Variations on dermal ridges in nine population groups of maharashtra,india. III. Asymmetry and interdigital diversity

Variations in asymmetry and interdigital diversity for the three finger-dermatoglyphic traits, total finger ridge count (TRC), absolute total finger ridge count (ARC), and finger pattern intensity index (PII) have been studied here from a sample of 646 males belonging to nine population groups from Maharashtra, India. It is seen that at such local level of population differentiation the ridge count measures TRC and ARC discriminate the population better as compared to PII. A considerable amount of variations also exist in their asymmetries and interdigital diversities and these suggest the possibility of their genetic controls. Such genetic controls might mediate both asymmetry and interdigital diversity jointly, as there seems to be positive correlation between these measures with respect to all the three finger-dermatoglyphic traits.     

THe age-related characteristics of interhemispheric asymmetry during the perception of verbal information by stuttering children]

Age peculiarities of functional brain asymmetry in perception of emotional information of the speech have been revealed. It was shown that the age of 4-7 years is the most important period in ontogenesis for the age dynamics of functional brain asymmetry in perception of emotions. It is in this particular age that functional reorganization of perception in stuttering children is observed. The revealed disturbances in functional brain asymmetry indicate that correction of emotional activity in stutterers should be made during early periods of ontogenesis.     

Assessing fluctuating odontometric asymmetry among fossil hominin taxa through alternative measures of central tendency: effect of outliers and directional components on reported results.

Preliminary inquires into the distribution and expression of fluctuating odontometric asymmetry (FOA), among selected fossil hominins, have revealed results that may be serviceable within studies that assess, among others, palaeobiological, evolutionary processes and events. Though several intricate statistical applications have aided in the advancement of FOA to the hominin fossil record, little is known regarding the influence of outliers and directional components on reported results. Moreover, most methods employed to test homogeneity among FOA datasets are sensitive to the assumption that underlying samples reflect Gaussian distributions. Because this assumption is often violated, alternative formulations of Levene's test statistic, which have been shown to be robust under non-normality, have been suggested. Unfortunately, previous FOA studies have failed to address their potential. Given this, we considered two areas that may influence interpretations of FOA among fossil hominin studies. Firstly, we assessed distributions of signed data (d(u)) among samples of Australopithecus africanus, Paranthropus robustus and Homo habilis for outliers and directional asymmetry to evaluate their influence on reported heterogeneity. Secondly, in an attempt to decrease the probability of falsely rejecting H(0) due to non-normality, we considered alternative estimates of central tendency for comparisons of FOA. Our study confirms the need for intrinsic scrutiny of data, as the removal of one extreme value within the buccolingual H. habilis sample produced statistically significant outcomes at the sample level, while directional asymmetry was exposed within an expanded buccolingual P. robustus sample. However, though servicing alternative measures of central tendency remains informative, except for the buccolingual P. robustus sample before the correction of directional asymmetry, replacement of the mean was not required herein. Consistent with previous investigations, significant differences between buccolingual values in apposing arcades were unique among A. africanus and P. robustus, with the latter expressing greater FOA overall. Finally, our results strengthen the assertion that the individuals sampled among H. habilis may indicate an episode of developmental compromise where external and/or internal noises are lessened through internal homeostasis.     

The combined effects of chlorine and ammonia on litter breakdown in outdoor experimental streams

The response of Potamogeton crispus L. breakdown to controlled doses of different levels of chlorine and chlorine + ammonia was investigated over two years in outdoor experimental streams. In 1985, downstream riffles of 2 streams were dosed (observed in-stream concentrations) at ca. 10 μg/L Total Residual Chlorine (TRC), one stream at 64 μg/L TRC and one stream at 230 μg/L TRC. Two control streams were not dosed and the upstream riffles of each stream served as within stream controls. In 1986, the downstream riffle of one stream was dosed at 70 μg/L TRC and a second stream was dosed at 200 μg/L TRC. Four streams were also dosed with 2.5 mg/L NH₃-N: one stream with no chlorine, one stream with ca. 10 μg/L TRC, one with 56 μg/L TRC, and one with 150 μg/L TRC. A seventh stream was dosed for 2 h at 2000 μg/L TRC and 2.5 mg/L ammonia and then allowed to recover (recovery stream). Each year, litter decomposition (degree day k values) was measured during two 35 day trials (Jun–Jul and Aug–Sep). In 1985, when streams were dosed with chlorine alone, decomposition was significantly reduced with the high (230 μg/L TRC) chlorine dose. Downstream decomposition was 27% (Jun–Jul) and 59% (Aug–Sep) of the upstream (control) rate. No other chlorine effects were found during this period. In Jun–Jul 1986, there was significantly lower decomposition in the downstream dosed sites of the 200 μg/L TRC alone stream, the 146 μg/L TRC + ammonia stream and the recovery stream; downstream decay rates were (respectively) 56%, 42% and 64% of the upstream control sites. No other up-down pairs were different in July 1986. In Aug–Sep, all three streams with chlorine + ammonia (6, 56 and 146 μg/L TRC + 2,5 mg/L ammonia) and the 70 μg/L TRC alone stream had significantly lower decomposition rates in the downstream dosed sites. For these streams, downstream decay rates ranged from 46% (high chlorine + ammonia) to 73% (low chlorine + ammonia) of the upstream control rates. No other up-down pairs were different during this trial. Up and downstream sites of the stream dosed with 2.5 mg/L ammonia alone were nearly identical for both trials (< 3% difference). These results indicate that TRC at less than 250 μg/L can significantly reduce litter decomposition and strongly suggest that addition of ammonia to chlorinated water can increase the toxic effect of chlorine. currently at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife currently at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife     

Quantitative Assessment of the Effects of Hemispheric Asymmetry on the Distortion of Visual Perception of the Jastrow Version of the Poggendorff Figure

A method for quantifying the visual distortion of the Poggendorff figure (Jastrow modification) was proposed. Complex relationships of the relative distortion with the gender and the type of hemispheric asymmetry were determined. Females had a more pronounced tendency to be under the illusion than males. However, when the total sample was divided with respect to the pattern of hemispheric asymmetry, this difference was found only in subjects with left-hemispheric dominance in the visuomotor asymmetry, i.e., in right-handers. No difference was found between males and females with right-hemispheric dominance.     

Bilateral asymmetry of the humerus during growth and development

The development of handedness throughout growth can be investigated by using bilateral asymmetry of the humerus as a proxy for this trait. A large skeletal sample of nonadults from English archaeological sites was examined using standard metric techniques to assess when right-sided asymmetry first appears in the human skeleton. Results of this work indicate a change in directional asymmetry during growth and development, with infants and young children exhibiting no significant asymmetry and older children and adolescents demonstrating right-sidedness. This trend is consistent with what has been observed in previous studies of upper limb asymmetry in skeletal material and behaviorally in living children, adding further strength to the premise that biomechanical forces strongly influence bilateral asymmetry in the upper limb bones. Variability in the magnitude of asymmetry between different features of the humerus was also noted. This characteristic can be explained by differing degrees of genetic canalization, with length and articular dimensions being more strongly canalized than diaphyseal properties.     

Identification of a targeting factor for posttranslational membrane protein insertion into the ER

Hundreds of proteins are anchored in intracellular membranes by a single transmembrane domain (TMD) close to the C terminus. Although these tail-anchored (TA) proteins serve numerous essential roles in cells, components of their targeting and insertion pathways have long remained elusive. Here we reveal a cytosolic TMD recognition complex (TRC) that targets TA proteins for insertion into the ER membrane. The highly conserved, 40 kDa ATPase subunit of TRC (which we termed TRC40) was identified as Asna-1. TRC40/Asna-1 interacts posttranslationally with TA proteins in a TMD-dependent manner for delivery to a proteinaceous receptor at the ER membrane. Subsequent release from TRC40/Asna-1 and insertion into the membrane depends on ATP hydrolysis. Consequently, an ATPase-deficient mutant of TRC40/Asna-1 dominantly inhibited TA protein insertion selectively without influencing other translocation pathways. Thus, TRC40/Asna-1 represents an integral component of a posttranslational pathway of membrane protein insertion whose targeting is mediated by TRC.     

Circadian variations of total renin, active renin, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone in clinically healthy young subjects

The direct assay of total renin (TRC) and active renin concentration (ARC) is a reality due to the availability of monoclonal antibodies against human renin. Because of this, a study has been performed in order to assess the circadian rhythmicity of TRC and ARC. The study was extended to plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) for a more complete assessment of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Twelve clinically healthy subjects (6 males and 6 females, age from 20 to 25 years) volunteered for this study. Time-qualified data series were analysed by means of chronobiological procedures in order to validate the circadian rhythm and to correlate the sinusoidal profiles. The circadian rhythm was validated at a high significance for TRC, ARC, PRA and at a borderline significance for PAC. The periodic oscillations were significantly correlated, demonstrating that TRC, ARC, PRA and PAC cycles oscillate in synchronism during the 24-hour span.     

Moderate disturbances accelerate forest transition dynamics under climate change in the temperate–boreal ecotone of eastern North America

Several temperate tree species are expected to migrate northward and colonize boreal forests in response to climate change. Tree migrations could lead to transitions in forest types, but these could be influenced by several non‐climatic factors, such as disturbances and soil conditions. We analysed over 10,000 forest inventory plots, sampled from 1970 to 2018 in meridional Québec, Canada, to identify what environmental conditions promote or prevent regional‐scale forest transitions. We used a continuous‐time multi‐state Markov model to quantify the probabilities of transitions between forest states (temperate, boreal, mixed, pioneer) as a function of climate (mean temperature and climate moisture index during the growing season), soil conditions (pH and drainage) and disturbances (severity levels of natural disturbances and logging). We further investigate how different disturbance types and severities impact forests' short‐term transient dynamics and long‐term equilibrium using properties of Markov transition matrices. The most common transitions observed during the study period were from mixed to temperate states, as well as from pioneer to boreal forests. In our study, transitions were mainly driven by natural and anthropogenic disturbances and secondarily by climate, whereas soil characteristics exerted relatively minor constraints. While major disturbances only promoted transitions to the pioneer state, moderate disturbances increased the probability of transition from mixed to temperate states. Long‐term projections of our model under the current environmental conditions indicate that moderate disturbances would promote a northward shift of the temperate forest. Moreover, disturbances reduced turnover and convergence time for all transitions, thereby accelerating forest dynamics. Contrary to our expectation, mixed to temperate transitions were not driven by temperate tree recruitment but by mortality and growth. Overall, our results suggest that moderate disturbances could catalyse rapid forest transitions and accelerate broad‐scale biome shifts.     

Diet-induced metabolic disturbances as modulators of brain homeostasis

A number of metabolic disturbances occur in response to the consumption of a high fat western diet. Such metabolic disturbances can include the progressive development of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Cumulatively, diet-induced disturbances in metabolism are known to promote increased morbidity and negatively impact life expectancy through a variety of mechanisms. While the impact of metabolic disturbances on the hepatic, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems is well established there remains a noticeable void in understanding the basis by which the central nervous system (CNS) becomes altered in response to diet-induced metabolic dysfunction. In particular, it remains to be fully elucidated which established features of diet-induced pathogenesis (observed in non-CNS tissues) are recapitulated in the brain, and identification as to whether the observed changes in the brain are a direct or indirect effect of peripheral metabolic disturbances. This review will focus on each of these key issues and identify some critical experimental questions which remain to be elucidated experimentally, as well as provide an outline of our current understanding for how diet-induced alterations in metabolism may impact the brain during aging and age-related diseases of the nervous system.     

Delay of ZGA initiation occurred in 2-cell blocked mouse embryos

One-cell mouse embryos from KM strain and B6C3F1 strain were cultured in M16 medium, in which2-cell block generally occurs. Embryos of KM strain exhibited 2-cell block, whereas B6C3F1 embryos,which are regarded as a nonblocking strain, proceeded to the 4-cell stage in our culture condition. It is oftenassumed that the block of early development is due to the failure of zygotic gene activation (ZGA) in culturedembryos. In this study we examined protein synthesis patterns by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of[35^S] methionine radiolabeled 2-cell embryos. Embryos from the blocking strain and the nonblocking strainwere compared in their development both in vitro and in vivo. The detection of TRC expression, a markerof ZGA, at 42 h post hCG in KM embryos developed in vitro suggested that ZGA was also initiated even inthe 2-cell arrested embryos. Nevertheless, a significant delay of ZGA was observed in KM strain as comparedwith normally developed B6C3F1 embryos. At the very beginning of major ZGA as early as 36 h post hCG,TRC has already been expressed in B6C3F1 embryos developed in vitro and KM embryos developed in vivo.But for 2-cell blocked KM embryos, TRC was still not detectable even at 38 h post hCG. These evidences suggest that 2-cell-blocked embryos do initiate ZGA, and that 2-cell block phenomenon is due not to the disability in initiating ZGA, but to a delay of ZGA.     

A conserved archaeal pathway for tail-anchored membrane protein insertion

Eukaryotic tail‐anchored (TA) membrane proteins are inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum by a post‐translational TRC40 pathway, but no comparable pathway is known in other domains of life. The crystal structure of an archaebacterial TRC40 sequence homolog bound to ADP?AlF₄^? reveals characteristic features of eukaryotic TRC40, including a zinc‐mediated dimer and a large hydrophobic groove. Moreover, archaeal TRC40 interacts with the transmembrane domain of TA substrates and directs their membrane insertion. Thus, the TRC40 pathway is more broadly conserved than previously recognized.     

The natural history of Get3‐like chaperones

Get3 in yeast or TRC40 in mammals is an ATPase that, in eukaryotes, is a central element of the GET or TRC pathway involved in the targeting of tail‐anchored proteins. Get3 has also been shown to possess chaperone holdase activity. A bioinformatic assessment was performed across all domains of life on functionally important regions of Get3 including the TRC40‐insert and the hydrophobic groove essential for tail‐anchored protein binding. We find that such a hydrophobic groove is much more common in bacterial Get3 homologs than previously appreciated based on a directed comparison of bacterial ArsA and yeast Get3. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the region containing the TRC40‐insert varies in length and methionine content to an unexpected extent within eukaryotes and also between different phylogenetic groups. In fact, since the TRC40‐insert is present in all domains of life, we suggest that its presence does not automatically predict a tail‐anchored protein targeting function. This opens up a new perspective on the function of organellar Get3 homologs in plants which feature the TRC40‐insert but have not been demonstrated to function in tail‐anchored protein targeting. Our analysis also highlights a large diversity of the ways Get3 homologs dimerize. Thus, based on the structural features of Get3 homologs, these proteins may have an unexplored functional diversity in all domains of life.      

Identification and separation of pre T-cells from nu/nu mice: differentiation by preculture with thymic reticuloepithelial cells.

Spleens and lymph nodes of nu/nu, congenitally athymic, mice have 16–32% and 72–76%, respectively, of large, brain-associated-T (BAT) antigen positive cells. These BAT positive large cells were isolated from nu/nu spleens with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS-II) and then cultured on thymic reticuloepithelial cell (TRC) monolayers. Both concanavalin A and mixed lymphocyte reactivity was induced during this culture period. We concluded that these BAT positive cells are pre-T cells which can he induced to at least some T cell functions by an inductive factor produced by TRC.     

Metabolic effects of the iodothyronine functional analogue TRC150094 on the liver and skeletal muscle of high-fat diet fed overweight rats: an integrated proteomic study

A novel functional iodothyronine analogue, TRC150094, which has a much lower potency toward thyroid hormone receptor (α1/β1) activation than triiodothyronine, has been shown to be effective at reducing adiposity in rats simultaneously receiving a high-fat diet (HFD). Here, by combining metabolic, functional and proteomic analysis, we studied how the hepatic and skeletal muscle phenotypes might respond to TRC150094 treatment in HFD-fed overweight rats. Drug treatment increased both the liver and skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacities without altering mitochondrial efficiency. Coherently, in terms of individual respiratory in-gel activity, blue-native analysis revealed an increased activity of complex V in the liver and of complexes II and V in tibialis muscle in TCR150094-treated animals. Subsequently, the identification of differentially expressed proteins and the analysis of their interrelations gave an integrated view of the phenotypic/metabolic adaptations occurring in the liver and muscle proteomes during drug treatment. TRC150094 significantly altered the expression of several proteins involved in key liver metabolic pathways, including amino acid and nitrogen metabolism, and fructose and mannose metabolism. The canonical pathways most strongly influenced by TRC150094 in tibialis muscle included glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, amino acid, fructose and mannose metabolism, and cell signaling. The phenotypic/metabolic influence of TRC150094 on the liver and skeletal muscle of HFD-fed overweight rats suggests the potential clinical application of this iodothyronine analogue in ameliorating metabolic risk parameters altered by diet regimens.     

The relationship between total ridge count and pattern intensity index of digital dermatoglyphics

A mathematical relationship between total ridge count (TRC) and pattern intensity index (PII) is explored using data from a sample of 180 males and 213 females of Negroid origin from southwestern Haiti, West Indies. Linear regression of total ridge count on pattern intensity index gave good fit to data in males. In females the linear and quadratic regression models were less satisfactory probably due to the considerable overlap of ridge count distribution between loops and whorls. Two other measures which compare better than total ridge count are absolute ridge count and weighted total ridge count. Predictions of TRC from PII on the basis of regression estimates from Haitian data gave satisfactory results for Negroid and some Caucasoid populations but less satisfactory results for Mongoloid groups suggesting that the relationship might be different in different ethnic groups.     

Farmer perceptions and willingness to pay for novel livestock pest control technologies: A case of tsetse repellent collar in Kwale County in Kenya

Tsetse-transmitted Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT) is one of the most important constraints to livestock development in Africa. Use of trypanocides has been the most widespread approach for the management of AAT, despite the associated drug resistance and health concerns associated with drug metabolites in animal products. Alternative control measures that target tsetse fly vectors of AAT, though effective, have been hard to sustain in part because these are public goods applied area-wide. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) and partners have developed and implemented a novel tsetse repellent collar (TRC) applied on animals to limit contact of tsetse flies and livestock, thereby reducing AAT transmission. The TRC has now advanced to commercialization. A household-level survey involving 632 cattle keeping households, was conducted in Shimba Hills region of Kwale County, where field trials of the TRC have been previously conducted to assess farmers’ knowledge, perception, and practices towards the management of tsetse flies, their willingness to pay (WTP) for the TRC, and factors affecting the WTP. Almost all the respondents (90%) reported that tsetse flies were the leading cattle infesting pests in the area. About 22% of these correctly identified at least four AAT clinical signs, and even though many (68%) used trypanocidal drugs to manage the disease, 50% did not perceive the drug as being effective in AAT management (50%). Few respondents (8%) were aware of the harmful effects of trypanocidal drugs. About 89% of the respondents were aware of icipe TRC, and 30% of them were using the field trial collars during the survey. Sixty-three (63%) of them were willing to pay for the TRC at the same cost they spend treating an animal for AAT. On average farmers were willing to pay KES 3,352 per animal per year. Male educated household heads are likely to pay more for the TRC. Moreover, perceived high AAT prevalence and severity further increases the WTP. Wider dissemination and commercialization of the herd-level tsetse control approach (TRC) should be encouraged to impede AAT transmission and thus enhance food security and farm incomes among the affected rural communities. Besides the uptake of TRC can be enhanced through training, especially among women farmers.     

Facial attractiveness,symmetry, and physical fitness in young women

This study explores the evolutionary-based hypothesis that facial attractiveness (a guiding force in mate selection) is a cue for physical fitness (presumably an important contributor to mate value in ancestral times). Since fluctuating asymmetry, a measure of developmental stability, is known to be a valid cue for fitness in several biological domains, we scrutinized facial asymmetry as a potential mediator between attractiveness and fitness. In our sample of young women, facial beauty indeed indicated physical fitness. The relationships that pertained to asymmetry were in the expected direction. However, a closer analysis revealed that facial asymmetry did not mediate the relationship between fitness and attractiveness. Unexpected problems regarding the measurement of facial asymmetry are discussed.     

Scott syndrome, a bleeding disorder caused by defective scrambling of membrane phospholipids

Normal quescent cells maintain membrane lipid asymmetry by ATP-dependent membrane lipid transporters, which shuttle different phospholipids from one leaflet to the other against their respective concentration gradients. When cells are challenged, membrane lipid asymmetry can be perturbed resulting in exposure of phosphatidylserine [PS] at the outer cell surface. Translocation of PS from the inner to outer membrane leaflet of activated blood platelets and platelet-derived microvesicles provides a catalytic surface for interacting coagulation factors. This process is dramatically impaired in Scott syndrome, a rare congenital bleeding disorder, underscoring the indispensible role of PS in hemostasis. This also testifies to a defect of a protein-catalyzed scrambling of membrane phospholipids. The Scott phenotype is not restricted to platelets, but can be demonstrated in other blood cells as well. The functional aberrations observed in Scott syndrome have increased our understanding of transmembrane lipid movements, and may help to identify the molecular elements that promote the collapse of phospholipid asymmetry during cell activation and apoptosis.