QTL-seq analysis of powdery mildew resistance in a Korean cucumber inbred line.

KEY MESSAGE: QTL mapping and RT-PCR analyses identified the CsGy5G015660 as a strong powdery mildew resistance candidate gene and natural variation of CsGy5G015660 allele was observed using 115 core germplasm. Powdery mildew (PM) is among the most serious fungal diseases encountered in the cultivation of cucurbits. The development of PM-resistant inbred lines is thus of considerable significance for cucumber breeding programs. In this study, we applied bulked segregant analysis combined with QTL-seq to identify PM resistance loci using F2 population derived from a cross between two Korean cucumber inbred lines, PM-R (resistant) and PM-S (susceptible). Genome-wide SNP profiling using bulks of the two extreme phenotypes identified two QTLs on chromosomes 5 and 6, designated pm5.2 and pm6.1, respectively. The two PM resistance loci were validated using molecular marker-based classical QTL analysis: pm5.2 (30% R2 at LOD 11) and pm6.1 (11% R2 at LOD 3.2). Furthermore, reverse transcriptase-PCR analyses, using genes found to be polymorphic between PM-R and PM-S, were conducted to identify the candidate gene(s) responsible for PM resistance. We found that transcripts of the gene CsGy5G015660, encoding a putative leucine-rich repeat receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase (RPK2), showed specific accumulation in PM-R prior to the appearance of disease symptoms, and was accordingly considered a strong candidate gene for PM resistance. In addition, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence markers from CsGy5G015660 were developed and used to screen 35 inbred lines. Natural variation in the CsGy5G015660 allele was also observed based on analysis of a core collection of 115 cucumber accessions. Our results provide new genetic insights for gaining a better understanding of the genetic basis of PM resistance in cucumber, and pave the way for further utilization in cucumber PM resistance breeding programs.

Effect of Hijama (wet cupping), Dalk (massage) and Bukhur (medicated steam) in amelioration of Waja al-Zahr (non-specific low back pain) - an open prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Low back pain is the most widespread musculoskeletal ailment and a common cause of disability worldwide. Conventional medicine typically treats low back pain with a combination of physical therapy; activity modification and rest; pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications which are associated with huge socioeconomic implications and adverse drug reactions. In contrast Hijama, Dalk and Bukhur are ancient medical techniques recommended in the management of musculoskeletal disorders with little or no adverse effects. To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Hijama bi'l Shart (wet cupping), followed by Dalk (Massage) with Roghan Dafli and Bukhur (medicated steam) with Tukhm Soya (Anethum graveolens Linn) in patients of Waja al-Zahr (Non-specific Low back pain). METHODS: Patients of either gender in the age group of 18-50 years with low back pain persisting for four weeks or more as chief complaint were recruited in the trial. The study was GCP compliant. The duration of the protocol therapy carried out was 14 days. RESULTS: Ninty two patients of NSLBP were screened, of which 34 who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate in the study were recruited. Three participants were lost to follow-ups due to personal reasons and 31 patients completed the trial during the study period. Overall therapeutic response observed in this study was 97% while 3% of the patients did not respond to intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings imply that there is a credible evidence to ensure that the regimens intervened are safe and effective in ameliorating the symptoms of Waja al-Zahr.

Towards environmental detection of Chagas disease vectors and pathogen.

Chagas disease vector control relies on prompt, accurate identification of houses infested with triatomine bugs for targeted insecticide spraying. However, most current detection methods are laborious, lack standardization, have substantial operational costs and limited sensitivity, especially when triatomine bug densities are low or highly focal. We evaluated the use of FTA cards or cotton-tipped swabs to develop a low-technology, non-invasive method of detecting environmental DNA (eDNA) from both triatomine bugs and Trypanosoma cruzi for use in household surveillance in eastern Colombia, an endemic region for Chagas disease. Study findings demonstrated that Rhodnius prolixus eDNA, collected on FTA cards, can be detected at temperatures between 21 and 32 °C, when deposited by individual, recently blood-fed nymphs. Additionally, cotton-tipped swabs are a feasible tool for field sampling of both T. cruzi and R. prolixus eDNA in infested households and may be preferable due to their lower cost. eDNA detection should not yet replace current surveillance tools, but instead be evaluated in parallel as a more sensitive, higher-throughput, lower cost alternative. eDNA collection requires virtually no skills or resources in situ and therefore has the potential to be implemented in endemic communities as part of citizen science initiatives to control Chagas disease transmission.