Genome of the pitcher plant <i>Cephalotus </i>reveals genetic changes associated with carnivory

Carnivorous plants exploit animals as a nutritional source and have inspired long-standing questions about the origin and evolution of carnivory-related traits. To investigate the molecular bases of carnivory, we sequenced the genome of the heterophyllous pitcher plant Cephalotus follicularis, in which we succeeded in regulating the developmental switch between carnivorous and non-carnivorous leaves. Transcriptome comparison of the two leaf types and gene repertoire analysis identified genetic changes associated with prey attraction, capture, digestion and nutrient absorption. Analysis of digestive fluid proteins from C. follicularis and three other carnivorous plants with independent carnivorous origins revealed repeated co-options of stress-responsive protein lineages coupled with convergent amino acid substitutions to acquire digestive physiology. These results imply constraints on the available routes to evolve plant carnivory

Efficacy and safety of abatacept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with previous malignancy

Background: Abatacept (ABT) is known to lower infection risk than other biologics and is effective and safe in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there were inconsistent reports on the impact of ABT on malignancies which are more common in the elderly and strongly related to prognosis. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ABT in patients with RA with previous malignancy in clinical practice. Design: A multicenter, retrospective study. Methods: Patients who received ABT for RA in two hospitals in Yokohama until May 2022 were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of a history of malignancy (no previous malignancy: NP group, previous malignancy: PM group). The collected parameters were compared between the groups using propensity score matching. Results: In this study, 312 patients were included, of whom 73 had previous malignancies when starting ABT. The age at ABT initiation was significantly higher in the PM group, the rate of methotrexate use was significantly lower in the PM group, and the Steinbrocker stage was significantly higher in the PM group. After matching these 3 factors, 68 patients were selected from each group. No significant differences in the ABT continuation rate, and malignancy incidence were observed between the two groups after ABT initiation. In addition to these factors, when matched for smoking history, interstitial lung disease, disease duration, sex, and inflammatory status, which are known risk factors for malignancy in RA, 40 patients were selected from each group. No significant differences in the ABT continuation rate, and malignancy incidence were observed between the two groups after ABT initiation. Conclusion: In our clinical practice, ABT was as effective and safe in patients with a history of malignancy as in those without

Pacopampa: Early evidence of violence at a ceremonial site in the northern Peruvian highlands

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>Pacopampa, a ceremonial complex in Peru’s northern highlands, reveals early evidence of trauma in the Middle to Late Formative Period coinciding with the emergence of social stratification in the area. We examine the prevalence of trauma in human remains found at the site and present evidence of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of individuals who lived during the early stages of Andean civilization.</p><p>Materials and methods</p><p>The materials are the remains of 104 individuals (38 non-adult and 66 adult) from the Middle to Late Formative Periods. We explored trauma macroscopically and recorded patterns based on skeletons’ locations, age at death, sex, social class, and chronology.</p><p>Results</p><p>We detected trauma in remains over the Middle to Late Formative Periods. While the prevalence of trauma was minimal in the Middle Formative Period, skeletons from the subsequent era exhibit more severe disturbances. However, all the skeletons show signs of healing and affected individuals experienced a low degree of trauma.</p><p>Discussion</p><p>Given the archaeological context (the remains were recovered from sites of ceremonial practices), as well as the equal distribution of trauma among both sexes and a lack of defensive architecture, it is plausible that rituals, rather than organized warfare or raids, caused most of the exhibited trauma. Pacopampa was home to a complex society founded on ritual activity in a ceremonial center: this is indicated by the presence of ritual violence in a society that built impressively large, ceremonial architecture and developed social stratification without any political control of surplus agricultural goods.</p></div

Facial bone fractures.

<p>Multiple fractures in the right nasal bone (a) and in the left zygomatic bone (b) in a ≥55-year-old male (Specimen No. 14PC-A-Ent 7-H1). Bold arrows show the trauma.</p

Limb bone fractures and dislocation in the elbow joint.

<p>(a) A fracture in the left fibula in a 15–34-year-old male (Specimen No. 11PC-B2-Ent 516-H1). (b) Fractures in the left tibia and fibula in a 15–34-year-old male (Specimen No. 12PC-B2-Ent 534). (c–e) A dislocation in the right elbow joint in a 35–54-year-old female (Specimen No. 13PC-B2-Ent 504-H2). Bold arrows show the trauma.</p

Stone tools.

<p>(a) Stone club head (Specimen No. 11PC-B-L881). (b–m) Slingstones (Specimen Nos. 09PC-C-L11, 12PC-B-L1158, 09PC-C-L387, 08PC-C-L48, 12PC-C-L974, 12PC-C-L1489, 10PC-C-N114, 10PC-C-N125, 08PC-C-L80, 09PC-C-L196, 12PC-B-L925, respectively).</p

Depressed skull fractures.

<p>(a–b) Multiple fractures in the right and left parietal bones in an adult female (Specimen No. 11PC-C-Ent 1-H1). (c) A fracture in the left parietal bone in a ≥55-year-old female (Specimen No. 12PC-B2-Ent 531-H2). (d–g) Multiple fractures in the frontal bone and the right parietal bone in a 35–54-year-old male (Specimen No. 14PC-B2-Ent 537-H1). Bold arrows show the trauma.</p

Map of Peru showing the location of Pacopampa.

<p>Map of Peru showing the location of Pacopampa.</p

Map of the ceremonial complex at Pacopampa.

<p>Map of the ceremonial complex at Pacopampa.</p