Study of Hard Coral Community Structure and Natural Recruitment on Rote Island in the Sawu Sea Marine National Park (TNP)

Rote Island and its surroundings are included in the Savu Sea Marine National Park (TNP) area and are administratively included in the Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province. The waters of the area have high potential for coral reef ecosystem resources and are an important for the marine biota. But when the condition is under pressure due to anthropogenic and natural influences. Therefore it is necessary to carry out routine observations related to the condition of the community structure and its potenstial natural recruitment. Observations were made on 26-28 September 2021 at 12 observation stations. The observation method used was the belt transect method with 3 repetitions (20 m) with an area of 60 m2. Data collection using SCUBA equipment at a depth of 5-7 m on the reef flat. The results of the study found a total of 37 hard coral genera and the highest species richness was in Daiama 2 (30 genera) and the lowest was in Oelua and metina (13 genera). The dominant hard coral genera found were the Porites genera. Furthermore, the potential for natural recruitment of hard coral tillers reaches 21%. The highest potential for natural recovery is at Sotimori 1 (station 3) and the lowest at Boni (station 12). In general, the hard coral community structure at the observation site is in a stable condition with good natural recruitment potential

The Abundance of Ornamental Corals After Mass Die Off in 1997 on the Padang Shelf Reef System, West Sumatera, Indonesia

The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries aims to establish export quota ornamental corals based on scientifically-founded data from the natural environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the abundance of ornamental coral after mass die off in 1997. Ornamental corals were classified into three groups based on the guideline of ornamental coral propagation for trading purposes. Classification categories are rapid (3-6 months), middle (8-12 months), and slow growth rate (>24 months), which relates to their harvesting time when transplanted for the trade purpose. The survey method used line intercept transects to get coral condition data and belt transect with 2 m width to get ornamental coral data. Both line and belt transect have 30 m length and with three replicates. The study showed number of colony and abundance of ornamental coral for fast growth rate group such as Acropora sp (1348 col & 7.49 col/m2), Galaxea sp, Hydnophora exesa, H. microconus, Pocillopora damicornis, Stylopora sp and Montipora sp with the highest abundant found on Acropora sp and Montipora sp (1348 col & 7.49 col/m2). Whereas the coral which from middle growth rate were Leptoseris sp, Pavona sp, Platygyra sp, Favia sp, Favites sp with the highest abundant found on Favia sp (101 col & 0.56 col/m2). Coral species typically used for ornamental coral trade within the slow growth rate category such massive coral were not found on this survey. Due to the massive coral die-off in 1997 and the paucity of ornamental corals, the utilization of ornamental coral should be supported by coral transplantation and the broodstock of slow growth of coral taken from other area

Structural Characterization of Charcoal Exposed to High and Low pH: Implications for 14C Sample Preparation and Charcoal Preservation

Chemical and structural similarities between poorly preserved charcoal and its contaminants, as well as low radiocarbon concentrations in old samples, complicate 14C age determinations. Here, we characterize 4 fossil charcoal samples from the late Middle Paleolithic and early Upper Paleolithic strata of Kebara Cave, Israel, with respect to the structural and chemical changes that occur when they are subjected to the acid-base-acid (ABA) treatment. Differential thermal analysis and TEM show that acid treatment disrupts the structure, whereas alkali treatment results in the reformation of molecular aggregates. The major changes are ascribed to the formation of salt bridges at high pH and the disruption of the graphite-like crystallites at low pH. Weight losses during the treatments are consistently greater for older samples, implying that they are less well preserved. Based on the changes observed in vitro due to pH fluctuations, various methods for removing contamination, as well as a mechanism for preferential preservation of charcoal in nature, are proposed.Anthropolog

Long-Term, Real-World Kidney Outcomes with SGLT2i versus DPP4i in Type 2 Diabetes without Cardiovascular or Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND: Contemporary guidelines recommend the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) independently of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and those with kidney disease, with heart failure, or at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Using a large Israeli database, we assessed whether long-term use of SGLT2is versus dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4is) is associated with kidney benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes overall and in those without evidence of cardiovascular or kidney disease. METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes who initiated SGLT2is or DPP4is between 2015 and 2021 were propensity score-matched (1:1) according to 90 parameters. The kidney-specific composite outcome included confirmed ≥40% decline in eGFR or kidney failure. The kidney-or-death outcome included also all-cause mortality. Risks of outcomes were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression models. The between-group difference in eGFR slope was also assessed. Analyses were repeated in patients' subgroup lacking evidence of cardiovascular or kidney disease. RESULTS: Overall, 19,648 propensity score-matched patients were included; 10,467 (53%) did not have evidence of cardiovascular or kidney disease. Median follow-up was 38 months (interquartile range, 22-55). The composite kidney-specific outcome occurred at an event rate of 6.9 versus 9.5 events per 1000 patient-years with SGLT2i versus DPP4i. The respective event rates of the kidney-or-death outcome were 17.7 versus 22.1. Compared with DPP4is, initiation of SGLT2is was associated with a lower risk for the kidney-specific (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61 to 0.86; P &lt; 0.001) and kidney-or-death (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.89; P &lt; 0.001) outcomes. The respective HRs (95% CI) in those lacking evidence of cardiovascular or kidney disease were 0.67 (0.44 to 1.02) and 0.77 (0.61 to 0.97). Initiation of SGLT2is versus DPP4is was associated with mitigation of the eGFR slope overall and in those lacking evidence of cardiovascular or kidney disease (mean between-group differences 0.49 [95% CI, 0.35 to 0.62] and 0.48 [95% CI, 0.32 to 0.64] ml/min per 1.73 m 2 per year, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term use of SGLT2is versus DPP4is in a real-world setting was associated with mitigation of eGFR loss in patients with type 2 diabetes, even in those lacking evidence of cardiovascular or kidney disease at baseline.</p

THE ABUNDANCE OF ORNAMENTAL CORALS AFTER MASS DIE OFF IN 1997 ON THE PADANG SHELF REEF SYSTEM, WEST SUMATERA, INDONESIA

ABSTRACTThe Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries aims to establish export quota ornamental corals based on scientifically-founded data from the natural environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the abundance of ornamental coral after mass die off in 1997. Ornamental corals were classified into three groups based on the guideline of ornamental coral propagation for trading purposes. Classification categories are rapid (3-6 months), middle (8-12 months), and slow growth rate (&gt;24 months), which relates to their harvesting time when transplanted for the trade purpose. The survey method used line intercept transects to get coral condition data and belt transect with 2 m width to get ornamental coral data. Both line and belt transect have 30 m length and with three replicates. The study showed number of colony and abundance of ornamental coral for fast growth rate group such as Acropora sp (1348 col &amp; 7.49 col/m2), Galaxea sp, Hydnophora exesa, H. microconus, Pocillopora damicornis, Stylopora sp and Montipora sp with the highest abundant found on Acropora sp and Montipora sp (1348 col &amp; 7.49 col/m2). Whereas the coral which from middle growth rate were Leptoseris sp, Pavona sp, Platygyra sp, Favia sp, Favites sp with the highest abundant found on Favia sp (101 col &amp; 0.56 col/m2).  Coral species typically used for ornamental coral trade within the slow growth rate category such massive coral were not found on this survey. Due to the massive coral die-off in 1997 and the paucity of ornamental corals, the utilization of ornamental coral should be supported by coral transplantation and the broodstock of slow growth of coral taken from other area.  Keywords: ornamental coral, abundant, mass die off, Padang Water

Hereditary cataract in the Bengal cat in Poland

Background: This paper reports the significant prevalence of a presumed hereditary cataract in the Bengal cat breed in Poland. The nuclear part of the lens is affected and previous reports from Sweden and France for this type of feline cataract suggest that a recessive mode of inheritance is probably involved. Results: Presumed congenital or neonatal cataract involving the posterior nuclear part of each lens was initially diagnosed in a 12 month old male Bengal cat. As both parents and a sibling were also affected with cataract, a group of 18 related and 11 non-related cats was then subsequently examined. Eight related cats and one non- related cat were found to be similarly affected. A breed survey was then completed using an additional five centres across Poland and a further 190 related cats were examined. A total of 223 cats have been involved in this study, with 75 (33%) being affected with several types of cataract and 67 (30%) being specifically affected with the same or similar nuclear lesions. Eight cats (3.6%) presented with other cataract types and a prominence of the posterior lens suture lines was recorded in 65 cats unaffected with cataract (29%). There were no demonstrable vision problems. Neither age nor coat colour was significantly associated with the nuclear cataract, but the nuclear cataract group had a higher proportion of females than the unaffected group. Pedigree analysis has indicated probable inheritance as a recessive trait. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a presumably inherited nuclear cataract is present in the Bengal cat breed in Poland. It is considered to be either congenital or of very early onset, probably being inherited as a recessive trait. Although the lesion has no noticeable effect on vision, breeders in Poland and worldwide should be aware of the disease and clinical examination of young breeding stock prior to reproduction is advisable

West Highland White Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016: demography, mortality and disorders

The West Highland White Terrier (WHWT) is a relatively common breed in the UK, although Kennel Club registrations have declined in recent years. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical data from primary-care veterinary practices in the UK for epidemiological research. Using VetCompass clinical data, this study aimed to characterise the demography, longevity and common disorders of WHWTs under primary veterinary care in the UK

Neonatal Administration of Thimerosal Causes Persistent Changes in Mu Opioid Receptors in the Rat Brain

Thimerosal added to some pediatric vaccines is suspected in pathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental disorders. Our previous study showed that thimerosal administered to suckling rats causes persistent, endogenous opioid-mediated hypoalgesia. Here we examined, using immunohistochemical staining technique, the density of μ-opioid receptors (MORs) in the brains of rats, which in the second postnatal week received four i.m. injections of thimerosal at doses 12, 240, 1,440 or 3,000 μg Hg/kg. The periaqueductal gray, caudate putamen and hippocampus were examined. Thimerosal administration caused dose-dependent statistically significant increase in MOR densities in the periaqueductal gray and caudate putamen, but decrease in the dentate gyrus, where it was accompanied by the presence of degenerating neurons and loss of synaptic vesicle marker (synaptophysin). These data document that exposure to thimerosal during early postnatal life produces lasting alterations in the densities of brain opioid receptors along with other neuropathological changes, which may disturb brain development

Inflammatory mediators in breast cancer: Coordinated expression of TNFα & IL-1β with CCL2 & CCL5 and effects on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The inflammatory chemokines CCL2 (MCP-1) & CCL5 (RANTES) and the inflammatory cytokines TNFα & IL-1β were shown to contribute to breast cancer development and metastasis. In this study, we wished to determine whether there are associations between these factors along stages of breast cancer progression, and to identify the possible implications of these factors to disease course.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The expression of CCL2, CCL5, TNFα and IL-1β was determined by immunohistochemistry in patients diagnosed with: (1) Benign breast disorders (=healthy individuals); (2) Ductal Carcinoma <it>In Situ </it>(DCIS); (3) Invasive Ducal Carcinoma without relapse (IDC-no-relapse); (4) IDC-with-relapse. Based on the results obtained, breast tumor cells were stimulated by the inflammatory cytokines, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was determined by flow cytometry, confocal analyses and adhesion, migration and invasion experiments.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CCL2, CCL5, TNFα and IL-1β were expressed at very low incidence in normal breast epithelial cells, but their incidence was significantly elevated in tumor cells of the three groups of cancer patients. Significant associations were found between CCL2 & CCL5 and TNFα & IL-1β in the tumor cells in DCIS and IDC-no-relapse patients. In the IDC-with-relapse group, the expression of CCL2 & CCL5 was accompanied by further elevated incidence of TNFα & IL-1β expression. These results suggest progression-related roles for TNFα and IL-1β in breast cancer, as indeed indicated by the following: (1) Tumors of the IDC-with-relapse group had significantly higher persistence of TNFα and IL-1β compared to tumors of DCIS or IDC-no-relapse; (2) Continuous stimulation of the tumor cells by TNFα (and to some extent IL-1β) has led to EMT in the tumor cells; (3) Combined analyses with relevant clinical parameters suggested that IL-1β acts jointly with other pro-malignancy factors to promote disease relapse.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings suggest that the coordinated expression of CCL2 & CCL5 and TNFα & IL-1β may be important for disease course, and that TNFα & IL-1β may promote disease relapse. Further <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>studies are needed for determination of the joint powers of the four factors in breast cancer, as well as analyses of their combined targeting in breast cancer.</p