Severe rhabdomyolysis as a rare complication of human granulocytic anaplasmosis.

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne illness caused by infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Although rare, rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure are potential complications of HGA. We present the case of an 86-year-old male who exhibited severe myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure necessitating hemodialysis. Treatment with doxycycline resulted in partial renal function improvement, allowing discontinuation of dialysis after 8 weeks. This case underscores the importance of considering rhabdomyolysis as a manifestation of HGA, particularly in individuals residing in or traveling to endemic areas.

Formation Mechanisms, Interrelationships, and Effects of Cognitive Factors on Diet and Physical Activity During the Post-Bariatric Surgery Period: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Compensatory Carry-Over Action Model.

Background: Diet and physical activity (PA) are pivotal behaviors for managing energy balance post-bariatric surgery. Given the need for dual behavioral management, understanding the interplay of cognitive factors influencing these behaviors is crucial. This study applied the compensatory carry-over action model (CCAM) to explore the impact of cognitive factors on behaviors and their subsequent effects on subjective health outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients at the third month after bariatric surgery in China. Data on diet and PA status, behavioral cognitive factors (intention, self-efficacy, compensatory belief, transfer cognition), and subjective health outcomes (perceived stress, well-being, quality of life) were collected. Structural equation model (SEM) was employed to test hypotheses in CCAM and assess mediation relationships. Results: Analysis of data from 239 patients revealed the following: (1) Among antecedent cognitive factors, only compensatory belief significantly influenced diet (P<0.001). (2) Intention and self-efficacy directly correlated with their respective behaviors, while compensatory belief affected intention, and transfer cognition impacted self-efficacy (P<0.05), aligning with CCAM hypotheses. (3) PA demonstrated significant influence only on perceived stress (P=0.004), whereas diet significantly affected all subjective health outcomes (P<0.05). (4) Mediation analysis indicated intention partially mediated the relationship between compensatory belief and diet and fully mediated the relationship between compensatory belief and PA. Self-efficacy completely mediated the relationship between transfer cognition and diet and PA. Conclusion: Transfer cognition's carry-over effect did not directly influence behaviors among antecedent cognitions. Interventions should primarily target improving diet by mitigating compensatory belief. Moreover, diet exhibited a more pronounced impact on overall health compared to PA. Consequently, prioritizing dietary intervention over PA intervention is warranted based on the analysis of CCAM and the aim of promoting joint behaviors post-bariatric surgery.

Effect of Temperature and Time on the Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Crystallized Honey.

This research explores the crystallization process of honey during storage with a focus on its dissolution dynamics and essential characteristics. The investigation includes the examination of the effects of heat treatment at different temperatures (45-90 °C) and durations (23-960 min) on the induced crystallization of honey at 14 °C. Various analyses were conducted, including pH, acidity, color, sugar profile, phenolic and flavonoid contents, DPPH-scavenging activity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), viscosity, and sensory attributes. The results indicated a reduction in the moisture content and pH, an increase in acidity, and higher levels of HMF at elevated temperatures. While the ash content remained relatively unchanged, variables such as color, glucose, fructose, total phenol, flavonoid, and antioxidant content exhibited variations with temperature. Viscosity decreased with an increase in temperature, suggesting Newtonian behavior and implying potential colloidal changes. Consumer sensory tests revealed significant differences among samples, with honey treated at 75 °C demonstrating superior physicochemical and sensory attributes. This study offers valuable insights into the dynamics of crystallized honey, providing information for both production practices and understanding consumer preferences.

Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) represent a heterogeneous group of inherited metabolic lysosomal disorders characterized by neurodegeneration. This study sought to describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of NCLs in Saudi Arabia and determine the most common types in that population. METHODS: A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted for 63 patients with NCL (55 families) from six tertiary and referral centers in Saudi Arabia between 2008 and 2022. Clinical, radiological, and neurophysiological data as well as genetic diagnoses were reviewed. RESULTS: CLN6 was the predominant type, accounting for 45% of cases in 25 families. The most common initial symptoms were speech delay (53%), cognitive decline (50%) and/or gait abnormalities (48%), and seizure (40%). Behavioral symptomatology was observed in 20%, whereas visual impairment was less frequently (9.3%) encountered. Diffuse cerebral and cerebellar atrophy was the predominant finding on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Electroencephalography generally revealed background slowing in all patients with generalized epileptiform discharges in 60%. The most common genotype detected was the p.Ser265del variant found in 36% (20 of 55 families). The most rapidly progressive subtypes were CLN2 and CLN6. Two patients with each died at age five years. The earliest age at which a patient was nonambulatory was two years in a patient with CLN14. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest molecularly confirmed NCL cohort study from Saudi Arabia. Characterizing the natural history of specific NLC types can increase understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and distinctive genotype-phenotype characteristics, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment initiation as well as genetic counseling for families.

Recessive variants in the intergenic NOS1AP-C1orf226 locus cause monogenic kidney disease responsive to anti-proteinuric treatment.

In genetic disease, an accurate expression landscape of disease genes and faithful animal models will enable precise genetic diagnoses and therapeutic discoveries, respectively. We previously discovered that variants in NOS1AP , encoding nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) adaptor protein, cause monogenic nephrotic syndrome (NS). Here, we determined that an intergenic splice product of N OS1AP / Nos1ap and neighboring C1orf226/Gm7694 , which precludes NOS1 binding, is the predominant isoform in mammalian kidney transcriptional and proteomic data. Gm7694 -/- mice, whose allele exclusively disrupts the intergenic product, developed NS phenotypes. In two human NS subjects, we identified causative NOS1AP splice variants, including one predicted to abrogate intergenic splicing but initially misclassified as benign based on the canonical transcript. Finally, by modifying genetic background, we generated a faithful mouse model of NOS1AP -associated NS, which responded to anti-proteinuric treatment. This study highlights the importance of intergenic splicing and a potential treatment avenue in a mendelian disorder.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli derived from an integrated agroforestry-livestock system in Deli Serdang Regency, Indonesia.

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a significant global concern. Epidemiological data do not provide a robust description of the potential risks associated with AMR in the integrated agroforestry-livestock systems in Indonesia. Thus, the present study investigated the phenotypic and multidrug resistance (MDR) profiles of Escherichia coli strains isolated from the feces of livestock raised in the agro-silvopastoral system in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province. Materials and Methods: A standard microbiological culture procedure was followed to isolate the organism and test antibiotic susceptibility using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion protocol. Furthermore, the multiple antibiotic resistance index was determined. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with AMR. Results: The vast majority (77.5%) of livestock farmers were aged >30 years. All farmers were men and had no higher education (100% of them). The majority of the animal species managed were cattle and goats (37.5% each) and the livestock grazing pasture system (67.5%). In addition, the majority of farmers reported high antimicrobial use on their farms (87.5%). Of the samples (n = 142) analyzed, n = 70 were positive, with an overall prevalence of 44.4%. The species-specific prevalences of E. coli were 32.5%, 47.8%, and 50% in buffalo, goat, and cattle, respectively. Ampicillin and tetracyclines exhibited high resistance levels among the studied animal species. A relatively lower MDR for E. coli was associated with grazing on the pasture. Conclusion: The findings from the current study provide baseline epidemiological information for future robust studies aimed at elucidating the drivers and patterns of AMR in agro-silvopastoral systems in the study area or elsewhere.

Conditional recurrent neural networks for broad applications in nonlinear optics.

We present a novel implementation of conditional long short-term memory recurrent neural networks that successfully predict the spectral evolution of a pulse in nonlinear periodically-poled waveguides. The developed networks offer large flexibility by allowing the propagation of optical pulses with ranges of energies and temporal widths in waveguides with different poling periods. The results show very high agreement with the traditional numerical models. Moreover, we are able to use a single network to calculate both the real and imaginary parts of the pulse complex envelope, allowing for successfully retrieving the pulse temporal and spectral evolution using the same network.

Piper sarmentosum Roxb. Inhibits Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity in Phorbol 12-Myristate-13-Acetate-Induced Endothelial Cells.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Piper sarmentosum Roxb., an herb known for its antihypertensive effect, lacks a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism underlying its antihypertensive action. This study aimed to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism of aqueous extract of P. sarmentosum leaves (AEPS) via its modulation of the ACE pathway in phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were divided into five groups: control, treatment with 200 µg/mL AEPS, induction 200 nM PMA, concomitant treatment with 200 nM PMA and 200 µg/mL AEPS, and treatment with 200 nM PMA and 0.06 µM captopril. Subsequently, ACE mRNA expression, protein level and activity, angiotensin II (Ang II) levels, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) mRNA expression in HUVECs were determined. AEPS successfully inhibited ACE mRNA expression, protein and activity, and angiotensin II levels in PMA-induced HUVECs. Additionally, AT1R expression was downregulated, whereas AT2R expression was upregulated. In conclusion, AEPS reduces the levels of ACE mRNA, protein and activity, Ang II, and AT1R expression in PMA-induced HUVECs. Thus, AEPS has the potential to be developed as an ACE inhibitor in the future.

Identification of early delirium and its outcomes after cardiopulmonary bypass among adult patients with cardiovascular disease: a prospective observational study.

Purpose: To identify the incidence and outcomes of postoperative delirium after cardiopulmonary bypass machine in adult cardiac surgery patients. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted in a single-center institution in the Republic of China. This study included 273 patients who underwent cardiac surgical procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass machine utilization. Results: This study used the Confusion Assessment Method to screen for delirium. Univariate analysis identified advanced age, emergency surgery and prolonged aortic cross-clamping time as significant predisposing factors for delirium, which occurred in 19.8% (n = 54) of cases and typically developed in average of 4.8 ± 3.28 days after the surgery. The analysis also identified that delirium was associated with increased complications and external referrals. A total of 142 patients (52.1%) were discharged to their homes, wherein the discharge rate in the delirium group was notably lower, with only 35.2% (n = 19) of patients, than in the delirium-free group with 56.2% (n = 123) of patients. Conclusion: Considering the increased probability of delirium-related complications following cardiac surgery, it is important to develop effective preventive strategies for patients with perioperative risk factors, such as advanced age, emergency surgery and prolonged cross-clamp time, by implementing practical measures to minimize the risk of delirium.

Work stress, work-family conflict, and psychological distress among resort employees: a JD-R model and spillover theory perspectives.

The hospitality industry is well-known for its challenging and high-pressure work settings. In this context, employees commonly face a multitude of stressors originating from their roles and job responsibilities, which can significantly impact their psychological wellbeing. Hence, based on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and the spillover theory, this study aims to empirically explore the direct and indirect effect of work stress (assessed by role overload, ambiguity, and conflict) on psychological distress among frontline employees in 3- and 4-star Egyptian resorts while considering the mediating influence of work-family conflict (WFC). Four hypotheses were put to the test through the application of the PLS-SEM 4.0 version (4.0.9.9). Based on the findings from 563 frontline employees who participated in this research, the study supports the four hypotheses affirming that work-related stressors significantly contributed to employees' psychological distress. Further, the findings highlighted that these stressors significantly spill over into employees' family lives, generating conflicts between work and family roles. In addition, the results emphasized the significance of WFC as a contributing factor to employees' psychological distress. Finally, the study concluded that WFC partially mediates the link between work stress and employees' psychological distress. Based on these findings, some theoretical and practical implications for hospitality scholars, resort management, and policymakers were suggested to enhance the employees' wellbeing and mitigate psychological distress in this vital sector.

An inappropriate decline in ribosome levels drives a diverse set of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Many neurodevelopmental defects are linked to perturbations in genes involved in housekeeping functions, such as those encoding ribosome biogenesis factors. However, how reductions in ribosome biogenesis can result in tissue and developmental specific defects remains a mystery. Here we describe new allelic variants in the ribosome biogenesis factor AIRIM primarily associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Using human cerebral organoids in combination with proteomic analysis, single-cell transcriptome analysis across multiple developmental stages, and single organoid translatome analysis, we identify a previously unappreciated mechanism linking changes in ribosome levels and the timing of cell fate specification during early brain development. We find ribosome levels decrease during neuroepithelial differentiation, making differentiating cells particularly vulnerable to perturbations in ribosome biogenesis during this time. Reduced ribosome availability more profoundly impacts the translation of specific transcripts, disrupting both survival and cell fate commitment of transitioning neuroepithelia. Enhancing mTOR activity by both genetic and pharmacologic approaches ameliorates the growth and developmental defects associated with intellectual disability linked variants, identifying potential treatment options for specific brain ribosomopathies. This work reveals the cellular and molecular origins of protein synthesis defect-related disorders of human brain development. Highlights: AIRIM variants reduce ribosome levels specifically in neural progenitor cells. Inappropriately low ribosome levels cause a transient delay in radial glia fate commitment.Reduced ribosome levels impair translation of a selected subset of mRNAs.Genetic and pharmacologic activation of mTORC1 suppresses AIRIM-linked phenotypes.

Influence of ambient light conditions on intraoral scanning: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To systematically assess the influence of ambient light on the accuracy and scanning time of intraoral scanning. STUDY SELECTION: The present systematic review (CRD 42022346672) was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) and was performed based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020. Electronic searches were conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE, complemented by gray literature, references, and citations of the included studies. The primary outcome was accuracy, and the scanning time was a secondary outcome. Owing to the high heterogeneity, the pooled data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Six in vitro and two in vivo experiments were performed. Three in vitro studies reported both the accuracy and scanning time of the intraoral scans, whereas the remaining studies exclusively evaluated the accuracy. The studies mainly investigated the influence of illumination levels (0-11000 lux) on intraoral scanning. Intraoral scans revealed optimal accuracy at 1000-lux illumination for complete-arch dentition scans, whereas the influence of illumination levels on 4-unit or shorter scans was not clinically significant. The intraoral scans obtained using confocal microscopy were less affected by the illumination levels than those obtained using the active triangulation technique. Furthermore, the scanning time tended to increase with increasing illumination. CONCLUSIONS: Evidently from the limited number of studies conducted, ambient light illumination had considerable influence on the accuracy and scanning time of intraoral scanning, which appeared to be related to the scanning range and imaging technology.

COVID-19 Vaccination Among Diverse Population Groups in the Northern Governorates of Iraq.

Objectives: The present study was carried out to investigate COVID-19 vaccination coverage among populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host communities in northern Iraq and the related underlying factors. Methods: Through a cross-sectional study conducted in five governorates in April-May 2022, 4,564 individuals were surveyed. Data were collected through an adapted questionnaire designed to gather data on participants. Results: 4,564 subjects were included (59.55% were 19-45 years old; 54.51% male). 50.48% of the participants (51.49% of host communities, 48.83% of IDPs, and 45.87% of refugees) had been vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 40.84% of participants (42.28% of host communities, 35.75% of IDPs, and 36.14% of refugees) had been vaccinated by two doses, and 1.56% (1.65% of host communities, 0.93% of IDPs, and 1.46% of refugees) were vaccinated with three doses. Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors including age, gender, education, occupation, and nationality could affect vaccination coverage. Moreover, higher acceptance rate of vaccination is associated with belief in vaccine safety and effectiveness and trust in the ability of the vaccine to prevent complications.

Radiomics analysis with three-dimensional and two-dimensional segmentation to predict survival outcomes in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Radiomics can assess prognostic factors in several types of tumors, but considering its prognostic ability in pancreatic cancer has been lacking. AIM: To evaluate the performance of two different radiomics software in assessing survival outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed pretreatment contrast-enhanced dual-energy computed tomography images from 48 patients with biopsy-confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who later underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery. Tumors were segmented using TexRad software for 2-dimensional (2D) analysis and MIM software for 3D analysis, followed by radiomic feature extraction. Cox proportional hazard modeling correlated texture features with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Cox regression was used to detect differences in OS related to pretreatment tumor size and residual tumor following treatment. The Wilcoxon test was used to show the relationship between tumor volume and the percent of residual tumor. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare survival in patients with different tumor densities in Hounsfield units for both 2D and 3D analysis. RESULTS: 3D analysis showed that higher mean tumor density [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.971, P = 0.041)] and higher median tumor density (HR = 0.970, P = 0.037) correlated with better OS. 2D analysis showed that higher mean tumor density (HR = 0.963, P = 0.014) and higher mean positive pixels (HR = 0.962, P = 0.014) correlated with better OS; higher skewness (HR = 3.067, P = 0.008) and higher kurtosis (HR = 1.176, P = 0.029) correlated with worse OS. Higher entropy correlated with better PFS (HR = 0.056, P = 0.036). Models determined that patients with increased tumor size greater than 1.35 cm were likely to have a higher percentage of residual tumors of over 10%. CONCLUSION: Several radiomics features can be used as prognostic tools for pancreatic cancer. However, results vary between 2D and 3D analyses. Mean tumor density was the only variable that could reliably predict OS, irrespective of the analysis used.

Surgical resection of pericallosal tuberculoma through contralateral approach: A case report.

Background: Pericallosal tuberculoma, a rare form of intracranial tuberculoma, affects the corpus callosum and results from tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection that can cause a myriad of symptoms. Diagnosing this condition can be challenging but can be confirmed through imaging studies and biopsy. Treatment involves a combination of antitubercular medications and surgical removal of the lesion if it is in a critical location or causing significant symptoms. This article describes the surgical management and imaging characteristics approach to a patient with intracranial tuberculoma. Case Description: A 17-year-old female with a history of TB meningitis nine years ago presented with one week of recurrent seizures and mild third nerve palsy, later diagnosed as a tuberculoma of the corpus callosum through radiological imaging and biopsies. A total surgical resection of the lesion was performed using a contralateral interhemispheric frontal parasagittal approach. The patient went under observation and suitable follow-up plans. Conclusion: Surgical management can effectively treat cerebral granulomas and improve neurological deficits in patients with recurring TB. Despite the possibility of complications, the benefits of such measures are highlighted in this case, suggesting that surgical intervention can be a viable option for achieving optimal outcomes in these patients.

Identification and distribution of the "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus"-Asian citrus psyllid pathosystem in Saudi Arabia.

Citrus greening disease was first reported in Saudi Arabia during the 1970's when characteristic foliar and fruit symptoms were observed in commercial citrus groves, however, "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas) was not detected in symptomatic trees until 1981-1984 when CLas-like cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy in leaves collected from symptomatic citrus groves in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Despite the anticipated establishment of the CLas-Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) pathosystem, CLas presence has not been verified in suspect trees nor have ACP infestations been documented. Given the recent expansion of citrus production in Saudi Arabia, a systematic country-wide survey was carried out to determine the potential CLas distribution in the thirteen citrus-growing regions of the country. Citrus trees were surveyed for presence of CLas-psyllid vector(s) and characteristic disease symptoms in commercial and urban citrus trees. Adult psyllids collected from infested citrus trees were identified as ACP based on morphological characteristics. Real-time, quantitative PCR amplification (qPCR) of the CLas ß-subunit of the ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) gene from citrus leaf and fruit samples and/or ACP adults, revealed trees were positive for CLas detection in ten of the 13 survey regions, however, CLas was undetectable in ACP adults. Phylogenetic and SNPs analyses of a PCR-amplified, cloned fragment of the CLas 16S rRNA gene (~1.1 kbp) indicated Saudi Arabian isolates were most closely related to Florida, USA isolates. Analysis of climate variables indicated that the distribution of the ACP-CLas pathosystem observed in Saudi Arabia was consistent with published predictions of terrains most likely to support establishment.

Development and Validation of Gene-Based SSR Markers in the Genus Mesembryanthemum.

Bioinformatics tools have been employed for the direct development of gene-based simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Through the analysis of 28,056 Mesembryanthemum expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences, a total of 5,851 ESTs containing SSRs were identified, amounting to approximately 17.07 Mb. Among these, 938 EST sequences harbored more than one SSR marker, and 788 EST-SSR sequences were found in compound form. The most prevalent types of SSR motifs were mononucleotide repeats (MNRs), accounting for 44%, followed by di-nucleotide repeats (DNRs) at 37%, and trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) at 16%. Notably, TNR or longer SSR motifs primarily consisted of shorter repeat lengths, with only 51 motifs containing 10 or more repeats. The BLASTX analysis successfully assigned functions to 4,623 (79%) of the EST sequences. Among the developed primer sets, 21 primers amplified a total of 65 alleles, with primer PMA79 EST-SSR exhibiting the maximum of six alleles. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0 to 0.76, with a mean of 0.47. The marker index (MI) and discriminating power (D) values reached 0.66 (primer PMA63) and 0.95 (primer PMA20), respectively. Utilizing the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), a dendrogram was constructed, successfully segregating the 24 Mesembryanthemum genotypes into three distinct clusters, with a similarity coefficient ranging from 0.96 to 0.38. In this study, we have developed a total of 83 EST-SSR primer pairs specific to the Mesembryanthemum genus. These newly developed EST-SSRs will serve as valuable tools for researchers, particularly molecular breeders, enabling gene-based identification and trait selection through marker-assisted breeding approaches.

Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV) as a Serious Biotic Stress to Cucurbits: Prevalence, Diversity, and Its Implications for Crop Sustainability.

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is a severe threat to cucurbit crops worldwide, including Pakistan. This study was pursued to evaluate the prevalence, geographic distribution, and molecular diversity of ZYMV isolates infecting cucurbits in Pakistan's Pothwar region. Almost all the plant viruses act as a biotic stress on the host plants, which results in a yield loss. These viruses cause losses in single-infection or in mixed-infection cucurbit crops, and we have found a number of mixed-infected samples belonging to the Curubitaceae family. Serological detection of the tested potyviruses in the collected cucurbit samples revealed that ZYMV was the most prevalent virus, with a disease incidence (DI) at 35.2%, followed by Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) with an incidence of 2.2%, and Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) having an incidence as little as 0.5% in 2016. In the year 2017, a relatively higher disease incidence of 39.7%, 2.4%, and 0.3% for ZYMV, WMV, and PRSV, respectively, was recorded. ZYMV was the most prevalent virus with the highest incidence in Attock, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, while PRSV was observed to be the highest in Islamabad and Jhelum. WMV infection was observed only in Rawalpindi and Chakwal. Newly detected Pakistani ZYMV isolates shared 95.8-97.0% nucleotide identities among themselves and 77.1-97.8% with other isolates retrieved from GenBank. Phylogenetic relationships obtained using different ZYMV isolates retrieved from GenBank and validated by in silico restriction analysis revealed that four Pakistani isolates clustered with other ZYMV isolates in group IIb with Chinese, Italian, Polish, and French isolates, while another isolate (MK848239) formed a separate minor clade within IIb. The isolate MK8482490, reported to infect bitter gourd in Pakistan, shared a minor clade with a Chinese isolate (KX884570). Recombination analysis revealed that the recently found ZYMV isolate (MK848239) is most likely a recombinant of Pakistani (MK848237) and Italian (MK956829) isolates, with a recombinant breakpoint between 266 and 814 nucleotide positions. Local isolate comparison and recombination detection may aid in the development of a breeding program that identifies resistant sources against recombinant isolates because the ZYMV is prevalent in a few cucurbit species grown in the surveyed areas and causes heavy losses and economic damage to the agricultural community.

Potential of resistance inducers for citrus huanglongbing management via soil application and assessment of induction of pathogenesis-related protein genes.

Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening currently is the most devastating citrus disease worldwide. Unfortunately, no practical cure has been available up to now. This makes the control of HLB as early as possible very important to be conducted. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the application of salicylic acid (SA) and Phenylacetic acid (PAA) on one-year-old seedlings of different citrus species (Citrus reticulata, C. sinensis, C. aurantifolii) growing on C. volkameriana and C. aurantium by soil drench methods. Factorial analysis of variance showed the percent change in "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" titer and disease severity on a different combination of citrus species growing on the two rootstocks treated with inducers and Oxytetracycline (OTC) were significantly different compared to the untreated plants. SA alone or in combination with OTC provided excellent (P-value < 0.05) control of HLB based on all parameters. The interaction between both factors (Rootstocks x Citrus species) significantly influenced the Ct value (P-value = 0.0001). "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" titer in plants treated with OTC was reduced significantly with a range of -18.75 up to -78.42. Overall, the highest reduction was observed in the application of OTC on sweet orange growing on C. volkameriana (-78.42), while the lowest reduction was observed in the same cultivar which was treated with a combination of SA and OTC (-3.36). Induction of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, i.e., PR1, PR2, and PR15, biosynthesis of Jasmonic acid and ethylene which are also important pathways to defense activity were also significantly increased in treated plants compared to untreated plants. This study suggests that the application of inducer alone is acceptable for HLB management. We proposed the application of SA and PAA as a soil drench on the citrus seedlings as promising, easy, and environmentally safe for HLB disease control on citrus seedlings.