The analysis of three markers flanking GJB2 gene suggests a single origin of the most common 35delG mutation in the Moroccan population

In Caucasian populations a single mutation, 35delG, accounts for the majority of GJB2 gene mediated hearing loss, with carrier frequencies estimated between 2-4%, possibly resulting from a founder effect rather than from a mutational hot spot. In Moroccan population, the 35delG mutation accounts for 90.8% of all GJB2 mutated alleles in deaf patients with a carrier frequency of 2.65%. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the 35delG mutation has derived from a single origin in the Moroccan population. We enrolled 30 unrelated deaf patients homozygous for the 35delG mutation and 165 unrelated control individuals negative for this mutation, and genotyped three microsatellite markers flanking the GJB2 region: D13S141, D13S175 and D13S143. Data analysis revealed that the 35delG mutation is associated with particular alleles of these markers, with significant linkage disequilibrium for the 125 and 105 nucleotide long alleles of D13S141 and D13S175, and that a single specific haplotype accounts for 68% of the chromosomes carrying the 35delG mutation. The estimate age of 35delG mutation is 135 generations or approximately 2700 years old. Like in other Mediterranean populations, our results suggest that in the Moroccan population the 35delG mutation has derived from a single origin in a common founder process.     

A multi-criteria approach for the selection of efficient biocontrol agents against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botrytis cinerea</Emphasis> on tomato in Algeria

In order to find biocontrol agents that are both efficient against Botrytis cinerea Pers. and adapted to tomato growing conditions in Algeria, 121 bacterial strains were collected from tomato plants and nearby soils in two Bejaia greenhouses. A total of 37 strains were selected based on their ability to grow on agar medium and on their different level of B. cinerea mycelial growth inhibition in dual-culture tests. These strains were identified at the species level and those that corresponded to potential pathogens for humans or mammals were discarded. Among the remaining 25 candidates, three strains were selected among the Pseudomonas genus for their significant protective efficacy against B. cinerea on tomato, their ability to grow at 15–25 °C and their inability to grow at 37 °C. These three strains significantly reduced the development of necrotic lesion and the sporulation of B. cinerea in a dose-dependent manner. This study constitutes a first step towards the biological control of B. cinerea in tomato greenhouses in Algeria.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the carnivorous plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Genlisea aurea</Emphasis> (Lentibulariaceae) using genomics data of NGS

Genlisea aurea A.St.-Hil. is a carnivorous plant endemic species to Brazil in the Lentibulariaceae family. Very few studies have addressed the genetic structure and conservation status of G. aurea and the Lentibulariaceae. Microsatellites markers are advantageous tools that can be employed to predict the vulnerability of Lentibulariaceae species. Therefore, the development of molecular markers focusing the population analyses of Genlisea for future genetic studies and conservation actions are essential. Thus, we developed simple sequence repeats (SSRs) based on in silico analyses of G. aurea draft genome assembly. We characterized 40 individuals from several populations and identified 12 loci that were polymorphic, with heterozygosity between 0.123 and 0.650. We demonstrated that the G. aurea SSR markers work cross-species in Genlisea filiformis, G. repens, G. tuberosa and G. violacea. These markers will be important for future population, phylogeographic and conservation studies in G. aurea and other Genlisea species.     

Simultaneous Preparation and Comparison of the Osteogenic Effects of Epimedins A – C and Icariin from Epimedium brevicornu

In this study, epimedins A‐, B‐, and C‐, and icariin‐rich extracts were simultaneously isolated from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim . through a convenient four‐stage process consisting of solvent extraction, macroporous resin column pre‐concentration, extraction fractionation, and reversed‐phase (RP) silica gel column chromatography. Single factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to optimize the preparation conditions. In the final products, the purities of epimedins A – C and icariin were 23.04%, 64.50%, 54.92%, and 77.54%, respectively, which will lay a foundation for the further purification of epimedin monomers and full utilization of Epimedium resources. Meanwhile, the osteogenic effects of epimedins A – C were investigated for the first time and compared with that of icariin, which will provide guidance for the clinical applications of Epimedium in the treatment of osteoporosis.     

Review of the South American leafhopper genus Parandanus (Hemiptera,Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae)

The South American leafhopper genus Parandanus Linnavuori & DeLong (Deltocephalinae: Deltocephalini) is reviewed and four of its six species are illustrated and male genital characters are provided. Three new species from Peru, Parandanus longistylus Duan, sp. n., Parandanus nigricephalus Duan, sp. n. and Parandanus paracruciatus Duan, sp. n. are described. A key to species is also provided.     

基于ITS和ndhF-rpl32序列的荞麦种间亲缘关系分析

荞麦起源于我国, 演化形成了丰富的物种和遗传多样性。为了有效研究和利用荞麦及其野生种资源, 以从四川、甘肃、贵州等地采集的荞麦属(Fagopyrum)10个种(含变种、亚种和复合体种)共71份材料为对象, 通过ITS和叶绿体ndhF-rpl32序列分析, 利用MEGA5.0构建系统进化树, 探讨了荞麦种内及种间亲缘关系。结果表明, 在ITS序列矩阵中, 序列长度为725 bp, 信息位点为150个, 占序列总长度的20.7%; 在ndhF-rpl32序列矩阵中, 序列长度为940 bp, 信息位点为158个, 占序列总长度的16.8%。由ITS序列和ndhF-rpl32序列构建的两个进化树都可以将71份材料分为大粒荞麦种组和小粒荞麦种组; 其中, 大粒荞麦种组包括栽培苦荞和米苦荞(F. tataricum)、金荞复合体(F. cymosum complex)、栽培甜荞(F. esculentum)和野生甜荞(F. esculentum ssp. ancestralis); 小粒荞麦种组包括齿翅野荞(F. gracilipes var. odontopterum)、疏穗小野荞(F. leptopodum var. grossii)、小野荞(F. leptopodum)、密毛野荞(F. densovillosum)、细柄野荞(F. gracilipes)和硬枝万年荞(F. urophyllum)。而ndhF-rpl32序列构建的系统发育树还能区分栽培甜荞和野生甜荞, 具有更好的聚类效果。另外, 与栽培甜荞相比, 金荞复合体与栽培苦荞的亲缘关系更近。该研究为荞麦属种的分类和条形码研究提供了一定的科学依据。