bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consequences of group fission for the patterns of relatedness among rhesus macaques
Authors: WIDDIG A. , NÜRNBERG P. , BERCOVITCH F. B. , TREFILOV A. , BERARD J. B. , KESSLER M. J. , SCHMIDTKE J. , STREICH W. J. , KRAWCZAK M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractWhen mammalian social groups exceed their optimal size, they often tend to split. In view of the potential evolutionary benefits, it should be more advantageous for animals to stay with kin, rather than nonkin, during such fission events. In the present study, the spontaneous fission of two social groups, R and S, of rhesus macaques living on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico, provided the opportunity to compare the kinship structure of the corresponding parent and daughter groups, using information on both maternal and paternal relatedness. In both instances, maternal half‐siblings and pairs of animals from the same family were significantly more prevalent in the fission products than in the parent group. During the split of group R, significantly more paternal half‐siblings stayed in the remnants of the parent group than joined the seceding group. Our findings are compatible with previous behavioural studies demonstrating that female primates bias their social behaviour more to maternal than to paternal kin, but that both types of half‐siblings prefer each other more than unrelated animals. It remains to be clarified by future research, however, whether the observed co‐segregation of paternal half‐sibs in our study reflects active choice or is a by‐product of the group‐specific kin structures, prior to fission.
Immune response of nestling warblers varies with extra‐pair paternity and temperature
Authors: GARVIN JULIA C. , ABROE BETSY , PEDERSEN MARC C. , DUNN PETER O. , WHITTINGHAM LINDA A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractExtra‐pair mating is widespread in birds, but its adaptive function remains unclear. It is often suggested that females obtain superior genes for their offspring as a consequence of extra‐pair mating, but the evidence is limited. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that extra‐pair mating provides females with offspring that have superior immune responses. We found that the T‐cell‐mediated immune response of extra‐pair young was stronger than that of within‐pair young in common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas). This paternity effect occurred when we compared all nestlings in the population, as well as in comparisons of both paternal and maternal half‐siblings. Paternal half‐siblings had a stronger immune response when they were produced with extra‐pair females than with the male's social mate, which suggests that the greater immune response of extra‐pair young was caused by nonadditive (compatible) genetic effects. However, these patterns were only significant in the colder of 2 years. Immune response was related positively to air temperature and nestlings had a stronger immune response in the warmer year. We suggest that such environmental variation could obscure the genetic benefits of extra‐pair mating.
Phylogeography and population structure of thornback rays (Raja clavata L., Rajidae)
Authors: CHEVOLOT MALIA , HOARAU GALICE , RIJNSDORP ADRIAAN D. , STAM WYTZE T. , OLSEN JEANINE L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe phylogeography of thornback rays (Raja clavata) was assessed from European waters, using five nuclear microsatellite loci and mitochondrial cytochome b sequences. Strong regional differentiation was found between the Mediterranean basin, the Azores and the European continental shelf. Allelic and haplotype diversities were high in Portuguese populations, consistent with the existence of a refugium along the Iberian Peninsula. Unexpectedly, high diversity was also found in the English Channel/North Sea area. The lowest genetic diversity was found in the Black Sea. Populations sampled from the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Black Seas were characterized by a single mitochondrial haplotype. This haplotype was also the most ancestral and widespread outside of the Mediterranean basin except for the Azores. Populations from the Azores were dominated by a second ancestral haplotype which was shared with British populations. Results from multidimensional scaling, amova and nested clade analysis indicate that British waters are a secondary contact zone recolonized from at least two refugia — one around the Iberian Peninsula and one possibly in the Azores. Links to a potential refugium known as the Hurd Deep, between Cornwall and Brittany, are discussed. Finally, a historical demographic analysis indicates that thornback ray populations started to expand between 580 000 and 362 000 years ago, which suggests that the Last Glacial Maximum (20 000 years ago) had mainly affected the distribution of populations rather than population size.
Geological history and within‐island diversity: a debris avalanche and the Tenerife lizard Gallotia galloti
Authors: BROWN RICHARD P. , HOSKISSON PAUL A. , WELTON JOHN‐HENRY , BÁEZ MARCOS 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSeveral processes have been described that could explain geographical variation and speciation within small islands, including fragmentation of populations through volcanic eruptions. Massive landslides, or debris avalanches, could cause similar effects. Here we analyse the potential impact of the 0.8 million‐year‐ago (Ma) Güimar valley debris avalanche on the phylogeography of the lizard Gallotia galloti on the Canary Island of Tenerife. Distributions of mitochondrial DNA lineages (based on cytochrome b sequences) were analysed on a 60‐km southeastern coast transect centred on this area. Three main clades were detected, which can be divided into northern (one clade) and southern (two clades) groups that introgress across the valley. Maximum‐likelihood estimates of migration rates (scaled for mutation rate) revealed highly asymmetric patterns, indicating that long‐term gene flow into this region from both the northern and the southern populations greatly exceeded that in the opposite directions, consistent with recolonization of the area. The ancestral Tenerife node on the G. galloti tree is estimated at 0.80 Ma, matching closely with the geological estimate for the debris avalanche. Morphological variation (body dimensions and scalation) was also analysed and indicated a stepped cline in female scalation across the valley, although the patterns for male scalation and male and female body dimensions were not as clear. Together these findings provide support for the hypothesis that the debris avalanche has shaped the phylogeography of G. galloti and may even have been a primary cause of the within‐island cladogenesis through population fragmentation and isolation. Current estimates of timing of island unification mean that the original hypothesis that within‐island diversity is explained by the secondary contact of populations from the two ancient precursor islands of Teno and Anaga is less plausible for this and some other Tenerife species. Large‐scale landslides have occurred on many volcanic islands, and so may have been instrumental in shaping within‐island diversities.
Hybridization between subspecies of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in zones of overlap with limited introgression
Authors: LORENZEN ELINE D. , SIMONSEN BO T. , KAT PIETER W. , ARCTANDER PETER , SIEGISMUND HANS R. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractTwo subspecies of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), common (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus) and defassa (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa), are recognized based on differences in rump pattern, coat colour and geographical distribution. These forms are parapatrically distributed with an area of range overlap in East Africa, where phenotypically intermediate populations occur. Variation in 478 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region and 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to describe the genetic structure and phylogeographical pattern of the species, and to assess if the intermediate populations are the results of hybridization. In total, 186 individuals from 11 localities were analysed. A high degree of genetic differentiation was found between subspecies, although this was most evident from the microsatellite data. Hybridization was suggested in the phenotypically and geographically intermediate Nairobi NP population in Kenya. A neighbour‐joining (NJ) tree based on microsatellite population genetic distances grouped Nairobi between the common and defassa populations, and a Bayesian analysis clearly showed introgression. Individuals sampled in Samburu NP, Kenya, had a common waterbuck phenotype, but introgression was suggested by both markers. Although a high degree of maternal defassa input was indicated from the sequence data, the Samburu population grouped with the common waterbuck in the microsatellite population genetic distance tree, with high support. Analyses of linkage disequilibrium and maximum‐likelihood estimates of genetic drift suggested that admixture between subspecies is a recent event. The fact that introgression is limited between subspecies could be caused by chromosomal differences, hindering gene flow between common and defassa waterbuck.
The frequency of multiple paternity suggests that sperm competition is common in house mice (Mus domesticus)
Authors: DEAN M. D. , ARDLIE K. G. , NACHMAN M. W. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSexual selection is an important force driving the evolution of morphological and genetic traits. To determine the importance of male–male, postcopulatory sexual selection in natural populations of house mice, we estimated the frequency of multiple paternity, defined as the frequency with which a pregnant female carried a litter fertilized by more than one male. By genotyping eight microsatellite markers from 1095 mice, we found evidence of multiple paternity from 33 of 143. Evidence for multiple paternity was especially strong for 29 of these litters. Multiple paternity was significantly more common in higher‐density vs. lower‐density populations. Any estimate of multiple paternity will be an underestimate of the frequency of multiple mating, defined as the frequency with which a female mates with more than a single male during a single oestrus cycle. We used computer simulations to estimate the frequency of multiple mating, incorporating observed reductions in heterozygosity and levels of allele sharing among mother and father. These simulations indicated that multiple mating is common, occurring in at least 20% of all oestrus cycles. The exact estimate depends on the competitive skew among males, a parameter for which we currently have no data from natural populations. This study suggests that sperm competition is an important aspect of postcopulatory sexual selection in house mice.
Collecting population‐based perinatal data efficiently: the example of the Lebanese National Perinatal Survey
Authors: Blondel Béatrice , Zein Ali , Ghosn Nada , Du Mazaubrun Christiane , Bréart Gérard 
Published: August 2006

SummaryWe describe the methodology and the main results of the Lebanese perinatal health survey. The survey was carried out during two consecutive weeks in autumn 1999 and spring 2000, with the aim of obtaining a minimum data set on all births occurring during a short period of time. All live births and stillbirths occurring during these periods in medical settings were recorded. The sample included 5231 women and 5333 newborns. Data were obtained from medical records and by interviewing the women in hospital after delivery. All maternity units and birth centres agreed to participate.Maternal characteristics, medical care during pregnancy and delivery, and pregnancy outcome were similar for the two study periods. However, gestational age distribution differed between the two periods. In total, 9.0% of infants were born <37 weeks of gestation and 7.0% weighed <2500 g at birth. Wide regional variations were observed for many indicators of health, care and risk factors. For instance, the caesarean section rate varied from 16.2% in the North Region to 28.0% in Beirut. The survey protocol was successfully applied in Lebanon and may be useful in other countries that have a relatively well‐developed healthcare system, but few sources of reliable population‐based statistics on health and medical care. This type of survey may also be an appropriate instrument for collecting additional data for health policy evaluations.
Adverse perinatal conditions in hearing‐impaired children in a developing country
Authors: Olusanya Bolajoko O. , Okolo Angela A. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryPrevailing adverse perinatal conditions in developing countries have been associated with substantial mortality, but little evidence exists on their impact on permanent childhood disabilities and morbidity due to limitations in clinical investigations and medical records. This study aims to identify the possible association between parent‐reported adverse perinatal conditions and permanent hearing loss, in order to establish service needs within current maternal and child health programmes. Structured questionnaires were administered to 363 parents of deaf children and 309 parents of normal‐hearing children in an inner city area of Lagos, Nigeria. The parents were from all social classes.After a multivariable logistic regression analysis, birth asphyxia [OR 20.45; 95% CI 6.26, 66.85], difficult delivery [OR 8.09; 95% CI 2.76, 23.68], neonatal jaundice [OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.25, 4.79] and neonatal seizures [OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.09, 4.85] were associated with permanent hearing loss. Consanguineous marriages [OR 6.69; 95% CI 2.72, 16.46] and family history of deafness [OR 6.27; 95% CI 2.07, 18.97] also emerged as additional risk factors for permanent hearing loss. In addition, parents of children in state‐owned schools for the deaf were significantly more likely to belong to higher social classes compared with normal‐hearing children in mainstream state‐owned schools.There is a need to incorporate services for the early detection of permanent hearing loss into current maternal and child healthcare programmes in developing countries.
APIKIDS: A cohort of children born after assisted reproductive technologies
Authors: Raimondi Sara , Pedotti Paola , Taioli Emanuela 
Published: August 2006

SummaryA cohort of children born after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) was set up in 2003 in Italy. It aims to follow up the children in order to study the short‐ and long‐term effects of ART. Parents who agreed to participate were contacted for a telephone interview; questions included occupational and non‐occupational exposure to carcinogens, reproductive history, history of index pregnancy (including drugs used during pregnancy), delivery and the child’s health status. By August 2005, 40 out of the 50 centres contacted (80%) had agreed to participate in the study, and 17 had already sent their data. Information on a total of 2451 cycles ending with a pregnancy are currently available, from 2245 couples. We have contacted 351 of these couples (16%), 309 of whom (88% of the contacts) agreed to participate in the study and were interviewed, while 36 (11%) refused to be interviewed. The total number of children currently included in the database is 411. This study is the first attempt to create a database containing information on children born after ART in Italy. It will provide results on both short‐ and long‐term outcomes in these children.
Interactions between fetal HLA‐DQ alleles and maternal smoking influence birthweight
Authors: Taylor G. Malcolm , Alexander Freda E. , D’Souza Stephen W. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryMaternal smoking during pregnancy inhibits fetal growth, and is a major cause of childhood and adult morbidity, including increased risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, the use of birthweight as a proxy for future smoking‐related morbidity is hindered by its wide variability, suggesting a role for other birthweight‐modifying factors. We report here, for the first time, that interactions between specific fetal HLA‐DQA1 and DQB1 alleles and maternal smoking can influence birthweight. We compared mean birthweights of a series of term, HLA‐DQ typed white UK newborns (n = 552) whose mothers had either smoked (n = 211) or not smoked (n = 341) during pregnancy. Maternal smoking during pregnancy resulted in an average birthweight reduction of 244 g, but the combined effects of maternal smoking and fetal DQA1*0101 or DQB1*0501 alleles resulted in a 230 and 240 g further reduction in mean birthweight, respectively, resulting from interactions between smoking and these DQ types. Other fetal DQ allele‐specific interactions with maternal smoking are suggested by a ‘protective’ effect on smoking‐associated birthweight reduction in newborns typing for DQA1*0201 and DQB1*0201. Our results suggest biological interactions between maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and specific fetal DQ alleles that affect fetal growth. The precise nature of these interactions merits further investigation, as knowledge of fetal HLA‐DQ type may be useful in refining risk estimates of severe fetal growth restriction because of maternal smoking during pregnancy.
Risk factors for hospital admission related to excessive and/or prolonged postpartum vaginal blood loss after the first 24 h following childbirth
Authors: Marchant Sally , Alexander Jo , Thomas Peter , Garcia Jo , Brocklehurst Peter , Keene Janet 
Published: August 2006

SummaryA population case–control study was used to determine risk factors for excessive and/or prolonged vaginal bleeding (described collectively as vaginal loss problems) and uterine infection from 24 h to 3 months postpartum. Data were obtained from women whose maternity care took place in one of two health districts in the south of England. The cases were women remaining in or admitted to hospital with excessive or prolonged vaginal blood loss from 24 h to 3 months postpartum. Two controls for each case were identified; these were women whose delivery was the nearest in time and in the same location as the case delivery. Medical and midwifery records were searched retrospectively to cover hospital admissions for vaginal blood loss problems or uterine infection in postpartum women from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1995.Data were analysed for 243 cases and 486 controls. Univariable analysis identified 28 variables associated with being a case. Using multivariable analysis, nine factors remained in the final model, with a history of secondary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) being the most strongly predictive (OR [95% confidence interval] 6.0 [2.1, 16.8]). Vaginal bleeding prior to 24 weeks’ gestation (OR 3.0 [1.6, 5.9]), third trimester hospital admission (OR 2.0 [1.4, 2.8]), maternal smoking (OR 2.7 [1.8, 3.9]), a prolonged (OR 3.1 [1.2, 7.5]) or incomplete third stage (OR 2.1 [1.0, 4.4]), and primary PPH (OR 4.7 [1.9, 11.6]) for blood loss >500 mL, were predictive of becoming a case. No significant association was identified for parity (OR 1.1 [0.8, 1.5]) or method of delivery, spontaneous (OR 1.0 [0.7, 1.3]), instrumental (OR 1.4 [0.9, 2.2]) or operative (OR 1.2 [0.8, 1.9]).This is a neglected area of women’s health after childbirth, and the value of this study is in the identification of potential risk factors for postpartum morbidity related to vaginal blood loss. Where morbidity occurs, early diagnosis, management and treatment are likely to reduce its extent or duration. It is considered that raising awareness about these factors, both among healthcare professionals and women themselves, may play an important part in the recognition and treatment of postpartum morbidity.
Assessing mid‐trimester salivary cortisol levels across three consecutive days in pregnant women using an at‐home collection protocol
Authors: Jones Nicole M. , Holzman Claudia B. , Zanella Adroaldo J. , Leece Cheryl M. , Rahbar Mohammad H. ,   the Prematurity Study Group
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health (POUCH) Study enrolled women in their 15th to 27th week of pregnancy from 52 prenatal clinics located in five communities. After the study began, an at‐home protocol to measure maternal stress was added, which included collection of urine and saliva twice a day (waking = AM, bedtime = PM) for three consecutive days, and completion of a daily diary. The at‐home protocol was in place for 2852 POUCH participants at enrolment, and 81.3% (n = 2318) consented and returned samples and diary. For these analyses, salivary cortisol was analysed in a subset of 846 women who delivered at term.Day‐to‐day correlation coefficients for AM cortisol (0.45–0.55) exceeded those for PM cortisol (0.31–0.43). Study diaries indicated that there was variation in the time interval between waking and sample collection. Analyses of discrete intervals showed the same awakening response pattern in cortisol levels that has been reported in studies with serial AM sampling. The adjusted mean AM cortisol (µg/dL) was 0.506 at 0–15 min post‐waking, 0.544 at 16–30 min (P < 0.05), 0.582 at 31–60 min (P < 0.01), and 0.515 at >60 min post‐waking. In addition, adjusted mean AM cortisol in samples collected at or before 9 a.m. was higher than that in samples collected after 9 a.m. (0.564 vs. 0.510 µg/dL, P < 0.01). Among working women, adjusted mean AM cortisol was higher on work days than non‐work days (0.564 vs. 0.489 µg/dL, P < 0.01), and in multiparae compared with primiparae (0.551 vs. 0.502 µg/dL, P = 0.07). The parity effect was not evident in non‐working women. The adjusted mean PM cortisol significantly increased as week of pregnancy at sampling increased, but was not significantly related to time of collection, work day and parity.Factors influencing AM and PM cortisol levels in pregnancy appear to differ. In studies of AM cortisol levels, it is important to gather data on time of sample collection, interval from waking to sample collection, parity and work.
Child health and the environment: the INMA Spanish Study
Authors: Ribas‐Fitó Núria , Ramón Rosa , Ballester Ferran , Grimalt Joan , Marco Alfredo , Olea Nicolás , Posada Manuel , Rebagliato Marisa , Tardón Adonina , Torrent Maties , Sunyer Jordi ,   on behalf of the INMA Study Group
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente [Environment and Childhood]) is a population‐based cohort study in different Spanish cities, that focuses on prenatal environmental exposures and growth, development and health from early fetal life until childhood. The study focuses on five primary areas of research: (1) growth and physical development; (2) behavioural and cognitive development; (3) asthma and allergies; (4) sexual and reproductive development; and (5) environmental exposure pathways. The general aims of the project are: (1) to describe the degree of individual prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants, and the internal dose of chemicals during pregnancy, at birth and during childhood in Spain; (2) to evaluate the impact of the exposure to different contaminants on fetal and infant growth, health and development; (3) to evaluate the role of diet on fetal and infant growth, health and development; and (4) to evaluate the interaction between persistent pollutants, nutrients and genetic determinants on fetal and infant growth, health and development.Extensive assessments will be carried out on 3100 pregnant women and children. Data will be collected by physical examinations, questionnaires, interviews, ultrasound and biological samples. Pregnant women are being assessed at 12, 20 and 32 weeks of gestation to collect information about environmental exposures and fetal growth. The children will be followed until the age of 4 years.