Optimal conditions for conidial germination and infection of European pear leaves by Diplocarpon mespili.

The epidemiology of Entomosporium leaf spot (ELS) affecting European pear is poorly understood, which limits the development of an effective management strategy. In vitro assays were conducted to study the effect of temperature levels (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C) on Diplocarpon mespili conidial germination evaluated at different incubation times (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h). Inoculation experiments were conducted to assess the effect of leaf wetness duration (0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h) under constant temperature (20 °C) on ELS disease severity on leaves of cultivar ?Rocha?. The temperature × time interaction significantly affected conidial germination in both experiments and a response surface model was fitted to percent conidial germination data. The optimal temperature for conidial germination was estimated at 20 °C. The incubation period was estimated at 4 days for all leaf wetness durations, excepting the ?zero? duration for which no infection occurred. A minimum of 6 h of leaf wetness duration was required for D. mespili infection. Severity reached maximum values after 24 h of leaf wetness duration. A linear regression model described ELS severity increase over time in the absence of reinfection conditions and a monomolecular model described the increase of disease severity influenced by leaf wetness duration in both experiments

Near-complete genome sequence and seed transmission evaluation of Physalis rugose mosaic virus from southern Brazil.

Physalis rugose mosaic virus (PhyRMV) causes severe damage to Physalis peruviana L., affecting vegetative parameters, fruit quantity and quality. The aim of this study was to perform a molecular characterization of PhyRMV associated with P. peruviana from commercial fields in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil, and to evaluate its transmission by seeds. Plants displaying mosaic, dwarfism, and leaf malformation symptoms were collected from P. peruviana. Double-stranded RNA was extracted and submitted to cDNA library synthesis and high-throughput sequencing (HTS). For the virus transmission assay, seeds from PhyRMV-infected plants were used, and viral infection in seedlings was verified using symptomatic and molecular diagnosis. PhyRMV RNA has 4162 nucleotides (nts) and a genomic organization similar to that of other sobemoviruses and shares 97% nt identity with the previously characterized PhyRMV Piracicaba isolate. Results indicated the unlikely transmission of PhyRMV by physalis seeds. Key words: characterization, PhyRMV, Sobemovirus

Reward devaluation disrupts latent inhibition in fear conditioning

Three experiments explored the link between reward shifts and latent inhibition (LI). Using consummatory procedures, rewards were either downshifted from 32% to 4% sucrose (Experiments 1–2), or upshifted from 4% to 32% sucrose (Experiment 3). In both cases, appropriate unshifted controls were also included. LI was implemented in terms of fear conditioning involving a single tone-shock pairing after extensive tone-only preexposure. Nonpreexposed controls were also included. Experiment 1 demonstrated a typical LI effect (i.e., disruption of fear conditioning after preexposure to the tone) in animals previously exposed only to 4% sucrose. However, the LI effect was eliminated by preexposure to a 32%-to-4% sucrose devaluation. Experiment 2 replicated this effect when the LI protocol was administered immediately after the reward devaluation event. However, LI was restored when preexposure was administered after a 60- min retention interval. Finally, Experiment 3 showed that a reward upshift did not affect LI. These results point to a significant role of negative emotion related to reward devaluation in the enhancement of stimulus processing despite extensive nonreinforced preexposure experience

Dynamics of Vulmar/VulMITE group of transposable elements in Chenopodiaceae subfamily Betoideae

Transposable elements are important factors driving plant genome evolution. Upon their mobilization, novel insertion polymorphisms are being created. We investigated differences in copy number and insertion polymorphism of a group of Mariner-like transposable elements Vulmar and related VulMITE miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) in species representing subfamily Betoideae. Insertion sites of these elements were identified using a modified transposon display protocol, allowing amplification of longer fragments representing regions flanking insertion sites. Subsequently, a subset of TD fragments was converted into insertion site-based polymorphism (ISBP) markers. The investigated group of transposable elements was the most abundant in accessions representing the section Beta, showing intraspecific insertion polymorphisms likely resulting from their recent activity. In contrast, no unique insertions were observed for species of the genus Beta section Corollinae, while a set of section-specific insertions was observed in the genus Patellifolia, however, only two of them were polymorphic between P. procumbens and P. webbiana. We hypothesize that Vulmar and VulMITE elements were inactivated in the section Corollinae, while they remained active in the section Beta and the genus Patellifolia. The ISBP markers generally confirmed the insertion patterns observed with TD markers, including presence of distinct subsets of TE insertions specific to Beta and Patellifolia

Natural orifice surgery: initial clinical experience

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has moved quickly from preclinical investigation to clinical implementation. However, several major technical problems limit clinical NOTES including safe access, retraction and dissection of the gallbladder, and clipping of key structures. This study aimed to identify challenges and develop solutions for NOTES during the initial clinical experience. Under an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocol, patients consented to a natural orifice operation for removal of either the gallbladder or the appendix via either the vagina or the stomach using a single umbilical trocar for safety and assistance. Nine transvaginal cholecystectomies, one transgastric appendectomy, and one transvaginal appendectomy have been completed to date. All but one patient were discharged on postoperative day 1 as per protocol. No complications occurred. The limited initial evidence from this study demonstrates that NOTES is feasible and safe. The addition of an umbilical trocar is a bridge allowing safe performance of NOTES procedures until better instruments become available. The addition of a flexible long grasper through the vagina and a flexible operating platform through the stomach has enabled the performance of NOTES in a safe and easily reproducible manner. The use of a uterine manipulator has facilitated visualization of the cul de sac in women with a uterus to allow for safe transvaginal access

Thermoregulation and fluid balance during a 30-km march in 60-versus 80-year-old subjects

The presence of impaired thermoregulatory and fluid balance responses to exercise in older individuals is well established. To improve our understanding on thermoregulation and fluid balance during exercise in older individuals, we compared thermoregulatory and fluid balance responses between sexagenarians and octogenarians during prolonged exercise. Forty sexagenarians (60 ± 1 year) and 36 octogenarians (81 ± 2 year) volunteered to participate in a 30-km march at a self-selected pace. Intestinal temperature (T in) and heart rate were recorded every 5 km. Subjects reported fluid intake, while urine output was measured and sweat rate was calculated. Octogenarians demonstrated a lower baseline T in and a larger exercise-induced increase in T in compared to sexagenarians (1.2 ± 0.5 °C versus 0.7 ± 0.4 °C, p  0.05). These results suggest that thermoregulatory responses deteriorate with advancing age, while fluid balance is regulated appropriately during a 30-km walking march under moderate ambient conditions