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Objectives: Despite the longstanding importance of grasping adaptations in theories of primate evolution, quantitative data on primate grasping strength remain rare. We present the results of two studies testing the prediction that callitrichines—given their comparative retreat from a small‐branch environment and specialization for movement and foraging on tree trunks and large boughs—should be characterized by weaker grasping forces and underdeveloped digital flexor muscles relative to other platyrrhines. Methods: First, we directly measured manual grasping strength in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis), using a custom‐constructed force transducer. Second, we reanalyzed existing datasets on the fiber architecture of forearm and leg muscles in 12 platyrrhine species, quantifying digital flexor muscle physiological cross‐sectional area (i.e., PCSA, a morphometric proxy of muscle strength) relative to the summed PCSA across all forearm or leg muscles. Results: Callithrix was characterized by lower mean and maximum grasping forces than Saimiri, and callitrichines as a clade were found to have relatively underdeveloped manual digital flexor muscle PCSA. However, relative pedal digital flexor PCSA did not significantly differ between callitrichines and other platyrrhines. Conclusions: We found partial support for the hypothesis that variation in predominant substrate usage explains variation in empirical measurements of and morphological correlates of grasping strength in platyrrhines. Future research should extend the work presented here by (1) collecting morphological and empirical metrics of grasping strength in additional primate taxa and (2) extending performance testing to include empirical measures of primate pedal grasping forces as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Despite the importance that concepts of arboreal stability have in theories of primate locomotor evolution, we currently lack measures of balance performance during primate locomotion. We provide the first quantitative data on locomotor stability in an arboreal primate, the common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus), predicting that primates should maximize arboreal stability by minimizing side-to-side angular momentum about the support (i.e., Lsup). If net Lsup becomes excessive, the animal will be unable to arrest its angular movement and will fall. Using a novel, highly integrative experimental procedure we directly measured whole-body Lsup in two adult marmosets moving along narrow (2.5 cm diameter) and broad (5 cm diameter) poles. Marmosets showed a strong preference for asymmetrical gaits (e.g., gallops and bounds) over symmetrical gaits (e.g., walks and runs), with asymmetrical gaits representing >90% of all strides. Movement on the narrow support was associated with an increase in more 'grounded' gaits (i.e., lacking an aerial phase) and a more even distribution of torque production between the fore- and hind limbs. These adjustments in gait dynamics significantly reduced net Lsup on the narrow support relative to the broad support. Despite their lack of a well-developed grasping apparatus, marmosets proved adept at producing muscular 'grasping' torques about the support, particularly with the hind limbs. We contend that asymmetrical gaits permit small-bodied arboreal mammals, including primates, to expand 'effective grasp' by gripping the substrate between left and right limbs of a girdle. This model of arboreal stability may hold important implications for understanding primate locomotor evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5(S)-Hydroxy-6,8,11,14-E,Z,Z,Z-eicosatetraenoate (5-HETE) causes PC3 cells to grow by an unknown mechanism. We find that it also induces the cells to activate extracellular signal-regulated kinases and Akt. Pertussis toxin inhibits both responses. 5-HETE, 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-E,Z,Z,Z-eicosatetraenoate, and 5-oxo-15-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoate are known to stimulate leukocytes by a receptor coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. Their respective relative potencies in leukocytes are 1, 10, and 3. In PC3 cells, however, these values are 10, 1, and 0. PC3 cells, we propose, express a non-leukocyte-type, G protein-coupled, 5-HETE receptor. This novel receptor and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Akt pathways it recruits may contribute to the progression of prostate adenocarcinoma.

The leopard frog (Rana pipiens) is an excellent jumper that can reach high take-off velocities and accelerations. It is diurnal, using long, explosive jumps to capture prey and escape predators. The marine toad (Bufo marinus) is a cryptic, nocturnal toad, typically using short, slow hops, or sometimes walking, to patrol its feeding area. Typical of frogs with these different locomotor styles, Rana has relatively long hindlimbs and large (by mass) hindlimb extensor muscles compared to Bufo. We studied the isometric contractile properties of their extensor muscles and found differences that correlate with their different hopping performances. At the hip (semimembranosus, SM), knee (peroneus, Per) and ankle (plantaris longus, PL), we found that Rana's muscles tended to produce greater maximum isometric force relative to body mass, although the difference was significant only for PL. This suggests that differences in force capability at the ankle may be more important than at other joints to produce divergent hopping performances. Maximum isometric force scaled with body mass so that the smaller Rana has relatively larger muscles and force differences between species may reflect size differences only. In addition, Rana's muscles exhibited greater passive resistance to elongation, implying more elastic tissue is present, which may amplify force at take-off due to elastic recoil. Rana's muscles also achieved a higher percentage of maximum force at lower stimulus inputs (frequencies and durations) than in Bufo, perhaps amplifying the differences in force available for limb extension during natural stimulation. Twitch contraction and relaxation times tended to be faster in Rana, although variation was great, so that differences were significant only for Per. Fatigability also tended to be greater in Rana muscles, although, again, values reached significance in only one muscle (PL). Thus, in addition to biomechanical effects, differences in hopping performance may also be determined by diverse physiological properties of the muscles., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)