Pesticide Acute Toxicity Is a Better Correlate of U.S. Grassland Bird Declines than Agricultural Intensification

Common agricultural birds are in decline, both in Europe and in North America. Evidence from Europe suggests that agricultural intensification and, for some species, the indirect effects of pesticides mediated through a loss of insect food resource is in part responsible. On a state-by-state basis for the conterminous Unites States (U.S.), we looked at several agronomic variables to predict the number of grassland species increasing or declining according to breeding bird surveys conducted between 1980 and 2003. Best predictors of species declines were the lethal risk from insecticide use modeled from pesticide impact studies, followed by the loss of cropped pasture. Loss of permanent pasture or simple measures of agricultural intensification such as the proportion of land under crop or the proportion of farmland treated with herbicides did not explain bird declines as well. Because the proportion of farmland treated with insecticides, and more particularly the lethal risk to birds from the use of current insecticides feature so prominently in the best models, this suggests that, in the U.S. at least, pesticide toxicity to birds should be considered as an important factor in grassland bird declines.     

Predicted Deep-Sea Coral Habitat Suitability for the U.S. West Coast

Regional scale habitat suitability models provide finer scale resolution and more focused predictions of where organisms may occur. Previous modelling approaches have focused primarily on local and/or global scales, while regional scale models have been relatively few. In this study, regional scale predictive habitat models are presented for deep-sea corals for the U.S. West Coast (California, Oregon and Washington). Model results are intended to aid in future research or mapping efforts and to assess potential coral habitat suitability both within and outside existing bottom trawl closures (i.e. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)) and identify suitable habitat within U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS). Deep-sea coral habitat suitability was modelled at 500 m×500 m spatial resolution using a range of physical, chemical and environmental variables known or thought to influence the distribution of deep-sea corals. Using a spatial partitioning cross-validation approach, maximum entropy models identified slope, temperature, salinity and depth as important predictors for most deep-sea coral taxa. Large areas of highly suitable deep-sea coral habitat were predicted both within and outside of existing bottom trawl closures and NMS boundaries. Predicted habitat suitability over regional scales are not currently able to identify coral areas with pin point accuracy and probably overpredict actual coral distribution due to model limitations and unincorporated variables (i.e. data on distribution of hard substrate) that are known to limit their distribution. Predicted habitat results should be used in conjunction with multibeam bathymetry, geological mapping and other tools to guide future research efforts to areas with the highest probability of harboring deep-sea corals. Field validation of predicted habitat is needed to quantify model accuracy, particularly in areas that have not been sampled.     

More than half of yeast U1 snRNA is dispensable for growth.

Yeast U1 snRNA (568 nucleotides) is 3.5-fold larger than its mammalian counterpart (164 nucleotides) and contains apparent sequence homology only at the 5' and 3' ends. We have used deletion analysis to determine whether the yeast-specific U1 sequences play essential roles in vivo. Yeast cells carrying a deletion of more than 60% (355 nucleotides) of the single-copy U1 gene are viable, though slow-growing, while a deletion of 316 nucleotides allows essentially wild-type growth. The boundaries of the viable deletions define a dispensable internal domain which comprises sequences unique to yeast. In contrast, the essential 5' and 3' terminal domains correspond to phylogenetically conserved sequences and/or structures previously implicated in RNA:RNA and RNA:protein interactions. The minimal essential sequences of yeast U1 can be drawn in a secondary structure which resembles metazoan U1 in four of seven structural domains.     

Implications of Climate Change for Bird Conservation in the Southwestern U.S. under Three Alternative Futures

Future expected changes in climate and human activity threaten many riparian habitats, particularly in the southwestern U.S. Using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt3.3.3) modeling, we characterized habitat relationships and generated spatial predictions of habitat suitability for the Lucy’s warbler (Oreothlypis luciae), the Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) and the Western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus). Our goal was to provide site- and species-specific information that can be used by managers to identify areas for habitat conservation and/or restoration along the Rio Grande in New Mexico. We created models of suitable habitat for each species based on collection and survey samples and climate, biophysical, and vegetation data. We projected habitat suitability under future climates by applying these models to conditions generated from three climate models for 2030, 2060 and 2090. By comparing current and future distributions, we identified how habitats are likely to change as a result of changing climate and the consequences of those changes for these bird species. We also examined whether land ownership of high value sites shifts under changing climate conditions. Habitat suitability models performed well. Biophysical characteristics were more important that climate conditions for predicting habitat suitability with distance to water being the single most important predictor. Climate, though less important, was still influential and led to declines of suitable habitat of more than 60% by 2090. For all species, suitable habitat tended to shrink over time within the study area leaving a few core areas of high importance. Overall, climate changes will increase habitat fragmentation and reduce breeding habitat patch size. The best strategy for conserving bird species within the Rio Grande will include measures to maintain and restore critical habitat refugia. This study provides an example of a presence-only habitat model that can be used to inform the management of species at intermediate scales.     

A Sex Difference in the Predisposition for Physical Competition: Males Play Sports Much More than Females Even in the Contemporary U.S

Much evidence indicates that men experienced an evolutionary history of physical competition, both one-on-one and in coalitions. We thus hypothesized that, compared to girls and women, boys and men will possess a greater motivational predisposition to be interested in sports, especially team sports. According to most scholars, advocacy groups, and the United States courts, however, this hypothesis is challenged by modest sex differences in organized school sports participation in the contemporary U.S., where females comprise 42% of high school participants and 43% of intercollegiate participants. We conducted three studies to test whether organized school sports participation data underestimate the actual sex difference in sports participation. Study 1 analyzed the American Time Use Survey, which interviewed 112,000 individuals regarding their activities during one day. Females accounted for 51% of exercise (i.e., non-competitive) participations, 24% of total sports participations, and 20% of team sports participations. These sex differences were similar for older and younger age groups. Study 2 was based on systematic observations of sports and exercise at 41 public parks in four states. Females accounted for 37% of exercise participations, 19% of individual sports participations, and 10% of team sports participations. Study 3 involved surveying colleges and universities about intramural sports, which primarily consist of undergraduate participation in team sports. Across 34 institutions, females accounted for 26% of registrations. Nine institutions provided historical data, and these did not indicate that the sex difference is diminishing. Therefore, although efforts to ensure more equitable access to sports in the U.S. (i.e., Title IX) have produced many benefits, patterns of sports participation do not challenge the hypothesis of a large sex difference in interest and participation in physical competition.     

Metabolic Health Is a More Important Determinant for Diabetes Development than Simple Obesity: A 4-Year Retrospective Longitudinal Study

Background

Recent studies report the importance of metabolic health beyond obesity. The aim of this study is to compare the risk for diabetes development according to different status of metabolic health and obesity over a median follow-up of 48.7 months.

Methods

6,748 non-diabetic subjects (mean age 43 years) were divided into four groups according to the baseline metabolic health and obesity status: metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy non-obese (MUHNO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO). Being metabolically healthy was defined by having less than 2 components among the 5 components, that is, high blood pressure, high fasting blood glucose, high triglyceride, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and being in the highest decile of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. Obesity status was assessed by body mass index (BMI) higher than 25 kg/m². The development of diabetes was assessed annually from self-questionnaire, fasting glucose and HbA1c.

Results

At baseline, 45.3% of the subjects were MHNO, 11.3% were MHO, 21.7% were MUHNO, and 21.7% were MUHO. During a median follow-up of 48.7 months, 277 subject (4.1%) developed diabetes. The hazard ratio for diabetes development was 1.338 in MHO group (95% CI 0.67–2.672), 4.321 in MUHNO group (95% CI 2.702–6.910) and 5.994 in MUHO group (95% CI 3.561–10.085) when MHNO group was considered as the reference group. These results were similar after adjustment for the changes of the risk factors during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

The risk for future diabetes development was higher in metabolically unhealthy subgroups compared with those of metabolically healthy subjects regardless of obesity status.     

Trends in Developed Land Cover Adjacent to Habitat for Threatened Salmon in Puget Sound,Washington, U.S.A.

For widely distributed species at risk, such as Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), habitat monitoring is both essential and challenging. Only recently have widespread monitoring programs been implemented for salmon habitat in the Pacific Northwest. Remote sensing data, such as Landsat images, are therefore a useful way to evaluate trends prior to the advent of species-specific habitat monitoring programs. We used annual (1986-2008) land cover maps created from Landsat images via automated algorithms (LandTrendr) to evaluate trends in developed (50-100% impervious) land cover in areas adjacent to five types of habitat utilized by Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, U.S.A. For the region as a whole, we found significant increases in developed land cover adjacent to each of the habitat types evaluated (nearshore, estuary, mainstem channel, tributary channel, and floodplain), but the increases were small (<1% total increase from 1986 to 2008). For each habitat type, the increasing trend changed during the time series. In nearshore, mainstem, and floodplain areas, the rate of increase in developed land cover slowed in the latter portion of the time series, while the opposite occurred in estuary and tributary areas. Watersheds that were already highly developed in 1986 tended to have higher rates of development than initially less developed watersheds. Overall, our results suggest that developed land cover in areas adjacent to Puget Sound salmon habitat has increased only slightly since 1986 and that the rate of change has slowed near some key habitat types, although this has occurred within the context of a degraded baseline condition.     

Developing a U.S. research strategy for marine polymetallic sulfides

Abstract

Marine polymetallic sulfides (MPS) are recently discovered mineral occurrences of hydrothermal origin. Design of an appropriate research strategy to investigate the MPS deposits is a policy issue that the paper seeks to help resolve. The paper describes the relevant nature of MPS, reviews what has happened in the early stages of MPS research, and examines market conditions to help specify a scientifically and economically effective research strategy. This strategy is examined in several key dimensions: science versus research and development (R&D); role of government and private industry, geographic concentration; focus in time; and the locus of responsibility and scope of participation. Because of the early stage of work on MPS and the scant scientific evidence available, expected results of R&D are extremely uncertain. In this context, a sequential scientific approach is favored for government support. The strategy suggested by the paper's analysis would permit geographically varied work sites and would incorporate diversification of research approaches, decentralization of discretionary decision‐making, and a broad base of participation.     

Comparison of Two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Species Sensitivity Distribution Methods for Calculating Ecological Risk Criteria

Two major methods used by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to calculate ecological risk criteria using “species sensitivity distributions” (SSD) are compared using identical datasets. One method is the current USEPA Office of Water method for deriving acute numeric water quality criteria (EPA-FAV method). The 95% protection level generated by this method is the Final Acute Value (FAV). The other method is the USEPA Office of Pesticide Programs log normal distribution regression method that uses all available toxicological data in performing ecological risk assessments (OPP-Ecorisk method). Of the 50 comparisons made, 38% of the 95% protection levels calculated by the OPP-Ecorisk method are within a factor of 1.5 of the EPA FAV, 68% are within a factor of 2.0, 86% are within a factor of 2.5 and 92% are within a factor of 3.5. For pollutants where the difference between the OPP-Ecorisk 95% protection level and the EPA FAV are greatest, the OPP-Ecorisk 95% protection level is more protective than the EPA FAV. Where there are major differences, an analysis of the toxicity data indicates that the majority of the differences can be attributed to outliers, especially on the least sensitive ends of the toxicity distribution. In the one example dataset presented with one very sensitive genus, the OPP-Ecorisk method gave a protection level that was much closer to the lowest GMAV than the EPA-FAV method.     

The Detection of the Methylated Wif-1 Gene Is More Accurate than a Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Background

The clinical benefit of guaiac fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) is now well established for colorectal cancer screening. Growing evidence has demonstrated that epigenetic modifications and fecal microbiota changes, also known as dysbiosis, are associated with CRC pathogenesis and might be used as surrogate markers of CRC.

Patients and Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study that included all consecutive subjects that were referred (from 2003 to 2007) for screening colonoscopies. Prior to colonoscopy, effluents (fresh stools, sera-S and urine-U) were harvested and FOBTs performed. Methylation levels were measured in stools, S and U for 3 genes (Wif1, ALX-4, and Vimentin) selected from a panel of 63 genes; Kras mutations and seven dominant and subdominant bacterial populations in stools were quantified. Calibration was assessed with the Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-square, and discrimination was determined by calculating the C-statistic (Area Under Curve) and Net Reclassification Improvement index.

Results

There were 247 individuals (mean age 60.8±12.4 years, 52% of males) in the study group, and 90 (36%) of these individuals were patients with advanced polyps or invasive adenocarcinomas. A multivariate model adjusted for age and FOBT led to a C-statistic of 0.83 [0.77–0.88]. After supplementary sequential (one-by-one) adjustment, Wif-1 methylation (S or U) and fecal microbiota dysbiosis led to increases of the C-statistic to 0.90 [0.84–0.94] (p = 0.02) and 0.81 [0.74–0.86] (p = 0.49), respectively. When adjusted jointly for FOBT and Wif-1 methylation or fecal microbiota dysbiosis, the increase of the C-statistic was even more significant (0.91 and 0.85, p<0.001 and p = 0.10, respectively).

Conclusion

The detection of methylated Wif-1 in either S or U has a higher performance accuracy compared to guaiac FOBT for advanced colorectal neoplasia screening. Conversely, fecal microbiota dysbiosis detection was not more accurate. Blood and urine testing could be used in those individuals reluctant to undergo stool testing.     

"Kissing a Baby Is Not at All Good for Him": Infant Mortality, Medicine, and Colonial Modernity in the U.S.-Occupied Philippines

Feminist scholars have begun to consider the ways indigenous practices of child rearing were and are challenged in (post)colonial discourse and practice, and how these practices have become a terrain on which definitions of nation, state, and economy are contested. In this article, I adopt a historical anthropological approach to consider how Filipino child-rearing strategies were described and stigmatized in educational, public health, and public welfare discourses in the U.S.-occupied Philippines in the early 20th century. I demonstrate how public health practices and discourses that were generated as part of a "benevolent" campaign against high rates of infant mortality were strategically used as a weapon against Filipino arguments for independence. I also consider how discourses constructing Filipino caregivers as overly indulgent were linked to metropolitan concerns about production of the "new industrial man" and were used to develop a racialized critique of the cultural practices of Filipinos.     

A collaborative study to establish a U.S. reference for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)

In 1987 the Second International Standard for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) was established by the World Health Organization following an international collaborative study. At that time, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) decided to establish a national reference t-PA to be used in lot release potency testing of Alteplase, a licensed t-PA biological or of other t-PAs in development. A candidate recombinant t-PA (rt-PA) preparation was donated by Genentech, Inc. (South San Francisco, California) for this purpose and a collaborative study was launched to calibrate this material against the 2nd I.S. Four laboratories (including the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and three manufacturers) participated in the study to establish the potency of the rt-PA preparation using a clot lysis assay. The results indicate that the potency of the U.S. reference for t-PA is 2900 international units (IU) per vial.     

An essential snRNA from S. cerevisiae has properties predicted for U4, including interaction with a U6-like snRNA

Three yeast snRNAs (snR20, snR7, and snR14) have been implicated in pre-mRNA splicing. snR20 and snR7 contain domains of homology to U2 and U5, respectively, and each is required for viability. These RNAs are found associated with the spliceosome, as is snR14. We show here that snR14 is also an essential gene product. Sequence analysis reveals that, like snR7 and snR20, snR14 contains a consensus binding site for the Sm antigen, a feature common to all mammalian snRNAs involved in splicing. Moreover, snR14 exhibits several blocks of sequence and structural homology to U4, which in metazoans is found in association with U6. Native gel electrophoresis demonstrates that snR14 is in fact base-paired with another yeast snRNA, designated snR6, which has primary sequence homology to U6. We conclude that snR14 is the yeast analog of U4.     

An Evaluation of Risk Drivers from a Sample of Risk Assessments Conducted for the U.S. Army

We evaluate risk drivers at selected U.S. Army installations by developing a database containing contaminant-pathway-receptor combinations that exceed regulatory thresholds for ecological (toxicity quotient greater than one), human health cancer risk (predicted incremental lifetime cancer risk greater than one in ten thousand), and noncancer human health (hazard index greater than one). We compare the risk drivers from the database to reported corrective action objectives from available decision documents. For noncancer hazards, explosives (particularly in ground water) dominate the reported exceedances of regulatory thresholds in the database. PAHs in home-grown produce show the highest number of exceedances of regulatory thresholds for cancer risk. For ecological risks, PAHs in both terrestrial and aquatic environments dominate the exceedances of regulatory thresholds. All available cleanup levels were derived based on human health exposures rather than ecological exposures, except for one site. In general, ecological risks were considered to be “more uncertain,” and that was used as a basis for not relying on backcalculated target levels on the basis of ecological risk. The reverse was true for human health risks: the “conservative” assumptions incorporated into the modeling provided the justification for backcalculating health-protective target levels.