suggested that IFN relieved inflammation, because circulating levels of IFN were decreased in patients with IBD.46 Conversely, Asakura et al. reported that IFN exacerbated UC, because the IFN-like activity in serum was increased in the patients with UC.25 Views on

the effects of IFN on IBD differ considerably between Japan and Europe and the USA. Possible reasons for the different effects of IFN on IBD may be due to population differences in the Th1/Th2 balance when UC is active. These differences in Th1/Th2 balance may be due to differences in bodyweight, body surface area, BMI, and IFN dosages. UC is a rare adverse reaction induced by the immunomodulatory effects of IFN monotherapy or combination therapy of PEG-IFN and RIB. this website 1 One possible mechanism for this adverse reaction may be the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells. RIB appears to preserve Th1 production, but inhibit the Th2 cytokine response. This may explain, at least in part, the development of UC after IFN and/or RIB administration. We need prospective studies to elucidate the role of Th1/Th2 balance in patients with UC induced by IFN and/or RIB therapy. We wish to thank Mrs Hiromi Yamada and Ms Miki Saito for assistance with collating the necessary references. “
“Wilson

disease (WD) check details is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of hepatic copper disposition, which can present as hepatic disease, neurological movement

disorders, or psychiatric disease. Though often considered a disease of young adults, WD can present clinically at any age. Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical tests. In a patient with compatible liver disease and/or typical neurologic features, the combination of subnormal serum ceruloplasmin (preferably <140 mg/dL) and elevated basal 24-h urinary copper excretion (>0.6 µmol /24 h or >40 µg /24 h) is highly suggestive of WD. Kayser–Fleischer rings, due to accumulation of copper in the cornea, should be sought by slit-lamp examination, but they may not bepresent in approximately half of all patients. Genetic diagnosis is definitive but not straightforward. WD is eminently treatable. Treatment is life-long. Early diagnosis and treatment provide the best outlook for near-normal life. MCE Discontinuing treatment leads to severe refractory liver dysfunction. First-degree relatives must be investigated for WD once a single family member has been diagnosed with WD. For family screening, genetic testing is most efficient but clinical testing may be more convenient. “
“The aim of this study was to compare radiological and pathological changes and test the adjunct efficacy of Sorafenib to Y90 as a bridge to transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 15 patients with 16 HCC lesions were randomized to Y90 without (Group A, n = 9) or with Sorafenib (Group B, n = 7).

Recent evidence indicates that, similar to other S100 proteins, i.e., S100A1 and S100B,23, 24 S100A4 may also have transcriptional PD98059 cost activity, either by direct DNA binding or by interacting with other DNA-binding proteins. For example, S100A4 regulates the transcriptional activation of MMP-9 in human prostate cancer.8 S100A4 also negatively regulates expression of E-cadherin, an important prerequisite for cancer cell

motility.9 To better understand the functional effects of S100A4 in CCA, we then studied if silencing S100A4 expression in the EGI-1 cell line interfered with cell motility, invasion, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Our results demonstrate a significant reduction in both cell migration and invasiveness as measured by transwell migration through Matrigel in Boyden chambers in the absence of chemotactic check details stimuli. Contrary to motility and invasion, we observed no effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis in S100A4-silenced EGI-1 cells. Thus, S100A4 appears

to be a key determinant of CCA invasiveness, given its involvement in the regulation of cellular motility and invasion, without affecting the local growth of the tumor that depends on the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Noteworthy, expression of MMP-9 was significantly reduced in EGI-1 clones with silenced S100A4, indicating that S100A4 modulates MMP-9, an important mediator of cancer invasiveness.8

In summary, our study demonstrates that nuclear expression of S100A4 identifies a subtype of CCA with poor response to surgical resection. Furthermore, MCE the functional data generated in this work strongly suggest that S100A4 is a mechanistic determinant of CCA invasiveness. In fact, nuclear expression of S100A4 was associated with enhanced metastatic potential of CCA cell lines xenotransplanted into SCID mice, and silencing of S100A4 with reduced motility, invasiveness, and expression of MMP9 in vitro. If validated prospectively, nuclear expression of S100A4 may eventually become a tool in clinical decision making to allocate patients with CCA that are candidates for potentially curative therapies, including liver transplantation. On the other hand, down-regulation of S100A4 may become an attractive strategy to reduce CCA progression. This could eventually be achieved also using small molecules.25 The authors thank Dr. Luigi Dall’Olmo (Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova) for surgical assistance in experiments with SCID mice, and Dr.

Recent evidence indicates that, similar to other S100 proteins, i.e., S100A1 and S100B,23, 24 S100A4 may also have transcriptional check details activity, either by direct DNA binding or by interacting with other DNA-binding proteins. For example, S100A4 regulates the transcriptional activation of MMP-9 in human prostate cancer.8 S100A4 also negatively regulates expression of E-cadherin, an important prerequisite for cancer cell

motility.9 To better understand the functional effects of S100A4 in CCA, we then studied if silencing S100A4 expression in the EGI-1 cell line interfered with cell motility, invasion, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Our results demonstrate a significant reduction in both cell migration and invasiveness as measured by transwell migration through Matrigel in Boyden chambers in the absence of chemotactic AZD1152-HQPA in vivo stimuli. Contrary to motility and invasion, we observed no effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis in S100A4-silenced EGI-1 cells. Thus, S100A4 appears

to be a key determinant of CCA invasiveness, given its involvement in the regulation of cellular motility and invasion, without affecting the local growth of the tumor that depends on the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Noteworthy, expression of MMP-9 was significantly reduced in EGI-1 clones with silenced S100A4, indicating that S100A4 modulates MMP-9, an important mediator of cancer invasiveness.8

In summary, our study demonstrates that nuclear expression of S100A4 identifies a subtype of CCA with poor response to surgical resection. Furthermore, 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 the functional data generated in this work strongly suggest that S100A4 is a mechanistic determinant of CCA invasiveness. In fact, nuclear expression of S100A4 was associated with enhanced metastatic potential of CCA cell lines xenotransplanted into SCID mice, and silencing of S100A4 with reduced motility, invasiveness, and expression of MMP9 in vitro. If validated prospectively, nuclear expression of S100A4 may eventually become a tool in clinical decision making to allocate patients with CCA that are candidates for potentially curative therapies, including liver transplantation. On the other hand, down-regulation of S100A4 may become an attractive strategy to reduce CCA progression. This could eventually be achieved also using small molecules.25 The authors thank Dr. Luigi Dall’Olmo (Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova) for surgical assistance in experiments with SCID mice, and Dr.

Adequate specimen for histological assessment was obtained in 87 patients (93.5%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the diagnosis of SMT by EUS-FNA were 91%, 100%, and 94%, respectively. Finally, 51 patients underwent surgery and surgical diagnoses were GIST in 44, leiomyoma in 5, Selleckchem LDK378 schwannoma in 1, and metastatic cancer in 1. Of the 42 patients with surgical diagnosis of GIST, weighted kappa coefficients between FNA and surgical specimens in

modified Fletcher risk classification was 0.92. No procedure-related complication was observed. Conclusion: EUS-FNA using a 19-gauge needle was a safe and reliable procedure to obtain the histopathological diagnosis. It is also useful to assess the risk classification of GIST preoperatively.

Key Word(s): 1. EUS-FNA; 2. GIST Presenting Author: IK MARIADI Additional Authors: IW DARYA, IDN WIBAWA, N PURWADI, IGA SURYADARMA Corresponding Author: IK MARIADI Affiliations: Department of Internal Medicine, Sanglah General Hospital/ Udayana University School of Medicine Denpasar, Indonesia Introduction: Screening populations using endoscopy is impractical and selleck chemicals llc expensive. We need a noninvasive method to choose the patient that really need endoscopy. We evaluate the accuracyof gastrin-17 as a tool of screening patientsfor endoscopy. Method: Endoscopy finding wasclassified in 2 category, severe and mild/normal, severe if we found ulcer or tumor in gastric and mild if we found normal, superficial and erosive gastritis. Fasting serum gastrin-17 was determined by standard immunoassays. Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 best cut-off for gastrin-17 serum test in severe and mild/normal endoscopic feature.

Results: Seventy seven patients underwent endoscopy. Seventy one patients with normal/mild finding and 6 patients with severe finding. Base on nonparametric test with MannWhitney test, we found significant mean different of gastrin-17 between mild/normal and severe group (p = 0.025). Diagnostic accuracy of Gastrin-17 on determining severe finding base on ROC procedure, we found AUC 78% (95% CI: 63%-91%), p = 0.025, with sensitivity and sensitivity are 66.7% and 77.5% at value ≥ 21.75 pg/ml. Conclusion: In dyspepsia patient, Gastrin-17 has anacceptable accuracy in determining severe abnormality on endoscopy and value ≥ 21.75 pg/ml is the best cut off value for screening severe endoscopic feature. Keyword(s): 1. Gastrin-17; 2. endoscopy feature Presenting Author: LUBIS MASRUL Additional Authors: ALAMSYAH SIREGAR GONTAR, HAKIM ZAIN LUKMAN Corresponding Author: LUBIS MASRUL Affiliations: Gastroenterology-Hepatology Division Internal Medicine Department – Haji Adam Malik General Hospital Objective: Endoscopy has been used with increasing frequency in the investigation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

Adequate specimen for histological assessment was obtained in 87 patients (93.5%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the diagnosis of SMT by EUS-FNA were 91%, 100%, and 94%, respectively. Finally, 51 patients underwent surgery and surgical diagnoses were GIST in 44, leiomyoma in 5, Selleck Apoptosis Compound Library schwannoma in 1, and metastatic cancer in 1. Of the 42 patients with surgical diagnosis of GIST, weighted kappa coefficients between FNA and surgical specimens in

modified Fletcher risk classification was 0.92. No procedure-related complication was observed. Conclusion: EUS-FNA using a 19-gauge needle was a safe and reliable procedure to obtain the histopathological diagnosis. It is also useful to assess the risk classification of GIST preoperatively.

Key Word(s): 1. EUS-FNA; 2. GIST Presenting Author: IK MARIADI Additional Authors: IW DARYA, IDN WIBAWA, N PURWADI, IGA SURYADARMA Corresponding Author: IK MARIADI Affiliations: Department of Internal Medicine, Sanglah General Hospital/ Udayana University School of Medicine Denpasar, Indonesia Introduction: Screening populations using endoscopy is impractical and PARP inhibitor expensive. We need a noninvasive method to choose the patient that really need endoscopy. We evaluate the accuracyof gastrin-17 as a tool of screening patientsfor endoscopy. Method: Endoscopy finding wasclassified in 2 category, severe and mild/normal, severe if we found ulcer or tumor in gastric and mild if we found normal, superficial and erosive gastritis. Fasting serum gastrin-17 was determined by standard immunoassays. Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the medchemexpress best cut-off for gastrin-17 serum test in severe and mild/normal endoscopic feature.

Results: Seventy seven patients underwent endoscopy. Seventy one patients with normal/mild finding and 6 patients with severe finding. Base on nonparametric test with MannWhitney test, we found significant mean different of gastrin-17 between mild/normal and severe group (p = 0.025). Diagnostic accuracy of Gastrin-17 on determining severe finding base on ROC procedure, we found AUC 78% (95% CI: 63%-91%), p = 0.025, with sensitivity and sensitivity are 66.7% and 77.5% at value ≥ 21.75 pg/ml. Conclusion: In dyspepsia patient, Gastrin-17 has anacceptable accuracy in determining severe abnormality on endoscopy and value ≥ 21.75 pg/ml is the best cut off value for screening severe endoscopic feature. Keyword(s): 1. Gastrin-17; 2. endoscopy feature Presenting Author: LUBIS MASRUL Additional Authors: ALAMSYAH SIREGAR GONTAR, HAKIM ZAIN LUKMAN Corresponding Author: LUBIS MASRUL Affiliations: Gastroenterology-Hepatology Division Internal Medicine Department – Haji Adam Malik General Hospital Objective: Endoscopy has been used with increasing frequency in the investigation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

The aim of this

study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of GERD and the effect of GERD on quality of life (QOL) and pregnancy outcomes in Korean pregnant women. Methods: This study was a prospective, cohort study which followed pregnant women in the second or third trimester. Ninety-four consecutive pregnant women who visited Seoul National University Boramae Hospital for the prenatal test were included in this study. GERD was diagnosed with the use of the GERDQ (gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire). QOL in pregnant women with GERD was assessed using QOLRAD (quality of life in reflux and dyspepsia questionnaire). Pregnancy outcome was evaluated with obstetric records after delivery. Results: Twenty eight (29.8%) of 94 women were diagnosed as GERD by GERDQ. History of PXD101 clinical trial GERD in pre-pregnancy and BMI of pre-pregnancy were associated with the development of GERD during pregnancy (9% vs 25%, P = 0.041/ 21.04 ± 2.82 vs 19.97 ± 1.90, P = 0.036). On aspects of QOL, emotional stress (P = 0.014), sleep problem (P = 0.015), food/drink problem (P = 0.004), and vitality (P = 0.029) were more prevalent in pregnant women with GERD.

Pregnancy outcomes as assessed by birth weight, Apgar score, pre-term birth, and gestational age at partum were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of GERD during pregnancy was 29.8% in our cohort. Previous Selleckchem Staurosporine history of GERD and lower BMI in pre-pregnancy can be the predictive factors of the development of GERD in pregnant women. GERD significantly impaired QOL

of pregnant women. Key Word(s): 1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease; 2. pregnancy; 3. outcome; 4. Qol; 5. predictors Presenting Author: TAKAHITO KATANO Additional Authors: TSUTOMU MIZOSHITA, TAKASHI JOH Corresponding Author: TAKAHITO KATANO Affiliations: Nagoya City University Graduate School, Nagoya City University Graduate School Objective: Stem cells are generally influenced by a microenvironment niche. In the stomach, mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal interaction has not yet fully elucidated. The aim was to produce medchemexpress a culture system to enable study of gastric epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. Methods: Glandular stomach cells from postnatal day 2 C57 BL/6 J mice were cultured in our three-dimensional (3D) primary culture system. We established mouse gastric mesenchymal myofibroblast (GMF) cell line and cocultured in collagen gels in our 3D culture system. This culture system maintains the cultured cells that are embedded in a collagen gel under an air-liquid interface environment. Results: Cultured stomach cells showed outer spindle cells and yielded expanding sphere structures, which grew for three months. In coculture system with GMF cells, the size and the number of cultured spheres were significantly greater than in control culture. The wall of cultured gastric spheres consisted of a monolayer of tall columnar cells with round nuclei at the base and mucus cytoplasm.

3 —). Technique of injection: palpate for the temporal artery along its course anterior to the tragus and inject 2 mm anterior to it at a depth of 4-6 mm (Fig. 3 —). Carefully verify that the needle is not intravascular by gentle negative aspiration before injecting. Additional injections may be performed more superiorly, at the temporal fossa, where the nerve gives off multiple branches. Alternatively, insert the needle at the posterior margin of the mandibular ramus, at a level just inferior to the tragus. Inject at a depth of 20 mm at this point. buy Sirolimus Volume of injection: 0.5-1.0 mL for the single injection at the

proximal part of the nerve (more if injecting the superior branches as well, 0.25 mL for each additional injection). Drugs used are

the same as for the STN and SON blocks. Specific outcomes that are commonly reported relate to both the technical success of the PNB, as well as the clinical outcome, including reduction in head pain, attack frequency, disability, use of rescue medications, and analgesic overuse. A technically successful block will result in anesthesia in the blocked nerve territory (Fig. 4 —). This achievement is a function of appropriate identification of anatomical landmarks and infiltration of an adequate amount of the selected local anesthetic. Clinical outcomes can be defined based on the clinical circumstance and indication: when treating a patient with an acute migraine attack for rescue purposes, achieving pain freedom would be an appropriate treatment goal, while in treating a CH patient, terminating the headache cycle would be a more reasonable objective. PNBs are also used for transitional

GDC0068 therapy in patients with medication overuse, during the weaning period, and as a preventive treatment in patients with chronic daily headache (CDH). Outcome parameters MCE include not only pain relief, but also the ability to return to normal level of activity. The probability of a desirable clinical and functional outcome can be improved with technically successful blocks, as well as with education of the patient regarding appropriate expectations. Reinjection can be performed as clinically indicated. Typically, this would occur for patients with migraine in at least 2-4 week intervals, as the benefits usually last days to weeks, although the duration of therapeutic effect varies among patients. However, recent evidence suggests that PNBs to suppress a CH attack period may be beneficial and safe with a series of 3 injections, each 48 to 72 hours apart.[7] The indication for treatment will also affect the decision on when to reinject: for the purpose of rescue care of an individual attack, re-treatment is unlikely to be necessary if the patient experiences prompt pain relief. Conversely, for transitional care in an individual who is weaning from pain medication overuse, there may be a need for re-treatment in 2-4 weeks.

In CWP-treated tomato roots, SAMDC activity was clearly suppressed. Thus, the interaction of SAMDC with LeATL6 and the decreased SAMDC activity may be associated with JA-dependent induced resistance in tomato treated with P. oligandrum. “
“During June 2011 to March 2012, Moko disease symptoms were observed in banana cv. Nipah in two Malaysian states. The primer pairs ISRso19F/ISRso19R were used for defined identification of Ralstonia solanacearum race mTOR inhibitor 2 strain. PCR amplification of all isolates produced a 1900 amplicon and exhibited 93% phylogenetic similarity with reference strain (AF450275). Based

on symptoms, biochemical tests, pathogenicity assay, molecular and phylogenetic studies, we concluded that the isolated bacterium was R. solanacearum race 2 biovar 1. “
“The mandelic acid amide, mandipropamid, Napabucasin molecular weight which belongs to the carboxylic acid amide (CAA)

fungicides, is active against Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew. The fungicide primarily inhibits the germination of encysted zoospores, thus preventing the pathogen’s penetration into the host tissues, but it also shows curative effects. In this study, the infection structures of P. viticola in both leaves and berries were investigated to detect the histological and ultrastructural alterations induced by mandipropamid when applied after inoculation. Compared to the untreated samples characterized by a diffuse colonization of the tissues and by a normal ultrastructure of the pathogen, the application of mandipropamid 24 h after inoculation with P. viticola reduced pathogen colonization in leaves and berries. In addition, detachment of the plasmalemma from the hyphal and haustorial walls was observed 72 h after inoculation. In the berries, an abnormal proliferation of the pathogen plasma membrane was observed. Collapsed hyphae and haustoria in treated leaves

were surrounded by callose or encapsulated in an amorphous material inside the host cell 72 h after inoculation, while a similar effect was observed in later stages (7 days) in berries. The medchemexpress results confirm that mandipropamid, which acts at the interface between the pathogen plasmalemma and cell wall, has curative activity against P. viticola, appearing more rapidly in leaves than in berries. “
“Pythium indigoferae and Pythium irregulare, identified based on morphological and physiological characteristics, were isolated from necrotic roots, crown tissues and the rhizosphere of apple trees in Tunisia from 23 apple orchards in spring and autumn 2007–2009. The virulence assays on excised twigs, using different Pythium species isolated demonstrated that these oomycetes were pathogenic on the Anna, Lorka and Meski varieties and the MM106 rootstock. However, the biggest lesion area was noted on MM106 rootstock. Thus, it appeared that this rootstock is more susceptible to Pythium infections than Anna, Meski and Lorka apple varieties.

In CWP-treated tomato roots, SAMDC activity was clearly suppressed. Thus, the interaction of SAMDC with LeATL6 and the decreased SAMDC activity may be associated with JA-dependent induced resistance in tomato treated with P. oligandrum. “
“During June 2011 to March 2012, Moko disease symptoms were observed in banana cv. Nipah in two Malaysian states. The primer pairs ISRso19F/ISRso19R were used for defined identification of Ralstonia solanacearum race BMS-777607 datasheet 2 strain. PCR amplification of all isolates produced a 1900 amplicon and exhibited 93% phylogenetic similarity with reference strain (AF450275). Based

on symptoms, biochemical tests, pathogenicity assay, molecular and phylogenetic studies, we concluded that the isolated bacterium was R. solanacearum race 2 biovar 1. “
“The mandelic acid amide, mandipropamid, buy Panobinostat which belongs to the carboxylic acid amide (CAA)

fungicides, is active against Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew. The fungicide primarily inhibits the germination of encysted zoospores, thus preventing the pathogen’s penetration into the host tissues, but it also shows curative effects. In this study, the infection structures of P. viticola in both leaves and berries were investigated to detect the histological and ultrastructural alterations induced by mandipropamid when applied after inoculation. Compared to the untreated samples characterized by a diffuse colonization of the tissues and by a normal ultrastructure of the pathogen, the application of mandipropamid 24 h after inoculation with P. viticola reduced pathogen colonization in leaves and berries. In addition, detachment of the plasmalemma from the hyphal and haustorial walls was observed 72 h after inoculation. In the berries, an abnormal proliferation of the pathogen plasma membrane was observed. Collapsed hyphae and haustoria in treated leaves

were surrounded by callose or encapsulated in an amorphous material inside the host cell 72 h after inoculation, while a similar effect was observed in later stages (7 days) in berries. The 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 results confirm that mandipropamid, which acts at the interface between the pathogen plasmalemma and cell wall, has curative activity against P. viticola, appearing more rapidly in leaves than in berries. “
“Pythium indigoferae and Pythium irregulare, identified based on morphological and physiological characteristics, were isolated from necrotic roots, crown tissues and the rhizosphere of apple trees in Tunisia from 23 apple orchards in spring and autumn 2007–2009. The virulence assays on excised twigs, using different Pythium species isolated demonstrated that these oomycetes were pathogenic on the Anna, Lorka and Meski varieties and the MM106 rootstock. However, the biggest lesion area was noted on MM106 rootstock. Thus, it appeared that this rootstock is more susceptible to Pythium infections than Anna, Meski and Lorka apple varieties.

In CWP-treated tomato roots, SAMDC activity was clearly suppressed. Thus, the interaction of SAMDC with LeATL6 and the decreased SAMDC activity may be associated with JA-dependent induced resistance in tomato treated with P. oligandrum. “
“During June 2011 to March 2012, Moko disease symptoms were observed in banana cv. Nipah in two Malaysian states. The primer pairs ISRso19F/ISRso19R were used for defined identification of Ralstonia solanacearum race Selleck Decitabine 2 strain. PCR amplification of all isolates produced a 1900 amplicon and exhibited 93% phylogenetic similarity with reference strain (AF450275). Based

on symptoms, biochemical tests, pathogenicity assay, molecular and phylogenetic studies, we concluded that the isolated bacterium was R. solanacearum race 2 biovar 1. “
“The mandelic acid amide, mandipropamid, Opaganib mw which belongs to the carboxylic acid amide (CAA)

fungicides, is active against Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew. The fungicide primarily inhibits the germination of encysted zoospores, thus preventing the pathogen’s penetration into the host tissues, but it also shows curative effects. In this study, the infection structures of P. viticola in both leaves and berries were investigated to detect the histological and ultrastructural alterations induced by mandipropamid when applied after inoculation. Compared to the untreated samples characterized by a diffuse colonization of the tissues and by a normal ultrastructure of the pathogen, the application of mandipropamid 24 h after inoculation with P. viticola reduced pathogen colonization in leaves and berries. In addition, detachment of the plasmalemma from the hyphal and haustorial walls was observed 72 h after inoculation. In the berries, an abnormal proliferation of the pathogen plasma membrane was observed. Collapsed hyphae and haustoria in treated leaves

were surrounded by callose or encapsulated in an amorphous material inside the host cell 72 h after inoculation, while a similar effect was observed in later stages (7 days) in berries. The 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 results confirm that mandipropamid, which acts at the interface between the pathogen plasmalemma and cell wall, has curative activity against P. viticola, appearing more rapidly in leaves than in berries. “
“Pythium indigoferae and Pythium irregulare, identified based on morphological and physiological characteristics, were isolated from necrotic roots, crown tissues and the rhizosphere of apple trees in Tunisia from 23 apple orchards in spring and autumn 2007–2009. The virulence assays on excised twigs, using different Pythium species isolated demonstrated that these oomycetes were pathogenic on the Anna, Lorka and Meski varieties and the MM106 rootstock. However, the biggest lesion area was noted on MM106 rootstock. Thus, it appeared that this rootstock is more susceptible to Pythium infections than Anna, Meski and Lorka apple varieties.