Toward equality: Including non-human animals in studies of lived religion and nonreligion.

This article explores how sociologists of religion can respond to 'the animal turn' in studies of lived religion and nonreligion. We begin by considering how sociology has neglected the place of non-human animals and the 'more than human' in social life. We then turn to the sociology of religion, where animals have often been devalued or ignored as irrelevant to understanding religion in society. We argue that it is necessary to consider the ways in which human activities are shaped by non-human animals. This does not mean that animals should be thought of as nonreligious or religious. We contend that the failure to incorporate non-human animals in sociological considerations of religion and nonreligion replicates a hierarchical model, which sees human life as above or higher than non-human life and calls our attention to the place of sociological research amid the climate crisis.

Cet article explore comment les sociologues de la religion peuvent répondre au « tournant animal ¼ dans les études sur la religion et la non-religion vécues. Nous commençons par examiner comment la sociologie a négligé la place des animaux non humains et du « plus qu'humain ¼ dans la vie sociale. Nous nous tournons ensuite vers la sociologie de la religion, où les animaux ont souvent été dévalorisés ou ignorés comme n'étant pas pertinents pour comprendre la religion dans la société. Nous soutenons qu'il est nécessaire de considérer les façons dont les activités humaines sont façonnées par les animaux non humains. Cela ne signifie pas que les animaux doivent être considérés comme non religieux ou religieux. Nous soutenons que l'échec de l'incorporation des animaux non humains dans les considérations sociologiques de la religion et de la non-religion reproduit un modèle hiérarchique, qui voit la vie humaine au-dessus ou plus haut que la vie non humaine et attire notre attention sur la place de la recherche sociologique dans la crise climatique.

Smoking abstinence and cessation-related outcomes one month after an immediate versus gradual reduction in nicotine content of cigarettes.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has the authority to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes to minimal or non-addictive levels and could do so immediately or gradually over time. A large clinical trial compared the two approaches. This secondary analysis assesses abstinence and cessation-related outcomes one month after the trial concluded, when participants no longer had access to very low nicotine content (VLNC) research cigarettes. Smokers not interested in quitting (N = 1250) were recruited for the parent trial from 2014 to 2016 across 10 sites throughout the US and randomized to a 20-week study period during which they immediately switched to VLNC cigarettes, gradually transitioned to VLNC cigarettes with five monthly dose reductions, or smoked normal nicotine research cigarettes (control). At the one-month follow-up, both immediate and gradual reduction resulted in greater mean cigarette-free days (4.7 and 4.6 respectively) than the control group (3.2, both p < .05). Immediate reduction resulted in fewer mean cigarettes per day (CPD = 10.3) and lower Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD = 3.7) than the gradual (CPD = 11.7, p = .001; FTCD = 3.8, p = .039) and control (CPD = 13.5, p < .001; FTCD = 4.0, p < .001) groups. Compared to controls, gradual reduction resulted in reduced CPD (p = .012) but not FTCD (p = .13). Differences in CO-verified 7-day point-prevalence abstinence were not significant. Findings demonstrate that switching to VLNC cigarettes resulted in reduced smoking and nicotine dependence severity that was sustained for at least a month after the VLNC trial period in smokers who were not interested in cessation. The greatest harm reduction endpoints were observed in those who immediately transitioned to VLNC cigarettes.

Educating the Public on the Health Risks of Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes: Results From a US-Based Convenience Sample.

INTRODUCTION: US FDA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to reduce nicotine in cigarettes. To maximize the benefits of this potential standard, very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes must be communicated in a way that does not result in misperceptions. AIMS AND METHODS: Adults (n = 567 who smoke; n = 610 non-smokers) from an online platform were randomized to a control message previously associated with accurate addictiveness perceptions of VLNC cigarettes but health misperceptions or to one of five messages that also included messaging on nicotine morbidity effects or VLNC cigarettes morbidity or mortality effects. p value <.01 was significant. RESULTS: In participants who smoke, perceived lung cancer risk (responses: 1, very little risk to 10, very high risk) if smoked VLNC cigarettes regularly was higher in conditions that communicated mortality effects of VLNC cigarettes compared to the control (7.12-7.18 vs. 5.97, p values < .01). In non-smokers, perceived lung cancer risk was higher in all five message conditions when compared with the control (7.58-8.22 vs. 6.35, p values < .01). Proportion who responded accurately (ie, False) to the statement Cigarettes with 95% less nicotine are safer than cigarettes with normal nicotine levels was higher in conditions describing VLNC morbidity or mortality effects when compared with the control in both participants who smoke (52.04-67.37% vs. 30.85%, p values < .01) and do not smoke (62.50-72.38% vs. 32.00%, p values < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Messaging on mortality effects of VLNC cigarettes (ie, cigarettes with 95% less nicotine are as deadly as current cigarettes) was associated with more accurate perceptions of the health risks of VLNC cigarettes than the control; however, misperceptions remained in one-third of participants. IMPLICATIONS: One approach to communicating a VLNC cigarette standard to the public is to include messaging on the mortality effects of VLNC cigarettes. However, further study and possible refinement of this message condition are recommended since approximately one-third of participants exposed to this message still perceived VLNC cigarettes to be safer than normal nicotine content cigarettes.

Humanized C3 Mouse: A Novel Accelerated Model of C3 Glomerulopathy.

BACKGROUND: C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is characterized by the alternative-pathway (AP) hyperactivation induced by nephritic factors or complement gene mutations. Mice deficient in complement factor H (CFH) are a classic C3G model, with kidney disease that requires several months to progress to renal failure. Novel C3G models can further contribute to understanding the mechanism behind this disease and developing therapeutic approaches. METHODS: A novel, rapidly progressing, severe, murine model of C3G was developed by replacing the mouse C3 gene with the human C3 homolog using VelociGene technology. Functional, histologic, molecular, and pharmacologic assays characterize the presentation of renal disease and enable useful pharmacologic interventions in the humanized C3 (C3hu/hu) mice. RESULTS: The C3hu/hu mice exhibit increased morbidity early in life and die by about 5-6 months of age. The C3hu/hu mice display elevated biomarkers of kidney dysfunction, glomerulosclerosis, C3/C5b-9 deposition, and reduced circulating C3 compared with wild-type mice. Administration of a C5-blocking mAb improved survival rate and offered functional and histopathologic benefits. Blockade of AP activation by anti-C3b or CFB mAbs also extended survival and preserved kidney function. CONCLUSIONS: The C3hu/hu mice are a useful model for C3G because they share many pathologic features consistent with the human disease. The C3G phenotype in C3hu/hu mice may originate from a dysregulated interaction of human C3 protein with multiple mouse complement proteins, leading to unregulated C3 activation via AP. The accelerated disease course in C3hu/hu mice may further enable preclinical studies to assess and validate new therapeutics for C3G.

Can gesture input support toddlers' fast mapping?

Forty-eight toddlers participated in a word-learning task to assess gesture input on mapping nonce words to unfamiliar objects. Receptive fast mapping and expressive naming for target object-word pairs were tested in three conditions - with a point, with a shape gesture, and in a no-gesture, word-only condition. No statistically significant effect of gesture for receptive fast-mapping was found but age was a factor. Two year olds outperformed one year olds for both measures. Only one girl in the one-year-old group correctly named any items. There was a significant interaction between gesture and gender for expressive naming. Two-year-old girls were six times more likely than two-year-old boys to correctly name items given point and shape gestures; whereas, boys named more items taught with the word only than with a point or shape gesture. The role of gesture input remains unclear, particularly for children under two years and for toddler boys.

Activated Microglia in the Rat Spinal Cord Following Peripheral Axon Injury Promote Glial and Neuronal Plasticity Which is Necessary for Long-Term Neuronal Survival.

Following the transection of peripheral sympathetic preganglionic axons comprising the cervical sympathetic trunk (CST), we observe robust glial and neuronal plasticity at 1 week post-injury in the rat spinal cord intermediolateral cell column (IML), which houses the injured parent neuronal cell bodies. This plasticity contributes to neuroprotection, as no neuronal loss in the IML is present at 16 weeks post-injury. Here, we administered the antibiotic minocycline or vehicle (VEH) daily for 1 week after CST transection to investigate the role of activated microglia in IML glial and neuronal plasticity and subsequent neuronal survival. At 1 week post-injury, minocycline treatment did not alter microglia number in the IML, but led to a dampened microglia activation state. In addition, the increases in oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage cells and activated astrocytes following injury in VEH rats were attenuated in the minocycline-treated rats. Further, the normal downregulation of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the injured neurons was blunted. At 16 weeks post-injury, fewer ChAT+ neurons were present in the minocycline-treated rats, suggesting that activated microglia together with the glial and neuronal plasticity at 1 week post-injury contribute to the long-term survival of the injured neurons. These results provide evidence for beneficial crosstalk between activated microglia and neurons as well as other glial cells in the cord following peripheral axon injury, which ultimately leads to neuroprotection. The influences of microglia activation in promoting neuronal survival should be considered when developing therapies to administer minocycline for the treatment of neurological pathologies.

Use of an adeno-associated virus serotype Anc80 to provide durable cure of phenylketonuria in a mouse model.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most common inborn error of metabolism of the liver, and results from mutations of both alleles of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene (PAH). As such, it is a suitable target for gene therapy via gene delivery with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. Here we use the synthetic AAV vector Anc80 via systemic administration to deliver a functional copy of a codon-optimized human PAH gene, with or without an intron spacer, to the Pahenu2 mouse model of PKU. Dose-dependent transduction of the liver and expression of PAH mRNA were present with both vectors, resulting in significant and durable reduction of circulating phenylalanine, reaching near control levels in males. Coat color of treated Pahenu2 mice reflected an increase in pigmentation from brown to the black color of control animals, further indicating functional restoration of phenylalanine metabolism and its byproduct melanin. There were no adverse effects associated with administration of AAV up to 5 × 1012 VG/kg, the highest dose tested. Only minor and/or transient variations in some liver enzymes were observed in some of the AAV-dosed animals which were not associated with pathology findings in the liver. Finally, there was no impact on cell turnover or apoptosis as evaluated by Ki-67 and TUNEL staining, further supporting the safety of this approach. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of AAV Anc80 to safely and durably cure PKU in a mouse model, supporting development for clinical consideration.

Responses to Gradual and Immediate Reduction of Nicotine in Cigarettes in Young Versus Older Adult Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: As the FDA works to determine whether a nicotine reduction policy would benefit public health, one key question is whether to mandate an immediate or gradual reduction in nicotine levels in cigarettes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the effects of gradual versus immediate nicotine reduction on cigarettes per day (CPD), total nicotine equivalents, and subjective responses differed in younger adults versus older adults. METHODS: Using data from a recent randomized trial conducted in the United States (N = 1250) that switched smokers over a 20-week period to very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes either immediately, gradually (via monthly reductions in nicotine content), or not at all (control condition, normal nicotine content research cigarette), we analyzed the moderating effect of age (age 18-24 or 25+). RESULTS: For both age groups, CPD in the immediate condition was significantly lower relative to gradual condition (estimated mean difference of 6.3 CPD in young adults, 5.2 CPD in older adults; p's < .05). Younger and older adults in the immediate and gradual reduction conditions had lower total nicotine equivalents at Week 20 (all p's < .05) than those in the control condition; age group did not moderate this effect. Positive subjective responses to cigarettes were lower among young adults relative to older adults in the immediate condition. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an immediate reduction in nicotine would result in beneficial effects in both young and older adults. Young adults show less positive subjective effects of smoking following switching to VLNC cigarettes relative to older adults. IMPLICATIONS: As researchers work to understand how a potential reduced-nicotine product standard for cigarettes may affect public health, one question is whether nicotine should be reduced immediately or gradually. This study demonstrates that both young and older adults who were switched immediately to the lowest content of nicotine smoked fewer CPD and had lower nicotine intake than those in the gradual condition. Furthermore, young adults appear to show lower positive subjective effects following switching to VLNC cigarettes relative to older adults. This is consistent with previous work demonstrating that young people appear to show lower abuse liability for VLNC cigarettes.

Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes Disrupt the Feedback Loop of Affective States and Smoking Behavior.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking to reduce negative affect has been identified as a key motivational feature of tobacco use. Our recent work suggests that smoking very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes reduces the relationship between negative affect and smoking behavior over a 6-week period. Here, we sought to extend our findings by evaluating whether a gradual or immediate approach to switching to VLNC cigarettes led to a differential reduction in the relationship between affect and smoking behavior over a longer (20-week) period. AIMS AND METHODS: Participants (n = 1250) were adult smokers from 10 US sites randomized to one of three groups: gradual nicotine reduction (15.5, 11.7, 5.2, 2.4, and 0.4 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco [mg/g]), immediate nicotine reduction (0.4 mg/g), or standard nicotine content cigarettes (15.5 mg/g; control), for 20 weeks. We examined whether the relationship between affect-both negative and positive-and cigarettes per day differed as a function of reduction group. RESULTS: We found that both negative and positive affect were associated with cigarette consumption in the control group, but not in the gradual or immediate reduction groups across the 20 weeks of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our results extend previous findings that switching to VLNC cigarettes disrupts the relationship between affect and cigarette consumption by showing that either gradually or immediately reducing cigarette nicotine content achieves this disruption. These findings provide further evidence that switching to VLNC cigarettes reduces nicotine-related reinforcement of cigarette smoking. IMPLICATIONS: These findings support the notion that switching to very low nicotine content cigarettes reduces the association between affect and smoking behavior, and that either a gradual or immediate nicotine reduction approach achieves this reduction. This provides further evidence that switching to very low nicotine content cigarettes weakens reinforcement mechanisms associated with nicotine dependence.

Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Parent Education in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: March of Dimes partners with hospitals across the country to implement NICU Family Support (NFS) Core Curriculum, a program providing education to parents in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the country. PURPOSE: This NFS project's goal was to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of NICU parent education by establishing consistency, improving quality, and identifying best practices. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY: A 5 topic curriculum was developed and implemented across NFS program sites. The project studied 4 main outcomes of interest related to efficiency and effectiveness: increase in parenting confidence, parent learning, knowledge change, and satisfaction. Data were collected from speakers and attendees immediately following educational sessions. Analytical approaches included descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, and response rate, and inferential approaches such as t test, χ, and analysis of variance. FINDINGS/RESULTS: Findings suggest that the NFS Core Curriculum improved both program efficiency and effectiveness. Sessions fully implemented according to recommended strategies had better outcomes than sessions not fully implemented according to recommended strategies (P < .0001). Across the 3648 attendees at 41 sites, 77% of parents reported learning "a lot" at the session they attended and 85% of attendees reported increased confidence. Attendees also reported positive knowledge change and high satisfaction. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Parent education best practices identified through this initiative can be utilized for future NFS Core Curriculum topics and potentially generalized to all NICU parent education and family education in other hospital intensive care units. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Content and best practices identified through this project will require regular review to ensure medical accuracy and appropriateness of best practices as the physical design of NICUs evolves.

Cognitive-Communication Interventions for Youth with Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are relatively common in the pediatric population, yielding several potential challenges across a wide range of skills and abilities. Cognitive-communication disorders are particularly prevalent, with implications for long-term academic and social outcomes. While considerable evidence exists for identifying and characterizing the effects of cognitive-communication deficits, evidence informing effective interventions is still emerging. This review includes discussion of individual factors that affect treatment needs and outcomes as well as evidence that supports cognitive-communication intervention approaches at both a fundamental/discrete and integrated level. Also addressed is the need for modifying contextual factors that may be barriers as well as augmenting facilitators of successful communication and participation, including collaboration with everyday communication partners and identification and use of appropriate accommodations. Overall, research suggests a growing trend toward interventions that are individualized, dynamic, and combine multiple approaches for cognitive-communication treatment after pediatric TBI.

Effect of Immediate vs Gradual Reduction in Nicotine Content of Cigarettes on Biomarkers of Smoke Exposure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The optimal temporal approach for reducing nicotine to minimally or nonaddictive levels in all cigarettes sold in the United States has not been determined. Objectives: To determine the effects of immediate vs gradual reduction in nicotine content to very low levels and as compared with usual nicotine level cigarettes on biomarkers of toxicant exposure. Design, Setting, and Participants: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-design study with 2 weeks of baseline smoking and 20 weeks of intervention was conducted at 10 US sites. A volunteer sample of daily smokers with no intention to quit within 30 days was recruited between July 2014 and September 2016, with the last follow-up completed in March 2017. Interventions: (1) Immediate reduction to 0.4 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco cigarettes; (2) gradual reduction from 15.5 mg to 0.4 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco cigarettes with 5 monthly dose changes; or (3) maintenance on 15.5 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco cigarettes. Main Outcomes and Measures: Between-group differences in 3 co-primary biomarkers of smoke toxicant exposure: breath carbon monoxide (CO), urine 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (3-HPMA, metabolite of acrolein), and urine phenanthrene tetraol (PheT, indicator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) calculated as area under the concentration-time curve over the 20 weeks of intervention. Results: Among 1250 randomized participants (mean age, 45 years; 549 women [44%]; 958 [77%] completed the trial), significantly lower levels of exposure were observed in the immediate vs gradual reduction group for CO (mean difference, -4.06 parts per million [ppm] [95% CI, -4.89 to -3.23]; P < .0055), 3-HPMA (ratio of geometric means, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.77 to 0.88]; P < .0055), and PheT (ratio of geometric means, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.83 to 0.93]; P < .0055). Significantly lower levels of exposure were observed in the immediate reduction vs control group for CO (mean difference, -3.38 [95% CI, -4.40 to -2.36]; P < .0055), 3-HPMA (ratio of geometric means, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.75 to 0.88]; P < .0055), and PheT (ratio of geometric means, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.81 to 0.92]; P < .0055). No significant differences were observed between the gradual reduction vs control groups for CO (mean difference, 0.68 [95% CI, -0.31 to 1.67]; P = .18), 3-HPMA (ratio of geometric means, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.91 to 1.06]; P = .64), and PheT (ratio of geometric means, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.92 to 1.04]; P = .52). Conclusions and Relevance: Among smokers, immediate reduction of nicotine in cigarettes led to significantly greater decreases in biomarkers of smoke exposure across time compared with gradual reduction or a control group, with no significant differences between gradual reduction and control. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02139930.

Comparison of quality of life among long-term melanoma survivors and non-melanoma controls: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Little is known about specific concerns facing long-term melanoma survivors. The goal of this study was to compare quality of life (QOL) and mental health between long-term melanoma survivors and population controls. METHODS: Participants from a previously conducted case-control study of risk factors for melanoma were recruited for a cross-sectional survey. Generic QOL and emotional health were measured using the SF-36 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires. A total of 724 melanoma survivors and 660 controls participated. Most melanoma survivors had stage I disease (85.6%); mean time from diagnosis was 9.6 ± 1.0 years. Comparisons of QOL measures between melanoma survivors and controls were conducted using regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Melanoma survivors, compared to controls, reported statistically significant but only slightly higher physical functioning and bodily pain QOL subscale scores than controls and otherwise similar QOL as measured by the remaining six SF-36 subscale scores. Prevalence of anxiety (18.1% vs. 19.3%, adjusted OR = 1.00 (0.74, 1.36); p = 1.00) and depression (7.2% vs. 9.8%, adjusted OR = 0.74 (0.48, 1.16); p = 1.00) were similar between melanoma survivors and controls. CONCLUSION: Long-term early stage melanoma survivors report similar general QOL and mental health compared to population controls. Further research is needed to identify concerns more specific to melanoma.

Identifying Plant Part Composition of Forest Logging Residue Using Infrared Spectral Data and Linear Discriminant Analysis.

As new markets, technologies and economies evolve in the low carbon bioeconomy, forest logging residue, a largely untapped renewable resource will play a vital role. The feedstock can however be variable depending on plant species and plant part component. This heterogeneity can influence the physical, chemical and thermochemical properties of the material, and thus the final yield and quality of products. Although it is challenging to control compositional variability of a batch of feedstock, it is feasible to monitor this heterogeneity and make the necessary changes in process parameters. Such a system will be a first step towards optimization, quality assurance and cost-effectiveness of processes in the emerging biofuel/chemical industry. The objective of this study was therefore to qualitatively classify forest logging residue made up of different plant parts using both near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS) together with linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Forest logging residue harvested from several Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) plantations in Alabama, USA, were classified into three plant part components: clean wood, wood and bark and slash (i.e., limbs and foliage). Five-fold cross-validated linear discriminant functions had classification accuracies of over 96% for both NIRS and FTIRS based models. An extra factor/principal component (PC) was however needed to achieve this in FTIRS modeling. Analysis of factor loadings of both NIR and FTIR spectra showed that, the statistically different amount of cellulose in the three plant part components of logging residue contributed to their initial separation. This study demonstrated that NIR or FTIR spectroscopy coupled with PCA and LDA has the potential to be used as a high throughput tool in classifying the plant part makeup of a batch of forest logging residue feedstock. Thus, NIR/FTIR could be employed as a tool to rapidly probe/monitor the variability of forest biomass so that the appropriate online adjustments to parameters can be made in time to ensure process optimization and product quality.

Long-term precision of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition measurements and association with their covariates.

Few studies have described the long-term repeatability of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. Even fewer studies have been performed with enough participants to identify possible precision covariates such as sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Our objective was to investigate the long-term repeatability of both total and subregional body composition measurements and their associations with covariates in a large sample. Two valid whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans were available for 609 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2000-2002. Participants with scan-quality issues were excluded. Participants varied in race and ethnicity, sex, age (mean 38.8±17.5; range 16-69 yr), and BMI (mean, 26.9±5.2; range 14.1-43.5 kg/m2). The length of time between scans ranged from 3 to 51 days (mean, 18.7±8.4). Precision error estimates for total body measures (bone mineral density, bone mineral content, lean mass, total mass, fat mass, and percent body fat) were calculated as root mean square percent coefficients of variation and standard deviations. The average root mean square percent coefficients of variation and root mean square standard deviations of the precision error for total body variables were 1.12 and 0.01 g/cm2 for bone mineral density, 1.14 and 27.3 g for bone mineral content, 1.97 and 505 g for fat mass, 1.46 and 760 g for lean mass, 1.10 and 858 g for total mass, and 1.80 and 0.59 for percent body fat. In general, only fat and lean masses were impacted by participant and scan qualities (obesity category, sex, the magnitude of the body composition variables, and time between scans). We conclude that long-term precision error values are impacted by BMI, and sex. Our long-term precision error estimates may be more suitable than short-term precision for calculating least significant change and monitoring time intervals.

Toxigenic capacity and trichothecene production by Fusarium graminearum isolates from Argentina and their relationship with aggressiveness and fungal expansion in the wheat spike.

At least 20 epidemics of Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat have been registered in the last 50 years in Argentina, with variable intensity. Damage induced by the disease is further aggravated by the presence of mycotoxins in affected grains that may cause health problems to humans and animals. The trichothecene chemotype was analyzed for 112 isolates of Fusarium graminearum from Argentina by polymerase chain reaction and two field trials were conducted to study the aggressiveness of a subsample of 14 representative isolates and to analyze deoxynivalenol (DON) production in planta and in vitro. All isolates belonged to the 15-acetyl-DON chemotype. Significant differences were observed in both the symptom severity induced in wheat spikes and the in vivo DON production, and a close correlation was found between these two variables. However, in vitro toxigenic potential was not correlated with the capacity of F. graminearum isolates to produce DON under natural conditions. The progress of infection in the rachis of inoculated wheat spikes was analyzed and the pathogen presence verified in both symptomatic and symptomless spikes. Even isolates with a limited capacity to induce symptoms were able to colonize the vascular tissue and to produce considerable amounts of DON in planta.

First Report of Fusarium Wilt of Basil Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici in Argentina.

Annually, ~20 ha of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) are cultivated in greenhouses in the green belt area surrounding La Plata, Argentina, mainly for fresh consumption. In 2004 to 2007, basil plants of cv. Genovese showed wilt symptoms, necrosis of leaves and stems, asymmetrical growth, and discolored vascular tissue in greenhouses in La Plata. In 2007, the same symptoms were observed on plants of cv. Morada grown from seeds that were produced in Italy. Isolations were completed from root, crown, and stem sections of diseased plants of cv. Genovese from three greenhouses in 2004 to 2007, and from commercial seeds, stem sections, flowers, and seeds of diseased plants of cv. Morada in 2007. Seeds and portions of symptomatic tissues were surface-disinfested with 0.5% NaOCl for 1 min, rinsed in sterilized distilled water, air dried, and plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA). Twenty-seven isolates were identified as Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. based on morphological characteristics (4), and the species identification confirmed by PCR assay using a F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici-specific primer pair, Bik 1 and Bik 2 (1). Vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) were determined for the 27 isolates through complementation of nitrate-nonutilizing mutants generated from these isolates (2) and paired with two Italian tester strains from an international collection (PVS-Fu 220 and PVS-Fu 125, provided by V. Balmas, Univeristà degli Studi di Sassari, Italy). All 27 isolates from Argentina belonged to VCG 0200. This is a unique VCG for F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici and has been identified in Israeli, American, and Italian isolates of the fungus (3). To fulfill Koch's postulates, pathogenicity tests were conducted with 12 isolates selected to reflect the multiple sources of fungal recovery, including root, crown, and stem sections, and leaves of diseased plants of cv. Genovese and commercial seeds, stem sections, flowers, and seeds of cv. Morada. Isolates were each grown on moistened (40% w/w), autoclaved, polished rice for 10 days, dried, and ground in a grinder. The number of CFU/g rice was determined by serial dilution plating onto PDA plates. The inoculum was added to autoclaved soil at 104 CFU/g dry soil. For each isolate, 8 healthy basil seedlings of each of cvs. Genovese and Morada were planted in pots, each containing 1 liter of inoculated soil. The control treatment consisted of 8 basil seedlings of each of the same cultivars planted in autoclaved soil mixed with sterilized, ground, polished rice. Plants were grown in a greenhouse with natural daylight for 45 to 50 days after inoculation. All inoculated plants showed the same symptoms described for the original basil plants. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici was re-isolated from the vascular tissue of stems of symptomatic plants but not from control plants, and species identification confirmed by PCR assay as previously described. The presence of the pathogen was verified in the seed lot produced in Italy, suggesting that this could have been a source of inoculum that introduced the pathogen into La Plata, Argentina, as supported by the hypothesis that infested seed resulted in spread of a clonal population of F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici internationally (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici infecting sweet basil in Argentina. References: (1) A. Chiocchetti et al. Plant Dis. 85:607, 2001. (2) J. C. Correll et al. Phytopathology 77:1640, 1987. (3) A. Garibaldi et al. Plant Dis. 81:124, 1997. (4) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006.

Fusarium Wilt of Lettuce Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae in Argentina.

The green belt area surrounding the city of La Plata, Argentina, produces more than 70% (around 280 ha) of the lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivated under greenhouse for fresh consumption in the country. In February 2011, April 2012, and December 2013, butterhead lettuce plants from cv. Lores showing wilt and stunted growth symptoms, red-to-brown discoloration of vascular tissues, and yellow leaves were found in greenhouses in La Plata. Sections of tap root, crown and stem from symptomatic plants showing dark-brown streaking of the vascular tissue were surface sterilized and isolations were made. A total of 21 monosporic isolates obtained from different lettuce production fields were identified as Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. based on morphological characteristics (2). Vegetative compatibility group (VCG) analysis (1) was conducted on 11 of these isolates and all isolates belonged to the same VCG. To fulfil Koch's postulates, two pathogenicity tests were conducted with these 11 isolates in winter (July 2012) and summer (December 2013). Healthy 20-day-old butterhead lettuce seedlings of two cultivars (Reina de Mayo and Lores in the winter and summer tests, respectively) were inoculated by dipping the roots of each plant in a spore suspension (~3 × 105 CFU ml-1), planted in 1-liter pots containing autoclaved soil and grown in a greenhouse with only natural daylight. Control treatments were prepared by dipping the seedling roots in sterilized distilled water. All inoculated plants showed wilt symptoms 15 to 20 days after inoculation (dai) and 45 to 50 dai in the summer and winter pathogenicity tests, respectively. The delay in the appearance of symptoms observed during the winter test is consistent with the effect of planting date on the development and final incidence of Fusarium wilt of lettuce reported by Matheron et al. (3). No symptoms were observed in control treatments. F. oxysporum was re-isolated from vascular tissues of the stems of symptomatic plants and the formae speciales lactucae J.C. Hubb. & Gerik was confirmed by PCR using the specific primer pair GYCF1 and R943 (4). The identification of only one VCG for the tested isolates agrees with the hypothesis of seed transmission of the pathogen, which might explain the dissemination of Fusarium wilt of lettuce in geographically distant areas (2). Studies are being carried out to determine the race of these Argentinian isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae infecting lettuce in Argentina. References: (1) J. C. Correll et al. Phytopathology 77:1640, 1987. (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (3) M. E. Matheron et al. Plant Dis. 89:565, 2005. (4) G. C. Y. Mbofung and B. M. Pryor. Plant Dis. 94:860, 2010.

Reduced nicotine in cigarettes in a marketplace with alternative nicotine systems: randomized clinical trial.

Background: Reducing cigarette addictiveness has the potential to avert millions of yearly tobacco-related deaths worldwide. Substantially reducing nicotine in cigarettes decreases cigarette consumption, but no large clinical trial has determined the effects of reduced-nicotine cigarettes when other nicotine-containing products are available. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of reduced-nicotine cigarettes in the context of the availability of alternative nicotine delivery systems. Methods: In a U.S. six-site, open-label, parallel-arm study, smokers were randomized for twelve weeks to an experimental marketplace containing cigarettes with either 0.4 mg or 15.8 mg nicotine per gram of tobacco; all had access to non-combusted alternative nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes; medicinal nicotine). Group differences in the primary outcomes (cigarettes per day, number of smoke-free days) were examined using linear and negative binomial regression, respectively (Trial Registration: NCT03272685). Findings: Among 438 randomized participants (mean [standard deviation (SD), range] age, 44.5 [11.9, 20-73] years, 225 [51.4%] women, 282 [64.4%] White and 339 [77.4%] trial completers), those in the 0.4 mg vs. 15.8 mg nicotine cigarette condition experienced significantly lower cigarettes per day at the end of intervention (mean [SD], 7.05 [7.88] vs. 12.95 [9.07], adjusted mean difference, -6.21 [95% CI, -7.66 to -4.75], P < 0.0001) and greater smoke-free days during intervention (mean [SD], 18.59 [27.97] vs. 5.06 [13.77], adjusted rate ratio, 4.25 [95% CI, 2.58-6.98], P < 0.0001). Interpretation: A reduced-nicotine cigarette standard in the context of access to other non-combusted nicotine products has the potential to benefit public health. Funding: U.S. NIH/FDA U54DA03165.

The abilities of body mass index and skinfold thicknesses to identify children with low or elevated levels of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-determined body fatness.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the accuracies of body mass index (BMI) and skinfold thicknesses in classifying the body fatness of 7365 8- to 19-year-old subjects in a national sample. STUDY DESIGN: We used percent body fat determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (PBFDXA) between 1999 and 2004. Categories of PBFDXA and the skinfold sum (triceps plus subscapular) were constructed so that that numbers of children in each category were similar to the number in each of 5 BMI categories based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts. RESULTS: Approximately 75% of the children and adolescents who had a BMI-for-age ≥ 95th percentile (considered obese) had elevated body fatness, but PBFDXA levels were more variable at lower BMIs. For example, only 41% of the boys who had a BMI < 25th percentile, had a similarly low PBFDXA. The use of the skinfold sum, rather than BMI, slightly improved the identification of elevated levels of body fatness among boys (P = .03), but not among girls (P > .10). A low sum of the triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses was a better indicator of low PBFDXA than was a low BMI, but differences were smaller among children with greater levels of body fatness. Among girls who had a PBFDXA above the median, for example, BMI and the skinfold sum were correlated similarly (r = 0.77-0.79) with body fatness. CONCLUSIONS: Both BMI and skinfold thicknesses are fairly accurate in identifying children who have excess body fatness. In contrast, if the goal is to identify children who have low body fatness, skinfold thicknesses would be preferred.