Silba capsicarum (Diptera: Lonchaeidae), a newly recognized pest of chilli pepper in Java

The lonchaeid fly Silba capsicarum is recorded for the first time from the island of Java where it is considered a potential pest of chilli pepper. The taxonomy and ecology of the species is reviewed and comparisons are drawn with Lonchaeidae attacking Capsicum spp. in the Neotropics. Initial results on the level of infestation in Java are provided.     

The rearranged mitochondrial genome of Podagrion sp. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), a parasitoid wasp of mantis

The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Podagrion sp. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) is described. The mitogenome was 15,845 bp in size, and contained typical sets of mitochondrial genes. The base composition of the Podagrion sp. mitogenome was also biased toward A + T bases (81.8%). The mitochondrial genome of Podagrion sp. has a weak AT skew (0.07) and a strong GC skew (?0.26). Podagrion sp. exhibits a novel rearrangement compared with the ancestral order, including six protein-coding genes (nad3, cox3, atp6, atp8, cox2 and cox1), which have inverted to the minor strand from the major strand. The A + T-rich region of Podagrion sp., which is located between trnN and trnI, have five tandem repeats. The apomorphic rearrangements, including the conserved block “cox3-atp6-atp8-cox2-cox1-nad5-nad4-nad4l-nad6-cob” and the special locations of trnV and trnA, were mapped onto the phylogeny of Proctotrupomorpha.     

Waterpipe smoking as a public health risk: Potential risk for transmission of MERS-CoV

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) emerged in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2012 causing a critical challenge to public health. The epidemiology of MERS-CoV remain enigmatic as human-to-human transmission is not fully understood. One possible scenario that might play a role in the virus transmission is the cultural waterpipe smoking. Cafés providing waterpipe smoking in cities within Saudi Arabia have been moved to areas outside city limits that frequently place them close to camels markets. We report results of a surveillance study wherein waterpipe hoses throughout several regions in Saudi Arabia were tested for the presence of MERS-CoV. A total of 2489 waterpipe samples were collected from cities where MERS-CoV cases were continuously recorded. MERS-CoV RNA wasn’t detected in collected samples. Irrespective of the negative results of our survey, the public health risk of waterpipe smoking should not be underestimated. To avoid a possible transmission within country where MERS-CoV is prevalent, we recommend the replacement of resusable hoses with “one-time-use” hoses in addition to a close inspection of waterpipe components to assure the appropriate cleaning and sanitization.     

Senwot Wharton,a new genus for the Oriental region with description of two new species from Thailand (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae)

SenwotWharton 1983, is a small braconid genus with only two previously described species. The genus is revised using morphological characters and a phylogenetic analysis of COI sequence. Senwot Wharton is reported for the first time from Thailand and two new species: Senwot yinxianggaoae Yao n. sp. and Senwot jiyuanyaoi Yao n. sp. are described and illustrated. A key to species of the genus Senwot is presented.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D7E79499-491E-4845-991B-0FE763A45162     

Description of a new and highly distinctive genus and species of Euptychiina (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from the Brazilian southern Amazon

A new genus and species of Euptychiina (Satyrinae), Cristalinaia vitoria Mota, Zacca & Freitas gen. et sp. nov., is described based on three specimens collected in the region of the Cristalino River, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil. This rare species is known only from this region, where it flies inside the dense bamboo patches typical of that area. The last instar larva and the pupa are described; the larva was observed feeding on mature leaves of the common bamboo Guadua aff. paniculata Munro.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D61EDE8D-CAE9-41C6-B24D-BB789873566E     

The first record of genus Bruggmanniella (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Taiwan with description of a new species inducing bud galls on Neolitsea parvigemma (Lauraceae)

The genus Bruggmanniella Tavares is newly discovered from Taiwan and Bruggmanniella brevipes sp. n. is described as new to science. This is the southernmost species of Bruggmanniella found in the Old World. Furthermore, the gall midge induces bud galls on Neolitsea parvigemma (Hayata) Kaneh (Lauraceae), an endemic species in Taiwan, and the plant genus Neolitsea is the third host genus of Lauraceae-associated Bruggmanniella in East Asia. The knowledge of its distribution and host information provide us to shed the light on evolutionary and biogeography issue of East Asian Bruggmanniella.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:820320EC-17BC-4E00-A401-2DBDA3EEE9C4     

Safety steps for a non-fluoroscopic approach in right-sided electrophysiology procedures: A point of view

BackgroundElectro-anatomic 3D mapping systems enable the fluoroscopy (FL) exposure to be reduced. In right-heart supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) procedures, FL could potentially be avoided. Our aim was to discuss some steps focusing on safety.Methods and resultsThe patient cohort comprised 70 consecutive SVT patients who underwent electrophysiologic (EP) catheterization. FL was routinely avoided in all cases (54.2% males, age 57.2 ± 13.3 years): 51 ablations and 19 EP study procedures. The Carto^®3 (Biosense Webster) mapping system was used in 17/70 cases (24.3%), and the EnSite Precision? (Abbott) system in the remaining 53/70 (75.7%). The mean procedure time was 94.1 ± 33.2 min; no FL was used. No major complications occurred. Acute procedural success was achieved in all 51 patients who underwent ablation. Over 3-month follow-up, arrhythmia recurred in 1 patient. There were no significant differences in procedural times between the two mapping systems, except for the time dedicated to the full geometry creation, which was longer for the EnSite Precision? system: 10 min (8.5–15 IQR) vs 8 min (5–10 IQR) for the Carto^® system (p < 0.001) mainly due to the sub-diaphragmatic navigation. The following procedural steps were considered critical in order to safely avoid FL use: “loop” advancing of catheters, the use of a fixed intracardiac reference, His signal landmark centered maps and the careful acquisition of sub-diaphragmatic extracardiac geometry.ConclusionsA routine zero X-ray approach by means of electro-anatomic 3D mapping systems is safe and effective in right-atrium procedures. Some ad-hoc discussed procedural steps may enhance safety.     

Radiosynthesis and evaluation of a novel monoacylglycerol lipase radiotracer: 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl-3-(1-benzyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)azetidine-1-[11C]carboxylate

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a major serine hydrolase that hydrolyses 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) into arachidonic acid (AA) and glycerol in the brain. Because 2-AG and AA are endogenous biologically active ligands in the brain, the inhibition of MAGL is an attractive therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, to visualize MAGL via positron emission tomography (PET), we report a new carbon-11-labeled radiotracer, namely 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl-3-(1-benzyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)azetidine-1-[¹¹C]carboxylate ([¹¹C]6). Compound 6 exhibited high in vitro binding affinity (IC₅₀ = 0.41 nM) to MAGL in the brain with a suitable lipophilicity (cLogD = 3.29). [¹¹C]6 was synthesized by reacting 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanol (7) with [¹¹C]phosgene ([¹¹C]COCl₂), followed by a reaction with 3-(1-benzyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)azetidine hydrochloride (8), which resulted in a 15.0 ± 6.8% radiochemical yield (decay-corrected, n = 7) based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and a 45 min synthesis time from the end of bombardment. A biodistribution study in mice showed high uptake of radioactivity in MAGL-rich organs, including the lungs, heart, and kidneys. More than 90% of the total radioactivity was irreversibly bound in the brain homogenate of rats 5 min and 30 min after the radiotracer injection. PET summation images of rat brains showed high radioactivity in all brain regions. Pretreatment with 6 or MAGL-selective inhibitor JW642 significantly reduced the uptake of radioactivity in the brain. [¹¹C]6 is a promising PET tracer which offers in vivo specific binding and selectivity for MAGL in rodent brains.     

The explicit analysis of consecutive pseudo-first-order reactions: Application to kinetics of thiolysis of dithiasuccinoyl (Dts) amino acids

An explicit set of general methods for the experimental determination of the rates k₁ and k₂ of consecutive pseudo-first-order reactions is described and discussed. These rely on the direct simultaneous analytical quantitation of the starting material, intermediate, and product of the reaction, and thus differ from present techniques based on measurement of coreactant consumption or coproduct appearance. The quantity $\text{k}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>env</mtext>}}\text{=}\text{k}{}_1\text{k}{}_2\text{(k}{}_1\text{+ k}{}_2\text{)}$ is shown to define a good “envelope” approximation to product formation according to the simple law 100% [1 ? exp(?k^envt)]. The theory of envelopes is useful for comparing overall rates of reactions with widely differing values of $\text{κ =}\text{k}{}_2\text{k}{}_1$. The kinetic pattern of thiolysis of dithiasuccinoyl amino acids to carbamoyl disulfide intermediates to product free amino acids is analyzed and shown to agree quantitatively with theory.     

Notes on the species of Naarda Walker, 1866 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae,Hypeninae) from mainland China,with the description of a new species and establishment of a new synonymy

The species Naarda postpallida de Joannis, 1929 is reported for the first time from mainland China. Naarda pectinata Sugi, 1982 is synonymised with N. postpallida on the basis of material from Vietnam. This species can immediately be recognised by its dark grey forewing, white hindwing and several genital characters. The female genitalia of N. postpallida, together with those of N. lingualis Tóth and Ronkay, 2015 are presented for the first time. Naarda macrostigma sp. n. is described. The hitherto known nine Chinese Naarda species are listed. With nineteen figures.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:092AE905-08AA-4818-BDA8-2B9EF150793A     

Chytrid infecting the bloom-forming marine diatom Skeletonema sp.: Morphology,phylogeny and distribution of a novel species within the Rhizophydiales

Chytrids have long been recognised as important parasites of microalgae in freshwater systems, able to shape the dynamics of blooms, the gene pool of their host and phytoplankton succession. In the sea however, where the presence of these organisms is erratic and ephemeral, studies concerning chytrids are sparse and confined to metabarcoding surveys or microscopy observations. Despite the scarcity of data, chytrid epidemics are supposed to play an important role in marine biogeochemical cycles, being one of the drivers of phytoplankton dynamics. Here we combine microscopy observations and in silico mining of a single-cell whole genome to molecularly and morphologically characterise a novel chytrid parasite of the dominant diatom genus Skeletonema. Morphological observations highlight features of the thallus and ascertain the parasitic nature of the interaction whilst the genetic markers obtained allows for a phylogenetic reconstruction, placing the new species in the order Rhizophydiales. Thanks to the molecular data obtained we are also able to provide a first investigation of the global distribution of this organism by screening the Ocean Sampling Day (OSD) dataset, highlighting a northern transatlantic dissemination.     

Biochemical basis of specialization for dispersal vs. reproduction in a wing-polymorphic cricket: morph-specific metabolism of amino acids

The biochemical basis of specializations for dispersal vs. reproduction is an understudied aspect of dispersal polymorphism in insects. Using a radiolabelled amino acid, we quantified differences in in vivo amino acid metabolism between morphs of the wing-polymorphic cricket, Gryllus firmus, that trade-off early age reproduction and dispersal capability. Studies were conducted in crickets fed a variety of diets expected to influence amino acid and lipid metabolism. On the day of molt to adulthood, prior to the morph-specific trade-off between ovarian growth and biochemical preparation for flight (e.g. biosynthesis of triglyceride flight fuel), morphs did not differ in any aspect of amino acid metabolism. However, on day 5 of adulthood, when the morph-specific trade-off between ovarian growth and flight fuel production was manifest, the morphs differed substantially in each of the three aspects of amino acid metabolism studied: conversion to protein, oxidation, and conversion to lipid. Morphs also differed in degree of allocation of products of amino acid metabolism to ovaries vs. the soma. Most importantly, morphs differed in the relative metabolism of radiolabelled glycine through these pathways (i.e. biochemical trade-offs), and in the relative allocation of end products of amino acid metabolism to the soma vs. ovaries (allocation trade-offs). A functionally important interaction between amino acid and lipid metabolism was noted: greater oxidation of amino acids in the flight-capable morph spared fatty acids for enhanced conversion into triglyceride flight fuel. By contrast, greater oxidation of fatty acids by the flightless morph spared amino acids for enhanced conversion into ovarian protein. Diet significantly affected amino acid metabolism. However, MORPHxDIET interactions were rare and morphs differed in amino acid metabolism to a similar degree under the range of diets tested.     

Effects of maternal and grandmaternal flea infestation on offspring quality and quantity in a desert rodent: evidence for parasite-mediated transgenerational phenotypic plasticity

Parasites can cause a broad range of sublethal fitness effects across a wide variety of host taxa. However, a host’s efforts to compensate for possible parasite-induced fitness effects are less well-known. Parental effects may beneficially alter the offspring phenotype if parental environments sufficiently predict the offspring environment. Parasitism is a common stressor across generations; therefore, parental infestation could reliably predict the likelihood of infestation for offspring. However, little is known about relationships between parasitism and transgenerational phenotypic plasticity. Thus, we investigated how maternal and grandmaternal infestation with fleas (Xenopsylla ramesis) affected offspring quality and quantity in a desert rodent (Meriones crassus). We used a fully-crossed design with control and infested treatments to examine litter size, pup body mass at birth, and pup mass gain before weaning for combinations of maternal and grandmaternal infestation status. No effect of treatment on litter size or pup body mass at birth was found. However, maternal and grandmaternal infestation status significantly affected pre-weaning body mass gain, a proxy for the rate of maturation, in male pups. Pups gained significantly more weight before weaning if maternal and grandmaternal infestation statuses matched, regardless of the treatment. Thus, pups whose mothers and grandmothers experienced similar risks of parasitism, either both non-parasitized or both infested, would reach sexual maturity more quickly than those pups whose mothers’ infestation status did not match that of their grandmothers. These results support the contention that parents can receive external cues such as the risk of parasitism, that prompt them to alter offspring provisioning. Therefore, parasites could be a mediator of environmentally-induced maternal effects and could affect host reproductive fitness across multiple generations.     

Identification of the amino acids in the Major Histocompatibility Complex class II region of Scottish Blackface sheep that are associated with resistance to nematode infection

Lambs with the Major Histocompatibility Complex DRB1*1101 allele have been shown to produce fewer nematode eggs following natural and deliberate infection. These sheep also possess fewer adult Teladorsagia circumcincta than sheep with alternative alleles at the DRB1 locus. However, it is unclear if this allele is responsible for the reduced egg counts or merely acts as a marker for a linked gene. This study defined the MHC haplotypes in a population of naturally infected Scottish Blackface sheep by PCR amplification and sequencing, and examined the associations between MHC haplotypes and faecal egg counts by generalised linear mixed modelling. The DRB1*1101 allele occurred predominately on one haplotype and a comparison of haplotypes indicated that the causal mutation or mutations occurred in or around this locus. Additional comparisons with another resistant haplotype indicated that mutations in or around the DQB2*GU191460 allele were also responsible for resistance to nematode infections. Further analyses identified six amino acid substitutions in the antigen binding site of DRB1*1101 that were significantly associated with reductions in the numbers of adult T. circumcincta.     

Molecular taxonomy of Crocidura species (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) in a key biogeographical region for African shrews,Nigeria

The taxonomy of African shrew species is still unresolved due to their conserved morphology. This also affects knowledge concerning their geographic distribution. In Nigeria, using mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene sequences, we carried out a survey for shrews from the genus Crocidura across various ecological zones to determine taxa that are present and also to assess their phylogeographic structure. Our analyses include 183 specimens collected with Sherman traps from 19 localities around the country. We detected six taxa: Crocidura olivieri lineages II, III and IV, C. hildegardeae, C. jouvenetae, and C. foxi. Among these, C. hildegardeae and C. jouvenetae are reported in Nigeria for the first time. Phylogenetic comparison of our genetic sequences to those generated from other parts of Africa demonstrate that all species in our study, as currently defined, are in need of taxonomic revision. Geographically, Nigeria seems to represent the easternmost boundary for C. olivieri lineage II and C. jouvenetae, and the western distribution limit of C. olivieri lineage IV and C. hildegardeae. The Niger River appears to be the most significant topographical barrier restricting these taxa. This information is vital to preserving the diversity but also managing the epidemiological potential of these small mammals.     

A screening of plants used in Colombian traditional medicine revealed the anti-inflammatory potential of Physalis angulata calyces

The use of natural products by communities from the Colombian Caribbean region to treat health issues, together with biodiversity and geographical features, constitute a great scenery to develop new therapies based on ethnopharmacological heritage. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of 10 commonly used plants in Colombian folk medicine, evaluating their effect on nitric oxide (NO) production by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The most active plant was evaluated in vivo using 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema, along with its effect on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in vitro. The extract of Physalis angulata L. calyces showed the highest activity. This extract was fractionated and its dichloromethane fraction (DF) was the most active in vitro, inhibiting the production of NO, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 (CCL2). In vivo, DF showed a significant inhibition of ear edema and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, with evident reduction of the leukocyte infiltration into tissue. Our results support the ethnopharmacological use of the selected plants in folk medicine. P. angulata dichloromethane fraction represents a promising source of pharmacological compounds with great potential therapeutic use to treat inflammatory illness.     

On top of biosynthetic gene clusters: How epigenetic machinery influences secondary metabolism in fungi

Fungi produce an abundance of bioactive secondary metabolites which can be utilized as antibiotics and pharmaceutical drugs. The genes encoding secondary metabolites are contiguously arranged in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which supports co-regulation of all genes required for any one metabolite. However, an ongoing challenge to harvest this fungal wealth is the finding that many of the BGCs are ‘silent’ in laboratory settings and lie in heterochromatic regions of the genome. Successful approaches allowing access to these regions - in essence converting the heterochromatin covering BGCs to euchromatin - include use of epigenetic stimulants and genetic manipulation of histone modifying proteins. This review provides a comprehensive look at the chromatin remodeling proteins which have been shown to regulate secondary metabolism, the use of chemical inhibitors used to induce BGCs, and provides future perspectives on expansion of epigenetic tools and concepts to mine the fungal metabolome.     

Self-assembly of trimethyl chitosan and poly(anionic amino acid)-peptide antigen conjugate to produce a potent self-adjuvanting nanovaccine delivery system

Short peptides derived from virulent pathogen proteins are promising antigens for the development of vaccines against infectious diseases. However, in order to mimic the danger signals associated with natural infection and stimulate an adaptive immune response, peptide antigens must be co-delivered with immune adjuvants. In this study, a group A streptococcus (GAS) M-protein derived B-cell epitope: J8, and universal T-helper epitope P25 containing peptides, were chemically coupled with different anionic amino acid-based polymers. The poly(anionic amino acid)-peptide antigen conjugates were mixed with trimethyl chitosan (TMC) to produce self-adjuvanting nanoparticulate vaccine candidates. TMC from two different sources were used to analyse their effect on immunogenicity. The nanoparticles produced from a peptide modified with 10 residues of polyglutamic acid and fungal TMC (NP5) stimulated production of the highest levels of serum antibodies in outbred mice. These antibodies were opsonic against all clinical GAS isolates tested.     

Incidence and clinical features of liver injury related to Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine in 2,496 cases between 1979 and 1999: Problems of the lymphocyte transformation test as a diagnostic method

We retrospectively examined the summaries of all admission records of patients from 1979 to 1999 in our department, and selected for further study all liver injuries suspected of being related to Kampo medicines. Among 2,496 summaries, 30 summaries described liver disorders suspected of being related to Kampo medicines. Whether there was a causal relationship between the use of Kampo medication and the occurrence of liver injury was assessed according to the criteria described by Haller and Benowitz (2000), independently of the results of the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). Among 30 events, we concluded that 9 were definitely unrelated, and 6 were probably unrelated to the use of Kampo medicines. Nine events (0.36% of 2,496 patient admissions and 0.06% of 14,616 outpatients) were considered possibly related, and only 6 events (0.24% of 2,496 patient admissions and 0.04% of 14,616 outpatients) were judged to be definitely or probably related to Kampo medicines. Low-grade eosinophilia was observed in a few patients of these "related" groups, and no fever or rash was observed in these "related" groups. Other clinical features, including type of liver injury, duration of Kampo medicine-use, recovery period and laboratory data, were not different from liver injuries associated with western drugs. Most patients in the definitely "unrelated" group were positive in the LTT for the suspect Kampo medicine, suggesting that the LTT may be unreliable for the diagnosis of Kampo-medicine-induced liver injury. From 1979 to 1999, our use of Kampo medicines to treat patients resulted in a low rate of liver injury and no fatalities.