Tubercle Development Research Articles

Revision of Iphione Kinberg, 1856 (Annelida, Aphroditiformia, Iphionidae)

The only revision of Iphione was made by Pettibone in 1986, who recognized four species including two newly described in that work: I. muricata (Savigny in Lamarck, 1818) (type species), I. ovata Kinberg, 1856, I. treadwelli Pettibone, 1986, and I. henshawi Pettibone, 1986. She included I. fimbriata de Quatrefages, 1866, I. glabra de Quatrefages, 1866, and I. fustis Hoagland, 1920 within I. muricata, and I. spinosa Kinberg, 1856 and I. hirotai Izuka, 1912 in I. ovata. Three other species were later added to the genus: I. reticulata Amoureux, Rullier & Fishelson, 1978 from the Red Sea, I. coriolis Hanley & Burke, 1991 from the Coral Sea, and I. malifera Piotrowski, 2014 from the Philippines. A recent contribution showed that I. ovata ranges from the Red Sea to the Eastern Pacific and includes I. spinosa and I. reticulata. Our objectives were to revise the genus, evaluating all species and describing new ones by assessing the relevance of morphological features, assisted in part with COI sequence data. We studied the morphology of type and non-type material from 18 institutions and sequenced 52 specimens representing 11 species. We found that the size and position of eyes, the size relationships between cephalic appendages, and the number of rows of macrotubercles in elytra vary with body size. The most relevant diagnostic features for species delineation, confirmed by genetic species delineation, are the type and size relationships of macrotubercles, the presence of fimbriae, the development of the basal tubercle of dorsal cirrophores, the type of neurochaetae (falcate versus acicular), and their tips (uni- vs bidentate; or simple vs hooded). We clarified the type species of the genus as I. ovata, and recognized 17 species, nine previously described and eight new. Our main results include: 1) the restriction of I. muricata; 2) the reinstatement of I. fimbriata including I. fustis; 3) redescriptions of I. coriolis, I. henshawi and I. treadwelli; and 4) the description of eight new species: I. ankeri sp. nov. from Guam, I. corbari sp. nov. from the Saya de Malha Bank, I. harrisae sp. nov. from French Polynesia, I. hourdezi sp. nov. from New Caledonia, I. hyndmani sp. nov. from Hong Kong, I. readi sp. nov. from the Red Sea (including many earlier records of I. muricata), I. richeri sp. nov. from New Caledonia, and I. wilsoni sp. nov. from Australia. Descriptions the eight newly described species include only one based upon a single specimen. Keys are included for the genera in the family, and species of Iphione.

Development and characterization of a new sunflower source of resistance to race G of Orobanche cumana Wallr. derived from Helianthus anomalus

Key messageA new OrAnom1 gene introgressed in cultivated sunflower from wild Helianthus anomalusconfers late post-attachment resistance toOrobanche cumana race G and maps to a target interval in Chromosome 4 where two receptor-like kinases (RLKs) have been identified in theH. anomalusgenome as putative candidates.Sunflower broomrape is a parasitic weed that infects sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) roots causing severe yield losses. Breeding for resistance is the most effective and sustainable control method. In this study, we report the identification, introgression, and genetic and physiological characterization of a new sunflower source of resistance to race G of broomrape developed from the wild annual sunflower H. anomalus (accession PI 468642). Crosses between PI 468642 and the susceptible line P21 were carried out, and the genetic study was conducted in BC1F1, BC1F2, and its derived BC1F3 populations. A BC1F5 germplasm named ANOM1 was developed through selection for race G resistance and resemblance to cultivated sunflower. The resistant trait showed monogenic and dominant inheritance. The gene, named OrAnom1, was mapped to Chromosome 4 within a 1.2 cM interval and co-segregated with 7 SNP markers. This interval corresponds to a 1.32 Mb region in the sunflower reference genome, housing a cluster of receptor-like kinase and receptor-like protein (RLK-RLP) genes. Notably, the analysis of the H. anomalus genome revealed the absence of RLPs in the OrAnom1 target region but featured two RLKs as possible OrAnom1 candidates. Rhizotron and histological studies showed that OrAnom1 determines a late post-attachment resistance mechanism. Broomrape can establish a vascular connection with the host, but parasite growth is stopped before tubercle development, showing phenolic compounds accumulation and tubercle necrosis. ANOM1 will contribute to broadening the genetic basis of broomrape resistance in the cultivated sunflower pool and to a better understanding of the molecular basis of the sunflower-broomrape interaction.

Correlation of Tibial Tubercle Overgrowth With Increased Posterior Tibial Slope: A Novel Radiographic Assessment.

An elevated posterior tibial slope (PTS) is associated with an increased risk for anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injury. Recent evidence suggests that the PTS is elevated in patients with Osgood-Schlatter disease. To determine whether there is an association between objective measures of anterior tibial tubercle growth and PTS. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. A total of 100 radiographs were randomly selected from a sample of patients who had received a lateral knee radiograph that captured at least 15 cm of the tibia distal to the knee joint line at a single institution between December 2020 and March 2022. The PTS was measured, and tibial tubercle growth was quantified with 2 novel measurements. For these measurements, a line was drawn on the radiograph from the most anterosuperior point on the tibia to the point on the anterior cortex of the tibia 10 cm distal from the starting point. The tibial tubercle height (TTH) was measured as the perpendicular distance from this line to the most prominent portion of the anterior tibia. The anterior tibial tubercle angle (TTA) was measured as the angle between the endpoints of the line made previously and the most prominent portion of the tibial tubercle, with a more acute angle indicating a more prominent tibial tubercle. The relationship between TTA, TTH, and PTS was evaluated using a univariate linear regression model. The mean patient age was 33.1 ± 14.1 years. The mean TTA was 158.6°± 4.7°, the mean TTH was 8.8 ± 2.0 mm, and the mean PTS was 9.7°± 2.6°. A significant correlation was found between PTS and TTA (r = -0.46; β = -0.46; P < .001) as well as TTH (r = 0.43; β = 0.43; P < .001). Objective measures of anterior tibial tubercle overgrowth correlated with an elevated PTS. Every 2.2° of anterior TTA deviation from the mean and every 2.3 mm in TTH deviation from the mean correlated with a 1° difference in the PTS. This suggests a link between the development of the tibial tubercle and PTS, and it potentially helps to explain why the PTS is elevated in certain patients.

Sexual dimorphism through androgen signaling; from external genitalia to muscles.

Sexual dimorphisms can be seen in many organisms with some exhibiting subtle differences while some can be very evident. The difference between male and female can be seen on the morphological level such as discrepancies in body mass, presence of body hair in distinct places, or through the presence of specific reproductive structures. It is known that the development of the reproductive structures is governed by hormone signaling, most commonly explained through the actions of androgen signaling. The developmental program of the male and female external genitalia involves a common anlage, the genital tubercle or GT, that later on develop into a penis and clitoris, respectively. Androgen signaling involvement can be seen in the different tissues in the GT that express Androgen receptor and the different genes that are regulated by androgen in the mesenchyme and endoderm component of the GT. Muscles are also known to be responsive to androgen signaling with male and female muscles exhibiting different capabilities. However, the occurrence of sexual dimorphism in muscle development is unclear. In this minireview, a summary on the role of androgen in the sexually dimorphic development of the genital tubercle was provided. This was used as a framework on analyzing the different mechanism employed by androgen signaling to regulate the sexual dimorphism in muscle development.

Epigenetics: Through the pediatric urology looking glass

Epigenetics: Through the pediatric urology looking glass

New therizinosaurid dinosaur from the marine Osoushinai Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Japan) provides insight for function and evolution of therizinosaur claws

The record of therizinosaurs is rich in Asian countries such as Mongolia and China. Fragmentary therizinosaur specimens have been reported from the Lower and Upper Cretaceous deposits in Japan. One of these specimens, from the lower Campanian Osoushinai Formation in Nakagawa Town of Hokkaido Prefecture, was previously identified as a maniraptoran theropod dinosaur, possibly therizinosaur, but its taxonomic status remained unresolved. This study re-examines the specimen and provides a more detailed description and attempts to resolve its taxonomic status. Our study demonstrates that it is a new taxon, Paralitherizinosaurus japonicus gen. et sp. nov., because it shows a unique combination of characters in the metacarpal I and unguals. Our phylogenetic analysis places this new taxon within an unresolved clade of Therizinosauridae in the strict consensus tree. The 50% majority-rule consensus tree shows better resolution within Therizinosauridae, showing an unresolved monophyletic clade of Paralitherizinosaurus, Therizinosaurus, Suzhousaurus, and the Bissekty form. Geometric morphometric analysis suggests that Paralitherizinosaurus unguals most closely resemble Therizinosaurus unguals in being slender and has weak flexor tubercles. This study also shows an evolutionary trend in ungual shape, which associates a decrease in mechanical advantage, development of flexor tubercle, and hypothesized output (product of mechanical advantage and development of flexor tubercle) in derived therizinosaurs, supporting the hook-and-pull function of claws to bring vegetation to its mouth. Paralitherizinosaurus is the youngest therizinosaur from Japan and the first recovered from the marine deposits in Asia. This suggests a long temporal existence of therizinosaurs at the eastern edge of the Asian continent and adaptation of therizinosaurs to coastal environments.

The role of androgens in clitorophallus development and possible applications to transgender patients.

The clitorophallus, or glans, is a critical structure in sexual development and plays an important role in how gender is conceptualized across the life span. This can be seen in both the evaluation and treatment of intersex individuals and the use of gender-affirming masculinizing therapies to help those born with a clitoris (small clitorophallus with separate urethra) enlarge or alter the function of that structure. To review the role of testosterone in clitorophallus development from embryo to adulthood, including how exogenous testosterone is used to stimulate clitorophallus enlargement in masculinizing gender-affirming therapy. Relevant English-language literature was identified and evaluated for data regarding clitorophallus development in endosex and intersex individuals and the utilization of hormonal and surgical masculinizing therapies on the clitorophallus. Studies included evaluated the spectrum of terms regarding the clitorophallus (genital tubercle, clitoris, micropenis, penis). Endogenous testosterone, and its more active metabolite dihydrotestosterone, plays an important role in the development of the genital tubercle into theclitorophallus, primarily during the prenatal and early postnatal periods and then again during puberty. Androgens contributeto not only growth but also the inclusion of a urethra on the ventral aspect. Exogenous testosterone can be used to enlarge the small clitorophallus (clitoris or micropenis) as part of both intersex and gender-affirming care (in transmasculine patients, up to 2cm of additional growth).Where testosterone is insufficient to provide the degree of masculinization desired, surgical options including phalloplasty and metoidioplasty are available. Endogenous testosterone plays an important role in clitorophallus development, and there are circumstances where exogenous testosterone may be useful for masculinization. Surgical options may also help some patients reach their personal goals. As masculinizing gender-affirming care advances, the options available for clitorophallus modifications will likely continue to expand and improve.

How Far Should We Explore Hypospadias? Next-generation Sequencing Applied to a Large Cohort of Hypospadiac Patients

BackgroundNext-generation sequencing (NGS) is generally used for patients with severe disorders of sex development (DSD). However, NGS has not been applied extensively for patients with hypospadias only, and most affected children do not benefit from an etiological diagnosis. ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical usefulness of NGS for patients with hypospadias, regardless of severity. Design, setting, and participantsProspective multicenter research included 293 children with glandular to penoscrotal hypospadias (no undescended testis and no micropenis). After excluding likely pathogenic androgen receptor (AR) variants by Sanger sequencing, an NGS panel tested 336 genes including unexplored candidates in 284 patients. Outcome measurements and statistical analysisThe rate of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants was assessed using REVEL, ClinVar, and in-house tools (Captain-ACHAB, MobiCNV, and MobiDetails). Results and limitationsLikely pathogenic variants were identified in 16 (5.5%) patients with both Sanger sequencing and NGS taken into account. Some genes were related to DSD (AR, NR5A1, HSD17B3, and MAMLD1), but reverse phenotyping revealed two syndromic disorders with midline defects (MID1) and alteration in the retinoic acid signaling pathway (RARA). Coverage analysis revealed an 18q deletion. Identification of likely pathogenic variants increased with hypospadias severity. Other variants of unknown significance (VUSs) in genes implicated in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, Noonan syndrome, and genital tubercle development were also identified. Genetic study mainly focused on exonic variants, and most cases remain unexplained. ConclusionsNGS reveals minor forms of DSD, undiagnosed syndromes, or candidate rare variants in new genes, indicating that even patients with mild hypospadias benefit from advanced sequencing techniques. Early molecular diagnosis would help improve follow-up at puberty and medical counseling for initially undiagnosed syndromes. Future studies will improve the diagnosis by investigating the contribution of VUSs. Patient summaryNext-generation sequencing enables simultaneous testing of numerous genes and should not be limited to disorders of sex development cases. Even patients with mild hypospadias would benefit from early diagnosis of a genetic defect implicated in sex development or other syndromes.

Development of Pea Breeding Lines with Resistance to Orobanche crenata Derived from Pea Landraces and Wild Pisum spp.

Pea (Pisum sativum) is an important grain legume worldwide whose cultivation is severely constrained by the root parasitic weed crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata), which is widespread in the Mediterranean Basin and Middle East. No resistance is available in commercialized cultivars but some levels of incomplete resistance has been reported in pea landraces and Pisum spp. relatives. In this paper we report the development of a number of advanced pea breeding lines with resistance derived from wide crosses with resistant P. fulvum, P. sativum ssp. elatius, P. sativum ssp. syriacum, and with pea landraces, and critically discuss current progress and future perspectives on pea breeding for broomrape resistance. Resistance of breeding lines was confirmed over five field trials, showing markedly reduced broomrape over ground emergence, and in rhizotron experiments, showing either reduced tubercle formation or, in some of the lines, also hampered tubercle development that might grow slower or even become necrotic and die. Breeding lines performed well agronomically, having similar or mostly higher yields than the parental pea cv. Messire in environments with high broomrape incidence.

Comparison of Aging Structures and Life History of a Historical Population of Roundtail Chub (Cyprinidae) in the Yampa River, Colorado

The Gila robusta complex includes 3 large cyprinid species native to the Colorado River drainage. All 3 members of this complex, Humpback Chub G. cypha, Bonytail Chub G. elegans, and Roundtail Chub G. robusta, historically occurred in the Yampa River Canyon of Colorado and Utah. Both Humpback Chub and Bonytail Chub are federally listed as endangered, and the Roundtail Chub is now considered either imperiled or vulnerable to extinction by all state management agencies in the Colorado River basin. In late June or early July of 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002, we collected Roundtail Chub from the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument. Our objectives were to determine the efficacy of scales, opercular bones, and otoliths as aging structures, and to describe age, mortality, growth, and tuberculation patterns relative to reproductive stages. We obtained interpretable annuli for 111 fish by using otoliths, 91 fish by using opercles, and 111 fish by using scales. Otolith annuli showed the least measurement error; scale annuli generally agreed with otolith annuli up to approximately 7–8 years, after which scale annuli consistently underestimated otolith annuli. Opercular annuli closely agreed with otolith annuli up to 10–12 years before underestimating otolith annuli. Based on otoliths, the oldest fish was aged at 22 years, with 7 fish exceeding 15 years. Using a linearized catch-curve, Roundtail Chub had an instantaneous mortality rate of –0.158, corresponding to 85% survivorship. Growth in length was initially high and then declined at older ages. Slopes of mass versus length differed between sexes, and females had a slightly greater body mass per unit length than males for lengths above 398 mm TL. Both sexes have similar ages at first reproduction (5–6 years), and both develop tubercles. The greatest tubercle development occurred in males with maturing or running ripe testes, and in females with maturing ovaries.

Foxa1 and Foxa2 orchestrate development of the urethral tube and division of the embryonic cloaca through an autoregulatory loop with Shh

Congenital anomalies of external genitalia affect approximately 1 in 125 live male births. Development of the genital tubercle, the precursor of the penis and clitoris, is regulated by the urethral plate epithelium, an endodermal signaling center. Signaling activity of the urethral plate is mediated by Sonic hedgehog (SHH), which coordinates outgrowth and patterning of the genital tubercle by controlling cell cycle kinetics and expression of downstream genes. The mechanisms that govern Shh transcription in urethral plate cells are largely unknown. Here we show that deletion of Foxa1 and Foxa2 results in persistent cloaca, an incomplete separation of urinary, genital, and anorectal tracts, and severe hypospadias, a failure of urethral tubulogenesis. Loss of Foxa2 and only one copy of Foxa1 results in urethral fistula, an additional opening of the penile urethra. Foxa1/a2 participate in an autoregulatory feedback loop with Shh, in which FOXA1 and FOXA2 positively regulate transcription of Shh in the urethra, and SHH feeds back to negatively regulate Foxa1 and Foxa2 expression. These findings reveal novel roles for Foxa genes in development of the urethral tube and in division of the embryonic cloaca.

Minute tubercles in bitterling larvae: Developmental dynamic structures to prevent premature ejection by host mussels.

Bitterlings are small freshwater fish that use long ovipositors to lay eggs in host mussels, and they have morphological adaptations to increase larval survival. The most well‐known adaptation is the minute tubercles on the skin surface of larvae; they are developed in early‐stage larvae with weak swimming ability and disappear in free‐swimming larvae before they leave the host mussel.In the present study, I comprehensively analyzed the developmental stages of Rhodeus pseudosericeus larvae, their morphological and physiological characteristics, their migration inside mussels, and the development of minute tubercle in order to elucidate the morphological function of the minute tubercles. These tubercles began to develop 1 day after hatching (formation stage), grew for 2–5 days (growth stage), reached the peak height after 6–7 days (peak stage), abruptly reduced in height after 8–10 days (abrupt reduction stage), and gradually reduced in height (reduction stage) until completely disappearing 27 days after hatching (disappearance stage).The larvae remained in the mussels’ interlamellar space of the gill demibranchs until 10 days after hatching and began to migrate to the suprabranchial cavity 11 days after hatching. At this time, the larvae had a heart rate and the caudal fin began to develop. At 24 days after hatching, the minute tubercles had almost disappeared, and some individuals were observed swimming out of the mussels.The results presented herein elucidate that the minute tubercles are the developmental dynamic structures that the bitterling larvae have morphologically adapted to prevent premature ejection from the mussel.

Characterization of post‐haustorial resistance to sunflower broomrape

AbstractThe development of durable resistance to broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) requires detailed characterization of the genetic and physiological bases of resistance. The objective of the present study was to map the resistance gene accurately, and to characterize the mechanism of resistance to broomrape observed in a sunflower inbred line (PHSC1102). PHSC1102, which was consistently resistant against race F and race G populations of broomrape, was crossed with PHSC1201, which was susceptible to races F and G. A mapping population of 150 F2 genotypes was phenotyped by evaluating F2:3 families for resistance to broomrape races FGV and GTK. The use of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers mapped the OrSII gene to Linkage Group 4 (LG4) of the sunflower genome. Mini‐rhizotron and histological studies of the resistant line revealed that the attachment of broomrape to host roots was similar in both the resistant and susceptible lines and that the resistance was observed at a late stage (i.e., after tubercle development). Interestingly, the resistance of the PHSC1102 line was associated with the production of phenolic compounds, which were hypothesized to restrict the parasite's growth. This research provides novel and valuable information about the host–parasite interactions between sunflower and broomrape.

Broomrape infestation in carrot (Daucus carota): Changes in carotenoid gene expression and carotenoid accumulation in the parasitic weed Phelipanche aegyptiaca and its host

Carotenogenesis has been intensively studied in carrot roots, and transcriptional regulation is thought to be the major factor in carotenoid accumulation in these organs. However, little is known about the transcriptional regulation of carotenoid biosynthetic genes concerning carotenoid accumulation during infestation by the obligate parasite Phelipanche aegyptiaca. HPLC analysis revealed a decrease in carotenoid levels of the different carrot cultivars when parasitized by P. aegyptiaca. Besides, we isolated and analyzed P. aegyptiaca tubercles parasitizing the various carrot root cultivars and show that they accumulate different carotenoids compared to those in non-infested carrot roots. Expression analysis of PHYTOENE SYNTHASE (PSY1) and CAROTENOID ISOMERASE (CRTISO) as well as the strigolactone apocarotenoid biosynthetic genes DWARF27 (D27), CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 7 (CCD7) and CCD8 revealed that their transcript levels showed significant variation in P. aegyptiaca infested carrot roots. After parasite infestation, the expression of these genes was strongly reduced, as were the carotenoid levels and this was more pronounced in the uncommon non-orange varieties. We also analyzed the parasite genes encoding D27, CCD7 and CCD8 and show that they are expressed in tubercles. This raises important questions of whether the parasite produces its carotenoids and apocarotenoids including strigolactones and whether the latter might have a role in tubercle development.

A novel long non-coding RNA, Leat1, causes reduced anogenital distance and fertility in female mice

Defective anorectal and urogenital malformations are some of the most severe congenital anomalies encountered in children. Only a few molecular cues have been identified in early formation of the female urogenital system. Here we describe a novel long non-coding RNA molecule known as Leat1 (long non-coding RNA, EphrinB2 associated transcript 1). This lncRNA is syntenic with EfnB2 (which encodes EphrinB2) and expressed during embryonic development of the genital tubercle. While lncRNAs have varied functions, many are known to regulate their neighbouring genes. Eph/Ephrin bidirectional signaling molecules mediate many patterning pathways in early embryonic development, including cloacal septation and urethral development. Here we investigate the role of Leat1 and its possible regulation of EphrinB2 during development of the female reproductive tract. We show that a loss of Leat1 leads to reduced EfnB2 expression in the developing female genital tubercle, reduced anogenital distance and decreased fertility.

Embryonic and postnatal development of mouse olfactory tubercle

The olfactory tubercle (OT) is located in the ventral-medial region of the brain where it receives primary input from olfactory bulb (OB) projection neurons and processes olfactory behaviors related to motivation, hedonics of smell and sexual encounters. The OT is part of the dopamine reward system that shares characteristics with the striatum. Together with the nucleus accumbens, the OT has been referred to as the "ventral striatum". However, despite its functional importance little is known about the embryonic development of the OT and the phenotypic properties of the OT cells. Here, using thymidine analogs, we establish that mouse OT neurogenesis occurs predominantly between E11-E15 in a lateral-to-medial gradient. Then, using a piggyBac multicolor technique we characterized the migratory route of OT neuroblasts from their embryonic point of origin. Following neurogenesis in the ventral lateral ganglionic eminence (vLGE), neuroblasts destined for the OT followed a dorsal-ventral pathway we named "ventral migratory course" (VMC). Upon reaching the nascent OT, neurons established a prototypical laminar distribution that was determined, in part, by the progenitor cell of origin. A phenotypic analysis of OT neuroblasts using a single-color piggyBac technique, showed that OT shared the molecular specification of striatal neurons. In addition to primary afferent input from the OB, the OT also receives a robust dopaminergic input from ventral tegmentum (Ikemoto, 2007). We used tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression as a proxy for dopaminergic innervation and showed that TH onset occurs at E13 and progressively increased until postnatal stages following an ‘inside-out’ pattern. Postnatally, we established the myelination in the OT occurring between P7 and P14, as shown with CNPase staining, and we characterized the cellular phenotypes populating the OT by immunohistochemistry. Collectively, this work provides the first detailed analysis of the developmental and maturation processes occurring in mouse OT, and demonstrates the striatal nature of the OT as part of the ventral striatum (vST).

Dihydrotestosterone induces minor transcriptional alterations in genital skin fibroblasts of children with and without androgen insensitivity.

Endogenous and exogenous androgens induce masculinization of external genitalia through binding to the androgen receptor (AR). The target genes of androgens in external genitalia remain to be determined, although previous studies have shown that the apolipoprotein D gene (APOD) was significantly upregulated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most potent androgen in humans. In the present study, we performed microarray analysis for genital skin fibroblasts obtained from four boys with buried penis (the control individuals) and a patient with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS) due to a hypomorphic mutation in AR (the PAIS patient). We identified 24 transcripts that were upregulated or downregulated by DHT in all samples of control individuals and, to a lesser extent, in the sample of the PAIS patient. Differences between DHT-treated and -untreated samples were small; the results of 24 transcripts did not reach statistical significance. The 24 transcripts included CYP1B1, a gene possibly involved in the development of genital tubercle in mice, and APOD, as well as several genes that have been reported as androgen targets in prostate or other tissues. The results of this study indicate that androgen-mediated masculinization of external genitalia is unlikely to depend on massive transcriptional changes in specific AR target genes. Rather, minor transcriptional changes of several genes, and/or a complex molecular network may play a major role in penile development. Importantly, our data suggest the possible involvement of CYP1B1 in human genital development and confirm the clinical importance of APOD as a biomarker for AR function.

In utero exposure to both high- and low-dose diethylstilbestrol disrupts mouse genital tubercle development.

Exposure to estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during in utero development has been linked to the increasing incidence of disorders of sexual development. Hypospadias, the ectopic placement of the urethra on the ventral aspect of the penis, is one of the most common DSDs affecting men, and can also affect women by resulting in the misplacement of the urethra. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the resulting hypospadias phenotypes in male and female mice exposed in utero from embryonic day 9.5 to 19.5 to the potent estrogenic endocrine disruptor, diethylstilbestrol, at a high, clinically relevant dose, and a low, previously untested dose, administered via water. The anogenital distance of male pups was significantly reduced and hypospadias was observed in males at a high frequency. Females exhibited hypospadias and urethral-vaginal fistula. These results demonstrate the ability of an estrogen receptor agonist to disrupt sexual development in both male and female mice, even at a low dose, administered via drinking water.

Taxonomic clarification of the Eumicrotremus asperrimus species complex (Teleostei: Cyclopteridae) in the eastern North Pacific

The Eumicrotremus asperrimus species complex includes three nominal species from the eastern North Pacific and Bering Sea: Eumicrotremus gyrinops (Garman 1892); Eumicrotremus muticus (Gilbert 1896); and Eumicrotremus phrynoides Gilbert &amp; Burke 1912. These species have been distinguished from each other primarily on the basis of the strength and coverage of bony tubercles on the head and body. However, several recent genetic studies have cast doubt on the utility of bony tubercles for diagnosing species-level differences among cyclopterids, and a recent genetic study of the E. asperrimus species complex indicated that population structure is not correlated with tubercle development. Here we present additional evidence from the mitochondrial COI gene indicating that there is little genetic structure within a sample of specimens from the eastern North Pacific and Bering Sea with a wide range of tubercle development. We also examine several lines of morphological evidence, including meristic and morphometric data and osteology, and conclude that the three nominal species described from the eastern North Pacific represent a single polymorphic species. We present a redescription of Eumicrotremus gyrinops (Garman), the oldest of the three nominal species, recognizing the other two nominal species of the Eumicrotremus asperrimus species complex described from the eastern North Pacific as junior synonyms. Individuals of this highly polymorphic species may be covered in large bony tubercles, or sparsely covered in small tubercles, or may have no evidence of tubercles at all. There is clear evidence of sexual dimorphism, as males tend to have fewer and smaller tubercles than females, and all large specimens (&gt; 58 mm SL) are females. Both males and smaller females may lack any evidence of tubercles.

Characterization of Resistance Mechanisms in Faba Bean (Vicia faba) against Broomrape Species (Orobanche and Phelipanche spp.).

Faba bean (Vicia faba) production in Mediterranean and Near East agriculture is severely constrained by broomrape infection. The most widely distributed broomrape species affecting faba bean is Orobanche crenata, although O. foetida and Phelipanche aegyptiaca are of local importance. Only moderately resistant cultivars are available to farmers. Rizotrons studies allowed the dissection of resistance components in faba bean accessions against the very infective species O. crenata, O. foetida var. broteri and P. aegyptiaca, and to the inappropriate P. ramosa and O. foetida var. foetida. Results confirm that some levels of incomplete resistance are available, resulting in a reduced number of broomrape tubercles successfully formed per faba bean plant. Interestingly, the intermediate levels of resistance of cv. Baraca were operative against all broomrape populations and species studied, confirming previous reports on the stability of resistance of Baraca in field trials in different countries. Low induction of seed germination played a major role in the resistance against the inappropriate O. foetida var. foetida but not against the also inappropriate P. ramosa, neither to the infective species O. crenata, O. foetida var. broteri, or P. aegyptiaca. Negative tropism of germinated seeds with radicles growing away from faba bean roots was marked for both inappropriate species but was not observed in any of the infective species. Also, a proportion of radicles that had successfully contacted faba bean roots became necrotic, failing in starting tubercle development, particularly frequent for the two inappropriate species. Such necrosis was significant also on radicles contacting resistant faba bean accessions, being particularly relevant for Spanish O. crenata population, and lower although still significant in some accessions against Syrian O. crenata and P. aegyptiaca, suggesting that this might also be an operative mechanism to be selected and further exploited in faba bean resistance breeding. Even formed broomrape tubercles might later become necrotic, particularly in the case of some of the resistant faba bean accessions to the Spanish O. crenata and to P. aegyptiaca but not to the very infective Syrian O. crenata or O. foetida var. broteri.