bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Disease Thresholds and Predictors for Managing Late Blight in Celery
Authors: Bounds R. S. , Hausbeck M. K.
Published: February 2008

Late blight of celery, incited by Septoria apiicola, results in necrotic lesions on leaves and petioles and reduces yield when it occurs on marketable petioles. Michigan celery growers typically begin applying fungicides 1 to 3 weeks after transplanting and reapply fungicides at 7- to 10-day intervals to manage late blight. Using disease thresholds or predictors to prompt fungicide sprays may reduce the number of applications needed for effective disease control. Weekly treatments of azoxystrobin alternated with chlorothalonil were initiated early (1 week after transplanting), preventively (4 weeks after transplanting), or when disease symptoms were detected at a trace, 5%, or 10% level on ‘Dutchess’ celery plants in 2003 and 2004. The early and preventive programs were equally effective in preventing petiole blight and yield loss. The preventive program required three fewer applications, at a savings of up to $134/ha, when compared with an early fungicide program initiated 1 week after transplanting. Delaying the initial fungicide application until disease symptoms were detected resulted in high disease levels at harvest that were often similar to untreated control plants. Additional field trials were established in 2004 and 2005 at a research farm where S. apiicola inoculum was applied and at a commercial field where early blight, caused by Cercospora apii, developed from naturally occurring inoculum. A fungicide program that alternated chlorothalonil with azoxystrobin was initiated preventively and reapplied weekly or according to the Septoria predictor or TOM-CAST 10-disease severity value (DSV) and was compared with the standard, weekly application program initiated early. Combining the use of preventive initial applications with the Septoria predictor or TOM-CAST 10-DSV reduced the number of sprays by two to six while providing disease control that was comparable with the standard weekly fungicide program initiated early. These programs reduced fungicide expenditures by $71 to $213/ha compared with the weekly fungicide program initiated early.
Isolation and Variation in Virulence of Single-Spore Isolates of Plasmodiophora brassicae from Canada
Authors: Xue S. , Cao T. , Howard R. J. , Hwang S. F. , Strelkov S. E.
Published: February 2008

Clubroot of crucifers, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is emerging as an important disease of canola (Brassica napus) in Alberta, Canada. Populations of the pathogen often consist of a mixture of different pathotypes. Therefore, a simple and efficient method to isolate single resting spores of P. brassicae was developed, based on serial dilution of spore suspensions. The virulence of 24 single-spore isolates, representing five populations of the pathogen from Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia, was characterized on the differentials of Williams and Somé et al. Symptoms were rated 6 weeks after inoculation and Fisher's least significant difference (P < 0.05) was used to differentiate resistant from susceptible host reactions. The pathotype composition of P. brassicae in Canada appeared more diverse when single-spore isolates were examined rather than populations of the pathogen. In Alberta, at least three and possibly four pathotypes were identified among the 14 isolates tested, whereas a maximum of only two pathotypes had been reported previously when populations of the pathogen were examined. Pathotype 3 or P2, as classified on the differentials of Williams and Somé et al., respectively, was found to be predominant in the province. The occurrence of other pathotypes at lower frequencies suggests that caution should be used in any breeding strategy, because rare pathotypes of P. brassicae may quickly become predominant if susceptible host genotypes are continuously grown.
Identification and Molecular Characterization of Leaf Rust Resistance Gene Lr14a in Durum Wheat
Authors: Herrera-Foessel S. A. , Singh R. P. , Huerta-Espino J. , William H. M. , Garcia V. , Djurle A. , Yuen J.
Published: February 2008

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is an important disease of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) and only a few designated resistance genes are known to occur in this crop. A dominant leaf rust resistance gene in the Chilean durum cv. Llareta INIA was mapped to chromosome arm 7BL through bulked segregant analysis using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique, and by mapping three polymorphic markers in the common wheat (T. aestivum) International Triticeae Mapping Initiative population. Several simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, including Xgwm344-7B and Xgwm146-7B, were associated with the leaf rust resistance gene. Resistance response and chromosomal position indicated that this gene is likely to be Lr14a. The SSR markers Xgwm344-7B and Xgwm146-7B and one AFLP marker also differentiated common wheat cv. Thatcher from the near-isogenic line with Lr14a, as well as durum ‘Altar C84’ from durum wheat with Lr14a. This is the first report of the presence of Lr14a in durum wheat, although the gene originally was transferred from emmer wheat ‘Yaroslav’ to common wheat. Lr14a is also present in CIMMYT-derived durum ‘Somateria’ and effective against Mexican and other P. triticina races of durum origin. Lr14a should be deployed in combination with other effective leaf rust resistance genes to prolong its effectiveness in durum wheat.
First Report of Ophiosphaerella herpotricha Causing Spring Dead Spot of Bermudagrass in Mississippi
Authors: Perry D. H. , Tomaso-Peterson M. , Baird R.
Published: February 2008

Spring dead spot (SDS) is the most destructive disease of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.). Symptoms of SDS appear in the spring when bermudagrass transitions out of winter dormancy. These symptoms include depressed, straw-colored patches that range from several centimeters to a meter in diameter. Infected roots and rhizomes are black, brittle, and necrotic. The disease is caused by three species of fungi: Ophiosphaerella herpotricha (Fr:Fr) J. Walker; O. korrae (J. Walker & A.M. Smith) Shoemaker & C.E. Babcock; or O. narmari (J. Walker & A.M. Smith) Wetzel, Hubert & Tisserat. However, O. korrae is the most prevalent causal organism of SDS in the southeastern United States and was the only species reported in Mississippi (1). In April of 2006, root samples were collected from a bermudagrass putting green in Booneville, MS with a high level of SDS incidence and severity. Symptomatic roots were collected and surface disinfested in 0.6% NaOCl and plated on one-quarter-strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate and chloramphenicol. Hyphae growing from the roots were transferred to full-strength PDA after 5 to 7 days. Mycelium from five pure-culture colonies plus an O. herpotricha control was harvested after 4 weeks of growth and the genomic DNA was extracted. The genomic DNA of the Booneville isolates and the O. herpotricha control were amplified by PCR using species-specific primers OHITS1 and OHITS2 for O. herpotricha (2). Amplification of a 454-bp fragment of DNA confirmed one of the five unknown isolates as O. herpotricha. The other four isolates were not identified. ‘Sahara’ bermudagrass (4 weeks old in 3.8 × 20 cm Cone-tainers containing a sand and soil mixture) was inoculated with the Booneville-O. herpotricha isolate and the O. herpotricha control. One gram of oat seed infested with O. herpotricha isolates was inserted 2 cm below the crowns in the root zone of bermudagrass plugs. The inoculated bermudagrass plants were incubated for 4 weeks in the greenhouse. A control consisting of noninfested sterile oats was included. Following incubation, black, necrotic roots were observed on the plants inoculated with both O. herpotricha isolates. No symptoms were observed on roots of noninfested plants. Symptomatic roots were disinfested and plated on one-quarter-strength PDA. Koch's postulates were completed after O. herpotricha was reisolated from roots of plants inoculated with both O. herpotricha isolates and confirmed by PCR as mentioned above. The identification of O. herpotricha as a causal organism of SDS in Mississippi clarifies the involvement of multiple causal agents in this state and broadens the geographic distribution of this root-rot species.

References: (1) F. B. Iriarte et al. Plant Dis. 88:1341, 2004. (2) N. A. Tisserat et al. Phytopathology 84:478, 1994.
First Report of Sclerotinia minor Infecting Ipomoea hederacea and I. coccinea in Texas
Authors: Woodward J. E. , Batla M. A. , Dotray P. A. , Wheeler T. A. , Baughman T. A.
Published: February 2008

Sclerotinia blight, caused by the soilborne fungus Sclerotinia minor Jagger, is a major disease of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in parts of west Texas. Previous reports have indicated that annual weed species may serve as collateral hosts for S. minor (2). Several Ipomoea spp. are commonly found in peanut fields throughout the region. In September of 2007, Ipomoea hederacea and I. coccinea plants with bleached, shredded stems, and signs of black sclerotia were collected from a field known to be infested with S. minor. Symptomatic stem sections were rinsed in tap water, surface disinfested in 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, air dried, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Pure cultures of S. minor consisting of white, fluffy mycelia and small (<2 mm), black, irregular sclerotia were consistently recovered. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by wound-inoculating healthy I. hederacea and I. coccinea transplants (n = 3) with agar plugs obtained from the edges of actively growing S. minor cultures. Plants were incubated in a dew chamber at 20°C and 95% relative humidity for 5 days. Plants inoculated with sterile PDA plugs served as controls (n = 3). A similar test was conducted using the susceptible peanut cultivar Flavorunner 458. Characteristic symptoms of Sclerotinia blight (3) were observed on all inoculated weed and peanut plants; whereas, the controls remained healthy. Pathogenicity tests were repeated with similar results. Cultures of S. minor were obtained from all symptomatic tissues, fulfilling Koch's postulates. These results indicate that I. hederacea and I. coccinea are additional hosts of S. minor and that sclerotia produced on infected plants can significantly augment soil inoculum. S. minor has been observed to infect I. batatas seedlings in New Jersey (1); however, this to our knowledge is the first report of S. minor infecting Ipomoea spp. in Texas. Therefore, weed management should inevitability be a part of disease management strategies for the control of Sclerotinia blight in peanut.

References: (1) Anonymous. Index of Plant Diseases in the United States. USDA Handb. No. 165, 1960. (2) J. E. Hollowell et al. Plant Dis. 87:197, 2003. (3) D. M. Porter and H. A. Melouk. Sclerotinia blight. Page 34 in: Compendium of Peanut Diseases. 2nd ed. N. Kokalis-Burelle et al., eds. The American Phytopathologicial Society, St. Paul, MN, 1997.
First Report of Gummosis Disease of Plum (Prunus salicina) Caused by a Botryosphaeria sp. in Taiwan
Authors: Ko Y. , Yao K. S. , Chen C. Y. , Liu C. W. , Maruthasalam S. , Lin C. H.
Published: February 2008

Plum (Prunus salicina Lindell) is grown on more than 3,870 ha in Taiwan. In 2004, a gummosis disease was observed on plum in the Ming Jian Region of Nantou County (120.675°E, 23.919°N), with 15% of the trees affected. Infections started on the current year's growth, primarily through lenticels, and formed small, sunken, discolored lesions. At later stages, white gum exuded from the lesions. Circular to oval, brown, necrotic areas were seen on the inner bark. Severely infected twigs showed defoliation and dieback. During the winter months, numerous black pycnidia or perithecia formed on infected twigs. Single conidial isolates of the pathogen were obtained from diseased twigs on acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25 ± 1°C for 3 days. On the basis of morphological traits, the fungus was identified as a Botryosphaeria sp. according to the CMI descriptions of Botryosphaeria ribis (3). Conidia (14.2 to 26.8 × 4.3 to 7.2 μm) were single celled, hyaline, and spindle shaped. Asci (105 to 135 × 12.5 to 15.5 μm) were hyaline, clavate, and bitunicate. Ascospores (18 to 22 × 7.0 to 8.2 μm) were hyaline and spindle shaped or fusoid. For pathogenicity tests, inoculum was prepared by culturing the fungus on PDA under continuous fluorescent light (128 ± 25 μE·m–2·s–1) at 25°C for 3 days. Two twigs on each of six trees were inoculated. Sharp incisions (3 × 3 × 3 mm) were made on healthy twigs (12 to 15 months old) with a sterilized scalpel and inoculated with either a 5-mm mycelial disc or 0.5 ml of a conidial suspension (105 conidia/ml) of the fungus. Inoculated areas were covered with moist, sterile cotton and the entire twigs were enclosed in plastic bags. Twigs inoculated with 5-mm PDA discs or sterile water alone served as controls. The symptoms described above were observed on all inoculated twigs 14 days after inoculation, whereas control twigs did not develop any disease symptoms. Reisolation from the inoculated twigs consistently yielded the Botryosphaeria sp., thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Botryosphaeria spp. have been reported to cause stem blight of many plants in temperate and tropical regions of the world (4). In Taiwan, B. dothidea has been reported as the causal agent of gummosis disease of peach (1) and fruit ring rot of pear (2); however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of a Botryosphaeria sp. causing gummosis of plum.

References: (1). Y. Ko et al. Plant Pathol. Bull. 1:70, 1992. (2) Y. Ko et al. Plant Prot. Bull. (Taiwan) 35:211, 1993. (3) E. Punithalingam and P. Holliday. No. 395 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1973. (4) W. A. Sinclair et al. Diseases of Trees and Shrubs. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1987.
Bacterial Wilt of Mulberry (Morus alba) Caused by Enterobacter cloacae in China
Authors: Wang G. F. , Praphat K. , Xie G. L. , Zhu B. , Li B. , Liu B. , Zhou Q.
Published: February 2008

In August of 2006, a new bacterial disease was noted in Hangzhou mulberry orchards of Zhejiang Province, China where bacterial wilt of mulberry caused by Ralstonia solanacearum was previously reported (3). In the summer, the disease caused severe wilt, especially on 1- or 2-year-old mulberry plants, that resulted in premature plant death. Leaf wilt symptoms generally started on older leaves at the bottom of the plant and spread to the younger leaves. The leaves of infected plants became withered and dry, turned dark brown, and eventually the plants became defoliated. The root xylem of infected plants was moist and discolored with brown stripes. The phloem was asymptomatic, however, in severe infections, the phloem was decayed. The observation of wilting proceeding from the bottom of the plant to the top distinguishes this disease from bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum. Five bacterial strains isolated from infected mulberry plants showed characteristics similar to those of the standard reference strain of Enterobacter cloacae subsp. cloacae IBJ0611from China, but differed from R. solanacearum IBJ35, E. cancerogenus LMG2693T, and E. cloacae subsp. dissolvens LMG2683T from the University of Gent, Belgium in phenotypic tests, including the Biolog Identification System version 4.2 (Biolog Inc., Hayward CA), pathogenicity tests, transmission electron microscopy (TEM,KYKY-1000B, Japan) observation, and gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) using the Microbial Identification System (MIDI Company, Newark, DE) with the aerobic bacterial library (TABA50). Isolates were gram negative, facultative anaerobic, rod shaped, 0.3 to 1.0 × 1.0 to 3.0 μm with peritrichous flagella. Colonies on nutrient agar were light yellow, smooth, circular, entire, and convex with no green fluorescent diffusible pigment on King's medium B (3). Weak hypersensitive reaction was observed on tobacco 3 days after inoculation. All five strains were identified as E. cloacae with Biolog similarity of 0.662 to 0.863 and FAMEs similarity of 0.632 to 0.701. Inoculation of 10 6-month-old intact mulberry plants of cv Husang with cell suspensions containing 109 CFU/ml by pinprick at the base of the stem reproduced symptoms observed in natural infections. No symptoms were noted on the two control plants inoculated by the same method but with sterilized distilled water. The bacterium was reisolated from the symptomatic mulberry plants. E. cloacae has been reported from the United States as the cause of internal yellowing of papaya fruits (1) and rhizome rot of edible ginger (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of mulberry wilt caused by E. cloacae in China.

References: (1) K. Nishijima et al. Plant Dis. 71:1029, 1987. (2) K. Nishijima et al. Plant Dis. 88:1318, 2004. (3) L. Xu et al. Acta Phytophylacica. Sin. 34:141, 2007.
Association of Pythium aphanidermatum with Root and Crown Rot of Melons in Honduras
Authors: de Cara M. , López V. , Santos M. , Tello Marquina J. C.
Published: February 2008

Approximately 10,000 ha of melon (Cucumis melo L.), primarily cantaloupe and honeydew types, are grown in Honduras for export to U.S. markets. In 2004 and 2005, several soil surveys were conducted in areas with a history of vine decline. Twenty-nine soil samples from six farms were collected from the rhizosphere of wilted plants. Thirty-six melon plants were planted in a mixture of each rhizosphere sample and vermiculite (1:6 v/v). The plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 23 to 25°C with a 16-h photoperiod. The first symptoms, which appeared at the one- or two-true-leaf stage, were girdling of the lower stem, leaf chlorosis, and wilting. Affected plants exhibited necrotic crowns and roots and half of all plants died less than 3 days after wilting. Isolations from washed and dried crown and roots pieces from affected plants were placed on malt extract agar. Colonies were transferred to potato carrot agar and into dishes of sterile water and immature carnation petals to aid in the identification of recovered fungi. Nearly 500 isolates of Pythium species were cultured, and approximately 60% were identified as P. aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzp. on the basis of their toruloid sporangia, aplerotic oospores, terminal and smooth oogonia, monoclinous sac-shaped antheridia (one to two per oogonium), and abundant appressoria. The pathogenicity of nine isolates was confirmed in a growth chamber. Ten plants of melon cv. Amarillo Canario, grown in sterilized vermiculite, were inoculated at the two- or three-true-leaf stage by drenching pots with 100 ml of a suspension of each isolate (103 CFU ml–1). Noninoculated plants served as controls. There were three replicates per isolate. Plants began to die 7 days after inoculation and the incidence of the affected plants reached an average of 70%. P. aphanidermatum causing decline of melon plants has been previously reported in hot and semi-arid areas in Israel and Spain (1,2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. aphanidermatum pathogenic to melon plants in Honduras.

References: (1) S. Pivonia et al. Plant Dis. 81:1264, 1997. (2) J. Gómez Enfermedades del Melón en los Cultivos “Sin Suelo” de la Provincia de Almería. Junta de Andalucía, 1993.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum on English Daisy (Bellis perennis) in Italy
Authors: Garibaldi A. , Minuto A. , Gullino M. L.
Published: February 2008

Bellis perennis (English daisy) is a flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae and is increasingly grown as a potted plant in Liguria (northern Italy). In February 2007, severe outbreaks of a previously unknown powdery mildew were observed on plants in commercial farms at Albenga (northern Italy). Both surfaces of leaves of affected plants were covered with white mycelia and conidia. As the disease progressed, infected leaves turned yellow. Mycelia and conidia also were observed on stems and flower calyxes. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid, borne in chains (as many as three conidia per chain), and measured 27.7 × 16.9 (15.0 to 45.0 × 10.0 to 30.0) μm. Conidiophores measured 114.0 × 12.0 (109.0 to 117.0 × 11.0 to 13.0) μm and showed a foot cell measuring 78.0 × 11.0 (72.0 to 80.0 × 11.0 to 12.0) μm followed by two shorter cells. Fibrosin bodies were absent. Chasmothecia were not observed in the collected samples. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS6 and sequenced. BLASTn analysis (1) of the 415 bp obtained showed an E-value of 7e–155 with Golovinomyces cichoracearum (3). The nucleotide sequence has been assigned the GenBank Accession No. AB077627.1 Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculations by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of healthy B. perennis plants. Twenty plants were inoculated. Fifteen noninoculated plants served as a control. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at temperatures ranging from 10 to 30°C. Seven days after inoculation, typical symptoms of powdery mildew developed on inoculated plants. The fungus observed on inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that originally observed. Noninoculated plants did not show symptoms. The pathogenicity test was carried out twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on B. perennis in Italy. The disease was already reported in other European countries (2). Voucher specimens are available at the AGROINNOVA Collection, University of Torino.

References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) U. Braun The Powdery Mildews (Erysiphales) of Europe. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena, Germany, 1995. (3) U. Braun and S. Takamatsu. Schlechtendalia 4:1, 2000.
First Report of Tobacco streak virus on Dahlia in the Czech Republic
Authors: Mokra V. , Gotzova B. , Bezdekova V. , Dedic P. , Ptacek J.
Published: February 2008

Dahlia is an important ornamental crop in the Czech Republic where they have been grown for more than 150 years. New dahlia cultivars have been selected by Czech plant breeders. Virus diseases, including mosaic and stunt caused mostly by Dahlia mosaic virus, have been a problem. From 2003 to 2005, color breaking was observed in several dahlia cultivars of foreign and Czech origin. White stripes in blossoms were most frequently expressed in the second half of the flowering season. No symptoms are visible in flowers of white and yellow cultivars. It was difficult to characterize symptoms on leaves because most cultivars were infected simultaneously by Dahlia mosaic virus. Sap inoculations of Chenopodium quinoa produced local lesions after 5 to 7 days, followed by systemic chlorosis, necrosis of younger leaves, and death of the shoot apex, indicating possible Tobacco streak virus (TSV) infection (2). Spherical particles (25 to 30 nm) were observed in leaf-dip preparations of samples from experimentally infected C. quinoa plants and analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy. These particles became decorated when using immunoelectron microscopy with TSV IgG (Bioreba, Reinach, Switzerland and Neogen, Ayrshire, Scotland). Samples of 80 dahlia cultivars were tested for TSV infection by ELISA using commercially available kits (Bioreba and Neogen). Most of the samples were grown in a collection of dahlia cultivars of Czech and foreign origin and some were obtained from growers in the Czech Republic. Fifty six dahlia cultivars were shown to be TSV infected. ELISA also indicated a higher concentration of the virus in flowers. The identity of the virus isolated from symptomatic plants was confirmed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using total RNA extraction from symptomatic plants. RT-PCR (4), using a primer pair (1) derived from the coat protein gene sequence of TSV (3), was followed by electrophoresis on 1.0% agarose gels. Products of the predicted size (approximately 700 bp) were found in naturally infected dahlia plants (n = 10), systemically infected host plants C. quinoa (n = 10), and symptomatic Nicotina megalosiphon (n = 10) that scored as TSV positive by ELISA. No bands of this size were seen in negative controls. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of TSV in the Czech Republic.

References: (1) A. I. Bhat et al. Arch. Virol. 147:651, 2002. (2) A. A. Brunt Plant Pathol. 17:119, 1968. (3) B. J. C. Cornelissen et al. Nucleic Acids Res.12:2427, 1984. (4) S. S. Pappu et al. J. Virol. Methods 4:9, 1993.
First Report of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-9 in Washington State Vineyards
Authors: Jarugula S. , Soule M. J. , Rowhani A. , Naidu R. A.
Published: February 2008

Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) has been recognized as one of the major constraints to the production of wine grapes in Washington State. At least nine distinct Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaV-1 to -9) have been detected in grapevines showing GLD symptoms in grape-growing areas of several countries. Previous studies documented the presence of GLRaV-1, -2, and -3 in Washington State (3). We initiated a program to test grapevine cultivars with GLD symptoms for the occurrence of the other GLRaVs. Leaf samples were collected from individual grapevines of red-berried grapevine cultivars showing typical GLD symptoms and tested by single-tube reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Of nearly 300 samples from 13 cultivars in 19 vineyards, 14 samples from 5 cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Mourvedre, and Lagrein) in different vineyards tested positive for GLRaV-9 using primers LR9 F/F (5′-CGG CAT AAG AAA AGA TGG CAC-3′) and LR9 R/R (5′-TCA TTC ACC ACT GCT TGA AC-3′), specific for the HSP-70h gene of GLRaV-9 (1). To confirm the identity of the RT-PCR products, the 393-bp amplicons obtained from each of these five cultivars were cloned individually into the pCR2.1 plasmid (Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, CA). Two independent clones per amplicon were sequenced from both orientations. Pairwise comparisons of these sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. EF101737, EF101738, EF101739, EF101740, and EU252530) with corresponding sequences of other GLRaVs in GenBank showed 94 to 100 and 96 to 100% identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively, with the sequence of HSP-70h gene of GLRaV-9 (GenBank Accession No. AY297819). Antiserum specific to GLRaV-9 was not accessible, therefore, an additional 540-nucleotide fragment specific to the coat protein (CP) gene of GLRaV-9 was amplified from cv. Lagrein using primers LR9-CP-F (5′ TAC CGT CGA CAC TTT CGA AGC ACT 3′) and LR9-CP-R (5′ TGA GGC GTC GTA ACC GAA CAA TCT 3′). PCR amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced. A comparison of this sequence (GenBank Accession No. EU251512) with corresponding nucleotide sequences of other GLRaVs in GenBank showed 96% identity with CP of GLRaV-9 (GenBank Accession No. AY297819), further confirming the presence of GLRaV-9. Previously, GLRaV-9 was reported in grapevines in California (1), Tunisia (2), and Western Australia (4). To our knowledge, our results are the first evidence for the occurrence of GLRaV-9 in Washington State vineyards. Results from our study and previous reports (1,2,4) indicate the wide distribution of GLRaV-9 in several Vitis vinifera cultivars. The economic impact of GLRaV-9 on wine grape cultivars, however, remains to be determined.

References: (1) R. Alkowni et al. J. Plant Pathol. 86:123, 2004. (2) N. Mahfoudhi et al. Plant Dis. 91:1359, 2007. (3) R. R. Martin et al. Plant Dis. 89:763, 2005. (4) B. K. Peake et al. Aust. Plant Pathol. 33:445, 2004.
First Report of Passiflora latent virus in Banana Passionfruit (Passiflora tarminiana) in New Zealand
Authors: Tang J. , Clover G. R. G. , Alexander B. J. R. , Quinn B. D.
Published: February 2008

Passiflora latent virus (PLV) naturally infects cultivated and wild Passiflora species in Australia, Germany, Israel and the United States (1–3). In March 2004, chlorotic lesions were observed on leaves of three vines of Passiflora tarminiana on one site in Auckland, New Zealand. Chenopodium amaranticolor and C. quinoa inoculated with sap from symptomatic leaves developed chlorotic local spots, followed by systemic leaf chlorosis and necrosis. Local symptoms appeared more quickly on C. quinoa (12 days) than on C. amaranticolor (20 days). No symptoms were observed on inoculated plants of Nicotiana benthamiana, N. clevelandii, N. occidentalis, N. tabacum, or Phaseolus vulgaris. Electron microscopy of crude sap preparations from infected C. quinoa, C. amaranticolor, N. occidentalis, and P. tarminiana showed flexuous, filamentous virus particles approximately 650 nm long. Plants of P. tarminiana and the three inoculated indicator species containing virus particles tested positive by PLV polyclonal antiserum in double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA (DSMZ, Braunschweig, Germany) and immunosorbent electron microscopy (Stephan Winter, DSMZ, personal communication). Nucleic acid was extracted from leaves of plants of each of the four viruliferous species with an RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Doncaster, Australia) and then used in reverse transcription (RT)-PCR tests with novel forward (5′-CGAGACACACGCAAACGAA-3′) and reverse (5′-CAGCAAAGCAAAGACACGA-3′) primers specific to a 523-bp fragment of the PLV polyprotein. PCR products of the expected size were obtained, and an amplicon from P. tarminiana was directly sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU257510). A BLAST search in GenBank showed 94% nucleotide sequence identity with a PLV isolate from Israel (GenBank Accession No. DQ455582). To our knowledge, this is the first finding of PLV in P. tarminiana and the first report of the virus in New Zealand. Chenopodium spp. have been reported previously as experimental hosts (2,3), and this study revealed that N. occidentalis also can be infected latently with PLV. P. tarminiana is a weed in New Zealand and subject to active control measures to manage the species. Economically important species such as P. edulis and P. ligularis are potentially susceptible to the virus. These species are not grown commercially in the surrounding area but are common in domestic Auckland gardens. Infected vines were removed from the site and destroyed, and symptomatic vines have not been observed at other sites.

References: (1) R. D. Pares et al. Plant Dis. 81:348, 1997. (2) S. Spiegel et al. Arch. Virol. 152:181, 2007. (3) A. A. Stihll et al. Plant Dis. 76:843, 1992.
Long‐term outcome of 495 TNM stage I or II patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma followed up with neck ultrasonography and thyroglobulin measurements on T4 treatment
Authors: Pelttari Hanna , Laitinen Kalevi , Schalin‐Jäntti Camilla , Välimäki Matti J.
Published: February 2008

Objective  Recent guidelines for surveillance of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma emphasize TSH‐stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurements and neck ultrasonographies (US) over Tg measurements on T4 and diagnostic whole body scans (DxWBS). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a surveillance paradigm comprising yearly T4‐suppressed Tg measurements and neck US every second year, with an increase in Tg to a detectable level being a prompt indication for DxWBS.

Design  A retrospective study with a median follow‐up of 11·6 years.

Patients and measurements  Recurrences, cancer‐specific deaths and number of neck US, fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) and operations performed were evaluated in 495 low‐risk (TNM stage I and II) patients, the majority of whom had total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine remnant ablation as initial treatment.

Results  Forty‐four patients (8·9%) experienced a recurrence in the neck and one patient died. Recurrences were established histopathologically in 26 and by a new uptake in DxWBS in 16 cases. A combination of neck US and high Tg revealed 42 of 44 recurrences. Of 993 ultrasonographies, 149 led to FNAB and 28 FNABs to surgery. Serum Tg was elevated 173 times, indicating a recurrence in 23 patients.

Conclusions  Although longer follow‐up is still needed, monitoring low‐risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients with neck US and T4 – suppressed Tg appears to be safe, provided radioactive iodine remnant ablation has been given and a low‐alarm threshold for Tg indicating further evaluation, is used. The number of additional studies caused by this surveillance paradigm was reasonable. DxWBS was helpful in selected cases. Comparative studies are warranted to show how much rhTSH‐stimulation tests add to this surveillance scheme.
Role of macrophage infiltration in the orbital fat of patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Authors: Chen Mei‐Hsiu , Chen Ming‐Hong , Liao Shu‐Lang , Chang Tien‐Chun , Chuang Lee‐Ming
Published: February 2008

Objective  Infiltration of the retro‐ocular space by inflammatory cells, accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, and the overabundance of orbital adipose tissue are characteristic findings in Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO). The cause of macrophage infiltration in the orbital adipose tissue of patients with GO remains to be elucidated.

Design  Immunohistochemistry of orbital adipose tissues with anti‐CD68 was used for determining macrophage infiltration pattern and cell counts. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used for analysing mRNA expression. Correlation of macrophage infiltration with the duration of GO and mRNA expression were also determined.

Patients  Fifteen subjects with GO who underwent orbital decompression were recruited. Six patients without thyroid history who underwent elective orbital surgery were enrolled as controls.

Measurements  Histological distribution of macrophages, macrophage cell counts, CD68 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) mRNA levels, and duration of GO.

Results  We demonstrated that macrophage infiltration in orbital fat from patients with GO was higher than controls (P = 0·005). The infiltration of macrophages was located primarily around blood vessels and between mature adipocytes. Macrophage infiltration did not attenuate in GO of long duration. We also found that the expression of MCP‐1 was higher in GO orbital fat than that in the orbital fat of controls (P = 0·047) and the infiltration of macrophages in adipose tissue from patients with GO was positively correlated with expression of MCP‐1 mRNA (r = 0·546, P = 0·035).

Conclusion  Macrophage infiltration may play an important role in the pathogenesis of GO via over‐expression of MCP‐1.
Short‐ and long‐term relationships of serum ghrelin with changes in body composition and the metabolic syndrome in prepubescent obese children following two different weight loss programmes
Authors: Kelishadi Roya , Hashemipour Mahin , Mohammadifard Noushin , Alikhassy Hasan , Adeli Khosrow
Published: February 2008

Objectives  Ghrelin has been proposed to be a regulator of energy balance, and its dysregulation may be important in obesity. The aims of this study were (i) to compare short‐ and long‐term changes in circulating ghrelin concentration after increasing energy expenditure vs. its changes after decreasing energy intake, (ii) to determine factors associated with changes in ghrelin level, and (iii) to assess relationships of ghrelin concentration with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in prepubescent obese children.

Design  Randomized controlled trial.

Patients  About 100 obese children aged 7–9 years.

Measurements  After baseline testing, children were randomly assigned to two interventional groups, either receiving dietary recommendations or engaging in physical training classes for 6 months. Ghrelin, insulin, leptin, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile and anthropometric indexes, as well as energy intake and expenditure were measured.

Results  Of the participants, 92 completed the 6‐month trial, and 87 returned for the 1‐year follow‐up. Except ghrelin level, other biochemical variables had no significant change at 12‐ vs. 6‐month follow‐up. In both groups, ghrelin showed a progressive increase in the periods of time with significant reduction of overweight and negative energy balance; while after the end of the trial, when children regained weight, it decreased toward baseline levels. Baseline ghrelin had strong negative correlation with measures of central obesity. The odds of having the MetS were 12% lower in the middle and 37% lower in the highest tertile of ghrelin level. As the number of MetS components increased, there was a progressive decrease in ghrelin and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), with a progressive increase in serum insulin, HOMA‐R and leptin levels.

Conclusions  Ghrelin increases in response to overweight reduction and negative energy balance resulting from either an exercise intervention or reduction in food intake in prepubescent obese children. It is unlikely to regulate long‐term energy balance in young obese children.
Immune cellular parameters of leprosy and human immunodeficiency virus‐1 co‐infected subjects
Authors: Carvalho Karina I. , Maeda Solange , Marti Luciana , Yamashita Jane , Haslett Patrick A. J. , Kallas Esper G.
Published: February 2008

Leprosy and human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) are examples of human infections where interactions between the pathogen and the host cellular immunity determine the clinical manifestations of disease. Hence, a significant immunopathological interaction between HIV‐1 and leprosy might be expected. In the present study we explored several aspects of cellular immunity in patients co‐infected with HIV‐1 and Mycobacterium leprae. Twenty‐eight individuals were studied, comprising four groups: healthy controls, HIV‐1 and M. leprae co‐infection, HIV‐1 mono‐infection, and M. leprae mono‐infection. Subjects in the mono‐infection and co‐infection groups were matched as far as possible for bacillary load and HIV disease status, as appropriate. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analysed using six‐ and seven‐colour flow cytometry to evaluate T‐cell subpopulations and their activation status, dendritic cell (DC) distribution phenotypes and expression of IL‐4 by T cells. The co‐infected group exhibited lower CD4 : CD8 ratios, higher levels of CD8+ T‐cell activation, increased Vδ1 : Vδ2 T cell ratios and decreased percentages of plasmacytoid DC, compared with HIV‐1 mono‐infected subjects. Across infected groups, IL‐4 production by CD4+ T lymphocytes was positively correlated with the percentage of effector memory CD4+ T cells, suggesting antigenically driven differentiation of this population of T cells in both HIV‐1 and M. leprae infections. Co‐infection with M. leprae may exacerbate the immunopathology of HIV‐1 disease. A T helper 2 (Th2) bias in the CD4+ T‐cell response was evident in both HIV‐1 infection and leprosy, but no additive effect was apparent in co‐infected patients.
Sleep and affect in older adults: using multilevel modeling to examine daily associations
Authors: MCCRAE CHRISTINA S. , McNAMARA JOSEPH P. H. , ROWE MEREDETH A. , DZIERZEWSKI JOSEPH M. , DIRK JUDITH , MARSISKE MICHAEL , CRAGGS JASON G.
Published: February 2008

The main objective of the present study was to examine daily associations (intraindividual variability or IIV) between sleep and affect in older adults. Greater understanding of these associations is important, because both sleep and affect represent modifiable behaviors that can have a major influence on older adults’ health and well‐being. We collected sleep diaries, actigraphy, and affect data concurrently for 14 days in 103 community‐dwelling older adults. Multilevel modeling was used to assess the sleep–affect relationship at both the group (between‐persons) and individual (within‐person or IIV) levels. We hypothesized that nights characterized by better sleep would be associated with days characterized by higher positive affect and lower negative affect, and that the inverse would be true for poor sleep. Daily associations were found between affect and subjective sleep, only and were in the hypothesized direction. Specifically, nights with greater reported awake time or lower sleep quality ratings were associated with days characterized by less positive affect and more negative affect. Gender was not a significant main effect in the present study, despite previous research suggesting gender differences in the sleep–affect relationship. The fact that self‐ratings of sleep emerged as the best predictors of affect may suggest that perceived sleep is a particularly important predictor. Finally, our results suggest exploration of affect as a potential intervention target in late‐life insomnia is warranted.
An ultra short episode of sleep is sufficient to promote declarative memory performance
Authors: LAHL OLAF , WISPEL CHRISTIANE , WILLIGENS BERNADETTE , PIETROWSKY REINHARD
Published: February 2008

Various studies have demonstrated that a night of sleep has a beneficial effect on the retention of previously acquired declarative material. In two experiments, we addressed the question of whether this effect extends to daytime naps. In the first experiment we assessed free recall of a list of 30 words after a 60 min retention interval that was either filled with daytime napping or waking activity. Memory performance was significantly enhanced after napping as opposed to waking but was not correlated with time spent in slow wave sleep or total sleep time within the napping condition. The second experiment was designed to clarify the role of total sleep time and therefore included an additional third group, which was allowed to nap for no longer than 6 min on average. In comparing word recall after conditions of no napping (waking), short napping, and long napping, we found superior recall for both nap conditions in contrast to waking as well as for long naps in contrast to short naps. These results demonstrate that even an ultra short period of sleep is sufficient to enhance memory processing. We suggest that the mere onset of sleep may initiate active processes of consolidation which – once triggered – remain effective even if sleep is terminated shortly thereafter.
Effect of dopaminergic substances on sleep/wakefulness in saline‐ and MPTP‐treated mice
Authors: LALOUX CHARLOTTE , DERAMBURE PHILIPPE , HOUDAYER ELISE , JACQUESSON JEAN‐MARIE , BORDET RÉGIS , DESTÉE ALAIN , MONACA CHRISTELLE
Published: February 2008

Sleep/wakefulness (S/W) disorders are frequent in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The underlying causes have yet to be elucidated but dopaminergic neurodegenerative lesions seem to contribute to appearance of the disorders and anti‐Parkinsonian medication is known to accentuate S/W problems. Hence, we reasoned that studying the acute effect of dopaminergic compounds on S/W in an animal model of PD might improve our knowledge of S/W regulation in the context of partial dopaminergic depletion. To this end, we tested the effect of levodopa (l‐dopa), pergolide (a mixed D2/D1 agonist) and lisuride (a D2 agonist) on S/W recordings in MPTP‐treated mice, in comparison with controls. Our results showed that dopaminergic compounds modify S/W amounts in both control and MPTP mice. Wakefulness amounts are greater in MPTP mice after l‐dopa (50 mg kg−1) and lisuride (1 mg kg−1) injections compared with control mice. Moreover, the paradoxical sleep latency was significantly longer in MPTP mice after high‐dose l‐dopa administration. Our observations suggest that the actions of both l‐dopa and lisuride on S/W differ slightly in MPTP mice relative to controls. Hence, MPTP‐induced partial DA depletion may modulate the effect of dopaminergic compounds on S/W regulation.
Self‐reported seasonality is associated with complaints of sleep problems and deficient sleep duration: the Hordaland Health Study
Authors: ØYANE NICOLAS M. , URSIN REIDUN , PALLESEN STÅLE , HOLSTEN FRED , BJORVATN BJøRN
Published: February 2008

Change in sleep duration dependent on time of year is a central characteristic of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In a community health survey, we analysed associations between seasonality, subjective sleep problems and sleep duration. Totally, 8860 subjects (3531 men and 5329 women) aged between 40 and 44 years were included in the study. Seasonal changes in mood and behaviour were measured by the Global Seasonality Score (GSS) questionnaire, and subjects were grouped in high (GSS ≥ 11), moderate (GSS 8–10) or low (GSS < 8) seasonality groups. Sleep symptomatology was assessed using a modified version of the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire. Significant sleep duration deficiency was defined as the difference between subjective sleep need and sleep duration of at least 1 h. Sleep problems suggesting insomnia as well as increased daytime sleepiness were more prevalent in the high/moderate seasonality groups compared with the low seasonality group. Seasonality was furthermore associated with shorter sleep duration and increased subjective sleep need. Significant sleep duration deficiency was more prevalent in subjects reporting high (men 20% and women 21%) and moderate (men 13% and women 19%) seasonality than subjects reporting low (men 10% and women 14%) seasonality. In conclusion, we found seasonal changes in mood and behaviour to be associated with several sleep‐related complaints. Sleep duration deficiency increased with increasing seasonality, mainly due to increasing subjective sleep need.
Sleep‐disordered breathing in a middle‐aged and older Polish urban population
Authors: PŁYWACZEWSKI ROBERT , BEDNAREK MICHAŁ , JONCZAK LUIZA , ZIELIŃSKI JAN
Published: February 2008

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a frequent disorder; however, the prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing is not well known in many countries. The aim of our investigation was to assess the prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) in a representative sample of the population of Warsaw. We studied 676 subjects (57.1% of the randomised cohort from the Monica II study). The sample comprised 356 males (52.7%) and 320 females (47.3%), whose mean age was 56.6 ± 8.2 years (range 41–72 years). Mean number of apnoeas and hypopnoeas per hour of time in bed (AH) in males was 7 ± 9.5 and in females 3.9 ± 6.6 (P < 0.001). SDB (cut‐off point AH > 5 or >10) was identified in 188 subjects (27.8%) and 97 subjects (14.3%), respectively. SDB was established twice as frequently in males as in females (respectively 36.5 versus 18.5%; P < 0.001 for AH > 5 and 19.8 versus 8.5%; P < 0.001 for AH > 10). A diagnosis of OSAS AH > 10 and Epworth Sleepiness Score ≥11 points was established in 51 subjects (7.5%). The prevalence of OSAS was nearly four times higher in males (40 subjects, 11.2%) than in females (11 subjects, 3.4%; P < 0.001). The severity of OSAS was similar in both sexes (AH: males 32.3 ± 14.9 and females 31.4.1 ± 15.4). Older age and male sex were predictors of SDB. SDB and OSAS were independent predictors of coronary artery disease after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, neck circumference and smoking habit.