Development of Molecular Markers Tightly Linked to Pvr4 Gene in Pepper Using Next-Generation Sequencing

It is imperative to identify highly polymorphic and tightly linked markers of a known trait for molecular marker-assisted selection. Potyvirus resistance 4 (Pvr4) locus in pepper confers resistance to three pathotypes of potato virus Y and to pepper mottle virus. We describe the use of next-generation sequencing technology to generate molecular markers tightly linked to Pvr4. Initially, comparative genomics was carried out, and a syntenic region of tomato on chromosome ten was used to generate PCR-based markers and map Pvr4. Subsequently, the genomic sequence of pepper was used, and more than 5000 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified within the interval. In addition, we identified nucleotide binding site–leucine-rich repeat-type disease resistance genes within the interval. Several of these SNVs were converted to molecular markers desirable for large-scale molecular breeding programmes

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C in Children Without Identifiable Risk-Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major public health burden for >30 years since its discovery. It is estimated that >80 million people have been already infected. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment is now approved for young children over the age of 3 years. Treating children before the development of high-risk behaviors is optimal. Thus, assessing the current epidemiology of HCV in children becomes important and may promote awareness. METHODS: Articles describing the prevalence of hepatitis C in children, were systematically reviewed. To assess HCV infection prevalence in the general population, studies discussing high-risk groups alone were excluded. RESULTS: Data from 58 studies were analyzed. National data was scarce. An overall prevalence of HCV in children of 0.87% was found, ranging from 0.34% in Europe to 3.02% in Africa. Prevalence of viremic infection is important and data synthesis from available data indicated that HCV viremia was detected in 56.8% of children. The prevalence of HCV according to sex was described in 25 studies but no difference between sexes was detected. HCV prevalence was significantly higher in children older than 10 years (0.97%) when compared to those ages under 10 years old (0.75%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Considering probable underdiagnosis of HCV infection in children, this information reveals that prevalence is substantial. One may argue that future strategies aiming towards HCV elimination, may need to include antiviral treatment of pre-adolescent children as well. Copyright © 2021 by European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

A Case of Disseminated Mycobacterium avium Infection in a Dog in Greece

A Basset Hound dog was presented with anorexia, fever, diarrhea, significant level of splenomegaly, and enlargement of mesenteric and superficial lymph nodes. Cytology of fine-needle-aspiration material, obtained from popliteal lymph node, revealed macrophages with intracytoplasmic, nonstaining, slender, rod-like structures, indicative of mycobacteria. Bacterial culture of lymph node aspirated material produced a colony which by means of molecular techniques (PCR amplification and hybridization of PCR products) was subsequently identified as Mycobacterium avium. This is the first report of disseminated M. avium infection in a dog in Greece

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production in Pseudomonas sp. phDV1 Strain Grown on Phenol as Carbon Sources

Pseudomonas strains have a variety of potential uses in bioremediation and biosynthesis of biodegradable plastics. Pseudomonas sp. strain phDV1, a Gram-negative phenol degrading bacterium, has been found to utilize monocyclic aromatic compounds as sole carbon source via the meta-cleavage pathway. The degradation of aromatic compounds comprises an important step in the removal of pollutants. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of the Pseudomonas sp. strain phDV1 to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and examining the effect of phenol concentration on PHA production. The bacterium was cultivated in minimal medium supplemented with different concentrations of phenol ranging from 200–600 mg/L. The activity of the PHA synthase, the key enzyme which produces PHA, was monitored spectroscopically in cells extracts. Furthermore, the PHA synthase was identified by mass spectrometry in cell extracts analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Transmission electron micrographs revealed abundant electron-transparent intracellular granules. The isolated biopolymer was confirmed to be polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by FTIR, NMR and MALDI-TOF/TOF analyses. The ability of strain Pseudomonas sp. phDV1 to remove phenol and to produce PHB makes the strain a promising biocatalyst in bioremediation and biosynthesis of biodegradable plastic

Transmission of Potato virus Y in tobacco plants by Myzus persicae nicotianae and M-persicae s.str

The transmission efficiency of Potato virus Y-N (PVYN) from and to tobacco plants by Myzus persicae nicotianae, a tobacco specialist, and M. persicae s.str. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a generalist, was evaluated. In direct transmission tests, 1,004 spring migrants collected as nymphs from peach and 1,434 wingless females from 12 clonal lineages of both taxa were examined. Both the winged and wingless females were starved before being transferred individually for a 3-min acquisition period on infected plants and then moved to healthy plants for a 10-min inoculation access period. Little variation in transmission efficiency was observed. Although not statistically significant, M. persicae nicotianae was slightly more effective. This may suggest similar genetic properties (e.g., virion receptors in mouthparts) between the taxa in relation to virus transmission. M. persicae s.str. transmitted the virus less efficiently when a shorter inoculation period was given. This may indicate differences in probing behavior during the early phase of host selection. Nevertheless, behavioral differences related to host selection have been found using arena tests with infected and healthy tobacco plants where 180 winged females from each taxon were tested. M. persicae s.str. had significantly higher propensity to transmit PVYN than M. persicae nicotianae (31.9 versus 15.3%)

Serum levels of S100b and NSE proteins in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia as biomarkers of brain ischemia and cerebral vasculopathy

Patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) are at risk of developing brain ischemia. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) has been established as a useful screening tool of cerebrovascular disease in patients with sickle cell disease. Proteins neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100B are biomarkers that reflect CNS injury. The purpose of this study is to evaluate cerebral vessel vasculopathy and brain damage inNTDT patients using non-invasivemethods as TCD andmeasurement serumlevels of NSE and S100B.We included in our study 30 patients with NTDT, aged between 8 and 62 years old (mean: 29.4, median: 32) who presented in our Unit for regular follow-up. We performed in all patients a non-imaging TCD examination and have measured serum S100, NSE and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. We investigated the possible correlation between TCD results and S100B, NSE and LDH levels as well as between NSE-LDH and S100B-LDH levels by regression analysis. We found a statistically significant relationship for both NSE, S100B with LDH. We also found a statistically significant relationship for S100B and time-averaged mean velocity (TAMV)/peak velocity of left middle cerebral artery (MCA), NSE and pulsatility index (PI)/resistive index (RI) of the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA). TCD results correlated with biomarkers for brain ischemia. This finding enhances the role of TCD as a screening tool for brain ischemia in patients with NTDT. © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

PlGF and sFlt-1 levels in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia: Correlations with markers of iron burden and endothelial dysfunction

Background: Levels of the angiogenic cytokines placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and the angiogenic balance, expressed by sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, are perturbed in sickle-cell disease and iron overload, but they have not been evaluated in non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). Patients and Methods: We measured levels of PlGF, sFlt-1 and vWF:antigen in patients with NTDT of beta-thalassemia genotype, and correlated them with erythrocytic indices and markers of iron overload, inflammation, and tissue hypoxia. Thirty-four NTDT patients with mean hemoglobin level of 8.4 g/dL were included in the study along with 20 apparently healthy individuals who served as controls. Results: Ferritin, LDH, and hs-CRP were higher in patients as compared to controls. We found significant differences between patients and controls in regard to levels of PlGF (52.2 vs 17.2 pg/mL, P <.001), sFlt-1/PlGF (2 vs 4.7, P <.001), and vWF:antigen (88 vs 77.1 IU/dL, P <.01). There was a strong correlation of ferritin with PlGF (r =.653, P <.001) and with vWF:antigen (r =.503, P =.003). Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated an association between increased PlGF and iron overload and the degree of tissue hypoxia in patients with NTDT. High vWF:antigen expressing endothelial damage may be associated with specific NTDT comorbidities. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Lt

Proteomic Characterization of the Pseudomonas sp. Strain phDV1 Response to Monocyclic Aromatic Compounds

The degradation of aromatic compounds comprises an important step in the removal of pollutants and re‐utilization of plastics and other non‐biological polymers. Here we set out to study Pseudomonas sp. strain phDV1, a gram‐negative bacterium that was selected for its ability to degrade aromatic compounds. In order to understand how the aromatic compounds and their degradation products are reintroduced in the metabolism of the bacteria and the systematic/metabolic response of the bacterium to the new carbon source, the proteome of this strain was analysed in the presence of succinate, phenol and o‐, m‐, p‐cresol as sole carbon source. We then applied label‐free quantitative proteomics to monitor overall proteome remodeling during metabolic adaptation to different carbon sources. As a reference proteome, we grew the bacteria in succinate and then compared the respective proteomes of bacteria grown on phenol and different cresols. In total, we identified 2295 proteins; 1908 proteins were used for quantification between different growth conditions. We found that 76, 109, 154 and 160 proteins were significantly differentially expressed in cells were grown in phenol, o‐, m‐ and p‐cresol‐containing medium, respectively. The carbon source affected the synthesis of enzymes related to aromatic compound degradation, and in particular, the enzyme involved in the meta‐pathway of monocyclic aromatic compounds degradation. In addition, proteins involved in the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), an attractive biomaterial, showed higher abundance in the presence of monocyclic aromatic compounds. The results provide for the first time comprehensive information on proteome response of this strain to monocyclic aromatic compounds

Efficacy of pymetrozine against Myzus persicae and in reducing potato virus Y transmission on tobacco plants

Forty-four parthenogenetic lineages of Myzus persicae s.l. (Sulzer) from tobacco crops and peach orchards located in various regions of Greece were examined to determine their response to the insecticide pymetrozine using leaf-dip bio-assays. The results show that the aphid has not developed resistance, as all lineages exhibited resistance factors bellow 6.0. In transmission experiments of potato virus Y (PVY) using a lineage of the tobacco-adapted subspecies M. persicae nicotianae Blackman on tobacco plants, one foliar application with pymetrozine provided adequate protection for 7 days. Pymetrozine significantly reduced both virus acquisition and inoculation compared with the untreated control and the reduction was comparable to a mineral oil application. These results are discussed in terms of the advantage of incorporating pymetrozine as a compound of pest management strategies against M. persicae s.l. and for control of non-persistent viruses, especially in crops such as tobacco because of the high selection pressure from neonicotinoids resulting in potential of resistance developing in aphid populations

Primary tooth abscess caused by Mycobacterium bovis in an immunocompetent child

Bovine tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease, and although its incidence has dramatically decreased in developed countries where effective control measures are applied, it still remains a potential health hazard in the developing world. Tuberculosis of the oral cavity is extremely rare and is usually secondary to pulmonary involvement. We present the unusual case of an immunocompetent 6-year-old child residing in an urban area with primary oral tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis, which was confirmed by the application of a molecular genetic approach. M. bovis belongs to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex which comprises species with close genetic relationship, and for this reason, the use of new molecular techniques is a useful tool for the differentiation at species level of the closely related members of this complex. © The Author(s) 2010