Gland composition in sexually dimorphic skin structures of two species of Hylid frogs: Plectrohyla guatemalensis and Ptychohyla hypomykter

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-529
Author(s):  
María Celeste Luna ◽  
Carlos Roberto Vásquez-Almazán ◽  
Julian Faivovich ◽  
Andrés Eduardo Brunetti

Abstract Secondary sexual characters form a diverse group of traits widely spread in amphibians. Within anurans, the Hylini tribe represents an interesting group to examine the evolution of this type of characters because it has different skin structure modifications, including ventrolateral glands, nuptial pads, and unique swollen upper lips. We analysed the skin gland composition in the upper lip of Plectrohyla guatemalensis and the ventrolateral gland of Ptychohyla hypomykter (Hylidae: Hylinae: Hylini). Each of these species is characterized by a different type of sexually dimorphic skin gland; specialized mucous glands (SMGs) in Pl. guatemalensis and specialized serous glands (SSGs) in Pt. hypomykter. The SMGs conform to the general type of sexually dimorphic skin glands in amphibians, whereas SSGs are very rare. Because SMGs are likely involved in the production of sexual pheromones, their distinctive location and their co-occurrence with other secondary sexual characters like long and pointed maxillary and premaxillary teeth in Pl. guatemalensis suggests that the system used for their delivery may be a distinguishing behavioral feature in this species. The presence of both types of glands in Pt. hypomykter (SMGs in nuptial pads, and SSGs in ventrolateral glands) suggests a different or, at least, a complementary role of these two types of glands during reproduction.

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4700 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-101
Author(s):  
CATHERINE A. TAUBER

A new and very unusual species of green lacewings, Ungla pseudomeleoma sp. nov. is described from Peru. Males of this species exhibit a remarkable example of generic-level homoplasy with Meleoma. Its abdominal and genitalic features are completely consistent with the genus Ungla. However, its external sexually dimorphic features resemble those of both Ungla and Meleoma. Females of the new species also express cranial modifications that resemble those of some female Meleoma species. 


2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Tynkkynen ◽  
Janne S. Kotiaho ◽  
Mari Luojumäki ◽  
Jukka Suhonen

Author(s):  
Christian Simon Willisch ◽  
Peter Neuhaus

AbstractTrade-offs between reproductive effort and subsequent growth in males are not well explored, despite their relevance in questions of individual energy allocation. Regarding the growth of sexual secondary characters in polygynous breeding male mammals, indeed, no conclusive studies exist. We investigated in male Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) the relationship between their behavioral reproductive effort, current horn size, and subsequent horn growth. While controlling for age, no evidence was found for male behavioral reproductive effort during the rut being affected by their horn size. On the other hand, reproductive effort significantly decreased age-specific horn growth during the following summer. Our study provides evidence that growth of secondary sexual characters is traded against behavioral investments in reproduction in a male mammal. It bears important implications for the understanding of energy allocation between various life-history components and the evolutionary ecology of secondary sexual characters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5112
Author(s):  
Lotte van Beek ◽  
Éilís McClay ◽  
Saleha Patel ◽  
Marianne Schimpl ◽  
Laura Spagnolo ◽  
...  

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) 1-3 are well-known multi-domain enzymes, catalysing the covalent modification of proteins, DNA, and themselves. They attach mono- or poly-ADP-ribose to targets using NAD+ as a substrate. Poly-ADP-ribosylation (PARylation) is central to the important functions of PARP enzymes in the DNA damage response and nucleosome remodelling. Activation of PARP happens through DNA binding via zinc fingers and/or the WGR domain. Modulation of their activity using PARP inhibitors occupying the NAD+ binding site has proven successful in cancer therapies. For decades, studies set out to elucidate their full-length molecular structure and activation mechanism. In the last five years, significant advances have progressed the structural and functional understanding of PARP1-3, such as understanding allosteric activation via inter-domain contacts, how PARP senses damaged DNA in the crowded nucleus, and the complementary role of histone PARylation factor 1 in modulating the active site of PARP. Here, we review these advances together with the versatility of PARP domains involved in DNA binding, the targets and shape of PARylation and the role of PARPs in nucleosome remodelling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 2050313X2199719
Author(s):  
Sundus Bilal ◽  
Saad Muhammad Saeed ◽  
Muhammad Zeeshan Siddique ◽  
Muhammad Saqib ◽  
Shafqat Mehmood ◽  
...  

The role of self-expandable metallic stents is gradually evolving for a diverse group of benign and malignant gastrointestinal tract problems, with luminal obstruction being by far the most common. Although its role in refractory variceal bleeding is well established, it has rarely been tried for tumor-related bleeding, with only a few case reports in this regard. We share our experience of successfully controlling esophageal tumor–related bleeding with the use of a fully covered self-expandable metallic stent. A 58-year-old woman with irresectable distal esophageal cancer, presented with hematemesis. Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy revealed an obstructing esophageal tumor with diffuse oozing of blood. This was unamenable to local injection of adrenaline and hemospray; therefore, a temporary self-expandable metallic stent was parked to create a tamponade effect. This successfully stopped bleeding and the patient remained asymptomatic till discharge. However, she was lost to follow-up, and therefore, the stent was removed after a period of 5 months instead of 2 weeks.


Author(s):  
Shana Tehrani ◽  
Sudhir Rathore ◽  
Vinod Achan

Abstract Background Management of heavily calcified coronary arteries is still a major challenge in interventional cardiology. Inadequate stent expansion in calcific lesions is the single most important predictor of stent thrombosis and in-stent restenosis. Rotational atherectomy (RA) is an important tool to modify the calcium burden but is associated with limitations and requires specific skills. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a novel technique to treat calcified stenotic lesions and has been proposed as an alternative to RA with promising results. Case summary We report a case of a patient with severely calcified right coronary artery stenosis successfully treated with combination of RA and IVL. Discussion In this case, we demonstrate that the RA and IVL are complementary strategies, not sufficient on their own and not alternative to each other.


Endocrinology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (7) ◽  
pp. 2894-2903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinichi Miyagawa ◽  
Daisuke Matsumaru ◽  
Aki Murashima ◽  
Akiko Omori ◽  
Yoshihiko Satoh ◽  
...  

During embryogenesis, sexually dimorphic organogenesis is achieved by hormones produced in the gonad. The external genitalia develop from a single primordium, the genital tubercle, and their masculinization processes depend on the androgen signaling. In addition to such hormonal signaling, the involvement of nongonadal and locally produced masculinization factors has been unclear. To elucidate the mechanisms of the sexually dimorphic development of the external genitalia, series of conditional mutant mouse analyses were performed using several mutant alleles, particularly focusing on the role of hedgehog signaling pathway in this manuscript. We demonstrate that hedgehog pathway is indispensable for the establishment of male external genitalia characteristics. Sonic hedgehog is expressed in the urethral plate epithelium, and its signal is mediated through glioblastoma 2 (Gli2) in the mesenchyme. The expression level of the sexually dimorphic genes is decreased in the glioblastoma 2 mutant embryos, suggesting that hedgehog signal is likely to facilitate the masculinization processes by affecting the androgen responsiveness. In addition, a conditional mutation of Sonic hedgehog at the sexual differentiation stage leads to abnormal male external genitalia development. The current study identified hedgehog signaling pathway as a key factor not only for initial development but also for sexually dimorphic development of the external genitalia in coordination with androgen signaling.


2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 284
Author(s):  
G. Gnanasegaran ◽  
A. Rossiter ◽  
J.R. Buscombe ◽  
M.E. Caplin ◽  
D. McCool ◽  
...  

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