Genomic innovations, transcriptional plasticity and gene loss underlying the evolution and divergence of two highly polyphagous and invasive Helicoverpa pest species.

BACKGROUND: Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea are major caterpillar pests of Old and New World agriculture, respectively. Both, particularly H. armigera, are extremely polyphagous, and H. armigera has developed resistance to many insecticides. Here we use comparative genomics, transcriptomics and resequencing to elucidate the genetic basis for their properties as pests. RESULTS: We find that, prior to their divergence about 1.5 Mya, the H. armigera/H. zea lineage had accumulated up to more than 100 more members of specific detoxification and digestion gene families and more than 100 extra gustatory receptor genes, compared to other lepidopterans with narrower host ranges. The two genomes remain very similar in gene content and order, but H. armigera is more polymorphic overall, and H. zea has lost several detoxification genes, as well as about 50 gustatory receptor genes. It also lacks certain genes and alleles conferring insecticide resistance found in H. armigera. Non-synonymous sites in the expanded gene families above are rapidly diverging, both between paralogues and between orthologues in the two species. Whole genome transcriptomic analyses of H. armigera larvae show widely divergent responses to different host plants, including responses among many of the duplicated detoxification and digestion genes. CONCLUSIONS: The extreme polyphagy of the two heliothines is associated with extensive amplification and neofunctionalisation of genes involved in host finding and use, coupled with versatile transcriptional responses on different hosts. H. armigera's invasion of the Americas in recent years means that hybridisation could generate populations that are both locally adapted and insecticide resistant.

Fatty acid composition of plasma lipids in acrodermatitis enteropathica before and after zinc supplementation.

The fatty acid composition of different plasma lipid fractions has been estimated in a 6-month-old girl with acrodermatitis enteropathica before and after zinc supplementation. Linoleic acid and its metabolites were extremely reduced in triglycerides and sterol-esters. In contrast, n-3-fatty acids were increased in sterol-esters and phospholipids. Zinc supplementation led to quick clinical improvement, and linoleic and arachidonic acid increased rapidly in triglycerides and sterol-esters to the values of healthy infants. Fatty acids of phospholipids remained relatively stable. Our findings could be explained by impaired enteral absorption of linoleic acid. Further attention should be directed to the supply and metabolism of essential fatty acids in acrodermatitis enteropathica.

"Pop-off" technic. The ultrastructure of paraffin-embedded sections.

Stained paraffin embedded sections sometimes contain a precise area that warrants further investigation at an ultrastructural level. A technic is described whereby an area in question may be reembedded into plastic and sectioned for examination under the electron microscope. The decoverslipped paraffin section is "popped-off" into an inverted BEEM capsule. Suspected viral inclusions in sections may be identified or ruled out with this technic. Special stains, especially heavy metal applications, not able to be utilized in conventional plastic embedding may be reembedded into plastic. The metallic granules may be visualized ultrastructurally without further grid staining. This method is especially helpful for cell smears and cell monolayers since they may be the only material available for study. Although ultrastructural detail is often poor, one does have the ability to study the identical section under both the light and the electron microscopes.

[Ultrasound real-time-B-mode--scanning of the brain in newborns (author's transl)]. / Ultraschall zur Diagnostik morphologischer Hirnveränderungen bei Neugeborenen. Dignostischer Wert der B-Bild-Methode.

Ultrasound real-time-B-mode-scanning of the brain in 100 severely ill preterm and term infants during intensive care. Technique of horizontal and sagittal scans by linear arrays (3.5 and 5 MHz) with a self-made flexible water-bath for improvement of contact between skull and probe. Normal scans in comparison to pathological findings like intracerebral, intraventricular subdural bleeding, paraventricular necrosis, hydrocephalus, ventriculitis, and brain edema with compressed basal cisterns and ventricles. Comparison between computer-tomography and ultrasound real-time-B-scan with good results. CT may be replaced by sonography in the intensive care of severe ill infants.

Embedding in large plastic blocks. Diagnostic light and potential electron microscopy on the same block.

Specimens destined for light and electron microscopy were fixed in a modified buffered formalin, postosmicated, dehydrated, and embedded in a mixture of epoxy resins (Epon-araldite) in large plastic molds. These blocks were sectioned at 0.5 to 1 micron on a JB-4 microtome and stained with a combined nuclear and cytoplasmic stain (Paragon). The sections were examined by light microscopy for diagnostic evaluation. If ultrastructural examination was also desired, the selected area was isolated using the "mesa" technique. The trimmed block was then sectioned on an ultramicrotome, picked up on grids, stained, and examined in the electron microscope. We think these techniques offer the diagnostic pathologist the potential of viewing 1-micron sections at a light microscopy level with the option of subsequent electron microscopy of the same area of the same block.

[Heroin withdrawal syndrome in newborns (author's transl]. / Heroin Entzugssyndrom beim Neugeborenen

A case of a severe heroin withdrawal syndrom in a newborn infant is reported. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the disease are reviewed.