Belugas in the Mackenzie River estuary, NT, Canada: Habitat use and hot spots in the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area

AbstractThe Tarium Niryutait MPA (TNMPA) was created in 2010, through the collaborative efforts of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Inuvialuit, private industry and local stakeholders. The purpose of the TNMPA is to conserve and protect the biological resources within the Mackenzie Estuary, ensuring viability of a healthy population of beluga whales. TNMPA regulations allow for the conduct of certain industry activities (e.g., dredging, transportation, and hydrocarbon exploration and production activity), as long as disturbance, damage, destruction or removal of belugas do not occur or are not expected. Our goal is to summarize baseline knowledge of the times, areas and patterns of aggregation of belugas in the TNMPA, to inform future monitoring, research and environmental assessments of any developments proposed for the TNMPA. Sightings of surfaced belugas in the Mackenzie River estuary made during seven summers of aerial surveys between 1977 and 1992 were examined using contemporary geospatial analytical methods. A total of 77 aerial surveys met the minimum criteria for inclusion: flown in their entirety, without interruption, under calm sea conditions, and with full visibility. The distribution of surfaced belugas was significantly clustered in three time periods (June 26–July 9, July 10–20, July 21–31) and in all sub areas of the TNMPA (Ripley's L, p < 0.0001). Sighting rates varied by subarea and time period, with Niaqunnaq Bay having rates 3–4 times higher (p < 0.0001) in the corresponding period, compared with West Mackenzie (WM), East Mackenzie (EM) and Kugmallit (KB) bays, in all but WM in late July. During early and mid-July of 1977–1985, belugas were aggregated in seven localized, recurrent geographic areas within the TNMPA, termed here as ‘hot spots’. Results will foster more confident and informed decisions about the acceptability of proposed industry activities in the TNMPA, ensuring assessments are evidence-based and not unnecessary restrictive

Linking the Web of Things: LDP-CoAP Mapping

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Retrospective stable isotope analysis reveals ontogenetic population subdivision among white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) from Australia.

For marine top predators which are undergoing systematic population declines, identifying intraspecific population variation in diet and movement of a species has important implications for understanding their ecological effects on community structure. White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are an apex predator found throughout temperate to tropical ocean regions. At the global scale, geographically isolated white shark populations have been shown to demonstrate unique behaviours from intra individual variation to distinct subpopulation movements whereby two groups of individuals reside in separate coastal regions. In Australia two discrete subpopulations of white sharks have been proposed based on satellite/acoustic tagging and population genetics, but given tagging studies are generally short term, data are limited to characterize the extent of ontogenetic divergence. To quantify subpopulation diet-habitat behaviour of white sharks, stable isotope profiles (δ15N and δ13C) conserved in vertebrae (n=82) were used to create retrospective ontogenetic trophic-habitat fingerprints for individuals sampled east and west of the Bass Strait. Preliminary results demonstrate distinct isotopic separation between sharks sampled in eastern (13.99+/- 0.78 δ15N, n=42) and western (12.47 +/- 1.17 δ15N, n=27) regions, but both populations showed strong oscillatory trends equating to similar niche variation. Data further indicate mature females could be occupying the same habitat during gestation, juvenile phases occupy distinct coastal regions and as animals mature, habitat occupied by the two sub populations converges. Elucidating lifelong feeding and movement patterns will allow informed decisions for regional management plans

Small-Sized Clone of T Cells in Multiple Myeloma Patient after Auto-SCT: T-LGL Leukemia Type or Clonal T-Cell Aberration?

Second cancers and particularly postransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are extremely rare in patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT). We report the case of clonally rearranged T-cell expansion which occurred after auto-SCT for Multiple Myeloma (MM). Does asymptomatic clonal T-cell large granular lymphocytic proliferation, in our experience, represent either a secondary cancer after auto-SCT or clonal T cell aberration or derive from expansion of coexisting undetected small-sized clone of T cells

Distinct freshwater migratory pathways in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) coincide with separate patterns of marine spatial habitat-use across a large coastal landscape

Understanding variability in distributions and habitat-use among populations of anadromous salmonids is essential for their sustainable management. Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is an important cultural and socioeconomic species; however, knowledge of their spatiotemporal habitat-use during the marine phase is limited. Here, a large-scale acoustic telemetry array was used to determine intraspecific variation in Arctic char summer marine habitat-use tied to overwintering lake occurrence in the Amundsen Gulf. Arctic char tagged in the ocean migrated to two main overwintering lakes, corresponding to distinct migration corridors and separate patterns of marine habitat-use, with one individual exhibiting among the longest recorded char marine migration to date (∼330 km). Arctic char that undertook longer migration distances initiated travel in the ocean towards fresh water 11 days earlier than those completing shorter migration distances; mean departure days (±SD) 2 August (±8.1 days) and 13 August (±6.8 days), corresponding to migration distances of 252 and 131 km, respectively. These findings identify that Arctic char from different populations can occupy distinct marine foraging grounds within a region, with consequences for variable interactions with fisheries

Development of a Best Practice Guidance on Online Peer Support for People with Young-Onset Dementia

This work aimed to develop a Best Practice Guidance on online peer support for people with young-onset dementia (YOD). The Best Practice Guidance was developed through a systematic literature review, focus groups, an online survey, and interviews and consultations with people with YOD and professionals. The Best Practice Guidance consists of two parts. Part 1 contains information for people with YOD about what online peer support entails, what to expect from it, and how to get involved. Part 2 is aimed at those who facilitate or moderate online peer support (professionals or people with lived experience) and includes guidelines on how to optimize online peer support for people with YOD. The Best Practice Guidance on online peer support provides (1) people with YOD with evidence-based, relevant, and accessible information about what online peer support entails and how it could help them, (2) providers and facilitators with guidelines on how to optimize online peer support for people with YOD, and (3) healthcare professionals with a concise and accessible tool for signposting. Future research is needed to implement and disseminate the Best Practice Guidance among dementia organizations and healthcare practices and should include rigorous studies on the implementation and sustainability of online peer support for people with YOD

Contrasting intra-individual variation in size-based trophic and habitat shifts for two coastal Arctic fish species

Within and among species variation in trophic and habitat shifts with body size can indicate the potential adaptive capacity of species to ecosystem change. In Arctic coastal ecosystems, which experience dramatic seasonal shifts and are undergoing rapid change, quantifying the trophic flexibility of coastal fishes with different migratory tactics has received limited attention. We examined the relationships among body length and condition (Fulton’s K, phase angle from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) with trophic and habitat shifts (differences in δ15N and δ13C between blood tissues with different turnover rates) of two abundant and culturally important species, anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus, n = 38) and sedentary Greenland cod (Gadus ogac, n = 65) during summer in coastal marine waters near Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada. Habitat shifts (δ13C) increased with length (i.e., pelagic to benthic-littoral) and crossed-equilibrium (zero) at mid-sizes for both species. Seasonal trophic shifts (δ15N) were generally positive (i.e., increasing trophic level) for Arctic char and negative for Greenland cod. As hypothesised, intra-individual variation in size-based trophic shifts (δ15N-length residuals) increased with length for Arctic char. However, there were no trends with length in Greenland cod. Our findings highlight the importance of flexibility through ontogeny and mobility for Arctic char, whereas Greenland cod were generalist to localized prey and habitat across all sizes. The significant effect of body condition (phase angle) on size-based trophic shifts in Arctic char, and size-based habitat shifts in Greenland cod, highlight the potential trade-offs of contrasting life history strategies and capacity for ontogenetic niche plasticity

The Tumor Microenvironment of DLBCL in the Computational Era

Among classical exemplifications of tumor microenvironment (TME) in lymphoma pathogenesis, the \u201ceffacement model\u201d resembled by diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) implies strong cell autonomous survival and paucity of non-malignant elements. Nonetheless, the magnitude of TME exploration is increasing as novel technologies allow the high-resolution discrimination of cellular and extra-cellular determinants at the functional, more than morphological, level. Results from genomic-scale studies and recent clinical trials revitalized the interest in this field, prompting the use of new tools to dissect DLBCL composition and reveal novel prognostic association. Here we revisited major controversies related to TME in DLBCL, focusing on the use of bioinformatics to mine transcriptomic data and provide new insights to be translated into the clinical setting

Year-Round Dive Characteristics of Male Beluga Whales From the Eastern Beaufort Sea Population Indicate Seasonal Shifts in Foraging Strategies

Dive behavior represents multiple ecological functions for marine mammals, but our understanding of dive characteristics is typically limited by the resolution or longevity of tagging studies. Knowledge on the time-depth structures of dives can provide insight into the behaviors represented by vertical movements; furthering our understanding of the ecological importance of habitats occupied, seasonal shifts in activity, and the energetic consequences of targeting prey at a given depth. Given our incomplete understanding of Eastern Beaufort Sea (EBS) beluga whale behavior over an annual cycle, we aimed to characterize dives made by belugas, with a focus on analyzing shifts in foraging strategies. Objectives were to (i) characterize and classify the range of beluga-specific dive types over an annual cycle, (ii) propose dive functions based on optimal foraging theory, physiology, and association with environmental variables, and (iii) identify whether belugas undergo seasonal shifts in the frequency of dives associated with variable foraging strategies. Satellite-linked time-depth-recorders (TDRs) were attached to 13 male belugas from the EBS population in 2018 and 2019, and depth data were collected in time series at a 75 s sampling interval. Tags collected data for between 13 and 357 days, including three tags which collected data across all months. A total of 90,211 dives were identified and characterized by twelve time and depth metrics and classified into eight dive types using a Gaussian mixed modeling and hierarchical clustering analysis approach. Dive structures identify various seasonal behaviors and indicate year-round foraging. Shallower and more frequent diving during winter in the Bering Sea indicate foraging may be energetically cheaper, but less rewarding than deeper diving during summer in the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Archipelago, which frequently exceeded the aerobic dive limit previously calculated for this population. Structure, frequency and association with environmental variables supports the use of other dives in recovery, transiting, and navigating through sea ice. The current study provides the first comprehensive description of the year-round dive structures of any beluga population, providing baseline information to allow improved characterization and to monitor how this population may respond to environmental change and increasing anthropogenic stressors

Late Endocrine and Metabolic Sequelae and Long‐Term Monitoring of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma and Diffuse Large B‐Cell Lymphoma Survivors: A Systematic Review by the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi

Background: Overall survival after lymphoma has improved in recent years, but the high prevalence of late treatment‐related sequelae has been observed as a counterpart. Method: In this systematic review, FIL researchers aimed to: (i) estimate the incidence or prevalence of late endocrine‐metabolic sequelae, (ii) evaluate the effects of modern therapeutic approaches on incidence or prevalence of late endocrine‐metabolic sequelae, and (iii) determine whether there is evidence of follow‐up schemes for their screening/early diagnosis in the subset of long‐term classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) survivors treated at adult age. The MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant articles published up to October, 2020. The study selection process was conducted by three independent reviewers and was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane tool for randomized trials and the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Results: In the final analysis, eight studies were included, four of which focused on thyroid disease, two on gonadal dysfunction, one on bone disease and one on metabolic syndrome. Hypothyroidism was reported in up to 60% of adult cHL survivors and was frequently recorded even with modern radiotherapy approaches. Menopause occurred in 52–72% of women after chemotherapy. An 86% reduction in vertebral density was reported following R‐CHOP‐like chemotherapy. Sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome were reported in 37.9% and 60% of patients, respectively. No validated screening protocols were found for the early diagnosis of long‐term treatment‐related endocrine and metabolic sequelae, thus the authors finally suggest the execution of screening exams according to the risk category which were identified in the epidemiologic studies