Genetic diversity and virulence variability in Diplodia mutila isolates from symptomatic grapevines in New Zealand: Virulence and genetic diversity of Diplodia mutila

Genetic diversity and virulence variability of Diplodia mutila isolates recovered from grapevines in New Zealand were investigated. The universally primed PCR (UP-PCR) and vegetative compatibility group (VCG) methods were used to investigate the genetic diversity. Pathogenicity tests with ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ detached shoots and potted vines were used to determine the virulence diversity. UP-PCR analysis determined eight genetic groups of D. mutila with 70% of the population within one group. Phylogenetic analysis also determined that New Zealand isolates were more closely related to Australian isolates than Californian isolates. Vegetative compatibility grouping analysis placed the isolates into three VCG groups, with 57% of isolates belonging to all three VCGs. Vegetative compatibility reactions were observed among isolates, but this was not correlated with the genetic clustering. Virulence assays proved that all isolates tested were pathogenic on grapevine stems. Differences in necrotic lesions lengths caused by D. mutila isolates were identified, indicating different virulence levels among isolates, however, no relationship was found between the genetic groups and the virulence. The results of the study indicated movement of D. mutila isolates between nurseries, vineyards, and other sources in New Zealand. This information will inform control strategies to limit the further spread of this pathogen into vineyards in the same region or new regions

Why the idea of framework propositions cannot contribute to an understanding of delusions

One of the tasks that recent philosophy of psychiatry has taken upon itself is to extend the range of understanding to some of those aspects of psychopathology that Jaspers deemed beyond its limits. Given the fundamental difficulties of offering a literal interpretation of the contents of primary delusions, a number of alternative strategies have been put forward including regarding them as abnormal versions of framework propositions described by Wittgenstein in On Certainty. But although framework propositions share some of the apparent epistemic features of primary delusions, their role in partially constituting the sense of inquiry rules out their role in helping to understand delusions

A meta-analysis of andexanet alfa and prothrombin complex concentrate in the treatment of factor Xa inhibitor-related major bleeding

BACKGROUND: Andexanet alfa (andexanet) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) are both reversal agents for major bleeding in patients using factor Xa inhibitors (FXaIs). Our aim was to evaluate the current evidence for the effectiveness and safety of andexanet and PCC in a systematic review and meta‐analysis. OBJECTIVES: Primary objective was hemostatic effectiveness. Secondary objectives were thromboembolic event rate and mortality. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in PubMed and Embase. Studies describing the effectiveness and/or safety of PCC or andexanet in patients with major bleeding using FXaIs were included. Meta‐analysis was performed using a random‐effects model. RESULTS: Seventeen PCC studies, 3 andexanet studies, and 1 study describing PCC and andexanet were included, comprising 1428 PCC‐treated and 396 andexanet‐treated patients. None of the included studies had control groups, hampering a pooled meta‐analysis to compare the two reversal agents. Separate analyses for andexanet and PCC were performed. In subgroup analysis, the pooled proportion of patients with effective hemostasis in studies that used Annexa‐4 criteria demonstrated a hemostatic effectiveness of 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80‐0.90) in PCC and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.78‐0.87) in andexanet studies. The pooled proportion of patients with thromboembolic events was 0.03 (95% CI, 0.02‐0.04) in PCC and 0.11 (95% CI, 0.04‐0.18) in andexanet studies. CONCLUSION: Based on the available evidence with low certainty from observational studies, PCC and andexanet demonstrated a similar, effective hemostasis in the treatment of major bleeding in patients using FXaIs. Compared to PCC, the thromboembolic event rate appeared higher in andexanet‐treated patients

Propagule and soil type affects the pathogenicity of Ilyonectria and Dactylonectria spp., the causal agents of black foot disease of grapevines

Black foot disease of grapevines is a significant economic issue for the viticulture industry worldwide. The disease is mainly associated with soil borne pathogen species within the genera Dactylonectria and Ilyonectria. The aim of this study was to determine the pathogenicity of different pathogen propagules, including chlamydospores, conidia and mycelium, to grapevine rootstocks grown in soil. A combination of nine isolates belonging to Dactylonectria and Ilyonectria genera, representative of the fungal species associated with black foot disease in New Zealand were used to inoculate grapevines in a field experiment. In the second experiment, the pathogenicity of the different propagules was assessed in different soil types, clay loam, silt loam and sandy loam soils. In the field experiment, chlamydospores and conidia resulted in higher disease incidence and severity at 0 cm above the grapevine stem base compared with mycelium. At 5 cm above the stem base, chlamydospores caused the greatest disease incidence compared with the other two propagules. Propagule type had no effect on shoot and root dry weights. In the pot experiment, soil type affected disease incidence and severity, with clay loam soil resulting in significantly greater disease incidence and severity than silt loam or sandy loam soils. Disease severity at 0 cm above the stem base was significantly higher with conidial inoculations compared with chlamydospore inoculations irrespective of soil type. Root dry weights were also affected with heavier roots from plants grown in sandy loam compared with silt loam and clay loam soils, however, shoot dry weight was greater in clay loam and sandy loam compared with silt loam soils. The results of the study confirmed that all propagule types were able to infect grapevine rootstocks when planted in inoculated soil and showed that although the pathogens were capable of infecting the rootstocks in all soil types, disease level was higher in the heavier clay loam soil. It is therefore recommended that growers either avoid planting in such soils or apply strategies to improve drainage and soil aeration

Cross-Comparison of Climate Change adaptation Strategies Across Large River Basins in Europe, Africa and Asia

A cross-comparison of climate change adaptation strategies across regions was performed, considering six large river basins as case study areas. Three of the basins, namely the Elbe, Guadiana, and Rhine, are located in Europe, the Nile Equatorial Lakes region and the Orange basin are in Africa, and the Amudarya basin is in Central Asia. The evaluation was based mainly on the opinions of policy makers and water management experts in the river basins. The adaptation strategies were evaluated considering the following issues: expected climate change, expected climate change impacts, drivers for development of adaptation strategy, barriers for adaptation, state of the implementation of a range of water management measures, and status of adaptation strategy implementation. The analysis of responses and cross-comparison were performed with rating the responses where possible. According to the expert opinions, there is an understanding in all six regions that climate change is happening. Different climate change impacts are expected in the basins, whereas decreasing annual water availability, and increasing frequency and intensity of droughts (and to a lesser extent floods) are expected in all of them. According to the responses, the two most important drivers for development of adaptation strategy are: climate-related disasters, and national and international policies. The following most important barriers for adaptation to climate change were identified by responders: spatial and temporal uncertainties in climate projections, lack of adequate financial resources, and lack of horizontal cooperation. The evaluated water resources management measures are on a relatively high level in the Elbe and Rhine basins, followed by the Orange and Guadiana. It is lower in the Amudarya basin, and the lowest in the NEL region, where many measures are only at the planning stage. Regarding the level of adaptation strategy implementation, it can be concluded that the adaptation to climate change has started in all basins, but progresses rather slowl

How do psychiatrists address delusions in first meetings in acute care? A qualitative study

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The relative susceptibility of grapevine rootstocks to black foot disease is dependent on inoculum pressure

Black foot disease of grapevines is a major economic issue for the viticulture industry worldwide. The disease is mainly associated with a complex of pathogen species within the genera Dactylonectria and Ilyonectria. The susceptibility of six grapevine rootstock cultivars to black foot disease under field conditions was assessed. Callused rootstocks of 101-14, 5C, 420A, Riparia Gloire, Schwarzmann and 3309C were planted into soil containing low natural pathogen populations or inoculated with isolates representing the species diversity in New Zealand. Disease incidence, disease severity and dry weight accumulation were assessed after 8 months of growth. Root and shoot dry weights were not significantly affected by inoculation treatment, but differed among rootstock cultivars, with cultivar 420A having the lowest root and shoot dry weight, cultivar 3309C having the largest shoot dry weight and cultivar 5C the largest root dry weight. The relative susceptibility of rootstocks differed significantly depending on whether they were grown under low natural inoculum pressure or a higher pressure in artificially inoculated soil. Schwarzmann and Riparia Gloire rootstock cultivars were the least susceptible under natural low inoculum pressure, but were the most susceptible in inoculated soil. In contrast, 5C was one of the most susceptible under low inoculum levels but was the least susceptible under high pathogen pressure. The result of the study indicate that black foot pathogen inoculum levels in soil affect the relative susceptibility of grapevine rootstocks to infection, and may have implications for the selection of rootstocks for planting

Socially sensitive lactation: Exploring the social context of breastfeeding

Many women report difficulties with breastfeeding and do not maintain the practice for as long as intended. Although psychologists and other researchers have explored some of the difficulties they experience, fuller exploration of the relational contexts in which breastfeeding takes place is warranted to enable more in-depth analysis of the challenges these pose for breastfeeding women. The present paper is based on qualitative data collected from 22 first-time breastfeeding mothers through two phases of interviews and audio-diaries which explored how the participants experienced their relationships with significant others and the wider social context of breastfeeding in the first five weeks postpartum. Using a thematic analysis informed by symbolic interactionism, we develop the overarching theme of ‘Practising socially sensitive lactation’ which captures how participants felt the need to manage tensions between breastfeeding and their perceptions of the needs, expectations and comfort of others. We argue that breastfeeding remains a problematic social act, despite its agreed importance for child health. Whilst acknowledging the limitations of our sample and analytic approach, we suggest ways in which perinatal and public health interventions can take more effective account of the social challenges of breastfeeding in order to facilitate the health and psychological well-being of mothers and their infants

Characterisation of the Putative Effector Interaction Site of the Regulatory HbpR Protein from Pseudomonas azelaica by Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Bacterial transcription activators of the XylR/DmpR subfamily exert their expression control via σ54-dependent RNA polymerase upon stimulation by a chemical effector, typically an aromatic compound. Where the chemical effector interacts with the transcription regulator protein to achieve activation is still largely unknown. Here we focus on the HbpR protein from Pseudomonas azelaica, which is a member of the XylR/DmpR subfamily and responds to biaromatic effectors such as 2-hydroxybiphenyl. We use protein structure modeling to predict folding of the effector recognition domain of HbpR and molecular docking to identify the region where 2-hydroxybiphenyl may interact with HbpR. A large number of site-directed HbpR mutants of residues in- and outside the predicted interaction area was created and their potential to induce reporter gene expression in Escherichia coli from the cognate PC promoter upon activation with 2-hydroxybiphenyl was studied. Mutant proteins were purified to study their conformation. Critical residues for effector stimulation indeed grouped near the predicted area, some of which are conserved among XylR/DmpR subfamily members in spite of displaying different effector specificities. This suggests that they are important for the process of effector activation, but not necessarily for effector specificity recognition