Morphometric comparison of yellowfin tuna from Southeast Polynesia, Central America and Hawaii.

ENGLISH: It is important to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission to determine whether or not the yellowfin tuna (Neothunnus macropterus) which support the large commercial fishery along the American West Coast are distinct from populations of this species further to the westward. Previous research has shown that there are marked differences in morphometric characteristics of specimens from Hawaii and from the West Coast. In the present study there are compared biometric data from specimens from Southeast Polynesia (Marquesas, Society, and Tuamotu Islands) with data from specimens from Central America and from Hawaii. SPANISH: Es importante para la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical determinar si los atunes "aleta amarilla" (Neothunnus macropterus) que mantienen las grandes pesquerías comerciales a lo largo de la costa occidental americana, son diferentes de los atunes de la misma especie que se hallan más al Oeste. Investigaciones previas han indicado que las características morfométricas de los atunes de Hawaii y las de los que se encuentran en la costa occidental difieren notablemente. En el presente estudio se comparan datos biométricos de especímenes de la Polinesia sudoriental (Islas Marquesas, Society y Tuamotu) con datos de especímenes de América Central y de Hawaii. (PDF contains 48 pages.)

Morphometric comparison of skipjack from the Central and Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

ENGLISH: One of the important problems in the current investigations of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission is the determination of the racial affinities of the stocks of yellowfin and skipjack inhabiting the Eastern Tropical Pacific fishing region. The nature of the problem is twofold. Primary concern is elucidation of the inter-regional relationship of stocks between the Eastern Tropical Pacific fishing region and those further to the westward. Hardly less important, however, is the intraregional relationship of stocks within the regions, particularly the Eastern Pacific region. This latter relationship must be at least partially understood in order properly to approach investigation of the former. SPANISH: Dentro de las las investigaciones que al presente efectúa la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical, uno de los importantes problemas consiste en la determinación de las afinidades raciales de los stocks de atún aleta amarilla y barrilete que se encuentran en las regiones de pesca del Pacífico Oriental Tropical. La naturaleza del problema es doble. El interés primario es la elucidación de la relación inter-regional entre los stocks de la región pesquera del Pacífico Oriental Tropical y los de aquéllas más hacia el oeste de dicho océano. Apenas menos importante, sin embargo, es la relación intra-regional de los stocks dentro de las regiones, particularmente la del Pacífico del Este. Esta última relación debe ser por lo menos parcialmente conocida, a fin de abordar con propiedad la anteriormente citada. (PDF contains 63 pages.)

A morphometric comparison of the Namib and southwest Kalahari dunefields using ASTER GDEM data

The increased availability of digital elevation models and satellite image data enable testing of morphometric relationships between sand dune variables (dune height, spacing and equivalent sand thickness), which were originally established using limited field survey data. These long-established geomorphological hypotheses can now be tested against very much larger samples than were possible when available data were limited to what could be collected by field surveys alone. This project uses ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) data to compare morphometric relationships between sand dune variables in the southwest Kalahari dunefield to those of the Namib Sand Sea, to test whether the relationships found in an active sand sea (Namib) also hold for the fixed dune system of the nearby southwest Kalahari. The data show significant morphometric differences between the simple linear dunes of the Namib sand sea and the southwest Kalahari; the latter do not show the expected positive relationship between dune height and spacing. The southwest Kalahari dunes show a similar range of dune spacings, but they are less tall, on average, than the Namib sand sea dunes. There is a clear spatial pattern to these morphometric data; the tallest and most closely spaced dunes are towards the southeast of the Kalahari dunefield; and this is where the highest values of equivalent sand thickness result. We consider the possible reasons for the observed differences and highlight the need for more studies comparing sand seas and dunefields from different environmental settings.

The influence of architecture on degradation and tissue ingrowth into three-dimensional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds in vitro and in vivo

The in vitro and in vivo degradation properties of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds produced by two different technologies - thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), and solvent casting and particulate leaching (SCPL) were compared. Over 6 weeks, in vitro degradation produced changes in SCPL scaffold dimension, mass, internal architecture and mechanical properties. TIPS scaffolds produced far less changes in these parameters providing significant advantages over SCPL. In vivo results were based on a microsurgically created arteriovenous (AV) loop sandwiched between two TIPS scaffolds placed in a polycarbonate chamber under rat groin skin. Histologically, a predominant foreign body giant cell response and reduced vascularity was evident in tissue ingrowth between 2 and 8 weeks in TIPS scaffolds. Tissue death occurred at 8 weeks in the smallest pores. Morphometric comparison of TIPS and SCPL scaffolds indicated slightly better tissue ingrowth but greater loss of scaffold structure in SCPL scaffolds. Although advantageous in vitro, large surface area:volume ratios and varying pore sizes in PLGA TIPS scaffolds mean that effective in vivo (AV loop) utilization will only be achieved if the foreign body response can be significantly reduced so as to allow successful vascularisation, and hence sustained tissue growth, in pores less than 300 μm. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Massa corporal e morfometria de Conopophaga melanops (Aves: Conopophagidae): uma comparação intrasexual e entre áreas continental e insular de Mata Atlântica, na região da Baía da Ilha Grande, RJ

A forma e o tamanho de um determinado organismo devem caracterizar aspectos ecológicos, uma vez que a morfometria é resultado da evolução. Diferenças nos caracteres morfológicos podem ter sido causadas por isolamento geográfico, mesmo em períodos de tempo relativamente curtos. O estudo da morfologia ecológica é uma tentativa de compreender a relação funcional entre variação morfológica e a ecologia dos animais. A variação nos atributos morfométricos de tamanho corpóreo entre os sexos pode ser um resultado da ação da seleção sexual. O presente estudo aborda uma comparação intrasexual e entre área continental e insular da morfologia de Conopophaga melanops (Vieillot, 1818), tendo sido realizado em uma área na Ilha Grande e em outra área na Reserva Ecológica Rio das Pedras (ReRP), RJ. A espécie, endêmica de Mata Atlântica e estritamente florestal, apresenta dimorfismo sexual, contudo indivíduos jovens possuem plumagem similar a de fêmeas. As aves foram capturadas com redes neblina, e doze medidas morfométricas foram obtidas de 51 indivíduos. A confirmação do sexo foi realizada por métodos moleculares baseados no DNA em 69 amostras. O percentual de erro na identificação do sexo em campo, pela plumagem, foi de 9,7%. A confirmação molecular do sexo é uma importante ferramenta que têm potencial de revelar padrões demográficos em estudos comportamentais e reprodutivos desta espécie. Na ReRP o comprimento da asa e a variável distância da cabeça até a ponta do bico apresentaram uma diferença significativa, sendo maior para machos do que para fêmeas. Já na Ilha Grande, as únicas variáveis que apresentaram diferença significativa foram comprimento da cauda (maior em machos) e altura do bico na base (maior em fêmeas). As diferenças de tamanho da asa entre os sexos corroboram com padrões de diversas outras espécies Neotropicais. A diferença morfométrica do bico pode estar associada à ecologia alimentar desta espécie. Tanto fêmeas quanto machos foram maiores na ilha do que no continente com relação ao comprimento total e comprimento da asa, além de comprimento da cauda maior para os machos.

The influence of architecture on degradation and tissue ingrowth into three-dimensional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds in vitro and in vivo

The in vitro and in vivo degradation properties of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds produced by two different technologies-therm ally induced phase separation (TIPS), and solvent casting and particulate leaching (SCPL) were compared. Over 6 weeks, in vitro degradation produced changes in SCPL scaffold dimension, mass, internal architecture and mechanical properties. TIPS scaffolds produced far less changes in these parameters providing significant advantages over SCPL. In vivo results were based on a microsurgically created arteriovenous (AV) loop sandwiched between two TIPS scaffolds placed in a polycarbonate chamber under rat groin skin. Histologically, a predominant foreign body giant cell response and reduced vascularity was evident in tissue ingrowth between 2 and 8 weeks in TIPS scaffolds. Tissue death occurred at 8 weeks in the smallest pores. Morphometric comparison of TIPS and SCPL scaffolds indicated slightly better tissue ingrowth but greater loss of scaffold structure in SCPL scaffolds. Although advantageous in vitro, large surface area:volume ratios and varying pore sizes in PLGA TIPS scaffolds mean that effective in vivo (AV loop) utilization will only be achieved if the foreign body response can be significantly reduced so as to allow successful vascularisation, and hence sustained tissue growth, in pores less than 300 mu m. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Morphometric analysis of the placenta in the New World mouse Necromys lasiurus (Rodentia, Cricetidae): a comparison of placental development in cricetids and murids

Background: Stereology is an established method to extrapolate three-dimensional quantities from two-dimensional images. It was applied to placentation in the mouse, but not yet for other rodents. Herein, we provide the first study on quantitative placental development in a sigmodontine rodent species with relatively similar gestational time. Placental structure was also compared to the mouse, in order to evaluate similarities and differences in developmental patterns at the end of gestation. Methods: Fetal and placental tissues of Necromys lasiurus were collected and weighed at 3 different stages of gestation (early, mid and late gestation) for placental stereology. The total and relative volumes of placenta and of its main layers were investigated. Volume fractions of labyrinth components were quantified by the One Stop method in 31 placentae collected from different individuals, using the Mercator® software. Data generated at the end of gestation from N. lasiurus placentae were compared to those of Mus musculus domesticus obtained at the same stage. Results: A significant increase in the total absolute volumes of the placenta and its main layers occurred from early to mid-gestation, followed by a reduction near term, with the labyrinth layer becoming the most prominent area. Moreover, at the end of gestation, the total volume of the mouse placenta was significantly increased compared to that of N. lasiurus although the proportions of the labyrinth layer and junctional zones were similar. Analysis of the volume fractions of the components in the labyrinth indicated a significant increase in fetal vessels and sinusoidal giant cells, a decrease in labyrinthine trophoblast whereas the proportion of maternal blood space remained stable in the course of gestation. On the other hand, in the mouse, volume fractions of fetal vessels and sinusoidal giant cells decreased whereas the volume fraction of labyrinthine trophoblast increased compared to N. lasiurus placenta. Conclusions: Placental development differed between N. lasiurus and M. musculus domesticus. In particular, the low placental efficiency in N. lasiurus seemed to induce morphological optimization of fetomaternal exchanges. In conclusion, despite similar structural aspects of placentation in these species, the quantitative dynamics showed important differences.

Framework for morphometric classification of cells in imaging flow cytometry

Imaging flow cytometry is an emerging technology that combines the statistical power of flow cytometry with spatial and quantitative morphology of digital microscopy. It allows high-throughput imaging of cells with good spatial resolution, while they are in flow. This paper proposes a general framework for the processing/classification of cells imaged using imaging flow cytometer. Each cell is localized by finding an accurate cell contour. Then, features reflecting cell size, circularity and complexity are extracted for the classification using SVM. Unlike the conventional iterative, semi-automatic segmentation algorithms such as active contour, we propose a noniterative, fully automatic graph-based cell localization. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework, we have successfully classified unstained label-free leukaemia cell-lines MOLT, K562 and HL60 from video streams captured using custom fabricated cost-effective microfluidics-based imaging flow cytometer. The proposed system is a significant development in the direction of building a cost-effective cell analysis platform that would facilitate affordable mass screening camps looking cellular morphology for disease diagnosis. Lay description In this article, we propose a novel framework for processing the raw data generated using microfluidics based imaging flow cytometers. Microfluidics microscopy or microfluidics based imaging flow cytometry (mIFC) is a recent microscopy paradigm, that combines the statistical power of flow cytometry with spatial and quantitative morphology of digital microscopy, which allows us imaging cells while they are in flow. In comparison to the conventional slide-based imaging systems, mIFC is a nascent technology enabling high throughput imaging of cells and is yet to take the form of a clinical diagnostic tool. The proposed framework process the raw data generated by the mIFC systems. The framework incorporates several steps: beginning from pre-processing of the raw video frames to enhance the contents of the cell, localising the cell by a novel, fully automatic, non-iterative graph based algorithm, extraction of different quantitative morphological parameters and subsequent classification of cells. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework, we have successfully classified unstained label-free leukaemia cell-lines MOLT, K562 and HL60 from video streams captured using cost-effective microfluidics based imaging flow cytometer. The cell lines of HL60, K562 and MOLT were obtained from ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) and are separately cultured in the lab. Thus, each culture contains cells from its own category alone and thereby provides the ground truth. Each cell is localised by finding a closed cell contour by defining a directed, weighted graph from the Canny edge images of the cell such that the closed contour lies along the shortest weighted path surrounding the centroid of the cell from a starting point on a good curve segment to an immediate endpoint. Once the cell is localised, morphological features reflecting size, shape and complexity of the cells are extracted and used to develop a support vector machine based classification system. We could classify the cell-lines with good accuracy and the results were quite consistent across different cross validation experiments. We hope that imaging flow cytometers equipped with the proposed framework for image processing would enable cost-effective, automated and reliable disease screening in over-loaded facilities, which cannot afford to hire skilled personnel in large numbers. Such platforms would potentially facilitate screening camps in low income group countries; thereby transforming the current health care paradigms by enabling rapid, automated diagnosis for diseases like cancer.

Biometric comparison of the anchoveta, Cetengraulis mysticetus (Gunther), from ten localities of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

ENGLISH: It is important to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission to know whether the anchoveta (Cetengraulis mysticetus), the principal tuna bait species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, is composed of one or several populations. Earlier research indicated that, on the basis of significant differences in certain meristic counts, populations of this species in six of the major baiting localities between Mexico and Peru, should provisionally be considered as separate stocks. Since that time, additional collections of anchovetas have been obtained from these and other intervening localities. Purpose of the present study was to confirm the results of the earlier work, and to determine whether the differences in the meristic counts persisted from year to year, as well as to examine certain morphometric characters of the fish from these areas, and to learn whether the populations from the other localities are also separate entities. SPANISH: La Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical está interesada en saber si la anchoveta (Ceteugrautís mvsticetus}, la principal especie usada como cebo para la pesca del atún en el Océano Pacífico Oriental Tropical, está compuesta de una o de varias poblaciones. Investigaciones previas indicaron que, a base de diferencias significativas encontradas en ciertos caracteres numéricos, las poblaciones de esta especie en seis de las principales localidades entre México y Perú, podían ser consideradas provisionalmente como pertenecientes a "stocks'' separados. Desde entonces se han venido haciendo recolecciones adicionales de anchovetas en éstas y otras localidades intermedias. El propósito del presente trabajo ha sido confirmar los resultados obtenidos previamente, y determinar si las diferencias en los caracteres numéricos han persistido de un año a otro, así como examinar ciertos caracteres morfométricos en los peces de estas áreas, y resolver si las poblaciones de las nuevas localidades muestreadas son también entidades diferentes. (PDF contains 76 pages.)

Morphometric study of Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758) along the northwest coast of India

Megalaspis cordyla obtained from the landings in and around Bombay, Maharashtra, India, were analysed for the study of their morphometric and meristic characteristics. The various morphometric and meristic characteristics did not indicate any variation within the population. The data provided are intended to facilitate comparison with similar data for other locations, and thereby, to establish the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the populations in the distributional range of this species.

Morphometric and meristic studies of the spotted estuarine prawn, Macrobrachium equidens (Dana) of Vembanad Lake, Kerala State

The paper reports on the statistical analysis of growth pattern and meristic studies of body parts of the spotted estuarine prawn, Macrobrachium equidens (Dana) of Vembanad Lake, Kerala State. The results showed that the growth pattern of carapace length, telson length, ischium length and dactylus length in relation to total length were significantly different between the sexes at slope itself (at 1% level) and growth pattern of abdominal length, merus length, carpus length, propodus length and palm length were significant at elevations (5%, 1% levels). The average sizes of all these characters were greater in males than in females. Regression equations have been calculated for the characters and presented in the text. Among the characters of the carapace, rostrum length, post-orbital length showed significant difference between sexes at 1% level (slope value) and width of carapace at 1% level (elevations). The average sizes of all these characters were higher in males. Among the meristic characters studied, the species exhibited sexual dimorphism with regard to dorsal teeth, post-orbital teeth and ventral teeth. The fundamental data generated is essential for establishing the species status as well as it is useful for making comparison with other species.

Differentiation of morphology and reproductive traits in the house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus): a comparison between native and introduced populations

House Finches (CarpQdacqs mexiCAnuS) were introduced to Long Island, New York from southern'California in 1940. Apparently, an initial sample of less than 100 birds has given rise to a population that now occupies much of the eastern United States. This study was to determine if morphological and reproductive changes have taken place in introduced eastern birds, which have colonized a novel environment. A study area in Goleta, California (CAL) represented the parental population whereas for comparison, House Finches in St. Catharines, Ontario (ONT) represented the introduced population. Interlocality variation in 25 morphometric characters of 100 adult House Finches was examined statistically. Singleclassification analysis of variance revealed significant interlocality differentiation in seven characters of males and nine of females. Females showed differentiation in more limb elements than males. Analysis of character variation using discriminant and principal component analysis distinguished samples on the basis of variation in shape. Compared to CAL, aNT birds (especially females) had smaller extremities relative to certain core parts and weight. Females showed similar patterns of character covariation in each locality on the second principal component, which suggests that differentiation of the ONT population may not be solely environmentally induced. Sexual dimorphism was evident in four charaoters in aNT and five in CAL. Disoriminant analysis distinguished sex on the basis of variation in shape. Males possessed a relatively larger flying apparatus and small.er hind limbs than females. The dearee of sexual dimorphism did not vary sicnifioantly between looalities. 3 Data on reproduotive parameters were oolleoted in 1983 and 1984 in ONT, and 1984 in CAL. In 1984, Bouse Finohes began breedina approximately three months earlier in CAL than in ONT. In ONT, there was no sianifioant differenoe in mean olutoh initiation date between 1983 and 1984. In both looalities most nests oontained either four or five ea",s, and olutoh size differenoes between looalites were not signifioant. Seasonal deolines in olutch size were evident in ONT but not in CAL. Intralooality variation in e.g weight and size was not related to clutch size. E",g weiaht showed no seasonal trend in ONT, but inoreased sianifioantly with breed ina season in OAL. In both looalities e8'''' weiaht increased sipifioantly with order of layina in olutohes of four but not in clutohes of five. Eag's in ONT in 1983 and 1984 were sip.ificantly larser than in CAL in 1984. The modal inoubation period was 13 days and did not vary sip.ifioantly between localites. In both looalities nestling weiaht on the day of hatohing was oorrelated to fresh ega welaht. For muoh of the period between hatohing and 14 days post-hatoh, ONT nestlinas were signifioantly laraer than CAL nestlings in terms of weiaht. bill length, bill depth, and manus length.

Morphometric analysis of aeolian bedforms in the Namib Sand Sea using ASTER data

The ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) has made elevation data at 30 m spatial resolution freely available, enabling reinvestigation of morphometric relationships derived from limited field data using much larger sample sizes. These data are used to analyse a range of morphometric relationships derived for dunes (between dune height, spacing, and equivalent sand thickness) in the Namib Sand Sea, which was chosen because there are a number of extant studies that could be used for comparison with the results. The relative accuracy of GDEM for capturing dune height and shape was tested against multiple individual ASTER DEM scenes and against field surveys, highlighting the smoothing of the dune crest and resultant underestimation of dune height, and the omission of the smallest dunes, because of the 30 m sampling of ASTER DEM products. It is demonstrated that morphometric relationships derived from GDEM data are broadly comparable with relationships derived by previous methods, across a range of different dune types. The data confirm patterns of dune height, spacing and equivalent sand thickness mapped previously in the Namib Sand Sea, but add new detail to these patterns.

Effects of Statin and Aerobic Physical Exercise Association in the Cardiomyocytes of the Rat. Morphometric Study

Physical exercise and statins, recommended interventions to dyslipidaemia treatment, are independently related to cardiomyocytes alterations, characterized by miocardic hypertrophy and apoptosis, respectively. Thus, the objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of statin and aerobic physical exercise association in the morphometric parameters of cardiac cell nucleus. 40 male rats adults were divided into four groups: exercised (DE); sedentary (DS), exercised and statin use (DES); sedentary and statin use (DSS). The animals received during the whole experimental period a hiperlipidic diet added 20% of coconut oil and 1.25% of cholesterol; after 30 days of its ingestion, a blood collection was made to verify the dyslipidaemia. Simvastatin (20 mg) was taken five days a week, during eight weeks. During this period, the animals exercised 60 minutes daily in the treadmill. After the last day of the protocol, the cardiac muscle was collected and maintained in liquid nitrogen (-180 degrees C); the cuts were stained by Hematoxilin-Eosin method, and the cardiac fibers were submitted to the nuclear morphometric analyses. The data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, paired T test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn post hoc test; for all analyses, it was adopted p<0.05. It was verified that the group receiving statin presented values statistically significant in comparison to the other groups, in the tridimensional and linear variables. The exercised and statin group, the values obtained in the morphometric analyses were similar to the control group. It is suggested that statins alone can cause alterations in the nucleus of cardiac cells that can be related to apoptosis occurrence and, when exercise is practiced associated to statin administration, the effects of statin can be reduced, what can be related to beneficial adaptations of cardiac mitochondrial in response to physical exercise, turning them more resistant to apoptotic stimuli.