Identification of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with stem-end rot of mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Malaysia.

AIMS: To identify Botryosphaeriaceae fungal species that are associated with stem-end rot of mango, and to study their pathogenicity on mango fruit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on the sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), TEF1-α and ß-tubulin, as well as on the phylogenetic analysis of combined sequences, four species of Lasiodiplodia (L. theobromae,L. pseudotheobromae, L. iranensis, L. mahajangana) and two species of Neofusicoccum (N. ribis, N. parvum) were identified. Pseudofusicoccum violaceum, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and three species of Botryosphaeria (B. scharifii, B. dothidea, B. ramosa) were identified based on sequences of ITS and TEF1-α. Pathogenicity test of selected isolates were tested on Chok Anan, Waterlily and Falan mango cultivars. Generally, all species were observed to be pathogenic on the three tested mango cultivars on wounded fruits, except for N. ribis and N. parvum, which were pathogenic on both wounded and unwounded fruits. However, N. ribis was only pathogenic on cultivar Falan, whereas B. ramosa were pathogenic on cultivars Waterlily and Falan. CONCLUSIONS: Eleven species of Botryosphaeriaceae were associated with mango stem-end rot in Malaysia. To the best of our knowledge, four species, namely L. mahajangana, B. ramosa, N. ribis and P. violaceum are the first recorded Botryosphaeriaceae fungi associated with stem end rot of mango. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The identification of Botryosphaeriaceae fungi is important to establish suitable control measures and quarantine requirements. Many species have a wide host range, which means that there is a possibility of cross infection from other infected plants.

Genetic diversity and pathogenicity of Fusarium species associated with fruit rot disease in banana across Peninsular Malaysia.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to identify the Fusarium isolates based on translation elongation factor (tef) 1α sequence, to determine the genetic diversity among isolates and species using selected microsatellite markers and to examine the pathogenicity of Fusarium isolates causing fruit rot disease of banana. METHODS AND RESULTS: One-hundred and thirteen microfungi isolates were obtained from fruit rot infected banana in Peninsular Malaysia. However, this study was focused on the dominant number of the discovered microfungi that belongs to the genus Fusarium; 48 isolates of the microfungi have been identified belonging to 11 species of Fusarium, namely Fusarium incarnatum, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium camptoceras, Fusarium solani, Fusarium concolor, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium sacchari, Fusarium concentricum and Fusarium fujikuroi. All Fusarium isolates were grouped into their respective clades indicating their similarities and differences in genetic diversity among isolates. Out of 48 Fusarium isolates tested, 42 isolates caused the fruit rot symptom at different levels of severity based on Disease Severity Index (DSI). The most virulent isolate was F. proliferatum B2433B with DSI of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: All the isolated Fusarium species were successfully identified and some of them were confirmed as the causal agents of pre- and postharvest fruit rot in banana across Peninsular Malaysia. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results will provide additional information regarding new report of Fusarium species in causing banana fruit rot and in the search of potential biocontrol agent of the disease.

[APPLICATION OF VACUUM-THERAPY IN COMPLEX OF TREATMENT OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES CHRONIC WOUNDS].

Experience of treatment of chronic wounds in 11 patients in 2014 ­ 2016 yrs was analyzed. The impact of negative pressure, using domestically manufactured apparatus «ÐGАТ- Dnepr¼, in complex of treatment as a local therapy, was applied. Vacuum-therapy was conducted preoperatively and postoperatively together with autodermoplasty. The injection material for the skin regeneration "lacerta" was applied subcutaneously intraoperatively. The Ialuset-cream bandages were used in 10 - 12 days postoperatively during 2-3 weeks. Еfficacy of vacuum-therapy was estimated, basing on analysis of the wound process course dynamics, clinic-laboratory criteria, terms of the wound defect complete closure. The patients' stationary treatment duration have constituted 38.3 days at average. Complex treatment of chronic wounds have had guaranteed complete healing of the wound defect in 7 (63%) patients in terms up to 1 - 5 weeks, and in 3 (26%) - 6 weeks.

[POSSIBILITIES OF VACUUM THERAPY APPLICATION IN DISORDERS OF VENOUS OUTFLOW IN ISLET GRAFTS].

The experience of "distressed" (problematic) flaps application in 33 patients with soft tissue defects over 2010-2014 years were analysed. It was proposed to use the local negative pressure for the prevention and treatment of complications associated with venous insufficiency or trombosis in using of plastics with vascularised complexes of tissues. Vacuum-therapy was conducted with the help of negative pressure apparatus "AGATE-Dnepr" (Ukraine) by attaching silver-containing polyurethane sponge on the operating zone, covering the flap with the surrounding skin netting band "Grassolind". The recommended standard of negative pressure of 75-125 mm Hg, both in impulse and in continuous mode was used. The high efficiency of vacuum-therapy for survival of grafts has been demonstrated. Thus, it might be considered as an effective element of prevention and treatment of complications associated with venous insufficiency or trombosis using of vascularised tissue complex plastics of defects.

Assessing blocks after spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section: how different questions affect findings from the same stimulus.

BACKGROUND: A block to touch to T5 is widely used to indicate an adequate level of block for caesarean section with spinal anaesthesia. However, two studies using a "block to light touch" to T5 as their end-point, had a high requirement for intraoperative analgesia and their results cast doubt on the adequacy of a block to touch to T5. On enquiry, these two papers did not assess complete block to touch, but asked mothers when the touch sensation "was the same as" a control stimulus. The difference between these two assessment methods is unknown. The current study presents prospectively collected sensory block data which included both block to touch and the level when touch was the same as a control stimulus. METHODS: The levels of block were assessed using a Neurotip®. The mother was asked four questions to assess the block: first touch level, first sharp level, touch same as control and sharp same as control. RESULTS: The first touch level was a median of two dermatomes lower than the touch same as a control level [IQR 0-3, range 0-6]. Block level assessment methods using first sharp and touch same as control were equivalent. CONCLUSION: When describing a sensory block, not only is it necessary to indicate the exact stimulus used, but it is important to define the actual question asked of the patient. Clinically, block assessment using the first sharp level and touch same as control are equivalent.