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Biomedical subjects

P Hedrick

Publications and source records attributed to P Hedrick.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Evaluation of d2, a microsatellite measure of inbreeding and outbreeding, in wolves with a known pedigree.

We have evaluated a microsatellite measure proposed as an indicator of inbreeding and outbreeding using a captive wolf population with known inbreeding levels and founder sources. The measure, which is based on the difference in the repeat number for microsatellite alleles within an individual, was not more predictive of the known inbreeding coefficient than microsatellite heterozygosity (it was actually less predictive). We also found no support that the measure was predictive of the level of outbreeding. However, we could not determine if the measure was predictive of very low levels of inbreeding due to matings between remote relatives. Overall, it appears that the usefulness of this measure to identify individuals on the inbred-outbred continuum beyond that of heterozygosity and identify biologically important associations with fitness-related traits may be limited. We suggest that the measure be examined theoretically to determine when (and how much) the predictive value of the measure is different from that of heterozygosity for inbreeding or outbreeding levels in a variety of different scenarios.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Heterozygosity and fitness: no association in Scots pine.

The association of six quantitative traits related to fitness with heterozygosity at 12 allozyme loci has been examined in three populations of Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris. Because of several characteristics of this organism and of this extensive data set, it appeared that this study would show a positive association between heterozygosity and these traits if indeed heterozygotes had higher values for these quantitative traits. Using several different statistical techniques including analysis of variance, regression with the scaling recommended from the adaptive distance model, and multiple regression, no evidence of an association was found. For example, only between 7 and 8% of the regression tests were significant at the 5% level and half of these showed a positive association and half showed a negative association. Further, the multiple regression analysis explained on average only 5.8% of the variation observed in the six different traits and only 1.5% of this variation was explained by a positive association. Power analysis was carried out (for the first time on these type of data), both for the single locus heterozygous advantage and the association of individual multiple locus heterozygosity and the quantitative traits. For diameter and height, two traits often used in similar studies, the average power to detect a single locus heterozygous advantage of 0.10 was 0.737 and the average power to detect a mean heterozygote advantage of 0.05 per locus for multiple loci was 0.797. As a result of this study and an examination of the published results from other studies, it appears that what positive associations have been observed are probably not, in large part, due to the presence of intrinsic heterozygote advantage.

Genes, Plant↗
PubMed1992

Dental caries and periodontal disease in Fiji.

A national oral survey was conducted in Fiji in 1985/86. The results showed that the prevalence of caries was generally low and most commonly affected pit and fissure surfaces. Comparisons with previous surveys in 1948 and 1965 showed that the prevalence had fallen in primary teeth but remained relatively constant in permanent teeth. There were significant variations in prevalence between residential locations but not between ethnic groups. Periodontal disease was found to be a major public health problem. Except for the percentage of young children with caries-free dentitions, the current status of oral health in Fiji was generally better than that proposed in the WHO goals for the year 2000. The training of dental hygienists to help in the prevention of both dental caries and periodontal disease is discussed.

Adolescent↗