Relationship between CO2_2 assimilation and leaf anatomical characteristics of two grapevine cultivars

The possible implication of leaf anatomical characteristics on the photosynthetic rate was studied in two grapevine cultivars, Ribier (Vitis vinifera L.) and Isabella (Vitis labrusca), grown under field conditions. Ribier exhibited higher photosynthetic rates than Isabella, although there were no significant differences in the Rubisco activity and the stomatal conductance. The fraction of mesophyll volume represented by the intercellular spaces as well as the surface area of mesophyll cells exposed to intercellular air spaces were significantly lower in Isabella. Both gaseous CO$_2$ conductance through intercellular airspaces and liquid phase conductance were significantly higher in Ribier than in Isabella, contributing to a higher photosynthetic rate in this cultivar.Relation entre l'assimilation de CO$_2$ et les caractéristiques anatomiques des feuilles de deux espèces de vigne. L'influence possible des caractéristiques anatomiques des feuilles sur le taux de photosynthèse a été étudiée pour deux espèces de vigne : Vitis Labrusca (Isabella) and Vitis vinifera L. (Ribier), cultivées en culture au champ. Ribier a présenté un taux photosynthétique plus élevé que Isabella, bien qu'il n'y ait pas de différences significatives de l'activité de la Rubisco et de la conductance stomatique. La fraction du volume de mésophylle représentée par l'espace intercellulaire, ainsi que la surface des cellules du mésophylle exposée à l'air dans l'espace intercellulaire, étaient significativement plus faibles chez Isabella. Les conductances gazeuses pour le CO$_2$ à travers l'espace intercellulaire et en phase liquide étaient significativement plus fortes pour Ribier que pour Isabella, contribuant à des taux photosynthétiques plus importants pour cette espèce

Tuberculosis 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 comparative patient control during the years 2001-2004, compared to the years 1991-2000, at the MBTB reference center, of the "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle's University, Pneumonological Clinic

The objective of this study is the Tb diagnosis and the study of incoming Tb suspect patients, during the years 2001-2004 in comparison to the years 1991-2000 at the MBTb (Mycobacteria Tuberculosis) reference center of the Aristotle University Pneumonological Clinic.Material and Methods: During the years 2001-2004 we examined 31980 Tb suspect patients, 105350 biological specimens and we performed 200569 laboratory tests (82450 of sputum, 22900 of other biological specimens). 36522 were examined by Lowenstein-Jensen, 17588 by Gen -Probe, 57105 by Ziehl-Neelsen and 17287 by the MGIT method.Results: We isolated 711 new strains of MBTb out of an equal number of patients (599 of Greeks and 112 of immigrants) which later on, were inoculated in dilutions of anti-tubercular drugs for the susceptibility test. We used the following drug dilutions: STR 4 and 10 μg/ml, INH 0.2 and 1 μg/ml, RF 20 and 40 μg/ml, EMB 2 and 3 μg/ml, PAS 0.5 and 1 μg/ml, PZ 200 μg/ml (Canetti method).Conclusion: The results show a reduction of Tb in 2001-2004 in comparison to 1991-2000 and a  reduction of the virulence of the biological specimens

Direct diagnosis of MbTb complex in AIDS patients by the genetic technique TMA of the AMTD gen-probe system

The purpose of the study was the evaluation of the Gen-Probe Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct test (AMTD) for the diagnosis of possible Tb infection to AIDS patients. During the years 2002-2005 we examined 57 biological specimens from 19 different adult patients suffering from active HIV infection, 3 of which mentioned a Tb infection in the past. From each patient studied, the following biological specimens were derived: a) sputum, b) bronchial aspirates and c) whole blood. All the specimens were examined by the following laboratory examinations: Gen-Probe, Ziehl-Neelsen (Z-N) staining and Lowenstein-Jensen culture (L-J).14 biological specimens, from 7 patients, were Gen-Probe positive (>45000 RLU).Conclusion: Gen-Probe is recommended to be applied to every patient with active HIV infection because it is a) the most sensitive (sensitivity 98%) and specific method in comparison to the conventional ones: Z-N (sensitivity 55%) and L-J (sensitivity 75%), b) the results are ready in only 3.5 hours. Thus, Gen-Probe leads to the quick and timely Tb diagnosis contributing i) to the prompt start of anti-Tb drug therapy and ii) to the reduction of the hospital nursing costs

Patients' control, during the year 2005, at the MbTb Reference Center of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Pneumonological Clinic in the general hospital "G. Papanikolaou"

The purpose of this study was the diagnosis of tuberculosis (Tb) during the year 2005, the drug susceptibility testing of Tb patients and the follow up of Tb patients.We examined 3903 Tb suspect patients. We performed 32960 laboratory tests of 16256 biological specimens (11305 of sputum and 4951 of other biological specimens). In particular 9594 were examined by Lowenstein - Jensen (L-J), 3454 were examined by the genetic technique Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct test Gen - Probe, 11115 were examined by Ziehl - Neelsen (Z-N), 5759 were examined by the MGIT method and 3038 anti-tubercular drug susceptibility tests were conducted. The biological specimens’ examination resulted to the isolation of 425 Tb strains by L-J, to which anti-tubercular drug susceptibility tests were conducted using L-J (Canetti method) and the MGIT method. 594 Tb strains were isolated by the MGIT method. 699 biological specimens of an equal number of patients were Gen-Probe positive. We studied the behavior of 114 MbTb strains to the anti - Tb drugs before and during treatment. Of these 87 (76.3%) patients showed primary resistance to one and more drugs, 45 (39.5%) to two and more drugs and 24 (21.0%) to three and more drugs. 21 patients (18.4%) showed secondary resistanc