Characterization of a novel recombination event in the Deformed wing bee virus polymerase gene

Honeybee populations are known to be infected by numerous viruses. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) of regions of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is often used to diagnose the presence in apiaries and also to classify the type of virus detected. In this report, through analysis of the RdRp gene, we describe a novel recombination event in the DWV genome. Similarity plot analysis amplified from hundred positive individuals identified a previously undescribed recombination point in the 5’ region of the polymerase gene. To our knowledge this is the first description of recombination in the DWV polymerase gene and highlights the continuous genetic evolution of these viruses.

Gaze Self-Similarity Plot - A New Visualization Technique

Eye tracking has become a valuable way for extending knowledge of human behavior based on visual patterns. One of the most important elements of such an analysis is the presentation of obtained results, which proves to be a challenging task. Traditional visualization techniques such as scan-paths or heat maps may reveal interesting information, nonetheless many useful features are still not visible, especially when temporal characteristics of eye movement is taken into account. This paper introduces a technique called gaze self-similarity plot (GSSP) that may be applied to visualize both spatial and temporal eye movement features on the single two-dimensional plot. The technique is an extension of the idea of recurrence plots, commonly used in time series analysis. The paper presents the basic concepts of the proposed approach (two types of GSSP) complemented with some examples of what kind of information may be disclosed and finally showing areas of the GSSP possible applications.

Survey and Genetic Diversity of Grapevine Leafroll Associated Virus 2 in Algeria

Vineyards in western and center regions of Algeria were surveyed for the Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2). Analyses by DAS-ELISA and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) reveal 15, 8% prevalence. The genetic diversity of the GLRaV-2 population was studied by phylogenetic analyses of the HSP70h gene region of seven samples sequenced in this study and other sequences downloaded from GenBank. Results reveal segregation of the GLRav-2 population into six distinct groups. An estimation of the ratio of non-synonymous substitutions per non-synonymous site to synonymous substitutions per synonymous site indicated that HSP70h gene evolve under positive selection. Similarity plot constructed with representative sequence from each group confirmed previous results. All Algerian isolates belong to group PN. As far as we know, this is the first characterization of GLRaV-2 isolates from Algeria.