Capturing the songs of mice with an improved detection and classification method for ultrasonic vocalizations (BootSnap).

House mice communicate through ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), which are above the range of human hearing (>20 kHz), and several automated methods have been developed for USV detection and classification. Here we evaluate their advantages and disadvantages in a full, systematic comparison, while also presenting a new approach. This study aims to 1) determine the most efficient USV detection tool among the existing methods, and 2) develop a classification model that is more generalizable than existing methods.

Pheromones that correlate with reproductive success in competitive conditions.

The major urinary proteins (MUPs) of house mice (Mus musculus) bind and stabilize the release of pheromones and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from urinary scent marks, which mediate chemical communication. Social status influences MUP and VOC excretion, and the urinary scent of dominant males is attractive to females. Urinary pheromones influence the sexual behavior and physiology of conspecifics, and yet it is not known whether they also affect reproductive success.

Primed to vocalize: Wild-derived male house mice increase vocalization rate and diversity after a previous encounter with a female.

Males in a wide variety of taxa, including insects, birds and mammals, produce vocalizations to attract females. Male house mice emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), especially during courtship and mating, which are surprising complex. It is often suggested that male mice vocalize at higher rates after interacting with a female, but the evidence is mixed depending upon the strain of mice.

Ultrasonic vocalizations in house mice depend upon genetic relatedness of mating partners and correlate with subsequent reproductive success.

Background: Courtship vocalizations are used by males of many species to attract and influence the behavior of potential mating partners. Our aim here was to investigate the modulation and reproductive consequences of courtship ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in wild-derived house mice (). The courtship USVs of male mice are surprisingly complex and are composed of a variety of different syllable types.

Surgery for Crohn's disease in Greece: a follow-up study of 79 cases.

Background/aims: The aim of this prospective study was to elucidate the clinical features, indications for surgery and long-term outcome of a series of 79 Greek patients operated on for Crohn's disease.

Methodology: The clinical features and follow-up of 79 out of 155 patients with definite diagnosis of Crohn's disease (51%), who were operated on at least once during the course of their disease, are analyzed. Three main locations of the disease were identified (small bowel, large bowel and small and large bowel).