Phase II study of sorafenib in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil to treat recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

It was a Simon two-stage designed trial. Chemotherapy-naive patients with recurrent or metastatic disease were enrolled. The regimen was sorafenib 400 mg orally b.i.d., cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) i.v. day 1, and 5-FU 1000 mg/m(2)/day CIV for 4 days, repeated every 21 days. After a maximum of six cycles of chemotherapy, patients received maintenance of sorafenib.

RESULTS

In total, 54 patients were enrolled. The objective response rate reached 77.8%, including 1 complete response and 41 partial responses. The median progression-free survival was 7.2 months (95% CI 6.8-8.4 months), and the median overall survival was 11.8 months (95% CI 10.6-18.7 months). Major toxic effects included hand-foot skin reaction, myelosuppression, and gastrointestinal (GI) reaction. The incidence of hemorrhage was 22.2%, and one patient with liver metastases died of GI bleeding. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was carried out in a subset of patients with liver metastases.

CONCLUSION

Combination of sorafenib, cisplatin (80 mg/m(2)) and 5-FU (3000 mg/m(2)) was tolerable and feasible in recurrent or metastatic NPC. Further randomized trials to compare sorafenib plus cisplatin and 5-FU with standard dose of cisplatin plus 5-FU in NPC are warranted.

Poly[tetra-aqua-(μ(6)-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydro-anthracene-1,4,5,8-tetra-carboxyl-ato)dimanganese(II)]

The title complex, [Mn₂(C₁₈H₄O₁₀)(H₂O)₄]_n, was synthesized from manganese(II) chloride tetra­hydrate and 9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydro­anthracene-1,4,5,8-tetra­carb­oxy­lic acid (H₄AQTC) in water. The anthraquinone unit is located about a crystallographic center of inversion. Each asymmetric unit therefore contains one Mn^II atom, two water ligands and one half AQTC⁴⁻ anion. The Mn^II atom is coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry by four O atoms from three AQTC⁴⁻ ligands and two water O atoms. Two of the carboxyl­ate groups coordinate one Mn^II atom in a chelating mode, whereas the others each coordinate two Mn^II atoms. Each AQTC⁴⁻ tetra-anion therefore coordinates six different Mn^II ions and, as a result, a three-dimensional coordination polymer is formed. O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, some of them bifurcated, between water ligands and neighboring water or anthraquinone ligands are observed in the crystal structure.

ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and the risk of psoriasis: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether ApaI, BsmI, FokI or TaqI polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene confer susceptibility to psoriasis. Methods All related association studies published before January 2012 were retrieved and eligible ones were included in our meta-analysis. For each of the four polymorphisms, we explored the significance of the associations for the allele contrast as well as the recessive and dominant models in overall samples, Caucasians and East Asians. Heterogeneity was identified by sensitivity analysis and publication bias was examined by funnel plot and Egger's test.

RESULTS

12 studies that met our selection criteria were included. For ApaI polymorphism, the dominant model for allele a in Caucasians produced a significant result [heterogeneity χ(2) = 3.46, P = 0.177, I(2) = 42.2%; OR(fixed-effect model) = 1.398 (1.011-1.934), z = 2.03, P = 0.043]. While in East Asians, pooling analysis under any genetic model acquired no-significant result. Significant heterogeneity was identified among East Asian studies and a Korean study accounted mostly for the heterogeneity detected. The heterogeneities were no longer statistically significant after removing this study, and the results of re-analyses in remaining studies have not been affected. Regarding TaqI polymorphism, the allele contrast discovered significant association between allele T and psoriasis susceptibility in Caucasians [heterogeneity χ(2) = 4.35, P = 0.226, I(2) = 31.1%; OR(fixed-effect model) = 1.287 (1.067-1.551), z = 2.64, P = 0.008]. As for the BsmI and FokI polymorphisms, allele contrast, recessive and dominant models produced non-significant results in either Caucasians or East Asians. The funnel plots and Egger's tests found no publication bias presenting in the studies analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis showed that ApaI, TaqI polymorphisms in VDR gene correlate with psoriasis in Caucasians.

Observation of electron-antineutrino disappearance at Daya Bay

The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment has measured a nonzero value for the neutrino mixing angle θ(13) with a significance of 5.2 standard deviations. Antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth reactors were detected in six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (flux-weighted baseline 470 m and 576 m) and one far (1648 m) underground experimental halls. With a 43,000 ton-GWth-day live-time exposure in 55 days, 10,416 (80,376) electron-antineutrino candidates were detected at the far hall (near halls). The ratio of the observed to expected number of antineutrinos at the far hall is R=0.940±0.011(stat.)±0.004(syst.). A rate-only analysis finds sin(2)2θ(13)=0.092±0.016(stat.)±0.005(syst.) in a three-neutrino framework.

Baseline Sensitivity of Monilinia fructicola from China to the DMI Fungicide SYP-Z048 and Analysis of DMI-Resistant Mutants

Sterol 14α-demethylase inhibitors (DMIs) continue to be important in the management of brown rot of Monilinia spp. worldwide. In this study, the sensitivity of 100 Monilinia fructicola isolates from four unsprayed orchards and two packinghouses in Beijing, China, to the new DMI fungicide SYP-Z048 was evaluated and ranged from 0.003 to 0.039 and 0.016 to 0.047 μg/ml, respectively. Laboratory mutants resistant to SYP-Z048 were generated using UV irradiation but no mutants occurred spontaneously. Resistance was stable after 10 weekly consecutive transfers on fungicide-free medium. Three parameters, including growth rate, sporulation in vitro, and lesion area, were significantly different when sensitive isolates and resistant mutants were analyzed as groups. Mutants grew more slowly and developed significantly smaller lesions on detached fruit, and their sporulation ability in vitro was reduced. Cross resistance was found between SYP-Z048 and propiconazole (ρ = 0.82, P < 0.0001) but not between SYPZ048 and tridemorph, carbendazim, procymidone, azoxystrobin, or pyrimethanil. SYP-Z048 resistance in mutants exhibiting 50% mycelial growth inhibition values greater than 0.3 μg/ml was correlated with the presence of a mutation in the CYP51 gene that encodes the target protein for DMI fungicides. The mutation caused an amino acid change from tyrosine to phenylalanine at position 136 (Y136F). To our knowledge, this is the first baseline sensitivity of M. fructicola collected from China to a DMI fungicide. The inability of M. fructicola to generate spontaneous DMI-resistant mutants coupled with reduced fitness of Y136F mutants can explain why this target site mutation has not yet emerged as a DMI fungicide resistance determinant in M. fructicola field populations worldwide.

Meta-analysis demonstrates no association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk

We examined whether p53 codon 72 polymorphism confers prostate cancer risk by conducting a meta-analysis. Two investigators independently searched the Pubmed, Embase and CBM databases. This meta-analysis was made of seven case-control studies, that included 892 prostate cancer cases and 1020 healthy controls. Meta-analysis results based on all the studies showed no significant association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk in the comparisons of Pro allele vs Arg allele; Pro/Pro + Pro/Arg vs Arg/Arg; Pro/Pro vs Pro/Arg + Arg/Arg; Pro/Pro vs Arg/Arg, and Pro/Arg vs Arg/Arg [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87-1.36, P = 0.47; OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.86-1.73, P = 0.27; OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.62-1.72, P = 0.91; OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.66-2.26, P = 0.52; OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 0.84-1.87, P = 0.27, respectively]. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, no association was found between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk both in Caucasian and Asian populations. We found no association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk.

Lack of an association between -308G>A polymorphism of the TNF-α gene and liver cirrhosis risk based on a meta-analysis

TNF-α is a potential proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. We investigated a possible association between TNF-α -308G>A polymorphism and liver cirrhosis risk by conducting a meta-analysis. Publications addressing the association between TNF-α -308G>A and liver cirrhosis risk were selected from the Pubmed and Embase databases. Data were extracted from the studies by two independent reviewers; odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated from these data. The meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager Version 5.0.24 and STATA Version 9.2. Eleven studies were retrieved, reporting a total of 1796 liver cirrhosis cases and 2113 healthy controls. A meta-analysis of these 11 studies identified no significant association between TNF-α -308G>A polymorphism and liver cirrhosis risk in all comparisons of G vs A allele; GG vs GA + AA; GG + GA vs AA; GG vs AA; GG vs GA (OR = 1.14, 95%CI = 0.85-1.55, P = 0.38; OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 0.87- 1.77, P = 0.24; OR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.62-1.30, P = 0.57; OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.56-1.89, P = 0.92; OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 0.90-1.88, P = 0.17; respectively). In conclusion, we found no association between TNF-α -308G>A polymorphism and liver cirrhosis risk, both in Caucasian and Asian populations.

Association of -619C/T polymorphism in CDSN gene and psoriasis risk: a meta-analysis

Previous studies investigating the association between corneodesmosin (CDSN) polymorphisms and psoriasis risk have provided inconsistent results. The aim of our study was to clarify the effects of CDSN -619C/T polymorphism on psoriasis risk by conducting a meta-analysis. We conducted searches of the published literature in Pubmed and Embase databases up to October 2010. Six studies with a total of 842 psoriasis cases and 981 healthy controls were retrieved. Statistical analysis was performed with the programs Review Manager (version 5.0.24) and Stata (version 9.2). Meta-analysis results showed that there was no significant difference in CDSN -619C/T genotype distribution between psoriasis and control in the comparisons of C allele vs T allele, CC vs CT + TT, CC + CT vs TT, CC vs TT, and CC vs CT (respectively: OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 0.82-2.00, P = 0.28; OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 0.80-2.21, P = 0.28; OR = 1.23, 95%CI = 0.80-1.91, P = 0.35; OR = 1.41, 95%CI = 0.64-3.12, P = 0.40; OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 0.81-2.06, P = 0.27). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, results also showed no significant association between CDSN -619C/T polymorphism and susceptibility to psoriasis in both Caucasian and Asian populations. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that CDSN -619C/T polymorphism may not be associated with susceptibility to psoriasis.

Unexpected isotopic effect of a deuteriumed countercation on the spin-Peierls-type transitions in quasi-one-dimensional bis(maleonitriledithiolato)nickelate monoanion spin systems

Two deuteriumed quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) spin-Peierls-type compounds, 4-X-benzylpyridinium-d(5) bis(maleo-nitriledithiolato)nickelate (the substituent X = Br or Cl), were structurally characterized. Compared with the corresponding non-deuteration compounds, the transition temperature T(C) shifts to higher temperature. The isotopic effect of countercations on T(C) is probably related to the change of phonon frequency ω(0) and 'chemical pressure' resulted from the substitution of pyridine by pyridine-d(5).

Diaqua-bis-[1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene]-bis-[2-(4-carboxy-phen-yl)acetato]-cobalt(II)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Co(C(9)H(7)O(4))(2)(C(12)H(10)N(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], consists of one Co(2+) ion, one mono-deprotonated 2-(4-carboxyl-atophen-yl)acetate carboxylic acid, one 1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethane mol-ecule and one water mol-ecule. The Co(II) atom is situated on a crystallographic center of inversion and is octa-hedrally coordinated by two O atoms from two anions, two N atoms of two 1,2-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)ethane mol-ecules and two O atoms from two water mol-ecules. A three-dimensional network is established by inter-molecular O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds.

Genetic diversity of Potato virus Y infecting tobacco crops in China

Genetic variability of Potato virus Y (PVY) isolates infecting potato has been characterized but little is known about genetic diversity of PVY isolates infecting tobacco crops. In this study, PVY isolates were collected from major tobacco-growing areas in China and single-lesion isolates were produced by serial inoculation on Chenopodium amaranticolor. Most isolates (88%) caused systemic veinal necrosis symptoms in tobacco. Of these, 16 isolates contained a PVY(O)-like coat protein (CP) and PVY(N)-like helper component proteinase (HC-pro) and, in this respect, were similar to the PVY(N-Wi), PVY(N:O), and PVY-HN2 isolates characterized from potato in Europe, the United States, and China, respectively; two isolates contained a PVY(O)-like HC-pro and a PVY(N)-like CP; another two isolates had recombination junctions in the CP-encoding region. Both the HC-pro and CP of PVY were under negative selection as a whole; however, seven amino acids in HC-pro and six amino acids in CP were under positive selection. Selection pressures differed between the subpopulations of PVY distinguished by phylogenetic analysis of HC-pro and CP sequences. When PVY isolates from potato were included, no host-specific clustering of the PVY isolates was observed in phylogenetic and nucleotide diversity analyses, suggesting frequent spread of PVY isolates between potato and tobacco crops in the field.

First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on Ramie in China

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea), usually called "China grass", is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Urticaceae with recognized importance in the production of fibers. It is mainly planted in China and other Asian countries including the Philippines, India, South Korea, and Thailand. From June 2007 to September 2010, typical anthracnose symptoms were observed in cultivated ramie fields in HuBei, HuNan, JiangXi, and SiChuan provinces, China, with the diseased area estimated to be more than 10,000 ha. Ramie yield was reduced by 20% on average with up to 55% yield losses in some fields. Lesions were initially small, scattered, round, and gray with brown margin on leaves. As the disease progressed, irregular spots developed and expanded until the leaves withered. Initial lesions on stems were fusiform and expanded, causing the stem to break. Finally, the fibers ruptured. Five isolates (CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, and CS-5) were used to evaluate cultural and morphological characteristics of the pathogen. On potato dextrose agar, all isolations initially developed white colonies with orange conidial mass and the colonies turned to gray or brown after 5 days of incubation. Twenty conidia and fifteen setae were measured. Conidia were single celled, colorless, straight, oval, obtuse at both ends, and 11 to 18 × 3 to 6 μm with an average of 14.89 × 4.32 μm. Conidiophores were dense and 11 to 22 × 4 to 5 μm with an average of 15.82 × 4.43 μm. Setae were few, dark brown, one to two septa, and 62 to 71 × 4 to 5 μm with an average of 65.13 × 4.46 μm. The pathogen was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on the basis of descriptions in Bailey and Jeger (1). Genomic DNA was extracted from the five isolates and sequences of rDNA-ITS with primers ITS1 and ITS4 were obtained (GenBank Accession Nos. GQ120479-GQ120483). Comparison with sequences in GenBank showed 99 to 100% similarity with C. gloeosporioides (Accession Nos. FJ515005, FJ459930, and HM016798). Pathogenicity tests were performed with the five isolates in the laboratory by spraying conidial suspensions (1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml) onto upper and lower surfaces of 10 leaves of 10-day-old, 30-cm high plants. There were three replicate plants for each isolate. The inoculated plants were incubated with a 12-h photoperiod at 25 to 28°C and 90% relative humidity in an artificial climate chamber. Three days after inoculation, brown spots were observed on all inoculated leaves, but no symptoms were seen on water-treated control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolation of C. gloeosporioides from diseased leaves. Though in the revision of Colletotrichum by von Arx (4) and Sutton (3), C. boehmeriae, named based on host specificity, was cancelled, C. boehmeriae was regarded as a pathogen of ramie by some Chinese researchers (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. gloeosporioides causing anthracnose of ramie in China. References: (1) J. A. Bailey and M. J. Jeger. Colletotrichum: Biology, Pathology and Control. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 1992. (2) R. M. Li and H. G. Ma. J. Plant Prot. 20:83, 1993. (3) B. C. Sutton. Page 523 in: The Coelomycetes: Fungi Imperfecti with Pycnidia, Acervuli and Stromata. Commonwealth Mycological Institute, London, 1980. (4) J. A. von Arx. Phytopathol. Z. 29:413, 1957.

Association analyses identify six new psoriasis susceptibility loci in the Chinese population

We extended our previous genome-wide association study for psoriasis with a multistage replication study including 8,312 individuals with psoriasis (cases) and 12,919 controls from China as well as 3,293 cases and 4,188 controls from Germany and the United States and 254 nuclear families from the United States. We identified six new susceptibility loci associated with psoriasis in the Chinese study containing the candidate genes ERAP1, PTTG1, CSMD1, GJB2, SERPINB8 and ZNF816A (combined P < 5 × 10⁻⁸) and replicated one locus, 5q33.1 (TNIP1-ANXA6), previously reported (combined P = 3.8 × 10⁻²¹) in the European studies. Two of these loci showed evidence for association in the German study at ZNF816A and GJB2 with P = 3.6 × 10⁻³ and P = 7.9 × 10⁻³, respectively. ERAP1 and ZNF816A were associated with type 1 (early onset) psoriasis in the Chinese Han population (test for heterogeneity P = 6.5 × 10⁻³ and P = 1.5 × 10⁻³, respectively). Comparisons with the results of previous GWAS of psoriasis highlight the heterogeneity of disease susceptibility between the Chinese and European populations. Our study identifies new genetic susceptibility factors and suggests new biological pathways in psoriasis.

Ion-pair complexes with strong near infrared absorbance: syntheses, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties

Three ion-pair complexes, [4-NH(2)-Py](2)[M(mnt)(2)] (4-NH(2)-Py(1+)=4-amino-pyridinium; mnt(2-)=maleonitriledithiolate; M=Pt (1), Pd (2) or Ni (3)), have been synthesized and characterized. In the crystal of 1, the strong H-bonding interaction was found from the protonated N-atom of pyridinium to the CN group of [Pt(mnt)(2)](2-) together with a weak Pt...H interaction between the anion and the cation. The crystals of 2 and 3 are isostructural with very similar lattice parameters and packing structures, which are distinct from the crystal of 1. Two kinds of strong H-bonding interactions are observed in the crystals of 2 and 3 between the CN groups of [M(mnt)(2)](2-) anion and the protonated N-atom of 4-NH(2)-Py(1+) cation as well as the CN groups of [M(mnt)(2)](2-) anion and the amino group of 4-NH(2)-Py(1+) cation. Complex 1 shows an intense near-IR absorbance in acetonitrile and solid state, such an absorption band is probably assigned to IPCT transition as well as a trace amount of [Pt(mnt)(2)](1-) species; complex 3 possesses a weak near-IR absorption band which can be attributed to the mixture of d-d transition in [Ni(mnt)(2)](2-) and IPCT transition as well as a trace amount of [Ni(mnt)(2)](1-) species.

Distribution and speciation of mercury in surficial sediments from main mangrove wetlands in China

The purpose of this study was to establish the distribution, speciation and bioavailability of mercury in mangrove sediments. A systemic survey of surficial sediments from 13 mangrove wetlands of China was carried out. Hg concentrations ranged from 2.3-903.6ngg(-1), with an average value of 189.4ngg(-1). Of the 13 areas surveyed, the Hg content in sediments was similar to background levels in 6 areas but was much higher in the other seven areas. Hg levels were affected by natural and anthropogenic factors, including terrestrial pollutants, geomorphic properties, and indirectly by economic status. Hg levels were positively correlated with organic matter, pH, and silt and clay fractions, but Hg was negatively correlated with sand fraction. In most mangrove wetlands, Hg existed primarily in the form of volatile Hg. Hg is easily bioaccumulated in mangrove wetlands and may be the natural source of Hg emissions to the atmosphere.

A kinetic model for simulation of blood coagulation and inhibition in the intrinsic path

A mathematical simulation pathway for the generation of thrombin has been developed with various assumptions made of kinetic rate laws and their summation for reactions involving the activation of factors VIII, IX, X and V and protein C in the formation of thrombin. The object of the computational modelling study is to stimulate the activation and inhibition of blood coagulation. The level of complexity and assumed parameters makes conclusions uncertain. However, an interesting outcome is that kinetic rates may show oscillation behavior under particular high levels of protein C feedback inhibition. The model, which permits the assessment of the reaction over a broad range of conditions, would defy quantitative practical use, but could have predictive value as a qualitative descriptor of coagulation.

2,4-Diamino-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-1-ium nitrate

In the title salt, C₄H₈N₅⁺·NO₃⁻, a ring N atom of 2,6-diamino-4-methyl­triazine is protonated. Each anion is connected to three neighbouring cations by multiple N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds which, together with N—H⋯N contacts, generate a layer structure.

Bis[(E)-1-(3,4-dichloro-benzyl-idene-amino)-4-methyl-pyridinium] bis-(maleonitrile-dithiol-ato)nickelate(II)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, (C(13)H(11)Cl(2)N(2))(2)[Ni(C(4)N(2)S(2))(2)], contains one-half of a centrosymmetric [Ni(mnt)(2)] anion (where mnt is maleonitrile-dithiol-ate or 1,2-dicyano-1,2-ethyl-enedithiol-ate) and an (E)-1-(3,4-dichloro-benzyl-ideneamino)-4-methyl-pyridinium cation. In the anion, the coordination around the Ni atom is a distorted square. In the cation, the aromatic rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 7.81 (3)°. In the crystal structure, inter-molecular C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the cations and anions. π-π Contacts between the nickel dithiol-ene and pyridine rings and between the benzene and pyridine rings, [centroid-centroid distances = 3.682 (3) and 3.643 (3) Å, respectively] may further stabilize the structure.

Tetra-kis(2,2'-bipyrid-yl)dichlorido-di-μ(3)-hydroxido-di-μ(2)-hydroxido-tetra-copper(II) dinitrate hexa-hydrate

The tetra­nuclear copper(II) title complex, [Cu₄Cl₂(OH)₄(C₁₀H₈N₂)₄](NO₃)₂·6H₂O, has a crystallographically imposed centre of symmetry. The metal atoms display a distorted tetragonal-pyramidal coordination geometry, and are linked by two μ₂- and two μ₃-hydroxo groups, assuming a chair-like conformation for the Cu₄O₂ core. In the crystal, the complex mol­ecules are linked into a three-dimensional network by inter­molecular O—H⋯O, O—H⋯Cl, C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking inter­actions with centroid–centroid separations of 3.724 (2) and 3.767 (3) Å.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Oidium neolycopersici on Tomato in China

Tomato powdery mildew can cause remarkable reduction in fruit size and quality (4). In March of 2008, powdery mildew appeared as circular, white colonies on leaves, petioles, and stems of tomato plants grown in greenhouses in Shangqiu, Henan Province, China. The pathogenic fungus had unbranched conidiophores with an average length of 58.4 μm and width of 5.1 μm. Conidia were hyaline, elliptical, and were borne singly. Average length and width of conidia were 30.6 and 15.1 μm, respectively. Germ tubes were straight and formed at the ends or very close to the ends of conidia. Chasmothecium was not found in the collected samples. Different tomato cultivars and species, including Lycopersicon esculentum Mill (cvs. Moneymaker, Micro-Tom, Zaofen, Fenguo, and Zhongza series), L. peruvianum cv. LA2172, and L. hirsutum cv. G1.1560, were inoculated with a conidial suspension with a concentration of 5 × 10⁴ conidia/ml. Plants developed powdery mildew symptoms as early as 4 days after inoculation. Susceptible symptoms developed on all L. esculentum cultivars, while L. peruvianum LA2172 and L. hirsutum G1.1560 displayed complete resistance, which is similar to the results of Bai et al 2004 (1) and Lindhout and Pet 1990 (3). Morphological characteristics of the pathogen on susceptible genotypes were similar to those from naturally infected plants. On the basis of the characteristics of the asexual stage, the pathogen was identified as an isolate of Oidium neolycopersici L. Kiss, which was confirmed by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis. PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS region were performed with primers ITS1 and ITS4. The nucleotide sequence was assigned GenBank Accession No. EU486992, which had a 100% homology with 10 ITS sequences of O. neolycopersici in GenBank (Accession Nos. EU047559 to 047568) (2). In Asia, the spread of this pathogen has been recently reported in Japan (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of tomato powdery mildew in China. Voucher specimens are available at the Specimen Center in the Department of Life Science, Shangqiu Normal University. References: (1) Y. Bai et al. Mol. Plant-Microbe. Interact. 18:354, 2005. (2) T. Jankovics et al. Phytopathology 98:529, 2008. (3) P. Lindhout and G. Pet. Tomato Gen. Coop. Rep. 40:19, 1990. (4) J. M. Whipps et al. Plant Pathol. 47:36, 1998.