Early hatching enhances survival despite beneficial phenotypic effects of late-season developmental environments

Seasonal shifts in environmental conditions provide predictable cues to which organisms can respond in adaptive ways. For example, seasonal changes in temperature can induce phenotypes at different times of the year that have season-specific fitness benefits. Here, we tested the hypothesis that embryo responses to seasonal changes in thermal environments are adaptively matched to the timing of reproduction (environmental-matching hypothesis). We collected eggs of the brown anole lizard ( Anolis sagrei ) from early and late seasons, and exposed them to early and late thermal regimes that mimic nest temperatures. After measuring offspring morphology and performance, we quantified their survival in the field. Females had higher fecundity, but produced smaller eggs, early in the season compared with late in the season. Late-season eggs exposed to late thermal regimes had relatively high survival, but early-season eggs exposed to early thermal regimes had similar survival rates to those exposed to mismatched conditions. Late-season nest temperatures and late-season eggs produced offspring that were relatively large and fast runners. However, despite phenotypic benefits of late-season conditions, early-season hatchlings had greater survival in the field. Our results do not fully support the environmental-matching hypothesis but suggest that selection favours seasonal shifts in reproductive investment of mothers (high early-season fecundity) over plastic responses of embryos to seasonal environmental changes.

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Distinct Reproductive Strategy of Two Endemic Amazonian Quillworts

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13080348 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 348

Author(s):

Cecilio F. Caldeira ◽

Arthur V. S. Lopes ◽

Keyvilla C. Aguiar ◽

Aline L. Ferreira ◽

João V. S. Araujo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Strategy ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Growth Period ◽

Temporary Ponds ◽

High Survival ◽

Asexual Propagation ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Sexual Propagation

We examined the reproductive strategy of two Amazonian quillworts (Isoëtes cangae and Isoëtes serracarajensis), endemic and threatened species of canga ecosystems. Sexual propagation was examined by in vitro fertilization assays, while asexual propagation was examined by tiller emission. Isoëtes cangae is an outcrossing species that reproduces exclusively by spore germination and is able to propagate by self- and cross-fertilization. Isoëtes serracarajensis reproduces asexually by emitting tillers from the plant corm, despite producing male and female sporangia. These distinct reproductive strategies in the different species may be linked to their contrasting habitats. Isoëtes cangae inhabit a permanent oligotrophic lake with mild environmental changes, while I. serracarajensis are found in temporary ponds facing severe seasonal drought, where asexual propagation may represent an adaptive advantage to the short growth period during access to water. We also observed different relationships between plant growth and reproductive traits between the species, despite their common production of sporophytes with high survival rates. Together, these results are of paramount importance for establishing conservation plans for both species considering the advantages of sexual propagation to maintain the genetic diversity of I. cangae and the diligent management required to do the same with asexually propagated I. serracarajensis.

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Cognitive decline in patients with prostate cancer: study protocol of a prospective cohort, NEON-PC

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043844 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e043844

Author(s):

Natalia Araujo ◽

Samantha Morais ◽

Ana Rute Costa ◽

Raquel Braga ◽

Ana Filipa Carneiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Androgen Deprivation Therapy ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Cardiovascular Complications ◽

Androgen Deprivation ◽

High Survival ◽

The Impact

IntroductionProstate cancer is the most prevalent oncological disease among men in industrialised countries. Despite the high survival rates, treatments are often associated with adverse effects, including metabolic and cardiovascular complications, sexual dysfunction and, to a lesser extent, cognitive decline. This study was primarily designed to evaluate the trajectories of cognitive performance in patients with prostate cancer, and to quantify the impact of the disease and its treatments on the occurrence of cognitive decline.MethodsParticipants will be recruited from two main hospitals providing care to approximately half of the patients with prostate cancer in Northern Portugal (Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto and São João Hospital Centre), and will comprise a cohort of recently diagnosed patients with prostate cancer proposed for different treatment plans, including: (1) radical prostatectomy; (2) brachytherapy and/or radiotherapy; (3) radiotherapy in combination with androgen deprivation therapy and (4) androgen deprivation therapy (with or without chemotherapy). Recruitment began in February 2018 and is expected to continue until the first semester of 2021. Follow-up evaluations will be conducted at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years. Sociodemographic, behavioural and clinical characteristics, anxiety and depression, health literacy, health status, quality of life, and sleep quality will be assessed. Blood pressure and anthropometrics will be measured, and a fasting blood sample will be collected. Participants’ cognitive performance will be evaluated before treatments and throughout follow-up (Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Cube Test as well as Brain on Track for remote monitoring). All participants suspected of cognitive impairment will undergo neuropsychological tests and clinical observation by a neurologist.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospitals involved. All participants will provide written informed consent, and study procedures will be developed to ensure data protection and confidentiality. Results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation in scientific meetings.

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Bone marrow niche crosses paths with BMPs: a road to protection and persistence in CML

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20190221 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (5) ◽

pp. 1307-1325 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Caroline Busch ◽

Helen Wheadon

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ◽

Kinase Inhibitor ◽

Survival Rates ◽

High Survival ◽

Bone Marrow Niche ◽

Matrix Deposition ◽

Bmp Receptors ◽

Number Of Patients

Abstract Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a paradigm of precision medicine, being one of the first cancers to be treated with targeted therapy. This has revolutionised CML therapy and patient outcome, with high survival rates. However, this now means an ever-increasing number of patients are living with the disease on life-long tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy, with most patients anticipated to have near normal life expectancy. Unfortunately, in a significant number of patients, TKIs are not curative. This low-level disease persistence suggests that despite a molecularly targeted therapeutic approach, there are BCR-ABL1-independent mechanisms exploited to sustain the survival of a small cell population of leukaemic stem cells (LSCs). In CML, LSCs display many features akin to haemopoietic stem cells, namely quiescence, self-renewal and the ability to produce mature progeny, this all occurs through intrinsic and extrinsic signals within the specialised microenvironment of the bone marrow (BM) niche. One important avenue of investigation in CML is how the disease highjacks the BM, thereby remodelling this microenvironment to create a niche, which enables LSC persistence and resistance to TKI treatment. In this review, we explore how changes in growth factor levels, in particular, the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, impact on cell behaviour, extracellular matrix deposition and bone remodelling in CML. We also discuss the challenges in targeting LSCs and the potential of dual targeting using combination therapies against BMP receptors and BCR-ABL1.

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Survival Rate of 1008 Short Dental Implants with 21 Months of Average Follow-Up: A Retrospective Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9123943 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 3943

Author(s):

João Caramês ◽

Ana Catarina Pinto ◽

Gonçalo Caramês ◽

Helena Francisco ◽

Joana Fialho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Survival Rate ◽

Dental Implants ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Survival Rates ◽

High Survival ◽

Implant Survival ◽

Posterior Maxilla ◽

Clinical Records

This retrospective study evaluated the survival rate of short, sandblasted acid-etched surfaced implants with 6 and 8 mm lengths with at least 120 days of follow-up. Data concerning patient, implant and surgery characteristics were retrieved from clinical records. Sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA)-surfaced tissue-level 6 mm (TL6) or 8 mm (TL8) implants or bone-level tapered 8 mm (BLT8) implants were used. Absolute and relative frequency distributions were calculated for qualitative variables and mean values and standard deviations for quantitative variables. A Cox regression model was performed to verify whether type, length and/or width influence the implant survival. The cumulative implant survival rate was assessed by time-to-event analyses (Kaplan–Meier estimator). In all, 513 patients with a mean age of 58.00 ± 12.44 years received 1008 dental implants with a mean follow-up of 21.57 ± 10.77 months. Most implants (78.17%) presented a 4.1 mm diameter, and the most frequent indication was a partially edentulous arch (44.15%). The most frequent locations were the posterior mandible (53.97%) and the posterior maxilla (31.55%). No significant differences were found in survival rates between groups of type, length and width of implant with the cumulative rate being 97.7% ± 0.5%. Within the limitations of this study, the evaluated short implants are a predictable option with high survival rates during the follow-up without statistical differences between the appraised types, lengths and widths.

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High levels of liver antioxidants are associated with life-history strategies characteristic of slow growth and high survival rates in birds

Journal of Comparative Physiology B ◽

10.1007/s00360-012-0671-x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 182 (7) ◽

pp. 947-959 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ismael Galván ◽

Johannes Erritzøe ◽

Filiz Karadaş ◽

Anders P. Møller

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Slow Growth ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Life History Strategies ◽

High Survival

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Reintroduction of the highly endangered mollusk Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 in an MPA: A novel approach to achieve high survival rates

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science ◽

10.1016/j.ecss.2018.01.014 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 202 ◽

pp. 259-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anis Zarrouk ◽

Mohamed Salah Romdhane ◽

Free Espinosa

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

High Survival ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Patella Ferruginea

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Overstory treatment and planting season affect survival of replacement tree species in emerald ash borer threatened Fraxinus nigra forests in Minnesota, USA

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2015-0129 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (12) ◽

pp. 1728-1738 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Christopher E. Looney ◽

Anthony W. D’Amato ◽

Brian J. Palik ◽

Robert A. Slesak

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Group Selection ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Emerald Ash Borer ◽

Species Selection ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Control Group ◽

High Survival ◽

Fraxinus Nigra ◽

Black Ash

Fraxinus nigra Marsh. (black ash) wetland forests in northern Minnesota, USA, are threatened by the invasive insect, emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (EAB)). A potential management option is promoting regeneration of tree species that are not EAB hosts to maintain ecosystem functions. Using an operational-scale field experiment, we examined the survival of 12 alternative tree species in response to different canopy treatments. We planted the seedlings in 1.6 ha plots assigned to four replicated canopy treatments: untreated control, group selection (0.04 ha gaps, 20% of stand), black ash girdling to emulate EAB-induced mortality, and clearcut. Fall and spring plantings were used to compare the effects of spring ponding. Control (32.9%), group selection (34.5%), and girdling (33.3%) treatments had comparable overall seedling survival. Survival in the clear-cut treatments was significantly lower (22%). Species selection, overstory treatment, and season of planting together resulted in survival rates ranging from 0.08% to 94.1%. Conifer species had low overall rates of survival (10.7%), whereas some species with native ranges not presently overlapping with northern F. nigra forests, e.g., Quercus bicolor Willd. (75.5%), had high survival rates. If growth is light-limited, group selection may be effective in promoting recruitment and supporting a larger variety of species.

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Fitness of breeders in social Damaraland mole-rats is independent of group size

10.1101/2021.12.08.471794 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jack Thorley ◽

Hanna Bensch ◽

Kyle Finn ◽

Tim Clutton-Brock ◽

Markus Zöttl

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Group Size ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Group Living ◽

Adult Survival ◽

High Survival ◽

Successful Reproduction ◽

Related Group ◽

Group Members ◽

Using Data

Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) are usually viewed as an obligatorily group living eusocial species in which successful reproduction is dependent on reproductive altruism of closely related group members. However, the reproductive ecology of social mole-rats in their natural environment remains poorly understood and it is unclear to what extent successful reproduction is dependent on assistance from other group members. Using data from a 7-year field study of marked individuals, we show that, after dispersal from their natal group, individuals typically settled alone in new burrow systems where they enjoyed high survival rates, and often remained in good body condition for several years before finding a mate. Unlike most other eusocial or singular cooperative breeders, we found that Damaraland mole-rats reproduced successfully in pairs without helpers and experimentally formed pairs had the same reproductive success as larger established groups. Overall there was only a weak increase in reproductive success with increasing group size and no effect of group size on adult survival rates across the population. Juveniles in large groups grew faster early in life but their growth rates declined subsequently so that they eventually plateaued at a lower maximum body mass than juveniles from small groups. Taken together, our data suggest that the fitness benefits of group living to breeders are small and we suggest that extended philopatry in Damaraland mole-rats has evolved because of the high costs and constraints of dispersal rather than because of strong indirect benefits accrued through cooperative behaviour.

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Impacts of compound hot–dry extremes on US soybean yields

Earth System Dynamics ◽

10.5194/esd-12-1371-2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 1371-1391

Author(s):

Raed Hamed ◽

Anne F. Van Loon ◽

Jeroen Aerts ◽

Dim Coumou

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Weather Data ◽

Yield Variability ◽

Critical Element ◽

Early Season ◽

Soybean Yield ◽

Late Season ◽

The Us ◽

Dry Conditions

Abstract. The US agriculture system supplies more than one-third of globally traded soybean, and with 90 % of US soybean produced under rainfed agriculture, soybean trade is particularly sensitive to weather and climate variability. Average growing season climate conditions can explain about one-third of US soybean yield variability. Additionally, crops can be sensitive to specific short-term weather extremes, occurring in isolation or compounding at key moments throughout crop development. Here, we identify the dominant within-season climate drivers that can explain soybean yield variability in the US, and we explore the synergistic effects between drivers that can lead to severe impacts. The study combines weather data from reanalysis and satellite-informed root zone soil moisture fields with subnational crop yields using statistical methods that account for interaction effects. On average, our models can explain about two-thirds of the year-to-year yield variability (70 % for all years and 60 % for out-of-sample predictions). The largest negative influence on soybean yields is driven by high temperature and low soil moisture during the summer crop reproductive period. Moreover, due to synergistic effects, heat is considerably more damaging to soybean crops during dry conditions and is less problematic during wet conditions. Compounding and interacting hot and dry (hot–dry) summer conditions (defined by the 95th and 5th percentiles of temperature and soil moisture respectively) reduce yields by 2 standard deviations. This sensitivity is 4 and 3 times larger than the sensitivity to hot or dry conditions alone respectively. Other relevant drivers of negative yield responses are lower temperatures early and late in the season, excessive precipitation in the early season, and dry conditions in the late season. We note that the sensitivity to the identified drivers varies across the spatial domain. Higher latitudes, and thus colder regions, are positively affected by high temperatures during the summer period. On the other hand, warmer southeastern regions are positively affected by low temperatures during the late season. Historic trends in identified drivers indicate that US soybean production has generally benefited from recent shifts in weather except for increasing rainfall in the early season. Overall, warming conditions have reduced the risk of frost in the early and late seasons and have potentially allowed for earlier sowing dates. More importantly, summers have been getting cooler and wetter over the eastern US. Nevertheless, despite these positive changes, we show that the frequency of compound hot–dry summer events has remained unchanged over the 1946–2016 period. In the longer term, climate models project substantially warmer summers for the continental US, although uncertainty remains as to whether this will be accompanied by drier conditions. This highlights a critical element to explore in future studies focused on US agricultural production risk under climate change.

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