A rapid altitudinal range expansion in the pine processionary moth produced by the 2003 climatic anomaly

Climatic anomalies may produce, or accelerate, geographic range expansions of species limited by temperature or other climatic variables. Most such expansions are only temporary, before the prevailing climatic conditions drive the founder populations extinct. In contrast, here, we report a recent rapid shift of the range limit during the record hot summer of 2003 in southern Europe that has the potential to be both permanent, and to have important implications on species range dynamics in general. The winter pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), an important pine defoliator whose larvae feed in colonies during the winter, is limited in its distribution by winter temperatures. In the last three decades, warmer winters have led to a gradual but substantial expansion of its range both latitudinally and altitudinally. In the summer of 2003, T. pityocampa underwent an extraordinary expansion to high elevation pine stands in the Italian Alps; its altitudinal range limit increased by one third of the total altitudinal expansion over the previous three decades. In an experiment, we found flight activity of newly emerged females to increase with temperature. By determining a threshold temperature for flight take‐offs under controlled conditions, we calculated that the nights above the threshold temperature were over five times more frequent, and considerably warmer, at the range limit in 2003 than in an average year. We therefore attribute the colonization of extreme, high‐elevation sites to increased nocturnal dispersal of females during the unusually warm night temperatures in June – August 2003. Importantly, the colonies established at extreme sites survived the winter and produced offspring in 2004, although the range did not expand further because of low night temperatures that year. We discuss several life‐history characteristics of T. pityocampa that maximize the likelihood of population persistence at the new range limit. As global warming continues and climatic anomalies are predicted to become more frequent, our results draw attention to the importance of extreme climatic events in the range formation of phytophagous insects.     

Algal Remodeling in a Ubiquitous Planktonic Photosymbiosis

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Reproducibility of Volumetric Computed Tomography of Stable Small Pulmonary Nodules with Implications on Estimated Growth Rate and Optimal Scan Interval

Purpose

To use clinically measured reproducibility of volumetric CT (vCT) of lung nodules to estimate error in nodule growth rate in order to determine optimal scan interval for patient follow-up.

Methods

We performed quantitative vCT on 89 stable non-calcified nodules and 49 calcified nodules measuring 3–13 mm diameter in 71 patients who underwent 3–9 repeat vCT studies for clinical evaluation of pulmonary nodules. Calculated volume standard deviation as a function of mean nodule volume was used to compute error in estimated growth rate. This error was then used to determine the optimal patient follow-up scan interval while fixing the false positive rate at 5%.

Results

Linear regression of nodule volume standard deviation versus the mean nodule volume for stable non-calcified nodules yielded a slope of 0.057±0.002 (r² = 0.79, p<0.001). For calcified stable nodules, the regression slope was 0.052±0.005 (r² = 0.65, p = 0.03). Using this with the error propagation formula, the optimal patient follow-up scan interval was calculated to be 81 days, independent of initial nodule volume.

Conclusions

Reproducibility of vCT is excellent, and the standard error is proportional to the mean calculated nodule volume for the range of nodules examined. This relationship constrains statistical certainty of vCT calculated doubling times and results in an optimal scan interval that is independent of the initial nodule volume.     

Understanding Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Poa pratensis Worldwide Collection through Morphological,Nuclear and Chloroplast Diversity Analysis

Poa pratensis L. is a forage and turf grass species well adapted to a wide range of mesic to moist habitats. Due to its genome complexity little is known regarding evolution, genome composition and intraspecific phylogenetic relationships of this species. In the present study we investigated the morphological and genetic diversity of 33 P. pratensis accessions from 23 different countries using both nuclear and chloroplast molecular markers as well as flow cytometry of somatic tissues. This with the aim of shedding light on the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the collection that includes both cultivated and wild materials. Morphological characterization showed that the most relevant traits able to distinguish cultivated from wild forms were spring growth habit and leaf colour. The genome size analysis revealed high variability both within and between accessions in both wild and cultivated materials. The sequence analysis of the trnL-F chloroplast region revealed a low polymorphism level that could be the result of the complex mode of reproduction of this species. In addition, a strong reduction of chloroplast SSR variability was detected in cultivated materials, where only two alleles were conserved out of the four present in wild accessions. Contrarily, at nuclear level, high variability exist in the collection where the analysis of 11 SSR loci allowed the detection of a total of 91 different alleles. A Bayesian analysis performed on nuclear SSR data revealed that studied materials belong to two main clusters. While wild materials are equally represented in both clusters, the domesticated forms are mostly belonging to cluster P2 which is characterized by lower genetic diversity compared to the cluster P1. In the Neighbour Joining tree no clear distinction was found between accessions with the exception of those from China and Mongolia that were clearly separated from all the others.     

E-cadherin deregulation in breast cancer

E-cadherin protein (CDH1 gene) integrity is fundamental to the process of epithelial polarization and differentiation. Deregulation of the E-cadherin function plays a crucial role in breast cancer metastases, with worse prognosis and shorter overall survival. In this narrative review, we describe the inactivating mechanisms underlying CDH1 gene activity and its possible translation to clinical practice as a prognostic biomarker and as a potential targeted therapy.     

An Apgar scoring system for routine assessment of newborn puppy viability and short-term survival prognosis

The Apgar scoring system is an easy and reliable method for evaluating both human and animal neonates. However, its use is not widespread in veterinary medicine. The current study assessed a modified Apgar scoring system for routine evaluation of newborn puppies. Heart rate, respiratory effort, reflex irritability, motility, and mucus color have been evaluated in the score. Specifically, we used 5 min after birth Apgar score to assess newborn viability and short-term survival prognosis, as well as related characteristics, in 193 puppies from 42 litters, 65 born by spontaneous delivery, 66 by assisted delivery, and 62 by cesarean section. The percentage of puppies that were dead 2 h after birth was higher in the 4 to 6 Apgar score group versus that in the 7 to 10 score group (P < 0.01) and in the 0 to 3 score group versus that in the 7 to 10 score group (P < 0.0001). Delivery method did not affect survival. There was a marked reduction in the number of puppies searching for the mammary gland in the 0 to 3 and 4 to 6 Apgar score groups compared with that in the 7 to 10 score group (P < 0.0001); there was a difference between the 0 to 3 and the 4 to 6 score groups as well (P < 0.05). Suckling/swallowing reflexes were present in fewer puppies in the 0 to 3 and 4 to 6 score groups compared with that in the 7 to 10 group (P < 0.0001), with no significant differences between the 0 to 3 and the 4 to 6 score groups.     

Characteristics of cryptic/ectopic and contralateral scrotal testes in dogs between 1 and 2 years of age

Testicular malposition represents a common developmental genital defect in dogs and can affect one or both testes. In both humans and dogs, unilateral cryptorchism is more frequently detected and thought to be the expression of a genetic abnormality affecting both the undescended and scrotal testis. In the dog, there is evidence of degenerative processes affecting the maldescended testis. However, the histologic and functional changes that occur in the scrotal testis of unilateral cryptorchid or ectopic individuals remain a source of debate. Because the bilateral surgical removal of the testes leads to some undesirable side effects, the aim of this study was to evaluate the necessity for performing bilateral orchiectomy in young unilateral cryptorchid dogs. A morphologic study of both cryptic/ectopic and scrotal testes in young dogs affected by unilateral testicular maldescent was therefore conducted. The study was conducted on 10 dogs aged 1 to 2 yr and affected by unilateral testicular maldescent. We found that, in young dogs, even if no neoplastic lesions were observed, morphologic abnormalities are detectable between 1 and 2 yr of age in the maldescended testes with severity dependent on testicular position. In contrast, in the scrotal testes, the histologic and immunohistochemical exam failed to find signs of incorrect development or morphologic abnormalities. The results seem to suggest that, though the early removal of the undescended testis is recommended, continuous monitoring of the scrotal testis for the life of the dog is preferable to removing it considering the undesirable side effects related to castration.     

Measurement of the Infection and Dissemination of Bluetongue Virus in Culicoides Biting Midges Using a Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR Assay and Isolation of Infectious Virus

Background

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the biological vectors of globally significant arboviruses of livestock including bluetongue virus (BTV), African horse sickness virus (AHSV) and the recently emerging Schmallenberg virus (SBV). From 2006–2009 outbreaks of BTV in northern Europe inflicted major disruption and economic losses to farmers and several attempts were made to implicate Palaearctic Culicoides species as vectors. Results from these studies were difficult to interpret as they used semi-quantitative RT-PCR (sqPCR) assays as the major diagnostic tool, a technique that had not been validated for use in this role. In this study we validate the use of these assays by carrying out time-series detection of BTV RNA in two colony species of Culicoides and compare the results with the more traditional isolation of infectious BTV on cell culture.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A BTV serotype 1 strain mixed with horse blood was fed to several hundred individuals of Culicoides sonorensis (Wirth & Jones) and C. nubeculosus (Mg.) using a membrane-based assay and replete individuals were then incubated at 25°C. At daily intervals 25 Culicoides of each species were removed from incubation, homogenised and BTV quantified in each individual using sqPCR (C_q values) and virus isolation on a KC-C. sonorensis embryonic cell line, followed by antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, comparisons were also drawn between the results obtained with whole C. sonorensis and with individually dissected individuals to determine the level of BTV dissemination.

Conclusions/Significance

C_q values generated from time-series infection experiments in both C. sonorensis and C. nubeculosus confirmed previous studies that relied upon the isolation and detection of infectious BTV. Implications on the testing of field-collected Culicoides as potential virus vectors by PCR assays and the use of such assays as front-line tools for use in diagnostic laboratories in this role are discussed.     

IgG,IgA, and lysozyme in Martina Franca donkey jennies and their foals

Because immune transfer from jenny to donkey foal is mostly unknown, the aim of the present study was to evaluate, from 5 days before to 10 days after foaling, immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA, and lysozyme peripartal concentrations in serum and mammary secretions of 10 healthy, spontaneously foaling Martina Franca jennies and in serum of their mature, viable, healthy foals, in the first 10 days after birth. The results showed that, in jennies, mammary secretion of IgG levels (ranging between 16 and 75 mg/mL) and IgA (0.9–2 mg/mL), and IgG (6.8–13.5 mg/mL) and IgA (0.5–2.4 mg/mL) serum concentrations were not different along the time of study. Also, IgG concentrations in serum of foals did not show significant differences although a high level was observed at 12 hours after birth (8 mg/mL), and IgA concentrations in serum of foals did not show any significant difference, although a high level was observed at 12 hours after birth (1.2 mg/mL). Lysozyme increased significantly at Day 2 after parturition in mammary secretions of jennies (551.9 μg/mL) and at 12 hours in serum of foals (25.9 μg/mL). The study demonstrated that the pattern of passive immune transfer in donkey foals seems to be similar to that reported for the horse foal, with IgG predominating IgA in serum and mammary secretions of the jenny and also in serum of foals. The most significant early increase in foals' serum concerns lysozyme, which probably plays an important role in the innate immunity of the donkey foal in the first challenging hours after birth.     

Potential inter-guild interactions to enhance biological control of Bactericera cockerelli on tomatoes: a laboratory and cage study

The tomato–potato psyllid (TPP) Bactericera cockerelli, is a serious pest of solanaceous crops. Some populations are becoming pesticide-resistant, increasing the need for alternatives such as biological control (BC). This approach may be improved by combining different species of BC agents. We conducted three separate experiments to test four BC agents, either alone or combined with others: (1) A laboratory assay to test the effect of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and alyssum (Lobularia maritima) flowers on the longevity of females of the parasitic wasp Tamarixia triozae; (2) A no-choice laboratory assay to investigate the consumption of B. cockerelli life stages by the predatory bug Engytatus nicotianae; (3) A cage experiment in a greenhouse to assess four natural enemy species against B. cockerelli on tomatoes: these were the predators Cleobora mellyi, Amblydromalus limonicus, E. nicotianae, and T. triozae. Access to buckwheat flowers allowed female T. triozae to live for an average of 10.9 days compared to 2.1 days with alyssum and 1.4 day with water but did not improve the BC of B. cockerelli. Adult E. nicotianae preyed on all offered B. cockerelli stages. In experiment 3, combinations of T. triozae with A. limonicus or E. nicotianae were not significantly better than single natural enemy species, except for the reduction of nymphal populations when A. limonicus and T. triozae were combined. Although there were few significant reductions in numbers of TPP when using natural enemy species combinations, some species showed good potential when used alone. We suggest testing earlier release of combinations of natural enemy for evaluate its impact on TPP.