scholarly journals Abderitid marsupials from the Miocene of Patagonia: An assessment of form, function, and evolution

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161-1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Dumont ◽  
S. G. Strait ◽  
A. R. Friscia
Keyword(s):  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Evolutionary Patterns ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Dietary Adaptation ◽  
Argentine Patagonia ◽  
Form Function ◽  
Relative Species Richness ◽  
Mixed Feeder

Abderitid marsupials are common in vertebrate-bearing deposits from the middle Miocene of Argentine Patagonia. Recent collections from the inland Pinturas Formation and slightly younger coastal Santa Cruz Formation have dramatically increased the number of abderitid specimens. These new collections permit a re-assessment of abderitid taxonomy as well as an investigation of the dietary habits of these unique small mammals. The vast majority of new specimens represent Abderites meridionalis; Pithiculites minimus is rare. Patterns of macrowear on the double-bladed, plagiaulacoid shearing complex suggest that abderitids used these teeth to prepare a variety of resistant food items as do modern marsupials with double-bladed shearing systems. Data summarizing molar-shearing morphology and body size further suggest that A. meridionalis was a frugivore. The diet of the small P. minimus is equivocal, although it may represent a mixed feeder (frugivore/faunivore). A comparison of relative species richness and dietary adaptation between abderitids and palaeothentids (a closely related caenolestoid family that lacks the highly specialized shearing complex of abderitids) reveals distinct evolutionary patterns within the two lineages. Abderitids exhibit low species diversity. In contrast, palaeothentids are represented by 17 species, lack highly specialized shearing mechanisms, and typically exhibit molar morphologies that range from frugivory to faunivory and include mixed feeders. Both temporal and geographic variation are introduced as possible factors affecting differences in the relative abundance of abderitids and palaeothentids in the Pinturas and Santa Cruz Formations.

scholarly journals Association between Dyslipidemia and Mercury Exposure in Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 775
Author(s):  
Purum Kang ◽  
Hye Young Shin ◽  
Ka Young Kim
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Subjective Health Status ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Using Data

Background—Dyslipidemia is one of the prominent risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Dyslipidemia has various causes, including metabolic capacity, genetic problems, physical inactivity, and dietary habits. This study aimed to determine the association between dyslipidemia and exposure to heavy metals in adults. Methods—Using data from the seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2017), 5345 participants aged ≥20 years who were tested for heavy metal levels were analyzed in this study. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to assess the factors affecting the prevalence of dyslipidemia. Results—The risks of dyslipidemia among all and male participants with mercury (Hg) levels of ≥2.75 μg/L (corresponding to the Korean average level) were 1.273 and 1.699 times higher than in those with levels of <2.75 μg/L, respectively. The factors that significantly affected the dyslipidemia risk were age, household income, body mass index, and subjective health status in both males and females. Conclusions—In adult males, exposure to Hg at higher-than-average levels was positively associated with dyslipidemia. These results provide a basis for targeted prevention strategies for dyslipidemia using lifestyle guidelines for reducing Hg exposure and healthy behavioral interventions.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Contaminated Italian Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 5226
Author(s):  
Elisa Bustaffa ◽  
Francesca Gorini ◽  
Fabrizio Bianchi ◽  
Fabrizio Minichilli
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Metabolic Capacity ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Arsenic Metabolism ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Arsenic Methylation ◽  
Methylation Capacity ◽  
Critical Public Health

Chronic arsenic (As) exposure is a critical public health issue. The As metabolism can be influenced by many factors. The objective of this study is to verify if these factors influence As metabolism in four Italian areas affected by As pollution. Descriptive analyses were conducted on 271 subjects aged 20–49 in order to assess the effect of each factor considered on As methylation. Percentages of metabolites of As in urine, primary and secondary methylation indexes were calculated as indicators for metabolic capacity. The results indicate that women have a better methylation capacity (MC) than men, and drinking As-contaminated water from public aqueducts is associated with poorer MC, especially in areas with natural As pollution. In areas with anthropogenic As pollution occupational exposure is associated with a higher MC while smoking with a poorer MC. Dietary habits and genetic characteristics are probably implicated in As metabolism. BMI, alcohol consumption and polymorphism of the AS3MT gene seem not to influence As MC. Arsenic metabolism may be affected by various factors and in order to achieve a comprehensive risk assessment of As-associated disease, it is crucial to understand how these factors contribute to differences in As metabolism.

Pharmacokinetic factors affecting antidepressant drug clearance and clinical effect: evaluation of doxepin and imipramine--new data and review.

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Ereshefsky ◽  
T Tran-Johnson ◽  
C M Davis ◽  
A LeRoy
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Antidepressant Drug ◽  
Antidepressant Drugs ◽  
Drug Clearance ◽  
Metabolic Phenotype ◽  
Therapeutic Monitoring ◽  
Fixed Dose ◽  
Oral Clearance ◽  
Clearance Rates ◽  
Factors Affecting

Abstract The selection of a starting dose for an antidepressant, and subsequent clinical titration to an appropriate therapeutic dosage, should be based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles. In the past decade, therapeutic monitoring of antidepressant drugs and use of pharmacokinetic principles have been shown to be an improvement over the dose-response approach. Endogenous (e.g., genetic metabolic phenotype, hepatic blood flow, and protein binding) and exogenous factors (e.g., smoking, dietary habits, concurrent medications) are capable of influencing physiological and pharmacokinetic variables in patients, accounting for the marked interindividual differences in the clearance rates of cyclic antidepressants. Interpatient variability for steady-state concentrations in plasma (Cpss) greater than 20-fold are observed at a fixed dose of imipramine (r2 = 0.525, df = 346, t = 19.541, P less than 0.0001) or doxepin (r2 = 0.506, df = 128, t = 11.403, P less than 0.0001). Analysis of doxepin in plasma vs estimated in oral clearance for 61 patients demonstrates a significant decline in oral clearance as a function of Cpss. At doses approaching the upper range recommended for the treatment of depression, Cpss appear to approach, in at least a few individuals, the maximum metabolic capacity of the patient (Vmax), leading to greater-than-expected increases in concentrations for a given dosage increment. Significant alterations in oral clearance are observed when medications are administered concomitantly. A greater-than-threefold difference in mean oral doxepin clearance rates is observed between two groups of patients receiving additional medications that are either inducers or inhibitors (P less than 0.0001, df = 32, t = 6.687). Pharmacokinetic principles defining and explaining the determinants of oral clearance can provide the clinician with a greater insight into the reasons for therapeutic failure and toxicity.

scholarly journals Increased knowledge predicts greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Greek adolescents

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paraskevi K Tsartsali ◽  
Janice L Thompson ◽  
Russell Jago
Keyword(s):  
Family Income ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Westernized Diet ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectivesTo examine knowledge of and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) among Greek adolescents, assess associations between MDP knowledge and adherence with BMI, and determine socio-cultural factors predicting MDP compliance.DesignCross-sectional.SettingGreek adolescents aged 15–17 years.SubjectsTwo hundred adolescents (103 females, ninety-seven males) from six schools on the Greek island of Chios. The sampling procedure was similar for all schools; schools were randomly selected from different geographic areas and all municipalities. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight; participants completed four questionnaires assessing parents’ socio-economic status and education, adolescents’ perceived and actual MDP knowledge, past-week dietary habits, and MDP adherence.ResultsParticipants’ BMI indicated 64·5 % were normal weight and 35·5 % were overweight/obese (mean BMI 23·7 (sd 3·8) kg/m2). Over half had very poor MDP knowledge (58·5 %) and adherence (59·5 %); both perceived (F = 3·35, P = 0·037) and actual MDP knowledge (F = 3·45, P = 0·034) were significantly different across MDP adherence. Perceived MDP knowledge was positively correlated with vegetable consumption (r = 0·185, P = 0·009); actual knowledge was negatively correlated with meat consumption (r = −0·191, P = 0·007). BMI was negatively correlated with family income (r = −0·202, P = 0·004), indicating higher BMI in less affluent households. Actual MDP knowledge was the only significant predictor of MDP adherence (standardized β = 0·162, P = 0·030) in a model accounting for 7·3 % of overall variance.ConclusionsGreek adolescents reported consuming a more Westernized diet detached from the traditional MDP. Actual MDP knowledge and family income were important factors affecting MDP adherence and BMI, respectively. Promoting the traditional MDP among Greek adolescents and their families appears warranted.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document