Search results for "IMMUNOLOGY"
showing 10 items of 9651 documents
Punishment of polygyny
1999
We investigated the evolution of monogamy (one male, one female) and polygyny (one male, more than one female). In particular, we studied whether it is possible for a mutant polygynous mating strategy to invade a resident population of monogamous breeders and, alternatively, whether a mutant monogamy can invade resident polygyny. Our population obeys discrete-time Ricker dynamics. The role of males and females in the breeding system is incorporated via the harmonic birth function. The results of the invasability analysis are straightforward. Polygyny is an evolutionarily stable strategy mating system; this holds throughout the examined range of numbers of offspring produced per female. So t…
Costs and Benefits of Experimentally Induced Changes in the Allocation of Growth versus Immune Function under Differential Exposure to Ectoparasites
2010
Background Ecological immunology has focused on the costs of investment in immunocompetence. However, understanding optimal resource allocation to immune defence requires also identification of its benefits, which are likely to occur only when parasites are abundant. Methodology We manipulated the abundance of parasitic hen fleas in blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests, and supplemented their hosts, the nestlings, with methionine (a sulphur amino acid enhancing cell-mediated immunity) during day 3–6. We found a significant interaction between these two experimental factors on the development of immune defences and growth rates. Only in parasitized nests did methionine supplementation boost …
How to escape from insect egg parasitoids : a review of potential factors explaining parasitoid absence across the Insecta
2020
The egg is the first life stage directly exposed to the environment in oviparous animals, including many vertebrates and most arthropods. Eggs are vulnerable and prone to mortality risks. In arthropods, one of the most common egg mortality factors is attack from parasitoids. Yet, parasitoids that attack the egg stage are absent in more than half of all insect (sub)orders. In this review, we explore possible causes explaining why eggs of some insect taxa are not parasitized. Many insect (sub)orders that are not attacked by egg parasitoids lack herbivorous species, with some notable exceptions. Factors we consider to have led to escape from egg parasitism are parental egg care, rapid egg deve…
The Strategic Reference Gene: an organismal theory of inclusive fitness
2019
How to define and use the concept of inclusive fitness is a contentious topic in evolutionary theory. Inclusive fitness can be used to calculate selection on a focal gene, but it is also applied to whole organisms. Individuals are then predicted to appear designed as if to maximise their inclusive fitness, provided that certain conditions are met (formally when interactions between individuals are 'additive'). Here we argue that applying the concept of inclusive fitness to organisms is justified under far broader conditions than previously shown, but only if it is appropriately defined. Specifically, we propose that organisms should maximise the sum of their offspring (including any accrued…
Impacto de las recomendaciones sobre la vacunación del tétanos-difteria en el ámbito laboral
2017
Resumen Objetivo El objetivo de nuestro estudio es evaluar el impacto de las recomendaciones del Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo en cuanto a la vacunacion en una mutua colaboradora con la Seguridad Social (FREMAP). Metodo Se trata de un estudio observacional retrospectivo de la vacunacion de tetanos-difteria (Td) en adultos, en FREMAP, entre enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2013. Resultados Se han registrado 126.101 accidentes susceptibles de vacunacion de Td, de los cuales han sido vacunados 11.468 (9%). No ha habido diferencias significativas en cuanto a si fueron accidentes incapacitantes o no, ni en cuanto a sexo. Se han encontrado diferencias significativas en el grupo de edad 46-55 anos, …
21. Mainzer Allergie-Workshop
2009
Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Children and Adults
2018
Umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) from unrelated donors is a suitable option of HSCT for patients in whom it is indicated, and a suitable related or unrelated BM or PB donor is not available in due time.
'Palaeoshellomics' reveals the use of freshwater mother-of-pearl in prehistory
2019
The extensive use of mollusc shell as a versatile raw material is testament to its importance in prehistoric times. The consistent choice of certain species for different purposes, including the making of ornaments, is a direct representation of how humans viewed and exploited their environment. The necessary taxonomic information, however, is often impossible to obtain from objects that are small, heavily worked or degraded. Here we propose a novel biogeochemical approach to track the biological origin of prehistoric mollusc shell. We conducted an in-depth study of archaeological ornaments using microstructural, geochemical and biomolecular analyses, including ‘palaeoshellomics’, the first…
Searching for the immunological basis of wheat sensitivity
2016
A new study has advanced our knowledge on the pathogenesis of noncoeliac wheat sensitivity (NCWS), implicating the activation of innate immunity markers and immunological mechanisms at the basis of NCWS. However, limitations in the design of studies performed in this field will need addressing to help identify the root cause of NCWS.