Genetic diversity and family groups detected in a coyote population with red wolf ancestry on Galveston Island, Texas.

BACKGROUND: Hybridization can be a conservation concern if genomic introgression leads to the loss of an endangered species' unique genome, or when hybrid offspring are sterile or less fit than their parental species. Yet hybridization can also be an adaptive management tool if rare populations are inbred and have reduced genetic variation, and there is the opportunity to enhance genetic variation through hybridization. The red wolf (Canis rufus) is a critically endangered wolf endemic to the eastern United States, where all extant red wolves are descended from 14 founders which has led to elevated levels of inbreeding over time. Red wolves were considered extirpated from the wild by 1980, but before they disappeared, they interbred with encroaching coyotes creating a genetically admixed population of canids along coastal Texas and Louisiana. In 2018, a genetic study identified individuals on Galveston Island, Texas with significant amounts of red wolf ancestry. We collected 203 fecal samples from Galveston for a more in-depth analysis of this population to identify the amount of red wolf ancestry present and potential mechanisms that support retention of red wolf ancestry on the landscape. RESULTS: We identified 24 individual coyotes from Galveston Island and 8 from mainland Texas with greater than 10% red wolf ancestry. Two of those individuals from mainland Texas had greater than 50% red wolf ancestry estimates. Additionally, this population had 5 private alleles that were absent in the North American reference canid populations used in this study, which included 107 southeastern coyotes, 19 captive red wolves, and 38 gray wolves, possibly representing lost red wolf genetic variation. We also identified several individuals on Galveston Island and the mainland of Texas that retained a unique red wolf mitochondrial haplotype present in the red wolf founding population. On Galveston Island, we identified a minimum of four family groups and found coyotes on the island to be highly related, but not genetically depauperate. We did not find clear associations between red wolf ancestry estimates and landscape features, such as open green space or developed areas. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the presence of substantial red wolf ancestry persisting on Galveston Island and adjacent mainland Texas. This population has the potential to benefit future red wolf conservation efforts through novel reproductive techniques and possibly through de-introgression strategies, with the goals of recovering extinct red wolf genetic variation and reducing inbreeding within the species.

Impact of electrodiagnostic (EMG/NCS) tests on clinical decision-making and patient perceived benefit in the outpatient physical therapy practice.

BACKGROUND: Utilizing Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Study (EMG/NCS) tests, when indicated, may have implications for efficient patient management and assist in more efficient referral to appropriate providers or specialists. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG/NCS) on clinical decision-making and patient perspectives within PT practice settings. METHODS: 462 patients, who were candidates for diagnostic testing (EMG/NCS) were included in this outcome study and questionnaire-based survey design. Pre-test diagnosis was compared to post-test diagnosis. Post-test, patients were asked to rate their perceived benefit of the testing. RESULTS: Management was changed in 60.61% of patients post EMG/NCS testing (p < 0.0001). The diagnosis was changed post-EMG/NCS test in 39% of the patients with a change in management, which is greater than expected (p < 0.0004). There was no effect of gender or age (p > 0.05) on change in treatment (tx) or diagnosis (dx). 89.8% of patients agreed, or strongly agreed, that they were better able to understand their condition; 92.4% strongly agreed, or agreed, that they were reassured about their condition; 89.1% strongly agreed, or agreed, that they were better able to manage their condition and 92% reported very high, or high, value perceived from the EMG/NCS test administered. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that EMG/NCS testing appears to have a significant impact on clinical decision-making, and higher scores on the patient perceived benefit.

Theory Content, Question-Behavior Effects, or Form of Delivery Effects for Intention to Become an Organ Donor? Two Randomized Trials.

Eliciting different attitudes with survey questionnaires may impact on intention to donate organs. Previous research used varying numbers of questionnaire items, or different modes of intervention delivery, when comparing groups. We aimed to determine whether intention to donate organs differed among groups exposed to different theoretical content, but similar questionnaire length, in different countries. We tested the effect of excluding affective attitudinal items on intention to donate, using constant item numbers in two modes of intervention delivery. Study 1: A multi-country, interviewer-led, cross-sectional randomized trial recruited 1007 participants, who completed questionnaires as per group assignment: including all affective attitude items, affective attitude items replaced, negatively-worded affective attitude items replaced. Study 2 recruited a UK-representative, cross-sectional sample of 616 participants using an online methodology, randomly assigned to the same conditions. Multilevel models assessed effects of group membership on outcomes: intention to donate (primary), taking a donor card, following a web-link (secondary). In study 1, intention to donate did not differ among groups. Study 2 found a small, significantly higher intention to donate in the negatively-worded affective attitudes replaced group. Combining data yielded no group differences. No differences were seen for secondary outcomes. Ancillary analyses suggest significant interviewer effects. Contrary to previous research, theoretical content may be less relevant than number or valence of questionnaire items, or form of intervention delivery, for increasing intention to donate organs.

Recipient Vessel Selection in Head and Neck Reconstruction.

Objective: Recipient vessel caliber may be the single most important variable for flow to free tissue transfer. We performed cadaveric dissection of the external carotid artery and its branches to analyze average diameter in order to determine an algorithm for recipient vessel selection in head and neck reconstruction. Methods: The external carotid artery and branches were exposed on 3 lightly embalmed male human cadavers, aged 82 to 85 years. Each vessel was dissected, and luminal diameters were recorded with calipers. Results: The proximal ECA had the greatest average diameter (4 ± 0.6 mm) and potential flow; followed by distal ECA (2.85 ± 0.4 mm) facial (2.0 ± 0.6 mm), lingual (1.65 ± 0.6 mm), superior thyroid (1 ± 0.3  mm), and superficial temporal (0.85 ± 0.4 mm). There was a trend towards size variation between sides of the same cadaver. Conclusion: The external carotid artery has the greatest internal diameter and potential blood flow. It should be considered, when feasible, especially for defects of the upper third of the head. For defects of the lower third, the facial artery and the lingual artery should be utilized before the smaller diameter superior thyroid artery. Vessel selection is more challenging in the setting of radiation therapy, complex trauma, and prior neck surgery. In these settings, it is useful to have knowledge of the vascular anatomy and an objective algorithm for recipient vessel selection.