Influence of Increasing Nutrient Availability on Fern and Lycophyte Diversity

Increased nutrient supply can have drastic effects on natural ecosystems, especially in naturally nutrient-poor ones such as most tropical rainforests. Many studies have focused on the reaction of trees to fertilization, but little is known about herbaceous plants. Ferns are a particularly common group in tropical forests, spanning all vegetation types and zones. Here, we assess how seven years of moderate addition of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and N+P along an elevational gradient (1000–3000 m) have impacted richness and composition of fern and lycophyte assemblages in tropical montane rain forests growing on naturally nutrient deficient soils in the Ecuadorian Andes. We found that fertilization does not affect overall species richness, but that there were strong differences in species abundances (∼60% of species), both negative and positive, that were apparently related to the systematic affiliations and ecological properties of the affected species. These diverse responses of ferns to fertilization provide insight into the sensitivity and complexity of the relationships of nutrient availability and community composition in tropical forests

Self-processing in relation to emotion and reward processing in depression

BACKGROUND: Depression is characterised by a heightened self-focus, which is believed to be associated with differences in emotion and reward processing. However, the precise relationship between these cognitive domains is not well understood. We examined the role of self-reference in emotion and reward processing, separately and in combination, in relation to depression.METHODS: Adults experiencing varying levels of depression (n = 144) completed self-report depression measures (PHQ-9, BDI-II). We measured self, emotion and reward processing, separately and in combination, using three cognitive tasks.RESULTS: When self-processing was measured independently of emotion and reward, in a simple associative learning task, there was little association with depression. However, when self and emotion processing occurred in combination in a self-esteem go/no-go task, depression was associated with an increased positive other bias [b = 3.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-5.79]. When the self was processed in relation to emotion and reward, in a social evaluation learning task, depression was associated with reduced positive self-biases (b = 0.11, 95% CI 0.05-0.17).CONCLUSIONS: Depression was associated with enhanced positive implicit associations with others, and reduced positive learning about the self, culminating in reduced self-favouring biases. However, when self, emotion and reward processing occurred independently there was little evidence of an association with depression. Treatments targeting reduced positive self-biases may provide more sensitive targets for therapeutic intervention and potential biomarkers of treatment responses, allowing the development of more effective interventions.</p

Addressing concerns about smoking cessation and mental health: theoretical review and practical guide for healthcare professionals

Smoking rates in people with depression and anxiety are twice as high as in the general population, even though people with depression and anxiety are motivated to stop smoking. Most healthcare professionals are aware that stopping smoking is one of the greatest changes that people can make to improve their health. However, smoking cessation can be a difficult topic to raise. Evidence suggests that smoking may cause some mental health problems, and that the tobacco withdrawal cycle partly contributes to worse mental health. By stopping smoking, a person's mental health may improve, and the size of this improvement might be equal to taking antidepressants. In this article we outline ways in which healthcare professionals can compassionately and respectfully raise the topic of smoking to encourage smoking cessation. We draw on evidence-based methods such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and outline approaches that healthcare professionals can use to integrate these methods into routine care to help their patients stop smoking.</p

Addressing concerns about smoking cessation and mental health: theoretical review and practical guide for healthcare professionals

Smoking rates in people with depression and anxiety are twice as high as in the general population, even though people with depression and anxiety are motivated to stop smoking. Most healthcare professionals are aware that stopping smoking is one of the greatest changes that people can make to improve their health. However, smoking cessation can be a difficult topic to raise. Evidence suggests that smoking may cause some mental health problems, and that the tobacco withdrawal cycle partly contributes to worse mental health. By stopping smoking, a person's mental health may improve, and the size of this improvement might be equal to taking antidepressants. In this article we outline ways in which healthcare professionals can compassionately and respectfully raise the topic of smoking to encourage smoking cessation. We draw on evidence-based methods such as cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) and outline approaches that healthcare professionals can use to integrate these methods into routine care to help their patients stop smoking

Comparative analysis of mycorrhizal communities associated with Struthiopteris spicant (L.) Weiss across Europe and North America

IntroductionFerns constitute the second largest group of vascular plants. Previous studies have shown that the diversity and composition of fern communities are influenced by resource availability and water stress, among other factors. However, little is known about the influence of these environmental factors on their biotic interactions, especially regarding the relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and ferns. The present study compares the mycorrhizal communities associated with 36 populations of Struthiopteris spicant L. Weiss across Europe and North America. This species exhibits a great tolerance to variations in light, nutrient, and pH conditions, and it can survive with and without mycorrhizae.MethodsWith the aim of determining which environmental factors impact the composition and abundance of the root-associated fungal communities in this species, we used an ITS-focused metabarcoding approach to identify the mycorrhizal fungi present and analyzed the influence of climatic and edaphic variables at global and regional scalesResults and discussionWe encountered striking differences in the relative abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) between S. spicant populations at both spatial levels. We recorded a total of 902 fungal ASVs, but only 2– 4% of the total fungal diversity was observed in each individual, revealing that each fern had a unique fungal community. Light availability and the interactive action of pH and soil nitrogen concentration showed a positive influence on AMF relative abundance, explaining 89% of the variance. However, environmental factors could only explain 4– 8% of the variability in AMF community composition, indicating that it might be determined by stochastic processes. These results support the hypothesis that ferns may be more independent of mycorrhization than other plant groups and interact with fungi in a more opportunistic manner

Adiciones a la pteridoflora de Tabasco, México: la importancia del bosque mesófilo de montaña

Background and Aims: The ejido Villa de Guadalupe of the municipality of Huimanguillo, Tabasco, contains the only fragment of humid montane forest in the state, which has been little explored floristically. This study is an addition to those previously published, where reports of new records increase considerably the richness of fern species known so far for Tabasco state. The main objective is to update the knowledge of the pteridophyte flora of this state, emphasizing the importance of the humid montane forest.Methods: Epiphytic and terrestrial fern collections were made randomly on the north and northeast face of the Las Flores mountain (450-1000 m a.s.l.) in the municipality of Huimanguillo. Specimens were identified mainly by dichotomous keys and distributed to national and foreign herbaria.Key results: A total of 64 species of ferns and lycopods were recorded. The best represented families were Polypodiaceae, Dryopteridaceae and Hymenophyllaceae. We highlight the records of 30 species that had not previously been reported in the state of Tabasco. Even of the genera Cochlidium, Elaphoglossum, Hypolepis, Odontosoria, Parapolystichum, Polytaenium, Saccoloma and Sphaeropteris, this is the first report for the state.Conclusions: The new additions to the pteridophyte flora of Tabasco lead to a count of 169 species for the state, which updates the information known so far (137 species) and shows the need of continued regional floristic inventories. The present study represents one of the few published papers that document the richness of a specific taxonomic group in the humid montane forest of the state.Antecedentes y Objetivos: El ejido Villa de Guadalupe del municipio Huimanguillo, Tabasco, mantiene el único fragmento de bosque mesófilo de montaña en el estado, mismo que ha sido florísticamente poco explorado. Este estudio se suma a otros anteriormente publicados, donde los reportes de nuevos registros aumentan considerablemente la riqueza de especies de helechos y licopodios conocidas hasta ahora para Tabasco. El objetivo principal es actualizar el conocimiento de la pteridoflora de la entidad, enfatizando la importancia del bosque mesófilo de montaña.Métodos: Se realizaron colectas al azar de helechos epífitos y terrestres en la cara norte y noreste del cerro Las Flores (450-1000 m s.n.m.) en el municipio Huimanguillo. Los especímenes fueron identificados principalmente mediante claves taxonómicas y distribuidos en herbarios nacionales y extranjeros.Resultados clave: Se registraron en total 64 especies de helechos y licopodios. Las familias mejor representadas fueron Polypodiaceae, Dryopteridaceae e Hymenophyllaceae. Se destaca el registro de 30 especies que no habían sido reportadas previamente en el estado de Tabasco. Para los géneros Cochlidium, Elaphoglossum, Hypolepis, Odontosoria, Parapolystichum, Polytaenium, Saccoloma y Sphaeropteris, este es el primer reporte para la entidad.Conclusiones: Las nuevas adiciones a la pteridoflora de Tabasco proporcionan un recuento de 169 especies para el estado, lo cual actualiza la información conocida hasta ahora (137 especies) y manifiesta la necesidad de continuar con la realización de inventarios florísticos regionales. El presente estudio representa uno de los pocos trabajos publicados que documentan la riqueza de un grupo taxonómico en específico en el bosque mesófilo de montaña del estado

Effect of acute citalopram on self-referential emotional processing and social cognition in healthy volunteers

This study was funded by the UK National Productivity Investment Fund awarded to C.H. through the GW4 BioMed Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership. This study was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Health Service, the NIHR or the Department of Health. ICMJE forms are in the supplementary material, available online at https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2020.107.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Kupffer cells are protective in alcoholic steatosis

Massive accumulation of lipids is a characteristic of alcoholic liver disease. Excess of hepatic fat activates Kupffer cells (KCs), which affect disease progression. Yet, KCs contribute to the resolution and advancement of liver injury. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of KC depletion on markers of liver injury and the hepatic lipidome in liver steatosis (Lieber-DeCarli diet, LDC, female mice, mixed C57BL/6J and DBA/2J background). LDC increased the number of dead hepatocytes without changing the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines in the liver. Animals fed LDC accumulated elevated levels of almost all lipid classes. KC ablation normalized phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol levels in LDC livers, but had no effect in the controls. A modest decline of trigylceride and diglyceride levels upon KC loss was observed in both groups. Serum aminotransferases and hepatic ceramide were elevated in all animals upon KC depletion, and in particular, cytotoxic very long-chain ceramides increased in the LDC livers. Meta-biclustering revealed that eight lipid species occurred in more than 40% of the biclusters, and four of them were very long-chain ceramides. KC loss was further associated with excess free cholesterol levels in LDC livers. Expression of inflammatory cytokines did, however, not increase in parallel. In summary, the current study described a function of KCs in hepatic ceramide and cholesterol metabolism in an animal model of LDC liver steatosis. High abundance of cytotoxic ceramides and free cholesterol predispose the liver to disease progression suggesting a protective role of KCs in alcoholic liver diseases

Depressive Symptoms among Pregnant Women Screened in Obstetrics Settings

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of depressive symptomatology during pregnancy when seen in obstetric settings, the extent of treatment in this population, and specific risk factors associated with mood symptoms in pregnancy. Methods: A total of 3472 pregnant women age 18 and older were screened while waiting for their prenatal care visits in 10 obstetrics clinics using a brief (10 minute) screening questionnaire. This screen measured demographics, tobacco and alcohol (TWEAK problem alcohol use screening measure), and depression measures, including the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D), use of antidepressant medications, past history of depression, and current treatment (i.e., medications, psychotherapy, or counseling) for depression. Results: Of women screened, 20% (n = 689) scored above the cutoff score on the CES-D, and only 13.8% of those women reported receiving any formal treatment for depression. Past history of depression, poorer overall health, greater alcohol use consequences, smoking, being unmarried, unemployment, and lower educational attainment were significantly associated with symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Conclusions: These data show that a substantial number of pregnant women screened in obstetrics settings have significant symptoms of depression, and most of them are not being monitored in treatment during this vulnerable time. This information may be used to justify and streamline systematic screening for depression in clinical encounters with pregnant women as a first step in determining which women may require further treatment for their mood symptoms. As elevations in depressive symptomatology have been associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes, further study of the impact of psychiatric treatment in gravid women is essential.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63218/1/154099903765448880.pd