Pest categorisation of Pestalotiopsis microspora

Following an EFSA commodity risk assessment of bonsai plants (Pinus parviflora grafted on Pinus thunbergii) imported from China, the EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Pestalotiopsis microspora, a clearly defined plant pathogenic fungus of the family Pestalotiopsidaceae. The pathogen was reported on a wide range of monocotyledonous, dicotyledonous and gymnosperms, either cultivated or wild plant species, causing various symptoms such as leaf spot, leaf blight, scabby canker, fruit spot, pre- and post-harvest fruit rot and root rot. In addition, the fungus was reported as an endophyte on a wide range of asymptomatic plant species. This pest categorisation focuses on the hosts that are relevant for the EU and for which there is robust evidence that the pathogen was formally identified by a combination of morphology, pathogenicity and multilocus sequencing analyses. Pestalotiopsis microspora was reported in Africa, North, Central and South America, Asia and Oceania. In the EU, it was reported in the Netherlands. There is a key uncertainty on the geographical distribution of P. microspora worldwide and in the EU, because of the endophytic nature of the fungus, the lack of surveys, and because in the past, when molecular tools were not fully developed, the pathogen might have been misidentified as other Pestalotiopsis species or other members of the Pestalodiopsidaceae family based on morphology and pathogenicity tests. Pestalotiopsis microspora is not included in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Plants for planting, fresh fruits, bark and wood of host plants as well as soil and other growing media associated with plant debris are the main pathways for the entry of the pathogen into the EU. Host availability and climate suitability in parts of the EU are favourable for the establishment and spread of the pathogen. The introduction and spread of the pathogen into the EU are expected to have an economic and environmental impact where susceptible hosts are grown. Phytosanitary measures are available to prevent the introduction and spread of the pathogen into the EU. Unless the restricted distribution in the EU is disproven, Pestalotiopsis microspora satisfies all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as potential Union quarantine pest

Заболевание тазобедренного сустава у детей с наследственной предрасположенностью: концептуальная модель

На основе принципов интегративной медицины, системного подхода с использованием концептуально−логического моделирования разработана единая система представлений о заболеваниях тазобедренного сустава у детей с наследственной предрасположенностью. Показано, что предлагаемый интегративный подход может служить основой для разработки диагностических и прогностических критериев развития суставов и проведения патогенетического хирургического лечения, направленного на ликвидацию или существенное снижение частоты формирования диспластического коксартроза.Based on the principles of integrative medicine, systemic approach with the use of concept of logical modelling, a uniform system of concepts about the diseases of the hip joint in children with hereditary susceptibility was worked out. It was shown that the suggested integrative approach can be used for working out diagnostic and prognostic criteria of joint development and performing pathogenetic surgery aimed at elimination or reduction in the frequency of forming dysplastic coxarthrosis

Framework for assessing and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine birds

Offshore wind energy development (OWED) is rapidly expanding globally and has the potential to contribute significantly to renewable energy portfolios. However, development of infrastructure in the marine environment presents risks to wildlife. Marine birds in particular have life history traits that amplify population impacts from displacement and collision with offshore wind infrastructure. Here, we present a broadly applicable framework to assess and mitigate the impacts of OWED on marine birds. We outline existing techniques to quantify impact via monitoring and modeling (e.g., collision risk models, population viability analysis), and present a robust mitigation framework to avoid, minimize, or compensate for OWED impacts. Our framework addresses impacts within the context of multiple stressors across multiple wind energy developments. We also present technological and methodological approaches that can improve impact estimation and mitigation. We highlight compensatory mitigation as a tool that can be incorporated into regulatory frameworks to mitigate impacts that cannot be avoided or minimized via siting decisions or alterations to OWED infrastructure or operation. Our framework is intended as a globally-relevant approach for assessing and mitigating OWED impacts on marine birds that may be adapted to existing regulatory frameworks in regions with existing or planned OWED

Current Distribution and Abundance of O‘ahu ‘Elepaio (Chasiempisibidis) in the Wai‘anae Mountains

v. ill. 23 cm.Also available through BioOne: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2984/65.3.311QuarterlyThe O‘ahu ‘Elepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) is an endangered forest bird endemic to O‘ahu and has declined steadily during the past century. Current information on distribution and abundance is needed to help assess the species status and identify areas where recovery efforts can be focused. We used spotmapping methods to census O‘ahu ‘Elepaio in all suitable forest habitat in the Wai‘anae Mountains from 2006 to 2010 and compared results with previous surveys from the 1990s. We detected a total of 300 O‘ahu ‘Elepaio, including 108 breeding pairs and 84 single males. The sex ratio was strongly male biased due to nest predation on females. Their distribution was extremely fragmented, and the only concentrations were in ‘Ëkahanui (38 pairs), Schofield Barracks West Range (40 pairs), and Pälehua (15 pairs). We failed to detect ‘Elepaio in many areas where they were observed in the 1990s. ‘Elepaio have become more sparse in other areas, indicating that they are continuing to decline. Nest predation by alien black rats (Rattus rattus) and mosquito-borne diseases are the greatest threats. Rat control programs have helped reduce nest predation and stop declines in several areas, but only a fraction of remaining ‘Elepaio benefit from active management and further declines can be expected unless rats are controlled on a larger scale. Alternative methods of rat control should be explored, and restoration of native trees that are less attractive to rats might provide safer nest sites and reduce the need for rat control

LATE RECURRENCE OF WEGENERS GRANULOMATOSIS PRESENTING AS SOLITARY UPPER LOBE PULMONARY MASS

Recurrent Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) was diagnosed in a 40 year old man presenting with a solitary mass in the right lung apex and with possible lymph node enlargement in the anterior mediastinum, resembling malignancy. Eight years previously, a first episode of WG involving the upper airways and kidneys, but not the lungs, had been successfully treated with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide, which could be stopped after 2 yrs. The antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titres (anti-protease 3), which had been very high during the first disease episode, failed to predict the recurrence