Comparison of Raspberry bushy dwarf virus isolates from Hungary and Slovenia

In 2006 and 2007 samples of grapevine and Rubus species were collected and analysed by DAS-ELISA to survey the presence of Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV) in Slovenia and Hungary. Seven varieties of raspberry from one Hungarian collection orchard were found to be infected. In Slovenia the presence of RBDV was confirmed only in three samples of wild Rubus. None of the 133 samples from different locations in Hungary proved to be infected with RBDV, although this virus is found to be widely distributed in grapevine in neighbouring Slovenia. Serological characterisation with three monoclonal antibodies (R2, R5 and D1) was performed on positive samples. Selected positive samples were partially sequenced. The results of serological and molecular analyses were compared with the analyses of raspberry and grapevine isolates obtained in Slovenia from other projects and published RBDV sequences from the GeneBank database to study the variability among hosts and locations. Isolates from grapevine grouped separately from the black raspberry isolate and all the red raspberry isolates. RBDV isolates from Hungarian samples formed a subgroup within red and black raspberry group.Keywords: RBDV, variability, Rubus, raspberry, grapevine, sequences, monoclonal antibodie

Cancer survival in the elderly: Effects of socio-economic factors and health care system features (ELDCARE project)

The purpose of the ELDCARE project is to study differences in cancer survival for elderly patients by country, taking into account the socio-economic conditions and the characteristics of health care systems at the ecological level. Fifty-three European cancer registries, from 19 countries, participating in the EUROCARE 3 programme, collected information to compute relative survival on patients aged 65-84 years, diagnosed over the period 1990-1994. National statistics offices provided the macro-economic and labour force indicators (gross domestic product, total health expenditure, and proportion of people employed in the agriculture sector) as well as the features of national health care systems. Survival for several of the cancer sites had high positive Pearson's correlations (r) with the affluence indicators (usually r > 0.7), but survival for the poor prognosis cancers (lung, ovary, stomach) and for cervix uteri was not so well correlated. Among the medical resources considered, the number of computed tomography scanners was the variable most related to survival in the elderly; the number of total health practitioners in the country did not show any relationship. Survival was related to the marital status of elderly women more strongly than for men and younger people. The highest correlations of survival with the percentage of married elderly women in the population were for cancers of the rectum (r = 0.79) and breast (r = 0.66), while survival correlated negatively with the proportion of widows for most cancers. Being married or widowed is for elderly people, in particular elderly women, an important factor influencing psychological status, life habits and social relationships. Social conditions could play a major role in determining health outcomes, particularly in the elderly, by affecting access to health care and delay in diagnosis

Lower incidence rates but thicker melanomas in Eastern Europe before 1992: A comparison with Western Europe

The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of melanoma across Europe with regard to Breslow thickness and body-site distribution. Incidence data from Cancer Incidence in 5 Continents and the EUROCARE-melanoma database were used: 28 117 melanoma cases from 20 cancer registries in 12 European countries, diagnosed between 1978 and 1992. Regression analysis and general linear modelling were used to analyse the data. Melanomas in Eastern Europe were on average 1.4 mm thicker (P<0.05) than in Western Europe and appeared more often on the trunk. From 1978 to 1992, their Breslow thickness had decreased in Western but not Eastern Europe. There was a latitude gradient in incidence, with highest rates in southern regions in Eastern Europe and an inverse gradient in Western Europe, with highest rates in the North. Mortality:incidence ratios were less favourable in southern parts across Europe, especially in Eastern Europe. If Eastern European populations copy the sunbathing behaviour of the West it is likely that in the near future a higher melanoma incidence can be expected there

Early Graft Loss after Kidney Transplantation: Endothelial Dysfunction of Renal Microvasculature

Decision process about the acceptance of the deceased donor kidney for transplantation might be challenging. Although histological evaluation of pretransplant donor kidney biopsy provides reliable information regarding cortical necrosis, vascular thrombosis, extensive global glomerulosclerosis, and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, only electron microscopy enables thorough and reliable insights into microvasculature changes of kidney graft. The aim of the present paper is to briefly present two cases of early kidney graft loss. In one case, the donor was exposed to long-term extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); in the other case, the donor experienced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. In both cases, light microscopy of pretransplant biopsy found no pathology or significant discrepancy in morphology of kidney graft, while electron microscopy revealed severe endothelial dysfunction of renal microvasculature. Our results suggest that severe injury of renal microvasculature with relatively preserved tubular epithelium may be associated with some conditions of deceased kidney donors leading to early kidney graft nonfunction and loss. Further studies are needed to determine prognostic significance of severe ultrastructural microvasculature lesions and to evaluate disease states and conditions that could be associated with severe endothelial dysfunction of kidney graft

Molecular characterization of the coat protein gene of prunus necrotic ringspot virus infecting peach in Montenegro

In 2011 and 2012, two major peach-growing areas in Montenegro were surveyed for the occurrence of eleven peach viruses. Samples collected from 105 peach and nectarine trees were tested by Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using sets of primers specific for the detection of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), Cherry mottle leaf virus (CMLV), Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), Prune dwarf virus (PDV), Peach mosaic virus (PMV), Peach rosette mosaic virus (PRMV), Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV) and Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV). The occurrence of Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV) was examined using nested RT-PCR, while a Real-time quantitative RT-PCR method was applied for detection of Plum pox virus (PPV). PPV, PNRSV and PDV were detected in 42.9, 24.8 and 0.9 % of samples. Mixed viral infections were recorded in 6.7 % of samples, while results showed the absence of ACLSV, ApMV, PMV, CMLV, SLRSV, PRMV, TRSV and ToRSV from all assayed samples. In particular, the PCR products of complete coat protein (CP) gene was cloned and sequenced from fourteen PNRSV isolates. A high identity (87.5–100 %) was found between CP nucleotide sequences of Montenegrin isolates and other PNRSV isolates from different hosts and geographic regions retrieved from GenBank. CP nucleotide sequence comparison, as well as phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed the clustering of the isolates into three molecular groups (PV-96, PV-32 and PE-5), whereby Montenegrin isolates were separated into two phylogroups (PV-96 and PE-5). Comparative sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that clustering of various isolates was not associated with geographic and host origin

New and Emerging Viruses of Blueberry and Cranberry

Blueberry and cranberry are fruit crops native to North America and they are well known for containing bioactive compounds that can benefit human health. Cultivation is expanding within North America and other parts of the world raising concern regarding distribution of existing viruses as well as the appearance of new viruses. Many of the known viruses of these crops are latent or asymptomatic in at least some cultivars. Diagnosis and detection procedures are often non-existent or unreliable. Whereas new viruses can move into cultivated fields from the wild, there is also the threat that devastating viruses can move into native stands of Vaccinium spp. or other native plants from cultivated fields. The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of blueberry and cranberry viruses, focusing not only on those that are new but also those that are emerging as serious threats for production in North America and around the world

First observation of γγ\gamma\gamma → ωω\omega\omega

The reaction $\gamma\gamma$→ 2$\pi^+ 2\pi^- −2\pi^0$ has been studied using the ARGUS detector at the e$^+$e$^-$storage ring DORIS II at DESY. Production of ω mesons is observed and, in particular, the reaction $\gamma\gamma$ → $\omega\omega$ is seen for the first time. The cross section for $\gamma\gamma$ → $\omega\omega$ has an enhancement at ∼ 1.9 GeV/c$^2$ of about 10 n$_b$. The cross sections for $\gamma\gamma$ → 2$\pi^+ 2\pi^- 2\pi^0$ and $\gamma\gamma → \omega\pi^+ \pi^- \pi^0$ are also given