Canonical correlation analysis of marine macrobenthos survey data

Canonical correlation analysis is applied to measurements of environmental variables and species distributions made during a survey of macrobenthos around a sewage-treatment farm drain. The implications of data reduction, necessary to enable the method to proceed, are discussed. The amount of data was reduced by discarding the rarest species, discarding species occurring at fewest stations, and including only those species and environmental variables which correlated highly with the greatest number of other variables. Only the third data-reduction scheme gave ecologically sensible results. Use of station scores on the first two canonical variates (CV1 and CV2) enabled the sampling grid to be divided into a group of nearshore stations, a group of intermediate depth, and a group of deep offshore stations. Loadings of environmental variables on the canonical variates were found to be unstable but correlations between these variables and canonical variates enabled the variates to be interpreted: CV1 as a gradient of depth and associated changes in sediment characteristics, CV2 with depth- and nutrient-related components, and CV3 as patchiness in sediment characteristics different from that normally expected with depth. Use of correlations between species and canonical variates enables definition of two major species groups, one confined to nearshore environments and a second offshore. These groups (and their sub-groups) related well to groups defined previously by hierarchical classification. It is concluded that, with careful attention to the method of data reduction, canonical correlation analysis can be an effective tool in the analysis of marine benthic survey data.     

An assessment of the breeding range,colony sizes and population of the Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica)

Abstract

The Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica) is an endemic New Zealand species and one of the very few burrowing seabird species still breeding on mainland New Zealand. It nests only on a series of coastal ridgelines near to Punakaiki on the West Coast of the South Island. Between 2002 and 2005, surveys were undertaken at 28 of the 29 known colonies. The area occupied by the colonies was 73 ha; most colonies had fewer than 50 burrows, but six colonies had 201–500 burrows and four colonies had more than 1000 burrows. We find that the current breeding range of Westland petrel and the location of individual colonies are similar to those reported in both the 1950s and 1970s. Based on total burrow counts at 28 colonies and burrow occupancy rates determined by annual monitoring, the annual breeding population is estimated to be between 2954 and 5137 breeding pairs.     

Use of reversed phase HP liquid chromatography to assay conversion of N-acylglycines to primary fatty acid amides by peptidylglycine-alpha-amidating monooxygenase

Primary fatty acid amides (R-CO-NH2) and N-acylglycines (R-CO-NH-CH2-COOH) are classes of compounds that have only recently been isolated and characterized from biological sources. Key questions remain regarding how these lipid amides are produced and degraded in biological systems. Relative to the fatty acids, little has been done to develop methods to separate and quantify the fatty acid amides and N-acylglycines. We describe reversed phase HPLC methods for the separation of C2-C12 primary fatty acid amides and N-acylglycines and also C12-C22 fatty acid amides. Separation within each class occurs primarily on the basis of simple interactions between the acyl chain and the chromatographic stationary phase, but the polar headgroups on these and related fatty acids and N-acylethanolamides modulate the absolute retention in reversed phase mode. We use these methods to measure the enzyme-mediated, two-step conversion of N-octanoylglycine to octanoamide.     

Predictors of mortality of patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to an intensive care unit: A one year study

Background

Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly require hospitalization and admission to intensive care unit (ICU). It is useful to identify patients at the time of admission who are likely to have poor outcome. This study was carried out to define the predictors of mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and to device a scoring system using the baseline physiological variables for prognosticating these patients.

Methods

Eighty-two patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to COPD admitted to medical ICU over a one-year period were included. Clinical and demographic profile at the time of admission to ICU including APACHE II score and Glasgow coma scale were recorded at the time of admission to ICU. In addition, acid base disorders, renal functions, liver functions and serum albumin, were recorded at the time of presentation. Primary outcome measure was hospital mortality.

Results

Invasive ventilation was required in 69 patients (84.1%). Fifty-two patients survived to hospital discharge (63.4%). APACHE II score at the time of admission to ICU {odds ratio (95 % CI): 1.32 (1.138–1.532); p < 0.001} and serum albumin (done within 24 hours of admission) {odds ratio (95 % CI): 0.114 (0.03-0.432); p = 0.001}. An equation, constructed using the adjusted odds ratio for the two parameters, had an area under the ROC curve of 91.3%. For the choice of cut-off, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for predicting outcome was 90%, 86.5%, 79.4% and 93.7%.

Conclusion

APACHE II score at admission and SA levels with in 24 hrs after admission are independent predictors of mortality for patients with COPD admitted to ICU. The equation derived from these two parameters is useful for predicting outcome of these patients.     

Genetic and morphologic differentiation of Bolbophorus confusus and B. levantinus (Digenea: Diplostomatidae), based on rDNA SSU polymorphism and SEM

Metacercariae of Bolbophorus species are serious pathogens of farmed fish. Molecular diagnostic tools, capable of identifying and differentiating these parasites, may assist in the development of rationale control strategies. The rDNA 18S (small sub-unit: SSU) genes of adult B. confusus and B. levantinus obtained from a pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus, and a night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, respectively, were amplified, sequenced, and aligned. Based on this alignment, we developed a genetic differentiation assay between B. confusus and B. levantinus. These 2 species were compared genetically with the North American species B. damnificus and Bolbophorus sp. ('Type 2'). The relationship between species is outlined and discussed. In addition to the molecular study, specimens of B. confusus and B. levantinus were compared morphologically, using scanning electron microscopy. Morphologic analysis revealed interspecific differences in details of the holdfast organ and the position of the acetabulum.     

Alternative methods for disposal of spent laying hens: Evaluation of the efficacy of grinding,mechanical deboning,and of keratinase in the rendering process

Besides the challenges of mortality and litter disposal, the poultry industry must find economical means of disposing of laying hens that have outlived their productive lives. Because spent hens have low market value and disposing of them by composting and burial is often infeasible, finding alternative disposal methods that are environmentally secure is prudent. The feasibility of grinding or mechanically deboning spent hens with and without prior mechanical picking was evaluated for the production of various proteinaceous by-product meals. The end products were analyzed for nutrient content and found to be high in protein (35.3–91.9% CP) and, with the exception of the feathers, high in fat (24.1–58.3%), making them potentially valuable protein and energy sources. After considering physical and economic feasibility, mechanical deboning was determined to be a logical first step for the conversion of spent hens into value-added by-product meals. Because the hard tissue fraction (primarily feathers, bones, and connective tissue) generated by mechanically deboning the hens presents the greatest challenge to their utilization as feedstuffs, attention was focused on technologies that could potentially improve the nutritional value of the hard tissue for use as a ruminant protein source. Traditional hydrolysis of this hard tissue fraction improved its pepsin digestibility from 74% to 85%; however, subsequent keratinase enzyme treatment for 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, or 20 h after steam hydrolysis failed to improve the pepsin or amino acid digestibility any further (P > 0.10). Enzyme hydrolysis did, however, increase the quantities of the more soluble protein fractions (A: 45.5, 46.6, 52.8, 51.6, and 55.8% of CP; B₁: 3.2, 9.8, 6.0, 4.6, and 4.1% of CP; B₂: 11.7, 18.1, 22.8, 29.6, and 22.0% of CP for 0, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 20 h, respectively) and reduced quantities of the less soluble fractions (B₃: 30.2, 18.1, 10.8, 5.5, and 10.2% of CP; C: 9.4, 7.5, 7.6, 8.8, and 7.9% of CP for 0, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 20 h, respectively). The protein digestibility of the steam hydrolyzed hard tissue fraction from the mechanical deboning of spent hens was found to be comparable to the digestibility of feather meal, but post-hydrolysis keratinase treatment did not improve feeding value for ruminants.     

The contribution of genetic variation and infection to the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis

The aetiology of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis has not been well defined. Here we review two factors which may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease: genetics and infection. In particular, we discuss the role of autoantibodies to LAMP-2, which may arise following infection with Gram-negative bacteria, and may contribute to the development of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis in genetically susceptible individuals.     

Nutritional challenges during development induce sex-specific changes in glucose homeostasis in the adult sheep

The early-life environment has implications for risk of adult-onset diseases, such as glucose intolerance, insulin insensitivity, and obesity, effects that may occur with or without reduced birth weight. We determined the consequences of nutrient restriction in early gestation and early postnatal life and their interactions on postnatal growth, body composition, and glucose handling. Ewes received 100% (C, n = 39) or 50% nutritional requirements (U, n = 41) from 1 to 31 days gestation and 100% thereafter. Male and female offspring (singleton/twin) from C and U ewes were then fed either ad libitum (CC n = 22, UC n = 19) or to reduce body weight to 85% of target from 12 to 25 wk of age (CU n = 17, UU n = 22) and ad libitum thereafter. At 1.5 and 2.5 yr, glucose handling was determined by area under the curve (AUC) for glucose and insulin concentrations following intravenous glucose (0.5 g/kg body wt). Insulin sensitivity was determined at 2.5 yr following intravenous insulin (0.5 IU/kg). In females, postnatal undernutrition reduced (P < 0.05) glucose AUC at both ages, regardless of prenatal nutrition. Postnatal undernutrition did not affect insulin secretion in females but enhanced insulin-induced glucose disappearance in singletons. Poor early postnatal growth was associated with increased fat in females. In males, glucose tolerance was unaffected by undernutrition despite changes in insulin AUC dependent on age, treatment, and single/twin birth. Nutrition in early postnatal life has long-lasting, sex-specific effects on glucose handling in sheep, likely due, in females, to enhanced insulin sensitivity. Improved glucose utilization may aid weight recovery but have negative implications for glucose homeostasis and body composition over the longer term.