Resource variation along abiotic gradients influences subsequent trophic interactions and these effects can be transmitted through entire food webs. Interactions along abiotic gradients can provide clues as to how organisms will face changing environmental conditions, such as future range shifts. However, it is challenging to find replicated systems to study these effects. Phytotelmata, such as those found in carnivorous plants, are isolated aquatic communities and thus form a good model for the study of replicated food webs. Due to the degraded nature of the prey, molecular techniques provide a useful tool to study these communities. We studied the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea L. in allochthonous populations along an elevational gradient in the Alps and Jura. We predicted that invertebrate richness in the contents of the pitcher plants would decrease with increasing elevation, reflecting harsher environmental conditions. Using metabarcoding of the COI gene, we sequenced the invertebrate contents of these pitcher plants. We assigned Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units at ordinal level as well as recovering species-level data. We found small but significant changes in community composition with elevation. These recovered sequences could belong to invertebrate prey, rotifer inquilines, pollinators and other animals possibly living inside the pitchers. However, we found no directional trend or site-based differences in MOTU richness with elevational gradient. Use of molecular techniques for dietary or contents analysis is a powerful way to examine numerous degraded samples, although factors such as DNA persistence and the relationship with species presence still have to be completely determined.

Introduction Critical Illness Acquired weakness (ICU-Acquired Weakness (ICU-AW)) is an umbrella term used to describe Critical Illness Myopathy (CIM) and Critical Illness Polyneuropathy (CIP). The condition exerts high prevalence in the elderly admitted in the ICU and is associated with deteriorating patient outcomes, namely mortality and morbidity. The prevalence of the syndrome is highly variable in the current literature hindering our ability to objectively quantify the scale of the problem. Moreover, several preventative methods and treatment for ICU-AW as a result of sarcopenia have been proposed in literature with some of them providing favourable outcomes. Objectives 1. Evaluate the prevalence of ICU-AW in the elderly through a systematic review; and 2. Explore the treatment options currently available. Methods We conducted a systematic review using the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases to explore the current studies available on the diagnosis of ICU-AW syndromes. Cochrane’s Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was our template. Results Overall, twenty-one studies (1544 patients) were included. The minimum reported prevalence is 20%, whereas the maximum is 76%. The overall median prevalence was 52% (Q1: 32% and Q3: 61%) with an interquartile range (IQR) of 29%. The highest IQR was found in studies using clinical examination (IQR=37%) whereas the lowest in studies using electrophysiological assessment (IQR= 21%). Moreover, several preventative measures for ICU-AW were identified and analyzed namely: nutritional alterations (high protein dies), glucose control, early mobilization, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the ABCDEF bundle. Conclusion The variability in the diagnostic modalities used to measure the syndrome as well as the inconsistency in the diagnostic parameters within each modality prevent us from objectively quantifying the prevalence of ICU-AW. With regards to treatment early mobilization protocols offer promising evidence. Reference Vanhorebeek, Latronico, Van den Berghe G. ICU-acquired weakness. Intensive Care Med. 2020;46(4):637-53.