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Meta-analysis and meta-regression are statistical methods for synthesizing and modelling the results of different studies, and are critical research synthesis tools in ecology and evolutionary biology (E&E). However, many E&E researchers carry out meta-analyses using software that is limited in its statistical functionality and is not easily updatable. It is likely that these software limitations have slowed the uptake of new methods in E&E and limited the scope and quality of inferences from research syntheses., We developed OpenMEE: Open Meta-analyst for Ecology and Evolution to address the need for advanced, easy-to-use software for meta-analysis and meta-regression. OpenMEE has a cross-platform, easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) that gives E&E researchers access to the diverse and advanced statistical functionalities offered in R, without requiring knowledge of R programming., OpenMEE offers a suite of advanced meta-analysis and meta-regression methods for synthesizing continuous and categorical data, including meta-regression with multiple covariates and their interactions, phylogenetic analyses, and simple missing data imputation. OpenMEE also supports data importing and exporting, exploratory data analysis, graphing of data, and summary table generation., As intuitive, open-source, free software for advanced methods in meta-analysis, OpenMEE meets the current and pressing needs of the E&E community for teaching meta-analysis and conducting high-quality syntheses. Because OpenMEE's statistical components are written in R, new methods and packages can be rapidly incorporated into the software. To fully realize the potential of OpenMEE, we encourage community development with an aim to advance the capabilities of meta-analyses in E&E. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in the hypo-thalamic control of gonadotrophin secretion. Neuron response is mediated through one of five different dopamine receptors. We explored the association of D receptor gene polymorphisms with disorders of ovulation. We utilized a multiplex allele specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect two bi-allelic polymorphisms (four potential haplotypes) in intron 5 and exon 6 of the D receptor gene. A second PCR/restriction endonuclease digest was utilized to verify this. Using these assays, 185 female Hispanics (51% with known ovulatory dysfunction and 49% with normal function) were haplotyped. One allele (3) was not present in the population and there were no significant differences in remaining allele distribution between ovulatory and anovulatory patients. However, significant associations were noted between alleles and gonadotrophins and fecundity. The 4 allele had a different reproductive profile compared to the 2 allele. The 4 allele was associated with significantly higher concentrations of lutein-izing hormone (LH) (means ± SE) (19.2 ± 2.2 versus 12.3 ± 1.3 mIU/ml, < 0.02) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (13.2 ± 2.0 versus 10.0 ± 0.6 mIU/ml, < 0.05), significantly lower concentrations of prolactin (7.9 ± 0.8 versus 14.9 ± 3.5 ng/ml, < 0.02) and higher parity (1.4 ± 0.12 versus 0.92 ± 0.13) and lower miscarriage rates (0.89 ± 0.1 versus 1.33 ± 0.24, < 0.04). We conclude that D receptor alleles may be associated with reproductive success through altered gonadotrophin secretion and that this effect may be independent of ovulatory function. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Examines the prevalence of A1 allele of dopamine receptor gene in individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders in the U.S. Groups of people included in the study; Percentage of A1 allele present among patients of Tourette's syndrome; Reasons behind the belief that dopamine receptor gene is not the cause of the disorders.