The Colonial Zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum: Population Dynamics on Southeast Florida Reefs

The colonial zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum (Cnidaria, Zoanthidea) (Duchassaing and Michelotti 1861) is a major benthic component of most Caribbean reefs and is an extremely aggressive spatial competitor (Suchanek and Green 1981). This study looks at annual visits to 16 permanent monitoring sites over 3 reef designations (Inshore Ridge Complex, Middle Reef, and Outer Reef) in Broward County, Florida from 2002-2006. The data obtained in this study fills an informational void regarding the role of zoanthids in the southeast Florida reef benthic community. The study was conducted in two parts. Part One used digital imagery analysis to quantify the spatial cover of the Palythoa population present across the study area. The highest percent live cover sites were located in the Inshore Ridge Complex, suggesting that the more dense Palythoa populations are close to shore. Part Two used digital analysis data to determine if it was possible to create a size class transition matrix model that could accurately model the population distribution of such a dynamic organism. To test the accuracy of the model, the predicted population distribution of the model and the actual observed distribution from the digital image analysis were analyzed. A Chi-square test determined that the model successfully predicted size class distribution frequency of all treatments (All Sites, High Cover Sites, Low Cover Sites, and the 3 reef tracts) for all years (2002-2006) with the exception of 3 (Low Cover, Middle Reef, and Outer Reef) of the 6 treatments in 2005. Southeast Florida experienced extremely severe hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005, and the data suggests that the population distribution at the 3 lower cover (farther from shore) sites were disturbed. Sensitivity and elasticity analyses were run on appropriate results to examine which size class transitions contribute most to population stability. Although it possesses the ability to outgrow stony corals (and almost all other sessile invertebrates), the current study suggests that the Palythoa population in southeast Florida is generally maintaining size rather than over-growing the reef community. With the knowledge gained from this study, we know that it is possible to accurately model the population dynamics present in the southeast Florida Palythoa population

PROBLEM WŁAŚCIWYCH PRZEDZIAŁÓW CZASOWYCH DLA WZORCOWANIA PRZYRZĄDÓW LABORATORYJNYCH W AKTUALNYCH UREGULOWANIACH MIĘDZYNARODOWYCH IECEE I PRAKTYCE ITE ODDZIAŁ PREDOM

Requirements for traceability of calibrations and calibration intervals contained in the document IECEE OD-5011 for the testing laboratories IECEE members are presented. Among the others, the issues related to selection of a calibration laboratory, calibration intervals for particular group of test equipment, requirements for traceability of calibrations as well as the matters of test equipment on the status of "Initial Calibration Only” were overviewed. Information about the IECEE OD-5011 application in the laboratory practice of ITE PREDOM Division is presented as well.W artykule przedstawiono wymagania zawarte w dokumencie IECEE OD-5011 dotyczące spójności pomiarowej i wzorcowania wyposażenia badawczego w laboratoriach zrzeszonych w IECEE. Omówiono m.in. sprawy wyboru laboratorium wzorcującego, okresów między kolejnymi wzorcowaniami dla poszczególnych grup sprzętu pomiarowego, wymagań dotyczących spójności pomiarowej. Omówiono zagadnienia wyposażenia badawczego podlegającego jedynie wzorcowaniu wstępnemu. Przedstawiono również informację o stosowaniu IECEE OD-5011 w bieżącej praktyce laboratoryjnej ITE Oddział PREDOM

Dredging and Shipping Impacts on Southeast Florida Coral Reefs

Many coastal regions have experienced extensive population growth during the last century. Commonly, this growth has led to port development and expansion as well as increased vessel activity which can have detrimental effects on coral reef ecosystems. In southeast Florida, three major ports built in the late 1920’s along 112 km of coastline occur in close proximity to a shallow coral reef ecosystem. Recent habitat mapping data were analyzed in GIS to quantify the type and area of coral reef habitats impacted by port and shipping activities. Impact areas were adjusted by impact severity: 100% of dredge and burial areas, 75% of grounding and anchoring areas, and 15% of areas in present anchorage. Estimates of recent local stony coral density and cover data were used to quantify affected corals and live cover. After adjusting for impact severity, 312.5 hectares (ha) of impacted coral reef habitats were identified. Burial by dredge material accounted for 175.8 ha. Dredging of port inlet channels accounted for 84.5 ha of reef removal. And 47.6 ha were impacted from a large ship anchorage. Although the full extent of all ship groundings and anchor drags associated with the ports is unknown, the measured extents of these events totaled 6 ha. Based on the adjusted impact areas, over 8.1million corals covering over 11.7 ha of live cover were impacted. Burial impacts were the greatest. The planned expansion of two of the ports would remove an additional approximate 9.95 ha of coral reef habitat. Ongoing marine spatial planning efforts are evaluating the placement of large ship anchorages in an effort reduce future impacts from ship anchoring. However, increasing populations and shipping needs will likely continue to be prioritized over protection of these valuable natural resources

Validation of LC/MS/MS method for assessment of the "in vitro" activity of the selected rat cytochrome P450 isoenzymes : application to early drug metabolism screening

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of seven metabolites of CYP450 model substrates (acetaminophen, 4-hydroxytolbutamide, 4í-hydroxymephenytoin, 1-hydroxybufuralol, 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone, 1í- and 4í-hydroxymidazolam) in rat liver microsomes was developed. The assay used Kinetex analytical column and a gradient mobile phase consistent of acetonitrile and water with addition of 0.1% formic acid. The analysis was performed in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode both in positive and negative (for 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone) mode. The method was validated over the concentration ranges of 10-2000 ng/mL for 4í-hydroxymephenytoin and 4-hydroxytolbutamide, 50-2000 ng/mL for 1-hydroxybufuralol and 25-2000 ng/mL for the rest of the analytes. The intra- and inter-day precision (2-12%) and accuracy (93-119%) were within the limits set by the FDA and EMA guidelines. The developed method was successfully applied to assess the activity of selected CYP450 isoenzymes in rat liver microsomes after addition of ketoconazole

Validation of LC/MS/MS method for assessment of the "in vitro" activity of selected rat cytochrome P450 isoenzymes : application to early drug metabolism screening

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of seven metabolites of CYP450 model substrates (acetaminophen, 4-hydroxytolbutamide, 4'-hydroxymephenytoin, 1-hydroxybufuralol, 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone. 1'-and 4-hydroxymidazolam) in rat liver microsomes was developed. The assay used Kinetex analytical column and a gradient mobile phase consistent of acetonitrile and water with addition of 0.1\% formic acid. The analysis was performed in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode both in positive and negative (for 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone) mode. The method was validated over the concentration ranges of 10-2000 ng/mL for 4-hydroxymephenytoin and 4-hydroxytolbutamide, 50-2000 ng/mL for 1-hydroxybufuralol and 25-2000 ng/mL for the rest of the analytes. The intra- and inter-day precision (2-12%) and accuracy (93-119%) were within the limits set by the FDA and EMA guidelines. The developed method was successfully applied to assess the activity of selected CYP450 isoenzymes in rat liver microsomes after addition of ketoconazole

Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery

Abstract Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery has recently become a significant problem in obstetrics. The purpose of this paper was to present current expert knowledge about vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC), taking into account advantages and disadvantages mentioned in literature

Willingness to redistribute: the case of Poland

The primary motives for redistribution were related to the desire to fight poverty and to help the poorest. Later on, other motives emerged, such as the desire to gain social support and the self-interest of rich people who agree to transfer part of their funds provided this increases their utility. The aim of the study is to present the determinants of willingness to redistribute in a group of Polish students. The case study focuses on sharing behaviour in this group. The survey was conducted among 399 students representing four higher education institutions in Poland. The research, based on a solidarity game, has shown that willingness to share with others depended on gender, the profile of studies and the city of studies

Changes in inflammatory biomarkers after successful lifestyle intervention in obese children

Background: Obesity has been associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, potentially leading to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Even moderate weight loss through dietary changes and physical exercise is effective in preventing and managing obesity-associated disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of weight loss in response to a lifestyle modification on the serum levels of inflammatory markers in obese children and adolescents. Material and methods: Fifty obese subjects completed a six-month programme consisting of combined hypocaloric diet and moderate physical activity. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), fibrinogen (FB), white blood count (WBC), glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index (HOMA IR), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids as well as systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured before and after intervention. Results: Patients had a 5.3 ± 3.4 kg average weight loss, with significant decreases of SDS-BMI, percentage of body fat, SDS-waist, SBP and DBP, HOMA-IR, HbA1c and reductions in serum IL-6, CRP, WBC, FB. In the multivariable linear models, changes in percentage of body fat and HOMA-IR were positively associated with favourable changes in inflammatory parameters. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that weight reduction after successful lifestyle intervention results in improvements of blood inflammatory markers in obese children and adolescents. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (6): 499–505)Wstęp: Otyłość wiąże się z obecnością niewielkiego stopnia stanu zapalnego, potencjalnie prowadzącego do insulinooporności, cukrzycy typu 2, dyslipidemii i chorób sercowo-naczyniowych. Nawet umiarkowane obniżenie masy ciała dzięki zmianie diety i zwiększonej aktywności fizycznej zapobiega występowaniu zaburzeń związanych z otyłością. Celem pracy była ocena wpływu obniżenia masy ciała (w wyniku modyfikacji stylu życia) na stężenie wskaźników stanu zapalnego w surowicy otyłych dzieci i młodzieży. Materiał i metody: W 6-miesięcznym programie polegającym na stosowaniu ubogokalorycznej diety i umiarkowanej aktywności fizycznej uczestniczyło 50 otyłych pacjentów. W warunkach podstawowych i po 6 miesiącach oznaczano: białko C-reaktywne (CRP), interleukinę 6 (IL-6), fibrynogen (FB), leukocyty (WBC), glukozę, insulinę, wskaźnik insulinooporności (HOMA-IR), hemoglobinę glikozylową (HbA1c), lipidy, ciśnienie tętnicze krwi skurczowe (SBD) i rozkurczowe (DBD). Wyniki: Średni spadek masy ciała u pacjentów wynosił 5,3 ± 3,4 kg, ze znaczącą redukcją wartości SDS-BMI, procentowej zawartości tłuszczu, SDS-obwodu pasa, SBP i DBP, HOMA-IR, HbA1c oraz obniżeniem stężeń IL-6, CRP, WBC, FB w surowicy. W wieloczynnikowej analizie regresji zmiany w procentowej zawartości tłuszczu i HOMA-IR były pozytywnie skorelowane z podobnymi zmianami wskaźników stanu zapalnego. Wnioski: Redukcja masy ciała w efekcie zmiany stylu życia wpływa na poprawę wskaźników stanu zapalnego u otyłych dzieci i młodzieży. (Endokrynol Pol 2011; 62 (6): 499–505

Stężenie 25-hydroksywitaminy D (25-OH-D) u otyłych nastolatków

Background: There is increasing evidence that vitamin D deficiency is common and has been associated with several non-bone related outcomes, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The influences of gender, puberty, and adiposity on serum hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) levels and the relationship between 25-OH-D and insulin resistance in obese children were studied. Material and methods: Age, gender, pubertal stage, weight status (standard deviation score of body mass index: BMI-SDS, percentage body fat, waist circumference), 25-OH-D levels, and insulin resistance index calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) were evaluated in 64 obese adolescents. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine factors associated with decreased serum 25-OH-D levels and to study the relationship between 25-OH-D and HOMA-IR. Results: Median serum 25-OH-D level was 10.1 ng/mL (25.2 nmol/L). 14% of patients were vitamin D-sufficient (25-OH-D ≥ 20 ng/mL), 36% had intermediate values (11–19 ng/mL), and 50% were deficient (25-OH-D ≤ 10 ng/mL). In the multivariable model, older age, puberty, higher value of percentage of body fat, and the presence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) were all negatively associated with 25-OH-D. Lower 25-OH-D levels were also associated with higher blood glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR after adjustment for puberty and SDS-BMI. Summer positively correlated with 25-OH-D level. Conclusion: Our study confirms that obesity is a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency. Hypovitaminosis D, common in obese adolescents at risk for type 2 diabetes (older age, puberty, acanthosis nigricans) is associated with worse insulin resistance. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (6): 506–511)Wstęp: Niedobór witaminy D jest zjawiskiem coraz bardziej powszechnym i związanym nie tylko z zaburzeniami metabolizmu kostnego, ale też z insulinoopornością, cukrzycą typu 2 i chorobami sercowo-naczyniowymi. Celem pracy było badanie wpływu płci, stadium pokwitania i otyłości na stężenie 25-OH-D w surowicy oraz zależności między witaminą D a insulinoopornością u otyłych dzieci. Materiał i metody: U 64 otyłych nastolatków oceniano wiek, płeć, stadium pokwitania, stopień otyłości i wskaźnik insulinooporności (HOMA-IR). Do określenia czynników wpływających na obniżenie stężenia 25-OH-D w surowicy oraz do oceny zależności między 25-OH-D a HOMA-IR wykorzystano wielowymiarową analizę regresji. Wyniki: Mediana stężenia 25-OH-D w surowicy wynosiła 10,1 ng/mL (25,2 mmol/L). Tylko u 14% pacjentów stężenie 25-OH-D w surowicy było wystarczające (≥ 20 ng/mL), u 36% wartości te wynosiły 11–19 ng/mL, u 50% stwierdzono znaczny niedobór 25-OH-D (≤ 10 ng/mL). W wielowymiarowej analizie regresji starszy wiek, bardziej zaawansowane stadium pokwitania, większy odsetek zawartości tłuszczu i obecność rogowacenia ciemnego korelowały negatywnie ze stężeniem witaminy D. Niższe stężenia 25-OH-D wiązały się z wyższym stężeniem glukozy, insuliny i HOMA-IR przy uwzględnieniu stadium pokwitania i SDS-BMI. Okres letni pozytywnie korelował ze stężeniem 25-OH-D. Wnioski: Otyłość jest czynnikiem ryzyka niedoboru witaminy D. Niedobór witaminy D powszechny u otyłych nastolatków zagrożonych cukrzycą typu 2 wiąże się z większą insulinoopornością. (Endokrynol Pol 2011; 62 (6): 506–511