ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The highly eusocial stingless bees are crucial pollinators of native and agricultural ecosystems. Nevertheless, genomic studies within this bee tribe remain scarce. We present the genome assembly of the stingless bee Melipona bicolor. This bee is a remarkable exception to the typical single-queen colony structure, since in this species, multiple queens may coexist and share reproductive duties, resulting in genetically diverse colonies with weak kinship connections. As the only known genuinely polygynous bee, M. bicolor's genome provides a valuable resource for investigating sociality beyond kin selection. RESULTS: The genome was assembled employing a hybrid approach combining short and long reads, resulting in 241 contigs spanning 259 Mb (N50 of 6.2 Mb and 97.5% complete BUSCOs). Comparative analyses shed light on some evolutionary aspects of stingless bee genomics, including multiple chromosomal rearrangements in Melipona. Additionally, we explored the evolution of venom genes in M. bicolor and other stingless bees, revealing that, apart from two genes, the conserved repertoire of venom components remains under purifying selection in this clade. CONCLUSION: This study advances our understanding of stingless bee genomics, contributing to the conservation efforts of these vital pollinators and offering insights into the evolutionary mechanisms driving their unique adaptations.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Social Behavior , Bees/genetics , Animals , Reproduction , Chromosomes/geneticsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The field of bee genomics has considerably advanced in recent years, however, the most diverse group of honey producers on the planet, the stingless bees, are still largely neglected. In fact, only eleven of the ~ 600 described stingless bee species have been sequenced, and only three using a long-read (LR) sequencing technology. Here, we sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the most common, widespread and broadly reared stingless bee in Brazil and other neotropical countries-Tetragonisca angustula (popularly known in Brazil as jataí). RESULTS: A total of 48.01 Gb of DNA data were generated, including 2.31 Gb of Pacific Bioscience HiFi reads and 45.70 Gb of Illumina short reads (SRs). Our preferred assembly comprised 683 contigs encompassing 284.49 Mb, 62.84 Mb of which (22.09%) corresponded to 445,793 repetitive elements. N50, L50 and complete BUSCOs reached 1.02 Mb, 91 contigs and 97.1%, respectively. We predicted that the genome of T. angustula comprises 17,459 protein-coding genes and 4,108 non-coding RNAs. The mitogenome consisted of 17,410 bp, and all 37 genes were found to be on the positive strand, an unusual feature among bees. A phylogenomic analysis of 26 hymenopteran species revealed that six odorant receptor orthogroups of T. angustula were found to be experiencing rapid evolution, four of them undergoing significant contractions. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we provided the first nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies for the ecologically and economically important T. angustula, the fourth stingless bee species to be sequenced with LR technology thus far. We demonstrated that even relatively small amounts of LR data in combination with sufficient SR data can yield high-quality genome assemblies for bees.
Subject(s)
Genome, Mitochondrial , Phylogeny , Animals , Bees/genetics , Cell Nucleus/genetics , Molecular Sequence Annotation , Pollination , Genomics/methods , Genome, Insect , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
Cleptoparasitism, also known as brood parasitism, is a widespread strategy among bee species in which the parasite lays eggs into the nests of the host species. Even though this behavior has significant ecological implications for the dynamics of several species, little is known about the molecular pathways associated with cleptoparasitism. To shed some light on this issue, we used gene expression data to perform a comparative analysis between two solitary neotropical bees: Coelioxoides waltheriae, an obligate parasite, and their specific host Tetrapedia diversipes. We found that ortholog genes involved in signal transduction, sensory perception, learning, and memory formation were differentially expressed between the cleptoparasite and the host. We hypothesize that these genes and their associated molecular pathways are engaged in cleptoparasitism-related processes and, hence, are appealing subjects for further investigation into functional and evolutionary aspects of cleptoparasitism in bees.
Subject(s)
Host-Parasite Interactions , Transcriptome , Animals , Bees/genetics , Bees/parasitology , Host-Parasite Interactions/genetics , Gene Expression ProfilingABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN. La ptosis palpebral se define como el descenso o disfunción del párpado con respecto a su posición considerada como normal, pudiendo causar alteraciones del campo visual. Puede dividirse en lesiones congénitas o adquiridas, por el grado de disfunción entre otros. Blefaroplastia, es el término para la corrección de la misma. Existen varias técnicas correctivas quirúrgicas y no quirúrgicas. CASOS. Se presenta una serie de 5 casos tratados mediante abordaje quirúrgico anterior; detallando la técnica quirúrgica utilizada, con corrección de las estructuras hipertrofiadas, sección, suspensión, sutura del elevador palpebral o su encortamiento; suspensión de índole estática con el uso de fascia del paciente y finalizando el procedimiento con la confección del surco palpebral superior. RESULTADOS. Los 5 pacientes fueron tratados con técnicas quirúrgicas individualizadas obteniéndose buenos resultados estéticos y funcionales, sin complicaciones durante o después del procedimiento. DISCUSIÓN. La técnica de blefaroplastia quirúrgica dependerá del grado de disfunción; se describen tres principales: Fasanella Servat, para ptosis leve y útil para ptosis congénita leve o síndrome de Horner; Reinserción de la aponeurosis del músculo elevador, técnica que respeta la anatomía y permite regular diferentes grados de ptosis; y Suspensión del párpado al músculo frontal pudiendo ser definitiva o reversible. La edad de intervención para ptosis congénita antes del año de edad es urgente, si tapa la pupila para así evitar ambliopía y tortícolis compensatoria, en el resto de casos se sugiere realizarla a partir de los 5 años de edad. CONCLUSIONES. El conocimiento adecuado de la anatomía palpebral, etiología de la dermatocalasia y blefaroptosis, permite realizar una correcta cirugía reparadora individualizada para cada paciente. Las técnicas presentadas en este trabajo son reproducibles.
INTRODUCTION. Palpebral ptosis is defined as the descent or dysfunction of the eyelid with respect to its position considered as normal, which can cause alterations in the visual field. It can be divided into congenital or acquired lesions, according to the degree of dysfunction, among others. Blepharoplasty is the term for its correction. There are several surgical and non-surgical corrective techniques. CASES. We present a series of 5 cases treated by anterior surgical approach; detailing the surgical technique used, with correction of the hypertrophied structures, section, suspension, suture of the palpebral elevator or its shortening; static suspension with the use of the patient's fascia and ending the procedure with the confection of the superior palpebral sulcus. RESULTS. All 5 patients were treated with individualized surgical techniques obtaining good aesthetic and functional results, without complications during or after the procedure. DISCUSSION. The surgical blepharoplasty technique will depend on the degree of dysfunction; three main techniques are described: Fasanella Servat, for mild ptosis and useful for mild congenital ptosis or Horner syndrome; Reinsertion of the levator muscle aponeurosis, a technique that respects the anatomy and allows regulating different degrees of ptosis; and Eyelid suspension to the frontalis muscle, which can be definitive or reversible. The age of intervention for congenital ptosis before one year of age is urgent, if it covers the pupil in order to avoid amblyopia and compensatory torticollis, in the rest of cases it is suggested to perform it from 5 years of age. CONCLUSIONS. The adequate knowledge of the palpebral anatomy, etiology of dermatochalasis and blepharoptosis, allows a correct individualized reparative surgery for each patient. The techniques presented in this work are reproducible.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Young Adult , Surgery, Plastic , Blepharoptosis , Horner Syndrome , Esthetics , Eyelids , Oculomotor Muscles , Blepharoplasty , Ecuador , Eyelid Diseases , Visual Field TestsABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN. Los defectos de la fosa poplítea suponen un desafío reconstructivo para el cirujano plástico, dada la relación íntima de esta área con la articulación de la rodilla y la neurovasculatura vital subyacente. El propósito de éste informe fie compartir la experiencia en la utilización de un colgajo fasciocutaneode la arteria safena. CASO CLÍNICO. Paciente de 5 años de edad que sufrió quemadura térmica en miembros inferiores con dos años y medio de evolución, ameritó injertos, presentó contractura por tejido cicatricial en fosa poplítea, dificultó la deambulación y desarrollo neuro osteomuscular. Se realizó reconstrucción de la fosa poplítea con colgajo fasciocutáneo de la arteria safena. RESULTADOS. El colgajo fasciocutáneo de la arteria safena dio cobertura al defecto en fosa poplítea izquierda tras retiro del tejido cicatricial que producía contractura, limitaba la marcha y el desarrollo neuro osteo-muscular. Seis meses postquirúrgicos brindó cobertura cutánea definitiva y estable en el área crítica, que permitió la deambulación con movimientos de extensión y flexión de rodilla conservados. DISCUSIÓN. Este colgajo al igual que en otros estudios que respaldan su ejecución brindó excelentes resultados en defectos de partes blandas a nivel de la articulación de la rodilla. CONCLUSIÓN. El colgajo fasciocutáneo de la arteria safena demostró utilidad para la reconstrucción del defecto de la fosa poplítea, posibilitó una cobertura definitiva, funcional y estética, restableció los ángulos de movilidad y favoreció el desarrollo pondoestatural del paciente.
INTRODUCTION. Defects of the popliteal fossa pose a reconstructive challenge for the plastic surgeon, because of the intimate relation of this area with the knee joint and the near vital neurovasculature; the purpose of this report was to share the experience of using a fasciocutaneous flap of the saphenous artery. CLINICAL CASE. A 5 year old patient who suffered thermal burn in lower limbs with two and a half years of evolution, he nedeed grafts and presented tissue contracture because the scar in the popliteal fossa hindered ambulation and neuro-osteomuscular growth. Reconstruction of the popliteal fossa was made it with a fasciocutaneous flap of the saphenous artery. RESULTS. The fasciocutaneous flap of the saphenous artery covered the defect in the left popliteal fossa after removal of the scar tissue that caused contracture, limited to walk and growth. Six months after surgery the flap provided definitive and secure skin coverage in the critical area, which allowed to walk with preserved knee extension and flexion movements. DISCUSSION. This flap was useful for the recons-truction of the defect of the popliteal fossa and provided excellent results in soft tissue defects in this area of the knee joint. CONCLUSION. The fasciocutaneous flap of the saphenous artery proved useful for the reconstruction of the popliteal fossa defect, it permited a definitive, functional and esthetic coverage, reestablished the angles of mobility and helped with the patient growth
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Child, Preschool , Arteries , Regeneration , Surgical Flaps , Burns , Lower Extremity/injuries , Pediatrics , Child Development , Skin Transplantation , Motor Skills Disorders , Knee , Knee JointABSTRACT
At present a complete mtDNA sequence has been reported for only two hymenopterans, the Old World honey bee, Apis mellifera and the sawfly Perga condei. Among the bee group, the tribe Meliponini (stingless bees) has some distinction due to its Pantropical distribution, great number of species and large importance as main pollinators in several ecosystems, including the Brazilian rain forest. However few molecular studies have been conducted on this group of bees and few sequence data from mitochondrial genomes have been described. In this project, we PCR amplified and sequenced 78 percent of the mitochondrial genome of the stingless bee Melipona bicolor (Apidae, Meliponini). The sequenced region contains all of the 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes, 18 of 22 tRNA genes, and both rRNA genes (one of them was partially sequenced). We also report the genome organization (gene content and order), gene translation, genetic code, and other molecular features, such as base frequencies, codon usage, gene initiation and termination. We compare these characteristics of M. bicolor to those of the mitochondrial genome of A. mellifera and other insects. A highly biased A+T content is a typical characteristic of the A. mellifera mitochondrial genome and it was even more extreme in that of M. bicolor. Length and compositional differences between M. bicolor and A. mellifera genes were detected and the gene order was compared. Eleven tRNA gene translocations were observed between these two species. This latter finding was surprising, considering the taxonomic proximity of these two bee tribes. The tRNA Lys gene translocation was investigated within Meliponini and showed high conservation across the Pantropical range of the tribe.
ABSTRACT
Mitochondrial gene rearrangement events, especially involving tRNA genes, have been described more frequently as more complete mitochondrial genome sequences are becoming available. In the present work, we analyzed mitochondrial tRNA gene rearrangements between two bee species belonging to the tribes Apini and Meliponini within the "corbiculate Apidae". Eleven tRNA genes are in different genome positions or strands. The molecular events responsible for each translocation are explained. Considering the high number of rearrangements observed, the data presented here contradict the general rule of high gene order conservation among closely related organisms, and also represent a powerful molecular tool to help solve questions about phylogeny and evolution in bees.
Subject(s)
Animals , Bees/genetics , DNA, Mitochondrial , RNA, Transfer , Social Behavior , Translocation, GeneticABSTRACT
Objetivo: validar la escala de envolvimiento emocional y crítica familiar (FEICS) en la población clínica psiquiátrica colombiana. Métodos: se tradujo la escala y luego se hizo el mismo proceso en sentido inverso. Se evaluaron: validez de apariencia por un grupo de expertos, validez de contenido y conceptos mediante análisis factorial de componentes principales, validez concurrente mediante comparación con "monólogo de cinco minutos" y subescala de cohesión de la Escala de Evaluación de Adaptabilidad y Cohesión Familiar (FACES-III), consistencia interna y reproducibilidad test-retest. Resultados: en el análisis factorial se encontraron cuatro dominios: censura, envolvimiento, intrusión y apoyo, que explicaron el 57,4 de la varianza. La consistencia interna de la subescala de crítica fue buena con una alfa de Crombach de 0,76 y la subescala de envolvimiento fue baja con un alfa de Crombach de 0,54. La reproducibilidad test-retest de la subescala de criticismo fue excelente (CCI = 0,92) y de la subescala de envolvimiento, buena (CCI = 0,62). Hubo una correlación significativa entre la subescala de crítica y el número de comentarios críticos del "monólogo de cinco minutos" (r = 0,31, p = 0,0001). Conclusiones: la FEICS fue de fácil aplicación y mostró cuatro dominios, a diferencia de los dos de la escala original. La subescala de crítica tiene gran consistencia interna, reproducibilidad test-retest y validez de concepto, lo cual la hace útil para la práctica clínica y de investigación. A pesar de que la subescala de envolvimiento se correlacionó con la FACESIII y su reproducibilidad test-retest fue buena, su escasa consistencia interna hace pensar en la necesidad de estudiar con mayor profundidad factores culturales asociados con el envolvimiento para posiblemente modificar los ítems de esta subescala...