Childhood anhedonia symptoms and stressful life events predict the development of reward-related brain activity across adolescence.

The reward positivity (RewP) is an event-related potential that indexes reinforcement learning and reward system activation. The RewP has been shown to increase across adolescence; however, most studies have examined the RewP across two assessments, and no studies have examined within-person changes across adolescence into young adulthood. Moreover, the RewP has been identified as a neurobiological risk factor for adolescent-onset depression, but it is unclear whether childhood psychosocial risk factors might predict RewP development across adolescence. In a sample of 317 8- to 14-year-old girls (Mage = 12.4, SD = 1.8), the present study examined self-report measures of depression symptoms and stressful life events at baseline and the ΔRewP during the doors guessing task across three timepoints. Growth modeling indicated that, across all participants, the ΔRewP did not demonstrate linear change across adolescence. However, baseline anhedonia symptoms predicted within-person changes in the ΔRewP, such that individuals with low anhedonia symptoms demonstrated a linear increase in the ΔRewP, but individuals with high anhedonia symptoms had no change in the ΔRewP across adolescence. Similar patterns were observed for stressful life events. The present study suggests that childhood risk factors impact the development of reward-related brain activity, which might subsequently increase risk for psychopathology.

Youth in crisis in the Middle East and North Africa: a systematic literature review and focused landscape analysis.

Recent political and demographic factors have exposed the vulnerability of the youth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study aimed to elucidate the current needs, activities, stakeholders and solutions related to at-risk youth and young adults in the MENA region. A systematic literature review was conducted of the peer-reviewed and grey literature. This was complemented by an in-region landscape analysis involving key-informant interviews and focus group discussions. After extensive screening of 1160 unique articles, 275 articles were considered relevant to this study. Of these 275, 145 (52.7%) were related to health (64.8% of these related to mental health), 101 (36.7%) to livelihood, 87 (31.6%) to violence prevention and 68 (24.7%) to education. Important themes and challenges identified in the literature and discussions included the MENA region's growing youth bulge; youth unemployment; critical gender gaps; and the impact of conflict on livelihoods, education and health, especially mental health.

A postpartum haemorrhage package with condom uterine balloon tamponade: a prospective multi-centre case series in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an ultra-low-cost uterine balloon tamponade package (ESM-UBT™) for facility-based management of uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Nepal. DESIGN: Prospective multi-centre case series. SETTING: Facilities in resource-scarce areas of Kenya, Sierra Leone, Nepal, and Senegal. POPULATION: Women with uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage in 307 facilities across the four countries. METHODS: A standardised ESM-UBT package was implemented in 307 facilities over 29 months (1 September 2012 to 1 February 2015). Data were collected via a multi-pronged approach including data card completion, chart reviews, and provider interviews. Beginning in August 2014, women who had previously undergone UBT placement were sought and queried regarding potential complications associated with UBT use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All-cause survival, survival from PPH, and post-UBT use complications (surgery, hospitalisation, antibiotics for pelvic infection) associated with UBT use. RESULTS: 201 UBTs were placed for uncontrolled vaginal haemorrhage refractory to all other interventions. In all, 38% (71/188) of women were either unconscious or confused at the time of UBT insertion. All-cause survival was 95% (190/201). However, 98% (160/163) of women survived uncontrolled PPH if delivery occurred at an ESM-UBT online facility. One (1/151) potential UBT-associated complication (postpartum endometritis) was identified and two improvised UBTs were placed in women with a ruptured uterus. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data suggest that the ESM-UBT package is a clinically promising and safe method to arrest uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage and save women's lives. The UBT was successfully placed by all levels of facility-based providers. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of ESM-UBT in low-resource settings. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Evidence for ESM-UBT as a clinically promising and safe method to arrest uncontrolled PPH and save women's lives.

Familial risk for distress and fear disorders and emotional reactivity in adolescence: an event-related potential investigation.

BACKGROUND: The late positive potential (LPP) is an event-related potential component that is sensitive to the motivational salience of stimuli. Children with a parental history of depression, an indicator of risk, have been found to exhibit an attenuated LPP to emotional stimuli. Research on depressive and anxiety disorders has organized these conditions into two empirical classes: distress and fear disorders. The present study examined whether parental history of distress and fear disorders was associated with the LPP to emotional stimuli in a large sample of adolescent girls. METHOD: The sample of 550 girls (ages 13.5-15.5 years) with no lifetime history of depression completed an emotional picture-viewing task and the LPP was measured in response to neutral, pleasant and unpleasant pictures. Parental lifetime history of psychopathology was determined via a semi-structured diagnostic interview with a biological parent, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to model distress and fear dimensions. RESULTS: Parental distress risk was associated with an attenuated LPP to all stimuli. In contrast, parental fear risk was associated with an enhanced LPP to unpleasant pictures but was unrelated to the LPP to neutral and pleasant pictures. Furthermore, these results were independent of the adolescent girls' current depression and anxiety symptoms and pubertal status. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that familial risk for distress and fear disorders may have unique profiles in terms of electrocortical measures of emotional information processing. This study is also one of the first to investigate emotional/motivational processes underlying the distress and fear disorder dimensions.

Perinatal health care in a conflict-affected setting: evaluation of health-care services and newborn outcomes at a regional medical centre in Iraq.

A field-based assessment was conducted to assess maternal and newborn health-care services, perinatal and newborn outcomes and associated risk factors at Bint Al-Huda Maternal and Newborn Teaching Hospital, a large referral hospital in southern Iraq. The multi-method approach used interviews, discussions, observation and review of perinatal and newborn outcome data. There is limited assessment of maternal vital signs, labour pattern, fetal response, and complications during pregnancy and labour. Perinatal and neonatal mortality rates are 27.4/1000 births and 30.9/1000 live births respectively. Associated neonatal mortality factors were gestational age < 37 weeks, male sex, birth weight < 2.5 kg, maternal age > 35 years, rural maternal residence and vaginal delivery. Improving birth outcomes in southern Iraq requires evidence-based clinical guidelines, additional supplies and equipment, quality improvement initiatives and in-service training.

Perinatal health care in a conflict-affected setting: evaluation of health-care services and newborn outcomes at a regional medical centre in Iraq

A field-based assessment was conducted to assess maternal and newborn health-care services, perinatal and newborn outcomes and associated risk factors at Bint Al-Huda Maternal and Newborn Teaching Hospital, a large referral hospital in southern Iraq. The multi-method approach used interviews, discussions, observation and review of perinatal and newborn outcome data. There is limited assessment of maternal vital signs, labour pattern,fetal response, and complications during pregnancy and labour. Perinatal and neonatal mortality rates are 27.4/1000 births and 30.9/1000 live births respectively. Associated neonatal mortality factors were gestational age < 37 weeks, male sex,birth weight < 2.5 kg, maternal age > 35 years, rural maternal residence and vaginal delivery. Improving birth outcomes in southern Iraq requires evidence-based clinical guidelines, additional supplies and equipment, quality improvement initiatives and in-service training

Une évaluation sur le terrain a été menée afin d'analyser les services de soins de santé pour la mère et le nouveau-né, les issues périnatales et néonatales et les facteurs de risque associés au centre hospitalier universitaire pour la mère et l'enfant Bint Al-Huda, un grand hôpital de recours dans le sud de l'Iraq. L'approche reposait sur de multiples méthodes et a eu recours à des entretiens semi-structurés avec des informateurs clés, à des petits groupes de discussion, à l'observation de la pratique des soins et à l'examen des données concernant l'issue des soins périnatals et néonatals.Les signes vitaux chez la mère, le déroulement du travail, la réponse foetale et les complications pendant la grossesse et le travail sont peu évalués. Les taux de mortalité périnatale et néonatale sont de 27,4/1000 naissances et de 30,9/1000 naissances vivantes respectivement; les facteurs de mortalité néonatale associés étaient un âge gestationnel inférieur à 37 semaines,le sexe masculin, un poids de naissance inférieur à 2,5 kg, l'âge de la mère supérieur à 35 ans, un lieu de résidence rural, et un accouchement par voie basse. L'amélioration des issues néonatales dans le sud de l'Iraq passe par des recommandations cliniques fondées sur des bases factuelles,des fournitures et des équipements supplémentaires, des initiatives visant à améliorer la qualité et des formations en cours d'emploi

Development of a community-based maternal, newborn and child emergency training package in South Sudan.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an evidence-based maternal, newborn and child emergency training package for community-based frontline health workers (FHWs) in post-conflict South Sudan. METHODS: In partnership with the new Republic of South Sudan, a multimodal needs assessment was conducted through purposive sampling, involving key informant interviews, focus group discussions, provider knowledge assessments and facility surveys. Data were analyzed using traditional qualitative techniques and compared with existing training programmes and curricula. These findings informed the development and implementation of the novel training approach. RESULTS: The needs assessment involved 33 FHWs, eight diverse health facilities in Eastern Equatoria, and stakeholders within 18 governmental and non-governmental organizations. Significant consensus emerged regarding the need for greater capacity among previously untrained FHWs. A maternal, newborn and child health training package was developed that included: (1) a participatory training course taught through a 'training of trainers' approach; (2) nine different pictorial action-based checklists covering basic management and referral of maternal, newborn and child emergencies; and (3) essential setting-appropriate equipment. CONCLUSION: A novel maternal, newborn and child survival package was developed for previously untrained and illiterate FHWs in South Sudan. It is hoped that this approach will build community-based capacity in resource-limited settings while greater capacity is being developed for facility-based deliveries by skilled birth attendants.

First Report of Alfalfa mosaic virus and Soybean dwarf virus on Soybean in North Dakota.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is the major oilseed crop in North Dakota, with production concentrated in the eastern half of the state. Only one virus, Soybean mosaic virus, has been reported from soybean in North Dakota (4). In July and August of 2010, 200 soybean fields from 25 counties were surveyed for Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV). AMV and SbDV have been detected infecting soybean in multiple Midwestern states and are reported to reduce yields in soybean (1,3). Each field was sampled with a grid pattern across the area with at least 8 km between fields. From each field, leaves were collected from 20 plants without regard for symptoms along a transect of approximately 170 m. Leaves from each field were bulked and sap was extracted in phosphate buffer and stored at -80°C until tested using double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA with positive controls and reagents and protocols from Agdia Inc. (Elkhart, IN). Using DAS-ELISA, AMV was detected in eight of the 200 soybean fields. For sequence-based virus detection, total RNA was extracted from all field samples using a Qiagen RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Germantown, MD), pooled, depleted of ribosomal RNA (RiboZero Epicentre, Madison, WI), reverse transcribed, sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq2000 (San Diego, CA), and compared to all available viral amino acid and nucleotide sequences. The analysis detected AMV and SbDV sequences in the pool of 200 fields. The presence of AMV and SbDV was confirmed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR (1,3). For AMV, total RNA extracted from bulked leaves from each of the 200 fields was tested using AMVspecific primers (5'-ATGCTACCCAGGCATGTATATTT-3' and 5'-GCTGCATCTTTCGCCAGAA-3') and a FAM-labeled minor-groove binding TaqMan probe (5'-TGGACGTTACCCCCGGA-3'). One field sample from Cass county positive for AMV by ELISA was also positive for AMV by qRT-PCR, confirming the presence of AMV in the field sample. For SbDV, an RNA pool representing all 200 fields, subpools, and individual field samples was analyzed by qRT-PCR (1) and DAS-ELISA. One field sample from Grand Forks County tested positive for SbDV by qRT-PCR and DAS-ELISA, confirming the presence of SbDV in the field sample. Because leaf samples were collected and pooled prior to analysis, the symptom phenotypes of individual field plants could not be correlated with positive ELISA or qRT-PCR results. AMV was reported by the American Phytopathological Society Virus Working Group (2007 to 2008) to be widely prevalent in North Dakota, but we found no peer-reviewed reports of verified AMV identification on any crop in the state. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of AMV and SbDV infecting soybean in North Dakota. Serious infestations by the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, requiring chemical control, have occurred in recent years in North Dakota. Because A. glycines is a vector for both viruses (1,2), the distribution, incidence, and agronomic impact of AMV and SbDV could be affected in years when A. glycines infestations are high. In addition, AMV is seedborne in soybean and may cause seed mottling, a concern for the food-grade soybean industry where production is primarily for export. References: (1) V. D. Damsteegt et al. Plant Dis. 95:945, 2011 (2) J. H. Hill et al. Plant Dis. 85:561, 2001. (3) H. A. Hobbs et al. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2010-0827-01-BR, 2010. (4) B. D. Nelson and L. L. Domier. Plant Dis. 93:760, 2009.

First Confirmed Report of Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode, Heterodera schachtii, in North Dakota.

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) are major crops in North Dakota, with sugar beet production primarily in the eastern part of the state in the Red River Valley and canola production across the northern half of the state. Both crops are hosts of sugar beet cyst nematode (SBCN), Heterodera schachtii Schmidt. In April 2011, soil samples were collected from four sugar beet fields belonging to three growers who believed the fields were infested with SBCN. The fields were located in a 65-km2 area in the Yellowstone Valley of western North Dakota. Cysts were extracted by sieving and Heterodera-like cysts with eggs were observed in all four soil samples. Population densities in the four fields ranged from 100 to 1,750 eggs/100 cm3 soil. Sugar beet seedlings (cv. M832224) were grown in a potting mix for 6 weeks in the greenhouse and then transferred to conetainers (type D40; volume 656 ml) containing autoclaved river sand. Conetainers were placed in sand in plastic pots immersed in a water bath at 27°C. Three plants were each infested with 800 eggs from field No. 2. After 55 days of incubation, the average number of females was 115 per plant. A similar experiment was conducted with canola cvs. Hyclass 940, Caliber 30, and Westar, which were inoculated with 500 eggs each from field No. 2. After 53 days of incubation, there was an average of 39, 20, and 30 females for each respective cultivar. Flask-shaped cysts (n = 26) from canola roots were light to dark brown; the vulval cone was ambifinestrate with dark brown, molar-shaped bullae positioned underneath the vulval bridge. Body length (excluding neck) ranged from 600 to 850 µm (mean 701.2 µm); body width, 350 to 580 µm (mean 469.2 µm); and length/width ratio, 1.2 to 1.8 (mean 1.5). Second-stage juvenile (J2) (n = 21) body length ranged from 400 to 485 µm (mean 437.1 µm); stylet length was 25 µm (no variation) with forwardly directed knobs; conical tail with rounded tip ranged from 37.5 to 55.0 µm long (mean 46.6 µm) with hyaline region from 20.0 to 32.5 µm (mean 27.3 µm); and lateral field presented four incisures. These morphometrics were used to identify H. schachtii according to Subbotin et al. (4). Confirmation of identification was by amplification and sequencing of a 28S rDNA gene fragment (1) from individual females (GenBank Accession No. JQ040526), which was 100% identical to H. schachtii 28S rDNA sequence (GenBank Accession No. GU475088). To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of H. schachtii in North Dakota. A 1958 report of SBCN in North Dakota (2) was not subsequently confirmed (3). Because there is extensive canola production across the northern part of the state bordering western and eastern sugar beet- production areas, canola may serve as a bridge for movement of SBCN from west to east. SBCN is a potential threat to these two important crops. References: (1) A. Amiri et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 108:497, 2002. (2) F. Caveness. J. Sugar Beet Res. 10:544, 1958. (3) P. Donald and R. Hosford. Plant Dis. 64:45, 1980. (4) S. A. Subbotin et al. Systematics of Cyst Nematodes (Nematoda: Heteroderinae). Nematology Monographs and Perspectives. Vol. 8B. Brill, The Netherlands. 2010.

Characterization of the hepatic and splenic immune status and immunoglobulin synthesis in aged male mice lacking the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα).

It is now well established that the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) is expressed in different types of immune cells and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of age-related production of inflammatory cytokines. However, the role(s) of this receptor in the regulation of immune cell homoeostasis in ageing non-lymphoid and lymphoid organs has not yet been resolved. We examine this issue here by evaluating the hepatic and splenic immune status and immunoglobulin (Ig) production in male PPARα-null mice and their wild-type littermates at one and 2 years of age. In comparison with the age-matched control animals, PPARα-null mice exhibited age-related elevations in the numbers of total, as well as of phenotypically distinct subpopulations of intrahepatic immune cells (IHIC) and splenocytes. Moreover, at 2 years of age, these alterations in hepatic immune cells were accompanied by significant increases in hepatic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), in combination with the development of hepatic inflammatory loci containing mixtures of leucocytes. Alterations in splenocytes of old PPARα-null mice were also accompanied by increases in cellularity of both white and red pulps of the spleen. Furthermore, these same animals exhibited pronounced increases in the numbers of splenic plasma cells and enhanced production of Ig of different isotypes, including IgG1, IgG2a and IgE. Thus, our findings indicate that upon ageing, PPARα plays a crucial role in regulating the total numbers, compositions and functions of immune cells in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid immune organs of mice.

Isolation of murine intrahepatic immune cells employing a modified procedure for mechanical disruption and functional characterization of the B, T and natural killer T cells obtained.

Intrahepatic immune cells (IHIC) are known to play central roles in immunological responses mediated by the liver, and isolation and phenotypic characterization of these cells is therefore of considerable importance. In the present investigation, we developed a simple procedure for the mechanical disruption of mouse liver that allows efficient isolation and phenotypic characterization of IHIC. These cells are compared with the corresponding cells purified from the liver after enzymatic digestion with different concentrations of collagenase and DNase. The mechanical disruption yielded viable IHIC in considerably greater numbers than those obtained following enzymatic digestion. The IHIC isolated employing the mechanical disruption were heterogeneous in composition, consisting of both innate and adaptive immune cells, of which B, T, natural killer (NK), NK T cells, granulocytes and macrophages were the major populations (constituting 37.5%, 16.5%, 12.1%, 7.9%, 7.9% and 7.5% of the total number of cells recovered respectively). The IHIC obtained following enzymatic digestion contained markedly lower numbers of NK T cells (1.8%). The B, T and NK T cells among IHIC isolated employing mechanical disruption were found to be immunocompetent, i.e. they proliferated in vitro in response to their specific stimuli (lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A and alpha-galactosylceramide respectively) and produced immunoglobulin M and interferon-gamma. Thus, the simple procedure for the mechanical disruption of mouse liver described here results in more efficient isolation of functionally competent IHIC for various types of investigation.

First Report of Soybean mosaic virus on Soybean in North Dakota.

Soybean, Glycine max L, is grown on 1,420,000 ha in North Dakota and is the most important oilseed crop in the state. Viruses in soybean have not previously been reported from North Dakota (2). In July and August of 2007, 64 soybean fields in Cass, Richland, and Sargent counties in southeastern North Dakota were surveyed for Soybean mosaic virus (SMV). These counties have a high concentration of soybean hectares, a long history of soybean production, and soybean aphid infestations that were observed in 2004 and 2006. Fields were sampled with a grid pattern across the area with at least 8 km (5 miles) between fields. A transect of approximately 60 m through each field was made and 20 leaves were collected at random. Sap was extracted in phosphate buffer and stored at -80°C until tested first using double antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA with positive controls and reagents and protocol from Agdia Inc. (Elkhart, IN). Using DAS-ELISA, SMV was detected in 19 of the 64 soybean fields sampled. To confirm the presence of SMV, 12 samples that were positive for SMV by DAS-ELISA also were tested by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. RNA was extracted from sap by a Qiagen RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Germantown, MD), reverse transcribed, and amplified with SuperScrip III Platinum SYBR Green One-Step qRT-PCR Kit (Invitrogen Inc., Carlsbad, CA) and SMV-specific primers (5'-TTCAGCACAATGGGTGAGGATG-3' and 5'-AATTCTGTGTGGCTTGATGTTGC-3') (1). Eight of the twelve ELISA-positive samples were positive for SMV by RT-PCR, confirming the presence of SMV in the samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SMV infecting soybean in North Dakota. References: (1) L. L. Domier et al. (Abstr.). Phytopathology 98(suppl.):S47, 2008. (2) B. D. Nelson and G. Danielson. (Abstr.). Phytopathology 95(suppl.):S164, 2005.

Pathotypes, Distribution, and Metalaxyl Sensitivity of Phytophthora sojae from North Dakota.

Phytophthora root rot, caused by Phytophthora sojae, is the most important disease of soybean (Glycine max) in North Dakota. Because of the expansion of soybean hectares and appearance of disease on cultivars with resistance genes, we investigated the pathotypes, distribution, and metalaxyl sensitivity of P. sojae in North Dakota. Soil from 347 soybean fields in 20 counties in eastern North Dakota was collected between 2002 and 2004, and P. sojae was baited from the soil with the susceptible cultivar McCall. The virulence phenotype of each isolate was determined on eight differentials, and all isolates were tested for sensitivity to metalaxyl incorporated into V8 agar. The pathogen was recovered from 80 fields located in five counties. Sixteen pathotypes, which included 14 known races and two previously reported pathotypes that had not been assigned a race, were identified out of 157 isolates. A single pathotype was recovered from 61 fields, 2 pathotypes from 14 fields, 3 pathotypes from 4 fields, and 4 pathotypes from 1 field. Pathotypes with virulence phenotypes 1a,1c,7 (race 4; 39%) and 1a,7 (race 3; 28%) were the most common, representing 67% of the total isolates. One or both of these pathotypes was found in 79% of the fields where P. sojae was recovered. Seven of the 157 isolates showed limited growth on metalaxyl after 14 days of incubation. In the past 10 years, the number of pathotypes of P. sojae in North Dakota has increased from 4 to 16, and pathotypes have developed that can attack the three most common resistance genes found in soybean cultivars for the region.

Greenhouse Evaluation of Binucleate Rhizoctonia for Control of R. solani in Soybean.

Nine isolates of binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) from soybean were screened in the greenhouse for control of Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis groups AG-4 and AG-2-2. Eight of nine BNR isolates, when combined with AG-4 or AG-2-2, significantly increased emergence and survival of soybean (cv. Ozzie) and reduced disease severity compared with AG-4 or AG-2-2 alone. The interaction of soybean cultivar and BNR isolates in the presence of AG-4 and AG-2-2 was also studied using three isolates of BNR, BNR-4, BNR-8-2, and BNR-8-3, and seven soybean cultivars. There was no BNR × cultivar interaction. With AG-4, BNRs significantly increased emergence and survival of cultivars and reduced disease severity, whereas with AG-2-2, BNRs reduced disease severity. Control of R. solani by BNRs was achieved in both a potting soil mix and natural soil. In the initial screening experiments, two BNR isolates reduced emergence, but in all subsequent experiments using three BNR isolates alone, there were no negative effects on germination, survival, or height of soybean plants, and there was no evidence of pathogenicity. In several experiments, BNRs alone significantly increased height of plants compared with the noninoculated controls. BNRs were consistently isolated from hypocotyls and roots, indicating colonization of tissues was associated with control. These BNR isolates may have potential use in management of R. solani in soybean, but will require rigorous testing under field conditions and more extensive studies of their biology.

First Report of Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines) on Soybean in North Dakota.

During August 2003, soybean (Glycine max) plants from Richland County, North Dakota with white-to-yellow, lemon-shaped structures on the roots were brought to the North Dakota State University Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. To confirm that the structures were females of a cyst nematode, they were crushed and observed microscopically to determine if nematode eggs and second-stage juveniles were present. Morphology of the second-stage juveniles was consistent with Heterodera glycines, the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). A survey was conducted in soybean fields in 34 km2 around the field in which the samples originated. Ten of twenty fields surveyed had visible females on the roots of plants. Symptoms observed in those fields included patches of stunted, chlorotic, and dead plants. Soil samples were collected from selected areas within eight fields, eggs were extracted using standard soil sieving techniques, and egg numbers were determined. Egg numbers ranged from 550 to 20,000 eggs per 100 cm3 of soil. SCN collected from two different fields, designated as Dwight and LaMars, were used to determine their HG Type. Standardized procedures (1) were used in a growth chamber set at 27°C with 16-h days. Pots in the test were organized in a completely randomized design with three replicates; the test was repeated over time. After 30 days, females were extracted from roots and counted, and a female index (FI) was calculated for each indicator line (1). The mean number of females on susceptible standard cv. Lee 74, was 110. The Dwight SCN population had an FI of 5.3 on plant introduction (PI) 88788, 1.5 on PI 209332, 5.8 on PI 548316 (Cloud), and 0 on all other indicator lines. The LaMars population had an FI of 1.0 on PI 88788, 3.1 on PI 548316 (Cloud), and 0 on all other indicator lines. These results indicate that both SCN populations tested are HG Type 0. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SCN on soybean in North Dakota. Because other hosts of SCN, as well as soybean, are economically important in North Dakota, such as dry edible bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and dry pea (Pisum sativum), this disease could adversely impact several commodities throughout the state. Reference: (1) T. L. Niblack et al. J. Nematol. 34:279, 2002.

Effect of Sclerotinia Stem Rot on Yield of Soybean Inoculated at Different Growth Stages.

The effects of Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, on yield of soybean were evaluated in the field with two cultivars in maturity group 0. Plants were inoculated at two growth stages, R3 and R5, using two inoculation methods. Seed weight, seed and pod numbers, seed protein, and oil content were measured. The effects of disease on yield were variable. Disease resulted in significant seed weight loss, with reductions per diseased plant ranging from 18.8 to 38.6%. The estimated yield loss per 10% disease incidence ranged from 83.2 to 229.0 kg/ha, with an average loss of 136.6 kg/ha for four field experiments. A reduction in the number of seeds and pods per plant and seed oil content occurred in some, but not all, experiments. Seed protein was not affected. When disease reduced seed weight, seed and pod numbers, or oil content, there was no growth stage × treatment interaction in the experiments, indicating that inoculation at R5 compared with R3 had a similar effect on yield.

Selected Soybean Plant Introductions with Partial Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a major soybean (Glycine max) disease in north-central regions of the United States and throughout the world. Current sources of resistance to Sclerotinia stem rot express partial resistance, and are limited in number within soybean germ plasm. A total of 6,520 maturity group (MG) 0 to IV plant introductions (PIs) were evaluated for Sclerotinia stem rot resistance in the United States and Canada in small plots or in the greenhouse from 1995 to 1997. Selected PIs with the most resistance were evaluated for resistance in the United States and Canada in replicated large plots from 1998 to 2000. The PIs in the MG I to III tests in Urbana, IL were evaluated for agronomic traits from 1998 to 2000. The selected PIs also were evaluated with an excised leaf inoculation and petiole inoculation technique. After the 1995 to 1997 evaluations, all but 68 PIs were eliminated because of their susceptibility to Sclerotinia stem rot. In field tests in Urbana, higher disease severity in selected MG I to III PIs was significantly (P< 0.05) associated with taller plant heights and greater canopy closure. All other agronomic traits evaluated were not associated or were inconsistently associated with disease severity. MG I to III PIs 153.282, 189.931, 196.157, 398.637, 417.201, 423.818, and 561.331 had high levels of resistance and had canopies similar to the resistant checks. The resistance ratings from the petiole inoculation technique had a high and significant (P< 0.01) correlation with disease severity in the MG I and II field tests. The partially resistant PIs identified in this study can be valuable in incorporating Sclerotinia stem rot resistance into elite germ plasm.

Sp1 acts as a repressor of the human adenine nucleotide translocase-2 (ANT2) promoter.

The human adenine nucleotide translocator-2 promoter is activated by adjacent Sp1 activation elements centered at nucleotides -79 and -68 (Abox and Bbox, respectively), and is repressed by Sp1 bound to a GC element (Cbox) that lies adjacent to transcription start. Here, we address the mechanism of this unique Sp1-mediated repression using transfected Drosophila SL2 and mammalian cell lines. We show that repression is not due to steric interference with assembly of the transcription machinery, as Sp1 bound to the Cbox can, under certain conditions, activate the promoter. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Sp1 deletion mutants in SL2 cells demonstrates that both the Sp1-mediated repression and activation require the D transactivation domain of Sp1 bound to the Cbox. In addition, repression of ABbox-mediated activation is eliminated by separating the Abox and Bbox. Thus, for Cbox-bound Sp1 to repress, Sp1 must be precisely positioned at the region of the ABboxes. Together, these data suggest that the D transactivation domain mediates interactions by Sp1 complexes on separate GC elements that results in repression of the activating Sp1 species.

Further evidence for the involvement of inhibition of cell proliferation and development in thymic and splenic atrophy induced by the peroxisome proliferator perfluoroctanoic acid in mice.

We recently demonstrated that severe thymic and splenic atrophy occur upon dietary treatment of mice with potent peroxisome proliferators (PPs), e.g. perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), WY-14,643, nafenopin, and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). In the present study, we investigated this phenomenon further employing a relative inert PP, PFOA. Comparison of the dose-dependencies and time-courses indicated that the peroxisome proliferative effect occurred prior to atrophy of both the thymus and spleen. However, following withdrawal of PFOA from the diet, the weight of the thymus and spleen rapidly returned to normal within 10 and 5 days, respectively, in contrast to the more persistent peroxisome proliferation. Furthermore, the changes in thymus and spleen weight upon PFOA treatment and the following withdrawal from diet paralleled the changes in total thymocyte and splenocyte counts, respectively. It was found previously that the decreases in the thymocyte populations present in the S and G2/M phases, as well as in the number of CD4+CD8+ cells upon PFOA treatment, were the most dramatic, perhaps reflecting inhibition of thymocyte proliferation in connection with thymocyte development. Here, the recovery of thymocytes began with increases in the populations in these same phases of the cell cycle, with CD4+CD8+ cells recovering most rapidly, lending further support to our previous hypothesis. The possible relationship of these immunotoxic effects of PPs to the changes they cause in fatty acid metabolism is discussed.

Absence of cardiac lipid accumulation in transgenic mice with heart-specific HSL overexpression.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) hydrolyzes triglyceride (TG) in adipose tissue. HSL is also expressed in heart. To explore the actions of cardiac HSL, heart-specific, tetracycline (Tc)-controlled HSL-overexpressing mice were generated. Tc-responsive element-HSL transgenic (Tg) mice were generated and crossed with myosin heavy chain (MHC)alpha-tTA Tg mice, which express the Tc-responsive transactivator (tTA) in the heart. The double-Tg mice (MHC-HSL) were maintained with doxycycline (Dox) to suppress Tg HSL. Upon removal of Dox, cardiac HSL activity and protein increased 12- and 8-fold, respectively, and the expression was heart specific. Although cardiac TG content increased twofold in control mice after an overnight fast, it did not increase in HSL-induced mice. Electron microscopy showed numerous lipid droplets in the myocardium of fasted control mice, whereas fasted HSL-induced mice showed virtually no droplets. Microarray analysis showed altered expression of cardiac genes for fatty acid oxidation, transcription factors, signaling molecules, cytoskeletal proteins, and histocompatibility antigens in HSL-induced mice. Thus cardiac HSL plays a role in controlling accumulation of triglyceride droplets and can affect the expression of a number of cardiac genes.