by point mutations to fine-tune the activity. Using this approach, we were able to introduce beta-lactamase activity into the alphabeta/betaalpha metallohydrolase scaffold of glyoxalase II. The resulting enzyme, evMBL8 (evolved metallo beta-lactamase 8), completely lost its original activity and, instead, catalyzed the hydrolysis of cefotaxime with a (kcat/Km)app of 1.8 x 10(2) (mole/liter)(-1) second(-1), thus increasing resistance to Escherichia coli growth on cefotaxime by a factor of about 100.     

Clinical evaluation of a single daily dose of phenylpropanolamine in the treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in the bitch

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the efficacy of a single daily oral dose of phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in the treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) in bitches. Nine bitches diagnosed with USMI were treated with a single daily dose [1.5 mg/kg body weight (BW)] of PPA for at least 1 month. Urethral pressure profiles (UPP) were performed in 7 dogs before treatment and repeated in 4 of them after treatment. Treatment with PPA resulted in long-term continence in 8/9 bitches. One dog did not respond to PPA and was treated surgically later. Recheck UPPs showed a significant increase in maximal urethral closure pressure in the 4 bitches after treatment with PPA compared to before treatment. In conclusion, long-term continence can be achieved in bitches affected with USMI after administration of a single daily dose of PPA (1.5 mg/kg BW).     

A phylogenetic analysis by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and multiprimer random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting of the Leishmania genome project Friedlin reference strain.

We have assessed the phylogenetic status of the Leishmania genome project Friedlin reference strain by MLEE and multiprimer RAPD including a set of 9 stocks representative of the main Leishmania species and of the whole genetic diversity of the Leishmania genus. To our knowledge, the detailed genetic characterization of the Friedlin strain has never been published before. As previously recorded (Tibayrenc et al. 1993), MLEE and RAPD data gave congruent phylogenetic results. The Friedlin reference strain was definitely attributed to Leishmania (Leishmania) major Yakimoff et Schokhor, 1914. Five specific RAPD patterns made it possible to distinguish between the Friedlin strain and the 2 other L. (L.) major stocks included in the study. Various specific MLEE and RAPD characters permitted to distinguish between the Leishmania species included in the study. All these characters are usable to detect accidental laboratory mix-ups involving the Friedlin reference strain. In confirmation with previous studies involving a more limited set of genetic markers, the general genetic diversity of the Leishmania genus proved to be considerable. It must be made clear that only one strain cannot be considered as representative of the whole genetic variability of the genus Leishmania. In the future, it is therefore advisable to complement the results obtained in the framework of the Leishmania genome project with data from other strains that should be selected on a criterion of important genetic differences with the Friedlin strain.     

黑龙江省大豆近期区试品种蛋白质和脂肪含量的分析

根据黑龙江省大豆品种区域试验3个试点15个参试品种的蛋白质和脂肪含量的测定结果,研究了各性状的品种(基因型)、地点、品种×地点互作效应相对变异。结果表明,蛋白质含量、脂肪含量和蛋白脂肪总含量在品种间、地点环境间均存在极显著差异,而且存在品种×地点交互作用。蛋白质含量以品种效应的相对变异最大,脂肪含量以品种×地点交互作用的相对变异最大,蛋白脂肪总含量的各效应中以地点效应的相对变异最大。将品种×地点互作效应分解为各参试品种的品种×地点互作效应发现,参试品种的蛋白质含量和脂肪含量均存在品种×地点互作效应,并且有些品种的互作效应较大。