We are well aware that our N2IC-expressing mouse models by no mea

We are well aware that our N2IC-expressing mouse models by no means FK506 manufacturer represent a physiological condition when normally exact timing of fine-tuned Notch dosages navigates developmental cell fates. However, our results provide a proof of principle that adult mouse hepatocytes are capable to undergo rapid biliary transdifferentiation in vivo when embryonic signaling pathways are reactivated. It has been a debate

on principles whether biliary transdifferentiation of hepatocytes happens in vivo and whether this represents a general regeneration mechanism in response to injury.1, 33 Numerous studies have demonstrated the capability of isolated hepatocytes to undergo biliary transformation in vitro (for review, see Ref.1). However, Tanespimycin data that unambiguously show hepatocyte transdifferentiation in vivo are scarce. Only

by generating chimeric rats by hepatocyte transplantation and combining bile duct ligation with the application of a biliary toxin one group was able to demonstrate that transplanted hepatocytes can give rise to bile ductules.4 Zong et al.6 demonstrated that inducible transgenic Notch1IC (N1IC) expression using the AlbCreERT2 promoter resulted in the appearance of some ectopic tubular structures of biliary phenotype when 6-day-old mice were subjected to repetitive tamoxifen injections for 3 weeks. Their findings were suggestive that the sensitivity of embryonic hepatoblasts to Notch signals extends to young hepatocytes shortly after birth; however, in that study it could not be ruled out that progenitor cells gave rise to the ectopic biliary structures observed. In another recent study by Fan et al.,34 the adenoviral delivery of N1IC together with constitutively active AKT1 led to the lobular appearance of singular hepatobiliary selleckchem hybrid cells that, however, rapidly clonally expanded to give rise to invasive cholangiocytic tumors. After combining this model with hepatocyte lineage tracing using adenoviral transfer

of transthyretin-Cre into R26EYFP reporter animals the authors concluded that the biliary tumors were of hepatocyte origin. This conclusion supports the concept that adult hepatocytes may change cell fates upon stimulation with N1IC. Nevertheless, some concerns with this adenoviral hepatocyte fate-tracing model remain in terms of possible Cre expression in the biliary compartment during malignant transformation. In our study, we used the HNF1βCreERT2 mouse line to specifically direct N2IC expression to the biliary and facultative progenitor compartment. Using this approach, we show that the lobular biliary structures in R26N2ICMxCre animals were not the progeny of N2IC-expressing biliary cells or progenitors, thereby circumventing potential confounding variables that may arise from hepatocyte transplantation or adenoviral models. In comparison to the above-mentioned studies by Zong et al. and Fan et al.

The finding that liver iron levels were unaffected in Dmt1liv/liv

The finding that liver iron levels were unaffected in Dmt1liv/liv mice indicates that hepatocyte DMT1 is dispensable for the overall iron economy of the liver. In addition, the observation that hepatic iron accumulation and deposition of iron in hepatocytes were unaffected in Selleck Dinaciclib double-mutant Hfe−/−;Dmt1liv/liv and Trfhpx/hpx;Dmt1liv/liv mice demonstrates that hepatocyte DMT1 is not required for development of hepatic iron overload characteristic of hemochromatosis or hypotransferrinemia. Furthermore, no alterations were found in levels of plasma iron, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation, or hemoglobin in single- or double-mutant

Dmt1liv/liv mice, suggesting that inactivation of hepatocyte DMT1 does not affect systemic iron metabolism. The first clue that DMT1 was dispensable for hepatic iron accumulation was provided by studies of the Dmt1−/− mouse, which found that Dmt1−/− neonates had 3 times normal liver iron levels.[9] However, this observation was confounded by the fact that the Dmt1−/− mice had severe anemia and prominent extramedullary erythropoiesis in the liver. Hepatic iron accumulation in Dmt1−/− mice was directly investigated by administering a single IP dose of 5 mg of iron dextran.[9] The iron dextran injection resulted in a large

increase in levels of liver iron, in Selleck Ku0059436 hepatocytes as well as macrophages. Although these observations indicated that an IP injection of a pharmacologic dose of iron (in a nonphysiological form) could load iron into the liver in the absence of DMT1, it is unclear how relevant these data are to usual pathways of hepatic iron uptake and accumulation. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed the role of DMT1 in hepatic iron uptake by IV administering physiologic forms of iron—transferrin or ferric citrate as NTBI18—and by using animal models of human disorders of iron overload. Similar to HFE-related hemochromatosis patients, Hfe−/− mice hyperabsorb selleckchem dietary iron

and deposit the excess in hepatocytes, starting with periportal hepatocytes.[3] Here, we observed a similar pattern of iron deposition in the liver of Hfe−/− mice lacking hepatocyte DMT1 (Hfe−/−;Dmt1liv/liv), indicating that DMT1 is dispensable for hepatocyte iron accumulation in this animal model. Also, similar to hemochromatosis patients, Hfe−/− mice have elevated levels of plasma NTBI, even when transferrin is not fully saturated.[12] Most plasma NTBI is rapidly cleared by hepatocytes and is therefore believed to be a significant contributor to hepatic iron deposition.[11, 12] If so, our studies suggest that hepatocyte DMT1 is not required for NTBI uptake because hepatic iron levels were similar in Hfe−/− mice with or without hepatocyte DMT1. The likelihood that hepatocyte DMT1 is dispensable for the hepatic uptake of NTBI is strongly supported by our observation that hepatic iron accumulation and iron deposition in hepatocytes were unaffected in Trfhpx/hpx mice lacking hepatocyte DMT1 (Trfhpx/hpx;Dmt1liv/liv mice).

The aim of our study was to assess whether oleuropein supplementa

The aim of our study was to assess whether oleuropein supplementation to a high fat diet may counteract metabolic derangements and systemic inflammation produced by an excessive fat intake. As model for NAFLD we used C57BL/6 mice fed with a high fat diet (HFD). After 8 weeks of HFD feeding, mice received a HFD supplemented with 3% oleuropein (OLE) for further 8 weeks [HFD+OLE]. After 16 weeks, HFD-fed mice show dismetabolism, elevated fat deposition, increased body (BW), liver PXD101 molecular weight (LW) and heart (HW) weights and an increase of several circulating cytokines. At the end of treatment

HFD+OLE mice show reduced weight gain (BW – 25%, LW – 50%, HW – 70%) compared to HFD-fed mice. In accordance with literature, our histological investigations highlighted reduced liver damage and inflammatory infiltration. Moreover, through cytokinome analysis performed using the Bio-Plex multiplex biometric ELISA-based immunoassay, we appreciated a significant reduction of a panel of cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) and the chemokine

(C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) in the HFD+OLE group compared to controls. Interestingly, MCP1 and CXCL1, are renowned players in the recruitment of immune cells and their increase is correlated to metabolic syndrome. These results suggest that oleuropein, in addition to its already known antioxidant properties, selleck compound may prevent progression of NAFLD and MeS occurrence acting on the activation of systemic inflammation. In particular, oleuropein may counteract immune cells infiltration in the liver, an event deeply implied in the progression of hepatic damage. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Alessia Longo, Mario Arciello, Barbara Barbaro, Gabriele Toietta, Roberta find more Maggio, Carmela Viscomi, Clara Balsano Bile acids (BAs) seem to play an important role in glucose homoeostasis. BAs are endogenous ligands to several

receptors, FXR, PXR, and TGR5. By binding to these receptors BAs activate signalling pathways, and regulate cholesterol, glucose, and metabolism/energy homoeostasis as well as their own synthesis. We evaluate the association between total and single BA fractions with insulin sensitivity in a large blood donor population. Material: SOLENNE study was approved by EC. Fasting blood liver tests, insulin, glucose, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, FGF19,Lathosterol, C4, Bas by HPLC-MS and Liver ultrasonography (bright liver, gallstones) were performed in 284 consecutive blood donors. Subjects with overt gastrointestinal disease or assuming drugs were excluded. Statistical Analysis by MedCalc: Student t test (mean±SD), Mann-Whitney when appropriate, χ2 test, uni & multivariate analysis.

, 2004) Therefore, motivation levels should be taken into accoun

, 2004). Therefore, motivation levels should be taken into account in the interpretation of context-related changes in vocal parameters. In the case of non-linear phenomena, the results are not consistent. According to Table 4, harmonic-to-noise ratio decreases, spectral selleck products noise increases (more noise), but entropy decreases (more pure tone vocalizations) with arousal. The increase in spectral noise (Table 4)

is contradicted by Gouzoules & Gouzoules (1989), which showed that pigtail macaques Macaca nemestrina produced less noisy and more tonal screams during contact aggression (high presumed arousal) than during non-contact aggression. Similarly, Blumstein & Chi (2011) showed that yellow-bellied marmots Marmota flaviventris selleck inhibitor with more faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, indicating higher stress levels, produced less noisy calls (measured as entropy). Therefore, it seems that non-linear phenomena might increase or decrease with arousal depending on species or particular contexts and are not good indicators of arousal. Vocal correlates of valence have been considerably less studied than arousal (Table 4). There are only a few studies in which authors compared vocalizations produced in negative and positive situations. There are two main reasons for this lack of research. One is the difficulty to find calls

that are produced in positive situations (but see exceptions of positive vocalizations later). Because vocal correlates of negative states selleck kinase inhibitor signal urgency (e.g. alarm calls) and need (e.g. infant begging calls), these vocalizations are far more common than positive vocalizations, and probably emerged earlier during evolution. The evolution of positive vocalizations could have been facilitated later by the increased

importance of communication within social groups (Brudzynski, 2007). Expression of arousal can be studied by comparing vocalizations produced in negative situations that are characterized by varying degrees of arousal. By contrast, research on expression of valence must compare vocalizations produced in positive and negative situations that are characterized by a similar degree of arousal. This leads to the second reason for a lack of research on vocal correlates of valence; it is difficult to find situations of opposite valence, but similar arousal. Expressions of negative emotions (e.g. physiological, visual, vocal) are easier to study, because they are often more intense than expressions of positive emotions (Boissy et al., 2007). Therefore, it is difficult to find situations triggering positive emotions as intense as negative emotions. Because of this lack of research, knowledge on vocal correlates of valence listed in Table 4 is sparse. Some studies show a shift towards higher frequencies during positive situations.

For multicenter studies, the diagnosis of MHE or CHE by consensus

For multicenter studies, the diagnosis of MHE or CHE by consensus should utilize at least two of the current validated testing strategies: paper-pencil

(PHES) and one of the following: computerized (CRT, ICT, SCAN, or Stroop) or neurophysiological (CFF or EEG).[66] In the clinical routine or single-center studies, investigators may use tests for assessing the severity of HE with which they are familiar, provided that normative reference data are available and the tests have been validated for use in this patient population.[66] High blood-ammonia levels alone do not add any diagnostic, staging, or prognostic value in HE patients Selleckchem LDE225 with CLD.[87] However, in case an ammonia level is checked in a patient with OHE and it is normal, the diagnosis of HE is in question. For ammonia-lowering drugs, repeated measurements of ammonia may be helpful to test the efficacy. There may be logistic challenges to accurately measure blood ammonia, which should

be taken into consideration. Ammonia is reported either in venous, arterial blood, or plasma ammonia, so the relevant normal should be used. Multiple methods are available, but measurements should only be employed when laboratory standards allow for reliable analyses. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) or other image modality scans do not contribute diagnostic or grading information. However, the risk of intracerebral SRT1720 mouse hemorrhage is at least 5-fold increased in this

patient group,[88] and the symptoms may be indistinguishable, so a brain scan is usually part of the diagnostic workup of first-time HE and on clinical suspicion of other pathology. 3. Hepatic encephalopathy should be treated as a continuum ranging from unimpaired cognitive function with intact consciousness through coma (GRADE III, A, 1). 4. The diagnosis of HE is through find more exclusion of other causes of brain dysfunction (GRADE II-2, A, 1). 5. Hepatic encephalopathy should be divided into various stages of severity, reflecting the degree of self-sufficiency and the need for care (GRADE III, B, 1). 6. Overt hepatic encephalopathy is diagnosed by clinical criteria and can be graded according the WHC and the GCS (GRADE II-2, B, 1). 7. The diagnosis and grading of MHE and CHE can be made using several neurophysiological and psychometric tests that should be performed by experienced examiners (GRADE II-2, B, 1). 8. Testing for MHE and CHE could be used in patients who would most benefit from testing, such as those with impaired quality of life or implication on employment or public safety (GRADE III, B, 2). 9. Increased blood ammonia alone does not add any diagnostic, staging, or prognostic value for HE in patients with CLD. A normal value calls for diagnostic reevaluation (GRADE II-3, A, 1). At this time, only OHE is routinely treated.

For 4 weeks, along with access to HFD, one group received indomet

For 4 weeks, along with access to HFD, one group received indomethacin (n = 5 rats, 1 mg/day) every 24hours, and the second group (n = 5 rats) was fed with HFD; a control group (6 rats) was fed with standard chow diet (SCD) for 12 weeks. We observed that indomethacin significantly revert fatty liver disease (Fig. 1). buy YAP-TEAD Inhibitor 1 The most remarkable effects of COX inhibition by indomethacin in the HFD group in comparison with the SCD group were: a 230% increase of liver expression of CPTA1 mRNA, a 100% increase of liver abundance of PCK1 mRNA (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, the main control point for the regulation of gluconeogenesis),

and an increase of 84% ofPPARα mRNA (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha,a transcription factor that controls the expression of genes encodingfatty acid oxidation enzymes and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation) (Fig. 1). As far as we know, we show for the first time that indomethacin is able to increase liver CPT1A mRNA. We can not explain the exact mechanism by which the AZD0530 drug influences liver CPT1A expression, although an inhibitory effect of

a COX product on the gene expression is an obvious option, but we agree with Orellana-Gavalda etal. that liver CPT1A is a prime target to increase beta-oxidation of hepatic long-chain fatty acids. Other explanations are probable. Indomethacin was regarded as a dual PPARγ/PPARα ligand.3 In addition, the 5′-flanking region of COX2 has several potential transcription regulatory sequences, including CCAAT/enhancer binding protein motif (a gene that specifically regulates hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis4) and two nuclear factor-κB sites (a key modulator of liver injury in NAFLD). Hence, these observations may explain the beneficial effects of indomethacin on NAFLD. In summary, our results represent proof of principle that

pharmacological COX inhibition may provide a novel approach for reversing fatty liver by modulating the liver CPT1A mRNA expression. These results also add some clues about the potential role of the inducible COX2 and its proinflammatory prostaglandin products in metabolic disorders, including NAFLD. Maria S. Rosselli M.Sc.*, Adriana L. Burgueño Ph.D.†, Carlos J. Pirola Ph.D.†, Silvia Sookoian M.D., Ph.D.*, * Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, udad Autónoma see more de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Argentina, † Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, Institute of Medical Research “Alfredo Lanari” Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, University of Buenos Aires–National Council of Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Argentina. “
“A 65 year-old male cadavaric renal transplant (CRT) recipient maintained on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), tacrolimus, and low-dose prednisone for 7 years presented with a 10-month history of diarrhea and a 60-pound weight loss.

Key Word(s): 1 HIF-1α; 2 the hypoxia; 3 gastric cancer; 4 ASO

Key Word(s): 1. HIF-1α; 2. the hypoxia; 3. gastric cancer; 4. ASODN; Presenting Author: WANG XI Corresponding Author: WANG XI Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University Pritelivir molecular weight Objective: To study the expression and interaction of ΔNp63, p21WAF1 and PCNA in esophageal squamous carcinoma, and to explore their role in occurrence and development of the cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemical method was carried out to

detect the expression of ΔNp63, p21WAF1 and PCNA for 42 patients from endoscopic mucosa biopsies. The 42 cases included the esophageal cancer, adjacent cancer and far cancer tissues. Results: The positive incidence of ΔNp63 and PCNA was 78.6% and 100% in the esophageal cancer tissues, 52.4% and 59.5% in the adjacent cancer tissues, 26.2% and 31.0% in far cancer tissues, respectively. The positive incidence of p21WAF1 was 54.8% in the esophageal cancer tissues, 76.2% in the adjacent cancer tissues and 90.5% in far cancer tissues. There was positive correlation between and PCNA expression in the esophageal cancer tissue. Conclusion: The expression of ΔNp63 and PCNA was high in the cancer tissues, and higher with decreasing of cancer differentiation. However, the expression of p21 was low in the

cancer tissues, and lower with decreasing of cancer differentiation. Olaparib order There was negative correlation between p21 expression and ΔNp63/PCNA expression in esophageal click here cancer. The overexpression of ΔNp63 in esophageal cancer may not only exist in the invasive stage but also play an important role in the early stage of esophageal carcinoma. Key Word(s): 1. esophageal cancer; 2. ΔNp63; 3. p21WAF1; 4. PCNA; Presenting

Author: MAZHI BIN Corresponding Author: MAZHI BIN Affiliations: The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Objective: To study the impact of the apoptosis of the human gastrointestinal carcinoma cells induced by arsenic trioxide, and the changes of Survivin, BCL-2 expression after the chemotherapy with it. Methods: To select 20 Patients diagnosed gastrointestinal carcinoma through endoscopy and biopsy, including 9 gastric cancer and 11 colorectal cancer, and hold malignant tissue of them by endoscopy and biospy. They were given As2O3 intravenous administration (10 mg/d) for three days before operated. After that, all the patients received Surgery. Take pathologies in the preoperative and intraoperative, we observed the cytological morphology, and calculated the apoptosis index(AI) under the light microscope, and detected the positive expression rate of the Survivin, BCL-2 with immunohistochemical method. Results: Apoptosis of post-chemotherapy gastrointestinal cancer cells are 17.04%, more significant than pre-chemotherapy 6.07%,the difference is significant statistic- allly(P < 0.

Diagnosis of atypical GERD is often a challenge especially when h

Diagnosis of atypical GERD is often a challenge especially when heartburn and regurgitation are absent. Classic reflux symptoms are absent in 40–60% of patients with asthma, 57–94%of patients with ear, nose, and throat (ENT) symptoms, and 43–75% of patients selleck chemicals llc with chronic cough in whom reflux is suspected as the primary etiology. Therefore, GERD should be strongly considered in

the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with atypical symptoms when alternative diagnoses have been excluded.The aim of this study was to demonstrate the association between GERD and extradigestive manifestations and to evaluate the accuracy of the GERD’s diagnosis proposed by specialists other than gastroenterologists (pneumologists, ENTs’, cardiologists). Methods: A prospective study was conducted between November 2012- March 2013 at the Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Iasi. It included patients referred by pneumology, otolaryngology, cardiology departments with suspected GERD. All patients were investigated endoscopically and those without esophagitis were further investigated by 24-h impedance-pH metry. Results: The study included 24 patients, 12 males (50%) and 12 females (50%), the mean age 47 ± 14,46 years; 6 (25%) presented asthma, 17 (70,83%) hoarsness and 1 (4,16%) noncardiac chest pain. AZD2281 manufacturer All patients had typical symptoms (79,16%

pyrosis and 83,33% regurgitation). 11 (45,83%) had esophagitis at the upper endoscopy, 4 (16,66%) underwent 24-h impedance-pH metry and 9 (37,51%) underwent therapeutic test with PPI. Diagnosis of GERD was established in all cases. Conclusion: GERD often manifests with atypical symptoms hence gastroenterological

consult and investigations are highly beneficial for patients with asthma, dysphonia, chronic cough or pseudoangina. Key Word(s): 1. GERD; 2. heartburn; 3. chronic cough; 4. dysphonia, asthma; Presenting Author: SATIMAI ANIWAN Additional Authors: VICHAI VIRIYAUTSAHAKU, PHONTHEP ANGSUWATCHARAKON, PRADERMCHAI KONGKAM, SOMBAT TREEPRASERTSUK, RUNGSUN RERKNIMITR, PINIT KULLAVANIJAYA Corresponding Author: SATIMAI ANIWAN Affiliations: Chulalongkorn University selleck inhibitor Hospital Objective: In overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is recommended as one of the important investigations since it can provide not only diagnosis but also can provide therapy. However, there is no set-standard timing to perform DBE is those OGIBs. Hypothetically, some vascular lesions and ulcers may disappear if DBE is delayed. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic and therapeutic yields between urgent and non-urgent (later) DBE in patients with OGIB. Methods: Between 1/2006 to 2/2013, 120 patients with overt OGIB who underwent DBE were retrospectively reviewed. An urgent DBE was defined as DBE performed within 72 h.

A TDR was attached to the belt to position it as close to the dug

A TDR was attached to the belt to position it as close to the dugong as possible. The length of the tether and the buoyancy of the cylinder allowed the satellite antenna to be exposed above the C646 clinical trial water when a dugong was in water <3 m or swimming near the surface very slowly, thereby maximizing uplink opportunities. The whole tracking apparatus was retrieved as described in Sheppard et al. (2006). Data from TDRs were decoded using software provided by the manufacturer.

We used custom software to preprocess the data by identifying the level of the water surface (zero-offset) and removing dugong spikes, i.e., biologically implausible rapid changes in depth (Appendix S1A, Hagihara et al. 2011). Dive data collected within 5 min of a GPS and QFP fix were then subsampled (10 min in total, 5 min before and www.selleckchem.com/products/Vorinostat-saha.html after each fix, Appendix S1B). To avoid any potential postrelease behavioral responses, we only used data recorded ≥3 d after the day of tag deployment. However, no apparent changes in diving patterns were observed in the

3 d after deployment; capture and handling did not appear to trigger a flight response and dugongs stayed in the vicinity of the capture area (Sheppard et al. 2006; RH, unpublished data). Bathymetric models and tidal records (Maritime Safety Queensland, Department of Transport and Main Roads) were used to estimate the water depth at the time and geographic location for each fix. The bathymetric models were of 100 m resolution and generated by Sheppard (2008) in Hervey Bay and by Beaman (2010) in Moreton Bay. The depth at the location of each fix was identified by importing the bathymetric models and location fixes into ArcGIS 9.3.1 (Environmental selleck chemicals llc Systems Research Institute 2009). Tidal heights were added or subtracted to the depth on the bathymetric charts to calculate the water depth experienced by the dugong at the time of each fix. Tidal range in Hervey Bay was ca. 4 m and in Moreton Bay 2.6 m during the deployment periods. We assumed

that estimated water depths remained constant for the 10 min around each fix. Previous experiments using dugong replicas found that the availability of dugongs varies with levels of turbidity and sea state (Pollock et al. 2006). Following Pollock et al. (2006), we examined the proportion of time dugongs spent in two detection zones: 0–1.5 m of the surface for turbid water and Beaufort sea state 3 (rougher conditions with very few whitecaps); and 0–2.5 m of the surface for clear water and sea state ≤2 (calm conditions with no whitecaps). We assigned “1” when a depth measurement was recorded within each of the detection zones and “0” when a depth measurement was recorded outside of the detection zone. The proportion of time dugongs spent in each detection zone was calculated by the sum of these numbers divided by the number of depth records.

Whereas the solitary silvery mole-rat Heliophobius argenteocinere

Whereas the solitary silvery mole-rat Heliophobius argenteocinereus occurs there in the afromontane

grasslands, the social Whyte’s mole-rat Fukomys whytei is bound to the Miombo woodlands. The habitat of F. whytei was characterized by a lower food supply and harder soil. We suppose that the niche segregation of the two species in the Nyika Plateau is due to the inability of the solitary species to survive under the harsh ecological conditions. Absence of F. whytei in higher altitudes may be due to its less effective thermoregulation, competitive exclusion by H. argenteocinereus, or other unknown factors. Analysis of available data on food supply and precipitation from different mole-rat localities revealed that there is no clear separation of the localities inhabited by solitary, social and so-called eusocial species. “
“Monitoring selleck programmes and studies selleck chemical focused on secondary sexual characters (SSCs) depend on the accuracy of measurements. However, methods of measurements of SSC, such as horns of ungulates, vary throughout the literature.

Thus, the accuracy of horn growth measurements as proxies of true horn growth and the comparability of results inferred from different horn growth measurements may be questionable. We used the horns of Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica to compare horn growth measurements and to analyse reliability with true horn growth. Our results reveal that measurements used in previous studies differed substantially from true horn growth and volume estimated as a barrel appeared as the best proxy of annular segments of horns in the Iberian ibex. Horn growth measurements are not necessarily mutually comparable, just as classical measurements are not necessarily representative of true horn growth. We discuss the wider implications of these results and suggest that biological processes linked to horns of ungulates should be reappraised using

improved and accurate measurements because horn growth pattern selleck inhibitor is a key factor in sustainable management and conservation plans of ungulate species around the world. “
“Avoidance of roads has been demonstrated for many animal species, but little is known about the relationship between anthropogenic disturbance levels and the degree of avoidance by animals. We investigated the hypothesis that the strength of road-avoidance behaviour increases with the intensity of the disturbance for a large, disturbance-sensitive herbivore: the forest-dwelling caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou. We assessed the behaviour of 53 global positioning system-collared caribou monitored during the gradual modification of a highway over a 7-year period, while controlling for potentially confounding factors. We studied caribou movements, resource selection and distribution before, during and after road modifications at multiple scales.