Highest drought sensitivity and lowest resistance to growth suppression are found in the range core of the tree Fagus sylvatica L. not the equatorial range edge

Biogeographical and ecological theory suggests that species distributions should be driven to higher altitudes and latitudes as global temperatures rise. Such changes occur as growth improves at the poleward edge of a species distribution and declines at the range edge in the opposite or equatorial direction, mirrored by changes in the establishment of new individuals. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that such processes are underway for a wide variety of species. Case studies from populations at the equatorial range edge of a variety of woody species have led us to understand that widespread growth decline and distributional shifts are underway. However, in apparent contrast, other studies report high productivity and reproduction in some range edge populations. We sought to assess temporal trends in the growth of the widespread European beech tree (Fagus sylvatica) across its latitudinal range. We explored the stability of populations to major drought events and the implications for predicted widespread growth decline at its equatorial range edge. In contrast to expectations, we found greatest sensitivity and low resistance to drought in the core of the species range, while dry range edge populations showed particularly high resistance to drought and little evidence of drought-linked growth decline. We hypothesise that this high range-edge resistance to drought is driven primarily by local environmental factors that allow relict populations to persist despite regionally unfavourable climate. The persistence of such populations demonstrates that range edge decline is not ubiquitous and is likely to be driven by declining population density at the landscape scale rather than sudden and widespread range retraction

Animal models for COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the aetiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an emerging respiratory infection caused by the introduction of a novel coronavirus into humans late in 2019 (frst detected in Hubei province, China). As of 18 September 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has spread to 215 countries, has infected more than 30 million people and has caused more than 950,000 deaths. As humans do not have pre-existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic agents and vaccines to mitigate the current pandemic and to prevent the re-emergence of COVID-19. In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) assembled an international panel to develop animal models for COVID-19 to accelerate the testing of vaccines and therapeutic agents. Here we summarize the fndings to date and provides relevant information for preclinical testing of vaccine candidates and therapeutic agents for COVID-19.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Fundulus as the premier teleost model in environmental biology : opportunities for new insights using genomics

Author Posting. © Elsevier B.V., 2007. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Elsevier B.V. for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics 2 (2007): 257-286, doi:10.1016/j.cbd.2007.09.001.A strong foundation of basic and applied research documents that the estuarine fish Fundulus heteroclitus and related species are unique laboratory and field models for understanding how individuals and populations interact with their environment. In this paper we summarize an extensive body of work examining the adaptive responses of Fundulus species to environmental conditions, and describe how this research has contributed importantly to our understanding of physiology, gene regulation, toxicology, and ecological and evolutionary genetics of teleosts and other vertebrates. These explorations have reached a critical juncture at which advancement is hindered by the lack of genomic resources for these species. We suggest that a more complete genomics toolbox for F. heteroclitus and related species will permit researchers to exploit the power of this model organism to rapidly advance our understanding of fundamental biological and pathological mechanisms among vertebrates, as well as ecological strategies and evolutionary processes common to all living organisms.This material is based on work supported by grants from the National Science Foundation DBI-0420504 (LJB), OCE 0308777 (DLC, RNW, BBR), BES-0553523 (AW), IBN 0236494 (BBR), IOB-0519579 (DHE), IOB-0543860 (DWT), FSML-0533189 (SC); National Institute of Health NIEHS P42-ES007381(GVC, MEH), P42-ES10356 (RTD), ES011588 (MFO); and NCRR P20 RR-016463 (DWT); Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery (DLM, TDS, WSM) and Collaborative Research and Development Programs (DLM); NOAA/National Sea Grant NA86RG0052 (LJB), NA16RG2273 (SIK, MEH,GVC, JJS); Environmental Protection Agency U91620701 (WSB), R82902201(SC) and EPA’s Office of Research and Development (DEN)

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits - the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants - determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits - almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase 1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age  6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score  652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N = 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in Asia and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

Severe abdominal pain and diarrhea – unusual multiple myeloma presentation with a severe prognosis: a case report

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma is a hematologic disease with high mortality rates all over the world. The diagnosis has always been challenging since the first case was reported in 1844. For that reason the diagnostic criteria have evolved over years to include the features of the disease more comprehensively. Unusual presentations are infrequent and a diagnostic challenge. For this reason we report this rare case in which diarrhea and abdominal pain were the initial presenting symptoms of multiple myeloma with a plasmacytoma. Case presentation An 87-year-old Hispanic man with a past medical history of hypertension, diabetes, and constipation, presented to an emergency department complaining of severe generalized abdominal pain and profuse diarrhea for 3 days. A physical examination revealed generalized pallor and dehydration but no signs of abdominal peritoneal irritation. Laboratory tests revealed neutrophilia and an elevated total protein. He received intravenously administered fluids and antibiotics. His abdominal pain became localized in the infraumbilical area and a small mass was palpated on the right lower quadrant on subsequent examination. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed a tumor lesion surrounded by fluid collection and a computed tomography-guided biopsy of the lesion confirmed it to be a plasmacytoma. A bone marrow biopsy revealed plasmatic cell augmentation but his beta-2 microglobulin levels were inconclusive. The diagnosis of multiple myeloma was finally confirmed with urine immunofixation. Bortezomib was initiated to decrease disease progression, but unfortunately 4 days later he developed acute pulmonary edema, had a cardiac arrest, and died. Conclusions This case illustrates the protean initial manifestations of multiple myeloma and the importance of an accurate diagnosis. Our patient’s initial presentation with gastrointestinal complaints is rare and the plasmacytoma location is even rarer, providing a challenging diagnostic problem. Prompt recognition of multiple myeloma is critical to institute appropriate therapy and prevention of disease progression

Sarcoidosis as a paraneoplastic syndrome for breast cancer

e12587 Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. The pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is believed to be a result from a cellular immune reaction from exposure to occupational, environmental, or infectious elements that lead to the formation of noncaseating granulomas. Non-caseating granulomas are also present in cancer , and it is well known that the cancer cells carry neo-antigens, leading to a possible association between cancer and sarcoidosis. Several studies have shown an increased risk of breast cancer , in particular, in patients with sarcoidosis, but only a few studies have analyzed the incidence of sarcoidosis following breast cancer diagnosis. The present study aimed to identify patients with sarcoidosis following a diagnosis of breast cancer in our cohort of sarcoidosis. Methods: This is a retrospective case-series study between 2008-2018 of patients with sarcoidosis in the University of Miami Sarcoidosis Program. Sarcoidosis was defined per the World Association for Sarcoidosis and other Granulomatous Disorders guidelines. Breast cancer diagnosis was confirmed through pathology. We collected demographic data of age, gender, ethnicity and the time between diagnosis of breast cancer and sarcoidosis by chart review. Clincial data including clinical manifestations, laboratories, staging, and treatment were also collected. Results: Among 125 patients in our registry, 26 patients had a diagnosis of both cancer and sarcoidosis. In this, 12 (46%) developed sarcoidosis after the diagnosis of breast cancer and are the study population. Among them, 12(100%) were female. The most common ethnic group in the study population was European American with 8(67%) followed by African Americans 2(16.7%) and Hispanic 2(16.7%). Eight (67%) patients were treated with chemotherapy, 7(58%) with radiotherapy, of this, 6 (50%) received both. Mean (SD) age of onset of sarcoidosis was 61.9 ( 10.8) years . The mean time interval between breast cancer diagnosis and the onset of sarcoidosis was 5.58 ( 5.24) years ( (see Figure 1). Nine (75%) had pulmonary sarcoidosis and 3(25%) cardiac sarcoidosis. Among the subjects with pulmonary sarcoidosis 1(11.1%) had Stage 4, 4(44.4%) had Stage 2 and 4(44.4%) had stage 1. Conclusions: Our findings suggest sarcoidosis may be a paraneoplastic characteristic of breast cancer. The mechanism of granuloma development remains unclear. Cancer mediated immune dysregulation could be a potential contributing factor. Further studies are warranted to establish a definitive association

953. Frailty Among People Living with HIV In Miami, A Cross Sectional Pilot Study

Abstract Background Frailty, a status of high vulnerability, is a clinical syndrome associated with adverse health outcomes and characterized by a constellation of various health deficits. Although age is a major contributor of being frail, HIV infection is associated with accelerated aging, and likely contributes to frailty. This association has seldom been evaluated. This study evaluated factors associated with frailty among PWH in Miami. Methods Cross-sectional study. Adults (> 18 years), HIV infected (HIV+) and uninfected (HIV-), virologically suppressed for at least 1 year (< 50 copies/ml). Sociodemographic factors and the self reported FRAIL scale was administered (Fatigue, Resistance or ability to climb a single flight of stairs, Ambulation or ability to walk one block, Illnesses or non-HIV associated comorbidities, and more than 5% weight Loss in the previous year). Groups were categorized base on the FRAIL scale scoring as Non-Frail (0), Pre-Frail (1-2), and Frail (3 or more). The association by Frail categories were analyze using descriptive statistics and ordinal logistical regression. Results N (40), median age was 43 years (SD 20.6); 35% White; 20% Hispanic; 52% females; 25 (62.5%) HIV +/ 15 (37.5%) HIV -. A small number of participants reported use of tobacco 2 (5%) and alcohol 7 (18%). More than half of the participants were frail or pre- frail (18 or 45% Non-Frail, 18 or 45% Pre-Frail, and 4 or 10% Frail, and HIV+ were more likely to be pre-frail or frail than HIV-, 72% vs 26%, p = 0.019). Frail scale symptoms were common among all participants but HIV+ reported higher fatigue than HIV- (85% vs 14%, p= 0.01). On Regression analysis, both HIV status and age were significant predictors of frailty status (HIV χ2 (1) = 4.36, p = .037 and age χ2 (1) = 13.48, p < .001). When controlling for age, being HIV - on average reduced frailty by an odds of 2.16 (b = -2.164, SE = 1.04, p = .037, 95% CI [-4.2 -0.13]). When controlling for HIV status, for every one year of increase in age, the ordered log odds of being frail increased by 0.07 (b = 0.07, SE = 0.02, p < .001, 95% CI [0.03 0.1]). Conclusion Using the FRAIL scale, a simple tool to screen for frailty, we identified high prevalence of frailty among PWH. Further studies are needed to identify the best tools to assess frailty and prevent poor health outcomes among this vulnerable population. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosure

The association of health literacy, numeracy and graph literacy with frailty

Background Frailty is a state of vulnerability to stressors which may result in high mortality, morbidity, and health-care utilization in older adults. Whether health literacy, graph literacy and numeracy are associated with frailty is unknown. Aim To assess the association of health literacy, numeracy and graph literacy with frailty in male veterans. Methods This is a retrospective study of 470 cognitively intact, non-depressed veterans who completed evaluations of health literacy, numeracy and graph literacy at Miami VA facility in 2012. A 43-item frailty index was created as a proportion of all potential variables (demographics, comorbidities, number of medications, laboratory tests, and activities of daily life). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by multinomial logistic regression models with frailty status (robust, prefrail and frail) as the outcome variable, and with health literacy, numeracy, and graph literacy scores as independent variables. Age, race, ethnicity, education, socio-economic status, and comorbidities were considered as covariates. Results Patients were 100% male, 40% White, 82% non-Hispanic, mean age was 56.8 years. The proportion of robust, pre-frail and frail was 10.0%, 61.3% and 28.7%, respectively. Neither health literacy nor objective nor subjective numeracy was associated with frailty after adjustment for covariates. In contrast, higher graph literacy scores were associated with a lower risk for frailty ( p  = .015) even after adjusting known risk factors for frailty. Discussion and conclusion Neither health literacy nor numeracy is associated with frailty. Higher graph literacy score is associated with a lower risk for frailty even after adjusting for known risk factors for frailty