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Ecology and Evolution Jul 2024Ongoing climate change poses an increasing threat to biodiversity. To avoid decline or extinction, species need to either adjust or adapt to new environmental conditions...
Ongoing climate change poses an increasing threat to biodiversity. To avoid decline or extinction, species need to either adjust or adapt to new environmental conditions or track their climatic niches across space. In sessile organisms such as plants, phenotypic plasticity can help maintain fitness in variable and even novel environmental conditions and is therefore likely to play an important role in allowing them to survive climate change, particularly in the short term. Understanding a species' response to rising temperature is crucial for planning well-targeted and cost-effective conservation measures. We sampled seeds of three species (, , and ), from a total of 23 populations originating from different parts of their native distribution areas in Europe. We grew them under four different temperature regimes in a greenhouse to simulate current and predicted future climatic conditions in the distribution areas. We measured flowering start, flower count, and subsequent seed weight, allowing us to study variations in the thermal plasticity of flowering phenology and its relation to fitness. Our results show that individuals flowered earlier with increasing temperature, while the degree of phenological plasticity varied among species. More specifically, the plasticity of varied depending on population origin, with individuals from the leading range edge being less plastic. Importantly, we show a positive relationship between higher plasticity and increased flower production, indicating adaptive phenological plasticity. The observed connection between plasticity and fitness supports the idea that plasticity may be adaptive. This study underlines the need for information on plasticity for predicting species' potential to thrive under global change and the need for studies on whether higher phenotypic plasticity is currently being selected as natural populations experience a rapidly changing climate.
PubMed: 38952655
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11657 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024The goal was to explore the effect of interleukin-6 (IL6) and C reactive protein (CRP) on malignant melanoma (MM) using two-sample Mendelian randomization. (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
The goal was to explore the effect of interleukin-6 (IL6) and C reactive protein (CRP) on malignant melanoma (MM) using two-sample Mendelian randomization.
METHODS
Data for this study were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project website for genome-wide association study data (GWAS) on interleukin-6, C reactive protein levels and malignant melanoma. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was mainly used and supplemented with MR-Egger regression and weighted median. Finally, horizontal multivariate validity and heterogeneity tests were performed to assess the stability and reliability of the results.
RESULTS
The results of univariate two-sample MR analyses showed no significant effect of CRP on MM: inverse variance weighting method (OR=0.999, 95% CI: 0.998-1.001, P=0.343), MR-Egger regression (OR= 1.000, 95% CI: 0.998-1.001, P= 0.180), and weighted median method (OR= 0.999, 95% CI: 0.997 to 1.000, P= 0.583), and weighted model (OR= 0.999, 95% CI: 0.998 to 1.001, P= 0.328). Also,IL-6 had no significant effect on MM: inverse variance weighting method (OR= 1.001, 95% CI: 0.999 to 1.002, P=0.461), MR-Egger regression (OR= 1.000, 95% CI: 0.997 to 1.004, P= 0.910), weighted median method (OR= 1.000, 95% CI: 0.998 to 1.002, P= 0.749), and weighted mode (OR= 1.000, 95% CI: 0.998 to 1.002, P= 0.820).
CONCLUSION
There was no causal relationship between C-reactive protein and IL-6 on the risk of malignant melanoma.
PubMed: 38952546
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1375362 -
Materials Today. Bio Jun 2024Clinical treatment of diabetic refractory ulcers is impeded by chronic inflammation and cell dysfunction associated with wound healing. The significant clinical...
Clinical treatment of diabetic refractory ulcers is impeded by chronic inflammation and cell dysfunction associated with wound healing. The significant clinical application of bFGF in wound healing is limited by its instability . Sulfur has been applied for the treatment of skin diseases in the clinic for antibiosis. We previously found that sulfur incorporation improves the ability of selenium nanoparticles to accelerate wound healing, yet the toxicity of selenium still poses a risk for its clinical application. To obtain materials with high pro-regeneration activity and low toxicity, we explored the mechanism by which selenium-sulfur nanoparticles aid in wound healing via RNA-Seq and designed a nanoparticle called Nano-S@bFGF, which was constructed from sulfur and bFGF. As expected, Nano-S@bFGF not only regenerated zebrafish tail fins and promoted skin wound healing but also promoted skin repair in diabetic mice with a profitable safety profile. Mechanistically, Nano-S@bFGF successfully coactivated the FGFR and Hippo signalling pathways to regulate wound healing. Briefly, the Nano-S@bFGF reported here provides an efficient and feasible method for the synthesis of bioactive nanosulfur and bFGF. In the long term, our results reinvigorated efforts to discover more peculiar unique biofunctions of sulfur and bFGF in a great variety of human diseases.
PubMed: 38952539
DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101104 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024To investigate the therapeutic efficiency of a novel drink termed "Ferment" in cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its influence on the gut microbiota.
PURPOSE
To investigate the therapeutic efficiency of a novel drink termed "Ferment" in cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its influence on the gut microbiota.
METHOD
In this study, we developed a complex of mixed fruit juice and lactic acid bacteria referred to as Ferment. Ferment was fed to mice for 35 days, before inducing UC with Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt. We subsequently investigated the gut microbiome composition using 16S rRNA sequencing.
RESULT
After Ferment treatment, mouse body weight increased, and animals displayed less diarrhea, reduced frequency of bloody stools, and reduced inflammation in the colon. Beneficial bacteria belonging to , , and were enriched in the gut after Ferment treatment, while detrimental organisms including , , and were reduced.
CONCLUSION
These data place Ferment as a promising dietary candidate for enhancing immunity and protecting against UC.
PubMed: 38952444
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1367630 -
Age and Ageing Jul 2024Delirium is a common complication of older people in hospitals, rehabilitation and long-term facilities.
BACKGROUND
Delirium is a common complication of older people in hospitals, rehabilitation and long-term facilities.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the worldwide use of validated delirium assessment tools and the presence of delirium management protocols.
DESIGN
Secondary analysis of a worldwide one-day point prevalence study on World Delirium Awareness Day, 15 March 2023.
SETTING
Cross-sectional online survey including hospitals, rehabilitation and long-term facilities.
METHODS
Participating clinicians reported data on delirium, the presence of protocols, delirium assessments, delirium-awareness interventions, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions, and ward/unit-specific barriers.
RESULTS
Data from 44 countries, 1664 wards/units and 36 048 patients were analysed. Validated delirium assessments were used in 66.7% (n = 1110) of wards/units, 18.6% (n = 310) used personal judgement or no assessment, and 10% (n = 166) used other assessment methods. A delirium management protocol was reported in 66.8% (n = 1094) of wards/units. The presence of protocols for delirium management varied across continents, ranging from 21.6% (on 21/97 wards/units) in Africa to 90.4% (235/260) in Australia, similar to the use of validated delirium assessments with 29.6% (29/98) in Africa to 93.5% (116/124) in North America. Wards/units with a delirium management protocol [n = 1094/1664, 66.8%] were more likely to use a validated delirium test than those without a protocol [odds ratio 6.97 (95% confidence interval 5.289-9.185)]. The presence of a delirium protocol increased the chances for valid delirium assessment and, likely, evidence-based interventions.
CONCLUSION
Wards/units that reported the presence of delirium management protocols had a higher probability of using validated delirium assessments tools to assess for delirium.
Topics: Humans; Delirium; Cross-Sectional Studies; Clinical Protocols; Geriatric Assessment; Male; Global Health; Aged; Prevalence; Female
PubMed: 38952186
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae129 -
Journal of Applied Clinical Medical... Jul 2024This study investigated the potential of a commercially available plastic scintillator, the Exradin W2, as a real-time dosimeter for ultra-high-dose-rate (UHDR) electron...
PURPOSE
This study investigated the potential of a commercially available plastic scintillator, the Exradin W2, as a real-time dosimeter for ultra-high-dose-rate (UHDR) electron beams. This work aimed to characterize this system's performance under UHDR conditions and addressed limitations inherent to other conventional dosimetry systems.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
We assessed the W2's performance as a UHDR electron dosimeter using a 16 MeV UHDR electron beam from the FLASH research extension (FLEX) system. Additionally, the vendor provided a beta firmware upgrade to better handle the processing of the high signal generated in the UHDR environment. We evaluated the W2 regarding dose-per-pulse, pulse repetition rate, charge versus distance, and pulse linearity. Absorbed dose measurements were compared against those from a plane-parallel ionization chamber, optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters and radiochromic film.
RESULTS
We observed that the 1 × 1 mm W2 scintillator with the MAX SD was more suitable for UHDR dosimetry compared to the 1 × 3 mm W2 scintillator, capable of matching film measurements within 2% accuracy for dose-per-pulse up to 3.6 Gy/pulse. The W2 accurately ascertained the inverse square relationship regarding charge versus virtual source distance with R of ∼1.00 for all channels. Pulse linearity was accurately measured with the W2, demonstrating a proportional response to the delivered pulse number. There was no discernible impact on the measured charge of the W2 when switching between the available repetition rates of the FLEX system (18-180 pulses/s), solidifying consistent beam output across pulse frequencies.
CONCLUSIONS
This study tested a commercial plastic scintillator detector in a UHDR electron beam, paving the way for its potential use as a real-time, patient-specific dosimetry tool for future FLASH radiotherapy treatments. Further research is warranted to test and improve the signal processing of the W2 dosimetry system to accurately measure in UHDR environments using exceedingly high dose-per-pulse and pulse numbers.
PubMed: 38952057
DOI: 10.1002/acm2.14451 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jul 2024Traditional artificial vision systems built using separate sensing, computing, and storage units have problems with high power consumption and latency caused by frequent...
Traditional artificial vision systems built using separate sensing, computing, and storage units have problems with high power consumption and latency caused by frequent data transmission between functional units. An effective approach is to transfer some memory and computing tasks to the sensor, enabling the simultaneous perception-storage-processing of light signals. Here, an optical-electrical coordinately modulated memristor is proposed, which controls the conductivity by means of polarization of the 2D ferroelectric Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite film at room temperature. The residual polarization shows no significant decay after 10-cycle polarization reversals, indicating that the device has high durability. By adjusting the pulse parameters, the device can simulate the bio-synaptic long/short-term plasticity, which enables the control of conductivity with a high linearity of ≈0.997. Based on the device, a two-layer feedforward neural network is built to recognize handwritten digits, and the recognition accuracy is as high as 97.150%. Meanwhile, building optical-electrical reserve pool system can improve 14.550% for face recognition accuracy, further demonstrating its potential for the field of neural morphological visual systems, with high density and low energy loss.
PubMed: 38952052
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403150 -
The American Journal of Case Reports Jul 2024BACKGROUND Rhabdomyolysis, an uncommon but recognized adverse effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, can precipitate acute renal injury...
BACKGROUND Rhabdomyolysis, an uncommon but recognized adverse effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, can precipitate acute renal injury (AKI), especially when combined with risk factors such as alcohol consumption. This report describes a 68-year-old man with acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis associated with alcohol intoxication while taking low-dose escitalopram, an SSRI antidepressant. CASE REPORT The patient, with a history of bipolar affective disorder managed with escitalopram, presented with symptoms of general malaise, diarrhea, myalgias, and transient loss of consciousness following substantial ethanol consumption. Laboratory tests indicated severe rhabdomyolysis with a creatine kinase level of 37 672 U/L and myoglobin level >5710 ng/ml, leading to an AKI diagnosis. The discontinuation of escitalopram, along with hydration and renal replacement therapy, facilitated renal recovery. However, the reintroduction of escitalopram resulted in the recurrence of rhabdomyolysis, suggesting a probable causal link, confirmed using the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale. CONCLUSIONS This report highlights the importance of identifying the medication history in patients presenting with acute renal failure and rhabdomyolysis and the association with SSRIs, which can be exacerbated by alcohol. This case underscores the importance of vigilant medication history assessment in patients presenting with AKI and rhabdomyolysis, particularly concerning the use of SSRIs like escitalopram, which can pose heightened risks in the context of alcohol use. It highlights the need for clinical caution in managing patients on long-term SSRI therapy, especially when reintroducing such medications after an episode of rhabdomyolysis.
Topics: Humans; Male; Rhabdomyolysis; Acute Kidney Injury; Aged; Citalopram; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Alcoholic Intoxication
PubMed: 38951999
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943422 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jul 2024The ultrafine cellular structure promotes the extraordinary mechanical performance of metals manufactured by laser powder-bed-fusion (L-PBF). An in-depth understanding...
The ultrafine cellular structure promotes the extraordinary mechanical performance of metals manufactured by laser powder-bed-fusion (L-PBF). An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms governing the thermal stability of such structures is crucial for designing reliable L-PBF components for high-temperature applications. Here, characterizations and 3D discrete dislocation dynamics simulations are performed to comprehensively understand the evolution of cellular structures in 316L stainless steel during annealing. The dominance of screw-type dislocation dipoles in the dislocation cells is reported. However, the majority of dislocations in sub-grain boundaries (SGBs) are geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) with varying types. The disparity in dislocation types can be attributed to the variation in local stacking fault energy (SFE) arising from chemical heterogeneity. The presence of screw-type dislocations facilitates the unpinning of dislocations from dislocation cells/SGBs, resulting in a high dislocation mobility. In contrast, the migration of SGBs with dominating edge-type GNDs requires collaborative motion of dislocations, leading to a sluggish migration rate and an enhanced thermal stability. This work emphasizes the significant role of dislocation type in the thermal stability of cellular structures. Furthermore, it sheds light on how to locally tune dislocation structures with desired dislocation types by adjusting local chemistry-dependent SFE and heat treatment.
PubMed: 38951958
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402962 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Jul 2024
Topics: Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Humans; Dermal Fillers; Hyaluronic Acid; Cosmetic Techniques; Skin Aging
PubMed: 38951943
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13839