Differentiation of skull morphology and cranial kinesis in common toads

We examined the cranial morphology and cranial kinesis of the common toads Bufo bufo and B. spinosus with micro-computed tomography and geometric morphometrics and compared the results with published data for related species in a phylogenetic context. The species significantly diverge in skull shape. The skull of B. spinosus is shorter and higher, with a ventral arm of the squamosal bone and the jaw articulation point positioned perpendicular to the braincase, in comparison with a more lateral position in B. bufo. In either species, females have a shorter snout and a higher and wider skull at the jaw articulation point that is positioned more posteriorly, in comparison with conspecific males. High variation in the amount of bone ossification was recorded in both species, ranging from scarcely ossified and loosely connected bones to highly ossified and firmly connected bones. We also found that skull shape and inferred kinetic properties of the skull are highly variable across the Bufonini tribe. However, sample sizes are mostly small and intraspecific variation is high, which might compromise the analyses. Overall, the results suggest that developmental plasticity produces high variation in ossification and cranial kinesis, affecting individuals’ feeding performances. At the population level, this variation supports an efficient exploitation of the habitat and may promote morphological adaptation in a changing environmentAnimal science

Ladies in armor: a micro‐computed tomographic study of skin calcification in European toads (genus Bufo)

Animal sciencesNaturali

Protein and fatty acid profiles of Kajmak ripened at two different temperatures

Kajmak is a specific dairy product with long term tradition of manufacture in Serbia and few South-East European countries. It is manufactured from the thin layer formed on the surface of hot milk during long cooling process. It may be consumed as a fresh, immediately after manufacture, or after a maturation period, as a ripened Kajmak. Kajmak is ripened usually up to 30 days at 15-180C or stored in refrigerator at 40C. In this work we investigated the effects of ripening of Kajmak in refrigerator at 40C and at 160C up to 28 days on protein profiles, fatty acid profiles and health fatty indices. Ripening temperature significantly affects protein and fatty acid profiles of Kajmak. Ripening at low temperature induces slow proteolysis, the change of fatty acid profile and health fatty acid indices. At low temperature the most susceptible to proteolysis was β-casein. Due to similar fatty acid profiles, these samples were characterized with high health fatty acid indices such as atherogenicity index (3.81-4.03) and the thrombogenicity index (4.62-4.95). Ripening at 160C induces complete hydrolysis of κ-CN, significant decrease of αs-and β-CN content and improvement of health fatty indices. © 2022, Sociedade Brasileira de Ciencia e Tecnologia de Alimentos, SBCTA. All rights reserved

Ishrana bolesnika sa novodijagnostikovanim rakom pluća

Introduction/Objective Although smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer (LC), studies have shown that diet could also play an important role. The objective of this study was to analyze dietary intake of newly diagnosed LC patients and to compare with sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Methods Sixty-nine non-treated LC patients (50 male, 19 female, aged 46-80 years), and 70 healthy controls (50 male, 20 female, aged 47-76 years) filled out a validated food frequency questionnaire in the presence of a trained nutritionist. Nutrient intake was calculated using the Serbian Food Composition Database. Results Similar energy intake was reported by both groups. However, the controls had significantly higher intake of total fats, saturated, monounsaturated, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and lower intake of carbohydrates and n-6 PUFAs. Patients with LC reported markedly lower intake of milk and dairy products, eggs, seafood, vegetables, and fruits, and higher intake of grains and grain products. Conclusion Patients with LC had significantly different dietary intake of most nutrients compared to healthy participants, suggesting that changes in dietary patterns could contribute to prevention of LC development.Uvod/Cilj Iako je pušenje vodeći faktor rizika za rak pluća (RP), studije pokazuju da i način ishrane igra važnu ulogu. Cilj ove studije je da se analiza ishrana kod bolesnika sa novodijagnostikovanim RP i da se uporedi sa zdravom populacijom istog pola i godina starosti. Metode Šezdeset devet bolesnika sa novootkrivenim RP (50 muškaraca, 19 žena, starosti 46-80 godina) i 70 zdravih ispitanika (50 muškaraca, 20 žena, starosti 47-76 godina) popunilo je u prisustvu lekara upitnik o učestalosti kon- zumiranja namirnica. Nutritivni unos je računat pomoću Srpske baze podataka o sastavu namirnica. Rezultati Obe grupe su imale sličan unos energije, ali je u kontrolnoj grupi zabeležen veći unos masti, zasićenih, mononezasićenih i n-3 polinezasićenih masnih kiselina (PNMK), a niži unos ugljenih hidrata i n-6 PNMK. Grupa bolesnika je imala značajno niži unos mleka i mlečnih proizvoda, jaja, morskih plodova, voća i povrća, a veći unos žitarica i proizvoda od brašna. Zaključak Bolesnici sa RP imali su značajno drugačiji način ishrane od zdravih ispitanika, što sugeriše da promene u načinu ishrane mogu da doprinesu prevenciji nastanka kancera pluća

Rare and Common Variants Conferring Risk of Tooth Agenesis

We present association results from a large genome-wide association study of tooth agenesis (TA) as well as selective TA, including 1,944 subjects with congenitally missing teeth, excluding third molars, and 338,554 controls, all of European ancestry. We also tested the association of previously identified risk variants, for timing of tooth eruption and orofacial clefts, with TA. We report associations between TA and 9 novel risk variants. Five of these variants associate with selective TA, including a variant conferring risk of orofacial clefts. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the genetic architecture of tooth development and disease. The few variants previously associated with TA were uncovered through candidate gene studies guided by mouse knockouts. Knowing the etiology and clinical features of TA is important for planning oral rehabilitation that often involves an interdisciplinary approach

Increased expression of endothelial lipase in symptomatic and unstable carotid plaques

The aim of this study was to evaluate endothelial lipase (EL) protein expression in advanced human carotid artery plaques (HCAP) with regard to plaque (in)stability and the incidence of symptoms. HCAP were collected from 66 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The degree of plaque (in)stability was estimated by ultrasound and histology. In HCAP sections, EL expression was determined by immunostaining and the intensity was assessed on a semi-quantitative scale (low: <25%, high: >25% positive cells). Monocytes and macrophages in adjacent HCAP sections were stained with a CD163 specific antibody. High EL staining was more prevalent in histologically unstable plaques (in 33.3% of fibrous plaques, 50% of ulcerated non-complicated plaques and 79.2% of ulcerated complicated plaques; χ2 test, p = 0.004) and in the symptomatic group (70.8 vs. 42.9% in the asymptomatic group; χ2 test, p = 0.028). The majority of EL immunostaining was found in those HCAP regions exhibiting a strong CD163 immunostaining. EL in HCAP might be a marker and/or promoter of plaque instability and HCAP-related symptomatology

Does treatment of subsyndromal depression improve depression and diabetes related outcomes: protocol for a randomised controlled comparison of psycho-education, physical exercise and treatment as usual

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prevalence of mood difficulties in persons with diabetes is approximately twice that in the general population, affecting the health outcomes and patients' quality of life in an undesirable way. Although subsyndromal depression is an important predictor of a more serious clinical depression, it is often overlooked. This study aims to compare the effects of two non-pharmacological interventions for subsyndromal depression, psychoeducation and physical exercise, with diabetes treatment as usual on mood- and diabetes-related outcomes.</p> <p>Methods and Design</p> <p>Type 2 diabetic patients aged 18-65 yrs. who report mood difficulties and the related need for help in a mail survey will be potential participants. After giving informed consent, they will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups (psychoeducation, physical activity, treatment as usual). Depressive symptoms, diabetes distress, health-related quality of life and diabetes self-care activities will be assessed at baseline, at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. A structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) will be performed at baseline and at one-year follow-up in order to determine the clinical significance of the patients' depressive symptoms. Disease-related data will be collected from patients' files and from additional physical examinations and laboratory tests.</p> <p>The two interventions will be comparable in terms of format (small group work), duration (six sessions) and approach (interactive learning; supporting the participants' active roles). The group treated as usual will be informed about their screening results and about the importance of treating depression. They will be provided with brief re-education on diabetes and written self-help instructions to cope with mood difficulties.</p> <p>Primary outcomes will be depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes will be glycaemic control, diabetes-related distress, self-management of diabetes and health-related quality of life. Tertiary outcomes will be biochemical markers reflecting common pathophysiological processes of insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative damage that are assumed to be intertwined in both diabetes and depression. The mixed-effect linear model will be used to compare the outcome variables.</p> <p>Power analysis has indicated that the two intervention groups and the control group should comprise 59 patients to enable detection of clinically meaningful differences in depressive symptoms with a power of 80% and alpha = 0.05. Outcomes will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ISRCTN: <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN05673017">ISRCTN05673017</a></p

KIMA: Noise: A visual sound installation on urban noise

KIMA: Noise is a participatory art piece inviting audiences to explore impact of urban noises interactively. Using specific urban sound sources, the audience experiences noise as spatial soundscapes, responding to it, physically engaging and interacting with it. KIMA: Noise creates awareness for the phenomenon of noise pollution. The paper looks at preeminent research in the field, and draws conclusions of how sound affects us as individuals. The art project KIMA: Noise is introduced technically and conceptually