ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An accurate evaluation of the degree of sedation is mandatory to adjust the dosage of sedative drugs. OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlation between head height above the ground and ataxia degree in horses sedated with detomidine and the correlation existing between accelerometric variables and both parameters. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Twelve horses were given 0.01 mg/kg of detomidine hydrochloride iv. Measured accelerometric parameters, with one accelerometer positioned between both sacral tuberosities, included speed, stride frequency and length, regularity, dorsoventral, longitudinal, mediolateral and total accelerometric activities, relative force index and dorsoventral, longitudinal and mediolateral parts of the accelerometric activities. Head height above the ground (cm) and subjective ataxia degree were also measured. Baseline values (-15 min) and values measured 5 and 15 min after the injection and then every 15 min for a period of 2 h were obtained. RESULTS: There was a negative and strong correlation between head height above the ground and ataxia degree (Pearson r = -0.78, p < 0.001), particularly during the first 45 min. A significant correlation was found between head height above the ground and almost all accelerometric parameters. This correlation was very strong with stride frequency, regularity and dorsoventral and total accelerometric activities in both cases, but for ataxia, also with total accelerometric activity. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Experimental conditions may not represent real clinical situations. CONCLUSIONS: Stride frequency and regularity are the most reliable parameters to determine degree of sedation and are related to the sedation produced. Ataxia should not be considered a separate property of sedation and does not need to be assessed separately to the depth of sedation.
HISTORIAL: Una evaluación precisa del grado de sedación es importante para ajustar la dosis de drogas sedantes. OBJETIVOS: Determinar la correlación entre la altura de cabeza con respecto al suelo y el grado de ataxia en caballos sedados con detomidina y la correlación que existe entre las variables acelerométricas y ambos parámetros. DISEÑO DEL ESTUDIO: Estudio retrospectivo. MÉTODOS: A doce caballos se les administró 0.01 mg/kg de hidrocloruro de detomidina por vía endovenosa. Parámetros acelerométricos fueron medidos, con un acelerómetro posicionado entre ambas tuberosidades sacrales, que incluyeron velocidad, frecuencia y largo del paso, regularidad, actividades acelerométricas dorso ventral, longitudinal, medio lateral y total, índice de fuerza relativo y partes dorso ventral, longitudinal, medio lateral de actividades acelerométricas. También se midieron la altura de la cabeza sobre el nivel del suelo (cm) y grado de ataxia subjetiva. Se obtuvieron valores de base (15 min) y valores medidos 5 y 15 min después de la inyección y subsecuentemente cada 15 min por un periódo de 2h. RESULTADOS: Hubo una correlación fuerte, negativa, estadísticamente significativa entre la altura de la cabeza sobre el nivel del suelo y el grado de ataxia (Pearson r = 0.78, p<0.001), con una correlación mayor durante los primeros 45 minutos. En cuanto a la ataxia, se encontró una correlación significativa entre cabeza sobre el suelo y casi todos los parámetros acelerométricos. Esta correlación fue muy fuerte con la frecuencia y regularidad del paso, actividades acelerométricas dorso ventral y total en ambos casos pero para ataxia también con actividad acelerométrica total. LIMITACIONES PRINCIPALES: Condiciones experimentales no imitan completamente las situaciones clínicas reales. CONCLUSIONES: La frecuencia y regularidad del paso parecen ser los parámetros más confiables para determinar el grado de sedación y están estrictamente relacionados con la sedación producida. Además, la ataxia no debería considerarse como una propiedad separada de la sedación y no necesita ser evaluada en forma separada a la profundidad de la sedación.
ABSTRACT
Renal involvement is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present study included patients with recently diagnosed Class III and Class IV lupus nephritis (LN) treated by Rheumatology who, upon the detection of alterations in their kidney function, were referred to Nephrology for the joint management of both medical specialties. The purpose of this study was to compare the plasma expression of Toll-Like Receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR9 in healthy control (HC) subjects and newly diagnosed Class III and Class IV LN patients with 12-month follow-ups. The plasma expression of TLR7 and TLR9 proteins was determined by the ELISA method. A significant increase in the expression of TLR7 protein was found in Class III LN in the basal determination compared to the expression in the HC (p = 0.002) and at 12 months of follow-up (p = 0.03) vs. HC. The expression of TLR9 showed a behavior opposite to that of TLR7. TLR9 showed decreased protein expression in LN Class III patients' baseline and final measurements. The result was similar in the basal and final determinations of LN Class IV compared to the expression in HC. A significant decrease in SLEDAI -2K was observed at 12 months of follow-up in patients in Class III (p = 0.01) and Class IV (p = 0.0001) of LN. Complement C3 levels improved significantly at 12-month follow-up in Class IV patients (p = 0.0001). Complement C4 levels decreased significantly at 12-month follow-up in LN Class III compared to baseline (p = 0.01). Anti-DNA antibodies decreased significantly at 12 months of follow-up in Class IV LN (p = 0.01). A significant increase in proteinuria was found at 12 months of follow-up in Class III LN, compared to the baseline determination (p = 0.02). In LN Class IV, proteinuria decreased at 12 months of follow-up compared to baseline (p = 0.0001). Albuminuria decreased at 12 months of follow-up in LN Class IV (p = 0.006). Class IV LN, albuminuria also decreased at 12 months of follow-up (p = 0.009). Hematuria persisted in all patients and the glomerular filtration rate did not change. Three Class IV patients died before 12 months of follow-up from various causes. In conclusion, although the rheumatologic data appeared to improve, the renal function data remained inconsistent. Decreased expression of TLR9 and increased expression of TLR7 could be useful in the early diagnosis of Class III and Class IV LN is correct.
Subject(s)
Lupus Nephritis , Toll-Like Receptor 7 , Toll-Like Receptor 9 , Humans , Lupus Nephritis/diagnosis , Lupus Nephritis/blood , Lupus Nephritis/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 7/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 7/genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 9/metabolism , Female , Adult , Male , Follow-Up Studies , Middle Aged , Case-Control Studies , Young AdultSubject(s)
Adiposity , Disease Progression , Hypertension , Intra-Abdominal Fat , Prehypertension , Humans , Hypertension/physiopathology , Hypertension/diagnosis , Intra-Abdominal Fat/physiopathology , Prehypertension/physiopathology , Prehypertension/diagnosis , Predictive Value of Tests , Blood PressureABSTRACT
Phenotypic variation among species is a product of evolutionary changes to developmental programs1,2. However, how these changes generate novel morphological traits remains largely unclear. Here we studied the genomic and developmental basis of the mammalian gliding membrane, or patagium-an adaptative trait that has repeatedly evolved in different lineages, including in closely related marsupial species. Through comparative genomic analysis of 15 marsupial genomes, both from gliding and non-gliding species, we find that the Emx2 locus experienced lineage-specific patterns of accelerated cis-regulatory evolution in gliding species. By combining epigenomics, transcriptomics and in-pouch marsupial transgenics, we show that Emx2 is a critical upstream regulator of patagium development. Moreover, we identify different cis-regulatory elements that may be responsible for driving increased Emx2 expression levels in gliding species. Lastly, using mouse functional experiments, we find evidence that Emx2 expression patterns in gliders may have been modified from a pre-existing program found in all mammals. Together, our results suggest that patagia repeatedly originated through a process of convergent genomic evolution, whereby regulation of Emx2 was altered by distinct cis-regulatory elements in independently evolved species. Thus, different regulatory elements targeting the same key developmental gene may constitute an effective strategy by which natural selection has harnessed regulatory evolution in marsupial genomes to generate phenotypic novelty.
Subject(s)
Evolution, Molecular , Homeodomain Proteins , Locomotion , Marsupialia , Transcription Factors , Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Epigenomics , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Genome/genetics , Genomics , Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Locomotion/genetics , Marsupialia/anatomy & histology , Marsupialia/classification , Marsupialia/genetics , Marsupialia/growth & development , Phylogeny , Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Phenotype , HumansABSTRACT
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) mediate the actions of growth factors in metazoans. In decapod crustaceans, RTKs are implicated in various physiological processes, such molting and growth, limb regeneration, reproduction and sexual differentiation, and innate immunity. RTKs are organized into two main types: insulin receptors (InsRs) and growth factor receptors, which include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). The identities of crustacean RTK genes are incomplete. A phylogenetic analysis of the CrusTome transcriptome database, which included all major crustacean taxa, showed that RTK sequences segregated into receptor clades representing InsR (72 sequences), EGFR (228 sequences), FGFR (129 sequences), and PDGFR/VEGFR (PVR; 235 sequences). These four receptor families were distinguished by the domain organization of the extracellular N-terminal region and motif sequences in the protein kinase catalytic domain in the C-terminus or the ligand-binding domain in the N-terminus. EGFR1 formed a single monophyletic group, while the other RTK sequences were divided into subclades, designated InsR1-3, FGFR1-3, and PVR1-2. In decapods, isoforms within the RTK subclades were common. InsRs were characterized by leucine-rich repeat, furin-like cysteine-rich, and fibronectin type 3 domains in the N-terminus. EGFRs had leucine-rich repeat, furin-like cysteine-rich, and growth factor IV domains. N-terminal regions of FGFR1 had one to three immunoglobulin-like domains, whereas FGFR2 had a cadherin tandem repeat domain. PVRs had between two and five immunoglobulin-like domains. A classification nomenclature of the four RTK classes, based on phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignments, is proposed.
Subject(s)
Furin , Insulin , Furin/genetics , Phylogeny , Insulin/genetics , Transcriptome , Cysteine , Leucine/genetics , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , ErbB Receptors/metabolism , Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor/genetics , Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , TyrosineABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The effect of clothing on the recording of blood pressure in a normotensive and hypertensive population remains essential to diagnosing and managing. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study to measure blood pressure using a validated oscillometric sphygmomanometer in two populations. The records were made over the thicker sleeve arm and non-sleeved arm (either on bare arm or indicating the removal of the outermost garment). Clothing was categorized according to how patients attended the outpatient clinic based on the real world. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients were included with a diagnosis of hypertension whose mean age was 67.1 years (SD ± 16.3). The group of normotension included 63 patients whose mean age was 21.1 years (SD ± 2.2). There was not variability related to technique or inherent to the condition of the subject on the first and second measurements of blood pressure. In the comparative analysis, the group with normotension did not report a significant difference in systolic or diastolic blood pressure due to the effect of clothing during the first or second measurement (p > 0.05). In the group with hypertension, a significant difference was observed in the first measurement, between the group over-the-sleeve and non-sleeved arm (systolic blood pressure, p: 0.021 and diastolic, p: 0.001). However, when the variable order of measurement was analyzed by randomizing the initial registry with or without clothing was not found a statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Clothing does not a significant difference in the measure of blood pressure in a normotensive or hypertensive population.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure Determination , Blood Pressure , Clothing , Hypertension , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/physiopathology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Aged , Male , Female , Blood Pressure Determination/methods , Middle Aged , Blood Pressure/physiology , Adult , Aged, 80 and over , Young AdultABSTRACT
Barrel cortex integrates contra- and ipsilateral whiskers' inputs. While contralateral inputs depend on the thalamocortical innervation, ipsilateral ones are thought to rely on callosal axons. These are more abundant in the barrel cortex region bordering with S2 and containing the row A-whiskers representation, the row lying nearest to the facial midline. Here, we ask what role this callosal axonal arrangement plays in ipsilateral tactile signaling. We found that novel object exploration with ipsilateral whiskers confines c-Fos expression within the highly callosal subregion. Targeting this area with in vivo patch-clamp recordings revealed neurons with uniquely strong ipsilateral responses dependent on the corpus callosum, as assessed by tetrodotoxin silencing and by optogenetic activation of the contralateral hemisphere. Still, in this area, stimulation of contra- or ipsilateral row A-whiskers evoked an indistinguishable response in some neurons, mostly located in layers 5/6, indicating their involvement in the midline representation of the whiskers' sensory space.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Cortex , Corpus Callosum , Corpus Callosum/physiology , Neurons/physiology , Axons , Touch/physiologyABSTRACT
Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is considered one of the leading causes of mortality. Multiple immunological pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, which makes it imperative to deepen our knowledge about this disease's immune-pathological complexity and explore new therapeutic targets. Since an altered redox state contributes to immune system dysregulation, this document briefly addresses the roles of oxidative stress (OS), oxidative DNA damage, antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial function, and mitophagy in SLE and LN. Although adaptive immunity's participation in the development of autoimmunity is undeniable, increasing data emphasize the importance of innate immunity elements, particularly the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that recognize nucleic acid ligands, in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here, we discuss the intriguing roles of TLR7 and TLR9 in developing SLE and LN. Also included are the essential characteristics of conventional treatments and some other novel and little-explored alternatives that offer options to improve renal function in LN.
Subject(s)
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Lupus Nephritis , Humans , Lupus Nephritis/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 9/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 7/genetics , Immunity, Innate , Oxidation-ReductionABSTRACT
While nutritional interventions are first-line therapy for many chronic diseases, most medical trainees receive minimal nutrition education, leaving them unprepared to address nutritional issues with patients. An interactive, single-session, virtual nutrition curriculum was taught online to 80 physician assistant (PA) students. Topics included plant-based nutrition, dietary history-taking and counseling, and culinary medicine. Students were surveyed before, immediately after, and four weeks after the curriculum to assess changes to nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and personal dietary behaviors. Seventy-three PA students (91%) completed the pre-survey, 76 (95%) completed the post-survey, and 42 (52.5%) completed the delayed post-survey. Knowledge scores increased immediately post-intervention (48.9% to 78.9%; p < 0.001) and persisted four weeks later (78.9% to 75.8%; p = 0.54). Post-intervention, students felt more confident in dietary history-taking (55% vs. 95%; p = 0.001) and nutrition counseling (53% vs. 84%; p = 0.003) and agreed that dietary changes alone could reverse type 2 diabetes (74% vs. 97%; p = 0.027) and coronary artery disease (66% vs. 92%; p = 0.039). Curricula using virtual teaching kitchens may be a scalable approach to nutrition education for medical trainees.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Students, Medical , Humans , Students, Medical/psychology , Health Education , Diet , Counseling , CurriculumABSTRACT
Animal pigment patterns are excellent models to elucidate mechanisms of biological organization. Although theoretical simulations, such as Turing reaction-diffusion systems, recapitulate many animal patterns, they are insufficient to account for those showing a high degree of spatial organization and reproducibility. Here, we study the coat of the African striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) to uncover how periodic stripes form. Combining transcriptomics, mathematical modelling and mouse transgenics, we show that the Wnt modulator Sfrp2 regulates the distribution of hair follicles and establishes an embryonic prepattern that foreshadows pigment stripes. Moreover, by developing in vivo gene editing in striped mice, we find that Sfrp2 knockout is sufficient to alter the stripe pattern. Strikingly, mutants exhibited changes in pigmentation, revealing that Sfrp2 also regulates hair colour. Lastly, through evolutionary analyses, we find that striped mice have evolved lineage-specific changes in regulatory elements surrounding Sfrp2, many of which may be implicated in modulating the expression of this gene. Altogether, our results show that a single factor controls coat pattern formation by acting both as an orienting signalling mechanism and a modulator of pigmentation. More broadly, our work provides insights into how spatial patterns are established in developing embryos and the mechanisms by which phenotypic novelty originates.
Subject(s)
Pigmentation , Rodentia , Mice , Animals , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
Learning effect occurs when the best performance is not achieved at the earliest trial of a repeated protocol of evaluation. The present study examined, within testing session, the intra-individual variation in an isokinetic strength protocol composed of five reciprocal concentric and eccentric contractions of knee extensors (KE) and knee flexors (KF) among male adolescent swimmers. Additionally, test-retest reliability was determined as intra-individual mean differences between two consecutive testing sessions. The sample included 38 swimmers aged 10.1-13.3 years. A subsample (n = 17) completed a second visit. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to assess concentric and eccentric contractions of KE and KF at an angular velocity of 60°.s-1. The protocol included three preliminary repetitions that were not retained for analysis, a 60-second interval, and five reciprocal maximal concentric contractions (cc). The preceding sequence was repeated for eccentric contractions (ecc) of KE and KF. Multilevel regression confirmed intra-individual and inter-individual levels as significant sources of variance in peak torque (PT) values. Intra-class correlation (ICC) fluctuated between 0.582 and 0.834 and, in general, a substantial percentage of participants need more than three repetitions to attain their best PT: KEcc (36.8%), KEecc (23.7%), KFcc (39.5%), KFecc (18.4%). For the subsample of 17 swimmers who completed a second testing session, intra-individual mean differences of the best PT were trivial or small. In summary, the validity of shorter protocols may be compromised if swimmers do not attain their best peak torque in the first few attempts, and the reliability of a 5-repetition protocol seemed acceptable.
Subject(s)
Knee , Muscle, Skeletal , Humans , Male , Adolescent , Reproducibility of Results , Knee Joint , Athletes , Torque , Muscle StrengthABSTRACT
Polymer composites containing magnetic fillers are promising materials for a variety of applications, such as in energy storage and medical fields. To facilitate the engineering design of respective components, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical behavior of such inhomogeneous and potentially highly anisotropic materials is important. Therefore, the authors created magnetic composites by compression molding. The epoxy polymer matrix was modified with a commercial-grade thickening agent. Isotropic magnetic particles were added as the functional filler. The microstructural morphology, especially the filler distribution, dispersion, and alignment, was characterized using microscopy techniques. The mechanical properties of the composites were experimentally characterized and studied by stochastic finite element analysis (SFEA). Modeling was conducted employing four cases to predict the elastic modulus: fully random distribution, randomly aligned distribution, a so-called "rough" interface contact, and a bonded interface contact. Results from experiments and SFEA modeling were compared and discussed.
ABSTRACT
Background: The Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Quality of Life (ACL-QOL) questionnaire is a patient-reported outcome measure used to assess the effect of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on the lives of patients. It was originally written in English, which may affect its use when completed by nonnative English speakers. Purpose: To translate and adapt the ACL-QOL to Spanish and provide evidence of its psychometric properties. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 183 patients with an ACL injury from 4 Catalan hospitals were included: 99 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction (ACLR) completed the Spanish version of the ACL-QOL (ACL-QOL-Sp) twice (mean interval, 15.2 days) in 2 weeks for test-retest reliability, and 84 patients completed the ACL-QOL-Sp, the Lysholm knee scoring scale, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner Activity Scale, and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) before and at 4 and 9 months after ACLR to assess responsiveness. The association between the ACL-QOL-Sp and the other outcome measures was evaluated with the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The ACL-QOL-Sp showed good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.96) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97). The standard error of measurement was 3.6, also suggesting the precision of measurements. The smallest detectable change was 9.98 in 94% of patients. No association was found between the ACL-QOL-Sp score and the Tegner score or SF-12 mental component summary score; however, a moderate correlation was found with the overall KOOS score (r = -0.545), Lysholm score (r = 0.509), and SF-12 physical component summary score (r = 0.607). The correlation ranged from weak for the KOOS-Symptoms subscore (r = -0.290) to moderate for the KOOS-Quality of Life subscore (r = -0.698). No ceiling or floor effects were observed. The ACL-QOL-Sp showed a moderate effect size (0.73) at 4 months but a large effect size (1.70) at 9 months. Conclusion: The ACL-QOL-Sp showed adequate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness in evaluating quality of life after ACLR in Spanish-speaking patients.
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effectiveness of phenolic compound incorporation from blueberry juice into pear slices (PS) using a combination of ohmic heating (OH) and vacuum impregnation (VI), followed by air-drying (AD) or freeze-drying (FD). Our results showed that OH increased the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of blueberry juice, with the optimal OH condition set at 50 °C for 20 min under an electric field of 13 V·cm-1. Furthermore, the combination of VI and OH was efficient in enriching PS with bioactive compounds from blueberry juice (such as cyanidin and epigallocatechin), with the optimal VI/OH condition set at 50 °C for 90 min under an electric field of 7.8 V·cm-1. Moreover, anthocyanin pigments from blueberry juice affected the color parameters of PS by increasing the a* parameter and decreasing the b* and L* parameters. However, both FD and AD (at 40, 50, and 60 °C) negatively affected (p ≤ 0.05) the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Notably, AD at 60 °C showed the highest levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential for both impregnated and non-impregnated PS.
ABSTRACT
We present the case of a patient with chronic type B aortic dissection with a previous iliac to visceral debranching graft and thoracoabdominal endograft who, because of a type Ib endoleak and aortic diameter enlargement, required a complex solution involving placement of a thoracic endovascular graft inside a Dacron graft with a 180° curved shape in three-stage surgery. At 9 months of follow-up, he had no evidence of type I endoleaks, and the aortic diameter had decreased.
ABSTRACT
Transcriptomes from nontraditional model organisms often harbor a wealth of unexplored data. Examining these data sets can lead to clarity and novel insights in traditional systems, as well as to discoveries across a multitude of fields. Despite significant advances in DNA sequencing technologies and in their adoption, access to genomic and transcriptomic resources for nontraditional model organisms remains limited. Crustaceans, for example, being among the most numerous, diverse, and widely distributed taxa on the planet, often serve as excellent systems to address ecological, evolutionary, and organismal questions. While they are ubiquitously present across environments, and of economic and food security importance, they remain severely underrepresented in publicly available sequence databases. Here, we present CrusTome, a multispecies, multitissue, transcriptome database of 201 assembled mRNA transcriptomes (189 crustaceans, 30 of which were previously unpublished, and 12 ecdysozoans for phylogenetic context) as an evolving and publicly available resource. This database is suitable for evolutionary, ecological, and functional studies that employ genomic/transcriptomic techniques and data sets. CrusTome is presented in BLAST and DIAMOND formats, providing robust data sets for sequence similarity searches, orthology assignments, phylogenetic inference, etc. and thus allowing for straightforward incorporation into existing custom pipelines for high-throughput analyses. In addition, to illustrate the use and potential of CrusTome, we conducted phylogenetic analyses elucidating the identity and evolution of the cryptochrome/photolyase family of proteins across crustaceans.
Subject(s)
Crustacea , Transcriptome , Crustacea/genetics , Animals , Deoxyribodipyrimidine Photo-Lyase/genetics , Cryptochromes/genetics , Phylogeny , GenomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Skeletal age (SA) is an estimate of biological maturity status that is commonly used in sport-related medical examinations. This study considered intra-observer reproducibility and inter-observer agreement of SA assessments among male tennis players. METHODS: SA was assessed with the Fels method in 97 male tennis players with chronological ages (CA) spanning 8.7-16.8 years. Radiographs were evaluated by two independent trained observers. Based on the difference between SA and CA, players were classified as late, average or early maturing; if a player was skeletally mature, he was noted as such as an SA is not assigned. RESULTS: The magnitude of intra-individual differences between repeated SA assessments were d = 0.008 year (observer A) and d = 0.001 year (observer B); the respective coefficients of variation were 1.11% and 1.75%. Inter-observer mean differences were negligible (t = 1.252, p = 0.210) and the intra-class correlation coefficient was nearly perfect (ICC = 0.995). Concordance of classifications of players by maturity status between observers was 90%. CONCLUSION: Fels SA assessments were highly reproducible and showed an acceptable level of inter-observer agreement between trained examiners. Classifications of players by skeletal maturity status based on assessments of the two observers were highly concordant, though not 100%. The results highlight the importance of experienced observers in skeletal maturity assessments.
Subject(s)
Sports , Tennis , Humans , Male , Child , Adolescent , Age Determination by Skeleton/methods , Observer Variation , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
Lateral flight membranes, or patagia, have evolved repeatedly in diverse mammalian lineages. While little is known about patagium development, its recurrent evolution may suggest a shared molecular basis. By combining transcriptomics, developmental experiments, and mouse transgenics, we demonstrate that lateral Wnt5a expression in the marsupial sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) promotes the differentiation of its patagium primordium. We further show that this function of Wnt5a reprises ancestral roles in skin morphogenesis predating mammalian flight and has been convergently used during patagium evolution in eutherian bats. Moreover, we find that many genes involved in limb development have been redeployed during patagium outgrowth in both the sugar glider and bat. Together, our findings reveal that deeply conserved genetic toolkits contribute to the evolutionary transition to flight in mammals.
Subject(s)
Chiroptera , Marsupialia , Mice , Animals , Mammals/genetics , Chiroptera/genetics , Organogenesis , Mice, Transgenic , Sugars , Biological EvolutionABSTRACT
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement are the two transformative agendas, which set the benchmarks for nations to address urgent social, economic and environmental challenges. Aside from setting long-term goals, the pathways followed by nations will involve a series of synergies and trade-offs both between and within these agendas. Since it will not be possible to optimise across the 17 SDGs while simultaneously transitioning to low-carbon societies, it will be necessary to implement policies to address the most critical aspects of the agendas and understand the implications for the other dimensions. Here, we rely on a modelling exercise to analyse the long-term implications of a variety of Paris-compliant mitigation strategies suggested in the recent scientific literature on multiple dimensions of the SDG Agenda. The strategies included rely on technological solutions such as renewable energy deployment or carbon capture and storage, nature-based solutions such as afforestation and behavioural changes in the demand side. Results for a selection of energy-environment SDGs suggest that some mitigation pathways could have negative implications on food and water prices, forest cover and increase pressure on water resources depending on the strategy followed, while renewable energy shares, household energy costs, ambient air pollution and yield impacts could be improved simultaneously while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, results indicate that promoting changes in the demand side could be beneficial to limit potential trade-offs.