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Core rot is a major contributor to postharvest losses in apples worldwide. Pathogens most commonly associated with the disease are Alternaria spp. and Penicillium spp. Although both genera show specific morphological characteristics, they can be difficult to identify to species level. In this study, Alternaria spp. (49) and Penicillium spp. isolates (97), associated with pre-and post-harvest apple core rot-symptoms and isolates from potential inoculum sources were identified using molecular methods. Initially, dry core rot causing Alternaria spp. were identified morphologically in an average of 70% of infected fruit pre-harvest and 32% postharvest. Furthermore, 78% of mouldy core rot causing pathogens were identified as Alternaria spp. preharvest and 40% postharvest. Wet core rot was associated with Penicillium spp. in 64% of cases preharvest and 36% postharvest. Species identity of a selection of samples was confirmed using the endopolygalacturonase (endo-PG) gene, the ITS region, and the anonymous genomic regions (OPA1-3, 2-1), which resulted in the identification of A. alternata, A. arborescens, A. dumosa, A. eureka and A. tenuissima. Penicillium species were identified through ITS sequencing and partial beta-tubulin polymerase chain reaction -random fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) for the samples collected from wet core rot symptoms. Phylogenetic analyses separated the Alternaria spp. into five clades, including three separate clades for A. alternata, A. tenuissima and A. arborescens, respectively. This is the first report of A. eureka and P. polonicum as potential core rot pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis identified Penicillium ramulosum and P. expansum as the most commonly occurring species associated with WCR symptoms.

Topical microbicide peptides are being developed to combat the transfer of HIV, but little is known about the permeation of these compounds through vaginal epithelium. The object of the present study is to investigate the in vitro permeation of synthetic transport peptides through vaginal mucosa. The permeation kinetics of three FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)-labelled peptides MEA-5 (Mw = 2911.4

This study investigated the effect of warm water on spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. The sample was taken from the population of spastic cerebral palsy children at Bel Porto School. Ten children who met the inclusion criteria were randomly selected. The methodology included an assessment of each child’s spasticity according to the Motor Assessment Scale(MAS). Two variables were tested prior to and after the child was exposed to warm water. These were the distance each child could reach and the time it took to passively lengthen the biceps muscle. The exposure to warm water was 15 minutes long at a temperature of 31 degrees C. Measurements were taken for both arms and a more affected and a less affected arm were identified.The data were analysed using the Wilcoxon Sign-Ranked Test (<0,05). The percentage improvement for each arm was computed. The results showed a significant improvement in both the reach distance and the time it took to passively lengthen biceps for both arms.