Flolocyclic individuals of the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi reproduce by cyclical parthenogenesis, while anholocyclic individuals are obligate parthenogens. Although admixed on the secondary hosts in summer, holocyclic and anholocyclic populations occur separately on the primary and secondary hosts during winter and spring. In this study, we compared the genetic diversity and population structure of holocyclic and anholocyclic populations collected in spring in the northern half of France. We also analysed the genetic composition of summer populations of R. padi on its secondary hosts. In spring, holocyclic populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at individual loci and had a relatively high genotypic diversity. Conversely, anholocyclic populations deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and often consisted of a single clone. Moreover, these populations showed very low mean heterozygosities compared with holocyclic populations. Analysis of summer populations suggested that in regions with cold winters, summer populations were largely recruited from holocyclic clones, whereas in areas with mild winters, summer populations were mainly derived from anholocyclic clones. These results permit an assessment of the geographical distribution of the two modes of reproduction on a large scale. The reasons for the diminished heterozygosity of anholocyclic populations are also discussed in relation to the mechanisms which may induce transitions to asexuality in aphids.

Food limitation is a common ecological scenario for nestling altricial birds, and reductions in growth and maintenance have been observed in resource-limited nestlings. Substantial development of the immune system occurs during the nestling period, yet the resource dependence of this immune development is understudied. We examined constitutive immune system development as well as acute-phase responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection after 48 h of food restriction in house sparrows at 7 and 13 d posthatch. We also examined nestlings that were restricted early (5-7 d) but refed and tested at 13 d posthatch to determine whether altered immune function and growth early in the nestling period were recovered upon return to adequate resource supply. Induced acute-phase protein response was reduced in food-restricted birds, yet no lasting reductions in acute-phase protein levels were observed in previously restricted nestlings that were challenged with LPS after refeeding. Food restriction did not significantly impact constitutive levels of complement-mediated lysis or circulating IgY antibodies. As a comparator to immune measures, we found that organ and tarsus size, as well as muscle size and citrate synthase enzyme activity (an index of muscle cellular aerobic capacity), were significantly reduced in food-restricted nestlings. Reductions in flight muscle mass and function persisted in birds refed after early food restriction, which may have contributed to persistent body temperature reductions observed in refed birds.

Aims-To establish the incidence and timing of hypoglycemia at a week-long residential diabetes camp for children. We hypothesized that hypoglycemia would occur more frequently during the first two days of camp and following evening all-camp games.Methods-225 children (mean age 12.0 +/− 2.3 years, 56% female, mean hemoglobin A1c 8.4% [71.6 mmol/mol]) had blood glucose (BG) levels obtained before meals, at bedtime, and as needed to detect hypoglycemia. Insulin adjustments were made by medical staff according to camp protocol and at the discretion of medical staff during camper check-in.Results-Mild hypoglycemia (BG 50-69 mg/dL [3.9 mmol/L]) occurred ≥ 1 time in 90% of campers while 43% had ≥ 1 episode of BG < 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L). No episodes of hypoglycemia requiring glucagon occurred. More campers experienced ≥ 1 overnight hypoglycemia event during the first 48 hours of camp compared to later in the week (p=0.01). Evening all-camp games did not impact hypoglycemia rates overnight.Conclusions-Nocturnal hypoglycemia occurred more frequently during the first two nights, establishing this period as high risk and supporting implementation of a standard protocol to lower

The treatment of bacterial diseases has become a serious problem in clinical medicine in large part because of antibiotic resistance. One way bacteria have increased resistance to drugs is the overexpression of multidrug efflux pumps, exemplified by AcrAB‐TolC, a group of three proteins that span both the inner and outer membranes of E. coli. AcrAB‐TolC transports a wide range of foreign compounds and a broad spectrum of antibiotics. AcrB forms a homo‐trimeric structure that uses cyclical conformational changes powered by ATP to transport foreign compounds into the TolC pore which eventually expels the compounds from the bacteria. The role of AcrA is less defined, perhaps providing structural support to AcrB. The Madison West High School SMART Team (Students Modeling A Research Topic) modeled the interactions between AcrB and associated proteins in the E. coli pump using 3D printing technology to further study the mechanisms of bacterial drug efflux, as well as gain a better understanding of other drug efflux transport mechanisms, such as that used by P‐glycoprotein, which is important in cancer biology and human resistance to chemotherapeutics. The study of the detailed structures of AcrAB‐TolC may be of paramount importance in the development of novel pharmaceuticals against bacterial infections. Supported by grants from NIH‐SEPA and NIH‐CTSA.