ABSTRACT

Interspecific hybridization can drive evolutionary adaptation to novel environments. The Saccharomycotina clade of budding yeasts includes many hybrid lineages, and hybridization has been proposed as a source for new pathogenic species. Candida orthopsilosis is an emerging opportunistic pathogen for which most clinical isolates are hybrids, each derived from one of at least four independent crosses between the same two parental lineages. To gain insight into the transcriptomic aftermath of hybridization in these pathogens, we analyzed allele-specific gene expression in two independently formed hybrid strains and in a homozygous strain representative of one parental lineage. Our results show that the effect of hybridization on overall gene expression is rather limited, affecting ~4% of the genes studied. However, we identified a larger effect in terms of imbalanced allelic expression, affecting ~9.5% of the heterozygous genes in the hybrids. This effect was larger in the hybrid with more extensive loss of heterozygosity, which may indicate a tendency to avoid loss of heterozygosity in these genes. Consistently, the number of shared genes with allele-specific expression in the two independently formed hybrids was higher than random expectation, suggesting selective retention. Some of the imbalanced genes have functions related to pathogenicity, including zinc transport and superoxide dismutase activities. While it remains unclear whether the observed imbalanced genes play a role in virulence, our results suggest that differences in allele-specific expression may add an additional layer of phenotypic plasticity to traits related to virulence in C. orthopsilosis hybrids.

IMPORTANCE How new pathogens emerge is an important question that remains largely unanswered. Some emerging yeast pathogens are hybrids originated through the crossing of two different species, but how hybridization contributes to higher virulence is unclear. Here, we show that hybrids selectively retain gene regulation plasticity inherited from the two parents and that this plasticity affects genes involved in virulence.

Identifying gene variants causing monogenic diabetes (MD) increases understanding of disease etiology and allows for implementation of precision therapy to improve metabolic control and quality of life. Here, we aimed to assess the prevalence of MD in youth with diabetes in Lithuania, uncover potential diabetes-related gene variants, and prospectively introduce precision treatment. First, we assessed all pediatric and most young-adult patients with diabetes in Lithuania (n = 1,209) for diabetes-related autoimmune antibodies. We then screened all antibody-negative patients (n = 153) using targeted high-throughput sequencing of >300 potential candidate genes. In this group, 40.7% had MD, with the highest percentage (100%) in infants (diagnosis at ages 0–12 months), followed by those diagnosed at ages >1–18 years (40.3%) and >18–25 years (22.2%). The overall prevalence of MD in youth with diabetes in Lithuania was 3.5% (1.9% for GCK diabetes, 0.7% for HNF1A, 0.2% for HNF4A and ABCC8, 0.3% for KCNJ11, and 0.1% for INS). Furthermore, we identified likely pathogenic variants in 11 additional genes. Microvascular complications were present in 26% of those with MD. Prospective treatment change was successful in >50% of eligible candidates, with C-peptide >252 pmol/L emerging as the best prognostic factor.

Manoella Gemaque Cavalcante, Cleusa Yoshiko Nagamachi, Julio Cesar Pieczarka, and Renata Coelho Rodrigues Noronha

Eukaryotic genomes exhibit substantial accumulation of repetitive DNA sequences. These sequences can participate in chromosomal reorganization events and undergo molecular cooption to interfere with the function and evolution of genomes. In turtles, repetitive DNA sequences appear to be accumulated at probable break points and may participate in events such as non-homologous recombination and chromosomal rearrangements. In this study, repeated sequences of 5S rDNA, U2 snRNA and Tc1/Mariner transposons were amplified from the genomes of the turtles, Podocnemis expansa and Podocnemis unifilis, and mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Our data confirm the 2n=28 chromosomes for these species (the second lowest 2n in the order Testudines). We observe high conservation of the co-located 5S rDNA and U2 snRNA genes on a small chromosome pair (pair 13), and surmise that this represents the ancestral condition. Our analysis reveals a wide distribution of the Tc1/Mariner transposons and we discuss how the mobility of these transposons can act on karyotypic reorganization events (contributing to the 2n decrease of those species). Our data add new information for the order Testudines and provide important insights into the dynamics and organization of these sequences in the chelonian genomes.

Manogepix is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that inhibits glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor biosynthesis. Using whole-genome sequencing, we characterized two efflux-mediated mechanisms in the fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis that resulted in decreased manogepix susceptibility. In C. albicans, a gain-of-function mutation in the transcription factor gene ZCF29 activated expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter genes CDR11 and SNQ2. In C. parapsilosis, a mitochondrial deletion activated expression of the major facilitator superfamily transporter gene MDR1.

Ironbark is one of 2020’s anticipated movies. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the MI6 handler of a Russian spy who may have helped prevent nuclear war

TikTok's rise has been meteoric. With more than 3 million people a day now downloading the app, its success is down to more than just luck

Alison Roman’s latest comments about Marie Kondo have not sparked joy.

In an interview with The New Consumer about her increased popularity and the avenues she might pursue to capitalize on it, the popular food columnist discussed her hesitance to put her name on a product line—citing the Japanese organization maven and Chrissy Teigen as examples of what she did not foresee in her own future.

“I have a collaboration coming out with [the cookware startup] Material, a capsule collection,” Roman said. “It’s limited edition, a few tools that I designed that are based on tools that I use that aren’t in production anywhere—vintage spoons and very specific things that are one-offs that I found at antique markets that they have made for me.”

Read more at The Daily Beast.

The winners and results of last night's Mega Millions lottery, plus how to avoid falling victim to a lottery scam.

Trump administration whistleblower Rick Bright teared up while ripping the Trump's response to the coronavirus: "We could've done something and we didn't."

An analysis of the fossilized teeth of Deinonychus antirrhopus, a species of wolf-sized dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived between 115 and 108 million years ago (Cretaceous period) in what is now the United States, adds to the growing evidence that this and other raptors were not complex social hunters by modern mammalian standards. The image of [...]

Growing evidence suggests the covid-19 outbreak may not have started at Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Market in December after all. Finding its origins may help us stop it happening again

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he did not wear a mask during a tour on Tuesday of a Honeywell International Inc factory in Arizona after consulting the company's chief executive, despite requirements at the plant that workers wear them.

Prosecutor Tom Durden has vowed to convene a grand jury to discuss possible charges against the suspects - but only when coronavirus pandemic restrictions are eased, which could take several weeks.

Rep. Justin Amash believes his White House bid is bad for both President Trump and his Democratic challenger, the Michigan Libertarian indicated in a recent interview.

Mr. Amash, a former Republican who left the GOP last year, told Time that he expects his presence in the presidential race will not ...

A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts:

___

CLAIM: Photo shows Joe Biden posing with former ...

Arbery, who would have turned 26 on Friday, was shot to death after being chased by two men who thought he was a burglar.

Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Baldwin are opening up in an intimate series for Facebook Watch in which they discuss their marriage, their problems and their lives together.

Read our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms

Follow our live Covid-19 updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms

A former NHS nurse who returned to the frontlines to help fight the coronavirus pandemic has shared the moment she held an elderly woman's hand during her last breaths so she didn't die alone from the virus.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un did not undergo surgery or any other medical procedure, a South Korean official has said amid continued speculation about his health.

The top scientist, Professor Neil Ferguson, whose research aided Boris Johnson's decision to impose a lockdown, has resigned after reportedly allowing a woman to visit his home in an "error of judgment".

The answers to today’s puzzles

Earlier today I set you two puzzles that the late John Horton Conway suggested for this column:

1) The Miracle Builders

The solutions to today’s puzzles

Earlier today I set you the following four puzzles from my new book, Football School: the Ultimate Puzzle Book:

1. Which of these two watering cans can carry the most water?

About this Episode On Episode 110 of Voices in AI, Byron speaks with Didem Un Ates, the Senior Director of AI…

Elie Mystal

The post We Didn’t Need Video to Know Ahmaud Arbery Was Lynched appeared first on The Nation.

Fans think they might be going official

Fans celebrated their friendship too soon

Marriage ~and~ a baby? It's a lot to take in

No spoilers here, but details about character relationships, fates are out there.

Another 'Star Wars' actor has added their voice to the criticism of Rian Johnson's movie.

Professional poker player Phil Galfond overcame a €900,000 deficit in a 25,000-hand head-to-head challenge against a pot-limit Omaha regular known as "VeniVidi1993" online.

25-year-old supermodel Gigi Hadid is expecting her first child with One Direction's Zayn Malik, reports TMZ and Entertainment Tonight.

Long before the coronavirus outbreak turned him into one of the least popular governors in the nation, DeSantis of Florida was something of a conservative golden boy.

Archaeologists have discovered methods that kept food fresh long before refrigeration.

A key piece of the human family tree is still missing, waiting to be found.

He called Exotic 'unbelievably cruel'

'This wasn't the most joyous season for me,' actor admitted in candid new interview

'Man, I was wrong'

Actor was ridiculed for remarks as people pointed out they were unlikely to forget current predicament anytime soon

Lion says she meant it as 'light entertainment for fans during these difficult times'

People have noted a certain timeliness in a clip from the 1993 episode 'Marge in Chains'

• State auditor says Favre will repay money for no-show speeches
• Hall of Fame quarterback faces no criminal charges after report

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre is repaying $1.1m in welfare money that he received for multiple speeches where he did not show up, the Mississippi state auditor said Wednesday.

Auditor Shad White said his office received $500,000 from Favre on Wednesday, plus a commitment that Favre will repay the other $600,000 in installments over the next few months.

Related: NFL tells teams to have facility reopening protocols in place by next week

NSW Health assessment the cruise ship was ‘low risk’ introduced ‘an unfortunate element’ into his decision-making

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A New South Wales harbour master has told an inquiry he “did not understand” an email that told him to treat the Ruby Princess “as if it has a positive Covid-19 result” when it came into Sydney Harbour on 18 and 19 March.

Cameron Butchart, who was the duty harbour master on 18 March, said NSW Health’s assessment that the ship was “low risk” introduced “an unfortunate element” into his decision-making.

A 16-year-old Aboriginal boy was forced to remove his shorts and squat during a search, but disciplinary action has not been recommended

A New South Wales police watchdog investigation into seven strip searches including one in which a 16-year-old Aboriginal boy was physically forced to remove his shorts and squat has found that all of them were unlawful.

But the watchdog has been criticised for “not going far enough” in its findings, with Sarah Crellin, a principal solicitor at the Aboriginal Legal Service, saying she was “deeply disappointed that there have been no recommendations for disciplinary action” against individual officers.

The cardinal maintains he didn’t know about the Victorian town’s notorious paedophile priests, a claim the royal commission found ‘implausible’

“Why isn’t all of Australia talking about what happened here in Ballarat?”

That’s the question Clare Linane remembers asking her husband, Peter Blenkiron, 12 years ago as they were sitting in the kitchen talking about his abuse. Linane’s husband, brother and cousin had all been abused when they were children between 1973 and 1974 by Christian Brother and now convicted paedophile Edward “Ted” Dowlan. They knew they were among thousands of people living in and around Ballarat – Victoria’s largest inland city – who had been affected by child sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy.

The Hotter than Hell singer has revealed her new 'do in a sweet Instagram post

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid are reportedly expecting their first child together.

The couple have been on and off since 2015