Individual and species-specific traits explain niche size and functional role in spiders as generalist predators.

The function of a predator within a community is greatly based on its trophic niche, that is the number and the strength of feeding links. In generalist predators, which feed on a wide range of prey, the size and position of the trophic niche is likely determined by traits such as hunting mode, the stratum they occur in, their body size and age. We used stable isotope analyses ((13)C and (15)N) to measure the trophic niche size of nine spider species within a forest hedge community and tested for species traits and individual traits that influence stable isotope enrichment, niche size and resource use.

Hyalinizing trabecular tumour of the thyroid-differential expression of distinct miRNAs compared with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Aims: To compare the expression pattern of five microRNAs (miRNAs) (146b, -181b, -21, -221, -222) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and hyalinizing trabecular tumour of the thyroid (HTT).

Methods And Results: The expression pattern of five miRNAs known to be up-regulated in PTC was retrospectively analysed in 18 HTTs, adjacent normal thyroid tissue, 10 PTCs, 10 follicular adenomas and 10 non-toxic multinodular goitres (MNG) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using the TaqMan miRNA assay. Furthermore, the two common genetic alterations characteristic for PTC, the V600E mutation of the BRAF gene and RET/PTC 1 and 3 rearrangements, were determined in all HTTs.