Quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to Fusarium head blight and kernel discoloration in barley.

Resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation, and kernel discoloration (KD) in barley are difficult traits to introgress into elite varieties because current screening methods are laborious and disease levels are strongly influenced by environment. To improve breeding strategies directed toward enhancing these traits, we identified genomic regions containing quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance to FHB, DON accumulation, and KD in a breeding population of F(4:7) lines using restriction fragment length polymorphic (RFLP) markers. We evaluated 101 F(4:7) lines, derived from a cross between the cultivar Chevron and an elite breeding line, M69, for each of the traits in three or four environments. We used 94 previously mapped RFLP markers to create a linkage map. Using composite interval mapping, we identified 10, 11, and 4 QTLs associated with resistance to FHB, DON accumulation, and KD, respectively. Markers flanking these QTLs should be useful for introgressing resistance to FHB, DON accumulation, and KD into elite barley cultivars.

Imaging of brain tumors in AIDS patients by means of dual-isotope thallium-201 and technetium-99m sestamibi single-photon emission tomography.

Our aim was to evaluate the use of dual-isotope thallium-201 (Tl) and technetium-99m sestamibi (sestamibi) simultaneous acquisition in brain single-photon emission tomography (SPET) for the differentiation between brain lymphoma and benign central nervous system (CNS) lesions in AIDS patients. Thirty-six consecutive patients with enhancing mass lesions on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were included in the study. SPET of the brain was performed to obtain simultaneous Tl and sestamibi images. Regions-of-interest were drawn around the lesion and on the contralateral side to calculate uptake ratios. The final diagnosis was reached by pathologic findings in 17 patients and clinical and/or MR follow-up in 19 patients. Of the 36 patients, 11 had brain lymphoma, 1 glioblastoma multiforme, 15 toxoplasmosis and 9 other benign CNS lesions. Correlation between SPET and the final diagnosis revealed in 10 true-positive, 23 true-negative, 1 false-positive and 2 false-negative studies. All patients with toxoplasmosis had negative scans. A patient with a purulent infection had positive scans. Tl and sestamibi scans were concordant in every lesion. The same lesions that took up Tl were also visualized with sestamibi. However, sestamibi scans showed higher lesion-to-normal tissue uptake ratios (3.7 +/- 1.8) compared with those of Tl (2.3 +/- 0.8, P < 0.002). Simultaneous acquisition of Tl and sestamibi can help differentiate CNS lymphoma from benign brain lesions in AIDS patients.

MR and TL-210 spect imaging with pathologic correlation for the assessment of CNS lymphoma vs. toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients.

PURPOSE: Analyze the value of TL-201 (Tl) brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to differentiate CNS lymphoma from toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four AIDS patients with MR enhancing lesion(s), underwent a brain Tl SPECT. Final diagnosis was established by pathology and clinical/MR follow-up. RESULTS: Nine patients had CNS tumor, 9 toxoplasmosis and 6 other non-tumorous lesions. The sensitivity of T1 to diagnose CNS tumor was 77% and the specificity 93%. Two false negative studies correspond to tumors with significant necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: T1 proved useful for differentiating brain neoplasm from toxoplasmosis. Tumors with significant necrosis, did not show the expected increase in T1 uptake. Determination of T1 uptake ratios help detect tumor with faint tracer uptake.