The ancient evolutionary history of polyomaviruses

Author Summary: Polyomaviruses are a family of DNA-based viruses that are known to infect various terrestrial vertebrates, including humans. In this report, we describe our discovery of highly divergent polyomaviruses associated with various marine fish. Searches of public deep sequencing databases unexpectedly revealed the existence of polyomavirus-like sequences in scorpion and spider datasets. Our analysis of these new sequences suggests that polyomaviruses have slowly co-evolved with individual host animal lineages through an established mechanism known as intrahost divergence. The proposed model is similar to the mechanisms through with other DNA viruses, such as papillomaviruses, are thought to have evolved. Our analysis also suggests that distantly related polyomaviruses sometimes recombine to produce new chimeric lineages. We propose a possible taxonomic scheme that can account for these inferred ancient recombination events

Genetic diversity of human sapovirus across the Americas

Background: Sapoviruses are responsible for sporadic and epidemic acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Sapovirus typing protocols have a success rate as low as 43% and relatively few complete sapovirus genome sequences are available to improve current typing protocols. Objective/study design: To increase the number of complete sapovirus genomes to better understand the molecular epidemiology of human sapovirus and to improve the success rate of current sapovirus typing methods, we used deep metagenomics shotgun sequencing to obtain the complete genomes of 68 sapovirus samples from four different countries across the Americas (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru and the US). Results: VP1 genotyping showed that all sapovirus sequences could be grouped in the four established genogroups (GI (n = 13), GII (n = 30), GIV (n = 23), GV (n = 2)) that infect humans. They include the near-complete genome of a GI.6 virus and a recently reported novel GII.8 virus. Sequences of the complete RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene could be grouped into three major genetic clusters or polymerase (P) types (GI.P, GII.P and GV.P) with all GIV viruses harboring a GII polymerase. One (GII.P-GII.4) of the new 68 sequences was a recombinant virus with the hotspot between the NS7 and VP1 regions. Conclusions: Analyses of this expanded database of near-complete sapovirus sequences showed several mismatches in the genotyping primers, suggesting opportunities to revisit and update current sapovirus typing methods

The Effect Of The Duration Of Infusion, Temperature, And Water Volume On The Rutin Content In The Preparation Of Mate Tea Beverages: An Optimization Study

The consumption of tea beverages has increased 30% over the last decade, mainly due to the presence of bioactive compounds. Mate tea, produced by infusing the leaves and stems of Ilex paraguariensis, is the most widely consumed beverage in Brazil. The present study employed a central composite experimental design to optimize the transfer of rutin from the leaves and stems to the beverage during the infusion process. The optimum condition was applied to three batches of mate tea beverages from five commercial samples. Analysis of the rutin content was performed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a photo diodo array detector. The maximum rutin content in the beverage was obtained when the infusion was performed using 2. g of mate tea added to 100. mL of water at 72. °C and infused for 9. min. The commercial tea beverages prepared under these conditions contained from 0.16 to 1.1. mg of rutin in the ready-to-drink product. © 2013.60241245Ajay, M., Anwar-Ul, H.G., Mustafa, M.R., Effects of flavonoids on vascular smooth muscle of the isolated rat thoracic aorta (2003) Life Sciences, 74, pp. 603-612Amira, S., Rotondo, A., Mulè, F., Relaxant effects of flavonoids on the mouse isolated stomach: Structure-activity relationships (2008) European Journal of Pharmacology, 599, pp. 126-130Resolução 899, de 29 de Maio de 2003, , http://www.anvisa.gov.br/legis/resol/2003/re/899_03re.htm, ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária), (Accessed 16.06.12)Astill, C., Birch, M.R., Dacombe, C., Humphrey, P.G., Martin, P.T., Factors affecting the caffeine and polyphenol contents of black and green tea infusions (2001) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 49, pp. 5340-5347Atoui, A.K., Mansouri, A., Boskou, G., Kefalas, P., Tea and herbal infusions: Their antioxidant activity and phenolic profile (2005) Food Chemistry, 89, pp. 27-36Ballus, C.A., Meinhart, A.D., Bruns, R.E., Godoy, H.T., Use of multivariate statistical techniques to optimize the simultaneous separation of 13 phenolic compounds from extra-virgin olive oil by capillary electrophoresis (2011) Talanta, 83, pp. 1181-1187Ballus, C.A., Meinhart, A.D., Oliveira, R.G., Godoy, H.T., Optimization of capillary zone electrophoresis separation and on-line preconcentration of 16 phenolic compounds from wines produced in South America (2012) Food Research International, 45, pp. 136-144Bastos, D.H.M., Fornari, A.C., Queiroz, Y.S., Torres, E.A.F.S., Bioactive compounds content of chimarrão infusions related to the moisture of Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis) leaves (2006) Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 49, pp. 399-404Bhattacharya, U., Mukhopadhyay, S., Giri, A.K., Comparative antimutagenic and anticancer activity of three fractions of black tea polyphenols thearubigins (2011) Nutrition and Cancer, 63, pp. 1122-1132Bruns, R.E., Guadagnini, P.H., Scarminio, I.S., Barros Neto, B., Multivariate statistical investigation of the effects of wave function modifications on the calculated vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities of CH2F2 (1997) Journal of Molecular Structure: Thoechem, 394, pp. 197-208Cacace, J.E., Mazza, G., Mass transfer process during extraction of phenolic compounds from milled berries (2003) Journal of Food Engineering, 59, pp. 379-389Deng, S., West, B.J., Jensen, J.C., A quantitative comparison of phytochemical components in global noni fruits and their commercial products (2010) Food Chemistry, 122, pp. 267-270Erlund, I., Review of the flavonoids quercetin, hesperetin, and naringenin. Dietary sources, bioactivities, bioavailability, and epidemiology (2004) Nutrition Research, 24, pp. 851-874Filip, R., Lopéz, P., Giberti, G., Coussio, J., Ferraro, G., Phenolic compounds in seven South American Ilex species (2001) Fitoterapia, 72, pp. 774-778Heck, C.I., Mejia, E.G., Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): A comprehensive review on chemistry, health implications, and technological considerations (2007) Journal of Food Science, 72, pp. 138-151Pesquisa de orçamentos familiares 2008-2009, , http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/default.php, IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística), (Accessed 16.06.12)Ihme, N., Kiesewetter, H., Jung, F., Hoffmann, K.H., Birk, A., Müller, A., Leg edema protection from a buckwheat herb tea in patients with chronic venous insufficiency: A single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (1996) European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 50, pp. 443-447Jeong, J.J., Ha, Y.M., Jin, Y.C., Lee, E.J., Kim, J.S., Kim, H.J., Rutin from Lonicera japonica inhibits myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis in vivo and protects H9c2 cells against hydrogen peroxide-mediated injury via ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signals in vitro (2009) Food Chemistry and Toxicology, 47, pp. 1569-1576Kazłowska, K., Hsu, T., Hou, C., Yang, W., Tsai, G., Anti-inflammatory properties of phenolic compounds and crude extract from Porphyra dentate (2010) Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 128, pp. 123-130Komes, D., Horzic, D., Belscak, A., Kovacevic, K., Vulic, I., Green tea preparation and its influence on the content of bioactive compounds (2010) Food Research International, 43, pp. 167-176Lin, Y.S., Tsai, Y.J., Tsay, J.S., Lin, J.K., Factors affecting the levels of tea polyphenols and caffeine in tea leaves (2003) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51, pp. 1864-1873Mackay, D.L., Blumberg, J.B., The role of tea in human health: An update (2002) Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 21, pp. 1-13. , 2002Martins, F., Martins, F., Suzan, A.J., Cerutti, S.M., Arçari, D.P., Ribeiro, M.L., Consumption of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) decreases the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in mouse liver (2009) British Journal of Nutrition, 101, pp. 527-532Matsubara, S., Rodriguez-Amaya, D.B., Conteúdo de miricetina, quercetina e kaempferol em chás comercializados no Brasil (2006) Ciência e Tecnologia de. Alimentos, Campinas, 26, pp. 380-385Mazzafera, P., Mate drinking: Caffeine and phenolic acid intake (1997) Food Chemistry, 60, pp. 67-71Mezadri, T., Villaño, D., Fernandez-Páchon, M.S., García-Parrilla, M.C., Troncoso, A.M., Antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activity in acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) fruits and derivatives (2008) Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 21, pp. 282-290Moon, P., Kim, H., Suppression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin production by rutin in mast cells (2012) Food Chemistry, 133, pp. 76-81Nishiyama, M.F., Costa, M.A.F., Costa, A.M., Souza, C.G.M., Bôer, C.G., Bracht, C.K., Chá verde brasileiro (Camellia sinensis var assamica): efeitos do tempo de infusão, acondicionamento da erva e forma de preparo sobre a eficiência de extração dos bioativos e sobre a estabilidade da bebida (2010) Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, 30, pp. 191-196Pagliosa, C.M., Vieira, M.A., Podestá, R., Maraschin, M., Zeni, A.L.B., Amante, E.R., Methylxanthines, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity of bark from residues from mate tree harvesting (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil.) (2010) Food Chemistry, 122, pp. 173-178Pedriali, C.A., (2005) Síntese química de derivados hidrossolúveis da rutina: determinação de suas propriedades físico-químicas e avaliação de suas atividades antioxidantes, , (Thesis, Master), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biochemical-Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São PauloPerva-Uzunalic, A., Kerget, M.S., Knez, Z., Weinreich, B., Otto, F., Gruner, S., Extraction of active ingredients from green tea (Camellia sinensis): Extraction efficiency of major catechins and caffeine (2006) Food Chemistry, 96, pp. 597-605Petruzzellis, V., Troccoli, T., Guandiani, C., Guarisco, R., Lospalluti, M., Belcaro, G., Oxerutins (Venoruton): Efficacy in chronic venous insufficiency - A double blind, randomized, controlled study (2002) Angiology, 53, pp. 257-263Ribani, R.M., (2006) Compostos fenólicos em erva-mate e frutas, , (Thesis, Ph.D.), Faculty of Food Engineering, Department of Food Science, University of CampinasRusak, G., Komes, D., Likíc, S., Horzic, D., Kovac, M., Phenolic content and antioxidative capacity of green and white tea extracts depending on extraction conditions and the solvent used (2008) Food Chemistry, 110, pp. 852-858Shenbagam, M., Nalini, N., Dose response effect of rutin a dietary antioxidant on alcohol-induced prooxidant and antioxidant imbalance -A histopathologic study (2011) Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 25, pp. 493-502Souza, M.F.F., (2009) Chá mate (Ilex paraguariensis): Compostos bioativos e relação com atividade biológica, , (Thesis, Master), Faculty of Public Health, University of São PauloTurkumen Erol, N., Sari, F., Çalikolu, E., Velýolu, Y.S., Green and roasted mate: Phenolic profile and antioxidant activity (2009) Turkey Journal of Agricultural and Forestry, 33, pp. 353-362Unkauf, M., Rehn, D., Klinger, J., De La Motte, S., Grossmann, K., Investigation of the efficacy of oxerutins compared to placebo in patients with chronic venous insufficiency treated with compression stockings (1996) Arrneimittelforschung, 46, pp. 478-482Yang, J., Guo, J., Yuan, J., In vitro antioxidant properties of rutin (2008) Food Science and Technology, 41, pp. 1060-1066Zhou, Q., Sun, S., Du, D., Liang, X., Yang, X., Real time monitor of rutin stability during heating by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (2000) Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi, 20, pp. 195-198Zhou, X.M., Yao, H., Cao, C.M., Jiang, H.D., Xia, Q., Comparison of vasodilatation effect between quercetin and rutin in the isolated rat thoracic aorta (2006) Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban, 35, pp. 29-3

Le syndrome d’Ogilvie chezl’enfant : à propos d’un cas vraisemblable à l’HGOPY

Les auteurs rapportent un cas de pseudo-obstruction colique aigue chez un enfant porteur du trait drépanocytaire. Le diagnostic positif avait reposé sur une symptomatologie douloureuse abdominale récurrente, et des images radiologiques en faveur d'une occlusion intestinale aigue, maissans obstacle organique intrinsèque ou extrinsèque. Le traitement conservateur a permis un contrôle des symptômes et une reprise précoce du transit. Les auteurs suggèrent d'inclure le syndrome d'Ogilvie parmi les étiologies de douleurs abdominales chroniques chez les patients pédiatriques ayant un terrain particulier notamment la drépanocytose. Mots clés : pseudo-obstruction colique, enfant, Yaoundé.The authors report rare case of large bowel pseudo obstruction in a child with a sickle cell trait. The presumptive diagnosis was based on the history of recurrent abdominal pain associated with clinical and radiological signs of mechanical bowel obstruction without any organic detectable obstacle. Conservative management was successful regarding alleviation of symptoms and early resumption of bowel movements. The authors suggest that Ogilvie syndrome should be included among the causes of chronic abdominal pain in pediatric patients with a sickle cell trait. Keywords: bowel pseudo obstruction, child, Yaoundé

Silicic acid biogeochemistry in the Gulf of California: Insights from sedimentary Si isotopes

Iron is considered to play a large role in the cycling of Si in Fe limited regions of the ocean but little is known about its role in Si biogeochemistry outside these areas. Here, we present published sediment trap data, new nutrient profiles and high resolution sedimentary records (Si isotopes, Biogenic silica%, N% and C%) from the Gulf of California, a non-Fe limited region, to investigate the history of Si cycling in this highly productive basin. Modern nutrient profiles show that silicic acid in subsurface waters is in excess relative to nitrate and therefore incompletely utilised during moderate winter upwelling events. Modern data however suggest that during intense upwelling episodes, silicic acid is preferentially utilised relative to nitrate by the biota, which we suggest reflects transient iron limitation. Our new δ30Si record from the Guaymas Basin shows dramatic variations at millennial time-scales. Low δ30Si values synchronous with Heinrich events are interpreted as resulting from the decline in Si(OH)4 utilisation at times of decreased upwelling strength, while nearly complete Si(OH)4 utilisation was observed at times of invigorated upwelling and increased opal burial during the Holocene, the Bølling-Allerød and the last glacial period. We attribute the complete utilisation of Si(OH)4 to the occurrence of transient Fe limitation at these times. Our study highlights the importance of Fe limitation on Si and C cycling in coastal upwelling regions and suggests that upwelling dynamics, in combination with Fe availability, have the potential to modulate marine Si distribution and opal burial even at short time-scales

Preservation of viral genomes in 700-y-old caribou feces from a subarctic ice patch

Viruses preserved in ancient materials provide snapshots of past viral diversity and a means to trace viral evolution through time. Here, we use a metagenomics approach to identify filterable and nuclease-resistant nucleic acids preserved in 700-y-old caribou feces frozen in a permanent ice patch. We were able to recover and characterize two viruses in replicated experiments performed in two different laboratories: a small circular DNA viral genome (ancient caribou feces associated virus, or aCFV) and a partial RNA viral genome (Ancient Northwest Territories cripavirus, or aNCV). Phylogenetic analysis identifies aCFV as distantly related to the plant-infecting geminiviruses and the fungi-infecting Sclerotinia sclerotiorum hypovirulence-associated DNA virus 1 and aNCV as within the insect-infecting Cripavirus genus. We hypothesize that these viruses originate from plant material ingested by caribou or from flying insects and that their preservation can be attributed to protection within viral capsids maintained at cold temperatures. To investigate the tropism of aCFV, we used the geminiviral reverse genetic system and introduced a multimeric clone into the laboratory model plant Nicotiana benthamiana. Evidence for infectivity came from the detection of viral DNA in newly emerged leaves and the precise excision of the viral genome from the multimeric clones in inoculated leaves. Our findings indicate that viral genomes may in some circumstances be protected from degradation for centuries