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- Meunier, Joël, et al.
(author)
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Eumelanin-based coloration and fitness parameters in birds : a meta-analysis
- 2011
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In: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-5443 .- 1432-0762. ; 65:4, s. 559-567
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although melanin is the most common pigment in animal integuments, the adaptive function of variation in melanin-based coloration remains poorly understood. The individual fitness returns associated with melanin pigments can be variable across species as these pigments can have physical and biological protective properties and genes involved in melanogenesis may vary in the intensity of pleiotropic effects. Moreover, dark and pale coloration can also enhance camouflage in alternative habitats and melanin-based coloration can be involved in social interactions. We investigated whether darker or paler individuals achieve a higher fitness in birds, a taxon wherein associations between melanin-based coloration and fitness parameters have been studied in a large number of species. A meta-analysis showed that the degree of melanin-based coloration was not significantly associated with laying date, clutch size, brood size, and survival across 26 species. Similar results were found when restricting the analyses to non-sexually dimorphic birds, colour polymorphic and monomorphic species, in passerines and non-passerines and in species for which inter-individual variation in melanism is due to colour intensity. However, eumelanic coloration was positively associated with clutch and brood size in sexually dimorphic species and those that vary in the size of black patches, respectively. Given that greater extent of melanin-based coloration was positively associated with reproductive parameters and survival in some species but negatively in other species, we conclude that in birds the sign and magnitude of selection exerted on melanin-based coloration is species- or trait-specific.
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| 3. |
- Pinto, Susana, et al.
(author)
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Respiratory onset in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis : clinical features and spreading pattern
- 2023
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In: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 2167-8421 .- 2167-9223. ; 24:1-2, s. 40-44
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To describe the clinical features and progression of patients with respiratory onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Methods: We analyzed the clinical features, including respiratory tests, functional score, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) time and survival of ALS patients with respiratory-onset in our database consisting of 1688 patients. In a subset of 625 ALS patients we analyzed the spreading pattern to other bodily regions.Results: We included 1579 patients with ALS. Sixty-three patients (4%) presented respiratory-onset (79.4% men, mean onset-age 67.7 +/- 8.9yrs). All had predominant LMN involvement, and significant weight loss (>10%) was identified in 38.9%. The respiratory tests were abnormal in these respiratory-onset patients (p < 0.001). ALSFRS-R respiratory subscore was lower in this population (p < 0.001). NIV was adapted in 84.1%, sooner than in the larger group of ALS patients (p < 0.001), and survival from disease onset was shorter (p < 0.001). Respiratory-onset was a predictor of time to NIV (X-2=42.0, p < 0.001) and of survival (X-2=7.1, p = 0.008). The spreading pattern was studied in 18 patients with isolated respiratory-onset. The progression interval to the 2nd region was 4.7 +/- 5.7mo and to a 3rd region 6.1 +/- 8.7mo. Different patterns of spread had no impact on survival.Conclusions: This phenotype is typically seen in emaciated older men with predominant lower motor neuron involvement, and is associated with diaphragm paresis and central respiratory involvement. NIV adaptation is rapid but total survival is shorter than in the other patients. Spreading pattern did not affect time to NIV adaptation or total survival, as NIV support is a modifying treatment in the course of ALS.
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| 4. |
- Pinto, Susana, et al.
(author)
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Respiratory phenotypes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as determined by respiratory questions on the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised and their relation to respiratory tests
- 2023
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In: European Journal of Neurology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1351-5101 .- 1468-1331. ; 30:6, s. 1594-1599
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and purpose Respiratory insufficiency and its complications are the main cause of death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Respiratory symptoms are scored in questions Q10 (dyspnoea) and Q11 (orthopnoea) of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R). The association of respiratory test alterations with respiratory symptoms is unclear. Methods Patients with ALS and progressive muscular atrophy were included. We retrospectively recorded demographic data, ALSFRS-R, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressures, mouth occlusion pressure at 100 ms, nocturnal oximetry (SpO(2)mean), arterial blood gases, and phrenic nerve amplitude (PhrenAmpl). Three groups were categorized: G1, normal Q10 and Q11; G2, abnormal Q10; and G3, abnormal Q10 and Q11 or only abnormal Q11. A binary logistic regression model explored independent predictors. Results We included 276 patients (153 men, onset age = 62.6 +/- 11.0 years, disease duration = 13.0 +/- 9.6 months, spinal onset in 182) with mean survival of 40.1 +/- 26.0 months. Gender, onset region, and disease duration were similar in G1 (n = 149), G2 (n = 78), and G3 (n = 49). Time to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was shorter in G3 (p < 0.001), but survival was similar. ALSFRS-R subscores were significantly different (G1>G2>G3, p < 0.001), except for lower limb subscore (p = 0.077). G2 and G3 patients were older than G1 (p < 0.001), and had lower FVC, MIP, MEP, PhrenAmpl, and SpO(2)mean. Independent predictors for G2 were MIP and SpO(2)mean; for G3, the only independent predictor was PhrenAmpl. Conclusions These three distinct ALS phenotypic respiratory categories represent progressive stages of ventilatory dysfunction, supporting ALSFRS-R clinical relevance. Orthopnoea is a severe symptom that should prompt NIV, phrenic nerve response being an independent predictor. Early NIV promotes similar survival for G2 and G3.
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