Potato Virus Y (PVY) Isolates from Solanum betaceum Represent Three Novel Recombinants Within the PVYN Strain Group and Are Unable to Systemically Spread in Potato.

Tamarillo, or tree tomato (Solanum betaceum), is a perennial small tree or shrub species cultivated in subtropical areas for fresh fruit and juice production. In Ecuador, tamarillo orchards are affected by several viruses, with one previously identified as potato virus Y (PVY); however, the specific strain composition of PVY in tamarillo was not determined. In 2015 and 2016, eight tamarillo plants exhibiting symptoms of leaf drop, mosaic, and mottled fruit were sampled near Tumbaco and Quito, Ecuador. These tamarillo PVY isolates were able to systemically infect tobacco, Nicotiana benthamiana, naranjilla, and tamarillo. Seven of the eight PVY isolates from tamarillo exhibited N-serotype, while one of the PVY isolates studied, Tam15, had no identifiable serotype. One isolate, Tam17, had N-serotype but produced asymptomatic systemic infection in tobacco. In tamarillo, four tamarillo isolates induced mosaic and slight growth retardation and were unable to systemically infect pepper or potato. Tamarillo, on the other hand, was unable to support systemic infection of PVY isolates belonging to the PVYO and PVYEu-N strains. The whole genomes of eight PVY isolates were sequenced from a series of overlapping RT-PCR fragments. Phylogenetically, tamarillo PVY isolates were found to belong to the large PVYN lineage, in a new tamarillo clade. Recombination analysis revealed that these tamarillo PVY isolates represent at least three novel recombinant types not reported before. The combination of the biological and molecular properties found in these eight PVY isolates suggested the existence of a new tamarillo strain of PVY that may have coevolved with S. betaceum.

A New Tymovirus Isolated From Solanum quitoense: Characterization and Prevalence in Two Solanaceous Crops in Ecuador.

Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) and tamarillo (S. betaceum Cav.) are two important perennial solanaceous crops grown in Ecuador for the fresh market and juice production. Viruses infecting tamarillo and naranjilla are currently poorly studied, and no clean stock program exists in Ecuador. Here, we report a new virus, provisionally named as naranjilla mild mosaic virus (NarMMV) (genus Tymovirus, family Tymoviridae), isolated from naranjilla grown in an orchard in Pichincha Province, Ecuador. The complete genome of the virus consists of 6,348 nucleotides and encodes three open reading frames typical for members of the genus Tymovirus. Phylogenetically, Chiltepin yellow mosaic virus, Eggplant mosaic virus, and the recently characterized naranjilla chlorotic mosaic virus (NarCMV) were found to be the closest relatives of NarMMV. Unlike NarCMV, the new virus induced mild mosaic in naranjilla and more severe symptoms in tamarillo. Similar to NarCMV, NarMMV was unable to systemically infect potato. Virus surveys found NarMMV prevalent in naranjilla production areas of two provinces of Ecuador, especially where hybrid cultivars of naranjilla were cultivated. NarMMV was also found in field-grown tamarillo. The new virus cross-reacted with antibodies developed against NarCMV. Hence, this antibody will be useful for its field diagnosis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunocapture reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in future virus-free certification programs.

Characterization of a New Tymovirus Causing Stunting and Chlorotic Mosaic in Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense).

Naranjilla ("little orange"), also known as lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam.), is a perennial shrub species cultivated in the Andes for fresh fruit and juice production. In 2015, a naranjilla plant exhibiting stunting, mosaic, and chlorotic spots was sampled in the Pastaza province of Ecuador and maintained under greenhouse conditions. An infectious agent was mechanically transmitted to indicator plants and was subjected to biological and molecular characterization. Spherical particles approximately 30 nm in diameter, composed of a single 20-kDa capsid protein, were observed under an electron microscope in infected naranjilla plants. High-throughput sequencing conducted on inoculated Nicotiana benthamiana plants produced a single sequence contig sharing the closest relationship with several tymoviruses. The entire 6,245-nucleotide genome of a new tymovirus was amplified using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and resequenced with the Sanger methodology. The genome had three open reading frames typical of tymoviruses, and displayed a whole-genome nucleotide identity level with the closest tymovirus, Eggplant mosaic virus, at 71% (90% coverage). This tymovirus from naranjilla was able to systemically infect eggplant, tamarillo, N. benthamiana, and naranjilla. In naranjilla, it produced mosaic, chlorotic spots, and stunting, similar to the symptoms observed in the original plant. The virus was unable to infect potato and tobacco and unable to systemically infect pepper plants, replicating only in inoculated leaves. We concluded that this virus represented a new tymovirus infecting naranjilla, and proposed the tentative name Naranjilla chlorotic mosaic virus (NarCMV).

Fecal continence revisited: the anal external sphincter continence reflex.

BACKGROUND: None of the current theories on fecal incontinence can explain fecal continence adequately. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the mechanism controlling fecal continence. DESIGN: Anal electrosensitivity, anorectal pressures, and rectal pressure volumetry tests were performed in 17 controls before and after superficial local anal anesthesia and in 6 controls before and after spinal anesthesia. The same tests were performed in 1 patient before and after injected local anal anesthesia and in 3 patients with spinal cord lesions at levels Th3 to L3. RESULTS: After superficial local anal anesthesia, anal electrosensitivity decreased, but basal anal pressure remained unaltered. Squeeze pressure decreased and rectal filling sensation levels remained. Local anesthesia reduced anal pressure recorded in the distal anal canal during progressive rectal filling. This was also the case, albeit more explicit, after the local anal anesthetic was injected. After spinal anesthesia, the anal canal became insensitive to electric stimulation, but basal and squeeze pressure values decreased substantially, and the increase in anal pressure during the balloon-retaining test disappeared completely. In the patients with spinal cord lesions, the external sphincter could not be squeezed on command, but during the balloon-retaining test, the anal sphincter did squeeze autonomously at more than 300 mmHg. LIMITATIONS: These were partially experimental measurements. The relevance of the found model in the daily clinical practice will have to be studied in a following study. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that the component of fecal continence mediated by contraction of the external sphincter depends on a anal external sphincter continence reflex without involving the brain. Presumably, the afferent receptors of this reflex are contact receptors located superficially in the mucosa or submucosa of the distal anal canal. A nonfunctioning anal external sphincter continence reflex would, therefore, result in fecal incontinence (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A116).

Anti-inflammatory activity of superoxide dismutase obtained from Debaryomyces hansenii on type II collagen induced arthritis in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, free radicals have been implicated in the genesis and perpetuation of damage in this pathology. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) obtained from two different sources (bovine erythrocytes, Be-SOD, and Debaryomyces hansenii, Dh-SOD) with Type II Collagen-induced Arthritis model in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Arthritis was induced by repeated injection of a porcine type II collagen-incomplete Freund adjuvant suspension on the back of Dark Augui (DA) rats. Arthritis was clinically evaluated throughout the study. Body weight was determined at three different times. Two different doses for each treatment (Be-SOD, Dh-SOD) were tested: 100 and 1,000 U/kg. At the end of the trial (day 28), histological analyses of the most inflamed ankle joint, as well as serum anti-collagen antibodies, were determined. RESULTS: Both sources of SOD decreased, although to a different extent, the incidence and severity of the disease. Arthritis score was lower in all treatments, except for the low dose of Be-SOD. Groups receiving either source of SOD showed a significant weight increase compared to the placebo group. Histological damage was similar in all groups. Only the group that received the highest dose of Dh-SOD showed a significant lower antibody titer; nevertheless, no correlation appears to derive from arthritis score and antibody titer. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that, although unable to counteract the arthritis syndrome, SOD may still be beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory activity. In the case of Dh-SOD, the best effect was observed at the highest dose tested.

Effect of superoxide dismutase from bovine erithrocytes on different activity parameters in Ajuvant-Induced arthritis

Background. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on primary swelling, lipoperoxidation, body thymus, and spleen weight in the adjuvants-induced arthritis (AIA) model in rats. Methods. Orally and intraperitoneally administered SOD (100 U/kg) from bovine erythrocytes, as well as naproxen (40 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (25 mg/kg), were evaluated againts placebo. Results. Primary edema was not decreased by SOD; in contrast, naproxen and dexamethasone showed good anti-inflammatory activity. Lipoperoxidation increased 1.8, 2.5, and 2.8 times with intraperitoneal SOD, naproxen, and dexamethasone administration, respectively, while oral SOD decreased lipoperoxidation levels to approximately one-half of that found in the control group. Body weight increased with SOD but decreased with dexamethasone. Naproxen did not change the animal weight. Thymus weight remained unchanged with SOD and naproxen, while it decreased with dezamethasone. Splee weight remained the same wih SOD, but increased with naproxen and decreased with dezamethasone. No side of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and 50 percent of the rats in the dexamethasone group, of pulmonary infection. Conclusions. In conclusion, SOD showed no anti-inflammatory activity but decreased lipoperoxidation when administered orally. No deleterious effects in primary and secondary immunologic organs were observed with this agent

Anti-Inflammatory activity od debaryomyces hansenii Cu, Zn-SOD

Background. Cu,Zn-superoxide-dismutase, Cu,Zn-SOD, can be obtained from different sources with different anti-inflammatory activities. In this study we compared the antiinflammatory capacity of the marine yeast Debaryomyces hanseii Cu,Zn-SOD (Dh-SOD) with that of bovine erythrocytes (Be-SOD) in preventive an a therapeutic fashion. Methods. Edema was induced by carrageenan injection into the rat hind paw and was evaluated using a mercury plethysmograph. Development of the inflammatory process was followed by volume displacement at time 0 (carrageenan injection), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h thereafter. Three different SOD doses were used in preliminary experiments to prevent edema: 10, 100, and U/kg. Results. The results indicate that, at the lowest dose (10 U/kg), both SOD samples are effective in reducing inflammation in both the prostaglandin and amplification phases (-24.8 percent and -17.5 percent in the case of Be-SOD, and 11.8 percent and -18.7 percent in the case of Dh-SOD, respectively) (p<0.05). At 100 U/kg, Be-SOD also shows good anti-inflammatory activity in all edema phases (-27.1 percent in the serotonin phase; -19.4 percent in the prostaglandin phase; and -20 percent in the amplification phase) (p<0.05), but Dh-SOD was less effective (-10.9 percent, -9.1 percent, and -5.7 percent). At the highest dose tested (1000 U/kg), Dh-SOD was, again more effective than Be-SOD in all three edema phases (-33.1 percent and -1.5 percent; -17.9 percent and -2.6 percent; and -13.8 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively) (p >0.05). When evaluated as a therapeutic alternative, single doses of DH-SOD at 1,000 U/kg, and Be-SOD at 100 U/kg, both showed good anti-inflammatory activities (-31.7 percent and -23.5 percent, respectively) (p < 0.05). Conclusion. For therapy purposes alone, DH-SOD appears to be a better anti-inflammatory agent than Be-SOD in carrageenan-induced edema

Medicamentos caseros inocuos / Inocuos domestic medicaments

El presente trabajo demostró las diversas colonias de bacterias y hongos encontrados en los medicamentos caseros inocuos preparados en forma empírica y recetados por médicos inclusive oftalmólogos. Se cultivaron bacterias gram (-), un coco gram (+) y hongos, la recomendación final eliminar de la práctica médica cotidina la utilización de estos medicamentos caseros inocuos