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Natural ecological communities exhibit complex mixtures of interspecific biological interactions, which makes finding optimal yet sustainable exploitation rates challenging. Most fisheries management advice is at present based on applying the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) target to each species in a community by modelling it as if it was a monoculture. Such application of single‐species MSY policies to strongly interacting populations can result in tragic overexploitation. However, the idea of 'maximising the yield from each species separately' can be extended to take into account species interactions. This leads to a form of Nash Equilibrium, where the yields of each species are simultaneously maximised. Here we present 'nash', an R package that streamlines the computation of Nash equilibrium reference points for fisheries and other systems represented by a user‐defined multispecies or ecosystem model. We present two real‐world fisheries management applications alongside performance benchmarks. Satisfactory search results are shown across models with an approximate factor 7 increase in performance when compared to the expensive round‐robbing sequential optimisation algorithms used by other authors in the literature. We believe that the nash package can play an instrumental role in fully implementing ecosystem‐based management policies worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of breed as a risk factor associated with humeral condylar fracture in skeletally immature dogs in the UK. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of dogs under 12 months of age that were presented with humeral condylar fracture to three specialist referral centres between 2015 and 2018. Data retrieved from medical records included breed, age, gender, neuter status, affected limb, fracture configuration and aetiology of the fracture. Breed population percentages were compared with those recorded by the UK Kennel Club. Results: Of the 115 dogs with 118 fractures, French bulldogs (41%) and English springer spaniels (15%) were overrepresented: humeral condylar fractures were more commonly diagnosed in French bulldogs (odds ratio = 5.86) and English springer spaniels (odds ratio = 5.66) compared with mixed‐breed dogs. Lateral condylar fractures occurred in 70% of cases, with medial condylar fractures and Y/T fractures accounting for 9% and 21%, respectively. Median age at the time of fracture was 4 months (range 2 to 10 months). Clinical Significance: French bulldogs and English springer spaniels were identified as being at potentially increased risk of humeral condylar fracture in skeletally immature dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants possess anti-herbivore defences that could be exploited for crop protection. The potential for deploying physical defence traits for more sustainable pest management (i.e. reduced pesticide application) has not been fully realised. Using a perennial crop (red raspberry, Rubus idaeus), we take the novel approach of quantifying within- and between-genotype variation in a resistance trait, leaf trichome density, to determine precisely the effect of trichomes on host plant preference and suitability for two shoot-feeding arthropods, the European large raspberry aphid ( Amphorophora idaei) and two-spotted spider mite ( Tetranychus urticae). Additionally, we tested whether this trait influenced searching behaviour of a generalist herbivore predator (lacewing larvae, Chrysoperla carnea). Although there was no consistent genotypic variation in R. idaeus suitability for T. urticae, our hypothesis that T. urticae would avoid high leaf trichome density was supported on certain genotypes. The deterrent effect was mainly on egg deposition rather than leaf selection by adults, with up to sixfold differences in leaf preference depending on the genotypes offered. By contrast, there was significant genotypic variation in R. idaeus suitability for A. idaei (10-fold variation in aphid abundance), but, contrary to our prediction, aphid preference and infestation levels were unrelated to leaf trichome density. Instead, A. idaei performed best on vigorous genotypes, indicating that plant tolerance traits contributed to R. idaeus suitability for aphids. Leaf trichomes had little effect on the behaviour of the beneficial control agent C. carnea larvae. We conclude that physical anti-herbivore defences, specifically leaf trichomes, could be deployed to deter particular arthropod pests. However, the mechanistic approach adopted here is necessary to avoid antagonistic effects on other pests or on natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever in humans and coxiellosis in livestock are both caused by Coxiella burnetii. The public health importance of vaccination against C. burnetii shedding from sheep and goats was evaluated using systematic review and meta-analysis to provide evidence for policy direction to prevent potential zoonotic spread. Publications reporting shedding of C. burnetii in vaginal and uterine secretions, milk, placenta and faeces were included. A single observational (one goat) and seven experimental (four goat and three sheep) vaccine studies were included in the review. No relevant publications on other interventions were identified. Random effects meta-analyses were performed for the risk of shedding in individuals in the control and vaccinated groups and for the mean difference in the level of bacterial shedding in sheep and goats stratified by age and previous exposure status. Limited data were available for further analytic evaluation. From the pooled analysis, an inactivated phase I vaccine significantly reduced the risk of shedding from uterine ( RR = 0.10; 95% CI 0.05-0.20) secretions in previously sensitized goats. Individual studies reported significant risk reduction in milk ( RR = 0.03; 95% CI 0.01-0.26), vaginal secretions ( RR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.22-0.75) and faeces ( RR = 0.79; 95% CI 0.63-0.97) from naïve goats. The pooled mean levels of bacteria shed from placental [mean difference ( MD = −5.24 Log10; 95% CI −6.75 to −3.7)] and vaginal ( MD = −1.78 Log10; 95% CI −2.19 to −1.38) routes were significantly decreased in vaccinated naïve goats compared with controls. Shedding through all other routes from vaccinated goats was not significantly different than shedding from control goats. No effect of vaccination was found on the risk of shedding or the mean level of shedding in vaccinated sheep compared with control sheep. Our conclusions are based on a limited amount of data with variable risk of systematic error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Part of the reason for the under-exploitation of physical resistance traits in plant breeding is that the genetic basis and heritability of these traits is poorly characterised, and any associations of particular traits with pest and disease resistances have yet to be determined. In raspberry, some associations between architectural traits and disease resistances have been demonstrated, for example cane hairs and resistance to cane diseases. The aim of this work is to examine a range of traits, including leaf trichomes, leaf density, cane density, bush density, lateral length and lateral numbers, to determine the heritability and therefore breeding potential of these traits. The effect of these traits against aphids and spider mites, two important pests in raspberry, was examined. Chromosomal regions with candidate genes regulating these traits were identified as the first step to understanding the genetic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To estimate the effect of vaccination in preventing acute Q fever in individuals occupationally exposed to Coxiella burnetii, a systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken in controlled trials and observational studies. Publications were obtained through a scoping study of English and non-English articles, and those reporting a commercially licensed or licensable vaccine compared with an unvaccinated or placebo control group were included in the review. Two authors performed independent assessment of risk of systematic error and data extraction. One controlled trial and five cohort publications met the inclusion criteria. All trials used a Henzerling phase I vaccine. A random-effects meta-analysis estimated significant protection in abattoir workers ( RR = 0.07; 95% confidence interval [ CI] 0.02-0.22) compared with the control individuals. In individuals with rare or sporadic contact with the abattoir, a significant benefit of vaccination was also found ( RR = 0.06; 95% CI 0-0.93). Overall, the vaccine effectively prevented acute Q fever in individuals responsible for handling animals or their products and those working in the abattoir but not directly exposed to animals ( RR = 0.06; 95% CI 0.02-0.18). Caution must be taken when interpreting the effect of C. burnetii vaccination as significant heterogeneity amongst publications was observed. A meta-regression found no significant univariate associations. This may reflect the uncertainty provided by reported data in the cohort publications. Potential systematic biases were present in the publications, and evidence included may not be sufficiently robust to extrapolate the effect of vaccination on occupationally exposed groups beyond the population of abattoir employees in Australia where all included studies occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of thyroid hormones in the control of erectile functioning has been only superficially investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between thyroid and erectile function in two different cohorts of subjects. The first one derives from the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS study), a multicentre survey performed on a sample of 3369 community-dwelling men aged 40-79 years (mean 60 ± 11 years). The second cohort is a consecutive series of 3203 heterosexual male patients (mean age 51.8 ± 13.0 years) attending our Andrology and Sexual Medicine Outpatient Clinic for sexual dysfunction at the University of Florence (UNIFI study). In the EMAS study all subjects were tested for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4). Similarly, TSH levels were checked in all patients in the UNIFI study, while FT4 only when TSH resulted outside the reference range. Overt primary hyperthyroidism (reduced TSH and elevated FT4, according to the reference range) was found in 0.3 and 0.2% of EMAS and UNIFI study respectively. In both study cohorts, suppressed TSH levels were associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). Overt hyperthyroidism was associated with an increased risk of severe erectile dysfunction (ED, hazard ratio = 14 and 16 in the EMAS and UNIFI study, respectively; both p < 0.05), after adjusting for confounding factors. These associations were confirmed in nested case-control analyses, comparing subjects with overt hyperthyroidism to age, BMI, smoking status and testosterone-matched controls. Conversely, no association between primary hypothyroidism and ED was observed. In conclusion, erectile function should be evaluated in all individuals with hyperthyroidism. Conversely, assessment of thyroid function cannot be recommended as routine practice in all ED patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation banks are permanently protected lands that contain habitat elements which may be critical to the protection and recovery of federally-listed species under the Endangered Species Act. These banks are managed in perpetuity and used to mitigate impacts occurring elsewhere to the species' habitat. We developed a species crediting methodology to assess conservation credits and debits for the endangered Oregon chub (Oregonichthys crameri) to support conservation banking. Our methodology is based on prior studies assessing relationships between population abundance and habitat parameters for the species. The methodology also incorporates ratings for piscivory risk, site location, and the abundance and status of existing and proximal populations. Our approach assigns more credits to functioning bank sites that support abundant, stable populations and requires more credits when impacted sites negatively affect these populations. Examples show the credit value calculations for determining baseline conditions and for assessing impacts to species habitat. Additional examples illustrate the incentives for creating habitats that support abundant, stable populations and the incentives for reducing the severity and duration of impacts to habitats. As the demand for economic development of prime fish habitat increases and as more conservation banks are developed, managers may benefit by developing similar crediting methodologies to promote adequate compensatory conservation for imperiled species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if internal fixation of the anconeus combined with a proximal ulnar osteotomy was more likely to result in fusion of the anconeus to the ulna compared with a proximal ulnar osteotomy alone. Methods: A total of 12 orthopaedic referral clinics reviewed their clinical databases for cases of ununited anconeal process. Demographic and clinical parameters were collected along with radiographic follow-up at a minimum of four weeks. Cases treated with proximal ulnar osteotomy alone were compared with those treated with proximal ulnar osteotomy + internal fixation. Both groups were compared for background and disease variables. We tested for an association between treatment method and whether radiographic anconeal union had occurred. Results: A total of 47 elbows (44 dogs) were identified. Of these, 28 cases (average age 7·6 months) were treated with proximal ulnar osteotomy (of which eight were stabilised with an intramedullary pin) alone. Nineteen cases (average age 7·1 months) were treated with proximal ulnar osteotomy + internal fixation. The two groups were not significantly different in age (P=0·638, Mann-Whitney U test). Fourteen of 28 cases with proximal ulnar osteotomy alone displayed anconeal union at follow-up compared with 16 of 19 cases of proximal ulnar osteotomy + internal fixation, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0·029, Fisher's exact test). Clinical Significance: These data suggest that use of a lag screw to stabilise and compress the ununited anconeal process in addition to proximal ulnar osteotomy produces a better radiographic outcome. It is argued that radiographic union of the anconeus is likely to be associated with better long-term clinical outcome but further studies are required to confirm this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anal furunculosis (AF) is a chronic inflammatory disease of perianal tissues that particularly affects German Shepherd dogs (GSD). An immune-mediated aetiopathogenesis is suggested by T-cell infiltration, upregulated cytokine gene expression, clinical response to ciclosporin therapy and a strong genetic association with the DLA-DRB1*00101 allele. Given the close proximity of TNFA and DLA-DRB1 in the canine major histocompatibility complex (MHC), together with the strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) observed across this region, the primary disease association could be with either locus. We have investigated whether there may be an association of AF with TNFA gene polymorphism in GSDs. Cohorts of AF-affected and AF-unaffected GSDs of known dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II profile were genotyped for 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the canine TNFA locus using Sequenom iPLEX technology. Seven discrete TNFA haplotypes were identified in GSDs for combinations of these SNPs. TNFA haplotype frequencies were compared in cases and controls. The TNFA haplotype 3 (ATCGTTACGG), was at significantly increased frequency in cases (29% vs 15%, OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4–4.8; P = 0.003). All seven discrete TNFA SNP haplotypes were examined for their association with DLA-DRB1/DQA1/DQB1 established haplotypes. TNFA haplotype 3 was preferentially associated with both DLA-DRB1*00101(3A)- and DLA-DRB1*00102(3B)-positive haplotypes. The DLA-DRB1* 00101/TNFA-3A haplotype was significantly associated with AF (19.3% vs 5.8%; OR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.5–8.9; P = 0.003), whereas the DLA-DRB1*00102/TNFA-3B haplotype was not ( P = NS). These findings suggest that susceptibility to AF in GSDs is primarily associated with DLA-DRB1*00101 and any association with the TNFA locus is secondary and is likely to be because of LD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 1989 BreastScreen SA started screening for breast cancer in South Australia. Methods: The programme concentrated on women between the ages of 50 and 69, using a 24-month screening interval and a joint method of mammography, clinical examination and self-detection. Results: This paper is a summary of our efforts to provide an assessment of the impact of the screening programme in terms of additional survival time past the age of first detection of the disease. Discussion: The concept of benchmarks is introduced, and the survival advantages for screened women is measured from these benchmarks. Conclusion: The women in the BreastScreen SA service, who had primary breast tumours, had an estimated additional survival advantage of 2.6 years. Some statistical modelling allowed us to extrapolate to other screening designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anal furunculosis (AF) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease of the perianal tissues most frequently affecting middle-aged or older German Shepherd dogs (GSD). Because this breed accounts for over 80% of all reported cases, there is likely to be a genetic association with disease susceptibility. Although there are some similarities with perianal fistulation that occurs in human Crohn’s disease, the aetiology and pathogenesis of AF are still poorly understood. Recent research has suggested an immune-mediated aetiology, and evidence for this has been further provided by clinical responses to the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin. The aim of the current study was to investigate canine major histocompatibility complex immune response genes. Dog leucocyte antigen class II alleles and haplotypes were characterised by sequence-based typing of 107 GSD affected with AF and 196 breed-matched controls collected in the UK. A highly significant association of DLA-DRB1*00101 with the presence of AF was observed (OR = 5.01, CI = 2.7–9.3, P < 0.00000001). This association was confirmed in a second cohort of GSD collected in Finland. Homozygosity for this allele is associated with an earlier disease onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 11-week-old, domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of a congenital right tarsal deformity. The cat was non-weightbearing lame on the right hindlimb. There was severe tarsal hyperextension and concurrent spasticity/contracture/shortening of the gastrocnemius muscle-tendon. The cat was otherwise healthy. Radiographically there was luxation of the proximal intertarsal joint and talocrural hyperextension. Treatment with 10 mu/kg botulinum toxin A (Botox; Allergan) intramuscular injections directly into the gastrocnemius muscle and passive physiotherapy marginally improved the range of motion in the talocrural joint. Definitive surgical treatment with partial tarsal arthodesis produced an excellent clinical outcome. This case report demonstrates the successful treatment of a severe congenital tarsal abnormality and also documents the first clinical use of botulinum toxin in a feline patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two bacterial isolates, Bacillus megaterium (c96) and Burkholderia cepacia (c91), demonstrated to be antagonistic against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici, the causal organism of fusarium crown and root rot of tomato, were evaluated as biocontrol agents alone and when integrated with the fungicide carbendazim. In an initial screening, these isolates reduced disease incidence by 75 and 88%, respectively. In vitro, both biocontrol agents were highly tolerant to the fungicide carbendazim, commonly used to control fusarium diseases. Carbendazim reduced disease symptoms by over 50% when used at > 50  µg mL−1, but had little effect at lower concentrations. Combination of the bacterial isolates and carbendazim gave significant ( P ≤ 0·05) control of the disease when plants were artificially inoculated with the pathogen. Application of carbendazim at a low concentration (1  µg mL−1) in combination with B. cepacia c91 reduced disease symptoms by 46%, compared with a reduction of 20% obtained with the bacterium alone and no control with the chemical treatment alone. A combination of B. megaterium c96 with an increased application rate of 10  µg mL−1 carbendazim significantly reduced disease symptoms by 84% compared with inoculated controls and by 77% compared with carbendazim treatment alone. In this experiment, the integrated treatment also slightly outperformed application of 100  µg mL−1 carbendazim, and bacteria applied without fungicide also provided good disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower limb peripheral nerve blocks are used to provide surgical anaesthesia or postoperative analgesia. Anatomical texts imply that femoral and saphenous nerve blocks be evaluated by sensory testing of the skin overlying the anterior aspect of the thigh, and the medial aspect of the foot, respectively. We have mapped the distribution of anaesthesia in 25 adults following femoral nerve blockade, performed using the inguinal paravascular technique of Winnie. There was substantial interindividual variation in the area of anaesthesia. Only the skin overlying the middle third of the medial thigh was consistently blocked in 100% of patients. The distribution of anaesthesia conformed to anatomical text descriptions in 24% of cases. We conclude that demonstration of complete quadriceps paralysis confirms femoral nerve blockade. Failing that, sensory evaluation of a femoral nerve block should involve testing the skin of the middle third of the medial aspect of the thigh. The skin overlying the anteromedial aspect of the middle third of the leg should be evaluated for saphenous nerve block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoulder, caused by Botrytis narcissicola, is the most widespread foliar disease of narcissus (Narcissus cultivars) in the UK and causes significant losses in bulb and flower yield. A range of current and novel fungicide treatments was examined to determine if control of the disease could be improved and to measure the effect of treatments on bulb yield. In assays on pot-grown plants, carbendazim + flusilazole, epoxiconazole, iprodione + thiophanate-methyl, tebuconazole and vinclozolin reduced lesion size by more than 90%, compared with untreated plants, when applied 1 day before inoculation with the fungus; vinclozolin and tebuconazole were also effective when applied 2 days after inoculation. In field experiments in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, significant reductions were observed in secondary smoulder symptoms (leaf lesions and stem rot) following fungicide sprays. Spray programmes of the novel fungicides azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, kresoxim-methyl, tebuconazole and pyrimethanil were as effective, or more so, than the standard treatments (chlorothalonil, vinclozolin) used by growers. Mixtures of carbendazim + tebuconazole and azoxystrobin + tebuconazole also gave effective control of smoulder. Programmes of four to six sprays, using two or three fungicides with different modes of action, applied alternately, reduced smoulder by 35-69% and increased bulb yields by 7-59%. Although treatment around and after flowering resulted in the greatest control of secondary smoulder, treatment before flowering was required for the highest bulb yields. The choice of fungicides for use in spray programmes to provide effective and reliable control of smoulder, and the possibility of control using fewer sprays, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Isolates of Phoma clematidina , the cause of clematis wilt, were recovered from diseased clematis plants throughout England and tested in vitro and in vivo for their sensitivity to benzimidazole fungicides. More than one third of 14 isolates tested on fungicide-amended agar plates were found to be highly resistant to products containing carbendazim, benomyl or thiophanate-methyl. On unamended agar, the growth and morphology of benzimidazole resistant and sensitive isolates of P. clematidina were clearly distinct; on attached clematis leaves not treated with fungicide, the resistant isolates were markedly less virulent than the sensitive ones. In a 3-month trial on Clematis cv. Henryi, high volume sprays of a fungicide containing carbendazim reduced the incidence of leaf spotting caused by a benzimidazole sensitive isolate of P. clematidina by almost 80% but gave no significant reduction in disease caused by a resistant isolate. Fungicides found to be very effective against both benzimidazole sensitive and resistant isolates were products containing difenoconazole, azoxystrobin or kresoxim-methyl. This is the first report of benzimidazole resistance in P. clematidina in the UK. Our findings indicate that growers should consider alternative fungicides and non-chemical methods for the prevention and control of clematis wilt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed study of conidial germination, germ-tube growth and the formation of infection structures in Phoma clematidina , the causal agent of clematis wilt, is described for two clematis varieties differing in disease resistance. On both the resistant and susceptible varieties, the fungus entered leaves and stems by direct penetration of the cuticle, often, but not always, following the formation of infection structures. More germ tubes per conidium were formed on the susceptible host, but these germ tubes were on average shorter than on the resistant host. Although germ tubes regularly entered the plant via trichomes, stomata were not found to be sites of entry. Following penetration of the cuticle of resistant plants, germ-tube growth was sometimes restricted to the subcuticular region, and halo formation occurred at the sites where penetration was attempted. Subcuticular growth and halo formation were not observed on susceptible plants. These observations may partly explain the resistance of small-flowered clematis varieties to P. clematidina . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1989 penicillium stem rot affected 12 crops of protected cucumbers in the Lea Valley, Essex and one on the Isle of Wight; all of the affected crops were growing on rockwool slabs. Generally the disease incidence was low, but in one crop the majority of plants were affected and over 50% died. The causal fungus, identified as Penicillium oxalicum, occurred on stubs left after fruit picking and leaf and side-shoot trimming, and developed to cause stem softening and withering. Blue-green sporulation of penicillium on the main stem was usually surrounded by a ring of brown tissue. P. oxalicum failed to infect undamaged fruit, but was an aggressive pathogen of damaged fruit, with rot progressing more rapidly at 20°C and above than at 15°C. Inoculation of damaged cotyledon leaves induced lesions on a range of cultivars, with Cilia and Elka more resistant than others. Young plants of cv. Corona grown at 22–25°C and 90% r.h. and inoculated with mycelial plugs on the stems at fresh leaf scars developed stem lesions with Canadian isolates but not with UK isolates; in the former case wilting and collapse of the plant sometimes followed. No lesions developed following inoculation on plants grown at 70–80% r.h. P. oxalicum was consistently recovered from within the stem of most plants at the leaf axils two leaves above and two leaves below the inoculation site. Growth on potato dextrose agar of isolates of P. oxalicum from cucumber occurred more rapidly at 20°C than al 15°C. Spore germination of most isolates on agar occurred more rapidly at 20 or 25°C than at either 15 or 30°C. Isolates of P. oxalicum grew on agar amended with benomyl at 2 and 20 μg/ml but showed no growth on agar amended with iprodione at the same rates. In a crop with a high incidence of the disease, sprays of iprodione and imazalil appeared to reduce the rate of disease spread; sprays of benomyl and vinclozolin were less effective. Iprodione and vinclozolin were the most effective of five fungicides applied as paints to stem lesions to limit their development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fosetyl-Al applied once, as a spray in the autumn after fruit picking, gave very good disease control and significantly increased the number of healthy roots and marketable fruit yield in 2-year-old strawberry plants, cv. Redgauntlet. Fosetyl-Al applied twice, after fruit picking and in spring, further increased the number of healthy roots, but yields were not significantly better than the single treatment. A half-rate spray of fosetyl-Al plus a half-rate drench of captafol applied after picking and in spring gave good disease control and a yield significantly better than all other treatments. In the same crop the following year, both of the twice-yearly treatments gave a significant reduction in red core recorded in September and the two-fungicides treatment gave a significant increase in fruit yield. In a second trial, a half-rate spray of fosetyl-Al plus a half-rate drench of captafol applied after picking and in spring again gave good disease control and significantly increased fruit yield. Timing fungicide application, both after fruit picking and in spring according to root development (5 mm or 15-20 mm), had no effect on the level of red core control and little effect on fruit yield. The half-rate fosetyl-Al plus half-rate captafol treatment was significantly less effective when captafol was applied as a spray rather than as a drench. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The range of symptoms caused by the narcissus smoulder pathogen Botrytis narcissicola is described. Healthy bulbs inoculated with B. narcissicola, or grown in soil containing sclerotia, showed lesions in the shoot on emergence (primary symptoms). In commercial fields, B. narcissicola was commonly isolated from the bulb neck and leaf sheath of plants with primary symptoms. Plants infected by B. narcissicola one season, either with natural primary symptoms or following artificial inoculation, frequently emerged with smoulder symptoms the following season. About 40% of B. narcissicola sclerotia were viable after burial in soil for 9 months. It is suggested that infected bulbs and sclerotia present in soil are the major sources of smoulder outbreaks. Secondary infection by conidia was enhanced by damaging leaves, and open stalk ends left after flower picking were found to provide an important site for infection development. B. narcissicola was isolated from bulb necks when plants with symptoms of secondary infection had died down. A disease cycle is postulated and suggestions for controlling smoulder are discussed with reference to the cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultures of Botrytis isolated from narcissus were readily identified from their sclerotial characteristics on potato dextrose agar. B. narcissicola was isolated most frequently from typical smoulder symptoms. Infection of narcissus by isolates of B. narcissicola and B. cinerea was investigated using conidial and mycelial inocula on detached leaves and bulb scales. Only mycelial inocula of B. narcissicola isolates consistently caused spreading lesions. Conidial inocula of both species typically failed to colonise healthy narcissus tissue when inoculated in sterile distilled water but B. narcissicola caused some spreading lesions after tissue damage, in senescent tissue, or following the addition of certain nutrients (including pollen) to inoculum droplets. Cultivars differed in the resistance of their bulb scales. The specificity of Botrytis-narcissus interactions is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell lines have been isolated which phenotypically resemble natural killer (NK)/lymphoid precursor cells. These cell lines were derived by in vitro culture and represent continuously replicating cell lines. Since they do not grow as tumours in vivo, it was anticipated that they may have maintained the migratory capacity of their normal cell counterpart. Capacity to migrate to various lymphoid sites, i.e. spleen, bone marrow, thymus and mesenteric lymph node, has been analyzed in a short-term 3-hr homing assay following intravenous injection of cells into a syngeneic irradiated host. Frequency of cells localizing in these organs was estimated by limit dilution cloning analysis. Three out of four cell lines were found to migrate to all four organs, while the C6VL/1 T-cell lymphoma was detected in spleen and bone marrow only, and did not enter thymus and mesenteric lymph nodes. This suggests that NK/lymphoid precursor cells may exist which have capacity to recirculate widely through the lymphoid system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current state of understanding of protein structure as it relates to its function in foaming has proven to be of sufficient accuracy to predict the effects of particular modifications in soy proteins. Comparative whipping studies performed on egg white, casein, Bovine serum albumin and soy protein showed important differences both in the development and subsequent stability of foams produced from these proteins. Our understanding of the structures of soy proteins and the alterations induced by reductive modification and heating implied that similar modifications would have dramatic impact on the foaming properties specifically of the 11S protein. The foaming ability and stability of the 11S protein were enhanced dramatically by cleavage of intersubunit disulfide bridging. Computerized lamellar measurement techniques developed in this laboratory indicated that these modifications enhanced the ability of the protein to foam rapidly and then to stabilize surface films at the rate typically encountered in the whipping of foams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first recorded outbreak of anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum) on ornamental lupin in the United Kingdom occurred in 1989. Seedborne infection by Colletotrichum acutatum was investigated after seed was implicated in the origin of the outbreaks and infection was found on seed of three of 14 cultivars tested. In pathogenicity tests, typical anthracnose symptoms developed only on plants of Lupinus spp; there were slight symptoms on Plsum sativum, Vicia sativa and Lathyrus odoratus, but none on Vicia faba, Phaseolus coccineus, P. vuigaris and Onobrychis viciifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in detecting Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) in Great Britain. Isolation of INSV from glasshouse grown cineraria; Serological properties of INSV; Division of the tospovirus genus.

The powdery mildews Erysiphe cynoglossi and E. howeana, causing disease on borage (Borago officinalis and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), respectively, are reported for the first time in Britain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an abstract of the plant pathology research “Crown gall in organically grown UK tomato caused by tumorigenic strains of Agrobacterium radiobacter.”

A letter to the editor is presented to report on an incident during a surgery to remove a squamous carcinoma of the nose where a swab contained ether and burst into flames when cautery was applied.

The article reports of impatiens downy mildew in Great Britain. Infected leaves appeared paler green than normal, with a white, downy growth developing on lower surfaces. Symptoms were initially inconspicuous but lower leaf surfaces quickly became covered with fungus-like growth and premature leaf fall was common. Detailed examination of a representative sample revealed the sporangiophores were monopodially branched at the base, individual branches did not arise in a distinct pattern, apical branchlets were at right angles to the main axis and there was no apical thickening.

Examines the occurrence of wilt disease in a glasshouse crop of column stocks or Matthiola incana in England. Development white fungal growth; Detection of Fusarium oxysporum; Symptoms of the wilt disease.

Reports on the occurrence of Verticillium albo-atrum causing wilt in Ve-resistant tomato in Great Britain. Isolation of the pathogen; Disease characteristics.