Abstract Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) has long attracted the attention of biologists, and life-history variation is thought to play an important role in the evolution of SSD. Here we quantified SSD and female reproductive traits to identify potential associations between SSD and female reproduction in the white-striped grass lizard Takydromus wolteri. In a population from Chuzhou, China, the largest male and female were 53.0 mm and 57.5 mm in snout-vent length (SVL), respectively. Females were larger in SVL and abdomen length, whereas males were larger in head size and tail length. Females produced up to five clutches of eggs during the breeding season, with large females producing more clutches and more eggs per clutch than small ones. As a result, large females had a higher annual fecundity and reproductive output. Egg size was positively correlated with maternal SVL in the first clutch, but not in subsequent clutches. These results suggest that T. wolteri is a species with female-biased SSD, and that fecundity selection, in which large females have higher fecundity due to their higher capacity for laying eggs, is likely correlated with the evolution of SSD in this species [Current Zoology 58 (2): 236–243, 2012].
Abstract An odor‐based sensor system that exploits the metabolic enzyme tryptophanase (TPase) as the key component is reported. This enzyme is able to convert an odorless substrate like S ‐methyl‐ L ‐cysteine or L ‐tryptophan into the odorous products methyl mercaptan or indole. To make a biosensor, TPase was biotinylated so that it could be coupled with a molecular recognition element, such as an antibody, to develop an ELISA‐like assay. This method was used for the detection of an antibody present in n M concentrations by the human nose. TPase can also be combined with the enzyme pyridoxal kinase (PKase) for use in a coupled assay to detect adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP). When ATP is present in the low μ M concentration range, the coupled enzymatic system generates an odor that is easily detectable by the human nose. Biotinylated TPase can be combined with various biotin‐labeled molecular recognition elements, thereby enabling a broad range of applications for this odor‐based reporting system.
We describe an inkjet printed paper-based sensor that reports ATP by the enzyme catalysed hydrolysis of S-methyl-L-cysteine generating an odour (methyl mercaptan) that is easily detectable by the human nose.
Objective: The study aims to compare alterations of glucose fluctuations across individuals with different kinds of diabetes in pregnancy and investigate influencing factors that may react with glucose variations (GV). Design:A retrospective cohort study was conducted from May 2018 and May 2021. Setting:Shanghai General Hospital. Population: A total of 776 pregnant women who were diagnosed diabetes was obtained. We grouped participants who were exposed to gestational hyperglycemia into 5 sub-groups [Type 1 diabetes (T1DM), Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), Overt diabetes, Gestational diabetes (GDM) 1 and GDM2). Methods: Logistic regression models, one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method and the chi-squared test were utilized. Main Outcome Measures: Demographic variables and GV parameters were compared among 5 groups through ANOVA-test and Chi-square test. We estimated odd ratios (ORs) for the association between glucose coefficient of variation (CV) and possible influencing variables. Results: T1DM group performed greatest glucose fluctuations with a CV value 35.02% whereas the number in all the other groups was no more than 22.82%. On multivariate logistic regression analysis of possible factors influencing CV, only body mass index (BMI) (OR: 0.754, P=0.029), HOMA- β (OR:0.969, P=0.037) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (OR: 1.832, P=0.008) reached statistical significance. Conclusions: A greater GV in pregnant women with pre-pregnancy diabetes than that in GDM controls, and the former had a worse glucose profile than the other two groups while ODM group coming second. BMI, HOMA-β and FPG remain as an independent risk factors for unstable GV.
The relationship of iron deficiency and thyroid hormone has been researched a lot among pregnant or other healthy population. However, invisible iron deficiency, namely shortage of serum ferritin (sFer) level, has been barely investigated among Chinese pregnant women. This study aimed to explore the effects of sFer status on thyroid function and pregnancy outcomes in a population-based upper first-class hospital.A total of 781 singleton pregnant women of gestation in Shanghai General Hospital took part in this retrospective cohort study. The participants were divided into four groups by quartiles of serum ferritin levels (Q1-4). Binary logistic regressions were used to examine the strength of association between the different traits and the serum ferritin (sFer) quartiles separately, where Q1 (lowest ferritin quartile) was taken as the base reference. One-way ANOVA was adopted to compare the averages of the different variables across sFer quartiles. Categorical measures were compared by Fisher exact test or chi-square test.As the sFer concentration rises, incidence of premature birth (15.8%vs 12.3% vs 9.20% vs 6.20% p = 0.016) as well as threatened miscarriage (14.8% vs 7.2% vs 8.70% vs 6.70% p = 0.021) presented a downward trend. Compared with the other sFer group, subjects of the low sFer group were older, more often to be found to have lower serum γT3 and FT4 levels in early pregnancy but not in middle pregnancy.sFer concentration in the first trimester can affect thyroid function. The correction of invisible iron deficiency with inadequate sFer status prior to pregnancy or during early pregnancy is imperative, not only to prevent anemia, but also for maintaining optimum thyroid function and normal fetal development. For clinicians, sFer status of pregnant women should be attached great importance apart from attention to iron level.
Maternal hyperglycemia has been linked to adverse neonatal outcomes, including increased risk of neonatal hypoglycemia due to the stress of adapting to extrauterine life and the sudden decrease in maternal glucose supply. The association between maternal blood glucose control and neonatal conditions is crucial for developing strategies to improve neonatal health and prevent complications. This study aims to explore the correlation between maternal blood glucose levels during pregnancy and predelivery and neonatal outcomes, specifically hypoglycemia and jaundice.
Abstract Backgrounds: The relationship of Iron deficiency and thyroid hormone have been researched a lot among pregnant or other healthy population. However, invisible iron deficiency, namely shortage of sFer level, has been barely investigated among Chinese pregnant women. This study aimed to explore the effects of sFer status on thyroid function in a population-based upper first-class hospital. Methods A total of 781 singleton pregnant women of gestation in Shanghai General Hospital took part in this retrospective cohort study. The participants were divided into four groups by quartiles of serum ferritin levels (Q1–4). Binary logistic regressions were used to examine the strength of association between the different traits and the serum ferrin (sFer) quartiles separately, where Q1 (lowest ferritin quartile) was taken as the base reference. One-way ANOVA was adopted to compare the averages of the different variables across Sfer quartiles. Categorical measures were compared by Fisher exact test or chi-square test. Results As the sFer concentration rises, incidence of premature birth (15.8%vs 12.3% vs 9.20% vs 6.20% p = 0.016) as well as threatened miscarriage (14.8% vs 7.2% vs 8.70% vs 6.70% p = 0.021)presented a downward trend. Compared with the other sFer group, subjects of the low sFer group were older, were more often found to have lower serum γT3 and FT4 levels in early pregnancy but not in middle pregnancy. Conclusions The correction of invisible iron deficiency with inadequate sFer status prior to pregnancy or during early pregnancy is imperative, not only to prevent anemia, but also for maintaining optimum thyroid function and normal fetal development. For clinicians, sFer status of pregnant women should be attached great importance apart from attention to iron level.
Abstract An odor‐based sensor system that exploits the metabolic enzyme tryptophanase (TPase) as the key component is reported. This enzyme is able to convert an odorless substrate like S ‐methyl‐ L ‐cysteine or L ‐tryptophan into the odorous products methyl mercaptan or indole. To make a biosensor, TPase was biotinylated so that it could be coupled with a molecular recognition element, such as an antibody, to develop an ELISA‐like assay. This method was used for the detection of an antibody present in n M concentrations by the human nose. TPase can also be combined with the enzyme pyridoxal kinase (PKase) for use in a coupled assay to detect adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP). When ATP is present in the low μ M concentration range, the coupled enzymatic system generates an odor that is easily detectable by the human nose. Biotinylated TPase can be combined with various biotin‐labeled molecular recognition elements, thereby enabling a broad range of applications for this odor‐based reporting system.
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