Role of female adult size in reproductive fitness of Semanotus japonicus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

The severity of intestinal disease in the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) (-/−) mice has been reported to co-segregate with gene loci which contain the genes for hydroxysteroid sulphotransferase (SULT). Because of the potential involvement of steroid hormones in CF, we investigated levels of steroid SULT activity in the livers of CFTR mice to determine whether the levels of SULT activity correlate with the occurrence or severity of CF. To elucidate the possible role of SULT activity in ameliorating the deleterious effects of CF in CFTR (-/−) mice, we determined the levels of phenol SULT (PST), hydroxysteroid SULT [dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-ST] and oestrogen SULT (EST) activity in control CFTR (+/+), heterozygous CFTR (+/−) and homozygous CFTR (-/−) mice, which survive to adulthood. The level of PST activity was not significantly different between any of the groups of mice, regardless of sex or genotype. Although DHEA-ST activity was significantly higher in female mice than in male mice, there was no difference in DHEA-ST activity that could be correlated with genotype. In contrast with PST and DHEA-ST activities, we found that some male and all female adult CFTR (-/−) mice had elevated, dramatically different levels of EST from both CFTR (+/+) and CFTR (+/−) mice. Results from these SULT activity experiments were confirmed by Northern-blot analysis of mouse-liver RNA. Subsequent studies with preweanling mice revealed no differences in the levels of EST that could be correlated with genotype. Thus this study indicates that EST is elevated significantly in CFTR (-/−) mice which survive to adulthood and provides important biochemical information that EST levels may be protective in CF.

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Plant nutrient quality impacts survival and reproductive fitness of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti

10.21203/rs.3.rs-47914/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vincent Odhiambo Nyasembe ◽

David Poumo Tchouassi ◽

Martha Njeri Muturi ◽

Christian W. W. Pirk ◽

Catherine L. Sole ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Acid Content ◽

Amino Acid Content ◽

Reproductive Fitness ◽

The Other ◽

Gut Contents ◽

Dengue Vector

Abstract Background: In a recent study using DNA barcoding, we identified the plants fed upon by four Afro-tropical mosquito species that vector dengue, malaria, and Rift Valley fever. Herein, we have expanded on this study by investigating the role of three of the plants Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae), Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae), and Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) on survival, fecundity, and egg viability of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Methods: We tested these effects using females that received a) an initial three rations of bloodmeal, and b) received no bloodmeal at all. Two controls were included; age-matched females fed on glucose solution with or without initial bloodmeal, and those fed exclusively on bloodmeal. Data was collected daily over a 30-day period. The amino acid content of Ae. aegypti guts and the amino acid content of their respective diets was detected by coupled liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry.Results: Females fed on P. dulce and exclusive bloodmeal had a shorter survival than those fed on glucose. On the other hand, females fed on L. nepetifolia survived longer than those fed exclusively on bloodmeal, whereas those fed on O. ficus-indica had the shortest survival time. With initial bloodmeal, females fed on L. nepetifolia laid 1.6-fold more eggs while those fed on the other diets laid fewer eggs, compared to those fed exclusively on bloodmeal. Hatching rates of the eggs laid varied with the diet. Mass spectroscopic analysis of gut contents of mosquitoes exposed to the different diets showed qualitative and quantitative differences in their amino acid levels. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the central role of plant nutrients in the reproductive fitness of dengue vectors which may impact their disease transmission potential.

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Plant Nutrient Quality Promotes Survival and Reproductive Fitness of the Dengue Vector Aedes Aegypti

10.21203/rs.3.rs-47914/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vincent Odhiambo Nyasembe ◽

David P. Tchouassi ◽

Martha N. Muturi ◽

Christian W. W. Pirk ◽

Catherine L. Sole ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Acid Content ◽

Amino Acid Content ◽

Reproductive Fitness ◽

The Other ◽

Gut Contents ◽

Dengue Vector

Abstract Background: In a recent study using DNA barcoding, we identified the plants fed upon by four Afro-tropical mosquito species that vector dengue, malaria, and Rift Valley fever. Herein, we have expanded on this study by investigating the role of three of the plants Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae), Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae), and Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) on survival, fecundity, and egg viability of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Methods: We tested these effects using females that received a) an initial three rations of bloodmeal, and b) received no bloodmeal at all. Two controls were included; age-matched females fed on glucose solution with or without initial bloodmeal, and those fed exclusively on bloodmeal. Data was collected daily over a 30-day period. The amino acid content of Ae. aegypti guts and the amino acid content of their respective diets was detected by coupled liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry.Results: Females fed on P. dulce and exclusive bloodmeal had a shorter survival than those fed on glucose. On the other hand, females fed on L. nepetifolia survived longer than those fed exclusively on bloodmeal, whereas those fed on O. ficus-indica had the shortest survival time. With initial bloodmeal, females fed on L. nepetifolia laid 1.6-fold more eggs while those fed on the other diets laid fewer eggs, compared to those fed exclusively on bloodmeal. Hatching rates of the eggs laid varied with the diet. Mass spectroscopic analysis of gut contents of mosquitoes exposed to the different diets showed qualitative and quantitative differences in their amino acid levels. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the central role of plant nutrients in the reproductive fitness of dengue vectors which may impact their disease transmission potential.

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Plant nutrient quality promotes survival and reproductive fitness of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti

10.21203/rs.3.rs-34739/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vincent Odhiambo Nyasembe ◽

David P. Tchouassi ◽

Martha N. Muturi ◽

Christian W. W. Pirk ◽

Catherine L. Sole ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Acid Content ◽

Amino Acid Content ◽

Reproductive Fitness ◽

The Other ◽

Gut Contents ◽

Dengue Vector

Abstract Background In a recent study using DNA barcoding, we identified the plants fed upon by four Afro-tropical mosquito species that vector dengue, malaria, and Rift Valley fever. Herein, we have expanded on this study by investigating the role of three of the plants Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae), Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae), and Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) on survival, fecundity, and egg viability of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Methods We tested these effects using females that received a) an initial three rations of bloodmeal, and b) received no bloodmeal at all. Two controls were included; age-matched females fed on glucose solution with or without initial bloodmeal, and those fed exclusively on bloodmeal. Data was collected daily over a 30-day period. The amino acid content of Ae. aegypti guts and the amino acid content of their respective diets was detected by coupled liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry. Results Females fed on P. dulce and exclusive bloodmeal had a shorter survival than those fed on glucose. On the other hand, females fed on L. nepetifolia survived longer than those fed exclusively on bloodmeal, whereas those fed on O. ficus-indica had the shortest survival time. With initial bloodmeal, females fed on L. nepetifolia laid 1.6-fold more eggs while those fed on the other diets laid fewer eggs, compared to those fed exclusively on bloodmeal. Hatching rates of the eggs laid varied with the diet. Mass spectroscopic analysis of gut contents of mosquitoes exposed to the different diets showed qualitative and quantitative differences in their amino acid levels. Conclusion Our findings highlight the central role of plant nutrients in the reproductive fitness of dengue vectors which may impact their disease transmission potential.

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Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) genotypes do not correlate with size in two cohorts of medium-to-giant congenital melanocytic nevi

10.1101/2020.04.10.20055301 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Neus Calbet-Llopart ◽

Mirella Pascini-Garrigos ◽

Gemma Tell-Martí ◽

Miriam Potrony ◽

Vanessa Martins da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Compound Heterozygous ◽

Control Analysis ◽

Large Set ◽

Adult Size ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Melanocytic Nevi ◽

Pigmented Lesions ◽

Congenital Melanocytic Nevi

ABSTRACTCongenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are cutaneous malformations whose prevalence is inversely correlated with projected adult size. CMN are caused by somatic mutations, but epidemiological studies suggest that germline genetic factors may influence CMN development. In CMN patients from the U.K., genetic variants in the MC1R gene, such as p.V92M and loss-of-function variants, have been previously associated with larger CMN. We analyzed the association of MC1R variants with CMN characteristics in 113 medium-to-giant CMN patients from Spain and from a distinct cohort of 53 patients from France, Norway, Canada and the U.S. These cohorts were similar at the clinical and phenotypical level, except for the number of nevi per patient. We found that the p.V92M or loss-of-function MC1R variants either alone or in combination did not correlate with CMN size, in contrast to the U.K. CMN patients. An additional case-control analysis with 259 unaffected Spanish individuals, showed a higher frequency of MC1R compound heterozygous or homozygous variant genotypes in Spanish CMN patients compared to the control population (15.9% vs. 9.3%; P=0.075). Altogether, this study suggests that MC1R variants are not associated with CMN size in these non-U.K. cohorts. Additional studies are required to define the potential role of MC1R as a risk factor in CMN development.SIGNIFICANCECongenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are common pigmented lesions that originate during prenatal life, without clear evidence of a genetic predisposition. To date, limited data exist regarding the role of the MC1R gene, a key regulator of human pigmentation, in the development of the class of rarer CMN that are greater than 10 cm diameter at projected adult size and associated with increased morbidity or mortality risks. This study provides data from a large set of such CMN patients to support the hypothesis that MC1R could be involved in the development of these types of lesions, but at the same time discounting its influence on the size of CMN across distinct populations. Improving our understanding of genetic susceptibility to rare types of CMN is necessary to determine whether routine germline genotyping is relevant in clinical practice.

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Developmental aspects of morphological disparity dynamics: a simple analytical exploration

Paleobiology ◽

10.1666/09019.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 237-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sylvain Gerber ◽

Gunther J. Eble ◽

Pascal Neige

Keyword(s):

Developmental Changes ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Adult Size ◽

Morphological Disparity ◽

Standard Curve ◽

Evolutionary Changes ◽

Developmental Dynamics ◽

Developmental Scheme ◽

Average Adult

We have devised a simple model for assessing the role of development in shaping the evolution of morphological disparity. Disparity of a clade at any given time is expressed in terms of the developmental dynamics that lead to the variety of adult morphotypes observed. We use assumed phenotypic manifestations of developmental processes, as they could be detected from allometric characterizations, to distinguish a few, nonexclusive types of evolutionary changes in ontogeny. On the basis of this formalization, we describe the diversification of hypothetical clades, using the standard curve of adult morphological disparity, the curve of juvenile disparity, and the curve of allometric disparity, the latter quantifying the diversification of clades in allometric space. Contrasts of these curves reflect the underlying developmental scheme that drives temporal changes in disparity. We then vary the parameters of the model to assess the expected signature of each metric under specific conditions: changes in the relative frequencies of the types of evolutionary developmental changes, changes in the transition magnitude attached to each of them, and effects of temporal variation in average adult size on disparity curves and patterns of morphospace occupation. Results emphasize the potential contribution of these proxies for developmental dynamics—juvenile morphological disparity, allometric disparity, and average adult size—in enriching the interpretation of standard disparity curves and the description of clade histories, with possible process-oriented inferences.

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Role of adult worms in immunity of rats to Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182000068797 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

pp. 325-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Bridget M. Ogilvie

Keyword(s):

Challenge Infection ◽

Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽

Female Adult ◽

Initial Infection ◽

Specific Immunity ◽

Long Time

Immunity to N. brasiliensis in rats is stimulated primarily by the adult worms. An initial infection consisting solely of adult worms terminated at the same time as an infection consisting of all the parasitic stages.Immunity is not stage specific. Immunity stimulated by adult worms acts not only on adult stages inhibiting their reproduction but also inhibits the development to maturity of larvae in a challenge infection.Rats infected solely with female adult worms, whether egg producing or sterile, are more resistant to reinfection than rats infected with male worms only.Immunity stimulated by a single normal infection lasts a long time but it does not depend on the persistence of adult worms in the intestine of the rats.This work was done during the tenure of a Commonwealth Scholarship awarded by the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

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Species Replacements among Orconectes Crayfishes in Wisconsin Lakes: The Role of Predation by Fish

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f93-169 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 50 (7) ◽

pp. 1484-1488 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Guy T. DiDonato ◽

David M. Lodge

Keyword(s):

Littoral Zone ◽

Carapace Length ◽

Fish Predation ◽

Species Selection ◽

Adult Size ◽

Selective Predation ◽

Native Fishes ◽

Native Crayfish ◽

Species Replacements

To test the role of size- and species-selective predation by fishes in species replacements among congeneric crayfishes in northern Wisconsin lakes, we tethered the same three sizes of each of three species of Orconectes at six sites in the littoral zone of Trout Lake, Vilas County, Wise. Small crayfish (15–18 mm carapace length) were removed by fish at significantly higher rates than medium (23–25 mm) and large (33–35 mm) crayfish. Orconectes virilis was removed at significantly higher rates than O. propinquus and O. rusticus. These species-selection results suggest that predation by native fishes contributes to the previously documented replacement of the native crayfish O. virilis by the exotic crayfishes O. propinquus and O. rusticus. In combination with the observations of others that adult size of O. rusticus is typically larger than that of O. propinquus in northern Wisconsin lakes, our size-selection results suggest that fish predation may also hasten the ongoing replacement of O. propinquus by O. rusticus. Thus, fish predation is probably an important mechanism driving the replacement of O. virilis by O. propinquus and the replacement of both congeners by O. rusticus.

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Role of spinal serotonergic pathways in sneeze-induced urethral continence reflex in rats

AJP Renal Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajprenal.00297.2009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 297 (4) ◽

pp. F1024-F1031 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Minoru Miyazato ◽

Yasuhiro Kaiho ◽

Izumi Kamo ◽

Takeya Kitta ◽

Michael B. Chancellor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Receptor Subtypes ◽

Normal Female ◽

Urethral Pressure ◽

Female Adult ◽

Adult Rats ◽

Way 100635 ◽

Urethral Closure ◽

Point Pressure ◽

It Application

To clarify the role of spinal serotonergic mechanisms in preventing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during sneezing, we investigated the effect of intrathecal (it) application of 8-OH-DPAT (a 5-HT1A agonist), mCPP (a 5-HT2B/2C agonist), and fluoxetine (a serotonin reuptake inhibitor) using a rat model that can examine the neurally evoked continence reflex during sneezing. Amplitudes of urethral pressure responses during sneezing (A-URS), urethral baseline pressure (UBP) at the midurethra, and sneeze-induced leak point pressure (S-LPP) were measured in normal female adult rats and rats with SUI induced by vaginal distention (VD). In normal rats, 8-OH-DPAT decreased A-URS by 48.9%, whereas mCPP increased A-URS by 33.6%. However, A-URS was not changed after fluoxetine. 8-OH-DPAT, mCPP, or fluoxetine did not alter UBP. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT and mCPP was antagonized by WAY-100635 (it), a selective 5-HT1A antagonist, and RS-102221 (it), a selective 5-HT2C antagonist, respectively. Fluoxetine in the presence of WAY-100635 did not change either A-URS or UBP, but fluoxetine in the presence of RS-102221 decreased A-URS. In VD rats, S-LPP was decreased by 14.6 cmH2O after 8-OH-DPAT, whereas it was increased by 12.8 cmH2O after mCPP. However, S-LPP was not changed after fluoxetine. These results indicate that activation of 5-HT2C receptors enhances the active urethral closure reflex during sneezing at the spinal level, whereas 5-HT1A inhibits it and that no apparent changes in the sneeze-induced continence reflex after fluoxetine treatment are due to coactivation of excitatory 5-HT2C receptors and inhibitory 5-HT receptors other than the 5-HT1A subtype. Thus, activation of excitatory 5-HT receptor subtypes such as 5-HT2C could be effective for the treatment of SUI.

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