Multidimensional Analysis of the Adult Human Heart in Health and Disease using Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography (HiP-CT).

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of death worldwide. Current clinical imaging modalities provide resolution adequate for diagnosis but are unable to provide detail of structural changes in the heart, across length-scales, necessary for understanding underlying pathophysiology of disease. Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography (HiP-CT), using new (4th) generation synchrotron sources, potentially overcomes this limitation, allowing micron resolution imaging of intact adult organs with unprecedented detail. In this proof of principle study (n=2), we show the utility of HiP-CT to image whole adult human hearts ex-vivo: one 'control' without known cardiac disease and one with multiple known cardiopulmonary pathologies. The resulting multiscale imaging was able to demonstrate exemplars of anatomy in each cardiac segment along with novel findings in the cardiac conduction system, from gross (20 um/voxel) to cellular scale (2.2 um/voxel), non-destructively, thereby bridging the gap between macroscopic and microscopic investigations. We propose that the technique represents a significant step in virtual autopsy methods for studying structural heart disease, facilitating research into abnormalities across scales and age-groups. It opens up possibilities for understanding and treating disease; and provides a cardiac 'blueprint' with potential for in-silico simulation, device design, virtual surgical training, and bioengineered heart in the future.

Preparation of large biological samples for high-resolution, hierarchical, synchrotron phase-contrast tomography with multimodal imaging compatibility.

Imaging across different scales is essential for understanding healthy organ morphology and pathophysiological changes. The macro- and microscale three-dimensional morphology of large samples, including intact human organs, is possible with X-ray microtomography (using laboratory or synchrotron sources). Preparation of large samples for high-resolution imaging, however, is challenging due to limitations such as sample shrinkage, insufficient contrast, movement of the sample and bubble formation during mounting or scanning. Here, we describe the preparation, stabilization, dehydration and mounting of large soft-tissue samples for X-ray microtomography. We detail the protocol applied to whole human organs and hierarchical phase-contrast tomography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, yet it is applicable to a range of biological samples, including complete organisms. The protocol enhances the contrast when using X-ray imaging, while preventing sample motion during the scan, even with different sample orientations. Bubbles trapped during mounting and those formed during scanning (in the case of synchrotron X-ray imaging) are mitigated by multiple degassing steps. The sample preparation is also compatible with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and histological observation. The sample preparation and mounting require 24-36 d for a large organ such as a whole human brain or heart. The preparation time varies depending on the composition, size and fragility of the tissue. Use of the protocol enables scanning of intact organs with a diameter of 150 mm with a local voxel size of 1 µm. The protocol requires users with expertise in handling human or animal organs, laboratory operation and X-ray imaging.

In situ visualization of aortic dissection propagation in notched rabbit aorta using synchrotron X-ray tomography.

Aortic dissection is a complex, intramural, and dynamic condition involving multiple mechanisms, hence, difficult to observe. In the present study, a controlled in vitro aortic dissection was performed using tension-inflation tests on notched rabbit aortic segments. The mechanical test was combined with conventional (cCT) and synchrotron (sCT) computed tomography for in situ imaging of the macro- and micro-structural morphological changes of the aortic wall during dissection. We demonstrate that the morphology of the notch and the aorta can be quantified in situ at different steps of the aortic dissection, and that the notch geometry correlates with the critical pressure. The phenomena prior to propagation of the notch are also described, for instance the presence of a bulge at the tip of the notch is identified, deforming the remaining wall. Finally, our method allows us to visualize for the first time the propagation of an aortic dissection in real-time with a resolution that has never previously been reached. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: With the present study, we investigated the factors leading to the propagation of aortic dissection by reproducing this mechanical process in notched rabbit aortas. Synchrotron CT provided the first visualisation in real-time of an aortic dissection propagation with a resolution that has never previously been reached. The morphology of the intimal tear and aorta was quantified at different steps of the aortic dissection, demonstrating that the early notch geometry correlates with the critical pressure. This quantification is crucial for the development of better criteria identifying patients at risk. Phenomena prior to tear propagation were also described, such as the presence of a bulge at the tip of the notch, deforming the remaining wall.

Initial oak regeneration responses to experimental warming along microclimatic and macroclimatic gradients.

Quercus spp. are one of the most important tree genera in temperate deciduous forests in terms of biodiversity, economic and cultural perspectives. However, natural regeneration of oaks, depending on specific environmental conditions, is still not sufficiently understood. Oak regeneration dynamics are impacted by climate change, but these climate impacts will depend on local forest management and light and temperature conditions. Here, we studied germination, survival and seedling performance (i.e. aboveground biomass, height, root collar diameter and specific leaf area) of four oak species (Q. cerris, Q. ilex, Q. robur and Q. petraea). Acorns were sown across a wide latitudinal gradient, from Italy to Sweden, and across several microclimatic gradients located within and beyond the species' natural ranges. Microclimatic gradients were applied in terms of forest structure, distance to the forest edge and experimental warming. We found strong interactions between species and latitude, as well as between microclimate and latitude or species. The species thus reacted differently to local and regional changes in light and temperature ; in southern regions the temperate Q. robur and Q. petraea performed best in plots with a complex structure, whereas the Mediterranean Q. ilex and Q. cerris performed better in simply structured forests with a reduced microclimatic buffering capacity. The experimental warming treatment only enhanced height and aboveground biomass of Mediterranean species. Our results show that local microclimatic gradients play a key role in the initial stages of oak regeneration; however, one needs to consider the species-specific responses to forest structure and the macroclimatic context.

Different effects of warming treatments in forests versus hedgerows on the understorey plant Geum urbanum.

The effectiveness of hedgerows as functional corridors in the face of climate warming has been little researched. Here we investigated the effects of warming temperatures on plant performance and population growth of Geum urbanum in forests versus hedgerows in two European temperate regions. Adult individuals were transplanted in three forest-hedgerow pairs in each of two different latitudes, and an experimental warming treatment using open-top chambers was used in a full factorial design. Plant performance was analysed using mixed models and population performance was analysed using Integral Projection Models and elasticity analyses. Temperature increases due to open-top chamber installation were higher in forests than in hedgerows. In forests, the warming treatment had a significant negative effect on the population growth rate of G. urbanum. In contrast, no significant effect of the warming treatment on population dynamics was detected in hedgerows. Overall, the highest population growth rates were found in the forest control sites, which was driven by a higher fecundity rather than a higher survival probability. Effects of warming treatments on G. urbanum population growth rates differed between forests and hedgerows. In forests, warming treatments negatively affected population growth, but not in hedgerows. This could be a consequence of the overall lower warming achieved in hedgerows. We conclude that maintenance of cooler forest microclimates coul, at least temporarily, moderate the species response to climate warming.

Critical links between biodiversity and health in wild bee conservation.

Wild bee populations are declining due to human activities, such as land use change, which strongly affect the composition and diversity of available plants and food sources. The chemical composition of food (i.e., nutrition) in turn determines the health, resilience, and fitness of bees. For pollinators, however, the term 'health' is recent and is subject to debate, as is the interaction between nutrition and wild bee health. We define bee health as a multidimensional concept in a novel integrative framework linking bee biological traits (physiology, stoichiometry, and disease) and environmental factors (floral diversity and nutritional landscapes). Linking information on tolerated nutritional niches and health in different bee species will allow us to better predict their distribution and responses to environmental change, and thus support wild pollinator conservation.

Behavioural, physical, and psychological predictors of cortisol and C-reactive protein in breast cancer survivors: A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) can exhibit a dysregulation of cortisol and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels post-treatment, which increase the risk of diverse health outcomes. Certain behavioural, physical, and psychological variables may help to predict cortisol and CRP levels post-treatment. The aims of this study were to: (1) describe naturally occurring changes in absolute diurnal cortisol and CRP levels over a period of 1.5 years post-treatment among BCS, (2) assess if absolute diurnal cortisol and CRP levels change in tandem, and (3) assess behavioural, physical, and psychological variables as predictors of absolute diurnal cortisol levels and CRP levels. METHODS: Capillary blood and saliva samples were collected from 201 BCS, on average, 3.5 months post-treatment (T1) and again 3, 6, 9, and 12 months later (T2-T5). At each time point, five saliva samples were collected on two nonconsecutive days: at awakening, 30 â€‹min after awakening, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and at bedtime. At each time point, participants also completed self-report questionnaires and wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling. RESULTS: Absolute diurnal cortisol levels did not change significantly over time. CRP levels decreased across time points (B linear â€‹= â€‹-0.31, p â€‹= â€‹.01), though the rate of decrease slowed over time (B quadratic â€‹= â€‹0.05, p â€‹= â€‹.03). Generally, greater sedentary time predicted higher overall absolute diurnal cortisol levels (B â€‹< â€‹0.01, p â€‹= â€‹.01); whereas higher physical activity (B â€‹= â€‹-0.004, p â€‹< â€‹.01), lower body mass index (B â€‹= â€‹0.10, p â€‹< â€‹.01), and lower health- and cancer-related stress (B â€‹= â€‹0.24, p â€‹= â€‹.04) predicted lower overall CRP levels. Also, lower absolute diurnal cortisol levels were evident when participants engaged in more sedentary time, as compared to their own average sedentary time (B â€‹= â€‹-0.01, p â€‹< â€‹.01). CONCLUSIONS: Results offer insight into the nature of change in diurnal cortisol and CRP levels among BCS from treatment completion onwards and offer clinical implications. Helping BCS manage their weight, reduce stress, increase physical activity participation, and decrease sedentary time as soon as possible after treatment may help to reduce physiological dysregulations, thereby lowering the risk of adverse health outcomes in this population. Further research investigating specific intervention parameters such as type, context, frequency, and intensity are warranted for the development of the most optimal interventions.

A perfect storm and patient-provider breakdown in communication: two mechanisms underlying practice gaps in cancer-related fatigue guidelines implementation.

PURPOSE: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a debilitating symptom experienced by many cancer patients. Although guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for screening, assessing, and managing CRF, there is limited evidence of their implementation in practice. This study aimed to explore patients', healthcare providers' (HCPs), community support providers' (CSPs) experiences and opinions on CRF guidelines and the underlying causes of CRF treatment gaps following the Knowledge-to-Action model. METHODS: A total of 62 participants were recruited-16 patients, 32 HCPs, and 14 CSPs-for a total of 9 focus groups and 4 individual interviews. Sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: There were gaps in the application of CRF guidelines and patient dissatisfaction with care. Two underlying mechanisms may contribute to these gaps. First, professionals' lack of knowledge and resources paired with systemic obstacles created difficult conditions to adequately address CRF-A Perfect Storm. Further, patient-provider communication gaps lead to patients feeling discouraged to report issues to their healthcare teams and turning to community services for help-A Breakdown in Communication. CONCLUSIONS: There is little indication that CRF guidelines are routinely implemented in clinical practice. This study provides insights from various perspectives to aid understanding of the critical issues that require consideration to increase implementation of CRF guidelines by HCPs. As patients are currently dissatisfied with CRF-related care, implementation of CRF guidelines is needed.

Netting and pan traps fail to identify the pollinator guild of an agricultural crop.

Pollinator decline is expected to cause significant reductions in food production and plant reproduction. Quantifying the impact of pollinator decline on food production requires survey methods that can identify insect and bee species responsible for pollination of specific crops. To address this issue, we compared the effectiveness of two survey methods, netting and pan traps, at capturing the pollinators of alfalfa, Medicago sativa. Alfalfa is a major component of forage for cows and an important ingredient in chicken feed. We also examined bee species richness and diversity with these two survey methods, and compared these measures among three different colors of pan traps. Netting was more effective at capturing known pollinators of alfalfa, especially those belonging to the Bombus and Apis genera. Pan traps captured a higher bee diversity relative to netting and, like previous studies, each survey method and each trap color was more efficient at capturing certain bee genera. However, without a priori knowledge of pollinators, neither survey method could identify which of the bee species captured could pollinate alfalfa. We therefore recommend direct observations when the goal of a study is to identify pollinators or link pollinator decline to food production.

An investigation into socio-demographic-, health-, and cancer-related factors associated with cortisol and C-reactive protein levels in breast cancer survivors: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) may exhibit dysregulated patterns of cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP). The aims of this study were to describe BCS' cortisol and CRP levels over a 1-year period after treatment, and assess how levels relate to socio-demographic- (age, education level, marital status), health- (body mass index [BMI] category, menopausal status), and cancer-related factors (cancer stage, chemotherapy exposure, time since diagnosis). METHODS: Participants (N = 201) provided data at 3 months post-treatment (T1) and again 3, 6, 9, and 12 months later (T2-T5). At T1, participants completed self-report questionnaires and had their weight and height measured by a trained technician. At T1-T5, they provided five saliva samples at awakening, 30 min after awakening, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and before bedtime on two nonconsecutive days to measure diurnal cortisol, and provided capillary whole blood to measure CRP. Data were analyzed using repeated-measure analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and mixed-design ANOVAs. RESULTS: Diurnal cortisol and CRP levels fluctuated over time. In univariate models, older age and post-menopausal status were associated with higher cortisol and CRP levels, higher cancer stage and chemotherapy were associated with lower cortisol levels, and higher BMI category was associated with higher CRP levels. In adjusted models, age was no longer associated with CRP levels and shorter time since diagnosis was significantly associated with higher CRP levels. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-demographic-, health-, and cancer-related factors may help identify BCS at risk of physiological dysregulation who need intervention. Identifying modifiable factors associated with cortisol and CRP will inform cancer care interventions.

Translating guidelines to practice: a training session about cancer-related fatigue.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (crf) is the highest unmet need in cancer survivors. The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (capo) has developed guidelines for screening, assessment, and intervention in crf; however, those guidelines are not consistently applied in practice because of patient, health care provider (hcp), and systemic barriers. Notably, previous studies have identified a lack of knowledge of crf guidelines as an impediment to implementation. Methods: In this pilot study, we tested the preliminary outcomes, acceptability, and feasibility of a training session and a knowledge translation (kt) tool designed to increase knowledge of the capo crf guidelines among hcps and community support providers (csps). A one-time in-person training session was offered to a diverse sample of hcps and csps (n = 18). Outcomes (that is, knowledge of the capo crf guidelines, and intentions and self-efficacy to apply guidelines in practice) were assessed before and after training. Acceptability and feasibility were also assessed after training to guide future testing and implementation of the training. Results: After training, participants reported increased knowledge of the capo crf guidelines and greater self-efficacy and intent to apply guidelines in practice. Participant satisfaction with the training session and the kt tool was high, and recruitment time, participation, and retention rates indicated that the training was acceptable and feasible. Conclusions: The provided training is both acceptable to hcps and csps and feasible. It could increase knowledge of the capo crf guidelines and participant intentions and self-efficacy to implement evidence-based recommendations. Future studies should investigate actual changes in practice and how to optimize follow-up assessments. To promote practice uptake, kt strategies should be paired with guideline development.

Cryptosporidiosis after treatment with fingolimod: a case report and pharmacovigilance review.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium sp. are common intracellular parasites responsible of severe diarrhea in T-cell-immunocompromised patients. We report the first case of a woman who contracted cryptosporidiosis after treatment with fingolimod, a drug labeled for multiple sclerosis and responsible for marked lymphopenia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old woman was admitted for abdominal pain diarrhea and fever. The patient suffered from multiple sclerosis and had been treated with fingolimod from august 2017 to september 2018 time of occurrence of the first digestive symptoms. Stool culture was negative but parasitological examination was positive for Cryptosporidium sp. Blood biological examination profound lymphopenia of 240/mm3 [17 CD4/mm3 (7%) and 32 CD8/mm3 (14%)]. Fingolimod was stopped, and the patient was put on nitazoxanide 500 mg bid for 7 days. The diarrhea resolved and no relapse was observed. Six other cases were found in the Pharmacovigilance database. CONCLUSION: Physicians should be aware of this association and screen for Cryptosporidium in cases of diarrhea in patients treated with fingolimod. Patients should be aware of this risk and advise to take appropriate measures to avoid such contamination.

A retrospective, multicenter study of the efficacy of lapatinib plus trastuzumab in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients previously treated with trastuzumab, lapatinib, or both: the Trastyvere study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lapatinib (L) and trastuzumab (T) combination in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients previously treated with T and/or L. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, post-authorized, multicenter study including patients with HER2-positive MBC or locally advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with the combination of L-T. Concomitant endocrine therapy, as well as brain metastasis and/or prior exposure to L, were allowed. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients from 14 institutions were included. The median age was 59.8 years. The median number of prior T regimens in the advanced setting was 3 and 73 patients had received a prior L regimen. The clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 34.8% (95% CI 26.1-43.5). Among other efficacy endpoints, the overall response rate was 21.7%, and median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 3.9 and 21.6 months, respectively. Heavily pretreated and ≥ 3 metastatic organ patients showed lower CBR and PFS than patients with a low number of previous regimens and < 3 metastatic organs. Moreover, CBR did not significantly change in L-pretreated compared with L-naïve patients (31.5% versus 40.5% for L-pretreated versus L-naïve). Grade 3/4 adverse events were reported in 19 patients (16.5%). CONCLUSION: The combination of L-T is an effective and well-tolerated regimen in heavily pretreated patients and remains active among patients progressing on prior L-based therapy. Our study suggests that the L-T regimen is a safe and active chemotherapy-free option for MBC patients previously treated with T and/or L.

Plant functional trait response to environmental drivers across European temperate forest understorey communities.

Functional traits respond to environmental drivers, hence evaluating trait-environment relationships across spatial environmental gradients can help to understand how multiple drivers influence plant communities. Global-change drivers such as changes in atmospheric nitrogen deposition occur worldwide, but affect community trait distributions at the local scale, where resources (e.g. light availability) and conditions (e.g. soil pH) also influence plant communities. We investigate how multiple environmental drivers affect community trait responses related to resource acquisition (plant height, specific leaf area (SLA), woodiness, and mycorrhizal status) and regeneration (seed mass, lateral spread) of European temperate deciduous forest understoreys. We sampled understorey communities and derived trait responses across spatial gradients of global-change drivers (temperature, precipitation, nitrogen deposition, and past land use), while integrating in-situ plot measurements on resources and conditions (soil type, Olsen phosphorus (P), Ellenberg soil moisture, light, litter mass, and litter quality). Among the global-change drivers, mean annual temperature strongly influenced traits related to resource acquisition. Higher temperatures were associated with taller understoreys producing leaves with lower SLA, and a higher proportional cover of woody and obligate mycorrhizal (OM) species. Communities in plots with higher Ellenberg soil moisture content had smaller seeds and lower proportional cover of woody and OM species. Finally, plots with thicker litter layers hosted taller understoreys with larger seeds and a higher proportional cover of OM species. Our findings suggest potential community shifts in temperate forest understoreys with global warming, and highlight the importance of local resources and conditions as well as global-change drivers for community trait variation.

Changes in body-related self-conscious emotions over time among youth female athletes.

The current study explored change in body-related self-conscious emotions (e.g., shame, guilt, authentic pride, hubristic pride) over three years, and tested body surveillance, age, weight status, years in sport, and competitive status as baseline predictors of change. Adolescent females engaged in organized sport (N = 518 at baseline, Mage = 14.02, SD = 1.38 years) completed a self-report survey once a year for three years (n = 293 and n = 215 in Years 2 and 3, respectively). Based on the unconditional latent growth model, body-related shame and guilt increased over time, and authentic and hubristic pride decreased over time. There was substantial between-person variability in the intercepts for all emotions and slopes for shame, guilt, and hubristic pride. In the conditional parallel process latent growth model, body surveillance predicted shallower change in shame and guilt over time. Female athletes high in body surveillance also reported higher body-related shame and guilt and lower authentic and hubristic pride at baseline. These findings highlight the importance of studying changes in self-conscious emotions over time in sport, and demonstrate that body surveillance may be an important factor to explore in interventions early in development.

A combined experimental-numerical lamellar-scale approach of tensile rupture in arterial medial tissue using X-ray tomography.

Aortic dissection represents a serious cardio-vascular disease and life-threatening event. Dissection is a sudden delamination event of the wall, possibly leading to rupture within a few hours. Current knowledge and practical criteria to understand and predict this phenomenon lack reliable models and experimental observations of rupture at the lamellar scale. In an attempt to quantify rupture-related parameters, the present study proposes an analytical model that reproduces a uniaxial test on medial arterial samples observed under X-ray tomography. This model is composed of several layers that represent the media of the aortic wall, each having proper elastic and damage properties. Finite element models were created to validate the analytical model using user-defined parameters. Once the model was validated, an inverse analysis was used to fit the model parameters to experimental curves of uniaxial tests from a published study. Because this analytical model did not consider delamination strength between layers, a finite element model that included this phenomenon was also developed to investigate the influence of the delamination on the stress-strain curve through a sensitivity analysis. It was shown that shear delamination strength between layers, i.e. mode II separation, is essential in the rupture process observed experimentally.

Physiological effects of gamma irradiation in the honeybee, Apis mellifera.

Terrestrial ecosystems are exposed to various kinds of pollutants, including radionuclides. The honeybee, Apis mellifera, is commonly used in ecotoxicology as a model species for evaluating the effects of pollutants. In the present study, honeybees were irradiated right after birth for 14 days with gamma rays at dose rates ranging between 4.38 × 10-3 and 588 mGy/d. Biological tissues (head, intestine and abdomen) were sampled at D3, D10 and D14. Ten different physiological markers involved in nervous (acetylcholinesterase (AChE)), antioxidative (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)), immune system (phenoloxidase (PO)) and metabolism (carboxylesterases (CaEs) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) were measured. Univariate analyses were conducted to determine whether each individual biomarker response was positively or negatively correlated with the dose rate. Then, multivariate analyses were applied to investigate the relationships between all the biomarker responses. Although no mortality occurred during the experiment, several biomarkers varied significantly in relation to the dose rate. Globally, the biomarkers of antioxidant and immune systems decreased as the dose rate increased. Reversible effects on the indicator of the neural system were found. Concerning indicators of metabolism (carboxylesterases), variations occurred but no clear pattern was found. Taken altogether, these results help better understand the effects of ionizing radiation on bees by identifying relevant physiological markers of effects. These results could improve the assessment of the environmental risk due to ionizing radiation in terrestrial ecosystems.

Plant-soil feedbacks of forest understorey plants transplanted in nonlocal soils along a latitudinal gradient.

Climate change is driving movements of many plants beyond, as well as within, their current distributional ranges. Even migrant plants moving within their current range may experience different plant-soil feedbacks (PSF) because of divergent nonlocal biotic soil conditions. Yet, our understanding to what extent soil biotic conditions can affect the performance of within-range migrant plants is still very limited. We assessed the emergence and growth of migrant forest herbs (Milium effusum and Stachys sylvatica) using soils and seeds collected along a 1,700 km latitudinal gradient across Europe. Soil biota were manipulated through four soil treatments, i.e. unsterilized control soil (PSFUS ), sterilized soil (PSFS ), sterilized soil inoculated with unsterilized home soil (PSFS+HI ) and sterilized soil inoculated with unsterilized foreign soil (PSFS+FI , expected to occur when both plants and soil biota track climate change). Compared to PSFS , PSFUS had negative effects on the growth but not emergence of both species, while PSFS+FI only affected S. sylvatica across all seed provenances. When considering seed origin, seedling emergence and growth responses to nonlocal soils depended on soil biotic conditions. Specifically, the home-away distance effect on seedling emergence differed between the four treatments, and significant responses to chemistry either disappeared (M. effusum) or changed (S. sylvatica) from PSFUS to PSFS . Soil biota emerge as an important driver of the estimated plant migration success. Our results of the effects of soil microorganisms on plant establishment provide relevant information for predictions of the distribution and dynamics of plant species in a changing climate.

Aerobic physical activity and salivary cortisol levels among women with a history of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) helps reduce cancer-related symptoms and improves overall functioning for women with and without a history of breast cancer (BC). Few researchers have examined the associations between PA and physiological stress measures. The aim of this study was to determine whether aerobic PA was associated with diurnal and reactive cortisol patterns, and whether these associations differed for women with and without a history of BC. METHODS: Participants were 25 women with a history of BC and 23 women without a history of BC who self-reported aerobic PA frequency. To assess diurnal cortisol patterns, participants provided five saliva samples collected on two consecutive days at the following times: upon awakening, 30 min after waking, 12 PM, 4 PM, and 9 PM. To measure reactive cortisol patterns, participants provided seven saliva samples collected before, during, and after doing the Trier Social Stress Test. RESULTS: Cortisol patterns differed statistically based on women's cancer history, whereby women without a history of BC had significantly higher overall cortisol reactivity to an acute stressor, and a marginally significant (p = .05) cancer experience by aerobic PA interaction was observed when analyzing diurnal cortisol data. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that PA may not have the same effect on women with and without a history of BC.