Influence of viral genes on the cell-to-cell spread of RNA silencing

The turnip crinkle virus-based vector TCV–GFPDCP had been devised previously to study cell-to-cell and long-distance spread of virus-induced RNA silencing. TCV–GFPDCP, which had been constructed by replacing the coat protein (CP) gene with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) coding sequence, was able to induce RNA silencing in single epidermal cells, from which RNA silencing spread from cell-to-cell. Using this unique local silencing assay together with mutagenesis analysis, two TCV genes, p8 and p9, which were involved in the intercellular spread of virus-induced RNA silencing, were identified. TCV–GFPDCP and its p8- or p9-mutated derivatives, TCVmp8–GFPDCP and TCVmp9–GFPDCP, replicated efficiently but were restricted to single Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells. TCV–GFPDCP, TCVmp8–GFPDCP, or TCVmp9–GFPDCP was able to initiate RNA silencing that targeted and degraded recombinant viral RNAs in inoculated leaves of the GFP-expressing N. benthamiana line 16c. However, cell-to-cell spread of silencing to form silencing foci was triggered only by TCV–GFPDCP. Non-replicating TCVmp88–GFPDCP and TCVmp28mp88–GFPDCP with dysfunctional replicase genes, and single-stranded gfp RNA did not induce RNA silencing. Transient expression of the TCV p9 protein could effectively complement TCVmp9–GFPDCP to facilitate intercellular spread of silencing. These data suggest that the plant cellular trafficking machinery could hijack functional viral proteins to permit cell-to-cell movement of RNA silencing

Properties of discrete breathers in graphane from ab initio simulations

A density functional theory (DFT) study of the discrete breathers (DBs) in graphane (fully hydrogenated graphene) was performed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the existence of DBs in a crystalline body from the first-principle simulations. It is found that the DB is a robust, highly localized vibrational mode with one hydrogen atom oscillating with a large amplitude along the direction normal to the graphane plane with all neighboring atoms having much smaller vibration amplitudes. DB frequency decreases with increase in its amplitude, and it can take any value within the phonon gap and can even enter the low-frequency phonon band. The concept of DB is then used to propose an explanation to the recent experimental results on the nontrivial kinetics of graphane dehydrogenation at elevated temperatures.Comment: 20.07.14 Submitted to PhysRev

Measurement of light mesons at RHIC by the PHENIX experiment

The PHENIX experiment at RHIC has measured a variety of light neutral mesons ($\pi^{0}$, K$_{S}^{0}$, $\eta$, $\omega$, $\eta^{\prime}$, $\phi$) via multi-particle decay channels over a wide range of transverse momentum. A review of the recent results on the production rates of light mesons in p+p and their nuclear modification factors in d+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at different energies is presented.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, talk given at Hard Probes 2008 conference in La Toja, Spain. submitted to EPJ

Error correction and diversity analysis of population mixtures determined by NGS

The impetus for this work was the need to analyse nucleotide diversity in a viral mix taken from honeybees. The paper has two findings. First, a method for correction of next generation sequencing error in the distribution of nucleotides at a site is developed. Second, a package of methods for assessment of nucleotide diversity is assembled. The error correction method is statistically based and works at the level of the nucleotide distribution rather than the level of individual nucleotides. The method relies on an error model and a sample of known viral genotypes that is used for model calibration. A compendium of existing and new diversity analysis tools is also presented, allowing hypotheses about diversity and mean diversity to be tested and associated confidence intervals to be calculated. The methods are illustrated using honeybee viral samples. Software in both Excel and Matlab and a guide are available at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/systemsbiology/research/software/,the Warwick University Systems Biology Centre software download site.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Densovirus induces winged morphs in asexual clones of the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea

Winged morphs of aphids are essential for their dispersal and survival. We discovered that the production of the winged morph in asexual clones of the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea, is dependent on their infection with a DNA virus, Dysaphis plantaginea densovirus (DplDNV). Virus-free clones of the rosy apple aphid, or clones infected singly with an RNA virus, rosy apple aphid virus (RAAV), did not produce the winged morph in response to crowding and poor plant quality. DplDNV infection results in a significant reduction in aphid reproduction rate, but such aphids can produce the winged morph, even at low insect density, which can fly and colonize neighboring plants. Aphids infected with DplDNV produce a proportion of virus-free aphids, which enables production of virus-free clonal lines after colonization of a new plant. Our data suggest that a mutualistic relationship exists between the rosy apple aphid and its viruses. Despite the negative impact of DplDNV on rosy apple aphid reproduction, this virus contributes to their survival by inducing wing development and promoting dispersal

Serum levels of NT- pro ANP, BNP, NT-pro BNP and function of the left atrium in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction after myocardial infarction

The objective of our study was to evaluate the levels of natriuretic peptides in patients (pts) with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in 12 month after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with a focus on the function of left atrium (LA) and left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. 55 pts were included in the study. 6-minute walk test was performed. Echo exam was performed by the diagnostic system VIVID 7. BNP in whole blood was determined using the Triage ® Meter BNP test. The serum levels of NT-pro BNP, NT-pro ANP («Biomedica», Austria) were determined in blood samples by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). LA volume index were differences (16.03±3.39 ml/m2; 25.36±8.26 ml/m2; 29.41±9.46 ml/m2 accordingly I, II, III class) depending on severity of HF. Well as E/E’ ratio were differences (7.5±1.4; 9.8±5.1; 13.5±7.6 accordingly I, II, III class) depending on severity of HF. The LA volume index correlated with levels of NT-pro ANP (R=0.29; p=0.04), levels of NT-pro BNP (R=0.37; p=0.01), levels of BNP (R=0.51; p=0.0001). The LV filling pressure correlated with levels of NT-pro ANP (R=0.45; p=0.002), levels of NT-pro BNP (R=0.49; p=0.001), levels of BNP (R=0.37; p=0.01)

Histopathologic, Immunohistochemical Features and Profile of Viral Antigens in Patients with Myocarditis

We studied medical records and endomyocardial biopsies of patients with morphological confirmed lymphocytic myocarditis. The patients were divided into two groups: 1 - patients with arrhythmias; group 2 - patients with predominance syndrome heart failure. Morphological verification of myocarditis was based on World Heart Federation Consensus definition of Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy, 1997. Immunohistological study was performed to identify antigens of cardiotrophic viruses. We revealed some features in topic and character of morphological changes in depending on clinical scenario of myocarditis. In patients with chronic heart failure due to myocarditis revealed a high incidence of expression of LMP-antigen Epstein-Barr virus, the lack of expression of adenovirus antigens. Arrhythmic presentation of myocarditis was characterized by a high frequency of expression of enteroviral VP-1 antigen and the type 1 antigen herpes virus. We were not detected expression of the VP-2 antigen parvovirus B19. As a result the most severe inflammatory changes and interstitial fibrosis of intraventricular septum, widespread damage of myocytes the severe myocardial remodeling was found in patients with presentation of myocarditis by chronic heart failure. Interstitial fibrosis of the outflow tracts of the right ventricle, the low activity of inflammation and mild fibrotic changes were feature of arrhythmic scenario of myocarditis.</jats:p