The characterization of viruses infecting wild plants is a key step towards understanding the ecology of plant viruses. In this work, the complete genomic nucleotide sequence of a new tymovirus species infecting chiltepin, the wild ancestor of Capsicum annuum pepper crops, in México was determined, and its host range has been explored. The genome of 6,517 nucleotides has the three open reading frames described for tymoviruses, putatively encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a movement protein and a coat protein. The 5' and 3' untranslated regions have structures with typical signatures of the tymoviruses. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this new virus is closely related to the other tymoviruses isolated from solanaceous plants. Its host range is mainly limited to solanaceous species, which notably include cultivated Capsicum species. In the latter, infection resulted in a severe reduction of growth, indicating the potential of this virus to be a significant crop pathogen. The ñame of chiltepin yellow mosaic virus (ChiYMV) is proposed for this new tymovirus.

During the period December 1970 to August 1973, 99 patients with duodenal ulcer underwent proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage, and 93 per cent of the patients were followed up for 3-6 years after the operation. A proved recurrent duodenal ulcer was noted in 4.3 per cent and a strongly suspected recurrent duodenal ulcer in 2 per cent. It is suggested that this rate of recurrence on medium term follow-up is compatible with the continued use of proximal gastric vagotomy in the surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Selective vagotomy and pyloroplasty were used in the surgical treatment of 73 patients with benign gastric ulcer between July 1964 and February 1970. Over the long period of observation recurrence of the gastric ulcer was found in 13 patients (19-1 per cent). This complication occurred equally commonly after treatment of primary and secondary gastric ulcers and was twice as frequent in women as in men. Possible reasons for these recurrences are discussed. It is concluded that vagotomy and pyloroplasty cure benign gastric ulcer in about 80 per cent of patients, and this should be taken into account in the choice of surgical treatment, especially in patients in whom a gastrectomy might put the patient's life at risk. However, because of the high recurrence rate, it is doubtful whether this operation should be considered the treatment of choice for all cases of gastric ulcer.

From 1970 to 1974 proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage was performed in 158 patients for duodenal ulcer. One patient died, giving an operative mortality of 0.6 per cent. Nine unrelated deaths occurred during the period of survey and 5 other patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 143 patients were followed-up for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 9 years. The most frequent symptoms were epigastric fullness and intolerance to milk. Early dumping, detected in 6.7 per cent of the patients, was always mild. Diarrhoea, also very slight and often only related to the ingestion of milk, was seen in 9.6 per cent. Recurrent duodenal ulcer was proved in 7.7 per cent and strongly suspected in 0.7 per cent and the presence of a new gastric ulcer was also proved in 1.4 per cent of patients, making a total incidence of recurrence of 9.8 per cent. Approximately 89 per cent of the patients were classed as having a satisfactory result and 11 per cent were classed as unsatisfactory. Proximal gastric vagotomy is clearly effective in reducing the side effects of gastric surgery, while the incidence of recurrent ulceration in the long term is similar to the incidence of recurrence after truncal or selective vagotomy with a drainage procedure. For these reasons, consideration should be given to the wider use of proximal gastric vagotomy in the elective surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer.