Genetic variations among the isolates of Bipolaris Maydis based on phenotypic and molecular markers

Abstract Maydis leaf blight, caused by Bipolaris maydis, is an important disease of maize crop in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan. Fifteen isolates of the pathogen, collected across KP, were studied for variability based on phenotypic and molecular markers. Significant variability among the isolates was observed when assessed using phenotypic traits such as radial growth, spore concentration, fungicide sensitivity and virulence. The isolates were classified into six culture groups based on colour, texture and margins of the colony. Conidial morphology was also variable. These were either straight or slightly curved and light to dark brown in colour. Fungicide test showed significant variation in the degree of sensitivity against Carbendazim. Isolate Bm8 exhibited maximum radial growth on carbendazim spiked plates. Conversely, isolate Bm15 showed the lowest radial growth. Variations in virulence pattern of the isolates were evident when a susceptible maize variety Azam was inoculated with spores of B. maydis. Genetic variability amongst the isolates was also estimated by RAPD as well as sequencing of ITS region. The RAPD dendrogram grouped all the isolates into two major clusters. Average genetic distance ranged from 0.6% to 100%, indicating a diverse genetic gap among the isolates. Maximum genetic distance was found between isolates Bm9 and Bm10 as well as Bm2 and Bm8. Conversely, isolates Bm13 and Bm15 were at minimum genetic distance. Phylogenetic dendrogram based on sequencing of ITS region grouped all the isolates into a single major cluster. The clusters in both the dendrogram neither correlate to the geographical distribution nor to the morphological characteristics.

Resumo A ferrugem das folhas de maydis, causada por Bipolaris maydis, é uma doença importante da cultura do milho em Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. Quinze isolados do patógeno, coletados em KP, foram estudados quanto à variabilidade com base em marcadores fenotípicos e moleculares. Variabilidade significativa entre os isolados foi observada quando avaliada por meio de características fenotípicas, como crescimento radial, concentração de esporos, sensibilidade a fungicida e virulência. Os isolados foram classificados em seis grupos de cultura com base na cor, textura e margens da colônia. A morfologia dos conídios também foi variável. Estes eram retos ou ligeiramente curvos e de cor marrom-claro a escuro. O teste de fungicida mostrou variação significativa no grau de sensibilidade ao carbendazim. O isolado Bm8 exibiu crescimento radial máximo em placas com adição de carbendazim. Por outro lado, o isolado Bm15 apresentou o menor crescimento radial. As variações no padrão de virulência dos isolados foram evidentes quando uma variedade de milho suscetível Azam foi inoculada com esporos de B. maydis. A variabilidade genética entre os isolados também foi estimada por RAPD, bem como sequenciamento da região ITS. O dendrograma RAPD agrupou todos os isolados em dois grupos principais. A distância genética média variou de 0,6% a 100%, indicando uma lacuna genética diversa entre os isolados. A distância genética máxima foi encontrada entre os isolados Bm9 e Bm10 e também entre Bm2 e Bm8. Por outro lado, os isolados Bm13 e Bm15 estavam a uma distância genética mínima. O dendrograma filogenético baseado no sequenciamento da região ITS agrupou todos os isolados em um único aglomerado principal. Os agrupamentos em ambos os dendrogramas não se correlacionam com a distribuição geográfica nem com as características morfológicas.

Microcefalia e Zika Vírus: características e associações / Microcephaly and Zika Virus: clinical features and associations / Microcefalia y Virus Zika: características y asociaciones

Objetivo: Discutir a associação entre microcefalia e a infecção materna por Zika Vírus. A microcefalia é o tamanho da cabeça menor do que o esperado em comparação com bebês do mesmo sexo e idade. Entre as causas conhecidas, estão as infecções congênitas. O aumento de casos entre outubro e novembro de 2015 no nordeste brasileiro, que coincidiu com a presença da circulação de novo vírus no país, em maio do mesmo ano, criou a hipótese de associação entre a microcefalia e a infecção materna durante a gravidez. O Zika Vírus é um arbovírus similar ao da Febre Amarela e da Dengue, transmitido principalmente através da picada do Aedes aegypti. A provável transmissão por relação sexual e transfusão de sangue, além de outros vetores como o Aedes albopictus e possivelmente até o pernilongo (Culex sp) aumentam a necessidade de cuidados preventivos em relação à infecção. O exame para detecção viral idealmente é realizado até o quinto dia após o início dos sintomas. Sorologias ainda não são amplamente disponíveis no Brasil. Métodos: Revisão narrativa da literatura. Conclusão: A associação entre casos de microcefalia e o Zika Vírus é embasada nos relatos de relação têmporo-espacial, padrão de alterações neurológicas associado a malformações congênitas, presença do RNA viral no líquido amniótico e nos tecidos de fetos. As respostas definitivas de causalidade serão possíveis após pesquisas e disponibilidade de exames laboratoriais. As evidências até agora apoiam fortemente esta hipótese e todas as medidas preventivas devem ser estimuladas.

Objective: To discuss the association between microcephaly and intrauterine infection by Zika virus. Microcephaly occurs when a child is born with a head smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. Known causes of microcephaly include congenital infections. The increase in the number of microcephaly cases in Northeast Brazil between October and November 2015, which coincided with the emergence of Zika virus in the country in May of the same year, led to the hypothesis of an association between microcephaly and intrauterine Zika virus infection. Zika is an arbovirus that is closely related to yellow fever and dengue viruses. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the primary vector of transmission. Possible transmission through sexual contact and blood transfusion, as well as the implication of other vectors, such as Aedes albopictus and even Culex sp increases the need for preventive action. The test for viral detection is ideally performed before the 5th day following the onset of symptoms. Serology tests are not yet widely available in Brazil. Methods: We performed a narrative literature review. Conclusion: The hypothesis of an association between microcephaly and Zika virus is based on reports of spatial/temporal relationship, pattern of neurologic alterations associated with congenital malformations, and findings of viral RNA in amniotic fluid and fetal tissue. Definitive conclusions about the causality can only be reached after further research and availability of laboratory tests. The current evidence strongly supports the association between microcephaly and Zika infection, and all preventive measures must be stimulated.

Objetivo: Discutir las asociaciones entre microcefalia e infección materna por Virus Zika. La microcefalia es el tamaño de la cabeza menor de lo esperado en comparación con los bebés del mismo sexo y edad. Entre las causas conocidas están las infecciones congénitas. El aumento de casos entre octubre y noviembre de 2015 en el nordeste de Brasil, que coincidió con la presencia de la nueva circulación del virus en el país en mayo del mismo año, creó la hipótesis de asociación entre la microcefalia y la infección de la madre por Virus Zika durante el embarazo. El virus Zika es un arbovirus similar al dengue y la fiebre amarilla. El virus se transmite a través de la picadura del mosquito Aedes aegypti. La probable transmisión por vía sexual y por la transfusión de sangre - además de otros vectores como el Aedes albopictus y posiblemente el mosquito Culex sp - aumentan la necesidad de atención preventiva contra la infección. El cuadro clínico es benigno, autolimitado, caracterizado por erupción maculopapular asociado con otros síntomas tales como conjuntivitis, artralgia y la inflamación de las articulaciones. El examen para la detección del virus se realiza idealmente por el quinto día después de la aparición de los síntomas. Las pruebas serológicas no están ampliamente disponibles en Brasil. Métodos: Revisión de literatura. Conclusión: La asociación entre los casos de microcefalia y el virus Zika se basa en informes de patrón de relación temporo-espacial de los trastornos neurológicos asociados con malformaciones congénitas, el ARN viral presente en el líquido amniótico y tejidos de fetos. Las respuestas definitivas de causalidad serán posibles después de la investigación y la disponibilidad de pruebas de laboratorio. Hasta ahora, las evidencias apoyan firmemente esta hipótesis y todas las medidas preventivas deben ser estimuladas.

Telemedicine network Program for reperfusion of Myocardial infarction / Programa en red para la reperfusión del infarto con telemedicina

background: Early management of myocardial infarction in the area of public health requires the integration of specific programs for the coordination of healthcare services. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on delay times and reperfusion rate of a comprehensive program for the reperfusion of myocardial infarction in a hospital network of the Southern Greater Buenos Aires. Methods: The network consists of six low-mid-complexity hospitals and a third-level referral center with 24-hour cath-lab. Stage 1 of the program (2009-2010) evaluated the existing barriers to reperfusion; Stage 2 (2011-2013) implemented the progressive incorpora-tion of improvements and Stage 3 assessed the program (2013-2014) complemented with fellows in each hospital. Program impact was evaluated by the proportion of patients reperfused and time to its implementation. results: A total of 432 patients referred from the network were hospitalized with diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Mean age was 56±9 years and 83.3% were men. The proportion of reperfused patients progressively increased: S1 60.7%, S2 69% and S3 78%, p for trend=0.01. Time to reperfusion decreased significantly between S1 and S3, from 120 minutes (IQR 55-240) to 90 minutes (IQR 35-150), p=0.04, with a median reduction of 30 minutes in the door-to-balloon and door-to-needle times. Conclusions: The application of a program for myocardial reperfusion based on the diagnosis of barriers was associated with 28.5% increase in reperfusion, and a significant reduction in the implementation times. This public network model built on algorithms adapted to local barriers may contribute to improve the care of myocardial infarction in our country.

Impact of a Meditation Program on Pulse-Wave Velocity, C-reactive Protein and Quality of life / Impacto de un programa de meditación sobre la velocidad de onda de pulso, la proteína C-reactiva y la calidad de vida

background: Although various studies refer to the effect of meditation on blood pressure (BP), its impact on other cardiovascular clinical variables is unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a meditation program on pulse wave velocity (PWV), quality of life and ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) in patients with ischemic heart disease or chronic heart failure. Methods: This was a randomized study with two groups of patients: a meditation group (M) and an active control group (AC) with cardiovascular health education, evaluating the difference between initial and final values at 12 weeks of B P, PWV, quality of life (assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire) and us-CRP. results: Thirty-five patients were included in the M group and 35 in the AC group; mean age was 61 years and 80% were men. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics, except for higher number of smokers and triglyceride levels in the M group. At 12 weeks, no significant differences were found for ∆PWV: +0.51 (±1.40) in AC and +0.19 (±1.53) in M (p=0.37). Conversely, ∆SF-36 was +0.79 (±7.58) in AC vs. +5.40 (±9.69) (p=0.03) in M, and ∆us-PCR was +1.17 (±2.9) in AC vs. -0.69 (±0.89) in M (p=0.02). Conclusions: A meditation program did not significantly modify PWV at 12 weeks. However, patients allocated to this intervention improved their quality of life and us-PCR was significantly reduced. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings and explore the mechanisms involved in this improvement.

Orthodontic treatment need of children in Trinidad and Tobago / Necesidad de tratamiento ortodóntico de los niños en Trinidad y Tobago

OBJECTIVE: This prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the normative and perceived orthodontic treatment needs of children aged 11-12 years in a Caribbean country, Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS: One author, an experienced orthodontist, examined 367 children using the Dental Health Component (DHC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) to assess the normative need. The same orthodontist administered the questionnaire to assess the patient's perceived needs using the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the IOTN and the Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale (OASIS). RESULTS: The DHC and the AC of the IOTN and the OASIS showed respectively that 61.4%, 2.5% and 0.6% of the children had definite need for orthodontic treatment. The female proportion of the sample was more than the target population but the perceived need and normative need for orthodontic treatment did not depend significantly (p < 0.05) on the gender or ethnicity of the subjects of this study. The perception of need for orthodontic treatment differed inversely from the normative need and this is seen to be significant (p < 0.05) when OASIS was used. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately three out of five children in Trinidad and Tobago have a great (or very great) need for orthodontic treatment for dental health reasons.

OBJETIVO: Este estudio prospectivo transversal fue emprendido con el objeto de determinar las necesidades del tratamiento ortodóntico normativo y percibido para niños de 11-12 años de edad en un país caribeño - Trinidad y Tobago. MÉTODOS: Un autor - ortodoncista experimentado - examinó a 367 niños usando el Componente de Salud Dental (DHC) del Índice de Necesidad del Tratamiento Ortodóntico (IOTN) para evaluar la necesidad normativa. El mismo ortodoncista aplicó la encuesta para evaluar las necesidades percibidas del paciente usando el Componente Estético (CA) del IOTN y Escala ortodóntica de impacto estético subjetivo (OASIS). RESULTADOS: El DHCy el CA del IOTNy el OASIS mostraron respectivamente que 61.4%, 2.5% y .6% de los ninos tenían una necesidad definida de tratamiento ortodóntico. La proporción de hembras de la muestra fue mayor que la población objetivo, pero la necesidad percibida y la necesidad normativa de tratamiento ortodóntico no dependia significativamente (p < 0.05) del género o etnicidad de los sujetos de este estudio. La percepción de la necesidad de tratamiento ortodóntico difería inversamente de la necesidad normativa y puede verse que es significativa (p < 0.05) cuando el OASIS fue usado. CONCLUSIONES: Aproximadamente tres de cada cinco ninos en Trinidad y Tobago tienen una necesidad grande (o muy grande) de tratamiento ortodóntico por razones de salud dental.