Gammaherpesvirus infection licenses age-associated B cells for pathogenicity in MS and EAE

While age-associated B cells (ABCs) are known to expand and persist following viral infection and during autoimmunity, their interactions are yet to be studied together in these contexts. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has long been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS), and it is not known whether ABCs could play a role in mediating viral contribution to autoimmunity. Here, we show that the circulating ABC population is expanded in people with MS and that EBV infection and MS status differentially impact the circulating ABC phenotype. We then directly compared ABCs during viral infection and autoimmunity using mouse models of EBV, gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68), and MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We observed that splenic ABCs are expanded in a sex-biased manner during both latent virus infection and EAE, and each event drives the ABC population to opposing phenotypes. We have previously shown that latent γHV68 infection exacerbates EAE and here we show that mice lacking ABCs fail to display γHV68-enhanced disease. Collectively, these findings indicate that latent viral infection and central nervous system autoimmunity differentially impact the ABC population and suggests that viral infections such as EBV prime ABCs to contribute pathogenically in MS.

Influence of Growing Medium on the Parameters and Yield Capacity of the Mini Tuber Potato of the Charoite Variety

The creation of original seed grains of the Charoite variety, healed of pathogenic infections of various etiologies, was carried out through reproduction of the certified meristematic material of the microplants class. Mini tubers microplants were grown in 5.5 liter vessels on a “Agrobalt S” soil (control) mixed with peat and supplemented with 10% and 20% (of the volume) of the “ORVI” substrate. The use of the substrate “ORVI” mixed with peat and “Agrobalt S” soil positively influenced the growth, development and formation of tubers. The appliance of 10% of the “ORVI” substrate significantly increased the quantitative yield of mini tubers by 17% and the weight of tubers by 12.3%. The increase in the total number of mini tubers was due to the increase in tuber fraction from 10 to 30 mm. The appliance of a 20% “ORVI” substrate also led to an increase in the total number and mass of mini tubers. According to the EIA results, the mini tubers grown from microplants did not contain any latent viral infection. Tests on the seeds did not reveal symptoms of fungal diseases. Keywords: breed, potatoes, mini tubers, mass of tubers, peat fertilizer, substrate

The Influence of Biochar and Substrates Application on the Parameters and Yield of Mini-Tubers of the Charoit Potato Variety

The objects of research were potato meristem plants of the Charoite variety, mass and the number of mini-tubers grown on the “Agrobalt S” peat fertilizer and in a mixture of “ORVI” and biochar substrate in a closed greenhouse. A statistically significant effect of the use of this substrate and biochar on the increase in the number of standard mini-tubers relative to the control variant using only peat soil was established. The yield of standard tubers (9 – 60 mm) was 78 % when using “Agrobalt S” peat soil; 10 % of the substrate "ORVI" and 5 % of biochar, 78 %; 20 % of the substrate “ORVI” and 5 % of biochar, 77 %. A decrease in the standard material of mini-tubers of the Charoite variety against the background of an increase in quantitative indicators does not occur when using the substrate and biochar. Evaluation of latent viral infection of meristem plants and mini-tubers grown from them was performed by ELISA (Sandwich variant) in July and February and did not reveal latent infection in any of the variants. The determination of growing parameters was carried out a month after harvesting and showed that mini-tubers in all variants had no signs of the late blight disease, rhizoctonia disease, common scab, etc.

A case report of isolated right ventricular lymphocytic myocarditis

Background Lymphocytic myocarditis is an uncommon condition with a variety of clinical presentations. Isolated involvement of the right ventricle (RV) is very rare. We present a case of a young woman who developed right ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias as a consequence of this condition, which appeared to be chronic at diagnosis. Case summary A 26-year-old lady was admitted to hospital following routine echocardiography, requested for screening of pulmonary hypertension in the context of known hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This echocardiogram demonstrated severe right ventricular dilatation and impairment. She was also experiencing atrial fibrillation and non-sustained, symptomatic episodes of ventricular tachycardia. Endomyocardial biopsy revealed lymphocytic myocarditis. She was managed with azathioprine and prednisone, as well as sotalol and apixaban for her atrial fibrillation, and has had no complications in the 12 months since discharge. Discussion Lymphocytic myocarditis isolated to the RV has only been reported in two previous cases, both of which were acute, dramatic presentations. This is the first report of a chronic example of this disease process. Due to her intercurrent immunosuppression, this patient may have been pre-disposed to the condition either by re-activation of a latent viral infection or partial treatment of a true autoimmune lymphocytic myocarditis.

The influence of agrotechniques on productivity of the seed potatoes of different ripening groups under conditions of central region in The Non-black soil area of Russia

The article presents information on the influence of spacing and the periods of the removal of vegetable tops on the productivity of seed potatoes. We studied the early ripening variety Zhukovskiy ranniy and the medium-ripened variety Javar. The aim of the research is to determine the spacing and the periods of the removal of vegetable tops, at which the highest yield of seed tubers. Research was done from 2009 to 2011 in breeding crop rotation of the Smolensk State Agricultural Experimental Station named after A.N. Engelhardt. Soil sod-podzolic light loamy. Fertility is typical for the Smolensk region. The experimental setup consisted of 2 factors. 1. The scheme of planting: 70x25 cm and 70x35 cm. 2. The periods of the removal of vegetable tops: 7, 14 and 21 days from the beginning of the mass bloom phase. Monitoring of strucking potato by viruses, yield and output per 1 ha of seed tubers. Methods of research and agrotechnics are widespread. The highest productivity by Zhukovskiy ranniy variety was noted in the scheme of planting 70h25 cm and the periods of the removal of vegetable tops 21 days from the beginning of the mass bloom phase (284.9 thousand tubers per a hectare). The highest output of seed tubers by Javar variety was noted in option «70x25 cm and 7 days» (376.0 thousand tubers per a hectare). In variant «70x25 cm and 7 days» was noted the most healthier seed material. As compared with option «70x35 cm and 21 days» the plant damage by viruses was more than two times less. The struck of potato plants to a latent viral infection was lower by 25% and more.