Subsequent Nights Research Articles

Congregation Sites and Sleeping Roost of Male Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)

Very little is known about stingless bee reproductive biology or male behaviour. In this note we provide the first observations on the male aggregations (congregation sites and roosting sites) of some stingless bee species. Our observations show that males of two stingless bee species can congregate on the same site. We also report for the first time the substrates used by stingless bee males for resting at night, that at least one species forms large sleeping roosts composed of hundreds of individuals, and that sleeping roost locations are not reused on subsequent nights.

Effect of Rosa damascene aromatherapy on sleep quality in cardiac patients: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveSleep disorders are common among patients hospitalized in coronary care unit (CCU). This study aimed to investigate the effect of Rosa damascene aromatherapy on sleep quality of patients hospitalized in CCU. MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients who met the inclusion criteria were conveniently sampled and randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups. Patients in the control group received routine care. In the experimental group, patients received routine care and Rosa damascene aromatherapy for three subsequent nights. In the both groups the sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. ResultsAfter the study, the mean scores of five domains of Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index as well as the mean of total score of the index in the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group. ConclusionRosa damascene aromatherapy can significantly improve the sleep quality of patients hospitalized in CCUs.

Risk of Fever After Pediatric Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine and 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

An observational study found an increased risk of febrile seizure on the day of or 1 day after vaccination (days 0-1) with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) in the 2010-2011 season; risk was highest with simultaneous vaccination with TIV and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) in children who were 6 to 23 months old. Text messaging is a novel method for surveillance of adverse events after immunization that has not been used for hypothesis-driven vaccine safety research. To prospectively evaluate whether children receiving TIV and PCV13 simultaneously had higher rates of fever on days 0 to 1 than those receiving either product without the other. Prospective observational cohort study of parents of children 6 to 23 months old recruited from 3 medical center-affiliated clinics in New York City from November 1, 2011, through April 5, 2012. A total of 530 of 614 eligible participants (86.3%) were enrolled. Parents were texted on the night of vaccination (day 0) and the 7 subsequent nights (days 1-7) to report their child's temperature. We used log-binomial regression to calculate adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and excess risk for fever on days 0 to 1, adjusted for age group, past influenza vaccination and simultaneous receipt of selected inactivated vaccines. Receipt of TIV and/or PCV13. Temperature of 38°C or higher on days 0 to 1 after vaccination. On days 0 to 1, children receiving TIV and PCV13 simultaneously had higher rates (37.6%) of fever (temperature ≥38°C) than those receiving TIV (7.5%; aRR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.30-5.60) or PCV13 (9.5%; aRR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.25-5.66). The excess risk of fever after TIV and PCV13 was 20 and 23 per 100 vaccinations compared with TIV without PCV13 and PCV13 without TIV, respectively. Fever rates for days 2 to 7 were similar across groups. For days 0 to 1, 74.8% of the text messages were confirmed delivered; for another 9.0%, delivery status was unknown. Response rates were 95.1% and 90.9% for days 0 and 1 for confirmed delivered messages, respectively. Simultaneous TIV and PCV13 administration was associated with higher transient increased fever risk than administration of either vaccine without the other product. Text messaging to prospectively assess a specific vaccine adverse event has potential for enhancing prelicensure and postlicensure monitoring of adverse events after immunization and deserves further study. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01467934.

Sleeping on Mt Kilimanjaro—The Influence of Hypobaric Hypoxia on Brain Perfusion and Cerebral Tissue Oxygenation

The hypobaric hypoxia encountered at high altitudes poses great challenges to the human body when adapting to these environmental conditions. Prior to full acclimatisation, a Cheyne–Stokes-like breathing pattern is commonly observed during sleep in altitude above 2500 m. We investigated the consequences of this hyperventilation and hypoventilation or apnoea on cerebral blood perfusion and tissue oxygenation during states of reduced consciousness. Perfusion and oxygen saturation of the cerebral tissue of healthy climbers were monitored with near infrared spectroscopy at night-time over the course of a six-day ascent to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. All climbers ( n = 6) experienced cyclic changes in oxygenated haemoglobin and total haemoglobin with no significant alteration of the deoxygenated haemoglobin. This is the typical pattern for periodic hypocapnic arteriolar vasoconstriction with following hypoxic vasodilation in response to blood gas changes found in Cheyne–Stokes breathing. The percentage of periodic vasoactivity increased at higher altitudes and decreased on subsequent nights at the same altitude, suggesting initial maladaptation. Conversely, cycle length decreased at greater heights and increased on subsequent nights at the same level of altitude. Periodic breathing during sleep at high altitude results in periodic changes in brain perfusion without any significant drop in tissue oxygenation. Furthermore, the results of the present investigation indicate a vasomotoric component in the pathogenesis of altitude induced headache.

A SEARCH FOR FAST OPTICAL TRANSIENTS IN THE Pan-STARRS1 MEDIUM-DEEP SURVEY: M-DWARF FLARES, ASTEROIDS, LIMITS ON EXTRAGALACTIC RATES, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR LSST

[Abridged] We present a search for fast optical transients (~0.5 hr-1 day) using repeated observations of the Pan-STARRS1 Medium-Deep Survey (PS1/MDS) fields. Our search takes advantage of the consecutive g/r-band observations (16.5 min in each filter), by requiring detections in both bands, with non-detections on preceding and subsequent nights. We identify 19 transients brighter than 22.5 AB mag (S/N>10). Of these, 11 events exhibit quiescent counterparts in the deep PS1/MDS templates that we identify as M4-M9 dwarfs. The remaining 8 transients exhibit a range of properties indicative of main-belt asteroids near the stationary point of their orbits. With identifications for all 19 transients, we place an upper limit of R_FOT(0.5hr)<0.12 deg^-2 d^-1 (95% confidence level) on the sky-projected rate of extragalactic fast transients at <22.5 mag, a factor of 30-50 times lower than previous limits; the limit for a timescale of ~day is R_FOT<2.4e-3 deg^-2 d^-1. To convert these sky-projected rates to volumetric rates, we explore the expected peak luminosities of fast optical transients powered by various mechanisms, and find that non-relativistic events are limited to M~-10 mag (M~-14 mag) for a timescale of ~0.5 hr (~day), while relativistic sources (e.g., GRBs, magnetar-powered transients) can reach much larger luminosities. The resulting volumetric rates are <13 (M~-10 mag), <0.05 (M~-14 mag) and <1e-6 Mpc^-3 yr^-1 (M~-24 mag), significantly above the nova, supernova, and GRB rates, respectively, indicating that much larger surveys are required to provide meaningful constraints. Motivated by the results of our search we discuss strategies for identifying fast optical transients in the LSST main survey, and reach the optimistic conclusion that the veil of foreground contaminants can be lifted with the survey data, without the need for expensive follow-up observations.

Individual response to the end of Daylight Saving Time is largely dependent on habitual sleep duration

The end of Daylight Saving Time provides a valuable opportunity to study the effects of a small, 1-h shift in local clock time in a naturalistic setting. Previous research suggests a delay in adjusting activity patterns by at least one week, possibly more. This study was designed to investigate the importance of prior sleep habits in predicting adaptation to the new schedule. One hundred and twenty participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Diary for six days before and six days after the October, UK transition (2010). A subsample (n = 35) also wore activity watches throughout the study. Adherence to the external clock by adjusting bed times and rise times was apparent on the first night, but difficulties in following this timing on subsequent nights, along with deterioration in sleep latency and efficiency, point to a delay in full adjustment, particularly for those who habitually sleep for less than 7.5 h/night.

Taurine supplementation initially accelerates salt‐induced nighttime hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study examined the diurnal effects of taurine on salt‐induced hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Mature male Sprague‐Dawley rats were implanted with telemetry probes for continuous recording of mean arterial pressure. After a week on a basal (0.6%) NaCl diet, the rats were fed a 4% NaCl diet and drank water with or without 3% taurine for 3 weeks. While throughout the study, daytime mean arterial pressures were not significantly different between groups, nighttime arterial pressures were significantly higher in the taurine group within 9 nights of treatment (midnight control vs taurine; 136±4 vs 140±2 mm Hg before treatment; 138±6 vs 151±4 mm Hg at days 9 (p&lt;0.05); 149±8 vs 148±4 mm Hg at days 20). The taurine rapidly increased arterial pressure within the first night and that arterial pressure reached its maximal increase by nights 2 of treatment. Interestingly, the nighttime differences between groups were consistently observed from 20.00h to 05.00h of the next days, coinciding with the active behavioral period of rats. However, during the first night, arterial pressure in the taurine group did not significantly elevate until 05.00h, while on subsequent nights, this differential rise began well before midnight. These data suggest that taurine supplementation initially accelerates salt‐induced hypertension in SHR during their active period, likely by increasing body sodium accumulation.

A two-night comparison in the sleep laboratory as a tool to challenge the relationship between sleep initiation, cardiophysiological and thermoregulatory changes in women with difficulties initiating sleep and thermal discomfort

Cardiovascular and thermophysiological changes accompany the decision to fall asleep. A relationship between core body temperature and heart rate variability (HRV) especially during the sleep onset episode is suggested, but only few data are available, investigating a relationship between skin temperature and HRV at this time span. This study was aimed to elucidate the pattern of body temperature (i.e. distal and proximal skin temperature), heart rate and its variability in a specific population of ten healthy women having both, thermal discomfort from cold extremities and difficulties initiating sleep for two subsequent nights in the laboratory. Furthermore, changes in sleep, temperature or cardiac regulation were examined after 16-h of constant posture conditions.Due to a faster decline of arousals, the build-up of sleep stage 2, slow wave sleep and hence delta power is promoted in the second night compared to the first. Both, proximal and distal skin temperatures show an increase after lights out. Distal skin temperature around lights out is already higher during the second night. Proximal skin temperature starts at the same temperature level for both nights but was significantly reduced in the second hour after lights out during the second night. The distal-proximal skin temperature gradient (DPG), as a measure for distal dilatation of the skin vasculature, starts with a lower level after lights out in the first night, compared to the second. Different dynamics and differences between the two nights in skin temperature or sleep variables, but not in heart rate and HRV variables were found during the sleep initiation episode. Thus, a direct causality between these functions seems rather unlikely in the present study sample. The described differences between both nights might occur from delayed relaxation, reflected in a slower decrease of arousals, prolonged sleep onset latency and a lower DPG at the first night. Especially the latter finding confirms nicely the statement that warm extremities promote a rapid onset of sleep.

Pollination and floral scent differentiation in species of the Philodendron bipinnatifidum complex (Araceae)

The Philodendron bipinnatifidum complex of Philodendron subgenus Meconostigma may comprise four species, which because of only slight and not very distinct morphological differences are not all unanimously recognized as good species. To find out whether these species are reproductively isolated, we studied the flowering rhythm, thermogenesis and pollination biology of three species of this complex, namely of P. bipinnatifidum, P. aff. bipinnatifidum (provisionally named “P. form selloum”) and P. mello-barretoanum in Brazil. Of the first two mentioned taxa, floral scent was collected and scent compounds were identified by GC–MS. The results showed that the coastal forest species P. bipinnatifidum has a two-, or three-night flowering rhythm, with the pistillate stage in the first night and the staminate stage lasting the second and sometimes also the third night. Strong thermogenesis with extended heating periods of several hours during the first part of the usual two subsequent nights and the maximum temperatures of up to 40 °C absolute heating of the spadices occurred in the pistillate and staminate stages. Concomitant with the heating periods, relatively low amounts of principally (Z)-2-pentenyl acetate and (Z)-jasmone were emitted by both the pistillate and staminate stage inflorescences. The dynastid scarab beetle Cyclocephala variolosa was the only pollinator attracted. The upland forest P. form selloum always had a two-night flowering rhythm with the pistillate stage in the first and the staminate stage in the subsequent night. This world-record holder of thermogenesis can heat up to the remarkable 45 °C during a relatively short period in the evening of the pistillate stage. During the thermogenic period, enormous amounts of principally 4-methoxystyrene and 3,4-dimethoxystyrene were produced and which could attract a large number of female and male individuals of the dynastid scarab beetle Erioscelis emarginata. In the staminate stage of P. form selloum, temperature elevation is significantly lower and the scent compounds are different from the pistillate stage. The cerrado biome species P. mello-barretoanum has a flowering rhythm similar to P. form selloum, reaching a maximum heating of about 40 °C during the pistillate stage. The sole pollinator attracted was Cyclocephala atricapilla. The differences observed and analyzed among the taxa, including the flowering rhythm, thermogenic activities, scent compounds emitted, pollinating dynastid scarab beetles attracted, as well as slight morphological differences and apparent geographical exclusiveness noted in these three taxa are strong indicators that P. bipinnatifidum, P. form selloum and P. mello-barretoanum are different enough to be considered good species. The morphological affinities of these species might be a hint that speciation has been a recent event and/or also that reproductive isolation based on different, non-overlapping distribution areas, different scent compounds and different pollinators was effective enough to need further morphological differentiation.

P141 Outpatient Management of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism at a District General Hospital; A Two Month Review

BackgroundStudies have suggested that outpatient (OP) management of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is feasible.1 At our DGH (popn 289,400) the decision to manage a suspected PE as an OP is...

Reversible phytochrome regulation influenced the severity of ozone-induced visible foliar injuries in Trifolium subterraneum L.

In Trifolium subterraneum, oxidative stress caused by ozone has been shown to result in more severe visible foliar injuries when plants were kept in dim broadband white light during the night (i.e. a long photoperiod) compared to darkness during the night (a short photoperiod). As phytochrome signalling is involved in photoperiod sensing, the effect of night-time red and far-red illumination on the ozone-induced response was studied. T. subterraneum plants were treated with ozone enriched air (70 ppb) for either 1 h for a single day or 6 h for three consecutive days. After the first ozone exposure, plants were separated into six night-time light regimes during the two subsequent nights (10 h day, 14 h night): (1) darkness, (2) far-red light (FR), (3) a short night-break of red followed by far-red light during an otherwise dark night (R FR), (4) a short night-break of red, far-red and finally red light during an otherwise dark night (R FR R), (5) dim white light (L) and (6) red light (R). The treatments L and R resulted in significantly more severe ozone-induced visible foliar injuries relative to D and FR treatments, indicating a phytochrome-mediated response. The night-breaks resulted in a photoreversible and significantly different ozone response depending on the light quality of the last light interval (R FR or R FR R), supporting a photoreversible (between Pr and Pfr) phytochrome signalling response. Thus, in T. subterraneum, the outcome of oxidative stress due to ozone appears to depend on the photoperiod mediated by the night-time conformation of phytochrome.

The early life history of Chiromantes ortmanni (Crosnier, 1965) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae): morphology of larval and juvenile stages

The early life history of the sesarmid crab Chiromantes ortmanni (Crosnier, 1965) was studied at constant laboratoryconditions, and the complete larval and early juvenile development are described. Chiromantes ortmanni showsintraspecific variability in the pattern of larval development, which typically includes 5 or, less frequently, 6 zoeal stagespreceding the megalopa. The regular pathway (with 5 zoeal stages) required ca 18–20 days. During this time span, zoealsize (carapace length) increased by a factor of 2.2 from 0.33 to 0.73 mm, while biomass (measured as zoeal dry mass andcontents of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen) showed an 8-fold increment. The megalopa moulted after 10–12 days to thefirst juvenile crab stage, the total larval development from hatching to metamorphosis taking approximately one month(or ca. 4 days longer in larvae passing through an additional zoeal stage). First egg-laying was observed 8.5 months later,at a female carapace width of 14.4 mm. After an embryonic development time of 26–27 days, a total of 3,470 larvaehatched during two subsequent nights. Hence, the minimum generation time (from hatching to first offspring release)comprised slightly more than 10 months. Unlike the regular zoeal stages, the supernumerary stage VI showed atypicalcharacters for Sesarmidae larvae, especially in the setation pattern of the first maxilliped and the segmentation of theendopod of the second maxilliped. Some characteristics presented an intermediate morphology between that of the zoeaV and the megalopa. The first juvenile stage (crab I) is described in detail, while only the most relevant morphologicalchanges and sexual differentiation are highlighted for subsequent crab stages (II–IX). Males and females can bedistinguished from instar V onward, based on sexual dimorphism in the pleopods and the presence of gonopores in thefemales. The morphological characters of all larval stages and of the first juvenile crab are compared with those of other Chiromantes spp.

Preserving and Using Germplasm and Dissociated Embryonic Cells for Conserving Caribbean and Pacific Coral

Coral reefs are experiencing unprecedented degradation due to human activities, and protecting specific reef habitats may not stop this decline, because the most serious threats are global (i.e., climate change), not local. However, ex situ preservation practices can provide safeguards for coral reef conservation. Specifically, modern advances in cryobiology and genome banking could secure existing species and genetic diversity until genotypes can be introduced into rehabilitated habitats. We assessed the feasibility of recovering viable sperm and embryonic cells post-thaw from two coral species, Acropora palmata and Fungia scutaria that have diffferent evolutionary histories, ecological niches and reproductive strategies. In vitro fertilization (IVF) of conspecific eggs using fresh (control) spermatozoa revealed high levels of fertilization (>90% in A. palmata; >84% in F. scutaria; P>0.05) that were unaffected by tested sperm concentrations. A solution of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at cooling rates of 20 to 30°C/min most successfully cryopreserved both A. palmata and F. scutaria spermatozoa and allowed producing developing larvae in vitro. IVF success under these conditions was 65% in A. palmata and 53% in F. scutaria on particular nights; however, on subsequent nights, the same process resulted in little or no IVF success. Thus, the window for optimal freezing of high quality spermatozoa was short (∼5 h for one night each spawning cycle). Additionally, cryopreserved F. scutaria embryonic cells had∼50% post-thaw viability as measured by intact membranes. Thus, despite some differences between species, coral spermatozoa and embryonic cells are viable after low temperature (−196°C) storage, preservation and thawing. Based on these results, we have begun systematically banking coral spermatozoa and embryonic cells on a large-scale as a support approach for preserving existing bio- and genetic diversity found in reef systems.

Successful Stem Cell Mobilization and Engraftment in Heavily Pretreated Multiple Myeloma Patients with Prior High Dose Melphalan and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Salvage second autologous transplantation for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) after prior autologous transplantation has shown to be beneficial in particular if the first remission is longer than 12-18 months. In addition second salvage autologous transplant may be used in the contest of progressive refractory myeloma for temporarily disease control or for hematopoietic reconstitution after prior extensive therapy. Customarily, patients with multiple myeloma who received prior alkylating agents or autologous transplantation with high dose Melphalan are considered non transplant candidate because of the deleterious effects on stem cell collection. Plerixafor is a chemokine receptor -4- antagonist which is approved by FDA for use in combination with G-CSF for mobilization of CD34+ stem cells in patients with NHL and multiple myeloma. We have explored the feasibility of Plerixafor and G-CSF in stem cell collection for second salvage autologous transplantation in 4 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma who underwent prior extensive therapy including prior autologous transplantation with Melphalan-200. Patient characteristics, chemotherapy used and interval between first and second salvage transplant are shown in Table 1. All Patients received GCSF at dose of 10 mcg/KG for 4 days in AM, Plerixafor on the evening of the 4th night and subsequent nights prior to apheresis at a dose of 0.24 mg/kg. The number of apheresis procedures were 2 in two patients and 3 in two patients. The number of CD34 + cells collected were 4.25, 3.06, 3.63, 3.78 million cells/Kg. All the patients engrafted successfully after the second transplant. Neutrophils engraftement were at day 10, 12, 12 and 11 while platelet engraftment were at day 10, 15, 32 and 19 respectivlely for the four patients. Our Data shows the feasibility of stem cell collection in heavily pretreated MM patients including high dose Melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation. Prospective studies are needed to confirm such feasibility. Such approach may have future clinical application in eliminating minimal residual disease after the first autologous transplant when used in MM patients with planned upfront tandem autologous transplant.Table 1Patient #AGEInduction pre 1st TransplantMobilization RegimenFirst Transplant TypeMaintenance/Relapse treatmentRe-InductionInterval between transplants (Years)146VAD X4 then Thalidomide for 1 yearCytoxan/G-CSFSingleThalidomid then Lenalidomide maintenanceRVD × 38.57266VAD X4Cytoxan/G-CSFPlanned TandemDex/Thal followed by Bro/DoxilMPV-Rituximab4.77356Thal/Dex then Bro/Dex then MPCytoxan/G-CSFSingleDex/Thal then RVD×3 then VD-PACEMPV-Rituximab ×24.43467Lenalidomide/Dex × 4G-CSFSingleLenalidomide maintennace for 15 monthsRVD × 4,VD-PACE ×21.75X indicates number of cycles; RVD, lenalidomide, Bortezomib, Dex.; Thal, Thalidomide; MPV, Melphalan, Prednisone , Bortezomib; PACE, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Cytoxan, Etoposide; Bro, Brotezomib. Open table in a new tab X indicates number of cycles; RVD, lenalidomide, Bortezomib, Dex.; Thal, Thalidomide; MPV, Melphalan, Prednisone , Bortezomib; PACE, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Cytoxan, Etoposide; Bro, Brotezomib.

Behavioural responses of brushtail possums to live trapping and implications for trap-catch correction

Context The behavioural response of animals to repeated trapping has implications for correction of population and monitoring indices that use catch per unit effort. Failure to account for sprung traps introduces biases into estimates of relative abundance. The time when animals get caught in live traps is often ignored, but it can provide important information about temporal movement patterns relevant to this issue. Aims We assessed changes in the behaviour of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), a nocturnal marsupial, in response to repeated trapping and evaluated the potential benefit of correcting a commonly used index of abundance by using time-of-capture information. Methods Possums were live-trapped for three nights each month over a 20-month period in baited cage traps in a 6-ha area of native lowland forest in the southern North Island, New Zealand. Trapped possums were individually identified on first capture. Timing devices were attached to the traps to measure how long after sunset traps were sprung and how that time related to the duration of the trap-night (sunset to sunrise). Key results Possums were trapped, on average, ~1.25 h after sunset. Traps triggered other than by possums were sprung on average 1–2 h later. Possums caught on the first night of a trapping session were caught significantly earlier than those caught on subsequent nights. Previous capture influenced the time of subsequent capture in a trapping session in complex ways, and recapture times were generally earlier than times of first capture. Possums were captured, on average, after 11% of the duration of a trap-night and traps were triggered by animals other than possums, on average, after 22% of the duration of a trap-night. Conclusions The data on time of capture of possums and triggering of sprung traps suggested a need to alter the commonly used correction factor for population indices for possums, because, on average, traps were sprung for significantly more of each trapping interval (i.e. trap-night) than the half a trap-night assumed in the correction factor. Implications Better understanding of possum foraging behaviour is a key to more effective control using traps. In that context, more research is needed to understand the reasons for individual differences in trappability. Although it is theoretically desirable to account for sprung traps when trapping is used to index populations, to reduce biases in estimates of relative abundance, correction of the standardised residual trap-catch index for possums is probably unimportant in practical terms, because most possum control reduces numbers to levels (2–5% trap catch) at which correction of the index is unimportant. The principal exception to this is likely to be when there is a high level of non-target interference from rodents.

Aversive Effect of Tannic Acid on Drinking Behavior in Mice of an Inbred Strain: Potential Animal Model for Assessing Astringency

Astringency, an orosensory sensation associated with dietary tannins, contributes to food appetitiveness/aversiveness. However, astringency perception varies greatly among individuals. This study examined whether genetically homogeneous naïve mice display appetitiveness/aversiveness when provided with tannin-containing drink solutions. Ingestion of serial dilutions of tannic acid (TA) by inbred mice (A/Snell) was assessed by a one-bottle preference test. Drink intake was far predominant at night (circadian rhythm). TA concentration-dependently inhibited daily drink consumption. Overnight consumption of TA solutions (range = 0.5-8 g/L) decreased linearly to zero during the first night and was recovered significantly during subsequent nights. TA also inhibited drink consumption in another two inbred mouse strains. The protein fraction of saliva collected from naive mice was markedly reactive with TA at the concentrations shown to affect drink consumption. Thus, testing for drink ingestion in inbred mice during short-term (overnight) exposure to tannin-containing liquid foods represents an advantageous animal model for assessing astringency.

Foraging behavior adjustments related to changes in nectar sugar concentration in phyllostomid bats

Nectar-feeding bats regulate their food ingestion in response to changes in sugar concentration as a way to achieve a constant energy intake. However, their digestive capability to assimilate sugars can limit their total energy intake, particularly when sugar concentration in nectar is low. Our experimental study evaluated the effect that changes in sugar concentration of nectar have on the foraging behavior of the nectar-feeding bats Glossophaga soricina and Leptonycteris yerbabuenae in captivity. We measured foraging behavior and food intake when bats fed at different concentrations of sucrose (5, 15, 25 and 35%wt/vol.). To compensate for low-energy intake, both bat species reduced their flight time, and increased feeding time when sugar concentration decreased. Our results suggest that nectar-feeding bats in nature confront two scenarios with complementary ecological effects: 1) bats feeding on dilute nectars (i.e. ≤15%wt/vol.) should increase the number of flowers visited per night enhancing pollination, and 2) bats feeding on concentrated nectars could spend more time flying, including long- and short-distance-flights increasing food patch exploration for use during subsequent nights, and thus enhancing plant gene flow. Further studies on foraging behavior of nectarivorous bats under natural conditions are necessary to corroborate these hypotheses.

Male Position Relative to Foam Nests Influences Female Mate Choice in the Túngara Frog, Physalaemus pustulosus

Vocalizations are critical advertisement signals used during anuran courtship. In most species, acoustic signals have primacy, but visual cues also have been shown to play an important role in anuran mate attraction. Male Túngara Frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus, produce advertisement calls, and males that are successful in attracting a mate build conspicuous white foam nests in which fertilized eggs are deposited. Foam nests persist for several days and on subsequent nights, male frogs are often observed calling adjacent to these foam nests. We tested the hypothesis that females approach the vocalization of a male adjacent to a foam nest preferentially. We conducted choice tests allowing females to choose between two speakers broadcasting a male vocalization—one speaker adjacent to a foam nest and the other speaker lacking a foam nest. Females expressed a significant preference for a speaker with a foam nest when the nest was visible. These results indicate that males may increase their probability of attracting a mate when calling adjacent to a foam nest relative to males located farther from a foam nest.

Allochronic Separation versus Mate Choice: Nonrandom Patterns of Mating between Fall Armyworm Host Strains

Assortative mating may result from intrinsic individual mating preferences or from assortment traits not requiring expression of preferences. Assortment traits are phenotypes expressed in both sexes that enhance the probability of encountering individuals possessing similar trait values. In the noctuid moth Spodoptera frugiperda, it has been suggested that nonrandom mating between two host strains is caused by a temporal assortment trait-that is, differential timing of calling and copulation during the night. By experimental manipulation of this trait in controlled mate-choice experiments, we investigated whether mating by same-strain individuals is enhanced mainly by the allochronic shift of mating activity or is also affected by time-independent intrinsic mating preferences. The observed patterns suggest that nonrandom mating between the two host strains in the laboratory is shaped by an interaction of both effects that is dominated by mating preferences during the first encounter night. This interaction changes over time as the preferences become weaker on subsequent nights. Males were less restricted than females with regard to both the time shift in mating activity and mate preferences. Although the nature of the mate-preference mechanism remains elusive, its restriction to females suggests that male-produced close-range pheromones emitted during courtship play a role.

Dietary Fiber Supplementation With Wheat Dextrin Does Not Inhibit Calcium and Magnesium Absorption in Pre and Post Menopausal Women: 2010 Presidential Poster

Purpose: Previous studies have indicated that some dietary fibers may interfere with calcium absorption and few studies have been done on fiber's effect on magnesium absorption. Some dietary fibers with high viscosity may interfere with the absorption of drugs and vitamins. Wheat dextrin is a soluble fiber used as a dietary supplement. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of chronic wheat dextrin intake on calcium and magnesium absorption in a placebo controlled, randomized crossover clinical trial. Methods: Study subjects consisted of 20 premenopausal (age 42.6±5.0 yrs) and 20 postmenopausal Caucasian women (age 57.0±7.6 yrs). Each of the subjects consumed 5 grams of wheat dextrin or placebo in the form of cookies, three times daily for 2 weeks prior to measuring their calcium and magnesium absorption. On the day of testing, a standardized breakfast containing 300 mg calcium (in calcium fortified orange juice) extrinsically labeled with 45Ca and 26Mg was consumed by the subjects. Blood samples were obtained for 45Ca at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 hours. Urine samples were obtained for 2 subsequent nights for 26Mg measurement. 45Calcium was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and 26Mg isotope ratios were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Area under the curve to 9 hours AUC9) was calculated for increment of serum calcium and for 45Calcium specific activity. The enrichment of the 26Mg isotope was determined as the “percent excess” of 26Mg above the naturally occurring 26Mg/24Mg ratio. Results: In the study population the mean (±SD) AUC9 for increment in serum calcium was 1.57 (±1.29) for wheat dextrin and 1.61 (±1.25) for placebo (p=0.82) indicating no effect on calcium absorption with wheat dextrin treatment. The mean (±SD) AUC9 measured from the 45Ca specific activity was 0.81 (± 0.21) for wheat dextrin and was 0.82 (±0.22) for placebo (p=0.34) demonstrating no effect on 45Ca absorption. There was good agreement between pharmacokinetic and tracer methods used in determining calcium absorption (R2=0.6231). The percent excess of 26Mg/24Mg was 7.8% (SD±2.1%) for wheat dextrin and was 7.9% (SD±2.6%) for placebo (p=0.827) demonstrating no effect on magnesium absorption. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that chronic supplementation with wheat dextrin for the increase of dietary fiber does not inhibit calcium or magnesium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract in both pre and postmenopausal women. Disclosure: Ashok Hospattankar is an employee of Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. Laura Armas has grant/research support from Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. This research was supported by an industry grant from Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.