A phylogeny of the families of Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera)

Abstract. A study, based on examination of thirteen scarabaeoid families, was made of 134 adult and larval characters from the following character suites: 105 adult characters of the antennae, eye, epipharynx, mandible, maxillae, labium, tentorium, trochantin, procoxae, mesocoxae, mesothoracic spiracles, hind wing articulation, hind wing base, hind wing venation, hind wing folding, abdominal sternites, abdominal spiracles, male genitalia, ovarioles and karyotype; twenty larval characters of the antennae, fronto-clypeal suture, stemmata, labial palpi, maxillae, mandibles, legs, stridulatory apparatus, spiracles and ecdysial process; and nine adult and larval biological characters. In order to assess the reliability of different characters in resolving scarabaeoid family relationships, six data sets were subjected to cladistic analysis: the total evidence character set (134 characters), restricted adult character set (thirty-two characters, not including those of the wings), wing character set (seventy-three characters), larval character set (twenty characters), biological character set (nine characters) and re-coded Howden (1982) character set (thirty-nine characters). The complete character set and wing character set both produced phylograms with all nodes resolved; the restricted adult data set, larval data set, Howden (1982) data set and biological data set produced phylograms with diminishing levels of node resolution. The reconstructed phylogeny, from the preferred phylogram of the total evidence character set, shows that the Scarabaeoidea comprises three major lineages; a glaresid, passalid and scarabaeid lineage. The glaresid lineage consists only of the Glaresidae. The passalid lineage comprises two major lines; a glaphyrid line (containing Glaphyridae, Passalidae, Lucanidae, Diphyllostomatidae, Trogidae, Bolboceratidae and Pleocomidae) and a geotrupid line (containing Geotrupidae, Ochodaeidae, Ceratocanthidae and Hybosoridae). The scarabaeid lineage contains those taxa traditionally included within the Scarabaeidae (Aphodiinae, Scarabaeinae, Orphninae, Melolonthinae, Acoma, Chasmatopterinae, Hopliinae, Oncerinae, Rutelinae, Dynastinae, Trichiinae, Cetoniinae and Valginae).     

Life history of the silvertip shark Carcharhinus albimarginatus from Papua New Guinea

Coral Reefs - Growth and maturity of the silvertip shark Carcharhinus albimarginatus from Papua New Guinea were estimated to form the basis of future population assessments. Samples were collected...     

The Role of Climatic Factors in the Expression of an Intrasexual Signal in the Paper Wasp Polistes dominulus

Within a species, variation in the use of sexual signals is observed between different populations. For intersexual traits, differences in the environmental conditions experienced by populations can play an important role in driving variation in male ornaments and female preferences. However, little is known about the factors maintaining variation in intrasexual traits used in competition. In this study, we investigate the role of climatic conditions in maintaining variation in the expression of an intrasexual signal in the paper wasp Polistes dominulus. The results of an experiment in which pupae were housed under different temperature and humidity conditions revealed a strong effect of temperature during pupal development on the expression of the signal. Furthermore, a comparison of survival and body weight between wasps reared at different temperatures indicates that signal expression exhibits phenotypic plasticity in response to developmental temperature. The effect of temperature on signal expression is consistent with patterns of signal expression observed across populations in the wild and suggests that climatic conditions may act to constrain signal expression in some populations but not in others, driving variation in signal use within P. dominulus. Environmental conditions may therefore be important in defining the scope for intrasexual signalling in animal populations and, in doing so, may play a role in maintaining variation in intrasexual traits in the face of sexual selection.     

Targeting conserved water molecules: Design of 4-aryl-5-cyanopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine Hsp90 inhibitors using fragment-based screening and structure-based optimization

Inhibitors of the Hsp90 molecular chaperone are showing promise as anti-cancer agents. Here we describe a series of 4-aryl-5-cyanopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine ATP competitive Hsp90 inhibitors that were identified following structure-driven optimization of purine hits revealed by NMR based screening of a proprietary fragment library. Ligand-Hsp90 X-ray structures combined with molecular modeling led to the rational displacement of a conserved water molecule leading to enhanced affinity for Hsp90 as measured by fluorescence polarization, isothermal titration calorimetry and surface plasmon resonance assays. This displacement was achieved with a nitrile group, presenting an example of efficient gain in binding affinity with minimal increase in molecular weight. Some compounds in this chemical series inhibit the proliferation of human cancer cell lines in vitro and cause depletion of oncogenic Hsp90 client proteins and concomitant elevation of the co-chaperone Hsp70. In addition, one compound was demonstrated to be orally bioavailable in the mouse. This work demonstrates the power of structure-based design for the rapid evolution of potent Hsp90 inhibitors and the importance of considering conserved water molecules in drug design.     

Distinct Sarcomeric Substrates Are Responsible for Protein Kinase D-mediated Regulation of Cardiac Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitivity and Cross-bridge Cycling

Protein kinase D (PKD), a serine/threonine kinase with emerging cardiovascular functions, phosphorylates cardiac troponin I (cTnI) at Ser²²/Ser²³, reduces myofilament Ca²⁺ sensitivity, and accelerates cross-bridge cycle kinetics. Whether PKD regulates cardiac myofilament function entirely through cTnI phosphorylation at Ser²²/Ser²³ remains to be established. To determine the role of cTnI phosphorylation at Ser²²/Ser²³ in PKD-mediated regulation of cardiac myofilament function, we used transgenic mice that express cTnI in which Ser²²/Ser²³ are substituted by nonphosphorylatable Ala (cTnI-Ala₂). In skinned myocardium from wild-type (WT) mice, PKD increased cTnI phosphorylation at Ser²²/Ser²³ and decreased the Ca²⁺ sensitivity of force. In contrast, PKD had no effect on the Ca²⁺ sensitivity of force in myocardium from cTnI-Ala₂ mice, in which Ser²²/Ser²³ were unavailable for phosphorylation. Surprisingly, PKD accelerated cross-bridge cycle kinetics similarly in myocardium from WT and cTnI-Ala₂ mice. Because cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) phosphorylation underlies cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-mediated acceleration of cross-bridge cycle kinetics, we explored whether PKD phosphorylates cMyBP-C at its PKA sites, using recombinant C1C2 fragments with or without site-specific Ser/Ala substitutions. Kinase assays confirmed that PKA phosphorylates Ser²⁷³, Ser²⁸², and Ser³⁰², and revealed that PKD phosphorylates only Ser³⁰². Furthermore, PKD phosphorylated Ser³⁰² selectively and to a similar extent in native cMyBP-C of skinned myocardium from WT and cTnI-Ala₂ mice, and this phosphorylation occurred throughout the C-zones of sarcomeric A-bands. In conclusion, PKD reduces myofilament Ca²⁺ sensitivity through cTnI phosphorylation at Ser²²/Ser²³ but accelerates cross-bridge cycle kinetics by a distinct mechanism. PKD phosphorylates cMyBP-C at Ser³⁰², which may mediate the latter effect.     

Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids Are Involved in Polar Auxin Transport and Developmental Patterning in Arabidopsis

Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential for many aspects of plant development and necessary for the synthesis of seed storage triacylglycerols, epicuticular waxes, and sphingolipids. Identification of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase PASTICCINO3 and the 3-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydratase PASTICCINO2 revealed that VLCFAs are important for cell proliferation and tissue patterning. Here, we show that the immunophilin PASTICCINO1 (PAS1) is also required for VLCFA synthesis. Impairment of PAS1 function results in reduction of VLCFA levels that particularly affects the composition of sphingolipids, known to be important for cell polarity in animals. Moreover, PAS1 associates with several enzymes of the VLCFA elongase complex in the endoplasmic reticulum. The pas1 mutants are deficient in lateral root formation and are characterized by an abnormal patterning of the embryo apex, which leads to defective cotyledon organogenesis. Our data indicate that in both tissues, defective organogenesis is associated with the mistargeting of the auxin efflux carrier PIN FORMED1 in specific cells, resulting in local alteration of polar auxin distribution. Furthermore, we show that exogenous VLCFAs rescue lateral root organogenesis and polar auxin distribution, indicating their direct involvement in these processes. Based on these data, we propose that PAS1 acts as a molecular scaffold for the fatty acid elongase complex in the endoplasmic reticulum and that the resulting VLCFAs are required for polar auxin transport and tissue patterning during plant development.     

Solution structure of the major (Spy0128) and minor (Spy0125 and Spy0130) pili subunits from Streptococcus pyogenes

Adhesion of the serotype M1 Streptococcus pyogenes strain SF370 to human tonsil explants and cultured keratinocytes requires extended polymeric surface structures called pili. In this important human pathogen, pili are assembled from three protein subunits: Spy0125, Spy0128 and Spy0130 through the action of sortase enzymes. For this study, the structural properties of these pili proteins have been investigated in solution. Spy0125 and Spy0128 display characteristics of globular, folded proteins. Circular dichroism suggests a largely β-sheet composition for Spy0128 and Spy0125; Spy0130 appears to contain little secondary structure. Each of the proteins adopts a monodisperse, monomeric state in solution as assessed by analytical ultracentrifugation. Further, small-angle X-ray scattering curves for Spy0125, Spy0128 and Spy0130 suggest each protein adopts an elongated shape, likely comprised of two domains, with similar maximal dimensions. Based on the scattering data, dummy atom models of each of the pili subunits have been reconstructed ab initio. This study provides the first insights into the structure of Streptococcus pyogenes minor pili subunits, and possible implications for protein function are discussed.     

Variability in reproductive traits in Jatropha curcas L. accessions during early developmental stages under warm subtropical conditions

Variability in floral, fruit, and seed characteristics, and oil content of 15 accession of Jatropha curcas during early development were assessed during two flowering periods in south Florida subtropical climate. The two flowering periods had leaf flushing in March. Field evaluation using 18 quantitative traits showed significant variation among accessions. The number of female flowers and female : male flower ratio ranged from 1 to 15 and 1 : 8.8 to 1 : 67.8, respectively. Fruit set by natural pollination was 89 and 66% during the first (1st) and second (2nd) flowering periods, respectively. A higher number of female‐type inflorescences were observed during summer. There were significant differences in seed traits, except for number of seeds per fruit. Accession TREC 31 had the highest individual seed dry weight and 100‐seed weight (0.83 g and 79.7 g, respectively). The oil content varied from 19.30% to 35.62%. Seed dry weight had positive correlation with seed fresh weight, seed length, seed thickness, seed width, and 100‐seed weight, but negative correlation with oil content. Based on the cluster analysis using 15 morphological traits, jatropha accessions were grouped into five main clusters and accessions from different geographic regions grouped together in a cluster. Principal component analyses (PCA) revealed morphological variation. The first three components explained 73.5% of the total variation and seed dry weight, 100‐seed weight, total flowers per inflorescence, male flowers per inflorescence and fruit set can be used to distinguish accessions. The PCA also indicated that flowering traits were more influenced by seed origin while seed traits were affected by flowering spans. Although evaluations were performed in plants during the juvenile phase, accessions TREC 31 and TREC 55 had superior averages for almost all characters evaluated. These results provide a preliminary assessment of the high variability in jatropha accessions evaluated and their potential for use in breeding and genetic improvement programs.     

A Regional Initiative to Reduce Skin Infections amongst Aboriginal Children Living in Remote Communities of the Northern Territory,Australia

Background

Linked to extreme rates of chronic heart and kidney disease, pyoderma is endemic amongst Aboriginal children in Australia''s Northern Territory (NT). Many of those with pyoderma will also have scabies. We report the results of a community-based collaboration within the East Arnhem Region, which aimed to reduce the prevalence of both skin infections in Aboriginal children.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Commencing September 2004, we conducted an ecological study that included active surveillance for skin infections amongst children aged <15 years in five remote East Arnhem communities over a three year period. Screening was undertaken by trained local community workers, usually accompanied by another project team member, using a standard data collection form. Skin infections were diagnosed clinically with the aid of a pictorial flip chart developed for the purpose. Topical 5% permethrin was provided for age-eligible children and all household contacts whenever scabies was diagnosed, whilst those with pyoderma were referred to the clinic for treatment in accordance with current guidelines. In addition, annual mass scabies treatment (5% permethrin cream) was offered to all community residents in accordance with current guidelines but was not directly observed. Pyoderma and scabies prevalence per month was determined from 6038 skin assessments conducted on 2329 children. Pyoderma prevalence dropped from 46.7% at baseline to a median of 32.4% (IQR 28.9%–41.0%) during the follow-up period – an absolute reduction of 14.7% (IQR 4.7%–16.8%). Compared to the first 18 months of observation, there was an absolute reduction in pyoderma prevalence of 18 cases per 100 children (95%CI −21.0, −16.1, p≤0.001) over the last 18 months. Treatment uptake increased over the same period (absolute difference 13.4%, 95%CI 3.3, 23.6). While scabies prevalence was unchanged, the prevalence of infected scabies (that is with superimposed pyoderma) decreased from 3.7% (95%CI 2.4, 4.9) to 1.5% (95%CI 0.7, 2.2), a relative reduction of 59%.

Conclusion

Although pyoderma prevalence remained unacceptably high, there was a substantial reduction overall with improvements in treatment uptake a critical factor. More acceptable alternatives, such as cotrimoxazole for pyoderma and ivermectin as a community-wide scabicide, warrant further investigation in these settings. We are encouraged by progress made through this work, where local action was led by local community members and primary health care providers with external training and support.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00884728","term_id":"NCT00884728"}}NCT00884728