bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Plasticity Drives IMiD and p300 Inhibitor Resistance in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Yun Seongseok , Cleveland John L.
Published: December 2023

In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Neri, Barwick, and colleagues and Welsh, Barwick, and colleagues performed RNA sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing, and genetic studies to characterize the underlying mechanisms of immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) resistance in multiple myeloma. They demonstrated that IMiD resistance is driven by sustained expression of MYC and IRF4 via transcriptional plasticity that involves induction of ETV4 and BATF proteins, the binding of these proteins to their super-enhancers, and the recruitment of BRD4 and p300. Finally, these studies suggest IMiD and p300 inhibitor combination as a promising therapeutic strategy in multiple myeloma.

See related article by Neri, Barwick, et al., p. 56 (9).

See related article by Welsh, Barwick, et al., p. 34 (10).
Supplementary Figure 7 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Supplementary Figure 7 shows that ATF5 knockdown decreases SK-N-DZ CTC survival
Supplementary Figure 6 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Supplementary Figure 6 shows a decrease in ATF5 after Dox addition under non-adherent suspension conditions.
Supplementary Figure 3 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Supplementary Figure 3 shows the decreased expression of ATF5 in + Dox tumors
Supplementary Figure 14 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Supplementary Figure 14 shows that CP-d/n-ATF5 induces anoikis of neuroblastoma cell lines
Supplementary Figure 13 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Supplementary Figure 13 shows that CP-d/n-ATF5 reduces the anchorage-independent viability of neuroblastoma cell lines
Supplementary Figure 11 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Supplementary Figure 11 shows that FOXO3 silencing rescues cell viability following ATF5 depletion
Supplementary Figure 10 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Supplementary Figure 10 shows that BMF binds to BCL-XL when ATF5 is depleted
FIGURE 5 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

BMF is required for ATF5 depletion–dependent anoikis induction and is upregulated by FOXO3 induction after ATF5 knockdown. A, BMF expression, by immunoblot, in suspension cells 72 hours after transfection with empty vector (EV) or BMF expression vector in BE(2)-C cells and SK-N-DZ cells. β-Actin was used as a loading control. Densitometric analysis was performed using ImageJ. B, Quantification of anoikis 72 hours after transfection with BMF expression vector or EV in BE(2)-C and SK-N-DZ cells. C, Knockdown of BMF in BE(2)-C and SK-N-DZ cells. Adherent cells were transiently transfected with siGFP (negative control), siBMF-1, or siBMF-2. Twenty-four hours later, cells were seeded in nonadherent poly-HEMA–coated plates. A total of 96 hours after transfection, lysates were immunoblotted. Untreated (UT). β-Actin was used as a loading control. Densitometric analysis was performed using ImageJ. D, BMF knockdown suppresses anoikis in detached neuroblastoma cells. Quantification of anoikis in detached BE(2)-C and SK-N-DZ, 96 hours after transfection with siGFP (negative control), siBMF-1, or siBMF-2. BMF knockdown inhibits induction of anoikis following ATF5 depletion. BE(2)-C (E) and SK-N-DZ (F), expressing shATF5-1 (left) or shATF5-2 (right), were transfected with siGFP (negative control), siBMF-1, or siBMF-2, and 24 hours later seeded in poly-HEMA–coated plates. Dox was added to deplete ATF5, and 72 hours later, anoikis was measured. −Dox (open bars), +Dox (closed bars). G, ATF5 knockdown in BE(2)-C and SK-N-DZ suspension cells elevates FOXO3 expression. Immunoblot analyses of ATF5 and FOXO3 in suspension cells expressing shATF5-1 or shATF5-2 at 72 hours ± Dox addition. β-Actin was used as a loading control. Densitometric analysis was performed using ImageJ. H, Immunoblot analyses show that FOXO3 knockdown with siRNA prevents BMF induction in response to ATF5 knockdown. BE(2)-C and SK-N-DZ cells, expressing shATF5-2, were transfected with siFOXO3-1 or siFOXO3-2 and 24 hours later were seeded in poly-HEMA–coated plates. Dox was added, and 72 hours later, cell lysates were immunoblotted. β-Actin was used as a loading control. Densitometric analysis was performed using ImageJ. I, Anoikis induction by ATF5 knockdown requires FOXO3. Percentage of BE(2)-C-shATF5-2 (left) and SK-N-DZ-shATF5-2 (right) cells undergoing anoikis at 72 hours, ± Dox addition and ± FOXO3 knockdown. −Dox (open bars), +Dox (closed bars). Cells were treated as described in H. Mean ± SD. **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001.
FIGURE 4 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

ATF5 depletion induces BMF in suspension culture. Immunoblot of BCL-2 family proteins in BE(2)-C cells (A) and SK-N-DZ cells (B) expressing Dox-inducible shATF5-1 or shATF5-2, in adherent and suspension cultures, respectively, 72 hours after treatment ± Dox. β-Actin was used as a loading control. Densitometric analysis was performed using ImageJ. C, RT-PCR analyses of ATF5 and BMF in detached BE(2)-C cells 72 hours after ±Dox addition. RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed, and PCR was performed. ACTB was used as an internal control. D, RT-PCR of ATF5 and BMF in circulating BE(2)-C-shATF5-1 cells isolated 12 hours after intracardiac injection ±Dox (2 mg/mL) in drinking water. ACTB was used as an internal control.
FIGURE 2 from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Overexpression of ATF5 promotes anoikis resistance in vitro and in vivo. A and B, ATF5 overexpression, by immunoblot, in suspension culture of BE(2)-C and SH-SY5Y cells, 72 hours after transient transfection with pCCL-GFP or pCCL-ATF5. ACTB was used as a loading control. Densitometric analysis was performed using ImageJ. C and D, BE(2)-C and SH-SY5Y suspension cell viability and anoikis at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after transfection, respectively. At each timepoint, the comparison is between cells overexpressing ATF5 and control cells expressing GFP (100%). Mean ± SD. E, Quantification of mouse whole-body bioluminescence flux (photons/second) 12 hours after intracardiac injection of BE(2)-C cells overexpressing ATF5 (n = 8) or GFP (n = 7). F, Images showing increased bioluminescence of animals described in E indicate tumor cell survival 12 hours after intracardiac injection. G, Quantification of bioluminescence of blood collected 12 hours after intracardiac injection as in E. H, Quantification of apoptosis of BE(2)-C CTC isolated at 12 hours, GFP (n = 7); ATF5 (n = 7). *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001.
Data from Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance
Authors: Banerjee Debarshi , Boboila Shuobo , Okochi Shunpei , Angelastro James M. , Kadenhe-Chiweshe Angela V. , Lopez Gonzalo , Califano Andrea , Connolly Eileen P. , Greene Lloyd A. , Yamashiro Darrell J.
Published: December 2023

Abstract
MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma often presents as a highly aggressive metastatic disease with a poor prognosis. Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) is implicated in neural cell differentiation and cancer cell survival. Here, we show that ATF5 is highly expressed in patients with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, with increased expression correlating with a poorer prognosis. We demonstrated that ATF5 promotes the metastasis of neuroblastoma cell lines in vivo. Functionally, ATF5 depletion significantly reduced xenograft tumor growth and metastasis of neuroblastoma cells to the bone marrow and liver. Mechanistically, ATF5 endows tumor cells with resistance to anoikis, thereby increasing their survival in systemic circulation and facilitating metastasis. We identified the proapoptotic BCL-2 modifying factor (BMF) as a critical player in ATF5-regulated neuroblastoma anoikis. ATF5 suppresses BMF under suspension conditions at the transcriptional level, promoting anoikis resistance, whereas BMF knockdown significantly prevents ATF5 depletion–induced anoikis. Therapeutically, we showed that a cell-penetrating dominant-negative ATF5 peptide, CP-d/n-ATF5, inhibits neuroblastoma metastasis to the bone marrow and liver by inducing anoikis sensitivity in circulating tumor cells. Our study identified ATF5 as a metastasis promoter and CP-d/n-ATF5 as a potential antimetastatic therapeutic agent for neuroblastoma.
Significance:
This study shows that resistance to anoikis in neuroblastoma is mediated by ATF5 and offers a rationale for targeting ATF5 to treat metastatic neuroblastoma.
The T-Cell Growth Factor Interleukin-2, Which Is Occasionally Targeted by Autoantibodies, Qualifies as Drug for the Treatment of Allergy, Autoimmunity, and Cancer: Collegium Internationale Allergologicum (CIA) Update 2024
Authors: Sehgal Al Nasar Ahmed , Tauber Peter A. , Stieger Robert B. , Kratzer Bernhard , Pickl Winfried F.
Published: December 2023

Interleukin(IL)-2 was originally characterized as an important T-cellular growth factor but later on, turned out to be a pivotal homeostatic factor for the establishment and maintenance of both natural(n)Treg and peripheral(p)Treg. In this review, it was aimed to connect the peculiar structural and functional aspects of IL-2 to the innovative advancements in tailoring its multifaceted functional behavior for targeting various IL-2 receptor types. The article includes detailed descriptions of modified versions of IL-2, obtained by either mutating or fusing IL-2 to heterologous molecules or by forming IL-2/(monoclonal) antibody complexes (IL-2C), and discusses their functional implications for addressing such heterologous pathological conditions in cancer, autoimmunity, and allergy. Additionally, this review sheds light on the underexplored contribution of autoantibodies to the endogenous regulation of IL-2 within the realms of both health and disease. The ongoing efforts to fine-tune IL-2 responses through antibody-dependent targeting or molecular engineering offer considerable translational potential for the future utility of this important cytokine.
Real-World Characteristics of Patients with Severe Asthma prior to Starting Dupilumab: The ProVENT Study
Authors: Korn Stephanie , Schmidt Olaf , Timmermann Hartmut , Watz Henrik , Gappa Monika , Radwan Amr , De Prado Gómez Lucia , Atenhan Anne , Barbus Sebastian , Thakur Mayank , Lommatzsch Marek
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Dupilumab is approved for the treatment of severe type 2 (T2) asthma; however, the characteristics of patients receiving dupilumab in routine clinical practice are incompletely understood. This study describes the characteristics of patients with severe asthma before dupilumab treatment in a real-world setting. Methods: This interim analysis of an ongoing real-life study of dupilumab assessed baseline characteristics of the first patient cohort enrolled in the ProVENT study. Results: A total of 99 patients (59% females) were analyzed (17% received another biologic before dupilumab treatment and 15% were on maintenance oral corticosteroid treatment). Adult-onset asthma (>18 years) and an allergic phenotype were documented in 58% and 48% of patients, respectively. Median (interquartile range) age was 54 (40–61) years; the median number of exacerbations in the last 24 months was 1 (0–3); median fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) value was 38 (23–64) ppb; and median blood eosinophils (bEOS) count was 184 (8–505) cells/µL. According to the United Kingdom Severe Asthma Registry classification, 53% of patients had T2 intermediate asthma (bEOS ≥150 cells/µL or FeNO ≥25 ppb), 17% had T2 high asthma (bEOS ≥150 cells/µL and FeNO ≥25 ppb), and 4% had T2 low asthma (bEOS <150 cells/µL and FeNO <25 ppb). At least one GINA criterion for T2 airway inflammation was documented in 70% of patients. T2 comorbidities were observed in 64% of patients. Conclusions: This analysis suggests that patients eligible for dupilumab treatment display various clinical and biochemical characteristics rather than one clear-cut phenotype.
Abstract 14923: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells Attenuate Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Huang Wei-Chun , Wang Mei-Tzu , LIN Kun-Chang
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
Although transplantation of adult endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) holds promise in the treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the low number and weakened functions of human primary EPCs are serious problems for autologous transplantation for patients and limited their therapeutic efficiency.

Hypothesis:
Te aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency of induced pluripotent stem cell derived EPCs on attenuating PAH.

Methods:
This study differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells from healthy people into vascular endothelial precursor cells (iPSC-EPC), whose specific protein expressed CD133 accounted for 95.4% and KDR accounted for 75.7%, and further confirmed that iPSC-EPC have the ability to differentiate vascular endothelial cells (iPSC-EC) with similar EC cobblestone morphology, acetylated LDL uptake, and UEA-1 lectin binding. IPSC-EC-specific protein expression CD144 accounts for 99.0% and CD31 accounts for 75.1%.

Results:
This study explored the efficacy of healthy iPSC-EPC in the treatment of PAH in an animal model. Both prophylactic and therapeutic treatments of iPSC-EPC were effective in rescuing monocrotaline (MCT)-induced right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary artery wall thickening in PAH. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) derived from MCT-treated rats (MCT-PASMC) developed more proliferative and pro-migratory phenotypes, which were attenuated by the iPSC-EPC derived culture medium (EPC-CM) treatment. Moreover, the proliferation and migration of MCT-PASMC were reduced by EPC-CM with suppression of PCNA, cyclin D1, MMP-1, and MMP-9.

This study also found that iPSC-EPC treatment reduced MCT-PASMC senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in MCT-treated rats.

Conclusions:
This study found that ctrl iPSC-EPC restored miRNA levels in the lung tissue of MCT-treated rats. IPSC-EPC is effective at preventing and reversing pulmonary hypertension by regulating the expression of miRNAs, and reducing pulmonary vascular remodelling.
Dynamics of Endothelial Cell Generation and Turnover in Arteries During Homeostasis and Diseases
Authors: Li Yi , Liu Zixin , Han Ximeng , Liang Feng , Zhang Qianyu , Huang Xiuzhen , Shi Xin , Huo Huanhuan , Han Maoying , Liu Xiuxiu , Zhu Huan , He Lingjuan , Shen Linghong , Hu Xinyang , Wang Jian’an , Wang Qing-Dong , Smart Nicola , Zhou Bin , He Ben
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND:

Endothelial cell (EC) generation and turnover by self-proliferation contributes to vascular repair and regeneration. The ability to accurately measure the dynamics of EC generation would advance our understanding of cellular mechanisms of vascular homeostasis and diseases. However, it is currently challenging to evaluate the dynamics of EC generation in large vessels such as arteries because of their infrequent proliferation.

METHODS:

By using dual recombination systems based on Cre-loxP and Dre-rox, we developed a genetic system for temporally seamless recording of EC proliferation in vivo. We combined genetic recording of EC proliferation with single-cell RNA sequencing and gene knockout to uncover cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying EC generation in arteries during homeostasis and disease.

RESULTS:

Genetic proliferation tracing reveals that ≈3% of aortic ECs undergo proliferation per month in adult mice during homeostasis. The orientation of aortic EC division is generally parallel to blood flow in the aorta, which is regulated by the mechanosensing protein Piezo1. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis reveals 4 heterogeneous aortic EC subpopulations with distinct proliferative activity. EC cluster 1 exhibits transit-amplifying cell features with preferential proliferative capacity and enriched expression of stem cell markers such as Sca1 and Sox18. EC proliferation increases in hypertension but decreases in type 2 diabetes, coinciding with changes in the extent of EC cluster 1 proliferation. Combined gene knockout and proliferation tracing reveals that Hippo/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 signaling pathways regulate EC proliferation in large vessels.

CONCLUSIONS:

Genetic proliferation tracing quantitatively delineates the dynamics of EC generation and turnover, as well as EC division orientation, in large vessels during homeostasis and disease. An EC subpopulation in the aorta exhibits more robust cell proliferation during homeostasis and type 2 diabetes, identifying it as a potential therapeutic target for vascular repair and regeneration.
Impact of Sodium‐Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor on Recurrence After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Diabetes: A Propensity‐Score Matching Study and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhao Zixu , Jiang Chao , He Liu , Zheng Shiyue , Wang Yufeng , Gao Mingyang , Lai Yiwei , Zhang Jingrui , Li Mingxiao , Dai Wenli , Zuo Song , Guo Xueyuan , Li Songnan , Jiang Chenxi , Liu Nian , Tang Ribo , Long Deyong , Du Xin , Sang Caihua , Dong Jianzeng , Ma Changsheng
Published: December 2023

Background

The association between sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation among patients with diabetes and AF remains unclear.

Methods and Results

Patients with AF undergoing initial catheter ablation with a history of diabetes from the China AF registry were included. Patients using SGLT2i were identified and matched by propensity score with non‐SGLT2i patients in a 1:3 ratio. The main outcome was AF recurrence during the 18‐month follow‐up. A total of 138 patients with diabetes with SGLT2i therapy and 387 without SGLT2i were analyzed. AF recurrence occurred in 37 patients (26.8%) in the SGLT2i group and 152 patients (39.3%) in the non‐SGLT2i group during a total of 593.3 person‐years follow‐up. The SGLT2i group was associated with lower AF recurrence compared with the non‐SGLT2i group (hazard ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.44–0.90],
P
=0.007). A total of 4 studies were analyzed in our meta‐analysis demonstrating that SGLT2i was associated with lower AF recurrence after catheter ablation (odds ratio, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.54–0.69];
P
<0.001,
I
2
=0.0%).

Conclusions

Our prospective study coupled with a meta‐analysis demonstrated a lower risk of AF recurrence with the use of SGLT2i among patients with diabetes after AF ablation.
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Across the Health Care Pathway: A National, Multicenter, Patient‐Informed Investigation
Authors: Bouchard Karen , Lalande Kathleen , Coutinho Thais , Mulvagh Sharon , Pacheco Christine , Liu Shuangbo , Saw Jacqueline , So Derek , Reed Jennifer L. , Chiarelli Alexandra , Stragapede Elisa , Robert Helen , Lappa Nadia , Sun Louise , Wells George , Tulloch Heather
Published: December 2023

Background

Clinical practice guidelines for the management and convalescence of patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) have yet to be developed. The targeted content, delivery, and outcomes of interventions that benefit this population remain unclear. Patient‐informed data are required to substantiate observational research and provide evidence to inform and standardize clinical activities.

Methods and Results

Patients diagnosed with SCAD (N=89; 86.5% women; mean age, 53.2 years) were purposively selected from 5 large tertiary care hospitals. Patients completed sociodemographic and medical questionnaires and participated in an interview using a patient‐piloted semistructured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to framework analysis using inductive and then deductive coding techniques. Approximately 1500 standard transcribed pages of interview data were collected. Emotional distress was the most commonly cited precipitating factor (56%), with an emphasis on anxiety symptoms. The awareness and detection of SCAD as a cardiac event was low among patients (35%) and perceived to be moderate among health care providers (55%). Health care providers' communication of the prognosis and self‐management of SCAD were perceived to be poor (79%). Postevent psychological disorders among patients were evident (30%), and 73% feared recurrence. Short‐ and longer‐term follow‐up that was tailored to patients' needs was desired (72%). Secondary prevention programming was recommended, but there were low completion rates of conventional cardiac rehabilitation (48%), and current programming was deemed inadequate.

Conclusions

This early‐stage, pretrial research has important implications for the acute and long‐term management of patients with SCAD. Additional work is required to validate the hypotheses generated from this patient‐oriented research.
Tantra Ducks and Zen Bunnies
Authors: Licha Stephan Kigensan
Published: December 2023

This paper reconsiders the relationship between esoteric or tantric Buddhism and Zen in premodern Japan. Taking the teachings of Enni 圓爾 (1202–1280) and early modern Sōtō lore as its examples, as well as an adapted version of Wittgenstein’s concept of “seeing-as” as its methodological guideline, the paper argues that the categories of “esoteric Buddhism” and “Zen” themselves should be treated as discursively constructed. From this point of view, the scholarly desideratum is to undertake the genealogical elucidation of the process of their construction. The paper concludes that “esoteric Zen” should be considered a family of strategic, discursive practices predicated on acts of “seeing-as” and their subsequent sedimentation through repetition.
A new generic name for a burrowing mytilid (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mytilidae)
Authors: WILSON BARRY R.
Published: December 2023

The large, sand-burrowing Indo-West Pacific mussel “Modiola “ vagina Lamarck has been placed in the mytilid genera Modiolus and Botula by different authors. Dissection of freshly collected live material has shown that it possesses long, extensible siphons with complex internal structure. In this respect it resembles the lithophagine genus Botula rather than Modiolus. It also resembles certain other siphonate sand-burrowing mussels that form byssal cocoons and which are variously classified at present in the Modiolinae or Crenellinae. However, the species has a set of shell and anatomical characters that distinguish it from both Modiolus and Botula, and from other siphonate mytilid genera, warranting the erection of a new genus to contain it. The affinities of the new genus, Arenifodiens, are discussed with the conclusion that assignment of it to one of the present mytilid subfamilies is not advisable until a full review of the family has been completed.
Wunderpus photogenicusn. gen. and sp., a new octopus from the shallow waters of the Indo-Malayan Archipelago (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae)
Authors: HOCHBERG F. G. , NORMAN MARK D. , FINN JULIAN
Published: December 2023

Wunderpus photogenicus n. gen. and n. sp. is a spectacular long-armed species that occurs on soft sediment habitats in shallow waters (typically less than 20 m deep) in Indo-Malayan waters. It is characterized by small eyes on elongate stalks, a long, conical papilla over each eye and a dramatic and fixed color pattern of white bars and spots over a brown-red background. The distribution of the species is centered in the Indo-Malayan Archipelago and extends from Vanuatu to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Malaysia, north to the Philippines. Animals typically emerge at dusk and dawn to forage in the twilight, primarily catching small crustaceans and fishes by flaring the arms and webs over patches of sand or coral rubble to trap enclosed (and typically buried) prey. The species also extends its arms into holes to probe for potential prey. The distinctive color pattern of this species is most pronounced when the octopus is disturbed or threatened by real or perceived attackers. It appears to be a warning display and may represent one of two scenarios: either 1) it warns that the octopus is directly toxic or venomous by nature or; 2) it represents impersonations of toxic or venomous creatures with similar color patterns which cooccur in the same habitat. The new genus and species is compared with, and distinguished from, other long-armed octopuses.
Three new genera and five new species of Helicarionidae from southeastern Australia (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora: Helicarionoidea)
Authors: HYMAN ISABEL T.
Published: December 2023

Three new genera (Brevisentis, Sheaia, Levidens) and five new species (Peloparion iridis, Brevisentis atratus, Nitor wiangariensis, Sheaia glenrockensis, Levidens ponderi) of Australian Helicarionidae are described, based on morphological characters. The taxa can be distinguished primarily by features of the reproductive system, particularly the epiphallic retractor caecum and flagellum, the length of the vagina and the interior of the penis. Other important characters include the radular teeth, shell shape and body colouration. The phylogenetic relationships of these species are not clear, and further sampling and (where possible) DNA sequencing and analysis will be required to resolve their taxonomic positions.
The invasive Asian Green Mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bivalvia: Mytilidae), breeds in Trinity Inlet, tropical northern Australia
Authors: STAFFORD HEATH , WILLAN RICHARD C. , NEIL KERRY M.
Published: December 2023

In August (dry season) of 2001, the Asian Green Mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758), was found in high densities on the hull of a foreign vessel moored within Trinity Inlet, northern Queensland, Australia. Surveys conducted between late 2001 and July 2003 in response to this invasive marine pest detected mussels on other floating structures throughout the Inlet, indicating at least one spawning and successful recruitment event had taken place in the Inlet between 2001 and 2003. At the completion of surveys in July 2003, a total of 40 recruits with a range of 30.1 mm to 161.0 mm shell length (mean 95.0 mm shell length) had been recovered from the Inlet. At least four additional recruits from this Trinity Inlet population are known to have been translocated to Innisfail 90 km south of Cairns on the hull of a yacht during this period.
Radular morphology ofConus(Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Conidae) from India
Authors: FRANKLIN J. BENJAMIN , FERNANDO S. ANTONY , CHALKE B. A. , KRISHNAN K. S.
Published: December 2023

Radular morphologies of 22 species of the genus Conus from Indian coastal waters were analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Although the majority of species in the present study are vermivorous, all three feeding modes known to occur in the genus are represented. Specific radular-tooth structures consistently define feeding modes. Species showing similar feeding modes also show fine differences in radular structures. We propose that these structures will be of value in species identification in cases of ambiguity in other characteristics. Examination of eight discrete radular-tooth components has allowed us to classify the studied species of Conus into three groups. We see much greater inter-specific differences amongst vermivorous than amongst molluscivorous and piscivorous species. We have used these differences to provide a formula for species identification. The radular teeth of Conus araneosus, C. augur, C. bayani, C. biliosus, C. hyaena, C. lentiginosus, C. loroisii, and C. malacanus are illustrated for the first time. In a few cases our study has also enabled the correction of some erroneous descriptions in the literature.
The Recent Pectinoidea of the New Zealand region (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Propeamussiidae, Pectinidae and Spondylidae)
Authors: DIJKSTRA HENK H. , MARSHALL BRUCE A.
Published: December 2023

The Recent Pectinoidea of the New Zealand region are reviewed. Eight new species are described from the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone: Parvamussium cancellorum, Cyclochlamys austrina, Cc. delli, Cc. irregularis, Cc. munida, Cc. pileolus, Cyclopecten fluctuosus, and Catillopecten tasmani. Nine species are new records for New Zealand: Parvamussium retiolum Dijkstra, 1995, Pa. vesiculatum Dijkstra, 1995, Sinepecten segonzaci Schein, 2006, Ciclopecten fluctuatus (Bavay, 1905), Pseudamussium challengeri (E.A. Smith, 1891), Spondylus occidens G.B. Sowerby III, 1903, S. proneri Lamprell Healy, 2001, S. sparsispinosus Dall, Bartsch Rehder, 1938, and S. jamarci Okutani, 1983. Cyclochlamys bacata and Cc. wanganellica are described from Wanganella Bank, West Norfolk Ridge, and Cyclopecten textus from the Lord Howe Rise. We provide new distribution records for Catillopecten murrayi (E.A. Smith, 1885), Spondylus asperrimus G.B. Sowerby II, 1847 and S. proneri in the south-west Pacific. Cyclopecten aupouria Powell, 1937 and Cp. mestayerae Dell, 1956 are newly referred to genus Cyclochlamys Finlay, 1926; Pecten challengeri E.A. Smith, 1891 is referred to Pseudamussium Mörch, 1853. Bathypecten Schein-Fatton, 1985 is newly synonymised with Catillopecten Iredale, 1939; and Chlamys consociata E.A. Smith, 1915 is newly synonymised with Talochlamys dichroa (Suter, 1909). Brooding is recorded for the first time in Cyclochlamys, and is also the first record in Propeamussiidae. Pronounced sculptural change in response to settlement of sponge on the shell is recorded in Talochlamys dichroa and Zygochlamys delicatula.
A review of the ecology and conservation ofPlacostylus(Mollusca: Gastropoda:Bulimulidae) in New Caledonia
Authors: BRESCIA FABRICE M. , PÖLLABAUER CHRISTINE M. , POTTER MURRAY A. , ROBERTSON ALASTAIR W.
Published: December 2023

Land snails of the genus Placostylus Beck, 1837 are found only in the Western Pacific, from the Melanesian Plateau to New Zealand. While the ecology of the New Zealand Placostylus species is generally well known, having been studied for more than 20 years, and there is some published information on the one species of Placostylus from Lord Howe Island, there is very little published information on the six New Caledonian species. These New Caledonian taxa are all endangered, but their conservation is hampered by a lack of information about the life-history, biology and ecology especially relating to Placostylus bondeensis, P. eddystonensis, P. scarabus and P. caledonicus. The data that is available comes mostly from studies on the two remaining species - P. fibratus and P. porphyrostomus. Here we review what is known of the activity patterns, growth rates, life-histories, habitat use, nutrition, movement patterns and causes of population decline in these two species and collate the available information from the limited and mostly unpublished literature. The two species are threatened in different ways - Placostylus fibratus is favoured as food, and as a result, has been over-collected from the wild, while P. porphyrostomus is threatened by habitat modification and destruction, and by predation by introduced rodents. We make several recommendations for the conservation of New Caledonian Placostylus which ultimately may depend on the work we describe here on captive breeding and management. Translocations to predator-free sanctuaries coupled with augmentation of existing populations may be necessary to maintain populations of these species in the wild.
Morphological and chemical description of the stylets of the red octopus, Enteroctopus megalocyathus (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)
Authors: MÁRQUEZ FEDERICO , EDITH RÉ MARÍA
Published: December 2023

This paper provides the first morphological and chemical description of the stylets (vestigial shell) of Enteroctopus megalocyathus, a large, commercially and ecologically important benthic species that is fished along the southern coasts of Argentina and Chile. The stylets are thin, semi-transparent curved structures embedded in the muscular tissue of the dorso-lateral regions of the mantle, and placed inside an epithelial sac. Rostral and post-rostral parts and a bend could be distinguished. Differences in the curvature of the post-rostral parts allow the discrimination of left and right stylets. In recent years these structures have received attention because of their potential use as a tool for age determination, based on interior growth rings. The elemental composition inside stylets can also assist in reconstructing environmental histories, and in determining dispersal and population structure. The length of the different parts and the maximum diameter at the bend were measured and compared between sexes and between left and right stylets. Transverse cuts were used to describe histological structures, the nucleus and the white core that surrounds it, and growth increments. Constituent chemical elements were analysed with a scanning electron microscope equipped with an X-ray energy-scattering microanalyzer. No significant differences between sexes were detected in the relative length of the post-rostral and rostral parts of the stylets. These relative lengths could, however, be of taxonomic value at the generic level. Two types of concentric increments were observed; the embryonic nucleus of the stylets was amorphous and did not present growth increments. The distribution of chemical elements in the stylets is also described.
The phylogeny and taxonomy of New Zealand Notoacmea and Patelloida species (Mollusca: Patellogastropoda: Lottiidae) inferred from DNA sequences
Authors: NAKANO TOMOYUKI , MARSHALL BRUCE A. , KENNEDY MARTYN , SPENCER HAMISH G.
Published: December 2023

The systematics of Notoacmea Iredale, 1915 have been confused because of their highly variable shells. We used DNA sequences from a mitochondrial gene (COI) and a nuclear gene (ITS1) to define the species boundaries among New Zealand Notoacmea species, using the allied genus Patelloida Quoy Gaimard, 1834 as outgroup. Phylogenetic trees of 195 individuals showed 14 well-supported, reciprocally monophyletic clades, which we treat as species: N. badia Oliver, 1926, N. cellanoides Oliver, 1926, N. daedala (Suter, 1907), N. elongata (Quoy Gaimard, 1834), N. parviconoidea (Suter, 1907), N. pileopsis (Quoy Gaimard, 1834), N. scapha (Suter, 1907), N. scopulina Oliver, 1926, N. sturnus (Hombron Jacquinot, 1841), N. subantarctica Oliver, 1926, Patelloida cortica (Hutton, 1880) and three new Notoacmea species, N. potae, N. rapida, and N. turbatrix, which are described here. Of the above names, N. daedala and N. subantarctica are resurrected from synonymy. Notoacmea helmsi (E.A. Smith, 1894) and N. virescens Oliver, 1926 are interpreted as synonyms of N. elongata.
Colonization of Asian freshwaters by the Mytilidae (Bivalvia): a comparison of Sinomytilus harmandi from the Tonle-Sap River, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with Limnoperna fortunei
Authors: MORTON BRIAN , DINESEN GRETE E.
Published: December 2023

Sinomytilus harmandi occurs in the lakes and rivers of Indochina, notably in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and, again notably, the Mekong River and its myriad tributaries. Hitherto, this species and its four junior synonyms have been examined only superficially. Because of an interior shell septum, S. harmandi was originally assigned to the Dreissenidae (Bivalvia: Heterodonta), an anatomically distinct family naturally restricted to Europe and the Americas. In addition to S. harmandi, a secondspecies of mytilid mussel, Limnoperna fortunei, also occurs in Asian freshwater systems and both belong to the Mytilidae  (Pteriomorphia), as demonstrated in this study for S. harmandi and elsewhere for L. fortunei. Sinomytilus harmandi is likely endemic to the Mekong River where it is sympatric with L. fortunei, the latter species being widely distributed in Indochina, south of and including the Yangtse River in China. Limnoperna fortunei is a highly opportunistic species that has been introduced into many locations outside its mainland Chinese borders, for example, Japan, Taiwan and South America. We suggest the possibility that L. fortunei has also been introduced into tropical Indochina from China. Because L. fortunei has a Devonian (~345-395 mya) modioline ancestry and S. harmandi is derived from a Permo-Trias (~265–225 mya) ancient mytiline ancestor it appears that Asian freshwater systems have been colonized by representatives of the Mytilidae on two separate temporal occasions.
Densities of the endolithic bivalve Lithophaga lessepsiana (Vaillant, 1865) in Pocillopora damicornis, Solitary Islands Marine Park, northern NSW, Australia
Authors: SMITH STEPHEN D. A.
Published: December 2023

The Solitary Islands Marine Park is positioned in a transition zone between tropical and temperate regions and consequently supports a range of taxa with different biogeographic affinities. Driven by variable influence of the East Australian Current, there is increasing representation of tropical taxa along a cross-shelf gradient (inshore to offshore). Patterns in the population of the endolithic bivalve Lithophaga lessepsiana were examined by sampling host corals (Pocillopora damicornis) across the cross-shelf gradient and were more broadly contextualised by comparisons with samples from Heron Island. Contrary to predictions based on studies on low latitude reefs, where densities are higher close to shore, these increased with increasing distance from the coast. Densities were almost an order of magnitude higher at Heron Island than in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. These patterns indicate that factors other than nutrient load and temperature primarily determine L. lessepsiana densities over the scales of this study. These are likely to include larval supply, colony morphology and availability of larval settlement sites within individual coral colonies.
A new species of Latia Gray, 1850 (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Hygrophila: Chilinoidea: Latiidae) from Miocene Palaeo-lake Manuherikia, southern New Zealand, and biogeographic implications
Authors: MARSHALL BRUCE A.
Published: December 2023

A freshwater limpet, Latia manuherikia n. sp., is described from lacustrine beds of the Early–Middle Miocene lower Bannock-burn Formation (Manuherikia Group), near St Bathans, Central Otago, southern New Zealand. The new species is the first fos-sil record of Latia, as well as the first record of the genus from the South Island. Latia is closely related to South American genus Chilina Gray, 1828, and the two groups presumably have a vicariant Gondwanan origin.
Early ontogeny of the pipi, Donax (Plebidonax) deltoides (Donacidae; Bivalvia)
Authors: O'CONNOR WAYNE A. , O’CONNOR STEPHAN J.
Published: December 2023

Reduction in commercial catches of the pipi, Donax (Plebidonax) deltoides, has prompted interest in the potential for hatchery production of pipi juveniles as the basis for reseeding programs and assessments of culture potential. Adult pipis were collected from Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, in October/November 2008 and held in baskets in a recirculating holding sys-tem. Two consecutive batches of larvae were produced by stripping gametes from the gonads. Fertilised eggs averaged 75 μm in diameter. When incubated at 23oC, first and second polar bodies were evident after 45-50 min and 95-100 min, respectively, while first cleavage occurred within 155 min of fertilisation. Embryos reached trochophore stage within 24 h and developed to D-veliger stage (112 ± 0.5 μm antero-posterior measurement (APM)) within 48 h. The first pediveligers (318 μm, APM) were observed after 14 days and settled spat (320 μm APM) were present one day later (Day 15). This study confirmed that the pro-duction of pipi spat is possible, but highlighted the need for further research into spawning, fertilization and larval nursery techniques for this species.
Behaviour of Nassarius bicallosus (Caenogastropoda) on a northwestern Western Australian surf beach with a review of feeding in the Nassariidae
Authors: MORTON BRIAN
Published: December 2023

The intertidal nassariid Nassarius bicallosus lives on surf-exposed beaches across northern Australia including 80-Mile Beach near Broome in northwestern Western Australia. As the tide recedes, N. bicallosus emerges from the sand and feeds on a film of surface inorganic and organic particles, as confirmed by gut content analysis, but it may also be an opportunistic scavenger. Based on a review of feeding in nassariids, their widely reported habit of scavenging is probably and largely opportunistic in most taxa, although it appears to be obligatory in species of Bullia that are similarly occupants of surf beaches in South Africa.
Molecular analysis of adults and egg masses reveals two independent lineages within the infaunal gastropod Naticarius onca (Röding, 1798) (Caenogastropoda: Naticidae)
Authors: HUELSKEN THOMAS , WÄGELE HEIKE , PETERS BJÖRN , MATHER ANDREW , HOLLMANN MICHAEL
Published: December 2023

We analysed sympatrically occurring specimens from Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia identified on shell characters as Naticarius onca (Röding, 1798) and found them molecularly separated into two distinct clades. Additionally, we obtained sequences from nine morphologically similar, randomly collected naticid egg masses (‘sand collars’) from Lizard Island and two other Queensland localities. Eight out of the nine egg masses unambiguously grouped with one of the two N. onca clades. The two clades show no common haplotypes, resulting in a sequence divergence of 11.1% in the COI gene fragment, and 4.0% in the 16S gene fragment, while the intraspecific variability within the two taxa was 1.0–2.4% and 0.2–0.4% for COI and 16S, respectively. The adult shells of members of the two clades from Lizard Island are morphologically indistinguishable, showing overlapping intraspecific shell variability in colour pattern, shape, and protoconch morphology. Thus, N. onca contains at least two independent lineages that probably represent distinct species. One of the egg masses from Lizard Island, which is morpho-logically similar to N. onca, proved to be assigned to the rare N. concinnus, the first documented evidence of this species from the Great Barrier Reef. Our results illustrate the usefulness of egg masses in barcoding approaches and taxonomic assignments.
Effects of larval density and food rations on the larval development of an ecologically important bivalve (Mercenaria mercenaria)
Authors: PRZESLAWSKI RACHEL , PERINO LAURIE , PADILLA DIANNA K.
Published: December 2023

Knowledge of the abiotic and biotic factors that control the development of marine invertebrate larvae is essential for success-ful laboratory culture, as well as the understanding of the population dynamics of marine organisms. Food availability is a key regulator of larval fitness, and competition for food may arise if larval densities are high. Here we examine the combined effects of food concentration and larval density on the survivorship, growth, developmental rate and lipid stores of the ecologi-cally-important hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria. We hypothesize that the negative effects of food limitation would be exac-erbated at high densities due to an interaction between food quantity and larval density. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no interaction between these factors on survivorship or developmental rate; significantly reduced survivorship was only detected in the highest density treatment at the end of the experiment (Day 15) with no discernable effects of food availability. There were significant interactions between food and density on growth and lipid stores, but these effects were complex and unexpected, with increased growth and decreased lipid stores at moderate densities (500 larvae / L). Potential explanations for our unexpected results include sufficient food availability, adaptation to food availability, direct interference of larvae with each other, and differential survival of larvae with higher natural fitness at high densities. Our results highlight the complex effects of abiotic and biotic factors on larval development.
Lyrodus turnerae, a new teredinid from eastern Australia and the Coral Sea (Bivalvia: Teredinidae)
Authors: MACINTOSH HUGH
Published: December 2023

Lyrodus turnerae n. sp., a species of Teredinidae, is described from specimens in tropical Australia and Papua New Guinea. The new species is characterized by the morphology of the pallets, with a dark periostracal cap sharply descending into a thin calcium cup. New and existing collection records of L. turnerae are presented, indicating a distribution range from coastal Papua New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, extending along eastern Australia to New South Wales.