Characterization of Coffee ringspot virus-Lavras: A model for an emerging threat to coffee production and quality

AbstractThe emergence of viruses in Coffee (Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora), the most widely traded agricultural commodity in the world, is of critical concern. The RNA1 (6552nt) of Coffee ringspot virus is organized into five open reading frames (ORFs) capable of encoding the viral nucleocapsid (ORF1p), phosphoprotein (ORF2p), putative cell-to-cell movement protein (ORF3p), matrix protein (ORF4p) and glycoprotein (ORF5p). Each ORF is separated by a conserved intergenic junction. RNA2 (5945nt), which completes the bipartite genome, encodes a single protein (ORF6p) with homology to RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Phylogenetic analysis of L protein sequences firmly establishes CoRSV as a member of the recently proposed Dichorhavirus genus. Predictive algorithms, in planta protein expression, and a yeast-based nuclear import assay were used to determine the nucleophillic character of five CoRSV proteins. Finally, the temperature-dependent ability of CoRSV to establish systemic infections in an initially local lesion host was quantified

Programa comunitário e deficiência de G-6-PD no Brasil Community program and G-6-PD deficiency in Brazil

A viabilidade e a eficiência da implantação de um programa comunitário relativo à deficiência de desidrogenase de 6-fosfato de glicose foram investigadas em uma população brasileira (Bragança Paulista, SP). A comunidade foi abordada a partir dos seus doadores de sangue, examinando-se 4.621 indivíduos do sexo masculino e diagnosticando-se 80 portadores da alteração genética. O índice de positividade na amostra foi de 1,7%, a taxa de aceitação à orientação genética oferecida em caráter opcional atingiu 61% e a percentagem de assimilação satisfatória dos deficientes de desidrogenase de 6-fosfato de glicose quanto às informações fornecidas foi de 81%. A análise molecular demonstrou a presença quase que exclusiva na comunidade da variante A- ou Africana de desidrogenase de 6-fosfato de glicose, relativamente benigna do ponto de vista clínico. Com um baixo custo anual, foi possível diagnosticar e orientar de forma ética um número significativo de famílias com a deficiência de desidrogenase de 6-fosfato de glicose, além de iniciar a educação da comunidade a respeito do problema.<br>This study tested the viability and efficiency of a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency program in which a Brazilian community <FONT FACE=Symbol>&frac34;</FONT> the town of Bragança Paulista, SP (Brazil) was involved. The screening was done among blood donors and the diagnosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency was confirmed through enzymatic quantification and through electrophoresis of the enzyme. A total of 4,621 individuals were tested over a period of 36 months. A total of 80 individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency were detected <FONT FACE=Symbol>&frac34;</FONT> 1,7% of the samples examined. The acceptance rate to the optional genetic orientation got to 61% and the percentage of good assimilation concerning the offered information was 81%. The molecular analysis demonstrated the presence, almost exclusive, in the community of the A- or African variant, a benign mutation. With a verity low annual cost, it was possible not only to make diagnosis and to advise a significant number of families with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, but also to start the education of the community towards this problem