Deliberately introduced dung beetles in Australia: 12 years of occurrence and abundance records from 2001 to 2022.

Since 1968, the Australian Dung Beetle Project has carried out field releases of 43 deliberately introduced dung beetle species for the biological control of livestock dung and dung-breeding pests. Of these, 23 species are known to have become established. For most of these species, sufficient time has elapsed for population expansion to fill the extent of their potential geographic range through both natural and human-assisted dispersal. Consequently, over the last 20 years, extensive efforts have been made to quantify the current distribution of these introduced dung beetles, as well as the seasonal and spatial variation in their activity levels. Much of these data and their associated metadata have remained unpublished, and they have not previously been synthesized into a cohesive dataset. Here, we collate and report data from the three largest dung beetle monitoring projects from 2001 to 2022. Together, these projects encompass data collected from across Australia, and include records for all 23 species of established dung beetles introduced for biocontrol purposes. In total, these data include 22,718 presence records and 213,538 absence records collected during 10,272 sampling events at 546 locations. Most presence records (97%) include abundance data. In total, 1,752,807 dung beetles were identified as part of these data. The distributional occurrence and abundance data can be used to explore questions such as factors influencing dung beetle species distributions, dung beetle biocontrol, and insect-mediated ecosystem services. These data are provided under a CC-BY-NC 4.0 license and users are encouraged to cite this data paper when using the data.

Diagnosis and management of Lynch syndrome.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is a dominantly inherited cancer susceptibility syndrome defined by presence of pathogenic variants in DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2, or in deletions of the EPCAM gene. Although LS is present in about 1 in 400 people in the UK, it estimated that only 5% of people with this condition are aware of the diagnosis. Therefore, testing for LS in all new diagnoses of colorectal or endometrial cancers is now recommended in the UK, and gastroenterologists can offer 'mainstreamed' genetic testing for LS to patients with cancer. Because LS results in a high lifetime risk of colorectal, endometrial, gastric, ovarian, hepatobiliary, brain and other cancers, the lifelong care of affected individuals and their families requires a coordinated multidisciplinary approach. Interventions such as high-quality 2-yearly colonoscopy, prophylactic gynaecological surgery, and aspirin are proven to prevent and facilitate early diagnosis and prevention of cancers in this population, and improve patient outcomes. Recently, an appreciation of the mechanism of carcinogenesis in LS-associated cancers has contributed to the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, with a gene-specific approach to disease management, with potential cancer-preventing vaccines in development. An adaptive approach to surgical or oncological management of LS-related cancers may be considered, including an important role for novel checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic disease. Therefore, a personalised approach to lifelong gene-specific management for people with LS provides many opportunities for cancer prevention and treatment which we outline in this review.

Targeting the Stroma in the Management of Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) presents extremely aggressive tumours and is associated with poor survival. This is attributed to the unique features of the tumour microenvironment (TME), which is known to create a dense stromal formation and poorly immunogenic condition. In particular, the TME of PC, including the stromal cells and extracellular matrix, plays an essential role in the progression and chemoresistance of PC. Consequently, several promising agents that target key components of the stroma have already been developed and are currently in multiple stages of clinical trials. Therefore, the authors review the latest available evidence on novel stroma-targeting approaches, highlighting the potential impact of the stroma as a key component of the TME in PC.

'This is not part of my life plan': A qualitative study on the psychosocial experiences and practical challenges in young adults with cancer age 25 to 39 years at diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescents and young adults with cancer face unique psychosocial and practical issues. However, patients across this group encounter different life experiences, cancer diagnoses and treatment settings given the tailored services for patients ages 15 to 24. Here, we qualitatively explore the psychosocial experiences and practical challenges of young adults (YAs) with cancer diagnosed between ages 25 and 39 in the United Kingdom. METHODS: We invited YAs diagnosed with cancer in the 5 years prior to enrolment at participating sites to take part in semi-structured interviews or focus groups. Transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Two YA patients reviewed the results to ensure robustness. RESULTS: Sixty-five YAs with varied diagnoses participated. Participants struggled to balance work, childcare and financial solvency with treatment. The halt in family and work life as well as changes in image and ability threatened participants' identity and perceived 'normality' as a YA, however, these also stimulated positive changes. YAs experienced social isolation from friends and family, including children. Many struggled to cope with uncertainty around treatment outcomes and disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: The disruption of family and work life can lead to age-specific issues in YAs diagnosed with cancer. Age-tailored psychological and practical services must be considered.

Outcomes of Patients with Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Treated in a UK Specialist Cancer Center.

The incidence of early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is rapidly increasing, but there remains paucity of outcome data for young CRC patients. We reviewed the characteristics and outcomes of 241 adults, age <50, who were diagnosed with EOCRC between January 2009 and December 2014. Median age was 42, 56% were male, and 7% had hereditary etiology. Seventy percent had left-sided primaries. At diagnosis, 11%, 50%, and 39% had stage II, III, and IV CRC. Of the patients with stage II and III CRC who underwent curative surgery, 60% and 88% had adjuvant chemotherapy, with 5-year relapse free survival of 82% and 74% respectively. Of the 123 patients with metastatic (m) EOCRC, 93%, 63%, 33%, and 12% had 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th line systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) respectively. For first line SACT, 99% had doublet chemotherapy, with bevacizumab or an anti-EGFR antibody in 57%. Median overall survival (mOS) of mEOCRC patients was 20.1 months (95% C.I: 15.9-23.2). Younger age and signet cells were associated with shorter mOS, whereas more lines of SACT and curative metastasectomy with longer mOS. Metastatic EOCRC patients had poorer outcomes than expected, despite optimal multimodality treatment. This suggests an aggressive disease biology that warrants further research and therapy development.

Outbreak of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning associated with consumption of mussels, United Kingdom, May to June 2019.

We report on six cases of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning following consumption of mussels harvested in the United Kingdom. Dinophysis spp. in the water column was found to have increased rapidly at the production site resulting in high levels of okadaic acid-group lipophilic toxins in the flesh of consumed mussels. Clinicians and public health professionals should remain aware of algal-derived toxins being a potential cause of illness following seafood consumption.

Two-year experience of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) outcomes for brain metastases in a tertiary neuro-oncology centre.

Brain metastases (BMs) are the most common intracranial tumour in adults and form a significant proportion of the neuro-oncology workload. Their management has progressed significantly in the last few decades but a gold-standard evidence-based management strategy has not been defined to date and several guidelines based on available evidence exist to support clinical decision-making. This paper evaluates the decision-making process of the neuro-oncology multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in a tertiary neuro-oncology centre over a two-year period. A retrospective review of all patients with BM discussed in the MDT was conducted. Data on patient demographics, tumour characteristics and MDT decision were collected from the MDT database, clinical notes and imaging studies. Patients were stratified into the three recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classes and according to the graded prognostic assessment (GPA) score. MDT decisions were analysed by RPA class and for GPA score as well as single versus multiple BM. There were 362 patients with BM, representing 22% of the total cases discussed at the MDT. Decision-making was largely consistent with available guidelines. A concrete treatment decision was reached in 77.5% of patients and 32.2% of these received neurosurgical input. More patients with solitary BM underwent surgery compared to multiple BM (p = 0.001), and more patients in RPA classes I and II had surgical resection compared to class III (p = 0.005 and 0.001, respectively). Surgical patients also had higher GPA scores compared to palliative patients (p = 0.005). A greater absolute number and proportion of patients in RPA class II vs. class I underwent neurosurgical intervention. These patients were stratified into class II because of their age but would otherwise have been placed into class I. Survival data were available for 195 patients (53.8%) at 1 year post MDT discussion. A pattern of declining survival was observed along RPA classes which was statistically significant (p = 0.0025). Median survival was 4.7 (0-41), 3.7 (0-23), and 2.5 (range 0-24) months for RPA class I, II and III respectively. A similar pattern that did not reach statistical significance was found between GPA scores (p = 0.101). Median survival was 3 (0-13), 4.6 (range 0-41), and 4.6 (0-35) months for GPA scores 0-1.0, 1.5-2.5 and 3-4.0, respectively. Patient selection was generally in accordance to RPA class and GPA scoring, with the exception of surgery offered to elderly patients: this can be explained by the increasing number of otherwise fit patients as population ages.

Selective herbivory by Christmas beetles in response to intraspecific variation in Eucalyptus terpenoids.

Between-tree variation in the terpenoid composition in the foliage of six species of Eucalyptus was investigated in relation to its effects on herbivory by Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus spp.). All six eucalypt species showed considerable intraspecific variation in terpenoid composition; the cineole content ranged from 13% to 78% of the total oil in different E. melliodora trees, from 0% to 67% in E. conica, 3% to 79% in E. sideroxylon, 1% to 76% in E. camaldulensis, 3% to 60% in E. rubida and 20% to 79% in E. blakelyi. Levels of defoliation by Christmas beetles of nine E. melliodora and eight E. conica trees were quantified from frass traps placed under each tree, and were used to confirm the reliability of visual ratings of defoliation. Defoliation was assessed visually for all six species and was found to be unrelated to the total amount of terpenoids in the foliage of each tree, but strongly associated with the percentage of cineole in the terpenoid mixture. Levels of most terpenoid components were significantly inter-correlated, so it was not possible to determine which components directly affected defoliation. The dominant Christmas beetle at all sites was A. montanus.

Field ecology of a brood-caring dung beetleKheper nigroaeneus-habitat predictability and life history strategy.

The life history strategy of the dung beetleKheper nigroaeneus was studied in Mkuzi Game Reserve, South Africa.K. nigroaeneus, a large ball-rolling dung beetle, brood-cares a single offspring per nesting occasion. Adults emerged from the ground following the first spring rain (≥17 mm) in October or November, occasionally September, and trap catches were at a maximum 1-2 weeks later. Females outnumbered males by 3:1 at the time of maximum catches, but thereafter declined steadily, as the numbers of females involved in brood-care increased. Brood-care lasted 12 weeks, and parental females then (a) entered a second brood-care period, or (b) remained underground in diapause, or (c) emerged to feed. Reproductive activity stopped after February, ensuring that the entire population reached the adult stage by winter. Females active above ground after February, in reproductive diapause, had low fat levels and resorbed oocytes. Females buried underground, in reproductive diapause prior to and during winter, had high fat levels, resorbed oocytes, a reduced metabolic rate and empty guts. The Mkuzi habitat is predictable forK. nigroaeneus in spring, since only one good fall of rain is sufficient to drive population events for the next three months. In the latter half of the season the life history ofK. nigroaeneus is more flexible, and hence less constrained by climate.

Energy and nitrogen budgets for larval and aduit Paropsis charybdis Stål (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feeding on Eucalyptus viminalis.

| (1) Paropsis charybdis, the Eucalyptus tortoise beetle, is a serious defoliator of several Eucalyptus species in New Zealand. A series of laboratory experiments demonstrated the growth characteristics of larvae and adults when feeding on E. viminalis at 20°C. These were used as the data bases for quantifying its trophic relationships in terms of dry matter, energy and nitrogen. (2) The four larval stages lasted 4.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 9.5 days. Growth was exponential until the second day of the fourth instar, when the superficially inactive prepupal stage began. The pupal stage lasted 9.5 days. Female beetles started to lay eggs 15 days (av.) after eclosion. (3) Larvae attained a mean maximum dry weight (dwt) of 53.29 mg. Reproductive females weighed 63.40 mg, and males 46.71 mg. (4) The guts and their contents contributed up to 50% of total larval dry weight and 15% of adult dry weight. (5) Studies of the trophic relationships of P. charybdis larvae were based upon budgets whereby consumption (C) equals the sum of production (P), respiretion (R) and egesta (FU). Production was divided into gut-free larval production (P L* ) and exuvia (P EX)+R+FUin J: 3,561.5 = (491.3+43.4) + 284.5 +2,574.9 in mgN: 4.001 = (2.078 + 0.200) +1.657 (no R term) . P = P L* + P EX The derived R term (R c), calculated as: R c = C - FU - (P = P L* + P EX) = 34.84 (6) Daily budgets of an average adult, where ΔP AD reflects the change in body weight and P R=reproductive production, were: C =(ΔP AD + P R) + R +FU in mg dwt: 27.36 = (ΔP +2.25) +R + 14.53 in J: 591.1 = ΔP + 65.4) + 82.0 +362.6 in mgN: 0368 = (ΔP AD + 0.252) + 0.285. The budget assumes that male P R is zero and includes a corrected R term whereby R C=1.43 R M. ΔP AD can be assumed to equal zero over a long term, although fluctuations were apparent during the experimental period. (7) The amount of leaf material removed but not eaten by larvae (NU) was 22.6 mg, 462.4 J or 0.526 mgN. Thus, the total material removed (MR = C +NU) was 194.3 mg, 3978.9 J or 4.527 mgN. NU per day for an average adult was 4.86 mg, 99.5 J or 0.113 mgN. Therefore adults removed 32.33 mg, 659.9 J or 0.751 mgN per day. (8) Ecological efficiencies (energy) of P. charybdis larvae (using P = P L* + P EX and A = assimilation + C - FU ) were: net ecological efficiency (P.A.-1)=56.8%, gross ecological efficiency (P.C-1)=15.2%, assimilation efficiency (A.C.-1)=26.8%, P.R.-1=121.5%. Adult efficiencies were: P. A.-1=28.6%, P.C.-1=11.1%, A.C.-1=38.7% and P.R.-1=55.7%. Efficiencies in terms of nitrogen were (larval data followed by adult data in parentheses): P.A.-1=97.2 (71.4)%, P.C.-1=56.9 (39.5)% and A.C.-1=58.6 (55.3)%. (9) Regressions were calculated to link larval length (1) or larval live weight (lwt) and the dry weight of leaf material removed from a tree by that individual so that these results can be readily applied to field studies: logMR = -2.042 + 3.418 log1 logMR = -0.728 + 1.023 log 1wt.