Phylogenomics of the pantropical tribe Spermacoceae: resolving taxonomic challenges and phylogenetic relationships using whole plastome data

The pantropical tribe Spermacoceae comprises approximately 1000 species and belongs to the largest subfamily, Rubioideae, within the Rubiaceae family. The genera within the Spermacoceae tribe have a long history of taxonomic confusión and disagreement due to the utilization of inconsistent and overlapping characters in their generic delimitations. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies have made significant contributions to resolving many taxonomic inconsistencies, primarily focusing on taxa from Asia-Pacific and Australia. However, challenges persist in understanding the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy o f Spermacoceae members from the Americas and Africa. In this study, we employ whole-genome plastid data of Spermacoceae members to address these challenges. Our presentation will primarily focus on two objectives: (1) presenting the first plastome phylogeny of Spermacoceae, primarily representing members from North America, and (2) investigating phylogenetic congruence among genes and phylogenetic signáis within genes using Bayesian and other methods. By shedding light on the phylogenetic relationships and resolving taxonomic inconsistencies, our research contributes to a better understanding of the evolutionary history and taxonomy o f the Spermacoceae tribe. This work is part of an ongoing effort to construct a global genome-wide phylogeny of the Spermacoceae tribe through the utilization of high-throughput DNA data

Neonatal Safety Information Reported to the FDA During Drug Development Studies.

BACKGROUND: Relatively few neonatal drug development studies have been conducted, but an increase is expected with the enactment of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA). Understanding the safety of drugs studied in neonates is complicated by the unique nature of the population and the level of illness. The objective of this study was to examine neonatal safety data submitted to the FDA in studies pursuant to the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) and the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) between 1998 and 2015. METHODS: FDA databases were searched for BPCA and/or PREA studies that enrolled neonates. Studies that enrolled a minimum of 3 neonates were analyzed for the presence and content of neonatal safety data. RESULTS: The analysis identified 40 drugs that were studied in 3 or more neonates. Of the 40 drugs, 36 drugs received a pediatric labeling change as a result of studies between 1998 and 2015, that included information from studies including neonates. Fourteen drugs were approved for use in neonates. Clinical trials for 20 of the drugs reported serious adverse events (SAEs) in neonates. The SAEs primarily involved cardiovascular events such as bradycardia and/or hypotension or laboratory abnormalities such as anemia, neutropenia, and electrolyte disturbances. Deaths were reported during studies of 9 drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis revealed that SAEs were reported in studies involving 20 of the 40 drugs evaluated in neonates, with deaths identified in 9 of those studies. Patients enrolled in studies were often critically ill, which complicated determination of whether an adverse event was drug-related. We conclude that the traditional means for collecting safety information in drug development trials needs to be adjusted for neonates and will require the collaboration of regulators, industry, and the clinical and research communities to establish appropriate definitions and reporting strategies for the neonatal population

Publication Recommendations to Report Laboratory Data of Neonates - a Modified Delphi Approach

Background: Clinical and analytical information on laboratory data of neonates in scientific publications is sparse and incomplete. Furthermore, interpreting neonatal laboratory data can be complex due to their time-dependent and developmental physiology, and paucity of well-established age-appropriate reference ranges for neonates. This study aims to develop publication recommendations to report laboratory data of neonates to enhance the quality of these data in research and clinical care. Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used to develop recommendations in cooperation with the International Neonatal Consortium. A Core Group, including different stakeholders, was responsible for developing the recommendations, in collaboration with a Reflection Group, responsible for providing additional input. Results: The recommendations were classified into three categories: ‘Clinical Characteristics’, ‘Bio-analytical Information’ and ‘Data-analytical Information’. These were each divided into ‘Core Data’ (always to be reported) and ‘Supplemental Considerations’ (to be reported when considered relevant to the study). Conclusion: Our recommendations provide guidance on standardization of neonatal laboratory data in publications. This will enhance the comparison, replication, and application of study results in research initiatives and clinical practice. Furthermore, these recommendations also serve as foundational work to develop reference ranges for neonatal laboratory values by standardizing the quality of information needed for such efforts. Impact: Standardized reporting of neonatal laboratory data in scientific publications will enhance the comparison, replication, and application of study results in research initiatives and clinical practice, as well as improve reporting to regulatory agencies. To integrate multistakeholder perspectives, a modified Delphi approach was used to develop publication recommendations which strengthens the applicability of the recommendations. Implementation of standardization will likely improve the overall quality of neonatal clinical research and neonatal healthcare. In addition, these recommendations are foundational to develop reference ranges for neonatal laboratory values by standardizing the quality of information needed for such efforts.</p

Prior COVID-19 infection may increase risk for developing endothelial dysfunction following hematopoietic cell transplantation

Endothelial dysfunction underlies many of the major complications following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), including transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS), and engraftment syndrome (ES). Emerging evidence similarly implicates endothelitis and microangiopathy in severe COVID-19-related multi-system organ dysfunction. Given the overlap in these two illness states, we hypothesize that prior COVID-19 infection may increase risk for HCT-related endotheliopathies. This retrospective, multicenter study included patients aged 0-25 years who underwent autologous or allogeneic HCT for any indication between January 1, 2020 and September 21, 2021, with close attention to those infected with COVID-19 in either the six months prior to transplant or twelve months following transplant. Incidences of TA-TMA, VOD/SOS, and ES were compared among patients with COVID-19 infection pre-HCT and post-HCT, as well as with historical controls who were never infected with SARS-CoV-2. Those who underwent HCT following COVID-19 infection displayed significantly increased rates of TA-TMA compared to those who were never infected. Additionally, our data suggests a similar trend for increased VOD/SOS and ES rates, although this did not reach statistical significance. Therefore, a history of COVID-19 infection prior to undergoing HCT may be a nonmodifiable risk factor for endothelial-related complications following HCT. Further studies are warranted to better clarify this relationship among larger cohorts and in the era of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants

Pulmonary arterial medial smooth muscle thickness in sudden infant death syndrome: an analysis of subsets of 73 cases

Previous studies addressing pulmonary artery morphology have compared cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) to controls but none have compared demographic profiles, exposure to potentially hypoxic risk factors and other pathologic variables in SIDS cases grouped according to pulmonary artery medial smooth muscle thickness. Aims: To compare the relative medial thickness (RMT) in alveolar wall arteries (AW) in SIDS cases with that in age-matched controls and 2. Compare demographic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics among three subsets of SIDS cases based upon alveolar wall (AW) RMT. Retrospective morphometric planimetry of all muscularized arteries in standardized right apical lung sections in 73 SIDS cases divided into three groups based on increasing AW RMT as well as 19 controls age-matched to 19 of the SIDS cases. SIDS and age-matched control cases did not differ with respect to AW RMT or other demographic variables. The SIDS group with the thickest AW RMT had significantly more males and premature birth than the other groups, but the groups did not differ for known clinical risk factors that would potentially expose them to hypoxia. Pathologic variables, including pulmonary inflammation, gastric aspiration, intra-alveolar siderophages, cardiac valve circumferences, and heart and liver weights, were not different between groups. Age was not significantly correlated with RMT of alveolar wall and pre-acinar arteries but was significant at p = .018 for small intra-acinar arteries. The groups were different for RMT of small pre-acinar and intra-acinar arteries, which increased with increasing AW RMT. Statistical differences should not necessarily be equated with clinical importance, however future research incorporating more quantified historical data is recommended

Suivi et modélisation de l'altération physique des marnes de Draix et de son impact sur l'érosion

Badlands are geomorphically active sites, with steep and sparsely vegetated slopes, where weathering and erosion are both intense and highly variable. The Draix Bléone-Critical Zone Observatory (CZO), SE France, is located in badlands developed on Jurassic black marls (‘Terres Noires’) and has permitted recording morphological changes, water and sediment fluxes, as well as climatic variations in these terrains since almost 40 years. The aim of this work is to explore the spatial and temporal variability of the regolith (i.e., the surface layer of fragmented mobilisable particles), identify its main characteristics and quantify its impact on catchment-scale sediment production. These results, based on field monitoring and analysis of long data records, is used to build a Landscape Evolution Model (LEM) that is able to simulate morphological evolution and sediment dynamics at intra-annual timescales, and predict sediment production in a context of climate change.Les Badlands sont des zones géomophologiquement actives, souvent peu végétalisées et escarpées, où l’altération et l’érosion sont intenses et très variables. L’Observatoire de la Zone Critique Draix-Bléone, SE France, situé dans les badlands constitués des marnes noires du Jurassique (appelés aussi ‘Terres Noires’), a permis d’enregistrer les changements morphologiques, les flux d’eau et de sédiments ainsi que les variations climatiques dans ces terrains depuis presque 40 ans. Le but de ce travail est d’étudier la variabilité spatiale et temporelle du régolithe (c.-à-d., la couverture de surface de particules fragmentées et mobilisables), d’identifier ses principales caractéristiques et de quantifier son impact sur la production sédimentaire à l’échelle du bassin versant. Ces résultats, qui s’appuient sur des données de terrain et l’analyse d’enregistrements de long-terme, ont été utilisés pour construire un modèle d’évolution de paysage capable de simuler l’évolution morphologique et la dynamique sédimentaire à l’échelle intra-annuelle, et de prédire la production de sédiments dans un contexte de changement climatique

Les mammifères sauvages et leur protection

Ariagno Daniel. Les mammifères sauvages et leur protection. In: Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, 42ᵉ année, n°3, mars 1973. pp. 49-56

Grands traits de l'évolution du peuplement de mammifères rhonalpins depuis 40 ans

Main features of the trend of mammal communities in Rhone-Alpes over 40 years We observe the scarcity of reliable data related to mammal communities, except about game species, large carnivores, and chiroptera. The reason is the low number of observers capable of conducting the complex monitoring of very discreet animals. In comparison with the status in 1976, the mammal diversity has increased from 84 to 93 species, without any losses. Seven new species are documented (2 shrews, 1 mouse, 4 bats) while five exotic ones were introduced. In 1975 the lynx and otter returned, as more recently did the wolf. Special conservation of ibex, chamois and beaver was a success in the 1950's, but now a lot of mammals are mentioned in the red list. The main factor of mortality and regression, far behind hunting, is that of landscape fragmentation, and traffic accidents by crossing highways, railways and waterways.On constate la rareté de données fiables sur le peuplement mammalien de Rhône-Alpes, hormis pour les espèces chassables, les grands carnivores, et les chiroptères. Cela tient au faible ombre d'observateurs habilités à pratiquer des inventaires complexes, et à la discrétion des espèces. Par rapport à la situation évaluée en 1976, la diversité est passée de 84 à 93 espèces ; sans que l'on note de disparition. Deux musaraignes, un mulot, et quatre chauves-souris sont des espèces indigènes nouvelles, tandis que cinq espèces exotiques ont été introduites. L'année 1975 marque le retour naturel du lynx et de la loutre, puis le signalement du loup en 1997. Après le succès des mesures de protection qui ont sauvé dès 1950 des espèces comme le bouquetin, le chamois et le castor, de nombreuses espèces sont à ce jour en liste rouge ; la chasse n'est plus aujourd'hui le facteur principal de menace, mais toutes sont confrontées au morcellement de l'espace, et à la mortalité induite par la traversée des grandes infrastructures (autoroutes, voies ferrées, canaux fluviaux).Ariagno Daniel. Grands traits de l'évolution du peuplement de mammifères rhonalpins depuis 40 ans. In: Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, hors-série numéro 2, 2010. Évaluation de la biodiversité rhônalpine. pp. 98-106

Monitoring and modeling physical weathering of marls and its effect on erosion, Draix-Bléone CZO.

Les Badlands sont des zones géomophologiquement actives, souvent peu végétalisées et escarpées, où l’altération et l’érosion sont intenses et très variables. L’Observatoire de la Zone Critique Draix-Bléone, SE France, situé dans les badlands constitués des marnes noires du Jurassique (appelés aussi ‘Terres Noires’), a permis d’enregistrer les changements morphologiques, les flux d’eau et de sédiments ainsi que les variations climatiques dans ces terrains depuis presque 40 ans. Le but de ce travail est d’étudier la variabilité spatiale et temporelle du régolithe (c.-à-d., la couverture de surface de particules fragmentées et mobilisables), d’identifier ses principales caractéristiques et de quantifier son impact sur la production sédimentaire à l’échelle du bassin versant. Ces résultats, qui s’appuient sur des données de terrain et l’analyse d’enregistrements de long-terme, ont été utilisés pour construire un modèle d’évolution de paysage capable de simuler l’évolution morphologique et la dynamique sédimentaire à l’échelle intra-annuelle, et de prédire la production de sédiments dans un contexte de changement climatique.Badlands are geomorphically active sites, with steep and sparsely vegetated slopes, where weathering and erosion are both intense and highly variable. The Draix Bléone-Critical Zone Observatory (CZO), SE France, is located in badlands developed on Jurassic black marls (‘Terres Noires’) and has permitted recording morphological changes, water and sediment fluxes, as well as climatic variations in these terrains since almost 40 years. The aim of this work is to explore the spatial and temporal variability of the regolith (i.e., the surface layer of fragmented mobilisable particles), identify its main characteristics and quantify its impact on catchment-scale sediment production. These results, based on field monitoring and analysis of long data records, is used to build a Landscape Evolution Model (LEM) that is able to simulate morphological evolution and sediment dynamics at intra-annual timescales, and predict sediment production in a context of climate change