Fine mapping of stem rust resistance derived from soft red winter wheat cultivar AGS2000 to an NLR gene cluster on chromosome 6D.

The Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) Ug99-emerging virulent races present a major challenge to global wheat production. To meet present and future needs, new sources of resistance must be found. Identification of markers that allow tracking of resistance genes is needed for deployment strategies to combat highly virulent pathogen races. Field evaluation of a DH population located a QTL for stem rust (Sr) resistance, QSr.nc-6D from the breeding line MD01W28-08-11 to the distal region of chromosome arm 6DS where Sr resistance genes Sr42, SrCad, and SrTmp have been identified. A locus for seedling resistance to Pgt race TTKSK was identified in a DH population and an RIL population derived from the cross AGS2000 × LA95135. The resistant cultivar AGS2000 is in the pedigree of MD01W28-08-11 and our results suggest that it is the source of Sr resistance in this breeding line. We exploited published markers and exome capture data to enrich marker density in a 10 Mb region flanking QSr.nc-6D. Our fine mapping in heterozygous inbred families identified three markers co-segregating with resistance and delimited QSr.nc-6D to a 1.3 Mb region. We further exploited information from other genome assemblies and identified collinear regions of 6DS harboring clusters of NLR genes. Evaluation of KASP assays corresponding to our co-segregating SNP suggests that they can be used to track this Sr resistance in breeding programs. However, our results also underscore the challenges posed in identifying genes underlying resistance in such complex regions in the absence of genome sequence from the resistant genotypes.

Thyroid disorders during interferon alpha therapy in 625 patients with chronic hepatitis C: a prospective cohort study.

AIM: to report the prevalence, risk factors, management and long-term outcome of thyroid disorders caused by INFalpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1991 to December 2004, 625 patients with chronic hepatitis C underwent INFalpha therapy. TSH assay was normal and antithyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) was performed before onset antiviral treatment; then TSH was performed every 2 months in all patients during therapy, and every 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: 58 patients developed thyroid disorder (8.9%). Mean age was 50.6+/-13 years; sex ratio: 1 M/2 F; the anti-TPO antibodies were positive before onset antiviral treatment in 9 patients (13.8%). 26 patients developed hypothyroidism (44.8%), 9 patients developed hyperthyroidism (15.5%) and among them 3 cases of Grave's disease. Biphasic thyroiditis occurred in 21 patients (36.2%), anti-TPO increase during treatment in 2 patients (3.5%) without hypothyroidism. The dysthyroidism was more frequent in risk in female gender (p<0.05) and in the group with positive antiTPO antibodies before treatment (p<0.02). CONCLUSION: Female gender and positive antiTPO antibodies are the predictive factors of development of the thyroid dysfunction during INFalpha therapy.

[Hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus: effect of diabetes on the course of the liver disease]. / Hépatite virale C et diabète: influence du diabète sur l'évolution de l'hépatopathie.

UNLABELLED: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is higher in chronic hepatitis C than in hepatitis B, even without cirrhosis. OBJECTIVE: To study the host, specific viral factors associated with diabetes mellitus and the influence of diabetes mellitus on the intensity of steatosis and the severity of fibrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following data were collected in a cohort of 1249 patients with chronic hepatitis C established between December 1991 and June 2004: age, gender, body mass index (BMI). None of the patients were under treatment for their liver disease. Serum transaminase level and hepatitis C serology with search for viral RNA, viral load and genotype were obtained. The Metavir score, iron overload using the Perls score (0-4) and steatosis class (0-3) were determined on liver biopsies. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 52.5+/-10 years (56% male). Mean BMI was 24.6+/-24 kg/m2. Forty-three patients (17.2%) presented diabetes mellitus. The mean duration of their diabetes was 8.9 years. Genotype 1 predominated (60.4%) and mean viral load was 7.7x10(6) eq.v/ml. Steatosis was present in 69.7% of the diabetic patients versus 17% of the non-diabetic patients. Grade 2 fibrosis (F2) was observed in 32.5% of diabetic patients versus 29% in non-diabetic patients and F3, F4 in 73% of the diabetic patients versus 57% of the non-diabetic patients. Comparison between diabetic and non-diabetic patients demonstrated an absence of statistically significant difference (at 5%) between the groups for gender, viral load and genotype. Diabetic persons were older (58.7 years against 51 years) and liver biopsy revealed steatosis and fibrosis (F3, F4) more often in diabetic patients (69.7% versus 49.5%). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that steatosis could favor progression of fibrosis in diabetics with chronic hepatitis C.

[Cowden syndrome]. / Le syndrome de Cowden.

INTRODUCTION: Cowden syndrome is rare; oral symptoms are not always diagnosed. This case of Cowden syndrome was revealed by gingival hypertrophy. OBSERVATION: A 21-year-old female patient consulted for gingival hypertrophy and multiple papules in the mouth. She had a history of thyroid lobectomy due to a goiter. The gingival papillomatosis and the goiter suggested a Cowden syndrome. The diagnosis was confirmed clinically by facial skin papules. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous and oral lesions are usually the first symptoms of the syndrome. Diffuse gingival papillomatosis may suggest a Cowden syndrome and should lead to screen for associated symptoms. A high-risk diagnosis of breast and thyroid cancer is associated to Cowden syndrome and the patient should have a yearly follow-up.