Signals of local bioclimate-driven ecomorphological changes in wild birds.

Across disciplines-biological, ecological, evolutionary, or environmental-researchers increasingly recognize the importance and the need for cost-effective, non-invasive techniques for in-situ morphological measurements of organisms in diverse research contexts. By applying a non-invasive technique using digital images taken under field conditions, we successfully measured the body sizes of wild Painted Storks (Mycteria leucocephala) in two different biogeographic regions of India, spatially separated by 20° of latitude. We have used the wild Painted Storks as model species for measuring their morphometrics using a non-invasive technique that could easily be applied to similar species, rare, endemic, colonial, aquatic, and even those with cultural taboos. Our results satisfactorily classify and predict the sexes of the species and their biogeographic origin based on independent morphological variables using Machine Learning algorithms. The BayesNet yielded the correct classification instances (Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) = 0.985), outperforming all the other tested classifying algorithms. A strong relationship was observed between the local bioclimatic conditions and the morphological variations in wild Painted Storks reflecting clear eco-geographic patterns. Without this non-invasive technique, it would be almost impossible to collect morphological measurements at a large scale from live birds under field conditions. Our study is a testimony to the effectual use of the non-invasive digital method for in-situ measurements from free-living wild species in the field, assuming significance, especially from climate change perspectives, biology, ecology, and conservation.

Association between PAHs biomarkers and kidney injury biomarkers among kitchen workers with microalbuminuria: A cross-sectional pilot study.

BACKGROUND: To study the association between kidney injury biomarkers and urinary OH-PAH metabolites in kitchen workers, with microalbuminuria. METHODS: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted among 120 male kitchen workers in a mega kitchen located at Coimbatore, India. Personal and sub-clinical details of study subjects were collected using a questionnaire. Albumin, creatinine, and albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) were measured using urine dipstick test for the determination of microalbuminuria. Urinary hydroxylated PAHs metabolites (1-NAP, 9-HF, 3-HF, 2-HF, 9-PHN, and 1-OHP) were measured using GC-MS/MS and urinary kidney biomarkers (uNGAL, uCyst-C, uKIM-1, uOPN, and uTIMP-1) were measured using Multiplex Reader. RESULTS: Concentrations of urinary PAHs metabolites (1-NAP, 3-HF, 2-HF, 9-PHN, and 1-OHP) and kidney biomarkers (uKIM-1, uTIMP-1, uCyst-C and uNGAL) were significantly higher among kitchen workers with MAU compared to non-kitchen workers with MAU. Urinary kidney biomarkers viz., uKIM-1, uTIMP-1, uCyst-C, uNGAL, and uOPN showed higher median concentration among the kitchen workers with MAU compared to kitchen workers without MAU. Significant positive correlation was observed for 9-HF with uKIM-1 and uTIMP-1 and 1-OHP with uKIM-1. ACR was also well correlated with urinary kidney biomarkers. ROC analysis showed higher sensitivity and specificity for uKIM-1, uCyst-C, and uNGAL as biomarkers for early prediction of acute kidney injury among kitchen workers. CONCLUSIONS: The PAHs exposure among kitchen workers can lead to kidney injury. This was evident from the association of OH-PAHs and kidney injury biomarkers in kitchen workers with microalbuminuria.

Indoor air pollution and its association with poor lung function, microalbuminuria and variations in blood pressure among kitchen workers in India: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The present study is an attempt to explore the association between kitchen indoor air pollutants and physiological profiles in kitchen workers with microalbuminuria (MAU) in north India (Lucknow) and south India (Coimbatore). METHODS: The subjects comprised 145 control subjects, 233 kitchen workers from north India and 186 kitchen workers from south India. Information related to the personal and occupational history and health of the subjects at both locations were collected using a custom-made questionnaire. Worker lung function was measured using a spirometer. Blood pressure was monitored using a sphygmomanometer. Urinary MAU was measured using a urine analyzer. Indoor air monitoring in kitchens for particulate matter (PM), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) was conducted using indoor air quality monitors. The size and shape of PM in indoor air was assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to detect organic or inorganic compounds in the air samples. RESULTS: Particulate matter concentrations (PM2.5 and PM1) were significantly higher in both north and south Indian kitchens than in non-kitchen areas. The concentrations of TVOC, CO and CO2 were higher in the kitchens of north and south India than in the control locations (non-kitchen areas). Coarse, fine and ultrafine particles and several elements were also detected in kitchens in both locations by SEM and elemental analysis. The FTIR spectra of kitchen indoor air at both locations show the presence of organic chemicals. Significant declines in systolic blood pressure and lung function were observed in the kitchen workers with MAU at both locations compared to those of the control subjects. A higher prevalence of obstruction cases with MAU was observed among the workers in the southern region than in the controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Kitchen workers in south India have lower lung capacities and a greater risk of obstructive and restrictive abnormalities than their north Indian counterparts. The study showed that occupational exposure to multiple kitchen indoor air pollutants (ultrafine particles, PM2.5, PM1, TVOC, CO, CO2) and FTIR-derived compounds can be associated with a decline in lung function (restrictive and obstructive patterns) in kitchen workers with microalbuminuria. Further studies in different geographical locations in India among kitchen workers on a wider scale are required to validate the present findings.

Usage of Nest Materials by House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Along an Urban to Rural Gradient in Coimbatore, India.

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a widely distributed bird species found throughout the world. Being a species which has close association with humans, they chiefly nest on man-made structures. Here we describe the materials used by the house sparrow for making nests along an urban to rural gradient. For the current study, we selected the Coimbatore to Anaikatty road (State Highway-164), a 27 km inter-state highway, which traverses along an urban core to rural outstretch of Coimbatore. Of the 30 nests observed, 15 nests were from the rural, 8 were from the suburban, and 7 were from the urban areas. The nests had two distinct layers, specifically the structural layer and the inner lining. In the current study, we identified 11 plant species, 2 types of animal matter, and 6 types of anthropogenic matter, including plastic pieces and fine rope. The amount of anthropogenic materials in the nest formation varied along the gradients. The usage of anthropogenic materials was high in urban areas (p<0.05) whereas it did not differ at the sub-urban regions (p>0.05). A gradual decrease in the usage of plant matter towards the urban area was noticed (p<0.05). This study explicitly documents the links between nest material usage along an urban to rural gradient, in a human associated bird.