Babies' Innate Sense of Color

Before learning language, infants distinguish between categories such as green and blue

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Host Habitat Volatiles Enhance the Olfactory Response of the Larval Parasitoid Holepyris sylvanidis to Specifically Host-Associated Cues.

Host Habitat Volatiles Enhance the Olfactory Response of the Larval Parasitoid Holepyris sylvanidis to Specifically Host-Associated Cues.

Chem Senses. 2016 Jun 3;

Authors: Fürstenau B, Adler C, Schulz H, Hilker M

Abstract
Host foraging of parasitic wasps attacking insects living in stored food may be guided by volatile cues emanating from these postharvest products. However, little knowledge is available as to how habitat odor released from noninfested stored food affects the parasitoid's response to host-specific chemicals. In this study, we investigated the impact of wheat grist odor on the olfactory host search by the ectoparasitoid Holepyris sylvanidis This parasitoid attacks larvae of the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum, a common pest of grain products. Olfactometer bioassays showed that female H. sylvanidis were attracted by volatiles released from host larval feces, whereas odor of noninfested wheat grist was neither attractive nor did it mask the host-indicating cues. We analyzed the odor of host larval feces and wheat grist by coupled gaschromatography-mass spectrometry and recorded the parasitoid's electroantennographic (EAG) responses to the detected volatiles. Two specifically host-associated components of the fecal odor, (E)-2-nonenal and 1-pentadecene, elicited strong EAG responses. Both components were attractive when tested individually, but less than larval feces. Attraction of parasitoids to these host-specific key compounds was enhanced by addition of (i) noninfested habitat substrate odor or (ii) a blend of 3 EAG-active (but not behaviorally active) volatiles that had been identified in odor of noninfested grist (benzaldehyde, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene), but were also detected in the host fecal odor. The impact of these volatiles ubiquitously released in a food store by noninfested habitat substrate on the parasitoid's orientation to host-specific volatile cues is discussed.

PMID: 27261526 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Investigating Mixture Interactions of Astringent Stimuli Using the Isobole Approach.

Investigating Mixture Interactions of Astringent Stimuli Using the Isobole Approach.

Chem Senses. 2016 Jun 1;

Authors: Fleming EE, Ziegler GR, Hayes JE

Abstract
Astringents (alum, malic acid, tannic acid) representing 3 broad classes (multivalent salts, organic acids, and polyphenols) were characterized alone, and as 2- and 3-component mixtures using isoboles. In experiment 1, participants rated 7 attributes ("astringency," the sub-qualities "drying," "roughing," and "puckering," and the side tastes "bitterness," "sourness," and "sweetness") using direct scaling. Quality specific power functions were calculated for each stimulus. In experiment 2, the same participants characterized 2- and 3-component mixtures. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) and hierarchical clustering on attribute ratings across stimuli indicate "astringency" is highly related to "bitterness" as well as "puckering," and the subqualities "drying" and "roughing" are somewhat redundant. Moreover, power functions were used to calculate indices of interaction (I) for each attribute/mixture combination. For "astringency," there was evidence of antagonism, regardless of the type of mixture. Conversely, for subqualities, the pattern of interaction depended on the mixture type. Alum/tannic acid and tannic acid/malic acid mixtures showed evidence of synergy for "drying" and "roughing"; alum/malic acid mixtures showed evidence of antagonism for "drying," "roughing," and "puckering." Collectively, these data clarify some semantic ambiguity regarding astringency and its subqualities, as well as the nature of interactions of among different types of astringents. Present data are not inconsistent with the idea that astringency arises from multiple mechanisms, although it remains to be determined whether the synergy observed here might reflect simultaneous activation of these multiple mechanisms.

PMID: 27252355 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Consistency in infants' behavioural signalling of satiation during bottle-feeding.

Related Articles

Consistency in infants' behavioural signalling of satiation during bottle-feeding.

Pediatr Obes. 2015 Jun;10(3):180-7

Authors: Ventura AK, Inamdar LB, Mennella JA

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Understanding the dynamics of feeding is essential for preventing accelerated weight gain during infancy, a risk factor for obesity.
OBJECTIVES: Because infants satiate on larger volumes of cow milk formula (CMF) than CMF enriched with the free amino acid glutamate (CMF + glu), we used this model system to determine whether infants displayed consistent behaviours despite satiating on lower volumes.
METHODS: In this laboratory-based, within-subject experimental study of ≤4-month-old infants (n = 41) and their mothers, infants were videotaped while feeding to satiation CMF on one test day and CMF + glu on the other, in counterbalanced order. Each video-recording was analysed frame-by-frame for frequency and timing of behaviours.
RESULTS: Infants' behaviours were consistent in types and frequency but were displayed sooner when feeding CMF + glu compared with CMF. The less responsive the mother's feeding style, the less consistent the infant displayed behaviours across the two formula meals (P = 0.05). Infants who spat up (a possible sign of overfeeding) consumed more formula (P = 0.01) and had less responsive mothers (P = 0.04) compared with the other infants.
CONCLUSIONS: Infants are consistent in their behavioural displays during feeding at this developmental age. Regulation of intake and signalling of satiation during bottle-feeding are associated with formula composition and maternal feeding style.

PMID: 24990443 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Consistency in infants' behavioural signalling of satiation during bottle-feeding.

Related Articles

Consistency in infants' behavioural signalling of satiation during bottle-feeding.

Pediatr Obes. 2015 Jun;10(3):180-7

Authors: Ventura AK, Inamdar LB, Mennella JA

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Understanding the dynamics of feeding is essential for preventing accelerated weight gain during infancy, a risk factor for obesity.
OBJECTIVES: Because infants satiate on larger volumes of cow milk formula (CMF) than CMF enriched with the free amino acid glutamate (CMF + glu), we used this model system to determine whether infants displayed consistent behaviours despite satiating on lower volumes.
METHODS: In this laboratory-based, within-subject experimental study of ≤4-month-old infants (n = 41) and their mothers, infants were videotaped while feeding to satiation CMF on one test day and CMF + glu on the other, in counterbalanced order. Each video-recording was analysed frame-by-frame for frequency and timing of behaviours.
RESULTS: Infants' behaviours were consistent in types and frequency but were displayed sooner when feeding CMF + glu compared with CMF. The less responsive the mother's feeding style, the less consistent the infant displayed behaviours across the two formula meals (P = 0.05). Infants who spat up (a possible sign of overfeeding) consumed more formula (P = 0.01) and had less responsive mothers (P = 0.04) compared with the other infants.
CONCLUSIONS: Infants are consistent in their behavioural displays during feeding at this developmental age. Regulation of intake and signalling of satiation during bottle-feeding are associated with formula composition and maternal feeding style.

PMID: 24990443 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Global RNA Fold and Molecular Recognition for a pfl Riboswitch Bound to ZMP, a Master Regulator of One-Carbon Metabolism.

Related Articles

Global RNA Fold and Molecular Recognition for a pfl Riboswitch Bound to ZMP, a Master Regulator of One-Carbon Metabolism.

Structure. 2015 Aug 4;23(8):1375-81

Authors: Ren A, Rajashankar KR, Patel DJ

Abstract
ZTP, the pyrophosphorylated analog of ZMP (5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide ribose-5'-monophosphate), was identified as an alarmone that senses 10-formyl-tetrahydroflate deficiency in bacteria. Recently, a pfl riboswitch was identified that selectively binds ZMP and regulates genes associated with purine biosynthesis and one-carbon metabolism. We report on the structure of the ZMP-bound Thermosinus carboxydivorans pfl riboswitch sensing domain, thereby defining the pseudoknot-based tertiary RNA fold, the binding-pocket architecture, and principles underlying ligand recognition specificity. Molecular recognition involves shape complementarity, with the ZMP 5-amino and carboxamide groups paired with the Watson-Crick edge of an invariant uracil, and the imidazole ring sandwiched between guanines, while the sugar hydroxyls form intermolecular hydrogen bond contacts. The burial of the ZMP base and ribose moieties, together with unanticipated coordination of the carboxamide by Mg(2+), contrasts with exposure of the 5'-phosphate to solvent. Our studies highlight the principles underlying RNA-based recognition of ZMP, a master regulator of one-carbon metabolism.

PMID: 26118534 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Global RNA Fold and Molecular Recognition for a pfl Riboswitch Bound to ZMP, a Master Regulator of One-Carbon Metabolism.

Related Articles

Global RNA Fold and Molecular Recognition for a pfl Riboswitch Bound to ZMP, a Master Regulator of One-Carbon Metabolism.

Structure. 2015 Aug 4;23(8):1375-81

Authors: Ren A, Rajashankar KR, Patel DJ

Abstract
ZTP, the pyrophosphorylated analog of ZMP (5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide ribose-5'-monophosphate), was identified as an alarmone that senses 10-formyl-tetrahydroflate deficiency in bacteria. Recently, a pfl riboswitch was identified that selectively binds ZMP and regulates genes associated with purine biosynthesis and one-carbon metabolism. We report on the structure of the ZMP-bound Thermosinus carboxydivorans pfl riboswitch sensing domain, thereby defining the pseudoknot-based tertiary RNA fold, the binding-pocket architecture, and principles underlying ligand recognition specificity. Molecular recognition involves shape complementarity, with the ZMP 5-amino and carboxamide groups paired with the Watson-Crick edge of an invariant uracil, and the imidazole ring sandwiched between guanines, while the sugar hydroxyls form intermolecular hydrogen bond contacts. The burial of the ZMP base and ribose moieties, together with unanticipated coordination of the carboxamide by Mg(2+), contrasts with exposure of the 5'-phosphate to solvent. Our studies highlight the principles underlying RNA-based recognition of ZMP, a master regulator of one-carbon metabolism.

PMID: 26118534 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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