Predicting future grizzly bear habitat use in the Bitterroot Ecosystem under recolonization and reintroduction scenarios.

Many conservation actions must be implemented with limited data. This is especially true when planning recovery efforts for extirpated populations, such as grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) within the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE), where strategies for reestablishing a resident population are being evaluated. Here, we applied individual-based movement models developed for a nearby grizzly bear population to predict habitat use in and near the BE, under scenarios of natural recolonization, reintroduction, and a combination. All simulations predicted that habitat use by grizzly bears would be higher in the northern half of the study area. Under the natural recolonization scenario, use was concentrated in Montana, but became more uniform across the northern BE in Idaho over time. Use was more concentrated in east-central Idaho under the reintroduction scenario. Assuming that natural recolonization continues even if bears are reintroduced, use remained widespread across the northern half of the BE and surrounding areas. Predicted habitat maps for the natural recolonization scenario aligned well with outlier and GPS collar data available for grizzly bears in the study area, with Spearman rank correlations of ≥0.93 and mean class values of ≥9.1 (where class 10 was the highest relative predicted use; each class 1-10 represented 10% of the landscape). In total, 52.4% of outlier locations and 79% of GPS collar locations were in class 10 in our predicted habitat maps for natural recolonization. Simulated grizzly bears selected habitats over a much larger landscape than the BE itself under all scenarios, including multiple-use and private lands, similar to existing populations that have expanded beyond recovery zones. This highlights the importance of recognizing and planning for the role of private lands in recovery efforts, including understanding resources needed to prevent and respond to human-grizzly bear conflict and maintain public acceptance of grizzly bears over a large landscape.

The rise of advanced practice provider independence bills: a misguided attempt to address the physician shortage.

In the past decade, the rise of state legislation that allows for advanced practice provider (APP) independence has grown steadily across the country. Most recently, Montana has enacted House Bill 313, which allows for physician assistant independent practice in primary care services. This is a concerning trend because there is a multitude of studies that demonstrate worsened patient outcomes and increased healthcare expenditures for care delivered by nonphysicians. There are also many unintended consequences that are likely to occur due to this inappropriate expansion of scope of practice for APPs. In this commentary, we outline the ramifications that are likely to occur in states such as Montana that enact legislation that expands the scope of practice for nonphysicians.

The Communication Conundrum: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Descriptive Examination of Family Nurse Perspectives Surrounding Patient Information Exchange During Interfacility Patient Transfers in Montana.

Background: Interfacility patient transfers are fraught with issues such as missed or ineffective communication in Montana given wide geographic distance between facilities and variance in resources. Inaccurate, absent, or delayed patient details may negatively affect patient outcomes and further result in duplicative testing and medication errors. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the process of patient information communication during interfacility transfers as perceived by nurses practicing in Montana. Methods: The study design was a pilot cross-sectional descriptive approach. An online Qualtrics survey included demographic questions, two exploratory communication competence instruments, and four open-ended questions regarding communicating interfacility transfer patient information. Results: A total of 33 nurses completed the study, with the majority practicing at a critical access hospital (n = 15, 47%). Communication competence mean scores increased with dyad conversations, and a lack of standardized handoff tools was noted as a challenge. Nurses identified the following as barriers in the interfacility transfer handoff: incivility, amount of paperwork, interoperability issues, incomplete or outdated information, time, and resources. Implications for Practice: There is wide variability in current communication practices, ranging from verbal to electronic document transfers. The rural healthcare space is prime to continue examinations surrounding workflow optimization, accuracy, and consistency in shared information exchange at the time of interfacility transfer. There is an opportunity for potential training and education surrounding effective communication, interpersonal behaviors that support cross-organizational interactions, and the development of a standardized handoff tool contextual for interfacility transfer patients.

Pollinator response to livestock grazing: implications for rangeland conservation in sagebrush ecosystems.

World food supplies rely on pollination, making this plant-animal relationship a highly valued ecosystem service. Bees pollinate flowering plants in rangelands that constitute up to half of global terrestrial vegetation. Livestock grazing is the most widespread rangeland use and can affect insect pollinators through herbivory. We examined management effects on bee abundance and other insect pollinators on grazed and idle sagebrush rangelands in central Montana, USA. From 2016 to 2018, we sampled pollinators on lands enrolled in rest-rotation grazing, unenrolled grazing lands, and geographically separate idle lands without grazing for over a decade. Bare ground covered twice as much area (15% vs. 7) with half the litter (12% vs. 24) on grazed than idle regardless of enrollment. Bee pollinators were 2-3 times more prevalent in grazed than idle in 2016-2017. In 2018, bees were similar among grazed and idled during an unseasonably wet and cool summer that depressed pollinator catches; captures of secondary pollinators was similar among treatments 2 of 3 study years. Ground-nesting bees (94.6% of total bee abundance) were driven by periodic grazing that maintained bare ground and kept litter accumulations in check. In contrast, idle provided fewer nesting opportunities for bees that were mostly solitary, ground-nesting genera requiring unvegetated spaces for reproduction. Managed lands supported higher bee abundance that evolved with bison grazing on the eastern edge of the sagebrush ecosystem. Our findings suggest that periodic disturbance may enhance pollinator habitat, and that rangelands may benefit from periodic grazing by livestock.

Stress Response to Winter Warfare Training: Potential Impact of Location.

INTRODUCTION: Winter warfare training (WWT) is a critical component of military training that trains warfighters to operate effectively in extreme environments impacted by snow and mountainous terrain. These environmental factors can exacerbate the disruption to the hormone milieu associated with operating in multi-stressor settings. To date, there is limited research on the physiological responses and adaptations that occur in elite military populations training in arduous environments. The purpose of this study was to quantify hormone responses and adaptations in operators throughout WWT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants engaged in baseline laboratory metrics at their home station, Fort Carson, located in Colorado (CO) prior to WWT, for one week in Montana (MT) and one week in Alaska (AK). WWT periods were separated by approximately one month. Blood was collected upon wake at baseline (CO) and on the first and last day of WWT at each location (MT and AK). Plasma was analyzed for stress, metabolic, and growth-related hormones via enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Sleep quality was assessed via the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline (CO) and on the first day of training in MT and AK. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA) at baseline (CO) and on the first and last day of WWT in both MT and AK. RESULTS: Fourteen US Army operators in 10th Special Forces Group (SFG) Operational Detachment participated in winter warfare training (WWT; age: 31.5 years; 95%CI[28.1, 34.3]; height: 180.6 cm; 95%CI[177.3, 183.4]; weight: 87.4 kg.; 95%CI[80.6, 97.7]; body fat: 18.9%; 95%CI[13.7, 23.1]; male: n=13; female: n=1). Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels increased from baseline (19.9 pg/mL; 95%CI[8.6, 24.2])  to pre-WWT (26.9 pg/mL; 95%CI [16.2, 37]; p=0.004), decreased from pre-  (26.9 pg/mL; 95%CI [16.2, 37]) to post-WWT in MT (22.3 pg/mL; 95% CI [8, 23.7]; p=0.004;), and increased from pre-  (25 pg/mL; 95%CI[ 28.4) to post-WWT (36.6 pg/mL; 95%CI [17.9, 48.9]) in AK (p=0.005). Plasma cortisol levels decreased from pre- (174 ng/mL; 95%CI[106.2, 233.6])  to post-WWT (94.5 ng/mL; 95%CI[54.8, 101.7]) in MT (p=0.001) and, conversely, increased from pre- (123.1 ng/mL; 95%CI[97.5, 143.9]) to post-WWT  (162.8 ng/mL; 95%CI[128, 216.7]) in AK (p<0.001). Alterations in growth-related hormones (insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1], insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 [IGFBP-3],  and sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG]) were observed throughout WWT (p<0.05). The Total Testosterone / Cortisol ratio (TT / CORT; molar ratio) was lower pre-WWT in MT (0.04; 95%CI[0.01,0.04) compared to baseline in CO (0.07; 95%CI[0.04, 0.07]; p=0.042). Triiodothyronine (T3) levels increased from pre-  (101.7 ng/dL; 95%CI[93.7, 110.4]) to post-WWT  (117.8 ng/dL; 95%CI[105.1, 129.4]) in MT (p=0.042). No differences in sleep quality were reported between locations (CO, MT, and AK). Alterations in cognitive function were exhibited between locations and during WWT in both MT and AK (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Over the course of WWT, elite operators experienced alterations in stress, metabolic, and growth-related hormones, as well as cognitive performance. The increase in stress hormones (i.e., ACTH and cortisol) and reduction in cognitive performance following training in AK are suggestive of heightened physiological strain, despite similarities in physical workload, self-reported sleep quality, and access to nutrition. The variation in hormone levels documented between MT and AK may stem from differences in environmental factors, such as lower temperatures and harsh terrain. Further research is warranted to provide more information on the combined effects of military training in extreme environments on operator health and performance.

Obstetric transport in rural settings: Referral and transport of pregnant patients in a state without a perinatal regionalized system of care.

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors impacting obstetric transport and referral processes for pregnant patients experiencing an emergency in a rural state without a perinatal regionalized system of care. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING: Data is from Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) without obstetric units and healthcare providers involved in obstetric care and transport at hospitals with varying levels of obstetric capacity in Montana. STUDY DESIGN: This mixed-methods study involved surveying CAHs without obstetric units about the hospitals' capacity for obstetric emergencies and transport policies. Survey data were collected from 32 of 34 CAHs without obstetric units (94% response rate) in the fall of 2021. Subsequent interviews were conducted in the fall and winter of 2022-2023 with 20 hospital and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to provide further insights into the referral and transport process during obstetric emergencies. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: Survey data were collected using REDCap; interviews were conducted via videoconference. We performed descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact tests for quantitative data. We analyzed qualitative data using a three-phase pragmatic analytic approach. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The survey of CAHs found 12 of 32 facilities faced difficulties coordinating transport for pregnant patients. Qualitative data indicated this was often due to the state's decentralized transport system. Challenges identified through both quantitative and qualitative data included weather, securing a receiving facility/provider, and coordinating medical transport. Only 10 CAHs reported having written protocols for transporting pregnant patients; of those, four facilities had formal transfer agreements. Qualitative data emphasized variations in awareness and the utility of obstetric transport policies. CONCLUSIONS: A decentralized transport system in a rural state can exacerbate existing challenges faced by providers arranging transport for pregnant patients during an obstetric emergency. State and interfacility policies could enhance the transport process for increased regionalization as well as increased support for and coordination of existing EMS.

Legislating Nurse Staffing: Projected Impact on Hospital Economics, Process Flow, and Hospital-Associated Infections in Montana.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to project the impact of legislated nurse staffing ratios on patient-, staff-, and system-level outcomes for Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals in Montana. BACKGROUND: In 2023, House Bill 568 was introduced in Montana focused on legislating hospital safe nursing standards. METHODS: A quantitative design was used for a convenience sample of Montana PPS hospitals. Data were gathered through a newly developed survey and from other publicly available sources for the years 2018 to 2022. Independent t tests were conducted when appropriate with the significance threshold set at 0.05. RESULTS: Projections indicate no significant change in patient outcome metrics accompanied by increases in labor requirements, slower emergency department throughput times, and decreases in hospital operating margins. CONCLUSIONS: In Montana, legislating nurse staffing ratios would have downstream implications inconsistent with the intended impact on patient safety, emphasizing the complexity of variables within and external to the healthcare system that drive patient-, staff-, and system-level outcomes.

Lokiceratops rangiformis gen. et sp. nov. (Ceratopsidae: Centrosaurinae) from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Montana reveals rapid regional radiations and extreme endemism within centrosaurine dinosaurs.

The Late Cretaceous of western North America supported diverse dinosaur assemblages, though understanding patterns of dinosaur diversity, evolution, and extinction has been historically limited by unequal geographic and temporal sampling. In particular, the existence and extent of faunal endemism along the eastern coastal plain of Laramidia continues to generate debate, and finer scale regional patterns remain elusive. Here, we report a new centrosaurine ceratopsid, Lokiceratops rangiformis, from the lower portion of the McClelland Ferry Member of the Judith River Formation in the Kennedy Coulee region along the Canada-USA border. Dinosaurs from the same small geographic region, and from nearby, stratigraphically equivalent horizons of the lower Oldman Formation in Canada, reveal unprecedented ceratopsid richness, with four sympatric centrosaurine taxa and one chasmosaurine taxon. Phylogenetic results show that Lokiceratops, together with Albertaceratops and Medusaceratops, was part of a clade restricted to a small portion of northern Laramidia approximately 78 million years ago. This group, Albertaceratopsini, was one of multiple centrosaurine clades to undergo geographically restricted radiations, with Nasutuceratopsini restricted to the south and Centrosaurini and Pachyrostra restricted to the north. High regional endemism in centrosaurs is associated with, and may have been driven by, high speciation rates and diversity, with competition between dinosaurs limiting their geographic range. High speciation rates may in turn have been driven in part by sexual selection or latitudinally uneven climatic and floral gradients. The high endemism seen in centrosaurines and other dinosaurs implies that dinosaur diversity is underestimated and contrasts with the large geographic ranges seen in most extant mammalian megafauna.

Impacts of sample handling and storage conditions on archiving physiologically active soil microbial communities.

Soil microbial communities are fundamental to ecosystem processes and plant growth, yet community composition is seasonally and successionally dynamic, which interferes with long-term iterative experimentation of plant-microbe interactions. We explore how soil sample handling (e.g. filtering) and sample storage conditions impact the ability to revive the original, physiologically active, soil microbial community. We obtained soil from agricultural fields in Montana and Oklahoma, USA and samples were sieved to 2 mm or filtered to 45 µm. Sieved and filtered soil samples were archived at -20°C or -80°C for 50 days and revived for 2 or 7 days. We extracted DNA and the more transient RNA pools from control and treatment samples and characterized microbial communities using 16S amplicon sequencing. Filtration and storage treatments significantly altered soil microbial communities, impacting both species richness and community composition. Storing sieved soil at -20°C did not alter species richness and resulted in the least disruption to the microbial community composition in comparison to nonarchived controls as characterized by RNA pools from soils of both sites. Filtration significantly altered composition but not species richness. Archiving sieved soil at -20°C could allow for long-term and repeated experimentation on preserved physiologically active microbial communities.

New records of early Paleocene (earliest Torrejonian) plesiadapiforms from northeastern Montana, USA, provide a window into the diversification of stem primates.

Plesiadapiforms (putative stem primates) appear in the fossil record shortly after the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary and subsequently radiated throughout the Paleocene into a taxonomically and ecomorphologically diverse group. The oldest known plesiadapiforms come from early Puercan (the oldest North American Land Mammal 'age' [NALMA] of the Cenozoic) deposits in northeastern Montana, and all records of Puercan plesiadapiforms are taxonomically restricted to members of the Purgatoriidae and the enigmatic genus Pandemonium. Plesiadapiform diversity substantially increased in the following Torrejonian NALMA, but the sparse record of faunas between the Puercan and the well-known middle and late Torrejonian has hampered our understanding of this important interval in early primate evolution. Here we report new plesiadapiform dental fossils from early Torrejonian (To1) deposits from the Tullock Member of the Fort Union Formation in northeastern Montana that record several poorly known taxa including members of the Purgatoriidae, Paromomyidae and Pandemonium, and that document the largest and most diverse assemblage of To1 plesiadapiforms known. We describe a new species of the purgatoriid Ursolestes (Ursolestes blissorum, sp. nov.) that represents the largest plesiadapiform known from the early Paleocene and, among other taxa, provides additional evidence that the temporal range of purgatoriids extended into the Torrejonian. Large sample sizes of the oldest known paromomyid, Paromomys farrandi, allowed us to document intraspecific variability and one undescribed tooth locus. Our observations illuminate changes in dental morphology of some taxa that occurred in To1 and may inform the acquisition of certain diagnostic plesiadapiform dental characters. We evaluate plesiadapiform species richness, mean body mass and body-mass disparity through the Paleocene and reveal unrecognized levels of richness in To1 and a general trend of stable body mass and body-mass disparity. Our findings contribute to documented patterns of plesiadapiform provincialism in the early Paleocene and shed light on the early stages of their Torrejonian radiation.

Bumble bee diet breadth increases with local abundance and phenophase duration, not intraspecific variation in body size.

Patterns of abundance across space and time, and intraspecific variation in body size, are two species attributes known to influence diet breadth and the structure of interaction networks. Yet, the relative influence of these attributes on diet breadth is often assumed to be equal among taxonomic groups, and the relationship between intraspecific variation in body size on interaction patterns is frequently neglected. We observed bee-flower interactions in multiple locations across Montana, USA, for two growing seasons and measured spatial and temporal patterns of abundance, along with interspecific and intraspecific variation in body size for prevalent species. We predicted that the association between spatial and temporal patterns of abundance and intraspecific variation in body size, and diet breadth, would be stronger for bumble bee compared to non-bumble bee species, because species with flexible diets and long activity periods can interact with more food items. Bumble bees had higher local abundance, occurred in many local communities, more intraspecific variation in body size, and longer phenophases compared to non-bumble bee species, but only local abundance and phenophase duration had a stronger positive association with the diet breadth of bumble bee compared to non-bumble bee species. Communities with a higher proportion of bumble bees also had higher intraspecific variation in body size at the network-level, and network-level intraspecific variation in body size was positively correlated with diet generalization. Our findings highlight that the association between species attributes and diet breadth changes depending on the taxonomic group, with implications for the structure of interaction networks.

Prevalence of Positive Childhood Experiences Among Adults - Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Four States, 2015-2021.

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) promote optimal health and mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences, but PCE prevalence in the United States is not well-known. Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, this study describes the prevalence of individual and cumulative PCEs among adults residing in four states: Kansas (2020), Montana (2019), South Carolina (2020), and Wisconsin (2015). Cumulative PCE scores were calculated by summing affirmative responses to seven questions. Subscores were created for family-related (three questions) and community-related (four questions) PCEs. The prevalence of individual PCEs varied from 59.5% (enjoyed participating in community traditions) to 90.5% (adult in respondents' household made them feel safe), and differed significantly by race and ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. Fewer non-Hispanic Black or African American (49.2%), non-Hispanic Alaska Native or American Indian (37.7%), and Hispanic or Latino respondents (38.9%) reported 6-7 PCEs than did non-Hispanic White respondents (55.2%). Gay or lesbian, and bisexual respondents were less likely than were straight respondents to report 6-7 PCEs (38.1% and 27.4% versus 54.7%, respectively). A PCE score of 6-7 was more frequent among persons with higher income and education. Improved understanding of the relationship of PCEs to adult health and well-being and variation among population subgroups might help reduce health inequities.

The presence of erionite in North American geologies and the estimated mesothelioma potency by region.

OBJECTIVE: Erionite is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral found in soils in some geographical regions. Known for its potency for causing mesothelioma in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, the erionite fiber has attracted interest in the United States due to its presence in a band of rock that extends from Mexico to Montana. There are few toxicology studies of erionite, but all show it to have unusually high chronic toxicity. Despite its high potency compared to asbestos fibers, erionite has no occupational or environmental exposure limits. This paper takes what has been learned about the chemical and physical characteristics of the various forms of asbestos (chrysotile, amosite, anthophyllite, and crocidolite) and predicts the potency of North American erionite fibers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the fiber potency model in Korchevskiy et al. (2019) and the available published information on erionite, the estimated mesothelioma potency factors (the proportion of mesothelioma mortality per unit cumulative exposure (f/cc-year)) for erionites in the western United States were determined. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The model predicted potency factors ranged from 0.19 to 11.25 (average ∼3.5), depending on the region. For reference, crocidolite (the most potent commercial form of asbestos) is assigned a potency factor ∼0.5. CONCLUSION: The model predicted mesothelioma potency of Turkish erionite (4.53) falls in this same range of potencies as erionite found in North America. Although it can vary by region, a reasonable ratio of average mesothelioma potency based on this model is 3,000:500:100:1 comparing North American erionite, crocidolite, amosite, and chrysotile (from most potent to least potent).

Bridging the Gap: Addressing Immigrant Health Through Community-initiated Screening Events.

BACKGROUND: In areas of new-immigrant population growth, medical and social infrastructure may be lagging behind the needs of those who do not identify with the majority culture or language. Subsequently, information regarding this population's health status and access to care is limited. Montana's Hispanic population is one such group. Despite its low total population, the state has experienced unprecedented growth in the number of Spanish-speaking individuals and families over the last decade. OBJECTIVES: We utilized a community based participatory research framework to emphasize equal partnership between lay community members and researchers to ensure adherence to community priorities and strengthen trust between the two parties allowing for future collaboration. Based on community request, we designed four health screening events to provide needed health prevention services to the Hispanic community. METHODS: Through collaboration with a Community Advisory Board, we created four health screening events to provide basic primary care services, including height and weight, blood pressure, diabetes, and mental health screenings. We partnered with a team of dental hygienists to provide oral preventive health. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis, comparing our approach to traditional health services. Study variables were analyzed using analysis of variance to examine differences in health outcomes between health screening events. RESULTS: We screened 140 persons and found that 85.7% lacked health insurance and 80.7% lacked a usual source of care. We also found overweight and obesity in 47.1% and 27.1%, respectively, and hypertension in 63.6%. Services provided by the health screening events were up to $239 less expensive than comparable services provided at local health centers. CONCLUSIONS: Working directly with the community, we designed and implemented health prevention events which served to meet a growing need and to identify and address health concerns among the Hispanic immigrant community.

A Strategy To Support Perinatal Mental Health By Collaborating With Tribal Communities In Montana.

Among Indigenous women and birthing people, reported rates of perinatal mental health complications are consistently higher than in the general US population. However, perinatal mental health programs and interventions tend to focus on the general population and do not account for the unique experiences and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples. We highlight a collaborative strategy employed by a Montana nonprofit to engage Tribal communities in completing a statewide online resource guide designed to help pregnant and parenting families find resources, including mental health and substance use treatment options, within and beyond their local communities. Based on this strategy, cultural resources relevant to Tribal communities were added to the resource guide. Agencies committed to addressing perinatal mental health disparities among Indigenous populations should consider similar strategies to share power with Tribal communities and collaboratively create culturally congruent programs and interventions.

"Because We Are Afraid": voices of the undocumented in a new immigrant destination in the United States.

The purpose of this study is to explore immigrants' perceptions of their daily lives in a state with anti-immigrant policies in the United States. Using snowball sampling, researchers recruited a sample of 30 Latino immigrants in southwest Montana. The research team conducted semi-structured interviews in Spanish and analyzed the data using thematic analysis. We identified four themes: difficulty accessing healthcare, frustration over the inability to obtain driver's licenses, challenges related to employment, and desire to make a life in Montana. Fear permeated all topics. Lack of documentation presents complex economic, health, and social challenges that prevent immigrants from fully integrating into their communities. These are exacerbated in states that employ anti-immigrant policies. As Western states continue to experience growth in immigrant populations, it is critical to develop policies to support integration and equitable access to health and social services.

Selective signatures in composite MONTANA TROPICAL beef cattle reveal potential genomic regions for tropical adaptation.

Genomic regions related to tropical adaptability are of paramount importance for animal breeding nowadays, especially in the context of global climate change. Moreover, understanding the genomic architecture of these regions may be very relevant for aiding breeding programs in choosing the best selection scheme for tropical adaptation and/or implementing a crossbreeding scheme. The composite MONTANA TROPICAL® population was developed by crossing cattle of four different biological types to improve production in harsh environments. Pedigree and genotype data (51962 SNPs) from 3215 MONTANA TROPICAL® cattle were used to i) characterize the population structure; ii) identify signatures of selection with complementary approaches, i.e. Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS) and Runs of Homozygosity (ROH); and iii) understand genes and traits related to each selected region. The population structure based on principal components had a weak relationship with the genetic contribution of the different biological types. Clustering analyses (ADMIXTURE) showed different clusters according to the number of generations within the composite population. Considering results of both selection signatures approaches, we identified only one consensus region on chromosome 20 (35399405-40329703 bp). Genes in this region are related to immune function, regulation of epithelial cell differentiation, and cell response to ionizing radiation. This region harbors the slick locus which is related to slick hair and epidermis anatomy, both of which are related to heat stress adaptation. Also, QTLs in this region were related to feed intake, milk yield, mastitis, reproduction, and slick hair coat. The signatures of selection detected here arose in a few generations after crossbreeding between contrasting breeds. Therefore, it shows how important this genomic region may be for these animals to thrive in tropical conditions. Further investigations on sequencing this region can identify candidate genes for animal breeding and/or gene editing to tackle the challenges of climate change.

Seasonal extreme temperatures and short-term fine particulate matter increases pediatric respiratory healthcare encounters in a sparsely populated region of the intermountain western United States.

BACKGROUND: Western Montana, USA, experiences complex air pollution patterns with predominant exposure sources from summer wildfire smoke and winter wood smoke. In addition, climate change related temperatures events are becoming more extreme and expected to contribute to increases in hospital admissions for a range of health outcomes. Evaluating while accounting for these exposures (air pollution and temperature) that often occur simultaneously and may act synergistically on health is becoming more important. METHODS: We explored short-term exposure to air pollution on children's respiratory health outcomes and how extreme temperature or seasonal period modify the risk of air pollution-associated healthcare events. The main outcome measure included individual-based address located respiratory-related healthcare visits for three categories: asthma, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) across western Montana for ages 0-17 from 2017-2020. We used a time-stratified, case-crossover analysis with distributed lag models to identify sensitive exposure windows of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) lagged from 0 (same-day) to 14 prior-days modified by temperature or season. RESULTS: For asthma, increases of 1 µg/m3 in PM2.5 exposure 7-13 days prior a healthcare visit date was associated with increased odds that were magnified during median to colder temperatures and winter periods. For LRTIs, 1 µg/m3 increases during 12 days of cumulative PM2.5 with peak exposure periods between 6-12 days before healthcare visit date was associated with elevated LRTI events, also heightened in median to colder temperatures but no seasonal effect was observed. For URTIs, 1 unit increases during 13 days of cumulative PM2.5 with peak exposure periods between 4-10 days prior event date was associated with greater risk for URTIs visits that were intensified during median to hotter temperatures and spring to summer periods. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed, short-term exposure increases of PM2.5 were associated with elevated odds of all three pediatric respiratory healthcare visit categories in a sparsely population area of the inter-Rocky Mountains, USA. PM2.5 in colder temperatures tended to increase instances of asthma and LRTIs, while PM2.5 during hotter periods increased URTIs.

Changes in the pasting and rheological properties of wheat, corn, water caltrop and lotus rhizome starches by the addition of Annona montana mucilage.

Annona montana mucilage (AMM) is a novel mucilage with unique but limited information. This study investigated the effects of AMM addition on the pasting and rheological properties of wheat starch (WS), corn starch (CS), water caltrop starch (WCS), and lotus rhizome starch (LRS). The addition of AMM generally increased the pasting temperature and peak viscosity, but reduced the setback value of all starches to varying degrees, and the initiation of viscosity-increase for cereal starch/AMM systems during pasting occurred at lower temperatures, accompanied with a distinctive two-stage swelling process as well as lower peak and final hot paste viscosity at 50 °C. AMM significantly increased the pseudoplasticity and entanglement of the systems to varying degrees (LRS > WS > WCS > CS). Under a constant shear rate of 50 s-1, the consistency level was found to fall in honey-like for cereal starch/AMM groups, and honey-like to extremely thick levels for WCS and LRS/AMM groups. Except for the WCS/AMM systems, the storage and loss modulus as well as tan increased with increasing AMM concentration. Short-term retrogradation of starch at 4 °C was pronouncedly retarded by the addition of AMM for WS, CS and WCS groups, but was less affected for LRS group.

Anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant activities of Satureja montana dry extract.

INTRODUCTION: Many chronic somatic and psychiatric diseases are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which have detrimental effects on human health.