A genome-wide genetic map of NB-LRR disease resistance loci in potato

Like all plants, potato has evolved a surveillance system consisting of a large array of genes encoding for immune receptors that confer resistance to pathogens and pests. The majority of these so-called resistance or R proteins belong to the super-family that harbour a nucleotide binding and a leucine-rich-repeat domain (NB-LRR). Here, sequence information of the conserved NB domain was used to investigate the genome-wide genetic distribution of the NB-LRR resistance gene loci in potato. We analysed the sequences of 288 unique BAC clones selected using filter hybridisation screening of a BAC library of the diploid potato clone RH89-039-16 (S. tuberosum ssp. tuberosum) and a physical map of this BAC library. This resulted in the identification of 738 partial and full-length NB-LRR sequences. Based on homology of these sequences with known resistance genes, 280 and 448 sequences were classified as TIR-NB-LRR (TNL) and CC-NB-LRR (CNL) sequences, respectively. Genetic mapping revealed the presence of 15 TNL and 32 CNL loci. Thirty-six are novel, while three TNL loci and eight CNL loci are syntenic with previously identified functional resistance genes. The genetic map was complemented with 68 universal CAPS markers and 82 disease resistance trait loci described in literature, providing an excellent template for genetic studies and applied research in potato

A systematic review of the methodological quality and extent to which evaluation studies measure the usability of orthopaedic shoes

Objective: To determine the methodological quality of studies evaluating orthopaedic shoes and orthopaedic shoe provisions. To what extent do studies evaluating orthopaedic shoes prescribed for patients with degenerative disorders of the foot, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus and neurological foot disorders, focus on the aspects of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) definition of usability, i.e., effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction, and context of use? Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning orthopaedic shoes and orthopaedic shoe inserts. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed independently by two raters, based on the 19 items of the 'Maastricht-Amsterdam criteria list'. The studies were assessed against the parameters of the ISO definition of usability. Results: Eleven RCTs were included. The methodological scores ranged from 8 to 14 out of 19 possible points. Eleven studies focused on the effectiveness of the orthopaedic shoes and orthopaedic shoe inserts, two of which reported outcome measures and conclusions related to the-efficiency of the studied orthopaedic shoes and orthopaedic shoe inserts. Four studies reported some form of patient satisfaction and only three studies paid attention to the context of use. Conclusions: The methodological quality of the RCTs as assessed according to the 19 different criteria varied considerably. The present review shows that current scientific literature concerning the usability of orthopaedic shoes focuses mainly on effectiveness at the expense of the other domains of usability, i.e., efficiency, satisfaction and context of use