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Individuals can respond to predation risk by building morphological defenses or by altering their behavior. We tested whether freshwater Physa acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) snails with better morphological defenses against predation risk displayed lower or higher behavioral responses to predator cues compared to more poorly defended snails. We examined how the morphological traits of snails influence their risk of predation by crayfish, inferred by crush resistance, and how those same traits also influence their patch use in the absence and presence of predator cues. Using model selection, we found that a large shell width increased crush resistance. We also found that other morphological traits interacted with predator cues to influence the use of high resource patches, however shell width had almost no influence. Aperture length and aperture width both strongly interacted with cue: larger aperture length and larger aperture width snails decreased their use of the high resource patch substantially. ...

Phenotypic expression can be altered by direct perception of environmental cues (within-generation phenotypic plasticity) and by the environmental cues experienced by previous generations (transgenerational plasticity). Few studies, however, have investigated how the characteristics of phenotypic traits affect their propensity to exhibit plasticity within and across generations. We tested whether plasticity differed within and across generations between morphological and behavioral anti-predator traits of Physa acuta, a freshwater snail. We reared 18 maternal lineages of P. acuta snails over two generations using a full factorial design of exposure to predator or control cues and quantified adult F2 shell size, shape, crush resistance, and anti-predator behavior – all traits which potentially affect their ability to avoid or survive predation attempts. We found that most morphological traits exhibited transgenerational plasticity, with parental exposure to predator cues resulting in larger and more crush-resistant offspring, but shell shape demonstrated within-generation plasticity. In contrast, we found that anti-predator behavior expressed only within-generation plasticity such that offspring reared in predator cues responded less to the threat of predation than control offspring. We discuss the consequences of this variation in plasticity for trait evolution and ecological dynamics. Overall, our study suggests that further empirical and theoretical investigation is needed in what types of traits are more likely to be affected by within-generational and transgenerational plasticity.

The FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2 (RP2) is a multiplex in vitro diagnostic test for the simultaneous and rapid (∼45-min) detection of 22 pathogens directly from nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples. It contains updated (and in some instances redesigned) assays that improve upon the FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP; version 1.7), with a faster run time. The organisms identified are adenovirus, coronavirus 229E, coronavirus HKU1, coronavirus NL63, coronavirus OC43, human metapneumovirus, human rhinovirus/enterovirus, influenza virus A, influenza virus A H1, influenza virus A H1-2009, influenza virus A H3, influenza virus B, parainfluenza virus 1, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, parainfluenza virus 4, respiratory syncytial virus, Bordetella pertussis , Chlamydia pneumoniae , and Mycoplasma pneumoniae . Two new targets are included in the FilmArray RP2: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Bordetella parapertussis . This study provides data from a multicenter evaluation of 1,612 prospectively collected NPS samples, with performance compared to that of the FilmArray RP or PCR and sequencing. The overall percent agreement between the FilmArray RP2 and the comparator testing was 99.2%. The RP2 demonstrated a positive percent agreement of 91.7% or greater for detection of all but three analytes: coronavirus OC43, B. parapertussis , and B. pertussis . The FilmArray RP2 also demonstrated a negative percent agreement of ≥93.8% for all analytes. Of note, the adenovirus assay detects all genotypes, with a demonstrated increase in sensitivity. The FilmArray RP2 represents a significant improvement over the FilmArray RP, with a substantially shorter run time that could aid in the diagnosis of respiratory infections in a variety of clinical scenarios.

Background Bone and Joint Infections (BJI) have high morbidity and are difficult to treat infections. Culture-based diagnosis is limited in its ability to recover fastidious bacteria and because several organisms can be involved; culture times of up to two weeks may be necessary for certain bacteria. The sensitivity of culture is also negatively impacted by antibiotics received before surgery. Alternatively, molecular methods offer a promising improvement for the diagnosis of BJI. The goal of this study was to evaluate a development version of Biofire® Bone and Joint Infection (BJI) Panel (bioMerieux SA, BioFire Diagnostics, LLC) using synovial fluid samples. Methods 121 synovial fluid specimens were collected from patients with suspected bone and joint infection in a pilot evaluation. All specimens were collected and tested in culture by the sites using their standard of care practices; in parallel, a leftover volume of 200 µL was tested on the BJI panel. BJI panel results were then compared with culture and discordant results were investigated using a comparator assay (PCR/sequencing). Results 49 synovial fluid specimens (40%) were positive by culture vs. 72 with the BJI panel (59%). Of the 97 positive detections by the BJI panel, 58 were concordant with culture; the 39 additional organism detections were in majority confirmed by PCR/sequencing. Lastly, two false negative results corresponding to the same sample are under investigation. Conclusion The BJI Panel was able to identify most of the pathogens detected by culture. The majority of additional detections observed were confirmed by PCR/sequencing. While sites are currently enrolling more synovial fluids samples, these preliminary data suggest that a multiplexed molecular test may be more sensitive than culture to detect pathogens in synovial fluid specimens. The data presented in this abstract have not been reviewed by FDA or other regulatory agencies for In Vitro Diagnostic use. Disclosures B. Pons, bioMerieux: Employee, Salary. C. Jay, bioMerieux: Employee, Salary. T. Martin, bioMerieux: Employee, Salary. I. Sothier, bioMerieux: Employee, Salary. H. Savelli, bioMerieux: Employee, Salary. B. Kensinger, bioFire a bioMerieux company: Employee, Salary. F. Laurent, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. L. Abad, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. C. Murphy, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. A. Craney, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. B. Schmitt, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. A. Waggoner, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. S. Butler-Wu, BioFire (bioMerieux): Investigator, Research support. C. Costales, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. J. Bien-Bard, BioFire (bioMerieux): Investigator, Research support. J. Mestas, BioFire (bioMerieux): Investigator, Research support. J. Esteban, BioFire (bioMerieux): Investigator, Research support. L. Salar-Vidal, BioFire (BioMerieux company)): Investigator, Research support. A. Harrington, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. S. Collier, BioFire (BioMerieux Company): Investigator, Research support. A. Leber, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. K. Everhart, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. J. M. Balada-Llasat, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. J. Horn, BioFire (bioMerieux company): Investigator, Research support. S. Magro, bioMerieux: Employee, Salary. K. Bourzac, BioFire a bioMerieux company: Employee, Salary.

Prairie potholes are the dominant wetland type in the intensively cultivated northern Great Plains of North America, and thus have the potential to receive pesticide runoff and drift. We examined the presence of pesticides in sediments of 151 wetlands split among the three dominant land use types, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), cropland, and native prairie, in North and South Dakota in 2011. Herbicides (glyphosate and atrazine) and fungicides were detected regularly, with no insecticide detections. Glyphosate was the most detected pesticide, occurring in 61% of all wetlands, with atrazine in only 8% of wetlands. Pyraclostrobin was one of five fungicides detected, but the only one of significance, being detected in 31% of wetlands. Glyphosate was the only pesticide that differed by land use, with concentrations in cropland over four-times that in either native prairie or CRP, which were equal in concentration and frequency of detection. Despite examining several landscape variables, such as wetland proximity to specific crop types, watershed size, and others, land use was the best variable explaining pesticide concentrations in potholes. CRP ameliorated glyphosate in wetlands at concentrations comparable to native prairie and thereby provides another ecosystem service from this expansive program.