Development of a quantitative Pea Necrotic Yellow Dwarf Virus (PNYDV) screening system for the selection of resistant pea (Pisum sativum L.) accessions

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a widely grown grain legume in temperate regions and contributes largely to protein rich food and feed and biological nitrogen fixation in the crop rotation. However, many biotic stresses, such as fungal and viral pathogens and insect pests are crucial constraints of successful pea production. Pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus (PNYDV), an obligate aphid transmitted nanovirus, emerged in Central Europe only recently during the last 10-15 years. In contrast to other viral diseases of pea, PNYDV leads to substantial yield reduction or even complete loss in highly epidemic years. Control of this virus is challenging particularly in organic agriculture, where insecticidal treatment against the aphid vector is very limited or not allowed. The selection and breeding of resistant pea varieties is therefore the most promising approach. We have established a screening system for the selection of resistant lines by employing a newly developed qPCR assay for the differential assessment of the virus load between pea accessions upon inoculation with aphids carrying PNYDV. This quantitative assessment will allow the identification of breeding lines able to limit or suppress the virus multiplication. Breeding lines will be selected based on qPCR assay and validated in the field. This novel screening approach can be translated to other obligate aphid transmitted virus in different crops and become an important selection tool for breeding and genomic analysis

Development of an Ascochyta blight screening system in vivo and in vitro for the selection of resistant pea (Pisum sativum L.) accessions

The cultivation of pea (Pisum sativum L.) among other leguminous crops has become more and more important in respect to biological nitrogen fixation for sustainable cropping systems and as important plant-based protein source for human nutrition. However, pea production is challenged by many biotic stresses, such as fungal and viral pathogens and insect pests. Among fungal pathogens, Didymella pisi, D. pinodes and D. pinodella contributing to the Ascochyta blight complex are causing severe yield losses in pea production. The disease is stubble-, air-, soil- and seed-borne, hence disease control includes certified seed production and fungicide applications. However, particularly in organic agriculture the latter is not available and disease resistant varieties are needed. In collaboration with an organic pea breeder, we have established a reproducible screening system for selection of resistant pea lines using artificial inoculation. Main achievements are the isolation and identification of Didymella strains which contribute most to Ascochyta blight under local conditions, and differential scoring scales of pea leaf or tendril symptoms caused by the different Didymella species used for inoculation. This screening system is fundamental for phenotypic selection of resistant breeding lines independent of the disease pressure in the field. Moreover, it can be employed for identification of resistance genes using genome-wide association studies or genomic prediction approaches

Development of a quantitative Pea Necrotic Yellow Dwarf Virus (PNYDV) screening system for the selection of resistant pea (Pisum sativum L.) accessions

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a widely grown grain legume in temperate regions and contributes largely to protein rich food and feed and biological nitrogen fixation in the crop rotation. However, many biotic stresses, such as fungal and viral pathogens and insect pests are crucial constraints of successful pea production. Pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus (PNYDV), an obligate aphid transmitted nanovirus, emerged in Central Europe only recently during the last 10-15 years. In contrast to other viral diseases of pea, PNYDV leads to substantial yield reduction or even complete loss in highly epidemic years. Control of this virus is challenging particularly in organic agriculture, where insecticidal treatment against the aphid vector is very limited or not allowed. The selection and breeding of resistant pea varieties is therefore the most promising approach. We have established a screening system for the selection of resistant lines by employing a newly developed qPCR assay for the differential assessment of the virus load between pea accessions upon inoculation with aphids carrying PNYDV. This quantitative assessment will allow the identification of breeding lines able to limit or suppress the virus multiplication. Breeding lines will be selected based on qPCR assay and validated in the field. This novel screening approach can be translated to other obligate aphid transmitted virus in different crops and become an important selection tool for breeding and genomic analysis

High prevalence of antibodies against polyomavirus WU, polyomavirus KI, and human bocavirus in German blood donors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>DNA of the polyomaviruses WU (WUPyV) and KI (KIPyV) and of human bocavirus (HBoV) has been detected with varying frequency in respiratory tract samples of children. However, only little is known about the humoral immune response against these viruses. Our aim was to establish virus-specific serological assays and to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against these three viruses in the general population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The capsid proteins VP1 of WUPyV and KIPyV and VP2 of HBoV were cloned into baculovirus vectors and expressed in Sf9 insect cells. IgG antibodies against WUPyV VP1, KIPyV VP1, and HBoV VP2 were determined by immunofluorescence assays in 100 plasma samples of blood donors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median age of the blood donors was 31 years (range 20 - 66 yrs), 52% were male. 89% of the samples were positive for WUPyV IgG (median age 31 yrs, 49.4% male), 67% were positive for KIPyV IgG (median age 32 yrs, 46.3% male), and 76% were positive for HBoV IgG (median age 32 yrs, 51.3% male). For WUPyV and HBoV, there were no significant differences of the seropositivity rates with respect to age groups or gender. For KIPyV, the seropositivity rate increased significantly from 59% in the age group 20 - 29 years to 100% in the age group > 50 years.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>High prevalences of antibodies against WUPyV, KIPyV, and HBoV were found in plasma samples of healthy adults. The results indicate that primary infection with these viruses occurs during childhood or youth. For KIPyV, the seropositivity appears to increase further during adulthood.</p

Elevated protein concentrations in newborn blood and the risks of autism spectrum disorder, and of social impairment, at age 10 years among infants born before the 28th week of gestation

Among the 1 of 10 children who are born preterm annually in the United States, 6% are born before the third trimester. Among children who survive birth before the 28th week of gestation, the risks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and non-autistic social impairment are severalfold higher than in the general population. We examined the relationship between top quartile inflammation-related protein concentrations among children born extremely preterm and ASD or, separately, a high score on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS total score ≥65) among those who did not meet ASD criteria, using information only from the subset of children whose DAS-II verbal or non-verbal IQ was ≥70, who were assessed for ASD, and who had proteins measured in blood collected on ≥2 days (N = 763). ASD (N = 36) assessed at age 10 years is associated with recurrent top quartile concentrations of inflammation-related proteins during the first post-natal month (e.g., SAA odds ratio (OR); 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5; 1.2–5.3) and IL-6 (OR; 95% CI: 2.6; 1.03–6.4)). Top quartile concentrations of neurotrophic proteins appear to moderate the increased risk of ASD associated with repeated top quartile concentrations of inflammation-related proteins. High (top quartile) concentrations of SAA are associated with elevated risk of ASD (2.8; 1.2–6.7) when Ang-1 concentrations are below the top quartile, but not when Ang-1 concentrations are high (1.3; 0.3–5.8). Similarly, high concentrations of TNF-α are associated with heightened risk of SRS-defined social impairment (N = 130) (2.0; 1.1–3.8) when ANG-1 concentrations are not high, but not when ANG-1 concentrations are elevated (0.5; 0.1–4.2)

Measuring tissue displacement of the anterior vaginal wall using the novel aspiration technique in vivo

Little is known about the mechanical properties of pelvic floor structures and their role in the course and treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We hypothesize that in vivo mechanical properties of the vaginal wall are related to the appearance of POP and pre-and post-operative states. We used a suction device for intravaginal application, the aspiration device, to evaluate two in vivo mechanical parameters of the anterior vaginal wall, the load dependent tissue displacement and the initial displacement, by image analysis in pre- and post-menopausal women with (POP) and without (control) cystocele (POP: pre-menopausal: N = 6, post-menopausal: N = 19, control: pre-menopausal: N = 17, post-menopausal: N = 6). Mechanical parameters in women with and without cystocele and pre- and post-operative parameters were compared. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two mechanical parameters in pre- and post-operative states (P = 0.04, P = 0.03), but not between the parameters for women with and without cystocele (P = 0.92, P = 0.75). The mechanical behavior of pelvic floor structures is influenced by factors such as POP, age or estrogenization that are apparent at different length scales, which cannot be separated by the aspiration based biomechanical measurements. When comparing pre- and post-operative states of the same patient, a firmer tissue response was observed after intervention

Urethraldivertikel als Ursache chronischer urogenitaler Schmerzen: Ein Fallbericht

Eine 53-jährige Patientin mit seit 20 Jahren persistierenden unerträglichen Schmerzen im Unterleib, vor allem bei Miktion und Defäkation, wurde in unserer urogynäkologischen Sprechstunde gesehen. Die Erhebung der Lebensqualität mittels King's Health Questionnaire zeigte eine massive Einschränkung. Klinisch war die distale Urethra extrem druckdolent und geschwollen. Die Perinealsonographie und die Magnetresonanztomographie zeigten ein ausgedehntes Gangsystem mit zystischen Strukturen sub- und paraurethral beidseits. Nach gezielter Suche entdeckte man 12 mm proximal des Meatus externus eine kleine Fistelöffnung. Intraoperativ fand sich ein Fistelgangsystem mit vorwiegend retrosymphysärer Höhlenbildung, welches über einen transvaginalen Zugang exzidiert wurde. Die Patientin ist 12 Monate postoperativ bis auf eine leichte Algurie beschwerdefrei und wünscht keine weitere Therapie. A 53-year-old woman suffering for 20 years from chronic genitourinary pain was seen in our urogynecological unit. Quality of life assessment by King's Health Questionnaire showed a highly negative impact on quality of life. Clinical examination revealed a painful and swollen distal urethra, and a small fistula was seen located 12 mm proximal to the meatus externus. Perineal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple cystic formations bilaterally located in the suburethral and paraurethral regions. A diverticulectomy was performed using the vaginal approach. Twelve months after surgery the woman is completely satisfied and only complaining about slight alguria