Feeding postural behaviors and food geometric and material properties in bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)

Foods that are geometrically and mechanically challenging to eat have been associated with specializations in feeding behavior and craniodental morphology across primates, and many of these foods are embedded, requiring a variety of positional behaviors during feeding. However, variation in positional behaviors in response to food properties is not well understood. Here, we examine differences in feeding postural behaviors across feeding events in relation to substrate and food geometric and material properties in a species of extractive foragers, bearded capuchins (Sapajus libidinosus).Methods and materialsWe coded over 1400 co-occurring postural and feeding behaviors, their durations, and relative sizes of substrate and food from videos recorded at Fazenda Boa Vista in Gilbués, Piauí, Brazil. Food material properties were measured from foods collected at the time of the video recordings.ResultsOur results suggest that bearded capuchin feeding postures significantly differ across the feeding sequence, with substrate size, and between foods of high and low toughness and elastic modulus. Feeding postures were less variable for highly mechanically challenging foods. Food size also had a significant effect on postural behaviors. Large foods were more likely to be associated with suspended postures and small foods with sitting and squatting. Feeding postural behaviors were best explained by a combination of substrate and food variables.ConclusionsOur results indicate that food geometric and mechanical properties have a significant influence on feeding postural behaviors in bearded capuchins. We posit that feeding postural behaviors reflect a combination of substrate variables and food properties, and large, mechanically challenging foods have a limiting effect on postural variation.<br

Effects of ezetimibe on markers of synthesis and absorption of cholesterol in high-risk patients with elevated C-reactive protein

AbstractAimsHigh-risk subjects with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) are at high risk for cardiovascular events and frequently require potent statins or combined lipid-lowering therapy to achieve lipid targets and decrease inflammation. Our study aimed at evaluating the effects of three lipid-modifying therapies on LDL-cholesterol, CRP levels and markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis.Main methodsA prospective intervention study was performed in high cardiovascular risk individuals receiving atorvastatin 10mg daily for four weeks. Those with CRP≥2.0mg/L were randomized to another four-week treatment period with atorvastatin 40mg, ezetimibe 10mg or the combination of atorvastatin 40mg / ezetimibe 10mg. Lipids, markers of cholesterol absorption (campesterol and β-sitosterol), and synthesis (desmosterol), as well as CRP were quantified at baseline and end of study.Key findingsOne hundred and twenty two individuals were included. Atorvastatin alone or combined with ezetimibe reduced both LDL-cholesterol and CRP (P<0.002 vs. baseline; Wilcoxon); ezetimibe did not modify CRP. Ezetimibe-based therapies reduced absorption markers and their ratios to cholesterol (P<0.0001 vs. baseline, for all; Wilcoxon), whereas atorvastatin alone increased campesterol/cholesterol and β-sitosterol/cholesterol ratios (P<0.05 vs. baseline; Wilcoxon). In addition, ezetimibe also increased desmosterol and desmosterol/cholesterol ratio (P<0.0001 vs. baseline; Wilcoxon).SignificanceThese results contribute to understanding the link between cellular cholesterol homeostasis, inflammation and lipid-modifying therapies. Our findings highlight the broader benefit of combined therapy with a potent statin and ezetimibe decreasing inflammation, and preventing increase in cholesterol biosynthesis, an effect not observed with ezetimibe alone

Role of B lymphocytes in the infarcted mass in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Despite early reperfusion, patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may present large myocardial necrosis and significant impairment of ventricular function. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of subtypes of B lymphocytes and related cytokines in the infarcted mass and left ventricular ejection fraction obtained by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging performed after 30 days of STEMI. This prospective study included 120 subjects with STEMI submitted to pharmacoinvasive strategy. Blood samples were collected in subjects in the first (D1) and 30th (D30) days post STEMI. The amount of CD11b+ B1 lymphocytes (cells/ml) at D1 were related to the infarcted mass (rho = 0.43; P=0.033), measured by cardiac MRI at D30. These B1 cells were associated with CD4+ T lymphocytes at D1 and D30, while B2 classic lymphocytes at day 30 were related to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Higher titers of circulating IL-4 and IL-10 were observed at D30 versus D1 (P=0.013 and P<0.001, respectively). Titers of IL-6 at D1 were associated with infarcted mass (rho = 0.41, P<0.001) and inversely related to LVEF (rho = -0.38, P<0.001). After multiple linear regression analysis, high-sensitivity troponin T and IL-6 collected at day 1 were independent predictors of infarcted mass and, at day 30, only HDL-C. Regarding LVEF, high-sensitivity troponin T and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were independent predictors at day 1, and B2 classic lymphocytes, at day 30. In subjects with STEMI, despite early reperfusion, the amount of infarcted mass and ventricular performance were related to inflammatory responses triggered by circulating B lymphocytes

Pharmacoinvasive strategy in elderly up to 75 years or non-elderly: analysis of biochemical and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging parameters

Background: Pharmacoinvasive strategy is an alternative when primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not feasible. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of early pharmacoinvasive strategy on the infarct size and left ventricular ejection fraction in elderly and non-elderly patients. The role of inflammatory markers was also examined. Methods: Patients (n=223) with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were prospectively included and submitted to pharmacological thrombolysis in the first six hours, and underwent coronary angiogram and PCI when necessary, in the first 24 hours. Blood samples were collected in the first day (D1) and after 30 days (D30). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) was performed at D30. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Elderly and non-elderly patients showed similar percentage of infarcted mass (13.7 [6.9-17.0] vs. 14.0 [7.3-26.0], respectively, p=0.13) (median [interquartile range]). However, elderly patients had better left ventricular ejection fraction (53 [45-62] vs. 49 [39-58], p=0.025). Titers of interleukin (IL)1beta, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 did not differ between D1 and D30, but elderly patients had higher titers for IL-18 at D1 and D30. Absolute numbers of B and T lymphocytes were similar in both groups at D1 and D30, but elderly patients had higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio at D30. Multivariate linear regression analysis of cMRI outcomes in the whole population showed that the independent predictors were not different between elderly and non-elderly patients. Conclusion: Pharmacoinvasive strategy in elderly patients was associated with small differences in inflammatory parameters, similar infarct size and better left ventricular function than non-elderly patients

The role of soluble fiber intake in patients under highly effective lipid-lowering therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been demonstrated that statins can increase intestinal sterol absorption. Augments in phytosterolemia seems related to cardiovascular disease.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>We examined the role of soluble fiber intake in endogenous cholesterol synthesis and in sterol absorption among subjects under highly effective lipid-lowering therapy.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>In an open label, randomized, parallel-design study with blinded endpoints, subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia (n = 116) were assigned to receive during 12 weeks, a daily dose of 25 g of fiber (corresponding to 6 g of soluble fibers) plus rosuvastatin 40 mg (n = 28), rosuvastatin 40 mg alone (n = 30), sinvastatin 40 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg plus 25 g of fiber (n = 28), or sinvastatin 40 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg (n = 30) alone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The four assigned therapies produced similar changes in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides (p < 0.001 vs. baseline) and did not change HDL-cholesterol. Fiber intake decreased plasma campesterol (p < 0.001 vs. baseline), particularly among those patients receiving ezetimibe (p < 0.05 vs. other groups), and β-sitosterol (p = 0.03 vs. baseline), with a trend for lower levels in the group receiving fiber plus ezetimibe (p = 0.07). Treatment with rosuvastatin alone or combined with soluble fiber was associated with decreased levels of desmosterol (p = 0.003 vs. other groups). Compared to non-fiber supplemented individuals, those treated with fibers had weight loss (p = 0.04), reduced body mass index (p = 0.002) and blood glucose (p = 0.047).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among subjects treated with highly effective lipid-lowering therapy, the intake of 25 g of fibers added favorable effects, mainly by reducing phytosterolemia. Additional benefits include improvement in blood glucose and anthropometric parameters.</p

Reoccurring patterns in hierarchical protein materials and music: The power of analogies

Complex hierarchical structures composed of simple nanoscale building blocks form the basis of most biological materials. Here we demonstrate how analogies between seemingly different fields enable the understanding of general principles by which functional properties in hierarchical systems emerge, similar to an analogy learning process. Specifically, natural hierarchical materials like spider silk exhibit properties comparable to classical music in terms of their hierarchical structure and function. As a comparative tool here we apply hierarchical ontology logs (olog) that follow a rigorous mathematical formulation based on category theory to provide an insightful system representation by expressing knowledge in a conceptual map. We explain the process of analogy creation, draw connections at several levels of hierarchy and identify similar patterns that govern the structure of the hierarchical systems silk and music and discuss the impact of the derived analogy for nanotechnology.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Single-cell RNA-seq supports a developmental hierarchy in human oligodendroglioma

Although human tumours are shaped by the genetic evolution of cancer cells, evidence also suggests that they display hierarchies related to developmental pathways and epigenetic programs in which cancer stem cells (CSCs) can drive tumour growth and give rise to differentiated progeny. Yet, unbiased evidence for CSCs in solid human malignancies remains elusive. Here we profile 4,347 single cells from six IDH1 or IDH2 mutant human oligodendrogliomas by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and reconstruct their developmental programs from genome-wide expression signatures. We infer that most cancer cells are differentiated along two specialized glial programs, whereas a rare subpopulation of cells is undifferentiated and associated with a neural stem cell expression program. Cells with expression signatures for proliferation are highly enriched in this rare subpopulation, consistent with a model in which CSCs are primarily responsible for fuelling the growth of oligodendroglioma in humans. Analysis of copy number variation (CNV) shows that distinct CNV sub-clones within tumours display similar cellular hierarchies, suggesting that the architecture of oligodendroglioma is primarily dictated by developmental programs. Subclonal point mutation analysis supports a similar model, although a full phylogenetic tree would be required to definitively determine the effect of genetic evolution on the inferred hierarchies. Our single-cell analyses provide insight into the cellular architecture of oligodendrogliomas at single-cell resolution and support the cancer stem cell model, with substantial implications for disease management