A first report of Pseudosuccinea columella (Say, 1817), an alien intermediate host for liver fluke, in Malawi

Starting in October 2021, quarterly malacological surveys have been undertaken in Malawi, with the sampling of 12 specified freshwater habitats throughout a calendar year. Each survey monitors the presence of aquatic intermediate snail hosts of medical and veterinary importance. In March 2023, the alien lymnaeid species Pseudosuccinea columella was encountered for the first time in the surveys, in Nsanje District. This species identity was later confirmed upon DNA analysis of mitochondrial ribosomal 16S sequences. In July 2023, P. columella was also noted at single sites within Mangochi and Chikwawa Districts, and again in Nsanje District, with an additional location observed. Of particular importance, our sampled location in Mangochi District was directly connected to Lake Malawi, which expands the species list of invasive molluscs in this lake. While P. columella is a well-known intermediate snail host for human and animal fascioliasis, screening collected snails for trematode cercariae, alongside molecular xenomonitoring, did not yield equivocal evidence of active fluke infection. However, the newly recognized presence of this alien intermediate snail host within Lake Malawi, and along the Shire River Valley, flags a new concern in altered local transmission potential for human and animal fascioliasis.

An alien intermediate snail host in Malawi - Orientogalba viridis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1832) - A new concern for schistosomiasis transmission in Africa?

The freshwater amphibious snail Orientogalba viridis commonly occurs in eastern Asia, on certain Pacific islands and more importantly has recently dispersed into Europe. Since this snail is now considered an invasive species, its distribution is of growing parasitological interest as an alien intermediate host for various trematodes, particularly liver flukes. As part of ongoing surveillance for snail-borne diseases in Malawi, a population of O. viridis was first observed in May 2023, alongside an alarming presence of a human schistosome cercaria. This snail population later underwent detailed morphological characterisation with both snail and parasite identities confirmed upon DNA barcoding. This seminal observation triggered more extensive local snail surveys, finding 3 further populations in separated rice paddies, with further field-caught snails (n = 465) screened for infection and a selection used for repeated experimental challenges with miracidia from Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mattheei. Although no field-caught (and experimentally exposed) snail was seen to shed schistosome cercariae, molecular xenomonitoring for schistosomiasis provided tangible evidence of putative transmission potential. Our first report of O. viridis here in Malawi, and more broadly in Africa, flags a need for increased vigilance for this invasive species alongside local clarification(s) of its transmission potential for trematodiases of either medical and/or veterinary importance.

Antisense expression of a cell wall-associated protein kinase, WAK4, inhibits cell elongation and alters morphology

The Arabidopsis cell wall-associated receptor-like kinase (WAK) gene family contains five highly related members whose products are suited for exchanging signals between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. WAK members are expressed in specific organs and regulated differentially by various biotic and abiotic factors. To gain further insight into how WAKs function during development, we used a glucocorticoid-inducible system to express ectopically the WAK4 antisense gene. The induced expression of the WAK4 antisense gene resulted in a significant decrease of WAK proteins. Ninety-six hours after the induction of WAK4 antisense expression, WAK proteins became undetectable. Cell elongation was impaired, and lateral root development was blocked. The level of WAK protein could be controlled by the concentration of the applied inducer, dexamethasone, and was correlated with the severity of the cell elongation inhibition phenotype. These results suggest that the WAKs serve a vital role in cell elongation and are required for plant development.

Antisense expression of a cell wall-associated protein kinase, WAK4, inhibits cell elongation and alters morphology

The Arabidopsis cell wall-associated receptor-like kinase (WAK) gene family contains five highly related members whose products are suited for exchanging signals between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. WAK members are expressed in specific organs and regulated differentially by various biotic and abiotic factors. To gain further insight into how WAKs function during development, we used a glucocorticoid-inducible system to express ectopically the WAK4 antisense gene. The induced expression of the WAK4 antisense gene resulted in a significant decrease of WAK proteins. Ninety-six hours after the induction of WAK4 antisense expression, WAK proteins became undetectable. Cell elongation was impaired, and lateral root development was blocked. The level of WAK protein could be controlled by the concentration of the applied inducer, dexamethasone, and was correlated with the severity of the cell elongation inhibition phenotype. These results suggest that the WAKs serve a vital role in cell elongation and are required for plant development.

Antisense expression of a cell wall-associated protein kinase, WAK4, inhibits cell elongation and alters morphology

The Arabidopsis cell wall-associated receptor-like kinase (WAK) gene family contains five highly related members whose products are suited for exchanging signals between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. WAK members are expressed in specific organs and regulated differentially by various biotic and abiotic factors. To gain further insight into how WAKs function during development, we used a glucocorticoid-inducible system to express ectopically the WAK4 antisense gene. The induced expression of the WAK4 antisense gene resulted in a significant decrease of WAK proteins. Ninety-six hours after the induction of WAK4 antisense expression, WAK proteins became undetectable. Cell elongation was impaired, and lateral root development was blocked. The level of WAK protein could be controlled by the concentration of the applied inducer, dexamethasone, and was correlated with the severity of the cell elongation inhibition phenotype. These results suggest that the WAKs serve a vital role in cell elongation and are required for plant development.

The effects of oral contraceptives on respiration

The effect synthetic progestins found in current oral contraceptives may exert on respiratory function has not been thoroughly investigated. This study monitored potential changes in respiratory parameters 3 and 6 months subsequent to beginning administration. Static and timed spirometric maneuvers showed significant increases in only tidal volume (P = 0.01). Ventilatory response to treadmill exercise monitored the oxygen uptake, CO2 elimination (VCO2), minute ventilation (VE), and respiratory exchange ratio at each of four workloads. An analysis of the covariance (ANCOVA) for the slopes revealed no significant variation between test periods. The ANCOVA for the means showed increases in VE and VCO2. These results suggest a stimulatory role for synthetic progestins, although ventilatory performance in response to moderate exercise does not appear compromised.