Reaction of some hollow stem bread and durum wheat cultivars to wheat stem sawfly (Cephus pygmaeus L., Hymenoptera: Cephidae) infestation in Southeastern Anatolia

Wheat stem saw fly (WSS) (Cephus pygmaeus L.) is a notorious pest causing significant yield reductions in wheat crop. The use of tolerant cultivars is the most important management tactic against WSS. However, the reactions of frequently cultivated hollow-stemmed bread (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum (Triticum durum Desf.) wheat cultivars to WSS in southeastern Anatolia region of Türkiye are unknown. This study investigated the reactions of hollow-stemmed bread and durum wheat cultivars (twelve each) to WSS in Diyarbakir and Adiyaman provinces in southeastern Anatolia region during 2021-22. The cultivars were tested under field conditions and data relating to number of infested stalks (NIS), infestation ratio (IR), stalk wall thickness (SWT), spike length (SL), number of grains spike-1 (NGS), grain weight spike-1 (GWS), grain yield (GY) and grain yield loss were recorded. The tested wheat cultivars significantly differed for the NIS and GY at both locations. Similarly, SWT, NGS, SL, and GWS significantly differed among cultivars and higher values of these traits were recorded for healthy stalks than infested stalks. Overall, bread wheat cultivars i.e., ‘Kale’ (7127 and 5642 kg ha-1), ‘Dinç’ (6788 and 5628 kg ha-1 and ‘Hazar’ (6249 and 5821 kg ha-1) and durum wheat cultivars i.e., ‘Zühre’ (6261 and 5272 kg ha-1) and ‘Hasanbey’ (6038 and 5141 kg ha-1) with higher SWT recorded the highest grain yield at Diyarbakir and Adiyaman locations. Yield losses varied from 2.5% to 5.3% for bread wheat and 1.57% to 8.39% for durum wheat cultivars at Adiyaman and Diyarbakir, respectively. It is recommended that wheat cultivars with high GY and SWT should be planted to lower WSS infestation and yield losses in the region and breeding solid stem cultivars

Association of KCNJ6 rs2070995 and methadone response for pain management in advanced cancer at end-of-life.

Opioids are the therapeutic agents of choice to manage moderate to severe pain in patients with advanced cancer, however the unpredictable inter-individual response to opioid therapy remains a challenge for clinicians. While studies are few, the KCNJ6 gene is a promising target for investigating genetic factors that contribute to pain and analgesia response. This is the first association study on polymorphisms in KCNJ6 and response to methadone for pain management in advanced cancer. Fifty-four adult patients with advanced cancer were recruited across two study sites in a prospective, open label, dose individualisation study. Significant associations have been previously shown for rs2070995 and opioid response in opioid substitution therapy for heroin addiction and studies in chronic pain, with mixed results seen in postoperative pain. In this study, no associations were shown for rs2070995 and methadone dose or pain score, consistent with other studies conducted in patients receiving opioids for pain in advanced cancer. There are many challenges in conducting studies in advanced cancer with significant attrition and small sample sizes, however it is hoped that the results of our study will contribute to the evidence base and allow for continued development of gene-drug dosing guidelines for clinicians

Pneumococcal Phasevarions Control Multiple Virulence Traits, Including Vaccine Candidate Expression

Published online 10 May 2022Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial illness worldwide. Current vaccines based on the polysaccharide capsule are only effective against a limited number of the .100 capsular serotypes. A universal vaccine based on conserved protein antigens requires a thorough understanding of gene expression in S. pneumoniae. All S. pneumoniae strains encode the SpnIII Restriction-Modification system. This system contains a phase-variable methyltransferase that switches specificity, and controls expression of multiple genes—a phasevarion. We examined the role of this phasevarion during pneumococcal pathobiology, and determined if phase variation resulted in differences in expression of currently investigated conserved protein antigens. Using locked strains that express a single methyltransferase specificity, we found differences in clinically relevant traits, including survival in blood, and adherence to and invasion of human cells. We also observed differences in expression of numerous proteinaceous vaccine candidates, which complicates selection of antigens for inclusion in a universal protein-based pneumococcal vaccine. This study will inform vaccine design against S. pneumoniae by ensuring only stably expressed candidates are included in a rationally designed vaccine.Zachary N. Phillips, Claudia Trappetti, Annelies Van Den Bergh, Gael Martin, Ainslie Calcutt, Victoria Ozberk, Patrice Guillon, Manisha Pandey, Mark von Itzstein, W. Edward Swords, James C. Paton, Michael P. Jennings, John M. Atac

Antibodies to Cryptic Epitopes in Distant Homologues Underpin a Mechanism of Heterologous Immunity between <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> PvDBP and <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> VAR2CSA

Many pathogens evolve extensive genetic variation in virulence proteins as a strategy to evade host immunity. This poses a significant challenge for the host to develop broadly neutralizing antibodies. In Plasmodium falciparum, we show that a mechanism to circumvent this challenge is to elicit antibodies to cryptic epitopes that are not under immune pressure. We previously discovered that antibodies to the Plasmodium vivax invasion protein, PvDBP, cross-react with P. falciparum VAR2CSA, a distantly related virulence factor that mediates placental malaria. Here, we describe the molecular mechanism underlying this cross-species immunity. We identified an epitope in subdomain 1 (SD1) within the Duffy binding-like (DBL) domain of PvDBP that gives rise to cross-reactive antibodies to VAR2CSA and show that human antibodies affinity purified against a synthetic SD1 peptide block parasite adhesion to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) in vitro. The epitope in SD1 is subdominant and highly conserved in PvDBP, and in turn, SD1 antibodies target cryptic epitopes in P. falciparum VAR2CSA. The epitopes in VAR2CSA recognized by vivax-derived SD1 antibodies (of human and mouse origin) are distinct from those recognized by VAR2CSA immune serum. We mapped two peptides in the DBL5ε domain of VAR2CSA that are recognized by SD1 antibodies. Both peptides map to regions outside the immunodominant sites, and antibodies to these peptides are not elicited following immunization with VAR2CSA or natural infection with P. falciparum in pregnancy, consistent with the cryptic nature of these target epitopes. IMPORTANCE: In this work, we describe a molecular mechanism of heterologous immunity between two distant species of Plasmodium. Our results suggest a mechanism that subverts the classic parasite strategy of presenting highly polymorphic epitopes in surface antigens to evade immunity to that parasite. This alternative immune pathway can be exploited to protect pregnant women from falciparum placental malaria by designing vaccines to cryptic epitopes that elicit broadly inhibitory antibodies against variant parasite strains.Full Tex

Transfer of the wheat heritage of anatolia to future generations

Caused by global warming, climate change is one of the main problems around the world and affects the world agriculture industry. Being an annual plant produced more than 600 million tons per year, wheat has great economic importance around the world. Wheat is produced all across Turkey, particularly in the Central Anatolia. For the first time, wheat was cultivated around Karacadağ of the Southeast Anatolia Region. In Turkey, it has more than 20 wild species and more than 400 culture types. Wheat production constitutes a large part of the grain production (approximately 22.6 million tons annually) and is carried out in 26.5% of the total cultivated areas. It is estimated that climate change will affect wheat production—and thus food safety—at a significant level. For future generations, ensuring the protection and increase of grain, and especially wheat, diversity gradually gains importance. This chapter offers solution strategies by examining the impacts of climate change on wheat production and food safety in Turkey and around the world. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Orobanche (Orobanche spp.) in lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.): How huge are the losses of yield, quality, marketing prices and profitability?

This research aimed to inspect the impacts of severe parasitic plants (Orobache spp.) on grain yield, some quality characteristics, marketing price and profitability loss of red lentil in the major lentil growing area of south-east Anatolia. Farmer field trials were carried out in two neighbouring fields planted with Yerli K?rm?z? (landrace) and Firat-87 varieties of lentil employing a split-plot experimental design in the Yollar basi location of Viransehir in the 2018-2019 crop growing season. Lentil varieties were placed into main plots and the broomrape infestations (i.e. 0, 5, 10, and 15 plants m-2) in the subplots respectively. Grain yield, hectolitre weights and 1000-kernel weights and protein contents (%) were scored. All grain samples were presented to randomly chosen grain purchasers in the local commodity market and marketing price offers were scored respectively. Results showed that broomrape infestation from zero to 15 broomrapes m-2 reduced the grain yield significantly from 2033.33 kg ha-1 to 833.33 kg ha-1 by 59%. Although being non-significant, Firat-87 (1512, 5 kg ha-1) was found to be higher yielding than Yerli K?rm?z? (1325 kg ha-1). Regression equations between grain yield reductions vs. broomrape infestation ratios turned out to be significant and reliable with high coefficients of determinations for both varieties. Some visual purchasing criteria such as hectolitre and 1000-kernel weights were not affected seriously. Purchasers offered very similar marketing prices for pulse grains with all severity levels. The economic loss was huge ($555 ha-1). Regression equations derived from grain yield vs. infestation densities were found to be reliable with high coefficients of determinations and can be perfectly used for yield estimates under various levels of broomrape infestations. It was concluded that an infestation over 15% might result in a disastrous yield loss in lentil production. Therefore, some agronomic measures must be taken quickly.</jats:p

The reflection of organisational culture on technology usage in secondary education classes

The purpose of this research is to find out “The reflection of organizational culture on technology usage in secondary education classes”. This is a case study which is a qualitative method. 10 teachers were chosen as participants via chain sampling. The data were collected by means of open-ended questions asked at semi-structured interviews. The researchers recorded the interviewees’ responses by taking notes. The data was processed via content and thematic analyses. Tables were used to present the data. The findings of the study indicate that the school leaders are not able to find efficient solutions to problems about in-class technology usage. It is also determined that virus programs on computers are not up to date. Teachers do not prefer using technology in their classes since they are anxious about falling behind the annual plan and the classes are over-crowded. Another noteworthy finding is that even though some teachers use technology for educational purposes, help each other and share their materials, there are some teachers who do not act responsibly concerning the usage and protection of the devices.&#x0D; Keywords: Organisational culture, technology, school director</jats:p

Design and evaluation of novel liposome-based peptide vaccines for improved efficacy against group A streptococcal infections of the mucosa and skin

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS) is an important human pathogen that is responsible for a range of diseases. Non-invasive diseases include pharyngitis, scarlet fever and pyoderma/impetigo. GAS is also capable of causing invasive diseases such as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis. There is a high chance of mortality associated with GAS invasive diseases, with approximately 8-23% of patients dying within 7 days of infection. Consecutive GAS infections may give rise to auto-immune complications, including acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Approximately 2-3% of patients who acquire streptococcal pharyngitis develop ARF. Skin-associated GAS strains have also been linked to cases of ARF. A vaccine that can stop the progression of disease from the primary sites of infection (URT and skin) is desperately needed.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Institute for GlycomicsScience, Environment, Engineering and TechnologyFull Tex