Dealing With the Complexity of Effective Population Size in Conservation Practice.

Effective population size () is one of the most important parameters in evolutionary biology, as it is linked to the long-term survival capability of species. Therefore, greatly interests conservation geneticists, but it is also very relevant to policymakers, managers, and conservation practitioners. Molecular methods to estimate rely on various assumptions, including no immigration, panmixia, random sampling, absence of spatial genetic structure, and/or mutation-drift equilibrium.

Macro- and micro-geographic genetic variation in early fitness traits in populations of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.).

Background And Aims: Assessing adaptive genetic variation and its spatial distribution is crucial to conserve forest genetic resources and manage species' adaptive potential. Macro-environmental gradients commonly exert divergent selective pressures that enhance adaptive genetic divergence among populations. Steep micro-environmental variation might also result in adaptive divergence at finer spatial scales, even under high gene flow, but it is unclear how often this is the case.

Resilience of genetic diversity in forest trees over the Quaternary.

The effect of past environmental changes on the demography and genetic diversity of natural populations remains a contentious issue and has rarely been investigated across multiple, phylogenetically distant species. Here, we perform comparative population genomic analyses and demographic inferences for seven widely distributed and ecologically contrasting European forest tree species based on concerted sampling of 164 populations across their natural ranges. For all seven species, the effective population size, N, increased or remained stable over many glacial cycles and up to 15 million years in the most extreme cases.

Single-cell RNA sequencing in endometrial cancer: exploring the epithelial cells and the microenvironment landscape.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has emerged as a powerful tool for dissecting cellular heterogeneity and understanding the intricate biology of diseases, including cancer. Endometrial cancer (EC) stands out as the most prevalent gynecological malignancy in Europe and the second most diagnosed worldwide, yet its cellular complexity remains poorly understood. In this review, we explore the contributions of scRNA-seq studies to shed light on the tumor cells and cellular landscape of EC.

Schistosomiasis in migrant children and adolescents in a paediatric tropical referral unit in Spain: diagnosis and long-term management challenges.

Globalisation and population movement have led to an increasing number of migrant children residing in areas non-endemic for schistosomiasis. However, diagnosing and managing schistosomiasis in children remain controversial. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in migrant children and to describe the diagnostic approach and management strategies, including long-term follow-up, to explore the potential role of serological tests in evaluating treatment response.

CDH1 methylation analysis in invasive lobular breast carcinomas with and without gene mutation.

The proposed role of CDH1 (E-cadherin gene) methylation as a mechanism of gene inactivation in invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) remains inconclusive. For many years, CDH1 promoter hypermethylation has been regarded as a mechanism for gene inactivation in ILC. However, this assumption has primarily relied on non-quantitative assays, which have reported CDH1 methylation frequencies ranging from 26 to 93% at CpG sites within the island region.

Estimation of contemporary effective population size in plant populations: Limitations of genomic datasets.

Effective population size ( ) is a pivotal evolutionary parameter with crucial implications in conservation practice and policy. Genetic methods to estimate have been preferred over demographic methods because they rely on genetic data rather than time-consuming ecological monitoring. Methods based on linkage disequilibrium (LD), in particular, have become popular in conservation as they require a single sampling and provide estimates that refer to recent generations.

Characteristics of the digestates from OFMSW methane production at psychrophilic, mesophilic, and thermophilic conditions under different organic loading rates.

The anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) has shown to be a viable alternative since it allows energy recovery in the form of methane and generates a residue (digestate) that can be applied effectively as a soil improver or fertiliser. The potential for methane production and the digestates' characteristics depend on the substrate characteristics and the process variables such as temperature, solids retention time, and organic load. This study dealt with OFMSW anaerobic digestion under different organic loading rates and temperatures and the characteristics of the resulting digestates.

Low but significant evolutionary potential for growth, phenology and reproduction traits in European beech.

Local survival of forest tree populations under climate change depends on existing genetic variation and their adaptability to changing environments. Responses to selection were studied in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) under field conditions. A total of 1087 adult trees, seeds, 1-year-old seedlings and established multiyear saplings were genotyped with 16 nuSSRs.

Between but Not Within-Species Variation in the Distribution of Fitness Effects.

New mutations provide the raw material for evolution and adaptation. The distribution of fitness effects (DFE) describes the spectrum of effects of new mutations that can occur along a genome, and is, therefore, of vital interest in evolutionary biology. Recent work has uncovered striking similarities in the DFE between closely related species, prompting us to ask whether there is variation in the DFE among populations of the same species, or among species with different degrees of divergence, that is whether there is variation in the DFE at different levels of evolution.

Predictive Value of Antithrombin III and d -Dimer in the Development of Moderate-To-Severe Acute Pancreatitis : A Prospective, Observational Study (AT-PROPANC).

Objectives: To analyze if antithrombin III (AT-III) and d -dimer levels at admission and at 24 hours can predict acute pancreatitis (AP) progression to moderately severe AP (MSAP) to severe AP (SAP) and to determine their predictive value on the development of necrosis, infected necrosis, organ failure, and mortality.

Methods: Prospective observational study conducted in patients with mild AP in 2 tertiary hospitals (2015-2017).

Results: Three hundred forty-six patients with mild AP were included.

Predictors of the Use of a Mental Health-Focused eHealth System in Patients With Breast and Prostate Cancer: Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling Analysis of a Prospective Study.

Background: eHealth systems have been increasingly used to manage depressive symptoms in patients with somatic illnesses. However, understanding the factors that drive their use, particularly among patients with breast and prostate cancer, remains a critical area of research.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors influencing use of the NEVERMIND eHealth system among patients with breast and prostate cancer over 12 weeks, with a focus on the Technology Acceptance Model.

Tetrandrine Derivatives as Promising Antibacterial Agents.

This work reports on the antibacterial activity of two tetrandrine derivatives, with acridine () and anthracene () units, against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of clinical importance by the broth microdilution method as well as their antioxidant activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals. Unlike natural tetrandrine, its derivatives inhibited bacterial growth, showing selectivity against with notable activity of (MIC = 0.035 μg/mL); this compound also has good activity against the ABTS radical (IC = 4.

Reduced within-population quantitative genetic variation is associated with climate harshness in maritime pine.

How evolutionary forces interact to maintain genetic variation within populations has been a matter of extensive theoretical debates. While mutation and exogenous gene flow increase genetic variation, stabilizing selection and genetic drift are expected to deplete it. To date, levels of genetic variation observed in natural populations are hard to predict without accounting for other processes, such as balancing selection in heterogeneous environments.

Cannabidiol as an adjuvant treatment in adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

Cannabidiol oil (CBD) has been approved as an anti-seizure medication for the treatment of uncommon types of epilepsy, occurring in children: Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. There are few publications in relation to use the CBD in adult patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, safety, and quality of life, of adjuvant treatment with CBD, in adult patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy for at least 6 months.

Iodine status in pregnant women in northern Spain. Effect of iodised salt and iodine supplements on thyroid function.

Introduction: Iodine deficiency is linked to thyroid dysfunction, particularly in pregnant women. The objective of this study was to ascertain the iodine levels of women in the second trimester of pregnancy, analysing the influence of iodine ingestion on urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and maternal thyroid function.

Methods: A prospective observational study of pregnant women from Health Area IV of Asturias (northern Spain) recruited before 13 weeks of gestation between May and June 2017.

Common microgeographical selection patterns revealed in four European conifers.

Microgeographical adaptation occurs when the effects of directional selection persist despite gene flow. Traits and genetic loci under selection can then show adaptive divergence, against the backdrop of little differentiation at other traits or loci. How common such events are and how strong the selection is that underlies them remain open questions.

Neonatal TSH as a marker of iodine nutrition status. Effect of maternal ioduria and thyroid function on neonatal TSH.

Introduction: Neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (nTSH) is a marker of iodine nutrition status in the population. The WHO considers a prevalence of less than 3% of nTSH levels greater than 5 mIU/L in samples obtained within 72h from birth indicative of iodine sufficiency. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of nTSH levels greater than 5 mIU/L in an iodine-sufficient population and its association with maternal, neonatal and obstetric factors.

Combining Climatic and Genomic Data Improves Range-Wide Tree Height Growth Prediction in a Forest Tree.

AbstractPopulation response functions based on climatic and phenotypic data from common gardens have long been the gold standard for predicting quantitative trait variation in new environments. However, prediction accuracy might be enhanced by incorporating genomic information that captures the neutral and adaptive processes behind intrapopulation genetic variation. We used five clonal common gardens containing 34 provenances (523 genotypes) of maritime pine ( Aiton) to determine whether models combining climatic and genomic data capture the underlying drivers of height growth variation and thus improve predictions at large geographical scales.

The NEVERMIND e-health system in the treatment of depressive symptoms among patients with severe somatic conditions: A multicentre, pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Background: This study assessed the effectiveness of the NEVERMIND e-health system, consisting of a smart shirt and a mobile application with lifestyle behavioural advice, mindfulness-based therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy, in reducing depressive symptoms among patients diagnosed with severe somatic conditions. Our hypothesis was that the system would significantly decrease the level of depressive symptoms in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Methods: This pragmatic, randomised controlled trial included 425 patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction, breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney failure, or lower limb amputation.