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Severe Loss (severe + loss)
Selected AbstractsSevere loss of vision after removal of cataract caused by intravitreal triamcinolone in combination with photodynamic therapy for exudative age-related macular degenerationCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Jörgen Larsson MD Abstract Intravitreal triamcinolone has been suggested as an adjunctive to photodynamic therapy in the treatment of exudative macular degeneration. One of the side-effects of intravitreal triamcinolone is the development of cataract, and it is known that cataract extraction can exacerbate macular degeneration. A case is presented where combined intravitreal triamcinolone and photodynamic therapy stopped the progression of the exudative macular degeneration. Subsequent progression of cataract required cataract extraction, which resulted in a very rapid progression of the exudative macular degeneration and loss of vision. [source] Segmental osteotomy to reposition multiple osseointegrated dental implants in the anterior maxilla in a trauma patientDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Shou-Yen Kao Abstract,,, A 16-year-old young man had severe loss of alveolar bone and lost four teeth in the anterior maxilla because of traumatic injury in a traffic accident. To overcome the surgically compromised condition for implant rehabilitation, the deficient ridge was augmented by autogenous bone graft from the mandibular symphysis. The augmented ridge had much improvement in width but less in vertical height. Four implants were placed to gain initial osseointegration. Segmental osteotomy was performed to occlusally reposition the implants and bone for 5-mm in the anterior maxilla. After 2 years of clinical follow-up, the rehabilitation outcome is satisfactory and stable. [source] The vesicular integral protein-like gene is essential for development of a mechanosensory system in zebrafishDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 12 2008Mabel Chong Abstract The zebrafish hi472 mutation is caused by a retroviral insertion into the vesicular integral protein-like gene, or zVIPL, a poorly studied lectin implicated in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi trafficking. A mutation in the shorter isoform of zVIPL (zVIPL-s) results in a reduction of mechanosensitivity and consequent loss of escape behavior. Here we show that motoneurons and hindbrain reticulospinal neurons, which normally integrate mechanosensory inputs, failed to fire in response to tactile stimuli in hi472 larvae, suggesting a perturbation in sensory function. The hi472 mutant larvae in fact suffered from a severe loss of functional neuromasts of the lateral line mechanosensory system, a reduction of zVIPL labeling in support cells, and a reduction or even a complete loss of hair cells in neuromasts. The Delta-Notch signaling pathway is implicated in cellular differentiation of neuromasts, and we observed an increase in Notch expression in neuromasts of hi472 mutant larvae. Treatment of hi472 mutant larvae with DAPT, an inhibitor of Notch signaling, or overexpression of the Notch ligand deltaB in hi472 mutant blastocysts produced partial rescue of the morphological defects and of the startle response behavior. We conclude that zVIPL-s is a necessary component of Delta-Notch signaling during neuromast development in the lateral line mechanosensory system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008 [source] Moral Hazard Contracting and Private Credit MarketsECONOMETRICA, Issue 3 2004In-Uck Park This paper studies the impact of credit markets on optimal contracting, when the agent's "interim preference" over upcoming contracts is private information because personal financial decisions affect it via the wealth effect. The main result is a severe loss of incentive provision: equilibrium contracts invariably cause the agent to shirk (i.e., exert minimal effort) if the agent's private financial decision precedes moral hazard contracting. The basic intuition is that committing on another private variable, other than the effort level, exposes the parties to further exploitation of efficient risk-sharing by relaxing the incentive constraint that was binding ex ante, unless the risk-sharing was fully efficient to begin with. [source] Mapping sea bird densities over the North Sea: spatially aggregated estimates and temporal changesENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 6 2005Edzer J. Pebesma Abstract In the Dutch sector of the North Sea, sea bird densities are recorded bi-monthly by using airborne strip-transect monitoring. From these data we try to estimate: (i) high-resolution spatial patterns of sea bird densities; (ii) low-resolution spatial-average bird densities for large areas; and (iii) temporal changes in (i) and (ii), using data on Fulmaris glacialis as an example. For spatial estimation, we combined Poisson regression for modelling the trend as a function of water depth and distance to coast with kriging interpolation of the residual variability, assuming spatial (co)variances to be proportional to the trend value. Spatial averages were estimated by block kriging. For estimating temporal differences we used residual cokriging for two consecutive years, and show how this can be extended to analyse trends over multiple years. Approximate standard errors are obtained for all estimates. A comparison with a residual simple kriging approach reveals that ignoring temporal cross-correlations leads to a severe loss of statistical accuracy when assessing the significance of temporal changes. This article shows results for Fulmaris glacialis monitored during August/September in 1998 and 1999. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, phrenic nerve and respiratory symptomsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2005J. Costa Respiratory involvement in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) has been very recently described. Phrenic nerve conduction studies have been described as useful to detect respiratory impairment in these patients. This study describes two patients with CIDP, in whom neurophysiological studies of the respiratory muscles were performed. The first patient had severe respiratory insufficiency, and phrenic nerve studies disclosed no motor responses and electromyography (EMG) of the diaphragm confirmed severe loss of motor units, bilaterally. On treatment, we documented clinical and neurophysiological improvement. In the second patient, phrenic nerve studies showed abnormal results; however, EMG of the diaphragm ruled out loss of motor units. The first case represents the risk of phrenic nerve involvement in this disorder, and the potential recovery on treatment. The second case illustrates that the temporal dispersion of the motor responses can be misleading, and EMG of diaphragm should be performed to confirm the loss of motor units. [source] The reduced scalar potential in regions with permeable materials: Reasons for loss of accuracy and cancellationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NUMERICAL MODELLING: ELECTRONIC NETWORKS, DEVICES AND FIELDS, Issue 4 2007S. Balac Abstract Practical three-dimensional magnetic field problems usually involve regions containing current sources as well as regions with magnetic materials. For computational purposes, the use of the reduced scalar potential (RSP) as unknown has the advantage to transform a problem for a vector field throughout the space into a problem for a scalar function, thus reducing the number of degrees of freedom in the discretization. However, in regions with high magnetic permeability the use of the RSP alone usually results in severe loss in accuracy and it is recommended to use both the RSP and the total scalar potential. Using an asymptotic expansion, we investigate theoretically the underlying reasons for this lack of accuracy in permeable regions when using the RSP as a unique potential. Moreover, this investigation leads to an efficient numerical method to compute the magnetic field in regions with high magnetic permeability. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Scanning electron micrograph analysis of hypomineralized enamel in permanent first molarsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2005B. JÄLEVIK Summary. First molars with cream- to yellow-coloured demarcated opacities of the enamel, often in combination with severe loss of substance, are common in many child populations. The aetiology is obscure. Aim and Method., The aim of this study was to study the ultrastructure of the enamel of 10 affected teeth by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to gain a better understanding of the clinical appearance and treatment problems of this condition, and to find some clues to its aetiology. Results., The basic enamel structure with enamel rods and interrod zones was found in porous parts of the enamel, as well as in normal parts, but the packing of the hydroxylapatite crystals seemed to be looser and less well organized in the porous parts. The border between normal and hypomineralized enamel was usually distinct, and followed the direction of the rods. The preserved basic structure indicates normal function of the ameloblasts during their secretion phase, but impaired function during their maturation stage. Conclusion., Considering the poor etch profile, it seems reasonable to recommend removal of all affected enamel surrounding the cavity, if possible, and to use a glass ionomer filling with its chemical bonding to tooth substrate, when restoring first molars with remaining affected enamel. [source] Anthropogenic changes in the landscape of west Java (Indonesia) during historic times, inferred from a sediment and pollen record from Teluk BantenJOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, Issue 3 2004Sander van der Kaars Abstract Palynological and charcoal analyses of shallow marine core 98-28 from the northern coastal area of West Java provide a regional vegetation history during the last few centuries. Reliable chronostratigraphical control is provided by 210Pb analyses and the occurrence of the 1883 Krakatau ash/tsunami layer as a time marker. The results permit the distinction of four successive stages, reflecting increased disturbance and land clearance, with some evidence for the presence of deciduous lowland forests in the Banten area during the early Holocene. The establishment of coconut and pine plantations and the severe loss of biodiversity in the last few decennia are also echoed in the pollen record. The effect of the Krakatau eruption was insignificant compared with human impact on vegetation in the Banten area. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Candida albicans cell surface superoxide dismutases degrade host-derived reactive oxygen species to escape innate immune surveillanceMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Ingrid E. Frohner Summary Mammalian innate immune cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the oxidative burst reaction to destroy invading microbial pathogens. Using quantitative real-time ROS assays, we show here that both yeast and filamentous forms of the opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans trigger ROS production in primary innate immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Through a reverse genetic approach, we demonstrate that coculture of macrophages or myeloid dendritic cells with C. albicans cells lacking the superoxide dismutase (SOD) Sod5 leads to massive extracellular ROS accumulation in vitro. ROS accumulation was further increased in coculture with fungal cells devoid of both Sod4 and Sod5. Survival experiments show that C. albicans mutants lacking Sod5 and Sod4 exhibit a severe loss of viability in the presence of macrophages in vitro. The reduced viability of sod5,/, and sod4,/,sod5,/, mutants relative to wild type is not evident with macrophages from gp91phox,/, mice defective in the oxidative burst activity, demonstrating a ROS-dependent killing activity of macrophages targeting fungal pathogens. These data show a physiological role for cell surface SODs in detoxifying ROS, and suggest a mechanism whereby C. albicans, and perhaps many other microbial pathogens, can evade host immune surveillance in vivo. [source] Unresolved issues relating to the Shaking Palsy on the celebration of James Parkinson's 250th birthdayMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue S17 2007Andrew J. Lees MD Abstract James Parkinson's Essay on the Shaking Palsy published in 1817 provided the first clear clinical description for the disorder now known throughout the world by his name. His primary reason for publishing his monograph shortly before his retirement from medical practice was to draw the medical profession's attention to a malady, which had not yet been defined as a nosological entity. He also hoped that the eminent anatomists of the day would be stimulated to elucidate the pathological lesion responsible for the clinical picture and that this in turn might lead to a rational cure. The concept of Parkinson's disease remains clinically based and successive generations of neurologists have refined and embellished Parkinson's seminal descriptions. Narrative accounts by affected individuals have also helped physicians understand what it is like to live with Parkinson's disease. For many years, the pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease were disputed and there were few clinico-pathological reports with adequate clinical description. However, most neurologists now link severe loss of nigral cells in the ventrolateral tier of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra with bradykinesia and the presence of Lewy bodies in a number of discrete brain stem and cortical regions with Parkinson's disease. There are many unanswered clinical questions relating to Parkinson's disease including the striking heterogeneity and frequent limb asymmetry. It also remains somewhat uncertain whether Parkinson's disease is ever truly unilateral by the time of clinical presentation and whether the hand rather than the foot is the most common site of onset. Hyposmia and visual hallucinations are helpful pointers in distinguishing Parkinson's disease from atypical Parkinsonism and should be specifically enquired about in the history. Simple reliable cultural-specific smell identification batteries are an urgent need and target of clinical research. It remains to be determined whether Alzheimer type dementia as opposed to a dysexecutive syndrome should be considered a part of Parkinson's disease and further detailed clinico-pathological correlative studies are needed. It is also unclear whether autosomal dominant monogenetic Parkinsonism due to synuclein or LRRK-2 mutations will prove to be identical clinically with Parkinson's disease and for the present it is wiser to regard Parkinson's disease as a sporadic disorder. Parkinson was an active political reformer and if alive today would certainly be campaigning to translate more effectively the rich seam of neuroscientific research of the last decade into therapeutic benefits for the rising number of people who are developing the shaking palsy as a result of increasing longevity in the developed world. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society [source] Pick's disease with Pick bodies combined with progressive supranuclear palsy without tuft-shaped astrocytes: A clinical, neuroradiologic and pathological study of an autopsied caseNEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Lu-Ning Wang We report clinical, neuroradiologic features, and neuropathologic findings of a 76-year-old man with coexistent Pick's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. The patient presented with loss of recent memory, abnormal behavior and change in personality at the age of 60. The symptoms were progressive. Three years later, repetitive or compulsive behavior became prominent. About 9 years after onset, he had difficulty moving and became bed-ridden because of a fracture of his left leg. His condition gradually deteriorated and he developed mutism and became vegetative. The patient died from pneumonia 16 years after the onset of symptoms. Serial MRI scans showed progressive cortex atrophy, especially in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Macroscopic inspection showed severe atrophy of the whole brain, including cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum. Microscopic observations showed extensive superficial spongiosis and severe neuronal loss with gliosis in the second and third cortical layers in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortex. There were Pick cells and argyrophilic Pick bodies, which were tau- and ubiquitin-positive in neurons of layers II,III of the above-mentioned cortex. Numerous argyrophilic Pick bodies were observed in the hippocampus, especially in the dentate fascia. In addition, moderate to severe loss of neurons was found with gliosis and a lot of Gallyas/tau-positive globus neurofibrillary tangles in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus, substantia nigra, locus coeruleus and dentate nucleus. Numerous thorned-astrocytes and coiled bodies but no-tuft shaped astrocytes were noted in the basal ganglion, brainstem and cerebellar white matter. In conclusion, these histopathological features were compatible with classical Pick's disease and coexistence with progressive supranuclear palsy without tuft-shaped astrocytes. [source] Multilayer Diffusion Barrier Coatings on Poly(propylene) with Improved Temperature DurabilityPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue S1 2009Lutz Körner Abstract The improvement of temperature durability for autoclaving of silicon oxide (SiOx) diffusion barrier coatings on poly(propylene) (PP) by deposition of thin amorphous hydrogenated carbon-nitrogen (a-C:N:H) intermediate layers was investigated. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy revealed terminating amino and nitrile groups responsible for low compressive stress in a-C:N:H. Uniaxial tensile tests showed a higher crack onset strain (COS) for a-C:N:H of 2.7% compared to 0.7% for SiOx. Best temperature durability was achieved by a three-layer coating from a-C:N:H, an intermediate layer deposited by a mixture of N2, C2H2, hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), and a SiOx layer. The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) was only increased from 6 to 22 cm3·m,2·d,1·bar,1 after exposure to 140,°C for 30 min, whereas for single SiOx barrier coatings, severe loss of barrier properties of 1,040 cm3·m,2·d,1·bar,1 was evidenced due to the formation of cracks. [source] AtDEK1 is essential for specification of embryonic epidermal cell fateTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005Kim L. Johnson Summary The specification of epidermal (L1) identity occurs early during plant embryogenesis. Here we show that, in Arabidopsis, AtDEK1 encodes a key component of the embryonic L1 cell-layer specification pathway. Loss of AtDEK1 function leads to early embryo lethality characterized by a severe loss of cell organization in the embryo proper and abnormal cell divisions within the suspensor. Markers for L1 identity, ACR4 and ATML1, are not expressed in homozygous mutant embryos. In order to clarify the function of AtDEK1 further, an RNAi knockdown approach was used. This allowed embryos to partially complete embryogenesis before losing AtDEK1 activity. Resulting seedlings showed a specific loss of epidermal cell identity within large portions of the cotyledons. In addition, meristem structure and function was systematically either reduced or entirely lost. AtDEK1 expression is not restricted to the L1 epidermal cell layer at any stage in development. This is consistent with AtDEK1 playing an upstream role in the continuous generation or interpretation of positional information required for epidermal specification. Our results not only identify a specific role for AtDEK1 during embryogenesis, but underline the potential key importance of L1 specification at the globular stage for subsequent progression through embryogenesis. [source] Inferring Haplotype/Disease Association by Joint Use of Case-Parents Trios and Case-Parent PairsANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS, Issue 3 2010Yue-Qing Hu Summary Recently interest has been increasing in genetic association studies using several closely linked loci. The HAP-TDT method, which uses case-parents trios is powerful for such a task. However, it is not uncommon in practice that one parent is missing for some reason, such as late onset. The case-parents trios are thus reduced to case-parent pairs. Discarding such data could lead to a severe loss of power. In this paper, we propose the HAP-1-TDT method based on case-parent pairs to detect haplotype/disease association. A permutation-based randomisation technique is devised to assess the significance of the test statistic. Furthermore, the combined statistic HAP-C-TDT is developed to use jointly case-parents trios and case-parent pairs. These test statistics can be applied to either phase-known or phase-unknown data. A number of simulation studies are conducted to investigate the validity of the proposed tests; these studies show that the statistics are robust to population structure. Using several disease genes from the literature, we illustrate that incorporating case-parent pairs into an association study leads to noticeable power gain. Moreover, our simulation results suggest that our method has better size and power than UNPHASED. Finally, in simulated scenarios where there are only a few SNPs and risk is determined by two haplotypes that are complementary or near-complementary, our method has better power than TRIMM. [source] Too big for his boots: Are social costs keeping condition-dependent status signalling honest in an Australian lizard?AUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2009MO HEALEY Abstract Australian painted dragon lizards Ctenophorus pictus occur in three head colours (red, orange and yellow) that differ in their level of aggression (reds being most aggressive), hormone profile (reds having higher testosterone levels) and in their frequency in our study population over time. They are also polymorphic in bib colour; some males have a bright yellow area under the chin, while others lack this coloured area entirely. We show that red males with a bib are in better body condition than red males that lack a bib. This contrasts sharply to yellow males, in which males with a bib are in poorer condition than yellow males that lack a bib. Our analysis also shows that following exposure to a high percentage of red (more aggressive) neighbours, all males suffer a reduction in body condition, and importantly, males with a bib (regardless of their head colour) suffer a more severe loss of body condition than males that lack a bib. Finally, this condition loss is significantly higher for yellow bibbed males than for red bibbed males, suggesting that the cost of sporting a bib may be higher for them. Orange males showed a non-significant difference in condition between bib morphs. Our analysis also shows that bibbed yellow males (the morph with lower body condition), but no other morph category, declined significantly in their frequency between 2 years. [source] Late onset cerebellar cortical degeneration in a koalaAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 8 2009M Kuwamura A 10-year-old male koala started to fall from the tree while sleeping. Subsequently, the koala often fell down while walking and showed a gait abnormality, abnormal nystagmus and hypersalivation. At 12 years of age, the koala became ataxic and seemed blind. At 13 years of age, the koala exhibited signs of dysstasia and was euthanased. Necropsy revealed marked symmetrical atrophy of the cerebellum. Histopathologically, a severe loss of Purkinje and granule cells was evident in the cerebellum, while the molecular layer was more cellular than normal with cells resembling small neurons, which were positively stained with parvalbumin immunohistochemistry. Reactive Bergmann glial cells (astrocytes) were present adjacent to the depleted Purkinje cell zone. The very late onset and slow progression of the cerebellar cortical degeneration in this case is particularly interesting and appears to be the first report in the koala. [source] Asylum-seeking children with severe loss of activities of daily living: clinical signs and course during rehabilitationACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 12 2009B Aronsson Abstract Aim:, To investigate whether severe loss of activities of daily living (ADL) in asylum-seeking children is associated with physical disease or toxic influences and to describe the clinical course during the recovery process. Methods:, A total of 29 asylum-seeking children with severe loss of ADL were regularly assessed by physical examinations, laboratory tests and a structured evaluation of their ADL status during rehabilitation. Results:, A total of 12 children had previously recorded suicide attempts and 21 were recorded to have experienced traumatic events in their country of origin. The mean time from turning point to recovery was 6 months. Of the study participants, 22 needed enteral feeding and 18 gained weight during recovery. All children had a pulse rate and systolic blood pressure within the normal range. No sign of intoxication or physical disease was identified in laboratory tests or clinical examinations, with the exception of one case of epilepsy. Conclusion:, Physical disease, pharmacological sedation or anorexia nervosa was not considered to be a probable cause of the loss of ADL in these children. The high rate of psychosocial risk factors and the stressful event of being in an asylum-seeking process call for further investigation of psychosomatic mechanisms. [source] Flow Behavior of Sandwich Structures for Cooling Thermally Highly Loaded Steam Turbine Components,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 5 2009Paul Beiss To increase steam temperature and pressure in the steam turbine, a new cooling structure (see picture) was developed comprising a woven wire mesh interlayer between two plane sheets. Cooling steam is fed into the interlayer, where it can flow without severe losses. To characterize the mechanical high temperature behavior of the structure, the flow behavior under static loading was investigated and simulated by the finite element method (FEM). [source] TEMPORAL PATTERN OF AFRICANIZATION IN A FERAL HONEYBEE POPULATION FROM TEXAS INFERRED FROM MITOCHONDRIAL DNAEVOLUTION, Issue 5 2004M. Alice Pinto Abstract The invasion of Africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) in the Americas provides a window of opportunity to study the dynamics of secondary contact of subspecies of bees that evolved in allopatry in ecologically distinctive habitats of the Old World. We report here the results of an 11-year mitochondrial DNA survey of a feral honeybee population from southern United States (Texas). The mitochondrial haplotype (mitotype) frequencies changed radically during the 11-year study period. Prior to immigration of Africanized honeybees, the resident population was essentially of eastern and western European maternal ancestry. Three years after detection of the first Africanized swarm there was a mitotype turnover in the population from predominantly eastern European to predominantly A. m. scutellata (ancestor of Africanized honeybees). This remarkable change in the mitotype composition coincided with arrival of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, which was likely responsible for severe losses experienced by colonies of European ancestry. From 1997 onward the population stabilized with most colonies of A. m. scutellata maternal origin. [source] Evaluation of Juglans species for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi:,differences in isolate virulence and response to fosetyl-AlFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2009A. Belisario Summary Phytophthora is considered as an important pathogen on walnut, and severe losses are reported in European as well as in American walnut stands. Though several Phytophthora spp. are known to attack walnut, P. cinnamomi is considered the most virulent and widespread in southern Europe. Up to now, no walnut species or hybrid is known to have a high resistance level towards P. cinnamomi. Efforts are addressed in finding rootstock material graft compatible with English walnut and resistant/tolerant to P. cinnamomi. The extension of P. cinnamomi lesions on five Juglans species was studied to find out sources of resistance/tolerance to this pathogen. Walnut species clustered into two main groups, J. hindsii, J. nigra, and J. mandshurica were the less susceptible to the colonization of P. cinnamomi, while J. regia and J. sieboldiana were the most susceptible. On this account, J. mandshurica represents the best alternative as rootstock because its employment overcomes the risk of the occurrence of black line disease, it has good level of resistance to Agrobacterium temefaciens and Brenneria nigrifluens, and it is tolerant to Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis. J. mandshurica is also compatible in cross-pollinations with J. regia and J. nigra. Differences in virulence of P. cinnamomi isolates was assessed and a marked interaction between species and isolate emerged. Treatment with fosetyl-Al by dipping was mainly efficient in reducing the length P. cinnamomi lesions, and an interaction between species and treatment was evident with the highest efficacy on J. regia and J. sieboldiana. [source] Fusarium oxysporum: exploring the molecular arsenal of a vascular wilt fungusMOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2003Antonio Di Pietro SUMMARY Taxonomy: Vascular wilt fungus; Ascomycete although sexual stage is yet to be found. The most closely related teleomorphic group, Gibberella, is classified within the Pyrenomycetes. Host range: Very broad at the species level. More than 120 different formae speciales have been identified based on specificity to host species belonging to a wide range of plant families. Disease symptoms: Initial symptoms of vascular wilt include vein clearing and leaf epinasty, followed by stunting, yellowing of the lower leafs, progressive wilting of leaves and stem, defoliation and finally death of the plant. In cross-sections of the stem, a brown ring is evident in the area of the vascular bundles. Some formae speciales are not primarily vascular pathogens but cause foot- and rootrot or bulbrot. Economic importance: Causes severe losses on most vegetables and flowers, several field crops such as cotton and tobacco, plantation crops such as banana, plantain, coffee and sugarcane, and a few shade trees. Control: Use of resistant varieties is the only practical measure for controlling the disease in the field. Under greenhouse conditions, soil sterilization can be performed. Alternative control methods with potential for the future include soil solarization and biological control with antagonistic bacteria or fungi. Useful websites: http://www.fgsc.net/fus.htm, http://www-genome.wi.mit.edu/annotation/fungi/fusarium/, http://www.cbs.knaw.nl/fusarium/database.html [source] Strategies for controlling cassava mosaic virus disease in AfricaPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2005J. M. Thresh Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is caused by whiteflyborne viruses of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae). The disease has long been regarded as the most important of those affecting cassava in sub-Saharan Africa, and has been the subject of much research, especially since the onset of the current very damaging pandemic in eastern and central Africa. This review considers the main features of CMD and the various possible means of control. The main emphasis to date has been on the development and deployment of virus-resistant varieties. These are widely adopted in countries where CMD has caused serious problems, and provided a powerful incentive for farmers to abandon some of the most susceptible of their traditional varieties. Only limited use has been made of phytosanitation involving CMD-free planting material and the removal (roguing) of diseased plants. Cultural methods of control using varietal mixtures, intercrops or other cropping practices have also been neglected, and there is a need for much additional research before they can be deployed effectively. Nevertheless, the severe losses now being caused by CMD in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa could be greatly decreased through the application of existing knowledge. [source] Practitioner Review: Assessment and treatment of refugee children and adolescents who have experienced war-related traumaTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 12 2006Kimberly A. Ehntholt Background:, Increasingly clinicians are being asked to assess and treat young refugees, who have experienced traumatic events due to war and organised violence. However, evidence-based guidance remains scarce. Method:, Published studies on the mental health difficulties of refugee children and adolescents, associated risk and protective factors, as well as effective interventions, particularly those designed to reduce war-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, were identified and reviewed. The findings are summarised. Results:, Young refugees are frequently subjected to multiple traumatic events and severe losses, as well as ongoing stressors within the host country. Although young refugees are often resilient, many experience mental health difficulties, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and grief. An awareness of relevant risk and protective factors is important. A phased model of intervention is often useful and the need for a holistic approach crucial. Promising treatments for alleviating symptoms of war-related PTSD include cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT), testimonial psychotherapy, narrative exposure therapy (NET) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). Knowledge of the particular needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), working with interpreters, cross-cultural differences, medico-legal report writing and the importance of clinician self-care is also necessary. Conclusion:, More research is required in order to expand our limited knowledge base. [source] Ototoxicity in Rats Exposed to Ortho-, Meta- and Para-Xylene Vapours for 13 WeeksBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2001François Gagnaire Brainstem auditory-evoked responses were used to determine auditory thresholds at different frequencies. Among the three isomers studied, only para-xylene produced moderate to severe ototoxicity in rats exposed at 900 and 1800 p.p.m. Increased auditory thresholds were observed at 2, 4, 8 and 16 kHz in rats exposed to 1800 p.p.m. para-xylene. The auditory threshold shifts (35 to 38 dB) did not reverse after 8 weeks of recovery. Moderate and severe losses of outer hair cells of the organ of Corti occurred in animals exposed to 900 and 1800 p.p.m. para-xylene respectively. Thus, the no observed effect level of para-xylene was 450 p.p.m. based on the loss of outer hair cells observed by light and electron microscopy. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||