Stability of agronomic traits in interspecific hybrid potato clones in the Central Region of European Russia

Background. Yield stability is a necessary trait for sustainable potato production under climate change. Potato breeding is based on crosses between parental lines selected for a set of important traits: productivity, structural yield components, and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Data on plant responses to environmental conditions allows breeders to conduct informed selection of plant forms for crossing. The objective of this work was to characterize interspecific potato hybrids in terms of their productivity, yield plasticity and stability in the Central Region of European Russia.Materials and methods. For seven years (2014–2020), 19 hybrids and cv. ‘Favorit’ (reference) were assessed for productivity, number of tubers per plant, mean tuber weight, marketability, and resistance to late blight. Growing conditions were characterized using the hydrothermal coefficient. Environmental sustainability was determined by calculating the parameters of plasticity (bI) and stability (σ2) according to N. P. Sklyarova and V. A. Zharova.Results. Positive and negative anomalies in heat or moisture supply were observed during the test years. The maximum productivity was obtained in 2016, with heavy rainfall and higher temperatures; the minimum, in the hot and dry 2018. For productivity, the effect sizes of the factors “variety” and “year” were 29% and 38%, respectively. Hybrids with yield levels close to cv. ‘Favorit’ were identified: 117-2, 122-29, 99-6-5, 99-1-3, 99-6-6, and 34-5-2003. ‘Favorit’ is an intensive-type cultivar, with low yield stability. Hybrid 135-2-2006, also of the intensive type, had a stable yield, but developed medium-sized tubers and was less productive than other accessions. Hybrid 117-2 is of the extensive type, with medium stability, while hybrids 8-3-2004 and 135-5-2005 demonstrated high environmental plasticity and yield stability

South American species <i>Solanum alandiae</i> Card. and <i>S. okadae</i> Hawkes et Hjerting as potential sources of genes for potato late blight resistance

For several decades, wild species of Solanum L. section Petota Dumort. have been involved in potato cultivar breeding for robust resistance to pests and diseases. Potato late blight (LB) is caused by oomycete Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, and the genes for race-specific resistance to P. infestans (Rpi genes) have been introgressed into cultivated potatoes by remote crosses and trans- or cisgenesis, first from S. demissum Buk. and, more recently, from other wild species, such as S. bulbocastanum Dun., S. stoloniferum Schlechtd. et Bché, and S. venturii Hawkes et Hjerting (according to the nomenclature by Hawkes, 1990). Most wild species already involved in breeding for LB resistance came from North and Central Americas: series Bulbocastana (Rydb.) Hawkes, Demissa Buk. and Longipedicellata Buk., and some Rpi genes of these species have been already characterized in much detail. Rpi genes of South American species, including the series Tuberosa (Rydb.) Hawkes, have not been sufficiently investigated. Among the latter, this study focuses on the Rpi genes of S. alandiae Card. and S. okadae Hawkes et Hjerting. Four accessions of S. alandiae, one accession of S. okadae and 11 clones of interspecific potato hybrids comprising S. alandiae germplasm from the VIR collection were PCR-screened using specific SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) markers for eight Rpi genes. SCAR amplicons of five Rpi genes registered in this study were validated by comparing their sequences with those of prototype genes deposited in the NCBI Genbank. Among the structural homologues of Rpi genes found in S. alandiae and S. okadae, of special interest are homologues of CC-NB-LRR resistance genes with broad specificity towards P. infestans races, in particular R2=Rpi-blb3, R8, R9a, Rpi-vnt1 and Rpi-blb2 (94–99, 94–99, 86–89, 92–98 and 91% identity with the prototype genes, respectively). Our data may help to better understand the process of Rpi gene divergence along with the evolution of tuberbearing Solanum species, particularly in the series Tuberosa

Combination Breeding and Marker-Assisted Selection to Develop Late Blight Resistant Potato Cultivars

(1) Background: Although resistance to pathogens and pests has been researched in many potato cultivars and breeding lines with DNA markers, there is scarce evidence as to the efficiency of the marker-assisted selection (MAS) for these traits when applied at the early stages of breeding. A goal of this study was to estimate the potential of affordable DNA markers to track resistance genes that are effective against the pathogen Phytophthora infestans (Rpi genes), as a practical breeding tool on a progeny of 68 clones derived from a cross between the cultivar Sudarynya and the hybrid 13/11-09. (2) Methods: this population was studied for four years to elucidate the distribution of late blight (LB) resistance and other agronomical desirable or simple to phenotype traits such as tuber and flower pigmentation, yield capacity and structure. LB resistance was phenotypically evaluated following natural and artificial infection and the presence/absence of nine Rpi genes was assessed with 11 sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. To validate this analysis, the profile of Rpi genes in the 13/11-09 parent was established using diagnostic resistance gene enrichment sequencing (dRenSeq) as a gold standard. (3) Results: at the early stages of a breeding program, when screening the segregation of F1 offspring, MAS can halve the workload and selected SCAR markers for Rpi genes provide useful tools

ASSESSMENT OF DISPERSIVE RADIONUCLIDES COMPOSITION IN AIRBORNE DISCHARGE FROM IVV-2M OF "INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS"

The main results of aerosol dispersion determination of anthropogenic radionuclides released are presented in this work. Three-stage screen type diffusion battery developed in the Radiation Laboratory of the Institute of Industrial Ecology (Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) was used in this experiment

Image-based analysis of quantitative morphological characteristics of wild potato tubers using the desktop application SeedСounter

The development of quantitative digital phenotyping methods for evaluation of wild potato (section Petota Dumort., genus Solanum L.) tuberization is required for annotation of genebank collections and selection of the suitable donor material for potato breeding. There are no available methods specifically designed for the quantitative analysis of wild potato tuber morphology. The current study is devoted to evaluation of wild potato tubers’ morphological characteristics using a digital image processing technique. For this purpose, the mobile application SeedSounter developed previously for grain analysis was specifically adapted for tuber phenotyping. The application estimates the number and shape of objects scattered on a standard sheet of white paper (i. e. A3 or A4). Twelve accessions from the VIR genebank collection belonging to nine Petota species were grown in pots protected with garden fabric during the growing season of cultivated potato (Novosibirsk region). Tubers were collected form plants of nine genotypes. Three genotypes did not produce tubers. The weight of tubers collected from each plant was measured. The tuber yield from each plant was analyzed using SeedCounter (http://wheatdb.org/seedcounter). The number of tubers per plant was counted; the following characteristics were extracted from the images of individual tubers: length, width, projected area, length to width ratio, сircularity, roundness, rugosity and solidity. One-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of genotype on all measured characteristics. A pairwise comparison of nine Petota accessions using all measured parameters revealed statistically significant differences between 86 % of pairs. The overall tuber yield volume for each plant was  calculated as a sum of volumes of individual tubers; tuber volume was calculated from its length to width ratio and projected area. A strong correlation between the evaluated tuber yield volume and yield weight was shown. We propose tuber yield volume as a characteristic for a general evaluation of tuberization for wild potato, implementing the four-step scale from 0 to 3. According to this characteristic, the twelve wild potato accessions studied could be divided into four groups with different tuberization abilities. The evaluated tuberization ability is partially in accordance with previously obtained VIR data. The results presented demonstrate the possibility to use SeedCounter for  wild potato  collections phenotyping

Врожденная герпетическая инфекция: современные подходы к профилактике, диагностике, лечению

Among the classic pathogens of congenital infection, herpes simplex viruses type 1 and type 2 play important role. Neonatal herpes develops as a result of antenatal transmission of HSV. The greatest risk occurs with the primary infection of a woman in the late stages of pregnancy. In 85% of cases, genital and neonatal herpes is associated with HSV-2.The purpose of study: to identify the relationship between early manifestations of neonatal herpes and genital herpes during pregnancy for early diagnosis and etiological therapy of the newborn.Materials and methods. The analysis of current clinical recommendations and international consensuses of professional communities in Russia, the USA, and a number of European countries in the management of pregnant women was carried out. The five medical histories of newborn infants with a diagnosis of congenital herpetic infection were analyzed. In the clinical guidelines for the management of normal pregnancy, routine screening of pregnant women for HSV is omitted, however, examination is recommended for symptoms of genital herpes. For the prevention of neonatal herpes, antiviral drugs and caesarean section are used. Congenital herpes develops rarely, proceeds severely with significant residual manifestations in children. Antiviral therapy (Acyclovir) is used for herpetic infection in newborns: with systemic and local infection (eye damage). The analysis showed: despite the recurrent course of genital herpes in 4 out of 5 women during pregnancy, none of the pregnant women had a laboratory examination for HSV, pregnant women did not receive systemic etiological therapy and all deliveries were natural. The absence of preventive measures contributed to the early, during the first three days of life, the development of severe forms of neonatal herpes. In respect that the lack of significant clinical specificity and delayed manifestation, an antenatal anamnesis is important diagnostic criterion for neonatal herpes.Среди классических возбудителей врожденной инфекции важную роль играют вирусы простого герпеса 1 и 2 типа (ВПГ1 и ВПГ2). Неонатальный герпес развивается вследствие интранатальной передачи ВПГ. Наибольший риск возникает при первичном инфицировании женщины на поздних сроках беременности. В 85% случаев генитальный и неонатальный герпес связаны с ВПГ2.Цель: выявить взаимосвязь ранних проявлений неонатального герпеса и генитального герпеса во время беременности для ранней диагностики и этиотропной терапии новорожденного.Материалы и методы. Проведен анализ действующих клинических рекомендации и международных консенсусов профессиональных сообществ России, США, ряда европейских стран по ведению беременных женщин. Проанализировано 5 истории болезни новорожденных детей раннего неонатального периода с диагнозом врожденная герпетическая инфекция.В клинических рекомендациях по ведению нормальной беременности рутинный скрининг беременных на ВПГ не показан, однако рекомендовано обследование при симптомах генитального герпеса. Для профилактики неонатального герпеса используют противогерпетические препараты и проведение кесарева сечения. Врожденный герпес развивается редко, протекает тяжело с выраженными резидуальными проявлениями у детей.При герпетической инфекции у новорожденных показана специфическая терапия как системная (ацикловир), так и местная при поражении глаз.Проведенный анализ показал, что несмотря на рецидивирующее течение генитального герпеса у 4 из 5 женщин во время беременности, ни в одном случае не было проведено лабораторное обследование на ВПГ, беременные не получали системную этиотропную терапию и все роды были естественным путем. Отсутствие профилактических мероприятий способствовало раннему, в течение первых трех суток жизни, развитию тяжелых форм неонатального герпеса. Учитывая отсутствие выраженной специфичности клиники и отсроченную манифестацию, антенатальный анамнез является важным диагностическим критерием неонатального герпеса

НОВЫЕ ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ДИАГНОСТИКИ И ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ЛЕЧЕНИЯ ПОРАЖЕНИЙ ПЕЧЕНИ У ДЕТЕЙ

This review presents the current possibilities of diagnosis of children’s liver disease: to define avidity of antibodies to hepatitis A, C for detection early infection, the development of non-invasive panel of serum markers of fibrosis and the introduction of elastography liver, as an alternative to needle biopsy. Indicated promising directions in the therapeutic tactics of viral hepatitis in children associated with the use of combined schemes of parenteral interferon (IF), including pegylated, in conjunction with similar nukleoz(t) ides, IF inducers.В обзоре представлены современные возможности диагностики заболеваний печени у детей: определение авидности антител к вирусам гепатита А, С для выявления раннего инфицирования, разработка панелей неинвазивных сывороточных маркеров фиброза и внедрение эластографии печени как альтернативы пункционной биопсии. Указаны перспективные направления в терапевтической тактике вирусных гепатитов у детей, связанные с использованием комбинированных схем парентеральных интерферонов (ИФ), в том числе пегилированных, в сочетании с аналогами нуклеоз (т)идов, индукторов ИФ

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ТЕЧЕНИЯ И ИСХОДЫ НЕОНАТАЛЬНЫХ ГЕПАТИТОВ РАЗЛИЧНОЙ ЭТИОЛОГИИ

We have performed primary examination of 50 children with neonatal hepatitis. Prevalence of herpes infection as the etiologic agent (40,0%) has been found, as well as parenteral hepatitis, both as an isolated (26,0%) and mixed infections. We conducted a comparative analysis of clinical and laboratory data at initial examination and determined the outcomes of neonatal hepatitis to 12 months of life depending on the etiology. Congenital CMV- etiology hepatitis characterized by more cytolysis, mainly due to aspartate aminotransferase and cholestasis, which is 33,3% of cases combined by acholia and urobiliya. In 50,0% of patients with CMV-hepatitis was detected fibrosis with a mean value of liver elastography 9,9 kPa, which is ІІІ degrees of fibrosis METAVIR scale, whereas in children with primary chronic hepatitis C and concomitant HCV + DNA-virus infection fibrosis was not registered. Despite on the large number of modern non-invasive techniques for determining the degree of hepatic fibrosis, the use of its in children during the first months of life is limited and does not allow to predict disease outcome.Проведен анализ клинико-лабораторных данных 50 пациентов с неонатальным гепатитом в динамике с целью определения особенностей течения болезни и ее исхода к 12 месяцам жизни в зависимости от этиологии и первичных клинико-анамнестических данных заболевания. Выявлено преобладание герпетической инфекции в качестве этиологического агента (40,0%), а также парентеральных гепатитов как в виде изолированной HCV-инфекции (26,0%), так и смешанной HCV+ДНК-инфекции. Установлено, что врожденные гепатиты CMV-этиологии протекают более тяжело с выраженным цитолизом (преимущественно за счет аспартатаминотрансферазы) и холестазом, который в 33,3% случаев сопровождается ахолией и уробилией. У 50,0% пациентов с CMV-гепатитом выявлен фиброз со средним значением эластографии печени 9,9 кПа по шкале METAVIR, тогда как у детей с первично-хроническим гепатитом С и сочетанной HCV+ДНК-вирусной инфекцией фиброз зарегистрирован не был. Несмотря на наличие большого количества современных неинвазивных методик по определению степени фиброза печени, использование их у детей первых месяцев жизни ограничено и не позволяет прогнозировать исход заболевания

Цитомегаловирусная инфекция у иммунокомпетентных беременных: клинические проявления и тактика ведения

Objective: to analyze clinical manifestations, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to management of pregnant women with cytomegalovirus infection for optimization of clinical and laboratory diagnostics and reduction of risks of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in the postnatal period.Materials and methods: in the article describe results a retrospective study the pregnancy course of 92 women who had 94 children with a confirmed congenital manifest form of cytomegalovirus infection. The inclusion criteria in main group were women aged 18-40 years and presence the results of examination for TORCH-syndrome in the first trimester of pregnancy, negative results for HIV. Markers of cytomegalovirus infection were determined by PCR (blood, vaginal secretions) and serologically (IgM, IgG to CMV-infection).Findings: the study showed that acute cytomegalovirus infection was documented during pregnancy in 18.4% of cases, and recrudescence of CMV-infection only in 33.6% of cases. Acute cytomegalovirus infection was asymptomatic in 35.3% of patients, the rest had nonspecific symptoms in the form of fatigue and headache, cholestasis was registered in 35.2% of cases, whereas with recrudescence of cytomegalovirus infection, catarrhal symptoms in the form of rhinitis and pharyngitis prevailed 42,8% cases, p&lt;0,05. 15 people received therapy during pregnancy: 2 of them – antiviral (valgancyclovir), 11 – immunocorrective (interferon2alfa) and 2 – pathogenetic therapy (blood transfusion to the fetus for anemia). Based on the literature data and obtained by analyzing management tactics of the observed pregnant women, an algorithm for the management of pregnant women with cytomegalovirus infection was created.Conclusion: the study made it possible to substantiate algorithm of diagnosis and tactics management of cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompetent pregnant women and gave recommendations for obstetricians and gynecologists about alertness regarding cytomegalovirus infection.Цель: проанализировать клинические проявления, диагностические и лечебные подходы ведения беременных с цитомегаловирусной инфекцией для оптимизации клинико-лабораторной диагностики и снижения рисков реализации врожденной цитомегаловирусной инфекции в постнатальном периоде.Материалы и методы: ретроспективно изучено течение беременности 92 женщин, у которых родилось 94 ребенка с подтвержденной манифестной формой врожденной цитомегаловирусной инфекции. Критерии включения в исследование: женщины в возрасте 18–40 лет, наличие результатов обследования на TORCH-синдром в первом триместре беременности, отсутствие маркёров ВИЧ-инфекции. Маркеры цитомегаловирусной инфекции определяли методом ПЦР (кровь, вагинальный секрет) и серологически (IgM, IgG к антигенам цитомегаловируса).Результаты. Острая ЦМВИ во время беременности диагностирована в 18,4% случаев, обострение – в 33,6% случаев. У 35,3% больных острая цитомегаловирусная инфекция протекала бессимптомно, у остальных преобладали неспецифические симптомы в виде утомляемости и головной боли, холестаз регистрировался в 35,2% случаев. При обострении цитомегаловирусной инфекции преобладали катаральные явления в виде ринита и фарингита (42,8% случаев, p&lt;0,05). 2 беременных получали противовирусную (валганцикловир), 11 – иммунокорректирующую (интерферон2альфа) терапию, еще в 2 случаях выполнено переливание крови плоду по поводу анемии. На основании данных литературы и результатов этого исследования создан алгоритм ведения беременных с цитомегаловирусной инфекцией.Заключение: результаты проведенного исследования позволяют обосновать алгоритм диагностики и тактики ведения иммунокомпетентных беременных с цитомегаловирусной инфекцией и рекомендовать акушерам-гинекологам учитывать вероятность цитомегаловирусной инфекции у беременных