Afrotropical sand fly-host plant relationships in a leishmaniasis endemic area,Kenya

The bioecology of phlebotomine sand flies is intimately linked to the utilization of environmental resources including plant feeding. However, plant feeding behavior of sand flies remains largely understudied for Afrotropical species. Here, using a combination of biochemical, molecular, and chemical approaches, we decipher specific plant-feeding associations in field-collected sand flies from a dry ecology endemic for leishmaniasis in Kenya. Cold-anthrone test indicative of recent plant feeding showed that fructose positivity rates were similar in both sand fly sexes and between those sampled indoors and outdoors. Analysis of derived sequences of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit gene (rbcL) from fructose-positive specimens implicated mainly Acacia plants in the family Fabaceae (73%) as those readily foraged on by both sexes of Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. Chemical analysis by high performance liquid chromatography detected fructose as the most common sugar in sand flies and leaves of selected plant species in the Fabaceae family. Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) of the headspace volatile profiles of selected Fabaceae plants identified benzyl alcohol, (Z)-linalool oxide, (E)-β-ocimene, p-cymene, p-cresol, and m-cresol, as discriminating compounds between the plant volatiles. These results indicate selective sand fly plant feeding and suggest that the discriminating volatile organic compounds could be exploited in attractive toxic sugar- and odor- bait technologies control strategies.     

Honest signals and sexual conflict: Female lizards carry undesirable indicators of quality

Sex differences in animal coloration often result from sex‐dependent regulatory mechanisms. Still, some species exhibit incomplete sexual dimorphism as females carry a rudimentary version of a costly male trait, leading to intralocus sexual conflict. The underlying physiology and condition dependence of these traits can inform why such conflicts remain unresolved. In eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus), blue iridophore badges are found in males and females, but melanin pigmentation underneath and surrounding badges is male‐exclusive. We track color saturation and area of badges across sexual maturity, and their relationship to individual quality (body condition and immunocompetence) and relevant hormones (testosterone and corticosterone). Saturation and testosterone were positively correlated in both sexes, but hormone and trait had little overlap between males and females. Saturation was correlated with body condition and immunocompetence in males but not in females. Co‐regulation by androgens may have released females from resource allocation costs of color saturation, even when in high condition. Badge area was independent of testosterone, but associated with low corticosterone in females, indicating that a nonsex hormone underlies incomplete sexual dimorphism. Given the evidence in this species for female reproductive costs associated with ornamentation, this sex‐nonspecific regulation of an honest signal may underlie intralocus sexual conflict.     

Phylogeny and biogeography of southern African spoon-winged lacewings (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae: Nemopterinae)

Nemopteridae are a charismatic family of lacewings characterised by uniquely extended hind wings. They are an ancient widespread group in the drier regions of the world. The family comprises two subfamilies, Crocinae (thread-wings) and Nemopterinae (spoon- and ribbon-wings). The present distribution of the family has been largely influenced by the vicariant events of plate tectonics, resulting in relict populations in some parts of the world and extensive evolutionary radiations in others, particularly southern Africa where the vast majority of the species are endemic to the Western and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa. This study aimed to establish the validity of the 11 currently recognised genera and infer their biogeographic history using molecular sequence data from four gene regions. The hypothesis that the Cape nemopterines co-evolved with certain taxa in the Cape Floristic Region was also tested. Phylogenetic analysis supports seven of the 11 currently recognised genera. The crown age of the Nemopterinae is estimated to be at ca. 145.6 Mya, indicating that the group has been present since the late Jurassic. Most of the genera appear to have diversified during the middle Eocene and into the middle Miocene (ca. 44–11 Mya) with recent rapid radiation of several of the genera occurring during the late Miocene (ca. 6–4.5 Mya). While these data support an initial radiation with the Rushioideae (Aizoaceae) it is recommended that further study including observations and gut content be carried out.     

Planting Design Effects on Avian Seed Dispersers in a Tropical Forest Restoration Experiment

Seed dispersal often limits tropical forest regeneration and animals disperse most rainforest tree seeds. This presents two important questions for restoration ecologists: (1) which animals are common seed dispersers? and (2) which restoration techniques attract them? Fourteen restoration sites were planted with four tree species in three designs, (1) controls (no planting, natural regeneration) (2) islands (trees planted in small patches), and (3) plantations (trees planted continuously over a large patch). We sampled birds in November, February, and April 2007–2008 with mist nets, in February and July 2009 with observations, and in July 2008 with both techniques. We documented 30 seed species from fecal samples of captured birds. All identified seed species were early‐successional forms. Four tanager species, three thrushes, two saltators, two flycatchers, and one finch were categorized as common seed dispersers, based on their high likelihood of dispersing seeds. Common dispersers were generalist species with small gape widths (<15 mm). Common dispersers were captured significantly more often in plantations than controls in most seasons and more often in plantations than islands during one season. Common disperser observations were significantly greater in plantations than controls during two periods and in plantations compared with islands in one period. Results indicate that plantation‐style planting is the conservative strategy to maximize attractiveness to common dispersers in tropical restoration sites. Island planting is an alternative when resources are limited although disperser activity may be lower in some seasons than in plantations. Additional research should investigate how to attract large, forest‐associated dispersers.     

Objective classification of scapular kinematics in participants with movement faults of the scapula on clinical assessment

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of employing a classification tool to objectively classify participants with clinically assessed movement faults (MFs) of the scapula. Six participants with a history of shoulder pain with MFs of the scapula and 12 healthy participants with no movement faults (NMFs) performed a flexion movement control test of the scapula, while scapular kinematic data were collected. Principal component scores and discrete kinematic variables were used as input into a classifier. Five out of the six participants with a history of pain were successfully classified as having scapular MFs with an accuracy of 72%. Variables related to the upward rotation of the scapula had the most influence on the classification. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of adopting a multivariate approach in objective classification of participants with altered scapular kinematics in pathological groups.     

Surface EMG-force modelling for the biceps brachii and its experimental evaluation during isometric isotonic contractions

The aim of this study was to evaluate a surface electromyography (sEMG) signal and force model for the biceps brachii muscle during isotonic isometric contractions for an experimental set-up as well as for a simulation. The proposed model includes a new rate coding scheme and a new analytical formulation of the muscle force generation. The proposed rate coding scheme supposes varying minimum and peak firing frequencies according to motor unit (MU) type (I or II). Practically, the proposed analytical mechanogram allows us to tune the force contribution of each active MU according to its type and instantaneous firing rate. A subsequent sensitivity analysis using a Monte Carlo simulation allows deducing optimised input parameter ranges that guarantee a realistic behaviour of the proposed model according to two existing criteria and an additional one. In fact, this proposed new criterion evaluates the force generation efficiency according to neural intent. Experiments and simulations, at varying force levels and using the optimised parameter ranges, were performed to evaluate the proposed model. As a result, our study showed that the proposed sEMG–force modelling can emulate the biceps brachii behaviour during isotonic isometric contractions.     

The mechanisms for nitration and nitrotyrosine formation in vitro and in vivo: Impact of diet

The detection of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine residues associated with many disease states, including gastric cancer, has implicated a role for peroxynitrite in vivo, and thus endogenously produced nitric oxide and superoxide. Additionally, dietary nitrate has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer through a mechanism involving reduction to nitrite and subsequent formation of potentially mutagenic nitrosocompounds. Studies have now demonstrated that a multitude of reactive nitrogen species other than peroxynitrite are capable of producing nitrotyrosine. Thus, we have reviewed the evidence that dietary nitrate, amongst other reactive nitrogen species, may contribute to the body burden of nitrotyrosine.     

Controlled oxidation of calf thymus DNA to produce standard samples for 8-Oxodeoxyguanosine analysis; Effects of freeze-drying,storage and hydrolysis conditions

Calf thymus DNA containing defined levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) was prepared by treatment with visible light in the presence of photosensitiser Ro 19-8022. The DNA was checked for stability; after freeze-drying, the amount of 8-oxodG did not increase during 6 weeks' storage at room temperature. However, freeze-drying itself can introduce additional oxidative damage. Two enzymic hydrolysis regimes (DNase I, phosphodiesterases I and II, and alkaline phosphatase; or P1 nuclease and alkaline phosphatase) give similar values for 8-oxodG.     

Effects of Food Processing on Flavonoids and Lycopene Status in a Mediterranean Tomato Variety

This research is focused on the antioxidant properties of dietary components, in particular phenolics and carotenoids and the assessment of the contribution of the combined antioxidants to the total antioxidant activity (TAA) of tomato fruit. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of processing on the antioxidant properties of tomato. The effects of three different methods of processing fresh tomatoes into tomato sauce were investigated with respect to the antioxidant properties of the fruit. Identification and quantification of the main carotenoids and flavonoids present in tomatoes was achieved by HPLC analysis and the effect on the concentration and availability of these compounds was investigated at different stages of the processing. The processing affected mainly naringenin causing a reduction in the concentration. Conversely, levels of chlorogenic acid were increased suggesting an improvement in availability of this compound to extraction. The concentration of all- trans -lycopene was also increased following processing. Less than 10% isomerisation of all- trans -lycopene to the cis form was detected for all the methods analysed. The effects of processing on the overall antioxidant activity support the theory of a general improvement in availability of individual antioxidants. For both hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts TAA values were increased.     

A general synthetic method toward uridylylated picornavirus VPg proteins

Small proteins called viral protein genome‐linked (VPg), attached to the 5′‐end of the viral RNA genome are found as common structure in the large family of picornaviruses. The replication of these viruses is primed by this VPg protein linked to a single uridylyl residue. We report a general procedure to obtain such nucleoproteins employing a pre‐uridylylated tyrosine building block in an on‐line solid phase‐based approach. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.