Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pauline Winnie Orondo, Kevin K. Ochwedo, Harrysone G. Atieli, Guiyun Yan, Andrew Githeko, Steven Nyanjom
Summary: This study assessed the effects of bacterial composition and habitat metabolites on the availability of malaria vector larvae in irrigated and non-irrigated potential larval sources. The results revealed that Bacillus and Shigella were the dominant bacteria in the water samples, with Bacillus being more prevalent in non-irrigated areas. Furthermore, the presence of larvae in both irrigated and non-irrigated areas was associated with higher chlorophyll, sugar, and trace element concentrations in aquatic habitats. These findings provide valuable insights for potential vector control interventions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
A. A. Superson, F. U. Battistuzzi
Summary: The large size of modern datasets has led to the development of various strategies for manipulating genes, sites, and species compositions to improve the accuracy of phylogenetic reconstructions. However, the choice of a filtering strategy is often subjective and the robustness of the results to alternative strategies is not usually investigated. This study compares the outcomes of two filtering strategies for archaeal phylogenies and suggests that the choice of data filtering can significantly impact the results.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Carrie A. Whittle, Arpita Kulkarni, Nina Chung, Cassandra G. Extavour
Summary: This study in crickets revealed that optimal codons are commonly shared among different tissue types and sexes, with the highest frequency in gonadal genes. The use of non-optimal codons was found to be elevated in genes with specialized functions, potentially promoting translational upregulation. Furthermore, the interdependent evolution of amino acid frequency, tRNA gene copy number, and amino acid biosynthetic costs was observed, indicating potential translational optimization in this insect model.
Article
Biology
Tom R. Booker, Bret A. Payseur, Anna Tigano
Summary: Recombination rate evolution can affect genetic variation under BGS, potentially leading to underestimation or overestimation of the genome-wide effects of selection. Furthermore, evidence suggests that recombination rate evolution in the ancestors of modern house mice may have impacted inferences of the genome-wide effects of selection in that species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guillaume Dumas, Simon Malesys, Thomas Bourgeron
Summary: The study found that genes encoding brain-related proteins are among the most conserved in the human genome compared to early hominins and non-human primates. Some genes showing signatures of positive selection may lead to brain diseases like micro/macrocephaly, Joubert syndrome, dyslexia, and autism. These genes may have played a role in the expansion of human brain size during primate evolution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruifeng Wang, Yanting Zhong, Xiaoting Liu, Cheng Zhao, Jianyu Zhao, Mengfei Li, Mahmood Ul Hassan, Bo Yang, Dongdong Li, Renyi Liu, Xuexian Li
Summary: The study on maize revealed the effects of low phosphate and nitrogen on ears, as well as the role of PHR1 in regulating phosphorus-nitrogen interactions. The research results demonstrate that ZmPHR1s regulate a large number of low phosphate responsive genes by binding to P1BS elements, reducing the accumulation of free amino acids and directly down-regulating the expression of ZmAAP2 and ZmLHT1.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hoang Dong Nguyen, Phedias Diamandis, Michelle S. Scott, Maxime Richer
Summary: This study analyzed the expression, methylation, and interacting miRNA profiles of GABA, glutamate, and calcium-related genes in adult infiltrating gliomas using the TCGA database. The results revealed different neurotransmission-based glioma subgroups with distinct expression, epigenetic, and inflammatory profiles. These findings provide new insights for future glioma-targeting drug therapies.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Krithika Venkataraman, Nadav Shai, Priyanka Lakhiani, Sarah Zylka, Jieqing Zhao, Margaret Herre, Joshua Zeng, Lauren A. Neal, Henrik Molina, Li Zhao, Leslie B. Vosshall
Summary: Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes face climate challenges due to rising global temperatures, causing suboptimal conditions for egg-laying. In the laboratory, under drought-like conditions, these mosquitoes retain mature eggs until suitable conditions for laying eggs arise. The genes tweedledee and tweedledum are found to play a crucial role in this extended egg retention.
Article
Cell Biology
Raul Buisan, Juan Moriano, Alejandro Andirko, Cedric Boeckx
Summary: Analysis of ancient DNA from extinct hominins provides unique insights into the complex evolutionary history of Homo sapiens and their relationships with Neanderthals and Denisovans. The identification of introgression deserts in our species, depleted of archaic haplotypes, has led to the hypothesis of brain-related functional differences between Homo species. By analyzing publicly available transcriptomic data from the developing human brain, researchers found that structures outside the cerebral neocortex, particularly the cerebellum, striatum, and mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus, show the most divergent transcriptomic profiles when considering genes within large introgression deserts and under positive selection.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Hui Qiu, Nan Shao, Jing Liu, Juanjuan Zhao, Chao Chen, Qihong Li, Zhixu He, Xu Zhao, Lin Xu
Summary: Alterations in amino acid metabolism are closely related to the occurrence of clinical diseases, particularly tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that metabolic remodeling, including amino acid metabolic reprogramming, plays a crucial role in tumor growth, survival, immune cell activation, and function in the local tumor microenvironment. Controlling specific amino acid intake has been found to improve the clinical intervention effect in tumors, indicating that amino acid metabolism is emerging as a promising target for clinical intervention in tumors. Therefore, developing new intervention strategies based on amino acid metabolism has great potential.
CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jiayu Wu, Yanan Wang, Yu An, Changyu Tian, Lingfeng Wang, Zuhong Liu, Desheng Qi
Summary: This study compared the gene expression differences in liver tissues of laying hens at different ages using RNA sequencing, and found that the transport and metabolism of amino acids changed during the growing period, which influenced the growth and development of the hens.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Zhenling Wang, Changzhi Huang, Jingyu Wu, Hongqiang Zhang, Yu Shao, Zan Fu
Summary: This study constructed a stable prognostic model related to amino acid metabolism in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), revealing its connection to the immune microenvironment. The model has implications for the prognosis and immunotherapy direction of COAD.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Asif U. Tamuri, Mario dos Reis
Summary: The study utilizes population genetics principles to model protein evolution under persistent positive selection, finding it to be an irreversible Markov process with strongly asymmetrical distribution of selection coefficients. The authors suggest that the omega > 1 criteria for detecting positive selection is conservative and arbitrary due to highly deleterious mutations being removed even at positively selected sites in real proteins. This research demonstrates the successful detection of persistent positive selection in plant RuBisCO and influenza HA proteins using a penalized-likelihood implementation of the model, highlighting the improved ability to detect molecular adaptation in proteins by directly estimating selection coefficients at protein sites.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ziqiang Wang, Jing Zhang, Shuhua Shi, Hongyu Ma, Dongqin Wang, Chao Zuo, Qiang Zhang, Chaoqun Lian
Summary: In this study, we identified arginine and proline-related genes significantly associated with overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and divided the samples into two subtypes with distinct clinicopathological features and tumor microenvironments. We developed a scoring system based on these genes and identified two hub genes, CPS1 and SMS, that are highly associated with prognosis. These findings provide potential molecular features and clinical applications of arginine and proline-related genes in LUAD.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gopal Kalwan, Parichita Priyadarshini, Kuldeep Kumar, Yashwant Kumar Yadava, Sheel Yadav, Deshika Kohli, Sarvajeet Singh Gill, Kishor Gaikwad, Venkatraman Hegde, Pradeep Kumar Jain
Summary: This study comprehensively analyzes the AAT gene family in chickpea and identifies 109 AAT genes, which play important roles in plant growth, stress resilience, and nutritional quality enhancement.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Nathan P. Havill, Brian P. Griffin, Jeremy C. Andersen, Robert G. Foottit, Mathias J. Justesen, Adalgisa Caccone, Vincent D'Amico, Joseph S. Elkinton
Summary: The Adelges (Dreyfusia) piceae species complex was found to be taxonomically unstable, with a total of six species. Through genetic analysis and morphology comparison, researchers have successfully identified two stable species: Ad. nordmannianae and Ad. piceae, while suggesting that other species are hybrids between the two and therefore invalid. This study highlights the importance of accurate species delimitation and the ongoing transition between sexual and asexual reproduction within the Adelgidae family.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Clelia F. Oliva, Mark Q. Benedict, C. Matilda Collins, Thierry Baldet, Romeo Bellini, Herve Bossin, Jeremy Bouyer, Vincent Corbel, Luca Facchinelli, Florence Fouque, Martin Geier, Antonios Michaelakis, David Roiz, Frederic Simard, Carlos Tur, Louis-Clement Gouagna
Summary: The sterile insect technique is emerging as a powerful complement to traditional vector control methods for managing disease-carrying mosquitoes. This review provides a practical roadmap for designing and executing successful pilot studies by integrating key elements such as stakeholder mapping, transparent communication plans, and technical advancements. By following this guidance, stakeholders, scientists, implementers, and decision-makers can build a strong foundation for local field trials and gain experience with the technique for potential operational deployment.
Article
Entomology
Olivier Roux, David Renault, Karine Mouline, Abdoulaye Diabate, Frederic Simard
Summary: The larvae of malaria mosquitoes respond differently to predation stress, affecting their development, size, weight, fecundity, survival, metabolic resources, and oxidative status. The species Anopheles coluzzii and An. gambiae also exhibit differences in responses, with An. coluzzii showing slower development but better survivorship, while An. gambiae developing faster but with negative impacts on size, weight, and fecundity. Male An. gambiae also showed significant damages to proteins.
JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Paraskevi Niki Lampri, Christina Bouranta, Canella Radea, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: Crete, with its complex geomorphological history, has the highest number of endemism observed in animal and plant taxa in the Aegean archipelago. A comprehensive study on the distribution of genetic lineages of Bythinella and Pseudamnicola in Crete reveals at least 5 delineated Bythinella spp. and 2 delineated Pseudamnicola spp. The differentiation of Bythinella is attributed to vicariant phenomena over a long period, while Pseudamnicola shows a pattern more consistent with recent isolation-by-distance.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Moussa Namountougou, Dieudonne Diloma Soma, Ibrahim Sangare, Rousseau Djouaka, Aristide S. Hien, Mahamadi Kientega, Alexandre P. Didier Kabore, Simon P. Sawadogo, Azize Millogo, Mahamoudou Balbone, Thierry Baldet, Jean-Bosco Ouedraogo, Thibaud Martin, Frederic Simard, Georges Anicet Ouedraogo, Abdoulaye Diabate, Olivier Gnankine, Roch Kounbobr Dabire
Summary: Resistance to insecticides in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.l can jeopardize malaria vector control strategies. Our study assessed the impact of three cotton pest management strategies on the susceptibility to insecticides and the frequency of kdr L1014F mutations in the mosquito population. The results showed reduced susceptibility to insecticides and no relationship between cotton pest control strategies and kdr L1014F frequency.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEST MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Gioele Tropea, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: In this study, several populations assigned to Euscorpius concinnus and Euscorpius catpathicus niciensis were reevaluated based on phylogenetic, morphological, and geographical factors. Three new species, E. latinus sp. nov., E. stefaniae sp. nov., and E. trejaensis sp. nov., were described, and E. niciensis stet. nov. was elevated to species status. Ecological and biogeographical data were provided for the revised taxa. These taxonomic changes increased the number of species in the subfamily Euscorpiinae to 90. Italy now has 27 scorpion species, with one species in the family Buthidae, one in Belisariidae, and 25 in Euscorpiidae.
Article
Microbiology
Idriss Nasser Ngangue-Siewe, Paulette Ndjeunia-Mbiakop, Nelly Armanda Kala-Chouakeu, Roland Bamou, Abdou Talipouo, Landre Djamouko-Djonkam, John Vontas, Konstantinos Mavridis, Jeannette Tombi, Timoleon Tchuinkam, Jean Arthur Mbida-Mbida, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
Summary: The spread of resistance to pyrethroids in malaria vectors is a major concern for control measures. This study assessed the resistance profile of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in Cameroon and found high frequencies of resistance to bendiocarb and malathion. Genes associated with metabolic resistance and cuticle resistance were found to be overexpressed. The rapid spread of resistance to these insecticides could compromise future control strategies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreas C. Dimitriou, Aglaia Antoniou, Ioannis Alexiou, Nikos Poulakakis, Aristeidis Parmakelis, Spyros Sfenthourakis
Summary: The study found at least six genetically discrete populations on Cyprus, with four being endemic and one widely distributed across Mediterranean countries. It also revealed that the endemic Cypriot populations have the closest evolutionary relationship with those from Israel.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nelly Armanda Kala-Chouakeu, Paulette Ndjeunia-Mbiakop, Idriss Nasser Ngangue-Siewe, Konstantinos Mavridis, Vasileia Balabanidou, Roland Bamou, Mabu Maxim Bindamu, Abdou Talipouo, Landre Djamouko-Djonkam, Jean Arthur Mbida-Mbida, Jeanette Tombi, John Vontas, Timoleon Tchuinkam, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
Summary: This study assessed the pyrethroid resistance profile of Anopheles gambiae populations in different ecological settings in Cameroon. The results showed a high level of pyrethroid resistance across the country, with varying resistance patterns. This calls for further actions to mitigate the impact of insecticide resistance on vector control measures.
Article
Virology
Stella Mariette Nana-Ndjangwo, Borel Djiappi-Tchamen, Ruth Mony, Maurice Demanou, Joyce Keumezeu-Tsafack, Roland Bamou, Parfait Awono-Ambene, Charles Felix Bilong Bilong, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence of dengue and chikungunya in urban and rural settings in Cameroon using three diagnostic tools. The results showed a high prevalence of these diseases in Yaounde and Dizangue, with variations depending on the diagnostic tool used.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emilie Pondeville, Anna-Bella Failloux, Frederic Simard, Petr Volf, Andrea Crisanti, Roya Elaine Haghighat-Khah, Nuria Busquets, Francesc Xavier Abad, Anthony J. Wilson, Romeo Bellini, Sarah Marsh Arnaud, Alain Kohl, Eva Veronesi
Summary: This article provides expert advice on safely handling mosquitoes and the pathogens they transmit, based on the experience of the Infravec2 consortium. It can also be used as a basis for research with other arthropods.
PATHOGENS AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Irina Bemba, Arsene Lenga, Herman Parfait Awono-Ambene, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
Summary: This study provides updated information on the distribution of tsetse fly populations and the circulation of trypanosome species in different active HAT foci in Congo. The results suggest a high risk of potential transmission of animal trypanosomes in these foci.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Aikaterini Vourka, Ioannis Karaouzas, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: This review examines the use of molecular methods for the ecological assessment of rivers based on benthic macroinvertebrates. The results show that the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) is more efficient, objective, and non-invasive compared to traditional methods for assessing benthic macroinvertebrate communities. However, due to methodological variations, there is a need for standardization of key steps in the eDNA metabarcoding process.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
David Renault, Stephane A. P. Derocles, Phillip Haubrock, Frederic Simard, Ross N. Cuthbert, Claire Valiente-Moro
Summary: Invasive hematophagous arthropods, such as mosquitoes, pose a threat to the health of the planet by carrying and spreading various pathogens and parasites that cause diseases. Understanding the biology and ecology of these invasive species is crucial for efforts to reduce human and animal morbidity and mortality. This review article summarizes the research on invasive hematophagous arthropods globally, emphasizing mosquitoes, and provides management recommendations.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Irina Bemba, Arsene Lenga, Herman Parfait Awono-Ambene, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
Summary: Although the incidence of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) has significantly decreased in the Republic of Congo, the disease still persists in some active areas. A study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of the population regarding HAT and the prevalence of trypanosomes in animals in three HAT foci. The study found a high rate of trypanosome infection in domestic animals and the use of personal measures to prevent tsetse fly bites. Regular monitoring and control of tsetse fly populations, along with updating information on the HAT animal reservoir and population knowledge, are crucial for the elimination of gHAT in the Republic of Congo.
MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)