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Phytophthora pini is a globally distributed plant pathogen of the Phytophthora genus. This fungus-like organism was recently associated with foliage blight and shoot dieback disease of Rhododendron pulchrum Sweet, which threaten the health of natural ecosystems and horticultural crops in China. Early and accurate detection of P. pini is critical for effective disease prevention and management. In this study, a new target gene Ppinihp1, which is a hypothetical protein, identified from the whole-genome sequence of P. pini was used to establish a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of this pathogen. PCR results were proved to be positive for P. pini , but negative for other Phytophthora , Pythium , fungal isolates and Bursaphelenchus species. The test was sensitive enough to detect 100 pg of P. pini purified genomic DNA in a 50 μL reaction mixture. P. pini was also detected in artificially inoculated R. pulchrum samples. Finally, this novel Ppinihp1- PCR-assay was able to detect P. pini in 15 of 40 soil samples collected from R. pulchrum fields in Jiangsu, China. This method established the specificity, sensitivity, accuracy and convenience for P. pini detection, offering a dependable tool for the rapid screening of Phytophthora root and stem rot in R. pulchrum. • A new target Ppinihp1 was identified from the whole-genome sequence for PCR detection of P.pini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to novel fungicide cyprodinil, 53 isolates of S. sclerotiorum were collected from different regions in Jiangsu province of China, and tested by employing mycelial growth rate method. Results revealed significant sensitivity difference to cyprodinil among 53 isolates with EC50 ranging from 0.034 2 to 1.087 6μg/mL. Then 10 isolates with different sensitivity to cyprodinil were used for cross - resistance tests to other fungicides with diverse action mechanisms. The fungicides included carbendazim, procymidone, iprodione, dimetachlone, tebuconazole and prochloraz. Linear regression showed that there were no positive - correlation across resistance between cyprodinil and other fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sludge from cyanobacteria-salvaged yard in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu in Wuxi, China was cultured and acclimated by inoculating microcystins (MCs) extract. Strain J10 was isolated by degrading the MC-RR and MC-LR and was identified as Methylobacillus sp. Further research showed that both MC-LR and MC-RR could be completely degraded at 17h after inoculation of J10, and the degradation probably was mediated by oxygen. Different enzymes, oxygen-dependent as well as oxygen-independent, with MC-degrading activity were found in the different fractions of J10 culture. However, the enzymes mainly responsible for MC degradation by J10 were oxygen-dependent and were probably bound to cell wall or outside the cytoplasmic membrane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: In the spring of 2008, an EV71-caused hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak occurred in Fuyang city, Anhui Province, China. Jiangsu Province that borders Auhui to the east is presumed as a key station for the spread of EV71 to other regions of the Yangtze River Delta. Objectives: To investigate the HFMD prevalence in Zhenjiang city of Jiangsu from May 2008 to October 2009, and the epidemic origin of EV71 circulating in Jiangsu. Study design: During May 2008 and October 2009, a total of 6324 HFMD cases in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, were investigated. Sixty throat specimens were randomly selected from different patients, and 28 nucleotide sequences of EV71 VP1 regions were successfully determined by RT-nested-PCR and sequencing. EV71 genotypes were characterized by phylogenetic analyses. Results: The incidence rate of HFMD was highest in the period of March–July and in the 1–4 years old age groups. Intriguingly, there was a slight predominance for boys and for children living in rural areas in HFMD infection. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that all Jiangsu EV71 strains and most China strains belonged to subgenotype C4a. Conclusion: The C4a was the most prominent EV71 subgenotype circulating in China. Routine HFMD surveillance should be focused on the period of March–July, and more prevention efforts should be aimed at 1–4 years old children. Moreover, government efforts are urgently needed to improve public health condition and medical service quality in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]