Serologically based diagnostic and quantification tests for nematodes

Plant parasitic nematodes are important plant pests which are difficult to identify and quantify. Serologically based techniques offer new ways to identify and quantify these parasites. Several factors need to be considered when developing an immunoassay for plant parasitic nematodes, including the application of the assay and the extraction procedure which together determine the likely organisms with which antibodies may cross-react. The four major factors: taxon specificity, nematode stage specificity, antibody specificity, and the level of management which is possible, need to be addressed interdependently and the best possible compromise made to develop a practical assay. Progress has been made in the immune-diagnosis and quantification of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera spp) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp) and these two groups of nematodes present different problems and therefore different challenges. The research reported here compares and contrasts work on these two groups of nematodes and highlights some of the important factors to be considered in the development of immunoassays for plant parasitic nematodes.Peer reviewe

An investigation of genetic variability of DNA methyltransferasesDNMT3Aand3Bdoes not provide evidence for a major role in the pathogenesis of panic disorder and dimensional anxiety phenotypes

While DNA methylation patterns have been studied for a role in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders, the role of the enzymes establishing DNA methylation-DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs)-has yet to be investigated. In an effort to investigate DNMT genotype-specific effects on dimensional anxiety traits in addition to the categorical phenotype of panic disorder, 506 panic disorder patients and 3112 healthy participants were assessed for anxiety related cognition [Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ)], anxiety sensitivity [Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI)] as well as pathological worry [Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)] and genotyped for five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in theDNMT3A(rs11683424, rs1465764, rs1465825) andDNMT3B(rs2424932, rs4911259) genes, which have previously been found associated with clinical and trait-related phenotypes. There was no association with the categorical phenotype panic disorder. However, a significant association was discerned betweenDNMT3Ars1465764 and PSWQ scores in healthy participants, with the minor allele conveying a protective effect. In addition, a marginally significant association between questionnaire scores (PSWQ, ASI) in healthy participants andDNMT3Brs2424932 was detected, again with the minor allele conveying a protective effect. The present results suggest a possible minor role ofDNMT3AandDNMT3Bgene variation in conveying resilience towards anxiety disorders. As the observed associations indicated a protective effect of two SNPs particularly with pathological worry, future studies are proposed to explore these variants in generalized anxiety disorder rather than panic disorder

A functional genetic variation of SLC6A2 repressor hsa-miR-579-3p upregulates sympathetic noradrenergic processes of fear and anxiety

Increased sympathetic noradrenergic signaling is crucially involved in fear and anxiety as defensive states. MicroRNAs regulate dynamic gene expression during synaptic plasticity and genetic variation of microRNAs modulating noradrenaline transporter gene (SLC6A2) expression may thus lead to altered central and peripheral processing of fear and anxiety. In silico prediction of microRNA regulation of SLC6A2 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assays and identified hsa-miR-579-3p as a regulating microRNA. The minor (T)-allele of rs2910931 (MAFcases = 0.431, MAFcontrols = 0.368) upstream of MIR579 was associated with panic disorder in patients (pallelic = 0.004, ncases = 506, ncontrols = 506) and with higher trait anxiety in healthy individuals (pASI = 0.029, pACQ = 0.047, n = 3112). Compared to the major (A)-allele, increased promoter activity was observed in luciferase reporter assays in vitro suggesting more effective MIR579 expression and SLC6A2 repression in vivo (p = 0.041). Healthy individuals carrying at least one (T)-allele showed a brain activation pattern suggesting increased defensive responding and sympathetic noradrenergic activation in midbrain and limbic areas during the extinction of conditioned fear. Panic disorder patients carrying two (T)-alleles showed elevated heart rates in an anxiety-provoking behavioral avoidance test (F(2, 270) = 5.47, p = 0.005). Fine-tuning of noradrenaline homeostasis by a MIR579 genetic variation modulated central and peripheral sympathetic noradrenergic activation during fear processing and anxiety. This study opens new perspectives on the role of microRNAs in the etiopathogenesis of anxiety disorders, particularly their cardiovascular symptoms and comorbidities