Symptomatology, (Co)occurrence and Differential Diagnostic PCR Identification of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ and ‘Ca. Phytoplasma convolvuli’ in Field Bindweed

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is one of the major natural plant hosts and reservoirs of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (‘Ca. P. solani’), the causal agent of plant diseases in diverse agricultural crops, including Bois noir (BN) disease of grapevine. Phylogenetically, the most closely related phytoplasma to ‘Ca. P. solani’, the ‘Ca. P. convolvuli’, induces disease in field bindweed that is known by its symptoms as bindweed yellows (BY). The occurrence, coinfection and symptoms association of the two phytoplasmas in shared host plants were the subject of this study. Specific primers for the amplification of the elongation factor Tu gene (tuf) were developed for the identification of ‘Ca. P. convolvuli’ (by conventional nested PCR), as well as primers for simultaneous detection of ‘Ca. P. solani’ and ‘Ca. P. convolvuli’ by duplex SYBR Green real-time PCR. Among symptomatic bindweed plants, 25 and 41% were infected with a single phytoplasma species, ‘Ca. P. solani’ and ‘Ca. P. convolvuli’, respectively, while 34% were infected with both phytoplasmas. None of the non-symptomatic control plants carried phytoplasma, while non-symptomatic plants from our previous epidemiological studies in BN-affected vineyards were confirmed to be infected solely with ‘Ca. P. solani’. Stamp gene typing revealed Rqg50 and Rqg31 ‘Ca. P. solani’ genotypes in plants coinfected with ‘Ca. P. convolvuli’, while three diverse genotypes (Rqg50, GGY and Rpm35) were identified in a single locality with symptomatic bindweeds infected solely with ‘Ca. P. solani’. Variations in symptoms and their association with each of the phytoplasmas are described and documented. The symptom of bushy appearance could be single out as specific for ‘Ca. P. convolvuli’ infection, while occurrence of ‘Ca. P. solani’ could not be unequivocally associated with specific alterations in infected bindweeds. The results are discussed in the context of the epidemiological and ecological complexity of ‘Ca. P. solani’-induced diseases and the relationship between the two phytoplasma relatives in shared host plant.

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Hyalesthes obsoletus is an active vector of Wood blackening in the Republic of Moldova

BIO Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/bioconf/20213404020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 04020

Author(s):

Evgeniy Haustov ◽

Victor Bondarciuc

Keyword(s):

Climatic Conditions ◽

Xanthium Strumarium ◽

Convolvulus Arvensis ◽

Bois Noir ◽

Republic Of Moldova ◽

Sonchus Oleraceus ◽

Field Bindweed ◽

Calystegia Sepium ◽

The Republic ◽

Hyalesthes Obsoletus

Hyalesthes obsoletus (Signoret) is an important vector of Wood Blackening in the Republic of Moldova. To identify the causes of the epidemiology of this disease in vineyards, the period of flight and the preference of the host plant H. obsoletus in the field were studied. Monitoring of vineyards showed that this species was found on the Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), and during the period of mass flight, the leafhopper was observed on Xanthium strumarium and Gorets bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus L.). The captured leafhoppers were diagnosed with the presence of Bois Noir stolbur phytoplasm (STOL). The adults of H. obsoletus were also caught from other herbaceous plants: Povoy fence (Calystegia sepium L.), Garden quinoa (Ariplex hortensis L.), Sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), Medicinal dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.), as well as c Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.). Changes in climatic conditions in the region, causing premature drying of the grass cover, forces cicadas - vectors to switch to actively growing plants during this period, including grapes, which contributes to the widespread of the disease.

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Multilocus Genotyping Reveals New Molecular Markers for Differentiating Distinct Genetic Lineages among “Candidatus Phytoplasma Solani” Strains Associated with Grapevine Bois Noir

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9110970 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 970

Author(s):

Alessandro Passera ◽

Yan Zhao ◽

Sergio Murolo ◽

Roberto Pierro ◽

Emilija Arsov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Elongation Factor ◽

Type A ◽

Sequence Variants ◽

Typing Method ◽

Translation Elongation ◽

Bois Noir ◽

Genetic Lineages ◽

Ecological Complexity ◽

Genes Encoding

Grapevine Bois noir (BN) is associated with infection by “Candidatus Phytoplasma solani” (CaPsol). In this study, an array of CaPsol strains was identified from 142 symptomatic grapevines in vineyards of northern, central, and southern Italy and North Macedonia. Molecular typing of the CaPsol strains was carried out by analysis of genes encoding 16S rRNA and translation elongation factor EF-Tu, as well as eight other previously uncharacterized genomic fragments. Strains of tuf-type a and b were found to be differentially distributed in the examined geographic regions in correlation with the prevalence of nettle and bindweed. Two sequence variants were identified in each of the four genomic segments harboring hlyC, cbiQ-glyA, trxA-truB-rsuA, and rplS-tyrS-csdB, respectively. Fifteen CaPsol lineages were identified based on distinct combinations of sequence variations within these genetic loci. Each CaPsol lineage exhibited a unique collective restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern and differed from each other in geographic distribution, probably in relation to the diverse ecological complexity of vineyards and their surroundings. This RFLP-based typing method could be a useful tool for investigating the ecology of CaPsol and the epidemiology of its associated diseases. Phylogenetic analyses highlighted that the sequence variants of the gene hlyC, which encodes a hemolysin III-like protein, separated into two clusters consistent with the separation of two distinct lineages on the basis of tufB gene sequences. Alignments of deduced full protein sequences of elongation factor-Tu (tufB gene) and hemolysin III-like protein (hlyC gene) revealed the presence of critical amino acid substitutions distinguishing CaPsol strains of tuf-type a and b. Findings from the present study provide new insights into the genetic diversity and ecology of CaPsol populations in vineyards.

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Potential Role of Inflammation in Associations between Particulate Matter and Heart Failure

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612824666180110150550 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 341-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Xiaotong Ji ◽

Yingying Zhang ◽

Guangke Li ◽

Nan Sang

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Inflammatory Response ◽

Heart Diseases ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Inflammatory Mechanism ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Future Work ◽

The Relationship

Recently, numerous studies have found that particulate matter (PM) exposure is correlated with increased hospitalization and mortality from heart failure (HF). In addition to problems with circulation, HF patients often display high expression of cytokines in the failing heart. Thus, as a recurring heart problem, HF is thought to be a disorder characterized in part by the inflammatory response. In this review, we intend to discuss the relationship between PM exposure and HF that is based on inflammatory mechanism and to provide a comprehensive, updated evaluation of the related studies. Epidemiological studies on PM-induced heart diseases are focused on high concentrations of PM, high pollutant load exposure in winter, or susceptible groups with heart diseases, etc. Furthermore, it appears that the relationship between fine or ultrafine PM and HF is stronger than that between HF and coarse PM. However, fewer studies paid attention to PM components. As for experimental studies, it is worth noting that coarse PM may indirectly promote the inflammatory response in the heart through systematic circulation of cytokines produced primarily in the lungs, while ultrafine PM and its components can enter circulation and further induce inflammation directly in the heart. In terms of PM exposure and enhanced inflammation during the pathogenesis of HF, this article reviews the following mechanisms: hemodynamics, oxidative stress, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and epigenetic regulation. However, many problems are still unsolved, and future work will be needed to clarify the complex biologic mechanisms and to identify the specific components of PM responsible for adverse effects on heart health.

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Adolescent smoking behavior and communication with parents: Depression as a mediator and gender as a moderator

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.8262 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (10) ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xieping Chen ◽

Qian Xie ◽

Yuting Yang

Keyword(s):

Smoking Behavior ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Adolescent Smoking ◽

Junior High Schools ◽

Test Results ◽

Negative Effect ◽

And Gender ◽

The Relationship ◽

Communication Scale

Parent–adolescent communication is assumed to be an important factor affecting adolescent smoking behavior. However, the inner mechanism accounting for this association has still not been clarified in research. Our purpose in this study was to examine the relationships between parent–adolescent communication, adolescent smoking behavior, and depression, as well as gender differences in the relationship between depression and adolescent smoking behavior. Participants were 1,134 students at 6 junior high schools in China who completed the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale, the Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Smoking Behavior Test. Results showed that parent-adolescent communication had a significant negative effect on adolescent smoking behavior and depression partially mediated the relationship between parent–adolescent communication and adolescent smoking behavior. In addition, gender moderated the relationship between depression and adolescent smoking behavior. Overall, these findings may help to promote better understanding of the relationship between parent–adolescent communication and adolescent smoking behavior.

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Uric Acid and Hypertension: Prognostic Role and Guide for Treatment

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10030448 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 448

Author(s):

Federica Piani ◽

Arrigo F. G. Cicero ◽

Claudio Borghi

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Uric Acid ◽

Mendelian Randomization ◽

Strong Association ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Hypertensive Disease ◽

Genetic Studies ◽

Lowering Therapy ◽

The Relationship

The relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and hypertension has been a subject of increasing interest since the 1870 discovery by Frederick Akbar Mahomed. Several epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between high SUA levels and the presence or the development of hypertension. Genetic analyses have found that xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) genetic polymorphisms are associated with hypertension. However, genetic studies on urate transporters and Mendelian randomization studies failed to demonstrate a causal relationship between SUA and hypertension. Results from clinical trials on the role of urate-lowering therapy in the management of patients with hypertension are not uniform. Our study sought to analyze the prognostic and therapeutic role of SUA in the hypertensive disease, from uric acid (UA) biology to clinical trials on urate-lowering therapies.

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Lack of an association between gallstone disease and bilirubin levels with risk of colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomisation analysis

British Journal of Cancer ◽

10.1038/s41416-020-01211-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Richard Culliford ◽

Alex J. Cornish ◽

Philip J. Law ◽

Susan M. Farrington ◽

Kimmo Palin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Large Scale ◽

Causal Effect ◽

Gallstone Disease ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Mendelian Randomisation ◽

Linear Relationships ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

The Relationship ◽

Circulating Levels

Abstract Background Epidemiological studies of the relationship between gallstone disease and circulating levels of bilirubin with risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) have been inconsistent. To address possible confounding and reverse causation, we examine the relationship between these potential risk factors and CRC using Mendelian randomisation (MR). Methods We used two-sample MR to examine the relationship between genetic liability to gallstone disease and circulating levels of bilirubin with CRC in 26,397 patients and 41,481 controls. We calculated the odds ratio per genetically predicted SD unit increase in log bilirubin levels (ORSD) for CRC and tested for a non-zero causal effect of gallstones on CRC. Sensitivity analysis was applied to identify violations of estimator assumptions. Results No association between either gallstone disease (P value = 0.60) or circulating levels of bilirubin (ORSD = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.96–1.03, P value = 0.90) with CRC was shown. Conclusions Despite the large scale of this study, we found no evidence for a causal relationship between either circulating levels of bilirubin or gallstone disease with risk of developing CRC. While the magnitude of effect suggested by some observational studies can confidently be excluded, we cannot exclude the possibility of smaller effect sizes and non-linear relationships.

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A New Multiplex Real-Time RT-PCR for Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation of Avian Bornaviruses

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13071358 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1358

Author(s):

Brigitte Sigrist ◽

Jessica Geers ◽

Sarah Albini ◽

Dennis Rubbenstroth ◽

Nina Wolfrum

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Simultaneous Detection ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Virus Species ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

P Gene ◽

Field Samples ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Species Specific ◽

Proventricular Dilatation Disease

Avian bornaviruses were first described in 2008 as the causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) in parrots and their relatives (Psittaciformes). To date, 15 genetically highly diverse avian bornaviruses covering at least five viral species have been discovered in different bird orders. Currently, the primary diagnostic tool is the detection of viral RNA by conventional or real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). One of the drawbacks of this is the usage of either specific assays, allowing the detection of one particular virus, or of assays with a broad detection spectrum, which, however, do not allow for the simultaneous specification of the detected virus. To facilitate the simultaneous detection and specification of avian bornaviruses, a multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay was developed. Whole-genome sequences of various bornaviruses were aligned. Primers were designed to recognize conserved regions within the overlapping X/P gene and probes were selected to detect virus species-specific regions within the target region. The optimization of the assay resulted in the sensitive and specific detection of bornaviruses of Psittaciformes, Passeriformes, and aquatic birds. Finally, the new rRT-PCR was successfully employed to detect avian bornaviruses in field samples from various avian species. This assay will serve as powerful tool in epidemiological studies and will improve avian bornavirus detection.

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Relationship between NAFLD and Periodontal Disease from the View of Clinical and Basic Research, and Immunological Response

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22073728 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. 3728

Author(s):

Masahiro Hatasa ◽

Sumiko Yoshida ◽

Hirokazu Takahashi ◽

Kenichi Tanaka ◽

Yoshihito Kubotsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Periodontal Disease ◽

Alveolar Bone ◽

Basic Research ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Periodontopathic Bacteria ◽

In Vivo Animal Model ◽

The Relationship

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease caused by pathogenic oral microorganisms that leads to the destruction of alveolar bone and connective tissues around the teeth. Although many studies have shown that periodontal disease is a risk factor for systemic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and periodontal disease has not yet been clarified. Thus, the purpose of this review was to reveal the relationship between NAFLD and periodontal disease based on epidemiological studies, basic research, and immunology. Many cross-sectional and prospective epidemiological studies have indicated that periodontal disease is a risk factor for NAFLD. An in vivo animal model revealed that infection with periodontopathic bacteria accelerates the progression of NAFLD accompanied by enhanced steatosis. Moreover, the detection of periodontopathic bacteria in the liver may demonstrate that the bacteria have a direct impact on NAFLD. Furthermore, Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide induces inflammation and accumulation of intracellular lipids in hepatocytes. Th17 may be a key molecule for explaining the relationship between periodontal disease and NAFLD. In this review, we attempted to establish that oral health is essential for systemic health, especially in patients with NAFLD.

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Aminocyclopyrachlor Absorption, Translocation and Metabolism in Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-d-12-00071.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 63-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

R. Bradley Lindenmayer ◽

Scott J. Nissen ◽

Philip P. Westra ◽

Dale L. Shaner ◽

Galen Brunk

Keyword(s):

Plant Tissue ◽

Time Course ◽

Plant Tissues ◽

Laboratory Studies ◽

Weed Species ◽

Convolvulus Arvensis ◽

Single Leaf ◽

Field Bindweed ◽

Treated Leaf ◽

Aboveground Tissue

Field bindweed is extremely susceptible to aminocyclopyrachlor compared to other weed species. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine if absorption, translocation, and metabolism of aminocyclopyrachlor in field bindweed differs from other, less susceptible species. Field bindweed plants were treated with 3.3 kBq14C-aminocyclopyrachlor by spotting a single leaf mid-way up the stem with 10 µl of herbicide solution. Plants were then harvested at set intervals over 192 h after treatment (HAT). Aminocyclopyrachlor absorption reached a maximum of 48.3% of the applied radioactivity by 48 HAT. A translocation pattern of herbicide movement from the treated leaf into other plant tissues emerged, revealing a nearly equal aminocyclopyrachlor distribution between the treated leaf, aboveground tissue, and belowground tissue of 13, 14, and 14% of the applied radioactivity by 192 HAT. Over the time-course, no soluble aminocyclopyrachlor metabolites were observed, but there was an increase in radioactivity recovered bound in the nonsoluble fraction. These results suggest that aminocyclopyrachlor has greater translocation to belowground plant tissue in field bindweed compared with results from other studies with other herbicides and other weed species, which could explain the increased level of control observed in the field. The lack of soluble metabolites also suggests that very little metabolism occurred over the 192 h time course.

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Molecular support for the recognition of the Mycoblastus fucatus group as the new genus Violella (Tephromelataceae, Lecanorales)

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1017/s0024282911000478 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

pp. 445-466 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Toby SPRIBILLE ◽

Bernard GOFFINET ◽

Barbara KLUG ◽

Lucia MUGGIA ◽

Walter OBERMAYER ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Genus ◽

Russian Far East ◽

Far East ◽

Elongation Factor ◽

New Combination ◽

Translation Elongation ◽

Secondary Chemistry ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

AbstractThe crustose lichen genus Mycoblastus in the Northern Hemisphere includes eight recognized species sharing large, simple ascospores produced 1–2 per ascus in strongly pigmented biatorine apothecia. The monophyly of Mycoblastus and the relationship of its various species to Tephromelataceae have never been studied in detail. Data from ITS rDNA and the genes coding for translation elongation factor 1-α and DNA replication licensing factor mini-chromosome maintenance complex 7 support the distinctness of Mycoblastus s. str. from the core of the Tephromelataceae, but recover M. fucatus and an undescribed Asian species as strongly supported within the latter group. We propose accommodating these two species in a new genus, Violella, which is characterized by its brownish inner ascospore walls, Fucatus-violet hymenial pigment granules and secondary chemistry, and discuss the position of Violella relative to Calvitimela and Tephromela. We describe the new species Violella wangii T. Sprib. & Goffinet to accommodate a new species with roccellic acid from Bhutan, China, India and the Russian Far East. We also exclude Mycoblastus indicus Awasthi & Agarwal from the genus Mycoblastus and propose for it the new combination Malmidea indica (Awasthi & Agarwal) Hafellner & T. Sprib.

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