First Report of Lettuce chlorosis virus Infecting Bean in Spain.

In September 2011, symptoms typically associated with Bean yellow disorder virus (BYDV) such as intervenal mottling and yellowing on middle and lower leaves combined with brittleness were observed in green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) produced in commercial greenhouses from Granada and Almeria provinces, Spain. The affected plants were all observed in greenhouses infested with Bemisia tabaci. However, collected samples tested negative for BYDV using a specific RT-PCR test (4). Electrophoretic double stranded (ds) RNA analysis from symptomatic plants revealed the presence of a slightly diffused high molecular weight dsRNA band of ~8.5 kb, similar to that produced by the crinivirus Lettuce cholorosis virus (LCV) (3). The dsRNA was purified and used for cDNA synthesis and PCR by uneven PCR (1) using primers derived from LCV genome sequences (GenBank FJ380118 and FJ380119). Amplified DNA fragments were cloned in pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced. Two different sequences were obtained and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences were analysed using BLAST. Both showed the highest identity with different regions of the LCV genome. The sequence of the first product had 92% nucleotide and 98% amino acid sequence identity with the polyprotein (Orf1a) homologue from RNA1 of LCV (KC602376). The sequence from the second product (KC602375) revealed the highest nucleotide and amino acid identity with the heat shock protein 70 homologue from LCV (90% and 99%, respectively). Based on these sequences, two sets of specific primers were designed (LCVSP 3-forward 5'-AGTGACACAAGTTGGAGCCGAC-3', LCVSP 4-low 5'-CAGTGTTTGTTGGATATCTGGGG-3') and (LCVSP 1-forward 5'-TGTTGGAAGGTGGTGAGGTC-3', LCVSP 2-low 5'-CAGAGACGAGTCATACGTACC-3') and each produced amplicons of the expected size (463 and 434 nt, respectively) when used in RT-PCR from the collected field samples. Subsequent field surveys from 2012 to 2013 in commercial bean greenhouses confirmed the presence of LCV that apparently had replaced BYDV. Groups of 15 to 20 adults of B. tabaci introduced in clip cages were fed for 24 h on 12 green bean plants infected with LCV and later transferred to six seedlings of bean and six of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). After 2 and 4 weeks, total RNA from the lettuce and bean plants was extracted using Plant RNA Reagent (Invitrogen) and subjected to RT-PCR analysis with the LCV-SP 1-2 and LCVSP 3-4 primer sets. All six plants of bean and none of lettuce showed positive for LCV-SP and a repeat experiment revealed identical results. We also seeded and produced lettuce plants within a bean greenhouse that was naturally infected with the virus and infested with B tabaci whiteflies. Under these conditions, we observed that whiteflies migrated freely from the infected bean plants to lettuce. After 4 and 6 weeks, lettuce plants neither produced symptoms nor tested positive for LCV by RT-PCR. This result confirms the existence of a new putative strain of LCV, Lettuce chlorosis virus-SP, unable to infect lettuce plants. To date, natural infections of LCV have not been reported outside California, where the virus failed to infect P. vulgaris (2). This is also the first report of LCV in Spain that infects members of the family Leguminosae. Green bean in southeast Spain was produced in ~9,000 ha of greenhouses until the introduction of BYDV a decade ago, causing considerable economic damage. The recent finding of LCV-SP has urged the local phytosanitary inspections to include this virus in lab tests and to emphasize disease management strategies based on whitefly control. References: (1) X. Chen and R. Wu. Gene 185:195, 1997. (2) J. Duffus et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 102:591, 1996. (3) N. M. Salem et al. Virology 390:45, 2009. (4) E. Segundo et al. Plant Pathol. 53:517, 2004.

Perinatal morbidity and mortality in late-term and post-term pregnancy. NEOSANO perinatal network's experience in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify adverse perinatal outcomes associated with pregnancies at or beyond 40 weeks. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study conducted in Mexico, with information obtained from the NEOSANO's Perinatal Network Database from April 2006 to April 2009. Multiple births, babies with inaccurate gestational age or babies with congenital malformations were excluded. Logistic regression models were used to analyze perinatal complications associated with pregnancies ≥ 40 weeks. RESULT: A total of 21 275 babies were analyzed; of these, 4545 (21.3%) were of 40 to 40[frac67] weeks, 3024 (14.2%) 41 to 41[frac67] weeks and 388 (1.8%) 42 to 44 weeks of gestation. Adverse perinatal outcomes associated with 40 to 40[frac67] weeks deliveries were (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval): macrosomia (1.9; 1.5 to 2.6), acute fetal distress (1.4; 1.2 to 1.7), emergency cesarean delivery (1.4; 1.2 to 1.5) and chorioamnionitis (1.4; 1.2 to 1.6). Adverse perinatal outcomes associated with 41 to 41[frac67] weeks were macrosomia (2.5; 1.8 to 3.3), chorioamnionitis (2; 1.7 to 2.3), emergency cesarean delivery (1.8; 1.6 to 2.1) and acute fetal distress (1.4; 1.1 to 1.7). Adverse perinatal outcomes associated with 42 to 44 weeks were macrosomia (7; 4.6 to 10.7), meconium aspiration syndrome (5.6; 2.8 to 11.2), neonatal death (4.8; 1.7 to 13.8), stillbirth (4.3; 1.4 to 13.5), 5' Apgar <4 (4.2; 1.1 to 15.7), chorioamnionitis (2.8; 2.2 to 3.9), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (2.7; 1.5 to 4.8), admission to neonatal intensive care unit or step-down unit (2.4; 1.5 to 3.9), acute fetal distress (1.8; 1.2 to 2.6) and emergency cesarean delivery (1.8; 1.3 to 2.4). CONCLUSION: An increased risk for perinatal and maternal complications were detected as early as 40 weeks' gestation. The risks of stillbirth and neonatal death were significantly higher in the post-term group than the control group.

Polysomnographic features in infants with early diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism.

Thyroid hormones play a major role in the maturation process of the brain. Currently, congenital hypothyroidism is detected by mass screening. The impact of this early hormonal deficiency on the organization of the sleep pattern is not known. In this study, the polysomnographic features in children diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism were analyzed. Children were detected by mass population screening and the hormonal replacement therapy starts immediately. Children's age ranged between 1.5 and 18 months of age. The duration of hormonal treatment before sleep recordings varied between 8 days and 17 months. Children were polysomnographically recorded in the morning, for at least 2h, obtaining more than one sleep cycle. Results showed a high prevalence of females (5/1) in the group studied. A high proportion of infants (43%) displayed central apnea in different degrees (mild, moderate and severe) as well as hypopnea (83%), mainly in subjects around 4 and 8 months of age. The proportion of infants displaying central apnea decreases as age increases. In addition, indeterminate (light) sleep increase and quiet (slow wave) sleep decrease significantly regardless of age and treatment. The percentage of REM sleep correlated positively with the age of the child at the beginning of the treatment, and negatively with their age at the time of the study. These data indicate that congenital hypothyroidism facilitates the presence of central sleep apnea. The decrease of these respiratory alterations correlates with the increase of the hormonal replacement therapy. It seems that sleep respiratory alterations in congenital hypothyroidism are linked to brain maturation processes in which thyroid hormones play a major role.

Cephalosporium maydis, the Cause of Late Wilt in Maize, a Pathogen New to Portugal and Spain.

Scattered maize (Zea mays L.) plants with symptoms of premature wilting were observed in two fields in Toledo (Spain) during the summer of 2003. In 2008, affected fields in Toledo and Ribatejo (Portugal) showed incidences as much as 60% and symptoms affecting 50% of the hybrid varieties. Wilting became visible before tasseling and continued until shortly before maturity. It steadily progressed from the lower to upper leaves; the leaf tissues between the veins changing first to a pale green color then the whole leaf rolling inward lengthwise. Some leaves dried up and became brittle. As leaf wilting advanced, yellowish or reddish brown streaks appeared on the basal internodes of the stalk, which dried up and became shrunken. When the stalk was split, a brown discoloration extended along the internodes. The fungus that was consistently isolated from necrotic roots and basal tissues of the stalks of plants from both locations was identified as Cephalosporium maydis Samra, Sabet & Hingorani (1). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of mycelial DNA was amplified (ITS1 and ITS2 primers) and sequenced. BLAST analysis showed 99% homology with C. maydis (GenBank Accession Nos. CM2A1, CM884, CM3B, and CM1A). Pathogenicity was confirmed in a shadehouse experiment from March to July of 2009. One isolate from Ribatejo and another from Toledo were independently inoculated to 24 4-day-old seedlings of each of two maize varieties. The experimental unit consisted of six seedlings planted in an 8-liter pot filled with sand/silt previously infested with 200 g of wheat grains colonized by the fungi. Noncolonized wheat grains were used for the control treatments. Four replications (pots) were established for each genotype/isolate combination according to a complete randomized 2 × 3 factorial design. After 6 weeks, four plants in each pot were randomly selected for evaluation of root necrosis, plant height, and reisolations of C. maydis. The two remaining plants were grown for nine additional weeks, then their weights were determined, and the percentages of aboveground tissues that were prematurely necrotic and dry were evaluated. Six weeks after inoculation, percentage of root necrosis of inoculated plants ranged between 75 and 100%, which was significantly higher than those of the controls (0%). No significant differences of height were recorded. At the end of the experiment, 28 to 53% of aboveground tissues of inoculated plants were necrotic and dry, significantly higher than in the controls. Regardless of the variety, weights of the inoculated plants were significantly reduced to 45 and 65% of the control plants. When root and stalk tissues from both varieties were sampled and incubated on potato dextrose agar at 25°C, the mycelial growth of C. maydis was confirmed for the inoculated plants but not for the control plants: colonies with "rhizoid" appearance of the margin, first white in color and turning to ash gray with age. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of C. maydis outside Egypt, Hungary, and India. This geographical expansion of the pathogen will eventually affect the maize breeding programs for southern Europe. Reference: (1) A. S. Samra et al. Phytopathology 53:402, 1963.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae) / Actividad antibacteriana y antioxidante del aceite esencial extraído de Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae)

Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae) is commonly known in Argentina as “ajenjo”. Many studies report high efficacy of essential oils against food-borne pathogenic bacteria. The antimicrobial activity and minimal inhibitory concentration of A. echegarayi essential oil were evaluated against seven bacterial species of significant importance in food hygiene, by using the disc diffusion assay and the micro-well dilution method, respectively. Volatile components of the extract were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and major components were determined. Furthermore, the essential oil was tested for its antioxidant activity. The essential oil inhibited the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative tested bacteria, with the exception of Proteus mirabilis. A. echegarayi essential oil presented the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration against Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. Two terpenes, thujone and camphor, were identified from this essential oil as the principal constituents responsible for antibacterial activity. The oil showed a free radical scavenging activity equivalent to 50% of the reference compound. These preliminary studies showed promising results since this essential oil may provide an alternative to promote its use as a natural food additive.

Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae), conocida como “ajenjo”, es una planta típica de la región de Cuyo (Argentina). En este trabajo se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana in vitro y la concentración inhibitoria mínima del aceite esencial extraído de sus partes aéreas frente a especies bacterianas que con frecuencia contaminan los alimentos. Se utilizaron las técnicas de difusión con discos en agar y microdilución en placa respectivamente. Además, se determinó la actividad antioxidante de este aceite esencial in vitro por espectrofotometría. En general, tanto las bacterias gram-positivas como las gram-negativas fueron inhibidas por este aceite, con excepción de Proteus mirabilis. Listeria monocytogenes y Bacillus cereus resultaron ser las bacterias más sensibles. El análisis por croma-tografía en fase gaseosa y espectrometría de masa permitió la identificación cualitativa y cuantitativa de los componentes mayoritarios del aceite esencial del ajenjo. Entre ellos, la tuyona y el alcanfor se destacaron como los principales responsables de la actividad antibacteriana observada. Los datos preliminares obtenidos en el presente estudio sugieren que el aceite esencial de Artemisia echegarayi representa una alternativa para promover su empleo como aditivo natural en alimentos.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae).

Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae) is commonly known in Argentina as "ajenjo". Many studies report high efficacy of essential oils against food-borne pathogenic bacteria. The antimicrobial activity and minimal inhibitory concentration of A. echegarayi essential oil were evaluated against seven bacterial species of significant importance in food hygiene, by using the disc diffusion assay and the micro-well dilution method, respectively. Volatile components of the extract were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and major components were determined. Furthermore, the essential oil was tested for its antioxidant activity. The essential oil inhibited the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative tested bacteria, with the exception of Proteus mirabilis. A. echegarayi essential oil presented the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration against Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. Two terpenes, thujone and camphor, were identified from this essential oil as the principal constituents responsible for antibacterial activity. The oil showed a free radical scavenging activity equivalent to 50% of the reference compound. These preliminary studies showed promising results since this essential oil may provide an alternative to promote its use as a natural food additive.

Selection of potential antagonists against asparagus crown and root rot caused by Fusarium spp.

Crown and root rot is one of the most important diseases of asparagus crop worldwide. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. asparagi and F. proliferatum are the two species more frequently associated to this complex and their prevalence depends on the production area. The control of the disease on asparagus crop is difficult to achieve because its perennial condition and the long survival of the pathogen in the soil as chlamydospores or as mycelium in infected plant debris. Furthermore, Fusarium spp. are easily disseminated with asparagus propagation materials. Thus, control measures should aim at obtaining seedlings protection for longer than achieved with conventional pre-planting chemical treatments. The effectiveness of fungal antagonists on the control of diseases caused by soil borne fungi has been reported. The potential of Trichoderma spp. as a biological control agent against diseases caused by Fusarium spp. in tomato and asparagus has been studied . It has been suggested that microorganisms isolated from the root or rhizosphere of a specific crop may be better adapted to that crop and may provide better disease control than organisms originally isolated from other plant species. The objective of this work was the evaluation of the potential of fungal isolates from symptomless asparagus plants as biocontrol agents of Fusarium crown and root rot.

Characterization of Isolates of Fusarium spp. Obtained from Asparagus in Spain.

Microbial analysis of asparagus plants (Asparagus officinalis) obtained from four nurseries in Spain in 2002 to 2003 indicated high frequencies of Fusarium proliferatum, F. oxysporum, and F. moniliforme in the rhizomes and storage roots. Out of 201 isolates of Fusarium obtained from nursery crowns and from plants sampled in nine established asparagus fields, the highest frequency of highly pathogenic isolates was observed from samples collected from fields, and included some extremely virulent isolates of F. solani. For isolates of low to moderate virulence, the percentage of those significantly (P = 0.01) associated with root dry weight loss was larger for F. proliferatum (53.8%) than for the other Fusarium species (10.3 to 23.1%). Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of 19 isolates of Fusarium spp. grouped all F. proliferatum and F. moniliforme isolates together and, in a second cluster, five of the eight isolates of F. oxysporum. Asparagus cultivars Verde-Morado and Dariana were the least susceptible of 11 cultivars commonly grown in Spain; isolates of F. solani and F. moniliforme proved highly virulent; and a significant interaction was observed among pathogen isolates and asparagus cultivars when representative pathogenic isolates of F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum, F. moniliforme, and F. solani were tested on those cultivars. Larger reductions in root dry weight were associated with F. proliferatum and F. solani than with F. oxysporum and F. moniliforme, and differences in root and stem dry weights among cultivars were significant.

Diferencias evolutivas en las actitudes respecto al tabaquismo en médicas y enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid según el nivel asistencial / Evolutive differences in attitudes regarding smoking in physicians and nurses of the Madrid Community according to care level

Objetivos: Conocer la prevalencia actual de tabaquismo entre lasmédicas y enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid y la evolución de susactitudes hacia este hábito desde 1998.Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se analizan los resultadosde dos encuestas realizadas en 1998 y 2003 a profesionales sanitarias(médicas y enfermeras) de la Comunidad de Madrid, seleccionadasmediante muestreo polietápico por conglomerados.Resultados: El número de cuestionarios evaluados fue de 1.235(391 de Atención Primaria y 844 de Atención Especializada) en 1998y de 1.000 (392 de AP y 608 de AE) en 2003. En general, no se ha demostradouna mejora relevante en las actitudes con respecto al tabaquismoentre las profesionales de salud, debido fundamentalmente a que,aunque ha habido avances significativos en Atención Especializada,en Atención Primaria la situación se puede considerar estacionaria. Elporcentaje total de fumadoras ha pasado del 50,35% al 37,5% en AtenciónEspecializada y del 42,19% al 38,01% en Atención Primaria.Conclusiones: Ha habido una ligera mejoría en la sensibilizaciónantitabaco de las profesionales sanitarias de Atención Especializada, noasí en las de Atención Primaria.Es necesario continuar aplicando programas de prevención y deshabituaciónsobre estos colectivos

Objectives: Know the present prevalence of smoking among physiciansand nurses of the Madrid Community and evolution of their attitudestowards this habit since 1998.Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. The results of two surveysconducted in 1998 and 2003 to health care professionals (physiciansand nurses) of the Madrid Community, chosen by multi-stage samplingby clusters, are analyzed.Results: A total of 1,235 (391 from Primary Health Care and 844from Specialized Care) questionnaires were evaluated in 1998 and 1,000(392 from PHC and 608 from SC) in 2003. In general, no improvementregarding attitudes related to smoking among health care professionalshas been demonstrated, basically due to the fact that the situation can beconsidered stationary in Primary Health Care, even though there havebeen significant advances in Specialized Care. The total percentage ofsmokers has gone from 50.35% to 37.5% in Specialized Care and from42.19% to 38.01% in Primary Health Care.Conclusions: There has been a mild improvement in antitobaccosensitization of the health care professionals of Specialized Care but notin Primary Health Care. Prevention and dehabituation programs mustcontinued to be applied in these groups

5S rDNA genome regions of Lens species.

The length variability of the nontranscribed spacer (NTS) of the 5S rDNA repeats was analyzed in species of the genus Lens by means of PCR amplification. The NTS ranged from approximately 227 to approximately 952 bp. The polymorphism detected was higher than previous NTS polymorphisms described in this genus. Three NTS length variants from Lens culinaris subsp. culinaris and 2 from Lens culinaris subsp. orientalis were sequenced. The culinaris NTS fragment lengths were 239, 371, and 838 bp, whereas the orientalis ones were 472 bp and 506 bp, respectively. As a result of sequence similarities, 2 families of sequences were distinguished, 1 including the sequences of 838 and 506 bp, and others with the sequences of 239, 371, and 472 bp. The 1st family was characterized by the presence of a repeated sequence designated A, whereas the 2nd family showed a single A sequence and other repeated sequences designated B, C, and D. The presence of an (AT)n microsatellite was also observed in the 2nd family of sequences. The fragments, which included the 239-bp and 838-bp NTS sequences, as well as the intergenic spacer (IGS) of the 18S-5.8S-26S ribosomal DNA also from L. culinaris subsp. culinaris, were used to localize the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) and the 5S rDNA loci in the chromosomes of several species of the genus Lens by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The selective hybridization of the 2 NTS probes allowed us to distinguish between different 5S rDNA chromosomal loci.

A rooting procedure for lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and other hypogeous legumes (pea, chickpea and Lathyrus) based on explant polarity.

The present study assessed the rooting response of lentil nodal segments in relation to explant polarity, hormone, salt and carbohydrate concentrations of the medium. Nodal segments of lentil with an axillary bud cultured in an inverted orientation (apical end in medium) showed higher rooting frequencies than explants cultured in a normal orientation (basal end in medium). The highest rooting percentage (95.35%) and average number of shoots regenerated per explant (2.4) were obtained from explants placed in an inverted orientation on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium salts with 3% sucrose, supplemented with 5 microM indole acetic acid (IAA) and 1 microM kinetin (KN). Reducing or increasing phytohormone concentration did not alter significantly root regeneration of inverted explants. Sucrose at 3% allowed higher root regeneration frequencies compared to 1.5% sucrose. MS full concentration permitted regeneration of longer shoots with more nodes per regenerated shoot, compared to MS half-strength, which regenerated more shoots of shorter length and with less nodes. Inverted nodal segments of other hypogeous legumes (pea, chickpea and Lathyrus) also exhibited higher rooting frequencies than explants cultured in a normal orientation on MS medium with 3% sucrose and supplemented with 5 microM IAA and 1 microM KN. The most novel application of this study is the culture of nodal segments of hypogeous legumes in an inverted orientation. This procedure is a considerable improvement over other published procedures concerning in vitro rooting of lentil, pea, chickpea and Lathyrus.

[Evolution of the prevalence of smoking among female physicians and nurses in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain]. / Evolución de la prevalencia de tabaquismo entre las médicas y enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a major cause of mortality in Spain. Tobacco smoking by health care workers has a negative influence on the general population. In Spain, the prevalence of smoking is high and is increasing among women. The aim of this study was to identify tobacco consumption among female physicians and nurses in the Community of Madrid, as well as to determine their knowledge about smoking and whether smoke-free areas are available in health centers. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed in 1998 and 2001 through survey of smoking habits in the female medical staff in the Community of Madrid. Multi-stage sampling with conglomerates was used. RESULTS: We studied 1235 health professionals (435 doctors and 800 nurses) in 1998 and 1000 in 2001 (400 doctors and 600 nurses); 43.1% were smokers in 1998 and 43% were smokers in 2001. In both years smoking was more prevalent among nurses (47.6% and 47%) than doctors (34.7% and 37%). Smoking was also more prevalent among health professionals working in hospitals (46.6% and 46.7%) than in those working in primary care (35.3% and 37.3%). When both years were compared, no significant differences in smoking prevalence according to profession were found. In both surveys, the prevalence of smoking was lowest among younger (< 30 years) doctors (22.9% and 23.6%). A similar situation was found in 2001 among nurses (43.8% of those aged < 30 years smoked). The percentage of exsmokers was higher in 2001 (18.9% vs. 27.8%). The percentage of health workers who smoked in front of patients decreased (2.9% vs. 1%) as did the percentage of those who thought smoking should be allowed smoke in waiting rooms (14.9% vs. 7.4%). The percentage of workers who smoked in staff rooms decreased (90.6% vs. 87.1%) and that of health professionals who worked in centers with a specific smoking area increased (30.4% vs. 59.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of smoking among female physicians and nurses in the Community of Madrid is very high, and in the case of nurses, it higher than among the general population. No substantial changes were observed between the two surveys. Smoking is more frequent among nurses than among doctors, and is more frequent in hospitals than in primary care. In the second survey, those who smoked less were the younger members of both professions, which allows a certain optimism. Although it has improved, observance of current legislation in health centers continues to be very low.

Evolución de la prevalencia de tabaquismo entre las médicas y enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid / Evolution of the prevalence of smoking among female physicians and nurses in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain

Fundamentos: En España la prevalencia de tabaquismo es elevada y se está incrementando entre las mujeres. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es estudiar la evolución de la prevalencia de tabaquismo entre las médicas y enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid, sus conocimientos y conductas al respecto, así como la existencia de espacios libres de humo en los centros sanitarios. Métodos: Se han realizado, en 1998 y 2001, estudios descriptivos transversales entre las médicas y enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid mediante una encuesta sobre hábito tabáquico, en muestreos polietápicos por conglomerados. Resultados: En 1998 se estudió a 1.235 profesionales (435 médicas y 800 enfermeras) y en 2001 a 1.000 (400 médicas y 600 enfermeras). Eran fumadoras el 43,1 per cent en 1998 y el 43 per cent en 2001, y en ambos años el tabaquismo fue más frecuente entre las enfermeras (el 47,6 y el 47 per cent, respectivamente) que entre las médicas (el 34,7 y el 37 per cent), y entre quienes trabajan en atención especializada (el 46,6 y el 46,7 per cent) respecto a las que lo hacen en atención primaria (el 35,3 y el 37,3 per cent).No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la prevalencia de tabaquismo según la profesión, comparando ambos años. En las dos encuestas las médicas más jóvenes (< 30 años) presentaban la menor prevalencia de tabaquismo (el 22,9 y el 23,6 per cent), y una situación similar se encontró en 2001 entre las enfermeras (el 43,8 per cent de prevalencia en el grupo menor de 30 años). El porcentaje de ex fumadoras fue mayor en 2001 (el 18,8 frente al 27,8 per cent). El porcentaje de las que fumaban delante de los pacientes disminuyó (el 2,9 frente al 1 per cent) así como el de quienes creían que se debía permitir fumar en las salas de espera (el 14,9 frente al 7,4 per cent). Disminuyó el porcentaje de quienes señalaron que se fumaba habitualmente en las salas de uso común (el 90,6 frente al 87,1 per cent) y se incrementó el de quienes señalaron que en su centro de trabajo existía un lugar específico para fumar (el 30,4 frente al 59,4 per cent).Conclusiones: La prevalencia de tabaquismo entre las médicas y enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid es elevada, y en el caso de las enfermeras, superior a la de la población general, sin que se hayan observado cambios sustanciales en la misma entre las dos encuestas realizadas. El tabaquismo es más frecuente entre las enfermeras que entre las médicas y en la atención especializada más que en la atención primaria. En la última encuesta realizada las más jóvenes de las dos profesiones son las que menos fuman, lo que permite un cierto optimismo. El cumplimiento de la legislación vigente en los centros sanitarios, aunque ha tenido alguna mejora, continúa siendo muy bajo (AU)

First Report of Resistance to Metalaxyl in Downy Mildew of Sunflower Caused by Plasmopara halstedii in Spain.

Fifty-two isolates of Plasmopara halstedii Farl. Berl. & de Toni (causal agent of sunflower downy mildew) collected from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Spain from 1994 to 2000 were evaluated for metalaxyl resistance. The pathogen was identified on the basis of the morphology of the sporangiophores and zoosporangia recovered on the underside of the leaves (2). Metalaxyl (Apron 20% LS) at 2.0 g a.i./kg of seed (labeled European rate) was applied as seed dressing to the susceptible sunflower 'Peredovik'. There were two replications of 40 plants, and the test was repeated three times. Inoculum (sporangia bearing zoospores) was produced on artificially inoculated plants. Seed were germinated in a humidity chamber at 28°C for 24 to 48 h. When the radicle was 0.5 to 1.0 cm long, untreated and treated seedlings were inoculated by dipping the entire plant in an aqueous suspension of 6.0 × 104 sporangia per ml for 4 h, planted in a sand/perlite mixture (2:3 vol/vol), and grown at 16 to 21°C with a 12-h photoperiod. Plants were incubated for 24 to 48 h at 100% relative humidity and 15°C in the dark to enhance sporulation. After 12 days, disease incidence (DI) of inoculated plants was determined as a percentage of plants displaying sporulation of the fungus on the cotyledons and/or true leaves (3). DI was 95 to 100% for the untreated seedlings, but mildew did not develop on seedlings treated with metalaxyl for 51 of the isolates. The remaining isolate caused symptoms on 67% of the treated plants. This isolate was tested in another experiment in which 'Peredovik' seed was treated with metalaxyl at 0, 0.5, 2.0, 3.5, and 5 g a.i./kg of seed. There were four replications of 12 seedlings per treatment, and seedlings were inoculated as described previously. DI in the untreated control was 77%, which was not significantly different from the DI for seed treated with metalaxyl at 0.5, 2.0, and 3.5 g a.i./kg of seed (97, 73, and 96%, respectively). DI for seed treated with metalaxyl at 5.0 g a.i./kg of seed was 37%, which was significantly lower than the other treatments. Although resistance of P. halstedii to metalaxyl has been reported in France (1), to our knowledge, this is the first report of resistance of sunflower downy mildew to metalaxyl in Spain. References: (1) J. M. Albourie et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 104:235, 1998. (2) G. Hall, Mycopathologia 106:205, 1989. (3) M.L. Molinero-Ruiz et al. Plant Disease 86:736, 2002.

Influencia de la infección por VIH/SIDA sobre indicadores antropométricos del estado nutricional / HIV-AIDS infection influence on anthropometric indicators of nutritional state

Analisa a influência da infecção pelo HIV e o estágio clínico da doença sobre diferentes indicadores antropométricos do estado nutricional do indivíduo

Races of Isolates of Plasmopara halstedii from Spain and Studies on Their Virulence.

Plants infected with downy mildew were collected from 1994 to 2000 in sunflower fields in Spain. The race of 102 bulk isolates of Plasmopara halstedii obtained from them was determined by inoculation of sunflower lines traditionally used as differentials for characterization of the pathogen. Nine different races of the fungus were determined. Although race 1 was most common and was the only one found in central Spain, races 4, 6, and 7 were widespread in southern Spain. The results allowed the identification of a new race of the pathogen, race 10, and of a race not previously reported in Europe, race 8. According to the proposal of a new system for characterization of the isolates of P. halstedii in the late 1990s, Coded Virulence Formulae (CVF) were assigned to bulk isolates and single-sporangium (ss) isolates obtained from them. The CVF of the bulk isolates (CVFi) did not always fit with the previous designation. Similarly, ss isolates from the same bulk isolate exhibited different CVF, not only among themselves, but also compared with the CVF of the source isolate. Although a revision of the differential lines used to perform the racial characterization of fungal isolates seems to be needed, the occurrence of a diversity of genotypes in field populations of P. halstedii and a high frequency of recombination and/or mutation of the fungal genome is also suggested.

First Report of Stem Rot and Wilt of Sunflower Caused by Sclerotinia minor in Spain.

In 2001, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants with symptoms of stem and root rot and wilt were observed in Soria, Spain. Light brown, water-soaked lesions developed on the collar of infected plants and extended along the stem, affecting the pith and causing early and sudden wilt. White mycelium and sclerotia (0.5 to 2 mm long) formed in the pith of stems. The sclerotia were disinfested in NaClO (10% vol/vol) for 1 min, transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 20°C. The fungus consistently obtained was identified as Sclerotinia minor Jagger (1). Pathogenicity was confirmed in a greenhouse experiment (15 to 25°C, 13 h light). Seven-week-old plants of six genotypes of sunflower ('Peredovik', HA89, HA821, HA61, RHA274, and HA337) were inoculated by placing one PDA disk with active mycelial growth adjacent to each basal stem just below the soil line and covering it with peat/sand/silt (2:2:1, vol/vol). Six plants of each genotype were inoculated without wounding, and another six were inoculated immediately after stem base wounding with a scalpel; six wounded and uninoculated plants were used as controls. First symptoms (wilting) appeared 4 days after inoculation in all genotypes. Two weeks after inoculation, the percentage of dead plants ranged from 33 to 92% (depending on cultivar), white mycelium was observed at the base of affected plants, and sclerotia were present in the pith of diseased plants. There was no effect of plant wounding on disease incidence or severity, and the fungus was reisolated from inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. minor in Spain. Reference: (1) L. M. Kohn. Mycotaxon IX 2:365, 1979.

[Otologic manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis]. / Manifestaciones otológicas de la histiocitosis de células de Langerhans.

A case of temporal bone eosinophilic granuloma is reported. The patient had no symptoms other than aural discharge, conductive hearing loss and postauricular swelling. Otic features of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, diagnosis preferences and therapeutic choices are reviewed.

A comparative study of the structure of the rDNA intergenic spacer of Lens culinaris Medik., and other legume species.

As part of a project on lentil molecular genetics, the sequence of the 18S-25S ribosomal RNA gene intergenic spacer (IGS) of Lens culinaris Medik. was determined. DNA was cloned after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The spacer of 2939 bp was composed of nonrepetitive sequences and four tandem arrays of repeated sequences, named A to D. C and D arrays were formed by the repetition of very short consensus sequences. Similarity was found between lentil and other legume species, in particular those of the Vicieae tribe. A transcription initiation site, putative sites of termination and processing, and promoter-enhancer sequences were detected by computer-aided searches. These sites resemble motifs conserved in the IGS sequences of other plant species. The conservation of motifs in the otherwise highly variable plant IGS sequences points to the relevance of these motifs as functional sequences.