We report a new stratigraphic section in the Argentine Precordillera (Zanja Honda, west of Pachimoco, San Juan Province), recording the Silurian-Devonian transition. It corresponds to particular siliciclastics of the uppermost 75 m of the Los Espejos Formation (LEF) exhibiting coquines at the base, noduliferous dark siltstones above, then greenish-brown sandstones, and subsequently, a reddish, massive, fine-grained sandstone interval. The overlying shaly lower interval of the Talacasto Formation records the homalonotid trilobite Burmeisteria notica (Clarke, 1913a), indicating the Lochkovian-Pragian interval. Brachiopods and trilobites of the basal coquinites are typical of the upper Silurian of the LEF elsewhere. However, Slovinograptus Urbanek, 1997, the youngest graptolite from southwestern Gondwana, indicates the Silurian-Devonian transition in the basal coquine. The dalmanitid Pachimocaspis pachimocensis new genus new species comes from this and other undoubted Silurian underlying coquinites. The brachiopod and trilobite associations disappear in the overlying dark nodular siltstone interval, replaced by an earliest Lochkovian Orthostrophia meridionalis Benedetto in Benedetto et al., 1992 brachiopod association and a monospecific Pachimocaspis pachimocensis n. gen. n. sp. Thus, we recognize a neat faunal turnover around the Silurian-Devonian boundary as in other southern South American localities. We refer to Pachimocaspis pachimocensis n. gen. n. sp. pygidia from the Silurian-Devonian of Bolivia and the lowest Pragian of the Talacasto Formation from Las Aguaditas locality in the Precordillera Basin. Pachimocaspis pachimocensis n. gen. n. sp. lacks the typical pygidial dalmanitid morphology, exhibiting instead a subelliptical shape with no caudal spine. Also, thoracic pleural tips are variably blunt along the thorax in contrast with the evenly spinose dalmanitid morphology. The morphology of this taxon challenges its systematic position in regarding Silurian-Devonian subfamilies from high paleolatitudes, resembling instead extra-Gondwanic, early Silurian synphoriines.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/df0b0726-a8e9-4c30-bf1d-217c54467609

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest cancer worldwide, posing a great threat to human health and a social burden. Various genetic and epigenetic alterations can activate tumourigenesis-related signalling pathways, leading to CRC development and progression. Over the past two decades, the understanding of the role of S100 family proteins in different types of cancer has received great attention. S100 proteins, as intracellular and extracellular, play important roles in regulating various cellular processes, such as calcium homeostasis, apoptosis, tumour cell proliferation, invasion and motility. It is well documented that alteration in expression of S100 proteins can be associated with tumourigenesis and cancer progression. These proteins play important roles in CRC carcinogenesis by activating different signalling pathways, especially the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway, which is involved in cell proliferation, invasion and migration. In this review, we describe the functions of S100 proteins in the context of inflammation, tumourigenesis, cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance in CRC. We also discuss the potential of targeting different S100 proteins as prognostic factors and therapeutic agents for CRC treatment. This narrative review will increase our understanding of the role of S100 proteins in the progression of CRC and provide insights into the use of S100 proteins as new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CRC therapy.

Schistosoma mansoni is a parasitic helminth that is vectored through freshwater snails. While the anti-schistosome defense of the South American snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, is well studied, little is known about the immune response of the African snail, Biomphalaria sudanica. We measured expression of five candidate immune genes in B. sudanica 8, 24, and 72 hours post-exposure to S. mansoni using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Expression patterns of incompatible snails were compared to compatible snails and those sham exposed. We also assessed how diet (lettuce vs. pellet) affected expression of three genes, given prior findings that pellet-fed snails were more susceptible to S. mansoni. Results indicated that incompatible snails constitutively expressed higher levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) than compatible snails at multiple time points, and of toll-like receptor (TLR) and granulin (GRN) at a single time point. Parasite-induced expression occurred at 8 hours in SOD1, biomphalysin 2, thioester protein 1 (TEP1), and granulin (GRN); however, for biomphalysin 2 and TEP1, induced expression was only detected for susceptible snails. At 24 hours, biomphalysin 2 expression increased in exposed resistant snails, and at 72 hours, all exposed snails decreased biomphalysin 2 expression compared to controls. Parasite-induced expression of SOD1, biomphalysin 2, TEP1, and GRN supports the hypothesis that these genes play a role in B. sudanica anti-schistosome defense; however, increased expression does not necessarily yield clearance of S. mansoni. SOD1 expression was higher in lettuce-fed snails at 8 and 24 hours, consistent with their greater resistance. Together, these results demonstrate the conserved and unique aspects of the B. sudanica anti-schistosome response.

There is a high demand for cultural weed management strategies targeting Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) in furrow-irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) production due to overreliance on herbicides and the lack of a continual flood to prevent weed emergence. Amaranthus palmeri has been shown to reduce corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields when it interferes with the crop. However, minimal research has been conducted to assess the ability of this weed species to impact rice grain yield. The manipulation of rice seeding rate to enhance rice canopy formation and favor the crop over the weed has not been fully explored. Hence, research was conducted to (1) evaluate the effect of rice density on A. palmeri emergence, rice canopy cover, and relative yield; and (2) determine the impact of A. palmeri density and aboveground biomass on rice grain yield. A natural population of A. palmeri was allowed to emerge at varying densities throughout the growing season within furrow-irrigated rice. Amaranthus palmeri plants caused 12% to 87% yield loss at densities ranging from 1 to 20 plants m−2, and yield loss was 45% to 80% for plants weighing 200 to 800 g m−2. When furrow-irrigated rice was sown at various densities, crop canopy cover increased as rice plant density increased. Most A. palmeri emergence occurred within the first 4 wk after rice emergence, before canopy formation could have an effect. Amaranthus palmeri emergence beyond 5 wk after rice emergence decreased as rice plant density and canopy cover increased. These results indicate that A. palmeri has the potential to cause severe yield loss and that residual herbicides will be vital for A. palmeri management in a furrow-irrigated rice system, due to the continual emergence of weeds up to crop canopy formation.

Mandatory calorie labelling was introduced in out-of-home (OOH) food sector outlets during 2022 in England. Previous research in North America has found that labelled energy content can be underestimated for packaged and quick-serve foods, but no study has evaluated the accuracy of OOH food sector menu calorie labelling in response to the mandatory policy introduced in England. N 295 menu items from a range of outlet types (e.g. cafes, pubs, restaurants) and menu categories (e.g. starters and sides, main, dessert) were sampled. Bomb calorimetry was used to quantify energy content, and the reported energy content on menus was recorded. Consistency of measured energy was assessed by sampling the same items across outlets of the same business (n 50 menu items). Differences between reported and measured energy content were tested through Wilcoxon signed rank tests, and a linear model examined correlates of the difference. Mean measured kilocalories (kcal) were significantly lower than reported kcal (–16·70 kcal (±149·19), V = 16 920, P < 0·01 and r = 0·182). However, both over- (23 % of menu items) and under-estimation (11 %) by > 20 % of measured energy content were common, and the averaged absolute percentage difference between reported and measured values was 21 % (±29 %). Discrepancy between measured and reported energy content was more common in some outlet types (pubs), and reported energy content was substantially different (> 20 %) to measured energy content for 35 % of sampled menu items. There may be significant inaccuracies in reported energy content of calorie labelled menu items in English food outlets subject to mandatory calorie labelling.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the UK, especially in certain ethnic minority populations. There is limited information on childhood vitamin D status in the UK, or factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. Using a cross-sectional study of 4650 children of South Asian, Black African and Caribbean and White European origins (9–10 years old) surveyed between 2004 and 2007, we investigated measurements of circulating 25(OH)D concentrations (a measure of vitamin D status) and anthropometric measurements. Overall, 68 % of children had 25(OH)D concentrations ≤ 50 nmol/L and were either insufficient (25–50 nmol/L) (45 %) or deficient (< 25 nmol/L) (23 %). Mean 25(OH)D concentrations were lowest in South Asian (especially Bangladeshi) children, intermediate in Black African and Caribbean and highest in White European children. Mean values were ≤ 50 nmol/L for all children during the winter months and ≤ 50 nmol/L throughout the year for South Asian, Black African and Caribbean children. In analyses adjusted for season, age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status and fat mass index, girls had a higher risk of being vitamin D deficient or insufficient (OR 1·49, 95 % CI 1·32, 1·68) compared with boys. South Asian children (OR 25·49, 95 % CI 19·95, 32·57) and Black African and Caribbean children (OR 10·31, 95 % CI 10·31, 17·52) had the highest risks of being deficient or insufficient compared with White European children. Childhood vitamin D deficiency was common in this study population. In the UK, targeted and novel interventions are needed to increase 25(OH)D concentrations, particularly South Asian and Black African and Caribbean children and reduce the health risks associated with low vitamin D status.

The effects of high plant-based proteins (PP) used as alternative protein sources in aquafeeds on muscle cellularity and myogenic factors of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, remain unclear. This study explored muscle fibre growth phases and the impact of two additive mixtures (A) in high-PP diets on muscle physiology. Over a seven-month trial, 2000 fish (2·22 g) were divided into four groups (five replicates each) and fed isonitrogenous (fry, 46 %; fingerling, 44 %; and grow-out, 42 % crude protein) and isolipidic (20 % lipid) diets: control (30 % fishmeal), PP, PP + A1 (krill meal, taurine, selenium) and PP + A2 (proline, hydroxyproline, vitamin C). Sampling for muscle histology and myogenic gene expression was conducted at ten sampling points from Day 0 to Day 214. Muscle histology (fibre distribution: small, 0–20 μm; small-medium, 20–60 μm; large-medium, 60–100 μm and large, ≥ 100 μm diameter) revealed four growth phases: hyperplasia (2·2–15 g), hypertrophy (15–50 g), hyperplasia (50–150 g) and hypertrophy (150–350 g). MyoD2 and myogenic regulatory factor 4 (MRF4) were upregulated during hyperplasia, while myostatin 1 (MSTN1)/myostatin 2 (2) and reduced Paired box 7 indicating growth inhibition and fewer satellite cells. The PP diet without additives altered fibre recruitment, while PP + A2 enhanced hypertrophy, increasing large (> 100 μm) fibres. Additive mixtures modulated myogenic gene expression, with PP + A2 promoting MyoD2, myogenin and MRF4 and reducing MEF2A/C, contrary to known hypertrophy markers. PP + A1 and PP + A2 diets reduced MSTN1 expression, potentially mitigating growth inhibition. Additive supplementation in PP diets alleviates negative impacts on muscle cellularity and myogenic regulation. The identified growth phases provide insights for precision nutrition, supporting improved feeding strategies for sustainable aquaculture.

Protecting animals from anthropogenic influences is important in vulnerable ecosystems such as Antarctica. A potential recent activity affecting Antarctic wildlife is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Previous studies in this area have mainly focused on animal behavioural observations and have reported reactions to UAVs in many cases. To gain insights into the influence of UAVs on physiology (stress hormones) in addition to behavioural reactions, we conducted an experiment on chinstrap penguin chicks (Pygoscelis antarcticus) on the South Shetland Islands (Antarctica) during the breeding season of 2017–2018. Using a small quadcopter UAV, we performed flights over groups of penguin chicks in the early crèche phase using ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ treatment setups (15 and 50 m above the penguins, respectively). The behavioural observations revealed clear reactions to the UAV during the Hard treatment, but we could not find an association between such UAV activity and stress hormone levels. As we cannot clearly disentangle the effects of handling during blood sampling and the direct influence of the UAV, we conclude that the physiological impact of overflights at 15 m ranges from no impact to a maximum impact equal to the impact associated with animal handling. During the Soft treatment (UAV overflights at 50 m), no behavioural or physiological effects were detected.

Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are troublesome weeds in U.S. corn, soybean, and cotton production systems. Rapid evolution of resistance to herbicide from multiple sites of action in these species warrant alternate weed control options. Metribuzin applied preemergence can provide effective control of herbicide-resistant Amaranthus species. However, despite its decades of efficacy, many growers remain unaware of its weed control potential or are hesitant to use it due to concerns over crop injury. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 in 15 states across the United States to investigate residual control of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp with metribuzin applied preemergence to soybean. Sites had either herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth or waterhemp as the dominant weed species. Seventeen preemergence treatments were evaluated, including 13 doses of metribuzin (210 to 841 g ai ha-1), a dose of sulfentrazone (420 g ai ha-1), and a dose of S-metolachlor (1,790 g ai ha-1), along with nontreated and a weed-free control plots. Weed control and soybean injury were visually assessed and recorded at 14, 28, and 42 d after application (DAA) of preemergence herbicides. Additionally, weed density, weed biomass, and soybean height were recorded 28 DAA followed by a measure of soybean yield at maturity. Weed control was analyzed as a function of metribuzin dose and environmental factors using a generalized additive model. Crop injury of not more than 5% was predicted even with 841 g ai ha-1 of metribuzin. Metribuzin at 630 g ai ha-1 was more effective than sulfentrazone in delaying weed emergence and reducing weed density, while 315 g ai ha-1 of metribuzin outperformed S-metolachlor in both metrics. Metribuzin doses of 578 to 841 g ai ha-1 provided greater than 95%, 90%, and 80% weed control, respectively, at 14, 28, and 42 DAA. Higher metribuzin doses of 578 to 841 g ai ha-1could be safely to effectively control herbicide-resistant Amaranthus weeds.

Previous studies highlighted the health benefits of coffee and tea, but they only focused on the comparisons between different consumptions. Consequently, the association estimate lacked a clear interpretation, as the substitution of beverages and distribution of doses were not explicitly prescribed. We focused on the ‘relative association’ to ascertain the optimal consumption strategy (including total intake and optimal allocation strategy) for coffee, tea and plain water associated with decreased mortality. Self-reported coffee, tea and plain water intake were used from the UK Biobank. Within a compositional data analysis framework, a multivariate Cox model was used to assess the relative associations after adjusting for a range of potential confounders. The lower mortality risk was observed with at least approximately 7–8 drinks/d of total consumption. When the total intake > 4 drinks/d, substituting plain water with coffee or tea was linked to reduced mortality; nevertheless, the benefit was not seen for ≤ 4 drinks/d. Besides, a balanced consumption of coffee and tea (roughly a ratio of 2:3) associated with the lowest hazard ratios of 0·55 (95 % CI 0·47, 0·64) for all-cause mortality, 0·59 (95 % CI 0·48, 0·72) for cancer mortality, 0·69 (95 % CI 0·49, 0·99) for CVD mortality, 0·28 (95 % CI 0·15, 0·52) for respiratory disease mortality and 0·35 (95 % CI 0·15, 0·82) for digestive disease mortality than other combinations. These results highlight the importance of the rational combination of coffee, tea and plain water, with particular emphasis on ensuring adequate total intake, offering more comprehensive and explicit guidance for individuals.

Traditional cultural landscapes play an important role in providing environmental, economic, social, and cultural values. These sustainable landscapes originate from extensive agricultural activities and need regular maintenance for preservation. They often lack economic viability and are threatened by the huge pressure of agricultural intensification. This study follows the idea of a market-based way of compensation for the cultivation of multifunctional agricultural landscapes by marketing the products of these landscapes. In order to increase consumer demand for products from traditional cultural landscapes, this article aims to identify appropriate communication measures by assessing consumers’ associations and knowledge of juice from orchard meadows (OM). Willingness to pay (WTP) was measured by using the contingent valuation method. The results show that specific product attributes of products from traditional cultural landscapes result in an additional WTP of consumers. In communication of a traditional cultural landscape product like OM juice, it is important to highlight especially three product attributes to consumers: the local origin, the environmentally friendly and organic production, and the naturalness of the landscape.

We present a new 1:500 000 geological map of Alexander Island of West Antarctica. The map, combined with recent detrital zircon analysis, defines an updated chronostratigraphy for the Fossil Bluff Group, a Late Jurassic–Cretaceous forearc succession > 8 km in thickness that represents one of the most complete forearc successions globally. The forearc succession overlies and is in faulted contact with the LeMay Group, a late Permian basement accretionary complex that forms part of an extensive array of late Permian accretionary complexes in West Gondwana. The LeMay Group is intruded and overlain by a succession of Late Cretaceous–Palaeogene intermediate to silicic volcanic rocks and granitoid plutons. The uppermost unit on Alexander Island is an episode of Neogene to Quaternary basaltic volcanism associated with ridge-trench collisions and slab window development.

The genus Echinaster in Japanese waters was revised, resulting in the discovery of two new species, E. crystallus n. sp. and E. toyoshiomaruae n. sp., and one newly recorded species, E. stereosomus, from Japan. Molecular phylogenetic analyses including 22 echinasterid species indicate that another newly recorded species, Metrodira subulata, is grouped with the other Echinaster species. Since the revised diagnostic characteristics of the genus Echinaster are consistent with the morphology of Metrodira, we newly synonymize this genus with Echinaster. Consequently, the genus Echinaster includes six species in Japanese waters. Morphological descriptions of all Japanese Echinaster species were provided.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gillnet soak time to gain a better understanding of fish welfare, mortality, stress, and quality (as measured as muscle haemoglobin) during experimental gillnet fishery of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). An experimental study was conducted in a large-scale tank at a research facility with 131 wild-caught fish in four groups with gillnet soak times of 0, 2, 12, and 24 h (23–34 fish per soak time). Longer soak time caused higher mortality, with a mortality rate of 0, 7, 18, and 25% in the 0-, 2-, 12- and 24-h groups, respectively. Blood lactate levels were significantly affected by soak time, peaking at 2 h (with the widest confidence interval) and showing their lowest concentrations at 0 and 24 h. Soak time also significantly increased blood glucose and serum cortisol levels. Magnesium, creatinine, and iron increased significantly in all groups compared with control levels, but there was no significant difference between soak times. Haemoglobin content in the loin increased significantly only after 24 h of soak time for live fish. There was no significant increase in haemoglobin in the belly as a function of soak time. However, for all soak times, the belly had significantly more haemoglobin than the loin. Physiological evidence of traumatic injuries and stress were noted prior to increased muscle haemoglobin, meaning that good quality did not necessarily equate to good welfare. However, a higher level of muscle haemoglobin is a strong indication of poor welfare.

Invasive plants commonly establish and spread along roadsides, and understanding the mechanisms underlying this pattern is essential for risk assessment and effective management. Stinkwort [Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter], a recent California invader, primarily inhabits roadsides but is beginning to spread into nearby plant communities. We tested whether D. graveolens grows best along roadsides due to a preference for soil conditions or is limited to these disturbed environments by plant competition. Lab and greenhouse experiments showed no germination advantage in engineered fill (simulating roadside soils), and D. graveolens grew slightly better in field topsoil. Competition trials with two annual grasses [soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus L.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)] showed strong growth suppression of D. graveolens by both grasses, but competition was stronger in field topsoil than engineered fill. Engineered fill limited growth for all species, suggesting that roadside soils may provide a refuge from competition. In 2 yr of field experiments, we examined mechanisms of competition by comparing responses to (1) removal of thatch, aboveground biomass, and above- and belowground biomass; (2) shading; and (3) water and nutrient addition and protection from belowground competition via trenching. Belowground competition in particular strongly affected D. graveolens’ performance. Our findings suggest that competition confines D. graveolens to disturbed roadsides; management should prioritize reducing bare, disturbed areas, and enhancing plant competition in areas vulnerable to invasion.

Mecochirid lobsters (Glypheidea, Mecochiridae) are iconic decapod crustaceans from the Jurassic and Cretaceous. The composition of the family in terms of included genera strongly fluctuated during the twentieth century because of the lack of study of the type specimens, which are herein illustrated. On the basis of the type material of different species housed in German, French, British, and Romanian museums and universities, Eumorphia von Meyer, 1847 (type species Carcinium sociale von Meyer, 1841) is re-established as a valid mecochirid genus. Six species are considered, including the new species Eumorphia fabianmuelleri (Callovian, Germany), and the synonymization of Romaniacheiros Franţescu et al., 2018 with Eumorphia is proposed. The composition of the revised family Mecochiridae is discussed.

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