scholarly journals Modeling durophagous predation and mortality rates from the fossil record of gastropods

Paleobiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (02) ◽  
pp. 246-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham E. Budd ◽  
Richard P. Mann

AbstractGastropods often show signs of unsuccessful attacks by durophagous predators in the form of healed scars in their shells. As such, fossil gastropods can be taken as providing a record of predation through geological time. However, interpreting the number of such scars has proved to be problematic—Would a low number of scars mean a low rate of attack or a high rate of success, for example? Here we develop a model of population dynamics among individuals exposed to predation, including both lethal and nonlethal attacks. Using this model, we calculate the equilibrium distributions of ages and healed scars in the population and among fossilized specimens, based on the assumption that predation is independent of age or scar number. Based on these results, we formally show that the rates of attack and success cannot be disambiguated without further information about population structure. Nevertheless, by making the assumptions that the non-durophagous predatory death rate is both constant and low, we show that it is possible to use relatively small assemblages of gastropods to produce accurate estimates of both attack and success rates, if the overall death rate can be estimated. We consider likely violations of the assumptions in our model and what sort of information would be required to solve this problem in these more general cases. However, it is not easy to extract the relevant information from the fossil record: a variety of important biases are likely to intervene to obscure the data that gastropod assemblages may yield. Nonetheless, the model provides a theoretical framework for interpreting summary data, including for comparison between different assemblages.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham E. Budd ◽  
Richard P. Mann

AbstractGastropods often show signs of unsuccessful attacks by predators in the form of healed scars in their shells. As such, fossil gastropods can be taken as providing a record of predation through ge-ological time. However, interpreting the number of such scars has proved to be problematic - would a low number of scars mean a low rate of attack, or a high rate of success, for example? Here we develop a model of scar formation, and formally show that in general these two variables cannot be disambiguated without further information about population structure. Nevertheless, by making the probably reasonable assumptions that the non-predatory death rate is both constant and low, we show that it is possible to use relatively small assemblages of gastropods to produce accurate estimates of both attack and success rates, if the overall death rate can be estimated. We show in addition what sort of information would be required to solve this problem in more general cases. However, it is unlikely that it will be possible to extract the relevant information easily from the fossil record: a variety of important collection and taphonomic biases are likely to intervene to obscure the data that gastropod assemblages may yield.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 271-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherrill J. Slichter ◽  
Esther Pellham ◽  
S. Lawrence Bailey ◽  
Todd Christoffel

Abstract Abstract 271 Background: The largest transfusion (tx) trial to evaluate methods of preventing platelet (plt) alloimmunization (TRAP Trial; NEJM 1997;337:1861) demonstrated residual alloimmunization rates of 17% to 21% in AML patients (pts) undergoing induction chemotherapy despite receiving either filter-leukoreduced (F-LR) or UV-B irradiated (UV-BI) blood products, respectively. Our pre-clinical dog plt tx studies, the basis for testing UV-BI in the TRAP Trial, demonstrated this model was able to predict pt results; i.e., prevention of alloimmunization was 45% in the dog but 79% in pts. The greater effectiveness in pts was probably because they had chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression compared to the immunocompetent dogs. Our current dog plt tx studies have focused on evaluating F-LR to remove antigen-presenting WBCs (APCs) or pathogen-reduction (PRT) (Mirasol treatment) to inactivate APCs. Methods: For pts, plts are obtained using either apheresis procedures or as plt concentrates prepared from whole blood (WB). To re-duplicate these types of plts in our dog model, we prepared plt-rich-plasma (PRP) from WB which would be equivalent to non-leukoreduced apheresis plts. The PRP was then either unmodified, F-LR, PRT, or the treatments were combined. Because the success rates were very poor with the single treatments of PRP (see table), the WB studies evaluated only combined F-LR and PRT treatments. In clinical practice, the treated WB would then be used to prepare a plt concentrate. The WB studies assessed either PRT of the WB followed by F-LR of PRP made from the WB or, conversely, F-LR of the WB using a plt-sparing filter (Terumo Immuflex WB-SP) followed by PRT of the WB and then preparation of PRP. After completion of all treatments, PRP from each study was centrifuged to prepare a plt concentrate, the plts were radiolabeled with 51Cr, injected into a recipient, and samples were drawn from the recipient to determine recovery and survival of the donor's (dnr's) plts. Dnr and recipient pairs were selected to be DLA-DRB incompatible and crossmatch-negative. Eight weekly dnr plt txs were given to the same recipient or until the recipient became refractory to the dnr's plts defined as ≤5% of the dnr's plts still circulating in the recipient at 24-hours post-tx following 2 sequential txs. Results: The table shows the percent of recipients who accepted 8 weeks of dnr plts and the total number of dnr plts and WBC injected. Using either filter, there was equal reduction in WBCs to 105/tx. Acceptance of unmodified dnr plts was 1/7 recipients (14%), PRT 1/8 recipients (13%), PL1-B filter 1/5 recipients (20%), and PLS-5A filter 4/6 recipients (66%). None of these differences were statistically significant. In contrast, combining F-LR of the PRP followed by PRT of the PRP was effective in 21/22 recipients (95%), regardless of the filter used. WB studies showed dnr plts were accepted by 2/5 recipients (40%) when WB was first treated with PRT followed by F-LR of the PRP made from the WB. Conversely, if the WB was first F-LR followed by PRT of the WB, 5/6 (83%) accepted dnr plts; more of these studies are in progress. Data are given as average ±1 S.D. Conclusions: F-LR of PRP or WB followed by PRT of the same PRP or WB is highly-effective in preventing alloimmune plt refractoriness in our dog plt tx model. These data suggest that most of the APCs must be removed by filtration before PRT can eliminate the activity of any residual APCs. Based on the high rate of success of this combined approach in our immunocompetent dog model, similar results should be achieved in pts even those who are not immunocompetent as were the AML pts receiving chemotherapy in the TRAP Trial. Disclosures: Slichter: Terumo BCT: Research Funding.


1970 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-77
Author(s):  
Tanjila Alam

Epiphora caused by nasolacrimal duct (NDL) obstruction is managed by surgery of dacryocystorhinostomy (OCR) is well established. Now a day OCR can be done by two ways: external OCR and endonasal OCR. There are various success rates reported by various authors. It is seen that the current laser assisted OCR is still not able to attain success over the conventional external OCR. A newer modification of dacryocystorhinostomy operation where flap anastomosis with ceiling stitch with orbicularis and subcutaneous tissue has given high rate of success. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/taj.v14i2.8391 TAJ 2001; 14(2): 78-80


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Rajni Suri ◽  
Anshu Suri ◽  
Neelam Kumari ◽  
Amool R. Singh ◽  
Manisha Kiran

The role of women is very crucial in our society. She cares for her parents, partner, children and other relatives. She performs all types of duties in family and also in the society without any expectations. Because of playing many roles, women often face many challenges in their life including both physical and mental. Mental health problems affect women and men equally, but some problems are more common among women including both physical and mental health problems. Aim of the study - The present study is aimed to describe and compare the clinical and socio-demographic correlates of female mentally ill patients. Methods and Materials: The study includes 180 female mentally ill patients based on cross sectional design and the sample for the study was drawn purposively. A semi structured socio-demographic data sheet was prepared to collect relevant information as per the need of the study. Result: The present study reveals that the socio-demographic factors contribute a vital role in mental illness. Findings also showed that majority of patients had mental problems in the age range of 20-30 have high rate. Illiterate and primary level of education and daily wage working women as well as low and middle socio-economic status women are more prone to have mental illness. Other factors like marital status, type of family and religion etc also important factors for mental illness. Keywords: Socio demographic profile, female, psychiatric patient


2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 189-195
Author(s):  
Warren M. Rozen ◽  
Ken G. W. Teo ◽  
Gausihi Sivarajah ◽  
Rafael Acosta

The introduction of well-vascularized flaps for infected sternotomy wound reconstruction has improved mortality rates dramatically. Multiple variations of the pectoralis major flap have been described in this context. However, unresolved limitations of this flap include poor cosmesis and problematic coverage of the inferior third of the sternotomy wound. We describe an approach to address these issues. The humeral attachments are preserved and bilateral muscles are advanced in a limited fashion. The left sternocostal head is advanced medially and rotated anticlockwise, using this portion to fill the upper half of the sternum while the caudal portion of the right pectoralis muscle is used as a turnover flap at the lower half of the wound. In all 25 patients, the anterior axillary fold was preserved bilaterally and the infection completely resolved. Complications included 3 cases of hematoma, 2 cases of coagulopathy, and 1 late bone sequestrum (aseptic). Although the study had a limited sample size, we had a high rate of success and few complications. With the preservation of bilateral axillary folds, good cosmesis, and adequate wound coverage, we recommend this modification of the pectoralis major flap in even complicated cases of mediastinitis.


PalZ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Haug ◽  
Joachim T. Haug

AbstractWhip spiders (Amblypygi), as their name suggests, resemble spiders (Araneae) in some aspects, but differ from them by their heart-shaped (prosomal) dorsal shield, their prominent grasping pedipalps, and their subsequent elongate pair of feeler appendages. The oldest possible occurrences of whip spiders, represented by cuticle fragments, date back to the Devonian (c. 385 mya), but (almost) complete fossils are known from the Carboniferous (c. 300 mya) onwards. The fossils include specimens preserved on slabs or in nodules (Carboniferous, Cretaceous) as well as specimens preserved in amber (Cretaceous, Eocene, Miocene). We review here all fossil whip spider specimens, figure most of them as interpretative drawings or with high-quality photographs including 3D imaging (stereo images) to make the three-dimensional relief of the specimens visible. Furthermore, we amend the list by two new specimens (resulting in 37 in total). The fossil specimens as well as modern whip spiders were measured to analyse possible changes in morphology over time. In general, the shield appears to have become relatively broader and the pedipalps and walking appendages have become more elongate over geological time. The morphological details are discussed in an evolutionary framework and in comparison with results from earlier studies.


Paleobiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 638-659
Author(s):  
Harriet B. Drage ◽  
Lukáš Laibl ◽  
Petr Budil

AbstractA large sample of postembryonic specimens of Dalmanitina proaeva elfrida and D. socialis from the Upper Ordovician (Sandbian to Katian) Prague Basin allows for the first reasonably complete ontogenetic sequence of Dalmanitoidea (Phacopina). The material provides an abundance of morphological information, including well-preserved marginal spines in protaspides and meraspides, and hypostome external surfaces throughout. The development of D. proaeva elfrida is unusual due to variability in timing of the first trunk articulation. This broadens our developmental understanding of Phacopina, a diverse group of phacopid trilobites, and also allows us to study the evolution of their specializations in exoskeletal molting behavior. Adult phacopines, unlike most other trilobites, had fused facial sutures. This means that rather than molting through the sutural gape mode, characterized by opening of the facial sutures and separation of the librigenae, they disarticulated the entire cephalon in Salter’s mode of molting. For other phacopine clades (Phacopoidea) the transition to Salter’s mode occurs during the meraspid period or at the onset of holaspis, and its developmental timing is intraspecifically fixed. However, owing to the large sample size, we can see that facial suture fusion likely occurred later in Dalmanitina, usually during the holaspid period, and was intraspecifically variable with holaspides of varying sizes showing unfused sutures. Further, D. proaeva elfrida specimens showed an initial librigenal–rostral plate fusion event, where the librigenae began as separate entities but appear fused with the rostral plate as one structure (the “lower cephalic unit”) from M1, and are discarded as such during molting. Dalmanitoidea is considered to represent the first phacopine divergence, occurring earliest in the fossil record. This material therefore provides insight into how linked morphologies and behaviors evolved, potentially suggesting the timing of facial suture fusion in Phacopina moved earlier during development and became more intraspecifically fixed over geological time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hosein Mehdipour ◽  
Yaghoub Moaddab ◽  
Khalil Azizian ◽  
Morteza Ghojazadeh ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Somi

Introduction: It has been shown that the combination therapy of Sofosbuvir-Daclatasvir (Sof/Dac) has a high rate of success in the treatment of patients. For the first time, a single pill of Sof/Dac has been formulated in Iran (Sovodak). In this regard, the present study was carried out aiming to investigate the safety and efficacy of Sovodak for 12 weeks during treatment of patients infected by genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods: In this study, 50 patients (25 and 25 treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients, respectively) infected by HCV genotype 1 received Sovodak (1pill per day) for 12 weeks. Ribavirin was added for patients who had definitive evidence of liver cirrhosis. The sustained virological response (SVR12) was investigated 12 weeks after the end of the therapy. Results: All 50 patients completed the treatment period. The mean age of patients was 54.40 ± 11.69 years, in addition, 60% and 90% of the patients were male and infected by HCV genotype 1b, respectively. After 4 and 12 weeks of treatment with Sovodak, the HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) titer was undetectable in 82% and 100 % of the patients, respectively and 100% of them achieved SVR12. None of the subjects reported treatment discontinuation because of adverse events, however, 3 patients reported transient side effects including foot swelling, headache, and vomiting. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that once-daily Sovodak single-pill for 12 weeks is an effective and safe medicine for treating patients infected by HCV genotype 1


1978 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. D. Ring ◽  
R. L. Nelham ◽  
F. A. Pearson

In severe cases of physical disability intimate supportive seating may be required to provide maximum comfort, a good position for functional activities, improved respiration, relief of localized pressure, control of spasm, protection, or improved management. A service for providing such seating has been developed at Chailey Heritage. The seat is vacuum-formed from thermoplastic materials, having a soft non-absorbent foam for the liner and a hard semi-rigid outer shell. A mould is obtained by casting the patient using the vacuum consolidation technique and by recording the resulting impression using plaster-of-Paris. Nearly 200 seats have been made using the technique with a high rate of success.


Author(s):  
Jane H. Hodgkinson ◽  
Frank D. Stacey

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