Genomic Characterisation of an Isolate of Brassica Yellows Virus Associated with Brassica Weed in Tasmania

Brassica yellows virus (BrYV), a tentative species in the genus Polerovirus, of the Solemoviridae family, is a phloem-restricted and aphid-transmitted virus with at least three genotypes (A, B, and C). It has been found across mainland China, South Korea, and Japan. BrYV was previously undescribed in Tasmania, and its genetic variability in the state remains unknown. Here, we describe a near-complete genome sequence of BrYV (genotype A) isolated from Raphanus raphanistrum in Tasmania using next-generation sequencing and sanger sequencing of RT-PCR products. BrYV-Tas (GenBank Accession no. OM469309) possesses a genome of 5516 nucleotides (nt) and shares higher sequence identity (about 90%) with other BrYV isolates. Phylogenetic analyses showed variability in the clustering patterns of the individual genes of BrYV-Tas. Recombination analysis revealed beginning and ending breakpoints at nucleotide positions 1922 to 5234 nt, with the BrYV isolate LC428359 and BrYV isolate KY310572 identified as major and minor parents, respectively. Results of the evolutionary analysis showed that the majority of the codons for each gene are evolving under purifying selection, though a few codons were also detected to have positive selection pressure. Taken together, our findings will facilitate an understanding of the evolutionary dynamics and genetic diversity of BrYV

Prevalence of Hyperacusis and Its Relation to Health: The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study

ImportanceThe prevalence of hyperacusis and its relationship with mental and general health is unknown in a nonclinical sample. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperacusis and its relation with hearing, general and mental health in a population-based study.Study DesignProspective population-based study.Material and MethodsThis study uses data from the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS). A sample of 5,107 eligible inhabitants aged 45 to 70 years completed a detailed questionnaire and a clinical assessment. A positive answer to “Do you consider yourself sensitive or intolerant to everyday sounds” was used to indicate hyperacusis. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between hearing, mental and general health factors, and hyperacusis.ResultsOf 5,107 participants, 775 (15.2%) reported hyperacusis. The majority of participants with hyperacusis reported an occasional effect on daily life (72.0%). Being female, older in age, having a lower income, physical or mental health difficulties, more severe hearing loss, and tinnitus were all associated with the presence of hyperacusis. Individuals who experience hearing impairment, poorer general or mental health have a higher possibility of hyperacusis having an effect on their daily life.ConclusionsIn this community population-based cohort study, we found a prevalence of hyperacusis of 15.2%. Individuals with hearing loss, mental health problems, and lower physical health have a higher possibility of experiencing effects on their daily life associated with their hyperacusis. Unravelling the relationship between hyperacusis hearing, general and mental health can be of major importance for a better understanding of the condition and its consequences.Level of EvidenceII-2 Laryngoscope, 202

The effect of fungicide seed and soil treatments on root infection.

<p>Measurements included mean potato root zoosporangia infection score (0–4) in FT1 (A) and FT2 (B) and root gall severity score (0–4) in FT1 (C) and FT2 (D). Data was pooled across the cultivars Russet Burbank and Innovator and two assessment dates, 45 and 60 days after emergence. Vertical bars are standard errors (n = 8).</p

Infection of potato tubers with the common scab pathogen Streptomyces scabiei in a soil-less system

A novel soil-less method was developed to define susceptibility of developing potato tubers accurately to infection with Streptomyces scabiei the causal agent of common scab disease. Hydroponic production enabled precise identification of individual tuber development. Direct inoculation of tubers with a spore suspension of S. scabiei resulted in disease development, demonstrating that infection could be initiated in a soil-less media. Tubers were most susceptible to infection between 3 and 20 days after tuber initiation, confirming that this early period of tuber formation is critical to disease development

Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) for root pathogen and disease parameters following delayed inoculation (PT 1–3).

<p>DAE is the number of days after plant emergence inoculum was applied to the potting soil.</p><p>AUDPCⁱ is a modified measure such that all treatments were assessed for the same period after initial inoculation treatment. The data was truncated back to ensure the same number of data points (three) was analysed for each curve.</p><p>Different superscripts denote significant differences (p < 0.05) within same columns using Tukey’s method.</p><p>Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) for root pathogen and disease parameters following delayed inoculation (PT 1–3).</p

The effect of different mancozeb soil furrow treatments (0, 3.25, 7.5 or 15.0 kg/ha) on mean zoosporangial score (0–4) in potato roots grown in a pot trial (PT5 –autumn/winter).

<p>Data was pooled across the cvs. Desiree and Russet Burbank. Vertical bars are standard errors (n = 6).</p

The effect of fungicide seed and soil treatments on mean tuber disease.

<p>Measurements included disease incidence in FT1 (A) and FT2 (B) and severity (0–6) in FT1 (C) and FT2 (D). Data was pooled across the cultivars Russet Burbank and Innovator. Vertical bars are the variation within the population (n = 8).</p

The impact of mancozeb soil furrow treatment (7.5kg/ha) on root infection and disease in cultivar Russet Burbank in a pot trial (PT4—summer).

<p>Multiple sequential assessments measured A- <i>S</i>. <i>subterranea</i> DNA concentration (pg/gm) in roots (n = 9); B- zoosporangia observation score (n = 3). Two assessments were made for C- root gall severity at 45 and 60 days (data pooled) after emergence (n = 3); and single assessments for D- mean tuber disease incidence and E- mean tuber disease severity at plant senescence (n = 3). Vertical bars are standard errors.</p

Effect of delayed inoculation of <i>S</i>. <i>subterranea</i> on tuber disease incidence (A) and severity (B).

<p>Results are for two potato cultivars in pot trial 1 (winter). Vertical bars are standard errors (n = 3).</p