First record of biogenic silica in the stomach content of freshwater turtles

No abstract available

Paroxetine has been associated with increased rates of suicidality in adolescents treated in antidepressant clinical trials. Regulatory agencies in the United States and the UK have issued warnings that are already changing clinical practice for adolescents. In a pilot analysis, we characterized the extent of risk by investigating paroxetine-associated suicidality in a related high-risk population, younger and adult individuals with bipolar disorder whose rate of suicide attempts approaches 2% per year. A cross-sectional survey and cohort analysis of 1,000 patients followed for at least 1 year under naturalistic conditions in the NIMH-funded STEP-BD network revealed no association of paroxetine with suicidality in those less than or at least 21 years of age. In fact, the younger group showed a trend for decreased suicidality (P = .13). Thus, increased suicidality risk with paroxetine exposure does not extend to this other high-risk mood-disordered population, even among younger individuals. Psychopharmacology Bulletin. 2006;39(1):31-37.

The Southern Grassland biome in Brazil has long been neglected by the government and by the scientific community as well. Lack of studies about the effects of disturbance (mostly fire and grazing) on plant community and populations are the main hindrances for the future management plans, which complicates the conservation of this rich and unique biome. In this study, the population biology of a rosette species, Eryngium horridum (Apiaceae), has been investigated, in order to compare the effects of fire, grazing and abandonment. E. horridum is a very common species and many farmers consider it a nuisance. Two different areas were chosen for the study purposes: Morro Santana and the Research Center Pro-Mata. Areas under different types (fire and grazing) and disturbance histories were compared. Populations were analysed in plots of 25 m2, divided in age-state classes (seedlings, young, adult and reproductive individuals). Both morphological and phenological traits have been investigated. Fire influenced populations in a direct way, whilst grazing showed an indirect effect. Seedlings were found only in areas excluded from disturbance for 3 years on Morro Santana. Due to this, seedling establishment might be more related to environmental conditions than to disturbance regimes. Young individuals were mainly found in recently burned areas, while adult individuals were dominant in areas excluded from disturbance. Additionally, individuals from E. horridum showed a great capacity of resprouting after plant damage. Reproductive individuals also showed the capacity of producing new rosettes after the death of the inflorescence axis. This strategy is probably of great importance for the survival of populations in areas excluded from disturbance. Therefore, vegetative reproduction seemed to be the most important strategy for the maintenance and survival of its populations, allowing longer population persistence over time, even in the absence of disturbance.

Comparative leaf ecophysiology and anatomy of seedlings, young and adult individuals of the epiphytic aroid Anthurium scandens (Aubl.) Engl.

Aim: Studies have shown that the prevalence of the periodontal disease among young people is relatively low; however, periodontitis is a public health problem and prevalence among adults has been increasing. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of periodontitis among young adults and adults in Colombia and to propose an alternative approach for early detection of periodontitis. Objectives: To present an alternative approach for the prevention of periodontitis, two different classifications were used to estimate disease prevalence. In addition, periodontitis severity was associated with sociodemographic and clinical risk factors in a logistic regression model. Material and methods: Selected data from 9150 subjects evaluated in the IV National Oral Health Survey (ENSAB IV) from Colombia were used. The ages ranged from 18 to 79 years old. Statistical analysis: Data were subjected to two different disease definition criteria and were evaluated by bivariate and multivariate analysis using a p-value of 5%. Results: The alternative classification approach elucidated an increase in the prevalence of periodontitis in young individuals (26.1%). According to the previous classification, 20.1% of young individuals and 94.3% of adults had mild to moderate periodontitis. The prevalence of moderate and severe cases was similar. Multivariate analysis of the variables age, gender, enrolment in the subsidized socioeconomic program and health care system, and tooth loss were associated with moderate and severe periodontitis (p<0.05). Conclusions: The early identification of mild cases in young individuals may help to identify potentially vulnerable groups. Early diagnosis of periodontitis and timely intervention in individuals with gingivitis, especially for those presenting risk factors, should be reinforced as an alternative approach to prevent disease progression and reduce the prevalence of adults with periodontitis in the future.

Aging is not a matter of choice; it is our fate. The “time-dependent functional decline that affects most living organisms” is coupled with several alterations in cellular processes, such as cell senescence, epigenetic alterations, genomic instability, stem cell exhaustion, among others. Age-related morphological changes in dental follicles have been investigated for decades, mainly motivated by the fact that cysts and tumors may arise in association with unerupted and/or impacted teeth. The more we understand the physiology of dental follicles, the more we are able to contextualize biological events that can be associated with the occurrence of odontogenic lesions, whose incidence increases with age. Thus, our objective was to assess age-related changes in metabolic pathways of dental follicles associated with unerupted/impacted mandibular third molars from young and adult individuals. For this purpose, a convenience sample of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) dental follicles from young (<16 y.o., n = 13) and adult (>26 y.o., n = 7) individuals was selected. Samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS)-based untargeted metabolomics. Multivariate and univariate analyses were conducted, and the prediction of altered pathways was performed by mummichog and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) approaches. Dental follicles from young and older individuals showed differences in pathways related to C21-steroid hormone biosynthesis, bile acid biosynthesis, galactose metabolism, androgen and estrogen biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and lipoate metabolism. We conclude that metabolic pathways differences related to aging were observed between dental follicles from young and adult individuals. Our findings support that similar to other human tissues, dental follicles associated with unerupted tooth show alterations at a metabolic level with aging, which can pave the way for further studies on oral pathology, oral biology, and physiology.

Sponges are one kind of the simplest multi-cellular organisms that live in both fresh-water and marine environment.Among the three classes of sponges,two of which produce silicified spicules as their body support.In recent years,peculiar micro-structure and high fiber-performance are found in sponge spicules.While the growth mechanisms of sponge spicules that live in ambient temperature and pressure was thought to be a new bionic way to produce optical-fiber.Therefore,these new discoveries have drawn increasing efforts worldwide to study the biology and biomineralization of sponge spicules and their bionic applications.Through studying the structure,the characteristic,the growth mechanism and mediation in sponge spicules,scientists are learning a new biotechnological route to produce electronic and optical nano-materials in an environmentally benign way.In this contribution,we review the major findings in the study of the micro-structure and optical performances in sponge spicules, and then discuss the progress and significance of studying sponge spicules.

Effector capabilities of γδ T cells are evident in Plasmodium infection in young and adult individuals, while children are the most vulnerable groups affected by malaria. Here, we aimed to investigate the age-dependent phenotypic composition of Vδ1+, Vδ2+, and Vδ3+ T cells in children living in endemic malaria areas and how this differs between children that will develop symptomatic and asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections. Flow cytometric profiling of naïve and effector peripheral blood γδ T cells was performed in 6 neonates, 10 adults, and 52 children. The study population of young children, living in the same malaria endemic region of Ghana, was monitored for symptomatic vs asymptomatic malaria development for up to 42 weeks after peripheral blood sampling at baseline. For the Vδ2+ T cell population, there was evidence for an established type 1 effector phenotype, characterized by CD94 and CD16 expression, as early as 1 year of life. This was similar among children diagnosed with symptomatic or asymptomatic malaria. In contrast, the proportion of type 2- and type 3-like Vδ2 T cells declined during early childhood. Furthermore, for Vδ1+ and Vδ3+ T cells, similar phenotypes of naïve (CD27+) and type 1 effector (CD16+) cells were observed, while the proportion of CD16+ Vδ1+ T cells was highest in children with asymptomatic malaria. In summary, we give evidence for an established adult-like γδ T cell compartment in early childhood with similar biology of Vδ1+ and Vδ3+ T cells. Moreover, the data supports the idea that type 1 effector Vδ1+ T cells mediate the acquisition of and can potentially serve as biomarker for natural immunity to P. falciparum infections in young individuals from malaria-endemic settings.

Plastic pollution is a widespread issue in marine ecosystems worldwide, and at the basin level, the Mediterranean represents one of the main hotspots for plastic debris. Here, we present MPs pollution levels in the bivalve Donax trunculus, commonly known as wedge clam, considering both young and adult individuals, as well as sediment and water matrices across a national scale, covering the Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and Adriatic coasts of Italy. The aim is to provide an overview of MPs pollution in coastal ecosystems and assess whether wedge clams can act as an early warning sentinel for sandy habitats. Results highlighted that the Adriatic and Ionian coasts exhibited higher MPs levels than the Tyrrhenian coast across all matrices, with MPs pollution predominantly consisting of blue acrylic fibers. D. trunculus proved to be an excellent sentinel for MPs pollution in sediment. The findings also revealed that young individuals had more MPs than adults, highlighting potentially severe harm to the growth of marine organisms. As a commercially valuable species, this study underscores the urgent need to further investigate this issue, especially given its critical implications for both marine ecosystem health and human well-being.

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess craniofacial morphology in young and adult individuals with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD). Craniofacial morphology in young individuals (primary dentition) and in young adults was compared with control data using ratios and angles obtained from lateral head films. The CCD individuals were referred to the Center for Craniofacial Anomalies for diagnostic workup and treatment recommendations. The sample consisted of 14 Caucasians. The inclusion criterion for the young, prepubertal group (A) was complete primary dentition, and for the adult, postpubertal group (B), the eruption of all four first molars was required. No treatment other than extraction or surgical removal of selected primary or supernumerary teeth was performed. Both groups showed significantly smaller anterior upper face height compared with controls. Group B subjects demonstrated significantly smaller face height values than the controls in the A point-nasion-B point (ANB) angle, facial axis, mandibular plane angle, palatal plane/mandibular plane angle, and gonial angle. No significant differences were found between group A individuals and the controls for these measurements. The older group had shorter anterior lower face height compared with both anterior upper face height and posterior lower face height. Whereas young CCD subjects showed relatively normal jaw proportions and morphology of the mandible, older CCD individuals tended to have short lower face height, acute gonial angle, anterior inclination of the mandible, and mandibular prognathism. These differences can be attributed to pronounced horizontal mandibular growth resulting from lack of vertical maxillary growth and impaired eruption of permanent teeth.

Ecological analyses of street trees of Indian cities to achieve United Nations sustainable development goals

Introduction Temporomandibular Pain among individuals with intellectual disabilities has been explored in only a few studies. Nevertheless, it is noted that pain in this population often remains undetected and inadequately treated. Objective To evaluate and compare, signs and diagnosis of temporomandibular disfunction (TMD) in adults with and without intellectual disability (ID). Material and method A cross-sectional study with comparison group was conducted. Data regarding gender and age of ID group were collected from medical records available in the institutions of special education. These data from the comparison group were collected in the dental clinics of the Federal University of Parana (UFPR). We using the RDC/TMD I axis, with the help of the UPAT. The clinical examination evaluated muscle and joint pain, mouth opening pattern, extension of mandibular movement and joint noise. The Chi-squared test, Fisher's test, and Bonferroni's post-test were used with significance level of 5%. Result Two homogeneous groups by gender (P = 0.08) and age (P = 0.419) were evaluated, of which 97 adults with intellectual disability and another 96 did not have intellectual disability. No significant difference was observed between groups on TMD signs (p&gt;0.05). The comparison group had significantly more disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) (P=0.011). When we compare the differences with respect to gender. Overall, women in the comparison group had higher prevalence for TMD diagnoses (p&lt;0.05), but these differences were not found in the ID group (p&gt;0.05). Regarding age, only the comparison group showed statistical significance, with the diagnosis of myofascial pain with limited opening being more diagnosed in young individuals (p=0.009). Conclusion Adults with ID have similar prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms to adults without ID. Gender differences are not significant in the ID group.

Trichilia elegans A. Juss. is a widely distributed species that occurs from Venezuela to Uruguay and constitutes a common component of seasonal forests. Even though the studies on the Pantanal flora started last century, researches on the structure and spatial distribution of tree species are still rare. This work aimed at identifying the pattern of spatial distribution and the diametric distribution of T. elegans and verifying whether there is a correlation between the number of young individuals and the number of adult individuals in a semi-deciduous forest of the Pantanal da Nhecolândia. We sampled 50 plots of 200 m2 each and registered the young and adult individuals in each one of them. To identify the pattern of spatial distribution, we used the Morisita Index (MI) and the variance/mean ratio (R). The linear correlation coefficient was used to verify whether there is a correlation between populations of the juveniles and adults. We found 218 young and 78 adult individuals. Young and adult individuals presented gregarious spatial distribution, and the young ones (MI = 2.32; R = 5.49) were more gregarious than the adults (MI = 1.88; R = 2.05). The linear correlation coefficient found (r = 0.60) demonstrated that the density of young individuals is highly correlated with the density of adult individuals.

Retrospective analysis provides access to long-term growth series to understand and interpret the structural functioning of tree crowns required for their sustainable management. The aim of this study was to assess the development and adaptation of crown shoots in Khaya senegalensis and Pterocarpus erinaceus to a changing environment in preparation for establishing permanent plots. The growth units (GUs) morphology of the axes of 420 young, adult, and old individuals was analyzed in full sunlight or shade during the rainy and dry season in seven locations in Côte d'Ivoire. The results showed that growth unit morphology is an indicator of the choice of growth conditions. Heterogeneous habitat had no significant effect on growth unit morphology (P &gt; 0.05) in either species. The morphology of the growth units varied from one location (climate) to another due to distinct environmental characteristics (P &lt; 0.05). The southern part of the gradient (Toumodi and Bouaké in the central region of the country) offers favourable and hence priority areas for reforestation programmes based on the two species. The age of the individuals influenced the number of phytomers per growth unit (P &lt; 0.05). Young individuals (cuttings) are good ideotypes for the selection of suitable resistant genotypes. Whatever the species, the rainy season increased the success rate of plot establishment. The growth units of the two species are practically the same size (P &gt; 0.05). Our results could be a decision guide for the selection of suitable environments for the implementation of reforestation or agroforestry programs based on Khaya senegalensis and Pterocarpus erinaceus, in order to conserve and sustainably manage these species in the current climate change context.&#x0D; Keywords: Khaya senegalensis, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Environment, Morphology, Growth Units (GUs)

Almost all individuals with Down’s syndrome (DS) show the characteristic neuropathological features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by the age of 40, yet not every individual with DS experiences symptoms of AD later in life. Similar to neurotypical developing subjects, AD in people with DS lasts for a long preclinical phase in which biomarkers follow a predictable order of changes. Hence, a prolonged asymptomatic period precedes the onset of dementia, underscoring the importance of identifying new biomarkers for the early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline in individuals with DS. Blood-based biomarkers may offer an alternative non-invasive strategy for the detection of peripheral biological alterations paralleling nervous system pathology in an early phase of the AD continuum. In the last few years, a strong neurobiological link has been demonstrated between the deficit of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels, an anti-inflammatory cytokine endowed with neuroprotective activity, and early pro-inflammatory processes in the AD brain. In this clinical prospective observational study, we found significant lower plasma TGF-β1 concentrations at the first neuropsychological evaluation (baseline = T0) both in young adult DS individuals (19–35 years) and older DS subjects without AD (35–60 years) compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Interestingly, we found that the lower TGF-β1 plasma concentrations at T0 were strongly correlated with the following cognitive decline at 12 months. In addition, in young individuals with DS, we found, for the first time, a negative correlation between low TGF-β1 concentrations and high TNF-α plasma concentrations, a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is known to be associated with cognitive impairment in DS individuals with AD. Finally, adopting an ex vivo approach, we found that TGF-β1 concentrations were reduced in parallel both in the plasma and in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of DS subjects, and interestingly, therapeutic concentrations of fluoxetine (FLX) applied to cultured PBMCs (1 µM for 24 h) were able to rescue TGF-β1 concentrations in the culture media from DS PBMCs, suggesting that FLX, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) endowed with neuroprotective activity, might rescue TGF-β1 concentrations in DS subjects at higher risk to develop cognitive decline.