Conservation by trans-border cooperation: population genetic structure and diversity of geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus) at its north-western european range edge

In the European Union, all bat species are strictly protected and member states must ensure their conservation. However, if populations are genetically structured, conservation units that correspond to whole countries may be too large, putting small populations with specific conservation requirements at risk. Geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus) has undergone well-documented declines at its north-western European range edge between the 1960 and 1990s and is considered to be negatively affected by habitat fragmentation. Here we analysed the species’ genetic population structure and diversity to identify subpopulations with reduced genetic diversity and to scientifically inform conservation management. We generated 811 microsatellite-based genetic profiles obtained from 42 European nursery colonies and analysed a total of 932 sequences of the hypervariable region II of the mitochondrial control region sampled from across Europe. While two geographically widespread genetic populations were inferred to be present in north-western Europe, both nuclear and mitochondrial genetic diversity were lowest in the areas that had experienced a decline during the last century. A microsatellite-based analysis of demographic history did not permit, however, to unequivocally link that reduced genetic diversity to the population contraction event. Given the large geographic extent of the genetic populations, preserving the connectivity of mating sites requires concerted conservation efforts across multiple political jurisdictions. Genetic monitoring ought to be done on a regular basis to ensure that large-scale connectivity is maintained and further loss of genetic diversity is prevented

Cтандартізованний екстракт хмелю в полегшенні симптомів менопаузи

Интерес к применению фитоэстрогенов при ведении пациентов с климактерическими жалобами с каждым годом возрастает. Фитоэстрогены – это преимущественно нестероидные полифенольные соединения растительного происхождения, функционально имитирующие деятельность человеческого эстрогена и 17β-эстрадиола. К наиболее насыщенным источникам фитоэстрогенов относят сою и красный клевер (изофлавоны), семена льна (лигнаны) и хмель (пренилфлавоноиды) (Cos et al., 2003)

Fluorescein-enhanced autofluorescence thoracoscopy in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax and normal subjects

Rationale: The exact site(s) and pathophysiology of air leakage in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) are unknown. In one patient with PSP, fluorescein-enhanced autofluorescence thoracoscopy (FEAT) has shown areas of parenchymal abnormality unnoticed during white light thoracoscopy (WILT). Objectives: To prospectively perform and compare WILT and FEAT in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax and in normal subjects. Methods: One-time FEAT and WILT inspection with systematic mapping of semiquantified lesions in 12 consecutive patients with PSP was compared with one-time FEAT and WILT during sequential bilateral thoracoscopy in 17 control subjects. Results: WILT abnormalities (anthracosis, cobblestone malformation, and blebs/bullae) were more prevalent in PSP. FEAT, however, showed high-grade lesions in PSP only, which often were present at areas that were normal, or that only showed anthracosis at WILT. When blebs/bullae were present, bleb-associated FEAT abnormalities were only present in two. Actual fluorescein leakage was seen in two patients with PSP. Conclusions: Lungs in patients with PSP show significantly more abnormalities at WILT when compared with normal subjects. High-grade FEAT lesions were exclusively present in PSP, and predominantly at lung zones that appeared normal at white light inspection. These findings suggest that significant parenchymal abnormalities are not limited to lesions visible during WILT, such as blebs and bullae

Statistical analysis.

<p>We investigated the association between the presence of <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium on the eggshell of blue and great tits and the egg volume, clutch size, number of nestlings, number of fledglings and SMI. The results are represented as the estimate ± standard deviation (stdev), degrees of freedom (d.f.), t-value and P-value.</p

Minimum spanning tree based on MLVA data.

<p>Shown is a minimum spanning tree calculated for the MLVA profiles of the seven <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium isolates of blue and great tits, compared with 3239 <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium human isolates, regardless of phage type, in Belgium over the period of 2010–2016.</p

Reproductive parameters and SMI of blue and great tits originating from a nest containing a <i>Salmonella</i> positive eggshell.

<p>Reproductive parameters and SMI of blue and great tits originating from a nest containing a <i>Salmonella</i> positive eggshell.</p

Phage and MLVA typing of <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium.

<p>Shown are the phage types and MLVA profiles of the seven <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium isolates targeting 5 loci.</p

IgY antibody assessment in blood of great tits.

<p>Indicated are fledglings having anti-<i>Salmonella</i> antibodies (IgY) in their blood at day 14–15.</p

Map of the study plots showing the distribution of <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium.

<p>Shown are the study plots used to investigate <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium presence in blue and great tit nest boxes. Negative plots are indicated by grey dots, plots where <i>Salmonella</i> was found on the eggshell are represented by yellow dots and plots with nestlings carrying <i>Salmonella</i> IgY antibodies are depicted by blue dots.</p