Physiological Limits Research Articles

Emergency water distribution systems to improve spatial equality and spatial equity in a heterogeneous community with differing mobility characteristics

Our study addresses challenges in emergency water distribution systems by proposing a hybrid method that optimizes points of distribution (PODs) and mobile delivery systems. The goal is to optimally dispense emergency water to disaster-affected populations while enhancing spatial equality and spatial equity. By considering the physiological and socioeconomic status of the disaster-affected population, our hybrid method addresses the needs of a heterogeneous community. The hybrid method consists of two models: The first model seeks to determine the optimal locations of POD for populations who are deemed physiologically able to visit PODs and pick up their emergency water. In this model, socioeconomic status is incorporated to account for different mobility characteristics of these populations. The second model focuses on determining efficient routes for mobile delivery to populations who are more likely to have physiological limitations that interfere with them traveling to PODs and picking up their emergency water. The proposed method is then validated with an application to the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. Our experiments demonstrate that, compared to the actual setup of PODs, our method shows a 69.30 % improvement in objective function value and a 7.05 % reduction in the average travel time for people to reach the PODs. Particularly beneficial for those with the longest travel time to the PODs, the model indicates a significant 25.22 % decrease in travel time, equivalent to 19.49 min. Also, our method suggests the optimal delivery solution involving 20 trucks covering 191.82 km for the target populations. We further conduct a sensitivity analysis to discuss the potential impact of various factors on the operations of the emergency water distribution system. Our results highlight that increasing the number of depots does not necessarily lead to a proportional decrease in vehicle kilometers traveled. We also identify that the most cost-effective vehicle type is a 16-foot truck. These findings provide emergency agencies and policymakers with valuable insights, paving the way for improved guidelines and policies to establish more effective emergency water distribution systems.

Quantitative Analysis of Right Atrial Functions by 2D-Speckle Tracking Echocardiography During Healthy Pregnancy.

The role of speckle tracking in the assessment of right atrial (RA) deformation parameters has not been investigated yet. The purpose of this article is to establish the effects of normal pregnancy on RA mechanical changes obtained by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. A total of 49 healthy pregnant women were included in the study. All participants were followed for each trimester and postpartum period, encompassing standard assessments of both RA and ventricular functions, as well as measurements of RA global peak atrial longitudinal strain (RA-Global-PALS) and RA global peak atrial contraction strain (RA-Global-PACS). Additionally, the RA segments were individually evaluated with respect to strain parameters. During pregnancy, the increased volume load resulted in elevated RA reservoir function, as indicated by RA-Global-PALS, and increased contraction parameter, as indicated by RA-Global-PACS. These changes were within physiological limits and reversible. Segmental analysis of the right atrium showed similar findings for regional PACS and PALS parameters. In this study, we established normal RA deformation parameters for healthy pregnancies. These data will aid in discerning various measures of RA phasic function in cardiovascular and systemic conditions among normal pregnant women. Moreover, they may offer insights into potential cardiac pathologies that may arise during the pregnancy.

High-intensity care for GDMT titration.

Heart failure (HF) is a systemic disease associated with a high risk of morbidity, mortality, increased risk of hospitalizations, and low quality of life. Therefore, effective, systemic treatment strategies are necessary to mitigate these risks. In this manuscript, we emphasize the concept of high-intensity care to optimize guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in HF patients. The document highlights the importance of achieving optimal recommended doses of GDMT medications, including beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors to improve patient outcomes, achieve effective, sustainable decongestion, and improve patient quality of life. The document also discusses potential obstacles to GDMT optimization, such as clinical inertia, physiological limitations, comorbidities, non-adherence, and frailty. Lastly, it also attempts to provide possible future scenarios of high-intensive care that could improve patient outcomes.

Mitochondrial functions and fatty acid profiles in fish heart: an insight into physiological limitations linked to thermal tolerance and age.

Heart failure is among the first major consequences of heat stress in aquatic ectotherms. Mitochondria produce most of the ATP used by the heart and represent almost half of the volume in cardiac cells. It has therefore been hypothesized that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a major cause of heart failure associated with heat stress. The present study aims to investigate if CTmax is linked to the thermal sensitivity of cardiac mitochondria in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and if it is influenced by heart fatty acid composition and age. To do so, we measured the CTmax of 30 fish. The cardiac mitochondrial oxygen consumption was measured by high resolution respirometry at three temperatures and heart lipid profiles were obtained by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with a flame ionization detector (FID). Fish age was estimated via otolith readings. Fatty acid profiles showed no correlation with CTmax, but EPA levels were higher in older individuals. Mitochondrial respiration was measured in 35 fish using high-resolution respirometry. It was strongly affected by temperature and showed a drastic drop in OXPHOS respiration fed by complex I and complex I+complex II, while uncoupled respiration plateaued at CTmax temperature. Our results suggest that complex I is an important modulator of the impact of temperature on mitochondrial respiration at high temperatures but is not the main limiting factor in physiological conditions (maximal OXPHOS). Mitochondrial respiration was also affected by fish age, showing a general decrease in older individuals.

Long-term effects of climate change on juvenile bull shark migratory patterns.

Seasonal variability in environmental conditions is a strong determinant of animal migrations, but warming temperatures associated with climate change are anticipated to alter this phenomenon with unknown consequences. We used a 40-year fishery-independent survey to assess how a changing climate has altered the migration timing, duration and first-year survival of juvenile bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas). From 1982 to 2021, estuaries in the western Gulf of Mexico (Texas) experienced a mean increase of 1.55°C in autumn water temperatures, and delays in autumn cold fronts by ca. 0.5 days per year. Bull shark migrations in more northern estuaries concomitantly changed, with departures 25-36 days later in 2021 than in 1982. Later, migrations resulted in reduced overwintering durations by up to 81 days, and the relative abundance of post-overwintering age 0-1 sharks increased by >50% during the 40-year study period. Yet, reductions in prey availability were the most influential factor delaying migrations. Juvenile sharks remained in natal estuaries longer when prey were less abundant. Long-term declines in prey reportedly occurred due to reduced spawning success associated with climate change based on published reports. Consequently, warming waters likely enabled and indirectly caused the observed changes in shark migratory behaviour. As water temperatures continue to rise, bull sharks in the north-western Gulf of Mexico could forgo their winter migrations in the next 50-100 years based on current trends and physiological limits, thereby altering their ecological roles in estuarine ecosystems and recruitment into the adult population. It is unclear if estuarine food webs will be able to support changing residency patterns as climate change affects the spawning success of forage species. We expect these trends are not unique to the western Gulf of Mexico or bull sharks, and migratory patterns of predators in subtropical latitudes are similarly changing at a global scale.

An Extended Neck Position is Likely to Produce Cervical Spine Injuries Through Buckling in Accidental Head-First Impacts During Rugby Tackling

Catastrophic cervical spine injuries in rugby often occur during tackling. The underlying mechanisms leading to these injuries remain unclear, with neck hyperflexion and buckling both proposed as the causative factor in the injury prevention literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre-impact head–neck posture on intervertebral neck loads and motions during a head-first rugby tackle. Using a validated, subject-specific musculoskeletal model of a rugby player, and computer simulations driven by in vivo and in vitro data, we examined the dynamic response of the cervical spine under such impact conditions. The simulations demonstrated that the initial head–neck sagittal-plane posture affected intervertebral loads and kinematics, with an extended neck resulting in buckling and supraphysiologic intervertebral shear and flexion loads and motions, typical of bilateral facet dislocation injuries. In contrast, an initially flexed neck increased axial compression forces and flexion angles without exceeding intervertebral physiological limits. These findings provide objective evidence that can inform injury prevention strategies or rugby law changes to improve the safety of the game of rugby.

P-070 The effect of surgical interventions in sperm DNA fragmentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Study question Do surgical interventions improve sperm DNA fragmentation? Summary answer Orchiectomy, bariatric surgery and varicocelectomy improve sperm DNA fragmentation. What is known already Sperm DNA fragmentation, which is known to be one of the functional alterations that harms men’s fertile potential, is caused by several factors, and one of the most important is oxidative stress, caused by accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) beyond the physiological limits of the organism. Some examples of diseases that cause this increase in ROS are testicular tumors, obesity and varicocele. Once they all have surgical corrections, the aim of this study was to observe if orchiectomy, bariatric surgery and varicocelectomy had a positive impact in sperm DNA fragmentation. Study design, size, duration A systematic review was developed, including 33 articles: 1 about orchiectomy, 4 about bariatric surgery, and the remaining ones about varicocelectomy. After the review was finished, a meta-analysis was conducted with all the numeric information extracted from the articles. The study was registered on PROSPERO database and was performed based on PRISMA guideline. Participants/materials, setting, methods Data extraction was made by two reviewers independently, and all the information was tabulated in a systematic spreadsheet. 7 articles were excluded, because they did not meet the inclusion criteria: they either included analysis of adolescent spermatogenesis or did not include analysis of sperm DNA fragmentation, and 5 articles were excluded from statistical analysis due to the studies’ designs and lack of essential statistical data. The statistical analysis was conducted by dmetar, metafor e meta. Main results and the role of chance The studies were carried out with men whose seminal samples were analysed before and after surgical intervention. The type of intervention (orchiectomy, bariatric surgery or varicocelectomy) and the way sperm DNA fragmentation was analysed (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling – TUNEL, Cometa Assay or The Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay – SCSA) were not moderators of the estimated effect. However, the effect estimated increased according to the duration of the follow-up. When duration of follow-up was short (up to six months), there was no effect of interventions on sperm DNA fragmentation. The effect was greater when the duration was average (between six and nine months) and long (more than nine months). There was a reduction in sperm DNA fragmentation with interventions (effect estimated [confidence range 95%] = -1.22 [-1.65; -0.78]; p < 0.001). Despite different techniques were used to analyse sperm DNA fragmentation, the present study showed an improvement in this functional alteration after surgical interventions. Limitations, reasons for caution The small number of participants included in each article analysed, the heterogeneity between the follow-up time and the lack of quality numeric information in literature are possible limitations of this study. Besides, the fact that varicocelectomy had a bigger weight in this study must be analysed critically. Wider implications of the findings Therefore, this study is considered an important source for consistent and reliable information about sperm DNA fragmentation and the effect of surgical interventions on it. It is necessary to expand the studies on this topic, mostly due to the lack of randomized clinical trials. Trial registration number not applicable

A cautionary message on combining physiological thermal limits with macroclimatic data to predict species distribution

AbstractMacroclimatic data are widely used to estimate the realized environmental niche of species and predict the current or the future spatial distribution of species. Because the realized niche is a subset of the fundamental niche—constrained by biotic interactions and dispersal limitations—proxies of the fundamental niche (e.g., thermal limits obtained from physiological experiments) are sometimes combined with macroclimatic data under the assumption that areas predicted as unsuitable from a realized niche perspective may belong to the species' fundamental niche. However, it is unclear whether this assumption is valid and whether thermal limits can be combined with macroclimatic data. Here, we explored these questions using available physiological thermal limits measured for 151 ectotherms. Specifically, we explored whether physiological thermal limits are larger than observed (realized) thermal limits measured using macroclimatic data, and what would be the effect of considering the physiological niche in addition to the realized niche for current and future predictions. Our results confirm previously raised concerns, as physiological limits can delimit a narrower range of thermal tolerance than the realized niche, particularly at the cold end of the thermal gradient where adaptive and/or facilitative mechanisms could allow species to survive in temperatures below physiological limits. These findings show that combining data on physiological thermal limits with macroclimatic data is dubious and that spatial predictions should be interpreted with caution because data on physiological thermal limits do not fit well with macroclimatic data that do not capture the conditions that organisms experience in the wild. While estimated physiological thermal limits are likely of value to complement species distribution studies, they are likely more useful in biophysical models that account for additional processes including the animal's behavior.

Testing metabolic cold adaptation and the climatic variability hypothesis in two latitudinally distant populations of a supratidal water beetle

Temperature significantly impacts ectotherm physiology, with thermal tolerance and metabolic traits typically varying with latitude across species ranges. The drivers of this variation remain unclear, however, despite obvious consequences for population persistence and conservation in the face of ongoing global change. This study explored local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity of metabolic rates and thermal limits in the supratidal rockpool beetle Ochthebius lejolisii. Using populations from localities at different ends of the species range that experience contrasting thermal variability, we simultaneously tested two of the major paradigms of spatial physiological ecology: metabolic cold adaptation (MCA) and the climatic variability hypothesis (CVH). Reciprocal acclimation was conducted under spring temperature regimes of both localities, incorporating local diurnal variation. Metabolic rates were measured by closed respirometry, and thermal tolerance limits estimated through thermography. In line with MCA, the higher-latitude population (colder climate) showed higher metabolic rates and temperature coefficients (Q10s) at lower temperatures than the lower-latitude population. As predicted by the CVH, the lower-latitude population (more variable climate) showed higher upper thermal tolerance but only the higher-latitude population was able to acclimate upper thermal limits. This result suggests trade-offs between physiological thermal limits and thermal plasticity in this species. A limited acclimation capacity could make populations on Mediterranean coasts especially vulnerable in the face of projected increases in extreme temperatures under ongoing climate change.

Phenotypic plasticity and thermal efficiency of temperature responses in two conspecific springtail populations from contrasting climates

Temperature drives adaptation in life-history traits through direct effects on physiological processes. However, multiple life-history traits co-evolve as a life-history strategy. Therefore, physiological limitations constraining the evolution of trait means and phenotypic plasticity can be larger for some traits than the others. Comparisons of thermal responses across life-history traits can improve our understanding of the mechanisms determining the life-history strategies. In the present study, we focused on a soil microarthropod species abundant across the Northern Hemisphere, Folsomia quadrioculata (Collembola), with previously known effects of macroclimate. We selected an arctic and a temperate population from areas with highly contrasting climates — the arctic tundra and a coniferous forest floor, respectively — and compared them for thermal plasticity and thermal efficiency in growth, development, fecundity, and survival across four temperatures for a major part of their life cycle. We intended to understand the mechanisms by which temperature drives the evolution of life-history strategies. We found that the temperate population maximized performance at 10–15 °C, whereas the arctic population maintained its thermal efficiency across a wider temperature range (10–20 °C). Thermal plasticity varied in a trait-specific manner, and when considered together with differences in thermal efficiency, indicated that stochasticity in temperature conditions may be important in shaping the life-history strategies. Our study suggests that adopting a whole-organism approach and including physiological time considerations while analysing thermal adaptation will markedly improve our understanding of plausible links between thermal adaptation and responses to global climate change.

Clinical and morphological manifestation of the visceral form of candidiasis in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris)

The relevance of this research lies in the current lack of information regarding the pathological manifestations of fungal infections in the parenchymal organs of animals, the manifestations and the host’s response to the fungus. Diagnosis of visceral mycoses is quite complex and insufficiently substantiated. A significant factor is the absence of clear criteria for pathological changes in visceral mycoses and differential diagnosis from similar diseases. This study aimed to reveal and establish the features of the clinical and morphological manifestation of the visceral form of candidiasis in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). The study employed the following main methods: morphologic and biochemical blood analysis, post-mortem examination, and cytological and histological studies. When conducting biochemical analyses of blood serum in dogs, it was found that the glucose concentration was 2.17 mmol/L, which is almost three times lower than the lower limit of the norm, while the creatinine content exceeded the norm by four times and corresponded to a value of 560.4 mmol/L. As a result of serum analysis, an increase in the content of total and direct bilirubin was also recorded. In particular, the content of total bilirubin exceeded the physiological limit by 20 times and amounted to 222.68 μmol/L, while the level of direct bilirubin increased almost 10-fold and corresponded to a value of 59.4 μmol/L. The activity of aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, amylase, and alkaline phosphatase in the blood serum of sick animals increased significantly. Key pathological features of visceral mycoses in domestic dogs include haemolytic jaundice with extensive haemorrhages in organs and tissues. Hepatitis and nephritis, diagnosed in sick dogs, are the result of a generalised infectious process, the etiological factor of which is visceral candidiasis. The obtained data are of practical value for practising veterinarians in the issue of differential diagnosis of candidiasis, revealing the features of clinical and morphologic changes in the visceral form of mycoses in dogs

Bring on the heat: thermal ecology of Tropidurus semitaeniatus in the Northeast of Brazil

Body temperature is a key physiological trait for individual fitness. Its effects on behavior and metabolism determine organismal activity. Optimal body temperature can vary among individuals, and consequent activity asynchrony can thus enable the co-occurrence of otherwise competing social strategies. Here, we combine ex-situ experiments with environmental data to test whether variability in thermal traits can explain the maintenance of the alternative reproductive strategies of Tropidurus semitaeniatus (Spix, 1825) male morphs. We predict that morphs and sexes differ in thermal traits. Thus, we tested for differences in their behaviorally determined thermal traits: preferred ( Tp), body ( Tb), and habitat temperatures; basking cover preference (Coverpref); and physiological limits (critical thermal minimum CTmin; and maximum, CTmax). We also calculated T. semitaeniatus’ thermal tolerance traits and compiled a list of Tp for Tropidurids. We found that T. semitaeniatus maintains its Tb below Tp. In addition, and contrary to theoretical predictions for tropical lizards, we found that T. semitaeniatus has a high warming tolerance (8.3 °C) and thermal safety margin (2.4 °C). We found no thermal differences between morphs indicating that thermal ecology does not play a role in the co-existence of color morphs.

Impaired photoacclimation in a kleptoplastidic dinoflagellate reveals physiological limits of early stages of endosymbiosis

Dinophysis dinoflagellates are predators of Mesodinium ciliates, from which they retain only the plastids of cryptophyte origin. The absence of nuclear photosynthetic cryptophyte genes in Dinophysis raises intriguing physiological and evolutionary questions regarding the functional dynamics of these temporary kleptoplastids within a foreign cellular environment. In an experimental setup including two light conditions, the comparative analysis with Mesodinium rubrum and the cryptophyte Teleaulax amphioxeia revealed that Dinophysis acuminata possessed a smaller and less dynamic functional photosynthetic antenna for green light, a function performed by phycoerythrin. We showed that the lack of the cryptophyte nucleus prevented the synthesis of the phycoerythrin α subunit, thereby hindering the formation of a complete phycoerythrin in Dinophysis. In particular, biochemical analyses showed that Dinophysis acuminata synthesized a poorly stable, incomplete phycoerythrin composed of chromophorylated β subunits, with impaired performance. We show that, consequently, a continuous supply of new plastids is crucial for growth and effective photoacclimation in this organism. Transcriptome analyses revealed that all examined strains of Dinophysis spp. have acquired the cryptophyte pebA and pebB genes through horizontal gene transfer, suggesting a potential ability to synthesize the phycobilin pigments bound to the cryptophyte phycoerythrin. By emphasizing that a potential long-term acquisition of the cryptophyte plastid relies on establishing genetic independence for essential functions such as light harvesting, this study highlights the intricate molecular challenges inherent in the enslavement of organelles and the processes involved in the diversification of photosynthetic organisms through endosymbiosis.

Robot-Assisted Eye Surgery: A Systematic Review of Effectiveness, Safety, and Practicality in Clinical Settings.

Surgical innovation in ophthalmology is impeded by the physiological limits of human motion, and robotic assistance may facilitate an expansion of the surgical repertoire. We conducted a systematic review to identify ophthalmic procedures in which robotic systems have been trialled, evaluate their performance, and explore future directions for research and development of robotic techniques. The Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Screening adhered to five criteria: (1) English language; (2) primary research article; (3) human patients; (4) ophthalmological surgery; and (5) robot-assisted surgery. Quality assessment was conducted with Joanna Briggs Institute Tools for Critical Appraisal. The study protocol was registered prospectively (PROSPERO ID CRD42023449793). Twelve studies were included. In comparative studies, there was no difference in the occurrence of ocular harms in robot-assisted procedures and conventional surgery. However, robotic assistance did not demonstrate consistent benefits over manual surgery in terms of effectiveness or practicality, likely reflecting the learning curve associated with these systems. Single studies indicated the potential of robotic assistance to improve the consistency of subretinal drug infusion and efficiency of instrument manipulation in vitreoretinal surgery. Proof-of-concept studies have demonstrated the potential of robotic assistance to facilitate procedures otherwise infeasible or impractical, and may broaden access to surgery. However, robot-assisted surgery has not yet demonstrated any significant benefits over standard surgical practice. Improving the speed and reducing perioperative requirements of robot-assisted surgery are particular priorities for research and innovation to improve the practicality of these novel techniques. This systematic review summarizes the potential and limitations of robotic systems for assisting eye surgery and outlines what is required for these systems to benefit patients and surgeons.

APPLICATION OF IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN BUSINESS: THEORY, METHODOLOGY AND PRACTICE

The article examines and analyzes the peculiarities of the application of immersive technologies in business to increase the effectiveness of marketing communication with the consumer and achieve a higher level of competitiveness and establish relations with potential partners. Businesses can benefit more by introducing new technologies into their operations. However, such technologies require investment. For Ukrainian enterprises, this can become a problem due to the lack of stable profits. The role of immersive technologies in the form of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is determined, which will be a significant incentive for Ukrainian companies in the context of post-war revival, as they can be used to form a new market for the company. The factors that inhibit the use of immersive technologies in marketing are analyzed: high cost, limited access for the audience, the need for training and education, physiological limitations, technical problems, limited parameters for some products, competition with other visual media. Emphasis is placed on the fact that in marketing and sales, efforts should be focused on the use of the following tools: augmented reality in advertising, virtual product fitting, AR assistant in the store, virtual rooms in the store, AR product presentations, VR virtual events and demonstrations. Immersive technologies can help establish communication between the brand and the consumer, as well as establish a partnership. Keywords: business, marketing, immersive technologies, consumers, loyalty, innovation, virtual reality, augmented reality.

Fracture Resistance of Posterior Milled Nanoceramic Crowns after Thermomechanical Aging.

Fracture resistance is an important parameter used to predict the performance of indirect dental restorations. The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the fracture load of posterior milled nanoceramic crowns, in comparison with the lithium disilicate crowns, after fatigue loading, for two different restoration occlusal thicknesses. Forty test metal dies were fabricated by duplicating a master metal model consisting of an anatomic abutment preparation of the maxillary first premolar for a single crown. The dies were divided into two groups of 20 each for the fabrication of nanoceramic (Lava Ultimate) and lithium disilicate (IPS e.max CAD) single crowns. Each material group was further divided into two sub-groups of 10 dies each, based on crown occlusal thickness, of 0.5-mm and 0.75-mm (n = 10). Dental Type V stone dies poured from polyvinyl siloxane impressions of the test metal dies were laboratory scanned in order to design and mill 40 ceramic crowns. The crowns were cemented on to the test metal dies with a self-adhesive resin luting cement. All crowns were thermocycled (2500 cycles) and mechanically loaded (250,000 cycles) in a chewing simulator followed by static loading until failure, and the values noted. The data were statistically analyzed by 2-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc multiple comparison tests (α = 0.05). The mean fracture loads ranged from 1022 to 1322 N for nanoceramic crowns and from 1145 to 1441 N for the lithium disilicate crowns. Two-way ANOVA revealed insignificant differences between the nanoceramic and lithium disilicate crowns (p > 0.05) in terms of fracture load. Significant differences were noted in the fracture resistance of crowns based on occlusal thickness (303 N; p = 0.013) regardless of the material used. Multiple comparisons by Tukey HSD post-hoc test showed insignificant differences between the four material-occlusal thickness groups (p > 0.05). The nanoceramic crowns were found to be comparable with lithium disilicate crowns in terms of fracture load. The mean fracture loads of all of the tested crowns were within the normal physiological masticatory load limits. Based on the fracture-resistance results, nanoceramic crowns seem to be suitable for clinical use for the tested occlusal thicknesses.

Photosynthetic response to a winter heatwave in leading and trailing edge populations of the intertidal red alga Corallina officinalis (Rhodophyta)

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) caused by anthropogenic climate change are becoming a key driver of change at the ecosystem level. Thermal conditions experienced by marine organisms across their distribution, particularly towards the equator, are likely to approach their physiological limits, resulting in extensive mortality and subsequent changes at the population level. Populations at the margins of their species’ distribution are thought to be more sensitive to climate-induced environmental pressures than central populations, but our understanding of variability in fitness-related physiological traits in trailing versus leading-edge populations is limited. In a laboratory simulation study, we tested whether two leading (Iceland) and two trailing (Spain) peripheral populations of the intertidal macroalga Corallina officinalis display different levels of maximum potential quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) resilience to current and future winter MHWs scenarios. Our study revealed that ongoing and future local winter MHWs will not negatively affect leading-edge populations of C. officinalis, which exhibited stable photosynthetic efficiency throughout the study. Trailing edge populations showed a positive though non-significant trend in photosynthetic efficiency throughout winter MHWs exposure. Poleward and equatorward populations did not produce significantly different results, with winter MHWs having no negative affect on Fv/Fm of either population. Additionally, we found no long-term regional or population-level influence of a winter MHWs on this species’ photosynthetic efficiency. Thus, we found no statistically significant difference in thermal stress responses between leading and trailing populations. Nonetheless, C. officinalis showed a trend towards higher stress responses in southern than northern populations. Because responses rest on a variety of local population traits, they are difficult to predict based solely on thermal pressures.

Non-invasive neuromodulatory therapies applied in trigeminal neuralgia

Background: Estimates reveal that about 1 in 15,000 patients suffer from pain impulses from trigeminal neuralgia. Annually there are 5-6 new cases registered per 100,000 inhab-itants, with an increased frequency in women with a ratio of 3/2:W/M. It is revealed that the first manifestations appear at the ages between 40 and 60, but in recent decades cases have appeared at younger ages, starting even with 21. Given the high intensity of pain in the trigeminal pathology, significantly disabling pain for long periods of time, effective noninvasive approaches are required to reduce pain, reduce the frequency of exac-erbations and bring patients to a functioning state as close as possible to the physiological limit. Material and method: A low frequency pulsatile magnetic field is a non-pharmacological and non-invasive method which is widely used in a multitude of medi-cal conditions by medical and paramedical professionals for the management of chronic or acute pain. This original research aims to provide an insight view into the review of evi-dence available for the analgesic non-invasive therapy uses of the pulsed magnetic field. The before and after examinations the therapy have included a general assessment of the functional status, an assessment of pain severity. Result: With this study we hope to demonstrate the increased efficiency of the non-invasive rehabilitation methods with ap-plication in trigeminal neuralgia pathology that qualitatively affects the daily life of the pa-tients experiencing trigeminal neuralgia. Conclusion: Non-invasive rehabilitation in trigem-inal neuralgia registers remarkable results, similar to drug approaches, the major benefit being the absence of adverse effects both during treatment and late, in the long term. It in-creases the quality of life of patients, the frequency of relapses and the intensity of the pain-ful stimulus from the first treatment sessions.. Keywords: trigeminal, neuromodulation, pain, neuralgia, magnetotherapy, non-invasive

Pluridisciplinary approaches in global postural rehabilitation

The global postural imbalances relationship is frequently encountered in recent medical practice, requiring multidisciplinary approaches to bring patients to function as close as possible according to the physiological limit. About half of the world’s population experi-ences pain and dysfunction induced by postural imbalances during their lifetime. This re-port aimed to assess the nonpainfull and currative effect of the electropuncture technique complemented by massage and active postural kinetotherapy of global posture imbalances and acute or chronical pain at various levels. This research provide an insight into the re-port of evidence available for the analgesic uses of TENS in postural defects. Correlations regarding imbalances at various levels was found in various studies regarding analyze or diagnosis, without addressing the non-invasive multidisciplinary treatment. In these stud-ies, we are hoping to raise the non-invasive reabilitation treatment and increase their use in pathologies with involves global postural imbalances. The discomfort and pain experi-enced by people with generalized postural disorder on a daily basis can have a negative impact on quality of life and, if left untreated, can lead to significant worsening of the con-dition over time. Global rehabilitation with non-invasive and non-pharmacological meth-ods, without adverse effects, including electropuncture (TENS) applied to the refferal points in conjunction with proprioceptive kinetotherapy techniques, massage and psycho-therapy is the path to the success of occlusion-postural rehabilitation with significant re-sults on painful suffering global postural imbalances. Keywords: global posture, postural imbalance, correlation, rehabilitation, multidisciplinary, electropuncture

Pectoralis major tendon rupture repairs using intramedullary suture anchors shows high patient-reported outcomes in military service members

BackgroundIn the general population pectoralis major tendon ruptures are uncommon; however, it is a common injury in the military population. The military service members have greater physical demands than the general population. The purpose of this study is to critically assess the post-operative outcomes of pectoralis major tendon ruptures in military service members following a repair using intramedullary suture anchors. PurposeTo report outcomes of pectoralis major repairs utilizing intramedullary suture anchors in military service members. MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed between 2014 to 2022, identifying patients who underwent a pectoralis major rupture repair performed by the senior surgeon using intramedullary suture anchors. Records were reviewed for age, gender, mechanism of injury, chronicity, VAS, and SANE scores. Patients who had less than 1 year of follow-up were excluded from the study. During the study period, 18 patients underwent surgical repair of their torn pectoralis major, and 15 patients were greater than 1-year post-operative. Twelve of these 15 patients (80%) were successfully contacted, and patient reported outcomes were collected. ResultsA total of 12 patients (12 male, 0 female) with a mean age of 34.5 years, were identified. Average time from injury to surgery was 471.4 days. The average duration of follow-up was 3.7 years. There was a decrease in the preoperative average single repetition maximum (1RM) barbell bench press of 277 lbs to a postoperative average 1RM bench press of 225 lbs (p-value=0.03). The average change in average 1RM barbell bench press is a 19.04% decrease postoperatively. Postoperative SANE score was 80.8 and an ASES of 86.9. Seven patients (58.3%) stated that they were afraid to bench press at their previous weight due to fear of reinjury. None of the patients were medically discharged from the military due to limitations from their repaired shoulder. Ten patients (83%) reported that they were extremely satisfied with their shoulder function post-operatively. ConclusionRepair of the pectoralis major tendon ruptures using intramedullary suture anchors has high rates of return to duty, patient satisfaction and patient reported outcomes. Greater than half of the patients reported that they were afraid to bench press at their preinjury weight due to concerns of reinjury; the decrease in post-operative strength may be a result of the patients’ fear of reinjury rather than physiologic limitations.