Molecular diagnostics on the toxigenic potential of Fusarium spp. plant pathogens.

AIMS: We propose and test an efficient and rapid protocol for the detection of toxigenic Fusarium isolates producing three main types of Fusarium-associated mycotoxins (fumonisins, trichothecenes and zearelanone). METHODS AND RESULTS: The novel approach utilizes partially multiplexed markers based on genes essential for mycotoxin biosynthesis (fumonisin--fum6, fum8; trichothecenes--tri5, tri6; zearalenone, zea2) in Fusarium spp. The protocol has been verified by screening a collection of 96 isolates representing diverse species of filamentous fungi. Each Fusarium isolate was taxonomically identified through both molecular and morphological techniques. The results demonstrate a reliable detection of toxigenic potential for trichothecenes (sensitivity 100%, specificity 95%), zearalenone (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%) and fumonisins (sensitivity 94%, specificity 88%). Both presence and identity of toxin biosynthetic genes were further confirmed by direct sequencing of amplification products. CONCLUSIONS: The cross-species-specific PCR markers for key biosynthetic genes provide a sensitive detection of toxigenic fungal isolates, contaminating biological material derived from agricultural fields. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The conducted study shows that a PCR-based assay of biosynthetic genes is a reliable, cost-effective, early warning system against Fusarium contamination. Its future use as a high-throughput detection strategy complementing chemical assays enables effective targeted application of crop protection products.

[Use of human anti-Pseudomonas immunoglobulins in treatment of children with burns]. / Zastosowanie ludzkiej immunoglobuliny przeciwko Pseudomonas w leczeniu oparzonych dzieci.

This studies included 15 children with burns involving 10-55% of the whole body surface, treated at the two surgical departments in Poland. All patients have been given 0.5 mL of a 15% solution of anti-Pseudomonas immunoglobulin in a deep i.m. injections for 3 consecutive days. Immunoglobulin has generally been well tolerated, except short fever attacks. Human anti-Pseudomonas immunoglobulin prepared in the institute of Haematology and Transfusion in Warsaw prevented infections with P. aeruginosa in 12 burned children. There have been no cases of bacteremia produced by P. aeruginosa in 15 treated children with burns. The obtained results indicate efficacy of such therapy in burned children.

Using daily ratings to confirm premenstrual syndrome/late luteal phase dysphoric disorder. Part I. Effects of demand characteristics and expectations.

Daily symptom ratings were evaluated in 31 women who met DSM III-R criteria for a diagnosis of Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder (LLPDD), and 34 women who reported no premenstrual symptomatology. Women in both groups were randomly assigned to be aware or unaware of the menstrual cycle focus of the study. Results revealed a consistent pattern of cyclic effects, with higher ratings in the mid-luteal, premenstrual and menstrual phases for many symptoms. Ratings of women reporting severe symptoms were not affected by knowing the purpose of the study and were higher than ratings in the asymptomatic group for many symptoms relevant to the LLPDD diagnosis. Awareness of the study focus did increase cyclicity in the ratings of asymptomatic women aware of the study focus compared with those who were unaware, but these differences were small and most were not significant. The implications of these findings for research and clinical diagnosis of PMS/LLPDD are discussed.

Using daily ratings to confirm premenstrual syndrome/late luteal phase dysphoric disorder. Part II. What makes a "real" difference?

Five degree of change criteria used in previous research to confirm premenstrual syndrome/late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (PMS/LLPDD) based on daily ratings were examined to determine how well each differentiated between women claiming to experience severe symptoms and women with normal menstrual experience. Frequency and nature of stressful events and subjective perceptions of impairment were also examined. Ratings were evaluated in 31 women who met DSM III-R criteria for a provisional diagnosis of LLPDD, and 34 women who reported no premenstrual symptomatology. Ratings for a sample of women taking oral contraceptives and a sample of men were also included for comparison purposes. Results indicated no differences between the groups in the frequency of stressful events. However, the PMS/LLPDD group rated their problems as more disturbing and evidenced a cyclical pattern in the occurrence of negative interpersonal interactions at work that was suggestive of some impaired functioning. None of the five change criteria differentiated the PMS/LLPDD group from the normally cycling No PMS group, and only one differentiated this group from the oral contraceptive No PMS group. This was true whether a liberal or conservative standard of confirmation was applied. The implications of these findings for using daily ratings to confirm PMS/LLPDD are discussed.

Daily moods and symptoms: effects of awareness of study focus, gender, menstrual-cycle phase, and day of the week.

Evaluated changes in daily ratings of moods and symptoms in 30 normally cycling women and 23 men. Women were randomly assigned to two groups for manipulating awareness of the study focus (aware vs. unaware). Principal-components analysis revealed six factors (Dysphoric Moods, Well-being, Physical Symptoms, Personal Space, Food Cravings, Depression) that accounted for 70% of the variance in daily ratings. Repeated-measures analyses revealed cyclic variation on each factor and no significant differences between aware and unaware women during premenstrual or menstrual phases on any measure. Unaware women reported less well-being than men during the premenstrual phase but did not differ on any other measure. Aware women did not differ from men in premenstrual or menstrual ratings on any measure. The way these findings relate to retrospective symptom reports, menstrual attitudes, and changes in moods and symptoms across the week was examined.

Characterization of antibody response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with wound infections.

ELISA was used to measure the amount and avidity of IgG antibodies to exotoxin A (ExA) and 7 Fisher's immunotypes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the sera of 13 patients with mild or moderate Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Changes in the specificity of tested sera during the course of infection were demonstrated. A statistically significant increase was seen in the amount and avidity of the antibodies to ExA in a majority of the sera, and an increase was seen in amount of antibodies to LPS immunotype 4 in the sera of patients with moderate infections.

[Results of using polyvalent Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine in children with burns by various medical centers]. / Wyniki stosowania wielowaznej szczepionki przeciwko paleczce ropy blekitnej u oparzonych dzieci w róznych osrodkach leczniczych kraju.

Polyvalent Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine, prepared at the Institute of Hematology from 10 hospital strains isolated from burn wounds, was administered to 32 children with extensive and deep burns. The vaccine was well tolerated. The vaccine produced a high degree of the immunity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Agglutinin serum titre increased significantly. Vaccination either prevented or inhibited the infection of burn wounds with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in all immunized children. The symptoms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection usually disappeared following one or two vaccinations. Bacteriemia caused by P. aeruginosa was not observed in 31 out of 32 children. In the remaining child transient bacteriemia was noted. No septicemia caused by P. aeruginosa was seen. Due to the high efficiency of the polyvalent P. aeruginosa vaccine all burned children with burns exceeding 10% of the total body surface should by vaccinated to prevent the life-threatening infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The impact of rape: social support as a moderator of stress.

This study investigated 25 victims' reactions to sexual assault and the role of social support in their subsequent adjustment. Victims were interviewed 3 months after the assault to gather information about the assault, the type of support they received, and the effects of the assault as measured by two scales of psychological stress: Impact of Events scale and SCL-90-R. Our major findings were that (a) victim's scale scores were significantly elevated, reflecting the considerable distress they were still experiencing; (b) there were significant differences in the availability of support from specific categories of people (e.g., police received significantly high ratings, whereas physicians' ratings were significantly low); (c) the amount of perceived support varied with the stressfulness of the assault; (d) however, contrary to initial hypotheses, the amount of overall support did not predict subsequent adjustment; (e) support from physicians did correlate significantly with both scales of psychological adjustment.