Access to outpatient services in rural communities changes after hospital closure.

Objective: Between January 2005 and July 2020, 171 rural hospitals closed across the United States. Little is known about the extent that other providers step in to fill the potential reduction in access from a rural hospital closure. The objective of this analysis is to evaluate the trends of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in rural areas prior to and following hospital closure.

Parthenogenesis in a captive Asian water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) identified with novel microsatellites.

Reptiles show varying degrees of facultative parthenogenesis. Here we use genetic methods to determine that an isolated, captive female Asian water dragon produced at least nine offspring via parthenogenesis. We identified microsatellites for the species from shotgun genomic sequences, selected and optimized primer sets, and tested all of the offspring for a set of seven microsatellites that were heterozygous in the mother.

DNA-protein cross-links in erythrocytes of freshwater fish exposed to hexavalent chromium or divalent nickel.

DNA-protein cross-links (DPXs) in fish erythrocytes represent a potential biomarker for exposure to metal cations, such as hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) and divalent nickel (Ni[II]). Species-specific sensitivities to DPX formation were studied by coexposure of juvenile specimens of rainbow trout, hybrid bluegill, and channel catfish to waterborne metals, such as Cr(VI) and Ni(II). In a species comparison, 4 days of exposure to 2 ppm Cr(VI) induced highest DPXs in bluegill erythrocytes, followed by trout and catfish, at 186%, 97%, and 48% above controls, respectively.

Waterborne and dietary hexavalent chromium exposure causes DNA-protein crosslink (DPX) formation in erythrocytes of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Formation of DNA-protein crosslinks (DPXs) was demonstrated in erythrocytes from fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exposed to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], a known carcinogenic and mutagenic metal contaminant of many industrial waterways. Tank water exposure of 2-3 in. fathead minnows to 2 ppm Cr(VI) led to significant DPX formation in erythrocytes, with over 140-200% elevations above background levels at 3-4 days, respectively.