Relationships Between Airborne Pseudoperonospora cubensis Sporangia, Environmental Conditions, and Cucumber Downy Mildew Severity.

Airborne Pseudoperonospora cubensis sporangia were collected 0.5 m above the ground from May to late September or early October 2010 and 2011 in unsprayed cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fields in Benton Harbor and Frankenmuth, MI. Cucumber downy mildew incidence and severity were evaluated weekly within each field from June until September or October. The first airborne sporangium was detected before the crop was planted for each site-year. The greatest numbers of airborne sporangia were detected when moderate to high disease severity (≥5% symptomatic leaf area) was detected within the field. Fewer airborne sporangia were present with low disease severity (<5% symptomatic leaf area), and even fewer were detected prior to planting the cucumber crop. The number of airborne sporangia detected, time post planting, planting number (first versus second versus third planting), temperature, and leaf wetness were positively associated and solar radiation was negatively associated with disease occurrence for at least one site-year. Michigan growers currently use an aggressive, calendar-based fungicide program to manage cucumber downy mildew. Because airborne sporangium concentrations were one of the most important factors identified in this study, the current fungicide recommendation of decreasing the spray interval following disease detection in an area is warranted.

Subcutaneous ancrod therapy in peripheral arterial disease: improvement in blood viscosity and nutritional blood flow.

Nine patients with extensive peripheral arterial disease were treated with subcutaneous injections of ancrod (Arvin) for 10 to 21 days. Reduction in plasma fibrinogen was associated with a sustained reduction in plasma and blood viscosity, and a sustained increase in nutritional skin blood flow, measured by a Xenon-133 clearance technique (P less than 0.001). These findings may be relevant to the therapeutic effect of ancrod in ischemic rest pain.

Subcutaneous ancrod after operation for fractured hip--a dose-ranging and feasibility study.

We have conducted a dose-ranging and feasibility study of daily subcutaneous injections of ancrod (Arvin) as a potential antithrombotic method in 28 patients following operation for fractured neck of femur. Sustained, predictable fibrinogen depletion during the first post-operative week was induced by four different regimes. A total dose of 10 units/kg weight, given in divided doses starting on the day of operation, is suggested as a possible antithrombotic regime. Ancrod treatment produced a rise in fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products, prolongation of the thrombin clotting time, and a fall in plasminogen, plasma fibrinogen and corrected blood viscosity were observed in 14 control patients. Plasma fibrinogen was correlated with plasma viscosity and corrected blood viscosity. No adverse effects of treatment occurred. Subcutaneous ancrod appears to be a simple, safe, and feasible potential antithrombotic method, and merits trials of efficacy in the prevention of post-operative thromboembolism.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis: aspects of diagnosis and surgical management.

Five cases of congenital hepatic fibrosis are described. In all the patients the diagnosis was delayed as a result of either failure to perform liver biopsy or misinterpretation of the histological features. Four patients had multiple operations for the control of haematemesis or the relief of portal hypertension. It is stressed that a high index of suspicion, the use of endoscopy and a liver biopsy are essential to avoid delay in diagnosis. The patients have a good prognosis provided that the diagnosis is established at an early stage and portacaval anastomosis performed.