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232. Factors determining local and seasonal variation in abundance of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Central Europe
- Creator:
- Honěk, Alois , Brabec, Marek , Martinková, Zdenka , Dixon, Anthony F.G., Pekár, Stano , and Skuhrovec, Jiří
- Format:
- počítač and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Sternorrhyncha, Aphididae, Harmonia axyridis, Eucallipterus tiliae, adult, larva, seasonal dynamics, abundance, annual variation, and Central Europe
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- To determine the causes of the variation in the seasonal dynamics of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) in Central Europe, numbers of adults and larvae of this invasive species were recorded on trees (Acer, Betula, Tilia) throughout the growing seasons from 2011 to 2016. Each year beetles were collected every two weeks, using a standardized sweeping method. The seasonal dynamics was expressed as plots of abundance (number of individuals per 100 sweeps) against time (Julian day) and these plots (seasonal profi les) were compared in terms of their size (area under the seasonal profi le curve), range, timing and height of the mode (maximum abundance). Timing and size of seasonal profi les varied among hostplants, years and sites. Abundance of larvae paralleled aphid occurrence and peak abundance of adults followed that of larvae 10 to 20 days later. Population dynamics before and after the peak were determined by dispersal. Adults arrived at sites before the start of aphid population growth and persisted there long after aphid populations collapsed. The abundance of H. axyridis decreased from 2011 to 2013 and then increased, achieving the previous levels recorded in 2015 and 2016. The variation in seasonal profi les revealed that H. axyridis, in terms of its response to environmental conditions, is a plastic species and this fl exibility is an important factor in its invasive success.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
233. Factors influencing the distribution and abundance of small rodent pest species in agricultural landscapes in Eastern Uganda
- Creator:
- Mayamba, Alex, Byamungu, Robert M., Vanden Broecke, Bram, Leirs, Herwig, Hieronimo, Proches, Nakiyemba, Alice, Isabirye, Moses, Kifumba, David, Kimaro, Didas N., Mdangi, Mshaka E., and Mulungu, Loth S.
- Format:
- počítač and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- Boosted Regression Trees, NDVI, field crop status, and landscape units
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Small rodents are increasingly gaining importance as agricultural pests, with their distribution and abundance known to vary across landscapes. This study aimed at identifying ecological factors in the landscape that may influence small rodent distribution and abundance across agricultural landscapes in Uganda. This information may be used to inform the development of adaptive control measures for small rodent pests. Small rodent trapping surveys were conducted in three agro-ecosystem landscapes: Butaleja, Mayuge and Bulambuli districts in Eastern Uganda between November 2017 to June 2018 covering both dry and wet seasons. Data on small rodent abundance and richness, vegetation characteristics, land use/cover characteristics, farm management practices and soil characteristics were collected from quadrats. Additionally, Geographic Information System and remote sensing were used to determine vegetation characteristics (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index – NDVI) and land use/cover from satellite images. and Our results showed that crop field state (including hygiene, crop type and growth stage) is the most important variable with an overall relative importance of 34.4% prediction value for the abundance of Mastomys natalensis across the landscape studied. In terms of number of species encountered (species richness), results showed field crop status scoring highest with an overall relative importance of 39.8% at predicting small rodent species richness. Second in importance for overall rodent abundance was percentage composition soil silt particles with 15.6% and 18.1% for species richness and abundance respectively. Our findings have important implications for small rodent management, where land use characteristics, especially field crop state, is a critical factor as different conditions tend to affect rodent abundances differently. The study thus recommends that control efforts should be planned to consider field crop state; i.e. field hygiene where fields should be kept free of weeds to eliminate potential rodent breeding/habitation sites thus lowering rates of reproduction and population increase.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
234. Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia in an index male: grey zones of the differential diagnosis from primary hyperparathyroidism in a 13-year clinical follow up
- Creator:
- Zajíčková, Kateřina, Dvořáková, Marcela, Moravcová, Jitka, Včelák, Josef, and Goltzman, David
- Format:
- počítač and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- fyziologie, physiology, bone mineral density, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, calcium-sensing receptor, primary hyperparathyroidism, calcium-to-creatinine clearance ratio, 14, and 612
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) type 1, caused by a heterozygous inactivating mutation of the gene encoding the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), is characterized by mild to moderate hypercalcemia, hypocalciuria and inappropriately normal or elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH). FHH must be differentiated from primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) because parathyroidectomy is ineffective in the former. Herein, we report a 39-year-old male patient with a 13-year history of asymptomatic PTH-dependent hypercalcemia (mean calcium of 2.88 mmol/l; reference range 2.15-2.55 mmol/l) and calcium-tocreatinine clearance ratio (Ca/Cr) ranging from 0.007 to 0.0198, which is consistent with either FHH or PHPT. Although a family history of hypercalcemia was negative, and PET-CT with fluorocholine was suggestive of a parathyroid adenoma, genetic analysis of the CaSR gene identified a heterozygous inactivating mutation NM_000388.4:c.1670G>A p. (Gly557Glu) in exon 6 and a polymorphism NM_000388.4:c.1192G>A p. (Asp398Asn) in exon 4. The G557E mutation has been previously reported in a Japanese family in which all family members with the mutation had Ca/Cr below 0.01 consistent with FHH. The biochemical profile of FHH and PHPT may overlap. Our FHH patient with a G557E CaSR mutation illustrates that the differential diagnosis can be difficult in an index case with no family history, (false) positive parathyroid imaging and higher calciuria than expected for FHH. Calcium intake, vitamin D status and bone resorption might have contributed to the Ca/Cr variations over a 13-year clinical follow up. This case thus emphasizes the irreplaceable role of genetic testing of the CaSR gene when clinical evaluation is inconclusive., Kateřina Zajíčková, Marcela Dvořáková, Jitka Moravcová, Josef Včelák, David Goltzman., and Obsahuje bibliografii
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
235. Family housing pathways: an introduction to the study of housing in Poland in biographical and historical perspectives
- Creator:
- Mostowska, Magdalena
- Format:
- počítač and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- east european housing, comparative housing policy, home ownership, migration, and residential mobility and housing policy
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- The article describes the approach and method of Family Housing Pathways. This process of gathering and presenting data makes it possible to include the extended family’s housing resources, the management of these resources, and the transformations of households within a family. Twenty-eight Family Housing Pathways were gathered and collected as part of an assignment given to students as part of an undergraduate course on housing problems. The exercise shed light on recurring themes in the transformation of the housing system in Poland that influence individual and family management of housing resources. Even a sample of relatively privileged families demonstrates that housing is clearly a crucial dimension, especially in times of transition, e.g. in post-communist Poland after 1989. The Family Housing Pathways approach could be a promising tool as well as an approach that combines biographical and historical housing perspectives, without losing sight of concerns of a practical and ethical nature.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
236. Feeding behaviour of young larvae of Pieris rapae crucivora (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and its effect on parasitism by Cotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
- Creator:
- Nakayama, Aya, Nakamura, Keiji, and Tagawa, Jun
- Format:
- print, počítač, and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- motýli, běláskovití, blanokřídlí, lumčíkovití, larvy, parazitismus, butterflies, Pieridae, Hymenoptera, Braconidae, larvas, parasitism, Lepidoptera, Pieris rapae crucivora, cabbageworm, Cotesia glomerata, attraction, avoidance, distance, escape, feeding mark, feeding site, host searching, move, parasitoid, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- We investigated the effect of the feeding behaviour of young larvae of Pieris rapae crucivora Boisduval (Pieridae) on parasitism by the parasitoid wasp, Cotesia glomerata (L.) (Braconidae). Young, 1st-3rd instar larvae used approximately three sites for feeding each day. When not feeding, they moved a short distance away from the feeding sites (= feeding marks) and rested. For first, second and third instar larvae, the distances from the new mark, made within 24 h, to larva at rest were, respectively, about 3.5 mm, 5 mm and more than 10 mm. To resume feeding, they moved back to one of the former feeding sites or a new site. The percentage of the feeding marks older than 24 h that attracted parasitoids was less than 50%. Time spent searching for hosts by a parasitoid was short. Larvae placed 5 mm or more from a feeding mark were less parasitized than the larvae placed near a mark. The number of feeding marks affected parasitism. When comparing single-marked and triple-marked leaves, the percentage parasitism of the larvae on the latter was significantly lower than that of the larvae on the former. On triple-marked leaves, parasitoids visited each mark unevenly. Accordingly, the time spent searching each mark differed significantly among the marks. Because of this confusing effect, hosts are considered to be reducing the risk of parasitism. Our results demonstrate that the feeding habits of young larvae of P. rapae crucivora are adaptive in terms of reducing the risk of parasitism by C. glomerata., Aya Nakayama, Keiji Nakamura, Jun Tagawa., and Obsahuje bibliografii
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
237. Feeding strategies and competition between terrestrial Haemadipsa leeches (Euhirudinea: Arhynchobdellida) in Danum Valley rainforest (Borneo, Sabah)
- Creator:
- Gąsiorek, Piotr and Różycka, Hanna
- Format:
- print, počítač, and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- parazitismus, parasitism, ectoparasites, foraging behaviour, Haemadipsidae, haematophagy, 2, and 59
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Haemadipsid leeches are among the most successful terrestrial invertebrates in Bornean rainforests. They are very common ectoparasites of vertebrates, and their abundance has facilitated the conduction of numerous projects in the fields of ecology, zoogeography and taxonomy. We undertook research on two species inhabiting lowland dipterocarp forest, Haemadipsa picta Moore, 1929 and Haemadipsa subagilis (Moore, 1929), in order to address the following questions: (a) is there a difference in leech abundance between trails and off-trails?; (b) is ambush location dependent on specimen size or is species-specific?; (c) is intra- and interspecific competition limited by differences in foraging behaviours or vertical niche partitioning? Our results clearly show that H. picta is more abundant on trails than on off-trails and is vertically dispersed within the understory; the size of a specimen is strongly correlated with plant height. Haemadipsa subagilis was found not to exhibit such patterns. We suggest a possible lowering of interspecific competition between these species as a result of: (i) size-dependent dispersion of H. picta (together with reduction of intraspecific competition); and (ii) habitat specialisation of H. subagilis. Moreover, we provide new observations on their foraging behaviour., Piotr Gąsiorek, Hanna Różycka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
238. Female Guinea pig model for cough studies and its response to most common tussive substances
- Creator:
- Sterusky, Miroslav , Plevkova, Jana , Grendar, Marian , and Buday, Tomas
- Format:
- počítač and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- gender bias, chronic cough, Guinea pigs, and female model
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Laboratory research of cough reflex utilizes almost exclusively male guinea pigs – a practice that represents a significant obstacle in the successful translation of results into clinical practice. Chronic hypersensitivity cough syndrome affects mostly postmenopausal women and it represents significant decrease in patient’s quality of life. No cause for such exaggerated cough can be found, therefore this condition cannot be treated appropriately. One of the reasons leading to the lack of relevant data about mechanisms responsible for hypersensitivity of cough related pathways is nowadays widely discussed gender bias, which is present in nearly all branches of biomedical research. Since gender differences in cough reflex physiology do exist in humans, it would be reasonable to study cough-related phenomena on both sexes of laboratory animals. In this study, we focused on detailed characterization of cough response of female guinea pigs to aerosols of commonly used tussive agents (capsaicin, distilled water, allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamaldehyde, citric acid). In pooled data from multiple challenges we found no statistical difference in number of cough and cough latency between sexes. Based on our results we conclude that the utilization of female guinea pigs model does not lead to messy data and can be used in basic cough research.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
239. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease
- Creator:
- Gamrot, Zuzanna, Adamczyk, Piotr, Świętochowska, Elżbieta, Roszkowska-Bjanid, Dagmara, Gamrot, Jakub, and Szczepańska, Maria
- Format:
- počítač and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- children, chronic kidney disease, FGF superfamily, FGF21, and renal replacement therapy
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is one of the members of endocrine arm of FGF family. Its actions as a glucose and lipids metabolism regulator are widely known. Although the mechanism of FGF21 action in kidneys is still under investigation, FGF21 was considered as a marker of early kidney function decline. While many researchers focused on adult subjects in this matter, there are no data regarding children. Therefore, we have investigated the relationship between plasma or urine FGF21 levels and kidney function in a group of 42 pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Anthropometrical parameters and blood pressure were taken, routine biochemical tests were performed. The concentration of FGF21 in serum and urine was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The results revealed significantly higher serum FGF21 concentration among children from CKD group. However, serum FGF21 level was not related to gender, proteinuria, eGFR or renal replacement therapy. Urine FGF21 concentration correlated negatively with albuminuria and positively with eGFR. Documented negative correlation of FGF21 fractional excretion and eGFR is not enough to support the role of FGF21 as a biomarker for predicting kidney disease progression in children and adolescents. Other mechanisms including local kidney FGF21 production or enhanced excretion due to higher extrarenal production may result in higher urine FGF21 concentrations.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
240. Financialisation, home equity, and social reproduction: relational pathways of risk
- Creator:
- Castro Baker, Amy
- Format:
- počítač and online zdroj
- Type:
- model:article and TEXT
- Subject:
- financialisation, female homeowners, mortgage default, and social reproduction
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- This paper argues that financialisation exacerbates gender inequity in the United States. During the Recession, wealth-stripping activities were targeted at single female homeowners prompting severe asset depletion among single women, people of color, and those who depend on them. Rather than protecting them from risk, their home equity and bodies absorbed the failures of capitalism within their network. The paper draws on a thematic analysis of interviews with 21 single female homeowners who experienced mortgage default. Rather than focusing on risk incidence, I take their relational pathways as the object of inquiry demonstrating how activities of gendered care work act as conduits and amplifiers of financialised risk that extends the responsibility for unpaid social provision throughout the lifespan. The analysis demonstrates how their status as homeowners positioned them in between market failures and the consequences of austerity thereby restructuring the function of home equity.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public