Phylogenetic analysis of New Zealand tomato spotted wilt virus isolates suggests likely incursion history scenarios and mechanisms for population evolution

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is an internationally significant pathogen with a wide host range, vectored by thrips. We have studied the sequence variation and evolutionary mechanisms at play in parts of the L, M and S subgenomes of 23 New Zealand TSWV isolates collected between 1992 and 2009, aiming to identify the possible geographic origins of isolates. Maximum-likelihood-based phylogenetic analyses of New Zealand and overseas TSWV isolates placed the L and M subgenome sequences of two isolates (MAF04 and PFR04) in distinct clades composed primarily of Korean, Japanese and Chinese isolates, in contrast to the remaining 21 isolates, which clustered with a cosmopolitan group of isolates. The nucleocapsid (N) gene sequences of MAF04 and PFR04 plus MAF02 clustered with Japanese isolates. Consequently, we postulate that these isolates may represent a distinct incursion into New Zealand, but we do not have enough evidence to indicate an incursion pathway. Alternately, these isolates may have arrived with an incursion that included a mixture of TSWV isolates of diverse international origins. The sequences of four of the TSWV isolates contained a number of sites with a mixture of nucleotides, suggesting that these isolates either consisted of several sequence variants or were from plants with mixed infections. One isolate (MAF02) was shown to be a either a reassortant or an S subgenome recombinant. Large amounts of low-level polymorphism were detected with low amino acid change fixation rates (purifying selection). Negative selection was indicated at four amino acid sites in the New Zealand TSWV N gene sequences.     

Phylogenetic analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease and European brown hare syndrome viruses by comparison of sequences from the capsid protein gene

Summary.  A 398 bp fragment of the capsid protein (VP60) gene of 39 clinical samples of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and 17 of European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV), collected between 1981 and 1995 from 17 countries, was amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. The alignment of the nucleotide sequences and the subsequently constructed phylogenetic tree clearly separated RHDV from EBHSV as phylogenetic entities. The nucleotide homology rates between the RHDV and EBHSV groups ranged between 52.6% and 60.0%. The homology rates within the groups were much higher, 89.4% to 100% for the RHDV samples, and 89.4% to 100% for the EBHSV specimens. No intermediate viruses were found. Despite the high homology, three main branches could be identified in the phylogenetic tree of the RHDV samples, corresponding to the epizootiological data, while the EBHSV dendrogram did not show such well defined branches. The present results support the classification of RHDV and EBHSV as two distinct members of the Caliciviridae family. Nevertheless, a comparison with previously determined sequences of other caliciviruses shows that RHDV and EBHSV are more closely related to each other than to any other calicivirus. Received July 30, 1996 Accepted October 25, 1996     

Guidelines for genomic array analysis in acquired haematological neoplastic disorders

Genetic profiling is important for disease evaluation and prediction of prognosis or responsiveness to therapy in neoplasia. Microarray technologies, including array comparative genomic hybridization and single‐nucleotide polymorphism‐detecting arrays, have in recent years been introduced into the diagnostic setting for specific types of haematological malignancies and solid tumours. It can be used as a complementary test or depending on the neoplasia investigated, also as a standalone test. However, comprehensive and readable presentation of frequently identified complex genomic profiles remains challenging. To assist diagnostic laboratories, standardization and minimum criteria for clinical interpretation and reporting of acquired genomic abnormalities detected through arrays in neoplastic disorders are presented. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Clinical review: Continuous and simplified electroencephalography to monitor brain recovery after cardiac arrest

There has been a dramatic change in hospital care of cardiac arrest survivors in recent years, including the use of target temperature management (hypothermia). Clinical signs of recovery or deterioration, which previously could be observed, are now concealed by sedation, analgesia, and muscle paralysis. Seizures are common after cardiac arrest, but few centers can offer high-quality electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring around the clock. This is due primarily to its complexity and lack of resources but also to uncertainty regarding the clinical value of monitoring EEG and of treating post-ischemic electrographic seizures. Thanks to technical advances in recent years, EEG monitoring has become more available. Large amounts of EEG data can be linked within a hospital or between neighboring hospitals for expert opinion. Continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring provides dynamic information and can be used to assess the evolution of EEG patterns and to detect seizures. cEEG can be made more simple by reducing the number of electrodes and by adding trend analysis to the original EEG curves. In our version of simplified cEEG, we combine a reduced montage, displaying two channels of the original EEG, with amplitude-integrated EEG trend curves (aEEG). This is a convenient method to monitor cerebral function in comatose patients after cardiac arrest but has yet to be validated against the gold standard, a multichannel cEEG. We recently proposed a simplified system for interpreting EEG rhythms after cardiac arrest, defining four major EEG patterns. In this topical review, we will discuss cEEG to monitor brain function after cardiac arrest in general and how a simplified cEEG, with a reduced number of electrodes and trend analysis, may facilitate and improve care.     

An open-label study of amisulpride in the treatment of mania

BACKGROUND: Amisulpride is a selective D(2)-D(3) antagonist that has been reported to be effective in the treatment of schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. However, no prospective study to date has assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of this compound in mania. METHOD: Twenty DSM-IV-defined acutely ill manic bipolar patients with a Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score of 20 or more entered this open, prospective, 6-week study. Assessments included the YMRS, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Clinical Global Impressions Scale for Bipolar Disorder, Modified (CGI-BP-M), and the systematic report of adverse events. Amisulpride was added to other medications, but other antipsychotics were not allowed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (70%) completed the study. Using last-observation-carried-forward (LOCF) analyses, amisulpride produced significant improvements on the YMRS (p = .0001), the HAM-D (p < .0141), and the overall (p = .0003), mania (p = .0001), and depression (p = .0268) subscales of the CGI-BP-M. The most common side effect was sedation (N = 5, 25%), but there were also some extrapyramidal symptoms, galactorrhea, insomnia, and agitation. The mean amisulpride dose was 680 mg/day (LOCF) and 786 mg/day in completers. CONCLUSIONS: This first prospective study on amisulpride in the treatment of mania suggests that, despite the limitations of the open, observational design and small sample size, amisulpride may be effective and reasonably safe in the treatment of bipolar mania. D(2) and D(3) antagonism may be involved in the mechanisms of the therapeutic response to antipsychotics in mania.     

Improving programme-led and focused interventions for eating disorders: An experts' consensus statement—A UK perspective

Objective

Eating disorders are associated with significant illness burden and costs, yet access to evidence-based care is limited. Greater use of programme-led and focused interventions that are less resource-intensive might be part of the solution to this demand-capacity mismatch.

Method

In October 2022, a group of predominantly UK-based clinical and academic researchers, charity representatives and people with lived experience convened to consider ways to improve access to, and efficacy of, programme-led and focused interventions for eating disorders in an attempt to bridge the demand-capacity gap.

Results

Several key recommendations were made across areas of research, policy, and practice. Of particular importance is the view that programme-led and focused interventions are suitable for a range of different eating disorder presentations across all ages, providing medical and psychiatric risk are closely monitored. The terminology used for these interventions should be carefully considered, so as not to imply that the treatment is suboptimal.

Conclusions

Programme-led and focused interventions are a viable option to close the demand-capacity gap for eating disorder treatment and are particularly needed for children and young people. Work is urgently needed across sectors to evaluate and implement such interventions as a clinical and research priority.