The description and delineation of trematode species is a major ongoing task. Across the field there has been, and currently still is, great variation in the standard of this work and in the sophistication of the proposal of taxonomic hypotheses. Although most species are relatively unambiguously distinct from their congeners, many are either morphologically very similar, including the major and rapidly growing component of cryptic species, or are highly variable morphologically despite little to no molecular variation for standard DNA markers. Here we review challenges in species delineation in the context provided to us by the historical literature, and the use of morphological, geographical, host, and molecular data. We observe that there are potential challenges associated with all these information sources. As a result, we encourage careful proposal of taxonomic hypotheses with consideration for underlying species concepts and frank acknowledgement of weaknesses or conflict in the data. It seems clear that there is no single source of data that provides a wholly reliable answer to our taxonomic challenges but that nuanced consideration of information from multiple sources (the ‘integrated approach’) provides the best possibility of developing hypotheses that will stand the test of time.

The global population and status of Snowy Owls Bubo scandiacus are particularly challenging to assess because individuals are irruptive and nomadic, and the breeding range is restricted to the remote circumpolar Arctic tundra. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) uplisted the Snowy Owl to “Vulnerable” in 2017 because the suggested population estimates appeared considerably lower than historical estimates, and it recommended actions to clarify the population size, structure, and trends. Here we present a broad review and status assessment, an effort led by the International Snowy Owl Working Group (ISOWG) and researchers from around the world, to estimate population trends and the current global status of the Snowy Owl. We use long-term breeding data, genetic studies, satellite-GPS tracking, and survival estimates to assess current population trends at several monitoring sites in the Arctic and we review the ecology and threats throughout the Snowy Owl range. An assessment of the available data suggests that current estimates of a worldwide population of 14,000–28,000 breeding adults are plausible. Our assessment of population trends at five long-term monitoring sites suggests that breeding populations of Snowy Owls in the Arctic have decreased by more than 30% over the past three generations and the species should continue to be categorised as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List Criterion A2. We offer research recommendations to improve our understanding of Snowy Owl biology and future population assessments in a changing world.

Alternative strategies to fumigation are needed to manage weeds and improve strawberry fruit yield in annual hill plasticulture production systems. Field experiments were conducted in Blackstone, VA, for two consecutive growing seasons, 2013/14 and 2014/15, to assess the efficacy of 4 wk and 8 wk soil solarization (SS) and application of mustard seed meal (MSM) at 1,121 kg ha−1, alone and in combination, for weed control efficacy and crop yield estimation in this production system. These treatments were compared to the use of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) + chloropicrin (Pic) as a fumigation standard at 188 kg ha−1 and an untreated control (UTC). Over both growing seasons, compared to 1,3-D+ Pic, the SS-MSM-8wk and SS-8wk treatments provided equivalent or reduced cumulative weed count, including weed count of several dominant weed species such as annual ryegrass, speedwell, common chickweed, and cudweed. The SS-4wk and MSM-4wk treatments did not affect weed density compared with the UTC. The MSM-8 wk and 4-wk treatments reduced cumulative weed counts over that of the UTC. In the second growing season, the total yield was significantly higher after the 1,3-D + Pic fumigation treatment compared with yield after other treatments. The SS-4wk, MSM-4wk, and MSM-8wk treatments did not improve the total or marketable yield compared with the UTC. The marketable yield after the SS-MSM-8wk treatment was similar to that of the 1,3-D + Pic treatment. In conclusion, the SS-8wk and SS-MSM-8wk treatments may be effective weed management strategies for organic growers, small farms, or growers who cannot use chemical fumigants due to new regulations and potential risks to human health.

The gut microbiome is impacted by certain types of dietary fibre. However, the type, duration and dose needed to elicit gut microbial changes and whether these changes also influence microbial metabolites remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of supplementing healthy participants with two types of non-digestible carbohydrates (resistant starch (RS) and polydextrose (PD)) on the stool microbiota and microbial metabolite concentrations in plasma, stool and urine, as secondary outcomes in the Dietary Intervention Stem Cells and Colorectal Cancer (DISC) Study. The DISC study was a double-blind, randomised controlled trial that supplemented healthy participants with RS and/or PD or placebo for 50 d in a 2 × 2 factorial design. DNA was extracted from stool samples collected pre- and post-intervention, and V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to profile the gut microbiota. Metabolite concentrations were measured in stool, plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography. A total of fifty-eight participants with paired samples available were included. After 50 d, no effects of RS or PD were detected on composition of the gut microbiota diversity (alpha- and beta-diversity), on genus relative abundance or on metabolite concentrations. However, Drichlet’s multinomial mixture clustering-based approach suggests that some participants changed microbial enterotype post-intervention. The gut microbiota and fecal, plasma and urinary microbial metabolites were stable in response to a 50-d fibre intervention in middle-aged adults. Larger and longer studies, including those which explore the effects of specific fibre sub-types, may be required to determine the relationships between fibre intake, the gut microbiome and host health.

Similar to adults with posttraumatic stress disorder, children with early life adversity show bias in memory for negative emotional stimuli. However, it is not well understood how childhood adversity impacts mechanisms underlying emotional memory. N = 56 children (8–14 years, 48% female) reported on adverse experiences including potentially traumatic events and underwent fMRI while attending to emotionally pleasant, neutral, or negative images. Post-scan, participants completed a cued recall test to assess memory for these images. Emotional difference-in-memory (DM) scores were computed by subtracting negative or positive from neutral recall performance. All children showed enhancing effects of emotion on recall, with no effect of trauma load. However, children with less trauma showed a larger emotional DM for both positive and negative stimuli when amygdala or anterior hippocampal activity was higher. In contrast, highly trauma-exposed children demonstrated a lower emotional DM with greater amygdala or hippocampal activity. This suggested that alternative neural mechanisms might support emotional enhancement of encoding in children with greater trauma load. Whole-brain analyses revealed that right fusiform activity during encoding positively correlated with both trauma load and successful later recall of positive images. Therefore, highly trauma-exposed children may use alternative, potentially adaptive neural pathways via the ventral visual stream to encode positive emotional events.

Fructose-containing sugars can exaggerate postprandial lipaemia and stimulate hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) when compared to glucose-based carbohydrates(1). Galactose has recently been shown to increase postprandial lipaemia compared to glucose(2), but mechanisms remain uncharacterised. The aim of this study was to assess the effect and mechanisms of lactose-induced lipaemia.

Twenty-four non-obese adults (12 male and 12 female) completed three trials in a randomised, crossover design (28 ± 7-day washout). During trials, participants consumed test drinks containing 50 g fat with 100 g of carbohydrate. The control carbohydrate was a glucose polymer (maltodextrin), the experimental carbohydrate was galactose-containing carbohydrate (lactose) and the active comparator was fructose-containing carbohydrate (sucrose). Hepatic DNL was assessed by the 2H2O method and [U-13C]-palmitate was added to the test drink to trace the fate of the ingested fat. Blood and breath samples were taken to determine plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations, in addition to plasma and breath 2H and 13C enrichments. Data were converted into incremental under the curve (iAUC) and were checked for normality by visual inspection of residuals. Differences between trials were assessed by one-way ANOVA. Where a main effect of trial was detected, post- hoc t-tests were performed to determine which trials differed from lactose according to the principle of closed-loop testing.

The plasma triacylglycerol iAUC (mean ± SD) in response to maltodextrin was 51 ± 68 mmol/L*360 min. Following lactose ingestion, plasma triacylglycerol iAUC increased to 98 ± 88 mmol/L*360 min (p<0.001 vs maltodextrin), which was comparable to sucrose [90 ± 95 mmol/L*360 min (p=0.41 vs lactose)]. Hepatic DNL in response to maltodextrin was 6.6 ± 3.0%. Following ingestion of lactose, hepatic DNL increased to 12.4 ± 6.9% (p=0.02 vs maltodextrin), which was comparable to sucrose [12.2 ± 6.9% (p=0.96 vs lactose)]. Exhaled 13CO2 in response to maltodextrin was 10.4 ± 4.1 mmol/kgFFM*360 min. Following ingestion of lactose, exhaled 13CO2 was 8.8 ± 4.9 mmol/kgFFM*360 min (p=0.09 vs maltodextrin), which was lower than sucrose [11.1 ± 3.9 mmol/kgFFM*360 min (p=0.01 vs lactose)].

These data are consistent with the hypothesis that hepatic de novo lipogenesis contributes to both lactose and sucrose-induced lipaemia and provide a rationale to investigate the longer-term effects of lactose and sucrose on metabolism.

Bentonites are readily available clays used in the livestock industry as feed additives to reduce aflatoxin (AF) exposure; their potential interaction with nutrients is the main concern limiting their use, however. The objective of the present study was to determine the safety of a dietary sodium-bentonite (Na-bentonite) supplement as a potential AF adsorbent, using juvenile Sprague Dawley (SD) rats as a research model. Animals were fed either a control diet or a diet containing Na-bentonite at 0.25% and 2% (w/w) inclusion rate. Growth, serum, and blood biochemical parameters, including selected serum vitamins (A and E) and elements such as calcium (Ca), potassium (K), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) were measured. The mineral characteristics and the aflatoxin B1 sorption capacity of Na-bentonite were also determined. By the end of the study, males gained more weight than females in control and Na-bentonite groups (p ≤ 0.0001); the interaction between treatment and sex was not significant (p = 0.6780), however. Some significant differences between the control group and bentonite treatments were observed in serum biochemistry and vitamin and minerals measurements; however, parameters fell within reference clinical values reported for SD rats and no evidence of dose-dependency was found. Serum Na and Na/K ratios were increased, while K levels were decreased in males and females from Na-bentonite groups. Serum Zn levels were decreased only in males from Na-bentonite treatments. Overall, results showed that inclusion of Na-bentonite at 0.25% and 2% did not cause any observable toxicity in a 3-month rodent study.

Acid-base titrations and attenuated total reflectance-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy of solutions containing Zn(NO3)2 and the herbicide 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole suggested that soluble complexes ZnL2+ and Zn(OH)L+ form, where L represents aminotriazole. Sorption experiments and modeling in systems containing K-saturated Wyoming (SWy-K) montmorillonite suggest that at low concentrations the aminotriazole sorbs primarily in cationic form via an ion-exchange mechanism. Sorption isotherms for aminotriazole are ‘s’-shaped, indicating a co-operative sorption mechanism as the concentration of the molecule increases. At higher concentrations, ATR-IR spectroscopy indicated the presence of cationic and neutral triazole molecules on the surface, while X-ray diffraction data suggest interaction with interlayer regions of the clay. When the concentration of the herbicide was high, initial sorption of aminotriazole cations modified the clay to make the partitioning of neutral molecules to the surface more favorable. Experiments conducted in the presence of Zn(II) indicated that below pH 7, Zn(II) and aminotriazole compete for sorption sites, while above pH 7 the presence of Zn(II) enhances the uptake of aminotriazole. The enhancement was attributed to the formation of an inner-sphere ternary surface complex at hydroxyl sites (SOH) on crystal edges, having the form [(SOZn(OH)L)]0.

Simple extended constant capacitance surface complexation models have been developed to represent the adsorption of polyaromatic dyes (9-aminoacridine, 3,6-diaminoacridine, azure A and safranin O) to kaolinite, and the competitive adsorption of the dyes with Cd. The formulation of the models was based on data from recent publications, including quantitative adsorption measurements over a range of conditions (varying pH and concentration), acid-base titrations and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic data. In the models the dye molecules adsorb as aggregates of three or four, forming outer-sphere complexes with sites on the silica face of kaolinite. Both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions are implicated in the adsorption processes. Despite their simplicity, the models fit a wide range of experimental data, thereby supporting the underlying hypothesis that the flat, hydrophobic, but slightly charged silica faces of kaolinite facilitate the aggregation and adsorption of the flat, aromatic, cationic dye molecules.

The strong adsorption to kaolinite of four polyaromatic, cationic dyes (9-aminoacridine, 3,6-diaminoacridine, azure A and safranin O), which adsorb much less to alumina or silica, was investigated by means of acid-base titrations, measurements of adsorption at varying pH and dye concentration, and by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The four dyes adsorb to kaolinite to similar extents, with little change over the pH range 3–10, but at higher pH (above the pKas of the dyes) the adsorption of 9-aminoacridine and 3,6-diaminoacridine decreases, that of azure A increases, and that of safranin O stays approximately constant. Although the dyes adsorb to kaolinite much more strongly than metal ions do, titration and spectroscopic data show that there is only limited chemical interaction between the adsorbed dyes and the kaolinite surface. The results indicate that electrostatic interaction between the dye molecules and the kaolinite surface is necessary for adsorption, but that hydrophobic interactions also contribute. It is proposed that the relatively hydrophobic silica faces of kaolinite, which carry low-density permanent negative charge, facilitate aggregation and adsorption of the positively charged, flat, aromatic dye molecules.

The competitive adsorption to kaolinite between Cd(II) and four polyaromatic dyes (9-aminoacridine, 3,6-diaminoacridine, azure A and safranin O) was studied in 5 mM KNO3 at 25°C. Under these conditions, Cd adsorbs to the silica face of kaolinite between about pH 4 and 6.5, but at higher pH, adsorbed Cd is progressively relocated to the crystal edges. In the presence of dye, less Cd adsorbed to kaolinite below pH 7. If sufficient dye was added to saturate the kaolinite surface, Cd adsorption was totally suppressed up to ∼pH 6. At higher pH, Cd followed the characteristic pattern for edge adsorption. In separate experiments 9-aminoacridine and azure A displaced pre-adsorbed Cd from kaolinite. The displacement curves were initially linear, with one Cd ion being displaced for every 13 dye molecules adsorbed at pH 5.5, and one Cd ion for every 35 dye molecules at pH 7.5. The interpretation of these results is that the dyes bind to kaolinite much more strongly than Cd(II) does, but only to the silica face.

Background: To clarify the landscape of molecular diagnoses (MDs) in early-onset epilepsy individuals, we determined the prevalent MDs stratified by age at seizure onset (SO) and the time to MD in children with SO <36 months of life. Methods: A panel of up to 302 genes associated with epilepsy was utilized and ordering physicians provided the age of SO. Diagnostic yield analyses were performed for SO ages including <1 mo, 1-2 mo, 3-5 mo, 6-11 mo, 12-23 mo, and 24-35 mo. The time to MD (MD age - SO age) was determined for the top 10 genes in each SO category. Results: 15,074 individuals with SO <36 months of life were tested. Predominant MD findings are as follows: KCNQ2 in neonates with SO at <1mo, KCNQ2 and CDKL5 for SO between 1-2 mo, PRRT2 and SCN1A for SO between 3-11 mo, and SCN1A for SO between 12-36 months. The median time to MD varied by gene. For example, there was no delay in the median time to MD for the GLDC, KCNQ2, and SCN2A genes while the median delay for MECP2, SLC2A1, and other genes was ≥ 12 months. Conclusions: These data highlight the importance of comprehensive early testing in children with early-onset epilepsy.

Objective. The efficacy of individualized, community-based physical activity as an adjunctive smoking cessation treatment to enhance long-term smoking cessation rates was evaluated for the Lifestyle Enhancement Program (LEAP). Methods. The study was a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. All participants (n = 392) received cessation counseling and a nicotine patch and were randomized to physical activity (n = 199; YMCA membership and personalized exercise programming from a health coach) or an equal contact frequency wellness curriculum (n = 193). Physical activity treatment was individualized and flexible (with each participant selecting types of activities and intensity levels and being encouraged to exercise at the YMCA and at home, as well as to use “lifestyle” activity). The primary outcome (biochemically verified prolonged abstinence at 7-weeks (end of treatment) and 6- and 12-months postcessation) and secondary outcomes (7-day point prevalent tobacco abstinence (PPA), total minutes per week of leisure time physical activity and strength training) were assessed at baseline, 7 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Results. Prolonged abstinence in the physical activity and wellness groups was 19.6% and 25.4%, respectively, at 7-weeks, 15.1% and 16.6% at 6-months, and 14.1% and 17.1% at 12 months (all between-group P values >0.18). Similarly, PPA rates did not differ significantly between groups at any follow-up. Change from baseline leisure-time activity plus strength training increased significantly in the physical activity group at 7 weeks (P = 0.04). Across treatment groups, an increase in the number of minutes per week in strength training from baseline to 7 weeks predicted prolonged abstinence at 12 months (P ≤ 0.001). Further analyses revealed that social support, fewer years smoked, and less temptation to smoke were associated with prolonged abstinence over 12 months in both groups. Conclusions. Community-based physical activity programming, delivered as adjunctive treatment with behavioral/pharmacological cessation treatment, did not improve long-term quit rates compared to adjunctive wellness counseling plus behavioral/pharmacological cessation treatment. This trial is registered with https://beta.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00403312, registration no. NCT00403312.

Pompe disease results from lysosomal acid α-glucosidase deficiency, which leads to cardiomyopathy in all infantile-onset and occasional late-onset patients. Cardiac assessment is important for its diagnosis and management. This article presents unpublished cardiac findings, concomitant medications, and cardiac efficacy and safety outcomes from the ADVANCE study; trajectories of patients with abnormal left ventricular mass z score at enrolment; and post hoc analyses of on-treatment left ventricular mass and systolic blood pressure z scores by disease phenotype, GAA genotype, and “fraction of life” (defined as the fraction of life on pre-study 160 L production-scale alglucosidase alfa). ADVANCE evaluated 52 weeks’ treatment with 4000 L production-scale alglucosidase alfa in ≥1-year-old United States of America patients with Pompe disease previously receiving 160 L production-scale alglucosidase alfa. M-mode echocardiography and 12-lead electrocardiography were performed at enrolment and Week 52. Sixty-seven patients had complete left ventricular mass z scores, decreasing at Week 52 (infantile-onset patients, change −0.8 ± 1.83; 95% confidence interval −1.3 to −0.2; all patients, change −0.5 ± 1.71; 95% confidence interval −1.0 to −0.1). Patients with “fraction of life” <0.79 had left ventricular mass z score decreasing (enrolment: +0.1 ± 3.0; Week 52: −1.1 ± 2.0); those with “fraction of life” ≥0.79 remained stable (enrolment: −0.9 ± 1.5; Week 52: −0.9 ± 1.4). Systolic blood pressure z scores were stable from enrolment to Week 52, and no cohort developed systemic hypertension. Eight patients had Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. Cardiac hypertrophy and dysrhythmia in ADVANCE patients at or before enrolment were typical of Pompe disease. Four-thousand L alglucosidase alfa therapy maintained fractional shortening, left ventricular posterior and septal end-diastolic thicknesses, and improved left ventricular mass z score.

Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01526785 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01526785.

Social Media Statement: Post hoc analyses of the ADVANCE study cohort of 113 children support ongoing cardiac monitoring and concomitant management of children with Pompe disease on long-term alglucosidase alfa to functionally improve cardiomyopathy and/or dysrhythmia.