Nucleotide sequence and genome organization of Dweet mottle virus and its relationship to members of the family Betaflexiviridae

The nucleotide sequence of Dweet mottle virus (DMV) was determined and compared to sequences of members of the families Alphaflexiviridae and Betaflexiviridae. The DMV genome has 8,747 nucleotides (nt) excluding the 3′ poly-(A) tail. DMV genomic RNA contains three putative open reading frames (ORFs) and untranslated regions of 73 nt at the 5′ and 541 nt at 3′ termini. ORF1 potentially encoding a 227.48-kDa polyprotein, which has methyltransferase, oxygenase, endopeptidase, helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) domains. ORF2 encodes a movement protein of 40.25 kDa, while ORF3 encodes a coat protein of 40.69 kDa. Protein database searches showed 98–99% matches of DMV ORFs with citrus leaf blotch virus (CLBV) sequences. Phylogenetic analysis based on the RdRP core domain revealed that DMV is closely related to CLBV as a member of the genus Citrivirus. DMV did not satisfy the molecular criteria for demarcation of an independent species within the genus Citrivirus, family Betaflexiviridae, and hence, DMV can be considered a CLBV isolate

CMR in hypertrophic cardiac conditions—an update

Purpose of Review: Myocardial left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) is a common phenotype associated to increased morbidity and mortality. Beyond an accurate LV mass quantification, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can also provide tissue characterization, perfusion, and deformation assessments. Aim of the present review is to discuss recent advances in CMR imaging of LVH. Recent Findings: T1 and T2 mapping techniques expanded the ability of CMR in phenotyping LVH, underscoring the pathogenic significance of interstitial fibrosis and edema in hypertrophic conditions. Perfusion and deformation assessments revealed dysfunctional correlates not uncommonly associated to LVH. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) highlighted the role of replacement fibrosis as a marker of advanced disease. Finally, the prognostic relevance of both interstitial and replacement fibrosis has been demonstrated in several LVH conditions. Summary: CMR is an efficient tool for differential diagnosis of LVH phenotypes. Furthermore, it can often provide prognostic information, potentially guiding treatment and improving clinical management

Survey harmonisation with new technologies improvement (SHANTI)

The SHANTI COST Action has coordinated research efforts on data harmonization for transport surveys across Europe. Guidelines for harmonizing surveys are not only a statistical problem, because each country also needs to analyze survey results throughout time (time series in the perspective of previous surveys on the same thematic issues with normally the same design) and changing the protocol or the definitions may have an impact on indicators in the sense that the changing behavior could be confused with changes in methodology. Therefore a bottom up approach relying on the skills of the researchers involved in the field of national travel surveys and so quite well knowing their particularities sounds more promising and could lead to more acceptable guidelines. To make results of different survey approaches comparable - it is necessary to develop a methodology or heuristic in which way a transition from one design to another can be derived and how the results of either survey approach can be "translated" or transformed into the results of another

Survey harmonisation with new technologies improvement (SHANTI)

The SHANTI COST Action has coordinated research efforts on data harmonization for transport surveys across Europe. Guidelines for harmonizing surveys are not only a statistical problem, because each country also needs to analyze survey results throughout time (time series in the perspective of previous surveys on the same thematic issues with normally the same design) and changing the protocol or the definitions may have an impact on indicators in the sense that the changing behavior could be confused with changes in methodology. Therefore a bottom up approach relying on the skills of the researchers involved in the field of national travel surveys and so quite well knowing their particularities sounds more promising and could lead to more acceptable guidelines. To make results of different survey approaches comparable - it is necessary to develop a methodology or heuristic in which way a transition from one design to another can be derived and how the results of either survey approach can be "translated" or transformed into the results of another