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The main objective of the present study was to locate the genomic regions responsible for ascochyta blight resistance in faba bean. Six QTLs were identified with the help of a linkage map constructed from a F(2) population from the cross between the inbred lines 29H (resistant) and VF136 (susceptible). Two pathogenically distinct Ascochyta isolates were used to study the genetic control against them and disease evaluations were performed separately on leaves and stems to investigate whether different genetic systems control resistance in each plant organ, as previously suggested. The six QTLs detected were named Af3 to Af8. Af3 and Af4 were effective against both Ascochyta isolates, Af5 was only effective against isolate CO99-01 while Af6, Af7 and Af8 were only effective against isolate LO98-01. Af3, Af4, Af5 and Af7 were revealed in both leaves and stems. By contrast, Af6 was only effective in leaves and Af8 only in stems. The validity and application of these results in a MAS program is discussed.

Crenate broomrape is a major constraint for legume production in Mediterranean and East Asian countries. Resistance to this parasitic weed is scarce in many legumes but is common in chickpea germ plasm. A detailed in vitro study has shown that resistance in chickpea is the result of the combination of at least two mechanisms. First, and most importantly, the two chickpea lines studied have been identified with low rates of stimulant production. Once germination is induced by exogenous applications of the synthetic germination stimulant GR24, thus overcoming the primary resistance mechanism in these lines, a second resistance mechanism is apparent. This is evidenced by a darkening of host cell tissue in contact with the broomrape radicle, leading to failure of establishment, which was frequently observed in the chickpea accessions. Anatomical studies have shown that this apparently “hypersensitive” response does not correspond with the death of host cells in contact with the parasite cells but cor...

Le pois chiche (Cicer arietinum) est un hote pour l'orobanche crenelee (Orobanche crenata) qui subit de legers dommages avec le semis traditionnel de printemps, mais la question se pose de savoir si la diffusion continue de la pratique du semis d'hiver pourrait conduire a une recrudescence d'attaque d'orobanche sur le pois chiche. Afin de clarifier ces aspects nous avons determine la disponibilite de la resistance du germoplasme du pois chiche a l'orobanche et l'influence de la date de semis et des conditions climatiques sur l'installation et l'emergence de l'orobanche. Une experience de tri au champ avec le semis d'hiver a montre que l'infection par l'orobanche est faible dans le germoplasme du pois chiche. Elle etait favorisee par des dates de semis tres precoces (Octobre-Novembre) et par un hiver doux et un automne et un printemps pluvieux. Neanmoins, meme dans les conditions les plus favorables aux attaques d'orobanche, la majorite des parcelles de pois chiche n'ont pas ou tres peu subi d'attaques, seulement quelques-unes ont permis l'etablissement d'orobanche a un niveau marginal, etant gene et retarde comparativement au pois, temoin tres sensible a ce type d'attaque.

Resumen Se ha investigado la prevalencia de los diferentes genotipos del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) en el Area de Salud de Elche sobre un total de 281 pacientes estudiados entre marzo de 2000 y marzo de 2002. De ellos, 55 estaban coinfectados con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Abstract Se ha relacionado el genotipo con la carga viral y la coexistencia de infeccion por el VIH. Asimismo, se ha establecido la relacion de estos parametros con la presencia del antigeno del core del VHC. Los resultados permiten establecer que el genotipo 1b es el que presenta mayor prevalencia (38,4%), seguido del genotipo 3a (23,1%). Los pacientes coinfectados por el VIH presentan menos infecciones debidas a genotipos del grupo 1 (p Los pacientes infectados por el VIH presentan una mayor carga viral en todos los genotipos, sobre todo el genotipo 3. La deteccion del antigeno del core del VHC presenta una buena correlacion con la determinacion de la carga viral. Aunque todavia no ha sido suficientemente evaluada, la determinacion del antigeno del core del VHC constituye una tecnica sencilla que puede contribuir, en el futuro, a mejorar el manejo de los pacientes con hepatitis cronica por el VHC.

Components of resistance to the faba bean rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae) were studied at the histological level in seedlings and adult plants of nine faba bean (Vicia faba) lines differing in their level of resistance. Resistance of these lines was previously shown to be characterized macroscopically by an increased latent period, a decreased colony size, and a relatively decreased infection frequency. In some lines, the resistance also was associated with macroscopically visible necrosis. Histological investigations revealed few differences in spore germination and appressorium formation. Significant levels of aborted stomatal penetration by the rust fungus were found on all resistant lines. However, differences among lines were more evident once the stomata were penetrated by the infection structures. Resistance was mainly due to a restriction of haustorium formation with varying levels of early abortion of the colonies, a reduction in the number of haustoria per colony, and smaller colony size. In addition, necrosis of the host cells associated with infection hyphae was detectable in some lines from the beginning of colony development. This microscopically visible necrosis became stronger from 4 days after inoculation, resulting in a reduced growth of the colony. Differences in resistance levels were more marked in adult plants than in seedlings.

Oat ( Avena sativa L.) is a cereal widely grown as a spring crop throughout the temperate zones, being particularly adapted to areas with cool and wet summers such as Northwest Europe and Canada. There is scope for further oat expansion in Mediterranean Basin where the crop will face hot and dry weather. In this work, we assessed adaptation of 32 modern oat cultivars from different origin and usage to autumn sowings under Mediterranean agroecological conditions. Experiments were carried out over four crop seasons at 6 contrasting locations along Mediterranean Basin, including Spain, Tunisia, Egypt and Palestinian Territories. ANOVA analysis revealed genotype. ×. environment interactions. For test environment and genotype evaluation heritability-adjusted genotype plus genotype. ×. environment (HA-GGE), biplot analysis was performed. Biplot analysis differentiate two mega-environments one comprising the locations of Egypt and Palestinian Territories and another including Spain and Tunisia. Pearson's correlation and HA-biplots confirmed overall a positive correlation between yield and HI, and a negative correlation between yield and rust and flowering date. For other traits, relations among the traits differed depending on the ME evaluated. The study allowed determining within each ME the best discriminative location, representative of the target environment and repeatable across year and the genotypes with superior and stable characteristic for breeding of adapted oats. © 2013 Elsevier B.V., This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity [AGL2007-65031/AGR and AGL2010-15936/AGR], and regional government through the AGR-253 group, the European Regional and Social Development Funds and an FPU fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation to [JSM].

Broomrapes are weedy root parasitic plants that severely constrain faba bean (Vicia faba) production. The most widely distributed species affecting faba bean is Orobanche crenata, although O. foetida is of local importance in Tunisia. After long and extensive breeding efforts made in several countries only moderately resistant cultivars are available to farmers. In an attempt to identify new sources of resistance a germplasm collection of 483 V. faba accessions was screened for resistance to O. crenata under field conditions in Córdoba, Spain. Stability of resistance of the 37 most resistant accessions was further tested in a multi-location experiment in Egypt, Tunisia and Spain over three field seasons. Resistance to O. foetida was also tested in Tunisia.Although complete resistance was not found, and in spite of significant genotype. ×. environment interaction revealing instability of the phenotypic expression across environments, this study allowed the identification of a number of accessions showing significant levels of resistance that was stable across environments. Cultivar Baraca and accessions V-1268, V-1302, V-1301, V-268, V-231, V-319 and V-1272 were the most resistant and stable across environments, and what is most interesting, being resistant both to O. crenata and O. foetida., Financial support by the European Union FP5-EUFABA and FP7-ARIMNet-Medileg projects and by Spanish AGL2011-22524 co-financed by FEDER is acknowledged.

A collection of 648 accessions of Vicia faba was screened for resistance to faba bean rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae). Two distinct types of resistance were identified, both resulting in reduced disease severity (DS) and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), but differing in the expression of hypersensitivity. One should be regarded as incomplete nonhypersensitive resistance and the other as incomplete resistance with late hypersensitivity. The hypersensitive resistance, which has not been reported before, was not dependent on temperature or plant age. These two types of resistance were characterized by three macroscopic components of resistance: increased latent period (LP), decreased colony size (CS) and a relatively reduced infection frequency (IF), both on seedlings and on adult plants. LP and CS were the components of nonhypersensitive resistance most highly correlated with DS and AUDPC measured under field conditions. The presence of necrosis was an additional component in the hypersensitive resistant response.

Several studies have indicated that the breadmaking quality of tritordeum (Hordeum chilense-wheat amphiploid) are related with the presence of the H. chilense proteins into the endosperm of the amphiploid. The objective of this work has been to group these proteins by the Osborne’s categories and stablish their degree of genetic variation. These protein fractions were obtained from eight lines of tritordeum (5 hexa- and 3 octoploid) and analysed by SDS-PAGE. The results indicated that the H. chilense genome incorporate variable number of protein components to each fraction. Likewise, although the globulin fraction did not presented any variation for the tested lines of tritordeum, a certain degree of variation could be observed in the other three fractions.

The presence of the Hordeum chilense Roem. et Schult. proteins in the endosperm of the tritordeums (amphiploids H. chilense x wheat) has been related to the flour quality of these cereals. The objective of this work has been to evaluate the changes in the amount of Osborne’s protein fractions and its repercussion on flour quality for these amphiploids. The protein fractions were obtained from several lines of hexa- and octoploid tritordeums along with their durum and bread wheat parents, after a sequential extraction. The results indicated that although the tritordeums present higher protein contents than the wheats, the different fractions were similar to those observed in wheat. On the other hand, the hexaploid tritordeums showed higher SDS-sedimentation values for all fractions than their wheat parents. Nevertheless, the octoploid tritordeums and bread wheats presented similar values. The differences among species were not great when the quality index was used.

females, and subadults’ home ranges were slightly smaller than those of adults. The population density of the wolves was correlated with prey biomass. In optimal habitat, wolves lived in packs of 3- 13 adults (mean 5.9 wolves >I year old) containing several close-kin males; adult sex ratio favoured males 1.88: 1 and combined pack home ranges averaged 6.0km2. In an area of lower prey productivity, wolves lived in pairs or small groups (mean 2.7), adult sex ratio was 1:1 and home ranges averaged 13.4 km2. Home ranges overlapped extensively (mean 85%) between members of the same pack. Four to seven percent of the population was additionally composed of non-resident females, inhabiting larger ranges (mean 11.1 km’). Home ranges of neighbouring packs were largely discrete, forming a tessellating mosaic of packs occupying all available habitat. Pack home ranges were stable in time, drifting only during major pack readjustment after the disappearance of a pack or significant demographic changes. Ethiopian wolf home ranges were smaller than would be expected for a carnivore of its size and sociality, presumably as a result of the high rodent productivity of the Afroalpine ecosystem.

Haustorium formation by the faba bean rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae) was studied on susceptible and resistant faba bean lines. The resistant lines showed incomplete resistance, based on late acting hypersensitivity or on non-hypersensitive resistance acting before haustorium formation. Histological observations on infected leaves showed that both the number of haustoria per infection unit and their developmental stage was reduced in both resistant lines. Isolation of haustoria confirmed that both the number and the size of haustoria were reduced in resistant lines, irrespective of whether the resistance was associated with hypersensitivity. Plant age had no detectable effect on both parameters.

A collection consisting of 140 accessions of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and 109 accessions of related wild species (Cicer spp.) was screened for resistance to chickpea rust (Uromyces ciceris-arietini (Grognot) Jacz. & Boyd). Varying levels of partial resistance were identified, based on a reduced disease severity and area under disease progress curve without any macroscopically visible host cell necrosis. Higher levels of resistance were observed in wild Cicer species, but neither associated with hypersensitivity. Components of resistance have been macros- and microscopically studied in selected C. arietinum accessions. Resistance was expressed as longer latent period and lower infection frequency, which were associated with increased percentage of early aborted colonies, reduced number of haustorial mother cells and haustoria per colony, and reduced colony size. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V., Authors are greatly indebted to projects RTA01-130 and AGL2011-22524 for financial support.

Ascochyta blight incited by Ascochyta fabae is a widespread disease severely damaging faba bean (Vicia faba) production. Insufficient resistance is available in faba bean cultivars. In an attempt to identify new sources of resistance a germplasm collection of 484 V. faba accessions was screened for resistance to A. fabae under field conditions; stability of resistance of the 19 most resistant accessions was tested in a multi-location experiment in Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany and Spain over two field seasons. Although complete resistance was not found, six accessions showed interesting levels of incomplete resistance. Genotype. ×. environment (G. ×. E) interaction accounted for 42% of the sum of squares of the multi-environment evaluation, revealing instability of the phenotypic expression across environments. Accessions L-831818, V-26 and V-958 stand out for their consistent resistance, being the most resistant and stable across environments. Accessions V-255, V-1020, V-1085 and V-1117 displayed good resistance, but lower stability, with V-1020, V-1085 and V-1117 being more suitable for Córdoba (Mediterranean mega-environment), and V-255 more suitable for Hohenlieth, Jõgeva and Sumperk (Continental mega-environment). © 2011 Elsevier B.V., Financial support by the European Union EUFABA project (ref. QLK5-CT2002-02307) is acknowledged.

The development of water-soluble nanodevices extends the potential use of compounds developed for other purposes (e.g. antifungal drugs or antibiotics) for applications in agriculture. For example, the broad-spectrum, water-insoluble, macrolide polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AMB) could be used to inhibit phytopathogenic fungi. A new formulation embedding AMB in nanodisks (NDs) enhances antibiotic solubility and confers protection against environmental damage. In the present study, AMB-NDs were tested for efficacy against several phytopathogenic fungi in vitro and on infected living plants (chickpea and wheat).Compared with AMB in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), AMB-NDs increased the sensitivity of several fungal species to this antimycotic in vitro. Sensitivity varied with fungal species as well as with the forma specialis. Phytophthora cinnamomi, previously reported as insensitive to other polyene antimycotics, remained unaffected at the doses examined. Some effect against disease symptoms were obtained with AMB-NDs against fusarium wilt in chickpea, whereas the results were highly variable in wheat, depending on both the species and treatment regimen.The results confirm that formulation of AMB into ND increases its effectiveness against phytopathogenic fungi in vitro, opening the possibility for its use on infected plants in the field.

A total of 752 faba bean accessions were screened under field conditions for resistance to Ascochyta fabae. Several methods of assessing disease development were compared for evaluating the resistance of these accessions. Thirty-four accessions displayed low disease severity ratings. In 15 of them, lesions were restricted in size and number, whereas in the remaining 19, lesions were well developed but scarce. These lines could have been discarded if screening had depended only on scales based on lesion type, which shows the need to complement such scores with disease severity or to use a simplified scale that integrates both lesion type and the amount of damage.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) represents a heterogeneous group of diseases characterised by a proliferation of lymphocytes occurring after solid organ transplantation. Most cases of PTLD are B-cell and their development has been closely associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), whose proliferation is encouraged by the inhibition of the cytotoxic function of T lymphocytes due to immunosuppressive drug treatment for transplant recipients. Several risk factors have been described for the development of this disorder, such as the seronegative state of the EBV receptor, the degree of overall net immunosuppression, especially with the use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, acute rejection and cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease.We studied the incidence of PTLD and its relationship with EBV as well as its evolution and possible risk factors in 1176 adult recipients of cadaveric renal transplantation performed in our hospital between 1988 and 2009, with a follow-up of 1-255 months. The presence of EBV in the lymphoproliferative tissue was determined using in situ hybridisation. We analysed the incidence of PTLD over two time periods, 1988-1998 and 1999-2009 with 472 and 704 patients respectively.A total of 28 recipients (2.38%), 22 men and 6 women with a mean age of 46.5 (15.36) years (18-70 years) with a mean post-transplant evolution of 72.9 (56.3) months (1-180 months), developed PTLD. Thirteen (46.4%) did not show any of the classic risk factors described. The presence of EBV in lymphoproliferative tissue was detected in 18 out of 26 patients studied (69.2%). In terms of histology, 25 out of 28 were type B (89.2%). Ten out of 28 patients diagnosed (35.7%) received treatment with rituximab, six died during the follow-up, five as a direct result of their illness. The incidence for the two time periods was very similar for both groups, with 0.003922 cases/year-patient in the 1988-1998 period and 0.003995 cases/year-patient in the 1999-2009 period. Overall post-transplant survival for patients with PTLD was 73.6% at 5 years and 36.9% at 10 years, versus 87.8% and 75.9% for disease-free recipients (P.0001). We calculated a graft survival of 62.6% at 5 years and 27.3% at 10 years versus 72.4% and 53.9% for grafts in disease-free recipients (P.0001). In our study, patient survival one year after presenting the disease was 30.9% and 23.2% at year two. For the graft, survival was 15.5% and 7.7%, respectively.We conclude that PTLD is a disorder that is generally type B; it is significantly associated with EBV. Its incidence has not changed over time and half of all PTLD cases had no identifiable risk factors, which led to a poor prognosis despite the development of new treatments.

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp. and Phelipanche spp.) are weedy root parasites that represent a major constraint for faba bean (Vicia faba) cultivation in the Mediterranean area. Control methods are being developed that comprise techniques ranging from agronomical practices to precision farming, including chemical and biological control, genetic and induced resistance, modelling, and probably nanotechnology in a nearby future. However, the main concern is that to date, no single method of control provides complete protection against these parasites. For that reason, an integrated approach is needed in which a variety of such techniques are combined, in order to maintain parasite populations below threshold levels of damage. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Faba bean is a major grain legume widely cultivated in many countries for food and feed purposes. A number of aerial fungi, together with soil-borne pathogens associated with foot and root rot complexes, nematodes, parasitic weeds and viruses may cause severe diseases in faba bean crops. The use of genetic resistance is the most economical and environmentally friendly control method. However, to date no efficient sources of resistance have been described to some diseases, or it is scarce and of complex nature, making necessary the implementation of other control measures. Phenotypic expression of resistance is usually poorly described. As a consequence of this, and of the poorly developed genomic resources available, the genetic basis of resistances is, in most cases, largely unknown. Effectiveness of MAS might soon increase with the adoption of new improvements in marker technology together with the integration of comparative mapping and functional genomics. In this paper we will review and critically discuss current and future strategies on breeding faba bean for disease resistance. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We evaluate the incidence of acute rejection, opportunistic infections and non-dermatological malignancies, graft and recipient survival between a group of high immunological risk renal transplant recipients and a group of patients without immunological risk, who received grafts from the same cadaveric donors since 2001 to 2006. This is a prospective and observational study. The risk group (n= 50) included patients with high rate of antibodies (50%), recipients who had lost their first graft due to early rejection, cross match positive, black race or important histoincompatibility. They received thymoglobulin to maintain T-cell around 10 cells/ microl, FK 506 after five days, mycophenolate mofetyl and steroids, with ganciclovir prophylaxis for CMV. The normal risk group (n=50) ,cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. Recipients who lost their graft due to technical failure were excluded..All CMV seronegative recipients who received seropositive grafts were treated with valganciclovir for 100 days.The mean follow-up was 42,7 months. Both groups were similar respect to donor and recipient gender and age, HLA incompatibility, but the percentage of patients with high rate of performed antibodies and second transplant recipients was higher in the high risk group according to the criteria of the study The incidence of acute rejection histologically diagnosed was higher in the normal risk group (30% against 6 %, p=0.03). There was no difference in opportunistic infections or malignancies, although 2 recipients of the normal risk group developed lymphoproliferative disorders. The recipients survival was 97,9% at 1 and 3 years in both groups, and the graft survival was 89,8% and 84,8% in the high risk group against 93,8 % and 90,4% at 1 and 3 years in the normal group (p=NS). We conclude that the evolution of high risk renal transplant recipients is similar to normal risk patients if a potent enough immunosuppression is used. The incidence of acute rejection was higher in the normal risk group.

Special Issue: OECD: Managing Parasitic Weeds., [Background] Pea cultivation is strongly hampered in Mediterranean and Middle East farming systems by the occurrence of Orobanche crenata Forsk. Strategies of control have been developed, but only marginal successes have been achieved. Most control methods are either unfeasible, uneconomical, hard to achieve or result in incomplete protection. The integration of several control measures is the most desirable strategy., [Results] Recent developments in control are presented and re-evaluated in light of recent developments in crop breeding and molecular genetics. These developments are placed within a framework that is compatible with current agronomic practices., [Conclusion] The current focus in applied breeding is leveraging biotechnological tools to develop more and better markers to speed up the delivery of improved cultivars to the farmer. To date, however, progress in marker development and delivery of useful markers has been slow. The application of knowledge gained from basic genomic research and genetic engineering will contribute to more rapid pea improvement for resistance against O. crenata and/or the herbicide. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry, The authors are greatly indebted to project AGL2005-01781 of the Spanish CICYT (Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología) and P07-AGR-02883 of Junta de Andalucía.

Pea rust is reported to be incited by both Uromyces viciae-fabae and U. pisi. However we found that in Cordoba (Spain), pea was more severely infected by U. pisi. We observed that although pea seedlings were slightly susceptible to U. viciae-fabae infection under controlled conditions, pea accessions were little damaged by this pathogen under field conditions, due to high levels of pre-haustorial resistance. The observations with Spanish isolates were confirmed with isolates of U. viciae-fabae from the Netherlands, Syria and Australia. In general, pea accessions displayed a compatible reaction against all the isolates of U. viciae-fabae studied, but levels of infection were very low on peas, markedly reduced compared to the faba bean check. For these reasons, we consider the pathogen U. pisi as the principal agent causing pea rust. However, we cannot discard the possibility of specialization within U. viciae-fabae on pea, as specialization on vetch and lentil has already been documented., The authors are greatly indebted to A. Moral for technical assistance and to the Spanish projects AGL2005-01781 and AGL2008-01239 for financial support.

Effects on penetration and hypersensitive resistance of the cinnamyl acid dehydrogenase (CAD) suicide inhibitor ([(2-hydroxyphenyl) amino] sulphinyl) acetic acid, 1.1 dimethyl ester, which suppresses phenylpro-panoid biosynthesis, and of D-mannose, which sequesters phosphate and reduces energy available in host cells, were studied in faba bean (Vicia faba) genotypes with differing resistance mechanisms to faba bean rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae). Inhibition of CAD reduced penetration resistance in lines 2N-34, 2N-52, V-1271, and V-1272, revealing an important role for phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in the resistance of these lines. Inhibition of CAD also inhibited hypersensitive cell death in these lines. D-mannose had little or no effect on resistance. By contrast, CAD inhibition did not affect penetration resistance of line BPL-261, which has a high degree of penetration resistance not associated with hypersensitive cell death. In BPL-261, D-mannose inhibited penetration resistance. The parallelism between the faba bean genotype responses to rust observed here and the response of barley genotypes with differing resistance mechanisms to powdery mildew after similar inhibitor treatments is analyzed and discussed.

Sustained virological response rates of up to 52% have been obtained with peginterferon alpha2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 in randomized-controlled trials.To assess early virological response and its clinical utility in predicting an sustained virological response in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 in routine clinical practice in Spain.Treatment-naïve patients received pegylated interferon alpha2a (40 kDa) 180 microg/week plus ribavirin 1000/1200 mg/day for 48 weeks, and were followed for a further 24 weeks. Overall, 475 patients received at least one dose of medication and were included in the efficacy population.The overall sustained virological response rate was 48%. Of those with week 12 virological data, 83% had an early virological response. The negative predictive value of an early virological response was 93%.If sustained virological response is the goal, a treatment-decision based on a 12-week evaluation during routine clinical practice is feasible.

Barley leaf rust resistance gene Rph7, derived from barley accession Cebada Capa, is the most effective R-gene for resistance to Puccinia hordei. Virulence for this gene was known in the USA, Israel and Morocco but not yet in Europe. We found an unexpected leaf rust infection in the field at Córdoba, Spain in 2004 on Rph7 carrying lines. This virulence for Rph7 was confirmed in growth chamber experiments, being the first report of Rph7 virulence in European populations of P. hordei. A collection of 680 barley accessions was screened for resistance against this new isolate. Twelve accessions showed segregation with individual plants showing resistance based on hypersensitivity (low infection type). These individual resistant plants were selected and grown in the greenhouse to obtain seeds., The Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and CICYT project AGL2005-01781 for financial support.

A collection of 418 Spanish barley accessions was screened for resistance to leaf rust in the field at Córdoba, Spain during the 2002–2003 season. Six accessions displaying the lowest disease severity with no macroscopically visible necrosis were selected for further studies on components of resistance. Five of them showed a significantly higher relative latency period than the susceptible line L94 and were similar to the partially resistant Vada. All of them showed lower relative infection frequency and smaller colony size than the susceptible L94 under controlled conditions. Histological studies indicated that the resistance in four of these accessions was based on a higher percentage of early aborted colonies not associated with host cell necrosis. In the remaining two accessions, resistance was based on hypersensitivity., We gratefully acknowledge Dr. Rients Niks for critical reading of the manuscript, CRF, INIA Madrid for kindly providing the accessions used in this study, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and CICYT projects AGF99-1036-CO1 and AGL2005-01781 for financial support.

A study was made of the morphology of urediniospores and primary infection structures of 12 isolates of six legume-infecting species of Uromyces. Infection structures were sufficient to distinguish among species. Isolates of Uromyces viciae-fabae proved to be specialized with respect to host, because each isolate infected only cultivars of the species from which it was collected. Host-specialized isolates of U. viciae-fabae also were morphologically distinct, differing in both spore dimensions and infection structure morphology. In particular, the shape and dimensions of the substomatal vesicle were distinctive. These results support the view that U. viciae-fabae sensu lato is a species complex.

Bulk segregant analysis was used to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to a gene determining hypersensitive resistance in Vicia faba line 2N52 against race 1 of the rust fungus Uromyces viciae-fabae. The monogenic nature of the resistance was determined by analyzing the F(2) population from a cross between resistant line 2N52 and susceptible line VF-176, and further confirmed in the F(2:3)-derived families. Linkage of the RAPD markers was confirmed by screening 55 F(2) plants segregating for resistance. Three RAPD markers (OPD13(736), OPL18(1032) and OPI20(900)) were mapped in coupling phase to the resistance gene for race 1 ( Uvf-1). No recombinants between OPI20(900) and Uvf-1 were detected. Two additional markers (OPP02(1172) and OPR07(930)) were linked to the gene in repulsion phase at a distance of 9.9 and 11.5 cM, respectively. The application of marker-assisted selection to develop new faba bean varieties with rust resistance genes is discussed.

Solitary rectal ulcer is of varied etiology and the appearance of this syndrome due to Mycobacterium chelonae is exceptional. We present a case of a solitary rectal ulcer associated with Mycobacterium chelonae subspecies chelonae in an immunocompetent individual. This microorganism is involved in cutaneous, ocular, pulmonary and soft tissue infections. Treatment of infections has traditionally been surgical, although various antibiotic treatments have been used depending on the sensitivity of the microorganism, the severity of the infection and the surgical possibilities.

The aim of our study was to analyze the efficacy of cellulase in dissolving gastric phytobezoars.We carried out a prospective study over a period of 1 year. All patients (7 cases) diagnosed as having gastric phytobezoar on gastroscopy were treated with cellulase.Complete dissolution of the gastric phytobezoar was achieved in all 7 patients. No side effects or recurrences occurred during follow-up.We conclude that cellulase should be regarded as the treatment of choice for gastric phytobezoars because of its efficacy, and because of the lack of side effects or recurrences. However, further clinical trials are necessary to verify these findings.

Approximately 75 individuals from a population of 111 Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) died or disappeared from the Bale Mountains National Park (Ethiopia) between 1988 and 1992 during two significant population declines. Confirmation of rabies virus in two carcasses was based on the fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and the mouse inoculation test (MIT). In an Ethiopian wolf brain previously designated rabies negative by both FAT and MIT, rabies virus was identified by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and confirmed by Southern blot hybridization. These methods were successfully used on a highly decomposed brain sample which had been stored in 20% dimethyl sulfoxide. This test system allows early and sensitive detection to be undertaken to more effectively prevent spread of disease and thus protect surviving animals.

Haustoria of Puccinia triticina (wheat leaf rust fungus) and P. hordei (barley leaf rust fungus) were isolated from susceptible and partially resistant wheat lines, and susceptible, hypersensitive and partially resistant barley lines. Haustoria were counted and measured. The size of haustoria was similar in the partially resistant and susceptible genotypes but haustoria were smaller in the hypersensitive barley line L94+Pa7. The number of haustoria was reduced in both partially and hypersensitive lines when compared with susceptible ones. Therefore it seems that the reduction in the number of haustoria is a consequence of the resistance that can be attributable either to early abortion of infection units or reduced colony growth. The reduction of the number of haustoria was more pronounced in the adult plant stage.

Hemobilia is the term which describes the presence of blood in the biliary tract. We describe a case of symptomatic hemobilia after percutaneous liver biopsy which resolved spontaneously. We review the physiopathology of this complication and we highlight the role of abdominal ultrasonography not only in the diagnosis but also in the follow-up of hemobilia. In our case, abdominal ultrasonography was able to identify the probable point of bleeding.

1 Summary Several studies have indicated that the breadmaking quality of tritordeum (Hordeum chilense-wheat amphiploid) are related with the presence of the H. chilense proteins into the endosperm of the amphiploid. The objective of this work has been to group these proteins by the Osborne's categories and stablish their degree of genetic variation. These protein fractions were obtained from eight lines of tritordeum (5 hexa- and 3 octoploid) and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The results indicated that the H. chilense genome incorporate a variable number of protein components to each fraction. Likewise, although the globulin fraction did not presented any variation for the tested lines of tritordeum, a certain degree of variation could be observed in the other three fractions.

Sixty patients with bleeding duodenal ulcers were randomized to treatment with sucralfate or ranitidine. Endoscopy was performed in all patients within 24 hours from admission. Acute phase outcome was similar in both groups. Four patients in the sucralfate group and 1 patient in the ranitidine group rebled and required surgical treatment (NS). Healing rate at 6 weeks was 88% with sucralfate and 96.6% with ranitidine. Relapsing rate without maintenance therapy at 6 and 12 months was 21.1% and 42.1% for sucralfate-treated patients and 33.3% and 56.5% for ranitidine-treated patients (NS). Sucralfate-treated patients had a significantly lesser relapsing rate at 12 months compared to ranitidine treated patients, in the smokers group.

A short-term double-blind study has been conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of diltiazem in 18 patients with irritable bowel syndrome, divided into two groups: group A, on the sequence placebo-diltiazem-placebo for three weeks. Group B, diltiazem-placebo-diltiazem for an identical period. The substance was administered in three daily doses of 60 mg prior to meals. Clinical manifestations and the general condition were evaluated after each period of three weeks following a pre-established score. Globally, it has been impossible to demonstrate the superiority of diltiazem over the placebo, but there seems to exist a trend to the improvement of diarrhoea and abdominal pain. It will be necessary to make an additional study to delineate the efficacy of this drug in the irritable bowel syndrome.

A double-blind comparison of cimetidine and placebo has been carried-out in 60 patients with acute pancreatitis. No clear-cut benefit from cimetidine was observed, either in the whole group, or in alcohol or gallstone-associated pancreatitis.