Mixed infection of Sida jamaicensis in Jamaica reveals the presence of three recombinant begomovirus DNA A components.

Begomoviruses impose serious constraints on agriculture throughout the temperate, tropical and subtropical regions. Previously, we characterised a sida golden yellow vein virus isolate, SiGYVV-[JM:Lig2:08] (HQ009519-20) from a symptomatic Sida jamaicensis plant. With the aim of establishing whether it was hosting a mixed infection that could facilitate recombination, PCR-RFLP was done on DNA extracted from this plant, and the results suggested the presence of two additional genetically distinct DNA-A molecules. Sequence analysis of these two DNA-A molecules (relying on BLAST searches and the CLUSTAL V algorithm within the DNASTAR MegAlign module) revealed that they belonged to novel species, and we have tentatively named these viruses sida golden mosaic Braco virus-[Jamaica:Liguanea:2008] and sida golden mosaic Liguanea virus-[Jamaica:1:2008]. Using RDP4 (recombination detection program), we determined that all three viruses were recombinant, with bases ~10 to ~440 of both SiGMLigV-[JM:Lig:08] and SiGYVV-[JM:Lig2:08] having been derived from a relative of SiGMBV-[JM:Lig:08] (P<2.070×10(-7) for all seven of the recombination detection methods). SiGMBV-[JM:Lig:08] was itself a product of recombination, deriving bases ~490-1195 from a virus that was ~92% similar to malvastrum yellow mosaic Helshire virus. Phylogenetically, these DNA-A components are most closely related to those of malvaceous weed-infecting begomoviruses from Jamaica, Cuba, Florida and Mexico. The SiGMBV DNA-A was able to elicit symptomatic infection in N. benthamiana.

The molecular characterisation of a Sida-infecting begomovirus from Jamaica.

The complete DNA sequence of both genome components of a new begomovirus (Sida golden mosaic Buckup virus-[Jamaica:St. Elizabeth:2004]; SiGMBuV-[JM:SE:04]) was determined from a field-infected Sida sp. sample from Buckup, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Phylogenetically, both genome components of SiGMBuV-[JM:SE:04] are most closely related to malvaceous weed-infecting Floridian and Mexican begomoviruses. Its DNA-B is a recombinant molecule, the majority of which was derived from a virus resembling Sida yellow mosaic Yucatan virus-[Mexico:Yucatan:2005] (SiYMYuV-[MX:Yuc:05]), while nucleotides 43-342 were derived from a virus resembling Sida golden mosaic virus-[United States of America:Florida] (SiGMV-[US:Flo]). Symptomatic infectivity of our cloned SiGMBuV-[JM:SE:04] components was confirmed in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Molecular characterization and phylogeny of two begomoviruses infecting Malvastrum americanum in Jamaica: evidence of the contribution of inter-species recombination to the evolution of malvaceous weed-associated begomoviruses from the northern Caribbean.

Two distinct full-length begomovirus DNA-A components and a DNA-B component were PCR amplified, cloned and sequenced from Jamaican Malvastrum americanum plants exhibiting yellow mosaic symptoms. Whereas one of the DNA-A components is from a potentially new species that we have tentatively named Malvastrum yellow mosaic Helshire virus (MaYMHV), the other DNA-A and the DNA-B form a cognate pair and represent a new virus species tentatively named Malvastrum yellow mosaic Jamaica virus (MaYMJV). The MaYMJV genome components together infected M. americanum and produced yellow mosaic symptoms similar to those seen in naturally infected plants. Both the MaYMJV and MaYMHV DNA-A components are typical of those of bipartite begomoviruses from the Western Hemisphere. The DNA-As of MaYMJV and MaYMHV are most closely related to each other (sharing 84% sequence identity) and cluster phylogenetically with begomoviruses found infecting malvaceous weeds in Cuba and Florida. The DNA-B component of MaYMJV is most similar to that of Sida golden mosaic virus-[USA:Florida] (SiGMV-[US:Flo]) and Sida golden mosaic Costa Rica virus-[Costa Rica] (SiGMCRV-[CR]). As with many other geminivirus species, the genomes of MaYMJV and MaYMHV bear traces of inter-species recombination.

Three new tools for parathyroid surgery: expensive and unnecessary?

BACKGROUND: The intraoperative quick parathyroid hormone assay, the intraoperative gamma probe, and endoscopic parathyroidectomy are three very new techniques developed to facilitate parathyroid surgery. Some hospitals do not have the necessary equipment, and many, like ours, continue to operate in the time-honored way. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective chart review of 34 such operations, done with the use of Sestamibi scans, but entirely without the newer modalities. RESULTS: Four-gland exploration was carried out on all patients. Operative times ranged from 15 to 165 minutes, with a mean of 47 minutes, and incision lengths ranged from 2 to 3 cm, with a mean of 2.8 cm. There was no mortality, no reoperation, and no vocal cord or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Our cure rate was 100%, as determined by a fall in postoperative calcium and parathormone levels. CONCLUSIONS: In our view, the intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay, gamma probe, and endoscopic parathyroidectomy add an entirely unnecessary cost to an operation that can be completed satisfactorily with a preoperative Sestamibi scan and a thorough four-gland exploration.