Molecular identification of potyviruses in dutch stocks of Narcissus

Mixed infections of potyviruses and other viruses occur very frequently in Narcissus. Isolation and characterization of individual potyviruses from Narcissus has partially failed sofar, because other host plants have not been found. In the Netherlands, three different potyviruses from Narcissus were distinguished on the basis of symptomology, viz. narcissus yellow stripe virus, narcissus silver streak virus and narcissus late season yellows virus. We have applied general PCR on various Narcissus samples to identify these viruses at the molecular level and to establish their relationships by sequence analysis of parts of their coat protein cistrons. We conclude that at least three different potyviruses occur in Dutch stocks of Narcissus and that narcissus silver streak virus is identical to narcissus late season yellows virus. Of the other two potyviruses, one occurred in N. tazetta and is probably identical to the narcissus degeneration virus described in England. A third potyvirus was detected together with NLSYV in a sample with symptoms of 'yellow stripe'.</p

BSGIE survey on COVID-19 and gastrointestinal endoscopy in Belgium :results and recommendations

Background and aims: With the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic declining, activities in the gastrointestinal clinic are being recommenced after a period of stringent measures. Since a second COVID-19 wave is not entirely ruled out health care professionals might remain faced with the need to perform endoscopic procedures in patients with a confirmed positive or unknown COVID-19 status. With this report we aim to provide a practical relevant overview of preparation and protective measures for gastroenterologists based on the currently available guidelines and our local experience and results of a national Belgian survey, to guarantee a fast recall of an adequate infection prevention if COVID-19 reoccurs. Methods: From the 23rd of March 2020 and the 13th of May 2020 we performed a Pubmed, Embase and Medline search, resulting in 37 papers on COVID-19 and endoscopy. Additionally, we combined these data with data acquired from the national BSGIE survey amongst Belgian gastroenterologists. Results: Based on 72 completed surveys in both university and non-university hospitals, the results show (1) a dramatic (<20%) or substantial (<50%) decrease of normal daily endoscopy in 74% and 22% of the units respectively, (2) a difference in screening and protective measures between university and non-university hospitals. These findings were subsequently compared with the current guidelines. Conclusion: Based on new data from the BSGIE survey and current guidelines we tried to realistically represent the current COVID-19 trends in protective measures, screening and indications for endoscopy and to provide a practical overview as preparation for a possible second wave.SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

A review of near infrared spectroscopy for term and preterm newborns

This article reviews the application of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in preterm and newborn infants and its clinical value. After an overview of the commercially available instrumentation, which is able to provide absolute values of tissue haemoglobin saturation (StO(2)), we focus on the application of NIR spectroscopy to measure brain, liver, gastro-intestinal and peripheral oxygenation. From the instrumentation point of view, NIR spectroscopy has gained significantly in clinical importance, especially by being able to measure 5tO(2), i.e. an absolute parameter. An increasing number of commercial instruments is available today and the number of users is virtually exploding. However, the precision of the measurements is still too low from a clinical point of view and the variety of algorithms employed by the different instruments and sensors may provide quite different StO(2) values. In the future, the different instruments need to report quantitatively comparable StO(2) measurements which are more precise. The measurement of cerebral StO(2) may be useful for detecting situations where the oxygenation of the brain may be impaired and the hope is that this indicates situations which lead to brain lesions. However, the clinical utility of cerebral StO(2) still needs to be examined. Although liver and gastro-intestinal as well as peripheral measurements are still an object of research and several problems have to be overcome before clinical use, these measurements could be of high value in specific clinical situations

MisoREST: Surgical versus expectant management in women with an incomplete evacuation of the uterus after misoprostol treatment for miscarriage: A cohort study

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of curettage versus expectant management in women with an incomplete evacuation of the uterus after misoprostol treatment for first trimester miscarriage. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a multicenter cohort study alongside a randomized clinical trial (RCT) between June 2012 until July 2014. 27 Dutch hospitals participated. Women with an incomplete evacuation after misoprostol treatment for first trimester miscarriage who declined to participate in the RCT, received treatment of their preference; curettage (n=65) or expectant management (n=132). A successful outcome was defined as an empty uterus on sonography at six weeks or uneventful clinical follow-up. We furthermore assessed complication rate and (re)intervention rate RESULTS: Of the 197 women who declined to participate in the RCT, 65 preferred curettage and 132 expectant management. A successful outcome was observed in 62/65 women (95%) in the surgical group versus 112/132 women (85%) in the expectant group (RR 1.1, 95% CI 1.03-1.2), with complication rates of 6.2% versus 2.3%, respectively (RR 2.7, 95% CI 0.6-12). CONCLUSION: In women with an incomplete evacuation of the uterus after misoprostol treatment, expectant management is an effective and safe option. This finding could restrain the use of curettage in women that have used misoprostol in the treatment of first trimester miscarriage

Towards understanding CRUMBS function in retinal dystrophies.

Contains fulltext : 49816.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Mutations in the Crumbs homologue 1 (CRB1) gene cause autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) and autosomal Leber congenital amaurosis (arLCA). The crumbs (crb) gene was originally identified in Drosophila and encodes a large transmembrane protein required for maintenance of apico-basal cell polarity and adherens junction in embryonic epithelia. Human CRB1 and its two paralogues, CRB2 and CRB3, are highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom. Both in Drosophila and in vertebrates, the short intracellular domain of Crb/CRB organizes an evolutionary conserved protein scaffold. Several lines of evidence, obtained both in Drosophila and in mouse, show that loss-of-function of crb/CRB1 or some of its intracellular interactors lead to morphological defects and light-induced degeneration of photoreceptor cells, features comparable to those observed in patients lacking CRB1 function. In this review, we describe how understanding Crb complex function in fly and vertebrate retina enhances our knowledge of basic cell biological processes and might lead to new therapeutic approaches for patients affected with retinal dystrophies caused by mutations in the CRB1 gene