Retinoic acid regulates avian lung branching through a molecular network

Retinoic acid (RA) is of major importance during vertebrate embryonic development and its levels need to be strictly regulated otherwise congenital malformations will develop. Through the action of specific nuclear receptors, named RAR/RXR, RA regulates the expression of genes that eventually influence proliferation and tissue patterning. RA has been described as crucial for different stages of mammalian lung morphogenesis, and as part of a complex molecular network that contributes to precise organogenesis; nonetheless, nothing is known about its role in avian lung development. The current report characterizes, for the first time, the expression pattern of RA signaling members (stra6, raldh2, raldh3, cyp26a1, rar alpha, and rar beta) and potential RA downstream targets (sox2, sox9, meis1, meis2, tgf beta 2, and id2) by in situ hybridization. In the attempt of unveiling the role of RA in chick lung branching, in vitro lung explants were performed. Supplementation studies revealed that RA stimulates lung branching in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the expression levels of cyp26a1, sox2, sox9, rar beta, meis2, hoxb5, tgf beta 2, id2, fgf10, fgfr2, and shh were evaluated after RA treatment to disclose a putative molecular network underlying RA effect. In situ hybridization analysis showed that RA is able to alter cyp26a1, sox9, tgf beta 2, and id2 spatial distribution; to increase rar beta, meis2, and hoxb5 expression levels; and has a very modest effect on sox2, fgf10, fgfr2, and shh expression levels. Overall, these findings support a role for RA in the proximal-distal patterning and branching morphogenesis of the avian lung and reveal intricate molecular interactions that ultimately orchestrate branching morphogenesis.The authors would like to thank Ana Lima for slide sectioning and Rita Lopes for contributing to the initiation of this project. This work has been funded by FEDER funds, through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), and by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038; and by the Project NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-000013, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Skeletal Morphology of Opius dissitus and Biosteres carbonarius (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with a Discussion of Terminology

The Braconidae, a family of parasitic wasps, constitute a major taxonomic challenge with an estimated diversity of 40,000 to 120,000 species worldwide, only 18,000 of which have been described to date. The skeletal morphology of braconids is still not adequately understood and the terminology is partly idiosyncratic, despite the fact that anatomical features form the basis for most taxonomic work on the group. To help address this problem, we describe the external skeletal morphology of Opius dissitus Muesebeck 1963 and Biosteres carbonarius Nees 1834, two diverse representatives of one of the least known and most diverse braconid subfamilies, the Opiinae. We review the terminology used to describe skeletal features in the Ichneumonoidea in general and the Opiinae in particular, and identify a list of recommend terms, which are linked to the online Hymenoptera Anatomy Ontology. The morphology of the studied species is illustrated with SEM-micrographs, photos and line drawings. Based on the examined species, we discuss intraspecific and interspecific morphological variation in the Opiinae and point out character complexes that merit further study

First record of the subfamily Dirrhopinae (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) from the Australian region, with a discussion of relationships and biology

The subfamily Dirrhopinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is recorded for the first time from the Australian region on the basis of Dirrhope minor Belokobylskij collected at light from several sites in northern Queensland. The species is redescribed and a discussion of relationships, distribution and biology of the subfamily is presented.Belokobylskij, Sergey A ; Iqbal, Muhammad ; Austin, Andrew

New species of Australian arid zone chelonine wasps from the genera Phanerotoma

Here we focus on the poorly studied braconid wasp subfamily Cheloninae for the arid zone of the Australian continent, using material, in part, resulting from comprehensive surveys of three arid zone reserves. The Bush Blitz programme is a multi-institutional project with the aim of documenting the diversity of the flora and fauna in Australia’s National Reserve System, with describing new species being a key focus of the programme. In total, 11 species from the genera Ascogaster and Phanerotoma are treated, with species’ delimitation based on both molecular and morphological data. Two species are redescribed (Phanerotoma behriae Zettel, 1988a and P. decticauda Zettel, 1988a) and nine species are described as new (Ascogaster brevivena sp. nov., A. ferruginegaster sp. nov., A. prolixogaster sp. nov., A. rubriscapa sp. nov., Phanerotoma bonbonensis sp. nov., P. bushblitz sp. nov., P. lutea sp. nov., P. nigriscapulata sp. nov. and P. witchelinaensis sp. nov.). Keys to the arid zone species of these two genera are provided, along with a species richness estimation of Australian chelonine wasps.Rebecca N. Kittel and Andrew D. Austi

Functional Symptoms in Pediatric Dermatology: The Canary in the Coal Mine

The skin is a window into the state of health revealing genetic predispositions, hormonal balance, nutritional status, and internal wellness. It exposes stress burden, emotional well-being, and psychological health. In this way the skin can operate as the metaphorical canary in the coal mine announcing the body’s hidden alarm signals. Psychocutaneous disorders draw attention to the intimate connections between the mind and the skin. During development, the brain and skin are born from the same embryonic tissue and throughout life they continue to be connected through elegant interactions involving neuropeptides, hormones, and inflammatory mediators, the so-called molecules of emotion. Disfiguring skin disease such as vitiligo, acne vulgaris, and ichthyosis have large emotional and psychological interactions. Perhaps surprisingly, the extent of the psychological fallout that results from these conditions is not necessarily related to the objective nature of the disease. Instead it is highly correlated with its subjective severity, which is dependent on self-perception and is highly personal. Recurrent skin disease often results in anxiety, depression, social isolation, body dysmorphic disorder, and dramatic reductions in quality of life rivaling those associated with debilitating systemic illnesses. Crosstalk between the mind and skin also exists wherein physical or psychological stressors can both initiate and worsen skin disease that has clear organic underpinnings such as acne vulgaris, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and cutaneous warts. Primary psychiatric disorders may result in skin and hair conditions such as trichotillomania, psychogenic excoriation, dermatitis artefacta, and delusions of parasitosis. Although mind–skin interactions can cause obstinate symptoms and skin disease, these same connections can also be harnessed for therapeutic benefit