Trophic modes of large Antarctic Foraminifera: roles of carnivory, omnivory, and detritivory

Astrammina rara, Crithionina delacai, and Notodendrodes hyalinosphaira are 3 of the largest and most abundant members of the foraminiferal assemblage at a shallow-water (28 to 32 m) site in Explorers Cove, Antarctica. This study summarizes observations from 2 decades of research, during which we employed laboratory-based feeding experiments and fatty acid biomarker analysis to characterize trophic dynamics and ecological roles of the 3 species, In feeding experiments, A. rara consumed a variety of co-occurring metazoans (several Crustacea, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and a Nephtys species). C. delacai, N. hyalinosphaira, and a number of other foraminiferal species from Explorers Cove successfully trapped Artemia sp. nauplius prey in a setup designed to examine the efficiency of prey capture. Fatty acid analyses on samples from early (November 7, 2001) and late (January 31, 2002) austral summer revealed that the 3 species contained substantial amounts (33 to 45.5%) of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are produced by microalgae, indicating the downwards transfer of carbon from sea-ice associated primary production. In the case of A. rara, this may be due to the ingestion of herbivorous metazoa, rather than direct uptake of microalgal material. A. rara contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher amounts of the zooplankton biomarkers 20:1(n-9) and 22:1(n-11), and C. delacai contained more PUFAs early, compared to late, in the season. Two morphotypes of N. hyalinosphaira had different fatty acid Profiles, indicating distinct trophotypes. Our results illustrate specific adaptations to different trophic resources in these protists, and they demonstrate the potential impact that large carnivorous species of Foraminifera may have on the structure of benthic communities where they are abundant

YKL-40, a Marker of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Encephalitis, Modulates the Biological Activity of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor

Human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis causes dementia in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients. Using proteomic analysis of postmortem cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue from the simian immunodeficiency virus primate model, we demonstrate here a specific increase in YKL-40 that was tightly associated with lentiviral encephalitis. Longitudinal analysis of CSF from simian immunodeficiency virus-infected pigtailed macaques showed an increase in YKL-40 concentration 2 to 8 weeks before death from encephalitis. This increase in YKL-40 correlated with an increase in CSF viral load; it may therefore represent a biomarker for the development of encephalitis. Analysis of banked human CSF from human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients also demonstrated a correlation between YKL-40 concentration and CSF viral load. In vitro studies demonstrated increased YKL-40 expression and secretion by macrophages and microglia but not by neurons or astrocytes. We found that YKL40 displaced extracellular matrix-bound basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as well as inhibited the mitogenic activity of both fibroblast growth factor receptor 1-expressing BaF3 cells and bFGF-induced axonal branching in hippocampal cultures. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that during lentiviral encephalitis, YKL-40 may interfere with the biological activity of bFGF and potentially of other heparin-binding growth factors and chemokines that can affect neuronal function or survival

Lessons learned from the eMERGE Network: balancing genomics in discovery and practice

The Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network, established in 2007, is a consortium of academic and integrated health systems conducting discovery and implementation research in translational genomics. Here, we outline the history of the network, highlight major impacts and lessons learned, and present the tools and resources developed for large-scale genomic analyses and translation into a clinical setting. The network developed methods to extract phenotypes from the electronic medical record to perform genome-wide and phenome-wide association studies. Recruited cohorts were clinically sequenced off a custom panel for targeted sequencing of variants and monogenic disease risks and returned to participants to investigate the impact of return of genomic results. After generating a 105,000 participant-imputed genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset for discovery, the network enrolled and sequenced 24,998 participants. Integration of these results into the medical record and the effects of results on participants provided key lessons to the field. These learned lessons inform genetic research in diverse populations and provide insights into the clinical impact of return and implementation of genomic medicine using the electronic medical record. The lessons produced by the eMERGE Network can be utilized by other consortia as translational genomic medicine research evolves

Global impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wave on vascular services

This online structured survey has demonstrated the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vascular services. The majority of centres have documented marked reductions in operating and services provided to vascular patients. In the months during recovery from the resource restrictions imposed during the pandemic peaks, there will be a significant vascular disease burden awaiting surgeons. One of the most affected specialtie

Documenting the Recovery of Vascular Services in European Centres Following the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Peak: Results from a Multicentre Collaborative Study

Objective: To document the recovery of vascular services in Europe following the first COVID-19 pandemic peak. Methods: An online structured vascular service survey with repeated data entry between 23 March and 9 August 2020 was carried out. Unit level data were collected using repeated questionnaires addressing modifications to vascular services during the first peak (March - May 2020, "period 1"), and then again between May and June ("period 2") and June and July 2020 ("period 3"). The duration of each period was similar. From 2 June, as reductions in cases began to be reported, centres were first asked if they were in a region still affected by rising cases, or if they had passed the peak of the first wave. These centres were asked additional questions about adaptations made to their standard pathways to permit elective surgery to resume. Results: The impact of the pandemic continued to be felt well after countries' first peak was thought to have passed in 2020. Aneurysm screening had not returned to normal in 21.7% of centres. Carotid surgery was still offered on a case by case basis in 33.8% of centres, and only 52.9% of centres had returned to their normal aneurysm threshold for surgery. Half of centres (49.4%) believed their management of lower limb ischaemia continued to be negatively affected by the pandemic. Reduced operating theatre capacity continued in 45.5% of centres. Twenty per cent of responding centres documented a backlog of at least 20 aortic repairs. At least one negative swab and 14 days of isolation were the most common strategies used for permitting safe elective surgery to recommence. Conclusion: Centres reported a broad return of services approaching pre-pandemic "normal" by July 2020. Many introduced protocols to manage peri-operative COVID-19 risk. Backlogs in cases were reported for all major vascular surgeries