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Forests face an escalating threat from the increasing frequency of extreme drought events driven by climate change. To address this challenge, it is crucial to understand how widely distributed species of economic or ecological importance may respond to drought stress. In this study, we examined the transcriptome of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) to identify key genes and metabolic pathways involved in the species' response to water stress. We assembled a de novo transcriptome, performed differential gene expression analyses at four time points over 22 days during a controlled drought stress experiment involving 2-year-old plants and three genetically distinct clones, and conducted gene enrichment analyses. The transcriptome assembly and gene expression analysis identified a total of 33,287 transcripts corresponding to 18,934 annotated unique genes, including 4,425 genes that are uniquely responsive to drought. Many transcripts that had predicted functions associated with photosynthesis, cell wall organization, and water transport were down-regulated under drought conditions, while transcripts linked to abscisic acid response and defense response were up-regulated. Our study highlights a previously uncharacterized effect of drought stress on lipid metabolism genes in conifers and significant changes in the expression of several transcription factors, suggesting a regulatory response potentially linked to drought response or acclimation. Our research represents a fundamental step in unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying short-term drought responses in white spruce seedlings. In addition, it provides a valuable source of new genetic data that could contribute to genetic selection strategies aimed at enhancing the drought resistance and resilience of white spruce to changing climates., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Ribeyre et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Rab7A has a key role in regulating membrane trafficking at late endosomes. By interacting with several different effectors, this small GTPase controls late endosome mobility, orchestrates fusion events between late endosomes and lysosomes, and participates in the formation of and regulates the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. Rab7A is also responsible for the spatiotemporal recruitment of retromer, which is required for the endosome-to-trans-Golgi network retrieval of cargo receptors such as sortilin (SORT1) and CI-MPR (also known as IGF2R). Recently, several post-translational modifications have been shown to modulate Rab7A functions, including palmitoylation, ubiquitination and phosphorylation. Here, we show that phosphorylation of Rab7A at serine 72 is important to modulate its interaction with retromer, as the non-phosphorylatable Rab7AS72A mutant is not able to interact with and recruit retromer to late endosomes. We have previously shown that Rab7A palmitoylation is also required for efficient retromer recruitment. We found that palmitoylation of Rab7AS72A is reduced compared to that of the wild-type protein, suggesting an interplay between S72 phosphorylation and palmitoylation in regulating the Rab7A-retromer interaction. Finally, we identify NEK7 as a kinase required to phosphorylate Rab7A to promote retromer binding and recruitment., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2025. Published by The Company of Biologists.)

Gay and bisexual men (GBM) engaging in chemsex can face various health and well-being-related challenges, the extent of which remains unknown given the limited research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines the pandemic impacts on the health needs of GBM who engaged in chemsex and their experiences with related services. We applied interpretive description to produce knowledge with direct implications for improving practices and policies. Data were collected between July 2020 and January 2021 using in-depth semi-structured interviews with eight key informants who held chemsex expertise and 13 GBM with chemsex lived experiences. Interviews were transcribed, anonymized, and analyzed thematically, yielding three interrelated themes. First, participants argued that the COVID-19 public health response was heteronormative and moralizing, reinforcing feelings of shame among GBM who engaged in chemsex and further isolating them. This added a layer of stigma and exposed them to increased drug-related risks by obstructing harm reduction practices. Second, participants contended how the pandemic worsened the scarcity and shortcomings of chemsex-specialized services. The mandatory shift to online services made it harder to form meaningful therapeutic relationships, especially given the unique sensitivity and stigma associated with chemsex, further heightened during the pandemic. Third, this online shift simultaneously facilitated access to personalized and culturally sensitive care, especially for those with less urgent needs. Our findings' implications emphasize the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach in chemsex care, integrating both in-person and online methods, to counteract health iniquities reinforced by the pandemic and the institutional responses to it., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Polyamory is a relationship style that allows individuals to develop multiple romantic relationships simultaneously. Although studies show that many polyamorous people have children, very little is known about the experiences of children growing up in such a family context. Based on 18 semi-structured interviews with Canadian children living with polyamorous parents, we examined the level of emotional closeness they felt towards their parents' romantic partners, and what these adults meant to them. We found that these children generally appreciated their parents' partners. These adults were seen by our participants as someone who contributed positively to their lives. More specifically, the participating children -especially pre-teens and younger children- described their parents' romantic partners as adults: 1) to have fun with, 2) who contributed to their material well-being, 3) who took care of them, and 4) who, through their own children, contributed to expanding their circle of friends. Finally, some children - mainly teenagers and pre-teens- talked about these adults primarily as people who contributed positively to their parents' lives. Overall, this study makes an important contribution to the literature on family diversity., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Objectives: To examine how change in benzodiazepine (BZD) use is linked to changes in depressive symptoms intensity, worry intensity, and sleep quality over 16 months., Method: Data come from a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT) named the 'Programme d'Aide du Succès au SEvrage (PASSE-60+)' study (NCT02281175). Seventy-three participants age 60 years and older took part in a 4-month discontinuation programme and were assessed four times over 16 months. Change in BZD use was defined as the difference in reported mg/day between two assessments. Control variables were RCT discontinuation group; BZD use at T1; and either depressive symptoms, worry intensity, or sleep quality at T1. Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to analyse data., Results: In the short term, right after the discontinuation programme, sleep quality worsened with lower BZD use. This link was no longer significant at the 3- and 12-month follow-up. In the long term, depressive symptoms lowered with lower BZD use. No change was found in worry intensity in relation to BZD use at all measurement times., Conclusion: Discontinuation may improve depressive symptoms. Our study also questions the long-term effectiveness of BZD use, since long-term discontinuation was not linked with change in worry intensity and sleep quality.

Climate modeling suggests that achieving international climate goals requires a reduction in current CO 2 emissions by over 90%, with any remaining emissions to be addressed through carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions. Sixteen CDR strategies are evaluated by integrating technical potential, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, along with sequestration permanence. This evaluation, conducted by ENGIE's scientific council using an interdisciplinary Delphi panel methodology, proposes a "quality" measure for each technology. This measure combines ESG scores and sequestration timescales to rank and select the most promising solutions. The findings highlight the necessity for further research to understand and mitigate ESG impacts, aiming to inform both future research and current decision-making to support the effective and legitimate use of CDR strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Isocyanates are well-known irritants and sensitizers, and measuring their occupational airborne exposure is challenging due to their high chemical reactivity and semi-volatile nature. This study builds on a previous publication by our team that focused on comparing evaluation methods for isocyanates. The current research aims at developing, validating, and applying a laboratory generation system designed to replicate real-world conditions for spraying clear coats in autobody shops using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)-based products. The system involved a spray gun connected to two chambers in series, enabling sample collection and analysis. The system successfully generated HDI and isocyanurate concentrations ranging from 0.008 to 0.040 mg m -3 and 0.351 to 3.45 mg m -3 , respectively, with spatial homogeneity (RSD) of 5.8% and 16.5%. The particle-size distribution (MMAD) of 4 μm was measured using a cascade impactor and an electrical low-pressure impactor. The samples generated were used to correlate the amount of isocyanates collected with scanning electron microscope images of droplets on a filter. Three methods were compared to the reference method-an impinger with a backup glass fibre filter (GFF) and 1,2-methoxyphenylpiperazine (MP) based on ISO 16702/MDHS 25-in six generation experiments: (1) Swinnex cassette 13 mm GFF MP (MP-Swin); (2) closed-face cassette 37 mm GFF (end filter and inner walls) MP (MP-37); and (3) denuder and GFF dibutylamine (DBA) (ISO 17334-1 Asset). The analysis revealed clear trends regarding which sampler sections collected HDI (mainly in the vapor phase) or isocyanurate (exclusively in the particulate phase). The study found no significant bias between the tested methods (MP-Swin, MP-37, and Asset) and the reference method (impinger) for both HDI monomer and isocyanurate. The three tested methods showed limits of agreement beyond the acceptable range of ±30% (95% confidence interval), largely due to data variability, though MP-Swin and MP-37 exhibited lower variability than Asset. The results will be further evaluated in a real-world environment where similar clear coats are used.

HIV infection significantly affects the frequencies and functions of immunoregulatory CD3 + CD4 - CD8 - double-negative (DN) T-cells, while the effect of early antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation on these cells remains understudied. DN T-cell subsets were analyzed prospectively in 10 HIV+ individuals during acute infection and following early ART initiation compared to 20 HIV-uninfected controls. In this study, 21 Rhesus macaques (RMs) were SIV-infected, of which 13 were assessed during acute infection and 8 following ART initiation four days post-infection. DN T-cells and FoxP3 + DN Treg frequencies increased during acute HIV infection, which was not restored by ART. The expression of activation (HLA-DR/CD38), immune checkpoints (PD-1/CTLA-4), and senescence (CD28 - CD57 + ) markers by DN T-cells and DN Tregs increased during acute infection and was not normalized by ART. In SIV-infected RMs, DN T-cells remained unchanged despite infection or ART, whereas DN Treg frequencies increased during acute SIV infection and were not restored by ART. Finally, frequencies of CD39 + DN Tregs increased during acute HIV and SIV infections and remained elevated despite ART. Altogether, acute HIV/SIV infections significantly changed DN T-cell and DN Treg frequencies and altered their immune phenotype, while these changes were not fully normalized by early ART, suggesting persistent HIV/SIV-induced immune dysregulation despite early ART initiation.

The American hoverfly Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is an aphidophagous predator during its larval stage and is currently being evaluated for inclusion in biocontrol programs as a new biocontrol agent. However, little is known about its reproductive aptitudes. The objective of the present study was to determine the reproductive parameters of E. americanus and to compare them with those of a commercialized and widely used biological control agent for aphids, the aphid midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). The preoviposition period, oviposition period, adult longevity, lifetime and daily fecundity, egg hatching rate, and fertility were determined for E. americanus females and compared to those of A. aphidimyza. Trials were conducted under laboratory conditions in rearing cages on the broad bean plant Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae), infested with pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The results revealed that the preoviposition period, oviposition period, and adult longevity were significantly longer in E. americanus than in A. aphidimyza. The daily fecundity and egg-hatching rate were similar in both species. However, lifetime fecundity and fertility were considerably higher in E. americanus than in A. aphidimyza. This study demonstrates that the reproductive capacity of E. americanus is clearly superior to that of A. aphidimyza and therefore supports its inclusion in the aphid pest management program as a new biocontrol agent., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America.)

Objective: There are few tools capable of measuring the personal recovery of individuals presenting with mental disorders that take into account the various dimensions of recovery. Personal recovery encompasses several objectives at the level of autonomy, positive interpersonal relationships, mental and physical health, self-acceptance, the school/professional domain, as well as developing a life project. A team of practitioners and researchers from four countries (Canada, Belgium, France, and Switzerland) adapted the Client Assessment of Strengths, Interests, and Goals (CASIG) tool to more accurately measure these different aspects of personal recovery. This study aims to validate the revised version of CASIG (CASIG-rev) in French, in terms of construct validity, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and clinical sensitivity to change., Method: A total of 272 individuals were recruited across different French-speaking countries to respond to the CASIG-rev online, as well as Ryff's well-being measure, the Recovery Assessment Scale, and the WHODAS. A subgroup of 29 individuals responded again to the CASIG-rev after 1 month (for temporal stability), and 24 again at six months (for sensitivity to change)., Results: The confirmatory factor analysis suggests a 5-factor model, very similar to the initially proposed model of 6 factors. Convergent validity was demonstrated between the subscales of tools measuring similar concepts, and test-retest reliability was proven for the majority of scales. The CASIG-rev also appears to be sensitive to clinical or rehabilitation changes, notably at the level of the life project., Conclusion: This study supports the use of the CASIG-rev in French to measure the recovery of individuals presenting with mental disorders, as well as to support practitioners in the evaluation of their programs and interventions. Limitations, as well as the tool's relevance, are presented. An English validation is underway to make the CASIG-rev available in Anglo-Saxon countries.

Background: Pediatric cancer is associated with stressors that increase the risk for distress across family members. Psychosocial support varies and may not meet family needs and preferences. This study investigated family members' points of view regarding psychosocial service needs, as a first step of a large participative research project aiming to develop interventions grounded in key stakeholders' perspectives., Methods: This study documented the perceptions of 370 parents, 11 siblings, and 60 individuals who themselves had received a cancer diagnosis as a child and employed a mixed-methods design through an online survey., Results: Respondents indicated their key concerns were coping with intense emotions, accepting their feelings toward the diagnosis, and managing the psychological burden that accompanies cancer, its treatment, and associated life changes., Conclusion: The results suggest that an intervention program should address emotion management as well as interventions focusing on the entire family system.

Background: Despite successful antiretroviral therapy (ART), frequencies and immunological functions of memory CCR6 + Th17-polarised CD4 + T-cells are not fully restored in people with HIV (PWH). Moreover, long-lived Th17 cells contribute to HIV persistence under ART. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these observations remain understudied., Methods: mRNA-sequencing was performed using Illumina technology on freshly FACS-sorted memory CCR6 + CD4 + T-cells from successfully ART-treated (ST), elite controllers (EC), and uninfected donors (HD). Gene expression validation was performed by RT-PCR, flow cytometry, and in vitro functional assays., Findings: Decreased Th17 cell frequencies in STs and ECs versus HDs coincided with reduced Th17-lineage cytokine production in vitro. Accordingly, the RORγt/RORC2 repressor NR1D1 was upregulated, while the RORγt/RORC2 inducer Semaphorin 4D was decreased in memory CCR6 + T-cells of STs and ECs versus HDs. The presence of HIV-DNA in memory CCR6 + T-cells of ST and EC corresponded with the downregulation of HIV restriction factors (SERINC3, KLF3, and RNF125) and HIV inhibitors (tetraspanins), along with increased expression of the HIV-dependency factor MRE11, indicative of higher susceptibility/permissiveness to HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, markers of DNA damage/modification were elevated in memory CCR6 + T-cells of STs and ECs versus HDs, in line with their increased activation (CD38/HLA-DR), senescence/exhaustion phenotype (CTLA-4/PD-1/CD57) and their decreased expression of proliferation marker Ki-67., Interpretation: These results reveal new molecular mechanisms of Th17 cell deficit in ST and EC PWH despite a successful control of HIV-1 replication. This knowledge points to potential therapeutic interventions to limit HIV-1 infection and restore frequencies, effector functions, and senescence/exhaustion in Th17 cells., Funding: This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR, operating grant MOP 142294, and the Canadian HIV Cure Enterprise [CanCURE 2.0] Team Grant HB2 164064), and in part, by the Réseau SIDA et maladies infectieuses du Fonds de recherche du Québec-Santé (FRQ-S)., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests We have no competing interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Previously focused primarily on enteric neurons, studies of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in both health and disease are now broadening to recognize the equally significant role played by enteric glial cells (EGCs). Commensurate to the vast array of gastrointestinal functions they influence, EGCs exhibit considerable diversity in terms of location, morphology, molecular profiles, and functional attributes. However, the mechanisms underlying this diversification of EGCs remain largely unexplored. To begin unraveling the mechanistic complexities of EGC diversity, the current study aimed to examine its spatiotemporal aspects in greater detail, and to assess whether the various sources of enteric neural progenitors contribute differentially to this diversity. Based on established topo-morphological criteria for categorizing EGCs into four main subtypes, our detailed immunofluorescence analyses first revealed that these subtypes emerge sequentially during early postnatal development, in a coordinated manner with the structural changes that occur in the ENS. When combined with genetic cell lineage tracing experiments, our analyses then uncovered a strongly biased contribution by Schwann cell-derived enteric neural progenitors to particular topo-morphological subtypes of EGCs. Taken together, these findings provide a robust foundation for further investigations into the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing EGC diversity., Competing Interests: RS and NP are co-founders of the biotech company Neurenati Therapeutics, which had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Lefèvre, Godefroid, Soret and Pilon.)

Climate projections across Québec indicate increased water stress and recurrent vulnerability of cropping systems. In recent years, reports of droughts and water stress have been recorded across the province. Many parts of Québec have experienced droughts in the past few years, which have had uninvestigated impacts on crops. These droughts have been described as some of the most significant in the last 80 years. On the positive side, climate change is likely to trigger shorter winters and therefore longer growing seasons for several crops. However, for crops like maple syrup, the regions suitable for their cultivation will shift northwards. Despite these projections, studies monitoring the susceptibility of barley to environmental changes, climate variability, and adaptive capacity across Québec are still limited. This study aims to provide a provincial-scale portrait of vulnerability of barley in Québec based on historical growing season precipitation, barley yield, and socioeconomic data (literacy and poverty rates) using a composite statistical model. Growing season precipitation data were downloaded from Ouranos. Barley yield data were collected from the Institut de la Statistique du Québec, and the socio-demographic data were collected from the Advisory Council of Poverty and the Institut de la Statistique du Québec. A vulnerability index with sub-indices (sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity) is deployed. It is hypothesised that (1) vulnerability is inversely associated with adaptive capacity, and (2) the peripheral regions of Québec are more vulnerable and less adaptive to climate stressors. Initial results show that when the vulnerability index for barley is more prominent, the associated index of adaptive capacity is relatively lower. A significant gradient between the peripheral and southern regions of Québec is observed, with vulnerability lowest around Montreal/Laval and gradually increasing towards the peripheral regions. A better understanding of vulnerability warrants a change in approach from focusing solely on climate-related variables to integrating socioeconomic proxies. The challenge, however, has been how to introduce these socioeconomic proxies into empirical and process-based crop models., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Although brain cholinergic denervation has been largely associated with cognitive decline in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), new evidence suggests that cholinergic upregulation occurs in the hippocampus of PD patients without cognitive deficits. The specific hippocampal sectors and potential mechanisms of this cholinergic compensatory process have been further studied here, using MRI volumetry and morphometry coupled with molecular imaging using the PET radiotracer [ 18 F]-Fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol ([ 18 F]-FEOBV). Following a thorough screening procedure, 18 participants were selected and evenly distributed in three groups, including cognitively normal PD patients (PD-CN), PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), and healthy volunteers (HV). Participants underwent a detailed neuropsychological assessment, structural MRI, and PET imaging with [ 18 F]-FEOBV. Basal forebrain Ch1-Ch2 volumes were measured using stereotaxic mapping. Hippocampal subfields were automatically defined using the MAGeT-Brain segmentation algorithm. Cholinergic innervation density was quantified using [ 18 F]-FEOBV uptake. Compared with HV, both PD-CN and PD-MCI displayed significantly reduced volumes in CA2-CA3 bilaterally. We found no other hippocampal subfield nor Ch1-Ch2 volume differences between the three groups. PET imaging revealed higher [ 18 F]-FEOBV uptake in CA2-CA3 of the PD-CN compared with HV or PD-MCI. A positive correlation was observed between cognitive performances and [ 18 F]-FEOBV uptake in the right CA2-CA3 subfield. Reduced volume, together with increased [ 18 F]-FEOBV uptake, were observed specifically in the CA2-CA3 hippocampal subfields. However, while the volume change was observed in both PD-CN and PD-MCI, increased [ 18 F]-FEOBV uptake was present only in the PD-CN group. This suggests that a cholinergic compensatory process takes place in the atrophied CA2-CA3 hippocampal subfields and might underlie normal cognition in PD., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Cranberries are rich in polyphenols, have a high antioxidant capacity, and may protect against exercise-induced free radical production. Mitochondria are known producers of free radical in skeletal muscle, and preventing overproduction of radicals may be a viable approach to improve muscle health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a polyphenol-rich cranberry extract (CE) on muscle oxidative capacity and oxygenation metrics in healthy active adults. 17 participants (9 males and 8 females) were tested at: (i) baseline, (ii) 2 h following an acute CE dose (0.7 g/kg of body mass), and (iii) after 4 weeks of daily supplement consumption (0.3 g/kg of body mass). At each time point, muscle oxidative capacity was determined using near-infrared spectroscopy to measure the recovery kinetics of muscle oxygen consumption following a 15-20 s contraction of the vastus lateralis. Cranberry supplementation over 28 days significantly improved muscle oxidative capacity (k-constant, 2.8 ± 1.8 vs. 3.9 ± 2.2; p  = 0.02). This was supported by a greater rate of oxygen depletion during a sustained cuff occlusion (-0.04 ± 0.02 vs. -0.07 ± 0.03; p  = 0.02). Resting muscle oxygen consumption was not affected by cranberry consumption. Our results suggest that cranberry supplementation may play a role in improving mitochondrial health, which could lead to better muscle oxidative capacity in healthy active adult populations., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Theory of mind (ToM) deficits have been reported in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, most studies have used pictures or written scenarios as stimuli without distinguishing between cognitive and affective ToM, and no studies have investigated older pwMS. We recruited 13 young healthy controls (HC), 14 young pwMS, 14 elderly HC and 15 elderly pwMS. ToM was measured using an adaptation of the Conversations and Insinuations task (Ouellet et al., J. Int. Neuropsychol. Soc., 16, 2010, 287). In this ecological video-based task, participants watch four 2-minute videos of social interactions, which are interrupted by multiple choice questions about either the emotional state (affective ToM) or the intention (cognitive ToM) of the characters. They also underwent a short neuropsychological battery including cognitive, executive and social cognition tasks and questionnaires. We observed a significant interaction between the ToM conditions and the groups regarding ToM performance. Elderly pwMS scored significantly lower than elderly HC and young pwMS in cognitive ToM, but not in affective ToM. They also showed the largest discrepancy between their cognitive and affective ToM. Young pwMS showed relatively preserved ToM in both conditions. Both cognitive and affective ToM correlated with global cognition and executive abilities, but not with social cognitive measures (emotion recognition, real-life empathy). This study suggests that decline in cognitive ToM might be accentuated by advancing age in pwMS. These impairments are most likely underlied by cognitive and executive difficulties, but not by core social cognitive impairments. Future studies should investigate the real-life impacts of ToM impairments in pwMS., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Neuropsychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society.)

Background: Patients living with various rare or orphan diseases (ROD) experience common psychosocial difficulties. Those need emerge from a combination of factors, such as the large variety of patients and the rarity of resources, as well as concentrated efforts on physical health needs that yielded increases in life expectancy and quality in patients. A gap is therefore rising in the consideration of psychosocial needs of patients, such as coping with the impacts of physical limitations, reducing social isolation and distress. To contribute to address this gap, we developed, pilot-tested and evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, implementation, and short-term effects of Connect-ROD, an online group intervention to support adult patients with a ROD (AP-ROD), which aims to improve coping mechanisms, reinforce sense of control, and support personal goals of AP-ROD. A qualitative study comprising of in-depth pretests, post-test interviews and standardized questionnaires, was conducted with 14 participants in two consecutive intervention groups., Results: The Connect-ROD intervention is strongly anchored in acceptance and commitment therapy as well as community psychology approaches. A pilot test allowed us to improve on the initial structure and to produce a manualized 10-week program delivered online, made up of 2-h sessions comprising formal activities, exchanges and homework. The evaluation showed satisfactory acceptability and accessibility, compliant delivery by facilitators, and promising short-term effects on personal objectives, sense of control, coping mechanisms, symptom management, acceptance of the emotions associated with the disease, distress, self-efficacy, social support and connectedness. The program did not show short-term effects on overall quality of life., Conclusion: It is recommended that Connect-ROD is evaluated on a larger scale. It seems promising to support various AP-ROD who live with the complex psychosocial consequences of their disease., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Despite the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWH) suffer from a high burden of pulmonary diseases, even after accounting for their smoking status. Cytotoxic CD8 T-cells are likely implicated in this phenomenon and may act as a double-edged sword. While being essential in viral infection control, their hyperactivation can also contribute to lung mucosal tissue damage. The effects of HIV and smoking on pulmonary mucosal CD8 T-cell dynamics has been a neglected area of research, which we address herein., Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were obtained from ART-treated PLWH (median duration of supressed viral load: 9 years; smokers: n = 14; non-smokers: n = 21) and HIV-uninfected controls (smokers: n = 11; non-smokers: n = 20) without any respiratory symptoms or active infection. Lymphocytes were isolated and CD8 T-cell subsets and homing markers were characterized by multiparametric flow cytometry., Results: Both smoking and HIV infection were independently associated with a significant increase in frequencies of total pulmonary mucosal CD8 T-cell. BAL CD8 T-cells were primarily CD69 + expressing CD103 and/or CD49a, at least one of the two granzymes (GzmA/GzmB), and little Perforin. Higher expression levels of CD103, CD69, and GzmB were observed in smokers versus non-smokers. The ex vivo phenotype of GzmA + and GzmB + cells revealed increased expression of CD103 and CXCR6 in smokers, while PLWH displayed elevated levels of CX3CR1 compared to controls., Conclusion: Smoking and HIV could promote cytotoxic CD8 T-cell retention in small airways through different mechanisms. Smoking likely increases recruitment and retention of GzmB + CD8 Trm via CXCR6 and CD103. Heightened CX3CR1 expression could be associated with CD8 non-Trm recruitment from the periphery in PLWH., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This pan-Canadian study investigates the effects of musical practice on the well-being, mental health, and social support of Canadian musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a survey questionnaire, data was collected from 1,618 participants aged 14 and above during the first wave of the pandemic up to the first half of 2022. The survey included standardized questionnaires to self-assess well-being (WHO-5), mental health (MHC-SF), and social support (SPS-10 measures social support). Results show that increased musical practice frequency correlates with improved well-being and mental health, particularly among amateurs. Professional musicians and those at a post-secondary level exhibit lower well-being scores, likely due to pandemic-related challenges. Factors such as age, gender, sports engagement, and participation in social clubs or volunteer work significantly influenced outcomes. While sports engagement was associated with higher scores on well-being, mental health and social support, no significant differences were found among participants engaged in artistic hobbies. As for involvement in social clubs or volunteer work, benefits were reported on two of the three outcomes. Overall, the findings suggest that regular amateur musical practice, especially in group settings, alongside engagement in sports and social activities, may have promoted well-being, mental health, and social support among musicians during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Barbeau, Héroux, Ryan and Thouin-Poppe.)

Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects the day-to-day functioning of children and adults with this condition. Pharmacological treatment can reduce the symptoms associated with ADHD, but it has some limitations. The objective of this symposium is to determine the effects of non-pharmacological approaches on ADHD symptoms. Results indicate that the following intervention are promising approaches: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), yoga, cognitive and metacognitive intervention, neurofeedback and parental training programs. Current research advocates multimodal approaches in conjunction with school or work accommodations integrating innovative technologies., (Copyright © 2023 L'Encéphale, Paris. All rights reserved.)

Rationale: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in North America. To investigate the effect of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) on circulating bile acid (BA) profiles, serum from ALF patients and healthy controls were analyzed using a semitargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry approach to measure BAs in their unconjugated and amidated forms and their glucuronide and sulfate conjugates., Methods: Human serum samples from 20 healthy volunteers and 34 ALF patients were combined with deuterated BAs and extracted, prior to liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry analysis. A mix of 46 standards helped assign 26 BAs in human serum by accurate mass and retention time matching. Moreover, other isomers of unconjugated and amidated BAs, as well as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, were assigned by accurate mass filtering. In vitro incubations of standard BAs provided increased information for certain peaks of interest., Results: A total of 275 BA metabolites, with confirmed or putative assignments, were measured in human serum samples. APAP overdose significantly influenced the levels of most BAs, promoting glycine conjugation, and, to a lesser extent, taurine conjugation. When patient outcome was considered, 11 BAs were altered significantly, including multiple sulfated species. Although many of the BAs measured did not have exact structures assigned, several putatively identified BAs of interest were further characterized using in vitro incubations., Conclusion: An optimized chromatographic separation tailored to BAs of ranging polarities was combined with accurate mass measurements to investigate the effect that DILI has on their complex profiles and metabolism to a much wider extent than previously possible. The analysis of complex BA profiles enabled in-depth analysis of the BA metabolism perturbations in ALF, including certain metabolites related to patient outcomes., (© 2024 The Authors. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Estimating the consequences of environmental changes, specifically in a global change context, is essential for conservation issues. In the case of pollutants, the interest in using an evolutionary approach to investigate their consequences has been emphasized since the 2000s, but these studies remain rare compared to the characterization of direct effects on individual features. We focused on the study case of anthropogenic ionizing radiation because, despite its potential strong impact on evolution, the scarcity of evolutionary approaches to study the biological consequences of this stressor is particularly true. In this study, by investigating some particular features of the biological effects of this stressor, and by reviewing existing studies on evolution under ionizing radiation, we suggest that evolutionary approach may help provide an integrative view on the biological consequences of ionizing radiation. We focused on three topics: (i) the mutagenic properties of ionizing radiation and its disruption of evolutionary processes, (ii) exposures at different time scales, leading to an interaction between past and contemporary evolution, and (iii) the special features of contaminated areas called exclusion zones and how evolution could match field and laboratory observed effects. This approach can contribute to answering several key issues in radioecology: to explain species differences in the sensitivity to ionizing radiation, to improve our estimation of the impacts of ionizing radiation on populations, and to help identify the environmental features impacting organisms (e.g., interaction with other pollution, migration of populations, anthropogenic environmental changes). Evolutionary approach would benefit from being integrated to the ecological risk assessment process., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Mutations in the Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 - coding gene (CHD7) cause CHARGE syndrome (CS). Although craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities are major features of CS patients, the role of CHD7 in bone and cartilage development remain largely unexplored. Here, using a zebrafish (Danio rerio) CS model, we show that chd7-/- larvae display abnormal craniofacial cartilage development and spinal deformities. The craniofacial and spine defects are accompanied by a marked reduction of bone mineralization. At the molecular level, we show that these phenotypes are associated with significant reduction in the expression levels of osteoblast differentiation markers. Additionally, we detected a marked depletion of collagen 2α1 in the cartilage of craniofacial regions and vertebrae, along with significantly reduced number of chondrocytes. Chondrogenesis defects are at least in part due to downregulation of htr2b, which we found to be also dysregulated in human cells derived from an individual with CHD7 mutation-positive CS. Overall, this study thus unveils an essential role for CHD7 in cartilage and bone development, with potential clinical relevance for the craniofacial defects associated with CS., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.)

We characterized the elemental and C and N stable isotope compositions of Tillandsia fasciculata Sw., Tillandsia balbisiana Schult. & Schult.f. and Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L. samples collected in Cienfuegos (Cuba). Results showed high enrichment factors for S, Hg, Cd, Pb, P, Zn, Cu, Mo, Sb and Ca in all Tillandsia species, indicating inputs from local anthropogenic activities (road traffic, industries and cement production). Carbon concentrations and δ 13 C varied from 38.3-47.7 % and -20.4 to -13.4 ‰ within the three species, respectively. δ 13 C showed seasonal dependence with the dry and wet periods and more 13 C-depleted values in urban/industrial areas, coherent with the input of anthropogenic emissions. Nitrogen concentrations (0.4-1.3 %) and δ 15 N values (-9.9-4.4 ‰) exhibit larger variations and are positively correlated in the three species. The most positive δ 15 N in T. recurvata (-0.2-4.4 ‰) are attributed to contributions from industrial activities and road traffic. In fact, both δ 15 N and total nitrogen (TN) values increase in sites with higher road traffic and show significant correlations with typical road traffic and industrial tracers. Finally, we calculate an average total nitrogen deposition rate of 4.4 ± 2.3 kg ha -1 a -1 from N content in T. recurvata , similar to the existing values determined in the region by field measurements, but higher than the global terrestrial average.

Breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), poses a global health challenge. Emerging evidence has established a positive association between elevated levels of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and its product oleate (OA) with cancer development and metastasis. SCD1/OA leads to alterations in migration speed, direction, and cell morphology in TNBC cells, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. To address this gap, we aim to investigate the impact of OA on remodeling the actin structure in TNBC cell lines, and the underlying signaling. Using TNBC cell lines and bioinformatics tools, we show that OA stimulation induces rapid cell membrane ruffling and enhances filopodia formation. OA treatment triggers the subcellular translocation of Arp2/3 complex and Cdc42. Inhibiting Cdc42, not the Arp2/3 complex, effectively abolishes OA-induced filopodia formation and cell migration. Additionally, our findings suggest that phospholipase D is involved in Cdc42-dependent filopodia formation and cell migration. Lastly, the elevated expression of Cdc42 in breast tumor tissues is associated with a lower survival rate in TNBC patients. Our study outlines a new signaling pathway in the OA-induced migration of TNBC cells, via the promotion of Cdc42-dependent filopodia formation, providing a novel insight for therapeutic strategies in TNBC treatment.

Unlike European species, the potential of Nearctic syrphids as biological control agents is still poorly studied. However, the American hoverfly, Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann), has recently demonstrated promising traits as a biocontrol agent, notably against the foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani Kaltenbach, on pepper. The present study aims to extend our knowledge of the American hoverfly by evaluating its potential as a biocontrol agent in a banker plant system against the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, in a greenhouse cucumber crop. The preimaginal development and voracity of E. americanus were compared when preying upon the focal prey/pest (A. gossypii) or the banker prey (bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi L.) by daily observations of larvae from egg to adult. Preimaginal development time, survival rate, and occurrence of deformation were similar on both prey species. The weight of third instar and pupae, however, was higher for larvae that fed on the banker prey. The ad libitum voracity of the syrphid larvae was generally very high and did not significantly differ between prey species, except for the third-instar larvae which consumed more focal prey. Results suggest that a banker plant system involving the bird cherry-oat aphid may be a promising tactic for utilizing E. americanus for melon aphid biocontrol., (© 2023 The Authors. Insect Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.)

Introduction: Although fairness is a pervasive and ongoing concern in organizations, the fairness of human resource management practices is often overlooked. This study examines how individual differences in justice sensitivity influence the extent to which human resource management practices are perceived to convey principles of organizational justice., Methods: Analysis was performed on a matching sample of 283 university students from three academic units in two countries having responded at two time points. Justice sensitivity was measured with the 40-item inventory developed and validated by Schmitt et al. (2010). Respondents were instructed to indicate to what extent each of 61 human resource management practices generally conveys principles of organizational justice., Results: Justice sensitivity was positively associated with subsequent assessments of the justice contents of human resource management practices. The distinction between self-oriented and other-oriented justice sensitivities was helpful in determining perceptions of these human resource management practices and of a subset of pay-for-performance practices., Discussion: The findings inform current research about the meanings borne by human resource management practices, and also increase understanding of entity judgment formation as an important aspect of systemic justice., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Haines, Patient and Guerrero.)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by an abundance of information, some of it reliable and some of it misinformation. Evidence-based data on the impact of misinformation on attitudes and behaviours remains limited. Studies indicate that older adults are more likely to embrace and disseminate misinformation than other population groups, making them vulnerable to misinformation. The purpose of this article is to explore the effects of misinformation and information overload on older adults, and to present the management strategies put in place to deal with such effects, in the context of COVID-19., Methods: A qualitative exploratory approach was adopted to conduct this research. A total of 36 semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults living in Quebec, Canada. The interviews were fully transcribed and subjected to a thematic content analysis., Results: Participants said they could easily spot misinformation online. Despite this, misinformation and its treatment by the media could generate fear, stress and anxiety. Moreover, the polarization induced by misinformation resulted in tensions and even friendship breakdowns. Participants also denounced the information overload produced largely by the media. To this end, the participants set up information routines targeting the sources of information and the times at which they consulted the information., Conclusions: This article questions the concept of vulnerability to misinformation by highlighting older adults' agency in managing misinformation and information overload. Furthermore, this study invites us to rethink communication strategies by distinguishing between information overload and misinformation., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In today's competitive landscape, manufacturing companies must embrace digital transformation. This study asserts that integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for the deployment of real-time location systems (RTLS) is crucial for better monitoring of critical assets. Despite the challenge of selecting the right technology for specific needs from a wide range of indoor RTLS options, this study provides a solution to assist manufacturing companies in exploring and implementing IoT technologies for their RTLS needs. The current academic literature has not adequately addressed this industrial reality. This paper assesses the potential of Passive UHF RFID-RTLS in Industry 5.0, addressing the confusion caused by the emergence of new 'passive' RFID solutions that compete with established 'active' solutions. Our research aims to clarify the real-world performance of passive RTLS solutions and propose an updated classification of RTLS systems in the academic literature. We have thoroughly reviewed both the academic and industry literature to remain up to date with the latest market advancements. Passive UHF RFID has been proven to be a valuable addition to the RTLS domain, capable of addressing certain challenges. This has been demonstrated through the successful implementation in two industrial sites, each with different types of tagged objects.

The aquatic networks that connect soils with oceans receive each year 5.1 Pg of terrestrial carbon to transport, bury and process. Stagnant sections of aquatic networks often become anoxic. Mineral surfaces attract specific components of organic carbon, which are released under anoxic conditions to the pool of dissolved organic matter (DOM). The impact of the anoxic release on DOM molecular composition and reactivity in inland waters is unknown. Here, we report concurrent release of iron and DOM in anoxic bottom waters of northern lakes, removing DOM from the protection of iron oxides and remobilizing previously buried carbon to the water column. The deprotected DOM appears to be highly reactive, terrestrially derived and molecularly distinct, generating an ambient DOM pool that relieves energetic constraints that are often assumed to limit carbon turnover in anoxic waters. The Fe-to-C stoichiometry during anoxic mobilization differs from that after oxic precipitation, suggesting that up to 21% of buried OM escapes a lake-internal release-precipitation cycle, and can instead be exported downstream. Although anoxic habitats are transient and comprise relatively small volumes of water on the landscape scale, our results show that they may play a major role in structuring the reactivity and molecular composition of DOM transiting through aquatic networks and reaching the oceans., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Atmospheric phosphorus is a vital nutrient for ecosystems whose sources and fate are still debated in the fragile Himalayan region, hindering our comprehension of its local ecological impact. This study provides novel insights into atmospheric phosphorus based on the study of total suspended particulate matter at the Qomolangma station. Contrary to the prevailing assumptions, we show that biomass burning (BB), not mineral dust, dominates total dissolved phosphorus (TDP, bioavailable) deposition in this arid region, especially during spring. While total phosphorus is mainly derived from dust (77% annually), TDP is largely affected by the transport of regional biomass-burning plumes from South Asia. During BB pollution episodes, TDP causing springtime TDP fluxes alone accounts for 43% of the annual budget. This suggests that BB outweighs dust in supplying bioavailable phosphorus, a critical nutrient, required to sustain Himalayas' ecological functions. Overall, this first-hand field evidence refines the regional and global phosphorus budget by demonstrating that BB emission, while still unrecognized, is a significant source of P, even in the remote mountains of the Himalayas. It also reveals the heterogeneity of atmospheric phosphorus deposition in that region, which will help predict changes in the impacted ecosystems as the deposition patterns vary.

Introduction: This study examined (1) whether measures of paternal anxious and depressive symptoms collected prenatally and during a follow-up assessment when the child was in middle childhood, predict child neuroendocrine outcomes, and (2) whether neuroendocrine outcomes are intermediate factors between paternal mental health and child cognitive/behavioral outcomes. Middle childhood coincides with increased autonomy as the child transitions into grade school, and with adrenarche, as the maturing adrenal gland increases secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite (DHEA-S), hormones that are implicated in corticolimbic development which regulate emotions and cognition., Methods: Participants were recruited from a subsample of a large prospective birth cohort study (3D study). We conducted a follow-up study when children were 6-8 years old ( N  = 61 families, 36 boys, 25 girls). Parental symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression were assessed via validated self-report questionnaires: prenatally using an in-house anxiety questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and at the follow up, using the Beck Anxiety and Beck Depression Inventories. Children provided salivary hormone samples, and their pituitary gland volume was measured from structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Child behaviors were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and cognitive outcomes using the WISC-V. Multiple regression analyses were used to test whether paternal mental health symptoms assessed prenatally and during childhood are associated with child neuroendocrine outcomes, adjusting for maternal mental health and child sex. Indirect-effect models assessed whether neuroendocrine factors are important intermediates that link paternal mental health and cognitive/behavioral outcomes., Results: (1) Fathers' prenatal anxiety symptoms predicted lower DHEA levels in the children, but not pituitary volume. (2) Higher prenatal paternal anxiety symptoms predicted higher child internalizing symptoms via an indirect pathway of lower child DHEA. No associations were detected between paternal anxiety symptoms measured in childhood, and neuroendocrine outcomes. No child sex differences were detected on any measure., Conclusion: These results highlight the often-overlooked role of paternal factors during pregnancy on child development, suggesting that paternal prenatal anxiety symptoms are associated with child neuroendocrine function and in turn internalizing symptoms that manifest at least up to middle childhood., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Jones, De Braga, Caccese, Lew, Elgbeili, Castellanos-Ryan, Parent, Muckle, Herba, Fraser, Ducharme, Barnwell, Trasler, Séguin, Nguyen and Montreuil.)

Foot positioning strategies are a key parameter in manual materials handling. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transfer distance, pace and foot positioning on low back loading. Sixteen handlers performed a free handling task with conditions of pace (self-selected and 25% faster), distance (1.5 m, 1.0 m and 0.5 m), height (near-ground and above-waist levels), and mass (10 kg and 20 kg). A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the effects of mass, distance, pace and height on foot positioning occurrences. A non-parametric test (nparLD) was used to evaluate the effects of Pace × Foot positioning and Distance × Foot positioning on L5/S1 sagittal and asymmetrical moments. Positioning the feet aside from the lifting pallet was more prevalent when transferring at shorter transfer distances, high lifting height, and faster pace. When the feet were oriented aside the lifting area, asymmetrical peak moments were slightly higher when transferring at short distance. Facing the lifting pallet may ensure load symmetry, but orienting the feet aside may help to adapt to fast pace or short transfer distance., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Several natural phenomena can be described by studying their statistical scaling patterns, hence leading to simple geometrical interpretation. In this regard, fractal geometry is a powerful tool to describe the irregular or fragmented shape of natural features, using spatial or time-domain statistical scaling laws (power-law behavior) to characterize real-world physical systems. This chapter presents some works on the usefulness of fractal features, mainly the fractal dimension and the related Hurst exponent, in the characterization and identification of pathologies and radiological features in neuroimaging, mainly, magnetic resonance imaging., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

In forested ecosystems, shrubs must succeed in persisting in low-light environments, while simultaneously having the ability to rapidly expand and occupy newly created canopy openings, yet little is known about the traits that make this possible. We hypothesize that shrub species that are abundant in the understory exhibit a specific set of functional traits that define their ability to persist during unfavorable periods and to rapidly exploit newly created habitats. We tested this by comparing field-measured functional traits such as biomass allocation, leaf display, crown morphology, and leaf traits, across individual size classes and two gap-forest environments of five shrub species. We observed significant differences in traits between species, size classes, and gap-forest environments. These differences were primarily related to biomass allocation traits, followed by leaf display, crown morphology, and leaf traits. Abundant shrubs like mountain maple ( Acer spicatum ) and hazelnut ( Corylus cornuta ) invested significantly more biomass in roots, had a larger total leaf area, and displayed leaves in a more efficient manner to intercept light. The high investment in root biomass can be interpreted as shrubs exploiting the persistence and colonization strategy through resprouting. Permanent sub-canopy status likely explains the importance of efficient leaf display, wherein abundant shrubs had a large leaf area with minimal support structures., (© 2023 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: Cranberries have the highest polyphenol and antioxidant capacity among fruits and vegetables and may protect against exercise-induced free radical production, consequently improving performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of polyphenol-rich cranberry extract (CE) on time-trial performance and lactate response following exercise., Methods: A total of 14 trained runners were tested at i) baseline, ii) 2 h following an acute CE dose (0.7 g/kg of body mass), and iii) 4 weeks after daily supplement consumption (0.3 g/kg of body mass). At each time point, runners performed a 1500-m race followed by a 400-m race where the live vastus lateralis oxygenation changes were determined by near-infrared spectroscopy and blood lactate was measured at rest and 1 and 3 min after each trial. The Shapiro-Wilk test and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to establish significance (P <0.05)., Results: Cranberry supplementation over 28 d improved aerobic performance during the 1500-m time trial, whereas the acute dose had no effect. More specifically, muscle reoxygenation rates were significantly faster after 28 d compared to baseline (P = 0.04; η² = 0.29), and a trend towards slower deoxygenation rate was observed (P = 0.13; η² = 0.20). Chronic CE consumption also buffered the post-exercise lactate response for the 400-m race (P = 0.01; η² = 0.27), while no effects were seen for the longer race., Conclusion: Our results suggest that cranberry supplementation may have ergogenic effects, as it improves physiological markers of performance during short- and long-distance running.

Hippocampal atrophy is a well-known feature of age-related memory decline, and hippocampal subfields may contribute differently to this decline. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the associations between hippocampal subfield volumes and performance in free recall and recognition memory tasks in both verbal and visual modalities in older adults without dementia. We collected MRIs from 97 (41 males) right-handed participants aged over 60. We segmented the right and left hippocampi into (i) dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis 4 (DG/CA4); (ii) CA2 and CA3 (CA2/CA3); (iii) CA1; (iv) strata radiatum, lacunosum and moleculare; and (v) subiculum. Memory was assessed with verbal free recall and recognition tasks, as well as visual free recall and recognition tasks. Amyloid-β and hippocampal tau positivity were assessed using [ 18 F]AZD4694 and [ 18 F]MK6240 PET tracers, respectively. The verbal free recall and verbal recognition performances were positively associated with CA1 and strata radiatum, lacunosum and moleculare volumes. The verbal free recall and visual free recall were positively correlated with the right DG/CA4. The visual free recall, but not verbal free recall, was also associated with the right CA2/CA3. The visual recognition was not significantly associated with any subfield volume. Hippocampal tau positivity, but not amyloid-β positivity, was associated with reduced DG/CA4, CA2/CA3 and strata radiatum, lacunosum and moleculare volumes. Our results suggest that memory performances are linked to specific subfields. CA1 appears to contribute to the verbal modality, irrespective of the free recall or recognition mode of retrieval. In contrast, DG/CA4 seems to be involved in the free recall mode, irrespective of verbal or visual modalities. These results are concordant with the view that DG/CA4 plays a primary role in encoding a stimulus' distinctive attributes, and that CA2/CA3 could be instrumental in recollecting a visual memory from one of its fragments. Overall, we show that hippocampal subfield segmentation can be useful for detecting early volume changes and improve our understanding of the hippocampal subfields' roles in memory., Competing Interests: The authors report no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain.)

Nowadays, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), is one of the most critical threats to public health. EDCs are chemicals that mimic, block, or interfere with hormones in the body's endocrine system and have been associated with a wide range of health issues. This innovative, untargeted metabolomics study investigates chronic low-dose internal exposure to a cocktail of POPs on multiple tissues that are known to accumulate these lipophilic compounds. Interestingly, the metabolic response differs among selected tissues/organs in mice. In the liver, we observed a dynamic effect according to the exposure time and the doses of POPs. In the brain tissue, the situation is the opposite, leading to the conclusion that the presence of POPs immediately gives a saturated effect that is independent of the dose and the duration of exposure studied. By contrast, for the adipose tissues, nearly no effect is observed. This metabolic profiling leads to a holistic and dynamic overview of the main metabolic pathways impacted in lipophilic tissues by a cocktail of POPs., (© 2023 The Authors. NMR in Biomedicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

With the cost-effectiveness technology in whole-genome sequencing, more sophisticated statistical methods for testing genetic association with both rare and common variants are being investigated to identify the genetic variation between individuals. Several methods which group variants, also called gene-based approaches, are developed. For instance, advanced extensions of the sequence kernel association test, which is a widely used variant-set test, have been proposed for unrelated samples and extended for family data. Family data have been shown to be powerful when analyzing rare variants. However, most of such methods capture familial relatedness using a random effect component within the generalized linear mixed model framework. Therefore, there is a need to develop unified and flexible methods to study the association between a set of genetic variants and a trait, especially for a binary outcome. Copulas are multivariate distribution functions with uniform margins on the [ 0 , 1 ] interval and they provide suitable models to capture familial dependence structure. In this work, we propose a flexible family-based association test for both rare and common variants in the presence of binary traits. The method, termed novel rare variant association test (NRVAT), uses a marginal logistic model and a Gaussian Copula. The latter is employed to model the dependence between relatives. An analytic score-type test is derived. Through simulations, we show that our method can achieve greater power than existing approaches. The proposed model is applied to investigate the association between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a family-based cohort consisting of 17 extended families from Eastern Quebec., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The concept of a biosignature is widely used in astrobiology to suggest a link between some observation and a biological cause, given some context. The term itself has been defined and used in several ways in different parts of the scientific community involved in the search for past or present life on Earth and beyond. With the ongoing acceleration in the search for life in distant time and/or deep space, there is a need for clarity and accuracy in the formulation and reporting of claims. Here, we critically review the biosignature concept(s) and the associated nomenclature in light of several problems and ambiguities emphasized by recent works. One worry is that these terms and concepts may imply greater certainty than is usually justified by a rational interpretation of the data. A related worry is that terms such as "biosignature" may be inherently misleading, for example, because the divide between life and non-life-and their observable effects-is fuzzy. Another worry is that different parts of the multidisciplinary community may use non-equivalent or conflicting definitions and conceptions, leading to avoidable confusion. This review leads us to identify a number of pitfalls and to suggest how they can be circumvented. In general, we conclude that astrobiologists should exercise particular caution in deciding whether and how to use the concept of biosignature when thinking and communicating about habitability or life. Concepts and terms should be selected carefully and defined explicitly where appropriate. This would improve clarity and accuracy in the formulation of claims and subsequent technical and public communication about some of the most profound and important questions in science and society. With this objective in mind, we provide a checklist of questions that scientists and other interested parties should ask when assessing any reported detection of a "biosignature" to better understand exactly what is being claimed.

Objective: To explore the housing trajectory, personal recovery, functional level, and quality of life of clients at discharge and 1 year after completing Projet Réaffiliation Itinérance Santé Mentale (PRISM), a shelter-based mental health and rehabilitation program intended to provide individuals experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness with transition housing and to reconnect them with mental health and social services., Method: Housing status, psychiatric follow-up trajectory, personal recovery (Canadian Personal Recovery Outcome Measure), functional level (Multnomah Community Ability Scale), and quality of life (Lehman Quality of Life Interview) were assessed at program entry, at program discharge and 1 year later., Results: Of the 50 clients who participated in the study from May 31, 2018, to December 31, 2019, 43 completed the program. Of these, 76.7% were discharged to housing modalities and 78% were engaged with psychiatric follow-up at the program's end. Housing stability, defined as residing at the same permanent address since discharge, was achieved for 62.5% of participants at 1-year follow-up. Functional level and quality of life scores improved significantly both at discharge and at 1-year follow-up from baseline., Conclusions: Admission to PRISM helped clients secure long-term stable housing and appropriate psychiatric follow-up. Stable housing was maintained for most clients at 1-year follow-up, and they benefited from sustained functional and quality of life outcomes in long-term follow-up.

This comprehensive review paper focuses on the intricate physics of microfluidics and their application in micromixing techniques. Various methods for enhancing mixing in microchannels are explored, with a keen emphasis on the underlying fluid dynamics principles. Geometrical micromixers employ complex channel designs to induce fluid-fluid interface distortions, yielding efficient mixing while retaining manufacturing simplicity. These methods synergize effectively with external techniques, showcasing promising potential. Electrohydrodynamics harnesses electrokinetic phenomena like electroosmosis, electrophoresis, and electrothermal effects. These methods offer dynamic control over mixing parameters via applied voltage, frequency, and electrode positioning, although power consumption and heating can be drawbacks. Acoustofluidics leverages acoustic waves to drive microstreaming, offering localized yet far-reaching effects. Magnetohydrodynamics, though limited in applicability to certain fluids, showcases potential by utilizing magnetic fields to propel mixing. Selecting an approach hinges on trade-offs among complexity, efficiency, and compatibility with fluid properties. Understanding the physics of fluid behavior and rationalizing these techniques aids in tailoring the most suitable micromixing solution. In a rapidly advancing field, this paper provides a consolidated understanding of these techniques, facilitating the informed choice of approach for specific microfluidic mixing needs.

Cellular senescence, a state of permanent cell cycle arrest in response to endogenous and exogenous stimuli, triggers a series of gradual alterations in structure, metabolism, and function, as well as inflammatory gene expression that nurtures a low-grade proinflammatory milieu in human tissue. A growing body of evidence indicates an accumulation of senescent neurons and blood vessels in response to stress and aging in the retina. Prolonged accumulation of senescent cells and long-term activation of stress signaling responses may lead to multiple chronic diseases, tissue dysfunction, and age-related pathologies by exposing neighboring cells to the heightened pathological senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). However, the ultimate impacts of cellular senescence on the retinal vasculopathies and retinal vascular development remain ill-defined. In this review, we first summarize the molecular players and fundamental mechanisms driving cellular senescence, as well as the beneficial implications of senescent cells in driving vital physiological processes such as embryogenesis, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. Then, the dual implications of senescent cells on the growth, hemostasis, and remodeling of retinal blood vessels are described to document how senescent cells contribute to both retinal vascular development and the severity of proliferative retinopathies. Finally, we discuss the two main senotherapeutic strategies-senolytics and senomorphics-that are being considered to safely interfere with the detrimental effects of cellular senescence.

1-Methylcyclopropyl aryl ethers (McPAEs) can be viewed as cyclized derivatives of their O- tert -butyl counterparts. Although these compounds can find use in medicinal chemistry, they are much less represented in the literature than their aryl cyclopropyl ether analogues. McPAEs are generally prepared via an S N Ar reaction using 1-methylcyclopropanol. However, this method works exclusively with highly deactivated arenes. We report herein a two-step sequence to access McPAEs consisting of the 1-methylvinylation of phenols followed by cyclopropanation of the corresponding 1-methylvinyl aryl ethers. Isomeric mono- and dimethyl analogues were also prepared using this sequence.

Nowadays, solid electrolytes are considered the main alternative to conventional liquid electrolytes in lithium batteries. The fabrication of these materials is however limited by the strict synthesis conditions, requiring high temperatures which can negatively impact the final performances. Here, it is shown that a modification of garnet-based Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) and the incorporation of tellurium can accelerate the synthesis process by lowering the formation temperature of cubic LLZO at temperatures below 700 °C. Optimized synthesis at 750 °C showed a decrease in particle size and cell parameter for samples with higher amounts of Te and the evaluation of electrochemical performances reported for LLZO Te0.25 a value of ionic conductivity of 5,15×10 -5  S cm -1 after hot-pressing at 700 °C, two orders of magnitude higher than commercial Al-LLZO undergoing the same working conditions, and the highest value at this densification temperature. Partial segregation of Te-rich phases occurs for high-temperature densification. Our study shows the advantages of Te insertion on the sintering process of LLZO garnet and demonstrates the achievement of highly conductive LLZO with a low-temperature treatment., (© 2023 The Authors. ChemSusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

This paper presents a detailed review of the use of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope systematics for wine provenance studies. The method is based on the principle that the Sr isotope ratio in wine reflects that of the labile fraction of the vineyard soil from which the wine is produced. The review encompasses 87 Sr/ 86 Sr data from wine samples published between 1993 and 2021 from terroirs in 22 different countries. The analytical procedures and techniques adopted by the different authors and the range of isotope ratios obtained in the different studies are discussed and evaluated. This study provides a bibliometric analysis of the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope approach for wine authentication at different scales. Although limitations are evident when implemented at large (global) scales, we demonstrate that the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope tracing technique remains a powerful and reliable tool for determining the geographical origin of wine when combined with detailed knowledge of the geological and soil characteristics of the substrata. For example, this combination of data allows the wines grown in the volcanic soils of Central and Southern Italy to be unambiguously fingerprinted. We present a detailed protocol for the application of the Sr isotope technique to wine authentication.