Complete genome sequences of three isolates of Xanthomonas fragariae, the bacterium responsible for angular leaf spots on strawberry plants

Xanthomonas fragariae is a worldwide spread plant bacterial disease causing angular leaf spots, and thus reducing the yield of production for strawberry fruits. Three isolates with variable geographic and time origins were sequenced with long-read technology (PacBio) to generate finished genomes of virulent strains and observe their variability in content

Morphometrically estimated variation in nuclear size - A useful tool in grading prostatic cancer

At present there are several grading systems for prostatic carcinoma. Most are difficult to reproduce. An objective method of grading seems to be necessary and could make comparisons between various groups of patients easier and grading more reliable. In the present study morphometrically estimated nuclear size and variation in nuclear size are matched with the survival rates of 207 patients who underwent total perineal prostatetomy for cancer. On the basis of morphometrically estimated variation in nuclear size the patients could be divided into two groups with significantly differing survival rates. In this way it was possible to split the group of patients with grade 2 carcinoma (Mostofi's grading system) into two groups of patients with significantly different survival rates. The survival rates in these two groups did not differ significantly from those in the patients with Grade 1 and Grade 3 tumors respectively. The results are discussed in the light of the recent literature on the subject. Morphometry seems to be a valuable tool in grading prostatic cancer

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome as a Presenting Manifestation of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Background: Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by distortions of visual perception (metamorphopsias), the body image, and the experience of time, along with derealization and depersonalization. Some 85% of patients present with perceptual distortions in a single sensory modality, e.g., only visual or only somesthetic in nature. Moreover, the majority experience only a single type of distortion, e.g., only micropsia or only macropsia. AIWS has many different etiologies, and hence an extensive differential diagnosis. Its amenability to treatment depends on the underlying pathological process, which in children is mostly encephalitis, and in adults, migraine. In the literature, no more than 180 “clinical” cases of AIWS have been described (i.e., cases in need of medical attention). Of them, some 50% showed a favorable prognosis. However, non-clinical cases (i.e., fleeting, transient cases of AIWS for which no professional help is needed) have been described in up to 30% of the general population. This indicates that AIWS is perhaps not as rare as traditionally assumed, and has led some authors to conclude that, prognostically, AIWS is usually harmless.Methods: From our own clinical practice, we describe the first known case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD, Heidenhain variant) that presented with symptoms of AIWS.Results: In our patient, disease onset was sudden and rapidly progressive, starting with isolated visual symptoms. Symptoms of AIWS comprised akinetopsia, chloropsia, micropsia, macropsia, zoom vision, and time distortions (quick-motion phenomenon and protracted duration). Soon, these were complicated by paraesthesias, gait instability, aphasia, expressive amusia, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes in the form of agitation and emotional lability. The diagnosis of probable sporadic CJD was confirmed with the aid of a head MRI and cerebrospinal fluid (14-3-3 protein). In the absence of any treatment options, our patient was discharged home and died within 2 months after his visual symptoms had begun. Autopsy consent was not obtained.Conclusion: We conclude that AIWS is not always as harmless as sometimes suggested, and that CJD, although extremely rare, must be part of its extensive differential diagnosis, notably in the presence of rapid cognitive decline

Photosynthesis Inhibiting E ects of Pesticides on Sweet Pepper Leaves

Although a large number of pesticides of di erent compositions are regularly used in agriculture, the impact of pesticides on the physiology of field crops is not well understood. Pesticides can produce negative e ects on crop physiology—especially on photosynthesis—leading to a potential decrease in both the growth and the yield of crops. To investigate these potential e ects in greenhouse sweet peppers, the e ect of 20 insecticides and 2 fungicides (each sprayed with a wetting agent) on the photosynthesis of sweet pepper leaves was analyzed. Among these pesticides, nine caused significant reductions in photosynthetic activity. The e ects were observed in distinctive ways—either as a transitory drop of the photosynthetic-rate values, which was observed at two hours after the treatment and was found to have recovered after 24 h, or as a sustained reduction of these values, which remained substantial over a number of days. The results of this study suggest that the production of a crop may substantially benefit when the frequent use of pesticides can be substituted with alternative pest control methods (e.g., biological control). Our results advocate further investigation of the potential impact of pesticides, either alone or in combination, on the photosynthesis of crop plants

HIV-1 dual infection is associated with faster CD4+T cell decline in a cohort of men with primary HIV infection

Background. In vitro, animal, and mathematical models suggest that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co- or superinfection would result in increased fitness of the pathogen and, possibly, increased virulence. However, in patients, the impact of dual HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection on disease progression is unclear, because parameters relevant for disease progression have not been strictly analyzed. The objective of the present study is to analyze the effect of dual HIV-1 infections on disease progression in a well-defined cohort of men who have sex with men. Methods. Between 2000 and 2009, 37 men who had primary infection with HIV-1 subtype B, no indication for immediate need of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and sufficient follow-up were characterized with regard to dual infection or single infection and to coreceptor use. Patients were followed to estimate the effect of these parameters on clinical disease progression, as defined by the rate of CD4(+) T-cell decline and the time to initiation of cART. Results. Four patients presented with HIV-1 coinfection; 6 patients acquired HIV-1 superinfection, on average 8.5 months from their primary infection; and 27 patients remained infected with a single strain. Slopes of longitudinal CD4(+) T-cell counts and time-weighted changes from baseline were significantly steeper for patients with dual infection compared with patients with single infection. Multivariate analysis showed that the most important parameter associated with CD4(+) T-cell decline over time was dual infection (P = .001). Additionally, patients with HIV-1 coinfection had a significantly earlier start of cART (P <.0001). Conclusions. Dual HIV-1 infection is the main factor associated with CD4(+) T-cell decline in men who have untreated primary infection with HIV-1 subtype

Photosynthesis Inhibiting Effects of Pesticides on Sweet Pepper Leaves

Although a large number of pesticides of different compositions are regularly used in agriculture, the impact of pesticides on the physiology of field crops is not well understood. Pesticides can produce negative effects on crop physiology―especially on photosynthesis―leading to a potential decrease in both the growth and the yield of crops. To investigate these potential effects in greenhouse sweet peppers, the effect of 20 insecticides and 2 fungicides (each sprayed with a wetting agent) on the photosynthesis of sweet pepper leaves was analyzed. Among these pesticides, nine caused significant reductions in photosynthetic activity. The effects were observed in distinctive ways—either as a transitory drop of the photosynthetic-rate values, which was observed at two hours after the treatment and was found to have recovered after 24 h, or as a sustained reduction of these values, which remained substantial over a number of days. The results of this study suggest that the production of a crop may substantially benefit when the frequent use of pesticides can be substituted with alternative pest control methods (e.g., biological control). Our results advocate further investigation of the potential impact of pesticides, either alone or in combination, on the photosynthesis of crop plants

The effect of high dose inhaled corticosteroids on wheeze in infants after respiratory syncytial virus infection: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial

Objective To determine whether early initiated anti-inflammatory therapy with prolonged high dose inhaled glucocorticoids influences the occurrence and severity of recurrent wheeze after respiratory syncytial virus related lower respiratory tract infections

Standardized, Modular Parallelization Platform for Microfluidic Large-Scale Integration Cell Culturing Chips

Standardized high-throughput devices for microfluidic cell cultures are necessary to translate discoveries made in academia to applications in pharmaceutical industry. Here we present a platform with integrated pneumatic valves for standardized parallelization of multichamber chips (SPARC). In total, 192 chambers divided over three microfluidic building blocks (MFBBs) can be filled and purged with spatial and temporal independence. The dimensions of both the MFBB and the platform are standardized and thus compatible with common lab equipment. We characterize the valves at different pumping and gate pressures and show that the MFBBs are suitable for culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)