The observed relationship between habitat selection and survival in E. blandingii indicates a direct link between behaviour (habitat selection) and fitness through mortality caused by predators and environmental stressors. “
“Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA Between hatching and late adulthood American alligators

Alligator mississippiensis show up to 7000-fold increases in body mass. Concurrent with selleck products such changes in body size are absolute and relative modifications in rostral proportions, dental form, feeding capacities and dietary preferences. How these major anatomical changes accommodate prey-resource shifts is poorly understood. In this study, we focus on the effects of ontogenetic changes in bite-force capacities and dental

form to address how these factors relate to tooth-pressure generation and diet. We derive absolute values of tooth pressure along the crowns of the most prominent teeth (the first documentation of tooth pressures throughout ontogeny and after initial tooth contact for any animal) and show that these pressures increase with positive allometry during ontogeny. In addition, we discuss how American alligator GW-572016 nmr tooth-pressure values explain their capacities for seizure and oral processing of typical prey, and how tooth-pressure changes facilitate developmental niche shifts in this large-bodied taxon. “
“The Eurasian lynx is an efficient stalking predator mainly selecting small-sized ungulates. In northern Scandinavia, semi-domestic reindeer are the only ungulate

species available for Eurasian lynx year round and consequently constitute their main prey. Selective predation patterns by a predator on a domestic prey are likely to be influenced by husbandry practices and may have consequences for harvest strategies. We used data on 795 lynx-killed reindeer from northern Scandinavia collected in 2008–2011 to determine whether male and female Eurasian pentoxifylline lynx preyed selectively on different age and sex classes of reindeer and how this was influenced by human-controlled seasonal changes in the composition of the reindeer herds. Lynx of both sexes were selected for reindeer calves year round although the proportions fluctuated seasonally, with peaks during summer and a drop after harvest. Male lynx switched to kill more adult reindeer in winter. There were no differences between the sexes of reindeer calves killed by lynx, but among adult reindeer male lynx selected for bulls over cows. We suggest that human-controlled seasonal variation in reindeer abundance is a main driver of prey selection by Eurasian lynx on semi-domestic reindeer. “
“Behavioral strategies of natal dispersers in response to human-altered habitat have far-reaching implications for functional connectivity and local population dynamics.

Key Word(s): 1. Korean propolis; 2. Helicobacter pylori Presenting Author: JAE JIN HWANG Additional Authors: DONG HO LEE, AE RA LEE, YONG HWAN KWON, YEON SANG JEONG, HYUN JOO LEE, KI CHUL YOON, HYO YOUNG KIM, RYOUNG HEE NAM, HYUK YOON, CHEOL MIN SHIN, YOUNG Vismodegib SOO PARK, NAYOUNG KIM, YOON JUN KIM Corresponding Author: JAE JIN HWANG Affiliations: Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University

Bundang Hospital,Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine Objective: The ICG-001 purchase eradication rate of first and second-line therapies have been decreasing progressively due to increasing antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori. After two or more consecutive H. pylori eradication failures, clinicians have faced the dilemma of determining which

of the following therapy would be the most appropriate. The aim of this study was to elucidate clinical course and treatment strategies of refractory H. pylori infection. Methods: From 2003 to 2013, total 154 (mean age 62.0: male 75, female 79) patients who had experienced at least two consecutive H. pylori eradication failures were enrolled at

the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Efficacy of different Leukotriene-A4 hydrolase rescue regimens was compared by confirming of eradication rate. H. pylori status was evaluated by histologic finding, Campylobacter-like organism test and 13-C urea breath test. Antibiotic susceptibility test for H. pylori was not done in all cases. Results: The clinical and endoscopic findings were as follows : 79 patients (51.3%) had erosive or atrophic gastritis and functional dyspepsia, 21 patients (13.7%) – gastric ulcer (GU), 25 patients (16.2%) – duodenal ulcer (DU), 15 patients (9.7%) – GU + DU, 14 patients – other findings (8 Tubular adenoma, 5 Gastric adenocarcinoma, 1 MALT lymphoma). There was no significant difference in the eradication rate between each rescue regimens. H. pylori eradication rates with the 3 rd, 4th and 5th-line rescue regimens were 53.9% (83/154), 41.2% (21/51), and 26.3% (5/19), respectively. Finally, cumulative H. pylori eradication rate with the 3∼7 th rescue regimens (mean 3.51 times) was 78.7% (111/141). The cumulative incidence rate of gastric cancers did not differ between the eradicated group and failed group (mean observation period: 39.1 months). Conclusion: Even with the consecutive treatments of refractory H. pylori infection using empirical regimens, H. pylori eradication rate was gradually declining. Finally, cumulative overall eradication rate could not achieve over 80%.

This pattern persists throughout the life span of men and throughout the reproductive ages of women.11,13 Postmenopausal women have an increase in both total adipose tissue volume and VAT volume, as compared with premenopausal women. The increase in VAT in older women has been demonstrated to first occur around the ages of 40-50 years and again from 50 to

60 years of age.11,13 Given that adipose tissue distribution varies by age and reproductive status, we distinguish Epigenetics inhibitor between 2 categories: (1) studies that specifically recruited peri- and postmenopausal women or whose mean age of participants was over 50 (predominantly peri- & post-reproductive age); and (2) studies whose mean age was under 50 years of age or whose methods did not specifically recruit peri- and postmenopausal women (predominantly reproductive age). Obesity and Migraine

in Reproductive-Age Participants.— In 2005, 2 small clinic-based studies reported an increased frequency of migraine attacks in those with TBO (Table 4).28,29 In the first, Peres et al compared 74 patients with TBO (mean age of 39 years) who presented to an obesity surgery clinic to 70 age-matched controls.28 A total of 75% of those with TBO had a life-time headache diagnosis as compared with 42% of the controls, this website P < .001. Furthermore, ICHD migraine was reported by 66% of those with TBO as compared with 18.5% of the non-obese controls, P < .0001. Similarly, in the second clinic-based study by Horev et al, 63% of 27 patients with TBO reported episodic headache and 48% fulfilled migraine criteria.29 These 2 studies were subsequently followed by 4 cross-sectional, general population-based studies evaluating obesity in those of reproductive age with varying results.14,30-32 One of these next studies found

no association between migraine prevalence and TBO;30 another found no association between migraine prevalence and TBO, but did find an association between headache prevalence and obesity.31 The other 2 studies reported a positive association between the prevalence of migraine or severe headaches and obesity.14,32 In the first of the general population studies, Bigal et al evaluated 30,215 participants, of whom 3791 fulfilled ICHD migraine criteria and 25,150 were controls (Table 3).30 The age of participants ranged from 18 to 89 years with a mean of 39 years. TBO was estimated using self-reported height and weight. Several findings from this study are of note. First, the crude and adjusted prevalence of migraine was increased in women who were underweight. In addition the crude prevalence of migraine was increased in men with a BMI ≥ 35 (8.8%) as compared with men of normal weight (7.2%), P < .01; however, this finding did not remain significant after adjusting for demographics. Finally, although migraine prevalence was not found to be associated with self-reported BMI, the prevalence of high-frequency episodic migraine was associated with TBO. Specifically, while only 4.

6, 17 This tolerance of polyploidy suggests that specific checkpoints, which either maintain a diploid state and/or eliminate cells that exhibit altered ploidy, may be lacking in hepatic tissue. Although p53 is implicated in mitotic surveillance of cultured immortalized and tumor-derived cells,18, 19 this has not been assessed during normal development or under conditions of induced cellular proliferation and tissue regeneration. To address this, we determined selleck chemicals the ploidy status of live WT (p53+/+) and p53-null hepatocytes during normal development by flow cytometry and analysis of DNA content (Fig. 1A). Consistent with previous studies

of p53+/+ mouse liver, we observed that 60% of total hepatocytes in quiescent, 4- to 5-month-old p53+/+ liver were tetrapoloid (4c), with a second, major population of diploid cells (2c, ∼30%) CHIR-99021 in vitro and a smaller fraction of octaploid cells (8c, ∼10%). However, in quiescent p53−/− mouse liver of the same age, less than 50% of hepatocytes were

tetraploid, and many were octaploid (>30%). Concomitantly, there was a significantly reduced number of diploid cells. This distribution in ploidy was dependent on p53 dosage, as indicated by an intermediate ploidy phenotype in heterozygous, p53+/− hepatocytes. These data suggest that hepatocyte ploidy, during normal growth and development of the liver, is monitored by a p53-dependent process. To determine whether p53 acts in mitotic surveillance during acute injury response, we used a model of surgically induced growth and replacement of liver tissue. We compared 2-month-old p53+/+ and p53−/− mice, which have fewer differences in ploidy at t = 0 than 4- to 5-month-old mice (data not shown and Fig. 1A). Two-thirds PH of mouse liver elicited a synchronized wave of cell cycle re-entry, proliferation, mitosis, and growth in the remnant liver, to regenerate and restore the size of the liver (liver/body weight ratio or Adenosine liver index) to its presurgical set point (Supporting Fig. 1A).20 In situ staining of the DNA replication marker Ki67 revealed dividing hepatocytes at 48 hours after two-thirds PH in p53+/+ and p53−/− mice (Fig.

1B, left panel). Strikingly, binucleated Ki67(+) p53−/− hepatocytes were present at four-fold higher numbers than in p53+/+ liver (Fig. 1B, right panel), suggesting enhanced proliferation and/or cytokinesis failure. To examine ploidy, we analyzed nuclear content at various times following PH. Whereas nuclear content is equivalent to ploidy class in quiescent adult livers (e.g., 4c DNA = tetraploid cell),3 nuclear content in regenerating livers is complicated by ploidy class and cell cycle status. For instance, in proliferating hepatocytes, 4c DNA content indicates either a tetraploid cell in G0/G1 or a diploid cell in G2. Therefore, to focus exclusively on polyploid hepatocytes, we examined cells with nuclear content of 8c or higher.

6, 17 This tolerance of polyploidy suggests that specific checkpoints, which either maintain a diploid state and/or eliminate cells that exhibit altered ploidy, may be lacking in hepatic tissue. Although p53 is implicated in mitotic surveillance of cultured immortalized and tumor-derived cells,18, 19 this has not been assessed during normal development or under conditions of induced cellular proliferation and tissue regeneration. To address this, we determined Midostaurin in vitro the ploidy status of live WT (p53+/+) and p53-null hepatocytes during normal development by flow cytometry and analysis of DNA content (Fig. 1A). Consistent with previous studies

of p53+/+ mouse liver, we observed that 60% of total hepatocytes in quiescent, 4- to 5-month-old p53+/+ liver were tetrapoloid (4c), with a second, major population of diploid cells (2c, ∼30%) CCI-779 and a smaller fraction of octaploid cells (8c, ∼10%). However, in quiescent p53−/− mouse liver of the same age, less than 50% of hepatocytes were

tetraploid, and many were octaploid (>30%). Concomitantly, there was a significantly reduced number of diploid cells. This distribution in ploidy was dependent on p53 dosage, as indicated by an intermediate ploidy phenotype in heterozygous, p53+/− hepatocytes. These data suggest that hepatocyte ploidy, during normal growth and development of the liver, is monitored by a p53-dependent process. To determine whether p53 acts in mitotic surveillance during acute injury response, we used a model of surgically induced growth and replacement of liver tissue. We compared 2-month-old p53+/+ and p53−/− mice, which have fewer differences in ploidy at t = 0 than 4- to 5-month-old mice (data not shown and Fig. 1A). Two-thirds PH of mouse liver elicited a synchronized wave of cell cycle re-entry, proliferation, mitosis, and growth in the remnant liver, to regenerate and restore the size of the liver (liver/body weight ratio or NADPH-cytochrome-c2 reductase liver index) to its presurgical set point (Supporting Fig. 1A).20 In situ staining of the DNA replication marker Ki67 revealed dividing hepatocytes at 48 hours after two-thirds PH in p53+/+ and p53−/− mice (Fig.

1B, left panel). Strikingly, binucleated Ki67(+) p53−/− hepatocytes were present at four-fold higher numbers than in p53+/+ liver (Fig. 1B, right panel), suggesting enhanced proliferation and/or cytokinesis failure. To examine ploidy, we analyzed nuclear content at various times following PH. Whereas nuclear content is equivalent to ploidy class in quiescent adult livers (e.g., 4c DNA = tetraploid cell),3 nuclear content in regenerating livers is complicated by ploidy class and cell cycle status. For instance, in proliferating hepatocytes, 4c DNA content indicates either a tetraploid cell in G0/G1 or a diploid cell in G2. Therefore, to focus exclusively on polyploid hepatocytes, we examined cells with nuclear content of 8c or higher.

The HC alcohol intake was <20 g/day and volunteers had not

drunk alcohol or exercised excessively in the 24 hours prior to blood being drawn. SC patients were recruited from the general ICU and had severe sepsis with MODS. Severe sepsis was defined by the presence of an SIRS score ≥2,16 with radiological and/or laboratory evidence of infection and one or more extrahepatic organ failure(s). Patients presenting with ALF/SALF were given empirical intravenous antibiotic and antifungal cover as standard of care. This see more consisted of tazocin 4.5 g every 8 hours (substituted for meropenem 1 g every 8 hours if penicillin allergic) and fluconazole 400 mg once daily. Patients were excluded from the ALF/SALF cohorts if on presentation they had evidence of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection on clinical examination, radiological or laboratory investigation, malignancy, and any coexisting history of immunodeficiency including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and glycogen storage disease. Patients with preexisting liver disease, a history of alcohol intake >20g/day, or who were on immunosuppressive therapies such Selleckchem INCB024360 as steroids or azathioprine were also excluded. The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and ethical

permission was granted from the North East London Research Ethics Committee (Ref. No. 08/H0702/52). Following obtaining fully informed consent/assent, clinical, biochemical, and physiological data were collected. Data included tobacco and alcohol use, arterial ammonia (μmol/L), serum sodium levels (mmol/L), arterial blood gas analysis including lactate (mmol/L), differential leukocyte count Gefitinib in vitro (×109), complement, and immunoglobulin and lipoprotein levels. SIRS score16 was also calculated on admission and on subsequent neutrophil sampling days. A number of organ failure scores were also quantified including the model of endstage liver disease score (MELD), sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA),17 and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation

(APACHE) II score.18 Length of ICU stay, survival, and number of days requiring vasopressors, ventilation, or hemofiltration were also recorded. Antibiotic use and details of potentially immunomodulatory therapies such as corticosteroids, hypothermia, hemofiltration, and plasmapheresis were recorded. The occurrence of bacterial and fungal infection was recorded along with other relevant patient outcomes including the development of organ failure and 90-day survival. Venous blood was collected aseptically from patients/volunteers into heparinized pyrogen-free tubes and was immediately precooled to 0-4°C for 10 minutes. Neutrophil phenotype and function test analyses were performed within 1 hour of blood being drawn.

To address these questions we treated high-fat-fed rats with specific antisense oligonucleotides to decrease hepatic and adipose pnpla3 expression. Reducing pnpla3 expression prevented hepatic steatosis, which could be attributed to decreased fatty acid esterification measured by the incorporation of [U-13C]-palmitate into hepatic triglyceride. While the precursors for phosphatidic acid (PA) (long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs and lysophosphatidic acid [LPA]) were not decreased, we did observe an ∼20% reduction in the hepatic PA content, ∼35% reduction in the PA/LPA ratio, and ∼60%-70% reduction in transacylation activity at the level of acyl-CoA:1-acylglycerol-sn-3-phosphate acyltransferase.

These changes were associated with an ∼50% reduction in hepatic diacylglycerol (DAG) content, an ∼80% reduction in hepatic protein kinase BMS-907351 nmr Cε activation, and increased hepatic insulin sensitivity, Navitoclax as reflected by a 2-fold greater suppression of endogenous glucose production during the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Finally, in humans, hepatic PNPLA3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was strongly correlated

with hepatic triglyceride and DAG content, supporting a potential lipogenic role of PNPLA3 in humans. Conclusion: PNPLA3 may function primarily in a lipogenic capacity and inhibition of PNPLA3 may be a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-associated hepatic insulin resistance. (HEPATOLOGY 2013) “
“Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) act as coreceptors or storage sites for growth factors and cytokines such as fibroblast growth factor and Wnts. Glypican 3 (GPC3) is the most highly expressed HSPG in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sulfatase 2 (SULF2), an enzyme with 6-O-desulfatase activity on HSPGs, is up-regulated in 60% of primary HCCs and is associated with a worse prognosis. We have previously shown that the oncogenic effect

of SULF2 in HCC may be mediated in part through up-regulation of GPC3. Here we demonstrate that GPC3 stimulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and mediates the oncogenic function of SULF2 in HCC. Wnt much signaling in vitro and in vivo was assessed in SULF2-negative Hep3B HCC cells transfected with SULF2 and in SULF2-expressing Huh7 cells transfected with short hairpin RNA targeting SULF2. The interaction between GPC3, SULF2, and Wnt3a was assessed by coimmunoprecipitation and flow cytometry. β-catenin–dependent transcriptional activity was assessed with the TOPFLASH (T cell factor reporter plasmid) luciferase assay. In HCC cells, SULF2 increased cell surface GPC3 and Wnt3a expression, stabilized β-catenin, and activated T cell factor transcription factor activity and expression of the Wnt/β-catenin target gene cyclin D1. Opposite effects were observed in SULF2-knockdown models.

The dominant shallow water fish is Notothenia coriiceps (Gon and Heemstra 1990). N. coriiceps feeds primarily along the bottom as an ambush predator and includes macroalgae, amphipods, and gastropods as

important components of its diet (Casaux et al. 1990, Gon and Heemstra click here 1990, Iken et al. 1997, Zamzow et al. 2011 and references therein). We also occasionally observe the much smaller Harpagifer antarcticus within the macroalgal canopy, although it is reportedly more common under rocks than among macroalgae (Daniels 1983). Harpagifer antarcticus from shallow waters are reported to feed on amphipods as well as other invertebrates including gastropods (Casaux 1998). Seals are the most obvious top predators, which would constitute a fourth trophic level in this community even though the Antarctic PLX4032 in vivo Shag (Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis) is

known to consume H. antarcticus in deeper water (Casaux 1998) and larger fish consume smaller ones (Daniels 1982, Zamzow et al. 2011). Fish are commonly reported as major prey items of several of the common seal species including Arctocephalus gazelle, Leptonychotes weddellii, and Hydrurga leptonyx (e.g., Casaux et al. 2003, 2006, 2009). Both N. coriiceps and H. antarcticus have cryptic lifestyles, moving very little and remaining under the larger algae (or rocks

in H. antarcticus) most of the time, which we hypothesize is adaptive in reducing predation by seals. However, this cryptic lifestyle coupled with whatever predation by seals does occur could reduce the effectiveness of the fish in controlling amphipod densities and thereby help enable the high densities of macroalgal-associated amphipods that are observed in the community. As in lower latitude communities, mesograzers appear to benefit larger macroalgae by removing smaller, epiphytic algae. Peters (2003) noted that filamentous, epiphytic algae are very uncommon in the Antarctic subtidal and he hypothesized that this is because of the very high mafosfamide densities of amphipods that are observed within the macroalgal canopy. Only two taxa of free-living, epiphytic, filamentous algae are routinely observed in the subtidal (Wiencke and Clayton 2002, Peters 2003, authors’ personal observations). Geminocarpus spp. bloom early in the growing season, primarily on senescing, second year Desmarestia antarctica Moe & Silva. Elachista antarctica Skottsberg can be found throughout the growing season on Palmaria decipiens (Reinsch) RW Ricker, which is primarily restricted to the intertidal and shallow subtidal and which supports very low densities of amphipods (Huang et al. 2007, Aumack et al. 2011a).

Basal biliary cholesterol secretion in Abcg5−/− mice was 72% lower than in Abcg5+/+ mice. T3 treatment increased cholesterol secretion 3.1-fold in Abcg5+/+ mice, whereas this response was severely blunted in Abcg5−/− mice. In contrast, biliary cholesterol Adriamycin manufacturer secretion in T3-treated Lxra+/+

and Lxra−/− mice was increased 3.5- and 2.6-fold, respectively, and did not differ significantly. Conclusions: TH-induced secretion of cholesterol into bile is largely dependent on an intact ABCG5/G8 transporter complex, whereas LXRa is not critical for this effect. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:1828–1837) “
“Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is underdiagnosed because most patients are asymptomatic. The majority of new infections occur among people who inject drugs (PWID), many of whom have a history of incarceration. In a previous pilot study, we identified symptomatic HCV cases, mainly among Caucasian inmates. We designed a cross-sectional study to evaluate whether risk factor–based screening of newly incarcerated inmates would enhance identification of asymptomatic acute HCV infection and elucidate any demographic shifts in HCV acquisition. From October 2006 to March 2008, 6,342 inmates underwent check details health assessments and 3,470 inmates (55%) were screened. The racial distribution was as follows: African American, 24.0%; Caucasian, 49.5%; Hispanic, 22.2%. One hundred seventy-one inmates (4.9%) were classified as

high-risk. After further evaluation, 35 (20.5%) inmates were diagnosed with acute HCV with a mean age of 29 years; 62.9% were female and 91% were Caucasian. No African Americans were diagnosed with acute HCV. Our case-finding rate was 1.9 patients/month nearly a three-fold increase compared

with our historical control period with a higher proportion of asymptomatic cases. We estimate Cytidine deaminase a prevalence of ∼1.0% (95% confidence interval, 0.7%-1.4%) of acute HCV infections among newly incarcerated inmates. Conclusion: Within the correctional system, systematic screening based on risk factors successfully identifies acute HCV infection among PWID, including asymptomatic patients. Our data also reflect changing nationwide patterns of injection drug use that vary by age, ethnicity, and race, leading to a marked reduction of acute HCV infections among African Americans compared with non-Hispanic whites. The nationwide implementation of this simple low-cost strategy in prison-based settings could identify more than 7,000 acute HCV infections among PWID, provide insight into changing epidemiologic trends, and facilitate appropriate therapeutic and preventive interventions. (HEPATOLOGY 2013) Most people who inject drugs (PWID) acquire hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection within the first years of unsafe injection practices.1, 2 National surveillance data demonstrate that PWID account for 46% of symptomatic acute HCV infections in the United States.

cannonballus mycelium from culture. Cultivars Nabijani, Sfidak khatdar, Sfidak bekhat, Ghandak, Mollamosai, Chappat, Hajmashallahi and Shadgan were moderately resistant to M. cannonballus but all other melon cultivars were moderately to highly susceptible (HS) to this pathogen. A second screening was performed for resistance to M. cannonballus under greenhouse conditions. In the second screening, cultivars Nabijani, Sfidak khatdar, Sfidak bekhat, Ghandak, Mollamosai, Chappat, Hajmashallahi and Shadgan were moderately resistant to M. cannonballus. To examine the melon resistance

mechanism against M. cannonballus, the activities of total phenol, total protein and peroxidase in MLN0128 two melon cultivars Nabijani (as resistant) and Khaghani (as susceptible)

were determined at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after inoculation. Inoculated resistant cultivar roots had always higher content of total phenol, RXDX-106 chemical structure total protein and peroxidase than the corresponding inoculated susceptible cultivar roots. The results indicated that there was a relationship between resistance in Nabijani and accumulation of total phenol, total protein and peroxidase. “
“Curtoviruses cause severe damage to tomatoes and peppers. Functional field resistance to curtoviruses in these plants is desirable but difficult to produce and difficult to screen for because it is time-consuming and resistance could be achieved by developing resistance either to the virus or to insect feeding. To improve and speed curtovirus resistance testing in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants, two puncture

methods were developed and compared to leafhopper inoculation and feeding preference assays. The two puncture methods were adapted to introduce a modified Agrobacterium tumefaciens plasmid carrying a recombinant curtovirus into the meristem tissue of tomato plants and into newly germinated chile pepper seedlings. The puncture techniques were used to screen for resistance to curtoviruses in chile pepper and tomato breeding lines and varieties. Similarly, the peppers and tomatoes were assayed for curtovirus resistance using leafhopper inoculation and feeding preference, which Racecadotril was assessed by stylet sheath staining. Virus infection by puncture and leafhopper feeding was monitored using PCR and ELISA. ELISA was performed using an antibody to bacterially expressed coat protein. While pepper cvs Tabasco, NuMex Las Cruces cayenne and New Mexico 6-4 were infected using both puncture and leafhopper inoculation methods, New Mexico 6-4 had higher infection rates than the other two cultivars. Stylet sheath staining results suggest that leafhoppers prefer to feed on New Mexico 6-4 rather than Tabasco and NuMex Las Cruces cayenne. Eight tomato cultivars were infected using meristem removal injection inoculation.