Damselfly (Odonata: Calopterygidae) Population Decline in an Urbanizing Watershed

Abstract Reduction of terrestrial vegetation and degradation of water quality are among the factors driving insect population decline in growing cities. In this study, we investigated the extent of habitat deterioration, behavioral and physiological responses, and fitness of a damselfly [Hetaerina americana (F.)] population in a semitropical region in central Mexico. The study population was located in a riverine area that crosses a small urban area (Tehuixtla city). We related two habitat variables (tree/shrub covered area and numbers of wastewater outlets) to presumable damselfly responses (larval and adult abundance, duration of adults exposed directly to sunlight, lipid content and muscle mass, and egg survival) over the years 2002 and 2016. We detected a reduction in terrestrial vegetation cover, an increase in wastewater outlets, and a decrease in larval and adult abundance. Adults were more exposed to sunlight in 2016 than in 2002 and showed a reduced lipid content and muscle mass in 2016. Egg survival also decreased. Although correlative, these results suggest impairment of damselfly condition (via lipid and muscle reduction) and fitness as urbanization increases.

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The Diagnosis of Protein Energy Wasting in Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Is Influenced by the Method of Calculating Muscle Mass. A Prospective, Multicenter Study

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.702749 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Cristina Techy Roth-Stefanski ◽

Naiane Rodrigues de Almeida ◽

Gilson Biagini ◽

Natália K. Scatone ◽

Fabiana B. Nerbass ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Dialysis Patients ◽

Protein Energy Wasting ◽

Protein Energy ◽

Multifrequency Bioimpedance ◽

Study Population ◽

The Mean ◽

Main Factor

Objective: To analyze the concordance and agreement between bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and anthropometry for the diagnosis of protein energy wasting (PEW) in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients.Methods: Prospective, multi-center, observational study using multifrequency bioimpedance device (Body Composition Monitor -BCM®- Fresenius Medical Care) and anthropometry for the diagnosis of PEW as recommended by the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM). Cohen's kappa was the main test used to analyze concordance and a Bland-Altmann curve was built to evaluate the agreement between both methods.Results: We included 137 patients from three PD clinics. The mean age of the study population was 57.7 ± 14.9, 47.8% had diabetes, and 52.2% were male. We calculated the scores for PEW diagnosis at 3 and 6 months after the first collection (T3 and T6) and on average 40% of the study population were diagnosed with PEW. The concordance in the diagnosis of PEW was only moderate between anthropometry and BIS at both T3 and T6. The main factor responsible for our results was a low to moderate correlation for muscle mass in kilograms, with an r-squared (R2) of 0.35. The agreement was poor, with a difference of more than 10 kg of muscle mass on average and with more than a quarter of all cases beyond the limits of agreements.Conclusion: Current diagnosis of PEW may differ depending on the tools used to measure muscle mass in peritoneal dialysis patients.

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Features of somatotype and body weight component composition in patients with acne: boys and girls of Podillya region of Ukraine

Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences ◽

10.1515/cipms-2016-0020 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 97-100

Author(s):

Igor Gunas ◽

Olexandr Majewski ◽

Irina Makarchuk

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Body Mass ◽

Fat Body ◽

Component Composition ◽

Body Muscle ◽

Study Population ◽

Degrees Of Severity ◽

Fat Body Mass

Abstract The article describes the differences in peculiarities of somatotype and body weight component composition in patients with acne, the study population being boys and girls of the Podillya region of Ukraine. In the study subjects, regardless of sex, body muscle mass, bone mass and the mesomorphic somatotype component of those with acne were significantly greater, while fat body mass indicators and the endomorphic somatotype component was smaller – in comparison to that of non-afflicted subjects of similar gender. Regarding the ectomorphic component of somatotype, between the surveyed groups of those with and without acne, whether male or female, no significant differences were revealed. For all indicators, whether the somatotype components or the component composition of body weight, between groups of boys or girls with different degrees of severity of acne, again no significant differences were established.

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The Association of Serum Circulating Neuropeptide Q and Chemerin Levels with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11121863 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1863

Author(s):

Marta Pelczyńska ◽

Aniceta Ada Mikulska ◽

Krystyna Czyżewska ◽

Paweł Bogdański ◽

Teresa Grzelak

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Metabolic Disorders ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ◽

Entire Study ◽

Study Population ◽

Total Muscle

The potential involvement of neuropeptide Q (NPQ) and chemerin (CHEM) in metabolic disorders is yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of NPQ and CHEM and to establish their relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors among individuals with metabolic syndrome. A total of 66 patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 83 healthy volunteers (non-MetS) underwent biochemical, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements. The concentration of NPQ in the MetS group was significantly lower (0.47 (0.34 ; 0.54) vs. 0.52 (0.43 ; 0.60) ng/mL, p = 0.015) than in non-MetS, while there were no differences in CHEM level. In the entire study population, we observed several negative correlations between NPQ concentration and waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral adipose tissue, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglycerides (TG) along with a positive correlation with high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total muscle mass, and CHEM. Moreover, a negative correlation was observed in the MetS group between NPQ and glycemia. CHEM showed no significant correlations with cardiometabolic risk factors in the study population. In a multiple regression model, the total muscle mass proved to be an independent factor determining NPQ concentration in the population (p < 0.00000001, R2adj = 28.6%). NPQ seems to protect against metabolic disorders correlated with obesity. Thus, it is worth considering NPQ level as a candidate protective biomarker of metabolic syndrome complications.

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Drying microclimates threaten persistence of natural and translocated populations of threatened frogs

Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10531-020-02064-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 15-34

Author(s):

Emily P. Hoffmann ◽

Kim Williams ◽

Matthew R. Hipsey ◽

Nicola J. Mitchell

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Population Decline ◽

Dry Season ◽

Habitat Associations ◽

Conservation Areas ◽

Critical Habitat ◽

Groundwater Levels ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Conductivity Modelling ◽

Habitat Variables

AbstractDefining species habitat requirements is essential for effective conservation management through revealing agents of population decline and identifying critical habitat for conservation actions, such as translocations. Here we studied the habitat-associations of two threatened terrestrial-breeding frog species from southwestern Australia, Geocrinia alba and Geocrinia vitellina, to investigate if fine-scale habitat variables explain why populations occur in discrete patches, why G. alba is declining, and why translocation attempts have had mixed outcomes. We compared habitat variables at sites where the species are present, to variables at immediately adjacent sites where frogs are absent, and at sites where G. alba is locally extinct. Dry season soil moisture was the most important predictor of frog abundance for both species, and explained why G. alba had become extinct from some areas. Sites where G. alba were present were also positively associated with moss cover, and negatively with bare ground and soil conductivity. Modelling frog abundance based exclusively on dry season soil moisture predicted recent translocation successes with high accuracy. Hence, considering dry season soil moisture when selecting future translocation sites should increase the probability of population establishment. We propose that a regional drying trend is the most likely cause for G. alba declines and that both species are at risk of further habitat and range contraction due to further projected regional declines in rainfall and groundwater levels. More broadly, our study highlights that conservation areas in drying climates may not provide adequate protection and may require interventions to preserve critical habitat.

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Population trends of the Peregrine Falcon in Switzerland with special reference to the period 2005–2016

Ornis Hungarica ◽

10.1515/orhu-2018-0017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 91-103

Author(s):

Marc Kéry ◽

Gabriel Banderet ◽

Martin Neuhaus ◽

Martin Weggler ◽

Hans Schmid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Special Reference ◽

Population Decline ◽

Population Trends ◽

Peregrine Falcon ◽

Extinction Rate ◽

Turn Of The Millennium ◽

Occupancy Models ◽

Demographic Rates ◽

Two Factors ◽

Study Population

Abstract We study population trends of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in Switzerland with special reference to the development since 2005 and three study areas, South West Switzerland (4,993 km2, 1960–2015), the Northern Jura mountains (3,270 km2, 2005–2015) and the Canton of Zurich (1,748 km2, 2002–2015). We used dynamic occupancy models, which allow the territory-specific extinction and colonization parameters – the demographic rates (at the territory level) underlying a population trend – to be estimated. The Swiss peregrine population has developed in line with trends observed in many other countries and regions in North America and Europe: after the pesticide-induced collapse between the 1950s and 1970s, the population largely recovered up to the turn of the millennium. However, in recent years, we detected significant declines again: in SW Switzerland, the population decreased from 51 to 33 pairs during 2008–2015 (-35%), in the N Jura from 70 to 40 pairs during 2009–2015 (-43%) and in Zurich from 6–7 to 2–4 pairs during 2010–2015 (-50%). In the same time, the local extinction rate in the three study areas (more than) doubled from (0.05) 0.1 to 0.2, while the colonization rate dropped from 0.3 to 0.1 in one of the areas, while no change was detectable in the other two. We discuss two factors responsible for these strong, recent declines of Swiss peregrines: (1) predation by Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo) and (2) direct and illegal persecution by humans. In addition to these two factors, growing human disturbance (e.g. through climbers, bird photographers, paragliders, hikers, geocachers, etc.) and fatalities due to collisions with man-made structures (power lines, glass, wind turbines, etc.) are also suspected to contribute to the population decline.

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Longitudinal Study on the Progression of Muscle Status Among Community-Dwelling Ambulatory Older Multiethnic Asians With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

10.21203/rs.3.rs-900200/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ngiap Chuan Tan ◽

Usha Sankari ◽

Chiat Eng Ng ◽

Eileen Koh Yi Ling

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Education Level ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Study Population

Abstract Background:Muscle health decline with age, but its deterioration in older persons with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) over time is not well-established. This study aimed to determine the change in muscle mass, grip strength and gait speed over a period of observation among community-dwelling ambulatory older multi-ethnic Asian patients with T2DM and their associated factors.Methods:Among 387 eligible patients aged 60-89 years who were recruited at baseline, 348 (89.9%) were reviewed at a public primary care clinic in Singapore in the subsequent 9 to 34 months. The change in their clinical and functional status, levels of physical activity and muscle status (mass, grip strength and gait speed based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria) were recorded and compared. Their physical activity levels were assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Their quality of life was evaluated based on the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) domains. Linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with muscle health change.Results:The study population comprised men (52.9%), Chinese (69.3%), Malay (15.5%), Indian (8.6%), mean age of 68.4±SD5.6 years and had at least secondary education (76.4%). Overall, their mean muscle mass significantly decreased by 0.7±SD1.2kg/m2, mean grip strength by 1.0±SD4.6kg and negligible change in gait speed. Their mean weight significantly decreased by 0.5±SD3.9kg, waist and hip circumferences by 2.5±SD6cm and 3.2±SD5.1cm respectively, with no change in BMI. Linear regression shows significant associations between muscle mass and education level (β=0.29, p=0.040, 95%CI=0.01-0.56), BMI (β=0.10, p=0.001, 95%CI=0.04-0.16) and review interval (β=-0.003, p<0.001, 95%CI=-0.004--0.002); gait speed is associated with singlehood (β=-0.12, p=0.035, 95%CI=-0.23--0.01) and WHOQOL physical health (β=0.01, p=0.028, 95%CI=0.00-0.02) domain. No factor is associated with hand grip strength change.Conclusions:The study population showed significant decline in their mean weight, waist and hip circumferences, mean muscle mass and mean grip strength but gait speed was unaffected. Muscle mass change was associated with education level, BMI and length of review interval. Grip strength was not correlated with any significant factor. Gait speed was associated with singlehood and physical health.

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Sarcopenic Obesity Is Significantly Associated With Coronary Artery Calcification

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.651961 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Goh Eun Chung ◽

Hyo Eun Park ◽

Heesun Lee ◽

Min Joo Kim ◽

Su-Yeon Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Bioelectrical Impedance ◽

Impedance Analysis ◽

Sarcopenic Obesity ◽

Atherosclerotic Burden ◽

Appendicular Skeletal Muscle ◽

Study Population ◽

Artery Disease ◽

The Relationship

Background: An association between sarcopenic obesity and cardiovascular disease has been suggested. We investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and coronary atherosclerosis, taking into account the presence or absence of obesity in a health check-up population.Methods: Data were reviewed for subjects who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and coronary calcium scoring (CAC) computed tomography between January 2017 and December 2018. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was assessed using BIA. Sarcopenia was defined as reduction of muscle mass and calculated as ASM% (ASM/body weight) more than two standard deviations below the sex-specific mean for healthy young adults. CAC scores were dichotomized as low (<100) or high (≥100).Results: Among 1,282 subjects (mean age, 58.1 years; 75.5% male), the prevalence of high CAC was 21%. When the study population was divided into four groups according to their obesity and sarcopenia status, the prevalence of high CAC in the sarcopenic-obesity (SO) group was significantly higher than in the other groups (40.7%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and creatinine, subjects with SO exhibited a significantly higher odds of a high CAC score, compared with the non-sarcopenic, non-obese group (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–3.18, P = 0.011).Conclusion: SO was significantly associated with CAC, independent of known risk factors for coronary artery disease. These findings suggest that sarcopenia and obesity may potentiate each other to increase atherosclerotic burden in coronary arteries, which may eventually lead to adverse cardiovascular events.

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A decision analysis of flow management experiments for Columbia River mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) management

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f06-032 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 63 (5) ◽

pp. 1142-1156 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Clint AD Alexander ◽

Calvin N Peters ◽

David R Marmorek ◽

Paul Higgins

Keyword(s):

Decision Analysis ◽

Columbia River ◽

Spawning Habitat ◽

Cost Information ◽

Egg Survival ◽

Recruitment Curve ◽

Reasonable Cost ◽

Prosopium Williamsoni ◽

Flow Experiments ◽

Adult Abundance

High spawning flows from Hugh Keenleyside Dam (HKD) on the Columbia River results in dewatering of eggs in mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) populations, but the ultimate effect on adult abundance depends on the shape of the egg-to-adult recruitment curve. Our decision analysis assessed the benefits of alternative flow experiments while accounting for uncertainties in this relationship and in flows in the Columbia and Kootenay rivers. The value of experimenting depended on the true recruitment relationship, how we quantified experimental benefits, and experimental design. With current uncertainty, the optimal HKD spawning flow (out of 11 alternative flows) was 1699.2 m3·s1. Spawning flows below 1699.2 m3·s1 did not improve egg survival because lower flows rendered high-quality spawning habitat unavailable and increased scour mortality. Two experimental designs, both with higher precision monitoring, had a high probability of detecting the true recruitment curve at reasonable cost. Information from these experiments suggested an optimal spawning flow of 1699.2 m3·s1 if adult abundance were sensitive to egg mortality or 1982.4 m3·s1 if the population were insensitive.

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