Comparative analysis of drug consumption for the treatment of epilepsy in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus

The aim to conduct a comparative analysis of the population's consumption of antiepileptic drugs in the retail pharmaceutical markets of developing countries, including Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus in the period 2016-2020. Materials and methods. The objects of the research were the data of marketing agencies that monitor the domestic pharmaceutical market in the countries under study. In particular, the range of AED in Ukraine was determined using the market research system «Pharmstandard» of the company «Morion». Analytical-comparative, systematic, graphical, logical, mathematical-statistical research methods were used. Results. The results of the study show that the market of antiepileptic drugs in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus mainly depends on foreign manufacturers, in particular by 60 %, 92 % and 46 % respectively in 2020, and does not meet the needs of the population in accordance with WHO recommendations. It is established that in the market of Ukraine, Kazakhstan during 2016-2019 there is a general trend of increasing retail sales of antiepileptic drugs, which are not included in the WHO Basic List of Essential Medicines, both in natural and in monetary terms. The results of the analysis of retail sales of drugs in the Belarusian market in quantitative and monetary terms indicate an increase in sales of drugs for the treatment of epilepsy, which are included in the WHO Basic List of Essential Medicines. Conclusions. The presence in Ukraine of a difficult situation with the consumption of antiepileptic drugs in comparison with other countries of the reference group indicates the need to implement comprehensive programs to combat the spread of epilepsy and the introduction of models for the rational use of limited health resources

Mining the Vavilov wheat diversity panel for new sources of adult plant resistance to stripe rust

Multi-year evaluation of the Vavilov wheat diversity panel identified new sources of adult plant resistance to stripe rust. Genome-wide association studies revealed the key genomic regions influencing resistance, including seven novel loci. Wheat stripe rust (YR) caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) poses a significant threat to global food security. Resistance genes commonly found in many wheat varieties have been rendered ineffective due to the rapid evolution of the pathogen. To identify novel sources of adult plant resistance (APR), 292 accessions from the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, Saint Petersburg, Russia, were screened for known APR genes (i.e. Yr18, Yr29, Yr46, Yr33, Yr39 and Yr59) using linked polymerase chain reaction (PCR) molecular markers. Accessions were evaluated against Pst (pathotype 134 E16 A + Yr17 + Yr27) at seedling and adult plant stages across multiple years (2014, 2015 and 2016) in Australia. Phenotypic analyses identified 132 lines that potentially carry novel sources of APR to YR. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified 68 significant marker-trait associations (P < 0.001) for YR resistance, representing 47 independent quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions. Fourteen genomic regions overlapped with previously reported Yr genes, including Yr29, Yr56, Yr5, Yr43, Yr57, Yr30, Yr46, Yr47, Yr35, Yr36, Yrxy1, Yr59, Yr52 and YrYL. In total, seven QTL (positioned on chromosomes 1D, 2A, 3A, 3D, 5D, 7B and 7D) did not collocate with previously reported genes or QTL, indicating the presence of promising novel resistance factors. Overall, the Vavilov diversity panel provides a rich source of new alleles which could be used to broaden the genetic bases of YR resistance in modern wheat varieties.

Occurrence and distribution of viruses infecting potato in Russia

Potato viral disease has been a major problem in potato production worldwide including Russia. Here, we detected Potato Virus M (PVM), P (PVP), S (PVS), Y (PVY), and X (PVX) and Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV) by RT-PCR on potato leaves and tubers from the Northwestern (NW), Volga (VF), and Far Eastern (FE) federal districts of Russia. Each sample was co-infected with up to five viruses. RT-PCR disclosed all six viruses in NW, three in VF, and five in FE. Phylogenetic analyses of PVM and PVS strains resolved all PVM isolates in Group O (ordinary) and all PVS isolates in Group O. Seven PVY strains were detected, and they included only recombinants. PVY recombinants were thus the dominant potato virus strains in Russia, although they widely varied among the regions. Our research provides insights into the geographical distribution and genetic variability of potato viruses in Russia.

Complete genome sequence of a divergent strain of potato virus P isolated from Solanum tuberosum in Russia

Contigs with sequence similarity to potato virus P (PVP), which belongs to the genus Carlavirus, were identified by high-throughput sequencing analysis in potato tubers collected from a farmer's potato production field in Surazhevka, Artyom, Primorskiy Krai (Russia) in 2018. The complete genome sequence of this virus consisted of 8,394 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tail. This is the first report of PVP being detected outside South America. The isolate had high sequence similarity to PVP isolates from Argentina and Brazil, but low sequence similarity was observed in the genes encoding the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (69% nucleotide sequence identity and 80% amino acid sequence identity) and coat protein (78% nucleotide sequence identity and 89% amino acid sequence identity). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this PVP-like virus clustered with known PVP isolates but was distinct from them. Comparison of the sequences using the classification criteria of the ICTV indicated that this PVP-like virus is a strain of PVP.

Genetic analysis of a worldwide barley collection for resistance to net form of net blotch disease (Pyrenophora teres f. teres)

A total of 449 barley accessions were phenotyped for Pyrenophora teres f. teres resistance at three locations and in greenhouse trials. Genome-wide association studies identified 254 marker-trait associations corresponding to 15 QTLs. Net form of net blotch is one of the most important diseases of barley and is present in all barley growing regions. Under optimal conditions, it causes high yield losses of 10-40% and reduces grain quality. The most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to prevent losses is growing resistant cultivars, and markers linked to effective resistance factors can accelerate the breeding process. Here, 449 barley accessions expressing different levels of resistance comprising landraces and commercial cultivars from the centres of diversity were selected. The set was phenotyped for seedling resistance to three isolates in controlled-environment tests and for adult plant resistance at three field locations (Belarus, Germany and Australia) and genotyped with the 50 k iSelect chip. Genome-wide association studies using 33,818 markers and a compressed mixed linear model to account for population structure and kinship revealed 254 significant marker-trait associations corresponding to 15 distinct QTL regions. Four of these regions were new QTL that were not described in previous studies, while a total of seven regions influenced resistance in both seedlings and adult plants.

Genetic Characterization of Resistance to Pyrenophora teres f. teres in the International Barley Differential Canadian Lake Shore

Genetic resistance to net form of net blotch in the international barley differential Canadian Lake Shore (CLS) was characterized and mapped. A doubled haploid (DH) population generated from a cross between CLS and susceptible cultivar Harrington was evaluated at the seedling stage using eight diverse Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt) isolates and at the adult stage in the field using natural inoculum. To effectively map the CLS resistance, comparative marker frequency analysis (MFA) was performed using 8,762 polymorphic DArT-seq markers, where 'resistant' and 'susceptible' groups each comprised 40 DH lines displaying the most extreme phenotypes. Five DArTseq markers were consistently detected in eight disease assays, which was designated qPttCLS and deemed to harbor the locus underpinning CLS resistance. Four of these markers were present onto the barley DArTseq physical map and spans a region between 398203862 and 435526243 bp which were found to consist several genes involved in important plant functions such as disease response and signaling pathways. While MFA only detected the 3H region, genetic analyses based on segregation patterns were inconsistent, suggesting complex inheritance or variation in phenotypic expression of qPttCLS, particularly in the field. This study represents progress toward connecting Ptt pathotype surveys with the corresponding resistance genes in barley differentials. The markers associated with qPttCLS are useful for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.

Discovering new alleles for yellow spot resistance in the Vavilov wheat collection

GWAS detected 11 yellow spot resistance QTL in the Vavilov wheat collection. Promising adult-plant resistance loci could provide a sustainable genetic solution to yellow spot in modern wheat varieties. Yellow spot, caused by the fungal pathogen Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), is the most economically damaging foliar disease of wheat in Australia. Genetic resistance is considered to be the most sustainable means for disease management, yet the genomic regions underpinning resistance to Ptr, particularly adult-plant resistance (APR), remain vastly unknown. In this study, we report results of a genome-wide association study using 295 accessions from the Vavilov wheat collection which were extensively tested for response to Ptr infections in glasshouse and field trials at both seedling an adult growth stages. Combining phenotypic datasets from multiple experiments in Australia and Russia with 25,286 genome-wide, high-quality DArTseq markers, we detected a total of 11 QTL, of which 5 were associated with seedling resistance, 3 with all-stage resistance, and 3 with APR. Interestingly, the novel APR QTL were effective even in the presence of host sensitivity gene Tsn1. These genomic regions could offer broad-spectrum yellow spot protection, not just to ToxA but also other pathogenicity or virulence factors. Vavilov wheat accessions carrying APR QTL combinations displayed enhanced levels of resistance highlighting the potential for QTL stacking through breeding. We propose that the APR genetic factors discovered in our study could be used to improve resistance levels in modern wheat varieties and contribute to the sustainable control of yellow spot.

Euphresco Sendo: An international laboratory comparison study of molecular tests for Synchytrium endobioticum detection and identification

An international test performance study (TPS) was organised to generate validation data for three molecular Synchytrium endobioticum tests: van den Boogert et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology 113, 47-57, 2005), and van Gent-Pelzer et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 126, 129-133, 2010) for the detection of S. endobioticum, and the pathotype 1(D1) identification test described by Bonants et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 143, 495-506, 2015). Two TPS rounds were organised focussing on different test matrices, i.e. round 1: warted potato tissue, and round 2: resting spore suspensions. When using the tests for detection and identification of S. endobioticum in warted potato tissue, no significant differences were observed for diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, overall accuracy, analytical sensitivity and robustness. When using the tests for detection and identification of S. endobioticum in resting spore suspensions, the van den Boogert and van Gent-Pelzer tests significantly outperform the Bonants test for diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity. For overall accuracy and analytical sensitivity, the van Gent-Pelzer significantly outperforms the van den Boogert and Bonants tests and is regarded as the test of choice when identifying S. endobioticum from resting spores. Tests regarded fit for purpose for routine testing of wart material and resting spore suspensions are proposed for the update of EPPO standard PM7/28(1) Synchytrium endobioticum.

Unlocking new alleles for leaf rust resistance in the Vavilov wheat collection

Thirteen potentially new leaf rust resistance loci were identified in a Vavilov wheat diversity panel. We demonstrated the potential of allele stacking to strengthen resistance against this important pathogen. Leaf rust (LR) caused by Puccinia triticina is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and the deployment of genetically resistant cultivars is the most viable strategy to minimise yield losses. In this study, we evaluated a diversity panel of 295 bread wheat accessions from the N. I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (St Petersburg, Russia) for LR resistance and performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using 10,748 polymorphic DArT-seq markers. The diversity panel was evaluated at seedling and adult plant growth stages using three P. triticina pathotypes prevalent in Australia. GWAS was applied to 11 phenotypic data sets which identified a total of 52 significant marker-trait associations representing 31 quantitative trait loci (QTL). Among them, 29 QTL were associated with adult plant resistance (APR). Of the 31 QTL, 13 were considered potentially new loci, whereas 4 co-located with previously catalogued Lr genes and 14 aligned to regions reported in other GWAS and genomic prediction studies. One seedling LR resistance QTL located on chromosome 3A showed pronounced levels of linkage disequilibrium among markers (r ² = 0.7), suggested a high allelic fixation. Subsequent haplotype analysis for this region found seven haplotype variants, of which two were strongly associated with LR resistance at seedling stage. Similarly, analysis of an APR QTL on chromosome 7B revealed 22 variants, of which 4 were associated with resistance at the adult plant stage. Furthermore, most of the tested lines in the diversity panel carried 10 or more combined resistance-associated marker alleles, highlighting the potential of allele stacking for long-lasting resistance.

Mining Vavilov's Treasure Chest of Wheat Diversity for Adult Plant Resistance to Puccinia triticina

Leaf rust (LR) caused by Puccinia triticina, is among the most important diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops globally. Deployment of cultivars incorporating genetic resistance, such as adult plant resistance (APR) or all-stage resistance, is considered the most sustainable control method. APR is preferred for durability because it places lower selection pressure on the pathogen and is often polygenic. In the search for new sources of APR, here we explored a diversity panel sourced from the N. I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources. Based on DNA marker screening, 83 of the 300 lines were deemed to carry known APR genes; namely, Lr34, Lr46, and Lr67. Interestingly, lines carrying Lr67 were mostly landraces from India and Pakistan, reconfirming the likely origin of the gene. Rapid phenotypic screening using a method that integrates assessment at both seedling and adult growth stages under accelerated growth conditions (i.e., constant light and controlled temperature) identified 50 lines carrying APR. Levels of APR corresponded well with phenotypes obtained in a field nursery inoculated using the same pathotype (R² = 0.82). The second year of field testing, using a mixture of pathotypes with additional virulence for race-specific APR genes (Lr13 and Lr37), identified a subset of 13 lines that consistently displayed high levels of APR across years and pathotypes. These lines provide useful sources of resistance for future research. A strategy combining rapid generation advance coupled with phenotyping under controlled conditions could accelerate introgression of these potentially novel alleles into adapted genetic backgrounds.

Mapping of major spot-type and net-type net-blotch resistance genes in the Ethiopian barley line CI 9819

Net blotch of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), caused by the fungal phytopathogen Pyrenophora teres Drechs. f. teres Smedeg., constitutes one of the most serious constraints to barley production worldwide. Two forms of the disease, the net form, caused by P. teres f. teres, and the spot form, caused by P. teres f. maculata, are differentiated by the type of symptoms on leaves. Several barley lines with major gene resistance to net blotch have been identified. Earlier, one of these was mapped in the Rolfi × CI 9819 cross to barley chromosome 6H, using a mixture of 4 Finnish isolates of P. teres f. teres. In this study, we used the same barley progeny to map resistance to 4 spot-type isolates and 4 net-type isolates of P. teres. With all net-type isolates, a major resistance gene was located on chromosome 6H, in the same position as described previously, explaining up to 88% of the phenotypic variation in infection response in the progeny. We designate this gene Rpt5. Several minor resistance genes were located on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 3H, 5H, and 7H. These minor genes were not genuinely isolate-specific, but their effect varied among isolates and experiments. When the spot-type isolates were used for infection, a major isolate-specific resistance gene was located on chromosome 5H, close to microsatellite marker HVLEU, explaining up to 84% of the phenotypic variation in infection response in the progeny. We designate this gene Rpt6. No minor gene effects were detected in spot-type isolates. The Ethiopian 2-rowed barley line CI 9819 thus carries at least 2 independent major genes for net-blotch resistance: Rpt5, active against net-type isolates; and Rpt6, active against specific spot-type isolates.