HABITAT UTILIZATION BY THE TEXAS HORNED LIZARD (PHRYNOSOMA CORNUTUM) FROM TWO SITES IN CENTRAL TEXAS

The Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is found in a variety of habitats. Although several studies have been conducted on habitat use by this species, none have been performed in central Texas, a more mesic habitat than most of those previously studied. This area is of special interest because horned lizard populations have been experiencing sharp declines in central Texas over the last approximately 50 years. We collected habitat data at two sites in central Texas, Camp Bowie and Blue Mountain Peak Ranch. Microhabitat data included canopy cover and ground cover from digitized photographs of Daubenmire quadrats; macrohabitat variables included vegetation height and length, cactus height, soil penetrability, woody plant species richness, tree density, tree diameter at breast height (DBH), and density of ant mounds collected along 100-m by 2-m transects. Similar patterns of habitat use were observed between the two sites. At Blue Mountain Peak Ranch, lizards appeared to be located in areas with a diversity of ground cover types, as observed in previous studies. At Camp Bowie, vegetation encroachment limited lizards in some areas to the use of roads and road margins. Implementation of prescribed burns or other vegetation management could create the preferred ground cover mosaic at such sites

The RNA-binding protein, ZFP36L2, influences ovulation and oocyte maturation

ZFP36L2 protein destabilizes AU-rich element-containing transcripts and has been implicated in female fertility. In the C57BL/6NTac mouse, a mutation in Zfp36l2 that results in the decreased expression of a form of ZFP36L2 in which the 29 N-terminal amino acid residues have been deleted, ΔN-ZFP36L2, leads to fertilized eggs that arrest at the two-cell stage. Interestingly, homozygous ΔN-Zfp36l2 females in the C57BL/6NTac strain release 40% fewer eggs than the WT littermates (Ramos et al., 2004), suggesting an additional defect in ovulation and/or oocyte maturation. Curiously, the same ΔN-Zfp36l2 mutation into the SV129 strain resulted in anovulation, prompting us to investigate a potential problem in ovulation and oocyte maturation. Remarkably, only 20% of ΔN-Zfp36l2 oocytes in the 129S6/SvEvTac strain matured ex vivo, suggesting a defect on the oocyte meiotic maturation process. Treatment of ΔN-Zfp36l2 oocytes with a PKA inhibitor partially rescued the meiotic arrested oocytes. Furthermore, cAMP levels were increased in ΔN-Zfp36l2 oocytes, linking the cAMP/PKA pathway and ΔN-Zfp36l2 with meiotic arrest. Since ovulation and oocyte maturation are both triggered by LHR signaling, the downstream pathway was investigated. Adenylyl cyclase activity was increased in ΔN-Zfp36l2 ovaries only upon LH stimulation. Moreover, we discovered that ZFP36L2 interacts with the 3′UTR of LHR mRNA and that decreased expression levels of Zfp36l2 correlates with higher levels of LHR mRNA in synchronized ovaries. Furthermore, overexpression of ZFP36L2 decreases the endogenous expression of LHR mRNA in a cell line. Therefore, we propose that lack of the physiological down regulation of LHR mRNA levels by ZFP36L2 in the ovaries is associated with anovulation and oocyte meiotic arrest.Fil: Ball, Christopher B.. University of North Carolina; Estados UnidosFil: Rodriguez, Karina F.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Stumpo, Deborah J.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Ribeiro Neto, Fernando. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Korach, Kenneth S.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Blackshear, Perry J.. University of Duke; Estados Unidos. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Birnbaumer, Lutz. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Silvia B. V.. University of North Carolina; Estados Unido

Determinants of Childhood Zoonotic Enteric Infections in a Semirural Community of Quito, Ecuador.

Domestic animals in the household environment have the potential to affect a child's carriage of zoonotic enteric pathogens and risk of diarrhea. This study examines the risk factors associated with pediatric diarrhea and carriage of zoonotic enteric pathogens among children living in communities where smallholder livestock production is prevalent. We conducted an observational study of children younger than 5 years that included the analysis of child (n = 306) and animal (n = 480) fecal samples for Campylobacter spp., atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., Cryptosporidium parvum, and Giardia lamblia. Among these seven pathogens, Giardia was the most commonly identified pathogen among children and animals in the same household, most of which was found in child-dog pairs. Campylobacter spp. was also relatively common within households, particularly among child-chicken and child-guinea pig pairs. We used multivariable Poisson regression models to assess risk factors associated with a child being positive for at least one zoonotic enteric pathogen or having diarrhea during the last week. Children who interacted with domestic animals-a behavior reported by nearly three-quarters of households owning animals-were at an increased risk of colonization with at least one zoonotic enteric pathogen (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.00-2.42). The risk of diarrhea in the last seven days was elevated but not statistically significant (PR = 2.27, CI: 0.91, 5.67). Interventions that aim to reduce pediatric exposures to enteric pathogens will likely need to be incorporated with approaches that remove animal fecal contamination from the domestic environment and encourage behavior change aimed at reducing children's contact with animal feces through diverse exposure pathways

Répercussions d’une enfance vécue en institution : le cas des Enfants de Duplessis

Les conséquences négatives d’un placement en institution sur les enfants ont été documentées, mais aucune étude n’a porté sur les orphelins et les enfants placés une fois devenus adultes. Au Québec, les Enfants de Duplessis offrent un témoignage poignant des répercussions à long terme d’une enfance vécue en institution. Les histoires recueillies auprès de 40 hommes et 41 femmes ayant grandi en institution à l’époque de Duplessis font état d’un nombre élevé d’abus et d’expériences adverses, incluant les agressions physiques, psychologiques et sexuelles. Le milieu était peu stimulant et offrait peu d’opportunités de développer des relations d’attachement positives et significatives. Lorsqu’ils sont appariés et comparés à des adultes provenant de l’enquête Santé-Québec, les Enfants de Duplessis devenus adultes rapportent plus de problèmes de santé liés au stress et une détresse psychologique plus importante. Nos résultats indiquent également que les personnes ayant disposé de peu de ressources et d’aptitudes personnelles dans l’enfance sont les plus affectées par les expériences adverses.Whereas the immediate consequences of institutionalized placements on children have been documented, no study has investigated adults who were raised in orphanages or institutions. In Quebec, les enfants de Duplessis offer a unique testimony of the long term consequences of an institutionalized childhood. Stories collected from 40 men and 41 women who grew up in institution in Duplessis’era indicate a high number of abuse and aversive experiences, including physical, psychological and sexual aggressions. In addition, the environment was poor in stimulation and opportunities to develop positive attachment relationships with adults. When matched and compared to adults from the Santé-Québec survey, les enfants de Duplessis report a higher number of health problems associated with stress and more psychological distress. Moreover, our results indicate that those who had fewer strengths and aptitudes in childhood are the most affected by unfavourable experiences.Se han documentado las consecuencias negativas del ingreso de los niños a una institución, pero ningún estudio trata acerca de los adultos que fueron internados cuando eran niños o quedaron huérfanos. En Quebec los niños de Duplessis son un testimonio desgarrador de las repercusiones a largo plazo de una infancia vivida en una institución. Las historias recopiladas de 40 hombres y 41 mujeres que crecieron en una institución en la época de Duplessis constatan el número elevado de abusos y experiencias adversas, incluyendo agresiones físicas, psicológicas y sexuales. El medio era poco estimulante y ofrecía pocas oportunidades de desarrollar relaciones de apego positivas y significativas. Al emparejarlos y compararlos a los adultos provenientes de la encuesta de Salud Quebec, los niños de Duplessis, quienes ya son adultos, reportan más problemas de salud relacionados al estrés y un desasosiego psicológico más importante. Nuestros resultados indican también que las personas que disponen de pocos recursos y aptitudes personales en su infancia son las más afectadas por las experiencias adversas.As conseqüências negativas de uma internação em instituição sobre as crianças foram documentadas, mas nenhum estudo foi realizado sobre os órfãos e as crianças internadas quando já se tornaram adultas. No Quebec, as “crianças de Duplessis” testemunham de maneira profunda das repercussões a longo prazo de uma infância vivida em instituição. As histórias recolhidas junto a 40 homens e 41 mulheres que cresceram em instituição na época do governo de Duplessis relatam um alto número de abusos e de experiências adversas, incluindo agressões físicas, psicológicas e sexuais. O meio era pouco estimulante e oferecia poucas oportunidades de desenvolver relações de apego positivas e significativas. Quando eles foram colocados lado a lado e comparados aos adultos vindos da pesquisa de Santé-Québec, as “crianças de Duplessis” que se tornaram adultas sofrem mais de problemas de saúde ligados ao estresse e a uma depressão psicológica mais importante. Nossos resultados indicam igualmente que as pessoas que dispuseram de poucos recursos e aptidões pessoais na infância são mais afetadas pelas experiências adversas