scholarly journals Corals and Carbon: The physiological response of a protected deep-sea coral (Solenosmilia variabilis) to ocean acidification

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Malindi Gammon
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
Deep Sea Corals

<p>Calcifying corals provide important habitat complexity in the deep-sea and are consistently associated with a biodiversity of fish and other invertebrates. Little is understood about how deep-sea corals may respond to predicted scenarios of ocean acidification (OA), but any predicted changes will have wider impacts on the ecosystem.   Colonies of Solenosmilia variabilis, a species of deep-sea coral found in the waters surrounding New Zealand, were collected during a cruise in March 2014 from the Louisville Seamount chain. Over 12-months, coral samples were maintained in temperature controlled (~3.5°C) continuous flow-through tanks. A control group of coral colonies was held in seawater with pH 7.88 and a treatment group in pH 7.65. These two pH levels were designed to reflect current pH conditions and end-of-century conditions, respectively. In addition to investigating changes in growth and morphology, measurements of respiration and intracellular pH (pHi) were taken after a mid-term (6 months for respiration; 9 months for pHi) and long-term (12 months for both respiration and pHi) exposure period. An established method used in measuring the pHi of shallow water corals was adapted for use with deep-sea corals for the first time. pHi was independent from the seawater treatment and ranged from 7.67 – 8.30. Respiration rate was not influenced by the reduced seawater pH tested here. Respiration rates were highly variable, ranging from 0.065 to 1.756 μg O2 g-1 protein h-1 and pHi ranged from 7.67 – 8.30. Yearly growth rates were also variable, ranging from 0.53 to 3.068 mm year-1, and again showed no detectable difference between the treatment and control colonies. However, a loss in the colouration of coral skeletons was observed in the treatment group and was attributed to a loss of tissue. This could indicate a reallocation of energy, allowing for the maintenance of those other physiological parameters measured here (e.g. growth and respiration rates). If this is indeed occurring, it would be consistent with the idea of phenotypic plasticity, where corals can alternate between soft-bodied and fossilizing forms, allowing them to survive past periods of environmental stress.   This research is an important first step towards understanding the sensitivity of deep-sea corals to OA and the potential for acclimation, and suggests that in many respects, S. variabilis might not be susceptible to end-of-century projections of OA. Nevertheless, the observed tissue loss is interesting and warrants further investigation to assess its long-term implications. Furthermore, the impacts of greater levels of OA, and the interactive effects of other ecological parameters such as food availability, need to be tested.</p>

scholarly journals Corals and Carbon: The physiological response of a protected deep-sea coral (Solenosmilia variabilis) to ocean acidification

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Malindi Gammon
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
Deep Sea Corals

<p>Calcifying corals provide important habitat complexity in the deep-sea and are consistently associated with a biodiversity of fish and other invertebrates. Little is understood about how deep-sea corals may respond to predicted scenarios of ocean acidification (OA), but any predicted changes will have wider impacts on the ecosystem.   Colonies of Solenosmilia variabilis, a species of deep-sea coral found in the waters surrounding New Zealand, were collected during a cruise in March 2014 from the Louisville Seamount chain. Over 12-months, coral samples were maintained in temperature controlled (~3.5°C) continuous flow-through tanks. A control group of coral colonies was held in seawater with pH 7.88 and a treatment group in pH 7.65. These two pH levels were designed to reflect current pH conditions and end-of-century conditions, respectively. In addition to investigating changes in growth and morphology, measurements of respiration and intracellular pH (pHi) were taken after a mid-term (6 months for respiration; 9 months for pHi) and long-term (12 months for both respiration and pHi) exposure period. An established method used in measuring the pHi of shallow water corals was adapted for use with deep-sea corals for the first time. pHi was independent from the seawater treatment and ranged from 7.67 – 8.30. Respiration rate was not influenced by the reduced seawater pH tested here. Respiration rates were highly variable, ranging from 0.065 to 1.756 μg O2 g-1 protein h-1 and pHi ranged from 7.67 – 8.30. Yearly growth rates were also variable, ranging from 0.53 to 3.068 mm year-1, and again showed no detectable difference between the treatment and control colonies. However, a loss in the colouration of coral skeletons was observed in the treatment group and was attributed to a loss of tissue. This could indicate a reallocation of energy, allowing for the maintenance of those other physiological parameters measured here (e.g. growth and respiration rates). If this is indeed occurring, it would be consistent with the idea of phenotypic plasticity, where corals can alternate between soft-bodied and fossilizing forms, allowing them to survive past periods of environmental stress.   This research is an important first step towards understanding the sensitivity of deep-sea corals to OA and the potential for acclimation, and suggests that in many respects, S. variabilis might not be susceptible to end-of-century projections of OA. Nevertheless, the observed tissue loss is interesting and warrants further investigation to assess its long-term implications. Furthermore, the impacts of greater levels of OA, and the interactive effects of other ecological parameters such as food availability, need to be tested.</p>

scholarly journals The physiological response of the deep-sea coralSolenosmilia variabilisto ocean acidification

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malindi J. Gammon ◽  
Dianne M. Tracey ◽  
Peter M. Marriott ◽  
Vonda J. Cummings ◽  
Simon K. Davy
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Seawater Ph ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Seamount Chain ◽  
Colour Saturation ◽  
And Control

Several forms of calcifying scleractinian corals provide important habitat complexity in the deep-sea and are consistently associated with a high biodiversity of fish and other invertebrates. How these corals may respond to the future predicted environmental conditions of ocean acidification is poorly understood, but any detrimental effects on these marine calcifiers will have wider impacts on the ecosystem. Colonies ofSolenosmilia variabilis, a protected deep-sea coral commonly occurring throughout the New Zealand region, were collected during a cruise in March 2014 from the Louisville Seamount Chain. Over a 12-month period, samples were maintained in temperature controlled (∼3.5 °C) continuous flow-through tanks at a seawater pH that reflects the region’s current conditions (7.88) and an end-of-century scenario (7.65). Impacts on coral growth and the intensity of colour saturation (as a proxy for the coenenchyme tissue that covers the coral exoskeleton and links the coral polyps) were measured bimonthly. In addition, respiration rate was measured after a mid-term (six months) and long-term (12 months) exposure period. Growth rates were highly variable, ranging from 0.53 to 3.068 mm year−1and showed no detectable difference between the treatment and control colonies. Respiration rates also varied independently of pH and ranged from 0.065 to 1.756 µmol O2g protein−1h−1. A significant change in colour was observed in the treatment group over time, indicating a loss of coenenchyme. This loss was greatest after 10 months at 5.28% and could indicate a reallocation of energy with physiological processes (e.g.  growth and respiration) being maintained at the expense of coenenchyme production. This research illustrates important first steps to assessing and understanding the sensitivity of deep-sea corals to ocean acidification.

Efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of long- lasting olfactory disorders in COVID-19 patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
L.A. Vaira ◽  
C. Hopkins ◽  
M. Petrocelli ◽  
J.R. Lechien ◽  
S. Cutrupi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Spontaneous Recovery ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Initial Control ◽  
Group A ◽  
Control Study

BACKGROUND: The growing number of COVID-19 patients with long-lasting olfactory disorders makes it necessary to identify effective treatments that enhance the spontaneous recovery of olfactory function. METHODS: Multicentre randomised case-control study that involved 18 patients with COVID-19 related anosmia or severe hyposmia for more than 30 days. Nine patients were prescribed systemic prednisone and nasal irrigation with betamethasone, ambroxol and rinazine for 15 days. The other 9, untreated, patients were used as controls. The olfactory function was evaluated with CCCRC test at 20 and 40 days from the first evaluation. RESULTS: In the control group, a median olfactory score of 20 (IQR 30) was detected at baseline. At the 20-day control there was no significant improvement in olfactory function. The improvement in olfactory performance became significant at the 40-day follow-up compared to baseline scores [60 (IQR 60) versus 20 (IQR 30)]. In the treatment group, patients had a mean olfactory score of 10 (IQR 15) at initial control. At the 20-day control, a significant im-provement in the olfactory scores, compared to the baseline, was detected [70 (IQR 40) versus 10 (IQR 15)]. Olfactory function further improved at 40 days [median score 90 (IQR 50)]. Patients in the treatment group reported significantly higher improvements of the olfactory scores than the controls at both the 20-day [40 (IQR 45) versus 10 (IQR 15)] and 40-day [60 (IQR 40) versus 30 (IQR 25)] evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the mix of drugs including steroids could represent a useful specific therapy to reduce the prevalence of this long-term morbidity.

Effects of acupuncture on anthropometric and serum metabolic parameters in premenopausal overweight and obese women: a randomized, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 096452842091225
Author(s):  
Koh-Woon Kim ◽  
Woo-Chul Shin ◽  
Min Sun Choi ◽  
Jae-Heung Cho ◽  
Hi-Joon Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Serum Lipid ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Metabolic Parameters ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lipid Levels ◽  
Serum Lipid Levels

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture on obesity-related parameters with regard to metabolomics. Methods: This two-arm parallel, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial included 120 obese participants. Participants were randomized into two groups. The treatment group received a combined intervention of manual acupuncture (MA) plus electroacupuncture (EA), while the control group received a combination of sham acupuncture interventions consisting of sham MA plus sham EA for 6 weeks. The serum lipid levels were measured as the primary outcome measure and anthropometric parameters and serum metabolic profiles including amino acids and carnitines were measured as secondary outcome measures. Results: The serum lipid levels and anthropometric measurements did not significantly differ between groups, while body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were improved within each group and the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased over time in the treatment group. There were no significant differences in amino acid levels between groups, while certain carnitine (C2, C4, C6, and l-carnitine) levels were significantly increased ( p < 0.05) in the treatment group compared to the control group. Conclusion: In summary, 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment did not affect anthropometric and serum metabolic parameters, with the exception of certain carnitines, when compared to sham acupuncture. The observation of increased carnitine levels in the acupuncture group could result in potential long-term benefits to obese individuals. Additional studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of acupuncture on lipid metabolism and the underlying mechanism of action. Trial registration number: This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02066090).

The Impact of an Educational Program on Improving Diabetes Knowledge and Changing Behaviors of Nurses in Long-Term Care Facilities

1995 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Turner Parker ◽  
Nancy Leggett-Frazier ◽  
Pauline A. Vincent ◽  
Melvin S. Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Diabetes Care ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Impact

Nursing staffs from two long-term care facilities attended a multisession educational program about the care of residents with diabetes (treatment group). A control group consisted of the nursing staffs from two other similar facilities who did not participate in the educational program. Both groups were given a knowledge pretest and posttest. A chart review also was conducted following the educational intervention to determine any changes in the diabetes care provided by the treatment group. Following the educational program, the treatment group had a significant increase in their mean score on the knowledge test compared with the control group. However, a. review of the residents' charts revealed no significant increases in specific behaviors related to diabetes care. The findings suggest that, in addition to educational programs, more focused training concerning diabetes care is needed to improve the care of residents with diabetes in long-term care facilities. Implications for diabetes educators are discussed.

Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial of a Hand Hygiene Intervention Involving Pocket-Sized Containers of Alcohol-Based Hand Rub for the Control of Infections in Long-Term Care Facilities

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wing Kin Yeung ◽  
Wai San Wilson Tam ◽  
Tze Wai Wong
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Serious Infections ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
To Receive

Objective.To investigate the effectiveness of a multifaceted hand hygiene program involving the use of pocket-sized containers of antiseptic gel in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) with elderly residents.Methods.In this clustered randomized controlled trial, Hong Kong LTCFs for elderly persons were recruited via snowball sampling. Staff hand hygiene adherence was directly observed, and residents' infections necessitating hospitalization were recorded. After a 3-month preintervention period, LTCFs were randomized to receive pocket-sized containers of alcohol-based gel, reminder materials, and education for all HCWs (treatment group) or to receive basic life support education and workshops for all healthcare workers (HCWs) (control group). A 2-week intervention period (April 1-15, 2007) was followed by 7 months of postintervention observations.Results.In the 3 treatment LTCFs, adherence to hand rubbing increased from 5 (1.5%) of 333 to 233 (15.9%) of 1,465 hand hygiene opportunities (P = .001) and total hand hygiene adherence increased from 86 (25.8%) of 333 to 488 (33.3%) of 1,465 opportunities (P = .01) after intervention; the 3 control LTCFs showed no significant change. In the treatment group, the incidence of serious infections decreased from 31 cases in 21,862 resident-days (1.42 cases per 1,000 resident-days) to 33 cases in 50,441 resident-days (0.65 cases per 1,000 resident-days) (P = .002), whereas in the control group, it increased from 16 cases in 32,726 resident-days (0.49 cases per 1,000 resident-days) to 85 cases in 81,177 resident-days (1.05 cases per 1,000 resident-days) (P = .004). In the treatment group, the incidence of pneumonia decreased from 0.91 to 0.28 cases per 1,000 resident-days (P = .001) and the death rate due to infection decreased from 0.37 to 0.10 deaths per 1,000 resident-days (P = .01); the control group revealed no significant change.Conclusions.A hand hygiene program involving the use of pocket-sized containers of antiseptic gel and education could effectively increase adherence to hand rubbing and reduce the incidence of serious infections in LTCFs with elderly residents.

scholarly journals Effects of long-term GH-releasing factor administration on patterns of GH and LH secretion in growing female buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Mondal ◽  
B S Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Injection ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Plasma Gh ◽  
Lh Secretion

To investigate the effects of long-term GH-releasing factor (GRF) administration on the patterns of GH and LH secretion in growing female Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves, 12 buffaloes of 6–8 months of age were divided into two groups (treatment and control groups) of six each in such a way that average body weight between the groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Both the groups were administered i.v. with either synthetic bovine GRF (bGRF(1–44)-NH2) at 10 μg/100 kg body weight (treatment group) or an equal volume of normal saline (control group) at intervals of 15 days until 18 injections had been completed (9 months). Blood samples collected prior to and after the first and last injection of GRF at −60, −45, −30, −15, −10, −5 min and +5, +10, +15, +30 min, and thereafter at intervals of 15 min up to 8 h post-injection, were assayed for plasma GH and LH. Plasma progesterone was also estimated in twice-a-week samples to assess whether either group had begun ovarian cyclicity. The body weight of all animals was recorded twice a week. In all animals, a peak of GH was recorded within 5–20 min and 5–30 min after the first and last GRF injections and post-injection mean values for plasma GH were significantly (P < 0.01) higher compared with the control group of animals. Although peak GH values after the first and last GRF injection did not differ (P > 0.05), GH levels were maintained at a higher level for a longer time after the last GRF injection compared with the first (240 vs 150 min). The area under the GH response curve after the last GRF injection was found to be significantly (P < 0.01) higher than after the first injection (9344 ± 99.7 vs 7763 ± 112.4 ng/ml × min). The mean post-injection plasma LH levels of the treatment group were significantly (P < 0.01) higher after both the first and last GRF injections than in the control group of animals. Interestingly, compared with the first GRF injection, the pre-injection plasma LH level was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.01) at the last injection. The plasma LH concentrations around the last injection of GRF were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those recorded at the time of the first injection in treated buffaloes. Correspondingly, the plasma LH concentrations in controls were also higher (P < 0.01) around the last injection of GRF vis-à-vis the first injection. The hormone concentration exhibited a higher pulsatility with greater amplitude after the last injection as compared with that recorded after the first injection. Although pulses of LH were also recorded in controls following the last injection, these were fewer and of lower magnitude than those seen in treated animals. No animal from either group reached puberty. GRF-treated buffaloes attained higher (P < 0.001) body weight than the controls. In conclusion, long-term administration of GRF induces and even enhances GH release without any sign of refractoriness, and significantly increases plasma LH also. Hence, long-term treatment with GRF may be used to maintain a sustained increased level of plasma GH in buffaloes and it may assist the animals of this species to grow faster.

scholarly journals Long-term effects of warming and ocean acidification are modified by seasonal variation in species responses and environmental conditions

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1627) ◽  
pp. 20130186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin A. Godbold ◽  
Martin Solan
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Climatic Forcing ◽  
Species Responses

Warming of sea surface temperatures and alteration of ocean chemistry associated with anthropogenic increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide will have profound consequences for a broad range of species, but the potential for seasonal variation to modify species and ecosystem responses to these stressors has received little attention. Here, using the longest experiment to date (542 days), we investigate how the interactive effects of warming and ocean acidification affect the growth, behaviour and associated levels of ecosystem functioning (nutrient release) for a functionally important non-calcifying intertidal polychaete ( Alitta virens ) under seasonally changing conditions. We find that the effects of warming, ocean acidification and their interactions are not detectable in the short term, but manifest over time through changes in growth, bioturbation and bioirrigation behaviour that, in turn, affect nutrient generation. These changes are intimately linked to species responses to seasonal variations in environmental conditions (temperature and photoperiod) that, depending upon timing, can either exacerbate or buffer the long-term directional effects of climatic forcing. Taken together, our observations caution against over emphasizing the conclusions from short-term experiments and highlight the necessity to consider the temporal expression of complex system dynamics established over appropriate timescales when forecasting the likely ecological consequences of climatic forcing.

scholarly journals Antioxidant supplementation increases retinal responses and decreases refractive error changes in dogs

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Jerome Hernandez ◽  
Cecil Moore ◽  
Janet Jackson ◽  
Kristina Narfström
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
High Light Intensity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Antioxidant Supplementation ◽  
Supplementation Period ◽  
Single Flash ◽  
To Receive

AbstractThe objective of the study was to examine whether a nutritional antioxidant supplementation could improve visual function in healthy dogs as measured by electroretinography (ERG) and autorefraction. A total of twelve Beagles, 6 to 8 years of age, with normal eyes upon indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp biomicroscopy, were age and sex matched and randomly assigned to receive a feeding regimen for 6 months with or without a daily antioxidant supplementation. Portable, mini-Ganzfeld ERG and a Welch Allyn hand-held autorefractor were used to test retinal response and refractive error in the dogs at baseline and at the end of the supplementation period. All ERG a-wave amplitudes obtained were increased in the treatment group compared with those of dogs in the control group, with significant improvements in the scotopic high and photopic single flash cone ERG responses (P < 0·05 for both). For the b-wave amplitudes, all responses were similarly increased, with significant improvements in responses for the scotopic high light intensity stimulation (P < 0·05), and for photopic single flash cone and 30 Hz flicker (P < 0·01 for both) recordings. Change in refractive error was significantly less in the treatment group compared with that of the control group during the 6-month study (P < 0·05). Compared with the control group, the antioxidant-supplemented group showed improvement to varying degrees for retinal function and significantly less decline in refractive error. Dogs, like humans, experience retinal and lens functional decline with age. Antioxidant supplementation as demonstrated may be beneficial and effective in the long-term preservation and improvement of various functions of the canine eye.

scholarly journals Warm compresses to decrease dysmenorrhea among adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-114
Author(s):  
Dian Nurafifah ◽  
Ihda Mauliyah ◽  
Atiul Impartina
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Not Given ◽  
Menstrual Pain ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Experience Pain

Dysmenorrhea is one of discomfort experienced by adolescent during menstruation. A Survey of 10 young women at University of Muhammadiyah Lamongan found 90% had dysmenorrhea. To reduce pain, they take pain relievers. However, the use of drugs can cause side effects, especially if long-term use can lead to addiction or dependence. Research design using Quasy Eksperiment (pretest-posttest). The study was conducted on adolescents who are experiencing dysmenorrhea. They were divided into two groups namely control and treament groups. The study began by assessing pain levels in both groups. The treatment group was given warm compresses but the control group was not given any treatment, after that reassess the level of pain. The study analyzes changes in pain levels and compares pain change in the two groups. The results showed that in the control group most of the adolescents did not experience pain changes during dysmenorrhea (86.7%), whereas in the treatment group most of the adolescents experienced a decrease in pain (93.3%). Data analysis using the Mann Whitney test showed p=0.000 where p0.05 so it can be concluded that there are differences in dysmenorrhea before and after treatment between the warm compress group and the control group. The results of this study are expected to be used as consideration in developing plans to reduce discomfort in the form of menstrual pain in a non-pharmacological manner.

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