The Discovery of Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in Michigan

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a pest of growing economic importance in the United States, the control of which currently relies on pesticide applications. Biological control could provide sustainable and long-term control but classical biological control agents have not yet been approved. Adventive populations of a potential biological control agents, the Samurai wasp, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead), have been found in the United States, first in Maryland in 2014, expanding its range west to Ohio by 2017. Trissolcus japonicus is a highly effective parasitoid of H. halys eggs, but its redistribution and augmentative releases are restricted to states where it has been detected in the wild. To assess the presence of T. japonicus in Michigan and attack rates of H. halys by native natural enemies we deployed 189 H. halys egg masses at ten sites in lower Michigan between May and October in 2018. In addition, we deployed 51 native stink bug egg masses at the same sites to evaluate potential non-target effects of T. japonicus in the field, which were shown to occur in laboratory studies. We found T. japonicus in a single H. halys egg mass, which constitutes the first record of this Asian parasitoid in Michigan. Native predators and parasitoids caused minimal mortality of H. halys eggs and we did not find evidence of non-target effects of T. japonicus on native stink bug species. These findings open the door to initiation of a classical biological control program using an efficient, coevolved parasitoid from the native range of H. halys

The Discovery of Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in Michigan

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a pest of growing economic importance in the United States, the control of which currently relies on pesticide applications. Biological control could provide sustainable and long-term control but classical biological control agents have not yet been approved. Adventive populations of a potential biological control agents, the Samurai wasp, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead), have been found in the United States, first in Maryland in 2014, expanding its range west to Ohio by 2017. Trissolcus japonicus is a highly effective parasitoid of H. halys eggs, but its redistribution and augmentative releases are restricted to states where it has been detected in the wild. To assess the presence of T. japonicus in Michigan and attack rates of H. halys by native natural enemies we deployed 189 H. halys egg masses at ten sites in lower Michigan between May and October in 2018. In addition, we deployed 51 native stink bug egg masses at the same sites to evaluate potential non-target effects of T. japonicus in the field, which were shown to occur in laboratory studies. We found T. japonicus in a single H. halys egg mass, which constitutes the first record of this Asian parasitoid in Michigan. Native predators and parasitoids caused minimal mortality of H. halys eggs and we did not find evidence of non-target effects of T. japonicus on native stink bug species. These findings open the door to initiation of a classical biological control program using an efficient, coevolved parasitoid from the native range of H. halys

Mammalian Otolin: A Multimeric Glycoprotein Specific to the Inner Ear that Interacts with Otoconial Matrix Protein Otoconin-90 and Cerebellin-1

The mammalian otoconial membrane is a dense extracellular matrix containing bio-mineralized otoconia. This structure provides the mechanical stimulus necessary for hair cells of the vestibular maculae to respond to linear accelerations and gravity. In teleosts, Otolin is required for the proper anchoring of otolith crystals to the sensory maculae. Otoconia detachment and subsequent entrapment in the semicircular canals can result in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a common form of vertigo for which the molecular basis is unknown. Several cDNAs encoding protein components of the mammalian otoconia and otoconial membrane have recently been identified, and mutations in these genes result in abnormal otoconia formation and balance deficits.Here we describe the cloning and characterization of mammalian Otolin, a protein constituent of otoconia and the otoconial membrane. Otolin is a secreted glycoprotein of ∼70 kDa, with a C-terminal globular domain that is homologous to the immune complement C1q, and contains extensive posttranslational modifications including hydroxylated prolines and glycosylated lysines. Like all C1q/TNF family members, Otolin multimerizes into higher order oligomeric complexes. The expression of otolin mRNA is restricted to the inner ear, and immunohistochemical analysis identified Otolin protein in support cells of the vestibular maculae and semi-circular canal cristae. Additionally, Otolin forms protein complexes with Cerebellin-1 and Otoconin-90, two protein constituents of the otoconia, when expressed in vitro. Otolin was also found in subsets of support cells and non-sensory cells of the cochlea, suggesting that Otolin is also a component of the tectorial membrane.Given the importance of Otolin in lower organisms, the molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of the mammalian Otolin protein may lead to a better understanding of otoconial development and vestibular dysfunction

Occurrence of Bacterial Markers and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Sub-Saharan Rivers Receiving Animal Farm Wastewaters

Antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes which confer resistance to antibiotics from human/animal sources are currently considered a serious environmental and a public health concern. This problem is still little investigated in aquatic environment of developing countries according to the different climatic conditions. In this research, the total bacterial load, the abundance of relevant bacteria (Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus (Ent), and Pseudomonas), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs: blaOXA-48, blaCTX-M, sul1, sul2, sul3, and tet(B)) were quantified using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) in sediments from two rivers receiving animal farming wastewaters under tropical conditions in Kinshasa, capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Human and pig host-specific markers were exploited to examine the sources of contamination. The total bacterial load correlated with relevant bacteria and genes blaOXA-48, sul3, and tet(B) (P value<0.01). E. coli strongly correlated with 16s rDNA, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas spp., blaOXA-48, sul3, and tet(B) (P value<0.01) and with blaCTX-M, sul1, and sul2 at a lower magnitude (P value <0.05). The most abundant and most commonly detected ARGs were sul1, and sul2. Our findings confirmed at least two sources of contamination originating from pigs and anthropogenic activities and that animal farm wastewaters didn't exclusively contribute to antibiotic resistance profile. Moreover, our analysis sheds the light on developing countries where less than adequate infrastructure or lack of it adds to the complexity of antibiotic resistance proliferation with potential risks to the human exposure and aquatic living organisms. This research presents useful tools for the evaluation of emerging microbial contaminants in aquatic ecosystems which can be applied in the similar environment

Sediment Heavy Metal Contents, Ostracod Toxicity and Risk Assessment in Tropical Freshwater Lakes, Tamil Nadu, India

Coimbatore is one of the industrial cities in Tamil Nadu, India, which has been experiencing rapid urbanization and population growth. Coimbatore is also known for its unique freshwater lakes environment and serves as a rich ecosystem. However, the assessment of heavy metal levels in aquatic environments is limited. This study was aimed to investigate physicochemical parameters, heavy metals level and sources, and ecotoxicity in sediments collected from five different lakes in Coimbatore. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in sediments were determined by Inductive Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Hg level was measured using Advanced Mercury Analyzer (AMA). The determined heavy metal concentrations in sediments varied significantly according to the lake location and consistent with local human linked anthropogenic activities. The metal concentrations in urban lakes were exceeding both the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) and the probable effect levels” (PELs) mostly; e.g., in sediments from the Lake Ukkadam, the values of 5.08 and 203.32 mg kg-1 dry weight were observed for Hg and Cu, respectively. The ecotoxicity test with ostracods exposed to the sediment samples revealed that mortality rate ranged between 6 and 23% for countryside lakes and 28 and 88% for the lakes within urban Zone. We used Spearman rank-order correlation and Principal components analysis (PCA) to assess the sources of pollutants and if they related to anthropogenic pressure and eutrophication of lakes. The main sources of heavy metals from studied lakes differed significantly. Urban and industrial effluents were dominant sources in urban lakes. Agricultural runoff, domestic wastes, and natural weathering were responsible for the metal sources in country lakes. This study provides baseline information on the heavy metal pollution status of sediments in the freshwater lakes in Coimbatore, which will be useful for pollution control measures to prevent possible metal sources on these lakes and impose appropriate management practices and continuous monitoring by relevant authorities

Occurrence of toxic metals and their selective pressure for antibiotic-resistant clinically relevant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes in river receiving systems under tropical conditions

The co-occurrence of heavy metals, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) from hospital effluents spreading into the river receiving systems and evaluating associated risks are topics of scientific interest and still under-studied in developing countries under tropical conditions. To understand the selectors of the ARGs, we examined the occurrence of heavy metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn), associated ARB (β-lactam-resistant Escherichia coli , β-lactam-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae) and ARGs ( bla OXA , bla CTX-M , bla IMP , bla TEM ) in water and sediments from two sub-urban rivers receiving urban and hospital effluent waters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). High abundances of ARB and ARGs were observed in all sediment samples. All the metal contents correlated negatively with grain size (− 0.94 ≤  r  ≤  − 0.54, p  &lt; 0.05) except for Ni and positively with organic matter content and total copies of 16 s rRNA (0.42 ≤  r  ≤ 0.79, p  &lt; 0.05), except for Ni and Zn. The metals had a significant positive correlation with the faecal indicator Enterococcus except for Ni and Cd (0.43 ≤  r  ≤ 0.67, p  &lt; 0.05). Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae correlated negatively with Zn ( r  =  − 0.44, p  &lt; 0.05) and positively with all the rest of toxic metals (0.58 ≤  r  ≤ 1.0, p  &lt; 0.05). These results suggested that some metals had a great influence on the persistence of ARB and ARGs in sediments. Overall, this study strongly recommends the managing urban wastewater to preserve water resources used for human and agricultural purposes. Additionally, we recommend the utilizing biological indicators (faecal indicator bacteria, ARB, ARGs) when investigating urban wastewater pollutions

Prevalence of β-Lactam and Sulfonamide Resistance Genes in a Freshwater Reservoir, Lake Brêt, Switzerland

The spread of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and their resistance genes (ARGs) represents a great concern to public health worldwide. The aquatic ecosystems are considered as hot spot for horizontal gene transfer and sediments act as a reservoir of different contaminants. However, the occurrence of agricultural versus medical ARGs in Swiss freshwater reservoirs is understudied. Consequently, in this study, we aimed to quantify broad-spectrum β-lactam and sulfonamide resistance genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaNDM, sul1 and sul2) and the total bacterial load (16S rRNA genes) from the total DNA extracted from the surface sediments of the Lake Brêt, Switzerland using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, sediment physicochemical parameters including organic matter, grain size and toxic metal were analyzed. The results highlight the widespread dissemination of blaTEM, blaSHV and sul1, which were also highly correlated to bacterial biomass and organic matter content (R > 0.75, p < 0.05). The blaCTX-M and sul2 were occasionally present and positively correlate with the concentration of Cr, Mn, Fe and Ni, linking it to agricultural practices. These findings demonstrate a fixation of last ARGs generation in the environment whereas actual antibiotic regulation tend to limit the dissemination of other ARGs in the studied lake reservoir

Leaching and transformability of transgenic DNA in unsaturated soil columns

Unsaturated soil columns were used to examine the transport of the plasmid pLEPO1 and plant DNA (transplastomic tobacco DNA), both carrying an antibiotic resistance gene (aadA gene), and the capacity of bacteria to incorporate the gene in their genome after its passage through the soil. Soil columns containing a top leaf layer had sterile water percolated through them at a rate of 0.5 mL h−1. DNA from column leachate water was extracted and analyzed. Quantitative measurements included total DNA concentrations in the water and the transformation frequencies of Acinetobacter sp. BD413 by DNA in the column effluent. Qualitative measurements included the relative degradation of DNA after passage in the columns by agarose gel electrophoresis and the potential of effluent DNA to transform bacteria, leading to the production of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The presence of aadA gene in the leachate water of soil columns suggests the mobility of DNA in unsaturated soil medium. The extent of DNA degradation was found to be proportional to its residence time in the soil column while a fraction of DNA was always able to incorporate into the Acinetobacter genome under all conditions studied. These results suggest that biologically active transgenic DNA might be transported downward by rain in unsaturated soils

Impact of anthropogenic activities on the occurrence and distribution of toxic metals, extending-spectra β-lactamases and carbapenem resistance in sub-Saharan African urban rivers

The occurrence and dissemination of toxic metals, antibiotic resistant bacteria and their resistance genes (ARGs) in the aquatic ecosystems of sub-Saharan African countries are still understudied, despite their potential to threat human health and aquatic organisms. In this context, the co-contamination and seasonal distribution of toxic metals and ARG in river sediments receiving untreated urban sewages and hospital effluents from Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo were investigated. ARGs including β-lactam resistance (blaCTX-M and blaSHV), carbapenem resistance (blaVIM, blaIMP, blaKPC, blaOXA-48 and blaNDM) and total bacterial load were quantified by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in total DNA extracted from sediment. The amount of toxic metals in sediments was quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results highlight high abundance of 16S rRNA and ARGs copy numbers in sediment samples. Strong pollution of rivers by toxic metals was found, with max values (mg kg−1) of 81.85(Cr), 5.09(Co), 33.84 (Ni), 203.46 (Cu), 1055.92(Zn), 324.24(Pb) and 2.96(Hg). Results also highlight the high abundance of bacterial markers (8.06 × 109-2.42 × 1012 16S rRNA g−1 DS) as well as antibiotic resistance genes (up to 4.58 × 108 ARG g−1 DS) in the studied rivers. Significant correlations were observed between (i) metals (except Cd and Hg) and organic matter (R>0.6, p0.57, p<0.05). Results demonstrated that multi-diffuse pollution originating from human activity contribute to the spread of toxic metals and ARGs into the aquatic ecosystems