Biology Commons^™

Patterns Of Autonomous And Conditional Neural Specification For The Brain And Ventral Nerve Cord In Annelida, Nicole B. Webster, Johnny A. Davila-Sandoval, Allan M. Carrillo-Baltodano, Skyler Duda, B. Duygu Özpolat, Neva P. Meyer

Biology

Evolution of central nervous systems is a long-debated topic. Similar mechanisms of conditional neural specification linked to dorsal-ventral (D–V) axis formation have been used to support homology across several taxa. We tested for autonomous versus conditional neural specification in two distantly related annelids, Capitella teleta and Platynereis dumerilii, using blastomere isolations and ablations. Our results demonstrate autonomous specification of anterior neural tissue in isolated first-quartet (1q) micromeres for both annelids. In both annelids, partial larvae derived from isolation of the somatoblast, micromere 2d, also resulted in the formation of trunk neural tissue (ventral nerve cord or VNC), suggesting that this …

Spatiotemporal Trends In Schistocephalus Solidus Infection Among Populations Of Alaskan Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus Aculeatus), A.M Wohlleben, Neva Meyer, N.C. Steinel

Biology

Understanding the dynamics of host-parasite interactions is essential for uncovering the ecological and evolutionary processes shaping natural populations. In this study, we investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of prevalence of the cestode Schistocephalus solidus in 4 Alaskan populations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) over 11 years (1996 to 2006). Additionally, we assessed host tolerance through key indicators such as the Parasite Index and the presence of fibrotic scar tissue, a specialized form of resistance in this system. We observed fibrosis formation in both infected and uninfected fish across all populations, with notable year-to-year variability in Cornelius Lake. Here, fibrosis …

First High-Quality Genome Assembly Of Umbelopsis Nana Isolated From Forest Soil, Ryuka Iizuka, Tomohiro Suzuki, Nozomu Watanabe, Javier F. Tabima, David Hibbett, Yoko Katayama, Makoto Yoshida

Biology

Species of the genus Umbelopsis are ubiquitous soil saprotrophic fungi known for their role in ecological nutrient cycling and biotechnological potential in lipid production. Here, we present the genome assembly of Umbelopsis sp. strain THIF13, which is characterized by its capability to produce carbonyl sulfide. Using PacBio Sequel long-read data, a high-quality genome assembly was generated comprising 18 contigs totaling 27.2 Mb, which is larger than other Umbelopsis genomes, with an N50 of 1.77 Mb. Notably, 16 contigs were flanked by telomeric repeats at both ends. The assembly showed high completeness, with 98.1% complete Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs and 11.15% …

Characterization Of A Core Fungal Community And Captivity-Induced Gut “Mycobiome” Change In Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus Fowleri), Alexander J. Bradshaw, Sinlan Poo, Tracey E. Malter, Rylie M. Strasbaugh, Brianna Bodner, Madison R. Hincher, Anne Devan-Song, Javier F. Tabima

Biology

Amphibious animals, such as frogs, are found at the intersection of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. They may serve as keystone and sentinel species and play key roles in nutrient cycling and food webs. In recent decades, amphibians have experienced drastic population declines due to habitat loss, climate change, and disease. These declines have prompted investments in ex situ conservation and captive breeding programs, which aim to reduce extinction risk by creating assurance colonies and reintroducing individuals once threats are mitigated. A critical component of these programs is proper husbandry, which ensures the health and longevity of captive populations and their …

A Chromosome-Level Assembly And Functional Genomic Resources For The Model Annelid Capitella Teleta, Billie E. Davies, Paul Gonzalez, Abhinav Sur, Jingcheng Wei, Tom Frankish, Jimena Montagne, Allan M. Carrillo-Baltodano, Kero Guynes, Yan Liang, Rory D. Donnellan, Travis Moreland R., Sumeeta Singh, Suiyuan Zhang, Reynold Yu, Tyra G. Wolfsberg, Néva Meyer, Elaine C. Seaver, Andreas D. Baxevanis, José M. Martín-Durán

Biology

The polychaete Capitella teleta is a primary model for evolutionary developmental biology, comparative genomics, conservation, and ecotoxicology. Although it was the first polychaete genome sequenced, the original assembly is outdated by modern standards. Here, we combine long-read and short-read sequencing with Hi-C chromatin conformation capture to assemble chromosome-level nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the laboratory strain of C. teleta. This reference assembly accurately reflects the expected genome size (∼243.6 Mb) and contains a highly complete, evolutionarily conserved gene repertoire. Notably, the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes are heavily rearranged, indicating a decoupling between gene family repertoire and chromosomal evolution. The analyses …

Dog Waste Creates A Preference-Performance Mismatch For Urban Dung Beetles, Erin L. Mccullough, Beatrice M. Altopp, Daniel F. Kellogg, Madelyn S. Mcinnis, Luna J. Pagan

Biology

Urban environments expose animals to novel conditions that may favor behavioral flexibility but can create preference-performance mismatches when attractive resources are associated with reduced reproductive success. Dung beetles are often considered dietary generalists, yet little is known about how they respond to altered food availability in human-dominated habitats. We combined field surveys and laboratory experiments using two domestic dung types to examine diet preference, maternal provisioning, and offspring performance in the urban dung beetle Onthophagus orpheus. Beetles strongly preferred dog dung over cow dung, and offspring reared on dog dung developed faster and emerged as larger adults. Despite these apparent …

Age, Growth, Diet And Reproduction Of African Pompano (Alectis Ciliaris), Clinton J. Moran, Jonathan Tucker, Callie H. Crawford

Biology

Understanding the life history traits of ecologically and economically important fish species is critical for effective management. This study provides the first detailed analysis of age, growth, diet and reproductive characteristics of African pompano (Alectis ciliaris) from the southeastern United States, expanding upon prior work from the Western Arabian Gulf. A total of 54 specimens were collected off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina when they were available during the 2024 fishing season (May–October). Age was determined via otolith sectioning, and growth was modelled using the von Bertalanffy growth function (L∞ = 96.61 cm, K = 0.689, t0 = …

Gdf15 Is A Putative Biomarker For Distinguishing Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease And Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Amit Prabhakar, Eckart De Bie, Jacqueline T. Desjardin, Prajakta Ghatpande, Stefan Gräf, Luke S. Howard, S. John Wort, Colin Church, David G. Kiely, Uk Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Cohort Study Consortium, Emily Sumpena, Thin Aung, Shenrae Carter, Jasleen Kukreja, Steven Hays, John R. Greenland, Jonathan P. Singer, Michael Wax, Paul J. Wolters, Marc A. Simon, Mark Toshner, Giorgio Lagna, Akiko Hata

Biology

To the Editor: Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare, severe group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) subtype with poor survival (1). PAH-targeted vasodilators can cause life-threatening pulmonary edema in PVOD, underscoring the need for diagnostic tools to distinguish it from other PAH subtypes (1). In patients and mitomycin C–induced (MMC-induced) model animals, aberrant activation of integrated stress response (ISR) via protein kinase R (PKR) drives cardiovascular phenotypes of PVOD (2–4). Inhibition of the PKR-ISR axis, using either the PKR inhibitor C16 or the ISR inhibitor ISRIB, reverses PVOD phenotypes (2–4). Because GDF15 is a cytokine induced by the ISR …

Dna Methylation Correlates With Transcriptional Noise In Response To Elevated Pco2 In The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica), Yaamini R. Venkataraman, Ariana S. Huffmyer, Samuel J. White, Alan Downey-Wall, Jill Ashey, Danielle M. Becker, Zachary Bengtsson, Hollie M. Putnam, Emma Strand, Javier A. Rodríguez-Casariego, Shelly A. Wanamaker, Katie E. Lotterhos, Steven B. Roberts

Biology

Ocean acidification significantly affects marine calcifiers like oysters, warranting the study of molecular mechanisms like DNA methylation that contribute to adaptive plasticity in response to environmental change. However, a consensus has not been reached on the extent to which methylation modules gene expression, and in turn plasticity, in marine invertebrates. In this study, we investigated the impact of pCO₂ on gene expression and DNA methylation in the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. After a 30-day exposure to control (572 ppm) or elevated pCO₂ (2827 ppm), whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA-seq data were generated from adult female gonad tissue …

Essential Role Of Protein Kinase R In The Pathogenesis Of Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Amit Prabhakar, Rahul Kumar, Meetu Wadhwa, Abhilash Barpanda, Joseph Lyons, Asavari Gowda, Simren Gupta, Ananyaa Arvind, Prajakta Ghatpande, Arun P. Wiita, Brian B. Graham, Giorgio Lagna, Akiko Hata

Biology

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare and severe subtype of pulmonary arterial hypertension, characterized by progressive remodeling of small pulmonary arteries and veins with no therapies. Using a mitomycin C–induced (MMC-induced) rat model, we previously demonstrated that protein kinase R–mediated (PKR-mediated) integrated stress response (ISR) drives endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling. To determine whether PKR is the primary mediator of ISR and the pathogenesis, we treated control (Ctrl) and PKR-knockout (KO) mice with the same dose of MMC. Consistent with rat data, Ctrl mice displayed ISR activation, vascular remodeling, and pulmonary hypertension after MMC treatment, while KO mice showed …

Dissecting The Function Of The Dnmt2-Homolog (Dnma) In Dictyostelium Discoideum, Zaza Gelashvili, Denis Larochelle, Jacqueline Dresch, Maddison A. Hincher, Javier F. Tabima, Robert A. Drewell

Biology

Methylation of cytosine residues in nucleic acids plays a critical role in a range of biological activities in eukaryotes, including regulation of transcription, organization of chromatin structure, modulation of translation, cellular differentiation, and development. While much of the scientific focus in this field was centered on DNA methylation over the past few decades, it has also become clear that methylation of RNA is a crucial modification. A group of homologous DNMT2 methyltransferase enzymes in different model organisms are now known to catalyze the transfer of a methyl group to the cytosine at position 38 in tRNAAspGUC molecules. The important biological …

Spatial Ecology And Habitat Selection Of Eastern Pinesnakes: Case Study On The Importance Of Scale In Conservation Biology, Matthew Grisnik, Alan Jones, Rachel Brubaker, Andrew M. Grosse, Scott L. Parker

Biology

Species are in decline world-wide, driven by multiple factors including habitat fragmentation. Understanding the habitat selection processes of species in these fragmented landscapes has become a focus of ecological studies and is a major component of conservation plan development. However, understanding how landscape level processes influence patterns of habitat selection is often ignored. Here we assessed the influence of landscape level processes in the habitat selection of Eastern Pinesnakes, a species in decline, within a protected area in South Carolina, USA. Over the course of a year, we tracked 8 Eastern Pinesnakes within a small protected area. Snakes exhibited seasonal …

Identification Of Novel Components Of The Retinal Determination Gene Network In Drosophila Cell Lines, Robert Drewell, Jacqueline Dresch

Biology

The retinal determination genetic network controls the development of the visual system in all seeing animals through the molecular regulation of cells to adopt an eye tissue fate. The compound eye of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is an excellent model system to study the complex mechanisms within the network that regulate specification of cellular identity during embryogenesis. In Drosophila, the two Pax6 paralogues, eyeless and twin of eyeless, sit at the very pinnacle of the network and their expression early in development activates critical downstream components of the retinal determination pathway. In this study, we investigate the expression of …

Adolescent Seizure Impacts Oligodendrocyte Maturation, Neuronal-Glial Circuit Formation, And Myelination In The Mammalian Forebrain, Kylie Foutch, Iris Tilton, Aundrea Cooney, Cole Bender, Collin Licharz, Megan Baldemor, Caitlyn Rock, Atehsa Asal Sahagun, Robert Brock, Chloe Franzia, Mary Francis Garcia, Raghav Gupta, Christopher Arellano Reyes, Mariyam Lokhandwala, Daniela Moura, Hirofumi Noguchi, Laura Cocas

Biology

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells differentiate into oligodendrocytes, which myelinate axons during development and following demyelinating injury. However, the mechanisms that drive the timing and specificity of developmental myelination are not well understood. We hypothesized that oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation would be affected by pathological neuronal activity during adolescent development when developmental myelination is occurring and that this would also impact neuron-to-oligodendrocyte progenitor cell connectivity and myelination. We used kainic acid to induce a seizure in mice, treating equal numbers of males and females, in sample sizes of at least five animals. We found that the seizures led to increased …

Gene Expression And Dna Methylation Changes In Response To Hypoxia In Toxicant-Adapted Atlantic Killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus), Neelakanteswar Aluru, Yaamini R. Venkataraman, Christopher S. Murray, Veronica Depascuale

Biology

Coastal fish populations are threatened by multiple anthropogenic impacts, including the accumulation of industrial contaminants and the increasing frequency of hypoxia. Some populations of the Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus), like those in New Bedford Harbor (NBH), Massachusetts, USA, have evolved a resistance to dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that may influence their ability to cope with secondary stressors. To address this question, we compared hepatic gene expression and DNA methylation patterns in response to mild or severe hypoxia in killifish from NBH and Scorton Creek (SC), a reference population from a relatively pristine environment. We hypothesized that NBH fish would show …

Editorial: The Development And Evolution Of Larval Nervous Systems, Oliver Vöcking, Allan Carrillo-Baltodano, Néva Meyer

Biology

Throughout their development, animals of various taxa go through different larval stages, which have evolved adaptations to interact with specific environments. Larval nervous systems in particular experience strong selection pressures since they control crucial physiological and behavioral processes, especially in taxa with planktotrophic larvae that need to acquire food. Selection pressures also can vary across life history stages if there are differences in factors such as habitat, predation avoidance, and diet. There is evidence for this in the relationship of the larval nervous system to the adult nervous system, which can vary widely between species. Understanding the specific adaptations of …

Phylogenetic Proximity Is A Key Driver Of Temporal Succession Of Marine Giant Viruses In A Five-Year Metagenomic Time-Series, Sarah M. Laperriere, Benjamin Minch, J.L. Weissman, Shangwei Hou, Yi-Chun Yeh, Nathan Ahlgren, Mohammad Moniruzzaman

Biology

Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs), also called giant viruses, are widespread in marine systems and infect a broad range of microbial eukaryotes (protists). Recent biogeographic work has provided global snapshots of NCLDV diversity and community composition across the world’s oceans, yet little information exists about the guiding “rules” underpinning their community dynamics over time. We leveraged a five-year monthly coupled metagenomic-viromic time-series to quantify the community composition of NCLDVs off the coast of Southern California and characterize their temporal population dynamics. NCLDVs were dominated by Algavirales (Phycodnaviruses, 59%) and Imitervirales (Mimiviruses, 36%). We identified clusters of NCLDVs with distinct classes …

Characterization Of Fungal Carbonyl Sulfide Hydrolase Belonging To Clade D Β-Carbonic Anhydrase, Ryuka Iizuka, Takahiro Ogawa, Rikako Tsukida, Keiichi Noguchi, David Hibbett, Yoko Katayama, Makoto Yoshida

Biology

Carbonyl sulfide hydrolase (COSase) is a unique enzyme that exhibits high activity towards carbonyl sulfide (COS) but low carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity, despite belonging to the CA family. COSase was initially identified in a sulfur-oxidizing bacterium and later discovered in the ascomycete Trichoderma harzianum strain THIF08. The COSase from T. harzianum has been recognized as a key enzyme in the assimilation of gaseous COS, and homologous genes are widely present not only in Ascomycota but also in Basidiomycota. Here, we characterized the COSases from the basidiomycete Gloeophyllum trabeum NBRC 6430 and T. harzianum to obtain detailed characteristics of fungal COSase. …

Two Coacting Shadow Enhancers Regulate Twin Of Eyeless Expression During Early Drosophila Development, Jacqueline Dresch, Luke L. Nourie, Regan D. Conrad, Lindsay T. Carlson, Elizabeth I. Tchantouridze, Biruck Tesfaye, Eleanor Verhagen, Mahima Gupta, Diego Borges-Rivera, Rob Drewell

Biology

The Drosophila PAX6 homolog twin of eyeless (toy) sits at the pinnacle of the genetic pathway controlling eye development, the retinal determination network. Expression of toy in the embryo is first detectable at cellular blastoderm stage 5 in an anterior–dorsal band in the presumptive procephalic neuroectoderm, which gives rise to the primordia of the visual system and brain. Although several maternal and gap transcription factors that generate positional information in the embryo have been implicated in controlling toy, the regulation of toy expression in the early embryo is currently not well characterized. In this study, we adopt an integrated experimental …

Bat Cutaneous Microbial Assemblage Functional Redundancy Across A Host-Mediated Disturbance, Matthew Grisnik, Donald M. Walker

Biology

Understanding the processes and factors that influence the structure of host-associated microbial assemblages has been a major area of research as these assemblages play a role in host defense against pathogens. Previous work has found that bacterial taxa within bat cutaneous microbial assemblages have antifungal capabilities against the emerging fungal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. However, our understanding of natural fluctuations in these cutaneous microbial assemblages over time due to shifts in host habitat is lacking. The objective of this work was to understand how the taxonomic and functional bat cutaneous microbial assemblage responds to seasonal shifts in host habitat. We hypothesized …

Transcription Factor Expression Landscape In Drosophila Embryonic Cell Lines, Robert A. Drewell, Daniel Klonaros, Jacqueline Dresch

Biology

Background: Transcription factor (TF) proteins are a key component of the gene regulatory networks that control cellular fates and function. TFs bind DNA regulatory elements in a sequence-specific manner and modulate target gene expression through combinatorial interactions with each other, cofactors, and chromatin-modifying proteins. Large-scale studies over the last two decades have helped shed light on the complex network of TFs that regulate development in Drosophila melanogaster. Results: Here, we present a detailed characterization of expression of all known and predicted Drosophila TFs in two well-established embryonic cell lines, Kc167 and S2 cells. Using deep coverage RNA sequencing approaches we …

Use Of Hatchery-Raised Fish In Validation Of Daily Age Estimates For Juvenile Common Snook, Philip W. Stevens, Kyle L. Williams, Meredith B. Pfennig, Ryan W. Schloesser, Alexis A. Trotter, Derek P. Crane

Biology

Objective: We investigated the validity of daily age estimates for juvenile Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis by using sectioned and sanded sagittal otoliths. Methods: Common Snook have a protracted spawning season, which is problematic for validation of daily ages because a hatch date—needed to calculate age—cannot be reasonably assigned like it can for species with a short spawning period (<30 days). To help overcome this, two readers independently counted presumed daily increments in otoliths collected from hatchery-reared Common Snook of known age (100–240 days; n = 91). Result: Differences between known ages and those estimated from otoliths were small (mean absolute difference = 3.4 days) for individuals aged 100 days, but these differences increased after 100 days, mainly due to the crowding of increments along the otolith margin. Underestimation of ages was 8% at 120 days, 29% at 180 days, and 36% at 240 days. Conclusion: Ideally, analyses based on counts of daily increments in Common Snook otoliths should be limited to fish with an age of 100 days or younger.

Oceanic Breakthroughs: Marine-Derived Innovations In Vaccination, Therapy, And Immune Health, Chiara Gamberi, Chad L. Leverette, Alexis C. Davis, Moayad Ismail, Ilaria Piccialli, Nicola Borbone, Giorgia Oliviero, Caterina Vicidomini, Rosanna Palumbo, Giovanni N. Roviello

Biology

The vast, untapped potential of the world’s oceans is revealing groundbreaking advancements in human health and vaccination. Microalgae such as Nannochloropsis spp. and Dunaliella salina are emerging as resources for recombinant vaccine development with specific and heterologous genetic tools used to boost production of functional recombinant antigens in Dunaliella salina and Nannochloropsis spp. to induce immunoprotection. In humans, several antigens produced in microalgae have shown potential in combating diseases caused by the human papillomavirus, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, influenza virus, Zika virus, Zaire Ebola virus, Plasmodium falciparum, and Staphylococcus aureus. For animals, microalgae-derived vaccine prototypes have been developed …

It’S A Question At The ‘Root’ Of The Problem: Fungal Associations Of Dionaea Muscipula (Venus’ Flytrap) Roots In Its Native Habitat, Anna A. Carnaggio, Michelle M. Barthet

Biology

Carnivorous plants survive in harsh habitats with limited nutrients and a low pH. Much focus has been placed on carnivorous trap evolution as the primary mechanism to increase nutrient acquisition through insect digestion. Soil microbiome, however, may also play a pertinent role in nutrient acquisition influencing plant vigor and overall success. Dionaea muscipula, commonly known as the Venus’ flytrap, is endemic to rims of the Carolina Bays located in southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina, where D. muscipula survives in nutrient poor soils with a vestigial root system. We utilized a combination of microscopy, plating, and metagenomics, to investigate …

Mechanisms Underlying Age-Associated Exacerbation Of Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Amit Prabhakar, Meetu Wadhwa, Rahul Kumar, Prajakta Ghatpande, Aneta Gandjeva, Rubin M. Tuder, Brian B. Graham, Giorgio Lagna, Akiko Hata

Biology

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare but severe form of pulmonary hypertension characterized by the obstruction of pulmonary arteries and veins, causing increased pulmonary artery pressure and leading to right ventricular (RV) heart failure. PVOD is often resistant to conventional pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatments and has a poor prognosis, with a median survival time of 2–3 years after diagnosis. We previously showed that the administration of a chemotherapy agent mitomycin C (MMC) in rats mediates PVOD through the activation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) kinase protein kinase R (PKR) and the integrated stress response (ISR), resulting …

Population-Level Immunologic Variation In Wild Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus Aculeatus), Anika M. Wohlleben, Javier F. Tabima, Néva P. Meyer, Natalie C. Steinel

Biology

Wild organisms are regularly exposed to a wide range of parasites, requiring the management of an effective immune response while avoiding immunopathology. Currently, our knowledge of immunoparasitology primarily derives from controlled laboratory studies, neglecting the genetic and environmental diversity that contribute to immune phenotypes observed in wild populations. To gain insight into the immunologic variability in natural settings, we examined differences in immune gene expression of two Alaskan stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations with varying susceptibility to infection by the cestode Schistocephalus solidus. Between these two populations, we found distinct immune gene expression patterns at the population level in response to …

Tango2 Deficiency Disease Is Predominantly Caused By A Lipid Imbalance, Michael Sacher, Jay Deloriea, Mahsa Mehranfar, Cody Casey, Aaliya Naaz, Samuel J. Mackenzie, Chiara Gamberi

Biology

TANGO2 deficiency disease (TDD) is a rare genetic disorder estimated to affect ∼8000 individuals worldwide. It causes neurodegeneration often accompanied by potentially lethal metabolic crises that are triggered by diet or illness. Recent work has demonstrated distinct lipid imbalances in multiple model systems either depleted for or devoid of the TANGO2 protein, including human cells, fruit flies and zebrafish. Importantly, vitamin B5 supplementation has been shown to rescue TANGO2 deficiency-associated defects in flies and human cells. The notion that vitamin B5 is needed for synthesis of the lipid precursor coenzyme A (CoA) corroborates the hypothesis that key aspects of TDD …

Use Of Space By Urban Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius Ludovicianus) As A Window Into Habitat Suitability, Katie A. Maddox, Christopher E. Hill

Biology

Wild animals in urban environments face new challenges that may change how they use space and, at the same time, how they use space provides clues to suitability of habitat: bird territories in desirable areas tend to be smaller and populations denser. Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus), historically associated with shortgrass habitats such as pasture and shrub steppe, occur widely in urban areas of the southeastern United States. For a complete picture of shrike use of space in urban spaces, we present three measures for a population inhabiting urban areas of Horry County, South Carolina: population density, home range size, and …

Depletion Of Protein Phosphatase 1 Results In Persistent Activation Of The Integrated Stress Response And Age-Associated Exacerbation Of Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Amit Prabhakar, Meetu Wadhwa, Prajakta Ghatpande, Rahul Kumar, Brian B. Graham, Giorgio Lagna, Akiko Hata

Biology

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a form of pulmonary hypertension that affects individuals across the age spectrum. PVOD is characterized by the obstruction of small pulmonary vessels, causing increased pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and leading to right ventricular heart (RV) failure. Previous research showed that the administration of Mitomycin-C (MMC) in rats mediates PVOD through the activation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) kinase PKR and the integrated stress response (ISR), resulting in the impairment of vascular endothelial junctional structure and barrier function. In this study, we reveal that older rats experience more severe pulmonary vascular remodeling and RV …

Age Estimation And Validation In Otoliths, Spines, And Fin Rays From Four Central Texas Fishes, Meredith B. Pfennig, Derek P. Crane, Nate G. Smith, Dave L. Buckmeier

Biology

Age estimation methods have not been validated for many species. Thus, we focused this age estimation study on four species from central Texas: the Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Gray Redhorse Moxostoma congestum, and Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus. Our objectives for each species were to (1) investigate whether increments form annually in otoliths, fin rays, or spines; (2) determine the seasonal timing of zone deposition in each calcified structure; and (3) compare age estimates between otoliths and fin rays or spines.

Fish were sampled from central Texas waters and injected with oxytetracycline (OTC) quarterly in 2021. In …