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Nutrition of the domestic cat, a mammalian carnivore.

From the foregoing discussion of the nutritional requirements and some of the metabolic anomalies of the cat, it is clear that the cat is adapted to eating a carnivorous diet. It may, however, have less capability than omnivores and herbivores to adapt to wide ranges in dietary composition. For example, the lack of ability to synthesize sufficient vitamin A from carotene, ornithine from glutamic acid, arachidonate from linoleate, and taurine from cysteine results from a complete deletion or severe limitation of the enzyme or pathway that makes each nutrient. Other nutrient requirements, such as the absolute requirement for niacin and the high protein requirement, appear to result from the high activity of one or more enzymes and the fact that these enzymes are not adaptive in the cat. For example, the cat cannot decrease picolinic carboxylase in order to force tryptophan toward the niacin-synthetic pathway (244) nor can it decrease the urea cycle enzymes when dietary protein is decreased in the diet in order to conserve nitrogen (209). Indeed, the cat appears to have less capability to adapt to most changes in dietary composition because it cannot change the quantities of enzymes involved in the metabolic pathways (209). This evolutionary development has resulted in more stringent nutritional requirements for cats than for omnivores such as the rat, dog, and man. What little evidence exists for other carnivore species leads us to suggest that this pattern may well be common among other strict carnivores. The metabolic differences between the cat and omnivores provide the researcher with a useful animal model for studying the biochemical basis of some nutrient requirements. For example, because there is no significant conversion of linoleate to arachidonate in cat liver (101, 150, 231), the physiological functions of linoleate can be determined independent of it having a role as a precursor of arachidonate (150). This has not been possible with other species. It is anticipated that further studies of the nutrition of the cat will increase our understanding of metabolic adaptation and nutrient functions.

Amino Acids↗

A review of resistance exercise and posture realignment.

Exercise has been promoted in an attempt to correct postural deviations, such as excessive lumbar lordosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, and abducted scapulae. One of the assumed causes of these conditions is a weak and lengthened agonist muscle group combined with a strong and tight antagonist muscle group. Strengthening and stretching exercises have been prescribed accordingly. It is implied that strengthening exercises will encourage adaptive shortening of the muscle-tendon length, reposition skeletal segments, and produce static posture realignment. A review of the literature has found a lack of reliable, valid data collected in controlled settings to support the contention that exercise will correct existing postural deviations. Likewise, objective data to indicate that exercise will lead to postural deviations are lacking. It is likely that exercise programs are of insufficient duration and frequency to induce adaptive changes in muscle-tendon length. Additionally, any adaptations from restricted range-of-movement exercise would likely be offset by daily living activities that frequently require the body segments to go through full ranges of motion.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

[The new seniors. Sociological and medical aspects].

Medical progress has led to a spectacular increase in life expectancy. The world population is ageing in a context of rapid technological change destabilizing individuals and societies in their values and functions to such a point that it is Leading to a true change in civilization. Seniors have become important socio-economic players with a feeling of prolonged youth and autonomy. Globalization has generated a feeling of insecurity and a constantly growing need for more information. In the face of these changes, adaptation in rhythm ranges, according to the individual, from reticence in its extreme form, the principle of precaution, through fatalistic passivity to opportunistic enthusiasm. In the medical field, patients have access to all modern means of information, and the most well-informed tend to behave more or less consciously as healthcare consumers, modifying the relationship with doctors which may become a service provider-client type relationship. A new relation to the body and with others has appeared with desires and also performance obligations. The difficulties of adaptation to this complex and socially anxiogenic world are expressed by permanent social conflicts and the increasing recourse to individual psychotherapeutic support.

Aged↗

Colour receptors in the eye of the digger wasp, Sphex cognatus Smith: evaluation by selective adaptation.

Pigment granule migration in pigment cells and retinula cells of the digger wasp Sphex cognatus Smith was analysed morphologically after light adaptation to natural light, dark adaptation and after four selective chromatic adaptations in the range between 358 nm and 580 nm and used as the index of receptor cell sensitivity. The receptor region of each ommatidium consists of nine retinula cells which form a centrally located rhabdom. Two morphologically and physiologically different visual units can be described, defined by the arrangement of the rhabdomeric microvilli, the topographical relationship of the receptor cells with respect to the eye axes and the unique retinula cell screening pigmentation. These two different sets of ommatidia (type A and B) are randomly distributed in a ratio of 1:3 throughout the eye (Ribi, 1978b). Chromatic adaptation experiments with wavelengths of 358nm, 443nm, 523nm and 580nm and subsequent histological examination reveal two UV receptors, two blue receptors and four yellow-green receptors in type A ommatidia and two UV receptors and six green to yellow-green receptors in type B ommatidia. The pigments in cells surrounding each ommatidium (two primary pigment cells, 20 secondary pigment cells and four pigmented cone extensions) were not affected significantly by the adaptation experiments.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Ecological factors limiting the distribution of Gilia tricolor in a California grassland mosaic.

Recent evolutionary models of range limits emphasize the importance of ecological and demographic factors operating at species' margins. This study aims to establish the ecological context driving population boundaries in Gilia tricolor, a native California annual restricted to distinct habitat patches in the coastal range of California. A transplant experiment in one hillside G. tricolor population examined the roles of competition and soil chemistry as well as litter and biomass accumulation in setting local population boundaries. Results indicate that boundaries are maintained primarily by inhibition of seedling emergence by vegetation and litter, and that upslope and downslope population boundaries are heterogeneous in litter biomass and transplant performance. Consistent emergence inhibition in undisturbed, peripheral sites maintains limits to the distribution of G. tricolor in this population. Fine-scaled ecological heterogeneity and heterogeneous boundary conditions likely play important roles in limiting adaptation and subsequent range expansion at population boundaries in G. tricolor.

Biomass↗

Adapting-bump model for eccentric cells of Limulus.

Light-evoked intracellular voltage noise records have been obtained from Limulus eccentric cells, from threshold light intensity to an intensity .10(5) times threshold. These data are analyzed in terms of a simple "adapting-bump" noise model. It is shown how the model yields a data reduction procedure that slightly generalizes the familiar use of Campbell's theorem for Poisson shot noise: the correlative effect of adaptation amends Campbell's theorem by a single multiplicative factor, which may be estimated directly from the power spectrum of the noise data. The model also permits direct estimation of the bump shape from the power spectrum. The bump shape estimated from noise at dim light is in excellent agreement with the average shape of bumps observed directly in the dark. The data yield a bump rate that is linear with light up through about 50 times threshold intensity but that falls short of linearity by a factor of 35 at the brightest light. The bump height decreases as the -0.4 power of light intensity across the entire range. Bump duration decreases by a factor of 2 across the entire range, and the adaptation correlation factor descends from unity to about one-third. The modest change of the adaptation correlation shows that naive application of Campbell's theorem to such data is adequate for rough estimation of the model's physiological parameters. This simple accounting for all the data gives support to the adapting-bump model.

Animals↗

Differential gene expression in the brain of channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) in response to cold acclimation.

Aquatic ectotherms can adapt to a wide range of temperature changes, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie this adaptability are not well understood. We identified genes that are differentially expressed in the catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) brain using a cDNA microarray approach to gain an initial understanding of adaptation to low temperature. Among 660 genes analyzed, 61 were differentially expressed when compared at 12 degrees C and 24 degrees C. Gene induction was rapid, occurring within 2 h of the temperature shift. The major categories of differentially expressed genes included (1) genes for chaperones such as Hsp70 and Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein; (2) genes for transcription factors and gene products involved in signal transduction pathways such as zinc-finger proteins, calmodulin kinase inhibitor, the nuclear autoantigen SG2NA, interferon regulatory factor 3, and inorganic pyrophosphatase; (3) genes involved in lipid metabolism such as TB2 and acyl CoA binding protein; and (4) genes involved in the translational machinery such as ribosomal proteins. Some genes were induced transiently, whereas others were induced in an enduring fashion. Several genes, primarily ribosomal protein genes, were down regulated, indicating reduced metabolic activities after extended incubation at the low temperature. Thus channel catfish respond to low temperature by adjusting expression of a large number of genes. The rapid induction of proteins involved in signal transductions and chaperones suggests that both de novo synthesis of cold-induced proteins and modification of existing proteins are required for adaptation and tolerance of catfish to low environmental temperature.

Acclimatization↗

Management of proximal humeral fractures.

The understanding of early controlled range of motion adapted to the stability of the fracture is crucial in postfracture shoulder therapy. The diagnosis and management of proximal humeral fractures have been reviewed. In addition, the aspects of therapy and the pertinent rehabilitation protocols are outlined. Although this article outlines standard treatment approaches, the specific therapy should be individualized to the patient's goals and abilities, and continuous communication between all persons involved in the patient's care is essential for achieving the best possible outcome.

Exercise Therapy↗

Variation and limitations in fiber enzymatic and size responses in hypertrophied muscle.

The present study was designed to determine whether the degree and kind of adaptation of a muscle fiber to a functional overload (FO) are determined by properties that are intrinsic to that fiber. The study also addresses the question of the capability of fibers to maintain a normal level of coordination of proteins per fiber as fiber volume changes dramatically. The plantaris muscle of six adult female cats was overloaded for 12 wk by bilateral synergist removal. Plantaris muscle fiber mean size doubled after FO, although some very small fibers that stained dark for adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) were observed in some of the FO muscles. There appeared to be no change in total succinate dehydrogenase activity per fiber. A reduction in succinate dehydrogenase activity per unit volume was observed in a substantial number of fibers, reflecting a disproportionate increase in fiber volume relative to mitochondrial volume. In contrast, total alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity and actomyosin ATPase activity increased as fiber size increased, whereas there was no change in alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and ATPase activities per unit volume. Control and FO muscle fibers generally expressed either a fast or slow myosin heavy chain type, but in some cases FO muscle fibers expressed both fast and slow myosin heavy chains. The persistence of variability in fiber sizes and enzyme activities in fibers of overloaded muscles suggests a wide range in the adaptive potential of individual fibers to FO. These data indicate that a severalfold increase in cell size may occur without significant qualitative changes in the coordination of protein regulation associated with metabolic pathways and ATP utilization.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Cold-adapted microtubules: characterization of tubulin posttranslational modifications in the Antarctic ciliate Euplotes focardii.

In cold poikilotherm organisms, microtubule assembly is promoted at temperatures below 4 degrees C and cold-induced depolymerization is prevented. On the basis of the results of investigations on cold-adapted fishes, the property of cold adaptation is ascribed to intrinsic characteristics of the tubulins. To fully understand cold adaptation, we studied the tubulins of Euplotes focardii, an Antarctic ciliated protozoan adapted to temperatures ranging from -2 to +4 degrees C. In this organism, we had previously sequenced one beta-tubulin gene and, then identified three other genes (denoted as beta-T1, beta-T2, beta-T3 and beta-T4). Here we report that the amino acid sequence of the carboxy-terminal domain predicted from the beta-T3 gene (apparently the most expressed of the gene family) contains six modifications (five substitutions and one insertion) of conserved residues, unique with respect to all the other known beta-tubulin sequences. These modifications can change the structural conformation of the carboxy-terminal domain. Furthermore, in the variable terminal end of that domain, a consensus sequence for a phosphorylation site is present, and the residue Glu-438, the most frequent site for polyglutamylation in beta-tubulin, is substituted by Asp. Starting from these observations, we showed that in E. focardii only alpha-tubulin is polyglutamylated, while beta-tubulin undergoes phosphorylation. Polyglutamylated microtubules appear to colocalize with cilia and microtubular bundles, all structures in which microtubules undergo a sliding process. This finding supports the idea that alpha-tubulin polyglutamylation is involved in the interaction between tubulin and motor microtubule-associated proteins. Phosphorylation, usually a rare posttranslational modification of beta-tubulin, which is found extensively distributed in the beta-tubulin of this cold-adapted organism, may play a determinant role in the dynamic of polymerization and depolymerization at low temperatures.

Acclimatization↗

Characterization of heat, oxidative, and acid stress responses in Brucella melitensis.

Brucella melitensis is a facultative intracellular pathogen which is able to survive and replicate within phagocytic cells. Therefore, it has to adapt to a range of different hostile environments. In order to understand the mechanisms of intracellular survival employed by virulent B. melitensis 16M, an initial approach consisting of analysis of the differences in patterns of protein synthesis in response to heat, oxidative, and acid pH stresses by two-dimensional (2-D) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used. Depending on the stress, this involved about 6.4 to 12% of the 676 protein spots detected in 2-D gel electrophoresis. On the basis of N-terminal sequence analysis and database searching, 19 proteins whose level of synthesis was up- or down-regulated by stress conditions were identified. Some of them were previously reported for Brucella, such as BvrR, DnaK, GroEL, and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD). Eight other proteins closely matched proteins found in other bacteria: AapJ, alpha-ETF, ClpP, Fe and/or Mn SOD, malate dehydrogenase, IalB, 30S ribosomal protein S1, and pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component beta subunit. Results indicated that B. melitensis could bring specific regulatory mechanisms into play in response to stress conditions. For example, the ribosome releasing factor in B. melitensis appeared to be a heat shock protein, whereas the ClpP protein, described as a heat shock protein for Escherichia coli, was strongly down-regulated in B. melitensis in response to heat stress. Some of the identified proteins and their potential specific regulation could be required for the adaptation of B. melitensis to environmental stresses encountered in phagocytic cells and possibly for bacterial virulence.

Acids↗

The Clock Drawing Test: utility for dementia detection in multiethnic elders.

BACKGROUND: Disproportionate increases in dementia morbidity in ethnic minorities challenge established screening methodologies because of language and culture barriers, varying access to health services, and a relative paucity of cross-cultural data validating their use. Simple screening techniques adapted to a range of health and social service settings would accelerate dementia detection and social and health services planning for demented minority elders. METHODS: The effectiveness of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) for dementia detection was compared with that of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) in community-dwelling elders of diverse linguistic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. Subjects (N = 295) were tested at home in their native languages (English, n = 141; another language, n = 154). An informant-based clinical dementia history and functional severity index derived from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) protocols were used to classify subjects as probably demented (n = 170), and probably not demented (n = 125). RESULTS: All tests were significantly affected by education (p < .001) but not by primary language (p > .05). Sensitivities and specificities for probable dementia were 82% and 92%, respectively, for the CDT; 92% and 92% for the MMSE; and 93% and 97% for the CASI for subjects completing each test. However, in poorly educated non-English speakers, the CDT detected demented subjects with higher sensitivity than the two longer instruments (sensitivity and specificity 85% and 94% for the CDT, 46% and 100% for the MMSE, and 75% and 95% for the CASI). Moreover less information was lost due to noncompletion of the CDT than the MMSE or CASI (severe dementia or refusal: CDT 8%, MMSE 12%, and CASI 16%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the CDT may be as effective as the MMSE or CASI as a first-level dementia screen for clinical use in multiethnic, multilingual samples of older adults. Its brevity (1-5 minutes), minimal language requirements, high acceptability, and lack of dependence on specialized testing materials are well adapted for screening of non-English-speaking elderly persons in settings where bilingual interpreters are not readily available and screening time is at a premium.

Aged↗

Restoration of ascending noradrenergic projections by residual locus coeruleus neurons: compensatory response to neurotoxin-induced cell death in the adult rat brain.

There is clinical and experimental evidence that monoamine neurons respond to lesions with a wide range of compensatory adaptations aimed at preserving their functional integrity. Neurotoxin-induced lesions are followed by increased synthesis and release of transmitter from residual monoamine fibers and by axonal sprouting. However, the fate of lesioned neurons after long survival periods remains largely unknown. Whether regenerative sprouting may contribute significantly to recovery of function following lesions which induce cell loss has been questioned. We have previously analyzed the response of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons to systemic administration of the noradrenergic (NE) neurotoxin N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4) to adult rats. This drug causes ablation of nearly all LC axon terminals within 2 weeks after administration, followed by a profound loss of LC cell bodies 6 months later. The present study was conducted to determine the fate of surviving LC neurons and to characterize their potential for regenerative sprouting during a 16 month period after DSP-4 treatment. The time-course and extent of LC neuron degeneration were analyzed quantitatively in Nissl-stained sections, and the regenerative response of residual neurons was characterized by dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. The results document that LC neurons degenerate gradually after DSP-4 treatment, cell loss reaching on average 57% after 1 year. LC neurons which survive the lesion exhibit a vigorous regenerative response, even in those animals in which cell loss exceeds 60-70%. This regenerative process leads progressively to restoration of the NE innervation pattern in the forebrain, with some regions becoming markedly hyperinnervated. In stark contrast to the forebrain, very little reinnervation takes place in the brainstem, cerebellum and spinal cord. These findings suggest that regenerative sprouting of residual neurons is an important compensatory mechanism by which the LC may regain much of its functional integrity in the presence of extensive cell loss. Furthermore, regeneration of LC axons after DSP-4 treatment is region-specific, suggesting that the pattern of reinnervation is controlled by target areas. Elucidation of the factors underlying recovery of LC neurons after DSP-4 treatment may provide insights into the compensatory mechanisms of central neurons after injury and in disease states.

Animals↗

Pseudoparadoxical impulsivity in restrictive anorexia nervosa: a consequence of the logic of scarcity.

OBJECTIVE: To explain an apparently paradoxical pattern wherein sufferers of restrictive anorexia nervosa exhibit both rigorous self-restraint and episodic impulsivity. METHOD: The experimental, historical, and clinical literatures were examined for evidence of psychological and behavioral changes accompanying severe dietary constriction; such changes were noted and compared with those reported to occur in anorexics. RESULTS: Increased impulsivity in association with dietary constriction is described in diverse literatures. A number of lines of evidence suggest that the serotonergic system mediates this change. DISCUSSION: Many forms of impulsivity can be understood as having once constituted fitness-enhancing responses to resource scarcity. It is suggested that an evolved psychological mechanism calibrates the individual's sensitivity to risk in light of future prospects. Self-injurious behaviors are explicable as misfirings of such a mechanism. Similarly, excessive exercising by anorexics may reflect the misdirection of reward systems that normally encourage adaptive increases in ranging behavior under conditions of scarcity.

Animals↗

Exploitation of manipulators: 'hitch-hiking' as a parasite transmission strategy.

For many parasites with complex life cycles, manipulation of host behaviour is an adaptation to increase the probability of successful transmission. Since manipulation is likely to be costly, other parasites may exploit hosts already manipulated so as to ensure their transmission without investing in manipulation. Such a cheating strategy, called 'hitch-hiking', could be adaptive in a range of situations. We first propose and discuss criteria that should be met by any parasite to be considered a hitch-hiker. Then, to understand the evolution of the hitch-hiking strategy, we use simple mathematical models to analyse the influence of several variables on the potential benefits for a nonmanipulative parasite of actively seeking a ride to the definitive host with a manipulative parasite. The models suggest that the prevalence or abundance of manipulative parasites will be a key determinant of whether hitch-hiking can be an advantageous option for other parasites. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

Calcium homeostasis and parturient hypocalcemia: an integral feedback perspective.

Calcium is tightly regulated in mammals because of the critical role of calcium ion concentrations in many physiological functions. In this work, we develop a model for calcium homeostasis and identify integral feedback control as a functional module that maintains this homeostasis. We argue that maintaining calcium concentrations in a narrow range and perfect adaptation seen when the calcium homeostatic mechanism is subjected to extreme disturbances are the result of a feedback control system implementing integral control through specific interactions of the regulating hormones. Based on the constraints imposed by the suggested integral control, we arrive at a simple dynamical model for calcium homeostasis. We show that the model is biologically plausible and is consistent with known physiology. Furthermore, the utility of the integral-feedback model is revealed by examining an extreme calcium perturbation, parturient paresis in dairy cows.

Animals↗

Investigation into the role of the response regulator NtrC in the metabolism and virulence of Brucella suis.

During infection, Brucella species have to adapt to a range of different environments. Environmental sensing in bacteria often involves the concerted action of two-component regulatory systems consisting of sensor and response regulator components. In this study, we identified, cloned and sequenced four independent response regulator gene fragments from Brucella melitensis. One amplified gene fragment showed nearly 90% identity to the response regulator subfamily of NtrC transcriptional activators, and further analysis revealed the presence of an adjacent gene encoding the sensor protein NtrB. The NtrBC two-component regulatory system has been shown to play varying roles in nitrogen metabolism and potentially in virulence in other bacterial species. A B. suis ntrC isogenic mutant was constructed which showed no significant differences in growth rates compared to the wild-type strain when grown at different temperatures in vitro. However, the mutant exhibited a reduction in metabolic activity in the presence of many amino acids. The mutation did not affect survival or multiplication of B. suis in macrophages, but during the initial stages of infection in the murine brucellosis model, the ntrC mutant showed a reduced ability to multiply rapidly in splenic tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗