Predation risk drives long-term shifts in migratory behaviour and demography in a large herbivore population.

Migration is an adaptive life-history strategy across taxa that helps individuals maximise fitness by obtaining forage and avoiding predation risk. The mechanisms driving migratory changes are poorly understood, and links between migratory behaviour, space use, and demographic consequences are rare. Here, we use a nearly 20-year record of individual-based monitoring of a large herbivore, elk (Cervus canadensis) to test hypotheses for changing patterns of migration in and adjacent to a large protected area in Banff National Park (BNP), Canada.

A pediatric virtual care evaluation framework and its evolution using consensus methods.

Background: The use of virtual care has increased dramatically in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet evidence is lacking regarding the impact of virtual care on patient outcomes, particularly in pediatrics. A standardized evaluation approach is required to support the integration of virtual care into pediatric health care delivery programs. The objective of this work was to develop a comprehensive and structured framework for pediatric virtual care evaluation.

Sublingual apomorphine therapy as an alternative to complex continuous infusion pumps in advanced Parkinson's disease treatment: a district nurse-led intervention.

In the UK, Parkinson's disease (PD) is estimated to affect an annual incidence of 15-20 per 100 000 of the population over the age of 60. Service users living with advanced-stage PD require the use of apomorphine, which is generally used to control symptoms. The district nursing service plays a key role in monitoring and in the administration of apomorphine therapy.

Alpha-1 Acid Glycoprotein Reduction Differentiated Recovery from Remission in a Small Cohort of Cats Treated for Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a systemic immune-mediated inflammatory perivasculitis that occurs in a minority of cats infected with feline coronavirus (FCoV). Various therapies have been employed to treat this condition, which was previously usually fatal, though no parameters for differentiating FIP recovery from remission have been defined to enable clinicians to decide when it is safe to discontinue treatment. This retrospective observational study shows that a consistent reduction of the acute phase protein alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) to within normal limits (WNL, i.

Beyond the encounter: Predicting multi-predator risk to elk () in summer using predator scats.

There is growing evidence that prey perceive the risk of predation and alter their behavior in response, resulting in changes in spatial distribution and potential fitness consequences. Previous approaches to mapping predation risk across a landscape quantify predator space use to estimate potential predator-prey encounters, yet this approach does not account for successful predator attack resulting in prey mortality. An exception is a prey kill site that reflects an encounter resulting in mortality, but obtaining information on kill sites is expensive and requires time to accumulate adequate sample sizes.

Gut microbiome composition predicts summer core range size in two divergent ungulates.

The gut microbiome of animals vary by age, diet, and habitat, and directly influences an individual's health. Similarly, variation in home ranges is linked to feeding strategies and fitness. Ungulates (hooved mammals) exhibit species-specific microbiomes and habitat use patterns.

Tricuspid valve endocarditis in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare complication in pregnancy that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality to both mother and fetus. We present a case of a 27-year-old female at 22-weeks gestation with a history of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) who developed methicillin sensitive tricuspid valve endocarditis with persistent bacteremia and septic emboli necessitating tricuspid valve extirpation. Four days later, worsening decompensated heart failure required cesarean section at 23w5d.

Effectiveness of topical antibiotics in treating corals affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease.

Since 2014, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) has led to mass mortality of the majority of hard coral species on the Florida Reef Tract. Following the successful treatment of SCTLD lesions on laboratory corals using water dosed with antibiotics, two topical pastes were developed as vehicles to directly apply antibiotic treatments to wild corals. These pastes were tested as placebos and with additions of amoxicillin on active SCTLD lesions on multiple coral species.

Lead Intoxication in Free-Ranging Bald Eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus).

Lead toxicity due to ingestion of spent ammunition is an ongoing cause of mortality in bald eagles. While gross and histologic lesions of lead intoxication have been described in a few individuals of this species, the prevalence of lesions is underreported. A retrospective study of 93 bald eagles with severe lead intoxication was performed to describe the associated lesions and their prevalence and to compare the lesions with blood, liver, kidney, and/or bone lead concentrations.

The biochemical properties of the two isochorismate synthases.

The important plant hormone salicylic acid (SA; 2-hydroxybenzoic acid) regulates several key plant responses including, most notably, defence against pathogens. A key enzyme for SA biosynthesis is isochorismate synthase (ICS), which converts chorismate into isochorismate, and for which there are two genes in One () has been shown to be required for increased SA biosynthesis in response to pathogens and its expression can be stimulated throughout the leaf by virus infection and exogenous SA. The other () appears to be expressed constitutively, predominantly in the plant vasculature.

Efficacy of fibre additions to flatbread flour mixes for reducing post-meal glucose and insulin responses in healthy Indian subjects.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide, including in developing countries, particularly in South Asia. Intakes of foods generating a high postprandial glucose (PPG) response have been positively associated with T2DM. As part of efforts to identify effective and feasible strategies to reduce the glycaemic impact of carbohydrate-rich staples, we previously found that addition of guar gum (GG) and chickpea flour (CPF) to wheat flour could significantly reduce the PPG response to flatbread products.

Efficacy of different fibres and flour mixes in South-Asian flatbreads for reducing post-prandial glucose responses in healthy adults.

Purpose: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasing, particularly in South-East Asia. Intake of high-glycaemic foods has been positively associated with T2DM, and feasible routes to reduce the glycaemic response to carbohydrate-rich staple foods are needed. The research question was whether different fibre and legume flour mixes in flatbreads lower postprandial glucose (PPG) responses.

Plant-rich mixed meals based on Palaeolithic diet principles have a dramatic impact on incretin, peptide YY and satiety response, but show little effect on glucose and insulin homeostasis: an acute-effects randomised study.

There is evidence for health benefits from 'Palaeolithic' diets; however, there are a few data on the acute effects of rationally designed Palaeolithic-type meals. In the present study, we used Palaeolithic diet principles to construct meals comprising readily available ingredients: fish and a variety of plants, selected to be rich in fibre and phyto-nutrients. We investigated the acute effects of two Palaeolithic-type meals (PAL 1 and PAL 2) and a reference meal based on WHO guidelines (REF), on blood glucose control, gut hormone responses and appetite regulation.

Regulation of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1 and isochorismate synthase gene expression in Arabidopsis.

Background: RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs) function in anti-viral silencing in Arabidopsis thaliana and other plants. Salicylic acid (SA), an important defensive signal, increases RDR1 gene expression, suggesting that RDR1 contributes to SA-induced virus resistance. In Nicotiana attenuata RDR1 also regulates plant-insect interactions and is induced by another important signal, jasmonic acid (JA).

Tissue-specific analysis of glycogen synthase kinase-3α (GSK-3α) in glucose metabolism: effect of strain variation.

Background: Over-activity and elevated expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) has been implicated in the etiology of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Administration of specific GSK-3 inhibitors to diabetic or obese rodent models improves glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity. However, due to the indiscriminatory nature of these inhibitors, the relative contribution of the two isoforms of GSK-3 (GSK-3α and GSK-3β) is not known.

Disruption of two defensive signaling pathways by a viral RNA silencing suppressor.

The Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2b counter-defense protein disrupts plant antiviral mechanisms mediated by RNA silencing and salicylic acid (SA). We used microarrays to investigate defensive gene expression in 2b-transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Surprisingly, 2b inhibited expression of few SA-regulated genes and, in some instances, enhanced the effect of SA on certain genes.

GSK-3alpha directly regulates beta-adrenergic signaling and the response of the heart to hemodynamic stress in mice.

The glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) family of serine/threonine kinases consists of 2 highly related isoforms, alpha and beta. Although GSK-3beta has an important role in cardiac development, much remains unknown about the function of either GSK-3 isoform in the postnatal heart. Herein, we present what we believe to be the first studies defining the role of GSK-3alpha in the mouse heart using gene targeting.

Lessons learned from the institution of the Surgical Care Improvement Project at a teaching medical center.

Background: The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) was designed to reduce perioperative complications. We describe our institutional experience in 6 major areas: surgical site infection, venous thromboembolism prevention, use of perioperative beta-blockade, serum glucose level greater than 200 mg/dL, normothermia, and the use of electric razors for hair removal.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of surgical cases.

Abnormalities in brain structure and behavior in GSK-3alpha mutant mice.

Background: Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a widely expressed and highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase encoded by two genes that generate two related proteins: GSK-3alpha and GSK-3beta. Mice lacking a functional GSK-3alpha gene were engineered in our laboratory; they are viable and display insulin sensitivity. In this study, we have characterized brain functions of GSK-3alpha KO mice by using a well-established battery of behavioral tests together with neurochemical and neuroanatomical analysis.

Deletion of GSK-3beta in mice leads to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy secondary to cardiomyoblast hyperproliferation.

Based on extensive preclinical data, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) has been proposed to be a viable drug target for a wide variety of disease states, ranging from diabetes to bipolar disorder. Since these new drugs, which will be more powerful GSK-3 inhibitors than lithium, may potentially be given to women of childbearing potential, and since it has controversially been suggested that lithium therapy might be linked to congenital cardiac defects, we asked whether GSK-3 family members are required for normal heart development in mice. We report that terminal cardiomyocyte differentiation was substantially blunted in Gsk3b(-/-) embryoid bodies.

Targeting glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Background: In spite of its rather specific name, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is an eclectic cellular regulator that modulates an array of processes from nuclear transcription, to neurological functions and metabolism. The enzyme is also a focal point for diverse signaling pathways that act to suppress its activity.

Objectives: To review recent evidence supporting the important role GSK-3 plays in glucose homeostasis and discuss the therapeutic potential of inhibiting this enzyme in the treatment of diabetes and insulin resistance.