scholarly journals Ontogenetic plasticity in cranial morphology is associated with a change in the food processing behavior in Alpine newts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schwarz ◽  
Nicolai Konow ◽  
Laura Beatriz Porro ◽  
Egon Heiss
Keyword(s):  
Food Processing ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Feeding Apparatus ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Alpine Newt ◽  
Similar Body ◽  
Processing Mechanism

Abstract Background: The feeding apparatus of salamanders consists mainly of the cranium, mandible, teeth, hyobranchial apparatus and the muscles of the cranial region. The morphology of the feeding apparatus in turn determines the boundary conditions for possible food processing mechanisms. However, the morphology of the feeding apparatus changes substantially during metamorphosis, prompting the hypothesis that larvae might use a different food processing mechanism than post-metamorphic adults. Salamandrid newts with facultative metamorphosis are suitable for testing this hypothesis as adults with divergent feeding apparatus morphologies often coexist in the same population, share similar body sizes, and feed on overlapping prey spectra. Methods: We use high-speed videography to quantify the in vivo movements of key anatomical elements during food processing in paedomorphic and metamorphic Alpine newts (Ichthyosaura alpestris). Additionally, we use micro-computed tomography (μCT) to analyze morphological differences in the feeding apparatus of paedomorphic and metamorphic Alpine newts and sort them into late-larval, mid-metamorphic and post-metamorphic morphotypes. Results: Late-larval, mid-metamorphic and post-metamorphic individuals exhibited clear morphological differences in their feeding apparatus. Regardless of the paedomorphic state being externally evident, paedomorphic specimens can conceal different morphotypes (i.e., late-larval and mid-metamorphic morphotypes). Though feeding on the same prey under the same (aquatic) condition, food processing kinematics differed between late-larval, mid-metamorphic and post-metamorphic morphotypes. Conclusions: The food processing mechanism in the Alpine newt changes along with morphology of the feeding apparatus during ontogeny, from a mandible-based to a tongue-based processing mechanism as the mandible’s changing morphology prevents chewing and the tongue allows enhanced protraction. These results could indicate that early tetrapods, in analogy to salamanders, may have developed new feeding mechanisms in their aquatic environment and that these functional innovations may have later paved the way for terrestrial feeding mechanisms.

scholarly journals Ontogenetic plasticity in cranial morphology is associated with a change in the food processing behavior in Alpine newts

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schwarz ◽  
Nicolai Konow ◽  
Laura B. Porro ◽  
Egon Heiss
Keyword(s):  
Food Processing ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Feeding Apparatus ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Alpine Newt ◽  
Similar Body ◽  
Processing Mechanism

Abstract Background The feeding apparatus of salamanders consists mainly of the cranium, mandible, teeth, hyobranchial apparatus and the muscles of the cranial region. The morphology of the feeding apparatus in turn determines the boundary conditions for possible food processing (i.e., intraoral mechanical reduction) mechanisms. However, the morphology of the feeding apparatus changes substantially during metamorphosis, prompting the hypothesis that larvae might use a different food processing mechanism than post-metamorphic adults. Salamandrid newts with facultative metamorphosis are suitable for testing this hypothesis as adults with divergent feeding apparatus morphologies often coexist in the same population, share similar body sizes, and feed on overlapping prey spectra. Methods We use high-speed videography to quantify the in vivo movements of key anatomical elements during food processing in paedomorphic and metamorphic Alpine newts (Ichthyosaura alpestris). Additionally, we use micro-computed tomography (μCT) to analyze morphological differences in the feeding apparatus of paedomorphic and metamorphic Alpine newts and sort them into late-larval, mid-metamorphic and post-metamorphic morphotypes. Results Late-larval, mid-metamorphic and post-metamorphic individuals exhibited clear morphological differences in their feeding apparatus. Regardless of the paedomorphic state being externally evident, paedomorphic specimens can conceal different morphotypes (i.e., late-larval and mid-metamorphic morphotypes). Though feeding on the same prey under the same (aquatic) condition, food processing kinematics differed between late-larval, mid-metamorphic and post-metamorphic morphotypes. Conclusions The food processing mechanism in the Alpine newt changes along with morphology of the feeding apparatus during ontogeny, from a mandible-based to a tongue-based processing mechanism as the changing morphology of the mandible prevents chewing and the tongue allows enhanced protraction. These results could indicate that early tetrapods, in analogy to salamanders, may have developed new feeding mechanisms in their aquatic environment and that these functional innovations may have later paved the way for terrestrial feeding mechanisms.

scholarly journals Ontogenetic plasticity in cranial morphology is associated with a functional change in the food processing behavior in Alpine newts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schwarz ◽  
Nicolai Konow ◽  
Laura Beatriz Porro ◽  
Egon Heiss
Keyword(s):  
Food Processing ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Functional Change ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Feeding Apparatus ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Similar Body ◽  
Processing Mechanism

Abstract Background: Salamander morphology changes substantially during metamorphosis, prompting the hypothesis that larvae need a different processing mechanism than post-metamorphic adults. Salamandrid newts with facultative metamorphosis are suitable for testing this hypothesis, because paedomorphic and metamorphic adults often coexist in the same population. Facultative paedomorphic newts provide a direct comparison of form-function relationships with specimens of the same species sharing similar body size and feeding on overlapping prey spectra, whilst having divergent food-processing morphologies.Methods: We use high-speed videography to quantify the in vivo movements of key anatomical elements during food processing in paedomorphic and metamorphic Alpine newts ( Ichthyosaura alpestris ). Additionally, we use micro-computed tomography (μCT) to analyze morphological differences in the feeding apparatus of paedomorphic and metamorphic Alpine newts and sort them into late-larval, mid-metamorphic and post-metamorphic morphotypes.Results: Paedomorphic and metamorphic individuals exhibited clear morphological differences of their feeding apparatus. Regardless of the paedomorphic state being externally evident, different paedomorphic specimens can conceal different morphotypes (i.e., late-larval and mid-metamorphic morphotypes). Though feeding on the same prey under the same (aquatic) condition, food processing kinematics differed between late-larval, mid-metamorphic and post-metamorphic morphotypes.Conclusions: While the Alpine Newt still lives in water, food processing mechanism changes along with morphology of the feeding apparatus during ontogeny, from a mandible-based to a tongue-based processing mechanism as the mandible’s changing morphology prevents chewing and the tongue allows enhanced protraction. These results could indicate that early tetrapods, in analogy to salamanders, may have developed new feeding mechanisms in their aquatic environment and that these functional innovations may have later paved the way for terrestrial feeding mechanisms.

scholarly journals Comparative skull biomechanics in Varanus and Salvator ‘Tupinambis’

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Dutel ◽  
Alana C Sharp ◽  
Marc E H Jones ◽  
Susan E Evans ◽  
Micheal J Fagan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Joint Reaction Forces ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Morphological Differences

The lizard species Salvator ‘Tupinambis’ merianae and Varanus ornatus evolved independently in South America and Africa but share similar ecology and feeding behaviour, despite having notable differences in their skull structure. Tupinambis has a compact, relatively short and wide snout, whereas that of Varanus is more slender and narrow. In addition, a postorbital bar (POB) is present in Tupinambis but absent in Varanus, and the former lacks the mid-frontal suture that is present in the latter. Here, we explore the biomechanical significance of these differences using 3D computer-based mechanical simulations based on micro-computed tomography, detailed muscle dissections, and in vivo data. First, we simulated muscle activity and joint-reaction forces during biting using Multibody Dynamics Analysis. Then, the forces calculated from these models were used as an input for Finite Element Analysis, to investigate and compare the strains of the skull in these two species. The effects of the presence/absence of structures, such as the POB, were investigated by constructing artificial models which geometry was altered. Our results indicate that strains in the skull bones are lower in Tupinambis than in Varanus, in particular at the back of the skull. The presence of a POB clearly reduces the strains in the bones during posterior biting in Tupinambis, but not in Varanus. Our results hence highlight how the morphological differences between these two taxa affect the mechanical behaviour of their respective skulls during feeding.

scholarly journals Comparative skull biomechanics in Varanus and Salvator ‘Tupinambis’

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Dutel ◽  
Alana C Sharp ◽  
Marc E H Jones ◽  
Susan E Evans ◽  
Micheal J Fagan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Joint Reaction Forces ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Morphological Differences

The lizard species Salvator ‘Tupinambis’ merianae and Varanus ornatus evolved independently in South America and Africa but share similar ecology and feeding behaviour, despite having notable differences in their skull structure. Tupinambis has a compact, relatively short and wide snout, whereas that of Varanus is more slender and narrow. In addition, a postorbital bar (POB) is present in Tupinambis but absent in Varanus, and the former lacks the mid-frontal suture that is present in the latter. Here, we explore the biomechanical significance of these differences using 3D computer-based mechanical simulations based on micro-computed tomography, detailed muscle dissections, and in vivo data. First, we simulated muscle activity and joint-reaction forces during biting using Multibody Dynamics Analysis. Then, the forces calculated from these models were used as an input for Finite Element Analysis, to investigate and compare the strains of the skull in these two species. The effects of the presence/absence of structures, such as the POB, were investigated by constructing artificial models which geometry was altered. Our results indicate that strains in the skull bones are lower in Tupinambis than in Varanus, in particular at the back of the skull. The presence of a POB clearly reduces the strains in the bones during posterior biting in Tupinambis, but not in Varanus. Our results hence highlight how the morphological differences between these two taxa affect the mechanical behaviour of their respective skulls during feeding.

scholarly journals High-speed volumetric two-photon fluorescence imaging of neurovascular dynamics

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Lan Fan ◽  
Jose A. Rivera ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
John Peterson ◽  
Henry Haeberle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Fluorescence Signal ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽  
Two Photon

AbstractUnderstanding the structure and function of vasculature in the brain requires us to monitor distributed hemodynamics at high spatial and temporal resolution in three-dimensional (3D) volumes in vivo. Currently, a volumetric vasculature imaging method with sub-capillary spatial resolution and blood flow-resolving speed is lacking. Here, using two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) with an axially extended Bessel focus, we capture volumetric hemodynamics in the awake mouse brain at a spatiotemporal resolution sufficient for measuring capillary size and blood flow. With Bessel TPLSM, the fluorescence signal of a vessel becomes proportional to its size, which enables convenient intensity-based analysis of vessel dilation and constriction dynamics in large volumes. We observe entrainment of vasodilation and vasoconstriction with pupil diameter and measure 3D blood flow at 99 volumes/second. Demonstrating high-throughput monitoring of hemodynamics in the awake brain, we expect Bessel TPLSM to make broad impacts on neurovasculature research.

scholarly journals Effect of food processing on the antioxidant activity of flavones from Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-101
Author(s):  
Guanghui Xia ◽  
Xinhua Li ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Yuhang Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
High Pressure ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Yeast Fermentation ◽  
Pressure Treatment ◽  
Processing Methods ◽  
High Pressure Treatment ◽  
Effect Of Food ◽  
The Stability

Abstract Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce (POD) is a natural plant widely used for food and medicine, thanks to its rich content of a strong antioxidant agent called homoisoflavones. However, food processing methods could affect the stability of POD flavones, resulting in changes to their antioxidant activity. This study attempts to evaluate the antioxidant activity of POD flavones subject to different processing methods and determines which method could preserve the antioxidant activity of POD flavones. Therefore, flavones were extracted from POD samples, which had been treated separately with one of the four processing methods: extrusion, baking, high-pressure treatment, and yeast fermentation. After that, the antioxidant activity of the flavones was subject to in vivo tests in zebrafish embryos. The results show that yeast fermentation had the least disruption to the antioxidant activity of POD flavones, making it the most suitable food processing method for POD. By contrast, extrusion and high-pressure treatment both slightly weakened the antioxidant activity of the flavones and should be avoided in food processing. The research results provide a reference for the development and utilization of POD and the protection of its biological activity.

scholarly journals In-Vivo Degradation Behavior and Osseointegration of 3D Powder-Printed Calcium Magnesium Phosphate Cement Scaffolds

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 946
Author(s):  
Katharina Kowalewicz ◽  
Elke Vorndran ◽  
Franziska Feichtner ◽  
Anja-Christina Waselau ◽  
Manuel Brueckner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Bone Substitutes ◽  
Magnesium Phosphate ◽  
Degradation Behavior ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Interest In Research ◽  
In Vivo Degradation ◽  
Volume Decrease

Calcium magnesium phosphate cements (CMPCs) are promising bone substitutes and experience great interest in research. Therefore, in-vivo degradation behavior, osseointegration and biocompatibility of three-dimensional (3D) powder-printed CMPC scaffolds were investigated in the present study. The materials Mg225 (Ca0.75Mg2.25(PO4)2) and Mg225d (Mg225 treated with diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAHP)) were implanted as cylindrical scaffolds (h = 5 mm, Ø = 3.8 mm) in both lateral femoral condyles in rabbits and compared with tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Treatment with DAHP results in the precipitation of struvite, thus reducing pore size and overall porosity and increasing pressure stability. Over 6 weeks, the scaffolds were evaluated clinically, radiologically, with Micro-Computed Tomography (µCT) and histological examinations. All scaffolds showed excellent biocompatibility. X-ray and in-vivo µCT examinations showed a volume decrease and increasing osseointegration over time. Structure loss and volume decrease were most evident in Mg225. Histologically, all scaffolds degraded centripetally and were completely traversed by new bone, in which the remaining scaffold material was embedded. While after 6 weeks, Mg225d and TCP were still visible as a network, only individual particles of Mg225 were present. Based on these results, Mg225 and Mg225d appear to be promising bone substitutes for various loading situations that should be investigated further.

scholarly journals Deep Dive Into the Effects of Food Processing on Limiting Starch Digestibility and Lowering the Glycemic Response

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 381
Author(s):  
Gautier Cesbron-Lavau ◽  
Aurélie Goux ◽  
Fiona Atkinson ◽  
Alexandra Meynier ◽  
Sophie Vinoy
Keyword(s):  
Food Processing ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Food Products ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Starch Digestibility ◽  
Deep Dive ◽  
Processing Technologies ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Impact

During processing of cereal-based food products, starch undergoes dramatic changes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of food processing on the starch digestibility profile of cereal-based foods using advanced imaging techniques, and to determine the effect of preserving starch in its native, slowly digestible form on its in vivo metabolic fate. Four different food products using different processing technologies were evaluated: extruded products, rusks, soft-baked cakes, and rotary-molded biscuits. Imaging techniques (X-ray diffraction, micro-X-ray microtomography, and electronic microscopy) were used to investigate changes in slowly digestible starch (SDS) structure that occurred during these different food processing technologies. For in vivo evaluation, International Standards for glycemic index (GI) methodology were applied on 12 healthy subjects. Rotary molding preserved starch in its intact form and resulted in the highest SDS content (28 g/100 g) and a significantly lower glycemic and insulinemic response, while the three other technologies resulted in SDS contents below 3 g/100 g. These low SDS values were due to greater disruption of the starch structure, which translated to a shift from a crystalline structure to an amorphous one. Modulation of postprandial glycemia, through starch digestibility modulation, is a meaningful target for the prevention of metabolic diseases.

scholarly journals In Vivo Assessment of Synthetic and Biological-Derived Calcium Phosphate-Based Coatings Fabricated by Pulsed Laser Deposition: A Review

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Liviu Duta
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Phosphate ◽  
Pulsed Laser Deposition ◽  
Physical Vapor Deposition ◽  
Pulsed Laser ◽  
Laser Deposition ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Electron Microscopies ◽  
In Vivo Assessment

The aim of this review is to present the state-of-the art achievements reported in the last two decades in the field of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of biocompatible calcium phosphate (CaP)-based coatings for medical implants, with an emphasis on their in vivo biological performances. There are studies in the dedicated literature on the in vivo testing of CaP-based coatings (especially hydroxyapatite, HA) synthesized by many physical vapor deposition methods, but only a few of them addressed the PLD technique. Therefore, a brief description of the PLD technique, along with some information on the currently used substrates for the synthesis of CaP-based structures, and a short presentation of the advantages of using various animal and human implant models will be provided. For an in-depth in vivo assessment of both synthetic and biological-derived CaP-based PLD coatings, a special attention will be dedicated to the results obtained by standardized and micro-radiographies, (micro) computed tomography and histomorphometry, tomodensitometry, histology, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and mechanical testing. One main specific result of the in vivo analyzed studies is related to the demonstrated superior osseointegration characteristics of the metallic (generally Ti) implants functionalized with CaP-based coatings when compared to simple (control) Ti ones, which are considered as the “gold standard” for implantological applications. Thus, all such important in vivo outcomes were gathered, compiled and thoroughly discussed both to clearly understand the current status of this research domain, and to be able to advance perspectives of these synthetic and biological-derived CaP coatings for future clinical applications.

scholarly journals Heidelberg-mCT-Analyzer: a novel method for standardized microcomputed-tomography-guided evaluation of scaffold properties in bone and tissue research

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 150496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Westhauser ◽  
Christian Weis ◽  
Melanie Hoellig ◽  
Tyler Swing ◽  
Gerhard Schmidmaier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Bone Tissue Engineering ◽  
Bone Tissue ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Characteristic Parameter ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Independent Analysis ◽  
Scaffold Properties

Bone tissue engineering and bone scaffold development represent two challenging fields in orthopaedic research. Micro-computed tomography (mCT) allows non-invasive measurement of these scaffolds’ properties in vivo . However, the lack of standardized mCT analysis protocols and, therefore, the protocols’ user-dependency make interpretation of the reported results difficult. To overcome these issues in scaffold research, we introduce the Heidelberg-mCT-Analyzer. For evaluation of our technique, we built 10 bone-inducing scaffolds, which underwent mCT acquisition before ectopic implantation (T0) in mice, and at explantation eight weeks thereafter (T1). The scaffolds’ three-dimensional reconstructions were automatically segmented using fuzzy clustering with fully automatic level-setting. The scaffold itself and its pores were then evaluated for T0 and T1. Analysing the scaffolds’ characteristic parameter set with our quantification method showed bone formation over time. We were able to demonstrate that our algorithm obtained the same results for basic scaffold parameters (e.g. scaffold volume, pore number and pore volume) as other established analysis methods. Furthermore, our algorithm was able to analyse more complex parameters, such as pore size range, tissue mineral density and scaffold surface. Our imaging and post-processing strategy enables standardized and user-independent analysis of scaffold properties, and therefore is able to improve the quantitative evaluations of scaffold-associated bone tissue-engineering projects.

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