Population genomic structure of a widespread, urban-dwelling mammal: The eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).

Urbanization is a persistent and widespread driver of global environmental change, potentially shaping evolutionary processes due to genetic drift and reduced gene flow in cities induced by habitat fragmentation and small population sizes. We tested this prediction for the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), a common and conspicuous forest-dwelling rodent, by obtaining 44K SNPs using reduced representation sequencing (ddRAD) for 403 individuals sampled across the species' native range in eastern North America. We observed moderate levels of genetic diversity, low levels of inbreeding, and only a modest signal of isolation-by-distance. Clustering and migration analyses show that estimated levels of migration and genetic connectivity were higher than expected across cities and forested areas, specifically within the eastern portion of the species' range dominated by urbanization, and genetic connectivity was less than expected within the western range where the landscape is fragmented by agriculture. Landscape genetic methods revealed greater gene flow among individual squirrels in forested regions, which likely provide abundant food and shelter for squirrels. Although gene flow appears to be higher in areas with more tree cover, only slight discontinuities in gene flow suggest eastern grey squirrels have maintained connected populations across urban areas in all but the most heavily fragmented agricultural landscapes. Our results suggest urbanization shapes biological evolution in wildlife species depending strongly on the composition and habitability of the landscape matrix surrounding urban areas.

A Novel Approach to Helping People with Glaucoma Use Their Drops Routinely.

Pharmacy data reveal that 70% of patients were missing one or more days worth of drops out of five. Adopting approaches to behavior change and management skills used for people with diabetes may provide insight to improve self-management of glaucoma. Every person who is diagnosed with a chronic health condition such as glaucoma has unique life circumstances that may present barriers to behavior change. An accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan are useless if patients do not use their prescribed eye drops. Active listening and effective communication can result in persons who are more engaged in their self-care behaviors. Collaborative communication using person-centered and strengths-based messages could help eye care providers identify challenges and concerns for people with glaucoma who are experiencing inconsistencies with their eye drops. In an atmosphere where patients can discuss their challenges with treatment recommendations without judgment or fear, they are more likely to trust their provider and therefore share their situation openly and honestly. This is accomplished by choosing language that communicates mutually-agreed-upon self-management goals and addresses and strengthens individual and clinical outcomes. The eye care professional is then seen by the patient as a resource who can empathize when setbacks occur and reinforce the patient's self-management goals. Open-ended questions and tell-ask-tell approaches for identifying barriers to care are keys to more effective communication and trusting relationships. This includes recognizing that glaucoma is associated with increased rates of anxiety or depression that may be an overlooked barrier to self-management. By adopting language recommendations from diabetes care and education, eye care practitioners may be better equipped to help people with glaucoma improve their self-care.

Performance outcomes in professional hockey players following arthroscopic treatment of FAI and microfracture of the hip.

PURPOSE: Previous studies report professional athletes return to play following arthroscopic microfracture of the hip for chondral defects. Our hypothesis is that professional hockey players undergoing arthroscopic microfracture for chondral defects of the hip achieve the same performance they had pre-injury and compared to matched controls. METHODS: Seventeen professional hockey players underwent arthroscopic microfracture for an Outerbridge grade IV chondral lesion. Concomitant procedures for labral pathology or FAI were included. Performance data for the full season preceding and following index procedure were analysed, in addition to two matched control players per subject. Data were collected at two points, 2 years apart. RESULTS: Eighty-two per cent (14/17) of players who underwent arthroscopic microfracture returned to play. The year prior to injury for the 14 players who returned was compared to the average of their individual controls. There was no statistical difference between the groups for age, number of seasons in the league, games played, time on ice, points, save percentage, and shots against goal. Post-operatively, there was no statistical difference between the treatment and control groups regarding performance measures. There was a trend towards a decrease in games played and points post-operatively compared with controls. The treatment group decreased 11 games played, while the controls decreased five games. The treatment group also decreased 14 points, while the controls decreased three points for the season. CONCLUSIONS: Professional hockey players with a discrete, full-thickness chondral defect of the hip are able to return to elite performance level following an arthroscopic microfracture procedure when compared to pre-injury outcomes and controls.

Epinephrine-induced myocardial infarction in severe anaphylaxis: is nonselective ß-blockade a contributory factor?

Epinephrine-induced myocardial ischemia in the setting of anaphylaxis is a rare event and is postulated to be due to coronary artery spasm. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with an anaphylactic reaction triggered by flucloxacillin. She was treated with intramuscular epinephrine, following which she developed ischemic chest pain and electrocardiographic changes, associated with troponin elevation. Subsequent coronary angiography demonstrated normal coronary arteries. In this case report, we discuss the potential role of prior nonselective ß-blockade with propranolol in predisposing such patients to ischemic cardiac events following treatment with epinephrine.

Return to play after hip arthroscopy with microfracture in elite athletes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare elite athletes who underwent hip arthroscopy with and without microfracture with respect to their ability to return to sport at the professional level. METHODS: All elite male athletes who underwent hip arthroscopy between 1999 and 2010 were identified. Inclusion criteria were hip arthroscopy with treatment of labrum, femoroacetabular impingement, cartilage, ligamentum teres, capsule, and/or loose body removal. Exclusion criteria were diffuse degenerative joint disease, previous surgery, plans to retire, labral reconstruction, soft tissue release, and concomitant lower extremity injury. Thirty-nine athletes underwent hip arthroscopy with microfracture and were assigned to the microfracture treatment group. Eighty-one elite athletes (94 hips) underwent hip arthroscopy without microfracture and were assigned to the control group. Sports played included hockey, soccer, football, baseball, tennis, and golf. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent (30 of 39) of athletes in the microfracture treatment group and 84% (79 of 94) in the control group returned to play. There was no statistical difference in rate of return to play between groups (odds ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.633 to 4.049). Those players who did return were followed for an average of 3 years (range, 2 to 12). Athletes in the microfracture treatment group who returned have averaged 3 seasons thus far, and 73% are still playing. We found no significant difference in the microfracture group in age, time from injury to surgery, number of seasons played preoperatively, or size of lesion for return versus no return. We also found no increased risk of not returning because of contact sport, multiple lesions, or lesion on weightbearing surface. CONCLUSIONS: There was no detectable statistically significant difference in return to play rate after hip arthroscopy with microfracture and hip arthroscopy without microfracture. Professional athletes who underwent hip arthroscopy with microfracture procedure were able to return to the same high level of competition after surgery at a high rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Artelle et al. (2018) miss the science underlying North American wildlife management.

Artelle et al. (2018) conclude that "hallmarks of science" are largely missing from North American wildlife management based on a desk review of selected hunting management plans and related documents found through Internet searches and email requests to state and provincial wildlife agencies. We highlight three fundamental problems that compromise the validity of the conclusions posited: missing information to support selection of "hallmarks of science," confusion about the roles and nature of science and management, and failure to engage effectively with the scientists and managers actively managing wildlife populations in North America.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the nasal sinus cavities.

This is case report of extramedullary plasmacytoma occurring in the nasal cavity. These are unusual tumors especially in the nasal area. Patients present mainly with nasal symptoms on the same side of the tumors. The treatment consists of surgery resection, or, radiation, or both. There is a fifty percent survival rate in five years.