scholarly journals The effect of ACTH upon faecal glucocorticoid excretion in the koala

2013 ◽  
Vol 219 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Davies ◽  
Amber Gillett ◽  
Clive McAlpine ◽  
Leonie Seabrook ◽  
Greg Baxter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Corticosteroid Binding Globulin ◽  
Invasive Method

Environmental changes result in physiological responses of organisms, which can adversely affect population dynamics and reduce resistance to disease. These changes are expressed in chronic levels of stress. The measurement of glucocorticoid (GC) concentrations in faeces is a non-invasive method for monitoring stress in wildlife. The metabolism and excretion of steroids differ significantly between species and, as a consequence, non-invasive methods must be physiologically validated for each species. Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are declining in numbers through much of their range. The role of chronic stress in koala populations has not been identified. Prior to the assessment of faecal GC concentrations in wild koala populations, the excretion timing and concentrations of GCs need to be determined. In this study, we assessed a method for identifying and measuring the concentrations of GC metabolites in faecal pellets of captive koalas following ACTH treatment. The results show that an elevation of plasma cortisol concentrations, using sustained release of ACTH, results in elevated concentrations of faecal cortisol/cortisol metabolites. Taking into account the excretion time lag, an increase in faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations corresponds to the release of GCs from the adrenal cortex as early as 36 h before faecal pellet collection. The calculations of steroid partitioning of plasma cortisol showed that the ACTH-stimulated values were significantly different from the control values for the concentrations of free, corticosteroid-binding globulin-bound and albumin-bound cortisol. This study validates the use of faecal cortisol analysis to assess the activity of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical axis in freshly collected koala faecal pellets and indicates that the method should be suitable to assess the adrenocortical status of koalas in wild populations.

scholarly journals Monitoring studies should consider temporal variability to reveal relations between cyanobacterial abundance and environmental variables

2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 1717-1726 ◽  
Author(s):  
JULIANA WOJCIECHOWSKI ◽  
ANDRÉ A. PADIAL
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Cyanobacteria Blooms ◽  
Environment Variables ◽  
Sampling Points ◽  
The Relationship

One of the main goals of monitoring cyanobacteria blooms in aquatic environments is to reveal the relationship between cyanobacterial abundance and environmental variables. Studies typically correlate data that were simultaneously sampled. However, samplings occur sparsely over time and may not reveal the short-term responses of cyanobacterial abundance to environmental changes. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that stronger cyanobacteria x environment relationships in monitoring are found when the temporal variability of sampling points is incorporated in the statistical analyses. To this end, we investigated relationships between cyanobacteria and seven environmental variables that were sampled twice yearly for three years across 11 reservoirs, and data from an intensive monitoring in one of these reservoirs. Poor correlations were obtained when correlating data simultaneously sampled. In fact, the 'highly recurrent' role of phosphorus in cyanobacteria blooms is not properly observed in all sampling periods. On the other hand, the strongest correlation values for the total phosphorus x cyanobacteria relationship were observed when we used the variation of sampling points. We have also shown that environment variables better explain cyanobacteria when a time lag is considered. We conclude that, in cyanobacteria monitoring, the best approach to reveal determinants of cyanobacteria blooms is to consider environmental variability.

scholarly journals VIRTUAL BRONCHOSCOPY OF MULTISPIRAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY WITH TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF THE MAIN BRONCHUS

2019 ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
P. M. Kotlyarov ◽  
N. V. Chernichenko ◽  
V. P. Kharchenko
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Main Bronchus ◽  
Traumatic Rupture ◽  
Virtual Bronchoscopy ◽  
Traumatic Injuries ◽  
Traumatic Lesion ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Bone Structures

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of virtual bronchoscopy (VB) in traumatic rupture of the main bronchus Material and methods. Тhe data of virtual bronchoscopy of multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) with multiplanar and 3D reconstructions of 10 patients with traumatic separation of the main bronchus were analyzed. MSCT was carried out by the computer tomograph AquilionONE (320-slice) according to the previously described technique. Results of the study. VB MSCT allowed to determine the presence of a complete or partial rupture of the main bronchus, its distance to the bifurcation of the trachea, the state of the collapsed lung, the presence of fluid in the hemithorax, secondary changes in the bone structures of the chest. The World Bank played an important role in monitoring the adequacy of reconstructive measures on the damaged bronchus, excluding the occurrence of postoperative stenosis. The conclusion. Virtual bronchoscopy of multispiral computed tomography with the capabilities of multiplanar and volumetric reconstructions, postprocessing image processing is an optimal non-invasive method for determining the traumatic lesion of the main bronchi and monitoring the success of the reconstructive surgical manual.

Testicular responsiveness to hCG during infancy measured by salivary testosterone

1990 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 633-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo Dunkel ◽  
Ilpo Huhtaniemi
Keyword(s):  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Maximal Level ◽  
Salivary Testosterone ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Basal Serum ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Prepubertal Boys ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. To investigate the role of gonadotropins in postnatal testicular activation, testosterone responsiveness to human chorionic gonadotropin was studied in 11 male infants (aged 5-180 days). The boys were given a single im injection of 5000 IU/1.7m2 hCG, and serum and salivary testosterone responses were then measured for 7 days. The results were compared with the serum testosterone responses of 8 older prepubertal boys (aged 1.7-10.4 years) studied with the same protocol. The mean (±sem) basal serum testosterone levels were 2.67±1.27 nmol/l in the infants and 0.09±0.02 nmol/l in the prepubertal boys (p<0.05). Both groups gave a significant response to hCG stimulation (p<0.001, ANOVA, one-way). The stimulated concentrations of serum testosterone were higher in the infants than in the prepubertal boys (p<0.001). The mean basal level of salivary testosterone was 30.5 ±7.0 and the mean maximal level was 97± 10.3 pmol/l in the infants (p<0.001). No age-related changes were observed in either basal or hCG-stimulated levels. In infants the mean (±sem) maximal hCG-stimulated increase was 25 ± 10-fold in serum and 8±4-fold in saliva (p=0.13). A clear stimulatory effect of hCG on testicular testosterone production was found, suggesting that the postnatal increase in serum testosterone concentration in male infants is gonadotropin-mediated. Salivary testosterone concentrations can be increased by hCG, indicating that measurements of salivary testosterone may provide an optional, non-invasive method for assessing gonadal function in children.

scholarly journals Low-density koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the mulgalands of south-west Queensland. II. Distribution and diet

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Sullivan ◽  
W. M. Norris ◽  
G. S. Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Design ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Stratified Sampling ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Dietary Composition ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
South West ◽  
Biogeographic Region

This study used faecal pellets to investigate the broadscale distribution and diet of koalas in the mulgalands biogeographic region of south-west Queensland. Koala distribution was determined by conducting faecal pellet searches within a 30-cm radius of the base of eucalypts on 149 belt transects, located using a multi-scaled stratified sampling design. Cuticular analysis of pellets collected from 22 of these sites was conducted to identify the dietary composition of koalas within the region. Our data suggest that koala distribution is concentrated in the northern and more easterly regions of the study area, and appears to be strongly linked with annual rainfall. Over 50% of our koala records were obtained from non-riverine communities, indicating that koalas in the study area are not primarily restricted to riverine communities, as has frequently been suggested. Cuticular analysis indicates that more than 90% of koala diet within the region consists of five eucalypt species. Our data highlights the importance of residual Tertiary landforms to koala conservation in the region.

scholarly journals White-tailed deer sex identification from faecal DNA and pellet morphometry by neural network and fuzzy logic analyses

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Dania Vega ◽  
Sonia Gallina ◽  
Miguel Correa ◽  
M. Parra ◽  
Isaias Chairez
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Gene Marker ◽  
Faecal Dna ◽  
Sry Gene ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The Neural Network ◽  
Fuzzy Logic Analysis

Knowing the sex of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) individuals can provide information to set harvesting rates and management activities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the sex through classification function by using faecal pellet morphometry. Faeces were collected for 12 months in Durango, Mexico; their morphometric variables were measured, the faecal DNA was extracted, and the SRY gene marker was amplified to identify sex. A neural network and fuzzy logic sex classification functions were obtained. The outputs were validated with the SRY gene results. Data from adults in the winter were used to obtain the classification functions. Classification functions could accurately classify sex in 94.4% with neural networks and 86.9% with fuzzy logic. The neural network classified more accurately the sex of adult white-tailed deer studied in winter with the faecal pellets morphometry than with the fuzzy logic analysis. This technique can be a tool for non-invasive studies and monitoring of populations.

ROLE OF DERMATOSCOPY IN CHRONIC DERMATOSES DIAGNOSIS

2020 ◽  
pp. 53-56
Author(s):  
G. S. Chekhovska
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Seborrheic Dermatitis ◽  
Hair Follicles ◽  
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Vascular Structures

Dermatoscopy is a valuable auxiliary non−invasive method used in the diagnosis of inflammatory, parasitic and viral skin diseases. Treatment of dermatoses is based on the results of analysis of melanin, follicular−horny and vascular components. Diagnosis begins with polarized dermatoscopy and then progresses to non−polarized using immersion fluid. At dermatoscopic inspection of a psoriatic plaque the point vessels evenly distributed along all the surface (a symptom of "scattered red pepper") are noted. Eczema is characterized by focal accumulation of blood vessels in the form of dots, peeling, yellowish crusts. Examination of discoid lupus erythematosus foci often reveals individual linear or branched vessels, their location is random. Red herpes zoster is dermatoscopically characterized by vascular structures in the form of large granular horny plugs of whitish color with a pearly sheen. The most informative is dermatoscopy in the differential diagnosis of erythematous form of rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis. On the erythematous background, dilated vessels around the sebaceous hair follicles, large vascular polygons formed from vessels thicker than in healthy skin and seborrheic dermatitis are found. At inspection of the fresh centers of a sclero−atrophic lichen diffuse unstructured zones of white color with a peripheral erythematous corolla and with numerous light comedic structures on a surface are visualized. At dermatoscopy of the Little − Lassueur syndrome in follicular papules on skin gray, violet points located in the form of a circle are noted. Dermatoscopy is increasingly used in dermatology, especially in the differential diagnosis of dermatoses of inflammatory and parasitic nature.

scholarly journals Faecal particle size and tooth wear of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Ellis ◽  
Rachael Attard ◽  
Stephen Johnston ◽  
Peter Theileman ◽  
Allan McKinnon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tooth Wear ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Leaf Fragment ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Population Analyses ◽  
Large Particles ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Pellet Analysis

We used computer-aided image analysis of leaf fragment particles found in faecal pellets of 45 koalas, representing the range of tooth wear in this species, to investigate how tooth wear in the koala influences faecal particle sizes. Although the range of sizes of particles produced did not vary between koalas across different tooth wear classes, with all koalas producing small, medium and large particles, koalas with advanced tooth wear produced a greater proportion of larger particles. This observation may prove useful for demographic population analyses based on scat surveys since the broad age class of individual koalas can be estimated from faecal pellet analysis. Older koalas produced faecal pellets containing a higher proportion of the largest-sized particle sizes (those greater than 0.59 mm2) than either young or mature koalas but there was no difference detected between mature and young koalas.

62 A Novel Non-Invasive Method to Monitor Gastric Motility in Mice: Role of CRF During Cold Stress

2008 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. A-9
Author(s):  
Guillaume Gourcerol ◽  
David W. Adelson ◽  
Mulugeta Million ◽  
Lixin Wang ◽  
Yvette Tache
Keyword(s):  
Cold Stress ◽  
Gastric Motility ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method

scholarly journals The Diagnostic Role of Urinary N-Acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) Activity in the Detection of Renal Tubular Impairment

2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylva Skálová
Keyword(s):  
Renal Damage ◽  
Perinatal Asphyxia ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Diagnostic Role ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Nephrotoxic Drugs ◽  
Renal Tubular

The kidney function can be assessed by a number of methods. The urinary excretion of enzymes, in particular N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), is considered a relatively simple, cheap, fast and non-invasive method in the detection and follow-up of renal tubular function under various conditions. The determination of urinary NAG provides a very sensitive and reliable indicator of renal damage, such as injury or dysfunction due to diabetes mellitus, nephrotic syndrome, inflammation, vesicoureteral reflux, urinary tract infection, hypercalciuria, urolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis, perinatal asphyxia, hypoxia, hypertension, heavy metals poisoning, treatment with aminoglycosides, valproate, or other nephrotoxic drugs. This paper gives an overview of the current use of urinary NAG in the detection of renal injury.

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