Nuptial pad (“breeding gland”) morphology is related to non-random mating in wild male common frogs (<i>Rana temporaria</i>)

Androgen levels are closely linked with breeding in male amphibians. Development of the nuptial pad is driven by androgens and is believed to have importance for determining mating success in anurans, but this has not been tested in wild populations. We investigated the association between nuptial pad morphology (length, colour) and mating (amplexus) success in wild male common frogs (Rana temporaria) in the UK (Devon in Southern England and central Scotland). Once active breeding had been confirmed, pond water (25 L) was placed in 1–6 replicate mesocosms (66 cm diameter circular, black plastic tubs) in situ. Eight male and two female frogs were placed into each mesocosm, and success observed by identifying the male frog(s) in amplexus. The length of nuptial pads for male frogs observed in amplexus was greater than those that did not achieve amplexus. There was no difference in the absolute dark colour of nuptial pads (determined by red/green/blue analysis, Adobe photoshop©) for male frogs observed in amplexus versus those that did not achieve amplexus. However, within each mesocosm, the nuptial pad was relatively darker for winning male frogs compared to losing male frogs. Overall, 91% of winning male frogs from Devon, and 89% winning male frogs from Scotland, possessed either a longer and/or a darker nuptial pad, compared with frogs that did not achieve amplexus. These data suggest that features of nuptial pad morphology are associated with amplexus (and thus mating) success in male common frogs. Given that nuptial pads have been identified in all anuran amphibian species analysed to date, nuptial pad morphology may contribute to non-random mating strategies across a broad range of species

A review of non-destructive biomonitoring techniques to assess the impacts of pollution on reproductive health in frogs and toads

In anuran amphibians (frogs and toads), evidence linking pollution to population declines is limited, in particular through impaired reproduction. Here we review the evidence for pollutant-induced alterations on reproductive endpoints in wild anurans with a particular focus on the application of non-destructive endpoints including on sex ratios, male reproductive phenotypes (data are too scarce for females) and reproductive outputs (reflective of mating success). Data evidencing alterations in sex ratio in wild anurans are scarce, however, both feminisation and masculinisation in response to pollution have been reported (seven studies). Male nuptial pad morphology and calling behaviour display high sensitivity to pollutant-exposure and are important features determining male breeding success, however there is considerable variation in these endpoints and inconsistencies in the responses of them to pollution are reported in wild anurans. Data for clutch size are insufficient to assess sensitivity to pollutants (five studies only). However, hatch success and offspring fitness (tadpole survival/development) are sensitive to pollution, with clear linkages to population stability. In conclusion, there are a wide range of non destructive measures with good potential for application to assess/monitor reproductive health in wild anurans, however, a greater understanding of pollutant effects on these endpoints is needed. There measures deserve wider application as they are relatively simple and inexpensive to implement, and as they can be applied non-destructively are widely applicable to our declining anuran populations

Failure to improve calcium content of earthworms (Dendrobaena veneta) through three methods of gut-loading

The diets provided to many captive insectivores are deficient in calcium and high in phosphorus, which can lead to nutritional disease. Husbandry professionals may address this imbalance through supplementation, but the efficacy of different methods varies between invertebrate taxa. Earthworms are frequently used for aquatic and fossorial insectivores and this along with their rapidly shed mucus layer makes dusting with supplements ineffective; gut loading is likely the only available route to improving nutritional quality. Moreover, earthworms are often considered a good source of calcium, though data exist only for some taxa and results are mixed with regards to calcium content. The present study analysed the calcium and phosphorus content of Dendrobaena veneta earthworms, a species commonly commercially reared and sold for insectivore food, gut loaded on three diets (fresh vegetables, fortified instant porridge oats and a commercial gut loading diet) and quantified the zinc, copper and magnesium content of fasted worms. Dendrobaena worms contained sufficient zinc, copper and magnesium to meet the general requirements of domestic birds, mammals and other vertebrates for these metals. However, calcium and calcium:phosphorus ratios of worms were deficient and did not improve after being offered fortified diets. Insufficient calcium in the diets, unpalatability of food and habituation effects also potentially contributed to this result. Unless better means of improving calcium content of Dendrobaena can be developed, husbandry professionals should be circumspect in their use of this species in a diet and ensure that dietary items with sufficient calcium are also provided

Impacts of UVB provision on serum vitamin D3, pigmentation, growth rates and total body mineral content in Mallorcan midwife toad larvae (Alytes muletensis)

The health of amphibians in captive breeding programmes can be compromised by nutritional metabolic bone disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is a result of poor calcium metabolism or an inverse calcium:phosphorus ratio in the blood. UVB provision allows for cutaneous photobiosynthesis of vitamin D3, which is needed for adequate absorption of calcium from the diet, and so many post-metamorphic anurans are routinely provided with UVB radiation in captivity; however, tadpoles are not. This is the first study of its kind to investigate the effect of UVB radiation provision for anuran larvae from a captive husbandry perspective. This study examines the effects of ecologically appropriate levels of UVB exposure on growth rates, pigmentation acquisition, serum vitamin levels in the blood plasma, and whole-body mineral content in the Mallorcan midwife toad (Alytes muletensis). There were no significant effects of UVB exposure on any parameters measured. This may be because UVB radiation is simply not required by the larvae of this species, or because the provision of UVB radiation alone is not sufficient for its use in calcium metabolism. Further research is needed to elucidate how tadpoles interact with UVB radiation in nature and to examine how UVB radiation is provided in captivity and test for effects using a wider variety of species from a range of different habitats

International genome-wide meta-analysis identifies new primary biliary cirrhosis risk loci and targetable pathogenic pathways.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a classical autoimmune liver disease for which effective immunomodulatory therapy is lacking. Here we perform meta-analyses of discovery data sets from genome-wide association studies of European subjects (n=2,764 cases and 10,475 controls) followed by validation genotyping in an independent cohort (n=3,716 cases and 4,261 controls). We discover and validate six previously unknown risk loci for PBC (Pcombined<5 × 10(-8)) and used pathway analysis to identify JAK-STAT/IL12/IL27 signalling and cytokine-cytokine pathways, for which relevant therapies exist

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Distinct Patterns of Brain Metabolism in Patients at Risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy

Objective: To characterize regional brain metabolic differences in patients at high risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET). Methods: We studied patients with refractory focal epilepsy at high (n = 56) and low (n = 69) risk of SUDEP who underwent interictal (18)FDG-PET as part of their pre-surgical evaluation. Binary SUDEP risk was ascertained by thresholding frequency of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS). A whole brain analysis was employed to explore regional differences in interictal metabolic patterns. We contrasted these findings with regional brain metabolism more directly related to frequency of FBTCS. Results: Regions associated with cardiorespiratory and somatomotor regulation differed in interictal metabolism. In patients at relatively high risk of SUDEP, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake was increased in the basal ganglia, ventral diencephalon, midbrain, pons, and deep cerebellar nuclei; uptake was decreased in the left planum temporale. These patterns were distinct from the effect of FBTCS frequency, where increasing frequency was associated with decreased uptake in bilateral medial superior frontal gyri, extending into the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Significance: Regions critical to cardiorespiratory and somatomotor regulation and to recovery from vital challenges show altered interictal metabolic activity in patients with frequent FBTCS considered to be at relatively high-risk of SUDEP, and shed light on the processes that may predispose patients to SUDEP