Mucosal vaccination with a live recombinant rhinovirus followed by intradermal DNA administration elicits potent and protective HIV-specific immune responses

Published: 17 November 2016Mucosal immunity is deemed crucial to control sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Herein we report the efficacy of a mucosal HIV vaccine strategy comprising intranasal (IN) vaccination with a cocktail of live recombinant human rhinoviruses (HRVs) encoding overlapping fragments of HIV Gag and full length Tat (rHRV-Gag/Tat) followed by intradermal (ID) vaccination with DNA vaccines encoding HIV Gag and Tat (pVAX-Gag-Tat). This heterologous prime-boost strategy will be referred to hereafter as rHRV-DNA. As a control, IN vaccination with wild type (wt)-HRV-A1 followed by a single ID dose of pVAX (wt-HRV-A1/pVAX vaccination) was included. rHRV-DNA vaccination elicited superior multi-functional CD8(+)T cell responses in lymphocytes harvested from mesenteric lymph nodes and spleens, and higher titres of Tat-specific antibodies in blood and vaginal lavages, and reduced the viral load more effectively after challenge with EcoHIV, a murine HIV challenge model, in peritoneal macrophages, splenocytes and blood compared compared with wt-HRV-A1/pVAX vaccination or administration of 3 ID doses of pVAX-Gag-Tat (3X pVAX-Gag-Tat vaccination). These data provide the first evidence that a rHRV-DNA vaccination regimen can induce HIV-specific immune responses in the gut, vaginal mucosa and systemically, and supports further testing of this regimen in the development of an effective mucosally-targeted HIV-1 vaccine.Khamis Tomusange, Danushka Wijesundara, Jason Gummow, Steve Wesselingh, Andreas Suhrbier, Eric J. Gowans, Branka Grubor-Bau

Variations of the Superficial Palmar Arch in a Sri Lankan Perspective: A Cadaveric Study

IntroductionThe blood supply of the hand is a complex and challenging area of study. The clinical importance of this area lies in the significant number of surgical procedures such as radial artery conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), radial arterial cannulation and reconstructive surgery of the hand. Anatomical variations in the typical blood supply of the hand are common and are an area of extensive research.Methodology-This descriptive study was carried out in the dissecting theatres at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya on dissections carried out on 25 cadaveric hands.Results-From the superficial palmar arches studied the following results were obtained. 88% were complete while 22% were incomplete. Specimens with contribution from both the radial and the ulnar arteries for the superficial palmar arches were 80%, while specimens with the contribution solely from the ulnar artery were 12%. 8% hands studied had contributions from the radial, ulnar and the median arteries. Three branches of the radial artery contribute to complete the superficial palmar arch. Of this 60% cadavers had the major contribution from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery, 24% from the arteria princeps pollicis, and 16% from the first dorsal metacarpal artery. The contribution to the arterial supply of the radial side of the thumb was from the superficial palmar branch of radial artery in 80% of the cadavers while in 20% the contribution was from the arteria princeps pollicis. The contribution to the arterial supply of the ulnar side of the thumb was from the proper palmar digital artery arising from the superficial palmar arch in 44% hands and the contribution in 32% hands was from the arteria princeps pollicis while the contribution in 24% hands was from the first dorsal metacarpal artery.ConclusionIt is thus evident that significant anatomical variations of the superficial palmar arch exist in the Sri Lankan population. The arterial supply of the thumb also had significant changes compared to the descriptions given in standard text books

Determination of the scale of pattern and distribution in Helicteres isora L (Sterculiaceae)

Helicteres isora L. is a traditional multipurpose plant used by indigenous community and villagers inall the three major climatic zones in Sri Lanka. It naturally occurs in the edges of forests and indisturbed secondary vegetation. It is fastly disappearing in the wet zone due to land clearing and highextraction rates. The present study was conducted to understand the pattern and the scale of distributionof H. isora in order to provide information for biodiversity conservation and further to enable thesustainable use.Twelve natural populations were identified in wet, intermediate and dry zones and the distribution ofindividuals was studied using gradient directed transect method. The t test was performed for eachpopulation to detect the pattern of distribution and pattern analysis was carried out to determine thescale of pattern.Out of twelve populations surveyed, only five populations showed contagious distribution (p < 0.05)while seven populations showed random pattern of distribution. This indicates that the populations ofH isora do not fall into a particular pattern of distribution in nature. This may be due to the highdisturbance present in and around the populations.The results of the pattern analysis reveal more peaks in smaller block sizes (2m2) and larger blocksizes (32m2) indicating aggregated pattern in respective block sizes. Peaks in smaller block sizes aredue to the morphology of the plant as it produces new plants from roots. Peaks at larger block sizesare due to the extrinsic factors and these results could be utilized in the in- situ conservation of Hisora .

Lichen floral studies on Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. tree trunk in different eco - regions of Sri Lanka

Information on lichen flora in Sri Lanka is scarce. Therefore a study was carried out to investigatelichens growing on a tree species common to all five eco regions (Montane, Wet, Intermediate, Aridand Dry zone) of Sri Lanka. The common tree species found in all regions was Artocarpusheterophyllus Lam. (jak). Lichen flora found on bark of jak trees between 1.5 m and 2 rn above theground level was studied. Six hundred and sixty three specimens from hundred and twenty trees werestudied. Twenty five genera and thirteen families were found among them. Twenty genera werefound to be crustose and five were folioses. No fruticose lichen was found in any region. Of allidentified lichens 40% were belonged to the family Graphidaceae and it was the most frequentlyfound lichen family in all regions and the second highest (17%) was belonged to family Phyciaceae.The most frequently found genus was Graphis.Heterodermia and Pertusaria were found only in montane zone while Leptogium was found only inlowland wet zone. Thelotrema. Ocellularia. Myriotrema and Chrysothrix were found only inIntermediate zonc. Parntelia was restricted to wet zone while Dirinaria, Dimerella and Porinawere restricted to dry zone, Differences in distribution of some of these lichens can be explainedwith rain fall, temperature and humidity.

Pteridophyte flora of Udawattakele forest the past, present and future

Pteridophytes represent an important group in the plant kingdom. Approximately 11,300 Pteridophytespecies have been described worldwide, ofwhich about 360 species have been recorded in Sri Lanka.Most of Sri Lankan Pteridophyte species is concentrated in the understory of the rainforests ofCentral Highlands. Udawattakele forest with 132 ha was one of such highlands (510 m above sealevel) which received special attention by European Pteridologists, even during the colonial era. It hasbeen reported that 13 species are already extinct from Sri Lanka mainly because of various threatsfaced by Pteridophytes. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the diversity of Pteridophyteflora at present with the previous records and identify possible conservation issues.Species diversity of Pteridophytes at Udawattakele forest in the past was obtained from reviewing ofliterature (Karunarathne, 1986; Sledge, 1950-1981) and observations of preserved specimens at theNational Herbarium. Two line transects (10m x 4000 m) on both side of Lady Horton's Walk wereassessed to identify the present level of Pteridophyte diversity. Almost all Pteridophyte species wereidentified at species level through morphological observations and subsequently with the help of keys.The Lady Horton's Walk was selected for the study, because the majority of Pteridophytes atUdawattakele was concentrated in this area and previous assessments of Pteridophytic diversityhave been conducted in the area. At the selected locations species were counted to identify dominantspecies.According to literature, 25 Ptridophytic species and 4 hybrids (29 taxa) have been collected fromLady Horton '5 Walk in Udawattakele forest. Chronologically 7, 17,2 and 3 taxa have been recordedfrom 1888-1900, 1950-1954, 1973 and 1993, respectively. Out of 29 taxa collected by foreignPteridologists, only preserved specimens of27 taxa have been deposited in the British Museum andthe Kew Herbarium. Karunarathne (1986) recorded 23 Pteridophyte species from the forest. Thepresent study was able to identify 36 Pteridophyte species belong to 9 families and 20 genera from theforest, of which 29 species are common and usually grow on harsh environment in the disturbed areasand roadside banks. Seven species occur in relatively high moist and shaded areas of the forest. Thepresent study was able to record 13 additional species compared to Karaunarathne (1986). However,out of 29 taxa recorded in the literature, 9 species were recorded during the present study. Further, 7species iArthropteris palisotti, Christella hispidula x C. parasitica, Diplazium sylvasticum,Microlepia speluncae, Pronephrium articulatum, Teetaria subtriphylla and T trimenii) had notbeen recorded even in the other parts ofthe country during the last 50 years. The present study wasalso unable to record such species from Udawattakele forest. Out of the above 7 species, two rarespecies namely, Pronephrium artieulatum and Christella hispidula x C. parasitiea had beenrecorded only once over the last century. Such records were also found from Lady Horton's Walk inUdawattakele forest before 50 years.However, at present the Lady Horton's walk has severely been invaded by Myroxylon balsamumsuppressing its native biodiversity. Further, roadside banks of the Lady Horton's walk have very dryconditions. Few wet and shaded areas are also invaded by a naturalized fern species such as Adiantumpulverulent um and it has become dominant species in the area. Such causes may have contributedfor loss of some Pteridophyts species from Udawattakele forest. It is well known that Pteridophytesare very sensitive to changes of environmental conditions and human activities. This raises the issueof necessity of continuous monitoring ofPteridophytic biodiversity for their conservation even withintheir natural habitats.

Genomic insights into rapid speciation within the world’s largest tree genus Syzygium

Species radiations, despite immense phenotypic variation, can be difficult to resolve phylogenetically when genetic change poorly matches the rapidity of diversification. Genomic potential furnished by palaeopolyploidy, and relative roles for adaptation, random drift and hybridisation in the apportionment of genetic variation, remain poorly understood factors. Here, we study these aspects in a model radiation, Syzygium, the most species-rich tree genus worldwide. Genomes of 182 distinct species and 58 unidentified taxa are compared against a chromosome-level reference genome of the sea apple, Syzygium grande. We show that while Syzygium shares an ancient genome doubling event with other Myrtales, little evidence exists for recent polyploidy events. Phylogenomics confirms that Syzygium originated in Australia-New Guinea and diversified in multiple migrations, eastward to the Pacific and westward to India and Africa, in bursts of speciation visible as poorly resolved branches on phylogenies. Furthermore, some sublineages demonstrate genomic clines that recapitulate cladogenetic events, suggesting that stepwise geographic speciation, a neutral process, has been important in Syzygium diversification

Genomic insights into rapid speciation within the world's largest tree genus Syzygium

Acknowledgements Y.W.L. was supported by a postgraduate scholarship research grant from the Ministry of National Development, Singapore awarded through the National Parks Board, Singapore (NParks; NParks’ Garden City Fund). Principal research funding from NParks and the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, is acknowledged. We thank Peter Preiser, Associate Vice President for Biomedical and Life Sciences, for facilitating NTU support, and Kenneth Er, CEO of NParks, for facilitating research funding through that organisation. V.A.A. and C.L. were funded by SBS, NTU for a one-year research leave. V.A.A. and C.L. also acknowledge support from the United States National Science Foundation (grants 2030871 and 1854550, respectively). S.R. was supported by a postdoctoral research fellowship under the NTU Strategic Plant Programme. S.R. and N.R.W.C. acknowledge funding from NTU start-up and the Academy of Finland (decisions 318288, 319947) grants to J.S. Fieldwork conducted by Y.W.L. was supported by an Indonesian Government RISTEK research permit (Application ID: 1517217008) and an Access License from the Sabah State government [JKM/MBS.1000-2/2JLD.7(84)]. T.N.C.V. is grateful to the Assemblée de la Province Nord and Assemblée de la Province Sud (New Caledonia) for facilitating relevant collection permits. A.N. was partly supported by the Research Project Promotion Grant (Strategic Research Grant No. 17SP01302) from the University of the Ryukyus, and partly by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (JPMEERF20204003) from the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan. Fieldwork in Fiji conducted by R.B. was hosted and facilitated by Elina Nabubuniyaka-Young (The Pacific Community’s Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees, Fiji). We thank the NTU-Smithsonian Partnership for tree data obtained for the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) long-term forest dynamics plots. Administrative support provided by Mui Hwang Khoo-Woon and Peter Ang at the molecular laboratory of the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) is acknowledged. Rosie Woods and Imalka Kahandawala (DNA and Tissue Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) facilitated additional DNA samples. Daniel Thomas (SBG) and Yan Yu (Sichuan University) commented on biogeographical analyses. NovogeneAIT in Singapore is acknowledged for personalised sequencing service.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Genomic insights into rapid speciation within the world's largest tree genus Syzygium

The relative importance of the mechanisms underlying species radiation remains unclear. Here, the authors combine reference genome assembly and population genetics analyses to show that neutral forces have contributed to the radiation of the most species-rich tree genus Syzygium. Species radiations, despite immense phenotypic variation, can be difficult to resolve phylogenetically when genetic change poorly matches the rapidity of diversification. Genomic potential furnished by palaeopolyploidy, and relative roles for adaptation, random drift and hybridisation in the apportionment of genetic variation, remain poorly understood factors. Here, we study these aspects in a model radiation, Syzygium, the most species-rich tree genus worldwide. Genomes of 182 distinct species and 58 unidentified taxa are compared against a chromosome-level reference genome of the sea apple, Syzygium grande. We show that while Syzygium shares an ancient genome doubling event with other Myrtales, little evidence exists for recent polyploidy events. Phylogenomics confirms that Syzygium originated in Australia-New Guinea and diversified in multiple migrations, eastward to the Pacific and westward to India and Africa, in bursts of speciation visible as poorly resolved branches on phylogenies. Furthermore, some sublineages demonstrate genomic clines that recapitulate cladogenetic events, suggesting that stepwise geographic speciation, a neutral process, has been important in Syzygium diversification.Peer reviewe