Associations Between Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and Fungi in Raspberries.

The invasive vinegar fly, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, has emerged as one of the most serious arthropod pests of primocane red raspberries (Rubus ideaus L.) in the United States. In raspberries, D. suzukii encounter a diverse community of microbes, including fruit rot pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea Pers and Cladosporium cladosporioides de Vries. In this study, our primary objectives were to evaluate D. suzukii-fungal associations and determine D. suzukii's influence on fungal communities in raspberry fruit. Through culture-based surveys of larval gut microbes, we isolated several yeast fungi (primarily Hanseniaspora spp.), as well as Cladosporium, Botrytis, and several other non-yeast fungi from larval frass, suggesting that D. suzukii larvae encounter and feed on these fungi. Subsequent field surveys confirmed that D. suzukii larvae occurred in berries affected by Botrytis fruit rot and Cladosporium fruit rot. Under laboratory conditions, D. suzukii may facilitate C. cladosporioides infections, likely through the introduction of epiphytic propagules on the fruit surface. We could not detect impacts on B. cinerea infections or establish a clear vectoring relationship for either fruit rot. These studies provide evidence for an association between D. suzukii and fungal fruit rot pathogens. Understanding interactions between raspberry fruit, D. suzukii, and fungal microbes-especially whether D. suzukii facilitates the development of fruit rots or conversely, if fruit rots influence D. suzukii infestation patterns-may improve pest and pathogen management programs.

First Report of Grass Species (Poaceae) as Naturally Occurring Hosts of the Pine Pathogen Gibberella circinata.

Gibberella circinata (anamorph Fusarium circinatum) causes pitch canker in pines and is not known to have any hosts outside the Pinaceae. However, G. circinata is closely related to and interfertile with G. subglutinans, which is associated with grasses both as a pathogen and a commensal endophyte. Furthermore, studies under controlled conditions have shown that G. circinata can colonize corn (Zea mays) without inducing symptoms (4). To determine if G. circinata can also infect grasses under natural conditions, plants were collected in proximity to trees with symptoms of pitch canker in native stands of Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) on the Monterey Peninsula and P. muricata (bishop pine) at Pt. Reyes National Seashore on the California coast during July and August of 2011. Leaves and stems were rinsed in 0.1% Tween 20, immersed in 70% ethanol for 30 s followed by 1 min in 1% NaOCl, and placed on a Fusarium selective medium (FSM) (1). Single-spore subcultures of colonies growing from cultured plant material were transferred to 0.6% KCl agar and identified as G. circinata based on morphological criteria as described by Gordon et al. (2). G. circinata isolates were recovered from Holcus lanatus and Festuca arundinacea on the Monterey Peninsula and H. lanatus at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Three isolates from each of these sources (nine total) and one known G. circinata isolate from pines (GL 17) were tested for virulence by inoculating 1-year-old, greenhouse-grown Monterey pine trees; three trees were inoculated, once for each isolate. Trees were inoculated by depositing 250 spores in a wound on the main stem by the method described by Gordon et al. (3). Two weeks later, all grass isolates had induced resinous branch cankers with lesions comparable in length (17 to 24 mm) and appearance to those caused by GL 17. Similar results were obtained when inoculations were repeated. One isolate from F. arundinacea and one from H. lanatus (collected at Pt. Reyes National Seashore) were tested and shown to be somatically compatible with tester strains for vegetative compatibility groups C6 and C1, respectively, both of which are associated with isolates previously recovered from diseased pines (2). GL 17 and one isolate each from F. arundinaceae and H. lanatus were tested for their ability to infect F. arundinaceae cv. Fawn. For each isolate, 20 14-day-old seedlings (10 pots with two plants per pot) were sprayed to runoff with an aqueous suspension of 106 spores per ml. All inoculations were repeated once. Two weeks after inoculation, leaves and stems were rinsed briefly in 0.1% Tween 20, immersed for 10 s in 70% ethanol, followed by 30 s in 1% NaOCl, and cultured on FSM. All tested isolates were recovered from at least some of the inoculated plants (range 20 to 100%), from living stems and leaves, as well as from senescing tissue. These results show that grass species can be symptomless hosts for G. circinata, constituting the first documentation of any host for this pathogen outside the Pinaceae. Studies are underway to further characterize the host range of G. circinata and assess the epidemiological implications of grasses as alternate hosts for the pitch canker pathogen. References: (1) B. J. Aegerter and T. R. Gordon. For. Ecol. Manag. 235:14, 2006. (2) T. R. Gordon et al. Mycol. Res. 100:850, 1996. (3) T. R. Gordon et al. Hortscience 33:868, 1998. (4) C. L. Swett and T. R. Gordon. Phytopathology (Abstr.) 89:S126, 2009.

Substance use disorder in hospitalized severely mentally ill psychiatric patients: prevalence, correlates, and subgroups.

The prevalence and demographic and clinical correlates of lifetime substance use disorders were examined in a cohort of 325 recently hospitalized psychiatric patients (53% schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder). Alcohol use was the most common type of substance use disorder, followed by cannabis and cocaine use. Univariate analyses indicated that gender (male), age (younger), education (less), history of time in jail, conduct disorder symptoms, and antisocial personality disorder symptoms were predictive of substance use disorders. Lifetime cannabis use disorder was uniquely predicted by marital status (never married) and fewer psychiatric hospitalizations during the previous 6 months. Optimal classification tree analysis, an exploratory, nonlinear method of identifying patient subgroups, was successful in predicting 74 percent to 86 percent of the alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine use disorders. The implications of this method for identifying specific patient subgroups and service needs are discussed.

Use of the NOSIE to predict assaults among acute psychiatric patients. Nurses' Observational Scale for Inpatient Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the Nurses' Observational Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and other measures as predictors of assaults that occurred during psychiatric hospitalization. METHODS: On admission, the MMSE was administered to 335 acutely ill psychiatric patients, and diagnostic and demographic data were recorded. Immediately after admission, patients were rated by nurses using the NOSIE and by psychologists using the BPRS. Patients who committed assaults during hospitalization (N = 47) and those who did not were compared, and relationships between several variables and assaults were evaluated by t tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi square tests, and analyses of variance. RESULTS: A high score on the irritability factor of the NOSIE and failure to complete the MMSE correctly predicted the occurrence or nonoccurrence of assault 81 percent of the time. None of the other variables examined were significantly related to assaults, including total scores on the BPRS and MMSE, psychiatric diagnosis, and several demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Scores on a test of distress level shortly after admission and failure to complete the MMSE on admission can help the clinician predict who will later engage in an assault.

SCL-90-R factor structure in an acute, involuntary, adult psychiatric inpatient sample.

The dimensionality of the SCL-90-R was investigated in an acute, involuntarily committed adult psychiatric sample (N = 260) using common principal factor extraction and confirmatory factor analytic procedures. The findings show a large primary factor accounting for 42% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analyses failed to replicate the standardization data. These results are consistent with previous research suggesting a primary global distress factor. They raise questions of the validity of the SCL-90-R clinical profile from acute involuntarily hospitalized psychiatric adults.

Symptom severity and number of previous psychiatric admissions as predictors of readmission.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined factors predicting early readmission (within 30 days of discharge) to a state hospital. METHODS: A total of 189 patients with acute symptoms who were admitted to a state hospital were evaluated at discharge using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Nurses Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE). Patients who were readmitted within 30 days were compared with those who were not on BPRS and NOSIE ratings and on other variables, including length of stay, number of previous admissions, demographic characteristics, and diagnosis. RESULTS: Scores on the thought disorder factor and self-neglect question on the BPRS and the number of previous admissions were significantly higher among patients who where readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The variables correctly predicted readmission for 86 percent of cases in the study. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of high scores at discharge on the BPRS thought disorder factor and the BPRS item on self-neglect, along with a high number of previous admission, may be helpful in identifying patients at risk for readmission to inpatient psychiatric settings.

Levels of dissociation and histories of reported abuse among women outpatients.

A total of 99 female patients consecutively admitted to an adult psychiatric outpatient clinic were surveyed about their history of physical and sexual abuse. Sixty-five percent of this sample reported having been physically abused, sexually abused, or both during their lifetimes. Scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale were significantly higher among those reporting a history of sexual abuse than among those reporting a history of physical abuse or no history of abuse, who did not differ from each other. Dissociative Experiences Scale scores were important predictors of histories of sexual abuse among this sample. The implications of these findings for outpatient evaluation are discussed.

High rates of alcohol problems and history of physical and sexual abuse among women inpatients.

A total of 88 consecutive new women patients were surveyed on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit which did not have a specific program for the treatment of alcoholics. Those with a self-reported history of physical and/or sexual abuse had significantly higher scores on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) than those with no such history. Former drinkers and teetotalers were more likely to have been both physically and sexually abused than the others. Thirty-three patients (38%) reported a history of alcohol problems measured by scores of seven or more on the MAST, but only 20 had a diagnosis of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence made by a psychiatrist.

Inpatient seclusion: description and causes.

A total of 114 (31%) of 370 acute admissions to an inpatient unit over a one-year interval had at least one episode of seclusion or restraint. Four variables were significant predictors of seclusion and restraint. They were young age, diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, and two scores (irritability and total assets) on the Nurses Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE). More than 81% of the predictions were correct (Kappa = .37, p < .001). The four predictive variables were used to predict seclusion and restraint in a new sample of 80 patients. More than 79% of the predictions were correct (Kappa = .40, p < .001).

Early childhood abuse and limbic system ratings in adult psychiatric outpatients.

The authors investigated the hypothesis that early abuse might affect the development of the limbic system. During initial psychiatric evaluation, 253 outpatients completed a self-report scale, the Limbic System Checklist-33 (LSCL-33), designed to measure somatic, sensory, behavioral, and memory symptoms suggestive of temporal lobe epilepsy, along with a questionnaire about physical or sexual abuse. Physical abuse was associated with a 38% increase in LSCL-33 scores (P < 0.01), sexual abuse with a 49% increase (P < 0.02), and combined abuse with a 113% increase (P < 0.0001). Physical or sexual abuse alone was associated with elevated LSCL-33 scores only if the abuse occurred before age 18.

High rates of alcohol use and history of physical and sexual abuse among women outpatients.

A total of 189 consecutive new women patients were surveyed at an adult psychiatric outpatient clinic which did not have a specific program for the treatment of alcoholics. Twenty-seven patients (14%) reported a history of heavy alcohol consumption measured by scores of 10 or more on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), but only 16 had a diagnosis of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence made by a clinician. Those with a self-reported history of physical and/or sexual abuse had significantly higher scores on the MAST than those with no such history. When the first abuse occurred before the age of 18 years and there was no recent reported abuse, the association of abuse and high MAST scores persisted, suggesting that early physical or sexual abuse may be associated with current levels of alcohol use.

Reported history of physical and sexual abuse and severity of symptomatology in women psychiatric outpatients.

Of 140 women outpatients, 64% reported a history of sexual or physical abuse, or both. Symptom checklist scores at the first interview were significantly higher among those reporting a history of recent or childhood abuse than among those reporting no abuse. Implications for further research are discussed.

Sexual and physical abuse histories and psychiatric symptoms among male psychiatric outpatients.

Of 125 consecutive male patients at an adult psychiatric outpatient clinic, 48% reported histories of sexual abuse and/or physical abuse. The mean scores on the global severity index of the SCL-90-R at the first visit were significantly higher for those who reported histories of abuse than for those who had no such history. Childhood abuse also was associated with high levels of psychiatric symptoms in these men.

Factors associated with premature termination from outpatient treatment.

A variety of demographic and clinical data collected on 142 new patients treated in an adult psychiatric outpatient clinic were analyzed to determine factors that discriminated between patients who terminated treatment prematurely during the first eight months of therapy and those who did not. High levels of paranoid ideation, lack of health insurance, and living less than 15 miles from the clinic were significantly associated with premature termination. Those factors were combined with three others--substance abuse, divorced marital status, and absence of fee reduction--in a probit regression model that correctly predicted the incidence of premature termination in 75 percent of the patients. The results suggest that patients who may be at risk for premature termination of outpatient therapy can be identified early in the course of their treatment.

Effects of a state law on rates of restraint on a child and adolescent unit.

Rates of restraint and seclusion on a child and adolescent unit were evaluated before and after the implementation of a restrictive state law which was designed to reduce the monthly rates of restraint. Overall, the total number of hours in restraint, corrected for mean daily census, decreased significantly. The average number of patients in chemical restraint stayed about the same. There was a significant increase in number of patients, number of episodes, and hours of mechanical restraint as expected. Rates of seclusion dropped to zero as mandated. A new category of physical restraint was defined by law and was used to limited extent.

Use of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test in a prison hospital.

The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was administered to 214 admissions to a maximum security ward of a prison hospital. Over 70.7% of the patients had scores greater than 5 and 57.8% had scores greater than 10, indicating that they engaged in problem drinking or alcohol misuse before admission. Older patients had higher scores, and a small number of patients with no criminal involvement had lower scores.

Patterns of drug use in psychiatric inpatient wards.

Drug use was monitored in a total of 2,592 psychiatric inpatients in 6 hospitals. The efficacy was rated as satisfactory in 78% of the drug exposures. Nearly 37% of the patients had an adverse reaction. However, only 1.5% of the reactions were noted as being of major severity.