High rates of growth recorded for hawksbill sea turtles in Anegada, British Virgin Islands.

Management of species of conservation concern requires knowledge of demographic parameters, such as rates of recruitment, survival, and growth. In the Caribbean, hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) have been historically exploited in huge numbers to satisfy trade in their shells and meat. In the present study, we estimated growth rate of juvenile hawksbill turtles around Anegada, British Virgin Islands, using capture-mark-recapture of 59 turtles over periods of up to 649 days. Turtles were recaptured up to six times, having moved up to 5.9 km from the release location. Across all sizes, turtles grew at an average rate of 9.3 cm year(-1) (range 2.3-20.3 cm year(-1)), and gained mass at an average of 3.9 kg year(-1) (range 850 g-16.1 kg year(-1)). Carapace length was a significant predictor of growth rate and mass gain, but there was no relationship between either variable and sea surface temperature. These are among the fastest rates of growth reported for this species, with seven turtles growing at a rate that would increase their body size by more than half per year (51-69% increase in body length). This study also demonstrates the importance of shallow water reef systems for the developmental habitat for juvenile hawksbill turtles. Although growth rates for posthatching turtles in the pelagic, and turtles larger than 61 cm, are not known for this population, the implications of this study are that Caribbean hawksbill turtles in some areas may reach body sizes suggesting sexual maturity in less time than previously considered.This work was part funded by the UK Darwin Initiative (Project Ref. No. 162/12/023), NERC and the Japan Bekko Association. LAH is supported by Streamlining of Ocean Wavefarms Impact Assessment (SOWFIA) project and MJW was in receipt of a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) PhD studentship (NER/S/A/ 2004/12980) during the fieldwork. We thank the BVI National Parks Trust for their support and assistance. All work was sanctioned by the Conservation and Fisheries Department of the British Virgin Islands Government

Slower recovery in space before collapse of connected populations

Slower recovery from perturbations near a tipping point and its indirect signatures in fluctuation patterns have been suggested to foreshadow catastrophes in a wide variety of systems. Recent studies of populations in the field and in the laboratory have used time-series data to confirm some of the theoretically predicted early warning indicators, such as an increase in recovery time or in the size and timescale of fluctuations. However, the predictive power of temporal warning signals is limited by the demand for long-term observations. Large-scale spatial data are more accessible, but the performance of warning signals in spatially extended systems needs to be examined empirically. Here we use spatially extended yeast populations, an experimental system with a fold bifurcation (tipping point), to evaluate early warning signals based on spatio-temporal fluctuations and to identify a novel spatial warning indicator. We found that two leading indicators based on fluctuations increased before collapse of connected populations; however, the magnitudes of the increases were smaller than those observed in isolated populations, possibly because local variation is reduced by dispersal. Furthermore, we propose a generic indicator based on deterministic spatial patterns, which we call ‘recovery length’. As the spatial counterpart of recovery time, recovery length is the distance necessary for connected populations to recover from spatial perturbations. In our experiments, recovery length increased substantially before population collapse, suggesting that the spatial scale of recovery can provide a superior warning signal before tipping points in spatially extended systems.United States. National Institutes of Health (NIH R00 GM085279-02)United States. National Institutes of Health (NIH DP2)Alfred P. Sloan FoundationNational Science Foundation (U.S.

The "Ram Effect": A "Non-Classical" Mechanism for Inducing LH Surges in Sheep

During spring sheep do not normally ovulate but exposure to a ram can induce ovulation. In some ewes an LH surge is induced immediately after exposure to a ram thus raising questions about the control of this precocious LH surge. Our first aim was to determine the plasma concentrations of oestradiol (E2) E2 in anoestrous ewes before and after the "ram effect" in ewes that had a "precocious" LH surge (starting within 6 hours), a "normal" surge (between 6 and 28h) and "late» surge (not detected by 56h). In another experiment we tested if a small increase in circulating E2 could induce an LH surge in anoestrus ewes. The concentration of E2 significantly was not different at the time of ram introduction among ewes with the three types of LH surge. "Precocious" LH surges were not preceded by a large increase in E2 unlike "normal" surges and small elevations of circulating E2 alone were unable to induce LH surges. These results show that the "precocious" LH surge was not the result of E2 positive feedback. Our second aim was to test if noradrenaline (NA) is involved in the LH response to the "ram effect". Using double labelling for Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) we showed that exposure of anoestrous ewes to a ram induced a higher density of cells positive for both in the A1 nucleus and the Locus Coeruleus complex compared to unstimulated controls. Finally, the administration by retrodialysis into the preoptic area, of NA increased the proportion of ewes with an LH response to ram odor whereas treatment with the α1 antagonist Prazosin decreased the LH pulse frequency and amplitude induced by a sexually active ram. Collectively these results suggest that in anoestrous ewes NA is involved in ram-induced LH secretion as observed in other induced ovulators

Transcriptomics reveal an integrative role for maternal thyroid hormones during zebrafish embryogenesis

Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for embryonic brain development but the genetic mechanisms involved in the action of maternal THs (MTHs) are still largely unknown. As the basis for understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms of MTHs regulation we used an established zebrafish monocarboxylic acid transporter 8 (MCT8) knock-down model and characterised the transcriptome in 25hpf zebrafish embryos. Subsequent mapping of differentially expressed genes using Reactome pathway analysis together with in situ expression analysis and immunohistochemistry revealed the genetic networks and cells under MTHs regulation during zebrafish embryogenesis. We found 4,343 differentially expressed genes and the Reactome pathway analysis revealed that TH is involved in 1681 of these pathways. MTHs regulated the expression of core developmental pathways, such as NOTCH and WNT in a cell specific context. The cellular distribution of neural MTH-target genes demonstrated their cell specific action on neural stem cells and differentiated neuron classes. Taken together our data show that MTHs have a role in zebrafish neurogenesis and suggest they may be involved in cross talk between key pathways in neural development. Given that the observed MCT8 zebrafish knockdown phenotype resembles the symptoms in human patients with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome our data open a window into understanding the genetics of this human congenital condition.Portuguese Fundacao para Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) [PTDC/EXPL/MARBIO/0430/2013]; CCMAR FCT Plurianual financing [UID/Multi/04326/2013]; FCT [SFRH/BD/111226/2015, SFRH/BD/108842/2015, SFRH/BPD/89889/2012]; FCT-IF Starting Grant [IF/01274/2014]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antibacterial efficacies of brown sea weed Sargassum Wightii on Periodontal Pathogens: An In-Vitro Microbiological Analysis

Objective: Sargassum wightii is brown algae available across the south east coast of India which can produce many secondary metabolites and are opulent sources of potential plant derived by-products with antiviral, antihelminthic, antifungal and antibacterial activities. The objective of the current study was to assess minimal inhibitory concentration MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration MBC of whole leaf extract of Sargassum wightii on P.Gingivalis (Pg), F.Nucleatum (Fn), T.Forsythia (Tf) and A. Actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). Methods: The method executed out by serial dilutions of the test drug with thioglycollate broth nine times. Cultures of chosen pathogens were added to obtain culture suspension up to 10-9. Their turbidity has monitored to assess MIC after incubating in oxygen independent container. The First 3 or 5 dilutions tubes which were MIC sensitive were removed and incubated one complete day. To determine whether there was bacterio-static or bactericidal effect of the extract on selected organisms, colony numbers were assessed the day after. Results: Outcome for MIC was in the span of 0.2μg/ml to 0.4μg/ml and for MBC from 0.2μg/ml to 3.12μg/ml. Conclusion: Positive pharmacological effect does exists against tested microorganisms of whole leaf extract of Sargassum Wighitti & demands more extensive research for treating multi-factorial periodontal disease

Somatic growth dynamics of West Atlantic hawksbill sea turtles: a spatio-temporal perspective

This is the final version of the article. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Somatic growth dynamics are an integrated response to environmental conditions. Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are long-lived, major consumers in coral reef habitats that move over broad geographic areas (hundreds to thousands of kilometers). We evaluated spatio-temporal effects on hawksbill growth dynamics over a 33-yr period and 24 study sites throughout the West Atlantic and explored relationships between growth dynamics and climate indices. We compiled the largest ever data set on somatic growth rates for hawksbills – 3541 growth increments from 1980 to 2013. Using generalized additive mixed model analyses, we evaluated 10 covariates, including spatial and temporal variation, that could affect growth rates. Growth rates throughout the region responded similarly over space and time. The lack of a spatial effect or spatio-temporal interaction and the very strong temporal effect reveal that growth rates in West Atlantic hawksbills are likely driven by region-wide forces. Between 1997 and 2013, mean growth rates declined significantly and steadily by 18%. Regional climate indices have significant relationships with annual growth rates with 0- or 1-yr lags: positive with the Multivariate El Niño Southern Oscillation Index (correlation = 0.99) and negative with Caribbean sea surface temperature (correlation = −0.85). Declines in growth rates between 1997 and 2013 throughout the West Atlantic most likely resulted from warming waters through indirect negative effects on foraging resources of hawksbills. These climatic influences are complex. With increasing temperatures, trajectories of decline of coral cover and availability in reef habitats of major prey species of hawksbills are not parallel. Knowledge of how choice of foraging habitats, prey selection, and prey abundance are affected by warming water temperatures is needed to understand how climate change will affect productivity of consumers that live in association with coral reefs

Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Keratoconus: Multi-surgeon Results

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes in femtosecond laser–assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (F-DALK) to manual non-laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (M-DALK) for keratoconus in a multi-surgeon public healthcare setting. DESIGN: Single-center, comparative, retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: Population: Consecutive cases of keratoconus treated with big-bubble F-DALK from August 1, 2015, to September 1, 2018 and big-bubble M-DALK from September 1, 2012, to September 30, 2016. Setting: Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Observations: Data on preoperative status, operative details, intraoperative and postoperative complications, secondary interventions, and visual outcomes were archived on a customized spreadsheet for analysis. Main Outcome Measures: Rate of intraoperative perforation and conversion to penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and the percentage of patients, post removal of sutures (ROS), with corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) ≥20/40. RESULTS: We analyzed 58 eyes of 55 patients who underwent F-DALK and 326 eyes of 309 patients who underwent M-DALK. Intraoperative perforation of Descemet membrane occurred in 15 of 58 (25.9%) F-DALK cases compared to 148 of 326 (45.4%) M-DALK cases (P = .006). Intraoperative conversion to PK was carried out in 2 of 58 (3.4%) F-DALK cases compared to 80 of 326 (24.5%) M-DALK cases (P = .001). Post ROS, 86.5% of F-DALK eyes had a CDVA of ≥20/40 (15 ± 7.3 months after surgery) compared to 83.7% of M-DALK eyes (24.9 ± 10.6 months) (P = .825). CONCLUSION: Laser automation of some steps in DALK for keratoconus may reduce the rate of intraoperative Descemet perforation and the conversion to PK in a multi-surgeon setting

Epidemiological evidence of higher susceptibility to vCJD in the young

BACKGROUND: The strikingly young age of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD) cases remains unexplained. Age dependent susceptibility to infection has been put forward, but differential dietary exposure to contaminated food products in the UK population according to age and sex during the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic may provide a simpler explanation. METHODS: Using recently published estimates of dietary exposure in mathematical models of the epidemiology of the new variant Creutzfeldt Jacob disease (vCJD), we examine whether the age characteristics of vCJD cases may be reproduced. RESULTS: The susceptibility/exposure risk function has likely peaked in adolescents and was followed by a sharp decrease with age, evocative of the profile of exposure to bovine material consumption according to age. However, assuming that the risk of contamination was proportional to exposure, with no age dependent susceptibility, the model failed to reproduce the observed age characteristics of the vCJD cases: The predicted cumulated proportion of cases over 40 years was 48%, in strong disagreement with the observed 10%. Incorporating age dependent susceptibility led to a cumulated proportion of cases over 40 years old of 12%. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provides evidence that differential dietary exposure alone fails to explain the pattern of age in vCJD cases. Decreasing age related susceptibility is required to reproduce the characteristics of the age distribution of vCJD cases

Frontline Ph-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment and the emerging role of blinatumomab

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024.This narrative review seeks to summarize chemotherapeutic regimens commonly used for patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome–negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) in the frontline setting and to describe the latest clinical research using the bispecific T-cell–engaging immunotherapy blinatumomab in the first-line treatment setting. Current standard-of-care chemotherapeutic backbones for newly diagnosed Ph-negative BCP-ALL are based on the same overarching treatment principle: to reduce disease burden to undetectable levels and maintain lasting remission. The adult treatment landscape has progressively evolved following the adoption of pediatric-inspired regimens. However, these intense regimens are not tolerated by all, and high-risk patients still have inferior outcomes. Therefore, designing more effective and less toxic strategies remains key to further improving efficacy and safety outcomes. Overall, the treatment landscape is evolving in the frontline, and integration of blinatumomab into different standard frontline regimens may improve overall outcomes with a favorable safety profile

Exhaled nitric oxide and urinary EPX levels in infants: a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Objective markers of early airway inflammation in infants are not established but are of great interest in a scientific setting. Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and urinary eosinophilic protein X (uEPX) are a two such interesting markers.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To investigate the feasibility of measuring FeNO and uEPX in infants and their mothers and to determine if any relations between these two variables and environmental factors can be seen in a small sample size. This was conducted as a pilot study for the ongoing Swedish Environmental Longitudinal Mother and child Asthma and allergy study (SELMA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Consecutive infants between two and six months old and their mothers at children's health care centres were invited, and 110 mother-infant pairs participated. FeNO and uEPX were analysed in both mothers and infants. FeNO was analyzed in the mothers online by the use of the handheld Niox Mino device and in the infants offline from exhaled air sampled during tidal breathing. A 33-question multiple-choice questionnaire that dealt with symptoms of allergic disease, heredity, and housing characteristics was used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>FeNO levels were reduced in infants with a history of upper respiratory symptoms during the previous two weeks (p < 0.002). There was a trend towards higher FeNO levels in infants with windowpane condensation in the home (p < 0.05). There was no association between uEPX in the infants and the other studied variables.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The use of uEPX as a marker of early inflammation was not supported. FeNO levels in infants were associated to windowpane condensation. Measuring FeNO by the present method may be an interesting way of evaluating early airway inflammation. In a major population study, however, the method is difficult to use, for practical reasons.</p