A large cryptosporidiosis outbreak associated with an animal contact event in England: a retrospective cohort study, 2023.

Development of gastrointestinal illness after animal contact at petting farms is well described, as are factors such as handwashing and facility design that may modify transmission risk. However, further field evidence on other behaviours and interventions in the context of outbreaks linked to animal contact events is needed. Here, we describe a large outbreak of () associated with a multi-day lamb petting event in the south-west of England in 2023 and present findings from a cohort study undertaken to investigate factors associated with illness.

A "Magic Mushroom" Multi-Product Sesquiterpene Synthase.

Psilocybe "magic mushrooms" are chemically well understood for their psychotropic tryptamines. However, the diversity of their other specialized metabolites, in particular terpenoids, has largely remained an open question. Yet, knowledge on the natural product background is critical to understand if other compounds modulate the psychotropic pharmacological effects.

8-HQA adjusts the number and diversity of bacteria in the gut microbiome of .

Quinolinic carboxylic acids are known for their metal ion chelating properties in insects, plants and bacteria. The larval stages of the lepidopteran pest, , produce 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (8-HQA) in high concentrations from tryptophan in the diet. At the same time, the larval midgut is known to harbor a bacterial population.

Kisspeptin-neuron control of LH pulsatility and ovulation.

Feedback from oestradiol (E2) plays a critical role in the regulation of major events in the physiological menstrual cycle including the release of gonadotrophins to stimulate follicular growth, and the mid-cycle luteinising hormone (LH) surge that leads to ovulation. E2 predominantly exerts its action oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERα), however, as gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons lack ERα, E2-feedback is posited to be indirectly mediated upstream neurons. Kisspeptin (KP) is a neuropeptide expressed in hypothalamic KP-neurons that control GnRH secretion and plays a key role in the central mechanism regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.

Tris(methylthio)methane produced by Mortierella hyalina affects sulfur homeostasis in Arabidopsis.

Microbial volatiles are important factors in symbiotic interactions with plants. Mortierella hyalina is a beneficial root-colonizing fungus with a garlic-like smell, and promotes growth of Arabidopsis seedlings. GC-MS analysis of the M.

Chromane Derivatives from Underground Parts of and Their In Vitro Antimicrobial, Cytotoxicity and Antiproliferative Evaluation.

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract of underground parts of Pall. afforded five new compounds; an unusual macrolide termed moniristenulide (), 5-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxy-4--2'-cycloflavan (), 5,7,2',3'-tetrahydroxyflavanone (), 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyisoflavone-2'---d-glucopyranoside (), 5,2',3'-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyisoflavone (), along with seven known compounds (-, -). The structures of all purified compounds were established by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS.

Tetranorsesquiterpenoids as Attractants of Yucca Moths to Yucca Flowers.

The obligate pollination mutualism between Yucca and yucca moths is a classical example of coevolution. Oviposition and active pollination by female yucca moths occur at night when Yucca flowers are open and strongly scented. Thus, floral volatiles have been suggested as key sensory signals attracting yucca moths to their host plants, but no bioactive compounds have yet been identified.

Reversible optical tuning of GeSbTe phase-change metasurface spectral filters for mid-wave infrared imaging.

Tunable narrowband spectral filtering across arbitrary optical wavebands is highly desirable in a plethora of applications, from chemical sensing and hyperspectral imaging to infrared astronomy. Yet, the ability to reconfigure the optical properties, with full reversibility, of a solid-state large-area narrowband filter remains elusive. Existing solutions require either moving parts, have slow response times, or provide limited spectral coverage.

Navigating the factor zoo around the world: an institutional investor perspective.

The literature on cross-sectional stock return predictability has documented over 450 factors. We take the perspective of an institutional investor and navigate this zoo of factors by focusing on the evidence relevant to the practicalities of factor-based investment strategies. Establishing a sound theoretical rationale is key to identifying "true" factors, and we emphasize the need to recognize data-mining concerns that may cast doubt on the relevance of many factors.

Volatile DMNT systemically induces jasmonate-independent direct anti-herbivore defense in leaves of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) plants.

Plants perceive and respond to volatile signals in their environment. Herbivore-infested plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can initiate systemic defense reactions within the plant and contribute to plant-plant communication. Here, for Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) leaves we show that among various herbivory-induced plant volatiles, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) had the highest abundance of all emitted compounds.

SpitWorm, a Herbivorous Robot: Mechanical Leaf Wounding with Simultaneous Application of Salivary Components.

Induction of jasmonate-mediated plant defense against insect herbivory is initiated by a combination of both mechanical wounding and chemical factors. In order to study both effects independently on plant defense induction, SpitWorm, a computer-controlled device which mimics the damage pattern of feeding insect larvae on leaves and, in addition, can apply oral secretions (OS) or other solutions to the 'biting site' during 'feeding,' was developed and evaluated. The amount of OS left by a larva during feeding on (lima bean) leaves was estimated by combining larval foregut volume, biting rate, and quantification of a fluorescent dye injected into the larvae's foregut prior to feeding.

Scalable dissolution-dynamic nuclear polarization with rapid transfer of a polarized solid.

In dissolution-dynamic nuclear polarization, nuclear spins are hyperpolarized at cryogenic temperatures using radicals and microwave irradiation. The hyperpolarized solid is dissolved with hot solvent and the solution is transferred to a secondary magnet where strongly enhanced magnetic resonance signals are observed. Here we present a method for transferring the hyperpolarized solid.

One Pathway Is Not Enough: The Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle Uses Multiple Strategies to Overcome the Glucosinolate-Myrosinase Defense in Its Host Plants.

The cabbage stem flea beetle ( is a key pest of oilseed rape in Europe, and is specialized to feed on Brassicaceae plants armed with the glucosinolate-myrosinase defense system. Upon tissue damage, the β-thioglucosidase enzyme myrosinase hydrolyzes glucosinolates (GLS) to form toxic isothiocyanates (ITCs) which deter non-adapted herbivores. Here, we show that selectively sequester GLS from their host plants and store these throughout their life cycle.

Corrigendum: Isotopic Labeling of Symbiotic Bacteria Involved in Cellulose Degradation and Nitrogen Recycling within the Gut of the Forest Cockchafer ().

[This corrects the article on p. 1970 in vol. 8, PMID: 29075241.

Isotopic Labeling of Symbiotic Bacteria Involved in Cellulose Degradation and Nitrogen Recycling within the Gut of the Forest Cockchafer ().

The guts of insects harbor symbiotic bacterial communities. However, due to their complexity, it is challenging to relate a specific symbiotic phylotype to its corresponding function. In the present study, we focused on the forest cockchafer (), a phytophagous insect with a dual life cycle, consisting of a root-feeding larval stage and a leaf-feeding adult stage.

Coprophagous features in carnivorous Nepenthes plants: a task for ureases.

Most terrestrial carnivorous plants are specialized on insect prey digestion to obtain additional nutrients. Few species of the genus Nepenthes developed mutualistic relationships with mammals for nitrogen supplementation. Whether dietary changes require certain enzymatic composition to utilize new sources of nutrients has rarely been tested.

Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentration Reduces Alarm Signaling in Aphids.

Insects often rely on olfaction to communicate with conspecifics. While the chemical language of insects has been deciphered in recent decades, few studies have assessed how changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations might impact pheromonal communication in insects. Here, we hypothesize that changes in the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide affect the whole dynamics of alarm signaling in aphids, including: (1) the production of the active compound (E)-β-farnesene (Eβf), (2) emission behavior when under attack, (3) perception by the olfactory apparatus, and (4) the escape response.

Mechanistic studies of sesquiterpene cyclases based on their carbon isotope ratios at natural abundance.

During the process of terpene biosynthesis, C-C bond breaking and forming steps are subjected to kinetic carbon isotope effects, leading to distinct carbon isotopic signatures of the products. Accordingly, carbon isotopic signatures could be used to reveal the 'biosynthetic history' of the produced terpenoids. Five known sesquiterpene cyclases, regulating three different pathways, representing simple to complex biosynthetic sequences, were heterologously expressed and used for in vitro assays with farnesyl diphosphate as substrate.

Identification, quantification, spatiotemporal distribution and genetic variation of major latex secondary metabolites in the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.).

The secondary metabolites in the roots, leaves and flowers of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) have been studied in detail. However, little is known about the specific constituents of the plant's highly specialized laticifer cells.

Biosynthesis of 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid, an iron chelator from the gut of the lepidopteran Spodoptera littoralis.

In the regurgitate (foregut content) of Spodoptera larvae we found high concentrations (0.5-5 mM) of 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (8-HQA). In a survey of different lepidopteran species, this compound was only detected in species belonging to the family of Noctuidae.

In vivo Pyro-SIP assessing active gut microbiota of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis.

The gut microbiota is of crucial importance for the host with considerable metabolic activity. Although great efforts have been made toward characterizing microbial diversity, measuring components' metabolic activity surprisingly hasn't kept pace. Here we combined pyrosequencing of amplified 16S rRNA genes with in vivo stable isotope probing (Pyro-SIP) to unmask metabolically active bacteria in the gut of cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis), a polyphagous insect herbivore that consumes large amounts of plant material in a short time, liberating abundant glucose in the alimentary canal as a most important carbon and energy source for both host and active gut bacteria.

Silencing ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase expression does not disrupt nitrogen allocation to defense after simulated herbivory in Nicotiana attenuata.

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase (RuBisCO) is the most abundant protein on the planet and in addition to its central role in photosynthesis it is thought to function as a nitrogen (N)-storage protein and a potential source of N for defense biosynthesis in plants. In a recent study in the wild tobacco Nicotiana attenuata, we showed that the decrease in absolute N invested in soluble proteins and RuBisCO elicited by simulated herbivory was much larger than the N-requirements of nicotine and phenolamide biosynthesis; (15)N flux studies revealed that N for defensive phenolamide synthesis originates from recently assimilated N rather than from RuBisCO turnover. Here we show that a transgenic line of N.

Quantification of growth-defense trade-offs in a common currency: nitrogen required for phenolamide biosynthesis is not derived from ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase turnover.

Induced defenses are thought to be economical: growth and fitness-limiting resources are only invested into defenses when needed. To date, this putative growth-defense trade-off has not been quantified in a common currency at the level of individual compounds. Here, a quantification method for ¹⁵N-labeled proteins enabled a direct comparison of nitrogen (N) allocation to proteins, specifically, ribulose-1,5-bisposphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), as proxy for growth, with that to small N-containing defense metabolites (nicotine and phenolamides), as proxies for defense after herbivory.

Diabetes screening as part of a vascular disease risk management programme.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a growing public health concern worldwide. There is the potential to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus by lifestyle interventions including increased physical activity, dietary modification and weight reduction in the obese therefore screening for diabetes can be beneficial. This case study discusses two methods used for diabetes screening as part of a population wide vascular risk management programme in an island community off the west coast of Scotland.

MAPK-dependent JA and SA signalling in Nicotiana attenuata affects plant growth and fitness during competition with conspecifics.

Background: Induced defense responses to herbivores are generally believed to have evolved as cost-saving strategies that defer the fitness costs of defense metabolism until these defenses are needed. The fitness costs of jasmonate (JA)-mediated defenses have been well documented. Those of the early signaling units mediating induced resistance to herbivores have yet to be examined.