Economic microbiology: exploring microbes as agents in economic systems

Microbial communities exhibit striking parallels with economic markets, resembling intricate ecosystems where microorganisms engage in resource exchange akin to human market transactions. This dynamic network of resource swapping mirrors economic trade in human markets, with microbes specializing in metabolic functions much like businesses specializing in goods and services. Cooperation and competition are central dynamics in microbial communities, with alliances forming for mutual benefit and species vying for dominance, similar to businesses seeking market share. The human microbiome, comprising trillions of microorganisms within and on our bodies, is not only a marker of socioeconomic status but also a critical factor contributing to persistent health inequalities. Social and economic factors shape the composition of the gut microbiota, impacting healthcare access and quality of life. Moreover, these microbes exert indirect influence over human decisions by affecting neurotransmitter production, influencing mood, behavior, and choices related to diet and emotions. Human activities significantly impact microbial communities, from dietary choices and antibiotic use to environmental changes, disrupting these ecosystems. Beyond their natural roles, humans harness microbial communities for various applications, manipulating their interactions and resource exchanges to achieve specific goals in fields like medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. In conclusion, the concept of microbial communities as biological markets offers valuable insights into their intricate functioning and adaptability. It underscores the profound interplay between microbial ecosystems and human health and behavior, with far-reaching implications for multiple disciplines. To paraphrase Alfred Marshall, “the Mecca of the economist lies in economic microbiology.

Probing the genomic landscape of human sexuality: a critical systematic review of the literature

Whether human sexuality is the result of nature or nurture (or their complex interplay) represents a hot, often ideologically driven, and highly polarized debate with political and social ramifications, and with varying, conflicting findings reported in the literature. A number of heritability and behavioral genetics studies, including pedigree-based investigations, have hypothesized inheritance patterns of human sexual behaviors. On the other hand, in most twin, adoption, and nuclear family studies, it was not possible to disentangle between underlying genetic and shared environmental sources. Furthermore, these studies were not able to estimate the precise extent of genetic loading and to shed light both on the number and nature of the putative inherited factors, which remained largely unknown. Molecular genetic studies offer an unprecedented opportunity to overcome these drawbacks, by dissecting the molecular basis of human sexuality and allowing a better understanding of its biological roots if any. However, there exists no systematic review of the molecular genetics of human sexuality. Therefore, we undertook this critical systematic review and appraisal of the literature, with the ambitious aims of filling in these gaps of knowledge, especially from the methodological standpoint, and providing guidance to future studies. Sixteen studies were finally retained and overviewed in the present systematic review study. Seven studies were linkage studies, four studies utilized the candidate gene approach, and five studies were GWAS investigations. Limitations of these studies and implications for further research are discussed

Renaissance medicine and the discovery of the lesser circulation: the role of Michael Servetus (1511–1553)

Michele Serveto (1511-1533) è stato un umanista, medico e teologo. Si dedicò allo studio della Bibbia e si interessò anche alle scienze, astrologia, meteorologia, filosofia scolastica, geografia, legge, anatomia e matematica. Michele Serveto sviluppò una solida conoscenza delle lingue classiche (latino, greco ed ebraico) che egli utilizzerà molto per i suoi studi. Dopo i primi studi in casa e poi nella scuola del convento di Monte-Aragón, nel 1524 Serveto prestò servizio per due anni presso Juan de Quintana di Majorca, dottore alla Sorbona di Parigi, francescano minorita e importante membro delle Cortes di Aragona. Inizialmente sembrava essere destinato al sacerdozio ma poi, all’età di diciassette anni, nel 1528, Serveto fu mandato dal padre a studiare legge all’università di Tolosa, prestigiosa università per gli studi di giurisprudenza, ma dopo appena un anno abbandonò richiamato nel 1529 da Quintana, diventato nel frattempo confessore personale dell’imperatore Carlo V. È stato tardivamente riconosciuto come il primo medico – almeno in Europa – ad aver descritto la circolazione polmonare o circolazione minore. Per le sue posizioni contro la Trinità, è stato arrestato, processato e mandato al rogo a Champel, nel sobborgo ginevrino. Serveto rappresenta un profondo innovatore, sia nell’ambito della teologia che della medicina, un martire e un gigante del libero pensiero.Michael Servetus (1511-1553) was a humanist, physician and theologian. He studied the Bible and was also interested in science, astrology, meteorology, scholastic philosophy, geography, law, anatomy and mathematics. Michael Servetus developed a considerable knowledge of the classical languages (Latin, Greek and Hebrew), which he will use a lot for his studies during his lifetime. After early studies at home and then in the school of the convent of Mount-Aragón, in 1524, Servetus was working for two years for Juan de Quintana de Mallorca, a doctor at the Sorbonne in Paris, Franciscan and a prominent member of the Cortes of Aragon. At first, he seemed to be destined for the priesthood, but then, at the age of seventeen, in 1528, Servetus began studying law at the prestigious University of Law of Toulouse. He abandoned the law school after only a year, because in 1529 he was invited by Quintana, who in the meantime became a personal confessor of the Emperor Charles V. He is recognized as the first physician – at least in Europe – to have discovered and described the pulmonary circulation or lesser circulation. For his anti-Trinitarian views, he was arrested, tried and burned at the stake in Champel, a suburb of Geneva. Servetus represents a profound innovator, both in theology and medicine, a martyr and a giant of the free thought

La medicina del rinascimento e la scoperta della circolazione minore: il ruolo di Michele Serveto (1511\u20131553) [Renaissance medicine and the discovery of the lesser circulation: the role of Michael Servetus (1511-1553)]

Michele Serveto (1511-1533) \ue8 stato un umanista, medico e teologo. Si dedic\uf2 allo studio della Bibbia e si interess\uf2 anche alle scienze, astrologia, meteorologia, filosofia scolastica, geografia, legge, anatomia e matematica. Michele Serveto svilupp\uf2 una solida conoscenza delle lingue classiche (latino, greco ed ebraico) che egli utilizzer\ue0 molto per i suoi studi. Dopo i primi studi in casa e poi nella scuola del convento di Monte-Arag\uf3n, nel 1524 Serveto prest\uf2 servizio per due anni presso Juan de Quintana di Majorca, dottore alla Sorbona di Parigi, francescano minorita e importante membro delle Cortes di Aragona. Inizialmente sembrava essere destinato al sacerdozio ma poi, all\u2019et\ue0 di diciassette anni, nel 1528, Serveto fu mandato dal padre a studiare legge all\u2019universit\ue0 di Tolosa, prestigiosa universit\ue0 per gli studi di giurisprudenza, ma dopo appena un anno abbandon\uf2 richiamato nel 1529 da Quintana, diventato nel frattempo confessore personale dell\u2019imperatore Carlo V. \uc8 stato tardivamente riconosciuto come il primo medico \u2013 almeno in Europa \u2013 ad aver descritto la circolazione polmonare o circolazione minore. Per le sue posizioni contro la Trinit\ue0, \ue8 stato arrestato, processato e mandato al rogo a Champel, nel sobborgo ginevrino. Serveto rappresenta un profondo innovatore, sia nell\u2019ambito della teologia che della medicina, un martire e un gigante del libero pensiero.Michael Servetus (1511-1553) was a humanist, physician and theologian. He studied the Bible and was also interested in science, astrology, meteorology, scholastic philosophy, geography, law, anatomy and mathematics. Michael Servetus developed a considerable knowledge of the classical languages (Latin, Greek and Hebrew), which he will use a lot for his studies during his lifetime. After early studies at home and then in the school of the convent of Mount- Arag\uf3n, in 1524, Servetus was working for two years for Juan de Quintana de Mallorca, a doctor at the Sorbonne in Paris, Franciscan and a prominent member of the Cortes of Aragon. At first, he seemed to be destined for the priesthood, but then, at the age of seventeen, in 1528, Servetus began studying law at the prestigious University of Law of Toulouse. H abandoned the law school after only a year, because in 1529 he was invited by Quintana, who in the meantime became a personal confessor of the Emperor Charles V. He is recognized as the first physician \u2013 at least in Europe \u2013 to have discovered and described the pulmonary circulation or lesser circulation. For his anti-Trinitarian views, he was arrested, tried and burned at the stake in Champel, a suburb of Geneva. Servetus represents a profound innovator, both in theology and medicine, a martyr and a giant of the free thought. \ua9 2017, Croatian Scientific Society for the History of Health

Quality of Life in Older Adults After Major Cancer Surgery:The GOSAFE International Study

Abstract Background Accurate quality of life (QoL) data and functional results after cancer surgery are lacking for older patients. The international, multicenter Geriatric Oncology Surgical Assessment and Functional rEcovery after Surgery (GOSAFE) Study compares QoL before and after surgery and identifies predictors of decline in QoL. Methods GOSAFE prospectively collected data before and after major elective cancer surgery on older adults (≥70 years). Frailty assessment was performed and postoperative outcomes recorded (30, 90, and 180 days postoperatively) together with QoL data by means of the three-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), including 2 components: an index (range = 0-1) generated by 5 domains (mobility, self-care, ability to perform the usual activities, pain or discomfort, anxiety or depression) and a visual analog scale. Results Data from 26 centers were collected (February 2017-March 2019). Complete data were available for 942/1005 consecutive patients (94.0%): 492 male (52.2%), median age 78 years (range = 70-95 years), and primary tumor was colorectal in 67.8%. A total 61.2% of all surgeries were via a minimally invasive approach. The 30-, 90-, and 180-day mortality was 3.7%, 6.3%, and 9%, respectively. At 30 and 180 days, postoperative morbidity was 39.2% and 52.4%, respectively, and Clavien-Dindo III-IV complications were 13.5% and 18.7%, respectively. The mean EQ-5D-3L index was similar before vs 3 months but improved at 6 months (0.79 vs 0.82; P < .001). Domains showing improvement were pain and anxiety or depression. A Flemish Triage Risk Screening Tool score greater than or equal to 2 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13 to 2.21, P = .007), palliative surgery (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.01 to 4.52, P = .046), postoperative complications (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.19 to 3.18, P = .007) correlated with worsening QoL. Conclusions GOSAFE shows that older adults’ preoperative QoL is preserved 3 months after cancer surgery, independent of their age. Frailty screening tools, patient-reported outcomes, and goals-of-care discussions can guide decisions to pursue surgery and direct patients’ expectations

Regulación autonómica cardiovascular en el humano: correlación entre la onda de pulso y la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca

La variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca se obtiene a partir del electrocardiograma (ECG). Sin embargo, el registro de la onda de pulso a través de la fotopletismografía dactilar (PPG) también contiene información sobre la duración del ciclo cardíaco. En este Proyecto se estudió la relación la intercambiabilidad de estos métodos mediante un análisis de correlación y concordancia entre las series temporales. Las señales analizadas se obtuvieron de sujetos jóvenes y sanos en reposo. Se usaron el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson y los límites de concordancia de Bland y Altman para el análisis estadístico. Las series temporales construidas a partir de PPG mostraron características de variabilidad atribuibles al fenómeno mecánico involucrado en la generación de la onda de pulso, que no están presentes en las series temporales del ECG

Circadian analysis of myocardial infarction incidence in an Argentine and Uruguayan population

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of variations in the spectrum of cardiovascular disease between different regions of the world and ethnic groups have been the subject of great interest. This study report the 24-h variation of myocardial infarction (MI) occurrence in patients recruited from CCU located in Argentina and Uruguay. METHODS: A cohort of 1063 patients admitted to the CCU within 24 h of the onset of symptoms of an acute MI was examined. MI incidence along the day was computed in 1 h-intervals. RESULTS: A minimal MI incidence between 03:00 and 07:00 h and the occurrence of a first maximum between 08:00 and 12:00 h and a second maximum between 15:00 and 22:00 h were verified. The best fit curve was a 24 h cosinor (acrophase ~ 19:00 h, accounting for 63 % of variance) together with a symmetrical gaussian bell (maximum at ~ 10:00 h, accounting for 37 % of variance). A similar picture was observed for MI frequencies among different excluding subgroups (older or younger than 70 years; with or without previous symptoms; diabetics or non diabetics; Q wave- or non-Q wave-type MI; anterior or inferior MI location). Proportion between cosinor and gaussian probabilities was maintained among most subgroups except for older patients who had more MI at the afternoon and patients with previous symptoms who were equally distributed among the morning and afternoon maxima. CONCLUSION: The results support the existence of two maxima (at morning and afternoon hours) in MI incidence in the Argentine and Uruguayan population

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km² resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e., offset) between in-situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km² pixels (summarized from 8500 unique temperature sensors) across all the world’s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in-situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications.publishedVersio

A low energy dense diet in the context of a weight management program improves appetite control in overweight and obese women

Background: Low energy density foods (LED) reduce energy intake (EI); whether this effect is sustained over time and during weight loss is unknown. Objective: This trial examined the effects of LED compared to high energy density (HED) meals on appetite, EI and control over eating in the laboratory and during a weight management program that encourages unrestricted intake of LED foods [Slimming World, UK (SW)] compared to a self-led Standard Care program [NHS weight loss plan (SC)]. Methods: Overweight and obese women (n=96;age:41.03±12.61 years; BMI:34.00±3.61 kg/m2) were recruited from SW- or SC-program. Primary outcomes included appetite, food preferences (liking and wanting for LED and HED foods), cravings and evening meal EI (LED, HED) in response to calorie-matched LED (≤0.8 kcal/g) and HED (≥2.5 kcal/g) breakfast and lunch meals. Probe day tests were conducted at weeks 3 and 4 and repeated at weeks 12 and 13 in a within-day cross-over design. Secondary outcomes including body weight and program experience were measured from week 1 to 14 in a parallel-group design. Dietary compliance was monitored using weighed food diaries at weeks 3 and 12. Results: Intention-to-treat (ITT) and completers-analyses showed SW lost more weight compared to SC [ITT:-5.9% (95%CI:-4.7, -7.2) versus -3.5% (-2.3,-4.8), p<0.05; completers:-6.2% (-4.8,-7.6) versus 3.9% (-2.5,-5.2), p<0.05]. SW reported greater control over eating and more motivation to continue the program compared to SC. LED meals increased sensations of fullness and reduced hunger on probe days (p<0.001). Total-day-EI was 1057±73 kcal less (95% CI:912, 1203;36%) under LED compared to HED (p<.001). Liking for LED and HED foods and wanting for HED foods were lower pre-lunch under LED compared to HED conditions and liking decreased to a greater extent after the LED-lunch. SW reported fewer cravings under LED compared to HED conditions (p<0.05). On probe days, appetite and EI outcomes did not differ between weeks 3 and 12 or SW- and SC-groups. Conclusion: LED meals improve appetite control in women attempting weight loss and the effect is sustainable. Consumption of LED meals likely contributed to weight loss in the SW-program.ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02012426

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km² resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e., offset) between in-situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km² pixels (summarized from 8500 unique temperature sensors) across all the world’s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in-situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications