In
winter is registered during vernalization through the temperature-dependent repression and epigenetic silencing of floral repressor
. Natural Arabidopsis accessions show considerable variation in ...vernalization. However, which aspect of the
repression mechanism is most important for adaptation to different environments is unclear. By analysing
dynamics in natural variants and mutants throughout winter in three field sites, we find that autumnal
expression, rather than epigenetic silencing, is the major variable conferred by the distinct Arabidopsis
haplotypes. This variation influences flowering responses of Arabidopsis accessions resulting in an interplay between promotion and delay of flowering in different climates to balance survival and, through a post-vernalization effect, reproductive output. These data reveal how expression variation through non-coding cis variation at
has enabled Arabidopsis accessions to adapt to different climatic conditions and year-on-year fluctuations.
Background and Aims
Beneficial plant–microbe interactions can improve plant performance under drought; however, we know less about how drought-induced shifts in microbial communities affect plant ...traits.
Methods
We cultivated
Zea mays
in fritted clay with soil microbiomes originating from contrasting environments (agriculture or forest) under two irrigation treatments (well-watered or water limited). Using this design, we investigated whether water conditioning was carried forward through the microbiome to affect a subsequent plant cohort that was subjected to either a well-watered or water limited treatment.
Results
Regardless of the microbiome-origin, plants inoculated with a microbiome from a water limited legacy had traits that allowed them to avoid stress but conserve water. They produced longer roots to explore soil, generated greater soil dissolved organic carbon, potentially stimulating the microbiome, and slower soil water content loss during drought. A well-watered legacy resulted in plants that delayed permanent stomatal closure and higher photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency. In plants with a forest-originated microbiome, a well-watered legacy and water treatment also resulted in higher rates of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance.
Conclusion
These results demonstrate that soil microbiomes can be developed to influence plant drought performance, impacting crop resilience, using short-term microbial conditioning.
Multimedia is ubiquitous in 21st-century education. Cognitive load theory and the cognitive theory of multimedia learning both postulate that the quality of multimedia design heavily influences ...learning. We sought to identify how to
best design multimedia and review how well those learning theories held up to meta-analyses. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews that tested the effects of multimedia design on learning or cognitive load. We found 29 reviews
including 1,189 studies and 78,177 participants. We found 11 design principles that demonstrated significant, positive, meta-analytic effects on learning and five that significantly improved management of cognitive load. The largest
benefits were for captioning second-language videos, temporal/spatial contiguity, and signaling. We also found robust evidence for modality, animation, coherence/removing seductive details, anthropomorphics, segmentation,
personalization, pedagogical agents, and verbal redundancy effects. Good design was more important for more complex materials, and in system-paced environments (e.g., lectures) than self-paced ones (e.g., websites). Results supported
many tenets of both theories. We highlight a range of evidence-based strategies that could be implemented by educators. Author abstract
In-situ recovery is a common method of mining U ore. This technique involves injecting an oxidant to oxidize U deposited as insoluble U(IV) to soluble U(VI) and a complexing agent to form mobile ...U(VI) compounds, which are extracted from mining waters. Unfortunately, U concentrations often remain elevated in groundwater following this mining process. One promising technique to decrease U concentrations to acceptable levels is in-situ remediation where a reductant is injected into the mined area to reduce U(VI) back to insoluble U(IV). Here we assess the efficacy of the chemical reductant dithionite to reduce U(VI) concentrations. While dithionite can reduce environmental Cr(VI), dithionite has previously never been tested for reducing U(VI) in the environment. We determine how effectively dithionite remediates U(VI) contamination using aqueous U concentration and δ238U data. U concentrations and δ238U decrease during the dithionite experiment, demonstrating that dithionite induces U(VI) reduction. As dithionite is removed by pumping, U concentrations and δ238U increase towards background levels, but U(VI) reduction continues for an extended period. Measurements demonstrate that re-oxidation and remobilization does not appear to occur due to the reducing condition of groundwater.
•Dithionite induces reduction of U(VI) in a previously mined area.•Dithionite may be utilized to remediate U contamination in other settings.•U(VI) and δ238U provide complementary information on extent of U(VI) reduction.•Chemical reductant dithionite impacts the geochemistry of sulfur and iron species.
A series of batch experiments were performed to assess the uranium sorption capacity of four mineralogically distinct lithologies from the Negev Desert, Israel, to evaluate the suitability of a ...potential site for subsurface radioactive waste disposal. The rock specimens consisted of an organic-rich phosphorite, a bituminous marl, a chalk, and a sandstone. The sorption data for each lithology were fitted using a general composite surface complexation model (GC SCM) implemented in PHREEQC. Sorption data were also fitted by a non-mechanistic Langmuir sorption isotherm, which can be used as an alternative to the GC SCM to provide a more computationally efficient method for uranium sorption. This is because all the rocks tested have high pH/alkalinity/calcium buffering capacities that restrict groundwater chemistry variations, so that the use of a GC SCM is not advantageous. The mineralogy of the rocks points to several dominant sorption phases for uranyl (UO22+), including apatite, organic carbon, clays, and iron-bearing phases. The surface complexation parameters based on literature values for the minerals identified overestimate the uranium sorption capacities, so that for our application, an empirical approach that makes direct use of the experimental data to estimate mineral-specific sorption parameters appears to be more practical for predicting uranium sorption.
Progressive arterial stenosis (cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV)) is a leading cause of long-term failure of organ transplants. CAV remains intractable, in part because its mechanisms are ...insufficiently understood. A central proposition is that MHC-driven alloimmune processes play a necessary role in CAV, as shown by the absolute requirement for histoincompatibility between donor and recipient for its production. Two immunological pathways have been implicated involving reactivity to donor MHC Ags by either T or B cells. In this study, we use a novel system of semiallogeneic cardiac transplants between parental donors and F1 hybrid recipients to provide evidence that NK cells, members of the innate immune system, also contribute to the generation of CAV in mice. This finding marks the first demonstration that the hybrid resistance phenomenon occurs in solid organ allografts. Extension of these experiments to recipients deficient in T cells demonstrates that this third pathway of CAV, the NK cell-triggered pathway, involves the recruitment of T cells not responsive to donor alloantigens. Finally, transplants performed with donors or recipients deficient in IFN-gamma revealed that recipient-derived IFN-gamma is necessary for CAV formation in parental to F1 transplants, suggesting a possible effector mechanism by which NK cells can promote CAV. Together, these results define a previously unknown pathway toward CAV and assign a novel role to NK cells in organ allograft rejection.
A primiparous woman in her mid-30s presented at 31 weeks of gestation with a large vaginal mass obstructing the cervix, initially concerning for malignancy. Pelvic MRI confirmed a vaginal lesion ...located on the lateral wall, and histopathology diagnosed a giant condyloma acuminatum. The vaginal lesion was surgically resected at 34 weeks of gestation, and the patient proceeded to have a successful vaginal birth. Our case report demonstrates an unusual presentation of a rare anogenital disease and highlights a differential diagnosis for cervical and vaginal lesions.
COVID-19 impacted the mental health of healthcare workers, who endured pressures as they provided care during a prolonged crisis. We aimed to explore whether and how a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) ...approach was reflected in qualitative perspectives from healthcare leaders of their experience during COVID-19 (2020-2021).
Semi-structured interviews with healthcare leaders from four institutions were conducted. Data analysis consisted of four stages informed by interpretative phenomenological analysis: 1) deductive coding using TIC assumptions, 2) inductive thematic analysis of coded excerpts, 3) keyword-in-context coding of full transcripts for 6 TIC principles with integration into prior inductive themes, and 4) interpretation of themes through 6 TIC principles (safety; trustworthiness and transparency; peer support; collaboration and mutuality; empowerment, voice, and choice; and awareness of cultural, historical, and gender issues).
The actions of leaders (n = 28) that were reported as successful and supportive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic or else missed opportunities reflected core principles of Trauma-Informed Care. To promote safety, leaders reported affirmative efforts to protect staff by providing appropriate physical protection, and enhanced psychological safety by providing channels for communication about emotional well-being. To promote trustworthiness and transparency, leaders listened to their staff, shared current COVID-19 information, and increased frequency of meetings to disseminate accurate information. To promote mutual support, strategies included wellness check-ins, sharing uplifting stories, affirming common goals, articulating fears, and leading by example. Examples of empowerment included: making time and adjusting modalities for flexible communication; naming challenges outside of the hospital; and functioning as a channel for complaints. Reported missed opportunities included needing more dedicated time and space for healthcare employees to process emotions, failures in leadership managing their own anxiety, and needing better support for middle managers. Awareness of the TIC principle of cultural, historical, and gender issues was largely absent. Results informed the nascent Trauma-Informed Healthcare Leadership (TIHL) framework.
We propose the Trauma-Informed Healthcare Leadership framework as a useful schema for action and analysis. This approach yields recommendations for healthcare leaders including creating designated spaces for emotional processing, and establishing consistent check-ins that reference personal and professional well-being.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
CEKLJ, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare multi-system genetic disorder characterised by the presence of benign tumours throughout multiple organs including the brain, kidneys, heart, liver, eyes, ...lungs and skin, in addition to neurological and neuropsychiatric complications. Intracardiac tumour (rhabdomyoma), neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and kidney disorders (KD) are common manifestations of TSC and have been linked with TSC1 and TSC2 loss-of-function mutations independently, but the dynamic relationship between these organ manifestations remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to characterise the nature of the relationship specifically between these three organs' manifestations in TSC1 and TSC2 mutation patients.
Clinical data gathered from TSC patients across South Wales registered with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAV UHB) between 1990 and 2020 were analysed retrospectively to evaluate abnormalities in the heart, brain and kidney development. TSC-related abnormalities such as tumour prevalence, location and size were analysed for each organ in addition to neuropsychiatric involvement and were compared between TSC1 and TSC2 mutant genotypes. Lastly, statistical co-occurrence between organ manifestations co-morbidity was quantified, and trajectories of disease progression throughout organs were modelled.
This study found a significantly greater mutational frequency at the TSC2 locus in the cohort in comparison to TSC1. An equal proportion of male and female patients were observed in this group and by meta-analysis of previous studies. No significant difference in characterisation of heart involvement was observed between TSC1 and TSC2 patients. Brain involvement was seen with increased severity in TSC2 patients, characterised by a greater prevalence of cortical tubers and communication disorders. Renal pathology was further enhanced in TSC2 patients, marked by increased bilateral angiomyolipoma prevalence. Furthermore, co-occurrence of NDDs and KDs was the most positively correlated out of investigated manifestations, regardless of genotype. Analysis of disease trajectories revealed a more diverse clinical outcome for TSC2 patients: however, a chronological association of rhabdomyoma, NDD and KD was most frequently observed for TSC1 patients.
This study marks the first empirical investigation of the co-morbidity between congenital heart defects (CHD), NDDs, and KDs in TSC1 and TSC2 patients. This remains a unique first step towards the characterisation of the dynamic role between genetics, heart function, brain function and kidney function during the early development in the context of TSC.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Graft loss from chronic rejection has become the major obstacle to the long-term success of whole organ transplantation. In cardiac allografts, chronic rejection is manifested as a diffuse and ...accelerated form of arteriosclerosis, termed cardiac allograft vasculopathy. It has been suggested that T-cell recognition of processed alloantigens (allopeptides) presented by recipient antigen-presenting cells through the indirect pathway of allorecognition plays a critical role in the development and progression of chronic rejection. However, definitive preclinical evidence to support this hypothesis is lacking. To examine the role of indirect allorecognition in a clinically relevant large animal model of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, we immunized MHC inbred miniature swine with synthetic polymorphic peptides spanning the α1 domain of an allogeneic donor-derived swine leukocyte antigen class I gene. Pigs immunized with swine leukocyte antigen class I allopeptides showed in vitro proliferative responses and in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to the allogeneic peptides. Donor MHC class I disparate hearts transplanted into peptide-immunized cyclosporine-treated pigs not only rejected faster than unimmunized cyclosporine-treated controls (mean survival time = 5.5 +/-1.7 vs. 54.7 +/-3.8 days, P < 0.001), but they also developed obstructive fibroproliferative coronary artery lesions much earlier than unimmunized controls (<9 vs. >30 days). These results definitively link indirect allorecognition and cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
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