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Yi Chuan = Hereditas Aug 2022Since Darwin's time, elucidating the mechanism of adaptive evolution has been one of the most important scientific issues in evolutionary biology and ecology. Adaptive... (Review)
Review
Since Darwin's time, elucidating the mechanism of adaptive evolution has been one of the most important scientific issues in evolutionary biology and ecology. Adaptive evolution usually means that species evolve special phenotypic traits to increase fitness under selective pressures. Phenotypic adaptation can be observed at different hierarchical levels of morphology, physiology, biochemistry, histology, and behavior. With the breakthroughs of molecular biology and next-generation sequencing technologies, mounting evidence has uncovered the genetic architecture driving adaptive complex phenotypes. Studying the molecular genetic mechanisms of evolutionary adaption will enable us to understand the forces shaping biodiversity and set up genotype-phenotype-environment interactions. Genetic bases of adaptive evolution have been explained by multiple hypotheses, including major-effect genes, supergenes, polygenicity, noncoding regions, repeated regions, and introgression. The strong selection pressure exerted by high-altitude extreme environments greatly promotes the occurrence of phenotypic and genetic adaptation in species. Studies on multi-omics data provide new insights into adaptive evolution. In this review, we systematically summarize the genetic mechanism of adaptive evolution, research progress in adaptation to high-altitude environmental conditions, and existing challenges and discuss the future perspectives, thereby providing guidance for researchers in this field.
Topics: Biological Evolution; Altitude; Genetic Variation; Adaptation, Physiological; Phenotype
PubMed: 36384664
DOI: 10.16288/j.yczz.22-108 -
High Altitude Medicine & Biology Mar 2021Toussaint, Claudia M., Robert W. Kenefick, Frank A. Petrassi, Stephen R. Muza, and Nisha Charkoudian. Altitude, acute mountain sickness, and acetazolamide:...
Toussaint, Claudia M., Robert W. Kenefick, Frank A. Petrassi, Stephen R. Muza, and Nisha Charkoudian. Altitude, acute mountain sickness, and acetazolamide: recommendations for rapid ascent. . 22:5-13, 2021. Sea level natives ascending rapidly to altitudes above 1,500 m often develop acute mountain sickness (AMS), including nausea, headaches, fatigue, and lightheadedness. Acetazolamide (AZ), a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, is a commonly used medication for the prevention and treatment of AMS. However, there is continued debate about appropriate dosing, particularly when considering rapid and physically demanding ascents to elevations above 3,500 m by emergency medical and military personnel. Our goal in the present analysis was to evaluate and synthesize the current literature regarding the use of AZ to determine the most effective dosing for prophylaxis and treatment of AMS for rapid ascents to elevations >3,500 m. These circumstances are specifically relevant to military and emergency medical personnel who often need to ascend rapidly and perform physically demanding tasks upon arrival at altitude. We conducted a literature search from April 2018 to February 2020 using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to identify randomized controlled trials that compared AZ with placebo or other treatment with the primary endpoint of AMS incidence and severity. We included only research articles/studies that focused on evaluation of AZ use during rapid ascent. Four doses of AZ (125, 250, 500, and 750 mg daily) were identified as efficacious in decreasing the incidence and/or severity of AMS during rapid ascents, with evidence of enhanced effectiveness with higher doses. For military, emergency medical, or other activities involving rapid ascent to altitudes >3,500 m, doses 500-750 mg/day within 24 hours of altitude exposure appear to be the most effective for minimizing symptoms of AMS.
Topics: Acetazolamide; Acute Disease; Altitude; Altitude Sickness; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; Humans; Incidence
PubMed: 32975448
DOI: 10.1089/ham.2019.0123 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2021: Finger pulse oximeters are widely used to monitor physiological responses to high-altitude exposure, the progress of acclimatization, and/or the potential development... (Review)
Review
: Finger pulse oximeters are widely used to monitor physiological responses to high-altitude exposure, the progress of acclimatization, and/or the potential development of high-altitude related diseases. Although there is increasing evidence for its invaluable support at high altitude, some controversy remains, largely due to differences in individual preconditions, evaluation purposes, measurement methods, the use of different devices, and the lacking ability to interpret data correctly. Therefore, this review is aimed at providing information on the functioning of pulse oximeters, appropriate measurement methods and published time courses of pulse oximetry data (peripheral oxygen saturation, (SpO) and heart rate (HR), recorded at rest and submaximal exercise during exposure to various altitudes. : The presented findings from the literature review confirm rather large variations of pulse oximetry measures (SpO and HR) during acute exposure and acclimatization to high altitude, related to the varying conditions between studies mentioned above. It turned out that particularly SpO levels decrease with acute altitude/hypoxia exposure and partly recover during acclimatization, with an opposite trend of HR. Moreover, the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS) was consistently associated with lower SpO values compared to individuals free from AMS. : The use of finger pulse oximetry at high altitude is considered as a valuable tool in the evaluation of individual acclimatization to high altitude but also to monitor AMS progression and treatment efficacy.
Topics: Acclimatization; Altitude; Altitude Sickness; Humans; Male; Oximetry; Oxygen
PubMed: 33578839
DOI: 10.3390/s21041263 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022Industry 4.0, smart homes, and the Internet of Things are boosting the employment of autonomous aerial vehicles in indoor environments, where localization is still...
Industry 4.0, smart homes, and the Internet of Things are boosting the employment of autonomous aerial vehicles in indoor environments, where localization is still challenging, especially in the case of close and cluttered areas. In this paper, we propose a Visual Inertial Odometry localization method based on fiducial markers. Our approach enables multi-rotor aerial vehicle navigation in indoor environments and tackles the most challenging aspects of image-based indoor localization. In particular, we focus on a proper and continuous pose estimation, working from take-off to landing, at several different flying altitudes. With this aim, we designed a map of fiducial markers that produces results that are both dense and heterogeneous. Narrowly placed tags lead to minimal information loss during rapid aerial movements while four different classes of marker size provide consistency when the camera zooms in or out according to the vehicle distance from the ground. We have validated our approach by comparing the output of the localization algorithm with the ground-truth information collected through an optoelectronic motion capture system, using two different platforms in different flying conditions. The results show that error mean and standard deviation can remain constantly lower than 0.11 m, so not degrading when the aerial vehicle increases its altitude and, therefore, strongly improving similar state-of-the-art solutions.
Topics: Algorithms; Altitude; Internet; Motion; Movement
PubMed: 35957353
DOI: 10.3390/s22155798 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022This paper introduces a technique to transform between geometric and barometric estimates of altitude and vice-versa. Leveraging forecast numerical weather models, the...
This paper introduces a technique to transform between geometric and barometric estimates of altitude and vice-versa. Leveraging forecast numerical weather models, the method is unbiased and has a vertical error with a standard deviation of around 30 m (100 ft), regardless of aircraft altitude, which makes it significantly more precise than established comparable conversion functions. This result may find application in various domains of civil aviation, including vertical RNP, systemized airspace, and automatic landing systems.
Topics: Aircraft; Altitude; Aviation; Weather
PubMed: 36501962
DOI: 10.3390/s22239263 -
Praxis Apr 2021Overall, heart patients should be advised individually with respect to their tolerance of altitudes. However, the historical reflex that altitude 'per se' is bad for...
Overall, heart patients should be advised individually with respect to their tolerance of altitudes. However, the historical reflex that altitude 'per se' is bad for heart patients should become a thing of the past. Adequately treated and stable patients can usually go up to an altitude of 2500 m without any restrictions. Higher altitudes are also possible for a large number of patients, but may require an adaptation of the medication and further clarification. This is especially the case when physical work is to be performed at great heights.
Topics: Altitude; Altitude Sickness; Humans
PubMed: 33906438
DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a003649 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022The average altitude of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is 4,500 m and most of the residents are Tibetan ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence...
BACKGROUND
The average altitude of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is 4,500 m and most of the residents are Tibetan ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of scoliosis and associated factors among children in this region through a scoliosis screening program.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was preformed between May 2020 and December 2020 in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A total of 9,856 children aged 6-17 years from schools and nearby villages were screened using visual inspection, the Adams forward-bending test, the angle of trunk rotation, and radiography. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. The prevalence of scoliosis and associated factors were analyzed.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of scoliosis among children in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was 3.69%, with 5.38% for females and 2.11% for males. The prevalence of scoliosis was 3.50% in children resided below 4,500 m while 5.63% in those resided above 4,500 m ( = 0.001). The prevalence of congenital scoliosis (2.14 vs. 0.42%, < 0.001) and neuromuscular scoliosis (0.34 vs. 0.07%, = 0.041) were significantly higher in the altitude above 4,500 m. 50.00% of patients resided above 4,500 m were recommended for surgery while 16.24% in those resided below 4,500 m ( < 0.001). Independent associated factors were detected as female (OR = 2.217, 95 CI% 1.746-2.814, < 0.001), BMI < 18.5 (OR = 1.767, 95 CI% 1.441-2.430, = 0.005), altitude of residence ≥ 4,500 m (OR = 1.808, 95 CI% 1.325-2.483, = 0.002), and sleep time < 8 h (OR = 2.264, 95 CI% 1.723-2.846, = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of scoliosis among children in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was 3.69%. With increasing altitudes, the prevalence of scoliosis and its major type were different from that at lower altitudes. Female, BMI < 18.5, altitude of residence ≥ 4,500 m, and sleep time < 8 h were independently associated with the prevalence of this disease. Early screening should be carried out before the age of 7 years, especially in the high-altitude, underdeveloped, and rural areas.
Topics: Altitude; Child; China; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Scoliosis; Tibet
PubMed: 36062094
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.983095 -
Journal of the Science of Food and... Mar 2023The roots are the main functional organs involved in the overwintering adaptability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). However, it is still unclear how the roots are involved...
BACKGROUND
The roots are the main functional organs involved in the overwintering adaptability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). However, it is still unclear how the roots are involved in the cold resistance in the high-altitude area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). In this study, three winter-surviving 2-year-old alfalfa varieties (M. sativa Zhongmeng No.1, M. sativa Chiza No.1, and M. sativa Gongnong No.1) planted at two different altitudes (2812 m and 3109 m) in the northeast edge of the QTP were used to explore the cold-resistance mechanism.
RESULTS
At low altitudes (2812 m), the overwintering rate, taproot length, root area, root surface area, and root average diameter, plant height, fresh yield and hay yield of M. sativa Zhongmeng No.1 were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than for the other two varieties. At high altitude (3109 m), lateral root length, number of lateral roots, main root dry weight, and lateral root dry weight of M. sativa Chiza No.1 were higher (P < 0.01) than the other two varieties. At low and high altitudes, the activities of peroxidase and catalase were higher (P < 0.05) in M. sativa Chiza No.1 during post-winter and pre-winter respectively. At low altitude, higher soluble sugar (P < 0.05) and proline (P < 0.01) contents were recorded during the pre- and post-winter periods. Membership function analysis showed that M. sativa Zhongmeng No.1 has the strongest cold resistance. The structural equation model showed that the overwintering rate of alfalfa was mainly affected by the morphological characteristics of roots and the physiological characteristics of roots, with contribution rates of 0.54 and 0.75 respectively, and the physiological characteristics of roots had the greatest effect on the overwintering rate.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is of great significance to effectively solve the overwintering of alfalfa, the lack of high-quality legume forage resources, and promote the development of animal husbandry in the alpine areas of the QTP. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Topics: Animals; Tibet; Medicago sativa; Altitude; Plants; Seasons
PubMed: 36571110
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12407 -
High Altitude Medicine & Biology Sep 2023Hurtado-Aréstegui, Abdías, Karina Rosales-Mendoza, Yanissa Venegas-Justiniano, José Gonzales-Polar, Rina Barreto-Jara, and Alaciel Melissa Palacios-Guillén....
Hurtado-Aréstegui, Abdías, Karina Rosales-Mendoza, Yanissa Venegas-Justiniano, José Gonzales-Polar, Rina Barreto-Jara, and Alaciel Melissa Palacios-Guillén. Hemoglobin levels in Peruvian patients with chronic kidney disease at different altitudes. . 24:209-213, 2023. Decreased hemoglobin is a manifestation of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and people who reside at high altitude adapt to hypoxia by increasing their hemoglobin. The study's objective was to determine the influence of altitude and the associated factors on the hemoglobin levels of patients with CKD who were not on dialysis (ND). This exploratory and cross-sectional study was carried out in three Peruvian cities, located at different altitudes: (1) "sea level" (161 m), (2) "moderate altitude" (2,335 m), and "high altitude" (3,399 m). The study included female and male individuals between 20 and 90 years old, with CKD stage 3a, through stage 5. Of the 256 volunteers evaluated, 92 lived at sea level, 82 at moderate altitude, and 82 at high altitude. The three groups were similar in age, number of volunteers in each CKD stage, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Hemoglobin levels were statistically different according to gender ( = 0.024), CKD stage, and altitude ( < 0.001). High-altitude dwellers had higher hemoglobin by 2.5 g/dl (95% confidence interval: 1.8-3.1, < 0.001) than those living at lower altitudes (adjusted for gender, age, nutritional status, and smoking habit). For all CKD stages, the high-altitude population had higher hemoglobin levels than population at moderate altitude and at sea level. Subjects living at high altitude with CKD stages 3 to 5 who are yet ND have higher hemoglobin levels than those who live at moderate altitude and at sea level.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Altitude; Peru; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hemoglobins; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 37311154
DOI: 10.1089/ham.2023.0046 -
High Altitude Medicine & Biology Jun 2022Heiniger, Grégory, Simon Walbaum, Claudio Sartori, Alban Lovis, Marco Sazzini, Andrew Wellman, and Raphael Heinzer. Altitude-Induced Sleep Apnea Is Highly Dependent on...
Heiniger, Grégory, Simon Walbaum, Claudio Sartori, Alban Lovis, Marco Sazzini, Andrew Wellman, and Raphael Heinzer. Altitude-Induced Sleep Apnea Is Highly Dependent on Ethnic Background (Sherpa Vs. Tamang). . 23:165-172, 2022. High altitude-induced hypocapnic alkalosis generates central sleep apnea (CSA). In Nepal, two ethnic groups live at medium-to-high altitude: Tamangs originate from low-altitude Tibeto-Burman populations, whereas Sherpas descend from high-altitude Tibetans. To compare apnea severity at low and high altitude between Sherpas and Tamangs. Polygraphy recordings, including airflow and oxygen saturation, were performed in Nepal at "low" (2,030 m) and "high" (4,380 m) altitudes. Resting ventilation () and mixed-exhaled CO (FCO) were also measured at the same altitudes. Differences in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and % of nocturnal periodic breathing (NPB) at the two altitudes were compared between ethnicities. Twenty Sherpas and 20 Tamangs were included (males, median [interquartile range] age: 24.5 [21.5-27.8] years vs. 26.0 [21.5-39.8] years, body mass index: 23.9 [22.1-26.1] kg/m vs. 25.21 [20.6-27.6] kg/m). Compared with Tamangs, Sherpas showed a lower increase in AHI (+7.5 [2.6-17.2]/h vs. +31.5 [18.2-57.3]/h, < 0.001), ODI (+13.8 [5.5-28.2]/h vs. +42.0 [22.6-77.6]/h, < 0.001), and NPB proportion (+0.9 [0-3.5]% vs. +12.8 [3.1-27.4]%, < 0.001) from low to high altitude. Resting was higher in Sherpas versus Tamangs at both low (8.45 [6.89-10.70] l/min vs. 6.3 [4.9-8.3] l/min, = 0.005) and high (9.7 [8.5-11] l/min vs. 8.74 [7.39-9.73] l/min, = 0.020) altitudes, whereas the mean ± standard deviation FCO decrease between low and high altitude was greater in Tamangs versus Sherpas (-0.50% ± 0.44% vs. -0.80% ± 0.33%, < 0.023). Overall, altitude-adapted Sherpas showed a 3.2-times smaller increase in sleep-disordered breathing between low and high altitude compared with Tamangs, and higher ventilation and a smaller drop in FCO at high altitude. These data suggest that genetic differences in breathing control can be protective against CSA.
Topics: Adult; Altitude; Altitude Sickness; Carbon Dioxide; Ethnicity; Humans; Male; Oxygen; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Sleep Apnea, Central; Young Adult
PubMed: 35708530
DOI: 10.1089/ham.2022.0012