Genomic characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae from Callery pear and the efficiency of associated phages in disease protection.

The Pseudomonas syringae species complex is a heterogeneous group of plant pathogenic bacteria associated with a wide distribution of plant species. Advances in genomics are revealing the complex evolutionary history of this species complex and the wide array of genetic adaptations underpinning their diverse lifestyles. Here, we genomically characterize two P. syringae isolates collected from diseased Callery pears (Pyrus calleryana) in Berkeley, California in 2019 and 2022. We also isolated a lytic bacteriophage, which we characterized and evaluated for biocontrol efficiency. Using a multilocus sequence analysis and core genome alignment, we classified the P. syringae isolates as members of phylogroup 2, related to other strains previously isolated from Pyrus and Prunus. An analysis of effector proteins demonstrated an evolutionary conservation of effectoromes across isolates classified in PG2 and yet uncovered unique effector profiles for each, including the two newly identified isolates. Whole-genome sequencing of the associated phage uncovered a novel phage genus related to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae phage PHB09 and the Flaumdravirus genus. Finally, using in planta infection assays, we demonstrate that the phage was equally useful in symptom mitigation of immature pear fruit regardless of the Pss strain tested. Overall, this study demonstrates the diversity of P. syringae and their viruses associated with ornamental pear trees, posing spill-over risks to commercial pear trees and the possibility of using phages as biocontrol agents to reduce the impact of disease.IMPORTANCEGlobal change exacerbates the spread and impact of pathogens, especially in agricultural settings. There is a clear need to better monitor the spread and diversity of plant pathogens, including in potential spillover hosts, and for the development of novel and sustainable control strategies. In this study, we characterize the first described strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae isolated from Callery pear in Berkeley, California from diseased tissues in an urban environment. We show that these strains have divergent virulence profiles from previously described strains and that they can cause disease in commercial pears. Additionally, we describe a novel bacteriophage that is associated with these strains and explore its potential to act as a biocontrol agent. Together, the data presented here demonstrate that ornamental pear trees harbor novel P. syringae pv. syringae isolates that potentially pose a risk to local fruit production, or vice versa-but also provide us with novel associated phages, effective in disease mitigation.

Primum non nocere. The case for a critical approach to global mental health.

The Movement for Global Mental Health (MGMH) argues that there is a moral imperative that psychiatric treatments should be made available to all communities across the world. But psychiatric theories, categories and interventions emerged in the Western world are based on a set of assumptions about the nature of the self and society, nature and the supernatural, health and healing that are not universally accepted. In this paper we argue that there is a stronger moral case for caution with regard to the export of psychiatric thinking. Without a critical interrogation of such thinking the MGMH is at risk of doing a great deal of harm to the diverse, and sometimes fragile, systems of care that already exist across the world.

Treatment of gingival Crohn's disease with laser therapy.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Oral manifestations appear most frequently on the lips, gingival tissue and buccal mucosa. The case presented here shows how a patient with oral lesions resulting from Crohn's disease can be treated by laser therapy and obtain optimal esthetic results.

The rehabilitation of child soldiers: defining needs and appropriate responses.

There is growing international concern that large numbers of children are being recruited to military forces in situations of conflict around the globe, despite the fact that there are principles established in international law specifically directed against the use of children as soldiers. It has been assumed that military experience will have negative psychological effects on children, and several projects aimed at the rehabilitation of such children have been developed. We have had opportunities to examine the situation of child soldiers in Uganda, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In this article we draw attention to some of the conceptual and practical problems involved in this rehabilitative work.

The rehabilitation of child soldiers: defining needs and appropriate responses

There is growing international concern that large numbers of children are being recruited to military forces in situations of conflict aroound the globe; desp[ite the fact that there are principles established in international law specifically directed aginst the use of children as soldiers. it has been assumed that military experience will have negative psychological effects on children; and several projects aimed at the rehabilitation of such children have been developed. We have had opportinities to examine the situation of child soldiers in Uganda; Liberia and Sierra leone. In this article we draw attention to some of the conceptual and practical probelms involved in this rehabilitative work

Psychological responses to war and atrocity: the limitations of current concepts.

Because of the prevalence of wars, political violence and other forms of man-made disaster in Third World countries many individuals and communities suffer prolonged and often multiple traumas. In Western psychiatry certain conceptions of the response to violence and trauma have been developed, including the widely used category of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We argue that because concepts such as PTSD implicitly endorse a Western ontology and value system, their use in non-Western groups should be, atmost, tentative.

Rape as a crime of war. A medical perspective.

Although widespread, rape of women has been an underreported aspect of military conflict until recently. The current war in the former Yugoslavia has focused attention on the use of rape as a deliberate strategy to undermine community bonds and weaken resistance to aggression. In addition to providing treatment for individual survivors, the medical community has an important role to play in investigating and documenting incidents of rape. Such documentation can help to establish the magnitude of rape in war and hold perpetrators accountable. Since rape in war affects not only the individual but also the family and community to which the survivor belongs, the restoration of social and community bonds is central to the process of healing and must be addressed within the specific cultural setting.

Helping victims of violence in Uganda.

We report on a project to assist victims of war and violence in Uganda. The original aim of this project, set up by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, was to establish a centre for the assessment and treatment of torture victims who had suffered during previous regimes in that country. We found, however, that a specialist centre was not the most appropriate response in a country like Uganda. We argue for the need to respect local initiatives and systems of support and against the notion that there is a single model of care which is universally relevant. Following much investigation and involvement with local personnel, we have developed a programme of training and discussion for health workers, and a service to reach the many women who have suffered rape, and whose suffering has continued, largely ignored.

Helping victims of violence in Uganda

We report on a project to assist victims of war and violence in Uganda. The original aim of this project; set up by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture; was to establish a centre for the assessment and treatment of torture victims who had suffered during previous regimes in that country. We found; however; that a specialist centre was not the most appropriate response in a country like Uganda. We argue for the need to respect local initiatives and systems of support and against the notion that there is a single model of care which is universally relevant. Following much investigation and involvement with local personnel; we have developed a programme of training and discussion for health workers; and a service to reach the many women who have suffered rape; and whose suffering has continued; largely ignored

Helping victims of violence in Uganda

We report on a project to assist victims of war and violence in Uganda. The original aim of this project; set up by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture; was to establish a centre for the assessment and treatment of torture victims who had suffered during previous regimes in the country. We found; however; that a specialist centre was not the most appropriate response in a country like Uganda. We argue for the need to respect local initiatives and systems of support; this is against the notion that there is a single model of care which is universally relevant. Following much investigation and involvement with local personnel; we have developed a programme of training and discussion for health workers; and a service to reach the many women who ahve suffered rape; and whose suffering has continued largely ignored

Bioavailability of hydrocortisone retention enemas in normal subjects.

The bioavailability of two commercial formulations of hydrocortisone rectal enemas, Rectoid and Cortenema, was determined in 12 normal volunteers. Relative to an intravenous dose, 50--90% of a dose given rectally was available to the systemic circulation in most subjects provided the retention time exceeded eight hours. The bioavailability and retention times of both enemas were similar. The results suggest that the likelihood for adrenal suppression from hydrocortisone rectal enemas is similar to that resulting from equal doses of oral hydrocortisone.

Case report: severe respiratory alkalosis--unusual manifestation of viral hepatitis.

A middle-aged man who had been in good general health presented with marked hyperventilation and severe respiratory alkalosis. Typical signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis subsequently developed. Investigation showed that he and 32 other patients with hepatitis had all eaten at the same restaurant prior to illness. Because of his distressing constitutional symptoms and markedly elevated hepatic enzyme levels, corticosteroid therapy was begun. The symptoms and hyperventilation improved dramatically. Although respiratory alkalosis has been observed during the course of other infectious diseases, to our knowledge it has not previously been reported in association with hepatitis A infection.