ABSTRACT

Symbiotic microorganisms can have a profound impact on the host physiology and behavior, and novel relationships between symbionts and their hosts are continually discovered. A colony of social ants consists of various castes that exhibit distinct lifestyles and is, thus, a unique model for investigating how symbionts may be involved in host eusociality. Yet our knowledge of social ant-symbiont dynamics has remained rudimentary. Through 16S rRNA gene deep sequencing of the carpenter ant Camponotus japonicus symbiont community across various castes, we here report caste-dependent diversity of commensal gut microbiota and lineage divergence of "Candidatus Blochmannia," an obligate endosymbiont. While most prevalent gut-associated bacterial populations are found across all castes (Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria), we also discovered uncultured populations that are found only in males (belonging to Corynebacteriales, Alkanindiges, and Burkholderia). Most of those populations are not detected in laboratory-maintained queens and workers, suggesting that they are facultative gut symbionts introduced via environmental acquisition. Further inspection of "Ca. Blochmannia" endosymbionts reveals that two populations are dominant in all individuals across all castes but that males preferentially contain two different sublineages that are diversified from others. Clearly, each caste has distinct symbiont communities, suggesting an overlooked biological aspect of host-symbiont interaction in social insects.

IMPORTANCE Social animals, such as primates and some insects, have been shown to exchange symbiotic microbes among individuals through sharing diet or habitats, resulting in increased consistency of microbiota among social partners. The ant is a representative of social insects exhibiting various castes within a colony; queens, males, and nonreproductive females (so-called workers) show distinct morphologies, physiologies, and behaviors but tightly interact with each other in the nest. However, how this social context affects their gut microbiota has remained unclear. In this study, we deeply sequenced the gut symbiont community across various castes of the carpenter ant Camponotus japonicus. We report caste-dependent diversity of commensal gut microbial community and lineage divergence of the mutualistic endosymbiont "Candidatus Blochmannia." This report sheds light on the hidden diversity in microbial populations and community structure associated with guts of males in social ants.

ABSTRACT

Protein homeostasis is critical for proliferation and viability of all organisms. For Candida albicans, protein homeostasis also modulates the transition between yeast and filamentous forms, which is critical for virulence. A key regulator of morphogenesis is the molecular chaperone Hsp90, which mediates proteostasis under physiological and stress conditions. Hsp90 regulates morphogenesis by repressing cyclic AMP-protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) signaling, such that inhibition of Hsp90 causes filamentation in the absence of an inducing cue. We explored the effect of perturbation of another facet of protein homeostasis and discovered that morphogenesis is also regulated by the proteasome, a large 33-subunit protein complex consisting of a 20S catalytic core and two 19S regulatory particles, which controls degradation of intracellular proteins. We identified a conserved role of the proteasome in morphogenesis as pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome induced filamentation of C. albicans and the related species Candida dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, and Candida parapsilosis. For C. albicans, genetic depletion of any of 29 subunits of the 19S or 20S particle induced filamentation. Filaments induced by inhibition of either the proteasome or Hsp90 have shared structural characteristics, such as aberrant nuclear content, and shared genetic dependencies, such as intact cAMP-PKA signaling. Consistent with a functional connection between these facets of protein homeostasis that modulate morphogenesis, we observed that proteasome inhibition results in an accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins that overwhelm Hsp90 function, relieving Hsp90-mediated repression of morphogenesis. Together, our findings provide a mechanism whereby interconnected facets of proteostasis regulate C. albicans morphogenesis.

IMPORTANCE Fungi cause life-threatening infections and pose a serious threat to human health as there are very few effective antifungal drugs. Candida albicans is a major human fungal pathogen and cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. A key trait that enables C. albicans virulence is its ability to transition between yeast and filamentous forms. Understanding the mechanisms regulating this virulence trait can facilitate the development of much-needed, novel therapeutic strategies. A key regulator of morphogenesis is the molecular chaperone Hsp90, which is crucial for proteostasis. Here, we expanded our understanding of how proteostasis regulates fungal morphogenesis and identified the proteasome as a repressor of filamentation in C. albicans and related species. Our work suggests that proteasome inhibition overwhelms Hsp90 function, thereby inducing morphogenesis. This work provides a foundation for understanding the role of the proteasome in fungal virulence and offers potential for targeting the proteasome to disarm fungal pathogens.

Background and objectives

The effects of active case finding (ACF) models that mobilise community networks for early identification and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) remain unknown. We investigated and compared the effect of community-based ACF using a seed-and-recruit model with one-off roving ACF and passive case finding (PCF) on the time to treatment initiation and identification of bacteriologically confirmed TB.

ABSTRACTBackground:Female sex workers (FSWs) in Cameroon commonly have unmet need for contraception posing a high risk of unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy leads to a range of outcomes, and due to legal restrictions, FSWs often seek unsafe abortions. Aside from the high burden of HIV, little is known about the broader sexual and reproductive health of FSWs in Cameroon.Methods:From December 2015 to October 2016, we recruited FSWs aged ≥18 years through respondent-driven sampling across 5 Cameroonian cities. Cross-sectional data were collected through a behavioral questionnaire. Modified-robust Poisson regression was used to approximate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for TOP and current use of effective nonbarrier contraception.Results:Among 2,255 FSWs (median age 28 years), 57.6% reported history of unintended pregnancy and 40.0% reported prior TOP. In multivariable analysis, TOP history was associated with current nonbarrier contraceptive use (aPR=1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.07, 1.42); ever using emergency contraception (aPR=1.34, 95% CI=1.17, 1.55); >60 clients in the past month (aPR=1.29, 95% CI= 1.07, 1.54) compared to ≤30; inconsistent condom use with clients (aPR=1.17, 95% CI=1.00, 1.37); ever experiencing physical violence (aPR=1.24, 95% CI=1.09, 1.42); and older age. Most (76.5%) women used male condoms for contraception, but only 33.2% reported consistent condom use with all partners. Overall, 26.4% of women reported currently using a nonbarrier contraceptive method, and 6.2% reported using a long-acting method. Previous TOP (aPR=1.41, 95%CI=1.16, 1.72) and ever using emergency contraception (aPR=2.70, 95% CI=2.23, 3.26) were associated with higher nonbarrier contraceptive use. Recent receipt of HIV information (aPR=0.72, 95% CI=0.59, 0.89) and membership in an FSW community-based organization (aPR=0.73, 95% CI=0.57, 0.92) were associated with lower use nonbarrier contraceptive use.Conclusions:Experience of unintended pregnancies and TOP is common among FSWs in Cameroon. Given the low use of nonbarrier contraceptive methods and inconsistent condom use, FSWs are at risk of repeat unintended pregnancies. Improved integration of client-centered, voluntary family planning within community-led HIV services may better support the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of FSWs consistent with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

NeuroQuant is an FDA-approved software that performs automated MR imaging quantitative volumetric analysis. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of NeuroQuant analysis with visual MR imaging analysis by neuroradiologists with expertise in epilepsy in identifying hippocampal sclerosis.

Gia đình tôi mua mảnh đất của ông nội tôi để lại. Khi mua các cô chú tôi và gia đình tôi đã cam kết dùng miếng đất đấy để ở chứ không được bán và đã lập cam kết có xác nhận của chính quyền địa phương. Giờ tôi muốn bán mảnh đất đó thì có được bán không? Xin trân trọng cảm ơn!

Căn hộ chung cư là loại hình nhà ở nằm trong một dự án gồm nhiều căn hộ, quá trình mua bán, chất lượng bàn giao và việc hoàn thiện đều được thực hiện theo hợp đồng ký với chủ đầu tư. Để giúp người mua chung cư lần đầu không bỡ ngỡ, Batdongsan.com.vn tổng hợp những thông tin chính mà người mua cần tìm hiểu trước khi thực hiện giao dịch như sau:

Chi phí để thiết kế, xây dựng lên ngôi nhà mơ ước không hề nhỏ. Ngoài việc lựa chọn kiến trúc sư phù hợp và nhà thầu có năng lực thì việc giao tiếp với kiến trúc sư rất quan trọng, quyết định sự thành bại của dự án. Sự giao tiếp trôi chảy, thấu hiểu sẽ giúp hiện thực hóa những ước muốn, nhu cầu của gia chủ.

Những gam màu nhẹ nhàng, tươi mát có khuynh hướng "mở rộng" không gian. Ngược lại, những gam màu tối khiến không gian như thu hẹp lại. Tùy theo cách sắp xếp, sử dụng màu sắc, kết cấu bề mặt mà một căn phòng có thể trông cao hơn, dài hơn, rộng hơn hay nhỏ đi.

Đồ án Quy hoạch phân khu xây dựng tỷ lệ 1/2.000 Khu Công nghiệp - Đô thị Becamex A (Phân khu 7), Khu kinh tế Nhơn Hội với tổng diện tích lập quy hoạch là 1.425,4ha vừa được UBND tỉnh Bình Định phê duyệt.

Việc cấm phân lô bán nền chỉ nên áp dụng đối với một số quận, huyện, thị xã… Nếu không sẽ vô tình kìm hãm sự phát triển đô thị, nhu cầu ở thực của một số địa phương đang phát triển.

Rõ ràng, việc đi dây điện hay bố trí công tắc, ổ cắm điện trong nhà thường do những người có chuyên môn đảm nhiệm. Tuy nhiên, ở vị thế chủ nhà và cũng là người sử dụng, bạn nên nắm rõ một vài nguyên tắc cơ bản để có thể giám sát quá trình thực hiện nhằm đảm bảo an toàn, thẩm mỹ và tiện dụng trong quá trình sinh hoạt gia đình.

Mua bán, tặng cho đất là một trong những giao dịch phổ biến nhất của thị trường bất động sản. Tuy nhiên, vẫn có 4 trường hợp dù đủ điều kiện nhưng không được phép chuyển nhượng quyền sử dụng đất (sang tên sổ đỏ), cụ thể như sau:

Don't analyse them too closely, they didn't have HD in the 1970s.

A tiny meteorite found in Antarctica doesn’t match any asteroid or comet we know of. Instead, it must have come from a mystery parent body that’s full of water

The interstellar comet Borisov, which flew past Earth in December, is full of carbon monoxide ice that implies its home star is smaller and colder than our sun

Megyn Kelly's exclusive sit down with Tara Reade

Alex and Alice teach Chris a thing or two about tea, cricket, and lacrosse. The sport, not the city. Alice then defends herself from the...

Never has one man in inexpensive rumpled suits been so loved by the style set - but Sanders’ clothes signal an authenticity other politicians can only dream of

Of all the things we’ll miss about Bernie Sanders, now that he has dropped out of the Democratic race, his style should be the least of it. Not only because his politics are so right on – this is the man who believes in free education and Medicare for all and who has had many Americans, who until recently felt disenfranchised by mainstream politics, feeling activated by it. But also because his clothes are so seemingly unremarkable.

He wears crumpled suits that look borrowed from a slightly larger man and creased shirts with straight-lace striped ties. The inconspicuousness of his geography teacher shoes are matched only by his inoffensive navy round-neck jumpers.

There's been a spike in scam calls, emails and texts

A federal judge on Friday declined to dismiss the charges against "Full House" actress Lori Loughlin and other wealthy parents awaiting trial in the U.S. college admissions scandal after they accused investigators of fabricating evidence.

College sports will not resume until all students are back on campus, NCAA president Mark Emmert said Friday.

President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign launched a massive, multi-million dollar ad blitz against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Thursday, its biggest onslaught against Biden since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States.

The Simpsons officials have yet to respond to The Weeknd's public proposal.

The Trump campaign released a new ad in Spanish targeting Democrats for their response to the allegations Tara Reade made against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

After teasing it for seven months, President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign finally launched a new phone application to rally supporters on Thursday that has been re-imagined for the virtual political age.

Joe Biden's campaign has signed a joint fundraising agreement with the DNC that will help Democrats close the gap with President Donald Trump's massive war chest.

The unified anti-Trump effort has already spent millions on attacking the Trump administration's handling of the virus, or praising former Vice President Joe Biden on the issue.

President Trump new coronavirus TV ad hits critics like Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, argues America writing the 'the greatest comeback story'

Unite the Country, a super PAC supporting Joe Biden, and the Trump campaign both launched $10 million ad campaigns this week.

President Trump's reelection campaign trashed Facebook's new oversight board in a statement alleging anti-Trump bias by the social media platform.

Earlier this week, Facebook revealed the first 20 members of its new oversight board, which has responsibility for content enforcement and governance on its platforms. The board includes Pamela Karlan, ...

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 ...