Forever chemicals don't make hero mutant ninja turtles: Elevated PFAS levels linked to unusual scute development in newly emerged freshwater turtle hatchlings (Emydura macquarii macquarii) and a reduction in turtle populations.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants known to pose significant risks to human and wildlife health. Freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii), as long-lived species inhabiting aquatic ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to PFAS bioaccumulation. This study investigated the multifaceted impact of PFAS contamination on these turtles, focusing on metabolic disruptions, reproductive success, hatchling health, and population impacts.

Low-cost uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a novel tool for welfare assessments on open pen commercial crocodile farms.

Background: The welfare of crocodiles on commercial farms in southern Africa requires precise assessment, focusing on stocking densities and pen conditions. However, disputes between animal welfare groups and farm owners persist due to inadequate methodologies for quantifying these factors.

Objectives: This study aimed to address these disputes and enhance crocodile welfare assessment by introducing a novel technique using a low-cost consumer uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and open-source photogrammetry software.

Congruent patterns of cryptic cladogenesis revealed using RADseq and Sanger sequencing in a velvet worm species complex (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae: Peripatopsis sedgwicki).

In the present study, first generation DNA sequencing (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit one, COI) and reduced-representative genomic RADseq data were used to understand the patterns and processes of diversification of the velvet worm, Peripatopsis sedgwicki species complex across its distribution range in South Africa. For the RADseq data, three datasets (two primary and one supplementary) were generated corresponding to 1,259-11,468 SNPs, in order to assess the diversity and phylogeography of the species complex. Tree topologies for the two primary datasets were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inferences methods.

Let's get high: Cladogenesis in freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: ) supports the mountain gradient speciation hypothesis in the Cape Fold and Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa.

During the present study, the evolutionary relationship within a clade of mountain clade of freshwater crabs () was examined using mtDNA sequence data for species from the Cape Fold Mountain (CFM) and Great Escarpment (Drakensberg Mountain range). We undertook phylogenetic analyses, divergence time estimation, and an ancestral area reconstruction to explore the period of cladogenesis and understand the biogeographic history in this high-altitude clade. Furthermore, we applied four species delimitation methods using ASAP, bPTP, bGMYC, and STACEY on the latter clade.

The histology and growth rate of Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) claws.

The histology and growth of reptilian and crocodilian claws (ungues) have been extensively studied; however, Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) claws have not received adequate attention. Furthermore, age estimations for reptilian claws remain unexplored, despite Nile crocodile claws being used in long-term dietary reconstruction studies, assuming certain age-related patterns. In this study, we investigate the histology and growth patterns of Nile crocodile claws, aiming to infer axes for sampling cornified material for radiocarbon dating and establish age estimations for crocodilian claws.

A Descriptive Study on the Carcass, Muscle, and Offal Yields of the Plains Zebra () Harvested in Two Seasons.

This study presents descriptive data on the meat and offal production of Plains zebras harvested in the winter ( = 8) and summer ( = 12) seasons, at different respective locations in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The cold dressing percentages were numerically higher for the winter (58.0 ± 0.

Between the Cape Fold Mountains and the deep blue sea: Comparative phylogeography of selected codistributed ectotherms reveals asynchronous cladogenesis.

We compare the phylogeographic structure of 13 codistributed ectotherms including four reptiles (a snake, a legless skink and two tortoise species) and nine invertebrates (six freshwater crabs and three velvet worm species) to test the presence of congruent evolutionary histories. Phylogenies were estimated and dated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods with combined mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence datasets. All taxa demonstrated a marked east/west phylogeographic division, separated by the Cape Fold Mountain range.

Climate change will disproportionally affect the most genetically diverse lineages of a widespread African tree species.

Global climate change is proceeding at an alarming rate with major ecological and genetic consequences for biodiversity, particularly in drylands. The response of species to climate change may differ between intraspecific genetic groups, with major implications for conservation. We used molecular data from 10 nuclear and two chloroplast genomes to identify phylogeographic groups within 746 individuals from 29 populations of Senegalia senegal, a savannah tree species in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ontogenetic dependence of Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) isotope diet-to-tissue discrimination factors.

Rationale: The diet of wild Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) is difficult to assess because they are cryptic and nocturnal predators that are extremely sensitive to disturbance by observers, and stomach content analysis is challenging, especially in large specimens. Stable light isotope analysis provides a means of assessing their diet, but diet-to-tissue discrimination factors have yet to be established for the species.

Methods: Isotope ratio ( N/ N and C/ C expressed as δ N and δ C) analyses of scutes, claws, and blood of farmed crocodiles of different sizes were compared with the isotope values of their lifelong diet, which comprises chickens from a single supplier.

Headache in epilepsy: A prospective observational study.

Objective: To assess the frequency and characteristics of interictal and postictal headaches (using International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition criteria) in a population of patients with epilepsy admitted to the Mayo Clinic Rochester epilepsy monitoring unit and assess their localizing value.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were voluntarily recruited upon admission to the epilepsy monitoring unit.

Preclinical evaluation of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement system for patients with rheumatic heart disease.

Aims: Cardiac surgery in middle-income countries differs significantly from that in high-income countries regarding prevailing heart valve pathologies and access to cardiac surgery. Typically, rheumatic aortic regurgitation in the absence of calcification by far outweighs stenosis. As such, entirely different transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) concepts are required for these regions.

Quadruple valve replacement in a patient with severe rheumatic heart disease.

Unlabelled: SummaryWe present a patient with rheumatic heart disease involving all the heart valves. An intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography confirmed severe mitral stenosis, severe aortic regurgitation, severe tricuspid regurgitation and stenosis, and severe pulmonary stenosis. The patient underwent successful quadruple valve replacement during a single operation at the Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Maintenance fluid practices in intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Administration of maintenance fluid is common practice in the intensive care unit, contributing to daily fluid and sodium intake and balance. Despite this, there is little evidence to describe clinical practices relating to its administration to ICU patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, point-prevalence study in 49 Australian and New Zealand ICUs in 2014.

A multicentre audit of temperature patterns after traumatic brain injury.

Background: Elevation of body temperature is common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Suppressing fever may be beneficial.

Hypothesis: In clinical practice, temperature is maintained _37°C.

Exploring the Impact of Habitat Size on Phylogeographic Patterning in the Overberg Velvet Worm Peripatopsis overbergiensis (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae).

Evolutionary relationships in the velvet worm species, Peripatopsis overbergiensis, were examined in 3 forest areas in the Overberg region of South Africa to explore the impact of historical habitat fragmentation on the population genetic structure of the species. We collected 84 P. overbergiensis specimens from Grootvadersbosch, Koppie Alleen, and Marloth Nature Reserves and sequenced all these specimens for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) locus, whereas a subset of 13 specimens were also sequenced for the 18S rRNA locus.

Exploring soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and its relationship with arterial stiffness in a bi-ethnic population: the SAfrEIC-study.

Introduction: Elevated soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) indicates an inflammatory state caused by conditions such as HIV and cancer. Recently suPAR was identified as an indicator of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is highly prevalent in black South Africans, but the potential role of suPAR is unknown.