Evolutionary Scale Research Articles

Correlates of recreational risk-taking behavior: A comparison between the Tower Building Task and two self-report measures

Risk-taking is a ubiquitous behavior and its assessment is a central aspect of understanding human decision-making. Self-report questionnaires can be used to probe risk-taking propensities in a domain-specific manner. In contrast, most behavioral tools for risk-taking assessment provide nonspecific, unitary measures with a strong bias towards risk scenarios involving monetary gains and losses tied to probabilities. In the current work, we evaluate a behavioral task designed to specifically address recreational risk-taking, that is, situations where decision-making is driven by intrinsic motivation and performance is rewarding in its own right. For this, we chose the Tower Building Task (TBT), in which participants use wooden blocks to attempt to build the tallest tower they can; a trial ends if the building collapses, the allotted time ends, or the builder is satisfied with their tower. We correlated the TBT scores with each of the domains provided by two widely used self-report instruments, the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking scale (DOSPERT) and the Evolutionary Domain-Specific Risk scale (ERS). We found small, but significant correlations between TBT scores and those of (i) the recreational domain of the DOSPERT as well as (ii) the environmental exploration domain of the ERS. These correlation values reflect a small degree of similarity between these tests, suggesting that they capture some aspects of the complex construct that is recreation. However, the small magnitude of the correlations highlights the need for a complementary set of tools to evaluate the full spectrum of recreational risk-taking activities.

Understanding ecological civilization in China: From political context to science.

China's concept of "ecological civilization" can be understood as a new system of development and governance based on the perspective of political decision-making. Environmental management, ecological restoration, and green development are its primary principles-distinctly different from industrial and agricultural-oriented civilizations. In this paper, we evaluate the evolution of political connotations of the ecological civilization concept in China over the past 15years through a textual analysis approach. Additionally, we systematically outline an ecological civilization indicator system and analyze its evolutionary process, applicable scales, and role in guiding the implementation of the ecological civilization concept. Eco-civilization demonstration sites and experiences are also discussed, followed by a review of academic research and policy-making responses. Finally, we propose different perspectives on the outlook for the future of ecological civilization development in China.

On the Evolution of the Anisotropic Scaling of Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence in the Inner Heliosphere

We analyze a merged Parker Solar Probe (PSP) and Solar Orbiter (SO) data set covering heliocentric distances 13 R ⊙ ≲ R ≲ 220 R ⊙ to investigate the radial evolution of power and spectral index anisotropy in the wavevector space of solar wind turbulence. Our results show that anisotropic signatures of turbulence display a distinct radial evolution when fast, V sw ≥ 400 km s−1, and slow, V sw ≤ 400 km s−1, wind streams are considered. The anisotropic properties of slow wind in Earth orbit are consistent with a “critically balanced” cascade, but both spectral index anisotropy and power anisotropy diminish with decreasing heliographic distance. Fast streams are observed to roughly retain their near-Sun anisotropic properties, with the observed spectral index and power anisotropies being more consistent with a “dynamically aligned” type of cascade, though the lack of extended fast wind intervals makes it difficult to accurately measure the anisotropic scaling. A high-resolution analysis during the first perihelion of PSP confirms the presence of two subranges within the inertial range, which may be associated with the transition from weak to strong turbulence. The transition occurs at κ d i ≈ 6 × 10−2 and signifies a shift from −5/3 to −2 and from −3/2 to −1.57 scaling in parallel and perpendicular spectra, respectively. Our results provide strong observational constraints for anisotropic theories of MHD turbulence in the solar wind.

Nonprogrammable Shunts for Communicating Hydrocephalus and Three-Dimensional Volumetry: A Retrospective Analysis

Although the use of different types of valves have been extensively studied in shunt surgeries for communicating hydrocephalus (cHC), a consensus about the valve type remains absent. The objective of this study is to evaluate our results with the primary placement of non-programmable valves (NPV) for this indication. We retrospectively analyzed all first NPV implanted between 2014-2020 for cHC. We studied the revision rate, clinical outcome described by modified Ranking Scale (mRS) and radiological evolution using Evans index (EI) and ventricular volumes 3D-semiautomatic segmentation (vv-3DSAS). Forty-one patients were shunted for post-hemorrhagic (61%), post-traumatic (24.4%) and tumoral (14.6%) hydrocephalus (HC). Mean age was 65 years (range 25-89yrs). Overall, 59 procedures were performed including 18 revision surgeries in 12 patients (29.3%). Underlying reason for first shunt revision were valve type related: valve dysfunction, overdrainage, underdrainage and non-valve type related: malpositioning, infection, shunt migration. The shunt-related revision rate was 17.1%. Twenty-eight patients (68.3%) had an mRS improvement of 1 or more points. We found a good correlation between ventricle volumes (VV) and EI and a significant reduction in VV measured by EI and vv-3DSAS was observed. However, the mRS improvement was not correlated with a reduction of ventricle volumes. Overall, our results in terms of shunt revisions as well as clinical and radiological evolution are comparable with the literature for NPV. vv-3DSAS can be used and could be useful to detect small changes in VV in patients with cHC.

Evolution of cyclic di-GMP signalling on a short and long term time scale.

Diversifying radiation of domain families within specific lineages of life indicates the importance of their functionality for the organisms. The foundation for the diversifying radiation of the cyclic di-GMP signalling network that occurred within the bacterial kingdom is most likely based in the outmost adaptability, flexibility and plasticity of the system. Integrative sensing of multiple diverse extra- and intracellular signals is made possible by the N-terminal sensory domains of the modular cyclic di-GMP turnover proteins, mutations in the protein scaffolds and subsequent signal reception by diverse receptors, which eventually rewires opposite host-associated as well as environmental life styles including parallel regulated target outputs. Natural, laboratory and microcosm derived microbial variants often with an altered multicellular biofilm behaviour as reading output demonstrated single amino acid substitutions to substantially alter catalytic activity including substrate specificity. Truncations and domain swapping of cyclic di-GMP signalling genes and horizontal gene transfer suggest rewiring of the network. Presence of cyclic di-GMP signalling genes on horizontally transferable elements in particular observed in extreme acidophilic bacteria indicates that cyclic di-GMP signalling and biofilm components are under selective pressure in these types of environments. On a short and long term evolutionary scale, within a species and in families within bacterial orders, respectively, the cyclic di-GMP signalling network can also rapidly disappear. To investigate variability of the cyclic di-GMP signalling system on various levels will give clues about evolutionary forces and discover novel physiological and metabolic pathways affected by this intriguing second messenger signalling system.

The development and validation of the assessment engagement scale.

The quality of student engagement in assessment within higher education affects learning outcomes. However, variations in conceptions of what quality in engagement looks like impacts assessment design and the way that students and lecturers engage with each other in the assessment process. Given that assessment is an important driver of student engagement in higher education, it is surprising that no specific measures to support understanding of this measure exist. To address this significant gap, we outline the evolution of an assessment engagement scale derived from a research-informed conceptual framework utilizing best practice in assessment and feedback. We consider the validity and utility of the assessment engagement scale in supporting students' understanding of assessment and their role within it using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The resultant nine-item assessment engagement scale's underpinning two factors included: (i) Understanding of the Assessment Context (UAC) including one's role within it, and confidence in navigating assessment requirement, and (ii) Realising Engagement Opportunities (REO) (i.e., willingness to engage and ability to utilise the assessment context effectively to support one's understanding). Construct, criterion, and convergent validity of the scale were established. The AES is a powerful tool in promoting dialogue between lecturers and students about what high quality engagement in assessment looks like, and the respective roles of all parties in realising this. Implications for assessment practices are discussed along with the potential of the scale as a predictive and developmental tool to support enhancements in assessment design and student learning outcomes in higher education.

Evolution and interpolation of double parton distributions using Chebyshev grids

Double parton distributions are the nonperturbative ingredients needed for computing double parton scattering processes in hadron–hadron collisions. They describe a variety of correlations between two partons in a hadron and depend on a large number of variables, including two independent renormalization scales. This makes it challenging to compute their scale evolution with satisfactory numerical accuracy while keeping computational costs at a manageable level. We show that this problem can be solved using interpolation on Chebyshev grids, extending the methods we previously developed for ordinary single-parton distributions. Using an implementation of these methods in the C++ library ChiliPDF, we study for the first time the evolution of double parton distributions beyond leading order in perturbation theory.

Basin scale evolution of zebra textures in fault‐controlled, hydrothermal dolomite bodies: Insights from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin

AbstractStructurally controlled dolomitization typically involves the interaction of high‐pressure (P), high‐temperature (T) fluids with the surrounding host rock. Such reactions are often accompanied by cementation and recrystallization, with the resulting hydrothermal dolomite (HTD) bodies including several ‘diagnostic’ rock textures. Zebra textures, associated with boxwork textures and dolomite breccias, are widely considered to reflect these elevated P/T conditions. Although a range of conceptual models have been proposed to explain the genesis of these rock textures, the processes that control their spatial and temporal evolution are still poorly understood. Through the detailed petrographical and geochemical analysis of HTD bodies, hosted in the Middle Cambrian strata in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, this study demonstrates that a single genetic model cannot be applied to all the characteristics of these rock textures. Instead, a wide array of sedimentological, tectonic and metasomatic processes contribute to their formation; each of which is spatially and temporally variable at the basin scale. Distal to the fluid source, dolomitization is largely stratabound, comprising replacement dolomite, bedding‐parallel zebra textures and rare dolomite breccias (non‐stratabound, located only proximal to faults). Dolomitization is increasingly non‐stratabound with proximity to the fluid source, comprising bedding‐inclined zebra textures, boxwork textures and dolomite breccias that have been affected by recrystallization. Petrographical and geochemical evidence suggests that these rock textures were initiated due to dilatational fracturing, brecciation and precipitation of saddle dolomite as a cement, but significant recrystallization occurred during the later stages of dolomitization. These rock textures are closely associated with faults and carbonate‐hosted ore deposits (e.g. magnesite, rare earth element and Mississippi Valley–type mineralization), thus providing invaluable information regarding fluid flux and carbonate metasomatism under elevated P/T conditions.

Molecular Representations in Machine-Learning-Based Prediction of PK Parameters for Insulin Analogs.

Therapeutic peptides and proteins derived from either endogenous hormones, such as insulin, or de novo design via display technologies occupy a distinct pharmaceutical space in between small molecules and large proteins such as antibodies. Optimizing the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of drug candidates is of high importance when it comes to prioritizing lead candidates, and machine-learning models can provide a relevant tool to accelerate the drug design process. Predicting PK parameters of proteins remains difficult due to the complex factors that influence PK properties; furthermore, the data sets are small compared to the variety of compounds in the protein space. This study describes a novel combination of molecular descriptors for proteins such as insulin analogs, where many contained chemical modifications, e.g., attached small molecules for protraction of the half-life. The underlying data set consisted of 640 structural diverse insulin analogs, of which around half had attached small molecules. Other analogs were conjugated to peptides, amino acid extensions, or fragment crystallizable regions. The PK parameters clearance (CL), half-life (T1/2), and mean residence time (MRT) could be predicted by using classical machine-learning models such as Random Forest (RF) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) with root-mean-square errors of CL of 0.60 and 0.68 (log units) and average fold errors of 2.5 and 2.9 for RF and ANN, respectively. Both random and temporal data splittings were employed to evaluate ideal and prospective model performance with the best models, regardless of data splitting, achieving a minimum of 70% of predictions within a twofold error. The tested molecular representations include (1) global physiochemical descriptors combined with descriptors encoding the amino acid composition of the insulin analogs, (2) physiochemical descriptors of the attached small molecule, (3) protein language model (evolutionary scale modeling) embedding of the amino acid sequence of the molecules, and (4) a natural language processing inspired embedding (mol2vec) of the attached small molecule. Encoding the attached small molecule via (2) or (4) significantly improved the predictions, while the benefit of using the protein language model-based encoding (3) depended on the used machine-learning model. The most important molecular descriptors were identified as descriptors related to the molecular size of both the protein and protraction part using Shapley additive explanations values. Overall, the results show that combining representations of proteins and small molecules was key for PK predictions of insulin analogs.

Mechanosensory cells in annelid oligochaete Lumbricus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758): A new insight on worm evolution

AbstractCiliated and non‐ciliated mechanosensory cells in invertebrates have intricate cytoskeletal structures that, combined with microtubules, act as a mechanical link between external stimulus and signal processing. As a result, they can perceive forces like touch, cuticle deformation, gravity and sound. Through the expression of antibodies against serotonin (5‐HT), calbindin, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA), this research aims to investigate mechanosensory cells in the integument of Lumbricus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) in an evolutionary perspective. In the epidermis, we discovered isolated mechanosensory cells that were immunopositive to every antibody examined. Our findings improve the knowledge and the evolution of annelid sensory biology adding new insights on the sensory signal transduction and help to better understand the morpho‐structural adaptations of invertebrate skin on an evolutionary scale and to give more taxonomic data for species distinction.

#5384 IMPROVEMENTS IN QUALITY OF LIFE (QOL) OF HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS AFTER THE PANDEMIA; IT IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE

Abstract Background and Aims Patients on hemodialysis (HD), are a clinically vulnerable population. We analyzed changes in the results of the KDQOL™-36 questionnaire carried out in 2019 vs 2021, during Covid-19 pandemic. We have related the results to demographic and analytical parameters, BCM, modality and dose of dialysis, in addition to having suffered a COVID-19 infection. Method This is a retrospective, observational analysis performed in 47 clinics from Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) Spain. As part of our Healthcare Quality Improvement Program, HRQoL measurements were assessed using the KDQOL™-36 questionnaire. This questionnaire evaluates Physical and Mental Composite Scores (PCS and MCS, respectively) and three disease-specific scales: Effects, Burden and Symptoms dimensions (EKD, BKD, SKD). We focused our analysis in 1000 patients who completed both surveys in 2019 and 2021 in order to analyze differences. We compared results of both surveys by Wilcoxon test. Improvement between 2019 and 2021 was calculated for each QoL Score. We categorized patients based on QoL evolution (improvement vs worsening) and analyzed the relationship between QoL improvement and different variables by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Non-normal variables were categorized. Results The results are presented in detail in the figures section. Conclusion Except for the PCS, there were an improvement in QoL results in 2021 vs 2019. Women presented a worse evolution in EKD, MCS and SKD scores. In our study, having COVID-19 infection did not seem to be a factor associated with changes in quality-of-life in 2021. Patients on OL-HDF presented an improvement on the SKD scale compared to those treated with conventional therapy. Higher lean tissue index was related with improvement in PCS scale. Age was related with better EKD scale evolution as CCI above 5 was related with MSC Improvement. BKD scale evolution was related with HD vintage.

An investigation of Cr vaporization from SUS430 metallic interconnect and deposition on (La,Sr)MnO3 cathode of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

In solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), chromium deposition and poisoning of metallic interconnect is one of the most important issues in the electrochemical activity and stability of the cathode for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this paper, the chromium evaporation characteristics, oxide scale growth, and deposition of chromium on the ORR on (La,Sr)MnO3 (LSM) cathode are studied at 700–800 °C for SUS430 alloy interconnect material in the intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The chromium vaporization rate is measured using the transpiration technique and the surface morphologies, and cross-sections of oxide scales are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The results indicate that chromium volatilization is correlated with the composition and morphology of the oxide scale, the Cr volatilization process presents two stages according to the structural evolution of the oxide scale. In addition, deposition and poisoning of Cr species released from metallic interconnect on the LSM cathode are studied and the formation of MnCr2O4 phase on the LSM backbone degrades the ORR electrochemical activity, causing the increase of overpotential of the cathode. The results obtained give insight into the mechanism of the Cr poisoning effect in intermediate-temperature.

New description of the scaling evolution of the cosmological magneto-hydrodynamic system

We present a new description of cosmological evolution of the primordial magnetic field under the condition that it is non-helical and its energy density is larger than the kinetic energy density. We argue that the evolution can be described by four different regimes, according to whether the decay dynamics is linear or not, and whether the dominant dissipation term is the shear viscosity or the drag force. Using this classification and conservation of the Hosking integral, we present analytic models to adequately interpret the results of various numerical simulations of field evolution with variety of initial conditions. It is found that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, the decay of the field is generally slow, exhibiting the inverse transfer, because of the conservation of the Hosking integral. Using the description proposed here, one can trace the intermediate evolution history of the magnetic field and clarify whether each process governing its evolution is frozen or not. Its applicability to the early cosmology is important, since primordial magnetic fields are sometimes constrained to be quite weak, and multiple regimes including the frozen regime matters for such weak fields.

Community-wide correlations between species richness, abundance and population genomic diversity in a freshwater biodiversity hotspot.

Understanding patterns of diversity across macro (e.g. species-level) and micro (e.g. molecular-level) scales can shed light on community function and stability by elucidating the abiotic and biotic drivers of diversity within ecological communities. We examined the relationships among taxonomic and genetic metrics of diversity in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae), an ecologically important and species-rich group in the southeastern United States. Using quantitative community surveys and reduced-representation genome sequencing across 22 sites in seven rivers and two river basins, we surveyed 68 mussel species and sequenced 23 of these species to characterize intrapopulation genetic variation. We tested for the presence of species diversity-abundance correlations (i.e. the more-individuals hypothesis, MIH), species-genetic diversity correlations (SGDCs) and abundance-genetic diversity correlations (AGDCs) across all sites to evaluate relationships between different metrics of diversity. Sites with greater cumulative multispecies density (a standardized metric of abundance) had a greater number of species, consistent with the MIH hypothesis. Intrapopulation genetic diversity was strongly associated with the density of most species, indicating the presence of AGDCs. However, there was no consistent evidence for SGDCs. Although sites with greater overall densities of mussels had greater species richness, sites with higher genetic diversity did not always exhibit positive correlations with species richness, suggesting that there are spatial and evolutionary scales at which the processes influencing community-level diversity and intraspecific diversity differ. Our work reveals the importance of local abundance as indicator (and possibly a driver) of intrapopulation genetic diversity.

A cis-regulatory sequence of the selector gene vestigial drives the evolution of wing scaling in Drosophila species.

Scaling between specific organs and overall body size has long fascinated biologists, being a primary mechanism by which organ shapes evolve. Yet, the genetic mechanisms that underlie the evolution of scaling relationships remain elusive. Here, we compared wing and fore tibia lengths (the latter as a proxy of body size) in Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila simulans, Drosophila ananassae and Drosophila virilis, and show that the first three of these species have roughly a similar wing-to-tibia scaling behavior. In contrast, D. virilis exhibits much smaller wings relative to their body size compared with the other species and this is reflected in the intercept of the wing-to-tibia allometry. We then asked whether the evolution of this relationship could be explained by changes in a specific cis-regulatory region or enhancer that drives expression of the wing selector gene, vestigial (vg), whose function is broadly conserved in insects and contributes to wing size. To test this hypothesis directly, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to replace the DNA sequence of the predicted Quadrant Enhancer (vgQE) from D. virilis for the corresponding vgQE sequence in the genome of D. melanogaster. Strikingly, we discovered that D. melanogaster flies carrying the D. virilis vgQE sequence have wings that are significantly smaller with respect to controls, partially shifting the intercept of the wing-to-tibia scaling relationship towards that observed in D. virilis. We conclude that a single cis-regulatory element in D. virilis contributes to constraining wing size in this species, supporting the hypothesis that scaling could evolve through genetic variations in cis-regulatory elements.

ECR Spotlight – Keity Johanna Farfán Pira

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology during our centenary year, but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Keity Johanna Farfán Pira is an author on ‘ A cis-regulatory sequence of the selector gene vestigial drives the evolution of wing scaling in Drosophila species’, published in JEB. Keity Johanna conducted the research described in this article on the selector gene vestigial and its role in wing size evolution in Drosophila species in Marcos Nahmad's lab at Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico. She is now a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Erica L. Westerman at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA, investigating evo-devo of regulatory regions and genes in determinant processes of development and behavior in insects.

Asynchronous communication of microservices

More and more business projects use microservice architecture, where large scale and long evolution of the project with the involvement of many developers are expected. This is due to the flexibility of scaling, the possibility of continuous deployment, ease of maintenance, and different teams can work on services without affecting the work pro-cesses as a whole, which is impossible with other architectural styles. Since micro-services are a complex structure consisting of independently designed and deployed ser-vices, communication between them can become a bottleneck, so we must be careful when considering asynchronous communication tools. The most popular open-source tools for asynchronous communication between RabbitMQ and Kafka services are considered. Although RabbitMQ and Kafka are some-times used interchangeably, their implementations are very different from each other. As a result, we cannot consider them as members of the same instrument category; one is a message broker, and the other is a distributed streaming platform. RabbitMQ is best used when we need: advanced and flexible routing rules, mes-sage timing control (managing message expiration or message delay). Advanced fault handling capabilities in cases where consumers are likely to be unable to process mes-sages (temporarily or permanently), simple implementations for consumers. Kafka is used when strict ordering of messages is required, the storage of messages for long periods of time, including the ability to replay past messages, and the ability to achieve high scale when traditional solutions are insufficient. We can implement most use cases using both platforms. However, the project ar-chitect must choose the most appropriate tool for the job. In making this choice, we must consider differences, as noted above. In other cases, when developing complex software systems, it may be tempting to implement all of the necessary messaging use cases using one platform when there are many advantages to using both platforms.

Effects of lattice distortion and chemical short-range ordering on the incipient behavior of Ti-based multi-principal element alloys: MD simulations and DFT calculations

One of key factors in designing high-performance alloys is to understand their incipient behavior. To get detailed real-time atomic scale evolutions of multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) during nanoindentation incipient yielding, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out. Emphases are given to the effects of lattice distortion (LD) and chemical short-range ordering (CSRO) on the initiation of plasticity in body-centered cubic (BCC) MPEAs. The initial plastic mechanism is embryo nucleation assisted and the incipient behavior is strongly affected by LD and CSRO. Specifically, the embryo nucleation load Pe is reduced by LD and CSRO and the incipient drop P0 is lowered by LDI that only comes from atomic size difference and further declined by CSRO. This is because LD and CSRO could boost embryo nucleation, which can act as precursors for dislocation nucleation. This is consistent with the free-end nudged elastic band observations. Although Pe is weakened by LDII generated by introducing extra elements, P0 is intensified because severe LD could dominate the following process. The dislocation starvation mechanism is found in an average-atom (AA) model. However, it is replaced by dislocation interactions due to LD and CSRO. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that charge density distribution and the amount of directional Al-Al bonding would play a critical role in the onset of plastic deformation. When a larger indenter radius was used in MD simulations, the dislocation starvation mechanism is absent in AA model due to the reduced maximum shear stress. Instead, the dislocation propagation prevails. With respect to the orientation effect, three investigated orientations demonstrate a distinct yielding behavior.

Long-term efficacy and safety of a hyaluronic acid dermal filler based on Tri-Hyal technology on restoration of midface volume.

Art Filler Volume (AFV) is a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based filler formulated with "Tri-Hyal" technology, a unique combination of three sizes of HA chains. This study assessed AFV efficacy and safety over 18 months when used to restore midface volume. During this open-label study, a maximum of 1.8 mL AFV was injected into each cheek area on Day 0 (D0). Subjects were evaluated at D21, when, if necessary, a retouch could be performed (maximum 1.2 mL per cheek). Subjects were evaluated at seven follow-up visits through to D540. The primary assessment was based on the evolution of the Medicis Midface Volume Scale (MMVS) grade on D21. Secondary outcomes were local and general adverse events, investigator- and subject-assessed Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores and changes in self-esteem. Of the 79 healthy Caucasians enrolled (mean age 54.8 years), 25 required a second injection. In the intention-to-treat population, mean overall MMVS scores improved significantly from D0 (3.2 ± 0.4) to D21 (1.8 ± 0.6) and D42 (1.7 ± 0.6) (all p < 0.0001). MMVS scores for each cheek also improved significantly, irrespective of retouch on D21: 22% of injections showed a persistent benefit at D540 without retouch. The most common adverse events were pain on palpation (19%), erythema (15%) and edema (13%); most were mild or moderate and resolved within 2 weeks. AFV produces a sustained objective and subjective midface volume restoration in female and male subjects, often without retouching, and was well tolerated.

Highly-multiplexed and efficient long-amplicon PacBio and Nanopore sequencing of hundreds of full mitochondrial genomes

BackgroundMitochondrial genome sequences have become critical to the study of biodiversity. Genome skimming and other short-read based methods are the most common approaches, but they are not well-suited to scale up to multiplexing hundreds of samples. Here, we report on a new approach to sequence hundreds to thousands of complete mitochondrial genomes in parallel using long-amplicon sequencing. We amplified the mitochondrial genome of 677 specimens in two partially overlapping amplicons and implemented an asymmetric PCR-based indexing approach to multiplex 1,159 long amplicons together on a single PacBio SMRT Sequel II cell. We also tested this method on Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION R9.4 to assess if this method could be applied to other long-read technologies. We implemented several optimizations that make this method significantly more efficient than alternative mitochondrial genome sequencing methods.ResultsWith the PacBio sequencing data we recovered at least one of the two fragments for 96% of samples (~ 80–90%) with mean coverage ~ 1,500x. The ONT data recovered less than 50% of input fragments likely due to low throughput and the design of the Barcoded Universal Primers which were optimized for PacBio sequencing. We compared a single mitochondrial gene alignment to half and full mitochondrial genomes and found, as expected, increased tree support with longer alignments, though whole mitochondrial genomes were not significantly better than half mitochondrial genomes.ConclusionsThis method can effectively capture thousands of long amplicons in a single run and be used to build more robust phylogenies quickly and effectively. We provide several recommendations for future users depending on the evolutionary scale of their system. A natural extension of this method is to collect multi-locus datasets consisting of mitochondrial genomes and several long nuclear loci at once.