New rapid PCR protocols to distinguish genetic groups in Erysiphe necator

Research Note

Assessment of powdery mildew resistance of grape and Erysiphe necator pathogenicity using a laboratory assay

To develop a quantitative evaluation of grapevine resistance to powdery mildew and of pathogenicity of the causal agent (Erysiphe necator), a spot inoculation method was developed using detached leaves of potted plants. The percentage of inoculating spots leading to a colony and the mean diameter of colonies were determined to assess the host-pathogen relationships. Significant differences were found between host cultivars and their ranking was associated with that observed in the vineyard. There was a significant interaction between cultivar and replicate during the whole experiment indicating that the physiological state of detached leaves is important. Aging of tissues was accompanied by a gain in resistance that was considerably more marked in resistant cultivars. Only partly expanded leaves of resistant cultivars that stopped expansion on the agar medium supported the development of the fungus. Significant differences between E. necator isolates were also demonstrated, but these variations were less marked than those due to host cultivar and leaf position. Preliminary results obtained with different isolates from the two European genetic groups (A and B) indicate that, on average, group A is less pathogenic.

Ecological Assessment of Everyday Executive Functioning at Home and at School using the BRIEF Questionnaire following Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

IntroductionCognitive and behavioural aspects of executive functioning (EF) are frequently impaired following childhood TBI. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) questionnaire provides an ecological assessment of EFs in everyday life in home and school environments. The aims of this study were to describe the dysexecutive disorders in children with TBI using the BRIEF; to compare parent- and teacher-ratings and to analyse the demographic and medical variables influencing outcome.MethodsParticipants: Children/adolescents aged 5–17 years 11 months, referred to a paediatric rehabilitation department following TBI. Outcome measures: the parent–and the teacher-report of the BRIEF were collected during neuropsychological assessment (2009–2014), as well as the teacher-report (from 2014). Age at injury and assessment, parental education and TBI severity were collected.Results194 patients (142 boys) participated in the study [mild (n=13), moderate (n=12) or severe (n=169: mean duration of coma 7.2 days; SD=6.5)]. 193 parent-reports and 28 complete teacher reports of the BRIEF were available. Mean age at injury/assessment were 6.9 (SD=4.4), and 11.8 (SD=3.5) years respectively. According to parent-ratings, children had significantly elevated scores in all BRIEF indices [Global Executive Composite (GEC), Behaviour Regulation Index (BRI), Metacognition Index (MI)], and subscales (mean T-scores 61–64; all P<.0001), with 24% to 48.0% scoring in the clinical range. Teachers’ ratings indicated similar deficits in all sub-scales (mean T-scores 63–70; all P<.001), with 39.3–57.2% scoring in the clinical range. For patients with teacher and parent-reports (n=27), no significant difference was found between parent and teacher ratings, which were significantly correlated (r: .44–.72). Regression analyses indicated that GEC was significantly predicted by older age at assessment. The regression model for BRI was not significant. For MI, younger age at injury and older age at assessment were significant predictors.Discussion and conclusionThis study highlights elevated levels of executive dysfunction in everyday life following childhood TBI, evident in home and school environments. Younger age at injury seems to influence the cognitive rather than the behavioural aspects of EFs, whereas older age at assessment is related to higher levels of complaints, probably due to the increasing levels of expectations

Bacterial Sheath Brown Rot of Rice Caused By Pseudomonas-fuscovaginae in Malagasy

La pourriture brune de la gaine foliaire du riz, causée par la bactérie Pseudomonas fuscovaginae, est distribuée sur le riz irrigué entre 1300 et 2000 m d'altitude à Madagascar. La sévérité de l'inhibition de l'émergence paniculaire augmente avec l'altitude. Les variétés locales souffrent moins de l'attaque que les variétés semi-naines de l'Institut International de Recherches sur le Riz ou de la Pépinière Internationale de Riz pour la Tolérance au Froid. Dans des tests biochimiques et sérologiques de base, 22 souches de P. fuscovaginae de Madagascar ont réagi de manière similaire à des souches de référence du Burundi et du Japon. Dans des tests du pouvoir pathogène, plusieurs souches malgaches apparaissent comme plus agressive