Inter-hemispherical asymmetry in default-mode functional connectivity and BAIAP2 gene are associated with anger expression in ADHD adults

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is accompanied by resting-state alterations, including abnormal activity, connectivity and asymmetry of the default-mode network (DMN). Concurrently, recent studies suggested a link between ADHD and the presence of polymorphisms within the gene BAIAP2 (i.e., brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1-associated protein 2), known to be differentially expressed in brain hemispheres. The clinical and neuroimaging correlates of this polymorphism are still unknown. We investigated the association between BAIAP2 polymorphisms and DMN functional connectivity (FC) asymmetry as well as behavioral measures in ADHD adults. Resting-state fMRI was acquired from 30 ADHD and 15 healthy adults. For each subject, rs7210438 and rs8079626 within the gene BAIAP2 were genotyped. ADHD severity, impulsiveness and anger were assessed for the ADHD group. Using multivariate analysis of variance, we found that genetic features do have an impact on DMN FC asymmetry. In particular, polymorphism rs8079626 affects medial frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule connectivity asymmetry, lower for AA than AG/GG carriers. Further, when combining FC asymmetry and the presence of the rs8079626 variant, we successfully predicted increased externalization of anger in ADHD. In conclusion, a complex interplay between genetic vulnerability and inter-hemispherical DMN FC asymmetry plays a role in emotion regulation in adult ADHD

A Harbour Porpoise, Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Mackenzie River delta, Northwest Territories, Canada (Notes on Cetacea, Delphinoidea VIII)

A Harbour Porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, taken from near Shallow Bay, Mackenzie River Delta, Northwest Territories (68°48’ N 136°35’ W) in July 1973 represents a range extension 800 km eastwards from the previous extreme northeastern record on the north Alaskan coast. All 12 Harbour Porpoises so far examined from either the extreme north of the range of the species in the eastern North Pacific Ocean, or from the extreme south of the range in the eastern North Pacific and eastern North Atlantic Oceans, are large animals

High olfactory sensitivity for dimethyl sulphide in harbour seals

Productive areas are patchily distributed at sea and represent important feeding grounds for many marine organisms. Although pinnipeds are known to travel on direct routes and return regularly to particular feeding sites, the environmental information seals use to perform this navigation is as yet unknown. As atmospheric dimethyl sulphide (DMS) has been demonstrated to be a reliable indicator for profitable foraging areas, we tested seals for their ability to smell DMS at concentrations typical for the marine environment. Using a go/no-go response paradigm we determined the DMS detection threshold in two harbour seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina). DMS stimuli from 8.05×10(8) to 8 pmol (DMS) m(−3)(air) were tested against a control stimulus using a custom-made olfactometer. DMS-thresholds determined for both seals (20 and 13 pmol m(−3)) indicate that seals can detect ambient concentrations associated with high primary productivity, e.g. in the North Atlantic. Thus, seals possess an extraordinarily high olfactory sensitivity for DMS, which could provide a sensory basis for identifying or orienting to profitable foraging grounds

Sobre a ocorrência de cetáceos no litoral do Estado do Rio de Janeiro entre 1968 e 1984

<abstract language="eng">In this paper some data are shown about cetaceans that occurred at the Rio de Janeiro coast from 1968 to 1984. The newspapers' archives were used, as well as personal observations. There are some new records and the greatest number of animais were seen during August

White-beaked dolphins trapped in the ice and eaten by polar bears

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) depend on sea ice, where they hunt ice-associated seals. However, they are opportunistic predators and scavengers with a long list of known prey species. Here we report from a small fjord in Svalbard, Norwegian High Arctic, a sighting of an adult male polar bear preying on two white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) on 23 April 2014. This is the first record of this species as polar bear prey. White-beaked dolphins are frequent visitors to Svalbard waters in summer, but have not previously been reported this far north in early spring. We suggest they were trapped in the ice after strong northerly winds the days before, and possibly killed when forced to surface for air at a small opening in the ice. The bear had consumed most parts of one dolphin. When observed he was in the process of covering the mostly intact second dolphin with snow. Such caching behaviour is generally considered untypical of polar bears. During the following ice-free summer and autumn, at least seven different white-beaked dolphin carcasses were observed in or near the same area. We suggest, based on the area and the degree to which these dolphins had decayed, that they were likely from the same pod and also suffered death due to entrapment in the ice in April. At least six different polar bears were seen scavenging on the carcasses