Advanced Life Stages Research Articles

Diabetes Mellitus and Pregnancy: An Insight into the Effects on the Epigenome.

Worldwide, diabetes mellitus represents a growing health problem. If it occurs during pregnancy, it can increase the risk of various abnormalities in early and advanced life stages of exposed individuals due to fetal programming occurring in utero. Studies have determined that maternal conditions interfere with the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring. Researchers are now uncovering the mechanisms by which epigenetic alterations caused by diabetes affect the expression of genes and, therefore, the development of various diseases. Among the numerous possible epigenetic changes in this regard, the most studied to date are DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, as well as histone acetylation and methylation. This review article addresses critical findings in epigenetic studies involving diabetes mellitus, including variations reported in the expression of specific genes and their transgenerational effects.

Removal of p16 INK4 Expressing Cells in Late Life has Moderate Beneficial Effects on Skeletal Muscle Function in Male Mice.

Aging results in the progressive accumulation of senescent cells in tissues that display loss of proliferative capacity and acquire a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The tumor suppressor, p16 INK4A , which slows the progression of the cell cycle, is highly expressed in most senescent cells and the removal of p16-expressing cells has been shown to be beneficial to tissue health. Although much work has been done to assess the effects of cellular senescence on a variety of different organs, little is known about the effects on skeletal muscle and whether reducing cellular senescent load would provide a therapeutic benefit against age-related muscle functional decline. We hypothesized that whole-body ablation of p16-expressing cells in the advanced stages of life in mice would provide a therapeutic benefit to skeletal muscle structure and function. Treatment of transgenic p16-3MR mice with ganciclovir (GCV) from 20 to 26 months of age resulted in reduced p16 mRNA levels in muscle. At 26 months of age, the masses of tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles were significantly larger in GCV-treated compared with vehicle-treated mice, but this effect was limited to male mice. Maximum isometric force for gastrocnemius muscles was also greater in GCV-treated male mice compared to controls. Further examination of muscles of GCV- and vehicle-treated mice showed fewer CD68-positive macrophages present in the tissue following GCV treatment. Plasma cytokine levels were also measured with only one, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), out of 22 chemokines analyzed was reduced in GCV-treated mice. These findings show that genetic ablation of p16+ senescent cells provides moderate and sex specific therapeutic benefits to muscle mass and function.

The effects of aliphatic alcohols and related acid metabolites in zebrafish embryos - correlations with rat developmental toxicity and with effects in advanced life stages in fish

The zebrafish embryo toxicity test (ZFET) is a simple medium-throughput test to inform about (sub)acute lethal effects in embryos. Enhanced analysis through morphological and teratological scoring, and through gene expression analysis, detects developmental effects and the underlying toxicological pathways. Altogether, the ZFET may inform about hazard of chemical exposure for embryonal development in humans, as well as for lethal effects in juvenile and adult fish. In this study, we compared the effects within a series of 12 aliphatic alcohols and related carboxylic acid derivatives (ethanol, acetic acid, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-methoxyacetic acid, 2-butoxyethanol, 2-butoxyacetic acid, 2-hydroxyacetic acid, 2-ethylhexan-1-ol, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, valproic acid, 2-aminoethanol, 2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethanol) in ZFET and early life stage (ELS, 28d) exposures, and compared ZFET results with existing results of rat developmental studies and LC50s in adult fish. High correlation scores were observed between compound potencies in ZFET with either ELS, LC50 in fish and developmental toxicity in rats, indicating similar potency ranking among the models. Compounds could be mapped to specific pathways in an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) network through morphological scoring and gene expression analysis in ZFET. Similarity of morphological effects and gene expression profiles in pairs of alcohols with their acid metabolites suggested metabolic activation of the parent alcohols, although with additional, metabolite-independent activity independent for ethanol and 2-ethylhexanol. Overall, phenotypical and gene expression analysis with these compounds indicates that the ZFET can potentially contribute to the AOP for developmental effects in rodents, and to predict toxicity of acute and chronic exposure in advanced life stages in fish.

Investigating the impact of preselection on subsequent single-step genomic BLUP evaluation of preselected animals

BackgroundPreselection of candidates, hereafter referred to as preselection, is a common practice in breeding programs. Preselection can cause bias and accuracy loss in subsequent pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (PBLUP). However, the impact of preselection on subsequent single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP) is not completely clear yet. Therefore, in this study, we investigated, across different heritabilities, the impact of intensity and type of preselection on subsequent ssGBLUP evaluation of preselected animals.MethodsWe simulated a nucleus of a breeding programme, in which a recent population of 15 generations was produced with PBLUP-based selection. In generation 15 of this recent population, the parents of the next generation were preselected using several preselection scenarios. These scenarios were combinations of three intensities of preselection (no, high or very high preselection) and three types of preselection (genomic, parental average or random), across three heritabilities (0.5, 0.3 or 0.1). Following each preselection scenario, a subsequent evaluation was performed using ssGBLUP by excluding all the information from the preculled animals, and these genetic evaluations were compared in terms of accuracy and bias for the preselected animals, and in terms of realized genetic gain.ResultsType of preselection affected selection accuracy at both preselection and subsequent evaluation stages. While preselection accuracy decreased, accuracy in the subsequent ssGBLUP evaluation increased, from genomic to parent average to random preselection scenarios. Bias was always negligible. Genetic gain decreased from genomic to parent average to random preselection scenarios. Genetic gain also decreased with increasing intensity of preselection, but only by a maximum of 0.1 additive genetic standard deviation from no to very high genomic preselection scenarios.ConclusionsUsing ssGBLUP in subsequent evaluations prevents preselection bias, irrespective of intensity and type of preselection, and heritability. With GPS, in addition to reducing the phenotyping effort considerably, the use of ssGBLUP in subsequent evaluations realizes only a slightly lower genetic gain than that realized without preselection. This is especially the case for traits that are expensive to measure (e.g. feed intake of individual broiler chickens), and traits for which phenotypes can only be measured at advanced stages of life (e.g. litter size in pigs).

Nutrition in the prevention and control of osteoporosis

Objective: although osteoporosis develops in advanced stages of life, it must be prevented and stopped from the pediatric age, acting on modifiable factors, especially diet and lifestyle. The objective of this work is to review the latest evidence on nutritional improvements that can help in the prevention and control of the disease. Methods: bibliographic search related to the topic. Results: it is advisable to avoid energy restrictions, especially in postmenopausal women and particularly if they have osteopenia/osteoporosis since, in relation to these pathologies, excess weight may be preferable, rather than underweight. Protein intake higher than the recommended one is beneficial for the bone, provided that the calcium intake is adequate. Excessive intake of sugar and saturated fat should be avoided, but attempts should be made to achieve the nutritional goals set for ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and fiber. It is important to monitor vitamin D status and calcium intake, which is inadequate in high percentages of individuals, as well as improving the contribution of vitamins K, C and group B, and also magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, fluorine, manganese, silicon and boron, and avoiding the excessive contribution of phosphorus and sodium. Conclusions: osteoporosis is an underdiagnosed pathology and of increasing prevalence. Due to its high morbidity and mortality, prevention is important and, from a nutritional point of view, it is convenient to bring the diet closer to the theoretical ideal. In general, increasing the consumption of dairy products, fish, vegetables and fruits, as well as reducing the consumption of salt, during childhood and throughout life, seems convenient for the bone improvement of most of the population.

Positive interspecific associations consistent with social information use shape juvenile fish assemblages.

Social information obtained from heterospecifics can enhance individual fitness by reducing environmental uncertainty, making it an important driver of mixed-species grouping behavior. Heterospecific groups are well documented among fishes, yet are notably more prevalent among juveniles than more advanced life stages, implying that the adaptive value of joining other species is greater during this developmental period. We propose this phenomenon can be explained by the heightened ecological relevance of heterospecifically produced cues pertaining to predation risk and or resources, as body-size uniformity inherent in early ontogeny yields greater overlap in predator and prey guild membership across juveniles of disparate taxa. To evaluate the putative role of information in shaping juvenile fish assemblages, we employed a joint species distribution model (JSDM), identifying nonrandom relationships among fishes collected in 785 seine hauls within the shallow littoral zones of a subtropical island. After accounting for species-environment relationships, which explained 39% of observed covariation in the abundance of 11 taxa, we detected high rates of positive association (84% of significant correlations) predominantly between mutual foraging guild members, consistent with assemblage patterns predicted to evolve under widespread interspecific information use. Affiliations occurred primarily between species characterized by neutral (i.e., noninteracting) or negative (i.e., predator-prey) relationships in later life stages, supporting the notion that heightened niche overlap due to body size homogeneity acted to increase the pertinence of information among juveniles. Taxa exerted varying degrees of influence on assemblage structure; however Eucinostomus spp., a gregarious generalist with exceptional information-production potential, had an effect several times that of all other species combined, further evidencing the likely role of information in motivating observed relationships. Co-occurrence and qualitative behavioral data inferred from remote underwater video surveys reinforced these conclusions. Collectively, these results suggest that positive interactions linked to information exchange can be among the principal factors organizing juvenile fish assemblages at local scales, highlighting the role of ontogeny in mediating the relevance and exploitation of information across species.

Gap regeneration patterns in Carpathian old-growth mixed beech forests – Interactive effects of spruce bark beetle canopy disturbance and deer herbivory

The combined effects of various disturbance types have lasting consequences on forest ecosystems and the services they provide. We examined inter-specific differences in the responses of European beech, silver fir and Norway spruce to canopy disturbance across four life stages (small seedlings, tall seedlings, saplings and pole-sized trees) in two Carpathian old-growth mixed beech forests located in the Gorce National Park (GNP) and Babia Gora National Park (BGNP), Poland. Both study sites were recently affected by spruce bark beetle outbreak. We compared the composition of tree regeneration between forest plots, canopy gaps and expanded areas (i.e. areas located under tree crowns). Moreover, we studied how various gap properties (size, expanded gap to canopy gap size ratio, shape) and other factors (browsing, plant and advanced regeneration cover) shaped regeneration patterns. Inter-specific differences in species abundance relative to gap properties and intra-specific differences in species response across various life stages to gap properties were found. Gap properties had more pronounced effects on saplings and pole-sized trees than on small and tall seedlings. Gap size had the most noticeable effect on beech across all regeneration classes. However, its effect varied from negative to positive depending on life stage. Pole-sized trees of all species responded positively to gap size. Thus, it seems that large gaps provided an opportunity for all species to recruit to canopy. Fir and spruce responded contrastingly to expanded gap to canopy gap size ratio, which reflects differences in their ability to adapt to high-intensity solar radiation. With the exception of beech, the ‘forest-gap’ gradient only affected trees in the advanced life stages (saplings and pole-sized trees). Beech and fir sapling densities and fir pole-sized tree densities were higher when under forest canopy, but spruce pole-sized trees were slightly more abundant in expanded areas. Browsing rates differed between the two study sites; they were more severe in BGNP, where deer densities in the last twenty years have been significantly higher. This intense deer browsing kept silver fir regeneration below the height of 0.5 m and prevented any recruitment to sapling stage. We conclude that even though the recent spruce mortality caused by bark beetle outbreak improved light conditions in both study areas, thus providing good regeneration opportunities to both beech and fir, deer browsing may have long-lasting effects on successional patterns by hindering fir recruitment in BGNP.

Combatiendo el prejuicio en personas mayores desde la formación.

El presente estudio analiza la efectividad de un procedimiento de reducción automática del prejuicio, basado en la asunción de la perspectiva de los miembros de grupos estereotipados.Específicamente, se aborda la evaluación de esta estrategia cognitiva en población mayor, y se contemplan variables potencialmente moduladoras entre la intervención y sus efectos sobre el prejuicio: personalidad, valores, empatía y atribución. Se recogieron datos en una muestra de 58 participantes con edad media de 63 años, en la que se implementó una intervención basada en imaginería mental dirigida a la reducción del prejuicio. Los resultados muestran una moderada efectividad de la estrategia y hallan interacción con diversas variables moduladoras. Particularmente fue la amabilidad, junto con la actividad atribucional y los valores de benevolencia, universalismo, autodirección y conformidad, los que intervinieron modulando la eficacia de la toma de perspectiva. La discusión, además de contrastar paralelismos y divergencias con los resultados de otros experimentos, sugiere algunas aplicaciones en la formación de personas mayores, demostrando que la autorregulación cognitiva se plantea como una competencia relevante en los estadios avanzados de la vida, decisiva para lograr un envejecimiento activo, satisfactorio e inclusivo.

Metabolic syndrome among rural Indian adults

To prevent an increasing level of mortality due to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease among the rural Indian population, a management strategy of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) should be devised. This study aims to estimate the burden of MetS and its associated risk factors. Data from the Birbhum Population Project covering 9886 individuals (4810 male and 5076 female population) aged ≥18 years were used. The burden of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel, was determined. Bivariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were used to attain the study objective. Over 10.7% of the males and 20.3% of the females were diagnosed with MetS. Irrespective of sex, older individuals, being overweight/obese (body mass index of ≥23kg/m2) had higher probability of developing MetS, whereas being underweight is deemed a protective factor against MetS. Low physical activity among women appeared to be a risk factor for MetS. The prevalence of MetS is concerning even in rural India. Any intervention designed to address the issue could emphasize on weight loss, and physical activity, focusing on women and people at an advanced stage of life.

Hair and nail diseases in the mature patient

The elderly population is growing, lifespans are increasing, and a greater emphasis on geriatric care is being implemented in hospital systems. With a higher percentage of the population living longer, hair and nail diseases associated with the advanced stages of life are becoming more prevalent. Common hair diseases in the elderly include androgenetic alopecia, senile alopecia, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp. Nail diseases associated with advanced age include onychomycosis, brittle nails, onychocryptosis, onychoclavus, onychogryphosis, subungual hematomas, subungual exostosis, myxoid cysts, and malignancies. These diseases can have a serious impact on a patient’s quality of life. In an effort to familiarize the reader with these common changes and abnormalities, we discuss hair and nail diseases in the mature patient.

Aging, metabolism and stem cells: Spotlight on muscle stem cells

All tissues and organs undergo a progressive regenerative decline as they age. This decline has been mainly attributed to loss of stem cell number and/or function, and both stem cell-intrinsic changes and alterations in local niches and/or systemic environment over time are known to contribute to the stem cell aging phenotype. Advancing in the molecular understanding of the deterioration of stem cell cells with aging is key for targeting the specific causes of tissue regenerative dysfunction at advanced stages of life. Here, we revise exciting recent findings on why stem cells age and the consequences on tissue regeneration, with a special focus on regeneration of skeletal muscle. We also highlight newly identified common molecular pathways affecting diverse types of aging stem cells, such as altered proteostasis, metabolism, or senescence entry, and discuss the questions raised by these findings. Finally, we comment on emerging stem cell rejuvenation strategies, principally emanating from studies on muscle stem cells, which will surely burst tissue regeneration research for future benefit of the increasing human aging population.

Household debt in midlife and old age: A multinational study

This article examines the prevalence of household debt in middle and old age, in the context of rising consumption, the weakening welfare safety net, and the ‘democratization’ of credit. We aim to address theoretical propositions concerning household correlates of mortgage and financial debt, as well as the relationship between the two types of debt. We utilize data gathered on populations, aged 50 years and older, in 15 countries that participated in the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. We find considerable levels of mortgage and financial debt in advanced stages of life, as well as significant differences within and between countries. Controlling for country variation as well as individual and household attributes, we find a positive relationship between the size of mortgage debt and financial debt across most countries. We test alternative explanations for this relationship and discuss the implications of our findings in the broader context of the risks faced by older cohorts in consumer societies with shrinking welfare expenditure.

Non-Breeding Eusocial Mole-Rats Produce Viable Sperm--Spermiogram and Functional Testicular Morphology of Fukomys anselli.

Ansell’s mole-rats (Fukomys anselli) are subterranean rodents living in families composed of about 20 members with a single breeding pair and their non-breeding offspring. Most of them remain with their parents for their lifetime and help to maintain and defend the natal burrow system, forage, and care for younger siblings. Since incest avoidance is based on individual recognition (and not on social suppression) we expect that non-breeders produce viable sperm spontaneously. We compared the sperm of breeding and non-breeding males, obtained by electroejaculation and found no significant differences in sperm parameters between both groups. Here, we used electroejaculation to obtain semen for the first time in a subterranean mammal. Spermiogram analysis revealed no significant differences in sperm parameters between breeders and non-breeders. We found significantly larger testes (measured on autopsies and on living animals per ultrasonography) of breeders compared to non-breeders (with body mass having a significant effect). There were no marked histological differences between breeding and non-breeding males, and the relative area occupied by Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules on histological sections, respectively, was not significantly different between both groups. The seminiferous epithelium and to a lesser degree the interstitial testicular tissue are characterized by lesions (vacuolar degenerations), however, this feature does not hinder fertilization even in advanced stages of life. The continuous production of viable sperm also in sexually abstinent non-breeders might be best understood in light of the mating and social system of Fukomys anselli, and the potential to found a new family following an unpredictable and rare encounter with an unfamiliar female (“provoked or induced dispersal”). Apparently, the non-breeders do not reproduce because they do not copulate but not because they would be physiologically infertile. The significantly increased testes volume of breeding males (compared to non-breeders) is in agreement with previously found higher testosterone levels of breeders.

A conceived proposal for the contribution of the social services in the development of women’s awareness of their health, psychological and social appearances during advanced age

The study aims to identify the extent of women’s awareness of the meaning of advanced age and the nature of the psycho-social aspects of health that they face in the advanced stages of life to come up with a suggested proposal for the contribution of social services to the development of women’s awareness of aspects of advanced life stages from a cognitive perspective. The samples of the study are women older than 40 who are either in their perimenopause or menopause phase. The size of the sample is (208) woman; (104) women from the health center Al-Olaya and (104) women from the health center in Al-Suleimaniah. The study results showed a decline in their awareness that this stage in their age constitutes the flow and movement phase (productivity and contribution) versus recession and showed a likely rate of (0.22 %) and came last in the results. Results of the study also showed low response rates regarding health and physical aspects such as the occurrence of hot flashes (12%), reduced fertility (9.95), and osteoporosis (7.5%). These rates underscore the lack of awareness of the respondents concerning these variables. On the other hand, the study showed a high awareness of the respondents with respect to psychological aspects such as the awareness of the feeling of neglect and lack of interest by others scored highest. Society’s perception of advanced age is one of the social realities which received (7.13 %) by respondents. The study recommends the need to activate the contribution of social services in the increase of women›s awareness of health, psychological and social manifestations of menopause and beyond

A conceived proposal for the contribution of the social services in the development of women’s awareness of their health, psychological and social appearances during advanced age

The study aims to identify the extent of women’s awareness of the meaning of advanced age and the nature of the psycho-social aspects of health that they face in the advanced stages of life to come up with a suggested proposal for the contribution of social services to the development of women’s awareness of aspects of advanced life stages from a cognitive perspective. The samples of the study are women older than 40 who are either in their perimenopause or menopause phase. The size of the sample is (208) woman; (104) women from the health center Al-Olaya and (104) women from the health center in Al-Suleimaniah. The study results showed a decline in their awareness that this stage in their age constitutes the flow and movement phase (productivity and contribution) versus recession and showed a likely rate of (0.22 %) and came last in the results. Results of the study also showed low response rates regarding health and physical aspects such as the occurrence of hot flashes (12%), reduced fertility (9.95), and osteoporosis (7.5%). These rates underscore the lack of awareness of the respondents concerning these variables. On the other hand, the study showed a high awareness of the respondents with respect to psychological aspects such as the awareness of the feeling of neglect and lack of interest by others scored highest. Society’s perception of advanced age is one of the social realities which received (7.13 %) by respondents. The study recommends the need to activate the contribution of social services in the increase of women›s awareness of health, psychological and social manifestations of menopause and beyond

Lactational exposure of mice to low levels of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls increases susceptibility to neuronal stress at a mature age

Lactational exposure to low levels of the sum of the six indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (Σ6 NDL-PCBs, 10ng/kg/day) is known to lead to persistent anxious behavior in young and adult offspring mice at postnatal days 40 and 160, respectively. At more advanced life stages, we evaluated the effects on the mouse brain of neuronal stress induced by the synaptotoxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide. Perinatal exposure of lactating mice to Σ6 NDL-PCBs did not affect short-term memory performances of their offspring male mice aged 14 months as compared to control PCB-naive mice. However, following intracerebroventricular injection of soluble Aβ oligomers, significant impairments in long-term memory were detected in the mice that had been lactationally treated with Σ6 NDL-PCBs. In addition, immunoblot analyses of the synaptosomal fraction of hippocampal tissues from treated mice revealed a lower expression of the synaptic proteins synaptophysin and PSD-95. Though preliminary, our findings suggest for the first time that early exposure to low levels of NDL-PCBs induce late neuronal vulnerability to amyloid stress. Additional experiments are needed to confirm whether early environmental influences are involved in the etiology of brain aging and cognitive decline.

Variation and ontogenetic changes of opercular paleae in a population of <em>Sabellaria spinulosa</em> (Polychaeta: Sabellaridae) from the South Adriatic Sea, with remarks on larval development

Sabellaria alcocki Gravier, 1906, described for the Indian Ocean, should not be present in the Mediterranean area. Though S. spinulosa alcocki, a Mediterranean variety, can be well-distinguished from S. alcocki, it has recently been referred to as S. alcocki. Thus, S. alcocki appears in the Italian coast checklist. The recent finding of S. spinulosa reefs along the southern Adriatic coast, the first report of these biogenic constructions in the Mediterranean area, allowed us to compare its morphological variability with that of S. alcocki. A morphometric analysis of the opercular paleae showed a great deal of intrapopulation, size-independent variation, which cannot justify the existence of varieties within S. spinulosa. Moreover, the analysis of post-settlement development showed that opercular features change during individual growth. Recently settled individuals resemble S. alcocki, while the more advanced life stages become closer to S. spinulosa. Accordingly, we hypothesize that part of the erroneous Mediterranean records of S. alcocki could correspond to specimens of S. spinulosa at different stages of development.

Utility of iliac vein stenting in elderly population older than 80 years.

The geriatric population aged 80 years and older with severe manifestations of chronic venous disease face diminishing therapeutic options. Self-applied compression is often not possible because of frailty or arthritis. Significant limb swelling diminishes mobility, affects independent living, and precipitates institutionalization. Limb ulceration and pain diminish quality of life at a time when it is paramount. Cellulitis uniquely poses septicemic risk in this age group. Family caregivers are often able to continue home care if the intensity of care can be reduced. Iliac vein stenting may have a role as it appears to be safe and effective in this advanced stage of life. Patients who had failed to respond to compression and desired palliation of continuing severe chronic venous disease symptoms were considered for iliac vein stenting. Intravascular ultrasound-guided stenting was carried out under fluoroscopy without venography in case of allergy to contrast material or decreased renal function. General anesthesia was used for better cardiopulmonary control. A total of 107 limbs (12 bilateral) were treated with iliac vein stents during a 13-year period, representing 5% of all stented limbs. Median age was 83 years (80-96 years), and 10 were ≥ 90 years; 59% were post-thrombotic. Clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathologic classification was as follows: C2 (with pain), 3%; C3, 32%; C4, 33%; C5, 5%; and C6, 27%. Concurrent saphenous ablation was carried out in 28% when saphenous reflux was considered ancillary and not the main disease. There was no mortality. Reintervention was required in 20% of limbs for nonocclusive stent malfunction; 2% of stents occluded. Primary and primary-assisted duplex patency rates at 5 years were 52% and 90%, respectively. The visual analog scale score of pain improved from median 4 (0-9) to 0 (0-10) after stenting (P < .0001). Pain was completely relieved in 43% of limbs. Cumulative improvement in the pain score of at least 3 points was 71% at 6 years. Swelling (grade 0, none; grade 1, pitting; grade 2, ankle edema; grade 3, gross) improved from median 3 (0-3) to 1 (0-3) (P < .0001). Swelling completely resolved in 25% of limbs. Cumulative improvement of at least one grade of swelling (examination) was 63% at 6 years; 70% of limbs (n = 33) with prior cellulitis were relieved of recurrence after stent placement; 61% of active ulcers healed, and 37% of patients were able to discard stockings (P < .001). Iliac vein stenting appears to offer a safe and effective option in octogenarians and nonagenarians when compression fails, is difficult, or is impossible.

Immediate and long-term consequences of vascular toxicity during zebrafish development

Proper formation of the vascular system is necessary for embryogenesis, and chemical disruption of vascular development may be a key event driving developmental toxicity. In order to test the effect of environmental chemicals on this critical process, we evaluated a quantitative assay in transgenic zebrafish using angiogenesis inhibitors that target VEGFR2 (PTK787) or EGFR (AG1478). Both PTK787 and AG1478 exposure impaired intersegmental vessel (ISV) sprouting, while AG1478 also produced caudal and pectoral fin defects at concentrations below those necessary to blunt ISV morphogenesis. The functional consequences of vessel toxicity during early development included decreased body length and survival in juvenile cohorts developmentally exposed to inhibitor concentrations sufficient to completely block ISV sprouting angiogenesis. These data show that concentration-dependent disruption of the presumed targets for these inhibitors produce adverse outcomes at advanced life stages.

Natural biological control of green scale (Hemiptera: Coccidae): a field life-table study

Understanding how the biotic and abiotic factors influence pest-population dynamics is important to implement sound pest management strategies in biological control and integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Coccus viridis (Green) is an important indirect pest of coffee plants, but very little has been done to understand the factors that contribute most for its biological control in the field. In the present study, we examined the critical life stage and the key factors associated with the mortality of C. viridis in coffee plantations in Brazil by conducting field-based life table studies. Predators, parasitoids, fungi, infested leaf abscission and rainfall were collectively responsible for a total C. viridis mortality of 96.08%. Predation by coccinellids was the key factor governing the mortality of C. viridis. The parasitism of early instars by parasitoids was the second most important factor contributing to C. viridis mortality. Unlike the parasitoids, the fungus Lecanicillium lecanii caused mortality of scales in more advanced life stages. The abscission of infested leaves from the trees, and rainfall also contributed to the mortality of C. viridis. The nymph stage was considered the critical stage for mortality of C. viridis in the field. The results suggest that predators (Coccinellidae) are the most important factors controlling C. viridis, and thus should be the target of conservation measures in coffee plantations infested with this pest.