Shifting reef restoration focus from coral survivorship to biodiversity using Reef Carpets.

To enhance the practice of farmed-coral transplantation, we conducted a trial of an approach called "Reef Carpets" (RC), which draws inspiration from the commercial turf-grass sod in land-based lawn gardening. Three 8.4m2 RCs were established on a sandy seabed, containing preselected combinations of branching corals (Acropora cf. variabilis, Pocillopora damicornis, Stylophora pistillata) with nursery recruited dwellers, and were monitored for 17-months. Corals within RCs grew, supported coral recruitment and offered ecological habitats for coral-associated organisms. While the unstable sediment underneath the RCs increased corals' partial mortalities, corals managed to grow and propagate. The extent of fish and gastropods corallivory varied among the coral species and planulation of Stylophora transplants was significantly higher than same-size natal-colonies. The RCs provided conducive environments for fish/invertebrate communities (183 taxa), and each coral species influenced specifically species-diversity and reef-associated communities. Even dead corals played crucial roles as habitats for reef biota, sustaining >80% of the RCs diversity; hence, they should not be considered automatically as indicators of failure. RCs scaled-up reef restoration and generated, in short periods, new reefs in denuded zones with enhanced biodiversity. Yet, RCs employment on soft-beds could be improved by using more structured artificial frameworks, requiring further research efforts.

Vibrio cholerae O1 Inhabit Intestines and Spleens of Fish in Aquaculture Ponds.

Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, an acute diarrheal disease that spreads locally and globally in epidemics and pandemics. Although it was discovered that fish harbor V. cholerae strains in their intestines, most investigations revealed non-toxic V. cholerae serogroups in fish. Due to the rarity of toxigenic V. cholerae serogroups, it is difficult to cultivate these strains from environmental samples. Hence, here we aimed to uncover evidence of the occurrence of toxigenic V. cholerae in the intestines and spleens of various fish species. By using molecular detection tools, we show that V. cholerae O1 and strains positive for the cholera toxin inhabit both healthy and diseased fish intestines and spleens, suggesting that fish may serve as intermediate vectors of toxigenic V. cholerae. No significant differences were found between the abundance of toxigenic V. cholerae (either O1 or cholera toxin positive strains) in the healthy and the diseased fish intestines or spleens. In conclusion, a variety of fish species may serve as potential vectors and reservoirs of toxigenic V. cholerae as they form a link between the other reservoirs of V. cholerae (chironomids, copepods, and waterbirds). Similarly, they may aid in the spread of this bacterium between water bodies.

Aeromonashydrophila infection in tilapia triggers changes in the microbiota composition of fish internal organs.

Aeromonas hydrophila is a major pathogenic species that causes mass mortality in various freshwater fish species including hybrid tilapia, the main fish species in Israeli aquaculture. Our hypothesis was that A. hydrophila infection may cause changes in the microbiota composition of fish internal organs, and therefore we aimed to study the effect of A. hydrophila infection by injection or by net handling on the microbiota compositions of fish intestine, spleen, and liver. Significant differences in the microbiota composition were found between the internal organs of the diseased and the healthy fish in both experimental setups. Fusobacteriota was the most dominant phylum in the microbiota of healthy fish (∼70%, liver). Cetobacterium was the most abundant genus and relatively more abundant in healthy, compared to diseased fish. When A. hydrophila was inoculated by injection, it was the only pathogenic genus in the spleen and liver of the diseased fish. However, in the handling experiment, Vibrio was also detected in the diseased fish, demonstrating coinfection interactions. Based on these experiments, we conclude that indeed, A. hydrophila infection in tilapia causes changes in the microbiota composition of fish internal organs, and that fish net handling may trigger bacterial infection in freshwater aquaculture.

The novel Orshina Rhythm in a colonial urochordate signifies the display of recurrent aging/rejuvenation sequels.

When it comes to aging, some colonial invertebrates present disparate patterns from the customary aging phenomenon in unitary organisms, where a single senescence phenomenon along ontogeny culminates in their inevitable deaths. Here we studied aging processes in 81 colonies of the marine urochordate Botryllus schlosseri each followed from birth to death (over 720 days). The colonies were divided between three life history strategies, each distinct from the others based on the presence/absence of colonial fission: NF (no fission), FA (fission develops after the colony reaches maximal size), and FB (fission develops before the colony reaches maximal size). The study revealed recurring patterns in sexual reproductive statuses (hermaphroditism and male-only settings), colonial vigor, and size. These recurring patterns, collectively referred to as an Orshina, with one or more 'astogenic segments' on the genotype level. The combination of these segments forms the Orshina rhythm. Each Orshina segment lasts about three months (equivalent to 13 blastogenic cycles), and concludes with either the colonial death or rejuvenation, and is manipulated by absence/existing of fission events in NF/FA/FB strategies. These findings indicate that reproduction, life span, death, rejuvenation and fission events are important scheduled biological components in the constructed Orshina rhythm, a novel aging phenomenon.

Effects of Probiotics on Glycemic Control and Metabolic Parameters in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of probiotic supplements on glycemic control and metabolic parameters in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was glycemic control, i.e., serum glucose and insulin levels. Secondary outcomes were maternal weight gain, neonatal birth weight, and lipid parameters. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was used. Cochrane's Q test of heterogeneity and I2 were used to assess heterogeneity. RESULTS: Of the 843 papers retrieved, 14 (n = 854 women) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. When compared with placebo, women receiving probiotic supplements had significantly lower mean fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, total cholesterol, and VLDL levels. Decreased neonatal birth weight was witnessed in supplements containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. CONCLUSION: Probiotic supplements may improve glycemic control and lipid profile and reduce neonatal birth weight in women with GDM.

Bacterial detoxification of plant defence secondary metabolites mediates the interaction between a shrub and frugivorous birds.

Many plants produce fleshy fruits, attracting fruit-eating animals that disperse the seeds in their droppings. Such seed dispersal results in a conflict between the plant and the animal, as digestion of seeds can be highly beneficial to the animal but reduces plant fitness. The plant Ochradenus baccatus uses the myrosinase-glucosinolates system to protect its seeds. We show that hydrolysis of the O. baccatus fruit glucosinolates by the myrosinase enzyme inhibited digestive enzymes and hampered digestion in naïve individuals of the bird Pycnonotus xanthopygos. However, digestion in birds regularly feeding on O. baccatus fruits was unaffected. We find that Pantoea bacteria, dominating the gut of these experienced birds as well as the fruits, thrive on glucosinolates hydrolysis products in culture. Augmentation of Pantoea protects both naïve birds and plant seedlings from the effects of glucosinolates hydrolysis products. Our findings demonstrate a tripartite interaction, where the plant-bird mutually beneficial interactions are mediated by a communal bacterial tenant.

Fission in a colonial marine invertebrate signifies unique life history strategies rather than being a demographic trait.

Each of the few known life-history strategies (e.g., r/K and parity [semelparity and iteroparity]), is a composite stratagem, signified by co-evolved sets of trade-offs with stochastically distributed variations that do not form novel structured strategies. Tracking the demographic traits of 81 Botryllus schlosseri (a marine urochordate) colonies, from birth to death, we revealed three co-existing novel life-history strategies in this long-standing laboratory-bred population, all are bracketed through colonial fission (termed NF, FA and FB for no fission, fission after and fission before reaching maximal colony size, respectively) and derived from organisms maintained in a benign, highly invariable environment. This environment allows us to capture the strategists' blueprints and their net performance through 13 traits, each branded by high within-strategy variation. Yet, six traits differed significantly among the strategies and, in two, the FB was notably different. These results frame fissions in colonial organisms not as demographic traits, but as pivotal agents for life-history strategies.

Intestine and spleen microbiota composition in healthy and diseased tilapia.

Symbiotic bacteria within the gut microbiome of various organisms, including fish, provide the host with several functions that improve the immune system. Although the spleen plays an important role in the modulation of immune responses, the role of spleen microbiota in shaping the immune system is unclear. Our study aimed at understanding the relationship between fish health and microbiota composition in the intestine and spleen. Our model organism was the hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis aureus × Oreochromis niloticus). We sampled intestine and spleen from healthy and diseased adult tilapia and determined their microbiota composition by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Significant differences were found between the intestine and the spleen microbiota composition of healthy compared to diseased fish as well as between intestines and spleens of fish with the same health condition. The microbiota diversity of healthy fish compared to diseased fish was significantly different as well. In the intestine of healthy fish, Cetobacterium was the most abundant genus while Mycoplasma was the most abundant genus in the spleen. Vibrio was the most abundant genus in the intestine and spleen of diseased fish. Moreover, it seems that there is a co-infection interaction between Vibrio and Aeromonas, which was reflected in the spleen of diseased fish. While Vibrio, Aeromonas and Streptococcus were the probable pathogens in the diseased fish, the role of Mycoplasma as a pathogen of cultured hybrid tilapia remains uncertain. We conclude that the intestine and spleen microbiota composition is strongly related to the health condition of the fish.

Knotless Barbed versus Conventional Suture for Closure of the Uterine Incision at Cesarean Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare perioperative outcomes between knotless barbed sutures (KBSs) and conventional smooth sutures for uterine incision closure at cesarean section. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from the inception of the study to March 2021 without language restriction. The search terms were as follows: ["Stratafix" OR "Quill" OR "V-Loc" OR "Barbs" OR "barbed"] AND ["Cesarean" OR "Caesarean"] AND ["Suturing" OR "Suture" OR "Closure" OR "Repair"]. Moreover, these terms were combined to complete the search. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Retrospective and randomized peer-reviewed studies comparing the use of KBSs and conventional sutures for uterine incision closure at cesarean section were included. The studies' quality was assessed by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The primary outcome was the time of uterine incision closure in seconds. The secondary outcomes included total operating time (minutes), use of additional hemostatic sutures, rates of blood transfusion, and postoperative complications. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Of 20 reports identified, 4 representing 3332 women (1473 with KBSs and 1859 with conventional sutures) were eligible. All studies were judged to be at low risk of bias. The uterine incision closure time was significantly lower in the KBS group (mean difference, -110.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], -127.37 to -93.79; p = .001). Furthermore, the rate of use of additional hemostatic sutures was significantly lower in the KBS group (odds ratio, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.07-0.26; p = .001). Total operative time, rates of blood transfusion, febrile morbidity, and length of postoperative stay were comparable. The incidence of postoperative ileus was significantly lower in the KBS group (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11-0.89; p = .029). CONCLUSION: The use of KBSs for uterine incision closure was associated with decreased hysterotomy closure time and less frequent need for the placement of additional hemostatic sutures. Other perioperative outcomes were not affected, although the risk of postoperative ileus was reduced.

Effect of nitrous oxide use on external cephalic version success rate; a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Several adjuvant interventions have been evaluated for improving the success rate of the external cephalic version (ECV) and reducing the rate of cesarean delivery (CD). Evidence regarding the effect of Nitrous oxide is limited to a small number of participants with inconsistent results on pain score and success rate. This study aims to examine the effect of inhaled nitrous oxide on the success rate and pain score for women undergoing ECV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Survey on ECV reports from inception till June 2020 were made from MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Ovid Medline, ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Library and Google Scholars. Peer-review studies that examined the success rate of ECV from the application of nitrous oxide during ECV attempts compared with or without the use of other analgesic agents were obtained. The study population comprising women with singleton pregnancies having a non-vertex presentation at least 36 weeks, were categorized into one of two treatment groups: ECV attempt with nitrous oxide (nitrous oxide group) and ECV attempt with or without another analgesia (control group). The primary outcome was the ECV success rate, defined by conversion to vertex-presentation following the procedure. The secondary outcomes were pain scores during ECV attempt and CD rate. The study quality scores were evaluated as a source of heterogeneity by fitting meta-regression models to the individual study effect sizes. RESULTS: Of the 26 records identified, two randomized trials and one prospective cohort study (720 women; 434 in the nitrous oxide group and 286 controls) were deemed adequate for meta-analysis. ECV success rate did not differ significantly between the nitrous oxide group and the control group (p = .825; OR 1.036; 95% CI, 0.756, 1.419). In addition, the use of nitrous oxide did not affect pain scores during ECV attempt (p = .457; OR 0.759; 95% CI, -1.240, 2.759) and there was no difference in the incidence of CD as well (p = .943; OR 1.013; 95% CI, 0.703, 1.46). CONCLUSION: The use of nitrous oxide during ECV attempts was not associated with an increase in ECV success rate and does not affect pain scores. PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42020197933.

Endometrioma surgery-a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect on antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone.

OBJECTIVE: Accurate preoperative counseling about whether an endometriotic cystectomy has a detrimental effect on the ovarian reserve has been a considerable challenge, because studies assessing the postoperative antral follicle counts and anti-Müllerian hormone levels have reported conflicting results. Our objective was to explore the impact of endometriotic cystectomy on both the anti-Müllerian hormone levels and antral follicle counts, with focus on prospective studies in which both variables were measured for each woman concurrently (overcoming unmeasured confounding), in the same setting (overcoming surgical technique differences), and at the same 3 postoperative time points, namely early (1-6 weeks), intermediate (2-6 months) and late (9-18 months), to overcome time-sensitive changes. DATA SOURCES: Databases of PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EBSCO were searched between January 2000 and October 2020. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Only prospective cohort studies that evaluated the impact of endometriotic stripping cystectomy on anti-Müllerian hormone levels and antral follicle counts in the same women, at matching time points, and in the same setting were eligible. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Two authors performed the screening and data extraction independently. RESULTS: A total of 14 prospectively designed studies were eligible for the meta-analysis and included 650 women. The included studies had a low risk of bias. The postoperative weighted mean differences in serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels dropped significantly when compared with the preoperative levels by an estimated 1.77 ng/mL (95% confidence interval, 0.77-2.77; P<.001), 1.17 ng/mL (95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.67; P<.001), and 2.13 ng/mL (95% confidence interval, 1.61-2.65; P<.001) at the early (1-6 weeks), intermediate (2-6 months), and late (9-18 months) time points, respectively. This corresponded to a mean reduction in serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels at each of the 3-time points of 44.4%, 35.1%, and 54.2%, respectively. Conversely, the postoperative weighted mean difference in the antral follicle count estimates did not change significantly at any of the 3 time points; the early antral follicle count was 0.70 (95% confidence interval, -2.71 to 3.56; P=.63), the intermediate count was -0.94 (95% confidence interval, -2.53 to 0.65; P=.25), and the late count was 2.58 (95% confidence interval, -0.43 to 5.58; P=.09). Overall, high levels of heterogeneity were encountered (I2 ranging between 92% and 94% for the anti-Müllerian hormone levels and between 94% and 98% for the antral follicle counts at the 3 time points), which were attenuated when similar anti-Müllerian hormone assays were compared, and the meta-regression suggested that age did not contribute to heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Endometriotic cystectomies are associated with a significant reduction in the serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels but not in the antral follicle counts, with the detrimental effects on the anti-Müllerian hormone levels consistently detectable at the early-, intermediate-, and late-postoperative time points. In women with endometrioma, the anti-Müllerian hormone level may provide a more accurate assessment of the risk for iatrogenic depletion of the ovarian reserve.

Comparative Study of Intestinal Microbiota Composition of Six Edible Fish Species.

Intensive freshwater aquaculture in the Spring Valley, Israel, is implemented mainly in earthen fishponds and reservoirs that are stocked with a variety of edible fish species. Here we sampled six different healthy fish species from these intensive aquacultures. The fish were hybrid striped bass, European bass, red drum (all carnivores), hybrid tilapia, flathead grey mullet (both herbivores), and common carp (an omnivore). Significant differences were found among the intestinal microbiota of the six studied fish species. The microbiota composition diversity was strongly related to the trophic level of the fish, such that there was a significant difference between the carnivore and the herbivore species, while the omnivore species was not significantly different from either group. The most abundant genus in the majority of the fishes' intestinal microbiota was Cetobacterium. Furthermore, we found that beside Cetobacterium, a unique combination of taxa with relative abundance >10% characterized the intestine microbiota of each fish species: unclassified Mycoplasmataceae, Aeromonas, and Vibrio (hybrid striped bass); Turicibacter and Clostridiaceae 1 (European bass); Vibrio (red drum); ZOR0006-Firmicutes (hybrid tilapia); unclassified Mycoplasmataceae and unclassified Vibrionaceae (flathead grey mullet); and Aeromonas (common carp). We conclude that each fish species has a specific bacterial genera combination that characterizes it. Moreover, diet and the trophic level of the fish have a major influence on the gut microbiota of healthy fish that grow in intensive freshwater aquaculture.

Investigation of glucosinolates in the desert plant Ochradenus baccatus (Brassicales: Resedaceae). Unveiling glucoochradenin, a new arabinosylated glucosinolate.

Here we describe the structure elucidation and quantification of six glucosinolates (GSLs) from the roots of the desert plant Ochradenus baccatus, Delile 1813 (family Resedaceae; order Brassicales). The structure elucidation was established on the corresponding enzymatically desulfated derivatives of the native GSLs of the plant. Among these GSLs we describe the previously undescribed 2″-O-(α-L-arabinopyranosyloxy)benzylglucosinolate (1a), for which we propose the name glucoochradenin. The other five glucosinolates (2a-6a) were (2S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylethylglucosinolate (2a; glucobarbarin), 2″-O-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzylglucosinolate (3a), benzylglucosinolate (4a; glucotropaeolin), indol-3-ylmethylglucosinolate (5a; glucobrassicin) and phenethylglucosinolate (6a; gluconasturtiin), all elucidated as their desulfo-derivatives, 2b-6b respectively). Structures were elucidated by MS and 1D and 2D-NMR techniques, the identity of the arabinose verified by ion chromatography, and the absolute configuration of the sugar units determined by hydrolysis, coupling to cysteine methyl-ester and phenyl isothiocyanate followed by HPLC-MS analysis of the resulted diastereomers. Response factors were generated for desulfo-2″-O-(α-L-arabinopyranosyloxy)benzylglucosinolate and for desulfo-2″-O-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzylglucosinolate and all six GSLs were quantified, indicating that the root of O. baccatus is rich in GSLs (Avg. 61.3 ± 10.0 µmol/g DW and up to 337.2 µmol/g DW).

Direct Evidence That Sunbirds' Gut Microbiota Degrades Floral Nectar's Toxic Alkaloids.

Orange-tufted sunbirds (Cinnyris osea) feed on the nectar of the tobacco tree (Nicotiana glauca) which contains toxic pyridine alkaloids characterized by high concentrations of anabasine and much lower concentrations of nicotine. We aimed at determining whether the gut microbiota of sunbirds harbors bacterial species that enable the birds to cope with these toxic alkaloids. An in vivo experiment that included 12 birds showed that inducing dysbiosis in sunbirds' guts by the addition of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, significantly reduced the birds' ability to degrade anabasine (n = 3) compared to control birds (n = 3) with undisturbed microbiota. Sunbirds whose gut bacterial communities were altered by the antibacterial agents and who were fed with added nicotine, also showed a lower percentage of nicotine degradation (n = 3) in their excreta compared to the sunbirds with undisturbed microbiota (n = 3), though this difference was not significant. In an in vitro experiment, we studied the ability of Lactococcus lactis, Enterobacter hormaechei, Chryseobacterium gleum, Kocuria palustris, and Methylorubrum populi that were isolated from sunbirds' excreta, to degrade anabasine and nicotine. By using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, we successfully demonstrated, for the first time, the ability of these species to degrade the focal secondary metabolites. Our findings demonstrate the role of gut bacteria in detoxifying toxic secondary metabolites found in the N. glauca nectar. The degradation products may supply the birds with nitrogen which is scarce in nectar-rich diets. These findings support another role of bacteria in mediating the interactions between plants and their pollinators.

Proof of concept use of progesterone/estradiol ratio to investigate late follicular progesterone in women with low number of pre-ovulatory follicles.

BACKGROUND: To investigate late follicular progesterone (P) serum level in women with low number of pre-ovulatory follicles in the assisted reproductive technologies (ART) setting. METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive women having four or less pre-ovulatory follicles of >14 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration were prospectively evaluated. Spearman correlation tests between serum estradiol (E2) level, serum P level, P/E2 ratio, number of pre-ovulatory follicles, oocytes and embryos were performed. Women enrolled were further divided into two groups in accordance with the P/E2 ratio on the day of hCG administration and compared. RESULTS: Serum E2 level correlated positively with P serum level (rs = 0.36, P < 0.01), number of mature follicles (rs = 0.50, P < 0.01) and number of oocytes retrieved (rs = 0.36, P < 0.05), whereas negatively with P/E2 ratio (rs = - 0.68, P < 0.01). Likewise, number of pre-ovulatory follicles correlated positively with E2 level (rs = 0.50, P < 0.01), P level (rs = 0.27, P < 0.05) and number of oocytes retrieved (rs = 0.33, P < 0.05), while it correlated negatively with P/E2 ratio (rs = - 0.33, P < 0.05). Furthermore, women with P/E2 ratio > 1 on the day of hCG administration received considerably higher total follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) dosage and achieved significantly lower number of oocytes and embryos as compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: The reverse relationship between number of pre-ovulatory follicles and P/E2 ratio implies that P rise is not only the result of increased steroidogenic activity but other oocytefollicle disrupted mechanisms seems to be involved. An exaggerated FSH stimulation appears to disrupt further these mechanisms.

Protein C global assay evaluation in naturally conceived vs. assisted reproduction-achieved twin pregnancies: a prospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: Protein C global assay tests the global function of the protein C pathway, the most clinically significant anticoagulant pathway in humans. The objective of this study is to assess the difference in protein C global assay levels, throughout twin gestation, in naturally conceiving and ART-treated women. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort longitudinal study of pregnant women with twin gestation. Protein C Global evaluation was performed on frozen blood samples. Ninety-eight women with twin pregnancy, thirty-eight naturally conceived and sixty following ART, were evaluated on four occasions: during the first, second, and third trimesters, and 6 weeks or later after delivery (baseline). RESULTS: Protein C global assay levels were lower throughout pregnancy as compared to basal levels in both the naturally conceived and ART-conceived groups. However, protein C global assay levels were similar between the ART-conceived and naturally conceived twin pregnancies in all three trimesters. Perinatal complications were associated with decreased protein C global assay levels during the third trimester, although no difference was encountered between naturally conceived and ART-complicated twin pregnancies. CONCLUSION: While protein C global assay levels drop during twin pregnancy, there is no difference between ART-conceived and naturally conceived gestations. Decreased levels of protein C global assay during the third trimester were similarly associated with perinatal complications in both groups. Our results imply that twin pregnancy of itself is a more dominant factor for perinatal complications as compared to other factors, such as subfertility or the exposure to ART per se.