Adult North American Research Articles

A practical, step-by-step, guide to taxonomic comparisons using Procrustes geometric morphometrics and user-friendly software (part B): group comparisons

In this second part of the study, using a ‘clean’ dataset without very low precision landmarks and outliers, I describe how to compare mandibular size and shape using Procrustes methods in adult North American marmots. After demonstrating that sex differences are negligible, females and males are pooled together with specimens of unknown sex and species are compared using a battery of tests, that estimate both statistical significance and effect size. The importance of allometric variation and its potential effect on shape differences is also explored. Finally, to provide potential clues on founder effects, I compare the magnitude of variance in mandibular size and shape between the Vancouver Island marmot (VAN) and the hoary marmot, its sister species on the mainland. In almost all main analyses, I explore the sensitivity of results to heterogeneous sample size and small samples using subsamples and randomized selection experiments. For both size and shape, I find a degree of overlap among species variation but, with very few exceptions, mean interspecific differences are well supported in all analyses. Shape, in particular, is an accurate predictor of taxonomic affiliation. Allometry in adults, however, explains a modest amount of within-species shape change. Yet, there is a degree of divergence in allometric trajectories that seems consistent with subgeneric separation. VAN is the most distinctive species for mandibular shape and mandibular morphology suggests a long history of reduced variation in this insular population. Geometric morphometrics (GMM) is a powerful tool to aid taxonomic research. Regardless of the effectiveness of this family of methods and the apparent robustness of results obtained with GMM, however, large samples and careful measurements remain essential for accuracy. Even with excellent data, morphometrics is important, but its findings must be corroborated with an integrative approach that combines multiple lines of evidence to taxonomic assessment. The analytical protocol I suggest is described in detail, with a summary checklist, in the Appendix, not to miss important steps. All the analyses can be replicated using the entire dataset, which is freely available online. Beginners may follow all the steps, whereas more experienced researchers can focus on one specific aspect and read only the relevant chapter. There are limitations, but the protocol is flexible and easy to improve or implement using a programming language such as R.

Dialects in North American elk bugle calls: comparisons between source and translocated elk populations

AbstractIdentifying the factors shaping dialects can reveal selective pressures and cultural influences on acoustic signals. Translocations of species have been considered the “gold standard” for identifying population differences in vocalizations, including dialects. The North American elk (Cervus canadensis) is a species that has experienced numerous translocations, but no published studies exist on dialects in elk or any other ungulate species. Adult male North American elk utter an iconic vocalization during the breeding season, which is termed the bugle call due to the power, duration, and pitch of the sound. We investigated if dialect differences existed between three populations: a source population in Wyoming (N = 10 bulls, 132 calls) and translocated populations in Colorado (N = 13 bulls, 92 calls) and Pennsylvania (N = 20 bulls, 160 calls). Dialect differences existed between the populations in 9 of 10 measured variables, in both the frequency domain and time domain. Habitat factors (acoustic adaptation hypothesis) affecting sound transmission were inconsistently related to dialects in the populations. Genetic factors may be related to dialects, as the historically bottlenecked Pennsylvania population, with low heterozygosity and low allelic richness, exhibited the least variability in acoustic measures. Cultural transmission and vocal learning may also contribute to dialect development in this highly vocal, social ungulate species.

A Longitudinal Study of Parenting Conditions on Two Adult, North American River Otters’ (Lontra Canadensis) Repetitive Behavior

ABSTRACT Captive animal welfare research focuses on husbandry, enrichment, enclosure space, visitor effects, and opportunities for species-typical behavior (e.g., foraging, territoriality, and social interaction). And yet, one of the most biologically relevant opportunities for species-typical behavior, parenting, has received little attention. The goal of this longitudinal investigation was to explore the differential variability of repetitive behavior across three parenting conditions (i.e., No parenting, parenting, and foster parenting) among captive, wild-rescued, North American river otters. This study represents anatural ABAC design, the conditions reflect differential parenting phases: No parenting (A), Parenting biological pups (B), and Alloparenting nonbiological pups (C). The behavior of two adult North American river otters at the Oregon Zoo were observed from April2016 through March2020 during the different parenting contexts. The frequency of repetitive behaviors was lowest during parenting and highest during the non-parenting conditions. Although data for season, weather, and visitor variables were also collected throughout this study; parenting condition was the only consistent moderator of abnormal repetitive behavior observed.

Sex- and context-specific associations between personality and a measure of fitness but no link with life history traits

The pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis posits that personality traits (i.e. consistent individual differences in behaviour) are linked to life history and fitness. Specifically, fast-paced individuals are predicted to be proactive (i.e. active and aggressive) with an earlier age at first reproduction, a shorter life span and higher fecundity than slow-paced individuals. Environmental conditions and sex differences may be important in maintaining behavioural and life history variation in populations and may influence the covariance of personality with life history or lifetime fitness. However, these effects are rarely tested together. We investigated whether the occurrence of a resource pulse (called a mast year) during adulthood altered the associations between personality and life history traits or lifetime offspring production in adult North American red squirrels, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus. Despite accounting for environmental context during adulthood, we found no evidence of an overall pace-of-life syndrome in this population as personality was not associated with age at first reproduction or longevity in either sex. Males and females had similar activity levels, but females were more aggressive, potentially due to the fitness benefits of protecting their offspring from predation. In all females, regardless of mast experience, there was no association between activity and lifetime pup production, but there was a positive association between aggression and lifetime pup production. In males that experienced a mast, there was a positive association between lifetime pup production and both activity and aggression. In males that did not experience a mast, there was no association between activity and lifetime pup production, but there was a negative association between aggression and lifetime pup production. Lifetime recruit production (number of adult offspring recruited into the breeding population) in either sex was not influenced by activity or aggression regardless of mast experience. Overall, our results suggest that the infrequent occurrence of mast years may contribute to maintaining variation in personality traits in red squirrels.

Distribution of Head Acceleration Events Varies by Position and Play Type in North American Football.

The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the number of head acceleration events (HAEs) based on position, play type, and starting stance. Prospective cohort study. Postcollegiate skill development camp during practice sessions and 1 exhibition game. Seventy-eight male adult North American football athletes. A position was assigned to each participant, and plays in the exhibition game were separated by play type for analysis. During the exhibition game, video data were used to determine the effects of the starting position ("up" in a 2-point stance or "down" in a 3- or 4-point stance) on the HAEs experienced by players on the offensive line. Peak linear acceleration and number of HAEs greater than 20 g (g = 9.81 m/s2) were measured using an xPatch (X2 Biosystems, Seattle, WA). Four hundred thirty-seven HAEs were recorded during practices and 272 recorded during the exhibition game; 98 and 52 HAEs, the greatest number of HAEs by position in the game, were experienced by the offensive and defensive linemen, respectively. Linebackers and tight ends experienced high percentages of HAEs above 60 g. Offensive line players in a down stance had a higher likelihood of sustaining a HAE than players in an up stance regardless of the type of play (run vs pass). Changing the stance of players on the offensive line and reducing the number of full-contact practices will lower HAEs.

Immune responses to O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) in North American adults infected with Vibrio cholerae O1 Inaba.

BackgroundAntibodies targeting O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) of Vibrio cholerae may protect against cholera; however, little is known about this immune response in infected immunologically naïve humans.MethodologyWe measured serum anti-OSP antibodies in adult North American volunteers experimentally infected with V. cholerae O1 Inaba El Tor N16961. We also measured vibriocidal and anti-cholera toxin B subunit (CtxB) antibodies and compared responses to those in matched cholera patients in Dhaka, Bangladesh, an area endemic for cholera.Principal findingsWe found prominent anti-OSP antibody responses following initial cholera infection: these responses were largely IgM and IgA, and highest to infecting serotype with significant cross-serotype reactivity. The anti-OSP responses peaked 10 days after infection and remained elevated over baseline for ≥ 6 months, correlated with vibriocidal responses, and may have been blunted in blood group O individuals (IgA anti-OSP). We found significant differences in immune responses between naïve and endemic zone cohorts, presumably reflecting previous exposure in the latter.ConclusionsOur results define immune responses to O-specific polysaccharide in immunologically naive humans with cholera, find that they are largely IgM and IgA, may be blunted in blood group O individuals, and differ in a number of significant ways from responses in previously humans. These differences may explain in part varying degrees of protective efficacy afforded by cholera vaccination between these two populations.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov NCT01895855.

When partners divorce: understanding consumers’ reactions to partnership termination in cause-related marketing programs

Cause-related marketing (CRM) is a pervasive, global marketing tactic used to aid consumer persuasion. While considerable academic research has been directed to understanding this practice and its impact on consumers, virtually nothing is known about the effect on consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions when a sponsoring firm terminates a CRM partnership. To address this knowledge gap, two experiments with samples of adult North American consumers were conducted. Study 1’s findings suggest that the termination of a CRM partnership has a negative, direct effect on both brand perceptions and purchase intentions. Results also suggest that the impact is lessened (but not overcome) if the sponsoring firm switches its support to a new cause, regardless of the levels of fit between the brand and cause. In Study 2, when an altruistic reason was used to motivate the termination, consumers responded more positively when the decision was made solely by the sponsoring firm than when it was made mutually by the sponsoring firm and the cause. However, when the decision to terminate the partnership was motivated by an operational reason, consumers responded better when the decision was made mutually.

Stress activity is not predictive of coping style in North American red squirrels

Individuals vary in their behavioral and physiological responses to environmental changes. These behavioral responses are often described as “coping styles” along a proactive-reactive continuum. Studies in laboratory populations often, but not always, find that behavioral responses and physiological responses to stressors covary, where more proactive (more aggressive and active) individuals have a lower physiological stress response, specifically as measured by hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. These studies support the possibility of hormonal pleiotropy underlying the presentation of behaviors that make up the proactive-reactive phenotype. However, recent research in wild populations is equivocal, with some studies reporting the same pattern as found in many controlled laboratory studies, whereas others do not. We tested the hypothesis that physiological and behavioral stress responses are correlated in wild adult North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). We used fecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) as a non-invasive, integrated estimate of circulating glucocorticoids for our measurement of HPA axis activity. We found that FCM concentrations were not correlated with three measures of behavioral coping styles (activity, aggression, and docility) among individuals. This does not support the hypothesis that hormonal pleiotropy underlies a proactive-reactive continuum of coping styles. Instead, our results support the “two-tier” hypothesis that behavioral and physiological stress responses are independent and uncorrelated traits among individuals in wild populations that experience naturally varying environments rather than controlled environments. If also found in other studies, this may alter our predictions about the evolutionary consequences of behavioral and endocrine coping styles in free-living animals. Individuals vary in how they respond to stressors through behavior and physiology, but we find the two responses are independent in wild animals. Many laboratory studies find links between the behavioral and physiological stress responses; however, studies conducted with wild populations are less conclusive. In wild North American red squirrels, independence between the physiological response and behavioral response may allow adaptive responses to a changing environment without pleiotropic constraint.

Validation of the translated Negative Physical Self Scale in a female North American sample: Preliminary examination

In an increasingly multicultural society, there is a need for cross-cultural research on measures of body dissatisfaction, a construct often influenced by sociocultural differences. The current study assessed the psychometric properties of an English translation of the Negative Physical Self Scale (NPSS; Chen, Jackson, & Huang, 2006). A sample of 646 young adult North American women completed an online survey including the NPSS and two widely used measures of body image and eating concerns. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure of the NPSS, three of which (Thinness, Shortness, and Facial Appearance) mirrored those found in Chinese samples. The remaining factor, labeled the Body Concern subscale, was an amalgamation of two factors found in Chinese samples, Fatness and General Appearance, and one item from the Facial Appearance subscale. Extracted factors had high internal consistencies (Cronbach's alpha values above 0.89). The NPSS, particularly the Body Concern Subscale, demonstrated strong convergent validity with other measures of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. The current study provided evidence for the use of a four-factor model of the NPSS among a North American population.

A Bifactor Model of the Straightforward Attentional Control Scale

Prior studies suggest that the Attentional Control Scale (ACS) consists of two correlated factors. These models do not include a general factor, though this is assumed often in theory and practice. Using an adult North American sample collected through Amazon Mechanical Turk (N = 419), we examined a revised version of the ACS with positive keying of all items (Straightforward Attentional Control Scale; ACS-S) to avoid the potential of a factor produced by mixing positively and negatively keyed items. Exploratory factor analysis using a bifactor approach was used to examine the structure of the ACS-S, which consisted of a general factor and a nuisance variance factor. There was mixed evidence of good fit for the full 20-item version of the ACS, but fit was good for a reduced 12-item version of the ACS-S. The full and reduced version were highly correlated (r = .98). Exploratory structural equation modeling suggested that the general factor of the ACS-S was negatively related to depression and both anxious arousal, as reflected by panic symptoms, and anxious apprehension, as reflected by worry. The findings suggest that perceived attentional control is uniquely related to depression and both dimensions of anxiety. ACS-S Short scores were tested as a moderator of the association between anxious apprehension and anxious arousal. The association between these anxiety dimensions was weaker at higher levels of perceived attentional control. Our findings suggest that the ACS-S is best represented as a single dimension of beliefs about attentional control which can be scored by totaling the items and that the ACS-S uniquely related to the internalizing symptoms we assessed. The findings also contribute to the understanding of how anxiety dimensions are influenced by perceived attentional control.

Antimicrobial peptides from Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana: Gene structure and bioinformatic identification of novel forms from tadpoles

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and have promise as new therapeutic agents. While the adult North American bullfrog (Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana) is a prolific source of high-potency AMPs, the aquatic tadpole represents a relatively untapped source for new AMP discovery. The recent publication of the bullfrog genome and transcriptomic resources provides an opportune bridge between known AMPs and bioinformatics-based AMP discovery. The objective of the present study was to identify novel AMPs with therapeutic potential using a combined bioinformatics and wet lab-based approach. In the present study, we identified seven novel AMP precursor-encoding transcripts expressed in the tadpole. Comparison of their amino acid sequences with known AMPs revealed evidence of mature peptide sequence conservation with variation in the prepro sequence. Two mature peptide sequences were unique and demonstrated bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against Mycobacteria but not Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria. Nine known and seven novel AMP-encoding transcripts were detected in premetamorphic tadpole back skin, olfactory epithelium, liver, and/or tail fin. Treatment of tadpoles with 10 nM 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine for 48 h did not affect transcript abundance in the back skin, and had limited impact on these transcripts in the other three tissues. Gene mapping revealed considerable diversity in size (1.6–15 kbp) and exon number (one to four) of AMP-encoding genes with clear evidence of alternative splicing leading to both prepro and mature amino acid sequence diversity. These findings verify the accuracy and utility of the bullfrog genome assembly, and set a firm foundation for bioinformatics-based AMP discovery.

Application of the McDonald criteria in Latin America.

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is based on neurological symptoms and signs, alongside evidence of dissemination of central nervous system (CNS) lesions in space and time. In the absence of a sensitive and specific diagnostic test, diagnostic criteria are needed for diagnosing MS. The caveat to the application of the McDonald criteria is that alternative diagnoses must be excluded. The prevalence, clinical phenotype and the differential diagnosis of MS may have variations in different populations, especially in Latin America (LATAM). Considering that MS diagnostic criteria were developed with data gathered largely from adult Caucasian European and North American populations, their applicability and accuracy in ethnical/genetic diverse populations may be affected. There are scarce data in our region about the reliability of MS criteria.

The scales of general well-being (SGWB)

This paper presents the development and validation of a new well-being questionnaire: the Scales of General Well-Being (SGWB). A review of current measures identified fourteen common constructs as lower-order indicators of well-being: happiness, vitality, calmness, optimism, involvement, self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-worth, competence, development, purpose, significance, self-congruence and connection. Three studies were then conducted. In study 1, the item pool was developed and the adequacy of its content to assess each of the fourteen constructs was evaluated by consulting a panel of six subject expert academics. In study 2, the dimensionality was assessed in an adult North American sample (N=560). The results supported the hierarchical factor structure. In study 3, further evidence confirmed the factor structure, and provided support for the measure's internal and test-retest reliability, measurement invariance across gender, age and a longitudinal period of 5weeks, and criterion validity in an adult North American sample (N=1101). The SGWB promises to be a useful research tool that provides both a global measure of well-being as well as a collection of fourteen individual health-related scales.

Aggression, Combat, and Apparent Burrow Competition in Hatchling and Juvenile Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

Abstract Adult North American tortoises (Gopherus spp.) engage in aggressive interactions with conspecifics when competing for mates and burrows. However, aggressive interactions have not been widely reported in hatchling and juvenile tortoises. We describe aggressive interactions between wild hatchling and juvenile gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) based on video recordings collected at tortoise burrows. Immature tortoises usually inhabited burrows alone but occasionally shared them. Presence of multiple individuals inside burrows hindered tortoise movements in burrows. Hatchlings or juveniles exhibited overt aggression toward similar aged/sized conspecifics in at least 6 of 13 (46%) encounters, and cameras may have failed to detect aggression occurring inside burrows. Hatchlings and juveniles also exhibited aggressive responses to foreign objects that were similar in appearance to small tortoises. Aggressive behaviors resembled those of adults and included repeated ramming, pushing, biting, and fli...

Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) Treated on US Cooperative Group Protocols: An Adult Intergroup (E2496) and Children's Oncology Group (COG AHOD0031) Comparative Analysis

▪Introduction: There is no clear consensus regarding the optimal therapeutic approach for AYAs with HL. Prior registry data showed that HL AYA patients treated with ABVD had similar outcomes to their older counterparts (Foltz JCO 2006). However, SEER data have suggested that advances in HL survival among AYAs may be less robust compared with older populations (Bleyer NCI 2006). We sought to examine AYA patients treated on two recent, randomized pediatric and adult North American HL clinical trials (i.e., 17-21 years; the age group of those typically eligible for both pediatric- and adult-based HL clinical trials) by comparing outcomes of different age cohorts within E2496 as well as across the two different studies.Methods: We examined characteristics and outcomes of 114 newly diagnosed AYA HL patients aged 17-21 years treated on E2496 (ABVD vs. Stanford V [SV] chemotherapy, Gordon JCO 2013) trial and compared the failure free survival (FFS) and overall survival (OS) with patients ages >21 years. In addition, we compared presenting features, planned treatment, FFS, and OS of these ECOG AYA patients with 391 newly diagnosed AYA HL patients between ages 17-21 years treated on the COG AHOD0031 (ABVE-PC backbone, Friedman JCO 2014). Unstratified and stratified log-rank tests as well as propensity score analysis were utilized to compare differences in patient outcomes.Results: In E2496, the 5-year FFS and OS rates for AYAs were 68% and 89%, respectively, with significant variations identified by patient age (see Table). There was no FFS difference between ECOG AYAs treated with ABVD vs. SV (P =0.66). However, FFS in AYAs were inferior to those ages 21 to 44 years in E2496 (P =0.005; see Figure, sections A and B). Interestingly, AYA outcomes on E2496 appeared more similar to patients aged 45-59 years. In examining COG and E2496 AYA patient characteristics, there was no significant difference in sex, race, or histology. Due in part to trial design differences, a larger proportion of E2496 AYAs were stage III or IV vs. COG AYAs (63% vs. 29%, P <0.001) and had B symptoms (63% vs. 27%, P <0.001); fewer E2496 patients had bulk disease (33% vs. 77%, P <0.001). There was no significant difference in presentation with extralymphatic disease, anemia, or hypoalbuminemia. In terms of therapy, more COG AYAs received radiotherapy (76% vs. 66%, P =0.03), though in smaller doses (21 Gy vs. 36 Gy). In each group, 3 AYAs developed a second cancer. The 5-year FFS and OS for AYAs on the COG study were 80% and 97%, respectively (see Figure, sections C and D). For survival comparison across studies, COG AYAs appeared to have superior FFS compared with E2496AYAs (P =0.001). In stratified multivariable analyses (controlled for stage, anemia, and bulk), E2496 AYAs appeared to have worse FFS compared with COG AYAs in all strata except among the subgroup of patients with stage I/II without anemia. Furthermore, propensity score analysis with patients exactly matched on stage, anemia, and bulk disease confirmed the inferior FFS for E2496 AYAs compared with COG AYAs (P =0.004). Moreover, the AYA survival disparity across studies persisted after additional covariates were incorporated into the propensity score (i.e., age, gender, B symptoms, and hypoalbuminemia; P =0.026).Conclusions: AYA HL patients treated on E2496 had inferior outcomes compared with older patients (i.e., ages 22 to 44 years) treated within the same study, for unclear reasons, as well as to similarly matched AYA patients treated on COG AHOD0031. These outcomes may result from treatment regimen differences or dose-intensity, differing patient populations or risk profiles, biology, and/or other factors. Prospective examination of these issues in AYA HL patients is warranted.Table 1Survival Outcomes Within E2496 by Age.PFS3-yr5-yrP17-2170%68%0.00521-4479%76%45-5968%68%>=6056%48%OSP17-2193%89%<.000121-4496%93%45-5979%76%>=6070%58% [Display omitted] DisclosuresSmith:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Advani:Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding; Genetech: Consultancy. Horning:Genentech: Employment. Shah:Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Rosetta Genomics: Other: Grant support; Acetylon: Other: Advisory board; Plexus Communications: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Speakers Bureau; Spectrum: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Honoraria; Celgene: Other: Advisory board, Speakers Bureau; DeBartolo Institute for personalized medicine: Other: Grant support. Connors:Roche: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Leonard:Weill Cornell Medical College: Employment; Genentech: Consultancy; Medimmune: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Spectrum: Consultancy; Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy; Vertex: Consultancy; ProNAI: Consultancy; Biotest: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Mirati Therapeutics: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Gordon:Northwestern University: Employment; Dr Leo I. Gordon: Patents & Royalties: Patent for gold nanoparticles pending.

Quantitative genetics of plumage color: lifetime effects of early nest environment on a colorful sexual signal.

Phenotypic differences among individuals are often linked to differential survival and mating success. Quantifying the relative influence of genetic and environmental variation on phenotype allows evolutionary biologists to make predictions about the potential for a given trait to respond to selection and various aspects of environmental variation. In particular, the environment individuals experience during early development can have lasting effects on phenotype later in life. Here, we used a natural full-sib/half-sib design as well as within-individual longitudinal analyses to examine genetic and various environmental influences on plumage color. We find that variation in melanin-based plumage color – a trait known to influence mating success in adult North American barn swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) – is influenced by both genetics and aspects of the developmental environment, including variation due to the maternal phenotype and the nest environment. Within individuals, nestling color is predictive of adult color. Accordingly, these early environmental influences are relevant to the sexually selected plumage color variation in adults. Early environmental conditions appear to have important lifelong implications for individual reproductive performance through sexual signal development in barn swallows. Our results indicate that feather color variation conveys information about developmental conditions and maternal care alleles to potential mates in North American barn swallows. Melanin-based colors are used for sexual signaling in many organisms, and our study suggests that these signals may be more sensitive to environmental variation than previously thought.

Direct comparison of revascularization techniques in an adult North American moyamoya patient: case report and literature review

Abstract Objective To compare the effectiveness of two different revascularization techniques in a single patient with moyamoya disease. Setting Academic neurosurgery practice. Design Retrospective chart review and evaluation of radiographic results. Participants North American adult Caucasian female with moyamoya disease, who underwent direct revascularization in one hemisphere (superficial temporal artery–middle cerebral artery bypass) and indirect revascularization in the other hemisphere (pial synangiosis) in close temporal proximity. Outcome measures Clinical evaluation and radiographic follow-up for two years. Catheter-based cerebral angiography, CT angiography, and CT perfusion imaging were used to assess results. Results Both hemispheres showed revascularization following bypass with significant cortical supply. The direct bypass demonstrated superior flow and territory coverage. Conclusions This case provides a demonstration of both main revascularization techniques for moyamoya disease in a single adult patient over the same time period, allowing for a direct comparison. While the indirect technique showed evidence of revascularization, the direct bypass showed more vascular supply. A comprehensive review of recent case series supports this conclusion.

Wintering Ecology of Adult North American Ospreys

North American Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) typically migrate long distances to their wintering grounds in the tropics. Beyond the general distribution of their wintering range (i.e., the Caribbean, South America, and Central America), very little is known about the wintering ecology of these birds. We used satellite telemetry to determine the duration of wintering period, to examine the characteristics of wintering areas used by Ospreys, and to quantify space use and activity patterns of wintering Ospreys. Adult Ospreys migrated to wintering sites and exhibited high wintering site fidelity among years. Overall, Ospreys wintered on river systems (50.6%) more than on lakes (19.0%), and use of coastal areas was (30.4%) intermediate. Ospreys remained on their wintering grounds for an average of 154 d for males and 167 d for females. Locations of wintering Ospreys obtained via GPS-capable satellite telemetry suggest these birds move infrequently and their movements are very localized (i.e., <5 km from selected roosting areas). Sizes of home ranges and core-use areas for wintering Ospreys averaged 12.7 km2 and 1.4 km2, respectively. Overall, our findings suggest wintering adult North American Ospreys are very sedentary, demonstrating a pattern of limited daily movements and high fidelity to a few select locations (presumably roosts). We suggest this wintering strategy might be effective for reducing the risk of mortality and maximizing energy conservation.Pandion haliaetus típicamente migra grandes distancias hacia sus sitios de invernada en los trópicos. Más allá de la distribución general del rango de invernada (i.e., el Caribe, América del Sur y América Central), se sabe muy poco sobre la ecología de invernada de esta especie. Utilizamos telemetría satelital para determinar la duración del periodo de invernada, examinar las características de las áreas de invernada utilizadas por P. haliaetus y cuantificar el uso del espacio y los patrones de actividad de individuos de esta especie. Los individuos adultos de P. haliaetus migraron hacia los sitios de invernada y exhibieron una elevada fidelidad por el sitio de invernada entre años. En general, P. haliaetus invernó en sistemas riparios (50.6%) más que en lagos (19.0%) y el uso de zonas costeras fue (30.4%) intermedio. Los individuos de P. haliaetus permanecieron en sus áreas de invernada un promedio de 154 días para los machos y 167 días para las hembras. Las ubicaciones de individuos de P. haliaetus obtenidas vía telemetría satelital GPS sugieren que estas aves se mueven con poca frecuencia y que sus movimientos son muy localizados (i.e., <5 km de las áreas de dormideros seleccionadas). El tamaño de las áreas de hogar y áreas núcleo de uso para invernada en P. haliaetus promedió 12.7 km2 y 1.4 km2 respectivamente. En general, estos hallazgos sugieren que los individuos adultos de P. haliaetus invernantes son muy sedentarios, demostrando un patrón de movimientos diarios limitado y una elevada fidelidad a las ubicaciones seleccionadas (presumiblemente dormideros). Sugerimos que esta estrategia de invernada puede ser efectiva para reducir el riesgo de mortalidad y maximizar la conservación de energía.

The Spring Migration of Adult North American Ospreys

Most North American Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) are migratory, breeding in northern latitudes and migrating long distances to and from their wintering grounds in the tropics. Although fall migration patterns of North American Ospreys have been described and studied, very little has been published about the spring migration of these birds. We used satellite telemetry to: (1) determine the characteristics (timing, duration, migratory routes) of spring migrations of Ospreys; (2) determine if differences in spring migration patterns existed between sexes and among three breeding populations (east coast, midwestern, and western); and (3) compare consecutive fall and spring migrations of individual Ospreys. The median dates for departure from the wintering grounds and arrival on the breeding grounds did not differ significantly between adult male and female Ospreys. Compared to their fall migrations, all male and all east coast Ospreys spent fewer days on migration, fewer days in stopover periods along the migration route, traveled shorter distances overall, and traveled farther (on average) each day during spring. In contrast, fall and spring migration characteristics of all female and western Ospreys were similar. Our findings suggest that, although sex and breeding location might influence the spring migration strategy used by individual Ospreys, both males and females minimize the time spent on migration to ensure a timely arrival on the breeding grounds to establish or defend a nesting territory.La mayoría de los individuos de Pandion haliaetus son migratorios, reproduciéndose en latitudes hacia el norte y migrando largas distancias hacia y desde los sitios de invernada en los trópicos. Aunque los patrones de migración otoñal de P. haliaetus han sido descriptos y estudiados, se ha publicado muy poco sobre la migración primaveral de esta especie. Utilizamos telemetría satelital para: (1) determinar las características (tiempos, duración, rutas migratorias) de la migración primaveral de P. haliaetus; (2) determinar si las diferencias en los patrones de migración primaveral existieron entre sexos y entre tres poblaciones reproductivas (costa este, medio oeste y oeste); y (3) comparar migraciones consecutivas de otoño y primavera de individuos de P. haliaetus. Las fechas medianas de partida desde los sitios de invernada y de arribo a los sitios de reproducción no difirió significativamente entre individuos macho y hembra de P. haliaetus. En comparación con las migraciones otoñales, todos los individuos de P. haliaetus macho y todos los individuos de la costa este emplearon menos días migrando, menos días en periodos de descanso a lo largo de la ruta de migración, viajaron distancias más cortas en general y viajaron más lejos (en promedio) cada día durante la primavera. En contraste, las características migratorias de otoño y primavera de todos los individuos hembra y macho de P. haliaetus fueron similares. Estos hallazgos sugieren que aunque el sexo y la ubicación del sitio de reproducción pueden influir en la estrategia de migración primaveral utilizada por los individuos de P. haliaetus, tanto hembras como machos minimizan el tiempo empleado en la migración para asegurarse un arribo a tiempo a los sitios de reproducción para establecer o defender un territorio de nidada.

Cerebrovascular Collaterals Correlate with Disease Severity in Adult North American Patients with Moyamoya Disease

Cerebrovascular collaterals have been increasingly recognized as predictive of clinical outcomes in Moyamoya disease in Asia. The aim of this study was to characterize collaterals in North American adult patients with Moyamoya disease and to assess whether similar correlations are valid. Patients with Moyamoya disease (n = 39; mean age, 43.5 ±10.6 years) and age- and sex-matched control subjects (n = 33; mean age, 44.3 ± 12.0 years) were graded via angiography. Clinical symptoms of stroke or hemorrhage were graded separately by imaging. Correlations between collateralization and disease severity, measured by the modified Suzuki score, were evaluated in patients with Moyamoya disease by fitting a regression model with clustered ordinal multinomial responses. The presence of leptomeningeal collaterals (P = .008), dilation of the anterior choroidal artery (P = .01), and the posterior communicating artery/ICA ratio (P = .004) all correlated significantly with disease severity. The presence of infarct or hemorrhage and posterior steno-occlusive disease did not correlate significantly with the modified Suzuki score (P = .1). Anterior choroidal artery changes were not specific for hemorrhage. Patients with Moyamoya disease were statistically more likely than controls to have higher posterior communicating artery/ICA ratios and a greater incidence of leptomeningeal collaterals. As with Moyamoya disease in Asian patients, the presence of cerebrovascular collaterals correlated with the modified Suzuki score for disease severity in North American patients with Moyamoya disease. However, anterior choroidal artery changes, which correlated with increased rates of hemorrhage in Asian studies, were not specific to hemorrhage in North Americans.