Quantification of endospores in ancient permafrost using time-resolved terbium luminescence.

We describe herein a simple procedure for quantifying endospore abundances in ancient and organic-rich permafrost. We repeatedly (10x) extracted and fractionated permafrost using a tandem filter assembly composed of 3 and 0.2 µm filters. Then, the 0.2 µm filter was washed (7x), autoclaved, and the contents eluted, including dipicolinic acid (DPA). Time-resolved luminescence using Tb(EDTA) yielded a LOD of 1.46 nM DPA (6.55 × 103 endospores/mL). In review, DPA/endospore abundances were ~2.2-fold greater in older 33 ky permafrost (258 ± 36 pmol DPA gdw-1; 1.15 × 106 ± 0.16 × 106 spores gdw-1) versus younger 19 ky permafrost (p = 0.007297). This suggests that dormancy increases with permafrost age.

Long-term comparative safety analysis of the risks associated with adding or switching to a sulfonylurea as second-line Type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment in a US veteran population.

AIM: To examine the risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events associated with adding vs switching to second-line therapies in a comparative safety study of people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using an as-treated analysis of people served by the Veterans Health Administration who were on metformin and subsequently augmented this treatment or switched to other oral glucose-lowering treatments between 1998 and 2012. This study included 145 250 people with long follow-up. Confounding was addressed through several strategies, involving weighted propensity score models with rich confounder adjustment and strict inclusion criteria, coupled with an incident-user design. RESULTS: Second-line use of sulfonylureas was related to higher mortality (hazard ratio 1.39, 95% CI 1.14, 1.70) and cardiovascular risks (hazard ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.09, 1.30) compared with thiazolidinedione therapy. Differential hazards were associated with discontinuing or not discontinuing metformin; switching to sulfonylurea therapy was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events compared with all other therapies. Furthermore, add-on sulfonylurea therapy was associated with an elevated risk for both outcomes when compared with thiazolidinedione add-on therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study may inform decisions on whether to augment or discontinue metformin; when considering the long-term risks, switching to a sulfonylurea appears unfavourable compared with other therapies. Instead, adding a thiazolidinedione to existing metformin therapy appears to be superior to adding or switching to a sulfonylurea.

Transcript analysis in two alfalfa salt tolerance selected breeding populations relative to a non-tolerant population.

With the growing limitations on arable land, alfalfa (a widely cultivated, low-input forage) is now being selected to extend cultivation into saline lands for low-cost biofeedstock purposes. Here, minerals and transcriptome profiles were compared between two new salinity-tolerant North American alfalfa breeding populations and a more salinity-sensitive western Canadian alfalfa population grown under hydroponic saline conditions. All three populations accumulated two-fold higher sodium in roots than shoots as a function of increased electrical conductivity. At least 50% of differentially expressed genes (p < 0.05) were down-regulated in the salt-sensitive population growing under high salinity, while expression remained unchanged in the saline-tolerant populations. In particular, most reduction in transcript levels in the salt-sensitive population was observed in genes specifying cell wall structural components, lipids, secondary metabolism, auxin and ethylene hormones, development, transport, signalling, heat shock, proteolysis, pathogenesis-response, abiotic stress, RNA processing, and protein metabolism. Transcript diversity for transcription factors, protein modification, and protein degradation genes was also more strongly affected in salt-tolerant CW064027 than in salt-tolerant Bridgeview and salt-sensitive Rangelander, while both saline-tolerant populations showed more substantial up-regulation in redox-related genes and B-ZIP transcripts. The report highlights the first use of bulked genotypes as replicated samples to compare the transcriptomes of obligate out-cross breeding populations in alfalfa.

Maternal vitamin D and E intakes during early pregnancy are associated with airway epithelial cell responses in neonates.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal factors including maternal diet may predispose to airway disease, possibly by impacting on fetal airway development. OBJECTIVE: This cohort study tested the hypothesis that maternal vitamin D and E status in early pregnancy is associated with airway epithelial cell (AEC) responses in new born infants and examined constitutive and TNFα/IL-1ß, house dust mite (HDM) extract or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neonatal AEC responses in vitro. METHODS: Maternal dietary vitamin D and E intakes (plasma 25[OH]D3 or α-tocopherol) were characterized at 10-12 weeks gestation. Neonatal nasal AECs were collected soon after birth and cultured to tertiary passage. Constitutive and stimulated - TNFα/IL-1ß, HDM extract or LPS - secretory responses (VEGF, RANTES, MCP-1, IL-17A, IFN-γ, GM-CSF, eotaxin, MIP1-α, MIP1-ß, ICAM, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF) in 139 AEC cultures were quantified. RESULTS: AEC mediator release was greater following TNF-α/IL-1ß, HDM or LPS stimulation compared to constitutive release. Increased maternal dietary vitamin D was associated with significant increases in IL-10 release by AEC after stimulation with TNF-α/IL-1ß (P = 0.024) or HDM (P = 0.049). Maternal plasma α-tocopherol at 10-12 weeks gestation was positively associated with MIP1α (Spearman's rho 0.242, P = 0.009) and IL-3 (ρ 0.189, P = 0.043) responses after TNF-α/IL-1ß stimulation and negatively associated with TNF (ρ -0.404, P = 0.011) and MIP1ß (ρ -0.322, P = 0.046) responses after LPS stimulation. DISCUSSION: Neonatal AECs respond to pro-inflammatory and allergenic stimuli in vitro demonstrating their potential to function as components of the innate immune response. Our findings suggest that associations exist between maternal micronutrient intake during early pregnancy and aspects of stimulated neonatal airway epithelial cell secretory function that may in turn impact on the development of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis in later life.

Variation in Effects of Conophthorin on Catches of Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Ethanol-Baited Traps in the United States.

In 2013, we examined the effects of conophthorin on flight responses of ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to multiple-funnel traps baited with ethanol in Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Adventive species (=exotic, nonnative, immigrant, introduced) accounted for 91.4% of total catches of ambrosia beetles. Conophthorin increased catches of Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg) in Georgia, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Catches of Cyclorhipidion pelliculosum (Eichhoff) were increased by conophthorin in New Hampshire but not in Michigan. In Oregon, conophthorin decreased catches of Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) to ethanol-baited traps but not in Michigan and New Hampshire. In Georgia, conophthorin increased catches of Gnathotrichus materiarius (Fitch), Xyleborus spp., and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) but decreased catches of Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford), Dryoxylon onoharaensum (Murayama), and Cyclorhipidion bodoanum (Reitter). Conophthorin had no effect on catches of Ambrosiophilus atratus (Eichhoff), Anisandrus dispar (F.), Anisandrus sayi (Hopkins), Gnathotrichus sulcatus (Leconte), Monarthrum fasciatum (Say), Monarthrum mali (Fitch), and Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff). Attraction of the bark beetle, Hypothenemus rotundicollis (Eichhoff), was interrupted by conophthorin in Georgia. Our results suggest that adding conophthorin lures to traps baited with ethanol may have utility in detection programs in North America and overseas. However, traps baited with ethanol alone should also be used due to interruption in attraction for some species of ambrosia beetles.

Responses of Cerambycidae and Other Insects to Traps Baited With Ethanol, 2,3-Hexanediol, and 3,2-Hydroxyketone Lures in North-Central Georgia.

In north-central Georgia, 13 species of woodboring beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) were attracted to multiple-funnel traps baited with ethanol and one of the following pheromones: (1) racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one; (2) racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one; and (3) syn-2,3-hexanediol. The following species were attracted to traps baited with ethanol and 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one: Anelaphus pumilus (Newman), Eburia quadrigeminata (Say), Euderces pini (Olivier), Knulliana cincta (Drury), Neoclytus mucronatus (F.), Neoclytus scutellaris (Olivier), and Xylotrechus colonus (F.). Clytus marginicollis Castelnau & Gory, and Anelaphus parallelus (Newman) were attracted to traps baited with ethanol and 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one, whereas traps baited with ethanol and syn-2,3-hexanediol were attractive to Anelaphus villosus (F.), A. parallelus, Neoclytus acuminatus (F.), Neoclytus jouteli jouteli Davis, and Megacyllene caryae (Gahan). Ethanol enhanced catches of seven cerambycid species in traps baited with syn-2,3-hexanediol and 3,2-hydroxyketones. Catches of bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in ethanol-baited traps were largely unaffected by the addition of syn-2,3-hexanediol and 3,2-hydroxyketone lures, except for two species. The mean catches of Hypothenemus rotundicollis Wood & Bright and Dryoxylon onoharaensum (Murayama) in ethanol-baited traps increased and decreased, respectively, with the addition of racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one. Traps baited with ethanol and syn-2,3-hexanediol were attractive to Xylobiops basilaris (Say) (Bostrichidae) and Chariessa pilosa (Forster) (Cleridae), whereas Temnoscheila virescens (F.) (Trogossitidae) were attracted to traps baited with ethanol and 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one. The assassin bug, Apiomerus crassipes (F.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), was attracted to traps baited with ethanol and 3,2-hydroxyketones.

Ipsenol, Ipsdienol, Ethanol, and α-Pinene: Trap Lure Blend for Cerambycidae and Buprestidae (Coleoptera) in Pine Forests of Eastern North America.

In 2007-2008, we examined the flight responses of wood-boring beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae and Buprestidae) to multiple-funnel traps baited with the pine volatiles, ethanol, and α-pinene [85% (-)], and the bark beetle pheromones, racemic ipsenol and racemic ipsdienol. Experiments were conducted in mature pine stands in Canada (Ontario and New Brunswick) and the United States (Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin). At each location, traps were deployed in 10 replicate blocks of four traps per block. The trap treatments were: 1) blank control; 2) ipsenol and ipsdienol; 3) ethanol and α-pinene; and 4) a quaternary blend of ipsenol, ipsdienol, ethanol, and α-pinene. Traps baited with the quaternary blend caught the greatest numbers of Acanthocinus nodosus (F.), Acanthocinus obsoletus (Olivier), Acmaeops proteus (Kirby), Astylopsis sexguttata (Say), Rhagium inquisitor (L.) (Cerambycidae), and Buprestis lineata (F.) (Buprestidae). Traps baited with ethanol and α-pinene caught the greatest numbers of Arhopalus rusticus (LeConte), Asemum striatum (L.), Tetropium spp., Xylotrechus sagittatus (Germar) (Cerambycidae), and Buprestis maculipennis Gory (Buprestidae) with minimal interruption by ipsenol and ipsdienol. Our results suggest that multiple-funnel traps baited with the quaternary lure blend of ipsenol, ipsdienol, ethanol, and α-pinene are effective for trapping various species of wood-boring beetles in pine forests of eastern North America, and may have utility in detection programs for adventive species in North America and overseas.

Using the emerging Collaborative Cross to probe the immune system.

The Collaborative Cross (CC) is an emerging panel of recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains. Each strain is genetically distinct but all descended from the same eight inbred founders. In 66 strains from incipient lines of the CC (pre-CC), as well as the 8 CC founders and some of their F1 offspring, we examined subsets of lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells. We found significant variation among the founders, with even greater diversity in the pre-CC. Genome-wide association using inferred haplotypes detected highly significant loci controlling B-to-T cell ratio, CD8 T-cell numbers, CD11c and CD23 expression. Comparison of overall strain effects in the CC founders with strain effects at QTL in the pre-CC revealed sharp contrasts in the genetic architecture of two traits with significant loci: variation in CD23 can be explained largely by additive genetics at one locus, whereas variation in B-to-T ratio has a more complex etiology. For CD23, we found a strong QTL whose confidence interval contained the CD23 structural gene Fcer2a. Our data on the pre-CC demonstrate the utility of the CC for studying immunophenotypes and the value of integrating founder, CC and F1 data. The extreme immunophenotypes observed could have pleiotropic effects in other CC experiments.

Cerambycid Pheromones Attract Predators Temnoscheila virescens (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae), Chariessa pilosa (Coleoptera: Cleridae), and Apiomerus crassipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

In 2011-2013, we determined the interactive effects of the cerambycid pheromones racemic syn-2,3-hexanediol, racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one, and racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one on trap catches of predators associated with bark and woodboring beetles in north Georgia and South Carolina. Temnoscheila virescens (F.) (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae) was attracted to traps baited with 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one; ethanol enhanced attraction. Traps baited with syn-2,3-hexanediol attracted Chariessa pilosa (Forster) (Coleoptera: Cleridae); attraction was interrupted by 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one. An assassin bug Apiomerus crassipes (F.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) was attracted to traps baited with 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and/or 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one. Ethanol had no effect on trap catches of C. pilosa and A. crassipes. We compared response profiles of these predators to those of longhorn beetles captured in these same studies to provide insights on possible ecological interactions between these species.

Cerambycid Pheromones 3,2-Hydroxyketones Affect Catches of Some Bark and Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Ethanol-Baited Multiple-Funnel Traps in Southeastern United States.

In 2012-2013, we assessed the interactive effects of the cerambycid pheromones syn-2,3-hexanediol, 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one, and 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one on catches of bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in ethanol-baited multiple-funnel traps in north Georgia and South Carolina. We found that catches for nine of eleven species of ambrosia beetles in ethanol-baited traps were either unaffected or enhanced by the addition of 3,2-hydroxyketones. Similarly catches of five species of bark beetles were either unaffected or enhanced by the addition of 3,2-hydroxyketones. In particular, catches of Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford), and Monarthrum fasciatum (Say) in ethanol-baited traps increased with the addition of 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and/or 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one. Catches of the bark beetles Hylocurus rudis (LeConte) and Hypothenemus rotundicollis (Eichhoff) were enhanced by the addition of 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one, respectively. syn-2,3-Hexanediol had no effect on catches of bark and ambrosia beetles in ethanol-baited traps. Our data provide support for the use of ethanol + cerambycid pheromones for targeting non-native species of bark and ambrosia beetles as well as cerambycids in detection programs.

Interactions Between syn- and anti-2,3-Hexanediol Lures on Trap Catches of Woodboring Beetles and Associates in Southeastern United States.

In 2016, we conducted three experiments to clarify the effects of 2,3-hexanediols isomers on trap catches of Neoclytus acuminatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). We also noted the effects of the isomers on trap catches of other cerambycids and associated species of predators and competitors. Catches of N. acuminatus in traps baited with ethanol + syn-2,3-hexanediol + racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one were reduced with the addition of anti-2,3-hexanediol, an attractant for Curius dentatus Newman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). A fourth experiment conducted in 2017 verified that racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one increases catches of N. acuminatus in traps baited with ethanol + syn-2,3-hexanediol. The addition of anti-2,3-hexanediol increased catches of Knulliana cincta (Drury) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in traps baited with ethanol + racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one, whereas attraction of Neoclytus scutellaris (Olivier) to traps baited with ethanol + racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one was reduced by syn-2,3-hexanediol. Trap catches of the beetle predators Chariessa pilosa (Forster), Enoclerus ichneumonus (F.), and Madoniella dislocata (Say) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) were affected by 2,3-hexanediol isomers, whereas other common predators were unaffected by the isomers. Attraction of the bostrichid Xylobiops basilaris (Say) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) was increased by the 2,3-hexanediols; the relative effect of the two isomeric blends was dependent on trap co-baits of 3-hydroxy-2-ketones. The two enantiomeric blends of 2,3-hexanediol had minimal effects on catches of most species of ambrosia beetles, whereas the 3-hydroxy-2-ketones affected trap catches of some species.

Sulcatol: Enantiospecific Attractant for Monarthrum mali (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Leptostylus asperatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and Associated Predators.

In 2014-2019, we conducted six experiments in north-central Georgia in an attempt to verify the aggregation pheromone response of the ambrosia beetle Gnathotrichus materiarius (Fitch) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Scolytini: Corthylina) to sulcatol known to be produced by male G. materiarius; we failed to catch any G. materiarius. However, we did find that another corthyline ambrosia beetle species Monarthrum mali (Fitch) was attracted to (R)-(-)-sulcatol, whereas the longhorn beetle Leptostylus asperatus (Haldeman) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) was attracted to (S)-(+)-sulcatol. Attraction of both species was unaffected by the respective antipodes. Ethanol enhanced attraction of both species to traps baited with sulcatol. In at least one experiment, attraction to ethanol-baited traps was enhanced by sulcatol for Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), Xyleborus spp., and Hypothenemus spp. but reduced for Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Additionally, traps baited with ethanol and racemic sulcatol [50% (S)-(+): 50% (R)-(-)] caught the greatest numbers of four species of beetle predators: Coptodera aerata Dejean (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Colydium lineola Say (Coleoptera: Zopheridae), Madoniella dislocata (Say), and Pyticeroides laticornis (Say) (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Ethanol but not sulcatol attracted Temnoscheila virescens (F.) (Coleoptera: Trogossitidae). Information on interspecific relationships within forested communities may help us to better determine the roles of these species in maintaining stable and resilient forested ecosystems.

Trap Height Affects Catches of Bark and Woodboring Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Cerambycidae) in Baited Multiple-Funnel Traps in Southeastern United States.

In north-central Georgia, trap height affected catches of some species of bark and woodboring beetles (Coleoptera) in traps baited with lures used in surveillance programs to detect non-native forest insects. Traps were placed within the canopy and understory of mature oak trees (Quercus spp.) with collection cups placed 18-23 m above ground level (AGL), and 0.3-0.5 m AGL, respectively. Traps were baited with ethanol to target ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in one experiment, ethanol + syn-2,3-hexanediol + racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one + racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one to target hardwood woodborers (Cerambycidae) in a second experiment, and α-pinene + racemic ipsenol + racemic ipsdienol to target pine bark beetles (Curculionidae) and woodborers (Cerambycidae) in a third experiment. Canopy traps were more effective than understory traps for detecting Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford) (Curculionidae), Neoclytus scutellaris (Olivier), and Monochamus titillator (F.) (Cerambycidae). The reverse was true for Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier) (Curculionidae), and Neoclytus acuminatus (F.) (Cerambycidae). Catches of a third group which included Hylobius pales (Herbst), Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff) (Curculionidae), Neoclytus mucronatus (F.), and Anelaphus pumilus (Newman) (Cerambycidae) were largely unaffected by trap height. Similar patterns were noted for species of Cleridae, Scarabaeidae, Trogossitidae, and Zopheridae but not Histeridae or Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera). Catches of the bee assassin Apiomerus crassipes (F.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in traps baited with the hardwood borer blend were greater in canopy traps than in understory traps.

Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method to distinguish three mealybug groups within the Planococcus citri-P. minor species complex (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae).

The mealybug species Planococcus citri (Risso) and Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) have special significance to U.S. quarantine and U.S. agriculture. Commonly intercepted at U.S. ports-of-entry, they are difficult to identify based on morphological characters. This study presents a molecular method for distinguishing P. citri, P. minor, and a genetically distinct group that is morphologically identical to P. citri, from Hawaii. This method uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment polymorphism analysis (RFLP) using the restriction enzymes BspH1, BsmH1, and HpH1. The resulting band patterns can be visualized in a 2% agarose gel and are sufficient to differentiate between the three entities mentioned above. PCR-RFLP diagnostics can be used for all life stages and is cheaper and faster than DNA sequencing.

Taq1a polymorphism (rs1800497) is associated with obesity-related outcomes and dietary intake in a multi-ethnic sample of children.

BACKGROUND: In adults, the Taq1a polymorphism (rs1800497) near the D2 receptor (DRD2) gene is associated with body mass index and binge eating and is more prevalent among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) and Hispanic-Americans (HA) relative to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). We hypothesize Taq1a polymorphism (rs1800497) risk alleles contribute to paediatric racial/ethnic differences in obesity phenotypes. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to characterize the relationship between the Taq1a polymorphism (rs1800497), diet and adiposity in a multi-ethnic cohort of 286 children (98 NHB, 76 HA and 112 NHW), ages 7-12. METHODS: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computed tomography scans and two 24-h dietary recalls assessed body composition, fat distribution and dietary intakes, respectively. RESULTS: Children with two Taq1a risk alleles (NHB = 50.0%, HA = 43.3%, NHW = 6.7%) reported a 20% increase in total energy intake (P = 0.0034) and per cent of calories from sugar consumed (P = 0.0077) than did children with less than two risk alleles. Children with two Taq1a risk alleles demonstrated significantly higher total body fat (P = 0.0145), body fat percentage (P = 0.0377), intra-abdominal adiposity (P = 0.0459), subcutaneous abdominal adiposity (P = 0.0213) and total abdominal adiposity (P = 0.0209) than did children with one or no Taq1a risk alleles. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that having two Taq1a risk alleles is associated with an increase in reported calorie and sugar consumption and is a potential risk factor for early development of excess adiposity in multi-ethnic children. These results need to be confirmed in a larger sample.

Impaired neurite outgrowth of src-minus cerebellar neurons on the cell adhesion molecule L1.

The nonreceptor tyrosine protein kinases pp60c-src, p59fyn, and pp62c-yes are localized in growth cones of developing neurons, but their function is undefined. To determine whether these tyrosine kinases were capable of regulating substrate-dependent axon growth, cultures of cerebellar neurons from wild-type, src-, fyn-, and yes- mice were analyzed for neurite outgrowth on the neural cell adhesion molecule L1 or the extracellular matrix protein laminin. The rate of neurite extension on L1 was reduced in src-, but not in fyn- or yes- neurons. Neurite extension on laminin was unaltered in src-, fyn-, or yes- neurons, indicating that pp60c-src, p59fyn, or pp62c-yes is not likely to participate in integrin-dependent axon growth. These results demonstrate that pp60c-src is a component of the intracellular signaling pathway in L1-mediated axonal growth and suggest that Src-related nonreceptor tyrosine kinases may have distinct, nonredundant functions in the nervous system.

Persistence with hepatitis C therapy in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

BACKGROUND: Persistence with Hepatitis C therapy has been identified as a key variable for predicting treatment success. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the persistence with therapy for patients undergoing hepatitis C treatment in the VA healthcare system with two forms of combination therapies: peginterferon alfa-2a with Ribavirin (peg-IFN alpha-2a/Rib) and peginterferon alpha-2b with Ribavirin (peg-IFN alpha-2b/Rib). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study design was used to analyse persistence in VA patients undergoing hepatitis C therapy during FY 2003-2004 using a large national VA data set. Stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria along with various defining variables were used to identify the inception cohort. Persistence rates were calculated for each of the two treatment groups at 3, 6, 9 and 11 months using the Kaplan-Meier method. Likelihood ratio test of equality between the two treatment groups was performed to detect any differences in persistence rates. RESULTS: A total of 5816 hepatitis C patients formed the inception cohort. Persistence rates for the overall duration showed significantly higher rates for patients on peg-IFN alpha-2a/Rib than peg-IFN alpha-2b/Rib. Cox regression analysis also showed favourable hazard ratio of persistence (0.88) for peg-IFN alpha-2a/Rib over peg-IFN alpha-2b/Rib. CONCLUSION: Peg alfa-2A/Rib showed slightly higher persistence rates for the overall duration of treatment as compared to Peg alfa-2B/Rib. However the differences, even though statistically significant, are small and not likely to translate into any substantial clinical advantage. Further research involving other approaches is required to confirm these findings.

A Fungal Symbiont of the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Causes a Lethal Wilt in Redbay and Other Lauraceae in the Southeastern United States.

Extensive mortality of redbay has been observed in the coastal plain counties of Georgia and southeastern South Carolina since 2003 and northeastern Florida since 2005. We show that the redbay mortality is due to a vascular wilt disease caused by an undescribed Raffaelea sp. that is a fungal symbiont of Xyleborus glabratus, an exotic ambrosia beetle. Trees affected by the disease exhibit wilt symptoms that include a black discoloration of the sapwood. Redbay trees and containerized seedlings died within 5 to 12 weeks after inoculation with the Raffaelea sp. When redbay seedlings were challenged with X. glabratus, the beetles tunneled into 96% of the plants, 70% died, and the Raffaelea sp. was recovered from 91%. X. glabratus and the Raffaelea sp. have also been associated with mortality of sassafras, and the Raffaelea sp. has been isolated from wilted pondberry and pondspice. Additional inoculation studies have shown that the Raffaelea sp. is pathogenic to sassafras, spicebush, and avocado, but not to red maple. Female adults of X. glabratus have paired mycangia near the mandibles, and the Raffaelea sp. is routinely isolated from the heads of beetles. The fungus is apparently introduced into healthy redbay during beetle attacks on stems and branches. The wilt currently affecting redbay and sassafras represents a major threat to other members of the Lauraceae indigenous to the Americas, including avocado in commercial production.

Perinatal nutrition interacts with genetic background to alter behavior in a parent-of-origin-dependent manner in adult Collaborative Cross mice.

Previous studies in animal models and humans have shown that exposure to nutritional deficiencies in the perinatal period increases the risk of psychiatric disease. Less well understood is how such effects are modulated by the combination of genetic background and parent-of-origin (PO). To explore this, we exposed female mice from 20 Collaborative Cross (CC) strains to protein deficient, vitamin D deficient, methyl donor enriched or standard diet during the perinatal period. These CC females were then crossed to a male from a different CC strain to produce reciprocal F1 hybrid females comprising 10 distinct genetic backgrounds. The adult F1 females were then tested in the open field, light/dark, stress-induced hyperthermia, forced swim and restraint stress assays. Our experimental design allowed us to estimate effects of genetic background, perinatal diet, PO and their interactions on behavior. Genetic background significantly affected all assessed phenotypes. Perinatal diet exposure interacted with genetic background to affect body weight, basal body temperature, anxiety-like behavior and stress response. In 8 of 9 genetic backgrounds, PO effects were observed on multiple phenotypes. Additionally, we identified a small number of diet-by-PO effects on body weight, stress response, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. Our data show that rodent behaviors that model psychiatric disorders are affected by genetic background, PO and perinatal diet, as well as interactions among these factors.