Jekyll or Hyde? The genome (and more) of Nesidiocoris tenuis, a zoophytophagous predatory bug that is both a biological control agent and a pest.

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) is an efficient predatory biological control agent used throughout the Mediterranean Basin in tomato crops but regarded as a pest in northern European countries. From the family Miridae, it is an economically important insect yet very little is known in terms of genetic information and no genomic or transcriptomic studies have been published. Here, we use a linked-read sequencing strategy on a single female N. tenuis. From this, we assembled the 355 Mbp genome and delivered an ab initio, homology-based and evidence-based annotation. Along the way, the bacterial "contamination" was removed from the assembly. In addition, bacterial lateral gene transfer (LGT) candidates were detected in the N. tenuis genome. The complete gene set is composed of 24 688 genes; the associated proteins were compared to other hemipterans (Cimex lectularis, Halyomorpha halys and Acyrthosiphon pisum). We visualized the genome using various cytogenetic techniques, such as karyotyping, CGH and GISH, indicating a karyotype of 2n = 32. Additional analyses include the localization of 18S rDNA and unique satellite probes as well as pooled sequencing to assess nucleotide diversity and neutrality of the commercial population. This is one of the first mirid genomes to be released and the first of a mirid biological control agent.

Activity and inactivity of moth sex chromosomes in somatic and meiotic cells.

Moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) are the most species-rich group of animals with female heterogamety, females mostly having a WZ, males a ZZ sex chromosome constitution. We studied chromatin conformation, activity, and inactivity of the sex chromosomes in the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella and the silkworm Bombyx mori, using immunostaining with anti-H3K9me2/3, anti-RNA polymerase II, and fluoro-uridine (FU) labelling of nascent transcripts, with conventional widefield fluorescence microscopy and 'spatial structured illumination microscopy' (3D-SIM). The Z chromosome is euchromatic in somatic cells and throughout meiosis. It is transcriptionally active in somatic cells and in the postpachaytene stage of meiosis. The W chromosome in contrast is heterochromatic in somatic cells as well as in meiotic cells at pachytene, but euchromatic and transcriptionally active like all other chromosomes at postpachytene. As the W chromosomes are apparently devoid of protein-coding genes, their transcripts must be non-coding. We found no indication of 'meiotic sex chromosome inactivation' (MSCI) in the two species.

Evolution of comorbidities in people living with HIV between 2004 and 2014: cross-sectional analyses from ANRS CO3 Aquitaine cohort.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to describe the evolution of chronic non-AIDS related diseases and their risk factors, in patients living with HIV (PLHIV) in the French ANRS CO3 Aquitaine prospective cohort, observed both in 2004 and in 2014 in order to improve long-term healthcare management. METHODS: The ANRS CO3 Aquitaine cohort prospectively collects epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic data on PLHIV in the French Aquitaine region. Two cross sectional analyses were performed in 2004 and 2014, to investigate the patient characteristics, HIV RNA, CD4 counts and prevalence of some common comorbidities and treatment. RESULTS: 2138 PLHIV (71% male, median age 52.2 years in 2014) were identified for inclusion in the study, including participants who were registered in the cohort with at least one hospital visit recorded in both 2004 and 2014. Significant increases in the prevalence of diagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD), bone fractures, cardiovascular events (CVE), hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia, as well as an increase in treatment or prevention for these conditions (statins, clopidogrel, aspirin) were observed. It was also reflected in the increase in the proportion of patients in the "high" or "very high" risk groups of the disease risk scores for CKD, CVE and bone fracture score. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2004 and 2014, the aging PLHIV population identified in the French ANRS CO3 Aquitaine prospective cohort experienced an overall higher prevalence of non-HIV related comorbidities, including CKD and CVD. Long-term healthcare management and long-term health outcomes could be improved for PLHIV by: careful HIV management according to current recommendations with optimal selection of antiretrovirals, and early management of comorbidities through recommended lifestyle improvements and preventative measures.

The fate of W chromosomes in hybrids between wild silkmoths, Samia cynthia ssp.: no role in sex determination and reproduction.

Moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) have sex chromosome systems with female heterogamety (WZ/ZZ or derived variants). The maternally inherited W chromosome is known to determine female sex in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. However, little is known about the role of W chromosome in other lepidopteran species. Here we describe two forms of the W chromosome, W and neo-W, that are transmitted to both sexes in offspring of hybrids from reciprocal crosses between subspecies of wild silkmoths, Samia cynthia. We performed crosses between S. c. pryeri (2n=28, WZ/ZZ) and S. c. walkeri (2n=26, neo-Wneo-Z/neo-Zneo-Z) and examined fitness and sex chromosome constitution in their hybrids. The F1 hybrids of both reciprocal crosses had reduced fertility. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed not only the expected sex chromosome constitutions in the backcross and F2 hybrids of both sexes but also females without the W (or neo-W) chromosome and males carrying the W (or neo-W) chromosome. Furthermore, crosses between the F2 hybrids revealed no association between the presence or absence of W (or neo-W) chromosome and variations in the hatchability of their eggs. Our results clearly suggest that the W (or neo-W) chromosome of S. cynthia ssp. plays no role in sex determination and reproduction, and thus does not contribute to the formation of reproductive barriers between different subspecies.

Linkage map of the peppered moth, Biston betularia (Lepidoptera, Geometridae): a model of industrial melanism.

We have constructed a linkage map for the peppered moth (Biston betularia), the classical ecological genetics model of industrial melanism, aimed both at localizing the network of loci controlling melanism and making inferences about chromosome dynamics. The linkage map, which is based primarily on amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and genes, consists of 31 linkage groups (LGs; consistent with the karyotype). Comparison with the evolutionarily distant Bombyx mori suggests that the gene content of chromosomes is highly conserved. Gene order is conserved on the autosomes, but noticeably less so on the Z chromosome, as confirmed by physical mapping using bacterial artificial chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization (BAC-FISH). Synteny mapping identified three pairs of B. betularia LGs (11/29, 23/30 and 24/31) as being orthologous to three B. mori chromosomes (11, 23 and 24, respectively). A similar finding in an outgroup moth (Plutella xylostella) indicates that the B. mori karyotype (n=28) is a phylogenetically derived state resulting from three chromosome fusions. As with other Lepidoptera, the B. betularia W chromosome consists largely of repetitive sequence, but exceptionally we found a W homolog of a Z-linked gene (laminin A), possibly resulting from ectopic recombination between the sex chromosomes. The B. betularia linkage map, featuring the network of known melanization genes, serves as a resource for melanism research in Lepidoptera. Moreover, its close resemblance to the ancestral lepidopteran karyotype (n=31) makes it a useful reference point for reconstructing chromosome dynamic events and ancestral genome architectures. Our study highlights the unusual evolutionary stability of lepidopteran autosomes; in contrast, higher rates of intrachromosomal rearrangements support a special role of the Z chromosome in adaptive evolution and speciation.

Evidence for integrity of parental genomes in the diploid hybridogenetic water frog Pelophylax esculentus by genomic in situ hybridization.

The Western Palearctic water frogs Pelophylax ridibundus and P. lessonae were identified as parental (sexual) species and P. esculentus as their interspecific, hybridogenetically reproducing hybrid with hemiclonal heredity. We used genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) to identify parental chromosomes of P.lessonae and P.ridibundus in diploid P. esculentus karyotypes (2n = 26). GISH probes were made by fluorochrome labeling of total genomic DNA extracted from the sexual progenitors. The labeled probe from one species was hybridized to chromosomes of P. esculentus in the presence of excess of unlabeled genomic DNA from the other species. Thus, the P. lessonae probe was blocked by P. ridibundus unlabeled DNA, and vice versa. We successfully discriminated each of the 13 respective parental chromosomes in metaphase complements of the hybrids according to species-specific hybridization signals. GISH enabled us to confirm additional differences between parental chromosomes in size (smaller chromosomes belong to P. lessonae) and in the presence of DAPI-positive centromeric heterochromatin (detected in chromosomes of P. ridibundus, but not in P. lessonae). The fact that no visible intergenomic exchanges were found in metaphase chromosomes of diploid P. esculentus provides important information on the genomic integrity of hemiclonal transmission and supports hybridogenesis as a reproductive mode at the chromosome level for the specimens examined.

Step-by-step evolution of neo-sex chromosomes in geographical populations of wild silkmoths, Samia cynthia ssp.

Geographical subspecies of wild silkmoths, Samia cynthia ssp. (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), differ considerably in sex chromosome constitution owing to sex chromosome fusions with autosomes, which leads to variation in chromosome numbers. We cloned S. cynthia orthologues of 16 Bombyx mori genes and mapped them to chromosome spreads of S. cynthia subspecies by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to determine the origin of S. cynthia neo-sex chromosomes. FISH mapping revealed that the Z chromosome and chromosome 12 of B. mori correspond to the Z chromosome and an autosome (A1) of S. c. ricini (Vietnam population, 2n=27, Z0 in female moths), respectively. B. mori chromosome 11 corresponds partly to another autosome (A2) and partly to a chromosome carrying nucleolar organizer region (NOR) of this subspecies. The NOR chromosome of S. c. ricini is also partly homologous to B. mori chromosome 24. Furthermore, our results revealed that two A1 homologues each fused with the W and Z chromosomes in a common ancestor of both Japanese subspecies S. c. walkeri (Sapporo population, 2n=26, neo-Wneo-Z) and S. cynthia subsp. indet. (Nagano population, 2n=25, neo-WZ1Z2). One homologue, corresponding to the A2 autosome in S. c. ricini and S. c. walkeri, fused with the W chromosome in S. cynthia subsp. indet. Consequently, the other homologue became a Z2 chromosome. These results clearly showed a step-by-step evolution of the neo-sex chromosomes by repeated autosome-sex chromosome fusions. We suggest that the rearrangements of sex chromosomes may facilitate divergence of S. cynthia subspecies towards speciation.

Sex chromosome evolution in cotton stainers of the genus Dysdercus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae).

The neo-X and neo-Y sex chromosomes of Dysdercus albofasciatus represent a unique model for the study of early stages of sex chromosome evolution since they retained the ability to pair and recombine, in contrast to sex chromosomes in most Heteroptera. Here we examined structure, molecular differentiation, and meiotic behaviour of the D. albofasciatus neo-sex chromosomes. Two related species with the ancestral X0 system, D. chaquensis and D. ruficollis, were used for a comparison. In D. albofasciatus, 2 nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were identified on the neo-X chromosome using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with an rDNA probe, whereas a single NOR was found on an autosomal pair in the other 2 species. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) differentiated a part of the original X in the neo-X chromosome but not the neo-Y chromosome. The same segment of the neo-X chromosome was identified by Zoo-FISH with a chromosome painting probe derived from the X chromosome of D. ruficollis, indicating that this part is conserved between the species. Immunostaining against the cohesin subunit SMC3 revealed that only terminal regions of the D. albofasciatus neo-Xneo-Y bivalent pair and form a synaptonemal complex, which is in keeping with the occurrence of terminal chiasmata, whereas the interstitial region forms a large loop indicating the absence of homology. These results support the hypothesis that the neo-X chromosome evolved by insertion of the original X chromosome into 1 NOR-bearing autosome in an ancestor carrying the X0 system. As a consequence, the homologue of this NOR-autosome became the neo-Y chromosome. A subsequent inversion followed by transposition of the NOR located on the neo-Y onto the neo-X chromosome resulted in the present neo-sex chromosome system in D. albofasciatus.

A mite species that consists entirely of haploid females.

The dominance of the diploid state in higher organisms, with haploidy generally confined to the gametic phase, has led to the perception that diploidy is favored by selection. This view is highlighted by the fact that no known female organism within the Metazoa exists exclusively (or even for a prolonged period) in a haploid state. We used fluorescence microscopy and variation at nine microsatellite loci to show that the false spider mite, Brevipalpus phoenicis, consists of haploid female parthenogens. We show that this reproductive anomaly is caused by infection by an undescribed endosymbiotic bacterium, which results in feminization of haploid genetic males.

High prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection and macrolide resistance in patients enrolled in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis program.

OBJECTIVES: Limited data on Mycoplasma genitalium infection has been reported among PrEP users. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and macrolide resistance of M. genitalium infection among enrollees in a French PrEP program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: M. genitalium infection screening was systematically and prospectively proposed to patients of the Bordeaux PrEP program (between January 2016 and February 2017). Macrolide resistance was evaluated in M. genitalium-positive patients. RESULTS: Among 89 clients, M. genitalium infection prevalence was 10% (mainly asymptomatic) with a high rate of macrolide resistance (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Because of a high level of macrolide resistance, a systematic search for M. genitalium macrolide resistance associated-mutations may be recommended in PrEP users before initiating the antibiotic therapy.

[The effect of population density on the elimination dynamics of a recessive lethal mutation from experimental populations].

Dynamics of the elimination of the temperature-sensitive lethal mutation l(2)M167DTS from experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster under permissive conditions (25 degrees C) was studied. We have shown a rapid elimination of the mutation from the populations, selection for fitness of heterozygous individuals, association of the selection with high larval density and with the direction of the cross that had produced the founder males of the l(2)M167DTS/+ population, and the effect of relative competitive ability of l(2)M167DTS/+ males on the efficiency of the mutation introduction. Modification systems were shown be involved in fitness selection under conditions of high larval density.

[The effect of male mating competitiveness, developmental rate, and viability of larvae and pupae in Drosophila melanogaster heterozygous for the temperature-sensitive lethal mutation l(2)M167DTS on the dynamics of the mutation elimination from the population].

The dependence of selection on an introduced mutation 1(2)M167DTS on male mating competitiveness, viability, and developmental rate of larvae and pupae of Drosophila melanogaster, heterozygous for this mutation, was examined in population experiments with preset conditions. The limitations of fitness parameters of individuals l(2)M167DTS/+ relative to individuals +/+ were estimated according to the conditions of the experiment and phenotypic characteristics of the mutation studied. Under conditions of limited food supply and dependence on emergence time in each generation, the sequence of female mating was shown to be of less importance than the order of medium utilization by the progeny of a certain genotype related to the male success in the first mating. The limiting factors acting on the l(2)M167DTS mutation were viability and developmental rate.

[Selection on viability of individuals heterozygous for the temperature-sensitive lethal mutation l(2)M167(DTS) in experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster].

In experiments on introduction of mutation l(2)M167(DTS) in Drosophila melanogaster populations, larval and pupal viability and developmental rate are limiting factors determining the intensity of selection on the l(2)M167(DTS) mutation. Notwithstanding the rapid elimination of the mutation from the population, positive selection for viability was shown, which increased fitness of the mutation carriers in generations. The fitness component viability was estimated in individuals l(2)M167(DTS)/+; relative to that of wild-type individuals, it varied from 0.1 to 1. Factors affecting this trait in overcrowded populations were found.

[Determination of fitness components of flies bearing the recessive lethal l(2)M167(DTS) mutation with dominant heat sensitivity in artificial Drosophila melanogaster populations].

Elimination of the heat-sensitive l(2)M167(DTS) mutation from artificial Drosophila melanogaster populations at constant temperature 25 degrees C and various frequencies of the mutation in the parental generation was studied. Components of fitness of the l(2)M167(DTS) mutation were estimated in the artificial populations by means of the recurrent model of the dependence of the frequency of this mutation in a given generation on its frequency in the previous generation. The model was solved by a numerical method with limitations on the values of some fitness components obtained in test experiments. According to the limitations and frequencies of the l(2)M167(DTS) mutation, the leading role and limits of the variation in egg-to-adult viability and female fertility were determined. The previously suggested effect of the positive selection for viability of individuals heterozygous for l(2)M167(DTS) was confirmed.

High recombinagenic activities of three antiviral agents, adenine derivatives, in the Drosophila wing spot test.

Three adenine derivatives, (R,S)-9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine (DHPA), D-eritadenine (EA), and 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA), prospective antiviral drugs, were subjected to genotoxicity analysis using the somatic mutation and recombination test in Drosophila melanogaster. All three compounds were found to be very potent inducers of mosaic spots on Drosophila wings in a dose-related fashion. Data obtained in inversion-free flies revealed that the compounds, in particular DHPA and EA (nucleoside analogues), are highly effective in the induction of mitotic recombination. PMEA, a nucleotide analogue, exhibited a rather different genotoxic profile from those of DHPA and EA, indicating a different mechanism of genetic action of this compound. Of somatic mutations, chromosome aberrations rather than point mutations seem to play a major role in the genotoxicity of PMEA. In flies carrying an inversion chromosome, which eliminates most products of mitotic recombination, reduced spot frequencies were obtained, which, however, were still unexpectedly high for compounds with strong recombinagenic activities. Most probably, in addition to structural mutations of chromosome, double mitotic crossing-over and non-reciprocal recombination events similar to unequal sister-strand recombination or gene conversion significantly contributed to spot induction in the inversion heterozygous flies. Concerning the mechanism of genotoxic action, we suggest that these adenine derivatives can be incorporated into DNA chains during replication. This would result, via breaks and DNA repair mechanisms, either in various recombination events or in chromosome aberrations.

The effect of repeated microwave irradiation on the frequency of sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in Drosophila melanogaster.

The effect of repeated microwave irradiation (2375 MHz, CW) on mutagenic changes in Drosophila melanogaster was investigated. Oregon-R males were exposed to sublethal doses of microwaves (15 W/cm2 for 60 min, 20 W/cm2 for 10 min, and 25 W/cm2 for 5 min) for 5 days. The Muller-5 cross was used to detect sex-linked recessive lethal mutations. 4 lethals were found in treated groups but their frequency was not significantly different from that of the control group. No cumulative effect of repeated exposures on the mortality of the treated males was observed; on the contrary, their mortality decreased with the number of exposures. Irradiation did not affect the sex ratio of the F1. A significant decrease in the number of F1 offspring was noted in the group exposed to the power density of 15 W/cm2. A negative thermal effect of microwaves on male germ cells was probably manifested by this long exposure.

Mutagenicity testing of the juvenoid methoprene (ZR-515) by means of the Drosophila wing spot test.

The juvenile hormone analogue methoprene, which is used in insect pest control, was subjected to mutagenicity testing by means of the Drosophila wing spot test. Larvae heterozygous for recessive wing trichome mutations were exposed to a sublethal dose of methoprene. Wings of emerged adult females were inspected for the presence of phenotypically mutant mosaic spots. Methoprene exhibited a weak mutagenic effect. The fact that only small mosaic clones were induced is discussed.

[Gallbladder cancer revealed by a jaundice caused by an endobiliary tumor thrombus]. / Cancer de la vésicule biliaire révélé par un ictère dû a un thrombus tumoral endobiliaire.

Main bile duct neoplasic thrombosis is a rare cause of jaundice in case of gallbladder cancer. We report the case of 27-year-old woman in whom the endoluminal biopsy of biliary thrombus confirmed the suspected diagnosis of gallbladder cancer. An initial laparoscopic exploration found a localized peritoneal carcinomatosis. However, in this exceptional situation with an unknown prognostic, a surgical procedure has been performed including hepatectomy IV-V with biliary principal bile duct removal, hepatico-jejunal anastomosis (Roux-en-Y), with complete resection of localized peritoneal carcinomatosis. Post-operative course were uneventful and this patient was asymptomatic under chemotherapy with a six month follow-up.

Serologic survey of birds for West Nile flavivirus in southern Moravia (Czech Republic).

A serosurvey for West Nile virus (WNV) was carried out in 54 domestic birds (geese and ducks bred on fishponds) and 391 wild birds representing 28 migratory and resident species, using a plaque-reduction neutralization microtest with Vero cells and Egyptian topotype Eg-101 strain as test virus. The birds were sampled in the South-Moravian fishpond ecosystem between 2004 and 2006. Antibodies to WNV were not detected in domestic waterfowl, but 23 (5.9%) free-living birds of 10 species showed a positive response. These were the common coot (Fulica atra, 5 positive/18 examined), common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis, 1/1), reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus, 2/80), sedge warbler (A. schoenobaenus, 3/80), marsh warbler (A. palustris, 2/28), Savi's warbler (Locustella luscinioides, 3/12), reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus, 1/28), blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla, 2/11), penduline tit (Remiz pendulinus, 1/14), blue tit (Parus caeruleus, 1/1), and starling (Sturnus vulgaris, 2/4). The antibody titers were comparatively low (1:20-1:40), and the only high titer (1:160) was found in an adult marsh warbler. When 14 of the sera reacting with WNV were titrated in parallel with Usutu Flavivirus, 12 were interpreted as having specific antibodies to WNV, one coot had a higher titer against Usutu virus, and another one could not be attributed to either of the two viruses. In conclusion, 13 (3.3%) of 391 wild birds had specific antibodies to WNV. The results indicate that WNV activity in southern Moravia was limited during 2004-2006.