Artiodactyl prey species of Chile, especially guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are reported to be very susceptible to predation by pack hunting feral dogs. It has been previously suggested that guanacos and endemic South American deer may have evolved in the absence of pack-hunting cursorial predators. However, the paleoecology of canid presence in southern South America and Chile is unclear. Here, we review the literature on South American and Chilean canids, their distributions, ecologies and hunting behaviour. We consider both wild and domestic canids, including Canis familiaris breeds. We establish two known antipredator defense behaviours of guanacos: predator inspection of ambush predators, e.g. Puma concolor, and rushing at and kicking smaller cursorial predators, e.g. Lycalopex culpaeus. We propose that since the late Pleistocene extinction of hypercarnivorous group-hunting canids east of the Andes, there were no native species creating group-hunting predation pressures on guanacos. Endemic deer of Chile may have never experienced group hunting selection pressure from native predators. Even hunting dogs (or other canids) used by indigenous groups in the far north and extreme south of Chile (and presumably the center as well) appear to have been used primarily within ambush hunting strategies. This may account for the susceptibility of guanacos and other prey species to feral dog attacks. We detail seven separate hypotheses that require further investigation in order to assess how best to respond to the threat posed by feral dogs to the conservation of native deer and camelids in Chile and other parts of South America.

The paper presents an a posteriori error estimator for a (piecewise linear) nonconforming finite element approximation of the problem defining the interaction between a free fluid and poroelastic structure. The free fluid is governed by the Stokes equations, while the flow in the poroelastic medium is modeled using the Biot poroelasticity system. Equilibrium and kinematic conditions are imposed on the interface. The approach utilizes the same nonconforming Crouzeix-Raviart element discretization on the entire domain [Houédanou Koffi Wilfrid, Results in Applied Mathematics 7 (2020) 100127, Elsevier]. For this discretization, we derive a residual indicator based on the jumps of normal derivative of the nonconforming approximation. Lower and upper bounds form the main results with minimal assumptions on the mesh.

Aim: There is an emerging role of steroids in the management of COVID-19. We aimed to compare the outcome of COVID-19 patients (recovery versus mortality) who were treated with steroids with those who were not treated with steroids during their course of hospital stay. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all moderately to severely ill COVID-19 patients, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, admitted to our center during the study period of four months, was performed. The patients were categorized into two groups: Group I included 25 patients who were given steroids, and Group II also included 25 patients who were not given any steroids during their hospital stay. The primary outcome (recovery versus mortality), length of hospital stay as well as other features were compared between the two groups. Results: The mean length of hospital stay was 9.3 days in the steroids group and 10.9 days in the non-steroids group with a p value of 0.249. None of the patients was shifted to a ventilator in either group. One patient in the steroids group (4%) and two patients in the non-steroids group (8%) needed to be put on high flow nasal cannula. One patient died in the steroids group with a recovery rate of 96%, while two patients died in the non-steroids group with a recovery rate of 92% (p value 0.552). Conclusion: Treatment with steroids in moderately to severely ill COVID-19 patients did not decrease the length of hospital stay or mortality in our study.

The sympatric existence of genetically distinct populations of the same species remains a puzzle in ecology. Coexisting salmonid fish populations are known from over 100 freshwater lakes. Most studies of sympatric populations have used limited numbers of genetic markers making it unclear if genetic divergence involves only certain parts of the genome. We return to the first reported case of salmonid sympatry, initially detected through contrasting homozygosity at a single allozyme locus (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH-A1) in brown trout in the small Lakes Bunnersjöarna, central Sweden. We use DNA from samples collected in the 1970s and a 96 SNP fluidigm array to verify the existence of the coexisting demes. We then apply whole-genome resequencing of pooled DNA to explore genome-wide diversity within and between these demes; strong genetic divergence is observed with genome-wide FST=0.13. Nucleotide diversity is estimated to 0.0013 in Deme I but only 0.0005 in Deme II. Individual whole-genome resequencing of two individuals per deme suggests considerably higher inbreeding in Deme II vs. Deme I. Comparing with similar data from other lakes we find that the genome-wide divergence between the demes is similar to that between reproductively isolated populations. We located two genes for LDH-A and found divergence between the demes in a regulatory section of one of the genes, but we could not find a perfect fit between allozyme and sequence data. Our data demonstrate genome-wide divergence governed by genetic drift and diversifying selection, confirming reproductive isolation between the sympatric demes.

Bouveret syndrome is a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction by passage of gallstone through a fistula between the gallbladder and proximal gastrointestinal tract, it is considered a proximal form of gallstone ileus. The clinical presentation is nonspecific, and imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of this entity.

TITLE PAGETitle: Retiring as a Physician during the 2020 Coronavirus PandemicAuthor: Philippa G. Sprinz, MD, MScHasbro Children’s HospitalDivision of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology593 Eddy StProvidence, RI. 02903philippa.sprinz@lifespan.orgCorresponding Author: Philippa G. Sprinz, MD, MScHasbro Children’s HospitalDivision of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology593 Eddy StProvidence, RI. 02903philippa.sprinz@lifespan.orgphone: (401) 444-5171fax: (401) 444 -8845Main Text Word Count: 1194 wordsNo Tables, Figures or other materialKeywords: Retiring, Pandemic, COVID 19,Congratulations! Well done! Bravo! Our compliments and best wishes! I sat outside, looking up at the night sky trying to make sense of everything. I could not. I had hoped, in the silence of night, that I might be able to find some peace and understanding, something positive to hold on to, some equipoise with where I was at in my life, in the midst of a global pandemic. Unfortunately, the cloud ceiling was too low; there were no stars to be seen, to add perspective to my life. I could not grasp my retirement from clinical practice, at this globally distressing time.My retirement was planned before Covid-19 was a name in the medical lexicon.I thought I had planned appropriately. Our son-in-law matched for his clinical fellowship some 2600 miles away. I was 65 years old, and had had a wonderful career as a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, training in the UK but moving to and practicing in the US for almost 40 years. My new job was going to be to help with grandchildren, so our children could pursue their own medical careers. As I clearly could not work and commute 2600 miles on a regular basis, I reasoned that I should retire from clinical practice.Practicing as a physician has been incredibly satisfying. It has been my identity. It is how I presented myself to my family, colleagues and friends. I have given so much of my life to my work. At the same time, unfortunately, I had not taken the time to develop other skills that were anywhere near as rewarding. I acquired some hobbies: diversions from the responsibilities of helping and supporting ‘my’ patients and colleagues, but not skills to keep my mind or body active when I stopped working. As I contemplated no longer working clinically, I developed an anxiety for ‘my’ patients. I knew I had excellent colleagues to hand my patients on to, but I could not escape the thought that I would be letting my patients down by not continuing to care for them, myself. I argued that I knew their health care needs ‘best’. Only, surely I was doing right by our kids and grandkids by helping them at this time.I found myself thinking over my years in practice. During that time, I saw the five-year survival rate of children with a cancer diagnosis increase from 58% to 86% (1); Hodgkin Lymphoma essentially became straightforwardly curable (5 year survival rate of 99.5% by 2016) (1). Even brain tumors experienced a twenty percent increase in their overall cure rate, (57.2% to 76.3%)(1). For individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) (my particular area of expertise) the survival gain has been more modest: in the 1970s (ten years before the start of my fellowship) 80% of individuals with SCD died by age 30 years (2). In the 1990s females with sickle cell anemia had an average life expectancy of 48 years and males 42 years (3). Despite these improvements, the care of individuals with SCD still needs new drugs and better curative approaches. Life expectancy, for patients with SCD, is currently 54 years for both sexes (4). This is still signifiantly less than the non-SCD population of 76 years in the US(4). I do, nevertheless, look to the future in my field with optimism. Immunotherapy is in the forefront of cancer care, and sensitive molecular tests are allowing earlier diagnoses and hopefully, more successful treatments. There are a number of new, albeit expensive, drugs now being marketed for SCD. Stem cell transplantation is accepted as a ‘curative’ option for the disease, and gene therapy is not too far in the future.Then February 2020: SARS-CoV-2 arrived in the US. This virus has impacted so many lives in so many ways, in circumstances much, much worse than mine. For me, however, it reformatted my retirement. I could not travel to help our children: borders were closed and international travel all but halted. I would stop work with ‘nothing to do’. I suddenly needed to understand ‘Retirement from being a full time MD’, without a ‘plan B’. I recognised that not having to share life-threatening diagnoses with families, would take a weight off my shoulders. Instead, nonetheless, I would cease to be one of a team working painstakingly to help children and their families understand life-impacting illnesses: to hopefully feel better, for at least some periods of time. Despite sadnesses, ‘pedi heme-onc’ definitely has many rewards. Retirement from it includes the loss of deep family relationships and also daily interactions and stimulating meetings with friends and colleagues.I then wondered: why does one retire when one has a secure job (and no new occupation to move on to), with rewarding work, and a sense of serving ‘the greater good’. This, particularly if one is without ‘burn-out’ that over the years I have watched some of my colleagues experience? Does one really have to retire? A critical aspect of retirement may be to afford practices the opportunity to replenish the workforce with younger, more adaptable workers. Individuals trained recently on newer, clinical approaches and disease management present new skills and may improve efficiency. Does the fact that junior doctors have lesser salaries than those who have been in practice for many years make a difference? Recognising my predicament, I suggested I could help part-time during the pandemic. The coronavirus was not causing so many childhood illnesses, however, to need more pediatric staff and I am no expert in adult medicine.Notwithstanding concerns over my retirement, I did have an excitement to think that my leaving would afford a younger physician the opportunity to take a leading role in patients’ care and eventually have as rewarding a career in pediatric hematology/oncology as I had. So, I took stock: maybe I could volunteer in the community? I reached out to a number of organisations, all of which were very happy to have my help, ‘just not now’, in the middle of a pandemic. I listened in to as many medical and non-medical on-line lectures as I could. I ‘attended’ virtual conferences, easily, regionally and nationally, without any travel, and contributed to ‘Zoom’ teaching at my own institution. I worked for an online publishing company and reviewed manuscripts. I was in touch with ‘everyone’ and tried to support all the vulnerable people I knew.Ten months into the pandemic, nevertheless, I am still struggling to come to terms with not being a clinician. Did I devote too much time to my patients – that could not be? Should I have paid more attention to hobbies and have developed a ‘Plan B’? Probably ‘yes’. Will there be a time, after the pandemic has passed, when again I can contribute to ‘the greater good’ and do more clinical work? Perhaps it is true: ‘once a doctor, always a doctor’. But it is more than that: having spent all of my working days caring for others, with responsibilities of making accurate diagnoses, recommending potentially curative management and providing compassionate care when the cure did not come, I now have to learn a new life: a life of giving back without the rewards of clinical practice.References:SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program,) 2017Platt O et al Mortality in sickle cell disease. Life expectancy and risk factors for early death: N Eng J Med. 1994, Jun 9; 330(23):1639-443) Lanzkron S, Carroll CP, Haywood C Jr. Mortality rates and age at death from sickle cell disease: US, 1979 – 2005. Public Health Rep. 2013; 128: 110-116 4) Lubek et al Estimated Life Expectancy and Income of Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Compared With Those Without Sickle Cell Disease: JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(11):e1915374. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.15374, accessed 12/26/2020

Abstract Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare congenital malformation, related to an aggressive evolution of valve function. Its diagnosis represents an important cardiac imaging challenge, since it is often difficult to differentiate between other anomalies like bicuspid aortic valve. Recently, bicuspid aortic valve has been associated with IE, especially when aortic valve function shows significant stenosis, however, the relationship between IE and UAV is unclear. The anatomical characteristics of UAV could predispose to IE. This report describes a young patient affected by infective endocarditis (IE) with UAV and the case reviews the echocardiographic criteria used to improve its management.

We present the method for detection of particle groups involved in collective motion based on network analysis. Knowing the positions and velocities of individual particles, a “velocity similarity graph’‘ is built, where the graph vertices represent the particles. The vertex pairs are connected by the edge if the distance between the respective particles is small enough. The edge weight is calculated to be inversely proportional to the difference in the respective particle velocities, i.e., the vertex pairs representing nearby particles having similar velocities are connected by edges of larger weight. If a group of particles moves in a coordinated matter, the particles in this group will have similar velocities, therefore, the corresponding vertices in the graph will be connected by edges of larger weight in the representing graph. Having produced the velocity similarity graph, identification of particle groups becomes equivalent to the problem of “community detection” in graph analysis. The algorithms and techniques developed for community detection in graphs can be thereby applied for identification of particle groups involved in coordinated motion in granular matter. We illustrate this approach by an example of granular media filled in a rotating cylinder.

Isolated tubal torsion is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain in women and is even less frequent in the patients younger than 18 years. We present the interesting case report of a tubal torsion accompanied with hydrosaplinx, diagnosed in a 17-year old patient that was sexually inactive adolescent

The clinical course of our patient highlights an atypical presentation of thromboembolic disease related to pregnancy, a thrombophlebitis of the right ovarian vein with endocaval floating thrombus in the postpartum. The diagnosis remains difficult since it is a rare entity with an atypical presentation but with serious medical consequences.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) agents are effective in diseases including Crohn’s disease (CD) but may cause cytopenias. The mechanisms involved in anti-TNFα agents induced thrombocytopenia are scarce. We report a 73-year-old male with Crohn’s disease for which he currently used adalimumab, an anti-TNFα agent. He had received mesalazine and infliximab before the treatment of adalimumab. No comorbidities were present. Routine laboratory tests revealed a deep thrombocytopenia (thrombocytes 24x10*9/L) after which adalimumab was discontinued. Bleeding symptoms included cutaneous hematomas and mild epistaxis. Direct monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA assay) revealed autoantibodies specific to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) and glycoprotein V (GPV) platelet receptors. There was no bone marrow suppression. Other causes of the thrombocytopenia were ruled out. The platelet count normalized after adalimumab discontinuation. No further interventions were required. Monitoring thrombocyte levels after initiating anti-TNFα agents is recommended, which could lead to prevention of this potential fatal phenomenon.

Abstract Background and Purpose Opioid-associated overdoses and deaths due to respiratory depression are a major public health problem in the US and other western countries. During the last decade much research effort has been directed towards the development of G protein-biased µ-opioid receptor (MOP) agonists as a possible means to circumvent this problem. The bias hypothesis proposes that G protein signalling mediates analgesia whereas ß-arrestin signalling mediates respiratory depression. SR-17018 was initially reported as a highly biased µ-opioid with an extremely wide therapeutic window. Later it was shown that SR-17018 can also reverse morphine tolerance and prevent withdrawal by a hitherto unknown mechanism of action. Experimental Approach Here, we examined the temporal dynamics of SR-17018-induced MOP phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Key Results Exposure of MOP to saturating concentrations of SR-17018 for extended periods of time stimulated a MOP phosphorylation pattern that was indistinguishable from that induced by the full agonist DAMGO. Unlike DAMGO-induced MOP phosphorylation, which is reversible within minutes after agonist washout, SR-17018-induced MOP phosphorylation persisted for hours under otherwise identical conditions. Such a delayed MOP dephosphorylation kinetics was also found for the partial agonist buprenorphine. However unlike our observations for buprenorphine, SR-17018-induced MOP phosphorylation was fully reversible when naloxone was included in the washout solution. Conclusion and Implications SR-17018 exhibits a qualitative and temporal MOP phosphorylation profile that is strikingly different from any other known biased, partial or full MOP agonist. We conclude that detailed phosphorylation analysis may provide novel insights into previously unappreciated pharmacological properties of newly synthesized MOP ligands.

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used as a refractory treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19, but there has been little evidence of its efficacy. We conducted this study to share our experience using ECMO as a bridge to recovery for ARDS due to COVID-19. Methods: All adult patients who were placed on ECMO for ARDS due to COVID -19 between April 2020 and June 2020 (during the first wave of COVID-19) were identified. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients were analyzed with a specific focus on the differences between patients who survived to hospital discharge and those who did not. Results: 20 COVID-19 patients were included in this study. All patients were placed on veno-veno ECMO. Comparing between survivors and non-survivors, older age was associated with hospital mortality (p=0.02). The following complications were observed: renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (35%, n=7), bacteremia during ECMO (20%, n=4),coinfection with bacterial pneumonia (15%, n=3), cannula site bleeding (15%, n=3), stroke (10%, n=2), gastrointestinal bleeding (10%, n=2), and liver failure (5%, n=1). The complications associated with patient mortality were culture positive septic shock (p=0.01), culture-negative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (p=0.01), and renal failure (p=0.01). The causes of death were septic shock (44%, n=4), culture-negative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (44%, n=4), and stroke (11%, n=1). Conclusions: Based on our experience, ECMO can improve refractory ARDS due to COVID-19 in select patients. Proper control of bacterial infections during COVID-19 immunomodulation therapy may be critical to improving survival.

A document by Nina Wale. Click on the document to view its contents.

In this paper, we further Meirong Zhang, et al.’s work by computing the number of weighted eigenvalues for Sturm-Liouville equations, equipped with general integrable potentials and Dirac weights, under Dirichlet boundary condition. We show that, for a Sturm-Liouville equation with a general integrable potential, if its weight is a positive linear combination of $n$ Dirac Delta functions, then it has at most $n$ (may be less than $n$, or even be $0$) distinct real Dirichlet eigenvalues, or every complex number is a Dirichlet eigenvalue; in particular, under some sharp condition, the number of Dirichlet eigenvalues is exactly $n$. Our main method is to introduce the concepts of characteristics matrix and characteristics polynomial for Sturm-Liouville problem with Dirac weights, and put forward a general and direct algorithm used for computing eigenvalues. As an application, a class of inverse Dirichelt problems for Sturm-Liouville equations involving single Dirac distribution weights is studied.

Objective: The present study focused on the clinical pregnancy and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) of female patients with X chromosome mosaicism (XM) after the first in-vitro-fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, and the possible impact of different mosaic subtypes. Design: Retrospective cohort study Setting: Single Center study Population: Infertility couples Methods: In total, 76 couples with XM female partners and normal male partners were included (2014–2019) as the X group, with another 76 couples with normal karyotype included as the control group. Subgroup X1 included 41 45,X/46,XX cases, Subgroup X2 included 22 47,XXX/46,XX cases, and Subgroup X3 included 12 45,X/47,XXX/46,XX cases. Main Outcome Measures: The ovarian stimulation, embryo results and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Results: The X group presented similar CLBR but required a higher total gonadotropin (Gn) dosage than the control group (1800 IU vs. 1612 IU). Following subgroup analysis, the number of follicles during oocyte retrieval and average number of fertilized oocytes was lower in subgroup X1 than in X3. The clinical pregnancy rate and CLBR were similar in all groups. Conclusion: Females with XM may present a similar CLBR until one year after oocyte retrieval, but may require a higher total Gn dosage. Females with 45,X cells may recover fewer follicles during oocyte retrieval, resulting in fewer embryos. A higher 45,X cell ratio (over 5%) may lead to a lower CBLR. Funding: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2016YFC1000602). Keywords X chromosome mosaicism, IVF/ICSI outcome, cumulative live birth rate

We describe a case of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) and discuss our evidence-based diagnostic process.

Family-based treatment, the recommended treatment for adolescents and young adults with eating disorders, it is often not accessible for families. The aim of this case report is to describe outcomes of two patients treated virtually with an augmented team approach to provide preliminary evidence of feasibility and efficacy.

Background Ethanol infusion in the vein of Marshall (EIVM) has shown to be effective for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) and perimitral left atrial (LA) flutter (PMLAF). Aims To assess the persistence of LA lesions created by EIVM by electro-anatomical mapping (EAM) at repeated procedure for recurrent atrial tachycardia (AT) or AF. Methods We included consecutive patients who underwent EIVM then repeated CA for recurrent AT or AF with high-definition EAM in a single center. Acute and long term EIVM effect was assessed at the index and redo procedures by comparing the area of bipolar voltage <0.05 mV in the vein of Marshall (VOM) region before, immediately after and late after EIVM. Results 24 consecutive patients (mean age 68.6±6.1 years, 58% men) underwent redo procedure after previous successful EIVM for persistent AF (n=21; 88%) or PMLAF (n=5; 21%). In each case, EIVM had an acute effect, with a post-EIVM scar in the VOM (median 12.4 cm2 [interquartile range (IQR) 7.6–15.7]). Mitral isthmus (MI) bidirectional block was obtained in 20/24 patients (83%). In each patient, the EIVM-related lesion persisted, with a chronic scar in the VOM region (median 13.1 cm2 [IQR 8.1–15.9]). One quarter of patients (5/20) had late MI reconnection, which was located at the mitral annulus edge or in the coronary sinus. Conclusions Atrial lesions created by EIVM are durable, which reinforces the efficacy profile of EIVM. Reconduction sites in the MI are located at the edge of the mitral annulus and in the coronary sinus.

Introduction: The approach to thyroid hormone replacement varies across centres but the extent and determinants of variation is unclear. We evaluated geographical variation in levothyroxine (LT4) and liothyronine (LT3) prescribing across General Practices in England and analysed the relationship of prescribing patterns to clinical and socioeconomic factors. Methods: Data was downloaded from the NHS monthly General Practice Prescribing Data in England for the period 2011-2020. Results Overall, 0.5% of levothyroxine treated patients continue to receive liothyronine. All Clinical Commission Groups (CCGs) in England continue to have at least one liothyronine prescribing practice and 48.5% of English general practices prescribed liothyronine in 2019-20. Factors strongly influencing more levothyroxine prescribing (model accounted for 62% of variance) were the CCG to which the practice belonged and the proportion of people with diabetes registered on the practice list plus antidepressant prescribing, with socioeconomic disadvantage associated with less levothyroxine prescribing. For liothyronine prescribing (model accounted for 17% of variance), factors that were associated with increased levels of liothyronine prescribing were antidepressant prescribing and % of type 2 diabetes mellitus individuals achieving HbA1c control of 58mmol/mol or less. Factors that were associated with reduced levels of liothyronine prescribing included smoking and higher obesity rates. Conclusion: In spite of strenuous attempts to limit prescribing of liothyronine in general practice a significant number of patients continue to receive this therapy, although there is significant geographical variation in the prescribing of this as for levothyroxine, with specific general practice and CCG related factors influencing prescribing of both levothyroxine and liothyronine.

Aim To demonstrate the best home care of children with diarrhea in our community by investigating certain knowledge deficiencies, specific inappropriate attitudes, and particular improper practice toward children diarrhea and its management, this study was conducted to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of Saudi mothers towards diarrhea in their children and its management at home. Methods Online cross-sectional validated online survey targeting Saudi mothers who are living in Saudi Arabia was used to collect data from the beginning of March to the end of April 2019. Results A total of 1140 mothers (52.1% of them are housewives) participated in the study. About of 40.3 % of participating mothers believed that childhood diarrhea is major problem in Saudi community; however, Almost 23% of the participants were unable to identify any critical sign of sever diarrhea, and around 66% falsely stated that diarrhea is caused by teething. Although of 62 % of our participating mothers knew about the oral rehydration therapy (ORS), only 23.5 % of them used it for their children. Conclusion Adequate knowledge of mothers about the critical sings, causes, transmission, prevention, and management of childhood diarrhea should be applied in simple language to communicate the health-related information in clear manner.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the approaches of family physicians in Turkey on the fasting of diabetic patients and whether they use international treatment guidelines when making recommendations. In addition, this study aimed to increase the awareness of family physicians on this issue before Ramadan, which is the fasting month. Material and Method: The study herein comprised cross-sectional observational research. Before Ramadan 2018, a structured questionnaire form, which was unique to this study, was prepared by considering the guidelines of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), through platforms where family physicians gathered via social media and mail groups, and sent to the family physicians in Turkey via a link created using an electronic questionnaire preparation and application program. Moreover, the total knowledge level, attitude, and approach score were calculated through the questions prepared from the relevant guidelines. Results: Participating in the survey were 262 family physicians. Only 22% of family physicians said that they were aware that there were international guidelines for Ramadan and diabetes management, and only 10% said that they had read the relevant guidelines. The mean knowledge level, attitude, and approach scores were found to be lower than expected, and a significant difference was found between their scores and their academic titles. Conclusion: The lack of knowledge of international guidelines on the subject and lack of knowledge and experience about diabetes mellitus patient management in the fasting month stood out as the biggest problems. This study revealed that the awareness and competence of family physicians in disease management should be increased in addition to fasting before, during, and after Ramadan in diabetic patients.

Aims/Introduction: Insulin Degludec/Aspart (IDegAsp) and Insulin Glargine U300 (IGlarU300) have recently emerged as popular new-generation insulin analogs. The aim of this real-life study was to investigate the patient profiles in which IGlarU300 and IDegAsp were preferred and the insulin combinations after which each of them were mostly used, and also to analyze the effect of these two insulin analogs on blood glucose regulation and hypoglycemia. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included 174 patients that were switched from basal insulin, basal+bolus insulin, or premixed insulin to IGlarU300 or IDegAsp due to uncontrolled blood glucose levels or history of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, body weight, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and HbA1c levels over three-month periods were evaluated for each patient. Results: There were 84 and 90 patients in the IGlarU300 and IDegAsp groups, respectively. Body weight was similar in both groups. Baseline FBG and HbA1c levels in the IGlarU300 and IDegAsp groups were 9.0%, 175.5 mg/dl and 9.4%, 193.5 mg/dl, respectively. A significant decrease was found in FBG and HbA1c levels in both groups (138.5, 7.8 vs. 141.5, 8.2; p<0.001 for all). Moreover, a significant weight gain was observed in both groups (p<0.05 for both). The prevalence of hypoglycemia in both groups decreased significantly and consistently between month 1 and 9 (p<0.001). At month 12, although this decrease continued in the IGlarU300 group (p=0.013), no significant decrease was observed in the IDegAsp group(p=0.057). Conclusion: Both twice-daily IDegAsp±bolus insulin and IGlarU300+bolus insulin therapies are effective and safe treatment modalities.

Reconstructing the geographic origins of invasive species is critical for establishing effective management strategies. Frequently, molecular investigations are undertaken when the source population is not known, however; these analyses are constrained both by the amount of diversity present in the native region and by changes in the genetic background of the invading population following bottlenecks and/or hybridization events. Here we explore the geographical origins of the invasive winter moth (Operopthera brumata L.) that has caused widespread defoliation to forests, orchards, and crops in four discrete regions: Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Oregon, and the northeastern United States. It is not known whether these represent independent introductions to North America, or “stepping stone” spread among regions. Using a combination of Bayesian assignment and approximate Bayesian computation methods, we analyzed a population genetic dataset of 24 polymorphic microsatellite loci. We estimate that winter moth was introduced to North America on at least four occasions, with the Nova Scotian and British Columbian populations likely being introduced from France and Sweden, respectively; the Oregonian population likely being introduced from either the British Isles or northern Fennoscandia; and the population in the northeastern United States likely being introduced from somewhere in Central Europe. To our surprise, we found that hybridization has not played a large role in the establishment of winter moth populations even though previous reports have documented widespread hybridization between winter moth and a native congener. We discuss the impact of genetic bottlenecks on analyses meant to determine region of origin.