Combining experimental assays with epidemiological surveys to assess indicators of Plum pox virus epidemicity

The huge increase in sequence data those last decades has allowed defining better demarcation criteria for viral taxonomic assignments. For the epidemiologists, such demarcation based on molecular properties, especially at the strain level, is particularly meaningful if one can link the different strains to specific phenotypes (host range, pathogenicity,...) and can thus identify specific epidemic risks for a given host or for a given agro-ecological context. Plum pox virus (PPV, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) is responsible for the sharka disease, the most serious disease of stone fruit trees (Prunus species). In the framework of a collaborative European research program, an important effort has been made to increase the knowledge of PPV genetic diversity (www sharco.eu). Based on molecular criteria (genetic distances and successful recombinant genomes), eight different strains have been distinguished but very little is known about their specific biological and epidemiological properties. Such a situation is due to different reasons: (i) the quarantine pest status of PPV does not allow experiments unless carried out under a strict confinement; (ii) the perennial nature of the Prunus hosts makes the experiments generally long and complicated; and (iii) the epidemiological behaviour of a given strain (or even isolate) can be influenced by specific agro-ecological conditions occurring at a given location. In this study, we combined biological experiments with epidemiological surveys to gain a better knowledge on PPV epidemic properties. A first approach was thus developed for the three most prevalent PPV strains (M, D and Rec) in Europe, which have different geographical distributions. The experimental assays were designed to allow measuring indicators of the key steps of the infection cycle on three Prunus species (apricot, peach and plum): (i) ability for a given strain to infect the host after aphid-mediated (using a clone of Myzus persicae) inoculation, (ii) dynamic of infection in each Prunus host, and (iii) efficiency of the infected Prunus as virus sources (acquisition-transmission assays carried out with M. persicae as vector). In parallel to these experimental assays, surveys have been carried out in Serbia in order to assess (i) the relative prevalence of these three PPV strains known to spread in this country, and (ii) their Prunus host preference. These two approaches bring different but complementary information. The experimental assays did not evidence strict host specificity (pathotype) but rather several cumulative advantages (shorter latency in apricot, better generalization in peach, higher overall aphid transmission rates) that should confer a higher epidemicity to the PPV-M strain. The results from surveys evidenced a strong host specificity (PPV-M on peach), frequent coinfections and independence between infections by the three PPV strains in plum. (Texte intégral

A Novel A1 Adenosine Receptor Antagonist, L-97-1 [3-[2-(4-Aminophenyl)-ethyl]-8-benzyl-7-{2-ethyl-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethyl}-1-propyl-3,7-dihydro-purine-2,6-dione], Reduces Allergic Responses to House Dust Mite in an Allergic Rabbit Model of Asthma

Adenosine, an important signaling molecule in asthma, produces bronchoconstriction in asthmatics. Adenosine produces bronchoconstriction in allergic rabbits, primates, and humans by activating A1 adenosine receptors (ARs). Effects of L-97-1 [3-[2-(4-aminophenyl)-ethyl]-8-benzyl-7-{2-ethyl- (2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethyl}-1-propyl-3,7-dihydro-purine-2,6-dione] a water-soluble, small molecule A1 AR antagonist were investigated on early and late phase allergic responses (EAR and LAR) in a hyper-responsive rabbit model of asthma. Rabbits were made allergic by intraperitoneal injections of house dust mite [HDM; 312 allergen units (AU)] extract within 24 h of their birth. Booster HDM injections were given weekly for 1 month, biweekly for 4 months, and continued monthly thereafter. Hyper-responsiveness was monitored by measuring lung dynamic compliance (Cdyn), after histamine or adenosine aerosol challenge in allergic rabbits. Hyper-responsive rabbits were subjected to aerosol of HDM (2500 AU), 1 h after intragastric administration of L-97-1 (10 mg/kg) solution or an equivalent volume of saline. Cdyn was significantly higher after treatment with L-97-1 compared with untreated controls (p < 0.05 n = 5). Histamine PC30 was significantly higher (p < 0.05; n = 5) after L-97-1 at 24 h compared with histamine PC30 at 24 h after HDM. Adenosine PC30 was significantly higher at 15 min and 6 h after L-97-1 compared with control (p < 0.05; n = 5). L-97-1 showed strong affinity for human A1 ARs in radioligand binding studies and no inhibition toward human phosphodiesterase II, III, IV, and V enzymes. These data suggest that L-97-1 produces a significant reduction of histamine or adenosine-induced hyper-responsiveness and HDMinduced EAR and LAR in allergic rabbits by blocking A1 ARs and may be beneficial as an oral therapy for human asthma. Originally published Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapies, Vol. 315, No. 1, Oct 200

Picturing the Underserved Audience: Photovoice as Method in Applied Communication Research

The use of photographs in sociology and anthropology has grown over the last half of the 20th century, leading to various photo-based research methods that are intended to aid in building and enriching participant narratives. One specific photo-based method, known as photovoice, was developed for the purposes of enabling community members to capture photographs themselves in order to gain a deeper understanding of participant culture. In addition, it has the ability to visually portray and share experiences and knowledge about issues that otherwise would be difficult to explain through in-depth interviews alone. This professional development paper demonstrates the value of incorporating photovoice into a multi-method research project in the field of applied communications for the purposes of gaining valuable insights into the lived experiences of underserved audiences. Drawing from a larger study examining the culture of participants within the Extension-led Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), the results and discussion demonstrate that photovoice helps to function as a checkpoint in knowledge production and ways of knowing on behalf of the researcher. In addition, photovoice as method demonstrates an effort that can improve and diversify the field of applied communication research, especially as it relates to the National Research Agenda’s priority of addressing vibrant and resilient communities

Expo Milano 2015: The Overview, Issue, and Future for Agricultural Communicators

Expo Milano 2015 was an international agricultural event to promote and discuss the issue of food sustainability around the world. Two agricultural communication researchers attended the event in summer 2015 to better understand the world’s perspective of the prominent issues facing the agricultural industry and how other countries were addressing the issues. The Expo took place in Milan, Italy, and featured 140 countries and their perception on agriculture and food in their respective country. While the event was impressive, the issues purported to be the focus of the event (agriculture sustainability and food insecurity) were rarely addressed in each country. Rather, the countries focused on culture and how food impacted their culture and customs. Events like these offer agricultural communicators the opportunity to join the discussion of how the issues of food sustainability and insecurity can be positively impacted by agriculture technology and research; however, it may be only through the formation of meaningful and collaborative relationships with groups and organizations outside of the traditional agricultural industry that agricultural communicators will be invited to join the conversation. These relationships may need to be cultivated to show respect and mutual bene t for both the organization and the agricultural industry for long-term impact for the expansion of opportunities for agricultural communicators

Federal Policy Advocacy Handbook, 2007 Edition

This handbook contains basic information about the policy process to enable its readers to become more effective advocates for community food security and related issues. Contains two main sections: the basics of the Federal Policy Cycle and the basics of effective participation in the federal policy process. Also includes a glossary of policy-related terms and a tip sheet for lobbying

Surfactant protein D induces immune quiescence and apoptosis of mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Surfactant Protein D (SP-D) is an integral molecule of the innate immunity secreted by the epithelial cells lining the mucosal surfaces. Its C-type lectin domain offers pattern recognition functions while it binds to putative receptors on immune cells to modify cellular functions. Activated PBMCs and increased serum levels of SP-D are observed under a range of pathophysiological conditions including infections. Thus, we speculated if SP-D can modulate systemic immune response via direct interaction with activated PBMCs. Here, we have examined interaction of a recombinant fragment of human SP-D (rhSP-D) on PHA-activated PBMCs. We observed a significant downregulation of TLR2, TLR4, CD11c and CD69 upon rhSP-D treatment. rhSP-D inhibited production of Th1 (TNF-α and IFN-γ) and Th17 (IL-17) cytokines along with IL-6. Interestingly, levels of IL-2, Th2 (IL-4) and regulatory (IL-10 and TGF-β) cytokines were unaltered. Differential expression of co-stimulatory CD28 and co-inhibitory CTLA4 expression along with their ligands CD80 and CD86 revealed selective up-regulation of CTLA4 at both mRNA and protein level. In addition, rhSP-D induced apoptosis only in the activated but not in non-activated PBMCs. Blockade of CTLA4 inhibited rhSP-D mediated apoptosis, confirming an involvement of CTLA4 in induction of apoptosis. We conclude that SP-D restores immune homeostasis: it regulates expression of immunomodulatory receptors and cytokines, which is followed by apoptosis induction of immune-activated cells. These findings appear to suggest a general role for SPD in immune surveillance against activated immune cells

Akutno otrovanje cijanidima: klinička slika, dijagnoza i liječenje

Cyanide poisoning presents in many forms. Industrial intoxications occur due to extensive use of cyanide compounds as reaction products. Smoke inhalation, a polyintoxication, is most often responsible for domestic cyanide poisonings. Suicidal poisonings are rare. Cyanogenic compounds may produce acute or subacute toxicity. Signs of cyanide poisoning include headache, vertigo, agitation, confusion, coma, convulsions and death. Definitive laboratory confirmation is generally delayed. Elevated plasma lactate, associated with cardiovascular collapse, should suggest cyanide intoxication. Immediate treatment includes 100% oxygen, assisted ventilation, decontamination, correction of acidosis and blood pressure support. Antidotes include oxygen, hydroxocobalamin, di-cobalt EDTA and methaemoglobin-inducers. Hydroxocobalamin is an attractive antidote due to its rapid cyanide binding and its lack of serious side-effects, even in the absence of cyanide intoxication. Sodium thiosulphate acts more slowly than other antidotes and is indicated in subacute cyanogen poisoning and as an adjunct to acute cyanide poisoning. Initial evaluation of antidotal efficacy is based on correction of hypotension and lactic acidosis; the final analysis rests on the degree of permanent central nervous system injury.Otrovanje cijanidima može nastati na različite načine. Profesionalna otrovanja uzrokovana su širokom uporabom cijanidnih spojeva u kemijskoj sintezi. Udisanje dima u požarima najčešći je uzrok otrovanja cijanidima u kućnom okolišu. Otrovanja u svrhu samoubojstava su rijetka. Cijanogeni spojevi mogu uzrokovati akutna ill subakutna otrovanja. Znakovi otrovanja su glavobolja, vrtoglavica, nemir, smetenost, koma, konvulzije i smrt. Konačna laboratorijska potvrda uzroka otrovanja često dolazi sa zakašnjenjem. Povišenje laktata u plazmi praćeno zatajenjem srca i krvotoka upućuje na moguće otrovanje cijanidima. Hitno liječenje uključuje kisik, umjetno disanje, mjere dekontaminacije, suzbijanje acidoze i održavanje krvotoka. Kao antidoti rabe se kisik, hidroksikobalamin, dikobalt-EDTA i lijekovi koji dovode do methemoglobinemije. Hidroksikobalamin je antidot izbora zbog sposobnosti brzog vezanja cijanida, s malo ozbiljnih nuspojava čak i ako otrovanje nije uzrokovano cijanidima. Natrijev tiosulfat djeluje sporije od drugih antidota i indiciran je u subakutnim slučajevima otrovanja te kao pomoćni lijek za akutna otrovanja cijanidima. Početna procjena djelotvornosti antidota temelji se na sposobnosti suzbijanja hipotenzije i laktičke acidoze, dok se konačna ocjena temelji na procjeni stupnja trajnog oštećenja središnjeg živčanog sustava

The Development and Validation of a Personal Agency Scale Based in the Community Capitals Framework

Used in a variety of community contexts and needs, the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) is an analytical tool to holistically examine the complex and unique characteristics that exist at the local level. While CCF—which focuses on social, human, cultural, political, natural, financial, and built capitals—has been used to collect community information to identify and assess suitable programming efforts, a gap currently exists in the literature providing agricultural and extension educators with the tools necessary to examine CCF characteristics, both at the community and individual levels. Designed as a pilot study targeting six counties in [STATE], this research developed a personal agency scale that was based on the seven capitals and intended to measure individuals’ perceived ability within a community. Internal structure validity was established by analyzing the response distributions of the individual items, evaluating internal consistency, and conducting exploratory factor analyses of the hypothesized latent variables. These results indicate that such a scale has potential to serve as a baseline set of data when considering program design, implementation, and evaluation purpose