Molecular Characterization of Meloidogyne christiei Golden and Kaplan, 1986 (Nematoda, Meloidogynidae) Topotype Population Infecting Turkey Oak (Quercus laevies) in Florida.

Meloidogyne christiei isolated from turkey oak, Quercus laevies, from the type locality in Florida was characterized using isozyme profiles and ribosomal and mitochondrial gene sequences. The phenotype N1a detected from a single egg-laying female of M. christiei showed one very strong band of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity; however, no esterase (EST) activity was identified from macerate of one or even 20 females per well. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Meloidogyne as inferred from Bayesian analysis of partial 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA, and cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII)-16S rRNA of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene fragments showed that M. christiei formed a separate lineage within the crown group of Meloidogyne and its relationships with any of three Meloidogyne clades were not resolved.

First Report of Laurel Oak as a Host for the Pecan Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne partityla, in Florida.

Roots of laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia Michx.), member of the family Fagaceae, were found to be heavily galled by the pecan root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne partityla, in two separate home gardens between 2010 and 2012, in Alachua Co., FL. Distinct round galls were observed on secondary and tertiary roots. Internally, root-knot nematode females were clearly visible when the roots were thinly sliced and egg masses were seen protruding from the root surfaces. The nematode species identification was performed using morphology of the male stylet, selected characters of the second-stage juveniles (J2), female perineal patterns, and esterase (EST) and malate dehydrogenase (Mdh) isozyme phenotypes. Morphology of perineal patterns of females, body, stylet, and tail length of the J2 and males all matched those of the original description of M. partityla (2). A swollen deeply grooved rectum was observed in the J2. The male stylet had a blunt tip with a prominent thickening at the junction between the cone and shaft. The stylet knobs of males and females were bipartite, each incised by a deep medium longitudinal groove (2). The isozyme phenotypes (EST = Mp3; Mdh = N1a) were consistent with those previously reported for M. partityla from Florida (1). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (3) and ribosomal internal transcriber spacer (ITS) DNA (4) of females were amplified to further confirm the nematode species identification. The mtDNA amplification using the C2F3/1108 primer set (3) and the ITS amplification using a recently available M. partityla specific primer set (4) produced fragments of approximately 530 bp and 550 bp, respectively. These were consistent with those already reported for this nematode species. This first report of a plant host for the pecan root-knot nematode outside of the family Juglandaceae indicates that the nematode may have migrated from Quercus species to pecan trees during the period when orchards were being established in Florida. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the pecan root-knot nematode infecting laurel oak. References: (1) J. A. Brito et al. Nematology 10:757, 2008. (2) Kleynhans, K. P. N. Phytophylatica 18:103, 1986. (3) T. O. Powers et al., J. Nematol. 37:226, 2005. (4) R. A. Stamler. M. S. thesis, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, 2009.

Identifying psychopathic subtypes: combining an empirical personality classification of offenders with the psychopathy checklist-revised.

Mentally disordered offenders who were psychopathic according to the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) were divided into primary psychopath, secondary psychopath, controlled, and inhibited groups on the basis of a validated empirical classification, using the Antisocial Personality Questionnaire (APQ). They were compared on the factors and facets of the PCL-R, criminal history, Axis I and Axis II psychopathology, experience of child abuse, personality, interpersonal style, and clinical ratings of risk and treatability, to determine the utility of the APQ classification in identifying subtypes of psychopath. Significant differences between APQ primary and secondary psychopaths on several measures support the identification of these groups with the primary and secondary psychopaths hypothesized by Karpman (1948) and others. However, further differences suggest that the controlled and inhibited groups represent additional variants of primary and secondary psychopath, respectively. The results provide further evidence for the heterogeneity of psychopaths, and suggest that the PCL-R encompasses several distinct subtypes of abnormal personality.

Effects of the Mi-1, N and Tabasco Genes on Infection and Reproduction of Meloidogyne mayaguensis on Tomato and Pepper Genotypes.

Meloidogyne mayaguensis is a damaging root-knot nematode able to reproduce on root-knot nematode-resistant tomato and other economically important crops. In a growth chamber experiment conducted at 22 and 33 degrees C, isolate 1 of M. mayaguensis reproduced at both temperatures on the Mi-1-carrying tomato lines BHN 543 and BHN 585, whereas M. incognita race 4 failed to reproduce at 22 degrees C, but reproduced well at 33 degrees C. These results were confirmed in another experiment at 26 +/- 1.8 degrees C, where minimal or no reproduction of M. incognita race 4 was observed on the Mi-1-carrying tomato genotypes BHN 543, BHN 585, BHN 586 and 'Sanibel', whereas heavy infection and reproduction of M. mayaguensis isolate 1 occurred on these four genotypes. Seven additional Florida M. mayaguensis isolates also reproduced on resistant 'Sanibel' tomato at 26 +/- 1.8 degrees C. Isolate 3 was the most virulent, with reproduction factor (Rf) equal to 8.4, and isolate 8 was the least virulent (Rf = 2.1). At 24 degrees C, isolate 1 of M. mayaguensis also reproduced well (Rf >/= 1) and induced numerous small galls and large egg masses on the roots of root-knot nematode-resistant bell pepper 'Charleston Belle' carrying the N gene and on three root-knot nematode-resistant sweet pepper lines (9913/2, SAIS 97.9001 and SAIS 97.9008) carrying the Tabasco gene. In contrast, M. incognita race 4 failed to reproduce or reproduced poorly on these resistant pepper genotypes. The ability of M. mayaguensis isolates to overcome the resistance of tomato and pepper genotypes carrying the Mi-1, N and Tabasco genes limits the use of resistant cultivars to manage this nematode species in infested tomato and pepper fields in Florida.

Geographical clustering of pancreatic cancers in the Northeast Nile Delta region of Egypt.

The northeast Nile Delta, Egypt's most polluted region, appears to have a high incidence of pancreatic cancer. We sought to determine whether there is any geographic clustering of pancreatic cancers there and, if so, whether such clustering might be associated with environmental pollution. Using data from the medical records of the Gastrointestinal Surgical Center of Mansoura University in the Dakahleia Province of Egypt and detailed geographical maps of the northeast Nile Delta region, we plotted the residences of all 373 patients who had pancreatic cancer diagnosed between 1995 and 2000. The study region has 15 administrative districts, whose centroid coordinates, population, and number of pancreatic cancer patients were determined for this study. Monte Carlo simulation identified statistically significant clustering of pancreatic cancer in five subdivisions located near the Nile River and Delta plains. This clustering was independent of population size and formed two larger clusters. When data were analyzed by sex, clustering of pancreatic cancer was observed in the same five subdivisions for men but only two subdivisions showed clustering for women. Together, our data suggest that there is clustering of pancreatic cancer cases in the northeast Nile delta region and that this clustering may be related to water pollution. Our data also warrant future studies of the association between water pollution and pancreatic cancer in the region.

First Report of Meloidogyne mayaguensis on Angelonia angustifolia.

Angelonia angustifolia, commonly known as 'angelonia', belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. This plant is an ornamental frequently grown by home gardeners in Florida. Angelonia is a short, erect perennial with smooth stems, narrow leaves with toothed margins, and long-lasting, colorful blooms that makes it an ideal summer bedding plant. Roots from angelonia plants that showed stunted growth and yellowing leaves while growing in a home garden in Alachua County were collected and sent to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nematology Laboratory. The roots were heavily galled but the galls were very small. Females and second-stage juveniles (J2) were extracted from the galled roots and used for species identification on the basis of perineal patterns, J2 morphometrics, and electrophoresis of isozymes (esterase and malate dehydrogenase). Isozymes were extracted from young egg-laying females with extraction buffer (10% [wt/vol] sucrose, 2% [vol/vol] triton X-100, 0.01% [wt/vol] bromophenol blue) and resolved with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (4% stacking [pH 6.8] and 8% separating gel [pH 8.8] with Tris-glycine buffer) in the BioRad Mini Protean system. Morphology of the perineal patterns and measurements of the J2s matched those of the original description (3). Enzyme analyses showed two major bands (VS1-S1 phenotype) of esterase (Est) activity and one strong malate dehydrogenase (Mdh) band (N1a). The Est and Mdh phenotypes were consistent with those for M. mayaguensis reported earlier in Florida (1) and Brazil (2). Studies are currently underway regarding the identification and distribution of M. mayaguensis in ornamental nurseries and vegetable-producing areas in Florida. These surveys will provide insight for the implementation of regulatory and control measures. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. angustifolia as a host of M. mayaguensis. References: (1) J. A. Brito et al. J. Nematol. 36:232, 2004. (2) R. M. D. G. Carneiro et al. Nematology 2:645, 2001. (3) A. Rammah and H. Hirschmann. J. Nematol. 20:58, 1988.

Higher-order dimensions of personality disorder: hierarchical structure and relationships with the five-factor model, the interpersonal circle, and psychopathy.

Two studies examined the higher-order factor structure of DSM-IV personality disorders using the International Personality Disorder Examination in male forensic psychiatric patients. In Study 1 (N = 168), exploratory factor analysis at the level of individual personality disorder criteria indicated nine primary factors. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of these first-order factors supported a hierarchical structure in which two of three second-order factors covaried to yield a third-order factor. The two resulting superordinate factors were labelled Anxious-Inhibited and Acting Out. In Study 2 (N = 160), we used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to test hypotheses of common dimensions underlying these superordinate factors of personality disorder and superordinate factors of the five-factor model of personality, dimensions of the interpersonal circle, and psychopathy. Of three common factors, one combined Anxious-Inhibited disorders, "neurotic introversion," and hostile-submission. The other two factors of Acting Out/ psychopathy and antagonism/hostile-dominance covaried to yield a superordinate factor. Possible substrates underlying two superordinate dimensions common to normal and abnormal personality were identified in the theoretical literature.

Convergent and discriminative validity of interview and questionnaire measures of personality disorder in mentally disordered offenders: a multitrait-multimethod analysis using confirmatory factor analysis.

Measures of personality disorder from the International Personality Disorder Examination, Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire, and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II) were obtained from detained male mentally disordered offenders (N = 156), and convergent and discriminant validity were examined by confirmatory factor analysis of the multitrait-multimethod matrix. Hierarchical comparisons of models varying in their specification of trait and method variance established the appropriateness of a model supporting both convergence and discrimination across methods, but these were variable across constructs and measures. Convergence was good for avoidant, schizoid, and antisocial disorders, but poor for histrionic, narcissistic, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Avoidant, schizoid, and schizotypal disorders were not clearly distinguishable from each other. Measurement error attributable to method variance was substantial for all instruments and for most disorders. The commonly alleged superiority of interview over questionnaire methods was not supported, and the MCMI-II demonstrated proportionately more "true" variance. However, assessment methods may be differentially sensitive to different kinds of personality disorder problems.

Survival and toxicity of xenogeneic murine retroviral vector producer cells in liver.

Murine retroviral vector producer cells (VPC) can selectively transfer genes stably into proliferating cells. We injected LacZ gene producing VPC directly into normal rat liver. There was no measurable gene transfer into the surrounding hepatic parenchyma with X-GAL staining. Rejection of the xenogeneic murine VPC occurred 7-14 days after injection. Toxicity of this delivery method was evaluated with the herpes simplex-thymidine kinase (HS-tk) gene, which confers sensitivity to the antiherpes drug, ganciclovir (GCV). HS-tk VPC were injected and allowed to grow in normal liver for 7 days before GCV treatment. There was no clinical or histologic evidence of toxicity with GCV treatment. These findings suggest that the direct injection of murine VPC into xenogeneic human tumors may survive sufficiently long without immunosuppression to transfer genes to tumor cells in situ without attendant toxicity.

Specificity of bronchoalveolar lavage for the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome.

The diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome (FES) is relatively difficult because simple, quantitative criteria have been lacking. The results of a recent study, however, suggest that the diagnosis of FES can be made if more than 5 per cent of the cells in fluid obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage are lipid-laden. Our study was designed to assess the specificity of this lipid staining test of bronchoalveolar cells for diagnosing FES in a series of patients coming to the pulmonology clinic. Thirty-four consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary diseases, but not FES, underwent routine bronchoscopy. Bronchoalveolar fluid was applied to slides, fixed with formalin, and stained with oil red 0. Three hundred consecutive cells of each specimen were observed for red-staining droplets. More than 5 per cent of bronchoalveolar lavage cells stained for lipids in 25 of the 34 subjects. The calculated specificity, assuming a negative finding is defined as < or = 5 per cent lipid-laden cells in the sample, was 26.5 per cent. We conclude that staining of bronchoalveolar lavage cells for lipids is not a specific test for FES.

Cytotoxicity of ether-linked phytanyl phospholipid analogs and related derivatives in human HL-60 leukemia cells and polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

A cytotoxic activity, highly selective for neoplastic cells, is expressed by 1-alkyl-2-methoxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and by other derivatives closely related to the chemical structure of platelet activating factor. The antineoplastic potencies of a new series of analogs tested in HL-60 human leukemia cells and human polymorphonuclear neutrophils are reported. The degree of cytotoxicity was documented according to the ability of each analog to 1) destroy leukemic or normal cells or 2) to release lactic acid dehydrogenase from these cells. An index of selectivity of the analogs for their cytotoxicity toward leukemia cells is presented. Substitution by the twenty carbon branched-chain phytanyl moiety in place of the straight chain alkyl ether-linked group at the sn-1 position of various phospholipid analogs resulted in a 3- to 10-fold reduction in their cytotoxic potency in HL-60 leukemia cells. The enantiomeric isomers (D-forms) of several of the analogs possessed slightly greater phospholipid analogs possessing the sn-2-acetyl (platelet activating factor) or sn-2- propionoyl substituents, both biologically active in their ability to aggregate platelets and to induce hypotension, were relatively innocuous in terms of the measured cytotoxic responses in both HL-60 cells and neutrophils.