Host Plant Effects On Defensive Behaviors of White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae) Caterpillars

The White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae) is a common butterfly of the Southeastern United States that has recently shifted to a novel host plant, Narrowleaf Plantain (Plantago lanceolata). The impact of host plant species on the White Peacock caterpillar defensive behavior is explored in this study. The effect of host plant and defense on the development of caterpillars was also examined. It was found that White Peacock caterpillar defenses are mainly influenced by caterpillar age and not by host plant. Regurgitation, the defense of interest, was found to decrease the pupal weight of caterpillars reared on both host species. Caterpillars reared on Plantago had longer development time and higher pupal weights than those reared on the normal host Water Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri). Regurgitant collected from caterpillar reared on Plantago was found to contain low levels of iridoid glycosides.</p

Psychostimulant Misuse Among American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian College Students in the U.S. From 2015 to 2019

Introduction: This study examines factors associated with psychostimulant misuse, including polysubstance use and social factors, among the understudied American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) college student population. Methods: Data were from the 2015 to 2019 American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment IIc (ACHA-NCHA IIc) survey. Multivariable logistic regression models and odds ratios were used to estimate associations between psychostimulant misuse and potential risk and protective factors among AI/AN/NH college students, including licit and illicit substance use, social support, relationship factors, exposure to violence or abuse, mental health symptoms, drug and alcohol education, and sample demographics. Results: Opioid misuse among AI/AN/NH college students significantly increased the odds of using psychostimulants. Specifically, for cocaine use, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 3.17 with a 95% confidence interval (C.I.) of 2.17 to 4.63; for methamphetamine use, the aOR was 38.87 (95% C.I. 19.24-78.52). For amphetamine misuse among non-Tobacco users, the aOR was 5.47 (95% C.I. 3.49-8.55), while among Tobacco users, the aOR was 2.65 (95% C.I. 2.07-3.41). For cocaine and other stimulant misuse, the aOR was 3.64 (95% C.I. 2.30-5.67). Additionally, the use of other types of licit and illicit substances was associated with greater odds of psychostimulant use and misuse. Conversely, factors such as age, living on campus, and residing in parental/guardian housing were linked with lower odds of psychostimulant use and misuse. Conclusion: Substance use prevention and treatment interventions targeting AI/AN/NH college students should address polysubstance use, including the combined use of opioids and psychostimulants. Substance use interventions should not be siloed to focus narrowly on single substances but rather should leverage potential protective factors against substance use, such as promoting supportive campus and family living conditions and other social support networks, in broad efforts to reduce multiple forms of substance use among AI/AN/NH students

Description Of Four New Species Of Eadya (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Parasitoids Of The Eucalyptus Tortoise Beetle (Paropsis Charybdis) And Other Eucalyptus Defoliating Leaf Beetles

Eucalyptus L’Héritier, 1789 (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) plantations are a global economic resource with a wide array of uses. As this forestry crop grows in popularity around the world, the exotic introduction of pests such as the leaf beetles belonging to the genera Paropsis Oliver, 1807 and Paropsisterna Motschulsky, 1860 increases in frequency. These pest introductions have spurred a need to understand the natural enemies of these pests for use in classical biological control programs. One such enemy, Eadya paropsidis Huddleston & Short, 1978 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), has shown potential as a biological control agent against Paropsis charybdis, an exotic pest of New Zealand Eucalyptus plantations. However, observations made by biocontrol researchers have raised concerns that E. paropsidis is a complex of cryptic species. A comprehensive large-scale phylogenetic study utilizing both host and molecular data (Peixoto et al. 2018), as well as a morphological multivariate ratio analysis, was utilized to ensure accurate delimitation of the species of Eadya. Here we formally describe the three new species (Eadya annleckieae Ridenbaugh, 2018, sp. n., Eadya daenerys Ridenbaugh, 2018, sp. n., Eadya spitzer Ridenbaugh, 2018, sp. n.), and one additional new species discovered in the Australian National Insect Collection (Eadya duncan Ridenbaugh, 2018, sp. n.). All distributions and host associations for Eadya are listed as well as a redescription of the originally described E. paropsidis and E. falcata. An illustrated key to all known species is included to assist biological control researchers. The value of citizen science observations is discussed, along with the need for a further understanding of mainland Eadya populations given the recent spread of paropsine pests. Finally, we discuss the subfamilial placement of Eadya, and suggest it belongs within Euphorinae based on morphological characters

Short-term acidification promotes diverse iron acquisition and conservation mechanisms in upwelling-associated phytoplankton

Coastal upwelling regions are among the most productive marine ecosystems but may be threatened by amplified ocean acidification. Increased acidification is hypothesized to reduce iron bioavailability for phytoplankton thereby expanding iron limitation and impacting primary production. Here we show from community to molecular levels that phytoplankton in an upwelling region respond to short-term acidification exposure with iron uptake pathways and strategies that reduce cellular iron demand. A combined physiological and multi-omics approach was applied to trace metal clean incubations that introduced 1200 ppm CO2 for up to four days. Although variable, molecular-level responses indicate a prioritization of iron uptake pathways that are less hindered by acidification and reductions in iron utilization. Growth, nutrient uptake, and community compositions remained largely unaffected suggesting that these mechanisms may confer short-term resistance to acidification; however, we speculate that cellular iron demand is only temporarily satisfied, and longer-term acidification exposure without increased iron inputs may result in increased iron stress

Rituximab and antimetabolite treatment of granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease in common variable immunodeficiency

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) is a life-threatening complication in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), but the optimal treatment is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether rituximab with azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil improves the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scans and/or pulmonary function test results in patients with CVID and GLILD. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of clinical and laboratory data on 39 patients with CVID and GLILD who completed immunosuppressive therapy was performed. Chest HRCT scans, performed before therapy and after the conclusion of therapy, were blinded, randomized, and scored independently by 2 radiologists. Differences between pretreatment and posttreatment HRCT scan scores, pulmonary function test results, and lymphocyte subsets were analyzed. Whole exome sequencing was performed on all patients. RESULTS: Immunosuppressive therapy improved patients\u27 HRCT scan scores (P \u3c .0001), forced vital capacity (P = .0017), FEV1 (P = .037), and total lung capacity (P = .013) but not their lung carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (P = .12). Nine patients relapsed and 6 completed retreatment, with 5 of 6 of these patients (83%) having improved HRCT scan scores (P = .063). Relapse was associated with an increased number of B cells (P = .016) and activated CD4 T cells (P = .016). Four patients (10%) had pneumonia while undergoing active treatment, and 2 patients (5%) died after completion of therapy. Eight patients (21%) had a damaging mutation in a gene known to predispose (TNFRSF13B [n = 3]) or cause a CVID-like primary immunodeficiency (CTLA4 [n = 2], KMT2D [n = 2], or BIRC4 [n = 1]). Immunosuppression improved the HRCT scan scores in patients with (P = .0078) and without (P \u3c .0001) a damaging mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Immunosuppressive therapy improved the radiographic abnormalities and pulmonary function of patients with GLILD. A majority of patients had sustained remissions

Pesticide Exposure Exacerbates α-Synucleinopathy in an A53T Transgenic Mouse Model

The factors initiating or contributing to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative synucleinopathies are still largely unclear, but environmental factors such as pesticides have been implicated. In this study, A53T mutant human α-synuclein transgenic mice (M83), which develop α-synuclein neuropathology, were treated with the pesticides paraquat and maneb (either singly or together), and their effects were analyzed. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses showed that chronic treatment of M83 transgenic mice with both pesticides (but not with either pesticide alone) drastically increased neuronal α-synuclein pathology throughout the central nervous system including the hippocampus, cerebellum, and sensory and auditory cortices. α-Synuclein-associated mitochondrial degeneration was observed in M83 but not in wild-type α-synuclein transgenic mice. Because α-synuclein inclusions accumulated in pesticide-exposed M83 transgenic mice without a motor phenotype, we conclude that α-synuclein aggregate formation precedes disease onset. These studies support the notion that environmental factors causing nitrative damage are closely linked to mechanisms underlying the formation of α-synuclein pathologies and the onset of Parkinson’s-like neurodegeneration