Integrative phylogenetic, phylogeographic and morphological characterisation of the Unio crassus species complex reveals cryptic diversity with important conservation implications.

The global decline of freshwater mussels and their crucial ecological services highlight the need to understand their phylogeny, phylogeography and patterns of genetic diversity to guide conservation efforts. Such knowledge is urgently needed for Unio crassus, a highly imperilled species originally widespread throughout Europe and southwest Asia. Recent studies have resurrected several species from synonymy based on mitochondrial data, revealing U. crassus to be a complex of cryptic species. To address long-standing taxonomic uncertainties hindering effective conservation, we integrate morphometric, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic analyses to examine species diversity within the U. crassus complex across its entire range. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (815 specimens from 182 populations) and, for selected specimens, whole mitogenome sequences and Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) data on âˆ¼ 600 nuclear loci. Mito-nuclear discordance was detected, consistent with mitochondrial DNA gene flow between some species during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Fossil-calibrated phylogenies based on AHE data support a Mediterranean origin for the U. crassus complex in the Early Miocene. The results of our integrative approach support 12 species in the group: the previously recognised Unio bruguierianus, Unio carneus, Unio crassus, Unio damascensis, Unio ionicus, Unio sesirmensis, and Unio tumidiformis, and the reinstatement of five nominal taxa: Unio desectusstat. rev., Unio gontieriistat. rev., Unio mardinensisstat. rev., Unio nanusstat. rev., and Unio vicariusstat. rev. Morphometric analyses of shell contours reveal important morphospace overlaps among these species, highlighting cryptic, but geographically structured, diversity. The distribution, taxonomy, phylogeography, and conservation of each species are succinctly described.

Who do we gain? Enhancement of blood supplies by additional testing for donors who travel.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To describe the impact of additional testing on the England blood supply. BACKGROUND: The blood service for England, NHS Blood and Transplant, applies a system of deferral and testing to donors with potential exposure to Chagas disease, malaria and West Nile virus; however, testing costs must be justified. Here, we describe the donations and donors gained by testing. METHODS: Donation testing results and demographic data on donors in England where additional testing was applied were analysed in 2012-2016. The total number and proportion of donations tested, reactive and confirmed positive were calculated. Proportions of donors requiring additional tests were calculated by ethnic group for first-time and repeat donors. RESULTS: Additional testing for travel was applied to 3·5% of NHSBT blood donations between 2012 and 2016. Over 98% of these tests were non-reactive. Only malaria tests were confirmed positive, in 1·7% of donations tested. In first-time donors, 45 and 40% of Asian and Black donors required an additional test, respectively, mainly for malaria. Testing for West Nile virus increased from 1·5% in 2012 to 2·2% of donations in 2016. CONCLUSION: The majority of additional tests were screened negative, allowing approximately 64 000 donations to be released for issue annually. Donors most affected by malaria testing were more likely to have rare blood groups and be targeted for recruitment, whereas those given West Nile virus testing were mainly regular donors required for continuity of supply. These data show differences in the characteristics of donors by test and can be used to inform decisions about additional testing and deferrals.

Collimated blue and infrared beams generated by two-photon excitation in Rb vapor.

Utilizing two-photon excitation in hot Rb vapor we demonstrate the generation of collimated optical fields at 420 and 1324 nm. Input laser beams at 780 and 776 nm enter a heated Rb vapor cell collinear and circularly polarized, driving Rb atoms to the 5D(5/2) state. Under phase-matching conditions coherence among the 5S(1/2)→5P(3/2)→5D(5/2)→6P(3/2) transitions produces a blue (420 nm) beam by four-wave mixing. We also observe a forward and backward propagating IR (1324 nm) beam, due to cascading decays through the 6S(1/2)→5(1/2) states. Power saturation of the generated beams is investigated by scaling the input powers to greater than 200 mW, resulting in a coherent blue beam of 9.1 mW power, almost an order of magnitude larger than previously achieved. We measure the dependences of both beams in relation to the Rb density, the frequency detuning between Rb ground-state hyperfine levels, and the input laser intensities.

Temperature dependence of Rb 5P fine-structure transfer induced by 4He collisions.

Employing ultrafast laser excitation and time-correlated single-photon counting, we have measured the fine-structure transfer between Rb 5P states induced by collisions with 4He buffer gas at temperatures up to 150 °C. The temperature dependence of the binary cross section agrees with earlier measurements. Our data show that the temperature dependence of the three-body rate is about the same as that of the binary rate. The three-body rate can be described as arising from the reduction of the rubidium fine-structure splitting due to nearby helium atoms.

Low genetic diversity in Polish populations of sibling ant species: Lasius niger (L.) and Lasius platythorax Seifert (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

We present preliminary data on mitochondrial DNA diversity within and among populations of the ants Lasius niger and Lasius platythorax in Poland. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial DNA markers: cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) confirms the species status of L. niger and L. platythorax. Intraspecific variability is low in both species, which might be a result of severe bottlenecks and rapid postglacial expansion into Central Europe.

Enhancement of Rb fine-structure transfer in 4He due to three-body collisions.

Using ultrafast laser excitation and time-correlated single-photon counting techniques, we have measured the collisional mixing rates between the rubidium 5(2)P fine-structure levels in the presence of (4)He gas. A nonlinear dependence of the mixing rate with (4)He density is observed. We find Rb fine-structure transfer is primarily due to binary collisions at (4)He densities of < or = 10(19) cm(-3), while at greater densities, three-body collisions become significant. We determine a three-body collisional transfer rate coefficient (5(2)P(3/2) --> 5(2)P(1/2)) of 1.25(9)x10(-32) cm(6)/s at 22 degrees C.

Preharvest feed withdrawal affects liver lipid and liver color in broiler chickens.

An Iowa grain processor attempted to alter the typical 12-h preharvest fasting period by giving broilers cornstarch derivative pellets and water for 6 h followed by 6 h of no feed or water. After slaughter, plant food inspectors determined that livers from the treatment group were lighter in color than normal, and consequently a significant number of chicken carcasses were condemned for human consumption. The study reported herein was conducted to determine the effects of fasting or 3 feeding programs applied before processing on liver color, liver lipids, and liver glycogen of broilers. Dietary treatment groups consisted of 1) full-fed control broilers, 2) fasted broilers, 3) maltodextrin-fed broilers, and 4) and chickens given maltodextrin and methionine. Full-fed chickens had lighter liver coloration than chickens without access to feed for 6 or 12 h immediately prior to slaughter (P < 0.05). Lightness values for livers from full-fed control chickens (L* = 54.41) were 38% higher than those for livers from fasted broilers (L* = 39.30). Lighter liver colors in full-fed broilers were associated with higher hepatic lipid concentrations (6.38%) and more total liver lipid (4.96 g/liver) than was found in broilers without feed for 12 h. In contrast, darker livers from fasted broilers had lower levels of lipid (4.42%) and less total lipid (2.68 g/liver) than the full-fed broilers. Feeding maltodextrin pellets resulted in liver colors that were lighter (P < 0.05) than those found in fasted chickens but darker (P < 0.05) than livers from full-fed broilers. If carbohydrate supplements are fed prior to slaughter, producers should notify processing plant officials so that inspectors do not interpret light livers as an abnormal physiological state.

Tricuspid regurgitation in patients with acquired, chronic, pure mitral regurgitation. II. Nonoperative management, tricuspid valve annuloplasty, and tricuspid valve replacement.

The incidence, preoperative and intraoperative diagnosis, methods, and the clinical and hemodynamic features of patients with and without tricuspid regurgitation associated with chronic mitral regurgitation were presented in Part I. This study (Part II) compares the early and late results in patients with chronic, pure mitral regurgitation undergoing isolated mitral valve replacement, mitral replacement and tricuspid valve annuloplasty, and mitral and tricuspid valve replacement. The mean follow-up interval was 6 years. Those with the longest duration of symptoms (18 years) required tricuspid and mitral valve replacement (11 patients), whereas those with the shortest duration (8.1 years) had only mitral replacement (22 patients). Eight patients had minimal tricuspid regurgitation by digital palpitation, with no procedure performed, and six had tricuspid valve annuloplasty, only one of whom received a ring support. Operative mortality rate was similar in all groups (13% to 18%). All but two of the surviving patients improved by at least one New York Heart Association functional class, and no statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and postoperative hemodynamic data. There were no statistically significant differences in survival at 1, 5, or 8 years (85%, 70%, and 60%, respectively) for patients with or without TR. Only two of the surviving five patients who underwent tricuspid valve annuloplasty were alive 3 years after operation, whereas 70% to 80% of those with mitral replacement or mitral and tricuspid replacement were alive after the same time interval. It is not clear whether or not the pathogenesis of tricuspid regurgitation resulting from mitral regurgitation is different from that of tricuspid regurgitation resulting from mitral stenosis. It is our contention that whether tricuspid regurgitation arises because of anatomic destruction of the tricuspid valve or because of right ventricular dilatation with tricuspid annular enlargement, the underlying mitral valve lesion may determine the preoperative and postoperative courses of these patients. Therefore, when tricuspid valve disease is being evaluated, we urge that patients be categorized by the nature of their underlying mitral or aortic valve lesions.

Tricuspid regurgitation in patients with acquired, chronic, pure mitral regurgitation. I. Prevalence, diagnosis, and comparison of preoperative clinical and hemodynamic features in patients with and without tricuspid regurgitation.

Most reports of clinical experiences with palliation of acquired tricuspid regurgitation have failed to address the issue of coexisting disease of the mitral or aortic valve, or both. To accurately determine the natural history and the effect of operative interventions, we studied patients with chronic, pure mitral regurgitation who had surgical treatment at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute from 1968 to 1984. Forty-seven patients fulfilled the criteria of a documented history of mitral regurgitation for more than 1.5 years, minimal mitral diastolic gradient, severe mitral regurgitation by angiography, and no prior mitral or tricuspid operative procedure. Twenty-five of the 47 patients (53%) had evidence of tricuspid regurgitation. No statistical differences in age, sex, mean duration of symptoms of congestive heart failure, or functional class were found between those patients with and those without tricuspid regurgitation. However, patients with symptoms of congestive heart failure for more than 6 years were more likely to have tricuspid regurgitation. This increased prevalence also correlated with higher elevations of left ventricular end-diastolic, systolic pulmonary artery, and mean right atrial pressures. The severity of tricuspid regurgitation estimated preoperatively did not correlate statistically with that determined by digital palpation, although the presence of tricuspid regurgitation was reliably confirmed. These data demonstrate that tricuspid regurgitation is frequently present in patients with chronic, pure mitral regurgitation and is associated with prolonged symptoms of congestive heart failure and significant alterations in right heart dynamics.

The results of a surgical program for interrupted aortic arch.

Seventy-one patients with interrupted arch entered the Boston Children's Hospital between Jan. 1, 1974, and Jan. 1, 1987, of whom 63 underwent an operation. Type B was the most prevalent form of interrupted arch, and ventricular septal defect alone was the commonest coexisting cardiac anomaly. Among the 63, the 30-day and the 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 61%, 52%, 48%, and 47%, respectively. The mortality rate declined strikingly during the experience, and by multivariate analysis in patients with coexisting ventricular septal defect operated on in 1986, the probability of death within 2 weeks of repair was only 7%. Also, preoperative therapy became progressively more intense and more prolonged. The complication of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction developed in eight of the 33 patients undergoing repair of interrupted arch and of isolated ventricular septal defect. The time-related freedom from this complication was 97%, 78%, and 58% at 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years, respectively. Seven of the eight patients underwent a surgical procedure directed against the left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and all have survived. Recurrent or persistent aortic arch obstruction became evident after repair in 15 patients and appeared more frequently and earlier after direct anastomosis than after tube graft repair. All patients had either reoperation or balloon dilation, but all were alive at follow-up. Most surviving patients are active and without symptoms. Inferences: An aggressive surgical program can result in survival and a good clinical state for at least 10 years after birth of over 40% of patients born with interrupted arch. Multiple anatomic bases account for the development of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in about 50% of the patients undergoing repair of interrupted arch with coexisting ventricular septal defect. Repair by direct anastomosis combined with repair of the coexisting defect whenever possible is optimal therapy.

Healing of ischemic colonic anastomoses in the rat: role of antibiotic preparation.

In this study we evaluated the relative effects of ischemia with and without antibiotic bowel preparation on colonic wound healing. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats (185 to 300 gm) were divided into five study groups: Groups I and II (n = 14) had no colonic ischemia, half receiving antibiotic bowel preparation before colocolostomy. Groups III, IV, and V (n = 18) had colonic ischemia induced by division of the marginal artery and ligation of the arteries to the splenic flexure and pelvic colon, assuring that all blood supply to the left side of the colon was intramural. Enteral (neomycin and erythromycin) antibiotic preparation was given in group III, no antibiotics were given in group IV, and parenteral (clindamycin and gentamicin) preparation was given in group V. The mid-left side of the colon was transected and an everting anastomosis was constructed with continuous 6.0 silk sutures. All animals were killed on the seventh postoperative day. Anastomotic healing in unprepared, ischemic rat colon was severely impaired, with an 83% dehiscence rate. In the colon prepared with enteral antibiotics, no adverse effect of ischemia was found. No animal had dehiscence, proximal dilation of the colon, or intra-abdominal abscess. This study may have clinical relevance in patients with ischemic intestinal disorders.

Closed technique for repair of right superior vena cava draining to left atrium.

A rare case of total anomalous drainage of a right superior vena cava to the left atrium is presented. The patient had an intact atrial septum and presented with cyanosis and a history of an earlier brain abscess. Complete repair was performed using a venoatrial shunt and without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Right thoracotomy, femorofemoral bypass, and deep hypothermia for re-replacement of the mitral valve.

Ten patients underwent mitral valve re-replacement for the third to sixth time through a right thoracotomy using one-lung anesthesia, femorofemoral bypass, profound systemic hypothermia, and low-flow perfusion without aortic cross-clamping or cardioplegia. The indications for this approach were previous mediastinitis, severe right ventricular hypertension with multiple previous sternotomies, intact coronary artery bypass graft, or previous aortic valve replacement. There was 1 operative death, which was due to end-stage pulmonary hypertension and intractable right heart failure. Blood loss was minimal, and there was no major postoperative morbidity in the 9 surviving patients except for supraventricular arrhythmias.

Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the right lung.

An unusual case of anomalous drainage of the right lung is described. The right superior pulmonary vein drained into the superior vena cava, and the middle and lower pulmonary veins drained into the inferior vena cava. Repair was achieved by creating a pericardial baffle that drained the inferior vein and the orifice of the superior vena cava through a surgically created atrial septal defect. The superior vena cava was transected and the distal portion anastomosed to the right atrial appendage.

Traumatic thoracic aortic rupture in the pediatric patient.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic thoracic aortic rupture is a rare injury in the pediatric patient. Experiences with thoracic aortic rupture in patients less than 17 years of age are needed to help identify factors that can influence injury occurrence, diagnosis, management, and outcome. METHODS: Between July 1989 and December 1995, 6 children were treated operatively for thoracic aortic rupture from blunt trauma at a level I pediatric trauma center. The average age was 13.2 years (range, 8 to 16 years). There were 4 females and 2 males. There were 5 motor vehicle accidents and 1 bicycle accident. Aortic injury was suspected based on the mechanism of injury and abnormal chest roentgenogram results, and was confirmed by aortography (3 cases) or chest computed tomography (2) and transesophageal echocardiography (3). Life-threatening central nervous system or gastrointestinal injuries were evaluated or treated first. Operative repair of the thoracic aorta was performed by cardiopulmonary bypass (2 patients) and clamp and sew technique (4). RESULTS: Aortic ruptures were complete transections at the ligamentum arteriosum in 5 of 6 (83%); the other case was a cervical arch pseudoaneurysm. Associated injuries included pulmonary contusion (100%), pelvic/long bone fractures (50%), visceral laceration/perforation (50%), central nervous system (33%), paraplegia (17%), and myocardial contusion (17%). There were no rib fractures. Four of 5 patients (80%) were not wearing seat belts, and 2 of these were ejected. The average time from injury to the operating room was 17.6 hours (range, 5 to 48 hours); the time from diagnosis to the operating room exceeded 5 hours with aortography and was less than 3 hours with chest computed tomography and transesophageal echocardiography. Each diagnostic modality accurately identified an aortic injury. The average time for cardiopulmonary bypass and for clamp and sew was 52 minutes (range, 49 to 55 minutes) and 34 minutes (range, 16 to 45 minutes), respectively. One patient with preoperative paraplegia regained partial function; there were no other patients with paraplegia. There were no deaths. All patients are alive 2 months to 7 years after repair. CONCLUSIONS: The multiply injured child with severe blunt trauma and an abnormal chest roentgenogram requires a search for aortic injury. We believe the most effective algorithm to follow for the diagnosis of traumatic thoracic aortic rupture in the child involves selective performance of chest computed tomography and transesophageal echocardiography. Our experience suggests that the mechanism of injury, the duration to diagnosis of an aortic injury, and failure to use seat belts may contribute to morbidity. A high index of suspicion and a systematic approach to the diagnosis and to the management strategy for injuries to the thoracic aorta can contribute to a good outcome in those few children who survive the injury.

Pulsed Doppler echocardiographic and color flow imaging detection of retrograde filling of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.

We report a case in which pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography and color flow imaging of blood flow direction in an anomalous coronary artery from the pulmonary artery assisted in the correct diagnosis and confirmed the adequacy of the surgical correction. Low-velocity color scales were used to show retrograde filling of the left coronary artery before surgery and antegrade filling of the left coronary artery after surgery. Detecting direction of blood flow in coronary arteries should increase the accuracy of the noninvasive diagnosis of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.

Direct thrombolysis of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis with coexisting intracranial hemorrhage.

We present a case of dural cerebral venous thrombosis with coexisting left frontal hemorrhage that was successfully treated with 13.79 million units of urokinase over a period of 165 hours.

Rotational vertebrobasilar insufficiency as a component of thoracic outlet syndrome resulting in transient blindness. Case report.

Cases of unilateral vertebral artery compression associated with thoracic outlet syndrome infrequently result in symptoms and, of those that do, most involve the brain stem. Reports of transient blindness resulting from this condition are even more rare. The authors describe the case of a middle-aged woman who presented with transient blindness when she turned her head excessively to the left. She also exhibited other less severe brainstem symptoms. Arteriography demonstrated occlusion of the left vertebral artery only when her head was rotated to the left. Surgical exploration revealed entrapment of the left vertebral artery by a tight anterior scalene muscle, release of which resulted in complete resolution of her symptoms. Both neurosurgeons and radiologists need to be aware that extrinsic compression of the vertebral artery precipitated by head rotation may sometimes result in transient cortical blindness.

Genetic Variability in Natural Populations of Eurytopic Ostracod Candona neglecta Sars.

An electrophoretic survey of allozyme variation was conducted in four, highly polymorphic loci on nine populations of ostracod Candona neglecta Sars from three different environments: the profundal of post-glacial lakes, deep muddy bottom of the Baltic Sea and small astatic water bodies. The results suggest lack of genetic isolation between populations from lake profundal and the Baltic Sea. On the other hand a very distinct founder effect can be noted in the case of young, isolated populations from small astatic basins. It is suggested that a population inhabiting a large lake may be genetically subdivided due to differentiated eutrophication.

Impact of prolonged waiting times of neonates awaiting heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed waiting times and outcomes of neonates listed for heart transplantation at two medical centers from 1991 through 1994. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis was performed to examine waiting times, charges, morbidity, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 30 neonates listed for transplantation, 15 received hearts, with 10 late survivors. Waiting time increased from 25 +/- 8 days in 1991 and 1992 to 58 +/- 7 days in 1993 and 1994 (p < 0.01), and the hospital charge per patient increased from $118,300 +/- $31,500 to $198,700 +/- $25,400 (p < 0.05). Freedom from sepsis predicted receiving heart transplantation (p < 0.01). Lack of a preoperative central intravenous catheter, no preoperative mechanical ventilation, and A-negative blood type predicted heart transplantation survival (p < 0.05). The chances of receiving and surviving transplantation were the same in the two periods. There was a trend toward greater morbidity among neonates waiting more than 35 days. CONCLUSIONS: Waiting times and charges have increased significantly over the last 4 years. Patients who are free of sepsis, lack a preoperative central intravenous catheter, are not mechanically ventilated preoperatively, and have A-negative blood type have better outcomes.