Article
Parasitology
Daniela de Angeli Dutra, Alan Fecchio, Erika Martins Braga, Robert Poulin
Summary: This study analyzed whether migratory behavior affects the coevolutionary congruence between avian hemoparasites and hosts. The results showed that migratory behavior neither weakens nor strengthens this coevolutionary congruence, suggesting that other avian host traits are more influential in generating phylogenetic congruence in this host-parasite system.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Ksiazczyk, Bartlomiej Dudek, Maciej Kuczkowski, Robert O'Hara, Kamila Korzekwa, Anna Wzorek, Agnieszka Korzeniowska-Kowal, Mathew Upton, Adam Junka, Alina Wieliczko, Radoslaw Ratajszczak, Gabriela Bugla-Ploskonska
Summary: This study compared E. coli populations isolated from reptiles, birds, and mammals (humans) for the first time, revealing that most reptilian E. coli strains are nonpathogenic with a low frequency of virulence gene occurrence, differing from the uropathogenic and avian pathogenic strains. Additionally, phylogroups distribution was relatively homogeneous among tested mammalian and avian strains.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Daren C. Card, W. Bryan Jennings, Scott V. Edwards
Summary: Non-avian reptiles, especially squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes), have become the most species-rich group among tetrapods, surpassing birds. However, genomic resources in non-avian reptiles have been accumulating at a slower pace compared to mammals and birds. This review highlights the importance of studying the natural history, physical traits, genomic characteristics, and sequence compositional patterns of non-avian reptiles, as well as the need for high-quality genomic resources and methods to extract different markers from genome assemblies. The development of a comprehensive phylogenomic tree of life for non-avian reptiles and amniotes will contribute to a better understanding of biodiversity.
Article
Microbiology
Bo Segerman, Asgeir Astvaldsson, Linda Mustafa, Joakim Skarin, Hanna Skarin
Summary: This study provides an in-depth analysis of the coverage bias issue associated with Nextera XT, finding that it is mainly related to low GC-content species and not present when using Nextera Flex/DNA Prep.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Eva M. Temsch, Petr Koutecky, Tomas Urfus, Petr Smarda, Jaroslav Dolezel
Summary: The estimation of nuclear DNA content in plants using flow cytometry requires comparison to a reference standard of known DNA content, with internal standardization being mandatory for precise measurements. Various well-established standards are available to cover the range of plant genome sizes, but the selection and use of standards must be carefully reported. The introduction of a new standard species may be needed if none of the established standards fits, and the selected standard organism must meet a number of requirements to ensure high quality samples.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shouchuang Wang, Yong Xiao, Zhi-Wei Zhou, Jiaqing Yuan, Hao Guo, Zhuang Yang, Jun Yang, Pengchuan Sun, Lisong Sun, Yuan Deng, Wen-Zhao Xie, Jia-Ming Song, Muhammad Tahir Ul Qamar, Wei Xia, Rui Liu, Shufang Gong, Yong Wang, Fuyou Wang, Xianqing Liu, Alisdair R. Fernie, Xiyin Wang, Haikuo Fan, Ling-Ling Chen, Jie Luo
Summary: This study reported the assembly and annotation of high-quality coconut genomes, revealing the genetic basis of trait differences between two coconut subspecies through integrated multi-omics analysis. The research also found that the selection of plant height in coconuts has been targeted for the same gene for millions of years, both in natural selection of ancient plants like coconuts and in artificial selection in cultivated crops such as rice and maize.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa Chamberland, Ingi Agnarsson, Iris L. Quayle, Tess Ruddy, James Starrett, Jason E. Bond
Summary: Net-casting spiders are a charismatic family of spiders, with Deinopis and Asianopis known for their giant eyes. Molecular phylogenetic studies show that Deinopis is not monophyletic, leading to the transfer of 24 species to Asianopis. The evolutionary history and biogeography of these spiders are unique.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Victor Kalbskopf, Dag Ahren, Gediminas Valkiunas, Vaidas Palinauskas, Olof Hellgren
Summary: This study investigated the transcriptomal profiles of the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum SGS1 lineage during the blood stages of infection. The parasite showed distinct transcriptome profiles between days 8 and 20 post-infection, with gene expression becoming more heterogeneous late in the infection. This research demonstrates the potential for using the avian malaria system in controlled experimental settings to study gene expression and compare responses of parasites with different life-history traits and host effects.
Article
Parasitology
Juste Azelyte, Elena Platonova, Staffan Bensch, Olof Hellgren, Vaidas Palinauskas
Summary: Co-infections and interactions of avian Plasmodium parasites have a significant impact on parasite development and transmission success. The dominance of one parasite may suppress the parasite load of another. Understanding these interactions helps explain why certain avian Plasmodium parasites dominate in specific host species.
Review
Parasitology
Apolline Maitre, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Juste Azelyte, Vaidas Palinauskas, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Dasiel Obregon, Adnan Hodzic, Claire Valiente Moro, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Jean-Christophe Paoli, Alessandra Falchi, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Human and animal pathogens transmitted by arthropods, such as ticks and mosquitoes, are a global concern. Control measures using acaricides are threatened by resistance in vector populations. Alternative strategies that target the vector microbiota and interfere with pathogen development are encouraged. Understanding the immune functions of host antibodies and disrupting the vector microbiota open up possibilities for novel transmission-blocking vaccines.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Vaidas Palinauskas, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Jose de la Fuente, Juste Azelyte, Dasiel Obregon, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: This paper proposes the hypothesis that gut microbiota diversity shapes the immune response and resistance to avian malaria. The authors also suggest that anti-alpha-Gal antibodies are transmitted from mother to eggs for early malaria protection in chicks. They provide preliminary data showing the presence of bacterial alpha 1,3GT genes in the gut microbiome of birds and the induction of anti-alpha-Gal antibodies upon avian malaria infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Juste Azelyte, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Rita Ziegyte, Elena Platonova, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Jennifer Maye, Dasiel Obregon, Vaidas Palinauskas, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: In this study, researchers found that anti-microbiota vaccines targeting Enterobacteriaceae within mosquito midguts can modulate the mosquito microbiota and significantly disrupt the development of Plasmodium relictum in its natural vector Culex quinquefasciatus. These findings suggest that anti-microbiota vaccines can be a novel tool to control malaria transmission and potentially other vector-borne pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rita Ziegyte, Rasa Bernotiene, Vaidas Palinauskas
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites in the wild. Through collection and testing of biting midges, it was discovered that multiple Culicoides species carry avian Haemoproteus parasites. In addition, two new Culicoides species were added to the vector list.
Article
Parasitology
Vincenzo A. Ellis, Victor Kalbskopf, Arif Ciloglu, Melanie Duc, Xi Huang, Abdullah Inci, Staffan Bensch, Olof Hellgren, Vaidas Palinauskas
Summary: This study presents a new sequence capture approach for targeting genes of the avian haemosporidian parasite Plasmodium relictum, successfully isolating DNA from different lineages and describing genetic variations within and among lineages. The results indicate a correlation between sequencing success and parasitemia, with lower parasitemia leading to lower sequencing success rates.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Vaidas Palinauskas, Rita Ziegyte, Jakov Sengaut, Rasa Bernotiene
Summary: Co-infection with multiple parasites is common in the wild. However, this study found that co-infection with two malarial parasites does not necessarily result in a greater number of parasites and more severe disease to the host.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xi Huang, Zelin Chen, Guocheng Yang, Canwei Xia, Qiujin Luo, Xiang Gao, Lu Dong
Summary: The study found that migratory birds are more likely to share parasites with resident birds at their breeding grounds, with shared parasites potentially more likely to spill over from the current host to other birds. Among the shared parasites, prevalence rates were significantly higher in resident birds than in migratory birds, and the similarity between parasite assemblages was not correlated with migration status or host phylogeny.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luz Garcia-Longoria, Dag Ahren, Arnaud Berthomieu, Victor Kalbskopf, Ana Rivero, Olof Hellgren
Summary: This study presents the first transcriptomic analysis of the immune response of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus to Plasmodium relictum infection. The results reveal the important roles of Toll and Imd pathways during the critical period of parasite development. Unexpected differences in immune RNA expression patterns were also observed in infected mosquitoes compared to uninfected mosquitoes. The study expands our understanding of immune pathways and the selective pressures exerted by Plasmodium parasites on their vectors.
Article
Ecology
Martina Ferraguti, Sergio Magallanes, Jessica Jimenez-Penuela, Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Luz Garcia-Longoria, Jordi Figuerola, Jaime Muriel, Tamer Albayrak, Staffan Bensch, Camille Bonneaud, Rohan H. Clarke, Gabor A. Czirjak, Dimitar Dimitrov, Kathya Espinoza, John G. Ewen, Farah Ishtiaq, Wendy Flores-Saavedra, Laszlo Zsolt Garamszegi, Olof Hellgren, Dita Horakova, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Henrik Jensen, Asta Krizanauskiene, Marcos R. Lima, Charlene Lujan-Vega, Eyofinn Magnussen, Lynn B. Martin, Kevin D. Matson, Anders Pape Moller, Pavel Munclinger, Vaidas Palinauskas, Peter L. Pap, Javier Perez-Tris, Swen C. Renner, Robert Ricklefs, Sergio Scebba, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal, Manuel Soler, Eszter Szoellosi, Gediminas Valkiunas, Helena Westerdahl, Pavel Zehtindjiev, Alfonso Marzal
Summary: This study investigated the ecological drivers affecting avian malaria parasite lineages in native and introduced house sparrows. The results showed that urbanization was positively related to parasite prevalence in both native and introduced populations, with higher infection in areas with intermediate levels of urbanization. In introduced populations, altitude and time since bird introduction were positively associated with the number of parasite lineages.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Guocheng Yang, Yangyang Peng, Haitao Wang, Xi Huang, Lu Dong
Summary: Pathogen infection may drive animal migration, and the infection pattern may be related to migration status. In this study, avian haemosporidian parasites in breeding areas were compared between two species (yellow-rumped flycatcher and Japanese tit) to test the 'migratory exposure' hypothesis. Results showed that the yellow-rumped flycatcher had more diverse parasite lineages, supporting the hypothesis. Nestlings exhibited a similar but more applicable pattern. This study highlights the importance of avian haemosporidian parasite infection patterns in nestlings and provides insights into the driving forces of migration.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Juste Azelyte, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Apolline Maitre, Rita Ziegyte, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Dasiel Obregon, Vaidas Palinauskas, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Avian malaria infection does not significantly change the alpha and beta diversity of the bird gut microbiome, but it does alter the composition and abundance of certain bacterial taxa. The progression of microbiome structural states differs between infected and uninfected birds. Infection by avian malaria parasites is associated with the presence of specific metabolic pathways and the abundance of these pathways changes over the course of infection.
Review
Parasitology
Irene Hernandez-Caballero, Olof Hellgren, Luz Garcia-Longoria Batanete
Summary: The translation highlights the importance of studying the interactions between parasites and mosquitoes in order to understand vector-borne diseases. It emphasizes the need for more genomic studies on non-mammophilic mosquito species and their associated parasites to fill the knowledge gap. The review article underlines the significance of identifying key genes and pathways in both Anopheles mosquitoes and Culex mosquitoes that are involved in malaria infections and avian malaria infections, respectively.
Article
Microbiology
Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Apolline Maitre, Ryan O. M. Rego, Radek Sima, Stefania Porcelli, Sabine Rakotobe, Angelique Foucault-Simonin, Sara Moutailler, Vaidas Palinauskas, Juste Azelyte, Ladislav Simo, Dasiel Obregon, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Research has found that infection with Borrelia afzelii causes changes to the microbiota composition, diversity, and structure in ticks. Anti-microbiota vaccines can alter the tick microbiota's ability to be infected by Borrelia and decrease the pathogen's load. Network analysis is a suitable tool for identifying properties of the vector microbiota associated with infection-refractory states.
