Brazil hosts the largest expanse of tropical ecosystems within protected areas (PAs), which shelter biodiversity and support traditional human populations. We assessed the vulnerability to climate ...change of 993 terrestrial and coastal‐marine Brazilian PAs by combining indicators of climatic‐change hazard with indicators of PA resilience (size, native vegetation cover, and probability of climate‐driven vegetation transition). This combination of indicators allows the identification of broad climate‐change adaptation pathways. Seventeen PAs (20,611 km2) were highly vulnerable and located mainly in the Atlantic Forest (7 PAs), Cerrado (6), and the Amazon (4). Two hundred fifty‐eight PAs (756,569 km2), located primarily in Amazonia, had a medium vulnerability. In the Amazon and western Cerrado, the projected severe climatic change and probability of climate‐driven vegetation transition drove vulnerability up, despite the generally good conservation status of PAs. Over 80% of PAs of high or moderate vulnerability are managed by indigenous populations. Hence, besides the potential risks to biodiversity, the traditional knowledge and livelihoods of the people inhabiting these PAs may be threatened. In at least 870 PAs, primarily in the Atlantic Forest and Amazon, adaptation could happen with little or no intervention due to low climate‐change hazard, high resilience status, or both. At least 20 PAs in the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Amazonia should be targeted for stronger interventions (e.g., improvement of ecological connectivity), given their low resilience status. Despite being a first attempt to link vulnerability and adaptation in Brazilian PAs, we suggest that some of the PAs identified as highly or moderately vulnerable should be prioritized for testing potential adaptation strategies in the near future.
Evaluación de la Vulnerabilidad y Adaptación al Cambio Climático de Áreas Protegidas en Brasil
Resumen
Brasil alberga la mayor extensión de ecosistemas tropicales dentro de áreas protegidas (AP), que protegen la biodiversidad y sustentan a poblaciones humanas tradicionales. Evaluamos la vulnerabilidad al cambio climático de 993 AP brasileñas terrestres y costeras‐marinas mediante la combinación de indicadores de riesgo de cambio climático con indicadores de la resiliencia de AP (tamaño, cobertura de vegetación nativa y la probabilidad de transición en la vegetación como consecuencia del cambio climático). Esta combinación de indicadores permite la identificación de amplias rutas de adaptación al cambio climático. Diecisiete AP (20,611 km2) fueron altamente vulnerables y se localizaron principalmente en el Bosque Atlántico (7 AP), El Cerrado (6) y la Amazonía (4). Doscientos cincuenta y ocho AP (756,569 km2), localizadas principalmente en la Amazonía, tuvieron vulnerabilidad media. En la Amazonía y el oeste de El Cerrado, el severo cambio climático proyectado y la probabilidad de transición de vegetación dirigida por el clima incrementó la vulnerabilidad, a pesar del estado de conservación generalmente bueno de las AP. Más de 80% de las AP con vulnerabilidad alta o media son manejadas por poblaciones indígenas. Por lo tanto, además de los riesgos potenciales para la biodiversidad, también hay amenazas para el conocimiento tradicional y las formas de vida de la gente que habita en esas AP. En por lo menos 870 AP, principalmente en el Bosque Atlántico y la Amazonía, la adaptación podría suceder con poca o ninguna intervención debido al bajo riesgo de cambio climático, estatus de resiliencia alta, o ambos. Por lo menos 20 AP en el Bosque Atlántico, El Cerrado y la Amazonía deberían ser objetivo de intervenciones mayores (e.g., mejoramiento de la conectividad ecológica), dada su estatus de resiliencia baja. A pesar de que es un primer intento para vincular vulnerabilidad y adaptación en AP brasileñas, sugerimos que algunas de las AP identificadas como alta o moderadamente vulnerables se deben priorizar para probar posibles estrategias de adaptación en un futuro próximo.
摘要
巴西是保护地体系中热带生态系统面积最大的国家, 这里的保护地支撑着生物多样性及当地的传统人群。我们结合气候变化灾害指标与保护地恢复力指标 (面积、原生植被覆盖、气候驱动植被转变的可能性), 评估了巴西 993 个陆地和近岸海域保护地对气候变化响应的脆弱性。这些指标的结合有助于确定广泛的气候变化适应机制。结果显示, 有十七个保护地 (20,611 平方公里) 被评为高度脆弱, 它们主要分布在大西洋森林 (7 个保护地) 、塞拉多 (6 个) 和亚马逊 (4 个); 两百五十八个主要位于亚马逊流域的保护地 (756,569 平方公里) 被评为中度脆弱。在亚马逊和塞拉多西部, 虽然保护地的保护情况总体良好, 但预测的气候变化严峻且气候驱动植被转变的可能性高, 这加剧了保护地的脆弱性。高度或中度脆弱的保护地中, 80%以上由原住民管理, 因此, 除了生物多样性的面临的潜在风险之外, 这些居住在保护地的人群的传统知识和生计也可能受到威胁。在主要位于大西洋森林和亚马逊地区的至少 870 个保护地中, 由于气候变化危害弱、保护地恢复力强或二者共同作用, 可能在很少或是没有干预的情况下产生适应。大西洋森林、塞拉多和亚马逊流域的至少二十个保护地由于恢复力较弱, 应得到更有力的干预 (如提高生态连通性) 。尽管这是第一个将巴西保护地的脆弱性和适应性联系起来的研究, 但我们建议一些被评为高度或中度脆弱的保护地应该在不久的将来优先实施可能的适应保护策略。【翻译: 胡怡思; 审校: 聂永刚】
Article impact statement: More than 25% of Brazilian protected areas are vulnerable to climate change and demand adaptation‐oriented management.
Whereas transcriptional silencing of genes due to epigenetic mechanisms is one of the most important alterations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), some recent studies indicate that DNA ...methylation contributes to down-regulation of miRNAs during tumorigenesis. To explore the epigenetic alterations of miRNAs in ALL, we analyzed the methylation and chromatin status of the miR-124a loci in ALL. Expression of miR-124a was down-regulated in ALL by hypermethylation of the promoter and histone modifications including decreased levels of 3mk4H3 and AcH3 and increased levels of 2mK9H3, 3mK9H3, and 3mK27H3. Epigenetic down-regulation of miR-124a induced an up-regulation of its target, CDK6, and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) and contributed to the abnormal proliferation of ALL cells both in vitro and in vivo. Cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) inhibition by sodium butyrate or PD-0332991 decreased ALL cell growth in vitro, whereas overexpression of pre-miR124a led to decreased tumorigenicity in a xenogeneic in vivo Rag2(-/-)gammac(-/-) mouse model. The clinical implications of these findings were analyzed in a group of 353 patients diagnosed with ALL. Methylation of hsa-miR-124a was observed in 59% of the patients, which correlated with down-regulation of miR-124a (P < 0.001). Furthermore, hypermethylation of hsa-miR-124a was associated with higher relapse rate (P = 0.001) and mortality rate (P < 0.001), being an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (P < 0.001) and overall survival (P = 0.005) in the multivariate analysis. These results provide the grounds for new therapeutic strategies in ALL either targeting the epigenetic regulation of microRNAs and/or directly targeting the CDK6-Rb pathway.
We report the synthesis and characterization of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) stabilized by a mixture of zwitterionic and multivalent mannose ligands. Characterization of this carbohydrated nanosystem ...confirms its small size (∼2 nm), intense red–NIR fluorescence, relatively high affinity to lectin (ConA), and stability in physiological media. Cell studies performed using human-monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) show that Au NC uptake efficiency is greatly enhanced by the presence of surface carbohydrate (>250% compared to noncarbohydrated Au NCs), allowing their detection in cells by fluorescence following incubation with concentrations as low as 1 μg mL–1. Investigation using electron microscopy and pharmacological inhibitors indicates that Au NC uptake is mediated by multiple endocytic pathways involving the engulfment of Au NCs into endosomes and partial transport to lysosomes. Results show that clathrin- and F-actin-dependent pathways play major roles in Au NC uptake by DCs, regardless of whether or not they are coated with carbohydrates. In contrast, a specific C-lectin inhibitor induces a 60% decrease in DC particle uptake only for the carbohydrate-coated Au NCs. This study demonstrates that the combination of ultrasmall gold NCs and functionalization with multivalent mannose ligands results in greatly enhanced human DC targeting, presumably due to increased diffusion and target cell binding, respectively.
Anaphylaxis is an acute, life-threatening, multisystem syndrome resulting from the sudden release of mediators by mast cells and basophils. Although anaphylaxis is often under-communicated and thus ...underestimated, its incidence appears to have risen over recent decades. Drugs are among the most common triggers in adults, being analgesics and antibiotics the most common causal agents. Anaphylaxis can be caused by immunologic or non-immunologic mechanisms. Immunologic anaphylaxis can be mediated by IgE-dependent or -independent pathways. The former involves activation of Th2 cells and the cross-linking of two or more specific IgE (sIgE) antibodies on the surface of mast cells or basophils. The IgE-independent mechanism can be mediated by IgG, involving the release of platelet-activating factor, and/or complement activation. Non-immunological anaphylaxis can occur through the direct stimulation of mast cell degranulation by some drugs, inducing histamine release and leading to anaphylactic symptoms. Work-up of a suspected drug-induced anaphylaxis should include clinical history; however, this can be unreliable, and skin tests should also be used if available and validated. Drug provocation testing is not recommended due to the risk of inducing a harmful reaction.
testing can help to confirm anaphylaxis by analyzing the release of mediators such as tryptase or histamine by mast cells. When immunologic mechanisms are suspected, serum-sIgE quantification or the use of the basophil activation test can help confirm the culprit drug. In this review, we will discuss multiple aspects of drug-induced anaphylaxis, including epidemiology, mechanisms, and diagnosis.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the leading causes of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs, and they are classified in two groups: those induced by nonspecific immunological ...mechanisms (non-allergic or cross-intolerance (CI) reactions), or by specific immunological mechanisms (allergic or selective reactions (SR)). The pathogenesis of CI is associated with their pharmacological activity (COX-1 inhibition), with symptoms due to an imbalance in the arachidonic acid pathway, independently of their chemical structure. SRs are mediated by specific IgE- or by a T-cell response and can be induced by a single NSAID or a class of chemically related NSAIDs, with patients tolerating chemically unrelated compounds. NSAIDs hypersensitivity reactions have been classified in five main groups: i) NSAIDs-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD); ii) NSAIDs-exacerbated cutaneous disease (NECD); iii) NSAIDs-induced urticaria/angioedema (NIUA); iv) Single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema or anaphylaxis (SNIUAA); v) Single NSAID-induced delayed reactions (SNIDRs). Although this classification described above is widely accepted by most authors some phenotypes such as blended reactions do not fit. Therefore more research is needed in this topic.
To study the association between orthodontic treatment need and the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics in a sample of adolescents, as well as other associated factors. A transversal study was ...conducted on 1,158 adolescents (12-16 years old) examined at the schools selected for the 2018 epidemiological study on oral health in the Comunidad Valenciana (Spain). The need for orthodontic treatment was determined by DAI and IOTN. The psychosocial impact was established by the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ). Other variables considered were sex, social class, DMFT index and Body-Mass Index, and having previously worn or presently wearing an orthodontic device. A lineal regression statistical technique was applied to study the significant associations with the scoring obtained in PIDAQ. The PIDAQ scores revealed a significant and positive lineal relationship with regard to need for orthodontic treatment: DAI (ẞ = 0.20) and IOTN-DHC (ẞ = 4.87), in women (ẞ = 2.66) and a negative one for having previously worn an orthodontic device (ẞ = - 5.74). The rest of the variables had no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics in adolescents is associated with the presence of malocclusion and the female sex, while the condition of having previously worn an orthodontic device reduces the psychosocial impact.
Aims and Objectives
To establish the predictive utility of specific social support domains for emotional well‐being in cancer caregivers, six months after their partner's cancer diagnosis.
Background
...In cancer caregivers, social support has been consistently related to anxiety and depression. There is little information, however, about the predictive utility of specific social support domains for psychological well‐being in the first six months after a partner's cancer diagnosis.
Design
Longitudinal research study.
Methods
Sixty‐seven caregivers of recently diagnosed cancer patients were recruited from the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba (Spain). Participants completed a set of questionnaires including the Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a socio‐demographic questionnaire. Data were collected at two time points: T1 (30–45 days after diagnosis) and T2 (180–200 days after). TRIPOD checklist was used.
Results
Most of the caregivers were female (65%) and the partner of the patient (58%), with an average age of 51.63 years (SD = 13.25). Statistical differences were observed between the two assessment points for the social support domains of perceived emotional support, satisfaction with support and protective buffering. Logistic regression analysis showed that less physical and sports activity, more support seeking and less informational support received at T1 predicted anxiety at T2, while less perceived available support predicted depression.
Conclusions
Accurate information and support from other members of the community and the promotion of physical and sports routines for cancer caregivers may help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in the first months after a partner's cancer diagnosis.
Relevance to clinical practice
Clinicians must pay attention to the social support needs and physical activity of caregivers in the first days after diagnosis, in order to prevent anxiety and depression.
Breast cancer appears as the major cause of cancer-related deaths in women, with more than 2 260 000 cases reported worldwide in 2020, resulting in 684 996 deaths. Triple-negative breast cancer ...(TNBC), characterized by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor type 2 receptors, represents ≈20% of all breast cancers. TNBC has a highly aggressive clinical course and is more prevalent in younger women. The standard therapy for advanced TNBC is chemotherapy, but responses are often short-lived, with high rate of relapse. The lack of therapeutic targets and the limited therapeutic options confer to individuals suffering from TNBC the poorest prognosis among breast cancer patients, remaining a major clinical challenge. In recent years, advances in cancer nanomedicine provided innovative therapeutic options, as nanoformulations play an important role in overcoming the shortcomings left by conventional therapies: payload degradation and its low solubility, stability, and circulating half-life, and difficulties regarding biodistribution due to physiological and biological barriers. In this integrative review, the recent advances in the nanomedicine field for TNBC treatment, including the novel nanoparticle-, exosome-, and hybrid-based therapeutic formulations are summarized and their drawbacks and challenges are discussed for future clinical applications.
Sustainability transformation requires societies to shift their development pathways to maintain ecological integrity and supply basic human needs over generations. We examine the sustainability of ...the development pathways of 351 national and sub-national geopolitical units in the Americas between 2001 and 2020. Then, we test the hypothesis that such pathways are influenced by land area, population size and topographic heterogeneity. Finally, we combine information about the sustainability of development pathways with population density and future climate change index to identify the Americas' socio-climatic hotspots. The Americas is a mosaic of geopolitical units following distinct development pathways. Most (74.3%) of the geopolitical units have, to date, followed unsustainable development pathways. Altogether, they represent 37.6% of the Americas' land area and are home to 83.3% of the Americas' population. Land area and topographic heterogeneity facilitate sustainable pathways, while population size constrains them. Climate change will affect all geopolitical units, but those with unsustainable development pathways, a high population density and high climate change index are expected to be particularly vulnerable and should be considered priorities for climate-resilient development programmes. There is a need for integrated place-based policies that strengthen ecological and socio-economic infrastructures to advance sustainable development pathways under changing climate conditions.
•Sub-national development pathways from 2001 to 2020 in the Americas were studied.•Unsustainable development pathways are the norm across the Americas.•Land area and topographic heterogeneity facilitate sustainable development pathways.•Population size constrains sustainable development pathways.•Most socio-ecological hotspots are in Central America and the Caribbean.
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