Relative Number Of Individuals Research Articles

SAT231 Next-generation Sequencing For Detection Of Underlying Genetic Causes Of Nonsurgical Hypoparathyroidism: Preliminary Results From A Sponsored Testing Program

Abstract Disclosure: M. Mannstadt: Advisory Board Member; Self; Takeda, Calcilytix, Amolyt. Research Investigator; Self; Takeda, Calcilytix, Amolyt. A. Mathew: Employee; Self; BridgeBio Pharma. A. Sridhar: Employee; Self; BridgeBio Pharma. L.S. Smith: Employee; Self; BridgeBio Pharma. M. Roberts: Employee; Self; BridgeBio Pharma. S. Adler: Employee; Self; BridgeBio Pharma. Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by inadequate production of parathyroid hormone to maintain normal blood calcium levels. Hypoparathyroidism is most frequently caused by damage to or removal of the parathyroid glands but can also be associated with genetic etiologies. Genetic forms of hypoparathyroidism can present as isolated or as part of a syndrome and include disorders of parathyroid gland formation, parathyroid hormone secretion, and damage to the parathyroid gland through autoimmunity. Genetic testing may uncover the underlying etiology of nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism and can help confirm clinical diagnosis, guide medical treatment, and identify affected family members. A sponsored genetic testing program was made available for patients with suspected genetic hypoparathyroidism who met program eligibility criteria. The next-generation sequencing panel has evolved to include 26 genes known to be associated with hypoparathyroidism: ACADM, AIRE, ATP1A1, CASR, CHD7, CLDN16, CLDN19, CNNM2, DHCR7, EGF, FAM111A, FXYD2, GATA3, GCM2, GNA11, HADHA, HADHB, KCNA1, NEBL, PTH, SEMA3E, SLC12A3, SOX3, TBCE, TBX1 and TRPM6. A total of 169 samples between December 2020 and December 2022 were tested from participants with a mean±SD age of 23.4±20.4 (range 0-81) who were diagnosed with nonsurgical/idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (73.9%), hypocalcemia suspected to be of genetic cause (23.7%) or had a relative with a confirmed diagnosis of genetic hypoparathyroidism (2.4%). Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, and variants of uncertain significance were identified in 64 individuals (37.9%). Amongst these 64 participants, 77 variants were detected with 46.9% of variant harboring individuals documented as having unknown or no family history. In order of frequency, the relative number of individuals with detected variants are as follows: CASR 56.3% (36/64), AIRE 12.5% (8/64), TBX1 9.38% (6/64), GATA3 7.8% (5/64), GNA11 6.25% (4/64), CHD7 3.13% (2/64), FAM111A 3.13% (2/64), PTH 3.13% (2/64), ACADM 1.6% (1/64), GCM2 1.6% (1/64), HADHB 1.6% (1/64) and TBCE 1.6% (1/64). Of note, 5 individuals had variants identified in more than 1 gene. Notably, these data demonstrate that genetic testing may identify clinically-relevant variants in approximately 2 of 5 individuals with nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism. The most common genetic form of hypoparathyroidism was found to be autosomal dominant hypocalcemia type 1 (21.3% of individuals tested; 36/169), caused by gain-of-function variants in the CASR gene. Overall, this ongoing sponsored testing program provides an efficient path to aid in the diagnosis of genetic causes and may ultimately improve the understanding and management of nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Association between social factors and gastrointestinal parasite product excretion in a group of non-cooperatively breeding carrion crows

In group-living animals, the social environment is thought to affect the probability of parasite transmission. Here, I investigate relationships between social behaviour and gastrointestinal parasite product excretion in the carrion crow (Corvus corone). Individuals from a population of non-cooperatively breeding carrion crows excreted less samples containing coccidian oocysts when kept in larger groups (8 or 9 individuals) compared to those individuals kept in smaller groups (2 or 3 individuals). Lower-ranking individuals excreted more samples containing parasite oocysts compared to higher-ranking individuals. The strength of affiliative relationships and number of related individuals in the group did not relate to the proportion of droppings containing coccidian oocysts. The present results confirm an association between social environment and parasite excretion patterns in carrion crows, but the patterns described in the present study differ from previously published data derived from a group of cooperatively breeding crows. This illustrates that differences between the social systems of carrion crows might result in different associations between the social environment and parasite product excretion patterns. One major cost of group living is increased susceptibility to parasites. Not all individuals are affected by this in the same way. A better understanding of the relationship between social behaviour and parasite burden can help to better understand evolution of group living. I investigate associations between dominance rank, affiliative relationships, group size, and gastrointestinal parasite product excretion in a group of captive carrion crows. Lower-ranking individuals excreted more samples containing parasite oocysts compared to higher-ranking individuals, confirming an association between social relationships and parasite excretion patterns.

Breakdown of the ideal free distribution under conditions of severe and low competition

Under the ideal free distribution (IFD), the number of organisms competing for a resource at different sites is proportional to the resource distribution among sites. The ideal free distribution of competitors in a heterogeneous environment often predicts habitat matching, where the relative number of individuals using any two patches matches the relative availability of resources in those same two patches. If a resource is scarce, access might be restricted to individuals with high resource holding potential, resulting in deviation from the IFD. The distribution of animals may also deviate from the IFD in the case of resource abundance, when social attraction or preference for specific locations rather than competition may determine distribution. While it was originally developed to explain habitat choice, we apply the habitat matching rule to microscale foraging decisions. We show that chickens feeding from two nondepleting feeders distribute proportionally to feeder space under intermediate levels of competition. However, chicken distribution between the feeders deviates from the IFD when feeder space is limited and competition high. Further, despite decreasing aggression with increasing feeder space, deviation from IFD is also observed under an excess supply of feeder space, indicating different mechanisms responsible for deviations from the IFD. Besides demonstrating IFD sensitivity to competition, these findings highlight IFD’s potential as a biological basis for determining minimal resource requirements in animal housing.Significance statementThe ideal free distribution (IFD) predicts how animals ought to distribute themselves within a habitat in order to maximize their payoff. Recent studies, however, have questioned the validity of the IFD concept following anomalous results. We studied the IFD in chickens by systematically varying the amount and distribution of space at two feed troughs. We show that when tested over a sufficiently large range, the distribution of birds depends on the overall resource availability. Furthermore, behavioral data suggest that distinctly different mechanisms account for deviations from the IFD at shortage and excess supply of feeder space, respectively.

Persistently warmer temperatures lead to life history changes in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)

Life history strategies shape many aspects of species’ ecological importance and population demographics. For ectotherms, life history strategies are highly dependent on temperature, among other environmental conditions. With projected increases in global temperatures, understanding the success of organisms under warmer conditions is critical. Due to the difficulty of establishing long-term heating studies on whole lake systems, there is little empirical evidence addressing the potential changes in life history strategies of fish in situ in response to future climate warming predictions. Here, we study early growth rates, size-at-maturation, maximum adult size, and lifespan of bluegill sunfish in three lakes in Illinois from 2013 to 2017 that experience above-ambient temperatures year-round due to artificial heating by electrical power plant cooling systems and compare these to populations in three nearby ambient lakes. Temperature changes in the heated lakes are within the range of temperature increases predicted by the year 2100. We find evidence that life history strategies and population demographics are substantially affected by warmer environments. Heated populations showed 22% faster first-year growth, 23% shorter lifespans, greater rates of maturation at small body sizes, and over a 4-fold reduction in the relative number of individuals that reach large sizes. Changes in life history strategies, including lifespan and maximum sizes, will be evident across many fish species under warmer conditions in the future and further research should aim to address how these changes will affect trophic interactions.

A study of the main parameters of immunogenicity of Ultrix vaccine

Aim. Clinical trial of Ultrix vaccine of OOO FORT manufacture containing different serotypes of influenza virus: H1N1 A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm 09, H3N2 A/HongKong/ 4801/2014, NYMCX-263B(15/184) and B/Brisbane/60/2008 NYMCBX-35 (15/300) Victo-rialineage strains (epidemiological season of 2016) and H1N1 A/Michigan/45/2015 NYMCX-275 (16/248), H3N2 A/HongKong/4801/2014, NYMCX-263B(15/184) иB/Brisbane/60/2008 NYMCBX-35 (15/300) Victorialineage strains (epidemiological season of 2017).
 Materials and Methods. A study of the basic parameters of immunogenicity included determination of the geometric mean value of the antibody titer, of seroprotection and seroconversion and of relative number of individuals with 4-fold increase in the antibody titer after vaccination. Immunogenicity was determined by a micromethod in hemagglutination inhibition reaction. Sera were tested with diagnosticums obtained from serotypes of influenza virus identical to vaccinal strains.
 Results. The level of seroprotection with Ultrix made 91.7-95.8% (2016) and 93.8-97.9% (2017). The maximal level of seroprotection was achieved in 6 months after vaccination with Ultrix containing H1N1A/California serotype. 2.55-4.36-Fold increase in the geometric mean value of anti-HA to all vaccinal strains was found in vaccination in 2016 and 2017, and 4-fold increase in antibody titer in more than 70% of volunteers on the 21st day after the first immunization in 2016.
 Conclusion. The obtained results of clinical trials of Ultrix vaccine with different antigenic composition confirms the correspondence of the immunogenicity parameters of the drug to the requirements of the Committee for Proprietary Medical Products (CPMPEMEA, CPMP/ EWP/1045/01) and of State Pharmacopoeia of RF of XIII edition (SP SP XIII).

VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF DIATOMS ON MOSSES IN WELLS OF BIJELJINA MUNICIPALITY IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

<p>Vertical distribution of species and infraspecies taxa of diatoms (Bacillariophyta) on well mosses where they live epiphytically, and a relative number of individuals per surface area unit were followed in 8 open wells with shadoof. Researches were conducted during 2015-2016 through four seasons. Sampling of algae material from well mosses that cover interior of the well was conducted on every 50 cm of depth starting from the surface (O cm) to 200 cm.<br /><br />Considering the specificity of substrate on which diatoms live in wells, and those are mosses that are especially expressed to 1,5 m depth of well and whose leafs cover each other and have an effect on light climate of micro habitat with already existing differences in intensity and quality of light, relative humidity of air, temperature of air on different depths, density of populations of certain species Bacillariophyta is in function of such ecological occasions on different well depths. It is concluded that the most abundant populations on mosses of researched wells, during most of the year, develop four aerophilic species of diatoms: Navicula contenta Grunow, N. atomus var. atomus (Kiitzing) Grunow, Achnanthes lanceolata (Brebisson) Grunow ssp. lanceolata var. lanceolata and Amphora normanii Rabenhorst.</p>

Sexual dimorphism within the stem-group arthropod Isoxys volucris from the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte, North Greenland

Morphometric analyses carried out on 126 specimens of the early Cambrian (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 3) stem-group arthropod Isoxys volucris from North Greenland reveal a bimodal distribution, where Morphogroup A is characterised by a significantly wider doublure than Morphogroup B. The dimorphism is interpreted as intraspecific variation related to gender (sexual dimorphism), where the relative numbers of individuals within the two morphogroups are equal (ratio 1:1). The discovery of established sexual dimorphism in Isoxys may have implications for the taxonomic discrimination of other stemgroup arthropods within the morphologically diverse and disparate animals of the early Cambrian.

Importance of frogs in the diet of the Iriomote cat based on stomach content analysis

This study aimed at providing new insight into the dietary habits of the endangered Iriomote cat (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis) by examining the stomach contents. Using this method allowed for more reliable representation of the diet than the analysis of scat content as used in previous studies of this subspecies. We applied five indices: frequency of occurrence, relative frequency of occurrence, relative weight, relative number of individuals, and occupancy rate of weight in a stomach to design a multifaceted evaluation of diet. A variety of organisms (21 species and six categories in eight classes) were found in the stomachs. Amphibia and Aves occurred in the highest frequency (58.06 % each). The Sakishima rice frog (Fejervarya sakishimensis) was found to be the most frequently consumed prey. Of all classes, only the frequency of occurrence of Amphibia differed significantly between stomach and scat contents (G-test, p < 0.01), which suggests an underestimation of amphibians in the scat analysis. The stomach content analysis allowed for obtaining data on foraging by juvenile Iriomote cats and revealed that young individuals start consuming a variety of animals, including frogs and snakes at the age of 4 to 5 months. This study emphasized the importance of frogs as prey of the Iriomote cat, and as such, it is the first investigation of this cat species based on stomach contents.

Density-dependent movement and the consequences of the Allee effect in the model organism Tetrahymena.

Movement and dispersal are critical processes for almost all organisms in natural populations. Understanding their causes and consequences is therefore of high interest. While both theoretical and empirical work suggest that dispersal, more exactly emigration, is plastic and may be a function of local population density, the functional relationship between the underlying movement strategies and population density has received less attention. We here present evidence for the shape of this reaction norm and are able to differentiate between three possible cues: the relative number of individuals, the presence of metabolites (chemical cues) and resource availability. We performed microcosm experiments with the ciliate model organism Tetrahymena in order to understand the plasticity of movement strategies with respect to local density while controlling for possible confounding effects mediated by the availability of different cues. In addition, we investigated how an Allee effect can influence movement and dispersal plasticity. Our findings suggest that movement strategies in Tetrahymena are plastic and density-dependent. The observed movement reaction norm was U-shaped. This may be due to an Allee effect which led to negative density dependence at low population densities and generally positive density dependence at high population densities due to local competition. This possibly adaptive density-dependent movement strategy was likely mediated by chemical cues. Our experimental work in highly controlled conditions indicates that both environmental cues as well as inherent population dynamics must be considered to understand movement and dispersal.

Fluctuating Asymmetry in the Saddle Patch Shape of the Pacific Ocean Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Populations

The killer whale (Orcinus orca) is a top predator and one of the most contaminated marine mammal species in the world. Due to different prey preferences and life styles, killer whale populations accumulate persistent pollutants differently, and therefore are exposed differently to this stress. Stress may express itself in a population as an increase in the relative number of individuals with asymmetric presentation of a trait that is normally symmetrical. This phenomenon is called fluctuating asymmetry. There are many environmental and genetic factors that can cause fluctuating asymmetry. We have used the symmetry of the killer whale's saddle patch pattern behind the dorsal fin as an indicator of fluctuating asymmetry in six Pacific Ocean populations. The southern resident killer whale population seems to be remarkably more asymmetrical than the other studied populations. Although many possible environmental factors could cause asymmetry, we suggest that small population size, development of reproductively isolated ecotypes and possible inbreeding as genetic factors are causing asymmetry in the southern resident population.

Stabilizing the Kidney’s Skeleton

Coding-change variants in the MYO1E gene disrupt podocyte function and cause focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

495 Genetic Factors Predict Weight Loss After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Introduction: Although Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYBG) leads to substantial weight loss, the magnitude of this effect is highly variable. The determinants of weight loss following RYGB are poorly understood. Clinical factors have been able to account for only a fraction of the observed variation, and several studies have implicated additional biological determinants. In this study, we sought to determine the role of genetic contributions to weight loss after RYGB. Methods: We collected liver samples from 1018 patients undergoing RYGB. DNA from these samples was genotyped for 660,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Percent excess weight loss (%EWL) for the nadir weight after surgery was calculated against a reference BMI of 25 kg/m2. We identified 40 genetically related individuals within this cohort, based on percentage of their genome shared. Using electronic medical records, we identified 20 additional individuals who were cohabitating and genetically unrelated. We used mixed effects models to determine whether degree of relatedness (1°, 2°, or 3°, or cohabitating) is associated with%EWL. In addition, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the 789 non-related Caucasians within the total cohort. Results: The average difference in %EWL was 13.7%, 25.1% and 36.8% for 1°, 2°, and 3° relatives, and 25.4% for cohabitating individuals, respectively. There was a significant association of %EWL between 1° relatives (p=0.04, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC]=57.3%), which was not seen between 2° relatives (p=0.54, ICC=38.2%), 3° relatives (p=0.36, ICC=0%), or cohabitating individuals (p=0.53, ICC=0). The GWAS identified a single region on chromosome 6 that was significantly associated with %EWL (p=2.1x10-7; false discovery rate=9.2% for the highest ranked SNP in this region). Conclusions: These data suggest that there are genetic determinants of weight loss after RYGB. Despite the small number of related individuals, the significant correlation between outcomes of 1° relatives indicates that there is a significant genetic impact beyond any shared environmental influences. In addition, even in this modest-sized cohort, we identified a chromosomal region significantly associated with %EWL. These observations underscore the biological nature of the response to RYGB and suggest that variation in the genetic background of individuals influences weight loss after this operation. Identification of the genes involved in this response could provide information about the method of action of RYGB and facilitate strategies for selecting patients most likely to benefit from this effective yet invasive procedure.

State‐dependent sampling bias in insects: implications for monitoring western tarnished plant bugs

AbstractInsect populations vary in the proportion of individuals exhibiting a particular ‘state’ (e.g., developmental stage, sex, egg load, or nutritional status). Because an insect's developmental state often determines both its size and its behavior, it is likely that this will also affect the probability of being sampled. We propose that a comprehensive approach to pest management must consider the interaction between the structure of a pest population (i.e., the relative number of individuals in each state) and any state‐dependent sampling bias. To illustrate the usefulness of this method we sampled populations of the western tarnished pest bug, Lygus hesperus Knight (Heteroptera: Miridae), in cotton fields. Our sampling technique utilized large cages to measure the absolute densities of each L. hesperus stage and adult sex within a population. This technique allowed us to document a wide range of absolute stage structures and sex ratios across 10 L. hesperus populations in California. Using a combination of cage samples and sweep net samples, we quantified the state‐dependent sampling bias by calculating the efficiency of sweep sampling as a function of L. hesperus developmental stage and sex. We found that the efficiency of sweep nets increased steadily with each successive developmental stage (i.e., nymphal instar) of L. hesperus. We also found that sweep nets are slightly more efficient in capturing male vs. female L. hesperus adults. Since other studies have documented that the stage and sex of L. hesperus can affect feeding impact on cotton flower buds, our results suggest that accurate predictions of Lygus damage will need to incorporate stage and sex‐dependent sampling biases.

The botanical diversity in the Ayawasi area, Irian Jaya, Indonesia

In the karst-dominated Ayawasi area (Bird's Head peninsula), the botanical diversity and its relation to soil and geological substratum were studied. An inventory in 22 plots of 0.1 ha was made of all plants (1945) with a dbh ≥ 10 cm (mainly trees). Myrtaceae, Burseraceae, and Euphorbiaceae were the most frequent families (considering relative number of individuals), whereas Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, and Meliaceae were most species-rich. The most frequent genera were Syzygium, Haplolobus, and Lithocarpus, and most species-rich were Syzygium, Garcinia, Elaeocarpus, and Pouteria. The most frequent species were Anisoptera thurifera, Tristaniopsis ferruginea, and Gymnacranthera farquhariana var. zippeliana. Species richness was greater in plots in mixed forest (38–57 species, average 48) than in limestone forest (26–42 species, average 33) and secondary forest (21–46 species, average 34). Some very common species, such as Xanthophyllum novoguineense (Polygalaceae) and Macaranga suwo (Euphorbiaceae), were hitherto herbarium rarities, known from very few collections only. Species dominating earlier investigated forests elsewhere in the Bird's Head Peninsula range from being less important to absent in the presently investigated forest. Explanatory factors for this phenomenon are variation due to the geographical distance, the high beta-diversity of tropical forests in general, habitat differences, and differences in research methods, in particular in their scale.

Distribution and summer diapause of Canthocamptus staphylinus (Jurine) (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) in Lake Ladoga

The spatial distribution of Canthocamptus staphylinus (Jurine) in Lake Ladoga was examined. C. staphylinus is one of the most numerous species of harpacticoids in the lake. It can dwell in almost all littoral biotopes. In profundal biotopes strongly exposed to anthropogenic influence (pollution and eutrophication) only this species of harpacticoid was found. A peculiarity of C. staphylinus biology is that in summer individuals are in the resting stage as cysts. In summer active individuals were found in littoral habitats at a water temperature of 20 °C, but their number was small in comparison with cold periods of the year. In the littoral zone the relative number of individuals in cysts was clearly related to water temperature. Twelve degrees temperature appears to be critical for development of littoral populations of C. staphylinus.

Population dynamics of, and habitat use by, Austrlian native rodents in wet sclerophyll forest, Tasmania II. Pseudomys higginsi (Rodentia : Muridae)

A local population of Tasmanian long-tailed mice, Pseudomys higginsi, occupying an area of wet sclerophyll forest at low density was studied for 13 months using mark-recapture techniques. Individuals in the trappable population were readily recaught (29 individuals caught 183 times). Demographic data are presented for a single age cohort born in 1989 (21 individuals trapped 126 times) and surviving until the end of the trapping programme (April 1990). Habitat use was investigated by comparing data from individuals active within four contiguous areas of forest displaying structural and floristic heterogeneity. Trap-revealed habitat use indicated that P. higginsi was completely absent from areas of thickest ground cover where densities of the sympatric murid, Rams lutreolus velutinus, were highest. Conversely, captures of P. higginsi were highest in areas of boulder scree where captures of R. 1. velutinus were lower than expected. Relative numbers of individuals active in each macrohabitat group are examined and a role for interspecific competition between these rodent species is inferred.

Effects of Special Right-Of-Way Maintenance on an Avian Population

The effects of five right-of-way (ROW) maintenance techniques on birds was studied on an electric transmission line right-of-way in central Pennsylvania. The techniques included handcutting and four different herbicide applications. An important feature of these techniques was a differential treatment of wire and border zones of the ROW. Bird censuses made before and after treatment indicated that the total number of birds of the six most common species were not significantly affected by any of the treatments. Although a decrease occurred in the average number of species counted, species diversity after treatment was not significantly different between treatments. Important changes occurred in the relative number of individuals per species and, as a result, in species dominance, after both handcutting and herbicide treatments.

Design of multivariate selection experiments to estimate genetic parameters

The precision of estimates of genetic variances and covariances obtained from multivariate selection experiments of various designs are discussed. The efficiencies of experimental designs are compared using criteria based on a confidence region of the estimated genetic parameters, with estimation using both responses and selection differentials and offspring-parent regression. A good selection criterion is shown to be to select individuals as parents using an index of the sums of squares and crossproducts of the phenotypic measurements. Formulae are given for the optimum selection proportion when the relative numbers of individuals in the parent and progeny generations are fixed or variable. Although the optimum depends on "a priori" knowledge of the genetic parameters to be estimated, the designs are very robust to poor estimates. For bivariate uncorrelated data, the variance of the estimated genetic parameters can be reduced by approximately 0.4 relative to designs of a more conventional nature when half of the individuals are selected on one trait and half on the other trait. There are larger reductions in variances if the traits are correlated.

Competition relatedness and efficiency

Seger1 has argued that, if a law of diminishing returns of personal fitness2 with increasing consumption of a limiting resource applies, a greater increment to inclusive fitness3 may accrue to an individual by sharing the resource with its relatives than by excluding them. That is, from the point of view of an individual's inclusive fitness, there will exist an optimal relation between resource abundance, conversion efficiency (in terms of increment in personal fitness per resource unit consumed) and competitor abundance and relatedness to the subject. Here, this is rendered more concrete by deriving expressions for the optimum consumption rate for any one of a number of related individuals competing for a finite resource.

Design of experiments to estimate offspring-parent regression using selected parents

SUMMARYHeritability or the genetic regression of one trait on another, for example live-weight gain in field v. performance test station conditions, can be estimated efficiently by rearing offspring only from high- and low-ranking individuals, and estimating the regression of offspring on parent performance. Formulae are given for the optimum proportion of available animals to select as parents when the relative numbers of individuals in the parent and progeny generation are fixed. Although the optimum depends on the value of the parameter to be estimated, the designs are very robust to poor estimates.