United Kingdom oral and maxillofacial surgeons support changes to current specialty recruitment process, which could include 'Walport' style local selection and national benchmarking.

Recruitment to oral and maxillofacial Surgical (OMFS) specialty training was centralised in 2010. The 'flexibility' for OMFS to respond to specialty specific recruitment issues is reducing and many Specialty Trainees' (ST) posts are left unfilled. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) appointment process designed to address the problem of recruiting and appointing academic surgeons with local selection with national benchmarking has worked. Using a database of all UK OMFS consultants/trainees, an electronic questionnaire was shared by e-mail, WhatsApp, and other social media. Of 306 replies, 125 (41%) were Consultants/post-certificate of completion training (CCT) individuals, 66 (22%) ST, 61 (20%) second degree students, 27 (9%) pre-second degree, 26 (9%) dual degree pre-ST trainees, and one did not indicate their status. A total of 249 (76%) studied dentistry first and 230 (75%) were male. Of those replying, 147 (48%) had no direct experience of national selection. 120 (39%) had experience as a candidate, 20 (7%) as a selector only, 17 (6%) as a candidate and selector, and two did not record their experience. Of 250 expressing an opinion, 156 (62%) supported local selection with 140 (56%) supporting local selection and national benchmarking, which is a process used for research training posts by the NIHR. Geographical continuity was most important for 78% of pre-second-degree trainees, 45% of STs, and 54% of second-degree students. A total of 57 respondents completed free text comments. There is support for changes in OMFS ST selection including creating OMFS posts which include Foundation and second-degree training in NIHR style locally recruited nationally benchmarked posts.

Genetic basis underlying Lassa fever endemics in the Mano River region, West Africa.

Lassa fever (LF), a haemorrhagic fever disease caused by Lassa virus (LASV), is a serious public health burden in West Africa. The Mano River region (Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Côte d'Ivoire) has been an endemic focus of the disease over the past decades. Here, we deciphered the genetic basis underlying LF endemics in this region. Clade model and type I functional divergence analyses revealed that the major LASV group, Kenema sub-clade, which is currently circulating in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, has been affected by different selective pressure compared to isolates from the other areas with effects on the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L protein) and probably nucleoprotein (NP). Further, contingency analysis showed that, in the early endemic, the sub-clade has undergone adaptive diversification via acceleration of amino acid substitutions in L protein. These findings highlight the key viral factor and local adaptation regarding the endemicity of LF.

Genomic signatures of fine-scale local selection in Atlantic salmon suggest involvement of sexual maturation, energy homeostasis and immune defence-related genes.

Elucidating the genetic basis of adaptation to the local environment can improve our understanding of how the diversity of life has evolved. In this study, we used a dense SNP array to identify candidate loci potentially underlying fine-scale local adaptation within a large Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population. By combining outlier, gene-environment association and haplotype homozygosity analyses, we identified multiple regions of the genome with strong evidence for diversifying selection. Several of these candidate regions had previously been identified in other studies, demonstrating that the same loci could be adaptively important in Atlantic salmon at subdrainage, regional and continental scales. Notably, we identified signals consistent with local selection around genes associated with variation in sexual maturation, energy homeostasis and immune defence. These included the large-effect age-at-maturity gene vgll3, the known obesity gene mc4r, and major histocompatibility complex II. Most strikingly, we confirmed a genomic region on Ssa09 that was extremely differentiated among subpopulations and that is also a candidate for local selection over the global range of Atlantic salmon. This region colocalized with a haplotype strongly associated with spawning ecotype in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), with circumstantial evidence that the same gene (six6) may be the selective target in both cases. The phenotypic effect of this region in Atlantic salmon remains cryptic, although allelic variation is related to upstream catchment area and covaries with timing of the return spawning migration. Our results further inform management of Atlantic salmon and open multiple avenues for future research.

Population structure and local selection yield high genomic variation in Mimulus guttatus.

Across western North America, Mimulus guttatus exists as many local populations adapted to site-specific environmental challenges. Gene flow between locally adapted populations will affect genetic diversity both within demes and across the larger metapopulation. Here, we analyse 34 whole-genome sequences from the intensively studied Iron Mountain population (IM) in conjunction with sequences from 22 Mimulus individuals sampled from across western North America. Three striking features of these data address hypotheses about migration and selection in a locally adapted population. First, we find very high levels of intrapopulation polymorphism (synonymous π = 0.033). Variation outside of genes is likely even higher but difficult to estimate because excessive divergence reduces the efficiency of read mapping. Second, IM exhibits a significantly positive genomewide average for Tajima's D. This indicates allele frequencies are typically more intermediate than expected from neutrality, opposite the pattern observed in many other species. Third, IM exhibits a distinctive haplotype structure with a genomewide excess of positive associations between rarer alleles at linked loci. This suggests an important effect of gene flow from other Mimulus populations, although a residual effect of population founding might also contribute. The combination of multiple analyses, including a novel tree-based analytic method, illustrates how the balance of local selection, limited dispersal and metapopulation dynamics manifests across the genome. The overall genomic pattern of sequence diversity suggests successful gene flow of divergent immigrant genotypes into IM. However, many loci show patterns indicative of local adaptation, particularly at SNPs associated with chromosomal inversions.

Genetic variability, local selection and demographic history: genomic evidence of evolving towards allopatric speciation in Asian seabass.

Genomewide analysis of genetic divergence is critically important in understanding the genetic processes of allopatric speciation. We sequenced RAD tags of 131 Asian seabass individuals of six populations from South-East Asia and Australia/Papua New Guinea. Using 32 433 SNPs, we examined the genetic diversity and patterns of population differentiation across all the populations. We found significant evidence of genetic heterogeneity between South-East Asian and Australian/Papua New Guinean populations. The Australian/Papua New Guinean populations showed a rather lower level of genetic diversity. FST and principal components analysis revealed striking divergence between South-East Asian and Australian/Papua New Guinean populations. Interestingly, no evidence of contemporary gene flow was observed. The demographic history was further tested based on the folded joint site frequency spectrum. The scenario of ancient migration with historical population size changes was suggested to be the best fit model to explain the genetic divergence of Asian seabass between South-East Asia and Australia/Papua New Guinea. This scenario also revealed that Australian/Papua New Guinean populations were founded by ancestors from South-East Asia during mid-Pleistocene and were completely isolated from the ancestral population after the last glacial retreat. We also detected footprints of local selection, which might be related to differential ecological adaptation. The ancient gene flow was examined and deemed likely insufficient to counteract the genetic differentiation caused by genetic drift. The observed genomic pattern of divergence conflicted with the 'genomic islands' scenario. Altogether, Asian seabass have likely been evolving towards allopatric speciation since the split from the ancestral population during mid-Pleistocene.

Nutrient overlap, genetic relatedness and spatial origin influence interaction-mediated shifts in inhibitory phenotype among Streptomyces spp.

Chemical communication among kin bacteria modulates diverse activities. Despite the general consensus that signaling among non-kin organisms is likely to influence microbial behavior, there is limited information on the potential for microbial interactions to alter microbial phenotypes in natural habitats. We explored patterns of interaction that alter inhibitory phenotypes among Streptomyces isolates from distinct communities. Shifts in inhibition in response to the presence of a partner were evaluated for 861 isolate combinations, and were considered in relation to nutrient use, 16S sequence, inhibition phenotype and community origin. The frequency of inhibition-shifting interactions was significantly higher among isolates from the same (0.40) than from different (0.33) communities, suggesting local selection for inhibition-shifting interactions. Communities varied in the frequency with which Streptomyces isolates responded to a partner but not in the frequency with which isolates induced changes in partners. Streptomyces isolates were more likely to exhibit increased inhibition of a target bacterium in response to isolates that compete for the same nutrients, are closely-related or are strongly inhibited by their antibiotics. This work documents a high frequency of interactions among Streptomyces that shift the capacity of Streptomyces to inhibit other microbes, and suggests significant potential for such interactions to shape microbial community dynamics.

Testing hypotheses for morphological differences among populations of Miconia sellowiana (Melastomataceae) in southern Brazil / Testando hipóteses para as diferenças morfológicas entre populações de Miconia sellowiana (Melastomataceae) do sul do Brasil

Previous studies have uncovered considerable variability in foliar morphology and anatomy for Miconia sellowiana in different types of vegetation (Grassland, Montane Atlantic forest, Upper Montane Atlantic forest and Araucaria Pine forest). Although such variability could be due to phenotypic plasticity, an alternative explanation for this phenomenon is the existence of genetic differentiation among populations resulting from genetic drift or adaptation to different environments. The goal of the present study was to investigate the extent of genetic structures among populations of Miconia sellowiana using a neutral dominant genetic marker (RAPD - Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA). There was considerable variability in the studied samples, resulting in 96.5% polymorphic loci and a Gst = 0.13. The analysis of molecular variance showed the populations are genetically structured (p < 0.001). The subpopulations of M. sellowiana were grouped similarly together using genetic (based on a neutral marker) or morphological dendrograms, suggesting that the morphological differences observed are the result of local genetic differentiation by genetic drift and not the alleged phenotypic plasticity of the species.

Estudos prévios relatam a variabilidade na morfologia e anatomia de Miconia sellowiana em diferentes formações vegetacionais (Estepe Gramínio-Lenhosa, Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana, Floresta Ombrófila Densa Alto-Montana e Floresta Ombrófila Mista). Apesar dessa variabilidade poder ser devido à plasticidade fenotípica, uma explicação alternativa para o mesmo fenômeno é a existência de diferenciação genética entre as populações, resultado de deriva genética ou adaptação aos diferentes ambientes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a existência de estruturação genética entre as populações de M. sellowiana, utilizando um marcador genético dominante e neutro (RAPD - "Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA"). Foi encontrado um grau considerável de variabilidade nas amostras estudadas, sendo que 96,5% dos locos foram polimórficos e o valor de Gst foi de 0,13. O número estimado de migrantes por geração foi de 3,19, o que consiste com a existência de um fluxo gênico reduzido entre os locais estudados. Esse resultado foi confirmado pela análise de variância molecular (p < 0,001). As subpopulações de M. sellowiana ficaram igualmente agrupadas nos dendrogramas dos dados genéticos (baseado no marcador molecular neutro) e morfológicos, sugerindo que as diferenças morfológicas encontradas são resultado da diferenciação genética local e não por plasticidade fenotípica da espécie.

MAINTENANCE OF ECOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT GENETIC VARIATION IN THE TIGER SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY THROUGH DIFFERENTIAL SELECTION AND GENE FLOW.

Differential selection in a heterogeneous environment is thought to promote the maintenance of ecologically significant genetic variation. Variation is maintained when selection is counterbalanced by the homogenizing effects of gene flow and random mating. In this study, we examine the relative importance of differential selection and gene flow in maintaining genetic variation in Papilio glaucus. Differential selection on traits contributing to successful use of host plants (oviposition preference and larval performance) was assessed by comparing the responses of southern Ohio, north central Georgia, and southern Florida populations of P. glaucus to three hosts: Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia virginiana, and Prunus serotina. Gene flow among populations was estimated using allozyme frequencies from nine polymorphic loci. Significant genetic differentiation was observed among populations for both oviposition preference and larval performance. This differentiation was interpreted to be the result of selection acting on Florida P. glaucus for enhanced use of Magnolia, the prevalent host in Florida. In contrast, no evidence of population differentiation was revealed by allozyme frequencies. FST -values were very small and Nm, an estimate of the relative strengths of gene flow and genetic drift, was large, indicating that genetic exchange among P. glaucus populations is relatively unrestricted. The contrasting patterns of spatial differentiation for host-use traits and lack of differentiation for electrophoretically detectable variation implies that differential selection among populations will be counterbalanced by gene flow, thereby maintaining genetic variation for host-use traits.