RNA-Seq reveals a xenobiotic stress response in the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, when fed aphid-resistant soybean

Partial funding for Open Access provided by The Ohio State University Open Access Fund.Background: While much recent research has expanded our understanding of the molecular interactions between aphids and their host plants, it is lacking for the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines. Since its North American invasion, A. glycines has become one of the most damaging insect pests on this important crop. Five soybean genes for host plant resistance to A. glycines have been identified, but populations of A. glycines have already adapted to overcome these resistance genes. Understanding the molecular interactions between resistant soybean and A. glycines can provide clues to its adaptation mechanisms. Here, we used RNA-Sequencing to compare and contrast A. glycines gene expression when fed resistant (Rag1) and susceptible soybean. Results: Combining results from a previous A. glycines transcriptome, we generated 64,860 high quality transcripts, totaling 41,151,086 bases. Statistical analysis revealed 914 genes with significant differential expression. Most genes with higher expression in A. glycines on resistant plants (N = 352) were related to stress and detoxification such as cytochrome P450s, glutathione-S-transferases, carboxyesterases, and ABC transporters. A total of 562 genes showed lower transcript abundance in A. glycines on resistant plants. From our extensive transcriptome data, we also identified genes encoding for putative salivary effector proteins (N = 73). Among these, 6 effector genes have lower transcript abundance in A. glycines feeding on resistant soybean. Conclusions: Overall, A. glycines exhibited a pattern typical of xenobiotic challenge, thereby validating antibiosis in Rag1, presumably mediated through toxic secondary metabolites. Additionally, this study identified many A. glycines genes and gene families at the forefront of its molecular interaction with soybean. Further investigation of these genes in other biotypes may reveal adaptation mechanisms to resistant plants

Parachute mitral valve with late presentation: rare case reports

Congenital mitral stenosis involves the annulus, the zone immediately above and contiguous with the annulus, the leaflets, the chordae tendineae, and the papillary muscles. In a parachute mitral valve (PMV), all chordae tendineae which are usually shorter and thicker than normal type, inserted into this single papillary muscle. This condition restricts the motion of leaflets and obstructs the blood flow into the left ventricle during diastole. Here we present two cases of severe congenital mitral stenosis with severe pulmonary hypertension due to parachute mitral valve that allowed survival into adulthood without any specific treatment

Study of nickel levels in patients with atrial septal defect undergoing amplatzer device closure

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) using nickel titanium Naval Ordnance Laboratory (Nitinol)-containing devices (Amplatzer, AGA Medical, Golden Valley, Minnetosa) is being widely practiced. Controversies still exist regarding the release of nickel from these devices and the allergy and other ill effects of nickel and also the duration of antiplatelet therapy to aid endothelization of the device. Objective: To study the nickel levels in patients who underwent ASD closure with platinum-coated Nitinol-containing Amplatzer septal occluder. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted on 25 patients, between 6 years and 40 years of age who underwent ASD closure with Amplatzer septal occlude sizes ranging from 12 to 36 mm from January 2009 to January 2010. Blood nickel levels were estimated using atomic absorption photometry before and 24 h after the procedure and later at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postprocedure. A value of <2 mcg/dl was considered to be normal. Statistical analysis was performed by the use of the Wilcoxon test. Results: The blood nickel levels at mean baseline, 24 h, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postprocedure were 1.05, 1.39, 0.98, 0.79, and 0.74 (mcg/dl), respectively. Conclusions: Percutaneous ASD closure using Nitinol devices can be carried out safely without any significant ill effects related to nickel release

Successful percutaneous balloon dilatation of supravalvular aortic membrane

Supravalvular aortic stenosis is the least common type of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Primary balloon dilatation of membranous supravalvular aortic stenosis was performed in a 10-year-old male child with a remarkable reduction in systolic pressure gradient. Balloon dilatation is a feasible treatment modality for membranous supravalvular aortic stenosis. It provides good immediate results and sustained relief of stenosis

Characterization of a Chitin Synthase Encoding Gene and Effect of Diflubenzuron in Soybean Aphid, Aphis Glycines

<p>Chitin synthases are critical enzymes for synthesis of chitin and thus for subsequent growth and development in insects. We identified the cDNA of chitin synthase gene (<i>CHS</i>) in <i>Aphis glycines</i>, the soybean aphid, which is a serious pest of soybean. The full-length cDNA of <i>CHS</i> in <i>A. glycines</i> (<i>AyCHS</i>) was 5802 bp long with an open reading frame of 4704 bp that encoded for a 1567 amino acid residues protein. The predicted AyCHS protein had a molecular mass of 180.05 kDa and its amino acid sequence contained all the signature motifs (EDR, QRRRW and TWGTR) of chitin synthases. The quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that <i>AyCHS</i> was expressed in all major tissues (gut, fat body and integument); however, it had the highest expression in integument (&#126;3.5 fold compared to gut). Interestingly, the expression of <i>AyCHS</i> in developing embryos was nearly 7 fold higher compared to adult integument, which probably is a reflection of embryonic molts in hemimetabolus insects. Expression analysis in different developmental stages of <i>A. glycines</i> revealed a consistent <i>AyCHS</i> expression in all stages. Further, through leaf dip bioassay, we tested the effect of diflubenzuron (DFB, Dimilin &#174;), a chitin-synthesis inhibitor, on <i>A. glycines</i>' survival, fecundity and body weight. When fed with soybean leaves previously dipped in 50 ppm DFB solution, <i>A. glycines</i> nymphs suffered significantly higher mortality compared to control. <i>A. glycines</i> nymphs feeding on diflubenzuron treated leaves showed a slightly enhanced expression (1.67 fold) of <i>AyCHS </i>compared to nymphs on untreated leaves. We discussed the potential applications of the current study to develop novel management strategies using chitin-synthesis inhibitors and using RNAi by knocking down <i>AyCHS </i>expression.</p

A Prospective Study Comparing Quality of Life after Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy versus Open Donor Nephrectomy

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has advantages over open donor nephrectomy (ODN), with less bleeding and pain, and earlier discharge. However, the quality of life (QOL) has not been compared between these techniques. All consecutive donors undergoing left LDN or ODN from 2013 to 2015 at our center were included. The donors' QOL was measured with the brief World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Cosmesis was measured by the body image questionnaire, and patient satisfaction was scored on a verbal rating scale at 3 and 6 months. Of the 264 donors, 228 met the inclusion criteria (100 – LDN and 128 – ODN). The LDN group showed no difference in WHOQOL-BREF scores at 3 months, and significant improvements in the psychological and social domains at 6 months versus the baseline. The ODN group showed a significant decrease in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains at 3 and 6 months versus the baseline. Compared with the ODN group, the LDN group had better QOL scores at 3 and 6 months in all domains. The responses to the HADS questionnaire were similar between the groups at all time points. The mean body image, cosmesis, and satisfaction scores were significantly better in the LDN group. LDN minimized the negative effects of surgery on the donors' QOL, with improvements in the long-term psychological and social aspects versus the baseline. LDN was more cosmetic and was associated with higher satisfaction than ODN