bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Skin Uptake of Topicals After 1,927-nm and 1,440-nm Nonablative Fractional Diode Laser Treatment
Authors: Wang Jordan V. , Friedman Paul M. , Agron Samantha , Konda Adarsh , Parker Catherine , Geronemus Roy G.
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Although the stratum corneum limits transdermal absorption of topicals, laser devices can enhance topical uptake by disrupting the skin barrier. Nonablative lasers are commonly used, but their effects on topical uptake should be quantified to optimize outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to analyze transdermal uptake of 4 topicals after nonablative fractional diode laser pretreatment.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Human donor tissue was pretreated ex vivo with a nonablative fractional diode laser (1,927 nm or 1,440 nm, at varying treatment densities, powers, and peak energies) followed by application of either 2% salicylic acid, 10% ascorbic acid, over-the-counter mineral eye serum, or 4% hydroquinone. Topical uptake was quantified over 24 hours.

RESULTS

Despite lower power settings, pretreatment with the 1,927 nm wavelength was associated with greater uptake of 10% ascorbic acid, mineral eye serum, and 4% hydroquinone than the 1,440 nm wavelength. In addition, 1,440-nm laser pretreatment with higher density (320 microscopic treatment zones [MTZ]/cm2) and peak power (3 W) was associated with similar uptake but greater retention of 2% salicylic acid and greater uptake of 10% ascorbic acid than that with lower density (80 MTZ/cm2) and peak power (1.2 W).

CONCLUSION

When using laser pretreatment, device settings should be adjusted to balance outcomes with potential side effects.
Understanding Variation in Rotavirus Vaccine Effectiveness Estimates in the United States: The Role of Rotavirus Activity and Diagnostic Misclassification
Authors: Amin Avnika B. , Lash Timothy L. , Tate Jacqueline E. , Waller Lance A. , Wikswo Mary E. , Parashar Umesh D. , Stewart Laura S. , Chappell James D. , Halasa Natasha B. , Williams John V. , Michaels Marian G. , Hickey Robert W. , Klein Eileen J. , Englund Janet A. , Weinberg Geoffrey A. , Szilagyi Peter G. , Staat Mary Allen , McNeal Monica M. , Boom Julie A. , Sahni Leila C. , Selvarangan Rangaraj , Harrison Christopher J. , Moffatt Mary E. , Schuster Jennifer E. , Pahud Barbara A. , Weddle Gina M. , Azimi Parvin H. , Johnston Samantha H. , Payne Daniel C. , Bowen Michael D. , Lopman Benjamin A.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Estimates of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the United States appear higher in years with more rotavirus activity. We hypothesized rotavirus VE is constant over time but appears to vary as a function of temporal variation in local rotavirus cases and/or misclassified diagnoses.

Methods:

We analyzed 6 years of data from eight US surveillance sites on 8- to 59-month olds with acute gastroenteritis symptoms. Children’s stool samples were tested via enzyme immunoassay (EIA); rotavirus-positive results were confirmed with molecular testing at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We defined rotavirus gastroenteritis cases by either positive on-site EIA results alone or positive EIA with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmation. For each case definition, we estimated VE against any rotavirus gastroenteritis, moderate-to-severe disease, and hospitalization using two mixed-effect regression models: the first including year plus a year–vaccination interaction, and the second including the annual percent of rotavirus-positive tests plus a percent positive–vaccination interaction. We used multiple overimputation to bias-adjust for misclassification of cases defined by positive EIA alone.

Results:

Estimates of annual rotavirus VE against all outcomes fluctuated temporally, particularly when we defined cases by on-site EIA alone and used a year–vaccination interaction. Use of confirmatory testing to define cases reduced, but did not eliminate, fluctuations. Temporal fluctuations in VE estimates further attenuated when we used a percent positive–vaccination interaction. Fluctuations persisted until bias-adjustment for diagnostic misclassification.

Conclusions:

Both controlling for time-varying rotavirus activity and bias-adjusting for diagnostic misclassification are critical for estimating the most valid annual rotavirus VE.
Failure of Risk Assessment After Paracetamol Overdose—A Short Communication
Authors: Boussetta-Charfi Oulfa , D'Andon Cornélie Fanton , Nguyen HoanVu , Rumack Barry H. , Launay Manon
Published: May 2022

Background:

The accepted treatment for patients with acetaminophen/paracetamol overdose includes risk assessment based on the Rumack–Matthew (R-M) nomogram. An inaccurate use of the nomogram may result in improper treatment. Clinicians were surveyed to determine their understanding and proper use of this risk assessment tool in practice.

Methods:

Differences between visual risk assessment using the same depiction of the R-M nomogram and calculated risk assessment were determined using an online calculator developed based on the Rumack equation. An online survey was administered in French between August 25, 2021, and November 25, 2021, as a Google Form with 14 questions (the paracetamol concentration and time postingestion were stated). A total of 147 respondents with an average age of 32 years (range 23–61 years) performed risk assessment (low/possible/probable/not assessable). The mean assessment accuracy was 66.2 ± 26.7% (12.3–99.3). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 93%, 55%, 71%, and 89%, respectively. A subcohort of n = 31 senior clinicians showed the same trends (91%, 52%, 69%, and 84%).

Results:

Approximately 7% of patients who are at risk of hepatotoxicity based on the R-M nomogram would not be treated. By contrast, N-acetylcysteine was not recommended by the R-M nomogram but would be administered to approximately 50% of patients. A concern for the latter group is that anaphylactoid reactions occur in up to 25% of patients with low paracetamol concentrations.

Conclusions:

Some patients may be undertreated, resulting in possible hepatotoxicity, and many patients may be overtreated, resulting in a high percentage of anaphylaxis. Rather than relying on visual risk assessment, physicians should use an online calculator (www.hopitox.com/?lang=en) or consult with a toxicologist or poison center to substantially improve patient care after acetaminophen/paracetamol overdose.
Evaluation of Ocular Surface Characteristics in Dry Eye Disease With and Without Soft Contact Lens Wear: A Comparative Study
Authors: Yang Tingting , Ma Baikai , Xie Jianyang , Zhou Yifan , Liu Rongjun , Duan Hongyu , Zhao Yitian , Qi Hong
Published: May 2022

Objectives:

To investigate ocular surface alterations and in vivo confocal microscopic characteristics of the cornea in dry eye disease (DED) with contact lens wear (CLW).

Methods:

Sixty participants were divided into three groups: DED with CLW (n=20), DED without CLW (n=20), and normal control (n=20). Ocular surface parameters were evaluated. Basal tears and in vivo confocal microscopy images of the cornea were collected. Multiplex bead analysis was used to assess interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nerve growth factor (NGF), and substance P (SP) in tears. Nerve morphology and dendritic cell density in corneal subbasal nerve images were calculated.

Results:

The DED with CLW group showed significantly higher ocular surface staining scores (P=0.022) and higher levels of IL-1β, NGF, and SP in tears (P=0.014, P=0.004 and P=0.025) than the DED without CLW group. Corneal dendritic cell density in the DED with CLW group was significantly higher than that in the normal controls (P=0.001) and DED without CLW group (P=0.043). Tear cytokine levels of IL-1β, NGF, and SP were correlated with ocular surface parameters in the DED with CLW group. Moreover, the years of CLW were positively correlated with corneal dendritic cell density (r=0.527, P=0.017) and negatively correlated with corneal nerve density (r=−0.511, P=0.021).

Conclusions:

Patients with DED with CLW showed greater epithelial damage, elevated inflammatory cytokines and neuromediators in tears, and higher corneal dendritic cell density than patients with DED without CLW. The immune and nervous systems may be involved in contact lens–related DED.
Gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal complication rates associated with diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy under sedation
Authors: Jang Ji Min , Park Su Bee , Yoon Jin Young , Kwak Min Seob , Cha Jae Myung
Published: May 2022

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) under sedation may result in gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI complications. However, no previous studies have reported 30-day GI and non-GI complications after diagnostic EGD under sedation.

We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 30-day GI and non-GI complication rates after outpatient diagnostic EGD under sedation in subjects ≥18 years between January 2012 and December 2017 based on a common data model database. Thirty-day complication rates were compared with EGD under sedation or not, type of sedation drugs (midazolam only vs midazolam/propofol) and age groups (18-64 year vs ≥65 year) for GI (bleeding and perforation) and non-GI complications (pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and cerebral stroke).

In total, 39,910 were performed with sedation (midazolam only, n = 16,033 and midazolam/propofol, n = 23,864) and 22,894 were performed without sedation. Elderly patients significantly favored EGD without sedation (P < .01). GI and non-GI complication rates were similar between EGD under sedation and without sedation (all P > .1) except for acute myocardial infarction rate, which was significantly higher in EGD without sedation than EGD under sedation (1.7/10,000 vs 0.3/10,000 persons, P = .043). All GI and non-GI complications were also similar between the midazolam/propofol and midazolam only groups as well as between young and old patients (all P > .1).

Outpatient diagnostic EGD under sedation has an excellent safety profile. In addition, it can be safely performed with midazolam only or midazolam/propofol and in young and old patients.
Analysis of risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis with persistent severe inflammation
Authors: Shimoda Masafumi , Yoshiyama Takashi , Okumura Masao , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Morimoto Kozo , Kokutou Hiroyuki , Osawa Takeshi , Furuuchi Koji , Fujiwara Keiji , Ito Koki , Yoshimori Kozo , Ohta Ken
Published: May 2022

Introduction:

Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) sometimes show persistent severe inflammation for more than 1 month, even if TB treatment is effective. Although this inflammation can be improved through continuous antituberculous therapy, the risk factors for persistent inflammation remain unclear. Therefore, we sought to study the characteristics of patients with persistent severe inflammation.

Materials and methods:

We retrospectively analyzed 147 hospitalized adult patients with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of 5 mg/dL or more on admission to Fukujuji Hospital from April 2019 to March 2021. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 40 patients (27.2%) had CRP levels of 5 mg/dL or more at 4 weeks after admission (persistent inflammation group), and 107 patients (72.8%) had CRP levels that fell below 5 mg/dL within 4 weeks of admission (improved inflammation group).

Results:

The median CRP level on admission in the persistent inflammation group was 10.8 mg/dL (interquartile range 9.1–14.5), which was higher than that in the improved inflammation group (median 8.2 mg/dL [6.5–12.1], P = .002). Patients in the persistent inflammation group had a higher prevalence of large cavities, defined as cavities ≥4 cm in diameter, on chest computed tomography (CT) (n = 20 [50.0%] vs n = 12 [11.2%], P < .001).

Discussion and conclusions:

This study showed that 27.2% of patients who had high or moderate inflammation on admission did not achieve low CRP levels within 4 weeks after admission. Risk factors for persistent severe inflammation in patients with TB were presence of a large cavity (cavity diameter ≥4 cm) on chest CT and a high CRP level on admission. Therefore, in a patient with a large cavity on chest CT and/or CRP ≥9.0 mg/dL on admission, long-term inflammation may occur despite antituberculous therapy if other diseases are ruled out.
Translation Into Simplified Chinese and Cultural Validation of the Pediatric Patient-Reported Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Using Cognitive Interviewing
Authors: Shen Nanping , Ruan Haishan , Sun Jiwen , Li Yihan , He Mengxue , Yuan Changrong , Chang Lilu
Published: May 2022

Background

The original English Pediatric Patient-Reported Outcome version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) captures symptomatic adverse events (AEs) in cancer clinical trials from the perspective of pediatric patients. A Chinese version was needed to encourage the use of the Pediatric PRO-CTCAE among Chinese pediatric oncology patients.

Objective

This study translated and linguistically validated a simplified Chinese version of the Pediatric PRO-CTCAE for oncological patients aged 7 to 18 years.

Methods

Following the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy translation methodology, 130 questions were translated into Chinese. Semistructured cognitive interviews investigated the comprehensibility and clarity of terms for symptoms, attributes, and response options. Two rounds of interviews were conducted with 48 native Chinese-speaking children aged 7 to 18 years who were undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.

Results

Most items, response options, and recall periods were well understood by children across the age range in round 1. Nineteen items posed comprehension difficulties for 9 participants and were revised and retested without further difficulties.

Conclusions

The Pediatric PRO-CTCAE was successfully developed and linguistically validated among Chinese oncology patients. The results indicated that the Chinese Pediatric PRO-CTCAE was semantically and conceptually equivalent to the English version.

Implications for Practice

The availability of the simplified Chinese Pediatric PRO-CTCAE will facilitate the generation of patient-reported outcome data about symptomatic AEs for children with cancer in China and thus improve our understanding of children’s experience of treatment-related symptoms.
Effects of Creative Arts Intervention on Anxiety, Depression and Sleep Quality Among Bone Marrow Transplantation Patients During Protective Isolation
Authors: Sertbaş Gülçin , Ok Elif , Unver Vesile
Published: May 2022

Background

Protective isolation remains part of the standard of care for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant in many places of the world. The consequences of protective isolation include increased anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of creative interventions performed during the protective isolation period on anxiety, depression symptoms, and sleep quality of patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

Interventions/Methods

This study was a randomized, controlled, pre-post pilot design. A total of 20 patients made up the sample group. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 9) or control group (n = 11). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was applied to patients on the first day of admission to the unit and on the day of discharge. Questions prepared by researchers on sleep quantity and quality were administered every day during the patients’ hospitalization. The patients in the experimental group carried out creative arts intervention for a total of 60 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week, while they were in the unit.

Results

There was no difference in depression, anxiety, and sleep quality scores between the groups after intervention. However, depression and anxiety scores significantly decreased after the intervention in the experimental group, and sleep quality scores improved significantly.

Conclusion

Creative arts intervention may be beneficial for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems among patients undergoing BMT.

Implications for Practice

Creative arts intervention is effective in coping with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems that patients may experience due to social isolation during the BMT process.
Expanding Criteria for Limb Salvage in Comorbid Patients with Nonhealing Wounds: The MedStar Georgetown Protocol and Lessons Learned after 200 Lower Extremity Free Flaps
Authors: Nigam Manas , Zolper Elizabeth G. , Sharif-Askary Banafsheh , Abdou Salma A. , Charipova Karina , Bekeny Jenna C. , Fan Kenneth L. , Steinberg John S. , Attinger Christopher E. , Evans Karen K.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Lower extremity salvage in the setting of nonhealing wounds requires a multidisciplinary approach for successful free tissue transfer. Patients with comorbidities including diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease were previously considered poor candidates for free tissue transfer. However, amputation leads to functional decline and severely increased mortality. The authors present their institutional perioperative protocol in the context of 200 free tissue transfers performed for lower extremity salvage in a highly comorbid population.

Methods:

The authors reviewed an institutional database of 200 lower extremity free tissue transfers performed from 2011 to 2019. Demographics, comorbidities, wound cause and location, intraoperative details, flap outcomes, and complications were compared between the first and second 100 flaps. The authors document the evolution of their institutional protocol for lower extremity free tissue transfers, including standard preoperative hypercoagulability testing, angiography, and venous ultrasound.

Results:

The median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 3, with diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease found in 48 percent and 22 percent of patients, respectively. Thirty-nine percent of patients tested positive for more than three hypercoagulable genetic conditions. The second group of 100 free tissue transfers had a higher proportion of patients with decreased vessel runoff (35 percent versus 47 percent;p< 0.05), rate of endovascular intervention (7.1 percent versus 23 percent;p< 0.05), and rate of venous reflux (19 percent versus 64 percent;p< 0.001). Flap success (91 percent versus 98 percent;p< 0.05) and operative time (500 minutes versus 374 minutes;p< 0.001) improved in the second cohort.

Conclusions:

Standardized evidence-based protocols and a multidisciplinary approach enable successful limb salvage. Although there is a learning curve, high levels of salvage can be attained in highly comorbid patients with improved institutional knowledge and capabilities.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Perioperative Risk Stratification Model for Readmission after Panniculectomy
Authors: Ali Barkat , Petersen Timothy R. , McKee Rohini G.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Readmission is an important metric for surgical quality of care. This study aimed to develop a validated risk model that reliably predicts readmission after panniculectomy using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Methods:

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify all patients who had undergone panniculectomy from 2005 to 2018. The outcome of interest was 30-day readmission. The cohort was divided randomly into 70 percent development and 30 percent validation groups. Independent predictors of 30-day readmission were identified using multivariable logistic regression on the development group. The predictors were weighted according to beta coefficients to generate an integer-based clinical risk score predictive of readmission, which was validated against the validation group.

Results:

For the model selection, 22 variables were identified based on criteria of p < 0.05 percent and complete data availability. Variables included in the development model included inpatient surgery, hypertension, obesity, functional dependence, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, wound class greater than or equal to 3, American Society of Anesthesiologists class greater than 3, and liposuction. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the validation group rendered an area under the curve of 0.710, which demonstrates the accuracy of this prediction model. The predicted incidence within each risk stratum was statistically similar to the observed incidence in the validation group (p < 0.01), further highlighting the accuracy of the model.

Conclusions:

The authors present a validated risk stratification model for readmission following panniculectomy. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether the implementation of the authors’ clinical risk score optimizes safety and reduces readmission rates.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, III.
Robotic Distal Gastrectomy Reduces Drain Amylase Values in Patients With a Small Pancreas-left Gastric Artery Angle
Authors: Teranishi Ryugo , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Kurokawa Yukinori , Sugase Takahito , Saito Takuro , Yamamoto Kazuyoshi , Yamashita Kotaro , Tanaka Koji , Makino Tomoki , Yamasaki Makoto , Motoori Masaaki , Omori Takeshi , Nakajima Kiyokazu , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Doki Yuichiro
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

Pancreatic fistula is a severe complication after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). We previously evaluated the pancreas-left gastric artery angle (PLA) as a risk indicator for developing a pancreatic fistula after LDG. This study evaluated the incidence of pancreatic fistula with robotic distal gastrectomy (RDG) in comparison to LDG from the view of the PLA.

Materials and Methods:

An association between the PLA and the incidence of pancreatic fistula in 165 patients who underwent either RDG (n=45) or LDG (n=120) was investigated retrospectively.

Results:

RDG patients had significantly lower drain amylase values (postoperative day 2) than LDG patients. As opposed to LDG patients, drain amylase values were similar for patients with small (PLA <62 degrees) and large (PLA ≥62 degrees) PLA in RDG patients.

Conclusion:

Robotic surgery may reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients with a small PLA.
Re-laparoscopy to Treat Early Complications After Colorectal Surgery: Is There a Learning Curve?
Authors: Angeramo Cristian A. , Schlottmann Francisco , Laporte Mariano , Bun Maximiliano E. , Rotholtz Nicolas A.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Laparoscopy for treating complications after laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) is still controversial. Moreover, its learning curve has not been evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to analyze whether operative outcomes were influenced by the learning curve of re-laparoscopy.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LCS and reoperated by a laparoscopic approach during the period 2000-2019 was performed. A cumulative sum analysis was done to determine the number of operations that must be performed to achieve a stable operative time. Based on this analysis, the cohort was divided in 3 groups. Demographics and operative variables were compared between groups.

Results:

From a total of 1911 patients undergoing LCS, 132 (7%) were included. Based on the cumulative sum analysis, the cohort was divided into the first 50 (G1), the following 52 (G2), and the last 30 (G3) patients. Less computed tomography scans were performed in G3 (G1: 72% vs. G2: 63% vs. G3: 43%; P=0.03). There were no differences in the type of operation performed between the groups. The conversion rate (G1: 18% vs. G2: 4% vs. G3: 3%; P=0.02) and the mean operative time (G1: 104 min vs. G2: 80 min vs. G3: 78 min; P=0.003) were higher in G1. Overall morbidity was lower in G3 (G1: 46% vs. G2: 63% vs. G3: 33%; P=0.01). Major morbidity, mortality, and mean length of stay remained similar in all groups.

Conclusions:

A total of 50 laparoscopic reoperations might be needed to achieve an appropriate learning curve with reduced operative time and lower conversion rates. Further research is needed to determine the learning process of re-laparoscopy for treating complications after colorectal surgery.
Linear Versus Circular Laparoscopic Gastrojejunal Anastomosis of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 22 Comparative Studies
Authors: Vitiello Antonio , Berardi Giovanna , Velotti Nunzio , Schiavone Vincenzo , Manetti Cristina , Musella Mario
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

To compare the rate of complications of linear versus circular gastrojejunal anastomosis of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Methods:

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases was carried out using the terms “laparoscopic,” “circular,” “linear,” “anastomosis,” “gastric bypass” in accordance to PRISMA guidelines. Only original articles in English language comparing linear versus circular anastomosis were included. No temporal interval was set. Outcome measures were wound infection, bleeding, marginal ulcer, leak, and stricture. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I
2 statistic. Funnel plots were used to detect publication bias.

Results:

Twenty-two articles (7 prospective and 15 retrospective) out of 184 retrieved papers were included in this study. The pooled analysis showed a reduced odd of wound infection and bleeding after linear anastomosis. Likelihood of marginal ulcer, leak, and stricture was similar after the 2 techniques. Wound infection was reported in 15 studies (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.45; P=0.0003; I
2=91), bleeding in 9 (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.34-0.59; P=0.00001; I
2=6) marginal ulcer in 11 (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.26-1.41; P=0.25; I
2=65), leaks in 15 (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.21-1.67; P=0.34; I
2=83) and stricture in 18 (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.23-1.00; P=0.05; I
2=68).

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic RYGB can be safely performed both with circular and linear staplers. Rates of wound infection and bleeding were significantly lower after linear gastrojejunal anastomosis.
Multiscale analysis on otolith structural features reveals differences in ontogenesis and sex in
Merluccius merluccius
in the western Adriatic Sea
Authors: Palazzo Quinzia , Stagioni Marco , Raaijmakers Steven , Belleman Robert G. , Prada Fiorella , Hammel Jörg U. , Fermani Simona , Kaandorp Jaap , Goffredo Stefano , Falini Giuseppe
Published: May 2022

Otolith biomineralization results from biochemical processes regulated by the interaction of internal (physiological) and external (environmental) factors which lead to morphological and ultrastructural variability at intra- and interspecific levels. The aim of this study was to conduct a multi-scale analysis of the sagittal otoliths of the
Merlucius merlucius
(European hake) from the western Adriatic Sea in order to correlate otolith features with fish ontogeny and sex. We show that otoliths of sexually undifferentiated (non-sexed) individuals having a fish body total length (TL) less than 15 cm had faster growth in length, width, area, perimeter, volume and weight and a higher amount of organic matrix compared with otoliths of sexually differentiated individuals (females and males) having a fish size range of 15–50 cm. Most importantly, with increasing fish TL, female saccular otoliths contained a higher number of protuberances and rougher surface compared with male specimens, which showed more uniform mean curvature density. The differences between females and males discovered in this study could be associated with fish hearing adaptation to reproductive behavioural strategies during the spawning season. The outcomes of this research provide insights on how size and sex-related variations in otolith features may be affected by fish ecological and behavioural patterns.
Heterogeneity in testing for infectious diseases
Authors: Berrig Christian , Andreasen Viggo , Frost Nielsen Bjarke
Published: May 2022

Testing strategies have varied widely between nation states during the COVID-19 pandemic, in intensity as well as methodology. Some countries have mainly performed diagnostic testing while others have opted for mass-screening for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 as well. COVID passport solutions have been introduced, in which access to several aspects of public life requires either testing, proof of vaccination or a combination thereof. This creates a coupling between personal activity levels and testing behaviour which, as we show in a mathematical model, leverages heterogeneous behaviours in a population and turns this heterogeneity from a disadvantage to an advantage for epidemic control.
Preferred shallow-water nursery sites provide acoustic crypsis to southern right whale mother–calf pairs
Authors: Zeh Julia M. , Dombroski Julia R. G. , Parks Susan E.
Published: May 2022

Adaptations to sound production behaviour can reduce the detectability of animal signals by eavesdroppers in a phenomenon known as acoustic crypsis. We propose that acoustic crypsis can include selection of locations that affect how sound transmits through the environment: habitats with poor acoustic propagation can minimize the range of detectability of animal signals. We investigated the potential for the preferred habitats of southern right whales to confer acoustic crypsis. We modelled acoustic propagation and range of detection of calls from southern right whales in the shallow, sandy, near shore waters where mothers and calves aggregate during the calving season. At three nursery sites across three continents in the southern hemisphere, results showed that the depth at which right whales are most commonly sighted has the most limited acoustic detection range for their calls. Thus, these habitats allow mother–calf pairs to remain acoustically cryptic from potential eavesdroppers, both predators and conspecifics, when their calves are the most vulnerable. Our results provide preliminary evidence that, in addition to other behavioural strategies, the use of habitats with poor acoustic propagation can contribute to acoustic crypsis. This adaptation may be a widespread and underappreciated mechanism for avoidance of eavesdroppers.
A statistical approach to knot confinement via persistent homology
Authors: Celoria Daniele , Mahler Barbara I.
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we study how randomly generated knots occupy a volume of space using topological methods. To this end, we consider the evolution of the first homology of an immersed metric neighbourhood of a knot’s embedding for growing radii. Specifically, we extract features from the persistent homology (PH) of the Vietoris–Rips complexes built from point clouds associated with knots. Statistical analysis of our data shows the existence of increasing correlations between geometric quantities associated with the embedding and PH-based features, as a function of the knots’ lengths. We further study the variation of these correlations for different knot types. Finally, this framework also allows us to define a simple notion of deviation from ideal configurations of knots.
Multi-scale model of clogging in microfluidic devices with grid-like geometries
Authors: Kelly Gess , Fai Thomas G.
Published: May 2022

We propose a coarse-grained theoretical model to capture the ageing of microfluidic devices under different conditions including constant applied flow rate and constant applied pressure gradient. Microfluidic devices that sort cells by their deformability hold significant promise for medical applications. However, clogging in these microfluidic systems causes their properties to change over time and potentially limits their reliability. We compare the results of the coarse-grained model with those of stochastic simulations and with existing theoretical studies. Lastly, we apply the model to experimental data on the clogging of sickle red blood cells and discuss its wider applicability.
Extant species fail to estimate ancestral geographical ranges at older nodes in primate phylogeny
Authors: Wisniewski Anna L. , Lloyd Graeme T. , Slater Graham J.
Published: May 2022

A clade’s evolutionary history is shaped, in part, by geographical range expansion, sweepstakes dispersal and local extinction. A rigorous understanding of historical biogeography may therefore yield insights into macroevolutionary dynamics such as adaptive radiation. Modern historical biogeographic analyses typically fit statistical models to molecular phylogenies, but it remains unclear whether extant species provide sufficient signal or if well-sampled phylogenies of extinct and extant taxa are necessary to produce meaningful estimates of past ranges. We investigated the historical biogeography of Primates and their euarchontan relatives using a novel meta-analytical phylogeny of over 900 extant (n= 419) and extinct (n= 483) species spanning their entire evolutionary history. Ancestral range estimates for young nodes were largely congruent with those derived from molecular phylogeny. However, node age exerts a significant effect on ancestral range estimate congruence, and the probability of congruent inference dropped below 0.5 for nodes older than the late Eocene, corresponding to the origins of higher-level clades. Discordance was not observed in analyses of extinct taxa alone. Fossils are essential for robust ancestral range inference and biogeographic analyses of extant clades originating in the deep past should be viewed with scepticism without them.
Past and future uses of text mining in ecology and evolution
Authors: Farrell Maxwell J. , Brierley Liam , Willoughby Anna , Yates Andrew , Mideo Nicole
Published: May 2022

Ecology and evolutionary biology, like other scientific fields, are experiencing an exponential growth of academic manuscripts. As domain knowledge accumulates, scientists will need new computational approaches for identifying relevant literature to read and include in formal literature reviews and meta-analyses. Importantly, these approaches can also facilitate automated, large-scale data synthesis tasks and build structured databases from the information in the texts of primary journal articles, books, grey literature, and websites. The increasing availability of digital text, computational resources, and machine-learning based language models have led to a revolution in text analysis and natural language processing (NLP) in recent years. NLP has been widely adopted across the biomedical sciences but is rarely used in ecology and evolutionary biology. Applying computational tools from text mining and NLP will increase the efficiency of data synthesis, improve the reproducibility of literature reviews, formalize analyses of research biases and knowledge gaps, and promote data-driven discovery of patterns across ecology and evolutionary biology. Here we present recent use cases from ecology and evolution, and discuss future applications, limitations and ethical issues.
Grouping behaviour impacts on the parasitic pressure and squamation of sharks
Authors: Ferrón Humberto G. , Palacios-Abella Jose F.
Published: May 2022

The evolution of grouping behaviour involves a complex trade-off of benefits and costs. Among the latter, an increase in the risk of parasitic transmission is a well-documented phenomenon that has likely promoted the evolution of defensive mechanisms in aquatic vertebrates. Here, we explore the relationship between grouping behaviour, parasitic richness (∼parasitic pressure), and the evolution of potential defensive traits in the squamation of sharks through phylogenetic, standard and zero-inflation regression models. Our results demonstrate that sharks that frequently aggregate show increased parasitic pressure, which may constitute an agent of selection. Accordingly, their squamation is characterized by large-scale crown insertion angles and low-scale coverage, which are interpreted as traits that compromise parasite attachment and survival. These traits are less evident in regions of the body and ecological groups that are subjected to high abrasive stress or increased drag. Thus, the squamation of sharks responds to a compromise between various functions, where protective and hydrodynamic roles prevail over the rest (e.g. ectoparasitic defence and bioluminescence aiding). This work establishes a quantitative framework for inferring parasitic pressure and social interaction from squamation traits and provides an empirical basis from which to explore these phenomena through early vertebrate and chondrichthyan evolution.
An experimental test of Lanchester's models of combat in the neotropical termite
Nasutitermes corniger
(Blattodea: Termitidae)
Authors: Clifton Elizabeth M. , Lewis Paul O. , Jockusch Elizabeth , Adams Eldridge
Published: May 2022

Lanchester's models of combat have been invoked to explain the mechanics of group fighting in social animals. Specifically, Lanchester's square law posits that the fighting ability of the group is proportional to the square of the number of combatants. Although used to explain a variety of ecological phenomena, the models have not been thoroughly tested. We tested the Lanchester models using group battles between colonies of the termite
Nasutitermes corniger
. Our main goals were to determine if mortality rates fit the Lanchester models, and if so, whether the behavioural mechanisms underlying a group's success match those used in deriving the model. We initiated battles between pairs of colonies with different ratios of fighters and recorded deaths over time. We found that the numerically larger army has an advantage, but that the advantage is not as pronounced as predicted by Lanchester's square law. We also video-recorded battles to analyse individual behaviour, which did not support the mechanisms invoked by Lanchester. Instead, the killing power of an individual is increased by the presence of nest-mates, giving the larger group a disproportionate advantage. Although the behavioural mechanisms leading to the advantage may differ, our results still support some of the proposed ecological phenomena.
Age-dependent genetic architecture across ontogeny of body size in sticklebacks
Authors: Fraimout Antoine , Li Zitong , Sillanpää Mikko J. , Merilä Juha
Published: May 2022

Heritable variation in traits under natural selection is a prerequisite for evolutionary response. While it is recognized that trait heritability may vary spatially and temporally depending on which environmental conditions traits are expressed under, less is known about the possibility that genetic variance contributing to the expected selection response in a given trait may vary at different stages of ontogeny. Specifically, whether different loci underlie the expression of a trait throughout development and thus providing an additional source of variation for selection to act on in the wild, is unclear. Here we show that body size, an important life-history trait, is heritable throughout ontogeny in the nine-spined stickleback (
Pungitius pungitius
). Nevertheless, both analyses of quantitative trait loci and genetic correlations across ages show that different chromosomes/loci contribute to this heritability in different ontogenic time-points. This suggests that body size can respond to selection at different stages of ontogeny but that this response is determined by different loci at different points of development. Hence, our study provides important results regarding our understanding of the genetics of ontogeny and opens an interesting avenue of research for studying age-specific genetic architecture as a source of non-parallel evolution.
Centralized gaze as an adaptive component of defensive states in humans
Authors: Merscher Alma-Sophia , Tovote Philip , Pauli Paul , Gamer Matthias
Published: May 2022

Adequate defensive responding is crucial for mental health but scientifically not well understood. Specifically, it seems difficult to dissociate defense and approach states based on autonomic response patterns. We thus explored the robustness and threat-specificity of recently described oculomotor dynamics upon threat in anticipation of either threatening or rewarding stimuli in humans. While visually exploring naturalistic images, participants (50 per experiment) expected an inevitable, no, or avoidable shock (Experiment 1) or a guaranteed, no, or achievable reward (Experiment 2) that could be averted or gained by a quick behavioural response. We observed reduced heart rate (bradycardia), increased skin conductance, pupil dilation and globally centralized gaze when shocks were inevitable but, more pronouncedly, when they were avoidable. Reward trials were not associated with globally narrowed visual exploration, but autonomic responses resembled characteristics of the threat condition. While bradycardia and concomitant sympathetic activation reflect not only threat-related but also action-preparatory states independent of valence, global centralization of gaze seems a robust phenomenon during the anticipation of avoidable threat. Thus, instead of relying on single readouts, translational research in animals and humans should consider the multi-dimensionality of states in aversive and rewarding contexts, especially when investigating ambivalent, conflicting situations.
Advance social information allows red crossbills (
Loxia curvirostra
) to better conserve body mass and intestinal mass during food stress
Authors: Cornelius J. M.
Published: May 2022

Animals prepare for fluctuations in resources through advance storage of energy, planned reduction in energy costs or by moving elsewhere. Unpredictable fluctuations in food, however, may be particularly challenging if animals cannot avoid negative impacts on body condition. Social information may help animals to cope with unpredictable resources if cues from individuals with low foraging success give advance warning about deteriorating conditions. This study investigates the impact of social information on behaviour and physiology of food-restricted captive red crossbills (
Loxia curvirostra
). Birds were restricted to two short feeding periods per day to simulate a decline in resources and were given social information from food-restricted neighbours either before (i.e. predictive) or during (i.e. parallel) the food-restriction period. Focal birds better conserved body mass during food restriction if social information was predictive of the decline in resources. Crossbills with predictive information ate more food, had larger intestinal mass and better conserved pectoral muscle size at the end of the restriction period compared to those with parallel social information. These data suggest that birds can use social information to alter behavioural and physiological responses during food shortage in ways that may confer an adaptive advantage for survival.
Characterization of a novel pesticide transporter and P-glycoprotein orthologues in
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Denecke Shane , Bảo Lương Hằng Ngọc , Koidou Venetia , Kalogeridi Maria , Socratous Rafaella , Howe Steven , Vogelsang Kathrin , Nauen Ralf , Batterham Philip , Geibel Sven , Vontas John
Published: May 2022

Pesticides remain one of the most effective ways of controlling agricultural and public health insects, but much is still unknown regarding how these compounds reach their targets. Specifically, the role of ABC transporters in pesticide absorption and excretion is poorly understood, especially compared to the detailed knowledge about mammalian systems. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of pesticide transporters in the model insect
Drosophila melanogaster
. An RNAi screen was performed, which knocked down individual ABCs in specific epithelial tissues and examined the subsequent changes in sensitivity to the pesticides spinosad and fipronil. This implicated a novel ABC drug transporter,
CG4562,
in spinosad transport, but also highlighted the P-glycoprotein orthologue
Mdr65
as the most impactful ABC in terms of chemoprotection. Further characterization of the P-glycoprotein family was performed via transgenic overexpression and immunolocalization, finding that
Mdr49
and
Mdr50
play enigmatic roles in pesticide toxicology perhaps determined by their different subcellular localizations within the midgut. Lastly, transgenic
Drosophila
lines expressing P-glycoprotein from the major malaria vector
Anopheles gambiae
were used to establish a system for
in vivo
characterization of this transporter in non-model insects. This study provides the basis for establishing
Drosophila
as a model for toxicology research on drug transporters.
Investigating plant disease outbreaks with long-read metagenomics: sensitive detection and highly resolved phylogenetic reconstruction applied to Xylella fastidiosa
Authors: Johnson Marcela A. , Liu Haijie , Bush Elizabeth , Sharma Parul , Yang Shu , Mazloom Reza , Heath Lenwood S. , Nita Mizuho , Li Song , Vinatzer Boris A.
Published: May 2022

Early disease detection is a prerequisite for enacting effective interventions for disease control. Strains of the bacterial plant pathogen

Xylella fastidiosa

have recurrently spread to new crops in new countries causing devastating outbreaks. So far, investigation of outbreak strains and highly resolved phylogenetic reconstruction have required whole-genome sequencing of pure bacterial cultures, which are challenging to obtain due to the fastidious nature of

X. fastidiosa

. Here, we show that culture-independent metagenomic sequencing, using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION long-read sequencer, can sensitively and specifically detect the causative agent of Pierce’s disease of grapevine,

X. fastidiosa

subspecies

fastidiosa

. Using a DNA sample from a grapevine in Virginia, USA, it was possible to obtain a metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of sufficient quality for phylogenetic reconstruction with SNP resolution. The analysis placed the MAG in a clade with isolates from Georgia, USA, suggesting introduction of

X. fastidiosa

subspecies

fastidiosa

to Virginia from the south-eastern USA. This proof of concept study, thus, revealed that metagenomic sequencing can replace culture-dependent genome sequencing for reconstructing transmission routes of bacterial plant pathogens.