Underrepresentation of women in exercise science and physiology research is associated with authorship gender.

Historically, low representation of women participants in exercise science and physiology studies has led to a lack of understanding in the response of women to exercise and therapeutic interventions. We hypothesized that 1) the number of women authors, participants, and editorial board members increased over 30 years (1991-2021) and 2) larger representation of women as editors and authors is associated with more women participants. Gender (man/woman) of editorial board members (n = 394), authors (n = 5,735), and participants (n = 2,984,883) of 972 original research articles with human participants published in 1991 and 2021 was analyzed from three journals: Journal of Applied Physiology, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, and British Journal of Sports Medicine. Between 1991 to 2021, the average percent women per article as participants (21.9 ± 31.7% vs. 36.3 ± 30.3%, respectively, P < 0.001), authors (16.4 ± 22.4% vs. 30.9 ± 24.0%, P < 0.001), and editorial board members (13.3 ± 5.4% vs. 41.5 ± 7.3%, P = 0.006) increased. In 2021, the gender proportion of participants in large datasets was similar (50.2 ± 20.2% women). However, studies with smaller datasets (i.e., <∼3,000 participants) included less women (35.6 ± 30.6%). Women participants (%) were less when the last author was a man rather than a woman in 1991 (19.9 ± 29.5% vs. 34.3 ± 42.2%) and 2021 (31.6 ± 27.7% vs. 51.7 ± 33.4%). In 2021, there was a positive correlation between author and participant gender (% women) (r = 0.42, P < 0.001). Our data suggest that the low representation of women in exercise science and physiology research could be resolved with equitable numbers of women authors and editors and by encouraging men authors to study both women and men participants.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Analysis of human applied physiology studies revealed that the representation of women authors, participants, and editorial board members increased over 30 years but remained lower than men in 2021. Larger representation of women editors and authors was associated with more women participants. Women authors assessed similar numbers of women and men participants, whereas men authors included less women. Equitable representation of women participants may be achieved by closing the gender gap in authorship and editorial board membership.

First Report of the Powdery Mildews Leveillula taurica and Podosphaera pannosa on Rose Periwinkle in the United States.

In April 2013, unthrifty rose periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) from a residential garden in Mililani, HI, was sent to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Symptoms, present on all plants, included leaf chlorosis, defoliation, and premature flower drop with necrotic spots on the adaxial side of leaves corresponding to patches of grayish mildew-like growth on the abaxial side. Samples were collected and sent to USDA PPQ National Identification Services (NIS) for confirmation. At NIS, stereoscope examination of the plants revealed two distinct powdery mildews. One, on the stems and leaves, had dimorphic conidia, with lanceolate primary (54 to 72 × 14 to 22 µm) and cylindrical secondary conidia (49 to 75 × 11 to 21 µm) (n = 25 for each), both with a reticulate surface. This fungus was identified morphologically as Leveillula taurica (Lév.) G. Arnaud (1). The second powdery mildew appeared confined to the sepals and petals. The external hyphae of this fungus produced upright chains of cylindrical to ovoid conidia (up to eight per chain), which contained fibrosin bodies and measured 22 × 12 µm (n = 50) with straight foot cells averaging 43 µm long, placing this fungus in the genus Podosphaera Kunze (1). Plants containing both fungi were accessioned as BPI892677 in the US National Fungal Collection. For molecular characterization, genomic DNA of the Podosphaera was obtained by scraping conidia from a petal and extracting with Thermo Scientific's Lyse and Go PCR Reagent. DNA of the Leveillula was extracted from 5 mm2 of infected leaf using Qiagen's Plant mini kit. The ITS region of each fungus was amplified and sequenced directly with primers ITS1F and ITS4. Each consensus sequence was created from manually edited chromatograms, searched against NCBI's GenBank using MegaBLAST and phylogenetically analyzed in MEGA5.2 under maximum parsimony (MP) in context with most similar hits and representatives from phylogenetic studies (2,3). Sequences from types of these fungi are not available for comparison. The resulting Podosphaera phylogeny grouped the Podosphaera suspect (GenBank KF703448) within a clade of P. pannosa (e.g., AB525938; bootstrap = 90). The Leveillula phylogeny grouped the Leveillula suspect (KF703447) within a clade (bootstrap = 88) of L. taurica (e.g., AB044346), L. chrozophorae (AB044346), and L. elaeagni (AB048350). Although the ITS sequences of these taxa are phylogenetically indistinguishable, morphological characters differentiate each species and the suspect as L. taurica (1). L. taurica has been recorded on C. roseus in India and Korea (1). This is the first report of L. taurica on C. roseus in the United States. This is the first report of P. pannosa on C. roseus worldwide. P. pannosa is commonly known as a powdery mildew of Rosaceae hosts, and has also been reported on hosts in the Anacardaciae and Oleaceae (1). P. pannosa represents the second Podosphaera species reported on any member of the Apocynaceae, with P. sparsa reported on other Apocynaceae genera (1). The presence of two powdery mildew genera on different parts of the same plant could cause multiple forms of damage and impact the production of this popular landscape ornamental plant. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No. 11. CBS, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2012. (2) S. A. Khodoparast et al. Mycol. Res. 105:909, 2001. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Persoonia 24:38, 2010.

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the Planistromellaceae including its coelomycetous anamorphs: contributions towards a monograph of the genus Kellermania.

The core species of the family Planistromellaceae are included in the teleomorphic genera Planistroma and Planistromella and the connected anamorphic, coelomycetous genera Alpakesa, Kellermania, and Piptarthron. These genera have been defined primarily on the basis of ascospore septation or number of conidial appendages. Due to a lack of DNA sequence data, phylogenetic placement of these genera within the Dothideomycetes, evaluation of monophyly, and questions about generic boundaries could not be adequately addressed in the past. Isolates of nearly all of the known species in these genera were studied genetically and morphologically. DNA sequence data were generated for the nSSU, ITS, nLSU, and RPB1 markers and analysed phylogenetically. These results placed the Planistromellaceae, herein recognised as a distinct family, in an unresolved position relative to other genera within the order Botryosphaeriales. Species representing the core genera of the Planistromellaceae formed a clade and evaluation of its topology revealed that previous morphology-based definitions of genera resulted in an artificial classification system. Alpakesa, Kellermania, Piptarthron, Planistroma, and Planistromella are herein recognised as belonging to the single genus Kellermania. The following new combinations are proposed: Kellermania crassispora, K. dasylirionis, K. macrospora, K. plurilocularis, and K. unilocularis. Five new species are described, namely K. con- fusa, K. dasylirionicola, K. micranthae, K. ramaleyae, and K. rostratae. Descriptions of species in vitro and a key to species known from culture are provided.

Asperisporium and Pantospora (Mycosphaerellaceae): epitypifications and phylogenetic placement.

The species-rich family Mycosphaerellaceae contains considerable morphological diversity and includes numerous anamorphic genera, many of which are economically important plant pathogens. Recent revisions and phylogenetic research have resulted in taxonomic instability. Ameliorating this problem requires phylogenetic placement of type species of key genera. We present an examination of the type species of the anamorphic Asperisporium and Pantospora. Cultures isolated from recent port interceptions were studied and described, and morphological studies were made of historical and new herbarium specimens. DNA sequence data from the ITS region and nLSU were generated from these type species, analysed phylogenetically, placed into an evolutionary context within Mycosphaerellaceae, and compared to existing phylogenies. Epitype specimens associated with living cultures and DNA sequence data are designated herein. Asperisporium caricae, the type of Asperisporium and cause of a leaf and fruit spot disease of papaya, is closely related to several species of Passalora including P. brachycarpa. The status of Asperisporium as a potential generic synonym of Passalora remains unclear. The monotypic genus Pantospora, typified by the synnematous Pantospora guazumae, is not included in Pseudocercospora sensu stricto or sensu lato. Rather, it represents a distinct lineage in the Mycosphaerellaceae in an unresolved position near Mycosphaerella microsora.

Stratum corneum lipids of human epidermal keratinocyte air-liquid cultures: implications for barrier function.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the permeability barrier, i.e., the stratum corneum (SC) lipids, of human epidermal keratinocyte air-liquid cultures and compare them with those of human SC. METHOD: The SC lipids composition was analyzed by TLC technique, the organization by electron microscopic procedure, and the phase transition temperature by infrared spectroscopic method. RESULTS: Electron microscopy demonstrated that The SC lipids of cultures were largely retained inside the comeocytes, and that the intercellular lipids lack both the basic unit repetition (i.e., broad: narrow: broad: broad: narrow: broad of electron lucent bands) and the covalently-bound lipid envelope normally found in human SC. These characteristics are similar to those found in SC from patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, or from animals with essential fatty acid deficiency, suggesting that the cultures may be hyperproliferative. In addition, the high free sterol content and the altered fatty acid/ceramide composition of these cultures argue that the compromised barrier function is linked to hyperproliferation and lipid synthesis, or vice versa. Infrared spectroscopic analyses confirm that there are major conformational differences between the lipids of human and cultured SC. CONCLUSIONS: The profound differences in SC lipid composition, organization and conformational properties attest that permeability alone is not a sufficiently sensitive marker to define barrier equivalence between cultures and human skin.

Accuracy and reliability of temperature measurement by instrument and site.

The accuracy and reliability of three instruments (IVAC, [IVAC Corp., San Diego, CA] TempaDOT [PyMaH Corp., Somerville, NJ], off-the-shelf glass) were determined at axillary, oral and rectal sites taken on children by experienced RNs given one of three levels of inservice education. TempaDOT was found to be the most clinically valid temperature measurement instrument for 502 children in this acute care setting.

Barrier function of human keratinocyte cultures grown at the air-liquid interface.

Stratum corneum (SC), the outermost and least permeable layer of skin, is the major barrier to passive transepidermal water loss. In the research described in this paper, we have used human keratinocyte cultures, grown at the air-liquid (A/L) interface, to examine the relationship between epidermal differentiation (including SC formation) and barrier function. Histologically, the A/L culture showed several markers of complete differentiation, including the presence of well-organized and defined epidermal cell layers, keratohyalin granules, and a multilayered SC. The permeability of tritiated water through epidermal cultures, which had grown for 3 weeks at the A/L interface, was measured with a microdiffusion apparatus. The results of these experiments demonstrated that: a) the human keratinocyte cultures developed a substantial barrier (i.e., a multilayered SC) to water diffusion across the entire surface. If the relative humidity of the culturing environment was lowered from 100% to around 75%, the barrier was significantly improved; b) the differentiation promoter, 1.25-dihydroxy-vitamin-D3, increased the number of SC layers and reduced water permeation through the culture; c) the nature of the keratinocyte support matrix could be altered to improve the morphology as well as the barrier function of the epidermal cultures. Overall, the observations are consistent with the relationship that is believed to exist between SC intercellular lipid content and percutaneous penetration. Confirmation of this hypothesis will further the considerable potential of human keratinocyte A/L cultures as a valuable and relevant model in which to study drug absorption and metabolism.

Volatiles identified from five stages of embryo development separated from a heterogeneous suspension culture of Daucus carota.

Five stages of embryo development were fractionated from a mature culture of Daucus carota (Gelbe Rheinsche), using a series of metal sieves. The composition of the population of embryos in each fraction was determined quantitatively from microscopic investigations. Volatiles from samples of tissue from six stages of development were trapped on activated charcoal cartridges. These volatiles, some of which may play a significant role in the interaction of the plant with the carrot root fly (Psila rosae), were analysed using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The resulting chromatograms are arranged in order of embryo development. The progressive elaboration of the volatile profile reflects the increased biosynthetic capacity of the developing embryo.

The water permeability of primary mouse keratinocyte cultures grown at the air-liquid interface.

In order to study the development of the epidermal permeability barrier in vitro, tritiated water (HTO) flux was measured across murine keratinocytes cultured at the air-liquid interface. Using a micro-diffusion technique, it was shown that air-liquid cultures form areas where the water diffusion is comparable to that of intact neonatal mouse skin. When water permeability is measured over a large area of the culture surface, however, significantly higher flux is obtained. These results show that under the culture conditions used, areas of water barrier comparable to intact neonatal mouse skin coexist with regions of less complete barrier formation.

Transdermal drug transport and metabolism. I. Comparison of in vitro and in vivo results.

Using excised human skin and tissue grafted to athymic mice, the in vitro and in vivo delivery and metabolism of a salicylate diester were compared. Concentration profiles of this drug and its metabolites were obtained for the outer several hundred microns of the skin. These results show significant differences in the extent of enzymatic cleavage and distribution of metabolites between in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, these data suggest that in vitro results may overestimate metabolism because of increased enzymatic activity and/or decreased capillary removal.

Stratum corneum lipid phase transitions and water barrier properties.

In mammals, the outer skin layer, the stratum corneum, is the ultimate barrier to water loss. In order to relate barrier function to stratum corneum structure, samples from porcine skin were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and water permeability techniques. Results of DSC and IR studies show that stratum corneum lipids undergo thermal transitions between 60 and 80 degrees C similar to lipid thermotropic transitions seen in a variety of synthetic and biological membranes. Results of water flux experiments performed under conditions similar to those of the DSC and IR studies show an abrupt change in permeability at about 70 degrees C. At low temperatures, water flux values are similar to those obtained for human skin in vivo, yielding an activation energy of 17 kcal/mol, in excellent agreement with values obtained for water flux through a variety of lipid biomembranes. In contrast, at temperatures above about 70 degrees C, water flux is characterized by an activation energy only slightly higher than that of free diffusion, suggesting that the stratum corneum offers little diffusional resistance under these conditions. These combined results suggest that increased disorder in stratum corneum lipid structure, brought about by thermotropic transitions, results in dramatically altered diffusional resistance of this tissue to water flux. Thus, as found for numerous biological membranes, water flux and lipid order in porcine stratum corneum are inversely related.

An education program for nurses from referring hospitals in a perinatal regionalization system.

Administering high-quality perinatal care at a regional center involves more than providing in-center service. An outreach education program was developed for nurses in referring hospitals. The authors believe that through the carefully phased development of an outreach education program, quality perinatal care on all levels can be realized.