Identification of internal poly(A) tracts (IPATs) of variable lengths in a novel tobacco rattle virus RNA2 in potatoes.

The nucleotide (nt) sequences of two closely related isolates (CeWF-2 and CeWGH-2) of a novel tobacco rattle virus (TRV) RNA2 were determined. The sequences of their RNA2-specific regions were almost identical and contained four open reading frames (ORFs) in an arrangement similar to that found in the previously described TRV TpO1 RNA2. Their predicted ORF 1 gene products shared 97 % amino acid sequence identity with the TpO1 coat protein, but the ORF 2 and ORF 3 gene products shared only 82 % sequence identity, and no appreciable sequence similarity was found between the CeWF-2/CeWGH-2 and TpO1 ORF 4 gene products. In the CeWGH-2 sequence, the RNA2-specific and RNA1-related regions were separated by seven adenine (A) residues. In CeWF-2, however, an internal poly(A) tract (IPAT) of variable size consisting of ca. 20 to 30 (A) residues was found. This is the first report of an IPAT occurring in a tobravirus RNA2.

Molecular characterization of a new tobacco rattle virus (TRV) RNA2 and identification of different TRV RNA1/RNA2 pairings in various potato-growing areas in Germany.

The almost complete nucleotide sequences lacking only the short primer-derived 5' and 3' ends were determined for two closely related isolates of a new tobacco rattle virus (TRV) RNA2, i.e., ByKT (Bav)-2 and ByKT (LS)-2. These isolates originated from corky-ringspot-affected potato-growing areas in southern Germany (Bavaria) and northern central Germany (Lower Saxony), respectively, where they were associated with distinct supporting TRV RNA1s. In potatoes in other parts of Germany, TRV RNA2s closely related to TRV TpO1 RNA2 were identified. They, too, were associated with distinct TRV RNA1s in different parts of the country.

Thoracic outlet syndrome in 3T MR neurography-fibrous bands causing discernible lesions of the lower brachial plexus.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether targeted magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) of the brachial plexus can visualise fibrous bands compressing the brachial plexus and directly detect injury in plexus nerve fascicles. METHODS: High-resolution MRN was employed in 30 patients with clinical suspicion of either true neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) or non-specific TOS. The protocol for the brachial plexus included a SPACE (3D turbo spin echo with variable flip angle) STIR (short tau inversion recovery), a sagittal-oblique T2-weighted (T2W) SPAIR (spectral adiabatic inversion recovery) and a 3D PDW (proton density weighted) SPACE. Images were evaluated for anatomical anomalies compressing the brachial plexus and for abnormal T2W signal within plexus elements. Patients with abnormal MR imaging findings underwent surgical exploration. RESULTS: Seven out of 30 patients were identified with unambiguous morphological correlates of TOS. These were verified by surgical exploration. Correlates included fibrous bands (n = 5) and pseudarthrosis or synostosis of ribs (n = 2). Increased T2W signal was detected within compressed plexus portion (C8 spinal nerve, inferior trunk, or medial cord) and confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical suspicion of TOS can be diagnostically confirmed by MRN. Entrapment of plexus structures by subtle anatomical anomalies such as fibrous bands can be visualised and relevant compression can be confirmed by increased T2W signal of compromised plexus elements. KEY POINTS: • MR neurography (MRN) can aid the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). • Identifiable causes of TOS in MRN include fibrous bands and bony anomalies. • Increased T2W signal within brachial plexus elements indicate relevant nerve compression. • High positive predictive value allows confident and targeted indication for surgery.

[Anterior skull base defects - algorithm for reconstruction]. / Rhinobasisdefekt - was tun? Fallserie und Algorithmus.

BACKGROUND: After tumor surgery or traumatic defects the anterior skull base needs sufficient closure in order to prevent rhinoliquorrhea, ascending infection and brain tissue prolaps. Small defects are sufficiently closed by non-vital tissue, e. g. mucosa, muscle, fat, fascia, bone, allogenic, xenogenic or alloplastic material. Larger defects of the skull base often require more extensive surgery, including transfer of local or distal vascularized flaps. The current article presents a stepwise tutorial for reconstruction of the skull base and by a large case series focuses on the interdisciplinary therapy of complex (size, recurrence, after radiotherapy) skull base defects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Complex defects with small diameter, which can occur after extended sinus surgery, were permanently closed by local mucosa flaps of the lower turbinate or of the septum (n=31). Larger defects, e. g. after combined transcranial and endonasal tumor surgery, were closed by a 'sandwich technique' containing a galea periost flap and a calvarian split transfer (n=10). Reconstruction of the dura with fascia lata and local transfer of the temporal muscle were efficient for frontobasal defects with a more lateral location (n=4). Transfer of a distal desepithelialised vascularized forearm flap represents the ultimate procedure for reconstruction of large skull base defects, which was performed in 4 of our patients. CONCLUSION: Successive escalation of the therapy and integra-tion of the entire repertoire of plastic-reconstructive surgery allows for durable closure of complex skull base defects. In every case, close cooperation between ENT- and neurosurgeons is necessary for planning and performance of a successful surgical procedure.

Tobacco rattle virus genome alterations in the Hosta hybrid 'Green Fountain' and other plants: reassortments, recombinations and deletions.

Tobacco rattle virus from a Hosta hybrid contained one RNA1 (Ho-1) and two RNA2 species (Ho-2a, Ho-2b). Whereas Ho-1 resembles TRV Al RNA1 from Alstroemerias, Ho-2a and Ho-2b resemble TRV TpO1 RNA2 from a potato field. Ho-2a has a complete RNA2-specific sequence, whereas that of Ho2-b carries a large deletion. The short RNA1-related 3' end of Ho-2a is distinct from that of Ho-1, whereas the longer one of Ho-2b is identical to that of Ho-1. TRV RNA2 molecules may apparently become associated with different TRV RNA1 molecules, from which they can acquire 3'ends of various lengths while often losing large portions of their RNA2-specific sequences.

Deletions and recombinations with the RNA1 3' ends of different tobraviruses have created a multitude of tobacco rattle virus TCM-related RNA2 species in Alstroemeria and tulip.

In vegetatively propagated Alstroemeria plants that showed pronounced stunting and necrotic leaf spots, a tobravirus infection was diagnosed in which one tobacco rattle virus (TRV, strain AL) RNA1 species was associated with seven different RNA2 species. The latter differed considerably in size and in the types of their 3' RNA1-related sequences. The 5' RNA2-specific part of all these RNA2 molecules showed almost 100% sequence identity with that of RNA2 of the TRV isolate TCM from tulip, but in some of these RNA2 molecules it was shorter than in the TCM isolate, whereas in others it was longer. One of the TRV AL RNA2 molecules, i.e. TC3'PE-a, contained the full set of three full-length RNA2-specific ORFs (ORF2a, -2b and -2c), whereas the previously analysed TCM sequence contained only ORF2a and -2b. In four of these TRV AL RNA2 molecules, i.e. those that had a relatively short RNA2-specific part, the 3' end was identical to that of the cognate TRV AL RNA1, but in the other three, which had a long RNA2-specific part, it was closely related to that of pea early browning virus (PEBV) RNA1, which was not detected in the infected plants. A comparison with previously described TRV/PEBV RNA2 recombinants suggested that the various TRV AL RNA2 molecules may represent various steps and side steps in an evolutionary process, which is apt to open the wide host range of TRV also to PEBV-derived RNA2 species.

Two novel WTX mutations underscore the unpredictability of male survival in osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis.

Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis (OMIM ##300373) is an X-linked dominant sclerosing bone dysplasia that presents in females with macrocephaly, cleft palate, mild learning disabilities, sclerosis of the long bones and skull, and longitudinal striations visible on radiographs of the long bones, pelvis, and scapulae. In males this entity is usually associated with foetal or neonatal lethality, because of severe heart defects and/or gastrointestinal malformations, and is often accompanied by bilateral fibula aplasia. Recently, the disease-causing gene was identified as the WTX gene (FAM123B). Initially it was suggested that the mutations in the 5' region of the WTX gene are associated with male lethality. Mutation analysis in individuals of two families diagnosed with OSCS revealed two novel WTX mutations. In one family, the affected male is still alive in his teens. These mutations underline the unpredictability of male survival and suggest that WTX mutations should be considered in cases of male cranial sclerosis, even if striations are not present. An overview of all known mutations and their associated characteristics provide a valuable resource for the molecular analysis of OSCS.

Neural network surrogates of Bayesian diagnostic models for fast inference of plasma parameters.

We present a framework for training artificial neural networks (ANNs) as surrogate Bayesian models for the inference of plasma parameters from diagnostic data collected at nuclear fusion experiments, with the purpose of providing a fast approximation of conventional Bayesian inference. Because of the complexity of the models involved, conventional Bayesian inference can require tens of minutes for analyzing one single measurement, while hundreds of thousands can be collected during a single plasma discharge. The ANN surrogates can reduce the analysis time down to tens/hundreds of microseconds per single measurement. The core idea is to generate the training data by sampling them from the joint probability distribution of the parameters and observations of the original Bayesian model. The network can be trained to learn the reconstruction of plasma parameters from observations and the model joint probability distribution from plasma parameters and observations. Previous work has validated the application of such a framework to the former case at the Wendelstein 7-X and Joint European Torus experiments. Here, we first give a description of the general methodological principles allowing us to generate the training data, and then we show an example application of the reconstruction of the joint probability distribution of an effective ion charge Zeff-bremsstrahlung model from data collected at the latest W7-X experimental campaign. One key feature of such an approach is that the network is trained exclusively on data generated with the Bayesian model, requiring no experimental data. This allows us to replicate the training scheme and generate fast, surrogate ANNs for any validated Bayesian diagnostic model.

Molecular cell biology. A powerhouse rises in reborn Dresden.

Two years in the making, a new Max Planck Institute is about to open its doors to scores of talented scientists--many from rival Heidelberg. Next month, the Max Planck Society's Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics will open its glassy new headquarters in Dresden.

Eastern Europe. Adriatic nations team up to explore spreading marine mystery.

Scientists hope that unlocking the mystery of a slimy biomass that sometimes despoils the sparkling blue-green waters of the Adriatic Sea will push open the door to greater international scientific collaboration in the troubled region. The biomass's once-rare appearances have become increasingly frequent in the last decade, making it perhaps the most visible sign of environmental stress in the northern Adriatic. But its growing notoriety may have a silver lining: a major international program to study pollution and other environmental trends in the Adriatic.

HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS: Bulgarians Sue CERN for Leniency.

In cash-strapped Bulgaria, scientists are wondering whether a ticket for a front-row seat in high-energy physics is worth the price: Membership dues in CERN, the European particle physics lab, nearly equal the country's entire budget for competitive research grants. Faced with that grim statistic and a plea for leniency from Bulgaria's government, CERN's governing council is considering slashing the country's membership dues for the next 2 years.

MATERIALS SCIENCE: Armenia Wants Second Mideast Synchrotron.

Middle Eastern scientists who for years have been yearning for a synchrotron may wind up with two. Last spring, SESAME (Synchrotron Radiation for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East), an 11-nation consortium formed to install and operate a first-generation synchrotron now mothballed in Germany, selected Jordan as the site of the 0.8 giga-electron-volt BESSY-I synchrotron, disappointing Armenian officials who had hoped to snare the prize. But this month Armenia moved to the head of the line for a second, brand-new synchrotron after securing a $15 million down payment from the U.S. Congress as part of a foreign-aid spending bill that would funnel $90 million to the country.

IRANIAN SCIENCE: Iran's Scientists Cautiously Reach Out to the World.

Two decades after Iran's Islamic revolution, science in this politically isolated but oil-rich nation may be on the verge of resurgence. The nation's reform-minded president, Mohammad Khatami, and his allies are promising more money for R&D, reorganizing universities to beef up graduate education and research, and cracking open the door to closer cooperation with scientists abroad, including those in the United States. But Iran's government is walking a tightrope between hard-liners on the right who oppose reforms and liberal university students eager for change.

IRANIAN SCIENCE: Iranian Women Hear the Call of Science.

Despite institutions such as separate reading rooms for each sex, women are a growing presence at Iran's universities, making up nearly 60% of incoming classes, almost double their share in 1978. But as in many other countries, some female academics in Iran point to a glass ceiling that keeps their representation among university professors low.

IRANIAN SCIENCE: Earthquake Researchers Prepare for the Next Big One.

When a devastating earthquake rocked the Manjil region in Iran on 20 June 1990, the tremors also shook seismology research in that country. That night, Mohsen Ghafory-Ashtiany rolled out of his bed in Tehran and headed to the danger zone in northwestern Iran, where 13,000 persons perished and 60,000 were injured. He and his then-tiny staff surveyed the damage and mapped out a plan for bolstering earthquake research and preparedness.

EASTERN EUROPE: Science Survives in Breakaway States.

Slovenia, which escaped unscathed from its 1-week war of independence in 1991, has emerged from the chaos of the Yugoslav breakup with the biggest head start in science. Croatia also has a proud scientific tradition, but it paid a much higher price than Slovenia paid for its freedom: a bloody war for independence that took nearly 4 years to settle. The problems of Croatian researchers pale in comparison to those in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina, however.

EUROPEAN SCIENCE: Research Behemoth Slated for Overhaul.

Disaffection with the European Union's (E.U.'s) flagship research effort has found a sympathetic ear in the program's upper echelons. Last week, the E.U.'s top two research officials said they are pushing for big changes in the successor to Europe's 5-year, $17 billion Framework 5, including stronger efforts to coordinate research across the continent and to support innovative projects.

EUROPEAN SCIENCE: Urgent Call for Research Overhaul.

The European Union is in danger of losing ground in the global research competition unless its member nations devote more resources to science, restructure the E.U.'s flagship research program, and develop a Europe-wide science strategy, an expert panel says. Framework 5--which provides $17 billion over 5 years for multinational research efforts and scientific networking--should be made more flexible to respond to hot new research fields, the report suggests, and its complex grant-application procedures should be made "much simpler and easier to understand."

ACADEMIC FREEDOM: Political Scientist Becomes Cause Celebre.

On 11 May, a criminal court in Vienna found one of Austria's most prominent political scientists, Anton Pelinka, guilty of defaming former Freedom Party leader Jörg Haider. Haider, an outspoken populist who has made questionable comments about Nazism, accused Pelinka of defaming him for asserting in an interview on Italian television in May 1999 that some Haider statements had "trivialized" Nazism. In the 3 months since the judgment, an array of academic and human rights groups have rushed to Pelinka's defense.

COMPUTER SCIENCE: Flushing Out Nasty Viruses in the Balkans.

Bulgaria created a pioneering center in late 1990 to tackle the threat that its homegrown computer viruses posed to the world; according to experts, it has been a major force in reining in that threat. Now the lab is struggling to stave off obsolescence on a budget of roughly half of what a single Western whiz kid fresh out of college might earn in a year.