Article
Environmental Sciences
Marina Bellot, Cristian Gomez-Canela, Carlos Barata
Summary: Animal behavioural responses are increasingly used in environmental risk assessment, but the lack of standardization remains a challenge. This study aimed to test the use of a horizontal multi-well plate maze set up to assess phototactic fish induced responses in D. magna. The results suggest that this method could provide a simple and efficient way to evaluate phototactic behavior in D. magna and potentially other species.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lore Bulteel, Shira Houwenhuyse, Steven A. J. Declerck, Ellen Decaestecker
Summary: The gut microbiome does not play a role in Daphnia tolerance upon parasite re-exposure, but affects parasite-specific responses. The host genotype influences parasite-induced host mortality and also structures the gut microbial community.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sergi Magester, Aina Barcelona, Jordi Colomer, Teresa Serra
Summary: The study reveals that microplastics have sublethal effects on Daphnia, including decreased swimming velocity, body growth, and survival rates. Even in cases with only microplastics present, Daphnia exhibited the most serious stress.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiaki Kambayashi, Ryosuke Kakehashi, Yusuke Sato, Hideaki Mizuno, Hideyuki Tanabe, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Sven Kunzel, Nobuaki Furuno, Kazuhiko Ohshima, Yoshinori Kumazawa, Zoltan T. Nagy, Akira Mori, Allen Allison, Stephen C. Donnellan, Hidetoshi Ota, Masaki Hoso, Tetsuya Yanagida, Hiroshi Sato, Miguel Vences, Atsushi Kurabayashi
Summary: This study discovered a unique pattern of horizontal gene transfer in vertebrates, with genes being transferred from predators to their prey. The research also found that horizontal gene transfer of BovB is highly prevalent in Madagascar, potentially facilitated by parasite vectors. Additionally, the study found that horizontal gene transfer occurred in frog lineages after migration from Africa to Madagascar.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Amparo Picard-Sanchez, M. Carla Piazzon, Itziar Estensoro, Raquel Del Pozo, Nahla Hossameldin Ahmed, Oswaldo Palenzuela, Ariadna Sitja-Bobadilla
Summary: Enterospora nucleophila is a microsporidian parasite that infects the intestine of gilthead sea bream, leading to emaciation. This study successfully established an experimental in vivo transmission model through different horizontal transmission routes, with milder clinical signs observed compared to natural infections. The parasite was detected in naive fish in all challenge routes, with infection levels decreasing over time except in the anal transmission route.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinyue Gu, Perran A. Ross, Alex Gill, Qiong Yang, Eloise Ansermin, Sonia Sharma, Safieh Soleimannejad, Kanav Sharma, Ashley Callahan, Courtney Brown, Paul A. Umina, Torsten N. Kristensen, Ary A. Hoffmann
Summary: Endosymbiotic bacteria can be spread through maternal transmission and modify the reproduction and fitness of their hosts. Researchers have successfully transferred the endosymbiont Rickettsiella viridis to the crop pest Myzus persicae, resulting in decreased fecundity, reduced heat tolerance, and modified body color in aphids. Despite fitness costs, Rickettsiella rapidly spread through the aphid populations via plant-mediated horizontal transmission. Temperature and plant-mediated transmission play important roles in the spread of endosymbionts in asexual insect populations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Karolina Bacela-Spychalska, Remi Wattier, Maria Teixeira, Richard Cordaux, Adrien Quiles, Michal Grabowski, Piotr Wroblewski, Mykola Ovcharenko, Daniel Grabner, Dieter Weber, Alexander M. Weigand, Thierry Rigaud, Adler R. Dillman
Summary: This study characterized Nosema spp. infections in different amphipod species from various European localities using the SSU marker and performed a phylogenetic reconstruction based on RPB1 gene sequences to assess the phylogenetic diversity, host specificity, and evolutionary history of gammarid-infecting Nosema lineages. The results showed that Nosema spp. are abundant, widespread, and diverse in European gammarids, and the use of RPB1 marker revealed more host-parasite relationships compared to the SSU marker.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelsey A. Coffman, Quinn M. Hankinson, Gaelen R. Burke
Summary: This article investigates the transmission strategies of beneficial symbiont viruses among insects, and discovers that both internal and external transmission routes in parasitoid wasps are highly effective for viral spread.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Li-Feng Du, Ming-Zhu Zhang, Ting-Ting Yuan, Xue-Bing Ni, Wei Wei, Xiao-Ming Cui, Ning Wang, Tao Xiong, Jie Zhang, Yu-Sheng Pan, Dai-Yun Zhu, Liang-Jing Li, Luo-Yuan Xia, Tian-Hong Wang, Ran Wei, Hong-Bo Liu, Yi Sun, Lin Zhao, Tommy Tsan-Yuk Lam, Wu-Chun Cao, Na Jia
Summary: This study demonstrates that the host skin microbiome may be a new factor determining the transmission of rickettsial pathogens through ticks. While pathogenic rickettsiae infect vertebrate hosts during blood-feeding by the tick, they may also manipulate the maturation of the tick through changing the functional potential of its microbiota over the tick's life stages. The findings here might spur the development of new-generation control methods for ticks and tick-borne pathogens.
Article
Ecology
Joana L. Santos, Dieter Ebert
Summary: The outcome of parasitic infections is influenced by environmental and host/parasite genetic factors, but geography also plays a role. This study found that high temperatures can affect host-parasite interactions, but the effects vary across different regions.
JOURNAL OF FRESHWATER ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Kenji Toyota, Tomomi Sato, Taisen Iguchi, Tsuyoshi Ohira
Summary: The freshwater zooplanktonDaphnia magna has been used in ecotoxicology studies for males offspring production. A reliable male- or female-producing system was established using Daphnia pulexWTN6 strain by changing the rearing photoperiod, revealing factors such as ionotropic glutamate receptors and protein kinase C. The study provided an experimental method for in vivo screening of both JH agonists and antagonists and suggested divergent male sex-determining processes betweenD. magnaandD. pulex.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Gabriel M. Favara, Vinicius H. Bello, Jorge A. M. Rezende
Summary: The study found that vertical and horizontal transmission of ToSRV by B. tabaci MEAM1 is unlikely. Therefore, sustainable management of tomato golden mosaic disease caused by ToSRV should continue to focus on using resistant varieties, managing sources of inoculum around tomato fields, and rational chemical control of the vector.
Article
Parasitology
Aleksandra Iwona Krawczyk, Sam Rottjers, Maria Joao Coimbra-Dores, Dieter Heylen, Manoj Fonville, Willem Takken, Karoline Faust, Hein Sprong
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between bacterial communities and horizontally transmitted human pathogens in Ixodes ricinus nymphs. The results revealed specific associations between microorganisms and the tick symbiont M. mitochondrii, as well as relationships between different pathogens. These findings contribute to a better understanding of tick-borne disease dynamics.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhao Ding, Lars J. Munkholm, Loraine ten Damme, Mathieu Lamande
Summary: Vehicle traffic-induced subsoil compaction has a negative impact on soil functions and ecosystems, leading to farmland degradation. Rubber tracks, with their lower ground pressure compared to tires, are recommended for reducing subsoil stress. Research shows that the vertical stress under rubber tracks is significantly lower than that under tires, while the reduction in horizontal stress is limited. Furthermore, the soil stress decreases as vehicle velocity increases.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rhiannon A. E. Logan, Shannon Quek, Joseph N. Muthoni, Anneliese von Eicken, Laura E. Brettell, Enyia R. Anderson, Marcus E. N. Villena, Shivanand Hegde, Grace T. Patterson, Eva Heinz, Grant L. Hughes, Edward Patterson
Summary: The study confirms the maternal transmission of Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) and also demonstrates the highly efficient paternal transmission. Horizontal transmission of CFAV was observed, aided by the evaluation of the pupal infection status before mating with an infected individual. This study provides valuable information on the transmission routes of CFAV and suggests the potential use of male or female mosquito releases to control pathogenic arboviruses.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Claudia Buntrock, Johanna Freund, Filip Smit, Heleen Riper, Dirk Lehr, Leif Boss, Matthias Berking, David Daniel Ebert
Summary: This study evaluated the economic benefits of guided and unguided internet-based interventions to reduce problematic alcohol consumption in employees, showing that guided interventions were both cost-beneficial and cost-effective from both societal and employer perspectives.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kay Van Damme, Luca Cornetti, Peter D. Fields, Dieter Ebert, Jason Bond
Summary: The author used phylogenomic approaches to reconstruct the deep-rooted relationships of branchiopod crustaceans. They analyzed a large multigene data set and examined gene tree versus species tree discordance. The study supports the monophyly of the Cladocera and reveals remarkable homoplasy in their body plans. The findings also suggest a Paleozoic origin for the cladoceran ancestor and an ancient rapid radiation at the Perm/Triassic boundary.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lena Violetta Kraemer, Claudia Mueller-Weinitschke, Tina Zeiss, Harald Baumeister, David Daniel Ebert, Juergen Bengel
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a theory-based online behavioural activation intervention for people with depression. A randomized controlled trial is conducted to recruit individuals aged 18 to 65 who meet the criteria for a major depressive episode. The primary outcome is depressive symptom severity, and secondary outcomes include behavioural activation, physical activity, and motivational and volitional outcomes. Data will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis with additional per-protocol analyses.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Pim Cuijpers, Marketa Ciharova, Soledad Quero, Clara Miguel, Ellen Driessen, Mathias Harrer, Marianna Purgato, David Ebert, Eirini Karyotaki
Summary: Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses can provide sufficient statistical power to identify predictors and moderators of psychological treatments for depression. The analysis showed that higher depression severity and older age were associated with better treatment outcomes, while gender, education level, and relationship status were not significant predictors or moderators.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Severin Hennemann, Katja Boehme, Maria Kleinstaeuber, Harald Baumeister, Ann-Marie Kuechler, David Daniel Ebert, Michael Witthoeft
Summary: This randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of a guided cognitive-behavioral internet intervention for somatic symptom distress in emerging adults at risk for somatic symptom disorder. The results showed that participants in the intervention group had significantly greater improvements in their symptoms compared to the waitlist control group. The intervention was well-received and satisfaction was high.
JOURNAL OF CONSULTING AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Nathalia R. M. de Albuquerque, Karen L. Haag, Peter D. Fields, Andrea Cabalzar, Frida Ben-Ami, Jean-Francois Pombert, Dieter Ebert
Summary: Speciation is a complex and continuous process that poses a challenge in defining species boundaries for organisms with little morphological differentiation. Genomic data can be useful in such cases, as demonstrated by the study on the gut parasite of the cladoceran Daphnia longispina. The researchers characterized its genome and proposed it as a new species within the genus Ordospora.
JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Esben Skov Jensen, Nicolai Ladegaard, Angelina Isabella Mellentin, David Daniel Ebert, Ingrid Titzler, Ricardo Araya, Arlinda Cerga Pashoja, Jean-Baptiste Haw, Jerome Holtzmann, Roman Cieslak, Ewelina Smoktunowicz, Rosa Banos, Rocio Herrero, Azucena Garcia-Palacios, Cristina Botella, Thomas Berger, Tobias Krieger, Trine Theresa Holmberg, Naira Topooco, Gerhard Andersson, Annemieke van Straten, Lise Kemmeren, Annet Kleiboer, Heleen Riper, Kim Mathiasen
Summary: Sleep disturbance symptoms may have a negative impact on long-term treatment outcomes in bCBT for MDD, but not for conventional treatment.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Severin Hennemann, Katja Boehme, Maria Kleinstauber, Christian Ruckes, Harald Baumeister, David Daniel Ebert, Ann-Marie Kuechler, Michael Witthoeft
Summary: Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy with regular guidance is not significantly superior to guidance-on-demand in alleviating somatic symptom distress and associated psychopathology in emerging adults.
Article
Ecology
Joana L. Santos, Dieter Ebert
Summary: The outcome of parasitic infections is influenced by environmental and host/parasite genetic factors, but geography also plays a role. This study found that high temperatures can affect host-parasite interactions, but the effects vary across different regions.
JOURNAL OF FRESHWATER ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Isaac Moshe, Yannik Terhorst, Sarah Paganini, Sandra Schlicker, Laura Pulkki-Raback, Harald Baumeister, Lasse B. Sander, David Daniel Ebert
Summary: This study identified predictors of dropout in a digital intervention for depression in patients with chronic back pain. Factors such as education level, age, and social support were associated with a higher risk of dropout. Combining baseline characteristics and intervention usage data improved the prediction of dropout early in treatment.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Patricia Nixon, David Daniel Ebert, Leif Boss, Peter Angerer, Nico Dragano, Dirk Lehr
Summary: This study found that web-based stress management interventions (SMIs) can effectively reduce stress levels and improve occupational self-efficacy in employees. Occupational self-efficacy played a mediating role, enabling employees to change adverse working conditions. However, person-focused interventions may not be sufficient, and organizational-focused interventions are also needed to comprehensively improve employees' mental health.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mingyu Luo, Shaopeng Wang, Serguei Saavedra, Dieter Ebert, Florian Altermatt
Summary: This study developed a spatially explicit metacommunity model to investigate species coexistence in fragmented heterogeneous landscapes. By parameterizing the model with Bayesian approach and analyzing a time-series dataset, the study revealed the interspecific variation in extinction and recolonization processes and their dependencies on habitat size and environmental temperature. This interspecific variation contributes to species coexistence by reducing fitness differences and increasing niche differences.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Pascal Angst, Dieter Ebert, Peter D. Fields
Summary: The determinants of genome-wide nucleotide diversity in a species include historical, environmental, and stochastic factors. In the parasite Ordospora colligata, the mode of transmission and interactions with the host surpass the effects of these factors in shaping genomic diversity. Through genomic analysis, we found overlapping phylogeography between O. colligata and its host, indicating a long-term relationship. The observed geographic distribution reflects adaptations to colder habitats and the co-phylogeography allowed calibration of the phylogeny and estimation of mutation rate.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Maridel Fredericksen, Peter S. Fields, Louis Du Pasquier, Virginie S. Ricci, Dieter Ebert
Summary: Identifying genes that confer resistance in a coevolving host-parasite system is important for understanding evolution. By comparing resistant and susceptible hosts, analyzing gene expression data, and performing genetic crosses, this study identifies eight candidate genes that may confer resistance to parasites. This research expands our understanding of resistance loci and provides candidates to be tested in future experiments.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vital Heim, Daniel Luescher, Juergen Hottinger, Dieter Ebert
Summary: Researchers proposed a drill attachment for the fast, accurate, and safe deployment of fin-mounted geolocators, successfully tested on several shark species, significantly reducing deployment time and enabling successful tagging even in challenging conditions.
ANIMAL BIOTELEMETRY
(2022)