Gaeumannomyces nanograminis, sp. nov., a hyphopodiate fungus identified from diseased roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass in the United States.

The genus Gaeumannomyces (Magnaporthaceae, Magnaporthales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) includes root-infecting pathogens, saprobes, and endophytes. Morphological, biological, and phylogenetic analyses were employed to identify fungal isolates derived from turfgrass roots colonized with ectotrophic, dark runner hyphae. Phylogenetic trees for partial sequences of the 18S nuc rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer, and 28S nuc rDNA regions and of the minichromosome maintenance complex 7 (MCM7), largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) genes were obtained via maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Our isolates consistently formed a distinct and highly supported clade within Gaeumannomyces. Common and distinctive biological and morphological characters reinforced these findings. Additionally, we conducted pathogenicity evaluations and demonstrated the ability of this fungus to colonize roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davey), its native host, via ectotrophic, dark runner hyphae, causing disease symptoms including root discoloration and reduced root and shoot mass. Altogether, our discoveries enabled recognition and description of a new species, Gaeumannomyces nanograminis, associated with rotted roots of ultradwarf bermudagrass.

Life satisfaction and musculoskeletal complaints in a population seeking osteopathy care: consecutive sample of 611 patients.

BACKGROUND: Life satisfaction is a component of the subjective well-being construct. Research consistently suggests that life satisfaction is associated with enhanced social benefits and improved health outcomes. However, its relationship to musculoskeletal health outcomes is underexplored. This study evaluates the life satisfaction of a patient population presenting with musculoskeletal complaints, and the relationship of life satisfaction with other health demographics and behaviours. METHOD: The study used a consecutive sampling design. Patients attending the Victoria University Osteopathy Clinic (Melbourne, Australia) were invited to complete the PROMIS® General Life Satisfaction scale (GLSS) along with questions related to health demographics and behaviours. RESULTS: The GLSS T-score was not significantly different for gender, being born outside of Australia, speaking English at home, or complaint chronicity. CONCLUSIONS: Life satisfaction did not appear to be related to a range of health and demographic variables in the current musculoskeletal pain cohort. The PROMIS® General Life Satisfaction scale could prove useful to explore the relationship between life satisfaction and treatment outcomes for musculoskeletal complaints.

Peer review guidance: how do you write a good review?

Peer review is essential to the quality of scientific publications. As the volume of submissions to these journals increases, the need for an expanding cadre of trained reviewers also increases. Many reviewers do not receive formal training on conducting a peer review or education on the peer review process, however. The author presents an overview of the peer review process and provides guidance for conducting high-quality reviews of manuscripts submitted to The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association and other scientific journals.

Competence levels in musculoskeletal medicine: comparison of osteopathic and allopathic medical graduates.

BACKGROUND: Consistent with osteopathic principles and practice, the nation's colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) have emphasized the significance of the musculoskeletal system to the practice of medicine. The authors hypothesized that graduating COM students would, therefore, demonstrate superior knowledge and competence in musculoskeletal medicine when compared with graduates of allopathic medical schools. METHODS: The authors asked graduating COM students to complete a standardized and previously validated 25-question basic competency examination on musculoskeletal medicine in short-answer format. Originally developed and validated in the late 1990s, the examination was distributed to allopathic medical residents at the beginning of their residencies. The authors compare their results with those reported by Freedman and Bernstein for allopathic residents. RESULTS: When the minimum passing level as determined by orthopedic program directors was applied to the results of these examinations, 70.4% of graduating COM students (n=54) and 82% of allopathic graduates (n=85) failed to demonstrate basic competency in musculoskeletal medicine. Similarly, the majority of both groups failed to attain the minimum passing level established by the directors of internal medicine programs (graduating COM students, 67%; allopathic graduates, 78%). CONCLUSION: In an examination of competence levels for musculoskeletal medicine, students about to graduate from a COM fared only marginally better than did their allopathic counterparts. To ensure that all graduating COM students have attained a level of basic competence in musculoskeletal medicine, the authors recommend further study as a prelude to evaluation of the didactic and clinical curriculum at all 22 COMs and their branch campuses.