Novel Positive-Sense, Single-Stranded RNA (+ssRNA) Virus with Di-Cistronic Genome from Intestinal Content of Freshwater Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

A novel positive-sense, single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) virus (Halastavi árva RNA virus, HalV; JN000306) with di-cistronic genome organization was serendipitously identified in intestinal contents of freshwater carps (Cyprinus carpio) fished by line-fishing from fishpond “Lőrinte halastó” located in Veszprém County, Hungary. The complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of the genomic RNA is 9565 nt in length and contains two long - non-in-frame - open reading frames (ORFs), which are separated by an intergenic region. The ORF1 (replicase) is preceded by an untranslated sequence of 827 nt, while an untranslated region of 139 nt follows the ORF2 (capsid proteins). The deduced amino acid (aa) sequences of the ORFs showed only low (less than 32%) and partial similarity to the non-structural (2C-like helicase, 3C-like cystein protease and 3D-like RNA dependent RNA polymerase) and structural proteins (VP2/VP4/VP3) of virus families in Picornavirales especially to members of the viruses with dicistronic genome. Halastavi árva RNA virus is present in intestinal contents of omnivorous freshwater carps but the origin and the host species of this virus remains unknown. The unique viral sequence and the actual position indicate that Halastavi árva RNA virus seems to be the first member of a new di-cistronic ssRNA virus. Further studies are required to investigate the specific host species (and spectrum), ecology and role of Halastavi árva RNA virus in the nature

Identification and Characterization of Two Novel RNA Viruses from Anopheles gambiae Species Complex Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae complex display strong preference for human blood-meals and are major malaria vectors in Africa. However, their interaction with viruses or role in arbovirus transmission during epidemics has been little examined, with the exception of O'nyong-nyong virus, closely related to Chikungunya virus. Deep-sequencing has revealed different RNA viruses in natural insect viromes, but none have been previously described in the Anopheles gambiae species complex. Here, we describe two novel insect RNA viruses, a Dicistrovirus and a Cypovirus, found in laboratory colonies of An. gambiae taxa using small-RNA deep sequencing. Sequence analysis was done with Metavisitor, an open-source bioinformatic pipeline for virus discovery and de novo genome assembly. Wild-collected Anopheles from Senegal and Cambodia were positive for the Dicistrovirus and Cypovirus, displaying high sequence identity to the laboratory-derived virus. Thus, the Dicistrovirus (Anopheles C virus, AnCV) and Cypovirus (Anopheles Cypovirus, AnCPV) are components of the natural virome of at least some anopheline species. Their possible influence on mosquito immunity or transmission of other pathogens is unknown. These natural viruses could be developed as models for the study of Anopheles-RNA virus interactions in low security laboratory settings, in an analogous manner to the use of rodent malaria parasites for studies of mosquito anti-parasite immunity

Corrigendum: Whole genome analysis of a schistosomiasis-transmitting freshwater snail

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15451

Field trial of a genetically improved baculovirus insecticide

IMPROVEMENT of biological pesticides through genetic modification has enormous potential and the insect baculoviruses are particularly amenable to this approach1,2. A key aim of genetic engineering is to increase their speed of kill, primarily by the incorporation of genes which encode arthropod or bacterially derived insect-selective toxins3–11, insect hormones12,13 or enzymes14,15. We report here the first, to our knowledge, field trial of a genetically improved nuclear polyhedrosis virus of the alfalfa looper, Autogmpha californica (AcNPV) that expresses an insectselective toxin gene (AaHIT) derived from the venom of the scorpion Androclonus australisl6–18. Previous laboratory assays with the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, demonstrated a 25% reduction in time to death compared to the wild-type virus, but unaltered pathogenicity6 and host range19. In the field, the modified baculovirus killed faster, resulting in reduced crop damage and it appeared to reduce the secondary cycle of infection compared to the wild-type virus

The relati?on between adherence to posi?ti?ve ai?rway pressure treatment and pulmonary functi?ons i?n obstructi?ve sleep apnea syndrome

YÖK Tez No: 632416Amaç: OUAS (Obstrüktif uyku apne sendromu); uyku sırasında tekrarlayan tam (apne) veya parsiyel (hipopne) üst solunum yolu obstrüksiyonu epizodları ve sıklıkla kan oksijen saturasyonunda düşmenin eşlik ettiği bir sendromdur. Polisomnografi (PSG) günümüzde OUAS tanısında kullanılan altın standart yöntemidir. Uyku apne sendromunun tedavi edilmesi, uyku ve yaşam kalitesinde düzelme sağlamanın yanında, hastalığa bağlı oluşan ciddi komplikasyonların birçoğunun önlenmesini de sağlar. Bu hastalıkta temel tedavi modalitesi pozitif havayolu basıncı (Positive Airway Pressure-PAP) uygulamasıdır. Ancak tedavide cihaz uyumu konusunda sorunlar yaşanmaktadır. Biz de çalışmamızda hastaların PAP tedavisine uyumunun solunum fonksiyon testleri (SFT) ile ilişkisini araştırmayı amaçladık. Gereç-Yöntem: 2016-2018 tarihleri arasında Göğüs Hastalıkları Anabilim dalı Uyku Laboratuarında OUAS tanısı koyulmuş ve PAP titrasyonu için yatırılmış, titrasyonu başarı ile yapılmış, PAP raporu düzenlenmiş PAP cihazını temin etmiş ve kullanmaya başlamış, çalışmaya katılmaya kabul eden hastalar çalışmaya dahil edildi. Hasta uyumunu etkileyen demografik özellikler, cihaz ve maske ile ilişkili şikayetler ve depresyon, anksiyete ölçekleri ile beraber hastalarımızın SFT parametreleri değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Çalışmaya alınan 98 bireyin %63'ü (n=62) erkekti ve bireylerin yaş ortalaması 52±9,6 (29-72) idi. Hastaların %67'si kullanılan cihaza uyum göstermekteydi. OUAS derecesine göre cihaza uyum gösteren ve göstermeyen bireylerin oranları arasında anlamlı düzeyde bir farklılık vardı (p0,05). Cihaza uyum gösteren bireylerde nazal maske kullanma oranı, CPAP'ı tolere etmede zorlanmama, uykuya dalmada güçlük çekmeme, karında şişlik, maske nedeniyle yüzde yara görülmemesi, hava kaçağı görülmemesi, cihazdan fayda görme, gündüz uykululuk halinde azalma, uygun tedavi uygulandığını düşünme oranları, cihaza uyum göstermeyenlerden anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksekti (p0,05). Rates of nasal cannula use, tolerance of CPAP, ability to fall asleep quickly, no abdominal discomfort or facial lacerations due to the mask, no leakage of oxygen, benefit from the device, reduction in daytime sleepiness and the thought that adequate and appropriate treatment had been administered in patients who complied with the device were significantly higher than those who were not compliant (p<0,05). Claustrophobia, discomfort concerning pressure were also significantly lower in complying patients than non-complying patients (p<0,05). A forward Wald multiple logistic regression model was established using variables which were found to affect the patients' compliance rates, which showed that an increase BDS scale score increased the non-compliance odds ratio by 1,08, the complaint of air leakage by 6,82, pressure discomfort by 5,21, and absence of improvement in daytime sleepiness by 5,87. Result: Whereas an association between PFT parameters and compliance to PAP treatment wasn't established, statistically significant factors that affected device compliance were detected. In patients with OSAS, high-risk groups in terms of compliance should be identified before starting PAP treatment, and educational support should be provided. Our view is that close followups of patients and solution of their complaints regarding treatment could improve their compliance with PAP treatment