Mean EPO concentration was 62% higher for HF subjects with CSA than for healthy controls (P = 0.004). The magnitude of nocturnal hypoxaemia was significantly and positively

related to EPO concentration (r = 0.45, P = 0.02). Advanced HF was also significantly and positively related learn more to EPO concentration (r = 0.43, P = 0.02). On multivariate analysis, the presence of combined nocturnal hypoxaemia and advanced HF yielded greater correlation to EPO concentration than either factor alone (r = 0.57, P = 0.04 and P = 0.05, respectively). Linear regression demonstrated that the combination of New York Heart Association Class and CSA was strongly associated with EPO concentration (P < 0.0001).\n\nConclusion In non-anaemic HF patients, advanced HF and hypoxaemia due to CSA may each be independently associated with increased serum EPO concentration.”
“Patients with temporal lobe seizures sometimes experience what John Hughlings Jackson described

as “dreamy states” during seizure onset. These phenomena may be characterized by a re-experiencing of past events, feelings of familiarity (deja vu), and hallucinations. In previous reports, patients have been aware of the illusory nature of their experiences. Here, however, the case of a patient with a documented 37-year history of temporal lobe epilepsy who is not aware is 4 described. Fifteen years ago, the patient saw visions of traumatic autobiographical events that he had never previously recalled. He believed them to be veridical memories from his childhood, although evidence from his family suggests check details that they were not. The patient’s psychological reaction to the “recovery” of these traumatic “memories” was severe enough to qualify as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To our knowledge, this is the first report of PTSD caused by the misattribution of mental states that accompany a seizure. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Surprisingly, a high frequency of interspecific

sea turtle hybrids has been previously recorded in a nesting site along a short stretch of the Brazilian coast. Mitochondrial DNA data indicated that as much as 43% of the females identified as Eretmochelys imbricata are hybrids in this area (Bahia State of Brazil). It is a remarkable find, because most of the nesting sites surveyed worldwide, including some in northern Brazil, presents CCI-779 mw no hybrids, and rare Caribbean sites present no more than 2% of hybrids. Thus, a detailed understanding of the hybridization process is needed to evaluate natural or anthropogenic causes of this regional phenomenon in Brazil, which could be an important factor affecting the conservation of this population. We analysed a set of 12 nuclear markers to investigate the pattern of hybridization involving three species of sea turtles: hawksbill (E. imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). Our data indicate that most of the individuals in the crossings L. olivacea x E.

Protein coding potential is assessed by two different prediction algorithms: Coding Potential Calculator and HMMER. In addition, a novel strategy has been integrated for detecting potentially coding lncRNAs by automatically re-analysing

the large body of publicly 432 available mass spectrometry data in the PRIDE database. LNCipedia is publicly available and allows users to query and download lncRNA sequences and structures Compound C order based on different search criteria. The database may serve as a resource to initiate small- and large-scale lncRNA studies. As an example, the LNCipedia content was used to develop a custom microarray for expression profiling of all available lncRNAs.”
“Introduction: Dendritic cells (DCs) are capable of inducing immunity or tolerance. Previous studies have suggested plasmacytoid

DCs (pDCs) are pathogenic in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the functional characteristics of directly isolated peripheral circulating blood pDCs in SLE have not been evaluated previously.\n\nMethods: Peripheral blood pDCs from 62 healthy subjects and 58 SLE patients were treated with apoptotic cells derived from polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Antigen BMS-777607 loaded or unloaded pDCs were then co-cultured with autologous or allogenous T cells. Changes in T cell proliferation, cell surface CD25 expression, intracellular Foxp3 expression and cytokine production were evaluated. pDCs that had captured apoptotic PMNs (pDCs + apoPMNs were also studied for their cytokine production (interferon (IFN)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-18) and toll like receptor (TLR) expression.\n\nResults:

Circulating pDCs from SLE patients had an increased ability to stimulate T cells when compared with control pDCs. Using allogenous T cells as responder cells, SLE pDCs induced T cell proliferation even in the absence of apoptotic PMNs. In addition, healthy pDCs + apoPMNs induced suppressive T regulatory cell features with increased Foxp3 expression selleck compound in CD4 + CD25 + cells while SLE pDCs + apoPMNs did not. There were differences in the cytokine profile of pDCs that had captured apoptotic PMNs between healthy subjects and patients with SLE. Healthy pDCs + apoPMNs showed decreased production of IL-6 but no significant changes in IL-10 and IL-18. These pDCs + apoPMNs also showed increased mRNA transcription of TLR9. On the other hand, while SLE pDCs + apoPMNs also had decreased IL-6, there was decreased IL-18 mRNA expression and persistent IL-10 protein synthesis. In addition, SLE pDCs lacked TLR9 recruitment.\n\nConclusions: We have demonstrated that peripheral circulating pDCs in patients with SLE were functionally abnormal. They lacked TLR9 expression, were less capable of inducing regulatory T cell differentiation and had persistent IL-10 mRNA expression following the capture of apoptotic PMNs. We suggest circulating pDCs may be pathogenically relevant in SLE.

Moreover, PMA-induced IL-1 beta production was significantly reduced

in the presence of TLR2, Alisertib Cell Cycle inhibitor TLR4, and CD11b Abs. Rottlerin, a PKC delta-specific inhibitor, significantly reduced PMA-induced IL-1 beta production as well as CD11b, TLR2 expression, and IRAK1-JNK activation. In PKC delta wild-type overexpressing THP1 cells, IRAK1 kinase activity and IL-1 beta production were significantly augmented, whereas recombinant inactive PKCd and PKCd small interfering RNA significantly inhibited basal and PMA-induced IRAK1 activation and IL-1 beta production. Endogenous PKC delta-IRAK1 interaction was observed in quiescent cells, and this interaction was regulated by PMA. IRAK1/4 inhibitors, their small interfering RNAs, and JNK inhibitor also attenuated PMA-induced A-1331852 IL-1 beta production. NF-kappa B activation inhibitor and SN50 peptide inhibitor, however, failed to affect PMA-induced IL-1 beta production. A similar role of IRAK1 in IL-1 beta production and its regulation by PKC delta was evident in the primary human monocytes, thus signifying the importance of our finding. To our knowledge, the results obtained demonstrate for the first time that IRAK1 and PKCd functionally interact to regulate IL-1 beta production in monocytic cells. A novel mechanism of IL-1 beta production that involves TLR2, CD11b,

and the PKC delta/IRAK1/JNK/AP-1 axis is thus being proposed. The Journal of Immunology, 2011, 187: 123 2632-2645.”
“Adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) is considered as a long-term complication of spinal fusion procedure. Numerous clinical studies have reported some factors related see more with ASD, but few could address the reason why the incidence of caudal ASD is significantly lower than that of cranial ASD. Because the pedicle of vertebral arch is closer to the superior endplate of vertebrea and its cranial intervertebral disc, there might be some possibilities of malpositions of pedicle probe or screws

into the superior vertebral endplate or disc during the procedure of posterior intervertebral fusion. A number of evidences have showed that puncture of intervertebral disc will result in disc degeneration. Thus the authors put forward the hypothesis that intraoperative malposition of pedicle probe or screws might be a cause of ASD at cranial segments. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose: In this study, we examined the clinical application of two training methods for optimizing reading ability in patients with juvenile macular dystrophy with established eccentric preferred retinal locus and optimal use of low-vision aids.\n\nMethod: This randomized study included 36 patients with juvenile macular dystrophy (35 with Stargardt’s disease and one with Best’s disease). All patients have been using individually optimized low-vision aids.

Between 2006 and

2008, varenicline use rates increased from 0.4% to 21.7% in the US, 0.0% to 14.8% in Canada, 0.0% to 14.5% in Australia, and 0.0% to 4.4% in the UK. In contrast, use of NRT and bupropion remained constant in each 123 country. Males and non-whites were significantly less likely to report using any SSM, while more educated smokers were significantly more likely to use any SSM, including varenicline. Our findings suggest that the introduction of varenicline led to an increase in the number of smokers who used evidence-based treatment during their quit attempts, rather than simply gaining market share at the expense of other medications. From a public health perspective, messages regarding increased success rates among medication users and the relative safety of stop smoking medications should be disseminated widely so as to reach all smokers of all socioeconomic classifications equally.”
“We Belnacasan datasheet investigated the role of intermolecular interactions as a thermodynamic driver of phase transition behavior in polymer solutions. Molecular simulations based on a Monte-Carlo sampling technique were used to directly evaluate the intermolecular energy between specific molecules. The thermal energy behavior of several polymer solutions was determined from

the simulation results. The degree of miscibility and types of liquid liquid equilibrium (LLE), including upper critical solution MK-0518 ic50 temperature (UCST) and lower critical

solution temperature (LCST) phase transition behavior, were studied qualitatively. A quantitative description based on a thermodynamic model was also applied to generate temperature composition Etomoxir chemical structure phase diagrams, and the simulated energy values were directly incorporated into the model. A modified double lattice (MDL) model with chain length dependence was adopted as a reference thermodynamic framework, and the calculated coexistence curves were fairly close to the phase transition boundary of reported experiments. The proposed modeling technique can serve as a screening tool that enables the development of stable formulations. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the abbreviated Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire (DAQ) with respect to component structure and concurrent validity. Method: The DAQ was administered to 2,960 adults participating in the Collaborative Studies on the Genetics of Alcohol. Rotated principal components analysis was conducted on 1,500 subjects with an alcohol-use disorder (AUD) and on 1,460 non-AUD subjects. Total DAQ scores were compared for these two subsamples. In addition, correlations were computed between DAQ scores and the following: (1) a sum of alcohol symptoms, and (2) endorsement of a single interview craving question.

We observed a unique developmental speech-language trajectory (including the RTT typical regression) affecting HM781-36B concentration all linguistic and socio-communicative sub-domains in the receptive as well as the expressive modality. Conclusion: Future research should take into consideration a potentially considerable discordance between formal and functional language use by interpreting communicative acts on a more cautionary note.”
“Synapses established during central nervous system development can be modified through synapse elimination and formation. These processes are, in part, activity dependent and require regulated trafficking of

post-synaptic components. Here, we investigate the activity-driven remodeling of cultured rat hippocampal neurons at 14 days in vitro, focusing on the post-synaptic

proteins PSD-95, Shank, neuroligin (NL)1 and actin. Using live imaging and photoconductive stimulation, Navitoclax we found that high-frequency activity altered the trajectory, but not velocity, of PSD-95-GFP and Shank-YFP clusters, whereas it reduced the speed and increased the number of NL1 clusters. Actin-CFP reorganized into puncta following activity and similar to 50% of new puncta colocalized with NL1 clusters. Actin reorganization was enhanced by the overexpression of NL1 and decreased by the expression of an NL1 mutant, NL1-R473C. These results demonstrate activity-dependent changes that may result in the formation of new post-synaptic sites and suggest that NL1 modulates actin reorganization. The results also suggest

that a common mechanism underlies both the developmental and activity-dependent remodeling of excitatory synapses.”
“Areca quid (AQ) chewing is a popular oral habit, especially in Southeast Asia cultures, in which children may be engaged in the addictive habit early in their lives. Extracts of areca nuts, the main component of AQ, have been shown to affect the functionality S3I-201 mouse of T-cells. However, the potential influence of ANE on the development of T-cells is unknown. This study, therefore, investigated the impact of areca nut extracts (ANE) on thymocytes and the potential mechanisms of action. Mice administered intraperitoneally with ANE at 1, 5, or 25 mg/kg daily for 5 days showed significant dose-dependent reductions in thymocyte viability. A marked decrease in the total number of thymocytes and the proportion of thymic CD4(+)CD8(+) cells was observed in the 25 mg ANE/kg-treated mice, whereas the proportion of CD4 and CD8 single positive and CD4(-)CD8(-) cells was significantly increased. Further examination on the functionality of thymocytes showed that ANE suppress IL-2 production both ex vivo and in vitro. These results suggest that ANE may attenuate the development and functionality of thymic T-cells. ANE also directly induced apoptosis in thymic T-cells through activation of casapase-3 and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF).

We compared the regulation of human FUT4 gene transcription in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) using promoter/luciferase analyses. Using a series of promoter deletion constructs, we identified a potential regulatory site located between 0.8 and 1.6kb of the FUT4 promoter. As shown by EMSA and ChIP analyses, heat-shock factor 1 (HSF1) and Sp1are required for FUT4 promoter activity. In addition, we explored the role of HSF1 and Sp1 on cell proliferation, and found that the ERK1/2 MAPK

and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways regulate the expression of FUT4, which play a role in cell proliferation via HSF1 and Sp1. These results suggest CCI-779 that FUT4 is a target gene for HSF1 and Sp1 that is required for cell cycle progression in breast cancer epithelial cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 168-178, 2014. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Runoff generation at the hillslope scale is an important component of the hydrological cycle. Recent work has shown that a common hillslope runoff response mechanism is driven by connectivity of saturated patches in the subsurface (via filling and spilling) to a threshold initiation of lateral flow at the hillslope base. Here, we show that directed percolation theory is able to represent this key runoff process including the details of dynamical flowpath development and filling and spilling processes at the soil-bedrock

interface. We then use the directed percolation model to investigate how changes in slope angle, soil depth, and subsurface microtopography influence stormflow response. We map selleck chemical the evolving subsurface flow network under different hillslope classes and compare PP2 in vivo them to the natural system response. Our results suggest that the natural system sheds water more efficiently than randomly generated systems providing some insights into key hydrogeomorphic controls on water shedding in the environment.

(C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Synthetic biology has developed numerous parts for building synthetic gene circuits. However, few parts have been described for prokaryotes to integrate two signals at a promoter in an AND fashion, i.e. the promoter is only activated in the presence of both signals. Here we present a new part for this function: a split intein T7 RNA polymerase. We divide T7 RNA polymerase into two expression domains and fuse each to a split intein. Only when both domains are expressed does the split intein mediate protein trans-splicing, yielding a full-length T7 RNA polymerase that can transcribe genes via a T7 promoter. We demonstrate an AND gate with the new part: the signal-to-background ratio is very high, resulting in an almost digital signal. This has utility for more complex circuits and so we construct a band-pass filter in Escherichia coli. The split intein approach should be widely applicable for engineering artificial gene circuit parts.

However,

outcomes are limited by a high rate of intimal hyperplasia (IH). HSV undergoes a series of ex vivo surgical manipulations prior to implantation, including hydrostatic distension, marking, and warm ischemia in solution. We investigated the impact of surgical preparation on HSV cellular function and development of IH in organ culture. We hypothesized that oxidative stress is a mediator of HSV dysfunction. Methods: HSV was collected from patients undergoing vascular bypass before and after surgical preparation. Smooth muscle and endothelial function were measured using a muscle bath. Endothelial preservation was assessed with immunohistochemical staining. An organ culture model was used to investigate the influence of surgical preparation injury on the development of IH. Superoxide levels were measured using a high-performance NVP-LDE225 ic50 liquid chromatography-based assay. The influence of oxidative stress on HSV physiologic responses was investigated by exposing HSV to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Results: Surgical vein graft

preparation resulted in smooth muscle and endothelial dysfunction, endothelial denudation, diminished endothelial nitric oxide synthase staining, development of increased IH, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Experimental induction of oxidative stress in unmanipulated HSV by treatment with H2O2 promoted endothelial dysfunction. Duration of storage time in solution did not contribute to smooth muscle or endothelial dysfunction.

Bioactive Compound Library solubility dmso Conclusions: Surgical vein graft preparation causes dysfunction of the smooth muscle and endothelium, endothelial denudation, reduced endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, and promotes IH in organ culture. Moreover, increased levels of reactive oxygen species are produced and may promote further vein graft dysfunction. These results argue for less injurious means of preparing HSV prior to autologous transplantation into the arterial circulation.”
“To classify the crystallization behavior of amorphous active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) exposed to aqueous environments. A set of approximately 50 chemically and Selleck Ricolinostat physically diverse active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) was selected for this study. Two experimental setups were employed to characterize the crystallization behavior of the amorphous API in an aqueous environment. For the first approach, precipitation, as evidenced by the development of turbidity, was induced using the solvent shift method, by mixing concentrated API solutions in DMSO with an aqueous buffer in a capillary. Subsequently, crystallization was monitored in situ over time using synchrotron radiation (simultaneous SAXS/WAXS beamline 12-ID-B at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratories, Argonne, IL). In the second approach, amorphous films were prepared by melt quenching; after adding buffer, crystallization was monitored with time using polarized light microscopy.

The simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of ATF with K. marxianus strains has potential for industrial application. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The nucleotide sequence of the ribC gene encoding the synthesis of bifunctional flavokinase/flavine adenine nucleotide (FAD) synthetase in Bacillus subtilis have been determined in a family of selleck screening library riboflavinconstitutive mutants. Two mutations have been found in the proximal region of the gene, which controls the transferase (FAD synthase) activity. Three point mutations and one double mutation have been found (in addition to the two mutations that were

detected earlier) in the distal region of the gene, which controls the flavokinase (flavin mononucleotide (FMN) synthase) activity. On the basis of all data known to date, it has been concluded that the identified mutations affect riboflavin and ATP binding sites. No mutations have been found in the PTAN conserved sequence, which forms the magnesium and ATP common binding site and is identical

for organisms of all organizational levels, from bacteria too humans.”
“The effects of prebiotics on digestibility, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations and bacterial populations in the faeces find more and immunity in dogs were evaluated by meta-analyses. Overall, data from 15 published studies containing 65 different treatment means of 418 observations from different breeds of dogs were included in the data set. Feeding of prebiotics to dogs did not affect the nutrient intake (P > 0.10), nor did prebiotics change (P > 0.10) the digestibility of dry matter (DM) and fat. However, crude protein (CP) digestibility tended to decrease quadratically (P = 0.06) with increasing dosages of prebiotics,

although the degree of prediction was low (R-2 = 0.33). The concentration of total SCFA (P = 0.08; R-2 = 0.90) tended to increase linearly, whereas concentration Blasticidin S ic50 of acetate (R-2 = 0.25), propionate (R-2 = 0.88) and butyrate (R-2 = 0.85) increased quadratically with increasing dosage of prebiotics in the faeces of dogs. The numbers of beneficial bifidobacteria (P < 0.01; R-2 = 0.62) increased quadratically, but lactobacilli (P < 0.01; R-2 = 0.66) increased linearly with increasing supplementation of prebiotics. The changes in healthy bacterial numbers were affected by the interaction of initial bacterial numbers and dose of prebiotics; bacterial numbers increased relatively more when initial bacterial numbers were low. Dietary composition did not influence the response of prebiotics on lactobacilli and bifidobacterial numbers in this study. The numbers of pathogenic Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli were not affected by prebiotics. Prebiotics did not affect the serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations such as IgG, IgA and IgM in dogs.

Since MAO-A metabolizes monoamines, this phenomenon may explain why acute stressors benefit healthy animals even though chronic stress is associated with illness.”
“The performance of a sulfidogenic bioreactor and the response of bacterial populations

to influent alkalinity changes were investigated. The bioreactor reached 40% of sulfate removal efficiency (SRE) with 0 mg l(-1) of alkalinity, and single-stranded conformation polymorphism profiles showed that some members of Bacteroides, Dysgonomonas, Sporobacter, Quinella, and Citrobacter became dominant populations. 16S rRNA gene library analysis indicated that the Actinobacteria https://www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD7762.html group increased from 0% in seed to 23% in sludge. An increase in alkalinity to 1300 mg l(-1) led to a rapid increase of SRE to 65% and changes in the bacterial community. Sequences representing Dysgonomonas, Raoultella, Kluyvera, and Phascolarctobacterium were now found. When alkalinity was deceased

to 0 mg l(-1), SRE dropped and the bands representing Raoultella. Kluyvera, and Phascolarctobacterium disappeared, while bands representing see more Clostridium appeared. A second cycle of low/high alkalinity did not result in obvious changes to the bacterial community. These results indicate that the sulfidogenic bioreactor favored higher influent alkalinity and that the different functional microbial populations responded well to the alkalinity changes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: A national multimedia campaign was launched in January 2010, to increase the proportion of young people tested for chlamydia. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the campaign on the coverage and positivity within

the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NSCP) in England.\n\nMethod: An interrupted time series of anonymised NCSP testing reports for England for a 27 month period https://www.selleckchem.com/products/ly2606368.html (1st April 2008 to 30th June 2010) was analysed. Reports were assigned to a pre-campaign, campaign and post campaign phase according to the test date. Exclusion criteria included tests for clinical reasons, contacts of known cases, and tests returned from prisons or military services.\n\nNegative binomial and logistic regression modelling was used to provide an estimate for the change in coverage and positivity, during, and after the campaign and estimates were adjusted for secular and cyclical trends.\n\nResults: Adjusting for cyclical and secular trends, there was no change in the overall testing coverage either during (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.72-1.14) or after (RR: 0.88; 95%CI: 0.69-1.11) the campaign. The coverage varied amongst different socio-demographic groups, testing of men increased during the campaign phase while testing of people of black and other ethnic groups fell in this phase. The positivity rate was increased during the campaign (OR: 1.18; 95% CI 1.13-1.

\n\nConclusion: A

prominent middle limiting membrane sign is a useful indicator of acute ischemic retinal damage, especially in cases showing subtle or resolved retinal opacities before the onset of atrophic AEB071 changes.”
“Introduction: Appropriate antisepsis of the chest skin is key for successful prophylaxis against incisional surgical site infections in cardiac surgery.\n\nAim of the study: Comparative analysis of the antiseptic effectiveness of two commercially available agents.\n\nMaterial and methods: The study involved 91 consecutive patients at the mean age of 66.2 +/- 9.9 years who underwent elective cardiac surgery. In order to disinfect the chest skin, chlorhexidine (Hibitan) in 70% ethanol was Momelotinib solubility dmso used in group H (n = 46) and povidone-iodine (Braunoderm) in 50% propanol was used in group B (n = 45). The primary clinical endpoint was the occurrence of incisional surgical site infection (either deep or superficial) within the first 30 days after the elective surgery. Moreover, leukocyte counts (WBC) as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days after the operation. Additionally, peak values of the aforementioned laboratory parameters (WBCmax, CRPmax and PCTmax) were also estimated in the consecutive measurements.\n\nResults:

The primary study endpoint was reached by 4 (8.9%) group B and 2 (4.3%) group H patients. In a single case from group B, a deep surgical site infection affecting the sternum was revealed. The values of all hematological parameters increased markedly after the surgery and were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in group B as compared to group H (WBCmax 15.2 +/- 2.9 vs. 14.1 +/- 2.4; CRPmax 190.4 +/- 41.0 vs. 112.7 =/- 35.2 mg/l and PCTmax 1.92 +/- 0.81 vs. 0.95 +/- 0.34 mu g/l, in groups B and H, respectively).\n\nConclusions: Our findings may indicate that chlorhexidine in 70%

ethanol is a more effective surgical site antiseptic agent in cardiac surgery as compared see more to povidone-iodine in 50% propanol.”
“Microgeographic adaptation occurs when populations evolve divergent fitness advantages across the spatial scales at which focal organisms regularly disperse. Although an increasing number of studies find evidence for microgeographic adaptation, the underlying causes often remain unknown. Adaptive divergence requires some combination of limited gene flow and strong divergent natural selection among populations. In this study, we estimated the relative influence of selection, gene flow, and the spatial arrangement of populations in shaping patterns of adaptive divergence in natural populations of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). Within the study region, A.