Effect of salt and temperature stresses on survival and infectivity of Heterorhabditis spp. IJs

Heterorhabditis is frequently found in coastal sandy soils where it may experience both high salinity and high temperatures. We tested the ability of infective juveniles (IJs) of three taxonomic groups of Heterorhabditis to infect insects in saline sand. We also tested whether salinity (sea water) affected the IJs' ability to tolerate elevated temperatures in aqueous suspension and in sand. IJs of all three taxonomic groups killed Galleria mellonella in saline sand (25.6% insects killed), but at a lower level than in non-saline sand (96.5% insects killed). Exposure of IJs in sand to high temperature reduced their ability to kill G. mellonella at 20 degrees C; heating IJs in saline sand reduced G. mellonella mortality to a lesser extent (25.6% at 20 degrees C, 18.3% at 39 degrees C) than heating in non-saline sand (96.5% at 20 degrees C, 17.5% at 39 degrees C). In aqueous suspension, IJs of the North-West European and Irish types of Heterorhabditis tolerated high temperature better in sea water (at least 95% survived 1 h at 39 C) than in distilled water (none survived 1 h at 38 degrees C). H. bacteriophora was more temperature tolerant: survival and subsequent infectivity of IJs was unaffected by temperature up to 39 degrees C in either medium. It was concluded that high salinity (sea water) reduces the ability of Heterorhabditis IJs to infect, but improves their tolerance of high temperature

Effect of salt and temperature stresses on survival and infectivity of Heterorhabditis spp. IJs

Heterorhabditis is frequently found in coastal sandy soils where it may experience both high salinity and high temperatures. We tested the ability of infective juveniles (IJs) of three taxonomic groups of Heterorhabditis to infect insects in saline sand. We also tested whether salinity (sea water) affected the IJs' ability to tolerate elevated temperatures in aqueous suspension and in sand. IJs of all three taxonomic groups killed Galleria mellonella in saline sand (25.6% insects killed), but at a lower level than in non-saline sand (96.5% insects killed). Exposure of IJs in sand to high temperature reduced their ability to kill G. mellonella at 20 degrees C; heating IJs in saline sand reduced G. mellonella mortality to a lesser extent (25.6% at 20 degrees C, 18.3% at 39 degrees C) than heating in non-saline sand (96.5% at 20 degrees C, 17.5% at 39 degrees C). In aqueous suspension, IJs of the North-West European and Irish types of Heterorhabditis tolerated high temperature better in sea water (at least 95% survived 1 h at 39 C) than in distilled water (none survived 1 h at 38 degrees C). H. bacteriophora was more temperature tolerant: survival and subsequent infectivity of IJs was unaffected by temperature up to 39 degrees C in either medium. It was concluded that high salinity (sea water) reduces the ability of Heterorhabditis IJs to infect, but improves their tolerance of high temperature

Effect of salt and temperature stresses on survival and infectivity of Heterorhabditis spp. IJs

Heterorhabditis is frequently found in coastal sandy soils where it may experience both high salinity and high temperatures. We tested the ability of infective juveniles (IJs) of three taxonomic groups of Heterorhabditis to infect insects in saline sand. We also tested whether salinity (sea water) affected the IJs' ability to tolerate elevated temperatures in aqueous suspension and in sand. IJs of all three taxonomic groups killed Galleria mellonella in saline sand (25.6% insects killed), but at a lower level than in non-saline sand (96.5% insects killed). Exposure of IJs in sand to high temperature reduced their ability to kill G. mellonella at 20 degrees C; heating IJs in saline sand reduced G. mellonella mortality to a lesser extent (25.6% at 20 degrees C, 18.3% at 39 degrees C) than heating in non-saline sand (96.5% at 20 degrees C, 17.5% at 39 degrees C). In aqueous suspension, IJs of the North-West European and Irish types of Heterorhabditis tolerated high temperature better in sea water (at least 95% survived 1 h at 39 C) than in distilled water (none survived 1 h at 38 degrees C). H. bacteriophora was more temperature tolerant: survival and subsequent infectivity of IJs was unaffected by temperature up to 39 degrees C in either medium. It was concluded that high salinity (sea water) reduces the ability of Heterorhabditis IJs to infect, but improves their tolerance of high temperature

Effect of salt and temperature stresses on survival and infectivity of Heterorhabditis spp. IJs

Heterorhabditis is frequently found in coastal sandy soils where it may experience both high salinity and high temperatures. We tested the ability of infective juveniles (IJs) of three taxonomic groups of Heterorhabditis to infect insects in saline sand. We also tested whether salinity (sea water) affected the IJs' ability to tolerate elevated temperatures in aqueous suspension and in sand. IJs of all three taxonomic groups killed Galleria mellonella in saline sand (25.6% insects killed), but at a lower level than in non-saline sand (96.5% insects killed). Exposure of IJs in sand to high temperature reduced their ability to kill G. mellonella at 20 degrees C; heating IJs in saline sand reduced G. mellonella mortality to a lesser extent (25.6% at 20 degrees C, 18.3% at 39 degrees C) than heating in non-saline sand (96.5% at 20 degrees C, 17.5% at 39 degrees C). In aqueous suspension, IJs of the North-West European and Irish types of Heterorhabditis tolerated high temperature better in sea water (at least 95% survived 1 h at 39 C) than in distilled water (none survived 1 h at 38 degrees C). H. bacteriophora was more temperature tolerant: survival and subsequent infectivity of IJs was unaffected by temperature up to 39 degrees C in either medium. It was concluded that high salinity (sea water) reduces the ability of Heterorhabditis IJs to infect, but improves their tolerance of high temperature

Validating the Orpington Prognostic Score in an Irish in-patient stroke population.

An accurate assessment of stroke severity and the ability to predict prognosis is important for determining rehabilitation needs and long term management of patients after stroke. The Orpington Prognostic Score (OPS) is a clinically derived stroke severity scale that can be used to stratify patients into different severity groups. The aim of this study was to validate the Orpington Prognostic Score (OPS) in an Irish in-patient stroke population. Fifty 'first stroke' patients (21 male, median age 72.5 [range 31-93] years) were assessed within two weeks following stroke onset. Subjects were stratified into mild, moderate and severe groups using previously established cut-offs for the OPS. Outcomes were determined prospectively and compared to initial severity groups. Patients in the severe group had a significantly increased chance of dying (Odds ratio [95%CI] 2.16 [1.72-2.72] and this persisted after adjustment for age and gender. Length of stay increased significantly with increasing stroke severity group (F ratio 7.0 p=0.0025) and this association remained after adjusting for age and gender. The odds of being discharged home or of being able to walk independently by time of discharge decreased significantly (all p</p