scholarly journals Large batoid fishes frequently consume stingrays despite skeletal damage

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 170674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason N. Dean ◽  
Joseph J. Bizzarro ◽  
Brett Clark ◽  
Charlie J. Underwood ◽  
Zerina Johanson
Keyword(s):  
Close Contact ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Mineralized Tissue ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Skeletal Tissue ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Gape Size ◽  
Batoid Fishes

The shapes of vertebrate teeth are often used as hallmarks of diet. Here, however, we demonstrate evidence of frequent piscivory by cartilaginous fishes with pebble-like teeth that are typically associated with durophagy, the eating of hard-shelled prey. High-resolution micro-computed tomography observation of a jaw specimen from one batoid species and visual investigation of those of two additional species reveal large numbers of embedded stingray spines, arguing that stingray predation of a scale rivalling that of the largest carnivorous sharks may not be uncommon for large, predatory batoids with rounded, non-cutting dentition. Our observations demonstrate that tooth morphology is not always a reliable indicator of diet and that stingray spines are not as potent a deterrent to predation as normally believed. In addition, we show that several spines in close contact with the jaw skeleton of a wedgefish ( Rhynchobatus ) have become encased in a disorganized mineralized tissue with a distinctive ultrastructure, the first natural and unequivocal evidence of a callus-building response in the tessellated cartilage unique to elasmobranch skeletons. Our findings reveal sampling and analysis biases in vertebrate ecology, especially with regard to the role of large, predatory species, while also illustrating that large body size may provide an escape from anatomical constraints on diet (e.g. gape size, specialist dentition). Our observations inform our concepts of skeletal biology and evolution in showing that tessellated cartilage—an ancient alternative to bone—is incapable of foreign tissue resorption or of restoring damaged skeletal tissue to its original state, and attest to the value of museum and skeletal specimens as records of important aspects of animal life history.

scholarly journals Role of dogs in contamination of urban environment with causes of parasitic zoonoses

2006 ◽  
Vol 60 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 377-383
Author(s):  
Ivan Pavlovic ◽  
Zoran Kulisic ◽  
Slavisa Djurdjevic ◽  
Zorana Misic ◽  
Jana Momcilovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptosporidium Parvum ◽  
Giardia Lamblia ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Parasitic Zoonoses ◽  
The One ◽  
Zoonotic Parasites

Dogs belong to the group of animals that were the first to be domesticated. They live in cohabitation with humans and share their environment much more intimately than any other animal specie. The close contact between strays and pets, on the one side, and the pollution of urban areas with the feces of these animals, on the other, close the chain of infection with parasites, which jeopardizes also human health in the final link of that chain. Dogs are carriers and the true hosts to large numbers of species of zoonotic parasites - Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, Echinoccocus granulosus, Dipyllidium caninum, Toxocara canis, Ancylostomidae spp. and others, whose eggs or other developmental forms they eliminate into the environment through feces. The increase in the number of cases of toxocarosis in humans (syndrome of visceral larvae migrans), ancylostomosis (cutanea larvae migrans), hydatidosis, toxoplasmosis, or cryptosporidiosis are the best indicators of these relations. In order to resolve this problem, it is necessary to conduct systematic investigations of their parasitic fauna with the maximum cooperation of the animal owners, compulsory health education of the population in the area of the diseases that are transferred from animals to humans, and, certainly, carrying out the dehelminthization of dogs.

Localization of Intracisternal a Particle Antigens in Neoplastic Cells and Preimplantation Mouse Embryos

1980 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 696-697
Author(s):  
Thomas T.F. Huang ◽  
Patricia G. Calarco
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Normal Development ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Neoplastic Cells ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Intracisternal A Particle ◽  
Normal Feature

The stage specific appearance of a retravirus, termed the Intracisternal A particle (IAP) is a normal feature of early preimplantation development. To date, all feral and laboratory strains of Mus musculus and even Asian species such as Mus cervicolor and Mus pahari express the particles during the 2-8 cell stages. IAP form by budding into the endoplasmic reticulum and appear singly or as groups of donut-shaped particles within the cisternae (fig. 1). IAP are also produced in large numbers in several neoplastic cells such as certain plasmacytomas and rhabdomyosarcomas. The role of IAP, either in normal development or in neoplastic behavior, is unknown.

SARS-COV2 virus and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 977-982
Author(s):  
Mohamed J. Saadh ◽  
Bashar Haj Rashid M ◽  
Roa’a Matar ◽  
Sajeda Riyad Aldibs ◽  
Hala Sbaih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Close Contact ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

SARS-COV2 virus causes Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and represents the causative agent of a potentially fatal disease that is of great global public health concern. The novel coronavirus (2019) was discovered in 2019 in Wuhan, the market of the wet animal, China with viral pneumonia cases and is life-threatening. Today, WHO announces COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. COVID-19 is likely to be zoonotic. It is transmitted from bats as intermediary animals to human. Also, the virus is transmitted from human to human who is in close contact with others. The computerized tomographic chest scan is usually abnormal even in those with no symptoms or mild disease. Treatment is nearly supportive; the role of antiviral agents is yet to be established. The SARS-COV2 virus spreads faster than its two ancestors, the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but has lower fatality. In this article, we aimed to summarize the transmission, symptoms, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine to control the spread of this fatal disease.

scholarly journals The MAL Protein, an Integral Component of Specialized Membranes, in Normal Cells and Cancer

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1065
Author(s):  
Armando Rubio-Ramos ◽  
Leticia Labat-de-Hoz ◽  
Isabel Correas ◽  
Miguel A. Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Transmembrane Segments ◽  
Epsilon Toxin ◽  
Proteolipid Proteins ◽  
Polarized Epithelial Cells

The MAL gene encodes a 17-kDa protein containing four putative transmembrane segments whose expression is restricted to human T cells, polarized epithelial cells and myelin-forming cells. The MAL protein has two unusual biochemical features. First, it has lipid-like properties that qualify it as a member of the group of proteolipid proteins. Second, it partitions selectively into detergent-insoluble membranes, which are known to be enriched in condensed cell membranes, consistent with MAL being distributed in highly ordered membranes in the cell. Since its original description more than thirty years ago, a large body of evidence has accumulated supporting a role of MAL in specialized membranes in all the cell types in which it is expressed. Here, we review the structure, expression and biochemical characteristics of MAL, and discuss the association of MAL with raft membranes and the function of MAL in polarized epithelial cells, T lymphocytes, and myelin-forming cells. The evidence that MAL is a putative receptor of the epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens, the expression of MAL in lymphomas, the hypermethylation of the MAL gene and subsequent loss of MAL expression in carcinomas are also presented. We propose a model of MAL as the organizer of specialized condensed membranes to make them functional, discuss the role of MAL as a tumor suppressor in carcinomas, consider its potential use as a cancer biomarker, and summarize the directions for future research.

scholarly journals Role of Matrix Gla Protein in the Complex Network of Coronary Artery Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 737
Author(s):  
Marko Kumric ◽  
Josip A. Borovac ◽  
Tina Ticinovic Kurir ◽  
Dinko Martinovic ◽  
Ivan Frka Separovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Complex Network ◽  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Matrix Gla Protein ◽  
Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is widely recognized as one of the most important clinical entities. In recent years, a large body of accumulated data suggest that coronary artery calcification, a process highly prevalent in patients with CAD, occurs via well-organized biologic processes, rather than passively, as previously regarded. Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a vitamin K-dependent protein, emerged as an important inhibitor of both intimal and medial vascular calcification. The functionality of MGP hinges on two post-translational modifications: phosphorylation and carboxylation. Depending on the above-noted modifications, various species of MGP may exist in circulation, each with their respective level of functionality. Emerging data suggest that dysfunctional species of MGP, markedly, dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP, might find its application as biomarkers of microvascular health, and assist in clinical decision making with regard to initiation of vitamin K supplementation. Hence, in this review we summarized the current knowledge with respect to the role of MGP in the complex network of vascular calcification with concurrent inferences to CAD. In addition, we discussed the effects of warfarin use on MGP functionality, with concomitant implications to coronary plaque stability.

COVID-19 and nutritional deficiency: a review of existing knowledge

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-85
Author(s):  
Meghana Muthuvattur Pallath ◽  
Ashok Kumar Ahirwar ◽  
Satyendra Chandra Tripathi ◽  
Priyanka Asia ◽  
Apurva Sakarde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Antibody Affinity ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Underlying Diseases ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract COVID-19 has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic, which spread largely among people who have had close contact with the infected person. The immunopathology of the SARS-CoV-2 virus includes the production of an excess amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines “a cytokine-storm”. The respiratory system (main), cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract are the most affected body systems during viral infection. It has been found that most of the patients who require admission to hospital are elderly or have chronic underlying diseases. Higher cases of malnutrition and co-morbidities like diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases are reported in elderly patients due to which, the immune system weakens and hence, the response to the virus is diminished in magnitude. A deficiency of micronutrients results in impaired immune responses leading to improper secretion of cytokines, alterations in secretory antibody response and antibody affinity which increases susceptibility to viral infection. The deficiency of various micronutrients in COVID-19 patient can be treated by appropriate nutritional supplements, prescribed after evaluating the patients’ nutritional status. Here we aim to highlight the role of a few particular nutrients namely Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Omega-3 fatty acids, Zinc and Magnesium along with the synergistic roles they play in enhancing immunity and thus, maintaining homeostasis.

scholarly journals Metabolism of rat bone proteoglycans in vivo

1983 ◽  
Vol 216 (3) ◽  
pp. 589-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
C W Prince ◽  
F Rahemtulla ◽  
W T Butler
Keyword(s):  
Extraction Procedure ◽  
Total Radioactivity ◽  
Mineralized Tissue ◽  
Guanidinium Chloride ◽  
Disaccharide Composition ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Papain Digestion ◽  
Rat Bone

Former evaluations of the role of proteoglycans in mineralization have neglected to address the possibility that the metabolism of proteoglycans may be of significance in this regard. This problem was studied by using radiolabeling in vivo of rat calvaria with [35Sulphate for 2-72 h and a sequential extraction procedure to yield two pools of newly synthesized proteoglycans: one obtained from non-mineralized tissue by extraction with guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) and another obtained only after demineralization with EDTA. Total radioactivity in calvaria was maximal after 12 h of incorporation, but by 36 h had declined to a level that was about 55-65% of maximum. Radioactivity in the GdmCl extract declined steadily after 12 h, whereas that in the EDTA extract remained constant until 36 h, when it began to increase. Each extract contained a minor proteoglycan that eluted at the void volume (Vo) of a Sepharose CL-6B column. Unlike in the EDTA extract, this proteoglycan gradually disappeared from the GdmCl extract. Each extract also contained a major, smaller proteoglycan, with a Kav. of 0.24 and 0.36 in the GdmCl and EDTA extracts respectively. Papain digestion of each extract yielded glycosaminoglycan chains with Kav. values of 0.32 and 0.50 on CL-6B in the GdmCl and EDTA extracts respectively. Digestion of each extract with chondroitinase ABC and chondroitinase AC showed that the glycosaminoglycans were of similar disaccharide composition, with about 85% being 4-sulphated and the remainder 6-sulphated and/or iduronic acid-containing. These data suggest that about 45% of the newly synthesized proteoglycans are removed from the tissue during the course of mineralization.

scholarly journals Characterizing Highly Benefited Patients in Randomized Clinical Trials

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Charu ◽  
Paul B. Rosenberg ◽  
Lon S. Schneider ◽  
Lea T. Drye ◽  
Lisa Rein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
New Method ◽  
Usual Model ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Working Model ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
High Benefit ◽  
Two Stages

AbstractPhysicians and patients may choose a certain treatment only if it is predicted to have a large effect for the profile of that patient. We consider randomized controlled trials in which the clinical goal is to identify as many patients as possible that can highly benefit from the treatment. This is challenging with large numbers of covariate profiles, first, because the theoretical, exact method is not feasible, and, second, because usual model-based methods typically give incorrect results. Better, more recent methods use a two-stage approach, where a first stage estimates a working model to produce a scalar predictor of the treatment effect for each covariate profile; and a second stage estimates empirically a high-benefit group based on the first-stage predictor. The problem with these methods is that each of the two stages is usually agnostic about the role of the other one in addressing the clinical goal. We propose a method that characterizes highly benefited patients by linking model estimation directly to the particular clinical goal. It is shown that the new method has the following two key properties in comparison with existing approaches: first, the meaning of the solution with regard to the clinical goal is the same, and second, the value of the solution is the best that can be achieved when using the working model as a predictor, even if that model is incorrect. In the Citalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (CitAD) randomized controlled trial, the new method identifies substantially larger groups of highly benefited patients, many of whom are missed by the standard method.

Beta-Blocker Attenuates Cardiotoxicity Related Anthracycline Usage

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (8) ◽  
pp. 1389-1392
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Beta Blocker ◽  
The Other ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Therapy Effectiveness ◽  
Chemotherapy Agents

To summarize the recent trials and studies of the role of beta-blocker on the treatment for cancer patients treated with anthracycline to decrease morbidity and mortality rate. Good management of cancer will result in large numbers of cancer survivors. On the other hand, cancer therapy also has side effects, one of which is cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity could reduce therapy effectiveness, hence, increase disease progression and mortality rate. Anthracyclines is one of the chemotherapy agents with cardiotoxicity as a side effect. Beta-blocker has the ability to reduce cardiotoxicity due to anthracyclines usage. Keywords: Beta-blocker; Cardiotoxicity; Anthracyclines

scholarly journals Assessment of Different Dimensions of Shame Proneness: Validation of the SHAME

Assessment ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1699-1717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna N. Scheel ◽  
Hedwig Eisenbarth ◽  
Katrin Rentzsch
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Invariance Testing ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Shame Proneness ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Different Dimensions

A large body of research revealed that shame is associated with adaptive and maladaptive correlates. The aim of this work was to validate a new dimensional instrument (SHAME), which was developed to disentangle adaptive and maladaptive dimensions of shame proneness. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the three-factorial structure (bodily, cognitive, and existential shame) in American ( n = 502) and German ( n = 496) community samples, using invariance testing. Bifactor model analyses exhibited distinct associations of adaptive (bodily and cognitive shame) and maladaptive (existential shame) dimensions of shame with psychopathology and social functioning. Network analyses highlighted the role of existential shame in psychopathology, especially for a clinical sample of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder ( n = 92). By placing shame pronenesss into a network of similar and dissimilar constructs, the current findings serve as a foundation for drawing conclusions about the adaptive and maladaptive nature of shame.

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