Depth distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes on bentgrass golf greens in Missouri and Indiana.

Control of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) on golf putting greens with nematicides is dependent on the seasonal occurrence and depth distribution of target PPN populations. This study aimed to determine if plant-parasitic nematode populations on golf course putting greens in Missouri and Indiana peaked at a targetable depth at a specific time in the year, focusing primarily on lance (Hoplolaimus spp.) and root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.) nematodes. To elucidate species diversity in the region, rDNA from a subset of lance and root-knot nematodes was sequenced and analyzed, with additional micromorphology of a lance nematode assessed in scanning electron micrographs (SEM). Soil samples were taken to a depth of 25 cm and stratified into 5 cm increments during April, June, August and October at seven sites across Missouri, three in the Kansas City metro of Kansas in 2021 and in ten sites across Indiana in 2022. Samples were stratified in five-centimeter increments and aggregated for a total of 100 cm3 of soil at each depth for each sampling. Samples were processed using a semi-automatic elutriator followed by the sucrose-flotation method, and populations were counted using a hemocytometer and recorded. For molecular characterization, rDNA was extracted and analyzed from 31 individual lance nematodes from one site in Missouri and eight sites in Indiana, and 13 root-knot nematodes from nine sites across Indiana. A significant interaction occurred between sampling month and depth for lance and ring nematodes Missouri/KS, with both PPN populations peaking at the 0-5 cm depth during October, which is well after most targeted nematicide applications are applied. Ring nematodes in Indiana did not follow this trend and were most abundant in August at a depth of 0-5 cm. No significant interaction between depth and month occurred for lance or root-knot nematodes in Indiana, or root-knot nematodes in Missouri/KS. Hoplolaimus stephanus and H. magnistylus were the lance species identified on golf greens, and Meloidogyne naasi, M. graminicola and M. marylandi were the root-knot species identified. Scanning-electron micrographs confirmed morphological characteristics unique to H. stephanus.

Assessment of Nitrogen Source, Sulfur, and Fall Fungicide Applications on the Management of Spring Dead Spot of Bermudagrass.

Spring dead spot, caused by species of Ophiosphaerella, is the most serious disease of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) in regions where cold temperatures induce winter dormancy. Previous research indicates that soil pH reduction may reduce spring dead spot severity. Of the 165 isolates collected from 16 sites in Missouri and surrounding regions, Ophiosphaerella herpotricha was the most prominent spring dead spot pathogen found, with 154 confirmed isolates. Ten isolates were identified as O. korrae, being detected at a low incidence at 6 of 16 sites. In in vitro assays, most mycelial growth of both species occurred from pH 5 to 6, with more growth on calcium-nitrate-amended media than ammonium sulfate. In a naturally infested field study, nitrogen source alone did not affect spring dead spot severity. Less spring dead spot severity (P < 0.05) was observed in plots receiving tebuconazole but no treatment provided more than 38% control after 1 year. Three sulfur applications (each at 98 kg ha-1) provided as much control as a single fall tebuconazole application (0.28 kg a.i. ha-1) in the second year; however, significant phytotoxicity was observed in sulfur-treated plots thereafter. The suppression obtained from one fall tebuconazole treatment was as effective as two.

Evaluation of Preventive Fungicide Applications for Fairy Ring Control in Golf Putting Greens and In Vitro Sensitivity of Fairy Ring Species to Fungicides.

Fairy ring species induce symptoms on putting greens mostly indirectly, by modifying the soil physical or chemical properties. Therefore, preventive rather than curative fungicide applications may be more effective in managing fairy ring. Two field experiments were conducted on a creeping bentgrass research green to evaluate fairy ring control from preventive fungicide applications. A 3-year study investigated the optimal rate and soil temperature-based timing of a preventive application of triadimefon and tebuconazole. A 2-year study evaluated the impact of irrigation timing and fungicide + surfactant tank mixtures on the efficacy of preventive applications of triadimefon and triticonazole. Fungicide-treated plots in both studies exhibited less fairy ring severity than untreated plots. Data suggest that a 5-day average soil temperature range of 13 to 16°C may be suitable for initiating preventive applications. Symptoms occurred earlier in plots treated with a surfactant tank mix than in those treated with fungicide alone. Irrigation timing had no effect on fungicide performance. The sensitivity of 16 isolates representing major fairy ring species to flutolanil, propiconazole, tebuconazole, triadimefon, and triticonazole was determined with a mycelial growth assay. No significant differences in fungicide sensitivity were detected among species. Isolates had significantly higher 50% effective concentration values for triadimefon than for the other fungicides tested.

Identification and Distribution of Fungi Associated with Fairy Rings on Golf Putting Greens.

Traditional methods for identification of fairy ring fungi rely on the morphology of mature basidiocarps, which are ephemeral and often do not reach maturity on golf greens due to management practices. From 2007 to 2009, basidiocarps and soil samples were collected from 15 hybrid bermudagrass and 30 bentgrass greens exhibiting fairy ring symptoms in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Oklahoma, North Caroline, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Genomic DNA was extracted from 122 unknown samples. Extractions were made from mycelium isolated from puffball or mushroom tissue, from mycelium isolated from a soil block, or through direct DNA extraction from infested soil. DNA also was extracted from 16 reference isolates. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA was amplified and sequenced using the basidiomycete-specific primer sets ITS1f/ITS4b and Basid0001/2R. Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the neighborjoining algorithm, with nodes evaluated by bootstrap analysis. Most samples grouped into one of three clades corresponding to species within the family Lycoperdaceae: Arachnion album, Bovista dermoxantha, and Vascellum curtisii. Although over 60 different basidiomycetes have been associated with fairy rings in turfgrasses, relatively few species were found on golf putting greens in this study. Presently, DNA sequencing may be the most efficient method for attempting speciation of fairy ring fungi from infested soil.

First Report of Marasmiellus mesosporus Causing Marasmiellus Blight on Seashore Paspalum.

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) is a newly cultivated C4 turfgrass that has exceptional salinity tolerance and is highly suited for use on golf courses in coastal areas. In October 2008 and June 2009, circular patches of blighted seashore paspalum ranging from 30 cm to >3 m in diameter were observed in fairways, tees, and roughs established with 'Supreme' seashore paspalum at Roco Ki Golf Club in Macao, Dominican Republic. Affected patches were initially chlorotic followed by reddish brown necrosis of leaves and leaf sheaths. Reddish brown-to-gray lesions were also observed on leaf sheaths during the early stages of necrosis. During periods of wet or humid weather from June through October, basidiocarps were produced on necrotic plant tissue and identified as Marasmiellus mesosporus Singer (2). Three isolates were obtained by plating symptomatic leaf sheaths that were surface sterilized with a 0.5% NaOCl solution on potato dextrose agar amended with 50 ppm each of streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline (PDA+++). Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, obtained from these three isolates and three stipes of basidiocarps, were identical to each other and 99% similar to a M. mesosporus sequence deposited in the NCBI database (Accession No. AB517375). To confirm pathogenicity, a M. mesosporus isolate obtained from symptomatic plant tissue was inoculated onto 6-week-old P. vaginatum ('Seaspray') planted (0.5 mg seed/cm2) in 10-cm-diameter pots containing a mixture of 80% sand and 20% reed sedge peat. Two weeks prior to inoculation, the isolate was grown on a sterilized mixture of 100 cm3 of rye grain, 4.9 ml of CaCO3, and 100 ml of water. Infested grains were placed 0.5 cm below the soil surface for inoculation. Pots were inoculated with five infested grains or five sterilized, uninfested grains with three replications of each treatment. After inoculation, pots were placed in a growth chamber with a 12-h photoperiod set to 30°C during the day and 26°C at night. Approximately 20% of plants in inoculated pots were necrotic 7 days postinoculation and this increased to 75% by 21 days postinoculation. Diseased plants in inoculated pots exhibited symptoms similar to those observed in the field. Leaves were initially chlorotic with brown lesions on lower leaf sheaths and eventually turned necrotic, reddish brown, and collapsed. Pots receiving uninfested grains were healthy and showed no symptoms on all rating dates. At 21 days postinoculation, basidiocarps were observed emerging from three colonized plants at the base of the oldest leaf sheath near the crown. Three reisolations were made on PDA+++ from stem lesions surface sterilized with a 0.5% NaOCl solution. All reisolations were confirmed as M. mesosporus by culture morphology and ITS sequence data. M. mesosporus was previously reported causing disease on American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata Fernald) in North Carolina (1) and recently in Japan (3). The pathogen was initially placed in the genus Marasmius and reported as the cause of the disease Marasmius blight (1). Subsequent morphological observation found that the pathogen belonged in the genus Marasmiellus (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. mesosporus causing Marasmiellus blight on seashore paspalum, a high-amenity turfgrass. References: (1) L. Lucas et al. Plant Dis. Rep. 55:582, 1971. (2) R. Singer et al. Mycologia 65:468, 1973. (3) S. Takehashi et al. Mycoscience 48:407, 2007.

Angiographic ablation of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas: local experience and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To evaluate local experience with a modified technique for angiographic ablation of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients with likely mediastinal parathyroid adenomas that had single feeding arteries underwent attempted arteriographic ablation with a slow continuous infusion of contrast medium. Patients were closely monitored for symptoms and calcium dynamics immediately postprocedure and then on a long-term outpatient basis. RESULTS: All three patients were cured (follow-up 22 to 68 months) with no long-term complications. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous angiographic ablation with contrast medium is a reasonable alternative for patients with hyperparathyroidism due to a mediastinal adenoma who can be treated in centers with well-trained interventional radiologists.

Relation between perfusion defects on stress technetium-99m sestamibi SPECT scintigraphy and the location of a subsequent acute myocardial infarction.

Although the presence of perfusion defects on stress myocardial perfusion imaging has been shown to correlate with future cardiac events, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it is unknown whether the location of the AMI can be predicted. Therefore, for 25 patients who had an AMI following a stress technetium-99m sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging study and whose infarct location could be determined, the territory of infarction was correlated with the location of previous myocardial perfusion defects. A SPECT perfusion defect had been present in 24 patients (96%). The AMI occurred in territories that showed a reversible defect in 14 patients (56%), whereas 3 infarctions (12%) were in territories that revealed a fixed defect, and 8 infarctions (32%) were in territories that had not shown a defect on prior SPECT imaging. Whereas the incidence of infarction in territories with a reversible defect was highest at 14 of 26 (54%), the incidence of infarction in territories with a fixed defect was 3 of 7 (43%), and in territories with no defect was 8 of 42 (19%) (p = 0.011). Neither the time interval between SPECT imaging and infarction, nor the perfusion defect severity, was related to the correlation between perfusion defect and infarct location. Thus, although AMI occurs most often at the site of previous perfusion defects, reversible or fixed, a substantial percentage occur in territories without a perfusion defect. These findings suggest that abnormalities on SPECT perfusion imaging, although they serve as markers of significant coronary disease and increase the likelihood of infarction, do not always predict the exact location of infarction.

Use of universal precautions in interventional radiology: results of a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine current use of universal precautions by practicing interventional radiologists in the United States. METHODS: National survey mailed to interventional radiologists, conducted anonymously in November 1991. Of 1530 survey forms mailed to practicing interventional radiologists, 817 (53%) were returned and 804 (52%) were completed and evaluable. Both academic and private practice settings were represented. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of respondents had changed their use of infection control measures in the previous 10 years. Of these, 96% cited personal concerns about AIDS as a reason for making changes. Sixty-two percent made changes in response to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommendations as well. Use of barrier precautions was quite variable. Although 86% of respondents always wore a sterile gown during procedures, only 32% routinely wore a face mask or shield and only 29% of those who did not wear corrective glasses routinely wore protective eye gear during procedures. Seven percent of respondents routinely double gloved for procedures. Twenty percent of reported percutaneous injuries occurred during recapping of used sharps; an additional 6% were related to improper disposal of used sharps. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that use of universal precautions by interventional radiologists in the United States is variable. Some practices that may lead to preventable injury to health care workers remain common.

Management of premature rupture of the membranes.

A 14-month prospective study of patients with premature rupture of the membranes was performed. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of different therapeutic regimens for management of premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) on perinatal morbidity and mortality, as well as on maternal morbidity. Maternal and fetal risk factors and predictive factors in pregnancy outcome were prospectively defined. In patients with PROM whose gestational age was 34 weeks or more, induction within the first 12 hours of membrane rupture resulted in minimal maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Patients with gestational age of less than 34 weeks had an improved maternal and fetal outcome if left alone until spontaneous labor or 34 weeks' gestation was reached unless signs of sepsis developed. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the infants of patients who delivered prematurely due to premature rupture of the membranes. Incidence of fetal infection was significantly less than that of RDS as a cause for fetal morbidity and mortality.

Systemic absorption and toxicity from topically administered lidocaine during transesophageal echocardiography.

This report describes the cases of three patients who had central nervous system toxicity from locally administered lidocaine during transesophageal echocardiography. Parenteral sedation was not employed. Serum levels of lidocaine were obtained after the procedure in all three patients, who recovered spontaneously and suffered no permanent ill effects. Medical conditions such as congestive heart failure and diminished hepatic function or concomitant use of lidocaine analogs may predispose patients to the toxic side effects of locally administered lidocaine. Extreme care and close monitoring of patients are warranted when topical lidocaine anesthetic is employed in the setting of delayed lidocaine clearance.

Seasonal changes in morphological structuring in a guild of benthic stream fishes.

The ecomorphological model which attempts to identify important variation in the total morphology of groups of animals has been used with some success in communities of fishes. The applicability of the model to subsets of the community, such as guilds of ecologically similar species, is uncertain, and the effects of the possible changes in correlations among morphological variables caused by demographic changes across seasons is unknown. An ecomorphological model is applied to a guild of benthic stream fishes from the Tombigbee River, Mississippi. The model is found to describe structuring in the guild based on aspects of the trophic morphology and the length of the body. Morphologically distinct groups of species are described by the model. The effect of indeterminate growth seems not to be of sufficient magnitude to change groupings across seasons. However, species associations within morphological groups change seasonally. I conclude that ecomorphological models may be properly applied to community subsets, but the interpretation of the model must consider the nature of the data set with respect of seasonality.

Postpericardiotomy syndrome and cardiac tamponade following transvenous pacemaker placement.

This is the first reported case of cardiac tamponade presumed to be caused by postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) following endocardial pacemaker placement. An 84-year-old woman developed fever and dyspnea 3 weeks after pacemaker placement. Physical examination revealed hypotension, tachycardia, and pulsus paradoxus. Auscultation revealed clear lungs and diminished heart sounds. The sedimentation rate was 60 mm/h. Echocardiography revealed a large pericardial effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade. Surgical drainage of the pericardial space resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. The pericardial fluid was culture- and cytologically negative. PPS is a common complication of cardiothoracic surgery and chest trauma. It rarely occurs after percutaneous procedures such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and transvenous pacemaker placement. While usually having a benign, self-limited course, PPS can cause a serious complication as illustrated in this case report.

Oxidative stress in zebrafish cells: potential utility of transgenic zebrafish as a deployable sentinel for site hazard ranking.

In order to quickly assess potential environmental hazards of forwardly deployed military bases, we have focussed our efforts on biochemical and molecular changes in vertebrate cells following exposure to aqueous soil extracts. To this end, we are designing a series of deployable transgenic fish. Fish exhibit many of the same general defenses against toxic chemicals as do mammals, including enzyme induction, and the generation of oxidative stress. In response to many foreign compounds that generate oxidative stress, the transcription of certain protective genes is induced via specific DNA motifs called electrophile response elements (EPREs). We have made a plasmid construct containing a single murine EPRE fused to a minimal promoter and the cDNA encoding firefly luciferase (EPRE-LUC). In this paper, we have shown that the treatment of zebrafish cell line ZEM2S with a variety of chemicals known to induce EPRE-dependent transcription in cultured mammalian cells, results in dose-dependent induction of the transiently-transfected EPRE-LUC reporter construct. Compounds tested include aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and organophosphates. We observed similar dose-dependent responses when we treated ZEM2S and human cells in vitro with identical aqueous extracts of soil from hazardous waste sites. This suggests that the mechanism by which these compounds activate transcription is well conserved between mammals and zebrafish, and that transgenic zebrafish lines containing EPRE-driven reporter constructs might be useful as sentinels for the early detection of oxidative stress-inducing chemicals.

A capacitance-based micropositioning system for x-ray rocking curve measurements.

Certain types of x-ray experiments require very precise angular positioning of crystals in the vicinity of the Bragg reflection condition. A system applicable to some measurement of this type is described which achieves a long-term angular stability of approximately 10(-7) radians, coupled with a linear angular readout. This is achieved through a novel capacitance sensing system which provides angle measurement, together with the use of an auxilliary servo loop based on the Bragg condition to ensure long-term overall angular stability.

Yield Reduction and Root Damage to Cotton Induced by Belonolaimus longicaudatus.

Sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) is recognized as a pathogen of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), but the expected damage from a given population density of this nematode has not been determined. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of increasing initial population densities (Pi) of B. longicaudatus on cotton yield and root mass. In a field plot study, nematicide application and cropping history were used to obtain a wide range of Pi values. Cotton yields were regressed on Pi density of B. longicaudatus to quantify yield losses in the field. In controlled environmental chambers, cotton was grown in soil infested with increasing Pi's of B. longicaudatus. After 40 days, root systems were collected, scanned on a desktop scanner, and root lengths were measured. Root lengths were regressed on inoculation density of B. longicaudatus to quantify reductions in the root systems. In the field, high Pi's (>100 nematodes/130 cm(3) of soil) reduced yields to near zero. In controlled environmental chamber studies, as few as 10 B. longicaudatus/130 cm(3) of soil caused a 39% reduction in fine cotton roots, and 60 B. longicaudatus/130 cm(3) of soil caused a 70% reduction. These results suggest that B. longicaudatus can cause significant damage to cotton at low population densities, whereas at higher densities crop failure can result.

In vivo nicotine exposure in the zebra finch: a promising innovative animal model to use in neurodegenerative disorders related research.

Nicotine improves cognitive enhancement and there are indications that neurodegenerative (age-related) cognitive disorders could be treated with nicotine-based drugs. The zebra finch is a well-recognized model to study cognitive functioning; hence this model could be used to study the effects of nicotine in neurodegenerative cognitive disorders. However, nicotine's in vivo physiological and behavioral effects have never been studied in the zebra finch. Here we present the first in vivo nicotine study in zebra finches. We evaluated the dose-response effects of nicotine on locomotor activity, song production, food intake and body weight. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for quantification of nicotine and cotinine in feces. The subcutaneous nicotine drug regiment (0.054-0.54mg/kg) induced physiologically significant values of nicotine and cotinine. The mid (0.18mg/kg) and high (0.54mg/kg) dose of nicotine promoted the development and expression of a sensitized response of song production and locomotor activity. Food intake and body weight were not affected following nicotine exposure. In conclusion, the zebra finch can be used as an innovative animal model not only in nicotine-related research studying cognitive functioning, but also in studies examining nicotine dependence and addictive mechanisms.