Polymorphisms in the DGAT1 gene in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the Amazon.

Water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are quite well adapted to climatic conditions in the Amazon, and in this biome, they are noted for the considerable amount of meat and milk they produce and how hard they are able to work. Because of a lack of research dedicated to improving the rearing of buffaloes in the Amazon, the objective of this study was to genetically characterize the Murrah and Mediterranean breeds, as well as a mixed-breed population, based on polymorphisms in the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 gene (DGAT1), and associate the genotypes with milk production. By using the polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism technique, the alleles A (0.79), B (0.20), and D (0.01) were found in the Murrah breed. In the Mediterranean and mixed-breed buffaloes, we found alleles A (0.69) and (0.77) and B (0.31) and (0.23), respectively. The Murrah breed had the genotypes AA (0.63), AB (0.29), BB (0.05), and AD (0.03), and the Mediterranean and mixed-breed buffaloes had the genotypes AA (0.44) and (0.61), AB (0.50) and (0.31), and BB (0.06) and (0.08), respectively. For the Murrah, Mediterranean, and mixed-breed buffaloes, respectively, the expected heterozygosity values were 0.34, 0.43, and 0.35, the inbreeding coefficients were 0.78, -0.15, and 0.17, and the Hardy-Weinberg probabilities were 0.70, 0.67, and 0.52. The genotypes evaluated did not have an effect on milk production; however, the single nucleotide polymorphisms can be used in studies on genetic variability.

Pleural fluid tumour markers in malignant pleural effusion with inconclusive cytologic results.

BACKGROUND: The presence of tumour cells in pleural fluid or tissue defines an effusion as malignant. Cytology analysis of the pleural fluid has about 60% diagnostic sensitivity. Several tests have been proposed to improve diagnosis-among them, the concentrations of tumour markers in pleural fluid. We evaluated whether the concentrations of tumour markers in pleural fluid could improve the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (mpe) when cytology is doubtful. METHODS: Lymphocytic pleural fluids secondary to tuberculosis or malignancy from 156 outpatients were submitted for cytology and tumour marker quantification [carcinoembryonic antigen (cea), cancer antigen 15-3 (ca15-3), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (ca19-9), cancer antigen 72-4 (ca72-4), cancer antigen 125 (ca125), and cyfra 21-1). Oneway analysis of variance, the Student t-test or Mann-Whitney test, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Concentrations of the tumour markers cea, ca15-3, ca125, and cyfra 21-1 were higher in mpes than they were in the benign effusions (p < 0.001), regardless of cytology results. The markers ca19-9 and ca72-4 did not discriminate malignant from benign effusions. When comparing the concentrations of tumour markers in mpes having positive, suspicious, or negative cytology with concentrations in benign effusions, we observed higher levels of cea, ca15-3, cyfra 21-1, and ca125 in malignant effusions with positive cytology (p = 0.003, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001 respectively). In pleural fluid, only ca125 was higher in mpes with suspicious or negative cytology (p = 0.001) than in benign effusions. CONCLUSIONS: Given high specificity and a sensitivity of about 60%, the concentrations of tumour markers in pleural effusions could be evaluated in cases of inconclusive cytology in patients with a high pre-test chance of malignancy or a history of cancer.

Effect of temperature and storage time on cellular analysis of fresh pleural fluid samples.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the methodological variability in preparation techniques for pleural fluid cytology, it is fundamental that the cells should be preserved, permitting adequate morphological classification. We evaluated numerical and morphological changes in pleural fluid specimens processed after storage at room temperature or under refrigeration. METHODS: Aliquots of pleural fluid from 30 patients, collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-coated tubes and maintained at room temperature (21 °C) or refrigeration (4 °C) were evaluated after 2 and 6 hours and 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14 days. Evaluation of cytomorphology and global and percentage counts of leucocytes, macrophages and mesothelial cells were included. RESULTS: The samples had quantitative cellular variations from day 3 or 4 onwards, depending on the storage conditions. Morphological alterations occurred earlier in samples maintained at room temperature (day 2) than in those under refrigeration (day 4). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that storage time and temperature are potential pre-analytical causes of error in pleural fluid cytology.

A palaeoecological perspective on the transformation of the tropical Andes by early human activity.

Palaeoecological records suggest that humans have been in the Andes since at least 14 000 years ago. Early human impacts on Andean ecosystems included an increase in fire activity and the extinction of the Pleistocene megafauna. These changes in Andean ecosystems coincided with rapid climate change as species were migrating upslope in response to deglacial warming. Microrefugia probably played a vital role in the speed and genetic composition of that migration. The period from ca 14 500 to 12 500 years ago was when novel combinations of plant species appeared to form no-analogue assemblages in the Andes. By 12 000 years ago most areas in what are today the Andean grasslands were being burned and modified by human activity. As the vegetation of these highland settings has been modified by human activity for the entirety of the Holocene, they should be regarded as long-term manufactutred landscapes. The sharp tree lines separating Andean forests from grasslands that we see today were probably also created by repeated burning and owe their position more to human-induced fire than climatic constraints. In areas that were readly penetrated by humans on the forested slopes of the Andes, substantial modification and settlement had occurred by the mid-Holocene. In hard-to-reach areas, however, the amount of human modification may always have been minimal, and these slopes can be considered as being close to natural in their vegetation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Tropical forests in the deep human past'.

First Report of Monosporascus cannonballus on Watermelon in Brazil.

In 2008 and 2009, vine decline symptoms were observed in three watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) fields located in the municipalities of Mossoró (Rio Grande do Norte State) and Quixeré (Ceará State) in northeastern Brazil. Symptoms included yellowing of crown leaves just prior to harvest and collapse of many of the vines. Mean maximum daily temperatures for the first and second half of the season were 28.6 and 25.1°C, respectively. Affected plants exhibited necrotic root systems and lacked most of the secondary and tertiary feeder roots. Numerous perithecia on the roots contained asci and ascospores characteristics of Monosporascus cannonballus Pollack & Uecker (1,2). Small pieces of primary and secondary roots were surface disinfected and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium with 0.5 g liter-1 of streptomycin sulfate and incubated for 7 days at 25°C in the dark. Hyphal tips from all colonies were transferred to PDA and further incubated for 30 to 40 days at 25°C in the dark for subsequent growth and sporulation. Isolations consistently yielded colonies of white mycelium, which became dark grayish after 10 to 15 days, and perithecia with one-spored asci. The internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA of isolates 18-5 and 19-1 were sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. GQ891544 and GQ891545). These sequences were identical to sequences of M. cannonballus (GenBank Accession Nos. AM167936 and AM167937). Pathogenicity of these two isolates was confirmed on watermelon cv. Crimson Sweet in a greenhouse maintained at 25 to 30°C. Inoculum was produced in a sand-oat hulls (Avena sativa) medium (0.5 liter of sand, 46 g of ground oat hulls, and 37.5 ml of distilled water) and incubated at 25°C for 1 month. CFU were quantified by serial dilution using 1% hydroxyethyl cellulose. A sterilized mixture of equal portions (vol/vol) of sand and peat moss was used to fill 17-cm-diameter plastic pots and inoculum was added to produce an inoculum concentration of 20 CFU g-1. Five watermelon seeds planted in each pot were later thinned to one seedling per pot. There were five replicated pots for each treatment with an equal number of noninfested pots. Plants were evaluated for disease 45 days after sowing. All isolates of M. cannonballus were highly aggressive and caused severe root necrosis compared with the noninoculated controls. M. cannonballus was reisolated from symptomatic plants, confirming Koch's postulates. In 2004, M. cannonballus was reported in the same Brazilian cucurbit-growing areas causing root rot and vine decline of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) (3), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of M. cannonballus on watermelon in Brazil. References: (1) R. D. Martyn and M. E. Miller. Plant Dis. 80:716, 1996. (2) F. G. Pollack and F. A. Uecker. Mycologia 66:346, 1974. (3) R. Sales Jr. et al. Plant Dis. 88:84, 2004.

Clonal spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Acinetobacter baumannii has often been associated with colonization and/or infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). This study describes a clonal spread of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) isolates in an NICU. In total, 21 CRAB isolates were collected from premature newborns. Only polymyxin B was active against such isolates. Nineteen CRAB isolates were clonally related (Cluster C, which belonged to worldwide-disseminated ST1). All newborns had peripheral access and had received ß-lactam therapy previously. The implementation of strict infection control measures was of fundamental importance to eradicate the clonal type in the study hospital.

Productive characteristics in dairy buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in the Eastern Amazon / Características produtivas em búfalos leiteiros (Bubalus bubalis) na Amazônia

The objective of this study was to determine factors affecting phenotypic characteristics related to milk production and reproductive efficiency of dairy buffalo. Phenotypic records of 2,459 Murrah, Mediterranean and crossbred buffaloes from the Embrapa Eastern Amazônia herd, from 1969 to 2013 were used. Traits included: total milk production during lactation (TMP), milk production corrected for 305 days (P305); cow weight at calving (CW), fat milk percentage (F), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), calf birth weight (BW), as well as lactation (LP) and service periods (SP). Most traits were affected by genetic group as well as year and season or interaction between them. Genetic group affected F, CI, SP and CW. Very young and older cows showed poorer production traits. There was interaction between season and year for F, CI and CW. Correlations traits were generally medium to low. The principal component analysis showed that higher fat milk percentage was associated with higher percentage of Murrah breed, longer lactation period and older cows. Phenotypic characteristics in buffaloes reared in the Brazilian Amazon were significantly affected by genetic and management factors. This information can be used to help build sustainable production systems for the region and guide farmer decisions.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os fatores que afetam as características fenotípicas relacionadas à produção de leite e a eficiência reprodutiva de búfalas leiteiras. Foram utilizados os registros fenotípicos de 2.459 búfalas das raças Murrah, Mediterrâneo e seus cruzamentos do rebanho da Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, de 1969 a 2013. As características incluídas foram: produção total de leite durante a lactação (PTL), produção de leite corrigida para 305 dias (P305), peso da búfala ao parto (PV), percentual de gordura do leite (G), idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), intervalo entre partos (IP), peso do bezerro ao nascimento (PN), assim como os períodos de lactação (PL) e de serviço (PS). A maioria das características foi afetada pelo grupo genético, bem como pelo ano e pela estação ou pela interação entre eles. O grupo genético afetou o G, IP, PS e PV. Búfalas muito jovens e mais velhas mostraram características de produção mais baixas. Houve interação entre estação e o ano para G, IP e PV. As correlações entre as características foram geralmente de médias a baixas. A análise de componentes principais mostrou que a maior porcentagem de gordura no leite foi associada com a maior porcentagem de sangue Murrah, com o maior período de lactação e com búfalas mais velhas. As características fenotípicas das búfalas criadas na Amazônia brasileira foram significativamente afetadas por fatores genéticos e de manejo. Essas informações podem ser usadas para ajudar a construir sistemas de produção sustentáveis para a região e orientar as decisões dos produtores.(AU)

A spoonful of sugar...: improving adherence to tuberculosis treatment using financial incentives.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether incentives increase adherence to directly observed therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis (TB) treatment. METHODS: The TB program gave a five-dollar grocery coupon for each DOT appointment kept to 55 patients who had missed at least 25% of DOT doses over a 4-week period. Treatment completion rates were compared with an historic control group of 52 patients who began treatment a year earlier, who would have been eligible for incentives but did not receive them. RESULTS: Incentive program patients were more likely than control patients to complete therapy within 32 weeks (OR 5.73, 95%CI 2.25-14.84) and 52 weeks (OR 7.29, 95%CI 2.45-22.73). CONCLUSION: Patient incentives can increase adherence to DOT in TB programs.

Rubella outbreaks among Hispanics in North Carolina: lessons learned from a field investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and the lessons learned from two simultaneous, but unrelated, outbreaks of rubella in North Carolina affecting mostly Hispanic immigrants of Mexican origin. METHODS: A case and contact investigation was conducted at industrial work sites and Hispanic communities between March 26 and June 15, 1996, using both structured and informal interviews. Active surveillance was conducted at hospitals, clinical laboratories, primary care physicians' offices, local health departments, and migrant health centers to identify additional cases. Rubella specific IgM testing was performed by the North Carolina State Laboratory to confirm cases. Vaccination clinics were conducted in communities and at work sites with a large Hispanic population in affected counties to reduce the number of susceptible persons. RESULTS: Eighty-three confirmed cases of rubella were reported: 75 cases from the first outbreak and 8 from the second. The mean age of cases from both outbreaks was 24 and 20 years, respectively. Only three cases occurred among children under five years of age, two in the first outbreak and one in the second. Seventy-one (95%) cases in the first outbreak and all 8 cases in the second outbreak were Hispanics; 21 (28%) cases from the first and 3 (37%) from the second outbreak were females, and a total of 65 (78%) cases from both outbreaks were industrial workers. Six women with confirmed cases in the first outbreak were pregnant at the time of exposure. No females cases were pregnant in the second outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: The outbreaks in North Carolina confirmed the persistent susceptibility to rubella in Hispanics and persons migrating from countries where the rubella vaccine is not used for routine childhood vaccination. The ultimate goal of rubella vaccination programs is to prevent fetal infection and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Thus, to eliminate rubella from the United States, efforts should focus on understanding new emerging patterns of disease transmission and vaccinating susceptible adults in settings where they congregate.

A Tuber Rot of Cyperus esculentus Caused by Rosellinia necatrix.

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is cultivated in Spain for the production of tiger nut milk. Over the past 5 years, important economic losses resulting from a new tuber rot have been observed near Valencia in eastern Spain. Affected tubers were covered by a white mycelium that turned black as the disease advanced, leading to a general rotting of tubers. Aboveground plant parts showed some early decay and under high-moisture environmental conditions the white mycelium was present on the soil surface. This mycelium showed pyriform swellings characteristic of Rosellinia necatrix Prill., and coremia were occasionally observed on external surfaces of tubers after incubation in a moist chamber for 1 to 2 months. Coremia produced small ellipsoid or obovoid single-celled conidia 3.7 to 5.0 × 2.0 to 2.2 µm. The teleomorph has not been observed. Pathogenicity tests were conducted with inoculum produced on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds that were soaked for 12 h in flasks filled with distilled water. Each flask contained 300 ml of seeds that were subsequently autoclaved after excess water was drained. Two fungal disks of a 2-week-old culture of R. necatrix grown on potato dextrose agar were placed aseptically in each flask. The flasks were incubated at 25°C for 4 weeks, and shaken once a week to avoid clustering of inoculum. Two plastic pots (35 cm in diameter) per isolate were filled with a sterilized mixture of equal portions (vol/vol) of soil, sand, and peat moss, and inoculum was added at a concentration of 30 g of infected wheat seeds per 1,200 g of substrate (1). Healthy tubers were surface disinfested in 1.5% (vol/vol) sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, washed twice in sterile water, sown, and subsequently thinned to one per pot after emergence. Plants were grown under field conditions. Six months after inoculation, symptomatic tubers appeared similar to those originally observed in the field. The fungus was reisolated from affected tubers, confirming Koch's postulates. Pathogenicity tests were also conducted on avocado (cv. Reed) and almond (cv. Garriges) seedlings, and apple rootstock (MM-106) as very susceptible host plants for R. necatrix (1). Inoculated plants showed symptoms of wilting and death 4 weeks after inoculation. The fungus was reisolated from affected plants. This is the first report of C. esculentus as a host of R. necatrix. Reference: (1) A. Sztejnberg and Z. Madar. Plant Dis. 64: 662, 1980.

First Report of Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae Race 1 in Spain.

A crown, root, and fruit rot of squash (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) was first observed in 1995 and again in 1996 in several fields in the eastern provinces of Valencia and Castellón. When plants approach maturity they exhibited a severe cortical rot at the base of the stem and the upper portion of the taproot causing yellowing and wilting of the leaves. Within a few days of the first symptoms of crown rot, affected plants usually died. Soft, circular lesions developed where fruit were in contact with soil. Isolations on potato dextrose agar supplemented with 0.5 mg/ml of streptomycin sulfate (PDAS) from the crown of symptomatic plants and fruits yielded primarily a Fusarium sp. Isolates were transferred to potato sucrose agar (PSA) and Bilay's medium, modified by Joffe (SNA), and incubated at 25°C for 10 days with a 12-h photoperiod. The isolates were identified as Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. based on colony morphology on PSA and fungal morphology on SNA. C. maxima (cv. Dulce de Horno) seedlings (eight replicates per isolate) grown on a sterilized mixture of equal portions (vol/vol) of soil, sand, and peat moss were inoculated at the first true leaf stage by introducing a 10-ml spore suspension (106 spores per ml) at the base of plants. Symptoms appeared in 14 to 21 days as linear, coalescing, cortical lesions in the hypocotyl of inoculated plants and ultimately caused seedling death. There were no differences observed in the five isolates tested, regardless of origin. Mature fruits were inoculated by injecting spore suspension (106 spores per ml) into the mesocarp. Within 14 to 21 days after inoculation, lesions developed similar to those observed in the field. Stem isolates were pathogenic on the fruit, and fruit isolates were pathogenic on stems. Reference isolates NRLL 22165 and NRRL 22449 for race 1, and NRRL 20545 and NRRL 22144 for race 2, provided by K. O'Donnell, were also tested as positive controls. Only race 1 isolates caused seedling death. In each study, the fungus was reisolated, confirming Koch's postulates. Based on these results and disease symptoms in the field, the fungus was classified as F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae W. C. Snyder & H. N. Hans race 1, which causes a root, stem, and fruit rot, whereas race 2 causes only a fruit rot (1). F. solani also was isolated from seeds removed from diseased fruits. This is the first report of the presence of F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 1 in Spain. Reference: (1) T. A. Tousson and W. C. Snyder. Phytopathology 51:17, 1961.

First Report of Alternaria Brown Spot of Citrus in Spain.

In 1998, a new disease of Fortune mandarin trees was detected in orchards in the eastern province of Valencia. This is one of the most important late-maturing cultivars grown in Spain. Symptoms were typical of Alternaria brown spot of citrus (2). Young leaves showed brown necrotic and irregular blighted areas with characteristic yellow halos. The necrosis had a tendency to follow the veins. On fruits, symptoms included light brown, slightly depressed spots to circular and dark brown areas on the external surface. Infected young fruits and leaves often fell and the mature fruits were unmarketable due to lesions, resulting in important economic losses. Isolations on potato dextrose agar supplemented with 0.5 mg/ml of streptomycin sulfate (PDAS) from affected leaves and fruits consistently yielded Alternaria alternata (Fr.:Fr.) Keissl., which was identified based on conidial morphological characteristics. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using 15 isolates from fruit and leaves by inoculating detached immature Fortune leaves with a sterile water suspension of 5 × 105 conidia per ml. Drops of this suspension (40 µl each) were placed on the lower surfaces of each leaflet using four leaves per isolate. Leaves were incubated in a moist chamber in the dark at 27°C (1). After 48 h, most of these isolates caused necrotic lesions on the leaves similar to those observed in the field, and the fungus was reisolated, confirming Koch's postulates. In 1999, the fungus spread to other citrus-growing areas, and to date the disease has been detected affecting Fortune and Nova mandarins and Minneola tangelo. This is the first report of Alternaria brown spot of citrus in Spain. References: (1) K. Kohmoto et al. Phytopathology 81:719, 1991. (2) J. O. Whiteside. Plant Dis. Rep. 60:326, 1976.

First Report of Basal Rot of Leek Caused by Fusarium culmorum in Spain.

A severe basal rot of leek (Allium porrum L.) was first observed in 1996 in Sueca (Valencia) eastern Spain, and again from 1998 to 2000 in several fields in Haro (La Rioja) northern Spain, where the disease caused significant economic losses. Leeks were stunted, wilted, and had water-soaked tissues with a characteristic reddish purple discoloration at the base of the stem. Affected plants could be pulled up easily because of rotting of the basal plate and root system. Similar symptoms were also observed on seedlings 2 to 3 weeks after transplanting. Isolations from symptomatic stems and roots onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) supplemented with 0.5 mg/ml of streptomycin sulfate (PDAS) consistently yielded a Fusarium sp. Isolates were transferred to potato sucrose agar (PSA) and synthetic low nutrient agar (SNA) and incubated at 25°C for 10 days with a 12-h photoperiod. The isolates were identified as Fusarium culmorum (Wm. G. Sm.) Sacc. based on colony morphology on PSA and phialide and conidial morphology on SNA. This disease has been described on garlic (1), but there are few reports about its incidence on leek (2). Pathogenicity tests were conducted on leek cvs. Alora, Axel, Casado, Goliath, and Varea using five isolates of F. culmorum from different locations. Ninety-day-old seedlings were inoculated by introducing a spore suspension to obtain a soil infested with the fungus at 104 colony-forming units (CFU)/g of potting mix (a sterilized mixture of equal portions [v/v] of soil, sand, and peat moss). Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 20 to 30°C. Within 45 to 70 days after inoculation, symptoms developed that were similar to those observed in the field. The fungus was reisolated from affected plants, completing Koch's postulates. All isolates were pathogenic, and all leek cvs. were highly susceptible to the pathogen. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. culmorum affecting leek in Spain. References: (1) F. J. Crowe et al. Phytopathology 76:1094, 1986. (2) G. Tamietti and A. Garibaldi. Riv. di Patol. Veg. IV. 13:69, 1977.

First Report of Monosporascus cannonballus on Melon in Brazil.

Approximately 15,000 ha of melon (Cucumis melo L.) are grown in the northeastern section of Brazil, mostly for export to Europe during the winter months. Surveys for melon vine decline diseases were carried out in farms in the municipalities of Mossoró (Rio Grande do Norte) and Quixeré (Ceará) during 2002 and 2003. Symptoms typical of vine decline were observed in several fields and included yellowing of crown leaves just prior to harvest and collapse of many of the vines. Affected plants exhibited necrotic root systems and lacked most of the secondary and tertiary feeder roots. Numerous perithecia were observed on roots which, when examined with a microscope, showed characteristic asci and ascospores of the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus Pollack & Uecker (2). Isolations were made from the crown region and primary and secondary roots of affected plants by excising 4- to 6-mm pieces that were surface sterilized for 30 to 60 s with 1.5% active chlorine solution. Seven tissue pieces from each plant part were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing 0.5 g liter-1 of streptomycin sulfate. Plates were examined daily for fungal growth for 7 days, and hyphal tips from all colonies were transferred to PDA for subsequent growth and sporulation. M. cannonballus was isolated from 50% of the root sections. All isolates produced only one ascospore per ascus. Pathogenicity of four isolates was confirmed in the greenhouse on the muskmelon cv. Temprano Rochet. Inoculum was produced in a sand-oat hulls (Avena sativa L.) medium (0.5 liter of sand, 46 g of ground oat hulls, and 37.5 ml of distilled water) and incubated at 25°C for 1 month. Colony forming units (CFU) were quantified by serial dilution using 1% hydroxyethyl cellulose. A sterilized mixture of equal portions (vol/vol) of sand and peat moss was used to fill plastic pots (17 cm in diameter), and inoculum was added to produce an inoculum concentration of 20 CFU g-1. Five melon seeds were planted in each pot and after germination, were thinned to one seedling per pot. There were five replicated pots for each treatment with an equal number of uninfested pots. Plants were evaluated for disease 45 days after sowing. Roots were exposed by carefully washing the potting mix away. All isolates of M. cannonballus tested were highly aggressive and caused severe root necrosis compared with the noninoculated control plants. M. cannonballus was reisolated from symptomatic plants, confirming Koch's postulates. Double cropping in the same fields for several years has created serious problems in Brazil, which are related to this soilborne pathogen that also causes root rot and vine decline of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) worldwide (1). To our knowledge this is the first report of M. cannonballus in Brazil and South America. References: (1) R. D. Martyn and M. E. Miller. Plant Dis. 80:716, 1996. (2) F. G. Pollack and F. A. Uecker. Mycologia 66:346, 1974.

The lived experience of aging in community-dwelling elders in Valencia, Spain: a phenomenological study.

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the lived experience of aging in community-dwelling elders in Valencia, Spain. A bilingual, bicultural endeavor, this research was a collaborative project conducted by nurse educators in New York City and Valencia. Parse's theory of human becoming guided the research, and van Kaam's phenomenological method of analysis was used to identify common elements and major themes of experience. Findings revealed the meaning of aging to be confirming triumphs through the forceful enlivening of bridled potency. These findings were conceptually consistent with Parse's major themes of meaning, rhythmicity, and cotranscendence. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Percutaneous mechanical mitral commissurotomy performed with a Cribier's metallic valvulotome. Initial results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate results of percutaneous mechanical mitral commissurotomy. METHODS: Thirty patients underwent percutaneous mechanical mitral commissurotomy performed with a Cribier's metallic valvulotome from 8/11/99 to 2/4/00. Mean age was 30.7 years, and 73.3% were women. With regards to functional class, 63.3% were class III, and 36.7% were class IV. The echocardiographic score had a mean value of 7.5+/- 1.8. RESULTS: The mitral valve area increased from 0.97+/-0.15cm2 to 2.16+/-0.50cm2 (p>0.0001). The mean diastolic gradient decreased from 17.9+/-5.0mmHg to 3.2+/-1.4mmHg. The mean left atrial pressure decreased from 23.6+/-5.4mmHg to 8.6+/-3.1mmHg, (p>0.0001). Systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery decreased from 52.7+/-18.3mmHg to 32.2+/-7.4mmHg. Twenty-nine cases were successful. One patient developed severe mitral regurgitation. Interatrial septal defect was observed and one patient. One patient had cardiac tamponade due to left ventricular perforation. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: This method has proven to be safe and efficient in the treatment of rheumatic mitral stenosis. The potential advantage is that it can be used multiple times after sterilization, which decreases procedural costs significantly.

Pain as a mutual experience for patients, nurses and families: a perspective from Valencia, Spain.

The Spanish data collection was consistent with the overall study design and drew from three groups: laboring women, children and elderly patients. The Valencia data was amongst the most detailed, specific and complete in this international study. This is most likely due to the experienced nature of the Spanish research team. The study results revealed more commonalities than differences in all age groups with regard to pain identification and pain alleviation. Across age groups, pain was identified by study participants through observation and listening.

THE INTAKE OF FIBER MESOCARP PASSIONFRUIT (PASSIFLORA EDULIS) LOWERS LEVELS OF TRIGLYCERIDE AND CHOLESTEROL DECREASING PRINCIPALLY INSULIN AND LEPTIN.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, renal failure, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Over the last years, there has been an increasing demand in folk medicine for natural sources that could help in the treatment of chronic diseases, including diabetes. The rind of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. Flavicarpa) is traditionally used as a functional food due to its high concentration of soluble and insoluble fiber. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high-fiber diet albedo of passion fruit on the metabolic and biochemical profile in diabetic rats induced by alloxan (2%). DESIGN: The passion fruit mesocarp fiber was dried in an oven with circulating air at 60°C and pulverized. We used 32 adult male rats, divided into 4 groups: Wistar group 1 control (GC), Wistar group 2, 15% fiber (GF15), Wistar group 3, 30% fiber (GF30), Wistar group 4, fiber disolved in water (GFH2O). The ratio of passion fruit was prepared according to the AIN 93M guidelines, varying only the source of dietary fiber. The corresponding diet for each group was offered to the animals for 60 days. RESULTS: There was a statically significant decrease in plasma glucose for GFH2O, GF15%, and GF30% groups with 27.0%, 37.4%, and 40.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of mesocarp fiber of passion fruit at concentrations of 15% and 30% are an important dietary supplement for the treatment of DM due to its potential hypoglycemic effect, and its ability to reduce triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol levels with a principal reduction of insulin and leptin.