Cholesterol Metabolic Profiling of HDL in Women with Late-Onset Preeclampsia

A specific feature of dyslipidemia in pregnancy is increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration, which is probably associated with maternal endothelium protection. However, preeclampsia is most often associated with low HDL cholesterol, and the mechanisms behind this change are scarcely explored. We aimed to investigate changes in HDL metabolism in risky pregnancies and those complicated by late-onset preeclampsia. We analyze cholesterol synthesis (cholesterol precursors: desmosterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, and lathosterol) and absorption markers (phytosterols: campesterol and β-sitosterol) within HDL particles (NCS_HDL), the activities of principal modulators of HDL cholesterol's content, and major HDL functional proteins levels in mid and late pregnancy. On the basis of the pregnancy outcome, participants were classified into the risk group (RG) (70 women) and the preeclampsia group (PG) (20 women). HDL cholesterol was lower in PG in the second trimester compared to RG (p < 0.05) and followed by lower levels of cholesterol absorption markers (p < 0.001 for campesterol_HDL and p < 0.05 for β-sitosterol_HDL). Lowering of HDL cholesterol between trimesters in RG (p < 0.05) was accompanied by a decrease in HDL phytosterol content (p < 0.001), apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) concentration (p < 0.05), and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) (p < 0.001), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) (p < 0.05), and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activities (p < 0.05). These longitudinal changes were absent in PG. Development of late-onset preeclampsia is preceded by the appearance of lower HDL cholesterol and NCS_HDL in the second trimester. We propose that reduced capacity for intestinal HDL synthesis, decreased LCAT activity, and impaired capacity for HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux could be the contributing mechanisms resulting in lower HDL cholesterol.

Pediatric appendicular actinomycosis: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Actinomycosis (ACM) is a rare infectious granulomatous disease caused by Actinomyces, a Grampositive, filamentous, saprophytic bacteria. There are several types of pediatric ACM, such as orocervicofacial (55%) and other less common forms: abdominopelvic and thoracic. We report a case of a 16-year-old who presented with abdominal ACM in the setting of acute appendicitis. After the case report, we provide a short literature review of pediatric appendicular ACM cases published.

CASE

A 16-year-old boy presented with nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper part of the abdomen and fever (37.5°C) lasting for 24 hours. On physical examination, the patient`s epigastrium and lower right abdominal quadrant were tender. White cell count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were elevated at 16,300/μL and 48.6mg/L respectively. Ultrasonography (US) showed appendicolith and edema of the appendiceal wall, focally with stratification as well as periappendiceal inflammation. The patient underwent a classic appendectomy, and the postoperative course was without complications. Histopathological analysis showed diffuse transmural neutrophilic infiltration of the appendix, focally with areas of necrosis and abscesses. There were numerous brightly eosinophilic colonies made of filamentous bacteria, located predominantly in submucosa. Special stains Grocott-Gomori`s Methenamine Silver and Gram were positive and a diagnosis of ACM was made.

CONCLUSIONS

Although appendicitis is very common in the general population, appendicitis associated with ACM is very rare, accounting for 0.02% - 0.06%, especially in the pediatric population. Diagnosis can be very challenging because they usually present with non-specific symptoms, and can form masses that mimic malignancies. Although rare, clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this entity. Satisfactory results and complete cure are achieved with adequate antibiotic therapy and surgery. In most cases, if there are no associated diseases, early and accurate diagnosis ensure an excellent prognosis.

Resolving the taxonomic status of biocontrol agents belonging to the Aphidius eadyi species group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): an integrative approach

Species that belong to the Aphidius eadyi group have been used as biocontrol agents against Acyrthosiphon pisum worldwide. However, despite their extensive use, there are still gaps in our knowledge about their taxonomy and distribution. In this study, we employed an integrative taxonomic approach by combining genetic analyses (mtDNA COI barcoding) with standard morphological analyses and geometric morphometrics of forewing shape. We identified three species within the A. eadyi species group, viz., A. smithi, A. eadyi and A. banksae. Genetic separation of all three species was confirmed, with mean genetic distances between species ranging from 5 to 7.4%. The following morphological characters were determined as the most important for separating species of the A. eadyi group: number and shape of costulae on the anterolateral part of the petiole, shape of the central areola on the propodeum, and shape and venation of the forewings. The differences in wing shape of all three species were statistically significant, but with some overlapping. We identified A. banksae as a widely distributed pea aphid parasitoid, whose known range covers most of the western Palaearctic (from the UK to Israel). Aphidius banksae is diagnosed and redescribed.

Genetic differentiation of Liparus glabrirostris (Curculionidae: Molytinae) populations from the fragmented habitats of the Alps and Carpathian Mountains

Populations of Liparus glabrirostris (Curculionidae: Molytinae), a weevil inhabiting higher altitudes of Central Europe, were sampled from 24 localities in the Alps and Carpathian Mountains, and the geographical structuring of genetic variation was analyzed. Comparison of the concatenated mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I and subunit II sequences revealed consistent genetic divergence between the populations of L. glabrirostris from different mountain ranges. In phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony and median-joining networks, concatenated mitochondrial haplotypes from the Alps and Carpathians clustered as separate lineages, with high bootstrap support. Substantial genetic distances determined between the separated groups ranged from 2.6 to 3.0%, with divergence estimated to have initiated approximately 0.85-0.98 million years ago. The nuclear elongation factor 1α gene was additionally amplified and haplotype analysis showed very low evolutionary divergence (0.2%), with separate clustering as well. The observed divergence suggests that the populations have been isolated for a long time, as a consequence of environmental changes resulting in varying fragmentation of habitats in the Alps and Carpathians, interrupting genetic exchange events and altering the genetic structure of L. glabrirostris populations. On the other hand, comparison of morphological characteristics showed no differences to confirm genetically well differentiated groups of populations. A polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism-based method was therefore developed to discriminate between the Alpine and Carpathian lineages.

Dictyophara europaea (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae): description of immatures, biology and host plant associations

The European lantern fly Dictyophara europaea (Linnaeus, 1767), is a polyphagous dictyopharid planthopper of Auchenorrhyncha commonly found throughout the Palaearctic. Despite abundant data on its distribution range and reports on its role in the epidemiology of plant-pathogenic phytoplasmas (Flavescence dorée, FD-C), literature regarding the biology and host plants of this species is scarce. Therefore, the aims of our study were to investigate the seasonal occurrence, host plant associations, oviposition behaviour and immature stages of this widespread planthopper of economic importance. We performed a 3-year field study to observe the spatio-temporal distribution and feeding sources of D. europaea. The insects's reproductive strategy, nymphal molting and behaviour were observed under semi-field cage conditions. Measurement of the nymphal vertex length was used to determine the number of instars, and the combination of these data with body length, number of pronotal rows of sensory pits and body colour pattern enabled the discrimination of each instar. We provide data showing that D. europaea has five instars with one generation per year and that it overwinters in the egg stage. Furthermore, our study confirmed highly polyphagous feeding nature of D. europaea, for all instars and adults, as well as adult horizontal movement during the vegetation growing season to the temporarily preferred feeding plants where they aggregate during dry season. We found D. europaea adult aggregation in late summer on Clematis vitalba L. (Ranunculaceae), a reservoir plant of FD-C phytoplasma strain; however, this appears to be a consequence of forced migration due to drying of herbaceous vegetation rather than to a high preference of C. vitalba as a feeding plant. Detailed oviposition behaviour and a summary of the key discriminatory characteristics of the five instars are provided. Emphasis is placed on the economic importance of D. europaea because of its involvement in epidemiological cycles of phytoplasma-induced plant diseases.

Assessment of the contamination of riparian soil and vegetation by trace metals--A Danube River case study

The aim of this study was to assess the spatial distribution of arsenic and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in a riparian area influenced by periodical flooding along a considerable stretch of the Danube River. This screening was undertaken on soil and plant samples collected from 43 sites along 2386 km of the river, collected during the international Joint Danube Survey 3 expedition (ICPDR, 2015). In addition, data on the concentration of these elements in river sediment was used in order to describe the relationship between sediment, riparian soil and riparian plants. A significant positive correlation (Spearman r, for p<0.05) was found for trace metal concentrations in river sediment and soil (r=0.817). A significant correlation between soil and plants (r=0.438) and sediment and plants (r=0.412) was also found for trace metal concentrations. Elevated levels of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Ni were found at certain sites along the Serbian stretch, while elevated concentrations of Hg were also detected in Hungary, of Pb along the Romanian stretch and of As along the Bulgarian stretch (the Lower Danube). These results point to the presence of naturally-occurring metals derived from ore deposits in the Danube River Basin and anthropogenic metals, released by mining and processing of metal ores and other industrial facilities, which are responsible for the entry of metals such as Cu, Ni and Zn. Our results also indicated toxic Cd and Zn levels in plant samples, measured at the Hercegsznato site (Middle Danube, Hungary), which highlighted these elements as a potential limiting factor for riparian vegetation in that area. The distribution of the analysed elements in plant material also indicates the species-specific accumulation of trace metals. Based on our results, the Lower and Middle Danube were found to be more polluted in terms of the analysed elements.

Primary melanoma of the vagina: a case report and review of literature

Summary Primary melanoma of the vagina is a rare and very aggressive tumor with an incidence of only 0.46 per one million women per year and less than 250 cases reported in the literature. Here the authors present a case of a 60-year-old woman, gravida 5, para 5, post-menopausal by 28 years, admitted to the Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, with recurrent vaginal bleeding for the last year and with the complaint of a palpable tumor near the vaginal introitus. The preoperative biopsy revealed melanoma. CT scan did not prove she had distant metastasis. The patient was treated surgically, with wide local excision of four x five cm measured lesion and safety margins of two cm. Bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed. Follow-up five months after initial diagnosis, revealed no evidence of local recurrency or distant metastasis.

Molecular and morphological variability within the Aphidius colemani group with redescription of Aphidius platensis Brethes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

We have identified the following three taxa related to the Aphidius colemani species group, which are important biological control agents: Aphidius colemani, Aphidius transcaspicus and Aphidius platensis. Using partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene and geometric morphometric analysis of the forewing shape, we have explored the genetic structure and morphological variability of the A. colemani group from different aphid host/plant associations covering a wide distribution area. The topology of the maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood trees were identical with 98-100% bootstrap support, clustering A. colemani, A. platensis and A. transcaspicus into separate species. The distances among the taxa ranged from 2.2 to 4.7%, which is a common rate for the between-species divergence within the subfamily Aphidiinae. Differences in the shape of the forewing investigated within the biotypes of A. colemani group are congruent with their genetic diversification. Both A. platensis and A. colemani share a common host range pattern, and it would be interesting to estimate and compare the role of these two species in future biological control strategies against aphids of economic importance. Our results indicate that 'genetic screening' is a reliable approach for identification within the A. colemani group. The high variation in the wing shape among species, including a significant divergence in the wing shape among specimens that emerged from different hosts, makes the forewing shape and wing venation less reliable for species determination. Aphidius platensis is diagnostified and redescribed, and the key for the A. colemani group is presented.

First Report of Alder Yellows Phytoplasma Associated with Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa) in the Republic of Macedonia

Alder yellows phytoplasma (AldYp) is classified as a member of the 16SrV-group of phytoplasmas and is closely related to Flavescence dorée (FD), a quarantined pathogen of economic importance affecting vineyards across Europe. AldYp is associated with common (Alnus glutinosa) and grey alder (A. incana), and has been reported in France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Baltic region, Serbia, and Montenegro (1,2,4). For Macedonian vineyards, so far, neither infection of grapevine with 16SrV-group of phytoplasmas nor the presence of the main FD phytoplasma vector, Scaphoideus titanus, has been recorded. However, the presence of FD-related phytoplasma was detected in wild Clematis vitalba. In September and October 2013, leaves with petioles from A. glutinosa exhibiting leaf discoloration and yellowing were collected from two sites (41°23'43″ N, 22°54' E and 41°23' N, 22°53' E) in southeast Macedonia near the village of Smolare (Strumica district). Eight samples were collected from each site. Leaves of six asymptomatic alder seedlings collected from the same sites served as a control. Nucleic acids were extracted from fresh leaf midribs and petioles using a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Initial phytoplasma identification was carried out by nested PCR assay of the 16S rRNA gene, using universal primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 followed by RFLP with MseI endonuclease (Fermentas, Vilnius, Lithuania), as previously reported (4). Characterization of detected phytoplasmas was performed by amplifying two genetic loci specific for the members of the 16SrV group phytoplasmas; the ribosomal protein gene operon (rp) using primers rp(V)F1/rpR1 and rp(V)F1A/rp(V)R1A (3), and the non-ribosomal metionine aminopeptidase (map) gene using primer set FD9f5/MAPr1 and FD9f6/MAPr2 (1). The PCR amplicons were sequenced and deposited in NCBI GenBank database under the accession numbers KJ605448 to 52 (map) and KJ605453 to 57 (rp). The obtained sequences were compared with reference sequences of the 16SrV-group phytoplasmas (1,3) using the neighbor-joining method in MEGA5 (5). The presence of phytoplasma was detected in 14 of 16 symptomatic alder samples, while all control plants tested negative. The MseI restriction profiles were identical among all 14 samples and with the reference strains of the 16SrV group phytoplasmas (EY1 - 16SrV-A, FD-C - 16SrV-C, and FD-D - 16SrV-D). The rp-based phylogeny enabled identification of four diverse phytoplasma strains among the AldYp strains from Macedonia. Three strains clustered within the rpV-E subgroup while one belonged to rpV-L subgroup. Phylogenetic analysis of the more variable genetic locus, map, showed the presence of five diverse phytoplasma strains. Four strains belonged to the map-FD2 (FD-D, FD92) cluster, while one grouped within the map-FD1 (FD70) cluster. To our knowledge, this is the first report of 16SrV phytoplasma group occurrence on alder in Macedonia. The significant similarity between AldYp strains and FD sensu stricto indicate the risk of pathogen exchange between the wild ecosystem and the grapevine (1). Alder trees naturally infected with the FDp-related strains could therefore represent a serious risk for FD outbreak in Macedonian vineyards if local S. titanus populations developed. References: (1) G. Arnaud et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73:4001, 2007. (2) T. Cvrković et al. Plant Pathol. 57:773, 2008. (3) M. Martini et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 57:2037, 2007. (4) S. Radonjić et al. Plant Dis. 97:686, 2013. (5) K. Tamura et al. Mol. Biol. Evol. 28:2731, 2011.

Inferring human mobility using communication patterns

Understanding the patterns of mobility of individuals is crucial for a number of reasons, from city planning to disaster management. There are two common ways of quantifying the amount of travel between locations: by direct observations that often involve privacy issues, e.g., tracking mobile phone locations, or by estimations from models. Typically, such models build on accurate knowledge of the population size at each location. However, when this information is not readily available, their applicability is rather limited. As mobile phones are ubiquitous, our aim is to investigate if mobility patterns can be inferred from aggregated mobile phone call data alone. Using data released by Orange for Ivory Coast, we show that human mobility is well predicted by a simple model based on the frequency of mobile phone calls between two locations and their geographical distance. We argue that the strength of the model comes from directly incorporating the social dimension of mobility. Furthermore, as only aggregated call data is required, the model helps to avoid potential privacy problems.

First Report of Cercospora carotae, Causal Agent of Cercospora Leaf Spot of Carrot, in Serbia

Carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus [Hoffm.] Arcang.) is an important vegetable in Serbia, where it is grown on nearly 8,000 ha. In August 2012, ~1,500 ha of carrot fields were inspected in southern Bačka in North Serbia. In nearly 40% of the fields, severe foliar and stem symptoms characteristic of cercospora leaf spot of carrot, caused by Cercospora carotae (Pass.) Solheim (3), were observed. Lesions on stems were oblong, elliptical, and more or less sunken, while those on the leaves were amphigenous, subcircular, light brown in the center, and surrounded by a dark brown margin. Conidiophores emerging from the lesions formed very loose tufts but sometimes were solitary. Conidiophores were simple and straight to subflexuous with a bulbous base (17 to 37 × 3 to 5 μm). Conidia were 58 to 102 × 2 to 4 μm, solitary, cylindrical to narrowly-obclavate, and hyaline to subhyaline with 2 to 6 septa. To obtain monosporial isolates, the conidia from one lesion were placed on water agar plates at 25°C in the dark for 24 h, after which single germinated conidia were selected and each placed on a petri dish containing potato dextrose agar (PDA). To confirm pathogenicity of three of the isolates, Koch's postulates were tested on carrot seedlings (3-true-leaf stage of growth) of a Nantes cultivar, SP-80, with 12 plants tested/isolate and 12 non-inoculated plants used as a control treatment. The leaves were atomized until runoff with the appropriate C. carotae spore suspension (10⁴ conidia/ml sterilized water), while control plants were atomized with sterile water. All plants were then incubated in a dew chamber for 72 h, then transferred to a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C. After 2 weeks, characteristic symptoms resembling those observed in the field developed on all inoculated plants; control plants were asymptomatic. The pathogen was re-isolated from all inoculated plants, and identity of the re-isolated fungi confirmed morphologically as described above, and molecularly as described below. The pathogenicity test was repeated with no significant differences in shape and size of lesions, or dimensions of conidiophores and conidia among isolates. To verify the pathogen identity molecularly, the 28S rDNA was amplified and sequenced using the V9G/LR5 primer set (2,4) as well as internal primers OR-A (5'-ATACCCGCTGAACTTAAGC-3') and 2R-C (5'-AAGTACTTTGGAAAGAG-3'); the ITS region of rDNA using the ITS1/ITS4 universal primers (5); and histone H3 gene (H3) using the CylH3F/CylH3R primers (1). The sequences for the three isolates were deposited in GenBank as Accession Numbers KF468808 to KF468810, KF941306 to KF941308, and KF941303 to KF941305 for the 28S rDNA, ITS and H3 regions, respectively. BLAST results for the ITS sequences indicated 94% similarity to the ITS sequence of an isolate of Pseudocercosporella capsellae (GU214662) and 92% similarity to the ITS sequence of an isolate of C. capsici (HQ700354). The H3 sequences shared 91% similarity with that of several Cercospora spp., e.g., C. apii (JX142548), C. beticola (AY752258), and C. capsici (JX142584), all of which shared the same amino acid sequence of the encoded H3 protein. Also, the 28S rDNA sequences had 99% similarity (identity of 318/319, with 0 gaps) with the single sequence of C. carotae available in GenBank (AY152628), which originated from Norway. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of C. carotae on carrot crops in Serbia as well as southeastern Europe. References: (1) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:415, 2004. (2) G. S. de Hoog and A. H. G. Gerrits van den Ende. Mycoses 41:183, 1998. (3) W. G. Solheim. Morphological studies of the genus Cercospora. University of Illinois, 1929. (4) R. Vilgalys and M. Hester. J. Bacteriol. 172:238, 1990. (5) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, CA, 1990.

First Report of Cercospora apii, Causal Agent of Cercospora Early Blight of Celery, in Serbia

Celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce) is a very important vegetable crop intensively cultivated in eastern and southern Serbia. During a field survey in August and September 2012, we observed symptoms similar to those of Cercospora early blight in eastern Serbia, with some of the affected fields showing up to 80% disease severity. The lesions on leaves were amphigenous, subcircular to angular and more or less confluent. Lesions enlarged and merged with age, followed by the development of necrotic area causing a continuous deterioration of the plant. Conidiophores arising from the stromata formed dense fascicles, sometimes appearing solitary, brown at the base, paler toward the apex, simple, straight to slightly curved, and rarely geniculate (dimensions 40 to 90 × 5 to 8 μm). Conidia were solitary, hyaline, at first cylindro-obclavate then acicular to acicular-obclavate, straight to slightly curved, subacute to obtuse at the apex, while truncated and thickened at the base (dimensions 45 to 160 × 4 to 5 μm), 5 to 13 septate. Based on the morphological features, we identified the pathogen as Cercospora apii Fresen. (2). In order to obtain monosporic isolates of the fungus, single conidia were cultivated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). To confirm the pathogenicity of the isolates, 5 mm-diameter mycelial plugs from the PDA plates were placed upside down on the adaxial leaf surface of 2-week-old celery seedlings of cv. Yuta. Control plants were inoculated with a sterile PDA plug. Three leaves per plant were disinfected with 70% ethanol, epidermis was scratched with a sterile needle to promote the infection, and inoculated. A total of 12 plants were inoculated with the mycelial plugs and 12 were used as control plants. Inoculated and control plants were kept in a moist chamber for 48 h and then transferred to a greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C. After 2 weeks, the first necrotic spots appeared on inoculated leaves, similar to the symptoms manifested in the field, while control plants remained symptomless. The pathogen was re-isolated and its identity was verified based on morphological and molecular features. To confirm the pathogen's identity, three isolates (CAC4-1, CAC24, and CAC30) were subjected to molecular identification based on the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) using the ITS1/ITS4 universal primers (5), a partial calmodulin gene (CAL) using CAL-228F/CAL2Rd primers (1,4), and partial histone H3 gene (H3) using CYLH3F/CYLH3R primers (3). Sequences of the amplified regions were deposited in GenBank under accessions KJ210596 to KJ210604. The BLAST analyses of the ITS sequences revealed 100% identity with several Cercospora species (e.g., C. apii [JX143532], C. beticola [JX143556], and C. zebrina [KC172066]), while sequences of CAL and H3 showed 100% identity solely with sequences of C. apii (JX142794 and JX142548). Based on combined morphological and molecular data, the pathogen infecting celery was identified as C. apii, which to our knowledge represents the first report of the presence of the causal agent of Cercospora early blight disease in Serbia. References: (1) I. Carbone and L.M. Kohn. Mycologia 91:553, 1999. (2) P. W. Crous and U. Braun. CBS Biodivers. Ser. 1:1, 2003. (3) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 50:415, 2004. (4) J. Z. Groenewald. Stud. Mycol. 75:115, 2013. (5) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, CA, 1990.

First Report of Alder Yellows Phytoplasma Infecting Common and Grey Alder (Alnus glutinosa and A. incana) in Montenegro

Alder yellows phytoplasmas (AldYp) of the 16SrV-group associated with common alder (Alnus glutinosa) and grey alder (A. incana) are closely related to the grapevine yellows (GY)-associated quarantine phytoplasma Flavescence dorée (FDp). AldYp have been reported in several countries where epidemic appearance of FDp has been confirmed (France, Italy, and Serbia) (1,2). To date, the presence of 16SrV-group of phytoplasmas has not been reported in Montenegro; however, the main vector of FD phytoplasma, Scaphoideus titanus, has been identified in Montenegrin vineyards since 2008. During a survey in September 2011, in the northern part of Montenegro, 12 symptomatic alder trees showing symptoms of leaf discoloration, ranging from yellow to light green, were sampled. Six samples, each comprising several symptomatic leaves, were collected from A. glutinosa at streamside in woodlands near the town Kolašin and other six samples from A. incana close to the river Lim near the town of Bijelo Polje. Leaves of six young A. glutinosa seedlings were used as controls. Total DNA was extracted from fresh leaf midribs and petioles using the DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Nested PCR assay was conducted on 16S rRNA gene using phytoplasma generic primers P1/P7 and F2n/R2 followed by RFLP with MseI endonuclease (Fermentas, Vilnius, Lithuania) (3). Confirmation of identification and characterization of phytoplasma positive samples was performed by amplifying the non-ribosomal metionine aminopeptidase (map) gene using FD9f5/MAPr1 and FD9f6/MAPr2 primer set (1), specific for the members of the 16SrV group phytoplasmas. Amplification products were sequenced and deposited in GenBank (KC188998 through 9001). Comparison of the map gene sequences was performed by phylogenetic analysis along with 20 reference sequences of the 16SrV-group members (1), using the neighbor-joining method in MEGA5 software (4). 16S rRNA gene amplification revealed the presence of phytoplasmas in 11 out of 12 symptomatic samples, while Mse I restriction analysis and comparison with reference strains (AldYp and FDp from Serbia) enabled affiliation of detected phytoplasmas to the 16SrV-group. None of the controls were positive for any phytoplasma. Phylogenetic analysis of the Montenegrin AldYp map gene sequences revealed presence of four different strains clustering within the previously defined clusters of the 16SrV-group members (1). Three different strains associated with symptomatic A. glutinosa were identified and they clustered either within the FD1, FD2, or PGY-C cluster, while a single detected strain from A. incana proved to be identical with PGY-A isolate of AldY phytoplasma infecting grapevine in Germany (AM384892). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the association of 16SrV-group phytoplasmas with common and grey alder in Montenegro, as well as the first report of FD-related phytoplasmas in Montenegro. Since alder trees are considered as a possible natural reservoir of the FD phytoplasmas (1), the finding of alders naturally infected with strains related to the FDp (FD1 and FD2 clusters) indicate a possible threat of economic importance to the grape production in Montenegro, which should be addressed in further research. References: (1) G. Arnaud et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73:4001, 2007. (2) T. Cvrkovic et al. Plant Pathol. 57:773, 2008. (3) I-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Bacteriol. 48:1153, 1998. (4) K. Tamura et al. Mol. Biol. Evol. 28:2731, 2011.

Universality in voting behavior: an empirical analysis

Election data represent a precious source of information to study human behavior at a large scale. In proportional elections with open lists, the number of votes received by a candidate, rescaled by the average performance of all competitors in the same party list, has the same distribution regardless of the country and the year of the election. Here we provide the first thorough assessment of this claim. We analyzed election datasets of 15 countries with proportional systems. We confirm that a class of nations with similar election rules fulfill the universality claim. Discrepancies from this trend in other countries with open-lists elections are always associated with peculiar differences in the election rules, which matter more than differences between countries and historical periods. Our analysis shows that the role of parties in the electoral performance of candidates is crucial: alternative scalings not taking into account party affiliations lead to poor results.

Intestinal surgery and surgery of urinary tract in treatment of recurrent cervical cancer--case report

A case of a 31-year-old patient admitted to the Institute with a diagnosis of recurrent cervical cancer after radical hysterectomy and radiation therapy 12 months before. The patient had intestinal and urinary obstruction and also the tumor compressed the iliac blood vessels superficially. She underwent clinical examination, pelvic and abdominal ultrasound and multislice CT scan. A recurring tumor with a diameter of 7 cm was diagnosed. It was localized in the left parailiac and obturator region and infiltrated the left ureter, left bladder side wall, sigmoid colon and iliac blood vessels superficially. The patient had left pelvic sidewall relapse, so she underwent a palliative surgical procedure. We evacuated the complete tumor together with the infiltrated parts of the left ureter, sigmoid colon and bladder. At the end of operation left ureterocystoneostomy was performed as well as the Hartmann procedure with anus praeter insertion. There were no significant postoperative complications. After the surgical treatment of the recurrence, we suggested that the patient continue treatment of her disease with chemotherapy.

Stolbur phytoplasma transmission to maize by Reptalus panzeri and the disease cycle of maize redness in Serbia

Maize redness (MR), induced by stolbur phytoplasma ('Candidatus Phytoplasma solani', subgroup 16SrXII-A), is characterized by midrib, leaf, and stalk reddening and abnormal ear development. MR has been reported from Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria for 50 years, and recent epiphytotics reduced yields by 40 to 90% in South Banat District, Serbia. Potential vectors including leafhoppers and planthoppers in the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, were surveyed in MR-affected and low-MR-incidence fields, and 33 different species were identified. Only Reptalus panzeri populations displayed characteristics of a major MR vector. More R. panzeri individuals were present in MR-affected versus low-MR fields, higher populations were observed in maize plots than in field border areas, and peak population levels preceded the appearance of MR in late July. Stolbur phytoplasma was detected in 17% of R. panzeri adults using nested polymerase chain reaction but not in any other insects tested. Higher populations of R. panzeri nymphs were found on maize, Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) roots. Stolbur phytoplasma was detected in roots of these three plant species, as well as in R. panzeri L(3) and L(5) nymphs. When stolbur phytoplasma-infected R. panzeri L(3) nymphs were introduced into insect-free mesh cages containing healthy maize and wheat plants, 89 and 7%, respectively, became infected. These results suggest that the MR disease cycle in South Banat involves mid-July transmission of stolbur phytoplasma to maize by infected adult R. panzeri. The adult R. panzeri lay eggs on infected maize roots, and nymphs living on these roots acquire the phytoplasma from infected maize. The nymphs overwinter on the roots of wheat planted into maize fields in the autumn, allowing emergence of phytoplasma-infected vectors the following July.

Spectral and dynamical properties in classes of sparse networks with mesoscopic inhomogeneities

We study structure, eigenvalue spectra, and random-walk dynamics in a wide class of networks with subgraphs (modules) at mesoscopic scale. The networks are grown within the model with three parameters controlling the number of modules, their internal structure as scale-free and correlated subgraphs, and the topology of connecting network. Within the exhaustive spectral analysis for both the adjacency matrix and the normalized Laplacian matrix we identify the spectral properties, which characterize the mesoscopic structure of sparse cyclic graphs and trees. The minimally connected nodes, the clustering, and the average connectivity affect the central part of the spectrum. The number of distinct modules leads to an extra peak at the lower part of the Laplacian spectrum in cyclic graphs. Such a peak does not occur in the case of topologically distinct tree subgraphs connected on a tree whereas the associated eigenvectors remain localized on the subgraphs both in trees and cyclic graphs. We also find a characteristic pattern of periodic localization along the chains on the tree for the eigenvector components associated with the largest eigenvalue lambda(L)=2 of the Laplacian. Further differences between the cyclic modular graphs and trees are found by the statistics of random walks return times and hitting patterns at nodes on these graphs. The distribution of first-return times averaged over all nodes exhibits a stretched exponential tail with the exponent sigma approximately 1/3 for trees and sigma approximately 2/3 for cyclic graphs, which is independent of their mesoscopic and global structure.

An assessment of the tolerance of Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. to traffic-generated Pb using physiological and biochemical markers

This study examined the leaf Pb content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fo, Fm, Fv, Fv/Fm, Fm/Fo and t(1/2)), photopigments (Chl a, Chl b, Chl a+b, the Chl a/b ratio, and total carotenoids), as well as total phenolics (free and bound) in privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk.) in 'Stara Zvezdara' Park, located along the avenue with heavy traffic flow (polluted site), and the Arboretum of Belgrade's Faculty of Forestry (control site). Site-dependent variations were observed for all the parameters examined. It was found that Pb accumulated in leaf tissues (3.5-4.2microg/g) originates from traffic. Results obtained showed that privet is tolerant to the accumulation of Pb generated by traffic, because it maintains optimal photosynthesis and is characterized by active protection mechanisms due to increase in leaf phenolics, which enable it to survive in habitats exposed to chronic Pb pollution stress. Therefore, L. ovalifolium has great potential for urban landscaping.

Effect of biphasic insulin aspart on glucose and lipid control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the efficacy and safety of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) monotherapy in insulin-naive patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this 12-week, open-labelled, uncontrolled, clinical-experience study involving 71 patients with secondary oral antidiabetic agent failure, patients received BIAsp 30 after discontinuing oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). Glucose and lipid concentrations, hypoglycaemic episodes and adverse events were assessed before and after treatment. Patient data were categorised according to previous OADs into the biguanides (BI) plus sulfonylureas/meglitinides (SU/MEG) and SU-only groups.

RESULTS

After treatment, glucose and lipid control was significantly improved in both groups, with a greater improvement in the SU-only group. Mean glycated haemoglobin, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose excursion improved by 2.15 +/- 1.24%, 3.70 +/- 3.18 mmol/l and 1.26 +/- 2.65 mmol/l in the BI plus SU/MEG group, and by 3.09 +/- 1.62%, 6.11 +/- 5.02 mmol/l and 2.06 +/- 2.33 mmol/l in the SU-only group, respectively. Mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides improved by 0.09 +/- 0.18 mmol/l and 0.94 +/- 1.17 mmol/l in the BI plus SU/MEG group and by 0.09 +/- 0.18 mmol/l and 1.04 +/- 2.72 mmol/l in the SU-only group, respectively. No major hypoglycaemic episodes or serious treatment-related adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that BIAsp 30 treatment safely improved glucose and lipid control in insulin-naive patients with Type 2 diabetes poorly controlled on BI plus SU/MEG and SU-only. Key limitations were the lack of a comparator group and the short study duration.

Phenolic acids as bioindicators of fly ash deposit revegetation

The floristic composition, the abundance, and the cover of pioneer plant species of spontaneously formed plant communities and the content of total phenolics and phenolic acids, as humus constituents, of an ash deposit after 7 years of recultivation were studied. The restoration of both the soil and the vegetation on the ash deposits of the "Nikola Tesla-A" thermoelectric power plant in Obrenovac (Serbia) is an extremely slow process. Unfavorable physical and chemical characteristics, the toxicity of fly ash, and extreme microclimatic conditions prevented the development of compact plant cover. The abundance and cover of plants increased from the central part of the deposit towards its edges (ranging from 1-80%). Festuca rubra L., Crepis setosa Hall., Erigeron canadensis L., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth., and Tamarix gallica L. were the most abundant species, thus giving the highest cover. Humus generated during the decomposition process of plant remains represents a completely new product absent in the ash as the starting material. The amount of total phenolics and phenolic acids (38.07-185.16 microg/g of total phenolics and 4.12-27.28 microg/g of phenolic acids) in fly ash increased from the center of the deposit towards its edges in correlation with the increase in plant abundance and cover. Ash samples contained high amounts of ferulic, vanillic, and p-coumaric acid, while the content of both p-hydroxybenzoic and syringic acid was relatively low. The presence of phenolic acids indicates the ongoing process of humus formation in the ash, in which the most abundant pioneer plants of spontaneously formed plant communities play the main role. Phenolic compounds can serve as reliable bioindicators in an assessment of the success of the recultivation process of thermoelectric power plants' ash deposits.

[10 years' of production and use of human rabies immunoglobulin in Yugoslavia]

Application of the rabies immunoglobuline is a compulsory part of the prophylaxis of rabies in all severe, transdermal lesions caused by rabies infected animals. Sylvatic rabies has spread in the past few years throughout the whole Yugoslavia, and human cases of rabies have also been reported in other East European countries. In order to achieve the highest level of rabies prophylaxis, apart from postinfective rabies vaccination, it is necessary to provide passive immunization using specific antibodies against rabies. After successful immunization of the young, healthy volunteers in 1990, National Blood Transfusion Institute, in cooperation with the Pasteur Institute from Novi Sad, prepared the first quantities of immunized plasma by plasmapheresis procedure and human rabies immunoglobuline. Without national production, sufficient quantities of human rabies immunoglobuline could not be provided, since the price on the world market is rather high (over $1000 per patient).

Biochemical evaluation of patients with acute pancreatitis

In this study we determined the clinical accuracy of alpha2-macroglobulin, alpha-amylase, C-reactive protein, lipase, non-esterified fatty acids, pancreatic alpha-amylase and phospholipase A in the diagnosis and prognosis of acute pancreatitis in a group of patients with acute abdominal pain using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. We investigated 59 patients with acute pancreatitis and 72 patients with extrapancreatic diseases of gastrointestinal origin. On the basis of initial enzyme activities, at cut-offs of 245 U/l for amylase, 656 U/l for lipase, and 182 U/l for pancreatic alpha-amylase, the diagnostic efficiencies were 0.993, 0.980, and 0.975, respectively. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed the same diagnostic accuracies. We evaluated the accuracy of serum alpha2-macroglobulin, C-reactive protein, non-esterified fatty acids and phospholipase A for differentiation between acute necrotizing pancreatitis and acute oedematous pancreatitis. C-reactive protein had the highest prognostic accuracy of the parameters studied (the area under curve = 0.9082) and at a cut-off value of 126 mg/l, sensitivity and specificity were 0.759 and 0.912, respectively. The role of the clinical laboratory in the investigation of patients with acute pancreatitis continues to evolve and biochemical parameters are a good diagnostic and prognostic option.

Spasmogenic action of beta-lactam antibiotics on the gastrointestinal tract of experimental animals

We have investigated the effects of beta-lactam antibiotics on isolated preparations of rat fundus, ileum, and the body of feline stomach. Isotonic changes of isolated preparations were recorded. Benzylpenicillin (EC50 = 1.31 +/- 0.13 x 10(-5) M), ampicillin (EC50 = 2.16 +/- 0.15 x 10(-5) M), cefotaxime (EC50 = 1.33 +/- 0.15 x 10(-5) M), ceftriaxone (EC50 = 4.39 +/- 0.13 x 10(-5) M) and ceftazidime (EC50 = 1.42 +/- 0.01 x 10(-3) M) produced concentration-dependent tonic contractions of rat fundus. Rat ileum and feline stomach did not respond on these substances. Lidocaine (2.3 x 10(-5) M) and physostigmine (1.0 x 10(-8) M) significantly potentiated contractions produced by benzylpenicillin. On the other hand, methysergide (1.4 x 10(-7) M) and atropine (9.6 x 10(-9) M) significantly blocked tonic contractions produced by benzylpenicillin. Effects of beta-lactam antibiotics on smooth muscle isolated preparations were tissue and species dependent, indicating selectivity of their action.

[Registar of injuries--a specific data base]

The existing data bases - on the number and distribution of the injured are unfortunately unreliable and very poor. There is also a shortage of information needed in assessing human and financial aspect of the trauma as well as physical, social, economic and psychological circumstances under wich injuries have heppened. That is why the bases of all activities linked with solving the existing problems in traumatism in the traumawork of Trauma System presents epidemiological methods in the form of Trauma Register. Trauma Register is intended for creation of data base wich would identify, describe, quantity and quality injuries and traumatic deaths including even risk factors and it is expected to help in planning of the future health policy, volume and quality of preventive measures and activities wich would be useful for more accurate monitoring of preventive measures and acitivities wich would be useful for more accurate monitoring of preventive role in decreasing values of frequency of injuries and accidental deaths.

[Child trauma in Vojvodina]

Trauma represents for quite a long period a significant problem in child health care in Vojvodina. For better understanding of the trends of trauma in overall registrated child morbidity and mortality includingoutpatient and hospital cases we used the data derived from retrospective study fora period from 1979 to 1988. Analyzing the structure of ten leading groups of illnesses in the outpatient groups of children by the age of 6 years, injuries and intoxications were on the sixth position with the frequency of 2% and for the same period had a progressive increase with the dynamic index of 105.30. The percentage of the injuries and intoxications in the registrated outpatient morbidity of children from 6 to 14 years was 5-5.5% which put them on the fifth position at the list of ten leading groups of illnesses. During the same period of time trauma registered in the hospital morbidity showed decrease with the dynamic index of 86.12 and was on the fourth position with 7-8% of overall morbidity. There are on the average 74 child deaths annually in Vojvodina caused by injuries and intoxications.

Problems in diagnosis and treatment of cholesteatoma in children

Our clinical study includes 56 cases of cholesteatoma in children aged 3-14 years, treated in a 6-year period. Cholesteatoma was localized in attic (6 cases), in middle ear (6 cases), in attic plus middle ear (16 cases) and in attic + middle ear + mastoid (28 cases or 50% of the total number). In the surgical treatment combined approach tympanoplasty (intact canal wall technique) was used in 76.8%, radical tympanomastoidectomy in 16.1%, and other techniques in 7.1%. Intact ossicular chain was found in 25%. Reconstruction of the ossicular chain (including autograft, homograft and allograft material) was done in 59%, and the remaining 16% were treated by classic radical surgery. Hearing results: unchanged, 48%; improved, 45%; slightly worsened, 7%; and no dead ear. Recurrency in 31% is considerably higher as compared to 15% in adults found in another comparable study by us.

[Uterine hemorrhage in newborn infants]

A follow-up was conducted on uterine haemorrhage in all female newborn infants at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Novi Sad, in the period from 1 January to 31 December 1979. Of the total of 2477 newborn female infants, 2241 (90.47%) were at-term infants of which 85 (3.79%) had uterine haemorrhage, 126 (5.09%) premature infants of which 1 (0.793) had uterine haemorrhage and 110 (4.443) postmature infants of which 10 (9.09%) had uterine haemorrhage. General frequency of uterine haemorrhage was 3.87%.