We examine the motion of rigid, ellipsoidal swimmers subjected to a steady vortex flow in two dimensions. Numerical simulations of swimmers in a spatially periodic array of vortices reveal a range of ...possible behaviors, including trapping inside a single vortex and motility-induced diffusion across many vortices. While the trapping probability vanishes at a sufficiently high swimming speed, we find that it exhibits surprisingly large oscillations as this critical swimming speed is approached. Strikingly, at even higher swimming speeds, we find swimmers that swim perpendicular to their elongation direction can again become trapped. To explain this complex behavior, we investigate the underlying swimmer phase-space geometry. We identify the fixed points and periodic orbits of the swimmer equations of motion that regulate swimmer trapping inside a single vortex cell. For low to intermediate swimming speeds, we find that a stable periodic orbit surrounded by invariant tori forms a transport barrier to swimmers and can trap them inside individual vortices. For swimming speeds approaching the maximum fluid speed, we find instead that perpendicular swimmers can be trapped by asymptotically stable fixed points. A bifurcation analysis of the stable periodic orbit and the fixed points explains the complex and non-monotonic breakdown and re-emergence of swimmer trapping as the swimmer speed and shape are varied.
This study reports comprehensive clinical pathology data for hematology, serum, and plasma biochemistry reference intervals for 174 apparently healthy common bottlenose dolphins (
Tursiops truncatus
...) and reference values for 27 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (
Tursiops aduncus
), 13 beluga whales (
Delphinapterus leucas
), and 6 Pacific white-sided dolphins (
Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
) in zoos and aquariums accredited by the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Blood samples were collected as part of a larger study titled “Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums” (colloquially called the Cetacean Welfare Study). Two blood samples were collected following a standardized protocol, and two veterinarian examinations were conducted approximately six months apart between July to November 2018 and January to April 2019. Least square means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for hematology, serum, and plasma biochemical variables. Comparisons by age, gender, and month revealed statistically significant differences (
p
< 0.01) for several variables. Reference intervals and values were generated for samples tested at two laboratories for up to 56 hematologic, serum, and plasma biochemical variables. To apply these data, ZooPhysioTrak, an iOS mobile software application, was developed to provide a new resource for cetacean management. ZooPhysioTrak provides species-specific reference intervals and values based on user inputs of individual demographic and sample information. These data provide a baseline from which to compare hematological, serum, and plasma biochemical values in cetaceans in zoos and aquariums.
Allo-octoploid cultivated strawberry (
×
) originated through a combination of polyploid and homoploid hybridization, domestication of an interspecific hybrid lineage, and continued admixture of wild ...species over the last 300 years. While genes appear to flow freely between the octoploid progenitors, the genome structures and diversity of the octoploid species remain poorly understood. The complexity and absence of an octoploid genome frustrated early efforts to study chromosome evolution, resolve subgenomic structure, and develop a single coherent linkage group nomenclature. Here, we show that octoploid
species harbor millions of subgenome-specific DNA variants. Their diversity was sufficient to distinguish duplicated (homoeologous and paralogous) DNA sequences and develop 50K and 850K SNP genotyping arrays populated with co-dominant, disomic SNP markers distributed throughout the octoploid genome. Whole-genome shotgun genotyping of an interspecific segregating population yielded 1.9M genetically mapped subgenome variants in 5,521 haploblocks spanning 3,394 cM in
.
subsp.
, and 1.6M genetically mapped subgenome variants in 3,179 haploblocks spanning 2,017 cM in
. ×
. These studies provide a dense genomic framework of subgenome-specific DNA markers for seamlessly cross-referencing genetic and physical mapping information and unifying existing chromosome nomenclatures. Using comparative genomics, we show that geographically diverse wild octoploids are effectively diploidized, nearly completely collinear, and retain strong macro-synteny with diploid progenitor species. The preservation of genome structure among allo-octoploid taxa is a critical factor in the unique history of garden strawberry, where unimpeded gene flow supported its origin and domestication through repeated cycles of interspecific hybridization.
•Fucoxanthin and lipid extraction from wet Undaria pinnatifida was achieved with high yields.•DME-EtOH co-solvent extraction showed complete extraction of fucoxanthin and lipids.•Alginase ...pre-treatment prior to fucoxanthin and lipid extraction showed improved yields.•This method was successfully investigated at laboratory scale.•DME-EtOH extraction showed to be a potential alternative for traditional ethanol extraction.
A novel method for the efficient extraction of fucoxanthin and lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from the brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida was developed and demonstrated at a laboratory scale. U. pinnatifida, also known as Wakame, contains a number of biologically active lipophilic compounds, particularly fucoxanthin, which has anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties. The yield of fucoxanthin and lipids containing PUFAs was determined by extraction from wet and freeze-dried seaweed using dimethyl ether (DME) and ethanol and from enzyme-pretreated seaweed using the same solvents. The highest yields of fucoxanthin (94%) and lipids (94%) rich in PUFAs were obtained from fresh (wet) U. pinnatifida by enzyme pre-processing, followed by extraction using DME with ethanol as a co-solvent. In comparison, ethanol extraction resulted in lower extraction yields for both fucoxanthin (86%) and lipids (73%) under the conditions described. Enzyme pre-processing using alginate lyase resulted in the hydrolysis of cell wall polysaccharides, resulting in high extraction yields. The hydrolysis time, pH and temperature were found to be the most important parameters for the enzyme pre-processing step and for minimizing fucoxanthin losses due to oxidative degradation. The removal of water-soluble compounds (polysaccharides) following the enzyme pre-treatment prior to DME extractions doubled the throughput and maximized the yield. The residual biomass was colorless or a pale-brown color after the DME extraction, which indicated the highly effective extraction of fucoxanthin. The PUFA content and fucoxanthin levels were not affected by the enzyme or extraction using the described enzyme-assisted DME+ethanol co-solvent process.
High grade gliomas are identified as malignant central nervous tumors that spread rapidly and have a universally poor prognosis. Historically high grade gliomas in the pediatric population have been ...treated similarly to adult high grade gliomas. For the first time, the most recent classification of central nervous system tumors by World Health Organization has divided adult from pediatric type diffuse high grade gliomas, underscoring the biologic differences between these tumors in different age groups. The objective of our review is to compare high grade gliomas in the adult versus pediatric patient populations, highlighting similarities and differences in epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches. High grade gliomas in adults versus children have varying clinical presentations, molecular biology background, and response to chemotherapy, as well as unique molecular targets. However, increasing evidence show that they both respond to recently developed immunotherapies. This review summarizes the distinctions and commonalities between the two in disease pathogenesis and response to therapeutic interventions with a focus on immunotherapy.
Propolis is a bee-derived product used since antiquity for its general health-giving properties and is especially noted for its anti-bacterial activity. In more recent times, propolis has been ...employed against more specific targets such as antiproliferative effects vs cancer cells, wound healing and type-2 diabetes.
European (poplar)-type propolis from New Zealand contains a number of hydroxy cinnamic acid esters and a set of aglycone flavonoid compounds, mainly chrysin, galangin, pinocembrin and pinobanksin. Propolis is usually taken orally and propolis metabolites quickly appear in the plasma of the ingested. In this work we aimed to identify the major flavonoid plasma metabolites by direct analysis of the plasma.
After consumption of a large dose of propolis in a single sitting, blood samples were taken and analysed using LCMS/MS. The major flavonoid metabolites identified were also synthesised using chemical (sulfates) or enzymatic methods (glucuronides).
Both the sulfate and glucuronide conjugates of the four major propolis flavonoids are readily detected in human plasma after propolis ingestion. Preparation of the sulfates and glucuronides of the four major flavonoids allowed the relative proportions of the various metabolites to be determined. Although the sulfates are seen as large peaks in the LCMS/MS, the glucuronides are the dominant conjugate species.
This study shows most of the flavonoids in the plasma are present as 7-O-glucuronides with only galangin showing some di-glucuronidation (3,7-O-diglucuronide). No evidence was found for hydroxy cinnamic acid type metabolites in the plasma samples.
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The goal of the current study was to create reference intervals and values for several common and one potential novel physiological indicators of animal welfare for four species of cetaceans. The ...subjects included 189 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), 27 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), eight Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and 13 beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) at Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and/or Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited facilities. During two sampling time periods between July and November of 2018 and between January and April of 2019, fecal samples were collected weekly for five weeks from all animals. Samples were processed and analyzed using enzyme immunoassay for fecal cortisol, aldosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) metabolites. Linear mixed models were used to examine demographic and time factors impacting hormone metabolite concentrations. Age, sex, and time of year were all significant predictors for some of the models (p < 0.01). An iOS mobile application ZooPhysioTrak was created for easy access to species-specific reference intervals and values accounting for significant predictors. For facilities without access to this application, additional reference intervals and values were constructed without accounting for significant predictors. Information gained from this study and the use of the application can provide reference intervals and values to make informed management decisions for cetaceans in zoological facilities.
Elucidation of the patterns and controls of carbon (C) flow and nitrogen (N) cycling in forests has been hindered by a poor understanding of ectomycorrhizal fungal mycelia (EFM) dynamics. In this ...study, EFM standing biomass (based on soil ergosterol concentrations), production (based on ergosterol accrual in ingrowth cores), and turnover rate (the quotient of annual production and average standing biomass estimates) were assessed in a 25‐yr‐old longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) plantation where C flow was manipulated by foliar scorching and N fertilization for 5 yr before study initiation. In the controls, EFM standing biomass was 30 ± 7 g m⁻², production was 279 ± 63 g m⁻² yr⁻¹, and turnover rate was 10 ± 3 times yr⁻¹. The scorched × fertilized treatment had significantly higher EFM standing biomass (38 ± 8 g m⁻²), significantly lower production (205 ± 28 g m⁻² yr⁻¹), and a trend of decreased turnover rate (6 ± 1 times yr⁻¹). The EFM turnover estimates, which are among the first reported for natural systems, indicate that EFM are a dynamic component of ecosystems, and that conventional assessments have probably underestimated the role of EFM in C flow and nutrient cycling.
Cancer therapeutics frequently lead to symptomatic adverse events (AE) that can affect treatment tolerability. The NCI has developed the Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology ...Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) to assess symptomatic AEs by direct patient self-report. Although longitudinal assessment of patient-reported symptomatic AEs holds promise to better inform treatment tolerability, using patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to assess symptomatic AEs has raised several regulatory and good clinical practice issues among those who conduct cancer clinical trials. These include concerns regarding trial monitoring, clinical review of PRO results by investigators and delegated clinical staff, whether PRO data on symptomatic AEs require investigational new drug (IND) safety reporting, and how the trial conduct and resultant PRO data will be assessed during clinical investigator site inspections. This article addresses current thinking regarding these issues in cancer clinical trials from the FDA, the NCI, and the Office for Human Research Protections. PRO measures, such as PRO-CTCAE, that assess symptomatic AEs in cancer trials are considered similar to other PRO assessments of symptoms, function, and health-related quality of life and can generate complementary data that may inform tolerability. Clarity on operational concerns related to incorporating PRO measures to inform tolerability is critical to continue the advancement of rigorous PRO assessment in cancer clinical trials.
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