Survival and mortality of green-winged teal banded on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta,Alaska

Despite the importance of green-winged teal (Anas crecca) as a harvested species in North America, recent information on variation in vital rates among regions is lacking. We used band recovery data and hierarchical autoregressive models to examine temporal and age-sex-class variation in survival, hunting mortality, and nonhunting mortality probabilities of green-winged teal banded at Kgun Lake on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, USA, from 1997–2019. We used data from 10,554 adult and juvenile green-winged teal of known sex and age banded and released at Kgun Lake, and 1,245 hunter recoveries. Estimates of annual survival probability for adult females and males ranged from 0.44 (95% CI = 0.29–0.54) to 0.49 (95% CI = 0.37–0.68) and 0.56 (95% CI = 0.50–0.61) to 0.58 (95% CI = 0.50–0.64), respectively, during our study period. Estimates of annual survival probability for juvenile females and males ranged from 0.36 (95% CI = 0.18–0.56) to 0.46 (95% CI = 0.31–0.71) and 0.51 (95% CI = 0.38–0.61) to 0.56 (95% CI = 0.44–0.71), respectively. Hunting mortality probability was greatest for juvenile males and least for adult females. Hunting mortality probability of juvenile males increased from 0.09 (95% CI = 0.05–0.13) in 1997 to 0.14 (95% CI = 0.11–0.18) in 2015. Nonhunting mortality probability was greater and more variable than hunting mortality probability for all age-sex classes, indicating nonhunting mortality contributed most to total mortality of green-winged teal banded at Kgun Lake during our study. Additionally, survival probability of female green-winged teal banded at Kgun Lake is less than published estimates for green-winged teal banded in the boreal forest of Alaska. We recommend continuing consistent banding operations for green-winged teal on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and other important breeding areas to further understand factors influencing nonhunting mortality and how they may vary seasonally and geographically.     

Estimating Size and Trend of the North Interlake Woodland Caribou Population Using Fecal-DNA and Capture-Recapture Models

A critical step in recovery efforts for endangered and threatened species is the monitoring of population demographic parameters. As part of these efforts, we evaluated the use of fecal-DNA based capture–recapture methods to estimate population sizes and population rate of change for the North Interlake woodland caribou herd (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Manitoba, Canada. This herd is part of the boreal population of woodland caribou, listed as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act (2003) and the provincial Manitoba Endangered Species Act (2006). Between 2004 and 2009 (9 surveys), we collected 1,080 fecal samples and identified 180 unique genotypes (102 females and 78 males). We used a robust design survey plan with 2 surveys in most years and analysed the data with Program MARK to estimate encounter rates (p), apparent survival rates (φ), rates of population change (λ), and population sizes (N). We estimated these demographic parameters for males and females and for 2 genetic clusters within the North Interlake. The population size estimates were larger for the Lower than the Upper North Interlake area and the proportion of males was lower in the Lower (33%) than the Upper North Interlake (49%). Population rate of change for the entire North Interlake area (2005–2009) using the robust design Pradel model was significantly <1.0 (λ = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82–0.99) and varied between sex and area with the highest being for males in Lower North Interlake (λ = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.83–1.13) and the lowest being for females in Upper North Interlake (λ = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69–0.97). The additivity of λ between sex and area is supported on the log scale and translates into males having a λ that is 0.09 greater than females and independent of sex, Lower North Interlake having a λ that is 0.06 greater than Upper North Interlake. Population estimates paralleled these declining trends, which correspond to trends observed in other fragmented populations of woodland caribou along the southern part of their range. The results of this study clearly demonstrate the applicability and success of non-invasive genetic sampling in monitoring populations of woodland caribou. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

Hyperuricemia and gout are associated with cancer incidence and mortality: A meta-analysis based on cohort studies

The association between hyperuricemia or gout and cancer risk has been investigated in various published studies, but their results are conflicting. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate whether hyperuricemia or gout was associated with the cancer incidence and mortality. Linear and nonlinear trend analyses were conducted to explore the dose–response association between them. The pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate cancer risk. A total of 24 articles (33 independent studies) were eligible for inclusion. When compared participants with the highest SUA (hyperuricemia) levels and those with the lowest SUA levels, the pooled RR was 1.08 (95% CI, 1.04–1.12), it was significantly associated among males but not among females (males, RR = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03–1.11; females, RR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.96–1.17). Hyperuricemia increased total cancer mortality (RR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05–1.26), but a significant association was observed in females rather than in males (females: RR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.09–1.45; males, RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.80–1.30). Linear relationships of SUA levels with overall cancer incidence (p for nonlinearity = 0.238) and overall cancer mortality (p for nonlinearity = 0.263) were identified. However, 1 mg/dL increment in SUA levels was weakly significant in overall cancer incidence (RR = 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01–1.01) but not associated with overall cancer mortality (RR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.99–1.03). Gout was significantly associated with increased cancer incidence (RR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.12–1.25). In conclusion, Hyperuricemia or gout was associated with higher cancer incidence and mortality. Though a potential linear relationship between them was found, we'd better treat this result with caution.     

Grizzly bear population vital rates and trend in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem,Montana

We estimated grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) population vital rates and trend for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE), Montana, between 2004 and 2009 by following radio-collared females and observing their fate and reproductive performance. Our estimates of dependent cub and yearling survival were 0.612 (95% CI = 0.300–0.818) and 0.682 (95% CI = 0.258–0.898). Our estimates of subadult and adult female survival were 0.852 (95% CI = 0.628–0.951) and 0.952 (95% CI = 0.892–0.980). From visual observations, we estimated a mean litter size of 2.00 cubs/litter. Accounting for cub mortality prior to the first observations of litters in spring, our adjusted mean litter size was 2.27 cubs/litter. We estimated the probabilities of females transitioning from one reproductive state to another between years. Using the stable state probability of 0.322 (95% CI = 0.262–0.382) for females with cub litters, our adjusted fecundity estimate (m_x) was 0.367 (95% CI = 0.273–0.461). Using our derived rates, we estimated that the population grew at a mean annual rate of approximately 3% (λ = 1.0306, 95% CI = 0.928–1.102), and 71.5% of 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations produced estimates of λ > 1.0. Our results indicate an increasing population trend of grizzly bears in the NCDE. Coupled with concurrent studies of population size, we estimate that over 1,000 grizzly bears reside in and adjacent to this recovery area. We suggest that monitoring of population trend and other vital rates using radioed females be continued. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

A noninvasive and integrative approach for improving density and abundance estimates of moose

Acquiring demographic data for moose (Alces alces) can be difficult because they are solitary in nature, they prefer densely vegetated and mountainous habitats, and they often occur at low density. Such data, however, are essential for long-term population monitoring, evaluating management practices, and effective conservation. Winter aerial surveys are the standard method for estimating moose population parameters, but they can be logistically challenging, expensive, and subject to sightability correction, which necessitates the capture of study animals for initial model development. Herein, we demonstrate a noninvasive alternative approach for estimating population parameters of moose in northern Yellowstone National Park, where aerial surveys were attempted but proved ineffective. We determined individual moose genotype and sex using microsatellite polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA extracted from fecal pellets, integrated ancillary pellet sample data (i.e., metadata) in genotype analysis to aid in the identification of matching genotypes, and used spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) modeling to estimate sex-specific density and abundance. We collected 616 samples over 3 consecutive winters (Dec 2013–Apr 2016) and within 2 sampling occasions each winter. We recorded 514 captures of 142 individual moose (69 males, 73 females). Overall density ranged between 0.062 moose/km² and 0.076 moose/km² and averaged 0.034/km² for females and 0.033/km² for males. Abundance estimates were 150 moose in 2013 (female = 76, 95% CI = 55–105; male = 74, 95% CI = 54–103), 186 in 2014 (female = 95, 95% CI = 63–142; male = 91, 95% CI = 60–138), and 160 in 2015 (female = 79, 95% CI = 58–108; male = 81, 95% CI = 59–110). Average population sex ratio was 0.99 males/female. We demonstrate that SECR analysis of fecal DNA genotypes, using metadata in genotype analysis to help identify matching moose genotypes, is a promising alternative method for estimating sex-specific density and abundance of a low-density moose population in a mountainous and forested landscape.     

Survival and cause-specific mortality of male wild turkeys across the southeastern United States

Estimating survival and cause-specific mortality of male eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is important for understanding population dynamics and implementing appropriate harvest management. To better understand age-specific estimates of annual survival and harvest rates, we captured and marked male wild turkeys with leg bands (n = 311) or bands and transmitters (n = 549) in Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina, USA, during 2014–2022. We fitted time to event models to data from radio-marked birds to estimate cause-specific mortality and annual survival. We used band recovery models incorporating both band recovery and telemetry data to further investigate harvest rates and survival. Annual survival from known-fate models in hunted populations was 0.54 (95% CI = 0.49–0.59) for adults and 0.86 (95% CI = 0.81–0.92) for juveniles. Cause-specific mortality analysis produced an annual harvest estimate of 0.29 (95% CI = 0.24–0.33) for adults and 0.02 (95% CI = 0.01–0.03) for juveniles, whereas predation was 0.15 (95% CI = 0.10–0.20) and 0.12 (95% CI = 0.08–0.17), respectively. Annual survival for adult males in a non-hunted population was 0.83 (95% CI = 0.72–0.97). Survival rate was negatively correlated with harvest rate, indicating harvest was an additive mortality source. Annual survival from band recovery models was 0.40 (95% CI = 0.37–0.44) for adults and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.81– 0.93) for juveniles, whereas annual harvest estimates were 0.24 (95% CI = 0.23–0.25) for adults and 0.04 (95% CI = 0.03–0.05) for juveniles. Both models suggested no differences in annual survival across years or among study areas, which included privately owned and public properties. Harvest was an additive mortality source for male wild turkeys, suggesting that managers interested in increasing annual survival of adult males could consider ways of reducing harvest rates.     

Assessing Population Viability of Black Bears using Spatial Capture-Recapture Models

The Central Georgia Bear Population (CGP) is the least abundant and most isolated of Georgia's 3 American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations. Beginning in 2011, changes to regulations governing harvest of the CGP resulted in an increase in female bear harvest, creating concern that future harvest could be an important influence on population viability. Hence, our objective was to assess viability of the CGP under various levels of female mortality. During 2012–2016, we used barbed-wire hair snares to collect bear hair samples from within the range of the CGP in Georgia, USA. We used microsatellite genotyping to identify individual bears and created robust-design, spatial detection histories for all female bears detected. We fit open population spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models to the detection histories in a Bayesian framework. We used the Widely Applicable Information Criterion (WAIC) to rank models that varied with respect to sources of variation in detection probability, survival, and per capita recruitment, and used the model with the lowest WAIC to forecast dynamics of the CGP 50 years into the future under various levels of female mortality. We assessed the 50-year extinction probability under a continuation of mortality levels documented during 2012–2016, and under incremental increases in female mortality above this baseline. The top model included density-dependent per capita recruitment, annual variation in detection probability, and a trap-level behavioral response. Abundance increased from 106 (95% CI = 86–132) females in 2012 to 136 (95% CI = 113–161) females in 2013 and remained relatively stable thereafter. Annual female survival was 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69–0.82) and did not vary among years. The per capita recruitment rate decreased over time as density increased, and was 0.49 (95% CI = 0.33–0.66) during the first time interval and 0.29 (95% CI = 0.20–0.38) during the final time interval. Annual growth rate () was 1.28 (95% CI = 1.07–1.52) between 2012 and 2013 but decreased throughout the study, ending at 1.04 (95% CI = 0.93–1.17). Forecasts indicated continuation of the female mortality levels experienced from 2012–2016 were sustainable over 50 years, with the estimated extinction risk being <0.001%. Increasing annual harvest by 5 females introduced a negligible increase in the 50-year probability of extinction, but harvesting an additional 10 females/year caused extinction risk to rise to 1.15%. We recommend that harvest regulations are structured such that mortality rates remain at current levels or do not increase by more than an annual average of 5 females above levels observed during our study. Furthermore, we recommend that managers continue to monitor the population so that harvest regulations and population models can be refined over time. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.     

Abundance and site fidelity of Indo‐Pacific Humpback dolphins in the Great Sandy Strait,Queensland, Australia

This study examined the population of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis, inhabiting the Great Sandy Strait Marine Park, Queensland, Australia. A total of 106 dolphins were identified during 228 boat‐based surveys, completed between April 2004 and April 2007. Based on the distribution of resighted individuals and the pattern of associations, it was established that this population consists of two largely geographically distinct communities, referred to as the Northern Community (NC) and the Southern Community (SC). The only recorded interaction between the two groups was a single pod composed of one member of the NC and 11 dolphins from the SC. Abundance was estimated for the entire population and by geographical area using open population models. Estimates for the Great Sandy Strait indicate that about 150 dolphins (N_GSS= 148.4, SE = 8.3, 95% CI: 132.5–165.2) used this area during the study. The NC and SC total population sizes was estimated to be 76 (N_NGSS= 75.80, SE = 3.88, 95% CI = 71–86) and 75 (N_SGSS= 74.98, SE = 4.43, 95% CI: 66–83), respectively. Analysis of residence patterns indicates that a majority of the identified dolphins are long‐term residents.     

Elk survival and mortality causes in the Blue Mountains of Washington

We studied survival of elk (Cervus elaphus) ≥1 yr old and quantified mortality sources in the Blue Mountains of Washington, 2003–2006, following a period of extensive poaching. The population was managed under a spike-only general hunting season, with limited permits for larger males and for females. We radiomarked 190 elk (82 males and 39 females >1 yr old and 65 males 11 months old), most with rumen transmitters and neck radiocollars; 60 elk only received rumen transmitters. We estimated annual survival using known fate models and explored survival differences among sex and age classes and in 2 potentially different vulnerability zones for males. We found little support for differences in survival between younger (2–3-yr old) and older (≥4-yr old) branch-antlered males or zone differences for yearling males. A model with zone differences for branch-antlered males was the second ranked model and accounted for 14% of the available model weight. From the best-supported models, we estimated annual survival for yearling males at 0.41 (95% CI: 0.29–0.53). We estimated pooled adult female survival at 0.80 (95% CI: 0.64–0.93); when an age-class effect was included, point estimates were higher for prime-aged females (2–11 yr: S = 0.81 [0.70–0.88]) than for older females (≥12 yr: S = 0.72 [0.56–0.83]), but confidence intervals broadly overlapped. Only 1 of 7 models with a female age effect on survival was among the competitive models. For branch-antlered males, survival ranged 0.80–0.85, depending on whether zone variation was modeled. We recorded 78 deaths of radiomarked elk. Human-caused deaths (n = 55) predominated among causes and most were of yearling males killed during state-sanctioned hunts (n = 28). Most subadult male deaths were from tribal hunting (n = 5), and most mature males died from natural causes (n = 6) and tribal hunting (n = 5). We detected few illegal kills (n = 4). Our results suggest that increased enforcement effectively reduced poaching, that unreported tribal harvest was not a trivial source of mortality, and that spike-only general seasons were effective in recruiting branch-antlered males. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Noninvasive genetic analyses for estimating population size and genetic diversity of the remaining Far Eastern leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) population

Understanding and monitoring the population status of endangered species is vital for developing appropriate management interventions. We used noninvasive genetic analyses to obtain ecological and genetic data on the last remaining Far Eastern leopard population in the world. During seven winters from 2000–2001 to 2007–2008, we collected feces, hair, and saliva from most of the leopard habitat. Of the 239 leopard samples collected during the study period, 155 were successfully genotyped at 13 microsatellite loci and 37 individuals (18 males and 19 females) were identified. Population size estimates based on the Capwire model were 28 (95 % CI 19–38) in 2002–03 and 26 (95 % CI 13–33) in 2007–2008. The leopard population had a low level of genetic diversity (expected and observed heterozygosity = 0.43; average number of alleles per locus = 2.62), and effective population size was estimated to be low (N _e = 7–16) by two genetic-based methods. We observed little improvement in the genetic diversity during the study period and did find an indication of allele loss compared with individuals from the mid-1990s, suggesting that the remaining population will continue to suffer loss of genetic diversity. Given the small population size and the low genetic diversity, with little expectation of replenishment of the genetic variation by natural immigration, successful expansion of available habitat and development of a second population based on captive individuals may be crucial for persistence of this leopard subspecies in the wild.     

Reproduction and Survival of Yellowstone Bison

ABSTRACT The conservation of bison (Bison bison) from near extinction to >4,000 animals in Yellowstone National Park has led to conflict regarding overabundance and potential transmission of brucellosis (Brucella abortus) to cattle. We estimated survival and birth rates from 53 radiocollared adult female bison during 1995–2001, and we used calf:adult (C:A) ratios to estimate reproduction with the combined effects of pregnancy, fetal loss, and neonatal mortality during 1970–1997. Annual survival of adult females was high (0.92; 95% CI = 0.87-0.95) and constant. Birth rates differed by brucellosis status and age. Birth rates were 0.40 calves per female (95% CI = 0.15-0.65) for brucellosis-positive 3 year olds, 0.63 (95% CI = 0.39-0.87) for individuals testing negative, and 0.10 (95% CI = 0.00-0.24) for individuals contracting brucellosis that birth year (sero-converters). Birth rates were 0.64 (95% CI = 0.52-0.76) for brucellosis-positive individuals ≥4 years old, 0.81 (95% CI = 0.73-0.89) for brucellosis-negative individuals, and 0.22 (95% CI = 0.00-0.46) for sero-converters. Spring C:A ratios were negatively correlated with snow pack (β = −0.01 to −0.03, R² = 0.26-0.60, P < 0.05). Growth rate was highly elastic to adult survival (0.51), and juvenile survival (0.36) was 3 times more elastic than fecundity (0.12). Simulations suggested brucellosis eradication via vaccination would result in increased birth rates and a 29% increase in population growth (γ = 1.09), possibly leading to more bison movements outside the park. Our results will help park managers evaluate bison population dynamics and explore consequences of management actions and disease control programs.     

Sex differences in the prevalence of congenital anomalies: a population-based study

BACKGROUND: Limited data is available concerning the sex distribution of various congenital anomaly subtypes. This study investigated sex differences in the prevalence of congenital anomalies, overall and by subtype, using high quality population‐based data from the North of England. METHODS: Information on congenital anomalies occurring among singleton pregnancies during 1985–2003 were extracted from the Northern Congenital Abnormality Survey (NorCAS). Anomalies were categorized by groups, subtypes, and syndromes according to the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies guidelines. Relative risks (RRs) comparing the prevalences in males to that in females were calculated for a range of congenital anomaly subtypes. RESULTS: A total of 12,795 eligible cases of congenital anomaly were identified during the study period, including 7019 (54.9%) males and 5776 (45.1%) females. Overall, male fetuses were significantly more prevalent in pregnancies affected by a congenital anomaly than female fetuses (RR, male vs. female = 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.19), but there was significant heterogeneity between subtypes (p < 0.001). Forty‐four of 110 (40%) unique subtypes were at least 40% more prevalent in males than females, with affected subtypes occurring across all major anomaly groups. Thirteen of 110 (12%) unique subtypes were at least 40% more prevalent in females than males, but the female‐biased RR of a neural tube defect was less pronounced than previously reported (RR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73–0.95). CONCLUSION:This study adds to the growing evidence of sex‐specific differences in the prevalence of a wide range of congenital anomaly subtypes. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Space Use and Habitat Selection by Bobcats in the Fragmented Landscape of South-Central Iowa

Abstract: Historically, bobcats (Lynx rufus) were found throughout the Corn Belt region, but they nearly disappeared from this area due to habitat loss and unregulated harvest that occurred during the century after European settlement. Reports of bobcat occurrences have been increasing in Iowa, USA, and biologists would like to understand the mechanisms enabling bobcats to recolonize this fragmented agricultural landscape. We determined space use and habitat selection of bobcats by radiocollaring 68 bobcats in south-central Iowa during 2003–2006. We triangulated 12,966 locations and recovered an additional 1,399 3-dimensional locations from Global Positioning System collars. We used a fixed kernel estimator to calculate 95% utilization distributions (UDs) for home ranges and 50% UDs for cores. Annual home range area of males (x̄ = 58.6 km², 95% CI = 49.2–69.9) was nearly 3 times that of females (x̄=19.9 km², 95% CI = 17.0–23.3). Females used smaller home ranges during April-September when they were suspected to have kittens with them (x̄ = 16.8 km², 95% CI = 13.7–20.7), as compared to October-March (x̄ = 24.1 km², 95% CI = 19.0–30.7), whereas home ranges of males did not differ between seasons. Similarly, core area of males (x̄ = 7.7 km², 95% CI = 6.2–9.6) was larger than that of females (x̄ = 2.3 km², 95% CI = 1.9–2.7). Females used significantly smaller cores in April-September (x̄ = 1.8 km², 95% CI = 1.4–2.3) as compared to October-March (x̄ = 2.8 km², 95% CI = 2.2–3.7), whereas males did not. For both sexes, compositional analysis indicated that forest habitat was ranked higher than all other habitat classes at both the landscape and local scale. Standardized habitat selection ratios illustrate that female and male bobcats selected forest habitat about twice as frequently as any other habitat class, including grassland and Conservation Reserve Program land. Predictive models indicated that home range and core area was smaller in landscapes where perennial forest and grassland habitats were less fragmented. Predictive models indicated home ranges were more irregular in shape in landscapes where row crop patches were less aggregated within home ranges. Our results have practical implications for wildlife managers regarding expected bobcat habitat use and distribution as the species becomes more abundant in the agricultural landscape of the Midwest.     

The Great Chinese Famine Leads to Shorter and Overweight Females in Chongqing Chinese Population After 50 Years

This study investigated a possible association between early nutritional status during the famine, and the risk of overweight and obesity in adulthood in Chongqing Chinese population. The body weight, height, and BMI data were obtained from records of population (17,023) that had annual physical evaluations in the Public Health Center (in our hospital). Subjects born during 1956–1964 were divided into three groups: toddler group, all subjects who were born 1–3 years before the famine (1956–1958); gestational group, who were born during the famine period (1959–1961), and control group, who were born after the famine (1962–1964). The body weight and BMI were significantly higher, but the body height was significantly lower in the toddler and gestational groups (P < 0.05) in the female population as compared to the control group. The odds ratio of being overweight in females is more pronounced in the toddler group (1.48 times, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.288–1.689) than in the gestational group (1.26 times, 95% CI: 1.089–1.457). The odds ratio of being obese in females is significantly higher in the toddler group (1.46 times, 95% CI: 1.288–1.689) than the control group. For males, the famine had no impact at all on the adulthood body weight in males. The Great Chinese Famine that affected the Chongqing population during 1959–1961 leads to shorter and overweight females, and the former is a risk factor for increased BMI in Chongqing. Second, the famine seems to be producing shorter but slimmer males in Chongqing. Furthermore, toddler's and maternal's malnutrition during the famine had important late consequences on the health status.     

Maternal smoking in pregnancy and sex differences in perinatal death between boys and girls

Abstract

The sex difference in perinatal mortality in developed countries is largely unexplained. The current study evaluated the differences in the impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the risk of perinatal death between males and females. The analysis involved 11,469 and 9,404 newborns derived from two population‐based birth cohorts in Northern Finland, for 1966 and 1985–86, respectively. The perinatal mortality rate was 23 per thousand in the 1966 cohort and 9 per thousand in the 1985–86 cohort. The rate ratio (RR) for mortality for males over females is 1.15 and 1.60 in the two cohorts, respectively. Among children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, the RR was 2.2 (95% CI 1.0, 4.7) for the former cohort and 4.8 (95% CI 1.5, 15.2) for the later cohort; and among the children whose mothers did not smoke the corresponding RR was 1.2 (95% CI 0.9, 1.6) and 1.1 (95% CI 0.6, 1.9). Maternal smoking during pregnancy could be an important determinant accounting for the excess perinatal death for males over females. Our results encourage evaluation of the findings among other populations.     

Association between the catechol-O-methyltransferase (rs4680: Val158Met) polymorphism and serum alanine aminotransferase activity

In our previous proteomic study in rat liver damaged by carbon tetrachloride, soluble catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) increased as a phosphorylated form and decreased as a dephosphorylated form. This finding raised the possibility that the COMT protein is associated with liver function. Thus, we hypothesized that (1) the COMT gene contributes to liver homeostasis and (2) a COMT polymorphism (rs4680: Val158Met) causing thermolability of enzymatic activity affects liver enzymes (e.g., aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT)) in serum. To investigate (2), we statistically analyzed the association between COMT genotypes and serum ALT activity in a cross-sectional study using data from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study. We conducted a multiple logistic regression analysis for males (n=838) and females (n=970). Those participants having missing values or a past history of liver cirrhosis or liver cancer were excluded. ALT values were divided into two; elevated (30IU/L ≤; males n=239, females n=90) and normal (<30IU/L; males n=599, females n=880). In females, non-adjusted and adjusted odds ratios for ALT values in the rs4680 A/A homozygote (n=126) compared with the wild-type G/G homozygote (n=397) were 0.37 (95% CI 0.14-0.96) and 0.34 (95% CI 0.13-0.93), respectively. In males, an analysis of the population aged 35-69 did not reveal any significant difference, but the population aged 45-54 had a significant difference in the non-adjusted and adjusted odds ratio in the G/A heterozygote (n=89) (0.50 (95% CI 0.27-0.92) and 0.35 (95% CI 0.18-0.71)) and in the A/A homozygote (n=22) (0.34 (95% CI 0.11-0.99) and 0.22 (95% CI 0.07-0.72)), compared with the G/G homozygote (n=88). These data suggest that the COMT polymorphism affects serum ALT activity to maintain liver function.     

Genetic influences on growth traits of BMI: a longitudinal study of adult twins

Objective: To investigate the interplay between genetic factors influencing baseline level and changes in BMI in adulthood. Methods and Procedures: A longitudinal twin study of the cohort of Finnish twins (N = 10,556 twin individuals) aged 20–46 years at baseline was conducted and followed up 15 years. Data on weight and height were obtained from mailed surveys in 1975, 1981, and 1990. Results: Latent growth models revealed a substantial genetic influence on BMI level at baseline in males and females (heritability (h²) 80% (95% confidence interval 0.79–0.80) for males and h² = 82% (0.81, 0.84) for females) and a moderate‐to‐high influence on rate of change in BMI (h² = 58% (0.50, 0.69) for males and h² = 64% (0.58, 0.69) for females). Only very weak evidence for genetic pleiotropy was observed; the genetic correlation between baseline and rate of change in BMI was very modest (−0.070 (–0.13, −0.068) for males and 0.04 (0.00, 0.08) for females. Discussion: Our population‐based results provide a basis for identifying genetic variants for change in BMI, in particular weight gain. Furthermore, they demonstrate for the first time that such genetic variants for change in BMI are likely to be different from those affecting level of BMI.     

Age and Gender-Based Comparison of Nickel Content of Scalp Hair of Edible Oil- and Hydrogenated Oil-Consuming Populations

Nickel concentrations (μ g/g, dry weight) in the scalp hair of vegetable oil– and hydrogenated oil–consuming categories of male and female donors, ages between 1–66 years, were estimated by the atomic absorption method to assess the contribution of nickel as a contaminant in the hydrogenated oil. Comparative estimates of hair Ni content revealed enhanced metal levels for donors consuming hydrogenated oil both for male (29.33 μg/g, dry weight) and female (27.09 μg/g, dry weight) population segments, whereas for oil-consuming donors the corresponding levels were 11.51 μg/g and 13.49 μg/g, respectively. The Ni content of hair of elderly donors consuming hydrogenated oil was found significantly higher than that of younger male/female donors. Hair Ni levels as high as 63.59 μg/g and 68.40 μg/g were estimated for hydrogenated oil–consuming males and females, respectively. The Ni concentrations exhibited strong positive correlation with age for the hydrogenated oil–consuming male (r = 0.713) and female (r = 0.707) categories, whereas negative correlations were found for both oil-consuming categories. The regression relationships linking hair nickel content with the donor age of either sex indicated a negative dependence for oil-consuming donors, whereas strong direct dependence was observed for hydrogenated oil-consuming donors. The overall results evidenced an index of elevated nickel levels in the hair of population segment consuming hydrogenated oil, believed to arise from excessive residual nickel in the hydrogenated oil, present at concentrations surpassing the limit recommended by the World Health Organization for the safe ingestion of nickel in food commodities.     

Mark‐resight abundance and survival estimation of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops aduncus,in the Swatch‐of‐No‐Ground,Bangladesh

A mark‐resight analysis under Pollock's robust design was applied to Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus in the Swatch‐of‐No‐Ground (SoNG) submarine canyon, Bangladesh, during the winter seasons of 2005–2009. Information from sightings of photo‐identified individuals (1,144) and unmarked individuals generated abundance estimates of 1,701 (95% confidence interval [CI]= 1,533–1,888), 1,927 (95% CI = 1,851–2,006), 2,150 (95% CI = 1,906–2,425), and 2,239 (95% CI = 1,985–2,524) individuals for seasons 1–4, respectively. This makes the population among the largest assessed of the species. Overall apparent survival was estimated as 0.958 (95% CI = 0.802–0.992). Interseasonal probabilities of transitioning to an unobservable state were estimated as 0.045, 0.363, and 0.300 for years 1–2, 2–3, and 3–4, respectively, and the overall probability of remaining in an unobservable state was 0.688. These probabilities, together with an apparent increase in abundance during the study period, indicate that the identified dolphins are part of a larger superpopulation moving throughout a more extensive geographic area. Of the photo‐identified dolphins, 28.2% exhibited injuries related to entanglements with fishing gear. This implies a strong potential for fatal interactions that could jeopardize the conservation status of the population, which otherwise appears favorable.     

Grizzly Bear Density in Glacier National Park,Montana

Abstract: We present the first rigorous estimate of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) population density and distribution in and around Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana, USA. We used genetic analysis to identify individual bears from hair samples collected via 2 concurrent sampling methods: 1) systematically distributed, baited, barbed-wire hair traps and 2) unbaited bear rub trees found along trails. We used Huggins closed mixture models in Program MARK to estimate total population size and developed a method to account for heterogeneity caused by unequal access to rub trees. We corrected our estimate for lack of geographic closure using a new method that utilizes information from radiocollared bears and the distribution of bears captured with DNA sampling. Adjusted for closure, the average number of grizzly bears in our study area was 240.7 (95% CI = 202–303) in 1998 and 240.6 (95% CI = 205–304) in 2000. Average grizzly bear density was 30 bears/1,000 km², with 2.4 times more bears detected per hair trap inside than outside GNP. We provide baseline information important for managing one of the few remaining populations of grizzlies in the contiguous United States.