Lack Of Pigmentation Research Articles

Morphological, teratogenic and behavioral evaluations of Gelidium spinosum methanol extract on zebrafish embryos

Gelidium spinosum is an edible red seaweed from the family Gelidiaceae with possibility to be developed. The potential medical benefits of G. spinosum have been established, yet adequate empirical research on its toxicity is still lacking. Hence, the present work was aimed to examine the toxicity of G. spinosum methanol extract (GsME) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and to identify the phytoconstituents using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results of this study showed that GsME induced morphological defects in zebrafish embryos, including reduction in eye size and body length. Moreover, yolk sac size and mortality were increased in zebrafish embryos exposed to GsME in a dose-dependent manner. GsME at high concentrations triggered teratogenic effects in zebrafish embryos such as decrease in heartbeat/minute, lack of pigmentation, lack of somite, structural deformity, pericardial oedema, and yolk oedema. The LC50 and EC50 of GsME were < 100 mg/L, which classified as a harmful category. The teratogenic index of GsME was found to be > 1, indicating its teratogenic attribute. Additionally, GsME exerted behavioral effects i.e. significantly lower total distance of movement and slower swimming speed of zebrafish embryos. GC-MS analysis of GsME was confirmed the presence of amino acid, phenolics, carboxylic acids, reducing sugars, saturated fatty acids and brominated saturated fatty acid in the extract. It suggesting that compounds of 13-bromotetradecanoic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid containing in GsME were contributed to the toxic effects.

Pigmentation of soybean seed coats via a mutation that abolishes production of multiple-phased siRNAs of chalcone synthase genes.

Lack of pigmentation in seed coats of soybean is caused by natural RNA silencing of chalcone synthase (CHS) genes. This phenomenon is an evolutionary consequence of structural changes in DNA that resulted in the production of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) that trigger RNA degradation. Here we determined that a mutant with pigmented seed coats derived from a cultivar that lacked the pigmentation had a deletion between DNA regions ICHS1 and a cytochrome P450 gene; the deletion included GmIRCHS, a candidate gene that triggers CHS RNA silencing via production of CHS dsRNAs. We also characterized CHS short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) produced in the wild-type seed coats that had CHS RNA silencing. Phased 21-nt CHS siRNAs were detected in all 21 phases and were widely distributed in exon 2 of CHS7, which indicates commonality in the pattern of RNA degradation in natural CHS RNA silencing between distantly related species. These results with the similarities in the rearrangements found in spontaneous mutants suggest that the structural organization that generates dsRNAs that trigger phased siRNA production is vulnerable to further structural changes, which eventually abolish the induction of RNA silencing.

Vision-Related Quality of Life in Danish Patients with Albinism and the Impact of an Updated Optical Rehabilitation.

(1) Background: Albinism is characterized by a lack of pigment in eyes, hair, and skin and developmental changes in the eye such as foveal hypoplasia. Patients require optical rehabilitation due to low vision, refractive errors, and photosensitivity. We aimed to assess vision-related quality of life in patients with albinism and to evaluate how this was affected by optical rehabilitation. (2) Methods: Patients with ocular or oculocutaneous albinism were invited for the study. Free-of-charge optical rehabilitation was provided as needed, including filters, glasses for near or distance, contact lenses, magnifiers or binoculars. Vision-related quality of life was assessed prior to and after optical rehabilitation using the visual function questionnaire (VFQ39) and the effect of optical rehabilitation was evaluated after accounting for age, gender, and visual acuity. (3) Results: Seventy-eight patients filled out the VFQ39 at the initial visit. Fifty patients (64.1%) returned the questionnaire 3-6 months after optical rehabilitation. The mean age of included patients was 35.9 years (standard deviation 16.6), and their best corrected distance visual acuity was 56 ETDRS letters (range 3-81). The VFQ39 composite score improved significantly from a median of 62.5 (range 14.2-77.0) to 76.5 (20.6-99.6). Significant improvements were seen for ocular pain, social functioning, mental health, role difficulties, and dependency, whereas self-assessed distance or near visual functions did not change. (4) Conclusions: Optical rehabilitation improved the self-reported vision-related quality of life in Danish patients with albinism on a number of parameters related to leading an independent and worry-free life, whereas visual improvement for distance and near tasks was likely limited by the nature of the disease and by the fact that most patients already had access to some optical aids prior to the study.

Archaeometric investigation of bronze Iron Age fibulae with nestled coral insets from three archaeological sites of the Piedmont region (Northwestern Italy)

Bronze fibulae decorated with white-to-reddish circular insets were used during the VII century BC in Northwestern Italy – particularly in the Piedmont region. These insets, commonly described in the archaeological literature as ‘red coral’ (Corallium rubrum), have hardly been studied with a scientific approach. To fill this gap, an archaeometric study was performed on 33 ancient fibulae from three archaeological sites in the Piedmont region (Villa del Foro, Brignano Frascata and Castelletto Ticino). Tiny samples were extracted from two kinds of decorative patterns (i: stuck in circular punctures; ii: filling engraved lines on the fibulae surface) and analysed with a multi-analytical protocol (including FT-IR, μ-Raman, µ-XRD, optical and scanning electron microscopy with EDS) to characterize the constituent materials and infer their manufacture procedures. In most cases, a low-to-high magnesian-calcite (LMC and HMC, respectively) is detected, at times coupled to organic pigments (polyenes). Contextual presence of polyenes and HMC clearly accounts for a biogenic origin of these decorations – specifically to Corallium rubrum. An analogous origin can be postulated when only HMC is present – lack of pigments being related, in these cases, to their possible denaturation under specific environmental conditions. Presence of sole LMC, on the other hand, is not sufficient per se to justify a biogenic provenance and may be justified by several factors – e.g., denaturation of corals over time and/or specific diagenetic conditions existing in the interment soil. Besides, the chance for these carbonates to originate from other marine organisms lacking pigments (e.g., white coral or others) must also be taken into account. These evidences are also supported by the microscopic observation of coral skeletons morphologies (e.g., fragments and sprigs) in some of the studied materials. Degradation byproducts of the bronze alloy and minerals of the interment soil are also found, some of which (e.g., talc) may have been purposely used as additional decorating agents. Feasibly, two distinct procedures were adopted for manufacturing the decorations: i) a pasty material, obtained by mixing ground coral powders and a (yet unknown) binder, was applied with a tool to facilitate spreading in the hosting cavities; ii) aptly shaped coral insets or tiny raw fragments were stuck in circular pores, with the aid of a gluing agent.

A photographic record of partial leucism in Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815) (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) from Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract Leucism is a colour anomaly defined by a lack of pigmentation, which may be partial or full in any individual. Although genetic and environmental factors contribute to a high incidence of plumage colour aberrations in wild birds, the true incidence of these aberrations in wild populations has been studied very less. The present report describes an instance of partial leucism in a Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) from Chhattisgarh, India. This colour aberration in this species was first documented in 1990. More research is needed to determine the exact reasons for the high incidence of partial leucism in wild birds, which might include nutrition, lifespan, behaviour, parasitism, or other environmental factors.

Short-term effects of various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on Danio rerio embryos

Due to the widespread use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without a medical prescription and their frequent prevalence in aquatic habitats, there are major health and environmental issues. NSAIDs have been found in surface water and wastewater in concentrations ranging from ng/L to μg/L all over the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between NSAIDs (diclofenac, ketoprofen, paracetamol and ibuprofen) exposure and associated adverse effects in the assessment of indirect human health risks posed by Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of these NSAIDs in aquatic environments. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (i) reveal abnormality endpoints of early developmental stages, after exposure of zebrafish and (ii) perform an ecological risk assessment of aquatic organisms upon exposure to NSAIDs detected in surface waters based on the risk quotients (RQs) method. According to the toxicity data collected, all of the malformations appeared after diclofenac exposure at all concentrations. The most notable malformations were the lack of pigmentation and an increase in yolk sac volume, with EC50 values of 0.6 and 1.03 mg/L, respectively. The results obtained for the ERA revealed RQs higher than 1 for all the four NSAIDs chosen, posing ecotoxicological pressure in aquatic environments. Overall, our findings provide a critical contribution to the formulation of high-priority actions, sustainable strategies and strict regulations that minimize the negative effects of NSAIDs on the aquatic ecosystem.•To determine the LC50, lethal conditions such as coagulation, absence of heartbeat and blood flow, absence of tail separation and development of somites were taken into account.•The EC50 was calculated using sublethal parameters such as blood coagulation, pericardial edema, yolk sac edema or hypertrophy.•The 4 compounds present a high risk individually and in mixture with a RQ >> 1.

Waardenburg syndrome type 4 coexisting with open-angle glaucoma: a case report

BackgroundWaardenburg syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder with varying degrees of sensorineural hearing loss as well as abnormal pigmentation in hair, skin, and iris. There are four types of Waardenburg syndrome (1–4) with different characteristics. Mutations in six genes have been identified to be associated with the various types. Herein, we describe a case of Waardenburg syndrome type 4 combined with open-angle glaucoma.Case presentationA 43-year-old Han Chinese man had undergone trabeculectomy due to progression of visual field impairment and unstable intraocular pressure in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination revealed diffuse iris hypopigmentation in the left eye and hypopigmentation of part of the iris in the right eye. Fundus examination showed red, sunset-like fundus due to a lack of pigmentation in the retinal pigment epithelium layer, diffuse loss of the nerve fiber layer, and an excavated optic nerve head with advanced-stage glaucoma. Imaging was performed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography to detect the iris configuration. In the heterochromic iris portion, the normal part of the iris showed a clear hyperreflective signal of the anterior border layer, while atrophy of the pigmented anterior border layer showed a hyporeflective area of the anterior surface resulting in reduced light absorption. Two mutations of the endothelin receptor type B gene were recognized in this study. The first (c.1111G>A on exon 7) leads to an amino acid change from glycine to serine at codon 371. Sanger verification revealed that this mutation is inherited from the mother. The other mutation (c.553G>A) leads to an amino acid change from valine to methionine at codon 185. Sanger verification showed that this mutation was inherited from the father.ConclusionWaardenburg syndrome shows a remarkable diversity in clinical presentation and morphology. This disease can also present with open-angle glaucoma. Sequencing analysis revealed two heterozygous mutations in the EDNRB gene in this patient, inherited from his mother and father, respectively. These two sites constitute a compound heterozygous variation.

NGS-based targeted sequencing identified two novel variants in Southwestern Chinese families with oculocutaneous albinism

BackgroundOculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a group of heterogeneous genetic diseases characterized by a reduction or complete lack of pigmentation in the hair, skin, and eyes. It is associated with reduced visual acuity, nystagmus, photophobia, and strabismus. OCA type 1 (OCA1) and type 2 (OCA2) are caused by mutations in the tyrosinase (TYR) and OCA2 genes, which are responsible for most cases of OCA. The present study aimed to identify the mutational spectra of 18 southwest Chinese probands with OCA.ResultsWe used a skin disease-targeted panel to sequence more than 400 genes, including 23 genes (TYR, OCA2, AP3B1, BLOC1S3, BLOC1S6, C10orf11, DTNBP1, FRMD7, GPR143, HPS1, HPS3, HPS4, HPS5, HPS6, LYST, MC1R, MITF, MLPH, MYO5A, RAB27A, SLC24A5, SLC45A2, TYRP1) associated with syndromic and non-syndromic albinism. The targeted panel was applied to 18 patients from southwest China, nine (50%) patients were diagnosed with OCA1, and nine (50%) were diagnosed with OCA2. Our data indicate that OCA1 and OCA2, the most common subtypes, probably have the same prevalence in southwest China. In total, we identified 26 variants in TYR and OCA2 from 18 OCA cases using the NGS technology, including 24 variants presented in the Human Gene Mutation Database Professional (HGMD) and two novel variants, c.559_560insCATTATTATGTGTCAAATTATCCCC in TYR and c.1514 T > C in OCA2, which have not been previously reported. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) classification, c.559_560insCATTATTATGTGTCAAATTATCCCC (p.G190Cfs*12) is classified as a pathogenic variant, and c.1514 T > C (p.F505S) is evaluated as a likely pathogenic variant.ConclusionsTwo novel variants were identified which will expand the mutational spectra of TYR and OCA2. The results of the present study may have implications for genetic counseling, carrier screening, and clinical management of the disease.

Eupera troglobia sp. nov.: the first troglobitic bivalve from the Americas (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Sphaeriidae)

Eupera troglobiasp. nov. is the first fully described troglobitic bivalve discovered in the Americas, and possibly the second in the world. The troglobitic designation is based on the lack of pigmentation, reduction in size and shell thickness, and large and few offspring. Unlike its relatives that live in the roots of the water hyacinth, this new species is attached to the walls of the caves with a byssus. The anatomical study shows some peculiarities in comparison with the congeners, especially the simplicity of the foot, the siphons and the gut. This discovery is a new contribution to the efforts for the conservation of subterranean habitats in Brazil.

The ultrastructural development and 3D reconstruction of the transparent carapace of the ostracod Skogsbergia lerneri

The Skogsbergia lerneri is a marine ostracod which possesses a carapace that is both protective and transparent. Since development of this carapace and how it is maintained in the adult is not known, the aim of this investigation was to carry out an in-depth ultrastructural study of the ostracod carapace at different developmental stages. Standard transmission electron microscopy and novel serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) were undertaken to discern carapace ultrastructure in both two and three dimensions. Analysis revealed a carapace consisting of the same basic layer structure as other myodocopid ostracods, namely an epicuticle, exocuticle, endocuticle and membranous layer, but with a thinner adult carapace of mean thickness of 19.2 ± 1.78 µm, n = 5. The carapace layers, except for instar 1 ostracods, had similar relative proportions throughout development. The endocuticle and membranous layer thickened through advancing developmental stages due to an increase in calcified crystalline polyhedrons and a greater number of chitinous lamellae in the membranous layer. Crystalline polyhedron dimensions were significantly smaller near the boundary with the membranous layer. The borders between the carapace layers were indistinct; SBF-SEM revealed an abundance of epicuticle projections into the exocuticle and apparent gradual merging at the boundary of the exocuticle and the endocuticle. Here, we discuss how the S. lerneri carapace layer structure has evolved to serve a specific mechanical function, allowing surface protection and rigidity. In addition, we suggest that the lack of pigment and graduated layer boundaries contribute to the transparency of the carapace.

Current Status of Bovine Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma (BOSCC) is one of the important malignant neoplasms of cattle arising from squamous epithelium. The tumour was recorded at the age of three to eight years, and it affects most countries of the world. The possible etiologies include ultraviolet radiation, exposure to sunlight, nutrition, lack of pigmentation, bovine papilloma virus, increased altitude, decreased latitude, and hereditary and outdoor farming systems. Breeds of Hereford, Holstein, Jersey, Holstein cross and Jersey cross cattle are mostly affected, Common sites of the lower eyelid, third eyelid, limbus corneoscleral junction and cornea conjunctival junction were reported. Grossly the tumour is having plague, keratoma, papilloma and carcinoma formation. Cytological and histopathological appearance of BOSCC categorized as poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, moderately squamous cell carcinoma and well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry using cytokeratin, MNF116, involucrin, P53, ki67 are the useful markers of BOSCC. Surgical extirpation is the choice of management of BOSCC and continued exposure to sunlight to be avoided to control this BOSCC.

Nodular malignant melanoma in vulvar skin without pigmentation: a case report

BackgroundPolypoid nodule growing without apparent pigmentation on the vulvar skin usually reminds us of the diagnostic pitfall, which is commonly and mistakenly diagnosed as other types of tumors. Although there are several manifestations of amelanotic melanoma are known, these malignancies are usually pigmented because they are derived from melanocytes containing melanin. However, amelanotic melanomas are easily misdiagnosed or their diagnoses were commonly delayed due to lack of pigmentation. Therefore, a solitary polypoid nodule is worth noting and further reporting. Particularly, the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the solitary polypoid nodule are rare in Asian patients.Case presentation We presented an interesting case of a 33-year-old female with a solitary polypoid nodule without apparent pigmentation on her vulvar skin. Her medical history was unclear, no ulcer was seen in the lesion area, and dermatoscopy was indicated a possible tumorous change, which has caught the attention of clinicians, and then further examined by the pathologist. The final diagnosis was nodular malignant melanoma (NM) (Breslow thickness 9.5mm, Clark level 4).ConclusionsHence, though reviewing this case record, the relevant literature and NM-related materials, we suggest that the combination of skin imaging technology and histopathological examination could provide us a better understanding and reduce the possibility of misdiagnosis in clinic practice.

Schindleria parva, a new species of Schindler's fish (Teleostei: Schindleriidae: Schindleria) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea.

Schindleria parva, a new species of the family Schindleriidae, is described from two specimens collected from the central Red Sea of Saudi Arabia. The new species is characterized by lack of pigmentation on the body, possession of an inconspicuous gas bladder and the presence of small teeth on the premaxillae. The holotype is a female of 11 mm standard length (SL) (11.9 mm total length) and the paratype is a male of 9 mm SL. Dorsal fin rays 10 (9) anal fin rays 9 (7). The body depth at pectoral-fin origin 5% (4%) of SL, depth at anal-fin origin 8% (7%) SL, predorsal length 63% (65%) SL, preanal length 72% (72%) SL, the first anal-fin ray situated below the fourth dorsal-fin ray), a total of 23 + 16 myomeres. The female contained a series of 30 rectangular eggs in a single row, whereas the male is characterized by a short rod-like urogenital papilla. Species of the genus Schindleria are likely the smallest marine vertebrates on the planet and S. parva is likely the smallest Schindleria species in the Red Sea. The global diversity of Schindleria is likely underestimated due to the paedomorphic features of this genus. Its fast generation times make it a species-rich genus of high turnover rates, thus potentially highly important for the trophic food webs of coral reefs. Thus, this finding advances knowledge on the biodiversity of the Red Sea, highlights its conservation significance, and contributes towards the understanding of the complexity of the coral-reef fish community.

Evident hypopigmentation without other ocular deficits in Dutch patients with oculocutaneous albinism type 4

To describe the phenotype of Dutch patients with oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4), we collected data on pigmentation (skin, hair, and eyes), visual acuity (VA), nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia, chiasmal misrouting, and molecular analyses of nine Dutch OCA4 patients from the Bartiméus Diagnostic Center for complex visual disorders. All patients had severely reduced pigmentation of skin, hair, and eyes with iris transillumination over 360 degrees. Three unrelated OCA4 patients had normal VA, no nystagmus, no foveal hypoplasia, and no misrouting of the visual pathways. Six patients had poor visual acuity (0.6 to 1.0 logMAR), nystagmus, severe foveal hypoplasia and misrouting. We found two novel variants in the SLC45A2 gene, c.310C > T; (p.Pro104Ser), and c.1368 + 3_1368 + 9del; (p.?). OCA4 patients of this Dutch cohort all had hypopigmentation of skin, hair, and iris translucency. However, patients were either severely affected with regard to visual acuity, foveal hypoplasia, and misrouting, or visually not affected at all. We describe for the first time OCA4 patients with an evident lack of pigmentation, but normal visual acuity, normal foveal development and absence of misrouting. This implies that absence of melanin does not invariably lead to foveal hypoplasia and abnormal routing of the visual pathways.

DNA barcoding and taxonomic validation ofCaranxspp. larvae

AbstractOf the five nominal species in the genusCaranxLacepède 1801 distributed throughout the Eastern Central Pacific,Caranx caballusandCaranx sexfasciatusare the only two that have formal fish larval descriptions based on diagnostic characteristics (morphology, meristics and pigmentation). In this study, the diagnostic characteristics of threeCaranxspecies larvae were validated using DNA barcoding analysis cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI; 651 bp). For the first time, the morphological taxonomic assignation ofC. caballusfish larvae was confirmed using COI gene partial sequences of adults, with a genetic similarity between 99.8–100%. However, molecular evidence demonstrated that fish larvae previously described asC. sexfasciatushad high genetic similarity (99.7–100%) and low genetic distance (<1%) toCaranx caninusadults. An undescribed larval morphotype collected in the present study genetically matched (100%) with COI sequences ofC. sexfasciatusadults. The diagnostic characteristics of this new morphotype were a lack of pigmentation in the supraoccipital crest, over the gut, and at the terminal region of the gut. The combination of diagnostic characteristics and DNA barcoding evidence allowed the discrimination and validation ofC. caballus,C. caninusandC. sexfasciatuslarvae. The diagnostic characteristics and COI sequences ofCaranx lugubrisandCaranx melampyguslarvae, which are also distributed in the Eastern Central Pacific, remain to be investigated.

Comparative Plastid Genomics of Non-Photosynthetic Chrysophytes: Genome Reduction and Compaction.

Spumella-like heterotrophic chrysophytes are important eukaryotic microorganisms that feed on bacteria in aquatic and soil environments. They are characterized by their lack of pigmentation, naked cell surface, and extremely small size. Although Spumella-like chrysophytes have lost their photosynthetic ability, they still possess a leucoplast and retain a plastid genome. We have sequenced the plastid genomes of three non-photosynthetic chrysophytes, Spumella sp. Baeckdong012018B8, Pedospumella sp. Jangsampo120217C5 and Poteriospumella lacustris Yongseonkyo072317C3, and compared them to the previously sequenced plastid genome of “Spumella” sp. NIES-1846 and photosynthetic chrysophytes. We found the plastid genomes of Spumella-like flagellates to be generally conserved with respect to genome structure and housekeeping gene content. We nevertheless also observed lineage-specific gene rearrangements and duplication of partial gene fragments at the boundary of the inverted repeat and single copy regions. Most gene losses correspond to genes for proteins involved in photosynthesis and carbon fixation, except in the case of petF. The newly sequenced plastid genomes range from ~55.7 kbp to ~62.9 kbp in size and share a core set of 45 protein-coding genes, 3 rRNAs, and 32 to 34 tRNAs. Our results provide insight into the evolutionary history of organelle genomes via genome reduction and gene loss related to loss of photosynthesis in chrysophyte evolution.

A RARE CASE OF AMELANOTIC MELANOMA IN THE ORAL CAVITY

Amelanotic melanoma (AM) is a rare malignant lesion that presents a diagnostic challenge due to its wide clinical presentations, lack of pigmentation, and varied histologic appearances. Immunohistochemistry plays a crucial role in the diagnosis. We report a case of a 45-year-old male patient with a red and bleeding growth on the mandibular gingiva, resembling a pyogenic granuloma. An incisional biopsy was performed, and the histopathologic analysis was characterized by proliferation of nests and sheets of nonpigmented atypical epithelioid and plasmacytoid cells displaying a poorly delimited cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nucleus. Immunohistochemistry showed multifocal staining for melanocytic markers, S100 protein, HMB-45, Melan-A, and Ki-67 (95%). These findings confirmed the diagnosis of AM. The patient was referred to the oncologist who observed disease progression to the lungs, liver, and pancreas. The patient was under palliative care and medical follow-up but died. AM has a poor prognosis, with a high incidence of metastasis, recurrence, and death. Amelanotic melanoma (AM) is a rare malignant lesion that presents a diagnostic challenge due to its wide clinical presentations, lack of pigmentation, and varied histologic appearances. Immunohistochemistry plays a crucial role in the diagnosis. We report a case of a 45-year-old male patient with a red and bleeding growth on the mandibular gingiva, resembling a pyogenic granuloma. An incisional biopsy was performed, and the histopathologic analysis was characterized by proliferation of nests and sheets of nonpigmented atypical epithelioid and plasmacytoid cells displaying a poorly delimited cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nucleus. Immunohistochemistry showed multifocal staining for melanocytic markers, S100 protein, HMB-45, Melan-A, and Ki-67 (95%). These findings confirmed the diagnosis of AM. The patient was referred to the oncologist who observed disease progression to the lungs, liver, and pancreas. The patient was under palliative care and medical follow-up but died. AM has a poor prognosis, with a high incidence of metastasis, recurrence, and death.

Genetic polymorphisms associated to SDHI fungicides resistance in selected Aspergillus flavus strains and relation with aflatoxin production

Aspergillus flavus is a common and ubiquitous fungal species able to colonize several agricultural commodities, in both pre- and post-harvest conditions. This species represents a very harmful plant pathogen for its ability to synthesize aflatoxin B1, responsible for human primary hepatocellular carcinoma and classified as a group I (human carcinogenic) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Several approaches have been proposed to control A. flavus development and related aflatoxin production in field and storage conditions. The Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide boscalid has been shown to control A. flavus growth and aflatoxin contamination both in vitro and in field experiments. However, this compound is classified as medium-high risk fungicide for triggering fungal resistance and, indeed, resistant strains can occur on crops treated with boscalid.In this paper, we selected laboratory A. flavus strains resistant to boscalid grown on agar medium containing 50 mg/L of boscalid. In order to investigate the molecular mechanism responsible for the resistant phenotype, specific primer pairs were designed to amplify the whole SdhB, SdhC and SdhD genes. By amino acid sequence analysis, two point mutations, Tyrosine replacing Histidine at codon 249 of SdhB (H249Y) and Arginine replacing Glycine at codon 91 of SdhC (G91R), were identified. The effect of SDHI boscalid and isopyrazam on mycelial growth and conidial germination was evaluated. Both resistant genotypes showed high resistance (MIC and EC50 > 1000 mg/L) to boscalid. A positive cross-resistance was found between boscalid and isopyrazam.Specific sub-lethal doses of both fungicides (0.5 mg/L of boscalid and 0.01 mg/L of isopyrazam) interfered with the mechanisms associated to pigmentation of colonies. In particular, fungal colonies appeared depigmented lacking the typical A. flavus green colour shown on un-amended fungicide medium. A strict correlation between lack of pigmentation and increasing aflatoxin production was also observed.

Highlighting the Elusive: New Findings and a Redescription of the Rare Ant Leptanilla plutonia López, Martínez Et Barandica, 1994, Presenting Morphological Novelties for the Genus

LeptanillaEmery, 1870 includes 47 species of strictly endogean ants, distributed through Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia, characterized by many peculiarities, such as their tiny size (between 1.0–2.5 mm long), lack of pigmentation, lack of eyes and very narrow elongate bodies. Queens are apterous and dichthadiigynes. Males have wings and eyes. Their lifestyles remain virtually unknown. The Western Mediterranean region hosts a high diversity, with 9 species in north Africa and 5 in the Iberian Peninsula. Recent sampling in Central Spain (Tortuero, Guadalajara province) led to the discovery of a colony of a large-sized Leptanilla species. This population can be assigned to L. plutonia, a species known from a single worker (the holotype) until now, easily distinguished from other Iberian species by its large size. These specimens allowed for a redescription of the species, also giving the first insights into its intraspecific variability and morphological structures not mentioned in the original description, such as the presence of a secondary labrum, large apodemes in the postpetiole or a promesosternal keel, among others. The distribution range of the species is also increased, being cited for the first time outside of the type locality. An identification key to the large-sized Leptanilla species from Western Mediterranean region is provided.

Acoustical and morphological comparisons between albino and normally-pigmented Jamaican fruit bats (Artibeus jamaicensis)

Although rare, hypopigmentary disorders have been observed in many vertebrate species. These disorders include albinism, leucism, and piebaldism, and can be differentiated based on the pattern and degree of lack of pigmentation. For many species, these disorders persist in nature, suggesting that affected animals can survive and potentially reproduce. Here we report a case of albinism in a Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) captured from a cave dwelling in Cuba. In addition to describing this albino individual's morphological characteristics, we recorded acoustical parameters of echolocation calls during foraging in a flight chamber. We found that the albino individual emits high-frequency multi-harmonic calls with short durations, which are characteristic of this species and other phyllostomid bats. We discuss potential acoustical adaptations in albino bats that could facilitate their survival and suggest future approaches to studying these unique animals.