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Banana bunchy top is one of the most damaging diseases in banana cultivation. However, the distribution and molecular diversity of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) as well as its alternative hosts in Indonesia have not been reported since 1998. A total of 257 banana leaf samples were collected from the islands of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, Bali, Sumbawa, Timor, and Sumba from 2016 to 2019. The BBTV was detected through PCR in samples from all islands except Kalimantan. A molecular analysis showed that all BBTV isolates belonged to the South East Asian (SEA) subgroup. Based on the DNA-S and DNA-C analysis, the isolates from Sulawesi and Halmahera islands were closely related to those from the Philippines, while the remaining isolates were highly similar to those previously reported from Sumatra, Java, and Bali. Natural infection of BBTV was also recorded on abaca (Musa textilis), wild banana (M. acuminata subsp. sumatrana), ornamental pink banana (M. velutina), galangal (Alpinia galangal), and turmeric (Curcuma longa).

The badnavirus taro bacilliform virus (TaBV) has been reported to infect taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) and other edible aroids in several South Pacific island countries, but there are no published reports from Australia. Using PCR and RCA, we identified and characterized an Australian TaBV isolate. A terminally redundant cloned copy of the TaBV genome was generated and shown to be infectious in taro following agro-inoculation. This is the first report of TaBV from Australia and also the first report of an infectious clone for this virus.

We report the first fully sequenced genome of an Australian isolate of Cauliflower mosaic virus. The circular genome is 8022 base pairs in length. A phylogenetic analysis suggests recent common ancestry of this virus isolate with those from Japan and the USA, and origins of the clade in western Europe.

1 Introduction The progenitors of the edible bananas we use today are a number of wild seeded species and subspecies, predominantly of Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana. The resultant selections and hybrids now comprise a collection of cultivars and landraces that are essentially seedless and are propagated vegetatively (Perrier et al., 2011). Concomitant with this form of propagation goes the propensity over time to harbour and accumulate pests and diseases.

Several randomized controlled trials of anti-estrogens, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, have demonstrated up to a 50–65% decrease in breast cancerincidence among high-risk women. Approximately 15% of women, age 35–79 years, in the U.S. meet criteria for breast cancer preventive therapies, but uptake of these medications remain low. Explanations for this low uptake includelack of awareness of breast cancer risk status, insufficient knowledge about breast cancer preventive therapies among patients and physicians, and toxicity concerns. Increasing acceptance of pharmacologic breast cancer prevention will require effective communication of breast cancer risk, accurate representation about the potential benefits and side effects of anti-estrogens, targeting-specific high-risk populations most likely to benefit from preventive therapy, and minimizing the side effects of current anti-estrogens with novel administration and dosing options. One strategy to improve the uptake of chemoprevention strategies is to consider lessons learned from the use of drugs to prevent other chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. Enhancing uptake and adherence to anti-estrogens for primary prevention holds promise for significantly reducing breast cancer incidence, however, this will require a significant change in our current clinical practice and stronger advocacy and awareness at the national level.

BackgroundTeen driving educational events are an effective strategy to increase adolescent drivers’ awareness of safe driving practices. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changing rates of self-reported driving practices and knowledge of the state Graduated Driver Licensing laws (GDL) by teens over a nine-year period in a single state.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study of high school students ages 14 to 19 years old. Paper surveys were sent to the high schools participating in teen driving educational events (9 schools in 2009 and 4 schools in 2018). Students in those schools completed surveys prior to the events. Students completing the anonymous survey were invited to the event. Questions evaluated awareness of state GDL and safe and risky driving behaviors. Statistical comparisons of survey answers from 2009 to 2018 were analyzed using the z test of proportions (2 tailed, alpha 0.05).ResultsA total of 397 students participated in 2018 with ages ranging from 14 to 19 years. Racial distribution was 81% white, 14% black, and there were 57% female participants. Only 69% (n = 273) reported “always” wearing their seatbelt. When asked about high risk behaviors, 78% (n = 309) of adolescents reported they personally “never” text while driving; 97% (385); never drive after drinking, and 87% (n = 344) never ride with someone who has been drinking. Compared to 2009 participants (1304 students, 9 schools from central part of state), the students in 2018 (4 schools scattered across state) reported wearing seatbelts “always” (n = 69% vs 39%; p < 0.001); “never texting while driving” (78% vs 33%; p < 0.001); and “never drinking and driving” (97% vs 88%; p < 0.001). No significant difference in rates of students having taken a driving education class nor driving over speed limit were reported.ConclusionResults are encouraging that participants in 2018 report more use of seatbelts, less texting while driving, less drinking while driving and lower numbers of being in MVC than in 2009. However, rates of high-risk driving behaviors are still concerning.

The proliferative effect of adjuvant tamoxifen on the endometrium can potentially result in endometrial abnormalities, including cancer in postmenopausal women. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to assess endometrial pathological diagnoses in postmenopausal women with early stage, ER-positive breast cancer without endometrial pathology at baseline. They were assigned to tamoxifen alone versus tamoxifen plus cyclical medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA 10 mg for 14 days every 3 months) for 5 years. Endovaginal sonograms (EVS) +/− endometrial biopsies (EMB) were required at baseline, 2 and 5 years. Of 313 patients registered, 296 were eligible and 169 (57%; 89, tamoxifen; 80, tamoxifen+MPA) were evaluable (completed year-2 EVS, with an EMB if stripe width was ⩾5 mm). Sixty (67%) of these in the tamoxifen arm had an endometrial stripe width ⩾5 mm (and underwent subsequent EMB) compared with 48 (60%) in the tamoxifen+MPA arm ( P =0.40). There were four cases of proliferative endometrium and one simple hyperplasia on the tamoxifen arm (6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2–13%) among evaluable patients and one proliferative endometrium on the tamoxifen+MPA arm ( P =0.11). The overall fraction with benign endometrial abnormalities at year 2 was 3.6% (6/169; 95% CI: 1.3–7.6%), with only 1 (of 102) new benign proliferative event at year 5. The event rate in both arms was much lower than projected, making treatment arm comparisons less informative. A normal endometrium prior to tamoxifen may provide reassurance regarding future endometrial events. However, validation in a larger trial is needed before changing practice in asymptomatic, postmenopausal women. Anticancer therapy: Keeping an eye on the uterus Careful evaluation of the uterine lining prior to the prescription of tamoxifen could benefit postmenopausal women, say American researchers. Kathy Albain at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, IL, together with co-workers across the country, conducted a five-year study to clarify the risks associated with the drug, which has been implicated in the development of cancer of the uterine lining. A total of 296 patients were included in the study and were randomized to five years of either tamoxifen or tamoxifen with 14 days of quarterly a progestin, intended to counter the negative effects of tamoxifen. The uterine lining was evaluated at baseline, year 2 and year 5. The results showed fewer problems than expected—only seven patients had abnormal but low-risk biopsy results. The researchers suggest that this could be due to the fact that all participants had no abnormal uterine pathology findings at baseline, highlighting the potential value of evaluating the status of the uterus in women who are considering tamoxifen therapy.