Wild recognition: conducting the mark test for mirror self-recognition on wild baboons.

The distribution of self-awareness across species is important to understand, not only as a matter of scientific interest but also because of its implications for the ethical standing of non-human animals. The prevailing methodology for determining self-awareness is to test for visual self-recognition using mirror-image stimulation and a 'mark test'. However, most studies have involved very small sample sizes, omitted a control condition and been conducted on captive animals.

Epigenetic memory of temperature sensed during somatic embryo maturation in 2-year-old maritime pine trees.

Embryogenesis is a brief but potentially critical phase in the tree life cycle for adaptive phenotypic plasticity. Using somatic embryogenesis in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.), we found that temperature during the maturation phase affects embryo development and post-embryonic tree growth for up to three years.

Axon guidance during mouse central nervous system regeneration is required for specific brain innervation.

Reconstructing functional neuronal circuits is one major challenge of central nervous system repair. Through activation of pro-growth signaling pathways, some neurons achieve long-distance axon regrowth. Yet, functional reconnection has hardly been obtained, as these regenerating axons fail to resume their initial trajectory and reinnervate their proper target.

Radiosensitizing Effect of PARP Inhibition on Chondrosarcoma and Chondrocyte Cells Is Dependent on Radiation LET.

Chondrosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that forms in bone and cartilage. The primary treatment involves surgical removal of the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue. Especially if complete surgical removal is not possible, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used in conjunction with surgery, but with a generally low efficiency.

An early-life challenge: becoming an older sibling in wild mandrills.

In monotocous mammals, most individuals experience the birth of a younger sibling. This period may induce losses in maternal care and can be physiologically, energetically and emotionally challenging for the older sibling, yet has rarely been studied in wild primates. We used behavioural data collected from a natural population of mandrills to investigate changes in maternal care and mother-juvenile relationship throughout the transition to siblinghood (TTS), by comparing juveniles who recently experienced the birth of a younger sibling, to juveniles who did not.

A strategy for studying epigenetic diversity in natural populations: proof of concept in poplar and oak.

In the last 20 years, several techniques have been developed for quantifying DNA methylation, the most studied epigenetic marks in eukaryotes, including the gold standard method, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). WGBS quantifies genome-wide DNA methylation but has several inconveniences rendering it less suitable for population-scale epigenetic studies. The high cost of deep sequencing and the large amounts of data generated prompted us to seek an alternative approach.

From maternal glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones to epigenetic regulation of offspring gene expression: An experimental study in a wild bird species.

Offspring phenotype at birth is determined by its genotype and the prenatal environment including exposure to maternal hormones. Variation in both maternal glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones can affect offspring phenotype, but the underlying molecular mechanisms, especially those contributing to long-lasting effects, remain unclear. Epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation) have been postulated as mediators of long-lasting effects of early-life environment.

Evaluation of a pharmacist-managed anemia service in pregnant patients.

Purpose: Studies have shown the positive impact pharmacist-managed services have on patient care. However, little information is available on services for pregnant patients. This study contributes to the current literature by providing data on the impact of a pharmacist-managed service on outcomes in pregnant patients with iron-deficiency anemia.

DNA hypomethylation of the host tree impairs interaction with mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungus.

Ectomycorrhizas are an intrinsic component of tree nutrition and responses to environmental variations. How epigenetic mechanisms might regulate these mutualistic interactions is unknown. By manipulating the level of expression of the chromatin remodeler DECREASE IN DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) and two demethylases DEMETER-LIKE (DML) in Populus tremula × Populus alba lines, we examined how host DNA methylation modulates multiple parameters of the responses to root colonization with the mutualistic fungus Laccaria bicolor.

Zebularine, a DNA Methylation Inhibitor, Activates Anthocyanin Accumulation in Grapevine Cells.

Through its role in the regulation of gene expression, DNA methylation can participate in the control of specialized metabolite production. We have investigated the link between DNA methylation and anthocyanin accumulation in grapevine using the hypomethylating drug, zebularine and Gamay Teinturier cell suspensions. In this model, zebularine increased anthocyanin accumulation in the light, and induced its production in the dark.

Gut microbiota of the threatened takahē: biogeographic patterns and conservation implications.

Background: The Aotearoa New Zealand takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri), once thought to be extinct, is a nationally threatened flightless rail under intensive conservation management. While there has been previous research into disease-related microbes in takahē, little is known about the microbes present in the gastrointestinal tract. Given the importance of gut-associated microbes to herbivore nutrition and immunity, knowledge of these communities is likely to be of considerable conservation value.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a single-day simulation-based program in psychiatry for medical students: a controlled study.

Background: Training in psychiatry requires specific knowledge, attitudes, and skills that are obtainable by simulation, of which the use is only recent and still needs further development. Evidence is accumulating on its effectiveness but requires further validation for medical students. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a single-day optional teaching program in psychiatry by simulation for medical students and validate a scale measuring Confidence in Psychiatric Clinical Skills (CPCQ), as part of the assessment.

RNAi suppression of DNA methylation affects the drought stress response and genome integrity in transgenic poplar.

Trees are long-lived organisms that continuously adapt to their environments, a process in which epigenetic mechanisms are likely to play a key role. Via downregulation of the chromatin remodeler DECREASED IN DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) in poplar (Populus tremula × Populus alba) RNAi lines, we examined how DNA methylation coordinates genomic and physiological responses to moderate water deficit. We compared the growth and drought response of two RNAi-ddm1 lines to wild-type (WT) trees under well-watered and water deficit/rewatering conditions, and analyzed their methylomes, transcriptomes, mobilomes and phytohormone contents in the shoot apical meristem.

Developmental Methylome of the Medicinal Plant Unravels the Tissue-Specific Control of the Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid Pathway by DNA Methylation.

produces a wide spectrum of monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs). MIA biosynthesis requires a tightly coordinated pathway involving more than 30 enzymatic steps that are spatio-temporally and environmentally regulated so that some MIAs specifically accumulate in restricted plant parts. The first regulatory layer involves a complex network of transcription factors from the basic Helix Loop Helix (bHLH) or AP2 families.

Hypomethylation of the aquatic invasive plant, Ludwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala mimics the adaptive transition into the terrestrial morphotype.

Ongoing global changes affect ecosystems and open up new opportunities for biological invasion. The ability of invasive species to rapidly adapt to new environments represents a relevant model for studying short-term adaptation mechanisms. The aquatic invasive plant, Ludwigia grandiflora subsp.

Assessing Global DNA Methylation Changes Associated with Plasticity in Seven Highly Inbred Lines of Snapdragon Plants ().

Genetic and epigenetic variations are commonly known to underlie phenotypic plastic responses to environmental cues. However, the role of epigenetic variation in plastic responses harboring ecological significance in nature remains to be assessed. The shade avoidance response (SAR) of plants is one of the most prevalent examples of phenotypic plasticity.

Developmental, genetic and environmental variations of global DNA methylation in the first leaves emerging from the shoot apical meristem in poplar trees.

In the context of climate changes, clarifying the causes underlying tree phenotypic plasticity and adaptation is crucial. Studies suggest a role of epigenetic mechanisms in response to external stimuli, raising the question whether such processes can promote acclimation of trees exposed to adverse climate conditions. Recently, we revealed an environmental epigenetic footprint in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) which could partially be transmitted mitotically, for several months, up until the winter-dormant bud in field conditions.

Oestrous females avoid mating in front of adult male bystanders in wild chacma baboons.

In social species, female mating strategies can be constrained by both male and female groupmates through sexual conflict and reproductive competition, respectively. This study tests if females adjust their sexual behaviour according to the presence of male and female bystanders in wild chacma baboons () and assesses their relative importance. Our results show that oestrous females initiate fewer copulations in the presence of adult male bystanders, irrespective of whether they are mate-guarded or not.

Winter-dormant shoot apical meristem in poplar trees shows environmental epigenetic memory.

Trees have a long lifespan and must continually adapt to environmental pressures, notably in the context of climate change. Epigenetic mechanisms are doubtless involved in phenotypic plasticity and in stress memory; however, little evidence of the role of epigenetic processes is available for trees growing in fields. Here, we analyzed the possible involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the winter-dormant shoot apical meristem of Populus × euramericana clones in memory of the growing conditions faced during the vegetative period.

Changes in the epigenome and transcriptome of the poplar shoot apical meristem in response to water availability affect preferentially hormone pathways.

The adaptive capacity of long-lived organisms such as trees to the predicted climate changes, including severe and successive drought episodes, will depend on the presence of genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity. Here, the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in phenotypic plasticity toward soil water availability was examined in Populus×euramericana. This work aimed at characterizing (i) the transcriptome plasticity, (ii) the genome-wide plasticity of DNA methylation, and (iii) the function of genes affected by a drought-rewatering cycle in the shoot apical meristem.

Yap1p, the central regulator of the S. cerevisiae oxidative stress response, is activated by allicin, a natural oxidant and defence substance of garlic.

Unlabelled: Allicin is a thiol-reactive sulfur-containing natural product from garlic with a broad range of antimicrobial effects against prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Previous work showed that the S. cerevisiae OSI1 gene is highly induced by allicin and other thiol-reactive compounds, and in silico analysis revealed multiple Yap1p binding motifs in the OSI1 promoter sequence.

Non-acidic activation of pain-related Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 3 by lipids.

Extracellular pH variations are seen as the principal endogenous signal that triggers activation of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs), which are basically considered as proton sensors, and are involved in various processes associated with tissue acidification. Here, we show that human painful inflammatory exudates, displaying non-acidic pH, induce a slow constitutive activation of human ASIC3 channels. This effect is largely driven by lipids, and we identify lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and arachidonic acid (AA) as endogenous activators of ASIC3 in the absence of any extracellular acidification.

Assessing the Mismatch Between Incubation and Latent Periods for Vector-Borne Diseases: The Case of Sharka.

The relative durations of the incubation period (the time between inoculation and symptom expression) and of the latent period (the time between inoculation and infectiousness of the host) are poorly documented for plant diseases. However, the extent of asynchrony between the ends of these two periods (i.e.

Epigenomics and bolting tolerance in sugar beet genotypes.

In sugar beet (Beta vulgaris altissima), bolting tolerance is an essential agronomic trait reflecting the bolting response of genotypes after vernalization. Genes involved in induction of sugar beet bolting have now been identified, and evidence suggests that epigenetic factors are involved in their control. Indeed, the time course and amplitude of DNA methylation variations in the shoot apical meristem have been shown to be critical in inducing sugar beet bolting, and a few functional targets of DNA methylation during vernalization have been identified.