Deep population structure linked to host vernalization requirement in the barley net blotch fungal pathogen.

Invasive fungal pathogens pose a substantial threat to widely cultivated crop species, owing to their capacity to adapt to new hosts and new environmental conditions. Gaining insights into the demographic history of these pathogens and unravelling the mechanisms driving coevolutionary processes are crucial for developing durably effective disease management programmes. is a significant fungal pathogen of barley, consisting of two lineages, Ptt and Ptm, with global distributions and demographic histories reflecting barley domestication and spread.

Lymphocyte subsets are influenced by positivity levels in healthy subjects before and after mild acute stress.

In the current study, the possible association of positivity (POS), recently defined as general disposition to view life under positive outlook, with immune markers and post-stress modifications, was analyzed. Circulating lymphocyte subsets and serum cytokine levels were evaluated before and after a standard mild acute stress test, in 41 healthy students, previously selected by a questionnaire for their level of POS (high [POS-H] and low [POS-L]). The CD3 and CD4 cell frequency was higher in the POS-H students before and after acute stress.

Risk factors for a first thrombotic event in antiphospholipid antibody carriers: a prospective multicentre follow-up study.

Objectives: To assess risk factors for a first thrombotic event in confirmed antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody carriers and to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic treatments.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were age 18-65 years, no history of thrombosis and two consecutive positive aPL results. Demographic, laboratory and clinical parameters were collected at enrolment, once a year during the follow-up and at the time of the thrombotic event, whenever that occurred.

Cluster headache patients are not affected by restless legs syndrome: an observational study.

Objective: To investigate the presence of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in Cluster Headache (CH) patients compared to headache-free controls.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional case-control study of CH patients presenting at tertiary headache centers over the period January-December 2008.

Patients And Participants: Fifty consecutive patients (6 women and 44 men) of mean age of 39.

Dilation of esophageal stenosis by balloon catheter.

Treatment of esophageal stenosis by large diameter balloon catheters offers significant advantages over bouginage. Catheter dilating force is confined to the affected segment and can be controlled by the patient's reaction. Perforation is practically excluded by the use of fluoroscopy, contrast media, flexible angiographic guidewires, and better control over the time and forces of dilation.