The social formation of fitness: lifetime consequences of prenatal nutrition and postnatal care in a wild mammal population.

Research in medicine and evolutionary biology suggests that the sequencing of parental investment has a crucial impact on offspring life history and health. Here, we take advantage of the synchronous birth system of wild banded mongooses to test experimentally the lifetime consequences to offspring of receiving extra investment prenatally versus postnatally. We provided extra food to half of the breeding females in each group during pregnancy, leaving the other half as matched controls. This manipulation resulted in two categories of experimental offspring in synchronously born litters: (i) 'prenatal boost' offspring whose mothers had been fed during pregnancy, and (ii) 'postnatal boost' offspring whose mothers were not fed during pregnancy but who received extra alloparental care in the postnatal period. Prenatal boost offspring lived substantially longer as adults, but postnatal boost offspring had higher lifetime reproductive success (LRS) and higher glucocorticoid levels across the lifespan. Both types of experimental offspring had higher LRS than offspring from unmanipulated litters. We found no difference between the two experimental categories of offspring in adult weight, age at first reproduction, oxidative stress or telomere lengths. These findings are rare experimental evidence that prenatal and postnatal investments have distinct effects in moulding individual life history and fitness in wild mammals. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolutionary ecology of inequality'.

Early inflammation precedes cardiac fibrosis and heart failure in desmoglein 2 murine model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

The study of a desmoglein 2 murine model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy revealed cardiac inflammation as a key early event leading to fibrosis. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is an inherited heart muscle disorder leading to ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure due to abnormalities in the cardiac desmosome. We examined how loss of desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) in the young murine heart leads to development of AC. Apoptosis was an early cellular phenotype, and RNA sequencing analysis revealed early activation of inflammatory-associated pathways in Dsg2-null (Dsg2-/-) hearts at postnatal day 14 (2 weeks) that were absent in the fibrotic heart of adult mice (10 weeks). This included upregulation of iRhom2/ADAM17 and its associated pro-inflammatory cytokines and receptors such as TNFα, IL6R and IL-6. Furthermore, genes linked to specific macrophage populations were also upregulated. This suggests cardiomyocyte stress triggers an early immune response to clear apoptotic cells allowing tissue remodelling later on in the fibrotic heart. Our analysis at the early disease stage suggests cardiac inflammation is an important response and may be one of the mechanisms responsible for AC disease progression.

Erratum to 'Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers' [BJA Education 20 (2020) 362-367].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.bjae.2020.07.004.].

The 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies Consensus Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies.

BACKGROUND: Scabies is a common parasitic skin condition that causes considerable morbidity globally. Clinical and epidemiological research for scabies has been limited by a lack of standardization of diagnostic methods. OBJECTIVES: To develop consensus criteria for the diagnosis of common scabies that could be implemented in a variety of settings. METHODS: Consensus diagnostic criteria were developed through a Delphi study with international experts. Detailed recommendations were collected from the expert panel to define the criteria features and guide their implementation. These comments were then combined with a comprehensive review of the available literature and the opinion of an expanded group of international experts to develop detailed, evidence-based definitions and diagnostic methods. RESULTS: The 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) Consensus Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies include three levels of diagnostic certainty and eight subcategories. Confirmed scabies (level A) requires direct visualization of the mite or its products. Clinical scabies (level B) and suspected scabies (level C) rely on clinical assessment of signs and symptoms. Evidence-based, consensus methods for microscopy, visualization and clinical symptoms and signs were developed, along with a media library. CONCLUSIONS: The 2020 IACS Criteria represent a pragmatic yet robust set of diagnostic features and methods. The criteria may be implemented in a range of research, public health and clinical settings by selecting the appropriate diagnostic levels and subcategories. These criteria may provide greater consistency and standardization for scabies diagnosis. Validation studies, development of training materials and development of survey methods are now required. What is already known about this topic? The diagnosis of scabies is limited by the lack of accurate, objective tests. Microscopy of skin scrapings can confirm the diagnosis, but it is insensitive, invasive and often impractical. Diagnosis usually relies on clinical assessment, although visualization using dermoscopy is becoming increasingly common. These diagnostic methods have not been standardized, hampering the interpretation of findings from clinical research and epidemiological surveys, and the development of scabies control strategies. What does this study add? International consensus diagnostic criteria for common scabies were developed through a Delphi study with global experts. The 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) Criteria categorize diagnosis at three levels of diagnostic certainty (confirmed, clinical and suspected scabies) and eight subcategories, and can be adapted to a range of research and public health settings. Detailed definitions and figures are included to aid training and implementation. The 2020 IACS Criteria may facilitate the standardization of scabies diagnosis.

Sex-dependent effects of paternal deprivation and chronic variable stress on novel object recognition in adult California mice (Peromyscus californicus).

Early-life stress exposure can confer vulnerability for development of psychiatric illnesses and impaired cognition in adulthood. It is well-known that early-life stress can dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in a sex-dependent manner. Specifically, uniparental rodent models of prolonged disrupted mother-offspring relationships (e.g., maternal separation) have demonstrated greater alterations in stress responsivity in adult males, compared to females. Also, chronic early-life stressors (e.g., limited bedding model) impair cognitive function in males more than females. However, the sex-dependent effects of early-life stress and later-life chronic HPA axis activation on cognition have not been well-characterized. Here, we utilized the biparental California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) to model the early-life adversity of paternal deprivation (PD). Fathers either remained in the nest (biparental care) or were permanently removed (PD) on postnatal day (PND) 1. Adult offspring were exposed to daily handling (control) or chronic variable stress (CVS; three stressors for seven days). Twenty-four hours after the final stressor, the novel object recognition (NOR) task commenced, followed by serum collection for corticosterone (CORT) analysis. Independent of sex or rearing, CVS increased CORT. Exploration during acquisition for the NOR task was increased as a result of CVS and PD. During NOR testing, non-stressed females exhibited greater difference scores (i.e., increased recognition memory), compared to non-stressed males. However, the addition of CVS diminished difference scores in females - an effect not observed in CVS-exposed males. Overall, these data suggest that neonatal paternal experience, sex, and chronic stress contribute to exploratory behavior, cognition, and stress hormone concentrations in a biparental species.

Do we know how scabies outbreaks in residential and nursing care homes for the elderly should be managed? A systematic review of interventions using a novel approach to assess evidence quality.

Currently no national guidelines exist for the management of scabies outbreaks in residential or nursing care homes for the elderly in the United Kingdom. In this setting, diagnosis and treatment of scabies outbreaks is often delayed and optimal drug treatment, environmental control measures and even outcome measures are unclear. We undertook a systematic review to establish the efficacy of outbreak management interventions and determine evidence-based recommendations. Four electronic databases were searched for relevant studies, which were assessed using a quality assessment tool drawing on STROBE guidelines to describe the quality of observational data. Nineteen outbreak reports were identified, describing both drug treatment and environmental management measures. The quality of data was poor; none reported all outcome measures and only four described symptom relief measures. We were unable to make definitive evidence-based recommendations. We draw on the results to propose a framework for data collection in future observational studies of scabies outbreaks. While high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to determine optimal drug treatment, evidence on environmental measures will need augmentation through other literature studies. The quality assessment tool designed is a useful resource for reporting of outcome measures including patient-reported measures in future outbreaks.

Assessing skin disease and associated health-related quality of life in a rural Lao community.

BACKGROUND: Skin diseases are common and often have an impact on an individual's health-related quality of life. In rural communities where access to healthcare may be limited and individuals rely on farming for food and income, the impact of skin diseases may be greater. The objectives for this study were to perform an assessment of skin disease prevalence in a rural village in Laos and assess the associated impact of any skin disease found using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). METHODS: A rural village was purposively selected and 340 participants examined by dermatologists over a four day period. Brief questionnaires were performed, followed by full body skin examinations and DLQI questionnaires completed were relevant. The data were analysed using chi square and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-one participants were found to have a skin disease (53%). The six most common skin diseases were: eczema (22%), dermatophyte infections (19%), acne (10%), scabies infestation (9%), melasma (8%) and pityriasis versicolor (4%). Just over half of those with skin disease (51%) completed the DLQI, with scores ranging from 0 to 24. Those with skin problems on examination were significantly more likely to be farmers, have had a previous skin problem, be older or live in a smaller family. Conclusions This study represents the first formal documentation of skin disease prevalence in Laos and establishes the high rate of skin disease in the rural community and the associated impact these diseases have on health-related quality of life.

Glucocorticoid assessment in the domestic horse: The impacts of time and climatic variables on sample integrity.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) offers a noninvasive method of monitoring adrenal activity in domestic horses. Samples are collected on an opportunistic basis and, if they are not fresh or have been exposed to the elements before they are identified, may not accurately reflect FGM concentrations. OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of a range of environmental conditions upon the integrity of FGM levels in equine faeces. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experiment. METHOD: Equine faeces were exposed to six controlled environmental conditions intended to simulate a range of weather and seasonal patterns (temperate climate, high heat, high heat and rainfall, temperate climate and rainfall, high heat/temperate climate, freeze/thaw) over a period of 5 days. FGM were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: Faecal samples exposed to room temperature and high heat demonstrated significant increases in FGM levels over time. No changes in FGM levels were observed in the remaining treatments. MAIN LIMITATIONS: The study should be repeated in field conditions and with known high and low levels of FGM to further inform sampling regimes. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal monitoring in the domestic horse should be performed with consideration of the impact of climate on the integrity of faecal samples in order to further inform sampling schedules and improve the reliability of results.

Significant discharge of CO2 from hydrothermalism associated with the submarine volcano of El Hierro Island.

The residual hydrothermalism associated with submarine volcanoes, following an eruption event, plays an important role in the supply of CO2 to the ocean. The emitted CO2 increases the acidity of seawater. The submarine volcano of El Hierro, in its degasification stage, provided an excellent opportunity to study the effect of volcanic CO2 on the seawater carbonate system, the global carbon flux, and local ocean acidification. A detailed survey of the volcanic edifice was carried out using seven CTD-pH-ORP tow-yo studies, localizing the redox and acidic changes, which were used to obtain surface maps of anomalies. In order to investigate the temporal variability of the system, two CTD-pH-ORP yo-yo studies were conducted that included discrete sampling for carbonate system parameters. Meridional tow-yos were used to calculate the amount of volcanic CO2 added to the water column for each surveyed section. The inputs of CO2 along multiple sections combined with measurements of oceanic currents produced an estimated volcanic CO2 flux = 6.0 10(5) ± 1.1 10(5 )kg d(-1) which is ~0.1% of global volcanic CO2 flux. Finally, the CO2 emitted by El Hierro increases the acidity above the volcano by ~20%.

Elevated glucocorticoid concentrations during gestation predict reduced reproductive success in subordinate female banded mongooses.

Dominant females in social species have been hypothesized to reduce the reproductive success of their subordinates by inducing elevated circulating glucocorticoid (GC) concentrations. However, this 'stress-related suppression' hypothesis has received little support in cooperatively breeding species, despite evident reproductive skews among females. We tested this hypothesis in the banded mongoose (Mungos mungo), a cooperative mammal in which multiple females conceive and carry to term in each communal breeding attempt. As predicted, lower ranked females had lower reproductive success, even among females that carried to term. While there were no rank-related differences in faecal glucocorticoid (fGC) concentrations prior to gestation or in the first trimester, lower ranked females had significantly higher fGC concentrations than higher ranked females in the second and third trimesters. Finally, females with higher fGC concentrations during the third trimester lost a greater proportion of their gestated young prior to their emergence from the burrow. Together, our results are consistent with a role for rank-related maternal stress in generating reproductive skew among females in this cooperative breeder. While studies of reproductive skew frequently consider the possibility that rank-related stress reduces the conception rates of subordinates, our findings highlight the possibility of detrimental effects on reproductive outcomes even after pregnancies have become established.