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Abstract: Comparative genomics of several strains of Erwinia amylovora, a plant pathogenic bacterium causal agent of fire blight disease, revealed that its diversity is primarily attributable to the flexible genome comprised of plasmids. We recently identified and sequenced in full a novel 65.8 kb plasmid, called pEI70. Annotation revealed a lack of known virulence-related genes, but found evidence for a unique integrative conjugative element related to that of other plant and human pathogens. Comparative analyses using BLASTN showed that pEI70 is almost entirely included in plasmid pEB102 from E. billingiae, an epiphytic Erwinia of pome fruits, with sequence identities superior to 98%. A duplex PCR assay was developed to survey the prevalence of plasmid pEI70 and also that of pEA29, which had previously been described in several E. amylovora strains. Plasmid pEI70 was found widely dispersed across Europe with frequencies of 5–92%, but it was absent in E. amylovora analyzed populations from outside of Europe. Restriction analysis and hybridization demonstrated that this plasmid was identical in at least 13 strains. Curing E. amylovora strains of pEI70 reduced their aggressiveness on pear, and introducing pEI70 into low-aggressiveness strains lacking this plasmid increased symptoms development in this host. Discovery of this novel plasmid offers new insights into the biogeography, evolution and virulence determinants in E. amylovora.
Keywords: plant diseases, bacteria, plamid
Published in DiRROS: 04.03.2025; Views: 351; Downloads: 139
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Abstract: — Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by enhanced beta-band activity (13–30 Hz) in the motor control regions. Simultaneously, corticomuscular (CM) connectivity in the beta-band during isometric contractions tends to decline with age, in various diseases, and under dual-task conditions. Objective: This study aimed to characterize electroencephalograph (EEG) and electromyograph (EMG) power spectra during a motor task, assess CM phase connectivity, and explore how these measures are modulated by an additional cognitive task. Specifically, we focused on the beta-band to explore the relationship between heightened beta amplitude and reduced beta CM connectivity. Methodology: Early-stage people with PD and age-matched controls performed an isometric knee extension task, a cognitive task, and a combined dual task, while EEG (128ch) and EMG (2x32ch) were recorded. CM phase connectivity was assessed through phase coherence and a phase dynamics model. Results: The EEG power spectrum revealed no cohort differences in the beta-band. EMG also showed no differences up to 80 Hz. However, the combined EEG-EMG analysis uncovered reduced beta phase coherence in people with early PD during the motor task. CM phase coherence exhibited distinct scalp topography and frequency ranges compared to the EEG power spectrum, suggesting different mechanisms for pathological beta increase and CM connectivity. Additionally, phase dynamics modelling indicated stronger directional coupling from the cortex to the active muscle and less prominent phase coupling across people with PD. Despite high inter-individual variability, these metrics may prove useful for personalized assessments, particularly in people with heightened CM connectivity.
Keywords: electroencephalography, brain modeling, electromiography, coherence, motors, diseases, couplings, electrodes, oscillators, protocols
Published in DiRROS: 13.01.2025; Views: 403; Downloads: 223
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Abstract: Europe is the world’s main producer and exporter of grapevine planting material and wine. This important economic sector is facing epidemic threats of at least 10 grapevine yellows diseases (GY) caused by phytoplasmas. In Europe the main phytoplasmas associated with GY are ‘Candidatus’ phytoplasma solani’ (BNp), which is a causal agent of bois noir and FDp, which causes flavescence dorée. Phytoplasmas are notoriously difficult to detect and identify and their specific detection relies exclusively on the molecular methods. Recently new methods, which are reliable, sensitive, fast, less expensive and suitable for using onsites, have been introduced. Among them is a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method, with several advantages (e.g. low sensitivity to plant extracts inhibitors, speed, robustness, simplicity of use) over the other methods (e.g. the real-time PCR). In a recently finished FP7 project VITISENS, a new LAMP protocols have been developed for specific detection of FDp, however, they have not been tested in the interlaboratories trials. In addition, there is no validated LAMP protocol available for the specific detection of BNp at the moment. The main objectives of this project were: (1) Development of new loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) based protocols for accurate, reliable, fast and affordable diagnostics of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (BNp), which will be applicable in-field (2) To study new possible hosts plants and insect vectors of phytoplasma FDp. (3) To organize an interlaboratory test performance study (TPS) to obtain validation parameters for the selected LAMP protocols for BNp, as well as for the LAMP assay for FDp detection developed in the course of the FP7 project VITISENS.
Keywords: phytoplasmas, grapevine yellows diseases, LAMP, real-time PCR
Published in DiRROS: 16.09.2024; Views: 502; Downloads: 256
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Abstract: The aim of the deliverable 1.4. is to present a summary of the results obtained in the Round 1 of the test performance studies (TPS) organized by WP1 on six prioritized pests. Tests selection for each TPS was conducted following the “Common rules for selection of tests for TPS” and based on the “Weighted criteria for selection of tests for TPS”, both described in deliverable D1.1, while the list of selected tests for each TPS is available and explained in deliverable D1.2. TPS participants were selected following the “Common rules for selection of participants for TPS” and based on the “Criteria for selection of participants of TPS”, also both described in deliverable D1.1. For each of the six TPSs, the methodology used to perform the tests, the results of preliminary studies to select the tests, the results of the TPS and their thorough analysis and interpretation are described in corresponding TPS reports (supplementary information available upon request under confidentiality agreement). The validation data obtained during the six TPSs will be available in the validation section of the EPPO database on the diagnostic expertise. Main outcomes for each of the TPSs are highlighted as well as difficulties noticed during the organization process, which will improve organization of the following studies in the Round 2.
Keywords: test performance study, plant diseases
Published in DiRROS: 03.09.2024; Views: 591; Downloads: 318
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Abstract: Plants are continuously exposed to different pathogens and pests which can lead to devastating effects on agricultural production. A better understanding of plant defence response against pathogens is crucial to provide means for novel crop breeding strategies and environmentally friendly plant protection and disease management approaches. In this Research Topic, we aimed to highlight the diversity of research performed across the entire breadth of the plant-pathogen interactions field. It thus includes the most recent scientific advances in understanding the molecular, cellular, and biochemical mechanisms of plant response to bacteria, fungi, and viruses with applications to compelling problems. In the Research Topic, six research papers (one about plant-bacterial interaction, three about plant-fungal interactions, and two about plant-virus interaction) and a review were published and are outlined below.
Keywords: plant pathogen, plant diseases, bacteria, fungi, viruses, beneficial microbes, plant-pathogen interaction, plant protection
Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 757; Downloads: 369
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