Convergent and Alternative Designs for Vertebrate Suspension Feeding

In this authoritative three-volume reference work, leading researchers bring together current work to provide a comprehensive analysis of the comparative morphology, development, evolution, and functional biology of the skull.https://scholarworks.wm.edu/asbookchapters/1096/thumbnail.jp

Developmental changes and novelties in ceratophryid frogs

The Neotropical frog genera Ceratophrys, Chacophrys and Lepidobatrachus form the monophyletic family Ceratophryidae. Although in- and out-group relationships are not fully resolved, the monophyly of the three genera is well supported by both morphological and molecular data. Much is known about the morphology of the ceratophryids, but there is little comparative information on how modification of a common ancestral developmental pathway played a role in shaping their particular body plans. Herein, we review morphological variation during ceratophryid ontogeny in order to explore the role of development in their evolution. The ceratophryids are collectively characterized by rapid larval development with respect to other anurans, yet the three genera differ in their postmetamorphic growth rates to sexual maturity. Derived traits in the group can be divided into many homoplastic features that evolved in parallel with those of anurans with fossorial/burrowing behaviors in semiarid environments, and apomorphies. Morphological novelties have evolved in their feeding mechanism, which makes them capable of feeding on exceptional large prey. Lepidobatrachus is unusual in having reduced the ecomorphological differences between its larvae and adults. As a result, both the larvae and the frog are similarly able to capture large prey underwater. Some unique features in Lepidobatrachus are differentiated in the tadpole and then exaggerated in the adult (e.g., the posterior displaced jaw articulation) in a manner unobserved in any other anurans.Fil: Fabrezi, Marissa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; ArgentinaFil: Quinzio, Silvia Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; ArgentinaFil: Goldberg, Francisco Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; ArgentinaFil: Cruz, Julio Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; ArgentinaFil: Chuliver Pereyra, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; ArgentinaFil: Wassersug, Richard J.. Dalhousie University Halifax; Canad

Amphibian Development in the Virtual Absence of Gravity

To test whether gravity is required for normal amphibian development, Xenopus laevis females were induced to ovulate aboard the orbiting Space Shuttle. Eggs were fertilized in vitro, and although early embryonic stages showed some abnormalities, the embryos were able to regulate and produce nearly normal larvae. These results demonstrate that a vertebrate can ovulate in the virtual absence of gravity and that the eggs can develop to a free-living stage

Evaluating Patterns and Factors Related to Sleep Disturbances in Prostate Cancer Patients

Prostate cancer patients may experience disturbed sleep as a result of their diagnosis or treatment. This study sought to evaluate disturbed sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness in newly diagnosed patients and those receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This study was conducted with 74 patients. Subjective data using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and actigraphy data on ADT/ADT-naïve patients were collected. The prevalence of poor sleep quality, determined from PSQI and ESS scores, was 50% and 16.7% respectively. Those on ADT (n = 20) had poorer sleep quality as determined by significantly higher PSQI scores (70 vs. 40% scoring > 5) and were more likely to have poor sleep quality, sleep latency, and sleep efficiency than ADT-naïve patients (n = 40). Actigraphy data showed that ADT patients slept significantly longer (7.7 vs. 6.8 h), experienced a higher Fragmentation Index (48.3 vs. 37.4%), and had longer daytime nap duration (64.1 vs. 45.2 min) than ADT-naïve patients. The use of objective measures such as actigraphy in the clinical arena is recommended and may be used as a valuable tool for research into sleep assessment in prostate cancer patients

‘Should I get a PSA test?’ – the question is not that simple

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113754/1/tre484.pd

Carnivory and resource-based niche differentiation in anuran larvae: implications for food web and experimental ecology

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72114/1/FWB_2134_sm_appendix_S1-S2.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72114/2/j.1365-2427.2008.02134.x.pd

Optimal Strouhal number for swimming animals

To evaluate the swimming performances of aquatic animals, an important dimensionless quantity is the Strouhal number, St = fA/U, with f the tail-beat frequency, A the peak-to-peak tail amplitude, and U the swimming velocity. Experiments with flapping foils have exhibited maximum propulsive efficiency in the interval 0.25 < St < 0.35 and it has been argued that animals likely evolved to swim in the same narrow interval. Using Lighthill's elongated-body theory to address undulatory propulsion, it is demonstrated here that the optimal Strouhal number increases from 0.15 to 0.8 for animals spanning from the largest cetaceans to the smallest tadpoles. To assess the validity of this model, the swimming kinematics of 53 different species of aquatic animals have been compiled from the literature and it shows that their Strouhal numbers are consistently near the predicted optimum.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figure

Sexual minority experiences of cancer care : a systematic review

There is a lack of published evidence from within the UK examining the needs of LGB cancer patients. A full systematic review of the worldwide literature was carried out with the aim to ascertain the experiences of sexual minority cancer patients and identify specific needs required.Key databases were searched with a variety of terms relating to the sexual minority cancer experience. Suitable literature was reviewed and references within all articles were search to ensure as inclusive a review as possible. Articles were subject to critical appraisal and scoring using The Support Unit for Research Evidence (SURE 2013) critical appraisal tools to assess eligibility for inclusion within the review. Twenty-five articles were selected for inclusion and were analysed. The papers were categorised into the emerging themes from the literature: Experiences of care (n = 6), Coping and Wellbeing (n = 6), Emotional Support (n = 4), Body Image (n = 3), and Sexual Function (n = 6). The data extraction revealed contrasting views and experiences of LGB individuals' experience of cancer care. Lesbian and gay individuals have different perspectives of cancer care and needs from heterosexuals. Discriminatory attitudes were found to be present in many studies as well as inequalities and gaps within care and support.There is evidence that supports the development of sexual minority specific cancer support groups. Further research of sexual minorities affected by cancer in the UK should be carried out to increase the evidence base and better identify the needs in this cultural group

Quality-of-life outcomes from the Prostate Adenocarcinoma: TransCutaneous Hormones (PATCH) trial evaluating luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists versus transdermal oestradiol for androgen suppression in advanced prostate cancer

Objectives To compare quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes at 6 months between men with advanced prostate cancer receiving either transdermal oestradiol (tE2) or luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists (LHRHa) for androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients and methods Men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer participating in an ongoing randomised, multicentre UK trial comparing tE2 versus LHRHa for ADT were enrolled into a QoL sub-study. tE2 was delivered via three or four transcutaneous patches containing oestradiol 100 μg/24 h. LHRHa was administered as per local practice. Patients completed questionnaires based on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire 30-item core (EORTC QLQ-C30) with prostate-specific module QLQ PR25. The primary outcome measure was global QoL score at 6 months, compared between randomised arms. Results In all, 727 men were enrolled between August 2007 and October 2015 (412 tE2, 315 LHRHa) with QoL questionnaires completed at both baseline and 6 months. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between arms: median (interquartile range) age of 74 (68–79) years and PSA level of 44 (19–119) ng/mL, and 40% (294/727) had metastatic disease. At 6 months, patients on tE2 reported higher global QoL than those on LHRHa (mean difference +4.2, 95% confidence interval 1.2–7.1; P = 0.006), less fatigue, and improved physical function. Men in the tE2 arm were less likely to experience hot flushes (8% vs 46%), and report a lack of sexual interest (59% vs 74%) and sexual activity, but had higher rates of significant gynaecomastia (37% vs 5%). The higher incidence of hot flushes among LHRHa patients appear to account for both the reduced global QoL and increased fatigue in the LHRHa arm compared to the tE2 arm. Conclusion Patients receiving tE2 for ADT had better 6-month self-reported QoL outcomes compared to those on LHRHa, but increased likelihood of gynaecomastia. The ongoing trial will evaluate clinical efficacy and longer term QoL. These findings are also potentially relevant for short-term neoadjuvant ADT