Research and Analysis of Fisheries in Illinois F-69-R (32) Final Performance Report July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019

Fisheries managers are charged with understanding the interaction between sport fish populations and anglers to inform resource management decision making that supports and promotes healthy fisheries. Fundamental to this mission is easy access to long-term fisheries data, analytical tools and metrics that offer insight into the quality of a fishery, and an understanding of the factors that influence fish population dynamics. Equally important is the need to communicate this scientific knowledge and promote angling opportunities to the public. Project F-69-R has four overall goals: (1) conduct a variety of surveys and investigations that elucidate patterns of variation in sport fish populations and the mechanisms that drive those patterns, (2) evaluation methodologies used to collect fisheries data and inform sampling strategies; (3) communicate research findings and basic assessments of sport fish populations to the angling public, and (4) organize, manage, analyze and deliver sport fisheries data to researchers, sport fish managers, and the angling public. Basic and applied research studies, public outreach efforts, and data management activities all work in concert to create a better understanding of the restoration and conservation needs of sport fish populations in Illinois. Surveys and investigations completed in Segment 32 were executed under Study 1, Study 2, and Study 3. Summarized below, these studies were focused on three areas of sport fish restoration and management. First, a series of six experiments investigating the status and trends of Ancient Sport Fishes (Gars, and Bowfin) were conducted statewide, detailing age and growth methodology; spatial ecology and genetic relatedness; population vital rates; and bowfishing tournament harvest. Second, one experiment investigating the influence of on the heritability of lure avoidance were conducted, providing further evidence of the role angling vulnerability plays in fishing quality. Third, an evaluation of patterns in age and growth of walleye, sauger and their hybrids was initiated on several impoundments in east central Illinois. Evaluation of sampling methods initiated under Study 4 focuses on an evaluation of incorporating a fixed/random sample design into fisheries assessments in Illinois impoundments. Specifically, habitat and bathymetric assessments of study lakes were initiated, to be followed by data simulations utilizing sport fish data sets managed under Study 5. Sport fish data sets are the building blocks that support research studies and outreach activities within Project F-69-R, making the collaborative collection, organization, analysis, and dissemination of sport fish information a critical component of the overall goals of this project. In Study 5, project personnel collaborated with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to efficiently collect and manage data that reflects the status and trends in sport fish populations in Illinois and organizes that information in such a way that the needs of all data users can be more efficiently met. An online permit application system for fishing tournaments throughout Illinois 6 has been met with great success regarding its ease of use and generation of important data for researchers and managers. A new online data portal accessible by IDNR Division of Fisheries that integrates the Hatchery Information Management System (HIMS) and the assessment data system METRICS has been developed. Informed by repeated consultations with system users in the last segment, the new I Fish Data Portal is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of Segment 33. Achieving this significant landmark supports a transition toward placing more data management responsibility with the IDNR Division of Fisheries, while maintaining collaborative access to data for use in Project surveys and investigations. Outreach activities under Study 6 primarily consist of the maintenance of the website www.ifishillinois.org. The website is a heavily visited, popular resource for anglers seeking information about sport fishing opportunities in Illinois. The site provides basic information about access, as well as science-based assessments about the quality of sport fishing in Illinois waters. Through Study 6 we are able to communicate the results of sport fish research and analysis, delivering state-of-the-art information to researchers, managers, and the angling public. Social media will continue to be utilized to promote and share information about sport fishing opportunities throughout Illinois. The website, social media, and public outreach activities are essential to sharing public data and information about sport fish populations and management in Illinois. The importance and value of Project F-69-R lies in the ability to be responsive to emerging sport fish management issues through research studies utilizing long-term sport fish data sets, followed by compelling and salient communications of those findings to the angling public. The Executive Summary provides a brief overview of the accomplishments of each job within the project, followed by a more detailed reporting of the specific procedures, findings and recommendations for future activities under this project.Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Federal Aid in Fisheries Restoration F-69-R (32)unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Duration of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer

BACKGROUND Since 2004, a regimen of 6 months of treatment with oxaliplatin plus a fluoropyrimidine has been standard adjuvant therapy in patients with stage III colon cancer. However, since oxaliplatin is associated with cumulative neurotoxicity, a shorter duration of therapy could spare toxic effects and health expenditures. METHODS We performed a prospective, preplanned, pooled analysis of six randomized, phase 3 trials that were conducted concurrently to evaluate the noninferiority of adjuvant therapy with either FOLFOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) or CAPOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) administered for 3 months, as compared with 6 months. The primary end point was the rate of disease-free survival at 3 years. Noninferiority of 3 months versus 6 months of therapy could be claimed if the upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio did not exceed 1.12. RESULTS After 3263 events of disease recurrence or death had been reported in 12,834 patients, the noninferiority of 3 months of treatment versus 6 months was not confirmed in the overall study population (hazard ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.15). Noninferiority of the shorter regimen was seen for CAPOX (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.06) but not for FOLFOX (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.26). In an exploratory analysis of the combined regimens, among the patients with T1, T2, or T3 and N1 cancers, 3 months of therapy was noninferior to 6 months, with a 3-year rate of disease-free survival of 83.1% and 83.3%, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.12). Among patients with cancers that were classified as T4, N2, or both, the disease-free survival rate for a 6-month duration of therapy was superior to that for a 3-month duration (64.4% vs. 62.7%) for the combined treatments (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.23; P=0.01 for superiority). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with stage III colon cancer receiving adjuvant therapy with FOLFOX or CAPOX, noninferiority of 3 months of therapy, as compared with 6 months, was not confirmed in the overall population. However, in patients treated with CAPOX, 3 months of therapy was as effective as 6 months, particularly in the lower-risk subgroup. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and others.

Development of a Definition of Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

IMPORTANCE: SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with persistent, relapsing, or new symptoms or other health effects occurring after acute infection, termed postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long COVID. Characterizing PASC requires analysis of prospectively and uniformly collected data from diverse uninfected and infected individuals. OBJECTIVE: To develop a definition of PASC using self-reported symptoms and describe PASC frequencies across cohorts, vaccination status, and number of infections. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective observational cohort study of adults with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection at 85 enrolling sites (hospitals, health centers, community organizations) located in 33 states plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Participants who were enrolled in the RECOVER adult cohort before April 10, 2023, completed a symptom survey 6 months or more after acute symptom onset or test date. Selection included population-based, volunteer, and convenience sampling. EXPOSURE: SARS-CoV-2 infection. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: PASC and 44 participant-reported symptoms (with severity thresholds). RESULTS: A total of 9764 participants (89% SARS-CoV-2 infected; 71% female; 16% Hispanic/Latino; 15% non-Hispanic Black; median age, 47 years [IQR, 35-60]) met selection criteria. Adjusted odds ratios were 1.5 or greater (infected vs uninfected participants) for 37 symptoms. Symptoms contributing to PASC score included postexertional malaise, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, palpitations, changes in sexual desire or capacity, loss of or change in smell or taste, thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, and abnormal movements. Among 2231 participants first infected on or after December 1, 2021, and enrolled within 30 days of infection, 224 (10% [95% CI, 8.8%-11%]) were PASC positive at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A definition of PASC was developed based on symptoms in a prospective cohort study. As a first step to providing a framework for other investigations, iterative refinement that further incorporates other clinical features is needed to support actionable definitions of PASC

Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Adult Study Protocol: Rationale, Objectives, and Design

IMPORTANCE: SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in ongoing, relapsing, or new symptoms or other health effects after the acute phase of infection; termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or long COVID. The characteristics, prevalence, trajectory and mechanisms of PASC are ill-defined. The objectives of the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Multi-site Observational Study of PASC in Adults (RECOVER-Adult) are to: (1) characterize PASC prevalence; (2) characterize the symptoms, organ dysfunction, natural history, and distinct phenotypes of PASC; (3) identify demographic, social and clinical risk factors for PASC onset and recovery; and (4) define the biological mechanisms underlying PASC pathogenesis. METHODS: RECOVER-Adult is a combined prospective/retrospective cohort currently planned to enroll 14,880 adults aged ≥18 years. Eligible participants either must meet WHO criteria for suspected, probable, or confirmed infection; or must have evidence of no prior infection. Recruitment occurs at 86 sites in 33 U.S. states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, via facility- and community-based outreach. Participants complete quarterly questionnaires about symptoms, social determinants, vaccination status, and interim SARS-CoV-2 infections. In addition, participants contribute biospecimens and undergo physical and laboratory examinations at approximately 0, 90 and 180 days from infection or negative test date, and yearly thereafter. Some participants undergo additional testing based on specific criteria or random sampling. Patient representatives provide input on all study processes. The primary study outcome is onset of PASC, measured by signs and symptoms. A paradigm for identifying PASC cases will be defined and updated using supervised and unsupervised learning approaches with cross-validation. Logistic regression and proportional hazards regression will be conducted to investigate associations between risk factors, onset, and resolution of PASC symptoms. DISCUSSION: RECOVER-Adult is the first national, prospective, longitudinal cohort of PASC among US adults. Results of this study are intended to inform public health, spur clinical trials, and expand treatment options

Using point reactor models and genetic algorithms for on-line global xenon estimation in nuclear reactors

none5T. ALDEMIR; G. TORRI; M. MARSEGUERRA; E. ZIO; J.A. BORKOWSKIT., Aldemir; Torri, Gianfranco; Marseguerra, Marzio; Zio, Enrico; J. A., Borkowsk

The invasive and metastatic properties of hormone-independent but hormone-responsive variants of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

We have previously isolated a series of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell variants which no longer require estrogen-supplementation for tumor growth in nude mice (Clarke et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86: 3649-3653, 1989). We now report that these hormone-independent and hormone-responsive variants (MIII, MCF7/LCC1) can invade locally from solid mammary fat pad tumors, and produce primary extensions on the surface of intraperitoneal structures including liver, pancreas, and diaphragm. Both lymphatic and hematogenous dissemination are observed, resulting in the establishing of pulmonary, bone, and renal metastases. The pattern of metastasis by MIII and MCF7/LCC1 cells closely resembles that frequently observed in breast cancer patients, and provides the first evidence of metastasis from MCF-7 cells growing in vivo without supplementary estrogen. The interexperimental incidence of metastases, and the time from cell inoculation to the appearance of metastatic disease are variable. The increased metastatic potential is not associated with an increase in either the level of laminin attachment, laminin receptor mRNA expression, or secreted type IV collagenolytic activity. We also did not detect a significant decrease in the steady-state mRNA levels of the metastasis inhibitor nm23 gene. However, when growing without estrogen in vitro, MCF7/LCC1 cells produce elevated levels of the estrogen-inducible cathepsin D enzyme

Transforming poverty-related policy with intersectionality

Despite progress toward poverty alleviation, policy making still lags in thinking about how individuals experience poverty as overlapping sources of disadvantage. Using the lens of intersectionality, this article identifies the gaps that arise from a conventional focus on isolated facets of poverty. Insights generated from an analysis of extant scholarship are used to develop a road map to help policy makers develop programs that address the complex experience of poverty and promote transformative solutions