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Abstract Background Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) comprise a family of WNT signaling antagonists whose roles in the ovary are poorly understood. Sfrp4-null mice were previously found to be hyperfertile due to an enhanced granulosa cell response to gonadotropins, leading to decreased antral follicle atresia and enhanced ovulation rates. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms whereby SFRP4 antagonizes FSH action. Methods Primary cultures of granulosa cells from wild-type mice were treated with FSH and/or SFRP4, and effects of treatment on gene expression were evaluated by RT-qPCR and RNAseq. Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to analyse the effects of SFRP4 on the transcriptome, and compare them to those of FSH or a constitutively active mutant of FOXO1. Additional granulosa cell cultures from wild-type or Sfrp4-null mice, some pretreated with pharmacologic inhibitors of specific signaling effectors, were used to examine the effects of FSH and/or SFRP4 on signaling pathways, autophagy and apoptosis by western blotting and TUNEL. Results Treatment of cultured granulosa cells with recombinant SFRP4 was found to decrease basal and FSH-stimulated mRNA levels of FSH target genes. Unexpectedly, this effect was found to occur neither via a canonical (CTNNB1-dependent) nor non-canonical WNT signaling mechanism, but was found to be GSK3β-dependent. Rather, SFRP4 was found to antognize AKT activity via a mechanism involving AMPK. This lead to the hypophosphorylation of FOXO1 and a decrease in the expression of a portion of the FSH and FOXO1 transcriptomes. Conversely, FSH-stimulated AMPK, AKT and FOXO1 phosphorylation levels were found to be increased in the granulosa cells of Sfrp4-null mice relative to wild-type controls. SFRP4 treatement of granulosa cells also induced autophagy by signaling via AKT-mTORC1-ULK1, as well as apoptosis. Conclusions This study identifies a novel GSK3β-AMPK-AKT signaling mechanism through which SFPR4 antagonizes FSH action, and further identifies SFRP4 as a novel regulator of granulosa cell autophagy. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the phenotypic changes previously observed in Sfrp4-null mice, and broaden our understanding of the physiological roles of WNT signaling processes in the ovary.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the adventive establishment and spread of parasitoid wasps outside of their native range. However, lack of taxonomic tools can hinder the efficient screening of field-collected samples to document the establishment and range expansion of parasitoids on continent-wide geographic scales. Here we report that Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), a parasitoid of the globally invasive fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Diptera, Drosophilidae), is now widespread in much of North America despite not having been intentionally introduced. Surveys in 2022 using a variety of methods detected L. japonica in 10 of 11 surveyed USA States and one Canadian Province where it was not previously known to occur. In most surveys, L. japonica was the most common species of D. suzukii parasitoid found. The surveys also resulted in the detection of Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), the recently-released biological control agent of D. suzukii, in six USA States where it had not previously been found. These new detections are likely a result of intentional biological control introductions rather than spread of adventive populations. A species-specific multiplex PCR assay was developed as a rapid, accurate and cost-effective method to distinguish L. japonica, G. cf. brasiliensis, the closely-related cosmopolitan parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma (Hymenoptera, Figitidae) and other native parasitoid species. This dataset and the associated molecular tools will facilitate future studies of the spread and ecological impacts of these introduced parasitoids on multiple continents.

Abstract Ocean warming and acidification, decreases in dissolved oxygen concentrations, and changes in primary production are causing an unprecedented global redistribution of marine life. The identification of underlying ecological processes underpinning marine species turnover, particularly the prevalence of increases of warm-water species or declines of cold-water species, has been recently debated in the context of ocean warming. Here, we track changes in the mean thermal affinity of marine communities across European seas by calculating the Community Temperature Index for 65 biodiversity time series collected over four decades and containing 1,817 species from different communities (zooplankton, coastal benthos, pelagic and demersal invertebrates and fish). We show that most communities and sites have clearly responded to ongoing ocean warming via abundance increases of warm-water species (tropicalization, 54%) and decreases of cold-water species (deborealization, 18%). Tropicalization dominated Atlantic sites compared to semi-enclosed basins such as the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, probably due to physical barrier constraints to connectivity and species colonization. Semi-enclosed basins appeared to be particularly vulnerable to ocean warming, experiencing the fastest rates of warming and biodiversity loss through deborealization.

Combining interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) improves survival in advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Although limited, growing evidence regarding carboplatin-based HIPEC highlights its potential. This retrospective study included all patients with advanced primary high-grade serous ovarian cancer who underwent interval CRS combined with carboplatin-based HIPEC at our Canadian tertiary care center between 2014 and 2020. We identified 40 patients with a median age of 61 years. The median peritoneal cancer index was 13 and complete cytoreduction was achieved in 38 patients (95%). Median hospital stay was 13 days and there were four admissions to the intensive care unit (10%) and six readmissions (15%). Severe adverse events occurred in eight patients (20%) and there was no perioperative death. Recurrence was seen in 33 patients (82%) with a median DFS of 18.0 months and a median overall survival of 36.4 months. Multivariate analyses showed that age, peritoneal cancer index, completeness of cytoreduction, occurrence of severe complications, and bowel resection did not significantly impact DFS or OS in our cohort. Interval CRS combined with carboplatin-based HIPEC for advanced primary EOC is associated with acceptable morbidity and oncological outcomes. Larger studies are required to determine the long-term outcomes.

Abstract During ontogeny, the increase in body size forces species to make trade‐offs between their food requirements, the conditions necessary for growth and reproduction as well as the avoidance of predators. Ontogenetic changes are leading species to seek out habitats and food resources that meet their needs. To this end, ontogenetic changes in nocturnal habitat (vertical use of the water column) and in the type of food resources (based on stable isotopes of nitrogen) were investigated in 12 species of deep pelagic fish from the Bay of Biscay in the Northeast Atlantic. Our results revealed the existence of major differences in the ontogenetic strategies employed by deep pelagic fishes. Some species showed ontogenetic changes in both vertical habitat use and food resources (e.g. Jewel lanternfish (Lampanyctus crocodilus) and Atlantic soft pout (Melanostigma atlanticum)). In contrast, other species showed no ontogenetic change (e.g. Koefoed's searsid (Searsia koefoedi) and Lancet fish (Notoscopelus kroyeri)). Some species only changed food resources (e.g. Spotted lanternfish (Myctophum punctatum), Spotted barracudina (Arctozenus risso) and Stout sawpalate (Serrivomer beanii)), while others seemed to be influenced more by depth than by trophic features (e.g. Bluntsnout smooth‐head (Xenodermichthys copei) and Olfer's Hatchetfish (Argyropelecus olfersii)). These results suggest that to meet their increasing energy requirements during ontogeny, some species have adopted a strategy of shifting their food resources (larger prey or prey with a higher trophic level), while others seemed to maintain their food resources but are most likely increasing the quantity of prey ingested. As fish species can have different functional roles during their development within ecosystems, characterising ontogenetic changes in mesopelagic fish species is a crucial step to be considered in future research aimed at understanding and modelling the complexity of deep‐pelagic food webs.

The use of functional information in the form of species traits plays an important role in explaining biodiversity patterns and responses to environmental changes. Although relationships between species composition, their traits, and the environment have been extensively studied on a case-by-case basis, results are variable, and it remains unclear how generalizable these relationships are across ecosystems, taxa and spatial scales. To address this gap, we collated 80 datasets from trait-based studies into a global database for metaCommunity Ecology: Species, Traits, Environment and Space; "CESTES". Each dataset includes four matrices: species community abundances or presences/absences across multiple sites, species trait information, environmental variables and spatial coordinates of the sampling sites. The CESTES database is a live database: it will be maintained and expanded in the future as new datasets become available. By its harmonized structure, and the diversity of ecosystem types, taxonomic groups, and spatial scales it covers, the CESTES database provides an important opportunity for synthetic trait-based research in community ecology.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) is a treatment option for peritoneal metastases (PM) but is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of computed tomographic (CT)-measured sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes and survival in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC for PM from various origins. A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2012 and 2020. Three-hundred and twelve patients (mean age 57.6 ± 10.3, 34.3% male) were included, of which 88 (28.2%) were sarcopenic. PM from a colorectal origin was the most common in both groups. The proportion of major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III) was not higher in the sarcopenic group (15.9% in sarcopenic patients vs. 23.2% in nonsarcopenic patients, p = 0.17). The mean Comprehensive Complication Index scores, HIPEC-related toxicities, length of hospital stay, and duration of parenteral nutrition were comparable regardless of sarcopenia status. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis of severe complications, only peritoneal carcinomatosis index reached statistical significance (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.08, p = 0.007). Sarcopenia did not impact origin-specific overall survival on Cox regression analysis. Sarcopenia was not associated with worse rates of postoperative severe complications or worse survival rates. Future prospective studies are required before considering sarcopenia as part of preoperative risk assessment.

At a time when protecting the environment is urgent, dealing with inherent uncertainties in the responses of biodiversity to disturbances is essential. This study promotes a promising tool to assess the vulnerability of species assemblages to guide protection efforts even if species response and disturbance regimes are poorly documented.

Several kilometre-scale gabbroic intrusions with well-preserved cumulate textures occur over a ~180 km northwest-southeast strike length area in the Core Zone, within the southeastern Churchill Province. These intrusions (1312-1311 Ma) are devoid of structural and metamorphic overprint and are mainly composed of olivine gabbro. Their overlapping petrographic, geochemical, and mineralogical characteristics suggest that all of these gabbroic intrusions are co-genetic and form the Soisson Intrusive Suite. The Soisson intrusions formed from basaltic parental magmas with low MgO (~6-7 wt.%) and high Fe-Ti contents. Overall, they are similarly fractionated at the regional scale and incorporated various amounts of upper crustal material, as indicated by field (e.g., xenoliths, hybrid zones) and geochemical (e.g., high HILE/MILE, depletion in Nb[+ or -]Ta) evidences. The Soisson Intrusive Suite has petrological, geochemical, and mineral chemistry similarities with the troctolite and olivine gabbro cumulates of the Voisey's Bay and Mushuau intrusions from the ca. 1363 to 1289 Ma Nain Plutonic Suite (NPS), and appears to be contemporaneous with its younger gabbroic-troctolitic intrusion phase, suggesting that the Soisson Intrusive Suite and the gabbroic-troctolitic intrusions of the NPS were formed by similar petrological processes. Furthermore, like many gabbroic-troctolitic intrusions of the NPS (e.g., Voisey's Bay intrusion), the Soisson intrusions contain Ni-Cu-Co magmatic sulfide mineralization. Among the Soisson intrusions, the Papavoine intrusion located in the southern part of this intrusive suite may be the most prospective intrusion as a Ni, Cu, and Co exploration target. Overall, the Soisson Intrusive Suite's similarity with the NPS raises questions about their potential genetic link and magmatic connectivity at depth. Key words: olivine gabbro, cumulate, Ni-Cu-Co mineralization, Core Zone, southeastern Churchill Province, Mesoproterozoic. Plusieurs intrusions gabbroïques kilométriques présentant des textures de cumulat bien préservées sont présentes sur un secteur d'environ 180 km dans l'axe NO-SE dans la Zone noyau de la partie sud-est de la province de Churchill. Aucun élément structural ou métamorphique n'est surimposé sur ces intrusions (1312-1311 Ma) principalement constituées de gabbro à olivine. Leurs caractéristiques pétrologiques, géochimiques et minéralogiques communes portent à croire que toutes ces intrusions gabbroïques sont cogénétiques et constituent la Suite intrusive de Soisson. Les intrusions de Soisson se sont formées à partir de magmas parentaux basaltiques pauvres en MgO (~6-7% en poids) et riches en Fe-Ti. En général, elles sont caractérisées par un degré semblable de cristallisation fractionnée à l'échelle régionale et ont incorporé des quantités variables de matériau de la croûte supérieure, comme l'indiquent les observations de terrain (p. ex., xénolithes, zones hybrides) et géochimiques (p. ex., rapport en éléments lithophiles fortement incompatibles sur les éléments lithophiles modérément incompatibles élevé, appauvrissement en Nb[+ or -]Ta). La Suite intrusive de Soisson présente des similitudes pétrologiques, géochimiques et sur le plan de la chimie des minéraux avec les cumulats troctolitiques et de gabbro à olivine des intrusions Voisey's Bay et Mushuau de la Suite plutonique de Nain (SPN) mise en place il y a environ 1363 Ma à 1289 Ma, et semble contemporaine à la phase intrusive à gabbro-troctolite plus récente de cette suite, ce qui donne à penser que la Suite intrusive de Soisson et les intrusions gabbroïques-troctolitiques de la SPN se sont formées par des processus pétrologiques semblables. En outre, à l'instar de nombreuses intrusions gabbroïques-troctolitiques de la SPN (p. ex., l'intrusion Voisey's Bay), les intrusions de Soisson renferment une minéralisation de sulfures magmatiques de Ni-Cu-Co. Parmi les intrusions de Soisson, l'intrusion Papavoine, dans la partie sud de la suite intrusive, pourrait constituer la cible d'exploration la plus intéressante pour les minéralisations en Ni, Cu et Co. Globalement, la similitude de la Suite intrusive de Soisson et de la SPN soulève des questions touchant à leur possible lien génétique et leur connectivité magmatique en profondeur. Mots-clés : gabbro à olivine, cumulat, minéralisation en Ni-Cu-Co, Zone noyau, sud-est de la province de Churchill, Mésoprotérozoïque., Introduction The discovery in the 1990s of the world-class Ni-Cu-Co Voisey's Bay deposit hosted by a gabbroic-troctolitic intrusion, belonging to the Mesoproterozoic Nain Plutonic Suite (NPS), has stimulated exploration for [...]

A spatial analysis of the mudflat community of Bourgneuf Bay, France before and after experimental oyster reef removal reveals the role of oyster reefs in influencing microphytobenthos via predator facilitation.

The role of insects in dissemination of Erwinia amylovora has been studied for over 100 years. Pollinating bees do not feed on bacterial ooze but are suggested to transmit between flowers. It has been suggested that various hemipteran species walk on bacterial ooze and subsequently shed acquired bacteria into their own feeding wounds. Dipterans have been observed readily feeding on ooze, but their importance has been understudied. The goal of this study was to advance understanding of the ecology of insect-mediated transmission of E. amylovora through field collections and observations conducted in a research apple orchard with actively oozing fire blight symptoms. We found that field-collected pollinating bees did not test positive for the bacterium, suggesting that their role in blossom blight dissemination may be overstated. Flies were prominent flower visitors, underscoring the need for further research into their role in bloom time bacterial dissemination. Flies were observed feeding on ooze droplets in the late spring and early summer and the insects retained bacteria for at least 7 days. Flies shed transmissible amounts of E. amylovora for the duration of the experiment. The role of hemipterans was not clarified in this study but it is possible that their role is indirect through interactions with other insects. Collectively, this research outlines the ecological role of different insects in disease transmission and underscores the underappreciated potential importance of flies, providing a roadmap toward a better understanding of the complex dynamics at play.[Figure: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Background: Two members from an academic tertiary hospital went to the National Cancer Institute in Tokyo, Japan, to learn how to perform an adequate D2 lymphadenectomy and to then introduce this technique in the surgical care of patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer at a Western hospital. We aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes and long-term survival of Western patients who underwent gastric resection, performed by these 2 surgeons, before and after the surgeons' shortcourse technical training in Japan. Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative study of all patients (n = 27 before training and n = 79 after training) who underwent gastric resection for cancer by the same 2 surgeons between September 2007 and December 2017 at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Quebec--Universite Laval (Quebec, Canada). We collected data on patient demographic, clinical, surgical, pathological and treatment characteristics, as well as long-term survival and complications. Results: In the post-training group, the number of sampled lymph nodes was higher (median 33 v. 14, p < 0.0001), but this increase did not result in a higher number of histologically positive lymph nodes (p = 0.35). The rate of complications was lower in the post-training group (15.2% v. 48.2%, p = 0.002). The hospital stay was shorter in the post-training group (11 [standard deviation (SD) 7] v. 23 [SD 45] d, p = 0.03). The median survival was higher in the post-training group (47 v. 29 mo, p = 0.03). Conclusion: These results suggest that a short-course technical training in D2 lymphadenectomy, completed in Japan, improved lymph node sampling, decreased postoperative complications and improved survival of patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer in a Western setting. Contexte : Deux membres d'un centre hospitalier universitaire en soins tertiaires se sont rendus a l'Institut national du cancer de Tokyo, au Japon, pour apprendre a effectuer une lymphadenectomie de type D2 et ensuite integrer cette technique aux interventions chirurgicales visant a contrer un cancer de l'estomac dans un hopital occidental. L'objectif etait de comparer les issues perioperatoires et la survie a long terme des patients qui ont subi une gastrectomie realisee par les 2 chirurgiens, avant et apres leur formation technique de courte duree au Japon. Methodes : Nous avons mene une etude retrospective comparative portant sur tous les patients (n = 27 avant la formation, et n = 79 apres la formation) qui, entre septembre 2007 et decembre 2017, ont subi une gastrectomie pour un cancer realisee par les 2 chirurgiens au Centre hospitalier universitaire de Quebec--Universite Laval (Quebec, Canada). Nous avons recueilli des donnees demographiques, cliniques, chirurgicales et pathologiques ainsi que des donnees sur les traitements, la survie a long terme et les complications. Resultats : Dans le groupe de patients operes apres la formation, un plus grand nombre de ganglions lymphatiques a ete preleve (mediane 33 c. 14; p < 0,0001), mais cette augmentation n'etait pas accompagnee d'un plus grand nombre d'analyses histologiques positives (p = 0,35). Le taux de complication etait plus faible dans ce groupe (15,2 % c. 48,2 %; p = 0,002), et l'hospitalisation, plus courte (11 jours [ecart type (E.-T.) 7] c. 23 jours [E.-T. 45]; p = 0,03). De plus, la duree de survie mediane etait plus elevee dans ce groupe (47 mois c. 29 mois; p = 0,03). Conclusion : Ces resultats laissent croire qu'une courte formation technique sur la lymphadenectomie de type D2, realisee au Japon, ameliore le prelevement de ganglions lymphatiques, diminue les complications postoperatoires et prolonge la survie des patients qui subissent une chirurgie pour un cancer de l'estomac en Occident., Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. (1) In Canada, it was estimated that 4100 Canadians were diagnosed with gastric [...]

Abstract Background Complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the only curative treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) arising from the appendix. High peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) is associated with an increased risk of surgical complications. The objective of this study was to present the results of a planned two-step surgical strategy to decrease postoperative morbidity and improve resectability of patients with very high PCI. Methods All consecutive patients who underwent a planned two-step surgical approach for PMP between January 2012 and March 2020 were retrospectively included. This approach was offered for patients with low-grade PMP with PCI > 28 for which feasibility of a complete CRS in one operation was uncertain. The first surgery included a complete CRS of the inframesocolic compartment and omentectomy. HIPEC was delivered at the second surgery, after complete CRS of the supramesocolic compartment. Postoperative morbidity was assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification and survival results were also collected. Results Eight patients underwent the two-step approach. The median PCI was 33 (29–39) and the median time between the two procedures was 111 days (90–212 days). One patient was deemed unresectable at the second surgery. The rate of major morbidity was 0% for the first step and 25% for the second step, with no mortality. Median follow-up was 53.8 months (3–73 months). Conclusion A two-step surgical management for low-grade PMP patients with very high PCI is safe and feasible, with acceptable postoperative morbidity and no compromise on oncological outcomes.

Erwinia amylovora is a bacterial pathogen of rosaceous plants that can be devastating to commercial apple and pear production worldwide. Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production is essential for pathogenicity, aiding in biofilm production, and plant defense protection. EPS also plays an epidemiological role in the form of bacterial ooze, which is generated when E. amylovora builds to such high levels within the parenchyma that it ruptures the plant epidermis and a mixture of bacteria encased in EPS exudes from the injury. Insects such as Delia platura feed on the ooze and become potential vectors in the process. The goal of this study was to investigate interactions between D. platura and E. amylovora to better understand how insects facilitate shoot blight. We demonstrate for the first time that D. platura can successfully transmit pathogen cells that initiate new infections in mechanically damaged apple shoots and that EPS aids in adherence of E. amylovora to the insect surface. We show that flies can carry the bacteria externally for at least 5 days and that they shed a constant daily rate. We also show that E. amylovora strains differing in virulence do not behave differently when associated with D. platura and that consumption of E. amylovora has no effect on insect survival. Our data demonstrate that flies can be efficient facilitators of new shoot blight infections, but the field conditions that make this type of transmission possible require further investigation.[Figure: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

Histone acetylation is a ubiquitous hallmark of transcription. Here the authors provide evidence that the majority of histone acetylation is dependent on transcription, specifically due to the requirement of RNAPII for the recruitment and activity of histone acetyltransferases.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has put enormous pressure on hospital resources, and has affected all aspects of patient care. As operative volumes decrease, cancer surgeries must be triaged and prioritized with careful thought and attention to ensure maximal benefit for the maximum number of patients. Peritoneal malignancies present a unique challenge, as surgical management can be resource intensive, but patients have limited non-surgical treatment options. This review summarizes current data on outcomes and resource utilization to help inform decision-making and case prioritization in times of constrained health care resources. Methods: A rapid literature review was performed, examining surgical and non-surgical outcomes data for peritoneal malignancies. Narrative data synthesis was cross-referenced with relevant societal guidelines. Peritoneal malignancy surgeons and medical oncologists reviewed recommendations to establish a national perspective on case triage and mitigating treatment strategies. Results and Conclusions: Triage of peritoneal malignancies during this time of restricted health care resource is nuanced and requires multidisciplinary discussion with consideration of individual patient factors. Prioritization should be given to patients where delay may compromise resectability of disease, and where alternative treatment options are lacking. Mitigating strategies such as systemic chemotherapy and/or surgical deferral may be utilized with close surveillance for disease stability or progression, which may affect surgical urgency. Unique hospital capacity, and ability to manage the complex post-operative course for these patients must also be considered to ensure patient and system needs are aligned.