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International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Galls have become the best model for exploring plant-gall inducer relationships, with most studies focusing on gall-inducing insects but few on gall mites. The gall mite...
Galls have become the best model for exploring plant-gall inducer relationships, with most studies focusing on gall-inducing insects but few on gall mites. The gall mite is a major pest of wolfberry, usually inducing galls on its leaves. For a better understanding of gall mite growth and development, the dynamics of the morphological and molecular characteristics and phytohormones of galls induced by were studied by histological observation, transcriptomics and metabolomics. The galls developed from cell elongation of the epidermis and cell hyperplasia of mesophylls. The galls grew quickly, within 9 days, and the mite population increased rapidly within 18 days. The genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis and phytohormone synthesis were significantly downregulated in galled tissues, but the genes associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism, transmembrane transport, carbohydrates and amino acid synthesis were distinctly upregulated. The levels of carbohydrates, amino acids and their derivatives, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinins (CKs), were markedly enhanced in galled tissues. Interestingly, much higher contents of IAA and CKs were detected in gall mites than in plant tissues. These results suggest that galls act as nutrient sinks and favor increased accumulation of nutrients for mites, and that gall mites may contribute IAA and CKs during gall formation.
Topics: Animals; Lycium; Mites; Transcriptome; Plant Growth Regulators; Cytokinins; Metabolome; Plant Tumors; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 37372986
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129839 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2023Ceramides are epidermal lipids important for normal skin barrier function. Reduced Ceramide content is associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). House dust mite (HDM) has...
Ceramides are epidermal lipids important for normal skin barrier function. Reduced Ceramide content is associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). House dust mite (HDM) has been localized in AD skin where it plays an exacerbator role. We set to examine the impact of HDM on skin integrity and the effect of three separate Ceramides (AD™, DS, Y30) on HDM-induced cutaneous damage. The effect was tested in vitro on primary human keratinocytes and ex vivo on skin explants. HDM (100 μg/mL) decreased the expression of adhesion protein E-cadherin, supra-basal (K1, K10) and basal (K5, K14) keratins and increased matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-9 activity. The presence of Ceramide AD™ in topical cream inhibited HDM-induced E-cadherin and keratin destruction and dampened MMP-9 activity ex vivo which was not seen for the control cream or cream containing DS or Y30 Ceramides. The efficacy of Ceramide AD™ was tested in a clinical setting on moderate to very dry skin (as surrogate for environment-induced skin damage). When applied topically for 21 days, Ceramide AD™ significantly reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in patients with very dry skin compared to their TEWL baseline data. Our study demonstrates Ceramide AD™ cream to be effective in restoring skin homeostasis and barrier function in damaged skin and warrants testing in larger clinical trials for possible treatment of AD and xerosis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ceramides; Pyroglyphidae; Skin; Dermatitis, Atopic; Epidermis; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Keratins; Emollients
PubMed: 37298186
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119234 -
Veterinary Parasitology Jul 2023The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, is a major threat for the poultry industry worldwide. Chemical compounds have been extensively used for PRM control,...
The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, is a major threat for the poultry industry worldwide. Chemical compounds have been extensively used for PRM control, leading to selection of resistant mites. Molecular mechanisms of resistance have been investigated in arthropods, showing the role of target-site insensitivity and enhanced detoxification. Few studies are available about those mechanisms in D. gallinae, and none have yet focused on the expression levels of detoxification enzymes and other defense-related genes through RNA-seq. We tested PRM populations from Italy for their susceptibility to the acaricidal compounds phoxim and cypermethrin. Mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) and in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were investigated, detecting mutations known to be associated with acaricide/insecticide resistance in arthropods, including M827I and M918L/T in the vgsc and G119S in the AChE. RNA-seq analysis was performed to characterize metabolic resistance in fully susceptible PRM and in cypermethrin-resistant PRM exposed and unexposed to cypermethrin as well as phoxim resistant PRM exposed and unexposed to phoxim. Detoxification enzymes (including P450 monooxygenases and glutathione-S-transferases), ABC transporters and cuticular proteins were constitutively overexpressed in phoxim and cypermethrin resistant mites. In addition, heat shock proteins were found constitutively and inductively upregulated in phoxim resistant mites, while in cypermethrin resistant mites esterases and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor were constitutively highly expressed. The findings suggest that acaricide resistance in D. gallinae is due to both target-site insensitivity and overexpression of detoxification enzymes and other xenobiotic defense-related genes, which is mostly constitutive and not induced by treatment. Understanding the molecular basis of resistance could be useful to screen or test PRM populations in order to select targeted acaricides and to avoid the abuse/misuse of the few available compounds.
Topics: Animals; Acaricides; Acetylcholinesterase; Mites; Poultry; Trombiculidae; Chickens; Poultry Diseases; Mite Infestations
PubMed: 37207568
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109957 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Jun 2021This study aimed to examine the frequency of house dust mite according to various variables and determine the house dust mite population in these provinces in house dust... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Factors Affecting the Prevalence of House Dust Mite in Tekirdağ and İstanbul Provinces in Comparison with House Dust Mite Population of Sivas Province During the Same Period.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine the frequency of house dust mite according to various variables and determine the house dust mite population in these provinces in house dust samples collected in the same period from İstanbul and Tekirdağ provinces, which is located on the coastal part of the Marmara Region, and Sivas province, which has different climatic and geographic characteristics from these provinces. A comparison was done from each province.
METHODS
Between May and August 2018, a total of 100 powder samples were prepared by a lactic acid precipitation method that was examined microscopically. Besides, some variables in Tekirdağ and İstanbul provinces were applied to participants by face-to-face interview method from a questionnaire.
RESULTS
House dust mite was found with a rate of 66.7% in İstanbul and 61.5% in Tekirdağ; however, house dust mite was not found in Sivas province. According to survey results, the frequency of house dust mite detection is 1-4. It increased according to the fact that it is located between floors, cleaning was every 15 days, no smoking at home and insufficient sun exposure. No statistically significant difference was found according to the presence of plants and/or animals in the house and way of heating.
CONCLUSION
Measures to be taken against house a dust mite, which is the most essential component of house dust with allergic content, are observed to be important in reducing complaints of sensitive people by especially considering the climate, geographic characteristics and general hygienic conditions. According to investigations, , one of the mites detected in dust samples taken from İstanbul, has been determined to be a new record in Turkey. This study will contribute to Turkey with this aspect fauna of house dust mites.
Topics: Animals; Dust; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Prevalence; Pyroglyphidae; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Turkey
PubMed: 34103292
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2020.7056 -
Scientific Reports May 2020The northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, is one of the most common and damaging ectoparasites of poultry. As an obligate blood feeding mite, the northern fowl...
The northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, is one of the most common and damaging ectoparasites of poultry. As an obligate blood feeding mite, the northern fowl mite can cause anaemia, slower growth, and decreased egg production of parasitized birds. However, the impact of mites or other ectoparasites on hen behaviour or welfare is not well studied. Here, we use activity sensors (three-axis accelerometers) affixed to individual birds to continuously record hen movement before, during, and after infestation with mites. Movements recorded by sensors were identified to specific bird behaviours through a previously trained algorithm, with frequency of these behaviours recorded for individual birds. Hen welfare was also determined before, during, and after mite infestation of hens using animal-based welfare metrics. Northern fowl mites significantly increased hen preening behaviour and resulted in increased skin lesions of infested birds.
Topics: Animal Welfare; Animals; Chickens; Mites; Skin Diseases
PubMed: 32427882
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65021-0 -
Experimental & Applied Acarology Feb 2022Oribatid mites are tiny arthropods that are common in all soils of the world; however, they also occur in microhabitats above the soil such as lichens, mosses, on the...
Oribatid mites are tiny arthropods that are common in all soils of the world; however, they also occur in microhabitats above the soil such as lichens, mosses, on the bark of trees and in suspended soils. For understanding oribatid mite community structure, it is important to know whether they are dispersal limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of oribatid mite dispersal using Malaise traps to exclude sole passive wind-dispersal. Oribatid mite communities were collected over a 3-year period from five habitat types (coniferous forests, deciduous forests, mixed forests, meadows, bog/heathlands sites) and three seasons (spring, summer, autumn) in Sweden. Mites entered traps either by walking or by phoresy, i.e., by being attached to flying insects. We hypothesized (1) that oribatid mite communities in the traps differ between habitats, indicating habitat-limited dispersal, and (2) that oribatid mite communities differ among seasons suggesting that dispersal varies due to changing environmental conditions such as moisture or resource availability. The majority of the collected species were not typically soil-living species but rather from habitats such as trees, lichens and mosses (e.g., Carabodes labyrinthicus, Cymbaeremaeus cymba, Diapterobates humeralis and Phauloppia lucorum) indicating that walking into the traps or entering them via phoresy are of greater importance for aboveground than for soil-living species. Overall, oribatid mite communities collected in the traps likely originated from the surrounding local habitat suggesting that long distance dispersal of oribatid mites is scarce. Significant differences among seasons indicate higher dispersal during warm and dry periods of the year. Notably, 16 species of oribatid mites collected in our study were sampled for the first time in Sweden. This study also demonstrates that Malaise traps are a meaningful tool to investigate spatial and temporal patterns of oribatid mite communities.
Topics: Animals; Ecosystem; Forests; Mites; Seasons; Soil
PubMed: 35038077
DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00686-y -
Parasitology Jun 2020Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer 1778), commonly named the poultry red mite (PRM), is considered to be the most harmful ectoparasite in poultry farms in Europe. This... (Review)
Review
Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer 1778), commonly named the poultry red mite (PRM), is considered to be the most harmful ectoparasite in poultry farms in Europe. This species feeds on the blood of laying hens, but spends most of its time hidden in cracks and crevices around hen nests. To control PRM populations in poultry houses, chemical pesticides are currently used; however, concern is growing regarding the harmful residues found in eggs and hens, along with the increased resistance of mites against several compounds. Alternatives to synthetic compounds are now being explored, including vaccines, biological control, physical control and semiochemical control based on the chemical ecology of PRM. This review focused on the different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified from D. gallinae and other mite species that have been discovered to control them. Pheromones (aggregation pheromone, sex pheromone and alarm pheromone) and kairomones promoting attraction behaviour in D. gallinae and other mite species are presented, while VOCs from essential oils and plant extracts with repellent properties are also explored. Finally, devices using VOCs on PRM in the field are described, with devices that have been tested on other Acari species being mentioned as potential directions for the future control of PRM.
Topics: Acaricides; Animals; Mites; Poultry Diseases; Species Specificity; Tick Control; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 32312341
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182020000530 -
Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Oct 2023Maintenance doses for allergen immunotherapy (AIT) have been recommended for at least 3 years but little data on long-term efficacy is available depending on AIT...
BACKGROUND
Maintenance doses for allergen immunotherapy (AIT) have been recommended for at least 3 years but little data on long-term efficacy is available depending on AIT duration. To show sustained efficacy 10 years after completion of treatment with depigmented-polymerized house dust mite (dpg-pol HDM) allergen extract in adults with asthma and/or rhinoconjunctivitis.
METHODS
Patients included in a double-blind placebo-controlled AIT study with dpg-pol HDM allergen extract were reviewed at completion of the perennial treatment and 10-year follow-up (10y-FU). Change in symptom and rescue medication score was the primary objective. Visual analog scale (VAS), asthma control test (ACT), and degree of disease control were the secondary objectives. A comparative analysis between patients who underwent AIT treatment for <3 years and ≥3 years was performed.
RESULTS
Data from 31 patients (mean age 38 years) were available at 10y-FU. All had asthma and 29 had rhinoconjunctivitis at baseline. Twenty-three patients were treated ≥3 years and 8 for <3 years. Seventeen (55%) patients were asymptomatic at completion of AIT, with significant differences for nasal, conjunctival, and bronchial symptoms (p < .0001) compared with baseline only in those patients treated ≥3 years. Nine (52.9%) patients remained completely asymptomatic at 10y-FU, all were treated for ≥3 years. Moreover, significant reduction in the number of patients with rhinitis (p = .0117), conjunctivitis (p < .0001), and bronchial (p = .0005) symptoms was observed at 10y-FU compared with baseline only in the ≥3 years treated. Ten (32.3%) patients did not require any rescue medication at 10y-FU, all had been treated for ≥3 years. ACT at 10y-FU showed a good control of asthma (median 23.5; 95% IC[22.0, 25.0]). No significant differences were observed between VAS at end of treatment compared with VAS at 10y-FU.
CONCLUSIONS
Sustained clinical efficacy is achieved 10 years after completion of depigmented-polymerized HDM, however, these findings were observed only if patients are treated for at least 3 years.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Humans; Allergens; Asthma; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Desensitization, Immunologic; Follow-Up Studies; Pyroglyphidae; Rhinitis, Allergic; Double-Blind Method
PubMed: 37904678
DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1004 -
BMC Plant Biology Nov 2023Two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the most important plant pests in the world. Due to increased resistance of mites to...
BACKGROUND
Two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the most important plant pests in the world. Due to increased resistance of mites to acaricides, it is necessary to use other methods such as inducing resistance in plants by natural compounds for pests' management. Polyamins such as spermine are effective in increasing plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors. In this research, the effect of spermine treatments in cucumber plants on life table parameters of T. urticae was investigated. Also, top-down effect of spermine and T. urticae on cucumber biochemical parameters was measured. In the experiments, 1, 2 and 3 mM spermine concentrations were used.
RESULTS
Amongst the spermine treatments, those mites that fed on cucumbers which received 1 mM spermine showed the shortest protonymphal period and higher ovipositon period, fecundity, gross and net reproductive rates and life expectancy compare to control. Treatment with 2 mM spermine lead to the longest teleochrysalis period and shortest range of age-stage-specific fecundity period. In addition, 2 mM spermine lowered intrinsic and finite rate of population increase in T. urticae. The longest larval period of T. urticae was observed in 3 mM spermine. Feeding of T. urticae from cucumber plants increased hydrogen peroxide (HO), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, electrolyte leakage (EL) level and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity but inhibited catalase (CAT) activity in this plant. Infested cucumber plants treated with 2 mM spermine showed lower HO and MDA content and highest activity of APX and CAT on day 1 and 3 compare to the others. The 3 mM spermine increased HO content in infested plants during the whole experiment as well as non-infested plants in day 5 and 9 only. This treatment induced the highest MDA content and lowest catalase activity on day1, 3 and 5 of experiment in infested plants.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that 2 mM spermine was the only effective concentration that reduce cucumber sensitivity to T. urticae. The trend of changes in biochemical parameters, especially HO, in 3 mM spermine was abnormal, and this concentration could be considered toxic.
Topics: Animals; Cucumis sativus; Tetranychidae; Spermine; Hydrogen Peroxide; Catalase
PubMed: 37978429
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04573-5 -
Proceedings. Biological Sciences Aug 2021Conditional strategies occur when the relative fitness pay-off from expressing a given phenotype is contingent upon environmental circumstances. This conditional...
Conditional strategies occur when the relative fitness pay-off from expressing a given phenotype is contingent upon environmental circumstances. This conditional strategy model underlies cases of alternative reproductive tactics, in which individuals of one sex employ different means to obtain reproduction. How kin structure affects the expression of alternative reproductive tactics remains unexplored. We address this using the mite , in which large males develop into aggressive 'fighters' and small males develop into non-aggressive 'scramblers.' Because only fighters kill their rivals, they should incur a greater indirect fitness cost when competing with their relatives, and thus fighter expression could be reduced in the presence of relatives. We raised mites in full-sibling or mixed-sibship groups and found that fighters were more common at higher body weights in full-sibling groups, not less common as we predicted (small individuals were almost exclusively scramblers in both treatments). This result could be explained if relatedness and cue variability are interpreted signals of population density, since fighters are more common at low densities in this species. Alternatively, our results may indicate that males compete more intensely with relatives in this species. We provide the first evidence of kin-mediated plasticity in the expression of alternative reproductive tactics.
Topics: Acaridae; Animals; Humans; Male; Mites; Phenotype; Population Density; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 34344179
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1069