First Report of Goss's Bacterial Leaf Blight and Wilt of Corn Caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis in North Dakota

In August of 2011, the North Dakota State University Plant Diagnostic Lab received a hybrid corn (Zea mays) leaf sample from Burleigh County in south-central North Dakota (ND). The leaf had long, irregular, water-soaked lesions consistent with Goss's leaf blight of corn. Using a light microscope at 10× magnification, bacterial streaming was observed from the excised edge of leaf tissue. A bacterial suspension was created, streaked onto a semi-selective CNS medium (1), and incubated at 22°C. Dark yellow-orange colonies appeared on the medium after 5 days. Single colonies were subcultured onto additional CNS media. To verify the identity of the bacterial isolate, PCR amplification of the 16S ribosomal DNA from this isolate along with a known Clavibacter michiganensis spp. nebraskensis (Cmn) isolate collected in Indiana (4) was performed using the eubacterial universal primers 27f and 1525r (3). The 1,431-bp 16S rDNA region was obtained for each isolate and they were compared with each other and with those deposited in NCBI GenBank. Sequence alignment identified only one nucleotide difference between the ND isolate and the Indiana isolate. BLASTn search against the NCBI database showed the first 100 hits were described as C. michiganensis or unidentified Clavibacter sp. The ND isolate had a two-nucleotide difference with Cmn isolate NCPPB2581 (HE614873), and a three nucleotide difference was found with the C. michiganensis spp. michiganensis isolate NCPPB 382 (AM711867). To satisfy Koch's postulates, eight corn plants (Golden Cross Bantam) were grown in the greenhouse at 22 to 24°C. Four corn plants were inoculated at growth stage V4-V5 using a suspension of approximately 1 × 10⁹ CFU/ml from cultures grown on CNS for 6 days. Wounds were created on the fifth leaf approximately 7 cm from the leaf tip using a tongue-seizing forceps outfitted with a rubber stopper composed of pins (2). Simultaneously, 1 ml of the bacterial suspension was delivered into the wounds through a hole on top of the rubber stopper. Four control plants were inoculated with sterile water in a similar fashion. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. After 6 days, long water-soaked symptoms were observed on leaves inoculated with the bacterial suspension. Using leaves with water-soaked lesions, the pathogen was re-isolated onto CNS media and subjected to PCR amplification, and the resulting amplicons were sequenced as before. The sequence of the amplicon from the re-isolation matched that of the original ND isolate. To our knowledge, this is the first account of Goss's leaf blight and wilt identified in ND. As the corn acreage and no-till production systems in the state have increased, the economic implications of this disease may become more significant. Recognition of symptoms and proper identification of this bacterial disease in the field should help reduce unnecessary foliar fungicide sprays. References: (1) D. C. Gross and A. K. Vidaver. Phytopathology 69:82, 1979. (2) W. A. Hagborg. Can. J. Bot. 48:1135, 1970. (3) X. Li and S. H. DeBoer. Can. J. Microbiol. 41:925, 1995. (4) G. Ruhl et al. Plant Dis. 93:841, 2009.

Thresholds of information leakage for speech security outside meeting rooms

This paper describes an approach to provide speech security outside meeting rooms where a covert listener might attempt to extract confidential information. Decision-based experiments are used to establish a relationship between an objective measurement of the Speech Transmission Index (STI) and a subjective assessment relating to the threshold of information leakage. This threshold is defined for a specific percentage of English words that are identifiable with a maximum safe vocal effort (e.g., "normal" speech) used by the meeting participants. The results demonstrate that it is possible to quantify an offset that links STI with a specific threshold of information leakage which describes the percentage of words identified. The offsets for male talkers are shown to be approximately 10 dB larger than for female talkers. Hence for speech security it is possible to determine offsets for the threshold of information leakage using male talkers as the "worst case scenario." To define a suitable threshold of information leakage, the results show that a robust definition can be based upon 1%, 2%, or 5% of words identified. For these percentages, results are presented for offset values corresponding to different STI values in a range from 0.1 to 0.3.

Increasing ewe genetic fecundity improves whole-farm production and reduces greenhouse gas emissions intensities: 2. Economic performance

Ewes with the fecundity Booroola (FecB) gene produce more lambs per ewe on average than ewes without the gene and offers a potential way to decrease greenhouse gas emissions (net and per unit animal product) without reducing lamb production if the lambs can be reared to market weights. Using a case study farm in south-west Victoria, a biophysical modelling study has previously showed that increased ewe fecundity from 1 to 1.5 lambs per ewe increased production by 27% and reduced net farm emissions by 21% for the same long-term stocking rate. In this study, a whole-farm economic analysis was used to investigate the relative merit of the same case study farm, with high-fecundity ewes, compared with a baseline system that represented a typical prime lamb enterprise in the region. An additional system comprising ewes with high fecundity at a lower stocking rate than the case study farm was also examined. The analysis was undertaken to establish which farm systems represented the most economically efficient use of all the resources that are employed over a run of years, and involved estimating the net present value of annual profits earned by the farm in each scenario, taking into account the total value of capital used. The potential revenue from the sale of carbon credits through the Carbon Farming Initiative was also investigated. After accounting for the additional costs involved, increasing ewe fecundity resulted in an increase in annual whole-farm profit compared with the baseline system, but risk, considered as the variability in farm profit, also increased. Decreasing stocking rate for the high-fecundity system reduced annual operating profit and net present value at a 5% discount rate, but had less risk compared with the higher stocking rate system. While both systems that incorporated high-fecundity ewes reduced greenhouse gas emissions, revenue from the sale of carbon credits was small compared with revenue from the sale of lambs, wool and culled ewes. Despite this, and assuming the required increases in fertility and weaning rates could be achieved consistently on-farm, ewes with high fecundity may offer producers the opportunity to increase production and profit as well as decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

Impact of an open-chest extracorporeal membrane oxygenation model for in situ simulated team training: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

To develop an affordable realistic open-chest extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) model for embedded in situ interprofessional crisis resource management training in emergency management of a post-cardiac surgery child.

METHODS

An innovative attachment to a high-fidelity mannequin (Laerdal Simbaby) was used to enable a cardiac tamponade/ECMO standstill scenario. Two saline bags with blood dye were placed over the mannequin's chest. A 'heart' bag with venous and arterial outlets was connected to the corresponding tubes of the ECMO circuit. The bag was divided into arterial and venous parts by loosely wrapping silicon tubing around its centre. A 'pericardial' bag was placed above it. Both were then covered by a chest skin that had a sutured silicone membrane window. False blood injected into the 'pericardial' bag caused expansion leading to (i) bulging of silastic membrane, simulating tamponade, and (ii) compression of tubing around the 'heart' bag, creating negative venous pressures and cessation of ECMO flow. In situ Simulation Paediatric Resuscitation Team Training (SPRinT) was performed on paediatric intensive care unit; the course included a formal team training/scenario of an open-chest ECMO child with acute cardiac tamponade due to blocked chest drains/debriefing by trained facilitators.

RESULTS

Cardiac tamponade was reproducible, and ECMO flow/circuit pressure changes were effective and appropriate. There were eight participants: one cardiac surgeon, two intensivists, one cardiologist, one perfusionist and three nurses. Five of the eight reported the realism of the model and 6/8 the realism of the clinical scenario as highly effective. Eight of eight reported a highly effective impact on (i) their practice and (ii) teamwork. Six of eight reported a highly effective impact on communication skills and increased confidence in attending future real events.

CONCLUSIONS

Innovative adaptation of a high-fidelity mannequin for open-chest ECMO simulation can achieve a realistic and reproducible training model. The impact on interprofessional team training is promising but needs to be validated further.

p16INK4A, p53, EGFR expression and KRAS mutation status in squamous cell cancers of the anus: correlation with outcomes following chemo-radiotherapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Squamous cell carcinomas of the anal canal are associated with infection with Human Papilloma Viruses (HPVs). Chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) gives 70% 3-year relapse-free survival. Improved predictive markers and therapeutic options are required.

METHODS

Tumours from 153 patients treated with radical chemo-radiotherapy (50.4 Gy in 28# with concurrent Mitomycin and 5-Fluorouracil between 2004 and 2009) were retrieved and immunohistochemistry performed for p16(INK4A), p53 and EGFR and correlated with outcome. Primary and relapsed samples were analysed for mutations in KRAS.

RESULTS

137/153 (89.5%) stained moderately or strongly for p16(INK4A). p16(INK4A) correlated strongly with outcome. 37/137 patients demonstrating moderate/strong p16(INK4A) expression relapsed (27.0%), as opposed to 10/16 (62.5%) with absent/weak staining (log rank test p<0.001). p16 and p53 expression were inversely correlated. p16(INK4A) negative tumours were more frequent in men. p16(INK4A) negative patients had significantly worse overall survival (p<0.001). No mutations in KRAS were identified in primary tumours or relapses following treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

p16(INK4A) is strongly associated with relapse in SCC of the anus and identifies patients with very poor rates of relapse-free and overall survival. Primary and recurrent anal cancer expresses wild type KRAS, unaffected by treatment, supporting trials targeting EGFR in poor risk/recurrent anal cancer.

Right line, right patient, right time: every choice matters

The field of vascular access has developed significantly over recent decades. It has been adapted to provide a range of techniques for a range of patients much faster than a full appreciation of the risks involved has developed. Improved governance of vascular access procedures in the UK is needed. This is driven by a deeper understanding of risks such as infectious and thrombotic complications, repeated failures of peripheral intravenous (IV) access leading to poor patient experience and treatment inadequacy, and the increasing emphasis on avoiding healthcare-associated infections. The Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) protocol, which is used to standardise vascular access practice in the US is being evaluated for adoption in the UK. A comprehensive and inclusive approach should be taken to the vascular access needs of all patients.

Influence of metal ions on the ⁶⁸Ga-labeling of DOTATATE

The influence of metal cations (Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, In³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Co²⁺, Lu³⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Y³⁺, Yb³⁺, Zn²⁺, and Zr⁴⁺) on the radiolabeling yield of [⁶⁸Ga(DOTATATE)] was evaluated. Our most important observation was that, within our experimental limit, the metal ion/ligand ratio plays a critical role on the influence of most metal ions. More in-depth studies, with Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺, revealed that reaction temperature and concentration changes have little effect, but speciation changes with pH are crucial. Furthermore, we found that [⁶⁸Ga(DOTATATE)] is stable in the presence of high concentrations of Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺, but transmetalates with Cu²⁺ at 95°C.

A framework to aid adoption of automated rehabilitation devices into clinical practice: synthesising and Interpreting Language for Clinical Kinematics (SILCK)

The Synthesising and Interpreting Language for Clinical Kinematics (SILCK) is an informatic framework for developing software to control automated rehabilitation devices. It aids adoption of devices into rehabilitation practice, by bridging the gap between clinical practice and internal device operation. SILCK defines data entities and processes for capturing clinical observations of patients and their rehabilitation goals in formats which can be used to direct the tailoring of device parameters to the individual patient's needs.

Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 prevalence in cattle and on carcasses in a vertically integrated feedlot and harvest plant in Mexico

To determine the prevalence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle feedlots and the impact of subsequent contamination on carcasses in a Mexican Federal Inspection Type Standards harvest facility, 250 animals were tagged and sampled in each step of the slaughter process. Samples were taken from hides and fecal grabs, and composite samples were taken from three anatomical carcass sites (hindshank, foreshank, and inside round) during the slaughter process, at preevisceration (PE), prior to entering the hot box (PHB), and after 24 h of dry chilling (DC). Additionally, 250 fecal samples were collected from the feedlot (FL), holding pens (HP), and intestinal feces (IF), and water samples were taken from the HP area. E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella detection were carried out with the BAX System, immunomagnetic separation, and conventional methods. Overall Salmonella prevalence was 52.5%. The highest prevalence (92.4%) was found on hides, followed by feces from the HP (91.0%), FL (55.56%), PE (49.0%), IF (46.8%), and PHB (24.8%), for all sampling periods combined. The lowest prevalence of 6.0% was found after DC. The overall prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was as follows: 11.7% for hides, 5.2% for IF, 2.7% for FL, 2.0% for HP, 0.8% for PE, 0.4% for PHB, and 0.4% for the cooler. High prevalence of Salmonella in IF and on hides present a significant risk factor for contamination by Salmonella at the different processing steps. These results serve as a warning as to the risks of contamination in meats for these pathogens and the importance of following good manufacturing practices during beef production processes.