Influence of insect hormones on the establishment of dominance hierarchies among foundresses of the paper wasp,Polistes gallicus

Summary Laboratory studies on overwintered foundresses of Polistes gallicus show that differences in the endocrine activity are mainly responsible for achieving the dominance rank. Females that became dominant had either larger corpora allata or more developed ovaries than subordinate females. Body size did not contribute to dominance rank. Since a correlation exists between the length of terminal oocytes and the ecdysteroid titre in haemolymph as well as between the volume of corpora allata and the synthesis of juvenile hormone, dominant behaviour is thought to depend upon an elevated hormone titre in haemolymph. Injections of juvenile hormone (JHI) and 20-hydroxyecdysone, separately and simultaneously, significantly increased the probability that the treated female would be the dominant female of a test pair. After a hierarchy has been established, endocrine activity in subordinate foundresses is inhibited by the dominant foundress that then monopolizes reproduction.     

Sustainable Aquaculture: Are We Getting There? Ethical Perspectives on Salmon Farming

Aquaculture is the fastest growing animal producing sector in the world and is expected to play an important role in global food supply. Along with this growth, concerns have been raised about the environmental effects of escapees and pollution, fish welfare, and consumer health as well as the use of marine resources for producing fish feed. In this paper we present some of the major challenges salmon farming is facing today. We discuss issues of relevance to how to ensure sustainability, by focusing on animal production systems, breeding approaches, sources for feed ingredients, and genetic engineering strategies. Other crucial issues such as animal welfare, environmental quality, and ethics are elaborated with regard to relevance for the sustainability of aquaculture. Additionally, we comment on socio-economic distributive implications by intellectual property rights (IPR) strategies on access to genetic material and traceability. To improve sustainability of salmon farming we suggest that there is a need for new approaches to guide research, for identification of ethical issues, and for engaging stakeholders in resolving these challenges.     

The addition of organic carbon and nitrate affects reactive transport of heavy metals in sandy aquifers

Organic carbon introduction in the soil to initiate remedial measures, nitrate infiltration due to agricultural practices or sulphate intrusion owing to industrial usage can influence the redox conditions and pH, thus affecting the mobility of heavy metals in soil and groundwater. This study reports the fate of Zn and Cd in sandy aquifers under a variety of plausible in-situ redox conditions that were induced by introduction of carbon and various electron acceptors in column experiments. Up to 100% Zn and Cd removal (from the liquid phase) was observed in all the four columns, however the mechanisms were different. Metal removal in column K1 (containing sulphate), was attributed to biological sulphate reduction and subsequent metal precipitation (as sulphides). In the presence of both nitrate and sulphate (K2), the former dominated the process, precipitating the heavy metals as hydroxides and/or carbonates. In the presence of sulphate, nitrate and supplemental iron (Fe(OH)(3)) (K3), metal removal was also due to precipitation as hydroxides and/or carbonates. In abiotic column, K4, (with supplemental iron (Fe(OH)(3)), but no nitrate), cation exchange with soil led to metal removal. The results obtained were modeled using the reactive transport model PHREEQC-2 to elucidate governing processes and to evaluate scenarios of organic carbon, sulphate and nitrate inputs.     

Blei- und Cadmiumbelastung Zähne als Indikatoren der Blei- und Cadmiumbelastung des Menschen

The levels of lead and cadmium were determined in deciduous teeth of children from different areas of Northrhine-Westfalia, Germany. The children were born in 1968–1973 and 1979–1986. The levels of lead and cadmium in deciduous teeth show a significant decrease within this time interval. Lead decreases about 50 %, cadmium about 60 %. Since tooth lead and tooth cadmium may be used as indicators of the lead and cadmium body burden, the results of this study indicate a significant decrease of population exposure to lead and cadmium in West-Germany during the past 20–25 years, which is a consequence of pollution control and the increasing use of unleaded fuel.     

The Precautionary Principle: Scientific Uncertainty and Omitted Research in the Context of GMO Use and Release

Commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have sparked profound controversies concerning adequate approaches to risk regulation. Scientific uncertainty and ambiguity, omitted research areas, and lack of basic knowledge crucial to risk assessmentshave become apparent. The objective of this article is to discuss the policy and practical implementation of the Precautionary Principle. A major conclusion is that the void in scientific understanding concerning risks posed by secondary effects and the complexity ofcause-effect relations warrant further research. Initiatives to approach the acceptance or rejection of a number of risk-associated hypotheses is badly needed. Further, since scientific advice plays a key role in GMOregulations, scientists have a responsibility to address and communicate uncertainty to policy makers and the public. Hence, the acceptance of uncertainty is not only a scientific issue, but is related to public policy and involves an ethical dimension.     

Calf circumferences in fetuses and neonates with and without talipes equinovares. A prospective cohort study

Objective

Children and adults with talipes equinovarus (TEV) have smaller calves and shorter feet compared to non-affected controls. Do these changes have a prenatal onset?

Methods

A prospective cohort study (January 2020–July 2021) was conducted with serial ultrasonographic measurements at 20 and 28 weeks gestation and measurements directly and 6 weeks after birth. Calf circumference and width, foot length and length of humerus, ulna, radius, femur, tibia and fibula were measured in TEV and were compared to a control population. Calculated sample size necessitated a minimal population of 10 cases with TEV and 50 controls.

Results

Twenty cases with TEV and 62 controls were included. Fetal calf circumference (p < 0.001) and width (p < 0.001) were smaller in the TEV group in comparison to the control group, which persisted after birth. Growth in foot length (p < 0.001) and calf width (p 0.003) declined prenatally over time. The bone lengths and upper leg circumference were not smaller or shorter in TEV compared to controls.

Conclusion

This prospective cohort study demonstrated the prenatal onset of reduced calf and foot size in fetuses with TEV from 20 weeks and onwards, which persists directly after birth. To investigate whether reduction in circumference initiates TEV or is caused by TEV, further examination is needed.     

Perspectives on Salmon Feed: A Deliberative Assessment of Several Alternative Feed Resources

The future of salmon aquaculture depends on the adoption of alternative feed resources in order to reduce the need for fish meal and fish oil. This may include resources such as species from lower trophic levels, by-products and by-catch from fisheries and aquaculture, animal by-products, plants, genetically modified (GM) plants, nutritionally enhanced GM plants and products from microorganisms and GM microorganisms. Here, we report on a deliberative assessment of these alternative feed resources, involving 18 participants from different interest groups within Norwegian salmon aquaculture. The participants defined a broad range of appraisal criteria concerning health and welfare issues, economical issues, environmental issues, and knowledge and social issues. A number of uncertainties, in the form of incomplete knowledge, diverging opinions, and context specific factors were identified when the participants evaluated the alternatives. Our findings support the need for more research on the suitability of alternative feed resources for farmed salmon. Additionally, the study underlines the importance of facilitating deliberative assessments in order to map the plurality of perspectives and explore qualitative aspects of uncertainty. Such initiatives improve the information base upon which decisions on future feed resources for farmed salmon are made.