scholarly journals Detection and phylogenetic analysis of adenoviruses occurring in a single anole species

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia R. Prado-Irwin ◽  
Martijn van de Schoot ◽  
Anthony J. Geneva
Keyword(s):  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Disease Dynamics ◽  
Cayman Islands ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Low Prevalence

Adenoviruses (AdVs) infect a wide range of hosts, and they have undergone recent and ancient host transfers multiple times. In reptiles, AdVs have been found in many captive individuals, and have been implicated in morbidity and mortality in several species. Yet the pathogenicity, transmission, phylogenetic distribution, and source of AdVs in the environment are still unknown. We therefore chose to opportunistically sample deceased captive Anolis sagrei individuals that were collected from different populations in the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands, as well as fecal samples from one island population, to explore the disease dynamics and diversity of adenovirus infecting A. sagrei populations. We found that adenovirus infection was present in our captive colony at low prevalence (26%), and was likely not the primary cause of observed morbidity and mortality. Among the 10 individuals (out of 38 sampled) which tested positive for adenovirus, we identified four adenovirus clades, several of which are distantly related, despite the close relationships of the A. sagrei host populations. These results suggest that while adenovirus may not be highly prevalent in the wild, it is present at low levels across much of the range of A. sagrei. It may undergo frequent host switching across both deep and shallow host divergences.

Backpacking with the Saints

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belden C. Lane
Keyword(s):  
American Southwest ◽  
Spiritual Practice ◽  
Spiritual Journey ◽  
Human Response ◽  
John Muir ◽  
Hildegard Of Bingen ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Thich Nhat Hanh ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
John Of The Cross

Carrying only basic camping equipment and a collection of the world's great spiritual writings, Belden C. Lane embarks on solitary spiritual treks through the Ozarks and across the American Southwest. For companions, he has only such teachers as Rumi, John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen, Dag Hammarskjöld, and Thomas Merton, and as he walks, he engages their writings with the natural wonders he encounters--Bell Mountain Wilderness with Søren Kierkegaard, Moonshine Hollow with Thich Nhat Hanh--demonstrating how being alone in the wild opens a rare view onto one's interior landscape, and how the saints' writings reveal the divine in nature. The discipline of backpacking, Lane shows, is a metaphor for a spiritual journey. Just as the wilderness offered revelations to the early Desert Christians, backpacking hones crucial spiritual skills: paying attention, traveling light, practicing silence, and exercising wonder. Lane engages the practice not only with a wide range of spiritual writings--Celtic, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sufi Muslim--but with the fascination of other lovers of the backcountry, from John Muir and Ed Abbey to Bill Plotkin and Cheryl Strayed. In this intimate and down-to-earth narrative, backpacking is shown to be a spiritual practice that allows the discovery of God amidst the beauty and unexpected terrors of nature. Adoration, Lane suggests, is the most appropriate human response to what we cannot explain, but have nonetheless learned to love. An enchanting narrative for Christians of all denominations, Backpacking with the Saints is an inspiring exploration of how solitude, simplicity, and mindfulness are illuminated and encouraged by the discipline of backcountry wandering, and of how the wilderness itself becomes a way of knowing-an ecology of the soul.

scholarly journals Introgression of the sesquiterpene biosynthesis from Solanum habrochaites to cultivated tomato offers insights into trichome morphology and arthropod resistance

Planta ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 254 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Therezan ◽  
Ruy Kortbeek ◽  
Eloisa Vendemiatti ◽  
Saioa Legarrea ◽  
Severino M. de Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glandular Trichomes ◽  
Pest Resistance ◽  
Chromosome 8 ◽  
Cavity Size ◽  
Solanum Habrochaites ◽  
Genetic Components ◽  
Internal Storage ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Trichome Morphology

Abstract Main conclusion Cultivated tomatoes harboring the plastid-derived sesquiterpenes from S. habrochaites have altered type-VI trichome morphology and unveil additional genetic components necessary for piercing-sucking pest resistance. Abstract Arthropod resistance in the tomato wild relative Solanum habrochaites LA1777 is linked to specific sesquiterpene biosynthesis. The Sesquiterpene synthase 2 (SsT2) gene cluster on LA1777 chromosome 8 controls plastid-derived sesquiterpene synthesis. The main genes at SsT2 are Z-prenyltransferase (zFPS) and Santalene and Bergamotene Synthase (SBS), which produce α-santalene, β-bergamotene, and α-bergamotene in LA1777 round-shaped type-VI glandular trichomes. Cultivated tomatoes have mushroom-shaped type-VI trichomes with much smaller glands that contain low levels of monoterpenes and cytosolic-derived sesquiterpenes, not presenting the same pest resistance as in LA1777. We successfully transferred zFPS and SBS from LA1777 to cultivated tomato (cv. Micro-Tom, MT) by a backcrossing approach. The trichomes of the MT-Sst2 introgressed line produced high levels of the plastid-derived sesquiterpenes. The type-VI trichome internal storage-cavity size increased in MT-Sst2, probably as an effect of the increased amount of sesquiterpenes, although it was not enough to mimic the round-shaped LA1777 trichomes. The presence of high amounts of plastid-derived sesquiterpenes was also not sufficient to confer resistance to various tomato piercing-sucking pests, indicating that the effect of the sesquiterpenes found in the wild S. habrochaites can be insect specific. Our results provide for a better understanding of the morphology of S. habrochaites type-VI trichomes and paves the way to obtain insect-resistant tomatoes.

scholarly journals Acceptance threshold theory can explain occurrence of homosexual behaviour

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 20140603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina C. Engel ◽  
Lisa Männer ◽  
Manfred Ayasse ◽  
Sandra Steiger
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Search Time ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Burying Beetles ◽  
Acceptance Threshold ◽  
Threshold Theory ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Perceived Costs

Same-sex sexual behaviour (SSB) has been documented in a wide range of animals, but its evolutionary causes are not well understood. Here, we investigated SSB in the light of Reeve's acceptance threshold theory. When recognition is not error-proof, the acceptance threshold used by males to recognize potential mating partners should be flexibly adjusted to maximize the fitness pay-off between the costs of erroneously accepting males and the benefits of accepting females. By manipulating male burying beetles' search time for females and their reproductive potential, we influenced their perceived costs of making an acceptance or rejection error. As predicted, when the costs of rejecting females increased, males exhibited more permissive discrimination decisions and showed high levels of SSB; when the costs of accepting males increased, males were more restrictive and showed low levels of SSB. Our results support the idea that in animal species, in which the recognition cues of females and males overlap to a certain degree, SSB is a consequence of an adaptive discrimination strategy to avoid the costs of making rejection errors.

O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in wild-type and ada mutants of Escherichia coli

1982 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 534-537
Author(s):  
S Mitra ◽  
B C Pal ◽  
R S Foote
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Methylguanine Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
Synthetic Dna ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Enzyme Molecules ◽  
Dna Substrate

O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase is induced in Escherichia coli during growth in low levels of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. We have developed a sensitive assay for quantitating low levels of this activity with a synthetic DNA substrate containing 3H-labeled O(6)-methylguanine as the only modified base. Although both wild-type and adaptation-deficient (ada) mutants of E. coli contained low but comparable numbers (from 13 to 60) of the enzyme molecules per cell, adaptation treatment caused a significant increase of the enzyme in the wild type but not in the ada mutants, suggesting that the ada mutation is in a regulatory locus and not in the structural gene for the methyltransferase.

Inhibitory effects of catecholamines in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers

1976 ◽  
Vol 231 (5) ◽  
pp. 1415-1420 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Posner ◽  
EL Farrar ◽  
CR Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Negative Response ◽  
Chronotropic Effect ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Purkinje Fibers ◽  
Spontaneous Rate ◽  
Negative Chronotropic Effect ◽  
Cardiac Purkinje Fibers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Levels

The effect of catecholamines over a wide range of concentrations was studied on 42K uptake and efflux, as well as on spontaneous rate in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. Low levels of catecholamines (less than 10(-10) M epinephrine; less than 10(-9) M norepinephrine) decreased automaticity. This negative chronotropic effect was blocked by phentolamine and mimicked by phenylephrine. These low levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine also inhibited 42K uptake by Purkinje fibers but had no effect on 42K efflux. The inhibition of 42K uptake was blocked by phentolamine and verapamil and mimicked by phenylephrine. The data indicate an alpha-receptor-mediated negative response of rate and 42K uptake to low levels of catecholamine. The end result is discussed in terms of a competitive increase in the influx of Ca2+ rather than Na+ and an indirect inhibition of the Na+-K+ pump.

Breeding and Mating Systems of Australian Proteaceae

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Susan M. Carthew
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Development ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Family ◽  
Self Compatibility ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Key Events

There has been a significant increase in the number of studies investigating plant breeding and mating systems over the past 10 years. The family Proteaceae, in particular, has dominated such research conducted in Australia. Thus it is now timely to present a critical review of the breeding and mating systems of the Australian Proteaceae. It is hoped that this will stimulate further research. The review covers key events between pollen deposition on stigmas through to fruit set. The genus Banksia, although not the most diverse of the family, has received a disproportionate amount of attention. It has featured in nine published studies of self-compatibility compared to 13 studies spanning the other 45 genera and has featured in eight genetic studies of the mating system compared to just two on other genera. Few studies have assessed the timing of stigma receptivity despite the intriguing situation in most Proteaceae of auto-deposition of self-pollen on or near stigmas at anthesis. Studies suggest that stigmas are not receptive until 0.5–4 days after anthesis. Banksia species appear to show low levels of self-compatibility although one subspecies shows high levels of selfing and evidence of selective fruit development. Self-compatibility may be more common in other genera, although a dearth of studies precludes generalisation. Assessment of mating systems indicates almost complete outcrossing for most species, lending support to the idea of selective fruit development. It is clear that many further studies of all topics are required but particularly across a wide range of genera because many have not been studied at all.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity of rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker) from Northern Iran and comparison with other countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Shayanmehr ◽  
E. Yoosefi-Lafooraki
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Stem Borer ◽  
Chilo Suppressalis ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
High Gene ◽  
Major Pest ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Low Levels

Rice striped stem borer, <em>Chilo suppressalis</em> Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is considered the major pest of rice in Iran. Because of the serious damage on rice in Northern Iran, the present study was conducted to investigate genetic diversity within populations of <em>C. suppressalis</em>, from Mazandaran using a template of cytochrome oxidase I gene, 750 bps, (<em>COI</em>). Later the haplotypes from Iran were compared with those found in other countries. According to the results of this study, there is very low genetic diversity (two haplotypes) among different populations of this pest in populations of Northern Iran. The genetic similarity and low levels of genetic diversity of these populations suggest that the pest colonization occurred relatively recently and there is high gene flow between these populations of the province. In addition, haplotypes of Mazandaran province are different with those found in other countries. The similarity of Iranian population (Simorgh) with one population from China indicated that China might be the origin of <em>C. suppresalis</em>.

Adjustment of Serum Total Calcium for Albumin Concentration: Values Change with Age in Women but Not in Men

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
R B Payne ◽  
J H Barth
Keyword(s):  
Serum Albumin ◽  
Albumin Concentration ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Total Calcium ◽  
Computer Data ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Serum Total Calcium ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Computer Data Base ◽  
Low Prevalence

A total of 669 women and 609 men were selected from a laboratory computer data base in such a way that they would be expected to have a low prevalence of disturbances of calcium homeostasis but a wide range of serum albumin concentrations. The least squares regression coefficients of total calcium on albumin did not differ between men and women, nor did they differ at different ages. Mean serum albumin-adjusted calcium concentrations did not change with age in men from 1 to 90 years, and values were similar in women aged 1–20 years. However, adjusted calcium concentrations were significantly lower in women aged 21–50 and higher in women aged 61–90 than in younger women and all men. The differences were small and are unlikely to affect clinical interpretation.

scholarly journals Deciphering the evolution of microbial interactions: in silico studies of two-member microbial communities

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayathri Sambamoorthy ◽  
Karthik Raman
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Microbial Interactions ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Community Function ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
In The Wild

Microbes thrive in communities, embedded in a complex web of interactions. These interactions, particularly metabolic interactions, play a crucial role in maintaining the community structure and function. As the organisms thrive and evolve, a variety of evolutionary processes alter the interactions among the organisms in the community, although the community function remains intact. In this work, we simulate the evolution of two-member microbial communities in silico to study how evolutionary forces can shape the interactions between organisms. We employ genomescale metabolic models of organisms from the human gut, which exhibit a range of interaction patterns, from mutualism to parasitism. We observe that the evolution of microbial interactions varies depending upon the starting interaction and also on the metabolic capabilities of the organisms in the community. We find that evolutionary constraints play a significant role in shaping the dependencies of organisms in the community. Evolution of microbial communities yields fitness benefits in only a small fraction of the communities, and is also dependent on the interaction type of the wild-type communities. The metabolites cross-fed in the wild-type communities appear in only less than 50% of the evolved communities. A wide range of new metabolites are cross-fed as the communities evolve. Further, the dynamics of microbial interactions are not specific to the interaction of the wild-type community but vary depending on the organisms present in the community. Our approach of evolving microbial communities in silico provides an exciting glimpse of the dynamics of microbial interactions and offers several avenues for future investigations.

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