RAPID SCREENING OF PHYTOPATHOGENIC Erwinia sp. OF TWO POTATO VARIETIES (SPUNTA AND DESIREE) FROM ALGERIAN AGRICULTURAL FIELDS

Rapid screening of phytopathogenic Erwinia sp. of two potato varieties (Spunta and Desiree) from Algerian agricultural fileds. Isolation, phenotypic identification and in vitro phytopathogenicity screening of Erwinia sp. from agricultural field of two potato varieties (Spunta and Desiree) in Algeria. The current study aims to isolate, identify and screen phytopathogenic isolates of Erwinia sp. causing potato diseases. The techniques presented in this study for isolation and characterization of phytopathogenic Erwinia sp. are conventional methods that are used in this field of research. Seven phytopathogenic bacteria were recovered from potato tubers of two varieties (Spunta and Desiree). The phenotypic identification allowed characterizing typical colonies of Erwinia sp. on two semi-selective media: King’s B and TCC media. Erwinia sp. formed characteristic colonies on King’s B medium that were round, convex and representing creamy color. While, Erwinia sp. also developed specific colonies on TCC medium which were pale purple, circular, convex, even bulging; smooth and mucous. In vitro phytopathogenicity test on potato slices lead to screen the phytopathogenic isolate E5 characterized by highest rotten tissue zone of (2.33 ± 0.29 cm) and (2.33 ± 0.58 cm) toward Spunta and Desiree varieties, respectively. Followed, by isolate E4 characterized by rotten tissue zone of (1.83 ± 0.58 cm) and (2.17 ± 0.29 cm) toward Spunta and Desiree varieties, respectively; compared to their corresponding uninfected controls. The RTZ (Rotten tissue zone) evidently is proportional to the specific pathogenicity of Erwinia sp. isolates and the characteristic sensitivity of various varieties (Spunta and Desiree). Thus, make determining RTZ a rapid screening technique for the selection of the highest phytopathogenic isolates. This investigation provides valuable information for rapid screening (infected potato tuber) and characterization (isolation using semi-selective media) of pathogenic Erwinia sp. engendering potato disease compared to existing methods like infection of leaves or plants; and phytopathogenic Erwinia sp. identification through PCR amplification or in situ hybridation.

The Proximal Fasciocutaneous Hypothenar Flap Based on the Cutaneous Branch of the Deep Palmar Artery: A Case Report

The abductor digiti quinti flap for thumb hypoplasia has been used in its muscular variant as musculocutaneous flap. Several authors have reported myocutaneous branches in the proximal hypothenar region which would vascularize the skin segment covering the hypothenar muscles. Nevertheless, the presence of a cutaneous branch deep palmar artery (CBDPA) vascularizing the proximal hypothenar territory and possibly responsible for the proximal hypothenar cutaneous vascularization was reported. In this paper, a fasciocutaneous hypothenar flap was designed, based on the CBDPA, transposed to the wrist anterior region for the treatment of a post burn contracture which was limiting the wrist extension. Its viability was assessed. The flap had a lozenge-shaped design from the cutaneous fold of the wrist to the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint over the abductor digiti quinti muscle. It was dissected in the fasciocutaneous plane to a width of 20 mm. The adipose tissue zone 10 mm distal to the pisiform was preserved, as well as the ulnar nerve sensory branch crossing the flap longitudinally. The flap was transposed to the anterior fold of the wrist. Neither the flap nor the donor site underwent complications. The patient improved wrist extension without referring any discomfort. Sensitivity was 8 mm 2 months after surgery compared to 6 mm within the preoperative period. In conclusion, it is possible to develop a proximal fasciocutaneous hypothenar flap based on CBDPA involving the proximal and distal hypothenar territory.

Effects of seeding material age, storage time, and tuber tissue zone on glucomannan content of Amorphophallus muelleri Blume

Among members of the genus Amorphophallus in Indonesia, Amorphophallus muelleri produces the highest amounts of glucomannan, which is a fiber carbohydrate that plays a significant role in controlling obesity and type 2 diabetes. Glucomannan in A. muelleri is stored in the tubers. Several internal and external factors affect the glucomannan content of the tubers. In this study, we only investigated the internal factors seeding material and tuber. The objectives were: i) to investigate the effect of the seeding material on tuber glucomannan levels; and ii) to assess the influence of the storage period and the tuber part on glucomannan contents. Glucomannan was extracted via centrifugation. The result showed that tubers, which yielded from the center bulbis, have slightly higher glucomannan content than tubers from side bulbis, even though insignificant. Our results indicate significant glucomannan losses at storage times of more than 3 months. Levels decreased by 90% after storage over 3.75 months since shoot collapse. Glucomannan levels of the central and the edge parts of the tubers did not differ significantly.

Effects of Compression Force and Heating Power on Bipolar Tissue Welding

Bipolar tissue welding is often performed with a set of laparoscopic forceps in a minimal invasive surgery to achieve less bleeding and shorter recovery time. However, problems such as tissue sticking, thermal damage, and joint failure need to be solved before the process can be reliably used in more surgical procedures. In this study, experiments were conducted to examine the effect of process parameters and dynamic impedance for prediction of the size of denatured tissue zone during welding. A weld lobe that defines suitable process conditions was constructed. It is found that tissue denaturation starts from the center of the heated region. Dynamic impedance is strongly affected by the compression level and heating power. The size of denatured tissue zone can be predicted with the heating energy; however, the prediction is strongly dependent on the compression level.

An Experimental Study on Bipolar Tissue Hemostasis and Its Dynamic Impedance

Bipolar tissue hemostasis is a medical procedure where high frequency alternating current is applied to biological tissue for wound closing and blood vessel sealing through heating. The process is often performed with a set of laparoscopic forceps in a minimal invasive surgery to achieve less bleeding and shorter recovery time. However, problems such as tissue sticking, thermal damage, and seal failure often occur and need to be solved before the process can be reliably used in more surgical procedures. In this study, experiments were conducted to examine process parameters and the dynamic behavior of bipolar heating process through electrical impedance measurements. The effects of electrode compression level, heating power, and time are analyzed. Heating energy and bio-impedance are evaluated for quality prediction. Tissue sticking levels were correlated to the size of denatured tissue zone. It is found that tissue denaturation starts from the center of the heated region. Dynamic impedance reveals the stages of tissue hemostasis process. However, it is strongly affected by the compression level and heating power. Existing criteria for quality prediction and control using the heating energy and minimal impedance are not reliable. The size of denatured tissue zone can be predicted with the heating energy; however, the prediction is strongly dependent on the compression level. To avoid sticking, a low power and low compression level should be used for the same denatured tissue zone size.

Spatial and Temporal Induction of Cell Death, Defense Genes, and Accumulation of Salicylic Acid in Tobacco Leaves Reacting Hypersensitively to a Fungal Glycoprotein Elicitor

We have analyzed the spatial and temporal expression of defense responses induced in attached tobacco leaves treated with a Phytophthora megasperma glycoprotein that was previously shown to be an efficient elicitor of the hypersensitive reaction. The infiltrated tissue (zone 1), the surrounding tissue (zone 2), which is 5 mm in width, and tissue at a distance >2 cm from zone 2 (zone 3) were analyzed separately. Cell death occurred only in zone 1 and was completed by 14 h. Defense gene expression was induced in zones 1 and 2 with striking differential patterns, but not in zone 3. There was a rapid (1 to 4 h) induction of genes of the phenylpropanoid, salicylic acid, and ses-quiterpenoid pathways in zones 1 and 2. However, it was strong and transient in the former and of lesser extent but sustained in the latter. High amounts of scopoletin, a phenylpropanoid metabolite, were found synthesized in zone 2. Pathogenesis-related (PR) transcripts and the corresponding PR proteins accumulated in high amounts in zone 2 rather late after the treatment (24 h). Salicylic acid was synthesized in both zone 1 and zone 2. Using a radioactively labeled elicitor, we demonstrated that the elicitor remained strictly localized to zone 1. The results provide strong evidence that an endogenous cell-to-cell signaling mechanism was triggered and occurred between the elici-tor-treated cells (zone 1) and the surrounding cells (zone 2), where it induces strong defense responses without cell death.