First Report of Cladosporium Leaf Spot of Spinach Caused by Cladosporium variabile in North Carolina.

Cladosporium leaf spot of spinach, caused by Cladosporium variabile, can result in significant economic losses in the United States (2). In March 2014, symptoms consistent with Cladosporium leaf spot (4) appeared on the spinach cultivar Tyee in a greenhouse located in Rowan County, NC. Of 1,080 spinach plants, 90 to 100% were infected. Symptoms consisted of small (1 to 3 mm in diameter), circular, tan lesions each outlined with a dark margin on the adaxial surface of the leaf. On severely infected foliage, lesions coalesced to produce relatively large necrotic regions. Profuse fungal sporulation was observed on the lesion surface with a dissecting microscope at 40× magnification. Using a dissecting microscope, conidia were collected with a sterile needle and transferred to petri plates containing potato dextrose agar. Plates were then incubated at 23 ± 2°C under continuous fluorescent light, and fungal growth was apparent after 24 h. Isolations from leaves of six infected plants produced slow-growing, dark green to brown fungal colonies that reached only 31 mm in diameter after 14 days, which is characteristic of C. variabile (4). Colonies contained dense masses of dematiaceous, septate, unbranched conidiophores with conidial chains, each containing up to five conidia. Conidia were ovate to elongate, with some being septate. The length of individual conidia ranged from 10 to 19 µm. Conidial septa were distinctly dark when observed at 100× magnification, which is a defining feature of C. variabile vs. the conidia of C. macrocarpum (4). The surface of the conidia appeared verrucose at 100× magnification, and conidia were each distinctly darkened toward the base. A single isolate obtained through single-spore transfer was used for DNA extraction, and the histone 3 (H3) gene sequence was amplified using the primers CYLH3F and CYLH3R (1). Sequence analysis of the amplified product using BLAST analysis indicated that the H3 sequences had 100% identity to that of a C. variabile isolate (GenBank Accession No. EF679710.1), and 99% identity to a C. macrocarpum isolate (EF679687.1). The H3 sequence from a representative isolate was deposited in GenBank (KJ769146). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Cladosporium leaf spot on spinach in North Carolina based on morphological evaluation and H3 sequencing results. C. variabile is a seedborne pathogen, so it is possible inoculum was introduced into the greenhouses in North Carolina on infected seed (3). Seeds can be treated with hot water or chlorine to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks caused by infected seed (2). Furthermore, Cladosporium leaf spot may be controlled with the use of fungicides (3). References: (1) P. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:415, 2004. (2) L. J. du Toit and P. Hernandez-Perez. Plant Dis. 89:1305, 2005. (3) L. J. du Toit et al. Fung. Nemat. Tests 59:V115, 2004. (4) Schubert et al. Stud. Mycol. 58:105, 2007.

NIDCAP improves brain function and structure in preterm infants with severe intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program) was examined on the neurobehavioral, electrophysiological and neurostructural development of preterm infants with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 30 infants, 27-33 weeks gestation, were randomized to control (C; N=17) or NIDCAP/experimental (E; N=13) care. Baseline health and demographics were assessed at intake; electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 35 and 42 weeks postmenstrual age; and health, growth and neurobehavior at 42 weeks and 9 months corrected age (9 months). RESULTS: C and E infants were comparable in health and demographics at baseline. At follow-up, E infants were healthier, showed significantly improved brain development and better neurobehavior. Neurobehavior, EEG and MRI discriminated between C and E infants. Neurobehavior at 42 weeks correlated with EEG and MRI at 42 weeks and neurobehavior at 9 months. CONCLUSION: NIDCAP significantly improved IUGR preterm infants' neurobehavior, electrophysiology and brain structure. Longer-term outcome assessment and larger samples are recommended.

Is the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) effective for preterm infants with intrauterine growth restriction?

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effectiveness of the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) on neurobehavioral and electrophysiological functioning of preterm infants with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). STUDY DESIGN: Thirty IUGR infants, 28 to 33 weeks gestational age, randomized to standard care (control/C=18), or NIDCAP (experimental/E=12), were assessed at 2 weeks corrected age (2wCA) and 9 months corrected age (9mCA) in regard to health, anthropometrics, and neurobehavior, and additionally at 2wCA in regard to electrophysiology (EEG). RESULT: The two groups were comparable in health and anthropometrics at 2wCA and 9mCA. The E-group at 2wCA showed significantly better autonomic, motor, and self-regulation functioning, improved motility, intensity and response thresholds, and reduced EEG connectivity among several adjacent brain regions. At 9mCA, the E-group showed significantly better mental performance. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show NIDCAP effectiveness for IUGR preterm infants.

First Report of Phakopsora pachyrhizi on Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) in North Carolina and Increased Incidence of Soybean Rust on Soybean in 2006.

Asian soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi H. Sydow & Sydow, was first detected in the continental United States in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in Louisiana on 6 November 2004 (3) and in kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) in Florida during February 2005 (1). Soybean rust was first confirmed in North Carolina in commercial soybean fields in Brunswick, Columbus, and Robeson counties on 25 October 2005 (2). Subsequently, the disease was detected in soybean in 18 counties, but not in kudzu, even when it was growing adjacent to infected soybean. During 2006, soybean rust was first detected in North Carolina in soybean on 14 September 2006 from a sample from Columbus County that was submitted to the North Carolina State University Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (NCSU-PDIC). Thus, the first detection of soybean rust in North Carolina occurred almost 6 weeks earlier in 2006 than in 2005. Subsequently, in 2006, soybean rust was found in soybean in 42 counties in North Carolina through survey, sentinel plot monitoring, and samples submitted to the NCSU-PDIC. In addition, what appeared to be soybean rust was observed in two samples of kudzu collected on 3 and 6 November 2006 from Moore (35.28313°N, 79.38020°W) and Johnston (35.42742°N, 78.18154°W) counties of North Carolina. The diagnosis of P. pachyrhizi in kudzu was confirmed visually and by ELISA protocol supplied with the EnviroLogix QualiPlate kit (Portland, ME). ELISA tests for each kudzu sample were run in triplicate. PCR was also conducted on infected kudzu samples with a protocol previously reported (1). The PCR master mix that was used came from a dilution scheme based on previous PCR work completed by G. Z. Abad. A total of 24 reactions were run, including four 1-kb molecular markers, four positive controls, four negative controls, and four infected kudzu leaf tissue samples. The results of all diagnostic techniques confirmed the presence of P. pachyrhizi in diseased kudzu. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. pachyrhizi in kudzu in North Carolina. References: (1) P. F. Harmon et al. Online publication. doi:10.1094/PHP-2005-0613-01-RS. Plant Health Progress, 2005. (2) S. R. Koenning et al. Plant Dis. 90:973, 2006. (3) R. W. Schneider et al. Plant Dis. 89:774, 2005.

Maternal depressive symptoms affect infant cognitive development in Barbados.

This longitudinal study is part of a series examining the relationships between maternal mood, feeding practices, and infant growth and development during the first 6 months of life in 226 well-nourished mother-infant dyads in Barbados. In this report, we assessed maternal moods (General Adjustment and Morale Scale and Zung Depression and Anxiety Scales), feeding practices (scales describing breast-feeding and other practices associated with infant feeding in this setting), and infant cognitive development (Griffiths Mental Development Scales). Multivariate analyses, with and without controlling for background variables, established significant relationships between maternal moods and infant cognitive development. Infants of mothers with mild moderate depression had lower Griffiths scores than infants of mothers without depression. Maternal depressive symptoms and lack of trust at 7 weeks predicted lower infant social and performance scores at 3 months. Maternal moods at 6 months were associated with lower scores in motor development at the same age. Although no independent relationships emerged between feeding practices and infant cognitive development, the combination of diminished infant feeding intensity and maternal depression predicted delays in infant social development. These findings demonstrate the need to carefully monitor maternal moods during the postpartum period, in order to maximize the benefits of breast-feeding and related health programs to infant cognitive development.

Comparison of ampicillin-sulbactam and ticarcillin-clavulanic acid in patients with chronic renal failure: effects of differential pharmacokinetics on serum bactericidal activity.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the pharmacodynamic antibacterial activity of ticarcillin-clavulanic acid (T-C) and ampicillin-sulbactam (A-S) combinations against reference bacterial strains in patients with end-stage renal disease maintained on long-term hemodialysis. DESIGN: Randomized, crossover, controlled study. SETTING: National Institutes of Health-funded general clinical research unit in a Veterans Administration Medical Center. PATIENTS: Nine adult men with end-stage renal disease maintained on long-term hemodialysis. Two subjects did not complete the study due to problems of vascular access, and another withdrew for personal reasons. INTERVENTIONS: On a nondialysis day, each subject was randomly administered either T-C 3.1 g or A-S 3 g as a slow intravenous infusion over 30 minutes. Serial blood samples were collected for measurement of antibiotic serum concentrations and determination of serum bactericidal titers. Following a washout period, the study was repeated with the alternative antibiotic combination. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean observed apparent beta-half-life of clavulanic acid was substantially shorter than that for the other three drugs. The bactericidal activity of both A-S and T-C against non-beta-lactamase-producing (N beta-LP) strains of S. aureus and E. coli was consistently high, as indicated by geometric mean SBTs of at least 1:5 at 24 hours. Against beta-lactamase-producing (beta-LP) S. aureus, the geometric mean SBTs for A-S were at least 1:25 throughout the study period, while the geometric mean SBTs for T-C decreased over 24 hours from 1:29 to 1:6. Against beta-LP E. coli, the bactericidal activities for both A-S and T-C were poor, with geometric mean peak SBTs of only 1:6 and 1:3, respectively. The geometric mean SBT for T-C against this E. coli strain had declined to 1:1 at 6 hrs. CONCLUSION: Increasing the dosing interval for T-C in patients with end-stage renal disease may lead to periods of insufficient clavulanic acid to protect ticarcillin from beta-lactamase degradation.

Chief State School Officers rank barriers to implementing comprehensive school health education.

Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) members were surveyed to determine their perception of barriers to implementing comprehensive school health education. CCSSO members were asked to prioritize the barriers and offer recommendations to overcome the barriers. A structured response, paired-comparison survey instrument was developed and mailed to 56 of 57 CCSSO members. Eighty-two percent of the members responded. CCSSO members perceived lack of administrative commitment as the number one barrier. Lack of adequately prepared teachers and insufficient time in the school day ranked second and third, respectively. While CCSSO members offered no recommendations for overcoming the number one barrier, recommendations to overcome other barriers included high-quality and more available preservice and inservice programs for teachers.