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Methane (CH4) hydroxylation into methanol (MeOH) by methanotrophic bacteria is an attractive and sustainable approach to producing MeOH. The model strain Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b has been reported to be an efficient hydroxylating biocatalyst. Previous works have shown that regardless of the bioreactor design or operation mode, MeOH concentration reaches a threshold after a few hours, but there are no investigations into the reasons behind this phenomenon. The present work entails monitoring both MeOH and formate concentrations during CH4 hydroxylation, where neither a gaseous substrate nor nutrient shortage was evidenced. Under the assayed reaction conditions, bacterial stress was shown to occur, but methanol was not responsible for this. Formate addition was necessary to start MeOH production. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses with 13C-formate proved that the formate was instrumental in regenerating NADH; formate was exhausted during the reaction, but increased quantities of formate were unable to prevent MeOH production stop. The formate mass balance showed that the formate-to-methanol yield was around 50%, suggesting a cell regulation phenomenon. Hence, this study presents the possible physiological causes that need to be investigated further. Finally, to the best of our knowledge, this study shows that the reaction can be achieved in the native bacterial culture (i.e., culture medium containing added methanol dehydrogenase inhibitors) by avoiding the centrifugation steps while limiting the hands-on time and water consumption.

Residential building heating stands as a significant energy consumer with substantial environmental implications. To facilitate a sustainable transition, it is essential to assess the emissions and costs associated with current heating practices. This study investigates the economical and environmental aspects of residential building heating in the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR), Belgium. Employing a bottom-up methodology that integrates Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) certificates with specific emissions and cost data, the analysis evaluates the emissions (including direct and indirect greenhouse gases (GHG), NOx, SO2 and PM2.5) and the levelized cost of heat (LCOH) of the existing array of heating appliances in the BCR. The analysis reveals notable variations in emissions intensity and LCOH across diverse heating technologies, highlighting the intricate interplay between environmental sustainability and economic viability. Wood and electric-powered appliances demonstrate relatively low GHG emissions compared to fossil fuel appliances. Nonetheless, individual wood-fueled appliances exhibit elevated NOx and PM2.5 emissions compared to the current weighted average emissions intensity of the BCR. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis underscores the substantial influence of fuel price scenario on the most cost-effective heating technology. This study provides a balanced framework for informed decision-making on residential building heating, offering benchmarks for transitioning to a more sustainable urban heating infrastructure.

Background: Oral health is associated with general health and care dependency, but is often neglected in nursing homes. Integration of oral care into general care is necessary, but is hampered by multiple barriers at different levels. This study is part of research into the implementation of the new Oral Health Section for use within the interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities instrument, which is used to assess care needs of nursing home residents. This new Oral Health Section evaluates nine aspects of oral health and results in two Collaborative Action Points. Objective: To identify residents' perspectives on oral health, oral care, and on the assessment of their oral health using the new Oral Health Section Design: Qualitative design using in-depth interviews. Setting(s): Three nursing homes Participants: Residents were selected using purposeful sampling in nursing homes participating in research evaluating the use of the new Oral Health Section. The selection was based on their oral status for maximum variation and on their cognitive performance score. Twenty-two residents from three Flemish nursing homes agreed to participate. Methods: Residents’ oral health was assessed using the new Oral Health Section and dental indices. In-depth interviews were conducted, including the validated short-form Oral Health Impact Profile to evaluate the impact of oral conditions on residents’ well-being. The interviews were coded and analysed by three researchers and mapped into a model to understand participants’ oral health behaviours. Results: Low Oral Health Impact Profile scores indicated a low impact of oral health issues on participants’ lives. However, despite 77.3 % of the participants reporting satisfaction with their oral health, 86.4 % had poor oral hygiene and 68.2 % required referral to a dentist, suggesting a tendency to overestimate their oral health. Their oral health behaviour was determined by a lack of oral health knowledge (Capability), positive attitudes towards oral health and autonomy (Motivation), upbringing and social support (Opportunity). Participants considered assessments with the new Oral Health Section acceptable. Conclusions: This study shows how older people perceive their oral health and oral healthcare. Understanding their wishes and needs will not only facilitate their involvement in their oral care, but is also likely to enable the improvement of their oral hygiene and the development of effective oral care strategies for the future. Policy makers and managers of care organisations may use these results to foster integration of oral care guidelines into care protocols within nursing homes, including collaboration with dentists and dental hygienists. Tweetable abstract: Oral health assessments with the new Oral Health Section for use within interRAI were positively perceived by nursing home residents.

Abstract Among tetrapods, grasping is an essential function involved in many vital behaviours. The selective pressures that led to this function were widely investigated in species with prehensile hands and feet. Previous studies namely highlighted a strong effect of item properties but also of the species habitat on manual grasping behaviour. African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) are known to display various prehensile abilities and use their trunk in a large diversity of habitats. Composed of muscles and without a rigid structure, the trunk is a muscular hydrostat with great freedom of movement. This multitasking organ is particularly recruited for grasping food items while foraging. Yet, the diet of African savannah elephants varies widely between groups living in different habitats. Moreover, they have tusks alongside the trunk which can assist in grasping behaviours, and their tusk morphologies are known to vary considerably between groups. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the food grasping techniques used by the trunk of two elephant groups that live in different habitats: an arid study site in Etosha National Park in Namibia, and an area with consistent water presence in Kruger National Park in South Africa. We characterised the tusks profiles and compared the grasping techniques and their frequencies of use for different foods. Our results show differences in food‐grasping techniques between the two groups. These differences are related to the food item property and tusk profile discrepancies highlighted between the two groups. We suggest that habitat heterogeneity, particularly aridity gaps, may induce these differences. This may reveal an optimisation of grasping types depending on habitat, food size and accessibility, as well as tusk profiles.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has been demonstrated herein to reduce CO2 without any cofactor, photon or hydrogen (H2) addition during reaction. S. maltophilia reduces 13CO2 into 13C-labeled formate in batch mode. Two intracellular enzymes are curently being considered for their ability to catalyze the CO2 reduction reaction: a Fe-nitrogenase and a formate dehydrogenase (FeS-FDH). The reaction was intensified by implementing the bacteria in an electrolysis cell continuously fed with CO2. In this configuration, CO2 removal reached up to 25% v/v at 30°C and atmospheric pressure.

Abstract Background Apnoea of prematurity (AOP) is one of the most common diagnoses among preterm infants. AOP often leads to hypoxemia and bradycardia which are associated with an increased risk of death or disability. In addition to caffeine therapy and non-invasive respiratory support, doxapram might be used to reduce hypoxemic episodes and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in preterm infants, thereby possibly improving their long-term outcome. However, high-quality trials on doxapram are lacking. The DOXA-trial therefore aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of doxapram compared to placebo in reducing the composite outcome of death or severe disability at 18 to 24 months corrected age. Methods The DOXA-trial is a double blinded, multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada. A total of 396 preterm infants with a gestational age below 29 weeks, suffering from AOP unresponsive to non-invasive respiratory support and caffeine will be randomized to receive doxapram therapy or placebo. The primary outcome is death or severe disability, defined as cognitive delay, cerebral palsy, severe hearing loss, or bilateral blindness, at 18–24 months corrected age. Secondary outcomes are short-term neonatal morbidity, including duration of mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotising enterocolitis, hospital mortality, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics and cost-effectiveness. Analysis will be on an intention-to-treat principle. Discussion Doxapram has the potential to improve neonatal outcomes by improving respiration, but the safety concerns need to be weighed against the potential risks of invasive mechanical ventilation. It is unknown if the use of doxapram improves the long-term outcome. This forms the clinical equipoise of the current trial. This international, multicentre trial will provide the needed high-quality evidence on the efficacy and safety of doxapram in the treatment of AOP in preterm infants. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04430790 and EUDRACT 2019-003666-41. Prospectively registered on respectively June and January 2020.

Abstract Every evening, chimpanzees build sleeping “nests” in trees. In some studied communities, individuals appear to be selective about the tree species used, which has led researchers to hypothesize whether chimpanzees prefer trees that repel troublesome insects or/and that provide comfortable and stable structures. We investigate these hypotheses, or a trade-off between both, though study of tree species preference based on their biomechanical and/or biochemical properties in the Sebitoli chimpanzee community in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The ten tree species most frequently used for nesting were compared with ten abundant in their environment but not preferred for nesting. For these 20 tree species, we determined their biomechanical and morphological characteristics such as foliar density, foliar units form (shape and size) and branch rigidity. Their spatial repellent activity, previously tested against Anopheles gambiae was incorporated into the analysis. Chimpanzees chose tree species with medium-sized and elongated foliar units, high foliar density and branch with stiffer wood. In addition, most tree species with such mechanical and morphological properties also have mosquito repellent activity. These tree properties may provide a comfortable sleeping environment enhancing sleep quality. Finally, a comparison across chimpanzee communities would be relevant to understand whether these choices are not only ecological but also cultural.

Objectives: To evaluate the ongoing debate concerning the choice of valve prosthesis for women requiring mitral valve replacement (MVR) and who wish to conceive. Bioprostheses are associated with risk of early structural valve deterioration. Mechanical prostheses require lifelong anticoagulation and carry maternal and fetal risks. Also, the optimal anticoagulation regimen during pregnancy after MVR remains unclear. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of studies reporting on pregnancy after MVR. Valve- and anticoagulation-related maternal and fetal risks during pregnancy and 30 days’ postpartum were analyzed. Results: Fifteen studies reporting 722 pregnancies were included. In total, 87.2% of pregnant women had a mechanical prosthesis and 12.5% a bioprosthesis. Maternal mortality risk was 1.33% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-2.56), any hemorrhage risk 6.90% (95% CI, 3.70-12.88). Valve thrombosis risk was 4.71% (95% CI, 3.06-7.26) in patients with mechanical prostheses. 3.23% (95% CI, 1.34-7.75) of the patients with bioprostheses experienced early structural valve deterioration. Of these, the mortality was 40%. Pregnancy loss risk was 29.29% (95% CI, 19.74-43.47) with mechanical prostheses versus 13.50% (95% CI, 4.31-42.30) for bioprostheses. Switching to heparin during the first trimester demonstrated a bleeding risk of 7.78% (95% CI, 3.71-16.31) versus 4.08% (95% CI, 1.17-14.28) for women on oral anticoagulants throughout pregnancy and a valve thrombosis risk of 6.99% (95% CI, 2.08-23.51) versus 2.89% (95% CI, 1.40-5.94). Administration of anticoagulant dosages greater than 5 mg resulted in a risk of fetal adverse events of 74.24% (95% CI, 56.11-98.23) versus 8.85% (95% CI, 2.70-28.99) in ≤5 mg. Conclusions: A bioprosthesis seems the best option for women of childbearing age who are interested in future pregnancy after MVR. If mechanical valve replacement is preferred, the favorable anticoagulation regimen is continuous low-dose oral anticoagulants. Shared decision-making remains priority when choosing a prosthetic valve for young women.

This study illustrates the strong potential of combining paleoenvironmental reconstructions and paleoclimate modeling to refine the paleoenvironmental and chronological context of archeological and paleontological sites. We focus on the El Harhoura 2 cave (EH), an archeological site located on the North Atlantic coast of Morocco that covers a period from the Late Pleistocene to the mid-Holocene. In several stratigraphic layers, inconsistencies are observed between species presence and isotope-based inferences used to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions. The stratigraphy of EH also shows chronological inconsistencies in older layers between age estimated by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and a combination of uranium series and electron spin resonance methods (combined US–ESR). To infer global paleoclimate variation over the EH sequence in the area, we produced an ensemble of atmosphere-only simulations using the LMDZOR6A model, using boundary conditions and forcings from pre-existing climate simulations performed with the IPSL Earth system climate model to match the different key periods. We conducted a consistency approach between paleoclimatic simulations and paleoenvironmental inferences available from EH. Our main results show that the climate sequence based on combined US–ESR ages is more consistent with paleoenvironmental inferences than the climate sequence based on OSL ages. We also evidence that isotope-based inferences are more consistent with the paleoclimate sequence than species-based inferences. These results highlight the difference in scale between the information provided by each of these paleoenvironmental proxies. Our approach is transferable to other sites due to the increasing number of available paleoclimate simulations.

Abstract The Japanese rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus is a giant beetle with distinctive exaggerated horns present on the head and prothoracic regions of the male. T. dichotomus has been used as a research model in various fields such as evolutionary developmental biology, ecology, ethology, biomimetics, and drug discovery. In this study, de novo assembly of 615 Mb, representing 80% of the genome estimated by flow cytometry, was obtained using the 10 × Chromium platform. The scaffold N50 length of the genome assembly was 8.02 Mb, with repetitive elements predicted to comprise 49.5% of the assembly. In total, 23,987 protein-coding genes were predicted in the genome. In addition, de novo assembly of the mitochondrial genome yielded a contig of 20,217 bp. We also analyzed the transcriptome by generating 16 RNA-seq libraries from a variety of tissues of both sexes and developmental stages, which allowed us to identify 13 co-expressed gene modules. We focused on the genes related to horn formation and obtained new insights into the evolution of the gene repertoire and sexual dimorphism as exemplified by the sex-specific splicing pattern of the doublesex gene. This genomic information will be an excellent resource for further functional and evolutionary analyses, including the evolutionary origin and genetic regulation of beetle horns and the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism.

African elephants have a wide range of abilities using their trunk. As a muscular hydrostat, and thanks to the two finger-like processes at its tip, this proboscis can both precisely grasp and exert considerable force by wrapping. Yet few studies have attempted to quantify its distal grasping force. Thus, using a device equipped with force sensors and an automatic reward system, the trunk tip pinch force has been quantified in five captive female African savanna elephants. Results showed that the maximum pinch force of the trunk was 86.4 N, which may suggest that this part of the trunk is mainly dedicated to precision grasping. We also highlighted for the first time a difference in force between the two fingers of the trunk, with the dorsal finger predominantly stronger than the ventral finger. Finally, we showed that the position of the trunk, particularly the torsion, influences its force and distribution between the two trunk fingers. All these results are discussed in the light of the trunk's anatomy, and open up new avenues for evolutionary reflection and soft robot grippers.

Bias in neural network model training datasets has been observed to decrease prediction accuracy for groups underrepresented in training data. Thus, investigating the composition of training datasets used in machine learning models with healthcare applications is vital to ensure equity. Two such machine learning models are NetMHCpan-4.1 and NetMHCIIpan-4.0, used to predict antigen binding scores to major histocompatibility complex class I and II molecules, respectively. As antigen presentation is a critical step in mounting the adaptive immune response, previous work has used these or similar predictions models in a broad array of applications, from explaining asymptomatic viral infection to cancer neoantigen prediction. However, these models have also been shown to be biased toward hydrophobic peptides, suggesting the network could also contain other sources of bias. Here, we report the composition of the networks’ training datasets are heavily biased toward European Caucasian individuals and against Asian and Pacific Islander individuals. We test the ability of NetMHCpan-4.1 and NetMHCpan-4.0 to distinguish true binders from randomly generated peptides on alleles not included in the training datasets. Unexpectedly, we fail to find evidence that the disparities in training data lead to a meaningful difference in prediction quality for alleles not present in the training data. We attempt to explain this result by mapping the HLA sequence space to determine the sequence diversity of the training dataset. Furthermore, we link the residues which have the greatest impact on NetMHCpan predictions to structural features for three alleles (HLA-A*34:01, HLA-C*04:03, HLA-DRB1*12:02).

After 5 blank years since the last symposium and 3 years of COVID-19 pandemics, the 21st International Symposium on Chironomidae (ISC2022) was held for the first time online from the 4th to the 7th of July, 2022. The symposium gathered a total of 45 presentations organized around the major topics of ecology, taxonomy, genomics, phylogeny, and physiology. We introduce here a general overview of the studies presented during the symposium, together with the few papers published in the present proceedings special issue.

Abstract Background Mothers requiring the antiarrhythmic agent flecainide are often advised not to breastfeed, because of the lack of data concercing neonatal effects and flecainide plasma concentrations following maternal exposure as well as via lactation. This is the first report on combined maternal, fetal, neonatal and breastmilk flecainide concentrations in a breastfed infant of a mother requiring flecainide treatment. Case presentation A 35-year old Gravida 2 Para 1, known with ventricular arrhythmia, was referred to our tertiary center at 35 + 4 weeks of gestation. Because of an increase of ventricular ectopy, oral metoprolol 11.9 milligrams once daily was switched to oral flecainide 87.3 milligrams twice daily. Weekly collected maternal flecainide plasma trough concentrations fell within the therapeutic range of 0.2 to 1.0 mg/L and no further clinically significant arrhythmias occurred during the study period. A healthy son was born at 39 weeks of gestation and had a normal electrocardiogram. The fetal to maternal flecainide ratio was 0.72 and at three different timepoints, the flecainide concentration was higher in breastmilk than in maternal plasma. The relative infant dose received via breastmilk compared to maternal dose was 5.6%. Neonatal plasma concentrations were not detectable, despite the flecainide passage into breastmilk. All electrocardiograms to assess the neonatal antiarrhytmic effect were normal. Conclusions Our results assume that flecainide can be prescribed safely to lactating mothers. Quantification of drug concentrations in neonatal blood in addition to measurements in maternal and fetal blood, and breastmilk, are helpful to evaluate the effects and safety of maternal medication use during pregnancy and lactation.

The IUCN now recognizes the savannah Loxodonta africana and forest Loxodonta cyclotis elephants to be separate species. Despite ecological, behavioural and morphological differences, and different habitat ranges, genetic studies confirm that the two species and hybrids coexist in forest–savannah ecotones. However, the hybrid phenotypes have not yet been described. In this survey we examined whether the phenotypes of the two species and of hybrids can be distinguished. In the first step, we used a machine learning algorithm (K-nearest neighbours) to compare 296 reference images of African elephants from five forest areas and six savannah areas where hybrids have not been recorded, confirming that six morphological criteria can be used to distinguish the species with more than 90% confidence. In the second step, we analysed 1,408 videos of elephants from 14 camera traps in Sebitoli, in Kibale National Park, Uganda, part of the main hybridization area. We used a multiple correspondence analysis and a species assignment key, highlighting the presence of three categories of phenotypes. Compared to the savannah and forest phenotypes (36.8 and 12.1%, respectively), the intermediate phenotypes, which could include hybrids, were more frequent (51.1%). Further studies combining morphology and genetics of the same individuals will be necessary to refine this species assignment key to characterize phenotypes confidently. This non-invasive, fast and inexpensive phenotypical-based method could be a valuable tool for conservation programmes.

Background: An omphalocele is a common congenital abdominal wall defect, however co-occurring urological anomalies are rare. With the aim of optimizing treatment in future cases, we present a case of a male newborn with an omphalocele containing an unusual mucosal protruding mass, and give an overview of differential diagnosis and current literature. Case presentation: A newborn presented with an omphalocele containing small bowel, and a defect in the sac through which a protruding annular mucosal mass was visible. On previous prenatal ultrasounds, there were findings of an enlarged urinary bladder with patent urachus, communicating with a large allantoic cyst. The patient was taken to the operating room for exploration of the mucosal mass, which then appeared to be connected to an opening in the urinary bladder. The mucosal mass was successfully excised and the urinary bladder and abdominal wall defect were both primarily closed. Conclusions: Omphalocele with co-occurring urological anomalies are rare and come with a broad differential diagnosis. Surgeons must take prenatal, clinical and perioperative findings in consideration in order to adequately diagnose and treat the anomalies.

Climate has played a significant role in shaping the distribution of mammal species across the world. Mammal community composition can therefore be used for inferring modern and past climatic conditions. Here, we develop a novel approach for bioclimatic inference using machine learning (ML) algorithms, which allows for accurate prediction of a set of climate variables based on the composition of the faunal community. The automated dataset construction process aggregates bioclimatic variables with modern species distribution maps, and includes multiple taxonomic ranks as explanatory variables for the predictions. This yields a large dataset that can be used to produce highly accurate predictions. Various ML algorithms that perform regression have been examined. To account for spatial dependence in our data, we employed a geographical block validation approach for model validation and selection. The random forest (RF) outperformed the other evaluated algorithms. Ultimately, we used unseen modern mammal surveys to assess the high predictive performances and extrapolation abilities achieved by our trained models. This contribution introduces a framework and methodology to construct models for developing models based on neo-ecological data, which could be utilized for paleoclimate applications in the future. The study aimed to satisfy specific criteria for interpreting both modern and paleo faunal assemblages, including the ability to generate reliable climate predictions from faunal lists with varying taxonomic resolutions, without the need for published wildlife inventory data from the study area. This method demonstrates the versatility of ML techniques in climate modeling and highlights their promising potential for applications in the fields of archaeology and paleontology.

Sexual dimorphism is challenging to detect among fossils due to a lack of statistical representativeness. The Angeac-Charente Lagerstätte (France) represents a remarkable ‘snapshot’ from a Berriasian (Early Cretaceous) ecosystem and offers a unique opportunity to study intraspecific variation among a herd of at least 61 coeval ornithomimosaurs. Herein, we investigated the hindlimb variation across the best-preserved specimens from the herd through 3D Geometric Morphometrics and Gaussian Mixture Modeling. Our results based on complete and fragmented femora evidenced a dimorphism characterized by variations in the shaft curvature and the distal epiphysis width. Since the same features vary between sexes among modern avian dinosaurs, crocodilians, and more distant amniotes, we attributed this bimodal variation to sexual dimorphism based on the extant phylogenetic bracketing approach. Documenting sexual dimorphism in fossil dinosaurs allows a better characterization and accounting of intraspecific variations, which is particularly relevant to address ongoing taxonomical and ecological questions relative to dinosaur evolution.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are pivotal in modulating vascular functions. In fact, topical application of cinnamaldehyde or capsaicin (TRPA1 and TRPV1 channel agonists, respectively) induces “local” changes in blood flow by releasing vasodilator neuropeptides. We investigated TRP channels’ contributions and the pharmacological mechanisms driving vasodilation in human isolated dermal arteries. Ex vivo studies assessed the vascular function of artery segments and analyzed the effects of different compounds. Concentration–response curves to cinnamaldehyde, pregnenolone sulfate (PregS, TRPM3 agonist), and capsaicin were constructed to evaluate the effect of the antagonists HC030031 (TRPA1); isosakuranetin (TRPM3); and capsazepine (TRPV1). Additionally, the antagonists/inhibitors olcegepant (CGRP receptor); L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase); indomethacin (cyclooxygenase); TRAM-34 plus apamin (K+ channels); and MK-801 (NMDA receptors, only for PregS) were used. Moreover, CGRP release was assessed in the organ bath fluid post-agonist-exposure. In dermal arteries, cinnamaldehyde- and capsaicin-induced relaxation remained unchanged after the aforementioned antagonists, while PregS-induced relaxation was significantly inhibited by isosakuranetin, L-NAME and MK-801. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in CGRP levels post-agonist-exposure. In our experimental model, TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels seem not to be involved in cinnamaldehyde- or capsaicin-induced relaxation, respectively, whereas TRPM3 channels contribute to PregS-induced relaxation, possibly via CGRP-independent mechanisms.

Abstract Untangling the factors of morphological evolution has long held a central role in the study of evolutionary biology. Extant speciose clades that have only recently diverged are ideal study subjects, as they allow the examination of rapid morphological variation in a phylogenetic context, providing insights into a clade’s evolution. Here, we focus on skull morphological variability in a widely distributed shrew species complex, the Crocidura poensis species complex. The relative effects of taxonomy, size, geography, climate and habitat on skull form were tested, as well as the presence of a phylogenetic signal. Taxonomy was the best predictor of skull size and shape, but surprisingly both size and shape exhibited no significant phylogenetic signal. This paper describes one of the few cases within a mammal clade where morphological evolution does not match the phylogeny. The second strongest predictor for shape variation was size, emphasizing that allometry can represent an easily accessed source of morphological variability within complexes of cryptic species. Taking into account species relatedness, habitat preferences, geographical distribution and differences in skull form, our results lean in favor of a parapatric speciation model within this complex of species, where divergence occurred along an ecological gradient, rather than a geographic barrier.

In the field of non-oxide ceramics, the polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) approach appears to be very promising, especially for obtaining easily shaped and homogeneous materials in terms of structure and composition. However, in order to reach a suitable form during the process, it is often necessary to study the rheology of preceramic polymers while they are modified during polymerisation or crosslinking reactions. Given this need in the understanding of the real-time rheology of macromolecules during their synthesis, a rheometer coupled with both an infrared spectrometer and a Raman probe is described as a powerful tool for monitoring in situ synthesised polycarbosilanes. Indeed, this original device allows one to control the viscosity of a hyberbranched polycarbosilane from defined difunctional and tetrafunctional monomers. Meanwhile, it links this evolution to structural modifications in the macromolecular structure (molar masses, dispersity and conformation), based on SEC-MALS analyses, synchronised by the monomer conversion determined by using Raman and infrared spectroscopies, a common denominator of the aforementioned instrumental platform.

Major Histocompability Complex (MHC) Class I molecules allow cells to present foreign and endogenous peptides to T-Cells so that cells infected by pathogens can be identified and killed. Neural networks tools such as NetMHC-4.0 and NetMHCpan-4.1 are used to predict whether peptides will bind to variants of MHC molecules. These tools are trained on data gathered from binding affinity and eluted ligand experiments. However, these tools do not track hydrophobicity, a significant biochemical factor relevant to peptide binding, in their predictions. A previous study had concluded that the peptides predicted to bind to HLA-A*0201 by NetMHC-4.0 were much more hydrophobic than expected. This paper expands that study by also focusing on HLA-B*2705 and HLA-B*0801, which prefer binding hydrophilic and balanced peptides respectively. The correlation of hydrophobicity of 9-mer peptides with their predicted binding strengths to these various HLAs was investigated. Two studies were performed, one using the data that the two neural networks were trained on, and the other using a sample of the human proteome. NetMHC-4.0 was found to have a statistically significant bias towards predicting highly hydrophobic peptides as strong binders to HLA-A*0201 and HLA-B*2705 in both studies. Machine Learning metrics were used to identify the causes for this bias: hydrophobic false positives and hydrophilic false negatives. These results suggest that the retraining the neural networks with biochemical attributes such as hydrophobicity and better training data could increase the accuracy of their predictions. This would increase their impact in applications such as vaccine design and neoantigen identification.

Abstract Pv11 is an insect cell line established from the midge Polypedilum vanderplanki, whose larval form exhibits an extreme desiccation tolerance known as anhydrobiosis. Pv11 itself is also capable of anhydrobiosis, which is induced by trehalose treatment. Here we report the successful construction of a genome editing system for Pv11 cells and its application to the identification of signaling pathways involved in anhydrobiosis. Using the Cas9-mediated gene knock-in system, we established Pv11 cells that stably expressed GCaMP3 to monitor intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Intriguingly, trehalose treatment evoked a transient increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, and further experiments revealed that the calmodulin–calcineurin–NFAT pathway contributes to tolerance of trehalose treatment as well as desiccation tolerance, while the calmodulin–calmodulin kinase–CREB pathway conferred only desiccation tolerance on Pv11 cells. Thus, our results show a critical contribution of the trehalose-induced Ca2+ surge to anhydrobiosis and demonstrate temporally different roles for each signaling pathway.

Abstract Background Managing older people in the emergency department remains a challenge. We aimed to identify the factors influencing the care quality of older patients in the emergency department, to fine-tune future interventions for older people, considering the naturalistic context of the ED. Methods This is a qualitative study of some 450 h of observations performed in three emergency departments selected for their diverse contexts. We performed seventy observations of older patient trajectories admitted to the emergency department. Themes were extracted from the material using an inductive reasoning approach, to highlight factors positively or negatively influencing management of patient’s trajectories, in particular those presenting with typically geriatric syndromes. Results Four themes were developed: no geriatric flow routine; risk of discontinuity of care; unmet basic needs and patient-centered care; complex older patients are unwelcome in EDs. Conclusions The overall process of care was based on an organ- and flow-centered paradigm, which ignored older people’s specific needs and exposed them to discontinuity of care. Their basic needs were neglected and, when their management slowed the emergency department flow, older people were perceived as unwelcome. Findings of our study can inform the development of interventions about the influence of context and organizational factors.

Background: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing on a nasopharyngeal swab is the current standard for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection. Since collection of this sample type is experienced uncomfortable by patients, saliva- and oropharyngeal swab collections should be considered as alternative specimens. Objectives: Evaluation of the relative performance of oropharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal swab and saliva for the RT-PCR based SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant detection. Study design: Nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab and saliva were collected from 246 adult patients who presented for SARS-CoV-2 testing at the screening centre in Ypres (Belgium). RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 detection was performed on all three sample types separately. Variant type was determined for each positive patient using whole genome sequencing or Allplex SARS-CoV-2 variants I and II Assay. Results and conclusions: Saliva is superior compared to nasopharyngeal swab for the detection of the Omicron variant. For the detection of the Delta variant, nasopharyngeal swab and saliva can be considered equivalent specimens. Oropharyngeal swab is the least sensitive sample type and shows little added value when collected in addition to a single nasopharyngeal swab.

Schubnel, Nel and colleagues present the first Carboniferous representative of Titanoptera, Theiatitan azari. Specially modified wing zones suggest that Titanoptera were capable of wing-based communication using light or sound, as seen in modern species.

Abstract Background To evaluate the indications for admission and mortality rates of women of reproductive age admitted to a tertiary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and to compare the outcomes of obstetric and non-obstetric admissions. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed, including all women aged 17–41 years admitted to a level 3 ICU in the Netherlands, between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2016. Primary outcome was indication for admission and mortality. Mortality, length of stay (LOS), need for mechanical ventilation and APACHE II score were compared between obstetric and non-obstetric admissions. The obstetric group was further analyzed for maternal and perinatal outcomes. Results 3461 women (median age 32 years) were included, with an overall mortality rate of 13.3%. The obstetric group consisted of 265 women (7.7%). The non-obstetric group (n = 3196) was admitted most often for cardiovascular disease (19.6%), followed by oncologic disease (15%). Mortality was the highest in women with oncologic disease (23.9%). The obstetric group had lower mortality compared to the non-obstetric group (4.9% vs. 14%, p

Abstract Technical advances in 3D imaging have contributed to quantifying and understanding biological variability and complexity. However, small, dry‐sensitive objects are not easy to reconstruct using common and easily available techniques such as photogrammetry, surface scanning, or micro‐CT scanning. Here, we use cephalopod beaks as an example as their size, thickness, transparency, and dry‐sensitive nature make them particularly challenging. We developed a new, underwater, photogrammetry protocol in order to add these types of biological structures to the panel of photogrammetric possibilities. We used a camera with a macrophotography mode in a waterproof housing fixed in a tank with clear water. The beak was painted and fixed on a colored rotating support. Three angles of view, two acquisitions, and around 300 pictures per specimen were taken in order to reconstruct a full 3D model. These models were compared with others obtained with micro‐CT scanning to verify their accuracy. The models can be obtained quickly and cheaply compared with micro‐CT scanning and have sufficient precision for quantitative interspecific morphological analyses. Our work shows that underwater photogrammetry is a fast, noninvasive, efficient, and accurate way to reconstruct 3D models of dry‐sensitive objects while conserving their shape. While the reconstruction of the shape is accurate, some internal parts cannot be reconstructed with photogrammetry as they are not visible. In contrast, these structures are visible using reconstructions based on micro‐CT scanning. The mean difference between both methods is very small (10−5 to 10−4 mm) and is significantly lower than differences between meshes of different individuals. This photogrammetry protocol is portable, easy‐to‐use, fast, and reproducible. Micro‐CT scanning, in contrast, is time‐consuming, expensive, and nonportable. This protocol can be applied to reconstruct the 3D shape of many other dry‐sensitive objects such as shells of shellfish, cartilage, plants, and other chitinous materials.

Recent advances in molecular phylogenetics and a series of important palaeobotanical discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of angiosperm diversification. Yet, the origin and early evolution of their most characteristic feature, the flower, remains poorly understood. In particular, the structure of the ancestral flower of all living angiosperms is still uncertain. Here we report model-based reconstructions for ancestral flowers at the deepest nodes in the phylogeny of angiosperms, using the largest data set of floral traits ever assembled. We reconstruct the ancestral angiosperm flower as bisexual and radially symmetric, with more than two whorls of three separate perianth organs each (undifferentiated tepals), more than two whorls of three separate stamens each, and more than five spirally arranged separate carpels. Although uncertainty remains for some of the characters, our reconstruction allows us to propose a new plausible scenario for the early diversification of flowers, leading to new testable hypotheses for future research on angiosperms.

ObjectiveTo evaluate microvasculature in pregnant women with and without cardiovascular risk factors.DesignCross-sectional, observational study.PopulationWomen were recruited at the outpatient clinic for high risk prenatal care. Out of a total of 345 women assessed at first and/or second and/or third trimester, 169 women without and 176 with cardiovascular risk factors were included.MethodsNailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) measurements were performed at magnification of 200x at all fingers except thumbs. Images were stored for offline measurement of capillary density (CDe) and capillary diameters (CDi). Maternal anthropometrics, obstetric, and medical history were used for categorization in low and high cardiovascular risk. Comparison between groups and trimesters, with respect to pregnancy outcome, was performed using linear mixed model analysis.ResultsWomen with a high risk cardiovascular profile show higher CDe, regardless of pregnancy outcome. CDi drops during pregnancy, with lowest CDi in third trimester in patients with preeclampsia. Capillary bed (CB), as a composite of CDe and CDi, is stable during pregnancy in women with low risk cardiovascular profile. In women with high risk cardiovascular profile, CB drops from the first to the second trimester, regardless of pregnancy outcome. Only in women with pre-eclampsia, the CB is lower in the third trimester as compared to the first trimester.There is an inverse association between CDe and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in women with high cardiovascular risk and pre-eclampsia.ConclusionMicrocirculation is altered during the course of pregnancy and microcirculatory behavior is different in patients with low and high cardiovascular risk profile, as well as in patients with preeclampsia.