Search

We conducted a multi-scaled Ecoregional Conservation Assessment for the Southern Rockies (~14.5 M ha) and its trailing edge, the Santa Fe Subregion (~2.2 M ha), from Wyoming to New Mexico, USA. We included a representation analysis of Existing Vegetation Types (EVTs), mature and old-growth forests (MOG), and four focal species—Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus), Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), and northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)—in relation to 30 × 30 and 50 × 50 conservation targets. To integrate conservation targets with wildfire risk reduction to the built environment and climate change planning, we overlaid the location of wildfires and forest treatments in relation to the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) and included downscaled climate projections for a lower (RCP4.5) and higher (RCP8.5) emission scenario. Protected areas were highly skewed toward upper-elevation EVTs (most were >50% protected), underrepresented forest types (73%) forest-thinning treatments over the past decade were >1 km from delineated WUI areas, well beyond the distance at which vegetation management can effectively reduce structure ignition risk (

Abstract The giant sequoia, a serotinous conifer naturally occurring in mixed‐conifer forests of the southern and central Sierra Nevada, California, USA, is the world's largest tree species. Giant sequoia reproduction has been severely lacking over the past century, due to fire exclusion, creating a significant conservation threat. Previous research on postfire sequoia reproduction in high‐severity fire areas, relative to low‐ and moderate‐severity areas, is limited. At 6 years postfire, we investigated giant sequoia reproduction in a high‐severity fire area, and nearby low‐/mixed‐severity fire areas, in the Nelder Grove, which burned in 2017 in the Railroad fire. Postfire giant sequoia reproduction was positively correlated with fire severity in terms of density, height (growth), and proportion (relative to other conifer species), and sequoia seedling/sapling density was positively correlated with percent shrub cover. There was no correlation between distance to live sequoia seed source and density of sequoia reproduction. More research is needed in other mixed‐severity fire areas, with larger high‐severity fire patches, to determine whether a similar postfire response occurs elsewhere.

Abstract Background Each spring and fall billions of songbirds depart on nocturnal migrations across the globe. Theory suggests that songbirds should depart on migration shortly after sunset to maximize their potential for nightly flight duration or to time departure with the emergence of celestial cues needed for orientation and navigation. Although captive studies have found that songbirds depart during a narrow window of time after sunset, observational studies have found that wild birds depart later and more asynchronously relative to sunset than predicted. Methods We used coded radio tags and automated radio-telemetry to estimate the time that nearly 400 individuals from nine songbird species departed their breeding or wintering grounds across North America. We also assessed whether each species was most likely beginning long-distance migratory flights at departure or instead first making non-migratory regional flights. We then explored variation in nocturnal departure time by post-departure movement type, species, age, sex, and season. Results We found that 90% of individuals from species that were likely initiating long-distance migratory flights departed within 69 min of civil dusk, regardless of species, season, age, or sex. By contrast, species that likely first made non-migratory regional movements away from the migratory destination departed later and more asynchronously throughout the night. Regardless of post-departure movement type, 98% of individuals departed after civil dusk but otherwise showed no preference in relation to twilight phase. Conclusions Although the presence of celestial orientation cues at civil dusk may set a starting point for departure each night, the fact that species likely beginning long-distance migration departed earlier and more synchronously relative to civil dusk than those first making non-migratory regional movements is consistent with the hypothesis that departing promptly after civil dusk functions to maximize the potential for nightly flight duration and distance. By studying the onset of migration, our study provides baseline information about departure decisions that may enhance our understanding of departure timing throughout migration.

Abstract Background Weather can have both delayed and immediate impacts on animal populations, and species have evolved behavioral adaptions to respond to weather conditions. Weather has long been hypothesized to affect the timing and intensity of avian migration, and radar studies have demonstrated strong correlations between weather and broad-scale migration patterns. How weather affects individual decisions about the initiation of migratory flights, particularly at the beginning of migration, remains uncertain. Methods Here, we combine automated radio telemetry data from four species of songbirds collected at five breeding and wintering sites in North America with hourly weather data from a global weather model. We use these data to determine how wind profit, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, and cloud cover affect probability of departure from breeding and wintering sites. Results We found that the probability of departure was related to changes in atmospheric pressure, almost completely regardless of species, season, or location. Individuals were more likely to depart on nights when atmospheric pressure had been rising over the past 24 h, which is predictive of fair weather over the next several days. By contrast, wind profit, precipitation, and cloud cover were each only informative predictors of departure probability in a single species. Conclusions Our results suggest that individual birds actively use weather information to inform decision-making regarding the initiation of departure from the breeding and wintering grounds. We propose that birds likely choose which date to depart on migration in a hierarchical fashion with weather not influencing decision-making until after the departure window has already been narrowed down by other ultimate and proximate factors.

Researchers studying avian space use, dispersal, survival, and migration select tracking tags that optimize tag size (dimensions) and mass relative to the focal species to minimize risk to birds as they move and fly. Here we argue that antenna length and transmitter color are also critical tag design parameters that must be considered. Based on a review of the songbird tracking literature and unpublished cases, we found most cases of entanglement, which can result in bird injuries and death, occurred with longer antennas (>13 cm). However, such cases cannot infer rates of mortality or survival, nor may they be representative of entanglements across antenna lengths and studies using radio tags. Additionally, white or brightly colored transmitters that contrast with plumage, particularly of cryptically colored females and juveniles, may increase visibility to predators and result in higher mortality, or alternatively, cause a female to eject a nestling by mistaking the tag for a fecal sac or foreign object. Consequently, we call on researchers to report and publish cases of antenna entanglement, and for journal editors to encourage and applaud such reports, such that data can be compiled to inform guidelines on tag antenna lengths for different species. Future research is also needed to examine the impacts of tag color on parental behavior and survival of tagged birds. Meanwhile, researchers should strive to ensure that their tag color does not contrast markedly with avian plumages, while also taking care not to alter (i.e., do not color over) areas required for harness attachment, activating and deactivating tags. We hope such efforts will enable researchers and manufacturers to make more informed decisions about tracking tag design, particularly with respect to balancing the benefits of longer antennas, which provide greater power and detection distance, with risks of bird entanglement and mortality.

Abstract Karst aquifers are a vital groundwater resource globally, but features such as rapid recharge and conduit flow make them highly vulnerable to land‐surface contamination. We apply environmental age tracers to the south‐central Texas Edwards aquifer, a karst resource in a rapidly urbanizing and drought‐prone region, to assess vulnerability to land‐surface contamination and risks unique to karst aquifers. We show that vulnerability of Edwards aquifer groundwater follows similar spatial and depth patterns common to porous‐media type aquifers, despite complicated karst hydrogeologic features. Shallow and unconfined parts are more vulnerable to land‐surface contamination than the deeper and confined parts, although even the oldest groundwater is mixed with some recent recharge. When modeled age‐tracer results are coupled with other independent geochemical tracers of water‐rock interaction specific to karst settings, they can yield insight into residence time and associated vulnerability.

Den-Ching A Lee,1,2 Elissa Burton,3,4 Susan Slatyer,5 Alessandro Jacinto,6 Déborah Oliveira,7 Christina Bryant,8 Anjali Khushu,9 Elizabeth Tiller,9 Aislinn Lalor,2,10 Moira Watson,5 Natasha Layton,2 Natasha Brusco,2 Keith D Hill2,11 1School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, 3199, Australia; 2Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, 3199, Australia; 3Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia; 4enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia; 5Centre for Healthy Ageing, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia; 6Faculty of Geriatric Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; 7Medical School, Faculty Postgraduate Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo – UNIFESP, Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil; 8Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; 9Department of Geriatrics (Falls Prevention Service), Peninsula Health, Frankston, Victoria, 3199, Australia; 10Department of Occupational Therapy, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3199, Australia; 11National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Monash University and Peninsula Health, Frankston, Victoria, 3199, AustraliaCorrespondence: Den-Ching A Lee, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Moorooduc Highway, Frankston, Victoria, 3199, Australia, Tel +613 9904 4662, Email angel.lee@monash.eduIntroduction: Carers play a critical role in supporting older people with health problems to remain living at home. This study aimed to understand the role and quality of life of older carers of older people and identify strategies used to manage their own health and well-being.Methods: Older carers (aged ≥ 50 years) of older people (aged ≥ 65 years) in Australia participated in a cross-sectional survey focused on carer roles, self-rated health, information and activities used to maintain their carer role and health, barriers to accessing health care, and assessment of quality of life (QoL) using the Dementia Quality of Life Scale for Older Family Carers. Multiple regression analysis examined relationships between variables and the QoL outcome.Results: The survey was completed by 189 older carers (mean age: 68 years; SD = 9.3). Most were female (83.5%), 80.2% providing care daily and 47.8% provided ≥six hours care daily. Almost half (45.1%) self-reported their health as average or below. Despite rating ensuring personal health as very important (mean importance 8/10), only 46.3% reported receiving support from their general practitioner for their carer role. The most common barrier to accessing care for themselves was “not having enough time”. Factors independently associated with poorer carer QoL were living with the care-recipient, caring for someone with depression/anxiety and poor care-recipient health. Factors independently associated with higher carer QoL were placing high importance on personal health, receiving assistance from a specialist clinic as a carer, and older age.Conclusion: Older carers of older people provide high levels of care and experience reduced quality of life. Innovative approaches that provide integrated care and support for older carers to promote their QoL are urgently needed.Keywords: carers, older, health, dementia, quality of life, barriers

Giant sequoia groves, located on the western slope of the central and southern Sierra Nevada mountains in California, USA, have been experiencing regeneration failure for more than a century due to the exclusion of wildfires. Giant sequoias are serotinous conifers and have evolved a strong relationship between high-severity fire and reproduction. While this relationship is widely recognized, only one previous peer-reviewed study has directly investigated giant sequoia reproduction and fire severity, and that study used different fires for each severity class. We conducted a study of giant sequoia reproduction and fire severity in a single fire, the KNP Complex fire of 2021, within the Redwood Mountain Grove in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. We found that giant sequoia seedlings are more dominant relative to other conifer species and are growing faster in a large high-severity fire area than in adjacent low/moderate-severity areas. Distance to the nearest live sequoia seed source was not a significant factor in sequoia seedling density. Our results call into question the basis for widespread plans and projects designed to prevent high-severity fires and should reevaluate moving forward with proposed tree planting activities in high-severity fire areas within giant sequoia groves.

Principal aquifers in the US with a large fraction of Anthropocene groundwater are susceptible to land-surface contamination, according to the cumulative distribution function analysis of the groundwater age. We prefer: US drinking water aquifers with a large fraction of Anthropocene groundwater are susceptible to land-surface contamination, according to the analysis of groundwater age distributions at public-supply wells.

Bortezomib (BTZ), a boronic acid-derived proteasome inhibitor, is commonly employed in treating multiple myeloma (MM). However, the applications of BTZ are limited due to its poor stability and low bioavailability. Herein, we develop an optimized liposomal formulation of BTZ (L-BTZ) by employing a remote-loading strategy. This formulation uses Tiron, a divalent anionic catechol derivative, as the internal complexing agent. Compared to earlier BTZ-related formulations, this alternative formulation showed significantly greater stability due to the Tiron–BTZ complex’s higher pH stability and negative charges, compared to the meglumine–BTZ complex. Significantly, the plasma AUC of L-BTZ was found to be 30 times greater than that of free BTZ, suggesting an extended blood circulation duration. In subsequent therapeutic evaluations using two murine xenograft tumor models of MM, the NCI-H929 and OPM2 models showed tumor growth inhibition (TGI) values of 37% and 57%, respectively. In contrast, free BTZ demonstrated TGI values of 17% and 11% in these models. Further, L-BTZ presented enhanced antitumor efficacy in the Hepa1-6 HCC syngeneic model, indicating its potential broader applicability as an antineoplastic agent. These findings suggest that the optimized L-BTZ formulation offers a significant advancement in BTZ delivery, holding substantial promise for clinical investigation in not merely MM, but other cancer types.

Interventions for bone diseases (e.g. osteoporosis) require testing in animal models before clinical translation and the mouse tibia is among the most common tested anatomical sites. In vivo micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) based measurements of the geometrical and densitometric properties are non-invasive and therefore constitute an important tool in preclinical studies. Moreover, validated micro-Finite Element (microFE) models can be used for predicting the bone mechanical properties non-invasively. However, considering that the image processing pipeline requires operator-dependant steps, the reproducibility of these measurements has to be assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of several bone parameters measured from microCT images. Ten in vivo microCT images of the right tibia of five mice (at 18 and 22 weeks of age) were processed. One experienced operator (intra-operator analysis) and three different operators (inter-operator) aligned each image to a reference through a rigid registration and selected a volume of interest below the growth plate. From each image the following parameters were measured: total bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD), BMC in 40 subregions (ten longitudinal sections, four quadrants), microFE-based stiffness and failure load. Intra-operator reproducibility was acceptable for all parameters (precision error, PE < 3.71%), with lowest reproducibility for stiffness (3.06% at week 18, 3.71% at week 22). The inter-operator reproducibility was slightly lower (PE < 4.25%), although still acceptable for assessing the properties of most interventions. The lowest reproducibility was found for BMC in the lateral sector at the midshaft (PE = 4.25%). Densitometric parameters were more reproducible than most standard morphometric parameters calculated in the proximal trabecular bone. In conclusion, microCT and microFE models provide reproducible measurements for non-invasive assessment of the mouse tibia properties.

Environmental management and monitoring must reconcile social and cultural objectives with biodiversity stewardship to overcome political barriers to conservation. Suitability modelling offers a powerful tool for such “biocultural” approaches, but examples remain rare. Led by the Stewardship Authority of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation in coastal British Columbia, Canada, we developed a locally informed suitability model for a key biocultural indicator, culturally modified trees (CMTs). CMTs are trees bearing evidence of past cultural use that are valued as tangible markers of Indigenous heritage and protected under provincial law. Using a spatial multi-criteria evaluation framework to predict CMT suitability, we developed two cultural predictor variables informed by Kitasoo/Xai’xais cultural expertise and ethnographic data in addition to six biophysical variables derived from LiDAR and photo interpretation data. Both cultural predictor variables were highly influential in our model, revealing that proximity to known habitation sites and accessibility to harvesters (by canoe and foot) more strongly influenced suitability for CMTs compared with site-level conditions. Applying our model to commercial forestry governance, we found that high CMT suitability areas are 51% greater inside the timber harvesting land base than outside. This work highlights how locally led suitability modelling can improve the social and evidentiary dimensions of environmental management.

Improving our understanding of migratory behaviors and connectivity is fundamental for identifying limiting factors and drivers of population decline. With advances in miniaturized tracking technology, we are now able to study these critical aspects of avian ecology, which, for secretive species, was once an exceptional challenge. Here, we identify several unknown aspects of the migratory behavior and connectivity of the elusive Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii), by tracking individuals from populations breeding in Louisiana, U.S., and wintering in Jamaica. We identified a migratory divide between the western and eastern portions of the species’ distribution, showing that most Louisiana breeders overwintered in southern Mexico and the Yucatan peninsula, whereas the Jamaica individuals migrated to the eastern portion of the Swainson’s Warbler breeding range. Geolocator data documented that a portion of migratory flights in both populations were sustained well into the day, suggesting that birds migrated over large bodies of water (i.e., Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea) during both spring and fall migration. Furthermore, the phenology and rate of migration differed between populations. Additional research efforts across a broader portion of the range are necessary to better understand the demographic consequences of high migratory connectivity and the implications for the conservation of the species.

Debate remains about the effectiveness of commercial thinning as a wildfire management strategy, with some studies reporting somewhat lower severity in thinned forests, and some reporting higher severity, during wildfires. However, while vegetation severity is a measure of basal area tree mortality, research on this question generally omits tree mortality from thinning itself. We investigated whether cumulative tree mortality, or cumulative severity, from commercial thinning and wildfire was different between thinned and unthinned forests in the Caldor Fire of 2021 in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains of California, USA. We found significantly higher cumulative severity in commercial thinning areas compared to unthinned forests. More research is needed to determine whether cumulative severity is higher in commercially thinned forests in other large western US wildfires.

To evaluate methods for analysis of genotoxic effects on mammalian cell lines, we tested the effect of three common genotoxic agents on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Suspension-grown CHO cells were separately incubated with etoposide, bleomycin, and ethyl methanesulfonate and analyzed by an alkaline comet assay and GC-MS/MS. Although DNA strand breaks were detected by the comet assay after treatment with all three agents, GC-MS/MS could only detect DNA nucleobase lesions oxidatively induced by bleomycin. This demonstrates that although GC-MS/MS has limitations in detection of genotoxic effects, it can be used for selected chemical genotoxins that contribute to oxidizing processes. The comet assay, used in combination with GC-MS/MS, can be a more useful approach to screen a wide range of chemical genotoxins as well as to monitor other DNA-damaging factors.

It is challenging to design photosensitizers (PS) with high quantum yields generating singlet oxygen due to severe aggregation between the hydrophobic PSs. Here they develop organoplatinum(II) metallatocage-based PS to overcome these challenges and show excellent antitumor effect.

Multifunctional nanomedicine platforms are highly promising for anticancer therapy. Here, the authors design polyrotaxane-based theranostic nanoparticles that combine targeted drug delivery with photothermal behaviour to exhibit potent anti-tumour effects in vivo.

Albumin conjugates can enhance drug delivery. Here, the authors repurpose albumin-binding Evans blue to develop nanovaccines that co-deliver adjuvants and tumor neoantigens to antigen-presenting cells in lymph nodes, resulting in potent and durable antitumour immunity in combination immunotherapy.

Nucleic acid nanomedicines are promising for cancer drug delivery. Here, the authors show using a mouse model the tumor immunotherapeutic efficacy of nanovaccines based on intertwining DNA-RNA nanocapsules loaded with DNA CpG, Stat3-silencing short hairpin RNA and tumor-specific peptide neoantigens.

Diabetes treatments often rely on frequent and scheduled drug administration, which reduces patient compliance and increases treatment cost. Here, the authors develop a microneedle-array patch that separately loads drug-releasing module and glucose-sensing element for on-demand, long-term diabetes therapy.

Abstract Background When evaluating the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMS) it is important to use multiple bioassays based on different mechanisms of action. In this regard we evaluated the use of gene expression and common cytotoxicity measurements using as test materials, two selected nanoparticles with known differences in toxicity, 5 nm mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)-capped InP and CdSe quantum dots (QDs). We tested the effects of these QDs at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 160 µg/mL on cultured normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells using four common cytotoxicity assays: the dichlorofluorescein assay for reactive oxygen species (ROS), the lactate dehydrogenase assay for membrane viability (LDH), the mitochondrial dehydrogenase assay for mitochondrial function, and the Comet assay for DNA strand breaks. Results The cytotoxicity assays showed similar trends when exposed to nanoparticles for 24 h at 80 µg/mL with a threefold increase in ROS with exposure to CdSe QDs compared to an insignificant change in ROS levels after exposure to InP QDs, a twofold increase in the LDH necrosis assay in NHBE cells with exposure to CdSe QDs compared to a 50% decrease for InP QDs, a 60% decrease in the mitochondrial function assay upon exposure to CdSe QDs compared to a minimal increase in the case of InP and significant DNA strand breaks after exposure to CdSe QDs compared to no significant DNA strand breaks with InP. High-throughput quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) data for cells exposed for 6 h at a concentration of 80 µg/mL were consistent with the cytotoxicity assays showing major differences in DNA damage, DNA repair and mitochondrial function gene regulatory responses to the CdSe and InP QDs. The BRCA2, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CDK1, SFN and VEGFA genes were observed to be upregulated specifically from increased CdSe exposure and suggests their possible utility as biomarkers for toxicity. Conclusions This study can serve as a model for comparing traditional cytotoxicity assays and gene expression measurements and to determine candidate biomarkers for assessing the biocompatibility of ENMs.

The development of extracellular vesicles (EV) for therapeutic applications is contingent upon the establishment of reproducible, scalable, and high-throughput methods for the production and purification of clinical grade EV. Methods including ultracentrifugation (U/C), ultrafiltration, immunoprecipitation, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) have been employed to isolate EV, each facing limitations such as efficiency, particle purity, lengthy processing time, and/or sample volume. We developed a cGMP-compatible method for the scalable production, concentration, and isolation of EV through a strategy involving bioreactor culture, tangential flow filtration (TFF), and preparative SEC. We applied this purification method for the isolation of engineered EV carrying multiple complexes of a novel human immunostimulatory cytokine-fusion protein, heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15)/lactadherin. HEK293 cells stably expressing the fusion cytokine were cultured in a hollow-fibre bioreactor. Conditioned medium was collected and EV were isolated comparing three procedures: U/C, SEC, or TFF + SEC. SEC demonstrated comparable particle recovery, size distribution, and hetIL-15 density as U/C purification. Relative to U/C, SEC preparations achieved a 100-fold reduction in ferritin concentration, a major protein-complex contaminant. Comparative proteomics suggested that SEC additionally decreased the abundance of cytoplasmic proteins not associated with EV. Combination of TFF and SEC allowed for bulk processing of large starting volumes, and resulted in bioactive EV, without significant loss in particle yield or changes in size, morphology, and hetIL-15/lactadherin density. Taken together, the combination of bioreactor culture with TFF + SEC comprises a scalable, efficient method for the production of highly purified, bioactive EV carrying hetIL-15/lactadherin, which may be useful in targeted cancer immunotherapy approaches.

Christina Bryant,1,2 Rebecca Cockburn,1 Anne-Florence Plante,3 Angela Chia4 1Centre for Women’s Mental Health, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, 2Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, 3Department of Physiotherapy, 4Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia Objective: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is widely acknowledged as a common problem with significant consequences for those diagnosed with this condition. There is a lack of studies with good sample size that provide a comprehensive psychological profile of women presenting to specialist chronic pain clinics. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the psychological profile of a representative sample of women presenting with CPP at a tertiary referral center. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Women were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing symptoms of anxiety and depression, pain severity and interference, pain self-efficacy and catastrophizing beliefs, and sexual functioning. Methods: One-hundred and seventy-five women with CPP were recruited when they attended their initial assessment at a specialist CPP clinic of the Royal Women’s Hospital, a public ­hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Results: Over 75% of the participants had experienced pain for longer than 2 years. Fifty-three percent of women experienced either moderate or severe anxiety, and 26.7% experienced moderate-to-severe depression. There were strong correlations between depressive symptoms and pain interference, pain catastrophizing and self-efficacy beliefs. Conclusion: Our findings confirm previous evidence for high levels of psychological distress and functional impairment associated with this condition, and extend these findings by including measures that are highly relevant to treatment planning, such as thinking styles and pain self-efficacy. Therefore, treatment of this complex condition needs to be holistic, and a multi-disciplinary approach is likely to be the best way to achieve this. Keywords: chronic pelvic pain, women’s health, adult, hospital-based clinics, psychological health

Environmental management (EM) requires indicators to inform objectives and monitor the impacts or efficacy of management practices. One common approach uses "functional ecological" indicators, which are typically species whose presence or abundance are tied to functional ecological processes, such as nutrient productivity and availability, trophic interactions, and habitat connectivity. In contrast, and used for millennia by Indigenous peoples, biocultural indicators are rooted in local values and place-based relationships between nature and people. In many landscapes today where Indigenous peoples are reasserting sovereignty and governance authority over natural resources, the functional ecological approach to indicator development does not capture fundamental values and ties to the natural world that have supported social-ecological systems over the long term. Accordingly, we argue that the development and use of biocultural indicators to shape, monitor, and evaluate the success of EM projects will be critical to achieving ecological and social sustainability today. We have provided a framework composed of criteria to be considered when selecting and applying meaningful and efficacious biocultural indicators among the diverse array of potential species and values. We used a case study from a region now referred to as coastal British Columbia, Canada, to show how the suggested application of functional ecological indicators by the provincial government created barriers to the development of meaningful cogovernance. We then explained how the Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation designed and implemented a bioculturally relevant suite of indicators in their own EM and monitoring processes. Drawing on our experiences there and both the biocultural and functional ecological literature, we proposed six generalizable criteria (culturally salient, inclusive, sensitive to impacts, supportive of place-based relationships, perceptible, and linked to human well-being) that can guide resource stewards and agencies in selecting locally relevant indicators to implement biocultural EM and monitor the performance of outcomes.

Exposure of mammalian cells to oxidative stress can result in DNA damage that adversely affects many cell processes. Lack of dependable DNA damage reference materials and standardized measurement methods, despite many case-control studies hampers the wider recognition of the link between oxidatively degraded DNA and disease risk. We used bulk electrolysis in an electrochemical system and gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis (GC/MS/MS) to control and measure, respectively, the effect of electrochemically produced reactive oxygen species on calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). DNA was electro-oxidized for 1 h at four fixed oxidizing potentials (E = 0.5 V, 1.0 V, 1.5 V and 2 V (vs Ag/AgCl)) using a high surface area boron-doped diamond (BDD) working electrode (WE) and the resulting DNA damage in the form of oxidatively-modified DNA lesions was measured using GC/MS/MS. We have shown that there are two distinct base lesion formation modes in the explored electrode potential range, corresponding to 0.5 V < E < 1.5 V and E > 1.5 V. Amounts of all four purine lesions were close to a negative control levels up to E = 1.5 V with evidence suggesting higher levels at the lowest potential of this range (E = 0.5 V). A rapid increase in all base lesion yields was measured when ct-DNA was exposed at E = 2 V, the potential at which hydroxyl radicals were efficiently produced by the BDD electrode. The present results demonstrate that controlled potential preparative electrooxidation of double-stranded DNA can be used to purposely increase the levels of oxidatively modified DNA lesions in discrete samples. It is envisioned that these DNA samples may potentially serve as analytical control or quality assurance reference materials for the determination of oxidatively induced DNA damage.

Some engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may have the potential to cause damage to the genetic material in living systems. The mechanistic machinery functioning at the cellular/molecular level, in the form of DNA repair processes, has evolved to help circumvent DNA damage caused by exposure to a variety of foreign substances. Recent studies have contributed to our understanding of the various DNA damage repair pathways involved in the processing of DNA damage. However, the vast array of ENMs may present a relatively new challenge to the integrity of the human genome; therefore, the potential hazard posed by some ENMs necessitates the evaluation and understanding of ENM-induced DNA damage repair pathways. This review focuses on recent studies highlighting the differential regulation of DNA repair pathways, in response to a variety of ENMs, and discusses the various factors that dictate aberrant repair processes, including intracellular signalling, spatial interactions and ENM-specific responses.

Unless repaired, DNA damage can drive mutagenesis or cell death. DNA repair proteins may therefore be used as biomarkers in disease etiology or therapeutic response prediction. Thus, the accurate determination of DNA repair protein expression and genotype is of fundamental importance. Among DNA repair proteins involved in base excision repair, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) is the major endonuclease in mammals and plays important roles in transcriptional regulation and modulating stress responses. Here, we present a novel approach involving LC-MS/MS with isotope-dilution to positively identify and accurately quantify APE1 in human cells and mouse tissue. A completely (15)N-labeled full-length human APE1 was produced and used as an internal standard. Fourteen tryptic peptides of both human APE1 (hAPE1) and (15)N-labeled hAPE1 were identified following trypsin digestion. These peptides matched the theoretical peptides expected from trypsin digestion and provided a statistically significant protein score that would unequivocally identify hAPE1. Using the developed methodology, APE1 was positively identified and quantified in nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts of multiple human cell lines and mouse liver using selected-reaction monitoring of typical mass transitions of the tryptic peptides. We also show that the methodology can be applied to the identification of hAPE1 variants found in the human population. The results describe a novel approach for the accurate measurement of wild-type and variant forms of hAPE1 in vivo, and ultimately for defining the role of this protein in disease development and treatment responses.

Previously, catalytic cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs, nanoceria, CeO2-x NPs) have been widely utilized for chemical mechanical planarization in the semiconductor industry and for reducing harmful emissions and improving fuel combustion efficiency in the automobile industry. Researchers are now harnessing the catalytic repertoire of CNPs to develop potential new treatment modalities for both oxidative- and nitrosative-stress induced disorders and diseases. In order to reach the point where our experimental understanding of the antioxidant activity of CNPs can be translated into useful therapeutics in the clinic, it is necessary to evaluate the most current evidence that supports CNP antioxidant activity in biological systems. Accordingly, the aims of this review are three-fold: (1) To describe the putative reaction mechanisms and physicochemical surface properties that enable CNPs to both scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to act as antioxidant enzyme-like mimetics in solution; (2) To provide an overview, with commentary, regarding the most robust design and synthesis pathways for preparing CNPs with catalytic antioxidant activity; (3) To provide the reader with the most up-to-date in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence supporting the ROS-scavenging potential of CNPs in biology and medicine.

Soil judging contests are important activities to explore the soil science and its relation to the natural world. They have been held for many years and proved to be very efficient for the student's engagement, field practice, and learning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the soil science societies worldwide had to adapt this activity to the virtual environment. The objective of this article is to document two experiences tested in Brazil and the United States of America, exploring its potential as an innovative and widely available educational method for teaching soil science. The procedures developed in both countries are presented, and the students perceptions indicated that the virtual events are a viable way to hold the soil judging contest, contributing to their academic skills. The Brazilian and American experiences are viable models that can serve as a basis for other countries adopting this activity in their pedagogical planning and academic calendar.

Since Skinner's conceptualization of the mand, applied behavior analysis researchers have used the concept to develop stimulus control transfer procedures effective for addressing manding deficits. More recently, researchers have explored the clinical utility of reinforcing mand variability during mand training and functional communication training. However, limitations in the conceptual analysis of mand variability may have limited the kinds of questions addressed in this research and our understanding of the findings. The current article reconceptualizes mand variability as consisting of eight distinct dimensions and provides operational definitions of the dimensions that may be useful for more precisely characterizing the effects of reinforcement on mand variability in future research. The article concludes with a brief discussion of potential clinical and research implications.

Lag schedules increase operant variability. Several researchers have explored their clinical and educational applications, especially to address repetitive behavior or limited repertoires in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. In the current study, we provide the first comprehensive synthesis and appraisal of lag schedule research in humans. A multistep search strategy was employed to identify all experimental studies of lag schedules in humans published in peer-reviewed journals. We identified 38 studies that met inclusion criteria, summarized the study and participant characteristics, and evaluated evidential certainty. The results suggest that lag schedules are emerging as a promising applied behavioral technology for increasing operant variability, especially in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. We conclude with preliminary practice guidelines based on evidential certainty provided by the studies and identify future avenues of research.

Although differential reinforcement is procedurally simple, and a common component in intervention packages for feeding disorders, few published studies evaluated its effects in isolation. Even fewer studies have isolated the effects of differential reinforcement on feeding in free-operant arrangements. In the current clinical case study, we report the expansion of a practitioner's scope of competence to include the treatment of food selectivity by evaluating the effects of differential reinforcement of acceptance with high preferred food in a boy with developmental delays and food selectivity. Acceptance of nonpreferred foods increased first in a restricted operant arrangement, and then a free operant arrangement, both without escape extinction. Improvements in acceptance generalized to additional foods and a parent. These results extend prior research by demonstrating differential reinforcement of acceptance using high preferred foods without escape extinction may improve feeding in restricted- and free-operant arrangements for some children with developmental delays.

We conducted a multi-scaled Ecoregional Conservation Assessment for the Southern Rockies (~14.5 M ha) and its trailing edge, the Santa Fe Subregion (~2.2 M ha), from Wyoming to New Mexico, USA. We included a representation analysis of Existing Vegetation Types (EVTs), mature and old-growth forests (MOG), and four focal species—Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus), Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), and northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)—in relation to 30 × 30 and 50 × 50 conservation targets. To integrate conservation targets with wildfire risk reduction to the built environment and climate change planning, we overlaid the location of wildfires and forest treatments in relation to the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) and included downscaled climate projections for a lower (RCP4.5) and higher (RCP8.5) emission scenario. Protected areas were highly skewed toward upper-elevation EVTs (most were >50% protected), underrepresented forest types (<30% protected), especially MOG (<22% protected) and riparian areas (~14% protected), and poorly represented habitats (<30%) for at least three of the focal species, especially in the subregion where nearly all the targets underperformed compared to the ecoregion. Most (>73%) forest-thinning treatments over the past decade were >1 km from delineated WUI areas, well beyond the distance at which vegetation management can effectively reduce structure ignition risk (<50 m from structures). Extreme heat, drought, snowpack reductions, altered timing of peak stream flows, increasing wildfires, and potential shifts in the climate, favoring woodlands over conifer forests, may impact forest-dependent species, while declining snowpack may impact wolverines that den at upper elevations. Strategically targeting the built environment for fuel treatments would improve wildfire risk reduction and may allow for expansion of protected areas held up in controversy. Stepped-up protection for roadless areas, adoption of wilderness proposals, and greater protection for MOG and riparian forests are critical for meeting representation targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More is known about how to reduce challenging behavior with functional communication training (FCT) than how to mitigate its resurgence during or following a course of treatment. Research suggests reinforcing mand variability during FCT may mitigate the resurgence of challenging behavior, but validated procedures for reinforcing mand variability are limited and poorly understood. Lag schedules can reinforce variability in verbal behavior such as manding in individuals with autism, but studies have been largely limited to nonvocal mand modalities. Therefore, in the current study, we further evaluated the effects of FCT with lag schedules on vocal mand variability and challenging behavior in children with autism. The results suggest lag schedules alone or in combination with response prompt-fading strategies during FCT can increase mand variability and expand mand response classes but may fail to produce clinically significant reductions in challenging behavior.