Occurrence of the Bat Tick, \u3ci\u3eOrnithodoros Kelleyi\u3c/i\u3e (Acari: Argasidae), in Michigan

The bat tick, Ornithodoros kelleyi, is recorded from Michigan for the first time. A single female was collected in a building on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor

Improved tRNA prediction in the American house dust mite reveals widespread occurrence of extremely short minimal tRNAs in acariform mites

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atypical tRNAs are functional minimal tRNAs, lacking either the D- or T-arm. They are significantly shorter than typical cloverleaf tRNAs. Widespread occurrence of atypical tRNAs was first demonstrated for secernentean nematodes and later in various arachnids. Evidence started to accumulate that tRNAs of certain acariform mites are even shorter than the minimal tRNAs of nematodes, raising the possibility that tRNAs lacking both D- and T-arms might exist in these organisms. The presence of cloverleaf tRNAs in acariform mites, particularly in the house dust mite genus <it>Dermatophagoides</it>, is still disputed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mitochondrial tRNAs of <it>Dermatophagoides farinae </it>are minimal, atypical tRNAs lacking either the T- or D-arm. The size (49-62, 54.4 ± 2.86 nt) is significantly (p = 0.019) smaller than in <it>Caenorhabditis elegans </it>(53-63, 56.3 ± 2.30 nt), a model minimal tRNA taxon. The shortest tRNA (49 nt) in <it>Dermatophagoides </it>is approaching the length of the shortest known tRNAs (45-49 nt) described in other acariform mites. The D-arm is absent in these tRNAs, and the inferred T-stem is small (2-3 bp) and thermodynamically unstable, suggesting that it may not exist in reality. The discriminator nucleotide is probably not encoded and is added postranscriptionally in many <it>Dermatophagoides </it>tRNAs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Mitochondrial tRNAs of acariform mites are largely atypical, non-cloverleaf tRNAs. Among them, the shortest known tRNAs with no D-arm and a short and unstable T-arm can be inferred. While our study confirmed seven tRNAs in <it>Dermatophagoides </it>by limited EST data, further experimental evidence is needed to demonstrate extremely small and unusual tRNAs in acariform mites.</p

Morphology, Evolution, and Host Associations of Bee-Associated Mites of the Family Chaetodactylidae (Acari: Astigmata) with a monographic revision of North American taxa

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110995/1/Bee Mites.pdfDescription of Bee Mites.pdf : Main Pape

The systematic position of the genus Chirobia Fain, 1959 (Astigmata: Sarcoptidae) with a description of Chirobia harpyionycteris n. sp. from the Old World fruit bat Harpyionycteris whiteheadi (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)

A new species of Chirobia Fain, 1959, C. harpyionycteris n. sp., parasitic on the Old World fruit bat Harpyionycteris whiteheadi (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) is described and illustrated, with notes on its ecology. The assemblage of the genera Chirobia, Teinocoptes Rodhain, 1923 and Tychosarcoptes Fain, 1976 forms a monophyletic group within the family Sarcoptidae. Within this group, Chirobia is monophyletic, with a sister group relationship between C. harpyionycteris and the assemblage of all previously described Chirobia species. The status of Teinocoptes remains uncertain, but the available evidence suggests that this genus may be paraphyletic.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43838/1/11230_2004_Article_BF00012193.pd

Two-Phase Thermal Switching System for a Small, Extended Duration Lunar Science Platform

Issue: extended duration lunar science platforms, using solar/battery or radioisotope power, require thermal switching systems that: a) Provide efficient cooling during the 15-earth-day 390 K lunar day; b) Consume minimal power during the 15-earth-day 100 K lunar night. Objective: carry out an analytical study of thermal switching systems that can meet the thermal requirements of: a) International Lunar Network (ILN) anchor node mission - primary focus; b) Other missions such as polar crater landers. ILN Anchor Nodes: network of geophysical science platforms to better understand the interior structure/composition of the moon: a) Rationale: no data since Apollo seismic stations ceased operation in 1977; b) Anchor Nodes: small, low-power, long-life (6-yr) landers with seismographic and a few other science instruments (see next chart); c) WEB: warm electronics box houses ILN anchor node electronics/batteries. Technology Need: thermal switching system that will keep the WEB cool during the lunar day and warm during the lunar night

Differences in External and Internal Cortical Strain with Prosthesis in the Femur

The contact between a femoral stem prosthesis and the internal surface of the cortical bone with the stress in the interface is of crucial importance with respect to loosening. However, there are no reports of strain patterns at this site, and the main aim of the current study was to investigate differences of internal and external cortical strain in the proximal femur after insertion of a stem prosthesis. The external cortical strain of a human cadaveric femur was measured with strain gauges before and after implantation of a stem prosthesis. By use of optical fibres embedded longitudinally in the endosteal cortex, deformations at the implant–internal cortex interface could also be measured. The main external deformation during loading of the intact femur occurred as compression of the medial cortex; both at the proximal and distal levels. The direction of the principal strain on the medial and lateral aspects was close to the longitudinal axis of the bone. After resection of the femoral neck and insertion of a stem prosthesis, the changes in external strain values were greatest medially at the proximal level, where the magnitude of deformation in compression was reduced to about half the values measured on the intact specimen. Otherwise, there were rather small changes in external principal strain. However, by comparing vertical strain in the external and internal cortex of the proximal femur, there were great differences in values and patterns at all positions. The transcortical differences in strain varied from compression on one side to distraction on the other and vice versa in some of the positions with a correlation coefficient of 0.07. Our results show that differences exist between the external and internal cortical strain when loading a stem prosthesis. Hence, strain at the internal cortex does not correspond and can not be deducted from measured strain at the external cortex

MINERvA neutrino detector response measured with test beam data

The MINERvA collaboration operated a scaled-down replica of the solid scintillator tracking and sampling calorimeter regions of the MINERvA detector in a hadron test beam at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility. This article reports measurements with samples of protons, pions, and electrons from 0.35 to 2.0 GeV/c momentum. The calorimetric response to protons, pions, and electrons are obtained from these data. A measurement of the parameter in Birks' law and an estimate of the tracking efficiency are extracted from the proton sample. Overall the data are well described by a Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulation of the detector and particle interactions with agreements better than 4%, though some features of the data are not precisely modeled. These measurements are used to tune the MINERvA detector simulation and evaluate systematic uncertainties in support of the MINERvA neutrino cross section measurement program.Comment: as accepted by NIM

Detecting ancient codispersals and host shifts by double dating of host and parasite phylogenies: Application in proctophyllodid feather mites associated with passerine birds

Inferring cophylogeographic events requires matching the timing of these events on both host and symbiont (e.g., parasites) phylogenies because divergences of hosts and their symbionts may not temporally coincide, and host switches may occur. We investigate a large radiation of birds (Passeriformes) and their permanent symbionts, the proctophyllodid feather mites (117 species from 116 bird species; six genes, 11,468 nt aligned) using two time‐calibration strategies for mites: fossils only and host phylogeography only. Out of 10 putative cophylogeographic events 4 agree in timing for both symbiont and host events being synchronous co‐origins or codispersals; three were based on host shifts, but agree in timing being very close to the origin of modern hosts; two disagree; and one large basal mite split was seemingly independent from host phylogeography. Among these events was an ancient (21–25.3 Mya), synchronous codispersal from the Old World leading to the origin and diversifications of New World emberizoid passerids and their mites, the thraupis + quadratus species groups of Proctophyllodes. Our framework offers a more robust detection of host and symbiont cophylogeographic events (as compared to host‐symbiont reconciliation analysis and using host phylogeography for time‐calibration) and provides independent data for testing alternative hypotheses on timing of host diversification and dispersal.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/1/evo13309-sup-0003-figureS3.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/2/evo13309.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/3/evo13309-sup-0006-figureS6.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/4/evo13309_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/5/evo13309-sup-0009-figureS9.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/6/evo13309-sup-0005-figureS5.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/7/evo13309-sup-0004-figureS4.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/8/evo13309-sup-0002-figureS2.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138927/9/evo13309-sup-0008-figureS8.pd

PDXK mutations cause polyneuropathy responsive to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate supplementation.

OBJECTIVE: To identify disease-causing variants in autosomal recessive axonal polyneuropathy with optic atrophy and provide targeted replacement therapy. METHODS: We performed genome-wide sequencing, homozygosity mapping, and segregation analysis for novel disease-causing gene discovery. We used circular dichroism to show secondary structure changes and isothermal titration calorimetry to investigate the impact of variants on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding. Pathogenicity was further supported by enzymatic assays and mass spectroscopy on recombinant protein, patient-derived fibroblasts, plasma, and erythrocytes. Response to supplementation was measured with clinical validated rating scales, electrophysiology, and biochemical quantification. RESULTS: We identified biallelic mutations in PDXK in 5 individuals from 2 unrelated families with primary axonal polyneuropathy and optic atrophy. The natural history of this disorder suggests that untreated, affected individuals become wheelchair-bound and blind. We identified conformational rearrangement in the mutant enzyme around the ATP-binding pocket. Low PDXK ATP binding resulted in decreased erythrocyte PDXK activity and low pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) concentrations. We rescued the clinical and biochemical profile with PLP supplementation in 1 family, improvement in power, pain, and fatigue contributing to patients regaining their ability to walk independently during the first year of PLP normalization. INTERPRETATION: We show that mutations in PDXK cause autosomal recessive axonal peripheral polyneuropathy leading to disease via reduced PDXK enzymatic activity and low PLP. We show that the biochemical profile can be rescued with PLP supplementation associated with clinical improvement. As B6 is a cofactor in diverse essential biological pathways, our findings may have direct implications for neuropathies of unknown etiology characterized by reduced PLP levels. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:225-240