Nocturnal playback experiments: The response of two European species of birds to singing of foreign male at night.

Recent studies have shown that nocturnal singing in diurnal birds is a common phenomenon, however, the understanding of the mechanisms, functions and consequences of this behaviour has been lacking. We focused on the night singing of two diurnal songbirds-the yellowhammer and the common chaffinch that are widely distributed in Europe. We conducted day and night playback experiments, during which we broadcast songs of an unfamiliar male to the territory holder at two different stages of the breeding season, to examine whether the night singing in species which normally do not sing at night elicits responses from their conspecifics.

Ecological interactions in glacier environments: a review of studies on a model Alpine glacier.

Glaciers host a variety of cold-adapted taxa, many of which have not yet been described. Interactions among glacier organisms are even less clear. Understanding ecological interactions is crucial to unravelling the functioning of glacier ecosystems, particularly in light of current glacier retreat.

Isotopic signature of plutonium accumulated in cryoconite on glaciers worldwide.

Glaciers are recognized as repositories for atmospheric pollutants, however, due to climate change and enhanced melting rates, they are rapidly transitioning from being repositories to secondary sources of such apollutants. Artificial radionuclides are one of the pollutants found on glaciers that efficiently accumulate onto glacier surfaces within cryoconite deposits; a dark, often biogenic sediment. This work provides information about the accumulation, distribution and sources of plutonium (Pu) isotopes in cryoconite samples from glaciers worldwide.

Unveiling threats to glacier biota: Bioaccumulation, mobility, and interactions of radioisotopes with key biological components.

Contemporary melting glaciers are considered a secondary source of pollutants including radionuclides. Cryoconite - biogenic sediment on the glacier surface - exhibits high concentrations of natural and anthrophogenic radioisotopes. Understanding the interactions between radioisotopes and organisms is essential for evaluating their potential impact on glacier-related ecosystems.

Empirical testing of cryoconite granulation: Role of cyanobacteria in the formation of key biogenic structure darkening glaciers in polar regions.

Cryoconite, the dark sediment on the surface of glaciers, often aggregates into oval or irregular granules serving as biogeochemical factories. They reduce a glacier's albedo, act as biodiversity hotspots by supporting aerobic and anaerobic microbial communities, constitute one of the organic matter (OM) sources on glaciers, and are a feeder for micrometazoans. Although cryoconite granules have multiple roles on glaciers, their formation is poorly understood.

Functional and Taxonomic Diversity of Anaerobes in Supraglacial Microbial Communities.

Cryoconite holes are small ponds present on the surface of most glaciers filled with meltwater and sediment at the bottom. Although they are characterized by extreme conditions, they host bacterial communities with high taxonomic and functional biodiversity. Despite that evidence for a potential niche for anaerobic microorganisms and anaerobic processes has recently emerged, the composition of the microbial communities of the cryoconite reported so far has not shown the relevant presence of anaerobic taxa.

Impact of anthropogenic contamination on glacier surface biota.

Glaciers are ecosystems and they host active biological communities. Despite their remoteness, glaciers act as cold condensers where high precipitation rates and cold temperatures favor the deposition of pollutants. These contaminants include a broad range of substances, including legacy pollutants, but also compounds still largely used.

Trophic and symbiotic links between obligate-glacier water bears (Tardigrada) and cryoconite microorganisms.

Insights into biodiversity and trophic webs are important for understanding ecosystem functions. Although the surfaces of glaciers are one of the most productive and biologically diverse parts of the cryosphere, the links between top consumers, their diet and microbial communities are poorly understood. In this study, for the first time we investigated the relationships between bacteria, fungi and other microeukaryotes as they relate to tardigrades, microscopic metazoans that are top consumers in cryoconite, a biologically rich and productive biogenic sediment found on glacier surfaces.

What do orange spots reveal about male (and female) guppies? A test using correlated responses to selection.

Female preferences for male ornamental traits can arise from indirect benefits, such as increased attractiveness or better viability of progeny, but empirical evidence for such benefits is inconsistent. Artificial selection offers a powerful way to investigate indirect effects of male ornaments. Here, we selected for the area of orange spots on male guppies, a trait subject to female preferences in our population, in replicated up- and down-selected lines.

Cryoconite - From minerals and organic matter to bioengineered sediments on glacier's surfaces.

Cryoconite is a mixture of mineral and organic material covering glacial ice, playing important roles in biogeochemical cycles and lowering the albedo of a glacier surface. Understanding the differences in structure of cryoconite across the globe can be important in recognizing past and future changes in supraglacial environments and ice-organisms-minerals interactions. Despite the worldwide distribution and over a century of studies, the basic characteristics of cryoconite, including its forms and geochemistry, remain poorly studied.

Biotope and biocenosis of cryoconite hole ecosystems on Ecology Glacier in the maritime Antarctic.

Despite recent great interest in glacier ecosystems in the continental Antarctic, little is known about their maritime counterparts. Our study presents descriptive data on cryoconite sediments and cryoconite holes on Ecology Glacier (King George Island) to accomplish three main objectives: (a) to identify main eukaryotic (algae, invertebrates) and prokaryotic (cyanobacteria) components of microbial communities; (b) to provide a "baseline" of community composition, organic matter and artificial contamination; and (c) to identify key abiotic factors that might be important in community assembly. Cryoconite holes were sampled along an altitudinal gradient of Ecology Glacier in January, mid Austral Summer 2017.

An integrative redescription of the nominal taxon for the Mesobiotus harmsworthi group (Tardigrada: Macrobiotidae) leads to descriptions of two new Mesobiotus species from Arctic.

The Mesobiotus harmsworthi group has a global distribution, with localities in polar, temperate and tropical zones. Since the first species of the harmsworthi group was described in the beginning of the 20th century, tens of new species within the group were found and named. However, the diagnosis of the nominal Mesobiotus harmsworthi is insufficient and enigmatic, thus it can be is a serious obstacle in solving the taxonomy of this group.

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Demonstrating the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Single, Escalating Oral Doses of RTI-336.

Preclinical and clinical data suggest that a compound which binds potently to and inhibits the dopamine transporter, but with a slower onset and offset rate than cocaine and with less abuse potential and psychomotor stimulant activity, could be a useful adjunct in the treatment of cocaine dependence. We assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral single doses (0.3, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 20 mg) of such an analog, RTI-336, in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in healthy adult males.

Tardigrada and Rotifera from moss microhabitats on a disappearing Ugandan glacier, with the description of a new species of water bear.

Glaciers and ice sheets are a peculiar biome with characteristic abiotic and biotic components. Mountain glaciers are predicted to decrease their volume and even to melt away within a few decades. Despite the threat of a disappearing biome, the diversity and the role of microscopic animals as consumers at higher trophic levels in the glacial biome still remain largely unknown.

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Single, Escalating Oral Doses of JDTic.

Animal studies suggest that kappa opioid receptor antagonists (KORAn) potentially could treat a wide variety of addictive and depressive disorders. We assessed the KORAn JDTic for safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial evaluating single oral doses in healthy adult males. Predose and postdose safety assessments included orthostatic vital signs; 6-lead continuous telemetry monitoring (approximately 16 h predose to 24 h postdose); 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs); clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and urinalysis; psychomotor functioning (using the Wayne Saccadic Fixator (WSF)); and adverse events.

Clinical trial: asimadoline in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: In models of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), asimadoline, a kappa-opioid agonist, improves pain and abnormal bowel function.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of three doses of asimadoline and placebo in subjects with IBS through a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive asimadoline 0.

Determinants of healthcare-seeking behaviour among subjects with irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Doctor visits for irritable bowel syndrome are associated with high medical costs. Predictors of medical consultation for irritable bowel syndrome remain poorly understood.

Aim: To determine factors associated with healthcare seeking for irritable bowel syndrome.

Minimizing resistance consequences after virologic failure on initial combination therapy: a systematic overview.

Objective: To identify optimal first-line therapies based on the rate of virologic success (VS) and the preservation of future treatment options in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive subjects.

Design: Systematic overview of genotypic resistance mutations from clinical trials of combination ART.

Methods: Various sources were searched for studies in ART-naive subjects providing virologic response rates and genotypes from subjects with virologic failure.

Stability of irritable bowel syndrome using a Rome II-based classification.

Background: As there is no biological marker for irritable bowel syndrome, a diagnosis is made using symptom-based criteria.

Aim: To evaluate the stability of self-reported symptoms consistent with Rome II-based irritable bowel syndrome classification.

Methods: Irritable bowel syndrome subjects identified in a 2001 population-based study by modified Rome II criteria were re-contacted 2 years later.

Management of peripheral vascular problems in recipients of cardiac allografts.

Five hundred and twenty consecutive heart transplant cases (458 adult, 62 pediatric) were reviewed to assess the impact of peripheral vascular problems. Peritransplant interventions requiring vascular cannulation (e.g.

Hepatobiliary complications of polyarteritis nodosa.

Although polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) may result in thrombosis or aneurysm formation in any organ in the body, hepatobiliary complications are unusual. We reviewed seven cases that demonstrated the diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic options available in the management of hepatobiliary PAN. No consistent sign that indicated the severity of hepatobiliary PAN could be identified.