First Report of Fusarium equiseti Associated on Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) Seeds in Brazil.

Pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] is an important producing nut tree that has been intensively cultivated in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) in recent decades. This species is commonly grown in association with other crops and more often with cattle or sheep. An elevated incidence of the fungal genus Fusarium was observed during a quality control seed assay of pecan seeds obtained from orchards in the city of Anta Gorda (28°53'54.7″ S, 52°01'59.9″ W). Concomitantly, seedlings of this species, cultivated in a nursery, showed foliar necrosis, wilt, and root rot. The fungus was thereafter isolated from the seeds (from original seeds lots) and subcultured from single spores. Cultures were purified in order to perform pathogenicity tests. The isolated Fusarium sp. was increased on autoclaved wet corn kernels that were incubated for 14 days (1), and then were mixed with commercial substrate (sphagnum turf, expanded vermiculite, dolomitic limestone, gypsum, and NPK fertilizer) in plastic trays (capacity 7 L), with drainage holes. Twenty seeds were sowed and 90 days later, evaluations were undertaken. Forty percent of the seedlings presented symptoms, i.e., foliar necrosis and wilt owing to root rot. Fusarium sp. was re-isolated from the affected roots by transferring hyphal tips to potato dextrose agar (PDA) and carnation leaf agar (CLA) medium in petri dishes in order to identify the species morphologically. On PDA, the colony pigmentation was yellowish brown and the aerial mycelium was whitish to peach; macroconidia were relatively long and narrow (31.75 × 4.02 µm), with 5 septa on average, and whip-like bent apical cells (2). Chlamydospores were not observed on PDA or CLA. Primer pairs ITS1 and ITS4 (3) and EF1-T and EF1-1567R (4) were employed to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and elongation factor-1α (TEF 1-α) regions, respectively. The resulting DNA sequences showed 99% for ITS and 98% for TEF 1-α similarity with Fusarium equiseti (Corda) Sacc. and phylogenetic analysis grouped it with sequences of this species. The consensus sequence was submitted to GenBank and received the accession numbers KC810063 (ITS) and KF601580 (TEF 1-α). The pathogen was re-isolated on PDA and CLA substrate in order to complete Koch's postulates. The pathogenicity test was repeated with the same conditions described before and the results were confirmed. No symptoms were observed on the control seedlings. This species is considered a weak parasite (2); however, it has been reported causing wilt in Coffea arabica in Brazil (5). This pathogen could cause serious damage and high losses to seedling in commercial nurseries. Besides that, it could also carry the disease to the field causing further damage on established plants. To our knowledge, this is the first to report of F. equiseti causing foliar necrosis and wilt on C. illinoinensis in Brazil. References: (1) L. H. Klingelfuss et al. Fitopatol. Brasil. 32:1, 2007. (2) W. Gerlach and H. Nirenberg. The Genus Fusarium - a Pictorial Atlas. Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Braunschweig, Germany, 1982. (3) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990. (4) S. A. Rehner and E. A. Buckley. Mycologia 97:84, 2005. (5) L. H. Pfenning and M. F. Martins. Page 283 in: Simpósio de Pesquisa dos Cafés do Brasil, 2000.

First Report of Fusarium sambucinum Associated on Pinus elliottii Seeds in Brazil.

An elevated incidence of the fungal genus Fusarium was ascertained during a health quality analysis of a batch of Pinus elliottii Englm. seeds obtained from the Florestas Institute for Agricultural and Forest Research (Fundação Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária [FEPAGRO] Florestas) in Santa Maria (29° 39' 55″ S and 53° 54' 45″ W), state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This genus comprised about 75% of all fungal genera observed in a blotter test. The fungus was then isolated and purified to perform pathogenicity tests. Healthy seeds of P. elliottii were inoculated by contact with fungal mycelium for 48 h (3). Forty-two days after inoculation, a reduction was observed in the germination potential of the seeds; however, those seeds that germinated developed normally until, as seedlings, they suffered damping-off. Fusarium was isolated from the affected vegetal material by transferring mycelium tips to potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium in petri dishes in order to morphologically identify the species. After 72 h, a tan mycelial pad 5.5 cm in diameter had formed. After transfer to carnation leaf agar (CLA), pale orange sporodochia that formed macroconidia could be observed. The macronidia were relatively short and narrow (40.2 × 4.7 µm), each containing a mean of 5 septa; the apical cell was pointed, while the basal one was foot-shaped (2,4). The chlamydospores formed in clusters, while the conidiogenous cells could be seen on top of monophialides. Primer pairs ITS1 and ITS4, EF1-T and EF1-567R, and ßtub-F and ßtub were employed to amplify the three regions ITS1.8S ITS2, elongation factor - 1α (TEF 1-α), and ß-tubulin, respectively. The sequences of these three regions showed 97, 95, and 99% of similarity with Fusarium sambucinum Fückel, respectively. The pathogen was reinoculated on P. elliottii seeds in order to complete Koch's postulates. The pathogenicity test was repeated with the same conditions described before and the results were confirmed. No occurrence of damping-off was observed in the control seedlings. The inoculated seedlings showed, besides damping-off, a visible reduction in root system expansion as well as reductions in fresh and dry tissue weight. F. sambucinum has already been reported on P. radiata D. Don in New Zealand, causing root rot and dieback (1); however, in Brazil, the present study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to report the association of this pathogen with P. elliottii. References: (1) M. A. Dick and K. Dobbie. N. Z. Plant Prot. 55:58, 2002. (2) W. Gerlach and H. Nirenberg. The Genus Fusarium - A Pictorial Atlas. Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land - und. Forstwirtschaft, Berlin, 1982. (3) M. Lazarotto et al. Summa Phytopathol. 36:134, 2010. (4) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual, 1st ed. Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ, 2006.

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator attenuates basal lamina antigen loss after experimental focal cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is a proven therapy in acute stroke. Main concerns are based on hemorrhagic complications, which are connected with microvascular integrity loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate microvascular changes after various doses of rt-PA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Focal cerebral ischemia for 3 hours was induced using the suture model in rats and followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Six rats received either saline, 0.9, 9, or 18 mg rtPA/kg body weight at the end of ischemia. By immunostaining of collagen type IV the density of microvessels and the total stained area in the basal ganglia and cortex was measured. Comparison of the ischemic with the non-ischemic hemisphere showed significantly less reduction of the number of microvessels in rats treated with low-dose rt-PA than in the other groups: controls 17 +/- 3% (basal ganglia), 12 +/- 7% (cortex); 0.9 mg rt-PA, 18 +/- 3%, 10 +/- 4%; 9 mg, 21 +/- 4%, 13 +/- 7%; 18 mg, 22 +/- 4%, 15 +/- 8%. A similar effect was observed on the total stained area: control 25 +/- 4% (basal ganglia), 14 +/- 7% (cortex); 0.9 mg rt-PA, 23 +/- 2%, 7 +/- 4%; 9 mg, 28 +/- 4%, 15 +/- 4%; 18 mg, 29 +/- 4%, 17 +/- 5%, p<0.001. The significant reduction of the area of infarction after low and moderate doses of rt-PA was visualized with an MAP2-antibody, and the volume was calculated by 3-D reconstruction: control, 165.2 mm 3 +/- 21%; 0.9 mg rt-PA, 102.6 mm 3 +/- 16%; 9 mg, 101.2 mm 3 +/- 17%; 18 mg, 133.0 mm 3 +/- 24%; p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Rats exposed to low-dose rt-PA preserved basal lamina structures, and showed smaller infarct sizes. The protective effect of low-dose rt-PA might be due to an increased microvascular patency rate.

Thomson Thick X-Ray Absorption in a Broad Absorption Line Quasar, PG 0946+301.

We present a deep ASCA observation of a broad absorption line quasar (BALQSO) PG 0946+301. The source was clearly detected in one of the gas imaging spectrometers, but not in any other detector. If BALQSOs have intrinsic X-ray spectra similar to normal radio-quiet quasars, our observations imply that there is Thomson thick X-ray absorption (NH greater, similar1024 cm-2) toward PG 0946+301. This is the largest column density estimated so far toward a BALQSO. The absorber must be at least partially ionized and may be responsible for attenuation in the optical and UV. If the Thomson optical depth toward BALQSOs is close to 1, as inferred here, then spectroscopy in hard X-rays with large telescopes like XMM would be feasible.

[A case of an Oslerus osleri infection (nematoda) in a dog]. / Ein Fall einer Oslerus osleri-Infektion (Nematoda) beim Hund.

Nodules had been found in the mucous membrane of trachea and bronchiae of an 8 month old male miniature poodle suffering from dyspnoea. Besides worm fragments one female and one male nematode as well as a number of nematode eggs and larvae were discovered by parasitological examination of tracheal rinse liquid. They could be identified as Oslerus osleri. A literature survey is given on peculiarities in the life cycle, on the epidemiology, the clinical signs, the diagnostic and the treatment of this helminthosis rarely diagnosed in Europe.

Collagen content in porcine myocardium and its impact on gross anatomical heart data, thyroid gland and adrenals.

60 fattening pigs of the Leicoma breed were studied. The material was of high homogeneity (age 185 +/- 2 days, body weight 114 kg). The animals were raised and slaughtered under low-stress conditions. Collagen levels in both heart ventricles of each of the animals were morphometrically evaluated and were correlated with gross anatomical and histological data of the total body, heart, thyroid and adrenal cortices. The measured data are expected to be a representative basis for a pig breed with solid cardiovascular stability. The importance of the collagen content of the myocardium and factors of influence on it are discussed.

[Penis replantation following autoamputation]. / Penisreplantation nach Autoamputation.

The successful replantation of a penis by micro- and uro-surgery is described. Therapeutic methods against oedema are proposed.

[Heat development during tur. experiments with thermoelectric urethra model (author's transl)]. / Wärmeentwicklung bei TUR: Untersuchungen am thermo-elektrischen Harnröhrenmodell.

With the help of a new urethra phantom temperatures caused by leak currents during TUR have been measured. Quantitative analysis indicates the demand for maximum output power of 120 W during TUR.

[(Semi-)open renal biopsy: a new instrument (author's transl)]. / (Halb-)offene Nierenbiopsie: Eine neue Biopsiestanze.

A new instrument for (semi-)open renal biopsies is presented. The advantages of this instrument are proved in animal experiments. Histopathological studies in animal and human renal tissues have shown the efficiency of the biopsies.

[Embolization versus instillation of formalin. Ideas for the treatment of massive bladder hemorrhages]. / Embolisation versus Formalininstillation? Therapievorstellungen in der Behandlung massiver Harnblasenblutungen.

In the treatment of bladder hemorrhage intravesical formalin and arterial embolization with their techniques and complications are described and supplemented by our own experiences. Critical reflexions are added about therapeutic use and limitation of both methods.

[Histologic change of a prostatic leiomyosarcoma. Case report]. / Entartung eines Leiomyosarkoms der Prostata.

Case report on a leiomyoma of the prostate, becoming a leiomyosarcoma within 15 months. The patient was cured by radical surgery. The difficulties of histological diagnosis and proper surgical treatment are discussed.