Background: Seasonal differences in step counts have been observed in a limited number of studies conducted on US adults. Due to the diverse global climate, assessment and interpretation of seasonal patterns in ambulatory activity may vary between countries, and regionally specific studies are necessary to understand global patterns. Currently, no studies have assessed whether a seasonal trend ...

This study aimed at describing daily and seasonal variation in the activity of a population of South-American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) in a savanna like habitat (Cerrado) in Southeastern Brazil. Seasonal and daily activities of snakes were evaluated by the number of captures of snakes during road surveys, accidental encounters, and relocations by radio-tracking. Our results show that cl...

Colorado became the first state to make laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations a case-based reportable condition in 2004. We summarized surveillance for influenza hospitalizations in Colorado during the first 4 recorded influenza seasons (2004-2008). We highlight the similarities and differences among influenza seasons; no 2 seasons were entirely the same. The 2005-06 influe...

the aim of this study was to provide preliminary quantitative information on selenium and iodine statusof sheep in markazi province, iran. selenium and iodine status of grazing sheep were measured for 57different flocks in 14 regions over one year. the districts were selected to represent major sheep growingareas in the province. blood samples were collected from 2 to 3-year-old ewes during sum...

BACKGROUND Some breeds of sheep are highly seasonal in terms of reproductive capability, and these changes are regulated by photoperiod and melatonin secretion. These changes affect the reproductive performance of rams, impairing semen quality and modifying hormonal profiles. Also, the antioxidant defence systems seem to be modulated by melatonin secretion, and shows seasonal variations. The ai...

malaria has recently been resurged in some parts of iran which is bordered with armenia, naxcivan and turkey. an attempt was made to asses the current status of insecticide resistance in the main malaria vector , an.sacharovi. adult engorged mosquitoes were collected from dwellings during the seasonal activity of the vector, which is synchronized in summer 2001. mosquitoes were subjected to the...

the adrenal gland of notopterus notopterus (pallas) consisted of interrenal and chromaffin cells, distributed around the main branches of posterior cardinal vein in most anterior part of the pronephric kidney. seasonal histological characteristics of the interrenal and chromaffin cells in relation to testicular activity of n. notopterus were studied by adopting different staining techniques. th...

BACKGROUND Empirical tests that link temperature-mediated changes in behaviour (activity and resource selection) to individual fitness or condition are currently lacking for endotherms yet may be critical to understanding the effect of climate change on population dynamics. Moose (Alces alces) are thought to suffer from heat stress in all seasons so provide a good biological model to test wheth...