Towards a Post-Graduate Level Curriculum for Biodiversity Informatics. Perspectives from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Community.

Biodiversity informatics is a new and evolving field, requiring efforts to develop capacity and a curriculum for this field of science. The main objective was to summarise the level of activity and the efforts towards developing biodiversity informatics curricula, for work-based training and/or academic teaching at universities, taking place within the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) countries and its associated network. A survey approach was used to identify existing capacities and resources within the network. Most of GBIF Nodes survey respondents (80%) are engaged in onsite training activities, with a focus on work-based professionals, mostly researchers, policy-makers and students. Training topics include data mobilisation, digitisation, management, publishing, analysis and use, to enable the accessibility of analogue and digital biological data that currently reside as scattered datasets. An initial assessment of academic teaching activities highlighted that countries in most regions, to varying degrees, were already engaged in the conceptualisation, development and/or implementation of formal academic programmes in biodiversity informatics, including programmes in Benin, Colombia, Costa Rica, Finland, France, India, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan and Togo. Digital e-learning platforms were an important tool to help build capacity in many countries. In terms of the potential in the Nodes network, 60% expressed willingness to be recruited or commissioned for capacity enhancement purposes. Contributions and activities of various country nodes across the network have been highlighted and a working curriculum framework has been defined.

A new macromedusa from the coast of Mozambique: Aurelia mozambica sp. nov. (Scyphozoa: Ulmaridae).

A new species of the cosmopolitan jellyfish genus Aurelia is described from the coastal waters of Mozambique using a combination of morphological, meristic and genetic information (COI and 18S). The species can be separated from congeners that have been recently described by a combination of bell shape, number of canal origins and anastomoses, and the shape of the manubrium and oral arms. Three types of nematocysts are present in the tissues of both the bell margin and oral arms, and this description of the cnidome will allow for future comparison. Pairwise genetic comparisons showed a mean COI divergence of 4.8% within the group, and a mean divergence ranging between 15% and 22% with all other species of Aurelia.

Records of ctenophores from South Africa.

Although ctenophores can be conspicuous components of the plankton in coastal marine ecosystems, only six species have been formally described from around South Africa. Using photographs from local community scientists, we add a further three species (Cestum veneris, Beroe forskalii?, Ocyropsis maculata?) and six morphospecies to the regional fauna. These additions suggest that South Africa has a ctenophore fauna that is amongst the most diverse, globally; an observation in agreement with information from other taxa. Tips on how community scientists can improve their photographic contributions to understanding ctenophore diversity are provided.

Novel taxa of Cheilostomata Bryozoa discovered in the historical backlogs of the Iziko South African Museum.

Non-studied museum collections are hidden treasures-a source of information for various research fields. The novel taxa presented here were discovered during taxonomic examination of the backlogs of Bryozoa (Cheilostomata) from the Iziko South African Museum. We describe one new genus, Khulisa n. gen., and nine new species of bryozoans from South Africa. The new species are: Biflustra adenticulata n. sp., Aspidostoma sarcophagus n. sp., ?Micropora erecta n. sp., Trypostega richardi n. sp., Khulisa carolinae n. gen. et n. sp., Adeonella assegai n. sp., Hippomonavella lingulata n. sp., Phidolopora chakra n. sp. and Reteporella ilala n. sp. Three genera, Biflustra, Phidolopora and Triphyllozoon, are recorded for the first time from South Africa. This study highlights the importance of examining existing backlogged material lodged in museum collections.

New Latrunculiidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from the Agulhas ecoregion of temperate southern Africa.

Sixteen species of Latrunculiidae Topsent, 1922, belonging to the genera Latrunculia du Bocage, 1869, Strongylodesma Lévi, 1969, Cyclacanthia Samaai Kelly, 2004, Samaai Kelly, 2002, are currently known from the temperate waters of South Africa. Extensive new sponge collections from the Amathole region of South Africa revealed the existence of three new species of Tsitsikamma, T. amatholensis sp. nov., T. madiba sp. nov., and T. beukesi sp. nov., and a new species of the endemic South African genus Cyclacanthia, C. rethahofmeyri sp. nov. With the recent addition of two new species of Tsitsikamma from Algoa Bay and Tsitsikamma National Park (T. michaeli Parker-Nance, 2019; T. nguni Parker-Nance, 2019) the total number of known South African Latrunculiidae is now 20 species in four genera. Here we propose two new subgenera of Tsitsikamma, Tsitsikamma Samaai Kelly, 2002 and Clavicaulis subgen. nov., based on the morphological groups "favus" and "pedunculata" hypothesized by Parker-Nance et al. (2019). Species in the nominotypical subgenus Tsitsikamma, containing the type species, are thick encrusting to hemispherical with a rigid honeycombed choanosome, while species in the new subgenus Clavicaulis subgen. nov. have a purse or sac-like morphology with little choanosomal structure. Despite the obvious species-level differences in morphology, multivariate analysis based on spicule measurements (anisostyle length, discorhabd length, shaft and whorl length) was not able to distinguish between the proposed Tsitsikamma species, but separated known species T. favus Samaai Kelly, 2002, T. pedunculata Samaai Kelly, 2003, and T. scurra Samaai Kelly, 2003, from each other. Similarly, DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI  and the nuclear ITS of Tsitsikamma specimens failed to clearly differentiate between species, but was able to differentiate sister taxon relationships within the Latrunculiidae.

Observations on the biology and seasonal variation in feeding of the east coast round herring Etrumeus wongratanai (Clupeiformes), off Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The basic biology and ecology of the South African east coast round herring Etrumeus wongratanai was investigated from samples of fish collected between 2013 and 2016. This species is short-lived and reaches a maximum of 3 years of age, with rapid growth in its first year of life. It reproduces from June to December (austral summer) and condition factor was lowest in May through to August and increased from September, probably reflecting the physiological strain before and during spawning. Fish larvae were the most important food items consumed during summer, whereas eucalanid copepods were the most important prey at other times of the year. Stable-isotope data suggest that there are gradual changes in the trophic level with increasing fish size, δ15 N and δ13 C values also differed between seasons. The results obtained here are compared with those of other Etrumeus species, regionally and globally.

New technology assessment and current and upcoming therapies for underactive bladder.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Stakeholders from around the world came together to address the unmet needs of underactive bladder (UAB) at the 3rd International Congress for Underactive Bladder. METHODS: The main recommendation from the regulatory working group is a need for a meeting of UAB stakeholders and regulatory agencies including the FDA to discuss guidance for regulatory trial design for devices, drugs, and/or biologics for UAB. RESULTS: The following issues to be discussed and agreed upon for UAB trials: 1) Appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. 2) Should residual urine volume be the primary outcome parameter and how often should it be measured? 3) Are there secondary measures that should have a place in UAB trials, such as change in the number of catheterizations, quality of life measures, etc.? 4) Use and format of bladder voiding and catheterization diary for trials. 5) Define role and technique of urodynamics in UAB trials. Are urodynamics required to monitor, and possibly exclude, individuals with high pressure voiding induced by bladder prokinetic therapies? 6) Development and use of UAB questionnaires. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The UAB regulatory working group recognizes the path forward should include engaging the FDA and other regulatory organizations that may harmonize and formalize guidance for regulatory trial designs for therapeutics for UAB.

Validation of Tethya samaaii Ribeiro & Muricy, 2011, replacement name for the sponge Tethya rubra Samaai & Gibbons, 2005 (Demospongiae, Tethyida, Tethyidae).

Tethya samaaii Ribeiro & Muricy, 2011 is a massive, irregularly globular or sub-spherical sponge with basal rooting processes or a disc-like attachment (Figure 1A). It was described from Oudekraal, on the west coast of South Africa as Tethya rubra Samaai & Gibbons, 2005 based on specimens collected during two surveys in 1996 (Samaai & Gibbons 2005). This species was later reported from Algoa Bay, on the southeast coast of South Africa by Waterworth et al. (2017).

A new species of habitat-forming Suberites (Porifera, Demospongiae, Suberitida) in the Benguela upwelling region (South Africa).

S. dandelenae sp. nov. is described from the west coast of South Africa and occurs at depths of 80-500 m among unconsolidated sediments. Specimens can reach 40 cm in length and in some areas off South Africa, up to 18 tons/km2 can be collected in a single demersal trawl. Morphologically, the sponge is straw yellow, massive with rounded lobes and has a velvety surface: it is characterized by subradiate, irregular reticulation of bundles of tylostyles and tylostrongyles. Specimens of S. dandelenae sp. nov. have three size classes of tylostyles with the largest tylostyle lengths being 516 µm (441-614 µm), medium tylostyle lengths being 352 µm (307-422 µm) and the shortest tylostyle lengths being 215 µm (153-288 µm). Apart from the presence of tylostyles, some specimens of S. dandelenae sp. nov. also possess centrotylostongyles/oxeas, tylostrongyles and microacanthostrongyles spicules. We have used morphological characters to distinguish this species and a molecular marker (cox1) to conform that all specimens are the same species. At the spicular level, S. dandelenae sp. nov. is characterized by a complex of spicule types that vary with specimen size. Following a histological investigation and re-description of the holotypes of S. ficus (Johnston, 1842) and S. tylobtusus Lévi, 1958, and comparisons with S. carnosus (Johnston, 1842), S. stilensis Burton, 1933, and other Suberites species described from the African region, it is clear that the new species is different in spicule morphology, spicule size and external morphology. For example, microacanthostrongyles are not present in S. tylobtusus and S. carnosus, whilst S. ficus possesses a second, non-spinose category of microstrongyles. Suberites tylobtusus has tylostyles that are sometimes polytylote, with heads either well formed, pear shaped or reduced, in only one size catogory. The 'tylobtuse' condition of the tylostyles is also different to the kidney-shaped and centrotylostrongyles found in S. dandelenae sp. nov. Suberites stilensis Burton, 1933 has larger and thicker tylostyles (800 µm length x 10 µm thick) than those of S. dandelenae sp. nov. A comparative analysis of partial cox1 sequences from morphologically diverse specimens of S. dandelenae sp. nov. with published material indicates that all specimens comprise a monophyletic clade. The combined morphological and genetic data support the designation of Suberites dandelenae sp. nov.

Infaunal Benthic Communities from the Inner Shelf off Southwestern Africa Are Characterised by Generalist Species.

Infaunal communities of benthic macro-organisms (≥ 1mm length) were studied from 81 samples collected across nine sites to the north and south of the Orange River in the Benguela upwelling ecosystem in 2003, with a view to describing communities and understanding the drivers of regional community structure, as well as to document diversity and to examine geographic affinities. Although the fauna was dominated by polychaetes and peracarid crustaceans, patterns in community structure could only weakly be explained by the measured environment (~35%). This is attributed to the generalist nature of the species recovered, which were widely distributed amongst different sediments, water-depths and latitudes. The fauna is dominated by species that enjoy a widespread regional and global distribution and is characterised by relatively low diversity, which is discussed.

Spatial dynamics of the bearded goby and its key fish predators off Namibia vary with climate and oxygen availability.

Hypoxia [O2 < 2.0 mL L-1 (87 µmol kg-1)] and severely hypoxic water masses [O2 < 0.5 mL L-1 (21.8 µmol kg-1)] are increasing in coastal marine ecosystems due to eutrophication and warming. Here, we investigate the response of the suboxic-tolerant endemic fish, Sufflogobius bibarbatus, to variations in the thermal and oxygen environment, as well as to predation pressure, using 22 yr worth of satellite and in situ data. We show that environmental variation and predation pressure affect the goby population, which has expanded over the last decade while that of horse mackerel has contracted. These changes co-occurred with a general warming in the north and central shelf areas (north of 24.5°S). Spring warming positively affected both goby and hake abundances, but not the horse mackerel, suggesting different responses to surface temperature. The goby habitat contracted when predators were abundant, particularly in the north, which is the fringe of its distributional area. The implications of the differential tolerance of gobies and their predators for climate variations are discussed.

Review, clinical update, and practice guidelines for excited delirium syndrome.

Excited delirium syndrome (ExDS) is a term used to describe patients experiencing a clinical condition characterized by bizarre and aggressive behavior, often in association with the use of chronic sympathomimetic drug abuse. The agitated and disruptive behavior of persons with ExDS often results in a call to police resulting in an arrest for disorderly conduct. The suspect's inability to comply with police commands during the arrest frequently results in a struggle and the use of physical or chemical control measures, including the use of conductive energy weapons (CEWs). Deaths from this hypermetabolic syndrome are infrequent but potentially preventable with early identification, a coordinated aggressive police intervention, and prompt medical care. Preliminary experiences suggest that ExDS is a medical emergency treated most effectively using a coordinated response between police officers and emergency medical providers. Once the person suspected of experiencing ExDS is in custody, medical providers should rapidly sedate noncompliant patients with medications such as ketamine or an antipsychotic drug such as haloperidol in combination with a benzodiazepine drug such as midazolam or diazepam. Once sedated, patients should undergo a screening medical assessment and undergo initial treatment for conditions such as hyperthermia and dehydration. All patients exhibiting signs of ExDS should be transported rapidly to a medical treatment facility for further evaluation and treatment. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options for ExDS.

Lemierre syndrome complicating otitis externa: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, known as Lemierre syndrome, is a rare disorder usually caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram-negative anaerobic organism that normally inhabits the oropharynx. Lemierre syndrome usually follows primary oropharyngeal infections and affects previously healthy adolescents and young adults in a characteristic manner, often with fatal results if left untreated. There have been a significantly increasing number of reported cases of Lemierre syndrome, possibly reflecting the trend to withhold antibiotics for initially uncomplicated oropharyngeal infections. OBJECTIVES: We hope to alert the reader to a potentially fatal disease process that has recently been increasingly identified, by reporting a unique manifestation of Lemierre syndrome, and by reviewing the current literature. CASE REPORT: A 19-year-old woman presented to our Emergency Department with a chief complaint of fever, ear pain, and generalized weakness. She was noted to be in septic shock, with left neck erythema and swelling. A computed tomography scan showed thrombosis of the left internal jugular vein (IJV), which was later excised. She recovered after a course of intravenous and oral antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Septic thrombophlebitis of the IJV is associated with multiple sources and organisms. This case is unique in both the organism (Peptococcus anaerobius) and the source (otitis externa). This disease process must be identified early and aggressively treated to avoid significant morbidity and mortality.

Massive facial trauma following improvised explosive device blasts in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of massive facial trauma with brain and eye injuries, injury severity scores, and blood transfusion utilization. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Air Force Theater Hospital, Balad, Iraq. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of US service members injured by improvised explosive devices and treated at the Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq from October 2004 to September 2007. Massive facial trauma was defined as any injury to the face involving 3 or more facial aesthetic units. The anatomic injury patterns, injury severity scores, and blood transfusion rates of simple and massive facial trauma were compared. RESULTS: One hundred four patients who sustained facial trauma from improvised explosive device blasts were reviewed, including 29 patients with massive facial trauma. The average injury severity score was 13.9 in the simple facial trauma group and 21.7 in the massive facial trauma group (P = .006). Sixteen (55%) of the patients in the massive facial trauma group received transfusions compared with only 21 (28%) in the simple facial trauma group (P = .009). The rate of associated eye injury was 55% in the massive facial trauma group and 27% in the simple facial trauma group (P = .006). Brain injuries occurred in 48% of the patients with massive facial trauma and 28% of the patients with simple facial trauma (P = .05). CONCLUSION: There is an association between massive facial trauma higher injury severity scores, higher transfusion rates, and an increased risk for eye and brain injuries.

Penetrating neck trauma in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the surgical outcomes of penetrating neck trauma patients in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and compare treatment and perioperative survival to historical data with low-velocity penetrating neck trauma seen in a noncombat clinical setting. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The surgical management of penetrating neck trauma by 6 otolaryngologists deployed over a 30-month period at the United States Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, Iraq, was retrospectively reviewed. The presenting signs and symptoms, operative findings, and outcomes of patients who underwent neck exploration for high-velocity penetrating neck trauma were determined. A treatment algorithm defining the management of both high-velocity and low-velocity penetrating neck trauma is recommended. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve neck explorations for penetrating neck trauma were performed in OIF over 30 months. Ninety-eight percent of these neck injuries were due to high-velocity projectiles. In patients, zone 1 injuries occurred in 10%, zone 2 injuries in 77%, zone 3 injuries in 5%, combined zone 1/2 injuries in 5%, and combined zone 2/3 injuries in 3%. The positive exploration rate (patients with intraoperative findings necessitating surgical repair) was 69% (77/112). The mortality of patients undergoing neck exploration for high-velocity penetrating neck trauma was 3.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The perioperative mortality and the positive exploration rate for high-velocity penetrating neck trauma by deployed surgeons in OIF are very comparable to those rates seen in civilian centers managing low-velocity penetrating neck trauma.

Traumatic airway management in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the role of head and neck surgeons in traumatic airway management in Operation Iraqi Freedom and to understand the lessons learned in traumatic airway management to include a simple airway triage classification that will guide surgical management. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The traumatic airway experience of 6 otolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons deployed over a 30-month period in Iraq was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-six patients presented with airway compromise necessitating either intubation or placement of a surgical airway over the 30-month timeframe. Penetrating face trauma (46%) and penetrating neck trauma (31%) were the most common mechanisms of injury necessitating airway control. The traumatic airways performed include 183 tracheotomies, 3 cricothyroidotomies, 9 complicated intubations, and 1 stoma placement. Red or emergent airways were performed in 10% of patients, yellow or delayed airways in 58% of patients, and green or elective airways in 32% of patients. Lastly, surgical repair of the laryngotracheal complex was performed in 25 patients with 16 thyroid cartilage repairs, 4 cricoid repairs, and 8 tracheal repairs. CONCLUSIONS: The role of the deployed otolaryngologist in traumatic airway management was crucial. Potentially lifesaving airways (red/yellow airways) were placed in 68% of the patients. The authors' recommended treatment classification should optimize future traumatic airway management by stratifying traumatic airways into red (airway less than 5 minutes), yellow (airway less than 12 hours), or green categories (airway greater than 12 hours).

Tactical medicine--competency-based guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Tactical emergency medical support (TEMS) is a rapidly growing area within the field of prehospital medicine. As TEMS has grown, multiple training programs have emerged. A review of the existing programs demonstrated a lack of competency-based education. OBJECTIVE: To develop educational competencies for TEMS as a first step toward enhancing accountability. METHODS: As an initial attempt to establish accepted outcome-based competencies, the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) convened a working group of subject matter experts. RESULTS: This working group drafted a competency-based educational matrix consisting of 18 educational domains. Each domain included competencies for four educational target audiences (operator, medic, team commander, and medical director). The matrix was presented to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Tactical Emergency Medicine Section members. A modified Delphi technique was utilized for the NTOA and ACEP groups, which allowed for additional expert input and consensus development. CONCLUSION: The resultant matrix can serve as the basic educational standard around which TEMS training organizations can design programs of study for the four target audiences.

Trophic structure and community stability in an overfished ecosystem.

Since the collapse of the pelagic fisheries off southwest Africa in the late 1960s, jellyfish biomass has increased and the structure of the Benguelan fish community has shifted, making the bearded goby (Sufflogobius bibarbatus) the new predominant prey species. Despite increased predation pressure and a harsh environment, the gobies are thriving. Here we show that physiological adaptations and antipredator and foraging behaviors underpin the success of these fish. In particular, body-tissue isotope signatures reveal that gobies consume jellyfish and sulphidic diatomaceous mud, transferring "dead-end" resources back into the food chain.