Urban living can rescue Darwin's finches from the lethal effects of invasive vampire flies.

Human activity changes multiple factors in the environment, which can have positive or negative synergistic effects on organisms. However, few studies have explored the causal effects of multiple anthropogenic factors, such as urbanization and invasive species, on animals and the mechanisms that mediate these interactions. This study examines the influence of urbanization on the detrimental effect of invasive avian vampire flies (Philornis downsi) on endemic Darwin's finches in the Galápagos Islands. We experimentally manipulated nest fly abundance in urban and non-urban locations and then characterized nestling health, fledging success, diet, and gene expression patterns related to host defense. Fledging success of non-parasitized nestlings from urban (79%) and non-urban (75%) nests did not differ significantly. However, parasitized, non-urban nestlings lost more blood, and fewer nestlings survived (8%) compared to urban nestlings (50%). Stable isotopic values (δ15 N) from urban nestling feces were higher than those from non-urban nestlings, suggesting that urban nestlings are consuming more protein. δ15 N values correlated negatively with parasite abundance, which suggests that diet might influence host defenses (e.g., tolerance and resistance). Parasitized, urban nestlings differentially expressed genes within pathways associated with red blood cell production (tolerance) and pro-inflammatory response (innate immunological resistance), compared to parasitized, non-urban nestlings. In contrast, parasitized non-urban nestlings differentially expressed genes within pathways associated with immunoglobulin production (adaptive immunological resistance). Our results suggest that urban nestlings are investing more in pro-inflammatory responses to resist parasites but also recovering more blood cells to tolerate blood loss. Although non-urban nestlings are mounting an adaptive immune response, it is likely a last effort by the immune system rather than an effective defense against avian vampire flies since few nestlings survived.

The changing landscape of electrical stimulation language mapping with subdural electrodes and stereoelectroencephalography for pediatric epilepsy: A literature review and commentary.

Electrical stimulation mapping (ESM) is used to locate the brain areas supporting language directly within the human cortex to minimize the risk of functional decline following epilepsy surgery. ESM is completed by utilizing subdural grid or depth electrodes (stereo-electroencephalography [sEEG]) in combination with behavioral evaluation of language. Despite technological advances, there is no standardized method of assessing language during pediatric ESM. To identify current clinical practices for pediatric ESM of language, we surveyed neuropsychologists in the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium. Results indicated that sEEG is used for functional mapping at >80% of participating epilepsy surgery centers (n = 13/16) in the United States. However, >65% of sites did not report a standardized protocol to map language. Survey results indicated a clear need for practice recommendations regarding ESM of language. We then utilized PubMed/Medline and PsychInfo to identify 42 articles that reported on ESM of language, of which 18 met inclusion criteria, which included use of ESM/signal recording to localize language regions in children (<21 years) and a detailed account of the procedure and language measures used, and region-specific language localization outcomes. Articles were grouped based on the language domain assessed, language measures used, and the brain regions involved. Our review revealed the need for evidence-based clinical guidelines for pediatric language paradigms during ESM and a standardized language mapping protocol as well as standardized reporting of brain regions in research. Relevant limitations and future directions are discussed with a focus on considerations for pediatric language mapping.

Machine learning risk stratification for high-risk infant follow-up of term and late preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Term and late preterm infants are not routinely referred to high-risk infant follow-up programs at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge. We aimed to identify NICU factors associated with abnormal developmental screening and develop a risk-stratification model using machine learning for high-risk infant follow-up enrollment. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study identifying abnormal developmental screening prior to 6 years of age in infants born ≥34 weeks gestation admitted to a level IV NICU. Five machine learning models using NICU predictors were developed by classification and regression tree (CART), random forest, gradient boosting TreeNet, multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), and regularized logistic regression analysis. Performance metrics included sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, and area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). RESULTS: Within this cohort, 87% (1183/1355) received developmental screening, and 47% had abnormal results. Common NICU predictors across all models were oral (PO) feeding, follow-up appointments, and medications prescribed at NICU discharge. Each model resulted in an AUC > 0.7, specificity >70%, and sensitivity >60%. CONCLUSION: Stratification of developmental risk in term and late preterm infants is possible utilizing machine learning. Applying machine learning algorithms allows for targeted expansion of high-risk infant follow-up criteria. IMPACT: This study addresses the gap in knowledge of developmental outcomes of infants ≥34 weeks gestation requiring neonatal intensive care. Machine learning methodology can be used to stratify early childhood developmental risk for these term and late preterm infants. Applying the classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm described in the study allows for targeted expansion of high-risk infant follow-up enrollment to include those term and late preterm infants who may benefit most.

Leveraging expertise and optimizing clinical research: Initial success of a pediatric epilepsy surgery collaborative.

OBJECTIVE: Improve data-driven research to inform clinical decision-making with pediatric epilepsy surgery patients by expanding the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium Epilepsy Surgery (PERC-Surgery) Workgroup to include neuropsychological data. This article reports on the process and initial success of this effort and characterizes the cognitive functioning of the largest multi-site pediatric epilepsy surgery cohort in the United States. METHODS: Pediatric neuropsychologists from 18 institutions completed surveys regarding neuropsychological practice and the impact of involvement in the collaborative. Neuropsychological data were entered through an online database. Descriptive analyses examined the survey responses and cognitive functioning of the cohort. Statistical analyses examined which patients were evaluated and if composite scores differed by domain, demographics, measures used, or epilepsy characteristics. RESULTS: Positive impact of participation was evident by attendance, survey responses, and the neuropsychological data entry of 534 presurgical epilepsy patients. This cohort, ages 6 months to 21 years, were majority White and non-Hispanic, and more likely to have private insurance. Mean intelligence quotient (IQ) scores were below to low average, with weaknesses in working memory and processing speed. Full-scale IQ (FSIQ) was lowest for patients with younger age at seizure onset, daily seizures, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. SIGNIFICANCE: We established a collaborative network and fundamental infrastructure to address questions outlined by the Epilepsy Research Benchmarks. There is a wide range in the age and IQ of patients considered for pediatric epilepsy surgery, yet it appears that social determinants of health impact access to care. Consistent with other national cohorts, this US cohort has a downward shift in IQ associated with seizure severity.

HOPE and DREAM: A Two-Clinic NICU Follow-up Model.

OBJECTIVE: The natural extension of inpatient-focused neonatal neurocritical care (NNCC) programs is the evaluation of long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in the same patient population. CLINICAL DESIGN: A dedicated and collaborative team of neonatologists, neonatal neurologists, neuropsychologists, neurosurgeons, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, and psychologists are necessary to provide personalized medicine, developmental assessments, and parental education for NNCC graduates. To achieve this goal, we devised a two-clinic follow-up model at Children's Wisconsin: HOPE (Healthy Outcomes Post-ICU Engagement) and DREAM: Developmentally Ready: Engagement for Achievement of Milestones) clinics. Those infants with significant neurologic diagnoses attend DREAM clinic, while all other high-risk neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants are seen in the HOPE clinic. CONCLUSION: These clinic models allow for a targeted approach to post-NICU care, which has improved family engagement and perceptions of value. KEY POINTS: · Infants with neurologic compromise are a specialized population with increasing survival.. · Interdisciplinary NICU follow-up brings together previously separated outpatient service lines.. · Our novel clinic model allows for specialized developmental assessments..

Efficacy of a peer-based in-home education program in improving social-emotional outcomes of parents and children.

Significant disparities in education and social-emotional outcomes exist between racial/ethnic groups, particularly impacting children growing up in impoverished environments. Home visitation intervention programs, such as the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), have been used for decades to improve academic readiness in these vulnerable preschool-aged children. Although the benefits of HIPPY on academic readiness and performance are well-documented, there has been no examination of social-emotional benefits to participating parent-child dyads. This study followed a HIPPY cohort over the course of 1 year to evaluate change in maternal and child social-emotional and behavioral functioning. Program participants demonstrated reduced parental stress and depression and increased parental social connection as well as reduced child externalizing behaviors and improved child adaptive functioning over the course of the program, even in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown. These data highlight the additional benefits of early home-based academic intervention programs.

Las significativas disparidades en educación y resultados socioemocionales existen entre grupos raciales/étnicos, ejerciendo particularmente un impacto en los niños que crecen en ambientes empobrecidos. Los programas de intervención de visitas a casa, tales como la Instrucción en el Hogar para Padres y Niños Pequeños en Edad Prescolar (HIPPY), han sido utilizados por décadas para mejorar la preparación académica en estos niños de edad prescolar vulnerables. A pesar de que los beneficios de HIPPY en cuanto a preparación y rendimiento académicos están bien documentados, no se ha dado una revisión de los beneficios socioemocionales para las díadas progenitor-niño que participan. Este estudio le dio seguimiento a un grupo de HIPPY a lo largo del curso de un año para evaluar el cambio en el funcionamiento socioemocional y de comportamiento materno y en el niño. Los participantes en el programa demostraron un reducido nivel de estrés y depresión en progenitores y un aumento en la conexión social de progenitores, así como niveles reducidos de comportamiento externalizantes en el niño y un incremento en el funcionamiento de adaptación del niño a lo largo del curso del programa, aun dentro del contexto de la pandemia del COVID-19 y el aislamiento que con ella se asocia. Estos datos subrayan los beneficios adicionales de programas tempranos de intervención académica en casa.

Des inégalités importantes dans l'éducation et les résultats socio-émotionnels existent entre les groupes raciaux/ethniques, ce qui impacte particulièrement les enfants grandissant dans des milieux appauvris. Des programmes d'intervention de visite à domicile, comme le programme d'Instruction à Domicile de Parents de Jeunes Enfants d'Age Préscolaire (abrégé HIPPY en anglais), ont été utilisés depuis des dizaines d'années afin d'améliorer la préparation académique de ces enfants vulnérables d'âge préscolaire. Bien que les bénéfices du programme HIPPY sur la préparation académique et la performance académique soit bien documentée, les bénéfices socio-émotionnels de la participation des dyades parent-enfant n'ont jamais été examinés. Cette étude a donc suivi une cohorte HIPPY au cours d'une année afin d'évaluer le changement dans le fonctionnement émotionnel et comportemental maternel et de l'enfant. Les participantes ou participants au programme ont fait preuve d'une réduction du stress parental et de la dépression et de plus de lien social parental ainsi qu'une réduction de comportements d'externalisation de l'enfant et d'un fonctionnement adaptatif de l'enfant amélioré au cours du programme, même dans le contexte de la pandémie du covid-19 et du confinement. Ces données mettent en évidence les bénéfices supplémentaires des programmes d'intervention académique précoce à domicile.

Assessing risk: Characterizing language performance in pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy pre- and post-surgical resection.

Neuropsychologists play an important role in assessing risk for post-surgical cognitive decline in pediatric patients with medically refractory epilepsy. Families, neurologists, and neurosurgeons are particularly concerned about the possibility for language decline for patients with a dominant, most often left, hemisphere epileptic focus and planned surgical resection. This study aims to describe language functioning in pediatric epilepsy patients following resection and evaluate the accuracy of a clinical approach of assessing risk. This study proposes a risk assessment method that considers a patient's pattern of lateralized dysfunction across cognitive domains, suspected neuroanatomical reorganization of language functions, and planned site of resection. Pediatric patients (N = 47) were dichotomized as being at minimal risk or at greater risk for post-surgical language decline based on the proposed risk assessment method. Retrospective chart review was utilized to obtain neuropsychological (Boston Naming Test and Weschler Vocabulary subtest) and clinical variables of interest. Patients in the minimal risk group demonstrated significantly improved BNT scores at post-surgery. Most patients remained stable in their Vocabulary knowledge. The proposed risk assessment method correctly classified patients 77% of the time based on BNT performance. Cluster analysis examining the individual components of the proposed method revealed three distinct patient subgroups. Clinical implications are discussed.

Determination of language dominance in pediatric patients with epilepsy for clinical decision-making: Correspondence of intracarotid amobarbitol procedure and fMRI modalities.

Identification of the language dominant hemisphere is an essential part of the evaluation of potential pediatric epilepsy surgery patients. Historically, language dominance has been determined using the intracarotid amobarbitol procedure (IAP), but use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scanning is becoming more common. Few studies examine the correspondence between fMRI and IAP in pediatric samples. The current study examined the agreement of hemispheric lateralization as determined by fMRI and IAP in a consecutive sample of 10 pediatric patients with epilepsy evaluated for epilepsy surgery. Data showed a strong correlation between IAP and fMRI lateralilty indices (r=.91) and 70% agreement in determination of hemispheric dominance, despite increased demonstration of bilateral or atypical language representation in this pediatric sample. Clinical implications and interpretation challenges are discussed.

Temporally varying disruptive selection in the medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis).

Disruptive natural selection within populations exploiting different resources is considered to be a major driver of adaptive radiation and the production of biodiversity. Fitness functions, which describe the relationships between trait variation and fitness, can help to illuminate how this disruptive selection leads to population differentiation. However, a single fitness function represents only a particular selection regime over a single specified time period (often a single season or a year), and therefore might not capture longer-term dynamics. Here, we build a series of annual fitness functions that quantify the relationships between phenotype and apparent survival. These functions are based on a 9-year mark-recapture dataset of over 600 medium ground finches (Geospiza fortis) within a population bimodal for beak size. We then relate changes in the shape of these functions to climate variables. We find that disruptive selection between small and large beak morphotypes, as reported previously for 2 years, is present throughout the study period, but that the intensity of this selection varies in association with the harshness of environment. In particular, we find that disruptive selection was strongest when precipitation was high during the dry season of the previous year. Our results shed light on climatic factors associated with disruptive selection in Darwin's finches, and highlight the role of temporally varying fitness functions in modulating the extent of population differentiation.

Infection patterns of trematodes across size classes of an invasive snail species using field and laboratory studies.

In the Upper Mississippi River Region, invasive faucet snails (Bithynia tentaculata) and their trematode parasites have been implicated in more than 182 000 waterfowl deaths since 1996. Estimating transmission potential depends on accurate assessments of susceptible host population size. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying snail-host susceptibility in this system. Prior field studies suggest that very small, likely young, faucet snails are less suitable secondary intermediate hosts. Here, we test whether the patterns observed in the field are because small snails (1) are refractory to infection by cercariae, (2) die from infection and are removed from sampled populations, and/or (3) are not preferred by cercariae. Our own field collections were consistent with the observation that smaller faucet snails exhibit lower metacercarial infection prevalence and abundance than larger snails. However, laboratory-based experiments show that smaller snails were actually more susceptible to infection than larger snails. Moreover, the smallest snail size class had significantly higher mortality than larger snails following infection, which may explain their reduced infection levels observed in the field. Our study demonstrates the importance of pairing field and laboratory studies to better understand mechanisms underlying patterns of infection.

Epigenetic variation between urban and rural populations of Darwin's finches.

BACKGROUND: The molecular basis of evolutionary change is assumed to be genetic variation. However, growing evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, may also be involved in rapid adaptation to new environments. An important first step in evaluating this hypothesis is to test for the presence of epigenetic variation between natural populations living under different environmental conditions. RESULTS: In the current study we explored variation between populations of Darwin's finches, which comprise one of the best-studied examples of adaptive radiation. We tested for morphological, genetic, and epigenetic differences between adjacent "urban" and "rural" populations of each of two species of ground finches, Geospiza fortis and G. fuliginosa, on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos. Using data collected from more than 1000 birds, we found significant morphological differences between populations of G. fortis, but not G. fuliginosa. We did not find large size copy number variation (CNV) genetic differences between populations of either species. However, other genetic variants were not investigated. In contrast, we did find dramatic epigenetic differences between the urban and rural populations of both species, based on DNA methylation analysis. We explored genomic features and gene associations of the differentially DNA methylated regions (DMR), as well as their possible functional significance. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our study documents local population epigenetic variation within each of two species of Darwin's finches.

Population structure of a vector-borne plant parasite.

Parasites are among the most diverse groups of life on Earth, yet complex natural histories often preclude studies of their speciation processes. The biology of parasitic plants facilitates in situ collection of data on both genetic structure and the mechanisms responsible for that structure. Here, we studied the role of mating, dispersal and establishment in host race formation of a parasitic plant. We investigated the population genetics of a vector-borne desert mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum) across two legume host tree species (Senegalia greggii and Prosopis velutina) in the Sonoran desert using microsatellites. Consistent with host race formation, we found strong host-associated genetic structure in sympatry, little genetic variation due to geographic site and weak isolation by distance. We hypothesize that genetic differentiation results from differences in the timing of mistletoe flowering by host species, as we found initial flowering date of individual mistletoes correlated with genetic ancestry. Hybrids with intermediate ancestry were detected genetically. Individuals likely resulting from recent, successful establishment events following dispersal between the host species were detected at frequencies similar to hybrids between host races. Therefore, barriers to gene flow between the host races may have been stronger at mating than at dispersal. We also found higher inbreeding and within-host individual relatedness values for mistletoes on the more rare and isolated host species (S. greggii). Our study spanned spatial scales to address how interactions with both vectors and hosts influence parasitic plant structure with implications for parasite virulence evolution and speciation.

Galápagos mockingbirds tolerate introduced parasites that affect Darwin's finches.

Introduced parasites threaten native host species that lack effective defenses. Such parasites increase the risk of extinction, particularly in small host populations like those on islands. If some host species are tolerant to introduced parasites, this could amplify the risk of the parasite to vulnerable host species. Recently, the introduced parasitic nest fly Philornis downsi has been implicated in the decline of Darwin's finch populations in the Galápagos Islands. In some years, 100% of finch nests fail due to P. downsi; however, other common host species nesting near Darwin's finches, such as the endemic Galápagos mockingbird (Mimus parvulus), appear to be less affected by P. downsi. We compared effects of P. downsi on mockingbirds and medium ground finches (Geospiza fortis) on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos. We experimentally manipulated the abundance of P. downsi in nests of mockingbirds and finches to measure the direct effect of the parasite on the reproductive success of each species of host. We also compared immunological and behavioral responses by each species of host to the fly. Although nests of the two host species had similar parasite densities, flies decreased the fitness of finches but not mockingbirds. Neither host species had a significant antibody-mediated immune response to P. downsi. Moreover, finches showed no significant increase in begging, parental provisioning, or plasma glucose levels in response to the flies. In contrast, parasitized mockingbird nestlings begged more than nonparasitized mockingbird nestlings. Greater begging was correlated with increased parental provisioning behavior, which appeared to compensate for parasite damage. The results of our study suggest that finches are negatively affected by P. downsi because they do not have such behavioral mechanisms for energy compensation. In contrast, mockingbirds are capable of compensation, making them tolerant hosts, and a possible indirect threat to Darwin's finches.

Galápagos mockingbirds tolerate introduced parasites that affect Darwin's finches.

Introduced parasites threaten native host species that lack effective defenses. Such parasites increase the risk of extinction, particularly in small host populations like those on islands. If some host species are tolerant to introduced parasites, this could amplify the risk of the parasite to vulnerable host species. Recently, the introduced parasitic nest fly Philornis downsi has been implicated in the decline of Darwin's finch populations in the Galápagos Islands. In some years, 100% of finch nests fail due to P. downsi; however, other common host species nesting near Darwin's finches, such as the endemic Galápagos mockingbird (Mimus parvulus), appear to be less affected by P. downsi. We compared effects of P. downsi on mockingbirds and medium ground finches (Geospiza fortis) on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos. We experimentally manipulated the abundance of P. downsi in nests of mockingbirds and finches to measure the direct effect of the parasite on the reproductive success of each species of host. We also compared immunological and behavioral responses by each species of host to the fly. Although nests of the two host species had similar parasite densities, flies decreased the fitness of finches but not mockingbirds. Neither host species had a significant antibody-mediated immune response to P. downsi. Moreover, finches showed no significant increase in begging, parental provisioning, or plasma glucose levels in response to the flies. In contrast, parasitized mockingbird nestlings begged more than nonparasitized mockingbird nestlings. Greater begging was correlated with increased parental provisioning behavior, which appeared to compensate for parasite damage. The results of our study suggest that finches are negatively affected by P. downsi because they do not have such behavioral mechanisms for energy compensation. In contrast, mockingbirds are capable of compensation, making them tolerant hosts, and a possible indirect threat to Darwin's finches.

Birds are islands for parasites.

Understanding the mechanisms driving the extraordinary diversification of parasites is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Co-speciation, one proposed mechanism that could contribute to this diversity is hypothesized to result from allopatric co-divergence of host-parasite populations. We found that island populations of the Galápagos hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) and a parasitic feather louse species (Degeeriella regalis) exhibit patterns of co-divergence across variable temporal and spatial scales. Hawks and lice showed nearly identical population genetic structure across the Galápagos Islands. Hawk population genetic structure is explained by isolation by distance among islands. Louse population structure is best explained by hawk population structure, rather than isolation by distance per se, suggesting that lice tightly track the recent population histories of their hosts. Among hawk individuals, louse populations were also highly structured, suggesting that hosts serve as islands for parasites from an evolutionary perspective. Altogether, we found that host and parasite populations may have responded in the same manner to geographical isolation across spatial scales. Allopatric co-divergence is likely one important mechanism driving the diversification of parasites.

Awake craniotomy for supratentorial tumors or epileptogenic lesions in pediatric patients: a 16-year retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Awake craniotomy with intraoperative mapping is the widely accepted procedure for adult patients undergoing supratentorial tumor or epileptogenic focus resection near eloquent cortex. In children, awake craniotomies are notably less common due to concerns for compliance and emotional or psychological repercussions. Despite this, successfully tolerated awake craniotomies have been reported in patients as young as 8 years of age, with success rates comparable to those of adults. The authors sought to describe their experience with pediatric awake craniotomies, including insight regarding feasibility and outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review was completed for all pediatric (age < 18 years) patients at Children's Wisconsin for whom an awake craniotomy was attempted from January 2004 until March 2020. Institutional review board approval was granted. RESULTS: Candidate patients had intact verbal ability, cognitive profile, and no considerable anxiety concerns during neuropsychology assessment. Nine patients presented with seizure. Five patients were diagnosed with tumor and secondary epilepsy, 3 with tumor only, and 3 with epilepsy only. All patients who underwent preoperative functional MRI successfully completed and tolerated testing paradigms. A total of 12 awake craniotomies were attempted in 11 patients, with 1 procedure aborted due to intraoperative bleeding. One patient had a repeat procedure. The mean patient age was 15.5 years (range 11.5-17.9 years). All patients returned to or maintained baseline motor and speech functions by the latest follow-up (range 14-130 months). Temporary deficits included transient speech errors, mild decline in visuospatial reasoning, leg numbness, and expected hemiparesis. Of the 8 patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy prior to surgery, 7 patients achieved Engel class I designation at the 1-year follow-up, 6 of whom remained in class I at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzes one of the largest cohorts of pediatric patients who underwent awake craniotomy for maximal safe resection of tumor or epileptogenic lesions. For candidate patients, awake craniotomy is safe, feasible, and effective in carefully selected children.

Beta-HPV 5 and 8 E6 promote p300 degradation by blocking AKT/p300 association.

The E6 oncoprotein from high-risk genus alpha human papillomaviruses (α-HPVs), such as HPV 16, has been well characterized with respect to the host-cell proteins it interacts with and corresponding signaling pathways that are disrupted due to these interactions. Less is known regarding the interacting partners of E6 from the genus beta papillomaviruses (ß-HPVs); however, it is generally thought that ß-HPV E6 proteins do not interact with many of the proteins known to bind to α-HPV E6. Here we identify p300 as a protein that interacts directly with E6 from both α- and ß-HPV types. Importantly, this association appears much stronger with ß-HPV types 5 and 8-E6 than with α-HPV type 16-E6 or ß-HPV type 38-E6. We demonstrate that the enhanced association between 5/8-E6 and p300 leads to p300 degradation in a proteasomal-dependent but E6AP-independent manner. Rather, 5/8-E6 inhibit the association of AKT with p300, an event necessary to ensure p300 stability within the cell. Finally, we demonstrate that the decreased p300 protein levels concomitantly affect downstream signaling events, such as the expression of differentiation markers K1, K10 and Involucrin. Together, these results demonstrate a unique way in which ß-HPV E6 proteins are able to affect host-cell signaling in a manner distinct from that of the α-HPVs.

Experimental test of the effect of introduced hematophagous flies on corticosterone levels of breeding Darwin's finches.

Parasites can negatively affect the evolutionary fitness of their hosts by eliciting physiological stress responses. Parasite-induced stress can be monitored by measuring changes in the adrenal steroid hormone corticosterone. We examined the effect of an invasive parasite on the corticosterone concentrations of a common species of Darwin's finch, the medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis). Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae) is a parasitic nest fly recently introduced to the Galapagos Islands, where it feeds on the blood of nestlings and breeding adult female finches. Previous work shows that P. downsi significantly reduces the reproductive success of several species of finches. We predicted that the effect of P. downsi on host reproductive success is mediated by stress responses in breeding female finches. High stress levels could reduce the ability of females to invest in offspring, thus decreasing their reproductive success. To test this hypothesis, we experimentally manipulated the abundance of P. downsi in nests, then measured baseline and acute stress-induced corticosterone levels, body condition, and hematocrit (red blood cell content). Acute stress-induced corticosterone levels increased over baseline levels, but this response did not differ significantly with parasite treatment. There was also no significant difference in the body condition or hematocrit of females from parasitized versus non-parasitized nests. Our results suggest that the lower reproductive success of females from parasitized nests is not mediated by a physiological stress response.

Evaluation of two methods for quantifying passeriform lice.

Two methods commonly used to quantify ectoparasites on live birds are visual examination and dust-ruffling. Visual examination provides an estimate of ectoparasite abundance based on an observer's timed inspection of various body regions on a bird. Dust-ruffling involves application of insecticidal powder to feathers that are then ruffled to dislodge ectoparasites onto a collection surface where they can then be counted. Despite the common use of these methods in the field, the proportion of actual ectoparasites they account for has only been tested with Rock Pigeons (Columba livia), a relatively large-bodied species (238-302 g) with dense plumage. We tested the accuracy of the two methods using European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris; ~75 g). We first quantified the number of lice (Brueelia nebulosa) on starlings using visual examination, followed immediately by dust-ruffling. Birds were then euthanized and the proportion of lice accounted for by each method was compared to the total number of lice on each bird as determined with a body-washing method. Visual examination and dust-ruffling each accounted for a relatively small proportion of total lice (14% and 16%, respectively), but both were still significant predictors of abundance. The number of lice observed by visual examination accounted for 68% of the variation in total abundance. Similarly, the number of lice recovered by dust-ruffling accounted for 72% of the variation in total abundance. Our results show that both methods can be used to reliably quantify the abundance of lice on European Starlings and other similar-sized passerines.

Neural representations of self-perception of voice: An intracortical evoked potential analysis based on an adolescent with right temporal lobe epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: The neural bases for language perception have been studied elsewhere using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Direct Cortical Stimulation. However, to our knowledge, there is no previous report about a patient identifying the change in his voice tone, speed, and prosody because of right temporal cortical stimulation. Nor has there been a cortico-cortical evoked potential (CCEP) assessment of the network underlying this process. CASE REPORT: We present CCEP from a patient with right focal refractory temporal lobe epilepsy of tumoral etiology who reported changes in the perception of his own speech prosody during stimulation. This report will serve as a complement to the understanding of the neural networks of language and prosody. CONCLUSION: The present report shows that right superior temporal gyrus, transverse temporal gyrus, right amygdala, hippocampus, and fusiform gyrus (FG) are part of the neural network subjacent to own human voice perception.