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Meloidogyne enterolobii (syn. mayaguensis) is an emergent species of root-knot nematode that has become a serious threat to sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) production in the southeastern United States. The most popular sweet potato cultivars grown in this region are highly susceptible to M. enterolobii. As a result, this pest has spread across most of the sweet potato growing counties in the Carolinas, threatening the industry as well as other crops in the region. The development and release of new sweet potato cultivars with resistance to M. enterolobii would help to manage and slow the spread of this pest. To support sweet potato resistance breeding efforts, 93 accessions selected from the U.S. Department of Agriculture germplasm collection and breeding programs in the United States were screened to identify 19 lines with strong resistance to M. enterolobii. The resistance in these accessions was tested against two M. enterolobii isolates that were collected from sweet potato production fields in the Carolinas. These isolates were found to have distinct pathotypes, with galling and nematode reproduction differences observed on cotton as well as sweet potato. This study is the first report of intraspecific pathotypic variation in M. enterolobii, and it identifies sweet potato germplasm with resistance against both pathogenic variants of this nematode.

Neck injuries in football are attributed to helmet-to-helmet contact with youth players being at greatest risk. In 2014, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) implemented rules defining illegal contact against a defenseless player above the shoulders to reduce head and neck injuries in football players. This study evaluates whether rule implementation decreased rates of high school football neck injuries presenting to the emergency department (ED) pre-rule implementation (2009-2013) to post-rule implementation (2015-2019).Data were queried from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for high school football players 14 to 18 years old diagnosed with a neck injury from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2019. Narratives in the data were reviewed for mechanism of injury, setting, loss of consciousness (LOC), and type of injury.Between 2009 and 2019, an estimated 47,577 high school football neck injuries were diagnosed in EDs across the United States. 52.0% of neck injuries were sustained during competition compared to 48.0% during practice. A statistically significant (This study is the first to identify a decrease in overall and helmet-to-helmet related neck injuries diagnosed in the ED following the 2014 NFHS targeting rule implementation. These findings add to the growing literature regarding the importance and efficacy of rule implementation in reducing sports-related neck injuries.

Background This study directly compares the recurrence rates of dorsal wrist ganglion cysts in patients treated via open surgical excision versus arthroscopic surgical excision. We hypothesized that there would be no difference between recurrence rates with these 2 surgical options. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with a dorsal ganglion cyst undergoing either open or arthroscopic surgical excision at a single academic center with 3 fellowship-trained attending hand surgeons from 2012 to 2017. Charts were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes and were reviewed using postoperative office notes for preoperative and postoperative symptoms, episodes of recurrence, time at which recurrence occurred, subsequent operations, and outcome at final follow-up. Results The charts of 172 patients undergoing either arthroscopic or open dorsal ganglion excision were reviewed. Nine of 54 (16.7%) arthroscopic excisions resulted in cyst recurrence, while 8 of 118 (6.8%) open excisions resulted in cyst recurrence ( P = .044). Two of 9 (22%) recurrences after arthroscopic ganglion excision versus 2 of 8 (25%) recurrences after open ganglion excision underwent repeat surgical intervention. Time to recurrence, as well as final follow-up, was not statistically different between groups. Conclusions Dorsal wrist ganglion cysts are the most common benign soft tissue mass of the upper extremity, but it remains unknown whether arthroscopic or open surgical excision leads to lower recurrence rate. Scant literature exists directly comparing these 2 methods of surgical excision. This study suggests that open excision of dorsal wrist ganglia leads to a lower recurrence rate than does arthroscopic excision.

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) yield losses as a result of plant diseases were estimated by university and government plant pathologists in 29 soybean producing states in the United States and in Ontario, Canada, from 2015 through 2019. In general, the estimated losses that resulted from each of 28 plant diseases or pathogens varied by state or province as well as year. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) caused more than twice as much loss as any other disease during the survey period. Seedling diseases (caused by various pathogens), Sclerotinia stem rot (white mold) (caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum [Lib.] de Bary), and sudden death syndrome (caused by Fusarium virguliforme O’Donnell & T. Aoki) caused the next greatest yield losses, in descending order. Following SCN, the most damaging diseases in the northern United States and Ontario differed from those in the southern United States. The estimated mean economic loss from all soybean diseases, averaged across the United States and Ontario, Canada was US$45 per acre (US$111 per hectare). The outcome from the current survey will provide pertinent information regarding the important soybean diseases and their overall severity in the soybean crop and help guide future research and Extension efforts on managing soybean diseases.

There are multiple techniques which attempt to maintain anatomic length-tension relationship during biceps tenodesis. However, no direct comparison has been performed with respect to the timing of biceps tenotomy during biceps tenodesis.Assess the incidence of Popeye deformity and clinical outcomes of two all-arthroscopic techniques for biceps tenodesis based on timing of the biceps tenotomy.A consecutive series of patients undergoing arthroscopic biceps tenodesis with concomitant rotator cuff tears were enrolled from 2019 to 2021. Biceps tenodesis performed after tenotomy formed the first cohort (Group 1). The other cohort had biceps tenodesis performed prior to biceps tenotomy (Group 2). Postoperative anterior arm pain, biceps muscle spasms, and patient perceptions of the appearance of the bicep muscle were assessed. In addition, Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) were collected at 3 months and minimum 6 months postoperatively RESULTS: A total of 71 patients were eligible for participation and 62 patients (53% female, age 58.7 ± 9.0 years) were enrolled (n=33 in Group 1 and n=29 in Group 2). There were no differences between groups with respect to gender, age, and laterality of biceps tenodesis, as well as type and size of rotator cuff repair. At 3-month follow-up, VR12 Physical Health Scores were significantly improved in Group 2 (44.8 ± 9.7) compared to Group 1 (34.1 ± 3.4) (p=0.03). In addition, patients in Group 2 experienced significantly less pain in their anterior arm than patients in Group 1 (19% vs. 33%, p=0.02). There were no differences in biceps muscle spasm (3.4% vs. 5.2%; p=0.21) and no other differences in PROs between groups. Final follow-up which averaged 11.6 ± 3.3 months in Group 1 and 11.8 ± 5.5 months in Group 2. There were no significant differences in patient perceived biceps Popeye deformity between Group 1 (12.1%) and Group 2 (0%) (p=0.652). Furthermore, there were no differences in ASES, EQ5D, PROMIS 10 Physical Health, PROMIS 10 Depression, VR12 Physical Health, and SANE scores between the two technique groups.Patients with tenotomy performed after tenodesis had better VR12 Physical Health scores and less arm pain than patients with tenotomy performed before tenodesis at 3-month follow-up. However, there were no differences in any outcome at final follow-up of nearly 1-year. In addition, there were no differences in perceived Popeye deformity between groups at any time period.

To identify and analyze the 50 most-cited articles in patellar tendon injury research.The ISI Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were used to conduct a search for articles pertaining to patellar tendon injury. For the top 50 most-cited articles, bibliometric data (title, first and senior author, citation count, journal, publication year, citation density, country of origin, Level of Evidence [LOE]) and topic of article were recorded.The mean number of citations was 172.0 ± 88.2 (range 101-546). There was a statistically significant correlation between publication year and citation density (r = 0.61, P.01). The earliest article was the third most-cited article (362 citations), published by Blazina et al. in 1973, which discussed the epidemiology of patellar tendinopathy. The first and second most-cited articles (546 and 466 citations, respectively) covered surgical outcomes of patellar tendinopathy and prevalence of patellar tendinopathy among elite athletes. A total of 14 articles (28%) discussed nonoperative management, whereas only 5 articles discussed surgical management (10%). The most frequent LOE category was a LOE of IV (n = 18, 36%), but 19 studies (38%) were LOE I or LOE II.Among the top 50 most-cited studies regarding patellar tendon injury, a relatively high number were of a high LOE (19 Level I or II, 38%), affirming that these articles in patellar tendon injury research are not only influential, but also of high-quality evidence.This bibliometric analysis provides an efficient tool for educators, researchers, and evidence-based practitioners to identify and evaluate the most influential articles in patellar tendon injury research.

Matthew W Konigsberg, John D Mueller, Jordan A Lebovic, R Kumar Kadiyala Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USACorrespondence: Matthew W KonigsbergDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 W. 168th St. 11th Floor, New York, NY 10032, USATel +1-212-305-5976Fax +1-212-305-6193Email Mk3294@cumc.columbia.eduIntroduction: The purpose of this study was to describe four cases of patients who developed concomitant upper extremity and gluteal compartment syndrome in the context of substance abuse. In somnolent patients unable to provide a reliable physical exam, the healthcare provider must be aware of patients presenting with concomitant upper extremity and gluteal compartment syndrome.Methods: Retrospective chart review identified cases of the combined upper extremity and gluteal compartment syndrome following illicit drug abuse at a single academic center during the years 2009– 2019.Results: During the 11-year period examined, a total of eight patients were diagnosed with compartment syndrome secondary to illicit drug use and prolonged immobilization. Four (50%) patients presented with combined upper extremity and gluteal compartment syndrome. All of these patients underwent prompt surgical release of the affected compartments. All eventually returned to normal activities of daily living.Discussion: Compartment syndrome is primarily a clinical diagnosis, with physical exam being extremely important. In patients presenting with somnolence secondary to illicit drug use, physical exam may not be reliable. It is critical to have a high clinical suspicion in this patient population, understanding that these patients may present with concomitant upper extremity and gluteal compartment syndrome.Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.Keywords: compartment syndrome, fasciotomy, trauma, upper extremity, gluteal

Aims Medical comorbidities are a critical factor in the decision-making process for operative management and risk-stratification. The Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCC) risk adjustment model is a powerful measure of illness severity for patients treated by surgeons. The HCC is utilized by Medicare to predict medical expenditure risk and to reimburse physicians accordingly. HCC weighs comorbidities differently to calculate risk. This study determines the prevalence of medical comorbidities and the average HCC score in Medicare patients being evaluated by neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeon, as well as a subset of academic spine surgeons within both specialities, in the USA. Methods The Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database, which is based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ National Claims History Standard Analytic Files, was analyzed for this study. Every surgeon who submitted a valid Medicare Part B non-institutional claim during the 2013 calendar year was included in this study. This database was queried for medical comorbidities and HCC scores of each patient who had, at minimum, a single office visit with a surgeon. This data included 21,204 orthopaedic surgeons and 4,372 neurosurgeons across 54 states/territories in the USA. Results Orthopaedic surgeons evaluated patients with a mean HCC of 1.21, while neurosurgeons evaluated patients with a mean HCC of 1.34 (p < 0.05). The rates of specific comorbidities in patients seen by orthopaedic surgeons/neurosurgeons is as follows: Ischemic heart disease (35%/39%), diabetes (31%/33%), depression (23%/31%), chronic kidney disease (19%/23%), and heart failure (17%/19%). Conclusion Nationally, comorbidity rate and HCC value for these Medicare patients are higher than national averages for the US population, with ischemic heart disease being six-times higher, diabetes two-times higher, depression three- to four-times higher, chronic kidney disease three-times higher, and heart failure nine-times higher among patients evaluated by orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-6:257–260.

Background: Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is an increasingly common procedure. This study looked at trends in TSA using a nationwide registry, with a focus on patient demographics, comorbidities, and complications. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who underwent TSA from 2005 to 2018. Cohorts were created based on year of surgery: 2005-2010 (N = 1116), 2011-2014 (N = 5920), and 2015-2018 (N = 16,717). Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative time, hospital length of stay, discharge location, and complications within 30 days of surgery were compared between cohorts using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Bivariate analysis revealed significantly more comorbidities among patients in the 2015-2018 cohort compared with the 2005-2010 cohort, specifically American Society of Anesthesiologist class III or IV (57.0% vs. 44.3%, P < .001), morbid obesity (10.8% vs. 7.8%, P < .001), diabetes (17.8% vs. 12.1%, P < .001), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (6.7% vs. 4.1%, P = .003). The use of regional anesthesia has decreased (5.6% in 2005-2010 vs. 2.8% in 2015-2018, P < .001), as has operative time (▵: −16 minutes, P < .001) and length of stay (▵: −0.6 days, P < .001). There were also significant decreased rates of perioperative blood transfusion (OR [odds ratio], 0.46), non-home discharge (OR, 0.79), urinary tract infection (OR, 0.47), and sepsis (OR, 0.17), (P < .001 for all comparisons) between the 2005-2010 and 2015-2018 cohorts. Conclusions: Between 2005 and 2018, patients undergoing TSA had increasingly more comorbidities but experienced lower rates of short-term complications, in the context of shorter hospitalizations and more frequent discharge to home.

Increasingly resistant Enterobacteriaceae have emerged as a health threat in both hospital and community settings. Infections of the urinary tract, once often treated with oral agents in the community, are requiring increased hospitalization and use of intravenously administered agents for effective treatment. These isolates often carry extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases that necessitate the need for an inhibitor to cover a broad range of β-lactamases. ETX1317 is a novel diazabicyclooctane class serine β-lactamase inhibitor that restores the antibacterial activity of several classes of β-lactams, including third-generation cephalosporins such as cefpodoxime. ETX1317 is currently being developed as an orally available prodrug, ETX0282, to be administered with cefpodoxime proxetil (CPDP). The combination has demonstrated oral efficacy in murine models of infection. Pharmacokinetics established in preclinical species and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic attributes suggest the orally administered combination ETX0282 + CPDP could serve as an effective treatment option against contemporary ESBL and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Zoliflodacin is a novel spiropyrimidinetrione antibiotic being developed as single oral dose treatment to address the growing global threat of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. To evaluate the cardiac safety of zoliflodacin, a thorough QT/QTc (TQT) study was performed in healthy subjects. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-period crossover study, 72 subjects in a fasted state received a single dose of zoliflodacin at 2 g (therapeutic), zoliflodacin at 4 g (supratherapeutic), placebo, and moxifloxacin at 400 mg as a positive comparator. Cardiac repolarization was measured by duration of the corrected QT interval by Fridericia's formula (QTcF). At each time point up to 24 h after zoliflodacin administration, the upper limit of the one-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) for the placebo-corrected change from the predose baseline in QTcF (ΔΔQTcF) was less than 10 ms, indicating an absence of a clinically meaningful increase in QT prolongation. The lower limit of the one-sided multiplicity-adjusted 95% CI of ΔΔQTcF for moxifloxacin was longer than 5 ms at four time points from 1 to 4 h after dosing, demonstrating adequate sensitivity of the QTc measurement. There were no clinically significant effects on heart rate, PR and QRS intervals, electrocardiogram (ECG) morphology, or laboratory values. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate in severity and transient. This was a negative TQT study according to regulatory guidelines (E14) and confirms that a single oral dose of zoliflodacin is safe and well tolerated. These findings suggest that zoliflodacin is not proarrhythmic and contribute to the favorable assessment of cardiac safety for a single oral dose of zoliflodacin. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT03613649.).

To evaluate the mid-term rate of revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair as well as ipsilateral shoulder reoperations after index rotator cuff repair performed with or without acromioplasty in the United States.The Medicare Standard Analytic File, which encompasses the entire Medicare billing and payment data, was queried between 2005 and 2014. Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were identified and stratified based on whether ipsilateral acromioplasty was concurrently performed using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Groups were matched by age, sex, year of index procedure, and Elixhauser index at a 2:1 ratio. Primary end point was defined as undergoing a repeat ipsilateral shoulder surgery related to the rotator cuff at 5 years of follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed, and the 2 groups were compared using the log-rank test.After matching, 54,209 shoulders in the rotator cuff repair with acromioplasty group and 26,448 shoulders in the rotator cuff repair without acromioplasty group were identified. Shoulders undergoing concurrent acromioplasty at index rotator cuff repair had a significantly increased rate of repeat ipsilateral cuff repair at 5 years postoperatively (8.5% vs 6.8%,Using a large, national database, concurrent acromioplasty at the time of rotator cuff tear was found to be associated with both an increase rate of overall subsequent procedures and revision rotator cuff repair.III, retrospective comparative study.

Study Design Retrospective cohort. Objectives Identify the effectiveness of vertebral body stapling (VBS) in children with idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background Data VBS has been proposed as an alternative to bracing moderate curves in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) although a clear picture of comparative efficacy and safety remains to be established. Methods Ten skeletally immature patients with AIS and curves between 25° and 35° underwent anterior VBS by a single surgeon from 2008 to 2018. Indications included strong family history, high ScoliScore, curve progression despite bracing, or as an alternative for patients/families refusing bracing. Patients with thoracic kyphosis greater than 40°, curvature with a level above T4 or below L4, and double major curves were contraindicated. Patients with hybrid surgical plans or those who failed to reach skeletal maturity were excluded. Age, gender, levels stapled, pre- and postoperative radiographs, and incidence of secondary surgical intervention were evaluated. Outcomes were also compared with untreated and braced subjects from the BrAIST study. Results Ten patients met the inclusion criteria. Average age at VBS was 11.8 (9.7–13.5) with an average major Cobb angle of 30.9° (26°–35°). Average duration of follow-up was 6.4 years. All patients demonstrated curve correction at their first postoperative visit. At final follow-up, 50% of patients experienced curve progression greater than 5°, whereas the remaining 50% either remained stable or corrected over time. The five patients whose curves progressed underwent VBS at a significantly younger age (10.8 vs. 12.8; p value .003). Four of these patients required additional surgical intervention for worsening scoliosis. Conclusions Although early outcomes after VBS appear to parallel the results of bracing, stapling does not affect the percentage of patients ultimately requiring PSIF. Initial curve correction degraded over time in younger patients with significant growth remaining, and high rates of progression in this group, even with bracing, merits investigation into more efficacious treatment strategies. Level of Evidence Level III.

Knowledge of individual hay bale weights can be beneficial to both the hay producer and the consumer. A weighing system that utilizes a pressure transducer has been developed for round balers that are equipped with a hydraulic kicker plate; however, a large amount of round hay balers on the market are manufactured with a spring-loaded bale ramp. The weighing system developed here tested two different sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope) mounted in three different locations of a model spring-loaded ramp to predict the weight of various cylinders (PVC pipe filled with concrete) as they were dropped on to the ramp. The sensor device was mounted at the end of the ramp furthest from the pivot point, in the middle of the ramp, and directly in front of the pivot point. Of the two sensors tested, a gyroscope was found to be the sensor with the lowest prediction error when correlating a peak response of the sensor to the weight of a cylinder. Accuracy of the sensor response was improved from an absolute error of 31.4% to 15.4% when the sensor was mounted directly in front of the pivot point of the ramp. The accuracy of the gyroscope was further improved to an absolute error of 3.6% by correlating a single axis response to cylinder weight for a particular diameter of cylinders. Repeatability of the test in a lab setting suggested that the use of a ramp-mounted gyroscope might be suitable to predict the weight of a bale as it is ejected from a round baler onto a spring-loaded bale ramp. In this configuration, the bale weight is estimated as a function of the peak angular rate of change of the ramp as it is forced to the ground. On-baler field data from a gyroscope mounted in front of the pivot point on a spring-loaded bale ramp showed promising results, but additional research is needed before conclusions can be made about the accuracy of a gyroscope under field conditions. Keywords: Forage, Forage harvester, Hay, Hay baler, Precision agriculture, Weighing system.

Background: Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is common among overhead throwing athletes and can result in significant functional limitations. While surgical reconstruction offers high rates of return to competition, there are no validated or universally accepted guidelines for determining when an athlete can safely resume play. Purpose: To assess the existing scientific literature for return-to-competition criteria utilized after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for clinical investigations of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in overhead throwing athletes published between January 2000 and June 2020. Only studies that had a minimum follow-up of 1 year and included at least 1 specific return-to-competition criterion were considered. Results: A total of 15 studies were included in the final analysis, encompassing 1156 patients with an average age of 20.7 years (SD, 2.0 years). Baseball players composed 96.3% of patients for whom sport was specified, and 92.4% of baseball players were pitchers. The most common return-to-competition criterion, identified in 87% of studies, was completion of a return-to-throwing program, which started on average 16.7 weeks (range, 12-18 weeks) after surgery. A return-to-mound program was utilized in 53% of studies, starting on average 7.4 months (range, 6-9 months) postoperatively. Minimum time from surgery was used in 73% studies, with players waiting 7 to 12 months (mean, 9.7; SD, 1.4 months) after surgery before return-to-competition consideration. The overall rate of return to competition at the preinjury level or higher was 85.7% (SD, 8.5%) at an average of 12.2 months (SD, 0.6 months). Conclusion: In general, we observed a paucity of literature describing the return-to-competition process after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in overhead throwing athletes. Only 3 explicit return-to-competition criteria were identified across all studies: completion of a return-to-throwing program, completion of a return-to-mound program for pitchers, and minimum time from surgery. Increased transparency regarding postoperative rehabilitation protocols and further research are necessary to identify and validate sport-specific return-to-competition criteria, which will ultimately help athletes return to play in a safe and timely fashion after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.

Background: Concussions occur at higher rates in high school football as compared with all other high school sports. In 2014, the National Federation of State High School Associations implemented rules defining illegal contact against a defenseless player above the shoulders to reduce concussions in football players in the United States. To the best of our knowledge, rates of emergency department (ED)—diagnosed concussions of high school football players before and after the 2014 rule implementation have not been compared. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that (1) there would be lower rates of helmet-to-helmet and helmet-to-body-part concussions after rule implementation and (2) alternative mechanisms of concussion would not differ, as these would be less influenced by rule implementation. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) were analyzed for high school football players 14 to 18 years old sustaining a concussion from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2019. Data were collected on mechanism of injury, setting, and loss of consciousness. Raw data were used to calculate national estimates based on the assigned statistical sample weight of each hospital by the NEISS. Results: A total of 4983 (national estimate = 154,221) high school football concussions were diagnosed in US EDs; 58.8% of concussions occurred during competition and 41.2% during practice. Between 2009 and 2013 the rate of concussions diagnosed in EDs rose 10.7% as compared with a 6.2% decrease between 2015 and 2019 ( P = .04). Between 2009 and 2013, the rate of helmet-to-helmet concussions rose 17.6% as compared with a 5.6% decrease between 2015 and 2019 ( P = .03). There were no significant changes between other mechanisms of concussion before and after the 2014 rule implementation. Conclusion: We identified a decreased trend in overall and helmet-to-helmet high school football concussions diagnosed in the ED after implementation of the targeting rule. This study adds to the growing literature regarding the importance and efficacy of rule implementation in reducing sports-related concussions.

Background Children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) sustain a progressive reduction in pulmonary function (PF) related to both muscular weakness and the concomitant effects of spinal deformity on the thorax. Growth-friendly instrumentation is commonly utilized for younger patients with scoliosis and SMA to halt the progression of spinal curvature, but its effect on PF in these patients has not previously been investigated. Using the change in Early Onset Scoliosis 24-Item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) PF subdomain scores, the authors will investigate whether PF improves in patients with SMA after a growth-friendly intervention. Methods This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study from 2 international registries of patients with SMA undergoing spinal deformity surgery from 2005 to 2015. Data collected were age, sex, degree of major coronal curve, type of growth-friendly construct, forced vital capacity (FVC), and EOSQ-24 scores at the patient's preoperative, 1-year postoperative, and 2-year postoperative visits. Differences in EOSQ-24 PF scores and FVC between baseline and postoperative assessment were examined by paired tests. Results A total of 74 patients were identified (mean age, 7.6±2.3 y, major curve 68.1±22.4 degrees, 51.4% female individuals). The mean EOSQ-24 PF scores improved significantly from 70.6 preoperatively to 83.6 at 1 year (P=0.092) and 86.5 at 2 years postoperatively (P=0.020). The scores in patients with rib-based constructs showed steeper increases at 1-year assessments than those in patients with spine-based constructs. The mean paired FVC value decreased from 63.9% predicted preoperatively, to 57.6% predicted at 1 year postoperatively (P=0.035), and 61.9% predicted preoperatively, to 56.3% predicted at 2 years postoperatively (P=0.178). Conclusions Patients with SMA who received growth-friendly instrumentation did experience improvements in PF as measured by EOSQ-24 assessing the caregivers' perception. Given the uncertain reliability of PFTs in this young population, EOSQ-24 is an important tool for measuring improvements in health-related quality of life. Level of evidence Level III-retrospective study.

Background: Controversy exists over the ability of various lumbar interbody fusion techniques to realign global and regional balance and their effect on patient outcomes. This is a retrospective cohort study to compare thirty-day postoperative outcomes between anterior and posterior interbody fusion techniques within a large national database. Methods: A retrospective cohort study utilizing the NSQIP database included 2,372 (29.9%) single-level anterior/direct lateral interbody fusions (ALIF/DLIF) and 5,563 (70.1%) single-level posterior/transforaminal interbody fusions (PLIF/TLIF) between 2013 and 2014. Emergent cases, fracture cases, and preoperative compromised wounds were not analyzed. Primary thirty-day outcomes included mortality, return to operating room, readmission, length of stay, and other major complications. Minor outcomes included urinary tract infection, superficial incisional site infection, and perioperative blood transfusion within 72 hours. Results: ALIF/DLIF was performed more for degenerative lumbar disc disease (31.0% vs . 13.9%, P vs . 24.4%, P vs . 0.1%, P=0.021) in the univariate analysis and persisted in the multivariate analysis (OR =12.8; 95% CI, 1.37–119.6; P=0.025). Significantly more PLIF/TLIF patients required blood transfusions within 72 hours of surgery (9.6% vs . 7.6%, P=0.005). This difference did not persist in the multivariate analysis after controlling for covariates. Elevated ASA physical status classification, age >60, prior bleeding disorder, and preoperative anemia were significantly associated with blood transfusion requirement. More deep venous thrombosis occurred (DVT) with ALIF/DLIF compared to PLIF/TLIF (1.0% vs . 0.6%, P=0.025), which persisted in the multivariate analysis (OR =2.03; 95% CI, 1.13–3.65; P=0.017). Conclusions: Although numerous techniques can be utilized in the treatment approach to various lumbar pathologies, anterior approaches have an increased risk of developing a perioperative DVT and early mortality. Transfusion risk is more strongly associated with elevated ASA class, increased age, preoperative anemia, and patients with bleeding disorders.

Background: Given the increasing societal focus on health care utilization and value-based care, it is essential to understand the demographic and economic data surrounding percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedures performed in the United States. Double-blinded prospective randomized controlled trials have shown no benefit to the use of vertebroplasty over a sham procedure in the treatment of vertebral fractures. Contrastingly, kyphoplasty may be beneficial when appropriately indicated. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for patients who underwent either kyphoplasty (ICD-9-CM 81.66) or vertebroplasty (ICD-9-CM 81.65) procedures between 2006 and 2014 across 44 states. Demographic and economic data were obtained which included the annual number of surgeries, age, sex, insurance type, location, and frequency of routine discharge. The NIS database represents a 20% sample of discharges from U.S. hospitals, which is weighted to provide national estimates. Results: In 2014, an estimated total number of 19,420 kyphoplasty and 6,130 vertebroplasty procedures were performed across the United States. The number of vertebroplasty procedures decreased 53% from 13,128 in 2008. Similarly, the number of kyphoplasty procedures decreased 17% from 23,320 in 2007. Based on payer, Medicare patients comprised 83% of those billed for kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, and 75% of procedures were utilized in areas designated as “not low income”. In 2014, patients in the South Atlantic region comprised 24% of vertebroplasty and 28% of kyphoplasty cases, far more than any other region. Additionally, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty were more often performed in teaching facilities rather than community hospitals (60% and 67%, respectively). Conclusions: Since the publication of two double-blind, prospective randomized controlled trials showed no benefit of vertebroplasty over a sham procedure, there has been a significant decrease in both kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty procedures.

Annual decreases in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) yield caused by diseases were estimated by surveying university-affiliated plant pathologists in 28 soybean-producing states in the United States and in Ontario, Canada, from 2010 through 2014. Estimated yield losses from each disease varied greatly by state or province and year. Over the duration of this survey, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) was estimated to have caused more than twice as much yield loss than any other disease. Seedling diseases (caused by various pathogens), charcoal rot (caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid), and sudden death syndrome (SDS) (caused by Fusarium virguliforme O’Donnell & T. Aoki) caused the next greatest estimated yield losses, in descending order. The estimated mean economic loss due to all soybean diseases, averaged across U.S. states and Ontario from 2010 to 2014, was $60.66 USD per acre. Results from this survey will provide scientists, breeders, governments, and educators with soybean yield-loss estimates to help inform and prioritize research, policy, and educational efforts in soybean pathology and disease management.

‘Charleston Belle’, a root-knot nematode-resistant pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum [Grossum Group]), and its susceptible recurrent parent, ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’, were compared as spring crops for managing the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in fall-cropped cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and squash (Cucurbita pepo) at Blackville, SC and Tifton, GA. ‘Charleston Belle’ exhibited minimal root galling and nematode reproduction, and ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ exhibited severe root galling and high nematode reproduction. Cucumber grown in plots following ‘Charleston Belle’ had lower (P ≤ 0.001) root gall severity indices than following ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ (4.2 versus 4.9, respectively). Cucumber yields were 87% heavier (P ≤ 0.0001) and numbers of fruit were 85% higher (P ≤ 0.0001) in plots previously planted to ‘Charleston Belle’ than to ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’. Squash grown in plots following ‘Charleston Belle’ had lower (P ≤ 0.001) root gall severity indices than following ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ (4.0 versus 4.8, respectively). Squash yields were 55% heavier (P ≤ 0.01) and numbers of fruit were 50% higher (P ≤ 0.001) in plots previously planted to ‘Charleston Belle’ than to ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’. These results demonstrate that root-knot nematode-resistant bell pepper cultivars such as ‘Charleston Belle’ are useful tools for managing M. incognita in double-cropping systems with cucurbit crops.

The importance of fungicide seed treatments on cotton was examined using a series of standardized fungicide trials from 1993 to 2004. Fungicide seed treatments increased stands over those from seed not treated with fungicides in 119 of 211 trials. Metalaxyl increased stands compared to nontreated seed in 40 of 119 trials having significant fungicide responses, demonstrating the importance of Pythium spp. on stand establishment. Similarly, PCNB seed treatment increased stands compared to nontreated seed for 44 of 119 trials with a significant response, indicating the importance of Rhizoctonia solani in stand losses. Benefits from the use of newer seed treatment chemistries, azoxystrobin and triazoles, were demonstrated by comparison with a historic standard seed treatment, carboxin + PCNB + metalaxyl. Little to no stand improvement was found when minimal soil temperatures averaged 25°C the first 3 days after planting. Stand losses due to seedling pathogens increased dramatically as minimal soil temperatures decreased to 12°C and rainfall increased. The importance of Pythium increased dramatically as minimal soil temperature decreased and rainfall increased, while the importance of R. solani was not affected greatly by planting environment. These multi-year data support the widespread use of seed treatment fungicides for the control of the seedling disease complex on cotton.

The success of mosquito-based malaria control is dependent upon susceptible bionomic traits in local malaria vectors. It is crucial to have accurate and reliable methods to determine mosquito species composition in areas subject to malaria. An unexpectedly diverse set of Anopheles species was collected in the western Kenyan highlands, including unidentified and potentially new species carrying the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This study identified 2,340 anopheline specimens using both ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region 2 and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 loci. Seventeen distinct sequence groups were identified. Of these, only eight could be molecularly identified through comparison to published and voucher sequences. Of the unidentified species, four were found to carry P. falciparum by circumsporozoite enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction, the most abundant of which had infection rates comparable to a primary vector in the area, Anopheles funestus. High-quality adult specimens of these unidentified species could not be matched to museum voucher specimens or conclusively identified using multiple keys, suggesting that they may have not been previously described. These unidentified vectors were captured outdoors. Diverse and unknown species have been incriminated in malaria transmission in the western Kenya highlands using molecular identification of unusual morphological variants of field specimens. This study demonstrates the value of using molecular methods to compliment vector identifications and highlights the need for accurate characterization of mosquito species and their associated behaviors for effective malaria control.

Hoplolaimus columbus is an important nematode pest of soybean in South Carolina and North Carolina. Tolerant cultivars are available for the management of this plant-parasitic nematode; however, variation in the response of soybean cultivars to H. columbus populations has been observed. This variation may be due to the presence of different species or high genetic diversity of H. columbus populations. The objective of this study was to identify the Hoplolaimus spp. present in fields representing the main soybean-growing regions in South Carolina and North Carolina and to examine the genetic variability of these populations. In South Carolina, the only species found associated with soybean was H. columbus but, in North Carolina, H. stephanus was the dominant species. The two species were never found together. Genetic variability analyses of a mitochondrial and a nuclear marker showed that only one haplotype was shared by the H. columbus populations. H. stephanus showed higher genetic variability, with private haplotypes per sampling location. Knowledge of the distribution and genetic variability of these two Hoplolaimus spp. is valuable to growers to determine potentially damaging infestations of these plant-parasitic nematodes in soybean fields.

Annual decreases in corn yield caused by diseases were estimated by surveying members of the Corn Disease Working Group in 22 corn-producing states in the United States and in Ontario, Canada, from 2012 through 2015. Estimated loss from each disease varied greatly by state and year. In general, foliar diseases such as northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot, and Goss's wilt commonly caused the largest estimated yield loss in the northern United States and Ontario during non-drought years. Fusarium stalk rot and plant-parasitic nematodes caused the most estimated loss in the southern-most United States. The estimated mean economic loss due to yield loss by corn diseases in the United States and Ontario from 2012 to 2015 was $76.51 USD per acre. The cost of disease-mitigating strategies is another potential source of profit loss. Results from this survey will provide scientists, breeders, government, and educators with data to help inform and prioritize research, policy, and educational efforts in corn pathology and disease management. Accepted for publication 26 August 2016.

Soil compaction is a significant problem in the Southeastern USA. This compacted zone or hardpan limits root penetration below this layer and reduces potential yield and makes plants more susceptible to drought induced stresses. Soil compaction in this region is managed using costly annual deep tillage at or before planting and there is a great interest in reducing and/or eliminating annual tillage operations to lower production costs. Deep rooted cool season cover crops can penetrate this compacted soil zone and create channels, which cash crop roots, such as cotton, could follow to capture moisture and nutrients stored in the subsoil. The cool season cover crop roots would reduce the need for annual deep tillage prior to planting, increases soil organic matter, which provides greater water infiltration and available water holding capacity. Field studies were conducted for two years with three different soil series to determine the effects of tillage systems and cool season cover crops on the soil chemical and physical properties, yield responses, and pest pressure. Results showed that cool season cover crops significantly reduced soil compaction, increased cotton lint yield and soil moisture content, reduced nematode population densities, and increased soil available P, K, Mn, and organic matter content compared to the conventional no-cover crop.

Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV, family Luteoviridae, genus Polerovirus) was recently reported in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants affected by cotton leafroll dwarf disease (CLRDD) in the United States (Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, and Texas) (Aboughanem-Sabanadzovic et al. 2019; Alabi et al. 2020; Ali and Mokhtari 2020; Avelar et al. 2019; Tabassum et al. 2019). From July to September 2019, a CLRDV survey was conducted in 10 counties (Aiken, Anderson, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chester, Clarendon, Darlington, Florence, Sumter, and York) representing the cotton-growing areas in South Carolina. The CLRDD-like symptoms observed in the fields included pronounced rugosity, curling, and distortion of leaves, reddening of the petioles and leaves, brittle leaves when handled, shortened internodes and stunting, and a reduction in boll set. The disease incidence across 17 fields was estimated to range from 5 to 25% based on visual assessment of symptoms. From each county, leaf/petiole samples from two to four cotton plants showing CLRDD-like symptoms were collected from one to two fields and tested in the lab for the presence of CLRDV by RT-PCR. RNA was extracted from each plant sample using Qiagen RNeasy Plant Mini kits (Qiagen, Germantown, MD) following the manufacturer’s recommendations. The cDNA was synthesized using a SuperScript IV first-strand synthesis system (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) and amplified with CLRDV-specific PCR primers CLRDV3675F/Pol3982R (Sharman et al. 2015) targeting a 310-bp segment of ORF3 to ORF5. Positive (cDNA of CLRDV, Elmore County, AL) and negative (nontemplate) controls were included in each run, and PCR products were examined by gel electrophoresis. Twenty-six samples (78.8%) out of 33 tested produced the expected PCR bands. The positive samples were derived from cultivars DeltaPine 1646 B2XF and Phytogen 430 W3FE, and they spanned all 10 surveyed counties. All positive samples were further amplified with three additional primer pairs specifically designed to detect CLRDV: CLRDV-RdRpF2/CLRDV-RdRpR1 (Aboughanem-Sabanadzovic et al. 2019), amplifying a 770-bp region of ORF1 to ORF2; AL674F/AL1407R (Avelar et al. 2019), amplifying a 733-bp portion of ORF0 to ORF1; and CLPOF/CLPOR (Cascardo et al. 2015), amplifying a 783-bp fragment spanning ORF0. DNA bands of the expected sizes were obtained with each primer pair as examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR products for one Barnwell County sample (all four primer pairs) and the CLPOF/CLPOR-specific products from one sample each from Anderson and Sumter Counties were directly sequenced. After removing the primer sequences, the partial CLRDV sequences from the three samples were deposited in GenBank (MN651102 to MN651107). All six sequences showed very high nucleotide identities (98.9 to 100%; 98 to 100% query coverage) to corresponding sequences of CLRDV isolates from Alabama (MN071395 and MN883237) based on BLASTn analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CLRDV infecting cotton in South Carolina. CLRDD could negatively impact the cotton industry in South Carolina and other cotton-producing states due to its potential to reduce yield. Future research is needed to quantify the impact of the virus on cotton production in the United States and to identify strategies for minimizing the potential economic losses.

Hoplolaimus columbus, Columbia lance nematode (CLN), can cause severe stunting and considerable yield losses in cotton. A three-year field study was conducted in South Carolina with the purpose of examining the population dynamics and spatial distribution patterns of CLN as influenced by soil texture, the presence of Rotylenchulus reniformis, reniform nematode (RN), and a cotton–corn–soybean rotation scheme. Four plots with different soil textures inferred by soil electrical conductivity were sampled at plant and at harvest for each crop. Population densities of CLN were aggregated and the host plant did not affect the pattern of spatial distribution. Columbia lance nematode and RN were found in spatially distinct areas in the field influenced by differences in soil texture. Columbia lance nematode was mainly found in areas with high sand content (above 75%) and RN in areas with 60–65% sand content. Therefore, depending on the sand content, whenever there are concomitant infestations of CLN and RN in a field, only one species is likely to be the key pest. Knowledge of the distribution patterns of CLN is essential for selecting sampling strategies and for site-specific management.

Existing crop monitoring programs determine the incidence and distribution of plant diseases and pathogens and assess the damage caused within a crop production region. These programs have traditionally used observed or predicted disease and pathogen data and environmental information to prescribe management practices that minimize crop loss. Monitoring programs are especially important for crops with broad geographic distribution or for diseases that can cause rapid and great economic losses. Successful monitoring programs have been developed for several plant diseases, including downy mildew of cucurbits, Fusarium head blight of wheat, potato late blight, and rusts of cereal crops. A recent example of a successful disease-monitoring program for an economically important crop is the soybean rust (SBR) monitoring effort within North America. SBR, caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, was first identified in the continental United States in November 2004. SBR causes moderate to severe yield losses globally. The fungus produces foliar lesions on soybean (Glycine max) and other legume hosts. P. pachyrhizi diverts nutrients from the host to its own growth and reproduction. The lesions also reduce photosynthetic area. Uredinia rupture the host epidermis and diminish stomatal regulation of transpiration to cause tissue desiccation and premature defoliation. Severe soybean yield losses can occur if plants defoliate during the mid-reproductive growth stages. The rapid response to the threat of SBR in North America resulted in an unprecedented amount of information dissemination and the development of a real-time, publicly available monitoring and prediction system known as the Soybean Rust-Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (SBR-PIPE). The objectives of this article are (i) to highlight the successful response effort to SBR in North America, and (ii) to introduce researchers to the quantity and type of data generated by SBR-PIPE. Data from this system may now be used to answer questions about the biology, ecology, and epidemiology of an important pathogen and disease of soybean.

Between 2009 and 2012, 118 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] accessions from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection were screened for resistance to soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) at up to five locations in the southeastern United States. In 2009, plant introductions (PIs) from maturity groups III through IX were evaluated for relative disease severity and intensity of sporulation from uredinia compared with 12 susceptible cultivars from the same range of maturity groups. Resistance evaluations were based primarily on disease severity and intensity of sporulation from rust pustules. To assess resistance at several nurseries, a rust index score was calculated from the severity and sporulation ratings. Many of the PIs were moderately to highly resistant at the 2009 locations between Alabama and South Carolina, but the P. pachyrhizi population in Bossier City, LA, was virulent on most of those accessions. The 2011 rating data from Quincy, FL, indicated an increase in the virulence of the pathogen there since 2009, and this trend was observed again in 2012. In contrast, many of the same PIs developed substantially less soybean rust in Attapulgus, GA, in 2012. Despite the comparatively greater disease that many accessions had in Louisiana in 2009 and in Quincy in 2011 and 2012, at least 78 PIs were resistant in Georgia in 2012, and 20 of those were at least moderately resistant in both Florida and Georgia that year. No accessions were immune to rust at all of the nurseries, but PI 200492 (Rpp1), PI 547875 (a backcross line with Rpp1), and PI 567102B (Rpp6) were the most resistant of the accessions with named resistance genes and were among the most resistant accessions overall. Among the most resistant accessions with unknown resistance genes, PI 416826A, PI 417125, PI 567034, and PI 567104B consistently had effective levels of resistance in different locations and years. Information about the most resistant PIs and their reactions to soybean rust infection across years and locations will be useful for the development of rust-resistant soybean cultivars in the United States. D.R. Walker and R.L. Nelson, USDA-ARS, Soybean/Maize Germ plasm, Pathology and Genetics Research Unit and Dep. of Crop Sci

Objectives: No model exists to predict which patients with elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries will successfully return to play (RTP) with non-operative treatment. The reported rates for successful RTP after non-operative management of UCL injuries are limited and vary widely. Furthermore, patient and UCL injury characteristics that influence failure of non-operative treatment have not been established. We sought to identify which factors were most significant in predicting which patients would have successful RTP after non-operative management of UCL injury. In doing so, we created the Elbow UCL Injury Prognosis Score to identify and weigh factors that predict failure of non-operative treatment. The parameters include: age, position, competition level, moving valgus stress test (MVST), 5th finger sensation, UCL tenderness, and MRI findings including tear type, location, and chronicity features. This score will predict which patients will succeed non-operative management, avoiding unnecessary surgery while simultaneously identify patients for whom non-operative management would be delaying the inevitable need for surgical intervention. Methods: 205 patients were evaluated by the senior author for a UCL injury. Physical exam findings, imaging characteristics and patient demographics were retrospectively collected and entered into a HIPAA-compliant REDCap database after IRB approval of the study design. Of these patients, 138 underwent a trial of non-operative treatment and were either cleared for RTP (n= 55) or eventually underwent surgical intervention (n= 83) after a minimum one-month trial of non-operative management. Sixty-seven patients decided to have surgery immediately without trialing non-operative management and were excluded from the scoring system. The Elbow UCL Injury Prognosis Score was developed and validated using stepwise feature selection by Akaike information criterion (AIC). Three-fold cross validation was performed using these ten variables as predictors. The mean and standard deviation of area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were evaluated. Results: The area under curve for non-operative failure predicting non-operative management failure was 0.79 (0.054), with sensitivity=0.85 (0.088), specificity=0.72 (0.032), positive predictive value=0.83 (0.023), negative predictive value=0.77 (0.091) [mean (standard deviation (SD))]. Patients were predicted to succeed non-operative management if they scored less than 10, while for a score greater than or equal to 10 patients would likely fail non-operative management and require surgical intervention for their UCL injury (Table 1). Conclusion: The Elbow UCL Injury Prognosis Score is a statistically rigorous, powerful tool for predicting which patients will most likely RTP with non-operative treatment. We hope this score can provide surgeons with a useful tool to enhance and enable shared decision making with patients when faced with UCL injuries at all competitive levels. [Table: see text]

Background Members of the Anopheles punctulatus group dominate Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG), with a geographic range that extends south through Vanuatu. An. farauti and An. punctulatus are the presumed major vectors in this region. Although this group of species has been extensively studied in PNG and the southern archipelagoes within their range, their distribution, ecology and vector behaviours have not been well characterized in eastern Indonesia. Methods Mosquitoes were collected in five villages in Jayapura province, Papua, Indonesia using human-landing collections, animal-baited tents and backpack aspirators. Mosquitoes were morphologically typed and then molecularly distinguished based on ribosomal ITS2 sequences and tested for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infection using circumsporozoite ELISA and PCR. Results The presence and vector status of An. farauti4 in Papua, Indonesia is confirmed here for the first time. The data indicate that this species is entering houses at a rate that increases its potential to come into contact with humans and act as a major malaria vector. An. farauti 4 was also abundant outdoors and biting humans during early evening hours. Other species collected in this area include An. farauti 1, An. hinesorum, An. koliensis, An. punctulatus, and An. tessellatus. Proboscis morphology was highly variable within each species, lending support to the notion that this characteristic is not a reliable indicator to distinguish species within the An. punctulatus group. Conclusions The vector composition in Papua, Indonesia is consistent with certain northern areas of PNG, but the behaviours of anophelines sampled in this region, such as early and indoor human biting of An. farauti 4, may enable them to act as major vectors of malaria. Presumed major vectors An. farauti and An. punctulatus were not abundant among these samples. Morphological identification of anophelines in this sample was often inaccurate, highlighting the importance of using molecular analysis in conjunction with morphological investigations to update keys and training tools. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-016-1234-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae has severely limited the number of treatment options, and the emergence of extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance threatens the effectiveness of the last remaining recommended treatment regimen. This study assessed the in vitro susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae to ETX0914, a novel spiropyrimidinetrione that inhibits DNA biosynthesis. In vitro activity was determined by agar dilution against 100 N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected from men presenting with urethritis in the USA during 2012-2013 through the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) that inhibited growth in 50% (MIC50) and 90% (MIC90) of isolates was calculated for each antimicrobial agent. ETX0914 demonstrated a high level of antimicrobial activity against N. gonorrhoeae, including isolates with decreased susceptibility or resistance to currently available agents. The ability of ETX0914 to inhibit the growth of N. gonorrhoeae was similar to ceftriaxone, which is currently recommended in combination with azithromycin to treat gonorrhoea. The data presented in this study strongly suggest that ETX0914 should be evaluated in a clinical trial for the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] resistance to soybean rust (SBR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi could reduce reliance on fungicides to manage this disease. The objective of this study was to identify soybean germplasm with resistance to field populations of P. pachyrhizi in the United States. Field evaluations of 576 accessions from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection for resistance to SBR were conducted at seven locations in the southern United States between 2006 and 2008. Accessions from maturity groups (MG) 000 to X and North American susceptible check cultivars from each MG except X were rated for disease severity in all year-location environments, and for disease incidence, fungal sporulation, lesion type, and/or uredinia density in certain environments. While none of the accessions was immune in all environments, 64 were resistant in two or more locations each year that they were tested. Some accessions appeared to be more resistant in certain environments than in others. Of the original four Rpp genes described in the literature, Rpp1 provided the highest level of resistance, and among the accessions with uncharacterized Rpp genes, PI 567104B had the highest overall resistance across environments. The plant introductions confirmed to be resistant in these evaluations should be useful sources of genes for resistance to North American populations of P. pachyrhizi.

Cotton is the most important fiber crop in the world, and current U.S. lint production accounts for nearly one quarter of the world supply. The unique role of cotton in world and American history is profound. Primitive cottons have been used in Africa, Asia, and the Americas for millennia. Domestic and international demand for cotton fiber contributed greatly to the westward expansion of the United States, the American Civil War, and the industrial revolution (81). The land area devoted to cotton production in the United States peaked in 1926 with approximately 18 million hectares (Fig. 1). The advent of mechanized farming equipment and the availability of effective, relatively low-cost fertilizers, pesticides, and improved cotton cultivars after World War II allowed the production of significantly greater yields per unit of land area, and hectarage declined. U.S. production of cotton lint in the past 5 years has varied from 3.0 × 10 to 4.4 × 10 kg produced on about 5 million hectares (147). Additionally, cotton seed is a valuable source of vegetable oil and protein used in animal feed, with production of 4.9 × 10 to 5.9 × 10 kg of cotton seed annually. Since World War II, cotton cultivation was increasingly dependent on inputs of chemical pesticides for weed and insect control. Historically, the cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, was the most costly pest of cotton in the United States. The combination of crop loss due to this insect directly and the expense for insecticides that was incurred by cotton growers attempting to control it amounted to several billion dollars annually until recently (130). The successful establishment of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in many states in the eastern half of the country has resulted in a reduction in insecticide usage, improved profitability for growers, and has led to a resurgence of cotton production in the Southeast (37). In addition, the current widespread use of transgenic cotton cultivars with resistance to herbicides and/or insects also has greatly reduced the need for inputs of pesticides. Currently, 71% of cotton grown in the United States is herbicide resistant, resistant to lepidopteran insects, or has resistance to both (3). Reductions in pest pressure from weeds and insects as a result of the deployment of transgenic resistance and the boll weevil eradication program have

Equipment was modified and/or developed for broadcast and banded applications of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost at selected rates to agricultural land for cotton production. Replicated tests were conducted for four years to determine the effects of compost on soil properties, crop yield, and nematode populations. Soil type in the test field was Faceville loamy sand. Broadcast application of compost significantly reduced soil compaction in the top 30 cm of soil in cotton rows and row-middles compared to no compost application. Banded application did not affect compaction in the row middles. Columbia lance nematode densities decreased in all compost-treated plots during all four years of study. Several plots treated with compost had nematode densities comparable to those found in the plots treated with Temik 15G nematicide. Compost application significantly increased the soil organic matter content and soil nitrogen content at six and 14 weeks after planting. However, the compost did not affect the lea...

Lance nematodes (Hoplolaimus spp.) feed on the roots of a wide range of plants, some of which are agronomic crops. Morphometric values of amphimictic lance nematode species overlap considerably, and useful morphological characters for their discrimination require high magnification and significant diagnostic time. Given their morphological similarity, these Hoplolaimus species provide an interesting model to investigate hidden diversity in crop agroecosystems. In this scenario, H. galeatus may have been over-reported and the related species that are morphologically similar could be more widespread in the United States that has been recognized thus far. The main objectives of this study were to delimit Hoplolaimus galeatus and morphologically similar species using morphology, phylogeny, and a barcoding approach, and to estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of the species found. Molecular analyses were performed using sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) on 23 populations. Four morphospecies were identified: H. galeatus, H. magnistylus, H. concaudajuvencus, and H. stephanus, along with a currently undescribed species. Pronounced genetic structure correlated with geographic origin was found for all species, except for H. galeatus. Hoplolaimus galeatus also exhibited low genetic diversity and the shortest genetic distances among populations. In contrast, H. stephanus, the species with the fewest reports from agricultural soils, was the most common and diverse species found. Results of this project may lead to better delimitation of lance nematode species in the United States by contributing to the understanding the diversity within this group.