Analysis of the Leptosphaeria Maculans Race Structure and Identification of Major-Gene Resistance to Black Leg in Winter Canola

Black leg, caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, is a widespread disease of winter canola (Brassica napus) in Oklahoma. Major resistance genes (Rlm) are expressed in seedlings and interact with avirulence genes in L. maculans (AvrLm) in a gene-for-gene manner. Little is known about the avirulence genes and race structure of the pathogen population in the southern Great Plains. Likewise, there is limited information about the presence of resistance genes in cultivars and hybrids grown in the region. The presence of avirulence alleles and the race structure of the L. maculans population were determined using a combination of pathogenicity tests on differential cultivars harboring resistance genes Rlm1 and Rlm2,3 and PCR amplification of avirulence alleles AvrLm1, AvrLm4-7, AvrLm6. Avirulence alleles AvrLm6 and AvrLm4-7 were prevalent (100%) in the local population (N=95), whereas AvrLm1 and AvrLm2,3 presence was 38% and 9%, respectively. Four races (Av1,2,3,6,4-7; Av1,6,4-7; Av2,3,6,4-7; Av6,4-7) were identified in the population. Races Av6,4-7 (56%) and Av1,6,4-7 (35%) were the most predominant and were further characterized for AvrLm4, AvrLm5 and AvrLm6 based on the phenotype interaction on differential cultivars harboring Rlm4 and Rlm5,6. This characterization resulted in a reclassification into three races Av1,6,7,(5); Av1,4,6,(5,7) and Av6,7,(5) which were used to screen 53 winter canola cultivars, hybrids and breeding lines for seedling resistance. Most (62%) entries were susceptible to all three races and lacked specific resistance genes. Several (23%) conventional (non-glyphosate tolerant) cultivars and hybrids were heterogeneous in resistance to one or more races. Glyphosate-tolerant entries currently grown in the region generally lacked major resistance genes, except for DKW46-15 which had heterogeneous resistance from Rlm4 and Rlm7. The hybrids Dimension, Safran, Visby, DK Sensei, and the rapeseed cultivar Rossini (9%), were resistant to all races possibly due to the presence of Rlm6 and/or Rlm7. Unknown resistance was found in 6% of the entries, which suggested the presence of other resistance genes not assessed in this study. Understanding the race structure of the pathogen population will be useful for development of resistance and effective deployment to control black leg in winter canola. There is a need to grow cultivars or hybrids with effective major gene resistance in Oklahoma and surrounding states.Plant Pathology (PhD

Real-life assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis patients using mobile technology : The mySinusitisCoach project by EUFOREA

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with a substantial personal and socioeconomic burden. Monitoring of patient-reported outcomes by mobile technology offers the possibility to better understand real-life burden of CRS. Methods This study reports on the cross-sectional evaluation of data of 626 users of mySinusitisCoach (mSC), a mobile application for CRS patients. Patient characteristics of mSC users were analysed as well as the level of disease control based on VAS global rhinosinusitis symptom score and adapted EPOS criteria. Results The mSC cohort represents a heterogeneous group of CRS patients with a diverse pattern of major symptoms. Approximately half of patients reported nasal polyps. 47.3% of all CRS patients were uncontrolled based on evaluation of VAS global rhinosinusitis symptom score compared to 40.9% based on adapted EPOS criteria. The impact of CRS on sleep quality and daily life activities was significantly higher in uncontrolled versus well-controlled patients. Half of patients had a history of FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) and reported lower symptom severity compared to patients without a history of FESS, except for patients with a history of more than 3 procedures. Patients with a history of FESS reported higher VAS levels for impaired smell. Conclusion Real-life data confirm the high disease burden in uncontrolled CRS patients, clearly impacting quality of life. Sinus surgery improves patient-reported outcomes, but not in patients with a history of more than 3 procedures. Mobile technology opens a new era of real-life monitoring, supporting the evolution of care towards precision medicine.Peer reviewe

Real-life assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis patients using mobile technology: The mySinusitisCoach project by EUFOREA

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with a substantial personal and socioeconomic burden. Monitoring of patient-reported outcomes by mobile technology offers the possibility to better understand real-life burden of CRS. METHODS: This study reports on the cross-sectional evaluation of data of 626 users of mySinusitisCoach (mSC), a mobile application for CRS patients. Patient characteristics of mSC users were analysed as well as the level of disease control based on VAS global rhinosinusitis symptom score and adapted EPOS criteria. RESULTS: The mSC cohort represents a heterogeneous group of CRS patients with a diverse pattern of major symptoms. Approximately half of patients reported nasal polyps. 47.3% of all CRS patients were uncontrolled based on evaluation of VAS global rhinosinusitis symptom score compared to 40.9% based on adapted EPOS criteria. The impact of CRS on sleep quality and daily life activities was significantly higher in uncontrolled versus well-controlled patients. Half of patients had a history of FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) and reported lower symptom severity compared to patients without a history of FESS, except for patients with a history of more than 3 procedures. Patients with a history of FESS reported higher VAS levels for impaired smell. CONCLUSION: Real-life data confirm the high disease burden in uncontrolled CRS patients, clearly impacting quality of life. Sinus surgery improves patient-reported outcomes, but not in patients with a history of more than 3 procedures. Mobile technology opens a new era of real-life monitoring, supporting the evolution of care towards precision medicine.status: publishe