Measurement of neural respiratory drive via parasternal intercostal electromyography in healthy adult subjects.

Neural respiratory drive, quantified by the parasternal intercostal muscle electromyogram (EMGpara), provides a sensitive measure of respiratory system load-capacity balance. Reference values for EMGpara-based measures are lacking and the influence of individual anthropometric characteristics is not known. EMGpara is conventionally expressed as a percentage of that obtained during a maximal inspiratory effort (EMGpara%max), leading to difficulty in applying the technique in subjects unable to reliably perform such manoeuvres. To measure EMGpara in a large, unselected cohort of healthy adult subjects in order to evaluate relevant technical and anthropometric factors. Surface second intercostal space EMGpara was measured during resting breathing and maximal inspiratory efforts in 63 healthy adult subjects, median (IQR) age 31.0 (25.0-47.0) years, 28 males. Detailed anthropometry, spirometry and respiratory muscle strength were also recorded. Median (IQR EMGpara was 4.95 (3.35-6.93) µV, EMGpara%max 4.95 (3.39-8.65)% and neural respiratory drive index (NRDI, the product of EMGpara%max and respiratory rate) was 73.62 (46.41-143.92) %.breath/min. EMGpara increased significantly to 6.28 (4.26-9.93) µV (p < 0.001) with a mouthpiece, noseclip and pneumotachograph in situ. Median (IQR) EMGpara was higher in female subjects (5.79 (4.42-7.98) µV versus 3.56 (2.81-5.35) µV, p = 0.003); after controlling for sex neither EMGpara, EMGpara%max or NRDI were significantly related to anthropometrics, age or respiratory muscle strength. In subjects undergoing repeat measurements within the same testing session (n = 48) or on a separate occasion (n = 19) similar repeatability was observed for both EMGpara and EMGpara%max. EMGpara is higher in female subjects than males, without influence of other anthropometric characteristics. Reference values are provided for EMGpara-derived measures. Expressing EMGpara as a percentage of maximum confers no advantage with respect to measurement repeatability, expanding the potential application of the technique. Raw EMGpara is a useful marker of respiratory system load-capacity balance.

Oxytetracycline Dynamics on Peach Leaves in Relation to Temperature, Sunlight, and Simulated Rain.

Oxytetracycline (OTC), a member of the tetracycline antibiotics, is used as a foliar spray to control Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni on stone fruits and Erwinia amylovora on pome fruits. We studied the dynamics of OTC residues on attached peach (Prunus persica) leaves treated with 300 ppm active ingredient of an agricultural OTC in relation to temperature, natural sunlight, and simulated rain. We further evaluated the potential of three ultraviolet (UV) protectants (lignin, titanium dioxide, and oxybenzone) and one sticker-extender (Nu Film-17) to prolong OTC longevity on the leaf surface. OTC residue was determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV (C18 reversed-phase column). In controlled conditions in darkness, constant temperatures up to 40°C did not affect OTC degradation on leaves. In contrast, OTC residue decreased rapidly in natural sunlight in the absence of rain, declining, on average, by 43.8, 77.8, and 92.1% within 1, 2, and 4 days after application, respectively; 7 days after application, OTC levels were near the detection limit. Use of shade fabric with 10 and 40% sunlight transmittance, simulating overcast sky, reduced OTC degradation significantly but did not extend OTC persistence beyond 7 days. Areas under the OTC residue curve, summarizing OTC dynamics during the 7-day exposure period, were negatively and significantly correlated with solar radiation and UV radiation variables, but not with temperature. UV protectants and Nu Film-17 were ineffective in improving OTC persistence in outdoor conditions. Simulated rain at 44 mm h-1 drastically (by 67.2%) lowered OTC residue after 2 min, and levels were near the detection limit after 60 min of continuous rain, regardless of whether plants were exposed to rainfall 1 or 24 h after OTC application. In artificial inoculation experiments with X. arboricola pv. pruni on attached peach leaves, OTC concentrations ≥50 ppm active ingredient (corresponding to ≥0.06 µg OTC cm-2 leaf surface) were sufficient to suppress bacterial spot development. By extrapolation from our outdoor exposure experiments, similar OTC residues following application of labeled OTC rates would be reached after less than 2 days under full sunlight, after 4 days under overcast sky, or after 2 min of a heavy rainstorm.

First Record of Meloidogyne partityla on Pecan in Georgia.

In July 2000, tree decline was observed in a commercial pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch) orchard in Crisp County, GA. Most affected trees exhibited dead branches in the upper canopy, stunted growth, and feeder roots with small galls and associated egg masses typical of root-knot nematode infection. All declining trees that were examined had root systems infected with a Meloidogyne sp. Efforts to culture the nematode on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. 'Rutgers') were unsuccessful. Identification of the nematode was determined by two laboratory procedures in March 2001. Female nematodes were teased from fresh pecan root galls of declining trees in Georgia, and identified by determining the esterase phenotype from replicate samples of single females compared with standard root-knot nematode species, including a population of M. partityla (3). Galled roots also were sent to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where mitochondrial DNA from specimens was extracted and compared with that from standard root-knot nematode species and known populations of M. partityla (2). Specimens had esterase phenotypes and DNA patterns consistent with M. partityla. Esterase phentoypes were inconsistent with M. incognita and M. arenaria, and DNA patterns were inconsistent with M. incognita, M. javanica, and M. hapla. Specimens at both locations were identified as M. partityla Kleynhans (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. partityla from Georgia and the third report of this nematode outside of South Africa. The first and second report of M. partityla from pecan in the United States occurred in Texas and New Mexico in 1996 and 2001, respectively (3,4). Our inability to culture the M. partityla-GA isolate on tomato substantiates previous experience with this nematode in the United States (3) and is not surprising, since this species has a host range limited to the Juglandaceae. Furthermore, M. partityla may be endemic to North America and not South Africa. It is believed this nematode entered South Africa on pecan seedling roots imported from the United States between 1912 and 1940 (1). The unusually narrow host range may explain why M. partityla has gone unrecognized for so long in the United States compared with the more common Meloidogyne spp. (i.e., M. incognita and M. arenaria) with wider host ranges found in pecan orchards. Determining the distribution of M. partityla within the major pecan-growing regions of Georgia and throughout North America is warranted. References: (1) K. P. N. Kleynhans. Phytophylactica 18:103, 1986. (2) T. O. Powers and T. S. Harris. J. Nematol. 25:1, 1993. (3) J. L. Starr et al. J. Nematol. 28:565, 1996. (4) S. H. Thomas et al. Plant Dis. 85:1030, 2001.

Phytophthora Shuck and Kernel Rot, a New Disease of Pecan Caused by Phytophthora cactorum.

Phytophthora shuck and kernel rot infection usually started at the stem end of the pecan fruit and progressed distally to encompass the entire shuck within 4 to 6 days. A distinct margin developed between dark brown necrotic tissue and healthy green tissue during rotting of the shucks. Phytophthora cactorum was isolated from the rapidly rotting pecan fruit. Two to three weeks after the symptoms appeared, the diseased shucks dried and stuck tightly to the shell. The seed coat of the kernel turned dark brown and the endosperm rotted. The new disease of pecan was first observed during September 1988 on maturing pecan fruit in central Georgia in the vicinity of the town of Byron where growers estimated losses of 50% or greater in some orchards. In south Georgia near the cities of Albany and Cordele, the disease was present but less severe. The causal agent was identified as P. cactorum and deposited with ATCC as isolate B1, ATCC No. 66186. Laboratory and field inoculations of nut clusters using the B1 isolate produced typical symptoms observed in nature. Symptoms of the disease were observed in 13 orchards, and the pathogen was isolated from the soil of 10 of these orchards in south and central Georgia.

Behavior, Parasitism, Morphology, and Biochemistry of Criconemella xenoplax and C. ornata on Peach.

Host-parasite relationships of Criconemella xenoplax and C. ornata on Nemaguard peach and common bermudagrass were determined in the greenhouse. Criconemella xenoplax reproduced on peach and reduced root volume, height, and dry stem weight after 6 months, compared with the noninfested check. Numbers of C. ornata did not increase on peach or influence peach growth, but they did reduce dry top weight and root volume of common bermudagrass, compared with C. xenoplax. Criconemella xenoplax and C. ornata produced the enzyme beta-glucosidase and were capable of metabolizing prunasin, but only C. xenoplax produced beta-cyanoalanine synthase to detoxify the cyanide released from prunasin. The apparent inability of C. ornata to detoxify cyanide is one explanation why numbers of this species did not increase on peach. Criconemella xenoplax and C. ornata can be distinguished by using stylet length, vaginal configuration, and shape of the anterior head region.

Effect of Initial Population Density of Criconemella xenoplax on Reducing Sugars, Free Amino Acids, and Survival of Peach Seedlings over Time.

Percentage of mortality, growth suppression, and changes in free amino acid and reducing sugar content in root and (or) stem tissue of Nemaguard peach seedlings were studied in the greenhouse in relation to time and eight different initial population densities (Pi) of Criconemella xenoplax. After 90 and 180 days, free amino acid content in root tissue significantly increased with increasing nematode numbers. Suppression of root volume, dry root and stem weight, height increase, plant survival, and content of reducing sugars in root tissue were detected at 180 and 270 days and following pruning. All criteria were negatively correlated with nematode Pi. Changes in growth, metabolic parameters, and survival percentage were attributed to Pi density of C. xenoplax, duration of the experiment, and nematode reproduction rate.