Publications by authors named "C Acuna"

Heat acclimation is an adaptive process that improves physiological performance and supports survival in the face of increasing environmental temperatures, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we identified a discrete group of neurons in the mouse hypothalamic preoptic area (POA) that rheostatically increase their activity over the course of heat acclimation, a property required for mice to become heat tolerant. In non-acclimated mice, peripheral thermoafferent pathways via the parabrachial nucleus activate POA neurons and mediate acute heat-defense mechanisms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Transcriptomics- and FAME-GC-MS-assisted apomixis breeding generated Paspalum notatum hybrids with clonal reproduction and increased α-linolenic acid content, offering the potential to enhance livestock product's nutritional quality and reduce methane emissions A low omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio is considered an indicator of the nutritional impact of milk fat on human health. In ruminants, major long-chain fatty acids, such as linoleic acid (18:2, omega-6) and α-linolenic acid (18:3, omega-3), originate from dietary sources and reach the milk via the bloodstream. Since forages are the primary source of long-chain fatty acids for such animals, they are potential targets for improving milk lipid composition.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Glioblastomas are aggressive brain tumors that resist treatment and utilize neuron-tumor connections to promote their growth, with cholinergic neurons playing a key role in this invasion.
  • The study utilized rabies viruses for retrograde tracing to reveal how glioblastomas integrate into brain circuits, showing that radiotherapy can enhance neuron-tumor connectivity, complicating treatment efforts.
  • By disrupting neuron-tumor connections, researchers discovered a potential therapeutic approach that could halt glioblastoma progression, emphasizing the need to target these synapses for better treatment outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Adaptation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) often occurs when implemented in new local contexts and settings. It is unclear, however, during which phase of implementation adaptations are most frequently made and how these changes may impact the fidelity, effectiveness, and sustainability of the EBI. Pediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWS) are EBIs for early identification of deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Perennial warm-season grasses typically have reduced seed yield, making it essential to identify the critical seed yield components. An induced increase in nitrogen could help determine which components are most limiting. This research aimed to estimate seed yield components in ; evaluate N fertilization effects on the reproductive phase, seed yield components, and seed quality; and establish the pattern of seed shattering over time.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF