Toxicity evaluation of ConvitVax breast cancer immunotherapy.

ConvitVax is a personalized vaccine for the treatment of breast cancer, composed of autologous tumor cells, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and low concentrations of formalin. Previous pre-clinical studies show that this therapy induces a potent activation of the immune system and achieves an effective response against tumor cells, reducing the size of the tumor and decreasing the percentage of immunosuppressive cells. In the present study, we evaluate the toxicity of ConvitVax in healthy BALB/c mice to determine potential adverse effects related to the vaccine and each of its components. We used standard guidelines for pain, discomfort and distress recognition, continuously evaluated the site of the injection, and completed blood and urine clinical tests. Endpoint necropsy was performed, measuring the weight of organs and processing liver, kidney, thymus and lung for histological examination. Results show that the vaccine in its therapeutic dose, at 3 times its therapeutic concentration, and its individual components did not cause death or behavioral or biological changes, including any abnormalities in whole-body or organ weights, and tissue damage. These results support the safety of ConvitVax with minimal to no side-effects.

Report on the second International Consensus on ANA Pattern (ICAP) workshop in Dresden 2015.

The second meeting for the International Consensus on Antinuclear antibody (ANA) Pattern (ICAP) was held on 22 September 2015, one day prior to the opening of the 12th Dresden Symposium on Autoantibodies in Dresden, Germany. The ultimate goal of ICAP is to promote harmonization and understanding of autoantibody nomenclature, and thereby optimizing ANA usage in patient care. The newly developed ICAP website www.ANApatterns.org was introduced to the more than 50 participants. This was followed by several presentations and discussions focusing on key issues including the two-tier classification of ANA patterns into competent-level versus expert-level, the consideration of how to report composite versus mixed ANA patterns, and the necessity for developing a consensus on how ANA results should be reported. The need to establish on-line training modules to help users gain competency in identifying ANA patterns was discussed as a future addition to the website. To advance the ICAP goal of promoting wider international participation, it was agreed that there should be a consolidated plan to translate consensus documents into other languages by recruiting help from members of the respective communities.

[Paraneoplastic pemphigus or paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome. Report of 2 cases in children and a review of the literature]. / Pénfigo paraneoplásico/síndrome multiorgánico autoinmune paraneoplásico. Presentación de dos casos en la edad infantil. Revisión de la literatura.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease associated with an occult or previously diagnosed tumor. Its clinical, histological, and immunological features have been clearly defined. It is characterized by the presence of polymorphic skin lesions and by erosions of the oral and genital mucosas that are refractory to conventional treatments. The histology can be variable and includes acantholysis or lichenoid dermatitis. Circulating autoantibodies are a constant feature and confirm the diagnosis. We describe 2 girls with paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with Hodgkin lymphoma in one and Castelman disease in the other. Both children had oral and genital lesions that did not respond to conventional treatments. Biopsy revealed acantholysis in one and a lichenoid reaction in the other, and immunoassays confirmed the diagnosis. Chemotherapeutic treatment of the underlying disease was performed in both cases, together with high-dose corticosteroids for the skin and mucosal lesions. Both patients died due to respiratory failure. We suggest that paraneoplastic pemphigus, although rare in childhood and adolescence, should be included in the differential diagnosis of periorificial erosive dermatitis; this may assist in the detection of an occult neoplasm.

Genetic variation of papaya ringspot virus in Venezuela.

The genetic variation of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) in Venezuela was estimated by single strand conformation and nucleotide sequence analyses of two genomic regions of twenty-six isolates. These analyses showed that mutation, virus movement, selection, mixed infections and recombination contributed to shape the genetic variation observed. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Venezuelan isolates were within a clade composed of isolates from the Americas and Australia. The genetic diversity of these isolates was sufficiently large that it must be taken into account when designing control strategies such as transgenic resistance and cross-protection.

[Endoscopic modified technique of ureteral resection during nephroureterectomy]. / Modificación técnica de la desinserción ureteral endoscópica en la nefroureterectomía.

We show a technical modification of the ureteral endoscopic resection with which we try to avoid comunication between urine and surgical bed in order to prevent tumor local spread of upper urotelial tumor.

[Staphylococcus aureus prostatic abscess and subdural empyema: a case report]. / Absceso prostático por Staphilococo aureus y empiema subdural: presentación de un caso.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To report one case of prostatic abscess and subdural empyema by Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS: We describe the case of a 51 year old male patient who was diagnosed of prostatic abscess and subdural empyema by Staphilococcus aureus. We use clinical presentation and physical exploration based on rectal digital examination, as diagnostic approach method. And computerized axial tomography and transrectal ultrasonography, which allows the guided needle drainage of the abscess, as diagnostic confirmation methods. RESULTS: The clinical picture resolved with the transrectal ultrasonography guided needle aspiration of the abscess and conservative treatment with antibiotics and urinary diversion. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic abscess is an uncommon entity nowadays. Provided the great variety of symptoms, a great degree of clinical suspicion is needed for the diagnosis, and once it is got it, immediate aggressive treatment must be initiated. Transrectal ultrasonography allows not only the diagnosis, but also the drainage of the abscess. The culture of the obtained material identifies the etiological agent and the most specific antibiotic therapy.

Modificación técnica de la desinserción ureteral endoscópica en la nefroureterectomía / Endoscopic modified techique of ureteral resection during nephroureterectomy

Se presenta una variante técnica de la desinserción endoscópica ureteral, con la que se intenta evitar el contacto de la orina con el lecho quirúrgico, condición preceptiva para evitar la posible diseminación tumoral local, al realizar la nefroureterectomía radical en tumores de urotelio superior

We show a technical modification of the ureteral endoscopic resection with which we try to avoid comunication between urine and surgical bed in order to prevent tumor local spread of upper urotelial tumor

[Endourological treatment of pelviureteric junction obstruction in paediatric patients: our experience]. / Tratamiento endourológico de la estenosis pieloureteral en la edad pediátrica: nuestra experiencia.

UNLABELLED: Endourological treatment of pelviureteric junction obstruction in paediatric patients: our experience. INTRODUCTION: Pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction is the most common cause of hydronephrosis in the infancy. The gold standard of treatment is open pyeloplasty, but there is an ever greater tendency towards minimally invasive procedures. We present our serie of paediatric patients with endourologically treated PUJ obstruction, together with a review of the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study of the children diagnosed of PUJ obstruction who were treated by an endourological technique in our centre between January 1988 and January 2005. We gathered data on 3 periods of time: 1st. Presurgical: age, sex, previous treatment, ultrasound (USS) and nuclear medicine (MAG-3) studies; 2nd. Surgical: type of procedure; 3rd. Surgical: recurrence or not and its treatment, and the current state of the patient. RESULTS: Seven children, with an age range of 13 months to 14 years, underwent operation using an endourological technique. The treatment was secondary in five of these patients, after open pyeloplasty, and was primary in 2 cases. The preoperative USS showed grade III dilatation in 3 and grade IV dilatation in 4, and the MAG-3 study showed type II curves in 6 and a type IIIb curve in 1. Three percutaneous endopyelotomies were performed and, by the retrograde approach, 3 balloon dilatations and one Acucise. With a mean follow-up of 37 months, 2 cases of recurrence (both in patients receiving secondary treatment) have been observed, one in whom a retrograde technique (balloon dilatation) was used and the other in a patient treated by an antegrade technique. The remaining five patients are asymptomatic and show no evidence of recurrence (71% of the patients). CONCLUSION: The endourological treatment of PUJ obstruction in paediatric patients is possible but must be individualised in each case. Larger, prospective studies need to be performed in order to reach conclusions.

Absceso prostático por Sthapilococo aureus y empiema subdural: presentación de un caso / Staphylococcus aureus prostatic abscess and subdural empyema: a case report

Introducción y objetivo: Presentamos el caso de un paciente con absceso prostático y empiema subdural por Staphilococo aureus. Material y método: Descripción de un caso de un paciente de 51 años de edad diagnosticado de absceso prostático y empiema subdural por Staphilococo aureus. Utilizamos como método de aproximación diagnóstica la sospecha clínica y la exploración física mediante tacto rectal. Como métodos de confirmación diagnóstica, pruebas de imagen, como la tomografía axial computerizada y la ecografía transrectal, que permite además el drenaje del material purulento. Resultados: El cuadro se resolvió con ecografía transrectal y punción-drenaje de la colección y con tratamiento conservador en base a antibioterapia y derivación urinaria. Conclusiones: El absceso prostático es en la actualidad una patología poco frecuente. Dada la gran variedad de presentación de esta entidad, hay que tener un alto grado de sospecha para su diagnóstico y una vez realizado comenzar un tratamiento inmediato agresivo. La ecografía transrectal permite, no sólo el diagnóstico, sino también la punción-drenaje del contenido purulento. El cultivo de las muestras obtenidas identifica el agente causante y la antibioterapia más adecuada

Introduction and objectives: To report one case of prostatic abscess and subdural empyema by Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: We describe the case of a 51 year old male patient who was diagnosed of prostatic abscess and subdural empyema by Staphilococcus aureus. We use clinical presentation and physical exploration based on rectal digital examination, as diagnostic approach method. And computerized axial tomography and transrectal ultrasonography, which allows the guided needle drainage of the abscess, as diagnostic confirmation methods. Results: The clinical picture resolved with the transrectal ultrasonography guided needle aspiration of the abscess and conservative treatment with antibiotics and urinary diversion. Conclusions: Prostatic abscess is an uncommon entity nowadays. Provided the great variety of symptoms, a great degree of clinical suspicion is needed for the diagnosis, and once it is got it, immediate aggressive treatment must be initiated. Transrectal ultrasonography allows not only the diagnosis, but also the drainage of the abscess. The culture of the obtained material identifies the etiological agent and the most specific antibiotic therapy

Tratamiento endourológico de la estenosis pieloureteral en la edad pediátrica: nuestra experiencia / Endourological treatment of pelviureteric junction obstruction in paediatric patients: our experience

Introducción. La estenosis de la unión pieloureteral (EPU) es la causa más frecuente de hidronefrosis en la infancia. El 'patrón oro' para su tratamiento es la pieloplastia a cielo abierto, pero cada vez están más en auge los procedimientos mínimamente invasivos. Presentamos nuestra serie de EPU en edad pediátrica tratados endourológicamente y revisamos la literatura. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de los niños diagnosticados de EPU, que han recibido tratamiento vía endourológica en nuestro centro, en el intervalo de tiempo comprendido de enero1998-enero2005. Recogemos las variables en 3 periodos según un criterio cronológico: 1º Prequirúrgico: edad, sexo, tratamiento previo o no, ecografía (ECO) y renograma isotópico diurético con mercaptoacetiltriglicina (MAG-3) previos a la intervención. 2º Quirúrgico: tipo de procedimiento. 3º Postquirúrgico. tiempo de evolución, recidiva o no y tratamiento de la misma y estado actual valorando estado clínico, ECO y MAG3. Resultados: 7 niños han sido intervenidos mediante técnica endourológica en este periodo, con un rango de edad de 13 meses-168 meses. En 5 de ellos se realizó como tratamiento secundario tras pieloplastia abierta, y en dos como tratamiento primario. La ECO previa mostraba: hidronefrosis grado III en 3, y IV en 4(según clasificación de la Sociedad de Urología Fetal) y en el renograma isotópico las curvas de eliminación según el patrón de O´Reilly eran 6 tipo II y 1 tipo IIIb. Se realizaron: 3 endopielotomías percutáneas. Vía retrógrada 3 dilataciones con balón y un Acucise. Con un tiempo medio de seguimiento de 37 meses, se han evidenciado que 5 están asintomáticos y sin evidencia de recidiva (71% de éxito). Existen 2 recidivas (ambos tratamientos secundarios), uno vía retrógrada (dilatación con balón) y el otro anterógrada. Conclusión. El tratamiento de la EPU en la edad pediátrica vía endourológica, es factible pero se debe individualizar en cada caso. Estudios prospectivos de mayor tamaño deben ser realizados para poder extraer conclusiones

Endourological treatment of pelviureteric junction obstruction in paediatric patients: our experience. Introduction. Pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction is the most common cause of hydronephrosis in the infancy. The gold standard of treatment is open pyeloplasty, but there is an ever greater tendency towards minimally invasive procedures. We present our serie of paediatric patients with endourologically treated PUJ obstruction, together with a review of the literature. Material and methods. Retrospective, descriptive study of the children diagnosed of PUJ obstruction who were treated by an endourological technique in our centre between January 1988 and January 2005. We gathered data on 3 periods of time:1st. Presurgical: age, sex, previous treatment, ultrasound (USS) and nuclear medicine (MAG-3) studies; 2nd. Surgical: type of procedure; 3rd. Surgical: recurrence or not and its treatment, and the current state of the patient. Results. Seven children, with an age range of 13 months to 14 years, underwent operation using an endourological technique. The treatment was secondary in five of these patients, after open pyeloplasty, and was primary in 2 cases. The preoperative USS showed grade III dilatation in 3 and grade IV dilatation in 4, and the MAG-3 study showed type II curves in 6 and a type IIIb curve in 1. Three percutaneous endopyelotomies were performed and, by the retrograde approach, 3 balloon dilatations and one Acucise. With a mean follow-up of 37 months, 2 cases of recurrence (both in patients receiving secondary treatment) have been observed, one in whom a retrograde technique (balloon dilatation) was used and the other in a patient treated by an antegrade technique. The remaining five patients are asymptomatic and show no evidence of recurrence (71% of the patients). Conclusion. The endourological treatment of PUJ obstruction in paediatric patients is possible but must be individualised in each case. Larger, prospective studies need to be performed in order to reach conclusions

First Report of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Venezuela.

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a member of the family Geminiviridae, is a serious production constraint to tomato worldwide. In the new world, the virus had been identified as the causal agent of tomato yellow leaf curl disease in the Caribbean countries of the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Guadeloupe and also in Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula (1). Molecular data from these TYLCV isolates identified the virus as the TYLCV prototype from Israel. During April 2004, tomato plants showing symptoms such as chlorotic leaf edges, upward leaf cupping, leaf mottling, and reduced leaf size indicative of TYLCV were observed in commercial fields in Zulia state, Venezuela. Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) were present in the field and appeared to be associated with the disease. Leaf samples from nine symptomatic plants were collected and brought to the lab at Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) for further analyses. Geminivirus infection of samples was confirmed by PCR amplification with the degenerate primer pair PAL1v1978 and PAR1c494 (2). TYLCV coat protein gene-specific primers KL04-06_TYLCV CP F and KL04-07_TYLCV CP R (3) were used to confirm the diagnosis. These primers amplified the expected 842-bp PCR product from the nine symptomatic samples. One of the resulting amplicons was cloned into the pCR-TOPO vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. DQ302033). Sequence comparison with those available in the NCBI database indicated that the sequenced portion of the genome shared 99% nucleotide identity with the TYLCV mild strain from Portugal (GenBank Accession No. AF105975) and 98% nucleotide identity with the TYLCV mild strain from Spain (GenBank Accession No. AF071228), TYLCV Israel isolate (GenBank Accession No. AM234066), and TYLCV Mexico isolate (GenBank Accession No. DQ631892). To our knowledge, this is the first report of TYLCV infecting tomato crops in South America. Further studies are needed to clarify how TYLCV has been introduced into Venezuela. References: (1) J. E. Polston and P. K. Anderson. Plant Dis. 81:1358, 1997. (2) M. R. Rojas et al. Plant Dis. 77:340, 1993. (3) K. S. Ling et al. Plant Dis. 90:379, 2006.

[Megalourethra in association with VACTER syndrome]. / Megalouretra asociada a síndrome de VACTER.

The megalourethra is an uncommon congenital anomally. It is a consecuence of the abnormal development of the corpus spongiosum and, occasionally, also the abnormal development of the corpora cavernosum. It is specially common in association with the Prune-Belly syndrome, and with upper tract abnormalities. We present a bizarre case because of its association with a VACTER syndrome.

Megalouretra asociada a Síndrome de VACTER / Megalourethra in association with Vacter syndrome

La megalouretra es una malformación congénita muy poco frecuente. Se produce como consecuencia de la falta de desarrollo del cuerpo esponjoso y en ocasiones también de los cuerpos cavernosos. Es frecuente su asociación con otras malformaciones del tracto urinario, y con el síndrome de Prune Belly. Presentamos un caso excepcional por su asociación con síndrome de VACTER y estenosis de uretra bulbar

The megalourethra is an uncommon congenital anomally. It is a consecuence of the abnormal development of the corpus spongiosum and, occasionally, also the abnormal development of the corpora cavernosum. It is specially common in association with the Prune-Belly syndrome, and with upper tract abnormalities. We present a bizarre case because of its association with a VACTER syndrome

First Report of Celery mosaic virus Infecting Celery in Venezuela.

Celery mosaic virus (CeMV) is a significant pathogen of celery (Apium graveolens) worldwide (1). In 2005, in a produce market located in Los Salias, Miranda, celery plants with mottling and leaf malformation were noticed. Electron microscopic analysis of leaf-dip preparations from three symptomatic samples revealed flexuous viral particles that were 750 nm long. Infected cells contained pinwheel inclusions typical of those associated with potyvirus infection. Inoculation of healthy celery plants with leaf extracts from four symptomatic plants produced symptoms identical to those first observed. A survey of five produce markets in Miranda was conducted to determine the prevalence of virus infection in celery using serological and molecular analyses. Mottling and malformation of celery leaflets were observed in all the markets visited. Symptoms were noted in all five markets in each of three visits during a 3-month period. A total of 125 postharvested symptomatic plants were collected from five markets on March 29, 2005 and tested for CeMV using double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) with antiserum provided by F. Rabenstein, BAX, Aschersleben, Germany. Of the 125 samples collected during the survey, 53% were ELISA positive. Twenty ELISA-positive samples were also tested using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with general primers for the family Potyviridae (2). All 20 samples produced an amplicon of the expected size (1.7 kbp) after RT-PCR. Amplicons from three samples were cloned into the pCR-TOPO vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). Sequence analysis of one clone revealed more than 98% nt to a CeMV isolate from Australia (GenBank Accession No AF203532). To our knowledge, this is the first report of CeMV in Venezuela. Our results suggest that the disease may be widely spread on celery crops growing in the areas surrounding produce markets in Miranda State. References: (1) A. Brunt et al. Viruses of Plants. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, UK. 1996. (2) J. Chen et al. Arch. Virol. 146:757, 2001.

Natural Infection of Canavalia ensiformis with Tobacco mosaic virus in Venezuela.

Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) is a valuable green manure and cover-crop species. In late summer of 2002, jack bean plants showing severe stunting, leaf mosaic, mottling, distortion, and general yellowing were observed in fields located in Maracay, Aragua State, Venezuela. Sap from symptomatic leaves was used to mechanically inoculate healthy jack bean, and field symptoms were successfully reproduced. Similar inoculations on Nicotiana tabacum var. Sansum resulted in mosaic symptoms and leaf distortion. Electron microscopic examination of leafdip preparations showed filamentous rods resembling those of a tobamovirus. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was specifically identified with TMV-specific polyclonal antibody (PVAS-958, ATTC) in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sequence analysis of a coat protein gene (CP) fragment amplified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers TMV-CP-F and TMV-CP-R (1) from total RNA confirmed the diagnosis. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of a 450-bp region of the RT-PCR product were 96 to 99% and 98 to 100% identical, respectively, to the TMV CP gene in GenBank Accession Nos. J02415 and X68110. On the basis of foliar symptoms, incidence of TMV in jack bean was more than 50% in this experimental field. The source of infection is not known. Because TMV is reported to be seedborne in many other plant species, testing jack bean seed stocks for TMV infection could have important implications on the future control of the virus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural infection of jack bean by a tobamovirus. Reference: (1) N. J. Spence et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 107:633, 2001.

First Record of Turnip mosaic virus Infecting Watercress in Venezuela.

During 2001, watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) plants displayed in vegetable markets located in the district capital, Caracas, showed severe leaf distortion, chlorosis, and mosaic. Viral etiology was suspected, and several plants were brought to the lab for further analyses. Electron microscopic studies of leaf-dip preparations from symptomatic samples revealed flexuous viral particles 750 nm long. Infected cells contained pinwheel inclusions and scrolls typical of those associated with infection by a potyvirus. The virus was sap-transmitted back to watercress, which developed symptoms identical to those first observed. Disease symptoms were also reproduced on Nicotiana benthamiana using mechanical inoculation with watercress-infected sap. All samples were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using polyclonal antibodies (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) to Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), the only potyvirus that has been found infecting watercress plants (1). TuMV was detected in 88% of 100 samples taken from 18 markets on a single day. Symptoms were noted in every market when visited once a month during a 6-month period. The high percentage of TuMV-infected watercress in the 18 local markets (all 10 to 11 km from watercress fields) makes further epidemiological studies desirable. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TuMV infection of watercress in Venezuela. References: (1) A. Brunt et al. Viruses of Plants. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, UK. 1996.

Detection of Poinsettia mosaic virus Infecting Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) in Venezuela.

Poinsettia mosaic virus (PnMV), a putative member of the tymoviruses, was detected in several cultivars of vegetatively propagated poinsettias grown in commercial nurseries in Estado Miranda, Venezuela. Symptoms associated with the affected plants consisted of severe mottling and distortion of leaves and bracteoles. The suspect virus was mechanically transmitted to Nicotiana benthamiana. Leaf extracts and thin sections of affected leaf tissue were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Spherical virus particles (30 nm diameter) were observed in samples from symptomatic poinsettia plants. Ultrastructural analyses of virus-infected cells revealed aggregates of virus particles in the cytoplasm and central vacuole. The virus was purified twice from infected N. benthamiana, resulting in yields as high as 12 mg/100 g. Dissociated coat protein contained a single 24-kDa protein species. The virus was not serologically related to Carnation mottle, Bean rugose mosaic, Cowpea mosaic, Cucumber mosaic, Pea enation mosaic, Prunus necrotic ringspot, Apple mosaic, Tobacco streak, Maize rayado fino, Tomato ringspot, Bean southern mosaic, Sowbane mosaic, Andean potato latent, Belladona mottle, Scrophularia or Turnip yellow mosaic viruses, but did react positively in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis with antiserum (ATCC PVAS-476) to PnMV. Based on these results, the virus is considered to be PnMV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PnMV infecting poinsettias in Venezuela.

Properties of a previously undescribed supercoiled filamentous virus infecting papaya in Venezuela.

Supercoiled filamentous virus particles with lengths of 400 to 700 nm and 3 nm wide were isolated from leaves of Carica papaya L. plants showing a mild yellowing between the veins. The morphological properties of this virus resemble those of tenuiviruses. However, it was serologically unrelated to three of the five definitive members of this group of plant viruses and had biochemical features quite different from tenuiviruses. Therefore, the virus described here is possible an unreported new virus infecting papaya for which the name of papaya mild yellow leaf virus (PMYLV) is proposed. PMYLV was mechanically transmitted to papaya and to several Cucurbitaceae species. Virus particles sedimented as one component in sucrose density gradients, containing one molecule of ssRNA with an apparent size of 6400 nucleotides which constitutes 5% of the particle weight. The buoyant density of PMYLV was 1.26 g/cm3 in cesium chloride equilibrium gradients, and the virus coat protein consisted of a single polypeptide with mol. wt. of c. 39 kDa. Estimated virus yield in purified preparations was 2.6 g/kg leaf tissues. An antiserum was produced with a titer of 1:1500. Ultrastructural observations of PMYLV-infected leaf tissues showed crystalline aggregates of virus particles, closely associated with electron dense amorphous inclusion bodies only within xylem cells.

Steroid secretion by a lipoid cell tumor causing virilization and its diagnosis with computerized tomography.

Presented is the case of a virilized woman with a lipoid cell tumor of the ovary localized by computerized tomography. The major secretory products of the tumor were testosterone and estradiol; the production of androgens was responsible for the clinical features and hindered the effects of estrogens. Elevated levels of estradiol indicated important ovarian aromatase activity as reflected by large ovarian-peripheral venous gradients.