Appearance of Eutypa lata (Pers.: Fr.) Tul., A causative agent of bacterial cancer and dying out of vine plant ("Eutypiosis") of wine grape in serbia and the possibilities of its suppression

Tijekom posljednjih pet godina (2003.-2007.) u pojedinim vinogradima na području Kruševca, Varvarina, Ražnja, Negotina, Vršca i okoline Novog Sada uočeni su pojedinačni čokoti, pa i do 20% njih, s izraženim specifičnim simptomima izumiranja i propadanja. Simptomi su posebno bili izraženi na sortama Talijanski rizling, Rajnski rizling i Sauvignon bijeli. Na oboljelim čokotima „karakteristični“ simptomi su se pokazali u vidu kloroze i peharastog uvijanja lišća, koje je obično postajalo sitnije od zdravog, te pojavom mladica s bitno skraćenim internodijama, dok se na poprečnom presjeku često uočavala nekrotična zona drvenastog dijela tkiva u obliku slova “V“. Na osnovi proučavanja patogenih, morfoloških i uzgajivačkih odlika izoliranog patogena, kao i primjenom molekularnih metoda, utvrđeno je da je uzročnik uočenih simtoma bolesti fitopatogena gljiva Eutypa lata. U radu je opisan značaj navedene vrste, simptomi koje ona uzrokuje i domaćini koje napada, kao i ciklus razvoja, s posebnim naglaskom na mjere za njeno suzbijanje.During the last five years (2003-2007) in certain vineyards in the area of Kruševac, Varvarin, Ražanj, Negotin, Vršac and the surroundings of Novi Sad, there were noticed individual vine plants with specific symptoms of dying out and rotting, even up to 20% of them. The symptoms were especially expressed on the sorts Italian Riesling, Rhine Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. “Characteristic” symptoms on the diseased vine plants were expressed in the form of chlorosis and curling of the leaves in the form of a goblet, which usually became smaller than the healthy ones, then the appearance of lastar with significantly shortened internodes, whereas on the cross- section there was often noticed a necrotic zone of the woody part of the tissue in the shape of the letter “V”. Based on the research of pathogen, morphological and cultivating characteristics of the isolated pathogen, as well as by applying molecular methods, it has been found out that the causative agent of the noticed symptoms of disease is a phytopathogenic fungus Eutipa lata. The paper describes the significance of the mentioned species, symptoms which it causes and hosts which it attacks, as well as the cycle of development, with special emphasis on its suppression

Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe corylacearum: An emerging problem on hazelnut in Italy

Erysiphe corylacearum has recently been reported in northern Italy (Piedmont) and other European countries as the causal agent of a new emerging powdery mildew on hazelnut. This disease is much more dangerous than the common hazelnut powdery mildew caused by Phyllactinia guttata as it significantly reduces yield and quality of hazelnuts. This study aimed to perform morphological and molecular characterization of the fungal isolates from powdery mildew-infected plants in the Piedmont Italian region. Additionally, genetic diversity studies and pathogenicity tests were conducted. Thirty-six fungal isolates originating from symptomatic hazelnut plants exhibiting specific powdery mildew symptoms on the superior leaf side were identified morphologically as E. corylacearum. Single- and multilocus sequence typing of five loci (ITS, rpb2, CaM, GAPDH and GS) assigned all isolates as E. corylacearum. Multilocus and GAPDH phylogenetic studies resulted in the most efficient characterization of E. corylacearum. Studied fungal isolates were able to cause new emerging powdery mildew disease by fulfilling Koch's postulates. The emergence of powdery mildew disease in Italy revealed the E. corylacearum subgrouping, population expansion, and high nucleotide similarity with other recently identified E. corylacearum hazelnut isolates. To contain this harmful disease and inhibit the fungus spread into new geographical zones, it will be necessary to implement more rigorous monitoring in neighboring hazelnut plantations near infected hazelnuts, use sustainable fungicides and search for new biocontrol agents

Consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and illegal substances among physicians and medical students in Brandenburg and Saxony (Germany)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients regard health care professionals as role models for leading a healthy lifestyle. Health care professionals' own behaviour and attitudes concerning healthy lifestyle have an influence in counselling patients. The aim of this study was to assess consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and illegal substances among physicians and medical students in two German states: Brandenburg and Saxony.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Socio-demographic data and individual risk behaviour was collected by an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Physicians were approached via mail and students were recruited during tutorials or lectures.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>41.6% of physicians and 60.9% of medical students responded to the questionnaire; more than 50% of the respondents in both groups were females. The majority of respondents consumed alcohol at least once per week; median daily alcohol consumption ranged from 3.88 g/d (female medical students) to 12.6 g/d (male physicians). A significantly higher percentage of men (p < 0.05) reported hazardous or harmful drinking compared to women. A quarter of all participating physicians and one third of all students indicated unhealthy alcohol-drinking behaviour. The majority of physicians (85.7%) and medical students (78.5%) were non-smokers. Both groups contained significantly more female non-smokers (p < 0.05). Use of illegal substances was considerably lower in physicians (5.1%) than medical students (33.0%). Male students indicated a significantly (p < 0.001) higher level of illegal drug-use compared to female students.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>More than one third of the medical students and health care professionals showed problematic alcohol-drinking behaviour. Although the proportion of non-smokers in the investigated sample was higher than in the general population, when compared to the general population, medical students between 18-24 reported higher consumption of illegal substances.</p> <p>These results indicate that methods for educating and promoting healthy lifestyle, particularly with respect to excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use and abuse of illegal drugs should be considered.</p

Ipsilateral vagotomy to unilaterally ovariectomized pre-pubertal rats modifies compensatory ovarian responses

The present study evaluates the participation of the vagus nerve in pre-pubertal rats with unilateral ovariectomy on puberty onset, and on progesterone, testosterone and estradiol serum levels, and the compensatory responses of the ovary. Unilateral vagotomy did not modify the onset of puberty in unilaterally ovariectomized rats. Ovulation rates of animals with the left vagus nerve sectioned and the left ovary in-situ was lower than in rats with only unilateral ovariectomy. Sectioning the left vagus to 32-day old rats with the left ovary in-situ resulted in lower compensatory ovarian hypertrophy than in rats with right unilateral ovariectomy. Twenty-eight or 32-day old animals with sectioning of the right vagus nerve and the right ovary in situ showed higher compensatory ovulation. Twenty-eight -day old rats with the right ovary in situ had higher progesterone and testosterone levels than animals of the same age with the left ovary in-situ. Compared to animals with the right ovary in situ, animals treated at 32-days of age, sectioning the ipsi-lateral vagus nerve resulted in higher progesterone levels. Higher progesterone levels were observed in 28- and 32 days old rats with the left ovary in situ and left vagus nerve sectioned. Thirty-two day old animals with the right ovary in situ and right vagus nerve sectioned had higher progesterone levels than rats of the same age with the left ovary in situ and left vagus nerve sectioned. Left vagotomy to 28-day old rats with the left ovary in situ resulted in higher testosterone levels, a reverse response to that observed in animals with sectioning of the right vagus and the right ovary in situ. Thirty-two day old rats with the left ovary in situ and left vagus nerve sectioned showed lower testosterone levels than animals without vagotomy and with the left ovary in situ

Safety of apixaban for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis: the evidence to date

Vladimir Trkulja Department of Pharmacology, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia Abstract: Apixaban, a direct orally active anticoagulant (selective, direct factor Xa inhibitor) is approved for (primary) prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing elective total-hip or total-knee arthroplasty, for acute treatment/prevention of recurrent events in patients with VTE, and extended prophylaxis in patients with a history of VTE. Another approved use is prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The present overview focuses on the safety of apixaban specifically in the VTE setting. Apixaban displays favorable pharmacokinetic properties: simple twice-daily dosing, low inter- and intrasubject variability, dose and time linearity, and multiple elimination pathways not critically dependent on either renal or metabolic mechanisms. An extensive nonclinical program and the overall clinical development program (all approved and tested indications) provided no signal that would indicate any particular specific safety concern related to apixaban apart from the increased risk of bleeding. With regard to the approved VTE indications, safety (and efficacy) was assessed in five large pivotal Phase III trials. In comparison to currently recommended standard treatments, apixaban shows superior efficacy, while at the same time no excess risk of bleeding in patients undergoing total-hip or total-knee arthroplasty. In treatment of VTE, apixaban shows noninferior efficacy and a reduced risk of bleeding, whereas in extended prophylaxis it reduced the risk of VTE/VTE-related deaths, with no increased risk of relevant bleedings in comparison to placebo. Documented clinical experience with apixaban in daily practice is currently sparse. However, its use is progressively increasing, and there has been no signal so far that would materially change the perception of its safety profile as defined in the premarketing trials. Keywords: apixaban, venous thromboembolism, treatment, prophylaxis, safet

Pathogenic and bacteriological characteristics of Yugoslav Erwinia soft rot strains originating from pepper and eggplant fruits

Eight bacterial isolates from pepper and eggplant fruits showing soft rot symptoms were investigated The strains showed a uniform reaction for most of the pathogenic and biochemical tests, with a few exceptions. Differences were only observed in virulence to Brussel sprout buds and cactus as well as in sensitivity to erythromycin. According to the pathogenic and bacteriological properties, all the strains investigated were identified as Erwinia carotovora subsp, carotovora (Jones) Bergey et al., a very frequent pathogen of vegetable crops and fruits in Yugoslavia

Telmisartan in daily clinical practice: Factors affecting efficacy in treatment of primary arterial hypertension

<b>Background:</b> Telmisartan provides effective treatment of hypertension in a broad spectrum of patients. <b>Aims:</b> To evaluate factors affecting the efficacy of telmisartan in daily clinical practice. <b> Setting and Design:</b> Prospective practice-based 12-week uncontrolled cohort study. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> Consecutive incident/prevalent outpatients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were started on telmisartan 40 mg/day with optional up-titration to 80 mg/day in order to achieve seated systolic (SSBP) and diastolic (SDBP) blood pressure &#60; 140/90 mm Hg. Intent-to-treat (ITT, N=282) and per protocol (PP, N=275) efficacy assessment was based on SSBP/SDBP reduction and delivered doses. <b>Results:</b> SSBP/SDBP decreased (165.2&#x00B1;13.1 / 98.3&#x00B1;6.7 mm Hg to 137.9&#x00B1;13.2 / 82.6&#x00B1;7.3 mm Hg), whilst telmisartan was up-titrated in 40.5&#x0025; of patients during the study. Multivariate (practically identical ITT and PP) analysis indicated poorer response in obese vs. non-obese patients: lesser SDBP reduction (by around 2.2-2.3 mm Hg, <i> P</i> &#60; 0.05) with higher odds of dose up-titration (odds ratio, OR around 1.90, <i> P</i> &#60; 0.05); and better response in: a) patients started on telmisartan monotherapy than when added to a preexisting treatment: greater SSBP/SDBP reduction (by around 4.0 and 3.0 mm Hg, respectively, <i> P</i> &#60; 0.05) with comparable odds of up-titration; b) diabetics vs. non-diabetics: greater SDBP reduction (by around 3.6-3.7 mm Hg, <i> P</i> &#60; 0.05) with comparable odds of up-titration; c) men vs. women: slightly greater SDBP reduction (by around 1.2 mm Hg, 0.05<<i> P</i> &#60; 0.1) with lower odds of up-titration (OR around 0.51, <i> P</i> &#60; 0.05). <b>Conclusion: </b>Previous unsuccessful treatment, obesity, diabetes and gender should be considered in order to optimize the use of telmisartan for mild to moderate essential hypertension in daily clinical practice

Telmisartan in Daily Clinical Practice: Factors Affecting Efficacy in Treatment of Primary Arterial Hypertension

Background: Telmisartan provides effective treatment of hypertension in a broad spectrum of patients. Aims: To evaluate factors affecting the efficacy of telmisartan in daily clinical practice. Setting and Design: Prospective practice-based 12-week uncontrolled cohort study. Materials and Methods: Consecutive incident/prevalent outpatients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were started on telmisartan 40 mg/day with optional up-titration to 80 mg/day in order to achieve seated systolic (SSBP) and diastolic (SDBP) blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg. Intent-to-treat (ITT, N=282) and per protocol (PP, N=275) efficacy assessment was based on SSBP/SDBP reduction and delivered doses. Results: SSBP/SDBP decreased (165.2±13.1 / 98.3±6.7 mm Hg to 137.9±13.2 / 82.6±7.3 mm Hg), whilst telmisartan was up-titrated in 40.5% of patients during the study. Multivariate (practically identical ITT and PP) analysis indicated poorer response in obese vs. non-obese patients: lesser SDBP reduction (by around 2.2-2.3 mm Hg, P < 0.05) with higher odds of dose up-titration (odds ratio, OR around 1.90, P < 0.05); and better response in: a) patients started on telmisartan monotherapy than when added to a preexisting treatment: greater SSBP/SDBP reduction (by around 4.0 and 3.0 mm Hg, respectively, P < 0.05) with comparable odds of up-titration; b) diabetics vs. non-diabetics: greater SDBP reduction (by around 3.6-3.7 mm Hg, P < 0.05) with comparable odds of up-titration; c) men vs. women: slightly greater SDBP reduction (by around 1.2 mm Hg, 0.05< P < 0.1) with lower odds of up-titration (OR around 0.51, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Previous unsuccessful treatment, obesity, diabetes and gender should be considered in order to optimize the use of telmisartan for mild to moderate essential hypertension in daily clinical practice