Emergence and phylodynamics of Citrus tristeza virus in Sicily, Italy.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) outbreaks were detected in Sicily island, Italy for the first time in 2002. To gain insight into the evolutionary forces driving the emergence and phylogeography of these CTV populations, we determined and analyzed the nucleotide sequences of the p20 gene from 108 CTV isolates collected from 2002 to 2009. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis revealed that mild and severe CTV isolates belonging to five different clades (lineages) were introduced in Sicily in 2002.

Recombination profiles between Tomato yellow leaf curl virus and Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus in laboratory and field conditions: evolutionary and taxonomic implications.

Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus have co-existed in Italian tomato crops since 2002 and have reached equilibrium, with plants hosting molecules of both species plus their recombinants being the most frequent case. Recombination events are studied in field samples, as well as in experimental co-infections, when recombinants were detected as early as 45 days following inoculation. In both conditions, recombination breakpoints were essentially absent in regions corresponding to ORFs V2, CP and C4, whereas density was highest in the 3'-terminal portion of ORF C3, next to the region where the two transcription units co-terminate.

Simultaneous detection of the seven main tomato-infecting RNA viruses by two multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions.

Cucumber mosaic virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Tomato mosaic virus, Tomato chlorosis virus, Pepino mosaic virus, Torrado tomato virus and Tomato infectious chlorosis virus cause serious damage and significant economic losses in tomato crops worldwide. The early detection of these pathogens is essential for preventing the viruses from spreading and improving their control. In this study, a procedure based on two multiplex RT-PCRs was developed for the sensitive and reliable detection of these seven viruses.

Population genetics of cucumber mosaic virus infecting medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants from northern Italy.

The genetic variation and evolution of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) from aromatic, medicinal and ornamental plants in northern Italy was studied by sequence analysis of the movement protein gene and comparison with equivalent sequences of isolates from other countries. Comparison of nonsynonymous and synonymous substitutions suggested that 30% of amino acid sites were under negative selection and only one was under positive selection. Phylogenetic, nucleotide diversity and genetic differentiation analyses suggested that long-distance migration plays a role in the evolution and determination of the genetic structure and diversity of CMV in northern Italy and other areas.

Two new natural begomovirus recombinants associated with the tomato yellow leaf curl disease co-exist with parental viruses in tomato epidemics in Italy.

Two tomato geminivirus species co-exist in protected crops in Sicily, Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV, found in 1989) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV, found in 2002), and mixed infections have been detected. In a field survey conducted in 2004, the viral intergenic region (IR) was amplified from infected plants, and molecules apparently hybrid between the two species were found, but only in plants where one or both parental species were also present. Two of these hybrids, named 2/2 and 2/5, were isolated and infectious clones were obtained.

A single-tube PCR assay for detecting viruses and their recombinants that cause tomato yellow leaf curl disease in the Mediterranean basin.

Tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) is well known in Mediterranean countries, where it has been causing severe losses in tomato crops for decades. Until recently, two viruses (with several isolates) in the genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae, have been associated with the epidemics: Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV). However, recombinants between these, such as Tomato yellow leaf curl Malaga virus (TYLCMalV), are spreading, and new methods for detecting all viruses present in the region are needed.

An ongoing research for evaluation of treatment with BMPs or AGFs in long bone non-union: protocol description and preliminary results.

Treatment of long bone non-union (NU) continues to be a challenging task for the trauma surgeon often resulting in unsatisfactory results and long-term morbidity. Whilst autologous bone grafting remains the gold standard of treatment of these difficult cases, recently, due to the advances made in tissue engineering techniques, other alternatives have become available. In this study we report our preliminary results of treating long bone non-unions using either bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) or platelet rich plasma (PRP) concentrations.