Establishment of fungal entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana and Bionectria ochroleuca (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) as endophytes on artichoke Cynara scolymus.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are commonly found in diverse habitats and are known to cause mycoses in many different taxa of arthropods. Various unexpected roles have been recently reported for fungal entomopathogens, including their presence as fungal endophytes, plant disease antagonists, rhizosphere colonizers and plant growth promoting fungi. In Tunisia, a wide range of indigenous EPF isolates from different species, such as Beauveria bassiana and Bionectria ochroleuca, were found to occur in the soil, and to be pathogenic against the artichoke aphid Capitophorus elaeagni (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Since endophytic fungi are recently regarded as plant-defending mutualists and their presence in internal plant tissue has been discussed as an adaptive protection against insects, we were interested on elucidating the possible endophytic behavior of B. bassiana and B. ochroleuca on artichoke, Cynara scolymus, after foliar spraying tehcnique. The leaf spray inoculation method was effective in introducing the inoculated fungi into the plant tissues and showed, then, an endophytic activity on artichoke even 10 days later. According S-N-K test, there was significant differences between the two fungal treatments, B. ochroleuca (84% a) and B. bassiana (78% a), and controls (0% b). Likewise, the inoculated entomopathogenic fungi were also isolated from new leaves even though with significant differences respectively between controls (0% c), B. bassiana (56% b) and B. ochroleuca (78% a). These results reveals significant new data on the interaction of inoculated fungi with artichoke plant as ecological roles that can be exploited for the protection of plants.

In-planta detection and monitorization of endophytic colonization by a Beauveria bassiana strain using a new-developed nested and quantitative PCR-based assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Beauveria bassiana strain 04/01-Tip obtained from larvae of the opium poppy stem gall Iraella luteipes endophytically colonizes opium poppy plants and protect it against this pest. Development of a specific, rapid and sensitive technique that allows accurately determining the process and factors leading to the establishment of this strain in opium poppy plants would be essential to achieve its efficient control in a large field scale. For that purpose in the present study, species-specific primers that can be used in conventional or quantitative PCR protocols were developed for specifically identification and detection of B. bassiana in plant tissues. The combination of the designed BB.fw/BB.rv primer set with the universal ITS1-F/ITS4 primer set in a two-step nested-PCR approach, has allowed the amplification of up to 10fg of B. bassiana. This represented an increase in sensitivity of 10000- and 1000-fold of detection than when using the BB.fw/BB.rv primers in a single or single-tube semi-nested PCR approaches, respectively. The BB.fw and BB.rv primer set were subsequently optimized to be used in real time quantitative PCR assays and allowed to accurately quantify B. bassiana DNA in different plant DNA backgrounds (leaves and seeds) without losing accuracy and efficiency. The qPCR protocol was used to monitor the endophytic colonization of opium poppy leaves byB. bassiana after inoculation with the strain EABb 04/01-Tip, detecting as low as 26fg of target DNA in leaves and a decrease in fungal biomass over time. PCR quantification data were supported in parallel with CLMS by the monitoring of spatial and temporal patterns of leaf and stem colonization using a GFP-tagged transformant of the B. bassiana EABb 04/01-Tip strain, which enabled to demonstrate that B. bassiana effectively colonizes aerial tissues of opium poppy plants mainly through intercellular spaces and even leaf trichomes. A decline in endophytic colonization was also observed by the last sampling times, i.e. from 10 to 15days after inoculation, although fungal structures still remained present in the leaf tissues. These newly developed molecular protocols should facilitate the detection, quantification and monitoring of endophytic B. bassiana strains in different tissues and host plants and would help to unravel the factors and process governing the specific endophytic association between opium poppy and strain EABb 04/01-Tip providing key insights to formulate a sustainable strategy for I. luteipes management in the host.

[Patients with intraaortic counterpulsation balloons: nursing care]. / Pacientes con balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico. Cuidados de enfermería.

The authors present a plan of basic treatment for patients which carry an intraaorto counterpulsation balloon, abbreviated "BCIA", which makes it possible to unify treatment rules in order to contribute to a fine development and follow up on these patients and thus guarantee the continuity and quality of their treatment and care in each of the three phases in which nurses actively participate. The method used for the elaboration of this plan is based on the bifocal clinical nursing model proposed by L.J. Carpenito.

[Intraaortic counterpulsation balloon]. / Balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico.

The pumping or counterpulsation with an intraaortic balloon is currently the most widely used circulatory support technique due to the fact that it fulfills a unique role in the treatment of patients suffering from serious cardiovascular problems. No medication currently available can combine the two basic effects of the Intraaortic Counterpulsation Balloon Pump: reduction of the left ventricle aftercharge and of the increased diastolic arterial pressure. Since this procedure is a vital support for these patients, this challenges nurses' abilities and performance; therefore, continuous monitoring is necessary along with am immediate evaluation of the signs or symptoms of a patient's clinical and hemodynamic state and a precocious detection of possible complications.

[Pacemaker implantation. The nurse's role]. / Implantación de marcapaso. Intervención de enfermería.

This article takes an indepth look at the role of a cardiological nurse in a coronary unit of a hospital where this nurse performs an important part in treating medical emergencies which seriously affect a patient's life. To begin with, a brief introductory section presents the physiological aspects related to cardiac stimulation, followed by the possible factors which indicate the use of an artificial stimulator. Techniques for implanting various types of pacemakers are described. A nurse intervenes in different ways in these procedures: a nurse aids in the pre-operation care and technical setup; a nurse aids the doctor while the pacemaker is being implanted; and during the postoperation phase, a nurse checks on the correct functioning of the pacemaker and if the nurse detects complications, she/he strives to bring an early solution to these problems. In order to carry out these duties, prior knowledge will provide nurses with a sureness of how to act when faced with emergencies.