The Global Forest Health Crisis: A Public-Good Social Dilemma in Need of International Collective Action.

Society is confronted by interconnected threats to ecological sustainability. Among these is the devastation of forests by destructive non-native pathogens and insects introduced through global trade, leading to the loss of critical ecosystem services and a global forest health crisis. We argue that the forest health crisis is a public-good social dilemma and propose a response framework that incorporates principles of collective action. This framework enables scientists to better engage policymakers and empowers the public to advocate for proactive biosecurity and forest health management. Collective action in forest health features broadly inclusive stakeholder engagement to build trust and set goals; accountability for destructive pest introductions; pooled support for weakest-link partners; and inclusion of intrinsic and nonmarket values of forest ecosystems in risk assessment. We provide short-term and longer-term measures that incorporate the above principles to shift the societal and ecological forest health paradigm to a more resilient state.

Integrating policy to achieve a harmonized sustainability model: A multidisciplinary synthesis and conceptual framework.

While the concept of environmental sustainability has steadily grown over the past thirty years, little progress has been made in unifying the efforts of the entities most involved: society, the environment, the economy, and governmental policy. This synthesis integrates across disciplines to outline the need for a harmonized sustainability model to align disparate environmental objectives. Specifically, this study highlights the disconnect between policy and capitalistic economies regarding environmental sustainability. We then provide a framework for an updated sustainability model and offer pathways toward an improved state of environmental sustainability. Notable contributions include the development of a dynamic, harmonized sustainability model derived from basic supply and demand curves that functions for both the consumption and disposal of resources at multiple scales.

Preinvasion Assessment of Exotic Bark Beetle-Vectored Fungi to Detect Tree-Killing Pathogens.

Exotic diseases and pests of trees have caused continental-scale disturbances in forest ecosystems and industries, and their invasions are considered largely unpredictable. We tested the concept of preinvasion assessment of not yet invasive organisms, which enables empirical risk assessment of potential invasion and impact. Our example assesses fungi associated with Old World bark and ambrosia beetles and their potential to impact North American trees. We selected 55 Asian and European scolytine beetle species using host use, economic, and regulatory criteria. We isolated 111 of their most consistent fungal associates and tested their effect on four important southeastern American pine and oak species. Our test dataset found no highly virulent pathogens that should be classified as an imminent threat. Twenty-two fungal species were minor pathogens, which may require context-dependent response for their vectors at North American borders, while most of the tested fungi displayed no significant impact. Our results are significant in three ways; they ease the concerns over multiple overseas fungus vectors suspected of heightened potential risk, they provide a basis for the focus on the prevention of introduction and establishment of species that may be of consequence, and they demonstrate that preinvasion assessment, if scaled up, can support practical risk assessment of exotic pathogens.

Self-reported mental health status of donor sperm-conceived adults.

While donor-conceived children have similar mental health outcomes compared to spontaneously conceived children, there is an inconsistency between studies investigating mental health outcomes of donor-conceived people in adulthood. This study is an online health survey that was completed by 272 donor sperm-conceived adults and 877 spontaneously conceived adults from around the world. Donor sperm-conceived adults had increased diagnoses of attention deficit disorder (P = 0.004), and autism (P = 0.044) in comparison to those conceived spontaneously. Donor sperm-conceived adults self-reported increased incidences of seeing a mental health professional (P < 0.001), identity formation problems (P < 0.001), learning difficulties (P < 0.001), panic attacks (P = 0.038), recurrent nightmares (sperm P = 0.038), and alcohol/drug dependency (P = 0.037). DASS-21 analysis revealed that donor sperm-conceived adults were also more stressed than those conceived spontaneously (P = 0.013). Both donor sperm and spontaneously conceived cohorts were matched for sex, age, height, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, own fertility, and maternal smoking. The increase in adverse mental health outcomes is consistent with some studies of donor-conceived adult mental health outcomes. These results are also consistent with the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) phenomenon that has linked adverse perinatal outcomes, which have been observed in donor-conceived neonates, to increased risk of chronic disease, including mental health. Further work is required to reconcile our observations in adults to contrary observations reported in donor-conceived children.

Self-reported physical health status of donor sperm-conceived adults.

Donor-conceived neonates have poorer birth outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm delivery that are associated with poorer long-term health in adulthood through the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) theory. The aim of this study was to conduct the first investigation of the adult health outcomes of donor-conceived people. An online health survey was completed by 272 donor sperm-conceived adults and 877 spontaneously conceived adults from around the world. Donor and spontaneously conceived groups were matched for age, sex, height, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, own fertility and maternal smoking. Donor sperm-conceived adults had significantly higher reports of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (P = 0.031), thyroid disease (P = 0.031), acute bronchitis (P = 0.008), environmental allergies (P = 0.046), sleep apnoea (P = 0.037) and having ear tubes/grommets surgically implanted (P = 0.046). This is the first study to investigate the health outcomes of adult donor sperm-conceived people. Donor sperm-conceived adults self-reported elevated frequencies of various health conditions. The outcomes are consistent with birth defect data from donor sperm treatment and are consistent with the DOHaD linking perturbed early growth and chronic disease in adulthood.

Correction: Public preferences for ecological indicators used in Everglades restoration.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234051.].

Systemic Delivery of Anti-Integrin αL Antibodies Reduces Early Macrophage Recruitment, Inflammation, and Scar Formation in Murine Burn Wounds.

Objective: Increased macrophage recruitment in the early stages of wound healing leads to an excessive inflammatory response associated with elevated fibrosis and scarring. This recruitment relies upon integrins on the surface of monocytes that regulate their migration and extravasation from the circulation into the wound site, where they differentiate into macrophages. The aim of this study was to determine if inhibiting monocyte extravasation from the circulation into burns would reduce macrophages numbers in burns and lead to reduced inflammation and scar formation. Approach: Scald burns were created on mice and treated with integrin alpha L (αL) function blocking antibody via intravenous delivery day 1 after injury. The effect of inhibiting macrophage recruitment into the burn was assessed using macro- and microscopic wound parameters as well as immunohistochemistry for inflammatory cell markers, cytokines, and collagen deposition. Results: Burn wound-associated macrophages were reduced by 54.7% at day 3 following treatment with integrin αL antibody, with levels returning to normal by day 7. This reduction in macrophages led to a concomitant reduction in inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and Il-10 as well as a reduction in proscarring transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFß1). This reduced inflammatory response was also associated with less alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression and an overall trend toward reduced scar formation with a lower collagen I/III ratio. Innovation: Treatment of burns with integrin αL function blocking antibodies reduces inflammation in burn wounds. Conclusion: These results suggest that reducing macrophage infiltration into burn wounds may lead to a reduced early inflammatory response and less scar formation following burn injury.

Peering into the Cuba phytosanitary black box: An institutional and policy analysis.

To mitigate the movement of non-native organisms with trade, phytosanitary systems have been implemented within and between countries. In some countries such as Cuba, little is known about the within-state plant health system. To facilitate the development of future trade partnership between Cuba and the United States, agencies need to understand the organizational structure and diagnostic capacity of the Cuban Plant Protection System, identify potential synergies between the United States and Cuban systems, and identify steps towards cooperation. This paper fills this critical void by presenting a descriptive analysis of the plant health system in Cuba. Information was integrated from available literature, informal interviews with Cuban experts, and workshops focused on Cuban policies, risk, and potential collaboration attended by Cuban and American experts. We identify the next practical steps in improving cooperation, including building trust and capacity. Mutual understanding of phytosanitary systems will be crucial for the regional economic and environmental stability of a post-embargo United States-Cuban relationship.

Effects of weather factors on recreation participation in a humid subtropical region.

This study examines effects of weather, temporal factors, and gasoline price on outdoor recreation participation by using a time series model. We obtained more than 5 years of daily outdoor recreation visitation data by using infrared mechanical counters on a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST). Results showed that days with daily maximum temperatures of 16-22 °C brought the largest number of visitors, which suggests this is the most comfortable range of daily maximum temperatures to recreate on the FNST. Daily maximum temperatures below 6 °C and above 31 °C and heat index values above 38 °C brought significantly lower visitor numbers, suggesting these values are temperature thresholds for this region in a recreation context. A seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model showed significant negative effects of temperature, relative humidity, cold snaps, and gasoline price and a positive effect of weekends and public holidays on recreational visitations to this trail. Days with heavy rainfall (> 2.54 cm) or a high heat index (≥ 35 °C) were likely to negatively affect recreation participation not only on the same day, but also on the next normal weather day. These findings imply that managers of facilities that need staffing and other resources should expect to receive fewer visitors on days following adverse weather conditions, even if that day has normal weather conditions.

Expected Timber-Based Economic Impacts of a Wood-Boring Beetle (Acanthotomicus Sp.) That Kills American Sweetgum.

American sweetgum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua L. [Altingiaceae]) in China are being killed by a newly discovered wood-boring beetle "sweetgum inscriber" (Acanthotomicus sp.). It has not been detected in the United States yet, but given the extent of trade with Asian countries, eventual arrival of this beetle is a serious concern. The American sweetgum is one of the main hardwood species in the southern United States, and provides several economic and ecological benefits to society. We present the first economic analysis of the potential damage from sweetgum inscriber (SI) to timber-based land values in the southern United States. We modeled economic impacts for a range of feasible SI arrival rates that reflect policy interventions: 1) no efforts to prevent arrival (scenario A, once every 14 and 25 yr), 2) partial prevention by complying with ISPM 15 standards (scenario B, once every 33 and 100 yr), and 3) total prevention of arrival (scenario C, zero transmission of SI). Our results indicated much lower land values for sweetgum plantations without the prevention on SI establishment (scenario A, US$1,843-US$4,383 ha-1) compared with partial prevention (scenario B, US$5,426-US$8,050 ha-1) and total eradication of SI (scenario C, US$9,825). Across the region, upper bound timber-based economic losses to plantation owners is US$151.9 million (US$4.6 million annually)-an estimate that can help inform policy decisions.

Sperm donation perinatal outcomes in an Australian population cohort.

AIM: To compare perinatal outcomes for neonates conceived with donated sperm with those for neonates conceived spontaneously in an Australian population cohort. METHODS: Perinatal outcomes for all births in South Australia for the period January 1986-December 2002 were linked with assisted reproductive treatment records to determine those conceived from donated sperm. Birth outcome measures were analyzed using Student's t-test and logistic regression using generalized estimating equations to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Donor sperm neonates were not significantly different from their spontaneously conceived counterparts in terms of mean birthweight, low birthweight, preterm delivery, small for gestational age, or large for gestational age. They were, however, significantly more likely to be born at lower mean gestational age (P = 0.012), and to have preterm delivery with low birthweight (P = 0.008), when controlling for maternal age, parity, ethnicity, socioeconomic quartile and baby's sex. These associations were not apparent when singletons and twins were considered separately. CONCLUSION: There was some evidence of compromised perinatal outcomes for donor sperm neonates compared with their spontaneously conceived counterparts, which appeared to be partly attributable to multiplicity.

Pre-invasion economic assessment of invasive species prevention: A putative ambrosia beetle in Southeastern loblolly pine forests.

Invasive wood borers vectoring pathogenic fungi have nearly exterminated several North American tree species, and it is unclear whether landscape dominant trees, such as pines, will face similar threats in the future. This paper explores the economic impacts of a hypothetical arrival of a destructive ambrosia beetle "X" (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that infests loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forests in the Southeastern United States. We develop an economic framework for pre-invasion assessment that incorporates fluctuating economic and environmental conditions for a representative loblolly pine stand and biological assumptions from the ongoing laurel wilt epidemic. Assuming an initial annual probability of arrival of a pine infesting ambrosia beetle to be between 0.04 and 0.07, we determine that, on average, the timber economic benefits for a forest landowner are $5325.3 ha-1, with a harvest time of 17.8 years. Our results indicate that an increase in enforcement consistent with an international phytosanitary standard that partially prevents the arrival of ambrosia beetles (30% arrival reduction) would have a strong, positive impact for forest landowners. On average, economic revenues increase to $6116.4 ha-1 and the harvest age is extended to 19 years. On average, the economic losses for forest landowners with no control of ambrosia beetle X would be $791 ha-1, with a harvest time reduction of 1.2 years. The upper-bound regional cost savings from pine-dominated forestry would be roughly $4.6 billion dollars if invasion preventative measures are in place. These benefits vastly outweigh the cost of programs that reduce the expected arrival of exotic ambrosia beetles.

Does the removal of anonymity reduce sperm donors in Australia?

The National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines implemented in 2005 removed a sperm donor's ability to remain anonymous in every Australian State except Victoria, which had removed anonymity completely by 1998. To assess the impact of these changes on sperm donor numbers in Australia, Assisted Reproductive Technology clinics were surveyed to obtain sperm donation figures between 2000 and 2012, with additional data collected from State-based oversight groups. There was an increase in total sperm donor numbers over the study period, including the year anonymity was removed as well as the non-anonymous period. Variations in total donor numbers and numbers of new recruits observed during the period could not be attributed to any specific change in policy or practice. As total sperm donor numbers have been increasing, the removal of a donor's ability to remain anonymous has not been detrimental to the availability of sperm donors in Australia.

Climate Change and Ecosystem Services Output Efficiency in Southern Loblolly Pine Forests.

Forests provide myriad ecosystem services that are vital to humanity. With climate change, we expect to see significant changes to forests that will alter the supply of these critical services and affect human well-being. To better understand the impacts of climate change on forest-based ecosystem services, we applied a data envelopment analysis method to assess plot-level efficiency in the provision of ecosystem services in Florida natural loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forests. Using field data for n = 16 loblolly pine forest plots, including inputs such as site index, tree density, age, precipitation, and temperatures for each forest plot, we assessed the relative plot-level production of three ecosystem services: timber, carbon sequestered, and species richness. The results suggested that loblolly pine forests in Florida were largely inefficient in the provision of these ecosystem services under current climatic conditions. Climate change had a small negative impact on the loblolly pine forests efficiency in the provision of ecosystem services. In this context, we discussed the reduction of tree density that may not improve ecosystem services production.

Data on keratin expression in human cells cultured with Australian native plant extracts.

Australian native plants have a long history of therapeutic use in indigenous cultures particularly for the treatment of wounds. We analysed 14 plant derived compounds from the species Pilidiostigma glabrum, Myoporum montanum, Geijera parviflora, and Rhodomyrtus psidioides for keratin 1, 5, 10 and 14 supporting the research article "Native Australian plant extracts differentially induce Collagen I and Collagen III in vitro and could be important targets for the development of new wound healing therapies" [5]. An in situ immunofluorescence assay was used in a 96 well tissue culture plate format to measure keratin expression in immortalised human keratinocytes (HaCaTs) exposed Australian native plant compounds to NMR spectra for the plant extracts are included in this article as is quantitative fluorescent intensity data of keratin 1, 5, 10 and 14 expression.

Estrogen Receptor Expression Is Associated with DNA Repair Capacity in Breast Cancer.

Estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) tumors employ complex signaling that engages in crosstalk with multiple pathways through genomic and non-genomic regulation. A greater understanding of these pathways is important for developing improved biomarkers that can better determine treatment choices, risk of recurrence and cancer progression. Deficiencies in DNA repair capacity (DRC) is a hallmark of breast cancer (BC); therefore, in this work we tested whether ER signaling influences DRC. We analyzed the association between ER positivity (% receptor activation) and DRC in 270 BC patients, then further stratified our analysis by HER2 receptor status. Our results show that among HER2 negative, the likelihood of having low DRC values among ER- women is 1.92 (95% CI: 1.03, 3.57) times the likelihood of having low DRC values among ER+ women, even adjusting for different potential confounders (p<0.05); however, a contrary pattern was observed among HER2 positives women. In conclusion, there is an association between DRC levels and ER status, and this association is modified by HER2 receptor status. Adding a DNA repair capacity test to hormone receptor testing may provide new information on defective DNA repair phenotypes, which could better stratify BC patients who have ER+ tumors. ER+/HER2- tumors are heterogeneous, incompletely defined, and clinically challenging to treat; the addition of a DRC test could better characterize and classify these patients as well as help clinicians select optimal therapies, which could improve outcomes and reduce recurrences.

Native Australian plant extracts differentially induce Collagen I and Collagen III in vitro and could be important targets for the development of new wound healing therapies.

Australian native plants have a long history of therapeutic use in indigenous cultures, however, they have been poorly studied scientifically. We analysed the effects of 14 plant derived compounds from the species Pilidiostigma glabrum, Myoporum montanum, Geijera parviflora, and Rhodomyrtus psidioides for their potential wound healing properties by assessing their ability to induce or suppress Collagen I and Collagen III expression in human skin fibroblasts in culture. The compound 7-geranyloxycoumarin was able to significantly increase Collagen I (23.7%, p<0.0002) expression in comparison to control. Significant suppression of Collagen III was observed for the compounds flindersine (11.1%, p<0.02), and (N-acetoxymethyl) flindersine (27%, p<0.00005). The implications of these finding is that these compounds could potentially alter the expression of different collagens in the skin allowing for the potential development of new wound healing therapies and new approaches for treating various skin diseases as well as photo (sun) damaged, and aged skin.

Evaluation of a topical treatment for the relief of sensitive skin.

BACKGROUND: Approximately, 50% of the population claim to have sensitive skin, which has created an important challenge for dermatologists and the cosmetic industry. This study evaluates the properties of QV Face Rescue Gel (Rescue Gel) that contains a combination of moisturizing and anti-irritant ingredients, and which is used to relieve the symptoms of sensitive facial skin. METHODS: The ability of Rescue Gel to induce collagen types I and III in cultured neonatal human foreskin fibroblasts compared to transforming growth factor beta 1, a known potent inducer of collagen types I and III, was measured using immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, healthy volunteers were recruited to measure the potential for Rescue Gel to reduce erythema induced by solar-simulated ultraviolet radiation on the skin compared to 0.5% hydrocortisone cream (positive control) as well as it's ability to decrease transepidermal water loss compared to baseline levels. In addition, the formulation was tested for its potential to be 1) nonstinging using a facial sting/discomfort assay performed on volunteers who reacted positively to lactic acid, 2) nonirritating as determined by repeat insult patch tests, and 3) noncomedogenic. RESULTS: Rescue Gel significantly induced collagen types I and III in cultured human foreskin fibroblasts similarly to transforming growth factor beta 1. In volunteers, Rescue Gel was shown to significantly reduce erythema induced by solar-simulated ultraviolet radiation similarly to 0.5% hydrocortisone, and to significantly reduce transepidermal water loss compared to baseline levels. Further, the formulation was found to be nonstinging, nonirritating, and noncomedogenic. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: In this study, Rescue Gel has been shown to exhibit properties that make it effective for use on sensitive or irritated facial skin, without exacerbation of the symptoms associated with sensitive skin.

In vivo delivery of functional Flightless I siRNA using layer-by-layer polymer surface modification.

Gene silencing using small interfering RNA has been proposed as a therapy for cancer, viral infections and other diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether layer-by-layer polymer surface modification could deliver small interfering RNA to decrease fibrotic processes associated with medical device implantation. Anti-green fluorescent protein labelled small interfering RNA was applied to tissue culture plates and polyurethane using a layer-by-layer technique with small interfering RNA and poly-L-lysine. In vitro studies showed that the level of down-regulation of green fluorescent protein was directly related to the number of coatings applied. This layer-by-layer coating technique was then used to generate Rhodamine-Flii small interfering RNA-coated implants for in vivo studies of small interfering RNA delivery via subcutaneous implantation in mice. After two days, Rh-positive cells were observed on the implants' surface indicating cellular uptake of the Rhodamine-Flii small interfering RNA. Decreased Flii gene expression was observed in tissue surrounding the Rhodamine-Flii small interfering RNA coated implants for up to seven days post implantation, returning to baseline by day 21. Genes downstream from Flii, including TGF-ß1 and TGF-ß3, showed significantly altered expression confirming a functional effect of the Rhodamine-Flii small interfering RNA on gene expression. This research demonstrates proof-of-principle that small interfering RNA can be delivered via layer-by-layer coatings on biomaterials and thereby can alter the fibrotic process.