Key to the Species of \u3cem\u3eMegarhyssa\u3c/em\u3e (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Rhyssinae) in America, North of Mexico

A dichotomous and an interactive key to the species of Megarhyssa (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in America, north of Mexico are presented. A diagnosis accompanied by images is provided for male and female wasps of each of the four species, Megarhyssa atrata, Megarhyssa greenei, Megarhyssa macrurus and Megarhyssa nortoni

Key to the Species of \u3cem\u3eMegarhyssa\u3c/em\u3e (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Rhyssinae) in America, North of Mexico

A dichotomous and an interactive key to the species of Megarhyssa (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in America, north of Mexico are presented. A diagnosis accompanied by images is provided for male and female wasps of each of the four species, Megarhyssa atrata, Megarhyssa greenei, Megarhyssa macrurus and Megarhyssa nortoni

Nipah Virus Efficiently Replicates in Human Smooth Muscle Cells without Cytopathic Effect

Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus with a broad species tropism, originating in pteropid bats. Human outbreaks of NiV disease occur almost annually, often with high case-fatality rates. The specific events that lead to pathogenesis are not well defined, but the disease has both respiratory and encephalitic components, with relapsing encephalitis occurring in some cases more than a year after initial infection. Several cell types are targets of NiV, dictated by the expression of the ephrin-B2/3 ligand on the cell’s outer membrane, which interact with the NiV surface proteins. Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are major targets of infection. Cytopathic effects (CPE), characterized by syncytia formation and cell death, and an ensuing vasculitis, are a major feature of the disease. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the tunica media that line small blood vessels are infected in humans and animal models of NiV disease, although pathology or histologic changes associated with antigen-positive SMCs have not been reported. To gain an understanding of the possible contributions that SMCs might have in the development of NiV disease, we investigated the susceptibility and potential cytopathogenic changes of human SMCs to NiV infection in vitro. SMCs were permissive for NiV infection and resulted in high titers and prolonged NiV production, despite a lack of cytopathogenicity, and in the absence of detectable ephrin-B2/3. These results indicate that SMC might be important contributors to disease by producing progeny NiV during an infection, without suffering cytopathogenic consequences.Peer Reviewe

The role of ion dissolution in metal and metal oxide surface inactivation of SARS CoV-2

Funding: This work was funded by UKRI-NIHR (MRC MR/V028464/1) COVID-19 Rapid Response Initiative.Anti-viral surface coatings are under development to prevent viral fomite transmission from high-traffic touch surfaces in public spaces. Copper’s anti-viral properties have been widely documented, but the anti-viral mechanism of copper surfaces is not fully understood. We screened a series of metal and metal oxide surfaces for anti-viral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Copper and copper oxide surfaces exhibited superior anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity; however, the level of anti-viral activity was dependent on the composition of the carrier solution used to deliver virus inoculum. We demonstrate that copper ions released into solution from test surfaces can mediate virus inactivation, indicating a copper ion dissolution-dependent anti-viral mechanism. The level of anti-viral activity is, however, not dependent on the amount of copper ions released into solution per se. Instead, our findings suggest that degree of virus inactivation is dependent on copper ion complexation with other biomolecules (e.g., proteins/metabolites) in the virus carrier solution that compete with viral components. Although using tissue culture-derived virus inoculum is experimentally convenient to evaluate the anti-viral activity of copper-derived test surfaces, we propose that the high organic content of tissue culture medium reduces the availability of “uncomplexed” copper ions to interact with the virus, negatively affecting virus inactivation and hence surface anti-viral performance. We propose that laboratory anti-viral surface testing should include virus delivered in a physiologically relevant carrier solution (saliva or nasal secretions when testing respiratory viruses) to accurately predict real-life surface anti-viral performance when deployed in public spaces.PostprintPeer reviewe

Serotype Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Salmonella enterica Isolates From Freshwater Turtles Sold for Human Consumption in Wet Markets in Hong Kong

Chelonians are recognized as a source of human salmonellosis through direct contact or consumption of their meat. Freshwater turtles sold for food are widely available in wet markets in Asia. In this pilot study, 50 turtles belonging to three species were randomly sampled from wet markets throughout Hong Kong. The turtles were humanely euthanised and their feces or the colon were sampled for Salmonella culture. The Salmonella isolates obtained were serotyped and examined for phenotypic antimicrobial resistance and the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes. The study reports a high prevalence (42%, 95% CI: 29.4–55.8) and considerable serotype diversity of Salmonella among turtles sold in wet markets. The most common among the 11 serotypes isolated were S. Oranienburg and S. Thompson, which have been reported in turtles previously. The serotype S. Manhattan is reported in chelonians for the first time. Resistance to streptomycin and chloramphenicol was common, despite the latter being banned from aquaculture in mainland China since 2002. Resistance against fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins which represent first-line treatment options for salmonellosis was also observed. The multidrug-resistance gene cfr is identified for the first time in Salmonella. This is a worrying finding as it indicates an expansion of the cfr reservoir and potential horizontal spread to other bacteria. The results of this study emphasize the need for close surveillance of Salmonella from turtles sold as food and better regulation of turtle farming to safeguard public health and improve animal welfare

Macrophages sustain HIV replication in vivo independently of T cells

Macrophages have long been considered to contribute to HIV infection of the CNS; however, a recent study has contradicted this early work and suggests that myeloid cells are not an in vivo source of virus production. Here, we addressed the role of macrophages in HIV infection by first analyzing monocytes isolated from viremic patients and patients undergoing antiretroviral treatment. We were unable to find viral DNA or viral outgrowth in monocytes isolated from peripheral blood. To determine whether tissue macrophages are productively infected, we used 3 different but complementary humanized mouse models. Two of these models (bone marrow/liver/thymus [BLT] mice and T cell–only mice [ToM]) have been previously described, and the third model was generated by reconstituting immunodeficient mice with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells that were devoid of human T cells (myeloid-only mice [MoM]) to specifically evaluate HIV replication in this population. Using MoM, we demonstrated that macrophages can sustain HIV replication in the absence of T cells; HIV-infected macrophages are distributed in various tissues including the brain; replication-competent virus can be rescued ex vivo from infected macrophages; and infected macrophages can establish de novo infection. Together, these results demonstrate that macrophages represent a genuine target for HIV infection in vivo that can sustain and transmit infection

Fluid-rock interaction at the backstop to the Mediterranean Ridge Accretionary Complex South of Crete : R/V SONNE Cruise Report SO278 : Emden (Germany), 12.10.2020 - Emden (Germany), 01.12.2020 : FRINGE

The research cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean (GPF-18-2-40) originally planned on RV METEOR was relocated to RV SONNE (Fig. 1.2) due to the reduced number of scientists as part of the corona pandemic. The main objective of the Bremen Ocean Cluster expedition (DFG, EXC2077) was to investigate the interactions between the seabed and ocean water in Greek waters, whereby the plate tectonic constellation of a broad collision zone represents a special tectonic drive. A secondary goal was the sampling of the Sartori mud volcano, which is being processed in Italian waters as part of a separate DFG project and for which the GPF granted an additional permit for ship time (GPF 20-1_054). The expedition began on 12 October in Emden/Germany and ended on 01 December 2020, in Emden. Investigations on mud volcanoes were carried out divided into 3 working areas (Fig. 1.1, the Sartori mud volcano in the Calabrian arc, the so-called Cobblestone Area, the Olimpi mud volcano field including the United Nation Ridge). With the MARUM AUV SEAL (Fig. 1.3) 11 dives were successfully carried out to create high-resolution detailed maps of certain seafloor structures. A total of 38 gravity cores (Fig. 1.4), 30 multicorers (Fig. 1.5) and 4 minicorers were used for sampling sediments and 6 CTD stations for sampling methane in the water column. Furthermore, 10 profiles were carried out with the heat flow lance and 5 observation profiles with the on-board OFOS. In four different provinces, 16 mud volcanoes were examined, 10 of which are characterized by pore waters that show a distinct freshening, while three mud volcanoes, Napoli, Heraklion and Gelendzhik, are characterized by very high salt concentrations. The salt accumulations in these structures are derived from the Messinian salt deposits in the subbed, from which salty brines arise through subrosion, which interact in various ways with the mud volcanoes. The study areas were selected based on preliminary surveys and morphological structures and increased backscatter patterns from multibeam mapping carried out over 3580 nautical miles in Italian and Greek waters.32

Progression of Pathogenic Events in Cynomolgus Macaques Infected with Variola Virus

Smallpox, caused by variola virus (VARV), is a devastating human disease that affected millions worldwide until the virus was eradicated in the 1970 s. Subsequent cessation of vaccination has resulted in an immunologically naive human population that would be at risk should VARV be used as an agent of bioterrorism. The development of antivirals and improved vaccines to counter this threat would be facilitated by the development of animal models using authentic VARV. Towards this end, cynomolgus macaques were identified as adequate hosts for VARV, developing ordinary or hemorrhagic smallpox in a dose-dependent fashion. To further refine this model, we performed a serial sampling study on macaques exposed to doses of VARV strain Harper calibrated to induce ordinary or hemorrhagic disease. Several key differences were noted between these models. In the ordinary smallpox model, lymphoid and myeloid hyperplasias were consistently found whereas lymphocytolysis and hematopoietic necrosis developed in hemorrhagic smallpox. Viral antigen accumulation, as assessed immunohistochemically, was mild and transient in the ordinary smallpox model. In contrast, in the hemorrhagic model antigen distribution was widespread and included tissues and cells not involved in the ordinary model. Hemorrhagic smallpox developed only in the presence of secondary bacterial infections – an observation also commonly noted in historical reports of human smallpox. Together, our results support the macaque model as an excellent surrogate for human smallpox in terms of disease onset, acute disease course, and gross and histopathological lesions