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ELife May 2024Almost all herbivorous insects feed on plants and use sucrose as a feeding stimulant, but the molecular basis of their sucrose reception remains unclear. as a notorious...
Almost all herbivorous insects feed on plants and use sucrose as a feeding stimulant, but the molecular basis of their sucrose reception remains unclear. as a notorious crop pest worldwide mainly feeds on reproductive organs of many plant species in the larval stage, and its adult draws nectar. In this study, we determined that the sucrose sensory neurons located in the contact chemosensilla on larval maxillary galea were 100-1000 times more sensitive to sucrose than those on adult antennae, tarsi, and proboscis. Using the expression system, we discovered that Gr10 highly expressed in the larval sensilla was specifically tuned to sucrose, while Gr6 highly expressed in the adult sensilla responded to fucose, sucrose and fructose. Moreover, using CRISPR/Cas9, we revealed that Gr10 was mainly used by larvae to detect lower sucrose, while Gr6 was primarily used by adults to detect higher sucrose and other saccharides, which results in differences in selectivity and sensitivity between larval and adult sugar sensory neurons. Our results demonstrate the sugar receptors in this moth are evolved to adapt toward the larval and adult foods with different types and amounts of sugar, and fill in a gap in sweet taste of animals.
Topics: Animals; Sucrose; Larva; Moths; Sensilla; Taste; Taste Perception; Helicoverpa armigera
PubMed: 38814697
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.91711 -
ELife May 2024Germline epigenetic programming, including genomic imprinting, substantially influences offspring development. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) plays an important...
Germline epigenetic programming, including genomic imprinting, substantially influences offspring development. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) plays an important role in Histone 3 Lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3)-dependent imprinting, loss of which leads to growth and developmental changes in mouse offspring. In this study, we show that offspring from mouse oocytes lacking the PRC2 protein Embryonic Ectoderm Development (EED) were initially developmentally delayed, characterised by low blastocyst cell counts and substantial growth delay in mid-gestation embryos. This initial developmental delay was resolved as offspring underwent accelerated fetal development and growth in late gestation resulting in offspring that were similar stage and weight to controls at birth. The accelerated development and growth in offspring from -null oocytes was associated with remodelling of the placenta, which involved an increase in fetal and maternal tissue size, conspicuous expansion of the glycogen-enriched cell population, and delayed parturition. Despite placental remodelling and accelerated offspring fetal growth and development, placental efficiency, and fetal blood glucose levels were low, and the fetal blood metabolome was unchanged. Moreover, while expression of the H3K27me3-imprinted gene and amino acid transporter was increased, fetal blood levels of individual amino acids were similar to controls, indicating that placental amino acid transport was not enhanced. Genome-wide analyses identified extensive transcriptional dysregulation and DNA methylation changes in affected placentas, including a range of imprinted and non-imprinted genes. Together, while deletion of in growing oocytes resulted in fetal growth and developmental delay and placental hyperplasia, our data indicate a remarkable capacity for offspring fetal growth to be normalised despite inefficient placental function and the loss of H3K27me3-dependent genomic imprinting.
Topics: Animals; Female; Pregnancy; Genomic Imprinting; Mice; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2; Fetal Development; Placenta; Oocytes; Amino Acid Transport System A
PubMed: 38813868
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.81875 -
Folia Parasitologica Apr 2024Coccidiosis is a protozoan intestinal disease that reduces the production of the sheep industry and causes large economic losses for sheep. Although chemically...
Coccidiosis is a protozoan intestinal disease that reduces the production of the sheep industry and causes large economic losses for sheep. Although chemically synthesised drugs are routinely employed to treat coccidiosis in sheep, the anticoccidial drug resistance and drug residues in edible meat have prompted an urgent search for alternatives. Herein, the anticoccidial properties of diclazuril, a conventional anticoccidial drug, and Allium sativum, Houttuynia cordata and Portulaca oleracea were assessed. Forty 45-day-old lambs naturally infected with Eimeria spp. were selected and randomly divided into five groups. The results showed that the sheep treated for coccidiosis had considerably decreased average daily gain (ADG) during both administration and withdrawal of the drug compared to the control group. Furthermore, at days 14, 21, 28 and 35, respectively, the three herbs and diclazuril had similar anticoccidial effects, with lower oocysts per gram (OPG) than the control group. On day 78, OPG in the three herbal groups was significantly lower than in the diclazuril group. In addition, the abundance and composition of the gut microbiota were changed in sheep treated with the three herbs and diclazuril compared to the untreated sheep. Moreover, some intestinal microorganisms have a correlation with OPG and ADG when using Spearman correlation analysis. In summary, our results suggest that all three herbs produce anticoccidial effects similar to diclazuril and modulate the balance of gut microbiota in growing lambs.
Topics: Animals; Coccidiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Oocysts; Coccidiostats; Eimeria; Triazines
PubMed: 38813809
DOI: 10.14411/fp.2024.009 -
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences 2023The survival rate among preterm infants has improved, and hospital stays have been prolonged, consistent with positive developments in perinatal and neonatal care. The...
BACKGROUND/AIM
The survival rate among preterm infants has improved, and hospital stays have been prolonged, consistent with positive developments in perinatal and neonatal care. The aim of this study was to provide evidence-based information for healthcare professionals concerning the ideal time for discharge by evaluating the reasons for prolonged hospital stays.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Six hundred eighty-one premature babies born at 24-35 weeks at the Mersin University Medical Faculty Hospital between January 2016 and May 2020 and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were included in the study following a retrospective file examination. Date of birth (gestational age) and discharge week (duration of hospital stay) calculated from the date of final discharge were recorded. Based on the literature, the ideal discharge time was determined to be 40 weeks according to postmenstrual age (week of birth + length of hospital stay). The primary variable was whether the infants were discharged before the ideal discharge week. The secondary variable was the effect of the presence of comorbidity on the length of hospital stay and ideal discharge time.
RESULTS
The mean hospital stay of preterm neonate born at 25-26, 27-28 and 29-30 weeks was significantly shorter in the absence of comorbidity than in the presence of comorbidity (p = 0.001, 0.004, and 0.008, respectively). More than half (53.5%) were discharged before the expected date of birth as gestational weeks increased, despite the prolonged length of stay in the presence of comorbidity.
CONCLUSION
Health professionals can inform families that, in the absence of comorbidity, discharge is possible at an average of 36 weeks for 25-28-week gestational ages, and at an average of 34 weeks for 29-32-week gestational ages.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Length of Stay; Patient Discharge; Female; Male; Retrospective Studies; Gestational Age; Infant, Premature; Turkey
PubMed: 38813027
DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5690 -
F1000Research 2024Insomnia is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep for at least three nights a week or more and lasting for at least 3 months. One of the molecules that play a role...
Insomnia is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep for at least three nights a week or more and lasting for at least 3 months. One of the molecules that play a role in the circadian rhythm of arousal system is Orexin activates the p38-MAPK signaling pathway and increases phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels. (CA) has a role in the signal work of the MAPK/ERK, Akt, and p38 path in many various diseases. The research method used is true laboratory experimental. The research approach used was randomized control group post-test only. Zebrafish embryos aged 0-7 dpf were used in this study. The treatment group consisted of 5 groups: normal, insomnia, insomnia + 2.5 μg/mL CA, insomnia + 5 μg/mL CA, and insomnia + 10 μg/mL CA. The locomotor motion of zebrafish larvae was observed using Basler cameras on days five-, six- and seven-day post fertilization (dpf), then analyzed by using Western Blot method. The results proved that exposure to CA extract was able to reduce the expression of orexin (91963 ± 9129) and p38 (117425 ± 6398) as an arousal trigger in the sleep-wake cycle, with the most optimal concentration of CA 5 μg/mL. Exposure to CA extract was also able to reduce the expression of ERK (94795 ± 30830) and Akt (60113.5 ± 27833.5) with an optimum concentration of CA 2.5 μg/mL. Exposure to CA extract was able to improve the sleep activity of zebrafish larvae insomnia model by extending the total inactivity time ( ) and shortening the duration of first sleep ( ) in light and dark phases through inhibition of orexin, ERK, p38, and Akt.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; Orexins; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Larva; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Plant Extracts; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Triterpenes; Centella; Disease Models, Animal; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Ethanol; MAP Kinase Signaling System
PubMed: 38812527
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.141064.1 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... May 2024The larval zebrafish tail fin can completely regenerate in 3 days post amputation. mTOR, the main regulator of cell growth and metabolism, plays an essential role in...
BACKGROUND
The larval zebrafish tail fin can completely regenerate in 3 days post amputation. mTOR, the main regulator of cell growth and metabolism, plays an essential role in regeneration. Lots of studies have documented the role of mTOR in regeneration. However, the mechanisms involved are still not fully elucidated.
MATERIALS AND RESULTS
This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of mTOR in the regeneration of larval zebrafish tail fins. Initially, the spatial and temporal expression of mTOR signaling in the larval fin was examined, revealing its activation following tail fin amputation. Subsequently, a mTOR knockout (mTOR-KO) zebrafish line was created using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. The investigation demonstrated that mTOR depletion diminished the proliferative capacity of epithelial and mesenchymal cells during fin regeneration, with no discernible impact on cell apoptosis. Insight from SMART-seq analysis uncovered alterations in the cell cycle, mitochondrial functions and metabolic pathways when mTOR signaling was suppressed during fin regeneration. Furthermore, mTOR was confirmed to enhance mitochondrial functions and Ca activation following fin amputation. These findings suggest a potential role for mTOR in promoting mitochondrial fission to facilitate tail fin regeneration.
CONCLUSION
In summary, our results demonstrated that mTOR played a key role in larval zebrafish tail fin regeneration, via promoting mitochondrial fission and proliferation of blastema cells.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Regeneration; Cell Proliferation; Animal Fins; Zebrafish Proteins; Tail; Larva; Mitochondria; Mutation; Signal Transduction; Mitochondrial Dynamics
PubMed: 38812038
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04802-z -
Malaria Journal May 2024The recent reduction in malaria burden in Côte d'Ivoire is largely attributable to the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). However, this progress is...
Combined use of long-lasting insecticidal nets and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis larviciding, a promising integrated approach against malaria transmission in northern Côte d'Ivoire.
BACKGROUND
The recent reduction in malaria burden in Côte d'Ivoire is largely attributable to the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). However, this progress is threatened by insecticide resistance and behavioral changes in Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) populations and residual malaria transmission, and complementary tools are required. Thus, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of the combined use of LLINs and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), in comparison with LLINs.
METHODS
This study was conducted in the health district of Korhogo, northern Côte d'Ivoire, within two study arms (LLIN + Bti arm and LLIN-only arm) from March 2019 to February 2020. In the LLIN + Bti arm, Anopheles larval habitats were treated every fortnight with Bti in addition to the use of LLINs. Mosquito larvae and adults were sampled and identified morphologically to genus and species using standard methods. The members of the An. gambiae complex were determined using a polymerase chain reaction technique. Plasmodium infection in An. gambiae s.l. and malaria incidence in local people was also assessed.
RESULTS
Overall, Anopheles spp. larval density was lower in the LLIN + Bti arm 0.61 [95% CI 0.41-0.81] larva/dip (l/dip) compared with the LLIN-only arm 3.97 [95% CI 3.56-4.38] l/dip (RR = 6.50; 95% CI 5.81-7.29; P < 0.001). The overall biting rate of An. gambiae s.l. was 0.59 [95% CI 0.43-0.75] biting/person/night in the LLIN + Bti arm against 2.97 [95% CI 2.02-3.93] biting/person/night in LLIN-only arm (P < 0.001). Anopheles gambiae s.l. was predominantly identified as An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) (95.1%, n = 293), followed by Anopheles coluzzii (4.9%; n = 15). The human-blood index was 80.5% (n = 389) in study area. EIR was 1.36 infected bites/person/year (ib/p/y) in the LLIN + Bti arm against 47.71 ib/p/y in the LLIN-only arm. Malaria incidence dramatically declined from 291.8‰ (n = 765) to 111.4‰ (n = 292) in LLIN + Bti arm (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The combined use of LLINs with Bti significantly reduced the incidence of malaria. The LLINs and Bti duo could be a promising integrated approach for effective vector control of An. gambiae for elimination of malaria.
Topics: Cote d'Ivoire; Bacillus thuringiensis; Animals; Anopheles; Larva; Malaria; Mosquito Control; Insecticide-Treated Bednets; Female; Mosquito Vectors; Humans; Male; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; Child; Adult
PubMed: 38812003
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04953-8 -
Bone Research May 2024Wnt/β-catenin signaling is critical for various cellular processes in multiple cell types, including osteoblast (OB) differentiation and function. Exactly how...
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is critical for various cellular processes in multiple cell types, including osteoblast (OB) differentiation and function. Exactly how Wnt/β-catenin signaling is regulated in OBs remain elusive. ATP6AP2, an accessory subunit of V-ATPase, plays important roles in multiple cell types/organs and multiple signaling pathways. However, little is known whether and how ATP6AP2 in OBs regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling and bone formation. Here we provide evidence for ATP6AP2 in the OB-lineage cells to promote OB-mediated bone formation and bone homeostasis selectively in the trabecular bone regions. Conditionally knocking out (CKO) ATP6AP2 in the OB-lineage cells (Atp6ap2) reduced trabecular, but not cortical, bone formation and bone mass. Proteomic and cellular biochemical studies revealed that LRP6 and N-cadherin were reduced in ATP6AP2-KO BMSCs and OBs, but not osteocytes. Additional in vitro and in vivo studies revealed impaired β-catenin signaling in ATP6AP2-KO BMSCs and OBs, but not osteocytes, under both basal and Wnt stimulated conditions, although LRP5 was decreased in ATP6AP2-KO osteocytes, but not BMSCs. Further cell biological studies uncovered that osteoblastic ATP6AP2 is not required for Wnt3a suppression of β-catenin phosphorylation, but necessary for LRP6/β-catenin and N-cadherin/β-catenin protein complex distribution at the cell membrane, thus preventing their degradation. Expression of active β-catenin diminished the OB differentiation deficit in ATP6AP2-KO BMSCs. Taken together, these results support the view for ATP6AP2 as a critical regulator of both LRP6 and N-cadherin protein trafficking and stability, and thus regulating β-catenin levels, demonstrating an un-recognized function of osteoblastic ATP6AP2 in promoting Wnt/LRP6/β-catenin signaling and trabecular bone formation.
Topics: Animals; Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-6; Wnt Signaling Pathway; beta Catenin; Mice, Knockout; Osteoblasts; Osteogenesis; Mice; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases; Protein Transport; Cell Differentiation; Osteocytes; Prorenin Receptor
PubMed: 38811544
DOI: 10.1038/s41413-024-00335-7 -
Journal of the American Mosquito... Jun 2024Updating the mosquito fauna occurring in a specific area is crucial, given that certain species serve as vectors capable of transmitting zoonotic arboviruses. This...
Updating the mosquito fauna occurring in a specific area is crucial, given that certain species serve as vectors capable of transmitting zoonotic arboviruses. This scientific note presents the first records of mosquitoes of the tribe Orthopodomyiini in the Yucatan Peninsula. Immature mosquitoes were collected on 2 occasions inside a large tree hole in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Thirteen adult specimens, reared from the immatures, were obtained and identified as Orthopodomyia kummi based on external characteristics of females and males. This species has been recorded in Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and marginally in the United States, but its presence in the Yucatan Peninsula had gone unnoticed until now. The knowledge about mosquitoes of the genus Orthopodomyia is limited, and their epidemiological importance remains uncertain. Therefore, further studies could provide insights into the ecological and infection dynamics associated with this species.
Topics: Animals; Mexico; Culicidae; Female; Male; Animal Distribution; Larva
PubMed: 38811012
DOI: 10.2987/24-7173 -
PloS One 2024Ae. aegypti is the vector of important μ arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. Despite not being specifically targeted by insecticide-based...
BACKGROUND
Ae. aegypti is the vector of important μ arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. Despite not being specifically targeted by insecticide-based control programs in West Africa, resistance to insecticides in Ae. aegypti has been reported in countries within this region. In this study, we investigated the status and mechanisms of Ae. aegypti resistance in Niamey, the capital of Niger. This research aims to provide baseline data necessary for arbovirus outbreak prevention and preparedness in the country.
METHODS
Ovitraps were used to collect Ae. aegypti eggs, which were subsequently hatched in the insectary for bioassay tests. The hatched larvae were then reared to 3-5-day-old adults for WHO tube and CDC bottle bioassays, including synergist tests. The kdr mutations F1534C, V1016I, and V410L were genotyped using allele-specific PCR and TaqMan qPCR methods.
RESULTS
Ae. aegypti from Niamey exhibited moderate resistance to pyrethroids but susceptibility to organophosphates and carbamates. The kdr mutations, F1534C, V1016I and V410L were detected with the resistant tri-locus haplotype 1534C+1016L+410L associated with both permethrin and deltamethrin resistance. Whereas the homozygote tri-locus resistant genotype 1534CC+1016LL+410LL was linked only to permethrin resistance. The involvement of oxidase and esterase enzymes in resistance mechanisms was suggested by partial restoration of mosquitoes' susceptibility to pyrethroids in synergist bioassays.
CONCLUSION
This study is the first report of Ae. aegypti resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in Niamey. The resistance is underpinned by target site mutations and potentially involves metabolic enzymes. The observed resistance to pyrethroids coupled with susceptibility to other insecticides, provides data to support evidence-based decision-making for Ae. aegypti control in Niger.
Topics: Animals; Aedes; Insecticide Resistance; Pyrethrins; Niger; Insecticides; Mutation; Mosquito Vectors; Genotype; Larva; Insect Proteins
PubMed: 38809933
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304550