Two noteworthy ramicolous liverworts from Mount Roraima, Guyana: Frullania trigona and Metzgeria deniseana sp. nov.

Mount Roraima, at the geographical tripoint of Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela, is famous for its richness in rare and endemic species. Here we report two unusual ramicolous liverwort species from the north ridge of the mountain, located within the borders of the country of Guyana: Frullania (sect. Microphyllae) trigona and Metzgeria deniseana sp. nov. Frullania section Microphyllae is a group of ten species within subgenus Frullania, distributed in eastern Asia, Europe and tropical America, and characterized by the small dioicous plants with ocelli, caducous leaf lobes and tiny underleaves. Frullania trigona is one of the rarest species of the section and was only known from the type collection from Guadeloupe. It is recognized by the obclavate lobules with a very small mouth, leaf margins with protruding whitish trigones and the presence of a huge attachment cell at the dorsal leaf bases. The latter two features are unusual in Frullania and are unique to F. trigona. Metzgeria deniseana is a new member of the genus Metzgeria with saccate thallus lobes (= former genus Austrometzgeria) and stands out by the very irregular shaped sacs, varying from subglobose to strongly elongate, thallus margins with a wide and ill-defined border, and strongly convex gemmae with revolute margins. The discovery of Frullania trigona and Metgeria deniseana adds two further noteworthy species to the rich liverwort flora of Mount Roraima.

Sepat Siam fish community (Trichopodus pectoralis Regan, 1910) in Semayang Lake, East Kalimantan

Siam sepat (Trichopodus pectoralis) is a fish that lives with the characteristics of its life in mainland public waters such as rivers, lakes and flooded swamps. The Siam sepat is classified as a consumption fish, has morphological characteristics with a small mouth with a pointed snout and a flat body shape. The research was conducted from March to October 2018 in Semayang Lake, East Kalimantan. Fish samples obtained from fishermen’s catch using fishing gear, including nets, nets, tangkul, scoops and traps. This study used an enumerator to record the length and weight of the fish. The results of the research analysis showed that the size of the individuals who dominate the Siam sepat fish population is at the size of 14.0-17.0 cm (60.8%), the allometric growth pattern (-) with the equation W = 0.0393 * L2.6409. The size of the first caught (Lc) of the Siam Sepat fish was 17.31 cm, the maximum average length (L∞) was 22.75 cm and the growth coefficient (K) was 0.78 per year. Natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were 1.64 and 2.64 per year, respectively. Thus the rate of exploitation (E) = 0.62 has exceeded the optimum value indicating that the fishing effort of Siamese septic fish in Lake Semayang has occurred overfishing.

Anaesthesia and orphan disease: management of a case of Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome undergoing cleft palate surgery

Background Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome (NCBRS) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the SMRCA2 gene, which affects chromatin remodelling and leads to a wide range of symptoms including microcephaly, distinct facial features, recurrent seizures, and severe mental retardation. Until now, less than 100 cases have been reported. Case presentation A 22-month old male infant with NCBRS underwent elective cleft palate surgery. The anaesthetists were challenged by the physiological condition of the patient: narrow face, very small mouth, mild tachypnea, slight sternal retractions, physical signs of partial monosomy 9p, and plagiocephalus, midface hypoplasia, V-shaped cleft palate, enhanced muscular hypotension, dysplastic kidneys (bilateral, estimated GFR: approx. 40 ml/m2), nocturnal oxygen demand, and combined apnea. In addition, little information was available about interaction of the NCBRS displayed by the patient and anaesthesia medications. Conclusions The cleft palate was successfully closed using the bridge flap technique. Overall, we recommend to perform a trial video assisted laryngoscopy in the setting of spontaneous breathing with deep inhalative anaesthesia before administration of muscle relaxation to detect any airway difficulties while remaining spontaneoues breathing and protective reflexes.

Colour matters more than shape for chimpanzees’ recognition of developmental face changes

Social primates must recognise developmental stages of other conspecifics in order to behave appropriately. Infant faces have peculiar morphological characteristics—relatively large eyes, a small nose, and small mouth—known as baby schema. In addition, the infant faces of many primate species have unique skin coloration. However, it is unclear which features serve as critical cues for chimpanzees to recognise developmental changes in their faces. The present study aimed to investigate the relative contributions of facial shape and colour to age categorisation in chimpanzees. We used a symbolic matching-to-sample task in which chimpanzees were trained to discriminate between adult and infant faces. Then, we tested how their age category judgments transferred to a series of morphed faces which systematically differed in facial shape and colour. Statistical image quantification analysis revealed significant differences both in shape and colour between adult and infant faces. However, we found that facial coloration contributed to age categorisation in chimpanzees more than facial shape. Our results showed that chimpanzees use unique infantile facial coloration as a salient cue when discriminating between adult and infant faces. The display of their developmental stages through facial colour may help chimpanzees to induce appropriate behaviour from other individuals.

Colour matters more than shape for chimpanzees’ recognition of developmental face changes

Social primates must recognise developmental stages of other conspecifics in order to behave appropriately. Infant faces have peculiar morphological characteristics – relatively large eyes, a small nose, and small mouth – known as baby schema. In addition, the infant faces of many primate species have unique skin coloration. However, it is unclear which features serve as critical cues for chimpanzees to recognise developmental changes in their faces. The present study aimed to investigate the relative contributions of facial shape and colour to age categorisation in chimpanzees. We used a symbolic matching-to-sample task in which chimpanzees were trained to discriminate between adult and infant faces. Then, we tested how their age category judgments transferred to a series of morphed faces which systematically differed in facial shape and colour. Statistical image quantification analysis revealed significant differences both in shape and colour between adult and infant faces. However, we found that facial coloration contributed to age categorisation in chimpanzees more than facial shape. Our results showed that chimpanzees use unique infantile facial coloration as a salient cue when discriminating between adult and infant faces. The display of their developmental stages through facial colour may help chimpanzees to induce appropriate behaviour from other individuals.use unique infantile facial coloration as a salient cue when discriminating between adult and infant faces. The display of their developmental stages through facial colour may help chimpanzees to induce appropriate behaviour from other individuals.

Korelasi Panjang Berat Ikan Buntal Pisang Tetraodon lunaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Actinopterygii : Tetraodontidae) di Perairan Pati, Jawa Tengah

Perairan Pati mempunyai kekayaan sumberdaya jenis ikan yang beragam jenisnya. Salah satu hasil tangkapannya adalah Ikan Buntal Pisang (Tetraodon lunaris). Ikan Buntal Pisang memiliki bentuk badan membulat dan ukuran mulut yang kecil dengan moncongnya yang tumpul dan memiliki racun yang disebut tetrodotoksin (TTX). Namun Ikan Buntal Pisang memiliki kandungan gizi yang cukup tinggi dan sebagian masyarakat Pati mengolah ikan ini menjadi ikan asin. Penelitian ini didasarkan pada hasil tangkapan Ikan Buntal Pisang yang didaratkan di PPI Banyutowo oleh nelayan yang melakukan penangkapan di perairan Pati. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui nilai hubungan panjang berat Ikan Buntal Pisang yang berada di perairan Pati. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan metode penelitian deskriptif, dimana pengambilan sampling berdasarkan metode pertimbangan (purposive sampling method). Penelitian dilaksanakan bulan Februari – April 2016 di PPI Banyutowo. Materi yang digunakan adalah 360 sampel Ikan Buntal Pisang. Sampling Ikan Buntal Pisang dilakukan sebanyak 3 kali yaitu 13 Februari, 12 Maret, dan 9 April 2016. Analisa data berupa analisis hubungan panjang berat Ikan Buntal Pisang. Hasil penelitian menunjukan pertumbuhan Ikan Buntal Pisang pada bulan Februari – April 2015 bersifat allometrik positif yang memiliki nilai slope (b) sebesar 3,30. Pati waters has a rich variety of fish species. One of the catches is Green Rough-Backed Puffer (Tetraodon lunaris). Green Rough-Backed Puffer have a rounded body shape and small mouth size with a blunt snout and a poison called tetrodotoxin (TTX). But this fish has a high nutritional content and some Pati people process this fish into salted fish. This research is based on the catch of Green Rough-Backed Puffer landed in PPI Banyutowo by fishermen who make arrests in the waters of Pati. This study aims to determine the value of the long weight relationship of Green Rough-Backed Puffer in the waters of Pati. This research was conducted with descriptive research method, where sampling was taken based on the method of consideration purposive sampling method. The study was conducted in February - April 2016 at PPI Banyutowo. The material used was 360 samples of Green Rough-Backed Puffer. Sampling of Green Rough-Backed Puffer was carried out 3 times, namely February 13, March 12, and April 9, 2016. Analysis of the data was in the form of an analysis of the long weight relationship of Green Rough-Backed Puffer. The results showed that the growth of Green Rough-Backed Puffer in February - April 2015 was positive allometric which had a slope value (b) of 3,30.

Designing a video laryngoscope imaging system with a 7mm blade for neonatal patients

When a newborn infant has been pushed from the birth canal due to ventilation failure while using a resuscitation mask, the doctor must implement infant intubation and other emergency steps to keep the baby alive. However, due to the excessively small mouth area of a newborn or premature infant, the doctors are unable to view the glottis entrance, which can lead to either a failed intubation or longer intubation time, thereby resulting in either a drop in oxygen levels or a rise in intrathoracic pressure. Although the normal video laryngoscope with a 12mm metal blade certainly improves this type of difficult intubation, nevertheless, doctors often complain that the depth of field (DOF) is insufficient and the width of the blade is too wide when performing intubation on neonatal patients. Therefore, this study aims to develop two modules of infant’s video laryngoscope, an ultra-thin 7mm metal blade and an optical imaging system, the core technology of which includes an optical design of a 2.5mm lens and verifications of imaging quality. In order to allow physicians to determine the infant’s airway position immediately and to avoid the binocular disparity from a physician while giving intubation, this study has simulated the optical properties of monolithic lenses while designing the imaging system, allowing the doctor to have a clearer and undistorted image within the field of view.

Duplication of 19p13.3 in 11-Year-Old Male Patient with Dysmorphic Features and Intellectual Disability: A Review

We present a clinical report of an 11-year-old male patient with an interstitial duplication of 19p13.3 (829 kb in size) at genomic coordinates 3,804,495–4,033,722 bp (hg19) identified by chromosomal microarray analysis and review the literature from nine published reports adding knowledge regarding this chromosomal anomaly and clinical outcomes. The size of the duplication ranged from 0.83 to 8.9 Mb in the nine individuals. The young boy in our report was dysmorphic with microcephaly, abnormal craniofacial features, intellectual disability, aggression, and a heart murmur. All patients were found to have a psychomotor developmental delay and/or intellectual disability with the majority having microcephaly, intrauterine growth retardation, and hypotonia. Common craniofacial findings included a tall, prominent forehead, an elongated face, epicanthal folds, hypertelorism, prominent low-set ears, philtrum anomaly, and a small mouth. Other less common features included abnormal digits, sparse hair, and cardiac defects. Clinical features, chromosome duplication sizes, locations, and the number of genes will be summarized in a tabular form.