Life History and Laboratory Rearing of the Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

The red admiral butterfly, Vanessa atalanta (Linneaus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a globally distributed species and model organism for studying migration patterns and effects of climate change. Most previous red admiral research focused on wild populations. Establishing laboratory colonies allow for experimentation with a multitude of lab-based plant-insect interactions. We describe red admiral butterfly life history and laboratory rearing methods

Brown marmorated stink bug in midwest field crops

Abstract supplied by cataloger."This publication is partially funded by a USDA NIFA grant in the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program"An informational article about how to identiy and manage brown marmorated stink bugs.Written by: Alyssa L. Lucas (GRA, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri), Layne B. Leake (GRA, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri), Kevin B. Rice (Assistant Professor, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri)New 8/2

Biology and management of Japanese beetle

Abstract supplied by cataloger."This publication is partially funded by a USDA NIFA grant in the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program."An informational article about how to identify and manage Japanese beetles.Written by: Kelsey J. Benthall (GRA, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri), Emily R. Althoff (GRA, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri), Kevin B. Rice (Assistant Professor, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri)New 7/2

Exposure to Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Is Associated With Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases Signaling and Apoptosis in Rat Lungs

Objectives: With recent advances in nanoparticle manufacturing and applications, potential exposure to nanoparticles in various settings is becoming increasing likely. No investigation has yet been performed to assess whether respiratory tract exposure to cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles is associated with alterations in protein signaling, inflammation, and apoptosis in rat lungs. Methods: Specific-pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were instilled with either vehicle (saline) or CeO2 nanoparticles at a dosage of 7.0 mg/kg and euthanized 1, 3, 14, 28, 56, or 90 days after exposure. Lung tissues were collected and evaluated for the expression of proteins associated with inflammation and cellular apoptosis. Results: No change in lung weight was detected over the course of the study; however, cerium accumulation in the lungs, gross histological changes, an increased Bax to Bcl-2 ratio, elevated cleaved caspase-3 protein levels, increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and diminished phosphorylation of ERK-1/2-MAPK were detected after CeO2 instillation (p\u3c0.05). Conclusions: Taken together, these data suggest that high-dose respiratory exposure to CeO2 nanoparticles is associated with lung inflammation, the activation of signaling protein kinases, and cellular apoptosis, which may be indicative of a long-term localized inflammatory response

Application of Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers for Use in Bionanomotor Systems

The study and utilization of bionanomotors represents a rapid and progressing field of nanobiotechnology. Here, we demonstrate that poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are capable of supporting heavy meromyosin dependent actin motility of similar quality to that observed using nitrocellulose, and that microcontact printing of PAMAM dendrimers can be exploited to produce tracks of active myosin motors leading to the restricted motion of actin filaments across a patterned surface. These data suggest that the use of dendrimer surfaces will increase the applicability of using protein biomolecular motors for nanotechnological applications

Exposure to PCB126 During The Nursing Period Reversibly Impacts Early-Life Glucose Tolerance

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental organic pollutants known to have detrimental health effects. Using a mouse model, we previously demonstrated that PCB126 exposure before and during pregnancy and throughout the perinatal period adversely affected offspring glucose tolerance and/or body composition profiles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the glucose tolerance and body composition of offspring born to dams exposed to PCB126 during the nursing period only. Female ICR mice were bred, and half of the dams were exposed to either vehicle (safflower oil) or 1 µmole PCB126 per kg of body weight via oral gavage on postnatal days (PND) 3, 10, and 17 (n = 9 per group). Offspring body weight, lean and fat mass, and glucose tolerance were recorded every three weeks. PCB126 treatment did not alter dam nor offspring body weight (p \u3e 0.05). PCB126-exposed male and female offspring displayed normal body composition (p \u3e 0.05) relative to vehicle-exposed offspring. However, both male and female offspring that were exposed to PCB126 during the nursing period had significantly impaired glucose tolerance at 3 and 9 weeks of age (p \u3c 0.05). At 6 and 12 weeks of age, no impairments in glucose tolerance existed in offspring (p \u3e 0.05). Our current study demonstrates that exposure to PCB126 through the mother\u27s milk does not affect short- or long-term body composition but impairs glucose tolerance in the short-term

Thyroid-Disrupting Chemicals: Interpreting Upstream Biomarkers of Adverse Outcomes

Background There is increasing evidence in humans and in experimental animals for a relationship between exposure to specific environmental chemicals and perturbations in levels of critically important thyroid hormones (THs). Identification and proper interpretation of these relationships are required for accurate assessment of risk to public health. Objectives We review the role of TH in nervous system development and specific outcomes in adults, the impact of xenobiotics on thyroid signaling, the relationship between adverse outcomes of thyroid disruption and upstream causal biomarkers, and the societal implications of perturbations in thyroid signaling by xenobiotic chemicals. Data sources We drew on an extensive body of epidemiologic, toxicologic, and mechanistic studies. Data synthesis THs are critical for normal nervous system development, and decreased maternal TH levels are associated with adverse neuropsychological development in children. In adult humans, increased thyroid-stimulating hormone is associated with increased blood pressure and poorer blood lipid profiles, both risk factors for cardiovascular disease and death. These effects of thyroid suppression are observed even within the “normal” range for the population. Environmental chemicals may affect thyroid homeostasis by a number of mechanisms, and multiple chemicals have been identified that interfere with thyroid function by each of the identified mechanisms. Conclusions Individuals are potentially vulnerable to adverse effects as a consequence of exposure to thyroid-disrupting chemicals. Any degree of thyroid disruption that affects TH levels on a population basis should be considered a biomarker of adverse outcomes, which may have important societal outcomes

Scaling K2. VI. Reduced Small Planet Occurrence in High Galactic Amplitude Stars

In this study, we performed a homogeneous analysis of the planets around FGK dwarf stars observed by the Kepler and K2 missions, providing spectroscopic parameters for 310 K2 targets -- including 239 Scaling K2 hosts -- observed with Keck/HIRES. For orbital periods less than 40 days, we found that the distribution of planets as a function of orbital period, stellar effective temperature, and metallicity was consistent between K2 and Kepler, reflecting consistent planet formation efficiency across numerous ~1 kpc sight-lines in the local Milky Way. Additionally, we detected a 3X excess of sub-Saturns relative to warm Jupiters beyond 10 days, suggesting a closer association between sub-Saturn and sub-Neptune formation than between sub-Saturn and Jovian formation. Performing a joint analysis of Kepler and K2 demographics, we observed diminishing super-Earth, sub-Neptune, and sub-Saturn populations at higher stellar effective temperatures, implying an inverse relationship between formation and disk mass. In contrast, no apparent host-star spectral-type dependence was identified for our population of Jupiters, which indicates gas-giant formation saturates within the FGK mass regimes. We present support for stellar metallicity trends reported by previous Kepler analyses. Using GAIA DR3 proper motion and RV measurements, we discovered a galactic location trend: stars that make large vertical excursions from the plane of the Milky Way host fewer super-Earths and sub-Neptunes. While oscillation amplitude is associated with metallicity, metallicity alone cannot explain the observed trend, demonstrating that galactic influences are imprinted on the planet population. Overall, our results provide new insights into the distribution of planets around FGK dwarf stars and the factors that influence their formation and evolution.Comment: 28 Pages, 12 Figures, 3 Tables; Accepted for Publication A

Broadly neutralizing antibodies abrogate established hepatitis C virus infection

In most exposed individuals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) establishes a chronic infection; this long-term infection in turn contributes to the development of liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The role of antibodies directed against HCV in disease progression is poorly understood. Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) can prevent HCV infection in vitro and in animal models. However, the effects of nAbs on an established HCV infection are unclear. We demonstrate that three broadly nAbs—AR3A, AR3B, and AR4A—delivered with adeno-associated viral vectors can confer protection against viral challenge in humanized mice. Furthermore, we provide evidence that nAbs can abrogate an ongoing HCV infection in primary hepatocyte cultures and in a human liver chimeric mouse model. These results showcase a therapeutic approach to interfere with HCV infection by exploiting a previously unappreciated need for HCV to continuously infect new hepatocytes to sustain a chronic infection