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Other Animals (other + animals)
Selected AbstractsMorality's Progress: Essays on Humans, Other Animals, and the Rest of Nature: Dale JamiesonCURATOR THE MUSEUM JOURNAL, Issue 3 2004Ronald B. Meyers First page of article [source] Effects of central and systemic injections of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands on the anxiolytic actions of ethanol in ratsADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001G. S. Morato The influence of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands Ro5-4864 (0.05 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or PK11195 (0.05 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) on the anxiolytic effect of ethanol (1.2 g/kg; 14% p/v; i.p.) was investigated in rats tested on the elevated plus-maze. Other animals were injected through intrahippocampal administrations of the ligands (0.5 or 1.0 nmol/0.5 ,l) before ethanol (1.2g/kg; 14% p/v; i.p.) and submitted to the elevated plus-maze test. The results showed that the systemic administration of either ligands 24 hours before the ethanol treatment resulted in a reduced anxiolytic effect of this drug. Only PK11195 reversed the effect of ethanol after intrahippocampal injection. These data suggest that peripheral benzodiazepine receptors play a role in ethanol anxiolysis. [source] Artificial Animals and Humans: From Physics to IntelligenceCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2002Demetri Terzopoulos The confluence of virtual reality and artificial life, an emerging discipline that spans the computational and biological sciences, has yielded synthetic worlds inhabited by realistic, artificial flora and fauna. Artificial animals are complex synthetic organisms that possess functional biomechanical bodies, sensors, and brains with locomotion, perception, behavior, learning, and cognition centers. Artificial humans and other animals are of interest in computer graphics because they are self-animating characters that dramatically advance the state of the art of production animation and interactive game technologies. More broadly, these biomimetic autonomous agents in their realistic virtual worlds also foster deeper, computationally oriented insights into natural living systems. [source] Cellular and molecular dissection of pluripotent adult somatic stem cells in planariansDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 1 2010Norito Shibata Freshwater planarians, Plathelminthes, have been an intriguing model animal of regeneration studies for more than 100 years. Their robust regenerative ability is one of asexual reproductive capacity, in which complete animals develop from tiny body fragments within a week. Pluripotent adult somatic stem cells, called neoblasts, assure this regenerative ability. Neoblasts give rise to not only all types of somatic cells, but also germline cells. During the last decade, several experimental techniques for the analysis of planarian neoblasts at the molecular level, such as in situ hybridization, RNAi and fluorescence activated cell sorting, have been established. Moreover, information about genes involved in maintenance and differentiation of neoblasts has been accumulated. One of the molecular features of neoblasts is the expression of many RNA regulators, which are involved in germline development in other animals, such as vasa and piwi family genes. In this review, we introduce physiological and molecular features of the neoblast, and discuss how germline genes regulate planarian neoblasts and what differences exist between neoblasts and germline cells. [source] Superior detection of threat-relevant stimuli in infancyDEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010Vanessa LoBue The ability to quickly detect potential threat is an important survival mechanism for humans and other animals. Past research has established that adults have an attentional bias for the detection of threat-relevant stimuli, including snakes and spiders as well as angry human faces. Recent studies have documented that preschool children also detect the presence of threatening stimuli more quickly than various non-threatening stimuli. Here we report the first evidence that this attentional bias is present even in infancy. In two experiments, 8- to 14-month-old infants responded more rapidly to snakes than to flowers and more rapidly to angry than to happy faces. These data provide the first evidence of enhanced visual detection of threat-relevant stimuli in infants and hence offer especially strong support for the existence of a general bias for the detection of threat in humans. [source] Prey protein influences growth and decoration building in the orb web spider Argiope keyserlingiECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 5 2009SEAN J. BLAMIRES Abstract. 1. Protein is important for a foraging animal to consume, as it promotes growth and enhances survival, particularly in web-building spiders, which need to invest considerable protein into web building and may trade-off growth for web investment. 2. The influence of dietary protein uptake on growth and web investment was tested in the orb web spider Argiope keyserlingi, by feeding them flies reared on three different media: (1) high protein, (2) low protein, and (3) standard (control) media. There was a negative correlation between protein and energy content of the flies across treatments; flies reared on the high protein media had the highest protein, but lowest energy, while flies reared on the low protein media had the lowest protein but highest energy. 3. It was found that silk investment and web architecture in A. keyserlingi was not affected by diet. Growth and decoration building were both enhanced when spiders were fed a high protein diet. 4. It was concluded that protein intake, rather than energy, influenced both growth and decoration building because: (1) protein intake enhances growth in other animals, (2) protein is essential for silk synthesis, especially aciniform silk, and (3) protein is a limiting factor actively sought by foraging animals in natural environments. [source] Dose-related effects following oral exposure of 2,4-dinitrotoluene on the western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalisENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2008Jamie G. Suski Abstract 2,4-dintitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) is an explosive frequently found in the soil of military installations. Because reptiles can be common on these sites, ecological risk assessments for compounds such as 2,4-DNT could be improved with toxicity data specific to reptiles. Western fence lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis, were used to develop a laboratory toxicity model for reptiles. A hierarchical approach was used; acute to subchronic studies were conducted to provide toxicity data relevant to short- and long-term exposures. First, a modified median lethal dose (LD50) study was conducted on male and female lizards using a stage-wise probit model. The LD50 was 577 mg/kg for female and 380 mg/kg for male lizards. Subsequently, a subacute experiment was conducted to further assess 2,4-DNT toxicity to male lizards and to define exposure levels for a longer term, subchronic study. The subchronic study was conducted for 60 consecutive days; male lizards were exposed to 0, 9, 15, 25, 42, 70 mg/kg/d. Dose-dependent mortality was observed in the three highest dose groups (25, 42, and 70 mg/kg/d); all other animals survived the study duration. Benchmark dose model calculations based on mortality indicated a 5% effect level of 15.8 mg/kg/d. At study termination, a gross necropsy was performed, organ weights were taken, and blood was collected for clinical and hematological analysis. Body weight, kidney weight, food consumption, postdose observations, and blood chemistries all were found to be significantly different from controls at doses above 9 mg/kg/d. Also, preliminary results suggest behavioral observations, and reduced food consumption may be a sensitive indicator of toxicity. The present study indicates Sceloporus occidentalis is suitable for evaluating toxicity of compounds to reptilian species. [source] Effect of amino acid and glucose administration following exercise on the turnover of muscle protein in the hindlimb femoral region of ThoroughbredsEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006A. MATSUI Summary Reasons for performing study: In man, muscle protein synthesis is accelerated by administering amino acids (AA) and glucose (Glu), because increased availability of amino acids and increased insulin secretion, is known to have a protein anabolic effect. However, in the horse, the effect on muscle hypertrophy of such nutrition management following exercise is unknown. Objectives: To determine the effect of AA and Glu administration following exercise on muscle protein turnover in horses. We hypothesise that administration of AA and Glu after exercise effects muscle hypertrophy in horses, as already shown in man and other animals. Methods: Measurements of the rate of synthesis (Rs) and rate of degradation (Rd) of muscle protein in the hindlimb femoral region of thoroughbred horses were conducted using the isotope dilution method to assess the differences between the artery and iliac vein. Six adult Thoroughbreds received a continuous infusion of L-[ring- 2H5]-phenylalanine during the study, the stable period for plasma isotope concentrations (60 min), resting periods (60 min), treadmill exercise (15 min) and recovery period (240 min). All horses were given 4 solutions (saline [Cont], 10% AA [10-AA], 10% Glu [10-Glu] and a mixture with 10% AA and 10% Glu [10-Mix]) over 120 min after exercise, and the Rs and Rd of muscle protein in the hindlimb measured. Results: The average Rs during the 75,120 min following administration of 10-Mix was significantly greater than for the other solutions (P<0.05). The second most effective solution was 10-AA, and there was no change in Rs after 10-Glu. Conclusions: Administration of AA following exercise accelerated Rs in the hindlimb femoral region, and this effect was enhanced when combined with glucose, because of increasing insulin secretion or a decreased requirement for AA for energy. Potential relevance: Further studies are required regarding the effect on muscle hypertrophy of supplementing amino acids and glucose in the feed of exercising horses. [source] Production of biologically active equine interleukin 12 through expression of p35, p40 and single chain IL-12 in mammalian and baculovirus expression systemsEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2001E. L. J. McMONAGLE Summary Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key cytokine in the development of cell-mediated immune responses. Bioactive IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of disulphide linked p35 and p40 subunits. The aim of this study was to verify biologically activity of the products expressed from equine interleukin-12 (IL-12) p35 and p40 cDNAs and to establish whether equine IL-12 could be expressed as a p35/p40 fusion polypeptide, as has been reported for IL-12a of several mammalian species. We report production of equine IL-12 through expression of p35 and p40 subunits in mammalian and insect cells and of a p35:p40 fusion polypeptide in mammalian cells. Conditioned medium recovered from cultures transiently transfected with constructs encoding equine p35 and p40 subunits or single chain IL-12 enhanced IFN-, production in cells derived from equine lymph nodes. Preincubation of IFN-, inducing preparations with anti-p40 monoclonal antibody resulted in a significant decrease in IFN-, induction capacity. Medium recovered from p35 and p40-expressing baculovirus infected cultures enhanced target cell IFN-, production and proliferation. Experimental studies in mice and other animals have revealed a therapeutic benefit of IL-12 in cancer, inflammatory and infectious disease and an adjuvant effect in prophylactic regimes. Production of a bioactive species-specific IL-12 is a first step towards an investigation of its potential application in equine species. [source] DIFFERENTIAL PERFORMANCE AMONG LDH-B GENOTYPES IN RANA LESSONAE TADPOLESEVOLUTION, Issue 5 2000Hansjürg Hotz Abstract The European pool frog, Rana lessonae, is widely polymorphic for two common alleles (b, e) at the lactate dehydrogenase-B (LDH-B) locus. We compared fitness-related larval life-history traits among LDH-B genotypes, which originated from segregation in heterozygous parents, in an artificial pond experiment where tadpoles of R. lessonae from a Swiss population were raised together with tadpoles of the hemiclonal hybrid R. esculenta at two densities. In R. lessonae, LDH-B e/e homozygotes at each density had a higher proportion of metamorphs among survivors, reached metamorphosis earlier, and were heavier at metamorphosis than b/b homozygotes; b/e heterozygotes had intermediate values. That e/e individuals were superior to b/b in both time to and mass at metamorphosis is surprising because these two life-history traits are thought to reflect a performance trade-off; e/e genotypes apparently compensated for shorter time to metamorphosis by a higher growth rate. The two alleles showed the same performance ranking when combined in hybrids with a R. ridibunda allele: When R. esculenta from Swiss populations reared in the same ponds had received the e allele rather than the b allele from their R. lessonae parent, they reached metamorphosis earlier, but did not differ in mass at metamorphosis. The degree of linkage disequilibrium in the source population of the eight R. lessonae used as parents of the R. lessonae tadpoles is unknown, so we cannot exclude the possibility that the performance differences are caused by some anonymous tightly linked gene, rather than the LDH-B locus, that constitutes the genomically localized target of natural selection. A causal involvement of LDH-B is plausible, nevertheless, because this enzyme takes part in the central energy-metabolizing processes and has been reported to underlie fitness differences in other animals; also, differential performance of LDH-B genotypes has been observed in R. lessonae larvae from another population. The present results suggest strong directional selection for allele e; the sum of available data, including an independent laboratory experiment, suggests that partial environment-dependent overdominance combined with balancing selection favoring e/e homozygotes under some and b/b homozygotes under other conditions may be partially responsible for the broad maintenance of the LDH-B polymorphism in R. lessonae. [source] Intermittent hypoxia and respiratory plasticity in humans and other animals: does exposure to intermittent hypoxia promote or mitigate sleep apnoea?EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Jason H. Mateika This review focuses on two phenomena that are initiated during and after exposure to intermittent hypoxia. The two phenomena are referred to as long-term facilitation and progressive augmentation of respiratory motor output. Both phenomena are forms of respiratory plasticity. Long-term facilitation is characterized by a sustained elevation in respiratory activity after exposure to intermittent hypoxia. Progressive augmentation is characterized by a gradual increase in respiratory activity from the initial to the final hypoxic exposure. There is much speculation that long-term facilitation may have a significant role in individuals with sleep apnoea because this disorder is characterized by periods of upper airway collapse accompanied by intermittent hypoxia, one stimulus known to induce long-term facilitation. It has been suggested that activation of long-term facilitation may serve to mitigate apnoea by facilitating ventilation and, more importantly, upper airway muscle activity. We examine the less discussed but equally plausible situation that exposure to intermittent hypoxia might ultimately lead to the promotion of apnoea. There are at least two scenarios in which apnoea might be promoted following exposure to intermittent hypoxia. In both scenarios, long-term facilitation of upper airway muscle activity is initiated but ultimately rendered ineffective because of other physiological conditions. Thus, one of the primary goals of this review is to discuss, with support from basic and clinical studies, whether various forms of respiratory motor neuronal plasticity have a beneficial and/or a detrimental impact on breathing stability in individuals with sleep apnoea. [source] Temporal, spatial and biotic variations in extrafloral nectar secretion by Macaranga tanariusFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2000Heil M. Abstract 1Many plants produce extrafloral nectar (EFN) to nourish ants and other animals which defend them against herbivores. We aimed to find reasons for the high variability in amounts of EFN produced by most plant species. We investigated the influence of several biotic and abiotic factors (time of day, leaf age, nectar removal and leaf damage) on secretion rates of EFN in the common south-east Asian pioneer tree species, Macarangatanarius (L.) Muell. Arg. 2In most experiments leaves were washed with pure water and bagged in nets to protect them against nectar-collecting insects, and nectar was collected and quantified 24 h later. Six soluble sugars and up to eight amino acids were detected in nectar samples derived from untreated, field-grown plants. Total amounts of soluble substances varied more than the relative composition of EFN. 3Nectar secretion rates were highest on young, expanded leaves. A diurnal pattern with a secretion peak in the first 2 h after dusk was detected in the field. Nectar removal had a positive effect and its accumulation a negative effect on further EFN production. Artificial leaf damage (punching leaves with a needle or removing parts of the leaf blade with scissors) led to a significant induction of EFN production for the next 3 days. 4Extrafloral nectar of M. tanarius was secreted in complex patterns influenced by different biotic and abiotic factors; its production appeared to be adapted temporally and spatially in order to ensure optimal use of invested resources. [source] Genetic influences on behavioral inhibition and anxiety in juvenile rhesus macaquesGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 4 2008J. Rogers In humans and other animals, behavioral responses to threatening stimuli are an important component of temperament. Among children, extreme behavioral inhibition elicited by novel situations or strangers predicts the subsequent development of anxiety disorders and depression. Genetic differences among children are known to affect risk of developing behavioral inhibition and anxiety, but a more detailed understanding of genetic influences on susceptibility is needed. Nonhuman primates provide valuable models for studying the mechanisms underlying human behavior. Individual differences in threat-induced behavioral inhibition (freezing behavior) in young rhesus monkeys are stable over time and reflect individual levels of anxiety. This study used the well-established human intruder paradigm to elicit threat-induced freezing behavior and other behavioral responses in 285 young pedigreed rhesus monkeys. We examined the overall influence of quantitative genetic variation and tested the specific effect of the serotonin transporter promoter repeat polymorphism. Quantitative genetic analyses indicated that the residual heritability of freezing duration (behavioral inhibition) is h2 = 0.384 (P = 0.012) and of ,orienting to the intruder' (vigilance) is h2 = 0.908 (P = 0.00001). Duration of locomotion and hostility and frequency of cooing were not significantly heritable. The serotonin transporter polymorphism showed no significant effect on either freezing or orienting to the intruder. Our results suggest that this species could be used for detailed studies of genetic mechanisms influencing extreme behavioral inhibition, including the identification of specific genes that are involved in predisposing individuals to such behavior. [source] Non-lethal effects of predation in birdsIBIS, Issue 1 2008WILL CRESSWELL Predators can affect individual fitness and population and community processes through lethal effects (direct consumption or ,density' effects), where prey is consumed, or through non-lethal effects (trait-mediated effects or interactions), where behavioural compensation to predation risk occurs, such as animals avoiding areas of high predation risk. Studies of invertebrates, fish and amphibians have shown that non-lethal effects may be larger than lethal effects in determining the behaviour, condition, density and distribution of animals over a range of trophic levels. Although non-lethal effects have been well described in the behavioural ecology of birds (and also mammals) within the context of anti-predation behaviour, their role relative to lethal effects is probably underestimated. Birds show many behavioural and physiological changes to reduce direct mortality from predation and these are likely to have negative effects on other aspects of their fitness and population dynamics, as well as affecting the ecology of their own prey and their predators. As a consequence, the effects of predation in birds are best measured by trade-offs between maximizing instantaneous survival in the presence of predators and acquiring or maintaining resources for long-term survival or reproduction. Because avoiding predation imposes foraging costs, and foraging behaviour is relatively easy to measure in birds, the foraging,predation risk trade-off is probably an effective framework for understanding the importance of non-lethal effects, and so the population and community effects of predation risk in birds and other animals. Using a trade-off approach allows us to predict better how changes in predator density will impact on population and community dynamics, and how animals perceive and respond to predation risk, when non-lethal effects decouple the relationship between predator density and direct mortality rate. The trade-off approach also allows us to identify where predation risk is structuring communities because of avoidance of predators, even when this results in no observable direct mortality rate. [source] Behavior and physiology of mechanoreception: separating signal and noiseINTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2009John C. MONTGOMERY Abstract The mechanosensory lateral line is found in all aquatic fish and amphibians. It provides a highly sensitive and versatile hydrodynamic sense that is used in a wide range of behavior. Hydrodynamic stimuli of biological interest originate from both abiotic and biotic sources, and include water currents, turbulence and the water disturbances caused by other animals, such as prey, predators and conspecifics. However, the detection of biologically important stimuli often has to occur against a background of noise generated by water movement, or movement of the fish itself. As such, separating signal and noise is "of the essence" in understanding the behavior and physiology of mechanoreception. Here we discuss general issues of signal and noise in the lateral-line system and the behavioral and physiological strategies that are used by fish to enhance signal detection in a noisy environment. In order for signal and noise to be separated, they need to differ, and we will consider those differences under the headings of: frequency and temporal pattern; intensity discrimination; spatial separation; and mechanisms for the reduction of self-generated noise. We systematically cover the issues of signal and noise in lateral-line systems, but emphasize recent work on self-generated noise, and signal and noise issues related to prey search strategies and collision avoidance. [source] Counting your chickens: density and distribution of chicken remains in archaeological sites of OceaniaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 3 2008A. A. Storey Abstract In an effort to document the density and distribution of prehistoric chicken (Gallus gallus) remains across Oceania, this paper presents the analysis of reported faunal remains from over 500 individual archaeological and natural sites from across the Pacific. We examined the presence and absence of chicken in secure prehistoric contexts and factors which may account for this, including human choice, taphonomy, the influence of other animals on extinction events, differential access to resources, and purposeful extirpation. This research highlights the need for full study of the large percentage (18%) of Pacific avifauna collections which have yet to be analysed, to clarify the range and importance of chicken in prehistory. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The complexity of formulating diets for zoo animals: a matrixINTERNATIONAL ZOO YEARBOOK, Issue 1 2005S. Crissey The nutrition matrix presented here identifies a variety of factors that need to be considered when formulating diets for wild animals in captivity. The matrix is designed to be adapted so that it can be customized as required. Food consumption, nutritional requirements, health status and management constraints and opportunities are the four main categories to focus on when developing diets. Each of these categories may, in turn, be affected by other factors. (1) Food consumption is affected by the diet offered, client (zoo animal manager, keeper or veterinarian) wishes and animal preferences. (2) Nutritional requirements are defined by known species requirements and National Research Council recommendations, morphology and feeding ecology. Nutritional requirements may also be influenced by season, life-stage, activity, health status, stress and body temperature. (3) Health status can be affected by nutritional deficiencies or toxicities in the diet offered. Certain health conditions may require specific dietary input. (4) Animal-management protocols, such as housing, breeding opportunities and environment, are affected by other animals, food storage and preparation capacity, and feeding regime, which, in turn, can be affected by training, exercise and enrichment. [source] Use of a systematic review to assist the development of Campylobacter control strategies in broilersJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006A. Adkin Abstract Aims:, Produce an evidence-based ranking of the major contributing factors and sources of Campylobacter occurrence in broilers produced in England, Scotland and Wales , Great Britain (GB). Method and Results:, Relevant data were extracted from 159 research papers and findings were grouped into 14 sources of on-farm contamination and 37 contributing factors. A relevancy score was developed to take into account various measures from each study of applicability to GB broilers and strength of findings. Results indicate that major sources of Campylobacter include a depopulation event, another house on-farm, on-farm staff, and other animals on farm. The depopulation schedule (staggered slaughter) and multiple houses on-farm were identified as contributing factors associated with increasing the risk, and those decreasing the risk were use of a hygiene barrier, parent company and certain seasons of rearing. Conclusions:, Although the review was more resource intensive compared to narrative studies, the system allows an increased level of transparency and the ability to investigate patterns and trends. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This paper provides the first evidence-based ranking of the major sources and contributing factors for Campylobacter presence in broilers in GB using a systematic review. [source] Bone regeneration in rabbit sinus lifting associated with bovine BMPJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004Sergio Allegrini Jr. Abstract Autogenous bone is considered the optimal grafting material for sinus lifting, although its harvesting causes great patient discomfort. Various approaches have been taken in order to obtain sinus lifting with preexisting tissue. However, because of the unsuitability of such tissue, additional materials have been required. Alternatively, biomaterials from humans or other animals are used. In this study, the efficacy of using morphogenetic bovine bone protein (BMPb) to augment the maxillary sinus floor was examined. Four grafting materials were employed: lyophilized bovine bone powder, absorbable collagen flakes, natural hydroxylapatite, and synthetic hydroxylapatite. Two groups of rabbits were studied. In one group, graft material only was used. In the other, graft material was combined with 0.5 mg BMPb. During 8 weeks of observation, polyfluorochrome tracers were injected in subcutaneous tissue to evaluate new bone- deposition periods. Following sacrifice, the samples were examined under fluorescent and light microscopes. Results indicated 33.34% more newly formed bone in BMPb animals than in controls. Graft-material resorption increased, but natural HA showed no significant alterations. The results show that the use of BMPb, although providing osteoinduction, might not promote sufficient bone formation. Nonetheless, this material could provide an alternative to autogenous grafts, thereby avoiding patient discomfort. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 68B: 127,131, 2004 [source] A much needed macro level view: A commentary on Henriques' "Psychology Defined"JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2004Paul Gilbert To develop greater coherence, psychology must develop its macro and integrative approaches to the mind. In this illuminating paper, Henriques (this issue) outlines the kind of thinking that is needed. He skillfully illuminates the levels of emergence of mind from the material world and argues that the recursive self-regulative abilities of self-awareness set us apart from other animals. The interaction between an evolved mind, adapted to pursue strategic goals, while also being phenotypically shaped by both environment and our recently evolved cognitive competencies, is a core focus of psychology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol. [source] Melatonin delivery in solid lipid nanoparticles: prevention of cyclosporine A induced cardiac damageJOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009Rita Rezzani Abstract:, Melatonin is a potent antioxidant molecule with a capacity to protect tissues from damage caused by oxidative stress. It reduces cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced cardiotoxicity; this improvement required melatonin's binding to its membrane receptors. This experimental study examined whether melatonin is a useful tool for counteracting CsA-induced apoptosis in the heart of rats. We investigated melatonin's antiapoptotic efficacy in protecting the heart and tested whether this effect was totally dependent on its binding to membrane receptors or also involved radical scavenging. In some animals, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as a melatonin delivery system were used. In one group of rats, melatonin (1 mg/kg/day i.p.) was given concurrently with CsA (15 mg/kg/day s.c.; CsA-MT) for 21 days. In other animals, melatonin loaded in SLN was injected with CsA (CsA-MTSLN). Oxidative stress in heart tissue was estimated using the evaluation of lipid peroxidation and the expression of the isoform of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS). The antiapoptotic effect of melatonin was evaluated using TUNEL staining and Bcl-2 protein family expression. CsA administration produced morphological and biochemical changes in the heart of rats, while melatonin reversed the changes. In particular, since the antiapoptotic melatonin's efficacy is mainly observed when it is loaded in SLN, we suggest that MT1/MT2 pathway is not sufficient for apoptosis antagonism and the additional intracellular effects may be required. Finally, we show that, (i) melatonin significantly reduces CsA cardiotoxicity acting also on apoptotic processes, and (ii) the reduction in CsA-induced cardiotoxicity is mediated mainly by its antioxidant effect. [source] Neurological dysfunction in dogs following attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shuntsJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 12 2000P. L. C. Tisdall Eleven of 89 dogs (12 per cent) developed neurological signs within six days of surgical attenuation of a congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Neurological signs were not associated with hepatic encephalopathy or hypoglycaemia. Signs varied in severity from non-progressive ataxia (three dogs) to generalised motor seizures (four dogs), progressing to status epilepticus (three dogs). In a further four cases, ataxia and disorientation were treated vigorously with anticonvulsant medication, presumably preventing the development of seizures. Two dogs that developed status epilepticus died or were eventually euthanased. All other animals survived, although some had persistent neurological deficits. Postligation neurological complications were not prevented by gradual shunt attenuation. Prophylactic treatment with phenobarbitone (5 to 10 mg/kg preoperatively, followed by 3 to 5 mg/kg every 12 hours for three weeks) did not significantly reduce the incidence of neurological sequelae (2/31 [6 per cent] dogs with phenobarbitone vs 9/58 [16 per cent] without phenobarbitone; P = 0.2). However, no animal receiving phenobarbitone experienced generalised motor seizures or status epilepticus. In conclusion, these observations suggest that postligation neurological syndrome comprises a spectrum of neurological signs of variable severity. Perioperative treatment with phenobarbitone may not reduce the risk of neurological sequelae, but may reduce their severity. [source] Mental tests and fossilsJOURNAL OF THE HISTORY OF THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, Issue 4 2004Richard A. Littman This article investigates the origins of the intelligence test item known as the Ball and Field in Lewis M. Terman's Stanford Revision of the Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale. The question was initially raised by the resemblance of paleontological ocean bed floor tracings left by ancient creatures to the responses produced by children given the Ball and Field Test. A version of the Ball and Field Test was invented by Clifton F. Hodge, one of Terman's graduate school instructors who devised it as a result of his observations about how birds and other animals navigated and found their way. He then tested how humans and children located hidden objects and found that, in many ways, animals and humans used similar strategies for getting home or finding objects. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Long-distance movements of the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Christopher R. Tidemann Abstract The grey-headed flying fox Pteropus poliocephalus, a nationally vulnerable species, is endemic to coastal eastern Australia, from Maryborough, Queensland, through New South Wales to Melbourne, Victoria. Pteropus poliocephalus forages at night, primarily on eucalypt blossom within 50 km of traditional camps (day roosts), usually in dense, riparian vegetation. Several attempts have been made to track long-distance movements of P. poliocephalus across its extensive and climatically highly variable range, but the technology has been inadequate for tracking at the required speed and scale. Satellite tracking was used to monitor movements of a 2-year-old male P. poliocephalus, trapped at the Currie Park camp in the north of the species' range (28°48,S) from January 2000, and another from its most southerly camp, Melbourne (37°50,S), from April 2000. The first flying fox moved camp 50 km noth-east to Dallas Park, where it stayed until March, then transited at least 15 other camps between 28°12,,32°44,S, before returning to Dallas Park in September. The second flying fox remained in Melbourne until July, then transited at least six other camps to 33°44,S, before returning to Melbourne in January 2001. Both animals made round trips of at least 2000 km, traversing >4° latitude, before returning to their camps of origin, while other animals remained. The study suggests that P. poliocephalus is a partial migrant that uses winds to facilitate long-distance movements, and underlines the importance of management at a national scale. [source] Human and other faeces as breeding media of the trachoma vector Musca sorbensMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2001P. M. Emerson Abstract. The fly Musca sorbens Wiedemann (Diptera: Muscidae) apparently transmits Chlamydia trachomatis, causing human trachoma. The literature indicates that M. sorbens breeds predominantly in isolated human faeces on the soil surface, but not in covered pit latrines. We sought to identify breeding media of M. sorbens in a rural Gambian village endemic for trachoma. Test breeding media were presented for oviposition on soil-filled buckets and monitored for adult emergence. Musca sorbens emerged from human (6/9 trials), calf (3/9), cow (3/9), dog (2/9) and goat (1/9) faeces, but not from horse faeces, composting kitchen scraps or a soil control (0/9 of each). After adjusting for mass of medium, the greatest number of flies emerged from human faeces (1426 flies/kg). Median time for emergence was 9 (inter quartile range = 8,9.75) days post-oviposition. Of all flies emerging from faeces 81% were M. sorbens. Male and female flies emerging from human faeces were significantly larger than those from other media, suggesting that they would be more fecund and live longer than smaller flies from other sources. Female flies caught from children's eyes were of a similar size to those from human faeces, but significantly larger than those from other media. We consider that human faeces are the best larval medium for M. sorbens, although some breeding also occurs in animal faeces. Removal of human faeces from the environment, through the provision of basic sanitation, is likely to greatly reduce fly density, eye contact and hence trachoma transmission, but if faeces of other animals are present M. sorbens will persist. [source] Evidence for target-specific outgrowth from subpopulations of grafted human dopamine neuronsMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 5 2001Ingrid Strömberg Abstract Clinical and experimental grafting in Parkinson's disease has shown the need for enhanced survival of dopamine neurons to obtain improved functional recovery. In addition, it has been suggested that a limited number of surviving dopamine neurons project to the dopamine-denervated host striatum. The aim of this study was to investigate if subpopulations of ventral mesencephalic dopamine neurons project to their normal targets, i.e., dorsal vs. ventral striatum. Following implantation of human ventral mesencepahlic tissue into the lateral ventricle of dopamine-depleted rats, human-derived dopamine reinnervation was achieved both in dorsal and ventral striatum. Treatment with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) resulted in a degeneration of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive nerve fibers in dorsal striatum but not in ventral areas in some animals, while MPTP was without effect in other animals. TH-immunoreactive neurons were small and appeared shrunken in animals carrying grafts affected by the MPTP treatment. In conclusion, grafted dopamine neurons projected nerve fibers into areas that they normally innervate. Thus, when searching for factors that may enhance survival of grafted dopamine neurons it is important to study which subpopulation(s) of ventral mesencephalic dopamine neurons is affected, such that a proper reinnervation may be achieved. Microsc. Res. Tech. 54:287,297, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Tetrodotoxin-induced conduction blockade is prolonged by hyaluronic acid with and without bupivacaineACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2004M. F. Stevens Background:, In isolated nerves, tetrodotoxin (TTX) blocks nerve conduction longer than bupivacaine. In vivo, however, both substances block nerve conduction to an equal duration, presumably because the hydrophilic TTX binds only weakly to the perineural tissue. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) prolongs the action of local anaesthetics several-fold. We tested whether admixture of HA enhances the binding of TTX to the perineural tissue and thus induces an ultralong conduction block after a single application. Methods:, In 12 anaesthetized rabbits, the minimal blocking concentrations of TTX, TTX and HA (TTX/HA) and bupivacaine with HA (bupivacaine/HA) were determined by blocking the natural spike activity of the aortic nerve. In 18 other animals, equipotent concentrations of either TTX, TTX/HA or TTX/bupivacaine/HA were applied topically to the aortic nerve. After disappearance of the spike activity, the wound was closed to simulate the clinical situation of a single shot nerve block. The time until recovery of spike activity was determined. The nerves were examined for signs of neurotoxicity 24 h after the application of the drugs. Data are presented as means ± SD and compared by ANOVA and Student's t -test for unpaired data. Results:, The conduction block by TTX/bupivacaine/HA (10.1 ± 1.9 h) or TTX/HA (9.3 ± 1.0 h) was significantly longer than that of plain TTX (7.9 ± 1.0 h). Neurotoxicity was not observed. Conclusions:, Both HA and HA/bupivacaine prolong the TTX-induced conduction blockade of the aortic nerve of rabbits in vivo. No signs of neurotoxicity were observed. [source] Xmrks the spot: life history tradeoffs, sexual selection and the evolutionary ecology of oncogenesisMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 15 2010KYLE SUMMERS In a classic paper, George Williams (1957) argued that alleles promoting reproductive success early in life may be favoured by selection, even if they reduce the lifespan of individuals that bear the allele. A variety of evidence supports the theory that such ,antagonistic pleiotropy' is a major factor contributing to the evolution of senescence (Ljubuncic & Reznick 2009), but examples of specific alleles known to fulfil Williams' criteria remain rare, in both humans and other animals (e.g. Alexander et al. 2007; Kulminski et al. 2010). An intriguing example in this issue of Molecular Ecology (Fernandez & Bowser 2010) demonstrates that both natural and sexual selection may favour melanoma-promoting oncogene alleles in the fish genus Xiphophorus. [source] Phylogeography of the invasive cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskiiMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2003B. A. Neilan Abstract Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a planktonic freshwater cyanobacterium that has become increasingly prevalent in tropical and temperate water bodies world-wide. This species is of concern from a water-quality perspective because of its known ability to produce toxins that can affect the health of humans and other animals. This study investigates genetic vari-ation between strains of C. raciborskii isolated from freshwater rivers and reservoirs in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Hungary, Portugal and the USA. Strains were first characterized by analysis of their 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequences and were found to have a sequence divergence of 99.1%. A phylogenetic tree, constructed using the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains grouped into Australian, European and North/South American phylotypes. To investigate further the observed separation of strains into geographically distinct groups, we applied a cyanobacterium-specific short tandem repeat sequence technique, HIP1. An electrophoretic comparison of the HIP1 polymerase chain reaction products showed clear distinctions between the C. raciborskii strains. A phylogenetic tree, based on the repeat element banding patterns, also revealed three distinct groups of C. raciborskii strains. The first group consisted of strains from the USA and Brazil; the second comprised European strains from Germany, Hungary and Portugal; and the third were strains from Australia. In general, between-country variation was greater than within-country variation, indicating that this fingerprinting technique can successfully distinguish C. raciborskii strains taken from different global locations. The relationship between toxicity and the observed HIP1 polymerase chain reaction fingerprint profiles was less clear, although it is interesting to note that of the strains analysed in this study, only Australian strains are known to produce cylindrospermopsin and only Brazilian strains have been reported to produce paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. [source] Tuberculosis and leprosy in perspectiveAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue S49 2009Anne C. Stone Abstract Two of humankind's most socially and psychologically devastating diseases, tuberculosis and leprosy, have been the subject of intensive paleopathological research due to their antiquity, a presumed association with human settlement and subsistence patterns, and their propensity to leave characteristic lesions on skeletal and mummified remains. Despite a long history of medical research and the development of effective chemotherapy, these diseases remain global health threats even in the 21st century, and as such, their causative agents Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. leprae, respectively, have recently been the subject of molecular genetics research. The new genome-level data for several mycobacterial species have informed extensive phylogenetic analyses that call into question previously accepted theories concerning the origins and antiquity of these diseases. Of special note is the fact that all new models are in broad agreement that human TB predated that in other animals, including cattle and other domesticates, and that this disease originated at least 35,000 years ago and probably closer to 2.6 million years ago. In this work, we review current phylogenetic and biogeographic models derived from molecular biology and explore their implications for the global development of TB and leprosy, past and present. In so doing, we also briefly review the skeletal evidence for TB and leprosy, explore the current status of these pathogens, critically consider current methods for identifying ancient mycobacterial DNA, and evaluate coevolutionary models. Yrbk Phys Anthropol 52:66,94, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||