Phenotypic plasticity or speciation? A case from a clonal marine organism

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clonal marine organisms exhibit high levels of morphological variation. Morphological differences may be a response to environmental factors but also they can be attributed to accumulated genetic differences due to disruption of gene flow among populations. In this study, we examined the extensive morphological variation (of 14 characters) in natural populations observed in the gorgonian <it>Eunicea flexuosa</it>, a widely distributed Caribbean octocoral. Eco-phenotypic and genetic effects were evaluated by reciprocal transplants of colonies inhabiting opposite ends of the depth gradient and analysis of population genetics of mitochondrial and nuclear genes, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant differences (P < 0.001) in 14 morphological traits were found among colonies inhabiting 12 locations distributed in seven reefs in southwest Puerto Rico. Results from principal component analysis indicated the presence of two groups based on depth distribution, suggesting the presence of two discrete morphotypes (i.e. shallow type < 5 m and deep type > 17 m). A discriminant function analysis based on a priori univariate and multivariate analyses (which separated the colonies in morphotypes) correctly classified 93% of the colonies for each environment. Light, water motion and sediment transport might influence the distribution of the two morphotypes. Reaction norms of morphological characters of colonies reciprocally transplanted showed gradual significant changes through the 15 months of transplantation. Sclerites of shallow water colonies became larger when transplanted to deeper environments and vice versa, but neither of the two transplanted groups overlapped with the residents' morphology. Genetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear genes suggested that such discrete morphology and non-overlapping phenotypic plasticity is correlated with the presence of two independent evolutionary lineages. The distribution of the lineages is non-random and may be related to adaptational responses of each lineage to the environmental demands of each habitat.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The extensive distribution and ample morphological variation of <it>Eunicea flexuosa </it>corresponds to two distinct genetic lineages with narrower distributions and more rigid phenotypic plasticity than the original description. The accepted description <it>sensu </it>Bayer (1961) of <it>E. flexuosa </it>is a complex of at least two distinct genetic lineages, adapted to different habitats and do not exchange genetic material despite living in sympatry. The present study highlights the importance of correctly defining species, because the unknowingly use of species complexes can overestimate geographical distribution, population abundance, and physiological tolerance.</p

The evolution of euhermaphroditism in caridean shrimps: a molecular perspective of sexual systems and systematics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The hippolytid genus <it>Lysmata </it>is characterized by simultaneous hermaphroditism, a very rare sexual system among Decapoda. Specialized cleaning behavior is reported in a few pair-living species; these life history traits vary within the genus. Unfortunately, the systematics of <it>Lysmata </it>and the Hippolytidae itself are in contention, making it difficult to examine these taxa for trends in life history traits. A phylogeny of <it>Lysmata </it>and related taxa is needed, to clarify their evolutionary relationships and the origin of their unique sexual pattern. In this study, we present a molecular phylogenetic analysis among species of <it>Lysmata</it>, related genera, and several putative hippolytids. The analysis is based upon DNA sequences of two genes, 16S mtDNA and nuclear 28S rRNA. Phylogenetic trees were estimated using Bayesian Inference, Maximum Likelihood, and Maximum Parsimony.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phylogenetic analysis of 29 species of <it>Lysmata</it>, eight genera of Hippolytidae and two genera of Barbouriidae based on a single (16S, 28S) and combined gene approach (16S+28S) indicates that three groups of <it>Lysmata </it>differentiate according to antennular morphology: (1) <it>Lysmata</it>, having a multi-segmented accessory branch, (2) <it>Hippolysmata </it>(prior to Chace 1972), with a one-segmented accessory branch, and (3) a third group of <it>Lysmata </it>outliers, with one-segmented unguiform accessory branch, and close affinity to the genera <it>Exhippolysmata </it>and <it>Lysmatella</it>. The monophyly of the clade bearing a multi-segmented accessory branch is robust. Within the short accessory branch clade, species with specialized cleaning behaviors form a monophyletic clade, however, the integrity of the clade was sensitive to alignment criteria. Other hippolytid and barbouriid genera used in the analysis are basal to these three groups, including one displaying simultaneous hermaphroditism (<it>Parhippolyte</it>). The two barbouriid species occur in a separate clade, but among hippolytid taxa.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The data support the historical morphological division of <it>Lysmata </it>into clades based on accessory branch morphology. The position of the "cleaner" shrimps, indicates that specialized cleaning behavior is a derived trait. The topologies of the cladograms support the monophyly of the barbouriids, but do not support their elevation to familial status. Taxa ancestral to the genus <it>Lysmata </it>display simultaneous hermaphroditism, suggesting that this life history trait evolved outside the genus <it>Lysmata</it>.</p

A new genus of Parastenocarididae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Tocantins River basin (Goiás, Brazil), and a phylogenetic analysis of the Parastenocaridinae

Eirinicaris antonioi gen. et sp. n. (Parastenocaridinae) is described from the Brazilian rocky savannas, an ecosystem under heavy anthropogenic pressure. The subfamily is distributed worldwide, with representatives in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. This is the first time a non-Remaneicaris Parastenocaridinae is described from a Neotropical region indicating that Parastenocaridinae species were already present in a vast geographical area, before the split of the Gondwana. The new taxon is included within the subfamily Parastenocaridinae based on the following characters: 1) segments 5, 6, and 7 of the male antennules forming a functional unit for clasping the female; 2) segment 7 with small process at the inner margin, forming an incipient "pocket-knife" structure with segment 6; 3) last segment pointing medially when closed; 4) the endopod of female leg 3 one-segmented and spiniform, without distal seta; 5) the apophysis and terminal seta of the exopod of male leg 3 are fused; 6) the genital field is rectangular and much broader than the height in the female; 7) the group of three lateral setae I, II, and III of the furca and the dorsal seta are situated at the same level in the female; and 8) the basis of leg 1 has an inner seta. The new taxon can be distinguished from all other Parastenocaridinae genera by the unique sexually dimorphic telson and furca. In the male, the dorsal seta is inserted at the midlength of the furca and setae I, II, and III are displaced anteroventrally. A phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Parastenocaridinae is given based on the description of the type species of each genus and available descriptions of all Parastenocaridinae species. Eirinicaris gen. n. is the sister taxon of a clade formed by Kinnecaris and Monodicaris, sharing with them the long male and female leg 5 with a long spiniform process, and with Kinnecaris, a distal pore on the spiniform process. © Paulo H.C. Corgosinho et al

Surgical Outcomes in Syndromic Tetralogy of Fallot: A Systematic Review and Evidence Quality Assessment

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is one of the most common cyanotic congenital heart defects. We sought to summarize all available data regarding the epidemiology and perioperative outcomes of syndromic ToF patients. A PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review of PubMed and Cochrane Library was performed. Twelve original studies were included. The incidence of syndromic ToF was 15.3% (n = 549/3597). The most prevalent genetic syndromes were 22q11.2 deletion (47.8%; 95% CI 43.4–52.2) and trisomy 21 (41.9%; 95% CI 37.7–46.3). Complete surgical repair was performed in 75.2% of the patients (n = 161/214; 95% CI 69.0–80.1) and staged repair in 24.8% (n = 53/214; 95 CI 19.4–30.9). Relief of RVOT obstruction was performed with transannular patch in 64.7% (n = 79/122; 95% CI 55.9–72.7) of the patients, pulmonary valve-sparing technique in 17.2% (n = 21/122; 95% CI 11.5–24.9), and RV-PA conduit in 18.0% (n = 22/122; 95% CI 12.1–25.9). Pleural effusions were the most common postoperative complications (n = 28/549; 5.1%; 95% CI 3.5–7.3). Reoperations were performed in 4.4% (n = 24/549; 95% CI 2.9–6.4) of the patients. All-cause mortality rate was 9.8% (n = 51/521; 95% CI 7.5–12.7). Genetic syndromes are seen in approximately 15% of ToF patients. Long-term survival exceeds 90%, suggesting that surgical management should be dictated by anatomy regardless of genetics

Fish, Coral, and Sponge Assemblages Associated With Altiphotic and Mesophotic Reefs Along the Guánica Biosphere Reserve Continental Shelf Edge, Southwest Puerto Rico

The benthic and fish communities of the central portion of the Guánica, Puerto Rico shelf edge were studied to determine species abundance, distributions and species overlap between two depth stratifications, 20 and 45 m, at eight sites. A total of 67 fish species belonging to 21 families were identified. Similar species richness estimates were observed between depths, though fish assemblage composition differed significantly, with observable changes in feeding guild contributions of herbivore and omnivore (20 m) to a deeper assemblage composed of piscivores and planktivores (45 m). Coral assemblages consisted of 31 species at 20 m and 11 species at 45 m, accounting for 17.0% (±1.76 SE) and 2.6% (±0.89 SE) benthic cover for the altiphotic and mesophotic surveys, respectively. The altiphotic and mesophotic coral reef communities support different scleractinian coral assemblages with minimal species overlap. Altiphotic surveys of sponges yielded a higher species richness than mesophotic, with 60 and 54 species respectively, and an overall total of 71 species identified from both depths, with 45 species overlapping (63.0%). The percent cover of sponges surveyed at altiphotic reefs accounted for 9.0% (±1.04 SE), while the percent cover of sponges surveyed at mesophotic reefs was 14.0% (±1.96 SE). Our data show fish, coral, and sponge assemblages are differentiated between 20 and 45 m along the Guánica shelf edge offshore of the Guánica Biosphere Reserve. This study represents the first observations for species distributions of adjacent altiphotic and mesophotic coral reef habitats along the Guánica shelf edge, as well as provides an annotated species list of the local sponge fauna. Combined, these results highlight the need for continued environmental stewardship and conservation in the area

Percutaneous tracheostomy-beware of the thyroidea-ima artery

Percutaneous tracheostomy is a minimally invasive operation performed in patients, in order to provide an air passage through the windpipe. A rare cause of severe bleeding during such operation is the injury of the thyroidea-ima artery. This case report presents a patient with hemorrhage after thyroidea-ima injury during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Surgeons should always be aware of such anatomic variation, in order to prevent urgent sternotomy

El primer genoma mitocondrial completo de Diadema antillarum (Diadematoida, Diadematidae)

The mitochondrial genome of the long-spined black sea urchin, Diadema antillarum, was sequenced using Illumina next-generation sequencing technology. The complete mitogenome is 15,708&nbsp;bp in length, containing two rRNA, 22 tRNA and 13 protein-coding genes, plus a noncoding control region of 133&nbsp;bp. The nucleotide composition is 18.37% G, 23.79% C, 26.84% A and 30.99% T. The A + T bias is 57.84%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 12 complete mitochondrial genomes of sea urchins, including four species of the family Diadematidae, supported familial monophyly; however, the two Diadema species, D. antillarum and D. setosum were not recovered as sister taxa.El genoma mitocondrial del erizo de mar negro de espinas largas, Diadema antillarum, se secuenció utilizando la tecnología de secuenciación de nueva generación de Illumina. El mitogenoma completo tiene un tamaño de 15,708 pb, que contiene dos ARNr, 22 ARNt y 13 genes codificadores de proteínas, además de una región de control no codificante de 133 pb. La composición de nucleótidos es 18.37% G, 23.79% C, 26.84% A y 30.99% T. El sesgo A+T es del 57.84%. El análisis filogenético basado en 12 genomas mitocondriales completos de erizos de mar, incluyendo cuatro especies de la familia Diadematidae, apoya la monofilia familiar. Sin embargo, &nbsp;las dos especies de Diadema en este estudio, &nbsp;D. antillarum y D. setosum no fueron identificadas como taxones hermanos

Correction to: Two years later: Is the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still having an impact on emergency surgery? An international cross-sectional survey among WSES members

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still ongoing and a major challenge for health care services worldwide. In the first WSES COVID-19 emergency surgery survey, a strong negative impact on emergency surgery (ES) had been described already early in the pandemic situation. However, the knowledge is limited about current effects of the pandemic on patient flow through emergency rooms, daily routine and decision making in ES as well as their changes over time during the last two pandemic years. This second WSES COVID-19 emergency surgery survey investigates the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on ES during the course of the pandemic. Methods: A web survey had been distributed to medical specialists in ES during a four-week period from January 2022, investigating the impact of the pandemic on patients and septic diseases both requiring ES, structural problems due to the pandemic and time-to-intervention in ES routine. Results: 367 collaborators from 59 countries responded to the survey. The majority indicated that the pandemic still significantly impacts on treatment and outcome of surgical emergency patients (83.1% and 78.5%, respectively). As reasons, the collaborators reported decreased case load in ES (44.7%), but patients presenting with more prolonged and severe diseases, especially concerning perforated appendicitis (62.1%) and diverticulitis (57.5%). Otherwise, approximately 50% of the participants still observe a delay in time-to-intervention in ES compared with the situation before the pandemic. Relevant causes leading to enlarged time-to-intervention in ES during the pandemic are persistent problems with in-hospital logistics, lacks in medical staff as well as operating room and intensive care capacities during the pandemic. This leads not only to the need for triage or transferring of ES patients to other hospitals, reported by 64.0% and 48.8% of the collaborators, respectively, but also to paradigm shifts in treatment modalities to non-operative approaches reported by 67.3% of the participants, especially in uncomplicated appendicitis, cholecystitis and multiple-recurrent diverticulitis. Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still significantly impacts on care and outcome of patients in ES. Well-known problems with in-hospital logistics are not sufficiently resolved by now; however, medical staff shortages and reduced capacities have been dramatically aggravated over last two pandemic years

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries