Damage caused by Batocera lineolata Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Eucalyptus and its management in Vietnam

The recent emergence of a new cerambycid pest in Eucalyptus plantations in Vietnam is causing concern in the forest sector. This paper confirms the identity of the new pest, assesses the damage caused in the main commercial Eucalyptus clones, and explores preliminary control options for the management of outbreaks. The pest was identified as Batocera lineolata Chevrolat based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 analysis. Clonal plantations of E. urophylla × E. grandis (DH32-29) had the most bole damage; E. urophylla × E. pellita (PNCTIV, U6) had low damage; and E. urophylla × E. pellita (PNCT3) and E. urophylla (PN14) were not damaged by B. lineolata. Thirty days after pesticide treatments (fipronil, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos ethyl mixed with trisiloxane ethoxylate) were applied to the boles of one-year-old DH32-29 trees, damage from B. lineolata was reduced by 73.4 to 77.5%. Applying Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana or Metarhizium anisopliae mixed with Tween 80 were less effective, with damage reduced by 41.3, 31.5 and 30.2%, respectively. It is suggested that clone DH32-29 be replaced with resistant clones PNCT3, PNCTIV or U6 to reduce the risk of wood loss as the pest spreads. Until more effective control strategies can be identified, insecticides provide an option for reducing damage from B. lineolata larvae

Integrated (epi)-Genomic Analyses Identify Subgroup-Specific Therapeutic Targets in CNS Rhabdoid Tumors

We recently reported that atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) comprise at least two transcriptional subtypes with different clinical outcomes; however, the mechanisms underlying therapeutic heterogeneity remained unclear. In this study, we analyzed 191 primary ATRTs and 10 ATRT cell lines to define the genomic and epigenomic landscape of ATRTs and identify subgroup-specific therapeutic targets. We found ATRTs segregated into three epigenetic subgroups with distinct genomic profiles, SMARCB1 genotypes, and chromatin landscape that correlated with differential cellular responses to a panel of signaling and epigenetic inhibitors. Significantly, we discovered that differential methylation of a PDGFRB-associated enhancer confers specific sensitivity of group 2 ATRT cells to dasatinib and nilotinib, and suggest that these are promising therapies for this highly lethal ATRT subtype.Jonathon Torchia ... Jordan R Hansford ... et al

Trans-ancestry genome-wide association study identifies 12 genetic loci influencing blood pressure and implicates a role for DNA methylation

We carried out a trans-ancestry genome-wide association and replication study of blood pressure phenotypes among up to 320,251 individuals of East Asian, European and South Asian ancestry. We find genetic variants at 12 new loci to be associated with blood pressure (P = 3.9 × 10 -11 to 5.0 × 10 -21). The sentinel blood pressure SNPs are enriched for association with DNA methylation at multiple nearby CpG sites, suggesting that, at some of the loci identified, DNA methylation may lie on the regulatory pathway linking sequence variation to blood pressure. The sentinel SNPs at the 12 new loci point to genes involved in vascular smooth muscle (IGFBP3, KCNK3, PDE3A and PRDM6) and renal (ARHGAP24, OSR1, SLC22A7 and TBX2) function. The new and known genetic variants predict increased left ventricular mass, circulating levels of NT-proBNP, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (P = 0.04 to 8.6 × 10 -6). Our results provide new evidence for the role of DNA methylation in blood pressure regulation