Inheritance of resistance to Fusarium head blight in three European winter wheat populations.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance is of particular importance in wheat breeding programmes due to the detrimental effects of this fungal disease on human and animal health, yield and grain quality. Segregation for FHB resistance in three European winter wheat populations enabled the identification of resistance loci in well-adapted germplasm. Populations obtained from crosses of resistant cultivars Apache, History and Romanus with susceptible semi-dwarfs Biscay, Rubens and Pirat, respectively, were mapped and analysed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB severity, ear emergence time and plant height. The results of the present study together with previous studies in UK winter wheat indicated that the semi-dwarfing allele Rht-D1b seems to be the major source for FHB susceptibility in European winter wheat. The high resistance level of the cultivars Romanus and History was conditioned by several minor resistance QTL interacting with the environment and the absence of Rht-D1b. In contrast, the semi-dwarf parents contributed resistance alleles of major effects apparently compensating the negative effects of Rht-D1b on FHB reaction. The moderately resistant cultivar Apache contributed a major QTL on chromosome 6A in a genome region previously shown to carry resistance loci to FHB. A total of 18 genomic regions were repeatedly associated with FHB resistance. The results indicate that common resistance-associated genes or genomic regions are present in European winter wheats.

Isotope characteristics of vegetables and wheat from conventional and organic production.

Multielement isotope ratio analysis was checked for its suitability as a means for the discrimination between agricultural products from integrated/conventional or organic production, respectively. Differences were mainly found for delta15N-values. Paprika and tomatoes from organic production in greenhouses showed delta15N-values above+7 per thousand, whereas corresponding products from conventional cultivation had delta15N-values near 0 per thousand. Lettuce, onions, cabbage and Chinese cabbage from field production had delta15N-values in the range of+5 to+6 and+5.5 to+7.5 per thousand, respectively (conventional and organic production); these overlapping differences do not permit a reliable discrimination. The same is true for wheat, showing average delta15N-values of+2.3+/-1.0 and+3.6+/-1.6 per thousand, respectively. The unexpected relative high 15N-enrichments of vegetables from integrated production are discussed as originating, at least partially, from 15N-enrichment in the soil by NH3 evaporation and denitrification.

Morbidity of breast cancer patients following complete axillary dissection or sentinel node biopsy only: a comparative evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: The usefulness of routine axillary dissection (AD) at levels I-II in breast cancer patients has been questioned for years because of the high postoperative morbidity in the shoulder and arm region, and the increasing number of patients with negative nodes. Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) was hoped both to reduce morbidity and to improve the reliability of staging. This study was designed to provide more evidence in this matter by comparing the follow-up data of patients with AD and those with SNB only. METHOD: One hundred forty patients who had undergone AD between 1993 and 1996 were questioned for their subjective and objective symptoms using a questionnaire and subsequently subjected to a clinical examination. Their data were compared with those of 57 patients who had undergone SNB only between 1998 and 2000. RESULTS: Local recurrences have not been seen to date. The difference between the two groups in terms of a loss of quality of life was negligible. The differences in overall complaints, number of symptoms, pain, limited range of motion of the operated upper extremity, numbness, paresthesias, and arm swelling as well as perceived disability in activities of daily living were significantly in favor of SNB. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter for SNB patients. CONCLUSION: SNB appears to be an accurate procedure for axillary nodal staging in breast cancer patients and is associated with reduced postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay. But it is still investigational and should not be implemented as therapeutical standard before results of randomized trials are published.

Total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation in renal hyperparathyroidism: low recurrence after intra-operative tissue selection.

BACKGROUND: Total parathyroidectomy with simultaneous autotransplantation (AT) is a well-established surgical modality in the treatment of severe drug-resistant renal hyperparathyroidism. In literature, the high rate of graft-dependent recurrence seems a serious disadvantage. This complication can possibly be avoided by parathyroid tissue selection prior to AT. METHODS: Total parathyroidectomy with simultaneous AT was performed in 37 patients on intermittent haemodialysis treatment. Parathyroid tissue with a low proliferative potential ('A-regions') was selected for AT intra-operatively with a stereomagnifier. The mean post-operative follow-up was 37+/-24 months. RESULTS: Plasma levels of intact parathyroid hormone decreased from 1211+/-541 to 69+/-32 pg/ml, calcium from 2.49+/-0.27 to 2.17+/-0.30 mmol/l, phosphorus from 2.28+/-0.63 to 2.11+/-0.69 mmol/l, and total alkaline phosphatases from 272+/-210 to 117+/-70 U/l. Graft-dependent recurrent hyperparathyroidism occurred in one patient after 32 months and was cured by the selective removal of five enlarged autografts. CONCLUSIONS: Simply discriminating between diffuse and nodular hyperplastic parathyroid tissue appears to be inadequate. Intra-operative tissue selection with a stereomagnifier may facilitate the identification and AT of tissue with optimal functional characteristics and a low proliferative potential, thus minimizing the rate of recurrent hyperparathyroidism.