Metaphase I orientation of Robertsonian trivalents in the water-hyacinth grasshopper, Cornops aquaticum (Acrididae, Orthoptera)

Abstract Trivalents resulting from polymorphic Robertsonian rearrangements must have a regular orientation in metaphase I if the polymorphisms are to be maintained. It has been argued that redistribution of proximal and interstitial chiasmata to more distal positions is necessary for a convergent orientation, the only one that produces viable gametes. Cornops aquaticum is a South-American grasshopper that lives and feeds on water-hyacinths, and has three polymorphic Robertsonian rearrangements in its southernmost distribution area in Central Argentina and Uruguay. The orientation of trivalents in metaphase I, the formation of abnormal spermatids and the frequency and position of chiasmata in the trivalents, was analysed in a polymorphic population of C. aquaticus. In this study we observed a correlation between the number of trivalents with the frequency of abnormal spermatids; additionally, the number of chiasmata, especially proximal and interstitial ones, was strongly correlated with the frequency of the linear orientation. Therefore we confirmed our previous assumption, based on other evidence, that the chiasmata redistribution in fusion carriers is essential to the maintenance of the polymorphisms

Morphometric differentiation in Cornops Aquaticum (Orthoptera: Acrididae): associations with sex, chromosome, and geographic conditions

The water-hyacinth grasshopper Cornops aquaticum (Bruner) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is native to South America and inhabits lowlands from southern Mexico to central Argentina and Uruguay. This grasshopper feeds and lays eggs on species from the genera Eichhornia and Pontederia. Particularly, Eichhornia crassipes is considered “the world’s worst water weed,” and the release of C. aquaticum was proposed as a form of biological control. Morphometric variation on the chromosomally differentiated populations from the middle and lower Parana´ River and its possible association with geographic, sex, and chromosomal conditions was analyzed. Significant phenotype variation in C. aquaticum population was detected. C. aquaticum presents body-size sexual dimorphism, females being bigger than males. Female-biased sexual size dimorphism for all five analyzed traits was detected. The assessment of variation in sexual size dimorphism for tegmen length showed that this trait scaled allometrically, indicating that males and females did not vary in a similar fashion. The detected allometry was consistent with Rensch’s rule demonstrating greater evolutionary divergence in male size than in female size and suggests that males are more sensitive to environmental condition. The analysis of morphometric variation in the context of chromosome constitution showed that the presence of fusion 1/6 was related to body-size variation. Fusion carriers displayed bigger body size than standard homozygotes. Besides, a positive relationship between tegmen length and the number of fused chromosomes was detected, showing a chromosome dose effect. Because the highest frequency of fusions has been found in the lower Parana´ River, a marginal environment for this species, the results found would support the hypothesis that some supergenes located in the fusions may be favored in the southern populations, thus contributing to the establishment and maintenance of the polymorphism.Fil: Romero, Maria Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Colombo, Pablo Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Remis, Maria Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Metaphase I orientation of Robertsonian trivalents in the water-hyacinth grasshopper, Cornops aquaticum (Acrididae, Orthoptera)

Trivalents resulting from polymorphic Robertsonian rearrangements must have a regular orientation in metaphase I if the polymorphisms are to be maintained. It has been argued that redistribution of proximal and interstitial chiasmata to more distal positions is necessary for a convergent orientation, the only one that produces viable gametes. Cornops aquaticum is a South-American grasshopper that lives and feeds on water-hyacinths, and has three polymorphic Robertsonian rearrangements in its southernmost distribution area in Central Argentina and Uruguay. The orientation of trivalents in metaphase I, the formation of abnormal spermatids and the frequency and position of chiasmata in the trivalents, was analysed in a polymorphic population of C. aquaticus. In this study we observed a correlation between the number of trivalents with the frequency of abnormal spermatids; additionally, the number of chiasmata, especially proximal and interstitial ones, was strongly correlated with the frequency of the linear orientation. Therefore we confirmed our previous assumption, based on other evidence, that the chiasmata redistribution in fusion carriers is essential to the maintenance of the polymorphisms

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Isotopic niche plasticity in a marine top predator as indicator of a large marine ecosystem food web status

As marine ecosystems are harvested or modified by anthropogenic or natural factors, there is an increasing demand for indicators of trophic web health or status. The Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) is a widely distributed species that forages in the Patagonian Shelf. During breeding, this species is a central-place forager that feeds mainly on schooling fish, with Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) being the dominant prey in the north and Fuegian sprat (Sprattus fuegensis) in the south of the Argentine Patagonian distribution (40–55°S). Like most forage fish, both prey species display large natural interannual recruitment fluctuations. We used stable isotope analysis of adult Magellanic penguin blood obtained at twelve colonies along its Patagonian latitudinal range to assess changes in isotopic niche and in trophic level as a response to interannual changes in abundance and spatial segregation of forage fish size classes, respectively. Magellanic penguins showed large isotopic niche fluctuations among breeding seasons, explained by the contribution of forage fish in their diet. Furthermore, the size of the isotopic niche negatively correlated with forage fish biomass estimated from acoustic surveys and with their contribution in penguin diet. We defined an isotopic niche size threshold that indicates low abundance of forage fish in nearby feeding grounds. In addition, the trophic level of Magellanic penguins increased with latitude, which corresponds to the size-distribution of both main forage fish species, showing that penguins from different colonies target different size classes of their main prey. We present here a simple and easy to implement indicator to monitor the status of the base of the food web in one of the most productive marine areas in the world, which constitutes the feeding ground of a diverse group of high trophic level predators and sustains large-scale fisheries.Fil: Ciancio Blanc, Javier Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Yorio, Pablo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Buratti, Claudio César. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez Colombo, Gustavo Luis. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Frere, Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Unidad Académica Caleta Olivia. Centro de Investigaciones Puerto Deseado; Argentin

Mafic rocks of the Ordovician Famatinian magmatic arc (NW Argentina): New insights into the mantle contribution

We studied the petrogenesis of mafic igneous rocks in the Famatinian arc in the western Sierra Famatina (NW Argentina), an Early Ordovician middle-crustal section in the proto-Andean margin of Gondwana. Mafic rock types consist of amphibolite, metagabbro, and gabbro, as well as pod- and dike-like bodies of gabbro to diorite composition. Field relations together with geochemical and isotopic data for the mafic rocks of the western Sierra de Famatina (at 29°S) define two contrasting suites, which can be correlated with similar assemblages noted in other parts of the orogen. Amphibolite, metagabbro, and gabbro bodies are mostly the oldest intrusive rocks (older than 480 Ma), with the host tonalite and post-tonalite mafic dikes being slightly younger. The older mafic suite is tholeiitic to calc-alkaline and isotopically evolved, except for most of the amphibolite samples. The younger suite is calc-alkaline, typically displaying subduction-related geochemical signatures, and it is isotopically more juvenile. Whole-rock chemical composition and isotopic analyses are compatible with a progressive mixing of different isotopic reservoirs. Pyroxenite (±garnet) was likely the dominant source of the older gabbroic magmas, whereas peridotite dominated in the source of the younger suite, implying that the mafic magma experienced a progressive shift toward more juvenile compositions though time (over 20 m.y.). Pyroxenitederived melts could have been generated by lithospheric foundering followed by upwelling of primitive melts by adiabatic decompression of mantle wedge peridotite.Centro de Investigaciones Geológica

CK2 inhibition with silmitasertib promotes methuosis-like cell death associated to catastrophic massive vacuolization of colorectal cancer cells

Abstract Protein kinase CK2 is a highly conserved and constitutively active Ser/Thr-kinase that phosphorylates a large number of substrates, resulting in increased cell proliferation and survival. A known target of CK2 is Akt, a player in the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 signaling pathway, which is aberrantly activated in 32% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. On the other hand, mTORC1 plays an important role in the regulation of protein synthesis, cell growth, and autophagy. Some studies suggest that CK2 regulates mTORC1 in several cancers. The most recently developed CK2 inhibitor, silmitasertib (formerly CX-4945), has been tested in phase I/II trials for cholangiocarcinoma and multiple myeloma. This drug has been shown to induce autophagy and enhance apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells and to promote apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Nevertheless, it has not been tested in studies for CRC patients. We show in this work that inhibition of CK2 with silmitasertib decreases in vitro tumorigenesis of CRC cells in response to G2/M arrest, which correlates with mTORC1 inhibition and formation of large cytoplasmic vacuoles. Notably, molecular markers indicate that these vacuoles derive from massive macropinocytosis. Altogether, these findings suggest that an aberrantly elevated expression/activity of CK2 may play a key role in CRC, promoting cell viability and proliferation in untreated cells, however, its inhibition with silmitasertib promotes methuosis-like cell death associated to massive catastrophic vacuolization, accounting for decreased tumorigenicity at later times. These characteristics of silmitasertib support a potential therapeutic use in CRC patients and probably other CK2-dependent cancers