The nuclear SSU and ITS regions

The nuclear SSU and ITS regions Maraviroc were amplified using the primers EAF3 and ITS055R, and sequenced using additional internal primers, such as 528F, 920F, EBR, 920R, 536R (Marin et al. 2003), a and b from Coleman et al.

(1994). Plastidal psaA was amplified and sequenced using the primers psaA130F and psaA970R (Yoon et al. 2002). The mitochondrial cox1 was amplified using the primer pair GazF2 and GazR2 (Saunders 2005). To amplify and sequence desmarestialean rbcL, we designed the specific primers rbcL77F (5′-TGG GNT AYT GGG ATG CTG A-3′) and rbcL1471R (5′-ATS AGG TGT ATC TGT TGA TGT-3′). PCR amplification was performed in a total volume of 50 μL, containing 0.5 units · μL−1of Taq DNA Polymerase, 1 ×  Qiagen PCR Buffer, 1.5 mM MgCl2, and 200 μM of each dNTP, 1 μM of each primer (except for cox1, for which 300 nM of each primer were used), and 1–10 ng of template DNA. PCR of the SSU-ITS region was carried out with an initial denaturation at 95°C for 3 min, followed by 30 cycles of amplification (denaturation at 95°C for 1 min, annealing at 50°C for 2 min and extension at 68°C for 3 min) with a final extension step at 72°C

for 5 min. PCR of cox1 was performed as follows: initial denaturation at 94°C for 5 min followed by 35 cycles of denaturation at 94°C for 1 min, annealing at 50°C for 1 min, and extension at 72°C for 1 min with one final extension at 72°C for 5 min. Amplified DNA was purified with the QIAquick™ Ceritinib mouse PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen) and sent to commercial sequencing at the NERC Biomolecular Analytics Facility in Edinburgh. Electropherogram

outputs for each were edited using the selleck inhibitor Chromas v.1.45 (http://www.technelysium.com.au/chromas.html). Assembled sequences of nuclear SSU and ITS were aligned using ClustalW implemented in SeaView v.4.3.3 (Gouy et al. 2012; http://pbil.univ-lyon1.fr/software/seaview.html) then refined by eye with Se-Al™ v2.0a11 (Sequencing Alignment Editor Version 2.0 alpha 11; http://tree.bio.ed.ac.uk/software/seal/). The plastid and mitochondrial protein coding genes were aligned manually with Se-Al™ based on inferred amino acid sequences. Two data sets were used for phylogenetic analyses. First, in the DNA data set (a total of 5,138 bp; c5dna data), we combined all DNA alignments of psaA (675 bp), rbcL (1,257 bp), cox1 (655 bp), SSU (1,720 bp), and ITS (831 bp). Second, in the protein + DNA mixed data set (3,413 characters; c5mix data), translated psaA (225 aa), rbcL (389 aa), and cox1 (218 aa) were combined with SSU and ITS DNA sequences to avoid possible artifacts of phylogenetic calculations such as homoplasy at the third codon position. We used an independent evolution model for each partition (five individual genes) to minimize the effect on phylogeny of heterogeneity among genes.

Indeed, we detected a strong effect of age at infection on rate o

Indeed, we detected a strong effect of age at infection on rate of disease progression, namely a 2.8% increase in the speed of disease progression for each additional year. This significant effect is manifested by the fact that

patients infected perinatally have very slow progression of liver fibrosis. For those patients, mean progression is 0.049 FPR units, corresponding approximately to an increase of 2 Ishak selleck kinase inhibitor points in 40 years, similarly to other reports.25, 26 Additionally, male gender and HCV genotype 3 resulted in being significantly associated with fast progression, compared to female gender and HCV genotype 1, respectively. Although there is general agreement on the faster disease observed in males, the role of HCV genotype has remained controversial for a long time. According NVP-BKM120 to our data, patients with HCV genotype 3 have a faster disease progression, confirming other recent

studies.3, 4 However, whether this association is directly mediated by the virus through the increased steatosis observed in patients with HCV genotype 3 or is a consequence of other external factors is still debated.27, 28 In our models, we included an interaction term between viral genotype and steatosis to account for the reasonable different influence of steatosis according to HCV genotype. Indeed, correcting for steatosis, we still detected an effect for the HCV 3 genotype, suggesting that the faster fibrosis progression observed in genotype 3 patients appears to be not see more completely explained by the presence of steatosis. Because patients with HCV genotype 3 infection acquired the virus, in most cases, during drug abuse in the 1970s-1980s, the confounding role of past

alcohol use/abuse, even for a limited time period, cannot be completely ruled out as a relevant factor. Although, in our study, we did exclude patients reporting significant alcohol use in the past (>20g/day), we cannot completely rule out that our patients underreported alcohol consumption, especially if limited in time. Interestingly, viral genotype 2 was more weakly, but significantly, associated with a slower progression of liver fibrotic disease in our cohort. The same observation was described in a landmark article, where Poynard et al.14 reported that patients infected with genotype 2 had a slower rate of fibrosis progression relative to genotypes 1a or 1b, although the differences were not significant, presumably owing to the small number of patients with available genotypes. To confirm the results of our analyses, in spite of the limitation of the model assumptions, we also used a Cox proportional-hazard regression to directly estimate the hazard of developing advanced fibrosis as a function of host and external factors. This analysis conveniently outputs the effect of the variables on the hazard, providing useful insight on the natural history of HCV infection.

Indeed, we detected a strong effect of age at infection on rate o

Indeed, we detected a strong effect of age at infection on rate of disease progression, namely a 2.8% increase in the speed of disease progression for each additional year. This significant effect is manifested by the fact that

patients infected perinatally have very slow progression of liver fibrosis. For those patients, mean progression is 0.049 FPR units, corresponding approximately to an increase of 2 Ishak selleck compound points in 40 years, similarly to other reports.25, 26 Additionally, male gender and HCV genotype 3 resulted in being significantly associated with fast progression, compared to female gender and HCV genotype 1, respectively. Although there is general agreement on the faster disease observed in males, the role of HCV genotype has remained controversial for a long time. According Ponatinib nmr to our data, patients with HCV genotype 3 have a faster disease progression, confirming other recent

studies.3, 4 However, whether this association is directly mediated by the virus through the increased steatosis observed in patients with HCV genotype 3 or is a consequence of other external factors is still debated.27, 28 In our models, we included an interaction term between viral genotype and steatosis to account for the reasonable different influence of steatosis according to HCV genotype. Indeed, correcting for steatosis, we still detected an effect for the HCV 3 genotype, suggesting that the faster fibrosis progression observed in genotype 3 patients appears to be not learn more completely explained by the presence of steatosis. Because patients with HCV genotype 3 infection acquired the virus, in most cases, during drug abuse in the 1970s-1980s, the confounding role of past

alcohol use/abuse, even for a limited time period, cannot be completely ruled out as a relevant factor. Although, in our study, we did exclude patients reporting significant alcohol use in the past (>20g/day), we cannot completely rule out that our patients underreported alcohol consumption, especially if limited in time. Interestingly, viral genotype 2 was more weakly, but significantly, associated with a slower progression of liver fibrotic disease in our cohort. The same observation was described in a landmark article, where Poynard et al.14 reported that patients infected with genotype 2 had a slower rate of fibrosis progression relative to genotypes 1a or 1b, although the differences were not significant, presumably owing to the small number of patients with available genotypes. To confirm the results of our analyses, in spite of the limitation of the model assumptions, we also used a Cox proportional-hazard regression to directly estimate the hazard of developing advanced fibrosis as a function of host and external factors. This analysis conveniently outputs the effect of the variables on the hazard, providing useful insight on the natural history of HCV infection.

For example, in Italy in 2011 and 2012, unconfirmed, definite and

For example, in Italy in 2011 and 2012, unconfirmed, definite and suspected cases of vCJD in blood donors

led to the recall of possibly contaminated batches of plasma and plasma products. Recalls such as these, although necessary PD0325901 to ensure the safety of pdCFCs, can also often result in product shortages, delays in supply and compulsory switching to alternative products [76]. In the 1980s, the increased demand for clotting factor concentrates, combined with concerns over the safety of pdCFCs, led to the development of recombinant clotting factor concentrates (recombinant CFCs) [92, 93]. The manufacturing and purification processes involved are designed to reduce the risk of viral PF-02341066 in vitro contamination [94-96]. There is a theoretical risk from reagents used in the manufacturing process, such as the cell culture media and growth factors, but

the most modern recombinant products do not contain exogenous animal or human components [94]. There is no evidence to date of any pathogen transmission by recombinant factor concentrates [76]. Since the late 1980s, the use of recombinant products has progressively increased, and in some European countries, recombinant products have almost completely replaced pdCFCs [97]. However, pdCFCs are still widely used, especially in many developing countries (Fig. 6) [98]. As both plasma-derived and recombinant CFCs demonstrate similar efficacy profiles, the decision of which type of coagulation factor to use is driven primarily by product safety and cost factors. selleck kinase inhibitor Cost-benefit analyses can be helpful to determine the best course of treatment in specific circumstances [89] and it is important to balance the risks and costs of plasma-derived vs. recombinant CFCs over both the short and the long term. A long-term strategy should consider the potential risks and costs associated with the transmission of viruses that may increase the prevalence of chronic conditions such as cancer and inflammatory diseases. The potential risk presented by emerging pathogens is

unpredictable and evolving. Emerging pathogens cause particular concern when there is a long asymptomatic period after infection, permitting the widespread propagation of the agent via asymptomatic carriers. In most of these cases, a clear correlation between the blood-transmitted pathogen and the disease cannot be established. For example, vCJD can have an incubation period of over 10 years, and there is no available, validated, simple, presymptomatic screening test [91]. This combination of factors makes it difficult to estimate the current prevalence of vCJD in the donor or haemophilia population. Due to increasing demands for replacement CFCs in cost-restrained environments, pdCFCs are likely to continue to be needed throughout the world.

Genetic ablation of Them1 in mice decreases hepatic FFA concentra

Genetic ablation of Them1 in mice decreases hepatic FFA concentrations and improves glucose tolerance in high fat fed mice, putatively

by reducing endoplasmic reticulum Ibrutinib mouse stress. However, because Them1-deficient mice also exhibit increased energy expenditure and resistance to diet-induced obesity, the contribution of Them1 expression in liver to NAFLD remains unclear. Aim: This study was designed to assess the specific contribution of hepatic Them1 expression to glucose metabolism in high fat fed mice. Methods: We designed conditional Them1 transgenic (c-Them1Tg) mice with Cre recombinase-dependent Them1 overexpression. Liver-specific Them1 transgenic (L-Them1Tg) mice were generated by infection with Cre recombinant adenovirus in c-Them1Tg mice. Control mice were infected with GFP recombinant adenovirus. Hepatic Them1 expression was assessed by immunoblot analysis. Mice were fed high fat (60% of kcal) diet for 2 w. Body composition was determined by magnetic resonance

spectroscopy. For tolerance tests (n=5 mice/group) to insulin (ITT), pyruvate (PTT) or glucose (GTT), ABT-888 price plasma glucose concentrations were determined in fasting mice and then periodically up to 90 min after i.p. injection of insulin (1 U/kg bw), pyruvate (2 mg/g bw) or glucose (1 mg/g bw) respectively. Mice were maintained on the high fat diet and allowed to recover for 7 days between each test. Results: L-Them1Tg mice exhibited a 3.4-fold increase

in the hepatic expression of Them1 compared with c-Them1Tg control. Total body weights, fat and lean masses of L-Them1Tg were similar to c-Them1Tg control mice, as were fasting plasma glucose concentrations. Indicative of decreased clearance rate of exogenous glucose, plasma glucose concentrations in L-Them1Tg mice were higher at each time point during selleck the GTT and the area under the curve was increased by 43% (c-Them1Tg, 16,532±1377, L-Them1Tg, 23,610±883; P=0.0025). By contrast, there were no differences in the ITT, which reflects whole body insulin sensitivity, or in the PTT, which estimates hepatic glucose production. Conclusion: Without altering body composition, liver-specific Them1 overexpression promotes glucose intolerance in high fat fed mice. These findings suggest a primary contribution of hepatic Them1 to the pathogenesis of NAFLD that is distinct from its function in suppressing energy expenditure. Disclosures: David E. Cohen – Advisory Committees or Review Panels: Merck, Genzyme; Consulting: Novartis, Aegerion, Dignity Sciences, Intercept; Speaking and Teaching: Merck The following people have nothing to disclose: Cafer Ozdemir Saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic acid (PA), play a key role in lipotoxicity and the pathogenesis of NASH. Sustained JNK activation is a key mechanism of lipotoxicity. Little is known about how JNK mediates the lethal lipotoxic effect of PA in hepatocytes.

This will most likely enhance their outcomes, while ensuring we d

This will most likely enhance their outcomes, while ensuring we do not develop an overly heavy

“top-down” approach, exposing many patients who have an otherwise good prognosis to potentially hazardous immunosuppression. This is a particular problem in many areas of Asia, where there is a high prevalence of infections, such as tuberculosis. Yoon et al.1 report an inverse, statistically-significant relationship between the Mayo score at baseline and the likelihood of a good response to steroid therapy, such that those with a higher baseline score are more likely to do poorly. However, when one examines the data in greater detail (figure 2 in their manuscript), one can appreciate that the separation of Mayo scores between those with good versus poor TSA HDAC supplier outcomes is not great, and in their tables 2 and 3, one sees considerable overlap in actual scores for Ponatinib concentration individual patients. From this, we can deduce that worse disease at baseline is a poor prognostic factor, but that it is a relatively blunt tool for individual prediction. Of note, this Korean cohort appears overall to have relatively mild disease as assessed by C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hemoglobin and albumin measures, and the fact that only 62% of their patients were admitted to hospital during their course of steroids. The concept that more severe disease is a poor prognostic

factor is more precisely documented at the most severe end of the UC spectrum, when patients are admitted with acute severe colitis.3 Yet even here, we do not have the precision we seek in terms of prediction. There is some hope that genetics might be able to offer some assistance in the future in terms of assigning selleck products an early warning for patients who are at higher risk of severe disease. This approach is appealing, as genes have the potential to be assessed at diagnosis, before waiting for treatment outcomes. To date, one study has recently published an single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based risk profile for identifying refractory UC.4 Haritunians et al. used a gene-wide association study approach in a North

American cohort of 861 UC patients to develop a 46-SNP scoring system for colectomy risk. They reported a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 86%. There is hope that greater knowledge here will eventually allow a personalized, pharmacogenetic approach, with patients being first started on the therapy most likely to benefit them. Unfortunately, this is not yet available, although many potentially interesting loci are under current investigation. What we can predict from the current data, however, is that we do not need to wait longer than 1 month in non-responders having a first course of corticosteroids. In the study by Yoon et al., none of these 19 patients demonstrated a prolonged response at 1 year.


“Background: Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen respo


“Background: Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen responsible for serious diseases including peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The recommended triple therapy included clarithromycin but increasing resistance has undermined its effectiveness. It is therefore important to be aware of the local prevalence of antimicrobial resistance to adjust treatment strategy. Materials and Methods:  Overall, 530 biopsies were collected between 2004 and 2007. The antimicrobial susceptibility of H. pylori was determined by E-test and molecular methods. Results:  Among these, 138/530 (26%) strains were resistant to clarithromycin, 324/530 (61%) to metronidazole and 70/530 (13.2%) to ciprofloxacin. Whereas no resistance

against amoxicillin and tetracycline was observed, only buy Ivacaftor one strain was resistant to rifampicin. Autophagy activity inhibition Compared to the patients never treated for H. pylori infection, the prevalence of resistance was significantly higher in patients previously treated (19.1% vs 68% for clarithromycin; 13.2% vs 53.3% for both clarithromycin and metronidazole). The trend analysis revealed

an increase of primary resistance to ciprofloxacin between 2004 and 2005 (7.3%) vs 2006–2007 (14.1%) (p = .04) and the secondary resistance reached 22.7% in 2007. Interestingly, 27 biopsies (19.6%) contained a double population of clarithromycin-susceptible and -resistant strains. Conclusions:  The reported high prevalence of clarithromycin and multiple resistances of click here H. pylori suggest that the empiric therapy with clarithromycin should be abandoned as no longer pretreatment susceptibility testing has assessed the susceptibility of the strain. As culture and antibiogram

are not routinely performable in most clinical laboratories, the use of molecular test should be developed to allow a wide availability of pretreatment susceptibility testing. “
“The greatest challenge in Helicobacter pylori–related diseases continues to remain prevention of gastric cancer. New evidence supports the beneficial effect of H. pylori eradication not only on prevention of gastric cancer but also on the regression of preneoplastic conditions of the gastric mucosa. Concerning early detection of gastric cancer there are still no adequate means and there is urgent need to define appropriate markers, for example, by genome-wide research approaches. Currently, the best available method is the “serologic” biopsy based on pepsinogen I and the pepsinogen I/II ratio for identification of patients with severe gastric atrophy at increased risk for gastric cancer development. The treatment of early gastric cancer by endoscopic techniques can be performed safely and efficiently, but patients need meticulous follow-up for detection of metachronous lesions. In case of advanced disease, laparoscopically assisted surgical procedures are safe and favorable compared to open surgery. Two phase III trials support the role of adjuvant systemic treatment with different regimens.

Participating HIGS investigators and centres in order of contribu

Participating HIGS investigators and centres in order of contribution: Liesner, Raina, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK; Windyga, Jerzy, and Klukowska, Anna, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Warsaw, Poland; Kavakli, Kaan, Ege University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey; Santagostino, Elena, and Mancuso,

Maria Elisa, Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Milan, Italy; DiMichele, Donna, and Giardina, Patricia, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA; Rivard, Georges, Hôpital Ste-Justine, Montreal, Canada; Oldenburg, Johannes, University Clinic Bonn, Bonn, Germany; van den Berg, Marijke, and Schutgens, R., University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Ewing, Nadia, City of Hope National Medical PD-0332991 concentration Center, Duarte, USA; Astermark, Jan, Centre for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Lund University, Skåne University BTK activity inhibition Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden; Mäkipernaa, Anne, Clinical Research Institute Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Schwyzer, Rosemary, Johannesburg Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa; Shapiro, Amy, Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Indianapolis, USA; Altisent, Carmen, Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; Peréz Bianco, Raúl, Academia Nacional de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Ducore, Jonathan, University of California, Davis, Sacramento,

USA; Leissinger, Cindy, Louisiana Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA; Ruiz-Sáez, Arlette, Centro Nacional de Hemofilia, Caracas, Venezuela; Collins, Peter, Arthur Bloom Haemophilia Center, Cardiff, Wales; Monahan, Paul, UNC Comprehensive Hemophilia Center, Chapel Hill, USA; Peters, Marjolein, Academisch Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Valentino, Leonard, Rush University

Medical Center, Chicago, USA; Alvárez, Mayte, and Jíminez-Yuste, Victor, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Chalmers, Elizabeth, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, Scotland; Jurgutis, Romualdas, Klaipėdos find more Jūrininkų Ligonine, Klaipėda, Lithuania; Kouides, Peter, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, USA; Pollman, Hartmut, Hemophilia Center and Institute for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Münster, Germany; Thornburg, Courtney, Duke University, Durham, USA; Huang, James, University of California, San Francisco, USA; Male, Christoph, Medizinische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria; Önundarson, Páll, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland; Solano, María Helena, Hospital San Jose, Bogota, Colombia; Cnossen, M.H., Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Escobar, Miguel, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA; Gomperts, Edward, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA; Iyer, Rathi, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA; Makris, Michael, Sheffield Haemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK; Rangarajan, Savita, Guy’s and St.

There were 43 cases of tubular adenoma,

35 cases of tubul

There were 43 cases of tubular adenoma,

35 cases of tubular villous adenoma and villous adenoma, 34 cases of low-level intraepithelial neoplasia and 8 cases of high-level intraepithelial neoplasia. Selected 10 cases of colon cancer and 10 cases of colon normal tissue as control groups. Immunohistochemical methods(S-P) were used to detect the expression of Cox-2 and p53 protein in CRA. Analysed the relationship of expression level of Cox-2 and p53 and CRA recurrence. Results: The high expression rate of Cox-2 in CRA was 51.9%(56/108), and high expression rate of p53 in CRA was 21.3%(23/108). High Cox-2 expression rate in tubular villous Selleck Forskolin adenomas and villous adenomas was significantly higher than tubular adenomas (P < 0.05). High p53 expression rate in adenomas with high-level intraepithelial neoplasia was significantly higher than adenomas with low-level intraepithelial CB-839 molecular weight neoplasia (P < 0.05). High Cox-2 expression

rate in deep stroma of CRA recurrence higher than no recurrence (49.0% VS 28.8%, P < 0.05)Cox-2 proteins expression was positively correlated with p53 in CRA (r = 0.454, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The high expression rate of Cox-2 in CRA is high. The expression rate of Cox-2 is related to the villous structure in CRA. The high expression of p53 in CRA is low. The expression rate of p53 is associated with the hyperplasia degree of CRA. The expression of Cox-2 and p53 in selleck chemicals CRA are relevant. High Cox-2 expression rate in deep stroma of CRA may been the high risk factor in the prediction of colorectal adenoma recurrence. Key Word(s): 1. Colorectal neoplasms; 2. Neoplasm recurrence; 3. COX-2; 4. p53; Presenting Author: YE ZONG Additional Authors: DONGYONG WU, ZHENGYONG YU, TIANSHU ZHANG Corresponding Author: YE ZONG Affiliations: Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital University of Medical Sciences Objective: Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare disease characterized by the presence of diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis, chronic diarrhea, and atrophy of the figernails, cutaneous hyperpigmentation, weight loss and abdominal pain. The etiology of CCS is currently

unknown. Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is generally accepted as being a benign disorder. The question of whether polyps in CCS patients possess malignant potential is controversial. Methods: We report a case of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome, which we found the physical stress was related to CCS and the malignant transformation occurred in Cronkhite-Canada syndrome polyp. Results: 55-year-old Chinese man was first admitted to our hospital with a 3-month history of frequent watery diarrhea (10–15 times per day), loss of taste, and a weight loss of 10 kg in August, 2010. His left heel bone fracture happened half of one month prior to his diarrhea. Oral administration of prednisone was initiated at a daily dose of 20 mg.

S31) Moreover, the decline

in annual survival rate afte

S3.1). Moreover, the decline

in annual survival rate after 2004 in the year model was not statistically significant, though in the age model, decline after age 17 was. In males, however, the year model produced a better fit to data than the age model (Fig. S3.2). Nevertheless, the survival-year model added information, because it revealed fluctuations in young selleck products animals not evident in the age model (Appendix S3). Survival was high in 1986, low in 1987, then increased until 1989 before settling on a long plateau (Fig. S3.3). The 1986–1986 variation was a cohort effect: first-year survival was high for the 1985 cohort relative to the 1986 and 1987 cohorts in both males and females. The cohort difference, however, did not persist in older

animals (Fig. S3.1, Fig. S3.2). The age model produced an intermediate estimate for first-year survival, averaging the three cohorts. Annual survival of adult females was high from age BMS-777607 ic50 5 to 16, averaging 86%/yr, but then declined abruptly. This is a higher rate and a longer duration of prime survival than we expected and the first evidence for senescence in survival rates of northern elephant seals. Our earlier work did not detect the decline in female survival because there were no data on females older than 15 yr (Le Boeuf and Reiter 1988, Reiter and Le Boeuf 1991). Schwarz et al. (2012) found limited power in estimating survival beyond age 15 due to the small number of animals retaining tags. Average male survival was <72%/yr at all ages and lower than female survival after age 3, as reported in earlier studies (Clinton and Le Boeuf 1993). Neither our find more current analysis nor the earlier work detected senescence in male survival, but high mortality throughout life meant few males were still living at age 12 when senescence would be most likely. On the other hand, our earlier study did detect declining competitive ability in males past age 12 (Clinton and Le Boeuf 1993). Juvenile survivorship in the current study was 31% from weaning to

age 3 and similar in the two sexes, a rate close to the average reported across several previous cohorts (Le Boeuf and Reiter 1988, Le Boeuf et al. 1994). This average masked variation, however, and low survival in 1986–1987 may have been due to poor foraging conditions associated with an El Niño event (Trenberth and Stepaniak 2001, Crocker et al. 2006). Our earlier study of juvenile survival also described substantial year-to-year fluctuations (Le Boeuf et al. 1994). These rates of survivorship, though, began at weaning and omit pup mortality, and 10% of pups in the Año Nuevo mainland colony died before weaning in 1985–1987 (Le Boeuf et al. 2011). In population modeling, the relevant rate of juvenile survivorship (from birth) was thus 28%, not 31%. Dispersal of branded animals to nearby colonies—“prospecting” for alternative breeding sites—also confirms earlier observations (Le Boeuf et al. 1974, 2011).