Effects of indole-3-acetic acid on Botrytis cinerea isolates obtained from potted plants.

We study the growth of different isolates of Botrytis cinerea collected from potted plants which were affected by Botrytis blight in southern Spain during recent years. These isolates, which show widely phenotypic differences when grown in vitro, are differentially affected by growth temperature, gibberellic acid applications and paclobutrazol, an efficient plant growth retardant and fungicide at the same time. In this work, we have evaluated the effect of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) dose (0, 1, 10, and 100 mg/plate) on the growth of the collection of B. cinerea isolates obtained from the following potted plants: Cyclamen persicum, Hydrangea macrophylla, Lantona camara, and Lonicera japonica. B. cinerea produces indolacetic acid, but so far the precise biosynthetic pathway and some effects on this fungal species are still unclear, although recent studies have revealed an antifungal activity of IAA on several fungi, including B. cinerea isolated from harvested fruits. Mycelial growth curves and growth rates assessed from difference in colony areas during the both linear and deceleration phase, conidiation (measured as time of appearance), conidia length (microm), and sclerotia production (number/plate) were evaluated in the isolates, which were grown at 26 degrees C on Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar for up to 35 days. Mycelial growth curves fitted a typical kinetic equation of fungi grown on solid media. B. cinerea isolates showed a high degree of variability in their growth kinetics, depending on the isolate and auxin dose. This plant growth substance delayed mycelial growth during the linear phase in an isolate-dependent manner, thus isolates from C. persicum, H. macrophylla and L. camara were more affected by IAA than L. japonica. On the other hand, 100 mg of IAA was the critical dose to significantly reduce the growth rate in all isolates and to promote brown-striped hyphae development, especially in isolate from C. persicum. 10 and 100 mg IAA delayed conidiation in isolates from H. macrophylla but scarcely effects were found in the conidia length. The sclerotia production process was blocked at IAA doses of 100 mg in isolates from L. camara and L. japonica, and was reduced in isolate from H. macrophylla. However, dose of 100 mg IAA had no effect on sclerotia production in isolate from C. persicum. It was concluded that the effect of IAA on B. cinerea growth depends on the isolate, thus isolates from H. macrophylla and L. camara were the most affected by IAA. B. cinerea reduced its development under IAA applications, depending on the isolate and dose. These results confirm those recently published on the inhibitory effect of IAA on Botrytris species growth.

Temperature-dependent growth of Botrytis cinerea isolates from potted plants.

Botrytis cinereo is a common aggressive saprophyte fungus which also invades injured plant tissues, causing Botrytis blight (Grey mould) in many ornamental plants, including potted flowering plants. Several B. cinerea isolates from potted plants (Pelargonium x hortorum, Lantana camara, Lonicera japonica, Hydrangea macrophylla, and Cyclamen persicum) affected by Botrytis blight in the south of Spain were studied and identified by PCR. The isolates showed phenotypic differences between them, as previously reported by the authors. In this work we demonstrate that these isolates show different temperature-dependent growth phenomena, expressed as mycelial growth rates, conidiation (measured as the number of conidia per colony and time of appearance), mass of both aerial and submerged mycelia, and sclerotia production. Growth rates were assessed from differences in colony area and mass of both aerial and submerged mycelium growing in potato dextrose agar culture medium (PDA). Three temperatures were used to measure these variables (6, 16, and 26 degrees C) and to establish the differences among isolates by modelling the effects of temperature on the growth variables. B. cinerea showed a high degree of phenotypic variability and differences in its growth kinetics, depending on temperature and isolate in question. The isolate from P. x hortorum showed the greatest conidiation although this process did not depend on the temperatures assayed. The growth rate of the isolates from P. x hortorum was the highest. The growth rates in all the isolates were determined and the growth kinetics could be fitted to a typical equation of fungi growing on solid culture medium. The isolate from P. x hortorum was the most vigorous, while the least vigorous was the isolate from L. japonica. A relationship between mycelial growth rate, conidiation and aerial mycelium could be established. A temperature of 26 degrees C accelerated sclerotia production, but only in the isolate from C. persicum. Such phenotypical variability and differences in growth rates may result in a differential response in plant-pathogen interactions when isolates attack hosts at different temperatures, meaning that a variety of plant protection strategies should be considered when B. cinerea attacks these potted plants.

[Functional intestinal disorders: assessment and perception by physicians of their patients perception. Results of two national studies]. / Troubles fonctionnels intestinaux: évaluation de la perception par les praticiens du vécu de leurs patients. Résultats de deux enquêtes nationales.

OBJECTIVE: In 1999, a first national survey on functional intestinal disorders (FID) revealed the patients' good perception of the medical corps and treatments proposed. The aim of the present study was to assess the physicians' perception of their patients, their symptoms and their degree of satisfaction. METHODS: The survey was conducted among the physicians who had recruited the patients of the initial study. Eight hundred and eighty five replies were analysed (general practitioners--GPs: 88%; gastro-enterologists--GE: 11%). RESULTS: The mean number of patients with FID seen in one week was of 11.40 (GP: 10.80; GE: 16.29). Thirty percent of patients were seen for the first time by a GP and 65 percent by a GE. The mean yearly number of consultations for these patients was of 7.16 for the GPs and 3.81 pour les GEs. A coloscopy was prescribed by 49% of GPs and 66% of GEs. The pain and transit disorders mentioned in 98 and 78.7% of cases had evolved over a mean of 56.57 months. COMMENTS: Although aware of the repercussion of FID in daily life, the practitioners evaluated a psychological component of 69% in the expression of the disorder. They considered the pain intense in 6% of cases versus the 41% expressed by the patient. The scores out of 10 for 8 items showed a mean result of 6.86 in their evaluation of the degree of the patients' understanding of their disease and its treatment, and of 6.13 for the quality of the medical act. These same criteria, assessed one year earlier by the patients themselves, showed better scores.

[Gastrointestinal functional disorders. National evaluation survey of patient symptoms and management]. / Troubles fonctionnels intestinaux. Enquête nationale d'évaluation par les patients des symptômes et leur prise en charge.

OBJECTIVE: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was completed by patients with gastrointestinal functional disorders to determine symptoms and management strategies employed. METHODS: The questionnaire was filled out by 1266 patients who complained of abdominal pain in 8 out of 10 cases as well as disturbed bowel movements and abdominal distension. RESULTS: Half of the patients had started self medication, generally before consulting their general practitioner. The patients were generally satisfied with their medical care. Superior efficacy was observed for antispasmodics in combination or not with anxiolytic agents (75%, 71% and 69% efficacy respectively). The digestive disorders led to an interruption of occupational activities in 21% of the patients. DISCUSSION: Optimal management of patients with this benign chronic disorder that nevertheless has a major impact on their quality of life requires sufficient knowledge of the opinions of both the patients and their physicians. A second survey on this question has been initiated.

Analysis of inpatient admissions to the new acute psychiatry unit in Dominca - abstract

Admissions to the new acute psychiatry unit were studied by chart review over a one- year period to determine demographic and other factors contributing to the admission. A comparison of single admission and readmissions was done to detect factors that could contribute to relapse. The characteristics of first time admission were also determined from the chart review. 341 patients wre admitted in the study period. High unemployment, being single, of age group 30 - 40 years and coming from Roseau distirct were the prominent demographic features. Readmission were more likely to be young adults in the age group 20 - 30 years. The prevalence of substance abuse was high, 20 percent. Ward occupancy was high. The mean duration of stay was low. The presence of substance abuse among the young adult new patients suggests the need for implementing prevention and treatment projects. The high admission rate from Roseau, high unemployment and significant non-compliance with treatment reflect the need to implement preventative measures at the community level to prevent the rising trend of admissions. (AU)

[Neuromeningeal listeriosis in adults, excluding pregnancy. Prognosis and development of neurologic manifestations. Retrospective study of 63 cases]. / Listériose neuro-méningée de l'adulte, en dehors de la grossesse. Pronostic et évolution des manifestations neurologiques. Etude rétrospective de 63 observations.

Patients' constitutional background, treatment and neurological manifestations were analyzed in a retrospective study of 63 cases of neuromeningeal listeriosis in adults. Age over 60 and coma at the onset were of poor prognosis, but immunodepression (present in only 38% of the cases) did not seem to affect the outcome. The ampicillin-aminoglycoside combination did not appear to improve the vital and functional prognoses more than ampicillin alone. The neurological manifestations observed at the end of hospitalization in 16 of the 42 patients who were cured were not necessarily permanent: among the 13 patients who could be followed up for a mean period of 6.5 years, 5 recovered completely, 5 recovered partially and 3 remained unchanged at neurological examination.