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Gaidropsarus mauritanicus sp. nov. is described from one specimen collected using a grab sample from the Tanoûdêrt Canyon (ca. 20° N) off Mauritania at a depth of 595 m. The new species was further observed during eight remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives along the Mauritanian slope southwards down to the Tiguent Coral Mound Complex (~17° N) in a bathymetric range between 613 and 416 m. It can be distinguished from congeners by a combination of characteristics, including large eyes (38.1% head length [HL]), large head (25.8% standard length [SL]), elongated pelvic fins (35.7% SL), low number of vertebrae (44), and coloration (pinkish with a dorsal darker brownish hue and bright blotches along the dorsal‐fin base). A species‐delimitation analysis performed with available cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences affiliated to the genus Gaidropsarus additionally supported the validity of the new species. Video analyses showed a deep‐water coral‐associated and protection‐seeking behavior, which may explain why the species has remained undescribed until now. Additional ROV footage from separate deep‐water coral sites in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea further highlights the ecological behavior and hidden diversity of bathyal three‐bearded rocklings. Here, we additionally discuss the biogeographical distribution of all genetically verified Gaidropsarus spp. in combination with genetic data and morphological characters. G. mauritanicus sp. nov. is closely related to a species from Tasmania (43° S), a geographical point furthest among the studied samples, which may hint to an important influence of (paleo‐) oceanography on the distributions of Gaidropsarus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Athletic training requires both challenging stimuli for adaptation and sufficient recovery for improved performance. While cold water immersion (CWI) is already a popular recovery method, handheld percussive massage (PM) devices have also gained popularity in recent years. This study aims to assess the effects of CWI and PM on performance recovery after strenuous eccentric exercises compared to a passive rest (PR) control condition. Methods: Thirty-four healthy physically active participants (9 females, 25 males) were randomly divided into three groups: CWI (n = 11), PM (n = 11), and passive rest (PR) (n = 12). They underwent an exhausting eccentric exercise protocol and different measurements at six time points (baseline, POST1, POST2, POST24, POST48, and POST72) over the time course of 72 h. These included subjective assessments of muscle soreness and perceived stiffness as well as measures of skin temperature, leg volume, creatine kinase activity, and three different jump tests. The eccentric exercise protocol consisted of 15 min downhill running (slope: 12%, speed: 10 km/h) and 3 sets of successive depth jumps (dropping height: 0.5 m) until individual exhaustion. After POST1 measurements, participants received 12 min of either CWI (11 ± 0.5°C), PM (40 Hz) or PR (supine posture). Results: No significant group effects were found for the number of depth jumps performed during the exhaustion protocol. All jump tests displayed a significant group × time interaction effect. Post-hoc analysis indicated significant lower jump heights in ΔPOST2 between CWI and both PM and PR. No other significant group effects were observed at any time point. No significant group × time interaction effects were noted for CK, leg volume, and soreness. The perceived stiffness showed a significant group × time interaction effect. Post-hoc analysis revealed a significant decrease in stiffness for PM compared to PR at ΔPOST2. Conclusion: Neither CWI nor PM showed any significant improvement in performance recovery over the 72-h period following strenuous eccentric exercise compared to PR. CWI showed an immediate performance decline which may be attributed to a cold-related reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classic period Maya populations were mobile, and both burial patterns and dietary analyses suggest that many movers were incorporated into local communities. This paper presents a multi‐isotopic (Sr, O, S, C, and N) study of the diet and mobility of 18 Late (AD 550–800) and Terminal Classic (AD 800–900) individuals from the site of Pacbitun, Belize. Three distinct isotope systems identify where people lived at different stages of life, from the childhood origins of migrant and local Pacbitun populations to their final residences. The enamel strontium isotope ratios of the Court 3 individuals were higher than local ranges established by faunal and human bone values, suggesting elite migration, or even residential mobility within the polity. Sulfur isotope values reveal information about the local population, where all but one individual in the sample lived at the site for many years before they died. The exception was an isotopically nonlocal individual in a dedicatory deposit, as reported in other studies. Diet also informs on the receiving community and how migrants assimilated, as people with local and nonlocal isotope values ate isotopically similar foods. Individuals from elite site core contexts and those in Pacbitun's peripheral settlements both consumed C4‐enriched proteins, though there were more isotopically diverse protein sources in peripheral settlements during the Terminal Classic period. Sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen isotope data also reveal some differences in where food was acquired, including use of nonlocal fauna. Combining isotope systems that sample different body tissues also may blur the line between migrants and locals, terms that may describe the same person at different stages of life and show the need for a more nuanced discussion of ancient mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In bioarchaeology, funerary taphonomy and preservation become part of the biocultural narrative of the dead. We evaluate the role of these factors in reconstructing the identities of those buried in an emerging deathway, the ventrally placed legs flexed (VPLF) burial position, during the Terminal Classic (750–900/1000 CE) period at the Maya polity of Lower Dover in western Belize. The term “VPLF” describes a divergent burial practice which may have resulted from intentional binding prior to burial. In our analysis of VPLF burials (n = 12), we use a two-step process to reconstruct the social identities and potential meaning of the burial pattern: (1) interpretation of the archaeological context based on excavation observations and biogeochemistry and (2) osteological analysis of curated individuals to reconstruct their biological profiles and post-mortem/post-excavation histories. Osteological analyses included age and sex estimation, paleopathological assessment of frailty and trauma, and skeletal modifications from cultural and taphonomic forces. Radiocarbon dating and ceramic analyses were used to date the burials. Stable and radiogenic isotopic analyses were applied to reconstruct diet and mobility for a subset of the VPLF burials. Our results show that individuals were buried in the VPLF position irrespective of age, sex, or social status, consistent with patterns at other Terminal Classic and Postclassic Maya sites, although VPLF interment may have been practiced earlier at Lower Dover. We hypothesize that the appearance of VPLF burials in the Terminal Classic period signified an ideological shift in light of emerging social and environmental pressures in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In bioarchaeology, funerary taphonomy and preservation become part of the biocultural narrative of the dead. We evaluate the role of these factors in reconstructing the identities of those buried in an emerging deathway, the ventrally placed legs flexed (VPLF) burial position, during the Terminal Classic (750–900/1000 CE) period at the Maya polity of Lower Dover in western Belize. The term “VPLF” describes a divergent burial practice which may have resulted from intentional binding prior to burial. In our analysis of VPLF burials (n = 12), we use a two-step process to reconstruct the social identities and potential meaning of the burial pattern: (1) interpretation of the archaeological context based on excavation observations and biogeochemistry and (2) osteological analysis of curated individuals to reconstruct their biological profiles and post-mortem/post-excavation histories. Osteological analyses included age and sex estimation, paleopathological assessment of frailty and trauma, and skeletal modifications from cultural and taphonomic forces. Radiocarbon dating and ceramic analyses were used to date the burials. Stable and radiogenic isotopic analyses were applied to reconstruct diet and mobility for a subset of the VPLF burials. Our results show that individuals were buried in the VPLF position irrespective of age, sex, or social status, consistent with patterns at other Terminal Classic and Postclassic Maya sites, although VPLF interment may have been practiced earlier at Lower Dover. We hypothesize that the appearance of VPLF burials in the Terminal Classic period signified an ideological shift in light of emerging social and environmental pressures in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Athletic training requires both challenging stimuli for adaptation and sufficient recovery for improved performance. While cold water immersion (CWI) is already a popular recovery method, handheld percussive massage (PM) devices have also gained popularity in recent years. This study aims to assess the effects of CWI and PM on performance recovery after strenuous eccentric exercises compared to a passive rest (PR) control condition. Methods: Thirty-four healthy physically active participants (9 females, 25 males) were randomly divided into three groups: CWI (n = 11), PM (n = 11), and passive rest (PR) (n = 12). They underwent an exhausting eccentric exercise protocol and different measurements at six time points (baseline, POST1, POST2, POST24, POST48, and POST72) over the time course of 72 h. These included subjective assessments of muscle soreness and perceived stiffness as well as measures of skin temperature, leg volume, creatine kinase activity, and three different jump tests. The eccentric exercise protocol consisted of 15 min downhill running (slope: 12%, speed: 10 km/h) and 3 sets of successive depth jumps (dropping height: 0.5 m) until individual exhaustion. After POST1 measurements, participants received 12 min of either CWI (11 ± 0.5°C), PM (40 Hz) or PR (supine posture). Results: No significant group effects were found for the number of depth jumps performed during the exhaustion protocol. All jump tests displayed a significant group x time interaction effect. Post-hoc analysis indicated significant lower jump heights in Î"POST2 between CWI and both PM and PR. No other significant group effects were observed at any time point. No significant group x time interaction effects were noted for CK, leg volume, and soreness. The perceived stiffness showed a significant group x time interaction effect. Post-hoc analysis revealed a significant decrease in stiffness for PM compared to PR at Î"POST2. Conclusion: Neither CWI nor PM showed any significant improvement in performance recovery over the 72-h period following strenuous eccentric exercise compared to PR. CWI showed an immediate performance decline which may be attributed to a cold-related reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKROUND Complement activation may facilitate hypertension through its effects on immune responses. The anaphylatoxin C5a, a major inflammatory effector, binds to the C5a receptors 1 and 2 (C5aR1, C5aR2). We have recently shown that C5aR1−/− mice have reduced hypertensive renal injury. The role of C5aR2 in hypertension is unknown. METHODS For examination of C5aR2 expression on infiltrating and resident renal cells a tandem dye Tomato-C5aR2 knock-in reporter mouse was used. Human C5aR2 expression was analyzed in a single-cell RNAseq data set from the kidneys of hypertensive patients. Finally, we examined the effect of angiotensin II-induced hypertension in C5aR2-deficient mice. RESULTS Flow cytometric analysis of leukocytes isolated from kidneys of the reporter mice showed that dendritic cells are the major C5aR2-expressing population (34%) followed by monocyte/macrophages (30%) and neutrophils (14%). Using confocal microscopy C5aR2 was not detected in resident renal or cardiac cells. In the human kidney, C5aR2 was also mainly found in monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells with a significantly higher expression in hypertension (P  < 0.05). Unilateral nephrectomy was performed followed by infusion of Ang II (0.75 ng/g/min) and a high salt diet in wildtype (n  = 18) and C5aR2-deficient mice (n  = 14). Blood pressure, renal injury (albuminuria, glomerular filtration rate, glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury, inflammation), and cardiac injury (cardiac fibrosis, heart weight, gene expression) did not differ between hypertensive wildtype and C5aR2−/− mice. CONCLUSIONS In summary, C5aR2 is mainly expressed in myeloid cells in the kidney in mice and humans but its deficiency has no effect on Ang II-induced hypertensive injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does the brain process the faces of familiar people? Neuropsychological studies have argued for an area of the temporal pole (TP) linking faces with person identities, but magnetic susceptibility artifacts in this region have hampered its study with fMRI. Using data acquisition and analysis methods optimized to overcome this artifact, we identify a familiar face response in TP, reliably observed in individual brains. This area responds strongly to visual images of familiar faces over unfamiliar faces, objects, and scenes. However, TP did not just respond to images of faces, but also to a variety of high-level social cognitive tasks, including semantic, episodic, and theory of mind tasks. The response profile of TP contrasted with a nearby region of the perirhinal cortex that responded specifically to faces, but not to social cognition tasks. TP was functionally connected with a distributed network in the association cortex associated with social cognition, while PR was functionally connected with face-preferring areas of the ventral visual cortex. This work identifies a missing link in the human face processing system that specifically processes familiar faces, and is well placed to integrate visual information about faces with higher-order conceptual information about other people. The results suggest that separate streams for person and face processing reach anterior temporal areas positioned at the top of the cortical hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) provides an ideal model to study early development of primates, and an in vivo platform to validate conclusions from in vitro studies of human embryos and embryo models. Currently, however, no established staging atlas of marmoset embryonic development exists. Using high-resolution, longitudinal ultrasound scans on live pregnant marmosets, we present the first dynamic in vivo imaging of entire primate gestation beginning with attachment until the last day before birth. Methods: Our study unveils the first dynamic images of an in vivo attached mammalian embryo developing in utero, and the intricacies of the delayed development period unique to the common marmoset amongst primates, revealing a window for somatic interventions. Results: Established obstetric and embryologic measurements for each scan were used comparatively with the standardized Carnegie staging of human development to highlight similarities and differences. Our study also allows for tracking the development of major organs. We focus on the ontogeny of the primate heart and brain. Finally, input ultrasound images were used to train deep neural networks to accurately determine the gestational age. All our ultrasounds and staging data recording are posted online so that the atlas can be used as a community resource toward monitoring and managing marmoset breeding colonies. Conclusion: The temporal and spatial resolution of ultrasound achieved in this study demonstrates the promise of noninvasive imaging in the marmoset for the in vivo study of primate-specific aspects of embryonic and fetal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal ecosystems and human communities are threatenedworldwide by climate change, and shocks from social, market and political change. There is an urgent global need to promote resilient food production and livelihoods in the face of these shocks. Small-scale fisheries (SSF) in rural settings can be particularly vulnerable as they frequently lack the resources, rights and infrastructure to respond to shocks originating outside the focal systems. We examined ecological and social outcomes of environmental extremes in a SSF socioecological system (SES) by using long-term oceanographic (between 2010-2019) and ecological (2006-2018) data tracking change in a kelp forest ecosystem of Baja California, Mexico, and concurrent documentation of proactive and reactive actions of a fishing community organized in a cooperative. Results indicate a complex landscape of 'winners' and 'losers' among species and fisheries exposed to unprecedented environmental extremes, including marine heat waves and prolonged hypoxia, and a suite of adaptive actions by the local fishing cooperative, and others in the region, that have helped confront these rapid and drastic changes. Cooperatives have established voluntary marine reserves to promote recovery of affected populations and have invested in diversification of activities enabled by access rights, collective decisionmaking, and participatory science programs. Results indicate that local actions can support social and ecological resilience in the face of shocks, and that enabling locally-driven adaptation pathways is critical to resilience. This case study highlights the crucial importance of strengthening and supporting rights, governance, capacity, flexibility, learning, and agency for coastal communities to respond to change and sustain their livelihoods and ecosystems in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Foam rolling (FR) has been developed into a popular intervention and has been established in various sports disciplines. However, its effects on target tissue, including changes in stiffness properties, are still poorly understood. Objective: To investigate muscle-specific and connective tissue-specific responses after FR in recreational athletes with different FR experience. Design: Case series. Setting: Laboratory environment. Participants: The study was conducted with 40 participants, consisting of 20 experienced (EA) and 20 nonexperienced athletes (NEA). Intervention: The FR intervention included 5 trials per 45 seconds of FR of the lateral thigh in the sagittal plane with 20 seconds of rest between each trial. Main Outcome Measures: Acoustic radiation force impulse elastosonography values, represented as shear wave velocity, were obtained under resting conditions (t0) and several times after FR exercise (0 min [t1], 30 min [t2], 6 h [t3], and 24 h [t4]). Data were assessed in superficial and deep muscle (vastus lateralis muscle; vastus intermedius muscle) and in connective tissue (iliotibial band). Results: In EA, tissue stiffness of the iliotibial band revealed a significant decrease of 13.2% at t1 (P ≤ .01) and 12.1% at t3 (P = .02). In NEA, a 6.2% increase of stiffness was found at t1, which was not significantly different to baseline (P =. 16). For both groups, no significant iliotibial band stiffness changes were found at further time points. Also, regarding muscle stiffness, no significant changes were detected at any time for EA and NEA (P > .05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates a significant short-term decrease of connective tissue stiffness in EA, which may have an impact on the biomechanical output of the connective tissue. Thus, FR effects on tissue stiffness depend on the athletes' experience in FR, and existing studies have to be interpreted cautiously in the context of the enrolled participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the molluscan fauna of the South Azorean Seamount Chain (SASC), which comprises several seamounts culminating in 300–1600 m depth, separated by distances less than 200 km. Material was collected mainly by dredging and comprises mostly empty shells. A total of over 111,000 shells representing at least 439 species (409 identified) was collected. Larval development was inferred from protoconch morphology, and the assemblage comprises species with planktotrophic larvae, with non-feeding planktonic larva, and with lecithotrophic larvae with direct development. The direct developers are more prevalent among species endemic to the SASC in the upper bathyal part (300–800 m) of the seamounts, whereas most planktotrophic species are shared with the Lusitanian seamounts and/or the European mainland. Nevertheless, there are notable exceptions to this trend, where species with non-planktotrophic larvae are also widespread, and a large proportion of the species with non-feeding planktonic larvae are shared with Eastern and/or Western Atlantic. Level of endemism of Mollusca is high within the SASC (22.5% overall, 35.8% considering only the interval < 800 m) and even higher (32.6% overall) when considering together the SASC and the Azores. The generic composition and large set of overlapping fauna suggest a strong relation to the temperate Eastern Atlantic, whereas only 19% of the species are shared with the Western Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Eating Disorders is the property of BioMed Central and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a pathogen of high medical relevance. Subviral Dense Bodies (DB) were developed as a vaccine candidate to ameliorate the severe consequences of HCMV infection. Development of such a candidate vaccine for human application requires detailed knowledge of its interaction with the host. A comprehensive mass spectrometry (MS)- based analysis was performed regarding the changes in the proteome of cell culture cells, exposed to DB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In upwelling systems, fluctuations in seawater pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and temperature can expose species to extremes that differ greatly from the mean conditions. Understanding the nature of this exposure to extremes, including how exposure to low pH, low DO concentrations, and temperature varies spatiotemporally and in the context of other drivers, is critical for informing global change biology. Here, we use a 4‐yr time series of coupled pH, DO, and temperature observations at six nearshore kelp forest sites spanning the coast of California to characterize the variability and covariance among these drivers. We further compare observed properties to those derived from a high‐resolution coupled physical‐biogeochemical simulation for the central California current system. We find the intensity, duration, and severity of exposure to extreme conditions beyond heuristic, biologically relevant pHT (< 7.7), and DO (< 4.6 mg L−1) values were greatest at sites with strong upwelling. In contrast, sites with relatively weaker upwelling had little exposure to pH or DO conditions below these heuristic values but had higher and more variable temperature. The covariance between pH, DO, and temperature was highest in sites with strong upwelling and weakest in sites with limited upwelling. These relationships among pH, DO, and temperature at the observation locations were mirrored in the model, and model output highlighted geographic differences in exposure regimes across the California marine protected area network. Together, these results provide important insight into the conditions marine ecosystems are exposed to relevant to studies of global change biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primates have evolved diverse cognitive capabilities to navigate their complex social world. To understand how the brain implements critical social cognitive abilities, we describe functional specialization in the domains of face processing, social interaction understanding, and mental state attribution. Systems for face processing are specialized from the level of single cells to populations of neurons within brain regions to hierarchically organized networks that extract and represent abstract social information. Such functional specialization is not confined to the sensorimotor periphery but appears to be a pervasive theme of primate brain organization all the way to the apex regions of cortical hierarchies. Circuits processing social information are juxtaposed with parallel systems involved in processing nonsocial information, suggesting common computations applied to different domains. The emerging picture of the neural basis of social cognition is a set of distinct but interacting subnetworks involved in component processes such as face perception and social reasoning, traversing large parts of the primate brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite availability of evidence-based treatments for eating disorders (EDs), individuals with EDs often do not receive informed treatment. Training of non-specialized clinicians by experienced professionals through knowledge exchange (KE) programs is an effective way to enhance accessibility to evidence-based treatments for EDs. The authors conducted a qualitative analysis of factors that facilitated or impeded the uptake of an ED-focused KE program. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mental health professionals (n = 43) and managers (n = 11) at 13 community mental-health sites at which the KE program was offered. Data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. Key facilitators identified were management support for the program and building competence through ongoing supervision of clinicians. Main barriers were limited access to ED patients to treat and having insufficient time to apply ED interventions in front-line settings. The results provide insights into the practical imperatives involved in implementing a KE initiative for ED treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold-water coral (CWC) reefs of the Angolan margin (SE Atlantic) are dominated by Desmophyllum pertusum and support a diverse community of associated fauna, despite hypoxic conditions. In this study, we use carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses (δ13C and δ15N) to decipher the trophic network of this relatively unknown CWC province. Although fresh phytodetritus is available to the reef, δ15N signatures indicate that CWCs (12.90 ± 1.00 ‰) sit two trophic levels above Suspended Particulate Organic Matter (SPOM) (4.23 ± 1.64 ‰) suggesting that CWCs are highly reliant on an intermediate food source, which may be zooplankton. Echinoderms and the polychaete Eunice norvegica occupy the same trophic guild, with high δ13C signatures (-14.00 ± 1.08 ‰) pointing to a predatory feeding behavior on CWCs and sponges, although detrital feeding on 13C enriched particles might also be important for this group. Sponges presented the highest δ15N values (20.20 ± 1.87 ‰), which could be due to the role of the sponge holobiont and bacterial food in driving intense nitrogen cycling processes in sponges' tissue, helping to cope with the hypoxic conditions of the reef. Our study provides first insights to understand trophic interactions of CWC reefs under low-oxygen conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mexicon is the property of Verlag Anton Saurwein and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The three-dimensional (3D) structure of habitat-forming corals has profound impacts on reef ecosystem processes. Elucidating coral structural responses to the environment is therefore crucial to understand changes in these ecosystems. However, little is known of how environmental factors shape coral structure in deep and dark waters, where cold-water coral (CWC) reefs thrive. Here, we attempt to infer the influence of current flow on CWC framework architecture, using 3D scanning to quantify colony shape traits (volume compactness and surface complexity) in the reef-building CWC Desmophyllum pertusum from adjacent fjord and offshore habitats with contrasting flow regimes. We find substantial architectural variability both between and within habitats. We show that corals are generally more compact in the fjord habitat, reflecting the prevailing higher current speeds, although differences in volume compactness between fjord and offshore corals are more subtle when comparing the fjord with the more exposed side of the offshore setting, probably due to locally intensified currents. Conversely, we observe no clear disparity in coral surface complexity between habitats (despite its positive correlation with volume compactness), suggesting it is not affected by current speed. Unlike volume compactness, surface complexity is similarly variable within a single colony as it is between colonies within the same habitat or between habitats and is therefore perhaps more dependent than volume compactness on microenvironmental conditions. These findings suggest a highly plastic, trait-specific and functionally relevant structural response of CWCs to current flow and underscore the importance of multiple concurrent sources of hydrodynamic forcing on CWC growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faces in motion reveal a plethora of information through visual dynamics. Faces can move in complex patterns while transforming facial shape, e.g., during the generation of different emotional expressions. While motion and shape processing have been studied extensively in separate research enterprises, much less is known about their conjunction during biological motion. Here, we took advantage of the discovery in brain-imaging studies of an area in the dorsal portion of the macaque monkey superior temporal sulcus (STS), the middle dorsal face area (MD), with selectivity for naturalistic face motion. To gain mechanistic insights into the coding of facial motion, we recorded single-unit activity from MD, testing whether and how MD cells encode face motion. The MD population was highly sensitive to naturalistic facial motion and facial shape. Some MD cells responded only to the conjunction of facial shape and motion, others were selective for facial shape even without movement, and yet others were suppressed by facial motion. We found that this heterogeneous MD population transforms face motion into a higher dimensional activity space, a representation that would allow for high sensitivity to relevant small-scale movements. Indeed, we show that many MD cells carry such sensitivity for eye movements. We further found that MD cells encode motion of head, mouth, and eyes in a separable manner, requiring the use of multiple reference frames. Thus, MD is a bona fide face-motion area that uses highly heterogeneous cell populations to create codes capturing even complex facial motion trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The diaphragm is a major muscle of respiration that is innervated by the phrenic nerve. Dysfunction of this muscle could lead to respiratory failure of varying degrees, depending on whether the bilateral diaphragms or a unilateral diaphragm (i.e., hemidiaphragm) are affected. Such respiratory dysfunction could be so severe as to result in symptomatic hypercapnia requiring medical and/or surgical intervention for amelioration. Diaphragmatic paralysis occurs when underlying pathology results in a failure of the phrenic nerve to control diaphragmatic function; however, in some cases, there are no known precipitating pathologic etiologies. Diaphragmatic paralysis is an uncommon presentation in the clinical setting that often leads to delayed diagnosis. Case Presentation: This report depicts a case of acute-onset dyspnea due to spontaneous idiopathic hemidiaphragm paralysis. A 71-year-old Caucasian man presented via telemedicine to his primary care physician with complaints of dyspnea ongoing for 2 days. The patient subsequently underwent multiple tests, including a course of antibiotics, multiple imaging studies, and several visits to the emergency department. Despite extensive lab and imaging studies, the diagnosis of hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis was delayed for several months before a final diagnosis by the pulmonary medicine clinic. Conclusion: This case portrays the significance of looking deeper beyond the typical cardiopulmonary etiologies in patients with unexplained acute dyspnea. It specifically highlights the importance of working up the respiratory muscles, especially the diaphragm, as the possible origin of acute unexplained dyspnea so as not to significantly delay diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct sentence should have read: The panelists strongly agreed that HT may be indicated in non-specific low back pain (95%) and chronic nociceptive pain (93%), whereas it is not indicated in acute inflammatory joint pain (95%). [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Musculoskeletal pain (MP) is prevalent in our society, having a strong negative impact on physical and psychosocial quality of life. Heat therapy (HT) has been frequently described as a treatment strategy for musculoskeletal pain, but scientific evidence is still poor. The aim of the present Delphi method study is to gather a consensus among European experts on the role of HT in MP. Methods: To address this topic, a list of 54 statements was developed, concerning mechanism of action of heat on muscle, types of MP eligible for heat treatment, efficacy of HT, time and modalities of treatment, maximizing compliance to HT, safety (based on heat wraps), wrong beliefs and common errors in the prescription of HT and the role of HT in preventing muscular damage in athletes. The survey was distributed to 116 European experts, using a 5-point Likert scale to express agreement or disagreement with the statements; 66% concordance with the statements was needed to define a consensus. Results: Consensus was reached on 78% of statements. There was a strong consensus on the mechanism of action of heat on muscle, the indication in chronic MP, its effectiveness as part of a multimodal approach to MP and the safety and tolerability of superficial heat therapy. A low-level of consensus was obtained on the role of heat in preventing muscular damage and in acute MP. Conclusion: This Delphi consensus recognizes the role of HT mostly in chronic MP and highlights the need for stronger scientific evidence to regulate the use of this therapy in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Cells infected with the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) produce subviral particles, termed dense bodies (DBs), both in-vitro and in-vivo. They are released from cells, comparable to infectious virions, and are enclosed by a membrane that resembles the viral envelope and mediates the entry into cells. To date, little is known about how the DB uptake influences the gene expression in target cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of DBs on cells, in the absence of a viral infection. (2) Methods: Mass spectrometry, immunoblot analyses, siRNA knockdown, and a CRISPR-CAS9 knockout, were used to investigate the changes in cellular gene expression following a DB exposure; (3) Results: A number of interferon-regulated genes (IRGs) were upregulated after the fibroblasts and endothelial cells were exposed to DBs. This upregulation was dependent on the DB entry and mediated by the type I interferon signaling through the JAK-STAT pathway. The induction of IRGs was mediated by the sensing of the DB-introduced DNA by the pattern recognition receptor cGAS. (4) Conclusions: The induction of a strong type I IFN response by DBs is a unique feature of the HCMV infection. The release of DBs may serve as a danger signal and concomitantly contribute to the induction of a strong, antiviral immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different shoulder orthoses on the neuromuscular activity of superficial and deep shoulder muscles during activities of daily living (ADL) and physiotherapeutic exercises. Methods: Ten participants with healthy shoulders (31 ± 3 years, 23.1 ± 3.8 kg/m2) were randomized to receive a "shoulder sling", an "abduction pillow" and a "variably adjustable orthosis" on the dominant side. With each orthosis, they completed seven ADL with and four physiotherapeutic exercises without wearing the orthoses. An electromyographic system was used to record the neuromuscular activity of three superficial (trapezius, deltoid, pectoralis major) and two deep shoulder muscles (infraspinatus, supraspinatus) using surface and intramuscular fine-wire electrodes. Results: The neuromuscular activity differs between the orthoses during ADL (p ≤ 0.045), whereby the "variably adjustable orthosis" mostly showed the highest activation levels associated with the worst subjective wearing comfort rated on a visual analog scale. In addition, differences exist between the physiotherapeutic exercises (p ≤ 0.006) demonstrating the highest activations of the infra- and supraspinatus muscles for assistive elevation and wipe across a table, middle for pendulum and lowest for continuous passive motion exercises. Conclusions: The neuromuscular activity of superficial and deep shoulder muscles differs between the orthoses during ADL and also between the physiotherapeutic exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural interaction between multiple users within a shared virtual environment (VE) relies on each other's awareness of the current position of the interaction partners. This, however, cannot be warranted when users employ noncontinuous locomotion techniques, such as teleportation, which may cause confusion among bystanders. In this paper, we pursue two approaches to create a pleasant experience for both the moving user and the bystanders observing that movement. First, we will introduce a Smart Avatar system that delivers continuous full-body human representations for noncontinuous locomotion in shared virtual reality (VR) spaces. Smart Avatars imitate their assigned user's real-world movements when close-by and autonomously navigate to their user when the distance between them exceeds a certain threshold, i.e., after the user teleports. As part of the Smart Avatar system, we implemented four avatar transition techniques and compared them to conventional avatar locomotion in a user study, revealing significant positive effects on the observers' spatial awareness, as well as pragmatic and hedonic quality scores. Second, we introduce the concept of Stuttered Locomotion, which can be applied to any continuous locomotion method. By converting a continuous movement into short-interval teleport steps, we provide the merits of non-continuous locomotion for the moving user while observers can easily keep track of their path. Thus, while the experience for observers is similarly positive as with continuous motion, a user study confirmed that Stuttered Locomotion can significantly reduce the occurrence of cybersickness symptoms for the moving user, making it an attractive choice for shared VEs. We will discuss the potential of Smart Avatars and Stuttered Locomotion for shared VR experiences, both when applied individually and in combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein abundance is controlled at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels, and its regulatory principles are starting to emerge. Investigating these principles requires large-scale proteomics data and cannot just be done with transcriptional outcomes that are commonly used as a proxy for protein abundance. Here, we determine proteome changes resulting from the individual knockout of 3308 nonessential genes in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We use similarity clustering of global proteome changes to infer gene functionality that can be extended to other species, such as humans or baker's yeast. Furthermore, we analyze a selected set of deletion mutants by paired transcriptome and proteome measurements and show that upregulation of proteins under stable transcript expression utilizes optimal codons. Protein abundance is controlled at the transcriptional, translational and posttranslational levels. Here, Öztürk et al. determine proteome changes resulting from individual knockout of 3308 nonessential genes in the yeast S. pombe, infer gene functionality, and show that protein upregulation under stable transcript expression utilizes optimal codons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is associated with severe disease conditions either following congenital transmission of the virus or viral reactivation in immunosuppressed individuals. Consequently, the establishment of a protective vaccine is of high medical need. Several candidates have been tested in preclinical and clinical studies, yet no vaccine has been licensed. Subviral dense bodies (DB) are a promising vaccine candidate. We have recently provided a GMP-compliant protocol for the production of DB, based on a genetically modified version of the HCMV laboratory strain Towne, expressing the pentameric complex of envelope protein gH-gL-pUL128-131 (Towne-UL130rep). In this work, we genetically attenuated Towne-UL130rep by abrogating the expression of the tegument protein pUL25 and by fusing the destabilizing domain ddFKBP to the N-terminus of the IE1- and IE2-proteins of HCMV. The resulting strain, termed TR-VAC, produced high amounts of DB under IE1/IE2 repressive conditions and concomitant supplementation of the viral terminase inhibitor letermovir to the producer cell culture. TR-VAC DB retained the capacity to induce neutralizing antibodies. A complex pattern of host protein induction was observed by mass spectrometry following exposure of primary human monocytes with TR-VAC DB. Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) moderately increased the expression of activation markers and MHC molecules upon stimulation with TR-VAC DB. In a co-culture with autologous T cells, the TR-VAC DB-stimulated DC induced a robust HCMV-specific T cell-activation and –proliferation. Exposure of donor-derived monocytic cells to DB led to the activation of a rapid innate immune response. This comprehensive data set thus shows that TR-VAC is an optimal attenuated seed virus strain for the production of a DB vaccine to be tested in clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the correlation between (competitive) sports and the occurrence of temporomandibular dysfunctions (TMD) by comparing the prevalences in competitive, recreational, and non-athletic women. Materials and methods: A total of 138 women between the ages of 18 and 45 were interviewed about symptoms of TMD by means of a questionnaire. Based on their athletic performance level, the participating women were classified as competitive athletes, recreational athletes, or non-athletes (each group n = 46). Results: Symptoms of TMD were notably less frequent in competitive female athletes (52.2%) than in recreational female athletes (63.0%) and female non-athletes (60.9%). With increasing training load, the prevalence of TMD decreased in both the competitive and recreational female athlete groups. Conclusions: Athletic activity in general seems to have a positive effect on the occurrence of TMD. Competitive female athletes appear less likely to suffer from symptoms of TMD than recreational athletes and non-athletes. One possible explanation for this could be the better supervision by qualified trainers and physiotherapists in competitive sports. Clinical relevance: Patients should be motivated to engage in sports as a protective measure against symptoms of TMD. However, it is important to ensure that they are properly instructed by experienced personnel in order to avoid unphysiological strain and negative consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reported incidence of incisional hernia following repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) via midline laparotomy is up to 69%. This prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted at eleven hospitals in Germany. Patients aged 18 years or older undergoing elective AAA-repair via midline incision were randomly assigned using a computer-generated randomisation sequence to one of three groups for fascial closure: with long-term absorbable suture (MonoPlus®, group I), long-term absorbable suture and onlay mesh reinforcement (group II) or extra long-term absorbable suture (MonoMax®, group III). The primary endpoint was the incidence of incisional hernia within 24 months of follow-up, analysed by intention to treat. Physicians conducting the postoperative visits and the patients were blinded. Between February 2011 and July 2013, 104 patients (69.8 ± 7.7 years) were randomised, 99 of them received a study intervention. The rate of incisional hernia within 24 months was not significantly reduced with onlay mesh augmentation compared to primary suture (p = 0.290). Furthermore, the rate of incisional hernia did not differ significantly between fascial closure with slow and extra long-term absorbable suture (p = 0.111). Serious adverse events related to study intervention occurred in five patients (5.1%) from treatment groups II and III. Wound healing disorders were more frequently seen after onlay mesh implantation on the day of discharge (p = 0.010) and three (p = 0.009) and six (p = 0.023) months postoperatively. The existing evidence on prophylactic mesh augmentation in patients undergoing AAA-repair via midline laparotomy probably needs critical review. As the implementation of new RCTs is considered difficult due to the increasing number of endovascular AAA treated, registry studies could help to collect and evaluate data in cases of open AAA-repair. Comparisons between prophylactic mesh implantation and the small bite technique are also required. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01353443. Funding Sources: Aesculap AG, Tuttlingen, Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine symbioses are integral to the persistence of ecosystem functioning in coral reefs. Solitary corals of the species Heteropsammia cochlea and Heterocyathus aequicostatus have been observed to live in symbiosis with the sipunculan worm Aspidosiphon muelleri muelleri, which inhabits a cavity within the coral, in Zanzibar (Tanzania). The symbiosis of these photosymbiotic corals enables the coral holobiont to move, in fine to coarse unconsolidated substrata, a process termed as "walking." This allows the coral to escape sediment cover in turbid conditions which is crucial for these light‐dependent species. An additional commensalistic symbiosis of this coral‐worm holobiont is found between the Aspidosiphon worm and the cryptoendolithic bivalve Jousseaumiella sp., which resides within the cavity of the coral skeleton. To understand the morphological alterations caused by these symbioses, interspecific relationships, with respect to the carbonate structures between these three organisms, are documented using high‐resolution imaging techniques (scanning electron microscopy and µCT scanning). Documenting multi‐layered symbioses can shed light on how morphological plasticity interacts with environmental conditions to contribute to species persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate differences in running activities between adolescent and adult tennis players during match play. Differences between winning and losing players within each age group were also examined. Methods: Forty well-trained male players (20 adolescents, 13 ± 1 y; 20 adults, 25 ± 4 y) played a simulated singles match against an opponent of similar age and ability. Running activities were assessed using portable devices that sampled global positioning system (10 Hz) and inertial-sensor (accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer; 100 Hz) data. Recorded data were examined in terms of velocity, acceleration, deceleration, metabolic power, PlayerLoad, and number of accelerations toward the net and the forehand and backhand corners. Results: Adult players spent more time at high velocity (≥4 m/s²), acceleration (≥4 m/s²), deceleration (≤-4 m/s²), and metabolic power (≥20 W/kg) (P ≤ .009, ES = 0.9-1.5) and performed more accelerations (≥2 m/s²) toward the backhand corner (P < .001, ES = 2.6-2.7). No differences between adolescent winning and losing players were evident overall (P ≥ .198, ES = 0.0-0.6). Adult winning players performed more accelerations (2 to <4 m/s²) toward the forehand corner (P = .026, ES = 1.2), whereas adult losing players completed more accelerations (≥2 m/s²) toward the backhand corner (P ≤ .042, ES = 0.9). Conclusions: This study shows that differences in running activities between adolescent and adult tennis players exist in high-intensity measures during simulated match play. Furthermore, differences between adolescent and adult players, and also between adult winning and losing players, are present in terms of movement directions. Our findings may be helpful for coaches to design different training drills for both age groups of players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study documents foraminiferal faunas from the Mauritanian upper slope and shelf and analyses their association with cold-water coral habitats (= CWCH). It is based on the analysis of foraminiferal tests in 28 sediment samples of the >250 µm fraction only. One hundred and fifty seven benthic species are recorded, described and one hundred and fifty four are imaged. It increases the number of benthic foraminiferal species so far reported in this area from 102 to 157 and their description from 33 to 157. An analysis of the structure, composition, and diversity of the species-rich benthic foraminiferal faunas is given. It reveals the existence of three main faunal clusters: a living coral cluster, a non-living coral cluster and a low diversity/Tetragonostomina rhombiformis Mikhalevich, 1975 cluster. The living coral cluster is dominated by the species Rosalina vermiculata (d'Orbigny, 1839 in Jones, 1994), which until now not has been reported specifically reported as an important species from CWCH. The non-living coral cluster lacks a dominant species and is characterised by a set of species more evenly distributed. A subcluster is found to be associated with dead coral debris. The low diversity/Tetragonostomina rhombiformis cluster is interpreted as an endemic fauna at shallower water-depths with mud as its preferred substrate. This study extends the knowledge on benthic foraminiferal faunas from CWCH and the Mauritanian upper bathyal slope and shelf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes translation behaviour with respect to the salience of two grammatical constructions that differ in frequency. We assumed that a more frequent construction is also more entrenched in the translator's mind and that as a result different translation solutions are more readily available. For this reason, we expected that a more frequent construction is translated more quickly than a less frequent construction, resulting in lower reading and typing-related measures of cognitive effort during the translation process. A translation experiment was designed to test this assumption. We triangulated keystroke logging and eye tracking data from 11 professional translators and tested the results using linear mixed regression modelling, controlling for, among others, lexically-based effects of salience. While we did not find statistically significant evidence of a facilitation effect regarding the entrenchment of (partially) abstract grammatical structures (of-NPs), we did find salience effects from lexical sources such as cross-linguistic structural priming and words with typical translation solutions. Lexical effects of salience on the translation process were shown to be more reliable indicators of facilitation in translation than the salience of more abstract linguistic structures – at least if the effect is a result of salience that stems from entrenchment. Since one limitation of our study is its necessarily small sample size, we draw methodological conclusions for improving experimental designs that will be useful for researchers in empirical translation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodolith beds and bioherms formed by ecosystem engineering crustose coralline algae support the northernmost centres of carbonate production, referred to as polar cold‐water carbonate factories. Yet, little is known about biodiversity and recruitment of these hard‐bottom communities or the bioeroders degrading them, and there is a demand for carbonate budgets to include respective rates of polar carbonate build‐up and bioerosion. To address these issues, a 10‐year settlement and bioerosion experiment was carried out at the Arctic Svalbard archipelago in and downslope of a rhodolith bed. The calcifiers recorded on experimental settlement tiles (56 taxa) were dominated by bryozoans, serpulids and foraminiferans. The majority of the bioerosion traces (30 ichnotaxa) were microborings, followed by attachment etchings and grazing traces. Biodiversity metrics show that calcifier diversity and bioerosion ichnodiversity are both elevated in the rhodolith bed, if compared to adjacent aphotic waters, but these differences are statistically insignificant. Accordingly, there were only low to moderate dissimilarities in the calcifier community structure and bioerosion trace assemblages between the two depth stations (46 and 127 m), substrate orientations (up‐ and down‐facing) and substrate types (PVC and limestone), in that order of relevance. In contrast, surface coverage as well as the carbonate accretion and bioerosion rates were all significantly elevated in the rhodolith bed, reflecting higher abundance or size of calcifiers and bioerosion traces. All three measures were highest for up‐facing substrates at 46 m, with a mean coverage of 78.2% (on PVC substrates), a mean accretion rate of 24.6 g m−2 year−1 (PVC), and a mean bioerosion rate of −35.1 g m−2 year−1 (limestone). Differences in these metrics depend on the same order of factors than the community structure. Considering all limestone substrates of the two platforms, carbonate accretion and bioerosion were nearly in balance at a net rate of −2.5 g m−2 year−1. A latitudinal comparison with previous settlement studies in the North Atlantic suggests that despite the harsh polar environment there is neither a depletion in the diversity of hard‐bottom calcifier communities nor in the ichnodiversity of grazing traces, attachment etchings and microborings formed by organotrophs. In contrast, microborings produced by phototrophs are strongly depleted because of limitations in the availability of light (condensed photic zonation, polar night, shading by sea ice). Also, macroborings were almost absent, surprisingly. With respect to carbonate production, the Svalbard carbonate factory marks the low end of a latitudinal gradient while bioerosion rates are similar or even higher than at comparable depth or photic regime at lower latitudes, although this might not apply to shallow euphotic waters (not covered in our experiment), given the observed depletion in bioeroding microphytes and macroborers. While echinoid grazing is particularly relevant for the bioerosion in the rhodolith bed, respective rates are far lower than those reported from tropical shallow‐water coral reefs. The slow pace of carbonate production but relatively high rates of bioerosion (both promoted by low carbonate supersaturation states in Arctic waters), in concert with high retention of skeletal carbonates on the seafloor and no calcite cements forming in open pore space created by microborers, suggest a low fossilisation potential for polar carbonates, such as those formed in the Mosselbukta rhodolith beds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the infectivity of 128 severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2-associated deaths and evaluated predictive values of standard diagnostic procedures. Maintained infectivity (20%) did not correlate with viral RNA loads but correlated well with anti-S antibody levels. Sensitivity >90% for antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests supports their usefulness for assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of marine microbioerosion in polar environments are scarce. They include our recent investigations of bioerosion traces preserved in sessile balanid skeletons from the Arctic Svalbard archipelago and the Antarctic Ross Sea. Here, we present results from a third study site, Frobisher Bay, in the eastern Canadian Arctic, together with a synthesis of our current knowledge of polar bioerosion in both hemispheres. Barnacles from 62 to 94 m water depth in Frobisher Bay were prepared using the cast-embedding technique to enable visualization of microboring traces by scanning electron microscopy. In total, six ichnotaxa of traces produced by organotrophic bioeroders were found. All recorded ichnotaxa were also present in Mosselbukta, Svalbard, and most in the Ross Sea. Frobisher Bay contrasts with Mosselbukta in that it is a siliciclastic-dominated environment and shows a lower ichnodiversity, which may be accounted for by the limited bathymetrical range and a high turbidity and sedimentation rate. We evaluate potential key ichnotaxa for the cold-temperate and polar regions, of which the most suitable are Flagrichnus baiulus and Saccomorpha guttulata, and propose adapted index ichnocoenoses for the interpretation of palaeobathymetry accordingly. Together, the three studies allow us to make provisional considerations about the biogeographical distribution of polar microbioerosion traces reflecting the ecophysiological limits of their makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complement coordinates inflammation in macrophages: The serum complement system performs well-established functions in innate immune system recognition and destruction of invading pathogens, but complement proteins produced by immune cells can also execute distinct functions intracellularly. In human macrophages, Niyonzima et al. demonstrate that the complement protein C5a signals on mitochondrial membranes through its receptor C5aR1 to control IL-1β production in response to cholesterol crystal (CC) uptake. C5a/C5aR1 signaling altered mitochondrial activity and increased reactive oxygen species production, promoting IL-1β gene expression and processing. In a mouse model of atherosclerosis, in which CC accumulates in arterial walls, deletion of C5aR1 in myeloid cells reduced the severity of cardiovascular disease. These results identify a function for intracellular complement proteins in myeloid cell mitochondrial metabolism and responses to sterile inflammation. While serum-circulating complement destroys invading pathogens, intracellularly active complement, termed the "complosome," functions as a vital orchestrator of cell-metabolic events underlying T cell effector responses. Whether intracellular complement is also nonredundant for the activity of myeloid immune cells is currently unknown. Here, we show that monocytes and macrophages constitutively express complement component (C) 5 and generate autocrine C5a via formation of an intracellular C5 convertase. Cholesterol crystal sensing by macrophages induced C5aR1 signaling on mitochondrial membranes, which shifted ATP production via reverse electron chain flux toward reactive oxygen species generation and anaerobic glycolysis to favor IL-1β production, both at the transcriptional level and processing of pro–IL-1β. Consequently, atherosclerosis-prone mice lacking macrophage-specific C5ar1 had ameliorated cardiovascular disease on a high-cholesterol diet. Conversely, inflammatory gene signatures and IL-1β produced by cells in unstable atherosclerotic plaques of patients were normalized by a specific cell-permeable C5aR1 antagonist. Deficiency of the macrophage cell-autonomous C5 system also protected mice from crystal nephropathy mediated by folic acid. These data demonstrate the unexpected intracellular formation of a C5 convertase and identify C5aR1 as a direct modulator of mitochondrial function and inflammatory output from myeloid cells. Together, these findings suggest that the complosome is a contributor to the biologic processes underlying sterile inflammation and indicate that targeting this system could be beneficial in macrophage-dependent diseases, such as atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) are often elevated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated with both cardiovascular remodeling and outcome. Relationship between these biomarkers and quantitative imaging measures of myocardial fibrosis and edema by T1 and T2 mapping remains unknown. Methods: Consecutive patients with established CKD and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 59 ml/min/1.73 m2 (n = 276) were compared to age/sex matched patients with eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (n = 242) and healthy controls (n = 38). Comprehensive cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with native T1 and T2 mapping, myocardial ischemia and scar imaging was performed with venous sampling immediately prior to CMR. Results: Patients with CKD showed significant cardiac remodeling in comparison with both healthy individuals and non-CKD patients, including a stepwise increase of native T1 and T2 (p < 0.001 between all CKD stages). Native T1 and T2 were the sole imaging markers independently associated with worsening CKD in patients [B = 0.125 (95% CI 0.022–0.235) and B = 0.272 (95% CI 0.164–0.374) with p = 0.019 and < 0.001 respectively]. At univariable analysis, both hs-cTnT and NT-pro BNP significantly correlated with native T1 and T2 in groups with eGFR 30–59 ml/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR < 29 ml/min/1.73 m2 groups, with associations being stronger at lower eGFR (NT-pro BNP (log transformed, lg10): native T1 r = 0.43 and r = 0.57, native T2 r = 0.39 and r = 0.48 respectively; log-transformed hs-cTnT(lg10): native T1 r = 0.23 and r = 0.43, native T2 r = 0.38 and r = 0.58 respectively, p < 0.001 for all, p < 0.05 for interaction). On multivariable analyses, we found independent associations of native T1 with NT-pro BNP [(B = 0.308 (95% CI 0.129–0.407), p < 0.001 and B = 0.334 (95% CI 0.154–0.660), p = 0.002 for eGFR 30–59 ml/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR < 29 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively] and of T2 with hs-cTnT [B = 0.417 (95% CI 0.219–0.650), p < 0.001 for eGFR < 29 ml/min/1.73 m2]. Conclusions: We demonstrate independent associations between cardiac biomarkers with imaging markers of interstitial expansion, which are CKD-group specific. Our findings indicate the role of diffuse non-ischemic tissue processes, including excess of myocardial fluid in addition to diffuse fibrosis in CKD-related adverse remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold‐water coral reefs constitute important biodiversity hotspots in aphotic waters around the world. The complex, highly variable morphology of the reef habitat‐forming species has important implications for the communities they harbor and for the physical processes occurring therein. Lophelia pertusa (Desmophyllum pertusum) is one of the most common reef‐building cold‐water corals, but its morphological diversity has never been characterized on a broad scale. We qualitatively and quantitatively explored the patterns of morphological variation of this species over a wide geographic and ecological range, addressing corallite and colony traits and their interrelation. Geographic variation is evident at both corallite and colony level, although with distinct trends. By linking branching patterns to colony morphology, we identified three main morphotypes (asymmetrical, bushy, and columnar) with substantial geometric and architectural differences, which suggest high functional diversity of cold‐water coral reefs across regions. Colony morphology appears strongly governed by asexual budding of individual polyps, but largely decoupled from corallite morphology. We hypothesize that colony morphology is primarily driven by local hydrodynamic conditions and associated food supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA loads in patient specimens may act as a clinical outcome predictor in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods We evaluated the predictive value of viral RNA loads and courses in the blood compared with the upper and lower respiratory tract loads of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Daily specimen collection and viral RNA quantification by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed in all consecutive 170 COVID-19 patients between March 2020 and February 2021 during the entire intensive care unit (ICU) stay (4145 samples analyzed). Patients were grouped according to their 90-day outcome as survivors (n=100) or nonsurvivors (n=70). Results In nonsurvivors, blood SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads were significantly higher at the time of admission to the ICU (P =.0009). Failure of blood RNA clearance was observed in 33/50 (66%) of the nonsurvivors compared with 12/64 (19%) survivors (P <.0001). As determined by multivariate analysis, taking sociodemographic and clinical parameters into account, blood SARS-CoV-2 RNA load represents a valid and independent predictor of outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients (odds ratio [OR; log10], 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12–0.42; P <.0001), with a significantly higher effect for survival compared with respiratory tract SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads (OR [log10], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.66–0.85; P <.0001). Blood RNA loads exceeding 2.51×103 SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/mL were found to indicate a 50% probability of death. Consistently, 29/33 (88%) nonsurvivors with failure of virus clearance exceeded this cutoff value constantly. Conclusions Blood SARS-CoV-2 load is an important independent outcome predictor and should be further evaluated for treatment allocation and patient monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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