Croatian bibliometric analysis, 2000-2007

To develop search filters and retrieve information estimating the Croatian scientific output (SO) focusing on Public Health (PH) and Preventive Medicine (PM) in MEDLINE. A PubMed search of the MEDLINE database was performed to retrieve articles added to this database between 2000 and 2007. Search filters inspired by previous strategies were applied involving 'geographical', 'place of publication', 'subject' and 'language of publication' aspects. An evaluation of the geographical filter performance was done and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. There were obtained publications in several languages, originated in Croatia, published in Croatia and/or abroad. The Croatian SO in the field of PH-PM was obtained for the same period of time by combining search filters. The evaluation of the filter performance showed sensitivity 95.56% and specificity 100%. The filters constructed permitted the retrieval of the Croatian eight years research output. Increased tendency was observed in the global SO evolution and in the PH-PM area as well. The main languages of publication were English and Croatian. This study is a contribution to research in the field of scientific documentation and further analysis is recommended in constructing and developing search filters to retrieve and focus on specific information.     

Research on mitochondria and aging, 2006-2007

This review focuses on some of the 'hot topics' that fall under the general heading 'mitochondria and aging'. For each selected topic, we highlight recent publications that have either addressed specific problems within the field or presented novel findings of interest regarding the links between mitochondria and aging. These include studies on the structure of complex I and the mechanisms of superoxide production by this complex; work showing a novel site of hydrogen peroxide production within mitochondria that is modulated by caloric restriction; explorations of the relationship between the rate of evolution of mitochondrial DNA and lifespan; a demonstration that mitochondrial DNA mutations do not limit lifespan in mice; and investigations of the effects of mitochondrial fission on aging. We also list other relevant articles of interest and suggest some key challenges for the field in the near future.     

NASA Radiation Biomarker Workshop, September 27-28, 2007

A summary is provided of presentations and discussions at the NASA Radiation Biomarker Workshop held September 27-28, 2007 at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. Invited speakers were distinguished scientists representing key sectors of the radiation research community. Speakers addressed recent developments in the biomarker and biotechnology fields that may provide new opportunities for health-related assessment of radiation-exposed individuals, including those exposed during long-duration space travel. Topics discussed included the space radiation environment, biomarkers of radiation sensitivity and individual susceptibility, molecular signatures of low-dose responses, multivariate analysis of gene expression, biomarkers in biodefense, biomarkers in radiation oncology, biomarkers and triage after large-scale radiological incidents, integrated and multiple biomarker approaches, advances in whole-genome tiling arrays, advances in mass spectrometry proteomics, radiation biodosimetry for estimation of cancer risk in a rat skin model, and confounding factors. A summary of conclusions is provided at the end of the report.     

Drosophila reared from the stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus, near Zurich, Switzerland

Drosophila species were reared from, baited with and netted over sporophores of the fungal species Phallus impudicus. The presence and proportions of species varied between years, areas and methods. In the first year, 110 sporophores were used for breeding, and in the second year, 16 for baiting and subsequent breeding. 6417 specimens of 10 Drosophila species were obtained. Drosophila suhohscura was reported from England to breed in stinkhorn, but did not breed in or was even attracted to it in Switzerland, suggesting a remarkable geographical variation in breeding substrate utilization.     

Effect of feeding boxes on the behavior of stereotyping amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Zurich Zoo,Zurich, Switzerland

The stereotyped pacing shown by the two Amur tigers in the Zurich Zoo was hypothesized as being caused by permanently frustrated appetitive foraging behavior. Several electrically controlled feeding boxes were installed and access to each box was possible only twice a day for 15 min at semi‐random times. The boxes had to be opened actively by the tigers. Two trials were carried out: one with solitary confinement, and one with paired confinement. During box feeding, the female's stereotyped pacing was significantly reduced from 16% (solitary confinement, conventional feeding) and 7% (paired confinement, conventional feeding) to 1% (solitary confinement) and less than 0.01% (paired confinement) of the daily observed time. The female's sleeping increased significantly in both solitary and paired confinement. The male only showed a significant reduction in stereotyped pacing behavior when kept with the female (conventional feeding: 10%; box feeding: <0.01% of the daily observed time). On days with a box‐feeding regime in paired confinement, the male spent 25% (83 min) of the observed time with active behavior at the feeding boxes. The results support the hypothesis that permanently frustrated appetitive foraging behavior causes stereotyped pacing in adult tigers. Zoo Biol 21:573–584, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.