Osteocalcin of maternal and embryonic origins synergize to establish homeostasis in offspring.

Many physiological osteocalcin-regulated functions are affected in adult offspring of mothers experiencing unhealthy pregnancy. Furthermore, osteocalcin signaling during gestation influences cognition and adrenal steroidogenesis in adult mice. Together these observations suggest that osteocalcin may broadly function during pregnancy to determine organismal homeostasis in adult mammals. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed in unchallenged wildtype and Osteocalcin-deficient, newborn and adult mice of various genotypes and origin maintained on different genetic backgrounds, the functions of osteocalcin in the pancreas, liver and testes and their molecular underpinnings. This analysis revealed that providing mothers are Osteocalcin-deficient, Osteocalcin haploinsufficiency in embryos hampers insulin secretion, liver gluconeogenesis, glucose homeostasis, testes steroidogenesis in adult offspring; inhibits cell proliferation in developing pancreatic islets and testes; and disrupts distinct programs of gene expression in these organs and in the brain. This study indicates that osteocalcin exerts dominant functions in most organs it influences. Furthermore, through their synergistic regulation of multiple physiological functions, osteocalcin of maternal and embryonic origins contributes to the establishment and maintenance of organismal homeostasis in newborn and adult offspring.

Osteocalcin of maternal and embryonic origins synergize to establish homeostasis in offspring.

Many physiological functions regulated by osteocalcin are affected in adult offspring of mothers experiencing an unhealthy pregnancy. Furthermore, osteocalcin signaling during gestation influences cognition and adrenal steroidogenesis in adult mice. Together these observations suggest that osteocalcin functions during pregnancy may be a broader determinant of organismal homeostasis in adult mammals than previously thought. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed in unchallenged wildtype and Osteocalcin -deficient, newborn, and adult mice of various genotypes and origin, and that were maintained on different genetic backgrounds, the functions of osteocalcin in the pancreas, liver and testes and their molecular underpinnings. This analysis revealed that providing mothers are themselves Osteocalcin -deficient, Osteocalcin haploinsufficiency in embryos hampers insulin secretion, liver gluconeogenesis, glucose homeostasis, testes steroidogenesis in adult offspring; inhibits cell proliferation in developing pancreatic islets and testes; and disrupts distinct programs of gene expression in these organs and in the brain. This study indicates that through their synergistic regulation of multiple physiological functions, osteocalcin ofmaternal and embryonic origins contributes to the establishment and maintenance of organismal homeostasis in newborn and adult offspring.

Oral Cryotherapy for Oral Mucositis in Patients Receiving Busulfan: A Retrospective/Prospective Descriptive Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether oral cryotherapy (OC) mitigates oral mucositis (OM) resulting from busulfan chemotherapy. SAMPLE & SETTING: Electronic health records of patients undergoing busulfan conditioning for blood and marrow transplantation were reviewed for this descriptive study. The post-OC group received OC with busulfan, but the pre-OC group did not. METHODS & VARIABLES: Demographic and disease characteristics for both groups were summarized using descriptive statistics. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed for continuous and ordinal measures, and chi-square tests were performed for categorical outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: This study found a decrease in the severity of OM as assessed by the World Health Organization OM scale. This study also found a reduction of total parenteral nutrition and opioid pain medication use, as well as a decrease in length of stay and airway protection-related intensive care unit transfers. An increase in day 11 methotrexate administration for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis was observed in the post-OC group. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: OC is a safe and easily implemented intervention that can decrease OM in patients receiving busulfan chemotherapy.

A new hypothesis for the origin of Amazonian Dark Earths.

Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are unusually fertile soils characterised by elevated concentrations of microscopic charcoal particles, which confer their distinctive colouration. Frequent occurrences of pre-Columbian artefacts at ADE sites led to their ubiquitous classification as Anthrosols (soils of anthropic origin). However, it remains unclear how indigenous peoples created areas of high fertility in one of the most nutrient-impoverished environments on Earth. Here, we report new data from a well-studied ADE site in the Brazilian Amazon, which compel us to reconsider its anthropic origin. The amounts of phosphorus and calcium-two of the least abundant macronutrients in the region-are orders of magnitude higher in ADE profiles than in the surrounding soil. The elevated levels of phosphorus and calcium, which are often interpreted as evidence of human activity at other sites, correlate spatially with trace elements that indicate exogenous mineral sources rather than in situ deposition. Stable isotope ratios of neodymium, strontium, and radiocarbon activity of microcharcoal particles also indicate exogenous inputs from alluvial deposition of carbon and mineral elements to ADE profiles,  beginning several thousands of years before the earliest evidence of soil management for plant cultivation in the region. Our data suggest that indigenous peoples harnessed natural processes of landscape formation, which led to the unique properties of ADEs, but were not responsible for their genesis. If corroborated elsewhere, this hypothesis would transform our understanding of human influence in Amazonia, opening new frontiers for the sustainable use of tropical landscapes going forward.

Latitudinal gradients in population growth do not reflect demographic responses to climate.

Spatial gradients in population growth, such as across latitudinal or elevational gradients, are often assumed to primarily be driven by variation in climate, and are frequently used to infer species' responses to climate change. Here, we use a novel demographic, mixed-model approach to dissect the contributions of climate variables vs. other latitudinal or local site effects on spatiotemporal variation in population performance in three perennial bunchgrasses. For all three species, we find that performance of local populations decreases with warmer and drier conditions, despite latitudinal trends of decreasing population growth toward the cooler and wetter northern portion of each species' range. Thus, latitudinal gradients in performance are not predictive of either local or species-wide responses to climate. This pattern could be common, as many environmental drivers, such as habitat quality or species' interactions, are likely to vary with latitude or elevation, and thus influence or oppose climate responses.

The effectiveness of combined lower limb strengthening and whole-body vibration, compared to strengthening alone, for improving patient-centred outcomes in adults with COPD: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience various impairments, reducing quality of life (QoL). Rehabilitation that does not elicit dyspnoea, such as strength training, is recommended to improve patient outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review evidence for the effectiveness of lower limb strengthening combined with whole-body vibration training (WBVT), versus lower limb strengthening alone, in adults with COPD for improving lower limb muscle strength, functional exercise capacity (FEC), pulmonary function and QoL. METHOD: Eight databases were searched (inception-May 2019). Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with PEDro scores ≥ 5/10 were included. Heterogeneity rendered meta-analyses inappropriate; thus data were synthesised narratively. RESULTS: Five RCTs (mean PEDro score: 5.8/10) were included. Only one RCT showed a significant difference for leg press peak force (kg) at 12 weeks (p = 0.001), favouring WBVT. FEC improved significantly (p < 0.05) in favour of WBVT at 3 and 12 weeks. Combined training was not more effective for short-term (≤ 12 weeks) improvements in pulmonary function or QoL. CONCLUSION: Level II evidence suggests that combining strengthening with WBVT has significant beneficial short-term effects on FEC in adults with COPD. Results are limited by the small number of studies and small sample sizes. Combined WBVT and strengthening was not more effective than strengthening alone for improving lower limb muscle strength, pulmonary function and QoL. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Combining low (6-10 Hz) to moderate (24-26 Hz) frequency WBVT with strengthening may be a more effective modality to improve FEC than strengthening alone, should resources allow.

A cross-sectional study of stressors among farmers in Eastern North Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Agriculture is a hazardous, stressful occupation that can adversely affect farmers' health. Identifying stressors among farmers may help health professionals improve health outcomes by developing targeted intervention strategies and services. METHODS: Over a 4-month period, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 128 farmers in an economically disadvantaged, 29-county region of Eastern North Carolina. We used a modified version of the Farm Ranch Stress Inventory to measure farmers' self-reported reactions to potential stressors. RESULTS: The majority of farmers surveyed were aged 40-59 years, had farmed for more than 20 years, and worked more than 40 hours per week on the farm. Large proportions of respondents identified the following factors as 'very stressful': concern about the weather (60.2%), concern over the future of the farm (29.7%), outsiders not understanding the nature of farming (25.2%), problems with machinery (23.4%), market prices for crops/livestock (45.3%), taxes (38.3%), health care costs (32.5%), and not having enough time to spend with family in recreation (13.3%). Experiencing 8 or more factors as "very stressful" was found to be positively associated with working more than 40 hours per week on the farm (P = .008) and with being a farm manager or a farm worker who does not operate equipment (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Information about perceived stressors among farmers may help health professionals develop targeted interventions for reducing stress. More research is needed to better evaluate health outcomes, to reduce farm-related injuries, and to improve psychosocial well-being.