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The ruins of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (559–330 BCE), are celebrated as a cultural heritage site and national monument in Iran. In 1971, these ruins became the setting for the Celebration of the 2,500th Anniversary of the Founding of the Persian Empire, orchestrated by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Pahlavi regime aimed to fabricate a monarchical lineage that positioned the Pahlavi dynasty as the pinnacle of an uninterrupted historical continuum beginning with the Achaemenids and Cyrus the Great. The ceremonies featured a grandiose military parade with soldiers in historical costumes symbolically reenacting theprocessions of foreign emissaries depicted on Persepolis' walls, emphasizing the glory and grandeur of Iran's imperial past and its uninterrupted history. Conversely, a decade earlier, Iranian filmmaker and poet Fereydoun Rahnema's short documentary captured Persepolis in a starkly different light, presenting it as enigmatic ruins devoid of grandeur, prompting reflections on their lost original meaning. Utilizing Walter Benjamin's concepts of natural history, melancholia, and allegory, this article explores the allegorical implications of Rahnema's film. It argues that the documentary signifies the disintegration of the sublime image of Iran’s imperial origin, marking a shift where the imperial past becomes too eclipsed a signifier to serve as a cornerstone of national identity.

BACKGROUND: Becker muscular dystrophy is an X-linked, genetic disorder causing progressive degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscle, with a widely variable phenotype. OBJECTIVE: A 3-year, longitudinal, prospective dataset contributed by patients with confirmed Becker muscular dystrophy was analyzed to characterize the natural history of this disorder. A better understanding of the natural history is crucial to rigorous therapeutic trials. METHODS: A cohort of 83 patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (5-75 years at baseline) were followed for up to 3 years with annual assessments. Muscle and pulmonary function outcomes were analyzed herein. Age-stratified statistical analysis and modeling were conducted to analyze cross-sectional data, time-to-event data, and longitudinal data to characterize these clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Deletion mutations of dystrophin exons 45-47 or 45-48 were most common. Subgroup analysis showed greater pairwise association between motor outcomes at baseline than association between these outcomes and age. Stronger correlations between outcomes for adults than for those under 18 years were also observed. Using cross-sectional binning analysis, a ceiling effect was seen for North Star Ambulatory Assessment but not for other functional outcomes. Longitudinal analysis showed a decline in percentage predicted forced vital capacity over the life span. There was relative stability or improved median function for motor functional outcomes through childhood and adolescence and decreasing function with age thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: There is variable progression of outcomes resulting in significant heterogeneity of the clinical phenotype of Becker muscular dystrophy. Disease progression is largely manifest in adulthood. There are implications for clinical trial design revealed by this longitudinal analysis of a Becker natural history dataset.

Limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2G/R7 (LGMD2G/R7) is an ultra‐rare condition initially identified within the Brazilian population. We aimed to expand clinical and genetic information about this disease, including its worldwide distribution. A multicenter historical cohort study was performed at 13 centers in Brazil in which data from index cases and their affected relatives from consecutive families with LGMD2G/R7 were reviewed from July 2017 to August 2023. Additionally, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify case reports and series of the disease worldwide. Forty‐one LGMD2G/R7 cases were described in the Brazilian cohort, being all subjects homozygous for the c.157C>T/(p.Gln53*) variant in TCAP. Survival curves showed that the median disease duration before individuals required walking aids was 21 years. Notably, women exhibited a slower disease progression, requiring walking aids 13 years later than men. LGMD2G/R7 was frequently reported not only in Brazil but also in China and Bulgaria, with 119 cases identified globally, with possible founder effects in the Brazilian, Eastern European, and Asian populations. These findings are pivotal in raising awareness of LGMD2G/R7, understanding its progression, and identifying potential modifiers. This can significantly contribute to the development of future natural history studies and clinical trials for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Haemophilus influenzae is prevalent within the airways of persons with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). H. influenzae is often associated with pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) in pediatric cohorts, but in adults, studies have yielded conflicting reports around the impact(s) on clinical outcomes such as lung function decline. Accordingly, we sought to discern the prevalence, natural history, and clinical impact of H. influenzae in adult pwCF. Methods: This single-centre retrospective cohort study reviewed all adult pwCF with H. influenzae sputum cultures between 2002 and 2016. From this cohort, persistently infected subjects (defined as: ≥2 samples with the same pulsotype and > 50% sputum culture-positive for H. influenzae in each year) were matched (1:2) to controls without H. influenzae. Demographic and clinical status (baseline health or during periods of PEx) were obtained at each visit that H. influenzae was cultured. Yearly biobank isolates were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to assess relatedness. Results: Over the study period, 30% (n = 70/240) of pwCF were culture positive for H. influenzae, of which 38 (54%) were culture-positive on multiple occasions and 12 (17%) had persistent infection. One hundred and thirty-seven isolates underwent PFGE, with 94 unique pulsotypes identified. Two (1.5%) were serotype f with the rest non-typeable (98.5%). H. influenzae isolation was associated with an increased risk of PEx (RR = 1.61 [1.14–2.27], p = 0.006), however, this association was lost when we excluded those who irregularly produced sputum (i.e. only during a PEx). Annual lung function decline did not differ across cohorts. Conclusions: Isolation of H. influenzae was common amongst adult pwCF but often transient. H. influenzae infection was not associated with acute PEx or chronic lung function decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: SELENON-related myopathy (SELENON-RM) is a rare congenital myopathy characterized by slowly progressive axial muscle weakness, rigidity of the spine, scoliosis, and respiratory insufficiency. Laminin-a2-related muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-MD) has a similar clinical phenotype, which ranges from severe, early-onset congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A) to milder forms presenting as childhood- or adult-onset limb-girdle type muscular dystrophy. The first 1.5-year natural history follow-up showed that 90% of the patients had low bone quality, respiratory impairments were found in all SELENON-RM and most of the LAMA2-MD patients, and many had cardiac risk factors. However, further extensive knowledge on long-term natural history data, and clinical and functional outcome measures is needed to reach trial readiness. Therefore, we extended the natural history study with 3- and 5-year follow-up visits (Extended LAST STRONG). Methods: The Extended LAST STRONG is a long-term natural history study in Dutch-speaking patients of all ages diagnosed with genetically confirmed SELENON-RM or LAMA2-MD, starting in September 2023. Patients visit our hospital twice over a period of 2 years to complete a 5-year follow up from the initial LAST-STRONG study. At both visits, they undergo standardized neurological examination, hand-held dynamometry (age ≥ 5 years), functional measurements, muscle ultrasound, respiratory assessments (spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure; age ≥ 5 years), Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA-)scan (age ≥ 2 years), X-ray of the left hand (age ≤ 17 years), lower extremity MRI (age ≥ 10 years), accelerometry for 8 days (age ≥ 2 years), and questionnaires (patient report and/or parent proxy; age ≥ 2 years). All examinations are adapted to the patient's age and functional abilities. Disease progression between all subsequent visits and relationships between outcome measures will be assessed. Discussion: This study will provide valuable insights into the 5-year natural history of patients with SELENON-RM and LAMA2-MD and contribute to further selecting relevant and sensitive to change clinical and functional outcome measures. Furthermore, this data will help optimize natural history data collection in clinical care and help develop clinical care guidelines. Trial registration: This study protocol including the patient information and consent forms has been approved by medical ethical reviewing committee ('METC Oost-Nederland'; https://www.ccmo.nl/metcs/erkende-metcs/metc-oost-nederland, file number: 2023–16401). It is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06132750; study registration date: 2023-10-05; study first passed date: 2023-11-15). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural history collections are invaluable reference collections. Digitizing these collections is a transformative process that improves the accessibility, preservation, and exploitation of specimens and associated data in the long term. Arthropods make up the majority of zoological collections. However, arthropods are small, have detailed color textures and share small, complex and shiny structures, which poses a challenge to conventional digitization methods. Sphaeroptica is a multi-images viewer that uses a sphere of oriented images. It allows the visualization of insects including their tiniest features, the positioning of landmarks, and the extraction of 3D coordinates for measuring linear distances or for use in geometric morphometrics analysis. The quantitative comparisons show that the measures obtained with Sphaeroptica are similar to the measurements derived from 3D μCT models with an average difference inferior to 1%, while featuring the high resolution of color stacked pictures with all details like setae, chaetae, scales, and other small and/or complex structures. Shaeroptica was developed for the digitization of small arthropods but it can be used with any sphere of aligned images resulting from the digitization of objects or specimens with complex surface and shining, black, or translucent texture which cannot easily be digitized using structured light scanner or Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Methods Results Conclusion To describe clinical characteristics in Finnish patients with X‐linked retinoschisis (XLRS) longitudinally with emphasis on retinal morphology and genotype–phenotype correlations.A retrospective cohort study reviewed medical records from patients with genetically confirmed XLRS from the Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Hospital. Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, colour fundus photography, spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography and genetic information were collected.Fifty‐two males were diagnosed at the median age of 7 years (range 1–57) and followed for a median of 8 years (range, 1–49). Baseline findings included macular retinoschisis in 92 (89%), macular atrophy in 25 (24%) and peripheral retinoschisis in 22 (21%) eyes. Vitreous haemorrhage occurred in 10 (10%) eyes, more frequently with peripheral schisis (p < 0.001). Nearly half of the patients, 22 (42%) were classified as visually impaired according to WHO. Median central retinal thickness was similar between initial (355 μm) and latest visits (360 μm) (p = 0.781). Low BCVA was associated with macular atrophy (p < 0.001), ellipsoid zone disruption (p = 0.007) and peripheral retinoschisis (p = 0.006). The three Finnish founder mutations c.214G >A, c.221G >T, and c.325G >C in exon 4 of retinoschisin 1 (RS1) were identified in 40 patients (77%). No associations were found between the genotypes and phenotypes.Three‐fourths of the patients carried the Finnish founder mutations in RS1, but we did not detect any genotype–phenotype association. Macular atrophy was associated with the poorest visual acuity. Ocular compilations were associated with peripheral retinoschisis, suggesting that these patients should be followed more frequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Unveiling the enigmatic cone snails along the coastal environments of the South Andaman Islands: diversity, distribution and their habitat preference" published in Frontiers in Marine Science explores the diversity, distribution, and habitat preferences of cone snails in the South Andaman Islands. The study reveals that Conus ebraeus is the predominant species, with different species showing specific habitat preferences in mid and low waterline zones. The research highlights the importance of habitat complexity, substrate type, and waterline amplitude in shaping the distribution patterns of cone snails in the region. The findings contribute to a better understanding of these gastropods and call for responsible conservation practices to ensure their survival. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The search for neuroprotective treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD) still relies largely on motor disability scales. A limitation of these tools is the strong influence of symptomatic dopaminergic treatment effects. Drawing on a wealth of published information, we conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of motor progression in PD and its relationships with dopaminergic therapy. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Central to identify 84 publications with adequate serial motor scores to calculate progression, expressed as an increase in the percentage of maximum disability. Results: A random-effects model showed motor progression at 2.0% p.a. (95% CI 1.7-2.4%). There were no significant differences by baseline age, sample size, or observation period. However, untreated patients, in 8 publications, progressed at 4.5% p.a. compared to 1.6% p.a. in 76 studies containing individuals on dopaminergic drugs (p = 0.0004, q = 0.003). This was supported by research on phenoconversion in prodromal PD, where motor progression exceeded 5% p.a. in the 2 years before diagnosis. Starting levodopa improved pre-treatment disability by 40.3 ± 15.2%. Practically defined off state measurements increase faster than on scores by a modest degree (p = 0.05). Conclusion: This survey suggests that accurate long-term measurements of motor progression to assess disease-modifying therapies can be conducted despite the sequential commencement of dopaminergic drugs and sample attrition over time. While study designs involving prodromal or untreated PD avoid confounding effects of symptomatic treatment, different assumptions about motor progression may be needed. A defined off state with the levodopa test dose method maximizes information about the medication cycle once dopaminergic therapy has begun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain is common in the genetic skin fragility disorder epidermolysis bullosa (EB), from skin and mucosal injury and inflammation as well as extra-mucocutaneous sites. Individuals living with EB have identified pain as a priority for better treatments. Objectives: The Prospective EB Longitudinal Evaluation Study (PEBLES) is a prospective register study exploring the natural history of RDEB across all ages from birth to death. Here, we investigated the characteristics and treatment of pain in different RDEB subtypes. Methods: Information was collected from individuals with different RDEB subtypes over an 8-year period. Data included visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings of background and procedural pain, its location, intensity and impact on sleep, as well as pain medication. Disease severity scores and quality of life measures were correlated to pain scores. Results: Sixty-one participants (13 children, 48 adults) completed a total of 361 reviews. Pain was common, experienced by 93% of participants at index review, with 80% suffering both background and procedural pain. Across all RDEB patients, the median VAS for background pain was 40 (out of 100) [interquartile range 20,60] and for those having regular dressing changes, median procedural pain was 52 [40,80]. Severe (RDEB-S) and pruriginosa (RDEB-Pru) groups had the greatest increase in procedural compared to background pain of 20 and 22 VAS points, respectively. Correlations between disease severity and quality of life impairment were observed across most groups, particularly RDEB-S. Over half of those studied experienced pain frequently or constantly, and in one third pain disturbed sleep at least 4 nights per week. Skin was the commonest source of pain in all subtypes except inversa RDEB where the mouth was the main site. Despite frequent and severe pain, one third of participants used no medication for pain and, in those that did, pain levels remained high suggesting ineffectiveness of current pain management approaches and a significant unmet need in RDEB. Conclusion: The frequency, severity, and impact of pain in all RDEB patients is significant, particularly in RDEB-S and RDEB-Pru. Our findings highlight that current RDEB pain management is poorly effective and that further research is needed to address this symptom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Method Results Interpretation To assess a group of ambulant, untreated children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, in a resource‐poor setting, who had never been assessed by a health care professional or received any treatment, to help establish the natural history of gait patterns in this condition.At CURE Children's Hospital of Ethiopia, 46 children with no prior health care contact were assessed in a cross‐sectional cohort study, through a detailed history, clinical examination, and instrumented gait analysis using a motion capture system.There was a large spread in the data reflecting the high natural heterogeneity in this population. The severity of gait pathology did not correlate with age; however, a small but significant reduction in sagittal hip and knee range of motion with increasing age was observed. There was also a trend towards reduced passive knee extension with age.Improved understanding of the aspects of gait that are likely to naturally improve, deteriorate, or remain stable over time helps guide treatment decisions in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Methods Results Conclusions Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder caused by SMN1 gene mutations. Although studies on available disease‐modifying treatments have reported their efficacy and safety, long‐term natural history data are lacking for comparison. The aim of this prospective study was to report 4‐year changes on the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) in type II and III SMA in relation to several variables such as age, functional status and SMN2 copy number.The study involves retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from international datasets (Belgium, Italy, Spain, USA, UK). HFMSE longitudinal changes were analyzed using linear mixed effect models, examining annualized HFMSE change and its association with variables such as age at baseline, sex, motor function, SMN2 copy number.In SMA type II (n = 226), the 4‐year mean change was −2.20 points. The largest mean changes were observed in sitters aged 5–14 years and the lowest in those who lost the ability to sit unsupported. In SMA type III (n = 162), the 4‐year mean change was −2.75 points. The largest mean changes were in those aged 7–15 years, whilst the lowest were in those below 7 and in the SMA type IIIa subgroup over 15. Age and score at baseline were predictive of 4‐year changes.Our findings provide natural history reference data for comparison with long‐term follow‐up of clinical trials or real‐world data, highlighting the need to define patterns of changes in smaller SMA subgroups instead of reporting mean changes across an entire SMA cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the habitat of macroalgae in sand grains, specifically focusing on the species Monostroma angicava. The study reveals that the microscopic codiolum sporophytes of M. angicava inhabit calcareous sand grains during the summer. The researchers emphasize the importance of studying the ecology and habitats of these microscopic stages of macroalgae. Sand grains provide a stable habitat for the sporophyte stage of M. angicava, with a high density of individuals, and also play a role in their dispersal and survival. Further research is needed to understand the ecological and physiological mechanisms of these microscopic stages and their impact on coastal ecosystems. [Extracted from the article]

Key Clinical Message: Benign ancient retroperitoneal schwannomas (BARS) exhibit abdominal masses and flank pain to incidental findings at more advanced stages. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis is essential for confirmation of benign nature. Our patient was misdiagnosed as ureteric colic, highlighting the need to consider BARS in differential diagnosis to prevent complications like hydronephrosis. Ancient schwannomas are usually benign neoplasms that originate from Schwann cells of peripheral nerves. We present a novel case of a 24‐year‐old young male with left flank pain and nausea which was initially thought to be left ureteric colic. However, in‐depth imaging and biopsy revealed a retroperitoneal mass. The definitive diagnosis was narrowed down to Benign Retroperitoneal Ancient Schwannoma (BARS) via immunohistochemistry and histopathological analysis. This often marble‐shaped S100 protein‐positive tumor is an under‐recognized and potential cause of hydronephrosis if localized near the renal structures. In addition, the retroperitoneal location with infrarenal abdominal aortic adherence is another rare peculiarity in the present case that demands prompt diagnosis and surgical excision to avoid any cardiovascular sequelae such as hypotension and abdominal pain, as indicated by the natural history of growth of this benign tumor. Therefore, timely excision of this benign tumor prior to its further proliferation is paramount. We initially planned laparoscopic removal but adopted excision via laparotomy because of the proximity of the vital structures. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful and subsequently the patient's presenting complaint of left abdominal flank pain greatly improved. The patient was advised to undergo follow‐up computed tomography scan of kidney ureter bladder and RFT evaluation 6 months postsurgery which indicated no evidence of recurrence or iatrogenic complications. The diagnosis and management of the present case share valuable experiences for similar future cases worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversification of many lineages throughout natural history has frequently been associated with evolutionary changes in life cycle complexity. However, our understanding of the processes that facilitate differentiation in the morphologies and functions expressed by organisms throughout their life cycles is limited. Theory suggests that the expression of traits is decoupled across life stages, thus allowing for their evolutionary independence. Although trait decoupling between stages is well established, explanations of how said decoupling evolves have seldom been considered. Because the different phenotypes expressed by organisms throughout their life cycles are coded for by the same genome, trait decoupling must be mediated through divergence in gene expression between stages. Gene duplication has been identified as an important mechanism that enables divergence in gene function and expression between cells and tissues. Because stage transitions across life cycles require changes in tissue types and functions, we investigated the potential link between gene duplication and expression divergence between life stages. To explore this idea, we examined the temporal changes in gene expression across the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) metamorphosis. We found that within homologous groups, more phylogenetically diverged genes exhibited more distinct temporal expression patterns. This relationship scaled such that more phylogenetically diverse homologous groups showed more diverse patterns of gene expression. Furthermore, we found that duplicate genes showed increased stage-specificity relative to singleton genes. Overall, our findings suggest an important link between gene duplication and the evolution of complex life cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite large differences in morphology, behavior and lek-mating strategies the birds-of-paradise are known to hybridize occasionally, even across different genera. Many of these bird-of-paradise hybrids were originally described as distinct species based on large morphological differences when compared to recognized species. Nowadays, these specimens are generally recognized as hybrids based on morphological assessments. Having fascinated naturalists for centuries, hybrid specimens of birds-of-paradise have been collected and the specimens kept in Natural History Collections. In the present study, we utilize this remarkable resource in a museomics framework and evaluate the genomic composition of most described intergeneric hybrids and some intrageneric hybrids. We show that the majority of investigated specimens are first-generation hybrids and that the parental species, in most cases, are in line with prior morphological assessments. We also identify two specimens that are the result of introgressive hybridization between different genera. Additionally, two specimens exhibit hybrid morphologies but have no identifiable signals of hybridization, which may indicate that minor levels of introgression can have large morphological effects. Our findings provide direct evidence of contemporary introgressive hybridization taking place between genera of birds-of-paradise in nature, despite markedly different morphologies and lek-mating behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) presents a wide range of clinical symptoms, historically understood through long-term studies of earlier patient cohorts. However, due to improved diagnostic criteria, modern patients are diagnosed earlier and benefit from effective treatments, altering the disease's natural history. This study aimed to assess the clinical symptoms of MS patients in a modern population at various stages: before diagnosis, at diagnosis, during the disease course, and at the time of the survey. Methods: This was an observational study with retrospective and cross-sectional components; patients that fulfilled the 2017 revised McDonald criteria for MS completed a survey evaluating demographic and clinical data. Results: We included 163 patients, 69.9% female, with a mean age of 48.21 years; 87.1% had relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), with a median EDSS of 2.0. Before diagnosis, 74.2% of patients experienced symptoms, mainly sensory issues (39.3%), fatigue (29.4%), and imbalance (27%). Motor and coordination symptoms were more common in progressive forms. At diagnosis, sensory (46.6%) and motor complaints (36.8%) were most prevalent. In RRMS and secondary progressive MS (SPMS), sensory and motor complaints predominated alongside imbalance, while primary progressive MS (PPMS) was characterized by motor, imbalance, and genitourinary symptoms. Throughout the disease, sensory symptoms were most common (76.1%), with fatigue (73%) and motor issues (62.6%) more prevalent in progressive forms. At the time of the survey, 50.7% of RRMS patients were asymptomatic, while progressive patients continued to experience motor symptoms, imbalance, and fatigue. Conclusions: The study reflects the modern spectrum of MS symptoms, consistent with previous research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary emphysema involves progressive destruction of alveolar walls, leading to enlarged air spaces and impaired gas exchange. While the precise mechanisms responsible for these changes remain unclear, there is growing evidence that the extracellular matrix plays a critical role in the process. An essential feature of pulmonary emphysema is damage to the elastic fiber network surrounding the airspaces, which stores the energy needed to expel air from the lungs. The degradation of these fibers disrupts the mechanical forces involved in respiration, resulting in distension and rupture of alveolar walls. While the initial repair process mainly consists of elastin degradation and resynthesis, continued alveolar wall injury may be associated with increased collagen deposition, resulting in a mixed pattern of emphysema and interstitial fibrosis. Due to the critical role of elastic fiber injury in pulmonary emphysema, preventing damage to this matrix component has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy. One treatment approach involves the intratracheal administration of hyaluronan, a polysaccharide that prevents elastin breakdown by binding to lung elastic fibers. In clinical trials, inhalation of aerosolized HA decreased elastic fiber injury, as measured by the release of the elastin-specific cross-linking amino acids, desmosine, and isodesmosine. By protecting elastic fibers from enzymatic and oxidative damage, aerosolized HA could alter the natural history of pulmonary emphysema, thereby reducing the risk of respiratory failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiogenesis is frequently envisioned as a linear, ladder-like progression of increasingly complex chemical systems, eventually leading to the ancestors of extant cellular life. This "pre-cladistics" view is in stark contrast to the well-accepted principles of organismal evolutionary biology, as informed by paleontology and phylogenetics. Applying this perspective to origins, I explore the paradigm of "Stem Life," which embeds abiogenesis within a broader continuity of diversification and extinction of both hereditary lineages and chemical systems. In this new paradigm, extant life's ancestral lineage emerged alongside and was dependent upon many other complex prebiotic chemical systems, as part of a diverse and fecund prebiosphere. Drawing from several natural history analogies, I show how this shift in perspective enriches our understanding of Origins and directly informs debates on defining Life, the emergence of the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA), and the implications of prebiotic chemical experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the clinical course of fetal isolated non‐immune‐mediated second‐degree atrioventricular block (AVB) and the factors associated with spontaneous recovery in these cases. Methods: Fetuses with isolated non‐immune‐mediated second‐degree AVB were recruited prospectively between 2014 and 2022. These fetuses were divided into two groups: those which recovered spontaneously and those which did not. Maternal and fetal characteristics and intrauterine and postnatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: The study cohort included 20 fetuses with isolated non‐immune‐mediated second‐degree AVB, diagnosed at a median gestational age of 22.0 (range, 17.0–35.0) weeks. In 12 fetuses, 1:1 atrioventricular conduction was restored spontaneously in utero and there was no recurrence during the postnatal follow‐up period. In the remaining eight fetuses, second‐degree AVB was maintained and, in six of these, the pregnancy was terminated on parental request. Of the two liveborn children who had persistent second‐degree AVB prenatally, one had progressed to complete AVB at the latest follow‐up, at the age of 34 months, but was asymptomatic, without heart enlargement or dysfunction. The other child progressed to complete AVB after delivery and was diagnosed with type‐2 long QT syndrome. This infant died aged 2 months. Fetuses in the group that recovered spontaneously had earlier gestational age at diagnosis (median, 20.0 (range, 17.0–26.0) vs 24.5 (range, 18.0–35.0) weeks; P = 0.004) and higher atrial rate at diagnosis (median, 147 (range, 130–160) vs 138 (range, 125–149) bpm; P = 0.006) in comparison with the group that did not recover spontaneously. The best cut‐off values for prediction of failure to recover spontaneously were 22.5 weeks' gestational age at diagnosis and 144 bpm atrial rate at diagnosis, with sensitivities of 87.5% and 75.0%, respectively, and specificities of 92.0% and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The outcome of 60% of fetuses with isolated non‐immune‐mediated second‐degree AVB was favorable. Earlier gestational age and higher atrial rate at diagnosis were associated with spontaneous reversion to normal sinus rhythm. Prenatal genetic testing should be performed in cases with persistent AVB, to exclude heritable disorders including long QT syndrome. These findings provide important information for clinical management and prenatal counseling in these cases. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In India, it is the fourth leading cause of death and fifth leading cause of disability, posing a major public health concern. National surveys reveal an increasing trend in stroke risk factors such as tobacco use, physical activity, alcohol use, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. However, knowledge regarding the combined effect of these risk factors and their various combinations is limited. Understanding the individual, combined, and synergistic effects of known risk factors, along with new risk factors, is essential to address gaps in stroke epidemiology. This study aims to examine the effect of various risk factors of acute stroke and their association with stroke occurrence and its outcomes (survival, disability and quality of life). Methods: This retrospective-prospective cohort will be conducted in one taluka of Kolara district and two urban wards of Bengaluru with a total population of ~400,000. All stroke-free individuals above 30 years of age ~200,000 individuals in the selected sites will be participants of stroke-free period and all first ever stroke patients in the community will be part of stroke and post-stroke period respectively. The study subjects will be recruited through a complete house-to-house survey at baseline and undergo annual follow-ups during the stroke-free period, with specific assessments at defined time points during the stroke and post-stroke period for a period of one year. Efforts are implemented to minimize loss to follow-up, including community engagement, a helpline number, and hospital-based surveillance. Discussion: This large population-based cohort study addressing stroke epidemiology in the country, is one -of-its-kind, attempting to fill certain critical gaps in the natural history, management, and outcomes of stroke in India. This research has the potential to provide important insights into the effect of novel risk factors of stroke and various combinations of risk factors of stroke. Furthermore, the development of a stroke risk predictability calculator will add value to the existing Indian National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and offers a model for similar countries once developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the association between argonauts, a group of octopods, and various substrates in the ocean. The study used images shared by recreational divers on social media to quantify the diversity of substrates used by argonauts for movement. The images showed that argonauts were attached to plastic waste, vegetal debris, and pelagic animals, with gelatinous plankton being the most abundant substrate. The study also observed accompanying fauna sharing the same substrate with the argonauts. The findings highlight the value of citizen science and the use of high-quality images obtained during blackwater dives for studying the behavior and interactions of oceanic pelagic organisms. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the phenomenon of freshwater macroinvertebrates, specifically the midge Axarus, boring into rock and hard substrates in aquatic ecosystems. While burrowing into softer sediments is well-documented, the behavior of burrowing into rock and hardpan habitats is less understood. The article presents observations of Axarus populations in Lake McMurtry, Oklahoma, where the larvae were found to create burrows in clay and sandstone habitats. The study also highlights the presence of other invertebrates and parasites associated with the burrows. The authors emphasize the need for further research on rock-boring macroinvertebrates and their ecological impacts. [Extracted from the article]

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), specifically α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPARs), play a crucial role in orchestrating excitatory neurotransmission in the brain. AMPARs are intricate assemblies of subunits encoded by four paralogous genes: GRIA1‐4. Functional studies have established that rare GRIA variants can alter AMPAR currents leading to a loss‐ or gain‐of‐function. Patients affected by rare heterozygous GRIA variants tend to have family specific variants and only few recurrent variants have been reported. We deep‐phenotyped a cohort comprising eight unrelated children and adults, harboring a recurrent and well‐established disease‐causing GRIA1 variant (NM_001114183.1: c.1906G>A, p.(Ala636Thr)). Recurrent symptoms included motor and/or language delay, mild–severe intellectual disability, behavioral and psychiatric comorbidities, hypotonia and epilepsy. We also report challenges in social skills, autonomy, living and work situation, and occupational levels. Furthermore, we compared their clinical manifestations in relation to those documented in patients presenting with rare heterozygous variants at analogous positions within paralogous genes. This study provides unprecedented details on the neurodevelopmental outcomes, cognitive abilities, seizure profiles, and behavioral abnormalities associated with p.(Ala636Thr) refining and broadening the clinical phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the largest single dataset of patients with PMM2‐CDG enrolled in an ongoing international, multicenter natural history study collecting genetic, clinical, and biological information to evaluate similarities with previous studies, report on novel findings, and, additionally, examine potential genotype/phenotype correlations. A total of 137 participants had complete genotype information, representing 60 unique variants, of which the most common were found to be p.Arg141His in 58.4% (n = 80) of participants, followed by p.Pro113Leu (21.2%, n = 29), and p.Phe119Leu (12.4%, n = 17), consistent with previous studies. Interestingly, six new variants were reported, comprised of five missense variants (p.Pro20Leu, p.Tyr64Ser, p.Phe68Cys, p.Tyr76His, and p.Arg238His) and one frameshift (c.696del p.Ala233Argfs∗100). Patient phenotypes were characterized via the Nijmegen Progression CDG Rating Scale (NPCRS), together with biochemical parameters, the most consistently dysregulated of which were coagulation factors, specifically antithrombin (below normal in 79.5%, 93 of 117), in addition to Factor XI and protein C activity. Patient genotypes were classified based upon the predicted pathogenetic mechanism of disease‐associated mutations, of which most were found in the catalysis/activation, folding, or dimerization regions of the PMM2 enzyme. Two different approaches were used to uncover genotype/phenotype relationships. The first characterized genotype only by the predicted pathogenic mechanisms and uncovered associated changes in biochemical parameters, not apparent using only NPCRS, involving catalysis/activation, dimerization, folding, and no protein variants. The second approach characterized genotype by the predicted pathogenic mechanism and/or individual variants when paired with a subset of severe nonfunctioning variants and uncovered correlations with both NPCRS and biochemical parameters, demonstrating that p.Cys241Ser was associated with milder disease, while p.Val231Met, dimerization, and folding variants with more severe disease. Although determining comprehensive genotype/phenotype relationships has previously proven challenging for PMM2‐CDG, the larger sample size, plus inclusion of biochemical parameters in the current study, has provided new insights into the interplay of genetics with disease. Trial Registration:NCT03173300. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's interactions with nature are important mediators of health benefits and future relationships with nature and conservation. However, there are growing concerns that children are becoming disconnected from nature as societal changes make natural environments and their affordances less accessible. There is now a need to explore ways to reconnect children to nature.We evaluated bird feeding as an environmental education intervention on species knowledge, attitudes towards birds and well‐being of children (aged 10–11 years) in 14 urban and rural schools across three city regions. We used surveys to investigate the role of urbanisation and socio‐economic factors in children's relationships with nature and possible modulating effects on the intervention response.Local nature, close to the children's homes, was associated with better well‐being and modulated the effect of the intervention on species knowledge: children from areas with less local nature gained more from the project. Urbanisation per se had no direct impacts but did correlate with the types of affordances associated with nature by the children, suggesting differences in how urban and rural children utilise nature.We found that socio‐economic factors impacted pre‐existing species knowledge and attitudes towards nature. Higher education was associated with better species knowledge. Higher income correlated with children participating in more outdoor activities, which subsequently correlated with more positive attitudes towards birds. Species knowledge also correlated with positive attitudes. We found large differences in the intervention impact between schools, likely explained by a pivotal role of teachers facilitating nature interactions in school‐based projects.Our findings show that bird feeding has potential as an intervention to connect children with nature, but ecological and social contexts moderate its efficacy. Local greenspace and socio‐economics influenced children's relationships with nature in both urban and rural areas, indicating that local conditions rather than urbanisation levels govern connection to nature. Role models appeared crucial, suggesting that specialised environmental education organisations have significant potential to enhance nature connection through interventions, particularly in areas with low socio‐economic levels and sparse nature. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have systematically analyzed how old aging is. Gaining a more accurate knowledge about the natural history of aging could however have several payoffs. This knowledge could unveil lineages with dated genetic hardware, possibly maladapted to current environmental challenges, and also uncover "phylogenetic modules of aging," i.e., naturally evolved pathways associated with aging or longevity from a single ancestry, with translational interest for anti-aging therapies. Here, we approximated the natural history of the genetic hardware of aging for five model fungal and animal species. We propose a lower-bound estimate of the phylogenetic age of origination for their protein-encoding gene families and protein–protein interactions. Most aging-associated gene families are hundreds of million years old, older than the other gene families from these genomes. Moreover, we observed a form of punctuated evolution of the aging hardware in all species, as aging-associated families born at specific phylogenetic times accumulate preferentially in genomes. Most protein–protein interactions between aging genes are also old, and old aging-associated proteins showed a reduced potential to contribute to novel interactions associated with aging, suggesting that aging networks are at risk of losing in evolvability over long evolutionary periods. Finally, due to reshuffling events, aging networks presented a very limited phylogenetic structure that challenges the detection of "maladaptive" or "adaptative" phylogenetic modules of aging in present-day genomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Limited data exist on the natural history of shoulder symptoms. We aimed to describe longitudinal patterns of shoulder symptoms and determine risk factors for incidence and persistence. Methods: Data from Osteoarthritis Initiative participants observed annually for four years were used to describe shoulder symptom (yes/no, side) incidence and prevalence using descriptive analyses. Regression analyses investigated the association among three shoulder symptoms outcomes (persistent, incident, and intermittent) and clinical factors. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) identified trajectories in those reporting pain at one or more time point. Results: In total, 4,796 participants (58% women, mean age 61.2 years) were included. Baseline shoulder symptom prevalence was 22%; 32% of these reported bilateral symptoms. In those reporting right symptoms, 260 of 1,886 (14%) had persistent symptoms. Those with persistent symptoms had worse baseline and four‐year clinical status (poorer function, mental health, and quality of life). In regression analysis, persistent symptoms were associated with sleep disturbance (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.97, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.49–2.62), work absenteeism (aOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.38–2.62), lower limb weakness (aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.37–2.27), multiple‐site joint symptoms (≥3 joints excluding shoulders) (aOR 4.90, 95% CI 2.79–8.58) and White race (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04–1.88). Lower limb weakness was also associated with incident symptoms; no variables were associated with intermittent symptoms. LCGA identified two trajectories: the trajectory with high probability for symptoms (9% of LCGA analysis cohort) showed similar relationships to clinical variables as in the persistent symptoms group. Conclusion: In this large, four‐year study, persistent shoulder symptoms were common and associated with worse clinical outcomes. At least one risk factor for incident symptoms is modifiable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effectiveness of dengue control interventions depends on an effective integrated surveillance system that involves analysis of multiple variables associated with the natural history and transmission dynamics of this arbovirus. Entomological indicators associated with other biotic and abiotic parameters can assertively characterize the spatiotemporal trends related to dengue transmission risk. However, the unpredictability of the non-linear nature of the data, as well as the uncertainty and subjectivity inherent in biological data are often neglected in conventional models. Methods: As an alternative for analyzing dengue-related data, we devised a fuzzy-logic approach to test ensembles of these indicators across categories, which align with the concept of degrees of truth to characterize the success of dengue transmission by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in an endemic city in Brazil. We used locally gathered entomological, demographic, environmental and epidemiological data as input sources using freely available data on digital platforms. The outcome variable, risk of transmission, was aggregated into three categories: low, medium, and high. Spatial data was georeferenced and the defuzzified values were interpolated to create a map, translating our findings to local public health managers and decision-makers to direct further vector control interventions. Results: The classification of low, medium, and high transmission risk areas followed a seasonal trend expected for dengue occurrence in the region. The fuzzy approach captured the 2020 outbreak, when only 14.06% of the areas were classified as low risk. The classification of transmission risk based on the fuzzy system revealed effective in predicting an increase in dengue transmission, since more than 75% of high-risk areas had an increase in dengue incidence within the following 15 days. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the ability of fuzzy logic to characterize the city's spatiotemporal heterogeneity in relation to areas at high risk of dengue transmission, suggesting it can be considered as part of an integrated surveillance system to support timely decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emesine bug Ademula contaminata (Distant, 1903) is recorded from India for the first time and rediscovered from Sri Lanka. Details of its morphology, including the male genitalia, are presented along with images of the habitat. Images of living bugs in natural habitat are presented along with some comments on natural history of these bugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) deficiency is a rare peroxisomal enzyme deficiency caused by biallelic variants in the AMACR gene. This deficiency leads to the accumulation of toxic bile acid intermediates (R)-trihydroxycholestenoic acid (THCA) and (R)-dihydroxycholestenoic acid (DHCA) and pristanic acid. With less than 20 patients described in literature, the phenotype of AMACR deficiency is poorly defined and no data on the natural history are available. Results: Here we describe a cohort of 12 patients (9 adults and 3 children) with genetically confirmed AMACR deficiency (median age at diagnosis 56 years, range 3–69), followed for an average of 6 years (between 2015 and 2023). Five novel pathogenic variants are described. In 5/9 adult patients, retinitis pigmentosa was detected at a median age of 45 years (range 30–61). The median delay to diagnosis of AMACR deficiency after the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa was 24 years (range 0–33). All adult patients subsequently developed neurological signs and symptoms after the age of 40 years; most frequently neuropathy, ataxia and cognitive decline with prior normal cognitive functioning. One patient presented with a stroke-like episode. All adult patients showed a typical MRI pattern involving the thalami and gray matter structures of the pons and midbrain. One patient had a hepatocellular carcinoma at the time of the AMACR deficiency diagnosis and two patients suffered from gallstones. All three included children had elevated liver transaminases as single presenting sign and showed no brain MRI abnormalities. Conclusion: AMACR deficiency can be considered as an adult slowly progressive disease with a predominant neurological phenotype. The main signs comprise retinitis pigmentosa, neuropathy, ataxia and cognitive decline; stroke-like episodes may occur. Recognition of typical MRI abnormalities may facilitate prompt diagnosis. In addition, there is a risk of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in these patients, requiring active monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt conducted an expedition through the American continent, alongside Aimé Bonpland, from 1799 to 1804. Before finally returning to Europe, they decided to take a side trip to the USA between May 20 and July 7, 1804. Humboldt's most detailed account of his time in the USA consists of a manuscript entitled "Plantae des États-Unis" (1804), containing information on useful plants and timber of the country. The aim of this paper is to retrieve, for the first time, ethnobotanical information regarding North American plants and their uses inside this Humboldt's manuscript as well as to highlight the erasure and invisibilization of North American Indigenous knowledge within historical documents and bibliography, mainly during the nineteenth century. Methods: "Plantae des États-Unis" (digitized version and its transcription) was carefully analyzed, and information on plant species mentioned in the manuscript (including botanical and vernacular names, traditional uses, and general observations) was retrieved. Traditional uses were correlated with ethnobotanical data from the Native American Ethnobotany Database and encyclopedic literature on North American plants from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as recent pharmacological studies searched in scientific papers. Results: In the manuscript are mentioned 28 species distributed in 15 botanical families, with Fagaceae (9 Quercus species) being the most representative. All species are USA natives, except for one undetermined species (only the genus was mentioned, Corylus). Four species were directly mentioned as medicinal (Toxicodendron radicans, Liriodendron tulipifera, Actaea racemosa, and Gillenia stipulata), while other four were described as tanning agents (astringent) (Cornus florida, Diospyros virginiana, Quercus rubra, and Quercus velutina). Two species were described as bitter (Xanthorhiza simplicissima and A. racemosa). Nine Quercus species were described, but five were reported as the most useful oaks for cultivation in Europe (Quercus bicolor, Quercus castanea, Quercus virginiana, Quercus michauxii, and Quercus alba); three of them were used for ship construction (Q. virginiana, Q. michauxii, and Q. alba), two as astringent (Q. rubra and Q. stellata), and one had wood of poor quality (Quercus phellos). One species was described as a yellow dye (Hydrastis canadensis), and the other was mentioned as toxic (Aesculus pavia). Ten species did not have any useful applications listed. Conclusions: Although "Plantae des États-Unis" is a brief collection of annotations, these data reveal a historical scenario of outstanding plants with social and economic interest in the USA at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The data highlight a clear process of suppression of the traditional knowledge of Native North American Indigenous peoples in past historical records and literature, due to the lack of acknowledgment by white European settlers and American-born explorers. This ethnobotanical inventory may help us understand the relationship between plants and Native North American Indigenous peoples, as well as European naturalists and settlers, and USA-born people in the past, and reflect on the importance of Indigenous traditional knowledge, bioeconomy, sustainable management, and conservation of biodiversity in the present and future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined a natural history of opioid overdose deaths from 1999-2021 in the United States to describe state-level spatio-temporal heterogeneity in the waves of the epidemic. We obtained overdose death counts by state from 1999-2021, categorized as involving prescription opioids, heroin, synthetic opioids, or unspecified drugs. We developed a Bayesian multivariate multiple change point model to flexibly estimate the timing and magnitude of state-specific changes in death rates involving each drug type. We found substantial variability around the timing and severity of each wave across states. The first wave of prescription-involved deaths started between 1999 and 2005, the second wave of heroin-involved deaths started between 2010 and 2014, and the third wave of synthetic opioid-involved deaths started between 2014 and 2021. The severity of the second and third waves was greater in states in the eastern half of the country. Our study highlights state-level variation in the timing and severity of the waves of the opioid epidemic by presenting a 23-year natural history of opioid overdose mortality in the United States. While reinforcing the general notion of three waves, we find that states did not uniformly experience the impacts of each wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The natural history in unselected cohorts of patients with pheochromocytoma/ paraganglioma (PPGL) followed for a period >10 years remains limited. We aimed to describe baseline characteristics and outcome of a large cohort and to identify predictors of shorter survival. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 303 patients with newly diagnosed PPGL from 1968 to December 31, 2023, in 199 prospectively supplemented since July 2020. Mean follow-up was 11.4 (range 0.3-50) years, germline genetic analyses were available in 92.1%. The main outcome measures were overall (OAS), disease-specific (DSS), recurrence-free (RFS) survival and predictors of shorter survival evaluated in patients with metastases at first diagnosis (n=12), metastatic (n=24) and nonmetastatic (n=33) recurrences and without evidence of PPGL after first surgery (n=234). Results: Age at study begin was 49.4 ± 16.3 years. There were 72 (23.8%) deaths, 15 (5.0%), 29 (9.6%) and 28 (9.2%) due to PPGL, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and malignant or other diseases, respectively. Median OAS, DSS1 (tumor-related) and DSS2 (DSS1 and death caused by CVD) were 4.8, 5.9 and 5.2 years (patients with metastases at first diagnosis), 21.2, 21.2 and 19.9 years, and 38.0, undefined and 38.0 years (patients with metastatic and with nonmetastatic recurrences, respectively). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) preceded the first diagnosis in 15% (n=44). Shorter DSS2 correlated with older age (P ≤ 0.001), male sex (P ≤0.02), MACE (P ≤ 0.01) and primary metastases (P<0.0001, also for DSS1). Conclusion: The clinical course of unselected patients with PPGL is rather benign. Survival rates remain high for decades, unless there are MACE before diagnosis or metastatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a data report on gene expression after hepatic portal vein ligation (PVL) in rats. It discusses the increasing incidence of primary liver cancer and the surgical interventions available. The report focuses on the technique of portal vein ligation in rats and its comparison to portal vein embolization. It also discusses the role of non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs, in liver biology and the potential for therapeutic targeting in liver diseases and surgical interventions. The document provides sequencing statistics for small RNA samples obtained from a study on hepatic perfusion and function in healthy and venous-ligated livers. The dataset is valuable for understanding the relationship between hepatic perfusion and gene expression, particularly for non-coding RNAs. The animal study was conducted ethically and the research was funded by the DFG within the Research Unit Programme FOR 5151 QuaLiPerF. The authors declare no conflicts of interest, except for one author who was employed by Oncgnostics GmbH. The claims expressed in the article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent their affiliated organizations or the publisher. [Extracted from the article]

We describe a new species of Centrolene from the Subandean Cordillera of Kutukú in southeastern Ecuador. The new species differs from all other glassfrogs by the combination of the following characters: presence of processes of vomers but without vomerine teeth; humeral spines in males; dorsum green with light green dots and without dark marks; dorsal skin with abundant tubercles; all visceral peritonea translucent (except for pericardium); and small body size (snout-vent length 21.5–21.9 mm in adult males). The new species is sister to Centrolene camposi from the Western Cordillera of the Andes of southwestern Ecuador, and together they form a clade with C. condor from the Subandean Cóndor Cordillera in southeastern Ecuador. Our time tree suggests that the new species originated at the end of the Pliocene. In addition, we present new information for C. zarza, expanding its geographic range across the southeastern Andes and the Kutukú and Cóndor cordilleras, amending its definition and diagnosis, and offering new information on its natural history and extinction risk. We also discuss the taxonomic status of Ecuadorian populations reported as C. huilensis and conclude that they are C. muelleri based on their close phylogenetic relationships and morphological similarity to samples of C. muelleri from Peru. Centrolene huilensis is a valid species and not closely related to C. muelleri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Reframing African ecology: Challenging bias and celebrating contribution" discusses the bias and marginalization faced by African ecological studies in Western discourse and scientific research. It highlights the rich scientific heritage of African ecosystems and the contributions of both native and foreign scientists. The article emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts and inclusive scholarship to challenge biases and elevate African ecological research on a global scale. It also explores the significant role of African ecology in shaping our understanding of ecological processes, conservation biology, and other scientific disciplines. The article provides examples of groundbreaking research in Africa, such as Dr. Christiaan N. Barnard's heart transplant and Louis Leakey's work in paleoanthropology. It also discusses the contributions of African ecosystems to evolutionary biology, genetics, and conservation science. The article concludes by calling for a more transparent and open discussion in journals like the African Journal of Ecology to promote and recognize African talent in the international scientific community. The article discusses the importance of African ecological research in understanding various topics such as predation, population dynamics, optimal foraging theory, resource stoichiometry, and the composition of food webs. It also highlights the significance of studying bushmeat and its impact on conservation, public health, and local communities. The emergence of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and COVID-19 has further emphasized the need for interdisciplinary research in wildlife ecology, epidemiology, and socio-cultural studies. The article acknowledges the challenges faced in conducting ecological research in Africa, including logistical [Extracted from the article]

The forty-year-old Long-Term Ecological Research MareChiara (LTER-MC) program started on 26 January 1984, with fortnightly oceanographic sampling until 1991 and then, from 1995, with weekly sampling up to the present time. LTER-MC produced >150 publications that have been cited by thousands of other studies. In this scoping review, we analyzed this corpus using a semantic approach based on topic modeling, a machine-driven procedure to identify and map topics and their interactions. Understanding the causes behind the evolution of scientific topics, their emergence, splitting, hybridization, or merging within a scientific community is an important step in science policy in managing collaborative research and bringing it into the future. Across different topics, mainly represented by studies on Natural History, Biodiversity, Phenology, Life Cycles, and Community Ecology, the LTER-MC work expanded the knowledge on planktonic organisms, describing in detail their lifestyles and delineating their relationships with environmental conditions. In presenting these results, the potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats connected to the overall scientific dimension of LTER-MC are discussed. Finally, the upcoming effort is envisioned in reinforcing internal collaboration to integrate basic and applied research around scientific investigations suitable for establishing a stronger interaction between science and policy, as indicated by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the latest molecular phylogenies of Gonyosoma sensu lato, which recovered five clades with robust support, we utilize morphological characters to demonstrate the distinctiveness of each clade, resulting in the resurrection of three genera (Gonyophis Boulenger, 1891; Rhynchophis Mocquard, 1897; and Rhadinophis Vogt, 1922) and a proposal of a new genus and a new tribe. A synopsis of the group, with descriptions and diagnoses, is provided for the five genera and eight species in addition to distribution maps and illustrations of the head of each taxon. An artificial key to the species and genera in the new tribe is presented in addition to the estimated origin times for each clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 240 species of snake have been described from Thailand, yet basic natural history and ecology for this group of animals remains scarce in human disturbed environments despite conservation and human medical significance of them in these habitats. We studied snake diversity at Walailak University from March to December 2023, the largest university campus in Thailand (1525 hectares) through standardized walking surveys, opportunistic notifications and observation, road surveys, and traps and evaluated diversity using the Shannon diversity index (H), Pielou's evenness of species (J), detection probabilities (p), and occupancy probabilities (ψ). We observed 195 snakes (21 species, 7 families) at Walailak University and overall snake diversity (H = 2.60) and evenness (J = 0.85) were quite high, although specific site diversity (range H = 0–1.94) and evenness (range J = 0.67–0.91) within the university were variable. The probability of detecting snakes (range p =.10–.40) increased with increasing humidity and decreased with increasing amount of rain, temperature, and wind; site occupancy probability decreased with increased canopy height and increased with increased distance to buildings, increased canopy height loss, increased distance to roads, and increased distance to water. Our findings of relatively high snake diversity, presence of snake species potentially dangerous to humans (six species), and protected snake species (Thailand WARPA and international CITES, five species) suggest significant potential for conservation and further research at Walailak University and other campuses in Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I analyze a momentous change in eighteenth century French life sciences. Whereas in the first half of the century the conception of natural history as the systematic collection of facts had been most successful, at mid-century a new approach emerged. This approach was characterized by an accent on general philosophical themes rather than on observation and experiment. I study the grounds and features of this historical shift through the work of Maupertuis, who published papers in institutional (or Baconian) natural history in his early years, but then adopted a more speculative approach to the life sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the methodological relation between natural history and natural philosophy in the case of John Evelyn (1620–1706). I propose to examine Evelyn's tree cultivation projects and to identify relevant aspects of his attempt to move from descriptive natural history to experimental natural history. My central argument is that Evelyn's intention in this endeavour was to develop a series of experimental natural history projects that could provide general laws and axioms of nature as foundations for natural philosophy. I suggest that, considering Bacon's methodological recommendations regarding the relation between natural history and natural philosophy, Evelyn evolved from one "Baconian" role to another. While in the 1650s Evelyn acted as a "merchant of light," as he devoted his interest to writing natural history projects based on collecting data and commonplacing different sources, in the 1660s he moved to an advanced role, that of a "compiler" or a "lamp," in which he composed projects of experimental natural history. In Evelyn's view, the latter kind of natural history would serve as a methodological step in building a natural philosophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peter Harrison explains the disappearance of symbolic meanings of animals from seventeenth-century works in natural history through what he calls the "literalist mentality of the reformers." By contrast, the present article argues in favor of a different understanding of the connection between hermeneutics and Protestant natural history. Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Johannes Brenz, Johannes Oecolampadius, and Jean Calvin continued to assign moral meanings to natural particulars, and moral interpretations can still be found in the writings of Protestant naturalists such as Conrad Gesner, Caspar Heldelinus, Jeremias Wilde, Thomas Penny, and Thomas Moffett. If there are differences between Protestant and Catholic interpretations of animals, then these differences derive from the reformer's greater insistence on providing textual support for assigning symbolic meanings, their resulting greater reluctance in assigning prophetic meanings to animals, and their elimination of spiritual interpretations of animals that are in tension with central tenets of Protestant theology. These differences in hermeneutics and theology may explain some of the divergences between the symbolic interpretations of animals proposed by Protestant natural historians and their Catholic colleague, Ulisse Aldrovandi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Crocodiles are one of nature's most successful predators. Their prey varies according to their size. Adults are known to consume different types of vertebrates; juveniles have a similar diet, although their prey is smaller. However, hatchlings have a diet based mainly on insects. This study aimed to know the diet of hatchling Morelet's crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) at a growth stage corresponding to their transition to the juvenile stage. Therefore, it is important to know which vertebrate prey are beginning to appear during this developmental change in crocodiles. To find out, we captured and washed the stomachs of 31 hatchling crocodiles in the Laguna de las Ilusiones in Tabasco, Mexico. Our results showed that crocodiles have a generalist diet, with prey ranging from invertebrates (mainly coleoptera and hemipterans) to some vertebrates (mostly fish and birds). It is important to know these changes in the diet of crocodilians as they develop to help us better interpret their natural history and propose better strategies for their study. The relationship between diet and behavior is essential to understanding an animal's strategies to obtain food, considering ontogenical changes. In reptiles, there is a relationship between the length of the individual and the size of the prey it consumes. Studies have focused on the ontogenetic changes in reptile diets from hatchling to adult, but only a few studies have focused on the transition from hatchling to juvenile. We aimed to describe and analyze the composition, variation, diversity, and overlap in the diet of hatchling Morelet's crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) for three size intervals during the hatchling–juvenile transition. We captured 31 hatchling Morelet's crocodiles in an urbanized lagoon in Tabasco. We performed stomach-flushing to determine the diet. Additionally, we estimated the volume, frequency of occurrence, and relative importance of diet items and analyzed the relationship between prey type and the total length of the individuals. The diversity of the hatchling prey suggests a generalist diet. We observed two items not previously described in the diet of hatchling crocodiles. In addition, we found differences in diet between the initial and final size intervals, as increases in the length of prey appeared that they did not consume when they were hatchlings. Our results contribute new information to the dietary changes that occur during the hatchling–juvenile transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LAMA2‐related dystrophies (LAMA2‐RD) constitute a rare neuromuscular disorder with a broad spectrum of phenotypic severity. Our understanding of the genotype–phenotype correlations in this condition remains incomplete, and reliable clinical data for clinical trial readiness is limited. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the genetic data and medical records of 114 LAMA2‐RD patients enrolled at seven research centers in Brazil. We identified 58 different pathogenic variants, including 21 novel ones. Six variants were more prevalent and were present in 81.5% of the patients. Notably, the c.1255del, c.2049_2050del, c.3976 C>T, c.5234+1G>A, and c.4739dup variants were found in patients unable to walk and without cortical malformation. In contrast, the c.2461A>C variant was present in patients who could walk unassisted. Among ambulatory patients, missense variants were more prevalent (p < 0.0001). Although no specific hotspot regions existed in the LAMA2, 51% of point mutations were in the LN domain, and 88% of the missense variants were found within this domain. Functional analysis was performed in one intronic variant (c.4960‐17C>A) and revealed an out‐of‐frame transcript, indicating that the variant creates a cryptic splicing site (AG). Our study has shed light on crucial phenotype–genotype correlations and provided valuable insights, particularly regarding the Latin American population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Peritoneal infiltrating and fibrotic endometriosis, also known as deep endometriosis, is the most severe manifestation of the disease that can cause severe complications including bowel and ureteral stenosis. The natural history of these lesions and the possible effect of hormonal treatments on their progression are undefined. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate whether and how frequently deep endometriosis progresses over time without or with ovarian suppression. This could inform management decisions in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients. Material and Methods: For this pre‐registered systematic review (CRD42023463518), the PubMed and Embase databases were screened, and studies published between 2000 and 2023 that serially evaluated the size of deep endometriotic lesions without or with hormonal treatment were selected. Data on the progression, stability, or regression of deep endometriotic lesions were recorded as absolute frequencies or mean volume variations. Estimates of the overall percentage of progression and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random‐effect model. When studies reported lesion progression as pre‐ and post‐treatment volume means, the delta of the two‐volume means was calculated and analyzed using the inverse variance method. Results: A total of 29 studies were identified, of which 19 studies with 285 untreated and 730 treated patients were ultimately selected for meta‐analysis. The overall estimate of the percentage of lesion progression in untreated individuals was 21.4% (95% CI, 6.8–40.8%; I2 = 90.5%), whereas it was 12.4% during various hormonal treatments (95% CI, 9.0–16.1%; I2 = 0%). Based on the overall meta‐analysis estimates, the odds ratio of progression in treated vs untreated patients was 0.52 (95% CI, 0.41–0.66). During hormonal suppression, the mean volume of deep endometriotic lesions decreased significantly by 0.87 cm3 (95% CI, 0.19–1.56 cm3; I2 = 0%), representing −28.5% of the baseline volume. Conclusions: Untreated deep endometriotic lesions progressed in about one in five patients. Medical therapy reduced but did not eliminate this risk. Given the organ function failure potentially caused by these lesions, the decision whether to use hormonal treatments in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic women should always be shared, carefully weighing the potential benefits and harms of the two alternatives after extensive counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the development of Scandinavian exercise physiology, with a focus on the years between 1910 and 1920 and the subsequent establishment of the Rockefeller Institute in Copenhagen in 1928. Three scientists, Erik Hohwü Christensen, Marius Nielsen, and Erling Asmussen, played key roles in advancing the field during this time. Their research centered on the adaptative resetting of homeostasis across organ systems during exercise. The article also mentions the League of Nations' Health Organization's support for a research program investigating physiological responses to maximum muscular effort, which further bolstered the work of Hohwü and Nielsen. The text goes on to discuss the collaborative efforts of Hohwü, Nielsen, and Asmussen in the 1930s and 1940s, where they conducted experiments to understand the mechanisms behind the increase in cardiac output during exercise. Their studies revealed that cardiovascular function, ventilation, and thermoregulation are tightly regulated during exercise, with feedback mechanisms originating within the working skeletal muscle. Additionally, they identified a neural feedback mechanism related to the volume of involved musculature that triggers these responses. Overall, the collaboration between these three scientists led to significant advancements in the understanding of exercise physiology. [Extracted from the article]

Jellyfish are commonly known as dangerous sea creatures that humans should avoid. Focusing on the newly discovered freshwater jellyfish in the late nineteenth century, this article explores a global history of Craspedacusta sowerbii, a species native to China first noted in nineteenth-century Britain but since traveling the world over. The worldwide distribution of C. sowerbii, as both polyps and medusae, made it a global subject of scientific inquiry. However, no independent study has examined the history behind the origin, circulation, and implication of the freshwater jellyfish and its relationship with marine types. The late nineteenth century was the period when our premodern knowledge of jellyfish transformed from it being purely a marine life to the modern recognition of jellyfish as both marine and freshwater organisms, triggered by the discovery and discussion of the Chinese freshwater jellyfish C. sowerbii among naturalists and philosophers. This article focuses on Arthur de Carle Sowerby's engagement with C. sowerbii in terms of narratives of evolution, nomenclature, and bioinvasion between 1880 and 1941. I argue that jellyfish, as a lowly form of invertebrates, should be taken more seriously by historians of modern China and historians of biology who are interested in the diverse roles of animals in shaping human–animal interactions in the Anthropocene. While the scientific research of jellyfish's global bloom abounds, the interpretation of the global rise of jellyfish could benefit from a historically and culturally bound analysis of this classical animal. This is particularly so as scientists recognized the diverse perceptions of jellyfish. The global jellyfish bloom requires historical perspectives on a topic that has hitherto received scant attention from historians of science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]