How Did Seal Lice Turn into the Only Truly Marine Insects?

Insects are the most evolutionarily and ecologically successful group of living animals, being present in almost all possible mainland habitats; however, they are virtually absent in the ocean, which constitutes more than 99% of the Earth’s biosphere. Only a few insect species can be found in the sea but they remain at the surface, in salt marshes, estuaries, or shallow waters. Remarkably, a group of 13 species manages to endure long immersion periods in the open sea, as well as deep dives, i.e., seal lice. Sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) are ectoparasites of mammals, living while attached to the hosts’ skin, into their fur, or among their hairs. Among them, the family Echinophthiriidae is peculiar because it infests amphibious hosts, such as pinnipeds and otters, who make deep dives and spend from weeks to months in the open sea. During the evolutionary transition of pinnipeds from land to the ocean, echinophthiriid lice had to manage the gradual change to an amphibian lifestyle along with their hosts, some of which may spend more than 80% of the time submerged and performing extreme dives, some beyond 2000 m under the surface. These obligate and permanent ectoparasites have adapted to cope with hypoxia, high salinity, low temperature, and, in particular, conditions of huge hydrostatic pressures. We will discuss some of these adaptations allowing seal lice to cope with their hosts’ amphibious habits and how they can help us understand why insects are so rare in the ocean.

Autologous Blood Patch Pleurodesis for the Management of a Persistent Air Leak after Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) complicated by persistent air leak (PAL) and who are poor surgical candidates have limited treatment options. This case series explored autologous blood patch pleurodesis as a possible cost-effective management option. A total of 46 episodes of SSP with PAL were included. The procedure was successful in 33 (71.7%). Of these, 17 (51.5%) resolved within 1 day. The mean duration of intercostal drainage prior to the blood patch was 22 days in the successful group. Pneumothoraces with incomplete lung re-expansion at the time of procedure were successful in 20 of 30 (66.7%). Only human immunodeficiency virus infection was associated with failure (<i>p</i> = 0.03). Adverse events included transient fever (<i>n</i> = 3) that resolved spontaneously, and empyema (<i>n</i> = 3) which were successfully managed with antibiotics and pigtail drainage. We conclude that a large proportion of patients with SSP complicated by PAL who are unfit for surgery may be liberated from intercostal drainage by an autologous blood patch pleurodesis, with minimal adverse effects.

Three Novel Bacteria Associated with Two Centric Diatom Species from the Mediterranean Sea, Thalassiosira rotula and Skeletonema marinoi

Diatoms are a successful group of microalgae at the base of the marine food web. For hundreds of millions of years, they have shared common habitats with bacteria, which favored the onset of interactions at different levels, potentially driving the synthesis of biologically active molecules. To unveil their presence, we sequenced the genomes of bacteria associated with the centric diatom Thalassiosira rotula from the Gulf of Naples. Annotation of the metagenome and its analysis allowed the reconstruction of three bacterial genomes that belong to currently undescribed species. Their investigation showed the existence of novel gene clusters coding for new polyketide molecules, antibiotics, antibiotic-resistance genes and an ectoine production pathway. Real-time PCR was used to investigate the association of these bacteria with three different diatom clones and revealed their preference for T. rotula FE80 and Skeletonema marinoi FE7, but not S. marinoi FE60 from the North Adriatic Sea. Additionally, we demonstrate that although all three bacteria could be detected in the culture supernatant (free-living), their number is up to 45 times higher in the cell associated fraction, suggesting a close association between these bacteria and their host. We demonstrate that axenic cultures of T. rotula are unable to grow in medium with low salinity (<28 ppt NaCl) whereas xenic cultures can tolerate up to 40 ppt NaCl with concomitant ectoine production, likely by the associated bacteria.

The Benefits of Cooperative Learning of Language in Different Subject Lessons as Seen by Primary School Pupils: The Case of One Lithuanian City School

Contemporary educational theory and practice promote the development of subject-specific and generic competences. Cooperative learning is a generic competence whose development is recommended in all subject lessons/activities. The development of fundamental individual values that rely not only on individual achievements but also on empathy and helping others, the ability to listen, mentor, and assist is integral to primary education. Such education is supported by positive inclusion in the process and good-willed communication within the group to achieve a common result. It is through achieving common goals and witnessing the variety of activity approaches that certain activities become a success. The study aimed to include all students in the development process on the basis of cooperative learning and improve each and every student’s individual learning of language performance in all subjects. The study is based on 186 first-to-fourth-year students from one major city school, representing a total of 8 classes. After the school-wide activities on cooperative learning, all pupils took part in a questionnaire survey halfway through the school year. The survey used a written questionnaire. The questions in the questionnaire were designed to explore pupils’ attitudes towards school and language-related aspects of successful group cooperation. The collected data were analysed using SPSS version 20. The data analysis used a descriptive approach, calculating the answers chosen by the pupils. An analysis of the survey results shows that the majority of pupils in years 1 to 4 think they can work in groups and cooperate because they are willing to listen to others, explain and help others, are not bored, are interested in working together, and are interested in learning new subjects.

External validation of the T.O.HO. score as predictor of success after retrograde intrarenal surgery

Background To assess the effectiveness of T.O.HO. (Tallness, Occupied lesion, Houndsfield unit evaluation) score in predicting the retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) success and to validate this scoring system. Methods The age, sex, previous stone surgery, hospitalization, surgery duration, postoperative complication, stone length, stone location, stone density, stone number, lateralization, presence of hydronephrosis, and presence of preoperative stent datas of 518 patients who underwent RIRS in our clinic between January 2013 and January 2021 were retrospectively assessed. The patients were divided into two groups as successful and unsuccessful. The T.O.HO scores of all patients were calculated. Results The success rate was 72.5%. Compared to the unsuccessful group, stone length and stone density were lower, surgery duration was shorter and there were less lower pole stones in the successful group (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the other parameters. The T.O.HO. score was significantly lower in the successful group compared to the unsuccessful group (p<0.001). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, stone length (OR: 0.905; 95% Cl: 0.866-0.946; p<0.001), lower pole location (OR: 0.546; 95% Cl: 0.013-0.296; p<0.001), stone density (OR: 0.999; 95% Cl: 0.998-1; p=0.044) and the T.O.HO. score (OR: 0.684; 95%Cl: 0.554-0.844; p<0.001) were found as the independent risk factors for RIRS success. ROC curve analysis showed that the T.O.HO. score could predict the RIRS success with 7.5 cut-off point (AUC:0.799, CI: 0.76–0.839; p<0.001). Conclusion The T.O.HO. score can predict RIRS success with a high rate of accuracy.

The role of diaphragmatic ultrasound as a predictor of successful extubation from mechanical ventilation in respiratory intensive care unit

Background The diaphragm muscle whose dysfunction may be very common in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (Ferrari G, De Filippi G, Elia F, Panero F, Volpicelli G, Aprà F. Crit Ultrasound J 6:8, 2014). Aim: To evaluate real-time ultrasound in the evaluation of diaphragmatic thickening, thickening fraction, and/or excursion to predict extubation outcomes. We aimed to compare these parameters with other traditional weaning measures is a fundamental. Results Out of 80 included patients, 20 (25%) have failed extubation. Diaphragmatic thickening (DT), thickening fraction (DTF), and/or excursion (DE) were significantly higher in the successful group compared to those who failed extubation (p < 0.05). Cutoff values of diaphragmatic measures associated with successful extubation (during tidal breathing) were ≥ 17 mm for DE; ≥ 2.1 cm for DT inspiration; ≥ 15.5 mm for DT expiration, functional residual capacity (FRC); and ≥ 32.82% for DTF %, giving 68%, 95%, 62%, and 90% sensitivity, respectively, and 65%, 100%, 100%, and 75% specificity, respectively. Cutoff values of diaphragmatic parameters associated with successful extubation (during deep breathing) were > 28.5 mm DT Insp, total lung capacity (TLC); >22.5mm DT Exp (RV); >37 DTF %; and > 31 mm DE, giving 100%, 73%, 97%, and 75% sensitivity and 65%, 75%, 100%, and 55% specificity, respectively. Rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) had 47% sensitivity but 90% specificity. Conclusion Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragmatic parameters could be a good predictor of weaning in patients who passed the T-tube.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new cephalosporin derivatives containing cyclic disulfide moieties

Due to a steady increase of microbial resistance, there is a need to increase the effectiveness of antibiotic performance by involving additional mechanisms of their penetration or retention for their better action. Cephalosporins are a successful group of antibiotics to combat pathogenic microorganisms, including drug-resistant strains. In this study, we investigated the effect of newly synthesized cephalosporin derivatives with cyclic disulfide modifications against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains as well as against biofilm formation. The incorporation of asparagusic acid was found to be effective in improving the activity of the drug against Gram-negative strains. Furthermore, we could demonstrate the successful inhibition of biofilm formation for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa at similar concentrations as obtained against planktonic cells. We propose that the incorporation of cyclic disulfides is one additional strategy to improve antibiotic activity and to combat bacterial infections.

Ophidian Diversity in Tumkur District, Karnataka, India

Snakes are the most diverse successful group of animals belonging to the Class Reptilia, which are completely dependent upon the natural environment for their sustenance. They are highly significant as they are an important part of food chain and food webs of almost all the ecosystems, due to which their presence and absence depicts the status of their ecosystem. These crawlers are predators on rodents and insects which are harmful in agricultural fields, due to which they are considered to be the farmer’s friend. Also, snakes play a vital role in controlling the population of harmful rodents which functions as vectors of deadly diseases. Such beneficial species are at the verge of threat which may even lead towards their local extinction. The major threats to these limbless reptiles are as far identified as, the habitat loss, accidents such as road kills and also being slayed when sighted in residential areas. This is mainly due to the lack of adequate knowledge about their status and their significance. Hence the conservation of the herpetofauna at the region is very much needed. Therefore, this study is carried out by obtaining the data from interaction with the local farmers ’and volunteers from snake rescue teams. The study resulted in 29 snake species belonging to 9 different families. Out of which 21 non-venomous, 03 semi-venomous and 05 venomous species were recorded. This study provides the primary information about the Ophidian diversity to educate and bring in awareness among the people and further leading to put up strategies for their natural conservation. Whether these species is medically significant to humans needs further study.