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Behavioral factors increase the risk of contracting HIV. A comprehensive prevention services (CPS) intervention includes risk assessment and referral for those with confirmed risk. This project sought to assess the feasibility of an emergency department (ED)-based CPS program. A prospective cross-sectional assessment was conducted from October, 2021 through May, 2023, at a single ED in Birmingham, Alabama. Either of two screening methods were subjected to HIV negative adults: 1) manual chief complaint review or 2) objective electronic medical record (EMR) query. Manual and EMR screening methods considered sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or a positive urine drug test (to observe for commonly injectable drugs) within 12 months of current ED visit. Identified patients were approached in the ED (manual review) or via phone (EMR alert). Persons confirmed at risk for HIV following engagement questionnaire completion were made aware of their risk and offered referral to local CPS clinics. Primary outcome was CPS linkage. Descriptive analysis was performed. Of 184 patients approached, 147 agreed to engagement (79.9%), 117 in-person and 30 via phone; 125 (85.1%) were confirmed at risk for HIV; majority were white (66.4%), male (63.2%), between the ages of 30 and 49 (64.8%), uninsured (78.4%), and without a primary care provider (93.6%). Sexual behavior was identified as a recent (within six months) risk factor in 97 (77.6%) patients. Injection drug use was identified as a recent (within six months) risk factor in 71 (56.8%) patients. Fifty-four (43.2%) expressed interest in obtaining CPS follow-up. To-date, ten patients (18.5%) have connected with a CPS counsellor via phone and five (9.3%) have had a subsequent follow-up appointment to discuss CPS with a medical provider. Thirty at-risk patients (24.0%) received ED-initiated buprenorphine/naloxone. Targeted screening tools can aid in the identification of persons at risk for HIV in the ED; further, subsequent engagement and CPS implementation amongst this cohort is feasible. CPS clinic linkage may be challenging however, a CPS definition inclusive of ED-initiated medication for opioid use disorder, may offer opportunity for increased uptake., Competing Interests: The commercial funder does not alter our adherence to all PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials., (Copyright: © 2024 Osman et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Dyslipidemia is a leading contributor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). There has been a significant improvement in the treatment of dyslipidemia in the past 10 years with the development of new pharmacotherapies. The intent of this review is help enhance clinicians understanding of non-statin lipid lowering therapies in accordance with the 2022 American College of Cardiology Expert Consensus Clinical Decision Pathway on the Role of Non-statin Therapies for LDL-Cholesterol Lowering. We also present a single-center experience implementing a systematic inpatient protocol for lipid lowering therapy for secondary prevention of ASCVD., Competing Interests: OC reports consulting/speaking fees from Amgen and Penumbra The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Gier, Gilchrist, Fordham, Riordan, Milchan, Patel, Mojahedi, Choudhury, Kits, Cohen, Doughtery, Reilly, Kalogeropoulos, Rahman and Chen.)

In Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC), one of the causes of maternal and child mortality is a lack of medical knowledge and consequently the inability to seek timely healthcare. Mobile health (mHealth) technology is gradually becoming a universal intervention platform across the globe due to ubiquity of mobile phones and network coverage. MANTRA is a novel mHealth intervention developed to tackle maternal and child health issues through a serious mobile game app in rural Nepal, which demonstrated a statistically significant knowledge improvement in rural women. This paper explores the perceptions and usability of the MANTRA app amongst rural women and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) in Nepal. Despite the challenges of a target user group with limited educational levels and low smartphone experience, all participants viewed the MANTRA app with approval and enthusiasm. They were willing to engage further with the mHealth intervention and to share their experience and knowledge with fellow community members. Participants also showed an increase in awareness of danger signs enabling them to make better informed health decisions in the future. FCHVs viewed the app as a validation tool providing and support for greater impact of their efforts in rural Nepal. Growing mobile ownership, network coverage and availability of smartphones along with acceptance of the prototype MANTRA app in rural communities suggest encouraging prospects for mHealth interventions to be incorporated in the national health infrastructure in Nepal and other LMICs., Competing Interests: GH was employed by the company Hearn Geoserve, Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Kayastha, Mueller, Yadav, Kelman, Boscor, Saville, Arjyal, Baral, Fordham, Hearn and Kostkova.)

Serious games, conveying educational knowledge rather than merely entertainment, are a rapidly expanding research domain for cutting-edge educational technology. Digital interventions like serious games are great opportunities to overcome challenges in low-and-middle-income countries that limit access to health information, such as social barriers like low-literacy and gender. MANTRA: Increasing maternal and child health resilience before, during and after disasters using mobile technology in Nepal takes on these challenges with a novel digital health intervention; a serious mobile game aimed at vulnerable low-literacy female audiences in rural Nepal. The serious game teaches 28 learning objectives of danger signs in geohazards, maternal, and neonatal health to improve knowledge and self-assessment of common conditions and risks to inform healthcare-seeking behavior. Evaluations consisted of recruiting 35 end users to participate in a pre-test assessment, playing the game, post-test assessment, and focus groups to elicit qualitative feedback. Assessments analyzed knowledge gain in two ways; by learning objective with McNemar tests for each learning objective, and by participant scores with paired t -tests of overall scores and by module. Results of assessments of knowledge gain by learning objective (McNemar tests) indicate participants had sufficient prior knowledge to correctly interpret and respond to 26% of pictograms (coded AA), which is a desirable result although without the possibility of improvement through the intervention. The geohazard module had greatest impact as 16% of responses showed knowledge gain (coded BA). The two most successful learning objectives showing statistically significant positive change were evidence of rockfalls and small cracks in the ground ( p = < 0.05). Assessment of knowledge gain by participant scores (paired t -tests) showed the 35 participants averaged a 7.7 point improvement ( p < 0.001) in the assessment (28 learning objectives). Average change in knowledge of subdivided module scores (each module normalized to 100 points for comparison) was greatest in the geohazard module (9.5 points, p < 0.001), then maternal health (7.4 points, p = 0.0067), and neonatal health (6.0 points, p = 0.013). This evaluation demonstrated that carefully designed digital health interventions with pictograms co-authored by experts and users can teach complex health and geohazard situations. Significant knowledge gain was demonstrated for several learning objectives while those with non-significant or negative change will be re-designed to effectively convey information., Competing Interests: GH was employed by the company Hearn Geoserve, Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Mueller, Soriano, Boscor, Saville, Arjyal, Baral, Fordham, Hearn, Kayastha and Kostkova.)

Background: Mobile technology is increasingly important for delivering public health interventions to remote populations. This research study developed, piloted, and assessed a serious game for mobile devices that teaches geohazard, maternal, and neonatal health messages. This unique mHealth intervention aimed at low-literacy audiences in low resource settings is part of the Maternal and Neonatal Technologies in Rural Areas (MANTRA) project: Increasing maternal and child health resilience before, during, and after disasters using mobile technology in Nepal., Methods: The serious game was developed through a co-creation process between London and Kathmandu based researchers by email and video-calling, and face-to-face with local stakeholders in Nepal. The process identified core needs, developed appropriate pictograms and mechanics, and tailored the pilot serious game to the local cultural context. Evaluations and feedback from end users took place in rural villages and suburban Kathmandu in Province Three. Field evaluation sessions used mixed methods. Researchers observed game play and held focus group discussions to elicit qualitative feedback and understand engagement, motivation, and usability, and conducted a paired pre- and post-game knowledge assessment., Results: The MANTRA serious game is contextualized to rural Nepal. The game teaches 28 learning objectives in three modules: maternal health, neonatal health, and geohazards, through picture matching with immediate audio and visual feedback. User feedback from focus groups demonstrated high engagement, motivation, and usability of the game., Conclusions: This MANTRA study is a unique mHealth intervention of a serious game to teach core health and geohazards messages to low-literacy audiences in rural Nepal. Although the mobile game is tailored for this specific context, the developmental process and insights could be transferable to the development of other games-based interventions and contextualized for any part of the world. Successfully targeting this low-literacy and illiterate audience makes the MANTRA development process the first of its kind and a novel research endeavor with potential for widespread impact and adoption following further game development., Trial Registration: This project was approved by the University College London Ethics Committee in London, United Kingdom [10547/001], and the Nepal Health Research Council in Kathmandu, Nepal [Reg. No. 105/2017]. All participants provided informed written consent.

The relationship between hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), microRNAs (miRs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase-1 (PARP-1) in diabetic kidney remodeling remains mostly obscured. We aimed at investigating whether alteration of miR-194-dependent MMPs and PARP-1 causes renal fibrosis in diabetes kidney, and whether H 2 S ameliorates fibrosis. Wild type, diabetic Akita mice as well as mouse glomerular endothelial cells (MGECs) were used as experimental models, and GYY4137 as H 2 S donor. In diabetic mice, plasma H 2 S levels were decreased while ROS and expression of its modulator (ROMO1) were increased. In addition, alteration of MMPs-9, -13 and -14 expression, PARP-1, HIF1α, and increased collagen biosynthesis as well as collagen cross-linking protein, P4HA1 and PLOD2 were observed along with diminished vascular density in diabetic kidney. These changes were ameliorated by GYY4137. Further, downregulated miRNA-194 was normalized by GYY4137 in diabetic kidney. Similar results were obtained in in vitro condition. Interestingly, miR-194 mimic also diminished ROS production, and normalized ROMO1, MMPs-9, -13 and -14, and PARP-1 along with collagen biosynthesis and cross-linking protein in HG condition. We conclude that decrease H 2 S diminishes miR-194, induces collagen deposition and realignment leading to fibrosis and renovascular constriction in diabetes. GYY4137 mitigates renal fibrosis in diabetes through miR-194-dependent pathway.

CASE DESCRIPTION 3 ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), aged 1 to 2 years, were referred for evaluation of a 4-day to 2-week history of gastrointestinal signs, including anorexia, regurgitation, and vomiting. CLINICAL FINDINGS All 3 ferrets had clinical signs suggestive of dysphagia or esophagitis on initial examination. Esophagoscopy, barium-contrast esophagography, or both revealed foreign bodies with mucosal inflammation in 1 patient and an esophageal foreign body with stricture in 2 patients. One of the latter ferrets had a recent history of gastrotomy to remove a foreign body. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME 1 ferret was treated with endoscopic retrieval of the foreign bodies. Esophageal stricture was treated in 2 ferrets by means of endoscopic balloon dilation accompanied by placement of an esophageal stent in 1 ferret. After resolution of clinical signs and completion of all prescribed treatments, 2 of 3 ferrets successfully transitioned to a regular hard kibble diet; 1 ferret remained on a soft diet for 2 years. All owners were satisfied with the outcome of treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ferrets are prone to foreign body ingestion. Results of this small series of cases suggested that minimally invasive techniques may be useful for the management of esophageal disease in this species.

Acclimation to elevated CO2 was investigated in Parmelia caperata originating from the vicinity of a natural CO2 spring, where the average daytime CO2 concentration was 729 ± 39 μmol mol−1 dry air. Thalli showed no evidence of a down-regulation in photosynthetic capacity following long-term exposure to CO2 enrichment in the field; carboxylation efficiency, total Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) content, apparent quantum yield of CO2 assimilation, and the light-saturated rate of CO2 assimilation (measured under ambient and saturating CO2 concentrations) were similar in thalli from the naturally CO2 enriched site and an adjacent control site where the average long-term CO2 concentration was about 355 μmol mol−1. Thalli from both CO2 environments exhibited low CO2 compensation points and early saturation of CO2 uptake kinetics in response to increasing external CO2 concentrations, suggesting the presence of an active carbon-concentrating mechanism. Consistent with the lack of significant effects on photosynthetic metabolism, no changes were found in the nitrogen content of thalli following prolonged exposure to elevated CO2. Detailed intrathalline analysis revealed a decreased investment of nitrogen in Rubisco in the pyrenoid of algae located in the elongation zone of thalli originating from elevated CO2, an effect associated with a reduction in the percentage of the cell volume occupied by lipid bodies and starch grains. Although these differences did not affect the photosynthetic capacity of thalli, there was evidence of enhanced limitations to CO2 assimilation in lichens originating from the CO2-enriched site. The light-saturated rate of CO2 assimilation measured at the average growth CO2 concentration was found to be significantly lower in thalli originating from a CO2-enriched atmosphere compared with that of thalli originating and measured at ambient CO2. At lower photosynthetic photon flux densities, the light compensation point of net CO2 assimilation was significantly higher in thalli originating from elevated CO2, and this effect was associated with higher usnic acid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lesotho is one of the most vulnerable countries to effects of climate change with resultant recurrent drought. Drought and dry spells have become a common feature that causes crop failure which subsequently causes food insecurity for agrarian communities. While drought-related research has explored the association between rainfall and crop production, there is a gap in understanding people's experiences of drought impacts and their opinion about what actions could be taken to avoid such impacts in the future. This study aims to ask: what are people's experiences of drought and potential early actions that could save livelihoods and reduce human suffering? Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research approach was adopted where this paper carried out consultations in three agroecological zones, i.e. Southern Lowlands, Northern Lowlands and Mountains of Lesotho. Overall, this paper conducted 48 community consultations where genderized focus group discussions (mixed elderly, mixed youth, middled aged men and women) and nine key informants (local authorities, schoolteachers, wisemen and women in the community) interviews were conducted. Furthermore, interviews with stakeholders at the district level (sectoral leaders in disaster risk reduction sub-sectors) were conducted. Findings: This study finds that there are interlinked socio-economic, productive and environmental impacts. Drought-related impacts reported were: cost of food, prevalence of diarrhoea in children under five years of age, conflicts over resources, animal diseases and mortality, aridity and crop failure. Informants also perceived the following actions could be taken before a drought is manifested: clear agro-climatological early warning messages, tailor-made drought-relevant advisories, water harvesting and availability of drought-tolerant seeds. It is thus imperative to streamline policy interventions regarding dissemination of early warning messages and anticipatory actions to reduce the negative impacts of drought on livelihoods. Research limitations/implications: In any qualitative study, the researchers need to reflect on their positionality and how that may influence the research process, outcomes and the general limitations of the research methods (Quandt, 2021). Given that the research team has worked with humanitarian organisations in the study area after which development interventions were implemented, this might have led to interviewees exaggerating the negative impacts of drought hoping the team to bring assistance into the community. In contrast, others may have downplayed the impact and anticipatory actions they deem necessary because of concern that people from different institutions come to ask questions without feedback. Practical implications: This study provides much-needed evidence on how communities affected by drought conceptualise it and how it affects their livelihoods. It delivers an understanding of the nature of the impacts of drought and the nature of anticipatory actions perceived as essential in reducing these impacts and, in so doing, seeks to inform policymakers on designing interventions informed by evidence on lived experience. Future humanitarian and policy interventions to prepare for droughts can use this evidence to identify the type of support that would be the most well-received by community members who are preparing for long-term drying trends in their region. Originality/value: The study presents an understanding of people's opinions of the nature and state of drought impacts, which are key to any effort towards developing and implementing relevant anticipatory action interventions to minimise the impacts of drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to apply a socio-ecological systems framework to demonstrate that pastoral adaptation to climate change necessitates a comprehensive approach. Design/methodology/approach: The authors evaluated the depth of knowledge regarding pastoral adaptation in Africa using bibliometric and content-based analyses. Findings: The analysis of 40 eligible articles, conducted through R Studio, revealed a significant emphasis on climate change adaptation measures. However, there was a noticeable scarcity of research on the role of governance, policy and institutional interventions. Research limitations/implications: The scope of the research is limited to the African continent. Practical implications: This research shed light on how inadequate governance structures and insufficient institutional support, particularly in terms of skills and capacity-building, hinder pastoral communities' resilience. These limitations may potentially affect pastoral livelihoods adversely, with severe consequences for food security and poverty levels in Africa. Social implications: A comprehensive understanding of the challenges pastoralists face in Africa to adapt to climate change will assist in defining high-level policies and interventions to improve pastoral communities' adaptation actions. Originality/value: The study used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach to ensure a thorough and systematic investigation. Furthermore, using an established framework and clearly defined methods will greatly aid in replicating the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored harmful algal bloom (HAB) risk as a function of exposure, hazard and vulnerability, using Scotland as a case study. Exposure was defined as the fish biomass estimated to be lost from a bloom event, based on the total recorded annual production. Hazard was estimated from literature-reported bloom events. Vulnerability was calculated from records of the number of employees (2020), as an estimate of aquaculture-based employment. The dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi was identified as the HAB species with the highest frequency of reported bloom events in Scotland, with variable spatial and temporal reports, but environmental and climatological variables regulating these events are currently unknown. The Shetland Islands region exhibited the highest combined HAB risk, with the highest scores in all three components. Vulnerability was particularly important to overall risk within an island setting, where a larger proportion of the population was dependent on aquaculture. The analysis demonstrated the potential to evaluate the economic and social consequences of HAB events on the aquaculture industry. As fish-killing HABs and fish health impacts are likely under-reported, more transparent reporting of events and related fish health and physiological consequences is recommended for a more quantitative application of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Many groups in organisations are unsuccessful in problem solving. However, the principle of continuous improvement necessitates that organisations refine their employees' problem-solving skills. In this mixed-method, field-based lab experiment, we explored the impact of a treatment to enhance the quality of group problem-solving processes. Design/methodology/approach: We focused on the structured problem-solving process in Kaizen Events by differentiating six consecutive phases. About 16 Kaizen Event groups (101 members) participated in a field-based lab experiment that used a lean simulation game to establish a group problem-solving context. Data were collected via video, surveys and group interviews. We examined if a high-quality process is strengthened through group members' elevated awareness of problem-solving preferences. About 11 groups received a treatment of tailor-made individual feedback to increase awareness of their problem-solving preferences. Additionally, we repeated the experiment in five control groups, where member preferences were not shared. Findings: In the treatment groups, where problem-solving preferences had been shared, we observed a clear improvement in Kaizen Event process quality and higher problem-solving self-efficacy levels. Moreover, their self-reported Kaizen Event behaviour had changed. Within the control groups, the participants also reported that their problem-solving self-efficacy had improved, but this did not have a positive impact on the quality of the objectively measured Kaizen Event process. Originality/value: By combining insights from operations management and organisational behaviour, we demonstrate that the structured Kaizen Event problem-solving process improves when group members' individual problem-solving preferences are shared. We thus add an individual-level variable to the extant models of Kaizen Event success factors. Our results provide fresh insights into how to improve the continuous improvement process within organisations. Kaizen Event stakeholders and their facilitators are offered guidance on how to increase one's awareness of own and others' problem-solving preferences in group-based problem-solving events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Several social vulnerability index (SVI) components have been associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes and provider bias. The objective of this study is to assess whether betamethasone administration timing among patients at risk for preterm birth differs by social vulnerability index. Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study of pregnant people at a large academic healthcare system between January 2019 and January 2023. Patients with live singleton gestations at risk for preterm birth who received at least one dose of intramuscular betamethasone for fetal lung maturity from 22 to 34 weeks were included. Patients aged less than 18, who received late-preterm corticosteroids and/or had scheduled delivery at 34 weeks were excluded. We analyzed the association between patient SVI quartile and maternal demographic factors on betamethasone timing, with optimal timing defined as the receipt of two doses of betamethasone within 2 to 7 days of delivery. Results: 1686 patients met the inclusion criteria. Only 22.4% of patients had optimally timed betamethasone administration. Among those who did not receive optimal betamethasone timing, 360 patients delivered less than 48 h from the first dose and 948 delivered greater than 7 days from the first dose. Optimal betamethasone timing within 2 to 7 days of delivery was more common in patients with higher SVI values. Patients with lower social vulnerability were more likely to deliver greater than one week from betamethasone administration. Conclusions: Patients in higher SVI quartiles are more likely to have optimally timed betamethasone. This is likely attributed to overtreatment with betamethasone of less socially vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic organic compounds produced during the incomplete combustion of organic materials and are commonly found in the environment due to anthropogenic activities such as industrial and vehicular emissions as well as natural sources, mainly volcanic eruptions and forest fires. PAHs are well known for their bioaccumulative capacity and environmental persistence, raising concerns due to their adverse effects on human health, including their carcinogenic potential. In recent years, bioremediation has emerged as a promising, effective, and sustainable solution for the degradation of PAHs in contaminated environments. In this context, yeasts have proven to be key microorganisms in the degradation of these compounds, owing to their ability to metabolize them through a series of enzymatic pathways. This review explores the advancements in yeast-mediated degradation of PAHs, with a particular focus on the role of enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (CYPs), epoxide hydrolases (EHs), and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which facilitate the breakdown of these compounds. The review also discusses the applications of genetic engineering to enhance the efficiency of yeasts in PAH degradation and the use of omics technologies to predict the catabolic potential of these organisms. Additionally, it examines studies addressing the degradation of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by yeasts such as Debaryomyces hansenii, and the potential future implications of omics sciences for developing new bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectral imaging plays a critical role in various applications such as gas monitoring, mineral exploration, and fire detection. Recent advancements in computational spectral imaging, powered by advanced algorithms, have enabled the acquisition of high-quality spectral images in real time, such as with the Uncooled Snapshot Infrared Spectrometer (USIRS). However, the USIRS system faces challenges, particularly a low spectral resolution and large amount of data noise, which can degrade the image quality. Deep learning has emerged as a promising solution to these challenges, as it is particularly effective at handling noisy data and has demonstrated significant success in hyperspectral imaging tasks. Nevertheless, the application of deep learning in LWIR imaging is hindered by the severe scarcity of long-wave hyperspectral image data, which limits the training of robust models. Moreover, existing networks that rely on convolutional layers or attention mechanisms struggle to effectively capture both local and global spectral correlations. To address these limitations, we propose the pixel-based Hierarchical Spectral Transformer (HST), a novel deep learning architecture that learns from publicly available single-pixel long-wave infrared spectral databases. The HST is designed to achieve a high spectral resolution for LWIR spectral image reconstruction, enhancing both the local and global contextual understanding of the spectral data. We evaluated the performance of the proposed method on both simulated and real-world LWIR data, demonstrating the robustness and effectiveness of the HST in improving the spectral resolution and mitigating noise, even with limited data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to characterise growth and photosynthetic capacity in plants adapted to long-term contrasting atmospheric CO2 concentrations ( Ca). Seeds of Agrostis canina L. ssp. monteluccii were collected from a natural CO2 transect in central-western Italy and plants grown in controlled environment chambers at both ambient and elevated CO2 (350 and 700 μmol mol−1) in nutrient-rich soil. Seasonal mean Ca at the source of the plant material ranged from 610 to 451 μmol CO2 mol−1, derived from C4 leaf stable carbon isotope discrimination (δ13C). Under chamber conditions, CO2 enrichment stimulated the growth of all populations. However, plants originating from elevated Ca exhibited higher initial relative growth rates (RGRs) irrespective of chamber CO2 concentrations and a positive relationship was found between RGR and Ca at the seed source. Seed weight was positively correlated with Ca, but differences in seed weight were found to explain no more than 34% of the variation in RGRs at elevated CO2. Longer-term experiments (over 98 days) on two populations originating from the extremes of the transect (451 and 610 μmol CO2 mol−1) indicated that differences in growth between populations were maintained when plants were grown at both 350 and 700 μmol CO2 mol−1. Analysis of leaf material revealed an increase in the cell wall fraction (CWF) in plants grown at elevated CO2, with plants originating from high Ca exhibiting constitutively lower levels but a variable response in terms of the degree of lignification. In vivo gas exchange measurements revealed no significant differences in light and CO2 saturated rates of photosynthesis and carboxylation efficiency between populations or with CO2 treatment. Moreover, SDS-PAGE/ LISA quantification of leaf ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) showed no difference in Rubisco content between populations or CO2 treatments. These findings suggest that long-term adaptation to growth at elevated CO2 may be associated with a potential for increased growth, but this does not appear to be linked with differences in the intrinsic capacity for photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]