Endophytic Life Strategies Decoded by Genome and Transcriptome Analyses of the Mutualistic Root Symbiont Piriformospora indica

Recent sequencing projects have provided deep insight into fungal lifestyle-associated genomic adaptations. Here we report on the 25 Mb genome of the mutualistic root symbiont Piriformospora indica (Sebacinales, Basidiomycota) and provide a global characterization of fungal transcriptional responses associated with the colonization of living and dead barley roots. Extensive comparative analysis of the P. indica genome with other Basidiomycota and Ascomycota fungi that have diverse lifestyle strategies identified features typically associated with both, biotrophism and saprotrophism. The tightly controlled expression of the lifestyle-associated gene sets during the onset of the symbiosis, revealed by microarray analysis, argues for a biphasic root colonization strategy of P. indica. This is supported by a cytological study that shows an early biotrophic growth followed by a cell death-associated phase. About 10% of the fungal genes induced during the biotrophic colonization encoded putative small secreted proteins (SSP), including several lectin-like proteins and members of a P. indica-specific gene family (DELD) with a conserved novel seven-amino acids motif at the C-terminus. Similar to effectors found in other filamentous organisms, the occurrence of the DELDs correlated with the presence of transposable elements in gene-poor repeat-rich regions of the genome. This is the first in depth genomic study describing a mutualistic symbiont with a biphasic lifestyle. Our findings provide a significant advance in understanding development of biotrophic plant symbionts and suggest a series of incremental shifts along the continuum from saprotrophy towards biotrophy in the evolution of mycorrhizal association from decomposer fungi

Myeloid Sarcoma in the Central Nervous System: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mijeloidni sarkomi su rijetke pojavnosti uglavnom mijeloblastične leukemije. Njihova pojava u središnjem živčanom sustavu je iznimna, pa je dotična literatura danas ograničena na studije pojedinih slučajeva. Mi opisujemo jo. jedan slučaj, dok je pregled literature poslužio kako bismo ispitali značajke i mogućnosti liječenja mijeloidnog sarkoma središnjega živčanog sustva. U žene stare 61 godinu s akutnom mijeloblastičnom leukemijom (FAB M5) i progresivnom lijevostranom hemiparezom utvrđena je desnostrano parieto-okcipitalno epiduralno oštećenje koje je sličilo meningiomu. Učinjena je djelomična resekcija koja je otkrila mijeloidni sarkom. Pregledom literature utvrdili smo 44 slučaja s dostatnim opisom dijagnoze, liječenja i praćenja do jedne godine. Kod tih bolesnika primijenjeni su različiti načini liječenja. Međutim, bolesnici su imali najbolji postotak jednogodišnjeg preživljenja kad je protokol liječenja uključivao sustavnu kemoterapiju ili zračenje.Myeloid sarcomas are rare manifestations of mainly myeloblastic leukemia. Their occurrence in the central nervous system is exceptional and current literature is limited to case studies. A case is added herewith and a review was performed to investigate clinical characteristics and treatment options of central nervous system myeloid sarcoma. A 61-year-old female with acute myeloblastic leukemia (FAB M5) and progressive left sided hemiparesis showed a right parieto-occipital epidural lesion mimicking meningioma. Partial resection was performed to reveal a myeloid sarcoma. Reviewing the literature we identified 44 cases with sufficient description of the diagnosis, treatment and follow up to one year. In these patients different treatment regimens were applied. However, when systemic chemotherapy or irradiation was included in the treatment regimen, patients showed the best 1-year survival proportion

Approaching virus safety in xenotransplantation: A search for unrecognized herpesviruses in pigs

Abstract: The identification of porcine viruses so far unrecognized is required to minimize virus-related risks associated with xenotransplantation. We used a pan-herpes consensus polymerase chain reaction assay to search for unrecognized porcine species of the Herpesviridae. The assay targets conserved regions of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase (DPOL) gene, using primers that were modified to diminish the assay's recognition capacity for the highly prevalent porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses 1, 2 and 3 (PLHV-1, -2, -3), without substantially lowering the universal detection capacity of the assay. Analysis of 495 porcine blood and tissue samples from 294 animals, including 35 samples from 20 immunosuppressed pigs, resulted in the amplification of 128 herpesviral DPOL sequences. Sequence analysis attributed 127 of the amplimers to the known porcine herpesviruses (PLHV-1, -2, -3; porcine cytomegalovirus; pseudorabiesvirus). In none of the pig samples analyzed here, evidence was obtained for the presence of additional novel porcine herpesvirus species. Therefore we conclude that pigs bred for the purpose of xenotransplantation pose a negligible risk of transmitting presently unrecognized herpesviruses to organ recipients

Pharmacological treatments of postural hypotension

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: We seek to identify and evaluate the benefits and harms of all pharmacologic treatments for postural hypotension

Consensus statement on the definition of neurogenic supine hypertension in cardiovascular autonomic failure by the American Autonomic Society (AAS) and the European Federation of Autonomic Societies (EFAS)

Patients suffering from cardiovascular autonomic failure often develop neurogenic supine hypertension (nSH), i.e., high blood pressure (BP) in the supine position, which falls in the upright position owing to impaired autonomic regulation. A committee was formed to reach consensus among experts on the definition and diagnosis of nSH in the context of cardiovascular autonomic failure. As a first and preparatory step, a systematic search of PubMed-indexed literature on nSH up to January 2017 was performed. Available evidence derived from this search was discussed in a consensus expert round table meeting in Innsbruck on February 16, 2017. Statements originating from this meeting were further discussed by representatives of the American Autonomic Society and the European Federation of Autonomic Societies and are summarized in the document presented here. The final version received the endorsement of the European Academy of Neurology and the European Society of Hypertension. In patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, nSH is defined as systolic BP >= 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP >= 90 mmHg, measured after at least 5 min of rest in the supine position. Three severity degrees are recommended: mild, moderate and severe. nSH may also be present during nocturnal sleep, with reduced-dipping, non-dipping or rising nocturnal BP profiles with respect to mean daytime BP values. Home BP monitoring and 24-h-ambulatory BP monitoring provide relevant information for a customized clinical management. The establishment of expert-based criteria to define nSH should standardize diagnosis and allow a better understanding of its epidemiology, prognosis and, ultimately, treatment