Interactive effect matters: a combination of herbivory degree and the ratio of generalist to specialist better predicts evolution of plant defense

Herbivory degree and the ratio of generalist to specialist herbivores have long been treated as two important but independent factors in shaping the evolution of plant defense. However, this assumption of independency is poorly supported and has resulted in great controversy in explaining the patterns of plant defense. Here we investigated the possible interaction between herbivory degree and generalist-to-specialist ratio using a cost-benefit model of defense evolution in plants. Our results showed that, with increasing generalist herbivore proportion, plant defense investment increases when herbivory degree is low and decreases when herbivory degree is high. These results provide the first theoretical support for the interactive effect of herbivory degree and ratio of generalist/specialist affecting plant defense, which integrate many of the previous results (e.g. latitudinal patterns of plant defense and defense evolution of invasive plants) and put them into a more general theoretical context.

EDNRA Gene rs1878406 Polymorphism is Associated With Susceptibility to Large Artery Atherosclerotic Stroke

Objective: We performed this study to investigate whether the EDNRA gene rs1878406 C > T polymorphism is associated with risk of large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke in the Chinese Han population.Methods: Genotyping of rs1878406 was performed in 1,112 LAA stroke patients and 1,192 healthy controls. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to assess the effect of the rs1878406 C > T polymorphism on susceptibility to LAA stroke.Results: A significant increase of LAA stroke risk was found in the recessive model (TT vs. CC/TC, OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.23–2.48, p = 0.002) and co-dominant model (TC vs. CC, OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.89–1.27, TT vs. CC, OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.25–2.55, p = 0.006). However, the interaction between age and genotypes of rs1878406 was not statistically significant, and no significant interactive effect was observed between the rs1878406 C > T polymorphism and sex (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The rs1878406 C > T polymorphism is associated with increased risk of LAA stroke in the Chinese Han population.

Effects of combined treatment of cadmium and oxytetracycline on the terrestrial isopod Porcellio leavis

The influence of pharmaceutical residues and heavy metals on living organisms has received global attention. The present study assessed the interactive effect of antibiotic residues and heavy metals in soil, as contaminated food with cadmium (Cd) and oxytetracycline (OTC) on the isopod Porcellio leavis. It was fed on fresh plant leaves contaminated with different concentrations of cadmium, Cd+OTC1000 ppm, Cd+OTC2000 ppm and Cd+OTC3000 ppm for 4 weeks. The changes in the feeding patterns, protein, lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase activity (CAT), and total free amino acids (TFAA) were recorded. There were significant differences in the obtained results where Cd reduced the egestion ratio (ER) however, OTC enhanced this ratio. Biochemical analysis illustrated that combination between OTC and Cd inhibits the toxic effects of Cd at low concentration (1000 ppm), while at high concentration (3000 ppm) raise the toxicity. Detailed studies are required for further understanding of the interaction between OTC and heavy metals, and also its impact on soil animals and for improving soil risk evaluation.

Revisiting the Relationship Between Tourism and Crime Based on a Dynamic Spatial Durbin Model

To determine the extent to which tourism development affects crime rate, this study uses a dynamic spatial Durbin model (DSDM) to examine the spatial effect of tourism on crime. Based on a panel data set of 21 cities in Sichuan Province, China, over the 2008 to 2018 period, and after controlling for the interactive effect, the results reveal that tourism exerts a significantly negative impact on crime. This implies that tourism development can reduce crime. Moreover, tourism has a negative spatial spillover effect; thus, increased tourist arrivals decrease crime in neighboring cities. Per capita GDP, wages, unemployment, population density, hotels, scenic spots, and travel agents generate various direct and spillover effects. Finally, we provide policy suggestions.