Local avian density influences risk of mortality from window strikes

Up to a billion birds die per year in North America as a result of striking windows. Both transparent and reflective glass panes are a cause for concern, misleading birds by either acting as invisible, impenetrable barriers to desired resources, or reflecting those resources over a large surface area. A high number of window strikes occur during migration, but little is known about the factors of susceptibility, or whether particular avian taxa are more vulnerable than others. We report on a study of window strikes and mist-netting data at the Virginia Zoological Park (Norfolk, Virginia, USA), conducted in the autumn of 2013 and 2014. We focused on three factors likely to contribute to an individual’s predisposition to collide with windows: (i) taxonomic classification, (ii) age, and (iii) migrant vs. resident status. Thrushes, dominated by the partial migrant American Robin (Turdus migratorius), were significantly less likely to strike glass than be sampled in mist nets (χ2= 9.21, p = 0.002), while wood-warblers (Parulidae) were more likely to strike than expected (χ2= 13.55, p < 0.001). The proportion of juveniles striking windows (45.4%) was not significantly different (χ2= 0.05, p = 0.827) than the population of juvenile birds naturally occurring at the zoo (48.8%). Migrants, however, were significantly more susceptible to window strikes than residents (χ2= 6.35, p = 0.012). Our results suggest that resident birds are able to learn to avoid and thus reduce their likelihood of striking windows; this intrinsic risk factor may help explain the apparent susceptibility of certain taxa to window strikes.

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A successfully breeding, partially leucistic American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v133i4.2141 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 133 (4) ◽

pp. 301-304

Author(s):

Nina M. Zitani ◽

Leanne A. Grieves ◽

R. Greg Thorn

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Mate Choice ◽

Assortative Mating ◽

Turdus Migratorius ◽

American Robin ◽

Breeding Seasons

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is the most abundant and broadly distributed thrush in North America. Both sexes likely engage in mate choice, and there is some evidence of assortative mating based on breast colour in this species. Over two breeding seasons, we documented a case of partial leucism, primarily of the breast feathers, in a male American Robin in London, Ontario, Canada. We report evidence that the leucistic robin was capable of successful breeding. How the fitness of leucistic versus normal robins compares and how leucism influences mate choice in this and other species remain to be explored.

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Mendelian randomisation for psychiatry: how does it work, and what can it tell us?

Molecular Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41380-021-01173-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Robyn E. Wootton ◽

Hannah J. Jones ◽

Hannah M. Sallis

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Low Cost ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Mendelian Randomisation ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Complementary Approach ◽

Randomised Control Trials ◽

Successful Prevention

AbstractThe successful prevention of mental illness relies upon the identification of causal, modifiable risk factors. However, observational evidence exploring such risk factors often produces contradictory results and randomised control trials are often expensive, time-consuming or unethical to conduct. Mendelian randomisation (MR) is a complementary approach that uses naturally occurring genetic variation to identify possible causal effects between a risk factor and an outcome in a time-efficient and low-cost manner. MR utilises genetic variants as instrumental variables for the risk factor of interest. MR studies are becoming more frequent in the field of psychiatry, warranting a reflection upon both the possibilities and the pitfalls. In this Perspective, we consider several limitations of the MR method that are of particular relevance to psychiatry. We also present new MR methods that have exciting applications to questions of mental illness. While we believe that MR can make an important contribution to the field of psychiatry, we also wish to emphasise the importance of clear causal questions, thorough sensitivity analyses, and triangulation with other forms of evidence.

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Uterus-sparing myomectomy for idiopathic uterine pyomyoma in a young woman: A case report

Aegean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.46328/aejog.v2i2.43 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 19-22

Author(s):

Ugur Sen ◽

Tuğba Karadeniz ◽

Emrah Beyan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Uterine Fibroids ◽

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy ◽

Abdominal Hysterectomy ◽

Proper Treatment ◽

Imaging Findings ◽

Cervical Stenosis ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

History Of

Pyomyoma, or suppurative leiomyoma, is a rare but serious complication of uterine fibroids. The mechanism of pyomyoma is an infection caused by microorganisms coming from ascending or hematogenously on the ground of necrosis following ischemia and infarction. It can be seen during the course of pregnancy or after abortion and birth. It can also develop after uterine instrumentation or due to cervical stenosis. Patients often present with pain and fever. It should be considered in cases had no other etiology of fever and had a history of uterine fibroids. Diagnosis and treatment are often delayed due to non-specific presentation and imaging findings. This delay increases the risk of mortality and morbidity such as fertility loss. In the vast majority of these cases, total abdominal hysterectomy is required. The case we presented is a premenopausal and sexually inactive woman without any history of pregnancy or uterine instrumentation or immunocompromised. This patient is the 5th case of pyomyoma without risk factor and the 3rd case that was successfully treated with myomectomy. Knowing the proper treatment of pyomyoma will be beneficial to prevent potential mortality and morbidity.

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