The role of reactive astrocitose in the chronological evolution of traumatic brain injury

Introduction and objectives. This study aims to investigate whether the cerebral modifications of posttraumatic reactive astrocitose can be considered an objective criterion for determining the age of traumatic cranio-cerebral lesions. Materials and methods. The present study consists of a series of 23 medico-legal cases that underwent autopsy inTeleormanCounty(Romania) Department of Forensic Medicine during 2007–2016, with full immune-histochemical microscopic examination using GFAP staining. The study consists of two groups, a series of 13 cases with cranio-cerebral trauma with different posttraumatic survival periods and 9 cases as a control group. Results and discussions. We discovered GFAP+ reactive astrocytes even when death occurred immediately after the trauma event and up to 4 months after the traumatic incident. We also discovered an intense positive correlation between the density of the GFAP+ cell from the perilesional area and the posttraumatic survival period. The highest cerebral density of the GFAP+ astrocytes occurred with acute death prior (1 to 24 hours) and the lowest in the chronic period (over 2 weeks). Conclusions. The gradual and differentiated appearance of the reactive astrocytes in close relation with the cerebral posttraumatic interval, with specific lesional and perilesional distribution as well as in surrounding area, clearly demonstrates that the state of the reactive astrocitose may constitute an objective index for evaluation of the elapsed time after the posttraumatic event

Pheochromocytoma – clinical manifestations, diagnosis and current perioperative management

Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor characterized by the excessive production of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine). The diagnosis is suspected due to hypertensive paroxysms, associated with vegetative phenomena, due to the catecholaminergic hypersecretion. Diagnosis involves biochemical tests that reveal elevated levels of catecholamine metabolites (metanephrine and normetanephrine). Functional imaging, such as 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy (123I-MIBG), has increased specificity in identifying the catecholamine-producing tumor and its metastases. The gold-standard treatment for patients with pheochromocytoma is represented by the surgical removal of the tumor. Before surgical resection, it is important to optimize blood pressure and intravascular volume in order to avoid negative hemodynamic events

The role of reactive astrocitose in the chronological evolution of traumatic brain injury

Introduction and objectives. This study aims to investigate whether the cerebral modifications of posttraumatic reactive astrocitose can be considered an objective criterion for determining the age of traumatic cranio-cerebral lesions. Materials and methods. The present study consists of a series of 23 medico-legal cases that underwent autopsy inTeleormanCounty(Romania) Department of Forensic Medicine during 2007–2016, with full immune-histochemical microscopic examination using GFAP staining. The study consists of two groups, a series of 13 cases with cranio-cerebral trauma with different posttraumatic survival periods and 9 cases as a control group. Results and discussions. We discovered GFAP+ reactive astrocytes even when death occurred immediately after the trauma event and up to 4 months after the traumatic incident. We also discovered an intense positive correlation between the density of the GFAP+ cell from the perilesional area and the posttraumatic survival period. The highest cerebral density of the GFAP+ astrocytes occurred with acute death prior (1 to 24 hours) and the lowest in the chronic period (over 2 weeks). Conclusions. The gradual and differentiated appearance of the reactive astrocytes in close relation with the cerebral posttraumatic interval, with specific lesional and perilesional distribution as well as in surrounding area, clearly demonstrates that the state of the reactive astrocitose may constitute an objective index for evaluation of the elapsed time after the posttraumatic event

Pheochromocytoma – clinical manifestations, diagnosis and current perioperative management

Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor characterized by the excessive production of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine). The diagnosis is suspected due to hypertensive paroxysms, associated with vegetative phenomena, due to the catecholaminergic hypersecretion. Diagnosis involves biochemical tests that reveal elevated levels of catecholamine metabolites (metanephrine and normetanephrine). Functional imaging, such as 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy (123I-MIBG), has increased specificity in identifying the catecholamine-producing tumor and its metastases. The gold-standard treatment for patients with pheochromocytoma is represented by the surgical removal of the tumor. Before surgical resection, it is important to optimize blood pressure and intravascular volume in order to avoid negative hemodynamic events

Genome, proteome and structure of a T7-like bacteriophage of the kiwifruit canker phytopathogen pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae

La pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae es un patógeno responsable significativo de la afta bacteriana severa del kiwi (Actinidia sp.). Los bacteriófagos infectados de este fitopatógeno tienen potencial como agentes de control biológico como parte de un enfoque integrado de la gestión del cancro bacteriano, y para su uso como herramientas molecular para el estudio de esta bacteria. Una variedad de bacteriófagos fueron previamente aislados, antes de ser infectados con P. syringae pv. Actinidiae; y sus propiedades básicas fueron caracterizadas para proporcionar un marco para la formulación de estos fagos, como agentes de biocontrol. Aquí, hemos examinado con más detalle el φPsa17, un fago con la capacidad de infectar a una amplia gama de cepas P. syringae pv. Actinidiae, único miembro de la Podoviridae en esta colección. La morfología de partículas fue visualizada mediante criomicroscopía electrónica, el genoma fue secuenciado, y sus proteínas estructurales fueron analizados usando shotgun proteomics. Estos estudios demostraron que 40,525 φPsa17 tiene un genoma de BP, es un miembro de género T7likevirus y está estrechamente relacionada con la pseudomonada llamada fágicas φPSA2 y GH-1. Once proteínas estructurales (andamios) fueron detectados por la proteómica y φPsa17 tiene una cápside de aproximadamente 60 nm de diámetro. No fueron identificados genes indicativos de un ciclo de vida lisogénica, sugiriendo que el fago es necesariamente lítico. Estas características indican que φPsa17 pueden ser adecuadas para la formulación como un agente de biocontrol de P. syringae pv. actinidiaePseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae is an economically significant pathogen responsible for severe bacterial canker of kiwifruit (Actinidia sp.). Bacteriophages infecting this phytopathogen have potential as biocontrol agents as part of an integrated approach to the management of bacterial canker, and for use as molecular tools to study this bacterium. A variety of bacteriophages were previously isolated that infect P. syringae pv. actinidiae, and their basic properties were characterized to provide a framework for formulation of these phages as biocontrol agents. Here, we have examined in more detail φPsa17, a phage with the capacity to infect a broad range of P. syringae pv. actinidiae strains and the only member of the Podoviridae in this collection. Particle morphology was visualized using cryo-electron microscopy, the genome was sequenced, and its structural proteins were analysed using shotgun proteomics. These studies demonstrated that φPsa17 has a 40,525 bp genome, is a member of the T7likevirus genus and is closely related to the pseudomonad phages φPSA2 and gh-1. Eleven structural proteins (one scaffolding) were detected by proteomics and φPsa17 has a capsid of approximately 60 nm in diameter. No genes indicative of a lysogenic lifecycle were identified, suggesting the phage is obligately lytic. These features indicate that φPsa17 may be suitable for formulation as a biocontrol agent of P. syringae pv. actinidiaeTrabajo patrocinado por. Royal Society. Fellowship Rutherford, para Peter C. Fineran Otago School of Medical Sciences Summer Research Scholarship, para Danni ChenpeerReviewe

Structural basis for anthrax toxin receptor 1 recognition by Seneca Valley Virus

Recently, the use of oncolytic viruses in cancer therapy has become a realistic therapeutic option. Seneca Valley Virus (SVV) is a newly discovered picornavirus, which has earned a significant reputation as a potent oncolytic agent. Anthrax toxin receptor 1 (ANTXR1), one of the cellular receptors for the protective antigen secreted by Bacillus anthracis, has been identified as the high-affinity cellular receptor for SVV. Here, we report the structure of the SVV-ANTXR1 complex determined by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy analysis at near-atomic resolution. This is an example of a shared receptor structure between a mammalian virus and a bacterial toxin. Our structure shows that ANTXR1 decorates the outer surface of the SVV capsid and interacts with the surface-exposed BC loop and loop II of VP1, "the puff" of VP2 and "the knob" of VP3. Comparison of the receptor-bound capsid structure with the native capsid structure reveals that receptor binding induces minor conformational changes in SVV capsid structure, suggesting the role of ANTXR1 as an attachment receptor. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the capsid footprint on the receptor is not conserved in anthrax toxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2), thereby providing a molecular mechanism for explaining the exquisite selectivity of SVV for ANTXR1

Молекулярная диагностика заражения некоторых молдавских сортов томата фитоплазмой.

Relevance. The use of molecular methods allows reliable and fast determination of the resistance of genotypes (varieties) to pathogens, thereby reducing possible product losses and, at the same time, maintaining its environmental safety. It is very important in conditions of increasing demand for high-quality agricultural production. Aim: Using molecular diagnosis of ʹCandidatus Phytoplasma solaniʹ to compare the degree of infection in some Moldavian tomato varieties at different stages of plant development.Material and methods. The molecular analysis (nested-PCR) of plants of the four Moldavian tomato varieties (Elvira, Cerasus, Mary Gratefully, Desteptarea) created at the Institute of Genetics, Physiology and Plant Protection, and the wild formSolanum habrochaites, was carried out for the presence of the phytopathogen ʹCa. P. solaniʹ. Researches were made during two growing seasons. Results. The distribution of infection between the studied varieties was different in the process of plants development. The spread of infection in the tomato field was recorded under the climatic conditions of two growing seasons: the season of 2018, which was hot but with normal rains in the middle of summer, and the season of 2019, in conditions of a very hot and dry summer. During both seasons, Cerasus variety manifested the highest resistance to ʹCa. P. solaniʹ infection.  A little more than half of plants of this variety were affected by stolbur only at the end of the growing season, after harvesting most of the crop. Varieties Elvira and Desteptarea had similar levels of infection of plants with phytoplasma during two years of research. These varieties manifested a higher sensitivity to phytoplasma infection compared with Cerasus. Mary Gratefully was the genotype with the highest dependence of the sensitivity toʹCa. P. solaniʹ infection from the climatic conditions of the growing season. Plants of the wild form Solanum habrochaites demonstrated complete immunity to phytoplasma infection during the growing season. Conclusion.The Cerasus variety, as well as the wild form Solanum habrochaites, can be recommended for including in breeding programs for the creating tomato varieties or hybrids resistant to phytoplasma. Thus, molecular diagnosis may be a useful tool for the breeding resistant genotypes. Актуальность. Применение молекулярных методов позволяет более надежно и быстро определять устойчивые к патогенам генотипы (сорта), сокращая, таким образом, возможные потери продукции и, при этом, сохраняя её экологическую безопасность. Это очень важно в условиях возрастающего спроса на качественные сельскохозяйственные продукты. Цель: использование молекулярной диагностики ʹCandidatus Phytoplasma solaniʹ для сравнения степени заражения некоторых молдавских сортов томата на разных стадиях развития растений. Материалы и методика. В течение двух сезонов вегетации был проведен молекулярный анализ (нестед-ПЦР) растений четырех молдавских сортов томата (Elvira, Cerasus, Mary Gratefully, Desteptarea), созданных в Институте Генетики, Физиологии и Зашиты Растений, и дикой формы Solanum habrochaites, на присутствие фитопатогена ʹCa. P. solaniʹ. Результаты. Обнаружено, что распределение инфекции между изученными сортами было различным в процессе развития растений. Учет распространения инфекции на томатном поле проводили в климатических условиях двух сезонов вегетации: сезона 2018 года, который был жарким, но с нормальным количеством осадков в середине лета, и сезона 2019 года, в условиях очень жаркого и засушливого лета. В течение обоих сезонов сорт Cerasus проявил наибольшую устойчивость к инфекции ʹCa. P. solaniʹ, немногим более половины растений этого сорта были поражены столбуром только в конце периода вегетации, после сбора основной части урожая. Сорта Elvira и Desteptarea имели сходные показатели уровня зараженности растений фитоплазмой в течение двух лет исследований. Эти сорта проявили гораздо большую чувствительность к фитоплазменной инфекции по сравнению с сортом Cerasus. Единственным генотипом, чувствительность которого к инфекцииʹCa. P. solaniʹсильно зависела от климатических условий сезона вегетации, оказался сорт Mary Gratefully. Растения дикой формы Solanum habrochaites проявили полную невосприимчивость к фитоплазменной инфекции в течение всего периода вегетации. Выводы.Сорт Cerasus, наряду с дикой формой Solanum habrochaites, может быть рекомендован для включения в селекционные программы по созданию устойчивых к фитоплазме сортов или гибридов томата. Молекулярная диагностика может служить полезным инструментом в процессе селекции устойчивых генотипов.