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Anthropogenic climate change and the associated increase in sea temperatures are projected to greatly impact marine ecosystems. Temperature variation can influence the interactions between species, leading to cascading effects on the abundance, diversity and composition of communities. Such changes in community structure can have consequences on ecosystem stability, processes and the services it provides. Therefore, it is important to better understand the role of species interactions in the development of communities and how they are influenced by environmental factors like temperature. The coexistence of closely related cryptic species, with significant biological and ecological differences, makes this even more complex. This study investigated the effect of temperature on species growth and both intra- and interspecific interactions of three species within the free-living nematode Litoditis marina complex. To achieve this, closed microcosm experiments were conducted on the L. marina species Pm I, Pm III and Pm IV in monoculture and combined cultures at two temperature treatments of 15 °C and 20 °C. A population model was constructed to elucidate and quantify the effects of intra- and interspecific interactions on nematode populations. The relative competitive abilities of the investigated species were quantified using the Modern Coexistence Theory (MCT) framework. Temperature had strong and disparate effects on the population growth of the distinct L. marina species. This indicates temperature could play an important role in the distribution of these cryptic species. Both competitive and facilitative interactions were observed in the experiments. Temperature affected both the type and the strength of the species interactions, suggesting a change in temperature could impact the coexistence of these closely related species, alter community dynamics and consequently affect ecosystem processes and services., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2024 Vafeiadou et al.)

Background: Evidence-based guidelines concerning the older head and neck cancer (HNCA) patient are lacking. Accurate patient selection for optimal care management is therefore challenging. We examined if geriatric assessment is indicative of long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and overall survival in this unique population., Methods: All HNCA patients, aged ≥65 years, eligible for curative radio(chemo)therapy were evaluated with the Geriatric-8 (G-8) questionnaire and a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Euroqol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) and survival were collected until 36 months post treatment start. Repeated measures ANOVA was applied to analyse HRQOL evolution in 'fit' and 'vulnerable' patients, defined by G-8. Kaplan-Meier curves and cox proportional hazard analysis were established for determination of the prognostic value of geriatric assessments. Quality-adjusted survival was calculated in both patient subgroups., Results: One hundred patients were recruited. Seventy-two percent of patients were considered vulnerable according to CGA (≥2 abnormal tests). Fit patients maintained a relatively acceptable long-term HRQOL, whilst vulnerable patients showed significantly lower median health states. The difference remained apparent at 36 months. Vulnerability, as classified by G-8 or CGA, came forward as independent predictor for lower EQ-5D index scores. After consideration of confounders, a significantly lower survival was observed in patients defined vulnerable according to G-8, compared to fit patients. A similar trend was seen based on CGA. Calculation of quality-adjusted survival showed significantly less remaining life months in perfect health in vulnerable patients, compared to fit ones., Conclusions: G-8 is indicative of quality-adjusted survival, and should be considered at time of treatment decisions for the older HNCA patient.

Objective: To investigate the addition of prophylactic G-CSF to each weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin course in patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian (OC), or recurrent or advanced endometrial (EC) or cervical carcinoma (CC)., Methods: 108 patients were enrolled i.e. 36 in each cohort. Eighteen courses of paclitaxel (60 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (AUC 2.7) were administered weekly. G-CSF (filgrastim) was given to all patients on day 5 (and if needed on day 6)., Results: For patients with OC, 91% had platinum-resistant and 9% platinum-refractory disease. Median number of prior chemotherapy lines was 3 for OC, 1 for EC, and 1 for CC. Grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in 34% of patients (95% CI: 26%-44%, P<0,0001) (OC 29%, EC 36%, CC 38%). This is lower compared to historical data in all cohorts (84%). Confirmed sepsis was observed in 5%, grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 41%, grade 2-3 peripheral neuropathy in 17% of patients. In 71% of patients dose was delayed. Dose reduction was necessary for carboplatin in 47% and paclitaxel in 18% of patients. ORR was 51% (OC 48%, EC 45%, CC 58%). Median (95% CI) PFS and OS was 7.1 (5.1-8.1) and 12.7 (10.2-16.3) months, respectively (OC 7 and 13, EC 6 and 19, CC 6 and 14)., Conclusion: Weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin with G-CSF is an effective treatment with acceptable toxicity in patients with platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory OC, advanced or recurrent EC and CC. The incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is lower with the addition of weekly G-CSF compared with earlier studies without routine use of prophylactic G-CSF., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Most patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) require transfusions at the risk of iron overload and associated organ damage, and death. Emerging evidence indicates that iron chelation therapy (ICT) could reduce mortality and improve survival in transfusion-dependent MDS patients, especially those classified as International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) Low or Intermediate-1 (Low/Int-1)., Methods: Follow-up of a retrospective study. Sample included 127 Low/Int-1 MDS patients from 28 centers in Belgium. Statistical analysis stratified by duration (≥6 versus <6 months) and quality of chelation (adequate versus weak)., Results: Crude chelation rate was 63% but 88% among patients with serum ferritin ≥1000 μg/L. Of the 80 chelated patients, 70% were chelated adequately mainly with deferasirox (26%) or deferasirox following deferoxamine (39%). Mortality was 70% among non-chelated, 40% among chelated, 32% among patients chelated ≥6 m, and 30% among patients chelated adequately; with a trend toward reduced cardiac mortality in chelated patients. Overall, median overall survival (OS) was 10.2 years for chelated and 3.1 years for non-chelated patients (p<0.001). For patients chelated ≥6 m or patients classified as adequately chelated, median OS was 10.5 years. Mortality increased as a function of average monthly transfusion intensity (HR=1.08, p=0.04) but was lower in patients receiving adequate chelation or chelation ≥6 m (HR=0.24, p<0.001)., Conclusion: Six or more months of adequate ICT is associated with markedly better overall survival. This suggests a possible survival benefit of ICT in transfusion-dependent patients with lower-risk MDS., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We performed a US-guided aspiration of the gallbladder in 27 patients with an acute cholecystitis and severe concurrent disease, not responding to IV antibiotics and supportive therapy. Twenty six of the 27 patients improved after the procedure. One patient died 7 days after the procedure due to multi organ failure; in the others immediate surgery could be avoided. Three patients experienced local pain after the procedure; no other puncture related complications were encountered. Long-term results (mean follow up 18 months; range 2-36 months) were excellent in 20/26 survivors with no biliary complications or need for elective cholecystectomy. Six of the 26 patients needed subsequent cholecystectomy for relapse or incomplete cure.