Basal rate of metabolism (BMR) is a physiological parameter that should be measured under strictly defined experimental conditions. In comparative analyses among mammals BMR is widely used as an index of the intensity of the metabolic machinery or as a proxy for energy expenditure. Many databases with BMR values for mammals are available, but the criteria used to select metabolic data as BMR estimates have often varied and the potential effect of this variability has rarely been questioned. We provide a new, expanded BMR database reflecting compliance with standard criteria (resting, postabsorptive state; thermal neutrality; adult, non-reproductive status for females) and examine potential effects of differential selectivity on the results of comparative analyses. The database includes 1739 different entries for 817 species of mammals, compiled from the original sources. It provides information permitting assessment of the validity of each estimate and presents the value closest to a proper BMR for each entry. Using different selection criteria, several alternative data sets were extracted and used in comparative analyses of (i) the scaling of BMR to body mass and (ii) the relationship between brain mass and BMR. It was expected that results would be especially dependent on selection criteria with small sample sizes and with relatively weak relationships. Phylogenetically informed regression (phylogenetic generalized least squares, PGLS) was applied to the alternative data sets for several different clades (Mammalia, Eutheria, Metatheria, or individual orders). For Mammalia, a 'subsampling procedure' was also applied, in which random subsamples of different sample sizes were taken from each original data set and successively analysed. In each case, two data sets with identical sample size and species, but comprising BMR data with different degrees of reliability, were compared. Selection criteria had minor effects on scaling equations computed for large clades (Mammalia, Eutheria, Metatheria), although less-reliable estimates of BMR were generally about 12-20% larger than more-reliable ones. Larger effects were found with more-limited clades, such as sciuromorph rodents. For the relationship between BMR and brain mass the results of comparative analyses were found to depend strongly on the data set used, especially with more-limited, order-level clades. In fact, with small sample sizes (e.g. <100) results often appeared erratic. Subsampling revealed that sample size has a non-linear effect on the probability of a zero slope for a given relationship. Depending on the species included, results could differ dramatically, especially with small sample sizes. Overall, our findings indicate a need for due diligence when selecting BMR estimates and caution regarding results (even if seemingly significant) with small sample sizes.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/brv.12350 | DOI Listing |
J Anat
January 2025
Department of Biology, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
The fibula, despite being traditionally overlooked compared to the femur and the tibia, has recently received attention in primate functional morphology due to its correlation with the degree of arboreality (DOA). Highlighting further fibular features that are associated with arboreal habits would be key to improving palaeobiological inferences in fossil specimens. Here we present the first investigation on the trabecular bone structure of the primate fibula, focusing on the distal epiphysis, across a vast array of species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Prog
January 2025
School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Ahmed glaucoma valve in pediatric patients with refractory glaucoma.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple major databases, including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Science Direct, China's National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Wanfang database. We retrieved studies published before December 2022 that met the inclusion criteria, including clinical controlled trials (randomized controlled trials) and clinical noncontrolled trials (non-randomized controlled trials) on the use of Ahmed glaucoma valve in pediatric patients with refractory glaucoma.
Sci Prog
January 2025
Department of Otolaryngology, Fengdu County People's Hospital, Fengdu County, Chongqing, China.
Objective: This study aims to analyze anatomical parameters of the transmission route of sigmoid sinus tinnitus (SST) to explore its mechanism and speculate on possible responsible anatomical abnormalities.
Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from SST and sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence (SSWD) patients suggested by temporal bone high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), with and without tinnitus, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2015 to August 2022. Patients were divided into SSWD tinnitus ( = 61), and non-tinnitus ( = 60) groups based on HRCT features.
Head Neck
January 2025
Department of Radiation Oncology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Objectives: We aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with T1-T2N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma who underwent either partial laryngectomy (PL) or radiotherapy (RT).
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 562 patients treated with RT (n = 151) or PL (n = 411) was conducted. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate outcomes.
ACS Food Sci Technol
January 2025
Department of Food Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
This study explores the effect of different extraction methods and preheat treatments in obtaining protein concentrate from pumpkin seed flour. The effects on the yield and functional properties of pumpkin seed protein concentrate (PSPC) were compared alongside microwave and conventional preheating methods using alkali, salt, and enzyme-assisted alkali extraction techniques. Analytical assessments included proximate analysis, soluble protein content, water solubility index (WSI), emulsification activity (EA) and stability (ES), foaming capacity (FC) and stability (FS), and antioxidant activity (AA).
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