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Clubroot is caused by the obligate pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae. The organism targets root hair cells for entry and forms spores in numbers so large that they eventually develop characteristic galls or clubs on the roots. Clubroot incidence is rising globally and impacting the production of oil seed rape (OSR) and other economically important brassica crops where fields are infected. P. brassicae has a wide genetic diversity, and different isolates can vary in virulence levels depending on the host plant. Breeding for clubroot resistance is a key strategy for managing this disease, but identifying and selecting plants with desirable resistance traits are difficult due to the symptom recognition and variability in the gall tissues used to produce clubroot standards. This has made the accurate diagnostic testing of clubroot challenging. An alternative method of producing clubroot standards is through the recombinant synthesis of conserved genomic clubroot regions. This work demonstrates the expression of clubroot DNA standards in a new expression system and compares the clubroot standards produced in a recombinant expression vector to the standards generated from clubroot-infected root gall samples. The positive detection of recombinantly produced clubroot DNA standards in a commercially validated assay indicates that recombinant clubroot standards are capable of being amplified in the same way as conventionally generated clubroot standards. They can also be used as an alternative to standards generated from clubroot, where access to root material is unavailable or would take great effort and time to produce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has led to an increase in the use of lighting regimes within medicine particularly as a treatment for dermatological conditions. New devices have demonstrated significant results for the treatment of medical conditions, including mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, wound healing, psoriasis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease), basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and cosmetic applications. The three wavelengths of light that have demonstrated several therapeutic applications are blue (415 nm), red (633 nm), and near-infrared (830 nm). This review shows their potential for treating dermatological conditions. Phototherapy has also been shown to be an effective treatment for allergenic rhinitis in children and adults. In a double-anonymized randomized study it was found that there was 70% improvement of clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis after intranasal illumination by low-energy narrow-band phototherapy at a wavelength of 660 nm three times a day for 14 consecutive days. Improvement of oedema in many patients with an age range of 7–17 were also observed. These light treatments can now be self-administered by sufferers using devices such as the Allergy Reliever phototherapy device. The device emits visible light (mUV/VIS) and infra-red light (660 nm and 940 nm) wavelengths directly on to the skin in the nasal cavity for a 3 min period. Several phototherapy devices emitting a range of wavelengths have recently become available for use and which give good outcomes for some dermatological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection of brassica crops with the clubroot pathogen, Plasmodiophora brassicae, can result in stunted plant growth and wilting, which can severely affect crop yield. Determining P. brassicae infection within a field prior to crop planting has long posed a problem for choosing appropriate control treatments. The options for control of this pathogen are limited and in the UK and are based on adjusting pH with soil amendments. In this study quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( qPCR) was investigated for measurement of this pathogen in different control treatments. The qPCR was capable of reliably quantifying P. brassicae at levels greater than and including 103 resting spores/g soil. The assay was used to study the effect of lime-based products (LimeX) on the incidence of the clubroot pathogen in field trials with broccoli crops grown on contaminated land. The results showed that variation occurred in clubroot resting spore levels in treated and untreated plots during the crop growing period. In year one there was a 96% decrease in spore load during the growth of the crop. Treatment with LimeX resulted in a greater marketable head weight of broccoli in 2 years of the field trials, and significantly reduced gall numbers on the roots in 1 year. The rate of lime (calcium carbonate) application was not found to have a significant effect in this study, however a greater reduction in clubroot was observed at higher LimeX concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined annual and monthly fluctuations in concentration of 20 fungal genera. The selection of taxa was made based upon their high frequency in the air as well as their well-known allergenic properties. Air samples were collected using a spore trap of Hirst design at an urban site where the trap continuously worked throughout a 5-year survey. Weather data were acquired from a meteorological station co-located with the air sampler. Influence of several meteorological parameters was then examined to reveal species-environment interactions and the potential location of fungal spore sources within the urban area. The maximum monthly sum of mean daily spore concentration varied between genera, and the earliest peaks were recorded for Pleospora sp. in April and Ustilago sp. in June. However, the majority of investigated spore types occurred in the greatest concentrations between August and September. Out of the 20 studied taxa, the most dominant genus was Cladosporium sp., which exceeded an allergenic threshold of 3000 s m 40 times during very rainy years and twice as much during dry years. A Spearman's rank test showed that statistically significant ( p ≤ 0.05) relationships between spore concentration and weather parameters were mainly r ≤ 0.50. Potential sources of spores at Worcester were likely to be localised outside the city area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High concentration levels of Ganoderma spp. spores were observed in Worcester, UK, during 2006-2010. These basidiospores are known to cause sensitization due to the allergen content and their small dimensions. This enables them to penetrate the lower part of the respiratory tract in humans. Establishment of a link between occurring symptoms of sensitization to Ganoderma spp. and other basidiospores is challenging due to lack of information regarding spore concentration in the air. Hence, aerobiological monitoring should be conducted, and if possible extended with the construction of forecast models. Daily mean concentration of allergenic Ganoderma spp. spores in the atmosphere of Worcester was measured using 7-day volumetric spore sampler through five consecutive years. The relationships between the presence of spores in the air and the weather parameters were examined. Forecast models were constructed for Ganoderma spp. spores using advanced statistical techniques, i.e. multivariate regression trees and artificial neural networks. Dew point temperature along with maximum temperature was the most important factor influencing the presence of spores in the air of Worcester. Based on these two major factors and several others of lesser importance, thresholds for certain levels of fungal spore concentration, i.e. low (0-49 s m), moderate (50-99 s m), high (100-149 s m) and very high (150 < n s m), could be designated. Despite some deviation in results obtained by artificial neural networks, authors have achieved a forecasting model, which was accurate (correlation between observed and predicted values varied from r = 0.57 to r = 0.68). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of climate change on fungal growth and spore production is less well documented than for allergenic pollen grains, although similar implications for respiratory tract diseases in humans occur. Fungal spores are commonly described as either 'dry' or 'wet' according to the type of weather associated with their occurrence in the air. This study examined the distribution of selected fungal spores ( Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp., Didymella spp., Epicoccum spp., Leptosphaeria spp. and rusts) occurring in the West Midlands of UK during 2 years of contrasting weather. Spore specimens were collected using a 7-day volumetric air sampler and then analysed with the aid of light microscopy. Distributions of spores were then studied using normality tests and Mann-Whitney U test, while relationships with meteorological parameters were investigated using Spearman's rank test and angular-linear correlation for wind direction analysis. Our results showed that so-called wet spores were more sensitive to the weather changes showing statistically significant differences between the 2 years of study, in contrast to 'dry' spores. We predict that in following years we will observe accelerated levels in allergenic fungal spore production as well as changes in species diversity. This study could be a starting point to revise the grouping system of fungal spores as either 'dry' or 'wet' types and their response to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aerobiological survey was conducted through five consecutive years (2006-2010) at Worcester (England). The concentration of 20 allergenic fungal spore types was measured using a 7-day volumetric spore trap. The relationship between investigated fungal spore genera and selected meteorological parameters (maximum, minimum, mean and dew point temperatures, rainfall, relative humidity, air pressure, wind direction) was examined using an ordination method (redundancy analysis) to determine which environmental factors favoured their most abundance in the air and whether it would be possible to detect similarities between different genera in their distribution pattern. Redundancy analysis provided additional information about the biology of the studied fungi through the results of the Spearman's rank correlation. Application of the variance inflation factor in canonical correspondence analysis indicated which explanatory variables were auto-correlated and needed to be excluded from further analyses. Obtained information will be consequently implemented in the selection of factors that will be a foundation for forecasting models for allergenic fungal spores in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study represents the first international intercomparison of fungal spore observations since 1990, focusing on atmospheric concentrations of Alternaria, Cladosporium, Ganoderma and Didymella spores. The campaigns were performed at sites located in Cork (Ireland) and Worcester (England) during summer 2010. Observations were made using Hirst-type volumetric spore traps and corresponding optical identification at the genus level by microscope. The measurements at both sites (including meteorological parameters) were compared and contrasted. The relationships between the fungal spore concentrations with selected meteorological parameters were investigated using statistical methods and multivariate regression trees (MRT). The results showed high correlations between the two sites with respect to daily variations. Statistically significant higher spore concentrations for Alternaria, Cladosporium and Ganoderma were monitored at the Worcester site. This result was most likely due to the differences in precipitation and local fungal spore sources at the two sites. Alternaria and Cladosporium reached their maxima a month earlier in Cork than in Worcester, and Didymella with Ganoderma peaked simultaneously with similar diurnal trends found for all the investigated spore types. MRT analysis helped to determine threshold values of the meteorological parameters that exerted most influence on the presence of spores: they were found to vary at the two sites. Our results suggest that the aeromycological profile is quite uniform over the British Isles, but a description of bioaerosols with respect to overall load and daily concentration can be quite diverse although the geographical difference between sites is relatively small. These variations in the concentrations therefore need to be explored at the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. In aerobiological studies it is often necessary to compare concentration data recorded with different models of sampling instrument. Sampler efficiency typically varies from device to device, and depends on the target aerosol and local atmospheric conditions. To account for these differences inter-sampler correction factors may be applied, however for many pollen samplers and pollen taxa such correction factors do not exist and cannot be derived from existing published work. Materials and methods. In this study, the relative efficiencies of the Burkard 7-Day Recording Volumetric Spore Trap, the Sampling Technologies Rotorod Model 20, and the Burkard Personal Volumetric Air Sampler were evaluated for Urticaceae and Poaceae pollen under field conditions. The influence of wind speed and relative humidity on these efficiency relationships was also assessed. Data for the two pollen taxa were collected during 2010 and 2011-2012, respectively. Results. The three devices were found to record significantly different concentrations for both pollen taxa, with the exception of the 7-Day and Rotorod samplers for Poaceae pollen. Under the range of conditions present during the study, wind speed was found to only have a significant impact on inter-sampler relationships involving the vertically-orientated Burkard Personal sampler, while no interaction between relative efficiency and relative humidity was observed. Conclusions. Data collected with the three models of sampler should only be compared once the appropriate correction has been made, with wind speed taken into account where appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In epidemiological studies, outdoor exposure to pollen is typically estimated using rooftop monitoring station data, whilst exposure overwhelmingly occurs at street level. In this study the relationship between street level and roof level grass pollen concentrations was investigated for city centre street canyon environments in Aarhus, Denmark, and London, UK, during the grass pollen seasons of 2010 and 2011 respectively. For the period mid-day to late evening, street level concentrations in both cities tended to be lower than roof-level concentrations, though this difference was found to be statistically significant only in London. The ratio of street/roof level concentrations was compared with temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and solar radiation. Results indicated that the concentration ratio responds to wind direction with respect to relative canyon orientation and local source distribution. In the London study, an increase in relative humidity was linked to a significant decrease in street/roof level concentration ratio, and a possible causative mechanism involving moisture mediated pollen grain buoyancy is proposed. Relationships with the other weather variables were not found to be significant in either location. These results suggest a tendency for monitoring station data to overestimate exposure in the canyon environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to give a descriptive account of the use of music therapy techniques on the English speaking and story retelling skills of Kindergarten students in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Nine students in a community based after-school ESL class and 9 students in a regular public school ESL class received music therapy sessions designed as supplemental teaching strategies in addition to their regular ESL classroom routines. Observers indicated that both groups performed well on story retelling skills and English speaking skills; although, the after-school ESL group performed better than the public school group. This study suggests that the community setting may be a more relaxed and less intimidating environment for young English language learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term ‘representation bias’ is used to describe the disparities that exist between treatment effects estimated from field experiments, and those effects that would be seen if treatments were used in the field. In this paper we are specifically concerned with representation bias caused by disease inoculum travelling between plots, or out of the experimental area altogether. The scope for such bias is maximized in the case of airborne spread diseases. This paper extends the work of Deardon et al. (2004), using simulation methods to explore the relationship between design and representation bias. In doing so, we illustrate the importance of plot size and spacing, as well as treatment-to-plot allocation. We examine a novel class of designs, incomplete column designs, to develop an understanding of the mechanisms behind representation bias. We also introduce general methods of designing field trials, which can be used to limit representation bias by carefully controlling treatment to block allocation in both incomplete column and incomplete randomized block designs. Finally, we show how the commonly used practice of sampling from the centres of plots, rather than entire plots, can also help to control representation bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myotonic dystrophy, a type of muscular dystrophy, is defined as a genetic disorder with progressive muscle deterioration and weakness. The subject in this study, a t 0-year-old boy, was diagnosed with congenital myotonic dystrophy with gross and fine motor deficits and articulation disorders. The purpose of this case study was to investigate the transfer of gross motor, articulation, and instrument playing skills during small group music therapy sessions to regular physical education classes and regular music education classes. Results indicated that the frequency of "accurate" task performances were significantly correlated in music therapy and physical education classes and music therapy and music education classes. Although the results of this study may not substantiate the transfer of skills from the music therapy group sessions to regular physical education and music education classes, the findings may suggest the efficacy of practicing gross motor, articulation, and instrument playing skills in small group music therapy settings as supplemental strategies that may enhance regular classroom skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of music therapy techniques on the story retelling and speaking skills of English as a Second Language (ESL) middle school students. Thirty-four middle school students of Hispanic heritage, ages 10-12, in high and low-functioning groups participated in the study for 12 weeks. Pretest to posttest data yielded significant differences on the story retelling skills between the experimental and control groups. Chi Square comparisons on English speaking skills also yielded significant results over 3 months of music therapy intervention. A variety of music therapy techniques were used including music and movement, active music listening, group chanting and singing, musical games, rhythmic training, music and sign language, and lyric analysis and rewrite activities as supplemental activities to the ESL goals and objectives. Comparisons of individual subjects' scores indicated that all of the students in the experimental groups scored higher than the control groups on story retelling skills (with the exception of 1 pair of identical scores), regardless of high and low functioning placement. Monthly comparisons of the high and low functioning experimental groups indicated significant improvements in English speaking skills as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past several decades the number of females using addictive substances has continuously increased. Females have different reasons for initiating substance abuse and specific treatment needs that differ from males. Researchers suggested gender specific drug rehabilitation treatment, in which female clients developed or improved functional behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 3 different types of music therapy interventions on levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and anger of female clients in substance abuse rehabilitation. Ten females in an outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation program participated twice a week for 6 weeks in a music therapy program, participating in movement-to-music activities, rhythm activities, and competitive games for 2 weeks, 4 sessions each. After each intervention state-trait anxiety and levels of anger were measured. A repeated-measures ANOVA indicated no significant differences for the three types of music therapy interventions; however, data collected on daily scores, immediately before and after each session, indicated that individuals reported a decrease in depression, stress, anxiety, and anger immediately following the music therapy sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grey mould is a fungal disease responsible for important crop losses in most winemaking regions worldwide. In the present study, we developed immunological techniques for the detection and quantification of Botrytis cinerea conidia germinative material to obtain additional information about epidemic's development on the vineyard. The study was carried out in a northwest Spain vineyard during the grapevine flowering in 2017 and 2018. An aerobiological study was developed for the identification and quantification of Botrytis cinerea conidia. For the immunological analysis, we developed a specific protein extraction protocol and a standard curve to analyze the cyclone-trap samples by an indirect PTA-ELISA. The airborne B. cinerea protein concentrations showed a similar variation pattern than the airborne conidia concentrations in the atmosphere of the vineyard. We recorded a total of 5673 B. cinerea spores in 2017, and 7562 spores in 2018. Regarding the airborne protein concentrations, we detected 9.692 ng/m3 in 2017 and 7.715 ng/m3 in 2018. Based on the statistical influence of the considered variables, we developed a predictive model able to explain 40% of protein data variability. The resulting methodology based on the combination of immunological techniques and aerobiological monitoring leads to a more reasoned treatment schedule consistent with real phytosanitary vineyard conditions and a more effective responsiveness against the increasing variability associated to climate change on the crop-pathogen system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial production of cacao in Hawaii has doubled in the past 10 years, and farmers are receiving premium prices for their beans from the expanding local confectionery industry. Black pod, caused by Phytophthora spp., is the only major cacao disease that has been reported in Hawaii but distribution and molecular identification are lacking. To determine the species of Phytophthora affecting Theobroma cacao, a sampling trip was conducted on Hawaii Island and Oahu. Ten isolates of Phytophthora palmivora were obtained from diseased cacao on Hawaii Island, but none from Oahu, despite the presence of symptomatic pods. No other Phytophthora species were found. Laboratory studies showed that all isolates produced lesions on unwounded cacao pods, but they differed in terms of their temperature–growth responses. Fungicide sensitives for a subset of isolates (n = 4) were determined using media amended with a range of fungicide concentrations. The Hawaiian isolates of P. palmivora were more sensitive to mefenoxam, chlorothalonil, and fosetyl-Al, than isolates from Ghana (n = 2) and Mexico (n = 1). This study identifies P. palmivora as a causal agent of black pod in Hawaii based on molecular data and provides valuable preliminary information on fungicide resistance and temperature response that can be used to improve disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]