Fossil And Recent Mountain Suckers, Pantosteus, And Significance Of Introgression In Catostomin Fishes Of Western United States

Catostomus is the most diverse genus of fishes in western North America. Over thirty species of Catostomus and other catostomins have been classified in five recent genera, Catostomus, Deltistes, Chasmistes, Xyrauchen, and Pantosteus. Introgressed evolutionary history is apparent in all five western catostomin genera. Mountain suckers, subgenus Pantosteus, are small and medium-sized fishes that live in moderate-gradient streams in the foothills and mountains, from the Black Hills to Pacific coastal drainages and from western Canada to central Mexico. Pantosteus is distinct in its molecular as well as morphological traits, but it is polyphyletic because Catostomus (Pantosteus) columbianus shares unique, derived morphological traits with Pantosteus and mtDNA with Catostomus (s.s.), thereby identifying two genera in its ancestry. We recognize three subgroups of Pantosteus: C. (P.) discobolus group of six species is distributed in the Snake River, eastern and southern Basin and Range Province to central Mexico, the Colorado Plateau, and the Los Angeles Basin. The C. (P.) platyrhynchus species group consists of four species, found in the Columbia, Snake, Upper Missouri, Upper Green, Lahontan, and Bonneville basins. Catostomus (P.) columbianus is a separate subgroup. The Pantosteus fossil record is sparse. We describe three Miocene records of the C. (P.) discobolus group from Oregon and Washington, three Pliocene species from Idaho and Nevada, and two Pleistocene records--from the Rio Grande rift in Colorado and from the Missouri River drainage of Kansas. The Kansas record suggests a much wider range for the species during glacial periods. Miocene relatives of C. (P.) discobolus from three sites in Oregon and Washington, 11.5-8.5 million years old, are morphologically advanced suckers. The Pliocene species from southern Nevada is intermediate between its modern relatives in the surrounding Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. At least one of the two Pliocene mountain suckers in the Snake River drainage was probably involved in the hybrid ancestry of C. (P.) columbianus. The general Pantosteus pattern suggests an origin in the northwest Great Basin and Columbia Plateau, with a history of dispersal, isolation, and evolution southward through Basin and Range drainages to the Colorado Plateau and Mexico, and eastward across the Rocky Mountains to the Missouri drainage. Mountain suckers are adapted to moderate-gradient mountain streams and to scraping food from rocky substrate.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/122717/1/OP 743.pd

Morphological Divergence and Flow-Induced Phenotypic Plasticity in a Native Fish from Anthropogenically Altered Stream Habitats

Understanding population-level responses to human-induced changes to habitats can elucidate the evolutionary consequences of rapid habitat alteration. Reservoirs constructed on streams expose stream fishes to novel selective pressures in these habitats. Assessing the drivers of trait divergence facilitated by these habitats will help identify evolutionary and ecological consequences of reservoir habitats. We tested for morphological divergence in a stream fish that occupies both stream and reservoir habitats. To assess contributions of genetic-level differences and phenotypic plasticity induced by flow variation, we spawned and reared individuals from both habitats types in flow and no flow conditions. Body shape significantly and consistently diverged in reservoir habitats compared with streams; individuals from reservoirs were shallower bodied with smaller heads compared with individuals from streams. Significant population-level differences in morphology persisted in offspring but morphological variation compared with field-collected individuals was limited to the head region. Populations demonstrated dissimilar flow-induced phenotypic plasticity when reared under flow, but phenotypic plasticity in response to flow variation was an unlikely explanation for observed phenotypic divergence in the field. Our results, together with previous investigations, suggest the environmental conditions currently thought to drive morphological change in reservoirs (i.e., predation and flow regimes) may not be the sole drivers of phenotypic change

Statistical tools for transgene copy number estimation based on real-time PCR

Background As compared with traditional transgene copy number detection technologies such as Southern blot analysis, real-time PCR provides a fast, inexpensive and high-throughput alternative. However, the real-time PCR based transgene copy number estimation tends to be ambiguous and subjective stemming from the lack of proper statistical analysis and data quality control to render a reliable estimation of copy number with a prediction value. Despite the recent progresses in statistical analysis of real-time PCR, few publications have integrated these advancements in real-time PCR based transgene copy number determination. Results Three experimental designs and four data quality control integrated statistical models are presented. For the first method, external calibration curves are established for the transgene based on serially-diluted templates. The Ct number from a control transgenic event and putative transgenic event are compared to derive the transgene copy number or zygosity estimation. Simple linear regression and two group T-test procedures were combined to model the data from this design. For the second experimental design, standard curves were generated for both an internal reference gene and the transgene, and the copy number of transgene was compared with that of internal reference gene. Multiple regression models and ANOVA models can be employed to analyze the data and perform quality control for this approach. In the third experimental design, transgene copy number is compared with reference gene without a standard curve, but rather, is based directly on fluorescence data. Two different multiple regression models were proposed to analyze the data based on two different approaches of amplification efficiency integration. Our results highlight the importance of proper statistical treatment and quality control integration in real-time PCR-based transgene copy number determination. Conclusion These statistical methods allow the real-time PCR-based transgene copy number estimation to be more reliable and precise with a proper statistical estimation. Proper confidence intervals are necessary for unambiguous prediction of trangene copy number. The four different statistical methods are compared for their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, the statistical methods can also be applied for other real-time PCR-based quantification assays including transfection efficiency analysis and pathogen quantification

The Journal of Comorbidity affiliates with the Society for Academic Primary Care

No abstract available

Genotypic Diversity and Host-Specificity of Frankia Bacteria Associated with Sympatric Populations of Alnus rubra and Alnus rhombifolia in Oregon

Biological nitrogen fixation is one of the most critical processes contributing to ecosystem productivity and stability on a global scale. In temperate climates of the northern hemisphere, plant-root associated bacteria of the genus Frankia are the major nitrogen fixers in forest environments. Trees belonging to the genus Alnus are the most widespread hosts of Frankia in the Pacific Northwest, and a myriad of biotic and abiotic factors can influence the robustness of this symbiosis. Host identity and bacterial strain are important features that can impact Alnus-Frankia association, but little is known about the interplay of intrageneric hosts that co-occur in natural settings. In this study we investigated the genetic diversity and host specificity of Frankia bacteria associated with sympatrically occurring populations of Alnus rubra (red alder) and Alnus rhombifolia (white alder) in Oregon. Based on sequence analysis of the nifH gene recovered from root nodules we found low overall bacterial diversity. One dominant Frankia genotype was associated with both host species, indicating a lack of strong host specificity in this system. Our results suggest that certain intrageneric plant hosts with overlapping distributions show cross-compatibility with symbiotic actinorhizal bacteria, and that low strain diversity of these bacteria can persist across mixed host populations

Self-reported symptoms and managment by midwestern breast cancer survivors

Lymphedema (LE) is a life-long potential consequence of breast cancer treatment that may affect quality of life of breast cancer survivors in long-term survivorship. Previous studies reported that about 2 million women living with breast cancer are at a lifetime risk for LE development. Information from self-reported lymphedema symptoms and its management will provide potential early detection and intervention to manage LE. The purposes of this study were: To report the frequency of occurrence of commonly self- reported LE symptoms following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. To find the most commonly reported self-management actions taken for the five LE symptoms.Research supported by NIH/NINR NR05342/NR010293, University of Missouri PRIME funds, and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center research funds

An Evaluation of the Performance and Acceptability of Three LED Fluorescent Microscopes in Zambia: Lessons Learnt for Scale-Up

The World Health Organization recommends the roll-out of light-emitting diode (LED) fluorescent microscopes (FM) as an alternative to light microscopes in resource-limited settings. We evaluated the acceptability and performance of three LED FMs after a short orientation among laboratory technicians from government health centers in Zambia. Sixteen technicians with varied light microscopy experience were oriented to FMs and divided into groups; each group read a different set of 40 slides on each LED FM (Primo Star iLED™, Lumin™, FluoLED™) and on a reference mercury-vapor FM (Olympus BX41TF). Slide reading times were recorded. An experienced FM technician examined each slide on the Olympus BX41TF. Sensitivity and specificity compared to TB culture were calculated. Misclassification compared to the experienced technician and inter-rater reliability between trainees was assessed. Trainees rated microscopes on technical aspects. Primo Star iLED™, FluoLED™ and Olympus BX41TF had comparable sensitivities (67%, 65% and 65% respectively), with the Lumin™ significantly worse (56%; p<0.05). Specificity was low for trainees on all microscopes (75.9%) compared to the experienced technician on Olympus BX41TF (100%). Primo Star iLED™ had significantly less misclassification (21.1% p<0.05) than FluoLED™ (26.5%) and Lumin™ (26.8%) and significantly higher inter-rater reliability (0.611; p<0.05), compared to FluoLED™ (0.523) and Lumin™ (0.492). Slide reading times for LED FMs were slower than the reference, but not significantly different from each other. Primo Star iLED™ rated highest in acceptability measures, followed by FluoLED™ then Lumin™. Primo Star iLED™ was consistently better than FluoLED™ and Lumin™, and performed comparably to the Olympus BX41TF in all analyses, except reading times. The Lumin™ compared least favorably and was thought unacceptable for use. Specificity and inter-rater reliability were low for all microscopes suggesting that a brief orientation was insufficient in this setting. These results provide important data for resource-limited settings to consider as they scale-up LED FMs

Classification Models of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and fatal interstitial lung disease with no current cure. Progression of IPF is difficult to predict as the clinical course can be highly variable and range from a rapidly deteriorating state to a relatively stable state, or may be characterized by a slow progressive decline. Therefore, the need for an accurate diagnosis and improved tools for monitoring and managing IPF is of paramount importance, all for understanding the mitochondrial structure and the function played in the IPF. Mitochondrial DNA copy number (MtDCN) has been correlated with mortality in IPF patients and is a source of potentially clinically relevant information. We investigated the effects of various expiratory variables on MtDCN via multiple linear regression models. The models and their theoretical framework are presented under a descriptive and then analytic approach to investigate the complex and impact causes of IPF. Generalized linear model (GLM) based boosting is fitted before and after imputing the missing data. The Bayesian Hierarchical logistic models with categorical response variables that were created using carefully chosen cut-off points to classify the patients. This research provides an opportunity for novel patient surveillances

Influence of forest-to-silvopasture conversion and drought on components of evapotranspiration

The northeastern U.S. is projected to experience more frequent short-term (1-2 month) droughts interspersed among larger precipitation events. Agroforestry practices such as silvopasture may mitigate these impacts of climate change while maintaining economic benefits of both agricultural and forestry practices. This study evaluated the effects of forest-to-silvopasture (i.e., 50% thinning) conversion on the components of evapotranspiration (transpiration, rainfall interception, and soil evaporation) during the growing season of 2016. The study coincided with a late-summer drought throughout the northeastern U.S., which allowed us to also evaluate the effects of forest-to-silvopasture conversion on drought responses of multiple tree species, including Pinus strobus, Tsuga canadensis, and Quercus rubra. In the reference forest and silvopasture, we observed declining soil moisture and tree water use during the drought for all three tree species. However, the decline in P. strobus water use in response to declining soil moisture in the silvopasture was not as steep as compared with the reference forest, resulting in greater water use in the silvopasture for this species. In contrast, we did not detect different water-use responses between forest and silvopasture in T. canadensis or Q. rubra. This suggests that forest-to-silvopasture conversion via thinning can alleviate drought stress for P. strobus and that this species may be more sensitive to moisture stress when competition for water is high in denser stands. Evapotranspiration was 35% lower in the silvopasture compared with the reference forest, primarily a result of lower transpiration and rainfall interception. While soil evaporation was greater in the silvopasture, this was not enough to offset the considerably lower transpiration and interception. We observed greater radial tree growth 1-3 years following conversion in the silvopasture as compared with the reference forest for T. canadensis and Q. rubra, but not for P. strobus. Overall, our results suggest that forest conversion to silvopasture (in lieu of clearcutting for new pasture) may mitigate the impacts of agricultural land use intensification and climate change on ecosystem services, especially in terms of sustaining hydrologic regulation functions. Further study is required to determine the generality of these results and whether these benefits extend beyond the first few years post-conversion