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Forest fires are a primary driver of biogeochemical processes in ecosystems and affect the soil nutrient balance by altering the distribution of organic matter and associated nutrients as well as the composition and availability of elemental nutrients. We investigated the changes in soils' phosphorus (P) fractions and the adsorption characteristics of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (orthoP) and myo‐inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP) at two depths (0–5 and 5–10 cm) in soils from two sites differing in fire severity: long‐unburned and heavily burned. Five years after the fire, there were increases in the total P and extractable inorganic P (H2O‐P, NaHCO3‐Pi, NaOH‐Pi, D.HCl‐Pi and C.HCl‐Pi) contents. Conversely, there was a decrease in organic P (NaHCO3‐Po, NaOH‐Po and C.HCl‐Po). The adsorption of soil for orthoP at a depth of 0–5 cm was dependent on the amount of P supplied by the soil; at low concentrations, heavily burned soil showed a lower adsorption than long‐unburned soil. However, at high concentrations, the adsorption of heavily burned soil was significantly larger than that of long‐unburned soil. With respect to IHP, the adsorption of long‐unburned soil was also more significant at depths of 0–5 cm. The adsorption of both orthoP and IHP of heavily burned soil was significantly higher than that of long‐unburned soil at a depth of 5–10 cm. Fire also decreased the binding degree (k1) of soil‐P and the solid phase at depths of 0–5 and 5–10 cm. The increase in P adsorption capacity outweighed the addition of P from ash, resulting in less leaching in heavily burned areas and minimizing P loss. Overall, forest fires significantly affect the adsorption characteristics and P fractions of soil, specifically orthoP and IHP, during the initial stage of postfire recovery. These effects are closely related to the direct influences of iron oxide, soil organic matter and aluminium oxide in the soil and may even produce relatively long‐term effects on the P recycling process of the entire ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dodecameric protein kinase CaMKII is expressed throughout the body. The alpha isoform is responsible for synaptic plasticity and participates in memory through its phosphorylation of synaptic proteins. Its elaborate subunit organization and propensity for autophosphorylation allow it to preserve neuronal plasticity across space and time. The prevailing hypothesis for the spread of CaMKII activity, involving shuffling of subunits between activated and naive holoenzymes, is broadly termed subunit exchange. In contrast to the expectations of previous work, we found little evidence for subunit exchange upon activation, and no effect of restraining subunits to their parent holoenzymes. Rather, mass photometry, crosslinking mass spectrometry, single molecule TIRF microscopy and biochemical assays identify inter-holoenzyme phosphorylation (IHP) as the mechanism for spreading phosphorylation. The transient, activity-dependent formation of groups of holoenzymes is well suited to the speed of neuronal activity. Our results place fundamental limits on the activation mechanism of this kinase.

Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IHP) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by fibrotic thickening of the dura mater. The etiology of IHP is currently unknown; however, IHP often mimics other inflammatory conditions (causes of secondary hypertrophic pachymeningitis) including neurosarcoidosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and IgG4-related disease. IHP manifests clinically with a spectrum of neurologic symptoms, including headache, paresthesia, cranial nerve (CN) palsies, and seizures. Here, we discuss the diagnosis and management of a patient presenting with multiple CN palsies following influenza B infection who was initially suspected to have GPA (due to positive cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA), cranial polyneuropathies, and possible nasopharyngeal involvement) but was ultimately diagnosed with IHP which was evident on diagnostic imaging. The patient was managed with rituximab due to its efficacy in steroid-refractory pachymeningitis and as a precautionary for ANCA-associated disease, and corticosteroids. A 41-year-old man with hypertension, chronic otitis media requiring myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement, and mastoiditis requiring mastoidectomy presented with dysphagia, dysarthria, and left facial weakness over the course of 10 days following an influenza B infection. Despite initial treatment with corticosteroids for inflammation, the patient developed CN polyneuropathy (CN V, VII, X, XII). Positive c-ANCA, cranial polyneuropathies, and possible nasopharyngeal involvement led to primary suspicion of GPA, so corticosteroids were initiated which improved dysarthria and dysphagia. However, subsequent steroid taper led to severe headaches. MRI then revealed smooth dural thickening and enhancement consistent with pachymeningitis. The patient was diagnosed with IHP by exclusion of all other known etiologies and MRI findings. He was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, followed by rituximab. Despite resolution of complex neurologic symptoms, including dysphagia and CN polyneuropathies, recurrent headaches necessitated several emergency department visits, where migraine cocktails and increased prednisone provided relief. He remains under neurology care for ongoing management. Although we are currently uncertain as to the exact underlying pathophysiology responsible for his recurrent headaches, the mechanisms we propose as possibilities involve a combination of corticosteroid withdrawal (as headaches often followed steroid taper) and sequelae of IHP itself (active and chronic inflammation of the dura). Furthermore, it is currently unknown as to whether his otolaryngologic history was contributory. The case highlights the diagnosis and management of a rare case of IHP in a situation where a patient with a significant otolaryngologic history experienced intractable neurologic symptoms following a viral infection. An extensive work-up was conducted to identify the source of presentation. The patient was managed with medications that proved to be safe and beneficial to the outcome of this patient., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2025, Forrest et al.)

The management of patients with diffuse liver metastases remains a significant clinical challenge. In many cancer patients, metastatic disease may be isolated to the liver or the liver may be the dominant site of progressive metastatic cancer. In this setting, progression of disease in the liver generally is the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The specificities of the accumulation of the gross β-radioactivity and the controlled technogenic radionuclides (RN) 90Sr (T1/2=28.6 years) and 137Cs (T1/2=30.1 years) in leaves of several decorative tree saplings (sophora japonica, biota orientalis, cupressus sempervirens, fagus orientalis and carpinus caucasus) were studied in area of Institute of Hydroponics Problems (IHP) (zone of Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) with radius of 30 km) and in Dilijan forest experimental station (DFES). It was revealed that the leaves of the saplings of sophora japonica and biota orientalis prevailed in gross β-radioactivity those of cupressus sempervirens in area of IHP and of fagus orientalis and carpinus caucasus in DFES. Therefore, decorative broad-leaved sophora japonica and conifer biota orientalis that were introduced into Armenia are suggested to be used in green building as natural accumulators of RN to create parks, green zones and forests. It may have important ecological value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeye Zhou,* Zixuan Zhao,* Jihui Li, Bin Zhang, Shibiao Sang, Yiwei Wu,* Shengming DengDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workPurpose: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of baseline, interim and end-of treatment positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing the prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL).Methods: A total of 84 FL patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Baseline (n=59), interim (n=24, after 2–4 cycles) and end-of treatment (n=43) PET/CT images were re-evaluated, and baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumor volume (tMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were recorded. Interim (I-PET) and end-of treatment (E-PET) PET/CT responses were interpreted by Deauville five-point scale (D-5PS) and International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP). Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between groups were compared by log-rank test.Results: The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 57.14% and 95.56%, respectively (p=0.0001). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 62.50% and 100%, respectively (p0.05). However, E-PET results using D-5PS and IHP criteria were statistically significant (p=0.0001 and p=0.006). The D-5PS showed stronger prognostic value compared with IHP criteria. The optimal cutoff value of ΔSUVmax% was 66.95% according to I-PET and 68.97% according to E-PET. However, only the ΔSUVmax% from the baseline to the end-of therapy yielded statistically significant results in the prediction of PFS (p=0.0002).Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the baseline TLG and E-PET results were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with FL.Keywords: follicular lymphoma, PET/CT, MTV, TLG, D-5PS, IHP

Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of baseline, interim and end-of treatment positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing the prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL). Methods: A total of 84 FL patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Baseline (n=59), interim (n=24, after 2–4 cycles) and end-of treatment (n=43) PET/CT images were re-evaluated, and baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumor volume (tMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were recorded. Interim (I-PET) and end-of treatment (E-PET) PET/CT responses were interpreted by Deauville five-point scale (D-5PS) and International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP). Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between groups were compared by log-rank test. Results: The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 57.14% and 95.56%, respectively (p=0.0001). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 62.50% and 100%, respectively (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that TLG was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p=0.001, HR=6.577, 95% CI=2.167–19.960) and OS (p=0.030, HR=19.291, 95% CI =2.689–137.947). Besides, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) was the independent prognostic factor for OS (HR=8.924, 95% CI=1.273–62.559, p=0.028). Interim PET results based on D-5PS or IHP criteria were not significantly correlated with PFS (all p>0.05). However, E-PET results using D-5PS and IHP criteria were statistically significant (p=0.0001 and p=0.006). The D-5PS showed stronger prognostic value compared with IHP criteria. The optimal cutoff value of ΔSUVmax% was 66.95% according to I-PET and 68.97% according to E-PET. However, only the ΔSUVmax% from the baseline to the end-of therapy yielded statistically significant results in the prediction of PFS (p=0.0002). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the baseline TLG and E-PET results were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with FL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this case report, we discuss and explore the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, as well as the treatment options and follow-up measures, in an 83-year-old patient with idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IHP), a rare disorder characterized by fibrosing, hypertrophic inflammation that thickens the dura mater. An 83-year-old female with a medical history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented with speech arrest and was taken to the emergency department, where she received a stroke code, a CT scan, and an MRI. The MRI results showed a temporal lobe meningioma and a pan-cranial pachymeningitis encasing the entire brain and cerebellum and extending into the upper cervical spine. Multiple unsuccessful attempts at a lumbar puncture were made, so a dural biopsy specimen was obtained, which revealed no malignant process. A cerebral spinal fluid specimen (CSF) from the biopsy showed minimal white blood cells (WBCs) which ruled out infection. Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis was the given diagnosis based on the apparent MRI findings. The patient was treated in the hospital for four days with IV methylprednisolone and discharged on oral methylprednisolone for four to six weeks., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Venkat et al.)

Phosphorus (P) K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectra of orthophosphate (oPO4) bound to soil FeIII minerals (e.g. ferrihydrite, goethite) show a pre‐edge signal at 2148–2152 eV. It is unknown whether organic P bound to FeIII oxyhydroxides also show this feature. Otherwise, Fe‐bound soil P may be underestimated by P K‐edge XANES spectroscopy, because a large portion of Fe oxyhydroxide‐bound P in soils is organic P. K‐edge XANES spectra were obtained for different organic P compounds present in soils [inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), glucose‐6‐phosphate (G6P), adenosine triphosphate (ATP)] after sorption to ferrihydrite or goethite and compared with spectra of oPO4 adsorbed to these minerals. P sorption to ferrihydrite increased in the sequence IHP ≪ G6P < oPO4 < ATP. P sorption to goethite increased in the sequence G6P < oPO4 ≪ ATP = IHP. Pre‐edge signals in P K‐edge XANES spectra of organic P adsorbed to Fe oxyhydroxides were markedly smaller compared with those of oPO4 adsorbed to these minerals and absent for FeIII oxyhydroxide‐bound ATP as well as goethite‐bound IHP. Linear combination fitting (LCF) performed on spectra of IHP, G6P or ATP adsorbed to ferrihydrite or goethite, using only spectra of FeIII oxyhydroxide‐bound oPO4 as reference compounds for Fe‐bound P, erroneously assigned >93% (ferrihydrite) or >41% (goethite) of Fe‐bound P to non‐Fe‐bound P species. Inclusion of FeIII oxyhydroxide‐bound IHP as reference compounds markedly increased the recovery of oxyhydroxide‐bound organic P. Thus, Fe‐bound soil P has probably often been underestimated by LCF in soil XANES studies where IHP adsorbed to ferrihydrite and to goethite were not included as reference compounds. Fe‐bound soil phosphorus (P) is probably often underestimated by LCF (linear combination fitting) conducted on P K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectra, unless inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) adsorbed to ferrihydrite and IHP adsorbed to goethite are included as reference compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To retrospectively investigate the prognostic role of the ratio between target lesion and liver SUVmax (rPET) in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) submitted to FDG-PET/CT at the end of immuno-chemotherapy (PI-PET), and to compare rPET with International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP), Deauville Score (5p-DS) and FL International Prognostic Index at diagnosis (FLIPI).Methods: Eighty-nine patients with FL undergoing PI-PET were evaluated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) approach was applied to identify the optimal cut-point of rPET with respect to 5-years progression free survival (PFS). The prognostic significance of rPET was compared with IHP, DS and FLIPI. Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using the presence of adverse events as gold standard.Results: The ROC analysis for rPET as predictor of progression showed an optimal rPET cut-point of 0.98. Patients with positive values of IHP, DS and rPET had a PFS of 50, 30 and 31%. PPV were of 56, 80 and 80%, NPV of 83, 86 and 88%, respectively. DS and rPET differed only in two patients. FLIPI was not predictive of progression and relapse.Conclusions: rPET is a prognostic factor in patients with FL submitted to PI-PET. Although it has a similar prognostic power as DS, it can have methodological advantages over visual analysis. PI-PET with different evaluation systems has a stronger prognostic power than FLIPI at diagnosis, so it could be useful to identify patients with FL at risk for early relapse after immuno-chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a widespread pathogen of Apis mellifera honey bees, and is considered a major causative factor for the collapse of infected honey bee colonies. DWV can be horizontally transmitted among bees through various oral routes, including via food sharing and by interactions of bees with viral-contaminated solid hive substrates. Cold plasma ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP) is used extensively by the food production, processing and medical industries to clean surfaces of microbial contaminants. In this study, we investigated the use of iHP to inactivate DWV particles in situ on a solid substrate. iHP-treated DWV sources were ~10 5 -fold less infectious when injected into naïve honey bee pupae compared to DWV receiving no iHP treatment, matching injected controls containing no DWV. iHP treatment also greatly reduced the incidence of overt DWV infections (i.e., pupae having >10 9 copies of DWV). The level of DWV inactivation achieved with iHP treatment was higher than other means of viral inactivation such as gamma irradiation, and iHP treatment is likely simpler and safer. Treatment of DWV contaminated hive substrates with iHP, even with honey bees present, may be an effective way to decrease the impacts of DWV infection on honey bees., Competing Interests: Author CB is employed by Arkema, Inc. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be constructed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors ER and JE declared that they were editorial board members of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2023 Cook, Ryabov, Becker, Rogers, Posada-Florez, Evans and Chen.)

The vertebrate egg coat, including mammalian zona pellucida, is an oocyte-specific extracellular matrix comprising two to six zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins. The egg coat plays important roles in fertilization, especially in species-specific interactions with sperm to induce the sperm acrosome reaction and to form the block to polyspermy. It is suggested that the physiological functions of the egg coat are mediated and/or regulated coordinately by peptide and carbohydrate moieties of the ZP glycoproteins that are spatially arranged in the egg coat, whereas a comprehensive understanding of the architecture of vertebrate egg-coat matrix remains elusive. Here, we deduced the orientations and/or distributions of chicken ZP glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP3 and ZPD, in the egg-coat matrix by confocal immunofluorescent microscopy, and in the ZP1–ZP3 complexes generated in vitro by co-immunoprecipitation assays. We further confirmed interdomain interactions of the ZP glycoproteins by far-Western blot analyses of the egg-coat proteins and pull-down assays of ZP1 in the serum, using recombinant domains of ZP glycoproteins as probes. Our results suggest that the ZP1 and ZP3 bind through their ZP-C domains to form the ZP1–ZP3 complexes and fibrils, which are assembled into bundles through interactions between the repeat domains of ZP1 to form the ZP1–ZP3 matrix, and that the ZPD molecules self-associate and bind to the ZP1–ZP3 matrix through its ZP-N and ZP-C domains to form the egg-coat matrix. Based on these results, we propose a tentative model for the architecture of the chicken egg-coat matrix that might be applicable to other vertebrate ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Studies of structure–function relationships in the respiratory proteins of marine mammals revealed unexpected variations in the number and types of hemoglobins (Hbs) present in coastal bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. We obtained blood samples from free-ranging coastal bottlenose dolphins as a component of capture–release studies. We found that the oxygen-binding functions of bottlenose dolphin blood are poised between effector-saturated and unsaturated levels, enabling exercise-dependent shifts in oxygen transfer functions. Isolated bottlenose dolphin Hbs showed elevated pH sensitivities (Bohr effects) and appreciably lower oxygen affinities than adult human Hb in the absence of allosteric effectors. These properties may be an adaptive modification that enhances oxygen delivery during diving episodes when oxygen tensions and effector levels are low. The Hbs of individual dolphins showed similar oxygen affinities, responses to effectors, and expression of heme–heme interaction in oxygen binding, but differed in their redox potentials and rates of autoxidation. The heterogeneity suggested by these functional variations in Hbs of individual dolphins was born out by variations in the molecular weights and numbers of their α and β globin chains. Although coastal bottlenose dolphins were expected to have a single type of Hb, the mass differences observed revealed considerable genetic diversity. There were multiple Hb forms in some individuals and differences in Hb patterns among individuals within the same community. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Changes in the plasma and urinary adenosine 3′,5′ monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels on infusion of parathyroid hormone were studied in 10 normal children, 5 children with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, and 3 children with pseudohypoparathyroidism. In normal children the plasma concentration of cyclic AMP ranges from 18.0 to 68.0 pmoles/ml under basal conditions, and increases to a peak of about 10-fold the basal level 5 min after infusion of parathyroid hormone. Infusion of parathyroid hormone caused no increase in plasma cyclic AMP in patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism but about 18-fold increase in those with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. The measurement of plasma cyclic AMP before and 5 min after infusion of parathyroid hormone is concluded to be a simple and effective method for differential diagnosis of hypoparathyroid disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytate ( myo -inositol hexakisphosphate, myo -IHP) is one of the most common organic phosphorus (P) species in soils and sediments which can be mineralized to increase the concentration of dissolved phosphate in pore water. Because of its six phosphate functional groups, functional group-specific adsorption mechanisms in reactive soil minerals become important in predicting solubility. In this study, solution 31 P NMR was used to elucidate the functional group-specific adsorption mechanisms of myo -IHP at the amorphous Al hydroxide (AAH)-water interface at pH 6.5 in conjunction with batch adsorption experiments and Zetasizer measurements. The adsorption maximum of myo -IHP with AAH was ∼312.50 mmol kg -1 , and the charge reversal effects in IHP-reacted AAH particles suggested the presence of inner-sphere surface species. The upfield shifts of various phosphate groups in the NMR spectra further supported the formation of inner-sphere IHP complexes at the AAH-water interface. When the initial myo -IHP/AAH (mol kg -1 ) was decreased from 2.5 to 1.25-1.67, P1,3 and P4,6 functional groups were coordinated in addition to P2; P5 became reactive with the ratio being decreased to <0.84, P5. This multifunctional group coordination increased aggregate size. The study showed that the availability of surface sites of adsorbents influenced the functional group-specific myo -IHP adsorption.

The management of patients with diffuse liver metastases remains a significant clinical challenge. In many cancer patients, metastatic disease may be isolated to the liver or the liver may be the dominant site of progressive metastatic cancer. In this setting, progression of disease in the liver generally is the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of baseline, interim and end-of treatment positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing the prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL)., Methods: A total of 84 FL patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Baseline (n=59), interim (n=24, after 2-4 cycles) and end-of treatment (n=43) PET/CT images were re-evaluated, and baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ), total metabolic tumor volume (tMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were recorded. Interim (I-PET) and end-of treatment (E-PET) PET/CT responses were interpreted by Deauville five-point scale (D-5PS) and International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP). Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between groups were compared by log-rank test., Results: The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 57.14% and 95.56%, respectively ( p =0.0001). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 62.50% and 100%, respectively ( p <0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that TLG was an independent prognostic factor for PFS ( p =0.001, HR=6.577, 95% CI=2.167-19.960) and OS ( p =0.030, HR=19.291, 95% CI =2.689-137.947). Besides, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) was the independent prognostic factor for OS (HR=8.924, 95% CI=1.273-62.559, p =0.028). Interim PET results based on D-5PS or IHP criteria were not significantly correlated with PFS (all p >0.05). However, E-PET results using D-5PS and IHP criteria were statistically significant ( p =0.0001 and p =0.006). The D-5PS showed stronger prognostic value compared with IHP criteria. The optimal cutoff value of ΔSUV max % was 66.95% according to I-PET and 68.97% according to E-PET. However, only the ΔSUV max % from the baseline to the end-of therapy yielded statistically significant results in the prediction of PFS ( p =0.0002)., Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the baseline TLG and E-PET results were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with FL., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

The current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 210, with roughly 83 million people being added every year. The upward trend in population size along with an improved quality of life are expected to continue, and with them the demand for water. Available water for human consumption and development remains virtually the same. Additional to the different pressures of the demand side on the available resources (offer side), climate variability and change apply further pressures to the management of the resource. Additional to the increase in evaporation due to temperature rise, climate change is responsible for more frequent and intense water related extreme events, such as floods and droughts. Anthropogenic activities often result in the contamination of the few pristine water resources and exacerbate the effects of climate change. Furthermore, they are responsible for altering the state of the environment and minimizing the ecosystem services provided. Thus, the water security of countries is compromised posing harder challenges to poor countries to address it. This compromise is taking place in a complex context of scarce and shared resources. Across the world, 153 countries share rivers, lakes and aquifers, home to 40% of the world's current population. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the scientific arm of the United Nations and its International Hydrological Programme (IHP) is the main vehicle for work in water sciences at an intergovernmental level. IHP VIII, IHP's medium term strategy, aims to assist UNESCO's Member States (MS) in achieving water security by mobilizing international cooperation to improve knowledge and innovation, strengthening the science-policy interface, and facilitating education and capacity development in order to enhance water resource management and governance. Furthermore, the organization has established an Urban Water Management Programme (UWMP) aiming at promoting sustainable water resource management in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three types of documents and their frequently used acronyms play a vital role in ensuring that students with disabilities have the planning, services, and accommodations necessary to facilitate attendance and success in the school setting. Federal and state laws, as well as state nurse practice acts, govern the process and eligibility of students for these services. School nurses play a vital role in these processes, and new school nurses benefit from a comparison of the terms along with a historical explanation of the acronyms., (© 2015 The Author(s).)

In the last decade, protein allostery has experienced a major resurgence, boosted by the extension of the concept to systems of increasing complexity and by its exploitation for the development of drugs. Expansion of the field into new directions has not diminished the key role of hemoglobin as a test molecule for theory and experimental validation of allosteric models. Indeed, the diffusion of hemoglobins in all kingdoms of life and the variety of functions and of quaternary assemblies based on a common tertiary fold indicate that this superfamily of proteins is ideally suited for investigating the physical and molecular basis of allostery and firmly maintains its role as a main player in the field. This review is an attempt to briefly recollect common and different strategies adopted by metazoan hemoglobins, from monomeric molecules to giant complexes, exploiting homotropic and heterotropic allostery to increase their functional dynamic range. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The absolute values of the O2-affinities (P50, Klow, and Khigh) of hemoglobin (Hb) are regulated neither by changes in the static T-/R-quaternary and associated tertiary structures nor the ligation states. They are pre-determined and regulated by the extrinsic environmental factors such as pH, buffers, and heterotropic effectors. The effect and role of O2 on Hb are reversibly to drive the structural allosteric equilibrium between the T(deoxy)- and R(oxy)-Hb toward R(oxy)-Hb (the structural allostery). R(oxy)-Hb has a higher O2-affinity (Khigh) relative to that (Klow) of the T(deoxy)-Hb (Khigh>Klow) under any fixed environmental conditions. The apparent O2-affinity of Hb is high, as the globin matrix interferes with the dissociation process of O2, forcing the dissociated O2 geminately to re-bind to the heme Fe. This artificially increases [oxy-Hb] and concomitantly decreases [deoxy-Hb], leading to the apparent increases of the O2-affinity of Hb. The effector-linked high-frequency thermal fluctuations of the globin matrix act as a gating mechanism to modulate such physical, energetic, and kinetic barriers to enhance the dissociation process of O2, resulted in increases in [deoxy-Hb] and concomitant decrease in [oxy-Hb], leading to apparent reductions of the O2-affinity of Hb (the entropic allostery). The heme in Hb is simply a low-affinity O2-trap, the coordination structure of which is not altered by static T-/R-quaternary and associated tertiary structural changes of Hb. Thus, heterotrophic effectors are the signal molecule, which acts as a functional link between these two allosteries and generates the diverse functionality of Hb of physiological relevance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Reactions of nitric oxide (NO) with hemoglobin (Hb) are important elements in protection against nitrosative damage. NO in the vasculature is depleted by the oxidative reaction with oxy Hb or by binding to deoxy Hb to generate partially nitrosylated Hb (Hb-NO). Many aspects of the formation and persistence of Hb-NO are yet to be clarified. In this study, we used a combination of EPR and visible absorption spectroscopy to investigate the interactions of partially nitrosylated Hb with O2. Partially nitrosylated Hb samples had predominantly hexacoordinate NO-heme geometry and resisted oxidation when exposed to O2 in the absence of anionic allosteric effectors. Faster oxidation occurred in the presence of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) or inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), where the NO-heme derivatives had higher levels of pentacoordinate heme geometry. The anion-dependence of the NO-heme geometry also affected O2 binding equilibria. O2-binding curves of partially nitrosylated Hb in the absence of anions were left-shifted at low saturations, indicating destabilization of the low O2 affinity T-state of the Hb by increasing percentages of NO-heme, much as occurs with increasing levels of CO-heme. Samples containing IHP showed small decreases in O2 affinity, indicating shifts toward the low-affinity T-state and formation of inert α-NO/β-met tetramers. Most remarkably, O2-equilibria in the presence of the physiological effector DPG were essentially unchanged by up to 30% NO-heme in the samples. As will be discussed, under physiological conditions the interactions of Hb with NO provide protection against nitrosative damage without impairing O2 transport by Hb's unoccupied heme sites. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)