Sex-biased differences in the effects of host individual, host population and environmental traits driving tick parasitism in red deer

The interactions between host individual, host population, and environmental factors modulate parasite abundance in a given host population. Since adult exophilic ticks are highly aggregated in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and this ungulate exhibits significant sexual size dimorphism, life history traits and segregation, we hypothesized that tick parasitism on males and hinds would be differentially influenced by each of these factors. To test the hypothesis, ticks from 306 red deer-182 males and 124 females-were collected during 7 years in a red deer population in south-central Spain. By using generalized linear models, with a negative binomial error distribution and a logarithmic link function, we modeled tick abundance on deer with 20 potential predictors. Three models were developed: one for red deer males, another for hinds, and one combining data for males and females and including "sex" as factor. Our rationale was that if tick burdens on males and hinds relate to the explanatory factors in a differential way, it is not possible to precisely and accurately predict the tick burden on one sex using the model fitted on the other sex, or with the model that combines data from both sexes. Our results showed that deer males were the primary target for ticks, the weight of each factor differed between sexes, and each sex specific model was not able to accurately predict burdens on the animals of the other sex. That is, results support for sex-biased differences. The higher weight of host individual and population factors in the model for males show that intrinsic deer factors more strongly explain tick burden than environmental host-seeking tick abundance. In contrast, environmental variables predominated in the models explaining tick burdens in hinds.

Factors driving the abundance of ixodes ricinus ticks and the prevalence of zoonotic I. ricinus-borne pathogens in natural foci

Environmental factors may drive tick ecology and therefore tick-borne pathogen (TBP) epidemiology, which determines the risk to animals and humans of becoming infected by TBPs. For this reason, the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of environmental factors on the abundance of immature-stage Ixodes ricinus ticks and on the prevalence of two zoonotic I. ricinus-borne pathogens in natural foci of endemicity. I. ricinus abundance was measured at nine sites in the northern Iberian Peninsula by dragging the vegetation with a cotton flannelette, and ungulate abundance was measured by means of dung counts. In addition to ungulate abundance, data on variables related to spatial location, climate, and soil were gathered from the study sites. I. ricinus adults, nymphs, and larvae were collected from the vegetation, and a representative subsample of I. ricinus nymphs from each study site was analyzed by PCR for the detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA. Mean prevalences of these pathogens were 4.0% ± 1.8% and 20.5% ± 3.7%, respectively. Statistical analyses confirmed the influence of spatial factors, climate, and ungulate abundance on I. ricinus larva abundance, while nymph abundance was related only to climate. Interestingly, cattle abundance rather than deer abundance was the main driver of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum prevalence in I. ricinus nymphs in the study sites, where both domestic and wild ungulates coexist. The increasing abundance of cattle seems to increase the risk of other hosts becoming infected by A. phagocytophilum, while reducing the risk of being infected by B. burgdorferi sensu lato. Controlling ticks in cattle in areas where they coexist with wild ungulates would be more effective for TBP control than reducing ungulate abundance.

ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES AND EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS IN RISK FOR DEPRESSION

Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2016-10-04 17:37:07.888

Environmental influence on commercial fishery landings of small pelagic fish in Portugal

Small pelagic fishes are particularly abundant in areas with high environmental variability (zones of coastal upwelling and areas of tidal mixing and river discharge), and because of this, their abundance suffers large inter-annual and inter-decadal fluctuations. In Portugal, the most important species in terms of landings are European sardine, Atlantic horse mackerel and Atlantic chub mackerel. Small pelagic fish landings account for 62.8 % of the total fish biomass and represent 32.7 % of the economical value of all catches. We have investigated trends in landings of these small pelagic fishes and detected the effects of environmental factors in this fishery. In order to explain the variability of landings of small pelagic fishes, we have used official landings (1965-2012) for trawling and purse seine fisheries and applied generalized linear models, using the North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO) (annual and winter NAO index), sea surface temperature (SST), wind data (strength and North-South and East-West wind components) and rainfall, as explanatory variables. Regression analysis was used to describe the relationship between landings and SST. The models explained between 50.16 and 51.07 % of the variability of the LPUE, with the most important factors being winter NAO index, SST and wind strength. The LPUE of European sardine and Atlantic horse mackerel was negatively correlated with SST, and LPUE of Atlantic chub mackerel was positively correlated with SST. The use of landings of three important species of small pelagic fishes allowed the detection of variations in landings associated with changes in sea water temperature and NAO index.

Spatial, environmental and human influences on the distribution of otter (Lutra lutra) in the Spanish provinces

In a previous survey of otters ( Lutra lutra L. 1758) in Spain, different causes were invoked to explain the frequency of the species in each province. To find common causes of the distribution of the otter in Spain, we recorded a number of spatial, environmental and human variables in each Spanish province. We then performed a stepwise linear multiple regression of the proportion of positive sites of otter in the Spanish provinces separately on each of the three groups of variables. Geographic longitude, January air humidity, soil permeability and highway density were the variables selected. A linear regression of the proportion of otter presence on these variables explained 62.4% of the variance. We then used the selected variables in a partial regression analysis to specify which proportions of the variation are explained exclusively by spatial, environmental and human factors, and which proportions are attributable to interactions between these components. Pure environmental effects accounted for only 5.5% of the variation, while pure spatial and pure human effects explained 18% and 9.7%, respectively. Shared variation among the components totalled 29.2%, of which 10.9% was explained by the interaction between environmental and spatial factors. Human factors explained globally less variance than spatial and environmental ones, but the pure human influence was higher than the pure environmental one. We concluded that most of the variation in the proportion of occurrences of otter in Spanish provinces is spatially structured, and that environmental factors have more influence on otter presence than human ones; however, the human influence on otter distribution is less structured in space, and thus can be more disruptive. This effect of large infrastructures on wild populations must be taken into account when planning large-scale conservation policies

Wheat proteins evolution and environmental triggers of Wheat-related diseases

Cereals, and in particular wheat, have always been recognized as a fundamental food worldwide. In particular, the success of wheat is linked with unique properties of the gluten protein fraction used in bread making process to obtain products that are widely used in traditional and modern diets. The rapid increase in the world population let to a parallel increases in food production, particularly of wheat. Increasing yield potential and selection of cultivars much more resistant to plant disease and to environmental factors could have negatively affected the quality of the grain. Moreover, the “green revolution” was characterized by a widespread use of agricultural chemicals and by industrialization of food production that led to a huge rise in the consumption of refined products. Modern baking practices have shortened bread leavening, increased the use of chemical/yeast leavening agents and there is well-documented scientific evidence of the negative effects of ultra-processed food in human healthy. All this changes profoundly modified the human diet and, as a result, may have affected Gluten-related disease (GRDs) that has arisen in the whole word populations. Gluten-related diseases (GRDs) are multifactorial pathologies in which environmental factors and genetic background contribute to a low-grade chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, I investigated the potential pro-inflammatory effect of different wheat varieties and whether bread making processing are involved in the onset or worsening of gut inflammation. In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies conducted throughout my Phd period have shown a pro-inflammatory effect of wheat especially marked in modern varieties and a higher inflammatory response linked to the use of common raising agent as Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and to the addiction of chemical bakery improver substances.

A familia, o adolescente e suas relações com a pratica de atividades fisicas em região metropolitana e interiorana do Estado de São Paulo

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Sensitivity to halothane and its relationship to the development of PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) meat in female lineage broilers

This work aimed to evaluate female lineage broilers for halothane sensitivity and for their susceptibility to the subsequent development of PSE meat. The halothane test was carried out in an anesthetic chamber with 3.0% halothane. The unconscious birds were examined for leg muscle rigidity. If one or both legs became extended and rigid, the birds were classified as halothane sensitive (HAL+), while unresponsive birds were classified as halothane negative (HAL-). The results showed that of 298 birds aged 42 days old, 95.6% were HAL- and 4.4% were HAL+. A sample of pectoralis major muscle was collected from HAL- (n=105) and HAL+ (n=13) birds. The pH and breast fillet color were determined at 4ºC, 24 hours post-mortem. Interestingly, only 2.5% of HAL+ birds displayed PSE meat characteristics compared to 12.7% of HAL- individuals. The halothane test demonstrated that female lineage broilers displayed very little sensitivity towards halothane, indicating that the development of PSE meat is related to other environmental factors.

Population dynamics: seasonal variation of phytoplankton functional groups in brazilian reservoirs (Billings and Guarapiranga, São Paulo)

Phytoplankton may function as a "sensor" of changes in aquatic environment and responds rapidly to such changes. In freshwaters, coexistence of species that have similar ecological requirements and show the same environmental requirements frequently occurs; such species groups are named functional groups. The use of phytoplankton functional groups to evaluate these changes has proven to be very useful and effective. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of functional groups of phytoplankton in two reservoirs (Billings and Guarapiranga) that supply water to millions of people in São Paulo city Metropolitan Area, southeastern Brazil. Surface water samples were collected monthly and physical, chemical and biological (quantitative and qualitative analyses of the phytoplankton) were performed. The highest biovolume (mm³.L-1) of the descriptor species and functional groups were represented respectively by Anabaena circinalis Rabenh. (H1), Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing (L M/M) and Mougeotia sp. (T) in the Guarapiranga reservoir and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Wolosz.) Seen. and Subba Raju (S N), Microcystis aeruginosa and M. panniformis Komárek et al. (L M/M), Planktothrix agardhii (Gom.) Anagn. and Komárek and P. cf. clathrata (Skuja) Anagn. and Komárek (S1) in the Billings reservoir. The environmental factors that most influenced the phytoplankton dynamics were water temperature, euphotic zone, turbidity, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and total phosphorous.

Effect of morphodynamics on annual average zonation pattern of benthic macrofauna of exposed sandy beaches in Santa Catarina, Brazil

This study investigated the effect of environmental factors on the annual average zonation pattern of benthic macrofauna of sub-aerial profile of three exposed sandy beaches of Santa Catarina with different morphodynamic characteristics. Sampling was carried out between March 2000 and March 2001, with monthly frequency on reflective and dissipative morphodynamic extremes and bimonthly frequency on the intermediate state. Results showed that macrobenthic zonation presented marked differences across the morphodynamic spectrum. The main differences observed from reflective to dissipative conditions were: a) increase in the number of species in lower zones of the beach; b) expansion of zones characterized by high water content of sediment and c) increase in the overlapping of zones, mainly on lower levels of the beach. Canonical Correspondence Analysis related these differences to distinctive cross-shore gradients in sediment moisture levels, sediment reworking and mean grain size that exist across the morphodynamic spectrum, showing that it is important to analyze these environmental factors in studies conducted to investigate zonation on microtidal exposed sandy beaches.

Fatores relacionados à ocorrência de leishmaniose tegumentar no Vale do Ribeira

INTRODUÇÃO: este estudo teve como objetivo identificar fatores ambientais e sociais determinantes na incidência da leishmaniose tegumentar americana no Vale do Ribeira no período de 1998 a 2006. MÉTODOS: foram utilizados dados secundários de domínio público dos 23 municípios que integram a região. O intervalo de tempo foi dividido em três períodos, pelas características gráficas dos coeficientes de incidência, os quais foram submetidos à análise por regressão linear múltipla. RESULTADOS: para o período de 1998 a 2000, as variáveis correlacionadas com a LTA foram índice de desenvolvimento humano médio (p = 0,007), renda per capita (p =0,390) e grau de urbanização (p = 0,079). No período de 2001 a 2003 e 2004 a 2006 as variáveis correlacionadas com LTA foram: a existência de flebotomíneos (p = 0,000 e p = 0,001) e a população urbana média (p = 0,007 e p = 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: esses dados demonstram a tendência de pauperização e urbanização da doença.

Reflexão sobre a imigração japonesa no Brasil sob o ângulo da adiposidade corporal

Populações migrantes representam oportunidade para se investigar a contribuição de fatores ambientais na gênese da obesidade e suas comorbidades. Em 1993, o Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group estudou a prevalência de diabetes e doenças associadas em nipo-brasileiros residentes em Bauru, SP. Utilizando critérios específicos para asiáticos, 22,4% dos nipo-brasileiros foram caracterizados como portadores de excesso de peso nessa primeira fase do estudo. Na segunda fase, em 2000, essa prevalência subiu para 44,2%, e 50,3% apresentavam obesidade central. Essa população também apresentava alta prevalência de diabetes tipo 2, hipertensão e dislipidemia, componentes da síndrome metabólica. O JBDS Group também mostrou a associação entre hábitos ocidentais, especialmente alimentação rica em gordura saturada, e a ocorrência de síndrome metabólica. Em 2005, motivado por esses achados, o JBDS Group iniciou a terceira fase do estudo que constou de programa de intervenção com base em orientação para dieta saudável e prática de atividade física, utilizando recursos factíveis em termos de saúde pública no Brasil. Após um ano de intervenção, o JBDS Group observou diminuição nos parâmetros antropométricos, pressão arterial e níveis de glicemia e colesterol. Tempo de acompanhamento maior é necessário para avaliar a persistência desses benefícios e o impacto deles no risco de desenvolver diabetes e eventos cardiovasculares.

Obesidade na adolescência e seus principais fatores determinantes

O objetivo deste trabalho foi discutir os principais fatores ambientais determinantes do sobrepeso e da obesidade em adolescentes, fundamentando-se em uma revisão crítica sobre o assunto. Para a revisão do tema foram consultadas as principais bases de dados nacionais e internacionais, entre elas, Medline/Pubmed, Web of Science, SciELO, Lilacs, compreendendo o período de 1975 a 2009. Os descritores e termos MeSH utilizados na busca foram: "sobrepeso", "obesidade", "adolescência", "adolescentes", "atividade física", "ingestão alimentar". Os resultados das pesquisas indicam que as mudanças ocorridas nos padrões alimentares nas últimas décadas, como o aumento do consumo de açúcares simples, alimentos industrializados e ingestão insuficiente de frutas e hortaliças, estão diretamente associadas ao ganho de peso dos adolescentes. Além disso, a redução progressiva da prática de atividade física combinada ao maior tempo dedicado às atividades de baixa intensidade, como assistir televisão, usar computador e jogar videogame, também tem contribuído para o aumento de peso dos jovens. Conclui-se, portanto, que as variáveis relacionadas ao padrão alimentar e de atividade física devem ser priorizadas nas intervenções voltadas para a prevenção da obesidade entre adolescentes.

What are the similarities between stress, sudden cardiac death in Gallus gallus and sudden unexpected death in people with epilepsy

Individuals with epilepsy are at higher risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), responsible for 7.5% to 17% of all deaths in epilepsy. Many factors are current associated with SUDEP and possible effect of stress and cardiac arrhythmia are still not clear. Sudden death syndrome (SDS) in chickens is a disease characterized by an acute death of well-nourished and seeming healthy Gallus gallus after abrupt and brief flapping of their wings, similar to an epileptic seizure, with an incidence estimated as 0.5 to 5% in broiler chickens. A variety of nutritional and environmental factors have been included: but the exactly etiology of SDS is unknown. Studies had suggested that the hearts of broiler chickens are considerably more susceptible to arrhythmias and stress may induce ventricular arrhythmia and thus, sudden cardiac death. In this way, SDS in Gallus gallus could be an interesting model to study SUDEP.

Respiratory infection, exposure to mouse allergen and breastfeeding: role in recurrent wheezing in early life

Background: Environmental factors may influence the development of allergen sensitization and asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endotoxin and allergen exposure in early life as a risk factor for recurrent wheezing. Methods: One hundred and four infants from low-income families, at high risk of asthma, were enrolled at birth. Dust samples were collected from the bedding and bedroom floor within 6 months after birth. Recurrent wheezing was defined as 3 or more wheezing episodes in the past year. Endotoxin was determined by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay, and major indoor allergens were quantitated by ELISA in dust extracts. IgE antibodies were measured by ImmunoCAP at 30 months of age. Results: At 30 months, 51 of the 99 infants who completed the study (51.5 per cent) had recurrent wheezing. Respiratory infection was strongly associated with recurrent wheezing (OR 6.67, 95 per cent CI 1.96-22.72), whereas exclusive breastfeeding for at least 1 month was a protective factor (OR 0.09, 95 per cent CI 0.01-0.51). Exposure to high levels of mouse allergen was more frequent among non-recurrent wheezers, approaching significance (OR 0.12, 95 per cent CI 0.01-1.13; p = 0.064). None of the children were sensitized to mouse. Sensitization to mite was found in 26/90 (28.8 per cent) children, with no association with recurrent wheezing. Conclusion: Respiratory infection was strongly associated with recurrent wheezing in the first 30 months of life, in children at high risk of asthma, living in a socially deprived community in Brazil