Comparison of the Molecular Tests - Single PCR, Nested PCR and Quantitative PCR (SYBR Green and TaqMan) - For Detection of Phaemoniella Chlamidospora During Grapevine Nursery Propagation

Water, callus media and plant material were sampled from commercial nurseries during two propagating seasons: 2003 and 2005. Various methods were tested for their ability to detect Phaeomoniella chlamydospora in the samples. Nested PCR and quantitative PCR were the most sensitive, although further research is required to optimise their use. When molecular techniques were used, all water samples tested positive for P. chlamydospora, indicating that the grapevine propagation process is a potential source of infection

Measurements of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration in human pancreatic islets and insulinoma cells.

In human pancreatic islets an increase in the glucose concentration from 3 to 20 mM raised the free cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i), an effect being reversible upon withdrawal of the sugar. Depolarization with a high concentration of K+ or the sulphonylurea tolbutamide also raised [Ca2+]i. Addition of extracellular ATP produced a transient rapid rise in [Ca2+]i. Oscillations in [Ca2+]i were observed in the presence of 10 mM glucose. Insulinoma cells responded to glucose and tolbutamide with increases in [Ca2+]i, whereas the sulphonamide diazoxide caused a decrease in [Ca2+]i. These findings confirm previous results obtained in rodent beta-cells