Citrus Black Rot is Caused by Phylogenetically Distinct Lineages of Alternaria alternata

ABSTRACT Phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolates of Alternaria alternata causing black rot of citrus were associated with six well-supported evolutionary lineages. Isolates recovered from brown spot lesions on Minneola tangelo, leaf spot lesions on rough lemon, and healthy citrus tissue and noncitrus hosts were related closely to isolates from black-rotted fruit. Phylogenies estimated independently from DNA sequence data from an endopolygalacturonase gene (endoPG) and two anonymous regions of the genome (OPA1-3 and OPA2-1) had similar topologies, and phylogenetic analysis was performed on the combined data set. In the combined phylogeny, isolates from diverse ecological niches on citrus and noncitrus hosts were distributed in eight clades. Isolates from all lineages, regardless of ecological or host association, caused black rot in fruit inoculation assays, demonstrating that small-spored Alternaria isolates associated with different ecological niches on citrus and other plant hosts are potential black rot pathogens. These data also indicated that the fungi associated with black-rotted fruit do not form a natural evolutionary group distinct from other Alternaria pathogens and saprophytes associated with citrus. The use of the name A. citri to describe fungi associated with citrus black rot is not justified and it is proposed that citrus black rot fungi be referred to as A. alternata.     

Mast cells and angiogenesis in canine melanomas: malignancy and clinicopathological factors

The biological significance of mast cells and angiogenesis in canine melanomas is unclear. Eighty canine melanomas (56 malignant and 24 benign), investigated to determine the relationship between mast cell count (MCC), microvessel density (MVD) and clinicopathology, revealed significantly higher MCC and MVD counts in malignant melanomas. Evaluation of the prognostic significance of MCC and MVD in malignant melanomas showed a significant correlation between MCC and MVD both within and at the edges of the tumour. Multivariate analysis indicated that MCC and MVD were independent predictors of survival but the former was a significantly better prognostic marker. Greater numbers of mast cells and microvessels were found in malignant melanomas of poor prognosis. The findings demonstrate a prognostic significance of MCC and MVD in canine melanocytic tumours.     

Do mothers understand healthy eating principles for low-birth-weight infants?

OBJECTIVES: To describe feeding patterns and mothers' perceptions of desirable feeding practices in low-birth-weight (LBW) infants after hospital discharge in England and to test for the association of inappropriate practices/perceptions with identifiable demographics. DESIGN: Postal questionnaires from 198 mothers of LBW infants in London, Liverpool and Winchester were analysed regarding infant demographics, mothers' demographics, infant milks used, solid feeding practices and mothers' perceptions of infant feeding practices. RESULTS: At birth, the median weight, independent of gestational age, was 1.80 kg (range 0.6-2.50 kg) and 37.1% of infants received breast milk exclusively; 83.7% were breast-fed at some stage, a practice favoured more by first-time mothers (90.2%) than multiparous mothers (73.4%) (P = 0.004) as well as by mothers of higher social groups (P = 0.019). The median age of solid food introduction was 17 postnatal weeks (range 8-36 weeks); the timing correlated strongly with infant birth weight (P < 0.001). A high-fibre diet and a low-fat diet were incorrectly considered important for their infants by 67.1% and 51.6% of mothers, respectively. Regarding a high-fibre diet as important was associated with being a multiparous mother (P = 0.006), while regarding a low-fat diet as important was associated with low social group (P = 0.018). A quarter of mothers did not consider 'plenty of calories' to be important for their infants, reflecting similar attitudes in 1990 for mothers of term infants; this incorrect attitude exhibited an association with being a first-time mother (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Infant feeding practices were very variable, showing poor concordance with national and international recommendations for term infants. In selecting foods for their infants, many mothers appeared to be applying principles more appropriate to planning a healthy diet for adults. There is an urgent need to develop and implement evidence-based guidelines for feeding LBW infants after hospital discharge, with special attention given to multiparous mothers as well as mothers from lower social groups.     

Effects of interferon-alpha on cytopathic changes and titers for feline herpesvirus-1 in primary cultures of feline corneal epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha on viability of feline corneal epithelial cells, replication of feline herpesvirus (FHV)-1, and virus-induced cytopathic changes. SAMPLE POPULATION: Healthy eyes from 10 recently euthanatized cats. PROCEDURE: 4 replicate primary cultures of feline corneal epithelial cells were grown after the addition of 10(2) to 10(6) IU of IFN-alpha/mL. Cultures were examined every 24 hours for evidence of cytotoxic changes. Viable cell counts and percentage of viable cells were determined 48 hours after initiation of culture. In a separate experiment, cultures of corneal cells were inoculated with FHV-1 and cultured for 72 hours with or without 10(5) IU of IFN-alpha/mL. The FHV-1-infected cultures were evaluated for viral-induced cytopathic effects, and viral titers were determined in samples of culture supernatant. RESULTS: Interferon-alpha did not have cytotoxic effects on corneal epithelial cells at concentrations ranging from 10(2) to 10(6) IU of IFN-alpha/mL. Interferon-alpha at a concentration of 10(5) IU/mL significantly reduced the cytopathic changes and FHV-1 titers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lack of in vitro cytotoxic effects and efficacy against FHV-1 infection in primary cultures of feline corneal cells suggests that the in vivo therapeutic effect of IFN-a should be assessed in controlled clinical trials.     

Evaluation of cardiac function in active and hibernating grizzly bears

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiac function parameters in a group of active and hibernating grizzly bears. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 6 subadult grizzly bears. PROCEDURE: Indirect blood pressure, a 12-lead ECG, and a routine echocardiogram were obtained in each bear during the summer active phase and during hibernation. RESULTS: All measurements of myocardial contractility were significantly lower in all bears during hibernation, compared with the active period. Mean rate of circumferential left ventricular shortening, percentage fractional shortening, and percentage left ventricular ejection fraction were significantly lower in bears during hibernation, compared with the active period. Certain indices of diastolic function appeared to indicate enhanced ventricular compliance during the hibernation period. Mean mitral inflow ratio and isovolumic relaxation time were greater during hibernation. Heart rate was significantly lower for hibernating bears, and mean cardiac index was lower but not significantly different from cardiac index during the active phase. Contrary to results obtained in hibernating rodent species, cardiac index was not significantly correlated with heart rate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cardiac function parameters in hibernating bears are opposite to the chronic bradycardic effects detected in nonhibernating species, likely because of intrinsic cardiac muscle adaptations during hibernation. Understanding mechanisms and responses of the myocardium during hibernation could yield insight into mechanisms of cardiac function regulation in various disease states in nonhibernating species.