Assessing the spatial scale of synchrony in forest tree population dynamics.

Populations of forest trees exhibit large temporal fluctuations, but little is known about the synchrony of these fluctuations across space, including their sign, magnitude, causes and characteristic scales. These have important implications for metapopulation persistence and theoretical community ecology. Using data from permanent forest plots spanning local, regional and global spatial scales, we measured spatial synchrony in tree population growth rates over sub-decadal and decadal timescales and explored the relationship of synchrony to geographical distance.

Cellular ATP demand creates metabolically distinct subpopulations of mitochondria.

Mitochondria serve a crucial role in cell growth and proliferation by supporting both ATP synthesis and the production of macromolecular precursors. Whereas oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) depends mainly on the oxidation of intermediates from the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the mitochondrial production of proline and ornithine relies on reductive synthesis. How these competing metabolic pathways take place in the same organelle is not clear.

How can we reduce neonatal sepsis after universal group B streptococcus screening?

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection remains a leading cause of newborn morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to determine the adherence rate to the universal screening policy a decade after its introduction. Secondly, whether the timing of antibiotics given in GBS carriers reduces the incidence of neonatal sepsis.

Emergency department triage decision-making by registered nurses: An instrument development study.

Aim: To develop and psychometrically test the triage decision-making instrument, a tool to measure Emergency Department Registered Nurses decision-making.

Design: Five phases: (1) defining the concept, (2) item generation, (3) face validity, (4) content validity and (5) pilot testing.

Methods: Concept definition informed by a grounded theory study from which four domains emerged.

Long-term effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on total disease burden in parsimonious epidemiological models.

The recent global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in governments enacting non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) targeted at reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2. But the NPIs also affected the transmission of viruses causing non-target seasonal respiratory diseases, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In many countries, the NPIs were found to reduce cases of such seasonal respiratory diseases, but there is also evidence that subsequent relaxation of NPIs led to outbreaks of these diseases that were larger than pre-pandemic ones, due to the accumulation of susceptible individuals prior to relaxation.

30-day Morbidity and Mortality after Cholecystectomy for Benign Gallbladder Disease (AMBROSE): A Prospective, International Collaborative Cohort Study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess 30-day morbidity and mortality rates following cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease and identify the factors associated with complications.

Summary Background Data: Although cholecystectomy is common for benign gallbladder disease, there is a gap in the knowledge of the current practice and variations on a global level.

Methods: A prospective, international, observational collaborative cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease from participating hospitals in 57 countries between January 1 and June 30, 2022, was performed.

Processes governing species richness in communities exposed to temporal environmental stochasticity: A review and synthesis of modelling approaches.

Research into the processes governing species richness has often assumed that the environment is fixed, whereas realistic environments are often characterised by random fluctuations over time. This temporal environmental stochasticity (TES) changes the demographic rates of species populations, with cascading effects on community dynamics and species richness. Theoretical and applied studies have used process-based mathematical models to determine how TES affects species richness, but under a variety of frameworks.

Temporary Cross-Immunity as a Plausible Driver of Asynchronous Cycles of Dengue Serotypes.

Many infectious diseases exist as multiple variants, with interactions between variants potentially driving epidemiological dynamics. These diseases include dengue, which infects hundreds of millions of people every year and exhibits complex multi-serotype dynamics. Antibodies produced in response to primary infection by one of the four dengue serotypes can produce a period of temporary cross-immunity (TCI) to infection by other serotypes.

Lactate activates the mitochondrial electron transport chain independently of its metabolism.

Lactate has long been considered a cellular waste product. However, we found that as extracellular lactate accumulates, it also enters the mitochondrial matrix and stimulates mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) activity. The resulting increase in mitochondrial ATP synthesis suppresses glycolysis and increases the utilization of pyruvate and/or alternative respiratory substrates.

Lactate activates the mitochondrial electron transport chain independent of its metabolism.

Lactate has long been considered a cellular waste product. However, we found that as extracellular lactate accumulates, it also enters the mitochondrial matrix and stimulates mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) activity. The resulting increase in mitochondrial ATP synthesis suppresses glycolysis and increases the utilization of pyruvate and/or alternative respiratory substrates.

The multiple links between actin and mitochondria.

Actin plays many well-known roles in cells, and understanding any specific role is often confounded by the overlap of multiple actin-based structures in space and time. Here, we review our rapidly expanding understanding of actin in mitochondrial biology, where actin plays multiple distinct roles, exemplifying the versatility of actin and its functions in cell biology. One well-studied role of actin in mitochondrial biology is its role in mitochondrial fission, where actin polymerization from the endoplasmic reticulum through the formin INF2 has been shown to stimulate two distinct steps.

Improving the realism of neutral ecological models by incorporating transient dynamics with temporal changes in community size.

Neutral models in ecology assume that all species are demographically equivalent, such that their abundances differ ultimately because of demographic stochasticity rather than selection. In spite of their simplicity, neutral models have been found to accurately reproduce static patterns of biodiversity for diverse communities. However, the same neutral models have been found to exhibit species abundance dynamics that are far too slow compared to reality, resulting in poor fits to temporally dynamic patterns of biodiversity.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for colorectal polyps: outcome determining factors.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has gained increasing popularity in the management of complicated colorectal polyps. However, clinical outcomes for ESD have remained highly inconsistent worldwide. This study investigated and analysed factors that significantly affect ESD outcomes.

Mitochondrial dysfunction triggers actin polymerization necessary for rapid glycolytic activation.

Mitochondrial damage represents a dramatic change in cellular homeostasis. One rapid response is perimitochondrial actin polymerization, termed acute damage-induced actin (ADA). The consequences of ADA are not understood.

Parallel kinase pathways stimulate actin polymerization at depolarized mitochondria.

Mitochondrial damage (MtD) represents a dramatic change in cellular homeostasis, necessitating metabolic changes and stimulating mitophagy. One rapid response to MtD is a rapid peri-mitochondrial actin polymerization termed ADA (acute damage-induced actin). The activation mechanism for ADA is unknown.

Evaluation of an integrated yoga program in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A pilot study.

Background: The effects of integrated yoga programs on mental health outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have not been well explored. To explore the acceptability, implementation and effectiveness of an integrated eight-week yoga program plus aromatherapy massage in patients with IBD.

Methods: Nine participants with documented IBD were recruited from a gastroenterology clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to participate in an integrated yoga program weekly for eight weeks with outcomes assessed at baseline and week 8.

Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injections for post-traumatic greater occipital neuralgia: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Post-traumatic headaches (PTH) are a common sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and greatly impact patient function and quality of life. Post-traumatic greater occipital neuralgia (GON) is a type of post-traumatic headache. Conventional treatment includes steroid/anesthetic injections which typically alleviate pain but have a short duration of effect.

Characterizing Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Adults With Persistent Postconcussive Symptoms After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: To evaluate physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior and their associations with symptom and quality of life outcomes in adults with persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.

Setting: Outpatient brain injury clinic.

Effects of a 12-week HIIT + group mediated cognitive behavioural intervention on quality of life among inactive adults with coeliac disease: findings from the pilot MOVE-C study.

Objective: The purpose of the pilot MOVE-C study was to examine the effects of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) plus lifestyle education program on quality of life (QoL), behavioural and psychosocial outcomes among inactive adults with coeliac disease.

Design: This study used a 3 (time: baseline, immediately post and three months post) × 2 (group: experimental versus waitlist control) mixed design. After completing baseline testing, 41 participants were randomised to one of two groups: HIIT + or waitlist control (WLC).

Growth hormone deficiency testing and treatment following mild traumatic brain injury.

Pituitary dysfunction, specifically growth hormone (GH) deficiency, can occur following traumatic brain injury. Our objective was to characterize the prevalence of GH deficiency (GHD) testing and response to recombinant human GH (rhGH) treatment in adults with persistent symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) referred for assessment of pituitary dysfunction. A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients seen at an outpatient brain injury clinic with a diagnosis of mTBI and persistent post-concussive symptoms who were referred to endocrinology.

Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Adults with Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms.

Objective: To assess demographic, clinical, and injury characteristics associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults with persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS).

Methods: Adults with PPCS presenting to a specialized brain injury clinic completed demographic, injury, and clinical outcome questionnaires at the initial clinic assessment. Clinical outcome measures were collected including the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).

Early Supported Discharge for Neurorehabilitation Following Acquired Brain Injury.

Early Supported Discharge (ESD) is a clinical flow management service offering interdisciplinary rehabilitation, wherein patients are provided supported in-home rehabilitation treatment; in comparison to conventional hospital-based rehabilitation model of service delivery. There has been little research into the functional outcomes for other types of acquired brain injury (ABI). In this prospective cohort study, ABI patients presenting at a level I trauma center in Calgary, Canada were placed in either an ESD program or conventional inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) program based on their medical history and presentation.

Predictors of morbidity related to stoma closure after colorectal cancer surgery.

Purpose: A defunctioning stoma is essential in reducing symptomatic leakage after colorectal surgery, particularly after lower anterior resection. Subsequent stoma closure is associated with morbidity and rarely mortality. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with post-operative complications related to stoma closure.

Essential anatomy for total mesorectal excision and lateral lymph node dissection, in both trans-abdominal and trans-anal perspective.

Background And Purpose: Total Mesorectal Excisions (TME) is the standard treatment of rectal cancer. It can be performed under laparoscopic, robotic or transanal approach. Inadvertent injury to surrounding structure like autonomic nerves is avoidable, no matter which approach is adopted.