Phylogeny and variability of Colletotrichum truncatum associated with soybean anthracnose in Brazil.

AIMS: Fungal diseases are among the main factors limiting high yields of soybean crop. Colletotrichum isolates from soybean plants with anthracnose symptoms were studied from different regions and time periods in Brazil using molecular, morphological and pathogenic analyses. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bayesian phylogenetic inference of GAPDH, HIS3 and ITS-5.8S rDNA sequences, the morphologies of colony and conidia, and inoculation tests on seeds and seedlings were performed. All isolates clustered only with Colletotrichum truncatum species in three well-separated clusters. Intraspecific genetic diversity revealed 27 distinct haplotypes in 51 fungal isolates; some of which were identical to C. truncatum sequences from other regions around the world, while others were related to alternative hosts. Conidia were falcate, hyaline, unicellular and aseptate, formed in acervuli, with variable dimensions. Despite being pathogenic to seedlings by both inoculation methods, variation was observed in the aggressiveness of the tested isolates, which was not correlated with genetic variation. CONCLUSION: The identification of C. truncatum in the sampled isolates was evidenced as being the only causal agent of soybean anthracnose in Brazil until 2007, with relevant genetic, morphological and pathogenic variability as well as a broad geographical origin. The wide distribution of the predominant C. truncatum haplotype indicated the existence of a highly efficient mechanism of pathogen dispersal over long distances, reinforcing the role of seeds as the primary source of disease inoculum. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The characterization and distribution of Colletotrichum species in soybean-producing regions in Brazil is fundamental for understanding the disease epidemiology and for ensuring effective control strategies against anthracnose.

Efficacy of the trial-based thought record, a new cognitive therapy strategy designed to change core beliefs, in social phobia.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND BACKGROUND: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) often follows a chronic course and is associated with substantial impairment in functioning. Although results from clinical trials clearly establish evidence for efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy in treating this disorder, up to 50% of patients with SAD show little or no improvement. Thus, new approaches that have promised in improving the efficacy of treatment for SAD are needed. One such approach is the trial-based thought record (TBTR), which targets the restructuring of patients' core beliefs. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients receiving TBTR would report fewer symptoms of social anxiety and general psychiatric distress following treatment, relative to conventional cognitive therapy (CCT). METHODS: A two-arm randomized trial comparing TBTR (n = 17) with a set of CCT techniques (n = 19), which included the standard seven-column dysfunctional thought record and the positive data log in SAD patients according to DSM-IV. RESULTS: Scores on many outcome measures decreased significantly across the course of treatment in both groups (P < 0·001), including the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE), Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS), Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Clinical Global Impression - Improvement. In addition, a one-way ancova, taking baseline values as covariates, showed that TBTR was significantly more efficacious than CCT in reducing the scores of FNE (P = 0·01 at mid-treatment and P = 0·004 at post-treatment), and SADS (P = 0·03 at post-treatment). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that TBTR is at least as efficacious as CCT in reducing symptoms of SAD, pointing to the need for additional studies of TBTR in SAD and other psychiatric disorders.

Ditylenchus drepanocercus Rediscovered in the Neotropics Causing Angular Leaf Spots on Miconia calvescens.

During searches for pathogens to be used as classical biocontrol agents for Miconia calvescens (velvet tree), a devastating plant invader of Hawaii and French Polynesia, damaging angular leaf spots were found repeatedly. The etiological agent of this disease was identified as the nematode Ditylenchus drepanocercus. This nematode has a distinctive falciform appendage at the apex of the tail on both sexes, which allows easy identification. The nematodes were found in the lacunar parenchyma. Infected tissues have abnormally large cells (7 to 13 times the normal size). The lamina at infected areas is chlorotic, slightly thicker, and becomes necrotic with time. The best method of inoculation for this nematode was spraying plants with a suspension containing individuals of various stages on previously wounded leaves. Incubation period was determined to be 20 days.

[Analysis of mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 among patients with breast and ovarian cancer in northern Portugal and Galicia]. / Análisis de mutaciones en los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2 en pacientes con cáncer de mama y ovario del norte de Portugal y Galicia.

OBJECTIVE: To detect mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes by means of the protein truncation test (PTT) in a population in northern Portugal and Galicia with breast and ovarian cancer. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Patients in northern Portugal and Galicia with family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.Patients. A total of 76 women with family history of breast cancer according to the BCLC criteria (Breast Cancer Linkage Consortium) were studied at IPATIMUP. MAIN RESULTS: Five cases (6.5%) with changes in the normal sequence in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 were identified; three of these mutations occurred in the gene BRCA1 and the other two in the gene BRCA2. Two out of the three mutations found in the gene BRCA1 were de novo mutations. Changes detected in the normal sequence in the gene BRCA2 were mutations reported for the first time among the study population, according to the information obtained through the BCIC database (Breast Cancer Information Core). CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study in detecting individuals carrying mutations in the susceptibility breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 among the population of northern Portugal and Galicia.

Análisis de mutaciones en los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2 en pacientes con cáncer de mama y ovario del norte de Portugal y Galicia / Analysis of mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 among patients with breast and ovarian cancer in northern Portugal and Galicia

Objetivo. Detectar mutaciones en los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2 mediante la prueba de truncamiento de proteínas (protein truncation test, PTT) en una población del norte de Portugal y Galicia con cáncer de mama y ovario. Diseño. Estudio prospectivo. Localización. Pacientes del norte de Portugal y Galicia con historia familiar de cáncer de mama y/u ovario. Pacientes. Se analizaron en el IPATIMUP 76 mujeres con historia familiar de cáncer de mama de acuerdo con los criterios del BCLC (Breast Cancer Linkage Consortium). Resultados principales. Se identificaron cinco casos (6,5 por ciento) con alteraciones de la secuencia normal de los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2, siendo tres de estas mutaciones en el gen BRCA1 y las otras dos en el gen BRCA2. De las tres mutaciones encontradas en el gen BRCA1, dos son mutaciones de novo. Las alteraciones detectadas en la secuencia normal del gen BRCA2 son mutaciones descritas por primera vez para la población en estudio, de acuerdo con la información obtenida a través de la base de datos del BCIC (Breast Cancer Information Core). Conclusiones. Este estudio permitió identificar por primera vez en la población del norte de Portugal y Galicia individuos portadores de mutaciones en los genes de susceptibilidad para el cáncer de mama BRCA1 y BRCA2. (AU)

Patología del cáncer de mama hereditario / Pathology of hereditary breast cancer

El objetivo de este trabajo es demostrar las principales características morfológicas y de expresión de marcadores biológicos en el carcinoma de mama con mutaciones de los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2. El reconocimiento de estas características por los anatomopatólogos permitirá alertar al clínico para la investigación de posibles casos de cáncer de mama hereditario. Todo esto hará más efectiva y precisa la búsqueda de mutaciones, porque junto con las características clínicas seleccionará a las probables candidatas a someterse a los test genéticos (AU)

[Computer aided instruction on medication administration]. / Enseñar la administración de medicamentos con ayuda de la informática.

The authors describe an educational software program to use to administer medicines. They describe how a computer can help become an educational resource in nursing and the phases used to develop and evaluate this program. This program has five modules: 1. General instruction, 2. Avoiding errors, 3. Procedures, materials and supervision, 4. Possible complications, 5. Professional orientation; in addition, there is a summary module. This system has a total of 27 study units, 7 knowledge tests, 17 videos, and 34 photos. 24 students in undergraduate nursing were the study group on which this program was evaluated. Results were positive and some suggestions to improve this program were obtained. The authors concluded that this study is an improvement in teaching since this proposes a technological innovation which has possibilities for future development and due to its application of the latest technology for the nursing profession.

Study of hemostasis in pediatric patients with portal vein thrombosis.

We describe the behavior of hemostatic variables in children with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and in a control pediatric population. Hereditary protein C (PC) or protein S (PS) deficiency was not a etiologic factor for PVT in children. Minor signs of consumption of coagulation factors II, V, fibrinogen and hyperfibrinolysis were detected. One child had lupus anticoagulant (LA).

Factor V Leiden is not common in children with portal vein thrombosis.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare condition affecting both children and adults, and occurs in association with a wide variety of clinical situations. On the other hand, the development of PVT in patients under these situations indicates that other contributing factors could be involved. Recently a missense mutation in the factor V gene (1691G-->A), known as factor V Leiden, has been identified and results in abnormal factor V product, resistant to proteolytic inactivation by activated protein C and thus predisposes to thrombosis. This study was carried out to verify if children with PVT have an increase in frequency of factor V Leiden. Allele-specific restriction analysis and single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) were used to test for factor V Leiden in 20 children with PVT and 64 normal children. None of the PVT children were heterozygous or homozygous for the factor V Leiden, and one control child was heterozygous. This study demonstrates that factor V Leiden is not common in children with PVT, and is not a prerequisite for this thrombotic event.