Asian Citrus Psyllid RNAi Pathway - RNAi evidence.

Diaphorina citri, known as the Asian citrus psyllid, is an important pest of citrus because it transmits a phloem-limited bacteria strongly implicated in huanglongbing (citrus greening disease). Emerging biotechnologies, such as RNA interference, could provide a new sustainable and environmentally friendly strategy for the management of this pest. In this study, genome and functional analysis were performed to verify whether the RNAi core genes are present in the Asian psyllid genome and if the RNAi machinery could be exploited to develop a management strategy for this pest. Analyses of RNAi-related genes in the Asian citrus psyllid genome showed an absence of sequences encoding R2D2, a dsRNA-binding protein that functions as a cofactor of Dicer-2 in Drosophila. Nevertheless, bioassays using an in Planta System showed that the Asian citrus psyllid was very sensitive to ingested dsRNA, demonstrating a strong RNAi response. A small dose of dsRNA administered through a citrus flush was enough to trigger the RNAi mechanism, causing significant suppression of the targeted transcript, and increased psyllid mortality. This study provides evidence of a functional RNAi machinery, which could be further exploited to develop RNAi based management strategies for the control of the Asian citrus psyllid.

Sequence and genome organization of papaya meleira virus infecting papaya in Brazil.

Papaya sticky disease ('meleira') was first observed in Brazil at the beginning of the 1980s. The disease is characterized by intense latex exudation from the fruit surface that becomes dark as it oxidizes, which makes it difficult to sell. The causal agent, which has been called papaya meleira virus (PMeV), has been identified as an isometric virus particle, approximately 50 nm in diameter, with a double-stranded RNA genome. Here, we report the first complete sequence and organization of the 8.7-kb viral dsRNA genome. Two ORFs coding for a putative coat protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) were predicted. In silico analysis revealed that the translated ORF2 contains the conserved domains characteristic of an RdRp protein (pfam02123:RdRP 4), which is a family that includes RdRps from members of the genera Luteovirus, Totivirus and Rotavirus. Evolutionary analysis with amino acid sequences with the RdRps from members of the family Totiviridae and some dsRNA viruses showed that PMeV RdRp did not root itself in any genus.

Influence of oral health condition on swallowing and oral intake level for patients affected by chronic stroke.

BACKGROUND: According to the literature, the occurrence of dysphagia is high in cases of stroke, and its severity can be enhanced by loss of teeth and the use of poorly fitting prostheses. OBJECTIVE: To verify that the status of oral health influences the level of oral intake and the degree of swallowing dysfunction in elderly patients with stroke in chronic phase. METHODS: Thirty elderly individuals affected by stroke in chronic phase participated. All subjects underwent assessment of their oral condition, with classification from the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and nasoendoscopic swallowing assessment to classify the degree of dysphagia. The statistical analysis examined a heterogeneous group (HG, n=30) and two groups designated by the affected body part, right (RHG, n=8) and left (LHG, n=11), excluding totally dentate or edentulous individuals without rehabilitation with more than one episode of stroke. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between the need for replacement prostheses and the FOIS scale for the HG (P=0.02) and RHG (P=0.01). Differences in FOIS between types of prostheses of the upper dental arch in the LHG (P=0.01) and lower dental arch in the RHG (P=0.04). A negative correlation was found between the number of teeth present and the degree of dysfunction in swallowing liquid in the LHG (P=0.05). There were differences in the performance in swallowing solids between individuals without prosthesis and those with partial prosthesis in the inferior dental arch (P=0.04) for the HG. CONCLUSION: The need for replacement prostheses, type of prostheses, and the number of teeth of elderly patients poststroke in chronic phase showed an association with the level of oral intake and the degree of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Analysis of the full-length genome sequence of papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV), determined by deep sequencing, confirms its classification in the genus Sobemovirus.

Papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV) causes an economically important disease in papayas in northeastern Brazil. Based on biological and molecular properties, PLYV has been tentatively assigned to the genus Sobemovirus. We report the sequence of the full-length genome of a PLYV isolate from Brazil, determined by deep sequencing. The PLYV genome is 4,145 nt long and contains four ORFs, with an arrangement identical to that of sobemoviruses. The polyprotein and CP display significant sequence identity with the corresponding proteins of other sobemoviruses. Pairwise comparisons and phylogenetic analysis based on complete nucleotide sequences confirm the classification of PLYV in the genus Sobemovirus.

Synergism and negative interference during co-infection of tomato and Nicotiana benthamiana with two bipartite begomoviruses.

In Brazil, at least eight begomoviruses including Tomato rugose mosaic virus (ToRMV) and Tomato yellow spot virus (ToYSV) infect tomatoes. ToYSV symptoms in tomato and Nicotiana benthamiana appear earlier and are more severe compared to those of ToRMV. We investigated the role of several factors in this differential adaptation. To analyze infection kinetics, a single leaf was inoculated and subsequently detached after different periods of time. Viral DNA accumulation was quantified in plants, viral replication was analyzed in protoplasts, and tissue tropism was determined by in situ hybridization. Results indicate that ToYSV establishes a systemic infection and reaches a higher concentration earlier than ToRMV in both hosts. ToRMV negatively interferes with ToYSV during the initial stages of infection, but once systemic infection is established this interference ceases. In N. benthamiana, ToYSV invades the mesophyll, while ToRMV is phloem-restricted. During dual infection in this host, ToYSV releases ToRMV from the phloem.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: its importance in ear, nose, and throat practice.

OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been implicated in various extra-gastroesophageal diseases, especially in the upper and lower airways (atypical GERD). The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of gastroesophageal and extra-gastroesophageal symptoms in pediatric patients with GERD and their response to the general treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 45 children of both sexes aged 3 months-12 years with GERD diagnosed by clinical examination and 24h single-channel pHmetry. The gastroesophageal and extra-gastroesophageal symptoms, the treatment instituted and the response of the patients to the latter were determined. RESULTS: Five symptomatologic groups were identified: gastroesophageal (51.11%), pulmonary (recurrent pneumonia, 40%, and bronchial asthma, 46.67%), chronic cough (64.44%), rhinologic (chronic nasal obstruction, 68.88%, nasal secretion, 55.55%, and nose itching, 46.66%), and pharyngo-otologic (recurrent acute middle ear infection, 35.56%, and recurrent tonsillitis, 24.44%). The response to treatment (antireflux drugs, antiallergic drugs, and surgical procedures) resulted in cure in 24 patients (53.34%), while 21 continued to be symptomatic. The cure rate was 69.56% for the gastroesophageal group, 100% for the recurrent pneumonia group, 80.95% for the bronchial asthma group, 68.96% for the chronic cough group, 83.87% for the chronic nasal obstruction group, 80% for the nasal secretion group, 85.71% for the nose itching group, 100% for the recurrent acute middle ear infection group, and 90.90% for the recurrent tonsillitis group. Total treatment time was 1.8 times longer for the remission of extra-gastroesophageal symptoms. Exclusive antireflux treatment promoted full remission of the otorhinolaryngologic symptoms in 38.89% of patients (nasal-41.17%, recurrent acute middle ear infection-12.5%, and recurrent tonsillitis-18.18%). CONCLUSION: GERD can cause otorhinolaryngologic symptoms in children and remission of these symptoms can be obtained with antireflux therapy.

Síndrome de Treacher Collins com atresia coanal: relato de caso e revisão de suas características / Treacher Collins syndrome with choanal atresia: a case report and review of disease features

A Síndrome de Treacher Collins ou disostose mandibulofacial apresenta-se com deformidades crânio-faciais, tendo expressão e severidade variável. É uma malformacão congênita que envolve o primeiro e segundo arcos branquiais. A Síndrome de Treacher Collins é rara e sua incidência está estimada em uma faixa de 1:40000 a 1:70000 nascidos vivos. Esta síndrome é caracterizada por anormalidades dos pavilhões auriculares, hipoplasia dos ossos da face, obliqüidade antimongolóide das fendas palpebrais com coloboma palpebral inferior e fissura palatina. A Síndrome de Treacher Collins raramente está associada com atresia coanal. Estes pacientes são apropriadamente acompanhados por uma equipe multidisciplinar que inclui cirurgiões crânio-faciais, oftalmologistas, fonoaudiologistas, cirurgiões dentistas e otorrinolaringologistas. Relatamos neste artigo um caso raro de Síndrome de Treacher Collins com atresia coanal, uma revisão da patologia e intervencão multidisciplinar.

Treacher Collins Syndrome with choanal atresia: a case report and review of disease features.

Treacher Collins Syndrome--or mandibulofacial dysostosis--is a rare condition that presents several craniofacial deformities of different levels. This is a congenital malformation involving the first and second branchial arches. Incidence is estimated to range between 1-40,000 to 1-70,000 of live births. The disorder is characterized by abnormalities of the auricular pinna, hypoplasia of facial bones, antimongoloid slanting palpebral fissures with coloboma of the lower eyelids and cleft palate. Treacher Collins Syndrome is rarely associated with choanal atresia. A multidisciplinary team, including craniofacial surgeon, ophthalmologist, speech therapist, dental surgeon and otorhinolaryngologist, is the most appropriate setting to manage these patients. This study reports a rare case of Treacher Collins Syndrome with choanal atresia, presenting literature review and multidisciplinary intervention.

Displasia fibrosa do osso temporal: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone: case report and review of the literature

Displasia fibrosa é uma doença caracterizada por progressiva substituição dos elementos normais do osso por tecido fibroso. É uma patologia benigna incomum de etiologia desconhecida. Existem duas categorias primárias da doença: displasia fibrosa monostótica que envolve somente um osso e displasia fibrosa poliostótica acometendo múltiplos ossos. Embora o esqueleto crânio-facial seja sede freqüente da doença, o osso temporal raramente está envolvido. O envolvimento do osso temporal tem como sintoma mais comum a surdez. O diagnóstico é baseado em imagens radiológicas. Quando a displasia fibrosa é acompanhada por sintomas clínicos significantes, o tratamento cirúrgico é recomendado. O acompanhamento clínico do paciente é fundamental para o diagnóstico precoce de recidivas. Neste artigo relatamos um caso de displasia fibrosa do osso temporal e revisão da patologia na literatura.

A naturally occurring recombinant DNA-A of a typical bipartite begomovirus does not require the cognate DNA-B to infect Nicotiana benthamiana systemically.

Species of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) found in the western hemisphere typically have a bipartite genome that consists of two 2.6 kb DNA genomic components, DNA-A and DNA-B. We have identified and cloned genomic components of a new tomato-infecting begomovirus from Brazil, for which the name Tomato crinkle leaf yellows virus (TCrLYV) is proposed, and a DNA-A variant of Tomato chlorotic mottle virus (ToCMV-[MG-Bt1]). Sequence analysis revealed that TCrLYV was most closely related to ToCMV, although it was sufficiently divergent to be considered a distinct virus species. Furthermore, these closely related viruses induce distinguishable symptoms in tomato plants. With respect to ToCMV-[MG-Bt1] DNA-A, evidence is presented that suggests a recombinant origin. It possesses a hybrid genome on which the replication compatible module (AC1 and replication origin) was probably donated by ToCMV-[BA-Se1] and the remaining sequences appear to have originated from Tomato rugose mosaic virus (ToRMV). Despite the high degree of sequence conservation with its predecessors, ToCMV-[MG-Bt1] differs significantly in its biological properties. Although ToCMV-[MG-Bt1] DNA-A did not infect tomato plants, it systemically infected Nicotiana benthamiana, induced symptoms of mottling and accumulated viral DNA in the apical leaves in the absence of a cognate DNA-B. The modular rearrangement that resulted in ToCMV-[MG-Bt1] DNA-A may have provided this virus with a more aggressive nature. Our results further support the notion that interspecies recombination may play a significant role in geminivirus diversity and their emergence as agriculturally important pathogens.