Consistency of growth response to precipitation by Pseudopiptadenia contorta in two Atlantic Forest remnants

Tree growth sensitivity to climate can vary over space and time. This variability generates inconsistency in growth response to climate, which makes it difficult to assess the effects of past climate and global climate change on tree growth. A previous short-term study of Pseudopiptadenia contorta found a consistent growth response to climate in distinct locations, which raises the question, is the growth response of P. contorta to climate consistent over the long-term? We aimed to assess whether there is a common pattern of variation in tree-ring width, build tree-ring width chronologies, and verify the consistency of the climate-growth response of P. contorta in two Atlantic Forest remnants. Wood samples were collected in Reserva Biológica de Poço das Antas (RBPA) and Reserva Biológica de Tinguá (RBT) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Conventional dendrochronology methods were used for cross-dating, to build chronologies and to assess the climate-growth relationship. A common growth pattern was detected for P. contorta, and two tree-ring width chronologies were constructed. A congruent growth response was found for trees of RBPA and RBT to annual and spring precipitation as well as precipitation in the rainy months. Other climate-growth relationships were detected with other precipitation and temperature variables. Considering that P. contorta is a widespread species, occurring in other Brazilian biomes and forest formations, it is a promising model for developing further dendrochronological research including regional networks of replicated site chronologies, which could facilitate the reconstruction of historical climatic series and predictions of future impacts of climate change in tropical areas.     

Validation of density–elasticity relationships for finite element modeling of human pelvic bone by modal analysis

In total hip arthroplasty and particularly in revision surgery, computer assisted pre-operative prediction of the best possible anchorage strategy for implant fixation would be a great help to the surgeon. Computer simulation relies on validated numerical models. In the current study, three density–elasticity relationships (No. 1–3) from the literature for inhomogeneous material parameter assignment from CT data in automated finite element (FE) modeling of long bones were evaluated for their suitability for FE modeling of human pelvic bone. Numerical modal analysis was conducted on 10 FE models of hemipelvic bone specimens and compared to the gold standard provided by experimental modal analysis results from a previous in-vitro study on the same specimens. Overall, calculated resonance frequencies came out lower than measured values. Magnitude of mean relative deviation of numerical resonance frequencies with regard to measured values is lowest for the density–elasticity relationship No. 3 (−15.9%) and considerably higher for both density–elasticity relationships No. 1 (−41.1%) and No. 2 (−45.0%). Mean MAC values over all specimens amount to 77.8% (No. 1), 78.5% (No. 2), and 83.0% (No. 3). MAC results show, that mode shapes are only slightly influenced by material distribution. Calculated resonance frequencies are generally lower than measured values, which indicates, that numerical models lack stiffness. Even when using the best suited (No. 3) out of three investigated density–elasticity relationships, in FE modeling of pelvic bone a considerable underestimation of model stiffness has to be taken into account.     

Design and synthesis of sulfonamidophenylethylamides as novel cardiac myosin activator

The sulfonamidophenylethylamide analogues were explored for finding novel and potent cardiac myosin activators. Among them, N-(4-(N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl)phenethyl-N-methyl-5-phenylpentanamide (13, CMA at 10 µM = 48.5%; FS = 26.21%; EF = 15.28%) and its isomer, 4-(4-(N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl)phenyl-N-methyl-N-(3-phenylpropyl)butanamide (27, CMA at 10 µM = 55.0%; FS = 24.69%; EF = 14.08%) proved to be efficient cardiac myosin activators both in in vitro and in vivo studies. Compounds 13 (88.2 + 3.1% at 5 µM) and 27 (46.5 + 2.8% at 5 µM) showed positive inotropic effect in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. The potent compounds 13 and 27 were highly selective for cardiac myosin over skeletal and smooth muscle myosin, and therefore these potent and selective amide derivatives could be considered a new class of cardiac myosin activators for the treatment of systolic heart failure.     

Identification and in silico prediction of metabolites of tebufenozide derivatives by major human cytochrome P450 isoforms

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes constitute a superfamily of heme-containing monooxygenases. CYPs are involved in the metabolism of many chemicals such as drugs and agrochemicals. Therefore, examining the metabolic reactions by each CYP isoform is important to elucidate their substrate recognition mechanisms. The clarification of these mechanisms may be useful not only for the development of new drugs and agrochemicals, but also for risk assessment of chemicals. In our previous study, we identified the metabolites of tebufenozide, an insect growth regulator, formed by two human CYP isoforms: CYP3A4 and CYP2C19. The accessibility of each site of tebufenozide to the reaction center of CYP enzymes and the susceptibility of each hydrogen atom for metabolism by CYP enzymes were evaluated by a docking simulation and hydrogen atom abstraction energy estimation at the density functional theory level, respectively. In this study, the same in silico prediction method was applied to the metabolites of tebufenozide derivatives by major human CYPs (CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4). In addition, the production rate of the metabolites by CYP3A4 was quantitively analyzed by frequency based on docking simulation and hydrogen atom abstraction energy using the classical QSAR approach. Then, the obtained QSAR model was applied to predict the sites of metabolism and the metabolite production order by each CYP isoform.     

Influence of body size on fecundity and sperm management in the parasitoid wasp Anisopteromalus calandrae

A large body size is considered to be advantageous to the reproductive success of females as a result of several factors, such as the allocation of more resources to reproduction and the efficient management of sperm transferred by males. In the present study, the effects of female body size, female mating status and additional food availability on fecundity and the offspring sex ratio are investigated in the parasitoid wasp Anisopteromalus calandrae Howard (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Because of haplodiploid sex determination, females must fertilize eggs to produce female offspring but not to produce male offspring. As predicted, female fecundity and the number of female offspring are positively correlated with body size. However, although the volume of the spermatheca increases with female body size, the amount of sperm stored in the spermatheca is relatively constant, irrespective of body size. Consequently, larger females produce a greater proportion of male offspring, especially at the end of the oviposition sequence, suggesting that larger females that possess more resources for reproduction and produce a larger number of offspring are more likely to suffer sperm depletion. The results of the present study also show that mated females have an increased fecundity compared with virgin females, although the opportunity to feed on honey along with host feeding has no impact upon fecundity or the sex ratio.     

The Prevalence and Implications of Human–Animal Co-Sleeping in an Australian Sample

Sleep research is characterized by an interest in humans, with the realm of animal sleep left largely to ethologists and animal scientists. However, the lives of sleep-study participants and those with sleep problems frequently involve animals. For the majority of the population in developed countries who own pets, their waking lives are impacted by the duties of animal care and ownership. For many, their sleeping lives are also impacted through sharing their bedrooms or their beds with pets. Yet, little is known about the prevalence of human–animal co-sleeping relationships or their impact on sleep. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and implications of human–animal co-sleeping in an Australian sample. The study uses data collected from the 2012 Sealy Sleep Census, a national online survey of sleep wellness that included a sample of 10,128 after data cleaning. The population of respondents (aged 18–74) who co-slept with pets (n = 1,018 or 10% of the sample) was then matched to a sample of respondents who did not co-sleep with pets, according to gender and age. Those who co-slept with pets took longer to fall asleep (p = 0.029), were more likely to wake up tired (p = 0.025), and although they were not more likely to wake up due to a disturbance, those who did had a greater chance of being disturbed by dog barking/animals making noises (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences found in total self-reported sleep length or feelings of tiredness during the day. The continued practice of co-sleeping with pets suggests that there may be some benefits such as social support and social interaction, and increased feelings of personal security. The survey provides a preliminary understanding of the prevalence and implications of human–animal co-sleeping, and highlights areas for further examination of its implications on sleep research and clinical practice.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in the castration parasite plant‐ant Allomerus octoarticulatus cf. demerarae (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Fifteen microsatellite loci were isolated from the Peruvian tropical plant‐ant Allomerus octoarticulatus cf. demerarae (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) and their polymorphism was characterized. High levels of within‐population variation were observed at most loci, with number of alleles ranging from one to 21, and heterozygosity from 0 to 1 per population sample. Cross‐species amplification of these loci was also tested in one other species of the ant genus Allomerus (Allomerus decemarticulatus), displaying similar life history.     

Human-cat relationship in an oceanic biosphere reserve: The case of La Palma Island,Canary archipelago

Removal of feral cats from island environments is a useful mechanism by which their ecological impact on endangered species can be reduced or ended. Nevertheless, because cats are anthropogenic in their origins, social perceptions of management practices play a large role in their implementation. Four-hundred questionnaires were delivered (386 were returned) with 100 going to each of the following: local residents; environmental workers; tourists; and, hunters. Questions explored respondents’ knowledge about island biodiversity and invasive species as well as attitudes towards cat population management methods. Habitat destruction and introduction of invasive species were considered the main threats for the conservation of island biodiversity. Most respondents considered cats to have a negative impact on biodiversity and sterilization campaigns were considered most appropriate for cat population control. Several free sterilization campaigns have been conducted in La Palma Island Biosphere Reserve in order to reduce free-ranging cats and were well received by local people. This research, which combined concepts of management, ecology and social sciences, provides valuable insights which may to be applicable on several other islands where cats and people are present and in conflict with conservation priorities.     

Imputation of missing genotypes from low‐ to high‐density SNP panel in different population designs

Imputation of missing genotypes, in particular from low density to high density, is an important issue in genomic selection and genome‐wide association studies. Given the marker densities, the most important factors affecting imputation accuracy are the size of the reference population and the relationship between individuals in the reference (genotyped with high‐density panel) and study (genotyped with low‐density panel) populations. In this study, we investigated the imputation accuracies when the reference population (genotyped with Illumina BovineSNP50 SNP panel) contained sires, halfsibs, or both sires and halfsibs of the individuals in the study population (genotyped with Illumina BovineLD SNP panel) using three imputation programs (fimpute v2.2, findhap v2, and beagle v3.3.2). Two criteria, correlation between true and imputed genotypes and missing rate after imputation, were used to evaluate the performance of the three programs in different scenarios. Our results showed that fimpute performed the best in all cases, with correlations from 0.921 to 0.978 when imputing from sires to their daughters or between halfsibs. In general, the accuracies of imputing between halfsibs or from sires to their daughters were higher than were those imputing between non‐halfsibs or from sires to non‐daughters. Including both sires and halfsibs in the reference population did not improve the imputation performance in comparison with when only including halfsibs in the reference population for all the three programs.