Human Impacts on Great Lakes Walleye Sander vitreus Structure, Diversity and Local Adaptation.

Artificial propagation and wild release may influence the genetic integrity of wild populations. This practice has been prevalent in fisheries for centuries and is often termed 'stocking'. In the Laurentian Great Lakes (Great Lakes here-on), walleye populations faced declines from the 1950s to the 1970s, prompting extensive stocking efforts for restoration.

Origin of the Laurentian Great Lakes fish fauna through upward adaptive radiation cascade prior to the Last Glacial Maximum.

The evolutionary histories of adaptive radiations can be marked by dramatic demographic fluctuations. However, the demographic histories of ecologically-linked co-diversifying lineages remain understudied. The Laurentian Great Lakes provide a unique system of two such radiations that are dispersed across depth gradients with a predator-prey relationship.

Zavrelia parapentatoma (Chironomidae: Diptera), a curious new species from North America, revealed by molecular methods.

In this study, we describe Zavrelia parapentatoma sp. nov. based on specimens collected near a cattail marsh in Michigan, USA.

A new GTSeq resource to facilitate multijurisdictional research and management of walleye .

Conservation and management professionals often work across jurisdictional boundaries to identify broad ecological patterns. These collaborations help to protect populations whose distributions span political borders. One common limitation to multijurisdictional collaboration is consistency in data recording and reporting.

Concordant patterns of morphological, stable isotope and genetic variation in a recent ecological radiation (Salmonidae: Coregonus spp.).

Groups of sympatric taxa with low interspecific genetic differentiation, but considerable ecological differences, offer great opportunities to study the dynamics of divergence and speciation. This is the case of ciscoes (Coregonus spp.) in the Laurentian Great Lakes, which are characterized by a complex evolutionary history and are commonly described as having undergone an adaptive radiation.

Comparative Genomic Analyses and a Novel Linkage Map for Cisco ( Provide Insights into Chromosomal Evolution and Rediploidization Across Salmonids.

Whole-genome duplication (WGD) is hypothesized to be an important evolutionary mechanism that can facilitate adaptation and speciation. Genomes that exist in states of both diploidy and residual tetraploidy are of particular interest, as mechanisms that maintain the ploidy mosaic after WGD may provide important insights into evolutionary processes. The Salmonidae family exhibits residual tetraploidy, and this, combined with the evolutionary diversity formed after an ancestral autotetraploidization event, makes this group a useful study system.

Genotyping-by-sequencing illuminates high levels of divergence among sympatric forms of coregonines in the Laurentian Great Lakes.

Effective resource management depends on our ability to partition diversity into biologically meaningful units. Recent evolutionary divergence, however, can often lead to ambiguity in morphological and genetic differentiation, complicating the delineation of valid conservation units. Such is the case with the "coregonine problem," where recent postglacial radiations of coregonines into lacustrine habitats resulted in the evolution of numerous species flocks, often with ambiguous taxonomy.

How "simple" methodological decisions affect interpretation of population structure based on reduced representation library DNA sequencing: A case study using the lake whitefish.

Reduced representation (RRL) sequencing approaches (e.g., RADSeq, genotyping by sequencing) require decisions about how much to invest in genome coverage and sequencing depth, as well as choices of values for adjustable bioinformatics parameters.

Audit of transvaginal sonography of normal postmenopausal ovaries by sonographers from the United Kingdom Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS).

We report on a unique audit of seven sonographers self-reporting high visualization rates of normal postmenopausal ovaries in the United Kingdom Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). This audit was ordered by the trial's Ultrasound Management Subcommittee after an initiative taken in 2008 to improve the quality of scanning and the subsequent increase in the number of sonographers claiming very high ovary visualisation rates. Seven sonographers reporting high rates (>89%) of visualizing normal postmenopausal ovaries in examinations performed between 1 January and 31 December 2008 were identified.

Hatchery Strain Contributions to Emerging Wild Lake Trout Populations in Lake Huron.

Recent assessments indicate the emergence of naturally produced lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) recruitment throughout Lake Huron in the North American Laurentian Great Lakes (>50% of fish <7 years). Because naturally produced fish derived from different stocked hatchery strains are unmarked, managers cannot distinguish strains contributing to natural recruitment. We used 15 microsatellite loci to identify strains of naturally produced lake trout (N = 1567) collected in assessment fisheries during early (2002-2004) and late (2009-2012) sampling periods.

A randomized controlled trial of corticosteroids for pain after transoral robotic surgery.

Objective: To determine if an extended perioperative course of corticosteroids will improve pain control following transoral robotic surgery (TORS).

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: Patients undergoing TORS for initial treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma received a single intraoperative dose of 10-mg dexamethasone and then were randomized to receive 8-mg dexamethasone every 8 hours, or placebo, for up to 4 days after surgery.

Sonographers' self-reported visualization of normal postmenopausal ovaries on transvaginal ultrasound is not reliable: results of expert review of archived images from UKCTOCS.

Objective: In the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS), self-reported visualization rate (VR) of the ovaries by the sonographer on annual transvaginal sonographic (TVS) examinations was a key quality control (QC) metric. The objective of this study was to assess self-reported VR using expert review of a random sample of archived images of TVS examinations from UKCTOCS, and then to develop software for measuring VR automatically.

Methods: A single expert reviewed images archived from 1000 TVS examinations selected randomly from 68 931 TVS scans performed in UKCTOCS between 2008 and 2011 with ovaries reported as 'seen and normal'.

Prognostic Implication of Persistent Human Papillomavirus Type 16 DNA Detection in Oral Rinses for Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharyngeal Carcinoma.

Importance: Human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal carcinoma (HPV-OPC) is increasing in incidence in the United States. Although HPV-OPC has favorable prognosis, 10% to 25% of HPV-OPCs recur. Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in oral rinses is associated with HPV-OPC, but its potential as a prognostic biomarker is unclear.

Transoral robotic retropharyngeal node dissection.

Background: Surgical access to metastases in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLNs) could be difficult. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) can be utilized to access RPLNs. The purpose of this study was to describe a TORS approach to RPLN dissection.

Prospective study of venous thromboembolism in patients with head and neck cancer after surgery: interim analysis.

Objectives: To prospectively determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following major head and neck surgery. At the midpoint of enrollment, an interim analysis was performed to determine if it was ethical to continue this study as an observational study without routine anticoagulation.

Design: Prospective, observational cohort study.

Effects of cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose on dyslipidemia in hamsters.

Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (cHEC) was supplemented in a high-fat diet to determine if this new soluble fiber had an effect on hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia associated with cardiovascular disease using Golden Syrian hamster as an animal model. Supplementation of 3-5% cHEC in a high-fat diet for 4 weeks led to significant weight gain reduction in hamsters. In addition, significant decreases in adipose and liver weights, concentrations of plasma total, VLDL, and LDL cholesterol, and hepatic lipids were shown.

Venous thromboembolism in patients with head and neck cancer after surgery.

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with head and neck cancer after surgery.

Methods: This was a single-institution, retrospective cohort: 134 patients underwent resection and simultaneous microvascular reconstruction. The primary endpoint was identification of confirmed or suspicious VTE within 30 days of surgery.

Airway reconstruction in Wegener's granulomatosis-associated laryngotracheal stenosis.

Objectives/hypothesis: Open airway reconstruction is considered definitive treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS). Although most cases of LTS are not autoimmune, there are few data reported in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. In this study, we aimed to assess outcomes of airway reconstruction in LTS patients with Wegener's compared to nonautoimmune patients.

OSPACS: Ultrasound image management system.

Background: Ultrasound scanning uses the medical imaging format, DICOM, for electronically storing the images and data associated with a particular scan. Large health care facilities typically use a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for storing and retrieving such images. However, these systems are usually not suitable for managing large collections of anonymized ultrasound images gathered during a clinical screening trial.

Quantitation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in DNA by liquid chromatography/positive atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry.

A methodology has been developed and validated for quantifying 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in both commercial DNA and DNA isolated from livers of male Sprague-Dawley rats by liquid chromatography/positive atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry. The analytical method conditions, including conditions for stabilizing 8-OHdG during complex nuclease P1 enzymatic digestion, were also evaluated. The limit of detection for 8-OHdG was 1.

Effect of diisopropanolamine upon choline uptake and phospholipid synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Aminoalcohols differ in mammalian toxicity at least in part based upon their ability to alter the metabolism of phospholipids and to cause depletion of the essential nutrient choline in animals. This study examined the incorporation of diisopropanolamine (DIPA) into phospholipids (PLs) and effects of DIPA upon choline uptake and phospholipid synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Results were compared to those of a related secondary alcohol amine, diethanolamine (DEA), whose systemic toxicity is closely associated with its metabolic incorporation into PLs and depletion of choline pools.

Repeated dose toxicity and developmental toxicity of diisopropanolamine to rats.

The repeated dose oral and dermal toxicity of diisopropanolamine (DIPA) was evaluated in rats and compared to the reported toxicity of the related secondary alcohol amine, diethanolamine (DEA). Fischer 344/DuCrl rats were given up to 750 mg/kg/day by dermal application, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks; or up to 1,000 mg DIPA/kg/day by drinking water for 13 weeks to evaluate potential toxic effects. Time-mated female CRL:CD(SD) rats were given up to 1,000 mg/kg/day by gavage on gestation days (GD) 6-20 for evaluation of maternal and fetal effects.

Report of an ISRTP workshop: progress and barriers to incorporating alternative toxicological methods in the U.S.

The workshop objectives were to explore progress in implementing new, revised and alternative toxicological test methods across regulatory evaluation frameworks and decision-making programs in the United States, to identify barriers and to develop recommendations to further promote adoption of approaches that reduce, refine, or replace the use of animal methods. The workshop included sessions on: (1) current research, development, and validation of alternative methods within the U.S.