Biological invasions are a population-level rather than a species-level phenomenon.

Biological invasions pose a rapidly expanding threat to the persistence, functioning and service provisioning of ecosystems globally, and to socio-economic interests. The stages of successful invasions are driven by the same mechanism that underlies adaptive changes across species in general-via natural selection on intraspecific variation in traits that influence survival and reproductive performance (i.e., fitness). Surprisingly, however, the rapid progress in the field of invasion science has resulted in a predominance of species-level approaches (such as deny lists), often irrespective of natural selection theory, local adaptation and other population-level processes that govern successful invasions. To address these issues, we analyse non-native species dynamics at the population level by employing a database of European freshwater macroinvertebrate time series, to investigate spreading speed, abundance dynamics and impact assessments among populations. Our findings reveal substantial variability in spreading speed and abundance trends within and between macroinvertebrate species across biogeographic regions, indicating that levels of invasiveness and impact differ markedly. Discrepancies and inconsistencies among species-level risk screenings and real population-level data were also identified, highlighting the inherent challenges in accurately assessing population-level effects through species-level assessments. In recognition of the importance of population-level assessments, we urge a shift in invasive species management frameworks, which should account for the dynamics of different populations and their environmental context. Adopting an adaptive, region-specific and population-focused approach is imperative, considering the diverse ecological contexts and varying degrees of susceptibility. Such an approach could improve and refine risk assessments while promoting mechanistic understandings of risks and impacts, thereby enabling the development of more effective conservation and management strategies.

Transcobalamin deficiency - a rare genetic defect in transportation of cobalamin; case report.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 is primarily transported from plasma to cells by Transcobalamin. Deficiency of Transcobalamin is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that results in unavailability of cobalamin in cells and accumulation of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 2-year-old male child with persistent pancytopenia, recurrent infections, and megaloblastic anemia. Next-generation sequencing identified a novel variant in exon 8 of TCN2 gene. Substantial improvement has been observed following administration of high doses of parenteral methylcobalamin. CONCLUSION: In patients with unresolved pancytopenia and megaloblastic anemia, Transcobalamin deficiency should be investigated and treated promptly to prevent any irreversible and harmful outcome.

Early hypocoagulable state in traumatic brain injury patients: incidence, predisposing factors, and outcomes in a retrospective cohort study.

Coagulopathy development in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the significant complications that can negatively affect the clinical course and outcome of TBI patients. Timely identification of this complication is of utmost importance in the acute clinical setting. We reviewed TBI patients admitted to our trauma center from 2015 to 2021. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, findings on admission, imaging studies, procedures during hospitalization, and functional outcomes were gathered. INR with a cutoff of 1.3, platelet count less than 100 × 109/L, or partial thromboplastin time greater than 40s were utilized as the markers of coagulopathy. A total of 4002 patients were included. Coagulopathy occurred in 38.1% of the patients. Age of the patients (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.993, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.986-0.999, p = 0.028), systolic blood pressure (OR = 0.993, 95% CI = 0.989-0.998, p = 0.005), fibrinogen level (OR = 0.998, 95% CI = 0.996-0.999, p < 0.001), and hemoglobin level (OR = 0.886, 95% CI = 0.839-0.936, p < 0.001) were independently associated with coagulopathy. Furthermore, coagulopathy was independently associated with higher mortality rates and longer ICU stays. Coagulopathy had the most substantial effect on mortality of TBI patients (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.1-3.3, p < 0.001), compared to other admission clinical characteristics independently associated with mortality such as fixed pupillary light reflex (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.5-2.4, p < 0.001), GCS (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.88-0.94, p < 0.001), and hemoglobin level (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88-0.98, p = 0.004). Early coagulopathy in TBI patients can lead to higher mortality rates. Future studies are needed to prove that early detection and correction of coagulopathy and modifiable risk factors may help improve outcomes of TBI patients.

Elevated skull fractures: an institutional experience and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Elevated skull fracture (ESF) is a rare but potentially life-threatening type of skull fracture. The literature on this topic is relatively sparse. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis of all the patients reported in the literature with ESFs with respect to their clinical management to better inform practice. On 20th of January 2023, we conducted a systematic search of literature to find all published cases of ESF. We also conducted a retrospective review of ESF cases from our institution. The data collection and analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After screening, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 104 individual patients were included in the meta-analysis, with a median age of 24 years and 85.7% of whom were males. 11 patients (11.2%) had an unfavorable outcome while 37 (35.2%) had one or more complications. We found that GCS on admission is an independent predictor of poor outcome in ESF (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.605 (1.110-2.315), p value = 0.012). Regarding complications, dural injury (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 66.667 (7.407-500.00), p value < 0.001) and multiple bone involvement (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.849 (2.127-22.222), p value = 0.001) were independent predictors of complication. ESFs represent a rare yet consequential form of cranial injury, carrying potentially life-threatening implications if not promptly addressed. In this study, we present the meta-analysis of outcomes and complications within this patient cohort, offering a comprehensive synthesis of existing literature on this pathology. However, further investigation is imperative to provide higher-quality evidence and address lingering uncertainties in the classification and management of ESFs.

Hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia: surveillance of frequency,clinico-haematological features, and demographic distribution at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to document the frequency of HAAA cases among AA patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital, and to determine the most common agents (viral/drug induced) and Clinico-haematological features among HAAA patients at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This study was a retrospective review, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were included in the study. Hepatitis among the HAAA patients was viral in 17 cases, while 4 were idiopathic. All the patients acquired aplastic anaemia within 3-12 months of the Hepatitis episode and most presented with bleeding, bruises and petechiae. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates and proves that presence and prevalence of this disease in the Pakistani population is quite significant. Unlike the rest of the world, HAAA in Pakistan is not entirely of unknown aetiology, most of the cases can be associated with one of the Hepatitis viruses.

Multiplexed microfluidic chip for cell co-culture.

Paracrine signaling is challenging to study in vitro, as conventional culture tools dilute soluble factors and offer little to no spatiotemporal control over signaling. Microfluidic chips offer potential to address both of these issues. However, few solutions offer both control over onset and duration of cell-cell communication, and high throughput. We have developed a microfluidic chip designed to culture cells in adjacent chambers, separated by valves to selectively allow or prevent exchange of paracrine signals. The chip features 16 fluidic inputs and 128 individually-addressable chambers arranged in 32 sets of 4 chambers. Media can be continuously perfused or delivered by diffusion, which we model under different culture conditions to ensure normal cell viability. Immunocytochemistry assays can be performed in the chip, which we modeled and fine-tuned to reduce total assay time to 1 h. Finally, we validate the use of the chip for co-culture studies by showing that HEK293Ta cells respond to signals secreted by RAW 264.7 immune cells in adjacent chambers, only when the valve between the chambers is opened.

Incentive Based Load Shedding Management in a Microgrid Using Combinatorial Auction with IoT Infrastructure.

This paper presents a novel incentive-based load shedding management scheme within a microgrid environment equipped with the required IoT infrastructure. The proposed mechanism works on the principles of reverse combinatorial auction. We consider a region of multiple consumers who are willing to curtail their load in the peak hours in order to gain some incentives later. Using the properties of combinatorial auctions, the participants can bid in packages or combinations in order to maximize their and overall social welfare of the system. The winner determination problem of the proposed combinatorial auction, determined using particle swarm optimization algorithm and hybrid genetic algorithm, is also presented in this paper. The performance evaluation and stability test of the proposed scheme are simulated using MATLAB and presented in this paper. The results indicate that combinatorial auctions are an excellent choice for load shedding management where a maximum of 50 users participate.

Relationship of Biodiversity with Heavy Metal Tolerance and Sorption Capacity: A Meta-Analysis Approach.

Microbial remediation of metals can alleviate the concerns of metal pollution in the environment. The microbial remediation, however, can be a complex process since microbial metal resistance and biodiversity can play a direct role in the bioremediation process. This study aims to understand the relationships among microbial metal resistance, biodiversity, and metal sorption capacity. Meta-analyses based on 735 literature data points of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Plantae, Bacteria, and Fungi exposed to As, Cd, Cr Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn showed that metal resistance depends on the microbial Kingdom and the type of heavy metal and that consortia are significantly more resistant to heavy metals than pure cultures. A similar meta-analysis comparing 517 MIC values from different bacterial genera (Bacillus, Cupriavidus, Klebsiella, Ochrobactrum, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, and Ralstonia) confirmed that metal tolerance depends on the type of genus. Another meta-analysis with 195 studies showed that the maximum sorption capacity is influenced by microbial Kingdoms, the type of biosorbent (whether consortia or pure cultures), and the type of metal. This study also suggests that bioremediation using microbial consortia is a valid option to reduce environmental metal contaminations.

Mathematical analysis of swine influenza epidemic model with optimal control.

A deterministic model is designed and used to analyze the transmission dynamics and the impact of antiviral drugs in controlling the spread of the 2009 swine influenza pandemic. In particular, the model considers the administration of the antiviral both as a preventive as well as a therapeutic agent. Rigorous analysis of the model reveals that its disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable under a condition involving the threshold quantity-reproduction number R c . The disease persists uniformly if R c > 1 and the model has a unique endemic equilibrium under certain condition. The model undergoes backward bifurcation if the antiviral drugs are completely efficient. Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis is presented to identify and study the impact of critical model parameters on the reproduction number. A time dependent optimal treatment strategy is designed using Pontryagin's maximum principle to minimize the treatment cost and the infected population. Finally the reproduction number is estimated for the influenza outbreak and model provides a reasonable fit to the observed swine (H1N1) pandemic data in Manitoba, Canada, in 2009.

Secondary anchor targeted cell release.

Personalized medicine offers the promise of tailoring therapy to patients, based on their cellular biomarkers. To achieve this goal, cellular profiling systems are needed that can quickly and efficiently isolate specific cell types without disrupting cellular biomarkers. Here we describe the development of a unique platform that facilitates gentle cell capture via a secondary, surface-anchoring moiety, and cell release. The cellular capture system consists of a glass surface functionalized with APTES, d-desthiobiotin, and streptavidin. Biotinylated mCD11b and hIgG antibodies are used to capture mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7) and human breast cancer (MCF7-GFP) cell lines, respectively. The surface functionalization is optimized by altering assay components, such as streptavidin, d-desthiobiotin, and APTES, to achieve cell capture on 80% of the functionalized surface and cell release upon biotin treatment. We also demonstrate an ability to capture 50% of target cells within a dual-cell mixture. This engineering advancement is a critical step towards achieving cell isolation platforms for personalized medicine.

Mechanical and in vitro study of 3D printed silk fibroin and bone-based composites biomaterials for bone implant application.

When treating orthopaedic damage or illness and accidental fracture, bone grafting remains the gold standard of treatment. In cases where this approach does not seem achievable, bone tissue engineering can offer scaffolding as a substitute. Defective and fractured bone tissue is extracted and substituted with porous scaffold structures to aid in the process of tissue regeneration. 3D bioprinting has demonstrated enormous promise in recent years for producing scaffold structures with the necessary capabilities. In order to create composite biomaterial inks for 3D bioprinting, three different materials were combined such as silk fibroin, bone particles, and synthetic biopolymer poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL). These biomaterials were used to fabricate the two composites scaffolds such as: silk fibroin + bovine bone (SFB) and silk fibroin + bovine bone + Polycaprolactone (SFBP). The biomechanical, structural, and biological elements of the manufactured composite scaffolds were characterized in order to determine their suitability as a possible biomaterial for the production of bone tissue. The in vitro bioactivity of the two composite scaffolds was assessed in the simulated body fluids, and the swelling and degradation characteristics of the two developed scaffolds were analyzed separately over time. The results showed that the mechanical durability of the composite scaffolds was enhanced by the bovine bone particles, up to a specific concentration in the silk fibroin matrix. Furthermore, the incorporation of bone particles improved the bioactive composite scaffolds' capacity to generate hydroxyapatite in vitro. The combined findings show that the two 3D printed bio-composites scaffolds have the required mechanical strength and may be applied to regeneration of bone tissue and restoration, since they resemble the characteristics of native bone.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Placenta Previa: A Clinical Case Report of an Advanced-Age Pregnancy.

Exploring the intricacies of managing high-risk pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placenta previa, and a single umbilical artery requires a comprehensive understanding of their etiologies, mechanisms, and treatment recommendations. This case report delves into the clinical course of a 34-year-old smoker with a pre-pregnancy body mass index of 14.2 kg/m2, shedding light on the considerations posed by a pregnancy in which several risk factors are superimposed on one another. IUGR, affecting 10%-15% of pregnancies, elevated the risk of adverse outcomes during labor and delivery, necessitating careful antenatal monitoring. Placenta previa, with an incidence of 0.3% to 2% in pregnancies, introduced further complications impacting delivery modes and raising the risk of hemorrhage. This report aims to showcase the interconnectedness between these various obstetrical complications and risk factors, to guide maternal-fetal-medicine specialists in making informed decisions during the management of high-risk pregnancies.

Untreated Graves' Disease Complicated by Thyroid Storm and High-Output Cardiac Failure: A Case Report.

Thyroid storm is a rare yet critical complication of uncontrolled thyrotoxicosis, posing significant challenges in clinical management. We present the case of a 65-year-old African-American female with a medical history significant for untreated Graves' disease, hypertension, and diverticulosis, who presented with escalating abdominal pain, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and chest discomfort. Upon admission, she exhibited atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR) and newly diagnosed high-output cardiac failure. Diagnosis of thyroid storm was confirmed through comprehensive laboratory assessments and clinical evaluation. Treatment with beta-blockers, anti-thyroid medications, and corticosteroids facilitated stabilization of her condition. This case report highlights the importance of early identification and intervention in thyroid storm to avert potential morbidity and mortality.

Gut Microbiota Modulation in the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Literature Review.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a significant global health burden, characterized by progressive airflow limitation and exacerbations that significantly impact patient morbidity and mortality. Recent research has investigated the interplay between the gut and the lungs, known as the gut-lung axis, highlighting the role of the gut microbiome in COPD pathogenesis. Dysbiosis, characterized by microbial imbalance, has implications for COPD, influencing disease progression and susceptibility to exacerbations. This comprehensive review integrates current scientific literature on gut microbiota modulation as a therapeutic avenue for COPD management. Through a thorough discussion of studies investigating probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, antibiotics, dietary fiber, and fecal microbiota transplantation, this review summarizes the influence of these interventions on COPD via the gut-lung axis through the modulation of systemic inflammation, mucosal immunity, and metabolic processes. The interventions highlighted here show potential in preventing COPD exacerbations, preserving lung function, and improving patient quality of life. By compiling the latest scientific evidence, this review provides a comprehensive framework for physicians and researchers to deduce the effectiveness of gut microbiome modulation as an adjunctive therapeutic strategy in COPD management.

Post-discharge 6-Month Functional Recovery of Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors with Unfavorable Functional Status at Discharge: A Registry-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of physical disabilities worldwide. Herein, we aimed to investigate the factors contributing to post-discharge recovery in patients who were discharged with an unfavorable outcome. METHODS: We collected data on the characteristics of patients, with a focus on those who survived TBI but had an unfavorable outcome at discharge as measured by Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) categories 2, 3, and 4. Post-discharge recovery was defined as achieving a favorable functional status at 6 months (GOSE of 5 or more) with a minimum 2-point increase in GOSE. RESULTS: Of 4011 TBI patients in our registry, 797 had an unfavorable discharge functional status. In severe TBI, 51% achieved recovery, while in mild to moderate TBI, 57% achieved recovery after 6 months. Older patients and those with shorter intensive care unit length of stay were more likely to experience post-discharge recovery in both mild to moderate and severe TBI groups. The presence of skull base fracture was also associated with post-discharge recovery in severe TBI patients. Lastly, we show that, after adjustment for potential confounders, GOSE at discharge is associated with post-discharge recovery in both mild to moderate and severe TBI patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the majority of patients discharged with an unfavorable functional status were able to achieve a favorable outcome within 6 months. The novel post-discharge recovery in TBI patients might be a useful tool for illuminating the factors associated with a significant improvement after discharge.

The Chest Pain That Never Went Away: A Case of Complex Cardiopulmonary Pathologies in a 64-Year-Old Caucasian Male.

Chest pain is a common and complex symptom that can arise from various etiologies, ranging from benign musculoskeletal conditions to life-threatening cardiovascular events. It is a hallmark symptom of myocardial infarction, angina, and other ischemic heart diseases, necessitating prompt and thorough evaluation. Ongoing chest pain post-procedures and medication administration presents a diagnostic challenge, as it may be indicative of an exacerbation of underlying conditions. We present the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian male who initially presented with severe and persistent chest pain suggestive of an anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). He had a history of coronary artery disease and had recently undergone cardiac catheterization. Despite prompt administration of nitroglycerin and aspirin, the patient's symptoms persisted, prompting emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Subsequent to PCI, ongoing chest discomfort persisted, prompting further investigation, which revealed a concurrent lung mass and nodules on imaging. Additional interventions, including repeated PCI procedures and thoracentesis, were undertaken. Unfortunately, the patient's clinical course rapidly deteriorated, culminating in cardiac arrest and unsuccessful resuscitative efforts. This case highlights the complexities inherent in managing intricate cardiovascular conditions and emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining vigilance for concomitant pathologies.

A Novel Skin Incision for Posterior Fossa Midline and Paramedian Lesions: A Technical Note and Case Series.

Approaching posterior fossa pathologies is fairly challenging. Poor exposure, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following surgery, post-operative suboccipital and neck pain, as well as wound healing are all common complications following traditional suboccipital midline incision. Herein, we present a novel incision for approaching posterior fossa pathologies. The incision is shaped like a question mark and makes a musculofascial flap supplied by the occipital artery on top as well as a wide area for craniotomy. In our technique, the dura is also incised in a question mark-shaped manner. The new incision was used to operate on three patients who had masses in the posterior fossa. Following surgeries, none of the patients experienced any adverse events such as CSF leak, wound complications, severe suboccipital pain, and neck instability. This new incision not only facilitates approaching pathologies in the posterior fossa by providing wider exposure but also enables us to perform watertight dural closure, which reduces CSF leak. Furthermore, as the muscular incision provides a sufficient area for craniotomy, muscular retraction can be minimized to reduce post-operative pain. Moreover, unlike the midline avascular incision, the flap is well supplied by the occipital artery, which facilitates the healing procedure.

Iatrogenic Bladder Injury During Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Case Report and Discussion of Anatomic Variations.

Hysterectomy, one of the most common surgical procedures performed in women worldwide, assumes a very important role in the definitive management of diverse gynecologic conditions. This case report presents a compelling instance of an iatrogenic bladder perforation that occurred during laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy in a 47-year-old woman with a high body mass index, extensive surgical history, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Despite considerable preoperative planning and the use of minimally invasive techniques, the occurrence of physician-induced bladder perforation highlights the significance of understanding anatomical relationships and variations. The patient's previous abdominal surgeries including two cesarean sections, appendectomy, and cholecystectomy likely contributed to scar formation and adhesions, making dissection challenging. The case report and following discussion delve into anatomical variations, as well as the diagnosis and management of iatrogenic bladder injuries. The presented case serves as a valuable addition to the literature, contributing insights into the challenges and considerations surrounding urinary tract injuries during hysterectomy. This paper aims to review current research and guide practicing obstetricians and gynecologists in the management of intraoperative bladder injuries.

Beyond traditional predictors: the impact of the pulsatility index and cortical subarachnoid space diameter on endoscopic third ventriculostomy success.

OBJECTIVE: Determining the long-term success of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the impact of clinical and radiological factors on ETV success in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus. METHODS: The study included patients < 18 years old with hydrocephalus who underwent ETV between March 2014 and May 2021. Data including patient age, gender, history of previous shunt surgery, previous external ventricular drain placement, intraventricular hemorrhage history, and postoperative meningitis were extracted from medical records. Imaging features such as aqueductal stenosis, third ventricle floor bowing, displaced lamina terminalis, pulsatility index (PI), and maximum diameter of the cortical subarachnoid space (CSAS) were recorded for each patient using preoperative CT scans. Two independent neurosurgeons measured the CSAS maximum diameter and the PI. CSAS measurements were obtained on axial slices of the preoperative CT scans, whereas the PI was based on intraoperative third ventricle pulsatility. Patients were followed up for 1 year after surgery, with failure defined as the need for ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement or death attributable to hydrocephalus. RESULTS: Ninety-eight children with a mean age of 16.39 ± 19.07 months underwent ETV for hydrocephalus. No deaths were recorded, but over 6 months and 1 year of follow-up, 12.2% and 22.4% of patients, respectively, experienced documented ETV failure requiring VPS placement. At the 6-month follow-up, a smaller maximum diameter of the CSAS was significantly associated with ETV failure; multivariate analysis revealed that CSAS maximum diameter was a predictor of 6-month ETV failure. At the 1-year follow-up, a lower PI was significantly associated with ETV failure, and multivariate analysis confirmed the PI as a significant predictor of ETV failure within 1 year after surgery. CSAS and PI measurements were repeated to assess interrater reliability: the intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.897 and 0.669 for CSAS and PI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the CSAS maximum diameter and the PI are predictors of ETV failure at 6 months and 1 year, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of considering specific factors such as the CSAS and PI when assessing the likelihood of ETV success in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus. Further research and consideration of these factors may help optimize patient selection and improve outcomes for those undergoing ETV as a treatment for hydrocephalus.

A Rare Case of Symptomatic Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery With a High Interarterial Course Between the Pulmonary Artery and the Aorta.

The congenital anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (AORCA) with an incongruous course is a rare malformation that can manifest as exertional chest pain, syncope, arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. We present a case of a 42-year-old male with a history of hypercholesterolemia who presented with chest pain and dizziness upon exertion for two weeks. The physical examination was unremarkable, and the patient was hemodynamically stable. Initial blood tests were normal. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus bradycardia at 56 bpm without ST or T wave changes. A cardiac stress test indicated antero-apical inducible ischemia with a moderate probability of stress-induced ischemia. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed an AORCA with a high interarterial course between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. Subsequent left heart catheterization confirmed the anomalous origin and revealed atherosclerotic disease. This anomaly was identified as the cause of the patient's symptoms due to the compression of the right coronary artery (RCA). The patient was treated with aspirin and statin and underwent successful internal mammary artery-RCA bypass grafting. Postoperatively, the patient's symptoms resolved, and there were no further episodes of chest pain.