Investigating the phylogenetic history of toxin tolerance in mushroom-feeding .

Understanding how and when key novel adaptations evolved is a central goal of evolutionary biology. Within the radiation of , many mushroom-feeding species are tolerant of host toxins, such as cyclopeptides, that are lethal to nearly all other eukaryotes. In this study, we used phylogenetic and functional approaches to investigate the evolution of cyclopeptide tolerance in the radiation of .

Investigating the phylogenetic history of toxin tolerance in mushroom-feeding .

Understanding how and when key novel adaptations evolved is a central goal of evolutionary biology. Within the radiation of , many mushroom-feeding species are tolerant of host toxins, such as cyclopeptides, that are lethal to nearly all other eukaryotes. In this study, we used phylogenetic and functional approaches to investigate the evolution of cyclopeptide tolerance in the radiation of .

Examining Weight Bias and Loss-of-Control Eating among Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery.

Objective: Externalized weight bias (EWB), directed towards others, and internalized weight bias (IWB), directed towards the self, are thought to exacerbate obesity and disordered eating and may be important factors to assess and understand among individuals seeking bariatric surgery. This study examined clinical correlates (pre-surgical BMI, depressive symptoms, weight self-efficacy, and shape/weight overvaluation) of both EWB and IWB among individuals presenting for bariatric surgery with and without regular loss-of-control eating (LOC eating).

Methods: A total of 316 adults presenting for bariatric surgery completed established self-report measures to assess EWB, IWB, depressive symptoms, weight self-efficacy, and core symptoms of disordered eating including LOC eating and overvaluation of shape/weight.

Reasoning about beliefs: a human specialization?

A recent meta-analysis performed by Wellman, Cross, and Watson clears the air surrounding young children's performance on tests of false belief by showing that it is highly likely that there is some type of conceptual development between 3 and 5 years of age that supports improved task performance. The data concerning the evolutionary origin of these abilities, however, is considerably less clear. Nonetheless, there is some reason to suspect that theory of mind is unique to our species, and that its original function was to provide a more abstract level of describing ancient behavioral patterns (such as deception, reconciliation, and gaze following)-behaviors that humans share in common with many other species.

Retinal signal transmission in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: evidence for dysfunction in the photoreceptor/depolarizing bipolar cell pathway.

There have been reports of abnormal retinal neurotransmission determined by electroretinography in boys with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. Dystrophin may play a role in transmitting signals between photoreceptors and the excitatory synapse of the ON-bipolar cell. These electroretinographic changes appeared to be limited to the rod ON-pathway but we felt there was also similar abnormality in the cone ON-pathway.