Using DNA metabarcoding and direct behavioural observations to identify the diet of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in the Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sabah.

Characterizing the feeding ecology of threatened species is essential to establish appropriate conservation strategies. We focused our study on the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), an endangered primate species which is endemic to the island of Borneo. Our survey was conducted in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS), a riverine protected area that is surrounded by oil palm plantations.

Condensation of Exciton-Polaritons in a Bound State in the Continuum: Effects of the Excitation Spot Size and Polariton Transport.

We report the formation of polariton condensates from strongly coupled molecules to bound states in the continuum with quadrupolar character in a metasurface of silicon nanoparticles. Our experiments demonstrate a strong dependence of the condensation threshold on the excitation spot size. The condensation threshold decreases as the excitation spot size increases, achieving thresholds below 3 μm cm for spot sizes of around 1 mm and condensate lifetimes exceeding 20 ps.

Paired coral Sr/Ca and δO records reveal increasing ENSO influence on Malaysian Borneo's hydroclimate.

The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a worldwide climate phenomenon impacting temperatures and precipitation regimes across the globe. Previous studies have shown this climate phenomenon to influence Malaysian Borneo's hydroclimate. In the context of a changing climate and increasingly strong extreme ENSO events, understanding the influence of ENSO on this region, and its evolution through time, is essential to better constrain the future impacts it will have on the Maritime Continent's hydroclimate.

Improving Cancer Treatment Communication between Secondary and Primary Care: A New Format for Written Communication.

In decision making for cancer treatment, information is crucial for patients and health care professionals. Although conversations about treatment decisions take place in hospitals, many patients also appreciate the insights of their general practitioner (GP). GPs indicated that, in order to have meaningful conversations about treatment decisions with their patients, they need additional information about treatment options and considerations, such as expected benefits and side effects.

Phylogenomics of Brachystegia: Insights into the origin of African miombo woodlands.

Premise: Phylogenetic approaches can provide valuable insights on how and when a biome emerged and developed using its structuring species. In this context, Brachystegia Benth, a dominant genus of trees in miombo woodlands, appears as a key witness of the history of the largest woodland and savanna biome of Africa.

Methods: We reconstructed the evolutionary history of the genus using targeted-enrichment sequencing on 60 Brachystegia specimens for a nearly complete species sampling.

B cell immune profiles in dysbiotic vermiform appendixes of pancreatic cancer patients.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest solid tumors and is resistant to immunotherapy. B cells play an essential role in PDAC progression and immune responses, both locally and systemically. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that microbial compositions inside the tumor, as well as in the oral cavity and the gut, are important factors in shaping the PDAC immune landscape.

Two Days Versus Five Days of Postoperative Antibiotics for Complex Appendicitis: Cost Analysis of a Randomized, Noninferiority Trial.

Objective: To compare costs for 2 days versus 5 days of postoperative antibiotics within the antibiotics after an aPPendectomy In Complex appendicitis trial.Background:Recent studies suggest that restrictive antibiotic use leads to a significant reduction in hospital stays without compromising patient safety. Its potential effect on societal costs remains underexplored.

Development of oncolytic and gene therapy vectors based on adenovirus serotype 4 as an alternative to adenovirus serotype 5.

Background: Adenoviral vectors are among the most frequently used vectors for gene therapy and cancer treatment. Most vectors are derived from human adenovirus (Ad) serotype 5 despite limited applicability caused by pre-existing immunity and unfavorable liver tropism, whereas the other more than 100 known human serotypes remain largely unused. Here, we screened a library of human Ad types and identified Ad4 as a promising candidate vector.

Toward Improving Triplet Energy Transfer from Tetracene to Silicon Using a Covalently Bound Tetracene Seed Layer.

Silicon solar cells are operating close to the theoretical maximum efficiency limit. To increase their efficiency beyond this limit, it is necessary to decrease energy losses occurring for high-energy photons. A sensitizing layer of singlet-fission material can in principle double the current generated by high-energy photons, and significantly reduce energy losses from high-energy photons within the solar cell.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical care in the Netherlands.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption of regular healthcare leading to reduced hospital attendances, repurposing of surgical facilities, and cancellation of cancer screening programmes. This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on surgical care in the Netherlands.

Methods: A nationwide study was conducted in collaboration with the Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing.

Sulfur-Phenolate Exchange as a Mild, Fast, and High-Yielding Method toward the Synthesis of Sulfonamides.

Sulfonamides have many important biological applications, yet their synthesis often involves long reaction times under dry and non-ambient conditions. Here we report the synthesis of a large range of sulfonamides at room temperature using 4-nitrophenyl benzylsulfonate as a starting material. Sulfonamides were prepared from a wide range of aliphatic, linear, and cyclic amines, anilines, and -methylanilines.

2 days versus 5 days of postoperative antibiotics for complex appendicitis: a pragmatic, open-label, multicentre, non-inferiority randomised trial.

Background: The appropriate duration of postoperative antibiotics for complex appendicitis is unclear. The increasing global threat of antimicrobial resistance warrants restrictive antibiotic use, which could also reduce side-effects, length of hospital stay, and costs.

Methods: In this pragmatic, open-label, non-inferiority trial in 15 hospitals in the Netherlands, patients with complex appendicitis (aged ≥8 years) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 2 days or 5 days of intravenous antibiotics after appendicectomy.

Sulfur-Phenolate Exchange As a Fluorine-Free Approach to S(VI) Exchange Chemistry on Sulfonyl Moieties.

SuFEx chemistry has recently evolved as next-generation click chemistry. However, in most SuFEx syntheses, additional reagents/catalysts and carefully controlled conditions are still needed. Here, we aim to further generalize S(VI) exchange chemistry, using 4-nitrophenyl phenylmethanesulfonate as example, in which the nitrophenolate group is exchanged for a wide range of (substituted) phenols and alkyl alcohols.

Delayed recurrence of an iridociliary malignant melanoma 180° from the primary tumor.

Purpose: We report the case of a 66-year-old female who returned with a rare recurrence of iridociliary melanoma 180° from the original lesion.

Observations: Upon initial presentation eleven years prior, a pigmented iris lesion suspicious for primary uveal melanoma was noted in the right eye at 9 o'clock. After one year of observation, inferior growth of the iris lesion prompted treatment via primary iridectomy with excisional biopsy and pupilloplasty.

Postoperative Antibiotics and Time to Reach Discharge Criteria after Appendectomy for Complex Appendicitis.

Introduction: Postoperative antibiotic treatment is indicated for 3-5 days following appendectomy for complex appendicitis. However, meeting discharge criteria may allow for safe discontinuation of antibiotics and discharge. This study assessed the association between time to reach discharge criteria and duration of postoperative antibiotic use and length of stay.

Tree-ring oxygen isotopes record a decrease in Amazon dry season rainfall over the past 40 years.

Unlabelled: Extant climate observations suggest the dry season over large parts of the Amazon Basin has become longer and drier over recent decades. However, such possible intensification of the Amazon dry season and its underlying causes are still a matter of debate. Here we used oxygen isotope ratios in tree rings (δO) from six floodplain trees from the western Amazon to assess changes in past climate.

Multicenter cohort study on the presentation and treatment of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: Current studies have demonstrated conflicting results regarding surgical care for acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess trends in diagnosis as well as treatment of acute appendicitis in the Netherlands during the first and second COVID-19 infection wave.

Methods: All consecutive patients that had an appendectomy for acute appendicitis in nine hospitals from January 2019 to December 2020 were included.