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Abstract Earth’s mantle isotopic composition is highly heterogeneous, with enriched and depleted regions1–3 shaped by a complex history of depletion and re-enrichment over 4.5 billion years. The spatial configuration of large-scale heterogeneity in the mantle is not random4,5, but the timing and mechanisms that caused such heterogeneity are still debated2,6,7. We compiled radiogenic isotope data of mid-ocean ridge and plume-induced basalts from both present-day and past oceans for the past 900 million years of the relatively isotopically enriched African mantle domain. Our analysis shows that oceanic rocks of the African mantle domain exhibit a relatively homogenous composition similar to the prevalent mantle estimates (PREMA8) until ca. 350 million years ago when plume-derived rocks started becoming isotopically enriched with maximum enrichment reached in the mid-Cretaceous. From that point in time, plume-derived rocks shift toward depletion, getting closer to the prevalent mantle value. The enrichment trend is interpreted to have resulted from the recycling of crustal material during the assembly and the early stage of a break-up of Gondwana and Pangea, whereas the subsequent depletion trend is due to the outward retreat of the subduction girdle during the break-up of Pangea, thus both are legacies of geodynamic processes related to the supercontinent cycle.

Abstract Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are the main methods used to control mosquito populations for malaria prevention. The efficacy of these strategies is threatened by the spread of insecticide resistance (IR), limiting the success of malaria control. Studies of the genetic evolution leading to insecticide resistance could enable the identification of molecular markers that can be used for IR surveillance and an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with IR. This study used a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) algorithm, a systems biology approach, to identify genes with similar co-expression patterns (modules) and hub genes that are potential molecular markers for insecticide resistance surveillance in Kenya and Benin. A total of 20 and 26 gene co-expression modules were identified via average linkage hierarchical clustering from Anopheles arabiensis and An. gambiae, respectively, and hub genes (highly connected genes) were identified within each module. Three specific genes stood out: serine protease, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, and cuticular proteins, which were top hub genes in both species and could serve as potential markers and targets for monitoring IR in these malaria vectors. In addition to the identified markers, we explored molecular mechanisms using enrichment maps that revealed a complex process involving multiple steps, from odorant binding and neuronal signaling to cellular responses, immune modulation, cellular metabolism, and gene regulation. Incorporation of these dynamics into the development of new insecticides and the tracking of insecticide resistance could improve the sustainable and cost-effective deployment of interventions.

Abstract Background Insecticide resistance (IR) is one of the major threats to malaria vector control programs in endemic countries. However, the mechanisms underlying IR are poorly understood. Thus, investigating gene expression patterns related to IR can offer important insights into the molecular basis of IR in mosquitoes. In this study, RNA-Seq was used to characterize gene expression in Anopheles gambiae surviving exposure to pyrethroids (deltamethrin, alphacypermethrin) and an organophosphate (pirimiphos-methyl). Results Larvae of An. gambiae s.s. collected from Bassila and Djougou in Benin were reared to adulthood and phenotyped for IR using a modified CDC intensity bottle bioassay. The results showed that mosquitoes from Djougou were more resistant to pyrethroids (5X deltamethrin: 51.7% mortality; 2X alphacypermethrin: 47.4%) than Bassila (1X deltamethrin: 70.7%; 1X alphacypermethrin: 77.7%), while the latter were more resistant to pirimiphos-methyl (1.5X: 48.3% in Bassila and 1X: 21.5% in Djougou). RNA-seq was then conducted on resistant mosquitoes, non-exposed mosquitoes from the same locations and the laboratory-susceptible An. gambiae s.s. Kisumu strain. The results showed overexpression of detoxification genes, including cytochrome P450s (CYP12F2, CYP12F3, CYP4H15, CYP4H17, CYP6Z3, CYP9K1, CYP4G16, and CYP4D17), carboxylesterase genes (COEJHE5E, COE22933) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTE2 and GSTMS3) in all three resistant mosquito groups analyzed. Genes encoding cuticular proteins (CPR130, CPR10, CPR15, CPR16, CPR127, CPAP3-C, CPAP3-B, and CPR76) were also overexpressed in all the resistant groups, indicating their potential role in cross resistance in An. gambiae. Salivary gland protein genes related to ‘salivary cysteine-rich peptide’ and ‘salivary secreted mucin 3’ were also over-expressed and shared across all resistant groups. Conclusion Our results suggest that in addition to metabolic enzymes, cuticular and salivary gland proteins could play an important role in cross-resistance to multiple classes of insecticides in Benin. These genes warrant further investigation to validate their functional role in An. gambiae resistance to insecticides.

Abstract The primary reason for the failure of malaria vector control across endemic regions is the widespread insecticide resistance observed in Anopheles vectors. The most dominant African vectors of malaria parasites are Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus mosquitoes. These species often exhibit divergent behaviours and adaptive changes underscoring the importance of deploying active and effective measures in their control. Unlike An. gambiae, An. funestus mosquitoes are poorly studied in Benin Republic. However, recent reports indicated that An. funestus can adapt and colonize various ecological niches owing to its resistance against insecticides and adaptation to changing breeding habitats. Unfortunately, scientific investigations on the contribution of An. funestus to malaria transmission, their susceptibility to insecticide and resistance mechanism developed are currently insufficient for the design of better control strategies. In an attempt to gather valuable information on An. funestus, the present review examines the progress made on this malaria vector species in Benin Republic and highlights future research perspectives on insecticide resistance profiles and related mechanisms, as well as new potential control strategies against An. funestus. Literature analysis revealed that An. funestus is distributed all over the country, although present in low density compared to other dominant malaria vectors. Interestingly, An. funestus is being found in abundance during the dry seasons, suggesting an adaptation to desiccation. Among the An. funestus group, only An. funestus sensu stricto (s.s.) and Anopheles leesoni were found in the country with An. funestus s.s. being the most abundant species. Furthermore, An. funestus s.s. is the only one species in the group contributing to malaria transmission and have adapted biting times that allow them to bite at dawn. In addition, across the country, An. funestus were found resistant to pyrethroid insecticides used for bed nets impregnation and also resistant to bendiocarb which is currently being introduced in indoor residual spraying formulation in malaria endemic regions. All these findings highlight the challenges faced in controlling this malaria vector. Therefore, advancing the knowledge of vectorial competence of An. funestus, understanding the dynamics of insecticide resistance in this malaria vector, and exploring alternative vector control measures, are critical for sustainable malaria control efforts in Benin Republic.

Abstract Argyle is the world’s largest source of natural diamonds, yet one of only a few economic deposits hosted in a Paleoproterozoic orogen. The geodynamic triggers responsible for its alkaline ultramafic volcanic host are unknown. Here we show, using U-Pb and (U-Th)/He geochronology of detrital apatite and detrital zircon, and U-Pb dating of hydrothermal titanite, that emplacement of the Argyle lamproite is bracketed between 1311 ± 9 Ma and 1257 ± 15 Ma (2σ), older than previously known. To form the Argyle lamproite diatreme complex, emplacement was likely driven by lithospheric extension related to the breakup of the supercontinent Nuna. Extension facilitated production of low-degree partial melts and their migration through transcrustal corridors in the Paleoproterozoic Halls Creek Orogen, a rheologically-weak rift zone adjacent to the Kimberley Craton. Diamondiferous diatreme emplacement during (super)continental breakup may be prevalent but hitherto under-recognized in rift zones at the edges of ancient continental blocks.

Abstract Resistance to insecticides in Anopheles mosquitoes threatens the effectiveness of malaria control, but the genetics of resistance are only partially understood. We performed a large scale multi-country genome-wide association study of resistance to two widely used insecticides: deltamethrin and pirimiphos-methyl, using sequencing data from An. gambiae and An. coluzzii from ten locations in West Africa. Resistance was highly multi-genic, multi-allelic and variable between populations. While the strongest and most consistent association with deltamethrin resistance came from Cyp6aa1, this was based on several independent copy number variants (CNVs) in An. coluzzii, and on a non-CNV haplotype in An. gambiae. For pirimiphos-methyl, signals included Ace1, cytochrome P450s, glutathione S-transferases and the nAChR target site of neonicotinoid insecticides. The regions around Cyp9k1 and the Tep family of immune genes showed evidence of cross-resistance to both insecticides. These locally-varying, multi-allelic patterns highlight the challenges involved in genomic monitoring of resistance, and may form the basis for improved surveillance methods.

IntroductionAccurate assessments of vector occurrence and abundance, particularly in widespread vector-borne diseases such as malaria, are crucial for the efficient deployment of disease surveillance and control interventions. Although previous studies have explored the benefits of adaptive sampling for identifying disease hotspots (mostly through simulations), limited research has been conducted on field surveillance of malaria vectors.MethodsWe developed and implemented an adaptive spatial sampling design in southwestern Benin, specifically targeting potential and uncertain Anopheles gambiae hotspots, a major malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa. The first phase of our proposed design involved delineating ecological zones and employing a proportional lattice with close pairs sampling design to maximize spatial coverage, representativeness of ecological zones, and account for spatial dependence in mosquito counts. In the second phase, we employed a spatial adaptive sampling design focusing on high-risk areas with the greatest uncertainty.ResultsThe adaptive spatial sampling design resulted in a reduced sample size from the first phase, leading to improved predictions for both out-of-sample and training data. Collections of Anopheles gambiae in high-risk and low-uncertainty areas were nearly tripled compared to those in high-risk and high-uncertainty areas. However, the overall model uncertainty increased.DiscussionWhile the adaptive sampling design allowed for increased collections of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes with a reduced sample size, it also led to a general increase in uncertainty, highlighting the potential trade-offs in multi-criteria adaptive sampling designs. It is imperative that future research focuses on understanding these trade-offs to expedite effective malaria control and elimination efforts.

Background. Natural medicinal products are commonly used as a remedy against malaria infections in African populations and have become a major source of information for the screening of new and more effective antiplasmodial molecules. Therefore, in vitro studies are needed to validate the efficacy of these medicinal products and to explore the potential effects of such drugs on the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum. The current study has investigated the impact of some Beninese plant extracts with antiplasmodial activity on the genetic diversity of P. falciparum. Method. Five (5) ethanolic plant extracts (Dissotis rotundifolia, Ehretia cymosa Thonn, Hibiscus surattensis L., Cola millenii K. Shum, and Costus afer Ker Gawl) and a compound extracted from Ehretia cymosa Thonn (encoded CpE2) were tested against asexual stage parasites of a culture-adapted strain of P. falciparum. Subsequently, the P. falciparum Msp1 and Msp2 markers were genotyped, and the number of allelic variants and the multiplicity of infection (MOI) were compared between drug-exposed and unexposed parasites. Results. All plant extracts have shown inhibitory activity against asexual P. falciparum and selected new allelic variants of the Msp1 and Msp2 genes compared to unexposed parasites. The newly selected allelic variants were K1_100bp and RO33_300bp of the Msp1 gene and FC27_150bp, FC27_300bp, FC27_400bp, and FC27_600bp of the Msp2 gene. However, there was no significant difference in MOI between drug-exposed and unexposed parasites. Conclusion. Our study highlights a source for the selection of new Msp1 and Msp2 alleles after exposure to antimalarial drugs. These findings pave the way for further studies investigating the true roles of these newly selected alleles in P. falciparum.

Understanding the contribution of asymptomatic Plasmodium carriers in malaria transmission might be helpful to design and implement new control measures. The present study explored the prevalence of asymptomatic and symptomatic Plasmodium infections (asexual and sexual stages) and the contribution of asymptomatic P. falciparum carriers to Anopheles-mediated malaria transmission in Ouidah (Benin). Thick and thin blood smears were examined from finger-prick blood specimens using light microscopy, and the density of both asexual and sexual stages of Plasmodium species was calculated. Infectivity of gametocyte-infected blood samples to Anopheles gambiae was assessed through direct membrane feeding assays. The prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infections was 28.73% (289/1006). All the asymptomatic gametocyte-carriers (19/19), with gametocytaemia ranging from 10 ̶ 1200 gametocytes/μL of blood, were infectious to An. gambiae mosquitoes. The mean oocyst prevalences varied significantly (χ2 = 16.42, df = 7, p = 0.02) among laboratory mosquito strains (6.9 ̶ 39.4%) and near-field mosquitoes (4.9 ̶ 27.2%). Likewise, significant variation (χ2 = 56.85, df = 7, p = 6.39 × 10−10) was observed in oocyst intensity. Our findings indicate that asymptomatic Plasmodium carriers could significantly contribute to malaria transmission. Overall, this study highlights the importance of diagnosing and treating asymptomatic and symptomatic infection carriers during malaria control programmes.

Background: Malaria burden continues to be significant in tropical regions, and conventional vector control methods are faced with challenges such as insecticide resistance. To overcome these challenges, additional vector control interventions are vital and include modern genetic approaches as well as classical methods like the sterile insect technique (SIT). In the major human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, a candidate gene favourable for sterility induction is the doublesex (dsx) gene, involved in mosquitos’ somatic sexually dimorphic traits determination. However, the pathways that trigger the signal of dsx gene exon skipping alternative splicing mechanism in anopheline mosquitoes are not well characterized. This study aims to screen the An. gambiae dsx gene splice site sequences for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that could be critical to its alternative splicing. Methods: Variant annotation data from Ag1000G project phase 2 was analysed, in order to identify splice-relevant SNPs within acceptor and donor splice sites of the An. gambiae dsx gene (Agdsx). Results: SNPs were found in both donor and acceptor sites of the Agdsx. No splice-relevant SNPs were identified in the female-specific intron 4 acceptor site and the corresponding region in males. Two SNPs (rs48712947, rs48712962) were found in the female-specific donor site of exon 5. They were not specific to either males or females as the rs48712947 was found in female mosquitoes from Cameroon, and in both males and females from Burkina Faso. In the other splice sites, the intron 3 acceptor site carried the greatest abundance of SNPs. Conclusions: There were no gender association between the identified SNPs and the random distribution of these SNPs in mosquito populations. The SNPs in Agdsx splice sites are not critical for the alternative splicing. Other molecular mechanisms should be considered and investigated.

Abstract Background Existing mechanisms of insecticide resistance are known to help the survival of mosquitoes following contact with chemical compounds, even though they could negatively affect the life-history traits of resistant malaria vectors. In West Africa, the knockdown resistance mechanism kdr R (L1014F) is the most common. However, little knowledge is available on its effects on mosquito life-history traits. The fitness effects associated with this knockdown resistance allele in Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) were investigated in an insecticide-free laboratory environment. Methods The life-history traits of Kisumu (susceptible) and KisKdr (kdr resistant) strains of An. gambiae s.s. were compared. Larval survivorship and pupation rate were assessed as well as fecundity and fertility of adult females. Female mosquitoes of both strains were directly blood fed through artificial membrane assays and then the blood-feeding success, blood volume and adult survivorship post-blood meal were assessed. Results The An. gambiae mosquitoes carrying the kdr R allele (KisKdr) laid a reduced number of eggs. The mean number of larvae in the susceptible strain Kisumu was three-fold overall higher than that seen in the KisKdr strain with a significant difference in hatching rates (81.89% in Kisumu vs 72.89% in KisKdr). The KisKdr larvae had a significant higher survivorship than that of Kisumu. The blood-feeding success was significantly higher in the resistant mosquitoes (84%) compared to the susceptible ones (34.75%). However, the mean blood volume was 1.36 µL/mg, 1.45 µL/mg and 1.68 µL/mg in Kisumu, homozygote and heterozygote KisKdr mosquitoes, respectively. After blood-feeding, the heterozygote KisKdr mosquitoes displayed highest survivorship when compared to that of Kisumu. Conclusions The presence of the knockdown resistance allele appears to impact the life-history traits, such as fecundity, fertility, larval survivorship, and blood-feeding behaviour in An. gambiae. These data could help to guide the implementation of more reliable strategies for the control of malaria vectors.

An approach is presented for characterizing heterogeneous magnetized plasma discharge tubes through the scattering of electromagnetic plane waves. Here, we formulate the analytical problem of electromagnetic scattering from a gyrotropic plasma column. The scattering accounts for the heterogeneous composition of the cylindrical discharge plasma and facilitates determining its propensity for gyrotropic scattering, particularly when electron collisional damping may be prevalent. The analytical results are validated using computational simulations. Scattered fields from the magnetized plasma are measured experimentally, and, by comparing the analytical and experimental results, the unknown parameters of the discharge, i.e., characteristic plasma and electron collisional damping frequencies, are determined. The technique is relatively straight-forward to use and removes the need for commercial computational electromagnetic simulations when experimental data on scattering characteristics of such cylindrical discharge plasmas are available.

Abstract Rare oceanic diamonds are believed to have a mantle transition zone origin like super-deep continental diamonds. However, oceanic diamonds have a homogeneous and organic-like light carbon isotope signature (δ13C − 28 to − 20‰) instead of the extremely variable organic to lithospheric mantle signature of super-deep continental diamonds (δ13C − 25‰ to + 3.5‰). Here, we show that with rare exceptions, oceanic diamonds and the isotopically lighter cores of super-deep continental diamonds share a common organic δ13C composition reflecting carbon brought down to the transition zone by subduction, whereas the rims of such super-deep continental diamonds have the same δ13C as peridotitic diamonds from the lithospheric mantle. Like lithospheric continental diamonds, almost all the known occurrences of oceanic diamonds are linked to plume-induced large igneous provinces or ocean islands, suggesting a common connection to mantle plumes. We argue that mantle plumes bring the transition zone diamonds to shallower levels, where only those emplaced at the base of the continental lithosphere might grow rims with lithospheric mantle carbon isotope signatures.

Malaria remains a vector-borne infectious disease that is still a major public health concern worldwide, especially in tropical regions. Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The control interventions targeting mosquito vectors have achieved significant success during the last two decades and rely mainly on the use of chemical insecticides through the insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Unfortunately, resistance to conventional insecticides currently being used in public health is spreading in the natural mosquito populations, hampering the long-term success of the current vector control strategies. Thus, to achieve the goal of malaria elimination, it appears necessary to improve vector control approaches through the development of novel environment-friendly tools. Mosquito microbiota has by now given rise to the expansion of innovative control tools, such as the use of endosymbionts to target insect vectors, known as “symbiotic control.” In this review, we will present the viral, fungal and bacterial diversity of Anopheles mosquitoes, including the bacteriophages. This review discusses the likely interactions between the vector microbiota and its fitness and resistance to insecticides.

BackgroundUncertainties remain about the molecular mechanisms governing clonal mast cell disorders (CMCD) and anaphylaxis.ObjectiveThis study aims at comparing the burden, phenotype and behavior of mast cells (MCs) and basophils in patients with CMCD with wasp venom anaphylaxis (CMCD/WVA+), CMCD patients without anaphylaxis (CMCD/ANA-), patients with an elevated baseline serum tryptase (EBST), patients with wasp venom anaphylaxis without CMCD (WVA+) and patients with a non-mast cell haematological pathology (NMHP).MethodsThis study included 20 patients with CMCD/WVA+, 24 with CMCD/ANA-, 19 with WVA+, 6 with EBST and 5 with NMHP. We immunophenotyped MCs and basophils and compared baseline serum tryptase (bST) and both total and venom specific IgE in the different groups. For basophil studies, 13 healthy controls were also included.ResultsHigher levels of bST were found in CMCD patients with wasp venom anaphylaxis, CMCD patients without anaphylaxis and EBST patients. Total IgE levels were highest in patients with wasp venom anaphylaxis with and without CMCD. Bone marrow MCs of patients with CMCD showed lower CD117 expression and higher expression of CD45, CD203c, CD63, CD300a and FcεRI. Within the CMCD population, patients with wasp venom anaphylaxis showed a higher expression of FcεRI as compared to patients without anaphylaxis. Expression of MRGPRX2 on MCs did not differ between the study populations. Basophils are phenotypically and functionally comparable between the different patient populations.ConclusionPatients with CMCD show an elevated burden of aberrant activated MCs with a significant overexpression of FcεRI in patients with a wasp venom anaphylaxis.

The links between plate tectonics and deep mantle structure remain unclear. Here, the authors demonstrate that transition elements (Ni, Cr, and Fe/Mn) in basaltic rocks can be used as a tool to trace plume-related magmatism through Earth history, and their results indicate the presence of a direct relationship between the intensity of plume magmatism and the supercontinent cycle.

Background: Reducing the burden of malaria requires better understanding of vector populations, particularly in forested regions where the incidence remains elevated. Here, we characterized malaria vectors in a locality near the Yaoundé international airport, Cameroon, including species composition, abundance, Plasmodium infection rate, insecticide resistance profiles and underlying resistance mechanisms. Methods: Blood-fed adult mosquitoes resting indoors were aspirated from houses in April 2019 at Elende, a locality situated 2 km from the Yaoundé-Nsimalen airport. Female mosquitoes were forced to lay eggs to generate F 1 adults. Bioassays were performed to assess resistance profile to the four insecticides classes. The threshold of insecticide susceptibility was defined above 98% mortality rate and mortality rates below 90% were indicative of confirmed insecticide resistance. Furthermore, the molecular basis of resistance and Plasmodium infection rates were investigated. Results: Anopheles funestus s.s. was the most abundant species in Elende (85%) followed by Anopheles gambiae s.s. (15%) with both having similar sporozoite rate. Both species exhibited high levels of resistance to the pyrethroids, permethrin and deltamethrin (

Summer camps in Canada provide services to hundreds of thousands of youth each year, giving opportunities for growth and development. However, summer camps in Canada remain understudied. Using one phase of data from the Canadian Summer Camps Research Project (CSCRP), analysis was conducted on the effect of camper self-concept on their environmental awareness, mediated by perceived level of social inclusion. A relationship between camper self-concept and environmental awareness existed, and that relationship was enhanced when campers were socially included. These findings show preliminary connections between self-concept and environmental awareness in summer camps, and open opportunities for further research into personal and long-term effects of camp participation on environmental viewpoints, social group integration, and self-concept.

Understanding the volunteer experience of older adults is of critical importance to the nonprofit and voluntary sector, and society. Research suggests that volunteering is a way individuals derive meaning through the complex interactions that make up measures of self-worth, community concept, and identity. This study explores the meaning of volunteering in the lives of adults over the age of 60 as they transition into retirement. Analysis revealed four primary themes: role identity; confronting ageing, health, and dying; fear/anxiety about transitioning to retirement; and making a difference. Further analysis based on whether retirement was planned or not revealed important differences in the ways that meaning was made. The findings reveal suggestions for improvements in the recruitment and retention of the older volunteer segment in nonprofit organizations. Comprendre l’expérience de bénévolat des personnes âgées est d’une importance cruciale pour le secteur bénévole et communautaire. Le bénévolat est un moyen pour les individus de trouver un sentiment d’identité grâce aux interactions complexes de l’estime de soi, communauté, et de l’identité. Cette étude explore la signification du bénévolat dans la vie des adultes de plus de 60 ans, lors de leur transition vers la retraite. L’analyse a révélé quatre thèmes principaux: l’identité; faire face au vieillissement; l’anxiété face à la transition à la retraite; et faire une différence. Si la retraite était prévue ou non a révélé des différences significatives. Les résultats offrent un aperçu unique de l’expérience des volontaires âgés et révèlent des suggestions d’amélioration du recrutement et de la rétention du segment des volontaires âgés.

Table of contents ORAL ABSTRACTS Symposium 1: Biochemistry, structure and environment of the allergen: what makes a protein an allergen? O1 Two cell-membrane peptidases carrying galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose are implicated in delayed anaphylactic reactions upon pork kidney ingestion in patients with IgE-antibodies to alpha-Gal Christiane Hilger, Kyra Swiontek, Jörg Fischer, François Hentges, Christiane Lehners, Martine Morisset, Bernadette Eberlein, Tilo Biedermann, Markus Ollert O2 Structure solution of Pla l 1 suggests similar folding of Ole e 1-like family members but distinct immunological properties Sabrina Wildner, Teresa Stemeseder, Regina Freier, Peter Briza, Roland Lang, Eva Batanero, Mayte Villalba, Jonas Lidholm, Thomas Hawranek, Fatima Ferreira, Hans Brandstetter, Gabriele Gadermaier Symposium 2: New allergen molecules in the spotlight O3 Identification of the cysteine protease Amb a 11 as a novel major allergen from short ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) Philippe Moingeon, Rachel Groeme, Julien Bouley, Véronique Bordas, Maxime Le Mignon, Laetitia Bussières, Aurélie Lautrette, Laurent Mascarell, Vincent Lombardi, Véronique Baron-Bodo, Henri Chabre, Thierry Batard, Emmanuel Nony O4 Production and characterization of polybia paulista recombinant antigen 5: a valuable diagnostic tool Karine Marafigo De Amicis, Alexandra Sayuri Watanabe, Daniele Danella Figo, José Roberto Aparecido Dos Santos-Pinto, Mario Sergio Palma, Fabio Fernandes Morato Castro, Jorge Kalil, Therese Wohlschlager, Peter Briza, Sabrina Wildner, Fatima Ferreira-Briza, Gabriele Gadermaier, Keity Souza Santos Symposium 3: Progress in molecular and cellular diagnosis O5 Basophil activation test with recombinant Pru p 3; identifying genuine peach allergic patients Margaretha Faber, Athina Van Gasse, Vito Sabato, Margo M. Hagendorens, Chris H. Bridts, Luc S. De Clerck, Araceli Diaz Perales, Didier Ebo O6 Nanofluidic technology enables rapid, near-patient quantification of allergen-specific IgE Petra Zavadakova, Aurélie Buchwalder, Fabien Rebeaud, Iwan Märki Symposium 4: Relevance of molecular diagnostics for intervention and treatment O7 Longitudinal analysis of Bet v 1-specific epitope repertoires during birch pollen immunotherapy Barbara Gepp, Nina Lengger, Christian Möbs, Wolfgang Pfützner, Christian Radauer, Barbara Bohle O8 A natural CCD-free tool: is polistes sp. venom suitable for polybia paulista diagnosis and therapy? Karine Marafigo De Amicis, Alexandra Sayuri Watanabe, Clovis Eduardo Galvao, Daniele Danella Figo, Jose Roberto Aparecido Santos-Pinto, Mario Sergio Palma, Fabio Fernandes Morato Castro, Jorge Kalil, Fatima Ferreira, Gabriele Gadermaier, Keity Souza Santos Symposium 5: The advent of molecular allergology in epidemiology O9 Peanut oleosins: from identification to diagnostic testing Christian Schwager, Skadi Kull, Frauke Schocker, Jochen Behrends, Wolf-Meinhard Becker, Uta Jappe O10 Endotypes of oral allergy syndrome in childhood: a molecular diagnostic approach Carla Mastrorilli, Salvatore Tripodi, Carlo Caffarelli, Riccardo Asero, Arianna Dondi, Giampaolo Ricci, Carlotta Povesi Dascola, Elisabetta Calamelli, Andrea Di Rienzo Businco, Annamaria Bianchi, Tullio Frediani, Carmen Verga, Iride Dello Iacono, Diego Peroni, Giuseppe Pingitore, Roberto Bernardini, Paolo Maria Matricardi Symposium 6: Molecular AIT: which approaches will make it to market? O11 Mbc4: an innovative molecule to tackle birch pollen and concomitant food allergies Heidi Hofer, Claudia Asam, Michael Hauser, Peter Briza, Martin Himly, Christof Ebner, Fatima Ferreira O12 Challenges and solutions associated with the production of recombinant Bet v 1 allergen as a therapeutic protein Emmanuel Nony, Maxime Le Mignon, Pierrick Lemoine, Karine Jain, Kathy Abiteboul, Monica Arvidsson, Sabina Rak, Philippe Moingeon Clinical Cases: Breakthroughs and headaches from CRD: interactive session CC1 Anaphylaxis caused by lipid transfer proteins: a complex clinical pattern syndrome Inês Mota, Filipe Benito Garcia, Angela Gaspar, Cristina Arêde, Susana Piedade, Graça Sampaio, Graça Pires, Luís Miguel Borrego, Cristina Santa-Marta, Mário Morais-Almeida CC2 IgE sensitization profile in a patient with asteraceae pollen-exotic fruits association Florin-Dan Popescu, Mariana Vieru, Florin-Adrian Secureanu CC3 Food-dependent: exercise induced anaphylaxis. Which component to blame? Rosa Anita Rodrigues Fernandes, Isabel Carrapatoso, Raquel Gomes, Celso Pereira, Ana Todo-Bom CC4 Anaphylaxis to intravenous iron preparations in a patient that tolerates oral administration María Cecilia Martín Fernández De Basoa, Javier Barrios Regio, Juan De Castro Cordova, Antón Fernández Ferreiro CC5 IgE sensitization pattern in an adult patient with oral allergy syndrome to peanuts and pollinosis from southern Romania Florin-Dan Popescu, Mariana Vieru, Florin-Adrian Secureanu CC6 Evidence of specific IgE to plant-derived cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant in a patient with delayed anaphylaxis to red meat Mariana Vieru, Florin-Dan Popescu, Florin-Adrian Secureanu POSTER PRESENTATIONS Poster Session 1: Molecular allergology and epidemiology P1 Atopic children produce stronger and more frequent IgG responses than non-atopic children: longitudinal data from the German MAS birth cohort Olympia Tsilochristou, Serena Perna, Alina Schwarz, Alexander Rohrbach, Antonio Cappella, Laura Hatzler, Carl-Peter Bauer, Ute Hoffmann, Johannes Forster, Fred Zepp, Antje Schuster, Raffael D’amelio, Ulrich Wahn, Thomas Keil, Susanne Lau, Paolo Maria Matricardi P2 The IgG sensitization profiles against 112 allergenic components support the absence of a protective role of IgG in allergic individuals, outside of the context of SIT Pol André Apoil, Claire Mailhol, Anne Broué-Chabbert, Agnès Juchet, Alain Didier, Elodie Carrer, Thomas Lanot, Antoine Blancher P3 The immune response against the timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 in non-allergic humans Almedina Kurtaj, Christoph Hillebrand, Gerda Fichtinger, Martin Danzer, Christian Gabriel, Theresa Thalhamer, Sandra Scheiblhofer, Josef Thalhamer, Richard Weiss P4 Analyzing the cross-reactivity profile of the major ragweed allergen Amb a 1 Martin Wolf, Michael Hauser, Ulrike Pichler, Teresa Twaroch, Gabriele Gadermaier, Christof Ebner, Hidenori Yokoi, Toshiro Takai, Alain Didierlaurent, Adriano Mari, Peter Briza, Heidrun Behrendt, Angela Neubauer, Frank Stolz, Fátima Ferreira, Michael Wallner P5 LTP (Pru p 3) sensitisation in skin prick test: which means in clinical practice? Sara Carvalho, Tatiana Lourenço, Joana Cosme, Fátima Cabral Duarte, Amélia Spínola Santos, Ana Célia Costa, Manuel Pereira Barbosa P6 IgE profiles, allergen exposure and lifestyle of 501 Austrian pupils: investigation of influences on the development of allergic sensitizations Teresa Stemeseder, Eva Klinglmayr, Bettina Schweidler, Lisa Lueftenegger, Stephanie Moser, Patrick Doppler, Roland Lang, Martin Himly, Gertie J. Oostingh, Arne Bathke, Joerg Zumbach, Thomas Hawranek, Gabriele Gadermaier P7 Molecular profiles of sensitization to perennial inhalant allergens in a middle European region Petr Panzner, Martina Vachova, Tomas Vlas, Marek Maly P8 Evolution of the IgE response to house dust mite allergen molecules in childhood Daniela Posa, Serena Perna, Stephanie Hofmaier, Laura Hatzler, Alexander Rohrbach, Carl-Peter Bauer, Ute Hoffmann, Johannes Forster, Fred Zepp, Antje Schuster, Philippe Stock, Ulrich Wahn, Linus Grabenhenrich, Thomas Keil, Susanne Lau, Kuan-Wei Chen, Yvonne Resch, Susanne Vrtala, Rudolf Valenta, Paolo Maria Matricardi P9 Tropomyosin (Pen a1): to include or not to include in skin prick testing? Joana Cosme, Sara Carvalho, Tatiana Lourenço, Amélia Spínola Santos, Manuel Pereira Barbosa Immunoallergy Department - Hospital de Santa Maria – Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal; Immunoallergy Department - Hospital de Santa Maria – Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal P10 Component-resolved IgE profiles in Georgian patients Tamar Abramidze, Nino Lomidze, Maia Gotua P11 Cross reactivity between food and pollen allergens in Lithuania according to spIgE evaluation Austeja Dapkeviciute, Ruta Einikyte, Jolita Norkuniene, Laima Skrickiene, Asta Miskiniene, Violeta Kvedariene P12 Distribution of inhalant allergy in the population of Lithuania Ruta Einikyte, Austeja Dapkeviciute, Jolita Norkuniene, Laima Skrickiene, Asta Miskiniene, Violeta Kvedariene Poster Session 2: Allergen molecules: identification, characterization, structure and function P13 Interference of antigen 5-based cross-reactivity in the diagnosis of hymenoptera venom allergy Maximilian Schiener, Bernadette Eberlein, Carmen Moreno-Aguilar, Gunilla Pietsch, Mareike Mc Intyre, Lea Schwarze, Dennis Rußkamp, Tilo Biedermann, Edzard Spillner, Ulf Darsow, Carsten Schmidt-Weber, Markus Ollert, Simon Blank P14 IgE cross-reactivity between European Hymenoptera and Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) venom allergens Cyril Longé, Andrea Brazdova, Jean-Louis Brunet, Claire Schwartz, Bruno Girodet, François Lavaud, Joelle Birnbaum, Nhân Pham Thi, Magalie Duchateau, Julia Chamot-Rooke, Laurence Guilloux, Marie-Ange Selva, Rémy Couderc, Hélène Sénéchal, Jean-Pierre Sutra, Pascal Poncet P15 Carbohydrate composition of house dust mite extracts and major group 1 and group 2 allergens Steffen Augustin, Linda Pump, Martin Wald, Thomas Eichhorn, Frank Fischer, Christoph Willers P16 Specificity of monoclonal antibodies against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants Michaela Miehe, Melanie Plum, Sara Wolf, Frederic Jabs, Tim Raiber, Frank Bantleon, Henning Seismann, Thilo Jakob, Edzard Spillner P17 Red meat allergic patients have a selective IgE response to the a-Gal glycan Danijela Apostolovic, Anh Thu Tran, Sara Sanchez-Vidaurre, Tanja Cirkovic Velickovic, Maria Starkhammar, Carl Hamsten, Marianne Van Hage P18 Specificity of non-specific lipid transfer proteins and influence of the ligands on their three-dimensional structure Pawel Dubiela, Piotr Humeniuk, Sabine Pfeifer, Merima Bublin, Tomasz Borowski, Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber P19 Real-time PCR analysis of Pru av 1 and Pru av 3 allergens Martie C.M. Verschuren, Shanna Bastiaan-Net, Defien Depoortere, Kay Foetisch, Stephan Scheurer, Harry J Wichers, Theo Noij P20 Specificity of anti-Pru av 1 antibodies for the detection of Pru av 1 isoallergens Martie C.M. Verschuren, Shanna Bastiaan-Net, Nikki M.E. Van Uden, Karel Vandenberghe, Kay Foetisch, Stephan Scheurer, Harry J. Wichers H.J., Theo H.M. Noij P21 Enhancing recombinant production yield of Bet v 1 through codon usage harmonization Anargyros Roulias, Maria Alejandra Parigiani, Heidi Hofer, Claudia Asam, Christof Ebner, Fátima Ferreira P22 Structural and dynamic insights into the world of PR-10 allergens Linda Ahammer, Sarina Grutsch, Martin Tollinger Poster Session 3: Allergen molecules: identification, characterization, structure and function P23 Purification of polcalcin from different pollen allergenic sources by antibody-affinity chromatography Raquel Moya, Mª Angeles López-Matas, Raquel Reyes, Jerónimo Carnés P24 Variations of wheat allergens in cultivars measured through a targeted quantitative mass spectrometry approach Colette Larré, Hélène Rogniaux, Roberta Lupi, Sandra Denery-Papini P25 Art v 1, Amb a 4 and Par h 1 defensin-like proteins share similar structural features but distinct immunological and allergenic properties Isabel Maria Pablos, Stephanie Eichhorn, Yoan Machado, Peter Briza, Christof Ebner, Jung-Won Park, Alain Didierlaurent, Naveen Arora, Stefan Vieths, Gabriele Gadermaier, Fatima Ferreira P26 Homogeneity or diversity of IgE-binding proteins in wheat dependant exercise induced anaphylaxis? Sandra Denery-Papini, Charlene Tanaka, Florence Pineau, Roberta Lupi, Martine Drouet, Etienne Beaudouin, Martine Morisset, Susan Altenbach P27 Deciphering the role of disulfide bonds and of repetitive epitopes in immunoglobulin E binding to wheat gliadins Sandra Denery-Papini, Hamza Mameri, Chantal Brossard, Roberta Lupi, Florence Pineau, Jean Charles Gaudin, Denise Anne Moneret-Vautrin, Etienne Beaudouin, Evelyne Paty, Martine Drouet, Olivier Tranquet, Colette Larré P28 Assessment of the allergenicity of soluble fractions from bread and durum wheats genotypes Roberta Lupi, Stefania Masci, Olivier Tranquet, Denise-Anne Moneret-Vautrin, Sandra Denery-Papini, Colette Larré P29 Isolation and characterization of Ara h 12 and Ara h 13: defensins, a novel class of peanut allergens Skadi Kull, Arnd Petersen, Marisa Böttger, Sandra Rennert, Wolf-Meinhard Becker, Susanne Krause, Martin Ernst, Thomas Gutsmann, Johann Bauer, Buko Lindner, Uta Jappe P30 Allergenicity attributes of different peanut market types Stef Koppelman, Shyamali Jayasena, Dion Luykx, Erik Schepens, Danijela Apostolovic, Govardus De Jong, Tom Isleib, Julie Nordlee, Joe Baumert, Steve Taylor, Soheila Maleki P31 The impact of peanut lipids on Ara h 1-induced immune responses in monocytes-derived dendritic cells Chiara Palladino, Barbara Gepp, Sofía Sirvent, Alba Angelina, Merima Bublin, Christian Radauer, Nina Lengger, Thomas Eiwegger, Oscar Palomares, Heimo Breiteneder P32 Compared allergenicity of native and thermally aggregated ovalbumin as large agglomerated particles Mathilde Claude, Roberta Lupi, Grégory Bouchaud, Marie Bodinier, Chantal Brossard, Sandra Denery-Papini P33 Simulation of the gastrointestinal digestion of the hazelnut allergens Cor a 9 and Cor a 11 by an in-vitro model and characterisation of peptidic products including epitopes by HPLC-MS/MS Robin Korte, Julia Bräcker, Jens Brockmeyer P34 Analysis of distribution of rice allergens in brown rice grain and allergenicity of the products containing rice bran Rie Satoh, Reiko Teshima Poster Session 4: Molecular approaches in AIT P35 Production of a recombinant hypoallergenic variant of the major peanut allergen Ara h 2 for allergen-specific immunotherapy Angelika Tscheppe, Dieter Palmberger, Merima Bublin, Christian Radauer, Chiara Palladino, Barbara Gepp, Nina Lengger, Reingard Grabherr, Heimo Breiteneder P36 Mutagenesis of amino acids critical for calcium-binding leads to the generation of a hypoallergenic Phl p 7 variant Marianne Raith, Linda Sonnleitner, Doris Zach, Konrad Woroszylo, Margit Focke-Tejkl, Herbert Wank, Thorsten Graf, Annette Kuehn, Ines Swoboda P37 Are birch pollen allergen immunotherapy induced blocking antibodies protective for cross-reactive allergens? Claudia Asam, Sara Huber, Heidi Hofer, Roland Lang, Thomas Hawranek, Fátima Ferreira, Michael Wallner P38 High success of 58 subcutaneous immunotherapy for pets allergy in a polyallergic cohort of patients: a component resolved individually adapted treatment (CRIAT) Fabienne Gay-Crosier P39 Neutrophils are potential antigen presenting cells in IgE- mediated allergy Dominika Polak, Birgit Nagl, Claudia Kitzmüller, Barbara Bohle P40 Characterization of allergen-specific CD8+ T cells in type I allergy Nazanin Samadi, Claudia Kitzmüller, Rene Geyeregger, Barbara Bohle, Beatrice Jahn-Schmid Poster Session 5: Molecular and cellular diagnostic tests P41 Nanofluidic-based biosensors allow quantification of total circulating IgE from a drop of blood in 5 minutes Aurélie Buchwalder, Ariel Gomez, Fabien Rebeaud, Iwan Märki P42 Allergen microarray for the analysis of serum IgE binding profile and allergenic activity Jaana Haka, Liisa Hattara, Marika Heikkinen, Merja H Niemi, Juha Rouvinen, Petri Saviranta, Pekka Mattila, Kristiina Takkinen, Marja-Leena Laukkanen P43 Generation of a well-characterized panel of periplaneta americana allergens for component resolved diagnosis Stephanie Eichhorn, Isabel Pablos, Bianca Kastner, Bettina Schweidler, Sabrina Wildner, Peter Briza, Jung-Won Park, Naveen Arora, Stefan Vieths, Gabriele Gadermaier, Fatima Ferreira P44 Improved diagnostic sensitivity of recombinant Api m 1 and Ves v 5 in diagnosis of Hymenoptera venom allergy Mira Silar, Julij Selb, Rok Kogovsek, Mitja Kosnik, Peter Korosec P45 Added value of biomarkers of primary sensitization and cross-reactivity in patients with hymenoptera venom allergy Leticia Pestana, Alcinda Campos Melo, Ana Mendes, Maria Elisa Pedro, Manuel Pereira Barbosa, Maria Conceição Pereira Santos P46 Cosensitization to Alt a 1 and Act d 2: more than a fortuitous association? Françoise Bienvenu, Claire Goursaud, Lorna Garnier, Sandrine Jacquenet, Michaël Degaud, Sébastien Viel, Annick Barre, Pierre Rougé, Jacques Bienvenu, Joana Vitte P47 Molecular diagnosis for peanut allergy: ALFA method performs as well as established methods for Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 6, Ara h 9 and CCD Amel Bensalah, Isabelle Cleach, Laurent Mousseau, Chantal Agabriel, Valérie Liabeuf, Joëlle Birnbaum, Jean-Louis Mège, Joana Vitte P48 Evaluation of a food challenge service in relation to specific IgE to molecular components in children with suspected peanut allergy James Gardner, Minal Gandhi, Harsha Kariyawasam, Giuseppina Rotiroti P49 Component resolved diagnosis in cereal allergy Isabel Carrapatoso, Celso Pereira, Frederico Regateiro, Emília Faria, Ana Todo-Bom Poster Session 6: Molecular diagnosis in prevention and therapy P50 Pretreatment molecular sensitizations determine the sIgG4 induction during the updosing of SCIT and may be useful to identify clinically relevant additional sensitizations Johannes Martin Schmid, Ronald Dahl, Hans Juergen Hoffmann P51 Usefulness of recombinant latex allergens in immunotherapy’s decision and follow-up Inês Mota, Filipe Benito Garcia, Angela Gaspar, Mário Morais-Almeida P52 Omega-5-gliadin in the diagnosis of wheat-dependent anaphylaxis induced by ibuprofen but not by exercise Joana Cosme, Letícia Pestana, Amélia Spínola Santos, Manuel Pereira Barbosa P53 Food dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis: a component-resolved and in vitro depletion approach to access IgE cross-reactivity Diana Silva, Teresa Vieira, Ana Maria Pereira, André Moreira, Luís Delgado P54 Olive pollen allergens: what are we missing? Sara Prates, Cátia Alves, Elena Finelli, Paula Leiria Pinto P55 Purified Alt a 1 extract in Alternaria alternata allergy diagnosis Bárbara Kong Cardoso, Cíntia Cruz, Filipa Semedo, Elza Tomaz, Filipe Inácio P56 Use of specific IgE Bos d8 (casein) to aid early introduction of dietary baked milk in children with cows’ milk allergy James Gardner, Santanu Maity, Giuseppina Rotiroti, Minal Gandhi P57 Molecular characterisation and immunoreactivity of a peanut ingredient for use in oral food challenges Ivona Baricevic-Jones, Justin T. Marsh, Phil E. Johnson, Anuradha Balasundaram, Anya-May Hope, Aafke Taekema, Angela Simpson, Aida Semic-Jusufagic, E.N. Clare Mills P58 Specific IgE to recombinant allergens of hazelnut and oral food challenge in children Gourdon Dubois Nelly, Sellam Laetitia, Pereira Bruno, Michaud Elodie, Messaoudi Khaled, Evrard Bertrand, Fauquert Jean-Luc Poster session 7/8: miscellaneous P59 What defines a protein as an allergen? A discussion of sources and sufficiency Richard E. Goodman P60 Cat allergy: relationship between clinical and molecular diagnostic María Cecilia Martín Fernández De Basoa, Antón Fernández Ferreiro, Elena Rodríguez Plata P61 Anaphylaxis to rabbit: the cat came in last Luis Amaral, Borja Bartolomé, Alice Coimbra, Jose L Placido P62 Dog allergy: relationship between clinical and molecular diagnostic María Cecilia Martín Fernández De Basoa, Antón Fernández Ferreiro, Elena Rodríguez Plata P63 Correlation of serum timothy grass-pollen specific IgE levels determined by two immunoblot test systems Mariana Vieru, Florin-Dan Popescu, Florin-Adrian Secureanu, Carmen Saviana Ganea P64 Development of oral food challenge formulations for diagnosis of fish allergy using powdered fish ingredients Carol Ann Costello, Ivona Baricevic-Jones, Martin Sorensen, Clare Mills, Adrian Rogers, Aage Otherhals P65 Fish and peanut allergens interact with plasma membranes of intestinal and bronchial epithelial cells and induce differential gene expression of cytokines and chemokines Tanja Kalic, Isabella Ellinger, Chiara Palladino, Barbara Gepp, Eva Waltl, Verena Niederberger-Leppin, Heimo Breiteneder P66 Interleukin 4 affects fat tissue metabolism and expression of pro-inflammatory factors in isolated rat adipocytes Dawid Szczepankiewicz, Ewa Pruszynska-Oszmalek, Marek Skrzypski, Krzysztof W. Nowak, Aleksandra Szczepankiewicz P67 Ozone induced airway hyperreactivity in PD-L2−/− mice model Gwang-Cheon Jang P68 Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and its receptor as targets for the development of anti-inflammatory inhibitory agents Iva Markovic, Andreas Borowski, Tina Vetter, Andreas Wohlmann, Michael Kuepper, Karlheinz Friedrich P69 The mononuclear phagocyte system in experimentally-induced allergic rhinitis Ibon Eguiluz Gracia, Anthony Bosco, Ralph Dollner, Guro Reinholt Melum, Anya C Jones, Maria Lexberg, Patrick G Holt, Espen Sønderaal Bækkevold, Frode Lars Jahnsen P70 Expression of histamine metabolizing enzymes is increased in allergic children Aleksandra Szczepankiewicz, Paulina Sobkowiak, Marta Rachel, Beata Narozna, Dorota Jenerowicz, Witold Swiatowy, Anna Breborowicz P71 Modifying the glycosylation of human IgE towards oligomannosidic structures does not affect its biological activity Melanie Plum, Sara Wolf, Frank Bantleon, Henning Seismann, Frederic Jabs, Michaela Miehe, Thilo Jakob, Edzard Spillner P72 Flying Labs: an educational initiative to transfer allergy research into high-school settings Michael Wallner, Heidi Hofer, Fatima Ferreira, Reinhard Nestelbacher P73 Clinical significance of antihistamines and Kujin, an anti-allergic Kampo medicine Hiroyuki Fukui

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

Abstract Background Malaria is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa with considerable burden for human health. Major insecticide resistance mechanisms such as kdr R and ace-1 R alleles constitute a hindrance to malaria vector control programs. Anopheles gambiae bearing both kdr and ace-1 resistant alleles are increasingly recorded in wild populations. In order to maintain the efficacy of vector control strategies, the characterization of concomitant kdr and ace-1 resistance, and their pleiotropic effects on malaria vector phenotype on insecticide efficacy are important. Methods Larval and adult bioassays were performed with different insecticide classes used in public health following WHO standard guidelines on four laboratory Anopheles gambiae strains, sharing the same genetic background but harboring distinct resistance status: KISUMU with no resistance allele; ACERKIS with ace-1 R allele; KISKDR with kdr R allele and ACERKDRKIS with both resistance alleles’ ace-1 R and kdr R . Results Larval bioassays indicate that the homozygote resistant strain harboring both alleles (ACERKDRKIS) displayed slightly but significantly higher resistance level to various insecticides like carbamates (bendiocarb, p

Gene copy-number variations are widespread in natural populations, but investigating their phenotypic consequences requires contemporary duplications under selection. Such duplications have been found at the ace-1 locus (encoding the organophosphate and carbamate insecticides' target) in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae (the major malaria vector); recent studies have revealed their intriguing complexity, consistent with the involvement of various numbers and types (susceptible or resistant to insecticide) of copies. We used an integrative approach, from genome to phenotype level, to investigate the influence of duplication architecture and gene-dosage on mosquito fitness. We found that both heterogeneous (i.e., one susceptible and one resistant ace-1 copy) and homogeneous (i.e., identical resistant copies) duplications segregated in field populations. The number of copies in homogeneous duplications was variable and positively correlated with acetylcholinesterase activity and resistance level. Determining the genomic structure of the duplicated region revealed that, in both types of duplication, ace-1 and 11 other genes formed tandem 203kb amplicons. We developed a diagnostic test for duplications, which showed that ace-1 was amplified in all 173 resistant mosquitoes analyzed (field-collected in several African countries), in heterogeneous or homogeneous duplications. Each type was associated with different fitness trade-offs: heterogeneous duplications conferred an intermediate phenotype (lower resistance and fitness costs), whereas homogeneous duplications tended to increase both resistance and fitness cost, in a complex manner. The type of duplication selected seemed thus to depend on the intensity and distribution of selection pressures. This versatility of trade-offs available through gene duplication highlights the importance of large mutation events in adaptation to environmental variation. This impressive adaptability could have a major impact on vector control in Africa.

Navigating the roles and responsibilities of graduate work is a complex, and often confusing business of workflows, labor (emotional and physical), and moving in several different directions. As graduate students, we find solace and compassion in the words and (mostly) shared experiences of our colleagues, and challenges in the desires, requirements, and "this is your life now" statements of our supervisors and faculty mentors. To be a trainee in the academic context of leisure studies is to make an already complex work of personal development and intellectual labor even more complicated. Building on personal experience and the collective experiences of my colleagues, this paper will discuss PhD student experiences in leisure, and the deep influences that structural and social changes are having on those same students. It will explore our perceptions of post-PhD horizons, the challenges of student lives, and the complexities of being both a professional and a novice at the same time. As graduate students, we navigate these issues using the tools at our disposal (both traditional and modern), all-the-while wondering if we are doing any of it the "right" way. Enlisting the attractive metaphorical spaces of sailing and the crew of a tall ship, this paper explores the academic seas as a trainee on the SS Academe.

The primary control methods for the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae , are based on insecticidal interventions. Emerging resistance to these compounds is therefore of major concern to malaria control programs. The organophosphate (OP), pirimiphos-methyl, is a relatively new chemical in the vector control armory but is now widely used in indoor-residual spray campaigns. While generally effective, phenotypic resistance has developed in some areas in malaria vectors. Here, we used a population genomic approach to identify novel mechanisms of resistance to pirimiphos-methyl in A. gambiae s.l mosquitoes. In multiple populations, we found large and repeated signals of selection at a locus containing a cluster of detoxification enzymes, some of whose orthologs are known to confer resistance to OPs in Culex pipiens. Close examination revealed a pair of alpha-esterases, Coeae1f and Coeae2f , and a complex and diverse pattern of haplotypes under selection in A. gambiae, A. coluzzii and A. arabiensis. As in C. pipiens , copy number variants have arisen at this locus. We used diplotype clustering to examine whether these signals arise from parallel evolution or adaptive introgression. Using whole-genome sequenced phenotyped samples, we found that in West Africa, a copy number variant in A. gambiae is associated with resistance to pirimiphos-methyl. Overall, we demonstrate a striking example of contemporary parallel evolution which has important implications for malaria control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]