A survey of cherry leaf roll virus in intensively managed grafted english (Persian) walnut trees in Italy

Blackline disease, caused by Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), is considered a serious threat limiting English walnut (Juglans regia) production in Italy and the EU if walnut species other than J. regia e.g. \u2018Paradox\u2019 hybrid (J. regia 7 J. hindsii), French hybrid (J. regia 7 J. major or J. regia 7 J. nigra) or northern California black walnut (J. hindsii) are used as the rootstock. The virus transmissibility by pollen as well as latent infections can result in the spread of CLRVcontaminated propagative material, which is a major means of the virus dispersal by human activities. In 2014 and 2015 to ascertain the presence and the distribution of blackline symptoms in commercial orchards and to provide a description of the symptomatology, visual inspections and double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) analyses were carried out on 1,684 walnut trees in four different intensively managed grafted English walnut orchards in northeast Italy (Veneto Region). Trees with clear blackline symptoms at the scion-rootstock junction, often associated with general decline of the plant, were found only in one commercial orchard in northeast Italy on trees older than ten years of cvs. \u2018Tulare\u2019 and \u2018Chandler\u2019, grafted onto \u2018Paradox\u2019 rootstock. To our knowledge this is the first report of CLRV (blackline) decline and death in a commercial walnut orchard in Italy

Assessment of poststress left ventricular ejection fraction by gated SPECT: comparison with equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography

PURPOSE: We compared left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction obtained by gated SPECT with that obtained by equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography in a large cohort of patients. METHODS: Within 1 week, 514 subjects with suspected or known coronary artery disease underwent same-day stress-rest (99m)Tc-sestamibi gated SPECT and radionuclide angiocardiography. For both studies, data were acquired 30 min after completion of exercise and after 3 h rest. RESULTS: In the overall study population, a good correlation between ejection fraction measured by gated SPECT and by radionuclide angiocardiography was observed at rest (r=0.82, p<0.0001) and after stress (r=0.83, p<0.0001). In Bland-Altman analysis, the mean differences in ejection fraction (radionuclide angiocardiography minus gated SPECT) were -0.6% at rest and 1.7% after stress. In subjects with normal perfusion (n=362), a good correlation between ejection fraction measured by gated SPECT and by radionuclide angiocardiography was observed at rest (r=0.72, p<0.0001) and after stress (r=0.70, p<0.0001) and the mean differences in ejection fraction were -0.9% at rest and 1.4% after stress. Also in patients with abnormal perfusion (n=152), a good correlation between the two techniques was observed both at rest (r=0.89, p<0.0001) and after stress (r=0.90, p<0.0001) and the mean differences in ejection fraction were 0.1% at rest and 2.5% after stress. CONCLUSION: In a large study population, a good agreement was observed in the evaluation of LV ejection fraction between gated SPECT and radionuclide angiocardiography. However, in patients with perfusion abnormalities, a slight underestimation in poststress LV ejection fraction was observed using gated SPECT as compared to equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography

A Newtonian approach to the cosmological dark fluids

We review the hydrodynamics of the dark sector components in Cosmology. For this purpose we use the approach of Newtonian gravitational instability, and thereafter we add corrections to arrive to a full relativistic description. In Cosmology and Astrophysics, it is usual to decompose the dark sector into two species, dark matter and dark energy. We will use instead a unified approach by describing a single unified dark fluid with very simple assumptions, namely the dark fluid is barotropic and its sound speed vanishes.Comment: 13 pages, To be published in 'Selected Topics of Computational and Experimental Fluid Mechanics' Springer Book Series: Environmental Science and Engineering: Environmental Scienc

Unusual cytotoxic sulfated cadinene-type sesquiterpene glycosides from cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum).

Two new sulfated cadinene-type sesquiterpene glycosides, 13-hydroxy-7-O-(60-O-sulfate-b-D-glucopyranosyl)-desoxyhemigossypol (1) and 13,15-dihydroxy-7-O-(60-O-sulfate-b-D-glucopyranosyl)-desoxyhemigossypol (2), have been isolated from whole cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum). Their structures, which possess an unusual 6-O-sulfate-glucopyranosyl moiety, were determined through the interpretation of 2D NMR spectral data and H/D exchange ESI-MS experiments. Compounds 1 and 2 were screened for their toxicity on Jurkat cells. Both compounds inhibited cellular proliferation with IC50 values of 8.1 and 4.2 mg, respectively

Immune effects of four Fusarium-Toxins ( FB1, ZEA, NIV, DON) on the proliferation of Jurkat cells and porcine lymphocytes: in vitro study.

Fusarium toxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi belonging to Fusarium spp., commonly found as contaminants in products of vegetable origin, particularly in cereal grains, in regions with temperate climate in Europe, America and Asia. Numerous toxic effects are attributed to mycotoxins both in humans and animals, such as mutagenic, cencerogenic and teratogenic properties. Moreover, some of them can alter normal immune responses when they are present in food at levels lower than those necessary to cause the symptoms of mycotoxicosis. In the present work, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of four Fusarium toxins (FB1, ZEA, NIV, DON) using two different experimental models: Jurkat cells and porcine lymphocytes. In addition to the activity of single mycotoxins, we evaluated possible interactions between Fusarium toxins to reproduce experimental conditions in vitro as near as possible to field conditions. Our results revealed the immunomodulatory properties of the mycotoxin objects of the current study. They also underline the interest in studying possible interactions among different mycotoxins, particularly among those mainly present in food such as Fusarium mycotoxins, not only regarding their toxicodinamic aspect but also to define tolerable maximum levels of Fusarium toxins in food

Is Sofosbuvir Safer and More Effective Than Peginterferon for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Treatment-Naïve Patients?

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Sofosbuvir plus Ribavirin is safer and more effective than Peginterferon plus Ribavirin for treatment of chronic Hepatitis C Virus infection in treatment-naïve patients. Study Design: Systematic review of three English language primary studies, published in 2013. Data Sources: Three randomized control trials, two of which are open-label, activecontrolled and one that is double-blind, placebo-controlled, comparing Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin versus other chronic HCV modalities found via PubMed in peer-reviewed journals. Outcomes Measured: Safety was measured by self-reported adverse events, routine laboratory tests, physical exams, vital signs, and electrocardiography and graded using the Division of AIDS Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events. Efficacy was determined by sustained virological response at 12 or 24 weeks post-treatment (SVR12 and SVR24, respectively), which is classified as a HCV RNA concentration below the limit of detection of 15 IU/mL or 25 IU/mL Results: Gane, et al compared the treatment effects of 400mg Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin (RBV) with that of Sofosbuvir plus RBV and Peginterferon (PEG) for 12 weeks in patients with chronic HCV. Analysis resulted in an equal incidence of SVR24, but with less adverse events in the experimental group. In Lawitz, Lalezari, et al, patients received 12 weeks with either 400mg Sofosbuvir, RBV, and PEG or placebo, PEG, and RBV. SVR24 was higher in the Sofosbuvir group, however more adverse events of fatigue were reported compared to the placebo group. Lawitz, Mangia, et al examined the difference in treatment with 12 weeks of 400mg Sofosbuvir and RBV versus 24 weeks of PEG and RBV. Statistical analysis showed an equal rate of SVR12 between the two groups, yet treatment with Sofosbuvir was safer. Conclusions: It can be deduced from these three RCTs that Sofosbuvir plus RBV is safer, yet, statistically, nearly equal in efficacy to treatment with PEG and RBV. Given that PEG is a weekly injection with many unfavorable side effects, it would be more beneficial to receive treatment with Sofosbuvir and RBV for treatment of chronic HCV infection

Alpha and lambda interferon together mediate suppression of CD4 T cells induced by respiratory syncytial virus

The mechanism by which respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) suppresses T-cell proliferation to itself and other antigens is poorly understood. We used monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) and CD4 T cells and measured [(3)H]thymidine incorporation to determine the factors responsible for RSV-induced T-cell suppression. These two cell types were sufficient for RSV-induced suppression of T-cell proliferation in response to cytomegalovirus or Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. Suppressive activity was transferable with supernatants from RSV-infected MDDC and was not due to transfer of live virus or RSV F (fusion) protein. Supernatants from RSV-infected MDDC, but not MDDC exposed to UV-killed RSV or mock conditions, contained alpha interferon (IFN-alpha; median, 43 pg/ml) and IFN-lambda (approximately 1 to 20 ng/ml). Neutralization of IFN-alpha with monoclonal antibody (MAb) against one of its receptor chains, IFNAR2, or of IFN-lambda with MAb against either of its receptor chains, IFN-lambdaR1 (interleukin 28R [IL-28R]) or IL-10R2, had a modest effect. In contrast, blocking the two receptors together markedly reduced or completely blocked the RSV-induced suppression of CD4 T-cell proliferation. Defining the mechanism of RSV-induced suppression may guide vaccine design and provide insight into previously uncharacterized human T-cell responses and activities of interferons

Scale-Free model for governing universe dynamics

We investigate the effects of scale-free model on cosmology, providing, in this way, a statistical background in the framework of general relativity. In order to discuss properties and time evolution of some relevant universe dynamical parameters (cosmographic parameters), such as $H(t)$ (Hubble parameter), $q(t)$ (deceleration parameter), $j(t)$ (jerk parameter) and $s(t)$ (snap parameter), which are well re-defined in the framework of scale-free model, we analyze a comparison between WMAP data. Hence the basic purpose of the work is to consider this statistical interpretation of mass distribution of universe, in order to have a mass density $\rho$ dynamics, not inferred from Friedmann equations, via scale factor $a(t)$. This model, indeed, has been used also to explain a possible origin and a viable explanation of cosmological constant, which assumes a statistical interpretation without the presence of extended theories of gravity; hence the problem of dark energy could be revisited in the context of a classical probability distribution of mass, which is, in particular, for the scale-free model, $P(k)\sim k^{-\gamma}$, with $2<\gamma<3$. The $\Lambda$CDM model becomes, with these considerations, a consequence of the particular statistics together with the use of general relativity.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Neuroinflammation, Mast Cells, and Glia: Dangerous Liaisons

The perspective of neuroinflammation as an epiphenomenon following neuron damage is being replaced by the awareness of glia and their importance in neural functions and disorders. Systemic inflammation generates signals that communicate with the brain and leads to changes in metabolism and behavior, with microglia assuming a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Identification of potential peripheral-to-central cellular links is thus a critical step in designing effective therapeutics. Mast cells may fulfill such a role. These resident immune cells are found close to and within peripheral nerves and in brain parenchyma/meninges, where they exercise a key role in orchestrating the inflammatory process from initiation through chronic activation. Mast cells and glia engage in crosstalk that contributes to accelerate disease progression; such interactions become exaggerated with aging and increased cell sensitivity to stress. Emerging evidence for oligodendrocytes, independent of myelin and support of axonal integrity, points to their having strong immune functions, innate immune receptor expression, and production/response to chemokines and cytokines that modulate immune responses in the central nervous system while engaging in crosstalk with microglia and astrocytes. In this review, we summarize the findings related to our understanding of the biology and cellular signaling mechanisms of neuroinflammation, with emphasis on mast cell-glia interactions