The bacterial communities of Drosophila suzukii collected from undamaged cherries.

Drosophila suzukii is an introduced pest insect that feeds on undamaged, attached fruit. This diet is distinct from the fallen, discomposing fruits utilized by most other species of Drosophila. Since the bacterial microbiota of Drosophila, and of many other animals, is affected by diet, we hypothesized that the bacteria associated with D. suzukii are distinct from that of other Drosophila. Using 16S rDNA PCR and Illumina sequencing, we characterized the bacterial communities of larval and adult D. suzukii collected from undamaged, attached cherries in California, USA. We find that the bacterial communities associated with these samples of D. suzukii contain a high frequency of Tatumella. Gluconobacter and Acetobacter, two taxa with known associations with Drosophila, were also found, although at lower frequency than Tatumella in four of the five samples examined. Sampling D. suzukii from different locations and/or while feeding on different fruits is needed to determine the generality of the results determined by these samples. Nevertheless this is, to our knowledge, the first study characterizing the bacterial communities of this ecologically unique and economically important species of Drosophila.

Draft Genome Sequence of Tatumella sp. Strain UCD-D_suzukii (Phylum Proteobacteria) Isolated from Drosophila suzukii Larvae.

Here we present the draft genome of Tatumella sp. strain UCD-D_suzukii, the first member of this genus to be sequenced. The genome contains 3,602,931 bp in 72 scaffolds. This strain was isolated from Drosophila suzukii larvae as part of a larger project to study the microbiota of D. suzukii.

Discovery of trypanosomatid parasites in globally distributed Drosophila species.

Microbial parasites of animals include bacteria, viruses, and various unicellular eukaryotes. Because of the difficulty in studying these microorganisms in both humans and disease vectors, laboratory models are commonly used for experimental analysis of host-parasite interactions. Drosophila is one such model that has made significant contributions to our knowledge of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Despite this, less is known about other potential parasites associated with natural Drosophila populations. Here, we surveyed sixteen Drosophila populations comprising thirteen species from four continents and Hawaii and found that they are associated with an extensive diversity of trypanosomatids (Euglenozoa, Kinetoplastea). Phylogenetic analysis finds that Drosophila-associated trypanosomatids are closely related to taxa that are responsible for various types of leishmaniases and more distantly related to the taxa responsible for human African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. We suggest that Drosophila may provide a powerful system for studying the interactions between trypanosomatids and their hosts.

E47 is required for V(D)J recombinase activity in common lymphoid progenitors.

Common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) are the first bone marrow precursors in which V(D)J recombinase activity is up-regulated. Here, we show that loss of the transcription factor E47 produces a reduced CLP population that lacks V(D)J recombinase activity and D-J(H) rearrangements in vivo. Apart from a profound arrest before the pro-B cell stage, other downstream lymphoid progeny of CLPs are still intact in these mice albeit at reduced numbers. In contrast to the inhibition of recombinase activity in early B lineage precursors in E47-deficient animals, loss of either E47 or its cis-acting target Erag (enhancer of rag transcription) has little effect on recombinase activity in thymic T lineage precursors. Taken together, this work defines a role for E47 in regulating lineage progression at the CLP stage in vivo and describes the first transcription factor required for lineage-specific recombinase activity.

A consultation with Canadian rural women with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Relatively little research has been carried out on the health and supportive care needs of rural women living with breast cancer. In this study, results from a Canadian focus group study are used to highlight issues of importance to rural women. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 276 rural women with breast cancer divided into 17 focus groups participated in the study conducted across Canada. A standardized protocol for discussion was employed. Issues of access to information, support and services were discussed, with women describing their experiences in trying to find appropriate programmes and services. MAIN RESULTS: The major theme identified through analysis of qualitative data was 'becoming aware of and/or gaining access to health care information, support and services.' Other major themes included: (1) dealing with isolation; (2) having to travel; (3) feeling the financial burden and (4) coping with changing work. CONCLUSIONS: Rural women with breast cancer have supportive care challenges related to their circumstances. A series of recommendations were generated through the consultation process which are contributing to the development of a national strategy focusing on the development and extension of programmes for rural women with breast cancer. Although the research on the project was not to specified standards, and suffered from less attention than community capacity building and advocacy, it proved to be of worth and revealed potential benefits from collaborations between researchers and community organizations.