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The Tommeliten seepage area is part of the Greater Ekofisk area, which is situated above the Tommeliten Delta salt diapir in the central North Sea (56°29.90' N, 2°59.80' E, Norwegian Block 1/9, 75 m water depth). Here, cracks in a buried marl horizon allow methane to migrate into overlying clay-silt and sandy sediments. Hydroacoustic sediment echosounding showed several venting spots coinciding with the apex of marl domes where methane is released into the water column and potentially to the atmosphere. In the vicinity of the gas seeps, sea floor observations showed small mats of giant sulphide-oxidizing bacteria above patches of black sediments as well as carbonate crusts, which are exposed 10 to 50 cm above seafloor forming small reefs. These Methane-Derived Authigenic Carbonates (MDACs) contain 13C-depleted, archaeal lipids indicating previous gas seepage and AOM activity. High amounts of sn2-hydroxyarchaeol relative to archaeol and low abundances of biphytanes in the crusts give evidence that ANaerobic MEthane-oxidising archaea (ANME) of the phylogenetic cluster ANME-2 were the potential mediators of Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane (AOM) at the time of carbonate formation. Small pieces of MDACs were also found subsurface at about 1.7 m sediment depth, associated with the AOM zone. This zone is characterized by elevated AOM and Sulphate Reduction (SR) rates, increased concentrations of 13C-depleted tetraether derived biphytanes, and specific bacterial Fatty Acids (FA). Further biomarker and 16S rDNA based analyses of this horizon give evidence that AOM is mediated by archaea belonging to the ANME-1b group and Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) most likely belonging to the Seep-SRB1 cluster. The zone of active methane consumption was restricted to a distinct horizon of about 20 cm. Concentrations of 13C-depleted lipid biomarkers (e.g. 500 ng g-dw−1 biphythanes, 140 ng g-dw−1 fatty acid ai-C15:0), cell numbers (1.5×108 cells cm−3), AOM and SR rates (3 nmol cm−3 d−1) in the Tommeliten AOM zone are 2–3 orders of magnitude lower compared to AOM zones of highly active deep water cold seeps such as Hydrate Ridge or the Gulf of Mexico.

Purpose: This is a retrospective case report illustrating the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with a chronic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment masquerading as a severe panuveitis with intense anterior chamber inflammation. We have included clinical features, anterior segment and fundus photography, B-scan ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography, and intraoperative findings. Observations: A 26-year-old male presented with features of unilateral panuveitis: hypotony, anterior segment inflammation (posterior synechiae and anterior chamber cell with fibrin clumping), diffuse choroidal thickening, and retinal detachment. Laboratory investigations for infectious or rheumatologic processes were negative, and empiric systemic corticosteroid therapy was unsuccessful. This prompted suspicion for an alternate primary etiology, and pars plana vitrectomy revealed small retinal breaks as the underlying cause of the retinal detachment and inflammation. Conclusions: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments are a known cause of intraocular inflammation. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge to recognize retinal breaks in this setting, particularly with robust anterior segment inflammation and posterior findings resembling severe exudative uveitis. Being aware of this unique presentation may prevent delays in diagnosis and have important prognostic implications.

Introduction Cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior uveitis is a recognised cause of anterior uveitis in immunocompetent patients and is preventable cause of vision loss. Ocular sequelae include corneal endothelial damage which can cause corneal oedema and failure, as well as glaucoma. Recurrences of inflammation are common and therefore patients are often exposed to long-term therapy. Oral therapy is available in the form of valganciclovir, although with the caveat of systemic side effects such as bone marrow suppression and renal failure necessitating regular interval laboratory monitoring. Recent reports have demonstrated that topical 2% ganciclovir solution may offer promising treatment outcomes in patients with CMV anterior uveitis with superior safety, cost-effectiveness and convenience profiles. An investigation into the relative equipoise of these therapies is warranted for these reasons.Methods and analysis The Systemic and Topical Control of Cytomegalovirus Anterior uveitis: Treatment Outcomes (STACCATO) trial is designed as a multicentre, block randomised by site, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy of oral valganciclovir, 2% topical ganciclovir and placebo in treating PCR-proven CMV anterior uveitis. Participant clinical evaluation will occur at three study time points by a masked study ophthalmologist over a 28-day period to assess resolution of ocular inflammation (secondary outcome). A control group will provide additional information about the possible impact that the infected host’s immune response may play in controlling local viral replication. The primary analysis is an analysis of covariance (three arms) correcting for baseline to compare quantitative CMV viral load in the anterior chamber (AC) aqueous fluid before and 7 days after treatment.Ethics and dissemination The University of California San Francisco Committee on Human Research and the Khon Kaen University Institutional Review Board have given ethical approval. The results of this trial will be presented at local and international meetings and submitted for peer-reviewed journals for publication.Trial registration number NCT03576898.

PurposeGlaucoma screening can be performed by assessing the vertical-cup-to-disk ratio (VCDR) of the optic nerve head from fundus photography, but VCDR grading is inherently subjective. This study investigated whether computer software could improve the accuracy and repeatability of VCDR assessment.MethodsIn this cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study, 5 ophthalmologists independently assessed the VCDR from a set of 200 optic disk images, with the median grade used as the reference standard for subsequent analyses. Eight non-ophthalmologists graded each image by two different methods: by visual inspection and with assistance from a custom-made publicly available software program. Agreement with the reference standard grade was assessed for each method by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the sensitivity and specificity determined relative to a median ophthalmologist grade of ≥0.7.ResultsVCDR grades ranged from 0.1 to 0.9 for visual assessment and from 0.1 to 1.0 for software-assisted grading, with a median grade of 0.4 for each. Agreement between each of the 8 graders and the reference standard was higher for visual inspection (median ICC 0.65, interquartile range 0.57 to 0.82) than for software-assisted grading (median ICC 0.59, IQR 0.44 to 0.71); P = 0.02, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Visual inspection and software assistance had similar sensitivity and specificity for detecting glaucomatous cupping.ConclusionThe computer software used in this study did not improve the reproducibility or validity of VCDR grading from fundus photographs compared with simple visual inspection. More clinical experience was correlated with higher agreement with the ophthalmologist VCDR reference standard.

Bgee (https://www.bgee.org/) is a database to retrieve and compare gene expression patterns in multiple animal species. Expression data are integrated and made comparable between species thanks to consistent data annotation and processing. In the past years, we have integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing expression data into Bgee through careful curation of public datasets in multiple species. We have fully integrated this new technology along with the wealth of other data existing in Bgee. As a result, Bgee can now provide one definitive answer all the way to the cell resolution about a gene's expression pattern, comparable between species. We have updated our programmatic access tools to adapt to these changes accordingly. We have introduced a new web interface, providing detailed access to our annotations and expression data. It enables users to retrieve data, e.g. for specific organs, cell types or developmental stages, and leverages ontology reasoning to build powerful queries. Finally, we have expanded our species count from 29 to 52, emphasizing fish species critical for vertebrate genome studies, species of agronomic and veterinary importance and nonhuman primates., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.)

Introduction: Neonatal linear immunoglobulin A (IgA) bullous dermatosis (NLABD) is a rare, life-threatening, mucocutaneous bullous disorder. The pathogenesis and optimal treatment remain poorly defined and raise critical clinical challenges., Case Presentation: We present a case of a full-term female infant with severe cutaneous and respiratory symptoms due to NLABD. Diagnosis was confirmed by immunofluorescence on the infant's skin biopsy, while IgAs directed against the basement membrane of the skin and mucosa were identified in the mother's milk. The infant fully recovered after nearly 8 weeks of intensive multidisciplinary care, including non-invasive ventilation, nutritional support, wound care, systemic corticoid treatment, and breastfeeding discontinuation., Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of timely adequate diagnosis and management of this rare and serious condition. Moreover, it adds novel evidence documenting the presence of pathogenic IgAs in breastmilk., Introduction: Neonatal linear immunoglobulin A (IgA) bullous dermatosis (NLABD) is a rare, life-threatening, mucocutaneous bullous disorder. The pathogenesis and optimal treatment remain poorly defined and raise critical clinical challenges., Case Presentation: We present a case of a full-term female infant with severe cutaneous and respiratory symptoms due to NLABD. Diagnosis was confirmed by immunofluorescence on the infant's skin biopsy, while IgAs directed against the basement membrane of the skin and mucosa were identified in the mother's milk. The infant fully recovered after nearly 8 weeks of intensive multidisciplinary care, including non-invasive ventilation, nutritional support, wound care, systemic corticoid treatment, and breastfeeding discontinuation., Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of timely adequate diagnosis and management of this rare and serious condition. Moreover, it adds novel evidence documenting the presence of pathogenic IgAs in breastmilk., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

A genomic database of all Earth's eukaryotic species could contribute to many scientific discoveries; however, only a tiny fraction of species have genomic information available. In 2018, scientists across the world united under the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), aiming to produce a database of high-quality reference genomes containing all ~1.5 million recognized eukaryotic species. As the European node of the EBP, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) sought to implement a new decentralised, equitable and inclusive model for producing reference genomes. For this, ERGA launched a Pilot Project establishing the first distributed reference genome production infrastructure and testing it on 98 eukaryotic species from 33 European countries. Here we outline the infrastructure and explore its effectiveness for scaling high-quality reference genome production, whilst considering equity and inclusion. The outcomes and lessons learned provide a solid foundation for ERGA while offering key learnings to other transnational, national genomic resource projects and the EBP., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Rationale: Preterm neonates needing rescue treatments with inotropes and/or inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) (acute critical illnesses, ACIs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are at high risk of mortality. While targeted neonatal echocardiography consultations (TNE) are increasingly used to guide management, its clinical impact need evaluation., Objectives: To investigate clinical outcomes in relation to TNE utilisation during episodes of ACIs among preterm neonates., Methods: This retrospective cohort study, conducted at two tertiary NICUs over 10 years, included neonates<37 weeks gestational age (GA) who developed ACIs. Patients receiving TNE-guided care (TNE within 24 hours of treatment initiation) were compared with non-TNE management. Outcomes included predischarge mortality, episode-related mortality (<7 days) and a new diagnosis of intraventricular haemorrhage≥grade 3 (IVH-3). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using propensity score was used to account for confounders, including site, birth years and baseline illness severity., Measurements and Main Results: Of 622 included patients, 297 (48%) had TNE; median (IQR) GA at ACI was 26.4 (25.0-28.4) weeks. TNE group demonstrated higher baseline mean airway pressure, oxygen requirement and heart rate and frequently received both inotrope and iNO during ACI. IPTW analysis revealed TNE was associated with lower mortality (adjusted OR (95% CI) 0.75 (0.59 to 0.95)), episode-related mortality (0.54 (0.40 to 0.72)) and death or IVH-3 (0.78 (0.62 to 0.99)). TNE group received more varied inotropic agents, demonstrated earlier improvements in blood pressures, without increasing overall inotrpoic burden., Conclusions: Among preterm neonates requiring rescue treatments with inotropes/iNO, TNE utilisation to guide clinical management may be associated with improved survival., Competing Interests: Competing interests: All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and do not have any conflict of interest., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common complication of pregnancy. We previously demonstrated that IUGR is associated with an impaired nitric oxide (NO)-induced relaxation in the human umbilical vein (HUV) of growth-restricted females compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns. We found that phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition improved NO-induced relaxation in HUV, suggesting that PDEs could represent promising targets for therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PDE inhibition on human umbilical arteries (HUAs) compared to HUV. Umbilical vessels were collected in IUGR and AGA term newborns. NO-induced relaxation was studied using isolated vessel tension experiments in the presence or absence of the nonspecific PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). PDE1B, PDE1C, PDE3A, PDE4B, and PDE5A were investigated by Western blot. NO-induced vasodilation was similar between IUGR and AGA HUAs. In HUAs precontracted with serotonin, IBMX enhanced NO-induced relaxation only in IUGR females, whereas in HUV IBMX increased NO-induced relaxation in all groups except IUGR males. In umbilical vessels preconstricted with the thromboxane A2 analog U46619, IBMX improved NO-induced relaxation in all groups to a greater extent in HUV than HUAs. However, the PDE protein content was higher in HUAs than HUV in all study groups. Therefore, the effects of PDE inhibition depend on the presence of IUGR, fetal sex, vessel type, and vasoconstrictors implicated. Despite a higher PDE protein content, HUAs are less sensitive to IBMX than HUV, which could lead to adverse effects of PDE inhibition in vivo by impairment of the fetoplacental hemodynamics. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The effects of phosphodiesterase inhibition on the umbilical circulation depend on the presence of intrauterine growth restriction, the fetal sex, vessel type, and vasoconstrictors implicated. The human umbilical vascular tone regulation is complex and depends on the amount and activity of specific proteins but also probably on the subcellular organization mediating protein interactions. Therefore, therapeutic interventions using phosphodiesterase inhibitors to improve the placental-fetal circulation should consider fetal sex and both umbilical vein and artery reactivity.

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) supplies nutrients, carbon, metals, and radionuclide tracers to estuarine and coastal waters. One aspect of SGD that is poorly recognized is its direct effect on dissolved oxygen (DO) demand in receiving waters, denoted here as SGD-OD. Sulfate-mediated oxidation of organic matter in salty coastal aquifers produces numerous reduced byproducts including sulfide, ammonia, dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen, methane, and reduced metals. When these byproducts are introduced to estuarine and coastal systems by SGD and are oxidized, they may substantially reduce the DO concentration in receiving waters and impact organisms living there. We consider six estuarine and coastal sites where SGD derived fluxes of reduced byproducts are well documented. Using data from these sites we present a semiquantitative model to estimate the effect of these byproducts on DO in the receiving waters. Without continued aeration with atmospheric oxygen, the study sites would have experienced periodic hypoxic conditions due to SGD-OD. The presence of H 2 S supplied by SGD could also impact organisms. This process is likely prevalent in other systems worldwide., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objectives: To characterize pulmonary artery Doppler flow profile (PAFP) patterns among infants receiving care in neonatal intensive care units and to examine the association of PAFP patterns with pulmonary and right ventricular (RV) hemodynamics., Study Design: This is a retrospective study at 2 tertiary intensive care units over 4 years that included neonates who demonstrated a complete tricuspid regurgitation envelope on targeted neonatal echocardiography. Separate personnel reviewed TNEs to characterize PAFP patterns, divide cohort into PAFP groups, and measure quantitative indices of RV hemodynamics (RV systolic pressure, pulmonary artery acceleration time and its ratio with RV ejection time, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and RV output), for intergroup comparisons., Results: We evaluated TNEs from 186 neonates with median gestational age of 28.5 weeks (IQR, 25.9-35.9 weeks). Four distinct PAFP patterns were identified (A) near-isosceles triangle (22%), (B) right-angled triangle (29%), (C) notching (40%), and (D) low peak velocity (<0.4 m/s; 9%). Groups A-C demonstrated a stepwise worsening in all indices of PH, whereas pattern D was associated with lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and RV output. Using common definitions of pulmonary hypertension (PH), pattern A performed best to rule out PH (sensitivity range, 81%-90%) and pattern C for diagnosing PH (specificity range, 63%-78%)., Conclusions: Inspection of PAFP is a simple bedside echocardiography measure that provides clinically meaningful information on underlying RV hemodynamics and may aid in screening and monitoring of patients for PH in intensive care units., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest. This project is conducted as a part of AJ's “Improving Management of Pulmonary hypertension and Right heart function In NeonaTes (IMPRINT)” research program, supported by funding from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC)., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Using targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) to examine cardiopulmonary physiological impact of diuretics in preterm infants with chronic pulmonary hypertension (cPH)., Study Design: Retrospective study comparing TNE indices pre- and ≤2 weeks (post) of initiating diuretic therapy in infants born <32 weeks gestational age with cPH., Results: Twenty-seven neonates with mean gestational age, birthweight and interval between pre-post diuretic TNE of 27.0 ± 2.8 weeks, 859 ± 294 grams, and 7.8 ± 3.0 days respectively were studied. Diuretics was associated with improvement in pulmonary vascular resistance [pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT); 34.27(9.76) vs. 40.24(11.10)ms, p = 0.01), right ventricular (RV) ejection time:PAAT ratio [5.92(1.66) vs. 4.83(1.14), p < 0.01)], RV fractional area change [41.6(9.8) vs. 46.4(6.5%), p = 0.03)] and left ventricular myocardial performance index [0.55(0.09) vs. 0.41(0.23), p < 0.01)]. Post-treatment, frequency of bidirectional/right-to-left inter-atrial shunts decreased significantly (24% vs. 4%, p = 0.05)., Conclusion: Primary diuretic treatment in neonates with cPH may result in improvement in PVR, RV and LV function and compliance., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)

The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness of dopamine (DA) versus norepinephrine (NE) as first-line therapy for sepsis-related hypotension in preterm infants. This is a retrospective cohort study over 10 years at two tertiary neonatal units. Preterm infants born < 35 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA), who received DA or NE as primary therapy for hypotension during sepsis, defined as culture-positive or culture-negative infections or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), were included. Episode-related mortality (< 7 days from treatment), pre-discharge mortality, and major morbidities among survivors were compared between two groups. Analyses were adjusted using the inverse probability of treatment weighting estimated by propensity score (PS). A total of 156 infants were included, 113 received DA and 43 NE. The mean ± SD PMA at birth and at treatment for the DA and NE groups were 25.8 ± 2.3 vs. 25.2 ± 2.0 weeks and 27.7 ± 3.0 vs. 27.1 ± 2.6 weeks, respectively (p > 0.05). Pre-treatment, the NE group had higher mean airway pressure (14 ± 4 vs. 12 ± 4 cmH 2 O), heart rate (185 ± 17 vs. 175 ± 17 beats per minute), and median (IQR) fraction of inspired oxygen [0.67 (0.42, 1.0) vs. 0.52 (0.32, 0.82)] (p < 0.05 for all). After PS adjustment, NE was associated with lower episode-related mortality [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) 0.55 (0.33, 0.92)], pre-discharge mortality [0.60 (0.37, 0.97)], post-illness new diagnosis of significant neurologic injury [0.32 (0.13, 0.82)], and subsequent occurrence of NEC/sepsis among the survivors [0.34, (0.18, 0.65)]., Conclusion: NE may be more effective than DA for management of sepsis-related hypotension among preterm infants. These data provide a rationale for prospective evaluation of these commonly used agents., What Is Known: •Dopamine is the commonest vasoactive agent used to support blood pressure among preterm infants. •For adult patients, norepinephrine is recommended as the preferred therapy over dopamine for septic shock., What Is New: •This is the first study examining the relative clinical effectiveness of dopamine and norepinephrine as first-line pharmacotherapy for sepsis-related hypotension among preterm infants. •Norepinephrine use may be associated with lower mortality and morbidity than dopamine in preterm infants with sepsis., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Vasoactive-Inotropic Score (VIS) is a weighted sum of various vasopressors and inotropes; its utility among preterm neonates is understudied., Objective: To investigate the association between maximum VIS (VIS max ) during the first 12, 24 and 48 h of treatment among preterm neonates who received vasopressors/inotropes, and the composite outcome of death/severe neuroinjury (sNI)., Methods: Retrospective cohort study, over 6-years, including neonates <35 weeks gestational age (GA). Infants who met the primary composite outcome of death or sNI (defined as new intraventricular hemorrhage ≥grade 3 or periventricular leukomalacia) were compared to those who survived without sNI. Maximum VIS was categorized as <10, 10-19 or ≥ 20 for comparison., Results: 192 infants (mean GA and birth weight 26.8 ± 3.3 weeks and 952 ± 528 g, respectively) were included. The most common primary diagnosis was sepsis/necrotizing enterocolitis (69 %). Median VIS for the entire cohort was 10. Death/sNI was associated with lower GA at birth and treatment, as well as higher frequency of VIS max of 10-19 or ≥20, compared to <10, during each time period (all p < 0.01). Multivariable regression revealed GA at treatment and VIS max  ≥ 20 [not 10-19, referenced to <10] were associated death/sNI; adjusted odds ratio (95 % CI) for VIS max  ≥ 20 within 12, 24, and 48 h were 4.2 (1.6-11.0), 4.9 (1.9-12.3), and 6.7 (2.7-16.7), respectively., Conclusions: Vasoactive-Inotropic Score may be a valid measure to quantify cardiovascular support in preterm infants needing hemodynamic support. Maximum VIS ≥20 within 48 h of treatment initiation may identify patients at high risk of adverse outcomes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Although chronic pulmonary hypertension (cPH) secondary to chronic neonatal lung disease is associated with increased mortality and respiratory and neurodevelopmental morbidities, late diagnosis (typically ≥36 weeks postmenstrual age, PMA) and the use of qualitative echocardiographic diagnostic criterion (flat interventricular septum in systole) remain significant limitations in clinical care. Our objective in this study is to evaluate the utility of relevant quantitative echocardiographic indices to identify cPH in preterm neonates, early in postnatal course and to develop a diagnostic test based on the best combination of markers., Methods and Analysis: In this ongoing international prospective multicentre observational diagnostic accuracy study, we aim to recruit 350 neonates born <27 weeks PMA and/or birth weight <1000 g and perform echocardiograms in the third week of age and at 32 weeks PMA (early diagnostic assessments, EDA) in addition to the standard diagnostic assessment (SDA) for cPH at 36 weeks PMA. Predefined echocardiographic markers under investigation will be measured at each EDA and examined to create a scoring system to identify neonates who subsequently meet the primary outcome of cPH/death at SDA. Diagnostic test characteristics will be defined for each EDA. Pulmonary artery acceleration time and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion are the primary markers of interest., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethics approval has been received by the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Ethics Board (REB) (#16-0111-E), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre REB (#228-2016), NHS Health Research Authority (IRAS 266498), University of Iowa Human Subjects Office/Institutional Review Board (201903736), Rotunda Hospital Research and Ethics Committee (REC-2019-008), and UBC Children's and Women's REB (H19-02738), and is under review at Boston Children's Hospital Institutional Review Board. Study results will be disseminated to participating families in lay format, presented to the scientific community at paediatric and critical care conferences and published in relevant peer-reviewed journals., Trail Registration Number: NCT04402645., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Objectives: To determine the association between plasma hemoglobin (HB) at three time-points (birth, postnatal days 0-3 and 0-10) and spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus (sDAC)., Study Design: A retrospective case-control study of preterm infants born (2013-2016) between 24 and 29 weeks of gestational age (GA) was conducted in a level three perinatal center in Switzerland. We collected hemoglobin at birth, between days 0-3 and 0-10 in two distinct groups: (i) patients treated for a PDA and (ii) patients with spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus (sDAC). Antenatal and postnatal demographic data and neonatal morbidity were collected. Bivariate analysis was performed and a stepwise logistic regression was done to investigate factors associated with sDAC., Results: We reviewed the medical chart of 184 premature infants of whom 146 (79.3%) satisfied eligibility criteria. Of these, 74 (51%) were classified as sDAC. Patients with sDAC were older (GA: 28 vs 27, p < 0.001), more stable (clinical risk index for babies score (CRIB score): 2 vs 5, p < 0.001) and had better clinical outcomes than patients who received treatment for a PDA. Infants in the sDAC group had a higher level of hemoglobin during the first ten postnatal days. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that lower HB level (day 0-10) were associated with failure of sDAC (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to highlight a potential association between hemoglobin during the transitional period and sDAC. The biological nature of this observation requires prospective clarification.

Objectives: While online health information (OHI) has become ubiquitous, little is known about its use by middle-aged and older adults. This contribution examines the role of OHI and its influence on the patient-physician relationship. Method: This qualitative study reports the thematic analysis of 40 semistructured, in-depth interviews with Flemish middle-aged and older adults between the ages of 50 and 80 years. Results: Middle-aged and older adults obtain OHI pre- and post-consultation, albeit with different motivations and in search of different types of information. Patients strategically and carefully introduce OHI in the clinical encounter. "Doctor Google" expands the traditional patient-physician dyad into an information triangle. Discussion: The findings have implications for policy guidance and clinical practice. Public campaigns against "Googling" for health information might have to be amended to be successful. Importantly, physicians are increasingly expected to refer to and appraise OHI and put it into the individual patient context.

Introduction: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity, and is linked to an increased risk to develop chronic diseases in adulthood. We previously demonstrated that IUGR is associated, in female neonates, with a decreased nitric oxide (NO)-induced relaxation of the umbilical vein (UV). The present study aimed to investigate the contribution of the smooth muscle components of the NO/cyclic GMP (cGMP) pathway to this alteration., Methods: UVs were collected in growth-restricted or appropriate for gestational age (AGA) human term newborns. Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) were studied by Western blot, cGMP production by ELISA and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) activity using a colorimetric assay. Contribution of PDEs was evaluated using the non-specific PDEs inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) in isolated vessel tension studies., Results: NO-induced relaxation was reduced in IUGR females despite increased sGC protein and activity, and some increase in PKG protein compared to AGA. In males, no significant difference was observed between both groups. In the presence of IBMX, NO-stimulated cGMP production was significantly higher in IUGR than AGA females. Pre-incubation with IBMX significantly improved NO-induced relaxation in all groups and abolished the difference between IUGR and AGA females., Conclusion: IUGR is associated with sex-specific alterations in the UV's smooth muscle. The impaired NO-induced relaxation observed in growth-restricted females is linked to an imbalance in the NO/cGMP pathway. The beneficial effects of IBMX suggest that PDEs are implicated in such alteration and they could represent promising targets for therapeutic intervention., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this manuscript., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Most autotrophs use the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle for carbon fixation. In contrast, all currently described autotrophs from the Campylobacterota (previously Epsilonproteobacteria) use the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle (rTCA) instead. We discovered campylobacterotal epibionts ("Candidatus Thiobarba") of deep-sea mussels that have acquired a complete CBB cycle and may have lost most key genes of the rTCA cycle. Intriguingly, the phylogenies of campylobacterotal CBB cycle genes suggest they were acquired in multiple transfers from Gammaproteobacteria closely related to sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts associated with the mussels, as well as from Betaproteobacteria. We hypothesize that "Ca. Thiobarba" switched from the rTCA cycle to a fully functional CBB cycle during its evolution, by acquiring genes from multiple sources, including co-occurring symbionts. We also found key CBB cycle genes in free-living Campylobacterota, suggesting that the CBB cycle may be more widespread in this phylum than previously known. Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics confirmed high expression of CBB cycle genes in mussel-associated "Ca. Thiobarba". Direct stable isotope fingerprinting showed that "Ca. Thiobarba" has typical CBB signatures, suggesting that it uses this cycle for carbon fixation. Our discovery calls into question current assumptions about the distribution of carbon fixation pathways in microbial lineages, and the interpretation of stable isotope measurements in the environment.

The world has seen a major increase in forced displacement since 2011. As a growing number of states implement restrictive refugee policies, public communication has become essential for refugee organisations. This study analysed, therefore, three international refugee organisations' discursive strategies towards the recent Syrian crisis, as well as their production and the social context. A critical discourse analysis of international press releases (N=122) and six semi-structured interviews with press and regional officers revealed that the observed actors largely dehumanise displaced people and subordinate them to the 'Western self' and state interests; displaced people hardly ever acquire their own voice. The study found that the medium characteristics of press releases and the importance of media attention result in a depersonalising humanitarian discourse. In addition, there were indications of a post-humanitarian discourse that reproduced the humanitarian sector's 'marketisation'. Finally, the examined organisations use the political realist cross-issue persuasion strategy, displaying displaced people as resettlement objects., (© 2019 The Author(s). Disasters © Overseas Development Institute, 2019.)

Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria are phylogenetically and physiologically diverse and employ layered strategies to sense hydrocarbons, respond transcriptionally, and then move toward an oil source. They then produce biopolymers that increase hydrocarbon bioavailability. This SnapShot highlights how these bacteria respond to and then remove hydrocarbon contaminants from the environment. To view this SnapShot, open or download the PDF., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The Extreme Microbiome Project (XMP) is a project launched by the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities Metagenomics Research Group (ABRF MGRG) that focuses on whole genome shotgun sequencing of extreme and unique environments using a wide variety of biomolecular techniques. The goals are multifaceted, including development and refinement of new techniques for the following: 1) the detection and characterization of novel microbes, 2) the evaluation of nucleic acid techniques for extremophilic samples, and 3) the identification and implementation of the appropriate bioinformatics pipelines. Here, we highlight the different ongoing projects that we have been working on, as well as details on the various methods we use to characterize the microbiome and metagenome of these complex samples. In particular, we present data of a novel multienzyme extraction protocol that we developed, called Polyzyme or MetaPolyZyme. Presently, the XMP is characterizing sample sites around the world with the intent of discovering new species, genes, and gene clusters. Once a project site is complete, the resulting data will be publically available. Sites include Lake Hillier in Western Australia, the "Door to Hell" crater in Turkmenistan, deep ocean brine lakes of the Gulf of Mexico, deep ocean sediments from Greenland, permafrost tunnels in Alaska, ancient microbial biofilms from Antarctica, Blue Lagoon Iceland, Ethiopian toxic hot springs, and the acidic hypersaline ponds in Western Australia.

Sustained release of methane (CH(4)) to the atmosphere from thawing Arctic permafrost may be a positive and significant feedback to climate warming. Atmospheric venting of CH(4) from the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) was recently reported to be on par with flux from the Arctic tundra; however, the future scale of these releases remains unclear. Here, based on results of our latest observations, we show that CH(4) emissions from this shelf are likely to be determined by the state of subsea permafrost degradation. We observed CH(4) emissions from two previously understudied areas of the ESAS: the outer shelf, where subsea permafrost is predicted to be discontinuous or mostly degraded due to long submergence by seawater, and the near shore area, where deep/open taliks presumably form due to combined heating effects of seawater, river run-off, geothermal flux and pre-existing thermokarst. CH(4) emissions from these areas emerge from largely thawed sediments via strong flare-like ebullition, producing fluxes that are orders of magnitude greater than fluxes observed in background areas underlain by largely frozen sediments. We suggest that progression of subsea permafrost thawing and decrease in ice extent could result in a significant increase in CH(4) emissions from the ESAS., (© 2015 The Authors.)

In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon accident released 4.6–6.0 × 10(11) grams or 4.1 to 4.6 million barrels of fossil petroleum derived carbon (petrocarbon) as oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Natural abundance radiocarbon measurements on surface sediment organic matter in a 2.4 × 10(10) m(2) deep-water region surrounding the spill site indicate the deposition of a fossil-carbon containing layer that included 1.6 to 2.6 × 10(10) grams of oil-derived carbon. This quantity represents between 0.5 to 9.1% of the released petrocarbon, with a best estimate of 3.0–4.9%. These values may be lower limit estimates of the fraction of the oil that was deposited on the seafloor because they focus on a limited mostly deep-water area of the Gulf, include a conservative estimate of thickness of the depositional layer, and use an average background or prespill radiocarbon value for sedimentary organic carbon that produces a conservative value. A similar approach using hopane tracer estimated that 4–31% of 2 million barrels of oil that stayed in the deep sea settled on the bottom. Converting that to a percentage of the total oil that entered into the environment (to which we normalized our estimate) converts this range to 1.8 to 14.4%. Although extrapolated over a larger area, our independent estimate produced similar values.

Despite good cover with 7-valent vaccination, invasive pneumococcal infections may still be misdiagnosed and may lead to lifethreatening situations or death in young children. New serotypes are emerging and, therefore, clinicians must keep a high level of suspicion in young children regardless of their vaccination status. We report three cases of invasive pneumococcal infection due to new serotypes not covered by the 7-valent conjugated vaccine, two of which led children to death.

We measured denitrification and nitrate removal rates in cold seep sediments from the Gulf of Mexico. Heterotrophic potential denitrification rates were assayed in time-series incubations. Surficial sediments inhabited by Beggiatoa exhibited higher heterotrophic potential denitrification rates (32 μM N reduced day(-1)) than did deeper sediments (11 μM N reduced day(-1)). Nitrate removal rates were high in both sediment horizons. These nitrate removal rates translate into rapid turnover times (<1 day) for the nitrate pool, resulting in a faster turnover for the nitrate pool than for the sulfate pool. Together, these data underscore the rigorous nature of internal nitrogen cycling at cold seeps and the requirement for novel mechanisms to provide nitrate to the sediment microbial community.

The anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in the marine subsurface is a significant sink for methane in the environment, yet our understanding of its regulation and dynamics is still incomplete. Relatively few groups of microorganisms consume methane in subsurface environments--namely the anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME clades 1, 2 and 3), which are phylogenetically related to methanogenic archaea. Anaerobic oxidation of methane presumably proceeds via a 'reversed' methanogenic pathway. The ANME are generally associated with sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfate is the only documented final electron acceptor for AOM in marine sediments. Our comparative study explored the coupling of AOM with sulfate reduction (SR) and methane generation (MOG) in microbial communities from Gulf of Mexico cold seep sediments that were naturally enriched with methane and other hydrocarbons. These sediments harbour a variety of ANME clades and SRB. Following enrichment under an atmosphere of methane, AOM fuelled 50-100% of SR, even in sediment slurries containing petroleum-associated hydrocarbons and organic matter. In the presence of methane and sulfate, the investigated microbial communities produce methane at a small fraction ( approximately 10%) of the AOM rate. Anaerobic oxidation of methane, MOG and SR rates decreased significantly with decreasing concentration of methane, and in the presence of the SR inhibitor molybdate, but reacted differently to the MOG inhibitor 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES). The addition of acetate, a possible breakdown product of petroleum in situ and a potential intermediate in AOM/SR syntrophy, did not suppress AOM activity; rather acetate stimulated microbial activity in oily sediment slurries.