Presence of the ABCB1 (MDR1) deletion mutation causing ivermectin hypersensitivity in certain dog breeds in Belgium

Hypersensitivity to ivermectin and certain other drugs in Collies and related breeds is caused by a 4-base pair deletion mutation in the ABCB1 gene, better known as the MDR1 gene, encoding P-glycoprotein. There is no information available, however, regarding the presence of this mutation in dogs in Belgium. In this study, the ABCB1 genotype was assessed in 92 dogs of breeds suspected to possess the deletion mutation. The results indicated that the mutation was present in the Australian Shepherd, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog and Swiss White Shepherd, but was not detected in the Bearded Collies, Border Collies and German Shepherds of this study, which is in accordance with the findings in similar breed populations of other countries. In Belgium it is therefore important to take the ABCB1 genotype of the breeds involved into account, in order to use drugs in a safe and efficient manner and to improve the selection procedure in dog breeding

Aphids transform and detoxify the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol via a type II biotransformation mechanism yet unknown in animals

Biotransformation of mycotoxins in animals comprises phase I and phase II metabolisation reactions. For the trichothecene deoxynivalenol (DON), several phase II biotransformation reactions have been described resulting in DON-glutathiones, DON-glucuronides and DON-sulfates made by glutathione-S-transferases, uridine-diphosphoglucuronyl transferases and sulfotransferases, respectively. These metabolites can be easily excreted and are less toxic than their free compounds. Here, we demonstrate for the first time in the animal kingdom the conversion of DON to DON-3-glucoside (DON-3G) via a model system with plant pathogenic aphids. This phase II biotransformation mechanism has only been reported in plants. As the DON-3G metabolite was less toxic for aphids than DON, this conversion is considered a detoxification reaction. Remarkably, English grain aphids (Sitobion avenae) which cooccur with the DON producer Fusarium graminearum on wheat during the development of fusarium symptoms, tolerate DON much better and convert DON to DON-3G more efficiently than pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), the latter being known to feed on legumes which are no host for F. graminearum. Using a non-targeted high resolution mass spectrometric approach, we detected DON-diglucosides in aphids probably as a result of sequential glucosylation reactions. Data are discussed in the light of an eventual co-evolutionary adaptation of S. avenae to DON

Phylogeography and population structure of the global, wide host-range hybrid pathogen Phytophthora × cambivora

Invasive, exotic plant pathogens pose a major threat to native and agricultural ecosystems. Phytophthora × cambivora is an invasive, destructive pathogen of forest and fruit trees causing severe damage worldwide to chestnuts ( Castanea ), apricots, peaches, plums, almonds and cherries ( Prunus ), apples ( Malus ), oaks ( Quercus ), and beech ( Fagus ). It was one of the first damaging invasive Phytophthora species to be introduced to Europe and North America, although its origin is unknown. We determined its population genetic history in Europe, North and South America, Australia and East Asia (mainly Japan) using genotyping-by-sequencing. Populations in Europe and Australia appear clonal, those in North America are highly clonal yet show some degree of sexual reproduction, and those in East Asia are partially sexual. Two clonal lineages, each of opposite mating type, and a hybrid lineage derived from these two lineages, dominated the populations in Europe and were predominantly found on fagaceous forest hosts ( Castanea , Quercus , Fagus ). Isolates from fruit trees ( Prunus and Malus ) belonged to a separate lineage found in Australia, North America, Europe and East Asia, indicating the disease on fruit trees could be caused by a distinct lineage of P. × cambivora , which may potentially be a separate sister species and has likely been moved with live plants . The highest genetic diversity was found in Japan, suggesting that East Asia is the centre of origin of the pathogen. Further surveys in unsampled, temperate regions of East Asia are needed to more precisely identify the location and range of the centre of diversity

Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae race 1 and 4 via race-specific real-time PCR and target enrichment

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae (Fol) causes a vascular disease in lettuce that results in significant yield losses. Race-specific and sensitive real-time PCR assays were developed for Fol races 1 and 4, which are prevalent in Europe. Using genotyping-by-sequencing, unique DNA loci specific to each race were identified and subsequently used for the design of primers and hydrolysis probes. Two assays per race were developed to ensure specificity. The two assays of each race could be run in duplex format, while still giving a sensitivity of 100 fg genomic DNA for all assays. Sample preparation methods were developed for plant tissue, soil, and surfaces, with an extra enrichment step when additional sensitivity was required. By controlling the incubation conditions during the enrichment step, the real-time PCR signal could be matched to the number of spore equivalents in the original sample. When enriching naturally infested soil, down to six conidiospore equivalents L-1 soil could be detected. As enrichment ensures sensitive detection and focuses on living Fol propagules, it facilitates the evaluation of control measures. The developed detection methods for soil and surfaces were applied to samples from commercial lettuce farms and confirmed the prevalence of Fol race 4 in Belgium. Monitoring of soil disinfestation events revealed that despite a dramatic decrease in quantity, the pathogen could still be detected either immediately after sheet steaming or after harvesting the first new crop. The detection method for plant tissue was successfully used to quantify Fol in lettuce inoculated with race 1, race 4 or a combination of both. Under the temperature conditions used, race 4 was more aggressive than race 1, as reflected in larger amounts of DNA of race 4 detected in the roots. These newly developed assays are a promising tool for epidemiological research as well as for the evaluation of control measures

Automatic colorimetric calibration of human wounds

Contains fulltext : 88431.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Recently, digital photography in medicine is considered an acceptable tool in many clinical domains, e.g. wound care. Although ever higher resolutions are available, reproducibility is still poor and visual comparison of images remains difficult. This is even more the case for measurements performed on such images (colour, area, etc.). This problem is often neglected and images are freely compared and exchanged without further thought. METHODS: The first experiment checked whether camera settings or lighting conditions could negatively affect the quality of colorimetric calibration. Digital images plus a calibration chart were exposed to a variety of conditions. Precision and accuracy of colours after calibration were quantitatively assessed with a probability distribution for perceptual colour differences (dE_ab). The second experiment was designed to assess the impact of the automatic calibration procedure (i.e. chart detection) on real-world measurements. 40 Different images of real wounds were acquired and a region of interest was selected in each image. 3 Rotated versions of each image were automatically calibrated and colour differences were calculated. RESULTS: 1st Experiment: Colour differences between the measurements and real spectrophotometric measurements reveal median dE_ab values respectively 6.40 for the proper patches of calibrated normal images and 17.75 for uncalibrated images demonstrating an important improvement in accuracy after calibration. The reproducibility, visualized by the probability distribution of the dE_ab errors between 2 measurements of the patches of the images has a median of 3.43 dE* for all calibrated images, 23.26 dE_ab for all uncalibrated images. If we restrict ourselves to the proper patches of normal calibrated images the median is only 2.58 dE_ab! Wilcoxon sum-rank testing (p < 0.05) between uncalibrated normal images and calibrated normal images with proper squares were equal to 0 demonstrating a highly significant improvement of reproducibility. In the second experiment, the reproducibility of the chart detection during automatic calibration is presented using a probability distribution of dE_ab errors between 2 measurements of the same ROI. CONCLUSION: The investigators proposed an automatic colour calibration algorithm that ensures reproducible colour content of digital images. Evidence was provided that images taken with commercially available digital cameras can be calibrated independently of any camera settings and illumination features

Unravelling hybridization in Phytophthora using phylogenomics and genome size estimation

The genus Phytophthora comprises many economically and ecologically important plant pathogens. Hybrid species have previously been identified in at least six of the 12 phylogenetic clades. These hybrids can potentially infect a wider host range and display enhanced vigour compared to their progenitors. Phytophthora hybrids therefore pose a serious threat to agriculture as well as to natural ecosystems. Early and correct identification of hybrids is therefore essential for adequate plant protection but this is hampered by the limitations of morphological and traditional molecular methods. Identification of hybrids is also important in evolutionary studies as the positioning of hybrids in a phylogenetic tree can lead to suboptimal topologies. To improve the identification of hybrids we have combined genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and genome size estimation on a genus-wide collection of 614 Phytophthora isolates. Analyses based on locus- and allele counts and especially on the combination of species-specific loci and genome size estimations allowed us to confirm and characterize 27 previously described hybrid species and discover 16 new hybrid species. Our method was also valuable for species identification at an unprecedented resolution and further allowed correct naming of misidentified isolates. We used both a concatenation- and a coalescent-based phylogenomic method to construct a reliable phylogeny using the GBS data of 140 non-hybrid Phytophthora isolates. Hybrid species were subsequently connected to their progenitors in this phylogenetic tree. In this study we demonstrate the application of two validated techniques (GBS and flow cytometry) for relatively low cost but high resolution identification of hybrids and their phylogenetic relations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Retranslation, thirty-odd years after Berman

The introductory chapter to this special issue on retranslation goes back to the beginning, that is, Berman’s (1990) seminal paper in the fourth issue of Palimpsestes, as well as to Bensimon’s introduction to that issue. We look in detail at Berman’s argument, and reconstruct the way in which he was misunderstood before being instrumentalised by Chesterman (2000), in his oftenquoted “retranslation hypothesis”. After a discussion of that still dominant yet problematic paradigm, and the methodological issues involved, of ‘closeness’ to the source text, historicity and ageing, and the dichotomic homogenisation of languages and contexts, we present an overview of the existing literature, both in terms of inward (i.e., text-comparative) and outward (socio-cultural) perspectives on retranslation. Attempting to go beyond the beaten path, we identify a number of blind spots and call for a transversal, cross-cultural perspective, while suggesting a number of possible avenues for future research, regarding the WHY?, HOW?, WHAT?, WHERE?, WHEN?, and WHO? questions related to retranslation. Another possible and promising inquiry into the phenomenon of retranslation, besides transversal comparisons across contexts, is to study its absence, that is, non-retranslation, by looking into some of the same questions. WHEN and WHY are some works, or parts thereof, unretranslated, or even unretranslatable? WHAT texts and genres are concerned by this phenomenon? WHERE, i.e., in which translation cultures does it occur? WHO is responsible for that? HOW can it be explained that some texts are not retranslated? Finally, we present the papers in this special issue, and the ways in which they address new horizons for retranslation studies. Our objective is not only to bring an overview and show the vitality of retranslation studies, but also, as retranslations do, to uncover earlier shortcomings and to bring new interpretations