A successful pregnancy depends on the intricate and timely interactions of maternal and fetal cells. Placental extravillous cytotrophoblast invasion involves a cellular transition from an epithelial ...to mesenchymal phenotype. Villous cytotrophoblasts undergo a partial epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) when differentiating into extravillous cytotrophoblasts and gain the capacity to migrate and invade. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding known regulators of EMT in the human placenta, including the inducers of EMT, upstream transcription factors that control EMT and the downstream effectors, cell adhesion molecules and their differential expression and functions in pregnancy pathologies, preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR). The review also describes the research strategies that were used for the identification of the functional role of EMT targets in vitro. A better understanding of molecular pathways driven by placental EMT and further elucidation of signaling pathways underlying the developmental programs may offer novel strategies of targeted therapy for improving feto-placental growth in placental pathologies including PE and FGR.
This paper describes an agricultural model (Roth-CNP) that estimates carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) pools, pool changes, their balance and the nutrient fluxes exported from arable and ...grassland systems in the UK during 1800–2010. The Roth-CNP model was developed as part of an Integrated Model (IM) to simulate C, N and P cycling for the whole of UK, by loosely coupling terrestrial, hydrological and hydro-chemical models. The model was calibrated and tested using long term experiment (LTE) data from Broadbalk (1843) and Park Grass (1856) at Rothamsted. We estimated C, N and P balance and their fluxes exported from arable and grassland systems on a 5km×5km grid across the whole of UK by using the area of arable of crops and livestock numbers in each grid and their management. The model estimated crop and grass yields, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and nutrient fluxes in the form of NH4-N, NO3-N and PO4-P. The simulated crop yields were compared to that reported by national agricultural statistics for the historical to the current period. Overall, arable land in the UK have lost SOC by −0.18, −0.25 and −0.08MgCha−1y−1 whereas land under improved grassland SOC stock has increased by 0.20, 0.47 and 0.24MgCha−1y−1 during 1800–1950, 1950–1970 and 1970–2010 simulated in this study. Simulated N loss (by leaching, runoff, soil erosion and denitrification) increased both under arable (−15, −18 and −53kgNha−1y−1) and grass (−18, −22 and −36kgNha−1y−1) during different time periods. Simulated P surplus increased from 2.6, 10.8 and 18.1kgPha−1y−1 under arable and 2.8, 11.3 and 3.6kgPha−1y−1 under grass lands 1800–1950, 1950–1970 and 1970–2010.
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•Roth-CNP model estimates C, N and P cycling within the UK agriculture for 1800–2010.•Simulated crop yields were comparable to the yields of UK's agricultural statistics.•Simulated SOC stock decreased under arable and increased under improved grassland.•Simulated N and P losses increased under both arable and grasslands.•Results shows the effect of local agriculture in a larger context of space and time.
Ecosystems limited in phosphorous (P) are widespread, yet there is limited
understanding of how these ecosystems may respond to anthropogenic
deposition of nitrogen (N) and the interconnected effects ...on the
biogeochemical cycling of carbon (C), N, and P. Here, we investigate the
consequences of enhanced N addition for the C–N–P pools of two P-limited
grasslands, one acidic and one limestone, occurring on contrasting soils, and we
explore their responses to a long-term nutrient-manipulation experiment. We
do this by combining data with an integrated C–N–P cycling model (N14CP). We
explore the role of P-access mechanisms by allowing these to vary in the
modelling framework and comparing model plant–soil C–N–P outputs to
empirical data. Combinations of organic P access and inorganic P
availability most closely representing empirical data were used to simulate
the grasslands and quantify their temporal response to nutrient
manipulation. The model suggested that access to organic P is a key
determinant of grassland nutrient limitation and responses to experimental N
and P manipulation. A high rate of organic P access allowed the acidic
grassland to overcome N-induced P limitation, increasing biomass C input to
soil and promoting soil
organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in response to N addition. Conversely,
poor accessibility of organic P for the limestone grassland meant N
provision exacerbated P limitation and reduced biomass input to the soil,
reducing soil carbon storage. Plant acquisition of organic P may therefore
play an important role in reducing P limitation and determining responses
to anthropogenic changes in nutrient availability. We conclude that
grasslands differing in their access to organic P may respond to N
deposition in contrasting ways, and where access is limited, soil organic
carbon stocks could decline.
Anaesthetic agents have various financial and environmental impacts. Climate change is one of the biggest threats to human health, and anaesthetic gases contribute to global heating by acting as ...greenhouse gases. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the financial and environmental impacts of anaesthesia maintenance agents used during surgery in an Australian university teaching hospital. The volume of desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane and propofol purchased by a university teaching hospital between 2010 and 2020 was analysed and described in terms of financial and environmental impact. Estimated carbon emissions and financial costs of each agent per annum were calculated using the volumes purchased for each agent. A model of ideal anaesthetic agent usage was used to hypothesise the financial and environmental impact of replacing desflurane (the most environmentally damaging and expensive agent) with alternative agents. Using 2019 as an example year at our health service, replacing desflurane with low flow sevoflurane would save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to driving over 1.4 million kilometres in an average petrol car. Removing desflurane from machines at our institution could save an estimated A$14,630 per annum through reduced machine testing alone. Our findings and calculations indicate that reducing the use of desflurane would have both financial and environmental benefits for healthcare.
The effects of atmospheric pollution on plant species richness (nsp) are of widespread concern. We carried out a modelling exercise to estimate how nsp in British semi-natural ecosystems responded to ...atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (Ndep) and sulphur (Sdep) between 1800 and 2010. We derived a simple four-parameter equation relating nsp to measured soil pH, and to net primary productivity (NPP), calculated with the N14CP ecosystem model. Parameters were estimated from a large data set (n = 1156) of species richness in four vegetation classes, unimproved grassland, dwarf shrub heath, peatland, and broadleaved woodland, obtained in 2007. The equation performed reasonably well in comparisons with independent observations of nsp. We used the equation, in combination with modelled estimates of NPP (from N14CP) and soil pH (from the CHUM-AM hydrochemical model), to calculate changes in average nsp over time at seven sites across Britain, assuming that variations in nsp were due only to variations in atmospheric deposition. At two of the sites, two vegetation classes were present, making a total of nine site/vegetation combinations. In four cases, nsp was affected about equally by pH and NPP, while in another four the effect of pH was dominant. The ninth site, a chalk grassland, was affected only by NPP, since soil pH was assumed constant. Our analysis suggests that the combination of increased NPP, due to fertilization by Ndep, and decreased soil pH, primarily due to Sdep, caused an average species loss of 39% (range 23–100%) between 1800 and the late 20th Century. The modelling suggests that in recent years nsp has begun to increase, almost entirely due to reductions in Sdep and consequent increases in soil pH, but there are also indications of recent slight recovery from the eutrophying effects of Ndep.
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•Semi-natural plant species richness depends on soil pH and net primary productivity.•Parameterized model fitted to field richness data for four vegetation types.•Richness 1800–2010 predicted from measured soil pH and modelled productivity.•Calculated richness reduced by nitrogen and sulphur atmospheric pollution.•Recent recovery in richness, owing to declines in sulphur pollution.
Capsule: Modelling the long-term effects of atmospheric deposition indicates that both nutrient enrichment and soil acidification reduced plant species richness, which is now recovering from acidification.
Operating theatres consume large amounts of energy and consumables and produce large amounts of waste. There is an increasing evidence base for reducing the climate impacts of healthcare that could ...be enacted into routine practice; yet, healthcare-associated emissions increase annually. Implementation science aims to improve the systematic uptake of evidence-based care into practice and could, therefore, assist in addressing the environmental impacts of healthcare. The aim of this systematic search with narrative synthesis was to explore what implementation approaches have been applied to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatre activities, described by implementation phases and methodologies. A search was conducted in EMBASE, PubMed, and CINAHL, limited to English and publication since 2010. In total, 3886 articles were retrieved and 11 were included. All were in the exploratory phase (seven of 11) or initial implementation phase (four of 11), but none were in the installation or full implementation phase. Three studies utilised a recognised implementation theory, model, or framework in the design. Four studies used interprofessional education to influence individuals' behaviour to reduce waste, improve waste segregation, or reduce anaesthetic gases. Of those that utilised behaviour change interventions, all were qualitatively successful in achieving environmental improvement. There was an absence of evidence for sustained effects in the intervention studies and little follow-up from studies that explored barriers to innovation. This review demonstrates a gap between evidence for reducing environmental impacts and uptake of proposed practice changes to deliver low-carbon healthcare. Future research into ‘greening’ healthcare should use implementation research methods to establish a solid implementation evidence base.
PROSPERO CRD42022342786.
Globally pervasive increases in atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen (N) deposition could have substantial effects on plant communities, either directly or mediated by their interactions with soil nutrient ...limitation. While the direct consequences of N enrichment on plant communities are well documented, potential interactions with rising CO2 and globally widespread phosphorus (P) limitation remain poorly understood. We investigated the consequences of simultaneous elevated CO2 (eCO2) and N and P additions on grassland biodiversity, community and functional composition in P‐limited grasslands. We exposed soil‐turf monoliths from limestone and acidic grasslands that have received >25 years of N additions (3.5 and 14 g m−2 year−1) and 11 (limestone) or 25 (acidic) years of P additions (3.5 g m−2 year−1) to eCO2 (600 ppm) for 3 years. Across both grasslands, eCO2, N and P additions significantly changed community composition. Limestone communities were more responsive to eCO2 and saw significant functional shifts resulting from eCO2–nutrient interactions. Here, legume cover tripled in response to combined eCO2 and P additions, and combined eCO2 and N treatments shifted functional dominance from grasses to sedges. We suggest that eCO2 may disproportionately benefit P acquisition by sedges by subsidising the carbon cost of locally intense root exudation at the expense of co‐occurring grasses. In contrast, the functional composition of the acidic grassland was insensitive to eCO2 and its interactions with nutrient additions. Greater diversity of P‐acquisition strategies in the limestone grassland, combined with a more functionally even and diverse community, may contribute to the stronger responses compared to the acidic grassland. Our work suggests we may see large changes in the composition and biodiversity of P‐limited grasslands in response to eCO2 and its interactions with nutrient loading, particularly where these contain a high diversity of P‐acquisition strategies or developmentally young soils with sufficient bioavailable mineral P.
Human activities have increased the availability of CO2 and nitrogen on a global scale, but their combined impacts on plant communities are seldom studied together, especially in globally widespread phosphorus‐limited ecosystems. Here, we combine long‐term nitrogen and phosphorus additions with elevated CO2 in limestone and acidic phosphorus‐limited grasslands. We show that simultaneous increases in CO2 and nutrient availability can produce novel communities, especially in the limestone grassland that showed a shift in the dominant functional type under combined increased CO2 and N (figure). Elevated CO2 may modify the response of plant communities to increased nutrients in P‐limited grasslands.
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