A new method to monitor airborne inoculum of the fungal plant pathogens Mycosphaerella brassicicola and Botrytis cinerea.

We describe a new microtiter immunospore trapping device (MTIST device) that uses a suction system to directly trap air particulates by impaction in microtiter wells. This device can be used for rapid detection and immunoquantification of ascospores of Mycosphaerella brassicicola and conidia of Botrytis cinerea by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) under controlled environmental conditions. For ascospores of M. brassicicola correlation coefficients (r(2)) of 0.943 and 0.9514 were observed for the number of MTIST device-impacted ascospores per microtiter well and the absorbance values determined by ELISA, respectively. These values were not affected when a mixed fungal spore population was used. There was a relationship between the number of MTIST device-trapped ascospores of M. brassicicola per liter of air sampled and the amount of disease expressed on exposed plants of Brassica oleracea (Brussels sprouts). Similarly, when the MTIST device was used to trap conidia of B. cinerea, a correlation coefficient of 0.8797 was obtained for the absorbance values generated by the ELISA and the observed number of conidia per microtiter well. The relative collection efficiency of the MTIST device in controlled plant growth chambers with limited airflow was 1.7 times greater than the relative collection efficiency of a Burkard 7-day volumetric spore trap for collection of M. brassicicola ascospores. The MTIST device can be used to rapidly differentiate, determine, and accurately quantify target organisms in a microflora. The MTIST device is a portable, robust, inexpensive system that can be used to perform multiple tests in a single sampling period, and it should be useful for monitoring airborne particulates and microorganisms in a range of environments.

Antroduodenal manometry: an evaluation of an emerging methodology.

Antroduodenal manometry is a relatively new technique for the assessment of gastric and small intestinal motor function. The aim of this review is to provide an evaluation of its current status as a diagnostical tool. Available recording systems are reviewed and the study protocol for the evaluation of antroduodenal motor function is described. The role of this methodology in the evaluation of patients with suspected motor disorders, its advantages over other less invasive techniques and limitations are critically assessed. We conclude that, in the evaluation of suspected foregut motor dysfunction, antroduodenal manometry may provide clinically useful information in selected patients; information which may not be available from standard diagnostic tests, including nuclear medicine gastric-emptying studies.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. A report of clinical experience at a single center.

We describe our clinical experience in the evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Dysphagia, heartburn, medication-related nausea, and constipation were the predominant symptoms. Although all of the patients localized their dysphagia to the oropharynx and although oropharyngeal dysfunction was common, evaluation revealed significant dysfunction in either the esophageal body or lower esophageal sphincter in many--gastroesophageal reflux-related disease being especially common. Studies of anorectal sphincter and pelvic floor function in those patients with constipation demonstrated a high incidence of abnormal external anal sphincter dysfunction. We conclude, first, that dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease should not be assumed to result solely from oropharyngeal dysfunction but deserves detailed evaluation and, second, that constipation in Parkinson's disease is commonly consequent on anorectal sphincter and pelvic floor dysfunction.