RT-PCR-RFLP for genetic diversity analysis of Tunisian Grapevine fanleaf virus isolates in their natural host plants

Genetic diversity was characterized in 20 isolates of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) recovered from naturally infected grapevine plants (Vitis vinifera) in the North of Tunisia. Viral RNAs were isolated by oligoprobe capture, and a 605 bp fragment containing a part of the viral coat protein gene was amplified by RT-PCR. Sequence variation among isolates was characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and confirmed by sequencing. The GFLV infections are found as a complex mixture of closely related genomes. In further studies, RFLP analyses of virus isolates using AluI showed that GFLV populations in Tunisian vineyards consist of two restrictotypes corresponding to distinct sub-populations Sp1 and Sp2. The relative field distribution of these sub-populations showed that Sp2 was more abundant. Individual genomes were recovered by cloning the RT-PCR products. The sequences were found to vary from each other by as much as 11%. Cloning from mixed infections showed that Sp2 are also predominant.     

Anatomy of the arterial vascularization of the lips

Summary The findings from 12 dissections of previously injected facial masks, 8 dissections of the face following intrarterial injection of a red solution of Latex Neoprene, and a corrosion cast specimen allowed us to study the arterial supply of the lips. The arterial supply of the upper lip arises mainly from the superior labial arteries, but also from the subseptal arteries and from the subalar arteries. There is a figure of 8 shaped anastomotic system between these arteries lying on the upper lip. The arterial supply of the lower lip arises from the inferior labial arteries and from branches of the mental artery. A constant inferior labial arterial network was shown at the level of the lower lip arising in a fifth of cases from a T-shaped inferior labial artery. All these recent anatomic findings help us to improve our understanding of plastic surgery of the lips.

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Vascularisation artérielle des lèvres

Résumé Douze dissections de masques faciaux préalablement injectés à la gélatine minium, huit dissections de face après injection artérielle par une solution de latex néoprène rouge, et une injectioncorrosion a permis l'étude de la vascularisation artérielle labiale. La lèvre supérieure reçoit sa vascularisation artérielle des artères labiales supérieures principalement, mais aussi des artères sous-narinaires branches des artères faciales, et des artères de la sous-cloison. Il existe un système d'anastomose fréquent entre les trois artères décrivant un aspect de 8 de chiffre couché au niveau de la lèvre supérieure. La lèvre inférieure est vascularisée par les artères labiales inférieures et par des branches de l'artère mentonnière ; il existe de manière constante au niveau de la lèvre inférieure une arche artérielle labiale inférieure provenant une fois sur cinq d'une artère labiales inférieure en T unique. Toute ces données anatomiques récentes permettent d'envisager dans de meilleures conditions la chirurgie réparatrice des lèvres.

     

Contribution to carrier detection and genetic counselling in X linked retinoschisis.

X linked retinoschisis (RS) is a vitreoretinal disease resulting from microcystic degeneration of the macula associated with peripheral lesions. The disease gene has already been assigned to the distal short arm of the X chromosome (Xp22.2) by linkage studies. In order to contribute both to a better localisation of the RS locus and to genetic counselling in RS families, we have carried out a clinical and genetic analysis in seven pedigrees. We show, first, that in contrast with previous reports, heterozygote carriers frequently express the disease, and display peripheral retinal alterations similar to those found in affected males. Second, while distal markers DXS16, DXS207, and DXS43 are closely linked to the disease locus, a high level of recombination events was found with centromeric markers, namely DXS274, DXS41, and DXS164. These findings must be taken into account for both carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in X linked RS.     

ARCHITECT® urine-neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (u-NGAL) assay as new prognostic marker for clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) (preliminary results)

International Urology and Nephrology - Biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring treatment response of kidney cancer are urgently needed. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a...     

Intrafamilial phenotypic variability of Hallervorden-Spätz syndrome in a Tunisian family

We report clinical features, CT-scan and MRI findings of three siblings with Hallervorden-Sp?tz disease, one of them followed for more than 20years. Patient 1 presented at age 10 with progressive generalized dystonia. Five years later she had violent dystonic spasms with opisthotonos and marked oro-mandibular involvement. Later, dystonia stabilized and examination showed dysarthria, multiple deformities related to dystonic posturing, retinal degeneration and no cognitive impairment. Cerebral CT-scan showed bilateral pallidal lucencies and T2 cerebral MRI showed the "eye of the tiger" sign.Patient 2 developed delusions and hallucinations at age 18 with acute phases of hetero-aggressivity diagnosed as "schizophrenic" in a psychiatric hospital. At age 20, he developed oromandibular dystonia, severe dysarthria and epilepsy. Cerebral MRI showed the same "eye of the tiger" sign.Patient 3 presented at age 37 with isolated psychiatric features similar to those of patient 2, also diagnosed "schizophrenic" in a psychiatric hospital. Neurological examination showed mild postural tremor of the hands and intermittent cervical dystonia. He was stabilized with neuroleptic treatment.This family shows marked intrafamilial variability of age at onset, symptom at onset (with "schizophrenic" features unusually described and leading to misdiagnosis), clinical presentation (almost entirely dystonic in one patient and almost entirely psychiatric in two others) and course of the disease (slowly progressive in one sibling, rapidly deteriorating in the second and stabilization in the third). Classification and nosology of subtypes of HSD are discussed.