Coronary circulation enhances the aerobic performance of wild Pacific salmon.

Female Pacific salmon often experience higher mortality than males during their once-in-a-lifetime up-river spawning migration, particularly when exposed to secondary stressors (e.g. high temperatures). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. One hypothesis is that female Pacific salmon hearts are more oxygen-limited than males and are less able to supply oxygen to the body's tissues during this demanding migration. Notably, female hearts have higher coronary blood flow, which could indicate a greater reliance on this oxygen source. Oxygen limitations can develop from naturally occurring coronary blockages (i.e., coronary arteriosclerosis) found in mature salmon hearts. If female hearts rely more heavily on coronary blood flow but experience similar arteriosclerosis levels as males, they will have disproportionately impaired aerobic performance. To test this hypothesis, we measured resting (RMR) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR), aerobic scope (AS) and acute upper thermal tolerance in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) with an intact or artificially blocked coronary oxygen supply. We also assessed venous blood oxygen and chemistry (cortisol, ions, and metabolite concentrations) at different time intervals during recovery from exhaustive exercise. We found that coronary blockage impaired MMR, AS, and the partial pressure of oxygen in venous blood (PvO2) during exercise recovery but did not differ between sexes. Coronary ligation lowered acute upper thermal tolerance by 1.1°C. Though we did not find evidence of enhanced female reliance on coronary supply, our findings highlight the importance of coronary blood supply for mature wild salmon, where migration success may be linked to cardiac performance, particularly during warm water conditions.

Divergent Aspergillus flavus corn population is composed of prolific conidium producers: Implications for saprophytic disease cycle.

The ascomycete fungus Aspergillus flavus infects and contaminates corn, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts with toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxins. Subdivision between soil and host plant populations suggests that certain A. flavus strains are specialized to infect peanut, cotton, and corn despite having a broad host range. In this study, the ability of strains isolated from corn and/or soil in 11 Louisiana fields to produce conidia (field inoculum and male gamete) and sclerotia (resting bodies and female gamete) was assessed and compared with genotypic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) differences between whole genomes. Corn strains produced upward of 47× more conidia than strains restricted to soil. Conversely, corn strains produced as much as 3000× fewer sclerotia than soil strains. Aspergillus flavus strains, typified by sclerotium diameter (small S-strains, <400 µm; large L-strains, >400 µm), belonged to separate clades. Several strains produced a mixture (M) of S and L sclerotia, and an intermediate number of conidia and sclerotia, compared with typical S-strains (minimal conidia, copious sclerotia) and L-strains (copious conidia, minimal sclerotia). They also belonged to a unique phylogenetic mixed (M) clade. Migration from soil to corn positively correlated with conidium production and negatively correlated with sclerotium production. Genetic differences correlated with differences in conidium and sclerotium production. Opposite skews in female (sclerotia) or male (conidia) gametic production by soil or corn strains, respectively, resulted in reduced effective breeding population sizes when comparing male:female gamete ratio with mating type distribution. Combining both soil and corn populations increased the effective breeding population, presumably due to contribution of male gametes from corn, which fertilize sclerotia on the soil surface. Incongruencies between aflatoxin clusters, strain morphotype designation, and whole genome phylogenies suggest a history of sexual reproduction within this Louisiana population, demonstrating the importance of conidium production, as infectious propagules and as fertilizers of the A. flavus soil population.

Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use in Patients With Steatotic Liver Disease and Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) help manage type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and may have efficacy in steatotic liver disease. Objective: To determine the prevalence and clinical impact of GLP-1 RA use in patients with T2DM and liver disease. Methods: This was a retrospective study of adult patients with T2DM and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) between 1/1/21-12/31/21. Patients with hepatitis B or C, or on pioglitazone were excluded. Eligible patients treated with a GLP-1 RA were compared to controls. The primary outcome was change in Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, with NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) as a secondary outcome. Follow-up scores were calculated from labs within 3 to 15 months after baseline. Results: Of 242 eligible patients, 79 patients (32.6%) were treated with a GLP-1 RA. At baseline, FIB-4 score was lower and NFS was higher in the GLP-1 RA group vs controls (1.80 vs 2.33; P = .101, .36 vs -.47, P < .001; respectively). At follow up, FIB-4 score decreased to 1.77 in the GLP-1 RA group and increased to 2.71 in controls (P = .045). Follow up NFS was stable in the GLP-1 RA group and increased in the control group (.36 vs -.43; P = .308). Conclusion: Patients treated with GLP-1 RAs had less evidence of liver fibrosis progression compared to no treatment, although the differences were small. These results suggest that treatment with GLP-1 RAs may have clinical impact on slowing liver fibrosis, however results should be confirmed in a larger, more diverse sample.

MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling of maize genotypes with differential response to Aspergillus flavus implies zma-miR156-squamosa promoter binding protein (SBP) and zma-miR398/zma-miR394-F -box combinations involved in resistance mechanisms.

Maize (Zea mays), a major food crop worldwide, is susceptible to infection by the saprophytic fungus Aspergillus flavus that can produce the carcinogenic metabolite aflatoxin (AF) especially under climate change induced abiotic stressors that favor mold growth. Several studies have used "-omics" approaches to identify genetic elements with potential roles in AF resistance, but there is a lack of research identifying the involvement of small RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in maize-A. flavus interaction. In this study, we compared the miRNA profiles of three maize lines (resistant TZAR102, moderately resistant MI82, and susceptible Va35) at 8 h, 3 d, and 7 d after A. flavus infection to investigate possible regulatory antifungal role of miRNAs. A total of 316 miRNAs (275 known and 41 putative novel) belonging to 115 miRNA families were identified in response to the fungal infection across all three maize lines. Eighty-two unique miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed with 39 miRNAs exhibiting temporal differential regulation irrespective of the maize genotype, which targeted 544 genes (mRNAs) involved in diverse molecular functions. The two most notable biological processes involved in plant immunity, namely cellular responses to oxidative stress (GO:00345990) and reactive oxygen species (GO:0034614) were significantly enriched in the resistant line TZAR102. Coexpression network analysis identified 34 hubs of miRNA-mRNA pairs where nine hubs had a node in the module connected to their target gene with potentially important roles in resistance/susceptible response of maize to A. flavus. The miRNA hubs in resistance modules (TZAR102 and MI82) were mostly connected to transcription factors and protein kinases. Specifically, the module of miRNA zma-miR156b-nb - squamosa promoter binding protein (SBP), zma-miR398a-3p - SKIP5, and zma-miR394a-5p - F-box protein 6 combinations in the resistance-associated modules were considered important candidates for future functional studies.

Microplastic and other anthropogenic microparticles in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and their coastal habitat: A first-look at a central Canadian Arctic commercial fishery.

In the recent monitoring guidelines released by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program's Litter and Microplastic Expert Group, Arctic salmonids were recommended as an important species for monitoring plastics in Arctic ecosystems, with an emphasis on aligning microplastic sampling and analysis methods in Arctic fishes. This recommendation was based on the minimal documentation of microplastics in Northern fishes, especially Arctic salmonids. In response, we worked collaboratively with local partners to quantify and characterize microplastics in Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, and their habitats in a commercial fishery near Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), Nunavut. We sampled Arctic char, surface water, and benthic sediments within their summer foraging habitat at Palik (Byron Bay). We found microplastics in 95 % of char with an average of 26 (SD ± 19) particles per individual. On average, surface water samples had 23 (SD ± 12) particles/L and benthic sediment <1 particles/gww. This is the first documentation of plastic pollution in Arctic char and their coastal habitats. Future work should evaluate seasonal, temporal and spatial trends for long-term monitoring of microplastics in Arctic fishes and their habitats.

Prehospital Surgical Cricothyrotomy in a Ground-Based 9-1-1 EMS System: A Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: Airway management is a cornerstone in the prehospital care of critically ill or injured patients. Surgical cricothyrotomy offers a rapid and effective solution when oxygenation and ventilation fail using less-invasive techniques. However, the exact indications, incidence, and success of prehospital surgical cricothyrotomy are unknown, with variable rates reported in the literature. This study aimed to examine prehospital indications and success rates for surgical cricothyrotomy within a large, suburban, ground-based Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 31 patients who underwent paramedic performed surgical cricothyrotomy from 2012 through 2022. Key demographic parameters were analyzed, including the incidence of cardiac arrest, call type (trauma versus medical), initial airway management attempts, number of endotracheal intubation (ETI) attempts before surgical airway, and average time to the establishment of a surgical airway in relation to the number of ETI attempts. Surgical cricothyrotomy success was defined as the acquisition of four-phase end-tidal capnography reading. The primary data sources were the EMS electronic medical records, and descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were included in the final analysis. Of those who received a surgical cricothyrotomy, 42% (13/31) occurred in the trauma setting, while 58% (18/31) were medical calls. In all patients who underwent surgical cricothyrotomy, the median (IQR) time to the procedure was 17 minutes (IQR = 11-24). In trauma patients, the median time to surgical cricothyrotomy was 12 minutes (IQR = 9-19) versus 19 minutes (IQR = 14-33) in medical patients. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) detection and placement success was confirmed in 94% (29/31) of patients. Endotracheal intubation was attempted in 55% (17/31) before subsequent surgical cricothyrotomy, with 29% (9/31) receiving more than one ETI attempt. The median time to surgical cricothyrotomy when multiple prior intubation attempts occurred was 33 minutes (IQR = 23-36) compared to 14.5 minutes (IQR = 6-19) in patients without a preceding intubation attempt. CONCLUSION: Prehospital surgical airway can be performed by paramedics with a high degree of success. Identification of the need for surgical cricothyrotomy should be determined as soon as possible to allow for rapid securement of the airway and to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Effect of albiglutide on cardiovascular outcomes in older adults: A post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To analyse the effects of albiglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, on cardiovascular outcomes in older adults aged ≥65 years with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease who participated in the Harmony Outcomes trial (NCT02465515). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the primary endpoint of the Harmony Outcomes trial-time to first occurrence of a major adverse cardiovascular event-in subgroups of participants aged <65 and ≥65 years and <75 and ≥75 years at baseline. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: The analysis population included 9462 Harmony Outcomes participants, including 4748 patients ≥65 and 1140 patients ≥75 years at baseline. Hazard ratios for the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events were 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53-0.82) in persons <65 and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.71-1.04) in those ≥65 years (age interaction p = .07), and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.67-0.91) in <75 and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.48-1.01) in ≥75 year age groups (interaction p = .6). When analysed as a continuous variable, age did not modify the effect of albiglutide on the primary endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: This post hoc analysis adds to the body of literature showing that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists added to standard type 2 diabetes therapy safely reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events in older adults with established cardiovascular disease. In this analysis, the risk-benefit profile was similar between younger and older age groups treated with albiglutide.

Environmental variation associated with overwintering elicits marked metabolic plasticity in a temperate salmonid, Salvelinus fontinalis.

Poleward winters commonly expose animals, including fish, to frigid temperatures and low food availability. Fishes that remain active over winter must therefore balance trade-offs between conserving energy and maintaining physiological performance in the cold, yet the extent and underlying mechanisms of these trade-offs are not well understood. We investigated the metabolic plasticity of brook char (Salvelinus fontinalis), a temperate salmonid, from the biochemical to whole-animal level in response to cold and food deprivation. Acute cooling (1°C day-1) from 14°C to 2°C had no effect on food consumption but reduced activity by 77%. We then assessed metabolic performance and demand over 90 days with exposure to warm (8°C) or cold winter (2°C) temperatures while fish were fed or starved. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) decreased substantially during initial cooling from 8°C to 2°C (Q10=4.2-4.5) but brook char exhibited remarkable thermal compensation during acclimation (Q10=1.4-1.6). Conversely, RMR was substantially lower (40-48%) in starved fish, conserving energy. Thus, the absolute magnitude of thermal plasticity may be masked or modified under food restriction. This reduction in RMR was associated with atrophy and decreases in in vivo protein synthesis rates, primarily in non-essential tissues. Remarkably, food deprivation had no effect on maximum oxygen uptake rates and thus aerobic capacity, supporting the notion that metabolic capacity can be decoupled from RMR in certain contexts. Overall, our study highlights the multi-faceted energetic flexibility of Salvelinus spp. that likely contributes to their success in harsh and variable environments and may be emblematic of winter-active fishes more broadly.

Impairing cardiac oxygen supply in swimming coho salmon compromises their heart function and tolerance to acute warming.

Climatic warming elevates mortality for many salmonid populations during their physically challenging up-river spawning migrations, yet, the mechanisms underlying the increased mortality remain elusive. One hypothesis posits that a cardiac oxygen insufficiency impairs the heart's capacity to pump sufficient oxygen to body tissues to sustain up-river swimming, especially in warm water when oxygen availability declines and cardiac and whole-animal oxygen demand increases. We tested this hypothesis by measuring cardiac and metabolic (cardiorespiratory) performance, and assessing the upper thermal tolerance of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) during sustained swimming and acute warming. By surgically ligating the coronary artery, which naturally accumulates arteriosclerotic lesions in migrating salmon, we partially impaired oxygen supply to the heart. Coronary ligation caused drastic cardiac impairment during swimming, even at benign temperatures, and substantially constrained cardiorespiratory performance during swimming and progressive warming compared to sham-operated control fish. Furthermore, upper thermal tolerance during swimming was markedly reduced (by 4.4 °C) following ligation. While the cardiorespiratory capacity of female salmon was generally lower at higher temperatures compared to males, upper thermal tolerance during swimming was similar between sexes within treatment groups. Cardiac oxygen supply is a crucial determinant for the migratory capacity of salmon facing climatic environmental warming.

Microbiota of maize kernels as influenced by Aspergillus flavus infection in susceptible and resistant inbreds.

Background: Nearly everything on Earth harbors a microbiome. A microbiome is a community of microbes (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) with potential to form complex networks that involve mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. Resident microbiota on/in an organism are determined by the external environment, both biotic and abiotic, and the intrinsic adaptability of each organism. Although the maize microbiome has been characterized, community changes that result from the application of fungal biocontrol strains, such as non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus, have not. Methods: We silk channel inoculated field-grown maize separately with a non-aflatoxigenic biocontrol strain (K49), a highly toxigenic strain (Tox4), and a combination of both A. flavus strains. Two maize inbreds were treated, A. flavus-susceptible B73 and A. flavus-resistant CML322. We then assessed the impacts of A. flavus introduction on the epibiota and endobiota of their maize kernels. Results: We found that the native microbial communities were significantly affected, irrespective of genotype or sampled tissue. Overall, bacteriomes exhibited greater diversity of genera than mycobiomes. The abundance of certain genera was unchanged by treatment, including genera of bacteria (e.g., Enterobacter, Pantoea) and fungi (e.g., Sarocladium, Meyerozyma) that are known to be beneficial, antagonistic, or both on plant growth and health. Conclusion: Beneficial microbes like Sarocladium that responded well to A. flavus biocontrol strains are expected to enhance biocontrol efficacy, while also displacing/antagonizing harmful microbes.

Emergency Department Management of Uncomplicated Hyperglycemia in Patients without History of Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is a common finding in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Recommendations addressing uncomplicated hyperglycemia in the ED are limited, and the management of those without a prior diagnosis of diabetes presents a challenge. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review will discuss the ED evaluation and management of hyperglycemic adult patients without a history of diabetes who do not have evidence of a hyperglycemic crisis, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. DISCUSSION: Many adults who present to the ED have risk factors for diabetes and meet American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria for diabetes screening. A new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can be established in the ED by the ADA criteria in patients with a random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) and symptoms of hyperglycemia. The diagnosis should be considered in patients with an elevation in random blood glucose > 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). Treatment may begin in the ED and varies depending on the presenting severity of hyperglycemia. Treatment options include metformin, long-acting insulin, or deferring for close outpatient management. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency clinician knowledge of the evaluation and management of new-onset hyperglycemia and diabetes is important to prevent long-term complications.

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing for Phenotyping the Physiological Drought Response of Common and Tepary Bean.

Proximal remote sensing offers a powerful tool for high-throughput phenotyping of plants for assessing stress response. Bean plants, an important legume for human consumption, are often grown in regions with limited rainfall and irrigation and are therefore bred to further enhance drought tolerance. We assessed physiological (stomatal conductance and predawn and midday leaf water potential) and ground- and tower-based hyperspectral remote sensing (400 to 2,400 nm and 400 to 900 nm, respectively) measurements to evaluate drought response in 12 common bean and 4 tepary bean genotypes across 3 field campaigns (1 predrought and 2 post-drought). Hyperspectral data in partial least squares regression models predicted these physiological traits (R 2 = 0.20 to 0.55; root mean square percent error 16% to 31%). Furthermore, ground-based partial least squares regression models successfully ranked genotypic drought responses similar to the physiologically based ranks. This study demonstrates applications of high-resolution hyperspectral remote sensing for predicting plant traits and phenotyping drought response across genotypes for vegetation monitoring and breeding population screening.

A mutant cotton fatty acid desaturase 2-1d allele causes protein mistargeting and altered seed oil composition.

BACKGROUND: Cotton (Gossypium sp.) has been cultivated for centuries for its spinnable fibers, but its seed oil also possesses untapped economic potential if, improvements could be made to its oleic acid content. RESULTS: Previous studies, including those from our laboratory, identified pima accessions containing approximately doubled levels of seed oil oleic acid, compared to standard upland cottonseed oil. Here, the molecular properties of a fatty acid desaturase encoded by a mutant allele identified by genome sequencing in an earlier analysis were analyzed. The mutant sequence is predicted to encode a C-terminally truncated protein lacking nine residues, including a predicted endoplasmic reticulum membrane retrieval motif. We determined that the mutation was caused by a relatively recent movement of a Ty1/copia type retrotransposon that is not found associated with this desaturase gene in other sequenced cotton genomes. The mutant desaturase, along with its repaired isozyme and the wild-type A-subgenome homoeologous protein were expressed in transgenic yeast and stably transformed Arabidopsis plants. All full-length enzymes efficiently converted oleic acid to linoleic acid. The mutant desaturase protein produced only trace amounts of linoleic acid, and only when strongly overexpressed in yeast cells, indicating that the missing C-terminal amino acid residues are not strictly required for enzyme activity, yet are necessary for proper subcellular targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. CONCLUSION: These results provide the biochemical underpinning that links a genetic lesion present in a limited group of South American pima cotton accessions and their rare seed oil oleic acid traits. Markers developed to the mutant desaturase allele are currently being used in breeding programs designed to introduce this trait into agronomic upland cotton varieties.

TSWIFT: Tower Spectrometer on Wheels for Investigating Frequent Timeseries for high-throughput phenotyping of vegetation physiology.

BACKGROUND: Remote sensing instruments enable high-throughput phenotyping of plant traits and stress resilience across scale. Spatial (handheld devices, towers, drones, airborne, and satellites) and temporal (continuous or intermittent) tradeoffs can enable or constrain plant science applications. Here, we describe the technical details of TSWIFT (Tower Spectrometer on Wheels for Investigating Frequent Timeseries), a mobile tower-based hyperspectral remote sensing system for continuous monitoring of spectral reflectance across visible-near infrared regions with the capacity to resolve solar-induced fluorescence (SIF). RESULTS: We demonstrate potential applications for monitoring short-term (diurnal) and long-term (seasonal) variation of vegetation for high-throughput phenotyping applications. We deployed TSWIFT in a field experiment of 300 common bean genotypes in two treatments: control (irrigated) and drought (terminal drought). We evaluated the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), photochemical reflectance index (PRI), and SIF, as well as the coefficient of variation (CV) across the visible-near infrared spectral range (400 to 900 nm). NDVI tracked structural variation early in the growing season, following initial plant growth and development. PRI and SIF were more dynamic, exhibiting variation diurnally and seasonally, enabling quantification of genotypic variation in physiological response to drought conditions. Beyond vegetation indices, CV of hyperspectral reflectance showed the most variability across genotypes, treatment, and time in the visible and red-edge spectral regions. CONCLUSIONS: TSWIFT enables continuous and automated monitoring of hyperspectral reflectance for assessing variation in plant structure and function at high spatial and temporal resolutions for high-throughput phenotyping. Mobile, tower-based systems like this can provide short- and long-term datasets to assess genotypic and/or management responses to the environment, and ultimately enable the spectral prediction of resource-use efficiency, stress resilience, productivity and yield.

Captive Black Mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis) Bite Leading to Respiratory Failure.

BACKGROUND: Of the 8000-10,000 snake envenomations evaluated in U.S. emergency departments (ED) annually, approximately 1% are due to non-native snakes. We describe a 26-year-old man who was bitten by his captive black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) as he was packing it up for transport to another snake collector. CASE REPORT: The patient presented to the ED 1 h after being bitten on the forearm, complaining of left arm pain, oral paresthesias, and dyspnea. His vital signs: heart rate 96 beats/min, blood pressure 167/101 mm Hg, temperature 36.7°C (97.9°F), respiratory rate 20 breaths/min, and room air oxygen saturation 100%. Two mildly tender puncture wounds without swelling or ecchymosis were found on the posterior aspect of the forearm. Over the ensuing 30 min his dyspnea worsened, and he developed objective weakness. He was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. He was treated with atropine 2 mg for bronchorrhea. Five vials of South African Vaccine Producers (Johannesburg, South Africa) polyvalent antivenom were administered 2.5 h post-bite and the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. He was extubated 18 h post-envenomation and discharged the following day. He has remained asymptomatic since leaving the hospital. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: The primary manifestations of D. polylepis envenomings are neurological. Initial signs may include paresthesias, dysarthria, dysphagia, and ptosis. Progressive descending paralysis leading to respiratory failure develops within 60 min. Muscarinic features are frequently observed. Cardiotoxicity and hematologic laboratory abnormalities may be present. Although pain is common, significant local tissue injury does not occur. In addition to supportive care, several non-native antivenoms are indicated for D. polylepis envenomations. Black mamba envenomings differ from the native snakebites with which U.S. physicians are familiar. Rapid, progressive neurological toxicity and muscarinic features are most common. Treatment consists of supportive care and appropriate antivenom administration.

Giant Pheochromocytoma Diagnosis Confounded by Amphetamine Use.

Objective: Diagnosis of giant pheochromocytoma is difficult; patients often lack the classic triad and presence of gross biochemical positivity. At times, presence of sympathetic stimulant drugs can further complicate the clinical picture. Here, we present a case of giant "functional" pheochromocytoma with a history of amphetamine use. Case Description. 37-year-old female presented with a 1-day history of abdominal pain. CT abdomen identified a 12.5 cm heterogeneously enhancing left adrenal mass. Plasma/urine catecholamine and metanephrine levels were markedly elevated with evidence of elevated serum/urine cortisol. However, the patient's subsequent urine toxicology was found to be positive for amphetamines, which she later admitted to using, 1 week prior to admission. Repeat biochemical workup after 1 week drug washout period showed improvement in both catecholamine and cortisol levels. Given the high degree of suspicion for PCC, an open laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed with histology confirming SDHB gene mutation positive giant pheochromocytoma. Discussion. Diagnosis of PCC in a patient with a history of amphetamine abuse remains an enigma, to which addition of it being a giant PCC that are rare and typically silent further confounds the clinical picture as seen in this case. Conclusion: PCC could be termed a "chameleon" tumor given its varied clinical presentations and lack of standardized biochemical and radiological data (giant, pheochromocytoma, and amphetamine).

Putative Core Transcription Factors Affecting Virulence in Aspergillus flavus during Infection of Maize.

Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for millions of dollars in crop losses annually and negative health impacts on crop consumers globally. A. flavus strains have the potential to produce aflatoxin and other toxic secondary metabolites, which often increase during plant colonization. To mitigate the impacts of this international issue, we employ a range of strategies to directly impact fungal physiology, growth and development, thus requiring knowledge on the underlying molecular mechanisms driving these processes. Here we utilize RNA-sequencing data that are obtained from in situ assays, whereby Zea mays kernels are inoculated with A. flavus strains, to select transcription factors putatively driving virulence-related gene networks. We demonstrate, through growth, sporulation, oxidative stress-response and aflatoxin/CPA analysis, that three A. flavus strains with knockout mutations for the putative transcription factors AFLA_089270, AFLA_112760, and AFLA_031450 demonstrate characteristics such as reduced growth capacity and decreased aflatoxin/CPA accumulation in kernels consistent with decreased fungal pathogenicity. Furthermore, AFLA_089270, also known as HacA, eliminates CPA production and impacts the fungus's capacity to respond to highly oxidative conditions, indicating an impact on plant colonization. Taken together, these data provide a sound foundation for elucidating the downstream molecular pathways potentially contributing to fungal virulence.

Rapid cardiac thermal acclimation in wild anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus).

Migratory fishes commonly encounter large and rapid thermal variation, which has the potential to disrupt essential physiological functions. Thus, we acclimated wild, migratory Arctic char to 13°C (∼7°C above a summer average) for an ecologically relevant period (3 days) and measured maximum heart rate (ƒH,max) during acute warming to determine their ability to rapidly improve cardiac function at high temperatures. Arctic char exhibited rapid compensatory cardiac plasticity similar to past observations following prolonged warm acclimation: they reduced ƒH,max over intermediate temperatures (-8%), improved their ability to increase ƒH,max during warming (+10%), and increased (+1.3°C) the temperature at the onset of an arrhythmic heartbeat, a sign of cardiac failure. This rapid cardiac plasticity may help migrating fishes such as Arctic char mitigate short-term thermal challenges. Furthermore, by using mobile Arctic research infrastructure in a remote field location, the present study illustrates the potential for field-based, experimental physiology in such locations.

Structural and functional leaf diversity lead to variability in photosynthetic capacity across a range of Juglans regia genotypes.

Similar to other cropping systems, few walnut cultivars are used as scion in commercial production. Germplasm collections can be used to diversify cultivar options and hold potential for improving crop productivity, disease resistance and stress tolerance. In this study, we explored the anatomical and biochemical bases of photosynthetic capacity and response to water stress in 11 Juglans regia accessions in the U.S. department of agriculture, agricultural research service (USDA-ARS) National Clonal Germplasm. Net assimilation rate (An ) differed significantly among accessions and was greater in lower latitudes coincident with higher stomatal and mesophyll conductances, leaf thickness, mesophyll porosity, gas-phase diffusion, leaf nitrogen and lower leaf mass and stomatal density. High CO2 -saturated assimilation rates led to increases in An under diffusional and biochemical limitations. Greater An was found in lower-latitude accessions native to climates with more frost-free days, greater precipitation seasonality and lower temperature seasonality. As expected, water stress consistently impaired photosynthesis with the highest % reductions in lower-latitude accessions (A3, A5 and A9), which had the highest An under well-watered conditions. However, An for A3 and A5 remained among the highest under dehydration. J. regia accessions, which have leaf structural traits and biochemistry that enhance photosynthesis, could be used as commercial scions or breeding parents to enhance productivity.

An unusually high upper thermal acclimation potential for rainbow trout.

Thermal acclimation, a compensatory physiological response, is central to species survival especially during the current era of global warming. By providing the most comprehensive assessment to date for the cardiorespiratory phenotype of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at six acclimation temperatures from 15°C to 25°C, we tested the hypothesis that, compared with other strains of rainbow trout, an Australian H-strain of rainbow trout has been selectively inbred to have an unusually high and broad thermal acclimation potential. Using a field setting at the breeding hatchery in Western Australia, thermal performance curves were generated for a warm-adapted H-strain by measuring growth, feed conversion efficiency, specific dynamic action, whole-animal oxygen uptake (MO2) during normoxia and hypoxia, the critical maximum temperature and the electrocardiographic response to acute warming. Appreciable growth and aerobic capacity were possible up to 23°C. However, growth fell off drastically at 25°C in concert with increases in the time required to digest a meal, its total oxygen cost and its peak MO2. The upper thermal tipping points for appetite and food conversion efficiency corresponded with a decrease in the ability to increase heart rate during warming and an increase in the cost to digest a meal. Also, comparison of upper thermal tipping points provides compelling evidence that limitations to increasing heart rate during acute warming occurred well below the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and that the faltering ability of the heart to deliver oxygen at different acclimation temperatures is not reliably predicted by CTmax for the H-strain of rainbow trout. We, therefore, reasoned the remarkably high thermal acclimation potential revealed here for the Australian H-strain of rainbow trout reflected the existing genetic variation within the founder Californian population, which was then subjected to selective inbreeding in association with severe heat challenges. This is an encouraging discovery for those with conservation concerns for rainbow trout and other fish species. Indeed, those trying to predict the impact of global warming should more fully consider the possibility that the standing intra-specific genetic variation within a fish species could provide a high thermal acclimation potential, similar to that shown here for rainbow trout.