DNA based method for determining source country of the short beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) in the illegal wildlife trade

The illegal trade in wild animals being sold as 'captive bred' is an emerging issue in the pet and zoo industry and has both animal welfare and conservation implications. DNA based methods can be a quick, inexpensive, and definitive way to determine the source of these animals, thereby assisting efforts to combat this trade. The short beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is currently one of the species suspected to be targeted in this trade. As this species is distributed throughout Australia and in New Guinea (currently comprising of five recognised sub-species), this project aimed to develop a DNA based method to definitively determine the source country of an echidna and explore the use of non-invasive sampling techniques. Here we use non-invasively sampled echidna quills and demonstrate the extraction of mitochondrial DNA and amplification of a region of the mitochondrial genome. Phylogenetically informative markers for analysis of a 322bp segment of the D-loop region were developed, and subsequently validated, using animals with known source locations allowing us to reliably distinguish between echidnas from New Guinea, and Australia. This research presents the first validated forensic protocols for short beaked echidnas and will be an integral tool in understanding the movement of animals in this emerging trade.

Waist-to-height ratio is a better screening tool than waist circumference and BMI for adult cardiometabolic risk factors: systematic review and meta-analysis

Our aim was to differentiate the screening potential of waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist circumference (WC) for adult cardiometabolic risk in people of different nationalities and to compare both with body mass index (BMI). We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that used receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves for assessing the discriminatory power of anthropometric indices in distinguishing adults with hypertension, type-2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome and general cardiovascular outcomes (CVD). Thirty one papers met the inclusion criteria. Using data on all outcomes, averaged within study group, WHtR had significantly greater discriminatory power compared with BMI. Compared with BMI, WC improved discrimination of adverse outcomes by 3% (P < 0.05) and WHtR improved discrimination by 4-5% over BMI (P < 0.01). Most importantly, statistical analysis of the within-study difference in AUC showed WHtR to be significantly better than WC for diabetes, hypertension, CVD and all outcomes (P < 0.005) in men and women. For the first time, robust statistical evidence from studies involving more than 300 000 adults in several ethnic groups, shows the superiority of WHtR over WC and BMI for detecting cardiometabolic risk factors in both sexes. Waist-to-height ratio should therefore be considered as a screening tool.

Effects of natural (RRR alpha-tocopherol acetate) or synthetic (all-rac alpha-tocopherol acetate) vitamin E supplementation on reproductive efficiency in beef cows

The objective was to determine the effects of natural- or synthetic-source vitamin E on reproductive efficiency in Angus-cross beef cows. In Exp. 1, one hundred fifty-two cows were fed hay and corn silage based diet and assigned to 1 of 3 dietary supplements (3 pens/treatment): 1) containing no additional vitamin E (CON), 2) formulated to provide 1,000 IU x d(-1) of synthetic-source vitamin E (SYN; all-rac or dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate), or 3) formulated to provide 1,000 IU x d(-1) of natural-source vitamin E (NAT; RRR or D-alpha-tocopherol acetate). In Exp. 2, seventy-five cows (2 reps/treatment) were assigned to similar treatments as Exp. 1; however, a vitamin-mineral supplement was offered for ad libitum intake and vitamin intake was calculated from predicted mineral intakes. Cows grazed pastures rather than being fed hay and corn silage as in Exp. 1. In Exp. 1 and 2, supplementation began 6 wk prepartum and continued until initiation of the breeding season. Blood samples were collected at calving (Exp. 1) or breeding (Exp. 2) to determine alpha-tocopherol concentration and weekly beginning 4 wk postpartum (Exp. 1) or 7 and 14 d before estrus synchronization (Exp. 2) to determine return to estrus via progesterone concentration. Cows were synchronized and bred by AI based on heat detection; nonresponding cows were time bred (AI) 66 h after PGF(2 alpha) injection, and cows returning to estrus after AI were bred by natural service. In Exp. 1, cows supplemented with NAT and SYN had greater (P < 0.001) serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol at calving compared with CON cows. Dietary supplement did not affect (P >or= 0.55) the percentage of cows cycling before synchronization or the number of days to return to estrus by cows that resumed estrus before synchronization. Cows supplemented with SYN tended to have greater first service conception rates compared with CON and NAT (P = 0.09); however, first plus second services combined and overall conception rates were not affected (P >or= 0.23). In Exp. 2, NAT cows had greater (P = 0.002) concentrations of alpha-tocopherol at breeding, whereas there was no difference (P > 0.05) between SYN and CON. Supplementation of SYN or NAT did not affect (P >or= 0.17) days to resumption of estrus before breeding, first service, first plus second services combined, or overall conception rates. These data suggest that supplementation of SYN or NAT source vitamin E increased alpha-tocopherol concentration in cows; however, effects on reproductive efficiency are minimal.

Adjustment of children who have a sibling with Down syndrome: perspectives of mothers, fathers and children

BACKGROUND

A number of methodological weaknesses have contributed to our relatively poor understanding of the impact on children of having a brother or sister with a disability. These include a focus on poor adjustment, using multidiagnostic groups, inadequate matching, and a failure to consider the perspectives of children and parents together.

METHOD

This study compared the adjustment of 53 siblings of a child with Down syndrome with a comparison group of siblings of children who were developing typically. Children were matched on a case-by-case basis for gender, age and position in family. Families were matched for family size and father's occupation. The age range of the target siblings was 7-14 years. Data were gathered from mothers, fathers and siblings.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the groups on adjustment measures. These included parent perceptions of externalizing and internalizing behaviours, parent perceptions of sibling competence, and sibling perceptions of their own competence and self-worth. Associations between measures of adjustment and child reports of their contribution to household functioning depended on sex rather than group membership. There was an association between parental reports of externalizing behaviour and sibling relationships with the brother/sister closest in age.

CONCLUSIONS

Having a brother or sister with Down syndrome does not inevitably lead to poor adjustment. Examination of within-family processes would appear to be more useful in identifying children at risk than merely group membership.

Assessing the evidential value of DNA profiles matching without using the assumption of independent loci

DNA profiling allows determination of the alleles at multiple loci on an individual's genome. The frequencies of these alleles are then estimated from a sample drawn from the population. If the occurrences of alleles at different loci are independent, the frequencies may be multiplied together to give an estimate of the probability of DNA from a randomly-chosen member of the population matching the DNA in question. However, there is doubt as to whether the assumption of independence can be justified. This paper discusses a method of calculating the probability of a match that does not require the assumption of independence. A suitable set of criteria is also derived that offer an objective approach to the determination of a match from two DNA samples.

Maternal reports of behavior of siblings of children with Down syndrome

Mothers of children, ages 6 to 13 years, representing two target groups were interviewed: siblings of children with Down syndrome and a comparison group of siblings of children without Down syndrome. Mothers were interviewed regarding their expectations of typical child behavior, their perceptions of conduct problems of their child, and the extent to which that child shared household responsibilities. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding expectations of "typical" children, but the mothers of girls who had a sibling with Down syndrome reported significantly more conduct problems than did either mothers of children without Down syndrome or mothers of boys with a sibling who had Down syndrome. Groups did not differ with regard to the number of household tasks, but reports of conduct problems in the girls who had a sibling with Down syndrome were inversely related to the number of tasks undertaken.

Human population genetic studies using hypervariable loci. I. Analysis of Assamese, Australian, Cambodian, Caucasian, Chinese and Melanesian populations

Population genetic studies, in Australian, Assamese, Cambodian, Chinese, Caucasian and Melanesian populations, were performed with several highly polymorphic DNA loci. Results showed that the Caucasian and Chinese had the highest level of heterozygosity. The size range of the majority of the polymorphic DNA fragments of a locus was the same in the different populations. The distinguishing feature of each ethnic group was the relative frequency of a particular set or group of alleles. For example, alleles greater than 9.0 kb in size, in D14S13, or from 4.5 to 4.7 kb, in D18S27, were less than half as frequent in Caucasians than in the other populations. Overall, there were groups of alleles, at one or more loci, whose frequencies were different among some of the ethnic groups and therefore could be used to differentiate one group from the other.

Counting by children with Down syndrome

Children's understanding of one-to-one, stable order, and cardinal principles was tested through error-detection and self-performance counting tasks. Gelman's modified counting task was used to test understanding of the order irrelevance principle. There were no significant differences between the mean task scores of 15 children with Down syndrome and 15 preschoolers with similar revised Peabody Picture Vocabulary test (PPVT-R) scores (mean age equivalent, 4 years, 7 months). Partial correlations showed several significant associations between counting principles and PPVT-R that were independent of chronological age. The results support the view that counting by children with Down syndrome can be guided by counting principles and that developmental level rather than the syndrome is associated with counting behavior.

The temperament of Down's syndrome toddlers and their siblings

The Toddler Temperament Scale was completed by mothers of 37 Down's syndrome children. Questionnaires were also completed for 13 siblings. Comparisons with standardization scores on the difficult dimensions suggested that the Down's syndrome children were more rhythmic, less intense and of more positive mood than children of the same CA. In addition, they were less withdrawn and more adaptable than children of similar MA. The siblings were more rhythmic than the standardization sample and more persistent than the Down's syndrome children. There was no trend for Down's syndrome ratings to be strongly associated with own-sibling ratings.

The mini-F primary origin. Sequence analysis and multiple activities

The sequence of an 897 base-pair fragment (42.1 to 43.0 kilobase co-ordinates on the F genetic map) containing the primary origin (ori-1) of mini-F replication has been determined. It contains one significant open reading frame, which probably codes for part of the C protein thought to be necessary for ori-1 replication activity. Tests of the ability of the sequenced ori-1 region to direct replication of DNA polymerase I-dependent replicons revealed that ori-1 replication requires adjacent mini-F sequences, 43.0 to 43.9 kilobase co-ordinates on the F genetic map in cis as well as a trans-acting gene product, probably the E protein, from the essential replication region of mini-F. In addition, a sequence required for control of pif gene expression has been mapped to a 160 base-pair region immediately upstream from the C (pifC) gene, and the crossover site of a specific recA-independent recombination mechanism has been mapped to a 220 base-pair region on the side of the pif control sequence distal to the C gene.

Maternal influence on the task behaviour of young Down's syndrome children

Twenty-one Down's syndrome children (mean CA 45.5 months, SD 12.4; mean MA 24.8 months, SD 7.5) and 13 control children (mean CA 39.9 months, SD 11.6) played with a box which had 10 doors each secured by a different locking device. There were two conditions, one in which their mothers were free to interact with them and one where maternal involvement was restricted. Results showed that mental age was significantly associated with measures of competence and organization. When MA was partialled out as a covariate, group differences remained for the competence measures, relocking behaviours, and aimless actions. The involvement of the mother had a significant effect only in decreasing the aimless actions of the Down's syndrome children.

The behaviour of Down's syndrome children using the 'Lock Box': a research note

A Lock Box for investigating problem-solving behaviour in pre-schoolers was used with seventeen Down's syndrome children (mean CA 37.4 months, S.D. 10.1 months) and seventeen 'normal' children (mean CA 37.4 months, S.D. 10.2 months) while their mothers were present. The behaviour was found to be different for the two groups, with the normal children showing greater competence, more organization and less perseverance. Significant associations between Lock Box measures and the mental age of the Down's syndrome children paralleled those reported by Goodman for older mentally retarded children in a test situation without the mother. The Lock Box is especially appropriate for assessing the ability of language-delayed children and it is suggested that a situation with the mother present may extend its usefulness with very young children.

The temperament of Down's syndrome toddlers: a research note

A toddler temperament questionnaire was completed by the mothers of fifteen Down's syndrome children who had been assessed two years earlier with the Carey infant temperament questionnaire. The results suggest that infants who have been scored as showing signs of difficult temperament move towards the easier signs on the toddler scale. If these temperament questionnaires are biased by maternal perceptions, this move may reflect a reduced level of maternal anxiety.

Looking behavior of Down syndrome infants

Eleven Down syndrome infants were individually matched for sex and socioeconomic status with 11 nonretarded children. Looking behavior for the two groups was coded when the children were 6 and 9 months of age while they played with their mothers without toys. No significant group differences were found for maternal looking, holding, and vocalization behavior, but the Down syndrome infants spent almost half the play time looking toward their mother, nearly twice the time spent by the contrast group. Results were discussed in terms of Down syndrome fixation characteristics, maternal behavior, and referential looking.

The affective response of Down's syndrome infants to a repeated event

In a study with 17 Down's syndrome infants, the older infants (mean age = 20 months, 6 days) responded to the regular reappearance of a squeaky doll with significantly more affective behavior than did younger infants (mean age = 9 months, 24 days). When the 10 younger infants were included in a longitudinal study of their responses to this same event, the onset of affective behavior was significantly correlated with the mental development index of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and was also associated with some aspects of temperament as measured by the Carey Survey of Temperamental Characteristics: these aspects were poor adaptability to change and a low tendency to approach new situations.

Behavior of Down syndrome infants in a strange situation

The responses of 18 Down syndrome infants in a modified "strange" situation were recorded. The results indicated that these infants were aware of the exits and entrances of both mother and stranger. They cried and showed non-crying distress significantly more when their mothers were absent and showed awareness of the focal point of the room by looking at the door more in appropriate experimental episodes. They also showed increased looking at mother and physical contact on reunion with her. Concluded that the behavior Down syndrome infants is qualitatively similar to nonretarded children and that they indicate their levels of social awareness in these experimental situations.

Fetal heart rate monitoring using the abdominal fetal electrocardiogram

An evaluation of a prototype abdominal fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) module for use in a Sonicaid FM3R monitor is described; 103 antenatal recordings of fetal heart rate (FHR) were attempted in 56 patients between 21 and 43 weeks gestation. The overall success rate was 54 per cent but the proportion of successful recordings was reduced between 24 and 36 weeks gestation. Most successful recordings were obtained with the first electrode placings and the quality of the recordings was generally higher than those obtained by simultaneously recorded FHR from ultrasound. Monitoring using the abdominal ECG during parturition was found to be unreliable. The advantages of the method are that it is non-invasive, the patient is not restricted by belts and the technique is easy to apply. However the uncertainty of obtaining a FHR trace between 24 and 36 weeks gestation is a major disadvantage.

Vocalization and looking behaviour of Down's syndrome infants

The effect of contingent and non-contingent vocal stimulation on vocalization and looking behaviour was investigated for 10 Down's syndrome infants. There were two experimental sessions consisting of four stages, namely 1 min base-line, 1 min experimental condition, a further 1 min base-line and a final 2 min experimental condition. Maternal vocal stimulation was contingent upon infant vocalization for the experimental conditions of one session and was presented every 10 s independent of infant vocalization for the experimental conditions of the other session. Neither condition increased infant vocalization but there was a significant decrease in looking at mother during the base-line stages which followed maternal vocalization (F = 5.07, d.f. = 4, 28, P less than 0.01). It is suggested that looking behaviour may be an important indication of competence in pre-linguistic social communication for developmentally delayed infants.