Bibliometric analysis of human–wildlife conflict: From conflict to coexistence

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) is a significant challenge for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Effective mitigation of HWC requires a multidisciplinary, holistic, and comprehensive approach. In the past two decades, scientific research has focused on HWC. It can be expected that in the next few years, the number of HWC literature will continue to increase. In this study, the VOSviewer version 1.6.16, and Bibliometrix packages in R were used to conduct a quantitative review of the HWC literature and investigate its social network and development trends. The results show that 2197 publications about HWC have been published in 320 journals from 128 countries in 2003–2021. The United States is the largest producer with 893. Among all journals, Biological Conservation ranked first in terms of total link strength, number of links, documents, and citations. The analysis of keywords, development trends, and development themes shows that the research on HWC mainly includes three aspects: the conflict between humans and carnivores, conflict between humans and herbivores, and protection of the human dimension. The main focus of the research has shifted from the conflict itself to the coexistence of humans and wild animals through the integration of natural and economic factors. It is expected that HWC research will play a key role in generating the interdisciplinary scientific knowledge needed to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.     

Does intragenomic conflict predict intrapersonal conflict?

Parts of the genome of a single individual can have conflicting interests, depending on which parent they were inherited from. One mechanism by which these conflicts are expressed in some taxa, including mammals, is genomic imprinting, which modulates the level of expression of some genes depending on their parent of origin. Imprinted gene expression is known to affect body size, brain size, and the relative development of various tissues in mammals. A high fraction of imprinted gene expression occurs in the brain. Biologists including Hamilton, Trivers and Haig have proposed that this may explain some intrapersonal conflict in humans. This speculation amounts to an inference from conflict within the genome (which is well-established) to conflict within the brain or mind. This is a provocative proposal, which deserves serious attention. In this paper I assess aspects of Haig’s version of the proposal. I argue, first, that the notion that intragenomic conflict predicts personal inconsistency should be rejected. Second, while it is unlikely that it credibly predicts sub-personal agents representing conflicting genetic interests, it is plausible that it predicts that the division of cognitive labour could be exploited to turn sub-systems into proxies for conflicting interests.     

Why did eukaryotes evolve only once? Genetic and energetic aspects of conflict and conflict mediation

According to multi-level theory, evolutionary transitions require mediating conflicts between lower-level units in favour of the higher-level unit. By this view, the origin of eukaryotes and the origin of multicellularity would seem largely equivalent. Yet, eukaryotes evolved only once in the history of life, whereas multicellular eukaryotes have evolved many times. Examining conflicts between evolutionary units and mechanisms that mediate these conflicts can illuminate these differences. Energy-converting endosymbionts that allow eukaryotes to transcend surface-to-volume constraints also can allocate energy into their own selfish replication. This principal conflict in the origin of eukaryotes can be mediated by genetic or energetic mechanisms. Genome transfer diminishes the heritable variation of the symbiont, but requires the de novo evolution of the protein-import apparatus and was opposed by selection for selfish symbionts. By contrast, metabolic signalling is a shared primitive feature of all cells. Redox state of the cytosol is an emergent feature that cannot be subverted by an individual symbiont. Hypothetical scenarios illustrate how metabolic regulation may have mediated the conflicts inherent at different stages in the origin of eukaryotes. Aspects of metabolic regulation may have subsequently been coopted from within-cell to between-cell pathways, allowing multicellularity to emerge repeatedly.     

With whom is the gene in conflict in offspring production?: Synthesis of the theories of intragenomic and parent-offspring conflict

In offspring production, with whom are the maternally derived (madumnal), paternally derived (padumnal), and maternal genes in conflict? I developed a model, in which those genes independently regulate resource absorption of developing offspring, and offspring with a high realized resource absorption rate may become large, but may suffer abortion due to overgrowth. I analyzed two cases: maternal control is weak (maternal genes cannot completely inhibit the resource demand by the madumnal or the padumnal genes) and is strong (maternal genes can completely inhibit it). I found that, under weak maternal control, the maternal genes inhibit resource absorption, but the madumnal and padumnal genes enhance it if the abortion cost of overgrowth is low. The maternal and madumnal genes inhibit resource absorption, but the padumnal genes enhance it if the cost is high. Under strong maternal control, the maternal genes inhibit resource absorption, but the madumnal and padumnal genes enhance it irrespective of the degree of abortion cost. I also found that the effects of offspring abortion on an ESS size and number of offspring when independent are large under weak maternal control, but are moderated under strong maternal control.     

Automated region of interest analysis of dynamic Ca²⁺ signals in image sequences

Ca(2+) signals are commonly measured using fluorescent Ca(2+) indicators and microscopy techniques, but manual analysis of Ca(2+) measurements is time consuming and subject to bias. Automated region of interest (ROI) detection algorithms have been employed for identification of Ca(2+) signals in one-dimensional line scan images, but currently there is no process to integrate acquisition and analysis of ROIs within two-dimensional time lapse image sequences. Therefore we devised a novel algorithm for rapid ROI identification and measurement based on the analysis of best-fit ellipses assigned to signals within noise-filtered image sequences. This algorithm was implemented as a plugin for ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). We evaluated the ability of our algorithm to detect synthetic Gaussian signal pulses embedded in background noise. The algorithm placed ROIs very near to the center of a range of signal pulses, resulting in mean signal amplitude measurements of 99.06 ± 4.11% of true amplitude values. As a practical application, we evaluated both agonist-induced Ca(2+) responses in cultured endothelial cell monolayers, and subtle basal endothelial Ca(2+) dynamics in opened artery preparations. Our algorithm enabled comprehensive measurement of individual and localized cellular responses within cultured cell monolayers. It also accurately identified characteristic Ca(2+) transients, or Ca(2+) pulsars, within the endothelium of intact mouse mesenteric arteries and revealed the distribution of this basal Ca(2+) signal modality to be non-Gaussian with respect to amplitude, duration, and spatial spread. We propose that large-scale statistical evaluations made possible by our algorithm will lead to a more efficient and complete characterization of physiologic Ca(2+)-dependent signaling.     

Are patients with potential celiac disease really potential? The answer of metabonomics

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder caused by a permanent sensitivity to gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Accurate diagnosis of CD at an early stage and its treatment with a gluten-free diet (GFD) are important for optimum treatment and prognosis. Recently, by employing a noninvasive metabonomic approach, we have shown that CD has a well-defined metabonomic signature. Here we address potential CD patients, defined as subjects who do not have, and have never had, a jejunal biopsy consistent with clear CD, and yet have immunological abnormalities similar to those found in celiac patients. Sixty-one overt CD patients at diagnosis, 29 patients with potential CD, and 51 control subjects were examined by (1)H NMR of their serum and urine: out of 29 potential CD patients, 24 were classified as CD and 5 as control subjects. Potential CD largely shares the metabonomic signature of overt CD. Most metabolites found to be significantly different between control and CD subjects were also altered in potential CD. Our results demonstrate that metabolic alterations may precede the development of small intestinal villous atrophy and provide a further rationale for early institution of GFD in patients with potential CD, as recently suggested by prospective clinical studies.     

Physiology of biofilms of thermophilic bacilli—potential consequences for cleaning

Thermophilic Bacillus species readily attached and grew on stainless steel surfaces, forming mature biofilms of >10^6.0 cells/cm² in 6 h on a surface inoculated with the bacteria. Clean stainless steel exposed only to pasteurized skim milk at 55 °C developed a mature biofilm of >10^6.0 cells/cm² within 18 h. When bacilli were inoculated onto the steel coupons, 18-h biofilms were 30 m thick. Biofilm growth followed a repeatable pattern, with a reduction in the numbers of bacteria on the surface occurring after 30 h, followed by a recovery. This reduction in numbers was associated with the production of a substance that inhibited the growth of the bacteria. Variations in the environment, including pH and molarity, affected the viability of the cells. Chemicals that attack the polysaccharide matrix of the biofilm were particularly effective in killing and removing cells from the biofilm, demonstrating the importance of polysaccharides in the persistence of these biofilms. Treatment of either the biofilm or a clean stainless steel surface with lysozyme killed biofilm cells and prevented the attachment of any bacteria exposed to the surface. This suggests that lysozyme may have potential as an alternative control method for biofilms of these bacteria.     

Identifying potential evolutionary relationships within a facultative lycaenid-ant system： Ant association, oviposition, and butterfly-ant conflict

Facultative associations are commonly encountered between ants and lycaenids, although the nature and patterns of associations are typically unclear. This study investigated a facultative symbiosis involving the lycaenid Theclinesthes albocincta （Lycaenidae）, its host plant Adriana quadripartita and Australian native ants. Ants in the genera Ochetellus and Iridomyrmex were most frequently found in association with T. albocincta larvae, although Iridomyrmex ants were found in much lower abundance than were ants in Ochetellus. The abundances of Ochetellus and Iridomyrmex were highly correlated with larval abundance, but not egg abundance. Observations and experiments recorded oviposi- tion on male inflorescences on more than 95% of occasions, but oviposition was not greater on inflorescences with ants present. Behavioral assays showed that Iridomyrmex ants were aggressive towards female butterflies on significantly more occasions than were Ochetellus ants. These findings indicate potential evolutionary relationships between T. albocincta and two genera of ants that were abundant within the habitat.     

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents: A new source of innovative bacterial exopolysaccharides of biotechnological interest?

Polysaccharides and, in particular, microbial polysaccharides represent a class of important products of growing interest for many sectors of industry. Although many known marine bacteria produce exopolysaccharides (EPS), continuation in looking for new polysaccharide-producing microorganisms is promising. Hydrothermal deep-sea vents could be a source of novel EPS as indicated by the screening of a number of mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria recovered from different locations. Although originating from such extreme environment, some bacteria were shown to biosynthesize innovative EPS under laboratory conditions. Their specific rheological properties either in the presence or absence of monovalent and divalent ions, biological activities, metal binding capabilities, and novel chemical composition mean that these EPS are expected to find many applications in the near future. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 29, 204–208 doi:10.1038/sj.jim.7000298 Received 18 March 2002/ Accepted in revised form 13 June 2002     

Conflicts of interest in health care: who guards the guardians?

Conflicts of interest are rife in all areas of human endeavor, including medicine. Dealing with them is often difficult, because various disclosure remedies are sometimes too weak, while explicit prohibitions against participation in certain forms of research could block the needed synergies between scientists who work in universities, government, and industry. The situation is made still more difficult, because any effort to control one set of conflicts will necessarily generate another in its stead, as is well captured in Juvenal's famous question, "Who will guard the guardians?" That problem is more acute today, because many of our social watchdogs are in fact complex organizations that are rife with their own internal conflicts of interest. The problem is acute for the FDA, for example, which so fears the release of harmful drugs that it often keeps beneficial ones off the market. The problem can also arise in connection with the review of medical research by major journals, which is well illustrated by the recent effort of the New England Journal of Medicine to attack a Vioxx study it published in order to protect its own reputation.     

Synthesis and evaluation of the antioxidative potential of minoxidil–polyamine conjugates

A series of conjugates (MNX–CO–PA) of minoxidil (MNX) with the polyamines (PAs) putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) as well as dopamine were produced through activation of MNX with N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole, followed by reaction with dopamine or selectively protected PAs and acid-mediated deprotection. These conjugates together with conjugates of the general type MNX–PA or PA–MNX–PA, readily produced using literature protocols, were tested as antioxidants. The most potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation were the conjugates MNX–SPM (2, 94%), SPM–MNX–SPM (4, 94%) and MNX–N⁴-SPD (7, 91%) and MNX (91%). The most powerful lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors were MNX (IC₅₀ = 20 μM) and the conjugates MNX–N⁸-SPD (9, IC₅₀ = 22.1 μM), MNX–CO–dopamine (11, IC₅₀ = 28 μM) and MNX–N¹-SPD (8, IC₅₀ = 30 μM). The most interesting conjugates 2, MNX–CO–PUT (5), 8 and 11 as well as MNX were generally found to exhibit weaker (22–36.5%) or no (conjugate 8) anti-inflammatory activity than indomethacin (47%) with the exception of MNX which showed almost equal potency (49%) to indomethacin. The cytocompatibility of conjugates and MNX at the highest concentration of 100 μM showed a survival percentage of 87–107%, with the exception of conjugates with SPM (compound 2) and MNX–CO–SPM (6), which showed considerable cytotoxicity (survival percentage 8–14%). Molecular docking studies were carried on conjugate 9 and the parent compound MNX and were found to be in accordance with our experimental biological results.     

Elucidation of the anticancer potential and tubulin isotype-specific interactions of β-sitosterol

Beta-sitosterol (β-SITO), a phytosterol present in many edible vegetables, has been reported to possess antineoplastic properties and cancer treatment potential. We have shown previously that it binds at a unique site (the ‘SITO-site’) compared to the colchicine binding site at the interface of α- and β-tubulin. In this study, we investigated the anticancer efficacy of β-SITO against invasive breast carcinoma using MCF-7 cells. Since ‘isotypes’ of β-tubulin show tissue-specific expression and many are associated with cancer drug resistance, using computer-assisted docking and atomistic molecular dynamic simulations, we also examined its binding interactions to all known isotypes of β-tubulin in αβ-tubulin dimer. β-SITO inhibited MCF-7 cell viability by up to 50%, compared to vehicle-treated control cells. Indicating its antimetastatic potential, the phytosterol strongly inhibited cell migration. Immunofluorescence imaging of β-SITO-treated MCF-7 cells exhibited disruption of the microtubules and chromosome organization. Far-UV circular dichroism spectra indicated loss of helical stability in tubulin when bound to β-SITO. Docking and MD simulation studies, combined with MM-PBSA and MM-GBSA calculations revealed that β-SITO preferentially binds with specific β-tubulin isotypes (β_II and β_III) in the αβ-tubulin dimer. Both these β-tubulin isotypes have been implicated in drug resistance against tubulin-targeted chemotherapeutics. Our data show the tubulin-targeted anticancer potential of β-SITO, and its potential clinical utility against β_II and β_III isotype-overexpressing neoplasms.     

'Cebiche'--a potential source of human anisakiasis in Mexico?

Five fish species used for preparation of a popular dish (cebiche) made with raw fish flesh in Mexico were obtained from five localities of the coast of Yucatan. Lutjanus synagris, Gerres cinereus, Sphyraena barracuda, Epinephelus morio and Haemulon plumieriwere examined for the presence of larvae of anisakid nematodes, causative agents of human anisakiasis. The nematode Pseudoterranova sp. was found in E. morio and S. barracuda with a total prevalence of 83% and 6.5 +/- 6.2 worms per fish for E. morio, and a prevalence of 33% and 10.2 +/- 30.0 worms per fish for S. barracuda. Contracaecumsp. was found to infect G. cinereus with a prevalence of 57% and 7.6 +/- 11.4 worms per fish. The relatively high prevalence of Pseudoterranova sp. indicates that this parasite is a potential causal agent of anisakiasis on the coast of Yucatan. Although all larvae were found only in the mesentery of the fish host, their importance as a potential source of human infection cannot be excluded as larval migration to the muscles in dead fish is possible.