Hypercalcemia and high serum parathyroid hormone-related protein concentration in a horse with multiple myeloma

A 13-year-old gelding was examined because of weight loss, hyperglobulinemia, and hypercalcemia. Possible causes of hypercalcemia that were considered included renal failure, primary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicosis, and malignancy. There was no history of vitamin D ingestion, and serum creatinine and parathyroid hormone concentrations were normal, making renal failure and primary hyperparathyroidism unlikely. The hypercalcemia was suspected to be a result of malignancy, but thorough testing did not reveal any neoplastic disease. Eight months later, serum parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) concentration was high, supporting the suggestion that hypercalcemia was a result of malignancy. In addition, radial immunodiffusion confirmed a selective 300-fold increase in serum IgA concentration. The horse was euthanatized, and postmortem examination revealed neoplastic infiltrates in the kidneys, lymph nodes, liver, and bone marrow. Neoplastic cells had morphologic characteristics of plasma cells, and immunohistochemical staining confirmed that neoplastic cells were expressing PTHrP and IgA. The final diagnosis was multiple myeloma with expression of IgA paraprotein.     

Salicylic Acid Induced Insensitivity to Culture Filtrate of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. zingiberi in the Calli of Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Salicylic acid (SA) was used to induce insensitivity in the callus cultures of Zingiber officinale against culture filtrate (CF) of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. zingiberi. The treatment of callus cultures with SA (10⁴M) prior to selection with CF of the pathogen-increased callus survival. Exogenous application of SA resulted in increased activity of peroxidase and -1,3-glucanase enzymes in the callus cultures. No increase in the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase was obtained. Two new protein bands of 97 and 38kDa molecular weights were obtained by SDS-PAGE analysis of soluble proteins extracted from SA-treated calli. The PR-1 monoclonal antibody used for immunodetection of induced proteins cross-reacted with the 38kDa protein band. In vitro antifungal activity of protein extract of calli treated with SA tested against the spores of F. oxysporum f.sp. zingiberi showed significant reduction in spore germination and germ tube elongation. It is concluded that in ginger, SA may result in the induction of resistance to F. oxysporum f.sp. zingiberi by inducing increased activity of peroxidase, -1,3-glucanase and antifungal PR-proteins.     

Resistance to bean common mosaic potyvirus strains and its inheritance in some Indian land races of common bean

Evaluation of 397 common bean accessions of diverse origin revealed the presence of effective sources of resistance against bean common mosaic potyvirus strains prevalent in Himachal Pradesh, a north-western Himalayan state of India. 21 accessions viz., KR 7, KR 225, KR 295, KRC 4, KRC 7, KRC 11, KRC 12, KRC 13, KRC 16, KRC 22, Amanda, Black Turtle Soup, Contender, Hans, Great Northern UI 123, Improved Tender Green 40031, Jubila, Kentucky wonder, Monroe, Premier and Sanilac, were found resistant to NL-1n and NL-7n strains. Some of the genotypes showed strain specific resistance. Pattern of inheritance studied in Hans, Contender, KRC 4 and KRC 22 of Indian origin against strain NL-1n revealed that single dominant gene governed the resistance in Hans and Contender whereas single recessive gene determined the resistance in KRC 22 and KRC 4. SCAR marker SW13₆₉₀ amplified a product of 690 bp in Hans and Contender, confirmed the presence of I gene in these cultivars. The implications of above genes in breeding for programme for BCMV resistance are discussed.