First Report of Southern Blight on Firewheel Tree, Bay Laurel, Bird of Paradise, Mediterranean Fan Palm, and Liverwort Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Italy

During the summer of 2006, a widespread blight was observed on 6-month-old potted plants of firewheel tree (Stenocarpus sinuatus Endl.) and 3-month-old potted plants of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) growing in a nursery in eastern Sicily, Italy. On both species, symptomatic plants initially had sunken, tan lesions at ground level where white mycelia and small (1 to 2 mm in diameter), brown, spherical sclerotia typical of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. were formed. As the disease progressed, the mycelia extended up the stem and entire plants collapsed. A sudden wilting affecting 4-month-old potted seedlings of bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae Aiton) and 5-month-old potted seedlings of Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis L.) was occasionally detected in other greenhouses of the same nursery. Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha L.) was abundantly present on the surfaces of the containers where these plants were grown. Circular and crescent-shaped patches as much as 100 cm in diameter were observed on the massed liverwort plants. In these patches, the liverwort died and sclerotia typical of S. rolfsii were dispersed on white mycelial strands. Symptomatic tissues of the ornamental plants and liverwort were surface disinfested in 1% NaOCl for 1 min, rinsed in sterile water, and plated on potato dextrose agar. Tissues consistently yielded S. rolfsii (teleomorph Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) Tu & Kimbrough) and typical sclerotia with internally differentiated rind, cortex, and medulla were produced within 6 or 7 days (3). Pathogenicity tests were performed by placing 30 sclerotia obtained from 10-day-old cultures in the soil below the crown portion on each of 2-month-old healthy seedlings of Stenocarpus sinuatus, L. nobilis, Strelitzia reginae, and C. humilis (20 seedlings per host). In addition, liverwort growing in 10 pots (7 cm in diameter) was inoculated with 30 sclerotia per pot. For each species, the same number of plants or pots served as control. All ornamental plants and liverwort were maintained in a growth chamber at 25 ± 1°C and enclosed for 7 days in polyethylene bags and then moved to a greenhouse where temperatures ranged from 24 to 28°C. The inoculation trial was repeated once. Symptoms of southern blight developed after 5 to 20 days on all inoculated plants of Stenocarpus sinuatus and sporadically (two to five plants) after 20 days on L. nobilis, Strelitzia reginae, and C. humilis. After 5 days, liverwort in all inoculated pots was colonized and plants died within 12 days. Control plants of all species remained symptomless. S. rolfsii was reisolated from symptomatic plants. S. rolfsii was reported for the first time in Sicily in 2004 on ornamental plants (2). Strelitzia reginae was previously reported as a host of Corticium rolfsii (synonym S. rolfsii) in Portugal (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. rolfsii on Stenocarpus sinuatus, L. nobilis, and C. humilis. In addition, this is the first report of the susceptibility of M. polimorpha to S. rolfsii. Liverwort could provide a food source for the fungus in container-grown nursery plants. References: (1) M. R. de Sousa Dias and M. T. Lusas. Bol. Soc. Brot. 53:469, 1980. (2) G. Polizzi et al. Plant Dis. 88:310, 2004. (3) Z. K. Punja and A. Damiani. Mycologia 88:694, 1996.

First Occurrence of Calonectria Leaf Spot on Mexican Blue Palm in Italy

In April 2006, a new leaf disease occurred in a private garden in eastern Sicily (Italy) on young, 2-year-old seedlings of Mexican blue palm, Brahea armata S. Watson, in the Arecaceae. Symptoms were detected on 80% of seedlings. The leaves had minute, brown spots that enlarged into dark brown, circular or elliptical lesions, 3 to 6 mm in diameter, and with a necrotic, gray center. The lesions sometimes were surrounded by a chlorotic halo, and older leaves had larger chlorotic areas between spots. Conidia, conidiophores, and terminal vesicles were examined from diseased leaves. A Cylindrocladium sp. was consistently isolated from leaf lesions on Oxoid (Basingstoke, Hampshire, England) potato-dextrose agar after surface disinfestations with 0.8% NaOCl. Cylindrocladium isolates were cultured on carnation leaf agar (CLA) using single hyphal tips. Five isolates were established and identified as Calonectria pauciramosa C.L. Schoch & Crous based on obpyriform to broadly ellipsoidal terminal vesicles, conidiophore branching pattern, conidia size (52 × 4.6 μm), perithecium morphology, and ascopores size (36 × 6.8 μm). Perithecia were obtained with C. pauciramosa tester strains from Italy (G87 and G128) and South Africa (U 971 and U 1670) (2,3) that confirmed both mating types to be present. Further confirmation was obtained by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis. The sequence of rDNA ITS1-5.8 S-ITS2 regions, obtained after amplification with primer ITS1 and ITS4, revealed that the Brahea isolates showed total homology with the sequence of the C. pauciramosa (STE-U 971 from soil) (= Cylindrocladium pauciramosum) available in GenBank. Isolate CBS 120619 from Mexican blue palm was deposited at Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures. Spray inoculations of 10 2-year-old Mexican blue palm seedlings were performed with a spore suspension of the fungus adjusted to 10⁵ conidia per ml obtained from 14-day-old single-spore colonies on CLA at 24°C under cool white fluorescent irradiation on a 12-h light/dark regimen. In addition, the following species were similarly inoculated using 10 1-year-old plants: Arecastrum romanzoffianum (Cham.) Becc., B. edulis H. Wendl. ex S. Watson, Chamaerops humilis L., Howea forsteriana Becc., Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud., Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl., and Ravenea rivularis Jumelle & Perrier. Inoculated, and 10 control plants were placed in separate plastic bags in a growth chamber at 25 ± 1°C. After 7 to 10 days, foliar symptoms including flecks and spots developed on both species of Brahea and on Chamaerops humilis, and on these hosts, pathogenicity tests were repeated. Other palm species and control plants remained healthy. C. pauciramosa was consistently reisolated from inoculated plants on the basis of vesicle shape and conidia sizes of the anamorph. Cylindrocladium candelabrum, Cylindrocladium colhounii, Cylindrocladium floridanum, Cylindrocladium parasiticum, Cylindrocladium pteridis, Cylindrocladium scoparium, and Cylindrocladium theae have been reported as leaf spots pathogens of Arecaceae (1). To our knowledge, this is the first occurrence of C. pauciramosa on Mexican blue palm and the first report of the pathogen on Arecaceae. References: (1) P. W. Crous. Taxonomy and Pathology of Cylindrocladium (Calonectria) and Allied Genera. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul MN, 2002. (2) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:415, 2004. (3) G. Polizzi and P. W. Crous Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 105:407, 1999.

First Report of Stem Bleeding and Trunk Rot of Kentia Palm Caused by Thielaviopsis paradoxa in Italy

The Kentia palm or Sentry palm (Howea forsteriana (C. Moore & F.v. Muell.) Becc.) is one of the most popular palms in the world. In Italy, it is suitable for growing indoors or outdoors. In September 2006, bleeding was found on the stem of a 20-year-old Kentia palm growing in a field nursery in eastern Sicily. The trunk began to bleed from cracks or fissures of the bark at 5 ft (1.5 m) from the ground level. Tissues surrounding the stem cracks were black. The plant canopy showed no symptoms. Cross-sections revealed brown rot confined to one side of the trunk where the rot was spreading inward from the surface. Infected tissues did not emanate odor of fermented fruit. Internal tissue adjacent to the rotted areas was placed on carrot agar amended with 500 μl of streptomycin sulphate and acidified (lactic acid; pH = 3.6) potato dextrose agar (PDA). A transverse section of affected palm tissues was maintained in a moist chamber for 6 days. Microscopic examinations of isolates obtained on media and sporulation from affected tissues yielded Thielaviopsis paradoxa (De Seyn.) Höhn (2). Endoconidia, measuring 3.9 (range 3 to 6) × 8.2 μm (range 6 to 14) (n = 50), were cylindrical to somewhat oval when mature, hyaline to brown, and smooth walled. Endoconiodophores were usually straight, colorless to pale brown, as much as 150 μm long, with a terminal spore-bearing cell through which spores are borne. Chlamydospores were smooth, thick walled, brown, in chains, and were 8.8 (range 5.5 to 15.0) × 15.8 μm (range 9.0 to 25.0) (n = 50). Koch's postulates were fulfilled by stem inoculation on a 20-year-old double-stem Kentia palm growing in the same field nursery. Ten mycelial plugs (5-mm diameter) obtained from 14-day-old single-spore colonies growing on PDA at 24°C were applied to 10 5-mm-diameter stem wounds. The same number of inoculations was used as a control in the other stem and treated with sterile agar plugs. Following inoculation, the mycelial plugs and the stems were wrapped with Parafilm. After 20 days, stem rots were detected only on the inoculated stem wounds, and stem bleeding was observed after 3 months. The pathogen was reisolated from symptomatic tissues. A Thielaviopsis sp. was previously reported in Florida on Kentia palm as being responsible for a frond necrosis (1). While stem bleeding seems to be a common symptom on coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), it is not commonly reported on other palm species. Only recently, T. paradoxa was detected for first time in Sicily on date palm imported from Egypt (3). To our knowledge, this is the first record of stem bleeding caused by T. paradoxa on palms in Italy, and the first record of stem bleeding and stem rot on Kentia palm. References: (1) S. A. Alfieri Jr. et al. Fla. Dep. Agric. Consum. Serv. Bull. No. 14. 1994. (2) A. R. Chase and T. K. Broschat, eds. Diseases and Disorders of Ornamental Palms. The American Phytopathological Society, St Paul MN, 1991. (3) G. Polizzi et al. Plant Dis. 90:972, 2006.

Alcohol- and Substance-Dependent Subjects: The Correlated Factors in Qualifying for Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVES

To identify the most significant variables in determining if candidates with past or current addictions can be considered for liver transplantation.

METHODS

Data relating to 58 cases from January 2001 to December 2003 were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The decisional algorithm identified by discriminant analysis is based on the following variables: the duration of remission, treatment adherence, and the presence of a valid help relationship. Candidates undergoing initial remission (up to 12 months) must demonstrate both adherence and affective support; those with over 5 years of remission, however, are considered sufficiently reliable. A positive judgment is significantly correlated to overall survival and clinical improvement even without transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

In toxicological evaluation, treatment adherence and the presence of a valid help relationship for patients in remission from addictions can improve the selection criteria for liver transplantation, making it more dependable.

Prognostic Impact of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation With Suboptimal Livers

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze the prognostic impact of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score in patients undergoing liver transplantation (OLT) with suboptimal livers.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and January 2006, 160 adult patients with liver cirrhosis received a whole liver for primary OLT at our institution including 81 with a suboptimal liver (SOL group) versus 79 with an optimal liver (group OL). The definition of suboptimal liver was: one major criterion (age >60 years, steatosis >20%) or at least two minor criteria: sodium >155 mEq/L, Intensive Care Unit stay >7 days, dopamine >10 microg/kg/min, abnormal liver tests, and relevant hemodynamic instability.

RESULTS

Baseline recipients characteristics were comparable in the two study groups. The SOL group had a significantly greater number of early graft deaths (<30 days) than the OL group, while the 3-year Kaplan-Meier patient survivals were similar. Using logistic regression, MELD score was significantly related to patient death only in the SOL group (P = .01), and the receiver operator characteristics curve method identified 17 as the best MELD cutoff with the 3-year survival of 93% versus 85% for MELD < or =7 versus >17, respectively (P > 05). In comparison, it was 94% and 72% in the SOL group (P < .05). Similarly, MELD >17 was significantly associated with early graft death rates only in the SOL group.

CONCLUSION

This study advised surgeons to not use suboptimal livers for patients with advanced MELD scores, thus supporting a donor-recipient matching policy.

Pediatric Liver Transplantation: The University of Padua Experience

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to analyze experience on pediatric liver transplantation (LT) between June 1993 and September 2006, including split liver transplantation (SLT), living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), and auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT). Furthermore, hepatocyte transplantation (HT) had a role in one patient with metabolic disease.

METHODS

From November 1990 to September 2006, 657 LTs were performed including 63 pediatric LTs (9.6%) in 57 patients (32 boys and 25 girls). Six were retransplantations (9.5%). Thirty-two patients (57%) were younger than 5 years. The types of graft included the following: 26 whole organs (41%), 32 in situ split organs (51%), 4 reduced-size organs (6%), and 1 graft from a living donor (2%). Two patients received an APOLT, 4 patients received a combined kidney-liver transplantation (CKLT), and 1 patient received HT. Of the 63 pediatric LTs, 16 were behaved to be highly urgent (25%).

RESULTS

Overall 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival rates were 82%, 82%, 78%, and 78%, respectively. Overall 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year graft survival rates were 76%, 76%, 72%, and 72%, respectively. In patients younger than 1 year, the 5-year survival rate was 100%. Perioperative mortality was 8.8%. Vascular complications occurred in 4 patients (6.3%). Six children required retransplantation due to primary nonfunction (PNF) in 4 cases (7%) and vascular thrombosis in 2 cases (3.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Cholestatic liver disease and age younger than 1 year were the best prognostic factors for excellent survival.

First Report of Damping-Off and Leaf Spot Caused by Cylindrocladium scoparium on Different Accessions of Bottlebrush Cuttings in Italy

In May of 2006, approximately 10,000 cuttings of bottlebrushes (Callistemon cvs. Laevis, Hannah Ray, Kings Park Special, Masotti Mini Red, and Rose Opal with either C. viminalis (Soland. ex Gaertn.) Cheel. [excluded] or C. citrinus (Curtis) Skeels as one parent) grown in a nursery in eastern Sicily (Italy) exhibited severe disease symptoms including damping-off, leaf spots, and collar and root rot. Initially, the infections were detected on approximately 30% of the cuttings, but by late September 2006, 70% of the plants had symptoms. A Cylindrocladium sp. was consistently isolated from the diseased portions of plants onto potato dextrose agar. To determine the species, single-conidial isolates of the fungus were cultured on carnation leaf agar (CLA) for 7 days at 25°C with 12 h of light/dark conditions. Only the mycelia and spores growing on the carnation leaves were examined with a light microscope, and the isolates were identified as Cylindrocladium scoparium Morgan (teleomorph Calonectria morganii Crous, Alfenas & M.J. Wingf.) on the basis of their pyriform to broadly ellipsoidal terminal vesicles, conidiophore branching pattern, and conidia (1). In addition, the ability of the colonies to mate with South African tester strains of C. scoparium (2,3) confirmed the identification. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by inoculating 10 cuttings for each bottlebrush accession with a spore suspension (10⁵ conidia per ml) of one isolate of the pathogen (DISTEF-GCs7) obtained from 14-day-old single-spore colonies grown on CLA at 24°C under fluorescent cool white lights with 12 h of light/dark. Following inoculation, all plants were maintained in plastic bags in a growth chamber at 25 ± 1°C and 90 to 95% relative humidity. The same number of cuttings was used as a control. Damping-off, crown root rot, and leaf spots symptoms identical to those observed in the nursery appeared within 5 to 20 days. No symptoms were detected on the control plants. C. scoparium was reisolated from the artificially infected tissues. The isolate, used in the pathogenicity proof, was deposited at the Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (Accession No. CBS 120930). The presence of C. scoparium was detected for the first time in Italy on mastic tree in 2005 (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. scoparium on bottlebrush in Italy and it represents the first information about the susceptibility of these Callistemon cultivar accessions to the fungus and confirms the spread of the pathogen in Sicilian ornamental nurseries. References: (1) P. W. Crous. Taxonomy and Pathology of Cylindrocladium (Calonectria) and Allied Genera. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul MN, 2002. (2) P. W. Crous and M. J. Wingfield. Mycotaxon 51:341, 1994. (3) G. Polizzi et al. Plant Dis. 90:1110, 2006.

[Subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery in patients with advanced trophic lesions (lipodermatosclerosis or ulcers)]

AIM

Subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS) is proposed in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency stages C4-C6 of the CEAP classification.

METHODS

SEPS was performed in 10 patients (4 men, 6 women), 3 of which were stage C4, 4 stage C5 and 3 stage C6.

RESULTS

Full resolution of ulcers was achieved in the 12-month follow-up period; no post-operative sepsis complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

SEPS is a safe procedure and a valuable therapeutic aid in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency complicated by trophic skin ulcers. Compared with other techniques, it is less invasive, works directly on the healthy skin and significantly reduces skin wounds.

Intention-to-treat analysis of liver transplantation in selected, aggressively treated HCC patients exceeding the Milan criteria

This prospective study analyzed the dropout probability and intention-to-treat survival rates of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) selected and treated according to our policy before liver transplantation (LT), with particular attention to those exceeding the Milan criteria. Exclusion criteria for LT were macroscopic vascular invasion, metastases, and poorly differentiated disease at percutaneous biopsy. A specific multi-modal adjuvant algorithm was used to treat HCC before LT. A total of 100 HCC patients were listed for LT: 40 exceeded the Milan criteria in terms of nodule size and number (MILAN OUT) either at listing or in list, while 60 patients continued to meet the criteria (MILAN IN). The Milan criteria did not prove to be a significant predictor of dropout probability or survival rates using Cox's analysis. Cumulative dropout probability at 6 and 12 months was 0% and 4% for MILAN OUT, and 6% and 11% for MILAN IN. The intention-to-treat survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 95% and 85% in MILAN OUT, and 84% and 69% in MILAN IN. None of the 68 transplanted patients had recurrent HCC after a median 16-month follow-up (0-69 months). In conclusion, LT may be effective for selected, aggressively-treated HCC patients exceeding the Milan criteria.

First Record of the Perfect Stage Calonectria pauciramosa on Mastic Tree in Italy

Leaf spots, stem lesions, crown rot, and root rot, caused by heterothallic fungus Cylindrocladium pauciramosum C.L. Schoch & Crous,, on young plants in a nursery represent an important problem in many representative ornamental plant-growing areas of Italy since the disease was first reported in 1993 (2). Symptoms observed during surveys in Italy from 1993 to 2005 were attributed solely to the asexual stage, and the teleomorph (Calonectria pauciramosa C.L. Schoch & Crous) was never found. In October 2005, orange-to-red brown fungal fruiting bodies pertaining to the genus Calonectria were observed in belowground regions and at the soil line on collar and stem tissues of seedlings of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus L., Anacardiaceae) affected by damping off in two nurseries of eastern Sicily. The sexual structures were solitary or in groups, orange-to-red brown, subglobose to ovoid. On the basis of 50 microscopic observations of leaf tissues, they ranged from 180 to 280 μm in diameter and from 270 to 400 μm high. In the presence of adequate moisture, ascospores were discharged from mature perithecia in visible, viscous, and white droplets. Asci containing eight ascospores were clavate and tapering to a long thin stalk. Fusoid ascospores were hyaline and guttulate with rounded ends, slightly curved, 1-septate, not or slightly constricted at the septum, and measured 33 to 39 μm long and 6 to 8 μm wide. However, measurements show that perithecia, asci, and ascospores also fall within the range described by Schoch et al. (3). Single ascospore cultures did not produce perithecia. On the basis of these descriptions and the ability of single-ascospore cultures to mate with two Italian (DISTEF-G87 and DISTEF-G128) and two South African (STE-U 971 and STE-U 1670) selected tester strains of Cylindrocladium pauciramosum (2), the perithecia were identified as C. pauciramosa. To our knowledge, this is the first natural occurrence of the perfect stage of Cylindrocladium pauciramosum in Italy. The presence of the teleomorph is very important because it represents a second means of spread after conidia. Furthermore, the occurrence of the teleomorph also could lead to a 1:1 mating type ratio. In this case, lower percentages of hermaphrodites should be expected (1,4). References: (1) G. Polizzi et al. J. Plant Pathol. 80:262, 1998. (2) G. Polizzi and P. W. Crous. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 105:413, 1999. (3) C. L. Schoch et al. Mycologia 91:286, 1999. (4) C. L. Schoch et al. Plant Dis. 85:941, 2001.

Impact of impaired fasting glucose and other metabolic factors on cognitive function in elderly people

AIM

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), insulin resistance (IR) and hyperhomocysteinaemia (Hhcy) on cognitive function (CF) in a sample of non-diabetic elderly subjects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred and eighty-two non-diabetic subjects, aged > or = 65 years, without signs of previous stroke were included in the study. CF was evaluated by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, corrected for age and education. Since diagnostic criteria for IFG have been recently lowered from 110 to 100 mg/dl, subjects were categorized according to old (IFG1997) and new (IFG2003) criteria. IR and Hhcy were defined by the upper quartile of insulin (11.0 UI/L) and Hcy (18.6 micromol/L) distribution, respectively. The frequency of IFG1997, Hhcy, and IR, but not of IFG2003, showed a linear trend across tertiles of MMSE (p<0.001). The odds ratio (95% CI) for impaired CF (MMSE<24.3) was 9.08 (2.97-27.74) for IFG1997, 3.66 (1.28-10.45) for Hhcy, 2.83 (1.25-6.37) for IR and 1.32 (0.61-2.89) for IFG2003.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that IFG1997, Hhcy and IR are powerful metabolic markers of impaired CF among elderly people.

First Report of Leaf Spot and Blight of Strelitzia reginae Caused by Burkholderia gladioli in Italy

During the summer of 2005, a new disease of bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae Aiton) was observed on young seedlings (2 to 3 months old) in a nursery located in Giarre (Catania) in eastern Sicily. Symptoms included brown, water-soaked leaf spots that first appeared after seedling emergence and then gradually enlarged and became necrotic. Occasionally, during wet conditions, seedlings were completely blighted, resulting in total loss. The disease was observed on 10% of the 3,000 plants present in one nursery. A single bacterial colony was consistently isolated on King's medium B (KB) supplemented with 0.01% cycloeximide from surface-sterilized, brownish lesions and water-soaked leaf tissues. The isolates were purified on nutrient agar (NA). Three bacterial strains isolated from three different symptomatic plants were used for pathogenicity and identification tests on S. reginae plants. Five plants were inoculated per bacterial strain by spraying the leaves with a buffer phosphate suspension (0.1 M) at 10⁶ CFU/ml prepared from KB plates incubated for 24 h at 28°C and wounding the leaves (four wounds per leaf) with a sterile needle. The same number of noninoculated plants was used as control. All plants were covered with plastic bags and maintained in a greenhouse at 25 ± 1°C with 95 to 100% relative humidity until symptoms occurred 3 to 4 days later. All three bacterial strains tested were virulent and caused symptoms identical to those observed in the nursery. No symptoms were observed in control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by the reisolation of the three strains from inoculated plants. The strains were gram-negative, aerobic rods, grew aerobically, were white and nonmucoid on yeast dextrose calcium carbonate agar, nonfluorescent on KB, produced diffusible nonfluorescent pigment on KB, and were oxidase and urease negative. All strains utilized glucose, arabinose, mannose, mannitol, N-acetylglucosamine, gluconate, caprate, malate, citrate, and phenyl acetate and none of the strains produced indole or acidified glucose. Using the API 20NE test strips (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) incubated at 28°C for 24 to 48 h, all strains were initially identified as Burkholderia cepacia. On the basis of the nutrient profiles revealed by the BIOLOG system (Microlog System Release 4.2, Hayward, CA), the strains were identified as B. gladioli (Severini 1913) Yabuuchi et al. 1993. The index of probability was 100% and the index of similarity was 0.75%. For molecular identification of strains, 16S rDNA was amplified by using species-specific primers Eub-16-1 and Gl-16-2₄₅₇, obtaining a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of 463 bp (1). PCR analysis indicated that the strains belong to B. gladioli. Other bacteria have been previously reported in Italy as pathogens of Strelitzia spp. (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first outbreak of leaf spot and blight caused by B. gladioli on S. reginae. References: (1) A. Bauernfeind et al. J. Clin. Microbiol. 37:1335, 1999. (2) P. Bella et al. J. Plant Pathol. 82:159, 2000; (3) G. Polizzi et al. Plant Dis. 89:1010, 2005.

First Record of Crown and Root Rot Caused by Cylindrocladium pauciramosum on California Lilac in Italy

California lilacs, or Ceanothus, are evergreen, drought tolerant, colorful ornamental shrubs belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens is the most common species grown in Italy. In October 2005, a severe wilting was noticed on approximately 3,000 potted, 6-month-old plants obtained from cuttings produced by a commercial nursery in Lecco Province (northern Italy). Wilting was always associated with root rot and brown discoloration at the base of the stem. No leaf spots or stem lesions were detected. A Cylindrocladium sp. was isolated consistently from crown, basal stems, and roots of symptomatic plants with potato dextrose agar. Although many crown rots are caused by Phytophthora spp., this pathogen was not found associated with rotten roots and crown plating small pieces of diseased root tissue and crowns onto selective medium. A random selection of five Cylindrocladium sp. isolates was obtained from the infected crown and basal stem. Subsequently, they were identified on carnation leaf agar (CLA) as Cylindrocladium pauciramosum C.L. Schoch & Crous on the basis of their obpyriform to broadly ellipsoidal terminal vesicles, conidiophore branching pattern, conidium, and perithecial morphology, as well as mating type with tester strains of C. pauciramosum selected isolates (1,4). All single-conidial isolates were mated with tester strains DISTEF-G87 (MAT1-1) and DISTEF-G128 (MAT1-2) of C. pauciramosum on CLA, which confirmed both mating types to be present. Two of the isolates were deposited at Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS-120145 and CBS-120146). Pathogenicity tests were performed by macerating CLA cultures of C. pauciramosum, obtained from a single-spore isolate and incorporating them on the soil surface of 20 8-month-old C. thyrsiflorus var. repens potted plants. The same number of plants was used as the control. Following inoculation, plants were well irrigated and kept in a growth chamber at 25 ± 1°C. All inoculated plants developed crown rot, basal stem rot, and root rot 25 days after inoculation. Uninoculated control plants remained healthy. C. pauciramosum was reisolated from the artificially inoculated plants. C. pauciramosum causes considerable damage to the ornamental industry in Italy, where projects have been carried out since the first record of the fungus in Europe (3). C. pauciramosum was previously detected on Ceanothus sp. in the United Kingdom (2), where foliar and stem lesions were described. To our knowledge, this is the first record of the pathogen on C. thyrsiflorus var. repens and the first report of wilting due to crown and basal stem rot. References: (1) P. W. Crous. Taxonomy and Pathology of Cylindrocladium (Calonectria) and Allied Genera. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul MN, 2002. (2) C. R. Lane et al. Plant Pathol. 55:582, 2006. (3) G. Polizzi and P. W. Crous. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 105, 407, 1999. (4) C. L. Schoch et al. Plant Dis. 85:941, 2001.

Bilateral renal artery stenosis in Kawasaki disease: a report of two cases

We report two cases, a boy and a girl, who developed severe renal hypertension over sub-acute phase of Kawasaki Disease (KD). Paediatricians should be alert to consider preceding KD as potential source of secondary hypertension in young infants, and raised blood pressure should be regarded as a life-threatening complication in all KD children.

Cerebral degeneration predicts survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship of cerebral degeneration with survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

METHODS

Patients with probable or definite ALS underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of the brain between July 1996 and May 2002, and were followed prospectively until March 2004. Creatine (Cr), choline (Cho) and the neuronal marker N-acetylaspartate (NAA) were quantified as ratios in the motor cortex.

RESULTS

In 63 patients compared with 18 healthy people, NAA/Cho was reduced by 13% (p<0.001), NAA/Cr was reduced by 5% (p = 0.01) and Cho/Cr was increased by 8% (p = 0.01). NAA/Cho was used for survival analysis, given its larger effect size and superior test accuracy (a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 83%). Median survival after MRSI was 24 months. Multivariate analysis showed reduced survival for lower NAA/Cho (hazard ratio (HR) 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08 to 0.72, p = 0.01), older age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.06, p = 0.04) and shorter symptom duration (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99, p = 0.01). Patients with NAA/Cho <2.11 had a reduced survival of 19.4 v 31.9 months (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.12 to 4.03, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebral degeneration is predictive of reduced survival in ALS.

Cylindrocladium Leaf Spot, Blight, and Crown Rot, New Diseases of Mastic Tree Seedlings Caused by Cylindrocladium scoparium

The mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus L., Anacardiaceae) is an important sclerophyllous evergreen shrub in the Mediterranean area where it is the dominant component of maquis and garrigues, which is vegetation composed of shrubs, or scrub, usually not exceeding 3 m high. In October 2005, new widespread diseases were noticed in a nursery in eastern Sicily (Italy) affecting container-grown, 1-year-old mastic tree seedlings. Symptoms were detected on approximately 40% of the 5,000 plants and consisted of minute, brown spots, stem lesions, blight, and defoliation. Occasionally, symptoms of crown and root rot were observed. A Cylindrocladium sp. was consistently isolated from rotted crown and roots, leaf spots, and stem lesions on potato dextrose agar. Morphological features of the fungus including conidiophores, conidia, and terminal vesicles were studied under a light microscope. Five Cylindrocladium isolates were cultured on carnation leaf agar (CLA) and identified as C. scoparium Morgan (teleomorph Calonectria morganii Crous, Alfenas & M.J. Wingf.) on the basis of their pyriform to broadly ellipsoidal terminal vesicles, conidiophore branching pattern, conidium and perithecial morphology, as well as their ability to mate with tester strains of selected C. scoparium isolates (2,3). Sequences of partial β-tubulin (GenBank Accessions Nos. DQ521599 and DQ521600) and histone H3 genes (GenBank Accessions Nos. DQ521601 and DQ521602) were generated as described previously (1) for two of the isolates (CBS 119669 and CBS 119670, respectively). A BLAST analysis of the β-tubulin sequences revealed 100% similarity with C. morganii (GenBank Accessions Nos. AF210872, AF210874, and AF210875). No histone H3 sequences are currently available in the GenBank database for C. morganii, and the two sequences generated in this study, therefore, represent the first publicly available histone H3 sequences for this species. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by inoculating 20 1-year-old mastic tree seedlings with a spore suspension of the fungus (10⁵ conidia per ml) obtained from 14-day-old single-spore colonies grown on CLA at 24°C under fluorescent cool white lights on a 12-h light/dark regimen. Following inoculation, all plants were maintained in plastic bags in a growth chamber in which the temperature was 25 ± 1°C and relative humidity was 90 to 95%. The same number of seedlings was used as a control. After 5 to 7 days, foliar symptoms resembling those seen in the nursery were detected on inoculated plants. Crown and root rot symptoms appeared on two plants after 1 month. C. scoparium was reisolated from the artificially infected tissues. No symptoms were detected on the control plants. To our knowledge, this is the first record of this disease in mastic tree and the first record of C. scoparium in Italy. This report also represents the first definitive confirmation of C. scoparium in Europe. References: (1) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:415-430, 2004. (2) P. W. Crous and M. J. Wingfield. Mycotaxon 51:341, 1994. (3) C. L. Schoch et al. Mycologia 91:286, 1999.

First Report of Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot of Date Palm in Italy

As an alternative to Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis Chabaud), date palm (P. dactylifera L.) is being planted in Sicilian landscapes. In January 2006, severe symptoms of trunk rot were noticed on 10 7- to 8-m high mature date palms in the central square of Aci Bonaccorsi (Catania) in eastern Sicily. In June 2004, these palms were transplanted directly from Egypt. In 4 of 13 planted date palms, the canopy suddenly fell off the trunk. The canopy of all palms appeared normal and healthy with no stem bleeding observed before trunk collapse. Cross sections of affected date palms revealed a brown rot of nonlignified or lightly lignified tissues along with a strong odor of fermented fruit (amyl acetate) associated with the presence of Geotrichum candidum Link ex Pers. Brown rot was not detected in three of the date palms examined. Symptoms were not detected on lignified and external fibers. Internal tissue adjacent to the rotted areas was placed on carrot agar amended with 500 μl of streptomycin sulfate and acidified (lactic acid; pH = 3.6) potato dextrose agar. Large sections (10 to 18 cm) of affected palm tissues were maintained in a moist chamber for 8 days. Microscopic examinations of five single-conidia isolates on media and sporulation from affected tissues yielded Thielaviopsis paradoxa De Seyn. (Höhn) (1). Endoconidia measuring 3 to 5.5 × 7 to 11 μm were cylindrical to somewhat oval when mature, hyaline to mid brown and smooth walled. Endoconiodophores were usually straight, colorless to pale brown, as much as 150 μm long, with a terminal spore-bearing cell through which spores are born. Chlamydospores were smooth, thick walled, brown, in chains, and were 7.5 to 13 μm width × 10 to 18 μm length (values referred to 50 examined chlamydospores). T. paradoxa is a pathogen that can infect any part of a palm and its pathogenicity to date palm is well documented (3). T. paradoxa is endemic in northern Italy (Ligurian Riviera) on P. canariensis where it causes a disease known as bud rot (2). To our knowledge, this is the first record of trunk rot caused by T. paradoxa on date palm in Italy and is the first report of the fungus in Sicily. It is recommended to avoid the foreign trade of mature date palms from known infected areas because of the symptomless infections by this pathogen. References: (1) A. R. Chase and T. K. Broschat, eds. Diseases and Disorders of Ornamental Palms. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1991. (2) A. Garibaldi et al., eds. Malattie Delle Piante Ornamentali. Calderini Edagricole, Bologna, Italy, 2000. (3) P. Suleman et al. Plant Dis. 85:80, 2001.

Southern Blight of Tall Fescue and Bluegrass Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Italy

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) are the main turfgrass species cultivated in Sicily (southern Italy) for ready lawn (sod) to ornamental purposes. In July 2004 and May 2005, a widespread disease was noticed in two turf nurseries on the eastern side of Sicily on a ready lawn mixture of F. arundinacea cv. Safari (94%) + P. pratensis cv. Cabaret (6%). Numerous yellow, circular- and crescent-shaped patches as much as 30 to 40 cm in diameter were observed. The turf usually died around the perimeter of the patch, but the grass remained green in the center of the ring with a tuft of green grass in the center (frog eye). Affected turf was initially reddish brown and turned brown as it died. Small, round and off-white or tan seed-like structures were dispersed on mycelial strands at the outer edge of the ring in the mat at the base of grasses. The pathogen was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. The fungus was isolated directly as aerial mycelium or sclerotia or following surface disinfection (2 min in 0.5% NaOCl) and plating diseased tissues on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Sclerotia were observed in vitro in 7-day-old cultures. Pathogenicity was tested by inoculating two com-mercial ready lawn strips (80 × 100 cm) of two healthy turfgrass species each with three isolates of the fungus. Thirty sclerotia were placed at the base of stems. Noninoculated ready lawn strips served as control. All plants were covered with plastic bags, exposed to diffused daylight for 5 days, and then maintained in a growth chamber at 25 to 28°C under fluorescent light. Disease symptoms and southern blight signs like the ones observed in the field occurred 2 weeks after inoculation. S. rolfsii was reisolated from affected tissues. Symptoms were not detected on any of the non-inoculated ready lawn strips. The disease was serious enough that chemical treatments were required for its control. Southern blight was previously detected on bermudagrass and other cool-season turfgrass genera (1).To our knowledge, this is the first report of southern blight on tall fescue and bluegrass in Italy. Reference: (1) R. W. Smiley. Common Names of Plant Diseases. Diseases of Turfgrasses. Online publication. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.

Dasylirion serratifolium as a New Host of Botrytis cinerea, the Causal Agent of Leaf Spots and Blight in Italy

Sandpaper sotol (Dasylirion serratifolium Zucc.), native to Mexico, has green leaves with margins highlighted by whitish yellow prickles like a fine sandpaper. During the spring of 2004 and 2005, necrotic lesions were observed in the middle of leaf blades and near prickles on 2- to 5-year-old, container-grown sandpaper sotol plants from two nurseries in eastern Sicily (Italy). Symptoms were detected on 20 to 30% of plants and consisted of reddish lesions that developed a reddish brown stripe surrounded by a yellow halo. As lesions enlarged, the center turned yellow and expanded rapidly causing blight of young leaves. Occasionally, symptomatic tissues had masses of gray fungal conidia and/or sclerotia. Botrytis cinerea was isolated consistently from infected tissues disinfected for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and rinsed in sterile distilled water and grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Hyaline, ovoid conidia (average 6.4 × 9.7 μm) and conidiophores were similar to those described of B. cinerea, and 5- to 8-day-old cultures developed black sclerotia that were round or irregular in shape (average 1.55 × 1.02 mm) that is typical of gray mold (1). Koch's postulates were performed by spraying 6-week-old sandpaper sotol plants grown in 12-cm pots with a spore suspension (1 × 10⁶ CFU per ml) obtained from 12-day-old cultures grown on PDA. Eight plants were naturally wounded by scratching leaf blades among themselves and were subsequently inoculated, while eight plants were inoculated without wounding. An equal number of noninoculated plants sprayed with sterile water served as controls. All plants were maintained in high humidity conditions (90 to 95% relative humidity) at 20 ± 2°C. Leaf spots similar to the ones observed in nurseries were evident on all naturally wounded and nonwounded plants within 2 to 3 weeks after inoculation. Noninoculated control plants were symptomless. B. cinerea was reisolated from affected tissues. The pathogen has reduced commercial value of sandpaper sotol plants and may represent a limiting factor for the cultivation of this plant in eastern Sicily. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the world of leaf spot and blight caused by B. cinerea on D. serratifolium. Reference: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CAB International Mycological Institute, Kew, Surrey, England, 1971.

Occurrence of Pestalotiopsis uvicola Causing Leaf Spots and Stem Blight on Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) in Sicily

In the spring of 2004, during a disease survey in three nurseries of eastern Sicily, a new leaf and stem problem was observed on 20 to 40% of young (2- to 6-month-old) container-grown bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.). Affected plants exhibited sporadic water-soaked leaf spots on leaf edges that subsequently enlarged and turned into necrotic lesions. These spots were always bordered by a dark brownish margin. Frequently, these necrotic lesions expanded into stems causing blight of young shoots. No symptoms were observed on 2- to 3-year-old plants. Small portions (1 to 2 cm) of symptomatic tissue were surface disinfested for 30 s in 1% NaOCl, rinsed in sterile distilled water, placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 22 ± 2°C. A fungus consistently isolated from affected tissues was identified as Pestalotiopsis uvicola (Speg.) Bissett based on morphological characters (1). Acervular conidiomata (as much as 250 μm in diameter) appeared in cultures on PDA at 24 ± 2°C over a period of 13 days. All isolates had 4-septate fusiform to narrow ellipsoid conidia with 2 to 4 apical appendages, often aggregated, and averaging 8 μm long. Conidia ranged from 20 to 25 μm long and 6 to 7 μm wide. Basal appendage was single, attenuated, and as much as 3 μm long. Three isolates of P. uvicola were selected for pathogenicity tests. Leaves and stems of 6-week-old seedlings of bay laurel were lightly wounded with a hypodermic needle, and a PDA mycelial plug (5 mm in diameter) was placed on the surface of wounded tissues. Sterile agar plugs were placed on control plants. This method was used to inoculate 6 plants for each isolate. All plants were incubated at 95 to 100% relative humidity and 25 ± 1°C. After 7 days, leaf spots and necrotic lesions on the stem similar to those observed in nurseries were observed. Control plants remained symptomless. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolation of the fungus from affected tissues. Although found in only a few nurseries, the infections could be a threat to an important production area of bay laurel in Sicily. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. uvicola on bay laurel in the world. Reference: (1) T. R. Nag Raj. Mycotaxon 26:211, 1986.

Significant reduction of the hybrid BCR/ABL transcripts after induction and consolidation therapy is a powerful predictor of treatment response in adult Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has a dismal prognosis. We prospectively evaluated minimal residual disease (MRD) by measuring BCR/ ABL levels with a quantitative real-time PCR procedure after induction and after consolidation in 45 adults with Ph+ ALL who obtained complete hematological remission after a high-dose daunorubicin induction schedule. At diagnosis, the mean BCR-ABL/GUS ratio was 1.55 +/- 1.78. A total of 42 patients evaluable for outcome analysis were operationally divided into two MRD groups: good molecular responders (GMRs; n = 28) with > 2 log reduction of residual disease after induction and > 3 log reduction after consolidation therapy, and poor molecular responders (PMRs; n = 14) who, despite complete hematological remission, had a higher MRD at both time points. In GMR, the actuarial probability of relapse-free, disease-free and overall survival at two years was 38, 27 and 48%, respectively, as compared to 0, 0 and 0% in PMR (P = 0.0035, 0.0076 and 0.0026, respectively). Salvage therapy induced a second sustained complete hematological remission in three GMR patients, but in no PMR patient. Our data indicate that, as already shown in children, adult Ph+ ALL patients have a heterogeneous sensitivity to treatment, and that early quantification of residual disease is a prognostic parameter in this disease.

Limits for the central production of Theta+ and Xi(--)pentaquarks in 920-GeV pA collisions

We have searched for Theta+(1540) and Xi(--)(1862) pentaquark candidates in proton-induced reactions on C, Ti, and W targets at midrapidity and square root of s = 41.6 GeV. In 2 x 10(8) inelastic events we find no evidence for narrow (sigma approximately 5 MeV) signals in the Theta+ --> pK0(S) and Xi(--) --> Xi- pi- channels; our 95% C.L. upper limits (UL) for the inclusive production cross section times branching fraction B dsigma/dy/(y approximately 0) are (4-16) mub/N for a Theta+ mass between 1521 and 1555 MeV, and 2.5 mub/N for the Xi(--). The UL of the yield ratio of Theta+/Lambda(1520) < (3-12)% is significantly lower than model predictions. Our UL of B Xi(--)/Xi(1530)0 < 4% is at variance with the results that have provided the first evidence for the Xi(--).