Assessing the control/eradication of an invasive species,the American mink,based on field data; how much would it cost?

Biological invasions are an important cause of biodiversity loss, American mink being one of the worst invasive species in Europe. We performed a 13-week control program of the species in the Butron river system (Northern Spain), where a natural population of the European mink is found. Three population estimates were considered: an absolute minimum, an intermediate scenario and a pessimistic one (n = 35, 49 and 70 animals, respectively). After 2,242 cage trap-nights, trapping success varied from 44 to 89% of these estimates. In addition, we evaluated the costs of eradicating the estimated populations; costs ranged between 652.5 and 2,970 € per mink, and would rise up to 83,462 € for the intermediate estimate under an exponential function linking captures and costs, or ca. 172.500 € to capture the highest estimate under a log-function. The implications of these numbers for the design and implementation of future control projects are discussed.     

Winter habitat preferences of feral American mink<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mustela vison</Emphasis> in Biscay,Northern Iberian Peninsula

We studied correlates of habitat use of riparian feral American minkMustela vison Schreber, 1777 during winter in Biscay (Northern Iberian Peninsula). We live-trapped and radio-tagged 10 American mink (5 males and 5 females) and successfully radiotracked 7 of them (3 males and 4 females). During resting periods both sexes selected areas with dense scrub and near to deep waters. Both sexes used underground dens as well as resting sites located above the ground, but during cold days females rested in buildings much more often than males. Active females used areas of dense scrub, and males used large scrub patches. The results are interpreted in the light of mink hunting techniques and perceived predation risk: on larger scales, mink select areas primarily by food abundance, while on very small scales they use scrub and similar structures providing safe areas to hunt, forage and rest. The strong preference for banks with dense scrub provides options for management of the species.     

Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of young soccer players according to their playing position: relevance for the selection process

The aim of this study was to establish the anthropometric and physiological profiles of young nonelite soccer players according to their playing position, and to determine their relevance for the selection process. Two hundred forty-one male soccer players who were members of the Getxo Arenas Club (Bizkaia) participated in this study. Players, age 17.31 (+/- 2.64) years, range 14-21 years, were classified into the following groups: forwards (n = 56), midfielders (n = 79), defenders (n = 77), and goalkeepers (n = 29). Anthropometric variables of participants (height, weight, body mass index, 6 skinfolds, 4 diameters, and 3 perimeters) were measured. Also, their somatotype and body composition (weights and percentages of fat, bone, and muscle) were calculated. Participants performed the Astrand test to estimate their absolute and relative VO2max, an endurance test, sprint tests (30 meters flat and 30 meters with 10 cones) and 3 jump tests (squat jump, counter movement jump and drop jump). Forwards were the leanest, presenting the highest percentage of muscle. They were the best performers in all the physiological tests, including endurance, velocity, agility, and power. In contrast, goalkeepers were found to be the tallest and the heaviest players. They also had the largest fat skinfolds and the highest fat percentage, but their aerobic capacity was the lowest. In the selection process, agility and the jump tests were the most discriminating for forwards. In contrast, agility, height, and endurance were the key factors for midfielders. The defenders group was characterized by a lower quantity of fat. Thus, we may conclude that anthropometric and physiological differences exist among soccer players who play in different positions. These differences fit with their different workload in a game. Therefore, training programs should include specific sessions for each positional role.     

Up-regulation of the novel proinflammatory adipokines lipocalin-2, chitinase-3 like-1 and osteopontin as well as angiogenic-related factors in visceral adipose tissue of patients with colon cancer

Background

Obesity is widely recognised as an important risk factor for colorectal cancer (CC).

Aim

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of CC on circulating concentrations and gene expression levels of inflammatory and angiogenesis-related factors in human visceral adipose tissue (VAT).

Methods

VAT biopsies were obtained from 18 healthy individuals and 11 patients with CC. Real-time polymerase chain reactions were performed to quantify gene expression levels and zymographic analyses were used to determine the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Results

Patients with CC exhibited increased mRNA expression levels of lipocalin-2 (P=.014), osteopontin (P=.027), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P=.016) and chitinase-3 like-1 (P=.006) compared to control subjects in VAT. Gene expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α, vascular endothelial growth factor and MMP-2 were significantly higher (P<.05) in VAT of patients with CC. The expression of insulin-like growth factor I, insulin growth factor binding protein 3 and MMP-9 followed the same trend, although no significant differences were reached. The enzymatic activity of MMP-9 was increased (P<.001) in patients with CC. Furthermore, individuals with CC showed increased (P<.05) circulating concentrations of the inflammatory markers interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor α and hepatocyte growth factor, whereas levels of the anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin were decreased (P<.01).

Conclusion

These findings represent the first observation that mRNA levels of the novel inflammatory factors lipocalin-2, chitinase-3 like-1 and osteopontin are increased in human VAT of subjects with CC. This observation together with the up-regulation of angiogenic factors suggests that adipokines secreted by VAT may be involved in the development of colon cancer.     

Pedaling power and speed production vs. technical factors and track difficulty in bicycle motocross cycling

Mateo, M, Blasco-Lafarga, C, and Zabala, M. Pedaling power and speed production vs. technical factors and track difficulty in BMX cycling. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3248-3256, 2011-This article analyzes whether there is a determined profile in the production of cyclic and acyclic periods in relation to the phases of a bicycle motocross (BMX) race and whether this profile is related to the variables, Difficulty of track and Techniques used. After an initial test for determining maximum pedaling power (Pmax), 9 athletes belonging to the Spanish national team completed 3 series of 3 different types of races: (a) Complete track without pedaling; (b) Track, pedaling only at the gate start; and (c) track with free pedaling. The triple test was carried out over 3 days and on different level tracks: (a) high difficulty (HD), (b) medium difficulty (MD), and (c) low difficulty (LD). Our results show that average peak power applied in the BMX race was 85.21 ± 2.15% Pmax, coming down to 73.02 ± 18.38% at the gate start and to 51.37 ± 15.84% on the first straight. On the other hand, mean power (MP) in the BMX race is 33.79 ± 8.60% MPmax, with statistically significant differences in relation to the difficulty of the track (p < 0.000; 0.009; higher in the easiest). The mean velocity developed is 34.21 ± 1.0 km·h with significant differences (p < 0.000) in relation to the difficulty of the track. Acyclic efforts accounted for 86.3%, and cyclic efforts accounted for the remaining 16.7% of the overall performance in the race, with differences in relation to the difficulty of the track (p ≤ 0.003). Both power profile and performance (measured as velocity) are dependent on the phases and techniques of the race and are significantly affected by the level of difficulty of the track. The greater the technical level of the track, the lesser the possibility of developing cyclic power and vice versa.     

Epigenetic activation of SOX11 in lymphoid neoplasms by histone modifications

Recent studies have shown aberrant expression of SOX11 in various types of aggressive B-cell neoplasms. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to such deregulation, we performed a comprehensive SOX11 gene expression and epigenetic study in stem cells, normal hematopoietic cells and different lymphoid neoplasms. We observed that SOX11 expression is associated with unmethylated DNA and presence of activating histone marks (H3K9/14Ac and H3K4me3) in embryonic stem cells and some aggressive B-cell neoplasms. In contrast, adult stem cells, normal hematopoietic cells and other lymphoid neoplasms do not express SOX11. Such repression was associated with silencing histone marks H3K9me2 and H3K27me3. The SOX11 promoter of non-malignant cells was consistently unmethylated whereas lymphoid neoplasms with silenced SOX11 tended to acquire DNA hypermethylation. SOX11 silencing in cell lines was reversed by the histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA but not by the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor AZA. These data indicate that, although DNA hypermethylation of SOX11 is frequent in lymphoid neoplasms, it seems to be functionally inert, as SOX11 is already silenced in the hematopoietic system. In contrast, the pathogenic role of SOX11 is associated with its de novo expression in some aggressive lymphoid malignancies, which is mediated by a shift from inactivating to activating histone modifications.     

Relationship of the replication and incompatibility genes of an IncFVI haemolysin plasmid with other F-like haemolysin plasmids

The replication and incompatibility region of the IncFVI plasmid pSU502 has been isolated by in vitro DNA manipulation as part of a 12.6 kb plasmid, denominated pSU503. Plasmid pSU503 was strongly incompatible with its parental plasmid, pSU1, but was fully compatible with the haemolytic plasmids pSU316 (IncFIII/IV), pHly152 (IncI2) and pSU233 (Inc-pSU233). Furthermore, the 6.9 kb EcoRI fragment of pSU503 which carries the replication and incompatibility determinants of pSU1 did not show any detectable homology (less than 70%) with any of the haemolysin-determining plasmids with which it is compatible. Thus, homologous haemolysin determinants have become linked to apparently unrelated replicons.     

Characterisation of recombinant epithiospecifier protein and its over-expression in Arabidopsis thaliana

Epithiospecifier protein (ESP) is a protein that catalyses formation of epithionitriles during glucosinolate hydrolysis. In vitro assays with a recombinant ESP showed that the formation of epithionitriles from alkenylglucosinolates is ESP and ferrous ion dependent. Nitrile formation in vitro however does not require ESP but only the presence of Fe(II) and myrosinase. Ectopic expression of ESP in Arabidopsis thaliana Col-5 under control of the strong viral CaMV 35S promoter altered the glucosinolate product profile from isothiocyanates towards the corresponding nitriles.