The molecular characterization of HSVd isolates associated with dapple fruit and fruit rugosity in plum seedlings suggests a possible role of breeding in viroid dissemination

In a wide range of hosts, the infection caused by Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) appears to be latent, whereas in some others it is frequently pathogenic. In this work, the presence of HSVd has been found to be associated with symptoms of dapple fruit and fruit rugosity in plum seedlings obtained from cross breeding for quality. Symptomatic and symptomless plum seedling samples have been analyzed for the presence of the principal stone fruit viroids and viruses. HSVd was found in all symptomatic samples, whereas no other viruses or viroids were found in the analyzed samples with the exception of ACLSV, which was detected rarely. The RNAs of all HSVd isolates have been cloned and sequenced. The sequence analysis showed a high percentage of homology among the isolates, making it possible to hypothesize a potential unique origin of the infection. For this purpose, those plants used in breeding as pollen donors have been analyzed. The results showed that the same HSVd isolate was also present in the parental plants, both in the leaves and pollen, suggesting a possible role of breeding in the dissemination of the viroid.Keywords: Plum, seedlings, fruit rugosity, dapple fruit, HSVd, polle

Identification and characterization of Peach latent mosaic viroid and Hop stunt viroid in different peach cultivars showing dapple fruit, fruit yellow mosaic and cracked suture symptoms

From the early 1990s, a fruit peach syndrome characterized mainly by small discoloured spots (dapple fruit) and/or yellow areas on the skin (yellow mosaic), cracked suture and deformations was identified in most commercial orchards in the Emilia Romagna region (Northern Italy). In the past, Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) and Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) have been detected in trees with symptomatic fruits. In order to ascertain the presence and spread of these two viroids, symptomatic fruit samples were collected from five different cultivars: ‘Royal Glory’, ‘Crimson Lady’, ‘Grenat’, ‘Diamond Princess’ and ‘Laura’. Dapple fruit symptoms affected all cultivars, ‘Grenat’ samples also showed evident yellow mosaic and fruit deformation, and ‘Royal Glory’ severe cracked sutures. The results showed a large diffusion of the two viroids, mainly in mixed infections. Anvaluation of the role the viroids could play in symptom expression has been complicated by the high number of samples infected by both viroids (60%). Nonetheless, PLMVd was confirmed to be strictly associated with the yellow mosaic, cracked suture and fruit deformation symptoms. The aetiological origin of the dapple fruit disease, however, seems to be more complicated, since in the ‘Diamond Princess’, only PLMVd has been found to be associated with the symptoms, whereas in all other cultivars, the presence of HSVd could have influenced the symptom expression. Moreover, the molecular characterization of some PLMVd isolates does not show any correlation between nucleotide sequence and symptoms although new PLMVd variants were identified. Keywords: peach fruit symptoms, PLMVd, HSVd, mixed infectio

Poly (ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (PECA-NPs) as possible agents in tumor treatment

Tumor eradication has many challenges due to the difficulty of selectively delivering anticancer drugs to malignant cells avoiding contact with healthy tissues/organs. The improvement of antitumor efficacy and the reduction of systemic side effects can be achieved using drug loaded nanoparticles. In this study, poly (ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (PECA-NPs) were prepared using an emulsion polymerization method and their potential for cancer treatment was investigated. The size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of prepared nanoparticles are about 80 nm, 0.08 and −39.7 mV, respectively. The stability test shows that the formulation is stable for 15 days, while an increase in particle size occurs after 30 days. TEM reveals the spherical morphology of nanoparticles; furthermore, FTIR and 1 H NMR analyses confirm the structure of PECA-NPs and the complete polymerization. The nanoparticles demonstrate an in vitro concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (Caco-2), as assessed by MTT assay. The anticancer activity of PECA-NPs was studied on 3D tumor spheroids models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and kidney adenocarcinoma cells (A498) to better understand how the nanoparticles could interact with a complex structure such as a tumor. The results confirm the antitumor activity of PECA-NPs. Therefore, these systems can be considered good candidates in tumor treatment

Improved pharmacokinetic and lymphatic uptake of Rose Bengal after transfersome intradermal deposition using hollow microneedles

The lymphatic system is active in several processes that regulate human diseases, among which cancer progression stands out. Thus, various drug delivery systems have been investigated to promote lymphatic drug targeting for cancer therapy; mainly, nanosized particles in the 10–150 nm range quickly achieve lymphatic vessels after an interstitial administration. Herein, a strategy to boost the lymphotropic delivery of Rose Bengal (RB), a hydrosoluble chemotherapeutic, is proposed, and it is based on the loading into Transfersomes (RBTF) and their intradermal deposition in vivo by microneedles. RBTF of 96.27 ± 13.96 nm (PDI = 0.29 ± 0.02) were prepared by a green reverse-phase evaporation technique, and they showed an RB encapsulation efficiency of 98.54 ± 0.09%. In vitro, RBTF remained physically stable under physiological conditions and avoided the release of RB. In vivo, intravenous injection of RBTF prolonged RB half-life of 50 min in healthy rats compared to RB intravenous injection; the RB half-life in rat body was further increased after intradermal injection reaching 24 h, regardless of the formulation used. Regarding lymphatic targeting, RBTF administered intravenously provided an RB accumulation in the lymph nodes of 12.3 ± 0.14 ng/mL after 2 h, whereas no RB accumulation was observed after RB intravenous injection. Intradermally administered RBTF resulted in the highest RB amount detected in lymph nodes after 2 h from the injection (84.2 ± 25.10 ng/mL), which was even visible to the naked eye based on the pink colouration of the drug. In the case of intradermally administered RB, RB in lymph node was detected only at 24 h (13.3 ± 1.41 ng/mL). In conclusion, RBTF proved an efficient carrier for RB delivery, enhancing its pharmacokinetics and promoting lymph-targeted delivery. Thus, RBTF represents a promising nanomedicine product for potentially facing the medical need for novel strategies for cancer therapy.<br/

Attuali conoscenze sul legno nero della vite.

Il legno nero (LN) \ue8 una della malattie infettive della vite pi\uf9 dannose e diffuse. l'agente causale \ue8 un fitoplasma appartenente al gruppo tassonomico 16Sr XII-A (Stolbur) che in natura viene trasmesso dall'insetto Hyalestes obsoletus. La presente rassegna riassume le caratteristiche delle malattia e indica alcune possibili strategie di controllo