The nonfastidious, xylem-inhabiting bacteria from a selection of grape cultivars in Nova Scotia have been examined. The size of this population varied with the method of extraction: 2.65 × 102 to 3.46 × 103/mL xylem sap with vacuum extraction, 3.83 × 103 to 1.31 × 104/g xylem tissue with homogenization, 3.33 × 104 to 9.89 × 104/mL xylem sap with Acridine Orange direct counts. These figures suggest that many endophytic bacteria may be attached to vessel walls and that the majority are fastidious. There was no significant difference in the number of endophytic bacteria found in two grape varieties, Michurinetz and Marechal Foch. There was a significant difference between vineyards. The frequency distribution followed a log normal model. Seventy-eight percent of isolates were Gram negative, with Pseudomonas and Enterobacter being the predominant genera. Only six strains were identified as potential phytopathogens. A comparison of eight hydrolytic exo–enzymes in a subset of endophytic bacteria to those in a random sample of rhizosphere bacteria revealed that the two populations were distinct and that the former possessed less hydrolytic enzyme capacity than the latter. It therefore seems unlikely that this endophytic population gains entry to the xylem symplastically (intracellularly).Key words: endophytic bacteria, grapevine, xylem-inhabiting.

The effects of soil type, inoculum level, microbial competition, fertilizers, and carbon and nitrogen supplementation on Listeria monocytogenes survival in soil were examined by utilizing soil columns in ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic piping. Sandy soil yielded a lower level of L. monocytogenes survival than clay loam or sandy loam soils. L. monocytogenes numbers decreased from high inoculum levels, increased when inoculum levels were low, and reached higher levels more quickly in autoc1aved soil. Soil amended with solid chicken manure supported a higher population than soil amended with either liquid hog manure or inorganic nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, but only when microbial competitors had been reduced. Carbon and nitrogen supplementation had no effect on the population of L. monocytogenes. In a field survey analyzed by using a 3-tube most probable number procedure with enrichment, Listeria spp. were present in 1 of 13 cultivated fields and 6 of the 13 surrounding uncultivated meadows.

Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an integral diagnostic and interventional tool.Barriers to POCUS training persist, and it continues to remain heterogeneous across training programs. Structured POCUS assessment tools exist, but remain limited in their feasibility, acceptability, reliability, and validity; none of these tools are entrustment-based. The objective of this study was to derive a simple, entrustment-based POCUS competency assessment tool and pilot it in an assessment setting.Methods: This study was composed of two phases. First, a three-step modified Delphi design surveyed 60 members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians Emergency Ultrasound Committee (EUC) to derive the anchors for the tool. Subsequently, the derived ultrasound competency assessment tool (UCAT) was used to assess trainee (N = 37) performance on a simulated FAST examination. The intraclass correlation (ICC) for inter-rater reliability and Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency were calculated. A statistical analysis was performed to compare the UCAT to other competency surrogates. Results:The three-round Delphi had 22, 26, and 26 responses from the EUC members. Consensus was reached, and anchors for the domains of preparation, image acquisition, image optimization, and clinical integration achieved approval rates between 92 and 96%. The UCAT pilot revealed excellent inter-rater reliability (with ICC values of 0.69-0.89; p < 0.01) and high internal consistency (α = 0.91). While UCAT scores were not impacted by level of training, they were significantly impacted by the number of previous POCUS studies completed. Conclusions:We developed and successfully piloted the UCAT, an entrustment-based bedside POCUS competency assessment tool suitable for rapid deployment. The findings from this study indicate early validity evidence for the use of the UCAT as an assessment of trainee POCUS competence on FAST. The UCAT should be trialed in different populations performing several POCUS study types.

No abstract

No abstract