Article
Biology
T. A. Barbasch, C. Behrens, M. McLain, E. Arredondo, A. M. Bell
Summary: In this study, using threespined sticklebacks as a model system, researchers investigated the proximate mechanisms of decision-making in the face of competing demands. They found that males prioritized territorial defence over courtship when confronted with a trade-off, and this decision was reflected in their brain gene expression profiles. The study also revealed a distinct set of genes and biological processes recruited in the brain during decision-making, with minimal overlap between brain regions.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Stefania P. R. Ventura, Conrado A. B. Galdino, Paulo Enrique C. Peixoto
Summary: In species with long-term territorial defense, rivals in neighboring territories learn to recognize each other and reduce aggressiveness to decrease the costs of territorial defense. This study investigates the influence of recognizing familiar neighbors on antipredator behaviors in the lizard Eurolophosaurus nanuzae.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xian Zhang, Lijun Xiao, Jiahui Liu, Qibai Tian, Jiaqi Xie
Summary: This study provides a global genome-wide analysis of the genetic diversity and evolution of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. The results demonstrate that gene flow, horizontal gene transfer, and phage-mediated transduction play important roles in shaping the genetic diversity and evolution of Microcystis. The study also suggests that gene gain and loss drive the divergent differentiation of Microcystis genomes, with a trade-off in gene content.
Editorial Material
Ecology
Paula Fernandez Begne
Summary: Despite females stickleback encountering parasites at a higher rate, the study found that both male and female fish suffered high costs of infection and immune response, leading to the absence of sexual conflict despite different parasite exposure rates.
Article
Zoology
Piotr Minias, Wei-Xuan V. -H. Peng, Kevin D. Matson
Summary: This study found a negative association between the levels of natural antibodies and the total MHC gene copy number in avian immune system. This suggests that in bird evolution, a more developed acquired immune system is accompanied by a downregulation of the innate immune system, resulting in an optimal allocation of immune resources.
FRONTIERS IN ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lei Wang, Xing Wang, Lin Chen, Nai-ping Song, Xin-guo Yang
Summary: The study revealed a significant correlation between soil moisture at 20-60 cm depth and species diversity indexes in a semi-arid steppe region of the Loess Plateau. When soil moisture was below 6-8%, a trade-off relationship was observed, while synergism was more common with soil moisture exceeding 6-8%. The research suggests a scale-independent threshold of 6-8% soil moisture driving the transition from trade-off to synergism in soil moisture-biodiversity relationship in the region.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hieu T. Pham, Mark A. Elgar, Emile van Lieshout, Kathryn B. McNamara
Summary: This study explores the effects of immune system activation on antennal morphology and pheromone attractiveness in the gumleaf skeletonizer moth. The results show that immune-challenged males have a lower density of antennal sensilla, while the pheromone of immune-challenged females is less attractive to males. Additionally, immune challenge affects female investment into ovary development and there is a trade-off between male antennal length and testes size.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Mark R. Sandfoss, Francois Brischoux, Harvey B. Lillywhite
Summary: Sublethal dehydration has positive effects on innate immune performance in reptiles, but further research is needed to determine whether it is an adaptive trait. This study sampled free-ranging cottonmouth snakes from two populations with contrasting water availability and found a positive correlation between innate immune response and plasma osmolality.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Management
Vijaya Venkataramani, Rellie Derfler-Rozin, Xin Liu, Jih-Yu Mao
Summary: Managers with lower social status are more likely to reject employees' novel but useful ideas due to feelings of insecurity and threat. However, when low-status managers have high levels of organizational identification, these negative effects are attenuated.
ORGANIZATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xinze Liu, Yilin Jiang, Suowei Wu, Jing Wang, Chaowei Fang, Shaowei Zhang, Rongrong Xie, Lina Zhao, Xueli An, Xiangyuan Wan
Summary: Anther cuticle and pollen exine are two crucial lipid layers in plants that are important for normal pollen development and successful fertilization. The molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of these lipid layers have been unclear. In this study, we identified a maize mutant called pksb, which had a denser anther cuticle, thinner pollen exine, and delayed tapetal degeneration compared to the wild type. We found that the causal gene of the pksb mutant (ZmPKSB) encoded a polyketide synthase (PKS) that plays a role in lipid biosynthesis. The ZmPKSB gene was specifically expressed in maize anthers and was regulated by a transcription factor called ZmMYB84. Loss of function of ZmMYB84 resulted in similar phenotypes as the pksb mutant. The ZmMYB84-ZmPKSB regulatory module controlled the formation of the anther cuticle and pollen exine by regulating the expression of genes related to sporopollenin, cutin, and wax biosynthesis and transport. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of lipid metabolism in plants.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yu Wang, Vanessa Kremer, Bruno Iannascoli, Odile Richard-Le Goff, David A. Mancardi, Leoni Ramke, Luc Chaisemartin, Pierre Bruhns, Friederike Jonsson
Summary: This study systematically assessed the binding specificities of IgG from different species to mouse and human Fcγ receptors. The results revealed specific binding patterns for each IgG subclass and identified potential issues with antibody-based immunoassays. This research provides a useful reference for the transition from animal models to preclinical mouse models or human cell-based bioassays.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Allison M. Young, Axel Brockmann, Fred C. Dyer
Summary: The study suggests that the foraging behavior of honey bee species is influenced by factors such as nest architecture and the magnitude of reward decrease, with environmental context potentially playing a role in modulating species differences in behavior. This highlights the complex interactions of life history and ecology in shaping behavior evolution.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Isis Machado Hueza, Vanius Vinicius Dipe, Andre Tadeu Gotardo, Dale R. Gardner, Elaine Renata Motta de Almeida, Silvana Lima Gorniak
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of L-mimosine on immune responses in Wistar rats. The rats were orally administered different doses of L-mimosine (25, 40, and 60 mg/kg body weight/day) for 28 days. The results showed that 60 mg/kg L-mimosine decreased the T-dependent response, while 40 or 60 mg/kg L-mimosine increased the intensity of S. aureus phagocytosis by macrophages.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yang Yang, Yanling Li, Meie Wang, Weiping Chen, Yating Dai
Summary: The study found that the application rate of limestone, soil pH, and amorphous manganese content interact with each other in suppressing cadmium uptake by rice plants, leading to different effects on cadmium uptake.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saad S. Al-Shehri
Summary: The innate immune system plays a crucial role in fighting pathogens, with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species serving as key components. However, high concentrations of these reactive species may damage microbial biomolecules. The system can generate more biocidal agents through interactions between its components, and deficiencies in these antimicrobial agents can lead to severe infections and immunocompromised diseases.
Article
Fisheries
Humberto Lanz-Mendoza, Jorge Contreras-Garduno
Summary: Invertebrates are not the only group with immune memory, showing the concept of immune priming and its characteristics. Different invertebrate groups exhibit immune memory within generations, utilizing effector mechanisms such as integrating viral elements into the genome and epigenetics. The existence of multiple mechanisms in different invertebrate groups depending on environmental conditions is also discussed.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Ronalds Krams, Dita Gudra, Sergejs Popovs, Jonathan Willow, Tatjana Krama, Maris Munkevics, Kaspars Megnis, Priit Joers, Davids Fridmanis, Jorge Contreras Garduno, Indrikis A. Krams
Summary: This study investigates the impact of agricultural landscapes and forest meadows on the gut microbial communities of buff-tailed bumblebees. The results suggest that habitat quality, exposure to environmental microbes, and nectar quality and accessibility significantly affect the gut bacterial composition in B. terrestris.
Article
Immunology
S. P. Carmona-Pena, J. C. Vazquez-Chagoyan, D. P. Castro, F. A. Genta, J. Contreras-Garduno
Summary: The study found that the insect vectors have immune memory against the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, but not the Dm28c strain. It also suggests that immune memory affects the survival and molting process of the insects.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tatjana Krama, Ronalds Krams, Maris Munkevics, Jonathan Willow, Sergejs Popovs, Didzis Elferts, Markus Rantala, Jorge Contreras-Garduno, Indrikis A. Krams
Summary: This study compared the reproductive success, elemental composition, and physiological stress of buff-tailed bumblebees in oilseed rape fields and old apple orchards. The results showed that bees in oilseed rape fields had higher reproductive output and lower C/N ratio, while bees in apple orchards had higher body nitrogen concentration.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Javier Borraz-Leon, Markus J. Rantala, Indrikis A. Krams, Ana Lilia Cerda-Molina, Jorge Contreras-Garduno
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii may manipulate the appearance and behavior of human hosts to increase its spread. Infected individuals may exhibit different traits in appearance and sexual behavior compared to non-infected individuals. This study lays the groundwork for further research on the manipulation of human hosts by sexually transmitted pathogens and parasites.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Marta Kowal, Piotr Sorokowski, Katarzyna Pisanski, Jaroslava V. Valentova, Marco A. C. Varella, David A. Frederick, Laith Al-Shawaf, Felipe E. Garcia, Isabella Giammusso, Biljana Gjoneska, Luca Kozma, Tobias Otterbring, Marietta Papadatou-Pastou, Gerit Pfuhl, Sabrina Stockli, Anna Studzinska, Ezgi Toplu-Demirtas, Anna K. Touloumakos, Bence E. Bakos, Carlota Batres, Solenne Bonneterre, Johanna Czamanski-Cohen, Jovi C. Dacanay, Eliane Deschrijver, Maryanne L. Fisher, Caterina Grano, Dmitry Grigoryev, Pavol Kacmar, Mikhail Kozlov, Efisio Manunta, Karlijn Massar, Joseph P. McFall, Moises Mebarak, Maria Rosa Miccoli, Taciano L. Milfont, Pavol Prokop, Toivo Aavik, Patricia Arriaga, Roberto Baiocco, Jiri Cenek, Hakan Cetinkaya, Izzet Duyar, Farida Guemaz, Tatsunori Ishii, Julia A. Kamburidis, Hareesol Khun-Inkeeree, Linda H. Lidborg, Hagar Manor, Ravit Nussinson, Mohd Sofian B. Omar-Fauzee, Farid Pazhoohi, Koen Ponnet, Anabela Caetano Santos, Oksana Senyk, Ognen Spasovski, Mona Vintila, Austin H. Wang, Gyesook Yoo, Oulmann Zerhouni, Rizwana Amin, Sibele Aquino, Merve Boga, Mahmoud Boussena, Ali R. Can, Seda Can, Rita Castro, Antonio Chirumbolo, Ogeday Coker, Clement Cornec, Seda Dural, Stephanie J. Eder, Nasim Ghahraman Moharrampour, Simone Grassini, Evgeniya Hristova, Gozde Ikizer, Nicolas Kervyn, Mehmet Koyuncu, Yoshihiko Kunisato, Samuel Lins, Tetyana Mandzyk, Silvia Mari, Alan D. A. Mattiassi, Aybegum Memisoglu-Sanli, Mara Morelli, Felipe C. Novaes, Miriam Parise, Irena Pavela Banai, Mariia Perun, Nejc Plohl, Fatima Zahra Sahli, Dusana Sakan, Sanja Smojver-Azic, Caglar Solak, Sinem Soylemez, Asako Toyama, Anna Wlodarczyk, Yuki Yamada, Beatriz Abad-Villaverde, Reza Afhami, Grace Akello, Nael H. Alami, Leyla Alma, Marios Argyrides, Derya Atamturk, Nana Burduli, Sayra Cardona, Joao Carneiro, Andrea Castaneda, Izabela Chalatkiewicz, William J. Chopik, Dimitri Chubinidze, Daniel Conroy-Beam, Jorge Contreras-Garduno, Diana Ribeiro da Silva, Yahya B. Don, Silvia Donato, Dmitrii Dubrov, Michaela Durackova, Sanjana Dutt, Samuel O. Ebimgbo, Ignacio Estevan, Edgardo Etchezahar, Peter Fedor, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Tomasz Frackowiak, Katarzyna Galasinska, Lukasz Gargula, Benjamin Gelbart, Talia Gomez Yepes, Brahim Hamdaoui, Ivana Hromatko, Salome N. Itibi, Luna Jaforte, Steve M. J. Janssen, Marija Jovic, Kevin S. Kertechian, Farah Khan, Aleksander Kobylarek, Maida Koso-Drljevic, Anna Krasnodebska, Valerija Krizanic, Miguel Landa-Blanco, Alvaro Mailhos, Tiago Marot, Tamara Martinac Dorcic, Martha Martinez-Banfi, Mat Rahimi Yusof, Marlon Mayorga-Lascano, Vita Mikuliciute, Katarina Misetic, Bojan Musil, Arooj Najmussaqib, Kavitha Nalla Muthu, Jean C. Natividade, Izuchukwu L. G. Ndukaihe, Ellen K. Nyhus, Elisabeth Oberzaucher, Salma S. Omar, Franciszek Ostaszewski, Ma Criselda T. Pacquing, Ariela F. Pagani, Ju Hee Park, Ekaterine Pirtskhalava, Ulf-Dietrich Reips, Marc Eric S. Reyes, Jan P. Roer, Aysegul Sahin, Adil Samekin, Ruta Sargautyte, Tatiana Semenovskikh, Henrik Siepelmeyer, Sangeeta Singh, Alicja Soltys, Agnieszka Sorokowska, Rodrigo Soto-Lopez, Liliya Sultanova, William Tamayo-Agudelo, Chee-Seng Tan, Gulmira T. Topanova, Merve Topcu Bulut, Bastien Tremoliere, Singha Tulyakul, Belguzar N. Turkan, Arkadiusz Urbanek, Tatiana Volkodav, Kathryn Walter, Mohd Faiz Mohd Yaakob, Marcos Zumarraga-Espinosa
Summary: In this large cross-cultural study, we found that people around the world make efforts to enhance their physical appearance. The results indicate that behaviors such as applying makeup, grooming hair, choosing clothing styles, maintaining body hygiene, and following specific diets or exercise routines for improving physical attractiveness are universal. The study also found that women, young individuals, those with a history of severe infectious diseases, and individuals who are currently dating are more likely to engage in beauty-enhancing behaviors.
EVOLUTION AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Rodrigo Aaron Burciaga, Gloria Ruiz-Guzman, Humberto Lanz-Mendoza, Indrikis Krams, Jorge Contreras-Garduno
Summary: This study demonstrates for the first time that honey bees have immune memory, which helps improve their survival rate and immune activity, and has potential applications in combating natural parasites.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francisco J. Balvino-Olvera, Jorge A. Lobo, Maria J. Aguilar-Aguilar, Gloria Ruiz-Guzman, Antonio Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Ilse Ruiz-Mercado, Adrian Ghilardi, Maria del Coro Arizmendi, Mauricio Quesada
Summary: The decline in honey bee population in Mexico is related to land-use changes, unfavorable climatic conditions, and socioeconomic factors.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Victor Jose Trejo-Melendez, Texca T. Mendez-Lopez, Jorge Contreras-Garduno
Summary: The virulence of parasites is unstable after jumping to a new host species, and it may gain virulence against a new host as a side effect of living in a non-host environment (coincidental evolution of virulence hypothesis). Experimental evolution of Rhabditis regina nematodes revealed that some nematodes gained virulence only against G. mellonella. Additionally, evidence of immunomodulation was found in which nematodes went unnoticed by the host immune response.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tania Amaro-Sanchez, Gloria Ruiz-Guzman, Salvador Hernandez-Martinez, Indrikis Krams, Markus J. Rantala, Jorge Contreras-Garduno
Summary: Hormones, particularly juvenile hormone (JH), have an impact on the immune response of insects, but the specific effects depend on factors such as sex, reproductive state, and type of immune challenge. In this study, Tenebrio molitor and JH analog methoprene were used to investigate these relationships. The results indicate that JH does not affect larval immune parameters such as proPO, PO activity, and hemocyte number, but it does impact the immune response, adult development, and sex. The influence of JH on the immune response is complex and influenced by various factors.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Miguel Hernandez-Villanueva, Sagrario Cordero-Molina, Constantino Macias Garcia, Jorge Contreras-Garduno
Summary: This study examined female choice and larvae production in response to attractive or less attractive males, and investigated the protein profile in female brains. Females preferred males with high levels of pheromones, which required the secretion of juvenile hormone (JH). Male attractiveness was enhanced using a JH analog, resulting in less female rejection, higher mating frequency, and increased offspring production. Out of the 1833 proteins detected in the brain, only 32 were differentially expressed in females mating with attractive versus less attractive males, and these proteins were involved in memory, metabolism, olfactory detection, reproduction, and movement.
Article
Entomology
Sagrario Cordero-Molina, Laura Mendoza, Yesenia Alvarado, Indrikis Krams, Jorge Contreras-Garduno
Summary: The study investigates the terminal investment strategy in Tenebrio molitor and its relationship with oxidative stress and the time lapse between courtship and mating. The results show that the dose of oxidative stress and the time interval between courtship and mating have an impact on the support for either the terminal investment or honest signalling. The findings suggest that organisms allocate resources to maximize current reproduction when their future reproductive opportunities are uncertain.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alba Marino, Eliette L. Reboud, Emmanuelle Chevalier, Marie-Ka Tilak, Jorge Contreras-Garduno, Benoit Nabholz, Fabien L. Condamine
Summary: Relict species are the remnants of formerly more diverse lineages, and understanding their evolutionary history and conservation status is important. This study sequenced the genome of an endangered species, Baronia brevicornis, and found a high level of heterozygosity but a sharp population decline in the past million years. The study also investigated genome size variation in Papilionidae and the role of transposable element activity in their evolution.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Venecia Quesada-Bejar, Jorge Contreras-Garduno, L. Karina Adame Calvillo, Eduardo Cuevas Garcia
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of maize and avocado on the physiology and morphology of honey bees. The results suggest that a diet with multiple types of pollen is more beneficial for the survival and health of honey bees.
NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)