Morphological integration and modularity in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) hind wings

The morphological integration of the hind wings of the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte was investigated to get a better insight of the undergone by this invasive species. Geometric morphometric methods were used to test two modularity hypotheses associated with the wing development and function (hypothesis H1: anterior/posterior or H2: distal/proximal wing parts). Both hypotheses were rejected and the results showed the integrated behavior of the hind wings of D. v. virgifera. The hypothesized modules do not represent separate units of variation, so in a similar fashion as exhibited by the model species Drosophila melanogaster, the hind wings of D. v. virgifera act as a single functional unit. The moderate covariation strength found between anterior and posterior and distal and proximal parts of the hind wing of D. v. virgifera confirms its integrated behavior. We conclude that the wing shape shows internal integration, which could enable flexibility and thus enhance flight maneuverability. This study contributes to the understanding of morphological integration and modularity on a non-model organism. Additionally, these findings lay the groundwork for future flight performance and biogeographical studies on how wing shape and size vary across the endemic and expanded/invaded range in the USA and Europe infested with D. v. virgifera.     

Role of caspase‐9 in the effector caspases and genome expressions,and growth of bovine skeletal myoblasts

Caspase‐9 has been reported as the key regulator of apoptosis, however, its role in skeletal myoblast development and molecular involvements during cell growth still remains unknown. The current study aimed to present the key role of caspase‐9 in the expressions of apoptotic caspases and genome, and cell viability during myoblast growth using RNA interference mediated silencing. Three small interference RNA sequences (siRNAs) targeting caspase‐9 gene was designed and ligated into pSilencer plasmid vector to construct shRNA expression constructs. Cells were transfected with the constructs for 48 h. Results indicated that all three siRNAs could silence the caspase‐9 mRNA expression significantly. Particularly, the mRNA expression level of caspase‐9 in the cells transfected by shRNA1, shRNA2 and shRNA3 constructs were reduced by 37.85%, 68.20% and 58.14%, respectively. Suppression of caspase‐9 led to the significant increases in the mRNA and protein expressions of effector caspase‐3, whereas the reduction in mRNA and protein expressions of caspase‐7. The microarray results showed that the suppression of caspase‐9 resulted in significant upregulations of cell proliferation‐, adhesion‐, growth‐, development‐ and division‐regulating genes, whereas the reduction in the expressions of cell death program‐ and stress response‐regulating genes. Furthermore, cell viability was significantly increased following the transfection. These data suggest that caspase‐9 could play an important role in the control of cell growth, and knockdown of caspase‐9 may have genuine potential in the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy.     

CUBN and NEBL common variants in the chromosome 10p13 linkage region are associated with multibacillary leprosy in Vietnam

Leprosy is caused by infection with Mycobacterium leprae and is classified clinically into paucibacillary (PB) or multibacillary (MB) subtypes based on the number of skin lesions and the bacillary index detected in skin smears. We previously identified a major PB susceptibility locus on chromosome region 10p13 in Vietnamese families by linkage analysis. In the current study, we conducted high-density association mapping of the 9.5 Mb linkage peak on chromosome region 10p13 covering 39 genes. Using leprosy per se and leprosy subtypes as phenotypes, we employed 294 nuclear families (303 leprosy cases, 63 % MB, 37 % PB) as a discovery sample and 192 nuclear families (192 cases, 55 % MB, 45 % PB) as a replication sample. Replicated significant association signals were revealed in the genes for cubilin (CUBN) and nebulette (NEBL). In the combined sample, the C allele (frequency 0.26) at CUBN SNP rs10904831 showed association [p = 1 × 10^?5; OR 0.52 (0.38–0.7)] with MB leprosy only. Likewise, allele T (frequency 0.42) at NEBL SNP rs11012461 showed association [p = 4.2 × 10^?5; OR 2.51 (1.6–4)] with MB leprosy only. These associations remained valid for the CUBN signal when taking into account the effective number of tests performed (type I error significance threshold = 2.4 × 10^?5). We used the results of our analyses to propose a new model for the genetic control of polarization of clinical leprosy.     

The new CRISPR–Cas system: RNA-guided genome engineering to efficiently produce any desired genetic alteration in animals

The CRISPR–Cas system is the newest targeted nuclease for genome engineering. In less than 1 year, the ease, robustness and efficiency of this method have facilitated an immense range of genetic modifications in most model organisms. Full and conditional gene knock-outs, knock-ins, large chromosomal deletions and subtle mutations can be obtained using combinations of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and DNA donors. In addition, with CRISPR–Cas compounds, multiple genetic modifications can be introduced seamlessly in a single step. CRISPR–Cas not only brings genome engineering capacities to species such as rodents and livestock in which the existing toolbox was already large, but has also enabled precise genetic engineering of organisms with difficult-to-edit genomes such as zebrafish, and of technically challenging species such as non-human primates. The CRISPR–Cas system allows generation of targeted mutations in mice, even in laboratories with limited or no access to the complex, time-consuming standard technology using mouse embryonic stem cells. Here we summarize the distinct applications of CRISPR–Cas technology for obtaining a variety of genetic modifications in different model organisms, underlining their advantages and limitations relative to other genome editing nucleases. We will guide the reader through the many publications that have seen the light in the first year of CRISPR–Cas technology.     

Histological and immunohistochemical studies of the structure of lymph nodes in Kilis goats

Ten healthy adult Kilis goat mesenteric lymph nodes were used to examine the general structure of lymph nodes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, reticular cells and reticular fibers using histological methods. We also detected T lymphocytes using anti-CD3 [SP7], anti-CD4 [74-12-4], mouse anti-bovine CD4 [CC30] and mouse anti-bovine CD8 [CC63] monoclonal antibodies (mAb); and B lymphocytes using anti-CD79a [HM57] mAb, macrophages using anti-macrophage [MAC387] mAb and follicular dendritic cells using anti-S100 polyclonal antibody (pAb). The distribution of these cells also was studied. Although the primer antibodies we used for CD3, CD8, CD79a, MAC387 and S100 worked well, the primer antibodies for CD4 were ineffective for paraffin embedded goat lymph nodes.     

Augmentative on-farm delivery methods for the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to control the millet head miner Heliocheilus albipunctella (de Joannis) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Burkina Faso and Niger

Augmentative on-farm delivery methods for the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to control the millet head miner (MHM) Heliocheilus albipunctella (de Joannis) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were investigated in Burkina Faso from 2011 to 2012 and in Niger in 2012. Our findings indicate that 7 cm × 10 cm jute bags containing 50 g of millet grains, 30 g of millet flour, 25 Corcyra cephalonica larvae and two mated H. hebetor females are the most effective option for on-farm delivery of the parasitoid. The parasitoid progeny started emerging from the bags eight days after confinement and 57–71 parasitoid adults emerged from each bag. Using the methods we developed, over 90 % parasitism of MHM larvae was achieved in millet farms. The implications of these findings for a large extension of MHM biocontrol program are discussed.     

Rhaponticoidesaytachii sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia,Turkey

A new species of Rhaponticoides Vaill., Rhaponticoidesaytachii Y. Ba?c?, Do?u & Dinç sp. nov. collected by the authors from south Anatolia, is described and illustrated. The new species is restricted to deprived Quercus forest openness around Dumlugöze‐Sar?veliler (C4 Karaman). Diagnostic morphological characters from R. amplifolia (Boiss. & Heldr.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species is also presented.