Search

Cuttlefish are masters of camouflage and show a remarkable ability to hide in plain sight. A new study reveals how these animals translate visual information about their surroundings into effective camouflage patterns.

Small, benthic, cryptic fishes represent a species-rich guild on marine substrates. Most of them are micropredators that feed on crustaceans that are often smaller than 1 mm. Typical examples are seahorses and pipefishes (Syngnathidae), most gobies (Gobiidae), dragonets (Callionymidae) and triplefins (Tripterygiidae). Previous work on the yellow black-headed triplefin Tripterygion delaisi demonstrated that it actively redirects downwelling sunlight sideways using its iris and can use this to locally illuminate objects of interest. We call this form of active sensing using light "diurnal active photolocation". Visual modelling predicted that light redirection can be sufficient to induce a perceivable change in luminance in the eyes of one of its prey species, a cryptic gammarid crustacean (Cheirocratus sp.), over distances of 1-2 cm. Empirical validation, however, was not possible because measurements of predation distances have not been quantified for free-ranging, small, benthic fishes before. Here, we present interaction distances measured from videos of T. delaisi approaching and striking at prey in the field. Out of 160 recordings, we were able to quantify 78 prey approaching distances and 100 striking distances. Approaching distances ranged from 2.1 to 4.1 cm (interquartile range, IQR) and involved one to five approaching steps before the actual strike occurred. The distance over which the final strike took place varied from 0.7 to 1.6 cm (IQR). Both approaching and striking distances increased with fish body size. We conclude that most approaching sequences started too far away to be explained by prey detection through light redirection. Striking distances, however, fell well with the distances predicted by the model. We conclude that if diurnal active photolocation plays a role in prey detection, it is during the final decision whether to strike or not.

ObjectivesTo assess the quality of cause of death reporting in Shanghai for both hospital and home deaths.Design and settingMedical records review (MRR) to independently establish a reference data set against which to compare original and adjusted diagnoses from a sample of three tertiary hospitals, one secondary level hospital and nine community health centres in Shanghai.Participants1757 medical records (61% males, 39% females) of deaths that occurred in these sample sites in 2017 were reviewed using established diagnostic standards.InterventionsNone.Primary outcomeOriginal underlying cause of death (UCOD) from medical facilities.Secondary outcomeRoutine UCOD assigned from the Shanghai Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system and MRR UCODs from MRR.ResultsThe original UCODs as assigned by doctors in the study facilities were of relatively low quality, reduced to 31% of deaths assigned to garbage codes, reduced to 2.3% following data quality and follow back procedures routinely applied by the Shanghai CRVS system. The original UCOD had lower chance-corrected concordance and cause-specific mortality fraction accuracy of 0.57 (0.44, 0.70) and 0.66, respectively, compared with 0.75 (0.66, 0.85) and 0.96, respectively, after routine data checking procedures had been applied.ConclusionsTraining in correct death certification for clinical doctors, especially tertiary hospital doctors, is essential to improve UCOD quality in Shanghai. A routine quality control system should be established to actively track diagnostic performance and provide feedback to individual doctors or facilities as needed.

Determination of microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair deficiency (MMRD), respectively, in endometrial carcinomas (ECs) is important for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, identification of Lynch syndrome carriers, and selection of patients for immunotherapy. The Idylla™ MSI assay is fully automated, does not require non-tumoral tissue, and can be performed in about 150 min. Two hundred forty-two formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) EC samples from 7 international centers were tested by the Idylla™ MSI assay and compared to the Promega™ MSI Analysis System and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MMR proteins. The cases were selected with an enrichment of MSI EC to around 40%. Concordance was 87.5% between the Idylla™ MSI assay and IHC and 88.58% between IHC and Promega™ MSI assay. Concordance between Idylla™ and Promega™ MSI assays was 89.91%. Discordant results occurred more frequently in cases with MSH6 or PMS2 deficiency. Invalid cases occurred with the three techniques (IHC, 7.00%; Promega™ MSI assay, 5.37%; and Idylla™ MSI assay, 2.47%). The concordance rate between Idylla™ MSI assay and the other 2 methods increased to 88.83% for IHC and to 91.22% for the Promega™ MSI assay when the cutoff of instability in the scoring system was moved from 0.5 to 0.3. The Idylla™ MSI assay is a rapid and highly concordant test for MSI in EC. Modification of the Idylla™ scoring system could increase the sensitivity and specificity of the MSI assay for EC analysis.

Aim: To investigate the role of endothelial PV-1 in patients with untreated celiac disease (CD)-associated liver injury. Materials & methods: PV-1 and PV-1 mRNA were measured in intestinal biopsies from untreated CD patients with elevated or normal alanine transaminase levels, controls, patients with inflammatory bowel disease and patients with toxic liver injury. Circulating PV-1 levels were also evaluated. Results: Circulating PV-1 levels were significantly increased in the serum of patients with CD-associated liver injury and reverted to normal following a gluten-free diet. Mucosal PV-1 and PV-1 mRNA were no different in patients with CD-associated liver injury. Conclusion: Serum but not mucosal PV-1 represents a marker of gluten-dependent liver injury and response to a gluten-free diet in patients with untreated CD.

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers are extensively used worldwide to treat many cardiovascular disorders, where they are effective in reducing both mortality and morbidity. These drugs are known to induce an increased expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 acts as receptor for the novel SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which raising the important issue of possible detrimental effects that RAS blockers could exert on the natural history and pathogenesis of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and associated excessive inflammation, myocarditis and cardiac arrhythmias. We review the current knowledge on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infection and RAS blockers and suggest a scientific rationale for continuing RAS blockers therapy in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Survivors after a myocardial infarction (MI), especially those with diabetes mellitus (DM),remain at high risk of further events. Identifying and treating factors that may influence survivalmay open new therapeutic strategies. We assessed the impact on prognosis of DM andhypovitaminosis D (hypovitD), alone or combined. In this prospective, observational study, 1081patients were enrolled surviving an MI and divided into four groups according to their diabetic andVitD status. The primary end-point was composite of all-cause mortality, angina/MI and heartfailure (HF). Secondary outcomes were mortality, HF and angina/MI. During a follow-up of 26.1months (IQR 6.6&ndash, 64.5), 391 subjects experienced the primary end-point. Patients with DM orhypovitD had similar rate of the composite end-point. Patients with only hypovitD or DM did notdiffer regarding components of composite end-point (angina p = 0.97, HF p = 0.29, mortality p = 0.62).DM and VitD deficiency had similarly adjusted risks for primary end-point (HR 1.3, 95%CI 1.05&ndash, 1.61, HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.04&ndash, 1.64). The adjusted HR for primary composite end-point for patients withhypovitD and DM was 1.69 (95%CI 1.25&ndash, 2.29, p = 0.001) in comparison to patients with neitherhypoD nor DM. In conclusion, DM and hypovitD, individually and synergistically, are associatedwith a worse outcome after MI.

Guard-sneaker tactics are widespread among fish, where territorial males defend a nest and provide parental care while sneakers try to steal fertilizations. Territorials and sneakers adopt diverse pre- and post-mating strategies, adjusting their ejaculate investment and/or behavioural responses to the presence of competitors. The relative distance of competitors from the spawning female plays a major role in influencing male mating strategies and the resulting paternity share. However, territorial male quality and sneaking intensity do not fully account for the variability in the relative siring success occurring among species. An often neglected factor potentially affecting sneakers proximity to females is the nest structure. We conducted a field experiment using the black goby, whose nests show two openings of different size. We found that territorial males defend more and sneaking pressure is higher at the front, larger access of the nest than at the back, smaller one. Moreover, microsatellite paternity analysis shows that territorials sire more offspring at the back of their nest. Such a predictable spatial distribution of the paternity share suggests that nest structure might work as an indirect cue of male relative siring success, potentially influencing the territorial male investment in parental care and/or the female egg deposition strategy.

Vitamin D is a hormone with pleiotropic effects; it controls calcium homeostasis, immune response, hemodynamic wall stress (by inhibiting Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System, RAAS, and modulating the endothelial function) and inflammation. In the last decade, numerous studies have focused on the role of vitamin D levels in the setting of cardiovascular disease. In particular, it has been shown that insufficient Vitamin D levels are frequently observed among patients with cardiovascular disease. Hypovitaminosis D activates the renin angiotensin system, causes endothelial dysfunction, reduces cardiomyocyte contractility and is associated with adverse left ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction. Also, low Vitamin D levels are associated with worse outcome. However, there is still no evidence in supporting an extended use of oral hormone supplementation. Two big epidemiological studies including patients from general practice suggested a U-shape correlation between Vitamin D levels and survival; furthermore, we observed similar results in survivors after myocardial infarction; the prognosis of patients with Vitamin D -i.e., 25-(OH) D- levels < 10 or > 30 ng/mL was markedly worse than the prognosis of patients with levels between 10 and 30 ng/mL. Probably, the new therapeutic strategy should consider the non-linear relationship that exists between Vitamin D levels and the prognosis and should provide careful measurements of the blood levels of this hormone.

Background: Ghrelin may exert positive effects on cardiac structure and function in heart failure (HF) patients. Methods: We assessed ghrelin levels in 266 dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients and in 200 age, gender and body mass index (BMI) matched controls. Further, we evaluated the expression of ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue-receptor (GHSR) in the myocardium of 41 DCM patients and in 11 controls. Results: DCM patients had significantly lower levels of total, acylated and unacylated ghrelin when compared to controls (p < 0.05 for all). In controls, we observed a negative correlation of ghrelin with age, male gender and BMI. These correlations were lost in the DCM group, except for male gender. Total ghrelin was higher in patients with more recent diagnosis when compared to patients with longer duration of the DCM (p = 0.033). Further, total ghrelin was higher in patients with lower left ventricular systolic function (p = 0.05). Ghrelin prepropeptide was expressed more in DCM patients than in controls (p = 0.0293) while GHSR was expressed less in DCM patients (p < 0.001). Furthermore, ghrelin showed an inverse correlation with its receptor (ρ = −0.406, p = 0.009), and this receptor showed a significant inverse correlation with Interleukin-1β (ρ = −0.422, p = 0.0103). Conclusion: DCM duration and severity are accompanied by alterations in the ghrelin−GHSR system.

Background Vitamin D deficiency and diabetes mellitus are frequent among patients with acute myocardial infarction. Independently, both were associated with a worse prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI). However, it is unclear whether the risk of worse outcome, associated with diabetes mellitus, may be accentuated in presence of hypovitaminosis D. Purpose We assessed if previously known or newly diagnosed diabetes is associated with worse outcome (major cardiovascular events) in combination with hypovitaminosis D in patients with acute MI. Methods and results Were enrolled 1004 patients with acute MI; 64.7% of them, had hypovitaminosis D and 37% were diabetic. We grouped our population by diabetic status: previously known diabetes (diagnosis of diabetes before MI, n=330; 32.9%); newly diagnosed diabetes (during hospitalization for MI, but no known diabetes at presentation, n=47; 4.7%); or no diabetes (n=627; 62.5%). Hypovitaminosis D was more frequent among patients with previously known (70.2%) and newly diagnosed diabetes (73.3%), when compared to non diabetic patients (61.2%). During median follow-up of 15.6 months, patients with previously known and newly diagnosed diabetes had increased risks of major cardiovascular events (HR 1.72; 95% CI, 1.26 to 2.36. The risk of major events during the follow-up among diabetic patients, was further increased in presence of hypovitaminosis D (Figure 1). Conclusions The presence of both, previously known or newly diagnosed diabetes and hypovitaminosis D, in patients with MI is synergistically associated with a worse outcome. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Most antipredator strategies increase survival of individuals by signaling to predators, by reducing the chances of being recognized as prey, or by bewildering a predator's perception. In fish, bobbing and fin‐flicking are commonly considered as pursuit‐deterrent behaviors that signal a predator that it has been detected and thus lost its surprise‐attack advantage. Yet, very few studies assessed whether such behavioral traits are restricted to the visual presence of a predator. In this study, we used the yellow black‐headed triplefin Tripterygion delaisi to investigate the association between these behaviors and the visual exposure to (a) a black scorpionfish predator (Scorpaena porcus), (b) a stone of a size similar to that of S. porcus, (c) a conspecific, and (d) a harmless heterospecific combtooth blenny (Parablennius sanguinolentus). We used a laboratory‐controlled experiment with freshly caught fish designed to test for differences in visual cues only. Distance kept by the focal fish to each stimulus and frequency of bobbing and fin‐flicking were recorded. Triplefins kept greater distance from the stimulus compartment when a scorpionfish predator was visible. Bobbing was more frequent in the visual presence of a scorpionfish, but also shown toward the other stimuli. However, fin flicks were equally abundant across all stimuli. Both behaviors decreased in frequency over time suggesting that triplefin become gradually comfortable in a nonchanging new environment. We discuss why bobbing and fin‐flicking are not exclusive pursuit‐deterrent behaviors in this species, and propose additional nonexclusive functions such as enhancing depth perception by parallax motion (bobbing) or signaling vigilance (fin‐flicking)., In fish, repeatedly and rapidly raising and lowering the anterior part of the body (bobbing) and repeated flicks of the dorsal, pectoral, or pelvic fins (fin‐flicking) are common behaviors often studied in the context of predation. We show that such behavioral traits can have other than an antipredator function in small marine triplefins. Improvement of depth perception by parallax motion by bobbing and signaling vigilance by fin‐flicking may represent additional, nonexclusive functions.

En una sociedad, donde cada vez disminuyen los valores sociales perdiéndose, incluso, aquellos de colaboración y ayuda a los semejantes, nace la inquietud de responder a la propuesta del Currículo Nacional de formar ciudadanos que sean capaces de buscar el bienestar común mediante un estudio cuyo objetivo general fue analizar si el desarrollo de habilidades prosociales permitiría que los estudiantes logren aprendizajes significativos. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa básica que utilizó el método hermenéutico interpretativo a fin de alcanzar la comprensión del fenómeno de estudio. Para ello, se realizó una revisión profunda de la bibliografía actualizada sobre prosocialidad para documentar la base teórica del presente trabajo; además, se aplicaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a cuatro docentes del nivel secundario con experiencia en promover valores entre los estudiantes. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que las habilidades prosociales en el ámbito educativo son la base para el logro de aprendizajes significativos pues posibilitan la creación de un clima de confianza y acogida y de un espacio en el que los estudiantes pueden participar, expresarse, compartir e intercambiar ideas u opiniones con libertad y sin temor, no solo entre ellos sino con los docentes, ya que, a mayor interacción, más posibilidades de construir nuevos conocimientos. Chimbote Escuela de Posgrado Evaluación y Aprendizaje

Since the discovery of red fluorescence in fish, much effort has been invested to elucidate its potential functions, one of them being signaling. This implies that the combination of red fluorescence and reflection should generate a visible contrast against the background. Here, we present in vivo iris radiance measurements of Tripterygion delaisi under natural light conditions at 5 and 20 m depth. We also measured substrate radiance of shaded and exposed foraging sites at those depths. To assess the visual contrast of the red iris against these substrates, we used the receptor noise model for chromatic contrasts and Michelson contrast for achromatic calculations. At 20 m depth, T. delaisi iris radiance generated strong achromatic contrasts against substrate radiance, regardless of exposure, and despite substrate fluorescence. Given that downwelling light above 600 nm is negligible at this depth, we can attribute this effect to iris fluorescence. Contrasts were weaker in 5 m. Yet, the pooled radiance caused by red reflection and fluorescence still exceeded substrate radiance for all substrates under shaded conditions and all but Jania rubens and Padina pavonia under exposed conditions. Due to the negative effects of anesthesia on iris fluorescence, these estimates are conservative. We conclude that the requirements to create visual brightness contrasts are fulfilled for a wide range of conditions in the natural environment of T. delaisi.

Frugivores must deal with seasonal changes in fruit availability and changes from year to year, as most species of tropical forest fruiting trees have considerable interannual variation in phenology and many are mast fruiters. We quantified seasonal and interannual changes in the fruit diet in a frugivore and important seed disperser, the white-handed gibbon, Hylobates lar, in Thailand. We used 40-d following data during April and May replicated in six consecutive years to study interannual variability in the diet and compared it with seasonal changes measured in monthly samples of the same size collected in three successive years. The 40-d periods of following also allowed us to measure the decline in dietary similarity with time over a finer scale. We measured fruit diet similarity between replicated 5-d periods using the percentage overlap (Renkonen's) index and Jaccard's similarity index. Seasonally, average dietary overlap between adjacent months was low, and similarity approached zero after four months. Average rate of decline in similarity exceeded 20 percent per 5-d period. Variation in fruit species in the diet between years was high and was correlated with interannual variation in fruiting phenology. The strongest correlation occurred in the case of Nephelium melliferum, a highly preferred species that dominated the diet in good fruiting years. It is difficult to separate changes in food species preference from changes in availability from year to year. We devised a relative measure of preference that depends on the degree to which the gibbons rely on prior knowledge to find sources.