Aims
The purposes of this study were: (i) to evaluate the reliability of vaginal palpation, vaginal manometry, vaginal dynamometry; and surface (transperineal) electromyography (sEMG), when ...evaluating pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and/or activation; and (ii) to determine the associations among PFM strength measured using these assessments.
Methods
One hundred and fifty women with pelvic floor disorders participated on one occasion, and 20 women returned for the same investigations by two different raters on 3 different days. At each session, PFM strength was assessed using palpation (both the modified Oxford Grading Scale and the Levator ani testing), manometry, and dynamometry; and PFM activation was assessed using sEMG.
Results
The interrater reliability of manometry, dynamometry, and sEMG (both root‐mean‐square RMS and integral average) was high (Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient CCC = 0.95, 0.93, 0.91, 0.86, respectively), whereas the interrater reliability of both palpation grading scales was low (Cohen's Kappa k = 0.27‐0.38). The intrarater reliability of manometry (CCC = 0.96), and dynamometry (CCC = 0.96) were high, whereas intrarater reliability of both palpation scales (k = 0.78 for both), and of sEMG (CCC = 0.79 vs 0.80 for RMS vs integral average) was moderate. The Bland‐Altman plot showed good inter and intrarater agreement, with little random variability for all instruments. The correlations among palpation, manometry, and dynamometry were moderate (coefficient of determination r2 ranged from 0.52 to 0.75), however, transperineal sEMG amplitude was only weakly correlated with all measures of strength (r2 = 0.23‐0.30).
Conclusions
Manometry and dynamometry are more reliable tools than vaginal palpation for the assessment of PFM strength in women with pelvic floor disorders, especially when different raters are involved. The different PFM strength measures used clinically are moderately correlated; whereas, PFM activation recorded using transperineal sEMG is only weakly correlated with PFM strength. Results from perineal sEMG should not be interpreted in the context of reporting PFM strength.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
2.
Advances in Viroid-Host Interactions Navarro, Beatriz; Flores, Ricardo; Di Serio, Francesco
Annual review of virology,
09/2021, Volume:
8, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Viroids are small, single-stranded, circular RNAs infecting plants. Composed of only a few hundred nucleotides and being unable to code for proteins, viroids represent the lowest level of complexity ...for an infectious agent, even below that of the smallest known viruses. Despite the relatively small size, viroids contain RNA structural elements embracing all the information needed to interact with host factors involved in their infectious cycle, thus providing models for studying structure-function relationships of RNA. Viroids are specifically targeted to nuclei (family
Pospiviroidae
) or chloroplasts (family
Avsunviroidae
), where replication based on rolling-circle mechanisms takes place. They move locally and systemically through plasmodesmata and phloem, respectively, and may elicit symptoms in the infected host, with pathogenic pathways linked to RNA silencing and other plant defense responses. In this review, recent advances in the dissection of the complex interplay between viroids and plants are presented, highlighting knowledge gaps and perspectives for future research.
Summary
A novel negative‐stranded (ns) RNA virus associated with a severe citrus disease reported more than 80 years ago has been identified. Transmission electron microscopy showed that this novel ...virus, tentatively named citrus concave gum‐associated virus, is flexuous and non‐enveloped. Notwithstanding, its two genomic RNAs share structural features with members of the genus Phlebovirus, which are enveloped arthropod‐transmitted viruses infecting mammals, and with a group of still unclassified phlebo‐like viruses mainly infecting arthropods. CCGaV genomic RNAs code for an RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, a nucleocapsid protein and a putative movement protein showing structural and phylogenetic relationships with phlebo‐like viruses, phleboviruses and the unrelated ophioviruses, respectively, thus providing intriguing evidence of a modular genome evolution. Phylogenetic reconstructions identified an invertebrate‐restricted virus as the most likely ancestor of this virus, revealing that its adaptation to plants was independent from and possibly predated that of the other nsRNA plant viruses. These data are consistent with an evolutionary scenario in which trans‐kingdom adaptation occurred several times during the history of nsRNA viruses and followed different evolutionary pathways, in which genomic RNA segments were gained or lost. The need to create a new genus for this bipartite nsRNA virus and the impact of the rapid and specific detection methods developed here on citrus sanitation and certification are also discussed.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
ABSTRACT
The initial molecular lesions through which viroids, satellite RNAs and viruses trigger signal cascades resulting in plant diseases are hotly debated. Since viroids are circular ...non-protein-coding RNAs of ∼250–430 nucleotides, they appear very convenient to address this issue. Viroids are targeted by their host RNA silencing defense, generating viroid-derived small RNAs (vd-sRNAs) that are presumed to direct Argonaute (AGO) proteins to inactivate messenger RNAs, thus initiating disease. Here, we review the existing evidence. Viroid-induced symptoms reveal a distinction. Those attributed to vd-sRNAs from potato spindle tuber viroid and members of the family Pospiviroidae (replicating in the nucleus) are late, non-specific and systemic. In contrast, those attributed to vd-sRNAs from peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) and other members of the family Avsunviroidae (replicating in plastids) are early, specific and local. Remarkably, leaf sectors expressing different PLMVd-induced chloroses accumulate viroid variants with specific pathogenic determinants. Some vd-sRNAs containing such determinant guide AGO1-mediated cleavage of mRNAs that code for proteins regulating chloroplast biogenesis/development. Therefore, the initial lesions and the expected phenotypes are connected by short signal cascades, hence supporting a cause-effect relationship. Intriguingly, one virus satellite RNA initiates disease through a similar mechanism, whereas in the Pospiviroidae and in plant viruses the situation remains uncertain.
Comparison of symptoms and molecular pathways supports that viroids replicating in chloroplasts initiate disease (specific plant chloroses) by RNA silencing mRNAs encoding proteins involved in chloroplast biogenesis/development, while the situation is unclear for those replicating in nuclei (inducing non-specific alterations like stunting).
This contribution benchmarks the 40th anniversary issue of the Journal of Macromarketing with an updated and topically organized bibliography of articles that can be used by interested researchers ...and in university courses devoted to or including a survey of this subject. Fisk (1990), Shapiro (2006), and Shapiro, Tajadewski, and Shultz (2009) have provided previous renditions of this sort. However, the topical arrangement differs from these earlier efforts and instructive introductions are provided for each of the 13 broad topic sections proposed. References provided in the articles listed below them would extend sources for these topics. Our goal was to provide recency as well as variety in focus and methodology throughout Macromarketing literature, including both long-standing and emerging areas of interest.
Full text
Available for:
NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
How viroids, tiny non‐protein‐coding RNAs (∼250–400 nt), incite disease is unclear. One hypothesis is that viroid‐derived small RNAs (vd‐sRNAs; 21–24 nt) resulting from the host defensive ...response, via RNA silencing, may target for cleavage cell mRNAs and trigger a signal cascade, eventually leading to symptoms. Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd), a chloroplast‐replicating viroid, is particularly appropriate to tackle this question because it induces an albinism (peach calico, PC) strictly associated with variants containing a specific 12–14‐nt hairpin insertion. By dissecting albino and green leaf sectors of Prunus persica (peach) seedlings inoculated with PLMVd natural and artificial variants, and cloning their progeny, we have established that the hairpin insertion sequence is involved in PC. Furthermore, using deep sequencing, semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR and RNA ligase‐mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), we have determined that two PLMVd‐sRNAs containing the PC‐associated insertion (PC‐sRNA8a and PC‐sRNA8b) target for cleavage the mRNA encoding the chloroplastic heat‐shock protein 90 (cHSP90), thus implicating RNA silencing in the modulation of host gene expression by a viroid. Chloroplast malformations previously reported in PC‐expressing tissues are consistent with the downregulation of cHSP90, which participates in chloroplast biogenesis and plastid‐to‐nucleus signal transduction in Arabidopsis. Besides PC‐sRNA8a and PC‐sRNA8b, both deriving from the less‐abundant PLMVd (−) strand, we have identified other PLMVd‐sRNAs potentially targeting peach mRNAs. These results also suggest that sRNAs derived from other PLMVd regions may downregulate additional peach genes, ultimately resulting in other symptoms or in a more favorable host environment for viroid infection.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
Clinical examination is the gold‐standard approach for surveillance of periodontitis; however, it requires large resources. Several self‐reported measures have been developed and tested in ...diverse scenarios with results suggesting that it may be a useful tool for screening periodontal disease in different populations; yet they have not being tested in Spanish population. We aimed to assess the validity of a self‐reported questionnaire for periodontitis in a Spanish population from Barcelona during 2018.
Methods
One hundred and twelve participants were enrolled in the study and, in one appointment; a dentist performed the self‐reported questionnaire and a full‐mouth periodontal examination. Periodontitis was defined as at least mild periodontitis according to three criterion of classification. Receiver‐operating characteristics curve analyses were used to test the discriminatory capability, sensitivity and specificity of the self‐reported questionnaire and logistic regression models were adjusted to estimate the minimal‐set of questions associated with periodontitis.
Results
The self‐reported questionnaire had a useful discriminative capability for detecting individuals with periodontitis (area under the curve AUC = 0.85 95% CI 0.78‐0.92) and its moderate/severe form (AUC = 0.86 95% CI 0.79‐0.04) with sensitivity and specificity of 77% and 74% and 73% and 87%, respectively; representing moderate validity. The combination of four‐specific questions had high accuracy (AUC = 0.88 95% CI 0.81‐0.94) and validity (sensitivity = 92.2%) and was strongly associated with moderate/severe periodontitis after adjusting by socio‐demographic factors.
Conclusions
The use of several self‐reported questions proved to have a good performance for screening periodontitis in the population under study; specifically, those related with tooth mobility and gum migration. Large community‐based studies are needed to test its validity and predictive capability.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, CMK, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Aim
To measure the neuromuscular activation of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles concurrently with vaginal closure forces induced during a hypopressive exercise (HE) and to identify the ...contribution of the HEs sequences (posture and maneuver) in the muscle's activation.
Methods
A cross‐sectional study design was employed. Sixty‐six women who had participated in a physical therapy program focused on HEs were recruited. Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activation was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) in supine and in the orthostatic position, and vaginal closure force was measured through vaginal dynamometry in supine. Activation of the abdominal, gluteal, and hip adductor muscles was measured using sEMG. Maximum effort voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the PFMs and reference contractions of the abdominal and hip muscles were acquired for normalization purposes. A HE was then performed in a supine position with one leg raised, then in an orthostatic position.
Results
During the supine HE, the peak PFM sEMG amplitude was 74.4% to 86.5% (49.6%‐109.6%) of MVC, the peak vaginal closure force was between 51.2% and 55.7% (95.5%‐382.9%) of MVC, and the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall were activated between 25.4% and 35.3% of the reference contraction. During the orthostatic HE, PFM activation was 61.4% (40.1%‐105.6%) of MVC, and the lateral abdominal wall muscles contracted at 22.8% of the reference activation level.
Conclusions
The PFMs, abdominal, gluteal, and adductor muscles are activated during the performance of a HE. The activation level of the PFMs and abdominal muscles is likely insufficient to result in strength gains; however, they could have an endurance effect.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
A new RNA virus has been identified from a sweet orange tree in southern Italy. This virus, tentatively named citrus virus A (CiVA), has a bipartite genome composed of (i) a negative-stranded (ns) ...RNA1, encoding the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and (ii) an ambisense RNA2, coding for the putative movement protein (MP) and nucleocapsid protein (NP), with the two open reading frames separated by a long AU-rich intergenic region (IR) adopting a hairpin conformation. CiVA genomic RNAs and the encoded proteins resemble those of the recently discovered citrus concave gum-associated virus (CCGaV). This CCGaV, a nsRNA virus associated with the ancient citrus concave gum disease, has been proposed as the representative member of a new genus tentatively named
Molecular and phylogenetic analyses presented here support the classification of CiVA, and likely of other two recently described nsRNA viruses infecting plants, in this new genus. By showing that the evolutionary origin of the MP of all the putative coguviruses likely differs from that of their respective RdRp and NP, this study also provides evidence of a likely modular genome evolution for these viruses. Moreover, phylogenetic data support the proposal that, during the evolutionary history of nsRNA viruses, the plant-infecting viruses most likely emerged from an invertebrate-infecting ancestor several times as independent events. CiVA was identified in a field sweet orange tree not showing any obvious symptom and was graft-transmitted to sweet orange, grapefruit, rough lemon and Dweet tangor indicator plants that did not developed symptoms. The capacity of infecting citrus hosts of several species was also confirmed by a preliminary survey that identified orange, mandarin, clementine and lemon trees as natural hosts of CiVA in several fields of southern Italy, again without any obvious association with specific symptoms.
PDF
