Tomato Plant-Associated Xanthoderma: Case Report and Review of Exogenous Causes of Yellow Skin

The skin, hair, and nails can all present with yellow discoloration secondary to exogenous etiologies. Xanthoderma, yellow discoloration of the skin, can occur not only from exogenous sources secondary to topical contact with various substances but also from endogenous causes such as diseases from the liver and kidney, or oral medications. A 64-year-old man developed asymptomatic, yellow staining of his distal left forearm, hand, and fingertips. He was not receiving antimalarials, did not have hepatic or renal dysfunction, and had not applied any sunless tanning solutions to his skin. Prior to the appearance of his xanthoderma, he had been tending to a tomato plant in his yard; the yellow staining appeared on the areas of his left upper extremity that had contacted the stems and leaves of the tomato plant. Within two days, the yellow skin discoloration resolved spontaneously after several washings of the affected areas with soap and water. Tomato plants have trichomes that appear as hair-like structures on the stems and produce an oily substance; the trichomes not only produce the scent of the plant, but also provide protection from cold, drought, disease, and pests. Initially, when the oily substance contacts the skin, the skin appears yellow; subsequently, the skin may become black. The skin that has been stained by a tomato plant is referred to as "tomato skin" (TOMASK). In addition to reviewing the etiology of exogenous xanthoderma, this paper also summarizes the causes of exogenous yellow hair and yellow nails. Exogenous yellowing of the skin can result from various topical causes. Common topical etiologies of xanthoderma include not only contact with tomato plants, but also sunless tanning solutions (that contain dihydroxyacetone) and tobacco (that not only causes yellow staining of the white hair on men's upper lip referred to as "smoker's mustache", but also yellow staining of the nail plate and fingertips used to hold the cigarette or cigar). In summary, tomato plant-associated xanthoderma is a benign exogenous etiology of yellow staining of the skin which eventually resolves after several washings of the affected sites with soap and water.

Organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence material with strained benzoguanidine donor

Organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials have been widely investigated due to their impressive electronic properties and applied potential for the third generation of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). We present organic TADF material (4BGIPN) based on the strained benzoguanidine donor and compare it with the benchmark carbazole-based material (4CzIPN). Extended π-conjugation in 4BGIPN material results in yellow-green luminescence at 512 nm with a fast radiative rate of 5.5 × 10-5 s-1 and a photoluminescence quantum yield of 46% in methylcyclohexane solution. Such a nitrogen-rich 4BGIPN material has a significantly stabilized highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) at -6.4 eV while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) at -4.0 eV, indicating potential suitability for application as the electron transport layer or TADF class III emitter in OLEDs.

The Genetic Mechanisms Underlying the Concerted Expression of the yellow and tan Genes in Complex Patterns on the Abdomen and Wings of Drosophila guttifera

How complex morphological patterns form is an intriguing question in developmental biology. However, the mechanisms that generate complex patterns remain largely unknown. Here, we sought to identify the genetic mechanisms that regulate the tan (t) gene in a multi-spotted pigmentation pattern on the abdomen and wings of Drosophila guttifera. Previously, we showed that yellow (y) gene expression completely prefigures the abdominal and wing pigment patterns of this species. In the current study, we demonstrate that the t gene is co-expressed with the y gene in nearly identical patterns, both transcripts foreshadowing the adult abdominal and wing melanin spot patterns. We identified cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) of t, one of which drives reporter expression in six longitudinal rows of spots on the developing pupal abdomen, while the second CRM activates the reporter gene in a spotted wing pattern. Comparing the abdominal spot CRMs of y and t, we found a similar composition of putative transcription factor binding sites that are thought to regulate the complex expression patterns of both terminal pigmentation genes y and t. In contrast, the y and t wing spots appear to be regulated by distinct upstream factors. Our results suggest that the D. guttifera abdominal and wing melanin spot patterns have been established through the co-regulation of y and t, shedding light on how complex morphological traits may be regulated through the parallel coordination of downstream target genes.

A Case of Nail Yellow Discoloration due to Topical Treatment of Onychomycosis with Luliconazole 5% Nail Solution

A woman in her 70s had onychomycosis that was treated with topical luliconazole solution. Her nails changed color to yellow due to the treatment and exposure to sunlight. Avoidance of sunlight and continuous application of luliconazole resolved the discoloration and were effective for the treatment of onychomycosis one year after the first visit.

The yellow gene regulates behavioural plasticity by repressing male courtship in Bicyclus anynana butterflies

Seasonal plasticity in male courtship in Bicyclus anynana butterflies is due to variation in levels of the steroid hormone 20E (20-hydroxyecdysone) during pupation. Wet season (WS) males have high levels of 20E and become active courters. Dry season (DS) males have lower levels of 20E and reduced courtship rates. However, WS courtship rates can be achieved if DS male pupae are injected with 20E at 30% of pupation. Here, we investigated the genes involved in male courtship plasticity and examined whether 20E plays an organizational role in the pupal brain that later influences the sexual behaviour of adults. We show that DS pupal brains have a sevenfold upregulation of the yellow gene relative to the WS brains, and that knocking out yellow leads to increased male courtship. We find that injecting 20E into DS pupa reduced yellow expression although not significantly. Our results show that yellow is a repressor of the neural circuity for male courtship behaviour in B. anynana. 20E levels experienced during pupation could play an organizational role during pupal brain development by regulating yellow expression, however, other factors might also be involved. Our findings are in striking contrast to Drosophila where yellow is required for male courtship.

Yellow-b, -c, -d, and -h are required for normal body coloration of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata

The involvement of yellow genes y-b, y-c, y-e, and y-h in cuticle tanning has poorly been clarified. In the present paper, six putative yellow (y-y, y-b, y-c, y-e y-f, and y-h) genes were identified in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. Hvy-b, Hvy-c, Hvy-e, and Hvy-h were abundantly transcribed at early larval and late pupal stages, especially in the epidermis. Accordingly, RNA interference (RNAi) experiments were performed by an injection of dsy-b, dsy-c, dsy-e, or dsy-h into the second instar larvae and 1-day-old pupae. The head capsule, scoli and strumae, and legs in the fourth-instar larvae became blacker; the blackish spots in the pupae were darkened and widened after RNAi of Hvy-b, compared with those of dsegfp-treated controls. Depletion of Hvy-b at the 1-day-old pupal stage expanded two pair of black markings on the sternum of the metathorax, and darkened the black patched on the sterna of the abdomen segments I-VI in the resultant adults. Depletion of Hvy-e caused darker pigmented adult body and elytral cuticles than those of dsegfp-introduced controls. However, there was no obvious difference in pigmentation of the black markings. Hvy-h-deficient larvae displayed dark yellow body color, whereas the body color of the dsegfp-injected control was pale yellow. There was no obvious difference in coloration of larval specific-black markings or pupal cuticle between dsHvy-h- and dsegfp-treated animals. Moreover, silence of Hvy-c at the second instar larval stage lightened black markings in the resulting larvae and pupae, but had no influence on pale yellow body color. Our results demonstrated their different roles of the four yellow genes during body pigmentation: HvY-b and HvY-c, respectively, inhibit and facilitate the coloration within dark markings, whereas HvY-e and HvY-h, respectively, repress the pigmentation in adult and larval body cuticles outside the black patches in H. vigintioctopunctata.

The Technology Transfer from Europe to China in the 17th-18th Centuries: Non-Invasive On-Site XRF and Raman Analyses of Chinese Qing Dynasty Enameled Masterpieces Made Using European Ingredients/Recipes

Two masterpieces of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 CE), one in gilded brass (incense burner) decorated with cloisonné enamels stylistically attributed to the end of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the other in gold (ewer offered by Napoleon III to the Empress as a birthday present), decorated with both cloisonné and painted enamels bearing the mark of the Qianlong Emperor, were non-invasively studied by optical microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy and X-ray microfluorescence spectroscopy (point measurements and mapping) implemented on-site with mobile instruments. The elemental compositions of the metal substrates and enamels are compared. XRF point measurements and mappings support the identification of the coloring phases and elements obtained by Raman microspectroscopy. Attention was paid to the white (opacifier), blue, yellow, green, and red areas. The demonstration of arsenic-based phases (e.g., lead arsenate apatite) in the blue areas of the ewer, free of manganese, proves the use of cobalt imported from Europe. The high level of potassium confirms the use of smalt as the cobalt source. On the other hand, the significant manganese level indicates the use of Asian cobalt ores for the enamels of the incense burner. The very limited use of the lead pyrochlore pigment (European Naples yellow recipes) in the yellow and soft green cloisonné enamels of the Kangxi incense burner, as well as the use of traditional Chinese recipes for other colors (white, turquoise, dark green, red), reinforces the pioneering character of this object in technical terms at the 17th-18th century turn. The low level of lead in the cloisonné enamels of the incense burner may also be related to the use of European recipes. On the contrary, the Qianlong ewer displays all the enameling techniques imported from Europe to obtain a painted decoration of exceptional quality with the use of complex lead pyrochlore pigments, with or without addition of zinc, as well as cassiterite opacifier.

Smoker's Mustache Revisited: Upper Lip Hair Yellow Discoloration Associated With Tobacco

Yellow hair discoloration (xanthotrichia) has been observed in several settings. Indeed, acquired xanthotrichia, in addition to environmental and occupational causes, can be observed secondary to either iatrogenic, topical, or systemic exposure to systemic drugs and certain systemic conditions: most commonly essential fatty acid deficiencies, protein deficiency, or vitamin B12 deficiency. Smoker's mustache refers to the acquired yellow discoloration of previously white hair on the cutaneous upper lip of men. These individuals are typically elderly and have a history of smoking either cigarettes, cigars, or pipes of several years' duration. The asymptomatic dyschromia often originates centrally, affecting the hair overlying the philtrum and expanding laterally. The condition is asymptomatic, and affected individuals are either unaware of the color change or not concerned with their altered appearance. Yellow to brown discoloration of the thumbnails, fingernails, or both (such as nicotine sign and/or harlequin nails) may be an accompanying clinical stigma to the smoker's mustache and a clue to the diagnosis. Management options include smoking cessation or hair removal of the discolored hair, or both; however, patients usually elect to continue smoking, maintain their facial hair, and continue to display their distinctive yellow smoker's mustache.

First report of cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus in melon in the Central Valley of California

In California, the whitefly-transmitted yellowing viruses, cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) and cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), both genus Crinivirus, fam. Closteroviridae, have been limited to the Sonoran Desert production regions of Imperial and Riverside counties since their emergence in 2006 and 2014, respectively (Kuo et al., 2007; Wintermantel et al., 2009, 2019) where losses to these viruses have nearly eliminated fall melon production. CYSDV and CCYV have never been identified in the Central Valley, but the aphid-transmitted cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV; genus Polerovirus, fam. Luteoviridae) which produces symptoms nearly identical to those induced by CYSDV and CCYV (Lemaire et al. 1993) is common. As part of a larger study to monitor for whitefly-transmitted yellowing viruses in the southwestern United States, melon leaves exhibiting foliar mottling and interveinal chlorosis beginning near the crown and spreading outward along vines (e-Xtra 1), typical of symptoms caused by yellowing viruses, were collected from 106 melon plants in four commercial fields and a research plot in Fresno County, California, during October 2020. Whiteflies (B. tabaci) were present in all fields and confirmed as MEAM1 (biotype B) by PCR. Total RNA and DNA were extracted separately from the same leaf from each plant to determine the presence of RNA and DNA viruses. Total RNA was extracted as described in Tamang et al. (2021), and was used in RT-PCR with primer sets designed to amplify a 277 nt portion of the CABYV RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene (CABYV RdRp-F - 5' AAGAGCGGCAGCTACAATAC 3', CABYV RdRp-R - 5' TGCCACATTCCGGTTCATAG 3'), and portions of the CCYV and CYSDV RdRp genes encoded on RNA1 of the latter two viruses (Kavalappara et al., 2021). In addition, each CYSDV and CCYV infection was confirmed using a second set of primers that amplified 394 and 372 nt portions of the coat protein gene of each virus, respectively, encoded on RNA2 (Wintermantel et al., 2009; 2019). The 953 nt CCYV RdRp and 394 nt CYSDV CP amplicons were sequenced and found to share greater than 98% sequence identity to CCYV RNA1 (Accession No. MH477611.1) and CYSDV RNA2 (Accession No. LT992901.1), respectively. The CABYV infections were secondarily confirmed using a second set of primers designed to the CP gene (Kassem et al. 2007). Furthermore, four RNA samples from two separate fields that previously tested positive for CYSDV and CABYV and the only CCYV infection were confirmed using a recently developed multiplex RT-qPCR method (Mondal et al. 2021, submitted). Total DNA was extracted using methods described in Mondal et al. (2016) and was used in PCR to test for the presence of the whitefly-transmitted begomovirus, cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) which also occurs in the Sonoran Desert melon production region (Hagen et al, 2008), and is capable of inducing yellowing and leaf curl symptoms in melon. CABYV was by far the most prevalent virus, infecting 34/106 plants tested (32%) among the five fields. Four plants from three fields were infected singly with CYSDV (4%), and three more CYSDV infected plants from two fields were co-infected with CABYV (3%). Only one plant was found to be infected with CCYV as a single virus infection (1%). No triple infections nor any CuLCrV were detected in any of the plants sampled. This is the first report of CYSDV and CCYV in the Central Valley of California. In this survey, although CABYV was the predominant yellowing virus infecting melons in the Central Valley (32%), detection of CYSDV in fields distant from one another and the presence of CCYV even in a single field warrant more extensive monitoring of cucurbit crops and known alternate hosts of these viruses in the Central Valley.

Functional conservation and diversification of yellow-y in lepidopteran insects

The diverse colors and patterns found in Lepidoptera are important for success of these species. Similar to the wings of adult butterflies, lepidopteran larvae exhibit diverse color variations to adapt to their habitats. Compared with butterfly wings, however, less attention has been paid to larval body colorations and patterns. In the present study, we focus on the yellow-y gene, which participates in the melanin synthesis pathway. We conducted CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis of yellow-y in the tobacco cutworm Spodoptera litura. We analyzed the role of S. litura yellow-y in pigmentation by morphological observation and discovered that yellow-y is necessary for normal black pigmentation in S. litura. We also showed species- and tissue-specific requirements of yellow-y in pigmentation in comparison with those of Bombyx mori yellow-y mutants. Furthermore, we found that almost none of the yellow-y mutant embryos hatched unaided. We provide evidence that S. litura yellow-y has a novel important function in egg hatching, in addition to pigmentation. The present study will enable a greater understanding of the functions and diversification of the yellow-y gene in insects.

Attributes of Yellow Traps Affecting Attraction of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Laboratory assays were conducted to evaluate responses of Diaphorina citri to various aspects of visual cues associated with traps in an effort to improve trap effectiveness. Addition of white or UV violet but not yellow light-emitting diodes (LEDs) increased attraction to standard yellow adhesive traps moderately (11–17%), with no difference in attraction between white or UV violet LEDs. Addition of a black border on yellow traps enhanced collections. However, there were no differences between attraction to black patterns on traps. Comparisons were made between different commercial paints, some with UV-reflecting properties or fluorescence. A yellow paint with UV reflectance, used for painting bird decoys (decoy yellow), was more attractive than the standard yellow Olson sticky trap. Addition of white or green pigment to increase intensity or enhance green reflectance, respectively, did not increase attraction. Alteration of reflectance of Olson traps with addition of UV-reflecting or fluorescent pigments did not enhance attraction of D. citri. In field comparisons, decoy yellow and fluorescent yellow sticky traps were more attractive to D. citri than Olson yellow.

The yellow gene influences Drosophila male mating success through sex comb melanization

Drosophila melanogaster males perform a series of courtship behaviors that, when successful, result in copulation with a female. For over a century, mutations in the yellow gene, named for its effects on pigmentation, have been known to reduce male mating success. Prior work has suggested that yellow influences mating behavior through effects on wing extension, song, and/or courtship vigor. Here, we rule out these explanations, as well as effects on the nervous system more generally, and find instead that the effects of yellow on male mating success are mediated by its effects on pigmentation of male-specific leg structures called sex combs. Loss of yellow expression in these modified bristles reduces their melanization, which changes their structure and causes difficulty grasping females prior to copulation. These data illustrate why the mechanical properties of anatomy, not just neural circuitry, must be considered to fully understand the development and evolution of behavior.

More than 100 years ago, Nobel-prize winning geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan and his colleagues discovered that some fruit flies inherited genetic mutations that caused their body color to change. The yellow flies had a mutation in one specific gene and these mutants did not only look different from normal flies, they behaved differently too. Specifically, yellow males were far less successful at mating than normal males, demonstrating for the first time that some behaviors had a genetic basis.

Since then it has remained a mystery how the genetic mutations that cause yellow coloration in fruit flies lead to unsuccessful mating attempts. Geneticists have long suggested that mutations in insect pigment genes cause changes in the fly’s brain because these pigments are made from dopamine, a chemical messenger that acts in the brain. They proposed that yellow flies must have altered levels of dopamine in their brains which was causing them to fail at mating.

To solve this mystery, Massey et al. used a series of genetic experiments and high speed-videos to assess how mutations in male yellow fruit flies affected their mating behavior. The experiments showed that yellow fruit flies mated poorly not because of changes in their brain but because of changes in specialized structures on their legs called sex combs. The yellow males lack melanin pigments in their sex combs, which changes their structure. As a result, the yellow males would court female flies but were then unable to grab and mount them. This explains why yellow flies often fail to mate and why fruit flies have sex combs in the first place.

The study reveals the importance of scientists considering that genes that affect behavior may do so by changing anatomy rather than by altering the brain. The results also may benefit those working to control insect pests. For example, they could help insect pest managers to develop strategies that prevent reproduction in other insects that spread disease or destroy crops.

When structure meets function

A new study upturns the long-held belief that the yellow gene determines sex-specific behaviors in fruit flies by acting in the brain.

Specific Gene Disruption in the Major Livestock Pests Cochliomyia hominivorax and Lucilia cuprina Using CRISPR/Cas9

Cochliomyia hominivorax and Lucilia cuprina are major pests of livestock. Their larvae infest warm-blooded vertebrates and feed on host's tissues, resulting in severe industry losses. As they are serious pests, considerable effort has been made to develop genomic resources and functional tools aiming to improve their management and control. Here, we report a significant addition to the pool of genome manipulation tools through the establishment of efficient CRISPR/Cas9 protocols for the generation of directed and inheritable modifications in the genome of these flies. Site-directed mutations were introduced in the C hominivorax and L cuprina yellow genes (ChY and LcY) producing lightly pigmented adults. High rates of somatic mosaicism were induced when embryos were injected with Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) pre-assembled with guide RNAs (sgRNAs) at high concentrations. Adult flies carrying disrupted yellow alleles lacked normal pigmentation (brown body phenotype) and efficiently transmitted the mutated alleles to the subsequent generation, allowing the rapid creation of homozygous strains for reverse genetics of candidate loci. We next used our established CRISPR protocol to disrupt the C hominivorax transformer gene (Chtra). Surviving females carrying mutations in the Chtra locus developed mosaic phenotypes of transformed ovipositors with characteristics of male genitalia while exhibiting abnormal reproductive tissues. The CRISPR protocol described here is a significant improvement on the existing toolkit of molecular methods in calliphorids. Our results also suggest that Cas9-based systems targeting Chtra and Lctra could be an effective means for controlling natural populations of these important pests.

An Evolutionary Perspective of Dopachrome Tautomerase Enzymes in Metazoans

Melanin plays a pivotal role in the cellular processes of several metazoans. The final step of the enzymically-regulated melanin biogenesis is the conversion of dopachrome into dihydroxyindoles, a reaction catalyzed by a class of enzymes called dopachrome tautomerases. We traced dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) and dopachrome converting enzyme (DCE) genes throughout metazoans and we could show that only one class is present in most of the phyla. While DCTs are typically found in deuterostomes, DCEs are present in several protostome phyla, including arthropods and mollusks. The respective DCEs belong to the yellow gene family, previously reported to be taxonomically restricted to insects, bacteria and fungi. Mining genomic and transcriptomic data of metazoans, we updated the distribution of DCE/yellow genes, demonstrating their presence and active expression in most of the lophotrochozoan phyla as well as in copepods (Crustacea). We have traced one intronless DCE/yellow gene through most of the analyzed lophotrochozoan genomes and we could show that it was subjected to genomic diversification in some species, while it is conserved in other species. DCE/yellow was expressed in most phyla, although it showed tissue specific expression patterns. In the parasitic copepod Mytilicola intestinalis DCE/yellow even belonged to the 100 most expressed genes. Both tissue specificity and high expression suggests that diverse functions of this gene family also evolved in other phyla apart from insects.

Three Melanin Pathway Genes, TH, yellow, and aaNAT, Regulate Pigmentation in the Twin-Spotted Assassin Bug, Platymeris biguttatus (Linnaeus)

Pigmentation plays a vital role in insect survival and reproduction. Many melanin pathway genes have been studied in holometabolous insects; however, they have only been studied in two hemimetabolous insect genera, Oncopeltus and Periplaneta. Here we analyzed three melanin pathway genes (TH, yellow, and aaNAT) using RNA interference (RNAi) in another hemimetabolous insect, namely the twin-spotted assassin bug, Platymeris biguttatus. TH was highly expressed in freshly molted nymphs and adults. TH RNAi resulted in a complete loss of black pigment, with yellow coloration maintained. Therefore, black pigment in this assassin bug is solely generated from the melanin pathway, whereas yellow pigment is generated from other unknown pigmentation pathways. yellow and aaNAT were highly expressed in the white spot of the hemelytra. Downregulation of yellow caused a brown phenotype with high mortality, indicating an important role of yellow functions in cuticle formation and in the process of converting melanin from brown to black. Interestingly, aaNAT RNAi caused not only loss of white pigment, but also loss of yellow and red pigments. This phenotype of aaNAT has not been reported in other insects. Our results provide new information for understanding the melanin pathway in which aaNAT is essential for the formation of colorless patterns.

Two novel pyrrolooxazole pigments formed by the Maillard reaction between glucose and threonine or serine

Pyrrolothiazolate formed by the Maillard reaction between l-cysteine and d-glucose has a pyrrolothiazole skeleton as a chromophore. We searched for a Maillard pigment having a pyrrolooxazole skeleton formed from l-threonine or l-serine instead of l-cysteine in the presence of d-glucose. As a result, two novel yellow pigments, named pyrrolooxazolates A and B, were isolated from model solutions of the Maillard reaction containing l-threonine and d-glucose, and l-serine and d-glucose, respectively, and identified as (2R,3S,7aS)-2,3,7,7a-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-2,5,7a-trimethyl-7-oxo-pyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazole-3-calboxylic acid and (3S,7aS)-2,3,7,7a-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-5,7a-dimethyl-7-oxo-pyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazole-3-calboxylic acid by instrumental analyses. These compounds were pyrrolooxazole derivatives carrying a carboxy group, and showed the absorption maxima at 300-360 nm under acidic and neutral conditions and at 320-390 nm under alkaline conditions.

The Genetic Basis of Pigmentation Differences Within and Between Drosophila Species

In Drosophila, as well as in many other plants and animals, pigmentation is highly variable both within and between species. This variability, combined with powerful genetic and transgenic tools as well as knowledge of how pigment patterns are formed biochemically and developmentally, has made Drosophila pigmentation a premier system for investigating the genetic and molecular mechanisms responsible for phenotypic evolution. In this chapter, we review and synthesize findings from a rapidly growing body of case studies examining the genetic basis of pigmentation differences in the abdomen, thorax, wings, and pupal cases within and between Drosophila species. A core set of genes, including genes required for pigment synthesis (eg, yellow, ebony, tan, Dat) as well as developmental regulators of these genes (eg, bab1, bab2, omb, Dll, and wg), emerge as the primary sources of this variation, with most genes having been shown to contribute to pigmentation differences both within and between species. In cases where specific genetic changes contributing to pigmentation divergence were identified in these genes, the changes were always located in noncoding sequences and affected cis-regulatory activity. We conclude this chapter by discussing these and other lessons learned from evolutionary genetic studies of Drosophila pigmentation and identify topics we think should be the focus of future work with this model system.

Yellow and social perceptions of racing cyclists' sportspersonship: Proposing an inter-contextual analysis

Through inter-contextual designs, the present set of experiments sought to explore whether the colour yellow would impact on social perceptions of sportspersonship exclusively in relation to competitive cycling. In Experiment 1 (N = 149), a silhouette image of a cyclist on a yellow background yielded lower perceptions of sportspersonship in comparison to grey or to the context of motocross, regardless of the colour. That interaction was conceptually replicated in Experiment 2 (N = 146) while changing measures (i.e., adaptation of the World Anti-Doping Code) and the context of comparison to sprinting. Furthermore, female and male observers' scores did not differ significantly thereby suggesting that yellow impacted on perceived sportspersonship similarly across gender. On the whole, those findings suggest that yellow can generate negative impressions of racing cyclists because, with years, this colour took on a meaning of opportunism from frequent pairings with doping. We close with discussing a number of limitations and future research avenues.

Differential binding of colors to objects in memory: red and yellow stick better than blue and green

Both evolutionary considerations and recent research suggest that the color red serves as a signal indicating an object’s importance. However, until now, there is no evidence that this signaling function of red is also reflected in human memory. To examine the effect of red on memory, we conducted four experiments in which we presented objects colored in four different colors (red, green, blue, and yellow) and measured later memory for the presence of an object and for the color of an object. Across experiments, we varied the type of objects (words vs. pictures), task complexity (single objects vs. multiple objects in visual scenes), and intentionality of encoding (intentional vs. incidental learning). Memory for the presence of an object was not influenced by color. However, in all four experiments, memory for the color of an object depended on color type and was particularly high for red and yellow-colored objects and particularly low for green-colored objects, indicating that the binding of colors into object memory representations varies as a function of color type. Analyzing the observers’ confidence in their color memories revealed that color not only influenced objective memory performance but also subjective confidence. Subjective confidence judgments differentiated well between correct and incorrect color memories for red-colored objects, but poorly for green-colored objects. Our findings reveal a previously unknown color effect which may be of considerable interest for both basic color research and applied settings like eyewitness testimony in which memory for color features is relevant. Furthermore, our results indicate that feature binding in memory is not a uniform process by which any attended feature is automatically bound into unitary memory representations. Rather, memory binding seems to vary across different subtypes of features, a finding that supports recent research showing that object features are stored in memory rather independently from each other.

Poroma with sebaceous differentiation: dermoscopy for the diagnosis of skin tumor with sebaceous differentiation

Although divergent adnexal differentiations are occasionally seen in poroma, poroma with sebaceous differentiation is extremely rare. We present here the second case of dermoscopy on poroma with sebaceous differentiation. A 38-year-old Japanese female presented with a 2-year history of a slow-growing nodule on her left forearm. Dermoscopically, fine hairpin-like vessels, beige lobular structures were seen in the nodule. Many small yellow dots were scattered between beige lobular structures, giving orange-beige in color as a whole. On the basis of histopathologic findings, a diagnosis of poroma with sebaceous differentiation was made. Some sebaceous tumors are known to exhibit yellowish structures on dermoscopy. Tumors with sebaceous differentiation, as well as conventional sebaceous tumors, can show yellow structures on dermoscopy.

Transcriptome sequencing of a chimaera reveals coordinated expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes mediating yellow formation in herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.)

BACKGROUND

Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is a traditional flower in China and a wedding attractive flower in worldwide. In its flower colour, yellow is the rarest which is ten times the price of the other colours. However, the breeding of new yellow P. lactiflora varieties using genetic engineering is severely limited due to the little-known biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying its characteristic formation.

RESULTS

In this study, two cDNA libraries generated from P. lactiflora chimaera with red outer-petal and yellow inner-petal were sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq™ 2000 platform. 66,179,398 and 65,481,444 total raw reads from red outer-petal and yellow inner-petal cDNA libraries were generated, which were assembled into 61,431 and 70,359 Unigenes with an average length of 628 and 617 nt, respectively. Moreover, 61,408 non-redundant All-unigenes were obtained, with 37,511 All-unigenes (61.08%) annotated in public databases. In addition, 6,345 All-unigenes were differentially expressed between the red outer-petal and yellow inner-petal, with 3,899 up-regulated and 2,446 down-regulated All-unigenes, and the flavonoid metabolic pathway related to colour development was identified using the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database (KEGG). Subsequently, the expression patterns of 10 candidate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the flavonoid metabolic pathway were examined, and flavonoids were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. Numerous anthoxanthins (flavone and flavonol) and a few anthocyanins were detected in the yellow inner-petal, which were all lower than those in the red outer-petal due to the low expression levels of the phenylalanine ammonialyase gene (PlPAL), flavonol synthase gene (PlFLS), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene (PlDFR), anthocyanidin synthase gene (PlANS), anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase gene (Pl3GT) and anthocyanidin 5-O-glucosyltransferase gene (Pl5GT).

CONCLUSION

Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis based on the high throughput sequencing technology was an efficient approach to identify critical genes in P. lactiflora and other non-model plants. The flavonoid metabolic pathway and glucide metabolic pathway were identified as relatived yellow formation in P. lactiflora, PlPAL, PlFLS, PlDFR, PlANS, Pl3GT and Pl5GT were selected as potential candidates involved in flavonoid metabolic pathway, which inducing inhibition of anthocyanin biosynthesis mediated yellow formation in P. lactiflora. This study could lay a theoretical foundation for breeding new yellow P. lactiflora varieties.

Partial venom gland transcriptome of a Drosophila parasitoid wasp, Leptopilina heterotoma, reveals novel and shared bioactive profiles with stinging Hymenoptera

Analysis of natural host-parasite relationships reveals the evolutionary forces that shape the delicate and unique specificity characteristic of such interactions. The accessory long gland-reservoir complex of the wasp Leptopilina heterotoma (Figitidae) produces venom with virus-like particles. Upon delivery, venom components delay host larval development and completely block host immune responses. The host range of this Drosophila endoparasitoid notably includes the highly-studied model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. Categorization of 827 unigenes, using similarity as an indicator of putative homology, reveals that approximately 25% are novel or classified as hypothetical proteins. Most of the remaining unigenes are related to processes involved in signaling, cell cycle, and cell physiology including detoxification, protein biogenesis, and hormone production. Analysis of L. heterotoma's predicted venom gland proteins demonstrates conservation among endo- and ectoparasitoids within the Apocrita (e.g., this wasp and the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis) and stinging aculeates (e.g., the honey bee and ants). Enzyme and KEGG pathway profiling predicts that kinases, esterases, and hydrolases may contribute to venom activity in this unique wasp. To our knowledge, this investigation is among the first functional genomic studies for a natural parasitic wasp of Drosophila. Our findings will help explain how L. heterotoma shuts down its hosts' immunity and shed light on the molecular basis of a natural arms race between these insects.