Single-Cell Peptide Profiling to Distinguish Stickleback Ecotypes with Divergent Breeding Behavior.

Variation in parenting behavior is widespread across the animal kingdom, both within and between species. There are two ecotypes of the three-spined stickleback fish () that exhibit dramatic differences in their paternal behavior. Males of the common ecotype are highly attentive fathers, tending to young from eggs to fry, while males of the white ecotype desert offspring as eggs.

Chemical cues of conspecific predation elicit distinct behavioural responses in cannibalistic poison frog tadpoles.

In cannibalistic species, conspecifics can be both predators and prey. As a result, conspecifics present a unique conflict at the intersection of predation, competition and nutritional resources in these species. To better understand how individuals respond to the complex information of conspecific chemical cues, we studied aggressive and cannibalistic tadpoles of the dyeing poison frog, .

Characterization of an Ecdysone Oxidase from (L.) and Its Role in Bt Cry1Ac Resistance.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying insect resistance to (Bt) pesticidal proteins is crucial for sustainable pest management. Here, we found that downregulation of the ecdysone oxidase gene () in the normal feeding stages contributes to increased 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) titer and mediates resistance to the Bt Cry1Ac toxin. The gene was cloned and its expression was significantly downregulated in the midgut of Bt-resistant and Cry1Ac-selected .

3-Hydroxybenzoic acid inhibits the virulence attributes and disrupts biofilm production in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii.

Purpose: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an emerging global public health threat owing to its ability to form biofilms. Here, we evaluated 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HBA), a promising organic compound, for its ability to disrupt biofilm formation and virulence attributes in clinical isolates of A.

Transcriptional Reprogramming Deploys a Compartmentalized 'Timebomb' in Catharanthus roseus to Fend Off Chewing Herbivores.

The evolutionary arms race between plants and insects has led to key adaptive innovations that drive diversification. Alkaloids are well-documented anti-herbivory compounds in plant chemical defences, but how these specialized metabolites are allocated to cope with both biotic and abiotic stresses concomitantly is largely unknown. To examine how plants prioritize their metabolic resources responding to herbivory and cold, we integrated dietary toxicity bioassay in insects with co-expression analysis, hierarchical clustering, promoter assay, and protein-protein interaction in plants.

Molecular target for sprayable double-stranded RNA-based biopesticide against Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acari, Tetranychidae).

Amphitetranychus viennensis, a destructive pest mite of fruit plants in Europe and Asia, poses a serious challenge due to its adaptability and resistance to multiple acaricides. RNA interference (RNAi)-based technologies offer a promising alternative to address this emerging issue. In this study, we screened for candidate genes that can be targeted for spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS).

Selenium ameliorates oxidized phospholipid-mediated testicular dysfunction and epididymal sperm abnormalities following Bisphenol A exposure in adult Wistar rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting compound extensively utilized in the production of polycarbonate polymers and epoxy resins that, upon exposure, pose a significant threat to male reproductive health because of its estrogenic properties. Accumulating evidence suggests that BPA exposure disrupts the normal process of spermatogenesis, alters testicular morphology and function, and interferes with testicular steroidogenesis and hormonal signaling. However, the precise mechanism by which BPA affects testicular function remains unclear.

The effects of seasonal human mobility and Aedes aegypti habitat suitability on Zika virus epidemic severity in Colombia.

The Zika virus epidemic of 2015-16, which caused over 1 million confirmed or suspected human cases in the Caribbean and Latin America, was driven by a combination of movement of infected humans and availability of suitable habitat for mosquito species that are key disease vectors. Both human mobility and mosquito vector abundances vary seasonally, and the goal of our research was to analyze the interacting effects of disease vector densities and human movement across metapopulations on disease transmission intensity and the probability of super-spreader events. Our research uses the novel approach of combining geographical modeling of mosquito presence with network modeling of human mobility to offer a comprehensive simulation environment for Zika virus epidemics that considers a substantial number of spatial and temporal factors compared to the literature.

NezhNPV, a new biocontrol agent for Nesodiprion zhejiangensis Zhou & Xiao (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), an emerging forest pest.

Background: Nesodiprion zhejiangensis, a multivoltine sawfly, is widely distributed in south China and has caused serious damage to forests. Historically, N. zhejiangensis management has relied heavily on synthetic chemicals.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Six Extracts Using Protein-Based Biomimetic Methods.

Medicinal plants are a valuable reservoir of novel pharmacologically active compounds. ROS and free radicals are primary contributors to oxidative stress, a condition associated with the onset of degenerative diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease, and vascular disease. In this study, we used different spectrophotometry methods to demonstrate the antioxidant properties of 6 extracts: ; ; : Arieș red cultivar of , and white variety of ; ; and subsp.

Being thin-skinned can still reduce damage from dynamic puncture.

The integumentary system in animals serves as an important line of defence against physiological and mechanical external forces. Over time, integuments have evolved layered structures (scales, cuticle and skin) with high toughness and strength to resist damage and prevent wound expansion. While previous studies have examined their defensive performance under low-rate conditions, the failure response and damage resistance of these thin layers under dynamic biological puncture remain underexplored.

The Fungal Side of the Story: Saprotrophic- vs. Symbiotrophic-Predicted Ecological Roles of Fungal Communities in Two Meromictic Hypersaline Lakes from Romania.

Over three-quarters of Earth's surface exhibits extreme environments where life thrives under harsh physicochemical conditions. While prokaryotes have often been investigated in these environments, only recent studies have revealed the remarkable adaptability of eukaryotes, in particular fungi. This study explored the mycobiota of two meromictic hypersaline lakes, Ursu and Fără Fund, in Transylvania (Romania).

Oxytocin influences parental care in male threespine stickleback across multiple time scales.

Oxytocin (OXT) and its homologs are known to regulate parental care in vertebrates, but it is unknown what role these neuropeptides may play in the evolutionary loss of care. Here, we compared two recently diverged ecotypes of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) that differ in parental care. Males of the common ecotype provide obligate, uniparental care to their offspring, whereas males of the white ecotype abandon their offspring after fertilization.

Protocol for whole-mount immunostaining of brains of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes.

Immunostaining is a powerful technique for visualizing tissue morphology and protein expression patterns, but in non-model organisms, it may be impeded by a lack of established protocols. Here, we present a protocol for whole-mount immunostaining of termite brains that we applied to the termite Reticulitermes flavipes. We describe steps for brain dissection, fixation, staining, and mounting.

Formulation of Dual-Functional Nonionic Cetomacrogol Creams Incorporated with Bacteriophage and Human Platelet Lysate for Effective Targeting of MDR and Enhanced Wound Healing.

Successful development of phage-based therapeutics and their utility predominantly depend on the mode and route of phage administration. Topical and site-directed phage application evokes minimal immune clearance and allows more phage-host adsorption, thereby ensuring higher phage efficacy. However, a notable drawback of conventional topical phage applications is the absence of sustained release.

Moving beyond the mean: an analysis of faecal corticosterone metabolites shows substantial variability both within and across white-tailed deer populations.

Glucocorticoid (GC) levels have significant impacts on the health and behaviour of wildlife populations and are involved in many essential body functions including circadian rhythm, stress physiology and metabolism. However, studies of GCs in wildlife often focus on estimating mean hormone levels in populations, or a subset of a population, rather than on assessing the entire distribution of hormone levels within populations. Additionally, explorations of population GC data are limited due to the tradeoff between the number of individuals included in studies and the amount of data per individual that can be collected.

Effects of reducing sedentary behaviour by increasing physical activity, on cognitive function, brain function and structure across the lifespan: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To examine the acute and chronic effects of reducing prolonged sedentary time (ST) with physical activity (PA) on cognitive and brain health.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses.

A midgut transcriptional regulatory loop favors an insect host to withstand a bacterial pathogen.

Mounting evidence suggests that insect hormones associated with growth and development also participate in pathogen defense. We have discovered a previously undescribed midgut transcriptional control pathway that modulates the availability of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in a worldwide insect pest (), allowing it to defeat the major virulence factor of an insect pathogen (Bt). A reduction of the transcriptional inhibitor (PxDfd) increases the expression of a midgut microRNA (miR-8545), which in turn represses the expression of a newly identified ecdysteroid-degrading glucose dehydrogenase (PxGLD).

Asymmetric effects of hydroclimate extremes on eastern US tree growth: Implications on current demographic shifts and climate variability.

Forests around the world are experiencing changes due to climate variability and human land use. How these changes interact and influence the vulnerability of forests are not well understood. In the eastern United States, well-documented anthropogenic disturbances and land-use decisions, such as logging and fire suppression, have influenced forest species assemblages, leading to a demographic shift from forests dominated by xeric species to those dominated by mesic species.

Curving expectations: The minimal impact of structural curvature in biological puncture mechanics.

Living organisms have evolved various biological puncture tools, such as fangs, stingers, and claws, for prey capture, defense, and other critical biological functions. These tools exhibit diverse morphologies, including a wide range of structural curvatures, from straight cactus spines to crescent-shaped talons found in raptors. While the influence of such curvature on the strength of the tool has been explored, its biomechanical role in puncture performance remains untested.

GPCR-MAPK signaling pathways underpin fitness trade-offs in whitefly.

Trade-offs between evolutionary gain and loss are prevalent in nature, yet their genetic basis is not well resolved. The evolution of insect resistance to insecticide is often associated with strong fitness costs; however, how the fitness trade-offs operates remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and its upstream and downstream actors underlie the fitness trade-offs associated with insecticide resistance in the whitefly .

Designing eco-evolutionary experiments for restoration projects: Opportunities and constraints revealed during stickleback introductions.

Eco-evolutionary experiments are typically conducted in semi-unnatural controlled settings, such as mesocosms; yet inferences about how evolution and ecology interact in the real world would surely benefit from experiments in natural uncontrolled settings. Opportunities for such experiments are rare but do arise in the context of restoration ecology-where different "types" of a given species can be introduced into different "replicate" locations. Designing such experiments requires wrestling with consequential questions.

Utilizing Star Polycation Nanocarrier for the Delivery of miR-184 Agomir and Its Impact on the Life History Traits of the English Grain Aphid, .

The investigation of genetics-based biopesticides has become a central focus in pesticide studies due to their inherent advantages, including species specificity, environmental safety, and a wide range of target genes. In this study, a mixture of miR-184 agomir and nanomaterial star polycation (SPc) was used to treat the nymphs of the English grain aphid, (F.).