Spinning dreams: a case study of conservation and local development

La Cooperativa Payún Matrú, creada en el año 2005 en la Reserva Provincial La Payunia, implementó la primera experiencia en Argentina de manejo de guanacos por pequeños productores de bajos recursos en tierras fiscales. A lo largo de los años, el proyecto recibió apoyo de diversas instituciones con quienes construyó una agenda común que se fue complejizando. La experiencia de la Cooperativa permite reflexionar sobre el espacio de tensión y negociación que se crea en experiencias que buscan unir la conservacion con el alivio a la pobreza en zonas rurales, y la vulnerabilidad de los proyectos a factores diversosThe Cooperative Payún Matrú was created in 2005 in La Payunia Protected Area, providing a unique example in Argentina where the beneficiaries of guanaco use are low-income producers. The project was supported by several institutions that built a joint agenda along the years. The experience enables us to analyze the negotiations and tensions that exist in projects that seek to reconcile conservation and poverty alleviation in rural areas; and the vulnerability of these projects to several factors.Fil: Lichtenstein, Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; ArgentinaFil: Carmanchahi, Pablo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Reg.universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Associations between oxytocin-related genes and autistic-like traits.

Oxytocin has repeatedly been shown to influence human behavior in social contexts; also, a relationship between oxytocin and the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been suggested. In the present study, we investigated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oxytocin gene (OXT) and the genes for single-minded 1 (SIM1), aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2) and cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) in a population of 1771 children from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS). Statistical analyses were performed to investigate any association between SNPs and autistic-like traits (ALTs), measured through ASD scores in the Autism-Tics, ADHD and other Co-morbidities inventory. Firstly, we found a statistically significant association between the SIM1 SNP rs3734354 (Pro352Thr) and scores for language impairment (p = .0004), but due to low statistical power this should be interpreted cautiously. Furthermore, nominal associations were found between ASD scores and SNPs in OXT, ARNT2 and CD38. In summary, the present study lends support to the hypothesis that oxytocin and oxytocin neuron development may have an influence on the development of ALTs and suggests a new candidate gene in the search for the pathophysiology of ASD.The Swedish Research CouncilThe Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and WelfareThe Swedish Brain FoundationSvenska Sällskapet för Medicinsk Forskning (SSMF)Fredrik and Ingrid Thurings stiftelseÅke Wibergs stiftelseÅhlén-stiftelsenJeanssons-stiftelsenMagnus Bergvalls stiftelseSöderström-Königska stiftelsenMärta Lundqvists stiftelsethe Novo Nordisk FoundationAccepte

Changes in cholesterol homeostasis modify the response of F1B hamsters to dietary very long chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The plasma lipoprotein response of F1B Golden-Syrian hamsters fed diets high in very long chain (VLC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is paradoxical to that observed in humans. This anomaly is attributed, in part, to low lipoprotein lipase activity and is dependent on cholesterol status. To further elucidate the mechanism(s) for these responses, hamsters were fed diets containing supplemental fish oil (VLC n-3 PUFA) or safflower oil (n-6 PUFA) (both 10% [w/w]) and either cholesterol-supplemented (0.1% cholesterol [w/w]) or cholesterol-depleted (0.01% cholesterol [w/w] and 10 days prior to killing fed 0.15% lovastatin+2% cholestyramine [w/w]).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cholesterol-supplemented hamsters fed fish oil, relative to safflower oil, had higher non-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.001) which were associated with lower hepatic low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c and acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyl transferase-2 (ACAT) mRNA and protein (p < 0.05), and higher hepatic apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 and apo E protein levels. In contrast, cholesterol-depleted hamsters fed fish oil, relative to safflower oil, had lower non-HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.001) which were associated with lower hepatic SREBP-1c (p < 0.05) but not apo B-100, apo E or ACAT-2 mRNA or protein levels. Independent of cholesterol status, fish oil fed hamsters had lower HDL cholesterol concentrations (p < 0.001), which were associated with lower hepatic apoA-I protein levels (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data suggest disturbing cholesterol homeostasis in F1B hamsters alters their response to dietary fatty acids, which is reflected in altered plasma lipoprotein patterns and regulation of genes associated with their metabolism.</p

Genome-wide analysis of adolescent psychotic-like experiences shows genetic overlap with psychiatric disorders

This study aimed to test for overlap in genetic influences between psychotic-like experience traits shown by adolescents in the community, and clinically-recognized psychiatric disorders in adulthood, specifically schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. The full spectra of psychotic-like experience domains, both in terms of their severity and type (positive, cognitive, and negative), were assessed using self- and parent-ratings in three European community samples aged 15-19 years (Final N incl. siblings = 6,297-10,098). A mega-genome-wide association study (mega-GWAS) for each psychotic-like experience domain was performed. SNP-heritability of each psychotic-like experience domain was estimated using genomic-relatedness-based restricted maximum-likelihood (GREML) and linkage disequilibrium- (LD-) score regression. Genetic overlap between specific psychotic-like experience domains and schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression was assessed using polygenic risk scoring (PRS) and LD-score regression. GREML returned SNP-heritability estimates of 3-9% for psychotic-like experience trait domains, with higher estimates for less skewed traits (Anhedonia, Cognitive Disorganization) than for more skewed traits (Paranoia and Hallucinations, Parent-rated Negative Symptoms). Mega-GWAS analysis identified one genome-wide significant association for Anhedonia within IDO2 but which did not replicate in an independent sample. PRS analysis revealed that the schizophrenia PRS significantly predicted all adolescent psychotic-like experience trait domains (Paranoia and Hallucinations only in non-zero scorers). The major depression PRS significantly predicted Anhedonia and Parent-rated Negative Symptoms in adolescence. Psychotic-like experiences during adolescence in the community show additive genetic effects and partly share genetic influences with clinically-recognized psychiatric disorders, specifically schizophrenia and major depression

Association study between autistic-like traits and polymorphisms in the autism candidate regions RELN, CNTNAP2, SHANK3, and CDH9/10

The Swedish Research CouncilThe Swedish Council for Working Life and Social ResearchThe Petrus and Augusta Hedlund FoundationÅke Wiberg foundationÅhlens FoundationWilhelm and Martina Lundgren FoundationThe Sahlgrenska AcademyPublishe

Annex 1: Analytic Framework for Assessing Factors that Influence Sustainability of Uses of Wild Living Natural Resources

In December 2001 the SUT and NORAGRIC published Lessons Learned: Case Studies in Sustainable Use comprising the six case studies that use an earlier version of the Analytic Framework as a starting point from which to analyze specific use regimes and management systems. This document is the original Analytic Framework used. The purpose of developing this Analytic Framework is to promote a better understanding of the factors that affect sustainability of the use of living natural resources. This understanding relates to the application of a methodology based on the interaction of different factors that comprise this model. This interaction assumes a multidisciplinary approach that allows for an empirical characterization of the sustainable use of living natural resources from biological, ecological, social, economic, political, cultural and historical points of view

Collective aggressiveness limits colony persistence in high‐ but not low‐elevation sites at Amazonian social spiders

Identifying the traits that foster group survival in contrasting environments is important for understanding local adaptation in social systems. Here, we evaluate the relationship between the aggressiveness of social spider colonies and their persistence along an elevation gradient using the Amazonian spider, Anelosimus eximius. We found that colonies of A. eximius exhibit repeatable differences in their collective aggressiveness (latency to attack prey stimuli) and that colony aggressiveness is linked with persistence in a site‐specific manner. Less aggressive colonies are better able to persist at high‐elevation sites, which lack colony‐sustaining large‐bodied prey, whereas colony aggression was not related to chance of persistence at low‐elevation sites. This suggests that low aggressiveness promotes colony survival in high‐elevation, prey‐poor habitats, perhaps via increased tolerance to resource limitation. These data reveal that the collective phenotypes that relate to colony persistence vary by site, and thus, the path of social evolution in these environments is likely to be affected.Colony‐level selection on collective aggressiveness varies with elevation in social spiders. Aggressive societies are disfavoured at high elevation sites, but their odds of persistence increase in lowland rain forests.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152489/1/jeb13532_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152489/2/jeb13532.pd