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SUMMARY DNA rearrangements, including inversions, translocations, and large insertions/deletions (indels), are crucial for crop evolution, domestication, and improvement. The rearrangements are frequently induced by ion beams via the mis‐repair of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs). Unfortunately, how ion beam‐induced DSBs are repaired has not been comprehensively analyzed and the mechanisms underlying DNA rearrangements remain unclear. In this study, clonal sectors originating from single mutated cells in carbon ion‐irradiated plants were used for whole‐genome sequencing analyses after Arabidopsis seeds and seedlings were irradiated. Comparative analyses of the induced mutations (e.g., size and frequency of indels and microhomology at the junctions of the rearrangements) in the irradiated materials suggested that the broken/rejoined DSB ends were more extensively processed in seedlings than in seeds. A mutation to canonical non‐homologous end‐joining (c‐NHEJ), which is a DSB repair pathway with minimal processing of DSB ends, increased the sensitivity to ion beams more in the seeds than in the seedlings, which was consistent with the junction analysis results, indicative of the minor contribution of c‐NHEJ to the carbon ion‐induced DSB repair in seedlings. Considering the characteristics of the large templated insertions in irradiated seedlings, ion‐beam‐induced DSBs in seedlings are likely repaired primarily by a polymerase theta‐mediated pathway. Polymerase theta‐deficient seedlings were more sensitive to ion beams than the c‐NHEJ‐deficient seedlings, consistent with this hypothesis. This study revealed the key characteristics of ion beam‐induced DSBs and the associated repair mechanisms related to the physiological status of the irradiated materials, with implications for elucidating the occurrence and induction of rearrangements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Phenotypic and genomic diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana may be associated with adaptation along its wide elevational range, but it is unclear whether elevational clines are consistent among different mountain ranges. We took a multi‐regional view of selection associated with elevation. In a diverse panel of ecotypes, we measured plant traits under alpine stressors (low CO2 partial pressure, high light, and night freezing) and conducted genome‐wide association studies. We found evidence of contrasting locally adaptive regional clines. Western Mediterranean ecotypes showed low water use efficiency (WUE)/early flowering at low elevations to high WUE/late flowering at high elevations. Central Asian ecotypes showed the opposite pattern. We mapped different candidate genes for each region, and some quantitative trait loci (QTL) showed elevational and climatic clines likely maintained by selection. Consistent with regional heterogeneity, trait and QTL clines were evident at regional scales (c. 2000 km) but disappeared globally. Antioxidants and pigmentation rarely showed elevational clines. High elevation east African ecotypes might have higher antioxidant activity under night freezing. Physiological and genomic elevational clines in different regions can be unique, underlining the complexity of local adaptation in widely distributed species, while hindering global trait–environment or genome–environment associations. To tackle the mechanisms of range‐wide local adaptation, regional approaches are thus warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis Kirby, is considered the most destructive insect pest of short‐mown turfgrasses in northeastern North America. Poa annua L. is the preferred host plant, though the weevil can develop in other cool‐season (C3) turfgrasses such as bentgrasses (Agrostis spp. L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Recently, damaging populations have been reported in midwestern and southeastern United States, where cool‐ and warm‐season (C4) turfgrasses are grown. However, it is unknown whether L. maculicollis can establish and develop within common warm‐season turfgrasses such as zoysiagrasses (Zoysia matrella L.) and hybrid bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon Pers. × transvaalensis Davy). Larvae reared on Agrostis stolonifera ‘Penncross’, an older cultivar, experienced a significant reduction in survivorship and longer development periods compared to a newer cultivar (Penn‐A4) and P. annua. Agrostis stolonifera ‘Penncross’ possessed significantly greater quantities of carotenoids and flavonoid content, which may explain differences in host suitability among C3 turfgrasses. No larvae were recovered from C4 hosts in no‐choice ovipositional assays, suggesting Z. matrella and C. dactylon × transvaalensis are nonviable hosts of L. maculicollis. Further investigation into the morphological and physiological defense mechanisms in Z. matrella and C. dactylon × transvaalensis may broaden our understanding of tolerance mechanisms not observed in C3 cool‐season turfgrasses and provide guidance for future breeding efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is the primary risk factor for heart disease, the leading global cause of death. Right ventricular (RV) function predicts survival in several age‐related clinical contexts, yet no therapies directly improve RV function, in large part due to a poor mechanistic understanding of RV aging and how it is distinct from the widely studied left ventricle (LV). To address this gap, we comprehensively quantified RV functional and morphological remodeling with age. We further aimed to identify molecular mechanisms of RV aging thus we performed RNAseq on RV and LV from male and female young (4 months) and aged (19–21 months) C57BL6 mice. Contrary to the concentric hypertrophic remodeling and diastolic dysfunction that occurs in the LV, the aging RV underwent eccentric remodeling with significant dilation and impaired systolic function. Transcriptomic data were also consistent with ventricle‐specific aging, with few genes (13%) similarly shared between ventricles with aging. KEGG analysis identified shared aging genes in inflammatory and immune cell pathways that were confirmed by flow cytometry that demonstrated higher percent of GR1+ myeloid cells in both ventricles. Unique RV aging genes enriched in the biosynthesis of saturated fatty acids, PPAR signaling, and butanoate metabolism, and we identified putative novel RV‐specific aging genes. Together, we suggest that the RV and LV are unique cardiac chambers that undergo distinct remodeling with age. These robust differences may explain why therapies designed from LV‐based studies fail to improve RV function and suggest that future efforts emphasizing ventricular differences may elucidate new therapies for healthy cardiac aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This article aims at providing a comprehensive review of the historical discovery and following research on rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, highlighting its manifold nature as a behavioural, electrophysiological and dreaming state. Pioneering works conducted by Aserinsky, Kleitman, Dement and Jouvet established the foundational understanding of REM sleep recurrence, brainstem mechanisms, and the paradoxical coexistence of electroencephalographic activation and muscle atonia. We focus on REM sleep homeostasis, emphasising its role in emotional recovery and the consequences of REM deprivation, such as the REM rebound effect. We also analyse the periodicity of REM sleep, its ultradian rhythm, and the physiological mechanisms underlying its regulation. Additionally, the article discusses the entangled relationship between arousals, sleep, and consciousness, pointing out the distinction between non‐REM and REM sleep‐related arousals, and the similarities between REM sleep and wakefulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Previous studies have suggested that maternal childhood trauma (MCT) may influence infant temperament, but the underlying physiological mechanisms remain unclear. This study sought to confirm the involvement of breast milk cortisol in the link between MCT and infant temperament. The study sample included 90 mother–infant dyads recruited from the urban Polish population. MCT was assessed based on the Early Life Stress Questionnaire (ELSQ) and infant temperamental factors (surgency/extraversion, negative affectivity, and orienting/regulation) using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire‐Revised at 12 months of life. Cortisol was assayed in milk samples collected at 5 months of life using the ELISA method. Based on the ELSQ median, the sample was divided into low and high MCT groups. The ANCOVA models with milk cortisol as a covariant were run to check the effect of low versus high MCT on infant temperament. We found a positive association between milk cortisol and orienting/regulation. Surprisingly, the low and high MCT groups did not significantly differ in milk cortisol. Furthermore, we found that MCT was unrelated to any infant temperamental factor. While recent literature on the association between milk cortisol and infant temperament is inconsistent, our results suggest that high orienting/regulation might be an adaptation to adverse environments such as stress. Moreover, the infant's temperament appears to be more responsive to the current exposition to maternal stress than her experience of traumatic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The naked mole‐rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a unique model mammal in which to study socially induced inhibition of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Naked mole‐rat groups exhibit a high degree of reproductive bias in which breeding is restricted to one female (the queen) and one male, with subordinate non‐breeding colony members rarely, if ever, having the opportunity to reproduce due to a dysfunctional HPG axis. It is posited that aggression directed at subordinates by the queen suppresses reproduction in these subordinates, yet the underlying physiological mechanisms causing this dysfunction are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the possible factors contributing to the dysfunction of the HPG axis in subordinate female naked mole‐rats with a specific focus on the role of ovarian feedback and stress‐related factors such as circulating glucocorticoid and endogenous opioid peptides. The results showed that stress‐related factors appear to not mediate the suppression of reproductive function in subordinate female naked mole rats. Indeed, in some cases, the activation of the stress axis may lead to reproductive activation instead of deactivation. At the same time, the role of ovarian sex steroid feedback in reproductive suppression is likely limited and not clearly delineated. This study highlights the need for detailed studies to elucidate the mechanism of reproductive suppression in this unique model mammalian species which may shed light on, and reveal novel mechanisms, in the social regulation of reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrarunning is gaining in popularity but no information is available on the physiological and psychological responses during backyard ultrarunning events. The aim of this study was to determine changes in cognitive function, markers of physiological resilience, and running performance during a backyard‐running event. Twelve male ultrarunners (38 ± 8 years old, BMI: 23.5 ± 1.6 kg/m2, and VO2max: 60.8 ± 4.7 mL/min/kg) were monitored before, during, and after the event. Cognitive performance was determined using a cognitive test battery before, during, and after the event. During the event, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate concentration, and heart rate (HR) were assessed. Physical performance was investigated using the total number of completed laps and running speed per lap. Athletes completed 34 ± 17 laps equaling 227.8 ± 113.9 km with average speeds starting at 9.0 km/h and slowing down to 7.5 km/h at the end of the event. Physiological resilience (estimated using HR/speed) varied between athletes, with significantly lower values in the more proficient backyard runners at the end of the event (p < 0.05). HR and lactate levels remained constant, whereas a progressive increase in RPE was noticed (p ≤ 0.001). A significantly worsened reaction time was observed for several cognitive tasks after the event compared to baseline measures (p ≤ 0.05). These observations show that physiological resilience differs depending on the level of endurance performance of the athletes. Furthermore, the backyard ultrarunning event negatively impacted psychomotor speed. Therefore, the results suggest that implementing strategies that enhance physiological resilience and/or psychomotor speed could potentially have a positive effect on performance in ultraendurance activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migratory birds excel in phenotypic flexibility, adapting physiologically as their life histories and environments require. Discerning the metabolic processes underlying migrants' physiology, an emergent property of multiple continuous and dynamic organism–environment interactions, is therefore challenging, particularly under natural conditions. Accordingly, analyses of snapshot‐sampled serum‐circulating metabolites, versatile and readily applicable for migrating birds, have increasingly become the method of choice for such physiologic inference. However, the atemporal nature of single sampling might obscure the links between observed metabolite concentrations and the processes producing them, necessitating an analytical decoupling of focal processes from their broader biochemical background.In the present study, we examined how variation in combined fat and muscle fuel stores, traits pivotal in migratory context, relates to the serum‐circulating metabolomes of spring‐migrating Eurasian blackcaps stopping‐over. Our analyses accounted for potential spatiotemporal influences in the form of time past night's fasting and random local conditions across three sites within the Negev Desert. We shifted the focus from compound‐level analysis of preselected metabolites towards the level of inclusive metabolome, quantifying serum‐circulating lipophilic and polar molecules via UHPLC–MS/MS untargeted metabolomic technique.Our results indicated a general relationship between fuel stores and the metabolome, comprising 16 326 lipophilic and 6923 polar compounds, among which 918 and 44 were annotated, respectively. By applying generalized latent‐variable linear modeling (GLLVM) upon concentrations of annotated metabolites, we identified several candidate biomarkers, some novel in migratory context, notably the fuel‐associated increase in serum ceramides likely derived from circulating very low‐density lipoproteins (VLDLs). Relying on estimated metabolite links with fuel and foraging time and on modeled residual covariations among metabolites, we demonstrate fuel–metabolite associations generally consistent with higher fat‐ and lower protein mobilization in birds having greater stores and with decreased fuel utilization as ingested nutrients accumulate over time, thus introducing a novel approach for the physiological study of migrating birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial overexploitation and climate change can alter the physiology and behavior of marine organisms, although intraspecific phenotypic responses to such changes can vary greatly depending on the environment, species, and severity of the stressor. Under the pace‐of‐life syndrome (POLS) hypothesis, behavior, physiology, and life‐history traits are linked, and thus, affected by selection targeting any aspect of organismal biology. However, these links are understudied in tropical marine fishes, and further work is needed to better understand the impacts of fisheries and climate change on wild stocks. Moreover, tropical regions have a greater reliance on fisheries; thus investigations should focus on species with substantial socioeconomic value to ensure benefits at the local level. This study aimed to address this need by measuring the behavior (boldness and activity), metabolism, and swimming performance (using a critical swim speed [Ucrit] test) of schoolmaster snapper Lutjanus apodus in Eleuthera, the Bahamas. We report a strong positive correlation between boldness and activity, high repeatability of these behavioral metrics, and two groupings that were consistent with “proactive” and “reactive” behavioral types. These behavioral types differed significantly in their swimming performance, with reactive individuals having a 13.1% higher mean Ucrit. In contrast, no significant differences were found in the measured metabolic parameters between behavioral types. This study is the first to investigate the intraspecific links between behavior and physiology in a snapper species, using the novel and ecologically relevant comparison of Ucrit with behavioral syndrome types. These data suggest that additional research is needed to better predict the success of proactive/reactive tropical fish if overexploited and as influenced by climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host‐associated microbiomes are thought to play a key role in host physiology and fitness, but this conclusion mainly derives from systems biased towards animal models and humans. While many studies on non‐model and wild animals have characterised the taxonomic diversity of their microbiomes, few have investigated the functional potential of these microbial communities. Functional ‘omics’ approaches, such as metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metabolomics, represent promising techniques to probe the significance of host‐associated microbiomes in the wild. In this review, we propose to (1) briefly define the main available functional omics tools along with their strengths and limitations, (2) summarise the key advances enabled by omics tools to understand microbiome function in human and animal models, (3) showcase examples of how these methods have already brought invaluable insights into wild host microbiomes and (4) provide guidelines on how to implement these tools to address outstanding questions in the field of wild animal microbiomes. To conclude, we suggest that, building on knowledge derived from cheaper, more traditional approaches (e.g. 16S metabarcoding and qPCR), functional omics tools represent a promising approach to test hypotheses regarding the ecological and evolutionary significance of the resident microbiota in wild animals. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims Methods Results Discussion Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to improve survival and symptom burden in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, limited data exist regarding the clinical and physiological parameters at the time of NIV initiation. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and respiratory physiological markers in a cohort of ALS patients with chronic respiratory failure.This is a single‐center retrospective cohort study of patients with ALS assessed for NIV initiation between February 2012 and January 2021. NIV was initiated based on insurance eligibility criteria: daytime hypercapnia, defined by partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) >45 mm Hg using diurnal transcutaneous CO2 (TcCO2) as a surrogate, a maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) <60 cmH2O or forced vital capacity (FVC) <50% predicted normal.We identified 335 patients with ALS and chronic respiratory failure referred to an outpatient home ventilation clinic for NIV initiation. The mean age was 64 years ±11; 151 (45%) were female, 326 (97%) were white, and 100 (29%) had bulbar‐onset ALS. At the time of NIV initiation, the mean FVC was 64% ± 19%, the mean MIP; 41 cmH2O ± 17, and diurnal TcCO2; 40 ± 6 mmHg. The most common reasons for NIV initiation were MIP <60 cmH2O (58%) and multiple concomitant indications (28%). Within 1 year of NIV initiation, 126 (37%) patients were deceased.We found that impairment in inspiratory force was the most common reason for NIV initiation and often preceded significant declines in FVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) often exhibit impaired cardiac structure and function, which may contribute to poor exercise capacity. This study used multimodal exercise testing to investigate the central and peripheral mechanisms of exercise limitation in adults with ESKD, also comparing in‐centre hemodialysis (ICHD) to home hemodialysis (HHD). Seventeen adults (55.5 ± 14.5 years; n = 14 male; n = 12 HHD) participated. Resting cardiac examinations, followed by submaximal cycling cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and functional exercise testing, revealed cardiac structural abnormalities (increased left ventricular mass) and cardiac injury. Aerobic fitness in adults with ESKD was low, with pulmonary oxygen uptake (V̇O2) at the gas exchange threshold (GET) occuring at 39 ± 8% predicted V̇O2peak. O2 pulse, an estimate of stroke volume (SV), was higher in HHD at rest (p = 0.05, ES = 0.58) and during unloaded cycling (p = 0.05, ES = 0.58) compared to ICHD. However, thoracic bioreactance derived SV at the GET was significantly higher in adults receiving ICHD versus HHD (p = 0.01, ES = 0.74). In adults with ESKD, cardiac output was positively associated with V̇O2 at the GET (r = 0.61, p = 0.04). This study highlights prevalent exercise dysfunction in adults with ESKD undergoing dialysis, with potential distinct differences between in‐centre and home hemodialysis, mechanistically linked to underlying cardiac abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diving marine mammals are a diverse group of semi‐ to completely aquatic species. Some species are targets of conservation and rehabilitation efforts; other populations are permanently housed under human care and may contribute to clinical and biomedical investigations. Veterinary medical care for species under human care, at times, may necessitate the use of general anesthesia for diagnostic and surgical indications. However, the unique physiologic and anatomic adaptations of one representative diving marine mammal, the bottlenose dolphin, present several challenges in providing ventilatory and cardiovascular support to maintain adequate organ perfusion under general anesthesia. The goal of this review is to highlight the unique cardiopulmonary adaptations of the completely aquatic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and to identify knowledge gaps in our understanding of how those adaptations influence their physiology and pose potential challenges for sedation and anesthesia of these mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4,8‐Dihydroxy‐1‐tetrahydronaphthone (4,8‐DHT), an allelochemical, was isolated from the Carya cathayensis epicarp and was discovered to have phytotoxicity in laboratory tests. In this study, field experiments were designed to assess the phytotoxicity of 4,8‐DHT on weeds in Cerasus yedoensis and Lagerstroemia indica forestlands after pre‐ and post‐emergence application, in addition to physiological effect on Lindernia procumbens were also measured. The phytotoxic results of 4,8‐DHT demonstrated that the total inhibition rate of weeds was 81.3% and 68.2% in C. yedoensis forestland and L. indica forestland after pre‐emergence applied for 24 days in 2021, and enhanced by 9.9% and 27.8% compared with post‐emergence treatment. Especially, in C. yedoensis forestland, a high concentration of 4,8‐DHT sprayed at the pre‐emergence stage after 8 days had a significant inhibition rate on all weeds except Cyperus rotundus, and was still above 80.0% after 24 days of exposure. Comprehensive control efficacy of 4,8‐DHT indicates that pre‐emergence application is more favorable for weeds control. Physiological analysis showed that 4,8‐DHT stimulated the contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and proline and declined in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, meanwhile, accompanied by a decrease in the root vitality and chlorophyll content in L. procumbens. These results warrant further investigations of 4,8‐DHT applied in early pre‐emergence as a potential source of weed control agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometric morphometrics (GMM) have been applied to understand morphological variation in biological structures. However, research studying cortical bone through geometric histomorphometrics (GHMM) is scarce. This research aims to develop a landmark‐based GHMM protocol to depict osteonal shape variation in the femoral diaphysis, exploring the role of age and biomechanics in bone microstructure. Proximal, midshaft, and distal anatomical segments from the femoral diaphysis of six individuals were assessed, with 864 secondary intact osteons from eight periosteal sampling areas being manually landmarked. Observer error was tested using Procrustes ANOVA. Average osteonal shape and anatomical segment‐specific variation were explored using principal component analysis. Osteon shape differences between segments were examined using canonical variate analysis (CVA). Sex differences were assessed through Procrustes ANOVA and discriminant function analysis (DFA). The impact of osteonal size on osteonal shape was investigated. High repeatability and reproducibility in osteon shape landmarking were reported. The average osteon shape captured was an elliptical structure, with PC1 reflecting more circular osteons. Significant differences in osteon shape were observed between proximal and distal segments according to CVA. Osteon shape differed between males and females, with DFA showing 52% cross‐validation accuracies. No effect of size on shape was reported. Osteonal shape variation observed in this study might be explained by the elderly nature of the sample as well as biomechanical and physiological mechanisms playing different roles along the femoral diaphysis. Although a larger sample is needed to corroborate these findings, this study contributes to the best of our knowledge on human microanatomy, proposing a novel GHMM approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C4 NAD‐malic enzyme (NAD‐ME) species occurs in drier regions and exhibit different drought responses compared to C4 NADP‐malic enzyme (NADP‐ME) species. However, a physiological mechanism explaining the geographical discrepancies remains uncertain. This study examined gas exchange patterns that might explain different distributions observed between two subtypes of C4 photosynthesis. We measured the response of leaf gas exchange to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and CO2 in plants from six distinct C4 clades having closely related NAD‐ME and NADP‐ME species using a Li‐Cor 6400 gas exchange system. We found that NAD‐ME species exhibited greater relative reductions in stomatal conductance with increases in VPD than NADP‐ME species but observed no consistent subtype differences in C4 cycle activity as indicated by the initial slope of the A response to intercellular CO2 concentration. Based on these results, we hypothesise the greater response of gs to increasing VPD may enable NAD‐ME plants to outperform NADP‐ME plants in hot, dry environments where VPD is normally high. Summary statement: NAD‐malic enzyme (NAD‐ME) C4 species have more sensitive stomatal closures in response to increasing vapour pressure deficit than NADP‐malic enzyme C4 species which may explain why NAD‐ME grass species are found in drier areas than NADP‐ME species. This provides insight into the role of plant eco‐physiology in shaping biogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of stomata marks one of the key advances that enabled plants to colonise dry land while allowing gas exchange for photosynthesis. In large measure, stomata retain a common design across species that incorporates paired guard cells with little variation in structure. By contrast, the cells of the stomatal complex immediately surrounding the guard cells vary widely in shape, size and count. Their origins in development are similarly diverse. Thus, the surrounding cells are likely a luxury that the necessity of stomatal control cannot do without (with apologies to Oscar Wilde). Surrounding cells are thought to support stomatal movements as solute reservoirs and to shape stomatal kinetics through backpressure on the guard cells. Their variety may also reflect a substantial diversity in function. Certainly modelling, kinetic analysis and the few electrophysiological studies to date give hints of much more complex contributions in stomatal physiology. Even so, our knowledge of the cells surrounding the guard cells in the stomatal complex is far from complete. Summary statement: Stomata largely retain a common design across all species of land plants. By contrast, the cells immediately surrounding the guard cells vary widely in nature and origin. Such variety likely reflects a functional diversity in supporting stomatal movements and shaping stomatal kinetics. Yet, our knowledge of the cells surrounding the guard cells in the stomatal complex remains fragmentary at best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the associations between physiology and demographics, non‐ocular pathology and pharmaceutical drug use against peri‐papillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (pRNFL T) and other optical coherence tomography (OCT) inner retinal measures in normal, healthy eyes. Methods: A retrospective, cross‐sectional study of 705 consecutive participants with bilateral normal, healthy optic nerves and maculae. PRNFL Ts, vertical cup/disc ratio (CDR), cup volume and macular ganglion cell layer‐inner plexiform layer (GCL‐IPL) Ts were extracted from Cirrus OCT scans, then regressed against predictor variables of participants' physiology and demographics (eye laterality, refraction, intraocular pressure [IOP], age, sex, race/ethnicity, etc.) and non‐ocular pathology and pharmaceutical drug use according to the World Health Organisation classifications. Associations were assessed for statistical significance (p < 0.05) and clinical significance (|β| > 95% limits of agreement for repeated measures). Results: A multitude of non‐ocular pathology and pharmaceutical drug use were statistically and clinically significantly associated with deviations in standard OCT inner retinal measures, exceeding the magnitude of other factors such as age, IOP and race/ethnicity. Thinner inner retina and larger optic nerve cup measures were linked to use of systemic corticosteroids, sex hormones/modulators, presence of vasomotor/allergic rhinitis and other diseases and drugs (up to −29.3 [−49.88, −8.72] μm pRNFL T, 0.31 [0.07, 0.54] vertical CDR, 0.29 [0.03, 0.54] mm3 cup volume and −10.18 [−16.62, −3.74] μm macular GCL‐IPL T; all p < 0.05). Thicker inner retina and smaller optic nerve cup measures were diffusely associated with use of antineoplastic agents, presence of liver or urinary diseases and other diseases and drugs (up to 67.12 [64.92, 69.31] μm pRNFL T, −0.31 [−0.53, −0.09] vertical CDR, −0.06 [−0.11, 0] mm3 cup volume and 28.84 [14.51, 43.17] μm macular GCL‐IPL T; all p < 0.05). Conclusion: There are a multitude of systemic diseases and drugs associated with altered OCT inner retinal measures, with magnitudes far exceeding those of other factors such as age, IOP and race/ethnicity. These systemic factors should at least be considered during OCT assessments to ensure precise interpretation of normal versus pathological inner retinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiration is an invaluable signal that facilitates the real‐time observation of physiological dynamics. In recent years, the advancement of noncontact measurement technology has gained momentum in capturing physiological activities in natural settings. This technology is anticipated to be found not only in humans but also in nonhuman primates. Currently, the predominant noncontact approach for nonhuman animals involves measuring vital signs through subtle variations in skin color. However, this approach is limited when addressing areas of the body covered with hair or when working in outdoor settings under fluctuating sunlight. To overcome this issue, we focused on noncontact respiratory measurements using millimeter‐wave radar. Millimeter‐wave radar systems, which employ millimeter waves that can penetrate animal fur and estimate respiration‐derived periodic body motion, exhibit minimal susceptibility to sunlight interference. Thus, this method shows potential for conducting noncontact vital measurements in natural and outdoor settings. In this study, we validated a millimeter‐wave radar methodology for capturing respiration in outdoor‐housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). The radar was positioned beyond the captive enclosure and maintained at a distance >5 m from the target. Millimeter waves were transmitted to the target, and the reflected waves were used to estimate skin surface displacement associated with respiration. The results revealed periodic skin surface displacement, and the estimated respiratory rates weres within the reported range of respiratory rates for rhesus macaques. These results suggest the potential applicability of millimeter‐wave radar for noncontact respiration monitoring in outdoor‐living macaques without anesthesia or immobilization. The continued advancement of noncontact vital measurement technology will contribute to understanding primate mental and physical dynamics during their daily life. Research Highlights: Millimeter‐wave radar systems succeeded in the outdoor noncontact measurement of respiration in unrestricted rhesus macaques from >5 m. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of radar‐based remote monitoring to better understand primate ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the need for a globalized approach to developmental science, as opposed to one that is primarily focused on North America and Europe. The lack of global diversity in research has led to a narrow range of cultures, experiences, and methods being represented, which limits the questions that can be asked about human development. The article highlights the importance of understanding the variation in development across different cultures and environments. The special issue of the journal includes articles from underrepresented regions, covering a range of developmental domains and methodologies. The authors argue that creating separate spaces for diversity-related topics can help address publication barriers and increase global representation in developmental science. They emphasize the need for a more valid, generalizable, and representative science of human development. [Extracted from the article]

The effect of acute exercise on circulating concentrations of vitamin D metabolites is unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we examined the effect of a bout of treadmill‐based exercise versus rest on circulating concentrations of 25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2, 3‐epi‐25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, 1,25(OH)2D3, and vitamin D2 and D3 in healthy men and women. Thirty‐three healthy adults (14 females, 41 (15) years, body mass index 26.2 (3.7) kg/m2, V̇O2max${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{max}}}}$ 36.2 (9.2) ml/kg/min; mean (SD)) completed two laboratory visits involving 60 min of moderate‐intensity treadmill exercise (60% V̇O2max${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{max}}}}$) versus 60 min of seated rest, both in an overnight fasted‐state, as part of a randomised crossover design. Venous blood samples were drawn at baseline, immediately (0 h), 1 h and 24 h after the exercise or rest‐period. There was a significant time × trial interaction effect for total circulating 25(OH)D (P = 0.0148), 25(OH)D3 (P = 0.0127) and 1,25(OH)2D3 (P = 0.0226). Immediately post‐exercise, 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations were significantly elevated compared to the control resting condition, and 1,25(OH) 2D3 remained significantly elevated 1 h later. Circulating albumin, vitamin D binding protein, calcium and parathyroid hormone were elevated immediately post‐exercise. Thus, an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise transiently increases concentrations of circulating 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D3 compared to resting conditions. Key points: Observational studies suggest that acute exercise might change circulating concentrations of vitamin D metabolites, but this has not been investigated using randomised crossover studies and using robust analytical procedures.In this study, we used a randomised crossover design to examine the effect of a bout of treadmill‐based exercise (vs. rest) on circulating concentrations of a wide range of vitamin D metabolites in healthy humans.We show that an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise transiently increases concentrations of circulating 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D3 compared to resting conditions.These findings indicate that regular exercise could lead to transient but regular windows of enhanced vitamin D biological action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discusses the wide availability of analytical procedures for determining exercise physiology thresholds that has led to uncertainty about the method that may offer the highest precision or accuracy for regular testing. They explain the need for a consensus about exercise threshold determination to validate the pioneering physiological models proposed by the research groups of Wildor Hollman and Karlman Wasserman.

Endurance exercise performance is known to be closely associated with the three physiological pillars of maximal O2 uptake (V̇O2max$\dot{V}_{{\rm O}_{2}{\rm max}}$), economy or efficiency during submaximal exercise, and the fractional utilisation of V̇O2max$\dot{V}_{{\rm O}_{2}{\rm max}}$ (linked to metabolic/lactate threshold phenomena). However, while 'start line' values of these variables are collectively useful in predicting performance in endurance events such as the marathon, it is not widely appreciated that these variables are not static but are prone to significant deterioration as fatiguing endurance exercise proceeds. For example, the 'critical power' (CP), which is a composite of the highest achievable steady‐state oxidative metabolic rate and efficiency (O2 cost per watt), may fall by an average of 10% following 2 h of heavy intensity cycle exercise. Even more striking is that the extent of this deterioration displays appreciable inter‐individual variability, with changes in CP ranging from <1% to ∼32%. The mechanistic basis for such differences in fatigue resistance or 'physiological resilience' are not resolved. However, resilience may be important in explaining superlative endurance performance and it has implications for the physiological evaluation of athletes and the design of interventions to enhance performance. This article presents new information concerning the dynamic plasticity of the three 'traditional' physiological variables and argues that physiological resilience should be considered as an additional component, or fourth dimension, in models of endurance exercise performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consequences of climatic change in migratory and resident birds in terms of behavior, physiology, genetics, ecology, and evolution are the best documented changes reported in the animal world. This systematic review focuses on the studies conducted/published in the two most recent decades (2001–2020) regarding the effects of global climate change on birds. The PSALSAR [Protocol, Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, Analysis and Reporting results] approach was used to conduct the review. Information from a total of 170 publications in two databases (PUBMED and Google Scholar) including journal articles, books, book chapters, reviews, and reports were extracted and analyzed under ten criteria. An increase in publication number was observed in both databases. Overall, the highest number of publications were available for the year 2019. The highest number (141) of selected publications were journal articles. The highest number of articles (41) were from PLOS One. Selected articles' study periods ranged between 1830 to 2100. Twenty‐eight studies were done in a global scale. Other studies scaled around eight regions, five continents and 40 countries. Behavior and ecology related consequences were studied the most. Eighty‐two studies used primary data sources and 88 studies used secondary data sources. Quantification, mapping, and modeling were the most utilized modes of assessments. Most studies species are Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), and Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). Majority of the publications were based on expansion of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Goss's bacterial wilt and leaf blight (Goss's wilt), caused by the bacterium Clavibacter nebraskensis, is a corn disease that has been a top ten yield‐reducing disease in North America in the past 15 years. Isoxadifen‐ethyl is an herbicide safener that effectively increases cytochrome P450 activity in corn which enhances a plant's metabolism of herbicide molecules. Recent research found a potential link between isoxadifen‐ethyl and increased Goss's wilt severity. RESULTS: The application of isoxadifen‐ethyl increased (P = 0.014–0.046) area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) by 19%, 7%, and 9% at three environments, independent of accompanying herbicide or herbicide application timing. However, no significant differences in incidence of systemic wilt or corn grain yield occurred among treatments at any environment. CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence for an association between isoxadifen‐ethyl safener and Goss's wilt in corn. The reason for this association is unknown, but the safener may affect plant or pathogen physiological mechanisms. While the increased disease severity did not result in decreased grain yield in these experiments, an increase in pathogen inoculum due to higher disease severity could influence Goss' wilt epidemics in future years. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate heating has the potential to drive changes in ecosystems at multiple levels of biological organization. Temperature directly affects the inherent physiology of plants and animals, resulting in changes in rates of photosynthesis and respiration, and trophic interactions. Predicting temperature‐dependent changes in physiological and trophic processes, however, is challenging because environmental conditions and ecosystem structure vary across biogeographical regions of the globe. To realistically predict the effects of projected climate heating on wildlife populations, mechanistic tools are required to incorporate the inherent physiological effects of temperature changes, as well as the associated effects on food availability within and across comparable ecosystems. Here we applied an agent‐based bioenergetics model to explore the combined effects of projected temperature increases for 2100 (1.4, 2.7, and 4.4°C), and associated changes in prey availability, on three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations representing latitudes 50, 55, and 60°N. Our results showed a decline in population density after a simulated 1.4°C temperature increase at 50°N. In all other modeled scenarios there was an increase (inflation) in population density and biomass (per unit area) with climate heating, and this inflation increased with increasing latitude. We conclude that agent‐based bioenergetics models are valuable tools in discerning the impacts of climate change on wild fish populations, which play important roles in aquatic food webs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric obesity is a growing health concern, affecting millions of children worldwide. While pharmacokinetic (PK) changes in numerous commonly prescribed medications have been linked to obesity, the physiological mechanisms driving these alterations and their implications for drug dosing remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate previously reported observations of reduced pantoprazole clearance (CL) in children with obesity, investigate obesity‐related characteristics in liver physiology as explanatory causes for these observations, and evaluate the clinical relevance of obesity on drug dosing. A prospective, comparative PK study, enrolling participants 6‐21 years of age, with and without obesity, was conducted to evaluate the association between obesity‐related characteristics and pantoprazole CL. A nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling approach was used to identify sources of interindividual variability in pantoprazole PK. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to assess pantoprazole exposure in children and evaluate the association between obesity and pantoprazole exposure. The study population consisted of 39 pediatric participants: 31% without obesity and 69% with obesity. A two‐compartment PK model with covariate effects of total body weight (TBW), CYP2C19 metabolizer phenotype, and obesity status adequately described the PK data. After accounting for differences due to TBW and CYP2C19 metabolizer phenotype, obesity was associated with an estimated 18% reduction in pantoprazole CL (comparable to the reduction estimated for a CYP2C19 loss of function allele). Further research is warranted to evaluate the physiological mechanisms associated with reduced drug CL in children with increased body size and the implications for drug dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate functional variants in chromosome 14 (BTA14) and its impact in genomic selection for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), and yearling weight (YW) in Nellore cattle. Genetic parameter estimation and the weighted single‐step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (WssGBLUP) analyses were performed. Direct additive heritability estimates were high for WW and YW, and moderate for BW. Trait‐associated variants distributed across multiple regions on BTA14 were observed in the weighted single‐step genome‐wide association studies (WssGWAS) results, implying a polygenic genetic architecture for weight in different ages. Several genes have been found in association with the weight traits, including the CUB And Sushi multiple domains 3 (CSMD3), thyroglobulin (TG), and diacylglycerol O‐acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) genes. The variance explained per SNP was higher in six functional classes of gene regulatory regions (5UTR, CpG islands, downstream, upstream, long non‐coding RNA, and transcription factor binding sites (TFBS)), highlighting their importance for weight traits in Nellore cattle. A marginal increase in accuracy was observed when the selected functional variants (SV) information was considered in the WssGBLUP method, probably because of the small number of SV available on BTA14. The identified genes, pathways, and functions contribute to a better understanding of the genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating weight traits in the Nellore breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the arousal model of vigilance, the locus coeruleus‐norepinephrine (LC‐NE) system modulates sustained attention over long periods by regulating physiological arousal. Recent research has proposed that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) modulates indirect physiological markers of LC‐NE activity, although its effects on vigilance have not yet been examined. Aiming to develop a safe and noninvasive procedure to prevent vigilance failures in prolonged tasks, the present study examined whether taVNS can mitigate vigilance loss while modulating indirect markers of LC‐NE activity. Following a preregistered protocol (https://osf.io/tu2xy/), 50 participants completed three repeated sessions in a randomized order, in which either active taVNS at individualized intensity set by participant, active taVNS set at 0.5 mA for all participants, or sham taVNS, was delivered while performing an attentional and vigilance task (i.e., ANTI‐Vea). Changes in salivary alpha‐amylase and cortisol concentrations were measured as markers of LC‐NE activity. Self‐reports of feelings associated with stimulation and guessing rate of active/sham conditions supported the efficacy of the single‐blind procedure. Contrary to our predictions, the observed vigilance decrement was not modulated by active taVNS. Pairwise comparisons showed a mitigation by active taVNS on cortisol reduction across time. Interestingly, Spearman's correlational analyses showed some interindividual effects of taVNS on indirect markers of LC‐NE, evidenced by positive associations between changes in salivary alpha‐amylase and cortisol in active but not sham taVNS. We highlight the relevance of replicating and extending the present outcomes, investigating further parameters of stimulation and its effects on other indirect markers of LC‐NE activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear exclusion of the RNA- and DNA-binding protein TDP-43 can induce neurodegeneration in different diseases. Diverse processes have been implicated to influence TDP-43 mislocalization, including disrupted nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT); however, the physiological pathways that normally ensure TDP-43 nuclear localization are unclear. The six-transmembrane enzyme glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase 2 (GDE2 or GDPD5) cleaves the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor that tethers some proteins to the membrane. Here we show that GDE2 maintains TDP-43 nuclear localization by regulating the dynamics of canonical Wnt signaling. Ablation of GDE2 causes aberrantly sustained Wnt activation in adult neurons, which is sufficient to cause NCT deficits, nuclear pore abnormalities, and TDP-43 nuclear exclusion. Disruption of GDE2 coincides with TDP-43 abnormalities in postmortem tissue from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Further, GDE2 deficits are evident in human neural cell models of ALS, which display erroneous Wnt activation that, when inhibited, increases mRNA levels of genes regulated by TDP-43. Our study identifies GDE2 as a critical physiological regulator of Wnt signaling in adult neurons and highlights Wnt pathway activation as an unappreciated mechanism contributing to nucleocytoplasmic transport and TDP-43 abnormalities in disease. Synopsis: Nuclear exclusion of TDP-43 is observed in various pathologies, but the physiological mechanisms that ensure its nuclear localization are not well-known. This work shows that inhibition of persistent Wnt activation in neurons by GDE2 prevents TDP-43 nuclear exclusion. GDE2 inhibits canonical Wnt signaling in adult postmitotic neurons. Sustained activation of canonical Wnt signaling in neurons disrupts the nuclear pore complex, impairs nucleocytoplasmic transport, and results in TDP-43 nuclear exclusion. iPS neurons from patients with C9orf72 ALS show decreased GDE2 expression and increased activation of canonical Wnt signaling. Inhibition of Wnt activation mitigates TDP-43 dysfunction in C9orf72 iPS neurons. GDE2 maintains TDP-43 nuclear localization by inhibiting Wnt activation in neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalist plant‐feeding insects are characterised by a broad host repertoire that can comprise several families or even different orders of plants. The genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying the use of such a wide host range are still not fully understood. Earlier studies indicate that the consumption of different host plants is associated with host‐specific gene expression profiles. It remained, however, unclear if and how larvae can alter these profiles in the case of a changing host environment. Using the polyphagous comma butterfly (Polygonia c‐album) we show that larvae can adjust their transcriptional profiles in response to a new host plant. The switch to some of the host plants, however, resulted in a larger transcriptional response and, thus, seems to be more challenging. At a physiological level, no correspondence for these patterns could be found in larval performance. This suggests that a high transcriptional but also phenotypic flexibility are essential for the use of a broad and diverse host range. We furthermore propose that host switch tests in the laboratory followed by transcriptomic investigations can be a valuable tool to examine not only plasticity in host use but also subtle and/or transient trade‐offs in the evolution of host plant repertoires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multidrug resistance‐associated protein (MRP) ABCC4 facilitates substrate transport across the cytoplasmic membrane, crucial for normal physiology and mediating multidrug resistance in tumor cells. Despite intensive studies on MRPs, ABCC4's transport mechanism remains incompletely understood. In this study, we unveiled an inward‐open conformation with an ATP bound to degenerate NBD1. Additionally, we captured the structure with both ATP and substrate co‐bound in the inward‐open state. Our findings uncover the asymmetric ATP binding in ABCC4 and provide insights into substrate binding and transport mechanisms. ATP binding to NBD1 is parallel to substrate binding to ABCC4, and is a prerequisite for ATP‐bound NBD2‐induced global conformational changes. Our findings shed new light on targeting ABCC4 in combination with anticancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Location Taxon Methods Results Main Conclusions Climate change can have a broad range of impacts on the physiology and behaviour of animals. These effects can be mediated by the presence of other species in the community, but current forecasts of species responses to climate change largely ignore biological interactions. This is particularly true for novel interactions between range‐extending and native species, as this is often considered as noise and excluded from predictive models. Here we simulate how a tropical range‐extending and a local temperate fish species respond to the independent and combined effects of future ocean warming (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5) and novel ecological interactions in temperate ecosystems.East coast of Australia, along a ~ 2,000 km latitudinal gradient in a global climate warming hotspot.Abudefduf vaigiensis (tropical) and Atypicthys strigatus (temperate) fishes.We use a dynamic energy budget model to simulate the length growth (i.e., increases in body length of individuals over time) and population persistence of juveniles of a tropical and a temperate fish species that form mixed‐species shoals, under different climate scenarios with and without the effects of novel ecological interactions.Our model forecasts that length growth of the juvenile tropical species will increase under ocean warming across subtropical to temperate regions. This increased length growth will be more drastic in temperate regions than in the subtropics, as winter warming will allow the tropical species to overwinter more frequently and show positive growth throughout the year. In contrast, warmer summer temperatures in the subtropics will likely exceed the optimal temperature of the juvenile temperate species at their trailing edge, resulting in reduced length growth under climate warming. Novel species interactions increased length growth of the juvenile tropical species but did not affect its winter or summer survival. In contrast, novel species interactions with tropical species were forecast to reduce length growth of the juvenile temperate species.Our study suggests that for some coastal fish species future warming will likely reverse body size dominance between temperate and tropical fish species, with increased novel interactions in temperate ecosystems (due to range extensions) but decreased novel interactions in the subtropics (due to range contractions). Novel species interactions and warming effects on body size and species survival are likely to reshuffle temperate fish communities and their competitive interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The placenta plays an essential role in pregnancy, leading to proper fetal development and growth. As an organ with multiple physiological functions for both mother and fetus, it is a highly energetic and metabolically demanding tissue. Mitochondrial physiology plays a crucial role in the metabolism of this organ and thus any alteration leading to mitochondrial dysfunction has a severe outcome in the development of the fetus. Pregnancy‐related pathological states with a mitochondrial dysfunction outcome include preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus. In this review, we address the role of mitochondrial morphology, metabolism and physiology of the placenta during pregnancy, highlighting the roles of the cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. We also describe the relationship between preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, gestational diabesity and pre‐pregnancy maternal obesity with mitochondrial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Aims of the Study Methods Results Conclusions Voice features could be a sensitive marker of affective state in bipolar disorder (BD). Smartphone apps offer an excellent opportunity to collect voice data in the natural setting and become a useful tool in phase prediction in BD.We investigate the relations between the symptoms of BD, evaluated by psychiatrists, and patients' voice characteristics. A smartphone app extracted acoustic parameters from the daily phone calls of n = 51 patients. We show how the prosodic, spectral, and voice quality features correlate with clinically assessed affective states and explore their usefulness in predicting the BD phase.A smartphone app (BDmon) was developed to collect the voice signal and extract its physical features. BD patients used the application on average for 208 days. Psychiatrists assessed the severity of BD symptoms using the Hamilton depression rating scale −17 and the Young Mania rating scale. We analyze the relations between acoustic features of speech and patients' mental states using linear generalized mixed‐effect models.The prosodic, spectral, and voice quality parameters, are valid markers in assessing the severity of manic and depressive symptoms. The accuracy of the predictive generalized mixed‐effect model is 70.9%–71.4%. Significant differences in the effect sizes and directions are observed between female and male subgroups. The greater the severity of mania in males, the louder (β = 1.6) and higher the tone of voice (β = 0.71), more clearly (β = 1.35), and more sharply they speak (β = 0.95), and their conversations are longer (β = 1.64). For females, the observations are either exactly the opposite—the greater the severity of mania, the quieter (β = −0.27) and lower the tone of voice (β = −0.21) and less clearly (β = −0.25) they speak — or no correlations are found (length of speech). On the other hand, the greater the severity of bipolar depression in males, the quieter (β = −1.07) and less clearly they speak (β = −1.00). In females, no distinct correlations between the severity of depressive symptoms and the change in voice parameters are found.Speech analysis provides physiological markers of affective symptoms in BD and acoustic features extracted from speech are effective in predicting BD phases. This could personalize monitoring and care for BD patients, helping to decide whether a specialist should be consulted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue is prevalent amongst people with long COVID, but is poorly understood. The sensory attenuation framework proposes that impairments in sensory processing lead to heightened perception of effort, driving fatigue. This study aims to investigate the role of somatosensory processing impairments in long COVID fatigue and quantify how sensory processing relates to other prominent symptoms of long COVID including autonomic dysfunction, mood and illness beliefs in driving the experience of fatigue. We will recruit 44 individuals with long COVID fatigue and 44 individuals with neither long COVID nor fatigue (controls). Our primary objective is to compare baseline somatosensory processing between individuals with long COVID fatigue and controls. Additionally, we will explore the associations between somatosensory processing, fatigability and the level of fatigue induced by cognitive and physical exertion. Due to the complex nature of fatigue, we will also investigate how long COVID, state fatigue, perceived effort, mood, illness beliefs, autonomic symptoms and autonomic nervous system function interact to predict trait fatigue. This comprehensive investigation aims to elucidate how sensory processing and other prominent symptoms interact to impact the experience of fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2023 Annual Symposium of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles hosted opportunities for researchers, scientists, and policy makers to reflect on the state of art of predicting fish distributions and consider the implications to the marine and aquatic environments of a changing climate. The outcome of one special interest group at the Symposium was a collection of questions, organized under five themes, which begin to capture the state of the field and identify priorities for research and management over the coming years. The five themes were Physiology, Mechanisms, Detect and Measure, Manage, and Wider Ecosystems. The questions, 25 of them, addressed concepts which remain poorly understood, are data deficient, and/or are likely to be impacted in measurable or profound ways by climate change. Moving from the first to the last theme, the questions expanded in the scope of their considerations, from specific processes within the individual to ecosystem‐wide impacts, but no one question is bigger than any other: each is important in detecting, understanding, and predicting fish distributions, and each will be impacted by an aspect of climate change. In this way, our questions, particularly those concerning unknown mechanisms and data deficiencies, aimed to offer a guide to other researchers, managers, and policy makers in the prioritization of future work as a changing climate is expected to have complex and disperse impacts on fish populations and distributions that will require a coordinated effort to address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levels of dissolved oxygen in open ocean and coastal waters are decreasing (ocean deoxygenation), with poorly understood effects on marine megafauna. All of the more than 1000 species of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) are obligate water breathers, with a variety of life‐history strategies and oxygen requirements. This review demonstrates that although many elasmobranchs typically avoid hypoxic water, they also appear capable of withstanding mild to moderate hypoxia with changes in activity, ventilatory responses, alterations to circulatory and hematological parameters, and morphological alterations to gill structures. However, such strategies may be insufficient to withstand severe, progressive, or prolonged hypoxia or anoxia where anaerobic metabolic pathways may be used for limited periods. As water temperatures increase with climate warming, ectothermic elasmobranchs will exhibit elevated metabolic rates and are likely to be less able to tolerate the effects of even mild hypoxia associated with deoxygenation. As a result, sustained hypoxic conditions in warmer coastal or surface‐pelagic waters are likely to lead to shifts in elasmobranch distributions. Mass mortalities of elasmobranchs linked directly to deoxygenation have only rarely been observed but are likely underreported. One key concern is how reductions in habitat volume as a result of expanding hypoxia resulting from deoxygenation will influence interactions between elasmobranchs and industrial fisheries. Catch per unit of effort of threatened pelagic sharks by longline fisheries, for instance, has been shown to be higher above oxygen minimum zones compared to adjacent, normoxic regions, and attributed to vertical habitat compression of sharks overlapping with increased fishing effort. How a compound stressor such as marine heatwaves alters vulnerability to deoxygenation remains an open question. With over a third of elasmobranch species listed as endangered, a priority for conservation and management now lies in understanding and mitigating ocean deoxygenation effects in addition to population declines already occurring from overfishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desertification is a major threat to biodiversity in arid areas of the world, partly because many organisms in these regions already exist at or near the limits of their movement and physiology. Here, we used molecular data to investigate patterns of persistence and dispersal in an ecologically and economically important carpenter bee (Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier) found throughout the semiarid Caatinga region of Brazil. We used a genome‐wide approach (double digest restriction‐site associated DNA, ddRAD) to gather genetic data from bees sampled from eight sites within a semiarid region subject to desertification in Northeastern Brazil. Across all populations, we observed a consistent heterozygosity and effective population size deficit along with low genetic differentiation. We did not find strong evidence of dispersal limitations caused by desertification in this study system despite data collection from sites up to 300 km distant. Thus, our data suggest that human‐mediated changes in the Caatinga, such as habitat loss, have impacted the population genetic patterns of X. grisescens. However, these impacts have also been softened by the species' biological characteristics, such as its relatively high capacity for movement. This study provides insights into how habitat changes might impact the long‐term survival of large solitary bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of their ubiquity, plasticity, and direct effects on the nervous system, markers of oxidative status may be of great value to assess animal welfare across species and conditions in the wild. However, welfare biologists have not yet seized this opportunity, possibly because the validity of these markers as welfare indicators remains questionable. A validation process was, therefore, performed here using a meta‐analytical approach considering three conditions assumed to impair the welfare of animals. With very few exceptions, two of the four considered markers consistently varied across these negatively‐valenced conditions. By highlighting the current underrepresentation of markers of oxidative status in animal welfare studies, and by concretely illustrating that some of these markers can consistently reflect negative affective states, this article aims to encourage biologists to include these physiological markers in their toolbox to better measure, monitor, and perhaps also improve the welfare of animals in their natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusion In extremely low birth weight infants, fluid overload has been associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and death. Excessive weight loss may increase the risk of meconium obstruction and intestinal perforation. As these infants display oliguria followed by polyuria, we embarked on a diuresis‐led volume replacement strategy as of January 2020.This single‐centre analysis presents data of infants <1000 g birth weight surviving for more than 3 days admitted 2017–2019 (n = 217, daily volume increase) versus 2020–2022 (n = 2022, diuresis‐led volume replacement).The second cohort had lower gestational age (median [interquartile range]: 253/7 [243/7–264/7] vs. 263/7 [251/7–282/7] weeks), less antenatal steroids (58% vs. 69%), more indomethacin (66% vs. 47%) and higher initial diuresis (5.6 [4.9–6.8] vs. 4.8 [4.2–5.5] mL/kg/h) but did not differ by relative weight loss at Day 7 of life. Employing binary logistic regression with gestational age, antenatal steroids and indomethacin as covariates, the cohorts did not differ by rates of patent ductus arteriosus, abdominal surgery or severe retinopathy of prematurity, while there were significant declines in sepsis (from 32% to 19%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (from 26% to 23%) and mortality (from 13% to 7%).Diuresis‐led volume replacement appears to be safe and maybe beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents have an essential role in shaping children's emotional responses, a process called emotional socialization. Typically, researchers measure parental socialization behaviors via self‐report and in‐laboratory observations. However, the extent to which there is convergence between parents' reported and enacted socialization practices is an open question. The aims of the current study were (1) to quantify the convergence/divergence in parents' reported and enacted emotional socialization practices and (2) to analyze how convergence/divergence in specific parent socialization practices relates to children's emotional responding across different contexts (alone and with a parent). Participants were a diverse sample of 181 parent‐child dyads (children ages 3–11). We analyzed emotion socialization strategies (problem‐focused reactions, emotion‐focused reactions, expressive encouragement, punishing reactions, minimizing reactions, and distress reactions) as they related to children's behavioral and physiological responding to an emotional challenge. We found an overall pattern of divergence for most socialization strategies, but convergence for problem‐focused reactions. For children's observed distress, a convergent pattern of reported and enacted minimizing specifically was related to more distress while alone. For children's physiological reactivity, enacted problem‐solving was related to greater parasympathetic decreases across social context (from being alone to being with parent). Taken together, our findings suggest that convergence and divergence in parental emotional socialization practices may capture unique variability in how parents contextually respond to children's feelings, and children's emotional responding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Thermal sensitivity of cellular metabolism is crucial for animal physiology and survival under climate change. Despite recent efforts, effects of multigenerational exposure to temperature on the metabolic functioning remain poorly understood. We aimed at determining whether multigenerational exposure to temperature modulate the mitochondrial respiratory response of Medaka fish. Methods: We conducted a multigenerational exposure with Medaka fish reared multiple generations at 20 and 30°C (COLD and WARM fish, respectively). We then measured the oxygen consumption of tail muscle at two assay temperatures (20 and 30°C). Mitochondrial function was determined as the respiration supporting ATP synthesis (OXPHOS) and the respiration required to offset proton leak (LEAK(Omy)) in a full factorial design (COLD‐20°C; COLD‐30°C; WARM‐20°C; WARM‐30°C). Results: We found that higher OXPHOS and LEAK fluxes at 30°C compared to 20°C assay temperature. At each assay temperature, WARM fish had lower tissue oxygen fluxes than COLD fish. Interestingly, we did not find significant differences in respiratory flux when mitochondria were assessed at the rearing temperature of the fish (i.e., COLD‐20°C vs. WARM −30°C). Conclusion: The lower OXPHOS and LEAK capacities in warm fish are likely the result of the multigenerational exposure to warm temperature. This is consistent with a modulatory response of mitochondrial capacity to compensate for potential detrimental effects of warming on metabolism. Finally, the absence of significant differences in respiratory fluxes between COLD‐20°C and WARM‐30°C fish likely reflects an optimal respiration flux when organisms adapt to their thermal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy is a common and effective treatment for cancer, but these drugs are also associated with significant side effects affecting patients' well‐being. One such debilitating side effect is mucositis, characterized by inflammation, ulcerations, and altered physiological functions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract's mucosal lining. Understanding the mechanisms of chemotherapy‐induced intestinal mucositis (CIM) is crucial for developing effective preventive measures and supportive care. Chemotherapeutics not only target cancer cells but also rapidly dividing cells in the GI tract. These drugs disrupt endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, leading to ER‐stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in various intestinal epithelial cell types. The UPR triggers signaling pathways that exacerbate tissue inflammation and damage, influence the differentiation and fate of intestinal epithelial cells, and compromise the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. These factors contribute significantly to mucositis development and progression. In this review, we aim to give an in‐depth overview of the role of ER‐stress in mucositis and its impact on GI function. This will provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and highlighting potential therapeutic interventions that could improve treatment‐outcomes and the quality of life of cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Turbinals are bony or cartilaginous structures that are present in the nasal cavity of most tetrapods. They are involved in key functions such as olfaction, heat, and moisture conservation, as well as protection of the respiratory tract. Despite recent studies that challenged long‐standing hypotheses about their physiological and genomic correlation, turbinals remain largely unexplored, particularly for non‐mammalian species. Herein, we review and synthesise the current knowledge of turbinals using an integrative approach that includes comparative anatomy, physiology, histology and genomics. In addition, we provide synonyms and correspondences of tetrapod turbinals from about 80 publications. This work represents a first step towards drawing hypotheses of homology for the whole clade, and provides a strong basis to develop new research avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fungi clinically relevant to human skin comprise prevalent commensals and well‐known pathogens. Only rarely human skin harbours fungi that evade identification. Objective: To characterise an enigmatic specimen isolated from a skin lesion. Methods: A comprehensive clinical and mycological workup including conventional methods for phenotypic characterisation and sequencing based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions to infer a phylogenetic tree. Results: Cultures on common solid media were macroscopically inconspicuous initially until mycelial tufts developed on the surface, notably on potato dextrose agar. Polymorphous chlamydospores were detected but no aleurospores and ascomata. At 26°C, the isolate grew on standard agars, plant materials and garden soil and utilised peptone, keratins, lipids, inulin, erythrocytes and cellulose. It also grew at 5°C and at 37°C. Nucleotide sequences of its ITS region showed 93% similarity to sequences of different Malbranchea species. The closest matches among LSU rRNA sequences were obtained with the genera Amauroascus, Arthroderma, Auxarthronopsis and Malbranchea (93%–95%). A combined phylogenetic analysis placed the fungus in a sister clade to Neogymnomycetaceae, classified as incertae sedis in Onygenales, on a large distance to either Diploospora rosea or 'Amauroascus' aureus. Conclusions: The genus Inopinatus gen. nov. (MB854685) with the species Inopinatus corneliae sp. nov. (MB854687) is introduced to accommodate our isolate (holotype: DSM 116806; isotypes: CBS 151104, IHEM 29063). Probably Inopinatus corneliae is a geophilic species that, although potentially harmful, was no relevant pathogen in our case. Its ecology, epidemiology and pathogenicity need to be further clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare performance, kinematic, and physiological variables between open water and pool swimming conditions in elite triathletes and to examine the associations between conditions on these variables. Fourteen elite triathletes (10 males and 4 females [23.4 ± 3.8 years]) performed two 1500‐m swimming tests in open water and in a 25‐m pool. Swimming speed, stroke rate (SR), length (SL) and index (SI), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentrations [La−], and end‐exercise oxygen uptake (EEV̇O2) were assessed in both conditions. Lower SL and SI and higher SR were obtained in open water compared with pool swimming (p < 0.05). Moreover, kinematic variables changed as a function of distance in both conditions (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the main physiological variables (HR, [La−], and EEV̇O2) between conditions. Respiratory exchange ratio presented lower values in open water than in pool conditions (p < 0.05), while time constant was higher in open water (p = 0.032). The fastest triathletes in open water obtained the best performance in the pool (r = 0.958; p < 0.001). All kinematic variables, HR and peak [La−] presented positive associations between conditions (r > 0.6; p < 0.05). Despite physiological invariance, triathletes and coaches should monitor specific open water training to adapt their swimming technique to the competitive environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combat sports athletes often undergo rapid body mass loss (BML), which presents health risks. Hydration testing has been proposed as a possible solution to reduce or eliminate rapid BML. However, combat sports athletes may exhibit distinct physiological characteristics due to repeated exposure to BML. Thus, traditional and emerging hydration biomarkers should be investigated to determine their potential suitability for field use in this cohort. This study examined whether BML can explain changes in serum and urine osmolality (SosmΔ, UosmΔ), tear osmolarity (TosmΔ), hematocrit (HctΔ), and urine‐specific gravity (USGΔ) after mild–moderate passive dehydration. Biomarker reliability was also assessed across two trials. Fifteen male and female combat sports athletes (age: 26.3 ± 5.3 years, body mass: 67.7 ± 9.9 kg) underwent a sauna protocol twice (5–28 days apart) aiming for 4% BML. The average BML in Trials 1 and 2 was 3.0 ± 0.7%. Regression analysis revealed that BML explained HctΔ (R2 = 0.22, p = 0.009) but not SosmΔ (R2 = 0.11, p = 0.079) or other biomarkers. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were significant for all biomarkers except TosmΔ (ICC = 0.06, p = 0.37) and post‐Tosm (ICC = 0.04, p = 0.42); post‐Hct performed best (ICC = 0.82, p < 0.001). Contingency tables with post‐Sosm (295 mOsm/kg) and post‐USG (1.020) cutoffs revealed an 80% true negative rate (TNR) and a 62% true positive rate (TPR). Increasing the Sosm cutoff to 301 mOsm/kg decreased the TNR to 52% but increased the TPR to 83%. Although blood parameters were most sensitive to BML, they could only explain 11%–22% of biomarker variation. The typical USG cutoff misclassified 42% of athletes postdehydration, and reliability was generally poor‐moderate. Alternative strategies should be pursued to manage rapid BML in combat sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant nutrient composition is a reliable tool to identify plant ecological strategies and niche differentiation. Here, we aimed to (i) reveal the potential physiological mechanisms governing distinct foliar nutrient compositions among coexisting grassland species and (ii) clarify the role of taxonomy and environmental conditions in these compositions. At the local (grassland) scale, we measured root morphological and physiological traits, photosynthetic parameters and foliar concentrations of six macronutrients (N, P, S, K, Ca and Mg) and four micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) across 18 coexisting species. At the regional scale, foliar macro‐ and micronutrient concentrations of 76 site‐species combinations of grasses and forbs across temperate meadow, typical, desert and saline grasslands were measured in Inner Mongolia. At the national scale, we collected the data on foliar macronutrient concentrations of 513 site‐species combinations across grasslands in Xinjiang, Qinghai‐Tibet and Inner Mongolia of China. Compared with forbs, grasses had 3.9 times higher root branching intensity, but 58% and 48% lower root carboxylate exudation and leaf transpiration rate. These distinct nutrient acquisition and transport strategies led to lower foliar nutrient (N, P, Ca, Mg and Mn) concentrations in grasses than forbs at the local scale. Most foliar micronutrient concentrations did not differ between grasses and forbs at the regional scale, whereas macronutrient concentrations were higher in forbs than grasses regardless of the grassland type at both the regional and national scales. All macronutrient concentrations exhibited stronger phylogenetic conservatism and less environmental control than micronutrients. The biogeochemical niche segregation (Euclidean distance based on PCA score of foliar macronutrient concentrations) between sympatric grasses and forbs was lower in meadow grassland than in the typical, desert and saline grasslands. Our results suggest that diverse nutrient acquisition and transport strategies can underlie the distinct foliar nutrient compositions between grasses and forbs. The linkage between potential physiological mechanisms and biogeochemical niche differentiation of grasses and forbs will advance our understanding of plant species coexistence and adaptive strategy. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]