Mottled Research Articles

Analysis of KRT5 and KRT14 gene mutations and mode of inheritance in Iranian patients with clinical suspicion of Epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a hereditary skin disorder caused by mutations in several genes such as KRT5 and KRT14 . Skin fragility in basal keratinocytes presence regions led to the cytolysis of epidermis and blistering. Aim of this study was to detect the molecular defects in KRT5 and KRT14 genes hot spots in patients with clinical suspicion of EBS and investigation of their probable genotype-phenotype correlations. Methods: Exons 1 and 6-7 of KRT5 and exons 1 and 4-7 of KRT14 amplification and mutation detection were performed by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Novel variants pathogenicity evaluated by bioinformatics tools. Results: Nine important variants detected in seven different patients within 6 Iranian families affected by Epidermolysis bullosa simplex, of which four variants were novel. Three patients had a mottled pigmentation phenotype [G96D (p.Gly96Asp) and F97I (p.Phe97Ile) in KRT5 ]. One of them showed a Dowling–Meara phenotype [A417P (p.Ala417Pro) and E477D (p.Glu477Asp) in KRT5 ] and another had a Koebner type phenotype [R397I (p.Arg397Ile) and Q444* (p.Gln444Ter) in KRT5 ]. A novel variant [G92E (p.Gly92Glu) in KRT5 ] in a double heterozygous state with a challenging variant [A413T (p.Ala413Thr) in KRT14 ] identified in one patient with Koebner type phenotype. Also, a previously reported mutation [I377T (p.Ile377Thr) in KRT14 gene] identified in this study. Conclusion: The results of molecular data analysis showed that the most severe phenotypes were associated with mutations in highly conserved regions. In some cases, different inheritance modes were observed.

Age, Growth, and Sex Ratios of the Giant Mottled eel, Anguilla marmorata, in Freshwater Habitats Near Its Northern Geographic Limit: A Comparison to Tropical Regions.

To understand the latitudinal difference in the basic ecology of the giant mottled eel Anguilla marmorata, we measured its age, growth, and sex ratios in freshwater areas of Amami-Oshima Island, Japan (28.223°N-28.332°N and 129.329°E-129.439°E), near the northern geographic limit of its range and compared these biological characteristics with those observed in the tropical regions of Indonesia. A total of 109 A. marmorata were captured from three rivers on Amami-Oshima Island. The total length (TL) and age of sampled individuals varied across an order of magnitude (TL range: 119-1320 mm, mean: 385.5 ± 172.6; age range: 3-30 years, mean: 12.8 ± 4.9 years). Neither TL nor age differed among rivers. Male A. marmorata accounted for 88.5% of sexually differentiated individuals, which it contrary to previous results for males living in Indonesian watersheds where males were only found in small rivers and areas close to estuaries. Moreover, we found no males larger than 700 mm in TL and few males that were older than 20 years. The growth rates of male A. marmorata were significantly lower than those of females, and growth rates of sexually undifferentiated fish were significantly less than those of males. The mean growth rate of all individuals was 25.9 ± 6.6 mm/y, which is considerably lower than what has been found at lower latitudes, suggesting that growth differences occur along a latitudinal cline.

Habitat Partitioning and its Possible Genetic Background Between Two Sympatrically Distributed Eel Species in Taiwan.

The geographical distributions of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) and Giant-mottled eel (A. marmorata) overlap in many regions in East Asia and therefore suffer from interspecific competition in the same rivers. After a long period of adaptation, the Japanese eel and Giant-mottled eel may exhibit habitat partitioning in the rivers to diminish the interspecific competition between them. In this study, we conducted a field investigation in the Fengshan River in Taiwan to survey the habitat distributions of the Japanese eel and Giant-mottled eel throughout a river. Moreover, we investigated whether their habitat distributions are related to their swimming and upstream migration. Thus, the mRNA expression levels of several candidate genes that may be associated with the swimming and upstream migration of eel were examined in the glass eels of the Japanese eel and Giant-mottled eel. Field investigation indicated that the Japanese eel mainly inhabited the lower and middle reaches of the Fengshan River, but the Giant- mottled eel was distributed over the middle to upper reaches. The mRNA expression levels of fMYH, dio2, gria3, and neurod1 were higher in the Giant-mottled eel than in the Japanese eel, implying that Giant- mottled eels might have better swimming bursts and more active upstream migration than Japanese eels. These results suggest that there is a habitat partition at which these two eel species coexist in a river, and their habitat distributions may be linked to their swimming bursts and upstream migration. Determining the habitat distributions of freshwater eels is important for developing applicable plans for eel conservation and resource management.

Imaging characteristics of nontraumatic spontaneous intramural hematoma of small bowel secondary to warfarin therapy

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of nontraumatic spontaneous intramural hematoma of small bowel secondary to warfarin therapy. Methods The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 12 patients with nontraumatic spontaneous intramural hematoma of small bowel secondary to warfarin therapy who were admitted to the First People′s Hospital of Wenling (11 patients) and Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province (1 patient) between January 2010 and December 2016 were collected. Patients received plain and enhanced scans of computed tomography (CT). Patients stopped warfarin therapy, received intramuscular injection of vitamin K1 and fresh-frozen plasma transfusion. Observation indicators: (1) primary signs of CT: ① small bowel wall thickening; ② increased density of small bowel wall; (2) secondary signs of CT: intestine lumen stenosis, intestinal pneumatosis, perienteric changes and other concomitant signs; (3) treatment situations. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as ±s. Measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M (range). Results Twelve patients received total abdomen plain scans of CT, and 7 received total abdomen enhanced scans of CT. (1) Primary signs of CT: ① Small bowel wall thickening. CT of 12 patients showed solitary, homogeneously symmetric, consecutive and diffuse thickening of small bowel wall, including ileal involvement in 7 patients and jejunum involvement in 5 patients. Ascending part of duodenum of 3 patients involved the 2nd and 3rd groups small bowel. The average length of involved small bowel was 30.7 cm (range, 11.0-58.0 cm). There was no multifocal thickening or colonic involvement. Of 12 patients, 10 and 2 showed moderate thickening (thickness was 1.0-2.0 cm) and severe thickening (thickness > 2.0 cm), and the thickest small bowel wall was 2.5 cm. ② Increased density of small bowel wall. Twelve patients showed varying degrees of increased density of small bowel wall, with an average value of 49.7 HU (range, 36.0-63.4 HU). Of 12 patients, homogeneously increased whole layer density of small bowel wall were detected in 4 patients, higher submucous layer density of small bowel compared with serosal layer density in 4 patients, and all of the above characteristics in 4 patients. Enhanced scans of CT in 7 patients showed enhancement in small bowel mucosal layer and serosal layer, no obvious enhancement in the submucous layer of small bowel wall, clear layers, and a target sign when small bowel lumen was perpendicular to scan slice, including 5 patients with obvious enhancement in small bowel mucosal layer, spring-like change, and clear imaging in portal vein phase. (2) Secondary signs of CT: ① Intestine lumen stenosis: 12 patients had varying degrees of intestine lumen stenosis. Five patients were complicated with small bowel obstruction, showing a gas-liquid level. ② Intestinal pneumatosis: 2 of 12 patients showed patchy and mottled gas shadow. ③ Perienteric changes and other concomitant signs: 12 patients showed obviously increased fat density in surrounding area of involved small bowel and corresponding mesenteric area, and indistinct outside small bowel, including 8 with lots of lath-like high density shadow in surrounding area of small bowel and mesenteric area. The varying degrees of hemoperitoneum were seen in 12 patients. (3) Treatment situations: of 12 patients, 9 underwent correct treatments, 8 of them were improved, and 1 of them with persistently severe abdominal pain underwent urgent explorative laparotomy, showing hemorrhage and necrosis, and then underwent surgery; 3 didn′t undergo correct treatment, without improved or severe symptoms. Conclusion Patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy show acute abdominal pain with abnormal coagulation function, small bowel wall thickening and increased density by CT scans, hemoperitoneum complicated with intestine lumen stenosis, small bowel obstruction and hematocele in surrounding area of small bowel and mesenteric area, these are highly indicative of nontraumatic spontaneous intramural hematoma of small bowel secondary to warfarin therapy. Key words: Intramural hematoma of small bowel; Warfarin; Tomography, X-ray computed; Diagnosis; Jejunum

Optical coherence tomography and angiography in patients with angioid streaks.

To investigate the retinal and choroidal features of angioid streak by fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green anigography (ICG-A) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). We analysed 46 eyes of 23 patients with angioid streaks examined at our retina section between March 1998 and June 2000. Their mean age was 42.8 years (26-61 years). After a routine ophthalmological examination, OCT and simultaneous fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (FA/ICG-A) were done. Color fundus photographs were also taken. A peau dorange appearance and angioid streaks were more numerous and apparent with ICG-A than FA. In two eyes (4.3%), some streaks that were well visualized on FA were not visible on ICG-A. Twenty eyes (43.5%) had macular complications and 26 (56.5%) were normal. Occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was diagnosed by ICG-A. Nine eyes had occult, and 11 had classic CNV. Ruptures of Bruchs membrane were hypofluorescent in 20 (43.5%) and hyperfluorescent in 26 eyes (56.5%). Optic disc drusen were detected in both eyes of one patient (4.3%). Localized hyperreflectivity was thought to be due to calcium deposits. Angioid streaks were visualized more clearly and in larger numbers by ICG-A than FA. However, in some cases streaks that were funduscopically and fluorescein angiogrpahically visible could not be seen by ICG-A. Occult CNV was detected by ICG-A. Some mottled areas were seen and more clearly visualized by ICG-A. Calcium deposits were observed as localized areas of hyperreflectivity on OCT. These findings indicate that fluorescein angiography, ICG-A and optical coherence tomography all provide supportive information for each other and can be used for either diagnosis or follow-up of those patients. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2002; 12: 473-81).

450. Notes on the vocalizations of Mottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata)

450. Notes on the vocalizations of Mottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata)

The ‘Parody of the Mottled Corpse’ in Antonioni, Almodóvar, Carax and Winding Refn

In The Neon Demon (Nicolas Winding Refn, 2016) there are several thought-provoking topics concerning the fashion world that can be related to Walter Benjamin’s analyses in Passages. Winding Refn appears to adopt completely the German thinker’s idea that fashion is close to a parody of death, especially in his representation of the fashion systemthrough a violent, bloodthirsty, cannibalistic dimension. In addition to Refn’s work the idea expressed by Benjamin can also be found in films directed by Antonioni, Almodovar and Carax. All of these directors relate to Benjamin’s idea that fashion comprehends some perversions. In Blow-Up (1966), Kika (1993) and The Skin I Live In (2011), Holy Motors (2012) there is a common thread that finds its apex in Neon Demon (2016), where Benjamin’s concept lies in its coils and its soul. Furthermore, that impulse to violence, which is latent in Antonioni’s film but increasingly present in the films by Almodovar and Carax, and especially in The Neon Demon, represents their connection both to Benjamin’s thought and to the ideas expressed by Bataille in Erotism, in The Accursed Share and in The Notion of Expenditure. In these books, the French philosopher shows that the same elements which are present in the five analysed here – that is, violence, sacrifice, beauty profanation, murder and cannibalism – are expressions of the concept of depense, which also includes fashion, intended as a form of dissipation through excess and splendour.

Comparative observation of choroidal osteoma by multimodal fundus imaging methods

Objective To comparatively observe features of choroidal osteoma by multimodal fundus imaging methods. Methods This is a retrospective case study. Sixteen patients (16 eyes) with choroidal osteoma were enrolled in this study. The patients included 6 males (6 eyes) and 10 females (10 eyes), with an average age of (30.5±2.4) years. All patients received examination of best-corrected visual acuity, slit lamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus color photography, fundus autofluorescence (AF), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The tumors were classified as fresh lesion (clear boundary and rosy tumor with smooth surface) and obsolete lesions (pale and flat tumor with obvious patches). The tumor features of color fundus photography, AF, FFA and SD-OCT were comparatively observed. Results There were 5 fresh lesions and 11 obsolete lesions. Color fundus photography showed the tumor color was orange-red or yellow-white with clear boundary and retinal blood vessels on the surface of the tumor. The color of fresh lesion was rosy. In general, choroidal osteoma shown weak AF, however AF of fresh tumor was slightly stronger than the obsolete tumor, and retinal detachment region showed relatively stronger AF. FFA of fresh tumor indicated uniform intense fluorescence with clear boundary at late stage, much stronger than obsolete tumor. SD-OCT showed mesh-like reflected signal in the choroidal layer, but different from the surrounding choroidal vascular structures. Conclusions The tumor color is orange-red or yellow-white in color funds photography, which shown weak AF. FFA showed mottled hyperfluorescence in the early stage and tissue staining at the late stage. SD-OCT showed mesh-like reflected signal in the choroidal layer. Key words: Choroid neoplasms/diagnosis; Fluorescein angiography; Tomography, optical coherence

MIXED INFECTION BY EGGPLANT MOTTLED DWARF VIRUS AND AN OPHIOVIRUS SPECIES IN JAPANESE PITTOSPORUM

In spring of 2014, an oustanding vein yellowing sometimes expanding to the interveinal tissues, was observed on the foliage of a Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) plant growing in a private garden at Bari (Apulia, Italy). These symptoms resembled very much those induced by Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV), a nucleorhabdovirus endemic in the Mediteranean region that affects also P. tobira (Martelli et al., 2011). Electron microscope observations of ultrathin sections from symptomatic pittosporum leaves showed the consistent presence of enveloped bacilliform or bullet-shaped particles accumulating in dilations of the nuclear envelope, whereas leaf dips revealed the presence of coiled filaments ca. 3 nm in diameter resembling ophiovirus-like virions. A next generation sequencing analysis of small RNA libraries from the symptomatic pittosporum plant yielded a number of contigs matching the genome of both EMDV and of the ophiovirus species Ranunculus white mottle virus (RWMV) genome (Vaira et al., 1997). Two primer sets were therefore designed on the assembled contigs and used for RT-PCR amplification. Products of the expected size (426 and 400 bp for EMDV and RWMV, respectively) were amplified and sequenced. BLAST analyses showed that the cloned sequences, deposited in GenBank under the accession Nos. KT211397 and KT211398, shared ca. 96% identity at the nucleotide level with the sequence of an EMDV isolate from Agapanthus sp. (KJ082087) and of 91% with that of a RWMV isolate (AY542957). To our knowledge, this seems to be the first record of a mixed infection by a rhabdo- and an ophiovirus in P. tobira.

Metastasising osteosarcoma in an eastern white pelican (Pelecanus onocrolatus)

A 15-month old captive born Eastern white pelican ( Pelecanus onocrolatus ) with an abnormal gait had a firm swelling of the right stifle that was unresponsive to conservative treatment with NSAIDs. Radiography of the leg showed disruption of the osseous detail of the distal femur and proximal tibiotarsus with a marked periosteal reaction, marked soft tissue swelling surrounding the right stifle and mottled increased radiodensity of these soft tissues. Despite medical treatment, the immobility of the leg progressed, inappetence set in and the bird was euthanased. On post-mortem examination there was a large ossified mass at the right stifle and additional well circumscribed masses were evident in the leg and wing musculature, pectoral muscles and myocardium. Further masses were present in the liver and in one kidney. Histological examination identified the stifle mass as an osteosarcoma. The various masses found in the musculature, liver and kidney were constructed of similar cells and considered metastases. The predilection of the metastases for muscular tissue, including the myocardium, is unusual and has not previously been described in birds.

The characteristics of blue light versus near infrared wavelength fundus autofluorescence in central serous chorioretinopathy patients

Objective To observe the characteristics of blue light(BLAF) versus near infrared wavelength (IRAF) fundus autofluorescence in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) patients. Methods Seventy-seven eyes of 81 patients diagnosed with CSC were enrolled in this study. According to the duration of disease, patients were divided into acute CSC group and chronic or recurrent CSC group. All patients were examined with fundus fluorescein angiography, including BLAF and IRAF. There were forty-six patients (47 eyes) with acute, thirty-one patients (34 eyes) with chronic or recurrent CSC. The characteristics of BLAF and IRAF in CSC were compared. Results In acute CSC, there were nineteen eyes (40.4%) showed scattered hyper-fluorescence corresponding to the leaking points, eleven eyes (23.4%) showed mottled hypo-fluorescence in BLAF; while 17 eyes (36.2%) showed normal change corresponding to the leaking points. There were 35 eyes can be observed serous retinal detachments in the BLAF images, 21 eyes (60.0%) showed hypo-fluorescence and 14 eyes (40.0%) showed hyper-fluorescence. In the IRAF images, 25 eyes (53.2%) showed mottled fluorescence corresponding to the leaking points, 11 eyes (23.4%) presented with scattered hyper-fluorescent spots and normal fluorescence. The serous retinal detachments of 26 eyes exhibited hypo-fluorescence in the IRAF images. In chronic or recurrent CSC, 19 eyes (55.9%) showed scattered hyper-fluorescence corresponding to the leakage points; followed by no abnormal change in 10 eyes, accounting for 29.4%; few showed mottled hypo-fluorescence (5 eyes 14.7%). There were 35 eyes (41.2%) can be observed serous retinal detachments in the BLAF images. IRAF mainly displayed mottled hypo-fluorescence (22 eyes, 64.7%), ten eyes (29.4%) presented with scattered hyper-fluorescence and 2 eyes (5.8%) presented without abnormal change. The serous retinal detachments of 3 eyes (8.8%) exhibited hypo-fluorescence in the IRAF images. Conclusions For acute CSC, a variety of fluorescence were showed in BLAF images and the proportion of the various fluorescences was similar; hypo-fluorescence was showed in the IRAF images. For chronic CSC, hyper-fluorescence was showed in BLAF while hypo-fluorescence in the IRAF images. Key words: Central serous chorioretinopathy; Fluorescein angiography; Diagnostic imaging

Clinicopathologic features observation of ovarian transitional cell tumors

To assess clinical and pathological features of ovarian transitional cell tumors. Fourteen cases of ovarian transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were selected and investigated for their clinical and pathological features. Their immunohistochemical profiles were compared with 12 cases of serous adenocarcinoma (SC) admixed with TCC and 4 cases of EC admixed with TCC 20 cases of pure high-grade serous adenocarcinoma (HG-SC), 15 cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EC), 6 cases of Brenner tumor (BT, 2 cases of malignant BT and 4 cases of benign BT). The patients' age ranged from 36-63 years (mean, 56 years). All cases underwent surgery and postoperative chemotherapy with TP or CAP program. Clinical follow-up was available in 9 cases, of which 2 patients died. Histologically, all cases showed features of transitional cell carcinoma without BT component. Immunohistochemically, 13 of 14 TCCs were positive for WT-1 and all were positive for CK7, ER, PR and CA125, but negative for Uroplakin III and CK20.Similar immunohistochemical staining patterns were seen in SC admixed with TCC and pure HG-SC. Percentage of the 14 TCC cases were also diffusely positive for BRCA1. All SCs admixed with TCC and pure HG-SCs were diffusely or heterogeneously positive for WT-1, with a sharp contrast and mottled distribution pattern in the heterogeneous cases. All TCCs were diffusely and strongly positive for p53, while 16 of 20 cases of pure HG-SC were positive. The positive ratio of p53 in SCs admixed with TCC cases was 11/12.WT-1 expression in TCCs was significantly higher than BTs, ECs and ECs admixed with TCC (P < 0.01), while no obvious difference was seen when compared with SCs admixed with TCC and pure HG-SCs.SCs admixed with TCC, TCCs and EC were positive for BRCA1 except pure ECs and BTs. The positive rate of Ki-67 of BTs was low, while it was higher in TCCs, SCs admixed with TCC and pure HG-SCs. Only BTs expressed Uroplakin III. Ovarian TCC has characteristic morphological and immunohistochemical features, similar to SC but different from BT. Therefore, TCC should be considered as a morphological variant of HG-SC.

COMPLETE GENOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF EGGPLANT MOTTLED DWARF VIRUS FROM AGAPANTHUS sp. BY DEEP SEQUENCING AND DE NOVO ASSEMBLY

Bright mosaic, consisting of white and yellow rectangular or oval to linear patches and stripes, often confluent, was observed on Agapanthus leaves, flower stalks and buds in Italy. To identify and characterize the causal agent, deep-sequencing was carried out and the resulting sequences were assembled. De novo assembly of contigs, along with RACE experiments, resulted in the complete RNA molecule of 13,100 nt sharing 85.6% identical nucleotides with the genome of Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV). Sequence analysis and comparisons of the Agapanthus isolate of EMDV showed five conserved motifs in the L gene, which are localized in the N-terminal region (amino acid no. 531 to 770).

Mutation analysis of the LMNA gene in a child with Hutchinson-Gifford progeria syndrome

Objective To report a case of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome,and to make a molecular genetic diagnosis.Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from a 12-month-old child with HutchinsonGilford progeria syndrome,his parents,and 150 unrelated healthy controls.DNA was extracted from these samples,and PCR was performed to amplify exon 11 of the LMNA gene and its flanking sequence followed by sequencing.Results The patient presented with scleroderma-like tight skin on the trunk,hair loss and prominent scalp veins for 9 months,whose body height and weight were two standard deviations below the mean.Physical examination showed thin skin and prominent superficial veins over the scalp.The skin over the trunk was tight,hard,shiny and dry with a small number of tiny scales,mottled pigmentation and hypopigmentation,induration and hypertrophy giving a cobblestone-like appearance.The subcutaneous fat was diminished on the lower limbs.Skeletal X-ray examination of the left hand revealed phalangeal acroosteolysis.A known heterozygous mutation c.1824C ＞ T (dbSNP:rs58596362) was detected in the exon 11 of the LMNA gene in the proband,but not in his parents or the 150 unrelated healthy controls.Conclusion The mutation c.1824C ＞T in the LMNA gene may be responsible for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome in this patient. Key words: Progeria; Molecular diagnostic techniques; LMNA

NECROTIC POTATO TUBERS INFECTED BY EGGPLANT MOTTLED DWARF VIRUS IN ITALY

Potato (Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum) alterations characterized by severe necrosis of vascular rings and adjacent flesh were observed in potato cv. Vivaldi in Emilia Romagna (northen Italy). The presence of Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV) was demonstrated in diseased plants by bioassays, electron microscopy, serology and RT-PCR. Symptoms similar to those observed in cv. Vivaldi were observed in other potato cultivars and areas of central and southern Italy. This is the first report of natural occurrence of EMDV in potato in Italy.

Comparative observation of fundus ophthalmoscopic image characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy

Objective To observe ophthalmoscopic image characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).Methods Twenty-one eyes of the 18 patients diagnosed with CSC were enrolled in this study.The patients included 12 males (14 eyes) and six females (seven eyes).The patients ages ranged from 26 to 47 years,with a mean age of (39.1±5.4) years.There were nine patients (11 eyes) with acute CSC,seven patients (seven eyes) with chronic CSC,and two patients (three eyes) with recurrent CSC.All the patients were examined using color fundus photography including infrared (IR),autofluorescence (AF),near infrared ray-auto-fluorescence (NIR-AF),fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) photography.The ophthalmoscopic image characteristics of CSC were comparared.Results The circular serous retinal detachments of 21 eyes were depicted in color images of the ocular fundus,which in the IR showed the hypo-fluorescence.Ten eyes displayed mottled hyperfluorescent spots associated with serous retinal detachments corresponding to the leakage points.The serous retinal detachments of 15 eyes in the AF images showed hypo-fluorescence,six eyes showed hyperfluorescence.Fourteen eyes presented with hypo-or hyper-fluorescent spots corresponding to the leakage points,seven eyes presented without abnormal fluorescence corresponding to the leakage points.In addition,three eyes with acute CSC showed many scattered hyper-fluorescent spots,which showed hypo-fluorescence in the ICGA.The serous retinal detachment of 15 eyes exhibited hypo-fluorescence in the NIR-AF images,six eyes showed hyper-fluorescence.Fourteen eyes presented with hypo-or hyper-fluorescent spots corresponding to the leakage points,seven eyes presented without abnormal fluorescence corresponding to the leakage points.Twenty-one eyes in FA identified the leakage.Eight eyes showed regional choroidal delayed filling,13 eyes exhibited regional choriocapillary dilatation during 1 5 minutes after injection of ICGA.During 1-5 minutes after injection of ICGA,six eyes showed more lesions than FA,three eyes showed obvious patchy hypo-fluorescence whereas the FA were normal.Conclusions CSC has its own characteristic fundus images in the IR,FA and NIR-A.FA is still the photographic method of choice,but ICGA can reveal lesions of the choroid in CSC.IR,FA and NIR-AF are not as good as FA and ICGA for detecting of leakage points. Key words: Retinal diseases/diagnosis; Choroid diseases/diagnosis; Fluorescein angiography; Indocyanine green/diagnostic use; Diagnostic imaging

FIRST REPORT OF GRAPEVINE DEFORMATION VIRUS AND GRAPEVINE ANATOLIAN RING SPOT VIRUS IN IRAN

Viral diseases are major limiting factors for grapevine (Vitis vinifera) production in northwest Iran, in the vineyards of which samples were collected from vegetating symptomatic plants dur- ing summer 2010. Total nucleic acid (TNA) was extracted from the leaves of 137 vines by the silica capture method and used as templates for RT-PCR using random hexamer primers. PCR frag- ments 371 and 425 bp in size were amplified using two pairs of primers for the specific recognition of Grapevine deformation virus (GDefV) and Grapevine Anatolian ringspot virus (GARSV), respectively (Digiaro et al., 2007). A GDefV-specific 371 bp DNA fragment was amplified from 1 of the 137 samples. The vine infected by this virus displayed distorted and mottled leaves with asymmetric blades, irregular branching of the canes and short internodes, as reported from Turkey (Gokalp et al., 2003). A GARSV-specific 425 bp DNA fragment was amplified from an- other of the 137 vines, which showed distorted and mottled leaves, asymmetric blades and chlorotic spots, i.e. symptoms that do not correspond to those shown by Turkish vines affected by the same virus (Cigsar et al., 2003). Such diverse symptomatology may be accounted for by differences in the genotype of GARSV isolates, or in grapevine cultivars, or a combination of both. On the basis of these data, we conclude that GDefV and GARSV are present in Iran, from where they are reported for the first time. Both viruses were discovered in Turkey in 2003 (Gokalp et al., 2003; Cigsar et al., 2003) but have not been found elsewhere.

FIRST REPORT OF EGGPLANT MOTTLED DWARF VIRUS IN TOBACCO CROPS IN ALBANIA

In summer 2008 and 2009, tobacco plants of cvs Lovina and Katerini (Samsun) displaying severe stunting, leaf crinkling and vein clearing (VC) (incidence of diseased plants 0.1%) were ob- served in areas of Koritsa and Elbasan (Albania). Leaf extract from five affected plants collected in 2009 was used for mechani- cal inoculations of Nicotiana benthamiana, N. rustica and Gom- phrena globosa. Twenty-thirty days post inoculation, N. benthami- ana developed a systemic VC, while N. rustica reacted with yel- low spots in the inoculated leaves followed by systemic VC. In G. globosa only red local lesions were observed. Leaves from 10 symptomatic and 10 symptomless tobacco plants were collected from different fields and tested serologically by DAS-ELISA us- ing polyclonal antisera to Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV) (As 0136 antiserum, DSMZ, Braunschweig, Germany). All sam- ples from symptomatic plants tested positive. To confirm the presence of EMDV a one-step RT-PCR as described by Katis et al. (2011) was carried out to the same samples and one of the PCR products was sequenced. BLAST analysis of the obtained sequence revealed 98% nucleotide similarity with the homolo- gous published sequences of the EMDV isolates from tobacco (AM922318), cucumber (AM922317), Pittosporum tobira (AM922320) and 88% with those of virus isolates from eggplant (AM922319) and caper (AM922321), respectively. The obtained sequence was deposited in EMBL-EBI under the accession No. HE601787. EMDV is known since 1969 and is generally consid- ered to be of minor importance. It has been reported to infect to- bacco in Italy and Greece (Chatzivassiliou et al., 2004). To our knowledge this is the first report of EMDV in tobacco in Alba- nia, even though its economic importance is limited.

Clinical manifestation and ophthalmoscopic image characteristics of uveal metastatic carcinoma

Objective To observe the clinical manifestation and ophthalmoscopic image characteristics of uveal metastatic carcinoma.Methods Thirty-six uveal metastatic carcinoma patients (43 eyes) were enrolled in this study.The patients included 21 males and 15 females.The patients' ages ranged from 28 to 71 years,with a mean age of (47.3 ±10.2) years.Seven patients had bilateral carcinoma and 29 patients had unilateral carcinoma.There were 30 patients with lung cancer,three patients with breast cancer,one patient with gastric cancer and two patients without primary tumors.There were 20 patients with known primary cancer,16 patients visited the Department of Ophthalmology first.All the patients were examined documenting visual acuity,intraocular pressure,slit-lamp microscopy and mydriatic fundus examination.Meanwhile,22 patients (26 eyes) were examined using B-type ultrasound and/or color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI).Twelve patients (12 eyes) were examined using fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and/or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).Seventeen patients (22 eyes) were examined using MRI and/or CT.The clinical manifestation and ophthalmoscopic image characteristics of uveal metastatic carcinoma patients were observed.Results Among 43 eyes,four lesions were in the iris,three lesions in the ciliary body and 32 lesions were in the choroid.Fundus examination showed an isolated mass in 26 eyes and more than two masses in nine eyes.Metastatic tumors of the iris and ciliary body often showed irregular cauliflower-like mass with gray-white or meat-red color and abundant vessels.The choroidal metastasis usually demonstrated flat rounded or irregular intraocular masses with gray-yellow or gray-white color in the posterior pole.B-type ultrasound showed ill-defined,flat,and irregular-shaped masses with uneven internal reflectivity.CDFI showed rich blood flow within the tumor.FFA and (or)ICGA showed pinpoint and mottled leaks against hyperfluorescence background.MRI revealed low or middle signal using T1 WI and low signal intensity using T2WI.Conclusions The uveal metastatic carcinoma usually occurs in one eye with an isolated mass.Most of them show a flat gray-yellow mass in posterior choroids and have the primary cancer sites of the lung.FFA and/or ICGA show pinpoint and mottled leaks against hyperfluorescence background.B-type ultrasound and (or) CDFI show ill-defined,flat,and irregular-shaped mass with rich blood flow within the tumor.MRI reveals low signal intensity on T2 WI. Key words: Uveal neoplasms/diagnosis; Fluorescein angiography; Disease attributes

The CT features of non-thyroidal masses of the neck

Objectives To evaluate the value of computed tomography (CT) features of non-thyroidal masses of the neck (NTMN).Methods The clinical data of 264 patients with NTMN proved by histology from 2005 to 2010 in our hospital were collected retrospectively.Among them,benign lesions were found in 159 patients (60.2％ ),malignant ones in 105 patients (39.8％ ),and in lymphadenopathy in 111 patients (42.0％ ),non-lymphadenopathy in 153 patients (58.0％).The CT features including lowdensity areas,low-density areas of enhancement ratio,the edge of lesion,lesion morphology and the clinical baselines including the sex,single or multiple lesions,lymphadenopathy or non lymphadenopathy were compared for appreciating the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis.Categorical variables were tested with the x2 or Fisher exact tests.Results Independently using each of those four radiological signs ( CT value of low density area,the enhancement ratio of low density area,border and morphology of lesion)and three clinical indexes (sex,single or multiple,lymphadenopathy or non lymphadenopathy) to diagnose the malignant tumors,the sensitivity and specificity were 77.1％ ( 81/105 ),81.9％ ( 86/105 ),71.4％(75/105),56.2％ ( 59/105 ),64.8％ ( 68/105 ),75.2％ ( 79/105 ),82.9％ ( 87/105 ) and 50.9％(81/159),44.7％ ( 71/159 ),73.0％ ( 116/159 ),67.3％ ( 107/159 ),51.6％ ( 82/159 ),73.0％(116/159),84.9％ (135/159) respectively.When four or more signs were showed,the sensitivity and specificity were 86.7％ (91/105) and 74.8％ (119/159) respectively.The special CT features were included mottled high density sign in schwannoma ( P =0.000,25/41 ) and regular calcification in hemangioma(P =0.000,7/18 ).Carotid body tumor was often occurred at carotid artery (P =0.000,23/24),and the most of mass of paravertebral was neurogenic tumor(P =0.001,9/50).Conclusions The diagnosis of NTMN can be improved by combining CT features and clinical baseline. Key words: Head and neck neoplasms; Tomography, X-ray computed