Capturing the cervical spine shape: Angular measurements versus geometric morphometric methods.

The cervical spine manifests a wide shape variation. However, the traditional methods to evaluate the cervical spine curve were never tested against its actual shape. The study's main aim was to determine whether the shape classification of the cervical spine, based on traditional angular measurements, coincides with each other and with the shape captured by the 2D landmark-based geometric morphometric method. The study's second aim was to reveal the associations between the cervical spine shape and the demographic parameters, the head's position, and the spine's sagittal balance. CT scans of the cervical spine of 163 individuals were evaluated to achieve these goals. The shape was assessed by measuring the C2-C7 Cobb angle (CA), the C2-C7 posterior tangent angle (PTA), the curvedness of the arch, and by a 2D landmark-based geometric morphometric method. The position of the head and the sagittal balance of the spine were evaluated by measuring the foramen magnum-C2 Cobb angle (FMCA) and the T1 slope angle (T1SA), respectively. Based on the size of the angle measured, each individual was classified into one of the three cervical 'shape groups' (lordotic, straight, and kyphotic). We found that cervical lordosis was the dominant shape regardless of the measuring methods utilized (46.6%-54.6%), followed by straight neck (28.2%-30.1%), and kyphosis (15.3%-25.2%); however, about a third of the 163 individuals were classified into a different shape group using the CA and PTA methods. The cervical spine angle was sex-independent and age-dependent. The T1SA was significantly correlated with CA and PTA (r = 0.640 and r = 0.585, respectively; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the cervical spine shape evaluation is method-dependent and varies with age.

Prevalence and characteristics of osseous bridging between vertebral bodies in the cervical spine: A skeletal study.

Osseous bridging (OB) in three or more segments of motions (SOMs) of the mobile spine was initially defined as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), located particularly in the thoracic spine (T-spine). This pathological phenomenon is often characterized by calcification and ossification, which take place simultaneously or separately. The soft tissues, mainly ligaments and entheses, are calcified, with bone formation not originating from the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL). DISH formation can involve osteophytes, which are created by the ossification process and can involve soft tissue such as the ALL. The ALL can also be calcified. Until recently, the prevalence of DISH in the general population was considered low (0%-5%) and rare in the cervical spine (C-spine). In a cross-sectional observational skeletal study, we investigated the prevalence and location of C-spine OB between vertebral bodies with fewer than three SOMs. We tested a large sample (n = 2779) of C-spines housed in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Ohio, USA). The human sources of the samples had died between the years 1912 and 1938 and represented both sexes and two different ethnic groups: Black Americans and White Americans. The process development can be seen on the ALLs as calcification, osteophytosis, and candle-shaped. Among all of the specimens, 139 (5%) were affected by OB, mostly in one SOM. Prevalence tended to be higher in women, White Americans, and the older age group. The levels most affected were C3-C4, followed by C2-C3 and subsequently, C5-C6. OB involving two consecutive SOMs was found only at C5-C7. We believe it is important to respond to the presence of a single SOM with a presumptive diagnosis of OB and to follow up, identify whether the diagnosis is correct, and take preventive action if possible. There is a need for updated diagnostic criteria and research approaches that reflect contemporary lifestyle factors and their impact on spine health.

Kocuria flava, a Bacterial Endophyte of the Marine Macroalga Bryopsis plumosa, Emits 8-Nonenoic Acid Which Inhibits the Aquaculture Pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica.

Secondary metabolites-organic compounds that are often bioactive-produced by endophytes, among others, provide a selective advantage by increasing the organism's survivability. Secondary metabolites mediate the symbiotic relationship between endophytes and their host, potentially providing the host with tolerance to, and protection against biotic and abiotic stressors. Secondary metabolites can be secreted as a dissolved substance or emitted as a volatile. In a previous study, we isolated bioactive endophytes from several macroalgae and tested them in vitro for their ability to inhibit major disease-causing pathogens of aquatic animals in the aquaculture industry. One endophyte (isolate Abp5, K. flava) inhibited and killed, in vitro, the pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica, an oomycete that causes saprolegniasis-a disease affecting a wide range of aquatic animals. Here, using analytical chemistry tools, we found that Abp5 produces the volatile organic compound (VOC) 8-nonenoic acid. Once we confirmed the production of this compound by the endophyte, we tested the compound's ability to treat S. parasitica in in vitro and in vivo bioassays. In the latter, we found that 5 mg/L of the compound improves the survival of larvae challenged with S. parasitica by 54.5%. Our isolation and characterization of the VOC emitted by the endophytic K. flava establish the groundwork for future studies of endophytic biocontrol agents from macroalgae. Use of this compound could enable managing oomycete agricultural pathogens in general, and S. parasitica in particular, a major causal agent in aquaculture diseases.

"Star like" disease of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit caused by Botrytis cinerea in Israel.

During May 2016, a corky textured, "star like" symptom, located at the apex on the far side of the fruit was observed on young persimmon fruitlets (Fig. 1), on several persimmon varieties in plantations located along the Mediterranean Sea coast. The lesions caused cosmetic damage, which disqualified the fruit from marketing and can affect as much as 50% of the fruit in the orchard. Symptoms were correlated with the presence of wilting flower parts (petals and stamens) attached to the fruitlet (Fig. 1). Fruitlets with no flower parts attached did not develop the corky star symptom, while almost all fruitlets with an attached wilted flower parts had symptoms underneath the flower parts. Flower parts and fruitlets displaying the phenomenon were sampled (orchard near the town of Zichron Yaccov) and used for fungi isolation. At least ten fruitlets were surface sterilized by immersion in 1% NaOCl for 1 min. Pieces of the infected tissue were then placed on 0.25% potato dextrose agar (PDA) supplemented with 12 µg/mL tetracycline (Sigma, Rehovot, Israel). In addition, the inner parts of at least ten moldy flowers were placed on 0.25% PDA supplemented with tetracycline and incubated at 25°C for 7 days. Two fungi were isolated from the flower parts and the symptomatic fruitlets: Alternaria sp. and Botrytis sp. Koch postulates were conducted by inoculating 10 µl of conidial suspension of each fungus (105 conidia/ml in H2O, single spore originated), on four wounds, made by puncturing a 2 mm deep hole with 21G sterile syringe needle, on the apex of surface sterilized, small, green fruits. Fruits were placed in sealed 2-liter plastic boxes. Symptoms similar to those found on the fruitlets in the orchards were observed on the fruit inoculated with Botrytis sp. (corky like, but not in the shape of stars) about 14 days post inoculation. Botrytis sp. was re-isolated from the symptomatic fruit to fulfill Koch's postulates. Alternaria and water inoculation did not cause any symptoms. The Botrytis sp. colonies, when grown on PDA, grow initially as white colonies becoming gray to brown after about seven days. Elliptical conidia, 8 to 12 µm long and 6 to 10 µm wide, were observed under light microscope. Isolate Pers-1, incubated at 21°C for 21 days, produced blackish, spherical to irregular microsclerotia, ranging from 0.55 to 4 mm (width and length, respectively). For molecular characterization of the Botrytis sp. isolate, Pers-1, fungal genomic DNA was extracted as previously described by Freeman et al. (2013). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence region of rDNA was amplified using ITS1/ITS4 primers (White et al. 1990), and sequenced. ITS analysis revealed that it belongs to genus Botrytis (MT573470.1 with 99.80% identity). For further confirmation, nuclear protein-coding genes (RPB2 and BT-1, Malkuset et al. 2006 and Glass et al. 1995) were sequenced and found to have 99.87% and 99.80% identity to Botrytis cinerea Pers. Sequences, deposited in GenBank as accessions OQ286390, OQ587946 and OQ409867, respectively. Botrytis was previously reported to cause persimmon fruit scarring and damage of calyces (Rheinländer et al. 2013) and fruit rot during post-harvest (Barkai-Golan. 2001), yet to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. cinerea causing "star like" corky symptoms on persimmon in Israel.

Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Mal Secco Disease Spread in Lemon Orchards in Israel.

Mal Secco is a severe disease of citrus in which the fungus Plenodomus tracheiphilus (formerly Phoma tracheiphila) penetrates the vascular system of the host. In this study, we characterized the spatial dynamics of the disease in seven lemon orchards. A representative block of trees from each orchard was evaluated monthly during 3 consecutive years. In addition, scouts assessed disease severity in 75 orchards from three different geographical regions and tested for association between disease severity and measures of orchard management, environmental factors, cultural practices, and cultivar type. We assessed disease incidence and characteristics of spatial patterns using Ripley's K function and fitted logistic regression models for different neighboring tree structures followed by model selection methods to provide insight into the spatial and temporal dynamics of disease progress. We found different rates of disease spread in different orchards, which are most likely the result of differences in orchard management practices or less likely the result of differences in climatic conditions. There was an indication that agricultural tools contribute to spread of the disease within rows of trees. The results confirm that the lemon cultivar Interdonato is less susceptible compared with other citrus cultivars, and they suggest that the density of urban terrain surrounding each orchard is positively correlated with the severity of the disease. In contrast to our expectations, no correlation was found between the density of lemon orchards surrounding an orchard and the severity of the disease within it, which corroborates previous findings regarding the limited distribution of the disease.

Calcium transport into the cells of the sea urchin larva in relation to spicule formation.

We investigated the manner in which the sea urchin larva takes up calcium from its body cavity into the primary mesenchymal cells (PMCs) that are responsible for spicule formation. We used the membrane-impermeable fluorescent dye calcein and alexa-dextran, with or without a calcium channel inhibitor, and imaged the larvae in vivo with selective-plane illumination microscopy. Both fluorescent molecules are taken up from the body cavity into the PMCs and ectoderm cells, where the two labels are predominantly colocalized in particles, whereas the calcium-binding calcein label is mainly excluded from the endoderm and is concentrated in the spicules. The presence of vesicles and vacuoles inside the PMCs that have openings through the plasma membrane directly to the body cavity was documented using high-resolution cryo-focused ion beam-SEM serial imaging. Some of the vesicles and vacuoles are interconnected to form large networks. We suggest that these vacuolar networks are involved in direct sea water uptake. We conclude that the calcium pathway from the body cavity into cells involves nonspecific endocytosis of sea water with its calcium.

The torg ratio of C3-C7 in African Americans and European Americans: A skeletal study.

The ratio between the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal and the sagittal diameter of the vertebral body, known as the "Torg ratio", is often used to test for spinal canal narrowing. Here, we investigate this ratio in a large population, consisting of two ethnicities, both sexes and three age groups. Measurements were taken on the dry cervical verterbrae (C3-C7) of 277 individuals using a digital apparatus allowing for the recording of 3D coordinates of a set of landmarks on the vertebral body. Vertebral body and vertebral foramen lengths were compared across the different subgroups. Vertebral body and vertebral foramen lengths differ significantly between males and females and between African Americans and European Americans. With age, the vertebral body length increases while the foramen length does not undergo significant changes. These anatomical differences are reflected in differences in the Torg ratio calculated for the different subgroups. In conclusion, our findings suggest that a hard cutoff on the Torg ratio used to define a pathological narrowing of the cervical spine should be adapted to the population the patients come from. Clin. Anat. 32: 84-89, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Initial stages of calcium uptake and mineral deposition in sea urchin embryos.

Sea urchin larvae have an endoskeleton consisting of two calcitic spicules. We reconstructed various stages of the formation pathway of calcium carbonate from calcium ions in sea water to mineral deposition and integration into the forming spicules. Monitoring calcium uptake with the fluorescent dye calcein shows that calcium ions first penetrate the embryo and later are deposited intracellularly. Surprisingly, calcium carbonate deposits are distributed widely all over the embryo, including in the primary mesenchyme cells and in the surface epithelial cells. Using cryo-SEM, we show that the intracellular calcium carbonate deposits are contained in vesicles of diameter 0.5-1.5 µm. Using the newly developed airSEM, which allows direct correlation between fluorescence and energy dispersive spectroscopy, we confirmed the presence of solid calcium carbonate in the vesicles. This mineral phase appears as aggregates of 20-30-nm nanospheres, consistent with amorphous calcium carbonate. The aggregates finally are introduced into the spicule compartment, where they integrate into the growing spicule.

Insights Into the Etiology of Gummosis Syndrome of Deciduous Fruit Trees in Israel and its Impact on Tree Productivity.

Fungal gummosis syndrome of deciduous fruit trees was reported from several countries, including Israel. Symptomatic 5-7 to 10-14-year-old trees exude large amounts of gum on the trunk, limbs, branches, and twigs, accompanied by sunken lesions on the bark. The necrotic area extends to the xylem to form black to brown staining of the tissue. The general conception is that "this is a nuisance that can be pruned out of trees during the dormant season with no economic significance." In this study we attempted to: (i) identify the fungi associated in the gummosis syndrome of deciduous trees in Israel and (ii) quantify the significance of gummosis syndrome on tree and fruit development and on crop value. Branches from symptomatic and asymptomatic deciduous trees were collected during 2012 to 2015 from 29 orchards including peach (14 orchards), nectarine (six orchards), apricot (six orchards), plum, cherry, and almond (one orchard each). In all cases, fungi associated with the Botryosphaeriaceae family were isolated from tissues exhibiting the typical gummosis symptoms. The decay fungus Phellinus sp. was isolated from 53.3% of the samples. The dynamics of fruit growth in symptomatic and asymptomatic trees was recorded in 2014 and 2015 in an 11-year-old peach orchard. In trees exhibiting the gummosis syndrome, yield was lower by 11.5 to 22.5% and its value was reduced by 14.7 to 19.4%, compared with those of asymptomatic trees in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Although these are substantial losses, the grower of the orchard was not aware of the losses occurring in his orchard. The reason for this situation is explained and discussed. The outcome conclusion of the current study is that the gummosis syndrome of deciduous trees imposes significant, hence undistinguishable, losses in mature deciduous fruit trees.

Heart Rot of Pomegranate: Disease Etiology and the Events Leading to Development of Symptoms.

Pomegranate fruit rot disease, known as "heart rot" or "black heart," is a major pomegranate disease that impacts production worldwide. Heart rot is characterized by black rot of the fruit core that spreads from the calyx area, whereas the outer peel and the hard rind retain their healthy appearance. Aims of the present study were to identify the pathogen that causes pomegranate heart rot in Israel and to study the dynamics of fruit-organ colonization by fungi during fruit development, as the first steps toward the development of management strategies. Several fungi were isolated from pomegranate fruits, among which were species of Penicillium, Aspergillus, Botrytis, and Rhizopus, but the causative pathogen of the disease was identified as Alternaria alternata. This fungus was isolated from the pistils of more than 85% of open flowers and ∼20% of the loculi of asymptomatic fruits and from all tissues of the symptomatic fruits. The dynamics of fruit-organ colonization by fungi during fruit development was recorded in six commercial orchards in 2010 and 2011. It was found that A. alternata spores germinate on the stigmata of open flowers and develop into the style. In some fruits, the mycelium grows into the tunnel and reaches the lower loculus, where the fungus becomes latent for about 3 to 4 months pending initiation of fruit ripening. Then, in a small number of fruits, the fungus starts growing and invades the arils, causing black rot of the arils in the lower loculus. At the beginning of disease development, the fungus causes brown soft rot of the arils, which becomes black and dry as the fungus grows. Eventually, the fungus grows from the lower loculus into the upper loculi, causing rot of the entire fruit.

Physical and psychosocial work demands associated with pain and disability among skilled male Arab waiters.

BACKGROUND: Physical and psychosocial demands (e.g., serving, cleaning, fulfilling orders) can lead to work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP). OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of WRMSP in the upper quadrant and lower back among skilled male Arab waiters; to evaluate the disability related to WRMSP; to evaluate the association between work demands and WRMSP with related disability. METHODS: 100 skilled male Arab waiters working full-time, aged 18-60, participated in the cross-sectional study. Participants completed basic demographics and working conditions; the NDI; QuickDASH; the OswestryQ; workload, burnout, and job satisfaction at work; the adjusted NordicQ; and the TaskQ, compiled especially for this study. RESULTS: A 12-month pain prevalence, pain frequency, and work avoidance were high: neck- 42%, 60.5%, 89.5%; shoulders -53%, 78.2%, 94.4%; elbows- 46%, 78.6%, 83.3%; lower back- 45%, 44%, 78.7%, respectively. Pain prevalence in at least one site was 83%. The OswestryQ, QuickDASH, and NDI revealed mild-moderate pain and disability (14.85/50, 25.54/75, 13.74/50, respectively). Burnout score was positively associated with OswestryQ, QuickDASH, and NDI. Job satisfaction was negatively associated with 12 months of pain in the lower back, hands, arms, shoulders, and hands (NordicQ). TaskQ was positively associated with OswestryQ. CONCLUSION: Male Arab waiters who work in physically and psychologically challenging conditions report high levels of WRMSP with a high frequency and related work avoidance. Many of them must keep their jobs as they are their families' primary or sole providers. It is possible that they are trying to prevent more severe disabilities in the future by ensuring temporary rest and pain prevention.

Outbreak of Alternaria Black Spot of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Italy as a Consequence of Unusual Climatic Conditions.

Alternaria black spot of pomegranate (Punica granatum) was reported for the first time in Italy. In spring 2023, an outbreak of this disease was noticed in commercial pomegranate 'Wonderful' orchards of the municipality of Misterbianco (Sicily), following an unusually rainy period. A total of 30 randomly selected Alternaria isolates recovered from typical necrotic spots of leaves and fruits were characterized. Based on the colony morphology on solid agar media (PDA and MEA), isolates were separated into three distinct morphotypes (1, 2, and 3). The first two morphotypes comprised only isolates from fruits, while morphotype 3 comprised only isolates from leaves. Multigene phylogenetic analysis of four DNA regions, including internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and a SCAR marker (OPA10-2), identified the isolates of morphotypes 1 and 2 as Alternaria alternata and morphotype 3 isolates as A. arborescens. In pathogenicity tests on unwounded leaves and fruit, the isolates of all three morphotypes produced symptoms on the leaves of three pomegranate cultivars, 'Acco', 'Wonderful', and 'Etna'. The symptoms on 'Acco' leaves were the least severe. Conversely, the fruits of 'Acco' were the most susceptible. The isolates of morphotypes 2 and 3 were not pathogenic on the fruits of 'Wonderful' and 'Etna'. This is the first report of Alternaria black spot in Italy and of A. arborescens associated with Alternaria black spot of pomegranate worldwide.

A guide to the use of bioassays in exploration of natural resources.

Bioassays are the main tool to decipher bioactivities from natural resources thus their selection and quality are critical for optimal bioprospecting. They are used both in the early stages of compounds isolation/purification/identification, and in later stages to evaluate their safety and efficacy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the most common bioassays used in the discovery and development of new bioactive compounds with a focus on marine bioresources. We present a comprehensive list of practical considerations for selecting appropriate bioassays and discuss in detail the bioassays typically used to explore antimicrobial, antibiofilm, cytotoxic, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-ageing potential. The concept of quality control and bioassay validation are introduced, followed by safety considerations, which are critical to advancing bioactive compounds to a higher stage of development. We conclude by providing an application-oriented view focused on the development of pharmaceuticals, food supplements, and cosmetics, the industrial pipelines where currently known marine natural products hold most potential. We highlight the importance of gaining reliable bioassay results, as these serve as a starting point for application-based development and further testing, as well as for consideration by regulatory authorities.

Endophytic Penicillium species secretes mycophenolic acid that inhibits the growth of phytopathogenic fungi.

The worldwide demand for reduced and restricted use of pesticides in agriculture due to serious environmental effects, health risks and the development of pathogen resistance calls for the discovery of new bioactive compounds. In the medical field, antibiotic-resistant microorganisms have become a major threat to man, increasing mortality. Endophytes are endosymbiotic microorganisms that inhabit plant tissues without causing any visible damage to their host. Many endophytes secrete secondary metabolites with biological activity against a broad range of pathogens, making them potential candidates for novel drugs and alternative pesticides of natural origin. We isolated endophytes from wild plants in Israel, focusing on endophytes that secrete secondary metabolites with biological activity. We isolated 302 different endophytes from 30 different wild plants; 70 of them exhibited biological activity against phytopathogens. One biologically active fungal endophyte from the genus Penicillium, isolated from a squill (Urginea maritima) leaf, was further examined. Chloroform-based extraction of its growth medium was similarly active against phytopathogens. High-performance liquid chromatography separation followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed a single compound-mycophenolic acid-as the main contributor to the biological activity of the organic extract.

Morphologic aspects of the cervical (C3-C7) annular epiphysis: a skeletal study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The annular epiphysis (AE) is a peripheral ring of cortical bone that forms a secondary ossification center in the superior and inferior surfaces of vertebral bodies (VBs). The AE is the last ossification site in the skeleton, typically forming at about the 25th year of life. The AE functions jointly with vertebral endplates to anchor the intervertebral discs to the VBs. PURPOSE: To establish accurate data on the sizes of the AE of the cervical spine (C3-C7); to compare the ratios between areas and the ratios of the AE to VBs; to compare the ratios between the superior and inferior VB surface areas; and to compare AE lengths between the posterior and anterior midsagittal areas. STUDY DESIGN: Measurement of 424 cervical spines (C3-C7) obtained from the skeletal collection of the Natural History Museum, Cleveland, Ohio (USA). METHODS: The sample was characterized by sex, age, and ethnic origin. The following measurements were recorded for each vertebra: (1) the surface area of the VBs and the AE, (2) the midsagittal anterior and posterior length of the AE, (3) the ratios between the AE and VB surface areas, and (4) the ratios between the superior and inferior disc surface areas. RESULTS: The study revealed that the AE and VBs in men were larger than in women. With age, the AE and VBs became larger; the ratio between the AE and VB surface was approximately 0.5 throughout the middle to lower cervical spine. The ratio of superior to inferior VBs was approximately 0.8. We found no differences between African Americans versus European Americans or between the anterior versus the posterior midsagittal length of the AE of the superior and inferior VBs. CONCLUSIONS: The ratios between the superior and inferior VBs are ≥0.8, and the ratio is the same for the entire middle to lower spine. Thus, the ratio between the superior and inferior VBs to the AE is ≥ 0.5. Men had larger AEs and VBs than women did, with both VBs and AEs becoming larger with age. Knowing these relationships are important so that orthopedic surgeons can best correct these issues in young patients (<25 years old) during spine surgery. The data reported here provide, for the first time, all the relevant sizes of the AE and VB. In future studies, AEs and VBs of living patients can be measured with computed tomography. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The ER location and function are clinically significant showing any changes during life that might lead to clinical issues related to intervertebral discs such as intervertebral disc asymmetry, disc herniation, nerve pressure, cervical osteophytes and neck pain.

Twenty Intracranial Skull Base Variations in the Same Specimen.

Anatomists and clinicians often encounter single bony anatomical variations in dry skulls and on imaging. However, a constellation of 20 such variants some that, to our knowledge, have not been previously described is noteworthy. Here, we describe an adult skull with multiple bony variations, and these are detailed and discussed. These included clival canals, an interclinoid bar with resultant foramen at the uppermost aspect of the clivus, middle clinoid process, posterior petroclinoid ligament, pterygoalar plate, septated hypoglossal canal, foramen through the anterior clinoid process, septated foramen ovale, shortened superior orbital fissure, and crista muscularis. Knowledge of individual differences in the structure of the skull may be of use to both anatomists and clinicians in the treatment of intracranial procedures as well as cranial imaging studies. Taken together, such a unique specimen is of archival value.

Characterization of Alternaria alternata Causing Black Spot Disease of Pomegranate in Israel Using a Molecular Marker.

Black spot disease of pomegranate is a relatively new disease in Israel that is caused by Alternaria alternata. The symptoms include black spots on leaves and fruit. Only the outer part of the fruit is damaged; the edible tissue remains unaffected. In this study, we obtained 50 isolates of A. alternata from infected pomegranate plants that were classified based on pathogenicity tests using detached leaves. Using an arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction, we identified one primer (primer CAG) that reacted only with DNA of isolates that induced the most severe disease symptoms. Based on the sequence of the amplified fragment, we generated a specific primer (primer C) that recognizes these highly virulent isolates. Therefore, we suggest that primer C can be utilized as a molecular marker for the detection of A. alternata isolates that cause black spot disease of pomegranate.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries among emergency medical technicians and paramedics: A comprehensive narrative review.

The aim of this article was to review the current knowledge relating to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) and non-fatal injuries in emergency medical technicians and paramedics (EMTs-Ps). A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clinical Key. The annual prevalence of back pain ranged from 30% to 66%, and back injuries and contusions from 4% to 43%. Falls, slips, trips, and overexertion while lifting or carrying patients or instruments ranged from 10% to 56%, with overexertion being the most common injury. Risk factors were predominantly lifting, working in awkward postures, loading patients into the ambulance, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures. Lack of job satisfaction and social support was associated with WRMDs and injuries. EMTs-Ps had the highest rate of worker compensation claim rates compared to other healthcare professionals. Positive ergonomic intervention results included electrically powered stretchers, backboard wheeler, descent control system, and the transfer sling.

Osteophytes on the zygapophyseal (facet) joints of the cervical spine (C3-C7): A skeletal study.

Previous studies have reported that osteophytes in the cervical vertebrae may cause immobility, neck stiffness, osteoarthritis, headaches, nerve entrapment syndromes, and compression of the vertebral artery. Our objective was to explore the osteophytes' expression on zygapophyseal joints C3-C7. This is a cross-sectional observational skeletal study. The study sample comprised 273 human skeletons of both sexes, aged 20-93, housed at the Natural History Museum, OH, USA. A grading system assessed the presence and severity of osteophytosis on the zygapophyseal joints. The chi-square test (SPSS 25.0) examined the association between osteophytes and demographic factors. The level of significance (α) was set at .05. The highest prevalence of osteophytes was found on C5 vertebra, the lowest on C7. On vertebrae C3, C4, C6, the rate of moderate and severe osteophytes found on the superior and inferior facets were comparable. Moderate and severe degrees of osteophytes were observed more frequently on the superior facets, whereas, on vertebra C7, osteophytes were found on the inferior facet joints. Osteophytes' prevalence was significantly higher in the elderly compared to the younger population. Osteophytes in the C3-C7 zygapophyseal joints are age-dependent. No significant sex and ethnic differences were observed. Vertebra C5 was most prone to develop osteophytes, most probably due to its location in the cervical lordotic peak, C5 in the superior ZF; C7 in the inferior ZF are significant (p = .05). The zygapophyseal joints of C7 were least frequent overall, yet, the C7 inferior facets had significantly more moderate-severe osteophytes compared to other cervical vertebrae.

Upper Quadrant Pain and Disability Associated with a Cross-Sectional Area of Deep and Superficial Neck Muscles: A Computed Tomography Study.

STUDY DESIGN: An analytical cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of the cross-sectional area (CSA) and density of neck muscles (sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, anterior scalene, longus coli, longus capitis) with upper quadrant pain and disability. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Neck pain, a common condition, causes substantial disability to individuals. The deep cervical flexor muscles are impaired in persons with neck pain. These muscles play a greater role in maintaining stable head postures, whereas, superficial muscles are responsible for peak exertions and reinforcing spinal stability at terminal head postures. METHODS: Two hundred thirty consecutive individuals suffering from neck pain were referred to CT scans; 124/230 complied with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were interviewed and the measurements of the CSA and muscle density were extracted from the scans. RESULTS: Muscles associated with quick disability of the arms, shoulders, and hand questionnaire (QDASH) were the lateral posterior group (LPG) CSA C3-C4 on the right side (beta = -0.31, P = 0.029); the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) CSA C3-C4 on the left side (beta = 0.29, P = 0.031); the LPG CSA C3-C4 on the left side (beta = -0.49, P = 0.000); the LCM CSA C5-C6 on the right side (beta = -0.19, P = 0.049); the LPG CSA C5-C6 on the right side (beta = -0.36, P = 0.012); and the LPG CSA C5-C6 on the left side (beta = -0.42, P = 0.002). Further analyses with radiculopathy acting as an augmenting/enhancing variable (moderator), showed an increase in the model strength (r2 = 0.25) with a stronger prediction of pain and disability. Muscle measurements did not predict neck disability index (NDI) scores. CONCLUSION: By using an accurate measuring tool, we found an association of the deep and superficial neck muscles' CSA with upper extremities' pain and disability. When performing manual work, a special load is placed on the shoulders and neck muscles. Future research should focus on examining the effectiveness of exercise-type intervention programs to strengthen the deep neck and upper extremities' muscles in order to prevent muscle fatigue.Level of Evidence: 2.