scholarly journals Sheep gut passage and survival of Mediterranean shrub seeds

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Manzano ◽  
Juan E. Malo ◽  
Begoña Peco
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Central Spain ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Retama Sphaerocarpa ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Lavandula Stoechas ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
Viable Seeds

Although viable seeds of Mediterranean dry-fruited shrubs are found in herbivore dung, the ecological importance of this observation is still not well understood. We analysed seed retrieval percentages, defecation time and germinability after sheep gut passage for the five most common shrub species of an area in central Spain (Retama sphaerocarpa, Cytisus scoparius, Halimium umbellatum subsp. viscosum, Cistus ladanifer and Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata). Five ewes were fed seeds, and their dung was collected regularly during the following week. Seeds were hand-sorted from dung subsamples and tested for germinability. The defecated seeds were clustered in time, with a majority retrieved in the 24–40 h period, although over 1% of the seeds were retained in the gut for more than 72 h. Data suggested a possible link between seed size and retrieval, with medium-sized seeds less damaged (16–23%) than larger and smaller seeds (10–12%), although only a small number of species were studied. Germination results showed an increased percentage of germination after gut passage for H. umbellatum (x2 test, P<0.05) and a marginally significant difference for C. scoparius (P<0.1). Soft-seeded L. stoechas did not germinate after gut passage. The results indicate a potential role of herbivore endozoochory for the long-distance dispersal of dry-fruited shrubs and their potential colonization of distant sites.

Circulating levels of GH-releasing hormone and GH during human pregnancy

1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mazlan ◽  
C. Spence-Jones ◽  
T. Chard ◽  
J. Landon ◽  
C. McLean
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Placental Lactogen ◽  
Immunoradiometric Assay ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Circulating Levels

ABSTRACT To study the potential role of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) in maintaining circulating levels of GH during pregnancy, 302 maternal plasma samples were collected from non-fasted subjects at various stages of pregnancy and assayed for GHRH using a 'two-site' immunoradiometric assay. The GH and placental lactogen levels were also determined. In addition, maternal plasma samples taken during labour, amniotic fluid and cord blood were also assayed for these hormones. Maternal plasma GHRH levels were similar to non-pregnant levels throughout gestation despite fluctuations in GH values which were always higher than non-pregnant levels. There was no significant difference between GHRH levels in maternal plasma and cord blood although high GH levels were observed in the latter. These findings suggest that peripheral GHRH levels do not play an important role in maintaining circulating GH levels during pregnancy. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 125, 161–167

scholarly journals The Potential Role of Wedololactone in Treating Particle-induced Osteolysis _A Mouse Calvarial Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Chang Lu ◽  
Ting-Kuo Chang ◽  
Tzu-Chiao Lin ◽  
Shu-Ting Yeh ◽  
Hsu-Wei Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Histological Analysis ◽  
Total Joint Replacement ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Potential Treatment ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Clinical Complications ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Osteolysis is one of the most prevalent clinical complications of total joint replacement (TJR). Wedelolactone (WDL) is a coumestan compound derived from the Wedelia chinensis plant and has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the use of WDL as a potential treatment for reducing the risk of particle-induced osteolysis using a well-established particle-induced mice calvarial disease model. Methods: Thirty-two C57BL/6J mice were randomized into four groups: sham, polystyrene particles (PS), PS particles with WDL treatment for 4 weeks (WDL 4w) and PS particles with WDL treatment for 8 weeks (WDL 8w). Micro-CT was used to quantitatively analyze the bone mass. Osteoclast numbers were also measured from histological analysis. Results: The results showed that bone mineral density was significantly higher in the WDL 8w group than in the PS group (p < 0.05), and both the WDL 4 and WDL 8w groups had lower osteoclast numbers (p < 0.05). No significant difference in osteoclast number was found between the WDL 4w and WDL 8w groups. Conclusions: These results support the use of WDL as a herbal medicine for reducing the severity of particle-induced osteolysis after TJR.

scholarly journals Role of Preoperative Calcium and Vitamin D Therapy to prevent Post-thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunghwan suh ◽  
Ju Won Seok ◽  
Keunyoung Kim ◽  
Mi Kyoung Park ◽  
Kyoungjune Pak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
English Language ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Symptomatic Hypocalcemia

Abstract Purpose: Postsurgical hypocalcemia is the most common and troublesome consequence of thyroidectomy. We investigated the potential role of routine calcium or vitamin D supplementation in preventing postsurgical hypocalcemia. Materials and Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for English-language publications using the keywords “calcium”, “vitamin D”, and “thyroid cancer”. The primary outcome was any postoperative hypocalcemia, and the secondary outcome was symptomatic hypocalcemia. Results: Four studies that included 381 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. The random-effects model showed no significant difference in the occurrence of hypocalcemia between calcium/vitamin D treatment and placebo/no treatment. The occurrence of symptomatic hypocalcemia was lower in patients with calcium/vitamin D treatment. In combined results, preoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation was associated with a reduced incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia.Conclusion: We support the use of preoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation in conjunction with routine postsurgical supplementation for patients after total thyroidectomy.

scholarly journals HDL-C and non-HDL-C levels are associated with anthropometric and biochemical parameters

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Maria Barbalho ◽  
Ricardo José Tofano ◽  
Marcela Bueno de Oliveira ◽  
Karina Rodrigues Quesada ◽  
Mariana Ricci Barion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Atherogenic Indices ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Atheroma Plaque ◽  
Intervention Trials

Abstract Background Dyslipidemias are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) has emerged as a new target for assessment and prediction of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is closely associated with atheroma plaque progression. Objectives To evaluate associations between HDL-c and non-HDL-c levels and anthropometric and biochemical parameters and with the Castelli risk indexes I and II. Methods 300 randomly selected people were subdivided into two groups: patients with normal values for non-HDL-c and patients with altered values for non-HDL-c. These parameters were analyzed for associations with glycemia, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), Castelli Index I (CI-I), Castelli Index II (CI-II), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and presence of metabolic syndrome (MS). Results Glycemia, TC, TG, LDL-c, CI-I, CI-II, WC and BMI were all significantly different between subjects with normal and altered values of HDL-c and non-HDL-c. TC and WC both exhibited significantly higher values among patients with abnormal non-HDL-c when compared to patients with abnormal HDL-c. A significant difference was observed in occurrence of MS among patients with altered values of HDL-c and non-HDL-c. Conclusions Our results show that both HDL-c and non-HDL-c are associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, atherogenic indices, and obesity. There is therefore a need for randomized clinical intervention trials examining the potential role of non-HDL-c as a possible primary therapeutic target.

scholarly journals Frugivory and seed dispersal by birds in Cereus jamacaru DC. ssp. jamacaru (Cactaceae) in the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
VGN Gomes ◽  
ZGM Quirino ◽  
HFP Araujo
Keyword(s):  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Germination Process ◽  
Mean Germination Time ◽  
Dispersal Agents ◽  
Viable Seeds

Studies of the dispersal modes of plants aid our understanding of the dynamics of resource and its availability for dispersal agents. The present work sought to characterize the fruiting patterns of the native Caatinga (dryland) cactus Cereus jamacaru, identify its principal dispersers, and evaluate the effects of seed passage through digestive tract of dispersers on its germination. Cereus jamacaru present an annual fruiting pattern and fruiting peaks occurred during June/2009 and February/2010. A total of 135 visits by nine species of resident Caatinga bird species were recorded. The most frequent visiting bird species were Paroaria dominicana and Euphonia chlorotica. Length of bird visits varied from 15 seconds to 4 minutes and seeds removed by birds travelled 10.6 ± 11.2 m until dispersers make the first landing perch, in some cases more than 40 meters away. Germination tests show birds had a high quantity of viable seeds of C. jamacaru in its feces. Seeds that passed through the digestive tract of birds showed a similar germinability of the seeds of the control group. However, the seeds dispersed by birds showed lowest mean germination time related to the control group seeds. This study highlights the potential role of birds as seed dispersers of C. jamacaru, swallowing the whole seeds and defecating intact seeds, accelerating the germination process and transporting seeds away from the mother plant.

Potential role of CFTR in bisphenol A-induced malignant transformation of prostate cells via mitochondrial apoptosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 531-539
Author(s):  
Jia Liu ◽  
Chaoyan Ou ◽  
Xiaonian Zhu ◽  
Chao Tan ◽  
Xuebao Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Malignant Transformation ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Mitochondrial Apoptosis ◽  
Normal Prostate ◽  
Prostate Cells ◽  
Significant Difference

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental endocrine disruptor and a risk factor for prostate cancer. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is proposed to be a prostate cancer suppressor in some recent researches. However, the potential role and mechanism of CFTR in BPA-induced prostate cancer cells has not been well identified. In this study, BPA decreased the viability of human normal prostate RWPE-1 cells detected with a CCK-8 kit. The capacity of the cell line on soft agar colony formation, wound healing, and transwell invasion indicated malignant transformation induced by BPA. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the levels of CFTR and Bcl-2 decreased, whereas Bax level increased, and ELISA detection showed a decreased ATP level in BPA-exposed cells. Cell apoptosis was analyzed with Annexin V-FITC Detection Kit by flow cytometry. However, no significant difference was observed in cell viability and apoptosis rates compared to normal RWPE-1 cells. Our research revealed a potential role of CFTR in BPA-induced malignant transformation via mitochondrial apoptosis of normal prostate cells.

scholarly journals Potential Role of Avian Populations in the Epidemiology of Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Valentina Virginia Ebani ◽  
Francesca Mancianti
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Avian Species ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Avian Populations ◽  
Babesia Spp

Birds often are carriers of hard and/or soft ticks harboring pathogens of humans and veterinary concern. Migratory avian species, which cover long distance by their flight, may deeply influence the ticks’ distribution worldwide; in particular, they can introduce in a given geographic area new tick species and related tick-borne pathogens. Studies about the detection of tick-borne agents in birds are not numerous, whereas more attention has been turned to the presence of these microorganisms in ticks carried by birds. The present review focused on the role of avian populations in the epidemiology of rickettsioses and babesioses, which represent two severe problems for the health of humans and other mammals.

Effective dispersal of large seeds by Baird's tapir: a large-scale field experiment

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina O'Farrill ◽  
Sophie Calmé ◽  
Raja Sengupta ◽  
Andrew Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Scale Field ◽  
Large Scale Field ◽  
Viable Seeds

Even though the full process of seed dispersal is the combination of movement mode and distance, deposition, successful germination and survival (Nathan 2006, Westcott et al. 2005), relatively few studies have documented the role of mammals as facilitators of germination and survival (Paine & Harms 2009). In particular, the effectiveness of large terrestrial mammals (>50 kg) as effective dispersers of large seeds is poorly known, but has been linked to the treatment of the seeds in their digestive system, the deposition of viable seeds in nutrient-rich environments (faeces) and favourable sites. Other aspects related to long-distance movements, defecation patterns and home-range size are frequently cited as factors that favour the deposition of seeds far from parent trees, which is expected to reduce predation and intraspecific competition, and enhance fitness (Schupp et al. 2002). We addressed these issues through a large-scale field experiment.

Cockroaches as Potential Vectors of Nosocomial Infections

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 979-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Hua Pai ◽  
Wei-Chen Chen ◽  
Chien-Fang Peng
Keyword(s):  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Periplaneta Americana ◽  
Alimentary Tract ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
External Surface ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Isolation Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

AbstractObjective:To determine the possible role of cockroaches in the epidemiology of nosocomial infections.Design:Epidemiologic investigation of bacteria and fungi in cockroaches and evaluation of the antibiotic resistance of the bacteria isolated from the insects.Setting:Ninety hospitals in Kaohsiung City and Kaohsiung County in Taiwan.Methods:Cockroaches were collected in clinical and nonclinical areas and microorganisms were isolated from their external surface and alimentary tract. The susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus species to 17 antibiotics were tested.Results:Cockroach infestation was found in 46.7% of the hospitals studied. Two hundred three cockroaches were collected (139 Periplaneta americana and 64 Blattella germanica). Periplaneta americana was found more often in nonclinical areas (64.5%) and B. germanica in clinical areas (78.1%). There was no statistically significant difference between Periplaneta americana (98.6%) and B. germanica (96.9%) regarding overall isolation rate (P > .05). However, 33 species of bacteria and 16 species of fungi were isolated from Periplaneta americana and only 23 and 12, respectively, from B. germanica. Resistance to ampicillin (13.7% to 100%), chloramphenicol (14.3% to 71.4%), tetracycline (14.3% to 73.3%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (14.3% to 57.1%) was found in two gram-positive and five gram-negative bacteria.Conclusion:Because cockroach infestation occurred in more than 40% of the hospitals and nearly all of the cockroaches harbored bacteria with multidrug resistance and fungi, cockroaches may play a potential role in the epidemiology of nosocomial infections in those hospitals.

Influence of elevation and avian or mammalian hosts on attraction of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern Ontario

2010 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis Russell ◽  
Fiona F. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Culex Pipiens ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Late Period ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Baited Traps ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Important Exception

AbstractWe studied Culex pipiens L. in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada, to establish whether or not these mosquitoes are attracted to hosts other than birds at different elevations or as the season progresses. Guinea-pigs and chickens were used as representative mammalian and avian hosts, respectively. Bait animals were placed next to modified CDC miniature light traps (no light and no CO2) hung 1.5 or 5 m above ground in a Niagara woodlot. The season was divided into three 6-week periods (early, middle, and late). Significantly more C. pipiens were captured at the 5 m than at the 1.5 m elevation. In general, chicken-baited traps were preferred over control and guinea-pig-baited traps, with one important exception: there was no significant difference among traps during the late period at 1.5 m elevation. The potential role of C. pipiens as a bridging vector of West Nile virus to humans is discussed.

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