Meta-analysis of cotton fiber quality QTLs across diverse environments in a Gossypium hirsutum x G. barbadense RIL population.

BACKGROUND: Cotton fibers (produced by Gossypium species) are the premier natural fibers for textile production. The two tetraploid species, G. barbadense (Gb) and G. hirsutum (Gh), differ significantly in their fiber properties, the former having much longer, finer and stronger fibers that are highly prized. A better understanding of the genetics and underlying biological causes of these differences will aid further improvement of cotton quality through breeding and biotechnology. We evaluated an inter-specific Gh x Gb recombinant inbred line (RIL) population for fiber characteristics in 11 independent experiments under field and glasshouse conditions. Sites were located on 4 continents and 5 countries and some locations were analyzed over multiple years. RESULTS: The RIL population displayed a large variability for all major fiber traits. QTL analyses were performed on a per-site basis by composite interval mapping. Among the 651 putative QTLs (LOD > 2), 167 had a LOD exceeding permutation based thresholds. Coincidence in QTL location across data sets was assessed for the fiber trait categories strength, elongation, length, length uniformity, fineness/maturity, and color. A meta-analysis of more than a thousand putative QTLs was conducted with MetaQTL software to integrate QTL data from the RIL and 3 backcross populations (from the same parents) and to compare them with the literature. Although the global level of congruence across experiments and populations was generally moderate, the QTL clustering was possible for 30 trait x chromosome combinations (5 traits in 19 different chromosomes) where an effective co-localization of unidirectional (similar sign of additivity) QTLs from at least 5 different data sets was observed. Most consistent meta-clusters were identified for fiber color on chromosomes c6, c8 and c25, fineness on c15, and fiber length on c3. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis provided a reliable means of integrating phenotypic and genetic mapping data across multiple populations and environments for complex fiber traits. The consistent chromosomal regions contributing to fiber quality traits constitute good candidates for the further dissection of the genetic and genomic factors underlying important fiber characteristics, and for marker-assisted selection.

Preoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in patients having cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role and cost-effectiveness of preoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients having cataract surgery. SETTING: Fondation Opthalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: All patients who had cataract surgery had macular and retinal nerve fiber layer SD-OCT preoperatively. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed, including corrected near (CNVA) and corrected distance visual acuities, intraocular pressure (IOP), and a fundus examination. RESULTS: The study comprised 245 patients (401 eyes) with a mean age of 73.5 years ± 9.81 and a mean IOP of 15.6 ± 3.04 mm Hg. Of 107 eyes (26.7%) with abnormal macular SD-OCT, 70 eyes were judged normal on fundus examination. The most frequent anomalies were age-related macular degeneration and epiretinal membrane. Age over 70 years and CNVA worse than Parinaud 2 were associated with higher rate of abnormal macular SD-OCT (odds ratio, 2.76 and 2.28, respectively). Fifty-seven eyes (14.2%) had abnormal retinal nerve fiber layer SD-OCT, 30% of them with no history of glaucoma and no detected anomaly on fundus examination. Age over 70 years and a history of glaucoma were associated with a higher rate of retinal nerve fiber layer anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative SD-OCT scanning was significantly more effective in detecting anomalies in patients having cataract surgery than fundus examination. Older age and CNVA worse than Parinaud 2 were associated with higher rates of abnormal macular SD-OCT. Older age and a history of glaucoma were associated with higher abnormal retinal nerve fiber layer anomaly rates.

Toxoplasma gondii regulates ICAM-1 mediated monocyte adhesion to trophoblasts.

Materno-foetal transmission causes one of the most serious forms of infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. In the placenta, trophoblast cells constitute the barrier between maternal circulation and foetal tissue. We looked at the factors that determine the extent of cell adhesion to human BeWo trophoblast cells during T. gondii infection. BeWo monolayers stimulated with the supernatant of T. gondii-infected PBMC showed a large increase in THP-1 cell adhesion and upregulation of the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. Neutralization of cytokines by corresponding antibodies demonstrated that anti-IFN-gamma, but not anti-TNF-alpha or anti-IL-1beta, led to a significant reduction of THP-1 adhesion to a BeWo monolayer. Treatment of BeWo cells with single cytokines failed to induce upregulation of adhesion. In contrast, simultaneous treatment with IFN-gamma and either TNF-alpha or IL-1beta mimicked strongly the effect of infected cell supernatant. The results suggest that IFN-gamma plays a pivotal role in the cell adhesion process through upregulation of ICAM-1 and in the process of congenital transmission of T. gondii.

Usefulness of PCR analysis for diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis with unusual localizations: two case studies.

The report presents two cases where diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis was confirmed by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus PCR. The extrahepatic osseous involvement and the absence of initial hepatic involvement are unusual in both cases. Due to limitations of serological interpretation, PCR was useful to diagnose atypical echinococcosis.

Role of NK cells and gamma interferon in transplacental passage of Toxoplasma gondii in a mouse model of primary infection.

Protective immunity in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii is mainly mediated by NK cells, CD4 and CD8 T cells, and type 1 cytokines, such as gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). To clarify the roles of NK cells and IFN-gamma in protection against primary congenital toxoplasmosis, we used recombination activating gene 2 knockout (RAG-2(-/-)) mice, which lack T and B lymphocytes, in comparison with the wild-type BALB/c model. RAG-2(-/-) mice had a significantly lower risk of fetal toxoplasmosis than BALB/c mice (25 versus 63.9%; P = 0.003). This protection was associated with an increased number of maternal NK cells, IFN-gamma secretion by spleen cells, and decreased parasitemia. In the RAG-2(-/-) mice, NK cell depletion increased both the rate of fetal infection, to 56.5% (P = 0.02), and the blood parasite burden. Conversely, in the BALB/c mice, this treatment did not modify maternofetal transmission or the blood parasite burden. Neutralization of IFN-gamma in both infected RAG-2(-/-) and BALB/c mice decreased congenital Toxoplasma transmission, contrasting with an exacerbation of maternal infection. These data suggest that a partially protective immunity against congenital toxoplasmosis is achieved due to the increased number of NK cells in RAG-2(-/-) mice. However, it seems that IFN-gamma enhances, directly or indirectly, the transplacental transmission.