Aphid genotypes vary in their response to the presence of fungal endosymbionts in host plants

Genetic variation for fitness-relevant traits may be maintained in natural populations by fitness differences that depend on environmental conditions. For herbivores, plant quality and variation in chemical plant defences can maintain genetic variation in performance. Apart from plant secondary compounds, symbiosis between plants and endosymbiotic fungi (endophytes) can produce herbivore-toxic compounds. We show that there is significant variation among aphid genotypes in response to endophytes by comparing life-history traits of 37 clones of the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi feeding on endophyte-free and endophyte-infected tall fescue Lolium arundinaceum. Clonal variation for life-history traits was large, and most clones performed better on endophyte-free plants. However, the clones differed in the relative performance across the two environments, resulting in significant genotype · environment interactions for all reproductive traits. These findings suggest that natural variation in prevalence of endophyte infection can contribute to the maintenance of genetic diversity in aphid populations

Three-dimensional vision enhances task performance independently of the surgical method

Background: Within the next few years, the medical industry will launch increasingly affordable three-dimensional (3D) vision systems for the operating room (OR). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two-dimensional (2D) and 3D visualization on surgical skills and task performance. Methods: In this study, 34 individuals with varying laparoscopic experience (18 inexperienced individuals) performed three tasks to test spatial relationships, grasping and positioning, dexterity, precision, and hand-eye and hand-hand coordination. Each task was performed in 3D using binocular vision for open performance, the Viking 3Di Vision System for laparoscopic performance, and the DaVinci robotic system. The same tasks were repeated in 2D using an eye patch for monocular vision, conventional laparoscopy, and the DaVinci robotic system. Results: Loss of 3D vision significantly increased the perceived difficulty of a task and the time required to perform it, independently of the approach (P<0.0001-0.02). Simple tasks took 25% to 30% longer to complete and more complex tasks took 75% longer with 2D than with 3D vision. Only the difficult task was performed faster with the robot than with laparoscopy (P=0.005). In every case, 3D robotic performance was superior to conventional laparoscopy (2D) (P<0.001-0.015). Conclusions: The more complex the task, the more 3D vision accelerates task completion compared with 2D vision. The gain in task performance is independent of the surgical metho

Prospective randomized trial comparing sutured with sutureless mesh fixation for Lichtenstein hernia repair: long-term results

Background: Following Lichtenstein hernia repair, up to 25% of patients experience prolonged postoperative and chronic pain as well as discomfort in the groin. One of the underlying causes of these complaints are the compression or irritation of nerves by the sutures used to fixate the mesh. We compared the level and rate of chronic pain in patients operated with the classical Lichtenstein technique fixated by sutures to patients with sutureless mesh fixation technique. Methods: A two-armed randomized trial with 264 male patients was performed. After consent, patients were randomized preoperatively. For the fixation of the mesh we used either sutures with slow-absorbing material (PDS 2.0) (group I, n=133) or tissue glue (Histoacryl) (group II, n=131). Follow-up examinations were performed after 3, 12months and after 5years. Results: Patient characteristics in the two groups were similar. No cross-over between groups was observed. After 5years, long-term follow-up could be completed for 59% of subjects. After 5years, 10/85 (11.7%) patients in group I and 3/70 (4.2%) in group II suffered from chronic pain in the groin region (P=0.108). The operation time was significantly shorter in group II (79min vs 73min, P=0.01). One early recurrence occurred in group II (3months). The recurrence rate was 0 and 0% after 12months and 5.9% (5/85) and 10% (7/70) after 5years in group I and group II, respectively (P=0.379). Conclusion: After 5years, the two techniques of mesh fixation resulted in similar rates of chronic pain. Whereas recurrence rates were comparable, fixation of the mesh with tissue glue decreased operating room time significantly. Hence, suture less mesh fixation with Histoacryl is a sensible alternative to suture fixation and should be especially considered for patients prone to pai

Prospective randomized trial comparing sutured with sutureless mesh fixation for Lichtenstein hernia repair: long-term results

Following Lichtenstein hernia repair, up to 25% of patients experience prolonged postoperative and chronic pain as well as discomfort in the groin. One of the underlying causes of these complaints are the compression or irritation of nerves by the sutures used to fixate the mesh. We compared the level and rate of chronic pain in patients operated with the classical Lichtenstein technique fixated by sutures to patients with sutureless mesh fixation technique

Particles and Photons as Drivers for Particle Release from the Surfaces of the Moon and Mercury

The Moon and Mercury are airless bodies, thus they are directly exposed to the ambient plasma (ions and electrons), to photons mostly from the Sun from infrared range all the way to X-rays, and to meteoroid fluxes. Direct exposure to these exogenic sources has important consequences for the formation and evolution of planetary surfaces, including altering their chemical makeup and optical properties, and generating neutral gas exosphere. The formation of a thin atmosphere, more specifically a surface bound exosphere, the relevant physical processes for the particle release, particle loss, and the drivers behind these processes are discussed in this review

BendaEAM versus BEAM as conditioning regimen for ASCT in patients with relapsed lymphoma (BEB): a multicentre, randomised, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND Replacement of carmustine (BCNU) in the BEAM regimen (BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) with bendamustine (BendaEAM) before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is feasible in lymphoma. However, randomised trials are lacking. Here, we present the first trial addressing this topic. METHODS This multicentre, randomised, phase 2 study (BEB-trial) conducted at four haematological centres in Austria and Switzerland compares BEAM with BendaEAM in patients with relapsed lymphoma. Both regimens were administered intravenously before ASCT, in BEAM according to the standard protocol (300 mg/m2 BCNU on day -6), in BendaEAM, BCNU was replaced by 200 mg/m2 bendamustine given on days -7 and -6. Eligible patients were aged 18-75 years and had mantle cell lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, or follicular lymphoma in first or second remission or chemosensitive relapse. The primary endpoint of the study was to evaluate whether replacement of BCNU by bendamustine reduces lung toxicity, defined as a decrease of the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide by at least 20% at three months after ASCT. Data analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02278796, and is complete. FINDINGS Between April 20, 2015, and November 28, 2018, 108 patients were enrolled; of whom 53 were randomly assigned to receive BendaEAM (36 male, 17 female) and 55 to receive BEAM (39 male, 16 female). All patients engrafted rapidly. Lung toxicity did not differ between groups (BendaEAM: n = 8, 19.5%; BEAM: n = 11, 25.6%; risk difference = -6.1%: 95% confidence interval: -23.9% to 11.7%). Acute toxicities of at least grade 3 were comparable in both groups (BendaEAM: 35.8%, BEAM: 30.9%). Overall survival (BendaEAM: 92.5%, BEAM: 89.1%) and complete remission (BendaEAM: 76.7%, BEAM: 74.3%) after 1 year (median follow-up: 369 days) were similar. No difference in quality of life was observed. INTERPRETATION Results were similar for both regimens in terms of survival and response rates. A phase 3 non-inferiority study is required to investigate whether BendaEAM can be considered as an alternative to BEAM. FUNDING Mundipharma

Heterogeneous Distribution of Chromium on Mercury

Measurements made with geochemical instruments on the MESSENGER spacecraft revealed that Mercury's crust is surprisingly rich in volatile elements, including S, Na, K, Cl, and C, and that it is enriched in Mg and depleted in Al, Ca, and Fe, relative to other terrestrial planets. Geochemical maps also indicated the presence of a number of distinct geochemical terranes. The MESSENGER X-ray Spectrometer (XRS) detected X-ray fluorescence, induced by incident solar X-rays, from the top approx. 10s of micrometers of Mercury's surface. Like Fe, Cr was only detectable by XRS during large solar flares. However, accurate Cr measurements are more susceptible to systematic errors than other elements measured by the XRS. Therefore, to date, Cr data have been published for only 11 XRS measurements, but we have recently derived a map of Cr/Si across Mercury's surface. This map is based on data acquired through the complete MESSENGER mission and reveals clear spatial heterogeneity in Cr

Callisto's Atmosphere and Its Space Environment: Prospects for the Particle Environment Package on Board JUICE

The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) of the European Space Agency will investigate Jupiter and its icy moons Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, with the aim to better understand the origin and evolution of our Solar System and the emergence of habitable worlds around gas giants. The Particle Environment Package (PEP) on board JUICE is designed to measure neutrals and ions and electrons at thermal, suprathermal, and radiation belt energies (eV to MeV). In the vicinity of Callisto, PEP will characterize the plasma environment, the outer parts of Callisto's atmosphere and ionosphere and their interaction with Jupiter's dynamic magnetosphere. Roughly 20 Callisto flybys with closest approaches between 200 and 5,000 km altitude are planned over the course of the JUICE mission. In this article, we review the state of the art regarding Callisto's ambient environment and magnetospheric interaction with recent modeling efforts for Callisto's atmosphere and ionosphere. Based on this review, we identify science opportunities for the PEP observations to optimize scientific insight gained from the foreseen JUICE flybys. These considerations will inform both science operation planning of PEP and JUICE and they will guide future model development for Callisto's atmosphere, ionosphere, and their interaction with the plasma environment

Anticancer Gene Transfer for Cancer Gene Therapy

Gene therapy vectors are among the treatments currently used to treat malignant tumors. Gene therapy vectors use a specific therapeutic transgene that causes death in cancer cells. In early attempts at gene therapy, therapeutic transgenes were driven by non-specific vectors which induced toxicity to normal cells in addition to the cancer cells. Recently, novel cancer specific viral vectors have been developed that target cancer cells leaving normal cells unharmed. Here we review such cancer specific gene therapy systems currently used in the treatment of cancer and discuss the major challenges and future directions in this field