T3 fails to mimic certain effects of T4 in munia birds: physiological implications for seasonal timing

The comparative effects of equimolar doses of thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) were studied on fattening, gonadal status and moulting in thyroidectomized female spotted munia. The effects of suppression of peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 were also studied on these parameters. T4 administration led within 10 days to a significant regression of gonads and mobilization of fat, the response being linear. T3 had no effect on these parameters at any dose level. However, both T4 and T3 were effective, the former to a greater extent in stimulating feather regeneration in the same birds. Inhibition of peripheral monodeiodination of exogenous T4 in thyroidectomized (Tx) birds by iopanoic acid (IOP) did not suppress T4 response, but resulted in greater regression of gonads and fat mobilization; however, IOP alone was ineffective. Long-term suppression of peripheral monodeiodination of endogenous T4 in intact birds with IOP suppressed follicular growth and fat deposition but enhanced moult. Hormonal profiles of T4 and T3 indicated that seasonal moult-inducing, anti-gonadal and anti-fattening effects of the thyroid gland are reflected by circulating T4 but not T3 in the munia bird. It may be concluded that T4 may be more potent than T3 in eliciting certain biological actions and that T3 may not mimic all T4 effects. Contrary to general opinion T4-induced effects need not necessarily be mediated through its prior conversion to T3, giving it an independent hormonal role. This may be a mechanism evolved by passerine birds which are generally known to be iodine-deficient, to preclude the simultaneous occurrence of seasonal events requiring high energy and nutrition, such as moulting, reproduction and migration

Environmental and hormonal control of vernal migration in redheaded bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)

This paper reviews the factors and mechanisms which result in the development of the metabolic state characteristic of migration with special reference to a palaeotropic migrant the redheaded bunting, Emberiza bruniceps. Changes in climatic conditions and food supply act as proximate triggers of migratory behaviour in partial migrants. Typical migrants like buntings use daylength as a cue but the exact mechanism of how photoperiodic information is translated in terms of migratory events is still not known. Almost entirely the photoperiodic effects have been explained on the basis of the involvement of hypothalamo/hypophyseal system. We feel mechanism(s) other than those acting through neuroendocrine system may be equally important. Furthermore the role of temperature has not been adequately explored so far. Our observations indicate the possibility that redheaded buntings might integrate the information received from photoperiod with environmental temperature (and other factors?) resulting in the development of migratory state. The physiological control of avian migration is much less understood. Majority of papers have centered around the 'gonadal hypothesis' of Rowan supporting or contradicting it without providing conclusive evidence. Pituitary prolactin has also been shown to be implicated although the mechanism of action is only speculative. Conclusive evidence for the involvement of thyroid hormones (thyroxine, T4; triiodothyronine, T3) in the physiological timing of migration has been produced attributing independent roles to T4 and T3. It is suggested that seasonal variation in peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 could serve as an effective strategy to render available the required thyroid hormones T4 and/or T3 during different phases of the year thus accounting for the metabolic switch over from T4-dependent moult to T3-dependent migratory fat deposition and zugunruhe and also ensuring preclusion of simultaneous occurrence of these mutually incompatible events. Considering that the number of environmental and physiological factors influence this mechanism and considering that thyroid hormone molecule has been put to a wide range of usage during the course of evolution the mechanism(s) of peripheral conversion of T4-T3 may assume great flexibility and have selective value-especially in migration which is known to have evolved several times in diverse avian families. The attractiveness of this hypothesis lies in the fact that it has potential to explain the both physiological development of the metabolic state of migration and at the same time the physiological timing of migration not only with respect to the cycle of environment but also with respect to other conflicting seasonal events (moult and reproduction)

Protection against Radiation Induced Performance Decrement in Mice

Recognising that there is lack of information on the effects of low-level ionizing radiations and the modifying role of radioprotectors, an attempt has been made in this study to explore the relationship between impairment of spatial learning and low level of radiation exposure. A radial arm maze was utilised to evaluate radiation-induced behavioural alterations and performance decrement in mice. Immediately after whole body exposure to gamma radiation (absorbed dose, I Gy) significant perturbations in the learned behaviour of the animals were observed. The regular control movement became irregular and the food consumption time was reduced appreciably (40 %). Recovery took place in four days. If diltiazem (7 mg/kg b.w.), a Ca/sup 2+/ channel blocker and a radioprotector, was administered i.p. 20-30 min prior to irradiation, radiation-induced behavioural abnormalities were reduced. Mechanisms underlying protection by diltiazem against radiation-induced performance decrement observed in the present study need to be investigated

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

Pinealectomy and LL abolished circadian perching rhythms but did not alter circannual reproductive or fattening rhythms in finches

In the subtropical finch, spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) circannual rhythms (of gonads, fattening, feeding) have been demonstrated in an information-free environment of continuous illumination (LL), rendering it an ideal model for research on the physiology of the circannual clock. In an attempt to understand the involvement, if any, of the circadian system in the genesis of circannual rhythms, we studied the effect of pinealectomy (LL 15 lux) and strong continuous illumination (LL 300 lux), both known to abolish circadian rhythms, on the circadian perch-hopping rhythm and on the circannual rhythm of reproduction and fattening in the same birds. While both pinealectomy and LL 300 lux treatments abolished the circadian rhythm of motor activity, they had no effect on the circannual rhythms of gonadal size and fattening. If the endogenous circadian rhythm in perch-hopping can be taken to reflect the circadian clock mechanism associated with gonadal functioning, present results suggest that circannual rhythm of reproduction in spotted munia is independent of circadian events

Transport properties of super ionic AgI-Ag₂O-V₂O₅-TeO₂glasses

39-46The conductivity of super ionic conducting glass system xAgI : ( 95-x) [Ag2O:2V2O5]: 5TeO2, where 40 ≤ ×≤65 has been studied by impedance spectroscopy. The spectrum has been recorded in temperature range 296-353 K with frequency range 10 Hz to 32 MHz. The glass samples have been characterized by X-ray, FTIR and DSC studies. The FTIR spectra reveal that the network structure remains essentially the same with AgI concentration. The temperature dependent conductivity satisfies the Arrhenius relationship. The measurements show that the conductivity increases from σ = 7.62 ×10-7 to 1.15×10-4 S/cm with increasing AgI content, while the activation energy decreases from 0.49 to 0.30 eV. The frequency dependence of the ac conductivity follows the Jonscher’s universal power law σ( ω) = σdc + Aωs. The dielectric properties are calculated using impedance data for all the glass samples

Anesthetic challenges in difficult airway in a patient with maxillary carcinoma: A case report

Key Clinical Message Airway management in patients with maxillary carcinoma presents unique challenges. To ensure safety, a tailored and collaborative approach is essential. This is a case where anesthetic plan of awake fiberoptic oral endotracheal intubation was chosen

Post-earthquake water quality in Bhaktapur district, Nepal

Drinking water quality of Bhaktapur district was analyzed after massive earthquake of 2015. Water samples were randomly collected from the groundwater and surface water sources across the study area. Samples were analyzed for physical (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity), chemical (hardness, chloride, ammonia, and nitrate), and microbiological (E. coli and total coliform bacteria) parameters using standard methods. The results demonstrated that the water samples were contaminated mostly with E. coli and total coliform (TC) bacteria. The bacterial population enumerated for E. coli (100 CFU/100 ml) and TC (300 CFU/100 ml) exceeded the National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS). Physical and chemical parameters analyzed for temperature, pH, conductivity, hardness, chloride, ammonia, and nitrate were within the acceptable limit of the NDWQS. However, the turbidity and ammonia was 34.6 NTU and 3.6 mg/l, were within the maximum values recommended by the NDWQS. This study exhibits that the groundwater and surface water quality of Bhaktapur district is contaminated with E. coli and TC bacteria hence, is vulnerable to drink. The water contaminated with bacteria (E. coli and TC), presence of ammonia and turbidity more than the limit of NDWQS may pose health risks and cannot be accepted for drinking purpose without purification following appropriate scientific methods