Use of natural-based commercial products as an alternative for providing bioprotection against verticillium wilt of olive.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the ineffectiveness of existing control methods against Verticillium dahliae, the causal agent of verticillium wilt of olive (Olea europaea; VWO), it is necessary to search for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives, such as bioprotection by products based on plant extracts and other naturally synthesized compounds. Therefore, present study aimed to evaluate the effects of seven natural-based commercial products on the inhibition of mycelial growth, the germination of V. dahliae conidia and microsclerotia, and disease progression in olive plants (cv. Picual). Aluminium lignosulfonate and a copper phosphonate salt (copper phosphite) were included for comparative purposes. RESULTS: The seaweed and willow extracts and copper phosphite inhibited V. dahliae mycelial growth by more than 50% at the high doses tested. Most of the products inhibited conidial germination by up to 90% compared to the control at the high doses tested. However, none of the products showed efficacy above 50% in inhibiting microsclerotia germination. The willow extract was the most effective at reducing disease severity and progression in olive plants, with no significant differences compared to the non-inoculated negative control. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that the use of natural-based products (i.e. seaweed and willow extracts) is a potential sustainable alternative in an integrated VWO control strategy. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Streptomyces spp. Strains as Potential Biological Control Agents against Verticillium Wilt of Olive.

Verticillium wilt of olive (VWO) caused by Verticillium dahliae is considered a major olive (Olea europaea) disease in Mediterranean-type climate regions. The lack of effective chemical products against VWO makes it necessary to search for alternatives such as biological control. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of six Streptomyces spp. strains as biological control agents (BCAs) against VWO. All of them were molecularly characterized by sequencing 16S or 23S rRNA genes and via phylogenetic analysis. Their effect was evaluated in vitro on the mycelial growth of V. dahliae (isolates V004 and V323) and on microsclerotia (MS) viability using naturally infested soils. Bioassays in olive plants inoculated with V. dahliae were also conducted to evaluate their effect against disease progress. In all the experiments, the reference BCAs Fusarium oxysporum FO12 and Aureobasidium pullulans AP08 were included for comparative purposes. The six strains were identified as Streptomyces spp., and they were considered as potential new species. All the BCAs, including Streptomyces strains, showed a significant effect on mycelial growth inhibition for both V. dahliae isolates compared to the positive control, with FO12 being the most effective, followed by AP08, while the Streptomyces spp. strains showed an intermediate effect. All the BCAs tested also showed a significant effect on the inhibition of germination of V. dahliae MS compared to the untreated control, with FO12 being the most effective treatment. Irrigation treatments with Streptomyces strain CBQ-EBa-21 or FO12 were significantly more effective in reducing disease severity and disease progress in olive plants inoculated with V. dahliae compared to the remaining treatments. This study represents the first approach to elucidating the potential effect of Streptomyces strains against VWO.

Characterization of Actinobacterial Strains as Potential Biocontrol Agents against Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani, the Main Soil-Borne Pathogens of Phaseolus vulgaris in Cuba.

Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani are considered two major soil-borne pathogens of Phaseolus vulgaris in Cuba. Their management is difficult, not only due to their intrinsic biology as soil-borne pathogens, but also because the lack of active ingredients available against these pathogens. Actinobacteria, a heterogeneous bacterial group traditionally known as actinomycetes have been reported as promising biological control agents (BCAs) in crop protection. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 60 actinobacterial strains as BCAs against M. phaseolina and R. solani in vitro by dual culture assays. The most effective strains were characterized according to their cellulolytic, chitinolytic and proteolytic extracellular enzymatic activity, as well as by their morphological and biochemical characters in vitro. Forty and 25 out of the 60 actinobacteria strains inhibited the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina and R. solani, respectively, and 18 of them showed a common effect against both pathogens. Significant differences were observed on their enzymatic and biochemical activity. The morphological and biochemical characters allow us to identify all our strains as species belonging to the genus Streptomyces. Streptomyces strains CBQ-EA-2 and CBQ-B-8 showed the highest effectiveness in vitro. Finally, the effect of seed treatments by both strains was also evaluated against M. phaseolina and R. solani infections in P. vulgaris cv. Quivicán seedlings. Treatments combining the two Streptomyces strains (CBQ-EA-2 + CBQ-B-8) were able to reduce significantly the disease severity for both pathogen infections in comparison with the non-treated and inoculated control. Moreover, they showed similar effect than that observed for Trichoderma harzianum A-34 and with Celest® Top 312 FS (Syngenta®; Basilea, Switzerland) treatments, which were included for comparative purposes.

How youth mentoring relationships end and why it matters: a mixed-methods, multi-informant study.

Scant empirical attention has been devoted to understanding endings in youth mentoring relationships, despite the frequency with which they occur. This study examined data from a mixed-methods study of mentoring relationship endings in which youth mentees, the youth's parents or guardians, mentors, and program staff were surveyed about the closure process, and a subsample of program staff, mentors, and parents or guardians also participated in in-depth qualitative interviews. Findings from a descriptive analysis detailing the perceptions of multiple stakeholders in the closure process as reported in surveys are presented along with case studies derived from a case-based analysis of in-depth qualitative interview data. Most relationship endings were initiated by the mentors, and although some matches engaged in an intentional and direct closure process, more often the endings were unclear or even confusing to program participants. Implications for practice are discussed, including recommendations for more training and greater involvement of program staff in the closure process, as are implications for future research.

Idioblasts and peltate hairs as distribution networks for water absorbed by xerophilous leaves.

Capparis odoratissima is a tree species native to semi-arid environments of South America where low soil water availability coexists with frequent night-time fog. A previous study showed that water applied to leaf surfaces enhanced leaf hydration, photosynthesis and growth, but the mechanisms of foliar water uptake are unknown. Here, we combine detailed anatomical evaluations with water and dye uptake experiments in the laboratory, and use immunolocalization of pectin and arabinogalactan protein epitopes to characterize water uptake pathways in leaves. Abaxially, the leaves of C. odoratissima are covered with peltate hairs, while the adaxial surfaces are glabrous. Both surfaces are able to absorb condensed water, but the abaxial surface has higher rates of water uptake. Thousands of idioblasts per cm2 , a higher density than stomata, connect the adaxial leaf surface and the abaxial peltate hairs, both of which contain hygroscopic substances such as arabinogalactan proteins and pectins. The highly specialized anatomy of the leaves of C odoratissima fulfils the dual function of minimizing water loss when stomata are closed, while maintaining the ability to absorb liquid water. Cell-wall related hygroscopic compounds in the peltate hairs and idioblasts create a network of microchannels that maintain leaf hydration and promote water uptake.

Identification and Expression Analysis of GRAS Transcription Factor Genes Involved in the Control of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Development in Tomato.

The formation and functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis are complex and tightly regulated processes. Transcriptional regulation mechanisms have been reported to mediate gene expression changes closely associated with arbuscule formation, where nutrients move between the plant and fungus. Numerous genes encoding transcription factors (TFs), with those belonging to the GRAS family being of particular importance, are induced upon mycorrhization. In this study, a screening for candidate transcription factor genes differentially regulated in AM tomato roots showed that more than 30% of known GRAS tomato genes are upregulated upon mycorrhization. Some AM-upregulated GRAS genes were identified as encoding for transcription factors which are putative orthologs of previously identified regulators of mycorrhization in other plant species. The symbiotic role played by other newly identified AM-upregulated GRAS genes remains unknown. Preliminary results on the involvement of tomato SlGRAS18, SlGRAS38, and SlGRAS43 from the SCL3, SCL32, and SCR clades, respectively, in mycorrhization are presented. All three showed high transcript levels in the late stages of mycorrhization, and the analysis of promoter activity demonstrated that SlGRAS18 and SlGRAS43 are significantly induced in cells containing arbuscules. When SlGRAS18 and SlGRAS38 genes were silenced using RNA interference in hairy root composite tomato plants, a delay in mycorrhizal infection was observed, while an increase in mycorrhizal colonization was observed in SlGRAS43 RNAi roots. The possible mode of action of these TFs during mycorrhization is discussed, with a particular emphasis on the potential involvement of the SHR/SCR/SCL3 module of GRAS TFs in the regulation of gibberellin signaling during mycorrhization, which is analogous to other plant developmental processes.

Relevant factors in treatment adherence: A case study / Factores importantes en la adhesión al tratamiento: un estudio de casos

In this paper, a case study is presented. The client had been in therapy before, and had abandoned all previous treatments before any significant improvement had taken place. In the treatment reported here, she committed to the therapy and made progress. Possible reasons for this change in adherence are discussed

En este estudio se presenta un caso. La cliente había estado ya en terapia, abandonando todos los tratamientos previos antes de que su problema hubiera mejorado significativamente. En el tratamiento resenado aquí finalmente se comprometió con la terapia y mejoró. Se discuten posibles explicaciones para este cambio en la adhesión terapéutica

Tumor del estroma extra gastrointestinal (E-GIST) gigante de omento / Extra gastrointestinal stromal tumor (E-GIST) of the omentum

Introduction: Tumors that are pathologically and immunohistochemically similar to gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but coming from soft tissues of the mesentery or retroperitoneum are called extra gastrointestinal stromal tumors (E-GISTs) and are more aggressive than GISTs. Clinical case: We report a 46 years old woman operated for a uterine sarcoma with a liver metastasis of the tumor, subsequently subjected to radiotherapy. A new CAT scan showed a 21 x 12 cm tumor. Radiotherapy was discontinued and the patient refused chemotherapy. Four years later, the patient consulted in the emergency room for a partial bowel obstruction. A new CAT scan showed a tumor that occupied the abdominal and pelvic cavity. The patient was operated, finding a highly vascularized and multisystem tumor that was fused together with the omentum, which was excised. The pathological diagnosis of the surgical piece was a high risk GIST.

Introducción: Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) fueron clasificados inicialmente dentro de otros grupos de tumores (leiomioma, leiomioblastoma, leiomiosarcoma), llamándolos leiomiomas bizarros o leiomiomas celulares debido a su apariencia histológica similar. Con el advenimiento de la microscopia electrónica se demostró que sólo algunos de estos tumores presentaban evidencias ultraestructurales de diferenciación muscular lisa. Posteriormente, los avances en la biología molecular y la inmunohistoquímica han permitido diferenciarlos de otras neoplasias digestivas e identificarlos como una patología clínica e histopatológica propia. Los tumores que histopatológicamente e inmunohistoquímicamente son similares a los GIST, pero proceden de los tejidos blandos del mesenterio o el retroperitoneo sin presentar conexión, ni siquiera tenue, con la pared ni con la superficie serosa de las vísceras, son denominanados tumores del estroma extragastrointestinal (E-GIST) y han mostrado tener un comportamiento más agresivo que los GIST originados a nivel gástrico y similar a los intestinales. Reporte del caso: Paciente de 47 años quien desarrolló durante 8 años un tumor abdominal, que resultó ser un tumor del estroma gastrointestinal de omento, sometida a tratamiento quirúrgico. En 18 meses no ha presentado recidiva tumoral.

Pilates-based exercise for persistent, non-specific low back pain and associated functional disability: a meta-analysis with meta-regression.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to systematically review and apply regression analysis to randomised controlled trials [RCTs] that evaluated the effectiveness of Pilates exercise in improving persistent, non-specific low back pain and functional disability. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched from January 1950 to March 2011. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they were RCTs comparing Pilates exercise with a placebo treatment [PT], minimal intervention [MI] or another physiotherapeutic treatment [APT]. RESULTS: Nine trials were included. Pilates was moderately superior to APT (pooled Effect Size [ES] weighted = -0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.08 to -1.03) in reducing disability but not for pain relief. Pilates provided moderate to superior pain relief compared to MI (pooled ES weighted = -0.44, 95% CI = -0.09 to -0.80) and a similar decrease in disability. The statistical model used did not detect any predictor variable. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the presence of co-interventions and the low methodological quality of some studies, these conclusions should be interpreted with caution.

Factores de riesgo neonatales asociados a retinopatía de la prematuridad / Risk factors associated with retinopathy of prematurity

Objetivo: Determinar los factores de riesgo asociados al desarrollo de la retinopatía de la prematuridad (ROP) en neonatos prematuros. Métodos: Estudio caso control. Se evaluó factores neonatales en 31 neonatos con diagnóstico de ROP y 62 controles. Se estudiaron los neonatos con edad gestacional <37 semanas entre enero 2010 a diciembre 2011. Resultados: La media de peso al nacer fue 1647 gramos y la media de edad gestacional fue 33.99 semanas. La incidencia de ROP en neonatos con edad gestacional menor o igual a 32 semanas es 11.8% y en neonatos con peso al nacer < 1500 gr es 18.3%. Con el an lisis multivariado de regresión logística los factores significativos (p < 0.05) asociados a ROP fueron edad gestacional (OR= 6.27), peso al nacer (OR= 5.06), neumonía (OR= 6.42), asfixia neonatal (OR= 4.75), enfermedad de membrana hialina (OR= 8.74), transfusión sanguínea (OR = 18.49) y ventilación mecánica (OR = 13.63). Conclusiones: Bajo peso al nacer, menor edad gestacional, transfusión sanguínea, ventilación mecánica, neumonía, asfixia neonatal y membrana hialina son los principales factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de ROP.

Objective: To determine risk factors associated to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among premature infants. Methods: Case control study. 31 new born infants with ROP and 62 control infants were evaluated neonatal factors. We studied infants with gestational age < 37 weeks from January 2010 to December 2011. Results: Mean birth weight was 1647 gr. and mean gestational age was 33.8 weeks. The incidence of ROP was 11.8 % in infants with gestational age or less 32 weeks and 18.3% for infants with birth weight < 1500 g. In multivariate logistic regression analysis the significant factors (p < 0.05) associated to ROP were gestational age (OR = 6.27), birth weight (OR = 5.06), pneumonia (OR = 6.42), neonatal asphyxia (OR = 4.75), neonatal hyaline membrane (OR = 8.74), blood transfusion (OR = 18.49) and mechanical ventilation (OR = 13.63). Conclusions: Low birth weight, low gestational age, blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation and pneumonia, neonatal asphyxia and neonatal hyaline membrane are the main risk factors for the development of ROP.

"All my friends are doing it:" the impact of the perception of peer sexuality on adolescents' intent to have sex.

The purpose of the authors in this study was to determine if the proportionality of peers who believe other youth are having oral sex or vaginal/anal intercourse influence the youth's intention to also have oral sex or vaginal/anal intercourse in the next three months. The results supported the hypothesis that the proportionality of perceiving one's peers as sexually active was correlated with one's intent to have oral sex in the next three months (r = .34 and .39, p < .01) and one's intent to have vaginal or anal sex within the next three months (r = .51 and r = .65, p < .01). Approximately 50% of youth who intent to have oral sex are also likely to have vaginal/anal sex. The results were not moderated by age, gender, or Hispanic/White status, but were moderated by being in a special/committed relationship.

Análisis del Cambio en un Problema de Adicción al Alcohol: Estudio de Caso / An Analysis of Change in an Alcohol Addiction Problem. Case Study

Se analiza el caso de C., una mujer que acude a consulta por problemas con el consumo de alcohol y un bajo estado de ánimo. El objetivo de este artículo es exponer un caso abordado con éxito desde la terapia de conducta justificando los progresos obtenidos a través de la operativización de las medidas de cambio. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una tendencia general positiva en las medidas de cambio establecidas (consumo de alcohol, interacciones sociales, estado de ánimo, nivel de actividad, dificultades para dormir, etc.), a pesar de las dificultades que presentaba el caso por ser varias las áreas problemáticas asociadas y por la reticencia al cambio de la cliente. Estos dos factores están muy presentes en este tipo de problemática y los clínicos deben permanecer en alerta ante posibles caídas o recaídas, tan frecuentes en los casos de abuso o dependencia al alcohol (AU)

This paper analyses the case of C., a woman treated for alcohol addiction and other associated problems. The aim is to present a case which has been successfully addressed from a cognitive and behavioral therapy approach, and where all progress achieved can be justified through the operationalization of change measures. The results obtained show an overall positive trend in almost all registered change measures, despite the difficulties presented due to several problem areas associated with the case, and client's reluctance to change. These two factors are often present in this type of problem, and clinicians would do well to remain alert to possible relapses, which are so common in cases of alcohol abuse or dependence (AU)

The effect of Pilates exercises on body composition: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine how Pilates exercises have impacted body composition (BC) on selected populations. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using the keywords 'Pilates, body composition, systematic review, literature review, overweight, obesity, healthy weight, underweight' and their combination. RESULTS: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and after further quality analyses it was determined that there is currently poor empirical quantitative evidence indicating a positive effect of Pilates exercises on BC. Several methodological flaws were observed in the studies analyzed, including few full-text published studies looking into the effects of Pilates exercises on BC, a lack of true experimental research designs, limited standardization in measurement techniques, insufficient or no control of the nutritional status, and inconsistent instructor qualifications. CONCLUSION: Well-designed research is needed to determine how Pilates exercises impact BC on selected populations.

Ecological physiology of Pereskia guamacho, a cactus with leaves.

The specialized physiology of leafless, stem-succulent cacti is relatively well understood. This is not true, however, for Pereskia (Cactaceae), the 17 species of leafy trees and shrubs that represent the earliest diverging lineages of the cacti. Here we report on the water relations and photosynthesis of Pereskia guamacho, a small tree of the semiarid scrubland of Venezuela's Caribbean coast. Sapwood-specific xylem conductivity (Ksp) is low when compared to other vessel-bearing trees of tropical dry systems, but leaf-specific xylem conductivity is relatively high due to the high Huber value afforded by P. guamacho's short shoot architecture. P. guamacho xylem is not particularly vulnerable to drought-induced cavitation, especially considering the high leaf water potentials maintained year round. This is confirmed by the lack of significant variation exhibited in Ksp between wet and dry seasons. In the rainy season, P. guamacho exhibited C3-like patterns of stomatal conductance, but during a prolonged drought we documented nocturnal stomatal opening with a concomitant accumulation of titratable acid in leaves. This suggests that P. guamacho can perform drought-induced crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM photosynthesis), although delta 13C values imply that most carbon is assimilated via the C3 pathway. P. guamacho leaves display very low stomatal densities, and maximum stomatal conductance is low whether stomata open during the day or night. We conclude that leaf performance is not limited by stem hydraulic capacity in this species, and that water use is conservative and tightly regulated at the leaf level.

Niveles intelectuales y ansiedad en niños con intoxicación plúmbica crónica. Colegio "Maria Reiche". Callao-Perú, 2002 / Intelectual levels and anxiety in children with chronic lead intoxication. Maria Reiche School. Callao-Peru, 2002

Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre intoxicación plúmbica crónica y niveles intelectuales, y la asociación entre intoxicación plúmbica crónica y ansiedad, en niños del colegio "María Reiche"-Callao. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal en 39 niños que participaron en el dosaje de plomo en sangre hecho por la Dirección General de Salud Ambiental en el año 2002. Se midió el coeficiente intelectual y determinó el nivel intelectual, y se aplicó la lista de chequeo de ansiedad. Se categorizó a los niños, según sus niveles de plomo en sangre, en no intoxicados (niveles < 10 µg/dL) e intoxicados (niveles ³ 10 µg/dL). Se aplicó las pruebas chi-cuadrado y prueba t con un p <0,05. Resultados: El coeficiente intelectual de los niños intoxicados fue 85,51±12,56, los niveles de plomo fueron 26,54±9.42 ug/dL en los niños con nivel intelectual bajo (fronterizo e inferior). Los niveles intelectuales y las categorías de plomo en sangre se asociaron con un p=0,355. Los grados de ansiedad y las categorías de plomo en sangre se asociaron con un p=0,03. La distribución t encontró diferencia de medias entre los niveles de plomo en los grupos con ansiedad leve y marcada (p=0,024). Conclusiones: Se encontró asociación entre la intoxicación plúmbica crónica y el grado de ansiedad; sin embargo, no se encontró asociación entre los niveles intelectuales y la intoxicación plúmbica crónica.

La sintomatología auditiva en los trastornos temporomandibulares / Auditory symptomatology in temporomandibular disturbances

Se realizó un estudio en 25 pacientes de ambos sexos, mayores de 16 años que acudieron para su tratamiento al Servicio de Articulación Temporomandibular del Departamento de Prótesis de la Facultad de Estomatología de Ciudad de La Habana, con el objetivo de profundizar en el conocimiento de la relación entre la Sintomatología auditiva y los trastornos temporomandibulares. En 80(por ciwnto) de los pacientes estudiados, estaban presentes la Sintomatologia auditiva y el trastorno temporomandibular, 75(por ciento) de éstos presentaron como Sintomatología auditiva más frecuente la otalgia, siendo el dolor muscular y articular conjuntamente el más frecuente dentro del trastorno temporomandibular. También hubo predominio en la disminución de la dimensión vertical oclusiva en los pacientes estudiados

La sintomatología auditiva en los trastornos temporomandibulares / Auditory symptomatology in temporomandibular disturbances

Se realizó un estudio en 25 pacientes de ambos sexos, mayores de 16 años que acudieron para su tratamiento al Servicio de Articulación Temporomandibular del Departamento de Prótesis de la Facultad de Estomatología de Ciudad de La Habana, con el objetivo de profundizar en el conocimiento de la relación entre la Sintomatología auditiva y los trastornos temporomandibulares. En 80(por ciwnto) de los pacientes estudiados, estaban presentes la Sintomatologia auditiva y el trastorno temporomandibular, 75(por ciento) de éstos presentaron como Sintomatología auditiva más frecuente la otalgia, siendo el dolor muscular y articular conjuntamente el más frecuente dentro del trastorno temporomandibular. También hubo predominio en la disminución de la dimensión vertical oclusiva en los pacientes estudiados(AU)

Intoxicación púmblica crónica y alteraciones del crecimiento y desarrollo cognitivo-emocional en niños / Chronic lead intoxication and growth and cognitive-emotional development in children

OBJETIVO: Determinar la asociación entre intoxicación plúmbica crónica y alteraciones del crecimiento y desarrollo cognitivo-emocional en niños del colegio María Reiche- Callao. DISEÑO: Estudio observacional de corte transversal. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: A 70 niños de 8 a 12 años de edad del C.E. N§ 5045 María Reiche del A.A.H.H. Puerto Nuevo- Callao, que participaron en el estudio de dosaje de plomo en sangre hecho por la Dirección General de Salud Ambiental en 1999, se les aplicó pruebas de seguimiento de instrucciones, habilidades motoras, comunicativas, manipulativas, académicas y la lista de chequeo de ansiedad. Se midió el coeficiente intelectual e índice de masa corporal. Para el procesamiento de los datos se empleó las pruebas chi-cuadrado, t de Student, correlación y regresión lineal simple, usando el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 11.0, con un nivel de confianza de 95 por ciento. RESULTADOS: Los niveles de plomo en sangre y los grados de ansiedad se relacionaron significativamente mediante la prueba chi-cuadrado (p=0,025); se encontró diferencias significativas entre las medias del puntaje de la lista de chequeo de ansiedad y la categorización de los niveles de plomo, mediante la prueba t de Student (p= 0,031). La relación entre los niveles de plomo en sangre y el coeficiente intelectual, las habilidades académicas, motoras, comunicativas, manipulativas, seguimiento de instrucciones e índice de masa corporal no resultaron significativos. CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró asociación significativa entre la intoxicación plúmbica crónica y el grado de ansiedad (desarrollo emocional). Sin embargo, no se encontró asociación con el crecimiento ni con el desarrollo cognitivo.

Standardization of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B colorimetric serum bactericidal assay.

The correlate of protection for serogroup B meningococci is not currently known, but for serogroup C it is believed to be the serum bactericidal assay (SBA). The current SBAs are labor intensive and the variations in protocols among different laboratories make interpretation of results difficult. A colorimetric SBA (cSBA), based on the ability of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B to consume glucose, leading to acid production, was standardized by using group B strain Cu385-83 as the target. The cSBA results were compared to those obtained for a traditional colony-counting microassay (mSBA). Glucose and bromocresol purple pH indicator were added to the medium in order to estimate growth of cSBA target cell survivors through color change. Different variants of the assay parameters were optimized: growth of target cells (Mueller Hinton agar plates), target cell number (100 CFU/per well), and human complement source used at a final concentration of 25%. After the optimization, three other group B strains (H44/76, 490/91, and 511/91) were used as targets for the cSBA. The selection of the assay parameters and the standardization of cSBA were done with 13 sera from vaccinated volunteers. The titers were determined as the higher serum dilution that totally inhibited the bacterial growth marked by the color invariability of the pH indicator. This was detected visually as well as spectrophotometrically and was closely related to a significant difference in the growth of target cell survivors determined using Student's t test. Intralaboratory reproducibility was +/-1 dilution. The correlation between bactericidal median titers and specific immunoglobulin G serum concentration by enzyme immunoassay was high (r = 0.910, P < 0.01). The bactericidal titers generated by the cSBA and the mSBA were nearly identical, and there was a high correlation between the two assays (r = 0.974, P < 0.01). The standardized cSBA allows easy, fast, and efficient evaluation of samples.