Molecular Pathology of Pitch Canker Disease

The inciting agent of pitch canker disease in Pinus species is the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Fusarium circinatum (teleomorph Gibberella circinata). Pitch canker disease has been identified in the southeastern United States, as well as in California, Mexico, Japan and South Africa. The disease is episodic in nature and can reach epidemic proportions with potentially devastating consequences for both managed and natural forests. Symptoms of pitch canker disease include discolored lesions (cankers) on stems and branches that generate profuse amounts of resin (pitch). Infected shoots eventually desiccate due to reduced water transport caused by pathogen development in vascular tissues. As with most diseases of pine, pitch canker disease is not well understood with respect to mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity, disease development, and disease resistance. To gain insight into the processes associated with disease development, we used a method called differential display of messenger RNA. This method was coupled with gene expression array analysis to identify genes from the pine host and from the fungal pathogen that are regulated differently during the disease state compared to the freeliving states of host and pathogen. The functions of these genes appear to be associated with plant defense and desiccation, however many genes of unknown function were also identified. The next goal of these studies is to identify genes that are associated with resistance, and to compare and contrast the gene expression programs that are associated with resistance vs. susceptibility. The large-scale screening of loblolly pine clones for resistance to pitch canker disease, which was carried out as part of the ADEPT project (Allele Discovery of Economically-important Pine Traits), is a major step toward this goal. Analysis of the screening study data revealed that resistance was heritable on the clone mean basis. A mixed linear model was used to predict genotypes that are highly resistant or highly susceptible to pitch canker disease. Ultimately it is hoped that association genetics approaches - such as those utilized in the ADEPT project - will identify host genes and alleles that condition pitch canker disease resistance. The genes identified by differential display serve as candidate genes for evaluating this approach.Papers and abstracts from the 27th Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference held at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma on June 24-27, 2003

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

performance and isokinetic knee strength in male soccer players

Aim. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of leg volume and leg mass in the anaerobic performance and isokinetic knee strength of 21 (20.3 +/- 1.08 years) male soccer players.Methods. In order to determine body composition, subjects' height, body weight and skinfold thicknesses were taken. Body fat percentage was determined by the Jackson and Pollock formula (1978). Circumferential measurements were used to determine leg volume (LV) by the Frustum Method and then, a regression formula was used. For this formula, the R square (R-2) value was 0.95 and the standard error value was 0.057. Leg mass (LM) was determined by the Hanavan Method. Wingate Anaerobic Power Test (WAnT), squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ) were used to determine anaerobic performance and peak isokinetic knee extension. Flexion torques were measured at 60, 150, 180 and 240 degrees/s.Results. LV and LM were significantly correlated with peak power (PP), mean power (MP), CMJ and Si (r=0.50 to 0.59; P<0.05-R-2=%24.9 to 35.5).Conclusion. The findings of the present study indicate that LV and LM play an important role in anaerobic performance in soccer players. The coach who wishes to improve performance over such short distance sprints, jumping, shooting, turns and dribbles should seek to increase leg volume and mass. In addition, the implication is that specific lower strength training to increase leg volume and mass will enhance anaerobic and strength performance

performance and isokinetic knee strength in male soccer players

Aim. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of leg volume and leg mass in the anaerobic performance and isokinetic knee strength of 21 (20.3 +/- 1.08 years) male soccer players.Methods. In order to determine body composition, subjects' height, body weight and skinfold thicknesses were taken. Body fat percentage was determined by the Jackson and Pollock formula (1978). Circumferential measurements were used to determine leg volume (LV) by the Frustum Method and then, a regression formula was used. For this formula, the R square (R-2) value was 0.95 and the standard error value was 0.057. Leg mass (LM) was determined by the Hanavan Method. Wingate Anaerobic Power Test (WAnT), squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ) were used to determine anaerobic performance and peak isokinetic knee extension. Flexion torques were measured at 60, 150, 180 and 240 degrees/s.Results. LV and LM were significantly correlated with peak power (PP), mean power (MP), CMJ and Si (r=0.50 to 0.59; P<0.05-R-2=%24.9 to 35.5).Conclusion. The findings of the present study indicate that LV and LM play an important role in anaerobic performance in soccer players. The coach who wishes to improve performance over such short distance sprints, jumping, shooting, turns and dribbles should seek to increase leg volume and mass. In addition, the implication is that specific lower strength training to increase leg volume and mass will enhance anaerobic and strength performance

The role of leg volume and leg mass in determining the anaerobic performance and isokinetic knee strength in male soccer players

Aim. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of leg volume and leg mass in the anaerobic performance and isokinetic knee strength of 21 (20.3 +/- 1.08 years) male soccer players. Methods. In order to determine body composition, subjects' height, body weight and skinfold thicknesses were taken. Body fat percentage was determined by the Jackson and Pollock formula (1978). Circumferential measurements were used to determine leg volume (LV) by the Frustum Method and then, a regression formula was used. For this formula, the R square (R-2) value was 0.95 and the standard error value was 0.057. Leg mass (LM) was determined by the Hanavan Method. Wingate Anaerobic Power Test (WAnT), squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ) were used to determine anaerobic performance and peak isokinetic knee extension. Flexion torques were measured at 60, 150, 180 and 240 degrees/s. Results. LV and LM were significantly correlated with peak power (PP), mean power (MP), CMJ and Si (r=0.50 to 0.59; P<0.05-R-2=\%24.9 to 35.5). Conclusion. The findings of the present study indicate that LV and LM play an important role in anaerobic performance in soccer players. The coach who wishes to improve performance over such short distance sprints, jumping, shooting, turns and dribbles should seek to increase leg volume and mass. In addition, the implication is that specific lower strength training to increase leg volume and mass will enhance anaerobic and strength performance

Hydrotherapy For Rett Syndrome

Objective: The effects of hydrotherapy on an 11-year-old girl with stage III Rett syndrome were investigated. Methods: The Halliwick method was used to apply hydrotherapy in a swimming pool twice a week for 8 weeks. The girl's physical abilities were assessed 3 times: before and 5 minutes after a single hydrotherapy session and after 8 weeks of hydrotherapy. The tests included analysis of stereotypical movements, functional hand use, hand skills, gait and balance, hyperactive behaviour, communication and social interaction. Results: Immediately after hydrotherapy, stereotypical movements decreased and this decrease continued during the following 8 weeks. The girl's feeding activities and hand skills increased markedly. After 8 weeks of hydrotherapy, her walking balance was improved, interaction with her environment increased and hyperactive behaviour and anxiety decreased. Conclusion: In conclusion, after the application of hydrotherapy, stereotypical hand movements had decreased and purposeful hand functions and feeding skills increased in this case. Whether hydrotherapy has a positive effect on the functional use of the hand in Rett syndrome should be investigated using more subjects.WoSScopu