Circumpolar Population Structure, Diversity and Recent Evolutionary History of the Bearded Seal in Relation to Past and Present Icescapes.

The Arctic environment plays a critical role in the global climate system and marine biodiversity. The region's ice-covered expanses provide essential breeding and feeding grounds for a diverse assemblage of marine species, who have adapted to thrive in these harsh conditions and consequently are under threat from global warming. The bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), including two subspecies (E.

Persistent pollutant exposure impacts metabolomic profiles in polar bears and ringed seals from the High Arctic and Hudson Bay, Canada.

Metabolomics measures low molecular weight endogenous metabolites and changes linked to contaminant exposure in biota. However, few studies have explored the relationship between metabolomics and contaminants in Arctic wildlife. We analyzed 239 endogenous metabolites and ∼150 persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including total mercury (THg), in the liver of polar bears and their ringed seal prey harvested from low Canadian Arctic (western Hudson Bay; WHB) and high Arctic (HA) locations during 2015-2016.

A STING-CASM-GABARAP pathway activates LRRK2 at lysosomes.

Mutations that increase LRRK2 kinase activity have been linked to Parkinson's disease and Crohn's disease. LRRK2 is also activated by lysosome damage. However, the endogenous cellular mechanisms that control LRRK2 kinase activity are not well understood.

Fatty acid carbon isotopes as tracers of trophic structure and contaminant biomagnification in Arctic marine food webs.

Mercury (Hg) and persistent organic pollutant (POP) accumulation among species and biomagnification through food webs is typically assessed using stable isotopes of nitrogen (δN) and carbon (δC) in bulk (whole) tissues. Yet, bulk isotopic approaches have limitations, notably from the potential overlap of isotope values from different dietary sources and from spatial variation in source (baseline) signals. Here, we explore the potential of fatty acid carbon isotopes (FA δC) to (1) evaluate the trophic structure of a marine food web, (2) distinguish feeding patterns among four marine mammal consumers, (3) trace contaminant biomagnification through a food web, and (4) explain interspecific variation in contaminants among high-trophic position predators.

Implementation of O-RADS Ultrasound Reporting System: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

To determine the feasibility of implementing Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting & Data System (O-RADS) ultrasound (US) for reporting of adnexal masses at our institution, with a specific goal of increasing the use of O-RADS from a baseline of <5% to at least 75% over a 16-month period. A prospective interrupted time series quality improvement study was undertaken over a 16-month period. Plan, do, study, act cycles included: (1) Engagement of interested parties, (2) Targeted educational sessions, (3) Development of reporting templates, (4) Weekly audit-feedback.