Spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of organic framework of macrocylic OONNOO-donor ligand with its metal organic framework: host/guest stability measurements

In this study, we synthesized 1,2-di(o-aminophenoxy)ethane, as the starting material, used in the preparation of a novel hexadentate OONNOO-donor macrocyclic ligand-1,4,11,14-tetraoxo-7,8-diaza-5,6:9,10;15,16:19,20-terabezocyclododeca-8,17-iene. It has twenty membered organic framework (OF), which has been designed, synthesized and characterized. Our main findings of this paper are related to the organic framework of ligand, its capacity to digest the metal ions and the stability of metal organic framework (MOFs) with cobalt(II), nickel(II) and manganese(II). The authenticity of the used organic framework and its metal complexes have been detected and observed in solid state as well as in aqueous solutions. The main observations were made on the basis of physiochemical measurements viz.: elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy, electronic, ESR spectroscopy. In addition, the magnetic susceptibility and electrochemistry measurements have been made. The 1H NMR spectra suggest stereochemistry and proton movement interaction. Considering the used organic framework there are a lot of carbon atoms in the molecule reflected by the 13C NMR spectrum. All these observations gave a clear view to confirming the encapsulation; arrive at the composition, structure and geometry of encapsulated complexes. In simple words, it confirms the host/guest coordination and its stability. Electrochemical properties of the complexes have been investigated to confirm the various changes in oxidation state of metals with change in potentials with respect to current at different scan rate.

Disintegration of solid foods in human stomach

Knowledge of the disintegration of solid foods in human stomach is essential to assess the bioavailability of nutrients in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A comprehensive review of food gastric digestion, focusing on disintegration of solid foods, is presented. Most of the research reviewed in this paper is contained in the medical, pharmaceutical, food, and nutritional literature. Stomach physiology is briefly introduced, including composition and rheological properties of gastric contents, stomach wall motility in fed/fasted states, and hydrodynamic and mechanical forces that act on the ingested food. In vivo and in vitro methods used for studying food and drug digestion in GI are summarized. Stomach emptying rate, which controls the rate of absorption of nutrients, is highly related to the disintegration of foods. This topic is highlighted with focus on the important mechanisms and the influence of chemical and physical properties of foods. Future research in this area is identified to increase our fundamental understanding of the food digestion process in the stomach as related to the food composition, material properties such as texture and microstructure, and chemical characteristics. This information is necessary to develop new guidelines for seeking innovative processing methods to manufacture foods specifically targeted for health.

CHARMMing: a new, flexible web portal for CHARMM

A new web portal for the CHARMM macromolecular modeling package, CHARMMing (CHARMM interface and graphics, http://www.charmming.org), is presented. This tool provides a user-friendly interface for the preparation, submission, monitoring, and visualization of molecular simulations (i.e., energy minimization, solvation, and dynamics). The infrastructure used to implement the web application is described. Two additional programs have been developed and integrated with CHARMMing: GENRTF, which is employed to define structural features not supported by the standard CHARMM force field, and a job broker, which is used to provide a portable method for using grid and cluster computing with CHARMMing. The use of the program is described with three proteins: 1YJP , 1O1O , and 1UFY . Source code is provided allowing CHARMMing to be downloaded, installed, and used by supercomputing centers and research groups that have a CHARMM license. Although no software can replace a scientist's own judgment and experience, CHARMMing eases the introduction of newcomers to the molecular modeling discipline by providing a graphical method for running simulations.

Genetics of Leaf Rust Resistance in Brambling Wheat

The CIMMYT-developed spring wheat 'Brambling' has a high level of adult-plant resistance (APR) to leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina. Our objectives were to determine the genetic basis of resistance in seedlings and adult plants and the magnitude of genotype × environment effects on the expression of APR. Brambling was crossed with spring wheat 'Jupateco 73S' that is highly susceptible to current predominant P. triticina races in Mexico and the United States. The F₁, F_2:3, F_4:5, F_4:6, and F_5:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were evaluated under artificial field epidemics in Mexico and St. Paul, MN. The RILs also were tested with five races of P. triticina in greenhouse seedling experiments. A DNA marker was used to postulate the presence of slow-rusting gene Lr34 in the RILs. F₁ data suggested strong dominant effect of the APR genes in Brambling. The proportion of homozygous susceptible lines in each generation indicated the presence of three effective resistance genes in adult plants of Brambling in tests in Mexico and three or four genes in tests in St. Paul. The RILs segregated for seedling genes Lr14a and Lr23 and adult-plant slow-rusting gene Lr34 derived from Brambling and Lr17a from Jupateco 73S. Gene Lr23 conditioned APR to P. triticina races present in the St. Paul nursery and accounted for the additional effective gene at this location. Expression of APR was influenced by the environment in the RILs, even though Brambling displayed a consistent response, indicating that stability of APR can be achieved by combinations of slow-rusting resistance genes.

Outcomes of extended donors in pancreatic transplantation with portal-enteric drainage

OBJECTIVE

Limited data are available on extended (EX) donor criteria in pancreatic transplantation (PTX).

METHODS

This retrospective study from February 2007 through April 2007 compared 2 cohorts of simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantations (SKPT): the first from EX donors, which were defined as age <10 years or > or =45 years, or donation after cardiac death [DCD]), and the second from conventional (CONV) donors.

RESULTS

Among 79 SKPT, 19 (24%) were from EX donors (12 older than age 45 [mean age, 50.2 years], 3 pediatric donors <10, and 4 DCD donors) and the remaining 60 SKPT from CONV donors. The mean donor age was higher in EX than CONV donors (38 vs 25 years, P < .05). There were no other differences between the 2 cohorts. With a similar median follow-up of 29 months, patient, kidney and pancreatic graft survival rates were 89%, 89%, and 79%, for the EX, whereas corresponding outcomes for CONV donors were 93%, 87%, and 80%, respectively (all P = NS). The incidences were similar for delayed kidney graft function (5% in each group), early pancreatic graft loss due to thrombosis (5% EX vs 8% CONV donors), acute rejection (16% EX vs 18% CONV donors), surgical complications, and infections. There were no significant differences in 1-year mean serum creatinine (1.4 mg/dL in each group) or glycohemoglobin (5.2% vs 5.5%) levels between the EX and CONV donor groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Short-term outcomes among SKPT from selected EX donors were comparable to CONV donors. Donors at the extremes of age and DCD donors may represent underused resources in SKPT.

Do pretransplant C-peptide levels influence outcomes in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation?

OBJECTIVE

To analyze outcomes in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation (SKPT) recipients who retain C-peptide production at the time of SKPT.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis of SKPTs from January 2002 through January 2007 compared outcomes between patients with absent or low C-peptide levels (<2.0 ng/mL, group A) with those having levels > or =2.0 ng/mL (group B).

RESULTS

Among 74 SKPTs, 67 were in group A and seven in group B (mean C-peptide level 5.7 ng/mL). During transplantation, group B subjects were older (mean age 51 vs 41 years, P = .006); showed a later age of onset of diabetes (median 35 vs 13 years, P = .0001); weighed more (median 77 vs 66 kg, P = .24); had a greater proportion of African-Americans (57% vs 13%, P = .004); and had a longer pretransplant duration of dialysis (median 40 vs 14 months, P = .14). With similar median follow-up of 40 months, death-censored kidney (95% group A vs 100% group B, P = NS) and pancreas (87% group A vs 100% group B, P = NS) graft survival rates were similar, but patient survival (94% group A vs 71% group B, P = .03) was greater in group A. At 1-year follow-up, there were no significant differences in rejection episodes, surgical complications, infections, readmissions, hemoglobin A1C or C-peptide levels, serum creatinine, or MDRD GFR levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic patients with measurable C-peptide levels before transplant were older, overweight, more frequently African-American and had a later age of onset of diabetes, longer duration of pretransplant dialysis, and reduced patient survival compared to insulinopenic patients undergoing SKPT. The other outcomes were similar.

Detection of Virulence to Resistance Gene Sr24 Within Race TTKS of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici

The stem rust resistance gene Sr24 is effective against most races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, including race TTKS (syn. Ug99), and is used widely in commercial wheat cultivars worldwide. In 2006, susceptible infection responses were observed on wheat lines and cultivars carrying Sr24 in a field stem rust screening nursery at Njoro, Kenya. We derived 28 single-pustule isolates from stem rust samples collected from the 2006 Njoro nursery. The isolates were evaluated for virulence on 16 North American stem rust differential lines; on wheat lines carrying Sr24, Sr31, Sr38, and SrMcN; and on a wheat cultivar with a combination of Sr24 and Sr31. All isolates were identified as race TTKS with additional virulence on Sr31 and Sr38. These isolates were divided into two groups: group A (seven isolates and the two control isolates), producing a low infection type, and group B (21 isolates), producing a high infection type on Sr24, respectively. Isolates of group B represented a new variant of race TTKS with virulence to Sr24. Eighteen simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to examine the genetic relationship between these two groups of isolates in race TTKS and five North American races (MCCF, QCCQ, RCRS, RTHS, and TPMK) that are representative of distinct lineage groups. All isolates of race TTKS shared an identical SSR genotype and were clearly different from North American races. The virulence and SSR data indicated that the new variant of race TTKS with Sr24 virulence likely has arisen via mutation within the TTKS genetic lineage. We propose to revise the North American stem rust nomenclature system by the addition of four genes (Sr24, Sr31, Sr38, and SrMcN) as the fifth set. This revision recognizes the virulence on Sr31 and differentiates isolates within race TTKS into two separate races: TTKSK and TTKST, with avirulence and virulence on Sr24, respectively. The occurrence of race TTKST with combined virulence on Sr24 and Sr31 has substantially increased the vulnerability of wheat to stem rust worldwide.

Quantitative trait loci for slow-rusting resistance in wheat to leaf rust and stripe rust identified with multi-environment analysis

Rust diseases are a major cause of yield loss in wheat worldwide, and are often controlled through the incorporation of resistance genes using conventional phenotypic selection methods. Slow-rusting resistance genes are expressed quantitatively and are typically small in genetic effect thereby requiring multiple genes to provide adequate protection against pathogens. These effects are valuable and are generally considered to confer durable resistance. Therefore an understanding of the chromosomal locations of such genes and their biological effects are important in order to ensure they are suitably deployed in elite germplasm. Attila is an important wheat grown throughout the world and is used as a slow-rusting donor in international spring wheat breeding programs. This study identified chromosomal regions associated with leaf rust and stripe rust resistances in a cross between Attila and a susceptible parent, Avocet-S, evaluated over 3 years in the field. Genotypic variation for both rusts was large and repeatable with line-mean heritabilities of 94% for leaf rust resistance and 87% for stripe rust. Three loci, including Lr46/Yr29 on chromosome 1BL, were shown to provide resistance to leaf rust whereas six loci with small effects conferred stripe rust resistance, with a seventh locus having an effect only by epistasis. Disease scoring over three different years enabled inferences to be made relating to stripe rust pathogen strains that predominated in different years.

The adult plant rust resistance loci Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29 are important determinants of partial resistance to powdery mildew in bread wheat line Saar

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici is a major disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that can be controlled by resistance breeding. The CIMMYT bread wheat line Saar is known for its good level of partial and race non-specific resistance, and the aim of this study was to map QTLs for resistance to powdery mildew in a population of 113 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between Saar and the susceptible line Avocet. The population was tested over 2 years in field trials at two locations in southeastern Norway and once in Beijing, China. SSR markers were screened for association with powdery mildew resistance in a bulked segregant analysis, and linkage maps were created based on selected SSR markers and supplemented with DArT genotyping. The most important QTLs for powdery mildew resistance derived from Saar were located on chromosomes 7DS and 1BL and corresponded to the adult plant rust resistance loci Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29. A major QTL was also located on 4BL with resistance contributed by Avocet. Additional QTLs were detected at 3AS and 5AL in the Norwegian testing environments and at 5BS in Beijing. The population was also tested for leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina) and stripe rust (caused by P. striiformis f. sp. tritici) resistance and leaf tip necrosis in Mexico. QTLs for these traits were detected on 7DS and 1BL at the same positions as the QTLs for powdery mildew resistance, and confirmed the presence of Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29 in Saar. The powdery mildew resistance gene at the Lr34/Yr18 locus has recently been named Pm38. The powdery mildew resistance gene at the Lr46/Yr29 locus is designated as Pm39.

The adult plant rust resistance loci Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29 are important determinants of partial resistance to powdery mildew in bread wheat line Saar

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici is a major disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that can be controlled by resistance breeding. The CIMMYT bread wheat line Saar is known for its good level of partial and race non-specific resistance, and the aim of this study was to map QTLs for resistance to powdery mildew in a population of 113 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between Saar and the susceptible line Avocet. The population was tested over 2 years in field trials at two locations in southeastern Norway and once in Beijing, China. SSR markers were screened for association with powdery mildew resistance in a bulked segregant analysis, and linkage maps were created based on selected SSR markers and supplemented with DArT genotyping. The most important QTLs for powdery mildew resistance derived from Saar were located on chromosomes 7DS and 1BL and corresponded to the adult plant rust resistance loci Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29. A major QTL was also located on 4BL with resistance contributed by Avocet. Additional QTLs were detected at 3AS and 5AL in the Norwegian testing environments and at 5BS in Beijing. The population was also tested for leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina) and stripe rust (caused by P. striiformis f. sp. tritici) resistance and leaf tip necrosis in Mexico. QTLs for these traits were detected on 7DS and 1BL at the same positions as the QTLs for powdery mildew resistance, and confirmed the presence of Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29 in Saar. The powdery mildew resistance gene at the Lr34/Yr18 locus has recently been named Pm38. The powdery mildew resistance gene at the Lr46/Yr29 locus is designated as Pm39.

Shape coexistence in light se isotopes: evidence for oblate shapes

Lifetimes of states in the ground-state bands of (70)Se and (72)Se were measured using the recoil-distance Doppler shift method. The results deviate significantly from earlier measurements, requiring a revision of the conclusions drawn from a recent Coulomb excitation experiment concerning the shape of (70)Se. The new results lead to a coherent picture of shape coexistence in the neutron-deficient selenium and krypton isotopes. The coexistence and evolution of oblate and prolate shapes in this mass region is for the first time consistently described by new Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov-based configuration-mixing calculations which were performed using the Gogny D1S interaction.

Identification and Molecular Characterization of Leaf Rust Resistance Gene Lr14a in Durum Wheat

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is an important disease of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) and only a few designated resistance genes are known to occur in this crop. A dominant leaf rust resistance gene in the Chilean durum cv. Llareta INIA was mapped to chromosome arm 7BL through bulked segregant analysis using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique, and by mapping three polymorphic markers in the common wheat (T. aestivum) International Triticeae Mapping Initiative population. Several simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, including Xgwm344-7B and Xgwm146-7B, were associated with the leaf rust resistance gene. Resistance response and chromosomal position indicated that this gene is likely to be Lr14a. The SSR markers Xgwm344-7B and Xgwm146-7B and one AFLP marker also differentiated common wheat cv. Thatcher from the near-isogenic line with Lr14a, as well as durum 'Altar C84' from durum wheat with Lr14a. This is the first report of the presence of Lr14a in durum wheat, although the gene originally was transferred from emmer wheat 'Yaroslav' to common wheat. Lr14a is also present in CIMMYT-derived durum 'Somateria' and effective against Mexican and other P. triticina races of durum origin. Lr14a should be deployed in combination with other effective leaf rust resistance genes to prolong its effectiveness in durum wheat.

First Detection of Virulence to Genes Lr9 and Lr25 Conferring Resistance to Leaf Rust of Wheat Caused by Puccinia triticina in Mexico

Leaf rust resistance gene Lr9 was transferred to wheat from Triticum umbellulatum (1). In 1971, 4 years after cultivars with this gene were released in the United States, leaf rust races with virulence to Lr9 were detected. In Mexico, cultivars with Lr9 have not been released and leaf rust races with Lr9 virulence have not been detected. Resistance gene Lr25 was transferred to wheat from Rosen rye (1) and has been effective worldwide, but this gene has not been used commercially because of possible negative effects on yield (1). Rust samples collected at different locations in Nuevo Leon State of Mexico during the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 wheat crop seasons were analyzed on seedlings of wheat leaf rust differentials in the greenhouse from single pustule isolates. The race nomenclature used is described in Singh (2). Among the races identified from this area, seven, MLJ/SP, TNM/JP, TLB/JP, TNM/KP, TNR/JP, TNB/JN, and TMB/JP, were virulent to both of these genes. Virulence to Lr9 and Lr25 were confirmed by repeating tests using Lr9 differentials 'RL6010' and 'McNair 701' and Transec and three other Lr25 wheat lines developed at CIMMYT, which carry Lr25. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of virulence to Lr9 in Mexico and virulence to Lr25 in the world. These isolates are conserved at CIMMYT for future reference. References: (1) R. A. McIntosh et al. Wheat Rusts: An Atlas of Resistance Genes. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, Australia, 1995. (2) R. P. Singh. Plant Dis. 75:790, 1991.

Fine scale genetic and physical mapping using interstitial deletion mutants of Lr34 /Yr18: a disease resistance locus effective against multiple pathogens in wheat

The Lr34/Yr18 locus has contributed to durable, non-race specific resistance against leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and stripe rust (P. striiformis f. sp. tritici) in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Lr34/Yr18 also cosegregates with resistance to powdery mildew (Pm38) and a leaf tip necrosis phenotype (Ltn1). Using a high resolution mapping family from a cross between near-isogenic lines in the "Thatcher" background we demonstrated that Lr34/Yr18 also cosegregated with stem rust resistance in the field. Lr34/Yr18 probably interacts with unlinked genes to provide enhanced stem rust resistance in "Thatcher". In view of the relatively low levels of DNA polymorphism reported in the Lr34/Yr18 region, gamma irradiation of the single chromosome substitution line, Lalbahadur(Parula7D) that carries Lr34/Yr18 was used to generate several mutant lines. Characterisation of the mutants revealed a range of highly informative genotypes, which included variable size deletions and an overlapping set of interstitial deletions. The mutants enabled a large number of wheat EST derived markers to be mapped and define a relatively small physical region on chromosome 7DS that carried Lr34/Yr18. Fine scale genetic mapping confirmed the physical mapping and identified a genetic interval of less than 0.5 cM, which contained Lr34/Yr18. Both rice and Brachypodium genome sequences provided useful information for fine mapping of ESTs in wheat. Gene order was more conserved between wheat and Brachypodium than with rice but these smaller grass genomes did not reveal sequence information that could be used to identify a candidate gene for rust resistance in wheat. We predict that Lr34/Yr18 is located within a large insertion in wheat not found at syntenic positions in Brachypodium and rice.

Intravitreal triamcinolone as adjunctive treatment to laser panretinal photocoagulation for concomitant proliferative diabetic retinopathy and clinically significant macular oedema

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) combined with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on visual acuity (VA) and foveal thickness in patients with concomitant high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO).

METHODS

This retrospective interventional case series included seven eyes diagnosed with both high-risk PDR and CSMO that underwent PRP and a single injection of 4 mg of IVTA. The main outcome measures were VA and foveal thickness, measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) before treatment and throughout the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 301 days (range 180-715 days). Foveal thickness data were available for four of seven eyes. Before the combined treatment, median LogMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) VA and median foveal thickness were 1 (Snellen 20/200, range 20/40-20/800) and 559 microm (range 333-689 microm), respectively. After treatment, median vision improved to LogMAR 0.544 (Snellen 20/70, range 20/40-20/1000) (P = 0.13). Vision improved or remained stable in six of seven eyes. Median foveal thickness at final follow-up was 436 microm (range 259-623 microm) (P = 0.15). Foveal thickness decreased or remained stable in all eyes.

CONCLUSION

The addition of IVTA to PRP in the treatment of eyes with high-risk PDR and CSMO may prevent PRP-induced foveal thickening and loss of vision.

Potential benefits and risks of land application of sewage sludge

Sewage sludge, also referred as biosolids, is a byproduct of sewage treatment processes. Land application of sewage sludge is one of the important disposal alternatives. Characteristics of sewage sludge depend upon the quality of sewage and type of treatment processes followed. Being rich in organic and inorganic plant nutrients, sewage sludge may substitute for fertilizer, but availability of potential toxic metals often restricts its uses. Sludge amendment to the soil modifies its physico-chemical and biological properties. Crop yield in adequately sludge-amended soil is generally more than that of well-fertilized controls. Bioavailability of metals increases in sludge amended soil at excessive rates of application for many years. Plants differ in their abilities to absorb sludge-derived metals from the soil. The purpose of this paper is to review the available information on various aspects of sewage sludge application on soil fertility and consequent effects on plant production to explore the possibility of exploiting this byproduct for agronomy and horticulture.

Role of ranibizumab in management of macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of severe vision loss in the western world. Both animal and human studies have established that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this process. Ranibizumab (Lucentis^TM, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) is a monoclonal antibody fragment (Fab) directed toward all isoforms of VEGF-A that was specifically designed to target wet AMD. The human antibody fragment is produced by an E. coli expression system and has a molecular weight of 48kD allowing for excellent retinal penetration. The most common ocular complaints of patients receiving ranibizumab injections in randomized clinical trials were transient conjunctival hemorrhage, vitreous floaters, intraocular inflammation, increased intraocular pressure and eye pain. The rates of serious adverse events such as retinal detachment, cataract and endophthalmitis were similar to those that have been reported with other intravitreal injections and patients should always be treated under strict aseptic conditions to reduce this risk. There were no significant non-ocular events found during any study so far and the risk of thromboembolic events was less than 4% and not different than sham. The MARINA, ANCHOR and PIER studies validated the safety and efficacy of ranibizumab amongst a large population with different choroidal neovascular membrane lesion types against sham or standard of care treatment. These studies recommended monthly intravitreal ranibizumab for patients. However, the PIER study reported that an alternative dosing of every three months is acceptable but less effective than monthly injections.

Trigenomic chromosomes by recombination of Thinopyrum intermedium and Th. ponticum translocations in wheat

Rusts and barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) are among the main diseases affecting wheat production world wide for which wild relatives have been the source of a number of translocations carrying resistance genes. Nevertheless, along with desirable traits, alien translocations often carry deleterious genes. We have generated recombinants in a bread wheat background between two alien translocations: TC5, ex-Thinopyrum (Th) intermedium, carrying BYDV resistance gene Bdv2; and T4m, ex-Th. ponticum, carrying rust resistance genes Lr19 and Sr25. Because both these translocations are on the wheat chromosome arm 7DL, homoeologous recombination was attempted in the double hemizygote (TC5/T4m) in a background homozygous for the ph1b mutation. The identification of recombinants was facilitated by the use of newly developed molecular markers for each of the alien genomes represented in the two translocations and by studying derived F(2), F(3) and doubled haploid populations. The occurrence of recombination was confirmed with molecular markers and bioassays on families of testcrosses between putative recombinants and bread wheat, and in F(2) populations derived from the testcrosses. As a consequence it has been possible to derive a genetic map of markers and resistance genes on these previously fixed alien linkage blocks. We have obtained fertile progeny carrying new tri-genomic recombinant chromosomes. Furthermore we have demonstrated that some of the recombinants carried resistance genes Lr19 and Bdv2 yet lacked the self-elimination trait associated with shortened T4 segments. We have also shown that the recombinant translocations are fixed and stable once removed from the influence of the ph1b. The molecular markers developed in this study will facilitate selection of individuals carrying recombinant Th. intermedium-Th. ponticum translocations (Pontin series) in breeding programs.

Discussion paper: The naming of Potato virus Y strains infecting potato

Potato virus Y (PVY) strain groups are based on host response and resistance gene interactions. The strain groups PVY(O), PVY(C) and PVY(N) are well established for the isolates infecting potato in the field. A switch in the emphasis from host response to nucleotide sequence differences in the virus genomes, detection of isolates recombining sequences of different strains, and the need to recognize isolates that cause necrotic symptoms in potato tubers have led to the assignment of new acronyms, especially to isolates of the PVY(N) strain group. This discussion paper proposes that any newly found isolates should be described within the context of the original strain groups based on the original methods of distinguishing strains (i.e., tobacco and potato assays involving use of 'differential' potato cultivars). Additionally, sequence characterization of the complete genomes of isolates is highly recommended. However, it is acceptable to amend the names of PVY isolates with additional, specific codes to show that the isolate differs at the molecular, serological or phenotypic level from the typical strains within a strain group. The new isolates should preferably not be named using geographical, cultivar, or place-association designations. Since many new variants of PVY are being discovered, any new static classification system will be meaningless for the time being. A more systematic investigation and characterization of PVY from potato at the biological and molecular levels should eventually result in a biologically meaningful genetic strain concept.

Treatment of Co-existent occult choroidal neovascular membrane and macular hole

The co-existence of a macular hole and a choroidal neovascular membrane can represent a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. In this noncomparative case report, we report on a patient with co-existent macular hole and choroidal neovascular membrane. The patient initially was found to have an occult choroidal neovascular membrane. The patient was not treated and the vision remained stable for almost 1 year until the patient noted further visual decline. The patient was treated with intravitreal pegaptanib and the patient's vision remained stable for 6 months. However, on follow-up the patient presented with visual decline and a full thickness macular hole was confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The patient underwent repair and vision improved with closure of the macular hole. The occult choroidal neovascular membrane remained stable with no evidence of disease progression. Fundus photos, intravenous fluorescein angiograms, and OCT were obtained before and after therapy and confirmed the diagnosis. This report highlights how the detection of co-existent macular hole and choroidal neovascular membrane may require OCT scanning. When treatment is entertained, therapy should be directed first toward the neovascular complex and then to repair the macular hole.

Vitrectomy for the Diagnosis and Management of Uveitis of Unknown Cause

PURPOSE

To determine the diagnostic yield of tests commonly used for vitreous fluid analysis in eyes with suspected intraocular infection or malignancy.

DESIGN

Noncomparative interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-four consecutive patients (45 eyes) treated from 1998 through 2006 with posterior segment inflammation who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for diagnostic purposes.

INTERVENTION

Vitreous specimens obtained via pars plana vitrectomy were analyzed by microbiologic culture, cytologic analysis, and flow cytometry.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Diagnostic yield and sensitivity of each test performed on vitreous specimens and visual outcomes of eyes that underwent diagnostic vitrectomy (DVx).

RESULTS

Preoperative diagnoses were infection in 15 eyes and malignancy in 30 eyes. Overall, vitreous analysis identified a specific cause in 9 (20%) of 45 eyes. The overall sensitivity of DVx was 63.6%. The sensitivities of individual tests were: culture, 50%; cytologic analysis, 66.7%; and flow cytometry, 83.3%. The yields of diagnostic tests were: culture, 5.7%; cytologic analysis, 14.3%; and flow cytometry, 20.6%. Final diagnoses were infection in 6 eyes, malignancy in 9 eyes, and idiopathic in 30 eyes. Mean visual acuity improved significantly in the first 6 months after DVx. Visual acuity improved in 60% of eyes, with 37.8% of eyes improving by 3 lines or more.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of vitreous fluid by widely available tests is useful in identifying intraocular infection or malignancy. Most patients experienced a substantial improvement in vision.

Hemolytic activity of aqueous extract of Livistona chinensis fruits

Livistona chinensis is used as an anticancer agent in traditional Chinese medicine. In vitro, the extracts of fruits and seeds of L. chinensis are known to possess antiangiogenic and antiproliferative activities. Here we report the presence of phenolic compounds in L. chinensis fruits which show hemolytic activity. The hemolytic activity of phenolics is limited to an acid-precipitable fraction. Further, presence of proteins and lipids abrogated the hemolytic activity indicating astringent and membrane damaging activities as mechanisms of hemolysis. In conclusion, the hemolytic activity of phenolics in L. chinensis fruits is due to astringent and membrane damaging activities.

Characterization of Seedling Infection Types and Adult Plant Infection Responses of Monogenic Sr Gene Lines to Race TTKS of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici

Stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, historically was one of the most destructive diseases of wheat and barley. The disease has been under effective control worldwide through the widespread use of host resistance. A number of stem rust resistance genes in wheat have been characterized for their reactions to specific races of P. graminis f. sp. tritici. Adult plant responses to race TTKS (also known as Ug99) of monogenic lines for Sr genes, a direct measurement of the effectiveness for a given gene, have not been investigated to any extent. This report summarizes adult plant infection responses and seedling infection types for monogenic lines of designated Sr genes challenged with race TTKS. High infection types at the seedling stage and susceptible infection responses in adult plants were observed on monogenic lines carrying Sr5, 6, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9d, 9g, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 30, 31, 34, 38, and Wld-1. Monogenic lines of resistance genes Sr13, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 44, Tmp, and Tt-3 were effective against TTKS both at the seedling and adult plant stages. The low infection types to race TTKS observed for these resistance genes corresponded to the expected low infections of these genes to other incompatible races of P. graminis f. sp. tritici. The level of resistance conferred by these genes at the adult plant stage varied between highly resistant to moderately susceptible. The results from this study were inconclusive for determining the effectiveness of resistance genes Sr9e, 14, 21, and 29 against race TTKS. The understanding of the effectiveness of individual Sr genes against race TTKS will facilitate the utilization of these genes in breeding for stem rust resistance in wheat.

Sterile endophthalmitis after intravitreal triamcinolone: a possible association with uveitis

PURPOSE

To report an association between uveitis and sterile endophthalmitis after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients receiving intravitreal triamcinolone injection at the Cole Eye Institute from January 2006 through September 2006 was carried out to evaluate for the occurrence of bacterial or sterile endophthalmitis. Indication for treatment, ocular history, best-corrected Snellen visual acuity, and clinical examination findings were recorded from the clinical charts before injection and at last follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 310 eyes received intravitreal triamcinolone injection for various causes, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, vascular occlusion, and cystoid macular edema (CME) resulting from uveitis. There were no cases of culture-positive infectious endophthalmitis. There were six cases (1.9%) of sterile endophthalmitis. Of these six cases, four had prior history of uveitis, whereas only 20 of the 310 cases had a prior history of uveitis. All six patients sought treatment within three days of injection, and all recovered rapidly. Presenting visual acuity was either counting fingers or hand movements. Median best-corrected visual acuity before injection was 20/100(+), whereas median final visual acuity was 20/80(-).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a history of uveitis may be at increased risk of experiencing sterile endophthalmitis resulting from intravitreal triamcinolone injection.