Changes In Body Length Research Articles

Body length changes for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) over five decades exhibit weak spatial synchrony over a broad latitudinal gradient.

Understanding the factors that drive spatial synchrony among populations or species is important for management and recovery of populations. The range-wide declines in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations may be the result of broad-scale changes in the marine environment. Salmon undergo rapid growth in the ocean; therefore changing marine conditions may affect body size and fecundity estimates used to evaluate whether stock reference points are met. Using a dataset that spanned five decades, 172,268 individuals, and 19 rivers throughout Eastern Canada, we investigated the occurrence of spatial synchrony in changes in the body size of returning wild adult Atlantic salmon. Body size was then related to conditions in the marine environment (i.e., climate indices, thermal habitat availability, food availability, density-dependence, and fisheries exploitation rates) that may act on all populations during the ocean feeding phase of their life cycle. Body size increased during the 1980s and 1990s for salmon that returned to rivers after one (1SW) or two winters at sea (2SW); however, significant changes were only observed for 1SW and/or 2SW in some mid-latitude and northern rivers (10/13 rivers with 10 of more years of data during these decades) and not in southern rivers (0/2), suggesting weak spatial synchrony across Eastern Canada. For 1SW salmon in nine rivers, body size was longer when fisheries exploitation rates were lower. For 2SW salmon, body size was longer when suitable thermal habitat was more abundant (significant for 3/8 rivers) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation was higher (i.e., warmer sea surface temperatures; significant for 4/8 rivers). Overall, the weak spatial synchrony and variable effects of covariates on body size across rivers suggest that changes in Atlantic salmon body size may not be solely driven by shared conditions in the marine environment. Regardless, body size changes may have consequences for population management and recovery through the relationship between size and fecundity.

Морфологічна диференціація Anura (Amphibia) у пізньому онтогенезі: аналіз популяцій Rana temporaria з регіону Карпат

The study is devoted to the morphological features of the common frog of the Carpathian region of Ukraine, namely the expression, directionality and structure of sexual differences of this species. The work uses data obtained as a result of the processing of the scientific collection of Rana temporaria (Linnaeus, 1758) from the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians (Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zakarpattia oblasts), which is housed at the National Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv). A total of 381 common frog specimens were studied—233 males (L = 24.6–84.5 mm) and 148 females (L = 23.2–94.2 mm). It is shown that individual differences in linear dimensions and body proportions in a sample of common frog males and females are structured and clearly reflect the morphological differentiation of individuals according to the age criterion. In the late ontogenesis of the common frog, generalised sex-related differences extend with the increasing age of individuals: in juveniles SqMD = 2.36, in subadults SqMD = 4.77, and in adults SqMD = 22.08. At the same time, not only does the expression of sex-related differences increase, but also their orientation changes significantly. According to our data, this year’s juveniles (juvenis) are individuals that did not winter at all (0+). At the same time, males are reliably (t = 4.50; p < 0.001) larger in body length (24.6–37.5 mm; Lmean = 29.87 mm) than females (23.2–32.7 mm; Lmean = 26.40 mm). But already in the group of semi-adult (subadultus) frogs, the orientation of sexual dimorphism in terms of body length changes completely—females are reliably larger than males, which is even more pronounced in adult, sexually mature individuals. Males of tailless amphibians grow and physiologically mature faster than females, so they begin to reproduce 1–2 years earlier. Females, which grow more slowly and mature later, join the reproduction having a larger size and older age. It is shown that sexual differences begin to form in the subadultus group. The generalised differences (SqMD) by sex are significantly smaller than by age. Adult sexually mature females compared to males are characterised by larger values of 18 body parameters, except for shoulder length (H.) and elbow joint diameter (Cr.a.c.), which are most reliably larger in males. These features of the proportions of the limbs provide the male with reliable holding of the female during mating (amplexus).

Alterations in the gut microbiota of toddlers with cow milk protein allergy treated with a partially hydrolyzed formula containing synbiotics: A nonrandomized controlled interventional study.

Formulas containing intact cow milk protein are appropriate alternatives when human milk (HM) is not feasible. However, for babies with a physician-diagnosed cow milk protein allergy (CMPA), hydrolyzed formulas are needed. We conducted a 3-month, open-label, nonrandomized concurrent controlled trial (ChiCTR2100046909) between June 2021 and October 2022 in Qingdao City, China. In this study, CMPA toddlers were fed with a partially hydrolyzed formula containing synbiotics (pHF, n = 43) and compared with healthy toddlers fed a regular intact protein formula (IF, n = 45) or HM (n = 21). The primary endpoint was weight gain; the secondary endpoints were changes in body length and head circumference of both CMPA and healthy toddlers after 3-month feeding; and the exploratory outcomes were changes in gut microbiota composition. After 3 months, there were no significant group differences for length-for-age, weight-for-age, or head circumference-for-age Z scores. In the gut microbiota, pHF feeding increased its richness and diversity, similar to those of IF-fed and HM-fed healthy toddlers. Compared with healthy toddlers, the toddlers with CMPA showed an increased abundance of phylum Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, class Clostridia, and Bacteroidia, and a decreased abundance of class Negativicutes, while pHF feeding partly eliminated these original differences. Moreover, pHF feeding increased the abundance of short-chain fatty acid producers. Our data suggested that this pHF partly simulated the beneficial effects of HM and shifted the gut microbiota of toddlers with CMPA toward that of healthy individuals. In conclusion, this synbiotic-containing pHF might be an appropriate alternative for toddlers with CMPA.

Perubahan Panjang Badan, Tinggi Pinggul Dan Tinggi Pundak Kambing Kacang Jantan Yang Mengalami Tingkat Pembatasan Pakan Yang Berbeda

This study aims to determine the increase in body length, hip height and shoulder height of Kacang goat at different levels of food restriction. The research was carried out in the goat pen of the Agriculture Faculty, Timor University from June until September 2022. The cattle used were 15 male Kacang goats with an average body weight of 10-15 kilograms (kg). This study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) experiment methode consisting of 3 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments used in this study were: T0 = Cattle without being restricted by feed, T1 = Cattle being limited by feed (100%) of maintenance life, T2 = Cattle being limited by feed (50%) of maintenance life. The variables observed in this study were body length, hip height and shoulder height. The data analyzed by using Analysis of Variance (Anova) and Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that the average change in body length of male Kacang goat in the T0, T1, and T2 treatments was 0.040; -0.050; and -0.060 cm/head/day, respectively. Shoulder height of 0.060; -0.080; and -0.083 cm/head/day, respectively. Hip height of 0.087; -0.090; and -0.10 cm/head/day, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the treatment had a significant effect on body length, shoulder height and hip height of male kacang goats (P<0.05). It was concluded that the T0 treatment without being restricted by feed gave the best results on changes in body length, shoulder height, and hip height in male Kacang goat.

Vertical Distribution, Community and Population Structures of the Planktonic Chaetognatha in the Western Subarctic Pacific: Insights on the Eukrohnia Species Group

In the oceans, Chaetognatha can contribute significantly to the total zooplankton biomass (up to 10–30%). The genus Eukrohnia, the dominant Chaetognath genus in the western subarctic Pacific, includes E. hamata and E. bathypelagica. Although it has been pointed out that there is no genetic difference between the two species, no study has been made that treats them as the same species group. In this study, we investigated vertical distribution based on the eight vertical stratification samplings down to 1000 m depths conducted day/night at four seasons covering one year, community structure, and population structure of the three dominant Chaetognath species: Parasagitta elegans, E. hamata, and E. bathypelagica in the western subarctic Pacific. The population densities of each species at 0–1000 m water column were 0.04–0.36 ind. m−3 for P. elegans, 0.14–1.60 ind. m−3 for E. hamata, 0.24–1.54 ind. m−3 for E. bathypelagica, and 1.37–2.62 ind. m−3 for Eukrohnia juveniles. The vertical distributions were consistent both day and night, and no diel changes were observed for all species throughout the seasons. The vertical distribution of Chaetognaths evaluated by the distribution center was 61–169 m for P. elegans, 143–206 m for Eukrohnia juveniles, 134–279 m for E. hamata, and 253–612 m for E. bathypelagica. The body length of P. elegans ranged from 4 to 34 mm, and one to three cohorts were identified at each sampling occasion. While the presence of the eight stages has been reported for Eukrohnia, only one to five stages occurred, and specimens belonging to six to eight stages were not observed in the samples throughout the year. The body length of the whole Eukrohnia species ranged from 2 to 14 mm. The body length histograms of the Eukrohnia species group, including E. hamata and E. bathypelagica, and their juveniles showed the presence of two to four cohorts at each sampling date. Within the Eukrohnia species group, vertical changes in body length were present, which were characterized by the smaller specimens occurring at shallower depths, followed by an increase in body length with increasing depths. From the vertical distribution and population structure of the Eukrohnia species group (Eukrohnia juvenile + E. hamata + E. bathypelagica) in this study, there was no difficulty in treating them as one species. It may suggest that E. hamata and E. bathypelagica in the western subarctic Pacific could be treated as one species group. To clarify this point, a detailed genetic analysis of the Eukrohnia species group will be needed for future studies.

Features of growth and development of sturgeons and their hybrid forms in industrial conditions

The article presents the results of assessing the exterior indicators of sturgeon hybrids when grown under certain conditions. Experimental studies were carried out at LLC "Mulinsky fish farm" of the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2019-2022. The object of the study was sturgeons of different genotypes (Russian sturgeon - group 1, Siberian sturgeon - group 2, hybrids of Russian sturgeon with Siberian - group 3 and hybrids of Siberian sturgeon with Russian species - group 4). In a comparative aspect, the growth rates of various genotypic groups of sturgeon fish species were determined when grown in a recirculating water supply installation. Based on the data on morphometric parameters, it was found out that the difference in the studied characteristics is not significant. As a result of comparison of external features, it was found that the fish of all groups had a physique typical of sturgeons. Based on the analysis of the conducted studies, it can be concluded that the 3rd hybrid group was the leader in terms of total and commercial length in all age periods, surpassing the groups of other genotypes. It is also important to note that the hybrid groups outperformed the purebred forms, it was proved that the effect of heterosis appeared. In terms of body weight in all age periods, their heterogeneity is noted, so at the age of 3.6 and 9 months, the largest mass among all groups is observed in group 1, where hybrids are superior to purebred forms, by 12 months the situation changes and at 18, 24 months hybrids begin to exceed parental forms, that is, a hybrid force is manifested. Changes in body length, height and girth can be attributed to the characteristics of the breed.

La regla de islas y el tamaño corporal del poliplacóforo Plaxiphora mercatoris en Rapa Nui

To test the island rule, the body size of P. mercatoris and P. aurata was measured, then statistical test and generalized linear models (GLM) were performed to explore changes in body length of both species. A smaller body length was evidenced in P. mercatoris supporting insular dwarfism. Additionally, P. mercatoris showed a trend of decreasing body size over time. This is the first report of the island rule in polyplacophorans. The temporal decrease in the size of P. mercatoris suggests a possible increase anthropogenic pressure, which should be studied to facilitate conservation and monitoring strategies.

The Effect of Date Palm (Phoenix Dactylifera) Juice to Prevent Stunting

Aims: One of the problems due to lack of chronic nutrient intake in toddlers is stunting. Stunting can be prevented by fulfilling nutritional intake with nutrient-rich foods such as date juice, because date juice is a good source of carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals, and dietary fiber to meet the body's nutritional needs, especially in toddlers. This study aims to determine the effect of date juice on the prevention of stunting in children under five. Methods: The research design used was quasi-experimental with a two group Pretest-Posttest control group design. A total of 78 children under five who were measured for length and weight consisted of 34 people in the intervention group by giving date juice and 34 people in the control group without giving date juice. Result: The study was conducted for 3 months. After the intervention, the average body length and body weight in the intervention group increased to 12.91 for body length and 87.67 for body weight. While body length and body weight in the control group did not experience significant changes. The results of the paired t test showed a significant p-value of (<0.05) while in the control group the p value was> 0.05, meaning that there was no change in body length and body weight in the control group. Conclusion: This study shows that date juice has an effect in preventing stunting. Based on the results of this study, nurses need to maximize stunting prevention education by meeting nutritional needs by consuming nutrient-rich foods such as date juice.

Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Contributes to Arecoline and Its Secondary Metabolites-Induced Dyskinesia in Zebrafish Embryos.

Areca nut has been listed as one of the most addictive substances, along with tobacco, alcohol and caffeine. Areca nut contains seven psychoactive alkaloids; however, the effects of these alkaloids on embryonic development and motor behavior are rarely addressed in zebrafish embryo-larvae. Herein, we investigated the effects of exposure to three alkaloids (arecoline and secondary metabolites-arecaidine and arecoline N-oxide) on the developmental parameters, locomotive behavior, oxidative stress and transcriptome of zebrafish embryos. Zebrafish embryos exposed to different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 μM) of arecoline, arecaidine and arecoline N-oxide showed no changes in mortality and hatchability rates, but the malformation rate of zebrafish larvae was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner and accompanied by changes in body length. Moreover, the swimming activity of zebrafish larvae decreased, which may be due to the increase in reactive oxygen species and the imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation. Meanwhile, transcriptome analysis showed that endoplasmic reticulum stress and the apoptosis p53 signaling pathway were significantly enriched after exposure to arecoline and arecoline N-oxide. However, arecaidine exposure focuses on protein synthesis and transport. These findings provide an important reference for risk assessment and early warning of areca nut alkaloid exposure.

Shrinking body size and climate warming: Many freshwater salmonids do not follow the rule.

Declining body size is believed to be a universal response to climate warming and has been documented in numerous studies of marine and anadromous fishes. The Salmonidae are a family of coldwater fishes considered to be among the most sensitive species to climate warming; however, whether the shrinking body size response holds true for freshwater salmonids has yet to be examined at a broad spatial scale. We compiled observations of individual fish lengths from long-term surveys across the Northern Hemisphere for 12 species of freshwater salmonids and used linear mixed models to test for spatial and temporal trends in body size (fish length) spanning recent decades. Contrary to expectations, we found a significant increase in length overall but with high variability in trends among populations and species. More than two-thirds of the populations we examined increased in length over time. Secondary regressions revealed larger-bodied populations are experiencing greater increases in length than smaller-bodied populations. Mean water temperature was weakly predictive of changes in body length but overall minimal influences of environmental variables suggest that it is difficult to predict an organism's response to changing temperatures by solely looking at climatic factors. Our results suggest that declining body size is not universal, and the response of fishes to climate change may be largely influenced by local factors. It is important to know that we cannot assume the effects of climate change are predictable and negative at a large spatial scale.

Effects of Porphyra yezoensis extract on hepatic inflammatory factors and oxidative stress in type 1 diabetic mice

To study the effect of Porphyra yezoensis extract on liver inflammation and oxidative stress in type 1 diabetics mice. A total of ninety-one C57 BL/6 J male mice were adaptively fed for two weeks, and twelve C57 BL/6 J male mice were randomly reserved to be included in the blank control group. The rest of the mice were fasted overnight for twelve hours(except water), and they were given 170.00 mg/kg streptozotocin by intraperitoneal injection. Fasting blood glucose in type 1 diabetics mice were greater than or equal to 16.7 mmol/L after seven days, and polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria and weight loss appeared, which were judged to be the successful model of type 1 diabetes. Forty-eight successfully modeled mice were divided into the model control group, the low dose of Porphyra yezoensis extract group, the medium dose of Porphyra yezoensis extract and high dose of Porphyra yezoensis extract group according to the fasting blood glucose and body weight. The mice in the blank control group and the model group were given the same amount of normal saline. The low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose intervention groups were separately given the corresponding dose of Porphyra yezoensis extract by intragastric administration for six weeks. The body weight of type 1 diabetic mice, changes in body length, fasting blood glucose, insulin, liver inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators and pathological sections of liver and pancreas after the intervention of Porphyra yezoensis extract were observed. The glucose oxidase method was used to determine the fasting blood glucose level of type 1 diabetic mice. The serum insulin content, liver inflammatory factor levels and oxidative stress indicators were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The hematoxylin-eosin staining method was used to observe histopathology of liver and pancreas paraffin sections. The weight of the model control group was significantly lower than that of the blank control group(P<0.05), and the fasting blood glucose value was significantly higher than that of the blank control group(P<0.05). There was no statistical difference. In terms of inflammatory factors, compared with the model control group, low-dose Porphyra yezoensis extract can increase serum insulin levels and reduce liver tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels(P<0.05) in T1DM mice, and medium-dose Porphyra yezoensis extract can reduce liver TNF-α level(P<0.05), high-dose Porphyra yezoensis extract can reduce the level of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)(P<0.05). The histopathological conditions of pancreas in different intervention groups were improved compared with the model control group, and the number of β cells increased compared with the model group. In terms of oxidative stress, compared with the model control group, low-dose Porphyra yezoensis extract can significantly reduce the levels of liver alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and malondialdehyde(MDA)(P<0.05), and high-dose Porphyra yezoensis extract can significantly increase the levels of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and catalase(CAT)(P<0.05). The protective effect of Porphyra yezoensis extract on liver oxidative damage in T1DM mice may be achieved by regulating the activity of CAT and GSH-Px and reducing the content of MDA. In addition, Porphyra yezoensis extract can reduce liver TNF-α and IL-1β levels to improve liver inflammation.

Dynamic transcriptome analysis of the muscles in high-fat diet-induced obese zebrafish (Danio rerio) under 5-HT treatment

Peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, also called serotonin) is reportedly a potential therapeutic target in obesity-related metabolic diseases due to its regulatory role in energy homeostasis in mammals. However, information on the detailed effect of peripheral 5-HT on the energy metabolism in fishes, especially the lipid metabolism, and the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, a diet-induced obesity model was developed in the zebrafish (Danio rerio), a prototypical animal model for metabolic disorders. The zebrafish were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks and were simultaneously injected with PBS, 0.1 mM and 10 mM 5-HT, intraperitoneally. The body weight was significantly lower in the zebrafish injected with 0.1 mM 5-HT (P < 0.05), however, there was no change in body length (P > 0.05) at the end of the 8-week treatment. The muscle tissues from the zebrafish treated with PBS and 5-HT were collected for transcriptomic analysis and the RNA-seq revealed 1134, 3713, and 2535 genes were screened out compared to the muscular DEGs among three groups. The enrichment analysis revealed DEGs to be significantly associated with multiple metabolic pathways, including ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome, PPAR signaling pathway, and ferroptosis. Additionally, the qRT-PCR validated 12 DEGs out of which 10 genes exhibited consistent trends. Taken together, this data provided useful information on the transcriptional characteristics of the muscle tissue in the obese zebrafish exposed to 5-HT, offering important insights into the regulatory effect of peripheral 5-HT in teleosts, as well as novel approaches for preventing and treating obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.

Зміни функціональних показників студенток за підсумками реалізації індивідуально-мотиваційних рівнів системи навчання плавання

The lack of qualitative justification of organizational and methodical support of swimming training process from the standpoint of objective criteria ensuring of health and functional preparedness of student youth determines the relevance of the proposed area of research. The purpose of the study was to establish changes in indicators of functional preparedness of higher educational institutions students based on the implementation of training programs at different individual and motivational levels of the swimming training system. Materials and methods. The study involved girls aged 18-20 years old of Kherson State University. There were four experimental groups representing different individual and motivational levels of swimming (experimental group 1, n=23 girls; experimental group 2, n=26; experimental group 3, n=23; experimental group 4, n=21 respectively) and the control group (n=29) with general lessons. All programs (experimental and control) were designed for 18 lessons during the first semester, the duration of a single lesson was 60 minutes. Changes in body length and weight, heart rate at rest, blood pressure and pulse pressure, Robinson’s, Cardu’s, Kettle’s, Skibinsky’s, Hildenbrant’s, Stange’s and Genche’s indices, Life index and Rosenthal’s test were studied. Results and discussion. Determining the initial level of functional indicators of female students of all experimental groups and control groups gave grounds to the confirmation that the indicator of their values is within the age norm for people who do not do sport. Slightly higher indicators of heart rates at rest for experimental group representatives were obtained. This is due to higher requirements for the cardiovascular and oxygen and transport system of girls in performance of physical activity and specifics of swimming means. Preliminary assumptions, that the absence of maximum physical loads is not able to significantly affect blood pressure, heart rate at rest, a number of indices for both experimental and control training programs, have been confirmed. Conclusion. The qualitative content of physical culture and sports lessons before entering the higher educational institutions forms a certain basis of functional preparedness. It is expressed in indicators at rest and is characterized by optimization of the activity of vital organs and systems of students and can be slightly corrected due to the use of training programs at various individual and motivation levels of the swimming training system for students of higher educational institutions

The Dendrite Arbor of Purkinje Cells Is Altered Following to Tail Regeneration in the Leopard Gecko.

Purkinje cells of the cerebellum have a complex arborized arrangement of dendrites and are among the most distinctive cell types of the nervous system. Although the neuromorphology of Purkinje cells has been well described for some mammals and teleost fish, for most vertebrates less is known. Here we used a modified Golgi-Cox method to investigate the neuromorphology of Purkinje cells from the lizard Eublepharis macularius, the leopard gecko. Using Sholl and Branch Structure Analyses, we sought to investigate whether the neuromorphology of gecko Purkinje cells was altered in response to tail loss and regeneration. Tail loss is an evolved mechanism commonly used by geckos to escape predation. Loss of the tail represents a significant and sudden change in body length and mass, which is only partially recovered as the tail is regenerated. We predicted that tail loss and regeneration would induce a quantifiable change in Purkinje cell dendrite arborization. Post hoc comparisons of Sholl analyses data showed that geckos with regenerated tails have significant changes in dendrite diameter and the number of dendrite intersections in regions corresponding to the position of parallel fiber synapses. We propose that the neuromorphological alterations observed in gecko Purkinje cells represent a compensatory response to tail regrowth, and perhaps a role in motor learning.

Growth Hormone Receptor Gene Disruption in Mature-Adult Mice Improves Glucose Metabolism and Lifespan in Females

Growth hormone (GH) serves an important role in early and adult life. Reduction of GH action has been shown to increase life span in many species of animals. In fact, mice bearing a congenital disruption of GH receptor (GHR) gene (GHRKO) hold the record for the longest-lived laboratory mice. In addition to extended life span, these mice show improved health with lower rates of cancer, increased insulin sensitivity, and resistance to age-associated cognitive decline. Furthermore, humans with decreased GH action due to inactivating mutations in the GHR (Laron Syndrome patients) are resistant to cancer and diabetes. Even though the beneficial effects of congenital Ghr gene disruption are well studied, the consequences of postnatal disruption of GH action were unknown. Previously our laboratory generated a mouse line with disrupted GH action at 1.5 months of age (1.5mGHRKO mice). Results showed that these mice had improved insulin sensitivity and increased maximal lifespan only in females, yet growth retardation was still present.To consider decreased GH action as a possible therapeutic to extend healthy lifespan, it was imperative to elucidate the effects of disrupting Ghr gene at a mature-adult age, well after the developmental and growth period of the mice. To this end, we hypothesized that removal of GH action in adult life would convey some of the same health and life span benefits seen in the GHRKO mice without the reduced body length. To test this hypothesis, we used the cre-lox system to generate mice with a disrupted Ghr gene at a mature-adult age (6 months), referred as 6mGHRKO mice. We then performed a phenotypic and lifespan characterization, and tested for molecular mechanisms known to be associated with extended longevity, namely oxidative stress resistance and mTOR modulation. We found that similar to GHRKO and 1.5mGHRKO mice, disruption of GHR at 6 months of age resulted in mice with increased adipose tissue mass, decreased lean mass, high circulating GH, but decreased insulin growth factor-1 levels compared to control mice. Furthermore, the 6mGHRKO mice displayed significantly improved insulin sensitivity in males, with no changes in glucose tolerance. Also, serum levels of inflammatory markers and liver triglycerides were unchanged in these mice. Experiments to evaluate the status of oxidative damage and mTOR activation in liver, skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue of male and female 6mGHRKO mice showed a tissue-specificity and sexual dimorphism in these results. Importantly, male and female 6mGHRKO mice showed no change in body length, but mean, median and maximal lifespan were significantly extended in females. In conclusion, disruption of GH action well past sexual maturation produces beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and aging in mice. Acknowledgements: This work is supported by the State of Ohio’s Eminent Scholar Program, by NIH grant AG059779 and by the AMVETS.

Development of Dermestes Maculatus at a Constant Temperature and Its Larval Instar Determination.

Objective To establish the basic data for estimating minimum postmortem interval （PMImin） of heavily decayed and skeletonized remains by studying the development of Dermestes maculatus DeGeer （Coleoptera: Dermestidae）. Methods The developmental stages of Dermestes maculatus were observed at four constant temperatures of 20 ℃, 24 ℃, 28 ℃ and 32 ℃, and the changes in body length were also examined as the biological indicator to estimate larval day-age and instar. Results The total developmental time from egg to adult at 20 ℃, 24 ℃, 28 ℃ and 32 ℃ were （126.7±10.6） d, （69.4±8.2） d, （50.4±8.4） d and （49.6±6.5） d, respectively. The body length increased gradually, but changed irregularly as a whole. Conclusion The study provides basic data on the development and growth of Dermestes maculatus, especially on its developmental duration as a significant value for estimating PMImin of heavily decayed and skeletonized remains. Nevertheless, the change of body length is not found to be the best biological indicator for instar determination.

Polystyrene microplastics alter the intestinal microbiota function and the hepatic metabolism status in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)

To assess the potential effects of microplastics (MPs) on gut microbiome, a simple investigation of gut microbial structure is not sufficient, and the function and association of gut microbial structure with host health should also be taken into account. Here, the effects of two particle sizes (2 and 200 μm) of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) on the gut microbiota of medaka were evaluated following oral administration at 0.3 and 3.0 μg/mg for 28 days. No change in body length and gut histopathology damage were observed. However, the exposure to PS-MPs significantly decreased fish body weight and disrupted the liver anti-oxidative status. The PS-MPs caused a shift in the gut microbial structure of medaka accompanied by changes in community function, including significant environmental stress, increased carbon degradation/fixation activities, and partially modified nitrogen/phosphorus/sulfur metabolic abilities. Furthermore, the PS-MPs exposure disturbed the glycolipid/tyrosine/energy metabolism and the endocrine balance. A potential correlation between the gut microecology and host response to PS-MPs exposure was also observed. These results indicated that the PS-MPs may contribute to gut-liver axis disruption, which could be the underlying toxicological mechanisms of PS-MPs exposure. This work has improved our knowledge about the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and host metabolic disorders following MPs exposure.

ERα Signaling in GHRH/Kiss1 Dual-Phenotype Neurons Plays Sex-Specific Roles in Growth and Puberty.

Gonadal steroids modulate growth hormone (GH) secretion and the pubertal growth spurt via undefined central pathways. GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) neurons express estrogen receptor α (ERα) and androgen receptor (AR), suggesting changing levels of gonadal steroids during puberty directly modulate the somatotropic axis. We generated mice with deletion of ERα in GHRH cells (GHRHΔERα), which displayed reduced body length in both sexes. Timing of puberty onset was similar in both groups, but puberty completion was delayed in GHRHΔERα females. Lack of AR in GHRH cells (GHRHΔAR mice) induced no changes in body length, but puberty completion was also delayed in females. Using a mouse model with two reporter genes, we observed that, while GHRHtdTom neurons minimally colocalize with Kiss1hrGFP in prepubertal mice, ∼30% of GHRH neurons coexpressed both reporter genes in adult females, but not in males. Developmental analysis of Ghrh and Kiss1 expression suggested that a subpopulation of ERα neurons in the arcuate nucleus of female mice undergoes a shift in phenotype, from GHRH to Kiss1, during pubertal transition. Our findings demonstrate that direct actions of gonadal steroids in GHRH neurons modulate growth and puberty and indicate that GHRH/Kiss1 dual-phenotype neurons play a sex-specific role in the crosstalk between the somatotropic and gonadotropic axes during pubertal transition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Late maturing adolescents usually show delayed growth and bone age. At puberty, gonadal steroids have stimulatory effects on the activation of growth and reproductive axes, but the existence of gonadal steroid-sensitive neuronal crosstalk remains undefined. Moreover, the neural basis for the sex differences observed in the clinical arena is unknown. Lack of ERα in GHRH neurons disrupts growth in both sexes and causes pubertal delay in females. Deletion of androgen receptor in GHRH neurons only delayed female puberty. In adult females, not males, a subset of GHRH neurons shift phenotype to start producing Kiss1. Thus, direct estrogen action in GHRH/Kiss1 dual-phenotype neurons modulates growth and puberty and may orchestrate the sex differences in endocrine function observed during pubertal transition.

Peculiarities of physical and sexual development of girls with autoimmune hepatitis in puberty period

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare immune-mediated chronic disease that, when inadequately treated, leads to progressive liver damage, which in turn leads to cirrhosis, liver failure, or death. Features of physical and sexual development of girls with AIH at puberty are little studied. The objective: to determine the characteristics of physical and sexual development of girls with autoimmune hepatitis in puberty period. Materials and methods. A comprehensive clinical and paraclinical examination of 66 adolescent girls of the group AIH with autoimmune hepatitis and 180 conditionally somatically healthy girls of the control group aged 12-17 years was performed. The examination included clinical and anamnestic data, anthropometry, biochemical examination of liver function, determination of serum autoantibodies, markers of viral hepatitis, ultrasound and elastography of the hepatobiliary system, liver biopsy followed by histological examination of biopsy, assessment. Results. Age-related changes in body length and body weight, chest circumference, waist and hips among girls with AIH were characterized by a significant lag at all stages of pubertal development. In patients with AIH, the onset of pubertal development was manifested by the development of mammary glands to the stage of Mal in 43.94% of girls, the previous appearance of puberty to thelarchein 34.85% of patients, and in 21.21% of patients noted simultaneous puberty and thelarche. Delayed development of sexual characteristics was manifested in 12-, 13- 14-, 15-, 16- and 17-year-old girls with AIH by a decrease in the score of sexual development in all age categories compared to the same indicator in the respective age control groups: respectively 3.21 ± 0.40 vs 4.94 ± 0.37 points, 3.46 ± 1.00 vs 7.91 ± 0.58, 7.03 ± 1.44 vs 11.08 ± 0.25, 7.80 ± 0, 65 vs 11.86, 10.65 ± 0.79 vs 11.98. In the examined girls with AIH during puberty, such disorders of menstrual function were noted as: primary amenorrhea in 7.58% of cases, secondary amenorrhea – in 6.06%, oligomenorrhea – in 27.27%, opsomenorrhea– in 27.27%, juvenile uterine bleeding – in 9.09%, dysmenorrhea – in 31.82%, a combination of various disorders – in 18.18%. Conclusions. The presence of antinuclear antibodies, antibodies to microsomes of the liver and kidneys type 1, antibodies to smooth muscle, disorders of enzymatic, protein-forming, antitoxic, cytolytic activity of the liver in girls with autoimmune hepatitis is accompanied during puberty by a high frequency of abnormalities. formation of inverted puberty, delayed sexual development and delayed onset of menarche for 10-11 months, frequent menstrual disorders.

Development of Megaselia spiracularis (Diptera: Phoridae) at different constant temperatures.

Megaselia spiracularis Schmitz, 1938 (Diptera: Phoridae) is a pest that often appears in human living areas where it can spread pathogens. Besides, the species is of forensic value. Currently, studies focusing on the development of this species are limited. Understanding the developmental patterns of M. spiracularis, therefore, is important for controlling populations of this pest and for estimating the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). Here, we studied the development of M. spiracularis exposed to seven constant temperatures ranging from 16 to 34°C. The developmental durations, accumulated degree hours and larval body length changes were measured. Three kinds of development models that can be used to estimate the PMImin were established, including isomorphen diagram, isomegalen diagram and thermal summation model. The duration of M. spiracularis development at 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 and 34°C from egg to adult stage were 1131.1±34.5, 807.3±9.3, 529.6±1.8, 367.0±8.8, 302.4±7.0, 250.0±2.1 and 232.6±1.9h, respectively. The developmental threshold temperature and the thermal summation constant were estimated as 12.0±0.5°C and 4989.7±308.9° hours, respectively. A general model represented by a logistic equation describing how larval body length will change with the time after hatching was fit to data. The present study provides basic developmental data of M. spiracularis, which can be used for achieving better control of this noxious insect as well as for estimation of its PMImin at different temperatures.