Multi-brooding and breeding season length in the reed warbler

The causes and consequences of multi-brooding were assessed in an intensive nest monitoring study of the Eurasian reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus, a species for which there is both evidence for earlier breeding and an extended season duration. Greater invertebrate availability was found to predict an increase in the probability of double brooding and to reduce the interval between broods. Given that invertebrate availability is likely to have increased as a result of warming temperatures, the relationship between invertebrate availability and double brooding supports the idea of an increased propensity to multi-brood driving extended breeding seasons. Weather conditions also influenced both the incidence of double brooding and inter-brood intervals. The relative value of nesting attempts throughout the whole breeding season was assessed which illustrated that later nesting attempts are of lower reproductive value. Assessment of the potential costs of extending the breeding season with late nesting attempts, however, revealed no evidence for any costs of extending the season for individuals. These results suggest that extending the breeding season at the individual level is a low value, low cost strategy. Relative parental investment, in the provisioning of nestlings, was considered as an additional predictor of multi-brooding, but there was no evidence of an effect. Provisioning rates also did not appear to vary substantially across the breeding season or between sexes. The potential for counting singing birds as a method for monitoring breeding season length was assessed by testing the relationship between the number of singing birds and known neststhroughout the season and a positive relationship between the number of singing birds and the number of nesting attempts in the early stage of the nesting cycle was found. Season-long censuses of singing birds may therefore offer a low intensity method for estimating breeding season length; a demographic parameter which currently is not well monitored at large spatial scales

Mobility and connection among the Early Bronze Age Syrian elite

The archaeological site of Umm el-Marra (in the Jabbul plain, western Syria), is a large, fortified urban center. Excavations have uncovered ten tomb structures built during the Early Bronze Age (ca. 2600–2150 BCE) that possibly contain royalty as evidenced by lavish grave goods and paleopathological evidence suggesting sociocultural buffering from the harsh social and physical environments of agricultural urban centers in the Bronze Age Near East. Inside adjacent brick installations are animal (primarily equid) skeletons interpreted as interments, possibly sacrifices in some instances, as part of ceremonies honoring the entombed. The burial site was eventually re-used as evidenced by a monumental platform above the tombs, interpreted as use for ritual activities of ancestor veneration. This study analyzed 87Sr/86Sr and δ18O values from enamel of 13 individuals interred in these tombs, along with enamel and bone samples from animals found in and around the tomb structures. Six of 13 (43 %) individuals analyzed in these tombs are identified as non-locals. Although contemporaneous data in the northern Levant is scarce, we see much higher evidence of human movement at Umm el-Marra compared to others. Only elites are included in this study, but their relative mobility might imply that the ancient city established its position as a secondary center along major trade routes through intermarriage and connectivity. The concept of ‘social memory’ is evident, as the lives and deaths of these elites are integrated into this site where ancestor veneration is evidenced in centuries following interment

A novel tool to predict food intake: The Visual Meal Creator

Subjective appetite is commonly measured using an abstract visual analogue scale (VAS) technique, that provides no direct information about desired portion size or food choice. The purpose of this investigation was to develop and validate a user-friendly tool – the Visual Meal Creator (VIMEC) – that would allow for independent, repeated measures of subjective appetite and provide a prediction of food intake. Twelve participants experienced dietary control over a 5-hour period to manipulate hunger state on three occasions (small breakfast (SB) vs. large breakfast (LB) vs. large breakfast + snacks (LB+S)). Appetite measures were obtained every 60 minutes using the VIMEC and VAS. At 4.5 hours, participants were presented with an ad libitum test meal, from which energy intake (EI) was measured. The efficacy of the VIMEC was assessed by its ability to detect expected patterns of appetite and its strength as a predictor of energy intake. Day-to-day reproducibility and test-retest repeatability were assessed. Between- and within-condition differences in VAS and VIMEC scores (represented as mm and kcal of the “created” meal, respectively) were significantly correlated with one another throughout. Between- and within-condition changes in appetite scores obtained with the VIMEC exhibited a stronger correlation with EI at the test meal than those obtained with VAS. Pearson correlation coefficients for within-condition comparisons were 0.951, 0.914 and 0.875 (all p < 0.001) for SB, LB and LB+S respectively. Correlation coefficients for between-condition differences in VIMEC and EI were 0.273, 0.940 (p < 0.001) and 0.525 (p < 0.05) for SB – LB+S, SB – LB and LB – LB+S respectively. The VIMEC exhibited a similar degree of reproducibility to VAS. These findings suggest that the VIMEC appears to be a stronger predictor of energy intake than VAS

Multilevel Stigma and Its Associations with Medical Care Ratings Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in HPTN 078

Introduction: Our research assessed associations between stigma-related variables and medical care ratings among clients with HIV in HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 078 who were men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: Logistic regression explored care ratings, stigma, socio-demographics (N = 637). Qualitative thematic coding and themes explored stigmatizing experiences in different settings (N = 111). Results: Whites were twice as likely as African-Americans to report high care ratings ( P  < .05). Clients who reported familial exclusion due to having sex with men were 40% less likely to report high medical care ratings ( P  < .05). Clients who agreed healthcare providers think people with HIV “sleep around” were half as likely to report high care ratings ( P  < .08). Stigmatization included “treating me like they’ll catch HIV from my hand,” and care avoidance so others didn’t “know I was having sex with men” . Conclusions: Providers can promote African American MSM client retention with more affirming healthcare provision, namely minimizing assumptions and addressing identities and client needs beyond just HIV care

Development of a Preclinical Orthotopic Xenograft Model of Ewing Sarcoma and Other Human Malignant Bone Disease Using Advanced <i>In Vivo</i> Imaging

<div><p>Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma represent the two most common primary bone tumours in childhood and adolescence, with bone metastases being the most adverse prognostic factor. In prostate cancer, osseous metastasis poses a major clinical challenge. We developed a preclinical orthotopic model of Ewing sarcoma, reflecting the biology of the tumour-bone interactions in human disease and allowing <i>in vivo</i> monitoring of disease progression, and compared this with models of osteosarcoma and prostate carcinoma. Human tumour cell lines were transplanted into non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NSG) and Rag2^−/−/γc^−/− mice by intrafemoral injection. For Ewing sarcoma, minimal cell numbers (1000–5000) injected in small volumes were able to induce orthotopic tumour growth. Tumour progression was studied using positron emission tomography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and bioluminescent imaging. Tumours and their interactions with bones were examined by histology. Each tumour induced bone destruction and outgrowth of extramedullary tumour masses, together with characteristic changes in bone that were well visualised by computed tomography, which correlated with post-mortem histology. Ewing sarcoma and, to a lesser extent, osteosarcoma cells induced prominent reactive new bone formation. Osteosarcoma cells produced osteoid and mineralised “malignant” bone within the tumour mass itself. Injection of prostate carcinoma cells led to osteoclast-driven osteolytic lesions. Bioluminescent imaging of Ewing sarcoma xenografts allowed easy and rapid monitoring of tumour growth and detection of tumour dissemination to lungs, liver and bone. Magnetic resonance imaging proved useful for monitoring soft tissue tumour growth and volume. Positron emission tomography proved to be of limited use in this model. Overall, we have developed an orthotopic <i>in vivo</i> model for Ewing sarcoma and other primary and secondary human bone malignancies, which resemble the human disease. We have shown the utility of small animal bioimaging for tracking disease progression, making this model a useful assay for preclinical drug testing.</p></div

HTPN 078: an enhanced case management study to achieve viral suppression among viremic HIV-positive men who have sex with men in the United States

OBJECTIVES: After identifying and recruiting men who have sex with men living with HIV and virally unsuppressed, this study attempted to enhance treatment and care via case management to increase the proportion who achieved viral suppression. DESIGN: Participants were randomized into one of two study arms: standard of care (SOC) or enhanced case management (CM) intervention. Participants were followed for 12 months with quarterly study assessments, with blood collected for CD4+ cell count testing, HIV viral load testing (primary prespecified outcome), and plasma storage. METHODS: Participants identified via respondent-driven sampling and direct recruitment and were invited to participate in the randomized controlled trial. The CM intervention provided a wide range of support services including, health education, clinical care coordination, medication adherence support, and social service assistance. The month-12 assessment included questions about healthcare utilization, stigma, substance use, and mental health. RESULTS: Among the 144 participants virally unsuppressed at baseline, most had had a previous positive HIV test result; were Black, non-Hispanic, gay and bisexual men, aged 22-50. Among the 128 participants at the last study visit, 68 were virally suppressed, with no statistically significant difference between the CM and SOC arms (viral suppression 42% and 53%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio = 0.62 [P = 0.15; 95% confidence interval: 0.32, 1.2]). CONCLUSIONS: Reaching targets of at least 90% sustained viral suppression among all people with HIV will likely require more than an individual-level CM approach that addresses barriers to optimal care and treatment at multiple levels