Range expansion is associated with increased survival and fecundity in a long-lived bat species.

The speed and dynamics of range expansions shape species distributions and community composition. Despite the critical impact of population growth rates for range expansion, they are neglected in existing empirical studies, which focus on the investigation of selected life-history traits. Here, we present an approach based on non-invasive genetic capture-mark-recapture data for the estimation of adult survival, fecundity and juvenile survival, which determine population growth. We demonstrate the reliability of our method with simulated data, and use it to investigate life-history changes associated with range expansion in 35 colonies of the bat species Rhinolophus hipposideros. Comparing the demographic parameters inferred for 19 of those colonies which belong to an expanding population with those inferred for the remaining 16 colonies from a non-expanding population reveals that range expansion is associated with higher net reproduction. Juvenile survival was the main driver of the observed reproduction increase in this long-lived bat species with low per capita annual reproductive output. The higher average growth rate in the expanding population was not associated with a trade-off between increased reproduction and survival, suggesting that the observed increase in reproduction stems from a higher resource acquisition in the expanding population. Environmental conditions in the novel habitat hence seem to have an important influence on range expansion dynamics, and warrant further investigation for the management of range expansion in both native and invasive species.

Pathways for diffusion in the potential energy landscape of the network glass former SiO2.

We study the dynamical behaviour of a computer model for viscous silica, the archetypal strong glass former, and compare its diffusion mechanism with earlier studies of a fragile binary Lennard-Jones liquid. Three different methods of analysis are employed. First, the temperature and time scale dependence of the diffusion constant is analysed. Negative correlation of particle displacements influences transport properties in silica as well as in fragile liquids. We suggest that the difference between Arrhenius and super-Arrhenius diffusive behaviour results from competition between the correlation time scale and the caging time scale. Second, we analyse the dynamics using a geometrical definition of cage-breaking transitions that was proposed previously for fragile glass formers. We find that this definition accurately captures the bond rearrangement mechanisms that control transport in open network liquids, and reproduces the diffusion constants accurately at low temperatures. As the same method is applicable to both strong and fragile glass formers, we can compare correlation time scales in these two types of systems. We compare the time spent in chains of correlated cage breaks with the characteristic caging time and find that correlations in the fragile binary Lennard-Jones system persist for an order of magnitude longer than those in the strong silica system. We investigate the origin of the correlation behaviour by sampling the potential energy landscape for silica and comparing it with the binary Lennard-Jones model. We find no qualitative difference between the landscapes, but several metrics suggest that the landscape of the fragile liquid is rougher and more frustrated. Metabasins in silica are smaller than those in binary Lennard-Jones and contain fewer high-barrier processes. This difference probably leads to the observed separation of correlation and caging time scales.

Evidence for two karyotypic variants of the lesser horseshoe bat ( Rhinolophus hipposideros , Chiroptera, Mammalia) in Central Europe.

Three different diploid chromosome numbers (2n = 54, 56 and 58) have been reported in the lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros. Asia Minor and the Middle East are inhabited by R. hipposideros specimens with 58 chromosomes. In Europe, specimens with 56 chromosomes have been recorded from several localities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy and Greece. Up to now, specimens with 54 chromosomes have been reported only from Spain and possibly from Switzerland. With the record of 54 chromosomes in specimens from Germany presented here, the distributional area of this variant is expanded into Central Europe. According to the cytogenetic data presently available, we presume that the European R. hipposideros population is divided into a western form (from Spain to Germany) with a 2n = 54 karyotype and an eastern form (from the Czech Republic to Greece) with a 2n = 56 karyotype. This study presents banded karyotypes for the 2n = 54 and 2n = 56 variants for the first time. In addition, chromosomal arm homology to the vespertilionid bat species Myotis myotis revealed by chromosome painting is reported. Whether the variants could represent separate species is also discussed.

Significance of defect severity in technetium-99m-MIBI SPECT at rest to assess myocardial viability: comparison with fluorine-18-FDG PET.

UNLABELLED: The pathophysiological significance of 99mTc-MIBI uptake at rest for assessing myocardial viability in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is still controversial. Therefore, we studied the relationship of 99mTc-MIBI uptake at rest and preserved or absent uptake of 18FDG as assessed with PET in 111 consecutive patients after overnight withdrawal of their antianginal medication. METHODS: Each ventricle was evaluated in 13 segments derived from 25 regions of interest (ROIs) in short-axis cuts and 18FDG uptake was normalized to the intraindividual normal reference ROI (ROI with maximal = 100% 99mTc-MIBI uptake). Segments with a normalized 18FDG uptake > 70% were defined as viable while segments with a 18FDG uptake < 50% were defined as nonviable. RESULTS: Five to 11% of segments with 99mTc-MIBI uptake at rest < or = 30% of peak activity were viable and 80%-84% nonviable. Of moderate to severe 99mTc-MIBI defects at rest (31%-70% of peak), 13%-61% were viable. Segmental 99mTc-MIBI uptake and normalized 18FDG uptake were linearly correlated (r = 0.61, n = 1443, p < 0.001). In segments revealing severely reduced 99mTc-MIBI uptake (< or = 50% of peak) the correlation was considerably lower (r = 0.44, n = 295, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CAD, 99mTc-MIBI uptake underestimates myocardial viability in comparison to 18FDG-PET. Myocardial 99mTc-MIBI uptake therefore appears to reflect myocardial blood flow rather than myocardial viability. Patients with moderate and severe 99mTc-MIBI defects at rest may benefit from additional metabolic PET imaging prior to final therapeutic decisions.

Video-taped sample evaporation in hot chambers simulating gas chromatography split and splitless injectors. II. Injection with band formation.

The processes in devices imitating a vaporising injector were video-taped using perylene as a fluorescent marker for non-evaporated sample. Processes are summarised which are observed after the sample liquid passed through a cool needle and left as a band of liquid moving at high velocity (as typical for injection by fast autosamplers). This liquid is shot past the column entrance unless stopped either by a packing, e.g., wool or by suitable obstacles. Packings of low thermal mass are locally cooled to the solvent boiling point and suck in the liquid. Stopping the liquid by obstacles is more difficult because solvent vapours prevent contact of the liquid with the hot surfaces, and was reliably achieved only by the laminar liner. For the same reason, transfer onto the liner wall only occurs for higher boiling liquids.

Video-taped sample evaporation in hot chambers simulating gas chromatography split/splitless injectors. I. Thermospray injection.

The processes in devices imitating vaporising injectors were visualised and video-taped using perylene as a fluorescent marker for non-evaporated samples. The observations in the context of thermospray injection are summarised. Partial evaporation inside the needle turns the solvent into a propellant which nebulises the sample liquid at the needle exit. Evaporation in the vaporising chamber occurs from fine droplets suspended in the gas phase. Empty injector liners are best suited; packings with glass wool or obstacles in the liner, like the cup, have no significant effect on the process observed. Non-evaporated (matrix) material forms aerosol particles which may enter the column together with the vapours, but most of them are transferred to the liner wall. Since solute material may be carried along, this is a possible source of matrix effects.

Introduction of large volumes of water-containing samples into a gas chromatograph. Improved retention of volatile solutes through the swing system.

The swing system is designed for introducing large volumes of water-containing samples into a gas chromatograph. Sample evaporation and solvent-solute separation are performed in separate compartments. This widens the application range to compounds of higher volatility. Sample evaporation takes place in a hot chamber packed with Carbofrit. Solvent-solute separation is performed in a cascade of increasing powers of retention. While high boiling solutes are retained in an oven-thermostatted retaining precolumn, the more volatile components are retained by a packed bed of sorbents of increasing powers of retention situated in a programmed temperature vaporiser. For elution, the gas flow is reversed and the solutes are discharged from the heated packed bed through the retaining precolumn into the separation column.

[Attenuation effects in 99mTc-MIBI stressed myocardium 360 degree SPECT: a comparison of the supine and prone positions]. / Schwächungseffekte bei der 99mTc-MIBI Belastungsmyokard 360 degrees SPECT: Vergleich von Rücken- und Bauchlage.

Due to the higher photon energy of 99mTc as compared to 201Tl attenuation effects are expected to be less prominent in SPECT imaging using 99mTc-labelled isonitriles. Reduced 99mTc-MIBI uptake has been observed especially in male patients despite low probability of coronary artery disease. 56 patients were investigated in prone and supine position after bicycle exercise. Inclusion criterium was the identical location of the ROI with maximal tracer uptake in prone and supine imaging. In prone position 99mTc-MIBI uptake was significantly higher in the posterior wall as compared to supine imaging (p < .001). The underlying cause of the apparent increase in tracer uptake of the posterior wall was a decrease in count density in the region of maximal uptake (p < .01) while the count densities in the posterior wall were unchanged (p = NS). Relative uptake values in apical and septal regions of the anterior wall significantly decreased in prone imaging. SPECT imaging in prone position is useful in minimizing attenuation artifacts. However, because a deterioration in the anterior wall cannot be excluded, studies that compare the sensitivities and specificities for the different coronary arteries are required before general prone imaging can be recommended.

[MRI and oncoscintigraphy with 99m-Tc-MIBI in the follow up of thyroid cancer]. / KST und Onkoszintigraphie mit 99mTc-MIBI in der Nachsorge des Schilddrüsenkarzinoms.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 99mTc-MIBI oncoscintigraphy are new procedures for the detection of recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer. We evaluated the utility of both techniques compared to ultrasonography, radioiodine scanning, and measurement of serum thyroglobulin in patients with (n = 21) or without suspicion (n = 34) of tumor relapse. Although MRI was most effective in detecting local recurrencies (sensitivity: 100%), additional diagnostic information was only obtained in patients with mediastinal lesions. On the other hand, oncoscintigraphy was less sensitive (67%) but highly specific in differentiating reactive lymph node enlargement from metastatic disease (specificity: 93.5%). Oncoscintigraphy may be used instead of radioiodine scanning in patients with doubtful lymph node findings and spare them withdrawal of TSH-suppressive hormone medication. Routine estimation of serum thyroglobulin proved to be highly efficient in screening for tumor relapse using a cut-off level of 3 ng/ml (accuracy: 100%).

Quantitative evaluation of myocardial stress/rest 201TL SPECT: results of a ROI-based method in 108 patients with CHD.

ROI-based polar maps (33 ROIs) were employed to evaluate quantitatively stress/rest myocardial 201Tl SPECT in 108 patients with angiographically proven coronary heart disease (CHD) in comparison with 30 controls. Sensitivity in detecting a CHD with stenoses of greater than 50% of luminal diameter was determined versus normal regional values (+/- 2.5 SD) employing vitality (VI) and wash-out corrected redistribution (RD). The method was evaluated referring to the severity of the disease, to the number of ROIs displaying changes [(a) 1 ROI, (b) greater than 2 ROIs], to validity of VI, RD or a combination thereof, and for specificity. Wash-out values were found to depend on degree of stress individually achieved and thus were not used as a threshold criterion. Sensitivity in supply areas with old myocardial infarctions was 95% (a) and 86% (b), resp. With no infarction, it was 96% (a) and 79% (b), resp. VI in stenosis greater than 75% was more sensitive than RD. However, combined evaluation of VI and RD yielded sensitivities from 91-100% (a) and 77-94% (b), resp. for different main supply areas. In stenosis less than 50% with normal VI, RD was positive in 18-31%. Specificity turned out to be 91% (a) and 97% (b), resp. We conclude that the method presented is reliable to quantify numerically 201Tl kinetics in myocardial SPECT, aimed at detecting and describing CHD.

Clinical results using the trochanter stabilizing plate (TSP): the modular extension of the dynamic hip screw (DHS) for internal fixation of selected unstable intertrochanteric fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the implantation of the modular trochanter stabilizing plate (TSP) in addition to the dynamic hip screw (DHS) prevents excessive telescoping and limb shortening in four-part and selected three-part trochanteric fractures. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the trauma unit of the Surgical Department of the University of Basel, Switzerland. PATIENTS: Forty-six consecutive patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were treated with an additional TSP super-imposed on the regular DHS at our institution between July 1991 and July 1993. Five patients died before the first follow-up, one patient was lost to follow-up, and another patient refused follow-up. Thus, thirty-nine patients were followed for at least twelve months (mean 14 months, range 12 to 20 months). INTERVENTION: The fractures treated were classified according to the OTA classification, which is based on the AO classification. Seventeen were 31-A2.2, seven were 31-A2.3, and fourteen were 31-A3.3 fractures. RESULTS: Lateralization of the greater trochanter was successfully prevented in all fractures. Limited fracture impaction was found in 90 percent (n = 35) of the patients with telescoping of 9.5 millimeters (range 0 to 30 millimeters), resulting in mean limb shortening of 5.37 millimeters (range 0 to 14.9 millimeters). Four patients suffered limb shortening exceeding fifteen millimeters (range 15.6 to 21.3 millimeters). Functional results were excellent and good in 87 percent of patients and fair in 13 percent according to the Salvati-Wilson score. All fractures had healed six months after the operation. Three complications required a secondary procedure: one from not inserting a second screw parallel to the gliding hip screw to prevent rotation of the head-neck fragment ("antirotation screw"), one because of deep infection, and one because of a refracture after premature implant removal. CONCLUSION: In unstable pertrochanteric fractures with small or missing lateral cortical buttress, the addition of a TSP to the DHS effectively supports the unstable greater trochanter fragment and can prevent rotation of the head-neck fragment. Excessive fracture impaction and consecutive limb shortening was prevented by this additional implant in 90 percent of these patients.

Immediate alterations in the impulse noise exposed organ of Corti of the guinea pig.

Cochlear microphonics and morphological changes in the organ of Corti were examined in guinea pigs exposed to 1 or 10 impulses of 164 dB SPL. Immediately after noise exposure the CM amplitudes of frequencies between 500 and 10000 Hz delcined severly with an accelerating tendency during the next 2 hours. The decrease in CM in two groups differed insignificantly. 10 minutes after impulse exposure, whole-mount specimens showed mainly swollen and translocated nuclei of outer hair cells. After 2 hours we found large quantities of pyknotic nuclei, karyorrhexis, and gaps in the normal OHC pattern. Despite minor numerical differences in injured cells of either group, exposure to 10 impulses caused a greater degree of irreversible alteration. Altogether, altered hair cells were only localized in the basal and lower second turn, and their numbers were relatively small. This stands in contrast to severe decrease of CM from low to high frequencies. Hair cell injury and additional mechanical lesion of the reticular membrane caused many sites of leakage, allowing interchange of endo-and peri-lymph. This effect is considered to be the main cause of functional damage indicated by rapid CM decline.

Migration kinetics of mineral oil hydrocarbons from recycled paperboard to dry food: monitoring of two real cases.

Mineral oil hydrocarbons present in printing inks and recycled paper migrate from paper-based food packaging to foods primarily through the gas phase. Migration from two commercial products packed in recycled paperboard, i.e. muesli and egg pasta, was monitored up to the end of their shelf life (1 year) to study the influence of time, storage conditions, food packaging structure and temperature. Mineral oil saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOSH and MOAH, respectively), and diisopropyl naphthalenes (DIPN) were monitored using online HPLC-GC/FID. Storage conditions were: free standing, shelved, and packed in transport boxes of corrugated board, to represent domestic, supermarket and warehouse storage, respectively. Migration to food whose packs were kept in transport boxes was the highest, especially after prolonged storage, followed by shelved and free-standing packs. Tested temperatures were representative of refrigeration, room temperature, storage in summer months and accelerated migration testing. Migration was strongly influenced by temperature: for egg pasta directly packed in paperboard, around 30 mg kg⁻¹ of MOSH migrated in 8 months at 20°C, but in only 1 week at 40°C. Muesli was contained into an internal polyethylene bag, which firstly adsorbed hydrocarbons and later released them partly towards the food. Differently, the external polypropylene bag, containing pasta and recycled paper tray, strongly limited the migration towards the atmosphere and gave rise to the highest level of food contamination. Tests at increased temperatures not only accelerated migration, but also widened the migration of hydrocarbons to higher molecular masses, highlighting thus a difficult interpretation of data from accelerated simulation.

Saturated and aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons from paperboard food packaging: estimation of long-term migration from contents in the paperboard and data on boxes from the market.

In the absence of a functional barrier, mineral oil hydrocarbons from printing inks and recycled fibres tend to migrate from paper-based food-packaging materials through the gas phase into dry food. Concentrations easily far exceed the limit derived from the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Since the estimation of long-term migration into the food by testing at 40°C for 10 days is difficult, it seems preferable (and easier) to use the mineral oil content in the paperboard. Evaporation experiments showed that hydrocarbons eluted up to about n-C24 are sufficiently volatile for relevant migration into dry food: in worst-case situations, about 80% migrate into the packed food. The extraction of the paperboard was optimised to give good recovery of the relevant hydrocarbons, but to discriminate against those of high molecular mass which tend to disturb gas chromatographic analysis in on-line coupled normal phase HPLC-GC-FID. Even though some of the relevant hydrocarbons had already evaporated, the average concentration of < C24 mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) in the paperboard boxes of 102 products from the Swiss and Italian market was 626 mg kg⁻¹. Nearly 15% of investigated boxes still contained more than 1000 mg kg⁻¹ < C24 MOSH up to over 3000 mg kg⁻¹ (maximum = 3500 mg kg⁻¹). This amount of MOSH in the board have the potential of contaminating the packed food at a level exceeding the limit, derived from the JECFA ADI, hundreds of times.

Acrylamide monitoring in Switzerland, 2007-2009: results and conclusions.

Parallel to the European Union acrylamide monitoring for the years 2007-2009, Switzerland performed its own monitoring, covering the whole range of products that significantly contain acrylamide (almost 300 samples per year), but focusing on those products that may result in high exposure. As reducing sugars are critical for potato products, these were included. No significant change, particularly improvement, was noticed, especially regarding those products for which substantial potential for improvement is known. 'Western-style' French fries continued to contain some four times more reducing sugars than 'traditional' fries, with correspondingly higher acrylamide in the finished product. The supply of raw potatoes low in reducing sugars by retail shops needs improvement, but there seemed to be insufficient willingness on a voluntary basis. A foreign producer was successful in penetrating the Swiss market with special potato chips containing up to 7000 microg kg(-1) acrylamide and only harsh measures could stop this. Three of about 61 products in the group of bakery ware showed a marked improvement. But there was also a store brand cracker that competed with a leading brand which contained 15 times more acrylamide (845 microg kg(-1)). Cereals contained 1080 microg kg(-1) acrylamide and even a warning did not prompt the producer to sell substantially better products one year later. It seems that only measures by the authorities will achieve improvements. The following seem promising: a limit for reducing sugars in prefabricates for French fries; the improved supply of raw potatoes low in sugars for roasting and frying; a legal limit for acrylamide content in potato chips; a general provision that products must not contain substantially more acrylamide than achievable by good manufacturing practice; and fryers with a temperature profile from an initial high to a lower final value.

[A complication during kyphoplasty. Cement penetration through the azygos vein into the superior vena cava]. / Komplikation im Rahmen der Kyphoplastie. Zementpenetration über die V. azygos bis in die V. cava superior.

A 59-year-old woman had a nontraumatic osteoporotic fracture of the seventh thoracic vertebral body. Despite correct operative technique, in the course of kyphoplasty cement was dislocated through the segment vein into the azygos vein and from there into the superior vena cava. The patient was free of cardiopulmonary symptoms throughout. Oral anticoagulation was administered for 3 months to prevent thromboembolism, and regular clinical and echocardiographic follow-up examinations were also performed during this period.

Input-output functions of cochlear microphonics in chronic experiments on awake rabbits.

Chronically implanted electrodes were used to record cochlear microphonics (CM) in awake rabbits. Test stimuli were sine waves of 1,250, 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 Hz, with intensities increased from 40 to 100 dB SPL. By using this long-term method for registering the CM, we have found that the form of the input-output functions recorded is in agreement with that from acute experiments as described in the literature. Our method proved to be valid for recording CM with constant amplitudes over a period of 8-10 weeks. Our present results form a basis for further investigations concerning noise overload.