From the Cover: Gut bacteria facilitate adaptation to crop rotation in the western corn rootworm

Insects are constantly adapting to human-driven landscape changes; however, the roles of their gut microbiota in these processes remain largely unknown. The western corn rootworm (WCR, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a major corn pest that has been controlled via annual rotation between corn (Zea mays) and nonhost soybean (Glycine max) in the United States. This practice selected for a “rotation-resistant” variant (RR-WCR) with reduced ovipositional fidelity to cornfields. When in soybean fields, RR-WCRs also exhibit an elevated tolerance of antiherbivory defenses (i.e., cysteine protease inhibitors) expressed in soybean foliage. Here we show that gut bacterial microbiota is an important factor facilitating this corn specialist’s (WCR''s) physiological adaptation to brief soybean herbivory. Comparisons of gut microbiota between RR- and wild-type WCR (WT-WCR) revealed concomitant shifts in bacterial community structure with host adaptation to soybean diets. Antibiotic suppression of gut bacteria significantly reduced RR-WCR tolerance of soybean herbivory to the level of WT-WCR, whereas WT-WCR were unaffected. Our findings demonstrate that gut bacteria help to facilitate rapid adaptation of insects in managed ecosystems.     

Influence of Humans on Evolution and Mobilization of Environmental Antibiotic Resistome

The clinical failure of antimicrobial drugs that were previously effective in controlling infectious disease is a tragedy of increasing magnitude that gravely affects human health. This resistance by pathogens is often the endpoint of an evolutionary process that began billions of years ago in non–disease-causing microorganisms. This environmental resistome, its mobilization, and the conditions that facilitate its entry into human pathogens are at the heart of the current public health crisis in antibiotic resistance. Understanding the origins, evolution, and mechanisms of transfer of resistance elements is vital to our ability to adequately address this public health issue.     

Cabinet of Curiosities: Venom Systems and Their Ecological Function in Mammals,with a Focus on Primates

Venom delivery systems (VDS) are common in the animal kingdom, but rare amongst mammals. New definitions of venom allow us to reconsider its diversity amongst mammals by reviewing the VDS of Chiroptera, Eulipotyphla, Monotremata, and Primates. All orders use modified anterior dentition as the venom delivery apparatus, except Monotremata, which possesses a crural system. The venom gland in most taxa is a modified submaxillary salivary gland. In Primates, the saliva is activated when combined with brachial gland exudate. In Monotremata, the crural spur contains the venom duct. Venom functions include feeding, intraspecific competition, anti-predator defense and parasite defense. Including mammals in discussion of venom evolution could prove vital in our understanding protein functioning in mammals and provide a new avenue for biomedical and therapeutic applications and drug discovery.     

淡豆豉的发酵工艺沿革及过程控制概述

通过查阅古籍及现代文献，对淡豆豉的历史演变、古今发酵工艺对比和关键环节控制进行了系统的梳理，分析并总结了淡豆豉的品质影响因素及其控制方法，以期为淡豆豉质量控制研究提供参考依据。经分析后发现，在淡豆豉的发酵过程中，发酵菌种、杂菌、温度和湿度等均为影响其品质的重要因素，“后酵”过程的条件控制更是被历代本草重点关注。此外，古代认可的“香美之豉”是以霉菌为优势菌发酵而成，发酵霉菌的选育和使用应是解决淡豆豉品质问题的要点。因此，基于历代本草所载 “香”和“美”的评价指标深入研究和优化菌种、温度、湿度等工艺条件对提高淡豆豉的品质具有重要意义。     

浅谈人类脑与智力进化

人脑是生物进化最高产物,人类智力以S型模式由低级向高级演变,故现代人处于智力进化的第二个缓慢发展阶段。人类的智商是有限的,但是人类认识自然、认识社会是无限的。提高人类智力应当在勤用脑,抗衰老,延年益寿上下功夫。     

Paracoccidioidomycosis: epidemiological,clinical, diagnostic and treatment up-dating

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an acute - to chronic systemic mycosis caused by fungi of the genus Paracoccidioides. Due to its frequent tegument clinical expression, paracoccidioidomycosis is an important disease for dermatologists, who must be up-to-date about it. This article focuses on recent epidemiological data and discusses the new insights coming from molecular studies, as well as those related to clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. In the latter section, we give particular attention to the guideline on paracoccidioidomycosis organized by specialists in this subject.