Unveiling the environmental drivers of intraspecific body size variation in terrestrial vertebrates

Aim

Whether intraspecific spatial patterns in body size are generalizable across species remains contentious, as well as the mechanisms underlying these patterns. Here we test several hypotheses explaining within-species body size variation in terrestrial vertebrates including the heat balance, seasonality, resource availability and water conservation hypotheses for ectotherms, and the heat conservation, heat dissipation, starvation resistance and resource availability hypotheses for endotherms.

Location

Global.

Time period

1970–2016.

Major taxa studied

Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Methods

We collected 235,905 body size records for 2,229 species (amphibians = 36; reptiles = 81; birds = 1,545; mammals = 567) and performed a phylogenetic meta-analysis of intraspecific correlations between body size and environmental variables. We further tested whether correlations differ between migratory and non-migratory bird and mammal species, and between thermoregulating and thermoconforming ectotherms.

Results

For bird species, smaller intraspecific body size was associated with higher mean and maximum temperatures and lower resource seasonality. Size–environment relationships followed a similar pattern in resident and migratory birds, but the effect of resource availability on body size was slightly positive only for non-migratory birds. For mammals, we found that intraspecific body size was smaller with lower resource availability and seasonality, with this pattern being more evident in sedentary than migratory species. No clear size–environment relationships were found for reptiles and amphibians.

Main conclusions

Within-species body size variation across endotherms is explained by disparate underlying mechanisms for birds and mammals. Heat conservation (Bergmann's rule) and heat dissipation are the dominant processes explaining biogeographic intraspecific body size variation in birds, whereas in mammals, body size clines are mostly explained by the starvation resistance and resource availability hypotheses. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind species adaptations to the environment across their geographic distributions.     

Brief report: Lactobacillus bulgaricus GLB44 (Proviotic™) plus esomeprazole for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A pilot study

Background

Recent studies of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus GLB44 plus a proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) reported cures of more than 90% of patients with active Helicobacter pylori infections.

Aim

To confirm the high H. pylori cure rates reported previously.

Method

A pilot study was done in healthy H. pylori‐infected volunteers using 3‐gram sachet (3 billion cells) of L. delbrueckii GLB44 plus 22.3 mg of esomeprazole b.i.d., for 14 days. The result was determined by urea breath testing 4 weeks after therapy. Stopping rules required for ending enrollment if less than 3 of the first 10 subjects were cured.

Results

Nine subjects were entered and because all failed to achieve negative urea breath test, the stopping rule required the study to end.

Conclusion

We were unable to confirm reports of achieving a high H. pylori cure rate with L. delbrueckii GLB44 plus a PPI.     

Effect of menstrual cycle phase and hormonal treatments on evaluation of tubal patency in baboons

Background

We evaluated whether menstrual cycle phase influences the assessment of tubal patency by hysterosalpingography (HSG) in baboons.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of baseline tubal patency studies and serum estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P4) values obtained from female baboons used as models for development of non‐surgical permanent contraception in women. The main outcome measure was bilateral tubal patency (BTP) in relationship with estradiol level.

Results

Female baboons (n = 110) underwent a single (n = 81), two (n = 26), or three (n = 3) HSG examinations. In 33/142 (23%) HSG examinations, one or both tubes showed functional occlusion (FO). The median E₂ in studies with BTP (49 pg/mL) was significantly higher than in those studies with FO (32 pg/mL, P = .005). Among 18 animals with repeat examinations where serum E₂ changed from <60 to ≥ 60 pg/mL, 13 results changed from FO to BTP (P = .0001). No sets showed a change from BTP to FO with an increase in estradiol.

Conclusion

In baboons, functional occlusion of the fallopian tube is associated with low estradiol levels, supporting a role for estrogen‐mediated relaxation of the utero‐tubal junction.     

Screening of white‐rot fungi for bioprocessing of wheat straw into ruminant feed

Aim

In this study, the biological variation for improvement of the nutritive value of wheat straw by 12 Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, 10 Pleurotus eryngii and 10 Lentinula edodes strains was assessed. Screening of the best performing strains within each species was made based on the in vitro degradability of fungal‐treated wheat straw.

Methods and Results

Wheat straw was inoculated with each strain for 7 weeks of solid state fermentation. Weekly samples were evaluated for in vitro gas production (IVGP) in buffered rumen fluid for 72 h. Out of the 32 fungal strains studied, 17 strains showed a significantly higher (P < 0·05) IVGP compared to the control after 7 weeks (227·7 ml g^?1 OM). The three best Ceriporiopsis subvermispora strains showed a mean IVGP of 297·0 ml g^?1 OM, while the three best P. eryngii and L. edodes strains showed a mean IVGP of 257·8 and 291·5 ml g^?1 OM, respectively.

Conclusion

Ceriporiopsis subvermispora strains show an overall high potential to improve the ruminal degradability of wheat straw, followed by L. edodes and P. eryngii strains.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Large variation exists within and among different fungal species in the valorization of wheat straw, which offers opportunities to improve the fungal genotype by breeding.     

Application of methods of identifying receptor binding models and analysis of parameters

Background  

Possible methods for distinguishing receptor binding models and analysing their parameters are considered.     

Evaluation of DNA extraction methods for Bacillus anthracis spores isolated from spiked food samples

Aims

Nine commercial DNA extraction kits were evaluated for the isolation of DNA from 10‐fold serial dilutions of Bacillus anthracis spores using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). The three kits determined by qPCR to yield the most sensitive and consistent detection (Epicenter MasterPure Gram Positive; MoBio PowerFood; ABI PrepSeq) were subsequently tested for their ability to isolate DNA from trace amounts of B. anthracis spores (approx. 6·5 × 10¹ and 1·3 × 10² CFU in 25 ml or 50 g of food sample) spiked into complex food samples including apple juice, ham, whole milk and bagged salad and recovered with immunomagnetic separation (IMS).

Methods and Results

The MasterPure kit effectively and consistently isolated DNA from low amounts of B. anthracis spores captured from food samples. Detection was achieved from apple juice, ham, whole milk and bagged salad from as few as 65 ± 14, 68 ± 8, 66 ± 4 and 52 ± 16 CFU, respectively, and IMS samples were demonstrated to be free of PCR inhibitors.

Conclusions

Detection of B. anthracis spores isolated from food by IMS differs substantially between commercial DNA extraction kits; however, sensitive results can be obtained with the MasterPure Gram Positive kit.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The extraction protocol identified herein combined with IMS is novel for B. anthracis and allows detection of low levels of B. anthracis spores from contaminated food samples.     

Continental estimates of forest cover and forest cover changes in the dry ecosystems of Africa between 1990 and 2000

Aim

This study provides regional estimates of forest cover in dry African ecoregions and the changes in forest cover that occurred there between 1990 and 2000, using a systematic sample of medium‐resolution satellite imagery which was processed consistently across the continent.

Location

The study area corresponds to the dry forests and woodlands of Africa between the humid forests and the semi‐arid regions. This area covers the Sudanian and Zambezian ecoregions.

Methods

A systematic sample of 1600 Landsat satellite imagery subsets, each 20 km × 20 km in size, were analysed for two reference years: 1990 and 2000. At each sample site and for both years, dense tree cover, open tree cover, other wooded land and other vegetation cover were identified from the analysis of satellite imagery, which comprised multidate segmentation and automatic classification steps followed by visual control by national forestry experts.

Results

Land cover and land‐cover changes were estimated at continental and ecoregion scales and compared with existing pan‐continental, regional and local studies. The overall accuracy of our land‐cover maps was estimated at 87%. Between 1990 and 2000, 3.3 million hectares (Mha) of dense tree cover, 5.8 Mha of open tree cover and 8.9 Mha of other wooded land were lost, with a further 3.9 Mha degraded from dense to open tree cover. These results are substantially lower than the 34 Mha of forest loss reported in the FAO's 2010 Global Forest Resources Assessment for the same period and area.

Main conclusions

Our method generates the first consistent and robust estimates of forest cover and change in dry Africa with known statistical precision at continental and ecoregion scales. These results reduce the uncertainty regarding vegetation cover and its dynamics in these previously poorly studied ecosystems and provide crucial information for both science and environmental policies.     

Telomere length determined by the fluorescence in situ hybridisation distinguishes malignant and benign cells in cytological specimens

Background

Telomeres are tandem repeats of TTAGGG at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes that play a key role in preventing chromosomal instability. The aim of the present study is to determine telomere length using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) on cytological specimens.

Methods

Aspiration samples (n = 41) were smeared on glass slides and used for FISH.

Results

Telomere signal intensity was significantly lower in positive cases (cases with malignancy, n = 25) as compared to negative cases (cases without malignancy, n = 16), and the same was observed for centromere intensity. The difference in DAPI intensity was not statistically significant. The ratio of telomere to centromere intensity did not show a significant difference between positive and negative cases. There was no statistical difference in the signal intensities of aspiration samples from ascites or pleural effusion (n = 23) and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided FNA samples from the pancreas (n = 18).

Conclusions

The present study revealed that telomere length can be used as an indicator to distinguish malignant and benign cells in cytological specimens. This novel approach may help improve diagnosis for cancer patients.     

Prediction of seizure control in non-ketotic hyperglycemic induced seizures

Background  

To study the factors predictive for seizure control in non-ketotic hyperglycemic induced seizures (NKHS).     

Biocontrol potential of phylloplane bacterium Ochrobactrum anthropi BMO‐111 against blister blight disease of tea

Aims

The present study was carried out to screen the phylloplane bacteria from tea for antagonism against grey blight caused by Pestalotiopsis theae and blister bight caused by Exobasidium vexans and to further evaluate the efficient isolates for disease control potential under field condition.

Methods and Results

A total of 316 morphologically different phylloplane bacteria were isolated. Among the antagonists, the isolates designated as BMO‐075, BMO‐111 and BMO‐147 exhibited maximum inhibitory activity against both the pathogens under in vitro conditions and hence were selected for further evaluation under microplot field trial. Foliar application of 36‐h‐old culture of BMO‐111 (1 × 10⁸ colony‐forming units ml^?1) significantly reduced the blister blight disease incidence than the other isolates. The culture of BMO‐111 as well as its culture filtrate effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of various fungal plant pathogens. The isolate BMO‐111 was identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi based on the morphological and 16S rDNA sequence analyses.

Conclusions

It could be concluded that the biocontrol agent O. anthropi BMO‐111 was effective against blister blight disease of tea.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Further study is required to demonstrate the mechanism of its action and formulation for the biocontrol potential against blister blight disease of tea.     

Complementary monoclonal antibody-based dot ELISA for universal detection of H5 avian influenza virus

Background  

Rapid diagnosis and surveillance for H5 subtype viruses are critical for the control of H5N1 infection.     

Non-random clustering of stress-related genes during evolution of the S. cerevisiae genome

Background  

Coordinately regulated genes often physically cluster in eukaryotic genomes, for reasons that remain unclear.     

Environmental amoebae do not support the long‐term survival of virulent mycobacteria

Aims

To test the hypothesis that Mycobacterium bovis can persist in the environment within protozoa.

Methods and Results

In this study, we used a novel approach to detect internalized mycobacteria in environmental protozoa from badger latrines. Acid‐fast micro‐organisms were visualized in isolated amoebae, although we were unable to identify them to species level as no mycobacteria were grown from these samples nor was M. bovis detected by IS6110 PCR. Co‐incubation of Acanthamoeba castellanii with virulent M. bovis substantially reduced levels of bacilli, indicating that the amoebae have a negative effect on the persistence of M. bovis.

Conclusions

The internalization of mycobacteria in protozoa might be a rare event under environmental conditions. The results suggest that amoebae might contribute to the inactivation of M. bovis rather than representing a potential environmental reservoir.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Protozoa have been suggested to act as an environmental reservoir for M. bovis. The current study suggests that environmental amoebae play at most a minor role as potential reservoirs of M. bovis and that protozoa might inhibit persistence of M. bovis in the environment.     

Issues associated with the use of phosphospecific antibodies to localise active and inactive pools of GSK-3 in cells

Abstract  

     

Treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting: a quantitative systematic review

Background  

The relative efficacy of antiemetics for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is poorly understood.     

A meta‐analysis of the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and hyperemesis gravidarum

Background

Hyperemesis gravidarum remains a common, distressing, and significant yet poorly understood disorder during pregnancy. The association between maternal Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and hyperemesis gravidarum has been increasingly recognized and investigated. This study thus aimed to provide an updated review and meta‐analysis of the topic.

Methods

Using the search terms (H. pyloriOR Helicobacter ORHelicobacter pyloriOR infection) AND (pregnancy OR emesis OR hyperemesis gravidarum OR nausea OR vomiting), a preliminary search on the PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and WanFang database yielded 372 papers published in English between January 1st, 1960 and June 1st, 2017.

Results

A total of 38 cross‐sectional and case‐control studies, with a total of 10 289 patients were eligible for review. Meta‐analysis revealed a significant association between H. pylori infection and hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy, with a pooled odds ratio of 1.348 (95% CI: 1.156‐1.539, P < .001). Subgroup analysis found that serologic and stool antigen tests were comparable methods of detecting H. pylori as they yielded similar odds ratios.

Limitations

Although the studies did not have high heterogeneity (I² = 28%), publication bias was observed, and interstudy discrepancies in the diagnostic criteria adopted for hyperemesis gravidarum limit the reliability of findings. Also, 15 of the included studies were from the same country (Turkey), which could limit the generalizability of current findings. The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies throughout the world, and there may also be pathogenic differences as most strains of H. pylori in East Asia carry the cytotoxin‐associated gene A gene.

Conclusion

H. pylori infection was associated with an increased likelihood of hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy. Given the high prevalence of H. pylori infections worldwide, detecting H. pylori infection and the eradication of maternal H. pylori infection could be part of maternal hyperemesis gravidarum management. Further confirmation with robust longitudinal studies and mechanistic investigations are needed.     

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of fibromyalgia treatment according to level of care

Introduction  

The aim of this paper was to compare the efficacy of the treatments for fibromyalgia currently available in both primary care and specialised settings.     

Antiproliferative effect of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonist on ovarian cancer cells through the EGFR-Akt pathway

Background  

Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) are being developed for the treatment of various human cancers.