Genetic diversity of upper Lake Constance whitefish Coregonus spp. under the influence of fisheries: a DNA study based on archived scale samples from 1932, 1975 and 2006.

This investigation examined changes in the genetic diversity of pelagic upper Lake Constance (ULC) whitefish Coregonus wartmanni population before and after the alteration of fishery methods and management from 1932 to 2006. The study spans a period of pronounced changes in trophic status of the lake and transitions from traditional relatively unselective pelagic seine (Klusgarn) fishing to highly size-selective nylon gillnet techniques. In addition, supportive breeding and stocking became most popular during the phase of eutrophication in the 1970s. The main hypothesis is that size-selective fisheries and breeding lead to an overall decrease in genetic variability over time. A total of 215 archived C. wartmanni scale samples from 1932, 1975 and 2006 were analysed by genotyping 11 microsatellite loci. A comparison of population genetic parameters, including allelic richness, observed and expected heterozygosities, and estimates of effective population sizes, suggests that the genetic diversity of C. wartmanni population has not decreased. The appearance of new alleles in the gene pool in 1975 and 2006 may be indicative of admixture with other forms in the lake or with stocked allochthonous forms. Overall, the fisheries management practice in ULC, including the effects of size-selective fisheries, supportive breeding and stocking, have not significantly altered the genetic diversity of Coregonus spp. over an 80 year period.

The importance of genetic cluster recognition for the conservation of migratory fish species: the example of the endangered European huchen Hucho hucho (L.).

European huchen Hucho hucho (L.) is an endangered flagship species, which is endemic to the Danube drainage in central Europe. To date, no genetic information has been available as a basis for ongoing conservation and breeding programmes for the species. It is suspected that most populations in the wild share one common gene pool and that they exclusively depend on stocking with hatchery fish. In this study, highly variable microsatellite markers were established and the genetic diversity and differentiation from four important hatchery-reared stocks were compared with that of eight H. hucho populations sampled in the wild. Overall, eight genetic clusters with a moderate to very great degree of genetic differentiation and high assignment rates were identified. Each cluster contained individuals from two to 10 different populations and 9-100% of specimens from hatchery stocks. It is proposed that genetic cluster-based management in the conservation of European huchen is advantageous compared with the consideration of single local populations. A combined approach of maintaining the evolutionary potential of wild populations and genetically variable hatchery stocks can maximize the conservation of the species' evolutionary potential.

Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA phylogeography of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus): evidence for secondary contact zones in central Europe.

Mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers were applied to infer the phylogeography, intraspecific diversity and dynamics of the distributional history of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) with focus on its central and northern European distribution range. Phylogenetic and nested clade analyses revealed at least four major mtDNA lineages, which evolved in geographical isolation during the Pleistocene. These lineages should be recognized as the basic evolutionary significant units (ESUs) for grayling in central and northern Europe. In addition, and in contrast to previous work on grayling, the results of Bayesian analysis of individual admixture coefficients, two-dimensional scaling analysis and spatial analysis of molecular variance provided evidence for a high level of admixture among major lineages in contact zones between drainages (e.g. the low mountain range of Germany), most likely resulting from glacial perturbations and ancient river connections between drainages during the Pleistocene glaciations. Even within river systems, a high level of differentiation among populations was revealed as indicated by the microsatellite data. Grayling sampled from 29 sites displayed high levels of differentiation (overall F(ST) = 0.367), a high number of private alleles and high bootstrap support for the genetic distance-based population clusters across 12 loci. We specifically discuss our results in context of phylogeograpic studies on other European freshwater fish species with habitat preferences similar to those of grayling. Our study shows that both large-scale phylogeographical and detailed genetic analyses on a fine scale are mandatory for developing appropriate conservation guidelines of endangered species.

Medicamentos não aprovados para crianças em prescrições de 332 pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados / Unapproved drugs for children in prescriptions for 332 pediatric inpatients

Introdução: É importante avaliar a prescrição de medicamentos para pacientes pediátricos, uma vez que eles são excluídos dos ensaios clínicos no desenvolvimento de novas drogas. Este estudo avaliou a prescrição de medicamentos não aprovados e não indicados para crianças, para uso em pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados, e propõe uma prática racional para prescrição. Método: Foram analisados prescrições de 332 pacientes, cujos dados foram obtidos em quatro dias de coleta. O farmacêutico hospitalar determinou a prevalência de prescrição de medicamentos em cinco enfermarias pediátricas. A analisé foi realizada com dados reunidos em quatro coletas nos meses de março a junho de 1999. Foram registrados todos os medicamentos prescritos para todas as crianças internadas nas enfermarias nos dias de estudo. Foi realizada avaliação dos medicamentos não aprovados e não indicados para a utilização em crianças. Os medicamentos foram classificados pela anatomic therapeutic classification (ATC) recomendada pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. Resultados: Os diagnósticos mais frequêntes foram pneumonia (40,4 por cento), meningite e meningococcemia (6 por cento), diarréia e desidratação (6 por cento). As três classes terapêuticas mais prescritas foram as de atuação no sistema nervoso (N) (109 por cento), as de antiinfecciosos de uso sistêmico (J) (81,9 por cento) e as de atuação no sistema respiratório (R) (69 por cento). Os três medicamentos mais prescritos foram dipirona (88,3 por cento), fenoterol (30,7 por cento) e penicilina G (25,0 por cento). O trabalho mostra o resultado da integração do farmacêutico hospitalar na equipe multiprofissional de assistência ao doente. Conclusão: Medidas simples, como a adoção de apresentações mais adequadas ao uso em crianças e de informações mais detalhadas e precisas sobre os medicamentos, podem acrescentar qualidade ao atendimento de crianças hospitalizadas.