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Cryptaphelenchus species are wood- or bark-inhabiting nematodes, generally mycetophagous and reported to have endophoretic associations with insects. In the present study, we describe two new and one known Cryptaphelenchus species detected in imported and domestic wood samples. Cryptaphelenchus americanum n. sp. and C. minutus were detected in the log samples of Pinus taeda imported from the USA, whereas C. orientalis n. sp. was isolated from the bark of dying Pinus sylvestris trees in Inner Mongolia, China. Both new species displayed characteristic features, including a relatively short body length, four lateral lines, a short post-vulval uterine sac in females, and a distinct cloacal apophysis in male tails. Newly recovered and known species were characterised molecularly, and phylogenetic trees were constructed to study their relationship with related Cryptaphelenchus species. Notably, the genetic divergence observed among Cryptaphelenchus species was found to be more significant compared to morphometrical differences, highlighting the importance of molecular data in taxonomy. The identification of new and known species expands our understanding of the genus and suggests that Cryptaphelenchus species may be under studied, underscoring the necessity for continued exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2006, Profesional de la Información (EPI) began to be indexed by international scientific literature databases and is currently one of the leading Spanish journals in Library & Information Science and in Communication. Research fields can be characterized and analysed based on the patterns of keywords used in the publications. One of the most used techniques for this is co-word analysis. This technique is used in the present study to examine the structure of the research published in EPI. The journal's two-fold spirit in Library & Information Science and in Communication is revealed, comprising six main thematic areas. Since no poor behaviour is seen in any of these areas, it can be concluded that, in becoming part of WoS and Scopus, EPI has entered a virtuous cycle that has led it to successfully expand its thematic scope, and to attain levels of impact and excellence superior to those of its origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local protein synthesis in mature brain axons regulates the structure and function of presynaptic boutons by adjusting the presynaptic proteome to local demands. This crucial mechanism underlies experience-dependent modifications of brain circuits, and its dysregulation may contribute to brain disorders, such as autism and intellectual disability. Here, we discuss recent advancements in the axonal transcriptome, axonal RNA localization and translation, and the role of presynaptic local translation in synaptic plasticity and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We present an analysis of the perceptions of the inhabitants of the Sonora river basin in relation to the institutions responsible for water management, as well as the perceptions on their performance. Methodology: The study is framed in the context of the mining contamination of the Sonora River in 2014 and is based on semi-structured interviews to inhabitants of the Sonora River communities in 2016 and 2019. Results: The results reflect disagreement with the institutional work, which is based on the precarious opening for communication of the institutions, the absence of consultation mechanisms for decisionmaking and a perception of unrelated interests between institutions and residents. Limitations: Within the limitations of this study we find that, as it is a study on the inhabitants of the basin, little allows us to explain about the interior of the institutions and the reason for their behavior. Conclusions: we concluded there is both a precarious institutional trust and an institutional exercise that is not conducive to the optimal exercise of governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching evolution is one of the most difficult tasks in biology education since there are a great variety of obstacles to its understanding. The inclusion of the nature of science and scientific inquiry, the connection with aspects of daily life, work based on scientific argumentation, and the use of empirical studies from current research have been identified as important aspects to include in teaching evolution. In this work, we present a series of three activities, which were developed after considering all the recommendations of the literature described above. The sequence begins with the example of the evolution of one of the species most loved by students: dogs. Through argumentation, students make their preconceptions explicit. After this, a long-term experiment about artificial selection in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes) is presented (see Glaze, 2018) as part of the reflection on the experimental evidence that supports evolution. Finally, students are asked to generate a hypothesis about how they think the domestication process of wolves occurred, eventually resulting in dogs. The outcomes of implementation in high school classrooms and biology teacher education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GABAergic interneurons are highly diverse, and their synaptic outputs express various forms of plasticity. Compelling evidence indicates that activity‐dependent changes of inhibitory synaptic transmission play a significant role in regulating neural circuits critically involved in learning and memory and circuit refinement. Here, we provide an updated overview of inhibitory synaptic plasticity with a focus on the hippocampus and neocortex. To illustrate the diversity of inhibitory interneurons, we discuss the case of two highly divergent interneuron types, parvalbumin‐expressing basket cells and neurogliaform cells, which support unique roles on circuit dynamics. We also present recent progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying long‐term, activity‐dependent plasticity of fast inhibitory transmission. Lastly, we discuss the role of inhibitory synaptic plasticity in neuronal circuits' function. The emerging picture is that inhibitory synaptic transmission in the CNS is extremely diverse, undergoes various mechanistically distinct forms of plasticity and contributes to a much more refined computational role than initially thought. Both the remarkable diversity of inhibitory interneurons and the various forms of plasticity expressed by GABAergic synapses provide an amazingly rich inhibitory repertoire that is central to a variety of complex neural circuit functions, including memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes two new Ditylenchus species, isolated from the growing medium of Rhododendron simsii imported from Japan, at the Ningbo plant quarantine laboratory, Ningbo, P.R. China. Ditylenchus parvicauda n. sp. is an amphimictic species. Females have six incisures in the lateral fields, a medium length slim body, a short delicate stylet with asymmetrical stylet knobs, the secretory-excretory (S-E) pore located posterior to the isthmus and in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, a posteriorly located vulva (V = 80.9-83.0), post-uterine sac (PUS) tube-like, and the tail cylindrical, tapering gradually towards finely rounded terminus. Males are similar to females in general morphology and have 10.1-14.9 μm long spicules. The second new species, D. gracicauda n. sp. is characterised by having a long and slender body, the presence of a vulval flap, four lines in the lateral field, a narrow and low lip region not offset, the S-E pore located posterior to the isthmus but not in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, a posteriorly located vulva (V = 71.1-76.2), a short post-vulval uterine sac short (4.5-9.2 μm), and the tail slender, tapering gradually towards finely rounded to wedge-shaped terminus. The two new species were also characterised molecularly using 18S, ITS and the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA genes. Our phylogenetic analyses showed their independent place among available Ditylenchus species. Several Ditylenchus species are regulated pests, and the introduction of these species into a new environment may result in diseases among native plants or vegetation in the area. Therefore, careful attention must be directed towards newly discovered species, particularly those under quarantine observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have demonstrated the presence of covert viral infections in insects. These infections can be transmitted in insect populations via two main routes: vertical from parents to offspring, or horizontal between nonrelated individuals. Thirteen covert RNA viruses have been described in the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly). Some of these viruses are established in different laboratory-reared and wild medfly populations, although variations in the viral repertoire and viral levels have been observed at different time points. To better understand these viral dynamics, we characterized the prevalence and levels of covert RNA viruses in two medfly strains, assessed the route of transmission of these viruses, and explored their distribution in medfly adult tissues. Altogether, our results indicated that the different RNA viruses found in medflies vary in their preferred route of transmission. Two iflaviruses and a narnavirus are predominantly transmitted through vertical transmission via the female, while a nodavirus and a nora virus exhibited a preference for horizontal transmission. Overall, our results give valuable insights into the viral tropism and transmission of RNA viruses in the medfly, contributing to the understanding of viral dynamics in insect populations. IMPORTANCE The presence of RNA viruses in insects has been extensively covered. However, the study of host-virus interaction has focused on viruses that cause detrimental effects to the host. In this manuscript, we uncovered which tissues are infected with covert RNA viruses in the agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata, and which is the preferred transmission route of these viruses. Our results showed that vertical and horizontal transmission can occur simultaneously, although each virus is transmitted more efficiently following one of these routes. Additionally, our results indicated an association between the tropism of the RNA virus and the preferred route of transmission. Overall, these results set the basis for understanding how viruses are established and maintained in medfly populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In southern Manitoba, Canada, a survey was carried out in 2012 and 2013 to determine the presence of Heteroderidae cyst-forming plant-parasitic nematodes, with a focus on the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines). A total of 48 fields having grown soybean were sampled. A modified Fenwick elutriation-flotation technique was used to extract cysts with a 75% cyst recovery efficiency. Cyst population density averaged 0.9 cysts kg−1 soil, with a total of 65 cysts recovered. Preliminary screening of cysts, based on general body shape and vulval cone top structure, showed the presence of cysts belong to circumfenestrate, and ambifenestrate groups of cyst-forming nematodes. Limited morphological data was accessible due to poor quality or insufficient cysts for analysis; however, generated DNA sequences for nuclear rDNA ITS and D2-D3 expansion region of the 28S rRNA were obtained for four samples and matched sequences in GenBank for the cyst nematodes Cactodera milleri, C. torreyanae, C. weissi, C. estonica and unknown Cactodera species. Only one of the ambifenestrate cysts with a cone top structure of Heterodera species yielded DNA for analysis and its identification was ambiguous for soybean cyst nematode (SCN). None of the cysts were positive through SCN diagnostic PCR. Cactodera is not a pest of soybean or other crops in Manitoba. These cyst nematodes are likely to be naturally associated with weeds and grasses in the sampled fields or may be introduced from neighbouring states of the USA. Further annual surveys are needed and recommended in the near future to encompass more soybean fields and corroborate the absence of the pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GPCRs are strong modulators of NMDAR function throughout the brain. • Modulation of NMDARs by GPCRs affects neuronal integrative properties and can induce metaplasticity. • Multiple GPCRs can coexist at the same synapse and shape NMDAR function in an complex manner. • Novel pharmacological and optical tools that target GPCRs will help to achieve precise spatiotemporal control of NMDARs. NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play a critical role in excitatory synaptic transmission, plasticity and in several forms of learning and memory. In addition, NMDAR dysfunction is believed to underlie a number of neuropsychiatric conditions. Growing evidence has demonstrated that NMDARs are tightly regulated by several G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Ligands that bind to GPCRs, such as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, activate intracellular pathways that modulate NMDAR expression, subcellular localization and/or functional properties in a short- or a long-term manner across many synapses throughout the central nervous system. In this review article we summarize current knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying NMDAR modulation by GPCRs, and we discuss the implications of this modulation spanning from synaptic transmission and plasticity to circuit function and brain disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chañaral is a coastal town located in the Atacama region, whose ecosystem was polluted severely due to the sedimentation of mining tailings. Although this problem has been addressed from the environmental sciences and public health, few studies have sought to address the inhabitants' experiences as a necessary factor to consider in urban-environmental planning. From the perspective of environmental suffering, the study aims to show how, despite the abundance of scientific information on the potential incidence of pollution, the absence of concrete measures to address the problem generates uncertainties, confusion, and resignation among the habitants. Through an analysis of qualitative information and public health reports, the article shows that the contamination of Chañaral is an environmental and biomedical fact and an evident socio-cultural phenomenon in the construction of meanings about the inhabited territory and narratives about everyday toxicity. The study concludes that there is a relationship between the daily suffering and the uncertainties in the face of the potential toxic risk, which translates into environmental suffering as there are no concrete measures that aim to address the problem entirely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Sustainability from Francisco optics, which includes the reflective process to think about Chile, emerged in different media that shows us what our country would be like if we were only 155 people. It represents the total membership of the convention constituent who will be in charge of drafting a new constitution, but beyond that anecdotal data reveals figures that undoubtedly attract attention and they invite us to a deep reflection.

There is limited information on participants' adherence and reasons for declining consent in observational cohort studies conducted in remote rural communities. We aimed at sharing lessons learned during the Atahualpa Project, a population-based cohort study conducted in a rural Ecuadorian village. Atahualpa residents aged ≥40 years identified during door-to-door surveys who signed a consent form were enrolled. Annual surveys were conducted to assess the number of participants who moved out of the village, as well as those who died, declined consent, and newly entered the study. Reasons for declining consent were tabulated. Abstracted data included age, sex, education, disability, time between enrollment and declining consent, and reasons for withdrawal. We also counted participants who, despite expressing their willingness to continue in the study, refused specific procedures. After five years of follow-up, 54 (6.3%) of 863 enrolled individuals declined consent. Increasing age and disability had no impact on declining consent. In contrast, refusal was higher among relatives or neighbors of a given participant declining consent. Most people who declined consent did so after one or two years of enrollment. Less than 20% of enrolled individuals refused certain procedures. "Fear of the needle" was the most frequent reason for refusing blood tests, and common reasons for declining complimentary exams were lack of interest and time constraints. Cohort retention in the Atahualpa Project is high. Main reasons for this adherence include adequate selection of the village, detailed planning of procedures, assurance of sponsorship, and field personnel who continuously engage with study participants. This trial is registered with NCT01627600. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical montane forests are being turned into pastures for cattle at an unprecedented rate. However, efforts are being made to reforest pastures in particular if invaded by weeds of low nutritional value, but until today little is known on the response of the decomposer system to reforestation. We focused on the response of soil fauna, specifically oribatid mites, which play an important role in the breakdown of organic matter. In the south Ecuadorian Andes we chose two sites with distinct vegetation: one pasture site invaded by Setaria sphacelata (grass pasture) and another invaded by Pteridium arachnoideum (bracken pasture). At both sites plots reforested with native ( Alnus accuminata ) and exotic tree species ( Pinus patula and Eucalyptus saligna ) were established. We hypothesized that oribatid mite abundance, species richness and community structure differ between reforestation treatments. To identify driving factors for oribatid mite community structure, we measured environmental variables, e.g. C-to-N ratio, water content, and microbial biomass. Overall, 65 species of oribatid mites were found with small species such as Suctobelbidae and Rostrozetes ovulum dominating. In contrast to our hypotheses, the abundance and species richness of oribatid mites differed more between pasture types than between reforestation treatments. This resembled the response of soil microbial biomass. Presumably, the duration of the experiment of seven years was too short to allow establishment of forest specific oribatid mite and microbial communities, suggesting that oribatid mites and microorganisms respond slowly to reforestation and changes in plant cover, reflecting long lasting legacy effects of previous land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven needle nematode species of the genus Longidorus have been reported in Ukraine. Nematological surveys for needle nematodes were carried out in Ukraine between 2016 and 2017 and two nematode species of Longidorus (L. caespiticola and L. poessneckensis) were collected from natural and anthropogenically altered habitats on the territory of Opillia and Zakarpattia in Ukraine. Nematodes were extracted from 500 cm3 of soil by modified sieving and decanting method. Extracted specimens were processed to glycerol and mounted on permanent slides and subsequently identified morphologically and molecularly. Nematode DNA was extracted from single individuals and PCR assays were conducted as previously described for D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA. Sequence alignments for D2-D3 from L. caespiticola showed 97%-99% similarity to other sequences of L. caespiticola deposited in GenBank from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Russia, Slovenia, and Scotland. Similarly, D2-D3 sequence alignments from L. poessneckensis, showed 99% to other sequences of L. poessneckensis deposited in GenBank from Slovakia and Czech Republic. Morphology, morphometry, and molecular data obtained from these samples were consistent with L. caespiticola and L. poessneckensis identification. To our knowledge, these are the first reports of L. caespiticola and L. poessneckensis in Ukraine, extending the geographical distribution of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are a family of lipid molecules that act as key regulators of synaptic transmission and plasticity. They are synthetized “on demand” following physiological and/or pathological stimuli. Once released from postsynaptic neurons, eCBs typically act as retrograde messengers to activate presynaptic type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB 1 ) and induce short- or long-term depression of neurotransmitter release. Besides this canonical mechanism of action, recent findings have revealed a number of less conventional mechanisms by which eCBs regulate neural activity and synaptic function, suggesting that eCB-mediated plasticity is mechanistically more diverse than anticipated. These mechanisms include non-retrograde signaling, signaling via astrocytes, participation in long-term potentiation, and the involvement of mitochondrial CB 1 . Focusing on paradigmatic brain areas, such as hippocampus, striatum, and neocortex, we review typical and novel signaling mechanisms, and discuss the functional implications in normal brain function and brain diseases. In summary, eCB signaling may lead to different forms of synaptic plasticity through activation of a plethora of mechanisms, which provide further complexity to the functional consequences of eCB signaling. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled “A New Dawn in Cannabinoid Neurobiology”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synaptic plasticity is critical for experience-dependent adjustments of brain function. While most research has focused on the mechanisms that underlie postsynaptic forms of plasticity, comparatively little is known about how neurotransmitter release is altered in a long-term manner. Emerging research suggests that many of the features of canonical ‘postsynaptic’ plasticity, such as associativity, structural changes and bidirectionality, also characterize long-term presynaptic plasticity. Recent studies demonstrate that presynaptic plasticity is a potent regulator of circuit output and function. Moreover, aberrant presynaptic plasticity is a convergent factor of synaptopathies like schizophrenia, addiction, and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and may be a potential target for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This book offers a global compilation on invasive plant-parasitic nematodes including 100 species. The dispersal of plant-parasitic nematodes, particularly with the movement of plants and planting materials, is an essential component for the spread of these pathogens and may occur within a field or across continents. This heavy and interesting book encompasses all the major damaging nematodes including: 1) Anguinidae: I Anguina i (three spp.) and I Ditylenchus i (four spp.); 2) Aphelenchidae: I Aphelenchoides i (four spp.) and I Bursaphelenchus i (two spp.); 3) Belonolaimidae: I Belonolaimus i (one sp.); 4) Criconematidae: I Criconemoides i (several species) and I Hemicriconemoides i (one sp.); 5) Hemicycliophoridae: I Hemicycliophora i (one sp.); 6) Heteroderidae: I Cactodera i (one sp.), I Globodera i (three spp.), I Heterodera i (11 spp.) and I Punctodera i (two spp.); 7) Hoplolaimidae: I Aphasmatylenchus i (one sp.), I Helicotylenchus i (three spp.), I Hoplolaimus i (five spp.), and I Scutellonema i (two spp.); 8) Longidoridae: I Longidorus i (three spp.), I Paralongidorus i (one sp.) and I Xiphinema i (six spp.); 9) Meloidogynidae: I Meloidogyne i (19 spp.); 10) Pratylenchidae: I Achlysiella i (one sp.), I Hirschmanniella i (four spp.); I Nacobbus i (one sp.), I Pratylenchus i (11 spp.), I Radopholus i (two spp.), and I Zygotylenchus i (one sp.); 11) Rotylenchulidae: I Rotylenchulus i (three spp.); 12) Telotylenchidae: I Tylenchorhynchus i (one sp.); 13) Trichodoridae: I Nanidorus i (one sp.); I Paratrichodorus i (one sp.), and I Trichodorus i (one sp.); 14) Tylenchulidae: I Tylenchulus i (one sp.); and two final technical chapters on detection and diagnosis, and international regulations. [Extracted from the article]

Host-plant resistance is the most practical, long-term and economically efficient disease control measure for Verticillium wilt in olive caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae , and it is the core of the integrated disease management. In Spain, Verticillium wilt has become a main concern for the olive industry because of the widespread occurrence of a highly virulent, defoliating (D) pathotype. Available V. dahliae- resistant olive cultivars show incomplete resistance to the D pathotype and do not satisfy consumers’ demand for high yields and oil quality as well as suitability for new environments and cultural practices in modern olive production in Spain. Highly resistant rootstocks would be of paramount importance for production of agronomically-adapted and commercially-desirable olive cultivars. Nevertheless, the validity of resistant rootstocks grafted with Verticillium wilt-susceptible olive cultivars in soils highly infested with the D pathotype would be increased if the resistance is demonstrated stable in coinfection with plant-parasitic nematodes, such as root-knot nematodes. In this work, wild olive clones ‘Ac-4’, ‘Ac-13’ and ‘Ac-18’ previously developed as highly resistant to D V. dahliae were tested for infection response by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica alone and jointly with D V. dahliae under controlled conditions optimal for Verticillium wilt in olive. The three wild olive clones showed resistance to D V. dahliae under high inoculum levels in soil and also when plants were co-infected by both pathogens. However, all clones were susceptible to M. javanica , although ‘Ac-13’ and ‘Ac-18’ showed a degree of tolerance to the used inoculum level. Nevertheless, coinfected plants with M. javanica and D V. dahliae reduced the nematode reproduction rate in ‘Ac-13’ and ‘Ac-18’, but increased that in ‘Ac-4’, suggesting that different resistance mechanisms to D V. dahliae might be operating in these clones were acting also on M. javanica reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in the human gene encoding contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) have been strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Cntnap2-/- mice recapitulate major features of ASD, including social impairment, reduced vocalizations, and repetitive behavior. In addition, Cntnap2-/- mice show reduced cortical neuronal synchrony and develop spontaneous seizures throughout adulthood. As suggested for other forms of ASDs, this phenotype could reflect some form of synaptic dysregulation. However, the impact of lifelong deletion of CNTNAP2 on synaptic function in the brain remains unknown. To address this issue, we have assessed excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in acute hippocampal slices of Cntnap2-/-mice. We found that although excitatory transmission was mostly normal, inhibition onto CA1 pyramidal cells was altered in Cntnap2-/-mice. Specifically, putative perisomatic, but not dendritic, evoked IPSCs were significantly reduced in these mice. Whereas both inhibitory short-term plasticity and miniature IPSC frequency and amplitude were normal in Cntnap2-/- mice, we found an unexpected increase in the frequency of spontaneous, action potential-driven IPSCs. Altered hippocampal inhibition could account for the behavioral phenotype Cntnap2-/- mice present later in life. Overall, our findings that Cntnap2 deletion selectively impairs perisomatic hippocampal inhibition while sparing excitation provide additional support for synaptic dysfunction as a common mechanism underlying ASDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In a population-based sampling study conducted in community-dwelling older adults living in rural Ecuador, we aimed to assess the relation among sleep-disordered breathing, cerebral pulsatility index, and diffuse small vessel disease. Methods: Of 25 participants, 9 (36 %) had moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing, characterized by an apnea/hypopnea index ≥15 per hour, and 10 (40 %) had moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities, graded according to the modified Fazekas scale. Mean (SD) pulsatility index in the middle cerebral artery was 1.18 (0.19) and positively correlated with the apnea/hypopnea index (R = .445, P = .03, [Pearson's correlation coefficient]). The middle cerebral artery pulsatility index was increased in persons with moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing compared with persons who had none-to-mild sleep-disordered breathing (mean [SD] 1.11 [0.12] vs. 1.3 [0.23], P = .01). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities across groups of sleep-disordered breathing (P = .40) or in the mean apnea/hypopnea index across groups of persons with none-to-mild or moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities (P = .16). Conclusions: This pilot study shows that moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing correlates with cerebral pulsatility, but such association might be independent of diffuse small vessel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study describes a new Ditylenchus species, isolated from the bulbs of the Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus L.) imported from Israel at the Ningbo plant quarantine lab, Ningbo, P.R. China. Ditylenchus israelensis n. sp. is an amphimictic species; females have six incisures in the lateral field, a long and slim body, a delicate, short stylet (7-8 μ m) with small and rounded knobs, excretory pore in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, posteriorly located vulva (V = 78.6-83.1), a short PUS (15.0-24.0 μ m), and a long conical tail with a pointed terminus. Males are similar to females in general morphology and have 14.0-18.0 μ m long spicules. The new species was also characterised molecularly using 18S, ITS and D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA genes. Our phylogenetic analyses showed its independent position among available Ditylenchus species and a close phylogenetic affinity with D. valveus. Several Ditylenchus species are regulated pests; their detection in a given sample can implement quarantine measures. However, to our knowledge D. israelensis n. sp. did not cause any damage to the R. asiaticus bulbs. In addition, future studies regarding fecundity and host association may shed some light on the pathogenic potential of D. israelensis n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The study aims to provide the morphological and molecular characterisation of two newly discovered Cryptaphelenchus species, namely: C. curvatum n. sp. and C. tumidus n. sp. Morphologically both species are minute nematodes, possess medium-sized stylets with basal knobs laterally directed, and short post-uterine sacs (PUS). Cryptaphelenchus curvatum n. sp. was detected from the local Pinus branch samples and is characterised by having an equal proportion of adult males and females, medium-sized body lengths of females 353 (320-388) μ m and males 277 (256-293) μ m, lateral fields with four lateral lines, 8-10 μ m long stylet, PUS about one vulva body width long and conical posterior body end with a blunt pointed tip. Cryptaphelenchus tumidus n. sp. was detected in a packaging wood sample from Japan and is characterised by having rare male, short body lengths of females 236 (217-270) μ m and males 180 μ m, obscure lateral fields, stylet 6.8 (6.0-7.5) μ m, PUS about half vulva body width long and a slim conical posterior body end with a finely rounded tip. The phylogenetic trees were also constructed based on rRNA gene sequences (D2-D3 segments of the 28S, ITS and 18S) and discussed in detail. Since Cryptaphelenchus species offer multitrophic relationships among their insect vectors and associated microbiota, species recognition and molecular studies of recovered populations will facilitate researchers to determine whether these species might play any ecological roles in insect bionomics or the residing host tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work has studied for the first time the structure and diversity of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) infesting olive orchard soils in a wide-region in Spain that included 92 locations. It aims at determining which agronomical or environmental factors associated to the olive orchards are the main drivers of the PPNs community structure and diversity. Classical morphological and morphometric identification methods were used to determine the frequency and densities of PPNs. Thirteen families, 34 genera and 77 species of PPNs were identified. The highest diversity was found in Helicotylenchus genus, with six species previously reported in Spain and with H. oleae being a first report. Neodolichorhynchus microphasmis and Diptenchus sp., Diphtherophora sp., and Discotylenchus sp., usually considered fungal feeders, were also reported for the first time associated to olive rhizosphere. PPNs abundance ranged from 66 to 16,288 individuals/500-cm3 of soil with Helicotylenchus digonicus being the most prevalent species, followed by Filenchus sp., Merlinius brevidens and Xiphinema pachtaicum. Nematode abundance and diversity indexes were influenced by olive cultivar, and orchard and soil management practices; while olive variety and soil texture were the main factors driving PPN community composition. Soil physicochemical properties and climatic characteristics most strongly associated to the PPN community composition included pH, sand content and exchangeable K, and maximum and minimum average temperature of the sampled locations. Our data suggests that there is a high diversity of PPNs associated to olive in Southern Spain that can exert different damage to olive roots depending on the olive variety and their abundance. Further analysis to determine the resistance levels of most common olive varieties to the prevalent PPNs in Spain will help to choose the most appropriate ones for the establishment of new plantations. This choice will take into consideration the specific soils and environments where those olive varieties will be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reported prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease (WED), varies from country to country, and methodologic inconsistencies limit comparison of data. Impact of RLS on quality of life and health has been studied primarily in industrialized countries, particularly Europe and the United States. Many studies have relied exclusively on self-report of symptoms or have assessed only medical populations. Recently, interest has emerged on the impact of WED in rural, underserved populations globally. Methods In a population-based survey conducted in rural Ecuador, we assessed the relationship of psychological distress to WED, evaluated with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. WED was diagnosed through a 2-phase method in which all residents were screened with the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) questionnaire and all suspected cases were subsequently confirmed through expert medical examination. WED severity was assessed with the IRLSSG rating scale. Results Of 665 persons (mean [SD] age, 59.5 [12.6] years; women, 386 [58%]), 76 had depression, 93 had anxiety, and 60 reported stress. Forty persons (6%) had WED, with 15 (38%) having severe disease. In a regression model adjusted for age and sex, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was about 3 times greater among persons with WED than the general population. Conclusions Although cross-sectional data cannot establish causation, this study shows the large behavioral health burden associated with WED in an untreated, rural population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies in patients seeking attention for nasal obstruction or pharyngeal disorders suggest that craniofacial abnormalities correlate with obstructive sleep apnea, but there is little information on the relevance of this association in the population at large. We aimed to determine whether characteristics of facial morphology correlate with excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) in a population-based, door-to-door survey. Residents of a village in rural Ecuador were screened with the Epworth sleepiness scale to assess EDS and underwent physical examination with attention to nasal septum deflection, mandibular retrognathia and presence of Friedman's palate position type IV. From 665 participants aged ≥40 years, 155 had EDS, 98 had nasal septum deflection, 47 had mandibular retrognathia and 528 had a Friedman's palate position type IV. In a logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and nightly sleep hours, persons with nasal septum deflection were twice as likely to have EDS ( p = 0.009). The other two variables were not associated with EDS. Identification of nasal septum deflection may be a cost-effective method of detecting persons at risk for obstructive sleep apnea in remote areas where sophisticated technology is not readily available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the existing nematode biodiversity is of significant concern because nematodes may divert nutrients from plants and use them for their own development and reproduction. The presence and diagnostics of Filenchus species occurring in southern Alberta have not been addressed in previous studies. Herein, we provide a comprehensive characterization of adult females of four known Filenchus species (F. cylindricus, F. hazenensis, F. sheri, and F. thornei) recovered from cultivated fields in southern Alberta. Three of the species are new records in Canada, while one is a native species that was previously described from the Canadian high arctic area. These organisms are mild parasitic species; we describe them here to enhance the visibility of soil nematodes and facilitate accurate species identification. The diagnostic resolution within Filenchus is low, because many species are described without adequate consideration of intra-specific variation. The species descriptions and molecular data obtained during the present study will reduce the confusion in examining the existing lineages among Filenchus species and will aid in improving phylogenetic resolution. Our results suggest that the known diversity of Canadian nemato-fauna has increased. However, more research is needed to further identify other genera and species of phytoparasitic nematodes that may occur in grasses, weeds, and wild plants present in cultivated areas. Moreover, the molecular characterization of these species from Canada, in comparison to a reference dataset (NCBI) of Tylenchidae nematodes, provides insight into the biogeography of nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria of the genus "Candidatus Cardinium" and related organisms composing the Cardinium clade are intracellular endosymbionts frequently occurring in several arthropod groups, freshwater mussels and plant-parasitic nematodes. Phylogenetic analyses based on two gene sequences (16S rRNA and gyrB) showed that the Cardinium clade comprised at least five groups: A, B, C, D and E. In this study, a screening of 142 samples of plant-parasitic nematodes belonging to 93 species from 12 families and two orders using PCR with specific primers and sequencing, revealed bacteria of Cardinium clade in 14 nematode samples belonging to 12 species of cyst nematodes of the family Heteroderidae. Furthermore, in this study, the genome of the Cardinium cHhum from the hop cyst nematode, Heterodera humuli, was also amplified, sequenced and analyzed. The comparisons of the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values for the strain Cardinium cHhum with regard to related organisms with available genomes, combined with the data on 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequence identities, showed that this strain represents a new candidate species within the genus "Candidatus Paenicardinium". The phylogenetic position of endosymbionts of the Cardinium clade detected in nematode hosts was also compared to known representatives of this clade from other metazoans. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on analysis of 16S rRNA, gyrB, sufB, gloEL, fusA, infB genes and genomes and estimates of genetic distances both indicate that the endosymbiont of the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans represented a separate lineage and is designated herein as a new group F. The phylogenetic analysis also confirmed that endosymbionts of ostracods represent the novel group G. Evolutionary relationships of bacterial endosymbionts of the Cardinium clade within invertebrates are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Hemicycliophora species are migratory root ectoparasites of higher plants, commonly known as sheath nematodes. The present study describes a new species, Hemicycliophora geraerti n. sp., recovered from the rhizosphere of peach tree (Prunus persica) in Zhejiang Province, China. This species is characterised by a cuticular sheath loosely fitting to the body, a lip region slightly set-off with body contour bearing 3-4 annuli, oral plate narrow, ovate, and non-protruding, amphidial apertures plugged, dorsoventrally flanked in the first lip annulus, stylet 110 (103-116) μ m long and flexible, excretory pore located 4-7 annuli posterior to the base of the pharyngeal bulb; vulval lips modified with a small vulval sleeve, anus located 16 (13-21) annuli posterior to vulva, tail elongated, having a narrowly rounded slightly offset spike. The molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analyses based on D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, and COI mtDNA gene indicated the unique status and support the novelty of this population of Hemicycliophora , therefore herein described as H. geraerti n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are powerful modulators of inhibitory synaptic transmission. [•] eCBs control inhibitory synapses in an activity-dependent (i.e. phasic) or tonic manner. [•] By regulating inhibitory microcircuits, eCB signaling contributes to behavior. [•] Dysregulated eCB signaling contributes to common neuropsychiatric conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocannabinoids are key modulators of synaptic function. By activating cannabinoid receptors expressed in the central nervous system, these lipid messengers can regulate several neural functions and behaviors. As experimental tools advance, the repertoire of known endocannabinoid-mediated effects at the synapse, and their underlying mechanism, continues to expand. Retrograde signaling is the principal mode by which endocannabinoids mediate short- and long-term forms of plasticity at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. However, growing evidence suggests that endocannabinoids can also signal in a nonretrograde manner. In addition to mediating synaptic plasticity, the endocannabinoid system is itself subject to plastic changes. Multiple points of interaction with other neuromodulatory and signaling systems have now been identified. In this Review, we focus on new advances in synaptic endocannabinoid signaling in the mammalian brain. The emerging picture not only reinforces endocannabinoids as potent regulators of synaptic function but also reveals that endocannabinoid signaling is mechanistically more complex and diverse than originally thought. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Kainate receptors (KARs) are a subfamily of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) that mediate excitatory synaptic transmission, regulate neurotransmitter release, and show a remarkably selective distribution in the brain. Compared to other iGluRs, the precise contribution of KARs to brain function is less understood. Unlike recombinant KARs, native KARs exhibit characteristically slow channel kinetics. The underlying explanation for this dissimilar kinetics has remained elusive until recently. New research has identified Neto1 and Neto2 as KAR auxiliary subunits that determine unique properties of synaptic KARs, including their slow kinetics and high affinity for agonist. Whether these auxiliary subunits regulate KAR trafficking and targeting at the synapse is less clear. By regulating channel gating, Neto1 and Neto2 can increase the diversity of KAR functional properties. These auxiliary subunits may represent a starting point for a better understanding of the role played by neuronal KARs under normal and pathological conditions, but also, they may provide an alternative target for the development of new drugs regulating KARs and brain function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Classical and molecular methods were used to study the nematode communities associated with rhizosphere soil and roots of a collection of 16 olive cultivars from a world olive germplasm bank in Mengibar (Jaen province, southern Spain). Classical nematological analysis, including soil nematode extraction, species counting and morphological identification showed that 24 taxa belonging to 9 genera (including Aphelenchoides, Criconemoides, Ditylenchus, Filenchus, Helicotylenchus, Merlinius, Paratylenchus, Tylenchus, and Xiphinema) and 8 families (including Anguinidae, Aphelenchidae, Belonolaimidae, Criconematidae, Hoplolaimidae, Longidoridae, Tylenchidae and Tylenchulidae) of plant-parasitic nematodes were present, with one species (Helicotylenchus digonicus) being prevalent in all samples. The low values of the plant-parasitic nematode index (PPI) indicated a high disturbance of the field soil probably due to application of herbicides and fertilizers. Cluster analysis of population densities of the various nematode species, nematode trophic groups, and ecological indices grouped most olive cultivars into three main clusters indicating that olive genotypes differ in the nematode communities in their rhizosphere soil. The use of T-RFLP analysis discriminated to a higher extent the nematode communities present in the rhizosphere soil from the different olive cultivars as compared to the morphological-based analysis. This study provides the first evidence of an effect of the olive genotype on nematode community composition by combining classical morphological and molecular approaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The dagger nematodes Xiphinema pachtaicum and X. index are two of the most widespread and frequently occurring Xiphinema spp. co-infesting vineyards and other crops and natural habitats worldwide. Sexual reproduction is rare in these species. The primary objective of this study was to determine the genetic structure of X. pachtaicum and X. index populations using eight and seven populations, respectively, from different "wine of denomination of origin (D.O.) zones" in Spain and Sardinia (Italy), by studying mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 or COI) and nuclear (D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA) markers. Both Xiphinema spp. showed low intraspecific divergence among COI sequences, ranging from 0.2% (1 base substitution) to 2.3% (10 substitutions) in X. pachtaicum and from 0.2% (1 base substitution) to 0.4% (2 substitutions) in X. index. Population genetic structure was strong for both species. Nevertheless, molecular differences among grapevine-growing areas were not significant, and intrapopulation diversity was very low. It is hypothesized that this genetic homogeneity in the nematode populations reflects their predominant parthenogenetic reproduction mode and low dispersal abilities. Our results also show that X. pachtaicum populations in Spain have possibly been established from two different populations of origin. Results also demonstrated that the two DNA regions studied are suitable diagnostic markers for X. index and X. pachtaicum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fusarium wilt caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Foc) is the main soil-borne disease limiting chickpea production. Management of this disease is achieved mainly by the use of resistant cultivars. However, co-infection of a Foc-resistant plant by the fungus and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne artiellia (Ma) causes breakdown of the resistance and thus limits its efficacy in the control of Fusarium wilt. In this work we aimed to reveal key aspects of chickpea:Foc:Ma interactions, studying fungal- and nematode-induced changes in root proteins, using chickpea lines ‘CA 336.14.3.0’ and ‘ICC 14216K’ that show similar resistant (Foc race 5) and susceptible (Ma) responses to either pathogen alone but a differential response after co-infection with both pathogens. ‘CA 336.14.3.0’ and ‘ICC 14216K’ chickpea plants were challenged with Foc race 5 and Ma, either in single or in combined inoculations, and the root proteomes were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using three biological replicates. Pairwise comparisons of treatments indicated that 47 protein spots in ‘CA 336.14.3.0’ and 31 protein spots in ‘ICC 14216K’ underwent significant changes in intensity. The responsive protein spots tentatively identified by MALDI TOF-TOF MS (27 spots for ‘CA 336.14.3.0’ and 15 spots for ‘ICC 14216K’) indicated that same biological functions were involved in the responses of either chickpea line to Foc race 5 and Ma, although common as well as line-specific responsive proteins were found within the different biological functions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study at the root proteome level of chickpea response to a biotic stress imposed by single and joint infections by two major soil-borne pathogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Experience-dependent modifications of neural circuits and function are believed to heavily depend on changes in synaptic efficacy such as LTP/LTD. Hence, much effort has been devoted to elucidating the mechanisms underlying these forms of synaptic plasticity. Although most of this work has focused on excitatory synapses, it is now clear that diverse mechanisms of long-term inhibitory plasticity have evolved to provide additional flexibility to neural circuits. By changing the excitatory/inhibitory balance, GABAergic plasticity can regulate excitability, neural circuit function and ultimately, contribute to learning and memory, and neural circuit refinement. Here we discuss recent advancements in our understanding of the mechanisms and functional relevance of GABAergic inhibitory synaptic plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular characterisation of four Schistonchus caprifici populations (two from Spain and two from Italy), using the partial 18S, the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the partial mitochondrial gene for cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCOI), is provided. Amplicons from partial mtCOI were analysed using 'Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism' (SSCP) analysis in order to rapidly screen for genetic (haplotypic) variability. SSCP analysis of mtCOI revealed a close relationship between the Spanish and Italian populations with low intra-population variability and only two haplotypes were detected. Mitochondrial COI and ribosomal genes were analysed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within S. caprifici and other members of the family Aphelenchoididae. The phylogenetic analysis based on mtCOI showed no geographic variability among Italian, Spanish and Turkish populations. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA region and the partial 18S rDNA genes revealed a closer phylogenetic relationship between S. aureus, S. laevigatus, S. virens and S. centerae, whilst S. caprifici and S. guangzhouensis clustered separately. The phylogeny of the genus Schistonchus was well related to some morphological characters, such as position of excretory pore, presence/absence of labial disc and number and position of caudal papillae. The monophyly of the genus Schistonchus was rejected by the Shimodaira-Hasegawa test based on tree topologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new amphimictic species, Pratylenchus hispaniensis n. sp., parasitising the roots of gum cistus in Andújar (Jaén), southern Spain, is described. The new species is characterised by the presence of numerous males and by the female having a lip region with three annuli, a divided face, a robust stylet (14.5-17.0 μm) with rounded knobs, lateral fields with four lines, V = 80-84, a round spermatheca full of sperm, well developed post-vulval uterine sac and an obliquely truncate tail with irregularly annulated terminus. Morphologically this species is related to P. bhatti, P. kralli, P. mediterraneus, P. pseudofallax and P. thornei. A phenetic study of the 25 most useful diagnostic morphological and allometric characters for Pratylenchus species was done using multivariate factor and linear discriminant analyses. In the factor analysis the first seven factors accounted for 71.1% of the total variance of the characters selected. These factors were related to female tail, pharyngeal overlap, reproductive behaviour, stylet length, L/post-vulval uterine sac ratio, body length and number of lip annuli. Discriminant analysis differentiated Pratylenchus spp. from the three valid species of Zygotylenchus. The results of the phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the D2-D3 expansion regions of 28S, partial 18S and ITS rRNA genes confirmed the close relationship of P. hispaniensis n. sp. with P. mediterraneus and inferred molecular affinity with P. brzeskii, P. neglectus and P. thornei, in spite of variation in the position of P. hispaniensis n. sp. in the clades. Additional phylogenetic analyses based on the same sets of sequences for P. hispaniensis n. sp., Zygotylenchus guevarai and other Pratylenchidae indicated that Pratylenchus includes several paraphyletic lineages; however, likelihood tests did not reject monophyly of the genus. The inclusion of Pratylenchus, Zygotylenchus, Hirschmanniella, Nacobbus and Apratylenchus in Pratylenchidae was supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the different plant-parasitic nematodes including rock-knot, root-lesion and cyst-forming nematodes that attack olive trees and offers methods to control them. It relates that the exclusion method involves the propagation of soft-wood cuttings in growing media such as perlite while chemical control involves the use of fumigants and nonfumigants nematicides (NFNs). Moreover, nonchemical management of nematodes results to their lack of tolerance levels.

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are key activity-dependent signals regulating synaptic transmission throughout the central nervous system. Accordingly, eCBs are involved in neural functions ranging from feeding homeostasis to cognition. There is great interest in understanding how exogenous (e.g., cannabis) and endogenous cannabinoids affect behavior. Because behavioral adaptations are widely considered to rely on changes in synaptic strength, the prevalence of eCB-mediated long- term depression (eCB-LTD) at synapses throughout the brain merits close attention. The induction and expression of eCB-LTD, although remarkably similar at various synapses, are controlled by an array of regulatory influences that we are just beginning to uncover. This complexity endows eCB-LTD with important computational properties, such as coincidence detection and input specificity, critical for higher CNS functions like learning and memory. In this article, we review the major molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying eCB-LTD, as well as the potential physiological relevance of this widespread form of synaptic plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Presynaptic autoreceptors modulate transmitter release at many synapses. At the mossy fiber to CA3 pyramidal cell (mf-CA3) synapse, two types of glutamatergic autoreceptors have been identified: transmitter release is reportedly suppressed by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and augmented by kainate receptors (KARs). However, the net effect of these autoreceptors when activated by endogenous glutamate is unknown. Here, we show that during low-frequency mossy fiber stimulation, glutamate acting through presynaptic mGluRs substantially suppresses transmitter release. However, using similar recording conditions, we find that presynaptic KARs are insufficient to facilitate transmitter release over a wide range of mossy fiber stimulus frequencies, indicating that the uniquely robust mf-CA3 short-term plasticity is KAR independent. Furthermore, we report that actions generally attributed to presynaptic KARs are likely due to activation of recurrent CA3 network activity. Thus, negative feedback via presynaptic mGluRs is the dominant mode of glutamatergic autoregulation at the mf-CA3 synapse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Techniques for work with plant and soil nematodes. This book comprises 15 chapters providing summarized and specialized information on basic techniques for laboratory and field work with plant and soil nematodes. Chapter 7 describes specific techniques for measuring and figure preparation of nematodes, because accurate morphometrics are essential components for the description and identification of nematodes. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes in the roots and rhizosphere of chickpea in the major growing regions in the world. However, only certain nematode species are considered constraints to chickpea producing, causing an estimated 14% in annual yield losses. The symptoms and signs of nematode parasitism on chickpea differ depending on the nematode's feeding habit. Symptoms caused by nematode attack are nonspecific and nondescript, and they are largely a consequence of disruption of normal processes of plant growth, and absorption and translocation of water and nutrients.

Summary: The mossy fiber to CA3 pyramidal cell synapse (mf-CA3) provides a major source of excitation to the hippocampus. Thus far, these glutamatergic synapses are well recognized for showing a presynaptic, NMDA receptor-independent form of LTP that is expressed as a long-lasting increase of transmitter release. Here, we show that in addition to this “classical” LTP, mf-CA3 synapses can undergo a form of LTP characterized by a selective enhancement of NMDA receptor-mediated transmission. This potentiation requires coactivation of NMDA and mGlu5 receptors and a postsynaptic calcium rise. Unlike classical LTP, expression of this mossy fiber LTP is due to a PKC-dependent recruitment of NMDA receptors specifically to the mf-CA3 synapse via a SNARE-dependent process. Having two mechanistically different forms of LTP may allow mf-CA3 synapses to respond with more flexibility to the changing demands of the hippocampal network. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Endocannabinoids (eCBs) mediate transient and long-lasting synaptic plasticity in several brain structures. In the dentate gyrus, activation of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) by exogenous ligands reportedly depresses excitatory synaptic transmission. However, direct evidence of eCB signaling at excitatory synapses in this region has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate that eCB release can be induced by a brief postsynaptic depolarization of dentate granule cells (DGCs), which potently and transiently suppresses glutamatergic inputs from mossy cell interneurons (MCs) but not from entorhinal cortex via the lateral and medial perforant paths. This input-specific depolarization-induced suppression of excitation (DSE) is calcium-dependent and can be modulated by agonists of cholinergic and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors. Inhibiting the synthesis of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), one of the most abundant eCBs in the brain, by diacyglycerol lipase (DGL) does not abolish DSE. Moreover, preventing the breakdown of anandamide, the other main eCB, does not potentiate DSE. Thus, eCB signaling underlying DSE in the dentate does not require DGL activity and is unlikely to be mediated by anandamide. Finally, we find that manipulations known to induce eCB-LTD at other central synapses do not trigger LTD at MCF-DGC synapses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most cartilage forming tumors are benign and rarely affect the spinal canal, their principal location is in humerus metaphysis, femur and tibia. They represent 2% of all tumors and 2.6% of the benign tumors of the spine, usually located at the cervical spine. It is speculated that the secondary ossification center may be aberrant cartilaginous tissue that causes the formation of osteochondroma. From 1 to 4% of osteochondromas involve the spine and are commonly included in the posterior elements of the vertebrae and if located near neurological structures causing irritation and spinal compression is rare but potentially catastrophic. The average age of clinical onset is at the 2nd and 3rd decade of life. Case presentation: 50-year-old male who began his illness four years ago with pain in the lumbar region with right leg paresthesias, muscle strength 4/5 in the dermatomes L4 and L5, pain was increasing in intensity and frequently. The complete cure was to remove the exostosis of the lamina of right side of L4 with projection to the medullary canal and origin of the contact with the root of L4. We performed: clinical history, physical examination, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, electromyography, histology. It was performed: total removal of the tumor effectively and symptoms disappeared. As the spinal osteochondromas are rare and tend to occur in young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stunted growth of fall-sown sugar beets (Beta vulgaris) associated with high incidence of crown-root infections and large soil infestations by Ditylenchus dipsaci were observed at the end of the crop growing season in southern Spain by early June 2005. The largest proportion (75%) of the nematode life-stages in plant and soil was the fourth-stage juvenile. The large number (up to 3,750 nematodes per gram of fresh tissue) of D. dipsaci individuals and severe anatomical alterations observed in storage sugar beet roots suggest that the stem and bulb nematode is the causal agent of the impaired growth of sugar beets observed in commercial fields. Observed morphological traits of nematode specimens and results of specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the population of D. dipsaci infecting sugar beet belongs to the normal (nongiant) biological type of the nematode. Results of host-range bioassays indicated that the population of D. dipsaci infecting sugar beet in southern Spain reproduces on pea (including seeds and pods), onion, potato, spinach, and tomato, but not on bean, cotton, maize, and tobacco. These results indicate that D. dipsaci may be an important constraint for sugar beet crops in the affected area, but also for other important crops commonly used in rotation with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]