Incidence Of Disease Research Articles

GINGIVAL STATUS AND ORAL HYGIENE HABITS IN CHILDREN BETWEEN 10-12 YEARS

Introduction: Children's adolescence is characterized by dynamically changing indicators of periodontal and oral health, related mainly to the eruption of the permanent dentition and stabilization of the periodontal space. This age period is also characterized by an increased incidence of gingival diseases, with the dental biofilm being the main risk factor for the inflammatory process. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between gingival status, oral hygiene habits and knowledge on topics related to oral health in children aged 11-13. Material and methods: The subject of the study was 106 children aged 11-13 years. All children overwent a clinical periodontal examination and periodontal risk assessment at 4 levels. An electronic periodontal probe PA ON (Orangedental) with specially designed software was used to assess periodontal and oral hygiene status. The study included a survey method for assessing children's knowledge on topics related to oral health with periodontal focus. The survey consists of 38 questions divided into eight topics. Results: All the children aged 11-13 years had an initial form of gingival inflammation, against the background of plaque accumulation affecting more than 69% of tooth surfaces, unstable and irregular oral hygiene habits, as well as insufficient knowledge of oral/periodontal health. Through appropriate preventive programs, this age is best suited to create consciously motivated behavior for proper oral hygiene and oral health.

Eye diseases in chronic kidney disease: A nationwide longitudinal case–control study in Sweden

AbstractBackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health issue that is becoming more prevalent globally, increasing financial cost on healthcare systems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of eye diseases in patients diagnosed with CKD in Sweden and to evaluate which eye diseases are most likely to develop.MethodsA longitudinal population‐based retrospective case–control study was conducted including all individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease during the time period 2001–2019. A total of 19 455 cases and 38 890 controls were included. For each case, two controls were matched with the same sex, age, and county of residence.ResultsCKD patients had a significantly higher risk of contracting any eye disease compared to individuals without kidney disease HR 1.73 (CI 1.67–1.79), with an elevated risk for all blocks of diagnoses except for glaucoma HR 0.95 (CI 0.85–1.06). However, this condition developed earlier in cases than in controls. Subanalyses showed an increased risk for chronic eye disease patients to develop cataract HR 1.70 (CI 1.63–1.78), other retinal disorders HR 1.86 (CI 1.72–2.02), and retinal vascular occlusions HR 2.08 (CI 1.73–2.51). In general, diagnosis of an eye disease occurred earlier in cases than controls.ConclusionsThe results from this study suggest that CKD patients have an increased risk to develop eye disease. Ocular disease seems to develop considerably earlier in CKD, even without staging the severity of the disease, with particularly high risk of developing retinal diseases and cataracts. Screening for eye disease in CKD should be considered.

Inter-cohort shifts in chronic disease, dementia, and mortality

ABSTRACT Previous work using U.S. data has identified generational shifts, reflected in inter-cohort changes, in the incidence and prevalence of diseases in older ages. This study extends previous findings to England by examining similar results in memory complaints, heart conditions, stroke, diabetes, lung disease, and cancer using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). We fit Cox proportional hazard models to the first eight waves (2002–2016) of the ELSA sample (n = 18,528). In addition to exploring shifts in disease incidence we also examine shifts in disease mortality. Both general and sex-related differences are examined. Disease incidence has increased for later-born cohorts in England, replicating similar trends in the U.S. Not all diseases showed differences between men and women, but when differences were identified, women had lower risks for disease. In comparison to the U.S. sample, disease trends in England are more negative (i.e. accelerated failure times) for more recently born cohorts. These results showing increasing incidence of disease among the later-born cohorts suggest the possibility of increased disease burden in coming years.

Children with celiac disease, diagnosed with or without biopsy, present similar adherence to gluten-free diet and serology decline.

Rate of TTG decline did not differ between CeD patients diagnosed with and without biopsy, suggesting that, at least in short term, no biopsy approach may not change patients' adherence and families' attitude towards treatment. • Based on current guidelines, there is a rise in the incidence of pediatric celiac disease (CeD) diagnosis without an intestinal biopsy. • There is insufficient data regarding patients' adherence to treatment, including pattern of serology decline, based on the method of CeD diagnosis. • Children with CeD have similar baseline characteristics, including presence or absence of symptoms, whether diagnosed with or without biopsies. • During 18-month follow-up, the rate of celiac serology decline, and the reported adherence to treatment, do not differ between patients diagnosed based on biopsy or no biopsy approaches.

Design and Biofunctionalization of Cloud Sponge-Inspired Scaffolds for Enhanced Bone Cell Performance.

With the increasing age of our population, which is linked to a higher incidence of musculoskeletal diseases, there is a massive clinical need for bone implants. Porous scaffolds, usually offering a lower stiffness and allowing for the ingrowth of blood vessels and nerves, serve as an attractive alternative to conventional implants. Natural porous skeletons from marine sponges represent an array of evolutionarily optimized patterns, inspiring the design of biomaterials. In this study, cloud sponge-inspired scaffolds were designed and printed from a photocurable polymer, Clear Resin. These scaffolds were biofunctionalized by mussel-derived peptide MP-RGD, a recently developed peptide that contains a cyclic, bioactive RGD cell adhesion motif and catechol moieties, which provide the anchoring of the peptide to the surface. In in vitro cell culture assays with bone cells, significantly higher biocompatibility of three scaffolds, i.e., square, octagon, and hexagon cubes, in comparison to hollow and sphere inside cubes was shown. The performance of the cells regarding signaling was further enhanced by applying an MP-RGD coating. Consequently, these data demonstrate that both the structure of the scaffold and the coating contribute to the biocompatibility of the material. Three out of five MP-RGD-coated sponge-inspired scaffolds displayed superior biochemical properties and might guide material design for improved bone implants.

A qualitative analysis of perceived risks and benefits of mosquito abatement and bite prevention strategies in Northeastern U.S. communities.

Mosquito-borne disease (MBD) incidence is increasing in the United States (U.S.), presenting an evolving health threat. Assessments of public perceptions have revealed limited awareness of MBDs among the U.S. population. Our team used focus groups to gain an in-depth understanding of risk perceptions regarding mosquito exposure and pesticide use, and benefit perceptions and motivators for bite prevention strategies. A total of 37 individuals participated in focus groups across 3 states: New Jersey (n = 14), New York (n = 15), and Massachusetts (n = 8). Most participants were unfamiliar with public mosquito control services and felt they were not at high exposure risk to any MBDs. Overall, participants were supportive of investing public funds for mosquito surveillance. However, participants across all focus groups expressed concerns over ecosystem health and long-term consequences of pesticide use for mosquito control. Participants in every focus group referenced a risk assessment that weighed the risk of MBD exposure against the use of chemical control: once participants perceived MBDs as negatively impacting human and/or animal health in their area, sentiment swung largely to supporting the use of pesticides. In the absence of an obvious MBD threat, participants preferred nonchemical control interventions. Participants felt communication from mosquito control agencies should be accessible, disseminated across multiple venues, and should include instructions for the public during spray events, resources for individual bite prevention, and information on control products used. Our research results can inform the development of improved, evidence-based MBD outreach and educational resources that are acceptable, actionable, and relevant to Northeast communities.

High Yielding Pest and Disease Tolerance Variety (DHLM-14-1) in Little Millet (Panicum sumetrense. L) Developed through Recombinant Breeding Technology

The little millet variety DHLM-14-1 developed at the Agricultural Research Station (ARS) Hanumanamatti under the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. With a maturation period of 85-90 days, this variety features an erect, tall plant stature ranging from 112 to 130 cm and produces bold, oval-shaped gray grains. DHLM-14-1 stands out for its notable tolerance to shoot fly, exhibiting only a 13.89% incidence compared to 19.15% in the national check JK-8. Its impressive yield performance is evident, yielding 18.42%, 30.58%, and 3.14% more than the national checks OLM-203, JK-8, and KOPLM-53, respectively, making it a beneficial option for millet producers looking for resilient, high-yielding crops. Across trials conducted from 2011 to 2014, DHLM-14-1 showcased exceptional agronomic performance, achieving a mean seed yield of 42.41q/ha, significantly outperforming local check TNAU-63 and national check OLM-203 by 26.63% and 23.75%, respectively. Its consistent yield superiority, with an average of 15.89 q/ha over three years, illustrates the cultivar's adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions, surpassing OLM-203 and JK-8 by 18.42% and 30.58%. Recognized during the 29th Annual Group Meeting of the ICAR All India Coordinated Research Project on small millets, DHLM-14-1 has shown strong disease resistance against grain smut, brown spot, and sheath blight, with disease incidences similar to OLM-203 and significantly lower than JK-8. Additionally, its effective resistance to shoot fly underscores its potential to reduce pest damage, reinforcing DHLM-14-1's value as a high-yielding, resilient cultivar that not only enhances sustainable millet production but also supports food security and improves farmer livelihoods across India.

Estimating the rates of dementia using administrative data linked to cohort studies.

Current estimates of dementia and Alzheimer's disease incidence and prevalence are required to understand the health needs of the elderly. We used two Australia cohort studies, administrative datasets, and data linkage techniques to estimate dementia rates in Australia. The study used Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health and the Health in Men Cohort Study. Records of dementia were obtained from linked sources and incidence and prevalence estimates were produced. Capture-recapture methods were used to estimate numbers of dementia cases not identified through data linkage. There were 3399 (28.5%) men with dementia identified from any source and 3767 (34.8%) women. Rates of dementia incidence and prevalence were similar between sexes but were raised in men once estimates of unidentified cases were included. Cohort studies and linked administrative data can be used together to produce current estimates of dementia prevalence and incidence comparable to other population estimates.

Does the type of aortic pathology affect periprocedural outcomes in patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair?

Aim: To examine whether the type of aortic pathology affects periprocedural outcomes in patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Material and Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included 47 TEVAR patients in total. Based on the kind of aortic pathology, the patients were categorized into three groups: Group 1 (n=23) included patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD), Group 2 (n=14) included patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA), and Group 3 (n=10) included patients with thoracic aortic mural thrombus (TAMT). Preprocedural basic clinical features, procedural data, and postprocedural outcomes and complications were compared between the groups. Results: The study population consisted of 36 males and 11 females, with a mean age of 62.48±14.2 years. Most of the patients in Groups 1 and 2 were male (82.6% and 92.8%), while 40% of the patients in Group 3 were male, and this difference was statistically significant. Compared to patients in other groups, individuals in Group 2 were significantly older and exhibited a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease. Group 3 required thromboembolectomy more frequently during the postprocedural period. In terms of other postprocedural outcomes, complications and mortality, there were no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the type of aortic pathology did not significantly influence periprocedural outcomes in patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The TEVAR procedure can be effectively performed in suitable patients with various pathologies of the descending thoracic aorta.

Exploring plant-based dengue therapeutics: from laboratory to clinic.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes dengue fever, a significant public health concern in many tropical and subtropical regions. Dengue is endemic in more than 100 countries, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue. Approximately 100 million people get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue. Unfortunately, dengue vaccine development is also marred with various complicating factors, as the forefront candidate vaccine performed unsatisfactorily. Moreover, the only licensed vaccine (Dengvaxia) for children 9 through 16years of age is available in just a few countries. The treatment difficulties are compounded by the absence of an effective antiviral agent. Exploring plant-based therapeutics for dengue from the laboratory to clinical application involves a multi-stage process, encompassing various scientific disciplines. Individual investigators have screened a wide range of plant extracts or compounds for potential antiviral activity against DENV. In vitro studies help identify candidates that exhibit inhibitory effects on viral replication. Some of the most promising medicinal plants showing in vitro activity against DENV include Andrographis paniculate, Acorus calamus, and Cladogynos orientalis. Further laboratory studies, both in vitro and in animal models (in vivo), elucidate the mechanisms of action by which the identified compounds exert antiviral effects. Medicinal plants such as Carica papaya, Cissampelos pareira, and Ipomea batata exhibited potent platelet-enhancing activities while Azadirachta indica and Curcuma longa showed promising effects in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Based on positive preclinical results, researchers design clinical trials. This involves careful planning of trial phases, patient recruitment criteria, ethical considerations, and endpoints. The most important medicinal plants showing efficacy and safety in clinical trials include Carica papaya and Cissampelos pareira. This review suggests that several promising medicinal plants exist that have the potential to be turned into clinical drugs to treat dengue infection. However, in addition to developing synthetic and plant-based therapies against dengue infection, vector management strategies should be made robust, emphasizing the need to focus on reducing disease incidence.

First report of paprika as a natural host plant for tomato chlorosis virus in Korea.

Paprika (Capsicum annuum var. grossum (L.) Sendtn.), also called bell pepper or sweet pepper, is a valuable greenhouse crop that is mostly consumed as fresh fruit in Korea. In 2022, it was cultivated on 726 ha in Korea and 82,042 tons were produced (KOSIS, 2023). In April 2023, interveinal chlorosis and yellowing were observed on the lower and middle leaves of greenhouse paprika in Jinju and Haman, South Korea, and many whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) were present. The disease incidence was 30-40% on five farms (approximately 4.5 ha) in the two areas. The typical symptoms and presence of whiteflies in greenhouses indicated potential infection by the whitefly-transmitted crinivirus, tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV). Six samples collected from symptomatic plants were examined by leaf dip using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and revealed filamentous virus particles about 800 nm long. To confirm the TEM results, six symptomatic paprika leaf samples were subject to RT-PCR using the specific primers ToCV-M-4F and ToCV-M-4R to detect ToCV (Choi, 2023). All tested samples were positive for ToCV. To confirm the presence of other viruses and obtain the complete genome sequences, one of the six ToCV-positive samples (ToCV-PAP-JJ6) was subject to high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Total RNA was extracted from symptomatic leaves using the RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (QIAGEN, Germany) and a transcriptome library was generated using the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA LT Sample Prep Kit (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) according to standard protocols. HTS was performed on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system (Macrogen, Korea). De novo transcriptome assembly of the 85,668,854 reads with Trinity software (r20140717) yielded 817,303 contigs of 201 to 38,987 nucleotides (nt). BLASTn and BLASTx analysis of the contigs against the NCBI viral reference database showed that three large contigs were virus sequences, two of which were homologous to ToCV-RNA1 and -RNA2 and one to bell pepper alphaendornavirus (BPEV). The ToCV-RNA1 (genome 8,594 nt, 11,212 mapped reads, mean read coverage 196.2 times) and ToCV-RNA2 (genome 8,242 nt, 40,122 mapped reads, mean read coverage 734.9 times) contigs showed 100% coverage and 99% base pair matching (8,583/8,594 and 8,233/8,242, respectively) with known genome sequences of ToCV-RNA1 (MG813908) and ToCV-RNA2 (KP114534) isolated from tomato in Korea (Lee et al. 2018). The sequences were deposited in GenBank as isolates ToCV-PAP-JJ6 RNA1 (OR865222) and ToCV-PAP-JJ6 RNA2 (OR865223). The BPEV contig (genome 14,728 nt, 2,928,519 mapped reads, mean read coverage 15,012.4 times) was detected at very high read depth and RT-PCR for BPEV confirmed that all six samples were coinfected with ToCV. BPEV was recently reported in paprika and red pepper in Korea (Jo et al., 2022). The BPEV-infected pepper cultivars have been reported not to produce any symptoms (Escalante & Valverde 2019). ToCV was first reported in tomato greenhouses in Korea in 2013 and is a problematic virus in tomato crops, along with tomato yellow leaf curl virus (Jo et al. 2023; Lee et al. 2018). Due to the continuous presence of ToCV, whiteflies, and natural weed hosts (Kil et al. 2015) in tomato greenhouses, ToCV has spread to other crops, including paprika. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ToCV infecting paprika in Korea. A nationwide study is needed to prevent the spread of ToCV, a new threat to paprika farms.

Approaching onchocerciasis elimination in Equatorial Guinea: Near zero transmission and public health implication.

Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are endemic in Equatorial Guinea with notable variations in disease incidence between island and mainland regions. Historically, efforts to control and map these diseases were concentrated in Bioko Island, where loiasis is absent, allowing for targeted onchocerciasis interruption strategies. With the cessation of onchocerciasis transmission on Bioko and no reported cases on Annobon island, assessing the transmission status in the previously unaddressed mainland region has become imperative. Mapping efforts in mainland Equatorial Guinea have proven low to moderate level of transmission for LF and onchocerciasis, although the results so far have not been very conclusive. The current study aims to update the prevalence estimates for onchocerciasis and LF in mainland Equatorial Guinea using various diagnostic techniques. This is the first cross-sectional study carried out to estimate the prevalence of onchocerciasis and LF in the mainland area of Equatorial Guinea, from September to December 2019, based on the combination of skin snip biopsies, thick blood smears, laboratory serological tests (ELISA tests for the detection of IgG4 antibodies against Onchocerca volvulus recombinant antigen Ov16 and Wuchereria bancrofti recombinant antigen Wb123) and molecular laboratory tests. Frequencies and prevalence rates, along with 95% confidence intervals for interval estimation of a binomial proportion, were computed. The overall onchocerciasis seroprevalence calculated for the study was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.1 to 0.5%). Microscopic examination of skin biopsies from the eight individuals seropositive for Ov16, out of the 3951 individuals initially tested, revealed no O. volvulus microfilariae. However, DNA extracted from one skin snip was successfully amplified, with subsequent sequencing confirming the presence of O. volvulus. Among the 3951 individuals, 182 were found to have anti-Wb123 antibodies, suggesting exposure to W. bancrofti, with an estimated seroprevalence of 4.6% (95% CI: 4.0 to 5.3%). Microscopy and Filaria-real time-PCR (F-RT-PCR) analysis for W. bancrofti were negative across all samples. The findings indicate that onchocerciasis may no longer constitutes a public health problem in Equatorial Guinea, positioning the country on the verge of achieving elimination. Additionally, the mapped prevalence of LF will facilitate the formulation of national strategies aimed at eradicating filariases countrywide.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of coronary heart disease in Bavaria, Germany: an analysis of health claims data

BackgroundInconsistent findings about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular disease diagnosis and consultations have been reported internationally. The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of...

Assessment of dental caries severity in patients with VDR and СА12 polymorphisms

Background: There has been insufficient research into the genetic predisposition to dental caries. Research on the effect of gene polymorphisms on the incidence of dental diseases and the use of these findings in personalized prevention strategies are of high prognostic value. Aim: To assess the effect of VDR and СА12 polymorphisms on hard tooth tissues in young patients. Materials and Methods: The study examined 100 individuals, of which 59 (25 males and 34 females aged 23 to 25 years) were divided into groups based on the homozygous polymorphism: group 1 — VDR (n=19); group 2 — СА12 (n=32); and group 3 — combined VDR and CA12 (n=8). The DMF index was calculated in each group by fibreoptic transillumination method. Moreover, the pH of mixed saliva and serum 25(OH)D level (ng/mL) were measured. Results: In group 1, the DMF index was 15.11±0.15, with 25(ОН)D deficiency (17.4±0.7 ng/mL). In group 2, the DMF index was 16.99±1.43, with changes in the pH of saliva (6.80±0.01). In group 3, the DMF index was 17.92±1.37, with рН 6.30±0.11 and 25(ОН)D level of 13.7±0.4 ng/mL. Conclusion: Patients with VDR and СА12 polymorphisms had severe dental caries, acidic pH, and a deficiency of serum vitamin В metabolite.

Comparing Environmental Risk Factors at Diagnosis in Faroese and Danish Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Faroe Islands have increased drastically during the past 60years, presumably due to changing environmental risk factors in a genetically susceptible population. This study investigated differing environmental factors present in Faroese and Danish patients. From 2010 to 2022, all incident Faroese patients with IBD were invited to complete the International Organization of IBD (IOIBD) questionnaire about environmental factors at the time of their diagnosis. The findings were compared to a cohort of incident Danish patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2011. Questionnaires were completed by 293 of 388 Faroese patients (75%), of whom 15% (n = 45) had Crohn's disease (CD), 63% (n = 185) had ulcerative colitis (UC), and 22% (n = 63) had IBD unclassified (IBDU). Faroese patients with IBD and UC were found to have higher pertussis vaccination coverage (p < 0.05), and more childhood infections of measles and pertussis (p < 0.05). Faroese patients with IBD consumed more fast food and less fiber but consumed less sugar (p < 0.001) and more caffeine (p < 0.001). No differences were found regarding gender, having been breastfed, use of oral contraceptives, or the number of first-degree relatives with IBD; however, differences in smoking at diagnosis were found in a subset analysis of Faroese patients diagnosed in 2010-11 compared with Danish patients. Faroese patients with IBD were more exposed to some environmental risk factors prior to diagnosis than Danish patients. However, certain beneficial dietary habits were more common in Faroese patients than in Danish patients.

Effects of Fermented Kimchi Consumption on Anthropometric and Blood Cardiometabolic Indicators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intervention Studies and Prospective Cohort Studies.

Increasing global kimchi consumption has prompted interest in its health impact. However, comprehensive reviews of the influence of kimchi on cardiometabolic risk factors, especially meta-analyses, remain limited. This review assessed the impact of fermented kimchi consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors by systematically reviewing human intervention and prospective cohort studies, and conducting a meta-analysis of intervention studies. A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, RISS, KISS, and ScienceON databases was conducted through April 30, 2024. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies that examined the effects of fermented kimchi, without any added ingredients or lactic acid bacteria, on health outcomes, including anthropometric measures, blood pressure, cardiometabolic and glycemic indicators, inflammatory cytokines, and the incidence of related chronic diseases. Data extraction and quality evaluation were conducted independently by 3 researchers. Pooled effect sizes were calculated as weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% CIs employing random-effects models. Five intervention studies (205 participants) and 4 prospective cohort studies (42 455 participants) were selected. A meta-analysis of the intervention studies revealed a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (WMD: -1.93 mg/dL; 95% CI: -3.82, -0.03; I2 = 17.4%) following the consumption of fermented kimchi. After excluding studies that contributed to increased heterogeneity, significant inverse associations were observed between fermented kimchi consumption and triglycerides (WMD: -28.9 mg/dL; 95% CI: -53.2, -4.5; I2 = 0.0%), systolic blood pressure (WMD: -3.48 mmHg; 95% CI: -5.95, -1.01, I2 = 0.0%), and diastolic blood pressure (WMD: -2.68 mmHg; 95% CI: -4.75, -0.62; I2 = 0.0%). Prospective cohort studies linked higher kimchi intake with a lower incidence of cancer and metabolic syndrome and an increased likelihood of achieving normal body weight. This review supports beneficial effects of fermented kimchi on cardiometabolic health. However, due to the limited number of studies, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, highlighting the need for further research in diverse populations. PROSPERO registration No. CRD42024532020.

Disease assessment in 'coral gardening' nurseries in the Maldives and implications for coral restoration success.

Coral diseases are an increasing threat to continuously degrading reefs as disease abundance and virulence are expected to increase in the future. Active conservation measures, specifically coral restoration projects, are increasingly being implemented worldwide. Yet little is known about the implications of disease occurrence in a restoration context. This study describes white syndrome pathogenesis in 2 coral genera, farmed in 2 mid-water rope nurseries located in a reef and a lagoon habitat in the Maldives. Over a 112 d monitoring period, disease metrics were obtained from 336 Pocillopora and 96 Acropora fragments to assess the impacts of unmitigated disease progression in coral nurseries. Disease had low prevalence (2.2%) and incidence (0.007) in reef-farmed Pocillopora, but survival (91%) was significantly reduced in comparison with the unaffected lagoon-farmed Pocillopora (99%). In contrast, lagoon-farmed Acropora showed high disease prevalence (78.5%) and incidence (0.064), and a lower survival (79%) than disease-unaffected reef-farmed Acropora (98%). These findings had distinct implications for coral gardening success. While Pocillopora was considered suitable for outplanting, especially since subsequent mitigation interventions were successful, the diseased, lagoon-reared Acropora posed a potential risk to the restoration site and was unsuitable for outplanting following 1 yr of farming effort. Our findings demonstrate that unmitigated diseases can cause major setbacks to restoration success. Coral gardening projects are likely to be particularly susceptible; therefore, disease monitoring and risk management are imperative. Since there is currently a lack of available diagnostic and mitigative tools, this study aims to provide case study data for restoration practitioners.

An improved DNA extraction method in okra for rapid PCR detection of Okra enation leaf curl virus from diverse Indian regions.

The extraction of DNA from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is challenging due to its high mucilage and polysaccharide content, which can hinder both the yield and quality of DNA.In this study, an improved DNA isolation method is described incorporating a key modification being the use of solution I (1 M NaCl and 2% Sarcosyl) as a pre-treatment before applying the CTAB buffer, resulting in high-purity genomic DNA in just 1h and 45min., making it suitable for handling large sample sizes due to its rapid processing capabilities. This enhanced DNA extraction method was crucial for the accurate and rapid molecular detection of Okra enation leaf curl virus (OELCuV), a monopartitebegomovirus that has spread across various regions of India. Transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), OELCuV causes leaf curling, enations, and stunted growth in okra, leading to significant yield losses. The surveys conducted during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 sowing seasons revealed disease incidence ranging from 14.03 to 67.57%. The extracted DNA via the improved DNA extraction method enhanced the speed of PCR based molecular identification of OELCuV, using virus-specific coat protein primers. The amplified CP genes were cloned and sequenced to study the CP gene based diversity among OELCuV isolates from different states of India. The CP gene nucleotide identity among the studied OELCuV isolates ranged from 95.57 to 99.27%, while comparison with previously reported Indian OELCuV CP sequences, the nucleotide identity ranged from 89.35 to 98.83%.The successful application of this optimized DNA extraction method sped up the detection process but also holds promise for broader use in the molecular study of okra and other mucilaginous crops, particularly in the rapid and reliable identification ofbegomoviruses. The optimized DNA extraction method significantly accelerated the detection of OELCuV, demonstrating its efficiency and reliability. This method shows strong potential for broader applications in the molecular study of okra and other mucilaginous crops, making it a valuable tool for future research and disease management.

Survey and molecular characterization of begomovirus, and assessment of yield losses caused by leaf curl disease of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

A comprehensive survey was conducted during winter (rabi) and rainy (kharif) seasons of 2019–20 to 2021–22 in the Kurnool, Nandyal, and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh, focusing on the incidence of leaf curl disease in hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crop. The results revealed a high incidence of the disease, ranging from 40–94.5% across most of the surveyed hybrid varieties. Leaf curl-infected samples collected from the surveyed fields were analyzed by PCR using specific primers for the DNA-A component of the virus to confirm the presence of the pathogen. The PCR-amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed that the sunflower isolate (Snf-AP) shared 99.2% nucleotide identity with the tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus (ToLCKV), which infects sunflower crops in Karnataka. This indicates a strong geographical and genetic connection between the viral strains affecting sunflowers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This genetic similarity is significant, as it suggests that the same or closely related viral strains are responsible for sunflower leaf curl disease across broader regions. The disease was found to affect sunflowers at all growth stages, with the highest incidence (42.3%) observed at the star bud stage. Infection at the star bud stage leads to substantial seed yield losses, with reductions of up to 82.8%. This level of damage underscores the economic impact of early infections, as yield losses of this magnitude can severely affect the profitability of sunflower farming. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the whitefly population, weather parameters, and disease development.

Reduction of oxidative damage caused by Fusarium falciforme and Fusarium foetens in schefflera plants using chitosan nanoparticles loaded with l-proline or indole butyric acid

Abstract Background Root rot, wilt diseases, and rooting processes have been the major factors that constrain schefflera production. This study focuses on the impact of innovative applications of eco-friendly materials like chitosan nanoparticles loaded with l-proline or indole butyric acid to replace traditional chemical fungicides in controlling root rot and wilt diseases, as well as the vegetative propagation success of leafy stem schefflera cuttings. Results Fusarium foeten (strain 1) and Fusarium falciforme (strains 2 and 4) were first identified as root rot and wilt pathogens of schefflera in Egypt based on morphological features and confirmed with molecular analyses. Fusarium foetens (strain 1) and F. falciforme (strain 2) have the most aggressive action, as the infection percentages significantly increased in the pathogenicity test. The disease incidence reached 38.88 and 44.44%, respectively, whereas the disease severity was 18.51 and 26.84%, respectively. Chitosan nanoparticles at a concentration of 25 mg/L were the most effective dose, leading to a significant reduction in disease incidence to 25.00%, disease severity to 4.17%, and playing a vital role in activating plant defense, which correlates well with improved growth characteristics. The novel strategy of L-proline loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (LP-CSNPs) application occupied the first rank at protective influence against root rot and wilt disease-induced oxidative stress, signaling a defensive function that was freelance verified. L-proline loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (LP-CSNPs) at 0.125–0.25 g/L had a significant impact on reducing the incidence and severity of root rot and wilt diseases, as well as improving photosynthetic pigments and free radical scavenging activities, which included strengthening plant defense and further validating the findings from the biochemical trait analysis. The TT biplot graph was an influential statistical tool to study the impacts of treatments on schefflera production and its attributes and to discover the interrelationships among them. Conclusions Applying LP-CSNPs is one of the best techniques to manage schefflera root rot and wilt diseases, since it can be utilized as a growth stimulator and defense activator with sustainable increased efficiency. Graphical Abstract