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PeerJ 2023Salinity is a main factor in decreasing seed germination, plant growth and yield. Salinity stress is a major problem for economic crops, as it can reduce crop yields and...
PURPOSE
Salinity is a main factor in decreasing seed germination, plant growth and yield. Salinity stress is a major problem for economic crops, as it can reduce crop yields and quality. Salinity stress occurs when the soil or water in which a crop is grown has a high salt content. Biochar improve plant growth and physiological traits under salt stress. The aim of the present study, the impact of biochar on growth, root morphological traits and physiological properties of alfalfa, amaranth and maize and soil enzyme activities under saline sands.
METHODS
We studied the impact of biochar on plant growth and the physiological properties of alfalfa, amaranth and maize under salt stress conditions. After 40 days, plant growth parameters (plant height, shoot and root fresh weights), root morphological traits and physiological properties were measured. Soil nutrients such as the P, K and total N contents in soil and soil enzyme activities were analyzed.
RESULTS
The results showed that the maize, alfalfa, and amaranth under biochar treatments significantly enhanced the plant height and root morphological traits over the control. The biochar on significantly increased the total root length, root diameter, and root volume. Compared to the control, the biochar significantly increased the chlorophyll a and b content, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content under salt stress. Furthermore, the biochar significantly increased enzyme activities of soil under salt stress in the three crops.
CONCLUSIONS
Biochar treatments promote plant growth and physiological traits of alfalfa, amaranth, and maize under the salt stress condition. Overall, biochar is an effective way to mitigate salinity stress in crops. It can help to reduce the amount of salt in the soil, improve the soil structure, and increase the availability of essential nutrients, which can all help to improve crop yields.
Topics: Zea mays; Medicago sativa; Chlorophyll A; Amaranth Dye; Amaranthus; Soil; Crops, Agricultural; Psychomotor Agitation; Salt Stress
PubMed: 37609438
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15684 -
Sleep Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Psychomotor Agitation; Restless Legs Syndrome; Dopamine; Iron; Antipsychotic Agents; Analgesics, Opioid
PubMed: 38190342
DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsae008 -
Cureus Feb 2024Meningitis is a rare but possible complication of sinusitis. We present a case of a 21-year-old woman with a history of fever, headache and nasal obstruction who...
Meningitis is a rare but possible complication of sinusitis. We present a case of a 21-year-old woman with a history of fever, headache and nasal obstruction who presented at the emergency department with psychomotor agitation. Orotracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation were given to protect airway. Blood analysis showed leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Cerebral and maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) demonstrated pansinusitis with gas foci more prominent in the left frontal sinus with an area of bone rarefaction on the posterior wall with possible communication with the cranial cavity. Lumbar puncture was performed. Empirical antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy were started. Neurosurgery (NC) and Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeons declined indication for urgent surgery and she was admitted at General ICU. On the fourth day of hospitalization, a brain magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) was performed, revealing subdural empyema and cerebritis adjacent to the frontal sinus. She was transferred to the reference neurosurgical center for surgical interventions and was admitted post-operatively at the Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU). Reevaluation MRI showed residual anterior frontal empyema and absence of focus control in peri-nasal sinusitis, requiring a new ENT surgery. A spp was isolated from the blood, from the pus collected from the sinuses, and the CSF was sterile. The patient completed 21 days of antibiotic therapy. She was extubated on the 19th day, with Broca's aphasia and right hemiparesis, and on the 23rd day transferred to the ENT Service and later to the Rehabilitation Service. We present a case of atypical central nervous system (CNS) infection by a rare agent, highlighting the importance of vigilance, focus control, and neurocritical care. In a severe and complex manifestation like this, the management typically involves medical and surgical interventions. Subdural empyema should be treated as a neurosurgical emergency due to the potential rapid deterioration in patient's neurological condition, attributed to secondary damage. In this case, brain multimodal monitoring, was very helpful in acute phase management. Neurocritical care teams should be involved early in patients with this presentation of CNS infection to provide optimal management, reducing complications and secondary brain lesions therefore improving patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38533169
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54864 -
Translational Psychiatry Jun 2023Alterations in the brain's oxytocinergic system have been suggested to play an important role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but insights from...
Alterations in the brain's oxytocinergic system have been suggested to play an important role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but insights from pediatric populations are sparse. Here, salivary oxytocin was examined in the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) in school-aged children with (n = 80) and without (n = 40) ASD (boys/girls 4/1), and also characterizations of DNA methylation (DNAm) of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) were obtained. Further, cortisol levels were assessed to examine links between the oxytocinergic system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis signaling. Children with ASD displayed altered (diminished) oxytocin levels in the morning, but not in the afternoon, after a mildly stress-inducing social interaction session. Notably, in the control group, higher oxytocin levels at AM were associated with lower stress-induced cortisol at PM, likely reflective of a protective stress-regulatory mechanism for buffering HPA stress activity. In children with ASD, on the other hand, a significant rise in oxytocin levels from the morning to the afternoon was associated with a higher stress-induced cortisol release in the afternoon, likely reflective of a more reactive stress regulatory release of oxytocin for reactively coping with heightened HPA activity. Regarding epigenetic modifications, no overall pattern of OXTR hypo- or hypermethylation was evident in ASD. In control children, a notable association between OXTR methylation and levels of cortisol at PM was evident, likely indicative of a compensatory downregulation of OXTR methylation (higher oxytocin receptor expression) in children with heightened HPA axis activity. Together, these observations bear important insights into altered oxytocinergic signaling in ASD, which may aid in establishing relevant biomarkers for diagnostic and/or treatment evaluation purposes targeting the oxytocinergic system in ASD.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Male; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; DNA Methylation; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Oxytocin; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Psychomotor Agitation; Receptors, Oxytocin
PubMed: 37391413
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02524-0 -
PloS One 2023Although anthropogenic climate change is causing increased wildfire activity in the United States (US), humans are also an important ignition source. Humans cause a...
Although anthropogenic climate change is causing increased wildfire activity in the United States (US), humans are also an important ignition source. Humans cause a surge in wildfire ignitions every 4th of July (Independence Day in the US) through the use of fireworks. We examine the 4th of July peak in fireworks-caused wildfire ignitions and show that their spatial distribution varies but has been heavily concentrated in the west and north central US and predominantly on tribal lands. Further, we show that the weekly timing of the 4th of July influences both the number and weekly distribution structure of fireworks-caused ignitions. We interpret these weekly and daily-scale distribution patterns of fireworks-caused ignitions to reflect the influences of human behavioral variations, culture, and fireworks regulations. For example, our analysis suggests that weekends and religious days of rest (e.g., Saturday, Sunday) have a dampening effect on the number on wildfire ignitions due to fireworks, and that weekends and the timing of work holidays likely impact the weekly distribution of fireworks-caused ignitions. Additionally, comparisons of fireworks-caused ignitions before and after the 4th of July at the daily and weekly scale likely reflect the efficacy of firework sales regulations and human behavioral tendencies towards pre-holiday impulsiveness. Given the predictability of the fireworks-caused ignitions and rising costs of wildfire mitigation, these results have several important management and policy implications.
Topics: Humans; Holidays; Seasons; Wildfires; Climate Change; Commerce; Psychomotor Agitation
PubMed: 37656710
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291026 -
European Journal of Case Reports in... 2024Sudden onset of reduced consciousness, psychomotor agitation and mydriasis are all indicative of an anticholinergic toxidrome. It is important to note that numerous...
INTRODUCTION
Sudden onset of reduced consciousness, psychomotor agitation and mydriasis are all indicative of an anticholinergic toxidrome. It is important to note that numerous drugs, as well as certain herbs and plants, possess anticholinergic properties.
CASE DESCRIPTION
An 84-year-old female patient had sudden nocturnal onset of uncoordinated hand movements and altered mental status. Shortly after, the patient's 83-year-old husband developed symptoms of dysarthria, gait ataxia, vertigo, and delirium.
CONCLUSION
Anticholinergic syndrome consists of a combination of central and peripheral anticholinergic symptoms. Physostigmine given intravenously resulted in rapid reversal of symptoms. Thorn apple seeds had been accidentally ingested and were identified as the cause.
LEARNING POINTS
The clinical presentation of an anticholinergic toxidrome includes both central and peripheral symptoms such as altered consciousness, mydriasis, dry mucous membranes and skin, and tachycardia.Prompt recognition of anticholinergic toxidrome and the administration of physostigmine can lead to rapid reversal of symptoms and improved patient outcomes.Treatment with physostigmine is indicated when a patient with an agitated delirium does not respond adequately to titrated benzodiazepines.
PubMed: 38584905
DOI: 10.12890/2024_004381 -
Psychiatria Danubina Oct 2023Subjects suffering from psychiatric disorders are frequently hospitalized due to medical comorbidities. In the present study, we analyzed consultation-liaison psychiatry... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Subjects suffering from psychiatric disorders are frequently hospitalized due to medical comorbidities. In the present study, we analyzed consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) activity in a General Hospital, describing the sociodemographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of the evaluated subjects, as well as reasons for consultation requests.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Data concerning psychiatric consultation performed at the Perugia General Hospital during a 1-year period (01/06/2022-20/06/2023) were collected and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
A total of 707 psychiatric consultations were performed. The primary reason that led to psychiatric consultations was psychomotor agitation. 85 (18.5%) patients attempted suicide; the most frequent modality was the assumption of drugs at non-therapeutic doses. The 72% of the sample (n=509) presented a clear-cut medical comorbidity. In most cases, subjects were referred to Community Mental Health and Addiction services (n=22, 32.4%).
CONCLUSIONS
CLP plays a crucial role in the perspective of the overall well-being of hospitalized subjects, but also for the overall management of complex cases. Despite this, a homogeneous approach with standardized guidelines is needed in this field.
Topics: Humans; Hospitals, General; Psychiatry; Mental Disorders; Comorbidity; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 37800245
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023Significant advances have been achieved in understanding the critical role of enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) in the complex field of gene regulation. However, notable uncertainty...
Significant advances have been achieved in understanding the critical role of enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) in the complex field of gene regulation. However, notable uncertainty remains concerning the biology of eRNAs, highlighting the need for continued research to uncover their exact functions in cellular processes and diseases. We present a comprehensive study to scrutinize mutation density patterns, mutation strand bias, and mutation burden in eRNAs across multiple cancer types. Our findings reveal that eRNAs exhibit mutation strand bias akin to that observed in protein-coding RNAs. We also identified a novel pattern, in which mutation density is notably diminished around the central region of the eRNA, but conspicuously elevated towards both the beginning and end. This pattern can be potentially explained by a mechanism involving heightened transcriptional activity and the activation of transcription-coupled repair. The central regions of the eRNAs appear to be more conserved, hinting at a potential mechanism preserving their structural and functional integrity, while the extremities may be more susceptible to mutations due to increased exposure. The evolutionary trajectory of this mutational pattern suggests a nuanced adaptation in eRNAs, where stability at their core coexists with flexibility at their extremities, potentially facilitating their diverse interactions with other genetic entities.
Topics: Humans; Enhancer RNAs; Biological Evolution; Excision Repair; Mutation; Neoplasms; Psychomotor Agitation
PubMed: 38203707
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010534 -
Age and Ageing Apr 2024Delirium is most often reported as present or absent. Patients with symptoms falling short of the diagnostic criteria for delirium fall into 'no delirium' or 'control'...
OBJECTIVES
Delirium is most often reported as present or absent. Patients with symptoms falling short of the diagnostic criteria for delirium fall into 'no delirium' or 'control' groups. This binary classification neglects individual symptoms and may be hindering identification of the pathophysiology underlying delirium. This systematic review investigates which individual symptoms of delirium are reported by studies of postoperative delirium in adults.
METHODS
Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched on 03 June 2021 and 06 April 2023. Two reviewers independently examined titles and abstracts. Each paper was screened in duplicate and conflicting decisions settled by consensus discussion. Data were extracted, qualitatively synthesised and narratively reported. All included studies were quality assessed.
RESULTS
These searches yielded 4,367 results. After title and abstract screening, 694 full-text studies were reviewed, and 62 deemed eligible for inclusion. This review details 11,377 patients including 2,049 patients with delirium. In total, 78 differently described delirium symptoms were reported. The most reported symptoms were inattention (N = 29), disorientation (N = 27), psychomotor agitation/retardation (N = 22), hallucination (N = 22) and memory impairment (N = 18). Notably, psychomotor agitation and hallucinations are not listed in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-5-Text Revision delirium definition.
CONCLUSIONS
The 78 symptoms reported in this systematic review cover domains of attention, awareness, disorientation and other cognitive changes. There is a lack of standardisation of terms, and many recorded symptoms are synonyms of each other. This systematic review provides a library of individual delirium symptoms, which may be used to inform future reporting.
Topics: Humans; Delirium; Psychomotor Agitation
PubMed: 38640126
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae077 -
BMC Psychiatry Jan 2024Dizziness is a common symptom in adults, and chronic dizziness, such as persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, is also frequently reported and affects the quality of...
BACKGROUND
Dizziness is a common symptom in adults, and chronic dizziness, such as persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, is also frequently reported and affects the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to identify psychosocial factors related to dizziness and chronic dizziness in a large-scale nationwide cohort.
METHODS
This population-based cross-sectional study used the database of the Eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2020. Data from 4,147 adults over 40 years old were analyzed, and 1,102 adults who experienced dizziness were included in the dizziness cohort. Demographic data, medical conditions, comorbidities, functional status variables, nutritional variables and psychological variables were collected. The pattern of depressive symptoms according to the severity of dizziness was analyzed by network analysis.
RESULTS
The prevalence rate of dizziness was 24.6% in the general population, and chronic dizziness (≥ 3 months) developed in 210 of 1,102 (17.1%) individuals who experienced dizziness. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female sex, stress, and depression were associated with dizziness. Chronic dizziness was related to tympanic abnormalities, diabetes, short sleep duration, and higher levels of stress and depression. Psychomotor retardation/agitation was a central symptom of depression in patients with chronic dizziness.
CONCLUSIONS
This study found sex differences in factors associated with dizziness and identified psychosocial factors linked to chronic dizziness. Focusing on somatic factors rather than depressive symptoms may benefit patients with chronic dizziness.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Female; Dizziness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Nutrition Surveys; Quality of Life; Comorbidity
PubMed: 38166799
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05464-7