We thank Roche Diagnostics Ltd, Taiwan, for supplying COBAS TaqMan HCV Test version 2.0 and HBV test kits. “
“The etiology of unintentional, documented weight loss can be identified through a careful analysis of history, physical examination, and selective laboratory tests which focus on uncovering factors

leading to reduced caloric intake, or excessive caloric losses when caloric intake remains unchanged. Clinical presentations include the asymptomatic patient; a patient with a prior diagnosis; and a patient with symptoms. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework upon which can be built a rational approach to problem-solving weight loss whatever its presentation selleck inhibitor pattern. “
“Aim:  Sleep is closely related to physical and mental health. Sleep disturbance is reported in patients without encephalopathy. We examined the relationship among cirrhotic symptoms, laboratory data and sleep disturbances. Next, we examined the influence of a branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement on sleep disturbance in cirrhotic patients. Methods:  We investigated a total of 21 patients at Nagasaki University Hospital from January to June 2009. We constructed questionnaire items for the evaluation of cirrhotic symptoms. The items, as major symptoms of cirrhotic patients, were as follows: hand tremor, appetite

Selumetinib loss, muscle cramp of foot, fatigue, decreased strength, anxiety, abdominal fullness, abdominal pain and a feeling of low energy. We used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for the evaluation of daytime hypersomnolence. Energy supplementation with a BCAA snack was performed as a late evening snack (LES). All patients were assessed at the time of entry into 上海皓元 the study, and at 4 and 8 weeks. Results:  It was found that BCAA snack, taken p.o. as an LES, improved

the ESS for cirrhotic patients without encephalopathy. This beneficial result was recognized in the short term, 4 weeks after beginning of treatment. This study demonstrated the utility of BCAA supplementation for cirrhotic patients with sleep disturbance. However, the cirrhotic symptom-related score was positively relation with the Child–Pugh score at the time of patient entry, and we were unable to identify the item that related to ESS. Conclusion:  A BCAA snack is a useful drug for cirrhotic patients who do not have any overt encephalopathy, but who suffered from sleep disturbance. “
“Intestinal barrier dysfunction is an important contributor to alcoholic liver disease. Translocated microbial products trigger an inflammatory response in the liver and contribute to steatohepatitis. Our aim was to investigate mechanisms of barrier disruption following chronic alcohol feeding. A Lieber-DeCarli model was used to induce intestinal dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability and liver disease in mice.

We thank Roche Diagnostics Ltd, Taiwan, for supplying COBAS TaqMan HCV Test version 2.0 and HBV test kits. “
“The etiology of unintentional, documented weight loss can be identified through a careful analysis of history, physical examination, and selective laboratory tests which focus on uncovering factors

leading to reduced caloric intake, or excessive caloric losses when caloric intake remains unchanged. Clinical presentations include the asymptomatic patient; a patient with a prior diagnosis; and a patient with symptoms. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework upon which can be built a rational approach to problem-solving weight loss whatever its presentation Ipatasertib pattern. “
“Aim:  Sleep is closely related to physical and mental health. Sleep disturbance is reported in patients without encephalopathy. We examined the relationship among cirrhotic symptoms, laboratory data and sleep disturbances. Next, we examined the influence of a branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement on sleep disturbance in cirrhotic patients. Methods:  We investigated a total of 21 patients at Nagasaki University Hospital from January to June 2009. We constructed questionnaire items for the evaluation of cirrhotic symptoms. The items, as major symptoms of cirrhotic patients, were as follows: hand tremor, appetite

find more loss, muscle cramp of foot, fatigue, decreased strength, anxiety, abdominal fullness, abdominal pain and a feeling of low energy. We used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for the evaluation of daytime hypersomnolence. Energy supplementation with a BCAA snack was performed as a late evening snack (LES). All patients were assessed at the time of entry into MCE公司 the study, and at 4 and 8 weeks. Results:  It was found that BCAA snack, taken p.o. as an LES, improved

the ESS for cirrhotic patients without encephalopathy. This beneficial result was recognized in the short term, 4 weeks after beginning of treatment. This study demonstrated the utility of BCAA supplementation for cirrhotic patients with sleep disturbance. However, the cirrhotic symptom-related score was positively relation with the Child–Pugh score at the time of patient entry, and we were unable to identify the item that related to ESS. Conclusion:  A BCAA snack is a useful drug for cirrhotic patients who do not have any overt encephalopathy, but who suffered from sleep disturbance. “
“Intestinal barrier dysfunction is an important contributor to alcoholic liver disease. Translocated microbial products trigger an inflammatory response in the liver and contribute to steatohepatitis. Our aim was to investigate mechanisms of barrier disruption following chronic alcohol feeding. A Lieber-DeCarli model was used to induce intestinal dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability and liver disease in mice.

We thank Roche Diagnostics Ltd, Taiwan, for supplying COBAS TaqMan HCV Test version 2.0 and HBV test kits. “
“The etiology of unintentional, documented weight loss can be identified through a careful analysis of history, physical examination, and selective laboratory tests which focus on uncovering factors

leading to reduced caloric intake, or excessive caloric losses when caloric intake remains unchanged. Clinical presentations include the asymptomatic patient; a patient with a prior diagnosis; and a patient with symptoms. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework upon which can be built a rational approach to problem-solving weight loss whatever its presentation Palbociclib concentration pattern. “
“Aim:  Sleep is closely related to physical and mental health. Sleep disturbance is reported in patients without encephalopathy. We examined the relationship among cirrhotic symptoms, laboratory data and sleep disturbances. Next, we examined the influence of a branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement on sleep disturbance in cirrhotic patients. Methods:  We investigated a total of 21 patients at Nagasaki University Hospital from January to June 2009. We constructed questionnaire items for the evaluation of cirrhotic symptoms. The items, as major symptoms of cirrhotic patients, were as follows: hand tremor, appetite

learn more loss, muscle cramp of foot, fatigue, decreased strength, anxiety, abdominal fullness, abdominal pain and a feeling of low energy. We used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for the evaluation of daytime hypersomnolence. Energy supplementation with a BCAA snack was performed as a late evening snack (LES). All patients were assessed at the time of entry into MCE the study, and at 4 and 8 weeks. Results:  It was found that BCAA snack, taken p.o. as an LES, improved

the ESS for cirrhotic patients without encephalopathy. This beneficial result was recognized in the short term, 4 weeks after beginning of treatment. This study demonstrated the utility of BCAA supplementation for cirrhotic patients with sleep disturbance. However, the cirrhotic symptom-related score was positively relation with the Child–Pugh score at the time of patient entry, and we were unable to identify the item that related to ESS. Conclusion:  A BCAA snack is a useful drug for cirrhotic patients who do not have any overt encephalopathy, but who suffered from sleep disturbance. “
“Intestinal barrier dysfunction is an important contributor to alcoholic liver disease. Translocated microbial products trigger an inflammatory response in the liver and contribute to steatohepatitis. Our aim was to investigate mechanisms of barrier disruption following chronic alcohol feeding. A Lieber-DeCarli model was used to induce intestinal dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability and liver disease in mice.

10 As shown in Fig. 5A, CL58 inhibition of HCV entry MK-2206 manufacturer exhibited time dependence and greater than 50% sensitivity was achieved even when CL58 was added 1 hour after the temperature shift to 37°C, indicating that CL58 acts after initial viral attachment. Moreover, anti-CD81 and CL58 exhibited additive effect when added together (Fig. 5A). In addition to CLDN1, CLDN6 and CLDN9 have been demonstrated to render 293T cells susceptible to HCVpp infection,11, 12 whereas CLDN7, the CLDN family member that shares the highest homology with CLDN1, failed to do so.12 For these reasons, we synthesized 18-aa peptides derived from corresponding regions of CLDN6, CLDN7,

and CLDN9. Direct comparison revealed that only CL58, but not counterpart peptides click here derived from the aforementioned CLDNs, was able to inhibit HCVcc infection (Fig. 5B). These results reinforce the idea that anti-HCV activity is a unique property of CL58. To determine the effect of CL58 on HCV envelope

protein-mediated membrane fusion, we set up a cell-cell fusion assay in which 293T acceptor cells, containing a loxP-flanked STOP cassette that blocks transcription of the downstream luciferase reporter gene, were cocultured with Cre-expressing donor cells. In this assay, fusion between donor and acceptor cell membranes removes the STOP cassette and hence permits luciferase production. Shown in Fig. 5C, coculturing donor cells expressing HCV E1E2 with CLDN1-expressing acceptor cells resulted in a more than 10-fold increase in luciferase counts, indicating a successful achievement of cell-cell fusion between donor and receipt cells (Fig. 5C). The addition of CL58 consistently reduced the cell-cell fusion by more than 50%. By contrast, medchemexpress peptides derived from CLDN6, CLDN7, and CLDN9 failed to exert any effect (Fig. 5C). To gain insight into whether CL58 directly participates in the fusion process or acts at an earlier step that is required to enable subsequent fusion, we compared the inhibitory kinetics of CL58 with that of bafilomycin A1, which inhibits

the final fusion, and found that sensitivity of HCVcc to CL58 declined slightly ahead of that of bafilomycin A1 (Fig. 5D). Altogether, these results support a model that CL58 interferes with a process that is just prior to the final intracellular fusion in endosomes. TJs are major components of cell-cell adhesion complexes and are composed of integral membrane proteins, including OCLN and CLDNs. Recent studies demonstrate that several peptides corresponding to ELs of CLDN1 and OCLN disrupt TJ integrity by inducing rapid internalization of TJ proteins.13-17 To determine the effect of CL58 on TJ function, CL58 was added to Caco-2 or Huh7.5.1 cells for the indicated period. As shown in Fig.

All patients accepted a nasogastric tube feeding and PEG feeding more than one month, Record the following indicators: ① the operating time and success rate, ② Intraoperative complications, including blood pressure fluctuations, oxygen saturation (SpO2) of less than 0.90, the puncture site bleeding puncture failure. ③Postoperative complications, including puncture site bleeding, stoma infection, accidental extubation, intestinal perforation, peritonitis, gastrocolic fistula, necrotizing fasciitis, regurgitation and aspiration, aspiration

pneumonia and leakage. ④ the patient’s nutritional indicators of the PEG catheter before and after a month. Including the white blood cells, lymphocyte count, plasma hemoglobin, total protein, albumin and transferrin change and weight, body mass index change. ⑤ the patients with aspiration pneumonia and reflux www.selleckchem.com/products/sorafenib.html esophagitis before and after PEG. Results: 73 patients were successfully completed PEG operation.

The success rate is 100%. Operating time 15–30 min. Blood pressure was stable during the operation, four cases of SpO2 falls below once to 0.8, increase after see more the flow of oxygen, SpO2 rose to 0.95 after the suspension of operations 5 min continue to complete the surgery. Bleeding less in 5 ml, Fistula in good position. Patients with local swelling and exudate of the skin around the stoma seven cases, MCE three cases of low-grade fever, and vomiting after feeding five cases, 6 cases of diarrhea, and four cases constipation, four cases of local pain, pneumoperitoneum three cases of aspiration pneumonia in 11 cases. After PEG. 3 patients removed the PEG tube accidentally after PEG 20 days to one month and fistula is a small amount of bleeding, The symptoms was controled after treatment and the PEG tube was given to replacement. No serious complications was found, such as colon injury and gastrocolocutaneous fistula, peritonitis and Buried bumper syndrome. No fistula clogging, the patients have a better tolerance to PEG tube. Improved nutritional status of patients, weight

loss under control, one month after enteral nutrition, white blood cells, lymphocyte count, plasma hemoglobin, total protein, albumin and transferrin changes and weight, body mass index were significantly improved. The incidence of pulmonary infection decreased from 63.0% preoperatively to 15.1% postoperatively, and that of reflux esophagitis decreased from 27.4% to 6.8%. Conclusion: PEG is a safe and feasible minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, has a short operating time, good effect of tube feeding, fewer and lighter complications. PEG can generally replace asogastric tube as the first choice of enteral nutrition for the patients with eating disorders. Key Word(s): 1. gastroscopy; 2. gastrostomy; 3. nasogastric tube; 4.

All patients accepted a nasogastric tube feeding and PEG feeding more than one month, Record the following indicators: ① the operating time and success rate, ② Intraoperative complications, including blood pressure fluctuations, oxygen saturation (SpO2) of less than 0.90, the puncture site bleeding puncture failure. ③Postoperative complications, including puncture site bleeding, stoma infection, accidental extubation, intestinal perforation, peritonitis, gastrocolic fistula, necrotizing fasciitis, regurgitation and aspiration, aspiration

pneumonia and leakage. ④ the patient’s nutritional indicators of the PEG catheter before and after a month. Including the white blood cells, lymphocyte count, plasma hemoglobin, total protein, albumin and transferrin change and weight, body mass index change. ⑤ the patients with aspiration pneumonia and reflux click here esophagitis before and after PEG. Results: 73 patients were successfully completed PEG operation.

The success rate is 100%. Operating time 15–30 min. Blood pressure was stable during the operation, four cases of SpO2 falls below once to 0.8, increase after RG7422 the flow of oxygen, SpO2 rose to 0.95 after the suspension of operations 5 min continue to complete the surgery. Bleeding less in 5 ml, Fistula in good position. Patients with local swelling and exudate of the skin around the stoma seven cases, MCE公司 three cases of low-grade fever, and vomiting after feeding five cases, 6 cases of diarrhea, and four cases constipation, four cases of local pain, pneumoperitoneum three cases of aspiration pneumonia in 11 cases. After PEG. 3 patients removed the PEG tube accidentally after PEG 20 days to one month and fistula is a small amount of bleeding, The symptoms was controled after treatment and the PEG tube was given to replacement. No serious complications was found, such as colon injury and gastrocolocutaneous fistula, peritonitis and Buried bumper syndrome. No fistula clogging, the patients have a better tolerance to PEG tube. Improved nutritional status of patients, weight

loss under control, one month after enteral nutrition, white blood cells, lymphocyte count, plasma hemoglobin, total protein, albumin and transferrin changes and weight, body mass index were significantly improved. The incidence of pulmonary infection decreased from 63.0% preoperatively to 15.1% postoperatively, and that of reflux esophagitis decreased from 27.4% to 6.8%. Conclusion: PEG is a safe and feasible minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, has a short operating time, good effect of tube feeding, fewer and lighter complications. PEG can generally replace asogastric tube as the first choice of enteral nutrition for the patients with eating disorders. Key Word(s): 1. gastroscopy; 2. gastrostomy; 3. nasogastric tube; 4.

Bioinformatics analysis indicated that these proteins are involved in the systemic dysregulation of hepatocyte repopulation, inflammation, apoptosis and

the immune response in HBV-ACLF. Six of these cytokines, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), macro-phage inflammatory protein 3α (MIP-3α), carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), E-selectin and osteopontin, were significantly increased in the HBV-ACLF group compared with the CHB group H 89 by significance analysis of microarray (SAM) and predictive analysis of microarray (PAM) analyses. These results were confirmed by ELISA analysis of the six cytokines in 304 HBV-ACLF, 40 CHB patients and 20 normal adults. High expression levels of HGF and GDF15 (44.4- and 84.8-fold change, respectively) could be used to distinguish subjects with HBV-ACLF and CHB. Meanwhile, bioinformatics analysis

demonstrated that MIP-3α was closely associated with the severity and mortality of HBV-ACLF. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that HGF, GDF15 and MIP-3α were positive in HBV-ACLF-derived liver tissues and negative in CHB and normal control-derived liver tissues. Conclusion: HGF and GDF15 represent potential novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HBV-ACLF, and MIP-3α might be useful as a novel biomarker for predicting the severity and mortality of HBV-ACLF. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Jun Li, Jiaojiao Xin, Ding Wenchao, Qian Zhou, Longyan Jiang, Dongyan Shi, Lanjuan Li Critically ill pediatric patients with Ivacaftor nmr acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure (LF) requiring

renal support (CRRT) have high morbidity and mortality. Traditional adverse outcome MCE公司 predictors such as peak bilirubin and international normalized ratio (INR) values have been reported not to perform well in critically ill adult LF patients. Factors associated with adverse outcomes in pediatric critically ill liver failure patients remain largely unknown, although hypoalbuminemia and ascites were associted with mortality in biliary atresia. We hypothesized that peak total bilirubin, peak INR, platelet (plt) count nadir, and hyponatremia would differentiate survivors from nonsurvivors in pediatric LF patients on renal support. Retrospective chart review was performed in patients with LF who received CRRT between 2011-2013. 44 patients, 31 % male; mean age was 6.7 ± 7.2 years were included. All pts were mechanically ventilated with mean length of ventilation 18.5 ± 14.5 days. CRRT was provided as continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) with regional citrate anticoagulation for a mean of 15.7±16.8 days.The mean length of hospital stay was 52.8 ± 44.5 days. 26/44 patients died. There were no differences between peak total bilirubin, peak INR, serum sodium nadir, plt count nadir, lowest albumin levels between survivors and nonsurvivors.

Bioinformatics analysis indicated that these proteins are involved in the systemic dysregulation of hepatocyte repopulation, inflammation, apoptosis and

the immune response in HBV-ACLF. Six of these cytokines, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), macro-phage inflammatory protein 3α (MIP-3α), carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), E-selectin and osteopontin, were significantly increased in the HBV-ACLF group compared with the CHB group 5-Fluoracil cost by significance analysis of microarray (SAM) and predictive analysis of microarray (PAM) analyses. These results were confirmed by ELISA analysis of the six cytokines in 304 HBV-ACLF, 40 CHB patients and 20 normal adults. High expression levels of HGF and GDF15 (44.4- and 84.8-fold change, respectively) could be used to distinguish subjects with HBV-ACLF and CHB. Meanwhile, bioinformatics analysis

demonstrated that MIP-3α was closely associated with the severity and mortality of HBV-ACLF. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that HGF, GDF15 and MIP-3α were positive in HBV-ACLF-derived liver tissues and negative in CHB and normal control-derived liver tissues. Conclusion: HGF and GDF15 represent potential novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HBV-ACLF, and MIP-3α might be useful as a novel biomarker for predicting the severity and mortality of HBV-ACLF. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Jun Li, Jiaojiao Xin, Ding Wenchao, Qian Zhou, Longyan Jiang, Dongyan Shi, Lanjuan Li Critically ill pediatric patients with selleck chemicals llc acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure (LF) requiring

renal support (CRRT) have high morbidity and mortality. Traditional adverse outcome medchemexpress predictors such as peak bilirubin and international normalized ratio (INR) values have been reported not to perform well in critically ill adult LF patients. Factors associated with adverse outcomes in pediatric critically ill liver failure patients remain largely unknown, although hypoalbuminemia and ascites were associted with mortality in biliary atresia. We hypothesized that peak total bilirubin, peak INR, platelet (plt) count nadir, and hyponatremia would differentiate survivors from nonsurvivors in pediatric LF patients on renal support. Retrospective chart review was performed in patients with LF who received CRRT between 2011-2013. 44 patients, 31 % male; mean age was 6.7 ± 7.2 years were included. All pts were mechanically ventilated with mean length of ventilation 18.5 ± 14.5 days. CRRT was provided as continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) with regional citrate anticoagulation for a mean of 15.7±16.8 days.The mean length of hospital stay was 52.8 ± 44.5 days. 26/44 patients died. There were no differences between peak total bilirubin, peak INR, serum sodium nadir, plt count nadir, lowest albumin levels between survivors and nonsurvivors.

We found that the two salamanders show dissimilar species–habitat relationships. The slope of the site positively affected the site-occupancy probability of S. salamandra, while none of the habitat characteristics explained the occupancy probability of S. atra. The local presence http://www.selleckchem.com/products/bay-57-1293.html of one species

had no effect on the occupancy probability of the other, suggesting that there is no effect of competition on local occurrence or that competition does not lead to spatial segregation. To fully understand the mechanisms that determine the parapatric range margins between the salamander species and to unravel the role of interspecific interactions, it is necessary to further study species’ functional traits. The mechanisms that generate the margins of species distributions are of central interest in ecology, evolution and biogeography (Gaston, 2003; Holt & Keitt, 2005; Geber, 2011). Parapatry refers to a pattern in which find more the stable ranges of two species meet and form range margins with narrow contact zones where the species locally co-occur (Bull, 1991). Bridle & Vines (2007) reviewed the theory for the formation of range margins in parapatric species and found that both abiotic and biotic factors may cause parapatric range limits. This prediction was confirmed by subsequent empirical studies (Arntzen & Espregueira Themudo, 2008; Cunningham,

Rissler & Apodaca, 2009; Khimoun et al., 2013). Interestingly, Bridle & Vines (2007) suggested that parapatric range margins were more likely to be predicted by models that included competition than by models that included only environmental gradients. Parapatry has been observed in terrestrial salamanders where often an interplay of species-specific habitat preferences and interspecific competition determine the range limits (Hairston, 1951; Jaeger, 1970; Cimmaruta et al., 1999; Arif, Adams & Wicknick, 2007; Cunningham et al., 2009;

Gifford & Kozak, 2012). Here, we study the ecology of the medchemexpress narrow contact zones of two parapatric European land salamanders, the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) and the alpine salamander (Salamandra atra). The two species have similar terrestrial habitat requirements but differ in the mode of reproduction. Salamandra salamandra has an aquatic larval stage in most of its geographic range while S. atra is viviparous (see below). Yet, the determinants of syntopy and allotopy within contact zones remain unknown (Klewen, 1991; Guex & Grossenbacher, 2004; Thiesmeier & Grossenbacher, 2004). A recent study on the ecology of the parapatric range margins of these salamanders in the Swiss Alps suggested that climatic gradients can partially explain the sharp range margins but also that interspecific competition might play a role (Werner et al., in press). There is, however, no direct evidence for competition between S. atra and S. salamandra yet.

We found that the two salamanders show dissimilar species–habitat relationships. The slope of the site positively affected the site-occupancy probability of S. salamandra, while none of the habitat characteristics explained the occupancy probability of S. atra. The local presence AUY-922 mw of one species

had no effect on the occupancy probability of the other, suggesting that there is no effect of competition on local occurrence or that competition does not lead to spatial segregation. To fully understand the mechanisms that determine the parapatric range margins between the salamander species and to unravel the role of interspecific interactions, it is necessary to further study species’ functional traits. The mechanisms that generate the margins of species distributions are of central interest in ecology, evolution and biogeography (Gaston, 2003; Holt & Keitt, 2005; Geber, 2011). Parapatry refers to a pattern in which Dabrafenib concentration the stable ranges of two species meet and form range margins with narrow contact zones where the species locally co-occur (Bull, 1991). Bridle & Vines (2007) reviewed the theory for the formation of range margins in parapatric species and found that both abiotic and biotic factors may cause parapatric range limits. This prediction was confirmed by subsequent empirical studies (Arntzen & Espregueira Themudo, 2008; Cunningham,

Rissler & Apodaca, 2009; Khimoun et al., 2013). Interestingly, Bridle & Vines (2007) suggested that parapatric range margins were more likely to be predicted by models that included competition than by models that included only environmental gradients. Parapatry has been observed in terrestrial salamanders where often an interplay of species-specific habitat preferences and interspecific competition determine the range limits (Hairston, 1951; Jaeger, 1970; Cimmaruta et al., 1999; Arif, Adams & Wicknick, 2007; Cunningham et al., 2009;

Gifford & Kozak, 2012). Here, we study the ecology of the 上海皓元 narrow contact zones of two parapatric European land salamanders, the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) and the alpine salamander (Salamandra atra). The two species have similar terrestrial habitat requirements but differ in the mode of reproduction. Salamandra salamandra has an aquatic larval stage in most of its geographic range while S. atra is viviparous (see below). Yet, the determinants of syntopy and allotopy within contact zones remain unknown (Klewen, 1991; Guex & Grossenbacher, 2004; Thiesmeier & Grossenbacher, 2004). A recent study on the ecology of the parapatric range margins of these salamanders in the Swiss Alps suggested that climatic gradients can partially explain the sharp range margins but also that interspecific competition might play a role (Werner et al., in press). There is, however, no direct evidence for competition between S. atra and S. salamandra yet.