Differential Habitat Use by Common Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon)

Understanding intraspecific variation in habitat use is important for the management of any species. In many studies of reptiles, habitat use by juveniles is poorly understood when compared to their adult conspecifics because of capture biases and logistical constraints. We compared habitat use between sexes and age classes of Common Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) at a reservoir in central Illinois. Juvenile N. sipedon occurred more frequently in habitat with high canopy cover, whereas adult N. sipedon, especially reproductive females, were found exclusively in habitat with no canopy cover. Adult males used both locations equally. We emphasize the need to investigate ontogenetic variation in habitat use to better understand how reptiles utilize diverse anthropogenically altered landscapes

Differential habitat use by Common Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon)

Understanding intraspecific variation in habitat use is important for the management of any species. In many studies of reptiles, habitat use by juveniles is poorly understood when compared to their adult conspecifics because of capture biases and logistical constraints. We compared habitat use between sexes and age classes of Common Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) at a reservoir in central Illinois. Juvenile N. sipedon occurred more frequently in habitat with high conopy cover, whereas adults N. sipedon, especially reproductive females, were found exclusively in habitat with no canopy cover. Adult males used both locations equally. We emphasize the need to investigate ontogenetic variation in habitat use to better understand how reptiles utilize diverse anthropogenically altered landscapes

Elephants classify human ethnic groups by odor and garment color

Animals can benefit from classifying predators or other dangers into categories, tailoring their escape strategies to the type and nature of the risk. Studies of alarm vocalizations have revealed various levels of sophistication in classification [1-5]. In many taxa, reactions to danger are inflexible, but some species can learn the level of threat presented by the local population of a predator [6-8] or by specific, recognizable individuals [9-10]. Some species distinguish several species of predator, giving differentiated warning calls and escape reactions; here we explore an animal’s classification of sub-groups within a species. We show that elephants distinguish at least two Kenyan ethnic groups, and can identify them by olfactory and color cues independently. In the Amboseli ecosystem, Kenya, Maasai warriors demonstrate virility by spearing elephants (Loxodonta africana), but Kamba agriculturalists pose little threat. Elephants showed greater fear when they detected the scent of garments previously worn by Maasai than by Kamba men, and reacted aggressively to the color associated with Maasai warriors. Elephants are therefore able to classify members of a single species into sub-groups that pose different degrees of danger

The Mitochondria-Targeted Methylglyoxal Sequestering Compound, MitoGamide, Is Cardioprotective in the Diabetic Heart

Abstract: Purpose: Methylglyoxal, a by-product of glycolysis and a precursor in the formation of advanced glycation end-products, is significantly elevated in the diabetic myocardium. Therefore, we sought to investigate the mitochondria-targeted methylglyoxal scavenger, MitoGamide, in an experimental model of spontaneous diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Male 6-week-old Akita or wild type mice received daily oral gavage of MitoGamide or vehicle for 10 weeks. Several morphological and systemic parameters were assessed, as well as cardiac function by echocardiography. Results: Akita mice were smaller in size than wild type counterparts in terms of body weight and tibial length. Akita mice exhibited elevated blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin. Total heart and individual ventricles were all smaller in Akita mice. None of the aforementioned parameters was impacted by MitoGamide treatment. Echocardiographic analysis confirmed that cardiac dimensions were smaller in Akita hearts. Diastolic dysfunction was evident in Akita mice, and notably, MitoGamide treatment preferentially improved several of these markers, including e′/a′ ratio and E/e′ ratio. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MitoGamide, a novel mitochondria-targeted approach, offers cardioprotection in experimental diabetes and therefore may offer therapeutic potential for the treatment of cardiomyopathy in patients with diabetes

PI3K(p110 alpha) Protects Against Myocardial Infarction-Induced Heart Failure Identification of PI3K-Regulated miRNA and mRNA

Objective: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious complication of atherosclerosis associated with increasing mortality attributable to heart failure. Activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase [PI3K(p110α)] is considered a new strategy for the treatment o

Tricyclic Benzo[cd]azulenes Selectively Inhibit Activities of Pim Kinases and Restrict Growth of Epstein-Barr Virus-Transformed Cells

Peer reviewe

Asymmetry in catalysis by Thermotoga maritima membrane-bound pyrophosphatase demonstrated by a nonphosphorus allosteric inhibitor

Membrane-bound pyrophosphatases are homodimeric integral membrane proteins that hydrolyze pyrophosphate into orthophosphates, coupled to the active transport of protons or sodium ions across membranes. They are important in the life cycle of bacteria, archaea, plants, and parasitic protists, but no homologous proteins exist in vertebrates, making them a promising drug target. Here, we report the first nonphosphorus allosteric inhibitor of the thermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima membrane-bound pyrophosphatase and its bound structure together with the substrate analog imidodiphosphate. The unit cell contains two protein homodimers, each binding a single inhibitor dimer near the exit channel, creating a hydrophobic clamp that inhibits the movement of β-strand 1–2 during pumping, and thus prevents the hydrophobic gate from opening. This asymmetry of inhibitor binding with respect to each homodimer provides the first clear structural demonstration of asymmetry in the catalytic cycle of membrane-bound pyrophosphatases

Cardioprotective Actions of the Annexin-A1 N-Terminal Peptide, Ac2-26, Against Myocardial Infarction

The anti-inflammatory, pro-resolving annexin-A1 protein acts as an endogenous brake against exaggerated cardiac necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis following myocardial infarction (MI) in vivo. Little is known, however, regarding the cardioprotective actions of the N-terminal-derived peptide of annexin A1, Ac2-26, particularly beyond its anti-necrotic actions in the first few hours after an ischemic insult. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that exogenous Ac2-26 limits cardiac injury in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, we demonstrated that Ac2-26 limits cardiomyocyte death both in vitro and in mice subjected to ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in vivo (Ac2-26, 1 mg/kg, i.v. just prior to post-ischemic reperfusion). Further, Ac2-26 (1 mg/kg i.v.) reduced cardiac inflammation (after 48 h reperfusion), as well as both cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis (after 7-days reperfusion). Lastly, we investigated whether Ac2-26 preserved cardiac function after MI. Ac2-26 (1 mg/kg/day s.c., osmotic pump) delayed early cardiac dysfunction 1 week post MI, but elicited no further improvement 4 weeks after MI. Taken together, our data demonstrate the first evidence that Ac2-26 not only preserves cardiomyocyte survival in vitro, but also offers cardioprotection beyond the first few hours after an ischemic insult in vivo. Annexin-A1 mimetics thus represent a potential new therapy to improve cardiac outcomes after MI

Repaired tetralogy of Fallot: the roles of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in evaluating pathophysiology and for pulmonary valve replacement decision support

Surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) results in anatomic and functional abnormalities in the majority of patients. Although right ventricular volume load due to severe pulmonary regurgitation can be tolerated for many years, there is now evidence that the compensatory mechanisms of the right ventricular myocardium ultimately fail and that if the volume load is not eliminated or reduced by pulmonary valve replacement the dysfunction might be irreversible. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has evolved during the last 2 decades as the reference standard imaging modality to assess the anatomic and functional sequelae in patients with repaired TOF. This article reviews the pathophysiology of chronic right ventricular volume load after TOF repair and the risks and benefits of pulmonary valve replacement. The CMR techniques used to comprehensively evaluate the patient with repaired TOF are reviewed and the role of CMR in supporting clinical decisions regarding pulmonary valve replacement is discussed