Mouth Sites Research Articles

Age dependency of the reduced scattering coefficient and viscoelastic character, and their relationship in Japanese female skin.

We measured the reduced scattering coefficient (µs') with the edge-loss method at skin sites on the faces and upper arms of Japanese females aged 20s to 50s, and observed significant negative correlations at all sites, including the mouth. At the same mouth site, we also measured the viscoelastic properties with a Cutometer MPA580 and evaluated their correlation with µs'. Significant correlations were observed for the parameters of pliability, the portion of the viscoelasticity during the suction phase, and total recovery from the Cutometer against µs' with the effect of age removed. The results experimentally suggest the relation between µs' and the collagen condition.

Coastal residential canals harbor distinct water quality conditions and phytoplankton community composition

As urbanization increases, many regions around the globe are seeing an increase in the number of residential canal systems along their coastlines. These canals possess unique attributes that may facilitate water quality degradation, namely shallow depths, susceptibility to urban runoff, and limited flushing. Despite this, there has been little research on the water quality and phytoplankton dynamics of these systems. In this study, water quality and phytoplankton biomass/composition were quantified once per month in the fall and winter, and twice per month in the spring and summer, over a 1-year period at three sites along a mouth-interior gradient of a canal system on North Padre Island (Corpus Christi, Texas, USA). It was hypothesized that interior canal sites would exhibit symptoms of water quality degradation more regularly than a site at the mouth, and interior canal sites would also have higher chlorophyll a and distinct phytoplankton community composition compared to the mouth. Results showed that the mouth site exhibited lower inorganic nutrient concentrations and less pronounced variability in salinity and nutrients than the interior canal sites. Chlorophyll a was 2.5-3-fold higher in the canal sites than at the mouth on average, and diatoms dominated at the mouth while a more diverse assemblage dominated at the canal sites. Episodic to persistent hypoxia was observed at the canal sites, but not at the mouth. These findings show that artificial coastal residential canal systems have distinct and less desirous water quality conditions and phytoplankton communities, pointing to a need for additional research on the attributes of canals that foster these conditions to support effective ecosystem health management efforts.

Terrestrial dissolved organic matter inputs drive the temporal dynamics of riverine bacterial ecological networks and assembly processes

Rivers receive, transport, and are reactors of terrestrial dissolved organic matter (DOM) and are highly influenced by changes in hydrological conditions and anthropogenic disturbances, but the effect of DOM composition on the dynamics of the bacterial community in rivers is poorly understood. We conducted a seasonal field sampling campaign at two eutrophic river mouth sites to examine how DOM composition influences the temporal dynamics of bacterial community networks, assembly processes, and DOM-bacteria associations. DOM composition and seasonal factors explained 34.7% of the variation in bacterial community composition, and 14.4% was explained purely by DOM composition where specific UV absorbance (SUVA254) as an indicator of aromaticity was the most important predictor. Significant correlations were observed between SUVA254 and the topological features of subnetworks of interspecies and DOM-bacteria associations, indicating that high DOM aromaticity results in more complex and connected networks of bacteria. The bipartite networks between bacterial taxa and DOM molecular formulae (identified by ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry) further revealed less specialized bacterial processing of DOM molecular formulae under the conditions of high water level and DOM aromaticity in summer than in winter. A shift in community assembly processes from stronger homogeneous selection in summer to higher stochasticity in winter correlated with changes in DOM composition, and more aromatic DOM was associated with greater similarity in bacterial community composition. Our results highlight the importance of DOM aromaticity as a predictor of the temporal dynamics of riverine bacterial community networks and assembly.

THE STUDY OF THE PLANT COVER AND THE CONTENT OF TRITIUM AT ‘LAZURIT’ OBJECT OF THE SEMIPALATINSK TEST SITE

The paper presents the characteristics of the plant cover at the ‘Lazurit’ object including the content of tritium (3Н): tissue free water tritium (TFWT) and organically bound tritium (OBT). There were 5 major ecosystem types noted: ecosystems of low-hill terrain, high and low hummocks, deluvial-proluvial and alluvial plains. The content of OBT in the plant cover of the study area was found to be insignificant and, in most cases, below the detection limit of the methodological instrumentation in use. Quantitative values reported for TFWT and OBT average 6 to 81 Bq/kg and <10 to 37 Bq/kg, respectively, with a maximum near the mouth site of borehole R-1 (TFWT – 29,000±3,000 Bq/kg, OBT – 14,000±2,000 Bq/kg). At the same time, the ratio of OBT/ TFWT (0.8) points to the presence of a recent source of 3Н entry into plants.

Preliminary study on microplastic abundance in mangrove sediment cores at Mae Klong River, upper Gulf of Thailand

Microplastics have polluted our environment, particularly mangrove ecosystems, the barriers between land and sea that trap sediments and pollutants. The abundance of microplastics has increased in microplastic deposition and is expected to rise in the future. In this study, mangrove sediment cores were collected from the Mae Klong River mouth and Queen Sirikit Park (shoreline), Samut Songkhram province. The microplastics were analyzed using a modified flotation method, then recasted and removed organic matter. Fiber microplastics is composed of 92% and 82% of the total microplastics that found in the Mae Klong River mouth and Queen Sirikit Park, respectively. There were significant changes in the abundance of microplastics in relation to the sediment particle size (p < 0.05). The difference in location between the Queen Sirikit Park and Mae Klong River mouth sites was significant (p < 0.01). The accumulation of microplastics in the sediments was influenced by grain size and location. The polymer types of microplastics were those normally used in textiles, indicating human activity. Moreover, micro-Fourier transform infrared (µ-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis identified compounds of other small particles, including tire rubber, pigment, paint, dyes, and flame retardant. These results imply that microplastics and microparticles have polluted the mangrove sediment in the Mae Klong River basin, which is an important fishery area in the upper Gulf of Thailand.

Shifting Shores and Stone Age Settlement: The Former Ventspils Lagoon Area, Latvia

ABSTRACT This article considers a newly developed model of Holocene shoreline displacement in the southern part of the former Ventspils Lagoon of the Baltic Sea basin (present-day western Latvia) in relation to data from previous and new archaeological research in the area, assessing the changing pattern of Stone Age settlement and resource utilisation during the Mesolithic and Neolithic. An extensive lagoon was formed at the time of the maximum level of the Ancylus Lake and once again during the Littorina Sea maximum. In the south of the lagoon, the former shores from the two separate phases of the lagoon’s existence lie at similar elevations, providing the conditions for site re-occupation. There were river mouth sites on the continental shore of the lagoon and island sites on the seaward side, whereas in the periods with a low water level, human settlement focused on the relict waterbodies and watercourses within the exposed low-lying terrain of the former lagoon bed. The water-level fluctuations and resulting landscape changes were much more rapid during the Ancylus stage, the loci of settlement and resource exploitation necessarily shifting at fairly short intervals. The two lagoon phases also represent rather different aquatic environments.

Spatial dynamics of dissolved organic matter among different segments of a large-scale reservoir in the water-level declining period

Large-scale reservoirs exhibit complex hydrological conditions and exert a significant alteration on river flowing. Although dissolved organic matter (DOM) is noted to involve in biogeochemical processes, the variation mechanism of DOM chemistry across a large-scale reservoir is not well assessed. Here, we investigated four tributaries across different segments (e.g., the front and non-front areas) of the world’s largest Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Optical techniques and ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry were used to comprehensively explore the variation of DOM chemistry across TGR in the water-level declining period, and biological incubation experiments were conducted to trace its biogeochemical influences. We found that the variation of DOM composition and property between tributary and river mouth sites show different patterns between front and non-front areas of TGR. In particular, there was more terrestrial derived and biologically recalcitrant DOM in the river mouth than tributaries in the front area, while the opposite variation was observed in the non-front area. Integrated with hydrological information, the results demonstrated that the density current exerts a significant influence on DOM dynamics. Furthermore, the biological incubation experiments suggested that this variation of DOM property among tributaries would involve in the spatial dynamics of carbon dioxide (CO2) was emitted in TGR that more CO2 was emitted in the tributary of the front area than of the non-front area during the water-level declining period.

Environmental factors important to high-latitude nearshore estuarine fish community structure

Estuarine habitats exhibit spatial and temporal variability due to fluctuating hydrological inputs and heterogenous coastal formations. In high-latitude regions, such as the Gulf of Alaska, shifts in coastal hydrology may be further exacerbated by climate warming leading to structural responses in nearshore estuarine fish communities. To better understand relationships between physicochemical factors and fish community structure within high-latitude estuarine systems, we conducted systematic beach seine collections at multiple river mouth sites in a macro-tidal estuary located in the northern Gulf of Alaska (Kachemak Bay) during summer and fall of 2018. The effect of local physicochemical conditions (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity), spatial factors (site, bay location, current type), and temporal factors (sampling date, month) were assessed in relation to community structure (taxonomic abundances). Juvenile fishes made up a vast majority of the community (99% of total catch) confirming the importance of estuaries as nursery habitats. Variability in fish community was best explained by the combined effects of site and month. Bay location (inner versus outer bay) and current type (low versus high water speeds) represented intermediate spatial factors (broader than site-level) that also had significant effects on community structure. Month and bay location were characterized by spatiotemporal gradients in dissolved oxygen and turbidity, respectively. Juvenile Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) were associated with more turbid, less saline conditions found in the inner bay, while saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) were associated with less turbid, more saline conditions of the outer bay. Juvenile Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus), and crescent gunnel (Pholis laeta) were associated with low current sites that were not well-defined by any measured physicochemical factor. Adult and juvenile Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) were good indicators of both the inner bay and high current sites. Temporal patterns in fish abundances confirmed the findings of prior studies in the area - juvenile salmonids appeared early, followed by juvenile gadids, and then sand lance later in the fall. Overall, variability in fish community structure was better explained by overarching spatial and temporal factors rather than by the local physicochemical conditions. These results point to broader scale coastal shifts as potential mechanisms driving changes in community structure within similar systems in this region.

Veratridine Can Bind to a Site at the Mouth of the Channel Pore at Human Cardiac Sodium Channel NaV1.5.

The cardiac sodium ion channel (NaV1.5) is a protein with four domains (DI-DIV), each with six transmembrane segments. Its opening and subsequent inactivation results in the brief rapid influx of Na+ ions resulting in the depolarization of cardiomyocytes. The neurotoxin veratridine (VTD) inhibits NaV1.5 inactivation resulting in longer channel opening times, and potentially fatal action potential prolongation. VTD is predicted to bind at the channel pore, but alternative binding sites have not been ruled out. To determine the binding site of VTD on NaV1.5, we perform docking calculations and high-throughput electrophysiology experiments in the present study. The docking calculations identified two distinct binding regions. The first site was in the pore, close to the binding site of NaV1.4 and NaV1.5 blocking drugs in experimental structures. The second site was at the “mouth” of the pore at the cytosolic side, partly solvent-exposed. Mutations at this site (L409, E417, and I1466) had large effects on VTD binding, while residues deeper in the pore had no effect, consistent with VTD binding at the mouth site. Overall, our results suggest a VTD binding site close to the cytoplasmic mouth of the channel pore. Binding at this alternative site might indicate an allosteric inactivation mechanism for VTD at NaV1.5.

Comparative analysis of human facial skin microbiome between topical sites compared to entire face.

Skin is an essential outer barrier and supports the growth of commensal microorganisms that protects a host from the offense of foreign toxic organisms. With the rapid development of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based applications, skin microbiome research for facial health care has reached industry growth, such as therapy and cosmetic product development. Despite the acceleration of skin microbiome research, experimental standardization protocol has not yet been established in the facial site and method of sampling. Thus, we aimed to investigate the differences in microbial composition at each facial site (cheek, mouth, forehead, and entire face) using comprehensive microbiome analysis. Twelve specimens from three men (four specimens per one person) were collected. The hypervariable regions (V3-V4) of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were targeted for 16S amplicon library construction and classification of bacterial taxonomy. Skin microbial composition for all specimens was investigated, and the differences site-by-site in skin microbial composition were analyzed and evaluated by the various statistical tests. We were able to validate the independent correlation between the skin microbiome composition and the facial sites. The cheek site showed the highest alpha-diversity in richness and evenness scores compared to the forehead and mouth. The cheek and mouth sites showed a positive correlation (R2 value > 0.93) with the entire face, while the forehead sites were negatively correlated (R2 value < 0.2). Given the relative abundance based on statistical correlation analysis, we estimated that the cheek site could be considered an optimal topical site to replace the entire face. Our study suggests that skin microbiome profiling of four facial sites confirms that the cheek shows the most similar skin flora with the entire face. This study would be informative for preventing bias caused by sampling methods before researching and understanding skin cosmetics development or skin diseases.

RARES CLINICAL ENTITY - IDIOPATHIC OROFACIAL GRANULOMATOSIS

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG), a noncaseating granulomatous inflammation is a rare disorder affecting the orofacial region which is clinically characterized by diffuse, nontender, soft to firm enlargement involving lip, tongue, gingiva, buccal mucosa, floor of the mouth and other intra-oral sites. The term Idiopathic Orofacial granulomatosis refers to conditions restricted to the oral region without any identifiable systemic granulomatous diseases. Though certain food and food additives, dental materials and various microbiological agents may be possible etiological agents, the definite cause has yet to be identified. The exact antigen inducing the immunological reaction differs in individuals. Evidence for the role of genetic predisposition to the disease is sporadic. Delayed type of hypersensitivity reaction appears to play a significant role. Early diagnosis and management prevent the systemic complications. Multidisciplinary approaches are evolved to achieve periodontal esthetics. This case report entails the overview of enlargement of lip and gingiva in a 28year old female of 2 years duration without any identifiable etiology and was treated by gingivectomy. KEYWORDS: Orofacial granulomatosis [OFG], Gingival enlargement, Corticosteroid therapy

Crustacean zooplankton available for larval walleyes in a Lake Michigan embayment

Adequate densities of zooplankton prey are critical for growth and survival of larvae of many fish species. Little information exists on the density of zooplankton in Great Lakes inshore areas during early spring, when larvae of important fishes rely on zooplankton. Reduced age-0 walleye recruitment and the absence of data on zooplankton availability for larval walleyes in northern Green Bay, Lake Michigan, led us to assess zooplankton densities during this critical spring period. We conducted biweekly vertical plankton tows in 2014–2016 near reefs and river plumes used by spawning walleyes for periods when larval walleyes were expected to be relying on zooplankton prey. Densities of zooplankton were well below literature values identified for good growth and survival of larval walleyes, averaging 1.5 individuals L−1 for all taxa and 0.12 individuals L−1 for large-bodied taxa across all sites and sampling dates. Various factors could contribute to the low density of zooplankton observed. We found low but significantly higher densities of cyclopoid copepods, nauplii, Bosmina, and total zooplankton at river mouth sites compared to open water sites. These results suggest that food availability for larval walleye in our study area was severely limiting which is consistent with the paucity of strong year classes observed since 2000. We suspect northern Green Bay has limited potential for producing strong year classes of walleyes under such conditions. Fishery managers working in unproductive waters should consider assessing the zooplankton community during critical periods to identify potential bottlenecks to reproductive success and larval fish survival.

The overriding role of hydrological factors on zooplankton community: evidence from a shallow tropical reservoir (Koka, Ethiopia).

Due to changes in global climate and local hydrological variability, land-water interactions are considered the prevailing processes underpinning aquatic ecology. Periodic meteorological conditions could have significant effect upon freshwater plankton communities by modifying the relative influences of biotic and abiotic structuring factors. However, the influence of unusual meteorological events, such as the El-Niño Southern Oscillation cycles, and advection on zooplankton communities of tropical shallow lakes and reservoirs are not fully understood. The present study, therefore, aimed to explore the relationship between hydrological factors and zooplankton community structure in Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia. Field measurements and collection of water samples and zooplankton were performed at monthly intervals from January to August 2016 at three sampling sites along a stretch of the reservoir from the river mouth to the center and the outlet (dam). The results showed post-El-Niño hydrological events (i.e., elevated riverine runoff and higher levels of turbidity) and associated advective losses can disrupt zooplankton community structure at the river mouth site, particularly during the rainy period. The results suggest that integrated watershed management activities are important aquatic resource management options in small- and medium-sized lakes and reservoirs.

Partitioning the influence of hydrodynamics-induced physical variables and nutrients on phytoplankton assemblages in a shallow tropical reservoir (Koka, Ethiopia)

Ecological processes, population dynamics and species interactions in shallow lakes and reservoirs are affected by seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations in rainfall and runoff. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between riverine runoff and phytoplankton community structure in Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia. Onsite measurements and collection of water samples and phytoplankton were performed at monthly intervals from January to August 2016 at three sampling sites along a stretch of the reservoir running from the river mouth to center and the outlet (dam). The results showed the decline in phytoplankton biomass at the river mouth site. The decline was particularly noticeable during the period of high rainfall and runoff compared to that of the low water period. This was associated with the hydrodynamics-induced high turbidity and reduced euphotic depth. Our results implied that phytoplankton community structure was strongly influenced by flood pulse. The results suggest that river flow and watershed management have the potential to be used more widely as an aquatic resources management option in small and medium-sized lakes and reservoirs.

Saliva for assessing creatinine, uric acid, and potassium in nephropathic patients

BackgroundLab tests on saliva could be useful because of low invasivity. Previous reports indicated that creatinine, uric acid, and potassium are measurable in saliva. For these analytes the study investigated methodology of saliva tests and correlations between plasma and saliva levels.MethodsThe study enrolled 15 healthy volunteers for methodological analyses and 42 nephropathic patients for plasma-saliva correlations (35 non-dialysis and 7 dialysis). Saliva was collected by synthetic swap right after venipuncture for blood withdrawal. Blood and saliva, unless otherwise indicated, were collected early in the morning after overnight fast and lab tests were performed in fresh samples by automated biochemistry (standard). Methodological analyses included blind duplicates, different collection mouth sites, day-to-day variability, different collection times, and freezing-thawing effects. Analyses on plasma-saliva correlations included post-dialysis changes.ResultsFor saliva lab tests of all analytes, blind duplicates, samples from different mouth sites or of different days were not significantly different but were significantly correlated (differences ≤14.4%; R ≥ 0.620, P ≤ 0.01). For all analytes, mid-morning saliva had lower levels than but correlated with standard saliva (differences ≥15.8%; R ≥ 0.728, P ≤ 0.01). Frozen-thawed saliva had lower levels than fresh saliva for uric acid only (− 17.2%, P < 0.001). Frozen-thawed saliva correlated with fresh saliva for all analytes (R ≥ 0.818, P ≤ 0.001). Saliva and plasma levels differed but correlated with plasma for creatinine (R = 0.874, P < 0.001), uric acid (R = 0.821, P < 0.001) and potassium (R = 0.767, P < 0.001). Post-dialysis changes in saliva paralleled post-dialysis changes in plasma.ConclusionSaliva levels of creatinine, uric acid, and potassium are measurable and correlated with their plasma levels. Early morning fasting fresh saliva samples are advisable because later collection times or freezing lower the saliva levels of these analytes.

Каменная индустрия слоя 2 стоянки Устье Реки Кутарей (Северное Приангарье)

Purpose. There are many archaeological sites located in the North Angara region. Although this territory has been investigated since 18th century, most intensive work was done during rescue archaeological works on Boguchany hydroelectric power station in 2008–2011. One of the valuable sources of artifacts is the Kutarey site. Our work contains a brief analysis of stone industries of the Kutarey River Mouth site. The main goal of this work is to apply technical and typological analysis to mark the specificity of the stone industries of layer 2 of the Kutarey River Mouth site in comparison with the results that had been previously published on layer 3 in the context of new data of this region in terms of ceramics complexes. We introduce a previously unpublished collection of stone artifacts of layer 2 of the Kutarey River Mouth site, which significantly extends the source base of the Neolithic and Bronze Age in this region. Results. The Kutarey River Mouth site is located on the left bank of the Angara River, 15 km down from the Kezhma village, on the right bank of the Kutarey River. The location was found in 1974 by N. I. Drozdov and his squad. The site was further investigated in 2008 and in 2010 by an IAE SB RAS squad (guided by A. N. Savin). Firstly, the site was determined as a Neolithic location, but as result of 2010 excavations three Neolithic-Middle Age cultural horizons were discovered. In the context of the difficulties connected with conducting investigations in this region, namely an open location, a low stratigraphy situation, a high extend of technogenic interruption, the materials of layer 3 are most perspective due to a high grade of saturation of the artifacts and minimal technogenic interruptions. These materials belong to the Neolithic and Paleometal Era. In order to clarify cultural and chronological specificity of this complex, it is necessary to analyze materials from layer 2. The stone industry of layer 2 is represented by retouching microblades, bladelets, tools for blades, flakes, scrapers including one microscraper, bifaces, several adzes, axes, and one piercing tool. Of special interest are blade points and trihedral and tetrahedral points. Conclusion. Our technical and typological analyses show that in comparison to layer 3, layer 2 is characterized by a small number of massive axes and adzes, no flints, few double scrapers, and only volume splitting tools aimed mainly at obtaining a small blade. Also, despite the fact that the core of the collection is the product of the hornstones of local origin, we observe a significant increase in the percentage of artifacts made of flint (13 %), which may indicate some new commodity strategies. The most interesting analogy can be traced with the dedicated Upper Kolyma Early Holocene complex, which contained blade points widely distributed in Northeast Asia and was present directly or indirectly in the materials from Chukotka (Verkhnetirsky IV and Nizhnechutinsky IV), Yakutia (Olbinski burial ground, Jubilee), Kamchatka (the Ushki I–IV layer, Avacha 1,9). This complex is believed to belong to specific Volbinsky traditions, which formed in the first half of the Holocene, about 8800–6000 years ago. It is also worth comparing these materials with other Kutarey sites – Sen’kin (Siniy) Kamen’, Ruchei Povarny, Gora Kutarey and adjacent territories.

Isolated Metastatic Malignant Melanoma of the Right Inguinal Lymph Node with Unknown Primary Lesion

Malignant melanoma develops from the pigment containing cells known as melanocytes. Melanoma is more common in men than in women. It is found typically in the skin. It is also found in the mouth, intestine, eye and other sites. Melanoma may develop from a mole with changes including an increasing in size, irregular edges, changes in color, itchiness or skin breakdown. Prognosis is poor if it is not treated early. The primary cause of melanoma is UV light exposure. Patients with history of affected family members and poor immune function are at greater risk. Diagnosis is by biopsy from any affected skin lesion. Recurrence is common even many years after the initial diagnosis. Here we present a case of malignant melanoma of the inguinal lymph node with unknown primary lesion. Surgery was done with complete excision of inguinal lymph node. Biopsy report showed metastatic malignant melanoma.J Enam Med Col 2018; 8(3): 174-176

Potentially malignant disorders revisited-The lichenoid lesion/proliferative verrucous leukoplakia conundrum.

Clinically identifiable potentially malignant disorders (PMD) precede oral squamous cell carcinoma development. Oral lichenoid lesions (OLL) and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) are specific precursor lesions believed to exhibit both treatment resistance and a high risk of malignant transformation (MT). A retrospective review of 590 PMD patients treated in Northern England by CO2 laser surgery between 1996 and 2014 was carried out. Lesions exhibiting lichenoid or proliferative verrucous features were identified from the patient database and their clinicopathological features and outcome post-treatment determined at the study census date of 31 December 2014. One hundred and 98 patients were identified as follows: 118 OLL and 80 PVL, most frequently leukoplakia at ventrolateral tongue and floor of mouth sites, equally distributed between males and females. Most exhibited dysplasia on incision biopsy (72% OLL; 85% PVL) and were treated by laser excision rather than ablation (88.1% OLL; 86.25% PVL). OLL were more common in younger patients (OLL 57.1year; PVL 62.25years; P=.008) and more likely than PVL to present as erythroleukoplakia (OLL 15.3%; PVL 2.5%; P=.003). Whilst no significant difference was seen between OLL and PVL achieving disease-free status (69.5% and 65%, respectively; P=.55), this was less than the overall PMD cohort (74.2%). MT was identified in 2 OLL (1.7%) and 2 PVL (2.5%) during follow-up. One-third of PMD cases showed features of OLL or PVL, probably representing a disease presentation continuum. Post-treatment disease-free status was less common in OLL and PVL, although MT was infrequent.

Salivary levels of phosphorus and urea as indices of their plasma levels in nephropathic patients.

Phosphorus and urea are measurable in saliva. Measurements of saliva phosphorus (S-Pho) and saliva urea (S-Urea) could be useful because of low invasivity. Data are limited to saliva tests methodology and to correlations between plasma and saliva compositions. S-Pho and S-Urea were investigated focusing on blind duplicates, differences between collection sites, differences between collection times, freezing-thawing effects, and plasma-saliva correlations. Tests were performed using fresh saliva collected by synthetic swap early morning after overnight fast (standard). Methodology was investigated in fifteen healthy volunteers. Plasma-saliva correlations were investigated in thirty nephropathic outpatients. S-Pho and S-Urea in all measurements ranged above detection limits (0.3mmol/L). In healthy volunteers, S-Pho and S-Urea were similar in duplicates (results for S-Pho and S-Urea: % difference between samples≤4.85%; R between samples≥.976, P<.001), in samples from different mouth sites (≤4.24%; R≥.887, P<.001), and in samples of different days (≤5.61%; R≥.606, P<.01) but, compared to standard, were substantially lower in after-breakfast samples (-28.0% and -21.3%; R≥.786, P<.001) and slightly lower in frozen-thawed samples (-12.4% and -5.92%; R≥.742, P<.001). In nephropathic patients, S-Pho was higher than but correlated with plasma phosphorus (saliva/plasma ratio 4.80; R=.686, P<.001), whereas S-Urea and plasma urea were similar and correlated with each other (saliva/plasma ratio 0.96; R=.944, P<.001). Post-dialysis changes in S-Pho and S-Urea paralleled post-dialysis changes in plasma phosphorus and urea. S-Pho and S-Urea reflect plasma phosphorus and plasma urea. Early morning fasting fresh samples are advisable because collection time and freezing-thawing affect saliva tests.

Recruitment to adult habitats in terrestrial hermit crabs on the coast of Ishigakijima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

AbstractTerrestrial hermit crabs in the family Coenobitidae (genera Coenobita and Birgus) are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. They occupy various habitats ranging from shore to inland forests, and the two shore‐dwelling species, Coenobita rugosus and C. violascens, possess different distributional characteristics on Ishigakijima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Coenobita rugosus is distributed throughout the coast of the island and is abundant in beach areas, whereas C. violascens has mainly been found in river mouth areas. However, very little is known about the habitats used by the early life stages of coenobitid crabs because identifying the species of recently landed early juveniles is difficult. We tested whether the species compositions of early juveniles of coenobitids differed between beach and river mouth sites on Ishigakijima Island. We collected and identified the early stage coenobitids using PCR–RFLP techniques. A total of 576 early juveniles of five Coenobita species were collected, of which 0.7% were C. brevimanus, 7.3% were C. cavipes, 0.2% were C. purpureus, 70.1% were C. rugosus, and 21.7% were C. violascens. The early juveniles of Birgus latro were not found. The early juveniles of C. rugosus occurred at both beach and river mouth sites, and they were abundant at beach sites. The early juveniles of C. violascens were only found at river mouth sites. These findings indicate that C. rugosus and C. violascens complete their life cycles on land near the localities where they land. The early juveniles of the inland‐dwelling species, C. cavipes, were also mainly collected from river mouth sites, which suggested that juveniles of C. cavipes selected landing sites near river mouth areas and then migrated into the inland forests, passing through riverside areas. Our results highlighted the importance of river mouth areas for recruitment to adult habitats by some coenobitid species.