Central European Populations Research Articles

Division of parental duties confirms a need for bi-parental care in a precocial bird, the mute swan Cygnus olor

Parental investment is much reduced in precocial species when compared with altricial species, which may explain a predominance of uni-parental care in this group of birds. In precocial wildfowl, bi-parental care is mostly restricted to arctic-breeding species, where the short reproductive season forces mates to cooperate in caring for the young, but a temperate breeding mute swanCygnus oloris one of the few notable exceptions. In order to explain a need for bi-parental care in this species, we collected data on the time-budget of eleven swan breeding pairs from a Central European population. We found sex-related differences in the mean time allocated to incubation, movement, feeding, resting and aggression. Others behaviours (nest maintenance, alert and comfort) changed along the breeding season, but did not differ between sexes. Females were primarily responsible for providing care to the brood, whereas male activity focused on territory defence and family guarding. Females were exclusively responsible for incubation and they covered 85% of the total time allocated by parents to feeding cygnets. Nearly constant incubation in females limited possibilities for other activities, including foraging. Males allocated significantly more time than females to aggressive interactions, directed mainly towards other breeding pairs and non-breeders. A clear division of parental duties between sexes gave empirical support for the presence of bi-parental care in the mute swan, despite the fact that reproductive activities of this species are not constrained by the short length of the breeding season, as in arctic-breeding wildfowl.

Functional and Structural Details about the Fabella: What the Important Stabilizer Looks Like in the Central European Population.

The posterolateral corner of the knee accommodating the fabella complex is of importance in orthopaedic surgery. Unfortunately, there is a lack of data in literature for clinical routine. Therefore, we investigated the fabella's characteristics, biomechanical nature, and present histologic details. Of special interest were the fabella's occurrence and position, calcium concentration as long-term load intake indicator, and the histology. Within our analysis, fabellae were found in 30.0% of all datasets, located on the upper part of the posterolateral femoral condyle. The region of fabella contact on this condyle showed a significantly lower calcium concentration than its surroundings. Histologically, the fabella showed no articular cartilage but a clearly distinguishable fabellofibular ligament that consisted of two bundles: one, as already described in literature inserted at the fibular tip, and another part newly described on the top of the lateral meniscus. In its role of stabilizing the soft tissue structures of the posterolateral knee, the fabella seems to serve as suspension for the ligaments evolving from its base. Even though a joint formation of any kind is unlikely, the presence of a fabella needs to be kept in mind during knee examination and any surgical procedures.

Intermediate hosts of the trematode Collyriclum faba (Plagiochiida: Collyriclidae) identified by an integrated morphological and genetic approach

BackgroundThe cutaneous monostome trematode Collyriclum faba (Bremser in Schmalz, 1831) is a bird parasite with a hitherto unknown life cycle and highly focal occurrence across the Holarctic and Neotropic ecozones.MethodsRepresentative specimens of benthic organisms were sampled at multiple sites and dates within the known foci of C. faba occurrence in Slovakia. A combined approach involving detailed morphological examination and sequencing of two independent DNA loci was used for their analysis.ResultsWe elucidated the complete life cycle of C. faba, which we determined to include the aquatic gastropod mollusk Bythinella austriaca (Frauenfeld, 1857) as the first intermediate host, the mayflies of the family Heptageniidae, Ecdyonurus venosus (Fabricius, 1775) and Rhithrogena picteti Sowa, 1971 x iridina (Kolenati, 1839), as the second intermediate hosts, and birds (primarily but not exclusively passeriform birds) as the definitive hosts. Bythinella austriaca occurs focally in the springs of tributaries of the Danube in the Alpine-Carpathian region. The restricted distribution of B. austriaca explains the highly focal distribution of C. faba noticed previously in spite of the broad distribution of its second intermediate and definitive host species. Utilization of both larval and adult Ephemeroptera spp. as the second intermediate hosts explains the known spectrum of the definitive host species, with the highest prevalence in species feeding on larvae of Ephemeroptera, such as Cinclus cinclus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Motacilla cinerea Tunstall, 1771, or adults of Ephemeroptera, such as Sylvia atricapilla (Linnaeus, 1758) and Regulus regulus (Linnaeus, 1758). In this study, we also determine the prevalence and DNA sequences of other immature trematode specimens found in the examined benthic organisms (particularly the families Microphallidae, Troglotrematidae and Nanophyetidae and Euryhelmis zelleri Grabda-Kazubska, 1980, Heterophyidae), and describe cercariae of C. faba.ConclusionsWe determined the full life cycle of the Central European populations of C. faba. We speculate that other species of Bythinella and the closely related genus Amnicola may serve as first intermediate hosts in other parts of the distribution range of C. faba. Similarly, other Ephemeroptera of the family Heptageniidae may serve as the second intermediate hosts of C. faba in the Americas.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0646-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1 genetic variability in Turkish and worldwide populations.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) variants have been widely investigated to better understand their role in several pathologic conditions. To our knowledge, no data about these genetic polymorphisms within the Turkish population are currently available. The aim of this study was to analyze GSTM1 positive/null, GSTT1 positive/null, GSTP1*I105V (rs1695), and GSTP1*A114V (rs1138272) variants in the general Turkish population, to provide information about its genetic diversity, and predisposition to GST-related diseases. Genotyping was performed in 500 Turkish individuals using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. A comparative analysis was executed using the data from the HapMap and Human Genome Diversity Projects (HGDP). Sequence variation was deeply explored using the Phase 1 data of the 1,000 Genomes Project. The variability of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms in the Turkish population was similar to that observed in Central Asian, European, and Middle Eastern populations. The high linkage disequilibrium between GSTP1*I105V and GSTP1*A114V in these populations may have a confounding effect on GSTP1 genetic association studies. In analyzing GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 sequence variation, we observed other common functional variants that may be candidates for associated studies of diseases related to GST genes (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular disease, and allergy). This study provides novel data about GSTM1 positive/null, GSTT1 positive/null, GSTP1*I105V, and GSTP1*A114V variants in the Turkish population, and other functional variants that may affect GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 functions among worldwide populations. This information can assist in the design of future genetic association studies investigating oxidative stress-related diseases.

Elytral surface structure in Poecilus lepidus (Coleoptera: Carabidae): What about the nature of its inheritance?

The cuticle of the ground beetle Poecilus lepidus (Leske) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) displays a complex variety of colour morphs that are genetically determined. Besides the colour of the elytra, there is a remarkable intersexual dimorphic difference in its surface structure between males and females, as there is in most Poecilus species. At least in Central European populations of P. lepidus, all males exhibit a bright elytral surface, whereas all females exhibit a matt surface; this difference is due to a nearly plain surface in males but a knobbly sculptured one in females. At first glance, this phenomenon may be easily interpreted as being a result of secondary sexual character inheritance. However, P. lepidus specimens are known from two other regions that differ markedly: females display the same bright elytral surfaces as males in the Italian Apennine Mountain and all over Bulgaria. In the present study, crossbreeding experiments with German and Bulgarian specimens resulted in a dominance of matt over bright in the classical Mendelian F2 3 : 1 ratio, although only in females. All the males showed a bright elytral surface. These findings throw into question the interpretation as given above. Because classical modes of inheritance do not provide a sound interpretation of the data as here detailed, we discuss two forms of epigenetic mechanisms which might be responsible for the observed sexual dimorphism: (1) silencing of a gene by genomic imprinting, and (2) haplo-insufficient dominance of one allele to its counterpart. Ultimately, the observed pattern is interpreted by sex-limited inheritance that depends on the presence or absence of a particular allele.

The Heart of the Matter

At the microlevel, this paper focuses on the Roman Catholic cult of the Sacred Heart, noting its spread among Catholic populations in Central Europe whose liturgical tradition is that of Byzantium rather than Rome. At the mesolevel, it places this instance of religious acculturation in the context of long-term economic and political inequalities between East and West. At the macrolevel, implications are outlined for debates concerning civilizational differences and modernity. It is commonly supposed that the latter was initiated when Protestants began a shift toward interior belief based on text, eventually dragging Roman Catholics in their wake, while Eastern Christians have remained largely excluded from both material and ontological progress. The anthropology of Christianity has concentrated on Western-influenced “moderns,” in their many guises, outside the religion’s heartlands. But the take-up of Sacred Heart religiosity among the Greek Catholics of Central Europe suggests that there are no deep ontological barriers within Christianity. Similarly, there are no grounds for dismissing Eastern Christian institutional patterns as premodern; they should be drawn into the comparative framework as a distinctive crystallization of Christian civilization.

Estrogen receptor 2 gene polymorphism in idiopathic scoliosis.

A genetic association study of estrogen receptor 2 gene (ESR2) polymorphisms in idiopathic scoliosis (IS). To investigate association of the ESR2 polymorphisms with either predisposition to or progression of IS in Central European population. In ESR2 the rs1256120 polymorphism was described to be associated with predisposition to and severity of IS in Chinese population. This observation has not been confirmed in Japanese population. The ESR2 rs4986938 and rs1256049 polymorphisms were described to present association with breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone mineral density, however the association with IS has not been evaluated. Case-control study of 248 females with IS and 243 healthy females was performed. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms were studied using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragments length polymorphism technique with the restriction enzymes: AlwNI (C/T rs1256120), AluI (A/G rs4986938), and RsaI (A/G rs1256049). The patients' medical history was evaluated, Cobb angle was measured and surgery rate established. The patients were analyzed in 3 subgroups according to curve progression velocity. Neither the genotypes nor alleles distribution showed significant differences between patients with IS and healthy controls. There was no significant difference in genotype or allele frequency. In the AluI site polymorphism a significant difference in mean Cobb angle between genotypes was found: (AA, 31.9° ± 14.2°; AG, 43.2° ± 17.8°; and GG, 38.9° ± 19.0°), P = 0.002. There was significant difference in genotype distribution between patients with moderate (<40°) versus severe (≥40°) scoliosis, P = 0.0011; the minor allele frequency (AA) in recessive model of penetration was over-represented in patients with Cobb angle below 40°, P = 0.0075, odds ratio = 3.65. No association between ESR2 polymorphism and predisposition to IS was found in Caucasian females. None of the previously reported associations of AlwNI site polymorphism could be confirmed. ESR2 AluI site polymorphism may be associated with curve severity. N/A.

Comprehensive assessment of the disputed RET Y791F variant shows no association with medullary thyroid carcinoma susceptibility.

Accurate interpretation of germline mutations of the rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene is vital for the proper recommendation of preventive thyroidectomy in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)-prone carriers. To gain information regarding the most disputed variant of RET, ATA-A Y791F, we sequenced blood DNA samples from a cohort of 2904 cancer-free elderly individuals (1261 via Sanger sequencing and 1643 via whole-exome/genome sequencing). We also accessed the exome sequences of an additional 8069 individuals from non-cancer-related laboratories and public databanks as well as genetic results from the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) project. The mean allelic frequency observed in the controls was 0.0031, with higher occurrences in Central European populations (0.006/0.008). The prevalence of RET Y791F in the control databases was extremely high compared with the 40 known RET pathogenic mutations (P=0.00003), while no somatic occurrence has been reported in tumours. In this study, we report new, unrelated Brazilian individuals with germline RET Y791F-only: two tumour-free elderly controls; two individuals with sporadic MTC whose Y791F-carrying relatives did not show any evidence of tumours; and a 74-year-old phaeochromocytoma patient without MTC. Furthermore, we showed that the co-occurrence of Y791F with the strong RET C634Y mutation explains the aggressive MTC phenotypes observed in a large affected family that was initially reported as Y791F-only. Our literature review revealed that limited analyses have led to the misclassification of RET Y791F as a probable pathogenic variant and, consequently, to the occurrence of unnecessary thyroidectomies. The current study will have a substantial clinical influence, as it reveals, in a comprehensive manner, that RET Y791F only shows no association with MTC susceptibility.

Mitochondrial DNA perspective of Serbian genetic diversity.

Although south-Slavic populations have been studied to date from various aspects, the population of Serbia, occupying the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, is still genetically understudied at least at the level of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation. We analyzed polymorphisms of the first and the second mtDNA hypervariable segments (HVS-I and HVS-II) and informative coding-region markers in 139 Serbians to shed more light on their mtDNA variability, and used available data on other Slavic and neighboring non-Slavic populations to assess their interrelations in a broader European context. The contemporary Serbian mtDNA profile is consistent with the general European maternal landscape having a substantial proportion of shared haplotypes with eastern, central, and southern European populations. Serbian population was characterized as an important link between easternmost and westernmost south-Slavic populations due to the observed lack of genetic differentiation with all other south-Slavic populations and its geographical positioning within the Balkan Peninsula. An increased heterogeneity of south Slavs, most likely mirroring turbulent demographic events within the Balkan Peninsula over time (i.e., frequent admixture and differential introgression of various gene pools), and a marked geographical stratification of Slavs to south-, east-, and west-Slavic groups, were also found. A phylogeographic analyses of 20 completely sequenced Serbian mitochondrial genomes revealed not only the presence of mtDNA lineages predominantly found within the Slavic gene pool (U4a2a*, U4a2a1, U4a2c, U4a2g, HV10), supporting a common Slavic origin, but also lineages that may have originated within the southern Europe (H5*, H5e1, H5a1v) and the Balkan Peninsula in particular (H6a2b and L2a1k).

Shortening day length as a previously unrecognized selective pressure for early breeding in a bird with long parental care

Several different selective pressures have been suggested to explain an intense competition for early return to breeding grounds in birds. In this study we hypothesized that shortening day length during summer months may constitute additional selective force acting towards early breeding in avian species with long parental care. To test this hypothesis, we studied time budget and foraging activities of early-nesting and late-nesting white storks Ciconia ciconia from the Central-European population. We found that duration and distance of foraging trips increased significantly over the course of the reproductive season. The relative frequency of foraging trips increased at the expense of other activities, such as resting, plumage maintenance, and nest maintenance. Mean daily foraging duration increased with increasing day length in the early part of the season, with 0.68 h of foraging per individual per 13.16 h of day length in mid-April increasing to 7.42 h of foraging per individual during solstice (16.61 h of day length). Afterwards, mean foraging duration continued increasing in spite of decreasing day length, reaching 11.63 h of foraging per individual per 14.92 h of day length at the end of the season in mid-August, when storks were forced to continue foraging after sunset in order to meet energy requirements of fledglings. The results suggest that shortening day length during summer months may constitute a serious time constraint on food delivery rates to offspring for late-breeding pairs of white stork.

Divergence in male and female manipulative behaviors with the intensification of metallurgy in Central Europe.

Humeral morphology has been shown to reflect, in part, habitual manipulative behaviors in humans. Among Central European agricultural populations, long-term social change, increasing task specialization, and technological innovation all had the potential to impact patterns of habitual activity and upper limb asymmetry. However, systematic temporal change in the skeletal morphology of agricultural populations in this region has not been well-characterized. This study investigates diachronic patterns in humeral biomechanical properties and lengths among 174 adult Central European agriculturalists through the first ∼5400 years of farming in the region. Greater asymmetry in biomechanical properties was expected to accompany the introduction of metallurgy, particularly in males, while upper limb loading patterns were expected to be more similar between the Bronze and Iron Ages. Results revealed a divergence in the lateralization of upper limb biomechanical properties by sex between the Early/Middle Neolithic and Early/Middle Bronze Age. Neolithic females had significantly more variable properties than males in both humeri, while Bronze Age female properties became homogeneous and very symmetrical relative to the right-biased lateralization of contemporaneous males. The Bronze Age to Iron Age transition was associated with morphological change among females, with a significant increase in right-biased asymmetry and a concomitant reduction in sexual dimorphism. Relative to biomechanical properties, humeral length variation and asymmetry were low though some significant sexual dimorphism and temporal change was found. It was among females that the lateralization of humeral biomechanical properties, and variation within them, changed most profoundly through time. This suggests that the introduction of the ard and plow, metallurgical innovation, task specialization, and socioeconomic change through ∼5400 years of agriculture impacted upper limb loading in Central European women to a greater extent than men.

Edge effect and influence of economic growth on Eurasian lynx mortality in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

Eurasian lynx is one of most widely distributed felid species. However, populations in central Europe are strongly fragmented and limited to forest areas, which may influence their sustainability and gene flow. We studied the edge effect on mortality of a highly isolated population of Eurasian lynx in the Bialowieza Primeval Forest (NE Poland) during the 20-year period (1991–2011) of high economic development in Poland. Based on radio-tracking data collected in 1991–1996 (low gross national income per capita; low GNI PC) and 2004–2011 (high GNI PC) and recorded mortality cases, we analysed annual rates and causes of mortality and spatial distribution of death sites relative to the distance from the forest edge. We found significantly higher mortality of lynx during the low GNI PC phase of the economic growth than during high GNI PC (33 and 16 %, respectively). While anthropogenic factors played a dominant role in lynx mortality during low GNI PC, natural factors prevailed afterwards. We found a significantly higher proportion of lynx deaths than expected in the edge and outer zone than in the core of the Bialowieza Forest. Both areas differ significantly in the proportions of mortality causes with anthropogenic factors being the main source of mortality in the outer zone. Our results indicate that the decline of lynx mortality in Poland could be related to the improving of the economic situation in the country after the collapse of communism and reduced significance of anthropogenic factors (mainly poaching). Additionally, the outskirts of the forest may function as population sinks, which may reduce the dispersal of lynx and gene flow between populations inhabiting different forest patches.

Predictors of Long-term Outcome after Intravenous or Intra-arterial Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment in the Eastern Hungarian Thrombolysis Database

This prospective single-center study aimed to identify features determining long-term outcome after thrombolysis in a Central European stroke population. Between 1 January, 2004, and 31 December, 2010, 415 patients were treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator at the Department of Neurology, University of Debrecen. Stroke severity by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSSS) and imaging findings by the Alberta Stroke Programme Early Computed Tomography score (ASPECTS) were evaluated on admission and 1 day later. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months and case fatality at 1 year were evaluated. Independent predictors of outcome were identified by multivariate testing. Data of 369 patients were analyzed. Median NIHSSS was 12 (interquartile range [IQR], 8-17) on admission and 10 (IQR, 5-16) at 24 hours. Arterial occlusion was found in 55%. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) was detected in 3.8%. Outcome was significantly worse, and SICH was more frequent in intra-arterially treated patients. At 3 months, one third of the patients were independent (mRS ≤ 2), and 23% were dead. At 1 year 2 of 3 patients were alive. Significant independent predictors of disability at 3 months were 24-hour NIHSSS, admission ASPECTS, admission glucose level, and treatment modality. Only the 24-hour NIHSSS was a significant predictor of case fatality at 1 year. Although short-term outcome was similar, the 3-month and 1-year outcomes were worse than data from previous reports. A more efficient health care program should be implemented after stroke to maintain the favorable effect of thrombolysis in the long term.

Multiplexing 15 microsatellite loci for European primrose (Primula vulgaris)

Primula vulgaris is a perennial herb from moist native forest vegetation. In western European lowlands, it has become rare, still declining and occurring in forest remnants embedded within an agricultural matrix. In Belgium and The Netherlands, it received special attention for conservation. We developed 12 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci and two multiplex PCR including 15 loci. For seven European populations, they displayed 7–28 alleles. Observed and expected heterozygosities at population level ranged from 0.28–0.61 and 0.24–0.70, respectively. Genetic differentiation was high between western, central and eastern European populations. The variability recorded will allow investigating genetic diversity and structure patterns at local and continental scales, but also quantifying gene dispersal at a fine scale to estimate effects of habitat fragmentation on connectivity.

Genetic analysis of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) reveals high admixture in Finland and pronounced differentiation in Sweden

A number of mammal species in Europe, including the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), have experienced a decline in population size in the 20th century due to persecution, environmental pollution and ongoing habitat fragmentation. This has often led to a substantial loss of genetic diversity which may threaten population viability. While otters have been studied in some detail genetically, the northern part of the Fennoscandian range has not been covered well so far. By explicitly focussing on the genetics of otter populations from northern Sweden and Finland we aimed at closing that gap. To infer their genetic structure and diversity, we analysed sequences of the mitochondrial control region and 12 nuclear microsatellite markers in 197 Eurasian otters from Sweden and Finland. Variability of the mitochondrial control region was low overall but still revealed previously undetected haplotypes unique to the Finnish otter population. Expected heterozygosities in Fennoscandia were within the range previously reported.Bayesian cluster analysis of our microsatellite data revealed genetic structuring of the Swedish otter populations. In contrast, we observed a high degree of admixture among the Finnish populations that we also found at the geographic border of the two countries (Lapland).Admixed ancestry in Finnish otters suggests that gene flow from the Swedish to Central European populations is potentially facilitated via the Finnish otter populations connecting the Swedish animals with otter populations in mainland Europe.

The association between nut consumption and the risk of total and ischemic stroke in a German cohort study.

Nuts have beneficial effects on coronary heart disease and many cardiovascular risk factors. However, their effect on stroke is less established, and no studies on the topic are available in Northern and Central European populations. Therefore, we aimed at investigating the association between nut consumption and the risk of stroke in a German population. We used data from a prospective cohort of 26,285 participants of the European Prospective Investigation into the Cancer and Nutrition Potsdam Study. During a median follow-up time of 8.3 years (interquartile range: 7.5-9.2), 288 incident cases of stroke occurred. Nut consumption (standard portion size of 50 g) was assessed at baseline with a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The median nut intake was 0.82 g per day, interquartile range: 0.41-4.11. In the multivariable model, an increased risk of stroke was observed among participants who never consumed nuts (hazard ratio (HR): 1.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.17-2.08), compared with those consuming <½ portion/week. However, there was no evidence of a dose-response relationship between nut consumption and stroke. Compared with those who consumed <½ portion/week, the multivariable HR for total stroke was 1.06 (0.75-1.52) among those who consumed ½ to 1 portion/week and 1.37 (0.92-2.05) for those who consumed >1 portion/week. Similar nonsignificant associations were observed in stratified analysis for gender, or for fatal and nonfatal stroke. We could not observe an association between nut consumption and the risk of developing stroke (fatal/nonfatal) in a population with low habitual nut consumption.

Origin of a sudden mass occurrence of the stolbur phytoplasma vector Hyalesthes obsoletus (Cixiidae) in Austria

AbstractThe grapevine disease ‘bois noir’ is widespread in European viticulture, but in many regions there is a lack of correspondence between disease spread and abundance of the main insect vector, the planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus. This was the situation in Austria until 2012, when a mass occurrence of the vector was observed on Urtica dioica, a new host plant for the vector and reservoir plant for the pathogen, stolbur phytoplasma, in this area. Here we analyse the origin of the Austrian vector populations using genetic markers. The origin was unambiguously assigned to two regional populations, and two causes for the population expansion: immigration of East Central European populations and local demographic expansion. The observed population increase was thus independent of phylogenetic ancestry, but linked to the host plant and the exchange of a specific stolbur phytoplasma strain between the two vector populations. These circumstances are identical to but independent of the emergence of bois noir west of the European Alps, where an exchange between other vector populations associated with U. dioica of another stolbur phytoplasma genotype has led to disease outbreaks. Combined, the independent outbreaks in Austria and Europe west of the Alps are suggestive of an active role for stolbur phytoplasma in the vector–plant interaction and thus the host distribution of the vector.

Lack of polygyny in Central European populations of Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus

So far discussions on the occurrence of polygyny have been conducted on an inter-specific or individual level. In this paper we analyse differences in polygyny rate between different populations of Eurasian Reed Warblers. We provide evidence that our study population in SW Poland, and also the nearby Slovak population, are purely monogamous in contrast to those from western Europe, and we discuss hypotheses regarding the occurrence of polygyny. We suggest that birds breeding in different parts of Europe may exhibit different strategies for optimising reproductive success. In richer habitats of western Europe, where solitary females are able to successfully rear their young, polygyny is more frequent and extra-pair copulations relatively rare. In contrast, in central Europe, where costs of rearing young unaided are high, males do not try to attract second females but engage more often in extra-pair copulations.

Prediction of cancer incidence in Tyrol/Austria for year of diagnosis 2020.

Prediction of the number of incident cancer cases is very relevant for health planning purposes and allocation of resources. The shift towards elder age groups in central European populations in the next decades is likely to contribute to an increase in cancer incidence for many cancer sites. In Tyrol, cancer incidence data have been registered on a high level of completeness for more than 20 years. We therefore aimed to compute well-founded predictions of cancer incidence for Tyrol for the year 2020 for all frequent cancer sites and for all cancer sites combined. After defining a prediction base range for every cancer site, we extrapolated the age-specific time trends in the prediction base range following a linear model for increasing and a log-linear model for decreasing time trends. The extrapolated time trends were evaluated for the year 2020 applying population figures supplied by Statistics Austria. Compared with the number of annual incident cases for the year 2009 for all cancer sites combined except non-melanoma skin cancer, we predicted an increase of 235 (15 %) and 362 (21 %) for females and males, respectively. For both sexes, more than 90 % of the increase is attributable to the shift toward older age groups in the next decade. The biggest increase in absolute numbers is seen for females in breast cancer (92, 21 %), lung cancer (64, 52 %), colorectal cancer (40, 24 %), melanoma (38, 30 %) and the haematopoietic system (37, 35 %) and for males in prostate cancer (105, 25 %), colorectal cancer (91, 45 %), the haematopoietic system (71, 55 %), bladder cancer (69, 100 %) and melanoma (64, 52 %). The increase in the number of incident cancer cases of 15 % in females and 21 % in males in the next decade is very relevant for planning purposes. However, external factors cause uncertainty in the prediction of some cancer sites (mainly prostate cancer and colorectal cancer) and the prediction intervals are still broad. Therefore, our predictions must be interpreted with some caution.

Leaf anatomical structures in Central European populations of the broad-leavedFestucataxa

This work deals with the leaf blade anatomical structures of the broad-leaved fescue taxa, natural populations of temperate forage grasses, collected from various habitats in Central Europe. The following anatomical features were examined and quantitatively characterised: the ribs of leaves, type of the mesophyll, number of the sclerenchyma ribs, quantity of sclerenchyma tissue, presence of the colourless cells, number of bulliform cells, stomatal complexes and presence of papilla number. It was concluded that the anatomical structures and the main leaf blade characteristics of broad-leaved fescues show several differences between the taxa of Schenodorus and Drymanthele subgenus. The populations of the Schenodorus subgenus present heterogeneous mesophyll, with radial parenchyma, and colourless cells. Strong correlations exist between the bulliform cells and the quantity of sclerenchyma and papillae. The populations of Drymanthele subgenus also present heterogeneous mesophyll, but this is not evident for every taxa and populations. The radial parenchyma and the colourless cells are not specific. There is a positive correlation between the bulliform cells and the quantity of sclerenchyma. The comparative leaf anatomical analysis, could contribute to the better understanding of taxonomic and anatomical diversity in this group.