Search

Although Eutypa lata is the main agent of Eutypa dieback of grapevine, another species of Eutypa has been isolated from diseased grapevines in Northern California. Stromata of this recently discovered Eutypa were also collected from Acer macrophyllum, A. negundo, and Fraxinus latifolia in the vicinity of vineyards, and appeared commonly on Umbellularia californica in some mixed-evergreen forests of Napa and Sonoma counties. This second species of Eutypa was distinguished from E. lata because of the sulcate ostiole of the perithecium and smaller ascospores. A morphological comparison with type specimens revealed identical features between the Californian isolates and E. leptoplaca sensu Rappaz (1987). This identification was confirmed through phylogenetic analyses of Eutypa spp. based on the complete sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rDNA and partial sequence of the β-tubulin gene. These analyses also separated collections of E. maura, E. sparsa, E. lejoplaca, E. tetragona, E. leptoplaca and E. lata, confirming the previously proposed species concepts. The pathogenicity of E. leptoplaca on grapevine was established using isolates collected from Vitis vinifera, U. californica, and A. macrophyllum. The importance of E. leptoplaca in relation to Eutypa dieback and its role as a necrotrophic pathogen are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of early ischemic changes (EICs) on CT remains controversial. MRI may provide relevant information in patients with EICs. Methods: EICs were assessed in patients with acute ischemic stroke. MRI was promptly performed at presentation after CT and repeated on day 1. The relationship between EICs and MRI parameters was assessed with one-way ANOVA for analysis of continuous variables and by the χ2 test for the analysis of variables with a binary outcome. Results: Fourty-eight patients underwent CT and MR imaging before treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (age: 63 ± 14 years). EICs were graded as absent in 28 patients, <33% in 15 patients, and >33% of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory in 5 patients. NIHSS score was higher in patients with EICs that covered more than one third of the MCA territory (19 ± 3) compared to those without EICs (12 ± 5; p = 0.04). Patients who had major EICs had a larger acute lesion volume in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI; 140 ± 78 cm3) compared to those without EICs (33 ± 51 cm3, p < 0.0001). Regional cerebral blood flow, regional cerebral blood volume, time to peak and mean transit time values were not significantly different in the study groups. Conclusion: EICs reflect mainly a larger DWI lesion.Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Old asymptomatic microbleeds (MBs) visualized on T2-weighted MRI are indicative of microangiopathy. They may be a marker of increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) following thrombolysis. However, data regarding this potential risk are limited. Methods: A retrospective analysis of pretreatment T2-weighted MRI was performed in consecutive stroke patients who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). We aimed to assess the impact of MBs on the risk of cerebral bleeding. The frequency and location of MBs were assessed and compared with the location of ICH after thrombolysis. Results: Forty-four patients were studied. MBs were present on pretreatment MRI in 8 cases (18.2%). At day 1, symptomatic ICH occurred in none of 8 patients with MBs versus 1 of 36 patients without (NS). At day 1, ICH occurred in 3 of 8 patients with MBs versus 10 of 36 patients without (NS). At day 7, symptomatic ICH occurred in 1 of 8 patients with MBs versus 2 of 36 patients without (NS). At day 7, ICH occurred in 5 of 8 patients with MBs versus 12 of 36 patients without (NS). No ICH occurred at the site of an MB. ICH occurred within the ischemic area in all patients who bled. Conclusions: Our study suggests that stroke patients with a small number of MBs on pretreatment MRI could be treated safely with thrombolysis. Larger prospective studies are needed to address the predictive value of detection of MBs with regard to the risk of tPA-induced ICH.Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]