Longitudinal metabolic and gut bacterial profiling of pregnant women with previous bariatric surgery

Objective Due to the global increase in obesity rates and success of bariatric surgery in weight reduction, an increasing number of women now present pregnant with a previous bariatric procedure. This study investigates the extent of bariatric-associated metabolic and gut microbial alterations during pregnancy and their impact on fetal development. Design A parallel metabonomic (molecular phenotyping based on proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and gut bacterial (16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing) profiling approach was used to determine maternal longitudinal phenotypes associated with malabsorptive/mixed (n=25) or restrictive (n=16) procedures, compared with women with similar early pregnancy body mass index but without bariatric surgery (n=70). Metabolic profiles of offspring at birth were also analysed. Results Previous malabsorptive, but not restrictive, procedures induced significant changes in maternal metabolic pathways involving branched-chain and aromatic amino acids with decreased circulation of leucine, isoleucine and isobutyrate, increased excretion of microbial-associated metabolites of protein putrefaction (phenylacetlyglutamine, p-cresol sulfate, indoxyl sulfate and p-hydroxyphenylacetate), and a shift in the gut microbiota. The urinary concentration of phenylacetylglutamine was significantly elevated in malabsorptive patients relative to controls (p=0.001) and was also elevated in urine of neonates born from these mothers (p=0.021). Furthermore, the maternal metabolic changes induced by malabsorptive surgery were associated with reduced maternal insulin resistance and fetal/birth weight. Conclusion Metabolism is altered in pregnant women with a previous malabsorptive bariatric surgery. These alterations may be beneficial for maternal outcomes, but the effect of elevated levels of phenolic and indolic compounds on fetal and infant health should be investigated further

The Influence of an Orienting Task on the Memory Performance of Children with Reading Problems

This study investigated the hypothesis that differences in performance between reading disabled and normal children on a rote memory task could be eliminated if both groups were induced to process the material to be remembered in the same manner. The free recall of fourth-grade good and poor readers was tested following a free study period and the performance of an orienting task that required subjects to sort the material into taxonomic categories. There was a significant group by conditions interaction, with recall differences in the free study condition being eliminated following performance of the orienting task. The results have important implications for theoretical explanations of performance deficits in reading disabled children.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68893/2/10.1177_002221947901200608.pd

Assessing the Quality of Permanent Sample Plot Databases for Growth Modelling in Forest Plantations

Informed plantation management requires a good database, since the quality of information depends on the quality of data, growth models and other planning tools. There are several important questions concerning permanent plots: how many plots, where to put them, and how to manage them. Plot measurement procedures are also important. This paper illustrates graphical procedures to evaluate existing databases, to identify areas of weakness, and to plan remedial sampling. Two graphs, one of site index versus age, another with stocking versus tree size, may provide a good summary of the site and stand conditions represented in the database. However, it is important that these variables, especially site index, can be determined reliably. Where there is doubt about the efficacy of site index estimates, it is prudent to stratify the database according to geography, soil/geology or yield level (total basal area or volume production). Established permanent plot systems may sample a limited range of stand conditions, and clinal designs are an efficient way to supplement such data to provide a better basis for silvicultural inference. Procedures are illustrated with three data sets: teak plantations in Burma, Norway spruce in Denmark, and a clinal spacing experiment in India

Evaluating Forest Growth Models

Effective model evaluation is not a single, simple procedure, but comprises several interrelated steps that cannot be separated from each other or from the purpose and process of model construction. We draw attention to several statistical and graphical procedures that may assist in model calibration and evaluation, with special emphasis on those useful in forest growth modelling. We propose a five-step framework to examine logic and bio-logic, statistical properties, characteristics of errors, residuals, and sensitivity analyses. Empirical evaluations may be made both with data used in fitting the model, and with additional data not previously used. We emphasize that the validity of conclusions drawn from all these assessments depends on the validity of assumptions underlying both the model and the evaluation. These principles should be kept in mind throughout model construction and evaluation

Sustainable Harvesting of Tropical Rainforests: Reply to Keto, Scott and Olsen

This paper refutes the Keto et al. proposition that the Queensland selection logging system is neither ecologically nor economically sustainable. The key requirements of this system are: (1) that logging guidelines are sympathetic to the silvicultural characteristics of the forest, ensuring adequate regeneration of commercial species and discouraging invasion by weeds; (2) tree-marking by trained staff specifies trees to be retained, trees to be removed and the direction of felling to ensure minimal damage to the residual stand; (3) logging equipment is appropriate and driven by trained operators to ensure minimal damage and soil disturbance, compaction and erosion; (4) prescriptions ensure that adequate stream buffers and steep slopes are excluded from logging; (5) sufficient areas for scientific reference, feature protection and recreation are identified and excluded from logging; and (6) that deficiencies in an evolving system are recognized and remedied, leading to an improved system. Many studies of the effects of logging in these forests have been published and collectively provide a unique demonstration of one possible approach to sustainable timber harvesting

The Effect of Chemical Information on the Spatial Distribution of Fruit Flies: I Model Results

Animal aggregation is a general phenomenon in ecological systems. Aggregations are generally considered as an evolutionary advantageous state in which members derive the benefits of protection and mate choice, balanced by the costs of limiting resources and competition. In insects, chemical information conveyance plays an important role in finding conspecifics and forming aggregations. In this study, we describe a spatio-temporal simulation model designed to explore and quantify the effects of these infochemicals, i.e., food odors and an aggregation pheromone, on the spatial distribution of a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) population, where the lower and upper limit of local population size are controlled by an Allee effect and competition. We found that during the spatial expansion and strong growth of the population, the use of infochemicals had a positive effect on population size. The positive effects of reduced mortality at low population numbers outweighed the negative effects of increased mortality due to competition. At low resource densities, attraction toward infochemicals also had a positive effect on population size during recolonization of an area after a local population crash, by decreasing the mortality due to the Allee effect. However, when the whole area was colonized and the population was large, the negative effects of competition on population size were larger than the positive effects of the reduction in mortality due to the Allee effect. The use of infochemicals thus has mainly positive effects on population size and population persistence when the population is small and during the colonization of an area