Trophic cascades from wolves to grizzly bears in Yellowstone.

We explored multiple linkages among grey wolves (Canis lupus), elk (Cervus elaphus), berry-producing shrubs and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in Yellowstone National Park. We hypothesized competition between elk and grizzly bears whereby, in the absence of wolves, increases in elk numbers would increase browsing on berry-producing shrubs and decrease fruit availability to grizzly bears. After wolves were reintroduced and with a reduced elk population, we hypothesized there would be an increase in the establishment of berry-producing shrubs, such as serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), which is a major berry-producing plant.

[The impact of information and communication technologies on nurse retention].

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the potential impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on nursing practice and nurse retention in remote, intermediate and peripheral regions of Quebec, Canada.

Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews (n=21) was conducted among nursing managers from 16 health and social services centers (French acronym: CSSS) in the province of Quebec.

Results: The study found that a range of ICT applications are used, though not to the same extent in all organizations.

[Using telemedicine to improve chronic disease monitoring].

Aim: The purpose of this study was to understand how home telecare technologies can be used to improve services for people with chronic diseases.

Methods: Canadian elders with at least one of the targeted chronic diseases (COPD, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes) were asked to use telehomecare equipment. The data needed to assess the implementation process and to monitor outcomes were collected through participatory observation, documentary analysis and interviews.

Big Science vs. Little Science: How Scientific Impact Scales with Funding.

is it more effective to give large grants to a few elite researchers, or small grants to many researchers? Large grants would be more effective only if scientific impact increases as an accelerating function of grant size. Here, we examine the scientific impact of individual university-based researchers in three disciplines funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). We considered four indices of scientific impact: numbers of articles published, numbers of citations to those articles, the most cited article, and the number of highly cited articles, each measured over a four-year period.

Random site dilution properties of frustrated magnets on a hierarchical lattice.

We present a method to analyze the magnetic properties of frustrated Ising spin models on specific hierarchical lattices with random dilution. Disorder is induced by dilution and geometrical frustration rather than randomness in the internal couplings of the original Hamiltonian. The two-dimensional model presented here possesses a macroscopic entropy at zero temperature in the large size limit, very close to the Pauling estimate for spin-ice on the pyrochlore lattice, and a crossover towards a paramagnetic phase.

Buccal misoprostol compared with synthetic osmotic cervical dilator before surgical abortion: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and acceptability of buccal misoprostol or a synthetic osmotic cervical dilator for cervical preparation before same-day late first-trimester and early second-trimester surgical abortion.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind trial, we compared 400 micrograms of buccal misoprostol with one synthetic osmotic cervical dilator administered 3-4 hours before surgical abortion among women at 12-15 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was mean cervical circumferential dilation at the time of surgery.

Grizzly bear predation links the loss of native trout to the demography of migratory elk in Yellowstone.

The loss of aquatic subsidies such as spawning salmonids is known to threaten a number of terrestrial predators, but the effects on alternative prey species are poorly understood. At the heart of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, an invasion of lake trout has driven a dramatic decline of native cutthroat trout that migrate up the shallow tributaries of Yellowstone Lake to spawn each spring. We explore whether this decline has amplified the effect of a generalist consumer, the grizzly bear, on populations of migratory elk that summer inside Yellowstone National Park (YNP).

Demonstration of the innate electrophilicity of 4-(3-(benzyloxy)phenyl)-2-(ethylsulfinyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine (BETP), a small-molecule positive allosteric modulator of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor.

4-(3-(Benzyloxy)phenyl)-2-(ethylsulfinyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine (BETP) represents a novel small-molecule activator of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and exhibits glucose-dependent insulin secretion in rats following i.v. (but not oral) administration.

Medical abortion follow-up with serum human chorionic gonadotropin compared with ultrasonography: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To estimate whether follow-up with serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) results in fewer unplanned visits and interventions than follow-up with ultrasonography.

Methods: Women were randomized to either in-clinic serum hCG or ultrasound follow-up after medical abortion. The primary outcome, unplanned interventions and visits, was measured as a composite binary outcome including: additional clinic or emergency room visits, repeat dosing of misoprostol, and surgical evacuation of the uterus.

NR5A2 regulates Lhb and Fshb transcription in gonadotrope-like cells in vitro, but is dispensable for gonadotropin synthesis and fertility in vivo.

Successful mammalian reproduction depends on proper synthesis of the pituitary-derived glycoprotein hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Several transcription factors cooperate to activate cell-specific and hormone-regulated expression of the gonadotropin beta subunits (Lhb and Fshb). Among these, NR5A1 (steroidogenic factor 1; SF1) has been shown to directly bind to the Lhb promoter, mediate basal and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated Lhb transcription, and possibly directly regulate Fshb expression.

Membrane tethered bursicon constructs as heterodimeric modulators of the Drosophila G protein-coupled receptor rickets.

The study of complex heterodimeric peptide ligands has been hampered by a paucity of pharmacological tools. To facilitate such investigations, we have explored the utility of membrane tethered ligands (MTLs). Feasibility of this recombinant approach was explored with a focus on Drosophila bursicon, a heterodimeric cystine-knot protein that activates the G protein-coupled receptor rickets (rk).

[The Eastern Quebec telepathology network: a real collective project].

The aim of the Eastern Québec telepathology network is to provide uniform diagnostic telepathology services across a huge geographic region with a low population density. This project is intended to provide surgeons and pathologists with frozen section and second opinion services anywhere and at any time across the entire region, in order to avoid unnecessary patient transfer. The project has been implemented in 21 sites, each equipped with a whole slide scanner, a macroscopy station, a videoconferencing device and a viewer/case management and collaboration solution.

Factors associated with intended and effective settlement of nursing students and newly graduated nurses in a rural setting after graduation: a mixed-methods review.

Objectives: To identify factors that influence the initial plan and final decision to choose a rural area as first employment location in final-year nursing students or newly graduated nurses.

Design: We conducted a mixed-methods review of the literature, including both published and gray literature, using established criteria. Two reviewers performed data extraction of relevant information independently.

"Chilled" pork--Part II. Consumer perception of sensory quality.

The objective of this study was to compare consumer perception of the sensory quality of grilled Canadian pork destined for Japanese and domestic markets, with particular reference to export selection criteria imposed by Japanese importers and transportation conditions. Consumers from Quebec, Canada tasted local and export quality pork subjected to "chilled" (aged 43 days at -1.7 °C) or conventional ageing (5 days at 3.

"Chilled" pork--Part I: Sensory and physico-chemical quality.

Chilled meat exportation comprises chilling within 48 h post-mortem to temperatures <0 °C without freezing and holding under these conditions for several weeks. The effects of this ageing on sensory quality of pork are unknown and hence the objective of this study was to compare the sensory quality of Canadian pork as found in an export (Japan) market and locally. Regardless that the Japanese market's quality criteria were met, pork sorted on-line differed (P<0.

Identification and isolation of slow-dividing cells in human glioblastoma using carboxy fluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE).

Tumor heterogeneity represents a fundamental feature supporting tumor robustness and presents a central obstacle to the development of therapeutic strategies(1). To overcome the issue of tumor heterogeneity, it is essential to develop assays and tools enabling phenotypic, (epi)genetic and functional identification and characterization of tumor subpopulations that drive specific disease pathologies and represent clinically relevant targets. It is now well established that tumors exhibit distinct sub-fractions of cells with different frequencies of cell division, and that the functional criteria of being slow cycling is positively associated with tumor formation ability in several cancers including those of the brain, breast, skin and pancreas as well as leukemia(2-8).

Selected melanocortin 1 receptor single-nucleotide polymorphisms differentially alter multiple signaling pathways.

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a highly polymorphic G protein-coupled receptor, which is known to modulate pigmentation and inflammation. In the current study, we investigated the pharmacological effects of select single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (V60L, R163Q, and F196L). After transient expression of MC1Rs in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, basal and ligand-induced cAMP signaling and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation were assessed by using luciferase reporter gene assays and Western blot analysis, respectively.

The neuroblast assay: an assay for the generation and enrichment of neuronal progenitor cells from differentiating neural stem cell progeny using flow cytometry.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) can be isolated and expanded in large-scale, using the neurosphere assay and differentiated into the three major cell types of the central nervous system (CNS); namely, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and neurons. These characteristics make neural stem and progenitor cells an invaluable renewable source of cells for in vitro studies such as drug screening, neurotoxicology and electrophysiology and also for cell replacement therapy in many neurological diseases. In practice, however, heterogeneity of NSC progeny, low production of neurons and oligodendrocytes, and predominance of astrocytes following differentiation limit their clinical applications.

The challenges of implementing a "patient-oriented" telepathology network; the Eastern Québec telepathology project experience.

Background: The aim of the Eastern Québec telepathology project is to provide uniform diagnostic telepathology services across a huge geographic region with a low population density. This project is intended to provide surgeons and pathologists with frozen section and second opinion services anywhere and at any time across the entire region in order to avoid unnecessary patient transfer.

Methods: The project has been implemented in 21 sites, each equipped with a whole slide scanner, a macroscopy station, two videoconferencing devices and a viewer/case management and collaboration solution.

Can women accurately assess the outcome of medical abortion based on symptoms alone?

Background: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate whether women undergoing medical abortion can accurately assess abortion outcome based on symptoms alone. Our secondary aim was to identify predictors of medical abortion failure.

Study Design: We conducted a case-control study of women undergoing medical abortion from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2005, who were 63 days' gestation or less and received 200 mg mifepristone followed by 800 mcg of vaginal misoprostol 6-72 h later.

Women's preferences for pain control during first-trimester surgical abortion: a qualitative study.

Background: To explore women's preferences for pain control during first-trimester surgical abortion.

Study Design: Pre- and postoperative semistructured individual interviews were conducted with 40 women divided into eight strata by anesthesia choice, age and prior vaginal delivery status. We identified key themes in the interviews and analyzed baseline characteristics and responses to close-ended questions within and across the strata.

Discovery of dual-action membrane-anchored modulators of incretin receptors.

Background: The glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors are considered complementary therapeutic targets for type 2 diabetes. Using recombinant membrane-tethered ligand (MTL) technology, the present study focused on defining optimized modulators of these receptors, as well as exploring how local anchoring influences soluble peptide function.

Methodology/principal Findings: Serial substitution of residue 7 in membrane-tethered GIP (tGIP) led to a wide range of activities at the GIP receptor, with [G(7)]tGIP showing enhanced efficacy compared to the wild type construct.

Novel inactivating mutations in the GH secretagogue receptor gene in patients with constitutional delay of growth and puberty.

Background: A limited number of mutations in the GH secretagogue receptor gene (GHSR) have been described in patients with short stature. Objective To analyze GHSR in idiopathic short stature (ISS) children including a subgroup of constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) patients.

Subjects And Methods: The GHSR coding region was directly sequenced in 96 independent patients with ISS, 31 of them with CDGP, in 150 adults, and in 197 children with normal stature.

Weibull-type limiting distribution for replicative systems.

The Weibull function is widely used to describe skew distributions observed in nature. However, the origin of this ubiquity is not always obvious to explain. In the present paper, we consider the well-known Galton-Watson branching process describing simple replicative systems.

British HIV Association and Children's HIV Association position statement on infant feeding in the UK 2011.

To prevent the transmission of HIV infection during the postpartum period, the British HIV Association and Children's HIV Association (BHIVA/CHIVA) continue to recommend the complete avoidance of breast feeding for infants born to HIV-infected mothers, regardless of maternal disease status, viral load or treatment.