• IDENTIFICATION OF AN ERG-BOUND ENDOTHELIAL CELL RESTRICTED ENHANCER FOR IL1Α AND IL1Β

  Romanoski, Casey; Kadimova, Evilina (The University of Arizona., 2022)

  The progression of atherosclerosis is characterized by plaque formation within the arterial walls that could manifest into coronary artery disease (CAD) leading to myocardial infarction or stroke. Our objective in this study is to identify regulatory elements in human aortic endothelial cells that are responsible for controlling the inflammatory environment. To do so we evaluated ERG’s binding landscape, an important transcription factor that suppresses inflammation, and among the topmost ERG-bound enhancer-like elements was a putative enhancer located between IL1α/β, genes. After deleting this candidate with CRISPR we found a reduction in the magnitude of the IL1α/β RNA upon TNFa treatment (p<0.05). We, therefore, concluded that this region functions as an enhancer for the transcription of the IL1-α and IL1-β genes. Deleting this genomic region also reduced leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells demonstrating the inflammatory functional consequence of the enhancer. Next, we evaluated ERG’s function at the IL1αβ enhancer by knocking down and overexpressing ERG with siRNA transfections and lentiviral transduction, respectively. Findings suggested that ERG’s inflammatory function in regulating IL1-α and IL1-β is in combination with the enhancer element and that greater transcriptional regulation of the genes comes from the enhancer versus ERG alone. Within this region, we also identified an ERG motif and NFkB motif as being the source of the majority of regulation surrounding enhancer activity. By identifying the role performed by this IL1αβ enhancer and its regulatory network, new advanced strategies can be formulated to better target CAD such as those with therapeutic and preventative measures.
• Successional Use of Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) Fruit by Coyote (Canis latrans) and Desert Fire Ants (Solenopsis xyloni)

  Pape, Robert B.; University of Arizona, Department of Entomology (Society of Southwestern Entomologists, 2025-06-12)

  The successional use of saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) fruit by the coyote (Canis latrans Say, 1823) and desert fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni McCook, 1879) removes large numbers of saguaro seeds from those produced each year, which probably results in a measurable reduction of the saguaro recruitment.
• Eco-Efficiency in Arizona Cotton: Successful, Safer IPM

  Ellsworth, Peter C; Fournier, Al; University of Arizona (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2025-07)

  This publication highlights Arizona cotton’s remarkable progress in integrating eco-efficiency into pest management. By quantifying productivity relative to environmental impact, eco-efficiency serves as a powerful tool to track and communicate improvements in both economic returns and ecological stewardship. Over the past 30 years, Arizona cotton growers have achieved up to 1,000-fold increases in eco-efficiency by adopting selective insecticides, biotechnology, and targeted IPM strategies. This resource introduces the concept, its calculation, and its relevance to stakeholders, offering a clear framework for understanding and promoting sustainable cotton production. Arizona cotton’s story—one of transformation through stewardship, selectivity, and sustainability—reminds us that we are all storytellers, and by sharing this journey of eco-efficiency and progress, we help preserve its legacy and inspire a more sustainable future.
• First Description of the Male Ageniella evansi

  Pape, Robert B.; University of Arizona, Department of Entomology (Society of Southwestern Entomologists, 2025-06-03)

  The Pompilidae is a large family of aculeate wasps with a global distribution and over 5,000 valid taxa. Pompilid wasps are ectoparasitoids of spiders, and a wide variety of spider families are used as food for the larvae of this family. The genus Ageniella Banks 1912 is strictly a New World group that currently consists of 112 recognized species, and 36 of them occur in the United States. Ageniella evansi Townes, 1957 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) was originally described by Townes in his monograph of the Nearctic wasps of the pompilid subfamilies Pepsinae and Ceropalinae (Townes 1957). The original description was based only on female specimens. The male A. evansi is described here for the first time. This description is an adjunct to an ongoing, long-term study of the populations of the species that nest deep within the caves at Colossal Cave Mountain Park at Vail, Arizona, USA.
• Avian Predation Impacts on a Deep Cave-Nesting Population of Ageniella evansi1 in Arizona, USA

  Pape, Robert B.; University of Arizona, Department of Entomology (Society of Southwestern Entomologists, 2025-04-03)

  The findings of an ongoing long-term study of deep cave-nesting populations of the spider wasp Ageniella evansi Townes, 1957 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) were recently published (Pape 2024). The populations of wasps nest deep within the limestone caves at Colossal Cave Mountain Park near Tucson, Arizona, USA. The cave nesting behavior of these populations is unique within the Pompilidae. These wasps are active from November through April, which is unusual among the Nearctic members of this family. This study focused on the primary population of these wasps, which occupy Arkenstone Cave. The effects of predation on the wasp population were reviewed in the original study, but recently, a Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps Cassin, 1852) was observed preying on one of the wasps. This confirmed a suspected association between these two species and is discussed in this study. The annual decrease of the wasp population in December and January each year now seems like it could be attributed to this predation. The total impacts of avian predation on the wasp population are detrimental, but they are considered unlikely to result in a significant diminution or extirpation of the wasp population.

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