Acute kidney injury in patients with COVID-19 compared to those with influenza: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundCOVID-19 and influenza can both lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) as a common complication. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted to directly compare the incidence of AKI between hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and influenza. The objective of our study aims to investigate the incidence and outcomes of AKI among hospitalized patients between these two groups.Materials and methodsA systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was conducted from December 2019 to August 2023 to identify studies examining AKI and clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and influenza. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of AKI, while secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, recovery from AKI, hospital and ICU stay duration. The quality of evidence was evaluated using Cochrane and GRADE methods.ResultsTwelve retrospective cohort studies, involving 17,618 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and influenza, were analyzed. COVID-19 patients showed higher AKI incidence (29.37% vs. 20.98%, OR: 1.67, 95% CI 1.56–1.80, p < 0.01, I2 = 92.42%), and in-hospital mortality (30.95% vs. 5.51%, OR: 8.16, 95% CI 6.17–10.80, p < 0.01, I2 = 84.92%) compared to influenza patients with AKI. Recovery from AKI was lower in COVID-19 patients (57.02% vs., 80.23%, OR: 0.33, 95% CI 0.27–0.40, p < 0.01, I2 = 85.17%). COVID-19 patients also had a longer hospital stay (SMD: 0.69, 95% CI 0.65–0.72, p < 0.01, I2 = 98.94%) and longer ICU stay (SMD: 0.61, 95% CI 0.50–0.73, p < 0.01, I2 = 94.80%) than influenza patients. In our study, evidence quality was high (NOS score 7–9), with low certainty for AKI incidence and moderate certainty for recovery form AKI by GRADE assessment.ConclusionCOVID-19 patients had higher risk of developing AKI, experiencing in-hospital mortality, and enduring prolonged hospital/ICU stays in comparison to influenza patients. Additionally, the likelihood of AKI recovery was lower among COVID-19 patients

A new species of anthothelid octocoral (Cnidaria, Alcyonacea) discovered on an algal reef of Taiwan

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of 132 octocoral species reveals a close relationship between specimens collected from the intertidal pools of the Datan Algal Reef, Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Erythropodium caribaeorum (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860), but the two species have distinct morphological features. On the basis of morphological differences in polyps and sclerites, we identify and describe a new Erythropodium species: E. taoyuanensis sp. nov. The distinct identifying features of E. taoyuanensis sp. nov. include the upright contractile polyps from thin encrusting membranes and abundant 6-radiate sclerites. Using an integrative approach, we present the findings of morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses to demonstrate that E. taoyuanensis sp. nov. is distinct from other Erythropodium species. Our study contributes to the knowledge of octocoral biodiversity in marginal habitats

A new species of anthothelid octocoral (Cnidaria, Alcyonacea) discovered on an algal reef of Taiwan

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of 132 octocoral species reveals a close relationship between specimens collected from the intertidal pools of the Datan Algal Reef, Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Erythropodium caribaeorum (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860), but the two species have distinct morphological features. On the basis of morphological differences in polyps and sclerites, we identify and describe a new Erythropodium species: E. taoyuanensis sp. nov. The distinct identifying features of E. taoyuanensis sp. nov. include the upright contractile polyps from thin encrusting membranes and abundant 6-radiate sclerites. Using an integrative approach, we present the findings of morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses to demonstrate that E. taoyuanensis sp. nov. is distinct from other Erythropodium species. Our study contributes to the knowledge of octocoral biodiversity in marginal habitats

Systematics and phylogeny of deep-sea precious corals (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Coralliidae)

紅珊瑚科物種的骨骼質地堅硬，具有亮麗光澤，長久以來被視為珠寶珊瑚，廣泛的加工成珠寶或各式藝品。紅珊瑚科物種從熱帶至亞極區海域，水深100至2000公尺皆有分布記錄，目前僅地中海及西北太平洋海域有商業規模採撈。紅珊瑚的生物特性包含壽命長，生長緩慢，以及生殖成熟晚等，使其易受漁業壓力影響，有關其資源評估與保育為全球矚目議題。然此資源評估必須依賴明確的物種描述與物種鑑定，本論文之目的為建立紅珊瑚科物種親緣關係，並以此重新檢視及建立紅珊瑚的分類系統，並描述新物種。 本研究廣泛蒐集世界各大博物館典藏的紅珊瑚科物種標本，加上新近採集的標本，共110件，以8個粒線體基因及1個核基因為分子標誌，並以3種擬柳珊瑚科物種作為外群，利用最大似然法及貝氏推論重建紅珊瑚科物種的親緣關係樹。結果顯示，所有紅珊瑚科物種為一單系群，可分為兩個主要系群（Clade I, Clade II），其中系群I又可分為兩亞群（Clade IA, Clade IB）。但是，現有的紅珊瑚屬（Corallium）及類紅珊瑚屬（Paracorallium）皆非單系群。檢視文獻得知，系群I的兩亞群及系群II物種的形質與Gray（1867）所描述的三屬分類系統符合。依據此分類架構，類紅珊瑚屬為紅珊瑚屬的同種異名，紅珊瑚屬則被分為紅珊瑚屬、半紅珊瑚屬(Hemicorallium)及側紅珊瑚屬(Pleurocorallium )等三屬。本研究依據親緣關係樹內各系群物種的形態特徵，以及Gray(1867)所提的各屬模式物種，重新定義三屬的形態特徵和各屬內的物種，包含紅珊瑚屬7物種、半紅珊瑚屬18種、側紅珊瑚屬18種。此外，重新檢視模式標本的結果亦顯示Pleurocorallium kishinouyei為P. porcellanum的同種義名；基於本研究所建立的親緣關係樹與已命名物種間的形態特徵比較，本研究一共命名了10種新種（半紅珊瑚屬3種，側紅珊瑚屬7種），重新描述九物種的形態特徵，並提供一完整的紅珊瑚科物種檢索表。依據本研究結果，紅珊瑚科包含有43個物種。本研究經由親緣關係及形態特徵的差異，重新界定各物種的界限，完成紅珊瑚科系統分類的檢討和修訂，可提供作為紅珊瑚科資源評估及保育的基礎資料。Members of Coralliidae, known as precious corals, have been widely utilized as jewelry and other valuable artifacts. The species of Coralliidae are widely distributed in most oceans from tropical to subpolar seas ranging from 100 m to 2000 m, but only those in Mediterranean Sea and northwestern Pacific have been commercially harvested. Species of Coralliidae are vulnerable to fishing pressure due to their long life span, slow growth rates, and relatively late reproductive maturation. There is an urgent need to evaluate the status of precious corals and an accurate taxonomic system is essential for the assessment of population status and resource management. Thus, the aim of this study was to revise the taxonomy of Coralliidae based on morphological and phylogenetic relationships. A total of 110 specimens from major museums worldwide and several newly collected specimens were used in this study. Eight mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene were applied as molecular markers to construct the phylogenetic relationship of coralliid corals, and three species of Paragorgiidae were chosen as the outgroup. The phylogenetic trees of Coralliidae showed that there were two monophyletic clades, and one of the clades included two subclades. Based on the results of genealogical analyses, Paracorallium was regarded as a junior synonym of Corallium, and the 3-genera classification of Coralliidae proposed by Gray (1867) was resurrected. Species in Clades IA, IB, and II have unique morphological features that correspond to those of Corallium Cuvier, 1798, Hemicorallium Gray, 1867, and Pleurocorallium Gray, 1867, respectively. The diagnostic features of each genus were redefined in this study. Based on the revised taxonomic system, there are 7, 18, and 18 species in Corallium, Hemicorallium, and Pleurocorallium, respectively. The morphological features of 9 species were re-described as references for species identification. The reexamination of type specimens also revealed that Pleurocorallium kishinouyei was a junior synonym of Pleurocorallium porcellanum. Furthermore, ten species are considered as new to science and described herein. A revised dichotomous key to 43 species of Coralliidae is provided. This study provides a revived taxonomic system of Coralliidae based on the coherence of phylogenetic relationships and morphological features. The system can be applied to the assessment of population status and conservation of Coralliidae.中文摘要 i Abstract ii Chapter 1 General Introduction 1 1.1 The precious corals 1 1.2 The problems faced by precious corals 3 1.3 The taxonomy of precious corals 4 1.4 The Aims of this dissertation 6 Chapter 2 Systematics and phylogeny of precious corals 9 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Materials and methods 12 2.3 Results 16 2.4 Discussion 22 Chapter 3 Taxonomic Revision of Coralliidae with descriptions of new species from Taiwan, Aviles Canyon, Coral Sea, and Hawaii Archipelago 52 3.1 Introduction 52 3.2 Materials and methods 53 3.3 Results 55 3.4 Discussion 124 Chapter 4 Conclusions 186 Reference 189 Appendix I－台灣周邊海域紅珊瑚中英文名對照 203 Appendix II－鑑定用名詞中英對照（Fig. 3-1） 204 Appendix III－台灣周邊海域紅珊瑚檢索表 20

Larval development and prevalence of Sacculina plana and its host Grapsus albolineatu

本研究針對台灣之扁蟹奴 (Sacculina plana) 在野外對白紋方蟹 (Grapsus albolineatus) 的寄生情形，以及在實驗室內的幼蟲發育及幼蟲選擇寄主偏好進行探討。扁蟹奴歸類於蔓足綱，對寄主白紋方蟹所造成的影響類似於其他蟹奴科種類對其寄主的影響。被寄生的白紋方蟹通常有多外體的現象，通常帶有一至三個外體的個體，最多則有七個外體，同一寄主身上的外體有處在不同發育狀態。白紋方蟹遭扁蟹奴寄生後的蛻殼成長率（10.5％）和未被寄生個體的蛻殼成長率（11.8％）沒有顯著差異。風吹沙測站寄生比率比香蕉灣測站高，但是香蕉灣測站處女外體的比率卻高於風吹沙測站，顯示寄生比率較低的地區，可能由於雄性幼蟲數少於高寄生比率地區，因此處女外體的比率會高於寄生比率較高的地區。根據幼蟲附著的位置及附著的偏好推斷，感染可能發生在白紋方蟹在潮池中蛻殼時。海浪強度可能是造成兩測站寄生比率不同的原因之一。 扁蟹奴幼蟲於25℃飼養環境下，無節幼蟲（nauplius）發育成腺介幼蟲（cyprids）需50-57小時，經歷四個齡期。無節幼蟲頭部前端具有一個無節幼蟲眼、兩側各有一未分節的角(frontal horns)，尾部則具有尾叉（furcal rami），另有三對附肢分別為第一觸角（antennule）、第二觸角（antenna）及大顎(mandible)。無節幼蟲及腺介幼蟲階段，雄性體型皆大於雌性；無節幼蟲階段，雌雄之間除了體長差異之外，雌性腹部亦較雄性腹部細。除此之外，雄性第四齡幼蟲的第一剛毛形態也異於雌性幼蟲，且第一剛毛附近有數個小孔存在。第一附肢的形態會隨著齡期產生變化，其餘的兩對附肢除了大小之外，形態上則沒有改變。幼蟲雌雄比例會隨著季節改變，春夏兩季以雌性幼蟲為主，冬天則是雄性幼蟲佔多數。 幼蟲附著時偏好軟殼蟹，軟殼蟹身上所佔的雌性幼蟲百分比顯著高於硬殼蟹。不論是軟殼蟹或硬殼蟹身上，皆未發現雌性幼蟲附著於剛毛基部、口器、關節薄膜處、爪、鰓、眼柄腹甲上，其餘地方則可見附著的雌性幼蟲。由於螃蟹殼厚度大於腺介幼體長度，因此硬殼蟹較不易被扁蟹奴感染。The study aims to investigate the relationship between Sacculina plana and its hosts, Grapsus albolineatus in Kenting area, southern Taiwan, and the larval development and preference at settlement of S. plana in laboratory. S. plana affected its host G. albolineatus as other sacculinids typically do affect their own hosts. Parasitized G. albolineatus usually carries one to three externae with a maximum of seven. Externae at different status might be found on one crab. The mean prevalence of S. plana at study area, Fengchueisha and Xiangjiaowan is 63.3％and 27.8%, respectively. The molt increment of parasitized crabs (10.5%) is not significantly different from that of unparasitized crabs (11.8%). Therefore, the mean carapace width of G. albolineatus at Fengchueisha that is smaller than that in Xiangjiaowan is not likely to result from the differences in growth ratio. Since the population densities of G. albolineatus at both sites are similar, it is suggested that the differences of environmental factors (mainly wave exposure) are likely to be the factors for the different prevalence of S. plana between the two sites. The larval development of S. plana includes four naupliar and one cypris stage. It takes about 50 to 57 h from hatching to cyprids at 25℃. The nauplius has a naupliar eye at the anterior end, a pair of frontal horns lateral and furcal rami at the posterior end. The nauplii also have three pairs of appendages, antennules, antennae, and mandibles. The body length of males is always larger than females in both nauplii and cypris stages. The abdomen of female nauplii is more slender than that of males and the morphology of seta 1 of both genders is also different. The morphology of antennule changes with different stages but morphology of antenna and mandible does not change, except for the size. There was a seasonal variation of sex ratio and higher percentage of females was found in summer and spring. The results of lab experiments showed that the percentage of female cyprids settling on recently-molted crabs was significantly higher than that those settling on intermolt crabs. Female cyprids never settle on the membrane of joints, the ventral surface of abdomen, eye stalks, claws, gills, the base of seta, or the mouthpart. It seems that larvae cannot penetrate hard shell crabs. Since G. albolineatus molts in tidal pools, it is suggested that the infection occurs in tidal pools (during molting).中文摘要……………………………………………………………………………...... i 英文摘要…………………………………………………………………...………....... ii Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Taxonomy………………………………………………………………………..... 1 The adult stage of Rhizocephala – the interna...…….……………………………. 2 The adult stage of Rhizocephala – the externa......................................................... 3 Larval stage of Rhizocephala………………….…………………...………….….. 4 Effects of parasitism……………………………………………………................. 6 Sacculina plana and its hosts in Taiwan……………...…………………………… 7 Materials and methods……..…………………………………………………………… 9 Collection and maintenance of animals…………..……………………………….. 9 Field data collection……………………………………………………………….. 9 Observations on larval morphology……………………………………………….11 Settlement experiments……………………………………………………………13 Statistical analysis…………………………………………………………………14 Results………………………………………………………………………………… 15 Field observations………………………………………………………………... 15 Larval development……………………………………………………………… 19 Settlement experiments…………………………………………………………... 36 Discussion……………………………………………………………………………... 40 Field observations………………………………………………………………... 40 Larval development……………………………………………………………… 44 Settlement experiments…………………………………………………………... 47 Future works……………………………………………………………………... 48 Reference……………………………………………………………………………… 4

Microbial Community Composition and Functional Capacity in a Terrestrial Ferruginous, Sulfate-Depleted Mud Volcano

Terrestrial mud volcanoes (MVs) are an important natural source of methane emission. The role of microbial processes in methane cycling and organic transformation in such environments remains largely unexplored. In this study, we aim to uncover functional potentials and community assemblages across geochemical transitions in a ferruginous, sulfate-depleted MV of eastern Taiwan. Geochemical profiles combined with 16S rRNA gene abundances indicated that anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) mediated by ANME-2a group coincided with iron/manganese reduction by Desulfuromonadales at shallow depths deprived of sulfate. The activity of AOM was stimulated either by methane alone or by methane and a range of electron acceptors, such as sulfate, ferrihydrite, and artificial humic acid. Metagenomic analyses revealed that functional genes for AOM and metal reduction were more abundant at shallow intervals. In particular, genes encoding pili expression and electron transport through multi-heme cytochromes were prevalent, suggesting potential intercellular interactions for electron transport involved in AOM. For comparison, genes responsible for methanogenesis and degradation of chitin and plant-derived molecules were more abundant at depth. The gene distribution combined with the enhanced proportions of 16S rRNA genes related to methanogens and heterotrophs, and geochemical characteristics suggest that particulate organic matter was degraded into various organic entities that could further fuel in situ methanogenesis. Finally, genes responsible for aerobic methane oxidation were more abundant in the bubbling pool and near-surface sediments. These methane oxidizers account for the ultimate attenuation of methane discharge into the atmosphere. Overall, our results demonstrated that various community members were compartmentalized into stratified niches along geochemical gradients. These community members form a metabolic network that cascades the carbon transformation from the upstream degradation of recalcitrant organic carbon with fermentative production of labile organic entities and methane to downstream methane oxidation and metal reduction near the surface. Such a metabolic architecture enables effective methane removal under ferruginous, sulfate-depleted conditions in terrestrial MVs

Coralliidae (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from the INDEMARES 2010 expedition to north and northwest Spain (northeast Atlantic), with delimitation of a new species using both morphological and molecular approaches

Tu, Tzu-Hsuan, Altuna, Álvaro, Jeng, Ming-Shiou (2015): Coralliidae (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from the INDEMARES 2010 expedition to north and northwest Spain (northeast Atlantic), with delimitation of a new species using both morphological and molecular approaches. Zootaxa 3926 (3): 301-328, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3926.3.

Corallium

<i>Corallium</i> sp. <p> <b>Material examined</b>. INDEMARES 2010: Galicia Bank (northwestern Spain), 13.08.2010, Stn. DR08, 42º55.941’N – 012º05.149’W, 1196 m, one dead colony 172.0 mm in height and 9.3 mm in basal diameter, completely covered by a zoanthid, with several galleries of a commensal worm. No worm present.</p> <p> <b>Remarks</b>. The colony was lacking soft tissues and holdfast, and is fully overgrown by a zoanthid (see Britayev <i>et al</i>. 2014, fig. 10). The tissues of the zoanthid are incrusted with numerous particles including sclerites in the form of double clubs. These sclerites are probably from the <i>Corallium</i> colony; however, it is not possible to identify the specimen from the few double clubs present on the zoanthid. The presence of a sinuous axis with a tendency towards dichotomous branching and galleries created by a commensal polychaete suggests that this specimen is either <i>C. niobe</i> or <i>C. bayeri</i>.</p> <p> Zoanthids associated with <i>Corallium</i> and belonging to a new genus were described for the first time from Japan by Reimer <i>et al</i>. (2008). They are also mentioned by Nonaka <i>et al</i>. (2012), but are still unknown from Atlantic waters (F. Sinniger, com. pers. 15.07.2013). In contrast to the Pacific zoanthids associated with <i>Corallium,</i> which are solitary, the specimen living on the colony of <i>Corallium</i> sp. from the Galicia Bank is colonial. The kind of interaction between both species is subject to further research.</p>Published as part of <i>Tu, Tzu-Hsuan, Altuna, Álvaro & Jeng, Ming-Shiou, 2015, Coralliidae (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from the INDEMARES 2010 expedition to north and northwest Spain (northeast Atlantic), with delimitation of a new species using both morphological and molecular approaches, pp. 301-328 in Zootaxa 3926 (3)</i> on page 322, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3926.3.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/194588">http://zenodo.org/record/194588</a&gt

Corallium bayeri Simpson & Watling 2011

<i>Corallium</i> cf. <i>bayeri</i> Simpson & Watling, 2011 <p>(Figure 7 A, B, tables 1, 2)</p> <p> <i>Corallium bayeri</i> Simpson & Watling, 2011: 7, fig. 5, 6.</p> <p> <b>Material examined</b>. INDEMARES 2010: Galicia Bank (northwestern Spain), 23.08.2010, Stn. DR15, 42º29.372’N – 011º51.291’W, 1400 m, two broken fragments.</p> <p> <b>Distribution</b>. This species was previously known only from two seamounts in the New England Seamount Chain at a depth interval of 1970–2529 m (Simpson & Watling 2011). This is the first record from the eastern Atlantic, from the ERMS, and from the European seas. The material collected from the Galicia Bank is the shallowest known occurence for the species.</p> <p> <b>Remarks</b>. The material is very scarce and a redescription is not feasible. It consists of a fragment slightly ramified that is 80.0 mm long and 5.0 mm in diameter, and a fragment 28.0 mm long and 3.0 mm in diameter also faintly ramified. Ramification occurs in a single plane, with branches arising at acute angles; all branches are broken. There is also secondary ramification. Axis is white and slightly oval in cross-section; cross-sections of branches are almost circular (Fig. 7 A). Most soft tissues are lacking in the sample, and there are only a few autozooids, all contracted. They are cylindrically shaped, taller than wide (1.9–2.7 mm in height x 1.4–1.9 mm wide distally), and are lobulated in the upper region. Most of the outer autozooid wall is smooth, not grooved. Siphonozooids are scarce, and occur as small (0.130–0.150 mm in diameter) circular openings in the cortex near the base of the autozooids.</p> <p>Sclerites from cortex are double-clubs wider (0.045–0.064 mm) than high (0.040–0.051 mm), with heads ornamented with more or less pointed projections and sometimes also with a third head, 6-radiates 0.061–0.067 mm long and 0.042–0.049 mm wide, 7-radiates 0.077–0.090 mm long and 0.041–0.053 mm wide, 8-radiates 0.065–0.102 mm long and 0.044–0.059 mm wide, a few crosses 0.065 x 0.066 mm and irregular sclerites (Fig. 7 B). Double-clubs are the most abundant sclerites (58%) followed by 8-radiates (26%). Many double-clubs have a characteristic shape when seen from above (Fig. 7 B, upper row, first sclerite from the right; see also Simpson & Watling 2011, fig. 6A, third row right).</p> <p>Sclerites of the autozooids are similar to those from the cortex. However, the tentacles have abundant rods with sparse thorny sculpture 0.019–0.028 mm wide and 0.095–0.114 mm long, and the pharynx has small 0.021–0.026 mm wide and 0.051–0.068 mm long, spiny rods. Cortex and polyps are white in ethanol.</p> <p> We consider that the material studied herein agrees with <i>C. bayeri</i> as described by Simpson & Watling (2011). The colony has cylindrically-shaped autozooids, abundant double clubs (on the contrary to <i>C. niobe</i>) of a characteristic morphology, irregular radiates, and spiny rods in the tentacles, all similar to the type material. Besides, there is erosion of the axis by a commensal worm, and a small unidentified anemone, similar to that observed by Simpson & Watling (2011), was found on one of the fragments. However, and given that the studied material was scarce, it has been identified with caution (cf.).</p>Published as part of <i>Tu, Tzu-Hsuan, Altuna, Álvaro & Jeng, Ming-Shiou, 2015, Coralliidae (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from the INDEMARES 2010 expedition to north and northwest Spain (northeast Atlantic), with delimitation of a new species using both morphological and molecular approaches, pp. 301-328 in Zootaxa 3926 (3)</i> on page 314, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3926.3.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/194588">http://zenodo.org/record/194588</a&gt

Taxonomic revision of Coralliidae with descriptions of new species from New Caledonia and the Hawaiian Archipelago

The systematics of Coralliidae has been revised based on molecular phylogenetic analysis and detailed morphological studies. This revision has also revealed the existence of new species. In order to fully accomplish this revision, five new species including Hemicorallium aurantiacum sp. nov., Pleurocorallium bonsaiarborum sp. nov., P. clavatum sp. nov., and P. norfolkicum sp. nov. from New Caledonia, and H. guttatum sp. nov. from the Hawaiian Archipelago are described by integrating the phylogenetic inference and morphological comparisons. Moreover, the type specimens of Corallium tortuosum, H. reginae, H. halmaheirense, P. porcellanum and P. kishinouyei as well as non-type specimens of C. stylasteroides are redescribed. The sclerites of H. reginae, H. halmaheirense, P. porcellanum and C. stylasteroides were first depicted by scanning electron microcopy. A thorough comparison between P. porcellanum and P. kishinouyei indicated that they should be regarded as one species and the former was adopted as the senior synonym. The two new species of Hemicorallium can be separated by morphological features based on the result of multiple factor analysis. A key is proposed for the identification of all existing species of Coralliidae