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Keogh MJ, Thompson DP, Crouse JA. Tracking reproductive events: Hoof growth and steroid hormone concentrations in hair and hoof tissues in moose ( Alces alces). Conserv Physiol 2023; 11:coad097. [PMID: 38107464 PMCID: PMC10722880 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Measurements of reproductive and stress-related hormones in keratinous tissues (e.g. hair, claws, hooves, baleen) can provide a record of stress and reproductive response in wildlife. We evaluated a method to collect keratin tissue from hooves of immobilized moose (Alces alces) and validated enzyme immunoassays for measuring cortisol and progesterone in hooves and hair. We also measured the annual growth and wear rates of moose hooves. Progesterone (range: 1.0-43.7 pg/mg) and cortisol (range: 0.05-2.9 pg/mg) were measurable and showed variation among hoof samples and moose. Pregnant females had twice as high progesterone concentrations (18.00 ± 3.73 pg/mg) from hoof sample locations post breeding compared to non-pregnant moose (9.40 ± 0.25 pg/mg). Annual hoof growth differed between the front (5.58 ± 0.12 cm) and rear (4.73 ± 0.13 cm) hooves and varied by season with higher growth rates during summer which decreased into autumn and winter. Adult female hooves represented between 1.6 and 2.1 years of growth and included up to two reproductive cycles. We established a method to estimate hoof growth rate and applied this to postmortem samples and were able to detect previous pregnancies. Shoulder guard hairs grew between August and March including during late gestation; however, hair progesterone concentrations (range: 2-107.1 pg/mg) were not related to reproductive state. Hair cortisol concentrations in our study (range: 0.2-15.9 pg/mg) were within the range of values previously reported for cervids. Our study supports the use of hooves for longitudinal sampling and measuring reproductive and stress-related hormones, providing a new tool for tracking reproductive events and understanding what variables may contribute to population level changes in reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy J Keogh
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 802 3rd St, Douglas, AK 99801, USA
| | - Daniel P Thompson
- Kenai Moose Research Center, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road Suite B, Soldotna, AK 99669, USA
| | - John A Crouse
- Kenai Moose Research Center, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road Suite B, Soldotna, AK 99669, USA
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Keogh MJ, Nicholson KL, Skinner JP. Relationships between age, diet, and stress-related hormones and reproduction in American marten ( Martes americana). J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
American marten (Martes americana) in Interior Alaska are at the northwestern limit of their North American range. To investigate factors that may be associated with reproduction we determined the cementum age and the presence or absence of blastocysts in 118 female martens for 3 years (2012, 2014, and 2016) in two regions. For each marten we collected fur samples and measured steroid hormone concentrations (cortisol, testosterone, and progesterone) and stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C values, a proxy for diet). These parameters reflect the diet and endocrine activity between June and October when fur is grown. We also collected two claws from a subset of 39 female marten from one region in 2012 and 2014. Progesterone concentrations were measured in one whole claw and from a second claw divided into proximal (recent growth) and distal sections. Differences in the probability of blastocysts being present were associated with geographic region and sample year suggesting that reproduction in female marten varies on a fine scale. We found the that presence of blastocysts was positively associated with marten age and δ15N values in fur but negatively associated with fur cortisol concentrations. These findings suggest that the likelihood a female marten will reproduce in a given year is influenced, in part, by the proportion of protein in their diet and stressors encountered during late summer and fall, months before active gestation begins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy J Keogh
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game , Douglas, Alaska , USA
| | - Kerry L Nicholson
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game , Fairbanks, Alaska , USA
| | - John P Skinner
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game , Anchorage, Alaska , USA
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Roffler GH, Karpovich S, Charapata P, Keogh MJ. Validation and measurement of physiological stress and reproductive hormones in wolf hair and claws. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen H. Roffler
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation 801 3rd Street Douglas AK 99824 USA
| | - Shawna Karpovich
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation 1300 College, Road Fairbanks AK 99701 USA
| | - Patrick Charapata
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation 1300 College, Road Fairbanks AK 99701 USA
| | - Mandy J. Keogh
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation 801 3rd Street Douglas AK 99824 USA
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Neises VM, Karpovich SA, Keogh MJ, King RS, Trumble SJ. Regional, seasonal and age class blubber fatty acid signature analysis of harbour seals in Alaska from 1997 to 2010. Conserv Physiol 2021; 9:coab036. [PMID: 35685345 PMCID: PMC8628356 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alaskan harbour seal populations are currently listed as a species of special concern. Although there is evidence of recent stabilization or even partial recovery of harbour seal numbers in areas of historic decline, most populations have not made substantial recoveries. To date, few data exist regarding spatial and seasonal changes in blubber fatty acids (FAs) for Alaskan harbour seal populations. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate harbour seal blubber FA profiles for regional, seasonal and age class differences. Blubber FA concentrations were analysed using MANOVA and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) from 760 individual harbour seals across Bristol Bay, Kodiak, Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska from 1997 to 2010. Our results suggest spatial and seasonal differences are largely driven by monounsaturated FAs, most notably 14:1n-5, 16:1n-7 and 18:1n-7. In addition, our data revealed a progression in blubber FAs from pups to adults, with a shift from saturated FAs and short-chained monounsaturated FAs in the pup blubber to more long-chain monounsaturated FAs and polyunsaturated FAs in adults. Lastly, harbour seals pups had elevated saturated FA 16:0 concentrations when compared to other age classes, regardless of location or period. With this vast spatial and seasonal FA information, we believe future sampling of blubber FAs from Alaskan harbour seal populations could be a useful tool in assessing the response of this species and its ecosystem to changes associated with natural and anthropogenic pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mandy J Keogh
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
| | - Ryan S King
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX
76798, USA
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Keogh MJ, Charapata P, Fadely BS, Zeppelin T, Rea L, Waite JN, Burkanov V, Marshall C, Jones A, Sprowls C, Wooller MJ. Whiskers as a novel tissue for tracking reproductive and stress-related hormones in North Pacific otariid pinnipeds. Conserv Physiol 2021; 9:coaa134. [PMID: 33489238 PMCID: PMC7808128 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Keratinized tissues, including whiskers, are ideal for acquiring a record of physiological parameters. Most tissues provide a snapshot of physiological status; however, whiskers may support longitudinal sampling for reproductive and stress-related hormones, if hormones are incorporated as whiskers grow and concentrations change with physiological state. Whiskers from female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) were serially sectioned and pulverized and steroid hormones were extracted. Standard methods were used to validate enzyme immunoassay kits for cortisol, progesterone, 17β-estradiol and testosterone. All hormones were measurable in whisker segments from both species with progesterone concentrations showing cyclical patterns, which appear to signify previous pregnancies or luteal phases. Yearly progesterone concentrations were greater in years a pup was produced compared with years when no pup was observed. Free-ranging female Steller sea lions had reproductive rates between 0 and 1.0 (0.53 ± 0.33, n = 12) using a yearly progesterone concentration of 30 pg/mg or greater to classify a reproductive year as producing a pup and below 30 pg/mg as non-reproductive. Cortisol concentrations were greater near the root and rapidly declined, lacking any obvious patterns, throughout the rest of the whisker. Progesterone and testosterone concentrations were able to help determine sex of unknown individuals. Immunohistochemistry revealed that steroid hormones most likely do not leach out of whiskers based on the deposition patterns of progesterone and cortisol being present throughout the whisker length. Overall, measuring steroid hormones in whiskers can reveal individual reproductive histories over multiple years in sea lions and fur seals. Cyclical patterns of δ15N were useful for identifying periods of up to ~10 years of growth within whiskers, and measuring both stable isotopes and hormones may be useful for differentiating periods of active gestation from diapause and potentially track multi-year reproductive histories of female otariids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy J Keogh
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 110024 Douglas, AK 99811-0024, USA
| | - Patrick Charapata
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
- Biology Department, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97388, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Brian S Fadely
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - Tonya Zeppelin
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - Lorrie Rea
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Jason N Waite
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 110024 Douglas, AK 99811-0024, USA
| | - Vladimir Burkanov
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Geographical Institute Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky 683000, Russia
| | - Chris Marshall
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, Galveston Campus, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Aubree Jones
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, Galveston Campus, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Caitlin Sprowls
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, Galveston Campus, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Matthew J Wooller
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Stable Isotope Facility, Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
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Keogh MJ, Gastaldi A, Charapata P, Melin S, Fadely BS. Stress-related and reproductive hormones in hair from three north Pacific otariid species: Steller sea lions, California sea lions and northern fur seals. Conserv Physiol 2020; 8:coaa069. [PMID: 32843968 PMCID: PMC7437363 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the physiological impact of stressors in pinnipeds is logistically challenging, and many hormones are altered by capture and handling, limiting the utility of metabolically active tissues. Hair is increasingly being used to investigate stress-related and reproductive hormones in wildlife populations due to less-invasive collection methods, being metabolically inert once grown and containing multiple biomarkers of ecological interest. We validated enzyme immunoassays for measuring aldosterone, cortisol, corticosterone, and testosterone in lanugo (natal hair grown in utero) samples collected from Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus). We applied laboratory validation methods including recovery of added mass, parallelism and dilution linearity. We found no effects due to differences in alcohol- versus detergent-based cleaning methods. Further, there were no significant differences in hormone concentrations in hair samples collected immediately after the molt and the subsequent samples collected over 1 year, indicating steroid hormones are stable once deposited into pinniped hair. We found no sex differences in any hormone concentrations, likely due to the lanugo being grown in utero and influenced by maternal hormone concentrations. For Steller sea lion and California sea lion pups, we found hormone concentrations significantly differed between rookeries, which warrants future research. Hair provides a novel tissue to explore the intrinsic or extrinsic drivers behind hormone measurements in otariids, which can be paired with multiple health-related metrics to further investigate possible drivers of physiological stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy J Keogh
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 110024 Douglas, AK 99811-0024, USA
- Corresponding author:
| | - Angela Gastaldi
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
| | - Patrick Charapata
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, One Bear Place, Waco, TX 67679, USA
| | - Sharon Melin
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
| | - Brian S Fadely
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
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7
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Keogh MJ, Taras B, Beckmen KB, Burek-Huntington KA, Ylitalo GM, Fadely BS, Rea LD, Pitcher KW. Organochlorine contaminant concentrations in blubber of young Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) are influenced by region, age, sex, and lipid stores. Sci Total Environ 2020; 698:134183. [PMID: 31494417 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Contaminant exposure is particularly important for species and populations of conservation concern, such as the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). We used blubber samples (n = 120) to determine organochlorine concentrations, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDTs), and blood samples (n = 107) to estimate total body lipids based on the hydrogen isotope dilution method. We assessed the influence of age, sex, condition, and geographic area on contaminant concentrations in blubber and contaminant body load. The concentration of ΣPCBs was highest in pups (<6 months) from the Aleutian Islands, and the concentrations in males were higher than females in all regions. The ΣPCBs and ΣDDTs concentrations and loads decreased with increasing mass in pups, however, there were no regional or sex differences in contaminant load. Within each of the five age classes, the concentrations of ΣPCBs and ΣDDTs decreased with increasing mass, but overall these OCs increased with age. Further, accounting for the lipid content, a potential proxy for energy balance, in the animal load reduced or removed the regional and sex effects present in age models for contaminants. We propose, that adjusting OCs concentration by the lipid content of the blubber sample alone may not fully account for the variability in OC concentrations associated with differences in condition or energy states between young Steller sea lions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy J Keogh
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 110024, Douglas, AK 99811-0024, United States of America.
| | - Brian Taras
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States of America
| | - Kimberlee B Beckmen
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States of America
| | - Kathleen A Burek-Huntington
- Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services, 23834 The Clearing Drive, Eagle River, AK 99577, United States of America
| | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112, United States of America
| | - Brian S Fadely
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, United States of America
| | - Lorrie D Rea
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States of America; Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1764 Tanana Loop, ELIF Suite 240, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States of America
| | - Kenneth W Pitcher
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States of America
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Keogh MJ, Kurzawa-Akanbi M, Griffin H, Douroudis K, Ayers KL, Hussein RI, Hudson G, Pyle A, Cordell HJ, Attems J, McKeith IG, O'Brien JT, Burn DJ, Morris CM, Thomas AJ, Chinnery PF. Exome sequencing in dementia with Lewy bodies. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e728. [PMID: 26836416 PMCID: PMC4872424 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of degenerative dementia. Siblings of affected individuals are at greater risk of developing DLB, but little is known about the underlying genetic basis of the disease. We set out to determine whether mutations in known highly penetrant neurodegenerative disease genes are found in patients with DLB. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 91 neuropathologically confirmed cases of DLB, supplemented by independent APOE genotyping. Genetic variants were classified using established criteria, and additional neuropathological examination was performed for putative mutation carriers. Likely pathogenic variants previously described as causing monogenic forms of neurodegenerative disease were found in 4.4% of patients with DLB. The APOE ɛ4 allele increased the risk of disease (P=0.0001), conferred a shorter disease duration (P=0.043) and earlier age of death (P=0.0015). In conclusion, although known pathogenic mutations in neurodegenerative disease genes are uncommon in DLB, known genetic risk factors are present in >60% of cases. APOE ɛ4 not only modifies disease risk, but also modulates the rate of disease progression. The reduced penetrance of reported pathogenic alleles explains the lack of a family history in most patients, and the presence of variants previously described as causing frontotemporal dementia suggests a mechanistic overlap between DLB and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Keogh
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - M Kurzawa-Akanbi
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - H Griffin
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - K Douroudis
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - K L Ayers
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - R I Hussein
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - G Hudson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - A Pyle
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - H J Cordell
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - J Attems
- NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute for Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - I G McKeith
- NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute for Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - J T O'Brien
- NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute for Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - D J Burn
- NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute for Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - C M Morris
- NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute for Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - A J Thomas
- NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute for Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - P F Chinnery
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. E-mail:
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Beckmen KB, Keogh MJ, Burek-Huntington KA, Ylitalo GM, Fadely BS, Pitcher KW. Organochlorine contaminant concentrations in multiple tissues of free-ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska. Sci Total Environ 2016; 542:441-452. [PMID: 26524270 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The relationships of selected organochlorine (OC) contaminants between blubber, blood, feces, and milk of young, free-ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) were examined. Both between and within each tissue there was considerable individual variation. In spite of the variation, similar patterns were observed across the tissues for most of the selected PCB congeners. In all four tissues, the major PCB congeners were PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, and PCB153. The most prominent congener, both as a weight (ng/g lipid) and as a percentage of summed PCBs (∑PCBs), was PCB 153. Comparisons between paired tissues showed that ∑DDTs in blubber samples were related to concentrations in blood, feces, and milk. The ∑PCBs in blubber were related to concentrations in milk and fecal samples, though the relationship with feces was weak. Our findings show milk samples, in particular, are useful for assessing OCs in young sea lions. Blubber concentrations of PCB101, PCB118, and PCB138 were an order of magnitude higher than those in milk, supporting the biomagnification of these PCB congeners in SSL tissues. The findings indicate alternative tissues may be used as indicators of relative contaminant exposure in lieu of surgical blubber biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberlee B Beckmen
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States.
| | - Mandy J Keogh
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States
| | | | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Environmental Conservation Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112, United States
| | - Brian S Fadely
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, United States
| | - Kenneth W Pitcher
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States
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Keogh MJ, Aribisala BS, He J, Tulip E, Butteriss D, Morris C, Gorman G, Horvath R, Chinnery PF, Blamire AM. Voxel-based analysis in neuroferritinopathy expands the phenotype and determines radiological correlates of disease severity. J Neurol 2015; 262:2232-40. [PMID: 26142024 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-015-7832-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Neuroferritinopathy is an autosomal dominant adult-onset movement disorder which occurs due to mutations in the ferritin light chain gene (FTL). Extensive iron deposition and cavitation are observed post-mortem in the basal ganglia, but whether more widespread pathological changes occur, and whether they correlate with disease severity is unknown. 3D-T1w and quantitative T2 whole brain MRI scans were performed in 10 clinically symptomatic patients with the 460InsA FTL mutation and 10 age-matched controls. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and voxel-based relaxometry (VBR) were subsequently performed. Clinical assessment using the Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS) and Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) was undertaken in all patients. VBM detected significant tissue changes within the substantia nigra, midbrain and dentate together with significant cerebellar atrophy in patients (FWE, p < 0.05). Iron deposition in the caudate head and cavitation in the lateral globus pallidus correlated with UDRS score (p < 0.001). There were no differences between groups with VBR. Our data show that progressive iron accumulation in the caudate nucleus, and cavitation of the globus pallidus correlate with disease severity in neuroferritinopathy. We also confirm sub-clinical cerebellar atrophy as a feature of the disease. We suggest that VBM is an effective technique to detect regions of iron deposition and cavitation, with potential wider utility to determine radiological markers of disease severity for all NBIA disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Keogh
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, England, UK.
| | - B S Aribisala
- Institute of Cellular Medicine and Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, England, UK
| | - J He
- Institute of Cellular Medicine and Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, England, UK
| | - E Tulip
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, England, UK
| | - D Butteriss
- Department of Neuroradiology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, England, UK
| | - C Morris
- Medical Toxicology Centre, Wolfson Building, Claremont Place, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AA, England, UK
| | - G Gorman
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, England, UK
| | - R Horvath
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, England, UK
| | - P F Chinnery
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, England, UK.,Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, England, UK
| | - Andrew M Blamire
- Institute of Cellular Medicine and Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, England, UK.
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11
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Keogh MJ, Steele H, Douroudis K, Pyle A, Duff J, Hussain R, Smertenko T, Griffin H, Santibanez-Koref M, Horvath R, Chinnery PF. Frequency of rare recessive mutations in unexplained late onset cerebellar ataxia. J Neurol 2015; 262:1822-7. [PMID: 25976027 PMCID: PMC4539354 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-015-7772-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sporadic late onset cerebellar ataxia is a well-described clinical presentation with a broad differential diagnosis that adult neurologists should be familiar with. However, despite extensive clinical investigations, an acquired cause is identified in only a minority of cases. Thereafter, an underlying genetic basis is often considered, even in those without a family history. Here we apply whole exome sequencing to a cohort of 12 patients with late onset cerebellar ataxia. We show that 33 % of ‘idiopathic’ cases harbor compound heterozygous mutations in known ataxia genes, including genes not included on multi-gene panels, or primarily associated with an ataxic presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Keogh
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Keogh
- James Cook University Hospital, , Middlesbrough, UK
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13
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Keogh MJ, Atkinson S, Maniscalco JM. Body condition and endocrine profiles of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups during the early postnatal period. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2013; 184:42-50. [PMID: 23313076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Revised: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Body condition indices have been useful in assessing the health of domestic and free ranging populations of terrestrial mammals. Given the high energy demand and rapid growth during the postnatal period of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) (SSL) pups, body condition was expected to be related to concentrations of a suite of hormones (cortisol, aldosterone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, leptin) previously associated with changes in body mass and composition in developing pinnipeds. Blood samples were collected from free ranging SSL pups of known ages and sex. A body condition index (BCI) previously developed for SSL pups based on a mass and length relationship was applied to 61 SSL pups ranging in age from 5 to 38days old. BCI was not related to pup age. Overall, male pups were larger than females and older pups were larger than younger pups. Aldosterone was negatively correlated with BCI only in female pups, whereas no relationship was observed between aldosterone and BCI in males. Further, male pups had higher aldosterone concentrations than females. Concentrations of cortisol, total and free thyroxine (T4), and total triiodothyronine (T3) decreased when regressed against the elapsed time between researchers' arrival on the rookery and removal of pup from the holding corral for blood collection. While the overall variation attributed to the rookery disturbance was low (r(2)<0.293), it may be of significance for future studies on free ranging pinnipeds. This study adds to the current knowledge of the postnatal changes in free ranging SSL pups by providing ranges of the BCI and several hormone concentrations from an apparently stable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy J Keogh
- School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, AK, USA.
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14
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Abstract
Over the past year huge advances have been made in our ability to determine the genetic aetiology of many neurological diseases through the utilisation of next generation sequencing platforms. This technology is, on a daily basis, providing new breakthroughs in neurological disease. The aim of this article is to clearly describe the technological platforms, methods of data analysis, established breakthroughs, and potential future clinical and research applications of this innovative and exciting technique which has relevance to all those working within clinical neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Keogh
- Mitochondrial Research Group, Newcastle University, UK
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15
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Findlay JM, Keogh MJ, Boulton C, Forward DP, Moran CG. Ward-based rather than team-based junior surgical doctors reduce mortality for patients with a fracture of the proximal femur: results from a two-year observational study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 93:393-8. [PMID: 21357963 DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.93b3.25730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We performed a retrospective study of a departmental database to assess the efficacy of a new model of orthopaedic care on the outcome of patients with a fracture of the proximal femur. All 1578 patients admitted to a university teaching hospital with a fracture of the proximal femur between December 2007 and December 2009 were included. The allocation of Foundation doctors years 1 and 2 was restructured from individual teams covering several wards to pairs covering individual wards. No alterations were made in the numbers of doctors, their hours, out-of-hours cover, or any other aspect of standard patient care. Outcome measures comprised 30-day mortality and cause, complications and length of stay. Mortality was reduced from 11.7% to 7.6% (p = 0.007, Cox's regression analysis); adjusted odds ratio was 1.559 (95% confidence interval 1.128 to 2.156). Reductions were seen in Clostridium difficile colitis (p = 0.017), deep wound infection (p = 0.043) and gastrointestinal haemorrhage (p = 0.033). There were no differences in any patient risk factors (except the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cause of death and length of stay before and after intervention. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but may include improved efficiency and medical contact time. These findings may have implications for all specialties caring for patients on several wards, and we believe they justify a prospective trial to further assess this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Findlay
- Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
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Brown KS, Keogh MJ, Tagiuri N, Grainge MJ, Presanis JS, Ryder SD, Irving WL, Ball JK, Sim RB, Hickling TP. Severe fibrosis in hepatitis C virus-infected patients is associated with increased activity of the mannan-binding lectin (MBL)/MBL-associated serine protease 1 (MASP-1) complex. Clin Exp Immunol 2007; 147:90-8. [PMID: 17177967 PMCID: PMC1810446 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03264.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) binds microorganisms via interactions with glycans on the target surface. Bound MBL subsequently activates MBL-associated serine protease proenzymes (MASPs). A role for MBL in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection had been indicated by previous studies examining MBL levels and polymorphisms in relation to disease progression and response to treatment. We undertook this study to investigate a possible relationship between disease progression and functional MBL/MASP-1 complex activity. A functional assay for MBL/MASP-1 complex activity was employed to examine serum samples from patients with chronic HCV infection, non-HCV liver disease and healthy controls. Intrapatient consistency of MBL/MASP-1 complex activity levels was assessed in sequential samples from a subgroup of patients. Median values of MBL/MASP-1 complex activity were higher in sera from patients with liver disease compared with healthy controls. MBL/MASP-1 complex activity levels correlate with severity of fibrosis after adjusting for confounding factors (P = 0.003). MBL/MASP-1 complex activity was associated more significantly with fibrosis than was MBL concentration. The potential role of MBL/MASP-1 complex activity in disease progression is worthy of further study to investigate possible mechanistic links.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Brown
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, School of Molecular Medical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
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Abstract
We report on a boy with clinical and radiologic findings of osteoglophonic dysplasia. He had craniostenosis, "bizarre," expansile cystic lesions in the diaphyses, delayed tooth eruption, and progressive rib expansion typical of the syndrome. Initially delayed psychomotor development with later normal intelligence, early feeding and breathing difficulty, and speech delay are also characteristic of the disorder. Manifestations, not previously reported in osteoglophonic dysplasia, present in the propositus are spontaneous fractures resulting in pseudoarthroses through cystic and dysplastic foci in his proximal femoral shafts and right humerus, pretibial dimples, hypospadias, marked rib expansion, and absence of significant vertebral abnormality. These findings expand the spectrum of osteoglophonic dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sklower Brooks
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
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