Search

As part of the American Diabetes Association Precision Medicine in Diabetes Initiative (PMDI) – a partnership with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) – this systematic review is part of a comprehensive evidence evaluation in support of the 2 (nd) International Consensus Report on Precision Diabetes Medicine. Here, we sought to synthesize evidence from empirical research papers published through September 1 (st) , 2021 to evaluate and identify prognostic conditions, risk factors, and biomarkers among women and children affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), focusing on clinical endpoints of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) among women with a history of GDM; and adiposity and cardiometabolic profile among offspring exposed to GDM in utero. We identified a total of 107 observational studies and 12 randomized controlled trials testing the effect of pharmaceutical and/or lifestyle interventions. Broadly, current literature indicates that greater GDM severity, higher maternal body mass index, belonging to racial/ethnic minority group; and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors would predict a woman’s risk of incident T2D and CVD, and an unfavorable cardiometabolic profile among offspring. However, the level of evidence is low (Level 4 according to the Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for diabetes prognosis) largely because most studies leveraged retrospective data from large registries that are vulnerable to residual confounding and reverse causation bias; and prospective cohort studies that may suffer selection and attrition bias. Moreover, for the offspring outcomes, we identified a relatively small body of literature on prognostic factors indicative of future adiposity and cardiometabolic risk. Future high-quality prospective cohort studies in diverse populations with granular data collection on prognostic factors, clinical and subclinical outcomes, high fidelity of follow-up, and appropriate analytical approaches to deal with structural biases are warranted.

This work is a collaboration between BioRISC (the Biosecurity Research Initiative at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge), Conservation Evidence based in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge and the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk. It was created by documenting our experience of options, consulting guidance, contacting people working in different countries to explore the range of options and crowd-sourcing ideas through social media. We welcome suggestions for options missed (especially those implemented outside of the UK), innovations for novel options or means of improving existing options. Please contact biorisc@caths.cam.ac.uk. You can also view the list of options on the BioRISC website (https://covid-19.biorisc.com/) or customise the list yourself using this app we developed (https://alecchristie888.shinyapps.io/Covid_19_options/).

This solutions scan was initiated as a collaboration between BioRISC (the Biosecurity Research Initiative at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge), Conservation Evidence based in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, and numerous other researchers worldwide. This document can be viewed as accompanying the solution scan of non-pharmaceutical actions undertaken for reducing the transmission risks of COVID-19 (Sutherland et al. 2020).

Heterozygous mutations in GCK result in a persistent, mildly raised glucose from birth, but it is usually diagnosed in adulthood as maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), where hyperglycemia is often an incidental finding. The hyperglycemia of GCK-MODY is benign and does not require treatment, but is important to be aware of, particularly in females where it has implications for managing pregnancy. We present three cases of neonatal hyperglycemia resulting from a heterozygous mutation in GCK, illustrating its clinical presentation and evolution in early life. In summary, as with adults, neonatal hyperglycemia is an incidental finding, does not require treatment and has no adverse consequences for health. Neonates and their parents should be referred for genetic testing to confirm the diagnosis, avoid a label of diabetes and enable pregnancy counselling for females found to be affected.

Full abstract submitted to EASD-SGGD. Accompanies poster presentation.

Additional file 2: Supplementary tables S2-S6. This file contains the supplementary tables for this paper.

Author contributions to study described on poster.

submitted to Paula Rantakallio Symposium and selected for poster presentation

Presented poster slides at the Paula Rantakallio Symposium 2022 Submtited abstract title: "A multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of umbilical cord insulin and C-peptide measurements will form the basis of an important future bioresource"

References for DUKPC 2022 oral presentations

Key references for poster presentation Submitted abstract title: "A multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of umbilical cord insulin and C-peptide measurements will form the basis of an important future bioresource"

Poster at Paula Rantakallio Symposium 2022. Submitted abstract title: "A multi-ancestry GWAS of umbilical cord insulin and C-peptide measurements will form the basis of an important future bioresource"

submitted for CATAC. Accompanies poster presentation.

Additional file 1. Supplementary figures.

Additional file 2: Supplementary tables S2-S6. This file contains the supplementary tables for this paper.

The commercial trade in frogs and their body parts is global, dynamic, and occurs in extremely large volumes (in the thousands of tonnes/yr or billions of frogs/yr). The European Union remains the single largest importer of frogs’ legs, with most frogs still caught from the wild. Among the many drivers of species extinction or population decline (e.g., due to habitat loss, climate change, disease, etc.), overexploitation is becoming increasingly more prominent. Because ofglobal declines and extinctions, new attention is being focused on these markets, in part to try to ensure sustainability. While the trade is plagued by daunting realities of data deficiency and uncertainty, and the conflicts of commercial interests associated with these data, one of the only things that is clear is that EU countries are most responsible for the largest portion the international trade in frogs’ legs of wild species. Over decades of exploitation, the EU imports have contributed to a decline in wild frog populations in an increasing number of supplying countries, such as India and Bangladesh, as well as Indonesia, Turkey, and Albania more recently. However, there have been no concerted attempts by the EU and the export countries to ensure sustainability of this trade. Further work is needed to validate species identities, secure data on wild frog populations, establish reasonable monitored harvest/export quotas and disease surveillance, and ensure data integrity, quality, and security standards for frog farms. Herein, we call upon those countries and their representative governments, to assume responsibility for the sustainability of the trade. The EU should take immediate action to channel all imports through a single centralized database and list sensitive species in the Annexes of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation. Further listing in CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) can enforce international trade restrictions. More joint-efforts are needed to improve regional monitoring schemes before the commercial trade causes irreversible extinctions of populations and species of frogs.

Birdwatching is a global phenomenon involving many thousands of people. Citizen science generates data providing insights into global patterns of bird distribution across space and time, yet how the pandemic may cast a longer shadow remains unassessed. Here, we explore whether pandemic restrictions influenced observations globally from 2020-May 2021, considering also GDPc and tourism income. We analysed 10,338 bird species (93% of all bird species) and found that whilst high-income regions recover to pre-pandemic assessment rates quickly, middle and low-income regions remain at low levels. Furthermore, protected areas see huge losses in recorded richness. Whilst observer count increased overall, the number of bird species recorded dramatically decreased, especially in 2020. These trends are most marked in developing countries and regions, especially where tourism is important. Due to increased bushmeat consumption during the pandemic, some species may become more threatened, but with no data we cannot yet discern such trends.

We present the results of our 13th annual horizon scan of issues likely to impact biodiversity conservation. Issues are either novel within the biological conservation sector or could cause a substantial step-change in impact, either globally or regionally. Our global panel of 26 scientists and practitioners identified 15 issues that we believe represent the highest priorities for tracking and action. Many of the issues we identified, including the impact of satellite megaconstellations, and the use of long-distance wireless energy transfer, have elements of threats and emerging opportunities. The recent state-sponsored application to commence deep-sea mining represents a significant step-change in impact. We hope that this horizon scan will increase research and policy attention on the highlighted issues.

Hemiphyllodactylus zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. Zhutangxiang slender gecko Holotype. Adult male (KIZ061157) collected on 21 August 2018 by Ade P. Agung, Ada Chornelia, Jianmei Lu, L. Lee Grismer, Jesse L. Grismer, Evan S.H. Quah, Brian Folt, and Myin Kyaw Thura from forested karst approximately 1 km northwest of Zhutangxiang town, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China (22.72345°N, 99.80087°E; 1499 m in elevation). Paratypes. Four adult females (KIZ061156, KIZ061158–60) bear the same data as the holotype, two adult males (KIZ061164, KIZ061166) and six adult females (KIZ061161–63, KIZ061165, KIZ061167–68) were collected on 26 June 2019 by Ade P. Agung, Jianmei Lu and Yang Zongbao from karst forest nearby Zhutangxiang town, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China (22.732306°N 99.798167°E; 1492 m in elevation). Diagnosis. Hemiphyllodactylus zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by having the unique combination of a maximum SVL of 44.42 mm; 7–9 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; five circumnasal scales; 2–4 internasal scales; 8–11 supralabial scales; 8–11 infralabial scales; subdigital lamellae on fingers II–V (3–5)-(4–6)-(4 or 5)-(4 or 5); subdigital lamellae on toes II–V (4 or 5)-(4 or 5)-(4–6)-(4 or 5); dorsal scales 11–15; ventral scales 5–7; having pale-grey base color on body with various transverse blotched patterns on the dorsal side; a dark postorbital stripe extending to at least base of neck; no dorsolateral or ventrolateral stripe on trunk; postsacral marking bearing dark fork-like pattern with anteriorly projecting arms. Description of holotype. Adult male, SVL 41.35 mm; head triangular in dorsal profile, depressed, distinct from neck (HL 7.20 mm; HW 7.57 mm); lores flat; snout long (SnEye 3.95 mm; SnEye/HL 55%), narrow (SnW 1.40 mm; SnW/HW 16%); eye large (ED 2.12 mm; ED/HL 30%); rostral scale wider than high, bordered posteriorly by two large supranasals and four internasals (IS); nares bordered anteriorly by rostral scale, ventrally by first supralabial scale, dorsally by supranasal scale, posteriorly by two postnasals; supralabials square, 9/9 (left/right), tapering from rostral to a point in line with posterior margin of orbit (SL); infralabials square, 9/9 (left/right), tapering from mental to a point in line with posterior margin of orbit (IL); scales on head small, rounded, largest on rostrum; mental triangular, bordered by first infralabials and posteriorly by two enlarged postmentals; each postmental bordered anterolaterally by first infralabial; eight chin scales touching internal edges of infralabials from juncture of the 2nd and the 3rd on left and right and mental scale (Chin); scales in gular region rounded, non-overlapping, becoming larger and more ovoid on venter. Robust body type and small, (TrunkL/SVL 48%), dorsoventrally compressed; dorsal body scales small, granular, 11 dorsal scales at midbody contained within one eye diameter; ventral body scales smooth and flat, much larger than dorsal scales, subimbricate, five ventral scales at midbody contained within one eye diameter; fore-limbs relatively short, covered dorsally with granular, subimbricate scales, smaller smooth scales ventrally; palmar scales flat, unevenly shaped, non-overlapping; finger I vestigial, clawless, fingers II–V welldeveloped; proximal subdigital lamellae undivided, rectangular; distal subdigital lamellae divided and undivided, angular, U-shaped, except terminal lamellae rounded, undivided; lamellar formula on fingers II–V (4)-(4)-(4)-(4) on left hand and (3)-(4)-(4)-(4) on right hand; claws on fingers II–V well-developed, unsheathed, strongly curved; hind limbs short, covered dorsally with granular, subimbricate scales, smaller smooth scales ventrally; plantar scales flat, unevenly shaped, non-overlapping; toe I vestigial, clawless, toes II–V well-developed; proximal subdigital lamellae undivided, rectangular; distal subdigital lamellae divided and undivided, angular, U-shaped, except terminal lamellae rounded, undivided; lamellar formula on toes II–V (4)-(4)-(4)-(4) on both feet; claws on toes II–V welldeveloped, unsheathed, strongly curved; cloacal spurs (CloacS) one on each side; tail long, original (TL 37.40 mm; TL/SVL 90%), round in cross-section, dorsal scales on tail larger than on body and head, smaller than subcaudals, no plate-like subcaudal scales. Coloration in life (Figure 5). All Hemiphyllodactylus are known to have the ability to considerably change the intensity and boldness of their coloration and pattern. The description below was taken when the holotype was photographed in the morning after it had been captured. The base color of the dorsal side of the head, body, and limbs are pale-grey and densely mottled with darker markings; top of head overlain with dark blotches; dark pre-and postorbital stripes extend from the external nares, through eye to just anterior of forelimb insertion on the body; postsacral marking bearing dark fork-like pattern with anteriorly projecting arms; limbs bearing irregularly shaped, diffuse, dark markings; tail bearing irregularly shaped, dark and light colored alternating markings; abdomen unicolor grey. Variation. Coloration of this species varies considerably (Figure 5). Variation of mensural and meristic data are presented in Table 6. Distribution. Hemiphyllodactylus zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. is at present only known from the type localities nearby Zhutangxiang town, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China (Figure 7). ......continued on the next page ......continued on the next page Natural history. The holotype was collected together with the four paratypes (KIZ061156, KIZ061158–60) in the evening on 21 August 2018 on the cement wall of an abandoned building which was surrounded by cement mining activities in a forested karst area approximately 1 km northwest of Zhutangxiang town (Figure 6). The other eight paratypes (KIZ061161–68) were collected together in the evening on 26 June 2019 approximately 1 km further north from the holotype’s locality, in another cement mine within an area of forested karst. The specimens were also collected when they were crawling on the cement wall of an abandoned building. Etymology. The specific epithet, zhutangxiangensis, refers to the name of the town Zhutangxiang in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China, close to where the specimens were found. Morphological comparisons. We statistically compared the new species with Hemiphyllodactylus changningensis in its sister lineage, in clade 3 (see results, Table 5, and Figure 4). In addition, in terms of body ratios, H. zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. differs from H. changningensis, H. zalonicus, and H. longlingensis by having a shorter head (HL/SVL = 0.17–0.20 versus 0.22–0.25, 0.22–0.23, 0.22–0.24, respectively); wider head (HW/HL = 1.03–1.13 versus 0.72–0.80, 0.68, 0.75–0.80, respectively); greater SnEye distance (SnEye/HL = 0.53–0.60 versus 0.41–0.49, 0.40–0.42, 0.42–0.45, respectively); greater NarEye distance (NarEye/HL = 0.39–0.44 versus 0.30–0.37, 0.28–0.31, 0.29–0.34, respectively); larger eyes (ED/HL = 0.30–0.36 versus 0.21–0.25, 0.23–0.30, 0.22–0.25, respectively); a wider snout (SnW/HL = 0.19–0.22 versus 0.12–0.16, 0.14, 0.12–0.14, respectively). In terms of scalation, the new species differs from H. changningensis by having more CN (five versus three or four); differs from H. zalonicus by having fewer VS and DS (5–7 versus 9–10, and 11–15 versus 17–18, respectively). For the lamellar, femoroprecloacal pores, and coloration, the new species differs from H. changningensis and H. zalonicus by having more lamellae on the hand (3–5)-(4–6)-(4 or 5)-(4 or 5) versus (3)-(3 or 4)-(3 or 4)-(3), and (3)-(3)-(3)-(3), respectively); more lamellae on the foot (4 or 5)-(4 or 5)-(4–6)-(4 or 5) versus (3)-(3 or 4)-(3 or 4)-(3 or 4), and (3)-(4)-(4)-(4), respectively). Furthermore, H. zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. also differs from H. changningensis by having dark transverse blotches on the dorsum, while such blotching is absent in the later; the absence of a dark reticulate dorsal pattern, present on the later; and having a fork-like dark-colored postsacral marking, that is absent in the later. It also differs from H. zalonicus by having more femoroprecloacal pores (20–23 versus 16–20); having dark transverse dorsal blotches, while these are absent in the later; having a fork-like dark-colored postsacral marking, that is absent or indistinct in the later (see Table 7 for comparative values)., Published as part of Agung, Ade Prasetyo, Grismer, L. Lee, Grismer, Jesse L., Quah, Evan S. H., Chornelia, Ada, Lu, Jianmei & Hughes, Alice C., 2021, A new species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Yunnan, China and its phylogenetic relationship to other congeners, pp. 1-27 in Zootaxa 4980 (1) on pages 11-24, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4980.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4882802, {"references":["Grismer, L. L., Chit, M. T., Pawangkhanant, P., Nazarov, R. A., Zaw, T. & Poyarkov, N. A. (2020 b) The phylogeny of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with a description of a new species from the Mangin Range, Sagaing Region, northern Myanmar. Journal of Natural History, 54, 1913 - 1931. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222933.2020.1833095","Guo, W., Zhou, K., Yan, J. & Li, P. (2015) A new species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from western Yunnan, China. Zootaxa, 3974 (3), 377 - 390. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3974.3.5"]}

Hemiphyllodactylus zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. Zhutangxiang slender gecko Holotype. Adult male (KIZ061157) collected on 21 August 2018 by Ade P. Agung, Ada Chornelia, Jianmei Lu, L. Lee Grismer, Jesse L. Grismer, Evan S.H. Quah, Brian Folt, and Myin Kyaw Thura from forested karst approximately 1 km northwest of Zhutangxiang town, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China (22.72345°N, 99.80087°E; 1499 m in elevation). Paratypes. Four adult females (KIZ061156, KIZ061158–60) bear the same data as the holotype, two adult males (KIZ061164, KIZ061166) and six adult females (KIZ061161–63, KIZ061165, KIZ061167–68) were collected on 26 June 2019 by Ade P. Agung, Jianmei Lu and Yang Zongbao from karst forest nearby Zhutangxiang town, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China (22.732306°N 99.798167°E; 1492 m in elevation). Diagnosis. Hemiphyllodactylus zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by having the unique combination of a maximum SVL of 44.42 mm; 7–9 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; five circumnasal scales; 2–4 internasal scales; 8–11 supralabial scales; 8–11 infralabial scales; subdigital lamellae on fingers II–V (3–5)-(4–6)-(4 or 5)-(4 or 5); subdigital lamellae on toes II–V (4 or 5)-(4 or 5)-(4–6)-(4 or 5); dorsal scales 11–15; ventral scales 5–7; having pale-grey base color on body with various transverse blotched patterns on the dorsal side; a dark postorbital stripe extending to at least base of neck; no dorsolateral or ventrolateral stripe on trunk; postsacral marking bearing dark fork-like pattern with anteriorly projecting arms. Description of holotype. Adult male, SVL 41.35 mm; head triangular in dorsal profile, depressed, distinct from neck (HL 7.20 mm; HW 7.57 mm); lores flat; snout long (SnEye 3.95 mm; SnEye/HL 55%), narrow (SnW 1.40 mm; SnW/HW 16%); eye large (ED 2.12 mm; ED/HL 30%); rostral scale wider than high, bordered posteriorly by two large supranasals and four internasals (IS); nares bordered anteriorly by rostral scale, ventrally by first supralabial scale, dorsally by supranasal scale, posteriorly by two postnasals; supralabials square, 9/9 (left/right), tapering from rostral to a point in line with posterior margin of orbit (SL); infralabials square, 9/9 (left/right), tapering from mental to a point in line with posterior margin of orbit (IL); scales on head small, rounded, largest on rostrum; mental triangular, bordered by first infralabials and posteriorly by two enlarged postmentals; each postmental bordered anterolaterally by first infralabial; eight chin scales touching internal edges of infralabials from juncture of the 2nd and the 3rd on left and right and mental scale (Chin); scales in gular region rounded, non-overlapping, becoming larger and more ovoid on venter. Robust body type and small, (TrunkL/SVL 48%), dorsoventrally compressed; dorsal body scales small, granular, 11 dorsal scales at midbody contained within one eye diameter; ventral body scales smooth and flat, much larger than dorsal scales, subimbricate, five ventral scales at midbody contained within one eye diameter; fore-limbs relatively short, covered dorsally with granular, subimbricate scales, smaller smooth scales ventrally; palmar scales flat, unevenly shaped, non-overlapping; finger I vestigial, clawless, fingers II–V welldeveloped; proximal subdigital lamellae undivided, rectangular; distal subdigital lamellae divided and undivided, angular, U-shaped, except terminal lamellae rounded, undivided; lamellar formula on fingers II–V (4)-(4)-(4)-(4) on left hand and (3)-(4)-(4)-(4) on right hand; claws on fingers II–V well-developed, unsheathed, strongly curved; hind limbs short, covered dorsally with granular, subimbricate scales, smaller smooth scales ventrally; plantar scales flat, unevenly shaped, non-overlapping; toe I vestigial, clawless, toes II–V well-developed; proximal subdigital lamellae undivided, rectangular; distal subdigital lamellae divided and undivided, angular, U-shaped, except terminal lamellae rounded, undivided; lamellar formula on toes II–V (4)-(4)-(4)-(4) on both feet; claws on toes II–V welldeveloped, unsheathed, strongly curved; cloacal spurs (CloacS) one on each side; tail long, original (TL 37.40 mm; TL/SVL 90%), round in cross-section, dorsal scales on tail larger than on body and head, smaller than subcaudals, no plate-like subcaudal scales. Coloration in life (Figure 5). All Hemiphyllodactylus are known to have the ability to considerably change the intensity and boldness of their coloration and pattern. The description below was taken when the holotype was photographed in the morning after it had been captured. The base color of the dorsal side of the head, body, and limbs are pale-grey and densely mottled with darker markings; top of head overlain with dark blotches; dark pre-and postorbital stripes extend from the external nares, through eye to just anterior of forelimb insertion on the body; postsacral marking bearing dark fork-like pattern with anteriorly projecting arms; limbs bearing irregularly shaped, diffuse, dark markings; tail bearing irregularly shaped, dark and light colored alternating markings; abdomen unicolor grey. Variation. Coloration of this species varies considerably (Figure 5). Variation of mensural and meristic data are presented in Table 6. Distribution. Hemiphyllodactylus zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. is at present only known from the type localities nearby Zhutangxiang town, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China (Figure 7). ......continued on the next page ......continued on the next page Natural history. The holotype was collected together with the four paratypes (KIZ061156, KIZ061158–60) in the evening on 21 August 2018 on the cement wall of an abandoned building which was surrounded by cement mining activities in a forested karst area approximately 1 km northwest of Zhutangxiang town (Figure 6). The other eight paratypes (KIZ061161–68) were collected together in the evening on 26 June 2019 approximately 1 km further north from the holotype’s locality, in another cement mine within an area of forested karst. The specimens were also collected when they were crawling on the cement wall of an abandoned building. Etymology. The specific epithet, zhutangxiangensis, refers to the name of the town Zhutangxiang in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China, close to where the specimens were found. Morphological comparisons. We statistically compared the new species with Hemiphyllodactylus changningensis in its sister lineage, in clade 3 (see results, Table 5, and Figure 4). In addition, in terms of body ratios, H. zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. differs from H. changningensis, H. zalonicus, and H. longlingensis by having a shorter head (HL/SVL = 0.17–0.20 versus 0.22–0.25, 0.22–0.23, 0.22–0.24, respectively); wider head (HW/HL = 1.03–1.13 versus 0.72–0.80, 0.68, 0.75–0.80, respectively); greater SnEye distance (SnEye/HL = 0.53–0.60 versus 0.41–0.49, 0.40–0.42, 0.42–0.45, respectively); greater NarEye distance (NarEye/HL = 0.39–0.44 versus 0.30–0.37, 0.28–0.31, 0.29–0.34, respectively); larger eyes (ED/HL = 0.30–0.36 versus 0.21–0.25, 0.23–0.30, 0.22–0.25, respectively); a wider snout (SnW/HL = 0.19–0.22 versus 0.12–0.16, 0.14, 0.12–0.14, respectively). In terms of scalation, the new species differs from H. changningensis by having more CN (five versus three or four); differs from H. zalonicus by having fewer VS and DS (5–7 versus 9–10, and 11–15 versus 17–18, respectively). For the lamellar, femoroprecloacal pores, and coloration, the new species differs from H. changningensis and H. zalonicus by having more lamellae on the hand (3–5)-(4–6)-(4 or 5)-(4 or 5) versus (3)-(3 or 4)-(3 or 4)-(3), and (3)-(3)-(3)-(3), respectively); more lamellae on the foot (4 or 5)-(4 or 5)-(4–6)-(4 or 5) versus (3)-(3 or 4)-(3 or 4)-(3 or 4), and (3)-(4)-(4)-(4), respectively). Furthermore, H. zhutangxiangensis sp. nov. also differs from H. changningensis by having dark transverse blotches on the dorsum, while such blotching is absent in the later; the absence of a dark reticulate dorsal pattern, present on the later; and having a fork-like dark-colored postsacral marking, that is absent in the later. It also differs from H. zalonicus by having more femoroprecloacal pores (20–23 versus 16–20); having dark transverse dorsal blotches, while these are absent in the later; having a fork-like dark-colored postsacral marking, that is absent or indistinct in the later (see Table 7 for comparative values).

Additional file 7: Table S6. Significant values (P < 0.001) of TreeSAAP positive and negative z-score for amino acid physiochemical properties among radical categories 6, 7 and 8.

Additional file 2: Table S2. Length and base composition of each genomic component for species used in this study.

Additional file 5: Figure S1. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed from each single gene in MrBayes and posterior probability values are shown on the nodes.

Additional file 6: Table S5. Results of positive selection based on site model and branch-site model testing in protein-coding mitochondrial genes.

Additional file 3: Table S3. PCR primers used in this study.

Extended data file for Wellcome Open Research manuscript (16097) Hughes AE, Hayes MG, Egan AM et al. All thresholds of maternal hyperglycaemia from the WHO 2013 criteria for gestational diabetes identify women with a higher genetic risk for type 2 diabetes.

Additional file 4: Table S4. Polymorphic sites of 13 PCGs, 2 rRNA genes and the combined 22 tRNA genes for species in this study, and the mutation number of each single PCGs in specieslow is shown.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Voucher numbers of samples used in this study.

The file contains an extended data table with sensitivity analyses adjusting the genetic scores for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and age and a figure with a directed acyclic graph (DAG) showing how the relationships between the genetic scores and GDM diagnostic category are not driven by maternal pre-pregnancy BMI or age.

Using genetic scores for fasting plasma glucose (FPG GS) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D GS), we investigated whether different diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes (GDM) have different implications for genetic susceptibility to later T2D in women from the the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) and Atlantic Diabetes in Pregnancy (DIP) studies. To investigate different features of WHO (1999) and IADPSG (2010) criteria for diagnosing GDM, cases were divided into three subgroups: (i) FPG ≥5.1 mmol/L only, n=261; (ii) 2-hour glucose post 75 g oral glucose load ≥7.8 mmol/L only, n=305); and (iii) both FPG ≥5.1 mmol/L and 2-hour glucose ≥7.8 mmol/L, n=135. We compared the FPG and T2D genetic scores of these groups with controls (n=3,083). GDM as defined by fasting hyperglycemia was associated with a higher genetic score for both FPG and T2D, whether or not 2-hour glucose was also raised. GDM defined only by 2-hour hyperglycemia, was associated with a higher T2D GS, but not a higher FPG GS. The T2D GS was similar whether the fasting glucose alone, 2-hour glucose alone, or both fasting and 2-hour glucose were raised. Thus, the newest criteria identify women with a genetic predisposition to T2D who may not have been identified by previous criteria.

CONTEXT: Previous studies have shown reduced placental levels of 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) in preeclampsia (PE). However, it is unknown if the maternal cortisol-to-cortisone ratio is predictive of placental complications of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the maternal serum cortisol-to-cortisone ratio at different stages of pregnancy and the risk of PE or fetal growth restriction (FGR). DESIGN: Women from the Pregnancy Outcome Prediction Study experiencing PE (n = 194) or FGR (n = 185), plus a random sample of healthy controls (n = 279), were studied. Steroids were measured at ∼12, ∼20, ∼28, and ∼36 weeks of gestational age (wkGA). Separate analyses were performed for outcomes with term or preterm delivery. Associations were modeled using logistic regression. RESULTS: At 28 wkGA, the cortisol-to-cortisone ratio was negatively associated (OR per 1 SD increase, 95% CI)] with preterm PE (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.57), term PE (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.76), and preterm FGR (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.85). At 36 wkGA, the cortisol-to-cortisone ratio was negatively associated with term PE (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.55) but not term FGR (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.31). Associations were not materially affected by adjustment for maternal characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: A lower maternal serum cortisol-to-cortisone ratio precedes clinical manifestation of PE and preterm FGR by many weeks, despite previous reports of reduced levels of placental 11βHSD2 in these conditions. Our observations implicate enhanced maternal 11βHSD2 activity or reduced 11βHSD type 1 activity in the pathophysiology of PE.

Southeast (SE) Asia holds high regional biodiversity and endemism levels but is also one of the world's most threatened regions. Local, regional and global threats could have severe consequences for the future survival of many species and the provision of ecosystem services.In the face of myriad pressing environmental problems, we carried out a research prioritisation exercise involving 64 experts whose research relates to conservation biology and sustainability in SE Asia. Experts proposed the most pressing research questions which, if answered, would advance the goals of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in SE Asia. We received a total of 333 questions through three rounds of elicitation, ranked them (by votes) following a workshop and grouped them into themes.The top 100 questions depict SE Asia as a region where strong pressures on biodiversity interact in complex and poorly understood ways. They point to a lack of information about multiple facets of the environment, while exposing the many threats to biodiversity and human wellbeing. The themes that emerged indicate the need to evaluate specific drivers of biodiversity loss (wildlife harvesting, agricultural expansion, climate change, infrastructure development, pollution) and even to identify which species and habitats are most at risk. They also suggest the need to study the effectiveness of practice-based solutions (protected areas, ecological restoration), the human dimension (social interventions, organisational systems and processes and, the impacts of biodiversity loss and conservation interventions on people). Finally, they highlight gaps in fundamental knowledge of ecosystem function. These 100 questions should help prioritise and coordinate research, conservation, education and outreach activities and the distribution of scarce conservation resources in SE Asia.

Supplemental Material for Small Things Matter: The Value of Rapid Biodiversity Surveys to Understanding Local Bird Diversity Patterns in Southcentral Mindanao, Philippines by Krizler Cejuela Tanalgo, Marion John Michael M. Achondo and Alice C. Hughes in Tropical Conservation Science

Anthropogenic caused environmental changes coupled with rapid population growth are altering the Earth’s biota at unprecedented rates, posing an alarming threat to the long-term persistence of many species of both animals and plants and so, a science-based prioritisation encompassing multiple dimensions is necessary. In the over 7000 Islands of the Philippine archipelago, a large proportion of bat diversity constitute the mammalian fauna of the country, which performs various ecological functions. However, many species are in need of high conservation attention yet the level and understanding of their vulnerability remain anecdotal. In this study, we aim to determine the vulnerability of Philippine bat species from different threats, which is important to establish effective conservation decision making and prioritisation in the future. We found that habitat loss and direct human-driven (e.g., hunting) is the main threat to more than half of the Philippine bat species. As expected, threatened and endemic species are facing higher levels of vulnerability with the strong positive relationship between Species Vulnerability Index (SVI) and Absolute Number of Threats. However, a weak relationship between Species-Research Effort Allocation (SREA) and SVI indicating a strong disparity in efforts and priorities among species. Given the high species richness, endemism, vulnerabilities, and disparity in efforts, the Philippine is indeed a conservation hotspot for bat biodiversity. We suggest that priorities should holistically consider multiple facets in knowledge paucity, levels of threats and species vulnerability for effective conservation process. Eyeing carefully on the emerging and unknown threats, increasing conservation education, and forging equitable partnerships and capacity building to bolster bat conservation in the Philippines.

Effective science-based conservation priorities and policies are crucially important to effectively maintain biodiversity into the future. For many threatened species and systems insufficient information exists to generate priorities, or the mechanisms needed to effectively conserve species into the future, and this is especially important in megadiversity countries like the Philippines, threatened by rapid rates of development and with few overarching strategies to maintain their biodiversity. Here, using a bibliographic approach to indicate research strengths and priorities, we summarised scientific information on Philippine bats from 2000-2017. We examine relationships between thematic areas and effort allocated for each species bat guild, and conservation status. We found that an average of 7.9 studies was published annually with the majority focused on diversity and community surveys. However, research effort is not even between taxonomic groups, thematic areas or species, with disproportionate effort focusing on ‘taxonomy and systematics’ and ‘ecology’. Species effort allocation between threatened and less threatened species does not show a significant difference, though this may be because generalist species are found in many studies, whereas rarer species have single species studies devoted to them. A growing collaborative effort in bat conservation initiatives in the Philippines has focused on the protection of many endemic and threatened species (e.g., flying foxes) and their habitats. The implementation of conservation relevant policies, outreach programs, capacity building, and mainstreaming of evidence-based conservation are encouraged to strengthen bat conservation in the Philippines.

A brief explanation as to why the author took up the research for this thesis. She grew up in a family that on both sides was enamoured of musical theatre. Singing round the piano, with excerpts from operettas and musicals, was a regular occurrence. The author took part in her first school musical at Loreto College, Crumlin Road, Dublin, in a production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado. She subsequently enrolled in Loreto Commercial College, Crumlin Road, Dublin, where in 1962 a past-pupils’ musical society was formed, offering opportunities for participation. In 1965 this musical society became a founder member of the newly formed Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS), and in 1973 the author became its librarian and information officer. She was elected as a national councillor for the association, a position she held until 1992. Together with other councillors, she visited newly formed societies, and saw at first hand the beneficial effects of a musical society on a local community. This was particularly noticeable in Northern Ireland, which was then entering the period of civil unrest known as ‘the Troubles. In some cases, loyalist and nationalist societies (or ‘companies’ as they are more often known in the North) came together to perform concerts. Subsequently the author, whose own employment background was with Independent News and Media, became the national public relations officer for AIMS from 1992 until her retirement from AIMS in 2006. It was in this capacity that she discovered how difficult it could be to obtain coverage of amateur musical theatre in the national press, although local and regional coverage was rather better. As a student in NUI Maynooth, the author discovered that the topic of amateur musical theatre in Ireland had received little academic study, and was advised that it would be a suitable subject for research.

There is an urgent need to address interlinked sustainability issues in a world challenged by inequality, finite resources and unprecedented changes across Earth’s systems. As Future Earth Fellows, based on our collective expertise in a diverse range of sustainability issues, here we identify a specific need to recognise and respond appropriately to the nexus between human health and wellbeing, urbanisation, and ecosystem services (the ‘WUE nexus’). This nexus is a priority area for research, policy and practice. In particular, it provides a useful pathway to meet the challenges of successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this brief, we present the following policy recommendations:1. By emphasising urban-rural linkages, foster an integrated approach to ensure food security, food safety, and health promotion;2. Secure resilient livelihoods for all, in particular for vulnerable groups; and3. Integrate co-production of knowledge in science for decision-making, including the co-design of implementation frameworks, and the adoption of a nexus approach.

This work aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of leaves, inflorescences, nut-shell, liquid and solid endosperm nuts of Syagrus coronata against pathogenic bacteria and yeast. Screening was initially performed using the agar dilution method. The extracts regarded as bioactive underwent liquid-liquid partition for determination of their minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericide concentration (MIC and MBC) and those of their respective fractions against the microorganisms inhibited in preliminary tests. Antimicrobial activity was observed only in inflorescences. The corresponding aqueous extract was effective against B. cereus and the three strains of S. aureus, and the corresponding MIC and MCB values were lower than those of dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the same extract. The methanol extract was effective against B. cereus, and the corresponding MIC and MBC values were higher than those of ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the same extract.

CONTEXT: Previous studies have shown reduced placental levels of 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) in preeclampsia (PE). However, it is unknown if the maternal cortisol-to-cortisone ratio is predictive of placental complications of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the maternal serum cortisol-to-cortisone ratio at different stages of pregnancy and the risk of PE or fetal growth restriction (FGR). DESIGN: Women from the Pregnancy Outcome Prediction Study experiencing PE (n = 194) or FGR (n = 185), plus a random sample of healthy controls (n = 279), were studied. Steroids were measured at ∼12, ∼20, ∼28, and ∼36 weeks of gestational age (wkGA). Separate analyses were performed for outcomes with term or preterm delivery. Associations were modeled using logistic regression. RESULTS: At 28 wkGA, the cortisol-to-cortisone ratio was negatively associated (OR per 1 SD increase, 95% CI)] with preterm PE (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.57), term PE (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.76), and preterm FGR (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.85). At 36 wkGA, the cortisol-to-cortisone ratio was negatively associated with term PE (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.55) but not term FGR (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.31). Associations were not materially affected by adjustment for maternal characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: A lower maternal serum cortisol-to-cortisone ratio precedes clinical manifestation of PE and preterm FGR by many weeks, despite previous reports of reduced levels of placental 11βHSD2 in these conditions. Our observations implicate enhanced maternal 11βHSD2 activity or reduced 11βHSD type 1 activity in the pathophysiology of PE.

We present the results from our 12th annual horizon scan of issues likely to impact biological conservation in the future. From a list of 97 topics, our global panel of 25 scientists and practitioners identified the top 15 issues that we believe society may urgently need to address. These issues are either novel in the biological conservation sector or represent a substantial positive or negative step-change in impact at global or regional level. Six issues, such as coral reef deoxygenation and changes in polar coastal productivity, affect marine or coastal ecosystems and seven relate to human and ecosystem-level responses to climate change. Identification of potential forthcoming issues for biological conservation may enable increased preparedness by researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.

Measurement(s) spatial region Technology Type(s) occurrent Sample Characteristic - Organism Mammalia center dot Chiroptera sp. BOLD:AAA2524 Sample Characteristic - Environment cave system center dot karst cave Sample Characteristic - Location Global Understanding biodiversity patterns as well as drivers of population declines, and range losses provides crucial baselines for monitoring and conservation. However, the information needed to evaluate such trends remains unstandardised and sparsely available for many taxonomic groups and habitats, including the cave-dwelling bats and cave ecosystems. We developed the DarkCideS 1.0 (), a global database of bat caves and species synthesised from publicly available information and datasets. The DarkCideS 1.0 is by far the largest database for cave-dwelling bats, which contains information for geographical location, ecological status, species traits, and parasites and hyperparasites for 679 bat species are known to occur in caves or use caves in part of their life histories. The database currently contains 6746 georeferenced occurrences for 402 cave-dwelling bat species from 2002 cave sites in 46 countries and 12 terrestrial biomes. The database has been developed to be collaborative and open-access, allowing continuous data-sharing among the community of bat researchers and conservation biologists to advance bat research and comparative monitoring and prioritisation for conservation.

Voucher specimens have played a fundamental role in biology, but ethical and conservation concerns have been raised over unnecessary collection of organisms. From 1996 to 2017, 222 studies mentioned the collection of 7482 bats of 376 species, mostly from South America and Asia (India, China, and South-East Asia). Researchers mostly aimed to compile checklists or establish geographic ranges. Strong ethical reasons exist to avoid unnecessary collection, and suitable alternatives should be sought; for example, collecting voucher specimens for retrospective taxonomic confirmation can be replaced with molecular methods. We provide information on alternative methods and when to use them to avoid harming fragile populations of bats.