Search Results (125)

Background: Glufosinate ammonium (GLA) is a widely used herbicide, yet potential neurodevelopmental risks related to paternal exposure before conception remain insufficiently defined. Methods: In this study, adult male C57BL/6J mice received GLA at 0.2 mg/kg·day for 10 consecutive weeks and were then mated with unexposed females to generate F1 offspring. Offspring growth was monitored, and neurobehavior was assessed at 5 weeks of age. Results: In behavioral tests, female offspring showed reduced social novelty preference in the three-chamber test and impaired spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze test, while open field, elevated plus maze, and rotarod performance were not altered. Male offspring showed no clear group differences in these memory-related endpoints. Golgi staining revealed reduced dendritic complexity and spine density in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Glial markers were elevated, and neuronal marker changes showed region-dependent shifts. TUNEL staining indicated increased apoptosis during embryonic development and persistent apoptotic signals in the juvenile prefrontal cortex, accompanied by cytokine imbalance with increased IL-1β and decreased IL-10 in the hippocampus. Conclusion: These results suggest that paternal preconception GLA exposure is associated with selective memory-related behavioral deficits in juvenile offspring and with convergent glial, inflammatory, and apoptosis-related brain changes. These findings support the consideration of paternal exposure in developmental risk assessment frameworks. Full article

This paper examines the cross-cultural prevalence of the femme fatale (dangerous woman) motif using folkloric materials, ethnographic accounts, and consultations with ethnographers across 84 societies. Narratives were coded for depictions in which male protagonists suffer harm following involvement with an unfamiliar but physically attractive woman. Results show that 94% of sampled societies contain recognizable femme fatale imagery. When male motivation could be inferred, narratives overwhelmingly emphasized expectations of emotional attachment or long-term partnership rather than short-term sexual encounters. This pattern challenges interpretations that frame male involvement primarily in terms of sexual gratification or predatory intent. Instead, the findings suggest that femme fatale narratives function as culturally mediated responses to recurrent mating dilemmas rooted in asymmetric emotional investment. More broadly, the study demonstrates how universal predispositions toward attraction and attachment are symbolically elaborated within culturally specific moral frameworks. Full article

A growing body of evidence indicates that the gut microbiota has a role in the mating preference process in mammals. This likely occurs through the modulation of various mating signals induced by symbiotic bacteria, thereby leading to variations in mating behavior. Given that giant pandas are solitary wild animals that rely on chemical signals for mate selection, it is relevant to explore whether the mating behavior of giant pandas is also affected by the gut microbiota. We hypothesize that antibiotic treatment-induced residual antibiotic resistance genes in captive giant pandas may disrupt intestinal microbiota homeostasis, diminish the abundance of beneficial microorganisms involved in short-chain fatty acid synthesis, and consequently impair nervous system function via the gut–brain axis. The ensuing physiological stress is likely to suppress innate mating behavior and compromise pheromone synthesis, thereby reducing an individual’s attractiveness to potential mates. To answer this question, we utilize fecal metagenomics technology to analyze the differences in gut microbes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) between captive male adult giant pandas displaying natural versus non-natural mating behavior. The research findings suggest that, when compared with captive adult male giant pandas demonstrating natural mating behavior, those with non-natural mating behavior exhibit a significantly reduction in the abundance of beneficial gut microorganisms (s_Clostridium sp. and f_Ruminococcaceae) (p < 0.05). Concurrently, there is a significantly increase in the observed resistance genes tetO and mgtA, which are mainly associated with macrolide and tetracycline resistance (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Kegg functional analysis reveals a significant up-regulation of metabolic pathways related to sensory systems, such as taste and olfactory transduction, in the intestines of captive adult male giant pandas showing natural mating behavior. These results imply that changes in the abundance of gut microbiota and ARGs are correlated with the manifestation of natural mating behavior in captive adult male giant pandas. Consequently, to improve the success rate of natural reproduction within the male giant panda populations in captive environments, it is advisable to administer antibiotics judiciously and closely monitor the composition of beneficial bacteria in their gut microbiota. The findings of this study provide novel perspectives on the mechanisms by which captive conditions affect the decline in natural mating behavior observed in adult male giant pandas. Full article

The Moroccan locust Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg, 1815) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is recognized as a serious pest of pastures and crops in many Mediterranean countries. So far, the identification of chemical compounds involved in intraspecific communication has been elusive, with only one male-specific compound, namely (2E,7R,11R)-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-enal (2E,7R,11R-phytal), proposed as candidate sex pheromone component. Previous works reported that males also release the sex-specific long-chain aldehydes tetradecanal and hexadecanal, although no evidence of their role in chemical signaling has been presented so far. Here we additionally report another male-specific compound, viz. pentadecanal, and also report the electroantennographic and behavioral responses of virgin and mated females to these three aldehydes. We first demonstrated that their release is age-dependent, with emission overall peaking at 1–2 weeks after fledging. Solid-phase microextraction analyses from male hind legs suggest that these aldehydes are released from this body part. Overall, the antennae of virgin and mated females exhibited a dose-dependent response to increasing concentrations of each aldehyde, except for the response of virgin females to hexadecanal. Significant differences were observed between virgin and mated females at all doses of hexadecanal, while the mating status did not influence the response to tetradecanal and pentadecanal. Furthermore, the behavioral response of females varied according to their mating status. Specifically, mated females showed a significant preference for tetradecanal and pentadecanal, whereas a slight but non-significant attraction to hexadecanal was observed on virgin females. These findings provide new insights into the sexual communication of the species, although further research is needed to decipher their ecological function, especially on mated females. Full article

Drosicha corpulenta (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) is a major polyphagous pest affecting street and garden trees in arid regions of northern China, causing increasing damage in newly developed cities like Cocodala, Xinjiang. This study was conducted from 2024 to 2025 to investigate this pest’s life cycle, key damage periods, and spatial distribution in seven host plants, focusing on nymph emergence, female soil entry, and overwintering egg distribution. The results show that D. corpulenta has one generation per year, which overwinters as eggs. Nymphs emerge in early March, and male pupation occurs from mid-April to early May. Females mate after the third molt in early to mid-May and enter the soil to lay eggs from late May to early June, with consistent timing over two years. The suitability of the host varied significantly: Platanus × hispanica was the most preferred, with the highest daily nymph emergence of 840.8 individuals in 2024 and 1196.0 in 2025, followed by Prunus padus and five other plant species (Populus spp., Fraxinus chinensis, Styphnolobium japonicum, Pinus spp., and Malus spectabilis). Female soil entry reached a maximum on 23 May (979.8 individuals⁻¹ day⁻¹) and gradually decreased with increasing distance from the trunk. Overwintering eggs showed no obvious azimuthal bias, but were mainly concentrated near the trunk (0–30 cm) and in shallow soil (0–10 cm; 179.8 eggs per 100 g composite soil sample per sampling point), decreasing sharply in number with distance and depth. Both Taylor’s power law and Iwao’s regression confirmed the aggregated distribution. This study identifies key phenological stages, highly susceptible hosts, and the near-trunk shallow soil layer as critical for oviposition and overwintering and provides a basis for precise monitoring and targeted control in urban green spaces. Full article

Tephritid flies employ visual and chemical cues to locate and assess suitable habitats, food sources, mating sites, and ovipositional resources. Bactrocera dorsalis and Zeugodacus tau are economically significant pests that infest a wide range of fruits and fleshy vegetables. Understanding their visual sensitivity is crucial for developing effective and ecologically friendly management strategies. Thus, in this study, we compare the responses of these two species to various visual stimuli across laboratory, greenhouse, and closed-orchard environments. Our experiments reveal that, across the tested physiological states, both species exhibit a preference for certain wavelengths in the laboratory, particularly 520 nm and 560 nm. In the greenhouse, green and yellow models captured significantly more females of both species. Z. tau females showed greater sensitivity to the yellow model than B. dorsalis females. Additionally, Z. tau showed a higher affinity for both spherical and cylindrical shapes, while B. dorsalis flies were only attracted to the spherical model. In a closed orchard area, traps modified according to the best-performing combination used in the laboratory and greenhouse (shape and light) increased the capture counts of both species over time, with Z. tau exhibiting greater visual attraction sensitivity than B. dorsalis. These findings provide a theoretical and scientific foundation for improving trapping techniques targeting these two species. Full article

Acteoside (ACT), a prominent compound of the hydroxytyrosol-type phenylethanol glycoside (HPG) class, is present in plants and holds significant potential for food and pharmaceutical applications. However, the limited production of ACT in plants restricts its broader utilization. Although the biosynthetic pathways of ACT are increasingly understood, its transport mechanisms within plants remain unclear. RgMATE6, a vacuolar-type Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion (MATE) transporter identified in Rehmannia glutinosa (a plant known for ACT p roduction), was selected for investigation. This study aims to elucidate the role of RgMATE6 in ACT transport and its impact on ACT biosynthesis. Our study utilized a multidisciplinary approach, including in silico analysis to predict substrate specificity, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to quantify gene expression, HPLC to measure HPG levels, vacuolar membrane vesicle uptake assays to validate RgMATE6 transport activity in vitro, and genetic transformation in R. glutinosa to assess its functional roles in vivo. In silico analysis identified RgMATE6 as a phenolic compound transporter, and correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between the HPG accumulation and RgMATE6 expression in R. glutinosa. Functional validation through vacuolar membrane vesicle uptake assays in Nicotiana benthamiana confirmed RgMATE6’s role as an HPG transporter, demonstrating a significant preference for ACT. Overexpression and repression experiments in R. glutinosa further demonstrated that RgMATE6 facilitates ACT import into vacuoles and enhances its production. Additionally, tissue-specific expression analysis revealed the coordinated expression patterns between RgMATE6 and six ACT biosynthetic genes in the transgenic plants. RgMATE6 facilitates the transport and accumulation of ACT within vacuoles, and its expression might synergize with ACT biosynthesis. These findings establish a framework for improving ACT and other HPG production through targeted manipulation of plant MATE transporters. Full article

Early-life socialization (comingling with other litters before weaning) may affect social behaviors in pigs, but whether the impacts are sex-dependent is unknown. We assessed the effects of early-life socialization on interactions and behavioral responses of female and male pigs in a controlled test setting. Piglets (N = 12 litters) were either comingled from 14 days of age till weaning (Socialized, SOC) or not (Control, CON). Pigs (n= 96) were weaned at 28 days of age and regrouped in mixed-sex groups of eight. At 40 days of age, pigs were individually placed in an arena with one pen mate and one unfamiliar pig of the same sex kept behind fences. Behaviors (exploring the environment, exploring the fences, social contact, aggression, etc.) were observed for 8 min. Generalized linear mixed models with treatment and sex as fixed and pen as random effects were used. Overall, males spent more time exploring the fences of conspecifics than females. Although aggression was displayed by only a small minority of pigs overall, it was more frequently directed towards unfamiliar pigs. Despite this low prevalence, SOC pigs (10.4%) were significantly less likely to show aggression towards strangers than CON pigs (27.7%) (p = 0.0217), with this effect observed irrespective of sex. Critically, a time-dependent treatment-by-sex interaction emerged for the time spent exploring the pen mate’s fence. While the interaction was only a trend over the full 8 min (p = 0.0889), it became statistically significant during the latter 4 min of the test (p = 0.049). This interaction was observed, with SOC-males spending more time on this behavior than SOC-females and all CON pigs, potentially indicating a time-specific and possible shift in social preference. General exploratory and locomotor behaviors (including walking, standing, and general exploration of the environment) were not or only minimally influenced by treatment or sex. In conclusion, early socialization has a significant impact on reducing aggression towards unfamiliar conspecifics. However, the effects on social preference and interactions appear sex-dependent, possibly indicating an enhanced preference for familiar pen mates in males under specific testing conditions. Full article

This study investigates Egyptian seafarers’ perceptions, barriers, and adoption intentions towards renewable and low-carbon energy technologies. Recognizing the maritime sector’s significant contribution to global emissions and Egypt’s strategic role via the Suez Canal, the authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of 120 seafarers covering masters, engineers, and cadets. A questionnaire gauged familiarity with renewable energy, perceived relevance to maritime work, preferred energy sources, and factors influencing choice and perceived enablers, and results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher–Freeman–Halton exact tests. Respondents showed moderate–high awareness of renewable energy. Climate change was primarily associated with sea level rise, rising temperatures, and flooding. Most participants considered renewable energy highly relevant to maritime operations, with stronger endorsement from masters and second mates than from first mates. Solar, wind, and hydrogen were viewed as having the greatest future potential, while availability and cost effectiveness were critical selection factors. Advanced technology and better training were the most valued enablers, whereas high investment costs, limited infrastructure, safety concerns, and training gaps were key barriers. The findings suggest that, although Egyptian seafarers recognize the importance of renewable energy, the main barriers consist of establishment cost, needed infrastructure, safety, and necessity for training. Full article

The gut microbiota of Drosophila melanogaster offers a simplified yet powerful system to study conserved mechanisms of host–microbe interactions. Unlike the highly complex mammalian gut microbiota, which includes hundreds of species, the fly gut harbors a small and defined community dominated by Lactobacillus and Acetobacter. Despite its low diversity, this microbiota exerts profound effects on host physiology. Commensal bacteria modulate nutrient acquisition, regulate insulin/TOR signaling, and buffer dietary imbalances to support metabolic homeostasis and growth. They also influence neural and behavioral traits, including feeding preferences, mating, and aggression, through microbial metabolites and interactions with host signaling pathways. At the immune level, microbial molecules such as peptidoglycan, acetate, uracil, and cyclic dinucleotides activate conserved pathways including Imd, Toll, DUOX, and STING, balancing antimicrobial defense with tolerance to commensals. Dysbiosis disrupts this equilibrium, accelerating aging, impairing tissue repair, and contributing to tumorigenesis. Research in Drosophila demonstrates how a low-diversity microbiota can shape systemic host biology, offering mechanistic insights relevant to human health and disease. Full article

Objective: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. Although immunotherapy has transformed MCC management, published data remain limited. This comprehensive review evaluates current evidence on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in MCC, in relation to other treatment modalities such as surgery and radiotherapy. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles published between January 2000 and August 2025 were searched manually in four databases: Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed and MEDLINE, using the keywords “Merkel cell carcinoma” AND “immunotherapy” AND “immune checkpoint inhibitors”. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was employed. Results: ICIs can be given in different settings: (A) Neoadjuvant: The CheckMate 358 trial reported a 54.5% response rate among 33 radiologically evaluable patients treated with nivolumab, each showing over 30% tumor reduction. (B) Adjuvant: (1) The ADMEC-O phase II trial demonstrated improved disease-free survival with adjuvant nivolumab. (2) The ADAM phase III trial evaluates adjuvant avelumab in node-positive patients post-surgery/radiation, with common side effects including nausea, fatigue, and itching. (3) STAMP, a phase III trial, investigates pembrolizumab in stage I–III MCC. Both ADAM and STAMP have completed accrual and results are pending. (C) Primary therapy: KEYNOTE-017 and JAVELIN trials reported a 60% overall response rate and ~40% 3-year progression-free survival with first-line pembrolizumab or avelumab. Both agents also show promise as salvage therapies. Conclusions: ICIs demonstrate encouraging outcomes in MCC across various treatment stages. Continued research is essential to optimize treatment timing and integrate multimodal therapies. Full article

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a vulnerable animal in China, and it is crucial to improve the reproduction efficiency of the giant panda. Mate preference is an important part of natural mating. We hypothesized that AGS metabolites differ according to their mate preference. In this study, we determined estrus-associated hormone levels in the urine of 19 female giant pandas. After confirming estrus via hormone levels and behavioral observation, we collected environmental biomarkers for metabolomics analysis. A total of 19 samples were divided to two groups according to the mating preference of female giant pandas. Metabolomics analysis by LC-MS/MS showed that a total of 115 differentially expressed metabolites were identified, including 97 upregulated metabolites and 18 downregulated metabolites. We found that prostaglandin B2, palmitoylcarnitine, prostaglandin G2, and estrone may be the potential markers of female mate preference. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that steroid hormone biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and tropane, piperidine, and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis were the top three pathways. These results revealed the physiological changes in female giant pandas during mate preference trials, providing a perspective for understanding their chemical communication system reliant on anal gland secretions and improving the success rate of natural mating of giant pandas. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Chinese dwarf cherry (Cerasus humilis) is an endemic shrub fruit tree species in China. Its fruit is flavorful, nutrient-rich, and has considerable research and utilization potential. However, most currently cultivated varieties of C. humilis are highly acidic and primarily used for processing. Consumer-preferred, low-acid, fresh-eating varieties are scarce, limiting industrial development. We used 208 F₁ individuals derived from a cross between high-acid “Nongda 4” and the low-acid “DS-1”. Methods: Restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) was used to develop single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and construct a high-density genetic linkage map. Using two years of fruit titratable acidity phenotypic data, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and candidate gene screening were performed. Results: The genetic map contained 2491 SNP markers, assigned to eight linkage groups. The total genetic distance was 672.71 cm, with an average distance of 0.27 cm between markers, indicating high map quality. QTL mapping identified 18 loci associated with fruit titratable acidity, including 11 major-effect QTLs (logarithm of odds, LOD ≥ 3.5). These major-effect QTLs were concentrated on linkage groups LG2 and LG5, with an explained phenotypic variation of 8.6–31.13%. Two candidate genes were identified within QTL intervals: phosphoester phosphatase and MATE transmembrane transporter. The phosphatase gene’s expression showed a strong correlation with titratable acid content (p < 0.01, correlation coefficient 0.93), suggesting that it plays an important role regulating fruit acidity in C. humilis. Conclusions: This study supports marker-assisted breeding of low-acid, fresh-eating varieties, aiding commercial promotion of C. humilis. Full article

The current agent-based evolutionary models for animal communication rely on simplified signal representations that differ significantly from natural vocalizations. We propose a novel agent-based evolutionary model based on text-to-audio (TTA) models to generate realistic animal vocalizations, advancing from VAE-based real-valued genotypes to TTA-based textual genotypes that generate bird songs using a fine-tuned Stable Audio Open 1.0 model. In our sexual selection framework, males vocalize songs encoded by their genotypes while females probabilistically select mates based on the similarity between males’ songs and their preference patterns, with mutations and crossovers applied to textual genotypes using a large language model (Gemma-3). As a proof of concept, we compared TTA-based and VAE-based sexual selection models for the Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana)’s songs and preferences. While the VAE-based model produces population clustering but constrains the evolution to a narrow region near the latent space’s origin where reconstructed songs remain clear, the TTA-based model enhances the genotypic and phenotypic diversity, drives song diversification, and fosters the creation of novel bird songs. Generated songs were validated by a virtual expert using the BirdNET classifier, confirming their acoustic realism through classification into related taxa. These findings highlight the potential of combining large language models and TTA models in agent-based evolutionary models for animal communication. Full article

This study investigates the phenomenon of mate choice copying, wherein an individual (the observer) utilizes the assessments of peers of the same sex (the models) regarding a potential partner of the opposite sex (the target), thereby emulating the mate selection preferences of those peers. We examine how the financial status of female models, male targets, and female observers influences mate choice copying, along with the underlying social learning mechanisms. The findings reveal that mate choice copying occurs in the presence of high-financial-status models but is absent when models have low financial status. Mate choice copying, regulated by the financial status of the models, only manifests with targets of low financial status; it does not occur when the target’s financial status is high. Observers with low financial status engage in mate choice copying, irrespective of the models’ financial status. In contrast, observers with high financial status are unaffected by models with a low financial status and only exhibit mate choice copying if the models possess high financial status. Moreover, the study indicates that mediators such as personality traits exert disparate influences on the mate choice copying of observers from different economic backgrounds, suggesting the operation of distinct social learning mechanisms. Full article