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At least 1,513 records · Page 84Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

The evolutionary genetics of egg size plasticity in a butterfly.

Abstract The evolution of phenotypic plasticity requires that it is adaptive, genetically determined, and exhibits sufficient genetic variation. For the tropical butterfly Bicyclus anynana there is evidence that temperature-mediated plasticity in egg size is an adaptation to predictable seasonal change. Here we set out to investigate heritability in egg size and genetic variation in the plastic response to temperature in this species, using a half-sib breeding design. Egg size of individual females was first measured at a high temperature 4 days after eclosion. Females were then transferred to a low temperature and egg size was measured after acclimation periods of 6 and 12 days respectively. Overall, additive genetic variance explained only 3-11% of the total phenotypic variance, whereas maternal effects were more pronounced. Genotype-environment interactions and cross-environmental correlations of less than unity suggest that there is potential for short-term evolutionary change. Our findings strengthen the support for the adaptive nature of temperature-mediated plasticity in egg size.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2005

How stress selects for reversible phenotypic plasticity.

Stress occurring in periods shorter than life span strongly selects for reversible phenotypic plasticity, for maximum reliability of stress indicating cues and for minimal response delays. The selective advantage of genotypes that are able to produce adaptive reversible plastic phenotypes is calculated by using the concept of environmental tolerance. Analytic expressions are given for optimal values of mode and breadth of tolerance functions for stress induced and non-induced phenotypes depending on (1) length of stress periods, (2) response delay for switching into the induced phenotype, (3) response delay for rebuilding the non-induced phenotype, (4) intensity of stress, i.e. mean value of the stress inducing environment, (5) coefficient of variation of the stress environment and (6) completeness of information available to the stressed organism. Adaptively reversible phenotypic plastic traits will most probably affect fitness in a way that can be described by simultaneous reversible plasticity in mode and breadth of tolerance functions.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1991

The in vitro and in vivo evaluation of whole blood and red cell concentrates drawn on CPDA-1 and stored in a non-DEHP plasticized PVC container.

A new polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blood storage container, PL 2209, plasticized with butyryl-n-trihexyl-citrate (BTHC) instead of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was used for in vitro and in vivo studies. Whole blood and red cell concentrates drawn on CPDA-1 were stored 42 days at 1-6 degrees C. Various biochemical parameters were tested and compared to those values seen in the literature for products stored in DEHP-plasticized containers. Measurements of lactate production, glucose consumption, sodium and potassium ions for both whole blood and red cells were compatible with published data. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) values were on the average 73% for the red cell units and 80% for the whole blood units after 35 days storage. Hemolysis was 0.43% for the red cell concentrate and 0.38% for the whole blood units after the same storage period. Autologous recovery studies after 35 days of storage for both the whole blood units and red cell concentrate gave 80% recovery 24 h after reinjection. From these data it can be concluded that PL 2209 BTHC-plasticized PVC blood storage containers allow 35 days storage of blood draw on CPDA-1 and can be considered as an alternative to DEHP-plasticized PVC containers.

Adenine↗
PubMed2005

A modular concept of phenotypic plasticity in plants.

Based on empirical evidence from the literature we propose that, in nature, phenotypic plasticity in plants is usually expressed at a subindividual level. While reaction norms (i.e. the type and the degree of plant responses to environmental variation) are a property of genotypes, they are expressed at the level of modular subunits in most plants. We thus contend that phenotypic plasticity is not a whole-plant response, but a property of individual meristems, leaves, branches and roots, triggered by local environmental conditions. Communication and behavioural integration of interconnected modules can change the local responses in different ways: it may enhance or diminish local plastic effects, thereby increasing or decreasing the differences between integrated modules exposed to different conditions. Modular integration can also induce qualitatively different responses, which are not expressed if all modules experience the same conditions. We propose that the response of a plant to its environment is the sum of all modular responses to their local conditions plus all interaction effects that are due to integration. The local response rules to environmental variation, and the modular interaction rules may be seen as evolving traits targeted by natural selection. Following this notion, whole-plant reaction norms are an integrative by-product of modular plasticity, which has far-reaching methodological, ecological and evolutionary implications.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

Unravelling phenotypic plasticity -- why should we bother?

The ability of a genotype to change its phenotype was once considered rather a nuisance -- making it difficult to define a genotype. This led to the idea that there was a problem called 'instability'. But quite early it was recognized that stability was under genetic control, and was a character like other attributes of an individual. From this realization came the idea that there were two sides to the character of 'instability', and that the ability to change could be important. This ability was thus given the title of 'plasticity'. Once recognized, it became clear from surveys of different species and populations that plasticity can (i) be a complex character, and (ii) be selected to fit species to the particular demands of different environments. For plants, which cannot meet variations in environment like animals by behavioural responses, phenotypic plasticity can be very important. Plants should therefore be valuable tools for unravelling the mechanisms of plasticity whilst also demonstrating its contribution to fitness experimentally. We ought also to be able to demonstrate that appropriate genetic variability is available through which complex responses can be built up by selection. Genes must exist not only to determine character means, but also to determine character response, which adds interesting complexity to our ideas about evolution.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1980

Influence of optimal and excluded oral hygiene on early formation of dental plaque on plastic films. A quantitative and descriptive light and electron microscopic study.

The influence of oral hygiene on early plaque formation has been studied. The amount and structure of dental deposits formed on plastic films were determined at two occasions with or without a preceding period of effective oral hygiene. Six human subjects developed plaque during 4 hours on plastic films applied to the buccal surfaces of premolars and cuspids. The plastic films with adhering deposits were processed for electron microscopy. In presence of healthy gingiva, the plastic films were covered by a surface coating of acellular material in or on which bacteria, epithelial cells and leukocytes were observed. The microorganisms were almost exclusively Gram-positive cocci. When plaque formation was preceded by a week of excluded oral hygiene, the deposits collected on the same teeth exhibited a threefold increase in the number of bacteria. The relative composition of the flora was altered, as evidenced by a higher number of Gram-negative cells as well as the occurrence of rods and filamentous organisms. The results indicate that neglect of oral hygiene favors an earlier establishment of a complex bacterial flora at the dento-gingival region of the buccal surfaces of premolars and cuspids.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Ultrastructural estimation of the effect of sucrose and glucose rises on early dental plaque formed on plastic films.

The influence of water, glucose and sucrose rises on early plaque formation has been studied. The amount and structure of dental deposits formed on plastic films were determined on four occasions: no rinsing, water, glucose or sucrose rinses. Five subjects with healthy gingiva developed plaque in 4 h on plastic films applied to the buccal surfaces of premolars and canines, after which period the plastic films with adhering deposits were processed for electron microscopy. Sections were prepared for examination in the light and electron microscope. Some were stained for the demonstration of carbohydrates according to the periodic acid thiocarbohydrazide osmium tetroxide technique. Furthermore, the number of cellular elements collected on the films during the four experiments was calculated and statistically compared. The results in the four groups were identical. The plastic films were covered by a surface coating of acellular material in or on which bacteria, epithelial cells and leukocytes were observed. The microorganisms were almost exclusively Gram-positive cocci. Many bacteria exhibited intracellular polysaccharides. The results indicate that the rinsing procedure does not influence early plaque formation, and that frequent mouthrinses with glucose or sucrose have no detectable effect on plaque growth at this initial stage of bacterial adherence.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Selection on heritable phenotypic plasticity in a wild bird population.

Theoretical and laboratory research suggests that phenotypic plasticity can evolve under selection. However, evidence for its evolutionary potential from the wild is lacking. We present evidence from a Dutch population of great tits (Parus major) for variation in individual plasticity in the timing of reproduction, and we show that this variation is heritable. Selection favoring highly plastic individuals has intensified over a 32-year period. This temporal trend is concurrent with climate change causing a mismatch between the breeding times of the birds and their caterpillar prey. Continued selection on plasticity can act to alleviate this mismatch.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1966

Effect of electrostatic charge on the contamination of plastic food containers by airborne bacterial spores.

Electrostatic charge of approximately -10 kv was produced by friction on polystyrene food container samples. This charge quickly decayed to a lower, more stable, level. Exposure of samples to positively charged red and negatively charged green fluorescent particles resulted in a particle-distribution pattern on the plastic surface. The dynamic attraction of fluorescent particles was illustrated by time-lapse photography. Similar distribution patterns of airborne bacterial spores were shown to develop. In controlled bacterial aerosol exposure tests, an increase in surface contamination of the plastic samples was found to be quantitatively related to an increase in negative electrostatic charge on the plastic. Static charge was found to accumulate on plastic food containers during their manufacture, and to remain indefinitely on many of the finished products. This charge was of the intensity and polarity to attract positively charged bacterial cells if such particles were present in the air.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Effect of bran, ispaghula, and inert plastic particles on gastric emptying and small bowel transit in humans: the role of physical factors.

BACKGROUND: Coarse bran is known to accelerate transit through the whole gut and to increase stool weight. This effect is much reduced by grinding the bran, suggesting that particle size influences gut motor patterns. AIMS: To compare the effect of 15 g coarse bran with 15 g inert plastic particles and 7 g of ispaghula on the gastric emptying and small bowel transit of a rice pudding test meal. SUBJECTS: 13 healthy volunteers. METHODS: Transit of 99mTc labelled rice studied by gamma-scintigraphy measuring gastric emptying and colonic arrival over 10 hours. Small bowel transit was estimated from the difference between time to 50% gastric emptying and 50% colonic arrival. RESULTS: Bran delayed gastric emptying by 22 (SEM 8) minutes compared with control values of 88 (SEM 6) minutes p < 0.05. Ispaghula and plastic particles had no significant effect. Small bowel transit was accelerated compared with control values of 322 (SEM 29) minutes, decreasing by 95 (29) minutes and 62 (22) minutes after bran and plastic particles respectively. Ispaghula again showed no significant effect. CONCLUSION: Coarse bran delays gastric emptying and accelerates small bowel transit. The marked acceleration of small bowel transit also seen with inert plastic particles may be due to increased upper gut secretions after stimulation of enteric nerves.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Plastic response of a 2D Lennard-Jones amorphous solid: detailed analysis of the local rearrangements at very slow strain rate.

We analyze in detail the atomistic response of a model amorphous material submitted to plastic shear in the athermal, quasi-static limit. After a linear stress-strain behavior, the system undergoes a noisy plastic flow. We show that the plastic flow is spatially heterogeneous. Two kinds of plastic events occur in the system: quadrupolar localized rearrangements, and shear bands. The analysis of the individual motion of a particle shows also two regimes: a hyper-diffusive regime followed by a diffusive regime, even at zero temperature.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Plasticity in life-history traits.

We describe the impact of recent life-history plasticity theory on insect studies, particularly on the interface between genetics and plasticity. We focus on the three-dimensional relationship between three key life-history traits: adult size (or mass), development time and growth rate, and the connections to life cycle regulation, host plant choice, and sexual selection in seasonal environments. The review covers fitness consequences of variation in size, development time and growth rate, and effects of sex, photoperiod, temperature, diet, and perceived mortality risk on these traits. We give special attention to evidence for adaptive plasticity in growth rates because of the important effects of such plasticity on the expected relationships between development time and adult size and, hence, on the use of life-history, fitness, and optimality approaches in ecology, as well as in genetics.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Differential Behavior Between Isolated and Aggregated Rabbit Auricular Chondrocytes on Plastic Surfaces.

A knowledge of the behavior of chondrocytes in culture is relevant for tissue engineering. Chondrocytes dedifferentiate to a fibroblast-like phenotype on plastic surfaces. Dedifferentiation is reversible if these cells are then cultured in suspension. In this report a description is given of how when chondrocyte aggregates formed in suspension are next seeded on plastic, most of them attach as round or polygonal cells. This morphological differentiation, with synthesis of type II collagen, is stable for long culture periods. This simple method can be of use as a model for studies of chondrocyte behavior on plastic. The results indicate that in addition to culture conditions, such as cell isolation method or cell density, chondrocyte behavior on plastic depends on the presence of aggregates.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Solid-state and mechanical properties of aqueous chitosan-amylose starch films plasticized with polyols.

The film-forming ability of chitosan and binary mixtures of chitosan and native amylose corn starch (Hylon VII) was evaluated with free films prepared by a casting/solvent evaporation method. Unplasticized and plasticized free chitosan films in aqueous acetic acid and respective films containing a mixture of chitosan and native amylose starch in acetic acid were prepared. Glycerol, sorbitol, and i-erythritol were used as plasticizers. Solid-state and mechanical properties of the films were studied by powder x-ray diffractometry (XPRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a materials testing machine. The films composed of a mixture of chitosan and native amylose starch in acetic acid were clear and colorless. A plasticizer concentration of 20% wt/wt (of the polymer weight) was sufficient to obtain flexible films with all samples tested. X-ray diffraction patterns and DSC thermograms indicated an amorphous state of the films independent of the type of plasticizer used. In conclusion, incorporation of native amylose corn starch into chitosan films improves the consistency and the mechanical properties of the films.

Amylose↗
PubMed1991

Differences in adhesion to tissue culture plastic of clonally related transformed and control sublines from an epithelial cell strain.

Clonally related sublines of the NAL1A lung epithelial cell strain were used in a comparison of the mechanism of attachment and the morphology of control and transformed epithelial cells. The initial attachment and spreading of the control cells on tissue culture plastic was shown to be dependent upon adsorption of serum vitronectin to the substratum. The alpha v subunit of the vitronectin receptor was detected in both the control and transformed cells by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot methods. The spontaneously transformed cells differed from the control cells in that, whereas attachment to tissue culture plastic could occur by binding to adsorbed vitronectin, the transformed cells could also become attached, with time, by a vitronectin-independent mechanism. Attachment by this vitronectin-independent reaction was inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide and also by the microtubule-disrupting drugs demicolcemid and nocodazole. The morphologies of attached control and transformed cells cultured on tissue culture plastic were disrupted by treatment with cytochalasin B, demicolcemid or nocodazole, indicating that the shape of these cultured epithelial cells is dependent upon the microtubule system as well as the actin filaments. These results show one important difference between the control and transformed cells, in that the transformed cells can attach to tissue culture plastic by a vitronectin-independent mechanism that involves new protein synthesis by the cell. Another interesting difference is that this vitronectin-independent attachment of the transformed cells was sensitive to inhibition by microtubule-disrupting agents. On the other hand, the attachment of either transformed or control cells to fibronectin- or vitronectin-coated surfaces was not affected by microtubule-disrupting agents.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed2006

Phenotypic plasticity of adult myocardium: molecular mechanisms.

Cardiac phenotypic plasticity (so-called cardiac remodelling, CR) is characterized by changes in myocardial structure that happen in response to either mechanical overload or a loss of substance such as that occurring after myocardial infarction. Mechanosensation is a widespread biological process and is inextricably mixed with other transduction systems from hormones and vasopeptides, which ultimately produce post-translational modifications of transcription factors. The expression of the four main transcription factors during cardiogenesis is also enhanced as a link to foetal reprogramming. CR results from re-expression of the foetal programme, which is mostly adaptive, but also from several other phenotypic modifications that are not usually adaptive, such as fibrosis. (i) The initial determinant is mechanical, and re-expression of the foetal programme includes a global increase in genetic expression with cardiac hypertrophy, re-expression of genes that are normally not expressed in the adult ventricles, repression of genes not expressed during the foetal life, and activation of pre-exisiting stem cells. Microarray technology has revealed a coordinated change in expression of genes pertaining to signal transduction, metabolic function, structure and motility, and cell organism defence. The physiological consequence is a better adapted muscle. (ii) During clinical conditions, the effects of mechanics are modified by several interfering determinants that modify CR, including senescence, obesity, diabetes, ischemia and the neurohormonal reaction. Each of these factors can alter myocardial gene expression and modify molecular remodelling of mechanical origin. Finally, as compared to evolutionary phenotypic plasticity described in plants and insects in response to variations in environmental conditions, in CR, the environmental factor is internal, plasticity is primarily adaptive, and it involves coordinated changes in over 1400 genes. Study of reaction norms showed that the genotypes from different animal species are similarly plastic, but there are transgenic models in which adaptation to mechanics is not caused by hypertrophy but by qualitative changes in gene expression.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

Plasticity of chemotaxis revealed by paired presentation of a chemoattractant and starvation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

While the basic functioning of the nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans has been extensively studied, its behavioural plasticities have not been fully explored because of the limited availability of assay systems. We report here a simple form of chemotaxis plasticity in this organism: when worms are starved on plates that contain NaCl, their chemotaxis towards NaCl falls dramatically. This conditioning requires both the presence of NaCl and the absence of a bacterial food source, indicating that it is not merely adaptation or habituation, but that it is likely to be a form of associative learning. While chemotaxis towards volatile chemoattractants does not change significantly after conditioning with NaCl, chemotaxis towards other water-soluble attractants does decrease. This suggests that an altered response of a cell or a group of cells specifically involved in chemotaxis towards water-soluble chemoattractants is responsible for the behavioural alteration. The decrease in chemotaxis occurred slowly over 3-4 h of conditioning and returned quickly to the original level when either of the conditioning stimuli, NaCl or starvation, was removed. The application of serotonin partially blocked this reduction in chemotaxis, consistent with the proposed function of this neurotransmitter in food signalling. Using this assay, we have isolated three mutants with reduced plasticity. This assay system expands the opportunities for studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of behavioural plasticity in C. elegans.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Thermal plasticity of skeletal muscle phenotype in ectothermic vertebrates and its significance for locomotory behaviour.

Seasonal cooling can modify the thermal preferenda of ectothermic vertebrates and elicit a variety of physiological responses ranging from winter dormancy to an acclimation response that partially compensates for the effects of low temperature on activity. Partial compensation of activity levels is particularly common in aquatic species for which seasonal temperature changes provide a stable cue for initiating the response. Thermal plasticity of locomotory performance has evolved independently on numerous occasions, and there is considerable phylogenetic diversity with respect to the mechanisms at the physiological and molecular levels. In teleosts, neuromuscular variables that can be modified include the duration of motor nerve stimulation, muscle activation and relaxation times, maximum force and unloaded shortening velocity (V(max)), although not all are modified in every species. Thermal plasticity in V(max) has been associated with changes in myosin ATPase activity and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition and/or with a change in the ratio of myosin light chain isoforms. In common carp (Cyprinus carpio), there are continuous changes in phenotype with acclimation temperature at lower levels of organisation, such as MyHC composition and V(max), but a distinct threshold for an effect in terms of locomotory performance. Thus, there is no simple relationship between whole-animal performance and muscle phenotype. The nature and magnitude of temperature acclimation responses also vary during ontogeny. For example, common carp acquire the ability to modify MyHC composition with changes in acclimation temperature during the juvenile stage. In contrast, the thermal plasticity of swimming performance observed in tadpoles of the frog Limnodynastes peronii is lost in the terrestrial adult stage. Although it is often assumed that the adjustments in locomotory performance associated with temperature acclimation enhance fitness, this has rarely been tested experimentally. Truly integrative studies of temperature acclimation are scarce, and few studies have considered both sensory and motor function in evaluating behavioural responses. Developmental plasticity is a special case of a temperature acclimation response that can lead to temporary or permanent changes in morphology and/or physiological characteristics that affect locomotory performance.

Acclimatization↗