First Report of a Leaf Spot on Pepper Caused by Cladosporium oxysporum in China

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important vegetable crop grown in Liaoning Province of China. In June 2009, leaf spotting was observed on hot pepper cv. 37-74 in Wafangdian County of Liaoning Province. By August 2011, the disease had spread to Pulandian and Donggang Counties. Symptoms initially appeared on both sides of leaves as pinpoint chlorotic spots that enlarged and developed into irregular, brown lesions, 1 to 8 mm in diameter. To identify the pathogen, leaf pieces (3 to 5 mm) taken at the edge of lesions with both infected and healthy portions were surface disinfected by placing them in 75% ethanol for 5 s, then transferred to a 0.1% aqueous mercuric chloride solution for 30 s and rinsed with sterilized water three times. The sections were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C in the dark. Ten pure fungal cultures were obtained from single spores. For growth rate determination and morphological description of colonies, single conidial isolates were inoculated on PDA, malt extract agar (MEA), and oatmeal agar (OA), and incubated at 25°C for 14 days in darkness. For studies of microscopic morphology, isolates were grown on synthetic nutrient agar (SNA) in slide cultures. Colonies grew up to 77 to 80 mm in diameter on PDA, 62 to 66 mm on MEA, and 58 to 60 mm on OA after 14 days. Conidiophores were straight to slightly flexuous. Conidia ranged in shape from subglobose or ovoid to subcylindrical. Macronematous conidiophores measured 40 to 670 × 3 to 5.5 μm with swellings, micronematous conidiophores 15 to 137 × 1.5 to 3.5 μm, terminal conidia 2 to 4 × 2 to 3 μm, and intercalary conidia 4 to 10 × 2.5 to 4 μm. Ramoconidia were rarely observed. Secondary ramoconidia were zero- to one-septate and measured 5.2 to 14.8 × 2.4 to 4 μm. On the basis of these characteristics, the isolates were identified as Cladosporium oxysporum (1). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region from isolate W10-02 was amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4 and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JQ775499). The 525-bp amplicons had 99% identity to C. oxysporum (GenBank Accession No. EF029816). On the basis of morphological characteristics and nucleotide homology, the isolate was identified as C. oxysporum. Koch's postulates were fulfilled in the laboratory on pepper leaves inoculated with C. oxysporum conidial suspensions (10⁷ conidia ml^-1). Eight inoculated 4-week-old seedlings were incubated under moist conditions for 8 to 10 days at 25°C. All leaf spots that developed on inoculated leaves were similar in appearance to those observed on diseased pepper in the field. C. oxysporum was reisolated from lesions and its identity was confirmed by morphological characteristics. C. oxysporum was first reported as a pathogen of pepper in the Sultanate of Oman (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. oxysporum causing leaf spot on pepper in China. The outbreak and spread of this disease may decrease the yield of pepper in the northern regions of China. More studies are needed on the management strategy including the resistance of pepper cultivars against C. oxysporum. References: (1) K. Bensch et al. 2010. Stud. Mycol. 67:1, 2010. (2) A. M. Hammouda. Plant Dis. 76:536, 1992.

One-hour upright posture is an ideal position for serum aldosterone concentration and plasma renin activity measuring on primary aldosteronism screening

The serum aldosterone concentration (SAC) to plasma renin activity (PRA) ratio (ARR) is considered a useful screening test in the differential diagnosis of essential hypertension (EH) and primary aldosteronism (PA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the variation of ARR and compare the screening efficiency of it under different postures.37 patients with PA and 92 patients with EH were recruited in this study. Blood was sampled for measuring SAC and PRA under conditions of overnight recumbency, keeping upright posture for 1 h, 2 h and 4 h. The variation and screening efficiency of ARR under these conditions were compared according to repeated measured ANOVA and ROC curve analysis.In the EH group, ARR measured under recumbency posture was higher than those measured under keeping upright posture for 1 h and 2 h. In the PA group, there is no statistical difference for ARR between any 2 postures. AUCs of ARR measured under 4 conditions were 0.976, 0.995, 0.988, and 0.974 respectively. Cutoff values were ranging from 24.75 ng/dl per ng/ml/h under keeping upright for 2 h to 69.19 ng/dl per ng/ml/h under overnight recumbercy. ARR measured under keeping upright posture for 1 h produced the best characteristic of screening efficiency.Keeping upright posture for 1 h was the ideal position for ARR measuring and using a cutoff value of 35.90 ng/dl per ng/ml/h will have a sensitivity and specificity of 100.00% and 92.30% respectively.

Role of Th17 in the pathogenesis of cutaneous inflammatory diseases

Th17 cells are a new T-cell subtype characterized by the capability of producing IL-17. They are reported to be involved in a wide range of cutaneous immune-mediated conditions and, particularly in this review, we sought to elucidate the Th17 role in the pathogenesis of some common inflammatory diseases including psoriasis, allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.

A potential role for B cells in suppressed immune responses in cord blood transplant recipients

We evaluated immune reconstitution in 58 adults who received hematopoietic stem cell transplants from allogeneic siblings (allosib), matched unrelated donors (MUD), or cord blood (CB) at 90-day intervals for one year post-transplant. CB recipients had a higher incidence of infections in the first 100 days compared to allosib and MUD recipients. The number of circulating T cells was lower in CB recipients compared to MUD recipients at 90 days and compared to allosib recipients at 180 days. Spectratype analysis of the TCR Vβ complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of patient lymphocytes revealed that the TCR repertoire remained poorly diversified even at 360 days in nearly all patients. In contrast, the number of circulating B cells was significantly elevated in CB recipients compared to allosib recipients throughout the first year post-transplant and compared to MUD recipients at 9-12 months. Spectratype analysis of the B cell receptor V_H CDR3 showed that the B cell repertoire was diversified in most patients by 90 days. CD5^pos B cells from assayed CB recipients expressed intracellular IL-10 early post-transplant. Our data suggest that B cells, in addition to T cells, may play a role in impaired immune responses in CB transplant patients.

Comparison of micafungin and voriconazole in the treatment of invasive fungal infections in kidney transplant recipients

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Invasive fungal infections are a major threat to renal transplant recipients. Micafungin and voriconazole are two useful antifungal agents for treating such infections. Our objective is to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of micafungin and voriconazole in the initial treatment of such infections.

METHODS

In this prospective, multicentre, open-labelled, randomized, controlled trial, renal transplant recipients with invasive fungal infections were assigned to receive either micafungin or voriconazole. The enrolled subjects received a kidney transplant between March 2008 and March 2010 at one of the two transplant centres in Henan Province, China. The efficacy and adverse effects of the two treatments were compared.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The clinical trial enrolled 65 patients, of whom 31 were treated with micafungin, and 34 with voriconazole. The rates of microbiological evidence of infection in the micafungin and voriconazole groups were 64.5% and 70.5%, respectively, whereas the rates of Candida as the major cultured fungus were 80.0% and 75.0%, respectively. Complicated bacterial infection rates in the two treatment groups were 38.7% and 32.4%, respectively, whereas complicated CMV viral infection occurred at a rate of 19.2% and 23.5%, respectively. Fungal infection within one to 3 months after transplant was 83.6% (26/31) and 85.3% (29/34) in the micafungin and voriconazole groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of efficacy, survival beyond 10 days and discontinuation of treatment because of lack of efficacy (P > 0.05). Mortality rates in the micafungin and voriconazole groups were 9.7% (3/31) and 12.1% (4/33), respectively. Rates of adverse effects in the two groups were 41.9% and 51.6% (P > 0.05), respectively.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS

This is the first comparison of micafungin and voriconazole in renal transplant patients. Our study shows that the effectiveness of micafungin was similar to that of voriconazole in such patients.

The propensity for consuming ethanol in Drosophila requires rutabaga adenylyl cyclase expression within mushroom body neurons

Alcohol activates reward systems through an unknown mechanism, in some cases leading to alcohol abuse and dependence. Herein, we utilized a two-choice Capillary Feeder assay to address the neural and molecular basis for ethanol self-administration in Drosophila melanogaster. Wild-type Drosophila shows a significant preference for food containing between 5% and 15% ethanol. Preferred ethanol self-administration does not appear to be due to caloric advantage, nor due to perceptual biases, suggesting a hedonic bias for ethanol exists in Drosophila. Interestingly, rutabaga adenylyl cyclase expression within intrinsic mushroom body neurons is necessary for robust ethanol self-administration. The expression of rutabaga in mushroom bodies is also required for both appetitive and aversive olfactory associative memories, suggesting that reinforced behavior has an important role in the ethanol self-administration in Drosophila. However, rutabaga expression is required more broadly within the mushroom bodies for the preference for ethanol-containing food than for olfactory memories reinforced by sugar reward. Together these data implicate cAMP signaling and behavioral reinforcement for preferred ethanol self-administration in D. melanogaster.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus gene expression by small interfering RNAs targeting cccDNA and X antigen

To test the possible inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and expression by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting simultaneously covalenthy closed circular DNA (dnacccDNA) and X antigen, corresponding recombinant plasmids were transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells and the levels of cccDNA, HBXAg, HBcAg, and HBeAg were assayed at various times post transfection. As expected, the single siRNAs showed marked inhibitory effects but their combination was even more efficient. These results provide a new insight into the development of a potential anti-HBV strategy of enhancing the efficacy of individual antivirals and overcoming the high mutation rate of HBV.

Big endothelin-1 as a predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence after primary ablation only in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after ablation is difficult to predict. The development of AF is associated with inflammation, and inflammatory markers such as big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) reflect inflammatory status. It is unknown, however, whether big ET-1 can be used as a predictor for AF recurrence. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma levels of big ET-1 and AF recurrence.

METHODS

A total of 158 patients who had undergone primary ablation for symptomatic and/or drug-refractory AF, including 103 with paroxysmal and 55 with persistent AF, were included in this study. Left atrial diameter was measured with echocardiography and plasma big ET-1 levels with ELISA. All patients were followed up for at least 12 months and AF recurrence defined as an episode of AF lasting ≥ 30 s, with or without atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia.

RESULTS

The AF recurrence rate was 44.9% (71/158) during the median follow-up period of 22 (13, 40) months. Plasma levels of big ET-1 in the recurrence group were higher than those in the non-recurrence group in all patients [0.80 (0.54, 1.30) vs. 0.57 (0.48, 0.72) fmol·L(-) (1), p  = 0.001], in patients with paroxysmal AF [0.81 (0.46, 1.30) vs. 0.57 (0.48, 0.70) fmol·L(-) (1), p  = 0.009] as well as in patients with persistent AF [0.77 (0.57, 1.28) vs. 0.57 (0.49, 0.89) fmol·L(-) (1), p = 0.034]. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that plasma levels of big ET-1 were associated with AF recurrence in patients with paroxysmal AF (p  = 0.037). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the sinus rhythm maintenance rate was lower in patients with higher big ET-1 levels than those with lower levels (p  < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline plasma big ET-1 levels are associated with AF recurrence after primary ablation procedure in patients with paroxysmal AF, and may be used in the prediction of AF recurrence in these patients.

Next-generation small RNA sequencing for microRNAs profiling in Apis mellifera: comparison between nurses and foragers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression in animals and plants. To find some differentially expressed miRNAs that may be associated with age-dependent behavioural changes in honey bees (Apis mellifera), we applied next-generation high-throughput sequencing technology to detect small RNAs in nurses and foragers. Our results showed that both nurses and foragers had a complicated small RNA population, and the length of small RNAs varied, 22 nucleotides being the predominant length. Combining deep sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, we discovered that nine known miRNAs were significantly different between nurses and foragers (P < 0.01; absolute value of fold-change ≥ 1). Some of their target genes were related to neural function. Moreover, 67 novel miRNAs were identified in nurses and foragers. Ame-miR-31a and ame-miR-13b were further validated using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR assays. The present study provides new information on the miRNA abundance of honey bees, and enhances our understanding of miRNA function in the regulation of honey bee development.

Regulation and expression of IL-32 in chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

Activated T lymphocytes and their interaction with resident tissue cells, particularly epithelium, play important roles in inflammatory processes in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). IL-32 is a recently described cytokine, which is expressed in a variety of tissue cells and involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases.

METHODS

Human sinus epithelial cells were isolated from biopsies and stimulated with different cytokines, which play a role in the pathogenesis of CRS. IL-32 mRNA expression was analyzed using real-time-PCR, IL-32 protein was determined by Western blot and flow cytometry as well as immunofluorescent staining in primary sinus epithelial cells and nasal biopsies from patients with CRS and healthy controls.

RESULTS

IL-32 mRNA was upregulated by TNF-α and IFN-γ in primary sinus epithelial cells, whereas IL-1 β, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-17 did not influence IL-32 expression. IL-32 mRNA expression was significantly higher in human primary sinonasal epithelial cells (HSECs) cocultured with Th1 cells compared with HSECs cocultured with Th0 or Th2 cells. IL-32 mRNA expression was significantly higher in biopsies from sinus epithelial tissue of CRS patients with nasal polyps compared with healthy subjects (P = 0.01). IL-32 was detected in biopsies from patients with CRS, whereas it was scarcely present in control tissues.

CONCLUSION

The induction of IL-32 by TNF-α, IFN-γ and Th1 cells as well as its increased expression in sinus tissues from CRS patients with nasal polyps demonstrated a potential role for IL-32 in the pathogenesis of CRS.

Directed flow of identified particles in Au+Au collisions at √[SNN]=200 GeV at RHIC

STAR's measurements of directed flow (v1) around midrapidity for π±, K±, KS0, p, and p[over ¯] in Au+Au collisions at √[sNN]=200  GeV are presented. A negative v1(y) slope is observed for most of produced particles (π±, K±, KS0, and p[over ¯]). In 5%-30% central collisions, a sizable difference is present between the v1(y) slope of protons and antiprotons, with the former being consistent with zero within errors. The v1 excitation function is presented. Comparisons to model calculations (RQMD, UrQMD, AMPT, QGSM with parton recombination, and a hydrodynamics model with a tilted source) are made. For those models which have calculations of v1 for both pions and protons, none of them can describe v1(y) for pions and protons simultaneously. The hydrodynamics model with a tilted source as currently implemented cannot explain the centrality dependence of the difference between the v1(y) slopes of protons and antiprotons.

Stability in brain glucose metabolism following brown adipose tissue inactivation in chinese adults

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The thermogenesis of BAT is believed to be controlled through some pathways initiated in the brain, though the changes in brain activity among different states of BAT-positive subjects are still unclear. We hypothesized that some significant differences of regional cerebral metabolism between various groups were related to the BAT activities regardless of temperature changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relative regional cerebral glucose metabolism was compared between 15 healthy subjects with activated BAT and 30 healthy controls without activated BAT by using a brain FDG-PET scan. A follow-up PET scan was performed to assess metabolic changes of the brain when BAT activity was eliminated by heat exposure.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, BAT-positive subjects exhibited lower activity in the inferior parietal lobule, limbic system, and frontal lobe and higher activity in the precuneus before heat exposure. Compared with the BAT elimination status, subjects with activated BAT showed a decreased metabolism in the parietal lobe, frontal lobe, culmen, cingulate gyrus, and sublobar region. Compared with controls, BAT-positive subjects after BAT inactivation had significant hypometabolic areas in the temporal lobe and limbic lobe and hypermetabolic areas in the parietal lobe.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings illustrate that changes of regional cerebral metabolism are related to BAT activities regardless of temperature changes. This before-after controlled study supports the finding that the brain responses appear to be active in modulating the metabolic function of BAT activity.

Determination of seven nitrobenzene compounds in mainstream cigarette smoke with heart-cutting two-dimensional gas chromatography

A heart-cutting two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC) method was developed for the determination of nitrobenzene compounds (NBCs) in mainstream cigarette smoke. For the method, the particulate matter of cigarette smoke was extracted with cyclohexane, purified with a silica solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and analyzed by heart-cutting two-dimensional GC equipped with two electron capture detectors. The heart-cutting two-dimensional GC was achieved by a single-column GC oven equipped with a microfluidic pressure balanced device (Deans switch). Two-dimensional GC was compared to single-dimensional GC and found to be clearly better for the separation of seven NBCs from a complex smoke matrix. The limits of detection ranged from 1.28 to 9.83 ng/mL, spiked recoveries were between 88.3 and 106.8% and relative standard deviation ranged from 2.79 to 12.78%. The NBCs yields of six kinds of Chinese and international cigarettes brands, which were all smoked according to two smoking protocols (International Organization for Standardization and Health Canada Intense smoking regimens), were determined and compared.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Alternaria longipes on Atractylodes macrocephala in China

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. is a perennial herb that has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for centuries. During the summer of 2011, leaf spots were observed on leaves of A. macrocephala in Panan County of Zhejiang Province, China. Approximately 40% of the plants surveyed showed severe symptoms of leaf spot. At the initial stage of the infection, small, light brown spots appeared on the leaves that gradually became semicircular, oval, or irregular-shaped with dark brown or black centers surrounded by brown or light brown margins. The lesions enlarged and coalesced to form large areas of necrosis on leaves until entire leaves died. Eight fungal isolates were obtained from diseased A. macrocephala leaves by a tissue isolation method (1). Isolates were cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates at 25°C in darkness. Colonies on PDA were initially white and became grayish brown over time. Conidiophores were light brown with one or a few regular septa, mostly unbranched. Conidia were obclavate, dark brown, with three to eight transverse and zero to two longitudinal or oblique septa, and on average measured 35.1 (20 to 53) × 9.8 (5.8 to 13.3) μm (n = 20). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the primers ITS1F/ITS4 and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JQ004404). The ITS sequence had 99% identity over 545 bp with Alternaria longipes (Ellis & Everh.) E. W. Mason (GenBank Accession No. AY278835), a fungal pathogen reported to cause leaf spot on Smilax china in China (3). To further identify the fungus, we chose the Alternaria allergen gene (Alt a 1 gene), which aids in identifying species of Alternaria (2). Amplification of the Alt a 1 gene was conducted using primers Alt-for/Alt-rev and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JQ004405). Sequence comparisons showed there was 97% sequence identity with Alternaria longipes (GenBank Accession No. AY563304). Pathogenicity tests were performed on detached healthy A. macrocephala leaves. Nine leaves were inoculated by placing a PDA plug (0.5 cm²) of mycelia on upper surfaces of the leaves. Another nine leaves treated with sterile PDA plugs served as a control. Leaves were incubated in three petri dishes with a 12-h photoperiod at 25°C and 95% relative humidity. After 7 days, the symptoms described above were observed on all inoculated leaves, whereas no symptoms developed on control leaves. Reisolation of the fungus from symptomatic leaf tissues on PDA confirmed that the causal agent was Alternaria longipes. This pathogenicity test was performed three times. The genus Alternaria is ubiquitous and includes both plant pathogenic and saprophytic species that may cause leaf spot and blight on numerous plants (3,4), but to our knowledge, our research demonstrated this is the first report of leaf spot on A. macrocephalae caused by Alternaria longipes in China. References: (1) O. D. Dhingra and J. B. Sinclair. Basic Plant Pathology Methods. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1995. (2) S. G. Hong et al. Fungal Genet. Biol. 42:119, 2005. (3) Y. Long et al. Plant Pathol. 58:800, 2009. (4) S. X. Zang et al. J. Hebei Normal Univ. Sci. Tech. 19:46, 2005.

New insights into the pathogenesis of cutaneous autoimmune disorders

T helper 17 (Th17) cells are characterized by the secretion of IL-17, a proinflammatory cytokine. They represent a newly described T helper subpopulation that is distinct from Th1 and Th2 lineages. Because of their pleiotropic activity on fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, neutrophils and memory T cells, Th17 cells are thought to be crucial in mediating tissue inflammation and autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases were classically considered as Th1-mediated disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or mixed Th1/Th2 diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, bullous diseases, but new evidence suggests the deep involvement of Th17 cells in their pathogenesis that, potentially, may address a selective therapeutic approach targeting the IL23/Th17 pathway. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the pathogenic contribution of Th17 cells in select cutaneous autoimmune disorders, including lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris.

Electric-field control of nonvolatile magnetization in Co40Fe40B20/Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))(0.7)Ti(0.3)O3 structure at room temperature

We report a large and nonvolatile bipolar-electric-field-controlled magnetization at room temperature in a Co(40)Fe(40)B(20)/Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))(0.7)Ti(0.3)O(3) structure, which exhibits an electric-field-controlled looplike magnetization. Investigations on the ferroelectric domains and crystal structures with in situ electric fields reveal that the effect is related to the combined action of 109° ferroelastic domain switching and the absence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in Co(40)Fe(40)B(20). This work provides a route to realize large and nonvolatile magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature and is significant for applications.

Right lobe living-donor liver transplantation with or without middle hepatic vein: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare outcomes after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with or without the middle hepatic vein (MHV).

METHODS

Studies were identified through a computerized search of Pubmed, Embase, Ovid, the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Library database, and the Web of Science. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of each study and abstracted outcome data. We extracted data for liver functional recovery in donors, donor hospital stay, donor complications and liver functional recovery in recipients. We synthesized published data using random-effects and fixed-effect models, expressing results as weighted mean differences (WMD) or relative risk (RR).

RESULTS

The 11 included eligible studies came from medical centers worldwide. Significant differences between "with MHV" versus "without MHV" groups were not observed for liver functional recovery (P=.08; WMD=-2.88), donor hospital stay (P=.00; WMD=0.00), or donor complications (P=.90; RR=1.02). However, our meta-analysis showed a significant benefit for recipients liver functional recovery favoring the MHV group (P=.02; WMD=-33.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis discovered that right lobes with MHV not only experienced better liver functional recovery in recipients, but also caused no greater harm or risk to donors.