Identification and genetic characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae from sweet cherry in Turkey

Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss), which causes bacterial canker, is the most polyphagous bacterium in the P. syringae complex due to its broad host range. This pathogen is considered the major bacterial disease in cherry orchards. In this study, several samples were collected from infected sweet cherry trees in different locations of the Marmara region in Turkey between 2016-2018. Sixty-three isolates were identified as Pss by pathogenicity, LOPAT, GATTa, and MALDI-TOF MS tests. Total genomic DNA was extracted to confirm identity, followed by PCR amplification of syrB and cfl genes. Out of 63 isolates, 12 were randomly selected for Repetitive Element Sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) analysis to gain insight into the relationships of those isolates. The cluster analysis of rep-PCR (ERIC-, REP- and BOX-PCR) could classify the isolates into two distinct clusters. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out to obtain the relation between isolates and the location.The MLST analysis of gyrB, rpoDp, rpoDs, and gltA genes allowed a clear allocation of the isolates into two separate main clusters. The relationship among the isolates were also evaluated by constructing a genealogical median-joining network (MJN). The isolates from six locations produced 11 haplotypes that were illustrated in the MJN. The results of this study proved that location could not be an indicator for showing the genetic diversity of Pss from cherry orchards. As the genetic variability of Pseudomonads has been demonstrated, the current study also showed high diversity among different isolates even within the populations. While more research is recommended, the results of this study contributed to a better understanding of the Pss evolutionary progress and genetic diversity of sweet cherry isolates

Antecedents of Expatriate Spouse Adjustment: An Analysis of Japanese Spouses in the United States

This is one of the first studies investigating factors related to the adjustment of expatriate spouses. The study extends, both conceptually and methodologically, the limited research on spouse adjustment by testing the effects of language profciency and educational level on adjustment. Furthermore, it is the first study to survey non US respondents in their native language. In the end, we found that time since arrival, educational level, language proficiency, and willingness to communicate are directly related to spouse adjustment

Electromagnetic imaging of three-dimensional dielectric objects with Newton minimization

We present a general framework for detecting the shape and electrical properties of unknown objects by using the Newton minimization approach for solving inverse-scattering problems. This procedure is performed by evolving an initial-guess object iteratively until the cost function decreases to a desired value. Rapid convergence of this method is demonstrated by some numerical results. © 2014 IEEE

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Physocarpus opulifolius Caused by Podosphaera physocarpi in Tennessee

Eastern ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius [L.] Maxim.) is a popular native perennial plant used in landscapes because of its colorful foliage and spring flower display. Powdery mildew symptoms were observed on container-grown eastern ninebark ‘Mindia’ Coppertina plants in a commercial nursery in DeKalb County, TN, in May 2016. The disease severity was nearly 40%, and the disease incidence was nearly 60% of 1,000 plants. Affected plants displayed witches’ brooms with cream to white colored, thickened shoots with stunted, curly leaves as well as patches of white powdery fungal growth on the surface of young and old leaves, inflorescences, infructescences, and stems. Microscopic observation revealed masses of conidia and mycelium covering symptomatic tissues. Conidiophore foot cells measured 19.2 to 66.7 μm (mean = 38.3 μm) × 5.4 to 15.1 μm (mean = 9.7 μm) (n = 30). Conidia were ovoid and measured 11.4 to 28.5 μm (mean = 20.9 μm) (n = 30) in length and 8.2 to 14.8 μm (mean = 11.7 μm) (n = 30) in width. Conidiophores produced two to six conidia in chains. Fibrosin bodies were observed after treating conidia with a 3% KOH solution. Chasmothecia were numerous, 60.0 to 85.0 μm (mean = 74.2 μm) (n = 30) in size and contained one ascus (60.0 to 82.0 × 52.0 to 69.0 μm; mean = 73.4 × 59.4 μm [n = 30]) with eight ascospores (25.2 to 28.0 × 14.8 to 16.0 μm; mean = 26.5 × 15.5 μm [n = 30]). To confirm pathogen identity, total DNA was extracted directly from plant tissue with the UltraClean Microbial DNA Isolation Kit (MO BIO Laboratories, Carlsbad, CA) following the manufacturer’s instructions. The internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primer pair ITS1 and ITS4 (White et al. 1990). The sequence (GenBank accession no. MT605142) of the amplicon had 100% coverage and 100% identity to that of Podosphaera physocarpi (U. Braun) U. Braun (= Podosphaera aphanis var. physocarpi [U. Braun] U. Braun & S. Takam.) (GenBank accession no. MT106654). Pathogenicity was confirmed three times by inoculating leaf surfaces of five eastern ninebark Mindia Coppertina plants by tapping fungal spores from infected eastern ninebark leaves onto the surfaces of healthy leaves. Inoculated plants were maintained in a greenhouse (21 to 23°C) using a drip irrigation system until symptoms developed. Five noninoculated control plants were maintained in the same greenhouse. After 2 weeks, typical symptoms of powdery mildew developed on the inoculated plants, and microscopic examination revealed the same pathogen morphology as the original isolate. All noninoculated control plants remained disease-free. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by P. physocarpi on P. opulifolius in Tennessee. Powdery mildew is known to be a disease problem on eastern ninebark grown in its native range in landscape plantings. Lubell et al. (2011) reported varying levels of powdery mildew resistance among eastern ninebark cultivars. Timely application of fungicides with no phytotoxic effect will be necessary to manage this disease on susceptible eastern ninebark cultivars in affected nurseries

Evaluation of disinfectants to prevent mechanical transmission of viruses and a viroid in greenhouse tomato production

Background In recent years, a number of serious disease outbreaks caused by viruses and viroids on greenhouse tomatoes in North America have resulted in significant economic losses to growers. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of commercial disinfectants against mechanical transmission of these pathogens, and to select disinfectants with broad spectrum reactivity to control general virus and viroid diseases in greenhouse tomato production. Methods A total of 16 disinfectants were evaluated against Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The efficacy of each disinfectant to deactivate the pathogen’s infectivity was evaluated in replicate experiments from at least three independent experiments. Any infectivity that remained in the treated solutions was assessed through bioassays on susceptible tomato plants through mechanical inoculation using inocula that had been exposed with the individual disinfectant for three short time periods (0–10 sec, 30 sec and 60 sec). A positive infection on the inoculated plant was determined through symptom observation and confirmed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PepMV, ToMV, and TMV) and real-time reverse transcription-PCR (PSTVd). Experimental data were analyzed using Logistic regression and the Bayesian methodology. Results Statistical analyses using logistic regression and the Bayesian methodology indicated that two disinfectants (2% Virkon S and 10% Clorox regular bleach) were the most effective to prevent transmission of PepMV, PSTVd, ToMV, and TMV from mechanical inoculation. Lysol all-purpose cleaner (50%) and nonfat dry milk (20%) were also effective against ToMV and TMV, but with only partial effects for PepMV and PSTVd. Conclusion With the broad spectrum efficacy against three common viruses and a viroid, several disinfectants, including 2% Virkon S, 10% Clorox regular bleach and 20% nonfat dry milk, are recommend to greenhouse facilities for consideration to prevent general virus and viroid infection on tomato plants

A Note on Projective Klingenberg Planes over Rings of Plural Numbers

This paper deals with a certain class of projective Klingenberg planes over the local ring F[eta]/lteta^{m}gt with F an arbitrary field, known as the plural algebra of order m. In particular addition and multiplication of points on a line is defined geometrically and interpreted algebraically, by using the coordinate ring

Omacetaxine may have a role in chronic myeloid leukaemia eradication through downregulation of Mcl-1 and induction of apoptosis in stem/progenitor cells

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is maintained by a rare population of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-insensitive malignant stem cells. Our long-term aim is to find a BcrAbl-independent drug that can be combined with a TKI to improve overall disease response in chronic-phase CML. Omacetaxine mepesuccinate, a first in class cetaxine, has been evaluated by clinical trials in TKI-insensitive/resistant CML. Omacetaxine inhibits synthesis of anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family, including (myeloid cell leukaemia) Mcl-1, leading to cell death. Omacetaxine effectively induced apoptosis in primary CML stem cells (CD34<sup>+</sup>38<sup>lo</sup>) by downregulation of Mcl-1 protein. In contrast to our previous findings with TKIs, omacetaxine did not accumulate undivided cells <i>in vitro</i>. Furthermore, the functionality of surviving stem cells following omacetaxine exposure was significantly reduced in a dose-dependant manner, as determined by colony forming cell and the more stringent long-term culture initiating cell colony assays. This stem cell-directed activity was not limited to CML stem cells as both normal and non-CML CD34<sup>+</sup> cells were sensitive to inhibition. Thus, although omacetaxine is not leukaemia stem cell specific, its ability to induce apoptosis of leukaemic stem cells distinguishes it from TKIs and creates the potential for a curative strategy for persistent disease

Inflammation in benign prostate tissue and prostate cancer in the finasteride arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

BACKGROUND: A previous analysis of the placebo arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) reported 82% overall prevalence of intraprostatic inflammation and identified a link between inflammation and higher-grade prostate cancer and serum PSA. Here we studied these associations in the PCPT finasteride arm. METHODS: Prostate cancer cases (N=197) detected either on a clinically indicated biopsy or on protocol-directed end-of-study biopsy, and frequency-matched controls (N=248) with no cancer on an end-of-study biopsy were sampled from the finasteride arm. Inflammation in benign prostate tissue was visually assessed using digital images of H&E stained sections. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the finasteride arm, 91.6% of prostate cancer cases and 92.4% of controls had at least one biopsy core with inflammation in benign areas; p < 0.001 for difference compared to placebo arm. Overall, the odds of prostate cancer did not differ by prevalence (OR=0.90, 95% CI 0.44-1.84) or extent (P-trend=0.68) of inflammation. Inflammation was not associated with higher-grade disease (prevalence: OR=1.07, 95% CI 0.43-2.69). Furthermore, mean PSA concentration did not differ by the prevalence or extent of inflammationin either cases or controls. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of intraprostatic inflammation was higher in the finasteride than placebo arm of the PCPT, with no association with higher-grade prostate cancer. IMPACT: Finasteride may attenuate the association between inflammation and higher-grade prostate cancer. Moreover, the missing link between intraprostatic inflammation and PSA suggests that finasteride may reduce inflammation-associated PSA elevation