Determination of heavy metals from Aloe vera by- product in golden mullet (Liza aurata); A consumer health risk assessment.

Heavy metals have become subject of concern in the recent years because of its potency to cause cardiovascular diseases and other toxic health effects. Therefore, this research was assumed to investigate the level of toxicity in terms of heavy metals accumulation in the fish samples and its benefits and risk for human consumers health and also evaluate the partial replacement of plant sources by canarian Aloe vera diets as a pure product or like a by-product on toxicological effects on the golden mullet (Liza aurata) fillet and whole body. In this study risks arising from fish metal content has been measured using various parameters as Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Maximum Safe Consumption (MSCA), Target Hazard quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI) Carcinogenic risk of As (As- CR), the Value Selenium Health Benefit (Se HBV) and also the Nutritional Values has been evaluated. The results showed that all heavy metal levels in the fish tissue and diets were below the confirmed safe limits for consumption. In case of diets, it is obvious that with the exception of As, Hg, and Se, the presence of heavy or essential metals in both whole fish and raw fillet in golden grey mullet given experimental diets revealed that the whole fish had the highest concentration. Thus, it can be concluded that Aloe vera product and byproduct were in safety limits for fish and also for humans through food chain. Various risk and benefit assessment measures established by national and international authorities concluded that Liza aurata use was mostly safe.

Safer coalmines, happier, healthier and more engaged canaries.

Addressing and limiting burnout and its significant impacts on emergency physicians is an important and ongoing challenge, requiring much more than a focus on individual resilience. This is a key understanding which guides and informs the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine's holistic approach and advocacy efforts when it comes to the wellness of emergency physicians and the health systems in which they operate.

The effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation in a vertebrate host on the infection dynamics and transmission of avian malaria to the vector.

Host susceptibility to parasites is likely to be influenced by intrinsic factors, such as host oxidative status determined by the balance between pro-oxidant production and antioxidant defences. As a result, host oxidative status acts as an environmental factor for parasites and may constrain parasite development. We evaluated the role of host oxidative status on infection dynamics of an avian malarial parasite by providing canaries (Serinus canaria) with an antioxidant supplementation composed of vitamin E (a lipophilic antioxidant) and olive oil, a source of monounsaturated fatty acids. Another group received a standard, non-supplemented food. Half of the birds in each group where then infected with the haemosporidian parasite, Plasmodium relictum. We monitored the parasitaemia, haematocrit level, and red cell membrane resistance, as well as the transmission success of the parasite to its mosquito vector, Culex pipiens. During the acute phase, the negative effect of the infection was more severe in the supplemented group, as shown by a lower haematocrit level. Parasitaemia was lower in the supplemented group during the chronic phase only. Mosquitoes fed on supplemented hosts were more often infected than mosquitoes fed on the control group. These results suggest that dietary antioxidant supplementation conferred protection against Plasmodium in the long term, at the expense of a short-term negative effect. Malaria parasites may take advantage of antioxidants, as shown by the increased transmission rate in the supplemented group. Overall, our results suggest an important role of oxidative status in infection outcome and parasite transmission.

Male song quality modulates c-Fos expression in the auditory forebrain of the female canary.

In canaries, specific phrases of male song (sexy songs, SS) that are difficult to produce are especially attractive for females. Females exposed to SS produce more copulation displays and deposit more testosterone into their eggs than females exposed to non-sexy songs (NS). Increased expression of the immediate early genes c-Fos or zenk (a.k.a. egr-1) has been observed in the auditory forebrain of female songbirds hearing attractive songs. C-Fos immunoreactive (Fos-ir) cell numbers were quantified here in the brain of female canaries that had been collected 30min after they had been exposed for 60min to the playback of SS or NS or control white noise. Fos-ir cell numbers increased in the caudomedial mesopallium (CMM) and caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) of SS birds as compared to controls. Song playback (pooled SS and NS) also tended to increase average Fos-ir cell numbers in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) but this effect did not reach full statistical significance. At the individual level, Fos expression in CMM was correlated with its expression in NCM and in MBH but also with the frequency of calls that females produced in response to the playbacks. These data thus indicate that male songs of different qualities induce a differential metabolic activation of NCM and CMM. The correlation between activation of auditory regions and of the MBH might reflect the link between auditory stimulation and changes in behavior and reproductive physiology.

Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in respiratory allergy are different depending on the profile of aeroallergen sensitisation.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies which analyse the characteristics of allergic respiratory disease according to profiles of sensitisation to different allergens. This study describes the clinical features and therapeutic approaches, according to the sensitisation profile to relevant aeroallergens, in a sample of adult patients with a first-time diagnosis of respiratory allergy (rhinitis and/or asthma). METHODS: 1287 patients, enrolled consecutively in the spring of 2010 by 200 allergy specialists, were classified into four groups according to sensitisation to significant allergens in each geographical area (grass pollen, olive pollen, grass and olive pollen, house dust mites). Information was obtained on demographics, diagnostic procedures used, treatments prescribed, clinical characteristics of the rhinitis, and severity and control of asthma. RESULTS: Of the patients, 58.6% had rhinitis only and 38.7% had both rhinitis and asthma. Patients with more severe rhinitis had more severe and poorer controlled asthma. Sensitisation to different allergens was not associated with significant differences in severity and control of asthma, but patients with house dust mite allergy presented persistent rhinitis more frequently. Allergy to grass pollen was significantly associated with food allergies. Differences were observed in the frequency of prescription of immunotherapy and antileukotrienes in patients allergic to house dust mites and of topical corticosteroids in patients with pollen allergy. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed in this study that in respiratory allergy disease, there are clinical differences as well as differences in diagnostic procedure and therapeutic attitudes, depending on the clinically relevant allergen.

HVC lesions modify immediate early gene expression in auditory forebrain regions of female songbirds.

It is well established that auditory forebrain regions of oscine birds are essential for the encoding of species-typical songs and are, therefore, vital for recognition of song during sociosexual interactions. Regions such as the caudal medial nidopallium (NCM) and the caudal medial mesopallium (CMM) are involved in perceptual processing of song and the formation of auditory memories. There is an additional telencephalic nucleus, however, that has also been implicated in species recognition. This nucleus is HVC, a prominent nucleus that sits at the apex of the song system, and is well known for its critical role in song learning and song production in male songbirds. Here, we explore the functional relationship between auditory forebrain regions (i.e., NCM and CMM) and HVC in female canaries (Serinus canaria). We lesion HVC and examine immediate early gene responses to conspecific song presentation within CMM and NCM to explore whether HVC can modulate auditory responses within these forebrain regions. Our results reveal robust deficits in ZENK-ir in CMM and NCM of HVC-lesioned females when compared with control- and sham-lesioned females, indicating that functional connections exists between HVC and NCM/CMM. Although these connected regions have been implicated in song learning and production in males, they likely serve distinct functions in female songbirds that face the task of song recognition rather than song production. Identifying functional connections between HVC and auditory regions involved in song perception is an essential step toward developing a comprehensive understanding of the neural basis of song recognition.

Disruption of neuropsin mRNA expression via RNA interference facilitates the photoinduced increase in thyrotropin-stimulating subunit ß in birds.

It has long been known that the avian brain is capable of light detection independently of the eyes. The photoreceptive molecule neuropsin (OPN5) was identified in mammalian and avian brains, and shown to respond to biologically relevant light wavelengths. Whether OPN5 is functionally involved in light detection is unknown. Daylength plays a critical role in regulating the neuroendocrine control of reproduction in birds. The presence of light during a 'photoinducible' phase of the circadian cycle, which occurs 12-16 h after dawn, results in marked changes in hypothalamic gene expression. These changes ultimately control gonadotropin release from the pituitary gland that, in turn, stimulates gonadal development. In this study, we first measured OPN5 expression in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) in border canaries during the photoinducible period in relation to thyrotropin (TSH) ß-subunit mRNA expression, which is implicated in the control of avian reproduction. Second, the knockdown of OPN5 via small interfering RNA antisense in the MBH revealed that there is an inhibitory input in the photoinduced regulation of TSHß mRNA expression. Our data indicate that a decrease in OPN5 mRNA expression is associated with the facilitation in TSHß mRNA expression in the MBH, a critical step for the light-induced increase in gonadal recrudescence. We hypothesise that the removal of an inhibitory input by OPN5 in birds may be a step that occurs during the photoinducible period. Given the distribution of OPN5 in the brain and periphery, this suggests a possible multifunctional role for light information in regulating other physiological processes.

Multisensory non-photoperiodic cue advances the onset of seasonal breeding in Island canaries (Serinus canaria).

In most temperate zone vertebrates, photoperiodic change plays the major role in the timing of seasonal breeding. However, direct environmental stimuli such as temperature, rainfall, or availability of food are thought to be important for fine-tuning breeding activities. Building on evidence from wild Island canaries (Serinus canaria), the authors had shown advancing effects of green vegetation on breeding under captive, short-day conditions. So far, the precise, sensory modalities of this stimulatory cue are unknown. Here the authors present new data that confirm advanced breeding activities in the presence of green vegetation and narrow its stimulatory components. They found that direct exposure of the birds to fresh green vegetation represented the strongest stimulus and advanced breeding by up to 2 months compared to controls. In contrast, access to artificial green vegetation, extracts from green vegetation, or olfactory components alone had no such effects. This is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first experiment that examines sensory components of an effective, supplementary, non-photoperiodic cue in a temperate zone species. The data suggest that in order to use non-photoperiodic information to time breeding, birds must be able to integrate and process multisensory stimuli. Single non-photoperiodic sensory cues are insufficient to affect the timing of seasonal breeding.

Masked auditory thresholds in three species of birds, as measured by the auditory brainstem response (L).

Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded in adult budgerigars, canaries, and zebra finches in quiet and in three levels of white noise for tone stimuli between 1 and 4 kHz. Similar to behavioral results, masked ABR thresholds increased linearly with increasing noise levels. When the three species are considered together, ABR-derived CRs were higher than behavioral CRs by 18-23 dB between 2 and 4 kHz and by about 30 dB at 1 kHz. This study clarifies the utility of using ABRs for estimating masked auditory thresholds in natural environmental noises in species that cannot be tested behaviorally.

Electrophysiological and morphological development of the inner ear in Belgian Waterslager canaries.

Belgian Waterslager (BW) canaries have an inherited hearing loss due to missing and abnormal hair cells, but it is unclear whether the loss is congenital or developmental. We used auditory brainstem responses and scanning electron microscopy to describe the development of auditory sensitivity and hair cell abnormalities in BW and non-BW canaries. In both strains, adult ABR thresholds were higher than behavioral thresholds, but BW canaries exhibited higher thresholds than non-BW canaries across all frequencies. Immediately post-hatch, ABR thresholds and hair cell numbers were similar in both strains. Two weeks later, thresholds were significantly higher in BW canaries, and hair cell number progressively decreased as the birds aged. These data show that in BW canaries: the peripheral auditory system is functionally similar to non-BW canary from hatch to 2 weeks, ABR thresholds improve during this developmental period, actually becoming better than those of adults, but then worsen as the bird continues to age. Hair cell number and appearance is similar to non-BW canaries at hatch but progressively declines after 30 days of age. These data show that the hearing loss characteristic of BW canaries is, at least in part, developmental and is established by the time song learning begins.

Maternal effects and beta-carotene assimilation in Canary chicks.

Carotenoids are pigments responsible for the red, orange and yellow coloration of plants and animals. They may be beneficial in two ways; they have a powerful antioxidant activity, and they can behave as an immunostimulant. Animals however cannot synthesize carotenoids de novo, they must obtain them through their diet. In our experiments on Canaries, we investigated how mothers transfer their dietary carotenoid-related benefits to their offspring; either through the egg, or through the diet (during chicks' feeding). Female Canaries were allowed to access beta-carotene enriched food during egg formation and/or chicks' feeding. We sorted the chicks into four groups using the period when they assimilated the beta-carotene as a variable. The four groups were: (i) before hatching (from yolk), (ii) after hatching (from maternal feeding), (iii) before and after hatching, or (iv) never. Colorimetry and HPLC analysis from sub-samples of yolks confirmed the maternal transfer of dietary carotenoids to the yolk. Our results show that benefits from maternal dietary carotenoids are transferred to the chicks, but according to the period when they are assimilated by the chicks, the physiological effects are different. It was found that the chicks' growth was enhanced when carotenoids were assimilated both before and after hatching. However an increase in cellular immunity efficiency only occurs when the assimilation takes place after hatching.

Noradrenergic deficits alter processing of communication signals in female songbirds.

During acoustic communication, animals must attend to sounds from a particular source while simultaneously rejecting intrusion from other sources. One possible candidate mechanism for this process is the noradrenergic system. Noradrenaline is a neuromodulator that tunes sensory processing systems and regulates attention. We examined whether pharmacological degradation of the noradrenergic system using N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-2-bromobenzyl-amine hydrochloride (DSP-4) modifies processing of species-typical auditory signals in female canaries (Serinus canaria). We measured auditory responses to conspecific and heterospecific songs using ZENK protein expression within the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) and the mesopallium caudomedial (CMM). Song-induced ZENK expression in these auditory forebrain areas is typically higher in birds exposed to conspecific songs as opposed to heterospecific songs. Our results reveal that this differential ZENK induction is abolished specifically within dNCM and CMM in female canaries treated with DSP-4. Furthermore, in DSP-4-treated birds, conspecific song-induced ZENK expression is significantly reduced when compared to saline-treated birds. This suggests that the noradrenergic system modifies auditory processing by enhancing neuronal responses to signals relevant to survival and reproduction rather than inhibiting neuronal responses to signals that are less relevant. Overall, our results reveal that noradrenaline plays a significant neuromodulatory role during the reception of species-typical communication signals.

Species differences in auditory processing dynamics in songbird auditory telencephalon.

The caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) of songbirds is a telencephalic area involved in the auditory processing and memorization of complex vocal communication signals. We used pure tone stimuli and multiunit electrophysiological recordings in awake birds to investigate whether the basic properties of song-responding circuits in NCM differ between canaries and zebra finches, two species whose songs are markedly different in their spectral and temporal organization. We found that the responses in zebra finch NCM are characterized by broad tuning and sustained responses that may facilitate the integration of zebra finch song syllables and call notes that are of long duration and have a broad harmonic structure. In contrast, we found that the responses in canary NCM show narrower tuning and less sustained responses over the time periods analyzed. These characteristics may contribute to enhanced processing of the narrow-band whistles, rapid trills, and steep frequency modulations that are prominent features of canary song. These species differences are much less pronounced in field L2, the direct thalamorecipient region that represents a preceding station in the central avian auditory pathway. NCM responses did not differ across sexes of either species, but field L2 did show wider tuning in zebra finch females relative to males. In sum, species differences in the response properties of NCM likely reflect selectivity for the acoustic elements of each species' vocal repertoire.

Pet therapy and institutionalized elderly: a study on 144 cognitively unimpaired subjects.

The aim of this study was to assess whether a pet therapy program had a favorable effect on psychopathological status and perception of quality of life in cognitively unimpaired institutionalized elderly. Seven elderly rest homes in Veneto Region of Northern Italy participated in the project, which was conducted on 144 cognitively intact elderly residents (97 females and 47 males). The participants were randomly divided into three groups: 48 subjects were given a canary, 43 subjects were given a plant, and 53 subjects were given nothing. The observation period (t0-t1) lasted for 3 months. At time t0 and t1 participants were administered the mini mental state examination (MMSE) to assess their cognitive status, the LEIPAD II-Short Version (LEIPAD-SV), to gauge subjective perception of quality of life in the elderly, and the brief symptom inventory (BSI), for self-evaluation of the presence of psychopathological symptoms. At the end of the 3-month trial, tests were re-administered, without removing the experimental condition. Even if the group that received a plant seemed to benefit from the experience, they did not achieve the same positive results on BSI and quality of life subscales exhibited by the group that received a pet. This study reinforces the hypothesis that pet therapy may have a beneficial effect on the psychological well being of institutionalized elderly, in particular on aspects related to depressive symptoms and perception of quality of life.

Auditory topography and temporal response dynamics of canary caudal telencephalon.

To map the encoding of auditory cues in songbirds, multiunit electrophysiological responses to pure tone stimuli (250-5000 Hz) were recorded at 373 sites throughout the avian analogue of the mammalian auditory cortex in the caudal telencephalon of awake, restrained canaries. We found that a dorso-ventral tonotopic gradient from low to high frequency stimuli extends from the rostral field L2 to caudal-most caudo-medial nidopallium (NCM), similar to the frequency-dependent patterns of ZENK gene expression in canary NCM and to electrophysiological responses in other songbird species. However, response characteristics differ across the region. In field L2, responses are vigorous, phasic, and do not habituate to repeated presentations of the same stimulus. In an important subset of field L2 sites, tuning width narrows over the course of the response, which then terminates rapidly at stimulus offset. These properties are associated with inhibition at many nonpreferred frequencies and poststimulus inhibition at responsive frequencies. In contrast, NCM sites habituate to repeated sine waves, have wider tuning and lower amplitude responses, and rarely show inhibitory effects. Tuning curves in NCM are also flatter than those of field L2, and are often multipeaked. In addition, tuning width increases as the response unfolds and poststimulus excitation is often sustained in NCM. In sum, specific parts of the canary caudo-medial telencephalon differ in their response properties, suggesting differential roles in auditory processing. NCM properties, in particular, may allow for response integration across multiple spectrally varying stimulus elements, such as those that occur during birdsong.

Sexually attractive phrases increase yolk androgens deposition in Canaries (Serinus canaria).

The androgen concentration in birds' eggs varies with laying order, breeding conditions, and mate attractiveness. In passerine birds, mate attractiveness depends upon song quality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of one criterion used by females to assess male song quality that is to say the presence of sexually attractive phrases on yolk androgen deposition. Twenty-five female Canaries were assigned to three experimental groups; in the first group, the females were allowed to hear songs made up with attractive phrases; in the second group, they were allowed to hear songs made up with non-attractive phrases; and in the control group, the females could not hear any song. Our results show that females allowed to hear songs with attractive phrases deposit significantly higher amounts of androgens (mostly testosterone) in their eggs than females without acoustical stimulation. The females exposed to songs with non-attractive phrases had androgen amounts halfway between the two other groups. This suggests that when females are paired with mates able to sing attractive phrases they can allocate more androgens in their eggs during the pre-laying period.

In vivo dynamic ME-MRI reveals differential functional responses of RA- and area X-projecting neurons in the HVC of canaries exposed to conspecific song.

HVC (nidopallial area, formerly known as hyperstriatum ventrale pars caudalis), a key centre for song control in oscines, responds in a selective manner to conspecific songs as indicated by electrophysiology. However, immediate-early gene induction cannot be detected in this nucleus following song stimulation. HVC contains neurons projecting either towards the nucleus robustus archistriatalis (RA; motor pathway) or area X (anterior forebrain pathway). Both RA- and area X-projecting cells show auditory responses. The present study analysed these responses separately in the two types of HVC projection neurons of canaries by a new in vivo approach using manganese as a calcium analogue which can be transported anterogradely and used as a paramagnetic contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Manganese was stereotaxically injected into HVC and taken up by HVC neurons. The anterograde axonal transport of manganese from HVC to RA and area X was then followed by MRI during approximately 8 h and changes in signal intensity in these targets were fitted to sigmoid functions. Data comparing birds exposed or not to conspecific songs revealed that song stimulation specifically affected the activity of the two types of HVC projection neurons (increase in the sigmoid slope in RA and in its maximum signal intensity in area X). Dynamic manganese-enhanced MRI thus allows assessment of the functional state of specific neuronal populations in the song system of living canaries in a manner reminiscent of functional MRI (but with higher resolution) or of 2-deoxyglucose autoradiography (but in living subjects).

Investigations on feathering, feather growth and potential influences of nutrient supply on feathers' regrowth in small pet birds (canaries, budgerigars and lovebirds).

The aim of this study was to quantitate feathering in several companion birds. Besides the ratio of feathers to whole body mass, feather length as well as feather weight were of interest. Furthermore, data on feather loss and growth rates were estimated. In general, it could be observed that the proportion of feathers relative to body mass varied between 14 (canaries) and 7.4% (lovebirds). Feather losses (outside the moult period) amounted to an average of 6.65 (canaries), 8.98 (budgerigars), and 8.43 (lovebirds) mg/bird/day respectively or 37 (canaries), 20 (budgerigars), and 17 (lovebirds) mg/100 g body weight/day (values of interest in calculating of protein requirements for maintenance). In canaries, the average growth rate of the developing feathers amounted to 2 mm/day. In contrast to the onset of feather regeneration, the growth rate of new feathers leaving the follicle was not influenced by the supplements used here. The regeneration period (first measurable feather growth) of a plucked pinion can be used as an indicator and objective parameter to test potential nutritional influences. Parallel to the improvement of nutrient supply the rates of feather losses and also replacement increased, whereas the rates decreased when seed mixtures without any addition of minerals, sulphurous amino acids, and vitamins were fed.

Measurement of the linear and nonlinear mechanical properties of the oscine syrinx: implications for function.

We have measured the vibrational modes of the sound producing membrane in the syrinx of zebra finches and canaries. Excised syringes were driven with a frequency-swept acoustic pressure wave through the trachea, and the resulting vibrations measured using a laser interferometer. The frequency-dependent membrane compliance was measured at 10-20 different positions, giving a detailed picture of the linear vibrational modes of the two membrane components, the medial labium and the medial tympaniform membrane. Nonlinear properties of the membrane were determined by measuring the linear response at several superimposed static pressures. The membrane compliance is dominated by the lowest vibrational mode, a narrow mechanical resonance, at roughly 700 Hz in the zebra finch, that extends over the entire membrane. Several higher-frequency modes were also observed. The frequency of the lowest vibrational mode is determined largely by the mass of the heavier medial labium, rather than the thinner medial tympaniform membrane, suggesting that the medial labium is critical in determining the oscillatory frequency of the syrinx. The difference in mass of the medial labium and medial tympaniform membrane may serve to produce a wave-like motion of the membranes during flow-driven oscillations, thus increasing the efficiency of sound production. Implications for mechanisms of frequency tuning are discussed.