Rapid Sex Chromosome Turnover in African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus) and the Origins of New Sex Chromosomes.

Sex chromosomes of some closely related species are not homologous, and sex chromosome turnover is often attributed to mechanisms that involve linkage to or recombination arrest around sex-determining loci. We examined sex chromosome turnover and recombination landscapes in African clawed frogs (genus Xenopus) with reduced representation genome sequences from 929 individuals from 19 species. We recovered extensive variation in sex chromosomes, including at least eight nonhomologous sex-associated regions-five newly reported here, with most maintaining female heterogamety, but two independent origins of Y chromosomes.

Taxonomy of the Rhampholeon boulengeri Complex (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae): Five New Species from Central Africa's Albertine Rift.

In a recent molecular study, the pygmy chameleon Rhampholeon boulengeri Steindachner, 1911 was shown to contain six genetically distinct, but phenotypically cryptic lineages. Phylogenetic analyses of genetic data demonstrated that several well-supported clades occurred in non-overlapping elevational ranges across the Albertine Rift in Central Africa. In order to resolve the taxonomy of the R.

Colour vision deficiency is associated with increased prevalence of amblyopia, strabismus and ametropia: a large population study.

Aims: To examine the association between colour vision deficiency (CVD) and other ophthalmic disorders including amblyopia, strabismus and ametropia in a large population study.

Methods: The retrospective, cross-sectional study included 916 388 Israeli army male recruits who had their premilitary medical assessment at the age of 16-18 years from 2000 to 2020, analysing the prevalence of ophthalmic disorders including amblyopia, strabismus and ametropia in army recruits with CVD compared with all other recruits with normal colour vision. Demographic and socioeconomic data were also collected.

Phylogenomics of Psammodynastes and Buhoma (Elapoidea: Serpentes), with the description of a new Asian snake family.

Asian mock vipers of the genus Psammodynastes and African forest snakes of the genus Buhoma are two genera belonging to the snake superfamily Elapoidea. The phylogenetic placements of Psammodynastes and Buhoma within Elapoidea has been extremely unstable which has resulted in their uncertain and debated taxonomy. We used ultraconserved elements and traditional nuclear and mitochondrial markers to infer the phylogenetic relationships of these two genera with other elapoids.

Branch retinal vein occlusion treated with anti-VEGF: to switch or not to switch?

Objective: To evaluate visual outcomes after switching from bevacizumab to ranibizumab or aflibercept in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Design: A retrospective, multi-center, observational study.

Participants: Patients diagnosed with BRVO and were treated with at least 3 bevacizumab injections, before anti VEGF switch.

Bilateral Subinternal Limiting Membrane Crystalline Deposits Secondary to Terson Syndrome.

Background: We report the case of bilateral, subinternal limiting membrane crystalline deposits in a patient with Terson syndrome, describe the possible pathogenesis, and highlight management. . A 24-year-old male with a history of traumatic massive parenchymal and subdural frontal hemorrhage presented to our clinic seven months after a motor vehicle accident, prolonged hospitalization, and rehabilitation, complaining of decreased vision in both eyes.

Functional dissection and assembly of a small, newly evolved, W chromosome-specific genomic region of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis.

Genetic triggers for sex determination are frequently co-inherited with other linked genes that may also influence one or more sex-specific phenotypes. To better understand how sex-limited regions evolve and function, we studied a small W chromosome-specific region of the frog Xenopus laevis that contains only three genes (dm-w, scan-w, ccdc69-w) and that drives female differentiation. Using gene editing, we found that the sex-determining function of this region requires dm-w but that scan-w and ccdc69-w are not essential for viability, female development, or fertility.

Treatment patterns and visual acuity change of AMD patients, before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns: A large cohort.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the changes in treatment patterns before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in previously treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients.

Methods: A multi-centre, retrospective, observational study of consecutive nAMD patients during 2019-2021. Data collected included demographics, BCVA, dates of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections and clinic visits.

Treatment challenges of persistent ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

The aim of this case report is to review and compare the clinical, radiologic, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features, along with the treatment of a case of ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma. In addition, a report of the existing published literature with an emphasis on treatment will be described to provide information on this rare but aggressive tumor. The family of odontogenic ghost cell tumors comprises a spectrum of lesions characterized by odontogenic epithelium with ghost cell keratinization and calcifications.

Ultraconserved elements-based phylogenomic systematics of the snake superfamily Elapoidea, with the description of a new Afro-Asian family.

The highly diverse snake superfamily Elapoidea is considered to be a classic example of ancient, rapid radiation. Such radiations are challenging to fully resolve phylogenetically, with the highly diverse Elapoidea a case in point. Previous attempts at inferring a phylogeny of elapoids produced highly incongruent estimates of their evolutionary relationships, often with very low statistical support.

COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns' Impact on Visual Acuity of Diabetic Macular Edema: A Large Cohort.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of unplanned treatment gap, secondary to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, on visual acuity in previously treated diabetic macular edema (DME) patients.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study of DME patients, previously treated with anti-VEGF injections, who were followed up during COVID-19 pandemic (2020) compared to pre-CO-VID-19 period (2019).

Results: A total of 634 DME patients with a mean age of 68.

Systematics of the Central African Spiny Reed Frog Afrixalus laevis (Anura: Hyperoliidae), with the description of two new species from the Albertine Rift.

The geographically widespread species Afrixalus laevis (Anura: Hyperoliidae) currently has a disjunct distribution in western Central Africa (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and possibly adjacent countries) and the area in and near the Albertine Rift in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries. At least two herpetologists have previously suggested that these disjunct populations represent distinct species, and herein, we utilize an integrative taxonomic approach with molecular and morphological data to reconcile the taxonomy of these spiny reed frogs. We sequenced 1554 base pairs of the 16S and RAG1 genes from 34 samples of A.

Otologic complications of temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis due to arteriovenous fistula.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare sequela following arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint. This case report discusses a constellation of symptoms, findings, and appropriate management of a patient with a superficial temporal AVF. Several findings in this case, including vertigo, nystagmus, and hearing loss, have not been previously documented in the literature.

Post-refractive surgery of Israeli Defense Forces recruits in 2005-2018-prevalence, combat unit drop-out rates and utilization of eye-care services.

Purpose: To assess the number of recruits for military service in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) who underwent refractive surgery prior to enlistment and examine whether the procedure affected their ability to accomplish combat training.

Setting: Medical records of IDF recruits.

Design: Retrospective analysis of medical records of recruits with ametropia who underwent or did not undergo refractive surgery prior to enlistment.

Postponed care due to COVID-19 lockdown impact on visual acuity of retinal vein occlusion patients: a large cohort.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of postponed care attributed to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns on visual acuity and the number of anti-VEGF injections in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study of consecutive RVO patients previously treated with anti-VEGF injections, which compared data from pre- (2019) and during (2020) COVID-19 lockdown period.

Results: A total of 814 RVO patients with a mean age of 72.

Identification of a cis-sex chromosome transition in banded geckos (Coleonyx, Eublepharidae, Gekkota).

Sex-determination systems are highly variable amongst vertebrate groups, and the prevalence of genomic data has greatly expanded our knowledge of how diverse some groups truly are. Gecko lizards are known to possess a variety of sex-determination systems, and each new study increases our knowledge of this diversity. Here, we used RADseq to identify male-specific markers in the banded gecko Coleonyx brevis, indicating this species has a XX/XY sex-determination system.

Long-term outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment in peripapillary choroidal neovascularisation due to age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: To report the long-term outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in eyes with peripapillary choroidal neovascularisation (PPCNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study included patients with AMD-related PPCNV. Eyes were treated with anti-VEGF according to pro re nata regimen.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWNS ON VISUAL ACUITY OF PATIENTS WITH NEOVASCULAR AMD: A Large Cohort.

Purpose: Evaluating the impact of delayed care, secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns, on visual acuity in previously treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients.

Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, study of patients with nAMD previously treated with anti-VEGF injections who were followed up during 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and compared with patients with nAMD during 2020 (COVID-19).

Results: A total of 1,192 patients with nAMD with a mean age of 81.

Vapor Phase Terpenes Mitigate Oxidative Degradation of Inflorescence Cannabinoid Content in an Accelerated Stability Study.

As L. (Cannabaceae) ages, inflorescence phytochemicals are susceptible to oxidative degradation. Reduction of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC) content has the potential to impact the reliability and accuracy of dosing.

Gastrointestinal Helminths in sp. (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) from the Albertine Rift of Central Africa.

Fourteen sp. (Pyxicephalidae), from the Albertine Rift of Democratic Republic of the Congo were examined for helminths. Five species of Nematoda were found: and .