International audienceWith standardised near isogenic line (NIL) differentials co-operators were able to present the first comprehensive virulence survey of the European wheat leaf rust population (1996-1999). The work included pathotype identification of 2608 isolates and field tests of NILs. Lr9 and Lr19 were very effective all over Europe. Lr24, Lr25, and Lr28 were also effective, but in some countries and locations substantial virulence frequencies were observed. In addition, the genes Lr12, Lr13, Lr22a, Lr34, Lr35 and Lr37 were effective at the adult plant stage, but locally less so. In general, the indoor seedling tests and adult plant field tests showed good agreement. Virulence to Lr1, Lr2a, Lr24, Lr25, Lr28 and Lr29 tended to increase in the period, for the other Lr-genes the virulence frequency remained more or less stable. Among the 105 pathotypes identified none was clearly predominant in Europe.La situation en Europe pour la virulence de la rouille brune chez le blé. L'utilisation d'une gamme d'hôtes différentiels commune composée de lignées isogéniques (NIL) a permis aux auteurs de réaliser le premier inventaire exhaustif de la population européenne de rouille brune du blé (1996-1999). Deux mille six cent huit isolats ont été identifiés et les NIL ont été évaluées au champ. Lr9 et Lr19 se sont révélés efficaces dans toute l'Europe. Lr24, Lr25 et Lr28 ont également été efficaces, mais la fréquence des virulences correspondantes était non négligeable dans certains pays et certains lieux. Les gènes Lr12, Lr13, Lr22a, Lr34, Lr35 et Lr37 ont été efficaces au stade adulte, excepté dans quelques lieux. En général, les résultats des tests au stade plantule en conditions contrôlées ont été cohérents avec ceux obtenus au stade adulte au champ. Les fréquences de virulence sont demeurées stables au cours de la période étudiée, sauf pour Lr1, Lr2a, Lr24, Lr25 et Lr29, dont les fréquences de virulence correspondantes tendaient à augmenter. Aucun des 105 pathotypes identifiés n'est apparu clairement dominant en Europe

Objective To analyse the results of laparoscopic management of women with endometrial cancer, and comparison with the open technique. Design Prospective multicentre study. Setting Department of Gynaecology, Hospital for Infants, Kladno, Czech Republic. Subjects 76 women who underwent laparoscopic surgery and open procedures for endometrial cancer. Main outcome measures The differences between both the peri‐ and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Results Two patients whose surgery was completed by laparotomy were excluded from the study. The other 43 laparoscopic procedures were successfully completed. Laparoscopic hysterectomy and pelvic and para‐aortic lymphadenectomies were carried out, based on the grade of the tumour and the depth of myometrial invasion. Of the patients, 19 underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy and 14 women also had para‐aortic lymph node sampling dissection. Five of these patients had positive pelvic or para‐aortic nodes. The mean operating time was 178 min vs. 151 min in the control open group. There were no major complications. Conclusions The laparoscopic approach to surgery for early stage endometrial carcinoma is an attractive alternative to the conventional surgical approach. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are patient related. Because an abdominal incision is avoided, recovery time is reduced. The major obstacle to incorporating operative laparoscopy into gynaecological oncology is the lack of controlled studies demonstrating its ability to improve current management.

Major genes for resistance to powdery mildew were analysed in 24 Czechoslovakian wheat cultivars and, in part, in their parents. For this purpose individual isolates of the pathogen, able to differentiate host lines with known resistance genes, were selected. Eight of nineteen winter wheat cultivars do not possess any major resistance gene. Three cultivars have one and seven have two genes. One cultivar carries a combination of three genes {Pm2, Pm4b, Pm8). The most common resistance genes are Pm4b, Pm5 and Pm8. Pm2 is once combined with Pm6. Only one of five spring cultivars lacked a major resistance gene. Mlk is once present alone and twice combmed with Pm5. There is one spring cultivar with a novel combination of three genes: Pml, Pm5 and another gene needing further characterization. The observations are discussed with additional results of parent lines and further information on pedigrees.

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-Seventy two wheat cultivars and breeding lines were tested for at least two years in up to ten European countries for resistance against leaf rust under field conditions. In addition, seedling resistance was determined with local races and with defined isolates to postulate resistance genes. Nine entries (Batis, Capo, RE9001, RE9801, Terza, Toronit, Titlis, Barra, Beaufort) were highly resistant at all locations, and were regarded as excellent sources of resistance for breeding programs. Two thirds of the 72 entries possess adult plant and/or partial resistance. Cultivars with the gene Lr13 differed greatly in disease response showing that Lr13 alone does not provide adequate resistance in Europe. Gene Lr37 provided generally good adult plant resistance but seedlings with this gene were moderately susceptible. Many of the wheat cultivars/lines investigated possess unidentified adult plant resistance gene(s). Seedling resistance was attributable mostly to the genes Lr1, Lr3a, Lr3ka, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr17b, Lr20 or Lr26. Triticum aestivum / Puccinia recondita / wheat / leaf rust / resistance Résumé -Résistance du germplasme de blé d'hiver européen à la rouille des feuilles. Pendant au moins deux ans, 72 cultivars et lignées de sélection avancées de blé ont été testées aux champs dans dix pays européens pour évaluer la résistance à la rouille des feuilles. De plus, la résistance a été évaluée lors d'essais en laboratoire sur des plantules infec-