Search Results (9)

The embryonic development of neural crest cells and subsequent tissue differentiation are intricately regulated by specific transcription factors. Among these, SOX10, a member of the SOX gene family, stands out. Located on chromosome 22q13, the SOX10 gene encodes a transcription factor crucial for the differentiation, migration, and maintenance of tissues derived from neural crest cells. It plays a pivotal role in developing various tissues, including the central and peripheral nervous systems, melanocytes, chondrocytes, and odontoblasts. Mutations in SOX10 have been associated with congenital disorders such as Waardenburg–Shah Syndrome, PCWH syndrome, and Kallman syndrome, underscoring its clinical significance. Furthermore, SOX10 is implicated in neural and neuroectodermal tumors, such as melanoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), and schwannomas, influencing processes like proliferation, migration, and differentiation. In mesenchymal tumors, SOX10 expression serves as a valuable marker for distinguishing between different tumor types. Additionally, SOX10 has been identified in various epithelial neoplasms, including breast, ovarian, salivary gland, nasopharyngeal, and bladder cancers, presenting itself as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker. However, despite these associations, further research is imperative to elucidate its precise role in these malignancies. Full article

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is an invasive species causing economic crop losses. This species was recently detected attacking olive fruits. The aim of this study was to characterize feeding damage. Olive samples were initially collected from a field where H. halys was reported to cause damage to olive fruits. Hence, we conducted a field trial on the Moraiolo variety using sleeve cages to test the effect of H. halys feeding pressure on olive fruit drop and evaluated the effect of feeding on fruit quality. We tested two densities of H. halys (two or eight adults/cage) at two different stages of olive development, pre- and post-pit hardening. High pressure of H. halys before pit hardening caused a significant fruit drop compared to the control. In addition, chemical analysis of damaged and infested fruits revealed higher levels of total phenols compared to healthy fruits. These findings indicate that feeding by H. halys induced a stress response in the plants that could translate in quality variations in the olive drupes. Full article

Background: Schwannomas are solitary neurogenic tumors originating from the myelin-producing cells of the neural sheath. Hypoglossal nerve schwannomas are exceedingly rare, particularly those extracranially originating and mimicking a submandibular salivary gland tumor. Methods: We report the case of a 31-year-old female who presented to our ENT department with a painless swelling in her left submandibular region that has persisted for approximately five months. Discussion: Due to the rarity of these tumors and their unique nature, a comprehensive diagnostic workup is imperative for accurate diagnosis. Surgical excision remains the gold standard treatment. Conclusions: Extracranial hypoglossal nerve schwannomas represent a rare clinical entity requiring a thorough diagnostic process for precise identification. The preferred treatment strategy for managing hypoglossal gland schwannomas involves complete tumor excision while preserving the facial nerve. Full article

Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) and Halyomorpha halys (Stål) are the major pests that feed on soybean pods, seeds, and fruits. Higher populations and damage occur during the soybean maturity stages (podding to harvest). To compare the feeding behavior of R. pedestris and H. halys, we used the six most cultivated cultivars (Daepung-2ho, Daechan, Pungsannamul, Daewon, Seonpung, and Seoritae) in Korea using the electropenetrography (EPG) technique. Both R. pedestris and H. halys, the NP (non-penetration), a non-probing waveform, was the shortest in the Pungsannamul (298 and 268 min) and the longest in the Daepung-2ho (334 and 339 min), respectively. The feeding waveforms Pb (phloem feeding: E1-Salivation and E2-Sap feeding) and G (xylem feeding) were the longest in Pungsannamul and the shortest in Daepung-2ho. In addition, as a result of investigating the damage rate by planting six cultivars of beans in the field, as expected, the proportions of damage types B and C were highest in Pungsannamul and lowest in Daepung-2ho. These results reveal that both bug species ingest xylem sap from leaflets and stems using a salivary sheath strategy to acquire water and nutrients from soybean pods/seeds with cell-rupture tactics. This study provides perceptive information to understand the feeding behavior, field occurrence, and damage patterns of R. pedestris and H. halys, which may have key implications for the management of hemipteran pests by determining the specificity and susceptibility of host plants. Full article

The white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, is one of the most important piercing-sucking pests of rice (Oryza sativa) in Asia. Mucin-like salivary protein (SFMLP) is highly expressed in the salivary glands of WBPH, which plays an important role in WBPH feeding. In this study, WBPH injected with dsSFMLP had difficulty in sucking phloem sap from rice plants, which significantly reduced their food intake, weight, and survival. In contrast, the knockdown of the SFMLP gene had only a marginal effect on the survival of WBPH fed an artificial diet. Further studies showed that silencing SFMLP resulted in the short and single-branched salivary sheaths secretion and less formation of salivary flanges in rice. These data suggest that SFMLP is involved in the formation of the salivary sheath and is essential for feeding in WBPH. Overexpression of the SFMLP gene in rice plants promoted the feeding of WBPH, whereas silencing the gene in rice plants significantly decreased WBPH performance. Additionally, it was found that overexpression of SFMLP in rice plants elicited the signalling pathway of SA (salicylic acid) while suppressing JA (jasmonic acid); in contrast, silencing of the SFMLP gene in rice plants showed the opposite results. This study clarified the function of SFMLP in WBPH feeding as well as mediating rice defences. Full article

Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) is a major agricultural pest feeding on soybean pods and seeds. The large populations occur during seed maturity stages from pod filling to harvest. Its infestation results in shriveled and dimpled seeds while vegetative structures (leaflet and stem) remain green, known as “Stay Green” syndrome. Additional evidence also demonstrates that soybean pods and seeds are required for Riptortus pedestris development. However, the feeding behavior strategies employed by this stink bug to feed on soybean plants are still not clear. In the present study, the feeding behaviors of R. pedestris on soybean plants were recorded by electropenetrography (EPG), and a waveform library was created for this species. A total of five phases of waveforms—nonprobing, pathway (Rp1), xylem sap ingestion (Rp2), salivation and ingestion (Rp3), and interruption (Rp4)—were identified. Non-probing waveforms Z and NP and pathway (Rp1) were found in all tested plant structures (leaflet, stem, cotyledon, and pods). Waveform Rp2 (xylem sap ingestion, xylem ingestion) was primarily recorded during R. pedestris feeding on leaflets and stems, while Rp3 (salivation/ingestion) was only observed during feeding on cotyledon and pods. Histological examinations confirmed that correlation between Rp2 and stylet tip positioning in the xylem vessel in leaflets and stems. Stylet tips end in the tissues of cotyledon and pods when Rp3 is recorded. Taken together, our results demonstrate that R. pedestris ingests xylem sap from vegetative tissues of soybean (leaflet and stem) via a salivary sheath strategy to obtain water. It mainly acquires nutrients from soybean pods and/or seeds using cell-rupture tactics. This study provided insightful information to understand the field occurrence patterns of “Stay Green” syndrome, which may have important implications for pest control. Full article

Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the putative causal agent of Huanglongbing disease. Although they primarily feed on the phloem of Citrus and related plants, when grove or host conditions are unfavorable, D. citri may be able to use weed species as alternate food sources for survival. To explore this possibility, electrical penetration graph (EPG) recordings (18 h) were performed to investigate the feeding behavior of psyllid adults and nymphs on three common south Florida weeds (Bidens alba, Eupatorium capillifolium, and Ludwigia octovalvis). EPG recordings revealed that the proportion of time spent by D. citri feeding on xylem was similar on all tested weed species (19%–22%) and on the positive control (20%), the preferred host, Citrus macrophylla. Very little to no phloem feeding was observed on weed species by either nymphs or adults. Histological studies using epifluorescence microscopy showed that salivary sheaths were branched and extended into xylem of weed species, whereas they ended in phloem on citrus plants. No choice behavioral assays showed that adults can obtain some nutrition by feeding on weed species (xylem feeding) and they may be able to survive on them for short intervals, when host conditions are unfavorable. Full article

Isolated involvement of the orbit by hydatidosis is extremely rare. It is a parasitic infestation due to a tapeworm called Echinococcus Granulosus. It is an uncommon disease in head and neck region as it commonly manifests in the lungs and liver. When seen in head and neck, it has been found in the orbit, paranasal sinuses and salivary glands. Orbital hydatidosis per se forms only 1% of all types of hydatid disease. It is endemic in Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asian countries including India. In orbital hydatid disease, patients usually present with unilateral proptosis and diminution of vision. Proptosis is classically painless. Total surgical removal remains the mainstay of treatment. A 30-year-old female belonging to lower socio-economic status, presented with left eye proptosis since 2 years. There was a gradual increase in proptosis associated with diminution of vision over the last 4 months. This finally led to complete loss of vision in a period of two months. Computed tomography scan showed two soft homogenous non-enhancing cystic structures present in the orbit abutting the optic nerve without any intracranial extension; most likely differentials are a developmental cyst, hydatid cyst, epidermoid cyst, rhabdomyosarcoma or a nerve sheath tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging showed two T1 hypointense non-enhancing, T2 hyperintense soft cystic capsulated space-occupying lesions present in the extraconal compartment of orbit abutting the optic nerve, likely to be lymphangioma or a hydatid cyst. Surgery was planned and endoscopic orbital decompression was done. Sago grain-like granules were seen pouring out of the cysts. Cyst walls were completely removed in piecemeal and the specimen was sent for histopathology. Immediate intra-operative reduction of proptosis was seen. The final histopathological report was suggestive of hydatid cyst. Full article

Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) transmits Huanglongbing, a devastating disease that threatens citrus trees worldwide. A better understanding of the psyllid’s host-plant selection process may lead to the development of more efficient means of monitoring it and predicting its movements. Since behavioral adaptations, such as associative learning, may facilitate recognition of suitable host-plants, we examined whether adult D. citri could be conditioned to visual and chemosensory stimuli from host and non-host-plant sources. Response was measured as the frequency of salivary sheaths, the residue of psyllid probing activity, in a line of emulsified wax on the surface of a test arena. The psyllids displayed both appetitive and aversive conditioning to two different chemosensory stimuli. They could also be conditioned to recognize a blue-colored probing substrate and their response to neutral visual cues was enhanced by chemosensory stimuli. Conditioned psyllids were sensitive to the proportion of chemosensory components present in binary mixtures. Naïve psyllids displayed strong to moderate innate biases to several of the test compounds. While innate responses are probably the psyllid’s primary behavioral mechanism for selecting host-plants, conditioning may enhance its ability to select host-plants during seasonal transitions and dispersal. Full article