A revision of the Ecuadorian snakes of the colubrid genus Atractus

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56356/1/MP112.pd

A Review of the Leptodactylid Frog Genus, Odontophrynus

The frogs of the neotropical genus Odontophrynus form a distinctive and phyletically compact group of warty toadlike bur- rowers, readily distinguished from other members of the family Leptodactylidae. One wide-ranging species, Odontophrynus ameri- canus, is among the commonest amphibians in the drier subtropical regions of Argentina and adjacent portions of Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. A second well-differentiated species, Odontophrynus cultripes, of southeastern Brazil and Argentina, is characterized by enormous dorsal poison glands. A third nominal form, Odontophrynus occidentalis, originally described from Territorio de Neuquén, Argentina, has been of questionable status. The present study was initiated by the rediscovery of Odontophrynus occidentalis from a number of localities along the eastern foothills of the Argentina Andes. Subsequently, in the course of investigations to establish the systematic position of the three known members of the genus, an undescribed species from northeast Brazil was discovered. The principal aims of this report are to review briefly the systematics and distribution of the four valid species of Odontophrynus, provide diagnoses for identification, describe the larvae of three of the forms, and describe the new Brazilian species. Detailed analysis of geographic variation and the ecology of O. americanus and O. occidentalis is reserved for a future paper by Cei. Barrio (1964) has recently discussed breeding calls and ecological characters in these two species.Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

A Review of the Leptodactylid Frog Genus, Odontophrynus

The frogs of the neotropical genus Odontophrynus form a distinctive and phyletically compact group of warty toadlike bur- rowers, readily distinguished from other members of the family Leptodactylidae. One wide-ranging species, Odontophrynus ameri- canus, is among the commonest amphibians in the drier subtropical regions of Argentina and adjacent portions of Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. A second well-differentiated species, Odontophrynus cultripes, of southeastern Brazil and Argentina, is characterized by enormous dorsal poison glands. A third nominal form, Odontophrynus occidentalis, originally described from Territorio de Neuquén, Argentina, has been of questionable status. The present study was initiated by the rediscovery of Odontophrynus occidentalis from a number of localities along the eastern foothills of the Argentina Andes. Subsequently, in the course of investigations to establish the systematic position of the three known members of the genus, an undescribed species from northeast Brazil was discovered. The principal aims of this report are to review briefly the systematics and distribution of the four valid species of Odontophrynus, provide diagnoses for identification, describe the larvae of three of the forms, and describe the new Brazilian species. Detailed analysis of geographic variation and the ecology of O. americanus and O. occidentalis is reserved for a future paper by Cei. Barrio (1964) has recently discussed breeding calls and ecological characters in these two species.Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

A New Record of \u3ci\u3eAtractus boettgeri\u3c/i\u3e (Serpentes: Colubridae), with Notes on Taxonomy and Natural History

We report a range extension of Atractus boettgeri, a rare snake endemic to Bolivia. This species differs from Atractus taeniatus by a higher segmental count (well outside the range for A. taeniatus) and by having only 6 maxillary teeth as opposed to 8-9 in A. taeniatus. In addition, A. boettgeri differs from A. emmeli in having 6-6 supralabials (versus 7-7) and fewer ventrals (175-177 versus 181-189 in females). All known records of A. boettgeri indicate an association between this species and the Cerrado vegetation of central Bolivia. This report is also unique in that the specimen reported herein was found in the stomach of a Common Long-Nosed Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Se reporta una extension de en la distribucion de la especie Atractus boettgeri, una serpiente endemica de Bolivia. Esta especie se diferencia de A. taeniatus por tener un numero segmental muy por encima del intervalo descrito para A. taeniatus y por tener solo 6 dientes maxilares, en vez de 8-9 en A. taeniatus. Ademas, A. boettgeri se diferencia de A. emmeli por tener escamas supralabiales en patron 6-6 (en vez de 7-7) y tener un conteo de escamas ventrales menor en hembras (175-177 versus 181-189). Incluyendo este, todos los registros conocidos para A. boettgeri parecen estar asociados con la vegetacion del Cerrado en Bolivia. El ejemplar se encontro en el estomago del tatu comun (Dasypus novemcinctus)

Genetically inferred birthweight, height, and puberty timing and risk of osteosarcoma

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have linked increased risk of osteosarcoma with tall stature, high birthweight, and early puberty, although evidence is inconsistent. We used genetic risk scores (GRS) based on established genetic loci for these traits and evaluated associations between genetically inferred birthweight, height, and puberty timing with osteosarcoma. METHODS: Using genotype data from two genome-wide association studies, totaling 1039 cases and 2923 controls of European ancestry, association analyses were conducted using logistic regression for each study and meta-analyzed to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted by case diagnosis age, metastasis status, tumor location, tumor histology, and presence of a known pathogenic variant in a cancer susceptibility gene. RESULTS: Genetically inferred higher birthweight was associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma (OR =1.59, 95% CI 1.07-2.38, P = 0.02). This association was strongest in cases without metastatic disease (OR =2.46, 95% CI 1.44-4.19, P = 9.5 ×10-04). Although there was no overall association between osteosarcoma and genetically inferred taller stature (OR=1.06, 95% CI 0.96-1.17, P = 0.28), the GRS for taller stature was associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma in 154 cases with a known pathogenic cancer susceptibility gene variant (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.03-1.63, P = 0.03). There were no significant associations between the GRS for puberty timing and osteosarcoma. CONCLUSION: A genetic propensity to higher birthweight was associated with increased osteosarcoma risk, suggesting that shared genetic factors or biological pathways that affect birthweight may contribute to osteosarcoma pathogenesis

Comprehensive preclinical evaluation of human-derived anti-poly-GA antibodies in cellular and animal models of C9ORF72 disease

Hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansions in the C9ORF72 gene are the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) generated by translation of repeat-containing RNAs show toxic effects in vivo as well as in vitro and are key targets for therapeutic intervention. We generated human antibodies that bind DPRs with high affinity and specificity. Anti-GA antibodies engaged extra- and intracellular poly-GA and reduced aggregate formation in a poly-GA over-expressing human cell line. However, antibody treatment in human neuronal cultures synthesizing exogenous poly-GA resulted in the formation of large extracellular immune complexes and did not affect accumulation of intracellular poly-GA aggregates. Treatment with antibodies was also shown to directly alter the morphological and biochemical properties of poly-GA and to shift poly-GA/antibody complexes to more rapidly sedimenting ones. These alterations were not observed with poly-GP and have important implications for accurate measurement of poly-GA levels including the need to evaluate all centrifugation fractions and disrupt the interaction between treatment antibodies and poly-GA by denaturation. Targeting poly-GA and poly-GP in two mouse models expressing G4C2 repeats by systemic antibody delivery for up to 16 months was well-tolerated and led to measurable brain penetration of antibodies. Long term treatment with anti-GA antibodies produced improvement in an open field movement test in aged C9ORF72450 mice. However, chronic administration of anti-GA antibodies in AAV-(G4C2)149 mice was associated with increased levels of poly-GA detected by immunoassay and did not significantly reduce poly-GA aggregates or alleviate disease progression in this model. Significance Immunotherapy has been proposed for neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases. Recent reports using antibodies against poly-GA or active immunization suggested similar immunotherapy in ALS/FTD caused by repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene (1, 2). Here, we systematically characterized human antibodies against multiple DPR species and tested the biological effects of antibodies targeting poly-GA in different cellular and mouse models. Target engagement was shown in three independent cellular models. Anti-GA antibodies reduced the number of intracellular poly-GA aggregates in human T98G cells but not in cultured human neurons. Whereas chronic anti-GA treatment in BAC C9ORF72450 mice did not impact poly-GA levels and modestly improved one behavioral phenotype, poly-GA levels detected by immunoassays were increased and disease progression was unaltered in AAV-(G4C2)149 mice