Integrating experiments to predict interactive cue effects on spring phenology with warming.

Climate change has advanced plant phenology globally 4-6 d °C-1 on average. Such shifts are some of the most reported and predictable biological impacts of rising temperatures. Yet as climate change has marched on, phenological shifts have appeared muted over recent decades - failing to match simple predictions of an advancing spring with continued warming. The main hypothesis for these changing trends is that interactions between spring phenological cues - long-documented in laboratory environments - are playing a greater role in natural environments due to climate change. Here, we argue that accurately linking shifts observed in long-term data to underlying phenological cues is slowed by biases in observational studies and limited integration of insights from laboratory studies. We synthesize seven decades of laboratory experiments to quantify how phenological cue-space has been studied and how treatments compare with shifts caused by climate change. Most studies focus on one cue, limiting our ability to make accurate predictions, but some well-studied forest species offer opportunities to advance forecasting. We outline how greater integration of controlled-environment studies with long-term data could drive a new generation of laboratory experiments, built on physiological insights, that would transform our fundamental understanding of phenology and improve predictions.

A simple explanation for declining temperature sensitivity with warming.

Recently, multiple studies have reported declining phenological sensitivities (∆ days per ℃) with higher temperatures. Such observations have been used to suggest climate change is reshaping biological processes, with major implications for forecasts of future change. Here, we show that these results may simply be the outcome of using linear models to estimate nonlinear temperature responses, specifically for events that occur after a cumulative thermal threshold is met-a common model for many biological events. Corrections for the nonlinearity of temperature responses consistently remove the apparent decline. Our results show that rising temperatures combined with linear estimates based on calendar time produce the observations of declining sensitivity-without any shift in the underlying biology. Current methods may thus undermine efforts to identify when and how warming will reshape biological processes.

Spatial and temporal shifts in photoperiod with climate change.

Climate change causes both temporal (e.g. advancing spring phenology) and geographic (e.g. range expansion poleward) species shifts, which affect the photoperiod experienced at critical developmental stages ('experienced photoperiod'). As photoperiod is a common trigger of seasonal biological responses - affecting woody plant spring phenology in 87% of reviewed studies that manipulated photoperiod - shifts in experienced photoperiod may have important implications for future plant distributions and fitness. However, photoperiod has not been a focus of climate change forecasting to date, especially for early-season ('spring') events, often assumed to be driven by temperature. Synthesizing published studies, we find that impacts on experienced photoperiod from temporal shifts could be orders of magnitude larger than from spatial shifts (1.6 h of change for expected temporal vs 1 min for latitudinal shifts). Incorporating these effects into forecasts is possible by leveraging existing experimental data; we show that results from growth chamber experiments on woody plants often have data relevant for climate change impacts, and suggest that shifts in experienced photoperiod may increasingly constrain responses to additional warming. Further, combining modeling approaches and empirical work on when, where and how much photoperiod affects phenology could rapidly advance our understanding and predictions of future spatio-temporal shifts from climate change.

Genome mining and characterisation of a novel transaminase with remote stereoselectivity.

Microbial enzymes from pristine niches can potentially deliver disruptive opportunities in synthetic routes to Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and intermediates in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Advances in green chemistry technologies and the importance of stereochemical control, further underscores the application of enzyme-based solutions in chemical synthesis. The rich tapestry of microbial diversity in the oceanic ecosystem encodes a capacity for novel biotransformations arising from the chemical complexity of this largely unexplored bioactive reservoir. Here we report a novel ω-transaminase discovered in a marine sponge Pseudovibrio sp. isolate. Remote stereoselection using a transaminase has been demonstrated for the first time using this novel protein. Application to the resolution of an intermediate in the synthesis of sertraline highlights the synthetic potential of this novel biocatalyst discovered through genomic mining. Integrated chemico-genomics revealed a unique substrate profile, while molecular modelling provided structural insights into this 'first in class' selectivity at a remote chiral centre.

Diabetes mellitus tipo 1: breve revisión de los principales factores psicológicos asociados / Type 1 Diabetes mellitus: Brief review of the main associated psychological factors

La diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) es una enfermedad crónica ampliamente extendida entre la población infantojuvenil. Suele suponer una sobrecarga significativa en el niño y su familia, modificando aspectos en su estilo de vida, necesarios para cumplimentar las exigencias del tratamiento. Nuestro objetivo es estudiar las principales características psicológicas, familiares y de ajuste a la enfermedad de los niños y adolescentes diagnosticados de DM1, haciendo especial hincapié en los factores psicopatológicos asociados. La metodología empleada ha consistido en una búsqueda bibliográfica sistemática en las principales bases de datos científicas. Debido al impacto biopsicosocial que la DM1 suele suponer en la vida del niño y su familia, pudiendo comprometer la calidad de vida y bienestar emocional de ambos, se ha señalado la importancia de identificar el conjunto de factores psicológicos asociados con un buen ajuste a la DM1 infantojuvenil

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a widespread chronic disease among children and adolescents. Diagnosis and evolution usually involves a significant burden on the patient, and their families must change various aspects of their lifestyle to fulfill the demands of treatment. This study aims to identify the main psychological, family, and adjustment to illness features of children and adolescents diagnosed with DM1 and, in particular to highlight the associated psychopathological factors. The methodology involved a systematic literature search in the main scientific databases. Due to the biopsychosocial impact of DM1 usually assumed in the life of the child and family, and how it may compromise the quality of life and emotional well-being of both, different studies have agreed on the importance of identifying the set of psychological factors involved in healthy adjustment to illness in the child and adolescent with DM1

Cost-effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy compared to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment-resistant severe depression: a decision model.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is widely applied to treat severe depression resistant to standard treatment. Results from previous studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of this technique with treatment alternatives such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are conflicting. METHOD: We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing ECT alone, rTMS alone and rTMS followed by ECT when rTMS fails under the perspective of the Spanish National Health Service. The analysis is based on a Markov model which simulates the costs and health outcomes of individuals treated under these alternatives over a 12-month period. Data to populate this model were extracted and synthesized from a series of randomized controlled trials and other studies that have compared these techniques on the patient group of interest. We measure effectiveness using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and characterize the uncertainty using probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: ECT alone was found to be less costly and more effective than rTMS alone, while the strategy of providing rTMS followed by ECT when rTMS fails is the most expensive and effective option. The incremental cost per QALY gained of this latter strategy was found to be above the reference willingness-to-pay threshold used in these types of studies in Spain and other countries. The probability that ECT alone is the most cost-effective alternative was estimated to be around 70%. CONCLUSIONS: ECT is likely to be the most cost-effective option in the treatment of resistant severe depression for a willingness to pay of €30,000 per QALY.

[Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: brief review of the main associated psychological factors]. / Diabetes mellitus tipo 1: breve revisión de los principales factores psicológicos asociados.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a widespread chronic disease among children and adolescents. Diagnosis and evolution usually involves a significant burden on the patient, and their families must change various aspects of their lifestyle to fulfill the demands of treatment. This study aims to identify the main psychological, family, and adjustment to illness features of children and adolescents diagnosed with DM1 and, in particular to highlight the associated psychopathological factors. The methodology involved a systematic literature search in the main scientific databases. Due to the biopsychosocial impact of DM1 usually assumed in the life of the child and family, and how it may compromise the quality of life and emotional well-being of both, different studies have agreed on the importance of identifying the set of psychological factors involved in healthy adjustment to illness in the child and adolescent with DM1.

La hospitalización pediátrica infantil: los espacios lúdicos / Pediatric hospitalizacion: play spaces

Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar las características de los espacios dedicados a actividades lúdicas en el área de pediatría de los hospitales españoles, con la finalidad de conocer si sus características son las necesarias para la implementación de programas de preparación psicológica a través del juego. Métodos: Para ello se elaboró el "Cuestionario de la Utilización del Juego en los Hospitales Infantiles" que fue cumplimentado por los hospitales que realizan atención pediátrica y están situados en las capitales de las provincias españolas; (N=115). Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto que las; personas encargadas de las actividades lúdicas en los hospitales públicos son principalmente los maestros y los voluntarios, pero no personal especializado, existiendo juguetes de uso común. En los hospitales privados no están presentes estas prestaciones. El lugar donde se realizan las actividades lúdicas es, principalmente, la habitación, aunque exista sala de juego en el hospital. La higiene de los juguetes forma parte de la limpieza que se realiza en el resto de dependencias del hospital. Conclusiones: Por lo que podemos concluir que, las caracteristicas del hospital (crivado-público) condiciona las prestaciones del área de pediatría de los hospitales españoles. El juego forma parte de La actividad del niño en el hospital pero no tiene una finalidad terapéutica. Por lo que sería necesario sensibilizar a los hospitales españoles (áreas de pediatría; de la importancia de los programas que incorporan actividades lúdicas como técnica terapéutica (AU)