The response of aquatic species to contaminants is often context dependent as illustrated by the influence that predation cues can have on the toxicity of some chemicals. We sought to gain additional insight into this interaction by examining how predation cues (alarm cue and fish kairomone) influence metabolic rate and the acute toxicity of sodium chloride and cadmium to fathead minnow larvae (Pimephales promelas) and sodium chloride to Daphnia pulex neonates. Consistent with a “flight or fight” response, the metabolic rate of fish larvae was elevated in the presence of alarm cue and growth of the minnows was also significantly reduced when exposed to alarm cue. The average 48-h LC50 for fathead minnows exposed to sodium chloride was significantly lower in the presence of alarm cue and kairomone combined as compared to tests with the salt alone. Analysis of the dose and survival response indicated alarm cue increased sensitivity of the fish to mid-range salt concentrations in particular. These results suggest an energetic cost of exposure to predation cues that resulted in enhanced toxicity of NaCl. Exposure to kairomone alone had no significant effect on salt toxicity to the minnows, which could be related to a lack of previous exposure to that cue. The acute toxicity of cadmium to the fish larvae was also not affected by the presence of predation cues which could be due to a metal-induced sensory system dysfunction or reduced bioavailability of the metal due to organic exudates from the predation cues. In contrast to the fathead minnow results, the metabolic rate of D. pulex and toxicity of NaCl to the daphnids were reduced in the presence of certain predator kairomones. This suggests an anti-predator response that enhanced tolerance to the salt. This study illustrates that the effect of predation cues on toxicity of aquatic contaminants can vary significantly based on the prey species, type of cue, and chemical stressor.

High altitude is one of the most extreme environments experienced by terrestrial mammals due to both low ambient temperatures and oxygen availability. Deer mice native to high altitude have a greater thermogenic capacity in hypoxia compared to a lowland population, likely as a consequence of both genetic adaptations and phenotypic plasticity. To understand the adaptive variation in phenotypic plasticity, F1 generation lab-reared mice were acclimated to chronic warm-hypoxia, cold-normoxia, and cold-hypoxia. Acclimation led to equal increases in thermogenic capacity in hypoxia for all stressors in high altitude deer mice. Low altitude mice also increased their thermogenic capacity after acclimation, with a distinct increase after acclimation to cold-hypoxia. The thermogenic capabilities of the high and low altitude mice tested in hypoxia were equal, suggesting that both populations of mice had reached a “metabolic ceiling”. Basal metabolic rate increased after acclimation to cold and cold-hypoxia. Nonshivering thermogenesis was not affected by acclimation or altitude ancestry. Shivering thermogenesis contributed 70 to 80 % of total heat produced during VO2summit across all acclimations, and in both populations. VO2summit in hypoxia was supported by lipids in deer mice even though carbohydrates would provide an oxygen saving advantage. Also, rates of lipid oxidation increased after acclimation to cold, and cold combined with hypoxia in the high altitude population. Together these findings suggest that the increased thermogenic capacity of the high altitude wild mice is based both on differences in phenotypic plasticity, and on differences in genotype from the low altitude mice. Adult phenotypic plasticity is pivotal in the thermogenic capabilities of both populations, and it is likely that developmental plasticity also plays an important role. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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No description available.

System dynamics can be a very useful tool to expand the boundaries of one's mental models to better understand the underlying behavior of systems. But despite its utility, there remains challenges associated with system dynamics modeling that the current research addresses by expanding the system dynamics modeling toolbox. The first challenge relates to imprecision or vagueness, for example, with respect to human perception and linguistic variables. The most common approach is to use table or graph functions to capture the inherent vagueness in these linguistic (qualitative) variables. Yet, combining two or more table functions may lead to further complexity and, moreover, increased difficulty when analyzing the resulting behavior. As part of this research, we extend the system dynamics toolbox by applying fuzzy logic. Then, we select a problem of congestion pricing in mitigating traffic congestion to verify the effectiveness of our integration of fuzzy logic into system dynamics modeling. Another challenge, in system dynamics modeling, is defining proper equations to predict variables based on numerous studies. In particular, we focus on published equations in models for energy balance and weight change of individuals. For these models there is a need to define a single robust prediction equation for Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is an element of the energy expenditure of the body. In our approach, we perform an extensive literature review to explore the relationship between BMR and different factors including age, body composition, gender, and ethnicity. We find that there are many equations used to estimate BMR, especially for different demographic groups. Further, we find that these equations use different independent variables and, in a few cases, generate inconsistent conclusions. It follows then that selecting a single equation for BMI can be quite difficult for purposes of modeling in a systems dynamics context. Our approach involves conducting a meta-regression to summarize the available prediction equations and identifying the most appropriate model for predicting BMR for different sub-populations. The results of this research potentially could lead to more precise predictions of body weight and enhanced policy interventions to help mitigate serious health issues such as obesity. / Ph. D.

The physiologic and metabolic effects of chronic consumption of energy below recommended levels on constant-load exercise was studied in women age 19-24 years. Ten controls (average caloric intake ~ 35 kcal/kg body weight) and 10 subjects with suboptimal energy intake (average caloric intake - 25 kcal/kg body weight) were matched for age, exercise caloric expenditure and percentage of HB-predicted RMR. Subjects (n=20) completed a maximal incremental cycle ergometer test and a 30-minute cycle ergometer test at 75 % of peak oxygen consumption. Although both groups presented a significant increase in ventilation (VE) over time of exercise, the rate of change in VE and end-exercise VE value was significantly greater, F (1 J 18) = 5.63, P < .05, for the suboptimal energy intake group than for the controls. Although not statistically significant (p = 0.454), heart rate (HR) tended to be continuously higher for the suboptimal energy intake group than the control group during the constant-load cycle test. Peripheral ratings of perceived exertion (RPE-L) also tended to be higher for the suboptimal energy intake group at the end of constant-load exercise, however, not significantly (p = 0.072). Two subjects in the suboptimal energy intake group failed to complete the 30-minute submaximal constant-load cycle test; one completed 15 minutes and the other 20 minutes. All subjects in the control group completed the entire submaximal constant-load test (30 minutes). These results suggest that women with chronic suboptimal energy intake have increased difficulty tolerating moderate intensity exercise for 30 minutes (an intensity and duration that mimics a typical exercise session). / Master of Science

This study evaluated degradable nutrient supply effects on VFA concentrations, fluid flux and pool sizes, rumen epithelial metabolic and absorptive genes, and post-absorptive muscle and blood responses. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein heifers (BW=330 ± 11.3 kg) were used in a partially replicated Latin Square experiment with four treatments consisting of beet pulp or timothy hay and barley or corn grain. Periods were18 d with 3 d diet adaptation and 15 d of treatment. During each period, d 10 to 14 was used for in situ nutrient degradation assessment, d 16 to 18 was used for rumen fluid sampling, and d 18 was used for rumen papillae and skeletal muscle biopsies and blood sampling. In situ ruminal starch disappearance rate (barley 7.61 to 10.5 %/h vs corn 7.30 to 8.72%/h; P = 0.05) and extent of fiber disappearance (timothy hay 22.2 to 33.4 % DM vs beet pulp 34.4 to 38.7 % DM P=0.0007) differed significantly among diets. Acetate (P = 0.02) and isovalerate (P = 0.008) molar percentages (% mol) were increased by timothy hay, but propionate (P = 0.06) and valerate (P = 0.10) molar percentages were decreased. Corn increased propionate (P = 0.02) and valerate (P = 0.049) molar percentage, but decreased butyrate (P = 0.04) molar proportion. Fluid volume and fluid passage rate, and individual VFA pool sizes were not influenced by diet (P > 0.05). Four epithelial genes, two metabolic and two absorptive, had increased expression on timothy hay diets (P < 0.15). Blood acetate concentration was influenced by treatment (P = 0.067) but no other blood metabolites were. Skeletal muscle metabolic rate was significantly increased on corn diets (P = 0.023). The results of this study provide a whole-system snapshot of how the rumen environment changes on diets differing in nutrient degradability and how the post-absorptive system adapts in response. / Master of Science / Over the last 50 years, dairy cattle have been bred to optimize milk production to meet growing population demands for milk and dairy products. The world population continues to grow and is projected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050. Because of this growing population, there is an overwhelming need for dairy nutritionists to optimize the conversion of human inedible fibers into human edible food. The ruminant animal accomplishes this conversion through microbial fermentation of feedstuffs into volatile fatty acids (VFA), which account for approximately 70% of total energy available for meat, milk, and fiber production. Because rumen fermentation is a complex biochemical system, it is influenced by myriad factors including the substrate provided, the pH of the environment, and the absorptive and metabolic capacity of the rumen wall, among others. Although we understand how diet influences individual aspects of rumen fermentation, few studies have concurrently evaluated how diet influences the rumen chemical environment, the epithelium, and the resulting shifts in postabsorptive metabolism. Our study sought to understand the impacts of feedstuffs with different expected ruminally available starch and fiber supplies on these aspects of ruminant physiology. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein heifers were fed four different diets which used either beet pulp (low fiber ingredient) or timothy hay (high fiber ingredient), and ground corn (low starch ingredient) or ground barley (high starch ingredient). Heifers were fed each diet for a period of 18 days. From day 10 to day 14 of the period, nutrient degradability was assessed by incubating bags of feed in the rumen and conducting feed analysis after removed from the rumen. During the last four days of each period, rumen fluid samples, blood samples, muscle biopsies, and rumen papillae biopsies were collected. Feed analysis indicated that the starch sources differed in degradation rates (i.e. the speed of degradation) and fiber sources different in extent of rumen degradation (i.e. the percentage of feed degraded). Timothy hay caused greater concentrations of Total VFA, Total branched-chain VFA, acetate isobutyrate, and isovalerate. Timothy hay caused greater molar proportions of acetate and isovalerate. Corn caused greater molar proportions of propionate and valerate when barley caused greater molar proportions of butyrate. Rumen papillae biopsies were used to evaluate gene expression. Out of 14 genes, four were impacted by diet. Two rumen transporters responsible for the absorption of VFA had greater expression when animals were fed timothy hay diets versus beet pulp diets. Two metabolic genes also had greater expression due to timothy hay. The changes of both absorptive genes and metabolic genes is likely connected to the increased presence of VFA in the rumen. Lastly, blood acetate was increased, but there was not a specific ingredient or combination that caused the change. These results provide an overall snapshot of rumen fermentation characteristics and how changes in the rumen affect other biology.

Le réchauffement climatique cause plusieurs modifications abiotiques et biotiques dans les milieux naturels. La hausse de la température de l’eau cause une diminution de l’oxygène dissous dans les lacs et augmente la quantité de zone hypoxique observée. Une autre conséquence de la hausse de la température est l’augmentation du métabolisme et de la consommation d’oxygène des espèces ectothermes dont les poissons et les parasites. Le parasitisme est omniprésent dans les réseaux trophiques et a un effet néfaste sur l’hôte affecté. Les parasites et l’hypoxie peuvent limiter la portée aérobie (AS) des poissons pour la réalisation d’activités journalières. Ainsi, cette étude analyse l’effet dans le temps d’une infection de trématodes causant la maladie du point sur le métabolisme et sur la tolérance hypoxique de l’hôte puisque le développement de ces parasites suggère un effet sur le poisson qui varie selon le temps de résidence des parasites. Nous avons utilisé des crapets-soleil (Lepomis gibbosus) infectés par ces trématodes comme système modèle. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que l'infection parasitaire réduirait la portée aérobie et la tolérance à l'hypoxie des poissons en fonction du temps du développement de l’infection. Afin d’étudier cette relation hôte-parasite, des tests de respirométrie et d’hypoxie critique ont été performés à cinq moments lors des deux premiers mois suivant l’infection. Les traits métaboliques aérobies (taux métabolique standard et maximal, AS), des indices de la tolérance hypoxique et du métabolisme anaérobiques (tension critique d’oxygène, pression partielle d’oxygène entraînant la perte d’équilibre, la concentration de lactate) et le taux d’hématocrite sont les variables analysées à l’aide de la respirométrie et de prélèvements sanguins. Nous démontrons ici que l’infection expérimental de ces trématodes n’affecte ni la portée aérobie ni la tolérance hypoxique et ce indépendamment du temps de développement du parasite. Un faible effet temporel, mais significatif, est observé entre les premiers jours d’expérimentations et les derniers, des différences principalement dues aux faibles différences non significatives des taux métaboliques standards et maximaux. Le stress induit par captivité et l’effet des changements saisonniers sur les taux métaboliques sont possiblement en cause. Pour l’instant, selon les conditions environnementales actuelles, le crapet-soleil démontre une résilience à l’infection parasitaire ainsi qu’à l’hypoxie. / Global warming is causing several abiotic and biotic changes in natural environments. The rise in water temperature causes a reduction in dissolved oxygen in lakes and increases the amount of hypoxic zone observed. Another consequence of rising temperatures is the increased metabolism and oxygen consumption of ectothermic species, including fish and parasites. Parasitism is ubiquitous in food webs and has a detrimental effect on the affected host. Parasites and hypoxia can limit the aerobic range (AS) of fish for daily activities. Thus, this study analyzes the effect over time of a trematode infection causing the blackspot disease on the metabolism and hypoxic tolerance of the host since the development of these parasites suggests an effect on the fish that varies according to the residence time of the parasites. We used sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) infected with these trematodes as a model system. We hypothesized that parasite infection would reduce the aerobic range and hypoxia tolerance of fish as a function of the time of infection development. Respirometry and critical hypoxia tests were performed at five time points during the first two months post-infection to investigate this host-parasite relationship and its impact over time. Aerobic metabolic traits (standard and maximum metabolic rate, aerobic range), indices of hypoxic tolerance and anaerobic metabolism (critical oxygen tension, partial pressure of oxygen leading to loss of equilibrium, lactate concentration) and hematocrit levels were analyzed using respirometry and blood sampling. We demonstrate here that experimental infection with trematodes affects neither aerobic range nor hypoxic tolerance independently of parasite development time. A small but significant temporal effect is observed between the first and last days of experimentation, differences mainly due to small non-significant differences in standard and maximum metabolic rates. This may be due to stress induced by captivity and seasonal changes affecting metabolic rates. For now, considering actual environmental conditions, sunfish show high resiliency to parasitic infection and to hypoxia.

Winter conditions are believed to play an important role in the population dynamics of northern temperate stream fish, challenging the ability of fish to physiologically and behaviourally adapt. Climate change is predicted to increase both mean temperature and temperature fluctuations, especially during winter, leading to dynamic environmental conditions in terms of river ice production and flow. Therefore, knowledge about the winter ecology of stream fish is important for predicting and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on fish production in boreal streams. Stream salmonids are relatively active throughout winter, and behavioural responses to different winter conditions may be critical for survival. Yet, relatively little is known about overwintering behaviour of salmonids, particularly in streams with ice. In this doctoral thesis, I report the results from experimental field and laboratory studies on the behavioural ecology of juvenile salmonids under winter conditions. My results from the field show that salmonids grow more and use a broader range of habitats in the presence of surface ice than in its absence. Results from the laboratory experiments show that the presence of surface ice increases food intake rates, reduces stress and affects social interactions. These laboratory results may explain the positive effects of ice cover on growth that was found in the field experiment. Moreover, I show that drift-feeding ability is reduced at low temperatures, and that nocturnal drift foraging under winter conditions has a low efficiency. / Vinterförhållanden kan spela en avgörande roll för förekomsten av fisk i våra vattendrag. Laxfiskar, som till exempel lax, öring och harr, är vinteraktiva och måste därför anpassa sin fysiologi och sitt beteende till en miljö som karakteriseras av låga och föränderliga vattenflöden, liten tillgång på föda, kallt vatten, is och mörker. Trots att dessa anpassningar är avgörande för chansen att överleva vintern, vet man relativt lite om laxfiskars vinterbeteende, speciellt i vattendrag som täcks av is. I denna avhandling presenterar jag resultat från fält- och laboratoriestudier av laxfiskars beteende under vinterförhållanden och resultaten visar att närvaron av yttäckande is ökar tillväxt och födointag, minskar stress samt påverkar var fiskar uppehåller sig och hur fiskarna interagerar med varandra. Jag har också undersökt hur laxfiskars beteende i rinnande vatten påverkas av ljusintensitet och vattentemperatur i samband med födointag. Resultaten visar att den minskade dagaktiviteten som laxfiskar uppvisar på vintern medför en kostnad i form av försämrad förmåga att fånga byten. / Winter conditions are believed to play an important role in the population dynamics of northern temperate stream fish, challenging the ability of fish to physiologically and behaviourally adapt. Climate change is predicted to increase both mean temperature and temperature fluctuations, especially during winter, leading to dynamic environmental conditions in terms of river ice production and flow. Therefore, knowledge about the winter ecology of stream fish is important for predicting and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on fish production in boreal streams. Stream salmonids are active throughout winter, and behavioural responses to different winter conditions may be critical for survival. Yet, relatively little is known about overwintering behaviour of salmonids, particularly in streams with ice. This doctoral thesis focuses on the behavioural ecology of salmonids under winter conditions, and results from field and laboratory experiments show that the presence of surface ice increases food intake rates, reduces stress and affects social interactions, with effects on growth and habitat use. Moreover, drift-feeding ability is reduced at low temperatures, and nocturnal drift foraging under winter conditions has a low efficiency. / <p>Artikel 1 i avhandlingen som manuskript. Nu publicerad.</p>

Mudanças no hábito alimentar têm sido descritas como prováveis causas da obesidade. Estudos mostram que o peso depende do balanço energético definido pela relação entre a energia ingerida e o gasto energético. Sugere-se que o padrão alimentar, levando em consideração a freqüência de refeições e sua distribuição durante o dia, possa estar relacionado com a obesidade. Um efetivo programa de perda de peso tem como objetivo a perda do excesso da gordura corporal e a manutenção da massa livre de gordura apropriada para manutenção da saúde. O cortisol é um dos principais hormônios secretados pelo córtex supra-renal com ação predominante no metabolismo intermediário, incluindo a regulação das proteínas, carboidratos, lipídeos e ácidos nucléicos.O presente estudo teve como objetivos determinar se a ingestão alimentar hipocalórica em pacientes obesas grau III, feita exclusivamente no período das 9:00 às 11:00 h em contraposição à mesma dieta oferecida das 18:00 às 20:00 h, é capaz de alterar a perda de peso, a composição corporal, o ritmo de cortisol, o gasto energético e o balanço nitrogenado. As pacientes foram internadas na Unidade Metabólica da Divisão de Nutrologia do Departamento de Clínica Médica do Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto USP durante um período de 64 dias, sendo divididos em 3 internações de 18 dias. Na 1ª fase receberam dieta fracionada em 5 refeições /dia, considerada controle. Na 2ª fase, receberam a mesma dieta, no período das 9:00 às 11:00 h. E na 3ª fase receberam, também, a mesma dieta no período das 18:00 às 20:00 h. Entre uma internação e outra, as pacientes tiveram alta hospitalar por 5 dias, recebendo dieta domiciliar usual. Durante cada fase realizou-se dosagem de nitrogênio urinário e de cortisol salivar. Além disto, as pacientes foram submetidas à avaliação nutricional incluindo: antropometria, bioimpedância e calorimetria indireta. O cortisol salivar obedeceu ao mesmo ritmo nas 3 fases, tanto no 1º quanto no 18º dias de internação, apresentando o pico máximo às 8:00 h, diminuindo progressivamente até atingir o nadir às 21:00 h. Não houve alteração no ritmo do cortisol quando se alterou o horário da alimentação. Houve uma diminuição significativa (p< 0,05) para todos os parâmetros antropométricos, exceto para o índice cintura/quadril durante as três fases, não havendo diferença entre as 3 fases. Houve, nas 3 internações, uma diminuição significativa tanto na quantidade de nitrogênio ingerido quanto na quantidade de nitrogênio excretado a partir do 4º dia de internação. No 10º dia de internação, o balanço nitrogenado estava negativo nas 3 fases da dieta. Não houve diferença entre as fases para ingestão, excreção ou balanço nitrogenado. Mudanças no padrão do horário da ingestão alimentar por períodos de 18 dias não foram estímulo suficiente para provocar diferentes alterações de peso, da composição corporal, da ritmicidade e níveis de produção de cortisol, da taxa metabólica de repouso e balanço nitrogenado em mulheres grau III. / Changes in dietary habits have been implicated as potential causes of obesity. Studies have suggested that weight depends on the energetic balance, which is the relation between energy intake and energy expenditure. Dietary behavior, specially eating frequency and temporal distribution of eating events during the day, may be related to obesity. An effective weight loss program should reduce body fat and preserve lean body mass. Cortisol is an important corticosteroid produced by the adrenal. It exerts metabolic effects on intermediary metabolism, regulating protein, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids metabolism. The present studys goals were: compare differences in weight loss, body composition, energy expenditure and nitrogen balance using hypo caloric diet offered in two different time intervals, first from 9:00 to 11:00, second from 18:00 to 20:00; determinate if there is difference on urinary nitrogen when food is offered on different time intervals, comparing with salivary cortisol levels, and show salivary cortisol secretion rhythm of obese females undergoing hypo caloric diet in different day times. The patients were under hospital regimen in the Metabolic Unit of the Nutrology Division of the Internal Medicine Department of the HCFMRP USP for a 64 days period, divided in 3 periods of 18 days each. On phase 1, the patients received food five times a day. On phase 2, they received the same diet, but the meals were between 09:00 and 11:00. On phase 3, the same diet was offered between 18:00 and 20:00. After each 18 day period, patients went home for a 5 day wash-out period, eating their regular home food and respecting their usual dietary behavior. On each phase urinary nitrogen and salivary cortisol were measured. Also a nutritional evaluation, including anthropometry, bioimpedance and indirect calorimetry were done. There were a reduction (p< 0,05) in all parameters, except the Waist/ Hip Ratio during all phases, but there were no difference between the phases. On the 3 phases there were a reduction on both, nitrogen intake and excretion. After the 10th in hospital day, nitrogen balance was negative on the 3 phases. There are no differences on nitrogen intake, excretion or balance between the 3 phases of food intake. Salivary cortisol followed the same rhythm on all 3 phases, both on the 1st and on the 18th in hospital days, having the peak salivary level at 08:00 h and the nadir level at 21:00 h. Changing meal times for 18 days did not change salivary cortisol circadian rhythm and did not promote changes in weight loss, body composition and rest energy expenditure in grade III obese females.