Interrupted incubation: How dabbling ducks respond when flushed from the nest

Nesting birds must provide a thermal environment sufficient for egg development while also meeting self‐maintenance needs. Many birds, particularly those with uniparental incubation, achieve this balance through periodic incubation recesses, during which foraging and other self‐maintenance activities can occur. However, incubating birds may experience disturbances such as predator or human activity which interrupt natural incubation patterns by compelling them to leave the nest. We characterized incubating mallard Anas platyrhynchos and gadwall Mareca strepera hens’ responses when flushed by predators and investigators in Suisun Marsh, California, USA. Diurnal incubation recesses initiated by investigators approaching nests were 63% longer than natural diurnal incubation recesses initiated by the hen (geometric mean: 226.77 min versus 142.04 min). Nocturnal incubation recesses, many of which were likely the result of predators flushing hens, were of similar duration regardless of whether the nest was partially depredated during the event (115.33 [101.01;131.68] minutes) or not (119.62 [111.96;127.82] minutes), yet were 16% shorter than natural diurnal incubation recesses. Hens moved further from the nest during natural diurnal recesses or investigator‐initiated recesses than during nocturnal recesses, and the proportion of hen locations recorded in wetland versus upland habitat during recesses varied with recess type (model‐predicted means: natural diurnal recess 0.77; investigator‐initiated recess 0.82; nocturnal recess 0.31). Hens were more likely to take a natural recess following an investigator‐initiated recess earlier that same day than following a natural recess earlier that same day, and natural recesses that followed an investigator‐initiated recess were longer than natural recesses that followed an earlier natural recess, suggesting that hens may not fulfill all of their physiological needs during investigator‐initiated recesses. We found no evidence that the duration of investigator‐initiated recesses was influenced by repeated visits to the nest, whether by predators or by investigators, and trapping and handling the hen did not affect investigator‐initiated recess duration unless the hen was also fitted with a backpack‐harness style GPS–GSM transmitter at the time of capture. Hens that were captured and fitted with GPS–GSM transmitters took recesses that were 26% longer than recesses during which a hen was captured but a GPS–GSM transmitter was not attached. Incubation interruptions had measurable but limited and specific effects on hen behavior.     

Objective classification of scapular kinematics in participants with movement faults of the scapula on clinical assessment

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of employing a classification tool to objectively classify participants with clinically assessed movement faults (MFs) of the scapula. Six participants with a history of shoulder pain with MFs of the scapula and 12 healthy participants with no movement faults (NMFs) performed a flexion movement control test of the scapula, while scapular kinematic data were collected. Principal component scores and discrete kinematic variables were used as input into a classifier. Five out of the six participants with a history of pain were successfully classified as having scapular MFs with an accuracy of 72%. Variables related to the upward rotation of the scapula had the most influence on the classification. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of adopting a multivariate approach in objective classification of participants with altered scapular kinematics in pathological groups.     

Case Studies of the Impacts of Cataract Surgery on Crested Penguin Welfare

As nonhuman animals age, geriatric individuals require additional care and veterinary support to ensure their well being. The focus on lifelong care is a relatively newer approach when providing good welfare, and few studies have examined how veterinary care impacts behavior at different ages or how best to accommodate geriatric individuals in zoos. The objectives of this study were to (a) assess both the immediate and long-term (one year later) behavioral impacts of cataract removal for macaroni (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and southern rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome) penguins; (b) compare the behavior of penguins following cataract surgery to that of other conspecifics in the same habitat; and (c) monitor the impacts of cataract surgery on swimming behavior using time-depth recorders. Individual responses to cataract removal differed in direction and magnitude, and these mixed results highlight that welfare is experienced and thus measured at the individual level. Positive responses included increased habitat use, increased time spent swimming, and increased rates of affiliative interactions. This study highlights the importance of assessing welfare impacts of veterinary interventions on geriatric individuals.     

The Induction of Phagocytic Activation by Mixtures of the Water Chlorination By‐Products,Dichloroacetate‐ and Trichloroacetate,in Mice after Subchronic Exposure

In this study, groups of B6C3F1 male mice were treated with dichloroacetate (DCA), trichloroacetate (TCA), and mixtures of the compounds (Mix I, II, and III) daily by gavage, for 13 weeks. The tested doses were 7.5, 15, and 30 mg DCA/kg/day and 12.5, 25, and 50 mg TCA/kg/day. The DCA: TCA ratios in Mix I, II, and III were 7.5:12.5, 15:25, and 30:50 mg/kg/day, respectively. Peritoneal lavage cells were collected at the end of the treatment period and assayed for the biomarkers of phagocytic activation, including superoxide anion and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha production, and myeloperoxidase activity. The mixtures produced nonlinear effects on the biomarkers of phagocytic activation, with Mix I and II effects were found to be additive, but Mix III effects were found to be less than additive. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:237‐242, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/jbt.21476     

Structural coupling of the EF hand and C‐terminal GTPase domains in the mitochondrial protein Miro

Miro is a highly conserved calcium‐binding GTPase at the regulatory nexus of mitochondrial transport and autophagy. Here we present crystal structures comprising the tandem EF hand and carboxy terminal GTPase (cGTPase) domains of Drosophila Miro. The structures reveal two previously unidentified ‘hidden’ EF hands, each paired with a canonical EF hand. Each EF hand pair is bound to a helix that structurally mimics an EF hand ligand. A key nucleotide‐sensing element and a Pink1 phosphorylation site both lie within an extensive EF hand–cGTPase interface. Our results indicate structural mechanisms for calcium, nucleotide and phosphorylation‐dependent regulation of mitochondrial function by Miro.     

Catabolic and anabolic periarticular bone changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a computed tomography study on the role of age,disease duration and bone markers

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine the factors, including markers of bone resorption and bone formation, which determine catabolic and anabolic periarticular bone changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Forty RA patients received high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) analysis of the metacarpophalangeal joints II and III of the dominantly affected hand at two sequential time points (baseline, one year follow-up). Erosion counts and scores as well as osteophyte counts and scores were recorded. Simultaneously, serum markers of bone resorption (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX I), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP5b)), bone formation (bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC)) and calcium homeostasis (parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (Vit D)) were assessed. Bone biomarkers were correlated to imaging data by partial correlation adjusting for various demographic and disease-specific parameters. Additionally, imaging data were analyzed by mixed linear model regression.

Results

Partial correlation analysis showed that TRAP5b levels correlate significantly with bone erosions, whereas BAP levels correlate with osteophytes at both time points. In the mixed linear model with erosions as the dependent variable, disease duration (P <0.001) was the key determinant for these catabolic bone changes. In contrast, BAP (P = 0.001) as well as age (P = 0.018), but not disease duration (P = 0.762), were the main determinants for the anabolic changes (osteophytes) of the periarticular bone in patients with RA.

Conclusions

This study shows that structural bone changes assessed with HR-pQCT are accompanied by alterations in systemic markers of bone resorption and bone formation. Besides, it can be shown that bone erosions in RA patients depend on disease duration, whereas osteophytes are associated with age as well as serum level of BAP. Therefore, these data not only suggest that different variables are involved in formation of bone erosions and osteophytes in RA patients, but also that periarticular bone changes correlate with alterations in systemic markers of bone metabolism, pointing out BAP as an important parameter.     

In Vivo and in Vitro Activity And Mechanism Of Action of the Multidrug Cytarabine-L-Glycerylyl-Fluorodeoxyuridine

Multidrugs have the potential to bypass resistance. We investigated the in vitro activity and resistance circumvention of the multidrug cytarabine-L-fluorodeoxyuridine (AraC-L-5FdU), linked via a glycerophospholipid linkage. Cytotoxicity was determined using sensitive (A2780, FM3A/0) and resistant (AG6000, AraC resistant, deoxycytidine kinase deficient; FM3A/TK-, 5FdU resistant, thymidine kinase deficient) cell lines. Circumvention of nucleoside transporter and activating enzymes was determined using specific inhibitors, HPLC analysis and standard radioactivity assays. AraC-L-5FdU was active (IC50: 0.03 μM in both A2780 and FM3A/0), had some activity in AG6000 (IC50: 0.28 μ M), but no activity in FM3A/TK^? (IC50: 18.3 μM). AraC-nucleotides were not detected in AG6000. 5FdU-nucleotides were detected in all cell lines. AraC-L-5FdU did not inhibit TS in FM3A/TK^? (5%). Since phosphatase/nucleotidase-inhibition reduced cytotoxicity 7–70-fold, cleavage seems to be outside the cell, presumably to nucleotides, and then to nucleosides. The multidrug was orally active in the HT-29 colon carcinoma xenografts which are resistant toward the single drugs.     

“Reverse” Carbocyclic Fleximers: Synthesis of a New Class of Adenosine Deaminase Inhibitors

A series of flexible carbocyclic pyrimidine nucleosides has been designed and synthesized. In contrast to previously reported “fleximers” from our laboratory, these analogues have the connectivity of the heterocyclic base system “reversed”, where the pyrimidine ring is attached to the sugar moiety, rather than the five membered imidazole ring. As was previously seen with the ribose fleximers, their inherent flexibility should allow them to adjust to enzyme binding site mutations, as well as increase the affinity for atypical enzymes. Preliminary biological screening has revealed surprising inhibition of adenosine deaminase, despite their lack of resemblance to adenosine.     

Description of Lentistivalius philippinensis,a new species of flea (Siphonaptera,Pygiosyllomorpha, Stivaliidae), and new records of Ascodipterinae (Streblidae) on bats and other small mammals from Luzon,The Philippines

During May 2009 and July 2011, we collected 357 mammals and examined each for ectoparasites. Among the ectoparasites collected, a new species of flea was discovered. This new species, Lentistivalius philippinensis, is described from the male sex only. Two males were recovered from two specimens of the soricid Crocidura grayi Dobson in Municipality Maria Aurora, Aurora Province, Luzon, Philippines. Additional fleas included Thaumapsylla breviceps orientalis Smit, Thaumapsylla longiforceps Traub, and Ischnopsyllus indicus Jordan. Although the latter species is common in Japan and documented in Guam (as well as mainland Southeast Asia) also on Pipistrellus javanicus (Gray), Ischnopsyllus indicus represents a new record in the Philippine Islands. The ascodipterinae (Streblidae) Maabella stomalata and Ascodipteron speiserianum Muir collected from Rhinolophus inops K. Andersen and Rhinolophus subrufus K. Andersen, respectively, also represent new host records. A key to the species of the flea genus Lentistivalius Traub is provided.     

Bulky DNA adduct levels in normal-appearing colon mucosa,and the prevalence of colorectal adenomas

Abstract

Purpose: Examine the association between bulky DNA adduct levels in colon mucosa and colorectal adenoma prevalence, and explore the correlation between adduct levels in leukocytes and colon tissue.

Methods: Bulky DNA adduct levels were measured using ³²P-postlabelling in biopsies of normal-appearing colon tissue and blood donated by 202 patients. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between DNA adducts, and interactions of DNA adduct-DNA repair polymorphisms, with the prevalence of colorectal adenomas. Correlation between blood and tissue levels of DNA adducts was evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient.

Results: An interaction between bulky DNA adduct levels and XPA rs1800975 on prevalence of colorectal adenoma was observed. Among individuals with lower DNA repair activity, increased DNA adduct levels were associated with increased colorectal adenoma prevalence (OR?=?1.41 per SD increase, 95%CI: 0.92–2.18). Conversely, among individuals with normal DNA activity, an inverse association was observed (OR?=?0.60 per SD increase, 95%CI: 0.34–1.07). Blood and colon DNA adduct levels were inversely correlated (ρ?=??0.20).

Conclusions: Among genetically susceptible individuals, higher bulky DNA adducts in the colon was associated with the prevalence of colorectal adenomas. The inverse correlation between blood and colon tissue measures demonstrates the importance of quantifying biomarkers in target tissues.