scholarly journals Dentinal anomalies in teeth of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters: are they linked to sexual maturation and environmental events?

Author(s):  
P.L. Luque ◽  
G.J. Pierce ◽  
J.A. Learmonth ◽  
M.B. Santos ◽  
E. Ieno ◽  
...  

We examined the tooth ultra-structure of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters to determine whether the incidence of mineralization anomalies could be related to certain life history events (e.g. the achievement of sexual maturation) as well as other factors that affect the general health of the individual (e.g. persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in blubber). Five distinct types of mineralization anomalies were recorded: accessory lines, marker lines, dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and pulp stones and the occurrence of these anomalies was scored by sex, age and maturity state. Overall, the incidence of mineralization anomalies was high and tended to increase with age. Marker lines and accessory lines were the most commonly recorded anomalies while pulp stones were least frequent. Duplicate teeth (i.e. from the same individual) always showed the same pattern of anomaly occurrence.Fitted binary generalized linear and additive models indicated that the presence of dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and marker lines in harbour porpoise teeth increased with age, body length and maturity. Males displayed marker lines more frequently than females. Age was the best predictor of the incidence of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance while age and sex were the best predictors of the incidence of marker lines. The time course of appearance of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance suggests that their occurrence could be related to physiological stress linked to sexual maturation. Marker lines were found within growth layer groups which coincided with the beginning of weaning and sexual maturation, suggesting an association with these two major life history events. Accessory lines were found in most teeth and may be a normal characteristic of porpoise teeth or reflect regular events. Pulp stones appeared only in mature animals. We found no evidence that the presence of anomalies in teeth was significantly related to POP concentrations in the blubber.

2001 ◽  
Vol 40 (01) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Wellner ◽  
E. Voth ◽  
H. Schicha ◽  
K. Weber

Summary Aim: The influence of physiological and pharmacological amounts of iodine on the uptake of radioiodine in the thyroid was examined in a 4-compartment model. This model allows equations to be derived describing the distribution of tracer iodine as a function of time. The aim of the study was to compare the predictions of the model with experimental data. Methods: Five euthyroid persons received stable iodine (200 μg, 10 mg). 1-123-uptake into the thyroid was measured with the Nal (Tl)-detector of a body counter under physiological conditions and after application of each dose of additional iodine. Actual measurements and predicted values were compared, taking into account the individual iodine supply as estimated from the thyroid uptake under physiological conditions and data from the literature. Results: Thyroid iodine uptake decreased from 80% under physiological conditions to 50% in individuals with very low iodine supply (15 μg/d) (n = 2). The uptake calculated from the model was 36%. Iodine uptake into the thyroid did not decrease in individuals with typical iodine supply, i.e. for Cologne 65-85 μg/d (n = 3). After application of 10 mg of stable iodine, uptake into the thyroid decreased in all individuals to about 5%, in accordance with the model calculations. Conclusion: Comparison of theoretical predictions with the measured values demonstrated that the model tested is well suited for describing the time course of iodine distribution and uptake within the body. It can now be used to study aspects of iodine metabolism relevant to the pharmacological administration of iodine which cannot be investigated experimentally in humans for ethical and technical reasons.


2020 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
pp. 185-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Malick ◽  
ME Hunsicker ◽  
MA Haltuch ◽  
SL Parker-Stetter ◽  
AM Berger ◽  
...  

Environmental conditions can have spatially complex effects on the dynamics of marine fish stocks that change across life-history stages. Yet the potential for non-stationary environmental effects across multiple dimensions, e.g. space and ontogeny, are rarely considered. In this study, we examined the evidence for spatial and ontogenetic non-stationary temperature effects on Pacific hake Merluccius productus biomass along the west coast of North America. Specifically, we used Bayesian additive models to estimate the effects of temperature on Pacific hake biomass distribution and whether the effects change across space or life-history stage. We found latitudinal differences in the effects of temperature on mature Pacific hake distribution (i.e. age 3 and older); warmer than average subsurface temperatures were associated with higher biomass north of Vancouver Island, but lower biomass offshore of Washington and southern Vancouver Island. In contrast, immature Pacific hake distribution (i.e. age 2) was better explained by a nonlinear temperature effect; cooler than average temperatures were associated with higher biomass coastwide. Together, our results suggest that Pacific hake distribution is driven by interactions between age composition and environmental conditions and highlight the importance of accounting for varying environmental effects across multiple dimensions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esethu Monakali

This article offers an analysis of the identity work of a black transgender woman through life history research. Identity work pertains to the ongoing effort of authoring oneself and positions the individual as the agent; not a passive recipient of identity scripts. The findings draw from three life history interviews. Using thematic analysis, the following themes emerge: institutionalisation of gender norms; gender and sexuality unintelligibility; transitioning and passing; and lastly, gender expression and public spaces. The discussion follows from a poststructuralist conception of identity, which frames identity as fluid and as being continually established. The study contends that identity work is a complex and fragmented process, which is shaped by other social identities. To that end, the study also acknowledges the role of collective agency in shaping gender identity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon E. Brommer

Abstract Individual-based studies allow quantification of phenotypic plasticity in behavioural, life-history and other labile traits. The study of phenotypic plasticity in the wild can shed new light on the ultimate objectives (1) whether plasticity itself can evolve or is constrained by its genetic architecture, and (2) whether plasticity is associated to other traits, including fitness (selection). I describe the main statistical approach for how repeated records of individuals and a description of the environment (E) allow quantification of variation in plasticity across individuals (IxE) and genotypes (GxE) in wild populations. Based on a literature review of life-history and behavioural studies on plasticity in the wild, I discuss the present state of the two objectives listed above. Few studies have quantified GxE of labile traits in wild populations, and it is likely that power to detect statistically significant GxE is lacking. Apart from the issue of whether it is heritable, plasticity tends to correlate with average trait expression (not fully supported by the few genetic estimates available) and may thus be evolutionary constrained in this way. Individual-specific estimates of plasticity tend to be related to other traits of the individual (including fitness), but these analyses may be anti-conservative because they predominantly concern stats-on-stats. Despite the increased interest in plasticity in wild populations, the putative lack of power to detect GxE in such populations hinders achieving general insights. I discuss possible steps to invigorate the field by moving away from simply testing for presence of GxE to analyses that ‘scale up’ to population level processes and by the development of new behavioural theory to identify quantitative genetic parameters which can be estimated.


1974 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. W. Sawchyn ◽  
C. Gillott

AbstractLestes congener Hagen overwinters in the egg stage. There is a diapause just before blastokinesis, during which the egg is extremely resistant to low temperatures and desiccation. Post-diapause embryonic development can occur near 0 °C but will not take place until the eggs are wetted as the pond habitat fills in the spring. Hatching does not occur until the temperature exceeds about 5 °C and is highly synchronous. Larval development is rapid and is completed in the field in about 50 days. Emergence of the adults also is synchronous. Sexual maturation requires 3 weeks. Oviposition occurs immediately after copulation while the pair are still in tandem. It takes place only in dry stems of Scirpus. Adaptations of L. congener for life under rigorous prairie conditions are discussed.


Author(s):  
Pravin Ashok Mali

Cervical erosion is one of the causative factors for vaginal discharge. Cervical erosion, a benign lesion is sometimes much troublesome due to its chronic nature and recurrence. Cauterization and cryosurgery are most common treatment for cervical erosion in modern science. Certain diseases may not be life threatening but may be troublesome and irritating to the individual in her routine activity. When neglected may lead to serious complications or turn into major life threatening condition. Cervical erosion is one among them, increasingly prevalent nowadays, demanding great concern over it. Cervical erosion is a common gynaecological disease and seen in about 80-85% of women. As per Ayurveda classics Garbhashaya grivamukhagatavrana can be correlated with cervical erosion. Various research has been done in ayurveda on its treatment. One such compound Ghrut can be used incorporation with other treatment. This article is to enlighten on the same.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Bernadou ◽  
Boris H. Kramer ◽  
Judith Korb

The evolution of eusociality in social insects, such as termites, ants, and some bees and wasps, has been regarded as a major evolutionary transition (MET). Yet, there is some debate whether all species qualify. Here, we argue that worker sterility is a decisive criterion to determine whether species have passed a MET (= superorganisms), or not. When workers are sterile, reproductive interests align among group members as individual fitness is transferred to the colony level. Division of labour among cooperating units is a major driver that favours the evolution of METs across all biological scales. Many METs are characterised by a differentiation into reproductive versus maintenance functions. In social insects, the queen specialises on reproduction while workers take over maintenance functions such as food provisioning. Such division of labour allows specialisation and it reshapes life history trade-offs among cooperating units. For instance, individuals within colonies of social insects can overcome the omnipresent fecundity/longevity trade-off, which limits reproductive success in organisms, when increased fecundity shortens lifespan. Social insect queens (particularly in superorganismal species) can reach adult lifespans of several decades and are among the most fecund terrestrial animals. The resulting enormous reproductive output may contribute to explain why some genera of social insects became so successful. Indeed, superorganismal ant lineages have more species than those that have not passed a MET. We conclude that the release from life history constraints at the individual level is a important, yet understudied, factor across METs to explain their evolutionary success.


2021 ◽  
Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuma Morishita ◽  
Shoko Tamura ◽  
Kentaro Mochizuki ◽  
Yoshinori Harada ◽  
Hideo Tanaka

Ca 2+ overload is a cardinal feature of cardiomyocyte injury, and its progression to irreversible state leads to cell death. However, unknowns are the precise spatiotemporal changes in the myocyte Ca 2+ dynamics and the relevant cell morphology of irreversibly injured hearts. On the hypothesis that myocytes exhibit high-frequency Ca 2+ waves and contraction band necrosis in saponin-permeabilized injured heart, we observed changes in the Ca 2+ dynamics and the relevant morphological changes in the subepicardial myocardium of the Fluo4-loaded rat hearts (n = 14) by rapid-scanning confocal microscopy (100 frames/s) under Langendorff perfusion with 0.3 mM Ca 2+ -Tyrode solution including 0.4 % saponin at 30°C. Also performed was confocal imaging of tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) fluorescence of the myocardium. Under quasi-quiescence of the heart after dissection of the SA node, individual myocytes barely exhibited spontaneous Ca 2+ waves, whereas after commencement of saponin perfusion high-frequency (118 ± 9.7 /min/cell, mean ± SEM) Ca 2+ waves (hereafter, “agonal waves”) emerged within 1 min, showing asynchronous, oscillatory contractions in the individual myocytes with a V prop of 124 ± 2.5 μm/s (n = 60). Subsequently, the waves gradually decreased in frequency with concomitant slowing of its decay time course, and eventually, disappeared in 6 min; myocytes exhibited high, static Fluo4-fluorescence intensity. Along with the progression of Ca 2+ overload by saponin, the TMRM fluorescence intensity was discretely lost in individual myocytes. The myocytes showing the agonal waves exhibited contraction bands, i.e., band-like aggregations of the actin fibers. Under mechanical arrest of the heart by 2,3-butanedione monoxime (20 mM), saponin still induced the agonal waves with a frequency of 253 ± 10.6 /cell/min and V prop of 118 ± 2.1 μm/s (n = 60); however, contraction bands were barely seen.In conclusion, irreversible myocyte injury by saponin provoked agonal Ca 2+ waves and oscillatory contractions indicating progressive Ca 2+ overload and the following mitochondrial damage, which may provide deeper insights into understanding the mechanism of contraction band necrosis.


Author(s):  
Mithun Sikdar

In one of the articles published in Current Anthropology way back in 1973, David G. Mandelbaum talked about two approaches to understand the life of an individual. For him, to observe the lifestyle of a person or gain the knowledge about a lifestyle of a person, social scientists always succumb to two main approaches: life passage studies and life history studies. Life passage studies understand the contribution of society about the socialization and enculturation of their young ones, whereas life history studies emphasize the personified experiences and requirements of the individuals and how the individual copes up with the society. Here I have adopted the means of life history study to see some of the facets of Gandhiji’s life and its influence in the society. I shall do it by looking at some of his philosophies on health, food, sexual life, rather than going into the details of his whole life history. I shall do it without perplexing my own way of understanding “Mahatma” and linking sometimes my own life experiences that had been influenced by the philosophies of Gandhiji. I shall be carrying out an autoethnography by perceiving the virtues of Gandhiji in my own life. Nevertheless, it will rather be a futile exercise to describe his philosophies in a single paper and that too with a minimum experience on his whole life.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Hunova ◽  
Marek Brabec ◽  
Marek Malý ◽  
Alexandru Dumitrescu ◽  
Jan Geletič

<p>Fog is a very complex phenomenon (Gultepe et al., 2007). In some areas it can contribute substantially to hydrological and chemical inputs and is therefore of high environmental relevance (Blas et al., 2010). Fog formation is affected by numerous factors, such as meteorology, air pollution, terrain (geomorphology), and land-use.</p><p>In our earlier studies we addressed the role of meteorology and air pollution on fog occurrence (Hůnová et al., 2018) and long-term trends in fog occurrence in Central Europe (Hůnová et al., 2020). This study builds on earlier model identification of year-to-year and seasonal components in fog occurrence and brings an analysis of the deformation of the above components due to the individual explanatory variables. The aim of this study was to indicate the geographical and environmental factors affecting the fog occurrence.</p><p>       We have examined the data on fog occurrence from 56 meteorological stations of various types from Romania reflecting different environments and geographical areas. We used long-term records from the 1981–2017 period. </p><p>       We considered both the individual explanatory variables and their interactions. With respect to geographical factors, we accounted for the altitude and landform. With respect to environmental factors,   we accounted for proximity of large water bodies, and proximity of forests. Geographical data from Copernicus pan-European (e.g. CORINE land cover, high resolution layers) and local (e.g. Urban Atlas) projects were used. Elevation data from EU-DEM v1.1 were source for morphometric analysis (Copernicus, 2020).</p><p>        We applied a generalized additive model, GAM (Wood, 2017; Hastie & Tibshirani, 1990) to address nonlinear trend shapes in a formalized and unified way. In particular, we employed penalized spline approach with cross-validated penalty coefficient estimation. To explore possible deformations of annual and seasonal components with various covariates of interest, we used (penalized) tensor product splines to model (two-way) interactions parsimoniously, Wood (2006).</p><p>       The fog occurrence showed significant decrease over the period under review. In general the selected explanatory variables significantly affected the fog occurrence and their effect was non-linear. Our results indicated that, the geographical and environmental variables affected primarily the seasonal component of the model. Of the factors which were accounted for, it was mainly the altitude showing the clear effect on seasonal component deformation (Hůnová et al., in press).</p><p>      </p><p> </p><p>References:</p><p>Blas, M, Polkowska, Z., Sobik, M., et al. (2010). Atmos. Res. 95, 455–469.</p><p>Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (2020). Accessed online at: https://land.copernicus.eu/.</p><p>Gultepe, I., Tardif, R., Michaelidis, S.C., Cermak, J., Bott, A. et al. (2007). Pure Appl Geophys, 164, 1121-1159.</p><p>Hastie, T.J., Tibshirani, R.J. (1990). Generalized Additive Models. Boca Raton, Chapman & Hall/CRC.</p><p>Hůnová, I., Brabec, M., Malý, M., Dumitrescu, A., Geletič, J. (in press) Sci. Total Environ. 144359.</p><p>Hůnová, I., Brabec, M., Malý, M., Valeriánová, A. (2018) Sci. Total Environ. 636, 1490–1499.</p><p>Hůnová, I., Brabec, M., Malý, M., Valeriánová, A. (2020) Sci. Total Environ. 711, 135018.</p><p>Wood, S.N. (2006) Low rank scale invariant tensor product smooths for generalized additive mixed models. Biometrics 62(4):1025-1036</p><p>Wood, S.N. (2017). Generalized Additive Models: An Introduction with R (2nd ed). Boca Raton, Chapman & Hall/CRC.</p><p> </p>


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