In natural systems plants face a plethora of antagonists and thus have evolved multiple defence strategies. Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is a model plant for studies of inducible indirect anti-herbivore defences including the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and extrafloral nectar (EFN). In contrast, studies on direct chemical defence mechanisms as crucial components of lima ...

A recently published article describing the draft genome of Erwiniamallotivora BT-Mardi (1), the causal pathogen of papaya dieback infection in Peninsular Malaysia, hassignificant potential to overcome and reduce the effect of this vulnerable crop (2). The authors found that the draft genome sequenceis approximately 4824 kbp and the G+C content of the genomewas 52-54%, which is very similarto t...

Lung defences are dependant on a complex array of mechanisms in the upper airways, which must to be differentiated from those of the distal airways. However, the first lines of defence in the proximal and distal airways are predominantly based on mechanical barriers and several mechanisms related to innate immunity. If pathogens or antigens reach the interstitium, dendritic cells will take up t...

The paper at hand discusses the applicability of knowledge scorecards and intellectual capital management for monitoring and steering of knowledgedriven organizations based upon a best practice project at the Austrian Defence Academy (in particular the School for Atomic, Biological and Chemical Defence). Within this project a model-driven approach based upon the PROMOTE® methodology has been im...

The response of plants to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi involves a temporal and spatial activation of different defence mechanisms. The activation and regulation of these defences have been proposed to play a role in the maintenance of the mutualistic status of the association, however, how these defences affect the functioning and development of arbuscular mycorrhiza remains unclear. A number o...

The inflammatory process of the uvea is called uveitis and may cause sight threatening damage to the eye. The aetiological factor in about 30% of the cases of uveitis is unknown. If established clinical entities without known cause, such as Fuchs' uveitis, are included, no aetiological agent or association with systemic disease can be identified in about 50% of cases.' Uveitis may be induced by...

Plant growth can be limited by resource acquisition and defence against consumers, leading to contrasting trade-off possibilities. The competition-defence hypothesis posits a trade-off between competitive ability and defence against enemies (e.g. herbivores and pathogens). The growth-defence hypothesis suggests that strong competitors for nutrients are also defended against enemies, at a cost t...

DNA methylation plays an important role in suppressing retrotransposon activity in mammalian genomes, yet there are stages of mammalian development where global hypomethylation puts the genome at risk of retrotransposition-mediated genetic instability. Hypomethylated primordial germ cells appear to limit this risk by expressing a cohort of retrotransposon-suppressing genome-defence genes whose ...

Currently, disgust is regarded as the main adaptation for defence against pathogens and parasites in humans. Disgust’s motivational and behavioural features, including withdrawal, nausea, appetite suppression, and the urge to vomit, defend effectively against ingesting or touching sources of pathogens. However, ectoparasites do not attack their hosts via ingestion, but rather actively attach th...

Animal societies depend on effective defence of group resources. Defensive mechanisms can be costly and may constrain the evolution of social structure. We analysed how exocrine mechanisms of colony defence were affected by the evolution of social complexity and of nest architecture in paper wasps (Vespidae). Eusocial paper wasp species exhibit two discrete grades of eusociality, with new colon...