Offspring polymorphism and bet hedging: a large-scale, phylogenetic analysis

Offspring polymorphism is a reproductive strategy where individual organisms simultaneously produce offspring that differ in morphology and ecology. It occurs across the Tree of Life but is particularly common among plants, where it is termed seed (diaspore) heteromorphism. The prevalence of this strategy in unpredictably varying environments has resulted in the assumption that it serves as a bet-hedging mechanism. We found 101 examples of this strategy in southwestern North America. We provide phylogenetically informed evidence for the hypothesis that the occurrence of seed heteromorphism increases with increasing environmental variability, though this pattern was only significant for aridity, one of our two rainfall variability metrics. We provide a strong test of bet hedging for a large, taxonomically diverse set of seed heteromorphic species, lending support to the hypothesis that bet hedging is an important mechanistic driver for the evolution of seed heteromorphism.

Co-Infection with SARS-COV-2 and Parainfluenza in a young adult patient with pneumonia: Case Report

Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now considered a pandemic causing Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), multiple fatalities and morbidities which have been associated with it worldwide. We report a severe pneumonia causing acute respiratory distress syndrome due to a coinfection with SARS-COV-2 and Parainfluenza 4 virus in a Hispanic 21 year old male in Florida, USA. The case represents the importance of prompt diagnosis and awareness of the potential co-infection with other respiratory viruses and this novel deadly virus.

Understanding foreign accent syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Foreign accent syndrome (FAS) is widely understood as an unusual consequence of structural neurological damage, but may sometimes represent a functional neurological disorder. This observational study aimed to assess the prevalence and utility of positive features of functional FAS in a large group of individuals reporting FAS.

METHODS

Participants self-reporting FAS recruited from informal unmoderated online support forums and via professional networks completed an online survey. Speech samples were analysed in a subgroup.

RESULTS

Forty-nine respondents (24 UK, 23 North America, 2 Australia) reported FAS of mean duration 3 years (range 2 months to 18 years). Common triggers were: migraine/severe headache (15), stroke (12), surgery or injury to mouth or face (6) and seizure (5, including 3 non-epileptic). High levels of comorbidity included migraine (33), irritable bowel syndrome (17), functional neurological disorder (12) and chronic pain (12). Five reported structural lesions on imaging. Author consensus on aetiology divided into, 'probably functional (n=35.71%), 'possibly structural' (n=4.8%) and 'probably structural' (n=10.20%), but positive features of functional FAS were present in all groups. Blinded analysis of speech recordings supplied by 13 respondents correctly categorised 11 (85%) on the basis of probable aetiology (functional vs structural) in agreement with case history assignment.

CONCLUSIONS

This largest case series to date details the experience of individuals with self-reported FAS. Although conclusions are limited by the recruitment methods, high levels of functional disorder comorbidity, symptom variability and additional linguistic and behavioural features suggest that chronic FAS may in some cases represent a functional neurological disorder, even when a structural lesion is present.

The feasibility and acceptability of using a novel wrist worn cueing device to self-manage drooling problems in people with Parkinson's disease: A pilot study

Introduction

Daytime drooling is experienced by around 50% of Parkinson’s patients, who fail to swallow saliva in sufficient volume or regularity, despite normal production. This research explored the feasibility and acceptability of using a cueing device, to improve drooling.

Methods

During a four-week intervention, 28 participants were asked to use a cueing device for 1 h per day. During this time, the device vibrated once-per-minute, reminding the participant to swallow their saliva. A daily diary was used to collect self-report around swallowing severity, frequency, and duration. This was filled out by participants for one week before, four weeks during and for one week immediately after intervention. Diaries were also collected for one week during a follow up, carried out four weeks after intervention finished.

Results

Participants self-reported benefits in drooling severity (p = 0.031), frequency (p ≤ 0.001), and duration (p = 0.001) after using the device. Improvements were maintained at follow up. Twenty-two participants explicitly reported a positive benefit to their drooling during exit interview. All felt the intervention and device were acceptable and usable.

Conclusions

Using a cueing device for one month had perceived benefit to drooling severity, frequency and duration in patients with Parkinson’s. Participants accepted the device and treatment protocol.

Abstract P6-20-06: Withdrawn

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.

Citation Format: Dann S, Chionis J, Eisele K, Zhang Q, Liu C, Yuan J, Miller N, Murray B, Xu M, Solowiej J, Wei P, Weinrich S, Sutton S, Behenna D, Ninkovic S, Hoffman R, Freeman-Cook K, Jessen B, Huser N, Zhang C, Visswanathan R, Boras B, VanArsdale T, White MA. Withdrawn [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-20-06.