Artificial light at night has shown a remarkable increase over the past decades. Effects are reported for many species groups, and include changes in presence, behaviour, physiology and life-history traits. Among these, bats are strongly affected, and how bat species react to light is likely to vary with light colour. Different spectra may therefore be applied to reduce negative impacts. We used a unique set-up of eight field sites to study the response of bats to three different experimental light spectra in an otherwise dark and undisturbed natural habitat. We measured activity of three bat species groups around transects with light posts emitting white, green and red light with an intensity commonly used to illuminate countryside roads. The results reveal a strong and spectrum-dependent response for the slow-flying and and more agile species, but not for and species. and species avoided white and green light, but were equally abundant in red light and darkness. The agile, opportunistically feeding species were significantly more abundant around white and green light, most likely because of accumulation of insects, but equally abundant in red illuminated transects compared to dark control. Forest-dwelling and species and more synanthropic species are thus least disturbed by red light. Hence, in order to limit the negative impact of light at night on bats, white and green light should be avoided in or close to natural habitat, but red lights may be used if illumination is needed.

Biological control is widely successful at controlling pests, but effective biocontrol agents are now more difficult to import from countries of origin due to more restrictive international trade laws (the Nagoya Protocol). Coupled with increasing demand, the efficacy of existing and new biocontrol agents needs to be improved with genetic and genomic approaches. Although they have been underutilised in the past, application of genetic and genomic techniques is becoming more feasible from both technological and economic perspectives. We review current methods and provide a framework for using them. First, it is necessary to identify which biocontrol trait to select and in what direction. Next, the genes or markers linked to these traits need be determined, including how to implement this information into a selective breeding program. Choosing a trait can be assisted by modelling to account for the proper agro‐ecological context, and by knowing which traits have sufficiently high heritability values. We provide guidelines for designing genomic strategies in biocontrol programs, which depend on the organism, budget, and desired objective. Genomic approaches start with genome sequencing and assembly. We provide a guide for deciding the most successful sequencing strategy for biocontrol agents. Gene discovery involves quantitative trait loci analyses, transcriptomic and proteomic studies, and gene editing. Improving biocontrol practices includes marker‐assisted selection, genomic selection and microbiome manipulation of biocontrol agents, and monitoring for genetic variation during rearing and post‐release. We conclude by identifying the most promising applications of genetic and genomic methods to improve biological control efficacy.

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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a recognised postoperative complication following primary hip/knee arthroplasty surgery. The aim of this study was to determine causative and potentially modifiable risk factors associated with postoperative AKI. Standard data were collected for 413 consecutive arthroplasty patients, both retrospectively and prospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify any potential causative factors. Eight percent of patients developed postoperative AKI. Univariate analysis found increasing age, history of previous chronic kidney disease and requirement for postoperative intravenous fluids to be risk factors for AKI. The multivariate regression analysis model identified age and volume of postoperative fluid prescription as predictive of postoperative AKI. Antibiotic regime and prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had no significant effect on the risk of AKI. No patients required dialysis but length of stay increased by 50% in the AKI group. Postoperative AKI may result in significant postoperative morbidity and increased length of stay, and may necessitate invasive therapies such as dialysis. Episodes of AKI could also predispose to future similar episodes and are associated with a long-term decrease in baseline renal function. This study has demonstrated that the identified risk factors are generally non-modifiable. Further work is suggested to determine whether targeted interventions in high risk patients would reduce the incidence of AKI.

Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a predatory mite used to control whiteflies and thrips in protected crops. This biocontrol agent, originating from the Eastern Mediterranean region, has been mass-reared for commercial use since 2005 and is widely used in augmentative biocontrol programs. As a polyphagous predator, it has to cope with different biotic and abiotic factors. However, possible adaptation to mass rearing for production might be hindering its resilience and capacity for optimum performance in the field. In this study, we investigated the effect of long-term mass rearing on the genetic diversity of A. swirskii. We identified six microsatellite loci from wholegenome nanopore sequencing of A. swirskii and used these in a comparative analysis of the genetic diversity and differentiation in eight wild populations collected from Israel in 2017 and a commercially available population. Our results indicate that the commercial population is 2.59 less heterozygous than the wild A. swirskii. Furthermore, the commercial population has the highest genetic differentiation from all the natural populations, as indicated by higher pairwise F st values. Overall, we show that commercially reared A. swirskii have reduced genetic variation compared to their wild counterparts, which may reduce their performance when released to control pests in an integrated pest management (IPM) context.