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Managing forest ecosystems at global scale is a pressing challenge for resource managers and it needs to address important questions on continuous monitoring. Advance in information technology and in the use of multifunctional devices based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, for real time observation of biological and physical variable of trees is getting more and more common in modern forestry. Among the different smart sensor networks, the Tree Talkers® devices are modular multiparameter devices designed to monitor tree physiological parameters (e.g. sap flux, growth) and surrounding microenvironmental parameters (e.g. temperature, humidity). There is a dedicated R package for handling the data produced by this monitoring system: ttprocessing , that has been recently updated, with several improvements in the data processing pipelines, the implementation of the soil water content equations of the TT-soil monitoring device and the inclusion of some basic outlier detection functionalities. In this Technical note, after a summary of the structure of the ttprocessing R package, we describe the new and update version. The updates include: a refinement of the methodology to compute the sap-flux, code for compatibility TT+ devices of version 2.0 and 3.4, that previously were not covered, code for processing the TT-soil data, a device of the Tree Talker system that monitors soil moisture and temperature. Finally, several utility functions have been added: outlier removal and functions for the technical management of the system, thus increasing its usability and making it a more comprehensive tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's forests are currently facing the impacts of climate change and associated extreme events, which are adversely affecting natural ecosystems and increasing risks of forest mortality. In the Mediterranean region, where water is already a limiting factor, drought stress is having a severe impact on tree growth. Different species have developed physiological mechanisms to cope with drought, and an increase in water use efficiency has been observed in several drought-tolerant species. This paper analysed the growth trends and the ecophysiological responses of four widespread Mediterranean species (Pinus pinaster Aiton, Pinus pinea L., Pinus halepensis Mill and Quercus ilex L.) to climate variability, in a natural reserve of the Vesuvio National Park (Southern Italy). Dendrochronological analyses were used to measure tree-ring widths and to estimate basal area increments for each species. Stable isotope analyses of δ13C were performed to calculate intrinsic water use efficiency on an annual scale for the four species. Climate-growth relationships suggested that temperatures, in particular annual minimum temperature, had a significant impact on the growth of each species. The species that showed the highest resistance to hot periods and water scarcity was Pinus halepensis , presenting the highest intrinsic water use efficiency values. On the other hand, Quercus ilex was found to be the most susceptible to prolonged drought periods and sensitive to changes in precipitation, resulting in the weakest growth rates during extreme heat and cold periods. Our study demonstrated the importance of better understanding the ecophysiological responses of each species to develop sound conservation and forest management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A two Kilograms Euthyroid Goiter. • Multinodular goiter (MNG) is a clinic pathological entity characterized by an increased volume of the thyroid gland with formation of nodules. • Awareness on the operation of such huge multinodular goiter is the sincere aim of this work due to the fact that these are rare findings in today's surgical clinics. Multinodular goiter (MNG) is a clinic pathological entity characterized by an increased volume of the thyroid gland with formation of nodules. Goiter is defined as a thyroid gland weighing over 20–25 g or with a volume of over 19 ml in women and 25 ml in men. In developed countries where iodination of food is common and health services are available and accessible, hardly will you see a goiter of up to 0.2 kg while in areas where poverty is high and health services not available, there identification of goiter of up to 4 kg. Therefore each member of theatre team must be competent and experienced to anticipate any complications which may occur during thyroidectomy of such huge goiter. Awareness on the operation of such huge multinodular goiter is the sincere aim of this work due to the fact that these are rare findings in today's surgical clinics. A 35 M.O.S years old female presented with complain of swelling of the anterior neck for 10 years. Laboratory and radiological investigations reveals nontoxic multinodular goiter with no suspicion of malignance. After successful thyroidectomy, a 2 kg multinodular goiter was removed and taken for histological diagnosis. Post-operative care was uneventful and patient discharged day five post-operative. No complication observed during follow up. The case report presented a patient with huge goiter of 2 kg, which was not compressing the trachea. After physical examination, radiological imaging and laboratory investigation of thyroid hormones confirm as nontoxic goiter. The subtotal thyroidectomy was successful and after follow up of 60 days there was no complication reported. Currently, hardly will you find goiter weighing a kg and thus skills for thyroidectomy in such case is hardly available. Special complications like trachealmalacia and difficult intubation which need one to be aware of fiber optic intubation and be prepared for tracheostomy require experienced operating team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) entails a complex interaction between the heart and the kidney that represents a clinical entity called cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). One of the mechanisms underlying CRS includes increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). We examined the effect of elevated IAP on kidney function in rats with low- and high-output CHF.Methods and Results: Rats with compensated and decompensated CHF induced by means of aortocaval fistula, rats with myocardial infraction (MI) induced by means of left anterior descending artery ligation, and sham control rats were subjected to either 10 or 14 mm Hg IAP. Urine flow (V), Na+ excretion (UNaV), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and renal plasma flow (RPF) were determined. The effects of pretreatment with tadalafil (10 mg/kg orally for 4 days) on the adverse renal effects of IAP were examined in decompensated CHF and MI. Basal V and GFR were significantly lower in rats with decompensated CHF compared with sham control rats. Decompensated CHF rats and MI rats subjected to 10 and 14 mm Hg IAP exhibited more significant declines in V, UNaV, GFR and RPF than compensated and sham controls. Elevated IAP also induced tubular injury, as evidenced by significantly increased absolute urinary excretion of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. In addition, in a nonquantitative histologic analysis, elevated IAP was associated with increase in necrosis and cell shedding to the tubule lumens, especially in the decompensated CHF subgroup. Pretreatment of decompensated CHF rats and MI rats with tadalafil ameliorated the adverse renal effects of high IAP.Conclusions: Elevated IAP contributes to kidney dysfunction in high- and low-cardiac output CHF. IAP induces both hemodynamic alterations and renal tubular dysfunction. These deleterious effects are potentially reversible and can be ameliorated with the use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, forests have been seriously threatened by the effects of climate change. In Mediterranean regions, increasing fire occurrence and drought have a substantial impact on forests, possibly pushing them towards tipping points. Indeed, although trees could survive to fire events of medium severity in the short term, severe defoliation and environmental stressors could affect the capacity to transport water and to fix and use carbon, amplifying the possibility of a delayed post fire mortality. Therefore, it is urgent to better understand trees eco-physiological processes in response to wildfire in order to plan suitable forest management strategies. In this research an innovative continuous monitoring system of sap flow and micro-stationary climatic conditions of trees was combined with dendro-anatomical analyses and xylem cavitation vulnerability studies to assess fire impact on a Pinus pinaster forest affected by a severe fire and compared to an unburned control site. Xylem analyses showed that the forest-fire did not influence the xylem hydraulic parameters and did not increased vulnerability to embolism. However, burned trees with high defoliation rate, presented reduced assimilation capacity and carbon availability for growth, as well as a limited development of thicker xylem conduit walls compared to unburned trees. Furthermore, continuous monitoring highlighted an increase in sap flow of defoliated trees compared to the control ones during the hottest and driest months of the year indicating a higher stomatal conductance. Overall, our results suggested that although fire did not affect the xylem hydraulics properties of the vascular system, the severe crown damage caused growth reduction and transpiration dysfunction in the monitored period. Those effect could negatively affect the survival of burned trees, especially in areas subjected to hot and dry periods. [Display omitted] • Fire caused limited growth and low formation of thicker xylem. • Fire-damaged trees showed a trade-off between carbon assimilation and water loss. • Fire did not induce an increase in cavitation vulnerability. • First application of a continuous system of sap flow measurements in a burnt forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buried, humus-rich horizons, up to 0.60 m thick, poor in archaeological artefacts and other anthropogenic materials, were identified during an archaeological rescue excavation conducted at monastery grounds, located near the centre of Wrocław (SW Poland). As indicated by historical sources, the monks settled in the 18th century in a suburb area, which had been used for agriculture and gardening since the Middle Ages. The paper discusses the origin of the thick humus horizon in the context of various concepts of ‘Dark earths’ formation. Three hypotheses were considered, linking the soil formation with: 1) natural pedogenesis in alluvial material, 2) ancient settlement and human activity resulting in accumulation of materials, and 3) past/modern agricultural and horticultural activities. In order to reveal the origin of this humus-rich horizon, and investigate the possible involvement of anthropogenic factors in its creation, an interdisciplinary research protocol was adopted, which involved a historical query and archaeobotanical, micromorphological, and physico-chemical soil analyses. It was argued that the studied soil, poor in archaeological artefacts, is in fact a relatively young anthropogenic soil, which had been formed by triple- and double-depth digging (Rigosol) and enrichment of the soil in certain kinds of anthropogenic material (Anthrosol), but without surface up-building typical for soils with Plaggic and Terric horizons. This led to a transformation of the original soil cover, increasing the thickness of its A horizon and adapting it for supporting gardens and orchards. These practices, which most likely took place in the late medieval and modern era period up to the 19th century, have been completely forgotten until now. In this light the discovered Rigosol-Anthrosol may be considered an artefact of horticultural/agricultural land use in the former suburbs, which were absorbed by the rapidly growing city during the last century. It is also postulated, that Rigosols (–Anthrosols) may be widespread among Dark earths in some medieval suburban and present-day urbanized areas of cities and should be investigated during archaeological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall impact of individual environmental factors on the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) is well known, but the simultaneous impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors on the amount and diversity of SOC pools in mountain areas are still insufficiently recognized. This study has three objectives: (1) to determine SOC pools in the mountain toposequence in relation to the climate-elevation gradient and vertical vegetation zonality, largely as a result of interference caused by human activity; (2) to predict the fluctuations of SOC pools in mountain soils affected by changes in land use/forest management and expected climate warming; and (3) to verify whether the humus form is a predictor of SOC pools in mountain soil. A spatial, climate-/altitude-dependent trend of SOC pools is clearly marked on the northern slopes of the Karkonosze Mountains, SW Poland. These SOC pools gradually increase up to the altitude of ca. 1000 m a.s.l. and then decrease in the uppermost forest and subalpine zones. The SOC pools are also strongly related to land use/vegetation (arable soils < grasslands = European beech stands < Norway spruce stands) and soil type (Luvisols < Cambisols < Podzols). Humus forms reflect the differences in SOC pools (mull < moder < mor), but the recent European classification does not clearly allocate semiterrestrial sub-types among mor and moder humus forms. Expected climate warming and present changes in land use and forest management lead to similar changes in SOC pools. However, replacing spruce monocultures with mixed or broadleaf stands reduces the SOC pools in the lower forest zones, while the timberline rise and the succession of Norway spruce on grasslands increases SOC pools in the upper forest and subalpine zones. Thus, the balance of SOC pools caused by changes in land use and climate warming will be specific in particular mountain areas, depending on their maximum altitude and existing vegetation zones, the degree of anthropogenic transformation of ecosystems, and the resilience of ecosystems to climate changes. It is expected that the SOC pools in the Karkonosze Mts and similar medium-elevation mountain ranges of Central Europe will decrease due to the larger scale of phenomena which decrease SOC pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the discovery of somatic mtDNA mutations in tumor cells, multiple studies have focused on establishing a causal relationship between those changes and alterations in energy metabolism, a hallmark of cancer cells. Yet the consequences of these mutations on mitochondrial function remain largely unknown. In this study, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used as a model to investigate the functional consequences of four cancer-associated missense mutations (8914C > A, 8932C > T, 8953A > G, 9131T > C) found in the mitochondrial MT-ATP6 gene. This gene encodes the a -subunit of F 1 F O -ATP synthase, which catalyzes the last steps of ATP production in mitochondria. Although the four studied mutations affected well-conserved residues of the a -subunit, only one of them (8932C > T) had a significant impact on mitochondrial function, due to a less efficient incorporation of the a -subunit into ATP synthase. Our findings indicate that these ATP6 genetic variants found in human tumors are neutral mitochondrial genome substitutions with a limited, if any, impact on the energetic function of mitochondria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify the clinical/colposcopic variables that associate with low-grade/negative cone histology in screening-age women undergoing conization for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The follow-up outcomes of study participants were also compared. Study design In this retrospective cohort study, 585 consecutive screening-age women who underwent immediate conization for CIN2-3 were divided according to cone histology (CIN2+ versus ≤CIN1) and assessed in relation to clinical/colposcopic variables by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Low-grade [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 52.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.49–123.34] or normal (AOR = 9.81, 95% CI 2.38–40.44) colposcopic impression and CIN2 on cervical biopsy (AOR = 19.59, 95% CI 6.62–57.92) associated with CIN1/negative cone histology. Multivariate analysis also showed that Eastern European ethnicity (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI 0.03–0.52) and high-risk-Human Papillomavirus (hr-HPV)-positivity (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.17–0.87), associated with CIN2+ cone histology. Overall, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of high-grade recurrence during the 2-year follow-up. Conversely, a higher rate of high-grade recurrence was present in CIN2-3 (positive cone margins) than in CIN1/negative cone histology (21.9% versus 7.4%, P = 0.008, respectively). Conclusion The presence of CIN2 on cervical biopsy and a low-grade colposcopic impression were predictive of a minor cone histology, unless the subject was of East European ethnicity or was positive for hr-HPV test. Given the follow-up outcomes, the same women need to perform a close monitoring. However, positive cone margins in women with CIN2-3 cone histology seem to define a population at greater risk of high-grade recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mutations in the human mitochondrial ATP6 gene encoding ATP synthase subunit a/6 (referred to as Atp6p in yeast) are at the base of neurodegenerative disorders like Neurogenic Ataxia and Retinitis Pigmentosa (NARP), Leigh syndrome (LS), Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT), and ataxia telangiectasia. In previous studies, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model we were able to better define how several of these mutations impact the ATP synthase. Here we report the construction of yeast models of two other ATP6 pathogenic mutations, T9185C and T9191C. The first one was reported as conferring a mild, sometimes reversible, CMT clinical phenotype; the second one has been described in a patient presenting with severe LS. We found that an equivalent of the T9185C mutation partially impaired the functioning of yeast ATP synthase, with only a 30% deficit in mitochondrial ATP production. An equivalent of the mutation T9191C had much more severe effects, with a nearly complete block in yeast Atp6p assembly and an >95% drop in the rate of ATP synthesis. These findings provide a molecular basis for the relative severities of the diseases induced by T9185C and T9191C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Disease of the parathyroid glands presents most often with hypercalcaemia secondary to excess parathormone (PTH) production. This is due to a solitary functioning parathyroid adenoma. The role of imaging is primarily to localise the functioning adenoma. Disease of the thyroid may present with a neck mass or thyroid dysfunction. This paper focuses on the approach and choice of imaging techniques in the evaluation of hypercalcaemia and thyroid masses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Melting glaciers release new ground surfaces, which may be either a source of greenhouse gas emissions or a sink for carbon dioxide. Studies carried out in subpolar and alpine ecosystems confirm the relatively rapid soil development and increase of carbon and nitrogen pools. However, observations from high-mountain glacier forelands in cold and dry climate are very scarce. This study analyses the impact of major environmental factors related to climate, topography, and vegetation, over a time-scale, on soil development and spatial soil differentiation in the foreland of Uisu Glacier, East Pamir Mountains. Moreover, the usefulness of the World Reference Base (WRB) and Soil Taxonomy in the classification of poorly developed soils in the ultracontinental climate was assessed. Geomorphological, pedological, and botanical surveys covered a sequence of terraces, alluvial fans, and end-moraines. Typical characteristics of the soils in the glacier foreland were: very high stoniness, coarse texture, high content of calcium carbonate, alkaline reaction, and low salinity. Soil development has extremely low intensity and was manifested in (a) soil organic carbon pools being among the lowest reported in the world (up to 1.4 kg m−2 in the layer 0–50 cm), and (b) the presence of cambic/calcic horizons only on landforms older than of Mid-Holocene age (estimated). It was concluded that both the extremely cold and extremely dry climate conditions in the Uisu Glacier foreland limit the water flux and availability, suppress vegetation density and variability, and slow down the rate of soil development. Both WRB and Soil Taxonomy were able to reflect the advances in soil development and spatial soil differentiation (Calcaric Hyperskeletic Leptosols – Calcaric Cambisols – Cambic Calcisols, and Gelifluvents – Haplocambids - Haplocalcids, respectively); however, highlighting different features developed under an extremely cold and dry climate conditions of the East Pamir Mountains. Unlabelled Image • East Pamir Mts have cold and extremely dry (gelic/aridic regimes) climate. • Soil development in the glacier foreland is hampered, along with plant succession. • Little soil differentiation exists between landforms of different age. • Organic carbon pools are among the lowest reported in the glacier forelands. • WRB and Soil Taxonomy are efficient on higher classification levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europe's largest copper ore tailings impoundment has been considered a potential source of risk for human health, thus leading to the elimination of agricultural production in the surrounding area and its subsequent afforestation. The aim of this study was to analyse the level, spatial distribution and temporal changes in soil and edible plant contamination with trace elements around the impoundment, taking into account the local soil properties. The mean concentrations of Zn, Pb and As (31.5, 19.3 and 3.9 mg kg−1, respectively) were found to be higher than median values in soils of Poland, but they do not indicate soil pollution or enrichment when assessed using the relative geochemical index (I geo) and enrichment factor (EF). The Cu concentration (mean 25.6 mg kg−1) was significantly higher than the median value for Polish soils, indicating moderate to high pollution/enrichment. A relationship between Cu concentration in topsoil and distance to the impoundment, in particular in its eastern forefield, indicates that this landfill site may be considered the source of soil contamination with Cu. However, both the mean and maximum concentrations of all elements under study, including Cu, were below the legal intervention levels. Long-term topsoil monitoring, although high data variability on permanent plots, has documented stable concentration or slow decrease of element concentration over a period 1995–2016. Cu and Zn concentrations in vegetables from home gardens do not differ from typical values in commercially available products, whereas higher than typical concentrations of Pb and As may result from other local sources of contamination. Low level and stable soil and plant contamination with trace metals justifies continuation of crop production and no need for the further conversion of arable lands into forests. The relatively little negative impact of the tailings impoundment, despite its large dimensions, results probably from implemented effective anti-emission measures. Unlabelled Image • Soil monitoring at large tailings impoundment is operated on 64 plots since 1995. • Cu, Pb, As contents exceed geochemical background but not the intervention levels. • Metal concentrations in soils are on the same level since late 1990s or decrease. • Metal concentration in crops is poorly impacted by the tailings impoundment. • Little impact on soil and plant quality is due to effective control of dust emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Retroperitoneal uterine leiomyoma is a very rare occurrence and to discover it as a cause of female sexual dysfunction in a teen is unusual. Case An 18-year-old black woman reported deep dyspareunia, resulting in severe distress. Gynecological and instrumental examinations showed a pelvic mass of 7 cm in diameter. The preoperative diagnosis was uterine fibroid, but the exact location of the leiomyoma was uncertain. Laparoscopic examination showed a pedunculated retroperitoneal cervical leiomyoma in the left pararectal space. After surgical excision of the mass, normal sexual activity was restored. Summary and Conclusion When a teen experiences pain with intercourse, pelvic masses should be part of differential diagnosis of dyspareunia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Histone gene clusters are organized in phase-separated Histone Locus Bodies (HLBs). • Higher-order chromatin at HLBs shows variable 3D organization during G1 phase. • Invariable genomic contacts are required for the basic spatial organization at HLBs. • A novel distal enhancer outside the histone gene cluster supports HLB organization. Human Histone Locus Bodies (HLBs) are nuclear subdomains comprised of clustered histone genes that are coordinately regulated throughout the cell cycle. We addressed temporal-spatial higher-order genome organization for time-dependent chromatin remodeling at HLBs that supports control of cell proliferation. Proximity distances of specific genomic contacts within histone gene clusters exhibit subtle changes during the G1 phase in MCF10 breast cancer progression model cell lines. This approach directly demonstrates that the two principal histone gene regulatory proteins, HINFP (H4 gene regulator) and NPAT, localize at chromatin loop anchor-points, denoted by CTCF binding, supporting the stringent requirement for histone biosynthesis to package newly replicated DNA as chromatin. We identified a novel enhancer region located ∼ 2 MB distal to histone gene sub-clusters on chromosome 6 that consistently makes genomic contacts with HLB chromatin and is bound by NPAT. During G1 progression the first DNA loops form between one of three histone gene sub-clusters bound by HINFP and the distal enhancer region. Our findings are consistent with a model that the HINFP/NPAT complex controls the formation and dynamic remodeling of higher-order genomic organization of histone gene clusters at HLBs in early to late G1 phase to support transcription of histone mRNAs in S phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the presentation "iCook 4-H: Assessment of Physical Activity in 9-10 Year Old Children Participating in a Family-centered Pilot Intervention" by Celine Kabala and colleagues is presented.