Social status-dependent nest choice of territorial males under reproductive parasitism in a Lake Tanganyika cichlid Telmatochromis vittatus

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to examine how territorial males of a Lake Tanganyika cichlid Telmatochromis vittatus balance the conflicting demands on nest choice between occupying large nests with more females and avoiding reproductive parasitism (nest piracy, which is adopted by the largest males in the population). Pirates less frequently intruded the nests farther from neighbours, perhaps due to the costs associated with travelling between nests. The field experiment showed that territorial male T. vittatus sacrificed the fitness benefits that large nests offer and instead prioritized occupying the nests farther from neighbours on which fewer pirates intruded. The field observations suggested that they adopt different strategies for nest choice according to their relative competitive ability to pirates; the large territorial males, who are size-matched to pirates and can defend their nests against them, compete for larger nests among the more-isolated nests, whereas subordinate territorial males, which are smaller than pirates and thus inferior to them, compete for the more-isolated nests among the less-isolated nests. These findings suggest that the territorial male T. vittatus chooses the more-isolated nests to avoid pirate males at the expense of occupying large nests.

Genetic variants of glucose phosphate isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.9) in canine erythrocytes

Genetic polymorphism of glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) was found in the erythrocytes of dogs of six Japanese breeds by using starch gel electrophoresis. Analysis of parentage records of dogs revealed that the phenotypic variation of erythrocyte glucose phosphate isomerase was controlled by one autosomal locus with two codominant alleles, GPIA and GPIB. The allele GPIB was observed in the following breeds: San'in-Shiba, Shinshu-Shiba, Shikoku, Kai and Kishu, but not in Hokkaidoes and Akitas. All the dogs belonging to 25 European breeds, 5 oriental or China-origin (except Japan) breeds examined in this experiments had the genotype constitution GPIA/GPIA, whereas one Dalmation dog was heterozygous GPIA/GPIB.

Genetic variants of hemoglobin in canine erythrocytes

Genetic polymorphism of hemoglobin was found in the erythrocytes of dogs of seven Japanese native breeds by using starch gel electrophoresis. Analysis of parentage records of the dogs revealed that the phenotypic variation of hemoglobin is controlled by one autosomal locus with two codominant alleles, HbA and HbB. the allele HbA occurred only in Japanese native breeds except Shikoku. The frequency of HbA in the Japanese breeds was low and 0.08. All the dogs belonging to 25 European breeds and 5 oriental origin (except Japan) breeds examined in this experimnets had the homozygous genotype constitution HbB/HbB.

Genetic polymorphism of eserine resistant esterases in canine plasma

Six plasma eserine resistant esterase phenotypes were observed in a population of 1438 dogs consisting of 38 breeds. Analysis of parentage records of the dogs examined revealed that the phenotypic variation of eserine resistant esterases was controlled by 3 codominant alleles ESA, ESB and ESC at one autosomal locus. The gene frequency of ESB was high in most of the breeds examined. Allele ESC was only seen in 5 Japanese native breeds, Akita, Shikoku, Hokkaido, Shinshu-Shiba and Mino-Shiba, and in a Spitz dog. Allele ESA has a low frequency in Japanese breeds but a higher frequency in some of the European breeds tested.

Interferon Beta-1b may reverse axonal dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Progression of the disability of multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be related to axonal damage that is seen even in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) of patients' brains. Interferon beta (IFNβ) treatment for MS reduces the frequency of clinical exacerbations and the appearance of new inflammatory demyelinating lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the effect of IFNβ treatment on axonal damage in MS is not known. The present study aimed to assess the effect of IFNβ on axonal function by comparing the data from localised single voxel proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) performed on eight MS patients given IFNβ-1b treatment and 11 untreated patients. Brain MRI and MRS were performed before the initiation of IFNβ-1b treatment and 24 months after treatment initiation. Levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho) and creatine (Cr) were calculated as the areas under their peaks shown on MRS and the ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were calculated. In the patients treated with IFNβ-1b there was a significant increase in the ratio of NAA/Cr in NAWM (p=0.028) at 24 months after the initiation of treatment. In contrast, there was no significant change in the NAA/Cr ratio in the untreated patients. These results suggest that IFNβ-1b treatment might recover axonal function in NAWM of MS patients.

Oral health status of vulnerable groups in a village of the Central Highlands, southern Vietnam

OBJECTIVES

Oral health status of vulnerable people in developing countries tends to be given lower priority than other health issues. Consequently, few studies have examined the oral health status of the poor and minorities in developing countries. We aim to examine the dental caries and periodontal status, and explore the risk indicators of dental caries between two ethnic groups in rural villages in southern Vietnam.

METHODS

We examined the caries status and its risk indicators of 150 participants (Co-Ho minority and Kinh majority) living in a hamlet of Dangphuong village in Vietnam. We also assessed periodontal status of the participants aged 14 and over by Community Periodontal Index.

RESULTS

We first found that dental caries were highly prevalent among both the Co-Ho minority and Kinh majority groups. Second, the higher numbers of dental caries among children with primary teeth were associated with a higher frequency of consuming sweets. Third, most people (87%) aged 14 and over had periodontal problems. Finally, the Kinh majority tended to have more dental caries than Co-Ho among people aged less than 30.

CONCLUSION

Oral health promotion should be considered as a part of the development programmes for vulnerable groups in Vietnam and other developing countries.

Current status of organ transplants in Asian countries

The Asian Society of Transplantation, founded in 1989 includes Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Republic of China, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The registry was also started from the same year in cooperation with these 16 countries. A questionnaire was sent to the key person of each country every year. The questionnaire includes (a) number of centers that performed organ transplants, (b) varieties and numbers of organ transplants performed in 2000 and 2001, (c) present status of dialysis, number of dialysis patients, and number of the candidates on the list for transplantation, (d) number of patients going abroad for transplantation, and (e) recent transplant highlights, news and issues affecting each country during 2000 and 2001. We previously gathered data for 2000, except for Indonesia, Singapore, and the UAE. Regarding 2001 data, we will send the questionnaires to the countries involved.

Review of combination of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis as a modality of treatment for end-stage renal disease

Because the contribution of residual renal function (RRF) to total solute clearance is often significant in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), loss of RRF over time can lead to inadequate dialysis if appropriate prescription management strategies are not pursued. Additionally, declines in ultrafiltration caused by increases in peritoneal permeability may limit continuation of CAPD therapy. Peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis (PD + HD) combination therapy (complementary dialysis therapy) is an alternative method. This therapy allows the patient to maintain daily activities, as with CAPD, while undergoing once-a-week HD supplements for the insufficient removal of solutes and water. This therapy allows for the continuation of PD without shifting to total HD in PD patients who continue to have uremic symptoms even after individualization of the PD prescription. This treatment option is psychologically more acceptable to patients and may be expected to provide such accompanying beneficial effects as peritoneal resting, improvement of QOL and reduction in medical cost.