Treat ’em Mean,Keep ’em (sometimes) Keen: Evolution of Female Preferences for Dominant and Coercive Males

How should females choose their mates if choice is not completely free, but at least partly dictated by outcomes of male–male competition, or sexual coercion? This question is of central importance when evaluating the relationship between sexually antagonistic ‘chase-away’ scenarios and models of more traditional female choice. Currently, there is a mismatch between theories: indirect benefits are seen to play a role in conventional mate choice, whereas they are not predicted to have an influence on the outcome if matings impose direct costs on females. This is at odds with the idea that resistance and preference are two sides of the same coin: either leads to a subset of males enjoying enhanced mating success. In the same way as choosy females benefit from mating with sexy males if this yields sexy sons, females could benefit from being manipulated or ‘seduced’, if the manipulative or seductive ability of males is heritable. Here I build a model where male dominance (or coerciveness) improves his mating success, and this relationship can be modified by female behaviour. This clarifies the definitions of resistance and preference: resisting females diminish the benefit a male gains from being dominant, while preferences enhance this pre-existing benefit enjoyed by dominant males. In keeping with earlier theory, females may evolve to resist costly mating attempts as a counterstrategy to male traits, particularly if male dominance is environmentally rather than genetically determined. Contrary to earlier results, however, indirect benefits are also predicted to influence female mating behaviour, and if sufficiently strong, they may produce female preferences for males that harm them.     

Lipid Droplets and Peroxisomes: Key Players in Cellular Lipid Homeostasis or A Matter of Fat—Store ’em Up or Burn ’em Down

Lipid droplets (LDs) and peroxisomes are central players in cellular lipid homeostasis: some of their main functions are to control the metabolic flux and availability of fatty acids (LDs and peroxisomes) as well as of sterols (LDs). Both fatty acids and sterols serve multiple functions in the cell—as membrane stabilizers affecting membrane fluidity, as crucial structural elements of membrane-forming phospholipids and sphingolipids, as protein modifiers and signaling molecules, and last but not least, as a rich carbon and energy source. In addition, peroxisomes harbor enzymes of the malic acid shunt, which is indispensable to regenerate oxaloacetate for gluconeogenesis, thus allowing yeast cells to generate sugars from fatty acids or nonfermentable carbon sources. Therefore, failure of LD and peroxisome biogenesis and function are likely to lead to deregulated lipid fluxes and disrupted energy homeostasis with detrimental consequences for the cell. These pathological consequences of LD and peroxisome failure have indeed sparked great biomedical interest in understanding the biogenesis of these organelles, their functional roles in lipid homeostasis, interaction with cellular metabolism and other organelles, as well as their regulation, turnover, and inheritance. These questions are particularly burning in view of the pandemic development of lipid-associated disorders worldwide.WORK for the past five decades on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has contributed fundamental insight into peroxisome biogenesis and function that is also relevant for mammalian cells. While LD research in yeast is still in its infancy and looks back to a much shorter history—the previous edition of YeastBook did not even mention LDs as an “organelle”—combined biochemical, cell biological, lipidomic, and proteomic studies in recent years have already contributed significant insight into LD biogenesis and function.     

Funktionsmorphologie eines arthropodengelenks mit extrem gro ßem aktionswinkel das femoro-tibial-gelenk von Gerris najas (DeG.) (inseeta,heteroptera)

Summary The femoro-tibial joint of the middle leg of Gerris najas is a single-axis hinge with an effective angle of 180°. Morphology and kinematics of this joint are described. Short sclerites are inserted between the tibia and the tendon-like apodemes of its flexor and extensor muscles. Flexible at both ends, the sclerites extend the angle of leverage by 120° in the case of the extensor tibiae and by 60° in the case of the flexor tibiae. The effective lever length was determined quantitatively for the entire 180° (see Fig. 6).     

Studie über einen Trichophyton - quinckeanum -Stamm mit ausgeprägter Fluoreszenz des Scutulums em Tierversuch

A vesicular skin lesion which existed since 1 week in the lower part of the leg of a 45-year-old woman appeared to be caused by fungus which was identified as Trichophyton quinckeanum (Zopf) MacLeod & Muende. The patient could not state to have had contact with animals. Peroral administration of griseofulvin and local application of 2% salicyl--5% sulfur--vaseline alternate with tonoftal cream healed the lesion completely. The fast growing fungus produced white, convoluted colonies with a brown, lat er wine-red reverse. Globose and club-shaped, one- and two-celled microconidia were formed especially 'en thrse'. The majority of the thin-walled macroconidia had rounded apices but a fusiform type of spore was also seen. Germination of the macroconidia was frequently observed. Experimental infection into the dorsal skin of white laboratory mouse produced a scutulum with a bright yellow later green fluorescence in Wood's light. The taxonomy of Trichophyton quinckeanum is briefly discussed.     

Über Untersuchungen an Zuchtmaterial von cumarinarmem („süßem”) Steinklee(Melilotus)

Zusammenfassung Eine Zusammenstellung von Ergebnissen zeigt, daß es weitestgehend gelungen ist, einen cumarinarmen Steinklee zu züchten. Es wird die Untersuchungsmethodik in qualitativer und quantitativer Hinsicht beschrieben und auf das Auftreten von Wechseltypen innerhalb des süßen Zuchtmaterials hingewiesen, denen besondere Beachtung im Rahmen der Züchtung geschenkt werden muß.Was die Untersuchungen des Blatt- und Stengel-anteils der verschiedenen Arten betrifft, so tragen diese Ergebnisse einen vorläufigen Charakter.Mit 13 Abbildungen     

Quelques notes sur l'hibernation chez la FourmiCremastogaster scutellaris Ol. et chez une espèce voisineCremastogaster Auberti em. (Hymenoptera-Formicoidea)

Résumé On assiste à des réveils partiels lors d'une période d'hibernation dans une fourmilière deCremastogaster scutellaris quand les passages par des maximums thermiques sont fréquents et cela quels que soient les minimums thermiques auxquels la colonie en hibernation est soumise. Les températures moyennes, par contre, ne jouent aucun rôle dans ces réveils.

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Summary During the hibernation, in artificial nests, of two species of antsCremastogaster scutellaris OL. etauberti EM., we have observed that the action of some outward factors such as alteration of nest moisture, quick nest removals, air admittance into the nest ... led to a temporary and partial resumption of activity from ant workers. We suggest to call these phenomena: partial dozing disruption.Observations, under natural conditions, for a nest ofCr. scutellaris have been made extending over two periods of hibernation (winters 1954–55 and 55–56). Partial dozing disruptions have only been ascertained for winter 1955–56. We have therefore endeavoured to find out if an explanation of their behaviour different in both cases could be found in temperature action which, as we have shown in previous notices, is the main regulator of collective activity for workers ofCr. scutellaris.We have been able to schow that partial dozing disruptions during hibernation time in an ant nest ofCr. scutellaris may be observed when temperature passes through frequently repeted maximums, whatever the minimums are, which the colony in hibernation is submitted to. Average temperatures on the contrary play no part in these dozing disruptions.

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Zusammenfassung BeiCrematogaster scutellaris OL. undauberti EM., welche in künstlichen Nestern gehalten wurden, konnten während der Ueberwinterung die Einflüsse gewisser äußerer Faktoren wie Feuchtigkeitsänderungen, plötzliche Umstellung der Nester, Zufuhr frischer Luft in den Nestern usw. beobachtet werden, was eine momentane und teilweise Wiederaufnahme der Tätigkeit durch die Arbeiterinnen zur Folge hatte. Für dieses Phänomen möchten wir die Bezeichnung «vorübergehendes Erwachen» vorschlagen.Während zweier Ueberwinterungsperioden, nämlich Winter 1954–55 und 1955–56 wurden auch natürliche Nester vonCr. scutellaris beobachtet. Vorübergehendes Erwachen wurde nur während des Winters 1955–56 festgestellt. Es wurde untersucht, ob dieses Verhalten temperaturbedingt sei, da ja, wie wir in früheren Publikationen zeigen konnten, die Temperatur der wichtigste Regulator der gemeinsamen Tätigkeit der Arbeiterinnen vonCrematogaster scutellaris ist. Wir haben folgendes festgestellt: vorübergehendes Erwachen während einer Ueberwinterungsperiode kommt im Staat vonCr. scutellaris dann vor, wenn das Nest wiederholt Temperaturmaxima ausgesetzt ist und zwar ist es dabei ganz gleich, welches die Temperaturminima seien, in denen sich die überwinternde Kolonie sonst befindet. Mittlere Temperaturen hingegen können ein vorübergehendes Erwachen nicht hervorrufen.

     

Autophagosomes,phagosomes, autolysosomes,phagolysosomes, autophagolysosomes… Wait,I’m confused

When an autophagosome or an amphisome fuse with a lysosome, the resulting compartment is referred to as an autolysosome. Some people writing papers on the topic of autophagy use the terms “autolysosome” and “autophagolysosome” interchangeably. We contend that these words should be used to denote 2 different compartments, and that it is worthwhile maintaining this distinction—the autophagolysosome has a particular origin in the process of xenophagy that makes it distinct from an autolysosome.     

Autophagosomes,phagosomes, autolysosomes,phagolysosomes, autophagolysosomes… Wait,I’m confused

When an autophagosome or an amphisome fuse with a lysosome, the resulting compartment is referred to as an autolysosome. Some people writing papers on the topic of autophagy use the terms “autolysosome” and “autophagolysosome” interchangeably. We contend that these words should be used to denote 2 different compartments, and that it is worthwhile maintaining this distinction—the autophagolysosome has a particular origin in the process of xenophagy that makes it distinct from an autolysosome.     

Der Einfluß endogener Faktoren auf den Asche-, Kalzium-, Magnesium-, Kalium-, Natrium-, Phosphor-, Zink-, Eisen-, Kupfer- und Mangangehalt der Schweineborste

The objective of the present study was to investigate physiological effects of a marginal copper and iron supply on pigs. Therefore an experiment was conducted with 4 × 12 growing pigs of the crossbreed Pietrain × Deutsche Landrasse. The animals were fed for a period of 119 days with a diet poor of copper (1.5 mg Cu/kg diet) and/or poor of iron (35 mg Fe/kg diet). Control animals were supplied adequately with copper (4.8 mg Cu/kg diet) and iron (85 mg Fe/kg diet). The diet was given according to weight. After reaching an average weight of 102.6 ± 3.5 kg the animals were slaughtered. Due to the activity of the coerulplasmin and katalase enzyme and the haematological parameters, the supply of copper and iron could be classified as marginal. There was no interaction between copper deficiency and iron metabolism. The protein metabolism was unchanged. Low copper intake reduced the copper concentrations in serum, liver, muscle and backfat, and low iron intake reduced the iron concentration in serum, liver and muscle. Marginal copper and iron supply had no relevant effect on either food intake and growth performance or carcass characteristics and meat quality.     

Der Mengen- und Spurenelementgehalt des Rinderhaares als Indikator der Calcium-, Magnesium-, Phosphor-, Kalium-, Natrium-, Eisen-, Zink-, Mangan-, Kupfer-, Molybdän- und Kobaltversorgung

Beyond the energy requirement of maintenance, the assimilated energy, occurring in bioproducts, is linearly proportional to the intake of metabolizable energy in non‐underfed conditions. In contrast, resting metabolic rate is differing between individuals within a population of an animal species. As adaptability to changed environmental conditions may play a role, young bulls were exposed to thermoneutral (18°C) and low (4°C) ambient temperatures and were fed at two feeding levels (1.0 and 1.6 times energy requirement in maintenance) to produce metabolic rate differences, using the same animals, metabolic rate was altered by reducing the sympathetic outflow in each case. Expression of sulfonylurea receptors in circulating mononuclear leukocytes and cells from skeletal muscle (m. semitendinosus) was studied by flow cytom‐etry. Changes of metabolic rate at rest corresponded to the portion of cells with sulfonylurea receptors expression. The data from reducing the sympathetic outflow and those from sulfonylurea receptors expression are useful to explain metabolic rate differences among individuals of an animal population.     

Der Mengen- und Spurenelementgehalt des Rinderhaares als Indikator der Calcium-, Magnesium-, Phosphor-, Kalium-, Natrium-, Eisen-, Zink-, Mangan-, Kupfer-, Molybdän- und Kobaltversorgung

Many health effects can be attributed to the Mediterranean herb oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and several studies demonstrated the improving effect on performance, changes in blood count, antibacterial, antifungal and immunmodulating abilities. The majority of these investigations were carried out with processed essential oil, while whole plant material was only used in a few studies. Thus, the aim of the present experiment was to test the effect of increasing proportions of dried oregano in piglet feed on health and performance, with a special focus on immune modulation. A total of 80 male castrated weaned piglets (body weight [BW] 7.9 kg ±1.0 kg) were used in a feeding experiment lasting 5 weeks. They were assigned to 4 experimental groups: a control diet, and three diets with an oregano supplementation at 2 g, 4 g and 8 g per kg feed, respectively, corresponding to 23.5 mg, 46.9 mg and 93.9 mg carvacrol/kg DM. After 3 weeks, half of each group was challenged with 5 µg lipopolysaccharides (LPS) per kg BW. Blood samples were collected 2 h after LPS stimulation and analysed for T-cell phenotypes, granulocyte activity, clinical-chemistry as well as white and red blood count. The results indicate no effects of oregano on performance. In contrast, oregano altered the lymphocyte proportion and the ratio of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells as well as the triglyceride concentration in the serum of non-stimulated and in LPS-stimulated piglets. In conclusion, whole plant supplementation of oregano to piglet feed altered immune-related parameters, but did not modulate the acute inflammatory response induced by LPS stimulation.     

The Seven Carbohydrate Bioengineering Meeting,Braunschweig, Germany,April, 22–25, 2007

Stereocontrol in bakers' yeast reduction can be achieved by introduction of a sulfur functional group into substrates. α-Methylthio-β-keto esters are reduced to give exclusively (3S)-3-hydroxy esters. α-Substituted β-keto thiol esters and dithioesters afford (2R,3S)-3-hydroxy esters with high diastereo-and enantioselectivity. Ketones possessing 1,3-dithiane, phenylsulfenyl, or phenylsulfonyl groups at the α-position are transformed also into the corresponding (S)-secondary alcohols. Optically pure (S)-(phenylsulfinyl)acetones can be obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic derivatives with the yeast. Diastereo- and enantioselective reduction of 1,2-diketones leading into (1S,2S)-1,2-diol derivatives can be also achieved by introduction of 1,3-dithiane, phenylsulfenyl or phenylsulfonyl groups into the α-position. Reductions of carbon-carbon double bond of sulfur-functionalized prenyl derivatives provide both chiral (R)- and (S)-C₅-building blocks for terpenoid synthesis. The utility of the reduction products as chiral building blocks is demonstrated in the synthesis of biologically active natural products such as pheromones, sugars, antibiotics etc. by functional group transformation and carbon-carbon bond formation reactions with the aid of sulfur functional groups.     

Barley—Botany,production, harvesting,processing, utilization and economics

Barley, probably the oldest cultivated cereal, is widely grown in cooler areas of the world. The annual world production of nearly two and a half billion bushels exceeds that of rye but is less than that of rice, wheat, corn and oats, respectively. Most of the annual 300 million dollar crop of the U.S. is fed to livestock, but about one- third is manufactured into malt.