Genetic Variation in Field Populations of Baculoviruses： Mechanisms for Generating Variation and Its Potential Role in Baculovirus Epizootiology

Baculoviridae is a family of insect-specific DNA viruses that have been used as biological control agents for insect pest control. In most cases these baculovirus control agents are natural field isolates that have been selected based on their infectivity and virulence. The advent of molecular tools such as restriction endonucleases, targeted polymerase chain reaction and new DNA sequencing strategies have allowed for efficient detection and characterization of genotypic variants within and among geographic and temporal isolates of baculovirus species. It has become evident that multiple genotypic variants occur even within individual infected larvae. Clonal strains of baculovirus species derived either by in vitro or in vivo approaches have been shown to vary with respect to infectivity and virulence. Many of the cell culture derived plague-purified strains have deletions that interrupt egt expression leading to virus strains that kill infected hosts more quickly. As well, in vitro clones often involve larger genomic deletions with the loss of pif gene function, resulting in strains deficient for oral infectivity. There are an increasing number of baculovirus species for which complete genome sequences are available for more than one strain or field isolate. Results of comparative analysis of these strains indicated that hr regions and bro genes often mark “hot spots” of genetic variability between strains and of potential recombination events. In addition, the degree of nucleotide polymorphisms between and within strains and their role in amino acid substitutions within ORFs and changes in promoter motifs is also beginning to be appreciated. In this short review the potential mechanisms that generate and maintain this genetic diversity within baculovirus populations is discussed, as is the potential role of genetic variation in host-pathogen interactions.     

School Variation in Asthma: Compositional or Contextual?

Background

Childhood asthma prevalence and morbidity have been shown to vary by neighborhood. Less is known about between-school variation in asthma prevalence and whether it exists beyond what one might expect due to students at higher risk of asthma clustering within different schools. Our objective was to determine whether between-school variation in asthma prevalence exists and if so, if it is related to the differential distribution of individual risk factors for and correlates of asthma or to contextual influences of schools.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of 16,640 teens in grades 7–12 in Wave 1 (data collected in 1994–5) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Outcome was current diagnosis of asthma as reported by respondents'' parents. Two-level random effects models were used to assess the contribution of schools to the variance in asthma prevalence before and after controlling for individual attributes.

Results

The highest quartile schools had mean asthma prevalence of 21.9% compared to the lowest quartile schools with mean asthma prevalence of 7.1%. In our null model, the school contributed significantly to the variance in asthma ( = 0.27, CI: 0.20, 0.35). Controlling for individual, school and neighborhood attributes reduced the between-school variance modestly ( = 0.19 CI: 0.13–0.29).

Conclusion

Significant between-school variation in current asthma prevalence exists even after controlling for the individual, school and neighborhood factors. This provides evidence for school level contextual influences on asthma. Further research is needed to determine potential mechanisms through which schools may influence asthma outcomes.     

Somaclonal Variation in a Food Legume—Lathyrus sativus

Somaclones of Lathyrus sativus cv P-24 were obtained from leaf, internode and root derived callus cultures. These showed significantly decreased neurotoxin (ODAP) content up to 0.03% compared to that of parent cultivar P-24 (0.3%). The somaclones also showed higher seed yield than parent P24. In addition. somaclone Bio 1–22 showed significantly decreased time for flowering. Other heritable morphological variant features were leaf length, leaf breadth, internode length, flower colour, seed colour, 100 seed weight, neurotoxin content of leaves and red markings on the pods.     

Variation in Community Structure across Vertical Intertidal Stress Gradients: How Does It Compare with Horizontal Variation at Different Scales?

In rocky intertidal habitats, the pronounced increase in environmental stress from low to high elevations greatly affects community structure, that is, the combined measure of species identity and their relative abundance. Recent studies have shown that ecological variation also occurs along the coastline at a variety of spatial scales. Little is known, however, on how vertical variation compares with horizontal variation measured at increasing spatial scales (in terms of sampling interval). Because broad-scale processes can generate geographical patterns in community structure, we tested the hypothesis that vertical ecological variation is higher than fine-scale horizontal variation but lower than broad-scale horizontal variation. To test this prediction, we compared the variation in community structure across intertidal elevations on rocky shores of Helgoland Island with independent estimates of horizontal variation measured at the scale of patches (quadrats separated by 10s of cm), sites (quadrats separated by a few m), and shores (quadrats separated by 100s to 1000s of m). The multivariate analyses done on community structure supported our prediction. Specifically, vertical variation was significantly higher than patch- and site-scale horizontal variation but lower than shore-scale horizontal variation. Similar patterns were found for the variation in abundance of foundation taxa such as Fucus spp. and Mastocarpus stellatus, suggesting that the effects of these canopy-forming algae, known to function as ecosystem engineers, may explain part of the observed variability in community structure. Our findings suggest that broad-scale processes affecting species performance increase ecological variability relative to the pervasive fine-scale patchiness already described for marine coasts and the well known variation caused by vertical stress gradients. Our results also indicate that experimental research aiming to understand community structure on marine shores should benefit from applying a multi-scale approach.     

When does Intraspecific C-value Variation become Taxonomically Significant?

AIMS: To examine what possible role intraspecific DNA C-value variation may play in plant taxonomy. SCOPE: Although many of the original examples of intraspecific C-value variation have been shown to be the result of experimental variation, new examples using the appropriate standards and controls continue to be published. The evidence that intraspecific C-value variation alters phenotypes can be equivocal, and detailed studies are needed to clarify any possible relationship. However, populations within species have been shown to have varying DNA amounts that can be correlated with eco-geographic variables, suggesting that the variation is adaptive and that these may be examples of incipient speciation. CONCLUSIONS: Where intraspecific C-value variation appears most significant for taxonomy is as an indicator of taxonomic heterogeneity, pointing to the need for a re-evaluation of the delimitation of the species in question. There is also the need to test whether intraspecific C-value variants produce fertile F(1) hybrids or not, as this would be a good indication of whether they belong in the same biological species.     

Experimentelle Untersuchungen über individuelle Variation in der tierischen Entwicklung

Ohne ZusammenfassungDie Versuche, über die ich in dieser Arbeit berichtet habe, sind im März und April der Jahre 1905 und 1906 in der zoologischen Station zu Neapel ausgeführt worden. Im ersten Jahre wurde mir ein Arbeitsplatz von der Kgl. bayrischen Regierung, im zweiten von der Kgl. preußischen Regierung zur Verfügung gestellt. Die Kgl. Akademie der Wissenschaften bewilligte mir für die Ausführung meiner Arbeiten eine einmalige Dotation von 1200 Mark, wofür ich der hohen Körperschaft meinen ergebensten Dank ausspreche. Mein herzlichster Dank gebührt auch dem Leiter des altberühmten Instituts, Herrn GeheimratDohrn, der mir sogar persönlich gestattete, über die bewilligte Zeit hinaus in der Anstalt tätig zu sein. Den Herren Beamten des Instituts bin ich ebenfalls zu hohem Danke verpflichtet, da sie meine Arbeit in jeder Hinsicht förderten; Herr Dr.Lo BIANCO sorgte in liebenswürdiger Weise dafür, daß mir das Untersuchungs-material nie ausging. Endlich fügte es ein glücklicher Zufall, daß bei meinem ersten Aufenthalt Herr Prof.Boveri und die Herren Dr.Driesch und Prof.Herbst in Neapel anwesend waren, durch deren freundliche Ratschläge ich in den Stand gesetzt wurde, mich sehr bald in das mir gänzlich fremde Untersuchungsmaterial einzuarbeiten; auch diesen Herren herzlichsten Dank!     

Variation of seed α-amylase inhibitors in the common bean

Variation of seed -amylase inhibitors was investigated in 1 154 cultivated and 726 non-cultivated (wild and weedy) accessions of the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Four -amylase inhibitor types were recognized based on the inhibtion by seed extracts of the activities of porcine pancreatic -amylase and larval -amylase and larval -amylase of the Mexican bean weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman. Of the 1 880 accessions examined most (1 734) were able to inhibit porcine pancreatic -amylase activity, but were inactive against the Z. subfasciatus larval -amylase; 41 inhibited only the larval -amylase activity, 52 inhibited the activities of the two -amylases, and 53 did not inhibit the activity of either of the -amylases. The four different inhibitor types were designated as AI-1, AI2, AI-3, and AI-0, respectively. These four inhibitor types were identified by the banding patterns of seed glycoproteins in the range of 14–20 kDa by using SDSpolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Additionally, four different banding patterns were recognized in accessions with AI-1, and were designated as AI-1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. Two different patterns of the accessions lacking an -amylase inhibitory activity were identified and designated as AI-0a and AI-0b. The largest diversity for seed -amylase inhibitors was observed in non-cultivated accessions collected from Mexico where all eight inhibitor types were detected. The possible relationships between the variation of seed -amylase inhibitors and bruchid resistance are discussed.     

A Prospective Study of Seasonal Variation in Shift‐Work Tolerance

Seasonal effects on shift‐work tolerance were assessed using the Standardized Shiftwork Index and the 21‐item Hamilton Depression Scale. Participants (N=88) mainly worked a two‐day, two‐night, four‐off rotation with 12 h shifts changing at 06∶00 and 18∶00 h in Vancouver, Canada. At this latitude (～49° N), daylength varies seasonally from ～16 to ～8 h, and both daily commutes occur in the dark in mid‐winter and in sunlight in mid‐summer. Questionnaires were completed twice, near the summer and winter solstices (order counterbalanced). Outcome variables were mood, general psychological health, sleep quality, chronic fatigue, physical health, job satisfaction, and social and domestic disruption. Of these, general psychological health and mood were significantly worse in winter, while sleep was more disturbed in summer. In winter, 31% exceeded the cutoff for psychological distress, and >70% scored in the higher than normal range for depressive symptoms. In summer, the proportions dropped to 19% and 53%, respectively. Measures of physical health and psychosocial well‐being showed no seasonal effects. Relationships among explanatory and outcome variables, assessed by linear regression and canonical correlations, were also stable across season. Neuroticism was the strongest predictor of tolerance to shift work. Age was predictive only of sleep disturbance in both summer and winter. These results indicate that time of year can affect important outcome measures in shift‐work assessment and intervention studies. The high average scores on measures of psychological distress and depression in winter suggest that at northern latitudes, some shift schedules may increase the risk of seasonal‐type depression.     

Deciphering Normal Blood Gene Expression Variation—The NOWAC Postgenome Study

There is growing evidence that gene expression profiling of peripheral blood cells is a valuable tool for assessing gene signatures related to exposure, drug-response, or disease. However, the true promise of this approach can not be estimated until the scientific community has robust baseline data describing variation in gene expression patterns in normal individuals. Using a large representative sample set of postmenopausal women (N = 286) in the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) postgenome study, we investigated variability of whole blood gene expression in the general population. In particular, we examined changes in blood gene expression caused by technical variability, normal inter-individual differences, and exposure variables at proportions and levels relevant to real-life situations. We observe that the overall changes in gene expression are subtle, implying the need for careful analytic approaches of the data. In particular, technical variability may not be ignored and subsequent adjustments must be considered in any analysis. Many new candidate genes were identified that are differentially expressed according to inter-individual (i.e. fasting, BMI) and exposure (i.e. smoking) factors, thus establishing that these effects are mirrored in blood. By focusing on the biological implications instead of directly comparing gene lists from several related studies in the literature, our analytic approach was able to identify significant similarities and effects consistent across these reports. This establishes the feasibility of blood gene expression profiling, if they are predicated upon careful experimental design and analysis in order to minimize confounding signals, artifacts of sample preparation and processing, and inter-individual differences.     

Variation in the peacock’s train shows a genetic component

Female peafowl (Pavo cristatus) show a strong mating preference for males with elaborate trains. This, however, poses something of a paradox because intense directional selection should erode genetic variation in the males’ trains, so that females will no longer benefit by discriminating among males on the basis of these traits. This situation is known as the ‘lek paradox’, and leads to the theoretical expectation of low heritability in the peacock’s train. We used two independent breeding experiments, involving a total of 42 sires and 86 of their male offspring, to estimate the narrow sense heritabilities of male ornaments and other morphometric traits. Contrary to expectation, we found significant levels of heritability in a trait known to be used by females during mate choice (train length), while no significant heritabilities were evident for other, non-fitness related morphological traits (tarsus length, body weight or spur length). This study adds to the building body of evidence that high levels of additive genetic variance can exist in secondary sexual traits under directional selection, but further emphasizes the main problem of what maintains this variation.     

Variation von PCB-Gemischen in Eiern und V?geln des Wattenmeeres

Zusammenfassung Bei Flußseeschwalbe und Austernfischer wurde der Einfluß von Standort und Jahr auf die Zusammensetzung der PCB-Gemische im Ei untersucht. Die Gesamtkonzentration, der Metabolisierungsgrad und die Ringstabilitätszahlen des Gemisches von 45 bestimmten PCB-Kongeneren wurden erfaßt. In den Mündungsbereichen von Elbe, Weser und in der Inneren Deutschen Bucht traten nicht nur die höchsten PCB-Konzentrationen auf, sondern auch die am weitesten metabolisierten Gemische. 1987–1989 zeigte sich im Metabolisierungsgrad bei beiden Vogelarten ein linearer Anstieg. Flußseeschwalbeneier enthielten zwar deutlich höhere PCB-Konzentrationen als Austernfischereier, doch war das Gemisch geringer metabolisiert. Deutliche Artunterschiede traten auch in den Ringstabilitätszahlen auf. Zur Beurteilung der PCB-Belastung sollte deshalb in einem Monitoring-Programm der Metabolisationsgrad auch mitberücksichtigt werden.

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Variation of PCB mixtures in eggs of birds of the Wadden Sea

Summary The influence of location and year on the composition of PCB mixtures found in eggs was examined in the two wadden sea bird species Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) and Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). By means of 45 PCB congeners the total concentration, the degree of metabolism and the ring stability values were analysed. The highest PCB concentrations as well as the highest degree of metabolism were found in the estuaries of the rivers Elbe and Weser and in the Deutsche Bucht. The degree of metabolism of both species increased linearly from 1987 to 1989. The total PCB concentration in the eggs of Common Terns were clearly higher than those found in the eggs of Oystercatchers but the mixture was less metabolised. Furthermore, there are significant differences of the ring stability values between the two species. To assess the PCB incrimination the degree of metabolism should be considered as well in a monitoring program.

     

Natural Genetic Variation in a Multigenerational Phenotype in C. elegans

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Variation in Laboratory Reporting of Haemolysis – a Need for Harmonisation

Aim

The purpose of this survey was to determine the cut-offs being used by Australian laboratories using their instrument’s Haemolysis Index (HI), whether these cut-offs vary, and at what level of haemolysis (or haemolysis index) did laboratories stop reporting one or more analytes. This was done in response to the large numbers of haemolysed samples reported in the RCPAQAP Key Incident Monitoring and Management System External Quality Assurance program (KIMMS EQA) and lack of information in the literature at the time regarding what to do once a haemolysed sample was identified. As it was known from discussions with laboratory personnel that different instruments reported their HI differently, we asked for the results to be provided in g/L free haemoglobin.

Method

An electronic survey was conducted with participants enrolled in the RCPA Quality Assurance Programs with a total of 68 laboratories responding to this survey. Some questions attracted a lower level of response.

Results

The responses showed a poor understanding of the relationship between HI units and haemoglobin concentration. There was wide variation in the way HI results were reported and thus comparing cut-off values for reporting specific analytes based on the HI was impossible to determine.

Conclusion

There is a need to harmonise the way laboratories report analytes in the presence of haemolysis. This would involve adopting a uniform definition of HI and a protocol for laboratories to confirm for themselves the level of HI at which each analyte is no longer reported, as this is method dependent and so will vary from laboratory to laboratory.