bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of herbarium plant databases in identifying areas of biodiversity concentration: the case of family Acanthaceae in Uganda
Authors: Kalema James
Published: April 2008

The family Acanthaceae in Uganda was used to demonstrate the use of herbarium data in showing distribution patterns and diversity of plants and their representation in protected ares. The geographical distribution of the species was determined from Herbarium specimens at the Makerere Univeristy Herbarium, Kew Herbarium and the Natural History Museum, London. More than 2900 collections in a total of 251 species and 52 genera were examined. Species richness was highest in the areas around the Rwenzori Mountains, Budongo Forest and along the northern shores of Lake Victoria, especially around Mabira, Also important were areas around Mt. Elgon, Moroto and Kigezi highlands and the Albertine Rift area. Many species were highly localized with very few known records. The protected area system of Uganda captured many of the species but there were many others occurring outside the main protected areas.
Pharmacokinetics of darunavir/ritonavir and ketoconazole following co‐administration in HIV–healthy volunteers
Authors: Sekar Vanitha J. , Lefebvre Eric , De Pauw Martine , Vangeneugden Tony , Hoetelmans Richard M.
Published: April 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Ketoconazole is a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme system.

• Co‐administration of ketoconazole and drugs primarily metabolized by the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme system may result in increased plasma concentrations of the drugs, which could increase or prolong both therapeutic and adverse effects.

• Therefore, unless otherwise specified, appropriate dosage adjustments may be necessary.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

• The current study was conducted to determine the extent of interaction between the potent CYP3A inhibitor, ketoconazole, and the CYP 3A substrate, darunavir (given alone and with low‐dose ritonavir).

• This information provides data on the pharmacokinetic boosting ability of ketoconazole and serves as important guidance to HIV‐infected patients and their treating physicians with regard to appropriate (co‐)administration of darunavir/ritonavir and ketoconazole.

Aims

To investigate the interaction between ketoconazole and darunavir (alone and in combination with low‐dose ritonavir), in HIV–healthy volunteers.

Methods

Volunteers received darunavir 400 mg bid and darunavir 400 mg bid plus ketoconazole 200 mg bid, in two sessions (Panel 1), or darunavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg bid, ketoconazole 200 mg bid and darunavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg bid plus ketoconazole 200 mg bid, over three sessions (Panel 2). Treatments were administered with food for 6 days. Steady‐state pharmacokinetics following the morning dose on day 7 were compared between treatments. Short‐term safety and tolerability were assessed.

Results

Based on least square means ratios (90% confidence intervals), during darunavir and ketoconazole co‐administration, darunavir area under the curve (AUC12h), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and minimum plasma concentration (Cmin) increased by 155% (80, 261), 78% (28, 147) and 179% (58, 393), respectively, compared with treatment with darunavir alone. Darunavir AUC12h, Cmax and Cmin increased by 42% (23, 65), 21% (4, 40) and 73% (39, 114), respectively, during darunavir/ritonavir and ketoconazole co‐administration, relative to darunavir/ritonavir treatment. Ketoconazole pharmacokinetics was unchanged by co‐administration with darunavir alone. Ketoconazole AUC12h, Cmax and Cmin increased by 212% (165, 268), 111% (81, 144) and 868% (544, 1355), respectively, during co‐administration with darunavir/ritonavir compared with ketoconazole alone.

Conclusions

The increase in darunavir exposure by ketoconazole was lower than that observed previously with ritonavir. A maximum ketoconazole dose of 200 mg day−1 is recommended if used concomitantly with darunavir/ritonavir, with no dose adjustments for darunavir/ritonavir.
Prediction of survival using absolute lymphocyte count for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma: a retrospective study
Authors: Ege Hilmi , Gertz Morie A. , Markovic Svetomir N. , Lacy Martha Q. , Dispenzieri Angela , Hayman Suzanne R. , Kumar Shaji K. , Porrata Luis F.
Published: April 2008

Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) recovery after autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma (MM) has been reported to be an independent prognostic factor for clinical outcome. The role of ALC on survival in newly diagnosed untreated MM patients is unknown. Between 1994 and 2002, we analysed retrospectively 537 MM patients of 1835 consecutive MM patients that were neither uniformly treated nor part of a clinical trail, but originally diagnosed and followed at the Mayo Clinic. The primary endpoint was to assess the role of ALC at the time of MM diagnosis on overall survival (OS). The median follow‐up was 35·1 months (range: 1–152·5 months). ALC, as a continuous variable, was identified as prognostic factor for OS (Hazard ratio = 0·473, 95% confidence interval = 0·359–0·618,P < 0·0001). MM patients with an ALC ≥1·4 × 109/l experienced superior OS compared with MM patients with an ALC <1·4 × 109/l (65 vs. 26 months,P < 0·0001). Multivariate analysis identified ALC as an independent prognostic factor for OS. This study showed that, in newly diagnosed MM, ALC is an independent prognostic factor for OS, suggesting a significant role of host immune status in the survival of MM.
Expression of P2X5 in lymphoid malignancies results in LRH‐1‐specific cytotoxic T‐cell‐mediated lysis
Authors: Overes Ingrid M. , De Rijke Björn , Van Horssen‐Zoetbrood Agnes , Fredrix Hanny , De Graaf Aniek O. , Jansen Joop H. , Van Krieken J. Han J. M. , Raymakers Reinier A. P. , Van Der Voort Robbert , De Witte Theo M. , Dolstra Harry
Published: April 2008

Minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHA) selectively expressed by haematopoietic cells are attractive targets for specific immunotherapy after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Previously, we described LRH‐1 as a haematopoietic‐lineage restricted MiHA that is capable of eliciting an allogeneic cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) response after SCT and donor lymphocyte infusion. Importantly, the gene encoding LRH‐1, P2X5, is not expressed in prominent graft‐versus‐host‐disease target tissues such as skin, liver and gut. Here, we investigate whether LRH‐1‐specific immunotherapy may be exploited for the treatment of lymphoid malignancies. We examined P2X5 mRNA expression in a large panel of patient samples and cell lines from different types of lymphoid malignancies by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. P2X5 mRNA was highly expressed in malignant cells from all stages of lymphoid development. Furthermore, all LRH‐1‐positive lymphoid tumour cell lines were susceptible to LRH‐1 CTL‐mediated lysis in flow cytometry‐based cytotoxicity assays. However, interferon‐γ production was low or absent after stimulation with some cell lines, possibly due to differences in activation thresholds for CTL effector functions. Importantly, primary cells from patients with lymphoid malignancies were effectively lysed by LRH‐1‐specific CTL. These findings indicate that MiHA LRH‐1 is a potential therapeutic target for cellular immunotherapy of lymphoid malignancies.
Relapse prediction in acute myeloid leukaemia patients in complete remission using WT1 as a molecular marker: development of a mathematical model to predict time from molecular to clinical relapse and define optimal sampling intervals
Authors: Ommen Hans Beier , Nyvold Charlotte Guldborg , Brændstrup Karin , Andersen Bodil Lind , Ommen Ingrid Beier , Hasle Henrik , Hokland Peter , Østergaard Mette
Published: April 2008

We hypothesized that Wilms tumour 1 gene (WT1) expression levels in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients might have predictive value and reveal molecular relapse kinetics. WT1 level was determined at diagnosis, during therapy and post‐therapy follow‐up in 89 patients who reached first complete remission (CR1) (952 samples, median 8 samples/patient, range 2–38). CR1 bone marrow (BM) WT1 level above normal (based on 39 healthy donors) was an independent adverse prognostic factor regarding both disease‐free survival [hazard ratio (HR) 4·46, P = 0·001] and overall survival (HR 2·62, P = 0·019). By grouping 34 BM and 99 peripheral blood (PB) complete remission samples in monthly intervals prior to clinical relapse, disease development was delineated and a simple mathematical model constructed, that allowed for the prediction of relapse detection rates (RDRs) as well as median times [tms] from WT1 positivity to clinical relapse. BM sampling was required to obtain RDRs above 93% and tms above 67 d. Acceptable RDRs and tms (81% and 44 d, respectively) could be acquired by bimonthly PB sampling. In conclusion, CR1 WT1 expression is an independent prognostic factor in AML. According to our model, BM is superior for relapse prediction, but PB samples are useful when shorter sampling intervals are possible.
Venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients: a public health crisis?
Authors: Baglin Trevor
Published: April 2008

The majority of hospitalised patients are at risk of venous thrombosis and one in ten hospital deaths are due to pulmonary embolism. A report from the House of Commons Health Committee published in 2005 stated that each year over 25 000 people in England die from venous thromboembolism developing during hospitalisation. The report also stated that, whilst many of these deaths are preventable by thromboprophylaxis, this is not as widely used as it should be. This article reflects on the background prompting the report of the Health Committee and the subsequent response to this, including the publication of a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guideline on reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing surgery and the strategy for venous thrombosis prevention outlined by the Chief Medical Officer for England. It is anticipated that, by 2009, risk assessment will be mandatory for all hospitalised patients in England; the same strategy is likely for the whole UK.
Inferring relative numbers of human leucocyte genome replications
Authors: Chu Michelle , Siegmund Kimberly D. , Hao Qian‐Lin , Crooks Gay M. , Tavaré Simon , Shibata Darryl
Published: April 2008

Genome duplication inevitably results in replication errors. A priori, the more times a genome is copied, the greater the average number of replication errors. This principle could be used to ‘count’ mitotic divisions. Although somatic mutations are rare, cytosine methylation is also copied after DNA replication, but measurably increases with aging at certain CpG rich sequences in mitotic tissues, such as the colon. To further test whether such age‐related methylation represents replication errors, these CpG rich ‘clock’ sequences were measured in leucocytes. Leucocytes within an individual have identical chronological ages (time since birth) but their mitotic ages (numbers of divisions since the zygote) may differ. Neutrophils, B‐lymphocytes, and red cell progenitors are produced from relatively quiescent stem cells throughout life, but T‐lymphocyte production largely ceases after puberty when the thymus disappears. However, T‐lymphocyte genomes may continue to replicate throughout life in response to immunological stimulation. Consistent with this biology, clock methylation significantly increased with aging for T‐lymphocyte genomes, but no significant increase was measured in other cell populations. Moreover, this methylation was greater in genomes isolated from their corresponding neoplastic populations. These studies tentatively support the hypothesis that methylation at certain CpG rich sequences in leucocytes could record their mitotic ages.
Maternal and child undernutrition 3: what works? Interventions for maternal and child undernutrition and survival
Authors: Reading Richard
Published: April 2008

.
 
Bhutta Z.A.,
Ahmed T.,
Black R.E.,
Cousens S.,
Dewey K.,
Giugliani E.,
Haider B.A.,
Kirkwood B.,
Morris S.S.,
Sachdev H.P.S.,
Shekar M. &
(
2008
)

,
371
,
417
–
440
.
 
DOI: 10.1016/S0140‐6736(07)61693‐6.
Maternal and child undernutrition 5: effective international action against undernutrition: why has it proven so difficult and what can be done to accelerate progress?
Authors: Reading Richard
Published: April 2008

Morris S.S.,
Coghill B.,
Uauy R. &
(
2008
)

,
371
,
608
–
621
.
 
DOI: 10.1016/S0140‐6736(07)61695‐X.
Unravelling the determinants of stream midge biodiversity in a boreal drainage basin
Authors: HEINO JANI , PAASIVIRTA LAURI
Published: April 2008

1. Few extensive lotic studies have examined patterns in the biodiversity of non‐biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) along major environmental gradients. Our aim was to fill this gap by describing patterns in species diversity, assemblage composition and distributions of midges across a boreal drainage basin.

2. We found that the diversity of midges, as measured by rarefied species richness, Fisher’s α and Pielou’s evenness, responded positively to stream size in regression analysis. By contrast, species density was most strongly correlated to a gradient in suspended solids and phosphorus in stream water, as well as macrophyte cover. Spatial variables were not significantly correlated with species diversity.

3. Midge assemblage composition was best explained by a model incorporating five composite environmental gradients in canonical correspondence analysis. The environmental gradients were stream size, macrophyte cover, alkalinity, nitrogen and suspended solids. Spatial variables did not overcome the effects of environmental gradients on assemblage composition.

4. Cluster analysis divided the 27 study sites into four groups with relatively similar midge assemblages. These groups were statistically significant in multi‐response permutation procedure, and 15 of the 49 midge taxa recorded varied significantly among the groups in indicator value analysis. Discriminant function analysis showed that stream size, macrophyte cover and habitat structure predicted 66.7% of sites into correct groups.

5. The information provided by the present analyses may be of considerable importance in conservation planning at the drainage basin level. The fact that species diversity and assemblage composition varied primarily along the stream size gradient suggests that sites belonging to the different size classes (first to fifth order) are needed to conserve the biodiversity of midges. The other environmental gradients should also be considered in conservation planning, because they explained significant amounts of variability in midge assemblage composition.
Common tree growth anomalies over the northeastern Tibetan Plateau during the last six centuries: implications for regional moisture change
Authors: LI JINBAO , COOK EDWARD R. , D'ARRIGO ROSANNE , CHEN FAHU , GOU XIAOHUA , PENG JIANFENG , HUANG JIANGUO
Published: April 2008

The world's hydrological cycle is believed to intensify with global warming, yet current climate models have only a limited ability to assess moisture responses at regional scales. Tree‐ring records are a valuable source of information for understanding long‐term, regional‐scale moisture changes, particularly for large regions such as the Tibetan Plateau (TP), where the observational data are short and sparse. Here, we present a new ring‐width chronology developed from Qilian Juniper (Sabina przewalskii) wood at two sites on the northeastern TP. This chronology, combined with others from the same region, demonstrates that tree growth anomalies are linked to regional late spring to early summer moisture availability. Although late monsoon season precipitation in the study area decreased during recent decades, tree growth continued to increase due to persistent moisture availability in the early monsoon season. Comparison with global sea surface temperatures (SSTs) indicates that early (late) monsoon season precipitation is closely related to tropical Pacific (Indian Ocean) SSTs, suggesting a possible seasonal shift in the dominant moisture source area for monsoonal precipitation over the northeastern TP. It is further shown that there is a very high degree of coherency regarding low‐frequency tree growth anomalies over the northeastern TP during the last six centuries. The most prominent drought epoch occurred during ca. 1450–1500, which may have been caused by a significant decrease in the thermal gradient between the Eurasian continent and the tropical oceans. A persistent tree growth increase since the 1880s is coincident with global warming, suggesting an intensified early monsoon season moisture regime in the study area.
L1503R is a member of group I mutation and has dominant‐negative effect on secretion of full‐length VWF multimers: an analysis of two patients with type 2A von Willebrand disease
Authors: KASHIWAGI T. , MATSUSHITA T. , ITO Y. , HIRASHIMA K. , SANDA N. , FUJIMORI Y. , YAMADA T. , OKUMURA K. , TAKAGI A. , MURATE T. , KATSUMI A. , TAKAMATSU J. , YAMAMOTO K. , NAOE T. , KOJIMA T.
Published: April 2008

Summary.  Type 2A von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by decreased platelet‐dependent function of von Willebrand factor (VWF); this in turn is associated with an absence of high‐molecular‐weight multimers. Sequence analysis of the VWF gene from two unrelated type 2A VWD patients showed an identical, novel, heterozygous T→G transversion at nucleotide 4508, resulting in the substitution of L1503R in the VWF A2 domain. This substitution, which was not found in 60 unrelated normal individuals, was introduced into a full‐length VWF cDNA and subsequently expressed in 293T cells. Only trace amount of the mutant VWF protein was secreted but most of the same was retained in 293T cells. Co‐transfection experiment of both wild‐type and mutant plasmids indicated the dominant‐negative mechanism of disease development; as more of mutant DNA was transfected, VWF secretion was impaired in the media, whereas more of VWF was stored in the cell lysates. Molecular dynamic simulations of structural changes induced by L1503R indicated that the mean value of all‐atom root‐mean‐squared‐deviation was shifted from those with wild type or another mutation L1503Q that has been reported to be a group II mutation, which is susceptible to ADAMTS13 proteolysis. Protein instability of L1503R may be responsible for its intracellular retention and perhaps the larger VWF multimers, containing more mutant VWF subunits, are likely to be mal‐processed and retained within the cell.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Are small sedentary species affected by habitat fragmentation? Local vs. landscape factors predicting species richness and composition of land molluscs in Swedish conservation forests
Authors: Götmark Frank , Von Proschwitz Ted , Franc Niklas
Published: April 2008

Aim To investigate the relative role of local versus landscape factors for local species diversity of snails and slugs in conservation forests. In landscapes with small, isolated patches of semi‐natural habitats, many species that require large habitat areas have disappeared or are threatened. We asked whether small sedentary taxa that depend on local conditions, such as molluscs, are affected if total habitat area decreases in the landscape.

Location Temperate broadleaved and oak‐rich forest in southern Sweden.

Methods We sampled molluscs in 25 small conservation forests that are well‐spaced out over a large region. In each forest, sampling was conducted in two plots, each of 1 ha, separated by about 25–100 m. Factors potentially influencing local diversity of molluscs were measured in the plots and in the surrounding landscape at different scales (in space and time) and were analysed by stepwise multiple regression and ordination (PCA and NMS).

Results We recorded 53 species, and mean species richness per forest (plots pooled) was 22.6. The pH of the plant litter predicted both species richness and composition; other local (plot) factors of lower importance were canopy openness, stony ground and tree species. The area of conservation forest (woodland key habitat) within 10 km of plots was positively associated with species richness, and was also related to species composition. Openness of the landscape (agriculture) was a negative factor, but historical plot openness (1938–59) seemed to be unimportant. In addition, climate/topography (temperature and altitude) also predicted species composition of the sites.

Main conclusions We rejected the hypothesis that microhabitat factors alone, or mainly, determine local species richness and composition of land molluscs. These representatives of small, sedentary organisms seem to be substantially influenced by the surrounding landscape, which should be considered in conservation work and in plans for the protection of forest biodiversity.
Autoimmunity in atherosclerosis: a protective response losing control?
Authors: Nilsson J. , Hansson G. K.
Published: April 2008

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by accumulation of oxidized lipoproteins, increased cell death and hypertrophic degeneration of the arterial intima. The disease process is associated with local formation of modified self antigens that are targeted by both innate and adaptive immune responses. Although it remains to be firmly established it is likely that these autoimmune responses initially have a beneficial effect facilitating the removal of potentially harmful rest products from oxidized LDL and dying cells. However, studies performed on hypercholesterolaemic mice deficient in different components of the immune system uniformly suggest that the net effect of immune activation is pro‐atherogenic and that atherosclerosis, at least to some extent, should be regarded as an autoimmune disease. These observations point to the possibility of developing new treatments for atherosclerosis based on modulation of immune responses against plaque antigens, an approach presently tested clinically for several other chronic inflammatory diseases with autoimmune components. Pilot studies in animals have provided promising results for both parental and oral vaccines based on oxidized LDL antigens. The time when this concept is ready for clinical testing is rapidly approaching but it will be important not to underestimate the difficulties that will be encountered in transferring the promising results from experimental animals into humans.
Possible health hazards associated with the collection and handling of post‐mortem zoological material
Authors: IRVIN A. D. , COOPER J. E. , HEDGES S. R.
Published: April 2008

Zoologists handling post‐mortem material are at risk to infection by a number of potentially dangerous pathogens. The incidence of such infections is small but that is no reason for complacency. The possible sources of infection and precautions to be taken are reviewed and an annotated checklist of potentially dangerous diseases which might be associated with post‐mortem material is given.
Modern whaling in Britain and the north‐east Atlantic Ocean
Authors: BROWN SIDNEY G.
Published: April 2008

Modern whaling, using an explosive harpoon fired from a steam catcher‐boat to kill the fast‐swimming rorquals, began from shore whaling stations in northern Norway in the 1860s. It spread to Iceland, the Faeroe Islands and Spitsbergen, before reaching the British Isles in 1903.

Whaling took place from four stations in the Shetland Islands, one in the Outer Hebrides, and two in Ireland, before the First World War. Fin whales were the main species caught but Blue, Humpback, Sei, Right, Sperm and Bottle‐nosed whales were also taken. Four stations re‐opened in 1920, but from 1923 onwards only two continued to operate and whaling ceased in 1929, though the Hebridean station worked again for two seasons in 1950–1951.

The species composition of catches at the Hebridean and Irish stations was very similar and different from that of the stations in the Shetland Islands where few Blue whales and Right whales were taken. There is evidence that Fin whales were being overfished on the Shetland Islands whaling grounds at an early date, and that Blue whales and Right whales, but not Fin whales, declined in numbers on the Hebridean grounds.

The history of modern whaling in the north‐east North Atlantic region as a whole indicates that the stocks of Blue, Humpback and Right whales were not large enough to support continuous whaling on the scale which took place there. The development of whaling since 1945 supports the view that there are separate populations of Fin whales in the region. The numbers of this species have declined on the whaling grounds of the Faeroe Islands and western Norway, and possibly also of north Norway, but not on the Icelandic grounds where there is no evidence of overfishing.
On food preference in the Red fox
Authors: MACDONALD D. W.
Published: April 2008

Foxes treat different prey species in a variety of ways, eating, burying, or discarding them on the basis of preference.

Because foxes often utilize cached food and because they can remember which prey species is in a given cache the preference effect can be longstanding.

Evidence from the literature suggests that comparable effects of preference for different species of small mammals affects the diet of wild foxes and their behaviour in the same way as demonstrated in these experiments.

Certain distastes appear common to all foxes and most carnivores, for instance, insectivore and carnivore meat, in particular that of their own species.

An incidence of active cannibalism by a fox is reported.

The effect of food preference is shown to change during the course of one individual's life perhaps as a consequence of such factors as rearing cubs and competition for food.

One effect of the behavioural consequences of food preference is to defer the decision of what to eat.

That the fox will kill animals that it does not eat means that populations of animals that are not strictly fox prey are still at risk from fox predatory activity.
A statistical procedure for estimating Grey seal pup production from a single census
Authors: RADFORD P. J. , SUMMERS C. F. , YOUNG K. M.
Published: April 2008

The variable start and duration of the Grey seal breeding season makes the estimation of total pup production from a single census very difficult. Classifying the count into morphological age classes enables the form and timing of the birth rate curve and estimates of pup mortality rates to be elucidated. A simulation technique is described which enables the duration of each morphological stage to be determined from a series of such classified counts taken over one season. A further statistical technique uses these estimates to calculate the mean timing and duration of the breeding season from a single classified count taken from similar populations in subsequent years. This information allows total pup production to be calculated for any appropriate breeding colony. Some guidance is given as to the optimal timing of that single census which would yield the best estimate of production, although the precise date is not critical to the success of the technique. Results from single census estimates obtained in this way are compared with known production data from more detailed surveys for a number of different colonies.
Foods and feeding habits of wild and captive Sirenia
Authors: BEST ROBIN C.
Published: April 2008

The Sirenia along with the elephants and hyraxes form the Super‐Order Paenungulata. They are the only fully aquatic mammalian herbivores and are represented by three species of manatees (Trichechidae), the dugong and the now extinct, Steller's sea cow (Dugongidae). Sirenians are non‐ruminant herbivores that have specialized hind‐gut fermentation in a large paired caecum at the juncture of the large and small intestines. The stomach is relatively small and is characterized by a unique cardiac gland which contains most of the digestive‐enzyme secreting cells. Little is known of the digestive physiology of sirenians. The metabolic rate of the manatee is very low in comparison to other mammals and may even represent the lowest weight‐specific metabolic rate for any mammal known. Metabolic rates forDugonghave not yet been determined. Foods and feeding habits of these species are reviewed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Manatees consume approximately 896 of their total body weight in aquatic plants daily, whereas the same value for the dugong is about 14%. Digestibilities of aquatic plants vary from 45 to 70% for manatees and a singlein vitromeasurement forDugongwas 83% for sea‐grass. The chemical composition of various plants consumed by wild and captive sirenians are presented and their value in the nutritional ecoloev of the different species is discussed.
The distribution of the Pine marten (Martes tnartes) in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: O'SULLIVAN P. J.
Published: April 2008

The Pine marten is now mainly confined to the woodland and scrub areas of the mid‐western region of Ireland (west of the river Shannon between Sligo and Limerick), though it was much more widespread in the country as recently as 50 years ago. It is suggested that this major reduction in the species' range can be attributed primarily to the continual loss and fragmentation of established woodland habitat. This resulted in a greater susceptibility of the species to predator control programmes, which included extensive poisoning campaigns and trapping to protect game and livestock. The survey recorded localized expansions of the species' range to occupy recently established conifer plantations, mostly on upland peats.
Squirrel numbers and the abundance of tree seeds
Authors: GURNELL JOHN
Published: April 2008

This is a literature review of the relationship between the abundance of tree seeds and the productivity, survival and dispersal of Holarctic tree squirrels. Causal links between changes in tree seed supplies and changes in squirrel numbers are often masked by various factors including intraspecifk and interspecific competition for seed, weather, predation and seed hoarding; density‐dependent relationships have not been clearly established. Tamiasciurus and Sciurus species have different seed‐hoarding strategies which are associated with differences in their social and spatial organization. Average squirrel densities in the long‐term are discussed in relation to forest habitat type, and directions for future research indicated.
Squirrel management
Authors: ROWE JUDITH J.
Published: April 2008

The management of Sciurus species is related to three main strategies: utilization; damage prevention; conservation. The tactics which have been used to implement these strategies and their effectiveness in different situations are briefly discussed. It is concluded that management strategies lack flexibility since monitoring is usually related to the current strategy. There is also a considerable time‐lag in translating biological knowledge and recommended changes in tactics to effective practice.
Anatomical adaptations of shrews
Authors: HUTTERER R.
Published: April 2008

The family Soricidae is reviewed with special regard to anatomical structures related to habitat and life‐style. Some 266 species in 20 genera are classified into six feeding and foraging categories: terrestrial, semifossorial, scansorial, semiaquatic, psammophilic and anthropophilic. Examples of corresponding anatomical adaptations are given as well as notes on adaptive radiation and convergent evolution.
The increased population of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) in Europe
Authors: SáAEZ‐ROYUELA C. , TELLERÍIA J. L.
Published: April 2008

In this paper the recent population changes of the Wild Boar in different European countries is analysed through the study of hunting statistics. A simultaneous increase in numbers is observed throughout the whole area during the period 1965–1975. From 1975 onwards the population stabilizes itself apart from in peripheral areas like Finland. Potentially favourable factors which play a part in this process are discussed and certain reproductive and dispersive characteristics which favour its invasive behaviour are discussed.
Protozoan parasites of British small rodents
Authors: COX F. E. G.
Published: April 2008

Thirty‐five species of protozoan parasites belonging to thirteen genera have now been recorded for British small rodents. These include species of Entamoeba, Giardia, Spironucleus, Trichomonas, Chilomastix, Eimeria and Cryptosporidium in the gut; Trypanosoma, Hepatozoon and Babesia in the blood; and Toxoplasma, Frenkelia and Sarcocystis in the tissues. Recent advances have progressed along two lines, the elucidation of the life‐cycles of the species ofFrenkelia and Sarcocystis, which are now known to involve a carnivore as the final host, and laboratory studies on those parasites that can be maintained in laboratory animals. It is now possible to draw up a definitive list of hosts and parasites and this should serve as a basis for studies on the epidemiology of these parasites and their possible effects on their hosts.
Foraging behaviour and home‐range utilization in a suburban Badger (Meles tneles) population
Authors: CRESSWELL W. J. , HARRIS S.
Published: April 2008

The size and distribution of home ranges, and the dispersion of latrines, was investigated to describe the use of space and degree of territoriality within a population of Badgers (Meles meles) living in the suburbs of Bristol. The movement patterns of different age and sex classes were studied, along with seasonal changes in various measures of activity. Part of the study area was surveyed in detail to compare the Badger's use of space with a variety of habitat parameters, and to examine the predictability of their foraging behaviour. Many of the results are in contrast to earlier studies on rural Badgers. Range sizes were variable, and inconsistent over time, many group ranges were not contiguous and those that were overlapped. Territorial boundaries were not obvious and latrines were clumped around sett sites. Age‐ and sex‐specific differences in movement activity were observed, along with an expansion of ranges in spring and a decrease in all forms of activity over the winter. Using multiple regression analysis, it was not easy to predict the foraging behaviour of suburban Badgers on the basis of 37 habitat variables sampled. There was some evidence of more structured foraging in the autumn, when more predictable food resources were available. The relevance of these observations to other studies on the ecology of Badger populations at varying densities and in different habitats is discussed.
The origins of lactation and the evolution of milk: a review with new hypotheses
Authors: BLACKBURN DANIEL G. , HAYSSEN VIRGINIA , MURPHY CHRISTOPHER J.
Published: April 2008

Lactation is central to mammalian reproduction, and an understanding of the origins of lactation is necessary to comprehend the early evolution of the Class Mammalia. In modern mammals, lactation is a staggeringly complex phenomenon involving morphological, physiological, biochemical, ecological, and behavioural adaptations. Because such a complex web of adaptations could not have arisen de novo, lactation must have begun as a much simpler process. Hypotheses regarding the original adaptive value of proto‐lacteal secretions invoke thermoregulatory, antibiotic, behavioural or nutritive functions. In this review, we evaluate each of these hypotheses and attempt to reconstruct the origins of lactation in the light of current concepts of the biology of early mammals and their ancestors, the origin of mammary glands, the evolution of extravitelline nutrient provision, and the physiology and biochemistry of milk synthesis and secretion. Drawing upon empirical evidence and theoretical considerations, we present a gradualistic scenario involving the following steps. First, incubation of eggs was aided by development of a vascularized abdominal incubation patch. Secondly, anti‐microbial secretions from cutaneous glands of the incubation patch enhanced survival of eggs or offspring. At this stage, these secretions could have supplemented vitelline nutrients (in much the same way as oviductal secretions do in monotremes), perhaps facultatively. Subsequently, hypertrophy and specialization of cutaneous glands accompanied the controlled production of a copious, nutritious secretion, which eventually evolved into a primary source of energy for development and growth of the offspring. We outline important events in the evolution of milk, and suggest studies likely to provide indirect tests of the evolutionary hypotheses discussed.
Bats and remedial timber treatment chemicals a review
Authors: MITCHELL‐JONES A. J. , COOKE A. S. , BOYD I. L. , STEBBINGS R. E.
Published: April 2008

All species of bat found in Britain have declined in numbers and all are classified as vulnerable or endangered. Their habitual use of roof voids for roosting and the formation of breeding colonies brings them into close contact with structural timbers which are often treated with long‐lasting pesticides to eradicate or prevent infestations of wood‐boring insects or wood‐rotting fungi. Some of the pesticides used have a considerable toxicity to mammals and are applied at a sufficiently high concentration to present a significant hazard to bats roosting on the treated timbers. Laboratory studies have shown that bats can be killed when they roost on timbers treated with lindane or pentachlorophenol, although some other chemicals, notably die synthetic pyrethroids, appear to be harmless. Numerous field incidents in which bats have been killed by remedial treatment chemicals emphasize the scale of the problem.
Mink (Mammalia; Carnivora; Mustelidae): correction of a widely quoted error
Authors: LINN IAN , BIRKS J. D. S.
Published: April 2008

Since the European Mink Mustela lutreola and the introduced American Mink M. vison are now sympatric in some parts of the former's native range, and since the two species are similar in appearance, ecology, and behaviour, a need has arisen for a simple way of discriminating live specimens of the two species in the field. Many publications, particularly field guides, have recommended diagnosis on the basis of the presence of white hair on the upper lip of the European species, and its absence in the American species. This is a mistaken suggestion, which should be avoided by authors. American Mink seldom if ever show the large white moustachial bands seen in some European Mink, and may indeed have no white hairs on the upper lip; but white patches of lesser size are common enough to be a possible cause of confusion.
A review of age determination methods for the Stoat Mustela erminea
Authors: KING CAROLYN M.
Published: April 2008

A sample of 166 Stoats collected from Craigieburn Forest Park, Canterbury, New Zealand, was used to assess the usefulness of seven different methods of age determination. All the methods made use of characters which do change with age, but not all are equally good at defining useful age classes. The recommended approach is to use a combination of skull and baculum measurements to identify young animals, followed by counting of the canine cementum annuli of adults. If the skull or baculum is broken or not available, visual assessment of the status of the nasal sutures, the lateral suprasesamoid tubercle of the femur and the wear of the carnassial teeth are the next best options for distinguishing the young. Kopein's index based on the closure of the pulp cavity of the canines, and the zonation visible in the periosteal bone of the mandible, are unreliable.
Dolphin swimming–a review
Authors: FISH FRANK E. , HUI CLIFFORD A.
Published: April 2008

Research into dolphin swimming has historically been guided by false assumptions of ‘effortless’, ‘high‐speed’ swimming. These assumptions have instigated the development of drag‐reduction hypotheses but tests of these hypotheses have generally had little success. The autecological approach has dominated recent efforts and has been more successful. In this review we summarize results of decades of research efforts to study these creatures. (1) Drag is minimized primarily by the streamlined shape of the body and appendages, with no known contributions from compliant dampening, dermal ridges, secretions, boundary layer heating, or skin folds. All indications are that the boundary layer is turbulent. (2) Muscles for the upstroke and downstroke of swimming dolphins provide approximately equal power. (3) Output force is enhanced by insertions occurring on the long processes of the vertebrae and on the subdermal connective tissue sheath. (4) Measured swimming speeds are lower than previously believed, with maximum reported routine speeds being approximately 3 m/s. (5) Porpoising behaviour appears to be the most energetically conservative manner in which to breathe when swimming at high speed. (6) Riding surf and wind waves involves the balance between the wave slope and the weight of the animal whereas riding the bow wave involves the interaction of the pressure wave in front of a ship and the drag of the dolphin.
Population regulation in the Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus(L.)
Authors: WILSON W. L. , MONTGOMERY W. I. , ELWOOD R. W.
Published: April 2008

Watts 1969 described the population cycle of the Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus as a decline in numbers in spring, a stable period in summer and an increase phase in autumn. Aggression by adult males was considered an important aspect of population regulation limiting male survival in spring and juvenile recruitment in summer. However, recent studies of range behaviour and experimental investigations suggest that maleA. sylvaticusare not relevant in population regulation and that the principal regulating factors act on female reproductive success. Female reproductive activity is determined by spatial interactions which, in turn, are determined primarily by the density of females and the proportion of female immigrants in the population. The only impact adult males may have on population size is through infanticide and competition with the females for food.
A cladistic look at classification within the subfamily Macroscelidinae based upon morphology
Authors: CORBET G. B.
Published: April 2008

Relationships amongst the 12 species of Macroscelidinae were reviewed by Corbet & Hanks (1968) using a purely phenetic approach. The same data base has been reassessed from a cladistic point of view. However, the polarity of very few character‐series can be assessed with any confidence. A ‘most‐probable’ cladogram is presented based upon the few characters for which polarity seems most convincing, and some alternatives are discussed. The same generic classification is supported but changes are suggested to the branching pattern within Elephantulus.
The ecology and reproduction of the Short‐snouted Elephant‐Shrew, Elephantulus brachyrhynchus, in Zimbabwe with a review of the reproductive ecology of the genus Elephantulus
Authors: NEAL B. R.
Published: April 2008

The reproductive ecology of Elephantulus brachyrhynchus was studied in an area of mixed woodland in the Scngwa Wildlife Research Area, Zimbabwe (18d̀10'S, 28d̀10'E). The year may be divided into three seasons: a cool dry season from mid‐May to mid‐August, a hot dry season from September to November, and a warm wet season from December to April. No seasonal changes were observed in body mass and male reproductive activity. Reproduction occurred throughout the year, but conceptions and litter size were significantly reduced during the cool season. The average litter size of 51 pregnancies was 1.6 (SD 0.49). Adult females had the capacity to produce five to six litters each year for a total annual production of 8.3 young per female.

Information on the ecology and reproductive biology of other members of the genus was reviewed to determine latitudinal trends in various life‐history parameters.

The pregnancy rate and litter size are not influenced by rainfall and exhibit no seasonal variation close to the equator. At intermediate latitudes (15–20d̀) both parameters are reduced during the cooler period of the year, and at higher latitudes breeding ceases during die period of declining photoperiod. Thus, most young are produced during the warm season when insects are likely to be most available. Litter size increases with latitude, particularly above 15d̀. This increase does not totally compensate for the reduced period of breeding at higher latitudes and so the annual production of young per female is reduced at the northern and southern limits of the range of the genus.

There is a particular need to study the general habits of species living at higher latitudes to assess how they adapt during the cold winter months.
How spatial and temporal scales influence understanding of Sperm Whale distribution: a review
Authors: JAQUET NATHALIE
Published: April 2008

For much of the past two centuries, sperm whaling has been economically very profitable, and therefore whalers and, more recently, scientists have tried to understand Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) distribution and the factors controlling it. However, due to their deep‐living mode of life, their cosmopolitan distribution and our limited knowledge about their main prey species, the task has proved very difficult. This paper reviews studies of Sperm Whale distribution and the factors controlling it. The conclusions of these studies are very equivocal and often appear to contradict one another. It is suggested that this apparent confusion is mainly due to poorly defined spatial and temporal scales, the use of only one scale in most studies and the absence of consideration of the spatial and temporal scales at which relevant oceanographic processes occur. It is concluded that multiscale studies, covering the scales of oceanographic process, are needed to obtain a better understanding of Sperm Whale distribution.