Large animals are important seed dispersers; however, they tend to be under a high extinction risk worldwide. There is compelling evidence that the global biodiversity crisis is leading to the ...deterioration of several ecosystem functions, but there is virtually no information on how large-scale refaunation efforts can reinstate seed dispersal. We evaluated the effectiveness of a 62-km² wildlife sanctuary, which was established to recover populations of large mammals in Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique), in restoring seed dispersal. We collected animal scats during the dry season of 2014 (June-August) along 5 transects inside and 5 transects outside the sanctuary fence (50 km total) with the same type of plant community, identified animal and plant species in the transects, and quantified the number of seeds in each scat. Based on these data, we built bipartite networks and calculated network and species-level descriptor values, and we compared data collected inside and outside the sanctuary. There were more scats (268 vs. 207) and more scats containing seeds (132 vs. 94) inside than outside the sanctuary. The number of mammal dispersers was also higher inside (17) than outside the sanctuary (11). Similarly, more seeds (2413 vs. 2124) and plant species (33 vs. 26) were dispersed inside than outside the sanctuary. Overall, the seed-dispersal network was less specialized (0.38 vs. 0.44) and there was a greater overlap (0.16 vs. 0.07) inside than outside the sanctuary. Both networks were significantly modular and antinested. The high number and richness of seeds dispersed inside the sanctuary was explained mostly by a higher abundance of dispersers rather than by disperser identity. Our results suggest conservation efforts aimed at recovering populations of large mammals are helping to reestablish not only target mammal species but also their functional roles as seed dispersers in the ecosystem. Los animales de talla grande son importantes dispersores de semillas; sin embargo, tienden a estar bajo un riesgo alto de extinción a nivel mundial. Existen evidencias convincentes de que la crisis global de la biodiversidad está resultando en el deterioro de varias funciones ambientales, pero prácticamente no hay información sobre cómo los esfuerzos de refaunación a gran escala puede reestablecer la dispersión de semillas. Evaluamos la efectividad de un santuario de vida silvestre de 62 km², el cual fue establecido para recuperar las poblaciones de grandes mamíferos en el Parque Nacional Gorongosa (Mozambique), en la restauración de la dispersión de semillas. Recolectamos heces de animales durante la época seca de 2014 (junio - agosto) a lo largo de cinco transectos adentro y cinco transectos afuera del cerco del santuario (50 km en total) con el mismo tipo de comunidad vegetal, identificamos las especies de animales y plantas en los transectos y cuantificamos el número de semillas en cada hez. Con base en estos datos, construimos redes bipartitas y calculamos los valores descriptivos a nivel de especie y de red, y comparamos los datos recolectados dentro y fuera del santuario. Hubo más heces (268 vs 207) y más heces con semillas (132 vs 94) adentro que afuera del santuario. El número de mamíferos dispersores también fue más alto (17) adentro que afuera del santuario (11). De manera similar, más semillas (2413 vs 2124) y especies de plantas (33 vs 26) fueron dispersadas adentro que afuera del santuario. En general, las red de dispersión de semillas estuvo menos especializada (0.38 vs 0.44) y hubo un traslape mayor (0.16 vs 0.07) adentro que afuera del santuario. Ambas redes fueron significativamente modulares y no anidadas. El número alto y la riqueza de semillas dispersadas adentro del santuario fue explicado en su mayoría por una abundancia más alta de dispersores que por la identidad de los dispersores. Nuestros resultados sugieren que los esfuerzos de conservación enfocados en la recuperación de poblaciones de grandes mamíferos están ayudando a restablecer no sólo a las especies alvo, sino también su papel funcional como dispersores de semillas en el ecosistema.
Studying ciliopathies, like the Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), allow the identification of signaling pathways potentially involved in common diseases, sharing phenotypic features like obesity or type 2 ...diabetes. Given the close association between obesity and insulin resistance, obese BBS patients would be expected to be insulin resistant. Surprisingly, we found that a majority of obese BBS patients retained normal glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Patient’s adipose tissue biopsies revealed upregulation of adipogenic genes and decrease of inflammatory mediators. In vitro studies on human primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showed that BBS12 inactivation facilitated adipogenesis, increased insulin sensitivity, and glucose utilization. We generated a Bbs12−/− mouse model to assess the impact of Bbs12 inactivation on adipocyte biology. Despite increased obesity, glucose tolerance was increased with specific enhanced insulin sensitivity in the fat. This correlated with an active recruitment of MSCs resulting in adipose tissue hyperplasia and decreased in inflammation.
► BBS patients do not present overt inflamed adipose tissue ► BBS12-mediated ciliary defect activates adipogenesis ► BBS12 knockout mouse shows characteristics BBS phenotypes ► Insulin sensitivity correlates with absence of local inflammation in BBS12 mouse
Pathophysiology of reflex syncope is not fully understood but a vagal overactivity might be involved in this syncope. Previously, overexpression of muscarinic M2 receptors and acetylcholinesterase ...was found in particular in the heart and in lymphocytes of rabbits with vagal overactivity as well as in hearts of Sudden Infant Death Syndromes. The aim of this present study was to look at M2 receptor expression in blood of patients with reflex syncope. The second objective was to measure acetylcholinesterase expression in these patients.
136 subjects were enrolled. This monocenter study pooled 45 adults exhibiting recurrent reflex syncope compared with 32 healthy adult volunteers (18-50 years) and 38 children exhibiting reflex syncope requiring hospitalization compared with 21 controls (1-17 years). One blood sample was taken from each subject and blood mRNA expression of M2 receptors was assessed by qRT-PCR. Taking into account the non-symmetric distributions of values in both groups, statistical interferences were assessed using bayesian techniques. A M2 receptor overexpression was observed in adult and pediatric patients compared to controls. The medians q1;q3 were 0.9 0.3;1.9 in patients versus 0.2 0.1;1.0 in controls; the probability that M2 receptor expression was higher in patients than in controls (Prpatients>controls) was estimated at 0.99. Acetylcholinesterase expression was also increased 0.7 0.4;1.6 in patients versus 0.4 0.2;1.1 in controls; the probability that acetylcholinesterase expression was higher in patients than in controls (Prpatients>controls) was estimated at 0.97. Both in adults and children, the expression ratio of M2 receptors over acetylcholinesterase was greater in the patient group compared with the control group.
M2 receptor overexpression has been detected in the blood of both, adults and children, exhibiting reflex syncope. As in our experimental model, i.e. rabbits with vagal overactivity, acetylcholinesterase overexpression was associated with M2 receptor overexpression. For the first time, biological abnormalities are identified in vagal syncope in which only clinical signs are, so far, taken into account for differential diagnosis and therapeutic management. Further work will be needed to validate potential biomarkers of risk or severity associated with the cholinergic system.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•A Malaysian mangrove forest shows exceptionally high annual root production of 12.7 t ha−1 yr−1.•Root productivity showed a strong seasonal trend, peaking during the monsoon season.•Root turn-over ...was exceptionally rapid (especially that of fine roots at 0.81 yr−1).•The root:shoot productivity ratio (at 2.65), was comparatively high.•Fine root biomass was the major contributor to belowground biomass and biomass production.
Mangroves often allocate a relatively large proportion of their total biomass production to their roots, and the belowground biomass of these forests contributes towards globally significant carbon sinks. However, little information is available on root production in mangroves due to the difficulties in carrying out measurements of belowground processes, particularly if there is regular flooding. In this study, we examined fine and coarse root production in the east coast of the Malaysian Peninsula. Ingrowth cores were used over the course of 17 months. In September 2014, twenty cores were randomly placed in each of five plots. Three cores were collected from each plot (fifteen cores in total), once every three months. Each core was divided into five 10 cm layers and root dry mass was recorded. Standing root biomass was also measured at the time of final collection using an additional 15 cores. There was a seasonal pattern in root production, which peaked in March and December 2015, after and during the monsoon season. Root biomass in the cores peaked at 33.23 ± 6.3 t ha−1 and 21.46 ± 7.3 t ha−1 in March and December respectively. Standing root biomass in February 2016 in the forest was 20.81 ± 2.8 t ha−1. After 17 months, the final root biomass in the cores was 14% less than the standing root biomass. These data suggest surprisingly rapid growth rates and turnover for mangrove roots. Total root biomass significantly increased with root depth and 78% of the roots, in all soil layers, consisted of fine roots (<3 mm diameter). Soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations were investigated in relation to belowground production, as were soil temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen. A data review of global studies reporting similar work was carried out. The results are discussed with consideration to the significance of monsoon rainfall for mangrove ecology.
Intellectual Disability (ID) is the most common cause of referral to pediatric genetic centers, as it affects around 1-3% of the general population and is characterized by a wide genetic ...heterogeneity. The Genome Sequencing (GS) approach is expected to achieve a higher diagnostic yield than exome sequencing given its wider and more homogenous coverage, and, since theoretically, it can more accurately detect variations in regions traditionally not well captured and identify structural variants, or intergenic/deep intronic putatively pathological events. The decreasing cost of sequencing, the progress in data-management and bioinformatics, prompted us to assess GS efficiency as the first line procedure to identify the molecular diagnosis in patients without obvious ID etiology. This work is being carried out in the framework of the national French initiative for genomic medicine (Plan France Médecine Génomique 2025).
This multidisciplinary, prospective diagnostic study will compare the diagnostic yield of GS trio analysis (index case, father, mother) with the French core minimal reference strategy (Fragile-X testing, chromosomal microarray analysis and Gene Panel Strategy of 44 selected ID genes). Both strategies are applied in a blinded fashion, in parallel, in the same population of 1275 ID index cases with no obvious diagnosis (50% not previously investigated). Among them, a subgroup of 196 patients are randomized to undergo GS proband analysis in addition to GS trio analysis plus the French core minimal reference strategy, in order to compare their efficiency. The study also aims to identify the most appropriate strategy according to the clinical presentation of the patients, to evaluate the impact of deployment of GS on the families' diagnostic odyssey and the modification of their care, and to identify the advantages/difficulties for the patients and their families.
The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee Sud Méditerranée I and the French data privacy commission (CNIL, authorization 919361).
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04154891 (07/11/2019).
Like other countries, France has invested in a national medical genomics program. Among the four pilot research studies, the DEFIDIAG project focuses on the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for ...patients with intellectual disability (ID), a neurodevelopmental condition affecting 1-3% of the general population but due to a plethora of genes. However, the access to genomic analyses has many potential individual and societal issues in addition to the technical challenges. In order to help decision-makers optimally introduce genomic testing in France, there is a need to identify the socio-economic obstacles and leverages associated with the implementation of WGS.
This humanities and social sciences analysis is part of the DEFIDIAG study. The main goal of DEFIDIAG is to compare the percentage of causal genetic diagnoses obtained by trio WGS (including the patient and both parents) (WGS
) to the percentage obtained using the minimal reference strategy currently used in France (Fragile-X testing, chromosomal microarray analysis, and gene panel strategy including 44 ID genes) for patients with ID having their first clinical genetics consultation. Additionally, four complementary studies will be conducted. First, a cost-effectiveness analysis will be undertaken in a subsample of 196 patients consulting for the first time for a genetic evaluation; in a blinded fashion, WGS
and solo (index case, only) genomic analysis (WGS
) will be compared to the reference strategy. In addition, quantitative studies will be conducted: the first will estimate the cost of the diagnostic odyssey that could potentially be avoidable with first-line WGS
in all patients previously investigated in the DEFIDIAG study; the second will estimate changes in follow-up of the patients in the year after the return of the WGS
analysis compared to the period before inclusion. Finally, through semi-directive interviews, we will explore the expectations of 60 parents regarding genomic analyses.
Humanities and social sciences studies can be used to demonstrate the efficiency of WGS and assess the value that families associate with sequencing. These studies are thus expected to clarify trade-offs and to help optimize the implementation of genomic sequencing in France.
The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee Sud Méditerranée I (June 2019)-identification number: 2018-A00680-55 and the French data privacy commission (CNIL, authorization 919361).
: (ClinicalTrials.gov), identifier (NCT04154891).
L’Europe doit avoir une stratégie navale crédible lui permettant de projeter de vraies capacités maritimes, alors que les moyens nationaux ne suffisent plus à répondre aux besoins. Il y a nécessité ...d’une véritable ambition politique, à condition de vouloir vraiment agir.
Non Linear Internal Waves (NLIW) are ubiquitous and appear wherever a proper combination of stratified water, current and bathymetry occur. In recent years, they have also been proven of primary ...interest for acoustic oceanography, since they are known to play an important role in sound speed fluctuations in shallow waters. The predictability of acoustic variability caused by these waves has been somewhat limited, and largely based on direct numerical simulation. Through this project, we present a simple and computationally efficient analytic model based on coupled mode theory. For this purpose, narrow and broadband acoustic normal mode fluctuations in the 2001 South China Sea ASIAEX experiment are first examined. Then ASIAEX environmental data are used to characterize the space/time scales of NLIW sound speed structure. Finally, a comparison is conducted between the observed normal mode variability and the predictions from an analytic model utilizing the observed NLIW structure, such as its width, amplitude and speed. As the model proves to be very sensitive to these characteristics, an overview of the Synthetic Aperture Radar capabilities to retrieve them is also conducted. In this latter part of the project, particular attention is given to wind effects on SAR data.
Thesis (M.S. in Physical Oceanography and M.S. in Meteorology)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2007.
Thesis Advisor(s): Colosi, John A. ; Durkee, Philip A. "December 2007." Description based on ...title screen as viewed on January 18, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-93). Also available in print.
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