Display omitted
•Topological stability is impacted by taxon sampling, gene number and missing data.•We recover Sepiida and Myopsida as sister groups, with this pair sister to Oegopsida.•Sepioidea ...(Idiosepiida, Sepiida, Sepiolida and Spirulida) is not monophyletic.•Our trees show higher levels of branch support than recovered by multigene datasets.•Our topology differs from trees generated in other recent phylogenomic studies.
Historically, deep-level relationships within the molluscan class Cephalopoda (squids, cuttlefishes, octopods and their relatives) have remained elusive due in part to the considerable morphological diversity of extant taxa, a limited fossil record for species that lack a calcareous shell and difficulties in sampling open ocean taxa. Many conflicts identified by morphologists in the early 1900s remain unresolved today in spite of advances in morphological, molecular and analytical methods. In this study we assess the utility of transcriptome data for resolving cephalopod phylogeny, with special focus on the orders of Decapodiformes (open-eye squids, bobtail squids, cuttlefishes and relatives). To do so, we took new and previously published transcriptome data and used a unique cephalopod core ortholog set to generate a dataset that was subjected to an array of filtering and analytical methods to assess the impacts of: taxon sampling, ortholog number, compositional and rate heterogeneity and incongruence across loci. Analyses indicated that datasets that maximized taxonomic coverage but included fewer orthologs were less stable than datasets that sacrificed taxon sampling to increase the number of orthologs. Clades recovered irrespective of dataset, filtering or analytical method included Octopodiformes (Vampyroteuthis infernalis + octopods), Decapodiformes (squids, cuttlefishes and their relatives), and orders Oegopsida (open-eyed squids) and Myopsida (e.g., loliginid squids). Ordinal-level relationships within Decapodiformes were the most susceptible to dataset perturbation, further emphasizing the challenges associated with uncovering relationships at deep nodes in the cephalopod tree of life.
Abstract Objective Our primary aim was to investigate if women with early or late preeclampsia have different placental perfusion compared with normal pregnancies. A secondary aim was to investigate ...if placental perfusion changes with increasing gestational age in normal pregnancy. Methods The study population included thirteen women with preeclampsia (five with early and eight with late preeclampsia) and nineteen women with normal pregnancy (ten with early and nine with late pregnancy). Early was defined as <34 weeks and late as ≥34 weeks gestation. All women underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination including a diffusion weighted sequence at 1.5 T. The perfusion fraction was calculated. Results Women with early preeclampsia had a smaller placental perfusion fraction ( p = 0.001) and women with late preeclampsia had a larger placental perfusion fraction ( p = 0.011), compared to women with normal pregnancies at the corresponding gestational age. The placental perfusion fraction decreased with increasing gestational age in normal pregnancies ( p = 0.001). Conclusion Both early and late preeclampsia differ in placental perfusion from normal pregnant women. Observed differences are however in the opposite direction, suggesting differences in pathophysiology. Placental perfusion decreases with increasing gestational age in normal pregnancy.
The aim was to identify relationships between combustion conditions, particle characteristics, and optical properties of fresh and photochemically processed emissions from biomass combustion. The ...combustion conditions included nominal and high burn rate operation and individual combustion phases from a conventional wood stove. Low temperature pyrolysis upon fuel addition resulted in “tar-ball” type particles dominated by organic aerosol with an absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) of 2.5–2.7 and estimated Brown Carbon contributions of 50–70% to absorption at the climate relevant aethalometer-wavelength (520 nm). High temperature combustion during the intermediate (flaming) phase was dominated by soot agglomerates with AAE 1.0–1.2 and 85–100% of absorption at 520 nm attributed to Black Carbon. Intense photochemical processing of high burn rate flaming combustion emissions in an oxidation flow reactor led to strong formation of Secondary Organic Aerosol, with no or weak absorption. PM1 mass emission factors (mg/kg) of fresh emissions were about an order of magnitude higher for low temperature pyrolysis compared to high temperature combustion. However, emission factors describing the absorption cross section emitted per kg of fuel consumed (m2/kg) were of similar magnitude at 520 nm for the diverse combustion conditions investigated in this study. These results provide a link between biomass combustion conditions, emitted particle types, and their optical properties in fresh and processed plumes which can be of value for source apportionment and balanced mitigation of biomass combustion emissions from a climate and health perspective.
Lakes are an important ecosystem component and geomorphological agent in northern high latitudes and it is important to understand how lake initiation, expansion and drainage may change as high ...latitudes continue to warm. In this study, we utilized Landsat Multispectral Scanner System images from the 1970s (1972, 1974, and 1975) and Operational Land Imager images from the 2010s (2013, 2014, and 2015) to assess broad-scale distribution and changes of lakes larger than 1 ha across the four permafrost zones (continuous, discontinuous, sporadic, and isolated extent) in western Alaska. Across our 68 000 km2 study area, we saw a decline in overall lake coverage across all permafrost zones with the exception of the sporadic permafrost zone. In the continuous permafrost zone lake area declined by −6.7% (−65.3 km2), in the discontinuous permafrost zone by −1.6% (−55.0 km2), in the isolated permafrost zone by −6.9% (−31.5 km2) while lake cover increased by 2.7% (117.2 km2) in the sporadic permafrost zone. Overall, we observed a net drainage of lakes larger than 10 ha in the study region. Partial drainage of these medium to large lakes created an increase in the area covered by small water bodies <10 ha, in the form of remnant lakes and ponds by 7.1% (12.6 km2) in continuous permafrost, 2.5% (15.5 km2) in discontinuous permafrost, 14.4% (74.6 km2) in sporadic permafrost, and 10.4% (17.2 km2) in isolated permafrost. In general, our observations indicate that lake expansion and drainage in western Alaska are occurring in parallel. As the climate continues to warm and permafrost continues to thaw, we expect an increase in the number of drainage events in this region leading to the formation of higher numbers of small remnant lakes.
Background: Despite the existence of numerous pedagogical models, Aggerholm, Standal, Barker and Larsson 2018. Aggerholm, K., O. Standal, D. M. Barker, and H. Larsson. 2018. "On Practising in ...Physical Education: Outline for a Pedagogical Model." Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy 23 (2): 197-208 recently made a case for the introduction of a new model. Based on the work of German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk, the Movement-Oriented Practising Model (MPM) contains a philosophical rationale, a set of guiding principles, and an illustration of how lessons based on the model could look in the classroom. This paper reports empirical findings from an investigation in which the model was employed. The aim was to discern how students' movement dispositions develop when they take part in lessons guided by the MPM.
Method: Empirical material was produced with one ninth-grade class that took part in ten lessons based on the MPM. Three types of empirical material were generated through observations, focus group interviews, and textual work produced by students. Analysis of the combined data was informed by Gilbert Ryle's 2009. The Concept of Mind. New York: Routledge theory of knowing and dispositions.
Findings: Four descriptive cases are presented. Each case focuses on a student's dispositional development over the course of the ten lessons. Dispositional development involved changes in: the ways students moved, the students' approaches to practicing and performing, and the ways the students described themselves and their learning.
Discussion: The findings are discussed in relation to the philosophy and guiding principles of the MPM. Specifically, we consider: (1) how students developed in unique and personal ways during the module, (2) how dispositional development may not always be observable when students participate in lessons based on the MPM, and, (3) how time impacts upon learning when employing the MPM.
Conclusion: Reflections on practical implications associated with the MPM are put forward and questions for further scholarly consideration are raised.
Aim
Low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer (LAR) entails a risk of symptomatic anastomotic leakage as well as impaired anorectal function, both of which may eventually result in the need for ...a permanent stoma (PS). The aim was to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for PS beyond 5 years following LAR.
Methods
Patients undergoing LAR and included in a multicentre trial with randomization to defunctioning stoma or not were followed for a median of 15 years. The reasons for a PS up to 5 years (PS ≤ 5 years) and beyond 5 years (PS > 5 years) were identified and compared. Risk factors for PS were analysed.
Results
Of all patients, 25% (57/232) had a PS. PS ≤ 5 years occurred in 19% (44/232) at a median of 12.5 months and PS > 5 years in 6% (13/232) at a median of 118 months following LAR. The main reason for PS ≤ 5 years was impaired anorectal function in 55% (24/44) and the main reason for PS > 5 years was pelvic sepsis related to the colorectal anastomosis in 46% (6/13). The major risk factor for PS was symptomatic anastomotic leakage, which occurred in 56% (32/57) of patients with PS and 10% (17/175) of patients without PS (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
One‐fourth of the patients who ended up with a PS had it fashioned beyond 5 years at a median of 10 years following LAR. Symptomatic anastomotic leakage was the major risk factor for PS, and impaired anorectal function was the main overall reason for a PS.
Objectives/Hypothesis
Postoperative wound‐healing complications can be devastating after head and neck surgery. Whereas many patients are expected to have more complications, few objective indicators ...predict these poorer outcomes. We evaluated wound healing in this population by studying the association between biomarkers and surgical outcomes.
Study Design
Prospective cohort study.
Methods
A study was performed of head and neck surgery patients at our tertiary care center, from 2012 to 2015. Postsurgical drain fluid was collected 24 hours postoperatively. Biomarkers of wound healing were assayed. These included interleukin (IL)‐1, ‐6, and ‐8; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α; transforming growth factor β; epidermal growth factor; fibroblast growth factor; C‐reactive protein (CRP); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1; and placental growth factor. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were recorded. Two‐sample, two‐sided t tests evaluated differences in cytokine levels by clinical outcomes.
Results
Twenty‐eight patients were enrolled with drain fluid collection. IL‐1β, IL‐8, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 were significantly higher in the wound fluid of subjects with complications. Patients with longer length of stay in days had statistically higher levels of TNF‐α (P = .011), IL‐6 (P = .021), IL‐8 (P = .004), IL‐1β (P = .004), MMP‐1 (P = .002), MMP‐2 (P = .022), VEGF‐A (P = .038), and CRP (P < .001), and longer length of stay was associated with malignancy. There were no statistically significant associations between baseline clinical characteristics and post‐operative complications.
Conclusions
In this head and neck surgical cohort, higher IL‐1β, IL‐8, and MMP‐9 levels in wound fluid were associated with postoperative complications, and elevation of multiple proinflammatory cytokines was associated with longer length of stay. These findings suggest excessive inflammation in early wound healing may portend poorer clinical outcomes after head and neck surgery.
Level of Evidence
2b
Laryngoscope, 129:E238–E246, 2019
The marine environment is comprised of numerous divergent organisms living under similar selective pressures, often resulting in the evolution of convergent structures such as the fusiform body shape ...of pelagic squids, fishes, and some marine mammals. However, little is known about the frequency of, and circumstances leading to, convergent evolution in the open ocean. Here, we present a comparative study of the molluscan class Cephalopoda, a marine group known to occupy habitats from the intertidal to the deep sea. Several lineages bear features that may coincide with a benthic or pelagic existence, making this a valuable group for testing hypotheses of correlated evolution. To test for convergence and correlation, we generate the most taxonomically comprehensive multi-gene phylogeny of cephalopods to date. We then create a character matrix of habitat type and morphological characters, which we use to infer ancestral character states and test for correlation between habitat and morphology.
Our study utilizes a taxonomically well-sampled phylogeny to show convergent evolution in all six morphological characters we analyzed. Three of these characters also correlate with habitat. The presence of an autogenic photophore (those relying upon autonomous enzymatic light reactions) is correlated with a pelagic habitat, while the cornea and accessory nidamental gland correlate with a benthic lifestyle. Here, we present the first statistical tests for correlation between convergent traits and habitat in cephalopods to better understand the evolutionary history of characters that are adaptive in benthic or pelagic environments, respectively.
Our study supports the hypothesis that habitat has influenced convergent evolution in the marine environment: benthic organisms tend to exhibit similar characteristics that confer protection from invasion by other benthic taxa, while pelagic organisms possess features that facilitate crypsis and communication in an environment lacking physical refuges. Features that have originated multiple times in distantly related lineages are likely adaptive for the organisms inhabiting a particular environment: studying the frequency and evolutionary history of such convergent characters can increase understanding of the underlying forces driving ecological and evolutionary transitions in the marine environment.
The objective of this retrospective study was to test the validity and reliability of a scoring tool (the DIRE Score), for use by clinicians, that predicts which chronic noncancer pain patients will ...have effective analgesia and be compliant with long-term opioid maintenance treatment. DIRE scores were assigned to 61 cases from the pain center's databases. These cases were abstracted into vignettes that were reviewed and scored by 6 physicians. Repeat scoring was carried out on a subset of 30 vignettes after 2 weeks. The main outcome measures were: global impression of compliance and efficacy as indicated in the medical record and by interview with the patient's treating clinician; and final disposition, ie, whether or not opioids were continued or discontinued at the time of last clinical documentation. Internal consistency of the factors making up the DIRE Score was high (Cronbach's alpha = .80). Sensitivity and specificity of the DIRE Score for predicting patient compliance were 94% and 87%, respectively. For efficacy, sensitivity and specificity were 81% and 76%. For disposition, the sensitivity and specificity were 86% and 73%. Intraclass correlation was 0.94 for interrater reliability and 0.95 for intrarater reliability.
Public controversy about the use of long-term opioids for chronic pain fuels physician ambivalence about the prescribing process. In this initial retrospective study, validity and reliability of the DIRE Score are demonstrated. The score correlated well with measures of patient compliance and efficacy of long-term opioid therapy.
Ponds and lakes are abundant in Arctic permafrost lowlands. They play an important role in Arctic wetland ecosystems by regulating carbon, water, and energy fluxes and providing freshwater habitats. ...However, ponds, i.e., waterbodies with surface areas smaller than 1. 0 × 104 m2, have not been inventoried on global and regional scales. The Permafrost Region Pond and Lake (PeRL) database presents the results of a circum-Arctic effort to map ponds and lakes from modern (2002–2013) high-resolution aerial and satellite imagery with a resolution of 5 m or better. The database also includes historical imagery from 1948 to 1965 with a resolution of 6 m or better. PeRL includes 69 maps covering a wide range of environmental conditions from tundra to boreal regions and from continuous to discontinuous permafrost zones. Waterbody maps are linked to regional permafrost landscape maps which provide information on permafrost extent, ground ice volume, geology, and lithology. This paper describes waterbody classification and accuracy, and presents statistics of waterbody distribution for each site. Maps of permafrost landscapes in Alaska, Canada, and Russia are used to extrapolate waterbody statistics from the site level to regional landscape units. PeRL presents pond and lake estimates for a total area of 1. 4 × 106 km2 across the Arctic, about 17 % of the Arctic lowland ( < 300 m a.s.l.) land surface area. PeRL waterbodies with sizes of 1. 0 × 106 m2 down to 1. 0 × 102 m2 contributed up to 21 % to the total water fraction. Waterbody density ranged from 1. 0 × 10 to 9. 4 × 101 km−2. Ponds are the dominant waterbody type by number in all landscapes representing 45–99 % of the total waterbody number. The implementation of PeRL size distributions in land surface models will greatly improve the investigation and projection of surface inundation and carbon fluxes in permafrost lowlands. Waterbody maps, study area boundaries, and maps of regional permafrost landscapes including detailed metadata are available at https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.868349.
PDF
