‘Arm brains’ (axial nerves) of Jurassic coleoids and the evolution of coleoid neuroanatomy

Although patchy, the fossil record of coleoids bears a wealth of information on their soft part anatomy. Here, we describe remains of the axial nerve cord from both decabrachian (Acanthoteuthis, Belemnotheutis, Chondroteuthis) and octobrachian (Plesioteuthis, Proteroctopus, Vampyronassa) coleoids from the Jurassic. We discuss some hypotheses reflecting on possible evolutionary drivers behind the neuroanatomical differentiation of the coleoid arm crown. We also propose some hypotheses on potential links between habitat depth, mode of life and the evolution of the Coleoidea

Development of liquid chromatography methods coupled to mass spectrometry for the analysis of substances with a wide variety of polarity in meconium.

International audienceMeconium is the first fecal excretion of newborns. This complex accumulative matrix allows assessing the exposure of the fetus to xenobiotics during the last 6 months of pregnancy. To determine the eventual effect of fetal exposure to micropollutants in this matrix, robust and sensitive analytical methods must be developed. This article describes the method development of liquid chromatography methods coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for relevant pollutants. The 28 selected target compounds had different physico-chemical properties from very polar (glyphosate) to non-polar molecules (pyrethroids). Tests were performed with three different types of columns: reversed phase, ion exchange and HILIC. As a unique method could not be determined for the simultaneous analysis of all compounds, three columns were selected and suitable chromatographic methods were optimized. Similar results were noticed for the separation of the target compounds dissolved in either meconium extract or solvent for reversed phase and ion exchange columns. However, for HILIC, the matrix had a significant influence on the peak shape and robustness of the method. Finally, the analytical methods were applied to “real” meconium samples

The growth of the buccal mass in Sepia officinalis: functional changes throughout ontogeny

Due to their small size, juveniles are more likely to show lower absolute levels of performance leading to a potential competitive disadvantage compared to adults. Therefore, juveniles are expected to compensate by showing a higher relative performance, and/or partitioning resources to overcome this performance disadvantage. Here, we investigate the link between ontogeny and feeding performance in the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. We explore the changes in beak shape, wear pattern, mechanical properties, muscular anatomy, and bite force during growth from 3-month post hatching to adults. We show that both upper and lower beaks present important ontogenetic shape variation in the rostrum area that might be due to wear induced by feeding. The mechanical properties of the beaks in juveniles indicate greater resistance compared to adults. Tanning observed on the beaks provides reinforcement to areas under high load during biting. In addition, muscle development and relative bite force were found to differ between cuttlefish of different ages, resulting in juveniles having a similar bite force for their size but with a muscular advantage for opening. Finally, an isometric relation is found in the bite force of S. officinalis, with no sign of feeding performance compensation in juveniles. Feeding performance thus does not reflect the ontogenetic shift from a crustacean-based diet in juveniles to a fish-based diet in adults

Comparative anatomy and functional implications of variation in the buccal mass in coleoid cephalopods

In contrast to the well-studied articulated vertebrate jaws, the structure and function of cephalopod jaws remains poorly known. Cephalopod jaws are unique as the two jaw elements do not contact one another, are embedded in a muscular mass and connected through a muscle joint. Previous studies have described the anatomy of the buccal mass muscles in cephalopods and have proposed variation in muscle volume depending on beak shape. However, the general structure of the muscles has been suggested to be similar in octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish. Here we provide a quantitative analysis of the variation in the buccal mass of coleoids using traditional dissections, histological sections and contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans. Our results show that the buccal mass is composed of four main homologous muscles present in both decapodiforms and octopodiforms as suggested previously. However, we also report the presence of a muscle uniquely present in octopodiforms (the postero-lateral mandibular muscle). Our three dimensional reconstructions and quantitative analyses of the buccal mass muscles pave the way for future functional analyses allowing to better model jaw closing in coleoids. Finally, our results suggest differences in beak and muscle function that need to be validated using future in vivo functional analyses

Prevalence of vascular disruption anomalies and association with young maternal age: A EUROCAT study to compare the United Kingdom with other European countries

[Corrections added after online publication, 16 November 2022: The last name of Dr. Jennifer M. Broughan was incorrectly spelled in the initial publication. It has been corrected.]Background: Younger mothers are at a greater risk of having a pregnancy with gastroschisis and the risk is higher in the United Kingdom than other European countries. Gastroschisis is thought to be a vascular disruption anomaly and the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of other possible vascular disruption anomalies to determine whether both the younger maternal age and the UK associations also occur with these anomalies. Methods: All pregnancies with anomalies considered potentially due to vascular disruption from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2017 from 26 European population-based congenital anomaly registries who were members of EUROCAT were analyzed. Multilevel models were used to allow for differences between registries when analyzing associations with maternal age, year of birth and whether the registry was in the United Kingdom. Results: There were 5,220 cases with potential vascular disruption anomalies, excluding chromosomal and genetic conditions, with a prevalence of 8.85 per 10,000 births in the United Kingdom and 5.44 in the other European countries. The prevalence per 10,000 births of gastroschisis (4.45 vs. 1.56) and congenital constriction bands (0.83 vs. 0.42) was significantly higher in the United Kingdom, even after adjusting for maternal age. However, transverse limb reduction defects had a similar prevalence (2.16 vs. 2.14 per 10,000). The expected increased prevalence in younger mothers was observed for vascular disruption anomalies overall and for the individual anomalies: gastroschisis and congenital constriction bands. Conclusion: Vascular disruption anomalies that had an increased risk for younger mothers (such as gastroschisis) had a higher maternal age standardized prevalence in the United Kingdom, while vascular disruption anomalies with weaker associations with younger mothers (such as transverse limb reduction defects) did not have an increased prevalence in the United Kingdom, which may indicate a different etiology for these anomalies.European Commissioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence of vascular disruption anomalies and association with young maternal age: A EUROCAT study to compare the United Kingdom with other European countries

Background Younger mothers are at a greater risk of having a pregnancy with gastroschisis and the risk is higher in the United Kingdom than other European countries. Gastroschisis is thought to be a vascular disruption anomaly and the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of other possible vascular disruption anomalies to determine whether both the younger maternal age and the UK associations also occur with these anomalies. Methods All pregnancies with anomalies considered potentially due to vascular disruption from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2017 from 26 European population-based congenital anomaly registries who were members of EUROCAT were analyzed. Multilevel models were used to allow for differences between registries when analyzing associations with maternal age, year of birth and whether the registry was in the United Kingdom. Results There were 5,220 cases with potential vascular disruption anomalies, excluding chromosomal and genetic conditions, with a prevalence of 8.85 per 10,000 births in the United Kingdom and 5.44 in the other European countries. The prevalence per 10,000 births of gastroschisis (4.45 vs. 1.56) and congenital constriction bands (0.83 vs. 0.42) was significantly higher in the United Kingdom, even after adjusting for maternal age. However, transverse limb reduction defects had a similar prevalence (2.16 vs. 2.14 per 10,000). The expected increased prevalence in younger mothers was observed for vascular disruption anomalies overall and for the individual anomalies: gastroschisis and congenital constriction bands. Conclusion Vascular disruption anomalies that had an increased risk for younger mothers (such as gastroschisis) had a higher maternal age standardized prevalence in the United Kingdom, while vascular disruption anomalies with weaker associations with younger mothers (such as transverse limb reduction defects) did not have an increased prevalence in the United Kingdom, which may indicate a different etiology for these anomalies.publishedVersio

Prevalence of congenital heart defects in Europe, 2008-2015: A registry‐based study

Background: The total prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) varies by populations and over time. Studies that examine trends in the prevalence of CHD in different regions may shed light on our understanding of the occurrence of CHD and the impact of different risk factors. Objectives: To examine trends in total and live birth prevalence of nonsyndromic CHD in Europe between the years 2008 and 2015 and to investigate if the decreasing trend reported by previous studies is continuing. Methods: Cases of CHD delivered between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2015 notified to 25 population-based EUROCAT (European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies) registries in 14 countries, formed the population-based case-series. Prevalence (total/live) rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated as the number of cases per 10,000 births (live and stillbirths). Time trends in prevalence of all nonsyndromic CHDs and for three CHD severity groups (very severe, severe, and less severe) were plotted using a Poisson regression multilevel approach. Results: The total prevalence of nonsyndromic CHD was 57.1 per 10,000 births (live births and stillbirths) for the 8-year period and remained stable across the three CHD severity groups while the live birth prevalence was 60.2 per 10,000 births. There was considerable variation in the reported total CHD prevalence and the direction of trends by registry. A decreasing prevalence ofCHD was observed for the Norway and England/Wales registries, whereas the CHD prevalence increased for registries in Italy and Croatia. Conclusions: The total prevalence of CHD in Europe between the years 2008 and 2015 remained stable for all CHD and across the three CHD severity groups. The decreasing trend reported by previous studies has not continued. However, we found significant differences in the total and live birth prevalence by registry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio