Nomenclatural stability and the longevity of helminth species names.

Although most Latin binomial names of species are valid, many are eventually unaccepted when they are found to be synonyms of previously described species, or superseded by a new combination when the species they denote are moved to a different genus. What proportion of parasite species names become unaccepted over time, and how long does it take for incorrect names to become unaccepted? Here, we address these questions using a dataset comprising thousands of species names of parasitic helminths from four higher taxa (Acanthocephala, Nematoda, Cestoda, and Trematoda). Overall, among species names proposed in the past two-and-a-half centuries, nearly one-third have since been unaccepted, the most common reason being that they have been superseded by a new combination. A greater proportion of older names (proposed pre-1950) have since been unaccepted compared to names proposed more recently, however most taxonomic acts leading to species names being unaccepted (through either synonymy or reclassification) occurred in the past few decades. Overall, the average longevity of helminth species names that are currently unaccepted was 29 years; although many remained in use for over 100 years, about 50% of the total were invalidated within 20 years of first being proposed. The patterns observed were roughly the same for all four higher helminth taxa considered here. Our results provide a quantitative illustration of the self-correcting nature of parasite taxonomy, and can also help to calibrate future estimates of total parasite biodiversity.

PROTAX-GPU: a scalable probabilistic taxonomic classification system for DNA barcodes.

DNA-based identification is vital for classifying biological specimens, yet methods to quantify the uncertainty of sequence-based taxonomic assignments are scarce. Challenges arise from noisy reference databases, including mislabelled entries and missing taxa. PROTAX addresses these issues with a probabilistic approach to taxonomic classification, advancing on methods that rely solely on sequence similarity. It provides calibrated probabilistic assignments to a partially populated taxonomic hierarchy, accounting for taxa that lack references and incorrect taxonomic annotation. While effective on smaller scales, global application of PROTAX necessitates substantially larger reference libraries, a goal previously hindered by computational barriers. We introduce PROTAX-GPU, a scalable algorithm capable of leveraging the global Barcode of Life Data System (>14 million specimens) as a reference database. Using graphics processing units (GPU) to accelerate similarity and nearest-neighbour operations and the JAX library for Python integration, we achieve over a 1000 × speedup compared with the central processing unit (CPU)-based implementation without compromising PROTAX's key benefits. PROTAX-GPU marks a significant stride towards real-time DNA barcoding, enabling quicker and more efficient species identification in environmental assessments. This capability opens up new avenues for real-time monitoring and analysis of biodiversity, advancing our ability to understand and respond to ecological dynamics. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.

Species Diagnosis and DNA Taxonomy.

The use of DNA has helped to improve and speed up species identification and delimitation. However, it also provides new challenges to taxonomists. Incongruence of outcome from various markers and delimitation methods, bias from sampling and skewed species distribution, implemented models, and the choice of methods/priors may mislead results and also may, in conclusion, increase elements of subjectivity in species taxonomy. The lack of direct diagnostic outcome from most contemporary molecular delimitation approaches and the need for a reference to existing and best sampled trait reference systems reveal the need for refining the criteria of species diagnosis and diagnosability in the current framework of nomenclature codes and good practices to avoid nomenclatorial instability, parallel taxonomies, and consequently more and new taxonomic impediment.

DNA Barcoding in Species Delimitation: From Genetic Distances to Integrative Taxonomy.

Over the past two decades, DNA barcoding has become the most popular exploration approach in molecular taxonomy, whether for identification, discovery, delimitation, or description of species. The present contribution focuses on the utility of DNA barcoding for taxonomic research activities related to species delimitation, emphasizing the following aspects:(1) To what extent DNA barcoding can be a valuable ally for fundamental taxonomic research, (2) its methodological and theoretical limitations, (3) the conceptual background and practical use of pairwise distances between DNA barcode sequences in taxonomy, and (4) the different ways in which DNA barcoding can be combined with complementary means of investigation within a broader integrative framework. In this chapter, we recall and discuss the key conceptual advances that have led to the so-called renaissance of taxonomy, elaborate a detailed glossary for the terms specific to this discipline (see Glossary in Chap. 35 ), and propose a newly designed step-by-step species delimitation protocol starting from DNA barcode data that includes steps from the preliminary elaboration of an optimal sampling strategy to the final decision-making process which potentially leads to nomenclatural changes.

Reflexiones para optimizar el triaje en cirugía / Reflections to optimize triage in surgery

Introducción: La categorización de las urgencias quirúrgicas es una necesidad en razón al continuo desequilibrio entre la oferta y la demanda de servicios quirúrgicos en la mayoría de las instituciones donde se encuentra habilitada la prestación del servicio. Hay abordajes en el tema, con estrategias de priorización de los casos quirúrgicos, que consideran escalas y flujogramas, pero su ausente validez externa y las particularidades de las instituciones y aseguradores, han limitado una generalización de los resultados. Métodos: Se efectúa una conceptualización del triaje de las urgencias quirúrgicas con planteamientos críticos y reflexivos soportados en la evidencia. Se identifican, asimismo, las posibles oportunidades para la investigación. Discusión: Los beneficios potenciales de un triaje quirúrgico en situaciones de urgencia, son extensivos a todos los actores del sistema de salud, disminuyen la posibilidad de desenlaces y repercusiones económicas negativas para las instituciones y los aseguradores. La teoría de las colas ofrece el soporte para un entendimiento del tema y contribuye en las soluciones. Su adopción es escasa como parte de una estrategia local de priorización quirúrgica en un contexto de urgencia. Conclusión:La creación de estrategias que establezcan el triaje para el paciente con una urgencia quirúrgica están influenciadas por la participación continua y efectiva de los actores involucrados en el proceso y en su impacto en los desenlaces clínicos

Introduction: Categorizing surgical emergencies is necessary due to the continued imbalance between the supply and demand of surgical services in most institutions where the service is enabled. There are approaches to the subject, with strategies for prioritizing surgical cases, which consider scales and flowcharts, but their lack of external validity and the particularities of the institutions and insurers have limited the generalization of the results. Methods: A conceptualization of the triage of surgical emergencies is carried out with critical and reflective approaches supported by evidence. Potential research opportunities are also identified. Discussion: The potential benefits of surgical triage in emergent situations are extensive to all health system actors, reducing the possibility of adverse outcomes and economic repercussions for institutions and insurers. Queuing theory offers support for understanding the issue and contributes to solutions. However, its adoption is scarce in an emergency as part of a local surgical prioritization strategy. Conclusion: The creation of strategies that establish triage for the patient with a surgical emergency is influenced by the continuous and effective participation of the actors involved in the process and its impact on clinical outcomes

Femoral fracture in the elderly: dependence on nursing care

Introduction: Due to the aging of the population, nursing processes have been adapted to these patients, who require a high level of care and guidance. Objective: Analyzing the degree of dependence on nursing care by elderly patients (65 years or older) with femur fractures. Materials and Methods: retrospective, with a quantitative approach, carried out in a private hospital from April 2021 to April 2022. The sample comprehends 41 patients, analyzed epidemiological data and degree of dependence Study of nursing care during hospitalization, environment of hospitalization and discharge, according to the SCP. Results: Composed of 41 patients, mean age of 84 years and female predominance (75.61%). With regard to fractures, there was a greater occurrence due to falls from standing height and predominance of neck fractures, with an average time until surgery of less than 16 hours. Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus were predominant. The average of the SCP estimates presented 24.26 in the 1st, 26.12 in the 2nd and 26.24 in the 3rd. The length of hospital stay was 7 days and no deaths were reported. Discussion: The findings on sociodemographic data, reasons for falls, location, comorbidities, degree of dependence and length of hospital stay are similar to those available in databases. They differ, in better quality, under time until surgery and clinical. Conclusions: The study presents specific knowledge to carry out the care of the intra-hospital nursing process, thus allowing the systematization of the team's assistance.

A "Mean Quarrelsome Spirit:" Controversy in British Systematics, 1822-1836.

British systematics was distinctly marked by a raft of vituperative controversies around the turn of the 1830s. After the local collapse of broad consensus in the Linnaean system by 1820, the emergence of new schemes of classification-most notably, the "quinarian" system of William Sharp Macleay-brought with it an unprecedented register of public debate among zoologists in Britain, one which a young Charles Darwin would bitterly describe to his friend John Stevens Henslow in October 1836 as possessing a "mean quarrelsome spirit," conducted in "a manner anything but like that of gentlemen." This article aims to provide a social and conceptual account of the remarkable tenor of zoological discourse in Britain in the late 1820s and early 1830s, with joint attention to the philosophical and interpersonal commitments at play. In doing so, it analyzes the three of the period's most striking public controversies, each of which counted key advocates of the quinarian system as central participants.

Medicare and Medicaid Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan Enrollment and Beneficiary-Reported Experiences With Care.

This cross-sectional study analyzes Medicare Advantage surveys to compare Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible individuals' experiences with care across 3 established categories of plans.