Analysis of MEFV exon methylation and expression patterns in familial Mediterranean fever

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MEFV mutations and decreased expression level of the gene are related to FMF pathology. DNA methylation at CpG islands is a well-known mechanism for transcriptional silencing. MEFV has a CpG island, spanning a part of the first intron and the whole of the second exon of the gene covering 998 bp region. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the MEFV transcript level in FMF patients correlates with its methylation level, and methylation, by allowing transcription silencing, has a role in FMF ethiopathogenesis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study group was composed of pediatric FMF patients (N = 51) and age-gender matched healthy controls (N = 21). The relative expression level of MEFV was assessed via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and bisulfite sequencing (BS) was performed to analyse the methylation level quantitatively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MEFV expression in FMF patients were decreased compared to healthy controls (<it>P </it>= 0.031). Methylation level of exon 2 of MEFV was found to be slightly higher in FMF patients compared to healthy controls (76% versus 74%) (<it>P </it>= 0.049). The expression level of the MEFV was negatively correlated with the methylation level of the CpG island in both FMF and healthy controls groups (cor = -0.29, <it>P </it>= 0.041) but more so in the FMF only group (cor = -0.36, <it>P </it>= 0.035).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, the relation between reduced MEFV expression level and FMF was confirmed. Observed slight increase in methylation in FMF patients, and correlation of methylation with expression might be indicative of its role in FMF, however a larger dataset is needed to confirm our preliminary findings.</p

The distribution of Russian Wheat Aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Turkey

The Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most economically important and widely distributed pests of wheat in the world. In 1962, D. noxia caused crop losses between 25 and 60% in the central province of Konya, Turkey. In this study, the current status of the pest in wheat-producing areas of Turkey was investigated along a route from Izmir to Manisa, Usak, Kutahya, Eskisehir, Aksehir, Ankara, Konya, Aksaray, Nevsehir, Yozgat and Erzurum. D. noxia was detected in 58 of the 100 wheat fields surveyed in most fields and wheat was at the heading stage. The population density of the pest was low in 23 fields, medium in 22 fields and high in 13 fields. The percentage of infestation was low in 31 fields, medium in 12 fields, and high in three fields and very high in three fields. D. noxia was collected from bread or durum wheat plants (71%), barley plants (10%), volunteer oats (8%) (Avena fatua), volunteer wheat (6%), false barley (Hordeum murinum) (4%) and natural grasses (1%). According to results of the study, population density, damage and infestation rates of D. noxia were higher in high altitudes

Insect pests complex of common sage (salvia officinalis L.) (Lamiaceae) and their natural enemies [Tıbbi adaçayı (salvia officinalis L.) (lamiaceae) ?da zararlı böcekler ve doğal düşmanları ile etkileşimleri]

2-s2.0-85065258178Common sage, Salvia officinalis L., (Lamiaceae) has been economically cultivated in many countries due to its widely used as food and medicines. The sage’s production, however, is still facing significant yield losses because of insect pest attacks including other arthropods. This research is aimed to determine insect pests of S. officinalis and their natural enemies. Insect species were collected in a year 2016 in the sage fields at Bornova and Menemen, Izmir-Turkey. In total 47 species consisted of 18 insect pests and 29 natural enemies belonging to 30 families in 11 insect orders were collected. The species namely Aphis passeriniana (Del Guercio) and Eucarazzia elegans (Ferrari) (Hem.: Aphididae); Dysmicoccus angustifrons (Hall) (Hem.: Pseudococcidae); Eupteryx gyaurdagicus Dlabola and Micantulina (Mulsantina) stigmatipennis (Mulsant & Rey) (Hem: Cicadellidae); Chrysolina (Taeniochrysea) americana (L.) (Col.: Chrysomelidae) and Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thy.: Thripidae) were determined as key insect pests. M. stigmatipennis (Mulsant & Rey) was a new pest hosting for common sage whilst E. elegans (Ferrari) and D. angustifrons (Hall) were known as the new species recorded for Izmir province. In addition, the natural enemies of key insect pest were determined and discussed. © 2019, Centenary University. All rights reserved.Ege Üniversitesi Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan, LPDPThe authors are grateful to the Prof. Dr. Emine BAYRAM and Head of Field Crops Department and Head of the Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University and Aegean Agricultural Research Institute, Menemen for site access, Prof. Dr. M. Bora KAYDAN, Biotechnology Research and Application Center, Çukurova University, Adana-Turkey, for critical reading of the manuscript. Thanks to the BAP coordinator, Ege University for preparing the project.This is a part of Ph.D research funded by Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) 2016, Ministry of Finance of Indonesia

Development and life history parameters of Typhlodromus recki (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) at different temperatures

2-s2.0-85100404743Typhlodromus recki (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was collected from aubergines, pepper, black nightshade and jimsonweed plants infested with spider mites from a pesticide-free vegetable garden in Denizli, Turkey. The biology and life table parameters for T. recki feeding on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) at different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) were determined. The results showed that total preadult periods of T. recki at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C were 19.6±0.51, 9.4±0.16, 7.6±0.14, 5.7±0.14 and 4.5±0.08 days, respectively. The longest oviposition period was 23.5 days at 20 °C. Total fecundity of T. recki significantly differed between the constant temperatures and the highest was observed at 20 °C (28.6 eggs/female) and 25 °C (23.5 eggs/female). Although females survived for 26 days at 35 °C, only four females laid eggs for 1 day. Thus, 35 °C is not suitable for the reproduction of T. recki. Total longevity of female was the longest at 15 °C (59.5 days) and 20 °C (51.3 days) whereas male total longevity was the longest at 15 °C (53.2 days). The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (?) were numerically the highest at 30 °C (0.17 and 1.18 d-1), but there was no statistical difference observed between 25 and 30 °C for both r and ? values. The net productive rate was significantly highest at 20, 25 and 30 °C. The longest mean generation time occurred at 15 °C (42.6 days) and the shortest was at 35 °C (8.0 days). After some field trials, Typhlodromus recki could potentially be considered in the biological control agent of T. urticae. © Systematic & Applied Acarology Society.Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu, TÜBITAK: 118O666This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK-project number: 118O666). We are grateful to Ian T. Riley for editing the manuscript, Hsin Chi and Remzi Atlihan for analyzing of life history parameters

Toxicity of sulfoxaflor and four modern fungicides on various stages of a non-target predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

This study was conducted to reveal the toxicity of sulfoxaflor and the four modern fungicides (ametoctradin +dimethomorph, isopyrazam, mandipropamid and propamocarb-HCl+fluopicolide) on various developmental stages of a non-target predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The maximum recommended concentrations of the pesticides were applied to eggs, larvae and adult females of the predator in order to obtain detail knowledge of their toxicity at worst-case scenario under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that mortality rates vary between the life stages and the larva was the most sensitive. The highest egg mortality was found for isopyrazam (20.44%) followed by propamocarb+fluopicolide (17.55%) and ametoctradin+dimethomorph (15.77%) at 72 h after the treatments. Sulfoxaflor, ametoctradin+dimethomorph and propamocarb+fluopicolide were proven to be harmful to the larvae as they caused significantly higher mortality than the control, and their mortality reached 80.00, 77.50 and 60.00% at 168 h after treatment, respectively. In the case of adult females, respective mortality rates of propamocarb+fluopicolide, sulfoxaflor, ametoctradin+dimethomorph and isopyrazam were found 30.00%, 25.83%, 21.66% and 16.66% after 120 h after treatment, respectively. In addition, mandipropamid and sulfoxaflor caused a drastic decrease in fecundity of the predator. Accordingly, isopyrazam may be compatible with A. swirskii in intergraded pest management programs where it is released as biological control agent. Due to their high toxicity to at least one developmental stage of the predator, further experiments are needed in order to clarify the toxicity of the other pesticides under field or semi-field conditions. © 2020 Systematic & Applied Acarology Society.We are grateful to Ian T. Riley for advice during preparation of the manuscript. Anonymous reviewers are also acknowledged for their constructive comments

Mathematical modeling of weight gain in immature stages of spodoptera littoralis (boisduval, 1833) (lepidoptera: Noctuidae) reared on different foods

2-s2.0-85099640952Spodoptera littoralis is a model insect in many entomological studies and an important pest species in agricultural production. There are many studies to understand the life cycle of this pest and to control thereof. This study aimed to determine effects of different foods on weight gain of S. littoralis larvae and whether the log-normal function applied onto the daily weights of these larvae was appropriate or not. For this purpose, penultimate instar larvae were fed on potato, lettuce and synthetic diet. Based on the results, larval weight gain was increased until the 5th day on the lettuce- and diet-fed larvae groups. The most weight-gaining larvae were the lettuce-fed larvae (400.20 mg) and the mean weight of the lettuce-fed larvae reached up to 885.13 mg. These larvae were followed by the potato-fed larvae (287.43 mg) from the point of weight gain and the mean weight of these larvae reached up to 776.43 mg. Maximum weight gain of the diet-fed larvae was 257.33 mg and the weight thereof reached up to 694.83 mg. Besides, the log-normal distribution model gave a satisfactory fit for daily weights of S. littoralis larvae. On the other hand, the numbers of eggs laid by the female adults obtained from the larvae reared in different foods were no statistically different. Consequently, it is concluded that log-normal distribution model can be applied to evaluate the daily weight of this pest in larval period and lettuce can be used as a food source for mass cultivation of this pest in the laboratory. © PS