The RNA-binding protein HuR is essential for the B cell antibody response.

Post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA by the RNA-binding protein HuR (encoded by Elavl1) is required in B cells for the germinal center reaction and for the production of class-switched antibodies in response to thymus-independent antigens. Transcriptome-wide examination of RNA isoforms and their abundance and translation in HuR-deficient B cells, together with direct measurements of HuR-RNA interactions, revealed that HuR-dependent splicing of mRNA affected hundreds of transcripts, including that encoding dihydrolipoamide S-succinyltransferase (Dlst), a subunit of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH) complex. In the absence of HuR, defective mitochondrial metabolism resulted in large amounts of reactive oxygen species and B cell death. Our study shows how post-transcriptional processes control the balance of energy metabolism required for the proliferation and differentiation of B cells.

Discoveries in structure and physiology of mechanically activated ion channels.

The ability to sense physical forces is conserved across all organisms. Cells convert mechanical stimuli into electrical or chemical signals via mechanically activated ion channels. In recent years, the identification of new families of mechanosensitive ion channels-such as PIEZO and OSCA/TMEM63 channels-along with surprising insights into well-studied mechanosensitive channels have driven further developments in the mechanotransduction field. Several well-characterized mechanosensory roles such as touch, blood-pressure sensing and hearing are now linked with primary mechanotransducers. Unanticipated roles of mechanical force sensing continue to be uncovered. Furthermore, high-resolution structures representative of nearly every family of mechanically activated channel described so far have underscored their diversity while advancing our understanding of the biophysical mechanisms of pressure sensing. Here we summarize recent discoveries in the physiology and structures of known mechanically activated ion channel families and discuss their implications for understanding the mechanisms of mechanical force sensing.

Connecting thiamine availability to the microbial community composition in Chinook salmon spawning habitats of the Sacramento River basin.

Thiamine deficiency complex (TDC) is a major emerging threat to global populations of culturally and economically important populations of salmonids. Salmonid eggs and embryos can assimilate exogenous thiamine, and evidence suggests that microbial communities in benthic environments can produce substantial amounts of thiamine. We therefore hypothesize that natural dissolved pools of thiamine exist in the surface water and hyporheic zones of riverine habitats where salmonids with TDC migrate, spawn, and begin their lives. To examine the relationship between dissolved thiamine-related compounds (dTRCs) and their microbial source, we determined the concentrations of these metabolites and the compositions of microbial communities in surface and hyporheic waters of the Sacramento River, California and its tributaries. Here we determine that all dTRCs are present in femto-picomolar concentrations in a range of critically important salmon spawning habitats. We observed that thiamine concentrations in the Sacramento River system are orders of magnitude lower than those of marine waters, indicating substantial differences in thiamine cycling between these two environments. Our data suggest that the hyporheic zone is likely the source of thiamine to the overlying surface water. Temporal variations in dTRC concentrations were observed where the highest concentrations existed when Chinook salmon were actively spawning. Significant correlations were seen between the richness of microbial taxa and dTRC concentrations, particularly in the hyporheic zone, which would influence the conditions where embryonic salmon incubate. Together, these results indicate a connection between microbial communities in freshwater habitats and the availability of thiamine to spawning TDC-impacted California Central Valley Chinook salmon.IMPORTANCEPacific salmon are keystone species with considerable economic importance and immeasurable cultural significance to Pacific Northwest indigenous peoples. Thiamine deficiency complex has recently been diagnosed as an emerging threat to the health and stability of multiple populations of salmonids ranging from California to Alaska. Microbial biosynthesis is the major source of thiamine in marine and aquatic environments. Despite this importance, the concentrations of thiamine and the identities of the microbial communities that cycle it are largely unknown. Here we investigate microbial communities and their relationship to thiamine in Chinook salmon spawning habitats in California's Sacramento River system to gain an understanding of how thiamine availability impacts salmonids suffering from thiamine deficiency complex.

Effect of Bougie Use on First-Attempt Success in Tracheal Intubations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The use of a bougie, a flexible endotracheal tube introducer, has been proposed to optimize first-attempt success in emergency department intubations. We aimed to evaluate the available evidence on the association of bougie use in the first attempt and success in tracheal intubations. This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that evaluated first-attempt success between adults intubated with a bougie versus without a bougie (usually with a stylet) in all settings. Manikin and cadaver studies were excluded. A medical librarian searched Ovid Cochrane Central, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials and comparative observational studies from inception to June 2023. Study selection and data extraction were done in duplicate by 2 independent reviewers. We conducted a meta-analysis with random-effects models, and we used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence at the outcome level. We screened a total of 2,699 studies, and 133 were selected for full-text review. A total of 18 studies, including 12 randomized controlled trials, underwent quantitative analysis. In the meta-analysis of 18 studies (9,151 patients), bougie use was associated with increased first-attempt intubation success (pooled risk ratio [RR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06 to 1.17, low certainty evidence). Bougie use was associated with increased first-attempt success across all analyzed subgroups with similar effect estimates, including in emergency intubations (9 studies; 8,070 patients; RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.16, low certainty). The highest point estimate favoring the use of a bougie was in the subgroup of patients with Cormack-Lehane III or IV (5 studies, 585 patients, RR 1.60, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.84, moderate certainty). In this meta-analysis, the bougie as an aid in the first intubation attempt was associated with increased success. Despite the certainty of evidence being low, these data suggest that a bougie should probably be used first and not as a rescue device in emergency intubations.

Serum concentrations of legacy, alternative, and precursor per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: a descriptive analysis of adult female participants in the MIREC-ENDO study.

BACKGROUND: Several legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been regulated around the world. There is growing concern over the proliferation of alternative PFAS, as well as PFAS precursors. Biomonitoring data for PFAS are critical for assessing exposure and human health risk. METHODS: We collected serum samples from 289 adult female participants in a 2018-2021 follow-up study of the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Canadian pregnancy cohort. Samples were analyzed for 40 PFAS using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. For those compounds with > 50% detection, as well as the sum of these compounds, we describe serum concentrations and patterns of exposure according to sociodemographic and obstetrical history characteristics. RESULTS: 17 out of 40 PFAS were detected in > 50% of samples with 7 of these detected in > 97% of samples. Median [95th percentile] concentrations (µg/L) were highest for PFOS (1.62 [4.56]), PFOA (0.69 [1.52]), PFNA (0.38 [0.81]), and PFHxS (0.33 [0.92]). Geometric mean concentrations of PFOA and PFHxS were approximately 2-fold lower among those with more children (≥ 3 vs. 1), greater number of children breastfed (≥ 3 vs. ≤ 1), longer lifetime duration of breastfeeding (> 4 years vs. ≤ 9 months), and shorter time since last pregnancy (≤ 4 years vs. > 8 years). We observed similar patterns for PFOS, PFHpS, and the sum of 17 PFAS, though the differences between groups were smaller. Concentrations of PFOA were higher among "White" participants, while concentrations of N-MeFOSE, N-EtFOSE, 7:3 FTCA, and 4:2 FTS were slightly higher among participants reporting a race or ethnicity other than "White". Concentrations of legacy, alternative, and precursor PFAS were generally similar across levels of age, education, household income, body mass index, and menopausal status. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first Canadian biomonitoring data for several alternative and precursor PFAS. Our findings suggest that exposure to PFAS, including several emerging alternatives, may be widespread. Our results are consistent with previous studies showing that pregnancy and breastfeeding are excretion pathways for PFAS.

Fewer Worsening Heart Failure Events With HeartLogic on top of Standard Care: a Propensity-Matched Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The implantable cardiac defibrillator-based HeartLogic algorithm aims to detect impending fluid retention in patients with heart failure (HF). Studies show that HeartLogic is safe to integrate into clinical practice. The current study investigates whether HeartLogic provides clinical benefit on top of standard care and device telemonitoring in patients with HF. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective, propensity-matched cohort analysis was performed in patients with HF and implantable cardiac defibrillators, and it compared HeartLogic to conventional telemonitoring. The primary endpoint was the number of worsening HF events. Hospitalizations and ambulatory visits due to HF were also evaluated. RESULTS: Propensity score matching yielded 127 pairs (median age 68 years, 80% male). Worsening HF events occurred more frequently in the control group (2; IQR 0-4) compared to the HeartLogic group (1; IQR 0-3; P = 0.004). The number of HF hospitalization days was higher in controls than in the HeartLogic group (8; IQR 5-12 vs 5; IQR 2-7; P = 0.023), and ambulatory visits for diuretic escalation were more frequent in the control group than in the HeartLogic group (2; IQR 0-3 vs 1; IQR 0-2; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Integrating the HeartLogic algorithm in a well-equipped HF care path on top of standard care is associated with fewer worsening HF events and shorter duration of fluid retention-related hospitalizations.

DOHaD: A MENAGERIE OF ADAPTATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: Large animal models of developmental programming: sustenance, stress, and sex matter.

In brief: Developmental programming refers to the long-term programming of gene expression during fetal and postnatal development, resulting in altered organ function even into adulthood. This review describes how maternal and paternal sustenance and stress, as well as fetal sex, all matter in large animal models and affect developmental programming of the offspring. Abstract: Developmental programming is the concept that certain health outcomes throughout life can be linked to early fetal or postnatal development. Progress in understanding concepts and mechanisms surrounding developmental programming is heavily leveraged by the use of large animal models. Numerous large animal models have been developed that apply a host of different maternal stressors and, more recently, paternal stressors. Maternal nutrition is the most researched maternal stressor applied during gestation and includes both global nutrient supply and models that target specific macro- or micro- nutrients. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the many large animal models of developmental programming and to discuss the importance of sex effects (including paternal contributions) in study design and data interpretation.

Antibodies from Rabbits Immunized with HIV-1 Clade B SOSIP Trimers Can Neutralize Multiple Clade B Viruses by Destabilizing the Envelope Glycoprotein.

The high viral diversity of HIV-1 is a formidable hurdle for the development of an HIV-1 vaccine. Elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) would offer a solution, but so far immunization strategies have failed to efficiently elicit bNAbs. To overcome these obstacles, it is important to understand the immune responses elicited by current HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) immunogens. To gain more insight, we characterized monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) isolated from rabbits immunized with Env SOSIP trimers based on the clade B isolate AMC008. Four rabbits that were immunized three times with AMC008 trimer developed robust autologous and sporadic low-titer heterologous neutralizing responses. Seventeen AMC008 trimer-reactive MAbs were isolated using antigen-specific single B-cell sorting. Four of these MAbs neutralized the autologous AMC008 virus and several other clade B viruses. When visualized by electron microscopy, the complex of the neutralizing MAbs with the AMC008 trimer showed binding to the gp41 subunit with unusual approach angles, and we observed that their neutralization ability depended on their capacity to induce Env trimer dissociation. Thus, AMC008 SOSIP trimer immunization induced clade B-neutralizing MAbs with unusual approach angles with neutralizing effects that involve trimer destabilization. Optimizing these responses might provide an avenue to the induction of trimer-dissociating bNAbs. IMPORTANCE Roughly 32 million people have died as a consequence of HIV-1 infection since the start of the epidemic, and 1.7 million people still get infected with HIV-1 annually. Therefore, a vaccine to prevent HIV-1 infection is urgently needed. Current HIV-1 immunogens are not able to elicit the broad immune responses needed to provide protection against the large variation of HIV-1 strains circulating globally. A better understanding of the humoral immune responses elicited by immunization with state-of-the-art HIV-1 immunogens should facilitate the design of improved HIV-1 vaccine candidates. We identified antibodies with the ability to neutralize multiple HIV-1 viruses by destabilization of the envelope glycoprotein. Their weak but consistent cross-neutralization ability indicates the potential of this epitope to elicit broad responses. The trimer-destabilizing effect of the neutralizing MAbs, combined with detailed characterization of the neutralization epitope, can be used to shape the next generation of HIV-1 immunogens to elicit improved humoral responses after vaccination.

Clinical inertia in the treatment of heart failure: a major issue to tackle.

Despite an enormous improvement in heart failure management during the last decades, the hospitalization and mortality rate of heart failure patients still remain very high. Clinical inertia, defined as the lack of treatment intensification in a patient not at evidence-based goals for care, is an important underlying cause. Clinical inertia is extensively described in hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, but increasingly recognized in heart failure as well. Given the well-established guidelines for the management of heart failure, these are still not being reflected in clinical practice. While the absolute majority of patients were treated by guideline-directed heart failure drugs, only a small percentage of these patients reached the correct guideline-recommended target dose of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors. This considerable under-treatment leads to a large number of avoidable hospitalizations and deaths. This review discusses clinical inertia in heart failure and explains its major contributing factors (i.e., physician, patient, and system) and touches upon some recommendations to prevent clinical inertia and ameliorate heart failure treatment.

Prognostic accuracy of qSOFA at triage in patients with suspected infection in a Brazilian emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic accuracy of qSOFA for predicting in-hospital mortality among patients with suspected infection presenting to the ED of a public tertiary hospital in Brazil. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with suspected infection who presented to an academic tertiary ED in Porto Alegre (Southern Brazil) during an 18-month period. The qSOFA was calculated by using information collected at triage and patients were followed throughout hospitalization for the primary outcome of in-hospital mortality. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios with corresponding 95% CIs were calculated for the qSOFA and qSOFA65. RESULTS: A total of 7523 ED visits of patients with suspected infection in which an intravenous antibiotic was administered within 24 h were included, which resulted in 908 in-hospital deaths (12.1%). There were 690 (9.2%) patients whose triage qSOFA was ≥2 points. When such cutoff was used, the sensitivity for in-hospital death was 24.6% (95% CI 21.8 to 27.4%) and the specificity was 92.9% (95% CI 92.3% to 93.5%). The sensitivity increased to 67.4% (95% CI 64.2% to 70.3%) when a cutoff of ≥1 was tested, but the specificity decreased to 55.3% (95% CI 54.1% to 56.5%). Using a cutoff of ≥2, the qSOFA65 had a sensitivity of 51.0% (95% CI 47.7% to 54.3%) and a specificity of 75.7% (95% CI 74.6% to 76.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The qSOFA score yielded very low sensitivity in predicting in-hospital mortality. Emergency physicians or ED triage nurses in low-to-middle income countries should not be using qSOFA or qSOFA65 as "rule-out" screening tools in the initial evaluation of patients with suspected infection.

Measurement of the fluorescence lifetime of GFP in high refractive index levitated droplets using FLIM.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a widely used fluorescent probe in the life sciences and biosciences due to its high quantum yield and extinction coefficient, and its ability to bind to biological systems of interest. This study measures the fluorescence lifetime of GFP in sucrose/water solutions of known molarity in order to determine the refractive index dependent lifetime of GFP. A range of refractive indices from 1.43-1.53 were probed by levitating micron sized droplets composed of water/sucrose/GFP in an optical trap under well-constrained conditions of relative humidity. This setup allows for the first reported measurements of the fluorescence lifetime of GFP at refractive indices greater than 1.46. The results obtained at refractive indices less than 1.46 show good agreement with previous studies. Further experiments that trapped droplets of deionised water containing GFP allowed the hygroscopic properties of GFP to be measured. GFP is found to be mildly hygroscopic by mass, but the high ratio of molecular masses of GFP to water (ca. 1500 : 1) signifies that water uptake is large on a per-mole basis. Hygroscopic properties are verified using brightfield microscope imaging, of GFP droplets at low and high relative humidity, by measuring the humidity dependent droplet size. In addition, this experiment allowed the refractive index of pure GFP to be estimated for the first time (1.72 ± 0.07). This work provides reference data for future experiments involving GFP, especially for those conducted in high refractive index media. The work also demonstrates that GFP can be used as a probe for aerosol studies, which require determination of the refractive index of the aerosol of any shape.

Model-informed drug development approach supporting approval of the 4-week (Q4W) dosing schedule for nivolumab (Opdivo) across multiple indications: a regulatory perspective.

BACKGROUND: A nivolumab dosage regimen of 480 mg intravenously (i.v.) every 4 weeks (Q4W) was approved by FDA for the majority of the approved indications for nivolumab. METHODS: The proposed new dosage regimen was supported by pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation, dose/exposure-response relationships for efficacy and safety in the indicated patient populations, and the clinical safety data with the 480 mg Q4W dosage regimen. Pharmacokinetic exposures achieved with 480 mg Q4W were predicted for 4166 patients in 21 clinical studies with various types of solid and hematological tumors. Exposure-response analyses were conducted to predict 480 mg Q4W safety and efficacy across all FDA-approved indications for nivolumab. RESULTS: For the overall population, the geometric mean exposure achieved with 480 mg i.v. Q4W was 5.2% higher for steady state Cavg and 15.6% lower for Ctrough than those with 3 mg/kg i.v. Q2W, the approved dosage regimen. The simulated concentration-time course achieved with 480 mg Q4W regimen was below the median concentration achieved with 10 mg/kg i.v. Q2W that was also studied in clinical trials. The predicted probability of adverse events was similar between 480 mg Q4W and that observed with the 3 mg/kg Q2W regimen. Efficacy results were found to be similar between Q2W and Q3W dosage regimens in patients with renal cell carcinoma. The predicted efficacy for each indication suggested that the efficacy with 480 mg Q4W is unlikely to be compromised compared with that observed with 3 mg/kg Q2W. CONCLUSIONS: The model-informed analyses of predicted exposure, efficacy and safety based on data from extensive clinical experience with nivolumab suggest that the benefit-risk profile of 480 mg Q4W regimen is comparable to the approved 3 mg/kg Q2W regimen, thus providing the regulatory basis for the approval of 480 mg Q4W regimen in the absence of clinical efficacy data with this new dosage regimen.

Inhibition of MicroRNA-146a and Overexpression of Its Target Dihydrolipoyl Succinyltransferase Protect Against Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases remain the predominant cause of death worldwide, with the prevalence of heart failure continuing to increase. Despite increased knowledge of the metabolic alterations that occur in heart failure, novel therapies to treat the observed metabolic disturbances are still lacking. METHODS: Mice were subjected to pressure overload by means of angiotensin-II infusion or transversal aortic constriction. MicroRNA-146a was either genetically or pharmacologically knocked out or genetically overexpressed in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, overexpression of dihydrolipoyl succinyltransferase (DLST) in the murine heart was performed by means of an adeno-associated virus. RESULTS: MicroRNA-146a was upregulated in whole heart tissue in multiple murine pressure overload models. Also, microRNA-146a levels were moderately increased in left ventricular biopsies of patients with aortic stenosis. Overexpression of microRNA-146a in cardiomyocytes provoked cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction in vivo, whereas genetic knockdown or pharmacological blockade of microRNA-146a blunted the hypertrophic response and attenuated cardiac dysfunction in vivo. Mechanistically, microRNA-146a reduced its target DLST-the E2 subcomponent of the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, a rate-controlling tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme. DLST protein levels significantly decreased on pressure overload in wild-type mice, paralleling a decreased oxidative metabolism, whereas DLST protein levels and hence oxidative metabolism were partially maintained in microRNA-146a knockout mice. Moreover, overexpression of DLST in wild-type mice protected against cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether we show that the microRNA-146a and its target DLST are important metabolic players in left ventricular dysfunction.

Psychosocial Distress and Knowledge Deficiencies in Parents of Children in Ireland Who Carry an Altered Cystic Fibrosis Gene.

Significant gaps have been identified in parental understanding of CF newborn screening and the consequences of carrying an altered CF gene. Seven potential causes of psychosocial adversity arising from false positive newborn screening for CF have been identified. The current study aimed to increase parents understanding of CF, reduce their levels of stress, and investigate psychosocial adversity arising from false-positive screening. This national study was run over one year in the Republic of Ireland. Parents were recruited for the study following a diagnostic sweat test confirming their child carried a single altered CF gene. Parents were randomly assigned into a control and intervention group, with those in the intervention group receiving a carefully designed information pack. All parents took part in semi-structured interviews. Parents (n = 16) who received an information pack had significantly higher CF knowledge scores than parents (n = 16) in the control group. 66% of parents in the control group misunderstood the health implications of carrying an altered CF gene, no parents in the intervention group had the same misunderstanding. There was no significant difference in stress scores between the groups. Parents of infants who had more than one sweat test due to insufficient sweat quantity had higher overall stress percentiles (50%), than parents of infants who had one sweat test (30%), indicating greater parental stress. The combination of written and audio-visual information contained in the information pack successfully increased parents comprehension of CF. The study also evaluates the potential for psychosocial adversity following false positive newborn screening for CF.

Adherence, knowledge, and perception about oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk for thromboembolic events after radiofrequency ablation.

AIMS: This study aimed to: (a) determine adherence rates to oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients with a high risk for thromboembolic events postradiofrequency ablation; (b) evaluate patients' knowledge and perceptions towards oral anticoagulants; and (c) explore the impact of patients' knowledge and perceptions on treatment adherence. BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia associated with an increased risk of developing thromboembolic events such as stroke. Although adherence to oral anticoagulants is crucial to prevent such complications, the relationship between adherence, knowledge and patient perceptions is poorly understood in patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk for thromboembolic events after radiofrequency ablation. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational survey study was performed in a single centre. METHODS: The levels of adherence, knowledge, and perception towards oral anticoagulants were assessed using the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, Knowledge of Oral Anticoagulation Tool, Perception of Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire and Benefit-Risk Perception Tool, respectively. Results from these self-reported tools were analysed descriptively. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with levels of adequate adherence. RESULTS: Adequate treatment adherence was found in three-quarters of patients. The total mean knowledge score was low. Participants expressed high ease of use and low burden of treatment. Higher total knowledge and satisfaction scores were significant factors associated with higher levels of adherence. CONCLUSION: There remains a huge unmet need to follow-up and educate patients with atrial fibrillation, focusing on good knowledge and correct perception of the advantages and disadvantages of oral anticoagulants. Our results suggest that increased knowledge and satisfaction rates might have a positive impact on adherence to oral anticoagulants.

Vitamin D insufficiency in the first 6 months of infancy and challenge-proven IgE-mediated food allergy at 1 year of age: a case-cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Ecological evidence suggests vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) due to lower ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure may be a risk factor for IgE-mediated food allergy. However, there are no studies relating directly measured VDI during early infancy to subsequent challenge-proven food allergy. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate the association between VDI during infancy and challenge-proven food allergy at 1 year. METHODS: In a birth cohort (n = 1074), we used a case-cohort design to compare 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3 ) levels among infants with food allergy vs a random subcohort (n = 274). The primary exposures were VDI (25(OH)D3 <50 nM) at birth and 6 months of age. Ambient UVR and time in the sun were combined to estimate UVR exposure dose. IgE-mediated food allergy status at 1 year was determined by formal challenge. Binomial regression was used to examine associations between VDI, UVR exposure dose and food allergy and investigate potential confounding. RESULTS: Within the random subcohort, VDI was present in 45% (105/233) of newborns and 24% (55/227) of infants at 6 months. Food allergy prevalence at 1 year was 7.7% (61/786), and 6.5% (53/808) were egg-allergic. There was no evidence of an association between VDI at either birth (aRR 1.25, 95% CI 0.70-2.22) or 6 months (aRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.41-2.14) and food allergy at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that VDI during the first 6 months of infancy is a risk factor for food allergy at 1 year of age. These findings primarily relate to egg allergy, and larger studies are required.

Escape path complexity and its context dependency in Pacific blue-eyes (Pseudomugil signifer).

The escape paths prey animals take following a predatory attack appear to be highly unpredictable - a property that has been described as 'protean behaviour'. Here, we present a method of quantifying the escape paths of individual animals using a path complexity approach. When individual fish (Pseudomugil signifer) were attacked, we found that a fish's movement path rapidly increased in complexity following the attack. This path complexity remained elevated (indicating a more unpredictable path) for a sustained period (at least 10 s) after the attack. The complexity of the path was context dependent: paths were more complex when attacks were made closer to the fish, suggesting that these responses are tailored to the perceived level of threat. We separated out the components of speed and turning rate changes to determine which of these components contributed to the overall increase in path complexity following an attack. We found that both speed and turning rate measures contributed similarly to an individual's path complexity in absolute terms. Overall, our work highlights the context-dependent escape responses that animals use to avoid predators, and also provides a method for quantifying the escape paths of animals.

Interactions between Plagiotremus spp., Labroides dimidiatus and their clients: evidence for behavioural niche partitioning.

This study employed community analysis and behavioural field observations to explore the inter-specific interactions between fangblenny species (Plagiotremus spp.), the cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus and their target species and found that the presence of Plagiotremus spp. did not affect the total amount that L. dimidiatus cleaned but it did reduce the amount L. dimidiatus cleaned key prey species of the Plagiotremus spp. The behavioural interactions between adult L. dimidiatus and their clients changed in response to the presence of Plagiotremus spp., but the results suggested the potential cost of Plagiotremus spp. on L. dimidiatus may be offset by behavioural niche partitioning.