Key concepts and a world-wide look at plant recruitment networks.

Plant-plant interactions are major determinants of the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems. There is a long tradition in the study of these interactions, their mechanisms and their consequences using experimental, observational and theoretical approaches. Empirical studies overwhelmingly focus at the level of species pairs or small sets of species.

Asymmetric intra and inter-hemispheric subcellular rat brain correlation of arginyl-aminopeptidase activity during development and aging.

The functional significance of brain asymmetry is still largely unknown. Studying the level of correlation of neuropeptide-degrading activities between subcellular fractions such as synaptosomal, of the left and right hemispheres of male rats during development and aging could provide relevant data on their functional role during these periods. The present study analyzes the level of correlation of a enkephalin- or angiotensin III-degrading activity, such as membrane-bound arginyl-aminopeptidase activity (M-B ArgAP) between the left versus right homogenate and/or synaptosomal subcellular fractions obtained and processed independently from both brain hemispheres during development and aging.

Unveiling the Mechanism of Phonon-Polariton Damping in α-MoO.

Phonon polaritons (PhPs), light coupled to lattice vibrations, in the highly anisotropic polar layered material molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO) are currently the focus of intense research efforts due to their extreme subwavelength field confinement, directional propagation, and unprecedented low losses. Nevertheless, prior research has primarily concentrated on exploiting the squeezing and steering capabilities of α-MoO PhPs, without inquiring much into the dominant microscopic mechanism that determines their long lifetimes, which is key for their implementation in nanophotonic applications. This study delves into the fundamental processes that govern PhP damping in α-MoO by combining calculations with scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy measurements across a broad temperature range (8-300 K).

Warming and rainfall reduction alter soil microbial diversity and co-occurrence networks and enhance pathogenic fungi in dryland soils.

In this 9-year manipulative field experiment, we examined the impacts of experimental warming (2 °C, W), rainfall reduction (30 % decrease in annual rainfall, RR), and their combination (W + RR) on soil microbial communities and native vegetation in a semi-arid shrubland in south-eastern Spain. Warming had strong negative effects on plant performance across five coexisting native shrub species, consistently reducing their aboveground biomass growth and long-term survival. The impacts of rainfall reduction on plant growth and survival were species-specific and more variable.

Vitamin D opposes multilineage cell differentiation induced by Notch inhibition and BMP4 pathway activation in human colon organoids.

Understanding the mechanisms involved in colonic epithelial differentiation is key to unraveling the alterations causing inflammatory conditions and cancer. Organoid cultures provide an unique tool to address these questions but studies are scarce. We report a differentiation system toward enterocytes and goblet cells, the two major colonic epithelial cell lineages, using colon organoids generated from healthy tissue of colorectal cancer patients.

Vitamin B Supplementation for Optic Neuropathies: A Comprehensive Review.

Optic neuropathies, such as glaucoma, are some of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. There has been a lot of research for potential therapies that could attenuate and even reduce the impact of the pathological pathways that lead to the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In recent years, vitamin B (nicotinamide) has gained some interest as a viable option for these neurodegenerative diseases due to its fundamental role in enhancing the mitochondria metabolism of the RGCs.

Linking functional composition moments of the sub-Mediterranean ecotone with environmental drivers.

Introduction: Functional trait-based approaches are extensively applied to the study of mechanisms governing community assembly along environmental gradients. These approaches have been classically based on studying differences in mean values among species, but there is increasing recognition that alternative metrics of trait distributions should be considered to decipher the mechanisms determining community assembly and species coexistence. Under this framework, the main aim of this study is to unravel the effects of environmental conditions as drivers of plant community assembly in sub-Mediterranean ecotones.

A new approach for single-haptic retropupillary iris-claw lens subluxation - The "fencing" technique.

Introduction: Single-haptic iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation is not an uncommon complication. A few different surgical techniques are available for its refixation but usually involve a more invasive approach. We aim to demonstrate an original and simple approach for refixation of single haptic retropupillary iris-claw IOL subluxations.

Ocular repercussions in COVID-19 patients: structural changes of the retina and choroid.

Background: Neurotropic capabilities of SARS-COVs allow viruses to reach the central nervous system by hematogenous neuronal dissemination. The human retina, as an extension of the Central Nervous System, may have some neurodegenerative and/or vascular modifications related to COVID-19.

Objectives: To evaluate choroidal and inner neural layers in participants previously recovered from COVID-19 compared to the control group using optical coherence tomography.

Correlational Study of Aminopeptidase Activities between Left or Right Frontal Cortex versus the Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal Axis of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Treated with Hypotensive or Hypertensive Agents.

It has been suggested that the neuro-visceral integration works asymmetrically and that this asymmetry is dynamic and modifiable by physio-pathological influences. Aminopeptidases of the renin-angiotensin system (angiotensinases) have been shown to be modifiable under such conditions. This article analyzes the interactions of these angiotensinases between the left or right frontal cortex (FC) and the same enzymes in the hypothalamus (HT), pituitary (PT), adrenal (AD) axis (HPA) in control spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), in SHR treated with a hypotensive agent in the form of captopril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), and in SHR treated with a hypertensive agent in the form of the L-Arginine hypertensive analogue L-NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME).

Intestinal microbiota modulation at the strain level by the olive oil polyphenols in the diet.

Introduction: Previously we have reported a r16S gene next generation sequencing study on the effect of high fat diets in the intestinal microbiota using a murine model. However, many important microbial traits occur at strain level and, in order to detect these population changes, culture-dependent approaches need to be applied. With this goal, we decided to study a very well-known commensal genus, , and therefore, intestinal enterococci methodically isolated during the above-mentioned experiment were analyzed.

A mutual regulatory loop between miR-155 and SOCS1 influences renal inflammation and diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes, a global health issue. Hyperglycemia, in concert with cytokines, activates the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway to induce inflammation and oxidative stress contributing to renal damage. There is evidence of microRNA-155 (miR-155) involvement in diabetes complications, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Evaluation of remote radiologist-interpreted point-of-care ultrasound for suspected dengue patients in a primary health care facility in Colombia.

Background: Early identification of plasma leakage may guide treatment decisions in dengue patients. This study evaluated the value of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to detect plasma leakage and predict hospitalization or referral to a higher level of care in suspected dengue patients under routine conditions at a primary care facility in Colombia.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study between April 2019 and March 2020 in a primary care hospital in Cali, Colombia.

Living at the edge: the functional niche occupation of woody plant communities in the submediterranean ecotone.

Background And Aims: Submediterranean areas are rich ecotones, where slight modifications in environmental conditions can lead to substantial changes in the composition of plant communities. They thus offer an ideal scenario to examine plant community assembly. In this study, we followed a trait-based approach including intraspecific variability to elucidate (1) the relationship between niche occupancy components and species richness, (2) the processes governing the assembly of these communities and (3) the contribution of intraspecific trait variability in shaping the functional trait space.

Intraocular Pressure Values using IcareⓇ Rebound Tonometer and Correlation with Postconceptional Age in Premature Infants.

Purpose: This study aimedto determine a normative range of intraocular pressure (IOP) values measured with Icare rebound tonometer in premature infants and evaluate IOP variation over time and its correlation with the progression of postconceptional age (PCA). By doing so, we also evaluated advantages of this IOP-measuring method in this population when compared to more traditional methods.

Methods: We conducted a single-center prospective study that included premature infants (gestational age 32 weeks) who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca.

From Cu(I) and Cu(I)-Cu(II) mixed-valence clusters to 2D Cu(II) and Cu(I) coordination polymers supported by a flexible bis-tetrazole organosulfur ligand.

Three coordination compounds from the reaction of copper(II) bromide with the flexible bis-tetrazole organosulfur ligand, 1,2-bis(1-methyl-1-tetrazole-5-ylthio)ethane (bmtte) have been isolated and characterised. The identification of polymeric 2∞CuBr(bmtte) (1), trinuclear [CuBr(bmtte)] (2) and tetranuclear [CuBr(bmtte)] (3) compounds shows that the reaction conditions have a significant influence on the structure of the complexes formed. Moreover, two polymorphs of the 2D Cu(II)-coordination polymer 1 have been isolated and these crystallise in the monoclinic 2/ (1m) and the triclinic 1̄ (1t) space groups.

Clinical Outcomes of Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation: 2 Years of Experience in Portuguese Eyes.

Aim: This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MPTSCPC) in glaucoma patients, with standard parameters, over a 24-month period.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 61 eyes undergoing MPTSCPC from January 2018 to December 2020 was carried out. Patients received 160 seconds of laser, with settings of 2000 mW/cm and a duty cycle of 31.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Aminopeptidases as Prognostic Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebral cortex. Biomarkers for ALS are essential for disease detection and to provide information on potential therapeutic targets. Aminopeptidases catalyze the cleavage of amino acids from the amino terminus of protein or substrates such as neuropeptides.

Evaluation of Mitochondrial Function in Blood Samples Shows Distinct Patterns in Subjects with Thyroid Carcinoma from Those with Hyperplasia.

Metabolic adaptations are a hallmark of cancer and may be exploited to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Only about 50% of the patients who undergo thyroidectomy due to suspicion of thyroid cancer actually have the disease, highlighting the diagnostic limitations of current tools. We explored the possibility of using non-invasive blood tests to accurately diagnose thyroid cancer.

Evaluation of ctDNA in the Prediction of Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy and Prognosis in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study.

"Watch and wait" is becoming a common treatment option for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) submitted to neoadjuvant treatment. However, currently, no clinical modality has an acceptable accuracy for predicting pathological complete response (pCR). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in predicting the response and prognosis in these patients.