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The expression of inducible morphological defenses in Daphnia in response to a single predator is a well-known phenomenon. However, predator-specific modifications of the same defensive traits as an adaption to different predator regimes is so far only described for Daphnia barbata. It is unknown if this accounts only for this species or if it is a more widespread, general adaptive response in the genus Daphnia. In the present study, we therefore investigated whether a clone of the pond-dwelling species Daphnia similis responds to different predatory invertebrates (Triops cancriformis; Notonecta maculata) with the expression of predator-specific modifications of the same defensive traits. We showed that Triops-exposed individuals express a significantly longer tail-spine, while body width decreased in comparison to control individuals. Additionally, they also expressed inconspicuous defenses, that is, significantly longer spinules on the dorsal ridge. The Notonecta-exposed D. similis showed a significantly longer tail-spine, longer spinules and a larger spinules bearing area on the dorsal ridge than control individuals as well. However, a geometric morphometric analysis of the head shape revealed significant, predator-specific changes. Triops-exposed individuals expressed a flattened head shape with a pronounced dorsal edge, while Notonecta-exposed individuals developed a high and strongly rounded head. Our study describes so far unrecognized inducible defenses of D. similis against two predators in temporary waters. Furthermore, the predator-dependent change in head shape is in concordance with the 'concept of modality', which highlights the qualitative aspect of natural selection caused by predators. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Morphology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents the major risk factor for mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), a small-vessel vasculitis that may evolve into an overt B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Here, we aimed to identify a biomarker signature for the early diagnosis of minimal residual disease (MRD). Fingolimod We assessed free light chains (FLCs), IgMk and IgMλ heavy-light chain (HLC) pairs, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in sera from 34 patients with MC vasculitis (32 HCV- and 2 HBV-related), treated with low-dose rituximab (RTX). FLCs and IgM HLCs were measured by turbidimetric assay; VEGF by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After RTX, the positive (complete + partial) clinical and laboratory responses were of 85.29% and 50% respectively; in contrast, the mean levels of FLCs, IgM HLCs and VEGF were substantially unaffected in most patients and still above the normal range. In those achieving a reduction of FLCs and IgM k and λ chains values within the range of normality, we found that post-treatment free λ chains and IgM k values correlated with clinical and laboratory response. Our results suggest that high levels of FLCs, IgM HLCs and VEGF could represent the signature of "dormant" B cell clones' activity that could be very useful to identify MRD indicative of possible relapse or worsening outcome. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.The month of Ramadan forms one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith. Adult Muslims are obligated to keep daily fasts from dawn to sunset, with exceptions. This year Ramadan is due to begin on 23 April 2020 and the longest fast in the UK will be approximately 18 hours in length. In addition, due to the often high-calorie meals eaten to break the fast, Ramadan should be seen as a cycle of fasting and feasting. Ramadan fasting can impact those with diabetes, increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and dehydration. This year, Ramadan will occur during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Reports show that diabetes appears to be a risk factor for more severe disease with COVID-19. In addition, the UK experience has shown diabetes and COVID-19 is associated with dehydration, starvation ketosis, diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state. This makes fasting in Ramadan particularly challenging for those Muslims with diabetes. Here, we discuss the implications of fasting in Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic and make recommendations for those with diabetes who wish to fast. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.AIMS Cluster of differentiation 103 (CD103), a marker of tissue resident memory T cell, is expressed on subsets of CD8+ T lymphocytes. We investigated the prognostic significance of CD103+ intraepithelial tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (iTILs) in invasive breast cancer (IBC). METHODS AND RESULTS Immunohistochemistry was performed for CD103, CD8 and TGFβ isoforms (1, 2, and 3) on tissue microarrays of 1187 IBC samples. CD103+ and CD8+ iTILs were present in 904 (76.2%) and 854 (74%) cases with an overall mean±standard deviation of 38.2±100.2/mm2 and 30.4±89.7/mm2 , respectively. The numbers of CD103+ and CD8+ iTILs were positively correlated, and CD103+ iTILs outnumbered CD8+ iTILs in HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). CD103+ and CD8+ iTIL densities were significantly higher in tumors of histologic grade 3, absence of lymphovascular invasion, high Ki-67 index, high stromal TIL density, or TGFβ3 expression. High CD103+ iTIL density was associated with better disease-free survival (DFS, P = 0.007), but no significant association was observed for overall survival (OS). Subgroup analysis by cancer molecular subtype showed that CD103+ iTIL count was prognostic only for TNBC (OS, P = 0.035; DFS, P = 0.009). CD8+ iTIL density was significant for DFS, but not for OS in the entire cohort and TNBC. In multivariate analysis, CD103+ iTIL density was an independent prognostic factor of OS (P = 0.02) and DFS (P = 0.007) in TNBC, while CD8+ iTIL density was not significant for survival. CONCLUSIONS CD103 iTIL density can serve as a predictor of good prognosis in patients with TNBC. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.OBJECTIVES Isotopic analyses using human dental enamel provide information on the mobility and diet of individuals in forensic and archeological studies. Thus far, no study has systematically examined intraindividual coupled strontium (Sr), oxygen (O), and carbon (C) isotope variation in human enamel or the effect that caries have on the isotopic integrity of the enamel. The inadequate quantification of isotopic variation affects interpretations and may constrain sample selection of elements affected by caries. This study aims to quantify the intraindividual isotopic variation and provides recommendations for enamel sampling methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study presents the first systematic results on intraindividual variation in Sr-O-C isotope composition and Sr concentration in modern human dental enamel of third molars (affected and unaffected by caries). A multiloci sampling approach (n = 6-20) was used to analyze surface and inner enamel, employing thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS).