It is generally accepted that, following primary infection, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) establishes lifelong latency in CD34؉ progenitor cells and other derivative cells of the myeloid lineage. In this study, we show that the viral UL144 gene is expressed during latent infection in two cell types of the myeloid lineage, CD34؉ and CD14 ؉ monocytes, and that the UL144 protein is functional in latently infected monocytes. However, this latency-associated expression of UL144 occurs only in certain isolates of HCMV and depends on the presence of functional GATA-2 transcription factor binding sites in the UL144 promoter, in contrast to the viral latency-associated gene LUNA, which we also show is regulated by GATA-2 but expressed uniformly during latent infection independent of the virus isolate. Taken together, these data suggest that the HCMV latency-associated transcriptome may be virus isolate specific and dependent on the repertoire of transcription factor binding sites in the promoters of latencyassociated genes.

Elevated levels of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) are not uncommon for urban soils. Test plots were established at urban gardens in Tacoma and Seattle, WA. The Tacoma site was contaminated with Pb (51-312 mg kg) and As (39-146 mg kg), and the Seattle site had high Pb soil concentrations ranging from 506 to 2022 mg kg and As concentrations of <20 mg kg. The efficacy of biosolids mix and compost amendment in reducing Pb and As concentrations in three vegetables (carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes) and the bioaccessibility of soil Pb and As were evaluated. Food-chain transfer of Pb and As were evaluated by measuring plant Pb and As concentrations after kitchen-style washing, a laboratory cleaning procedure, or peeling. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement. Tacoma site treatments included a Class A biosolids mix (TAGRO) with dolomite, and soil at the Seattle site was amended with Cedar-Grove compost (CGC) plus dolomite. TAGRO amendment diluted soil Pb by 10 to 23% and As by 12 to 25% at the Tacoma site, and CGC + dolomite resulted in 20 to 50% dilution in soil Pb at the Seattle site. Both amendments reduced Pb concentrations in vegetables by 50 to 71%, and As reductions ranged from 46 to 80%. At the Tacoma site, Pb concentrations (dry weight basis) in carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes ranged from 8.89 to 25.0, from 0.37 to 3.83, and from 0.54 to 1.24 mg kg, respectively. Plant As concentrations were below 703 μg kg (dry weight) for the vegetables and followed the order lettuce > carrot > tomato. Food-chain transfer of Pb and As in vegetables grown in contaminated urban soils were reduced by laboratory cleaning.

Beginning in 2012, seed potatoes in Washington State were associated with an outbreak of Potato virus Y (PVY), one of the oldest known plant viruses. The PVY outbreak seriously impacted commercial potato growers, who unknowingly purchased infected seed potatoes. Commercial potato growers, university researchers, and extension personnel blamed Washington seed potato growers for the PVY outbreak. Drawing on the literature about perceptions of innovation attributes, nonadoption of agricultural innovations, and farm‐level disease management, we offer a broader perspective on PVY management among Washington seed potato growers. We explore the reasons behind seed potato growers' nonadoption of a specific innovation that has the potential to protect potatoes from PVY problems. We argue that seed potato growers approach PVY management in logical and intentional ways, and have distinct reasons for choosing not to adopt certain PVY management practices. Our study contributes to scholarship on the perceived attributes and nonadoption of agricultural innovations, as well as interdisciplinary work on plant disease management. A better understanding of PVY management decision making can help efforts to ensure agricultural biosecurity, maintain crop quality and yield, and prevent economic losses within the potato industry in Washington State, the second largest producer of potatoes in the United States.