Pectobacterium strains isolated from potato stems in Finland, Poland and the Netherlands were subjected to polyphasic analyses to characterize their genomic and phenotypic features. Phylogenetic analysis based on 382 core proteins showed that the isolates clustered closest to Pectobacterium polaris but could be divided into two clades. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis revealed that the isolates in one of the clades included the P. polaris type strain, whereas the second clade was at the border of the species P. polaris with a 96 % ANI value. In silico genome-to-genome comparisons between the isolates revealed values below 70%, patristic distances based on 1294 core proteins were at the level observed between closely related Pectobacterium species, and the two groups of bacteria differed in genome size, G+C content and results of amplified fragment length polymorphism and Biolog analyses. Comparisons between the genomes revealed that the isolates of the atypical group contained SPI-1-type Type III secretion island and genes coding for proteins known for toxic effects on nematodes or insects, and lacked many genes coding for previously characterized virulence determinants affecting rotting of plant tissue by soft rot bacteria. Furthermore, the atypical isolates could be differentiated from P. polaris by their low virulence, production of antibacterial metabolites and a citrate-negative phenotype. Based on the results of a polyphasic approach including genome-to-genome comparisons, biochemical and virulence assays, presented in this report, we propose delineation of the atypical isolates as a novel species Pectobacterium parvum, for which the isolate s0421 T (CFBP 8630 T =LMG 30828 T) is suggested as a type strain.

Trichoderma species are recognized as biocontrol agents with great potential in inhibiting fungal pathogens that cause significant crop losses. In this study, 15 Trichoderma isolates were collected from various Egyptian locations. Internal transcribed spacer sequencing revealed four different Trichoderma species; Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, and Trichoderma viride. The antagonistic activity of Trichoderma isolates against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. capsici was evaluated in vitro. The effect of Trichoderma isolates on pepper growth plants in the presence of F. oxysporum was studied in planta. The inhibition of pathogen mycelial growth in vitro ranged between 35.71%and 85.75%. The isolates Ta3 and Tl had the highest antagonistic ability in vitro against F. oxysporum f. sp. capsici. However, Th7 and Th6 of T. harzianum isolates showed the highest values of disease severity reduction under greenhouse conditions. The genetic diversity of the Trichoderma isolates (Ta1, Ta2, Th1, Th2, Th3, Th4, Th5, and Tv) was investigated on the basis of ISSR and SCoT markers. SCoT primers generated a total of 28 bands, out of which 14 (50%) were polymorphic. ISSR primers gave 32 bands, and 11 of these bands (34.37%) were polymorphic. K E Y W O R D Santagonism, Fusarium, genetic diversity, pepper, Trichoderma

Bacterial soft rot is a globally significant plant disease that causes major losses in the production of many popular crops, such as potato. Little is known about the dispersal and ecology of soft-rot enterobacteria, and few animals have been identified as vectors for these pathogens. This study investigates whether soil-living and bacterial-feeding nematodes could act as vectors for the dispersal of soft-rot enterobacteria to plants. Soft-rot enterobacteria associated with nematodes were quantified and visualized through bacterial enumeration, GFP-tagging, and confocal and electron scanning microscopy. Soft-rot enterobacteria were able to withstand nematode grazing, colonize the gut of Caenorhabditis elegans and subsequently disperse to plant material while remaining virulent. Two nematode species were also isolated from a rotten potato sample obtained from a potato storage facility in Finland. Furthermore, one of these isolates (Pristionchus sp. FIN-1) was shown to be able to disperse soft-rot enterobacteria to plant material. The interaction of nematodes and soft-rot enterobacteria seems to be more mutualistic rather than pathogenic, but more research is needed to explain how soft-rot enterobacteria remain viable inside nematodes.

Background: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and has been increasing in prevalence over the last few decades. Magnesium ion has an inhibitory action on smooth muscle contraction, histamine release from mast cells and acetylcholine release from cholinergic nerve terminals. Magnesium has been shown to relax bronchial smooth muscles and influence the function of respiratory muscles. Hypomagnesemia have been associated with diminished respiratory muscle power.Aim: To assess the serum Mg levels in bronchial asthma patients during stable and exacerbating clinical conditions. Subjects and methods: 60 Subjects were enrolled, 40 patients diagnosed as bronchial asthma and 20 healthy individuals as a control group. The asthmatic patients were divided into group (I) chronic stable bronchial asthma and group (II) acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma.Results: Serum Mg levels were significantly lower in asthmatic patients compared with healthy controls and significantly lower in asthmatic patients during exacerbation compared with stable asthmatics. There was a positive correlation between serum Mg levels and each of FEV1/FVC ratio and FEV1.Conclusion: Hypomagnesemia was found in patients with chronic stable asthma and also in those with acute asthma exacerbation compared to control. Serum mg levels were significantly lower in asthmatic patients during exacerbations compared with stable asthmatics.