Clonality contributes to the spread of Avrainvillea lacerata (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) in Hawai'i.

The relative rates of sexual versus asexual reproduction influence the partitioning of genetic diversity within and among populations. During range expansions, asexual reproduction often facilitates colonization and establishment. The arrival of the green alga Avrainvillea lacerata has caused shifts in habitat structure and community assemblages since its discovery in 1981 offshore of O'ahu, Hawai'i.

Function and stability of mesophotic coral reefs.

The function and stability of mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) have been extensively studied in recent years. These deep reefs are characterized by local physical processes, particularly the steep gradient in irradiance with increasing depth, and their impact on trophic resources. Mesophotic reefs exhibit distinct zonation patterns that segregate shallow reef biodiversity from ecologically unique deeper communities of endemic species.

Organellar genomic characterization of Anunuuluaehu liula representing a new genus and species of Phyllophoraceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) from the mesophotic zone of Hawai'i.

Over the last 2 decades, routine collections in the Hawaiian Archipelago have expanded to mesophotic reefs, leading to the discovery of a new red algal genus and species, here described as Anunuuluaehu liula gen. et sp. nov.

Self-Reported Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Stewardship Organizations and Their Activities in Southeast New England, USA.

In many communities, regions, or landscapes, there are numerous environmental groups working across different sectors and creating stewardship networks that shape the environment and the benefits people derive from it. The make-up of these networks can vary, but generally include organizations of different sizes and capacities. As the Covid-19 pandemic (2020 to the present) shuts down businesses and nonprofits, catalyzes new initiatives, and generally alters the day-to-day professional and personal lives, it is logical to assume that these stewardship networks and their environmental work are impacted; exactly how, is unknown.

Development and Internal Validation of a Risk Prediction Model for Acute Cardiovascular Morbidity in Preeclampsia.

Background: Women with preeclampsia are at increased short-term risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. We aimed to develop and internally validate a risk assessment tool to predict acute cardiovascular morbidity in preeclampsia.

Methods: The study was conducted at an academic obstetrics hospital.

Complete chloroplast genome of (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta), a recently described cryptogenic species with invasive traits from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawai'i.

The complete chloroplast genome of , a red alga from Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll), Hawai'i, was determined and analyzed using next-generation sequencing and assembly approaches. The chloroplast genome sequence of was 172,617 bp and contained 231 genes, consisting of 197 protein-coding genes, 29 transfer RNA genes, three ribosomal RNA genes, one transfer-messenger RNA gene, one non-coding RNA gene, and one intron inserted into the gene. The number of genes and genome structure was largely similar to other members of the family Rhodomelaceae.

Microbiota-Macroalgal Relationships at a Hawaiian Intertidal Bench Are Influenced by Macroalgal Phyla and Associated Thallus Complexity.

The ocean represents the largest biome on earth; however, we have only begun to understand the diversity and function of the marine microbial inhabitants and their interactions with macroalgal species. Macroalgae play an integral role in overall ocean biome health and serve both as major primary producers and foundation species in the ecosystem. Previous studies have been limited, focusing on the microbiome of a single algal species or its interaction with selected microbes.

Evaluation of repeat testing of a non-sequencing based NIPT test on a Finnish general-risk population.

Introduction: To evaluate the effect of repeating test failures using an automated, non-sequencing based non-invasive prenatal testing test on a general-risk population in Finland.

Material And Methods: A total of 545 samples from women who represent the average-risk population in Oulu, Finland were analyzed with Vanadis non-invasive prenatal testing. Repeat testing of test failures was performed using a second sample.

Cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity in pregnant and postpartum women: development and internal validation of risk prediction models.

Objectives: To develop and internally validate risk prediction models identifying women at risk for cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity (CSMM).

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: An obstetric teaching hospital between 2007 and 2017.

Taxonomic determination of the cryptogenic red alga, Chondria tumulosa sp. nov., (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawai'i, USA: A new species displaying invasive characteristics.

Survey cruises by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2016 and 2019 yielded specimens of an undetermined red alga that rapidly attained alarming levels of benthic coverage at Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawai'i. By 2019 the seaweed had covered large expanses on the northeast side of the atoll with mat-like, extensive growth of entangled thalli. Specimens were analyzed using light microscopy and molecular analysis, and were compared to morphological descriptions in the literature for closely related taxa.

Identifying cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity in epidemiologic studies.

Background: Cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity (CSMM) is rising and has become the leading cause of maternal mortality. Research using administrative data sets may allow for better understanding of this critical group of diseases.

Objective: To validate a composite variable of CSMM for use in epidemiologic studies.

A new record of Avrainvillea cf. erecta (Berkeley) A. Gepp & E. S. Gepp (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) from urbanized estuaries in the Hawaiian Islands.

Background: A second species in the siphonous green algal genus was recently discovered off the island of O'ahu in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Specimens were collected from Honolulu Harbor, including its entrance channel, and near Ke'ehi Harbor. These locations are both in Mālama Bay on O'ahu's south shore in or adjacent to urbanized estuaries, respectively.

Fungi associated with mesophotic macroalgae from the 'Au'au Channel, west Maui are differentiated by host and overlap terrestrial communities.

Mesophotic coral ecosystems are an almost entirely unexplored and undocumented environment that likely contains vast reservoirs of undescribed biodiversity. Twenty-four macroalgae samples, representing four genera, were collected from a Hawaiian mesophotic reef at water depths between 65 and 86 m in the 'Au'au Channel, Maui, Hawai'i. Algal tissues were surveyed for the presence and diversity of fungi by sequencing the ITS1 gene using Illumina technology.

A survey of fishes associated with Hawaiian deep-water (Bryopsidales: Halimedaceae) and sp. (Bryopsidales: Udoteaceae) meadows.

The invasive macroalgal species sp. and native species form expansive meadows that extend to depths of 80 m or more in the waters off of O'ahu and Maui, respectively. Despite their wide depth distribution, comparatively little is known about the biota associated with these macroalgal species.

A comprehensive investigation of mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Hawaiian Archipelago.

Although the existence of coral-reef habitats at depths to 165 m in tropical regions has been known for decades, the richness, diversity, and ecological importance of mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) has only recently become widely acknowledged. During an interdisciplinary effort spanning more than two decades, we characterized the most expansive MCEs ever recorded, with vast macroalgal communities and areas of 100% coral cover between depths of 50-90 m extending for tens of km in the Hawaiian Archipelago. We used a variety of sensors and techniques to establish geophysical characteristics.

New Ulvaceae (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta) from mesophotic ecosystems across the Hawaiian Archipelago.

Ulvalean algae (Chlorophyta) are most commonly described from intertidal and shallow subtidal marine environments worldwide, but are less well known from mesophotic environments. Their morphological simplicity and phenotypic plasticity make accurate species determinations difficult, even at the generic level. Here, we describe the mesophotic Ulvales species composition from 13 locations across 2,300 km of the Hawaiian Archipelago.

Identifying Suitable Locations for Mesophotic Hard Corals Offshore of Maui, Hawai'i.

Mesophotic hard corals (MHC) are increasingly threatened by a growing number of anthropogenic stressors, including impacts from fishing, land-based sources of pollution, and ocean acidification. However, little is known about their geographic distributions (particularly around the Pacific islands) because it is logistically challenging and expensive to gather data in the 30 to 150 meter depth range where these organisms typically live. The goal of this study was to begin to fill this knowledge gap by modelling and predicting the spatial distribution of three genera of mesophotic hard corals offshore of Maui in the Main Hawaiian Islands.

Depth specialization in mesophotic corals (Leptoseris spp.) and associated algal symbionts in Hawai'i.

Corals at the lower limits of mesophotic habitats are likely to have unique photosynthetic adaptations that allow them to persist and dominate in these extreme low light ecosystems. We examined the host-symbiont relationships from the dominant coral genus Leptoseris in mesophotic environments from Hawai'i collected by submersibles across a depth gradient of 65-125 m. Coral and Symbiodinium genotypes were compared with three distinct molecular markers including coral (COX1-1-rRNA intron) and Symbiodinium (COI) mitochondrial markers and nuclear ITS2.

The coral core microbiome identifies rare bacterial taxa as ubiquitous endosymbionts.

Despite being one of the simplest metazoans, corals harbor some of the most highly diverse and abundant microbial communities. Differentiating core, symbiotic bacteria from this diverse host-associated consortium is essential for characterizing the functional contributions of bacteria but has not been possible yet. Here we characterize the coral core microbiome and demonstrate clear phylogenetic and functional divisions between the micro-scale, niche habitats within the coral host.

Differential effects of amphetamine and GBR-12909 on orolingual motor function in young vs aged F344/BN rats.

Rationale: Orolingual motor deficits, such as dysarthria and dysphagia, contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in the elderly. In preclinical studies, we and others have reported age-related decreases in tongue motility in both F344 and F344/BN rats. The fact that these deficits are associated with nigrostriatal dopamine (DA), tissue measures suggest that increasing dopamine function might normalize tongue motility.

Relationships between tongue motility, grip force, and survival in SOD1-G93A rats.

Most preclinical studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have focused on spinal symptoms, despite the importance of bulbar deficits in progression of the disease. We sought to determine how bulbar deficits are related to spinal deficits and survival in the SOD1-G93A rat model of ALS. We examined forelimb and hindlimb grip force and tongue motility in SOD1-G93A rats using statistical cluster analysis.

Measures of bulbar and spinal motor function, muscle innervation, and mitochondrial function in ALS rats.

Symptom onset in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may occur in the muscles of the limbs (spinal onset) or those of the head and neck (bulbar onset). Most preclinical studies have focused on spinal symptoms, despite the prevalence of and increased morbidity and mortality associated with bulbar disease. We measured lick rhythm and tongue force to evaluate bulbar disease in the SOD1-G93A rat model of familial ALS.