Genomic characterization of Puccinia triticina using molecular marker technology / Caracterização genômica de Puccinia triticina usando tecnologia de marcadores moleculares

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is the most common rust disease of wheat. The fungus is an obligate parasite capable of producing infectious urediniospores. To study the genetic structure of the leaf rust population 20 RAPD primers were evaluated on 15 isolates samples collected in Pakistan. A total of 105 RAPD fragments were amplified with an average of 7 fragments per primer. The number of amplified fragments varied from 1 to 12. GL Decamer L-07 and GL Decamer L-01 amplified the highest number of bands (twelve) and primer GL Decamer A-03 amplified the lowest number of bands i.e one. Results showed that almost all investigated isolates were genetically different that confirms high genetic diversity within the leaf rust population. Rust spores can follow the migration pattern in short and long distances to neighbor areas. Results indicated that the greatest variability was revealed by 74.9% of genetic differentiation within leaf rust populations. These results suggested that each population was not completely identical and high gene flow has occurred among the leaf rust population of different areas. The highest differentiation and genetic distance among the Pakistani leaf rust populations were detected between the leaf rust population in NARC isolate (NARC-4) and AARI-11and the highest similarity was observed between NARC isolates (NARC-4) and (NARC-5). The present study showed the leaf rust population in Pakistan is highly dynamic and variable.

A ferrugem da folha, causada por Puccinia triticina, é a ferrugem mais comum do trigo. O fungo é um parasita obrigatório, capaz de produzir urediniósporos infecciosos. Para estudar a estrutura genética da população de ferrugem da folha, 20 primers RAPD foram avaliados em 15 amostras de isolados coletadas no Paquistão. Um total de 105 fragmentos RAPD foram amplificados com uma média de 7 fragmentos por primer. O número de fragmentos amplificados variou de 1 a 12. GL Decamer L-07 e GL Decamer L-01 amplificaram o maior número de bandas (doze), e o primer GL Decamer A-03 amplificou o menor número de bandas, ou seja, um. Os resultados mostraram que quase todos os isolados investigados eram geneticamente diferentes, o que confirma a alta diversidade genética na população de ferrugem da folha. Os esporos de ferrugem podem seguir o padrão de migração em distâncias curtas e longas para áreas vizinhas. Os resultados indicaram que a maior variabilidade foi revelada por 74,9% da diferenciação genética nas populações de ferrugem. Esses resultados sugeriram que cada população não era completamente idêntica e um alto fluxo gênico ocorreu entre a população de ferrugem da folha de diferentes áreas. A maior diferenciação e distância genética entre as populações de ferrugem da folha do Paquistão foram detectadas entre a população de ferrugem da folha no isolado NARC (NARC-4) e AARI-11 e a maior similaridade foi observada entre os isolados NARC (NARC-4) e (NARC-5). O presente estudo mostrou que a população de ferrugem da folha no Paquistão é altamente dinâmica e variável.

Retrospective study of white blood cell count and hematocrit in dengue fever

Background: Dengue is an extremely important tropical disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Aim of the study: to study the white blood cell levels in serologically proven dengue cases; to study hematocrit levels in cases of dengue fever.Methods: The present study is a retrospective observational analysis of white blood cell count (WBC count) and hematocrit in 235 serologically proven Dengue cases admitted in the years 2011-2012Results: 107 cases (45.5%) had leukopenia, 111 cases (47.2%) had normal WBC counts and 12 cases had leukocytosis (5.1%). 23 cases had increased hematocrit (9.8%), 76 cases had a low hematocrit (32.3%) and 128 cases had a normal hematocrit (54.5%).Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients had leukopenia which may be an early marker of dengue infection. Only a small percentage of patients had raised hematocrit. It may be that rise from baseline levels of haematocrit which may be more significant than absolute values.

Analysis of liver function tests in dengue fever

Background: Dengue fever is an exceedingly common tropical infection in India. It can affect the liver with a wide spectrum of manifestations. The aim of the study was to analyse the liver function tests derangement in serologically proven dengue cases.Methods: Patients who were Dengue IgM positive were included in this study. All the patients underwent liver function tests.Results: Of 1oo patients, 33% had less than 2-fold increase in ALT levels, 18% had 2-4-fold increase, 20% had 4-10-fold increase and 11% had more than 10-fold increase. Overall 18% had normal values and 82% had values of ALT above normal. With regard to AST 8% had normal values, 26% had less than 2-fold normal, 26% had 2-4-fold increase, 25% had 4-10-fold increase and 15% had greater than 10-fold increase. 92% of patients had values above normal. Bilirubin levels were elevated in 5% of cases. Alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated in 25% of cases; serum globulins were increased in 9% of cases. Serum proteins were low in 43% of cases and serum albumin was low in 31% of cases.Conclusions: The spectrum of hepatic involvement in dengue fever can vary from asymptomatic biochemical involvement to severe acute liver cell injury. Hyperbilirubinemia may also be observed. Low albumin levels may be present and may be a marker of the critical phase of the disease.